Random August

I wanted to upload a few pictures since my last post, but they have disappeared on my camera.  Who knows where they are?  If I had them, I would show you a picture of one of the baby quail that hatched a few weeks ago.  I would share a photo of Willie on his first day of school at the U.  I have a couple of pictures of the grandkids and others.  Oh well, just imagine what they might look like.

Willie started school at the U of U on Monday.  The first two days were a little rough.  He's basically been the "big man on campus" in high school for the past year; knowing everyone and everyone knowing him.  This summer, he has gradually moved from being number 1 to one of 30,000+ student at the U.  Sure, he knows a few U students -- Jesus, Natalie, Emily, Preston, Travis, Ahmud, Mason, Adam, some kid named Allen from orientation, Stephanie, Arob, and a few others.  But the first two days he was basically a little fish lost in a very big pond.  Once Wednesday came, however, he was back in his element.  He couldn't say enough about the classes, the professors/instructors, the people, and the university environment.  He picked up his scholarship check, signed up for ASUU first year council and tennis intramural, and has become a master at TRAX.  He's mentioned thinking is a big part of his new school experience (imagine that) -- no more worksheets and extra credit.  It's serious learning.

A week ago, I went with Willie and Jesus on TRAX to the U to make sure we knew it would be efficient and get them where they needed to go.  It was fun!  I don't know if they liked hanging out with an older person, but they didn't complain.  We TRAXed it to the U, walked all of the classes, bought some stuff at the bookstore, and headed back to TRAX.  Because if was the week before classes there were booths and things around campus luring students: join the University Credit Union, set up an account with Wells Fargo, etc., and they all offered prizes.  We walked away with a tee shirt, chap stick, pens, popcorn, and Otterpops.

Dinner with Grandpa has been fun this summer.  Some Wednesday nights we (the children and grandchildren) have all met at Grandpa's for swimming and a BBQ.  The kids have had a blast and they have shown off their sweet swimming skills. One night we all met at Mountain Mike's Pizza for dinner in honor of Shavy Jones.  Another Wednesday, we did Village Inn (free pie Wednesday).  And, this past Wednesday, all 13 of us went to Crown Burgers.  It's fun getting together to do what we know best -- eat.

Willie is getting ready to meet with the Stake President as part of the LDS mission call process.  He hit the "send" button to the Bishop on August 19 (the whole process is now online).  The Bishop interviewed him on Sunday, August 25, and he just needed the medical paper work (held up at Dr. Havlik's office for an immunization update) in order to hit the "send" button to the Stake President.  Hopefully, that will happen this week.  My baby boy is ready to give a semester of school his best and then leave for a yet to be determined mission assignment.  Getting the dental exam, medical exam, patriarchal blessing, and everything done has been fun.  We are anxiously excited at what the future holds for Willie.

Summer Stuff

A few weeks ago I ended up going to a training seminar in San Diego (of all places). The meetings were held in a variety of hotels in the Hotel Circle area which meant I would be about 8 minutes from the ocean -- a beach.

A lot of kids who grew up in the 60's like me developed an affinity for everything beach likely due to the Beach Boys and Beach movies (Beach Party, Beach Blanket Bingo, Blue Hawaii, Muscle Beach Party, Girls on the Beach, Bikini Beach, and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini). We saw the movies over and over again and imagined that we were there.  We laid out in the sun everyday during summer (in the back yard). We rode our bikes to Silver Sands Beach (Great Salt Lake) and stayed until we were burned to a crisp.  We knew all the crazy dance moves from the beach movies.  We dreamed of living on the beach.  We believed everything we were told about the Beach Boys; even that the kids who lived next door to Grandpa Eccles knew them personally because they were from California.

Fast forward a few decades and I still have an affinity for the beach!  Every time I get to So Cal . . . the geographical region of Southern California, a trademark, home to killer surf . . . I must head to the beach!  I love the sound of the waves, the surf (and surfer people), and the sunset.

Summer is slippin away . . . .

It's August 10, and the summer is peacefully slipping away.  

• Willie has been working as a grounds crew person for Granite School District.  I think he has had some fun and learned a lot about people and places and things.  The first learning experience was that his crew partner, who also just graduated from high school, is a dad.  He has two kids.  His two kids have different moms. He and his crew partner have had some good discussions about life and work and school and more. They have become good work partners.  Willie has also associated years of hard work in football, basketball, school, and more with good solid work ethic.  He can "find work" and keep going without having to be told what to do. He has had one promotion and if he were staying through October, he would have another.  I am very proud of his commitment and excitement for work; even when it's exhausting outdoor work in 100 degree heat.  He makes me proud!
• My #1 grandson, Elliott, started first grade a few weeks ago!  It's not just any old first grade, it's duel immersion first grade!  He goes to school all day like other first graders, but the first half of his day is completely in Spanish!  I can't imagine how stressful and anxious that would make me; Elliott seems to be handling the whole thing pretty well. I am so proud of him -- when he finishes elementary school in duel immersion he will be almost fluent in Spanish (spoken and written).
• My daughters are excellent mothers!  Annie and Haley have made sure their kids have had a great summer.  They've been to the Zoo, Thanksgiving Point, Scheels, Cabela's, local parks, and more! Play time in summer is so important to kid development and I am so proud of my daughters and how much focus they put on their kids.  They are "hands on moms" and love and teach their children with commitment and confidence.  It's not easy dragging kids here and there and everywhere, but they do it!  The benefit for me is an amazing family of above-average, strong, and good looking grandchildren. 
• My sons-in-law are amazing!  I don't devote much blog space to Ross and James but know that they are deserving.  They are such good dads and husbands and work hard for their individual families. They also support their extended family -- me, Karl, Willie, and Grandpa. When it comes to getting things done, I turn to them.  This summer, Grandpa has needed a few outdoor improvements.  When this request came they gave 100%; weeknights and Saturdays for family work and without a complaint (as far as I am aware).  The benefits for me -- Karl had a strong work crew to complete a planter box in Grandpa's driveway and a beautiful stone deck in the backyard.  So how do I show my appreciation for their goodness and everything?  I feed them!
• I need to post a few comments about Karl, too. This year marks 37 years of marriage; but this summer means more than 41 years of friendship and all that jazz.  Our first "date" was going to the 4th of July fireworks at Liberty Park, summer of 1972.  He had to call me from a pay phone to ask me to go because his mom wasn't too excited about me (I think she liked the "other" girl better). We went with some friends from Karl's neighborhood. We got to the park early enough to walk to my grandparents home (Kensington Avenue) so Karl could meet them.  I don't know that any of my siblings' spouses met Grandpa Huber but Karl. Over the years, we have had our ups and downs, but when all is said and done we "kiss and make-up" and move on.  I have the most supportive and accepting husband/friend around.