8/14/18 J&M Shopping Trip

     Today, we decided that it was a good day to check some things off of our shopping to do list. Gram needed new shoes and a couple of other things so we went to Walmart. Of course, all the school kids were at school. Peter and Heidi and I went first so that we could pick up a few things and be ready to assist Gram and Papa. Heidi helped Gram pick out two pairs of shoes that she feels will work for her.

   

This evening, Heidi went to Relief Society. While she was gone Sarah and TJ helped me move dirt into the sinkhole in the front yard. With all the rain lately, the place where the sewer pipe was replaced has started to settle. It only took 4 or 5 wagon loads and the ground was starting to look level again.

8/13/18 Peter the Pirate

While the older kids are making the adjustment back to being in school Peter is having to learn to get along without his friends to entertain him. It's been pretty rough so far. Today we made progress in a better direction. One thing that made the time pass faster was playing an imagination game. I told Peter that I had heard there was a "treasure" hidden in a metal box in the garage. He helped me put the laundry on the line as we pretended that they were magic flying clothes that needed to be dried out to work. I am not as skilled as I once was at playing this type of game. My imagination became taxed after a while. Still, Peter seemed to love it and he was happy instead of sad.

8/12/18 Home Teach the Ruddells

     Today Papa and I got to visit Brother and Sister Ruddell. Poor Sister Ruddell has been having back pain and requested a blessing. We felt honored to be able to assist in this way. Our prayers are with Sister Ruddell that she may feel better quickly.

8/11/18 George Washington and a Birthday Party

Today Rebecca had a birthday party in Grammie and Grandpa Mangum's neighborhood. So, while we were on that side of town we stopped by so Heidi could help them hang a painting. The painting of George Washington resigning his commission as leader of the US army became significant to Grandpa Mangum during their couple mission. It was hanging on one of the walls near where they worked. The painting itself has meaning as it reflects some of the founding ideals of our country. Washington could easily have retained his commission and used it to become king of the fledgling nation. Instead, he upheld the values that his compatriots fought for. We live in a free land in no small part thanks to the faith and character of this man.

After the party, we stopped by Barnes and Noble to let Rebecca pick something out. She was given a gift card 2 years ago for her birthday. When she got another one this year we knew we needed to make it a priority to let her pick out a present. Mission accomplished.

8/10/18 Gilbert Temple Friday

Today Heidi, Gram, Papa and I headed over to the Gilbert Temple. Grammie and Grandpa Mangum met us there. Grandpa Mangum is already inside so we missed him in our photo op. We all got to do an Endowment session together. It is neat to be able to go with all four of our parents.

8/9/18 Deconstruction

Today Heidi and Peter and I went over to Grammie and Grandpa Mangum's house. The old countertops were too big to fit into their trash cans. We fixed that problem with a sledgehammer.

They also had a small flower tree fall victim to the recent storm. Heidi's mom had already put most of the smaller branches into the big green trash cans. Heidi and I cut the larger branches to fit and shortened the stump. Heidi thinks that it may turn into a small flowering bush. Time will tell.

8/8/18 Sarah, TJ and Joseph Start School

Today Joseph, TJ, and Sarah started school at Franklin East Elementary. They were actually pretty excited.

Peter is once again the only child left at home during the day. He frequently asks if his "friends" will be home soon. I love that he sees his siblings as his friends for that is as it should be.

This afternoon Heidi and I started Cub Scouts back up. The Stake leadership mandated that July was "Family Month" and that activities should be limited. Today we had the boys practice pool rescue techniques and learn about boat safety. It felt good to be working with the boys again.