My buddy and me

Our big girls have officially been in school for a month.

August flew by!

Ellie has full day kindergarten so that means Ada and I spend all day together.



It has been an adjustment for both of us. She is so used to having a playmate that the hours sometimes seem to stretch on. I'm used to having her entertained by her sisters and have had to up my game a bit.

We're both getting excited for the arrival of our new little guy, but until then are making the most of our time together.

30 weeks

Ada is a great little shopper and enjoys being my errand helper. We've spent at least one afternoon each week at school helping out the teachers and she's learning the ins and outs of the school copier. We've had some fun playdates with her little friends, and outing to the Children's museum and Gymnastics center, and even water aerobics in our pool. 

 







I'm grateful for this little butty of mine and for her engaging personality. We converse a lot during the day and I've gained a new view into her developing mind. She is very willing to help me with chores and projects, but has been patient as I've napped on the couch a time or two.

I love my little Ada and am grateful that she's still around to keep me company. It would definitely be lonely without her.

Vernon B. Romney

My wonderful Grandpa Vern passed away on July 13, 2013. 



He had been sick since the spring, and his decline was pretty rapid.

Thankfully, we'd been in Utah for a few weeks in June and we were able to spend time with him. I'm so grateful that my kids could see him again and that Jake and I could talk with him in person.

In fact, in what was our last visit to his home during the trip, I had the opportunity to have a wonderful personal conversation with him.

We talked about his health, his knowledge that he was getting close to the end, his desire to see his mother, father, and son again, and his hope that he'd done the best he could in life. He said that he had lived a bountous life and had much to be grateful for. He talked about my Grandma and how she was so strong and loyal and gave his testimony of staying close to the church and to the Lord.

It was a wonderful conversation. I was able to express my love for him and my desire to see him again, whether on earth or on heaven. We both shed some tears and it was a sweet moment to communicate with each other. He had been suffering that day (his lungs were filling with fluid and had to be drained daily) and when my Dad came into the room to ask him how he was doing, he said, "I was doing poorly, but I'm better, after having talked to this fine girl."

J and I were able to fly up for his funeral and were so grateful to hear the things said to memorialize him. I am grateful for all of my Romney family members and know that our Grandpa's legacy is ours to carry on.



I'll always be grateful for his wonderful example to me. He worked hard, loved his family and the cougars, stayed true to the gospel, and had a wonderful sense of humor.



Because my Grandpa served as the Attorney General of Utah there was a lot written up about him in the press. He was a true lover of newspapers and current events. In addition, the day of his funeral the Governor of Utah ordered that all state flags be flown at half mast in honor of my Grandpa. We saw the ones at the capitol and were grateful for this kind act of remembrance.

Links can be found to these publications:
Daily Herald obituary
KUTV 
Salt Lake Tribune
Deseret News
New York Times
KCSG television
Wikipedia



Write ups were also found in the Miami Herald, Enquirer Herald, and Westport News, but the links have since been removed. 

First day of school

I can't believe school has been underway for almost a month.

crazy place we live starting school so early!

We had a fun time shopping for new school clothes, backpacks, lunchboxes, supplies, and doing all that starting school entails.

The girls were great posers for their back to school photos and are enjoying their time so far.

Ellie loves Kindy and Lauren is enjoying 2nd grade. They love being school girls together.  Ada is happy to FINALLY be in preschool, after seeing her sisters attend for years.

Ada and I are trying to adjust to an empty house during the days and I'm making the most of my alone time during her preschool days.

I know this phase won't last forever....in 10 weeks our world will be turned upside down...but for now I'm enjoying the state we're in.