SUMMER 2011 - Extreme Temperatures and Extreme Love!

So much has happened in our family since January! There have been absolute highs and absolute lows - but love will prevail and eternal relationships will go on! We have been so blessed to have Rory, Alex and Aurora move in with us - and to see Rory as an absolutely amazing father. His teaching methods, his love, his humor and his diligence are beyond what most fathers experience in their "fatherhood" years. He is also a great cook, a great cleaner and organizer, and now he has added school to his routine. Most parents don't get to see thier children in the full role of parenting, but we have been blessed over the years to have several of our kids and grandkids live with us for a season - to see them as adults - and to know of their goodness. One of the coolest things is to see these kids love and care for one another. Last Sunday we celebrated Grandma Gurney coming home from Utah and some of the family stayed until late. Ryan told funny stories of when we lived in Utah and the kids were little, and he kept us laughing! His kids were delighted, and I was happy to see family traditions and stories being passed down the generations. It reminded me of my favorite times growing up, when my parents, aunts and uncles would entertain us with their stories - especially about their lives in the mountains, the Indians, horses, etc.

My favorite days are always those where the family gets together - whether it is for Sunday dinners, to swim, to barbeque, or just when I get to tend the grandkids. A favorite day was when Rory took his brothers, sisters-in-law, and dad to a movie to thank them for all the work they gave in helping him move. I could tell that they were nervous to leave me with all the grandkids (since we were all in the pool), but the big kids (Devanie and Zander) helped with the little kids and I counted heads every few minutes.... 7 happy kids! When we got out we got on pijamas, ate, made popcorn and got out lots of pillows and blankets and watched The Frog Princess movie. All was calm and quiet until the dancing music came on - and then Aurora and Brailyn couldn't stay down! They jumped up, started dancing, and then everyone got excited - - and then parents came home!

It is so fun to cook with grandkids around! Lately they have helped prepare a lot of the meals. For our last Sunday dinner Roxie made the gravy, Devanie made the potatoes, Cam and Ryan tended the rolls, Ryan carved the turkey, Rick set the table - and I can't remember everything each person did, but dinner was wonderful! Afterwards it's a race to the sink for the little kids - because they all love to wash the dishes! I got a letter from Gilbert Town saying our water use was xtra high...so between my "forgotten" waterings of plants and our really clean dishes by Brailyn and Aurora it's totally possible! When everyone is gone I leave the toy room "as is" for a day or so, then re-organize it so that they next time they come they will be excited to be here. I remember our kids when they were little and when they didn't want to go to grandmas house because there was nothing to do and nothing to eat. I committed that our grandkids would never get a chance to feel that way!

A highlight of the summer was going to Utah - the first time with Rick, and the 2nd time I drove on my own. Rick was nervous for me to drive alone - but he tracked me on his phone and we talked at every stop (and sometimes in between). I totally loved my week with Jonique, Jacob and Xelly! It was beautiful weather, and a privilege to help Jonique while she got her wisdom teeth pulled. Xelly loved playing outside, filling her little rectangular pan with water, sitting in it, putting her babies in it ... and I thought ... "how awesome kids are to be happy with the simpliest of things". I didn't like leaving - but knew that we would be together in the end of August at Lake Powell. I'm grateful that Jacob works hard to take care of his cute little family - even if his job took them away! It is nice to have an excuse to go to Utah - and a wonderful place to stay!

Rory's birthday was fun - with everyone there to celebrate. The grandkids made heart messages and put them on large skewers and filled the lawns, planters and inside plants with them for a great heart attack! Rory chose to have homemade chicken noodle soup (old family recipe) and cheesecake(s). Some things just don't change! At least it wasn't "Bruno" soup!

These terrific grandkids have turned into fish! They took swimming lessons this year and all of them are very water savvy and they do some great dives, back-dives, pencils, and other tricks for me. Even Maddaux can do things that I wouldn't think a 4 year old would dare to do - and he's pretty tough. One of my favorite things since their school started (year round school) is that I get to teach them piano lessons at 6 am each week. What a great experience for a grandma! I'm so proud of each of them and the progress that they are making. Their music is beautiful and I see them moving forward each week! Yeah!

Another fun experience was camping up Sedona canyon (near Flagstaff) with Riley, Ashley and Brailyn. There were not any forests open for camping other than this one due to the fires and dryness. We hoped the other kids would be able to come, but Richard had to work (or should I say "got" to work), Ryan too, so it was just the 5 of us! We played lots of card games - and Ashley's favorite was SkipBo. The day that we left it began to rain, but as we arrived into the Phoenix valley the weather was 114 degrees! Yep, we came home too soon!

Jonique, Jacob and Xelly posed for me at Chris Dayley's reception. It was fun being with them and seeing Richard there too with his friends. We enjoyed having Richard fly home with us - since we don't get to see him as much after we changed our day and time of service at the temple. Rick and I love serving at the temple! It is truly a blessing to us - and we see miracles that bless our kids and grandkids - recognizing that the Lord is near, and he loves each one of us!

 These kids are getting so brave, and it's fun to see their confidence grow as their abilities grow.  Lake Powell this year will be extra fun with all these little "water bugs"!

  This little guy makes me laugh!  I am waiting for a day to be with just him - and I know that the time quickly goes by, so I need to take every chance to be with him before he is a big kid and it's not "cool" to be with grandma!

Being a grandma is the best! Rory was telling me that he thinks that pregnancy is a great thing, because it is the beginning of the absolute best part of life! Yep, I agree! The blessings of children and grandchildren are some of the greatest blessings on earth! Every kid needs a safe place to go when life is tough - and grandma's house is a safe place - always!