General Conference - October 2008

I loved General Conference. Saturday was a busy day for us and I only watched about 45 minutes of the broadcast in its regular time slot. I also attended Priesthood Meeting on Saturday night. Sunday however was a different story. I started watching the different sessions starting at about 8:00 a.m. and finished about 9:30 p.m. with various breaks for meals, etc. It was a great experience. I know at this stage of life I have flexibility that I didn't have when our children were at home and they were younger. But it was really a focused time being able to see all of it in a condensed time. Kind of like the few times I have read the Book of Mormon in a month or two. I just brings the details into sharper focus and eliminates the memory lapse that comes from an extended period of time.

I have put together the collage above of those who delivered what, for me, were the most profound talks. I don't think I will ever forget some of the words and thoughts expressed in their talks. I think there was an overall theme of hope and peace even in troubled times. It is difficult at a young age to have the patience to see beyond the trials that lie ahead, but having gone through several rough spots in life, I have the advantage of knowing that "this too will come to pass". Meaningful was Elder Uchtdorf's Saturday morning talk about Hope; Saturday Afternoon provided insight by Elder Wirthlin and his stories of dealing with humor in difficulties; Elder Holland and his testimony of how angels are among us; and my favorite of the entire conference was Elder Corbridge's talk about the Savior.......The Way!!! The priesthood session was powerful and I thought especially oriented to the Melchizedek Priesthood.....Elder Scott and each of the talks given by the members of the First Presidency were impactful. Of the talks delivered on Sunday, those by Elder Eyring and President Monson received my greatest attention.

All-in-all, I looked forward to listening to our leaders; I wasn't disappointed. Again, the most unique and most powerful for me was Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge's talk about the Savior and that we must follow him. I thought of my own life and I also thought of Brad and Adam and Jason and Taryn and my father and sister......family that I love and whose lives could be richly blessed if they were to take to heart the message that Elder Corbridge delivered. I am so grateful to be a member of Christ's church. It has enriched my life beyond measure!!

Chad Gets His White Coat.....Class of 2012

Chad Pershing Lyons is now officially in The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Kate and I attended the "White Coat" Ceremony on Wednesday night the 24th os September. It was a great night and one that I know Chad and his family have been looking forward to for several years.

We arrived just in time for Chad to join his chair among his classmates. Kate and I sat several rows behind. Several speakers, including the Dean spoke about the achievements already accomplished by those in the 2012 class. Then each row was dismissed to the adjacent foyer where their white coas was placed upon them and they then re-entered the presentation room and walked across the front dais as their picture along with their previous college and place of origin was shown on a large screen at the front.

When this was all done, and the oath and pledge was administered, a nice buffet of hot hors d'oeuvres and punch were available for the students and guests. I was surprised by the number of females who are attending dental school. This class has a record number of female students; about 50% in total. There are also several husband/wife teams of student......now that's some whopping student loans. You know the other thing that struck me?? Normally we only make a big deal or celebrate someone's graduation from something. But, in this case a big deal was made about 104 individuals who were just starting something. I guess it is not unusual for the professional colleges to recognize the high level of achievement of those entering, given their effort and sacrifice that got them there.

Anyway, it was a nice evening with Chad and Kate. Shawn and I love them both.

Family BBQ 9-20-08

Grandma and I are all about getting the family together. She can't go too long without a "fix" of being with her grandchildren. This night was just another example. Get everyone over for a barbacue and let the children run and play and get wet on one of Grandma's water slides.

Here is Dillon and Kelsey coming down and up top you can see some of Morgan as she readies to descend.........watch our below.

Mike and Myles on the tranpoline. All the grandchildren are becoming real pros; just like our children, they are growing up with the big springy mat.

Tired of their wet bathing suits, off they went for a little nudist jumping.

After it was all done and they were pretty sweaty, nothing is better than a group tubby. Here is Morgan, Tyler and Myles.

So, another successful night at Grandma and Grandpa's comes to an end!!!!!!!

Dillon Gets Baptized 8-30-2008

Dillon, the oldest of our grandchildren is now 8 years old. On Saturday, August 30th he was baptized by his father Doug. Don't they look great together? We remember how special it was when it came time for each of our children to be baptized. It is a particularly close time for a father and the chiuld being baptized. Children are "always" close to their Mom; there is just something special about mothers. But on this day, there is something special with Dad.

Dillon's baptism was a small, private experience. I spoke on the importance of being baptized and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The ordinance itself was sacred. The blessing pronounced upon his head by his father was full of faith and love. It was a pleasure to be there for everyone.



After the baptism, the family, joined by the Pye's (Bishop Richard, Denise, and children) went to our house, where Beth and Doug hosted a marvelous dinner and gathering time. Dillon wanted steak and ribs.......and that's exactly what he got. It was delicious. The children played on Grandma's water slide and had a blast until the sun set in the west.

Walloon Lake - Petoskey Michigan 8-11-08 to 8-16-08

On Monday, August 11th all of our family (in separate cars at different times) drove up to Walloon Lake which is just south of Petoskey, Michigan for a week’s vacation. We rented a home on the lake from Monday through Saturday. The home was a little rustic, but very roomy. It had 6 bedrooms and a number of bathrooms. I was right on the lake and had a dock, including a covered area for our boat. The weather was great even though it was a little cooler than we have experienced at other lakes in the past. It was a beautiful lake surrounded by marvelous homes. The water was unbelievably clear and the bottom of the lake was sand. It was a nice week of family bonding. There was a little beach at the home and the children enjoyed playing in the water. We had the use of kayak’s, a paddle boat, and our boat. We enjoyed the town of Petoskey including the quaint downtown shops. It took about 7+ hours to drive there from our home in Powell. On the way up we stopped at Bronner’s Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. It is reported to be the largest Christmas store in the U.S. It must be because it sits on about 40 acres and is equal to 5.5 football fields under roof. It was incredible. We spent about 2-3 hours there and after Shawn made her purchases, I think she better understood how such a place could actually make money. They have their own hotel, a RV park, etc. etc.

35 YEARS TOGETHER

It is hard to believe that 35 years ago on October 11, 1973 my sweetheart, Shawnee, and I were married and sealed for time and ALL eternity in the Oakland Temple. I have been thinking of our anniversary for some time now. Our plans to celebrate have changed somewhat and........because no one is going to bail us out!!..........we cancelled the trip oversees, and instead we have opened up our home to host about 70 young single adults who are coming to our house for a bonn fire. I know it doesn't seem very special, but there are lots of ways for me to let Shawn know how special she is to me. This blog post is just one of them. And so Shawn, from me to you, I want to tell you how much I love you. I was struck the first time I saw you, and frankly that feeling of confusion, amazement and discovery has never left me. You are amazing. You have enriched my life in ways I couldn't have even imagined. You have enlarged my life by being my best friend, my lover, my partner and eternal companion. I am so much better because of you. Our children are so much better because of you. Everyone you have met and know are so much better because of you - - - - that's just how I feel. I loved you then; I love you now; I will ALWAYS love you!!!! Thanks for 35 great years!! Your devoted husband, Kurt.

Tribute to Bailey 1993 - 2008

Sadly, our precious beagle, Bailey, left this life after almost 15 years as our beloved family pet. We loved him and he loved us. There were just too many complications from his old age and the decision was reached that it was time to say goodbye. So, while Shawn was out of town, Kate and I took him on his final drive in the Jeep with all the air he could want blowing in his face. He died calmly and without pain. It was a sobering experience. But there is not sadness, but a lot of fun memories of his life with us. See you soon old man.

Outer Banks, NC Beach Vacation 7/4/08 - 7/12/08

This seems to be the year of the vacation and this trip was just the start. We sort of attached ourselves to a week at the beach which Brent and Diana planned for their family. As it turned out all of our family (minus our missionary, Scott) joined all of the Wahlquists (minus Brad), but including Grandma Garlock/Provost/Platt and had a great time of family bonding.
We left on Friday, July 4th and we drove to downstown Staunton, Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley to stay the night at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. All of our family arrived there around dinner time and ate together at a local restaurant. That night we went up to the local park and watched the fireworks. The next morning we drove to Corolla, North Carolina which is part of the area known as the Outer Banks. The house we stayed in was three stories. It was located right on the beach with a pool and hot tub. It had about 10 bedrooms and an equal number of bathrooms, with a family room on each level. The kitchen was large.
Okay, enough about the house. What really matters is the good time we all had together and the fun the children (young and old) had on the beach and in the water. The weather was great with a couple of partial days of overcast/rainy skies giving us the opportunity to spend a little time shopping and doing tourist things. It was great re-connecting with the cousins who have lived closest to us for these past few decades. But, sadly our fun came to an end and we drove back to Columbus, Ohio on Saturday. No accidents (sorry Uncle Brent.......at least none that hurt anybody), no hurt or upset feelings, everything fine when we returned. All-in-all a successful week.

Quilt Retreat - Flushing, Ohio 7/30/08 - 8/2/08

Shawn went on a quilt retreat with some of the gals in her local quilt group. Diana joined them and they met up at a bed & breakfast in Flushing, Ohio. Shawn has explained it to me, but I still don't get Flushing, Ohio. It isn't near anything and for the life of me I can't understand why you would go to the middle of nowhere and stay in a house and quilt all day and eat munchies well into the night. I guess I would better understand it if they were going to the middle of nowhere and golfing from sunrise to dark and eating lots of meat and potatoes. Now that I understand!!!!

Anyway, they had a great time. And that's what counts. That, and while they were gone I got to golf from sunrise to dark.

Nauvoo........The City Beautiful

Grandma Margaret and Diana came to visit the for the week arriving June 16th. On the 18th with Shawn driving they all went to Nauvoo for a few days. Shawn said they had a great time and that she had numerous moving spiritual experiences. They stayed in a Bed & Breakfast and attended the temple as well as all the church history sites. They went to plays at night and without exception, they all had a great time. At the same time they were in Nauvoo, there was wide flooding in Iowa and Illinois from extended and severe rain storms. Fortunately it didn’t effect their trip, except a few detours away from flooded roads.