Grateful Friday

 I'm grateful for:

• Time with Mark.  We love having him here.  For one thing, it is super handy to have another adult around--he's basically our butler--but he is very sweet and very interesting to talk to.  Also, he doesn't mind going on errands with me now.  It's such a magical age when kids return to you like that. We went to Costco to get new tires for Joan and Mark knew so many answers to the questions that I didn't know, the guy started just asking Mark the questions.  (In my defense, I 100% knew that Joan is white.  The colors of cars are the main thing that sticks in my brain.) Last night we had dinner and shared a peanut butter milkshake at JCWs before he went to institute.  I just love hanging out with that kid.
• All the sunshine June has to offer
• The Follow Him podcast.  It always makes me think and makes me happy.  It is a wonderful enhancement to my Come Follow Me study.
• Going to Oregon this weekend.  Adam is on the road (in the air?).  He flew to Louisville, KY then he will go to Los Angeles, so he can't join us.  Emma and Mark and I are flying to Oregon to see and celebrate with Enoch's family.  Luke will be speaking in church before serving his mission and we are looking forward to it.  Adam is always the travel arrangement guy and I have never rented a car before.  I told Emma and she said, "Well I've rented a car one time and it was in the Portland airport."  So she's the expert.  I'm really grateful to have this trip with 2/3 of my kids.  It's fun to be with them and they will make my trip better (and not just because of Emma's Portland rental car expertise).  I am happily anticipating family time.  We don't see Enoch's family nearly enough since they moved to Oregon. My parents and Olivia and Edgar's family will be there too, which will be great. We will get to see Savannah play in a basketball game which is a wonderful bonus to the trip.  (When we leave our house in the 5:00 hour on Saturday morning to make our flight, I will be holding these things I'm excited about close.)
• My job.  I say it a lot, but I think it a lot.  I feel so fortunate to work at a job that I love in a school that I love with people who I love.  We were sitting around the faculty room Wednesday, eating Nate's amazing brisket and people were coming in and out and we are all just good friends.  
• Summer time!  It is so good to have a break.  I am looking forward to catching up on things and resting from other things and I am grateful.