The Hills Are Alive!



For Father's Day I had planned on a quiet day of puttering around the house and then taking my husband out for a nice dinner and a movie. Of course he had other plans. He really wanted to go fishing and none of his fishing buddies were available so he asked me to go along. I really did have other plans but it was his day so I packed a couple of books, the camera and a folding chair and we picked up sandwiches and off we went. We headed for our favorite spot at Frasier Flats. It was really beautiful and the weather was perfect but the rivers were very high and very fast and very cold. Not the best for fishing.

He strapped on his gear and after making repeated promises to be very, extra, incredibly, super careful, he drove off and left me settled in with my book. It didn't take very long for me to get restless so I put the book away, got out the camera and set off exploring. There was amazing water, beautiful flowers, and I even came across a ladybug hatch. 

 There was so much water in the rivers and it was really just spring for the rest of the forest. So many flowers and insects and trees budding out. I truly do love the mountains. They feed my soul and nourish my spirit. I want to go camping.

I actually walked quite a ways taking pictures and looking for the flowering dogwood I had seen on the drive down.  It didn't take Craig long to figure out that the fishing was lousy and dangerous so we met up as I made my way back to the picnic site.  From there we headed up to Clark's Fork to check out Camp Liahona and see if the fishing was any better up there. (It wasn't)

Then we stopped at Pinecrest reservoir.  We went on a lovely, twilight paddle boat ride and watched the fish jumping around us while my husband wished he hadn't left his gear in the car.  It was a lovely day in the beautiful mountains.  Maybe next time he can even catch some fish.

One Wiser Then I!

Fall 1988.

Lately I have had a great desire to just go back in time.  Back when all of my children were home, safe and sound.  Where the only worries were who's turn it was to do the dishes and if homework got done.  Back when problems were usually fixed with a kiss, a hug, and a care bear band-aid.  Back when we didn't have to worry about being so far apart and cars and jobs and being alone, and being left out of fun times and everything else.  I miss my children and miss being able to fix what is wrong with a kiss and a hug. 

April 1990.

Of course, today I'd want to have Amy, Job, Kurt, Isabelle, Wendell, Porter, Brooklyn, Annie and Mary with us also. 

I wonder if Heavenly Father has these feelings as He sends us out into this world, knowing that we will struggle and fall and get hurt and get lost.  He is much wiser so I think it is probably easier for Him knowing that only through the struggles and challenges will we be happy, progress and grow and become more like Him.   I think the hardest thing must be watching us struggle and waiting, hand outstretched, for us to turn to Him. He can see what is ahead for us and know so much better what is for the best. I hope I have gotten quicker at reaching for His help.  He is always there and always makes the burdens lighter to bare.  Especially now, with all of the children grown and on their own I feel great comfort in turning them all over to His care each day.  After all they were His children first and His love for them is so great and He is so much wiser. 

Grandma Beth, Kimberly, Brooklyn, Isabelle, Brenda, Lori, Wendell, Richard, Amy, Grandma Palmer.

Job, Brittney, Porter, Christina, Annie, Grandma Palmer, Brenda, Craig, Brooklyn, Lori.

The struggles are still there and we still have car problems and get sick and miss being with the ones we love but with Heavenly Father's help the burdens are a little bit lighter and the way to go is a little more clear.  I really do love and miss all of my family.  It is always wonderful to spend time with them but it is usually to short and to quick.  Remember you are in my prayers always and my kisses and hugs, though not always able to solve the problems, are always here for you.  Especially remember that you are watched over by one far wiser then I who waits, hand outstretched to help.  Ask!

P.S.  We really did miss you Kurt!

The Girls

Our family hasn't been big on nicknames.  Christina was supposed to be Chrissy but she is Christina.  A few people may use Rich or Britt but the in the family they are Richard and Brittney.  Kimberly named herself Kimmy when she was 5 and most people use that but she is pretty much Kimberly to me.  Nicknames aren't our deal but we do group people.  For example "The Grandmas" which technically could include me but doesn't unless my husband is being cute. 

Grandma Beth Brooksby and Grandma Lorraine Palmer,  "The Grandmas".

One label that had lasted for years is "the girls".  Occasionally this included all the kids except Richard but for the most part it was Christina, Richard and "the girls", which meant Brittney, Lori and Kimberly.

The Girls  1990.

The Girls 1994

  When Richard married Amy we quickly added her to "the girls" and she fit right in.

Amy, Christina, Brittney, Lori and Kimberly.

As time went on and Brittney married Job and Lori married Kurt, Christina and Kimberly acquired the label "the girls". 

Kimberly and Christina.

Today, it may mean any of the above groupings.  Grand children seem to have a special designation and as of yet Isabelle, Brooklyn and Annie haven't really been included as one of "the girls" but only time will tell and someday they may inherit the designation.  Hopefully they will do it as proudly as their mothers and aunts.  I really do love all of  my "girls".

Fun in the Sun

What an amazing week at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida!  We had been trying to get back there to spend time with Kimberly for a year and it was great.  We "adopted" Kimberly's friend, Candace for the week and had a wonderful time getting to know her.  They were the best tour guides and we rarely had to wait in lines for very long.  We did it all! (or at least all we had time and energy for.)

Brenda, Kimberly, and Candace trying out the chic french look.

Lunch in France!

In front of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. 

 Wandering around the world of animals!

Brenda, Kimberly and Candace.  Craig was on camera duty.

Going on an African Safari!

The girls knew Mulan so we had a chance to visit with her.  She was so cute.

Hanging out with celebrities!

Brenda and Craig at Typhoon Lagoon.  Our favorite day!

Lounging by the lagoon and sliding down waterfalls!

It was so hot we actually went shopping for fans and a parasol in China.

Shopping in China!

Saving the world in Mexico!

We had a blast in Hollywood Studios.

Learning all the tricks in Hollywood!

I really wanted to go on this ride.  The girls love it and Craig was a good sport.  The rest of the trip the rides were all compared to Tower of Terror on how much he would enjoy them or not.  His worst Rides: Tower of Terror, Star Tours, Everest.

Experiencing thrills, chills, terror, fantasy and adventure!

Kimberly's room mate, Kaarina, Kimberly and Candace, waiting to eat at Planet Hollywood.

Spending time with beautiful young women!

Craig cooling off.  He was such a good sport with all of us women!

And yes, it was HOT! HOT! HOT!

Candace , Kimberly, Craig, Brenda.  Being at Walt Disney World we had to try out some ears.

Fireworks, rides, shows, food, fun. Sharing old memories, making new ones.

It was wonderful, fun, and exhausting.

An AMAZING week thanks to an AMAZING daughter.

Dr. Brooksby DVM

You were 4 years old and we took the family to Marine World Africa for the day.  You fell in love with all of the animals and started to say that you wanted to take care of the animals when you grew up.  Even so young you were so excited and determined.  You loved the baby tigers and just wanted to get your hands on them.  You never changed your mind.  Over the years you have stayed focused and determined in the direction you wanted your life to take.  It was amazing to us that at 4 you knew what you wanted and it never changed. 

Dr. Richard T. Brooksby graduates from Kansas State Veterinary School, Cum laude.

Well look at you now, Dr. Richard Brooksby DVM.  You never had the chance to know your Grandpa Brooksby, a veterinarian.  He would have been so excited to have you follow in his footsteps.  It would have been wonderful to have been able to have him place your hood on you.  Your Grandpa Palmer would have been thrilled with it all also.  He loved you so very much and loved learning and the sciences.  We are all so proud and excited for you. 

Richard, Wendell (2), Isabelle (4), Amy (8 months pregnant)

Well done! You graduated with a DVM with honors, a beautiful wife, 2 amazing children and another on the way. You served the Young Men of your ward, worked, studied, loved, played, taught, served.  It seem that about the only thing you did short change was sleep.

Family support came from all over, some in body and others were there in spirit.

A very proud Mom and Dad!

  Very well done! You're the man, I mean, the Dr!