Back to Phoenix.....bittersweet

It all began Jan 2011.....Bob put in for jobs all over the southwest....and got an FAA offer in Phoenix! We had such great renters we didn't want them to move, so Lenn went to Phoenix to find a retirement-style casa, with no yard and a pool. Even though there are lots of homes available....a short sale takes a lot of time. Just to keep it simple, we (sadly) kicked out the renters, repainted and moved back to our Maldonado Rd home 3/2/11.

Feb 2011 - we were frantically trying to re-rent the Honolulu condo because of 6 mos still on the lease. Then, my brother Ray and his sweetheart, Lee, decided to get married on Valentine's Day. Bob donated his Continental flt points so I could attend...whew....8,000 miles in 4 days, but worth it to see the happy couple and celebrate with all the family. Lots of pictures were taken and the love-birds were happy Ray had a little bit of hair growing after the chemo and radiation treatments. He and Lee wrote their own vows and there were tears of happiness all around. They want to be together for all eternity....and I will take care of that part. We celebrated Jacob's #3 birthday and he blew out the candle so his wishes will come true!

March - return to Oahu to pack and be ready to move to Phoenix by 3/1/11. Bob had a training in OKC, so he was off-island for part of the month....but we got movers this time. Got renters for the condo.....stayed the last few days at a hotel, shipped the car....then to Phx and stayed in a Hilton, again thanks to Bob's points, until we could buy a bed and TV....took another 6 weeks for furniture to be delivered and 3 weeks for Bob's Saturn. We were very glad to be home, but will truly miss our new HI friends....and the weather!

April - Bob and Mitch meet in Reno/Sacramento area to facilitate Mitch's new online business, Military Training Support. The investors are very impressed with the talent and everything is a "go". Mitch worked very hard to put together all the intricate pieces for this huge success. The timing is perfect, as Julie has decided to close the Springfield Academy 5/31 to make time and be home to manage all the children's events, plus assist with this new profitable venture. She served the community well and may consider establishing a non-profit school in the future. Mark Aaron showed me how well he could sharp-shoot a bb gun by making the shovel go ping.

May -The first part, Ray got worse, so I went to KY to be with him and maybe help Lee some. He was moved to the Hospice floor of the hospital to try and get his pain managed. I went to see him every day and let him know of the events going on. Caylyn getting ready for prom, joining Jane Tenny (RM's sister) to go to Keenland to watch the KY Derby on TV and be part of the Derby experience -first time I had visited with Jane in 18 years, so we had a lot to catch up. We got Ray's Derby bet placed and brought Evan and Caylyn to visit Uncle Ray. Wonderful visits with Ray's daughter, Bethany Lenn, and son, Tony. Lee especially, and family, pampered Ray everyday.

Came home 5/15 to plan for Heather 's(Bob's step granddaughter) HS graduation event. Ty came to Phoenix from CA to celebrate with us and we truly had a fun family time. Ty always makes events a party. However, after just one week after Ray was release from the hospital, he passed away May 23. Even with Lee's valiant dedication to her sweet husband, he was simply too tired to fight. He was 62 yrs old. Frank has lost his best friend....and me too. However, we have a new sister we all treasure. We celebrate Ray's life and the love that he shared with us.

Another trip to KY for the funeral. Younger brother Frank and I comforted each other but Constance, Austin, Trent and many others all pitched in to ease Lee's work if we could. The funeral was attended by many kind friends and relatives we had not seen in a long time. Lee gave Ray a lovely and beautiful-heart-felt-send-off for her sweetheart. Ray's sense of humor gave us all a laugh....his final song was "Don't Worry, Be Happy". Yes, he lived a rich, full life but we were all hoping he and Lee would have a few more years together. He had a military funeral and is buried at Ft. Campbell KY. We miss him so and appreciate Lee joining the families together to continue celebrating Ray's life and sharing the love.

June - full of unpacking and sickness. It seems I've had whooping cough all spring and immune system was weak, so also got mono and valley fever. Finally discovered and properly diagnosed / treated. Hallelujah!! Plus, (good medicine) Miss Caylyn visits us in Phoenix and brings us a beautiful painting of hers. We cram in lots of activities with this talented young artist...Heard Museum, Annie stage play, Mesa Temple visit, before she headed back to KY band camp. Caylyn is so grown up and is taking college classes when she starts her Junior year. Oh, and previous Prom date, Bob, gets a second chance...lots of texting by those two!

July - both Bob and I have surgeries, so we do not go to El Paso for Mollie's 88th birthday. However, we do celebrate Michelle's birthday and enjoy a fun time with her. My sweet husband had to go back to OKC for 3 wks of classes. Sooooo, I travel to Denver to see Summer and get out of the heat. Summer, little friend Hannah (5 now) and I go to the Renaissance Faire. It was a welcomed respite from all the stress and sadness. Thank God for children and grandchildren to help us see the many beauties and possibilities of life. I'm in love with Denver...Summer and I have dinner with Tom and his new lady. Sure wish Bob and I could live in the cool each summer...Phx is brutal! Happy Birthday to pretty Julie! Used a free SW flt ticket to be with Bob in OKC. Yes, very hot but glad to be with my husband. We watched a weird hail storm ...glad to have some time together that did not require more unpacking or moving furniture! Also in July, Bob bought me a beautiful black Lexus with leather seats, etc. Guess he wants full possession of the Saturn...suits me! Got a beautiful new ride with lots of bells and whistles!!

August - An awesome birthday for Mitch who looks even more handsome with a few grey hairs at the temples. Mitch travels a lot for business and was able to visit with Summer in Denver. He still works with his bungee friends to set up jumps ....maybe from a tower in Las Vegas!
Bob and I spend our birthday week at Los Abrigados in Sedona....where we were married almost 12 years ago. We took a star gazing class and saw interesting sights via telescope, had dinner with Bonnie and Barry...Bob golfed and I took water aerobic and yoga classes. Another sad occasion, went to a memorial in Mayer for my friend Linda Gate's (Blake) husband who died suddenly. We went to Flagstaff on the Sunday after we left the hotel and spent the night with Chuck and Verletta Christensen. Shayla and her twin girls were there so the girls entertained us plenty. Chuck fixed steaks and we talked and talked. Next morning went back home via Prescott where I called my friend Peggy Spitz and visited by phone while Bob golfed one last time

BIG NEWS, Evan turned 12 Aug 31st and became a Deacon! All the family is proud of his decision to serve the Lord by passing Sacrament. He will have leadership opportunities with the Priesthood and is getting blessings already.....new bedroom furniture! Brothers, Mark and Jacob are glad to be home schooled with Evan. Of course, Julie is the best teacher on the planet and still finds time to assist with MTS . The family is truly blessed with her skills, talent and LOVE.

September - Mitch and Julie buy Caylyn a Marimba...uh, located in Phoenix. So, G'ma and GrandBob got to pack and ship the 7' instrument. Miss Caylyn just might get a scholarship because she is soooo talented. She sent us a video clip of her playing....she's awesome!

October- a visit to El Paso to visit sweet Mollie. We celebrate her birthday (finally) at Olive Garden. All the servers sing to her and give her a special birthday hat. We love getting together with all the TX family for a gathering at the new Lancer's club, Angela, Elora, Shawn, Garrison, David...and Evalyn and Chuck joined us too! A big cookout at Angela's and then breakfast the next day at Las Cruces with Holly. It's Holly's first year at college in NM. Then, sister Kristi announces her engagement for a May 2012 wedding. We have an interesting back-road trip home to AZ in time for a Happy Birthday dinner party celebration for Sheri!

November - Mitch & Lenn have a fun business trip to Las Vegas just to visit the new bridge and proclaim "WE OWN THAT TOWN!" Much chickin'-flickin' was done at the midway Circus Circus game and Ma really enjoy having the special one-on-one visit with #1 Son. Priceless!

We take one last trip to Hawaii in Nov to do all the things missed....submarine ride, golf for Bob at the Mid Pacific Country Club, lots of time with friends and a special Victorian tea party in Kailua with Miss Velma. We enjoyed staying at the Papaya Paradise B&B and recommend it to all friends going to Oahu. Bob and Jeanette Martz really provided a wonderful stay. Joe and Jeff both welcomed us and gave us a send off at the Hawaii airport with their smiles. We arrived in Phx at midnight 11/23 and had a great Thanksgiving the next day with Michelle, Patrick & Sheri, Evalyn & Chuck, Craig, Brian and Joyce. Everyone pitched in and we had an awesome feast....with much Mahalo for a safe trip home to enjoy with friends and family. Friday - would have been Grandfather Huff's 96th birthday and we remember him with much love. Verletta and Chuck invite us to their home in Gilbert to celebrate yet another Thanksgiving with Scott & Tracy, their TX kids, plus Shayla, Colton and the girls, Chris & Christy with Carter and baby Gracie, plus Christina and Sandy too. Food, fun and TALKIN' enjoyed by everyone!

Well, the 2011 Holiday Season is here. Spent 9 beautiful snowy days in Denver with Summer and plan a January visit to Ty in CA if he doesn't make it to Phoenix in December. We hope Lee, Frank & Constance will come this winter and stay a while. People are scattered....but we Celebrate Them Home in our hearts. We give thanks for a blessed year and appreciate the reason for the season....Christ's gift of love and peace for us to share with all.

We invite all to our New Year's Day come-and-go Open House on Sunday,
January 1, 2012 starting at 4:00 pm....We've missed you and would love to see you. Much Aloha!!
Bob and Lenn
2139 W Maldonado Rd, Phx, AZ 85041
602-826-3353