I've Been Framed

We signed the contract on our house in March. Unfortunately the weather has not been cooperative. We had so many days of rain that they have not been able to poor the foundation. On Wednesday we drove out to the lot and "Halaloya" (Hallelujah) as my friend from Jordan says, the foundation had been poured. They called Thursday with a weekly report and said we may have a framed and roofed house by this weekend. Anxious to see their progress we drove by yesterday.

Sorry for the cell phone pic. My camera took a trip to New York City with a certain little college graduate. The lower floor had been framed and they were putting up the first wall for Jackson's room on the second floor. If I weren't so busy purging and packing, I'd love to sit there and watch them all day!

Memorial Day 2009

This Memorial Day has a very special meaning to me. It is the first Memorial Day without my father and it has painfully pressed on a very tender place in my heart. It is very difficult to explain how I truly feel to you, especially when I am having such a difficult time trying to compose myself long enough to write this. I just know that I feel very lucky and extremely proud that he was my father. I feel so fortunate that I was part of a military life and the pride it instilled in me for my country. Yes, the Star Spangled Banner makes me cry. My family was blessed because he was able to spend 32 years serving his country and he retired and lived to be 86 years old. So many of our soldiers do not. This day is about them.

My Uncle Warren sent me a CD with a powerpoint slide show of my dad's graveside ceremony. I wanted to post it here but have not been able to condense the file. Here are a few pictures from it.

Handing my mother the flag.

Mom and I went to the cemetery this morning. There were flags everywhere. It was quite a sight to see. This was the first time I had seen the marker since it was put down.

I have many military pictures of him. I like this one. I wish it was a little clearer. It's how I like to remember him. You can tell he is teasing the person taking the picture. He teased everyone! His smile, his stance, the white hair and tan. A soldier.

That's my dad!

Graduation Day

Yesterday was a very special day!

Despite the rain "all day" the sun was shinning in Pioneer Hall for Molly's graduation. The smiles were even brighter!The ceremony was very nice. They had 4 different graduation ceremonies this weekend with a little over 300 students at each one, so it only lasted about an hour and a half. Molly's friend Katelyn drove up from Austin to be with her.

We celebrated at "Outback" with mom, Chris and Carrie. I was using Chris's camera and not mine when I took pictures of mom and the kids, thus mom is not in the picture.

The many years of classes, studying, and homework are finally behind you. We've watched your determined spirit bring you to this day. We are so very proud of you Molly!

There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning.

Orrin Hatch