* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *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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...BEFORE...&...AFTER...Aaron liked my hair long, so I never cared to do anything this drastic. But ever since Aaron passed away, I have wanted to cut my hair really short and see what I would look like.
I have been trying to figure out how I would want it to be cut and when I finally found the haircut I wanted, I made an appointment with my sister in law, Suzy. I put my hair in her hands and I just trusted her completely to transform my hair. I like it. I will never be able to style it this same way since SHE is the professional... but I will try. I have never REALLY had a real style. This is new for me. Suzy said that she cut off a total of about 14 to 15 inches. She cut off a pony tail of my hair first so that I can send it to locks of love. This is the second time since Aaron Jr was born that I have cut enough off to send to locks of love. That makes it all worth it. My long hair has always been kindof a security blanket for me. This is not in my comfort zone, but I haven't been in a comfort zone for over 8 months now... so nothing has changed in that regard.
With all of the changes that have been thrown at me in the last 8 months since Aaron passed away, I wanted to have a major change that was actually IN my control. So, this was exciting and scary at the same time... but at least it was in my control. It felt nice being the one who got to make a decision about something semi-major in my life even if it isn't necessarily a life changing decision.
Who knows, maybe I will go shorter next time... hmmm...
THANK YOU SO MUCH, SUZY!
Missing you every day, Aaron...
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* * * * * * * * *Wow! I can't believe it. I know I say it every month, but I still can't believe that Aaron is really gone. And if he really IS gone, then how on earth has it been EIGHT months?I can't say it enough... I miss Aaron more every single day that passes. And my love for him grows with each moment that passes and every memory of him that passes through my mind.The month that is approaching will bring with it very painful days because of the meaning of those days. I am going to need to feel Aaron closer than ever. He is always in my thoughts and in my heart, I hope and pray that I am in his. I love you Aaron.On to something a little lighter...SNAKE RIVER & JACKSON HOLEAaron’s family has a tradition of going up to the Snake River in Wyoming near Jackson Hole every year. They always go with Aaron’s Dad’s family and they always go around the 24th of July in celebration of Utah’s Pioneer Heritage.
Here are some photos from the time we were engaged at that time of each year…2002
Aaron and I started our own little tradition each year... on our way home from the Snake River, we would stop in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho and we would tube down the river, then sit in the hot springs. I loved this tradition.
2003
Aaron decided that it might be fun to wear just his life jacket and go down these rapids. I was worried, but took lots of photos of him so he could see what he looked like doing it. In the first photo above, he is inside that green circle in the top leftg corner. The photos below are the ones of him going through the rapids. He was safe.
2004
2005
I am five months pregnant in this photo.
Aaron started a new job working at the ranch for troubled youth that month, so we couldn't go to the river that month. We did, however, take a couple of days on a weekend and go to Wyoming to see Toby Keith sing at the Cheyenne Frontier Days. He was going to give a concert and then he was going to play with The Western Underground. That is the band that always played with Chris LeDoux. Aaron LOVES Chris LeDoux, he looked up to him and always wished he could have met him. Chris LeDoux had passed away earlier that year, so Aaron wanted to go to this concert to hear some of his songs and see his band play. We were so lucky to see Chris LeDoux sing one time together the year before that in Colorado at Country Jam.
The top left photo is a photo of Chris LeDoux that was up on a huge screen in front of us. The bottom right photo is also of Chris LeDoux walking down a road and his signature on it. It was also on the huge screen. The top right photo is of Aaron with Chris LeDoux's son. He is a drummer in the band. The bottom left photo is of Mark Sissel. He plays the guitar in the band. Aaron used to communicate with him via email sometimes.
The hat Aaron is wearing in these photos is the same brand and model of hat that Chris LeDoux wore. He asked his mom and dad specifically for that for his birthday the year before he passed away. He loved that hat and took great care of it. I could go into how much Chris LeDoux memorabilia Aaron collected over the years, but that is a posting all by itself.2006
Our first year with our precious little Aaron Jr.
Our last time on this trip while Aaron was still here with us.
2007
This particular year, Aaron Jr. broke his arm. The river trip was only about a week away, so Aaron made the decision that we shouldn't go. The break was in Aaron Jr's upper arm just below the shoulder, so they couldn't cast it. Aaron was concerned that Aaron Jr might fall and hurt it worse, so we stayed home. We took Aaron Jr to a county fair instead and rode on a few rides together. He had a blast and so did we.
2008
This year, I just couldn't bring myself to go. Aaron's parents invited us, but this was one 'first' that was going to be too hard for me. So we stayed home. Aaron's parents went, but none of the other kids went either. So they were there with extended family. Part of me wanted to go so that they weren't going alone, but I had to do what felt right for me. I couldn't imagine going this year without Aaron.
In this photo, Aaron Jr is feeding Sheila and then taking a bath in the sink. Doesn't he look relaxed?
This is me giving Ode a haircut. Aaron always would buzz Ode's fur for the summer to keep him a little cooler, so I took my turn for the first time this year. Ode sat there and was so good for me the whole time.
This is Aaron Jr and me giving Ode a bath. He is such a great dog. He just sat there again. I am sure it feels nice to be clean. We love him.
We really miss Aaron. Our little family feels so empty and lonely without him here. Aaron Jr. continues to bring joy to my days. I love him so much.
One last photo I took of Aaron in Jackson Hole in 2003.
We love and miss you every day, Aaron...
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Aaron, Aaron Jr, Leslie - AGE 2
I have been going through some photo albums a lot lately and I thought it would be fun to post a photo of Aaron at age 2, me at age 2, and Aaron Jr at age 2. I hear from some people how much Aaron Jr looks like Aaron, then others tell me how much they think he looks like me. I actually think that Aaron Jr looks SO much like the adult version of Aaron and doesn't look that much like the adult version of me. I also think that Aaron Jr looks a lot like both of us when we were little. I wish I had a better one of Aaron Jr. This was the best one I could find at the right angle and everything, but it was chilly outside so the coloring isn't quite up to par. Anyhow, I just thought I would post this for fun.
I am reminded so often by Aaron Jr that his daddy isn't here. Anytime we are around a family, any family, and he hears the kids saying 'Daddy' to their dad, Aaron will join in with them and call their dad 'Daddy' right along with them. He knows who HIS daddy is, but whenever this happens, it just breaks my heart. When I ask Aaron Jr about HIS daddy, he always points to Aaron in a photo, or else he will say, 'Daddy's home'. He ALWAYS says, 'Daddy's home' when I ask him where daddy is. I still hope and pray that he is having very vivid dreams about Aaron. I think if he is, he will have a better recollection of his daddy as he gets older. I pray for this.
We miss you, Aaron...* * *
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Michael Richards Hinckley 1935 ~ 2008 Michael Richards Hinckley, age 72, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2008 at his home in Holladay after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 21, 1935, in Salt Lake City to Frederick R. Hinckley and Lois Richards Hinckley. He attended Granite High School and was in the first graduating class of Olympus High School. He went to BYU, graduated from the U of U and received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1962. He married Jean Folsom March 20, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a missionary in England from 1956-1958. He returned to England as Mission President of the England Birmingham Mission from 1999-2002. He served as Bishop in Rochester, MN. He loved the outdoors, hunting, and guns and had special friends who shared this love. He loved sports, especially football. He was High School All-American at Olympus, played for BYU and was forever a fan. After his MBA, he joined his father's business at American Paper and Supply in Salt Lake. He became the Head of Strategic Planning for Saxon Industries. He moved to Chicago to become Treasurer of Americana Hotels and worked for Kahler Hotels as Head of Marketing in Rochester, MN. Mike and wife Jean celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Mike is survived by his wife, Jean and their children: M. Russell (Susan), Apple Valley, MN; Mary Thatcher (Blake), Lake Forest, IL; Stephen, Sandy, UT; Ted (Libbie), South Jordan, UT; Jeanie Rennie (Paul), Issaquah, WA; Patrick (April), Manchester, CT; Ann Stucki (Brian), Holladay, UT; brother Frederick R. Hinckley, Kaysville, UT; and 24 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren. Services will be Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. at the Holladay 18th and 28th Wards, 2625 E. Milo Way in Holladay, UT. The family will receive friends Friday, July 11 at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 S. Highland Drive from 6-8 p.m. and beginning at 11:30 on Saturday at the ward. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bennion Center at the U of U or the Edwin Smith Hinckley Scholarship at BYU. Many thanks for the services of the wonderful doctors and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Millcreek Home Health Care and Hospice.
President and Sister Hinckley and Leslie in the middle. This was at Christmas time 1999 in England.
President and Sister Hinckley with Leslie in the middle. This was the day I was going home from England. May 30, 2000
This is my mission president and his wife. Anyone who has served a mission for our church understands the importance of a mission president and his wife. They are the Dad and Mom while you are away from home and they are there to guide, love and support you in the hard times and the great times while you serve the Lord. I am truly grateful for President and Sister Hinckley. I am grateful for their examples in my life and for the love and support they have shown to me over the years. I love you both.
I just heard this evening about President Hinckley passing away this week. It was a difficult thing to hear. My thoughts keep going to Sister Hinckley and the loss she is experiencing at this time. I know the devastation and the pain she must be feeling, I still feel it now. I hope and pray she can be shown the love and support that I have been shown by so many loving people near and far. I hope and pray she will feel the peace and comfort that comes from our loving Savior. Sister Hinckley and her family will be in my prayers.
Thank you to the Hinckleys for sharing President and Sister Hinckley with us.
I love you, Aaron...* * *
