Out with the Old, In with the...Old?? (oh, and the NEW)

Several months ago, Dean bought an old Jeep--a project! He towed it to his shop and tore it apart, right down to the frame. Every day after work, he'd stay a few hours to work on it. The guys at the shop were amazed at how it was going back together, and even though they would have liked to have witnessed the rebirth of the machine to the end, it was time to bring it home (there's a point where you just can't be too trusting anymore). Thanks to Aaron and his great truck, the Jeep that has no seats, no running engine, no hood/sides/windshield, etc. came home last Saturday. Dean had to sit on a block of wood and steer the thing while Aar towed it from Salt Lake.
I've loved having my car in the garage--besides being safer, I hate scraping snow and ice off an freezing-cold car in the winter. But life is full of sacrifices...and this is a huge one for me. Not only is the Jeep coming home to live in my little one-car garage, but now my BRAND-NEW CAR has to be outside in the elements.

Yep, after a few harrowing months of driving our usually dependable 1998 Intrigue through some undependable issues (transmission problems where the engine would stop while driving, major oil leaks, etc.), we traded her in on a beautiful 2007 Ford Taurus. Silver to GOLD! We got a great deal, and most importantly, I am not driving white-knuckled any more! I'm sailing!

Let's just hope the Jeep appreciates that nice warm garage this winter, because next year, he's out of there. And I hope Dean is ready to scrape ice off the new car every morning before he goes to work, because there are limits to my sacrifices. Have fun, honey!

Cornbelly's!

Saturday, we went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. Thanks to L, we got in on a fantastic deal: only $0.93 per person (reg. $10) admission. Their claim to fame is a corn maze (this year's is dedicated to David Archuleta--Utah's American Idol!), but it also has lots of fun activities for the kids: slides, jump houses, pedal go-carts, pig races, a "cow" train ride, etc. It was overcast with a slight breeze, so oh, so comfortable! We had a great time. Here are just a few pictures of my adorable family. Autumn Arrives!

SOOO Big!

Who in the world is this BIG BOY?!! I can't believe how he's grown in just the past few months. Look at him, lounging with his snacks at Zions National Park--he's a man of leisure! He was ready to start a hiking trip with Mommy and Daddy, G&G S, and cousin L. I'm aching for some hugs and kisses from my little (gulp, GROWING) L-Bubby. Soon, I hope...

In My Arms

My beautiful, talented daughter made this video and shared it with me...and I can't stop thinking about it. So, you get to see it, too. Listen to the words of the song, look at the awesome pictures, and feel the love of our Savior. (You have to pause my music player at the bottom of the page first to hear the song.)

What can I say more than this...He loves YOU! He loves ME! He will hold us in His arms, always. "How can I keep from singing?..."

Thank you, my precious girl. I love you with all my heart.

Ah, Beethoven!

One of the great perks of my life is the privilege I have of singing with the Utah Symphony chorus. Even when I drag through a week of nightly rehearsals, I have to "lift up my voice and sing" praises for this blessing in my life. This weekend, we perform Beethoven's masterpiece "Ode to Joy" from the Ninth Symphony. When I think that Beethoven was completely deaf when he wrote this symphony (and after conducting it for the first time, had to be urged to turn around to acknowledge a thunderous standing ovation!), I am in awe. This is the stuff we'll hear and sing in heaven!

"Alle Menschen Werden Bruder (All men should be brothers)"

How appropriate in our world today...

Passey Reunion

Labor Day weekend is the traditional Passey family reunion at beautiful Bear Lake in Idaho. This year, A & L and girls joined us for the trip north. (C & R were going to come, too, but ended up with colds just a few days before and couldn't make it! We missed them!) I have the sweetest aunts in the world, and one of my Passey uncles looks like my daddy, so this reunion is very special to me. I always come away feeling loved and like a little girl again. Visiting, eating yummy food, relaxing in the sunshine, playing games, and even dipping our toes in Bear Lake is part of the experience. This valley is in my blood. I'm proud to be part of this family of great men and women.

Happy #5 Birthday!

I can't believe my precious first-born granddaughter is already FIVE!! Her birthday was on August 28, and we had a fun family party that evening. Her mommy and daddy had decorated their backyard deck with pretty white lights and balloons. She got mounds of presents and then we shared yummy cake. Just before everyone left, we wrote birthday messages on our balloons...and then let them fly away! Happy Birthday, princess girl! I love you dearly!