Fast Forward

Just when we thought life was going to start slowing down and we would be able to catch up on the mile long "to do" list, someone pushed the fast forward button and time seems to zooming past. Weddings happen, funerals happen and suddenly we are three weeks away from the arrival of baby three and there is still a lot to do!

But let's rewind for a minute to what has been happening. My grandpa George Lovell passed away a week and a half ago. His family breathed a sigh of relief that he was free from a crippled body that had not allowed him to speak for almost 10 years and more recently has prohibited him from moving freely.

I am grateful that I was still able to travel and could fly home for the funeral. I am also grateful the Fisher encouraged me to go, while he stayed home and for friends who very graciously watched the girls while I was gone and Fisher was working. All of my siblings were able to be there and it was a unique and fun experience to drive from the Salt Lake airport to Idaho in a car with my siblings from Provo, Boston, and New Jersey. I don't remember the last time we were all in a car together (especially without kids to distract us). The visit was short but very sweet, with most of the time revolving around the viewing, funeral and the preparations for them. Funerals often are family reunions and I saw many cousins, aunts, and uncles that I haven't seen for several years. The cousins sang the closing song of the funeral... there are 48 of us in all, and at least 35 were there. It was a touching experience for me and I could imagine my Grandpa and Grandma sitting on the front row, holding hands, and smiling as they listened to their posterity sing.

My dad and uncle. My dad is sporting the wig he wore years ago after losing his hair to chemo. His brother still has all his hair. Neither has lost their sense of humor.

My mom, sisters, and I

The beautiful funeral spray. The wheat shafts very fitting for my grandpa who has worked hard as a farmer all of his life. I also learned that his name, George, means "Farmer" or "Of the land"

Rewind two weeks ago to my cousin's wedding in Henderson, NV. We met up with my parents there and enjoyed seeing them and my cousin's family. It was a new experience for Curly and Lou to attend a reception with a dance. And I have to admit that it was the most "hoppin" reception dance I have ever been to. Curly couldn't get enough! She kept joining the dance circle and taking her turn showing off her moves. Lou thought dancing was fun, until the group formed a circle around her and started cheering, then she folded her arms across her chest and stomped off the dance floor with her nose in the air. I wish I had caught it on camera.

The happy couple. The bride and her mother made the wedding cake together!

My dad dancing with Curly

Curly and Lou warmed up the dance floor, before it got crowded.

My parents, myself, and Fisher

Grandpa Lovell ~1919-2010~

George Lloyd Lovell, 91, of Ririe, died at his home Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010.
Born Aug. 16, 1919, the second child of George Hyrum and Harriett Borrowman Lovell, he was raised on a farm in Ririe, where duties began at an early age. By age 8, he had mastered harnessing the horse team for digging potatoes using a block and tackle to hoist them into place. George became "man of the house" at the age of 15 when his father was disabled by a heart attack.
George enjoyed giving trumpet performances and was valedictorian of his class. His father's death necessitated forgoing his dream of education and dropping out of college to manage the farm and provide the opportunity for his siblings. He determined to provide that for his children also.
During his days at Ricks College, George courted and married Amber Grover of Ririe in 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple. They returned to the farm to raise their eight children.
George enjoyed being an early adopter of newer farming methods, and prided himself in maximizing productivity. He enjoyed farming with brother Rendon and family, and many wonderful employees. He took great pride beautifying his farmyard with lawns and flowers, and teaching his family the blessings of working together. They expanded to provide support and entertainment for their growing family. The "Triple L Ranch" became a site of numerous reunions, church, and community gatherings. He was named to the East Idaho Agricultural Hall of Fame and as an Outstanding Alumnus of Ricks College.
George served the LDS community for 30 years as a bishop, East Rigby Stake president and in the Idaho Pocatello Mission presidency. He and Amber spent their only years out of the Ririe area presiding over the Texas Dallas mission from 1973 to 1976. He treasured friendships created during those years of service. He became an accomplished speaker and was honored to speak at numerous memorials and church events.
George is survived by his daughters, Deon (Winston) Larsen of Rexburg, LaRae (Clyde) Cook of Ririe; sons Robert (Brenda) Lovell of Riverton, Utah, Gary (Carolee) Lovell of Rexburg, J. Kreed (Carolyn) Lovell of Henderson, Nev., Lynn (Blynne) Lovell of Higley, Ariz., Ron (Tammy) Lovell of Ririe and Theron (Kim) Lovell of Queen Creek, Ariz.; sisters Lois (Jack) Parry of Idaho Falls and Myrna (Kenneth) Hamilton of Idaho Falls, 48 grandchildren and 94 great-grandchildren.
George is preceded in death by his wife, Amber; daughter Alice; great-grandchild Issac Timothy Lovell; brothers Ray and Rendon Lovell; and one sister, Leah Cleverly.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Ririe Stake Center with President Mark Lovell conducting. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., both at the stake center. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.

Who needs a cozy mattress...

when you can sleep on the cool, hard tile.
This is currently Lou's favorite place to settle down for the night. After she is tucked in, stories are read, and Curly is fast asleep, she gets busy setting up camp in the hallway. I am not sure why the shoes are lined up, on other nights we have found the entire contents of her drawers neatly stacked along the edges of the hallway or piles of books or toys. Funny girl - at least she goes to sleep eventually!
Last week we invited lots of friend to join a music class - hosted at our house but taught on a rotating basis by the moms. We have held class twice and it has been a lot of fun, a little wild, but I think the kids love it! They especially love the parachute at the end of class!

Grateful

It has been a very busy week, but all of the busyness has been overshadowed by thoughts of a friend who is far away. A woman from our old ward in Utah passed away this week. She was young. She has a young family. She was positive, funny, spunky, and kind to everyone. She had the most beautiful smile. She and her family have been constantly on my mind and in my prayers.

Her amazing husband regularly posted updates on her condition on the internet and it was hard to sit here and read about her suffering and not be able to go help... but it was amazing to me to see the tender mercies that a loving Heavenly Father sent to her and her family through the people around her - family, neighbors, friends. There has been and continues to an incredible and miraculous outpouring of love and support.

Everyone knew her time was short and when I read the news that she had passed away, I felt grateful that her pain was gone, that she was surrounded by her family, and most especially that she knew of our Savior's atonement that makes it possible for her to be with her family in the eternities. I am grateful for the power of prayer and for the gift of the Holy Ghost that can bring peace and comfort. I know that peace and comfort will sustain her family in the days, weeks, and years ahead. I know that we will see Terrilyn again.

One Year

This week marks the anniversary of our move to the land of the sun. I still tell people that we are new or that "we just moved here", but I guess I can't say that anymore. I don't feel like we are Phoenix veterans either, but definitely more comfortable. So, what do we think after a year of endless summer... There are many things that we really like about this place we currently call home.

- The community - We were talking to a friend who teaches school in Peoria district (where we live). I asked her why this school district is ranked highest in the state, in spite of all the funding, overcrowding, etc... that schools face these days. She thinks it is because people in this community are very family oriented and working to make this a nice place to live and raise a family and I would agree.

- Our friends - We have made some good friends and reconnected with old friends that make life more meaningful and fun.

- Our girls' friends - This is probably the biggest bonus - we feel very grateful that there is a neighborhood full of sweet, wonderful little girls that Curly and Lou can play with.

- Our ward - we love it!

- Fisher's job - He highly enjoys his work and that is important. (and we are grateful to be employed)

- The winter weather - we just wish the warm winter occurred during the summer months and that we had seasons to enjoy. But that said, we have loved swimming in the summer and fall and biking and going to the park in the winter.

- Our home and garden - we like having a house and a garden - though it has been a challenge to figure out the growing seasons here... it's a fun game to see if what we plant will actually produce anything (our beautiful honeydew melons melted before getting big enough to eat :(

In celebration of this anniversary, we are focusing on all the things we like about Peoria. We are happy here and have enjoyed having family visit and being able to visit them. Here's to another year in the southwest...


A few pictures from the past week -

Lou's preschool class (a mom taught co-op preschool).

Having fun with our friends the Rollins (one of the old friends we are very grateful to have here)