Hayden Came for a Visit...

There are things we do in life that have deep meaning to children. When we first moved to Kentucky, we had a lovely home on a hill in Sadieville. We determined one tradition we wanted to start was Camp Christensen each summer. This would be a week with us and our grandmonsters. We would plan a week full of activities, outings, good food, and lots of hugs and love with Claude, me and our grandmonsters. We did really well at this for several years and built lots of memories. 

Then, an ex-son-in-law determined his kids could no longer participate. Not sure what his reasons were but it threatened to end this delightful time with our grandmonsters. For a couple of years, we still held Camp Christensen with the two youngest grandmonsters. Then, it morphed into alternating sleepovers in the summer with Hayden and Bailey. We would pick up one of them and have them with us for a few days filling that time with things they enjoyed doing. Then we would return that child and take the other for a few days filling that time with things they enjoyed. 

A few years ago, those Mini's started going to camps and things during the summer making much less time in their short summers for these sleepovers. Then the pandemic hit and you weren't allowed to do that due to quarantining restrictions. Last year we were in the middle of a move in the summer and it didn't work out. However, Hayden was emphatic he would be the first one to sleepover in our new home. And, he was. 

This summer, Hayden asked if we could do that tradition where he got to come and stay at our home. Andie and I compared calendars and found this week with days open for Hayden and us to have time together. Tuesday evening, June 14th, Claude started our day with a trip to pick up groceries. You see, we have a list of food Hayden likes when he comes to our Lord of the Rings moviefest on New Year's Eve. That is what he wanted on this visit. When Claude returned home, I sent this picture to Hayden with a text that read "Are you ready? Pack your things! We pick you up tonight."

Claude and I went to the Louisville Temple which is minutes from the Marx home. After we finished our sessions there at 8pm, we drove directly to the Marx home and scooped up Hayden and brought him home with us. He would stay until Saturday, June 18th.

Wednesday, June 15th, would be our first full day with Hayden. Hayden has to be the easiest kid in the world to have over. He loves to roam until into the wee small hours of the morning. He doesn't mind doing this if we go on to bed. That means he sleeps in late giving us the morning to do things we want to get done while he sleeps. Sometime in the afternoon he wakes up and we begin our time together. Wednesday, he went to bed at 4am because there was a show on YouTube he really wanted to see. That meant he slept until about 3pm. Since this is his vacation, we let him set the schedule and do as he pleases. Wednesday Claude and I were able to do our reading together, I cleaned out the armrest in my car and the plastic dresser in our bathroom linen closet. Hayden wanted to make a trip to Chick-filA for dinner. We did that and then returned to watch two movies he brought to share with us. We watched the new version of West Side Story and 1917. I must confess, neither of these are movies I would have chosen on my own to watch. But I enjoyed them and enjoyed having Hayden share them with Claude and me. We would lighten our evening with a Dirty Job's with Mike Rowe. Then Claude and I were off to bed and Hayden was up to his own devices. 

Claude placed the order for us at Chick-filA. They asked for his name and he forgot to use Thor. He told them his name was Claude. When we got our food at the table, Hayden noticed an unusual spelling of Claude's name. This is why he uses Thor!!

I sent a text to Jacob on this day stating, "For my English major son. Gave me a chuckle."

Thursday, June 16th, Hayden would go to bed about 2am and wake up about 1pm. I was awake at 8:30am. I had a plant that needed planting and we were having a record breaking heat wave. I got dressed and went into our back yard. I would take things back to the shed that needed to be put away. Get decorations for the front yard out of the shed and take them out front. Bring the decorations from the front yard back to the shed with me. Get my gardening bag out of the shed and plant the new plant. Then proceed to weed the flower beds in our yard. After a little over an hour in the heat, I was ready for some inside time to cool down and rehydrate. Claude was awake. We did our reading. I cut Claude's hair. Then I sat down to begin my final Anne book, "Anne of the Island". Hayden wanted grilled burgers this day. Claude grilled amazing hamburgers. Hayden used the air fryer and made French fries. Claude also made a salad. It was an absolutely delicious dinner. This evening, Hayden had the movie "Lawrence of Arabia" for us to watch. I don't think I have ever watched this award winning epic movie. It is almost 4 hours long. It was a true story and we enjoyed it. 

Friday, June 17th, I woke up and got ready to head to the Church. I had been invited to substitute playing the organ on Father's Day and needed to practice. Here is where I will share a tender experience. 

I went to the Church. I was the only one there. I unlocked the door and then made sure it was locked behind me. Then I proceeded to the chapel, turned on the lights and got out my music. I wrote the hymns on a postette and put it on the music stand part of the organ. Then I set the stops for the opening hymn. 

As I played the opening hymn, I realized it was "O My Father". This is a hymn my father sang to my mother when they were dating those three days. After Papa finished singing it to Mimi, she looked at him and said, "That is what I believe." Papa was always so happy that Mimi had a testimony from the very first of their relationship and remained steadfast throughout her life. This was the reason Papa insisted that we sing this hymn at Mimi's funeral. I usually sing along when I play the organ. I tried to sing all the verses to this hymn and found tears rolling freely down my cheeks. 

When I finished practicing the hymns, I opened the prelude book I had chosen and set my stops for prelude music. Then I started to play. As I played this book, which is a series of hymns, I realized all the music we used for Papa's funeral was part of this prelude book. I had the warmest feeling as though someone were in the chapel with me. It was not a frightening feeling. It was warm and friendly. I looked up and noticed the box of tissues on the pulpit. I thought maybe that was what I was feeling and seeing. I went back to playing. Then I felt this feeling again and looked out at the congregational seating. There were my mother and father standing together with smiles on their faces. I finished playing with my parents looking on. It was sweet and tender in a way that is hard to express in words. Since Papa's passing, I have had a hard time seeing he and my mother together in my mind's eye. I knew they were together, but I couldn't visualize it. Seeing them in the chapel and having them with me for a brief moment, gave me such comfort and peace. I am ever so grateful for these tender mercies in my life. They confirm the awareness my Heavenly Father has for me and his personal attention to my life. I finished up and went home to read with Claude. 

We kept receiving weather alerts on our phones. The morning weather simply stated we could have scattered thunderstorms in the morning and afternoon. Surprise, surprise, surprise. As these thunderstorms approached they were widespread and could include hail and damaging winds. Claude and I watched our little tree in our front yard bend over time and again as the rain and winds beat on it. The neighbor ascross the street have a bigger tree. It was also blowing very far over. I sure was grateful I went early to the Church and was home with my car in the garage when all this came. 

When it was over, Claude went to the mailbox. It turns out our neighbor, Catherine, did not fare as well.

Hayden woke up after the storm. We determined we would go to Culver's for dinner. This would be Hayden's breakfast! After a nice meal at Culver's, we went home and found Catherine trying to deal with her tree. I went over but she was not answering her door and her garage door was closed. I called her and left a voice message that we would be happy to help her with her tree. Catherine called back and went over. Claude cut the tree from the stump and we moved it to Catherine's driveway. Then Claude cut off some branches for her. 

When we got home, Claude made us a roaring fire in the new firepit. Hayden wanted 'smores. So, we had a 'smore each. Then we watched till the fire burned down and Claude put the lid on the fire pit. That is a loving Grampa to go to all that trouble to fulfil something on Hayden's wish list. 

Hayden had one final movie he brought for us to watch. It was The Imagination Game. It was a good movie but one that rattles the emotions. I had to congratulate Hayden on this trip. He brought four good movies I would never have chosen on my own. And, he picked great meals for our dinners.

Saturday, June 18th, we left Hayden sleeping in. We would attend the viewing and funeral of the son of a friend from Church, Ashton Brown. Saturday morning the 11th, a family went into his room to wake him. After shaking him several times, they realized he had passed away quietly during his sleep. Ashton had an enlarged heart and it had caused his liver and spleen (I believe) to also enlarge, resulting in his passing. This was totally unexpected by the family. Ashton participated in sports, had just returned from a boys camp with Church the week previous to his passing, had plans to attend FSY Conference the week after his passing. No clue he would not do these things. The family gave the talks and the service was very well done. Each of his three sisters shared memories of Ashton. I felt this might help them deal with his passing. Difficult to do but may have been a blessing for these girls. The mother gave the eulogy and the dad gave a final talk. I loved that Ashton had his sunglasses on top of his head in his casket. It was good to support this sweet family.

We returned home just as Hayden was waking up. Time to pack the boy up and take him home. He selected lunch at Zaxby's in Frankfort on the way home. Andie would meet us in Shelbyville to pick him up. I told Andie it was a delight to have him around. I could sit on the love seat and read and Hayden would fold up in the red rocking chair and work his cellphone magic. It was just pleasant to look at each other and grin. We are running out of these opportunities with him as he will be a senior this fall, getting a job, and then off on his life adventure. Grateful for this week with Hayden.

Claude and I returned home and decided it was time for an Eagles Concert. Claude picked the DVD and we curled up in front our television to enjoy good music together. When it was finished, I received a text I might need to teach a Primary class on Sunday. Off I went to Sandiland to prepare a lesson. Then, time for bed.

It was a good week with Hayden.

Backtracking: 

On Saturday, June 11th, Hayden participated in a driving school offered by Ford. I am assuming this is because they have a Ford plant near their home and this is one good way that Ford gives back to the community. This course was free and afforded Hayden the opportunity to drive a Mustang. They had to make it do tight circles so that it spun out and they learned to correct that. This will be invaluable training when the ice storms come. They also had one point with lots of distractions, people talking, phones going off, music playing. All so you learned how to drive with these distractions. They even had one car which simulated how you would drive if you were a might intoxicated. Hayden did well with this entire course.

Sunday, June 12th, Katelyn posted this picture on our family Facebook page. It is Joel in the t-shirt the Marx family sent for his 1st birthday. The Ropers have called Joel 'The Potato' most of his life. Andie found this great t-shirt that fits him perfectly. It says, "Respect the Potato". Joel wears it well.