Front porch views

November 19

March 13

We had been wanting

to visit Gary's sister, Geniel, at her home in Castledale for awhile.  When Charlene and Greg invited us to come down to their St. George condo while they were there this week, we decided to combine the two.  We went down to Castle Dale on Tuesday and then drove to St. George on Wednesday.

The night we were in Casteldale, Ashley and Dusty's families came over for dessert.  It was so nice to visit with them, as we seldom see them.

Ashley's family

Dusty's Family

I just saw that this post failed to publish at the ball game!

So I didn't break my word -- PROMISE

Here it is:

It's a beautiful day for a ballgame.  And I'm not feeling as nervous as I normally would be since Jackson is red-shirting this year.

Don't be

Misled by my being on the golf course.  Just along for the ride, beautiful scenery, and good company.  (Although I have to say that Gary drives the golf cart like a maniac)

It has felt nice

not to have the "pressure" of thinking I need to blog.  That is an interesting way of looking at it, as blogging "should be" a pleasure.  It "could" and "can" be very insightful when you "have to" put your feelings into words.

I think you get the drift.  Pressure, should be, could, can, have to . . .

But, I realize that blogging is recording my history, and that recording my everyday life is going to be the best way to document my life and the lives of those before and after me.   So, I've decided to post every day, even if it is just a picture with no explanation.   That way I won't lose the days and wonder where life has gone.
 
I've been spending a great deal of time working to get my brother, Gary's, history compiled and completed with pictures inserted.  He has lived an amazing life of service and industry, and it is very hard to watch as he becomes weaker and less able to function without help.  He continues to inspire me as he deals with the effects of his Parkinson's disease.  

In his own words: "It is not easy to feel gratitude for declining health.  I’ve had to accept the fact that my inability to do things for people is OK.  I never realized that this would be the situation at this period in my life and I have been humbled by these circumstances.   I need more and more to persevere and try to keep the commandments, which includes how I respond to my circumstances and includes the responsibility to persevere to the end.  This includes responding to your health problems with a measure of grace and dignity." 

I feel very grateful that Gary insisted he pay me to help compile his history.  I would have done it without payment, but he would not have let help unless I accepted payment.  That is the way he is. He is always so conscious of not imposing and of serving instead of receiving service.

This has been a sweet time.  Sometimes between my bad hearing and his weak voice, it can play out like a comedy of errors between us.  But we laugh about that and he is very patient with me.

We've got the manuscript and pictures to the point that I was able to print a spiral bound 182 page black and white large print draft.  There are still needs of editing and adding more pictures, but I feel like we are at the point of wrapping it up so Gary can stop feeling the burden of trying to finish it.  After that, any changes and additions we make will just be to refine and not to create.


 



   

Marshall is 7!

Marshall didn't have much time to sit down for an interview.  He had much more important things to do . . .

 Like have Trent help him run make tickets for our New Year's Eve game contest.



And make sure everyone followed the rules.



And make sure the scores were kept correctly (you may notice who won)

He is VERY, VERY, VERY big on making lists and charts.  He even made a niceness list of everyone in his family, but i didn't get a picture of that.   That are generally charts and lists posted all over the Bishop home.

But, I was able to get a few questions out of him:

Do you have a recurring dream?  What do you think it means?   That I don’t know how to play the piano and get lost in a town.

What class would you like to take in school that is not offered? Watching TV Class

Who in your family do you most resemble?  Hyrum

What accomplishment are you most proud of?  Playing toys or ball

What is your favorite time of day?  Middle of the day.  Get to play

What historical figure would you like to meet?  Dinosaur—like a baby rhinoceros, no scary ones, baby ones

If you could skip school or work for one day, how would you spend your free time?  Watch TV

What is your fondest memory of a family vacation?  Myrtle Beach – swimming, but not when a shark is there.

What is something new you learned this week?  New games.  “Go Stimulator”

What makes you happiest?  When Lydia comes and kisses me the most

What most excited about his year?  Going to Myrtle Beach

If you could earn $250 by eating the same meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an entire month, would you?  Graham crackers and milk

Happy Birthday, Marshall.

We love you!

Harrison turns 12

I can't believe this boy turns 12 today.  

We wish we were there to give you a hug, but his will have to do.

Here is our very in depth interview with Harrison in December:

Favorite color:  Blue

Favorite Food:  Wings

If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with your winnings?  Buy a mansion, buy a Lamborghini sports car, buy a bunch of sports stuff, give to family.

If you and your family were stranded on an island with another family of your choice, who would it be?  Best friend, Alex’s family.

What is your favorite family tradition?  Coming here for Christmas

If you could eat one kind of dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Regular glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Is it ok to reveal a secret to protect someone?  Depends on what kind of secret.

If you were cooking your dream dinner for your family, what would you make?  Wings

What is something new you learned this week?  How to ski better.  Dad taught me

Who do you think has it easier, boys or girls?  Boys

What is your fondest memory of a family summer vacation?  Myrtle Beach.  Had a goldfish in my hand.

What is prejudice and have you ever encountered it?  Never encountered it

If you could skip school or work for one day, how would you spend your free time?

Go bowling, laser tagging, some fun activity

Who in your family do you most resemble:  Grandpa Ashton  (I can't resist adding this picture of Grandpa and Harrison with the same expression!)

What historical figure would you want to meet?  Matt Carpenter, Baseball player for the Cardinals.

What is your favorite time of day?  Getting out of school

What accomplishment are you most proud of?  Making Gamers team

What class would you like to take in school that is not offered?  Baseball

When you open your eyes in the morning, what is the 1^st thing you think about?  Not going to school

Would you rather win an Academy Award, an Olympic medal, or the Nobel Peace Prize? Olympic Medal for baseball

What is your earliest memory?  Jumping off a chair into pillows and cushions

What is the best job in the world and why?  What job would you never want? Best: Pro Baseball player. Worst:  Janitor

What is your favorite mode of transportation?  Prefer teleportation.   Airplane

We love you, Harrison.

Happy 12th Birthday!