Happy Birthday Tony

 April 27, 2024.  This was one the best birthdays that I have ever had.  One of my best friends, Jeff Barrow came down to join in the fun.

Friday April 26

 Jeff Arrived and the first thing we did is go to the Red Cliffs Temple to do inititory.  A beautiful way to start the weekend.  We then went to

    GODZILLA vs Kong: The New Empire and we ate  a mountain of very buttered popcorn.  Jeff is the only person that eats popcorn faster than I can.  I started worring that the popcorn would soon be gone so I had to up my game- sutlely and eat that popcorn as fast as Jeff.  The POPCORN was gone by the time the previews were over.  

Next, I learned two new things about Jeff. (1) He gets sleepy after he eats (2) He falls asleep with ANY CONTENTIOUS FIGHT SCENES - in fact Jeff's new name is Ghandi.  He avoids contention.  He primary way to avoid is soporific - a nap.  Each time I would look over he would lift he head up and act like he was watching, and then his head would nod back down.

Saturday April 27th

    Breakfast at The French Bakery - it was fantastic. Jeff confirmed that this was the real deal.  Perfect Pasteries

We stopped by Viva Chicken to get a pic for Jeff and for good luck with his chicken studies

    Mountain Biking

    When then went to pick up our full suspension mountain Trek Ebikes and went to Bear Claw Poppy and road for about 2 hours.  

    Pickeball

We next went to play pickleball - at the park near the St George Temple and played singles for a while and then played doubles with Joseph Hood and his sons and we then played doubles against a couple of young men who were fairly good.  However, we took them to the old man cleaners.  :).  

  

   Lunch

We next went out to Five Guys Burgers - and enjoyed a fantastic burger with great conversation.  We came home and we finished out the day by going to the Temple.  I went and filled my Saturday night assignment and he did a endownment session.

What a wonderful Birthday.  Jeff is such a kind empathetic person.  I could not have picked a more fun person to spend the day with.  I was so grateful to Jeff that he put up with me for 36 hours.

Weddings and Prom

 This is going to be an amazing season of weddings for our extended family and friends.  In March, Tony and I joined Mom and Dad and Lori and Blake, to attend Luke and Livi's wedding in the Payson temple.  This was a unique experience for us because Luke likes to wear makeup and tiaras.  He has pink hair and is an avid magician.   I loved the reality that the temple was a welcoming and not shaming place for him,  and the ceremony was lovely.  We especially enjoyed our time together on the drive and our dinner in Payson at Yummy Thai.

Last week I went with Mom and Dad Rippy to Alpine to celebrate Ellie and Evan's wedding at a beautiful dinner that Tyler and Chelsea hosted.  It was as delicious as it was picture perfect and the feeling among the family was tender.  They will be married in Portugal in May.  

This weekend was Sam's Prom.  On Monday night we went to search for prom clothes and prayers were answered when we found the perfect pants and tie.  A big group went together and did all the fun things that kids should do: eat out, play at the lake, paint canvases, go to the dance,  treat his date well.  I hope it built his confidence and will be a happy high school memory.  

Easter

It's been a beautiful spring and I can't imagine that we will ever have an Easter like we did this year.  On Palm Sunday we participated in the dedication of the Red Cliffs temple.  It was dedicated by Pres Eyring and felt personal because of our new assignment as temple workers.  Sam planned to join us, but he got a bloody nose. I felt disappointed he wasn't there, but appreciated him trying.  I never imagined living this close to a temple.  I can literally feel the power.  

We had such as fun several weeks of company before and after Easter.  Jill and her girls were here helped getting Addy established in St George as she begins nursing school.  She is staying with us until her apartment opens and has been fattening us up with her delicious baking.  Easter Sunday was a lovely presentation of music and testimony.  

This Easter I experienced an interesting blessing.  Atypically, instead of to do lists and worries, my last thoughts when I fell asleep and first thought when I woke up were on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I felt joy and peace that I couldn't have created on my own.  I am expert at avoiding pain, but I tried really hard this week to imagine the dark days of death and acknowledge that I can't fully comprehend the gift of resurrection without experiencing that deep pain.  Because of Jesus Christ, the day I lose my parents, Tony or anyone I love, will be the longest time I am separated from them.  Everyday after that is one day closer to seeing them again, because of the resurrection of Christ.  This thought was the gift of Easter this year and has made made lean into, instead of away from, loss and death.

Jake and Callie and the kids joined us for Easter which made Maren especially happy. We hosted Easter dinner with quite a crowd:  Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy, Mom and Dad, Jill and girls, Jake and Callie and kids and the Drippys.  Tony made the perfect lamb on the smoker and I made rosemary twice baked potatoes with gruyere cheese.  Even my apricot bundt cake was a success.  

It was a busy week of family coming and going with many opportunities to build connections.  Jill and Cameron are right in the thick of hard parenting and Dustin and Kimberly are deep in the planning of Corbin's just- announced wedding to Brit.   Tyler and Chelsea came on Thursday night to celebrate Kate's birthday and go 4 wheeling.  It was a terrifying and exhilerating experience for them and we are grateful everyone is safe.  

Except for Sam, none of our kids were here for Easter!  We were sad when Wilson didn't come.  He has distanced himself from us and it's hard.  Cooper stayed in Washington and is trying to make a difficult decision about changing jobs.  Eliza stayed in Provo to work since she had taken so much time off for her birthday. Max is still unemployed and doesn't tell us much.  We wish we knew the best way to help him, but trust that he is capable of figuring things out.  

Conference weekend was peaceful, because we were still riding the spirit of Easter and temple dedication. The focus on the temple completely affirmed our decision to be temple workers.  We are enjoying our Saturday nights mjore than we ever anticipated.  They keep telling us it is a sacrifice, but so far, it hasn't felt like one at all.  

The week after conference Addy's boyfriend Dillon came to stay.  We especially enjoyed our day in  Zion hiking with he and Addy.  We are blessed to have such an incredible place as our backyard.