The morning of July 15, 1945, when Randy was born had to be lovely because he turned out to be such a handsome, talented, intelligent, and gifted person. Today is his birthday and our anniversary. "Happy Birthday, Randy, you were such a beautiful baby." Here he is when just a few months old:
As the song goes, "Bees were humming, sweet birds singing . . ." On the occasion of choosing a place to say a prayer in order to dedicate the land of Belarus, which was formerly part of the Soviet Union, for the preaching of the Gospel, an apostle of the Lord, Elder Russell M. Nelson, said that the symbol of birds singing is important, and that Apostles listen for the singing of birds in choosing a place for dedication. Keeping this in mind, I have tried to make one side of my yard into a small nature area where many species of wild birds have made a home. In one day's time this section of the yard feeds and gives water to countless sparrows, robins, magpies, quail, finches, pigeons, and doves. 
Randy loved sitting in the backyard on warm summer evenings and watching the planes fly over. He said that he bought this house because of its large backyard. I miss him so much, but I have found that it comforts me to plant flowers. I have tried to make it pretty as a way of honoring him. By the time any of you see this yard, many of the flowers won't be blooming as the summer gets hotter, so I will include pictures of some of my favorite flowers in this post:
Right after Randy and I got married, the first thing I planted was this trumpet vine. My Grammy McKinnon had a trumpet vine in her yard that attracted Hummingbirds, and I want them to come here, too. I haven't seen any Hummingbirds yet this year, but the bees certainly like this vine.
Last summer I decided to plant a Wysteria Vine. In Japan, they call it the Fuji flower. It had several tiny green blossoms on it in April, but before the immature blossoms could get purple, it got below freezing and I awoke the next day to see that all of the blosssoms had frozen, so I thought I would have to wait until next summer to see it bloom. I wanted to see it bloom because I was homesick to see some of my Japanese friends. When I moved from Montana, I lost my address book and so I lost track of some of my dearest Japanese friends and missionary companions. Then 2 weeks ago, a miracle happened, after over 30 years of searching for them, I found 4 of them in just one weekend. After I wept with joy, I got on my knees and thanked my Heavenly Father for helping me find them.Two days ago, while I was out watering the plants, I was shocked to see this gorgeous 7 inch long Fuji blossom on the vine. It is only supposed bloom in the spring. This blossom appeared in the middle of July! I would like to think that it is a special blessing from God symbolic of His gift to me in allowing me to once again talk to my Japanese friends and missionary companions.
I discovered Dahlias for the first time this year. I planted 10 plants like this in my front yard, but I don't think they like hot temperatures. I have had 3 plants die just this past week. The petals are simply exquisite.
Here's another special blessing: All the time I have lived here, this Yucca plant has had only 1 to 3 stems of blossoms. This year there are NINE stems of Yucca blossoms. Count the stems. There are 9. Each stem is over 7 feet tall, too. Randy would be amazed. This Yucca plant originally came from Randy's Grandmother Lola Sorenson Camp's yard. Russian Sage is planted in front of the Yucca and has tiny purple blossoms. Bees love the Sage, too.
Finally, I will show you what my spring flowers looked like. Here's what the tulips in the front of the house looked like in April and May:
I planted these iris last year and I was very happy to see that they bloomed this year, too.
A Fuscia plant on my back patio.
I discovered Dahlias for the first time this year. I planted 10 plants like this in my front yard, but I don't think they like hot temperatures. I have had 3 plants die just this past week. The petals are simply exquisite. 
Here's another special blessing: All the time I have lived here, this Yucca plant has had only 1 to 3 stems of blossoms. This year there are NINE stems of Yucca blossoms. Count the stems. There are 9. Each stem is over 7 feet tall, too. Randy would be amazed. This Yucca plant originally came from Randy's Grandmother Lola Sorenson Camp's yard. Russian Sage is planted in front of the Yucca and has tiny purple blossoms. Bees love the Sage, too.
I even got my first blossom on my Rose of Sharon tree this week!
Randy's favorite tree, the Mimosa is also blooming now.
Here is a close up of the Mimosa blossoms from our front yard.
Finally, I will show you what my spring flowers looked like. Here's what the tulips in the front of the house looked like in April and May:
This is what the flowers looked like by my front door in May and June:
My front flower bed in May and June:
Randy helped me plant these roses about 8 years ago. The blossom on the bottom right had a double center--a Siamese twin rose. I forgot to take the photo when it was really visible.
Randy, I love this picture of us because we were both so happy in it. I miss your sense of humor. I miss your laugh. I miss doing crossword puzzles with you. I miss watching you draw. I miss hearing you sing and play the guitar. I would give anything to hear your voice again. Living with you made me so happy. Life is so boring and so empty without you. I will love you forever.
This is the final photo I took in my back yard. I was just about ready to go in and then I took this last final shot. This photo has not been photoshopped and I really don't remember seeing that bright circle of orange light by the trees. I'd like to think that this was a special gift from Heaven--letting me know that God hears me and that Randy loves me, too.
