Siste Jaydeen Buhler from our ward is trying so hard to get me into geneology gear. She has found a story about my 4th great grandfather and his brother who brought this bell across the plains. Andrew Lamoreaux (my grandfather) and David found the famous "Nauvoo Temple Bell" that had been taken from the temple belfry tower during a battle to protect the remaining Saints and property in Nauvoo in Sept 1846 by a minister desiring to have it for his own church. They buried it in a boggy marsh, with only a piece of chain above the ground, so they could find it on their return. It remained there until my Uncle David was ready to leave Nauvoo. It was such a heavy load in his wagon, his family had to walk most of the way across the plains. This story makes me smile, because I can easily see my boys fighting to save something of importance in such a sneaky way! It's fun to see a part of the temple grounds become part of me in some sort of small way.

The flowers were so beautiful. They smelled so sweet. Can one of the temple ground gardener's please raise their hand so I can choose you for my new best friend? Help, my yard needs your loving care!

Both of the boys LOVED the water. When don't they. Payson wanted to go to the top of the waterfall and slide down, or just get in to swim. This boy cannot wait for water play this summer! It was warm, but not that warm!

NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY

Shawn & Ang got a new puppy named Maggie. They brought her over today after conference to share with the family! Me and the boys are about the only ones who really got into her...the rest of the family not so much into dogs! I think she's cute and I'm sure she's a great companion to Angela when Shawn is off coaching soccer! Payson & Talan loved her. Talan would get nervous when she jumped on him, but LOVED petting her after they had wore the poor thing out and it was collapsed on the family room floor. I miss having a dog! But we won't do that again---!

Mom & Dad have been married today for 61 years! Their love for one another is so deep and solid, it's amazing to watch! Even in Mom's fragile state with her disease, she knows she LOVES this man. Dad is such a "prince" to her. He loves her so unconditionally and eternally! His heart is breaking as he watches her slip away! It is so touching to watch the two of them, but it makes my heart ache so much for Dad. Today we had a small celebration to honor the two of them. It was hard on Dad today. He broke down several times. I tried to get him to come to dinner at the house, but he wanted to be alone. It was hard leaving him today as we dropped him off after the visit! I can only imagine how his heart must ache each and every day! I want to fix it, but it is impossible.
My children find it hard to visit Grandma, she really doesn't recognize them any more. It's confusing to her to see them all grown up, in her mind they are young and at my feet still. (If only that were true! Just kidding....sort of!) Today when I arrived, I bent over to Mom in her chair to hug her and give her a kiss, she told the aide that I was her daughter, but as we visited, she asked if that Stacey was ever going to come for a visit. She wanted to go home today. "Let's go" she kept saying to Dad. She was tired and wanted to lay down. Soon we had the nurse come in to lie her down and she was off to sleep. Dad cried all the way out and a good part of the way home. It was a hard day! But I feel so blessed to be their by their side....even if it's one of the hardest things I have ever had to watch! It's a honor to be with them.