Ode to Max

Yesterday was Max's 80th birthday.  Can you believe it??  He seems so young, except for that shiny gray hair. 

Thursday night we had a little party for him. The family was asked to say something about dear ol' Max.  The boys all had such nice comments and memories about their dad.  The main theme seemed to be he was such a great example to them and was always such a hard worker to support their family. 

 

We girls are so lucky to have been able to have him for our Father-in-law.  I don't think we could've picked a better one, that's for sure!  Even the couple of grandkids that were there had great memories and feel super lucky to be gramps' offspring. 

 

Some people don't know, but David is quite a poet.  In fact he told Eric he had something for Grandpa, and Eric's reply what "what, a poem?".  Yep.  (We did have a few family home evenings where everyone had to write a poem or story.  Some of us weren't so fond of those nights.) So here is what David had to say to his dad:

 

Clifford “Max” Prescott

 

The things I remember, are less every year;

But the ones that I do, I hold very dear.

 

The assignment to speak, ‘bout my own “dear old dad”;

Gave me pause to reflect, on the good times we have.

 

He wasn’t the first, but he might be the best;

A man who’s named Prescott, stands apart from the rest.

 

His children have learned, through watching thousands of hours;

His grandchildren refer to it, as “Prescott Power”.

 

It’s a belief, it’s a feeling, it’s a commitment to do good;

He taught us to serve, to do all that we could.

 

Airman

Mechanic

Carpet Layer

Business Owner

These are some of the jobs that he’s had.

 

Sunday School Teacher

Sunday School President

High Counselor

High Priest Group Leader

Bishopric Counselor

These are some of the callings he’s held.

 

4 – far away missions

And a few close to home

Countless hours in the Temple

Some more things that he’s done.

 

But the reason we Prescotts, have a fullness of pride;

Is not for what he’s done, but who he is inside.

 

He’ll thank you for coming, he’ll thank you for leaving;

He’s funny, he’s kind, and he loves to take naps.

Clifford Max Prescott, he’s not all that wealthy;

 He’s not all that famous, heck - he’s not even that tall;

 

But the thing that I’ve noticed, after 80 some years;

Is that our beloved Max, is the GREATEST PRESCOTT of all.

Happy 80th birthday Pop!

 

 

Isn't that cute?  I love the part about thanking you for leaving.  If you know Max, he always says that. 

Well, happy 80th Birthday, Max.  We love you!!



One Down...

It has been a whole year since David was called as bishop of the Sweetwater Ward.  This year has flown by so fast, at least when thinking about this new calling.  I knew I needed to document him through the years (assuming there are more than 1???)  This was in the beginning...

 

This is now...

 

He still looks happy.  haha 

 

I asked him what are some of his most memorable or favorite things that have happened over the past year.  They include having a GREAT turn out at an all day Ward Temple Day.  He spent days and days interviewing people to get their recommends updated in preparation for the big day.  It was a big success with having about 70 members there.  Those who couldn't go inside got a tour of the temple grounds and then a trip to the Mormon Batallion Center.  Through the year several people in the ward were able to go to the temple for their first time.

 

We had a great Christmas Program, as well as many other ward dinners.  Our very own missionary returned home from his mission, and one from our ward got his call to serve recently. 

 

Another great moment was just last week when the Activity Day Girls gave him a "Must Have Stash" of treats to help him survive long days in his office.  There are tons of pictures of them with mustaches on.  What a cute idea from a couple very sweet leaders & girls!!!

 

There are many more things that happened that were fun memories. We had a great beach party, ward campout, the hugest Labor Day Pool party yet, and a spring picnic.  Girls' camp is always a hit, and Varsity Wakeboarding is probably his most favorite activity ever!  All in all, its been a pretty good year.  Here's to however many more the ward can stand!

 



Happy Spring!

Well it's been quite some time since I've posted anything... not because nothing has happened, but because we are too busy to post!! I cannot believe that it is already spring! Time passes much too quickly these days. I think that means I am getting old!

This weekend, we were able to enjoy listening to our Prophet, Apostles & other leaders as they spoke to us on various topics. I love General Conference. It's especially nice to be able to sit at home on our comfy couch & listen with no distractions (other than my own family). Two of my sons were able to go to Utah to be at the Conference Center with the Prophet this year. Such an awesome experience to be able to do that!!

Those of you who were able to listen, I hope it meant as much to you as it did me!!!

If you weren't able to view it live, you can watch it here:

www.lds.org

Definitely worth the time to watch
.
Enjoy!

Big Bear

It's been so cold outside, so why not make the best of this time of year?!  We went with a group of friends to Big Bear on Friday.  It's always fun to go snowboarding, and the more the merrier!  A lot more people were invited, but the ones that went had a great time.  We headed up nice and early, had breakfast, and then time to rent equipment and hit the slopes.  For several, it was the bunny slope, but I think they had fun too.  David was able to help Dave, Nick & Ian teach JR, Kaylee and Katie.  Jason helped Lillian, and everyone just hung out there for awhile. I'm not up to the task to snowboard this year, so I sat at the tables at the bottom of the bunny slope and took pictures and read.  It was beautiful weather and I had a lot of fun watching and  visiting with everyone as they took breaks.  The sun was of course in front of me, so it's hard to see the people's faces.

Everyone had a great time, even though they are all a little extra sore today.  Can't wait to go again!!

Part two of this post:  Where Not to Stay in Big Bear
Alpine Village Inn and Resort

We had this trip planned for quite awhile, so David and I decided it was time for another weekend getaway.  We found a "condo" type place to stay online and booked it about 2 months ago.  The pictures online looked like it was an okay room to stay, and it was super inexpensive compared to some of the places you can book there.  So we went for it - why not, cuz it's always worked in the past.  But this time...not so much.  The lady at the desk said to park around back and look for the two decks, and that our room would be the one with the deck on the left.  We were taken back a bit, walked in the room, and thought, oh no!  It looked a little seedy (red carpeting SCREAMS seedy to me).  We walked in the bedroom and David said, "I think we're going to get bed bugs."  It took awhile to get accustomed to the room. We took naps, and got up to go to dinner.  I wasn't sure we were even going to stay there until I was ready to climb into bed.  I studied it and determined it did look clean and I was tired enough that it just didn't matter.  (If it really was dirty, there would've been no way to keep me there.)  Helpful hint...if the paperwork you sign says "No refunds after checking in", well, that's a big red flag.

Top left, the front of the "hotel".  Bottom left, our "deck" and door to the room.  SWEET! Across the street from the place we stayed was a nice Mexican restaurant.  They had great food and it was nice to get out of our room.  No, I didn't take any pictures of the inside of the room.  Just didn't want to relive it - ever.  haha

We ended up having a nice getaway, even though neither of us were feeling so great - he fell snowboarding and broke a rib - but it was nice to be together and have quiet time to talk and reflect on our lives.  Next time we go up there, we'll have to write down places that look nice enough to stay.  Guess you do get what you pay for.  Lesson learned.

Missionary Homecoming

 My second favorite Tongan elder returned home from his mission on Friday.  Sunday was his homecoming in Downey.  Boy I really wanted to go!  I had to BEG David to miss his own ward and go with me.  But I pulled out the big guns, begged & pleaded, batted my eyes and won!! We weren't sure we would be able to even make it until we got up and showered to see if we were well enough for the trip (after the flu episode mentioned in the previous post).  Although, I did have to leave to kids who apparently still need their mommy to rub their backs when they're kneeling over the toilet.  It was cute to see how they missed me and were a little bummed I left them.

 

Elder Michael and Troy were never companions, but they knew each other from being in the same mission, and knew that their moms talk to each other often.  Doesn't Elder Michael have the cutest smile?  He's so happy.  And he's such a good young man.  He would say, "Oh, I love your son.  He's so great - and funny."  And then would bust up laughing.  Interesting that that's what Troy's companion did while we were Skyping on Christmas Eve. Huh!  And while we were Skyping Troy & Elder Michael were together.  I had Troy hug Jacob and told Jacob I wanted that hug on Sunday :)  2nd hand hugs are almost as good, right??!! 

Jacob's homecoming talk was great!  But then again, I'm pretty biased.  He talked about the 6 months that he was on the poorest island, Nuia, (where Elder Groberg was) where there was no electricity or running water.  They ate coconuts and mangoes most days because the members had no food of their own to share.  It was a humbling experience for him for sure! We always wanted Troy to experience that island, but it wasn't meant to be.  Not that we're mean parents and want our child to starve, but because he is learning so much about being thankful for what he has and has had to become resourceful as well.

 

There was a wall hanging that the Tongan elders signed for Elder Michael's (Maikolo's) departure.  I immediately found Troy's message so had to take a picture.  (Troy's nickname is Elder Simba.) 

 

I am so glad that we were able to experience this extraordinary missionary's homecoming.  The disconcerting part was when Martha said that they hand the missionaries pills before they get on the plane and told them to take them to deworm.  GROSS!  She also said that there are a lot of things we didn't know.  I asked her if I wanted to know yet and she just said "no".  OKAY, well, guess that's best.  Three more months and I guess we'll find out.  Maybe we need to make that doctor appointment pretty soon, though.  I really am thankful for the opportunity that the young men and women of The Church get to sacrifice much to be taught, humbled, converted and serve our Heavenly Father in such a manner.

After Christmas Desert Trip

We planned on going out to the desert the day after Christmas, but David had to run some unexpected errands, so we couldn't leave until Thursday.  Our friends The Johnstons, Mark, and Lillian came with us. David and I took the little boys for a drive in the car - aka nap - while the mom, dad and big kids got to go for a nice ride.  It worked out perfectly! 

 We ate, visited, rode, and played with RC cars. 

It was all great until nighttime when the vomiting started :(  When we woke up our friends had already left.  Around 2:30 am Patrick threw up on Ian and the bed they were sleeping in.  Ewww!

 

The rest of us had a really nice day Friday and took a long ride to the Chocolate Mountains.  It was so fun to go camping in our "new" RV.  So much more relaxing and easier than tent camping for sure!!

 

We got home around 8pm.  The vomiting started about 11 :(((.  For the next couple days we had a lot of that going on till everyone got it out of their system. It was definitely a memorable trip.  Hopefully the next one won't be so rushed before, and gross during and after :)

 

Christmas

Since our family doesn't get to all be together often during the year, I had in mind that this moment would be our Christmas card to our friends and family.  Yep, I totally lagged this year and didn't do a thing.  No baking or cards, and I LOVE Christmas cards!  Every time a Christmas card would come in the mail I would get so excited, then think of how lame I was being.  Maybe recipients of cards don't feel the same way I do about them, but that's ok.

 

This year has definitely had its ups and downs.  But I am thankful that above all, I've had some serious time to reflect and realize that life is what we make it.  We can serve others and become more Christlike in the meantime. And these 4 guys in the picture above are my world.  We are so close and have such a great relationship with each other.  They all make me so proud and are each extraordinary in their own way.

 

We were able to speak with Elder Prescott for quite awhile and he is truly happy.  He has had an exciting week with Elder Groberg - (Kolipoki) that the movie "The Other Side of Heaven" is about  -  coming to visit them.  He spoke to them, then shook their hands and visited with all of the elders.  The missionaries got to meet his wife, children and grandchildren.  That was a highlight of his whole mission. 

Troy also spoke about how we in America take things for granted.  They go to meals at members' homes and their dinner is often noodles made outside on a pot over the fire because there is not electricity or running water.  Some of the members are so poor, and then try to help the missionaries by giving them money.  The thing is that these people would gladly give all, when they have nothing themselves.  And they are happy people, not feeling a bit sad for what they don't have, but rejoicing in what they do.

 

Three months from today our elder will come home.  I will be forever grateful that we have had the opportunity to share just a tiny bit of Troy's mission.  That boy has grown into a fine young man.  He has a great head on his shoulders and his testimony has been strengthened.  And he is grateful.  Grateful for what he has learned, the experiences he has had, the friendships he has made, and the increased love that he has for his Savior.  Best present ever!

 

Merry Christmas!