Eight is Enough & Trent

Hey, I forgot to tell you, Mica wrote on her blog, last week. Plus, she has pictures! Check "Eight is Enough" out.

Tonight was Trent DuVal's viewing. Tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. is Trent's funeral. It is being held in the Stake House. I am sure there will be a huge turn-out. We don't understand why some things have to happen. Trent had a strong testimony for an 8 year old. His body had really been through a lot.

I never blog twice in one week, let alone twice in one night. Count your blessings!

Grandma Beadie's House

The family who had rented Grandma Beadie's house for a few years moved out. Jay had it painted & new carpet. The next family moved in. The next thing we here is that the sewer line has backed up! That is a costly repair! If we had not just rented it, I think we would have sold it. But, we are having the sewer line repaired. That should last for a looooonnnggg time. If we had sold it, we could have gone on a church mission or two. It does look nice with new paint & carpet. The lady has added ceiling fans in the rooms, plus there is one room on the east side of the basement that had sheetrock on it. She was having that fixed for a bedroom, plus new carpet. On the west side of the basement, which my dad, J.H., & Dish (Darlene's) husband built in years ago, there is a small living room (which can be a bedroom), plus a bedroom, kitchen, & small bath. We lived there for about a year when I was in the 5th grade. Grandma's old washing machine is still downstairs. Jay knows that I want to keep that. Someone added a walk-out basement door after we moved back to Georgia. We need to repair the outside steps. We will probably have to re-roof the house, too. I think we might know a couple of guys who will give us a good deal.

Jay's nephew wants to rent Jay's mother's home in Bluebell. Jay & siblings are trying to get the house cleaned out. Jay, brother, Bob, sister, Carol & husband, Joe are going out tomorrow to get the furniture out. Grandma Goodrich will be 91 years old on November 14th. She cannot walk, can do very little for herself. Where are the "Golden Years?" I told Jay that I think the Golden years are having your mate so you can take care of each other. Jay is so good to me. I don't know what I would do without him. My health is still not like I would like it to be. Oh, well, I'm not 16 years old anymore!

Fall

Fall is finally here. Jay & I went to a Real (Re-al) soccer game. As I went to get into the car, I noticed a beautiful, yellow leaf on the driveway. I took the time to look around me & found that it is fall, even in my neighborhood. The leaves in the mountains have been slowly changing, also. I hope that I take the time to notice all of God's beautiful creations, everyday. We have a professional soccer stadium in Sandy, Utah. Bret, Avery, Jaxx, Rixx, Mike, & Braden met us at the game. It was really fun. Plus I enjoy seeing my grandchildren anytime, also, my sons!

Jay answered the door for the Trick or Treaters! I always manage to get him to do that. I called Keatyn, tonight. She is Bret & Mica's youngest, almost 3 years old. She told me that she lost her Halloween candy. She is so cute & fun, as are all of my grandchildren. I should not tell anyone, but tomorrow is our son, Jim's "big 40th" birthday. He did not want a party, but Jen invited Jay & I over for dinner. We will have to surprise him at another time. If you would like to meet a courageous, young man, Trent DuVal, Jen's neighbor who has cancer & is not expected to live much longer, go to Jen's blog & then click on Trent's blog. The photo of him when he first got the cancer reminds me of my grandson, Avery. He has been through so much. We are so happy for Harry. Maybe, Harry will be running races when we see him, again.

Florida & Georgia were great! We were gone for three weeks! One week too long! No matter where you live, it is always so nice to come home! We enjoyed our visits, reunion, & Orlando. It was fun to go fishing in Nanny's (my mom) pond, nearly every afternoon with my mom. We, even, got Jay to fish. I'm glad Mama & John get so much enjoyment out of that pond. I think Mama might enjoy it more, but John drives the golf cart & even fishes some. He had a terribe stroke six years ago. He has come so far. It was fun to watch him catch fish. Not much has changed since we have been home. Ken & Mike go hunting a lot. Ken got a deer. Mike got a deer & an elk. Elk are as big as horses. They enjoy the outdoors. JaLynn has chosen the monument/headstone for Tracy. She & the children are doing good, but it's not easy to be responsible for everything. She calls her dad to help her with paperwork, answer questions. She calls me when she is sick. I hear about husbands who are mean to their wives & run around on them. What heartache for a family! Even though it is still hard, Tracy & his dad were heros, trying to help a friend when they were killed in the wildfire, summer of 2007. Count your blessings, we never know what we may have to go through. Volunteering in the temple is a blessing to Jay & I. I never knew what went on behind the scenes before working there. It is such a spiritual place, so serene & peaceful. Love to all.

THIS IS IT!!

I can't believe this! I was checking in on-line & found out that our flight to Orlando which was supposed to leave at 1:10 p.m., tomorrow, has been changed to leave at 8:00 a.m., in the morning. I had not received any information about the change. Needless to say, if Jay & I had missed our flight, we would have stayed home. But all is well, we are checked in, Bret is coming at 5:30 a.m. to take us to the airport. We are supposed to arrive in Orlando at 4:10 p.m., instead of 10:30 p.m. Other than that, our plans are the same. See you soon. I may blog from Georgia.

Almost ready to go to FL/GA

A lot of people, including me, are getting kind of lazy about posting on our blogs! I enjoy reading other's blogs, but don't necessarily enjoy writing my own blog. Anyway, Tuesday, Jay & I leave for Orlando, FL. We will spend a few days there, before heading up to Jacksonville & Brunswick. Am I ready? NO! I have last minute washing to do, plus packing. I think I have run all of my errands.

Our granddaughter, Shalayne, who is a Junior at Utah State University, came down yesterday, spent a few hours with us & then returned to Logan. She rode down with friends. She stayed with us this summer, & we really enjoyed her. We do miss her. She tells us that she is going to plan on serving a mission, this next summer. She will be 21 years old on July 2, 2009. I could say a lot more about her & our other 24 grandchildren, but it would take too long. JaLynn has a virus & has really been sick. She went to the doctor, but other than aspirin & drinking lots of fluids, it just has to run it course. Last Friday, September 19th would have been JaLynn & Tracy's 22nd wedding anniversary. They were married on Grandma Beadie's birthday. JaLynn has a strong testimony & is doing good, but I know she has times when it just seems too much!

Hope to see all of the family while we are south. We are going to stay three weeks! I made a mistake when I booked our tickets. We will have a good time. See you soon.

Special Day!!

With 25 grandchildren, we have many special days. Today, Ken & Loreal's, Kalan, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His father performed the ordinances. He did an excellent job, and I am very proud of him. Of course, we are proud of Kalan for his decision to become a member of the church. He is a really good, young man. At the end of each school year, Kalan's elementary school gives one award for the best all around student, grades, behavior, etc., in each grade. Kalan received the award in Kindergarten, & he surprised us this year & received another award. It is a gold medal with a bear paw print on it, hanging on a ribbon. He, as well as the other 24 grandchildren, is special! After Kalan's baptism was completed, Mike & Heather had the blessing of our "miracle baby, Cohen." Mike blessed him, got a little emotion, but gave Cohen a wonderful blessing. He was so handsome, dressed in his little white outfit. He is such a beautiful baby & smiles all of the time. He likes to watch t.v., lights, people & anything that moves. He has found his little fingers and hands. I marvel when I am holding him and watching him. He is our "Miracle Baby!" The cousins love him & he loves them. Everyone is always wanting to hold him.

Heavenly Father has really blessed our families. Bret & Mica's Alix will be eight in October. Mike & Heather's Brooklyn will be eight in December. I cannot imagine life without our children & grandchildren.

After all of this activity, Lori & Heather had everyone for a nice luncheon at Ken & Lori's new home. Lori's family attended, of course, & Heather's family attended, so we had quite a crowd. JaLynn & family came out for the occasion. Emily & friend drove up from Snow College. Shalayne was the only one missing.

I have some cute pictures of the reunion & the events of today. I need to have Jen or Mica help me add them to my blog! And sometime, I will!!

Griffis Family Reunion 2008

The 2008 Griffis Family reunion was a success! A few people arrived on Thursday, but most came Friday afternoon, with some arriving on Saturday morning. Friday night, we all played bingo which is always a big hit. The prizes were candy bars and candy on rings. Of course, the children loved those.

After a huge breakfast on Saturday, Bret's wife, Mica, had charge of the crafts which were guns made out of pvc pipe. They shot miniature marshmellows. She had made 50 kits which sold immediately, for $5.00. You can just imagine, everyone was shooting marshmellows at everyone else! After lunch, Ken's wife, Loreal, had about five or six games going at the same time, with lots of help. They had nine groups of people, while one group was at one game, others were at the other games, a rotation system. The little children had a fish pond, a large wooden bear (of Mike's) that they threw hula hoops over. Loreal's dad had made a pig to throw bean bags through (called pork & beans). There were a few others that I don't remember, but Lori really did a neat job with everything she did. Later, they had a country store where toys could be purchased. After that, a talent show & elections for next year were held. Wendy (Dahl) & her husband, Dave, are in charge next year, with Alison Dahl, Chelsi (Despain) & her husband, Sabrina & Tammy Tatum assisting them.

Last of all, Ken had rented a snowcone machine, and made snowcones for all, which were a huge hit! Everyone was so concerned last year that no one would come because we could not stay over on Sunday, because it is church property. We had 134 people attend, & a few families did not attend. It was a huge success & a great time was had by all!! Plan on attending next year.

Our thoughts & prayers are with Harry, Gigi & family, during this time. Love to all.