Have a Magical Day!

                                      

Only one day upon my return home from Utah Jon and I flew to Orlando to Disney World and Universal Studios for a week of glorious fun together!  We had planned and paid for this trip in advance weeks before mom became ill, had a stroke and passed away - but needless to say, it was a welcome reprieve after all of the emotions experienced due to mom's passing in addition to all of the running around while Cam was home visiting and then my return trip to Utah to help Ashley with her wedding plans and trip to St. George.

Jon and I had so much fun; two kids at heart let loose in a candy shop!  Our first time back to Disney without kids in tow lol :)  We were able to leisurely enjoy every last ride and adventure we desired and spend endless hours talking, laughing and planning for the future.

Some of our favorites:  Magic Kingdom: Thunder Mountain Express, Space Mountain, Pirates, The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, Carousel of Progress, Mickey 3-D movie     Disney Hollywood: Tower of Terror, Aero Smith Rockin' Roller coaster, Star Tours, Aeriel, Beauty and the Beast  We didn't desire to go to Epcot or Animal Kingdom this trip.  At Universal Studios the Harry Potter ride and village are delightful and we loved the 3-D Spiderman ride!!  At Disney we especially enjoy the various musical numbers performed by marching bands, barbershop quartets, etc., people watching, riding my little scooter around, using many fast passes and eating ice cream :)  Disney is such a magical place.  

 

                                    

So Soon?? My return trip to Utah in August :)

I flew back to Utah with Cam after his week home here in the burgh in order to celebrate Ashley babe's upcoming birthday and start preliminary plans for her upcoming wedding, visit with my precious aunts and uncles, and also for a two day girls trip with Loraine to St. George.  It was a whirl wind week and a great deal of fun!

We found Ashley's dream wedding gown which is timeless and simply exquisite!  Also, secured her venue at The Bungalow where Jon and I also had our wedding reception (her choice something she has longed for and as she says a tribute to her parents) and also enjoyed visiting with my fairy god-mother Jane who owns the Bungalow.  We also acquired ideas for flowers, invitations, etc.  In addition, our girls trip was a riot!  We had such fun driving all over the place including going to Zion park.  St. George red rock is so beautiful; check out my facebook page to see all of the pictures!

A Week of Bliss with Cameron Here in the Burgh!

Cam flew home for a wonderful week spent pursuing activities and adventures and enjoying delightful, long hours of laughter and conversation!  He wanted to tour Heinz Field, attend a Pirates game, kayak in the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh, attend a temple session in the Washington DC temple, walk Missybelle in Boyce Park, see friends, dine out and simply hang with his folks ... it was such fun!!  Cam is such an incredible son and brother!  I love that he attends various temples in Utah on a continual basis, that he works hard at his job, is a fabulous big brother to his little sister Ashley, always demonstrates kind acts of kindness and service to others, shows endless amounts of love and affection to us (his mom and dad), chooses to have a cheerful, proactive attitude, continues to work with his leg (since his horrific accident) in order to run once again (he is running/jogging his first 5-K since his accident three years ago!!) and holds true to his beliefs, ethics and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He also continues to date hoping to find the girl of his dreams who is equally motivated and spiritual.  Cameron Jon is an incredible son!  

Mother dear I love you so! ... Ashley babe & Paul's magical moment

Both joy and grief often seem to go hand in hand in life.  My sweet, precious, mother dear passed away recently; she had lived a valiant life and was mercifully taken back to Heaven once again to be with her eternal sweetheart, my dad :)  Mom taught me so many important life lessons and reared our family with great love and affection.  It was a most spiritual experience as she passed away as I held her hand and stroked her forehead; the details too tender to share via my blog.  Suffice it to say I miss her terribly yet know that she and dad are once again dancing together in Heaven, thrilled to be together having enjoyed  63 years of marriage which was very happy and thrived not simply survived, while during mortal life.  They now have eternity together!

It was such an honor to plan a beautiful funeral service for her.  Jon conducted and gave her life sketch; he did a fabulous job!  Ashley sang a magnificent piece "Be Still My Soul" accompanied by my cousin/sister Loraine.  I then spoke paying tribute to mom's remarkable life focused on serving others and based on her cheerful personality and loving soul.  It was a pleasure to share so many delightful stories about her and of her influence on me and our family.  Loraine and her daughter Mindy then performed a lovely violin/piano medley followed by remarks by Cameron; he was incredible!  His remarks were geared toward understanding God's plan for all of His children and the legions of individuals just beyond the veil between mortal life and death who are routing for the success of all of us on this earth.  I am very proud of my remarkable family to have been able to speak and sing in an attempt to comfort and uplift others in attendance rather than our family being the recipients of such!  It was a memorable experience for each of us and I'm sure my father and mother dear (as I used to always call her) were touched and very pleased.

We will always hold dear those we refer to as our "earth angels" who ministered to mom throughout the three years up to her passing.  My incredible aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who attended to her constantly and helped her know how treasured and loved she was; although because she was such a cheerful, quick witted person I think more times than not she was the one raising others spirits! :)  Also, to her remarkable care givers from Beehive who each became so attached to mom she became like a mother/grandmother to each of them.  I have seen caregivers become attached to their patients but I have NEVER experienced anything to this depth and degree before!  They loved my mom.  They loved her cheerful spirit and upbeat, comical, sense of humor and loving personality.  They took expert care of her and pampered her continually.  How blessed we have been to be surrounded by so many caring, giving individuals - both family and now extended family!

On a very joyous note Ashley and Paul became engaged this past week!  Paul came home with Ashley in July to hang out with us, meet her friends and get a feel for her life growing up here in Pennsylvania.  We had a fabulous time with them both, so much fun creating new, exciting memories.  It was during this trip that Paul talked to me about marrying our daughter and officially asked Jon's permission to do so :)

On Friday morning at 2:30 am east coast time Ash called us very excited about Paul's sweet, intimate, tender, very personal proposal.  How he chose to do this as they stood on a mountain top in Utah overlooking the valley below them with the blaze of night lights twinkling up at them was very touching!  He put a lot of thought into this special moment and literally surprised her sweeping her off of her feet! :)  - This is all I will share via my blog.

I am looking forward to flying out in a week to begin the process of planning for a magical wedding for the two of them, reflective of their personalities.  And by the way, my mother dear gave Paul a thumbs up telling him to take care of Ashley :)   Our family is very excited for the two of them and looking forward to the wonderful life they will be creating together in the not too distant future.  

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