OUR BOY IS GETTING MARRIED!

The blessings are pouring out upon us! Ethan is engaged to Marisa Speers as of yesterday. Marisa is the daughter of our Bishop and is going to BYU where she studies Special Ed. She is a wonderful person. We have come to quickly love her and the nice thing is we really like her. Paul and I have to take a little credit for this whole thing. Marisa was in Houston when Ethan first came home from his mission and we stongly encouraged him to ask her out-which he did. They are so happy together and are looking forward to a Christmas wedding. The wedding will be, of course, here in Houston, and we couldn't be happier!

DECLARING INDEPENDENCE!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! The fourth of July is all about independence-right? Well, we have declared our independence and we are no longer dependent on running water in the house! I suppose that is not really true because Paul is filling the toilets from our water barrels so they will flush (and of course, he says, "What a good experience this is for us." Good experience for the boy in the family-the 'girls' in the family don't agree.) We are also carrying around bottled water to take care of simple things like washing your hands and face. (I want to see you wash your face with bottled water-the logistics are tricky.)
We started out with a simple problem. The washer on the kitchen faucet needed to be replaced. Paul says, 'no problem', I have an extra and can take care of it. Because it was so easy to do-it didn't get done, until we were getting sprayed every time you turned on the water. Then when Paul went to change it---it broke in half. Half stayed in the faucet and half fell into his hand. What to do? What to do? Those experts at Home Depot (Paul's personal shrine!) promised it could still be fixed without replacing the whole faucet. Well, he started last night, faithfully following his guru's directions but needless to say it got complicated and another little pipe broke. But now, of course, the 'shrine' has closed its doors for the night. Sadie and I begged him to try Wal Mart, but 'they wouldn't have it' and 'it's too late' came up. Keep in mind this means we don't have running water in the house; no washing, no showers, no toilets. We make it through the night and to give Paul credit he is goes to worship at 7am and comes home with a beautiful new faucet-only it doesn't fit. Our house is so old that they don't carry our 'style' (thats how I feel too!) So what does he do-tries Wal Mart! Wallyworld comes through for us and he brings it home to put in only to find out that it is missing a vital part. He goes back to Wal Mart and is now solving the problem. I made him a deal to tell me first, so I can beat Sadie to the shower!
PS I'm rethinking the independence thing-I'd rather be dependent!
PPS I need to say how grateful I am for a husband who is always willing to repair things. He always figures it out and I know that he has saved us thousands of dollars over the years. Thank you, Hon!

Randy Retired?-Surely he's too young!

Well, it is official and it is happening faster than we would like. Janet and Randy (Paul's sister and husband) are retiring!!!! Or should I say retired! Randy's last day at the office was last Thursday and last night we went to a retirement party. They are selling their house and moving up to Utah. I know that we are family and we will always be close but now they won't be 'close by'. After all these years-25-it seems like we didn't do enough, didn't call enough, didn't see each other enough; but I don't know if that is possible. I am very happy for them-Scharman and Kevin and their families both live in Alpine (where Janet and Randy already own a home!). Randy's mom and Janet's mom both live there. And this has been the plan for a long time. I'm just a little sad for me. I will miss their closeness. Change is good--right? That doesn't mean I have to like it!

SURVIVING!

We have survived! We survived my trip to Utah and Connecticut (I can even spell Connecticut without thinking--now). We survived the end of the school year and we survived Ethan leaving for Utah. I am here to tell you that families can adjust when they have too. Sadie, Ethan, and Paul can cook-if they have too! (I won't mention the half hour cell phone call from Paul; complaining that, "They don't come when you call for dinner!" "I worked so hard to get it all ready-at the same time! And then they don't come!" Needless to say, he apologized for his tradition of coming to dinner after we have given up on him and said prayer!) My worries were lightened-not eradicated, just lightened-that Ethan can follow a recipe and sustain himself. (I still think he will depend on the relatives in Utah to do a lot of his--sustaining.) They can do laundry, they can get where they need to be, they can keep the house clean and they can take care of each other. Things never go the way I plan them to go when I'm gone. And that's OK! As long as they just go-I'm alright with it. It is kind of nice to see the relief on their faces when you do come back and they know that they don't have to do Mom's job any more.

I had a wonderful time with Clark, Emily, Nolan and the girls. I felt quite torn to have to come home and leave them behind. Yes, I am one of those people who would like my family all in one place-just because I like them.

Oh, and Ethan, I know you will do well in Utah. We will miss you dearly but it is hard to be too sad when your face if full of excitement and possibilities. Our house is much quieter and I have to admit, selfishly, I will miss: "Ethan, would you pick up Sadie? (Of course, he had my car!) or "Stop by the store..." or "Can Sadie go with you?" We will try to fill your shoes with Sadie-she loves going to the grocery store! But regardless---WE WILL SURVIVE!

FLEXIBLY RIGID!

I've always thought I was flexible and to an extent, I am-when it involves someone elses plans and not my own. When Clark asked me a month ago, "How much do you miss us?" I did hesitate because you never know what Clark is thinking. But the truth is-I really miss them! He asked me to fly to Utah and then drive with him and the three girls to Connecticut while Emily flies home with the baby. (Which I totally support!) I agreed; I REALLY do miss them and I would love to spend time with them and as a bonus get to see Nolan and meet the girlfriend when we get to Connecticut. Plans were made-Utah on the 21st, start driving on the 25th, Connecticut on the 28th and them home again 4 or 5 days later. I called my sister and she graciously said she would drive to Utah and bring my mother so I could spend a few days with them. I called my neice, Tracie, to ask if mom, Chris and I could stay at her house for a few days. She also graciously accepted us. Then, poor Clark, called and said that we would have to postpone the trip because his schedule was so crazy-it could be June before he could get away. Okay-no problem! He called again today and said his commander said to just go now and get it done. So as of now, I fly into Utah on Wed the14, bless Hazel on the 18th and then leave on the 18th to drive to Connecticut and who knows when I will come home! I guess I have to call my sister and Tracie. Here goes! I 'm flexible-I REALLY am!

WOOHOO! SCHARMANS ARE ONE UP!

She is here! Hazel Christina Scharman arrived on Saturday, April 5 at 9:22 pm. After a long day of complications and problems, Hazel joined her family, weighing 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. You can see she does have a little hair and fits right in with her beautiful sisters. Mother and baby are both doing fine. Even though Dad has to leaves today, they will get through this too and hopefully by the end of the month will be a whole family, living in Connecticut. Thank you, Emily. I know you think that you just did what you needed to do but my heart swells with pride and love for you. How grateful I am for you. (Tears are falling) The next time I am in Salt Lake, I think I will go to the 'The This is the Place Monument' and add your name. What a pioneer you have been. (Surely they wouldn't mind. I promise, I would do a good job!) Hang in, Clark, your married bachelorhood will soon end and when the girls are running through the house, screaming at each other, slamming doors and a baby is crying in the background-you will take a deep breath and say "Thank you!"

HERE WE GO AGAIN

My lemon tree is blooming-last year it didn't!

I know that it is one of the 'lesser' commandments (is there such a thing as 'lesser' commandments; I like to think so); but surely we get credit for trying. Anyone who know us, should know that we have tried year after year to follow the prophet and "plant a garden". Some years we have been moderately successful and some years we have been dismally unsuccessful. Our most beautiful and successful garden was devastated when a tornado managed to lay the top half of a pine tree all the way across it one spring. (Paul and I both slept through that one.) Last year we produced 3 peapods-each worth about $1.79 each so believe me they were premium. But we are eternally optimistic. This year we have planted tomatoes, green beans, green onions, brussel sprouts, peppers, yellow squash, and an herb garden. Frankly, if we get a dozen tomatoes out of it, it will be worth it. I would encourage everyone to plant something. There is something about watching it grow, taking care of it and eating what you produce that gives you a great feeling. Good Luck! HERE WE GO AGAIN!

TOMATOES

CHERRY TOMATOES

GREEN BEANS

YELLOW SQUASH, PEPPERS, BRUSSEL SPROUTS

GREEN ONIONS

ITALIAN PARSLEY, PARSLEY, CHIVES, LIME BASIL, BASIL AND OREGANO