Saying goodbye is hard for me

Saying goodbye has always been one of my least favorite things! I always cry. ALWAYS! I cry at funerals... they are a goodbye. I cry when I move. I have never figured out why it is so difficult for me, it just seems to be. Oh well.
3 months ago, Mr. Mecham took a job with the ever amazing Dome Technologies. It really is his dream job! Dome's home office is in Idaho Falls. They tried to hire him years ago but I was not interested in a permanent relocation to Idaho and so we didn't go. 3 months ago Mr. Mecham was also offered 3 other jobs, all of which were equal paying. However, Dome offered him an opportunity to work abroad! It was an opportunity that, not only did we want, but also we knew we should take.
Over the years since Mr. Mecham and I were married we have lived in 3 different states and now 2 different countries. We have always associated with the kindest people and enjoyed every minute of our stay no matter where we were. But everyone knows that as soon as you move the relationship changes. And for me, that is sometimes hard when you are completely happy with how the relaionships currently are!
Somehow this does all go together! Last Monday night some Ms. Dillard and Co. threw a very lovely party to say goodbye to me... and i cried the whole time. So I didn't get to tell everyone that I was excited to move. I didn't get to tell everyone that I would miss them! I didn't get to tell everyone the story behind us moving! Because I was crying! And besides, I ruined every picture! haha...
We wanted to move. We love the adventure. The problem is that we wanted everyone to come with us! There will always and forever be a lovely place in our hearts for the friendships and relationships we have with dear friends and family all over the world. And we so look forward to reunions which we know will come!
For now,
do widzenia

Home sweet home

We took ourselves a little trip... We had planned on a 10 day vacation to Utah with extravagant plans of playing with cousins, running a race, playing with cousins, hiking a trail or two, playing with cousins, possibly visiting Bear Lake, playing with cousins and eating AGGIE ice cream while playing with cousins.

It turned into a LOOOONG vacation!

Aunt Tammy died unexpectedly.

Tragic, actually.

And so we piled in the family wagon a week earlier than we expected and headed North. She lived in Salt Lake City... the heart of our vacation spot!

So our 10 day trip turned in to a 17 day trip.

As we were packing all our memories into the storage spaces of our mind, to retrieve throughout the year, mom called...

Grandma died unexpectedly.

Well, she was 88.

She had dementia.

But she was kicken' strong without a mind.

And so we unpiled the family wagon and extended another week. She lived her life in Salt Lake City.... though she had spent the last few years in Arizona soaking in the sun and enjoying the heat. But her heart was always at home in good old Utah.

We stayed an extra week for her funeral which was right before July 4... which granted "holiday pay" and made it so that we extended the vacation for an entire month.

Wow. Vacation for an entire month!!!

It was incredible.

The thought of Home Sweet Home really does exist.

Really! It does.

But as soon as I step outside... that thought escapes!

May I echo every neighbor and soul who puts up with the AZ desert heat?

IT IS SOOOOOOOO HOT!

p.s. Dear Monsoons,

Please come quickly.

We are wilting.

Bitter Sweet

Today has been a bitter sweet day for us... Nate was released from the bishopric. It is hard to put our feelings into words. If you told me a week ago that I would feel a little empty with this release I would have NEVER agreed... but today that is EXACTLY where I sit. I think I feel a portion of what Nate feels... and he sure has been quiet today.

A few years ago, Sister Smith (who's husband preceded mine as the 2nd counselor) said that she was going to miss the blessings that came from serving in the bishopric. I kinda thought that was funny since Heavenly Father blesses all of His children who serve in any capacity... but today I empathize in great part with that feeling.

Two-ish years ago when Nate was called to serve with Bishop Brown that call was scary! I laughed (story for another day) but on that day, the coloring in Nate's face disappeared pretty quickly... and he was ALL serious business! Don't get me wrong... Nate was willing... but a little nervous! Of course the Lord qualifies whom He calls... Of course Nate would serve Him in any capacity... But he certainly was blind-sighted by the call... and ever so humbled. I have been guilty to say the Nate never aspired to be in the bishopric. And he didn't. I have been guilty to say the "I NEVER want him to be the bishop". And I don't think anyone really asks for that call. But over the past 24 hours I have learned a lesson that is now a part of me.... The Lord blesses us for serving. As frightening as a calling with a lot of responsibility can be, I realized that Heavenly Father really does take care of His servants. And today I echo Sister Brown who mentioned that it is scary to come to the realization that the abundance of blessings that we have enjoyed over the course of this calling... because of this calling... are now given to those serving in that calling... It is difficult to give them up.

Nate really loves the members in our ward. He speaks lovingly and with great concern and kindness about all of them. He loved serving in the bishopric... today he would admit that without any fear at all... and I know he will miss that association with our ward.

Thank you, Nate, for serving and from doing so bringing the blessings into our home. I keep reminding myself... change is good... and sometimes a little bit of bitter along with the sweet.

ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\

A week of THANKS GIVING...

The definition of gratitude:

Gratitude, appreciation, or thankfulness is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude

Count your many blessings name them one by one... I am grateful for many things. Here is a modest beginning:

1)My Heavenly Father (2) His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ (3)The promptings of the Holy Ghost (4)The gospel of Jesus Christ (5)My amazing husband (6) Bailey (7) McKay (8) Cole (9) The freedom to worship as I choose (10) A land, choice above all other lands, to live in (11) My mother (12) My father (13) my 3 fabulous sisters (and Loyd) (14) my 2 goofy brothers and their spouses(15) Nate's incredible family... mom, dad, 2 brothers, 3 sisters, 3 brothers-in law, 2 sisters- in law (16) 11 nieces (17)13 nephews (18) the blessing to know and have a relationship with my grandparents and Nate's grandmothers. (19) two living grandmothers, and a grandfather who have influenced my life tremendously (20) a temple close to my house (21) a temple recommend... a treasure (22) a church around the corner (23) wonderful visiting teachers (24) spectacular home teachers (25) friends galore... irreplaceable (26) pets... 5 chickens with the personalities of humans and a mean lizard who ate the other two (27) the health of my children (28) a healthy body (29) my husbands job... at least for now! (30) Nate's willingness to work hard for our family (31) an opportunity to be a stay at home mom (32) flowers... I absolutely love love love flowers! (33) a marriage sealed for time and all eternity (34) my callings at church... primary teacher, camp director, visit teacher supervisor, visit teacher (35) I am truly grateful for my capable hands (36) strong legs... I love to run (37) education; mine, Nate's and the education of my little ones (38) teachers who love and care for my children when I am not in class with them (39) sight... so many pretty things to see (40) that I can hear (41) that I can taste the wonderful flavors that I put into my mouth (42) food, to fuel my body (43) clean water (44) big yard (45) plants (46) my house... a shelter for my children (47) a car to get me to and fro (48) my running shoes (49)pictures... a still shot of memories (50) experiences (51) trials that I have grown from (52)ability to serve (52) especially during the holidays I am thankful for Mary, the mother of God. (53) Joseph, his mortal father, who had a monumental responsibility to raise the son of God (54)the atonement of Jesus Christ... which guarantees the gift of the resurrection (55) Eve, the mother of all living, who partook of the fruit so that we might have a better understanding (56) countless aunts, uncles and cousins who have touched my life (57) my baptismal covenants (58) the opportunity to partake of the sacrament each week (59) sunshine (60) clouds (61) heavens above; blue, gray, or twinkling at night (62)the unique characteristics of many different animals (63) ability to communicate (64)a worthy priesthood holder in my home (65) scriptures (66) a living prophet (67) the book of Mormon (68) the prophet Joseph... a man with remarkable courage and a fearless testimony (69) the brave founding fathers of our country and its constitution (70)laughter (71) air conditioning... THANK YOU! (72) mountains - they offer a grand solace (73) memories of my childhood... what a fun time to be alive (74) life itself (75) talents- a gift to play the piano (76) gift of repentance (77) opportunity to pay tithing... the blessings from doing so are numerous (78) modern day technology- it is mind boggling (79)an appropriate time to celebrate something... I love a good celebration! (80)cheese (81)ocean- mmmm.... (82) I am thankful when I can be a part of something special- like the miraculous recovery of Christian and Stephanie Nielson... I am a changed person for witnessing this bitter-sweet event (83) hugs from my children (84)kisses from my husband (85)book time with Cole (86) toe nail polish- many of good conversations with Bailey have come over polishing parties! (87)smiles from McKay- Nothing is more contagious! (88)modern medicine (89) indoor plumbing - our Heavenly Father surely loves us! (90)clothes...they keep me warm and protected... but more importantly, everyone else should be grateful that I wear clothes! (91) the ability to love another and feel of another's love (92) mental stability (93) kind acts of others on behalf of my own (94) the understanding of individual worth- I recognize it to be a treasure that many are searching for (95) good music... I believe it will sound in the halls of heaven (96) my bed... however often I complain of a kinked neck, I am sooo happy to lie down in it each night. (97)modern feminine hygiene products and toilet paper... I still wonder what the pioneers did... and my heart swells with the sight of quilted northern (98) washer... laundry means I have clothes, but I am sure glad I don't have to do it all by hand (99) a bishop and leaders who are inspired by the Lord (100) a pure understanding of the plan of happiness and life eternal

And the blessings go on... and I am grateful and astonished by the abundance of gifts that our beloved Father in Heaven pours upon my life. They are undoubtedly visible in every direction that I turn.