The Mission Call and Camping

We had an exciting weekend! Daren's mission call arrived on Friday. He had plans for the evening and the rest of us were leaving to go camping. After a few phone calls we were able to gather the troops on Saturday at Buffalo Campground. Daren and Reed drove up late on Friday night and Rod and Stephanie joined us Saturday morning. We had a surprise when G & G Schwieder and G & G Rockwood took a drive up to find us.

So, after all of that intro, I'm sure everyone is wondering where he is going. He has been called to serve in the Richmond Virginia Mission. He spent the rest of the afternoon spreading the news. He enters the MTC on August 5, so we have a lot to get ready. As soon as school is out we can start shopping and I can start psyching myself for the trip to Provo. That is one thing I'm not looking forward to.

After the excitement we had a fun weekend together. Saturday was a gorgeous day at Island Park. We enjoyed riding bikes, fishing, playing games, and of course EATING! In the evenings we would gather around the campfire with the Black family to talk and laugh. Everyone stuck around until Sunday night. It was so much fun to have the whole family together.

Signs of Summer

A friend of mine told me that she uses her blog for a journal. I used to use my missionary emails for my journal, but since I'm between missionaries I decided to try and blog more. It is a fun way to save history with pictures. I've even printed my blogs and put a copy in my journal. Thanks Karri for the idea.

I'm so glad that spring/summer is finally here. (I hope there isn't snow tomorrow because I said that) The trees are leafing out and flowers blooming. Doug has planted the garden. I'm glad he takes on that project. It is a lot of work for him, but we really do enjoy the fresh vegetables. My work starts later when the picking and canning time starts. I always like to see the bottles of food filling the shelves. It's a secure feeling.

Scott helped me get the patio furniture out and arranged. We'll be getting the pond and waterfall going soon. Doug placed the bird feeder by the deck this year and I've had fun watching the little finches. The other day there were three yellow finches and one red perched on the railing and feeder. I wished I could have gotten a picture of them. Now we just need more time to go out and enjoy!

This time of year also means the end of the school year. I've enjoyed teaching 6th grade and the time has gone by so quickly. Still I'm ready for a break and my "summer to do list" grows longer every day. I'll have to add "get a missionary ready" to that list. Daren's mission call should be coming sometime this week. I'm excited and anxious to see where he will be going. Then I'll be back to missionary emails.

Mother's Day

Even though Mother's Day isn't my favorite holiday, I enjoy spending it with my family. This year we had dinner with Doug's parents and then Rod & Stephaine dutch ovened dinner for both families that evening. It was a great day! It also gives me a chance to reflect on the greatest part of being a mother - my kids.

Reed Douglas Rockwood was born on January 29, 1985. He was a terrific baby and spoiled his parents. He rarely cried and was sleeping through the night at 3 months old. He has always been a good example of a big brother.

Rod Warren Rockwood was born on April 6, 1987. There was much excitement to welcome another boy into the family. From the start he was very determined to get what he wanted. This may have been one reason that he started moving in an untraditional way, scooting on his bottom, at 5 months old.

Daren John Rockwood joined the family on July 25, 1990. He was named to have the same initials as his father, "DJ" and had many nicknames. He was known as "Little DJ", Dare Bear, Bear, and Dare. He was the cutest little curly headed boy and always on the go. Maybe that prompted his early desire to walk at 9 months old.

Scott made the family complete on June 30, 1993. He was Mom's little sweetheart and was good as gold as long as Mom was in the room. He's always followed after his brothers wanting to do everything they do. He has also loved the farm and at an early age accompanied his dad to work and has been a big help there.

It's also a good opportunity to tell my mothers how much I love them!

A Day With My Honey

On Friday I decided to take a much needed break from everything and just get away. I took a day off of work and Doug skipped a day of farming. We decided to go for a ride to Twin Falls. The weather was beautiful, which is the exception this spring. First we visited Shoshone Falls, also known as the Niagra of the West. We have been there a couple times before but it has always been too late in the year and only a small trickle has been going over the falls. This time it was perfect! It was a spectacular view. As we exited the car we saw people donning jackets and hats because the mist was just like rain. We were dressed to go to the Temple without jackets, but we enjoyed the scenery anyway.




After grabbing a bite to eat, we went to the Temple in Twin Falls. It was beautiful inside and out. We had a great time together. On the way home we stopped in Pocatello and met Daren at Cosco. It was fun to spend a few minutes with him and buy him a couple goodies for his trip to Canada. It was a good day with good company! Thanks Doug, I love ya! I think I'm rejuvenate and can get back in the swing of things.

THE BIG DAY

We have experienced our first wedding and reception. Our feet were sore and bruised, our bodies ached, but our hearts were filled with happiness. We feel so blessed to have wonderful friends and family who support us through all of life's journeys.

Rod Warren Rockwood and Stephanie Lynn Pettingill were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for Time and All Eternity on April 25, 2009. The weather had been predicted to be stormy, but the sun was shining and NO WIND. It was beautiful for pictures outside the Temple. The atmosphere inside the Temple was also perfect. The bride and groom were beaming. They would have brightened up even a gloomy day. Brother Bruce Eckersell sealed them and his words were inspiring to all of us. I wish I could remember everything that he said.

The luncheon turned out really nice. I had worried about uncooked food, burnt food, and not enough food. My prayers were answered and it all came together. I think the only problem was too much food which I can live with. We used centerpieces from Natalie Jenkin's daughters wedding reception and the room was so springy and bright. All of our friends and family pitched in to help with cooking, serving, and cleaning up. I seriously don't know how it could be done without all of them.

I could have never imagined the turnout for the reception. There was a huge crowd of friends and relatives. It was good to see everyone of them and I wish we would have had more time to visit and catch up on all of the news. We are so fortunate to live in a close-knit community of where your neighbors spread for miles all around. At the end we were exhausted but we wouldn't have changed a thing...and it feels good to have a daughter.

The happy couple are now living in Iona and setting up house. We love when they call or drop in to say hi or have a bite to eat. It's a little different not having Rod at home, but it feels right.