The eve of the 80th Birthday Celebration

On the evening of June 14th, my sisters Robin and Lynette got in from Amarillo Texas and my brother Rick flew in from Dallas as we started to gather for my Dad's 80th birthday. Valerie and Lance arrived in Salt Lake on Friday night as well.  They and their children including some of their married children stayed at Ipson side of their family.  Todd, Lea and their three youngest children arrived on Saturday morning after a very long drive from Austin Texas complete with a flat tire and a long wait for a repair.  Mike flew from Lubbock to Phoenix so that he could drive up with his oldest daughter Lisa and her three kids.  Lisa is the oldest grandchild and she really want to visit Dad in Salt Lake but her husband was unable to get off work.  This solution worked great and the kids loved their road trip with Grandpa.  By 2:00 on Saturday we were all gathered, waiting for Dad and Karla to arrive so the party could begin.

Our original plan was for it to be a big secret from my dad.  At first the reason was that I really didn't know how many of my siblings were going to be able to make the trip up to Utah.  We had just had our regular reunion in Mesa last year so it was another even longer trip to Utah for his birthday.  However many of my siblings were making plans to come and also I realized that some of the excitement of things like this is the anticipation of the event as well as some of the planning.  I wanted to make sure that we did some things that Dad would like to do if he was planning it.

So a week before I tried to mail him the following announcement...it didn't make it there for some reason so I ended up buying a balloon and delivering a copy of it to Dad in person.

I haven't learned how to do things like rotate etc with my new computer.
Will fix later.

He was excited and also was able to help me make some final plans.

It turned out great, but too much to put it all on one post so it will be put over the following few posts.  All of my siblings were there except for my youngest brother Scott and his family.  My brother Mike was there but his wife and youngest son stayed home in Lubbock (Andi was recovering from surgery).  We missed all who couldn't make it but I am so grateful for those who were here and helped Dad welcome in his 80th year.

And we are off......

July 10 the first Monday after Jena finished school I ran her up Emigration Canyon east of Salt Lake City for her week long summer camp at Camp K.  This is her third year there and she loves it.  With camping, boating, fishing, basketball, crafts, etc.....you can see why she likes it.

Here are a couple of pictures from there.



Jena tried out the top bunk with some encouragement from
me as they were running short of bottom bunks.  She didn't like it
and fortunately there were enough bottom bunks.

With her counselor, Monster
For some reason all staff have nicknames
instead of using their own names.

Jena and her friend, Kaitlyn

Ready to go home.
 

Jena got home and we got her laundry started just in time for her aunts and uncles to start arriving....to be con't!








Utah Down Syndrome Foundation

It is official now.  I am the new president of the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation (UDSF).  When I was younger, I used to feel like we were "called" to serve in the Church and we got to "choose" our other "volunteer" engagements.  I felt like I could pick and choose what I would do at my kids' school, PTA, and other community commitments.  I might have occasionally prayed about those things, but the emphasis was on the "occasionally".  Community involvement was important to me and I tried to "wrap" it around whatever my Church calling was and what my kids were involved in.  Much of what I did was within the schools or with adoption.

Now I am here to tell you that was false thinking on my part.  I think the Lord is highly involved in the details of our lives and He has many ways and plans for us--things for us to do--and some of those things are outside the walls of the Church.  Despite my incompetence and my stumbling, I think I have been in places to meet people and to interact with them in a variety of ways for my good, for my family, and hopeful for the good of those I was "helping".  (We all know that we are the ones who often benefit most when we are helping others.)

Over the last 6 months, things have been happening which have led me to this responsibility.  I did not want to do it but in asking our Heavenly Father it became clear that it was something I was to do.  Why would it matter if I am in charge of this non-profit organization at this time in the history of the world?  How about this time in the history of ME?  I had plans to go to the temple more, do family history, organize photos, make quilts  and get more prepared.  These are all good things, things I can do, I now want to do. Now I am adding 10-20 hours a week for a "worldly non-profit".  Why?

I don't know why.  As is often the case, my "why" questions don't come with quick replies.  It is the "What should I do" questions that seem to come with quick answers.  The "whys" come years later or maybe in the eternities!

One thing for sure is that I am passionate about Jena and making a world a better place for her and all others who come to life with a specific set of "trials" from the get-go.  We should belong to a world where all can belong, all can flourish and all are treated with dignity and respect.  We are so blessed as Jena brings the best out in those she is around.  Other persons with Down syndrome have different struggles, but all need that chance to be a part of the whole of life.  I can be a part of that cause.  "We all are daughters (and sons) of Heavenly Father who loves us......."

So this is what I am going to be doing this summertime (and for the next 2 years or so)..........what about you?

(And all of you, just be aware, September 14th is the "2013 Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome" which is our major fundraiser.  We have not been involved with this much in the past because it has conflicted with Special Olympics.  Not this year and as President, of course we are going to support the walk with "Team Jena" or whatever we decide to call our team.  You can come and walk with us with a donation to the foundation or you can just donate.  Watch for more information!  Clear the date and join us at West Jordan City Park.)

The first flying days of summer.....

Although we all know that summer doesn't officially start until June 23 (give or take a day), two things really indicate summer---hot weather and the end of school.  It is that first day after school is over and you get to sleep in which brings that pleasant reality of summer times.  So we have arrived.

Jena finished school last Wednesday with an assembly and yearbook signing.  I headed over to help her pass out treats to her teachers.  When I arrived at her functional skills class, she was not there and they said she was out in the halls signing yearbooks---along with 2000 or so over kids.  It took me about 15 minutes to find her and then another 10 minutes to walk back to class because people kept asking her to sign their yearbook.  She was one HAPPY girl!  She is now a junior and proud to tell everyone that.

She has quite the summer lined up.  Jessica asked about taking her one Thursday on a tour of a candy factory.  As I went through the Thursdays I realized that except for July 4th which was going to be out of town for six Thursdays in a row (Camp K, Youth Conference, trip to Mesa for a wedding, home for the 4th of July and then gone again for Girls Camp.)  I guess on July 18th she will be gone with Jessica to the candy factory.  Busy life and we just have one teenager still home.

She had a fun couple of weeks finishing up the school year.  We did rockets with her functional skills class which they loved.  We got to shoot them off in the middle of the football field while the PE classes were running their mile.  She then had her final choir concert for the year and they did Broadway show tunes which required three costume changes for Jena's choir.  For being on the quiet side she loved to perform and be a part of a group.  She is always so excited about these things and we love to watch her perform.  It is like when Jessica would play volleyball or Tosha would dance--it speaks to their souls and it brings them a unique bit of excitement or thrill in their lives.  All though our lives, we need to find those things which do that for us!

She just finished track for Special Olympics and also did the "Torch Run" again which is a fundraiser for Special Olympics.  The term "Run" is used very loosely.  The policemen and women run---the kids mostly ride.

Jena's Ride for the Torch Run

Jena with some of her Comet Teammates

We enjoyed a quiet Memorial Day without accomplishing any.  We did enjoy our second "roasting dinner" and I remembered to take pictures this time.  Jena wasn't happy that I didn't get any pictures of the fire last time.

The cooking process

Enjoying the finished product

I was driving to pick up Jena from work at the bowling alley and had to stop to take a couple of pictures of the beautiful sky---the clouds and light and rain were so amazing.  As usual, the pictures aren't quite the same as "real life".

Within the week  the awful storms ripped through Oklahoma, killing people and destroying so much.  It was a sad reminder of the damage that can be done by wind, rain, and lightening.  For us it provided much needed rain and some beautiful skies, for others, sorrow and tribulations.

The view later that evening:

The reminder of infinite hope which we must seek and cherish within ourselves no matter what kind of storm is raging on the outside!