2012 in Review--July Through September

July

One of the gifts of a life-threatening illness is that life with the people you love is sweeter and more precious than ever before. So Duff thanked the ward for their love and concern in fast and testimony meeting.

I decided I needed to work on my own health so I went to some doctors in South Jordan and began an anti-inflammatory diet that made a big difference in how I felt.

Duff's extended family had a reunion in Nauvoo and he wasn't able to go because of a business trip to Paris.

The Sacra Coeur is one of my favorite places in Paris.

He was able to do some sight-seeing while he was there: Sacre Coeur, Arc De Triomphe, the Louvre, Versailles, and the Victor Hugo house.

I want to visit the Hugo House.

Micaela and I ended up going to the family reunion with Suzanne and Amanda (Mike and Adam weren't able to go so they generously offered their flights to us.) It ended up being one of the most memorable trips of my life! I was not prepared for the strength of the Spirit that I felt there. We went to all the musical programs, had family meals and activities, did a session in the temple (Micaela and Amanda did baptisms.), and had an evening walk down Parley Street on the Trail of Hope.
I saw fireflies for the first time. :)

We had a memorable trip to Carthage Jail. Uncle Merrill gave us a quiz about healthy eating. Did you know that fruit is healthier than vegetables and stone fruits are the healthiest of the fruits?

After we got home from Nauvoo, we finally took Micaela into the doctor and found out that she has exercise-induced asthma. An inhaler has eased her symptoms.

Micaela wen to Ward Girls Camp and Duff and I helped out one evening with the Walk to Christ.

We celebrated Pioneer Day with the Halls. This is a fun tradition. We have a barbecue in their backyard and light fireworks on the street of their cul-de-sac. We feel so blessed to live so close to them.

August

Summer is always stressful at the library because of Summer Reading and, if we are lucky, we get to do inventory at the end of it. (Actually, I dread it all year.) Right after inventory, I wrote a grant for the library. I tried to dot all my i's and cross all my t's but we didn't get it. I got some help from the state library, but the woman who helped me didn't tell me some key information. I was disappointed and kind of humiliated, but it felt good to take a risk. I learned a great deal from the experience.

Micaela and I went to see Wicked again. We are theater buddies!

Micaela and I went with Mandi and the boys on a day trip to Salt Lake City. First we ate at the Park Cafe:

Then we went to Tracy Aviary:

And we walked through the Seven Canyons Fountain in Liberty Park.

We topped off the day at the London Market. Scones, Cadbury & Galaxy chocolate, and Hobnobs--mmm.

Tiff and Bridger and Cassidy came to visit from Texas and we went to the farm at Thanksgiving Point.

We went swimming at Lindon Pool. Those kids LOVE the water.

And we celebrated Cassidy's second birthday.

September

This was a tough month because Duff was very sick and he couldn't seem to get well.  We found out when we went in to Huntsman for a check-up that Duff's immune system wouldn't recover for an entire year! It's amazing what you don't find out if you don't ask. There was no sign of the cancer, though, which is something to celebrate!!!

I also went to the yearly Wilson Sister's Retreat with all of Duff's sisters and sisters-in-law. This year we rented a house in Ogden. Every year we eat yummy food, share our favorite books from the past year, and catch up on everyone's families. The rest of the activities are up to the people in charge. This year we shared ideas about emergency preparedness and Liza taught me how to crochet a super cute hot pad.