HAPPY FATHER'S DAY GUYS!

I know, I know! I am so remiss in blogging!!! Sorry! Someone please tell me where the time goes!!!

I have a funny/not so funny story to tell you on Ollie and myself! Every year, for many, many years, Ollie's Mom's family has held their family reunion on the first Sunday in June. After Ollie's sweet Mom passed away, they stopped having the reunion for about 8 years. Then, fortunately, they decided it was important and started having it again. It just so happens that my Dad's side of the family has been gathering on the first Saturday of June and the Goertz side of the family, my maternal grandmother's family, holds their reunion on the first Sunday of June (as they have for all of my life without fail). Since Ollie's family resumed their reunion on the first Sunday of June as well, he and I have alternated reunions each year. This year was our turn to go to St Louis and miss my family's reunions. So, we booked our flights, our hotel room, our rental car and bought tickets to two Cardinal's games. We were set. Here's the catch...Ollie got the email with all the info about the reunion, but he didn't notice the date. Yep, it was moved from the first Sunday, June 5th, to the second Sunday, June 12th!!! Fortunately, I said something on my facebook about planning on going to a couple of ballgames while we were in St Louis and Olile's cousin Al started putting 2 + 2 together! He immediately sent Ollie and email and said that something was screwy because he knew that the Cardinals were on the road the weekend of the reunion!! This was the night before we were scheduled to leave, mind you! Well, l ong story shortened, we decided to go ahead and take a little vacation and go on to St Louis so we didn't lose the money on our airline tickets and our Cardinal tickets! Ollie flew to St Louis this past Saturday evening and spent one night so he could actually attend the reunion!!! He got ribbed quite a bit by his relatives!!! Fortunately he can handle it!!!

The great part is that he and I had a fantastic time while we were there! We bicycled around Forest Park, drove around the area of Washington and New Haven MO where his Grandma and Grandpa Anderson were raised (we think), we went to two Cardinals' games, both of which they won, got to see Albert Pujols hit a total of 3 home runs, Lance Berkman 1 home run, and spent Sunday in Mark Twain's home town of Hannibal MO! All in all it it worked out fine! Poor Ollie was so upset that he didn't catch the date change, but as someone said, "Everything happens for a reason!" We just said "oh well..." and rolled with the flow!!!

The reunion for Grandma Pauly's side of the family met at my sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Jimmie's ranch on Saturday June 4th. There was a smaller turn-out than in the past few years, but there had been a wedding in the family just the weekend prior, so I guess some of the relatives felt like they'd seen their kinfolk enough!!! Mom and Dad thoroughly enjoyed those that were able to go!

Mom's Goertz Reunion (Grandma Grohman's side of the family) was held on Sunday, the 5th in Rockne, Mom's home town. That reunion is usually huge, and it didn't fall short this year! However, last year Grandma's bunch had the most attendees, but this year there were only 37 of our group. On average there are about 250 to 300 people that attend! And that's not nearly all of us! It's pretty awesome to look out over the crowd and know that you're kin to at least half of them! I like to think about my Great-Grandma and Grandpa Goertz looking down from Heaven and witnessing what they started! Yes, pretty amazing!!! I think about that, too, when all my immediate family gathers for Christmas or some other major event in the Smith family. I often go to Mom and Dad and say, "Isn't it amazing that the two of you started all of this?!" Dad usually lets out a big laugh! I'm not quite sure what that means!!!

Ollie and I went out to Mom and Dad's yesterday. I was so tickled when she asked us to come in the truck because she had a few honey-do's for Ollie! She wanted him to load up and haul her recyclables to their local recycling center, change her A/C filter and check her TexTag account. I highly complimented her on letting go of those things! It wasn't much, but it isn't like her to ask for help! She then told me that Leslie had been over the previous day and she had a list of honey-do's for him also!! Way to go Mom! Delegate those duties!!! Ollie and I picked up barbeque from Peete's Mesquite for lunch. Mom and Dad love their pork ribs and Ollie, who is quite the connoisseur of grilled foods, also thought they were excellent! Dad also loves their cabbage slaw! He let out a huge "Ah" when he lifted the lid of the to-go container!!! I love hearing that sound!!!

I never mean to leave out when any of my siblings go visit Mom and Dad. I find it hard enough time remembering what I did, much-less what they've done! Jean, Glenda and Danny each do spend quality time with Mom and Dad and I want to give them lots of credit for that! I am so incredibly blessed to have such a special family. I am so grateful and praise God for that! "One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts." Psalm 145:4

Dad's spirit and perseverance remains strong and Mom remains diligent in her loving care for him. I think this passage from Nephi sums up some of my feelings..."Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." Nephi puts his trust in the Lord, as do my parents. I am honored to be a witness of their faithful service to the Lord.

Ollie and I are headed to Coppell tomorrow to spend 4 days taking care of our twin 2-1/2 year old granddaughters, Livi and Madi, while their Mommy (Neely) and Daddy (Carl) go to Mexico for Carl's brother's wedding! It should be "interesting" because they have never been away from their Mommy for more than one night!! I have a box-full of little girly 'prises to use as distractions any time I feel a melt-down coming on!!! They'll go to their "school" on Friday and Monday to keep in their usual routine. I think we can keep them busy enough on Saturday and Sunday without any problems. My only "fear" is bed-time, when tired and they're so used to Mommy putting them to bed. Say a little prayer for us!!!

Since we will be in Coppell until Monday night, we'll have to celebrate Father's Day with Daddy another day next week! He gave us his blessing on that! All of you great dads will be in my Sunday prayers! "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

I hope and pray that you and your families are having a happy, healthy and safe summer! My love to all of you! Pray for rain! Amen!