A lovely chaotic week

Monday AM I called the lady at the lawyers office about rearranging our trust assets; she would have to check with the lawyer (our stake patriarch). He called a couple of hours later - could we meet at 4:30 that afternoon, and bring our tax consultant?  I was impressed that he personally called and that he had time to meet with us that day. After almost two hours of diagrams, explanations and questions, we learned that yes we can shift all the rental homes into Sandy's trust for tax purposes.  He also explained a method that would shelter our assets in the event long term nursing care is required; we opted not to go that way.  Sandy was beat after that session and we came home to a wonderful dinner prepared by Rebecca (again!). Then Kristy arrived that Monday evening with her five children.

Tuesday I took Isabelle to mow Deborah's overgrown rent house yard while I cut back the brush growing through the fence on from the neighbor's yard.

There was much fun and rejoicing as cousins were able to play and have fun. We spent one evening having the grand children ask Sandy questions about her growing up and her childhood; it was well received by all. Then Wednesday afternoon Kera with three children arrived and Kristy left in the evening. More fun activities over the next couple of days. They especially enjoy making bead thingies that are then ironed.

I had gotten Sandy and later two of Charlotte's siblings Fox t-shirts for working at the house a couple of months ago. Charlotte liked it enough to buy her own and here she is with Sandy.

Sandy saw Clifford again on Thursday. Then I took Callie with me to Deborah's rent house to clean it out. The tenant had moved and left a lot of stuff behind; like 1180 pounds worth! They also left an abundance of fleas and roaches, ugh! We bombed... twice to knock down the population. Then we loaded trash, clothes, sofas, and other stuff into the trailer and delivered it to the transfer station.

While Kera was here she helped Tom implement his  vision for a new mail box. It was an early birthday present and She did an amazing job painting Foxes on our new mail box.  All of us are thrilled with Kera's artistic talents. We hope this will help people better identify our house.





Friday Kera took her children home in the afternoon. Matthew was able to mow Adam's rent house and we got an offer on his house. Unfortunately, it was for less than we were willing to accept and countered. Have not heard back from the potential buyer. Around 8 pm Friday, a family of four that were good friends of Rebecca when they lived in Iwakuni drove from Ft Riley Kansas where the husband is station, to visit for the weekend. Again, lots of fun with their two children, 6 and 8.

Here is Rylee with her friend Taylor:

Today we again had some great council from the pulpit. Kaden, Lacey Arndt's 12 year old son delivered an impressive talk about the Family, a Proclamation to the World. I had submitted the names of three youth to serve as Temple and Family History Consultants; they were called and set apart today. Their initial purpose will be to visit all the youth, see that Family Tree is downloaded in their phones/tablets/devices and that they have four generations researched. If not, they will assist them to do so.

Our next family guests arrive Friday when Deborah and children come to visit. And next Saturday is the 3rd Annual Pie Fest at our house. Rebecca has already started making pies that can be frozen, but the real baking will start in earnest later this week. Family and friends are invited.

Sandy update:  her health is slowly declining. She has traded her will to win this battle with cancer to one of finding joy and happiness in her remaining time and leaving with dignity.