First Day of School
Monday, August 26, 2024
Chloe sent us this picture of her first official day of classes through our family group texts. Tomorrow she will have lived in her apartment for a whole week. She has gone to her new ward, rode the bus a few times, and hiked up and down THE HILL many times; and met new friends everywhere she went!
Then this afternoon, after meeting with a counselor, she learned that after this semester she will be one credit away from her associates degree!!! She is so awesome!
Read more...
Utah State Aggie
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
It’s official, we dropped off her belongings to her apartment off campus and then stopped for a bite to eat together. She will do amazing things and I hope she has so much fun making new friendships and new memories. I’m so excited for her. I’m mostly excited, and a little bit sad. Maybe 90% excited and 10% sad. Okay, maybe 10% sad, 10% lonely, 10% anxious and the rest excited! Read more...
Layton Temple
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Today, Chloe and I had an appointment for an endowment
session at 10:15 at the Layton temple. I have been struggling to get good sleep
and set my alarm for 9 AM so we could arrive by 9:45. Nine times out of ten, if
I have plans or an appointment, I can wake up anytime and go. If I don’t have
any schedule to keep to, I am more than happy to turn off my morning alarm and
go back to sleep. I set my alarm but had a little elf come to visit me at 8:30
and then again at 8:45. I don’t know what I said to this sweet morning fairy,
but I meant shoo, shoo!
I finally woke up and quickly got dressed and ready to leave
by the time we had said the night before. I was breathing a little heavily and
she kept looking at me across the Jeep. “Are you okay Mom?” It was already
so hot, and my eyes were already itchy and watering, crazy hay fever. She
offered to drop me off at the entrance and she parked. We met inside but
separated so I could use the elevator.
In the women’s dressing room, I get a little flustered as I
am the slowest changer in the world. I am anxious because what if someone is
waiting to get into this stall for their locker. I always try to rush so that
Chloe isn’t waiting on me because she knows I need her help with the back of my
dress and my slippers. I don’t want to be left behind and yet I don’t know
exactly where I am supposed to go. This Layton temple is different and new to
us. The dressing room sister directed me to a stall, and I got flustered and
couldn’t spit out that I needed the handicap stall, so I have enough room. So,
I started sweating but muscled through. I emerged almost completely dressed
with my slippers in my hand, waiting for my sweet daughter, my temple
buddy, trying to calm my nerves. While waiting I almost asked three or four
ladies walking by to assist me with my slippers, but I lost my nerve. And still
no Chloe. I figured she went to the chapel to wait for me. Another elevator
ride to another floor and I was huffing and puffing while plodding to, fingers
crossed, where I was supposed to be. A different sister noticed my red face and
instructed me to turn around and took me directly to the endowment room so that
I could catch my breath. Again, I could have asked her to #1 help me with my
slippers and #2 let her know my daughter would be joining me. But neither of
those things happened. But I did continue to sweat as I tried to calm my
breathing and heart rate, slipping my slippers into my envelope.
Eventually, the room started to fill up but there was no
Chloe. I got up, kind of hunched up so no one would notice my stocking feet and
let them know. They said they would go and check the chapel but there wasn’t
anyone there.
In the meantime, Chloe had gotten worried that I was still
in the dressing room and was instructed to go and look for me. She figured
she’d find my crying in my stall waiting to be rescued but didn’t know which
aisle I was directed to. She asked a temple worker if she knew which aisle I
was assigned and when asked what she looks like, Chloe responded with, “She has
red hair, a navy-blue dress and she was probably smiling”. She knew exactly who
I was from that description!
The temple workers were holding our session for another
couple who hadn’t found each other. Someone asked Chloe if she was waiting for
her husband and she laughed to herself and thought,” I wish!” In the
end, just a few moments passed, and the brother and Chloe made
it. The sweet sister who sat directly behind me noticed my buttons
undone on the back of my dress and fastened them for me. Also, when I pulled
open my envelope, I saw my slippers, which Chloe giggled and placed on my
feet.
As we left the beautiful rooms and made our way down to the
dressing room, Chloe rode the elevator with me, for safety ;) We started to
remove our ceremonial clothing when I realized I didn’t have my locker key.
More sweat, more anxiety, more drama! I knew I was in aisle C but
not which stall I was supposed to be in. The one that I thought might have been
mine was occupied so I waited. I happened to mention to the temple worker
nearby that I had misplaced my locker key and she pulled one out of her pocket saying
this might be for you then.
Chloe’s stall was also occupied, but while I was still
waiting for my turn, she slipped in and changed back into her dress. She came
to check on me just as the other sister was vacating my stall and we tried the
key and blessings were answered it was my key! She helped me remove
my slippers and long white compression socks. She undid the buttons on the back
of my dress. Then she told me she would be waiting for me at the entrance and
to take my time and meet her there. Which I did.
We asked a woman to take a photo of us and chatted with her
for a minute. She and her husband are new service missionary leaders and Chloe
could just feel their awesome missionary goodness radiating from
them! This same woman was waiting with me at the curb while we
waited for our rides. She asked me how long my daughter had been home. I was a
little surprised but said since April. This surprised her a little and said
that she figured she would have just gotten home because her post-missionary
glow was still so strong. I chuckled and said that is just how she is!
Once we got into the Jeep, with the air conditioner pumping,
we headed to Chili’s for some much-needed sustenance. It was at this time that
Chloe told me her side of the story and the drama of losing her
mother. When she said the bit about me smiling, I was more surprised
than I should have been. I would have thought my identifier was the really
obese woman struggling physically with every step she took. I felt humbled to
be loved by this amazing daughter of God. She sees me, she knows me, and she loves
me unconditionally. She is always willing and prepared to help and assist me
even when it should be my job to do that for her.
I try to do everything I can to ease my anxiety in preparing
for the temple. I finally found white socks that won’t fall down due to my
ginormous calves. I plan to wear my long dress and put the socks on before
leaving. I’ve actually sat on the floor of a stall in a temple, struggling to
get my socks on. I always try to have my family names and their cards printed
beforehand or plan to have extra time to have them printed in the temple
office. I double-check that I have the necessities in my temple bag; recommend,
chapstick, gum, mints, hankies, etc.
Other than my temple recommend, none of these things truly matter. The work I am doing for my ancestors is of great worth. The assistance I get from Chloe, or any other temple companion is not a big deal and I have been overjoyed to help another sister in the temple to pay it forward.
I didn’t fully realize that people aren’t always smiling
when I cross their paths. I just assumed they had already been smiling but
Chloe thinks that it is just because I am always sharing my beautiful smile
with others, that it brings a little joy into their day. And that, you might
have guessed it, brought a smile to my face!
Drama Over the Pulpit
Sunday, July 14, 2024
It started out like any other Sunday. When Chloe and I arrived to the sacrament meeting, no one was waiting for us in our pew. Dan was off trying to work on someone's reimbursement and Seth was sitting on the stand on the left side of the bishopric. He thought he was so tricky - being asked to speak and not telling anyone. But I knew something was going on and when I got an email with the sacrament program; it was confirmed! I mentioned it to Chloe on Saturday night and we thought it would be funnier to let him be surprised when she was there too!
The entire primary presidency was on the stand to speak as well and the congregation was buzzing about them being released. But with no new ward business, we moved on to the sacrament. After renewing our covenants, the priests and deacons sat down with their families. Then Seth was up and sharing his experience of snowmobiling with his dad, Lynn Hammond, Tyler Spencer, Chad Horne, and some others near Chad's property in Wyoming. He was getting to the good part when his snowmobile was wrecked on a tree and wouldn't go anymore. He seemed to have lost his place on the pages he was reading from. He found his place but kept repeating himself. Then he started slurring his words and he leaned forward, slumped with his face on the microphone. Dan hollered, "Somebody catch him! SOMEBODY CATCH HIM!!!" when Bishop Duncan and Chad Horne caught him before he went down.
He had blacked out for about 15 seconds but it seemed like minutes. He came around and they got him sitting in his seat but he appeared to be slipping back into unconsciousness. Dan lept from our pew and was up front super fast and Bishop directed Dan to call 911.
Jessica Himle had Gage go and get some water from the kitchen and had him offer Seth some of his candy to combat the possibility of low blood sugar. The EMT on the phone directed Dan to not let Seth eat or drink anything until they arrived. Seth started talking and was acting the goofy way he did when he had his wisdom teeth removed. He was kind of loopy and silly but he didn't remember how he got done with his talk so fast.
The bishopric moved Seth out to the foyer near their offices and Chloe and I left the chapel to be with him. He was so pale and clammy. Brandon Himle, Tyler Spencer, and Jordan Peterson were there checking on him and teasing him for stopping just when the story was getting good.
Nate Shelton had gone out to wait for the EMTs. Seth was getting some color back in his face - he went from slate gray to seasick green. The EMTs arrived and checked his heart rate and patterns, did a quick blood glucose finger prick, and monitored his oxygen for 15-20 minutes. They saw his levels all return to normal and since he didn't hit his head or fall/crash, he could choose if he wanted to go to the hospital to get checked out further. He declined very quickly.
We got him home and he had some apple juice and a grilled cheese sandwich with some bean with bacon soup. He then took a short Sunday nap. He said he couldn't remember anything, that he lost his place in his talk and then everything went black. It was funny when the EMTs were packing up their gear, he asked them if he got a sticker for being such a good boy!
As his mother, I watched him slump over the pulpit and it looked like he had the head of the microphone in his mouth. When his dad saw and knew what was happening and yelled out, somebody catch him, he was up and out of our pew quick, like a cat. I knew Dan was right there and stayed seated holding Chloe's hand as we watched it all play out. I kept thinking they needed to get him off the stand and out of the chapel.
When he was slurring his words I imagined my Dad having his first episode while bearing his testimony, slurring his speach and all of the horribleness with Alzheimers.
Wade and Erin Robinson stopped by after church, then Jessica Himle with Gage and Payton. Then Bishop and Mindy Duncan stopped by with even more cookies.
After all those coming to show Seth their love, Melinda Cloward stopped by to tell me how much she appreciated me in welcoming her and Morris to the ward. She wanted to make sure I was okay after everything was back to normal with Seth. She said she kept putting it off and just had to tell me that today :)
Seth decided he doesn't like being the center of attention in large crowds. The combination of not eating breakfast, nerves, and probably locking his knees was just too strong today. He said the only thing worse would have been throwing up - projectile vomiting into the congregation. Is that a silver lining?
I am so thankful for the love and concern we felt from our ward family. Seth has been a part of this ward since before he started nursery at eighteen months old. He was planning on this being his final talk as he was hoping to be released as the priest quorum first assistant and start going to a YSA ward - we shall see. He knows he will be razzed about this for a long time but swore Dan and I to secrecy both with our families and at work! It will be interesting to see who breaks first.
Read more...Princesstarta Success!
Monday, May 27, 2024
She cleaned the oven out this morning and started on round two. We split the cake into two pans instead of one in hopes of not overflowing. Her custard didn’t thicken and she said it was my turn to try. We got the cakes and the custard chilling and while I made and baked our hobo dinners she made the whipped cream and dyed the marzipan green!
Dan tried it and he thought it was good. We watched the episode of the Great British Bake Off while savoring our dessert. She lamented that it wasn’t that hard to make, why did it take us so long to do it.
I did some searching on-line to find an American version and someone who had attempted it with success. We agreed it needed homemade jam, more custard and we might try to make our own marzipan.
Read more...
Prinsesstarta - First Attempt
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Chloe and I have dreamed of making this cake after watching The Great British Baking Show. Tomorrow is Memorial Day and our boys have separate plans to go fishing. I thought we could restart watching Season 1, Episode 1 and make this awe inspiring cake. Chloe read over an americanized version of the recipe and decided we need to make the cake part tonight. This is how it turned out after I thought it smelled like the cake was on fire in the oven... It exploded and was mixed up to this concoction:
Talk about a soggy bottom!
The judges gave it a thumbs down...
No handshake today.
Read more...
Seth Graduates
He said these pictures he took for me, were specifically for all the ladies:
There’s a very special place within my heart reserved only for you.
It’s a place where I store precious memories of your childhood: the little things you said or did that endeared you to me, the sound of your laughter, the sight of your tears.
All of this I have saved. Those years were so precious, but oh, how quickly they passed!
Now, before me stands my son, no longer a boy, but a man.
As I look at you, I want you to know that I am filled with pride for the fine, decent person that you have become.
Even though all of this has happened too fast, I am grateful beyond happiness you have brought me.
I love you deeply, Son, and I want to thank you for adding so much joy and laughter to my life!
Mother's Day Mustard!
Sunday, May 12, 2024
I don’t know if you all know this, but Dan Davis is tremendous tease.
When Seth was little, I could holler out and say, “Seth, save me!” and he would come running. As more time past and as he and Chloe grew, they realized I was like the little boy calling wolf and didn’t really need help.
Years ago, Dan and Chloe were teasing each other in the kitchen, and Chloe reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a jar of mustard to squirt at him.
So for some reason the next time Dan was tickling me I called out, “Chloe! Get the mustard!”
The kids still ignored my plea’s for help but after years and years of hollering for mustard, finally I got some!
Happy Mothers Day
Read more...Layton Temple Open House
Monday, May 6, 2024
Seth's church pants were rolled up in a ball in his bedroom so he didn't come with us but it sure was beautiful! Read more...
New York Diaries Day One
Monday, April 22, 2024
Our first airport, Dan & Seth dropped us off at the unloading zone of the Salt Lake Airport at 4 AM and as I jostled around my various bag, purse & oxygen concentrator - they chuckled and wished Chloe, "Good Luck!", wishing her the best of luck - handling her mother...
She treated me to Starbucks for an early breakfast
What a morning! Happy Birthday to me!!!
But I made it through the terminal [only I got a pat down through security] , after checking all of our large luggage - many thanks to Lauren Forsberg for lending us her bougie 4-wheel-drive luggage.
I chose Southwest Airlines because they offer passengers of size a free seat to provide enough room. And I wasn't encroaching on anyone's space - comfort & Yay!
We landed in Chicago with a looong layover.
We ate at a restaurant called Go White Sox during our loooong layover.
I french braided her hair during our looong layover.
Then we sat around just outside of our gate.
Or so we thought :(
After I got a text that said our flight to Rochester was boarding,
we realized our mistake and booked it from gate 15 → → → → → to gate 26.
Aglia E Formaggio ($12)
The ciabatta was drizzled with garlic oil, oregano & mozzarella and had a cherry pepper puree and a hot honey to choose from for dipping. This was divine, the hot honey especially!
Hotel June ($9)
She picked this drink for her first New York beverage.
It consisted of nonalcoholic tequila, cucumber, lemon, lime & pink grapefruit.
It was not delicious!
The drink was so, so bad with a very strong cucumber presence that was very overwhelming.
Chloe's dinner: Spaghetti alla Limone & Steak ($32)
spaghetti, lemon, garlic, parmesan
This dish was light and creamy with a delicious portion of well seasoned steak.
My dinner: Rigatoni e Pisello ($28)
rigatoni, pea pesto, mascapone, crispy prosciutto, & pea shoots
Salted Caramel Gelato
they served for my Birthday!!!
The .5
199 Woodcliff Dr, Fairport, NY 14450
Back to the hotel for some relaxing at the pool and hot tub, which was a major let down. All the pools in Kanab were better than this dirty and dingy pool. The hot tub wasn't filled more than half way and was not even really warm - sad...
I had pulled out my label maker as I was packing back at home and just came across my lotion I use each night. Dan had added a new label for a surprise as I got ready for bcd.
Thomson Camp Out 2023
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
• Hosted by the Hancock's
• Pine Valley, Mirror Lake Highway, Group Site 'A'
• Dan lost his truck's key fob
• "It was the eighties" was a phrase that was thrown around a lot!
• SO many mosquitos & flies
• The Steeneck Flood
• Sewing Projects
• Babies to hold and snuggle!!!
• SO much laughter
• Lord of the Flies Outhouses
• Answered Prayers
Read more...New Priest
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Dan ordained Seth a Priest today.
Personal Bests
Sunday, October 3, 2021
The boys just got home from Bear Lake with some crazy lasting memories. Seth caught his personal best, a 12.2 pound Lake Trout:
Then while they were at the Garden City Pond, Dan noticed something moving towards Seth. He hooked this Meek Rat by the foot but wouldn't hold it up for a picture:
Dan also caught his first Sculpin. But I think it looks more like a gremlin!
Read more...
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