Visiting Grandma Ham

Grandma is now on Hospice. Her physical needs are becoming greater and greater. Hospice was able to get a hospital bed in her room. It makes it easier for her to get into and out of bed, which is good. Some days when I visit her, she's not very aware that I'm there or very responsive. 

And some days she is very aware and involved in the conversation. She doesn't say much anymore, but she laughs along when we're talking about funny memories, and gets emotional when we talk about meaningful memories. I love the times when she laughs along with us. Her smile and laugh make me happy.

Ron and Diane came to town to visit her. We met them and Haley at Summit and had a great visit. I think it meant a lot to my mom that they came to see her.

She eats most of her meals in her room now.

Gary came into town to visit her too. She was laughing right along with us that day too.

I'm so glad Mom was more aware that day and that Gary got to see her like that.

Dad always takes such good care of Mom. It is very touching to watch him take care of her.

Tessa, Damon and I went to see her today. 

Al, Caitlyn, Mel, and Grandpa Ham came too. We spent a lot of time looking at the pictures in Grandma's Aura frame and reminiscing on all the fun times our family has had. I considered buying Damon an orange swimsuit the other day so he could match Grandpa Ham. We found the picture of him and Grandma in Cabo where he's wearing the orange swim trunks. :)

Tessa was asking about a picture where Grandpa and I were painting the dining room when I was a teenager. I told her that I wanted to go on tour with my high school orchestra, and Grandma and Grandpa had me pay for half the trip. Painting the dining room was one way I earned money for the trip. Paul and I have Tessa pay some of the cost for her Nationals trip every year, and now she can see where we learned that parenting technique. :)

It was good to see Grandma, and the rest of the family that was there too. It's always hard to say goodbye to her though.

Baseball

Damon and Tristan signed up for baseball together this summer. They also took a pickleball class together and they both really enjoyed that.

Damon likes to eat sunflower seeds in the dugout.

He played well all season. He had great hits every game, and was able to play good defense and get a few outs.

He wanted a home run real bad, and he hit one at his last game! It was an awesome hit!

The bases were loaded when he hit, so it was a grand slam!! He ran over to us while his team was still hitting to celebrate. 

He was so excited about his home run!

The games were so so hot every week! Ice cream always sounded good after a hot game. :)

Everyday Adventures

Paul, Matt, Mel and Leon helped Grandpa Ham lay sod over the garden in his backyard. While they were doing that, Damon picked out all the stubborn sticks from the rocks, and Rockwell blew out the rocks.

They got his yard clean and tidy, just like he likes it!

We went swimming and bbq-ing at Katie's house. It's always so fun to get together with the Carr's and the Loosli's!

Hallee came over a few days this week. The kids love it when she comes!

The tube in Rockwell's bike tire popped, and I figured out how to change it. I've never done that before, so I was proud that I figured it out and learned a new skill.

Damon and Paul had fun together while Tessa and I were at Girls Camp and Rockwell was at FSY. They went and saw Elio in the theater.

The Rosequist cousins were in town and we saw Rockwell, Vincent, Tristan and their cousins walking home from church like this. :)

Paul has been doing a lot of work for real estate lately. It's a tougher market, so people are having a hard time actually pulling the trigger and making deals happen, but there are a lot of people looking and trying to decide if they can/should buy or sell. This is one of the more interesting homes he's seen over the past few months! Haha.

4th of July

We went to Katie & Ben's for the 4th of July.

Damon and Paul had some awesome tricks on the diving board!

Katie made a delicious dinner, and we enjoyed talking and laughing all evening.

I could hold Quincy all day long!

Fireworks still scare Tessa. She wanted to be outside with everyone so bad, but it was scary for her.

I always love when I get to talk with Cait!

FSY

 Rockwell went to FSY the same week Tessa and I were at Girls Camp. He and Luke went together and they went to BYU. This is their company: Faith Unshaken.

Rockwell and Luke said it was the best week of their entire lives! They talked about how amazing their company was, the fun they had, and how many spiritual experiences they had.

These were their favorite friends they made from their company. They said they hung out with these four all day every day.

They got to go to the MTC on Tuesday for a special devotional and classes. They also got to watch the fireworks from Stadium of Fire since they were there over the 4th of July. Caleb and Levi were there the same week, so they also got to hang out with them throughout the week too. It was hard for Rockwell to come home. Saturday night he said, "I really don't mean this offensive, it's not about not liking anyone here in the family, but I don't want to be here. I want to be there still." After Rockwell's first year at FSY, I could see the influence it had on him and the choices he made for months and months afterward. He said this year was even more amazing and impactful. I'm grateful he has the opportunity to spend a week each summer learning and growing closer to Christ, and having fun with other kids who are like-minded in their testimony of the Savior.