Moms' "Check-off" Lists

This morning I was straightening Katie's hair before she took off to girls camp. I rattled off a few items--you know, a "mom's checklist"--when I realized Katie had completely tuned out. I said, "Does it irrate you for me to go through a checklist?" "YES" was the resounding answer. (What was I thinking??) I smiled and quietly said, "Sorry--I'll try to remember that."

WELL, GUESS WHAT??? 10 minutes after her bus took off my cell phone rang. "Umm, Umm, Umm, Mom?" Yesssssss?? "Umm, Umm, I .... Umm, ... well, ... ummm ... I forgot a couple of things (I gasped) ... and uhhh ... I was wondering if you could send them up tomorrow with Sister McClure." A COUPLE OF THINGS? Let me rattle them off ... her pillow, her glasses, her retainer, a towel and .... and ... and ... most importantly--especially for girls camp--her HAIR GEL. How could she possibly live without hair gel? I smiled and quietly said, "Sure."

What Goes Around Comes Around

"Mom, I signed a contract with Stadium Terrace for the summer." STADIUM TERRACE??? Oh my goodness--Reg is going to live in Stadium Terrace? I LIVED AT STADIUM TERRACE almost 30 years ago. Isn't that so funny?? I lived in Stadium Terrace when I received my mission call to the Canada Toronto Mission (1979) and subsequently sold my "hot" little v-w bug (what I wouldn't give for that car now with gas prices--it used to cost me under $10 to fill). I also started my own "business" when I lived there--typing papers for students. Yep--bought me a self-correcting typewriter for $1,000. Yes--that is correct--$1,000! I designed my own business cards and had PLENTY of business. Turned around and sold it to help finance my mission. Thank goodness--by the time I got home, PCs were just starting to make their debut and typewriters saw their "writing on the wall." haha Just a little trivia. I had a ball at Stadium Terrace and hope my son has as much fun. What goes around comes around, doesn't it?

Shelley,

As a mom who sees her son go -- I KNOW, I KNOW the tears.

Reggie, Twas short and sweet for the little time we saw you when you came home from your mission. You're a great man! Have a wonderful summer and when you go home to visit give us a call. We sure enjoy you!

Your mom's heart is sooooooo tender. She's a wonderful woman and I'm so proud to call her my sister. AND, you should be so proud to call me your AUNT!

Love ya,
Miki

Hitting the Pavement Running!

And he's off. Our sweet Reggie left for Provo this morning and I'm still wiping tears from my eyes tonight. These past four weeks we've had him home after his mission will always be treasured memories in my heart and even though I know this is exactly the right thing for him to be doing, it still hurts. Here'a couple of pics as he packed up his bright red truck (including several boxes of Katie's stuff for college) and headed out the driveway--off to new ventures, new friends, new work and many new experiences.


He will be working in Provo for the summer before heading up to Rexburg in September for school. Tracy is driving up with him ... sort of a "father/son bonding trip" and I know that saying good-bye to Reg on Sunday night before flying home will be a very, very sad moment for Tracy. If all goes well, Reggie will be working at APX as a customer service rep through the end of August. Trevor, who is a supervisor for APX has been a HUGE asset in helping Reg find a job, so thank you Trev--I love you! What a joy it is to see our kids help each other. I'm so, so jealous that Trace and Reg will get to see Trevor, Colette and Tayson. Having a bit of a pity party tonight and feeling very left out--ate lots of cry-baby soup for supper.

I wanted to record some fatherly advise Trace gave Reggie that I thought was profound. It was something to the effect that as parents, we've done everything we can to help him have tools to have an effective and successful future ... it is now up to him to use these tools to his advantage. Tracy and I are very grateful for the help our parents gave to us as we started off on our own. I remember telling my parents and in-laws many years ago that the only way we could ever pay them back for their support, kindness and generosity was to turn around and help our own children when they were ready to leave home. Dad (and Mom if she read this) and Mom and Dad Riley ... I haven't forgotten that promise and hope you will accept our efforts in helping your grandchildren get started in this phase of their lives as long-awaited payment. I will never forget your help, love and support when we were students.

So here's a huge GOOD LUCK, Reg! You're the best--we love you and I thought I'd never say this, but I am SO thankful for text messaging. Trev, Reg and Katie ... promise me you'll text me often--I need my "kids" fixes often. Give Trev, Colette, and especially Tayson lots of hugs and kisses for me. Love, Mom

Family Reunion at Lake Apache

Shortly after Reggie returned home from Brazil and as soon as Trevor, Colette and Tayson drove down from Provo, we loaded our bags, hitched up the boat, packed up an army's worth of food and headed for Apache Lake (a few miles east of Canyon Lake) for a few days of fun, sun, skiing and eating. We were so happy to have Charisse join us and hope she had as much fun as we did. Miki and Rachelle dropped by for an afternoon of "hi---bye" ... very sad they couldn't stay longer. We had so much fun we definitely want to make this an annual reunion! Here are a few pics:

Our grandson, Tayson, was the center of attention--of course. With his sunny disposition, it was hard not to want to to hold and hug him and introduce him to all his aunts and uncles.

Apache Lake is beautiful and the water is the best we've ever had for skiing. Because it is much hard to get to than Canyon or Saguaro Lake, there is much less boat traffic. The morning water is as glassy as it gets.

We rented two "condo" type rooms--complete with a bedroom (2 doubles beds), a small kitchen, family room and bathroom ... and MOST importantly they had air conditioning. We were able to park our Expo with the trailer right out the front of our condo and keep the boat in a wet slip just a small walk down to the lake. While the accomodations were pretty snug, they were way, way, way, way better than sleeping in a tent with no air. I used to love camping when we lived in Oregon and went to Prineville, but here it is almost impossible with the heat. We played lots of cards, watched lots of videos (including the 2008 Lost finale), ate lots of great food, had lots of laughter and most of all, lots of love to go around!

Well ... it been awfully quiet since Trevor, Colette and Tayson went back to their home in Provo. In two days, Reggie will be leaving for Utah for a job at APX (working with Trevor) for the summer. In three months Katie and Reg will be in Idaho at BYUI. And then Trace and I will have 8 "quiet" months to anxiously wait for another reunion in 2009. (Now I know exactly how much Mom Riley looked forward to the Richard Riley Reunions.) Who knows what 2009 will bring? Whatever comes, I'm confident that when we get back together again next summer, the hours will be filled with many happy moments of catching up!

My Dad

Pilot, athlete, military-man, musician, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather ... just a few of the many "hats" my dad has worn over the years. On this Father's Day, I honor and pay tribute to my dad--Ralph Gene Brown. If I could choose just one thing I would like my own children to remember about their "Grandpa Brown" is his loving, gentle and patient caregiving to Mom (Nena) in the last years of her life--he was an amazing, tireless and constant companion to her--always looking for ways to make her comfortable and happy. Their relationship is evidence of how serving one another leads to a Christ-like life. Thank you, Dad, for your example and legacy. I will love you forever because of how you loved Mom. She would be so proud of what an awesome grandpa and great-grandpa you are. Your living posterity honors and loves you--I can personally attest that the "Riley" component certainly does. I love you, Dad--I always have had a tender, sweet, and gentle spot in my heart for you. Thank you for giving me life, love and happiness.

Richard Lloyd and Tracy Lloyd

Happy Father's Day to Dad Riley, the patriarch of four living "Lloyds" ... Richard Lloyd, Tracy Lloyd, Trevor Lloyd and Tayson Lloyd. The first time I met Dad Riley was the summer of 1983 when Tracy took me to Manteca, California to "meet the parents." I felt like I had known him forever--he was warm, loving and treated me with such kindness. He was very much like his mother (Claudine) whom I had already met--lots of hugs and kisses for everyone--and I immediately felt at home. His favorite cake was coconut, but I'm sure I've never made one as good as his mom could make. Some things only moms can do, right? Over the last 24 years, Dad Riley has made me feel like a daughter and a true Riley. He now presides over four generations of Rileys. I love him and ache over the physical trials he is enduring. We pay tribute to him and honor him on this Father's Day. We love you, dad ... grandpa ... and great-grandpa!

Tracy Lloyd and Tayson Lloyd

Here's some pics of Tracy and Tayson in our backyard pool when Trevor and his family came down from Provo for our family reunion to Apache Lake. Nice to know we'll have another sports fan in the fam!

Tipping Her Hat to High School

Katie graduated from Higley High School on Thursday, May 22. The graduation ceremonies were scheduled for the football field but because of a major DOWNPOUR all day, they were moved into the Fine Arts Center. A little crowded, but turned out to be a wonderful ceremony. Her plans for the summer? At the top of the list--transitioning into Relief Society where she now attends the Valencia Ward (our young adult ward). She's also going to girls camp, but this time as a leader ... a camp specialist over photography. A "road trip" with the hobbits is on the table--we'll see if that pans out. And of course, throw in the job hunt for summer employment. All in all, I think she'll have a great summer as she gets ready to head up to BYUI in September. Personally, I'll cherish every day we have together until that crossroad is actually crossed.