Growing Things

We will have had a bit over two weeks home from Colorado before leaving to return there, pack Mom up and bring her home with us. I had big plans for that time; it is the last we will have alone for some time. Of course the time flew by. But I've accomplished at least some of my plans, and one surprising one. I've finished my Christmas shopping! Gifts for 16 grandchildren--done! I'm so proud of myself. I've dreamed of doing this year after year and this year, I've made it. My granddaughter, Allegra, assisted me by reminding me of the interests of each grandchild. What a little lady to be so involved with her cousins that she could advise me with great insights.

Our yard of growing and dying things is looking a bit better. Layne has been working hard and I've been working quite a bit less than that trying to get the yard ready for winter rains. We've got more trees planted and hope to put in a few more plants within this next month. Maybe we will have a yard before too long. At the moment the living things are outnumbering the dead ones; that is always a good sign. Our little kitty, Cherry, keeps us company in the yard during all the quiet moments. She has become something of a yard mascot, as she follows us everywhere. She's a people kind of cat. I love her. The hills beyond our yard are turning a beautiful green, thanks to our early rains. The most beautiful time of the year has begun!

This week has been hectic and lovely. Grandkids were here, running through the house and generally perking things up. Grandson Scott helped with our yard project. Scouts were here, using our yard as a camp ground. It is fun to have the place filled with life forms.

On Saturday I did some face painting at a stake Halloween Carnival. I was not especially looking forward to it as I know so few people here. But, during one of my painting breaks, I ran into some Fremont friends. It was such fun catching up on their lives and laughing together over mutual memories.

We visited our old stake today, as we spoke in a Fremont ward this morning. How wonderful to be among old friends. I have come to appreciate friends that share a long history with us; who know us and love us in a familiar, affectionate kind of way. I love our new place, and the new friends we are making but it is the old friends that I find I most treasure. I didn't realize how much I would miss them once we left our familiar home base.

My life is full of life of all sorts; changing, growing kinds of life. I find it fills my soul with a quiet happiness.

Pictures: top is grandson Timothy, who visited us this past weekend with his brothers. He is the youngest child of our son Reed. He is Carmen's brother. The other picture shows Layne getting ready to plant some oak trees that he grew from seed. We are hoping they will love their spot, as trees planted before them did not.