Jay and Brynn came down for Gaige's missionary homecoming early Sunday morning. They had a special even of their own on Saturday night - Clara's tumbling recital. I'm not sure that's what they call it, but it was her end of the year big event. It would have been fun to attend, but could not do it right now with Paul's foot still literally up in the air. We got to watch a video of the performance and it was really awesome. Clara did GREAT! Way to go Clara!!! So proud of you.
Thursday night we got to attend Eliza's final Advanced Choir concert. I'm not sure she was thrilled to have us there, but her folks were out of town for the state soccer championships, so we were her fans for the concert. They sang a varied array of songs and did a great job. There were many more girls in the choir than boys. Eliza sang a solo that she did a good job of, but the acoustics in the gym made it very difficult to hear any of the soloists very well unfortunately. She wouldn't let us take her out for any treats so it was a short but sweet evening. Great job Eliza! (She's the one on middle far left.)
Last Tuesday we went for Paul's two-week check up. It was good. They took out the stitches, cleaned it up a little and rebandaged it...for another two weeks of boot wear. He still has to be careful to keep it clean and dry and up for a lot of the day. We were hoping it would be less of that, but they said it's a broken bone healing and feet get less circulation than most any part of the body, so it's slow healing. I'm hoping he's out of the boot for Family Camp, but it's going to be close. We took a little drive yesterday to help with the cooped up boredoms. Bean went with us up to Enterprise Reservoir. It was a pretty drive. Made us wish we were going camping, but it helped with the doldrums. We stopped in at what used to be Marv's. Paul and I shared a shake and Bean got something for him. Now it's called Joe's. The food was still good!
It was a peaceful Mother's Day. Ferf and some of her kids came over bearing gifts from all this morning. Gaige was with them, so it was nice to see him for the first time since he made it home from his mission. Brynnli, Ryan and Kennis and Torin were here too. So nice to visit with all of them. Moss and Christie and kids stopped by this afternoon for a bit which was nice too. Lou, Juge, Supe and Jay called and Derek and Kaebri texted. Bean came over for dinner. We had corned beef and cabbage; one of my favorites. Paul is still down and wasn't able to attend church today. There's not too much said about Mother's Day in a singles ward, but it was still nice. They gave out Swig cards and my home ward dropped by some yummy brownies and ice cream which Paul was here to put in the freezer for me. Everyone put together for some nice gift cards for me for dinners and a movie which Paul and I will both enjoy. I'm glad that my kids have grown up to be good and wonderful people. Paul and I tried hard to do it right...and even though we certainly weren't perfect parents, our kids have turned out in spite of our imperfect efforts. I'm thankful for that! Love them everyone! We always miss Weed, but we've made our peace through the Gospel with that for now.
Paul is just about to go nuts with laying around with his foot in the air. I'm feeling a little bit cooped up along with him. I have taken advantage of morning walks for a little get out time as well as doing the work to get things finished up at school. Paul decided he really needed to get out on Friday and said we should go to Pine Valley and have a KFC picnic at the Heritage Center picnic area. We got things together and took Bean with us and did it! And it was wonderful! The food was good, the weather was lovely cool, the scenery was beautiful and the company was great too! After we ate we took a little drive around to see how the cabins that are being rebuilt after burning in the fire are coming along and stopped off to read the DUP monument sign and see the Oreo cows. It was a great little outing. Paul got pretty tired by the time we left, but it was worth it for him and for Bean and me too! Sadly, a giant old spruce tree at the grounds by the Heritage Center had been chopped down. It looked like it must have been diseased so they took it down.
We are so happy that Eden has now arrived back to the USA after her semester in Mexico teaching elementary students English. It looks like she had a grand time there. Juge says she was happy to see her at the airport and ecstatic to see her car! It ended up being a long flight because of some delays, but they made it home and into beds Sunday morning at 4 am it sounds like. Eden posted that she is delighted to be back! Here are some pics Juge posted. Hopefully we will get to visit with her soon! Great job Eden! What an adventure for you to remember and learn from!
Monday Paul had foot surgery for some toe problems. He's supposed the spend the next two weeks with the foot elevated...and boy, is that boring him to death! I took him for a little break Friday morning. We went up and walked (he scootered) around the Desert Garden. It is pretty level and paved so he could maneuver his borrowed scooter there. While there we got to see the death bloom of a century plant. "Most agaves are monocarpic, spending anywhere from 10 to 30 years---hoarding energy for a single reproductive event. Once it blooms, the mother plant dies." We also could see where some great horned owls have nested in a cliff and are raising 3 owlets. The rest of the desert garden is always great as well. Some of the desert plants are blooming right now. It was a good get out for him and me! So glad that Sister Brady lent him her scooter. It makes getting around so much more comfortable than using crutches.
Just to make things more interesting this week, our refrigerator died on Thursday. It made noise all day long until we figured out it wasn't even keeping things cold. I went to get some popsicles for Jem and Kaia and found them all melted! Friday morning I went out getting quotes for a new one since fixing the old one would cost almost as much as a new one. I went 3 places and ended up deciding on one from Lowe's because we do get a pro-builder 5% discount there and that made the one there the best buy of all the ones I got quotes on. I don't think it's quite as nice as the one we had, but it's the price we can afford and the size that will fit our space. Thankfully we have grandma's old fridge in the garage and it is doing a good job for us until we get the new one. It's just a little inconvenient getting everything from downstairs and taking it back when you need to eat. Whine, whine! I'm just so glad we have that fridge and freezer to keep stuff cold for now.
There isn't going to be an airport return party for Gaige, unfortunately. His knee got injured several weeks ago during a P-day activity and it hadn't gotten better. He had just been transferred to a new area where he was the Zone Leader. He had been the Zone Leader in his last area. After an MRI and other tests, it was determined that he should come home early so he could get going on the medical care needed to help the knee to heal. That puts him coming home about 2 months early. After a zoom meeting with Ferf, Gaige and his stake and mission presidents that was the decision they reached. We are happy that he served well for as long as possible and now will get his knee injury taken care of. It would have been very uncomfortable for him to fly home with the seating on an airplane, so Ferf, Kennis and Koen went out and picked him up. He got home Friday, May 2nd. We haven't seen him yet, but hoping to get to visit with him soon. We are proud of him for his missionary service and excited to see where life will take him next...after he gets his knee back in good shape! Congrats Gaige!!! You served with honor!
