July 17 - Our beloved missionary grandson, Brandon Ogletree, returned with full honor from his full-time mission to Concepcion, Chile, to his home in McKinney, TX. What a joy this must have been for all. The girls said, "Grandma, we don't know how to act. He doesn't tease us anymore!"

August 1-4--Steve and I were able to leave our full-time mission and fly to Portage, Michigan to participate in Baby Read Alexander Cook's baby blessing. What a handsome and vibrant son he is--we had a memorable visit with David, Sarah, Savannah, Sadie and Christina, also. Sorry, I don't have an "official" blessing photo of him. He's darling and a BIG BOY. Joey's affectionally refers to him as "Tank!" What a sweet baby he is!

August 16- Mark, Bethany, Cassidy, Callie and Natalie Ogletree arrived a couple days early before Mark's speaking at BYU Education week. What a wonderful week we spent playing with the girls--they headed up to Burley, ID, to visit with the Cook cousins for a couple of days the end of the week. This was Bethany's first time at Ed. Week--They left for home, McKinney, TX, the following Saturday. They drove all night and arrived just in time to attend Stake Conference. Poor Mark--he must have been wasted!!

August 28-Janie, Bethany (a quick return trip) and Brandon loaded up the Red Beast in McKinney with all their personal possessions ready to begin their new lives at universities of higher learning of their choice. They arrived at our home at 4:00 AM after having traveled all night, thankfully with no car trouble!! On Friday, Janie began her 11 day quest to get Brandon situated at BYU-Provo and Bethany at BYU-Idaho, no easy task, especially since neither one owned warm winter clothes necessary to survive the frigid winters! On Saturday, Janie, Bethany and myself began our shopping spree. Oh, what fun it was!! Bethany, who has the "perfect figure," was so grateful and elated to find the "deals of all deals"--I'm so proud of her as she purchased most of her new wardrobe with her hard earned money!! She's a terrific shopper!

During the week (Steve and I continued to work full-time at the Church Office Bldg), Janie helped Brandon get situated into his new apt off campus (originally was incorrectly assigned to a freshman dorm) and solve other challenges (he has no car nor had he ever stepped on the BYU campus), he began working out with the football team for 5 hours daily. His neck is already the size of pre-mission! We love him so! Janie and Bethany left our home Sunday afternoon to travel to Matt's home in Burley and then continued on to Rexburg and delivered Bethany. She returned on Tuesday, Sep 9 in time to pick up Mark at the airport to help her drive home! Wow What a week! Janie was such a blessing to me in my recovery--I was at my "worst" during my illness, but she was so kind and attentive. Of course, I felt so bad that I couldn't help with all her load!

August 29 - I began feeling quite ill---a little spacey. To make a very long saga (4 weeks of it), during the long week Janie and Bethany were at our home, I became increasingly ill, headaches were unbearable, rushed to the emergency room, and after a spinal tap, nothing was concluded. The headaches continued to be unbearable and my energy and vitality was nonexistent. Our internist ordered a MRI and MRA and another spinal tap. The doctors concluded it was a viral meningitis. Several times I would arise early and attempt to work a few hours at the COB, but just couldn't last and Steve would bring me home. I was told I would recover, but often I wondered if I ever would. I received two priesthood blessings and thought so many times, "With the intense pain I had experienced, how did the Savior ever survive His Atonement." What an increased appreciation for Him I felt during those days! The "waiting it out" period was challenging and humbling.

September 11 - David flew in from Michigan to join the "Bros" for the special football weekend, e.g. BYU vs. UCLA to be played at BYU. Thank you Sarah and girls for letting him come!

September 12- Amidst my infirmities and mental confusion, Joey, Ang and beautiful new baby Adia, Curtis and Claire arrived at our home at 2:00 AM Sep 13. Because of Hurricane Ike, many of the planes were backed up--we were so thrilled to welcome them to our home! Chip arrived Friday afternoon from West Point, NY and that night, Matt arrived with Madeleine, Hallie, Lauren and Isabelle from Burley to join the brothers. They spent the night at Watkins' as our home was full up!! On Saturday, Matt, Zander, Brandon, Chip, David, Joey and Christy met at our home at 9:00 AM, all dressed in BYU Blue ("The Quest" t shirts), "ready for bear!" They spent the long day at BYU and had a blast! Ang and I remained home (I must admit that I wasn't in too great a condition to be a "fun" grandma) and played with and fed all the children. Ang was such a good sport to be left behind--I loved spending the day with her and especially playing with the kids (in my limited) physical condition. That night, still feeling poorly, That night, Steve, our four sons, Gordon and Marty gave me a priesthood blessing that I might recover fully. I felt so honored to have four worthy sons and two son-in-laws and husband to lay their hands upon my head and command my body to be healed. I think I "turned the corner" that night.

September 14 - Baby Adia Lola Cook was blessed by both grandparents, Joey's three brothers, brother-in-laws from both sides of the family, etc. It was a glorious, beautiful Sabbath day. Jen and Gordon were so gracious to host the family dinner at their home. Jen made chicken spaghetti and everyone else brought salads and desserts as compliments. Brandon and Melissa drove up from BYU to spend a few hours with the family. We made three round trips to the airport that day, e.g. Chip returned back to NY, David to Michigan, back to the airport to pick up David as his plane returned to the airport because of high winds in Ohio where his connection was to occur. Finally, he was able to head home early Monday morning--this was my first "real" work day in two weeks at the COB.

More to come later...

September 15 - Still weak and a little "fuzzy," Steve and resumed our full-time mission at the MTC and worked a long day. Each day, I am a little stronger and even more grateful for the zip and energy I once enjoyed. Only Heavenly Father will know if that will ever return, but I pray that it will, so that I can have the strength to fulfill our mission with every bit of health and strength required in these often taxing and overwhelming responsibilities.