I needed a smile today

This gave it to me...... This couple is gaining Internet stardom with their wedding processional. You've probably already seen it, but if you haven't, enjoy!!

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Unusual Summer

This has not been one of my best summers. In May I started getting dizzy. Some days it was worse than others. It's a helpless feeling when you are dizzy. I could tell that the problem was in my ears and sinuses. I called the ear, nose, and throat specialist that I had seen in the past and got an appointment, but it was two months before I could get in.

I went to my general doctor and he ordered a CT scan of my sinuses so I would be prepared when I saw the ENT. I got a call from the ENT office. The doctor needed a longer appointment to discuss the CT scan with me. I knew that must mean trouble....

I finally was able to see the doctor on July 9. I did have multiple physiological problems that needed to be fixed....deviated septum, extra sinus, and extra air pocket. There were many areas of my head that were inflammed.

So last Friday, I had the surgery. It hasn't been that bad....it's not fun, but not horrible either. I am just so grateful for all the love, support, and help that has been given to me. I've had wonderful meals prepared, beautiful flowers and plants broght to me, many visits and phone calls, and the sacrament was brought to me at home yesterday. Greg and Melissa have been wonderful to make sure that everything is taken care of.

Now I am just waiting for things to heal. Thursday I see the doctor and hope to get the splints out of my nose. They've been the worst part. I wonder if I will be able to smell things once this heals..... After 30 years of not being able to smell anything, it would be crazy to have that sense back again. At least now I know why I haven't been able to smell. The doctor didn't want to do too much work around the area that controls smell because it is a more risky place to make changes. I'm glad he was conservative in his approach. So I'll just have to wait and see.

This isn't exactly how I planned to spend my summer, but hopefully fall will be great!!

I just want all of you to know how much I love you. I hope that this surgery does the trick and I have more energy and strength to serve each of you.

My Favorite Place

OK, I know that Redfish Lake should be my favorite place, but it's just not anymore. I love spending time with the family there, but I think that Grand Teton National Park is the most beautiful place close to Idaho Falls. We go there so often, but I never get tired of it and am always so inspired by the beauty. We just love to get into the thick of things and hike into the mountains to explore the beauty. Saturday we had the joy of spending a day there again. Since we've had so much rain, the area is especially green and the air especially clear.

We are crazy, but we got up at 3 a.m. to be there for sunrise. There is nothing more beautiful than watching the sun come up on the mountains. Everything just takes on a glow as the sun hits it.

It's fun to visit with the other photographers who are there at sunrise. It's amazing how many there usually are. I bet that there were close to 20 of us at the barn.





The rivers, streams, and waterfalls are incredible.





What fun we have hiking in this glorious place. When you get close to the mountains the vegetation is so lush. There are even ferns. It's almost rainforest like.





On the way home, we ran into a traffic jam because of a motorcycle accident. I sure hope everyone involved is ok. It wasn't bad sitting there for an hour because we got to watch the storms rolling through the mountains....listening to the thunder and watching the lightening was fun.






I wish I could go every week. I can't wait until the grandkids are old enough to go with us....OK, I can wait, I don't want them to grow up any faster than they are, but it will be a joy when they can hike with us. Hope they will want to.

If you ever want a tour, give us a call. We would love to take you with us. We know lots of fantastic, neat little places to explore.

Simple Pleasures

I had a friend tell me once that I am a simple person. I took it as a compliment because she meant it that way. It really doesn't take a lot to make me happy. One of the things I enjoy most is growing flowers. I have quite a few in my yard, and every day I inspect all of them to see now they are doing. For some reason, growing food has never been as rewarding to me as growing flowers.

A friend that I met on A photography forum a few years ago has sent me some iris starts from her ranch in Washington.they are especially beautiful right now. I just wish they bloomed longer.

Storms and Weather Expert

Friday was a relatively nice day for most of the day. But things can change quickly around here. I was outside watering my flowers when I saw the following sight. Needless to say, I didn't need to finish watering. It was quite a storm. I love watching storms move through. I guess that's something I learned from Greg, The weather channel will probably never be my favorite, though. I guess I'm glad he likes it because I can always ask him what the weather is supposed to be. He will know. He also always knows what phase the moon is in and what time the sun will rise and set. I learned, from him, to enjoy storms.

So many blessings

We had a little campfire/swim party last night with the grandkids. What a joy all 6 of them are to us. Today Greg and I were talking about how sad it is to us that the kids are all growing up so fast. It seems we don't have nearly enough time to spend with them one on one. Hopefully they will still know of the love we have for them with the time that we do get to spend with each of them.

In order of birth.....

It is a joy to watch Jaden fighting dragons with a stick, tying a tree up with a rope, helping to comfort his brothers, or swimming. He is a darling four year old.




The twins just get cuter every day. They are such little Vest babies. More and more they look like Jason and his siblings, which is great because they are such a good looking family. Brighton is the one who likes to be loved and cuddled by me. Brigham seems to cling to his mom more. But he is warming up to us more and more all the time. They make me smile!!




Then there is little Harlee.....what a character!! She is always singing. She makes us laugh all the time. I love the way her daddy interacts with her.



She loves to snuggle with Greg and I, and we enjoy every minute of it. It brings back memories of our own little girls so many years ago.






Jade brings us so much joy. He has such a happy, curious nature and bright eyes. How could you not love such a beautiful little boy. It's fun to watch Jenn and Mike enjoy him so much.




Finally, little Jaycie.....she is so happy and contented. Life must be so good for her. Her personality is to be determined, but so far she seems so much like her mom to me.

How we love them all!!

It Brings Back Memories

When our girls were little, they loved playing in the water almost more than anything. We always bought season's passes to the Ammon Pool. Nearly every day they would go swimming. Of course, when they were little the backyard pool was a huge hit.

A while ago I took Harlee under the crawl space with me to find some old toys. She must have seen our wading pool down there. Yesterday Heather called and said that Harlee had asked if she could come swim in "Grandma Terri's Pool". Of course I had to get it out for her. It didn't have long to warm up but Harlee didn't mind the cold water. It reminded me of the "Old Days"!!