Idaho & Random Summer Photos

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Aaron Jr. and I went up to Twin Falls, Idaho to visit my sister, Karey and her family. The Twin Falls Temple has been completed, so all of my siblings and their families were taking turns going up there and going through the open house while spending a couple of days with Karey's family. While we were there for a couple of weeks, there were three of my siblings who came with their families, so we were able to go through the open house three times. The rest of my siblings and my parents went up before we were there. It was a really neat experience. This is the 6th temple I have been able to go through for the open house. Each temple is different and unique. In fact, the trip that Aaron and I got engaged on was a trip to go to the Nauvoo Temple open house in Illinois. What a wonderful experience.


Leslie and Aaron Jr. at the Twin Falls Temple. The Spirit that I felt in the temple this particular time was amazing. The temple is such a special place and the things we learn there are treasures. I am so grateful for temples. They truly are houses of the Lord. (Click here to locate a temple near you.)


Travis & Karey's Family (Bruce, Savannah, Veronica, Travis, Joseph, Karey (my sister))
Robert & Teresa's Family (Robert (my brother), Zachary, Teresa)
Scott & Lorianne's Family (Sophie, Michael, Scott, Julia, Lorianne (my sister), Lily, Anna)
John & Tawnie's Family (John (my brother), Jack, Emily, John, Thomas, Tawnie, Samuel)
All at the temple.


Bruce & Nathan & Veronica & Sarah at the temple.
Lily & Scott & Aaron Jr. swimming.
Aaron Jr. laughing hysterically and then Aaron Jr. fast asleep.


Julia and Savannah, Anna and Joseph, Michael and Sophie, Aaron Jr. and Scott and Lily


While we were up in Twin Falls visiting, they were having an air show where the Blue Angels were going to come and perform. It was amazing to watch them do their trick flying and be able to maneuver their aircrafts with such precision. It was AMAZING!


You should click on each of these air photos to see how close they are flying to each other. We all loved it.


Karey and Joseph, Teresa and Zachary, Veronica and Sarah, Aaron Jr. and Savannah


Leslie and Aaron Jr. in the hot (luke warm) tub.


I caught Aaron Jr. outside watering the flowers. I highly doubt he could have drown in their little 'water feature' out front where he was getting the water, but he insisted on wearing his life jacket anyway. :) When he turned around and saw that I was taking his photo, he laughed hysterically... as you can see.


Here we are at Barnes and Noble bookstore at about 12:45 in the morning. The new Stephenie Meyer book in the 'Twilight' series was coming out at midnight. So we decided it might be fun to go and check things out. I am still loving both Edward AND Jacob, but I want Bella to choose Jacob in the end. There were girls wearing T-shirts that either said 'Team Jacob' or 'Team Edward' on them. I am not THAT die hard about it all, but I love the books.


John, Thomas, Joseph, Jack, and Aaron Jr. watching T.V.


Shoshone Falls. If you click on this photo, you will be amazed at how many little waterfalls you can see in this photo, there are even more behind us in the photo.


These are some photos I took in Twin Falls and on the way home from Twin Falls. oh the beautiful miracles around us.

Thank you Travis and Karey and Family. We had a great time and we hope we weren't too much bother. We love you all.

RANDOM SUMMER PHOTOS


These are the Harkness grandchildren at Susie and Pearl's birthday party.
Grace, Isaac, Sophia, Malia, Lillie Pearl, Susen, Aaron Jr.


Whenever our backyard gets watered, there are always these little puddles that stick around until they dry up... our dog Ode drinks from them whenever he is outside. Well, Aaron loves to copy things, so here he is down on all fours and also licking up the puddle of water. When he was done with this one, he moved on to another puddle. He loves Ode.


Two of my brothers, Richard and Robert, have started making Crepes as a side business. They have been doing a Crepe stand at festivals and farmers markets. Here they are making Crepes for family and friends at my parents' house. They are really yummy.


My best friend, Kerianne, is married to a farmer. Every summer, he is busy working the farm with his family while Kerianne and her sister in law, Darcy, are busy taking care of vegetable stands and working at farmer's markets. This year, they wanted to trade off so that they weren't away from their kids so much, so they asked me to work at the Bountiful Farmer's Market every Thursday with them. It has been a lot of fun and has been good for me. I am able to serve other people there who don't know me and don't know my situation. I am able to try to be chipper and carefree for a few hours. It has been a great experience thus far. I am glad they asked me to help out. Aaron's parents usually watch Aaron Jr during that time and they say they love it. It is good bonding time for them as well.


And here is Darcy and Me. They trade off every week, so I get to work with both of them. It is a good time. Thanks girls!!!


Today, Aaron Jr. got a hold of a candy bar from my desk. I couldn't find him anywhere, but finally heard a giggle coming from the back porch. So, I grabbed the camera and I found him hiding in this little cubbyhole with a chocolate face and chocolate hands. I love this kid.


Tonight, Aaron Jr. was going through my bag and found this headband. I called him to come in to the room where I was and this is how he ran in... laughing the whole way.


This is the 24th of July parade in Bountiful. In two of these photos, he is chewing salt water taffy so he looks like he has a mouthful.


Aaron Jr. just learned the song 'The wheels on the bus go round and round' this week. I caught him singing along to this little bus while it played the song. He made the rolling actions while he sang along. CUTE CUTE CUTE.
He also helped Grandma water the flowers tonight, then he turned the hose on her. She was cornered until Grandpa turned the water off.


Last, but not least... Aaron Jr. has been helping me water Aaron's tree this summer. The last photo is from today and we found a flower on the tree. We are not sure now that it is a tree after all. Hmmm... what could it be? We are loving taking care of this together, though. He calls it 'Daddy's Tree' and loves to carry the water over and pour it on it.

We are missing Aaron a lot this month. There are a couple of milestones coming up that are going to be bittersweet. I have been trying really hard lately to be more positive and try to understand the reasons why I might be going through this trial. I still have bad days and better days. For a long time, I have had it in my mind that I didn't want to show anyone when I was feeling joy because I wanted people to know how lonely and miserable I have been these past 8 months. But lately, I have been trying to seek the good in this really difficult situation. I wish Aaron were here, but because he can't be, I know that I need to trust in my Father in Heaven and show Him that I will not let this beat me. It doesn't mean that I am not still devastated and missing Aaron so much it hurts... but it does mean that I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and for Aaron and for Aaron Jr. He knows us and he knows what we need to go through in order to be molded and refined into what we need to become. The refiners fire. This doesn't mean that I won't have horrible days still, but right now, I am trying to see things more positively so that Aaron Jr. has a strong parent here to show him how to handle the challenges and heartaches of life. I have been evaluating my life and my relationships and trying to be a better person. I have been trying to forgive others and asking for forgiveness. Once again, like I have written before... trying to set aside the more 'trivial' things in life and focus on the things that matter most. Trying harder to live without regret. I am trying. I will still fall short at times, but I am trying... and that is all I can do.

I love and miss you, Aaron...

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