Sentiments by Sophia

who couldn't love springtime?

 

GrAtiTuDe iS tHe FaiReSt bLosSoM wHiCh sPriNgs fRoM thE SouL.

 

fantabulous friday morning

Already been to town, filmed the little interview for my dentist, bought groceries and did some banking.  Off to play with Natalie in a few.  So, here's my quick ten this morning...

1. It's been POURING the rain, thunder and lightning all morning.  BEAUTIFUL storm!
2. The dentist thing took less than five minutes.  I was a dork.  But, I do love Dr. BRETT SKINNER, DDS!  I teased him that I was going to say, "Brett is awesome, gentle, cares about us and he looks like CASTLE!"  As I left, I promised them that I would not take offense AT ALL if they didn't use one second of my footage.
3. Call block is a great sleep remedy!
4. Taylor has turned me on to Vampire Diaries. We watched two episodes yesterday and she sent home the first season.  Hmmmm. 
5. I watched the finale of Greys Anatomy.  Haven't watched it for a few years, but saw the plane crash preview and thought it looked interesting.  Strange way to end for a season finale.  I realized that I don't miss it.
6. Yesterday, I was able to do a service project for a friend.  A surprise service project.  Doing it felt good.  Hearing the phone call upon the discovery was the BEST!  We should all do secret service projects.  Then everyone would walk around with a huge smile on their face all the time!
7. Doug's working this weekend.  All weekend.  No Melaleuca Convention.  No campout with the scouts.  No garden planting.  Nada.  But, the money will be great!  I heart that I have a man who loves to work hard to provide for his family!  I am blessed!
8. Please pass school ending today!  I'm so ready for nothing!
9. I heart my dad.  He's not into drama.  He is always positive and upbeat.  He's awesome!
10. My friend dropped by with a little giftee a few days ago.  After Tessa and Madi's weddings, I'm now a huge purple fan!  Who knew!

Life is good!  Very very good!   Especially on rainy Friday mornings when you have a friend coming to play, your hubby is happy and appreciative of little things like CLEAN SINKS and you want it to be good!  Enough said!

You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it.

i guess that was enough?

Natalie and I spent much of the day together yesterday, going for a drive, running errands, grabbing a bite to eat and best of all, visiting her mom's beautiful home and farm.  Her home is magnificent. Her kitchen is a dream come true.  Their gardens and grounds are incredible.  It was a wonderful afternoon and great to just enjoy!  Lovely!  Later, Doug and the babes ate leftover homemade pizza and leftover tater-tot casserole while I went out to meet Carol and Taylor at Sonic for a Hotdog and an hour gab-session to hear how Taylor's follow-up visit with Dr. Anderson went.  (She's doing so much better and will go back to school next Monday!)

After getting Doug and the babes to bed, I had a latenight conversation with BFF from Ohio, Susan and then finally watched American Idol.  I couldn't sleep, so I stayed up until 2.  Cleaning my bathroom.  That's what I do when I'm stressed.  Although, I didn't really felt especially stressed.  But for some reason, at 10PM, I started scrubbing and scouring and couldn't stop.  Kelly called collect about ten times last night.  I just have to hear that "Collect Call" recorded message and hang up.  I was concerned that she was going to call Doug's cellphone and wake him up.  But, she stuck to my cellphone after I took the land line off the hook.  By, now, one would think that she would realize that we aren't going to help her out of her mess.   Enough said.

So, in discussing the latest happenings in our life, with Susan, we recognized that at the moment, life is giving me some serious growth experiences/challenges.  Currently...

1. My wayward daughter is in jail for serious drug and alcohol charges.  (Hopefully, this will be a wake-up call because we are not having any part in it.)
2. My daughter's husband has just taken my granddaughter 2000 miles away from us with the threat that we will never see her in our valley again and there's not a thing in the world I can do about it because my daughter isn't together enough to take the necessary actions.  (Thankfully, he's keeping in contact with us so that we can speak with her often.)
3. My mother and her manfriend are drama, drama, drama.  (Thankfully, I can graciously say, "No thank you, I'll not be a part of your drama.")
4. My brother, who I have felt so good about for the first time in our entire lives, has reared his ugly OLD head and causing more drama,  drama, drama.  (Thankfully, he's getting that I REFUSE to be part of it.)
5. I've just reached spent $4000 to be paid out of pocket for medical bills for a mystery illness that has had me worried sick then miraculously was cured overnight.  (The good news is  that we've now met our deductible for year.)
6. I want an iPad.  (Now, there's something that is worth mentioning.  NOT!  That's a personal joke!)

AND DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOT ME MORE UPSET THAN ANYTHING THIS MORNING????

 A SINK FULL OF DIRTY DISHES!!!

I'm suffering from serious Mommy Martyrdom this morning because after one hour away with Carol last night, leaving the family with their very favorite, very tasty requested leftovers,  I never went back into the kitchen when I came home.  This morning, I discovered a counter, full of dirty dried, baked on red sauce and cheesy dishes...NOT soaking in the sink., but just sitting there all over the counter waiting for me. Doug is the most amazing husband in THE world.  He unloads the dishwasher as much or more than I do.  But, for the most part, he leaves the rest of the kitchen patrol to me. And my children know how to put things away, rinse things off, load the dishwasher. Apparently, last night, everyone had a memory lapse because they were in a rush to play outside. I am so not amused. 

Several friends have commented, "I don't know how you do it, I couldn't handle this all at once."  Of course they could.  We all can because our challenges are tailor made for our own benefit.  I believe that with all my heart.  HOWEVER, obviously, that doesn't mean I'm always smiling through the pain. I've cried a million tears this past few weeks.  I've felt completely overwhelmed.  And apparently, all that other stuff listed above has been simmering inside me and the kitchen is what it took for me to lose it.  Trivial, I know! I had my little melt-down, all by my lonesome this morning, cleaned the kitchen and I'm over it now.  The kitchen is back to spotless and, bonus, thanks to my latenight restlessness, my bathroom is super shiny.  I feel much better now.  Wouldn't it be nice if all of life's problems could be resolved by a little cleaning and venting with a few caps and an extra large font?  I'm going to find something good to do for someone else today to take my mind of my own dirty dishes. Enough said. 

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,
show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

odds and ends

ZJ and I had an awesome Tuesday.  She called me as soon as she was done with her make-up testing and I picked her up from the school.  She chose Chili's or Texas Roadhouse, which isn't open for lunch.  She asked if there was someplace she'd never been.  I suggested a few places...Cafe Sabor and Elements.  She remembered me bringing home lettuce wraps from Elements and also that they have a beautiful patio on the river.  "ELEMENTS!!!!!"  And so.  We had a lovely lunch with Denise on the patio by the river and a mama duck and her baby, who kept us entertained through much of our visit.  (The baby is somewhere in the ground cover.) I loved hearing ZJ's, literally, every other comment, "I love Elements!...Elements is my new favorite place!... I could live right here forever!... This is the best place I've ever been to lunch before!"  She was in heaven.  And truly, it is a little piece of heaven.  Love it!  After lunch, we had to hit A&W for a twisty root beer swirl icecream cone dessert.  It was a fun day date!  The babes are all getting big enough that conversations are fun and entertaining and not about their latest favorite action hero or Little Pet Shop toy!  Loved it!

Doug ended up working late, then racing off to a meeting, then heading up to the hospital to administer to the sick.  (If you are not LDS, that means he and another man from our ward gave blessings to those who requested them.)  It was quite late when he got home and ten o'clock before he got to bed.  It will be a long day for him at work today.  Doug is one that needs his sleep!  But, I'm hoping that he will be blessed for giving blessings! ;)  Since he was gone, we had McD's cheeseburgers for dinner, on the way to the kids youth activities at church.  I ate a cheeseburger... the first one I've had in ten months.  And it will probably be the last for the next ten!

I was told that, after Kelly's video arraignment yesterday, (Hey, there's a sentence I never thought I'd say!), she went back to the jail and tried again find someone to post her bail. To no avail, as far as I know.  She'll have a pre-trial next week, so Kelly will be safe and probably not so sound in an 8x8' cell for another week before she knows her next destination.  In the afternoon, I received more calls from different bail bondsmen (and a woman) and again, had to say no.  The one woman asked me, "I suppose this means I shouldn't bother calling her father, should I?"  I said, "Her father?  He's standing right here.  Babe?  Would you like to talk with this woman?"  He said, "No, not really, thanks."  And that was that. Aside from the prayers of so many, Kelly is on her own.  Our heart breaks for her to be in this place, but she's there because she chose to be there.  Enough said about that.

I've got the usual large pile of papers that have come home this past few days, sitting here on my desk, waiting to be co-ordinated in my planner as to who has what party, assignment, field trip, ceremony until the last day of school.  The countdown is on!  The babes are begging to put the pool up already.  This is the first spring in three years that has really been a spring, not a late winter.  We have the trailer ready to hang out  in. I locked it with the key and now the key won't unlock it. A locksmith will be coming later today to replace the lock.  Ugh.  But, it's not doing us much good if we can't get in.  Oh, the joys of summer, soooooo close we can taste them!

I've been asked and wanted to share what I've learned that has really made a difference in the size of jeans I'm buying.  I'm NOT dieting.  I've simply changed my eathing habits. Hopefully, now I can remember it:

1. Don't eat 3 Hours Before Bed.  If I do stay up late and get hungry, I eat a fresh fruit.
2. Limit how often you eat out.  It's made a huge difference for me!  Even healthy menu items in most restaurants are not near as healthy as what you prepare at home.  Not as fun, but healthy.  Still fighting that battle of which is better, fun or healthy.
3. Eat what you want, but, choose wisely. Don't forbid your favorite things... just use portion control.  I eat a Reeses every now and then.  I love A&W icecream swirls, but I don't do Peanut Buster Parfaits anymore.
4. Walk.  Even if it's only around the block.  Every day.  Ten minutes is better than none.
5. Weigh Yourself Daily.  My GYN just told me that he'd read an article that encouraged this practice.  If you know that you are up a pound today, you're more likely to watch yourself during the day.  He also said that eating breakfast and sleeping 8 hours helps.  I'm still working on that!
6. Don't drink pop.  (My biggest challenge.  I still drink it guilt-free it at the movies and with pizza.)
7. Stay away from greasy, fatty and fried foods.  There's plenty of great ways to serve things without. That's gotten easier and easier.  I prefer lettuce wraps to fried mushrooms.  whodathunkit!? 
8. Don't be in a hurry.  A pound a week or every other week as a goal is so much better/easier on the brain than "I need to lose 50 pounds!"

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

blessed sunshine!

I have to say that I was quite surprised by the letters that I received yesterday.  Sad to say, but good to know that I'm not alone in this challenge of dealing with "wayward" children.  I wanted to first mention, and I've probably mentioned this before a few times, the mother who asked me "Aren't you embarrassed by the way your kids have turned out?"  My answer.  NOT AT ALL!  First off, they haven't "turned out" because they aren't done!  None of us are done until our last breath!  Second of all, no I'm not embarrassed!  We've done the best we could at parenting and, hopefully, we are continuing to improve on those skills each and every day, regardless of the ages of our children...bigs and babes!  And third of all, I said it yesterday, "Never judge another person's parenting because you never know that tomorrow won't be the day that you eat those words!"  We're all in this together to learn!  Let's be supportive of each other, rather than critical.  Enough said!  ;)  (ETA:  I had written most of this entry last night and pooped out before I found a quote to share.  When I woke up this morning, I'd received an email from a friend referring to this experience.  Thank you to everyone who has taken time to write me privately and who comment on the blog during times like this!  We are all in this together!)

We had quite an interesting day yesterday.  Between Kelly, my mother, my brother (who reared the old Rick for a bit yesterday) and medical issues, I'm feeling like I'm in some sort of special enhanced program right now of "Come what may and Love it."  Monday brought a new little challenge about every other hour.  BUT.  There was much good in the day too and that's what I'm going to focus on today!

First, I took Grace in for X-rays of her broken finger.  It is healing well.  Things look good.  No surgery will be needed.  It hurts, but it's unwrapped and Grace wasn't amused when I announced that she's back on dish duty after dinner.  She did them with a smile, but I could see that "Dang!  Vacation's over!" look when I told her that it was her turn.  Totally random thought, all of my girls have the most beautiful hands!  Even Grace's X-rays were pretty.  Seriously!

I shared this photo of myself on Facebook a few days ago, but not here on the blog.  ZJ took this picture of me with my iPhone after my new haircut.  I'm really liking it shorter and shorter. It's much more work than the long, natural curly look that I've sported for.ev.er but I'm enjoying it!  I remember several years ago when I got a haircut for Liza's wedding.  She told her friend/hairdresser that I loved it and that I was "actually doing it every day."  LIZA!!!!  I did my hair every day!  But, the get up and go with my natural curl, apparently, didn't count in her mind.  Trust me.  I now have a close relationship with the flat iron and a plethora of hair product. ;)

During dinner last night, Quayd made a comment about something he wanted to do.  I can't even remember what it was, but Gracie responded ever-so quickly with, "Yeh, Quayd.  Hold your breath. When you are forty."  Now, sarcasm is something that we are just developing in our home.  It's not something that the babes have ever really captured and Doug rarely uses sarcasm.  But, oh, they are getting it now.  Doug just busted out laughing at Gracie's quick wit!  Quayd gave him a smile and said, "Uh, you're the only one laughing, Dad." I'm sure that our new neighbors wonder sometimes what we are laughing at so hard from inside these walls.  Oh well. Better that they hear laughter!

Side story. But...it's a happy memory and an important sentiment! Eighteen years ago, we were partying at Carol's.  This was long before Jon passed away.  Burbanks, our Arizona friends, were up visiting.  We played games and cards all night long. Honestly, to this day, I don't think that I have ever laughed as hard as that night.  At the time, Carol lived in a neighborhood with homes that were built pretty close together.  The next day, her neighbor came over and said that she'd heard us laughing all night and that at 3:30 in the morning, she was mad at herself for not being brave enough to come over and ask to join us.  We'd have loved to have had her join us!  That lady has passed away from cancer since then, as well.  But, anytime I remember that night, I think of her and took that as a lesson to "step out" of your comfort zone because sometimes the best times are found there!  Enough said about that!

Zaylee has called several times.  She said to me, "Gwammie, I have my very own toothpaste.  And I can't find it anywhere!"  She also asked me if she could come to my house to sleep.  I explained to her that she is in Arkansas and I am in Utah and that's a lonnnnng way away.  Her response, "Grammie?  You can come to my house in Arkansas???"  It was a tough moment, but, she's seeming happy and loving the fun new experiences that she's having.  And I'm adjusting.  We all are.  ZJ said yesterday, "I see Zaylee everywhere, Mom."  Kevin has committed to find a computer and learn to skype.  Happiness!  I'm going to put together a little scrapbook for Zaylee with all of our pictures.  It's been a long time since I've scrapbooked.  But, I'm going to do a little alphabet book for her.   I think that I'll make two and send one to Willow, as well.

ZJ made it through her first day back at school.  We talked with the family doc, during Grace's appointment and he wondered if it was some strange virus that has gone around where they get a "rash" on the inside of their intestines.  It's quite painful, he said, and lasts about five days.  ZJ's lasted twice that long but he said it sounded like that might have been it.  WHY didn't someone mention that at the hospital last week?  After dinner, she had a minor 30 minute relapse, but then rallied.  

Today is the fifth grade big field trip to SLC baseball game today.   A bit concerned about 3 plus hours on a school bus, I let her decide. She opted to stay home with her mama and choose where we will go to lunch.  I've not been to Chili's in over two months and I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be her first choice. But, first, since she missed some of the core testing last week, I just spoke with one of her favorite teachers and she's going to run over and complete the last test before lunch.  Then, ZJ can call me when she's done, I'll pick her up and we'll play the rest of the afternoon.  Again, this was her choice.  Good choice, Zeej.

Doug has been planning for months on attending the Melaleuca National Convention this weekend. He announced last night that he won't be attending at all this year.  I'm still not sure I'll believe it until he actually doesn't walk out the door. However, there are some issues at work calls and if they need him, Doug will be there.  I'd love to have him for an employee.  He's loyal and dedicated.  I know where Liza got her work ethics from, for sure!  Speaking of work ethics, Quayd was just hired by a neighbor/friend to do some yard work.  He's motivated to start earning his own money. He commented, "Yeh, I need to start getting serious about earning money for my mission."  YAY, QUAYD!!! However, I'm sure that he's got a few aps for his iTouch in mind, too.   ;)  I heart my boy!  

 That's it for today.  Some happiness and joy and fun.  I love happy!  Life is good!

It is our choices that show who we are, more than our ability.

on Mothers Day? Seriously?

I really try to be happy and to be a positive person.  However.  On Mothers Day, I take exception.  I've mentioned this before.  Mothers Day is not my favorite day of the year. For lots of reasons.  One.  I was not raised my the homemaking/cookie baking mother who never raised her voice or laid a hand on me.  My mother worked full-time and took out much her frustration of a sinking marriage on my brother and myself. I love my mother.  But, it's definitely not the relationship that you read about on a Hallmark Mothers Day card.  Two. I've known too many mothers who feel that this day causes guilt and sadness.  And three, I also have issues with people who treat moms like dirt all year long and then try to make up for it on the one day of the year with lavish gifts. Love your mother every day even if you don't always like her!  As always, I call it like I see it.  That's the truth, from my perspective.  That doesn't mean that we don't make the most of the day at home. But.  It's not my favorite day of the year. 

This year, however, not without reason, was not my favorite day.  I'm airing the dirty laundry again. Sadly, one of my children brings that unfortunate opportunity more often than any mother would care for. Mothers Day began just before midnight when I received a collect call from the County Jail. I did not accept.  A few minutes later, my mother called to tell me that she'd received the same recorded call.  She did not accept either.  Wanting to confirm my suspicions, I discussed it with Doug and then called, to discover that Kelly, was indeed, in jail.  Her charges are quite serious.  The officer told me what he could.  

Doug and I discussed it and climbed in bed...not that we could sleep for thinking, but then...  For the next hour, the phone rang with various bail bondsmen calling to ask me to rush right out and take care of Kelly's business. (apparently, she'd called several.) I've never spoken with a bondsperson before.  But, they acted so matter of factly... just sign over your house as collateral and you can pick up your daughter. With each call, I informed them that this would not be happening.  I also asked that a message be relayed to Kelly... "The choices we make today determine our happiness tomorrow."  Finally, after several calls, I took the phone of the hook and went back to bed and tried to go to sleep.  Not that much of it came.

In the morning, Doug and I had a talk with the babes about drugs and addictions and choices and consequences.  We are open with the kids, making sure that they are aware that the choices they make affect not only them, but so many others, that they not only say no to drugs but that they RUN!!, that they know that we love them and support them but that we are strong believers in natural consequences and that we will not be helping Kelly out of the mess she has created for herself.

We've not heard any more from Kelly.  I imagine that she'll see a judge sometime this week and without going into details (I dont know many to go into), I'll just say that she's in some serious deep doggy d00-d00.   Doug and I have had concerns for a while now.  They were all confirmed this weekend.  One thing is for certain...Zaylee won't be coming home anytime soon to be with Kelly.  Happy Mothers Day?  I wasn't amused.

I'd asked Doug to not get me anything because I literally couldn't think of a thing that I want or need.  He's told me that I should go and buy some more "smaller size" clothes this week.  That works.  ZJ made me a cute little beaded necklace and wrote the sweetest note.  Gracie offered to help with breakfast.  Quayd did the dishes.  Doug helped with several things in preparing for the afternoon meal and breakfast.  

Liza sent me a text early in the day, "Thank you for praying for Pearl Jam tickets for me.  (Years ago, she was trying to win tickets from the local radio station.  She'd pulled over and parked waiting for them to announce the number of caller she needed to be.   Liza loves Pearl Jam.  She called to ask, "Do you think it's wrong to pray that I win Pearl Jam tickets?"  I told her that I highly doubted that Heavenly Father really cared about her winning concert tickets, but I'm sure that it wasn't wrong either.  We hung up and I  said a prayer that she'd win them too. She won.  I think that she was as happy that I'd prayed for her to win as she was that she won.  Well, almost.)  

Later in the afternoon, Dale called.  Now, Dale rarely calls on Mothers Day.  I don't think that Dale owns a calendar because Dale doesn't usually realize that it was Mothers Day until a week later. Then he calls.   However, he remembered and called and said, "Happy mitochondrial day!"  I learned that Mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to child, but only females continue to pass on their maternal mitochondria down to their children.  Thank you very much for that lovely lesson on genetics.  It was a great visit.  When we hung up, I cried.  Happy tears.

We then went to both mine and Doug's mom's for a bit and met Carol at a park, where we shared dinner and watched all of the kids play for a few hours.  It was a perfect 75 degrees.  It was sunshiny and bright with a perfect warm breeze.  Time with Carol and her fam,with Doug and the kids.  Perfect.  Carol's mother, one of my favorite ladies on this earth, dropped by the park for a visit. So, that was lovely.  Just what I needed to take my mind off of "other things".

When we got home, we got the kids to bed, Doug went to sleep and I watched the Survivor finale all by my lonesome.  No interruptions.  I didn't mind a bit.  Between church and gatherings, Liza and I had been hit and miss all day.  We had a short visit. Liza tells me and shows me that she loves me every day, making every day Happy Mothers Day to me!

Then, at about 11, I started getting the best texts ever from Lizard. Lots of them!  One after another after another.  Thanking me for her wedding, for seeing Evita 13 times with her at the theater and buying her the Antonio Banderas Evita poster,  being camp director when she was 15, Cabbage Patch dolls, all the stories I've told her, loving Buddy, having a full cookie jar all her life, piano lessons and my telling strangers that they are beautiful to treasure hunts to gospel discussions to playing with her hair.  And more!  Now, seriously.  After Liza and Dale and the babes and Doug and Carol, how can I not love Mothers Day!?  

Now.  About Kelly. Some might disagree with our tough love policy.  HOWEVER. We've lived this life with Kelly for the past sixteen years.  One thing that we've learned.  Never judge another's parenting because A. You may end up eating every word.  And B.  Every child, every relationship, every situation is different and no one really knows what they would do unless they were living the nightmare.  You can say, "Well, I'd this or that, but you really don't know.

It is what it is.  We have helped Kelly and supported her in every way possible.  BUT, as a friend said this morning, "Once is a mistake.  But, more than once is a choice."  That's where Kelly is.  This lifestyle is her choice.  Not ours. And these consequences are hers.  Not that they won't affect us, indirectly, but they are hers.   When Kelly returned to the family four years ago, after all those years of not knowing if she was alive or dead, we did everything we could to show her all of our love and support.  But.  She's on her own now. She's made her choice.  We have three children in our home that we will not subject to her drama, other than to remind them that "In our home, we make good choices." Period.  At this point, Kelly has our prayers and our love.  But, that's all she gets from us.  Life is full of growing/learning experiences and no one can learn your lessons for you.  No one, but you.  Enough said!

Now.  To end on a happy note.  Because I like happy!  Here's a few pix from our fun day!

Here's Taylor, recuperating from her surgery.

Carol watching the grands.

The newlyweds, Madi and Doug.

Quayd, climbing, as usual.

ZJ, who's feeling like new!  She went back to school today!



Gracie playing Frisbee with her dad and Tanner.

Tanner, Shawn White look-a-like, at the other end of the Frisbee.

Matt, entertaining himself with his iTunes.  Check out those shoes!  I love them!

Madi's daughter, McKayla and her new son, Jackson.

Doug, entertaining the kids with his Donald Duck voice.

Doug and me, mid-sentence, imagine that!

Regardless of what else is happening, life is good. 

 

 

Happy Mothers Day

A little girl, asked where her home was, replied, "where mother is."

3 x 3

previously posted in July 2007

Three of my favorite recipes:

Bessie's Chimichangas
1 dozen large tortillas
shredded cooked chicken (I cheat and buy a rotissarie grilled one at the grocers)
3 cans cream of mushroom or chicken soup (I mix them)
1 can chopped chilies or 1 cup chunky salsa
3 chopped green onions
1 large sour cream
lots of shredded cheese

Mix all ingredients except the tortillas.  Scoop the chicken mixture into the tortillas and roll.  Cover with more shredded cheese and any of the filling that didn't fit into the tortillas.  Cover with foil and bake at 350° until the cheese is bubbly. (about 35 minutes)

Carol's Yummy Sunday Salad

2 cans drained mandarin oranges
1 can pineapple, drained but save the juice
1 blue box of Instant Americana Tapioca
1 large box Cook & Serve Vanilla pudding
3 large bananas

Drain pineapple juice into measuring cup.  Add enough water to make 2 cups.  Mix liquide with both puddings in a medium saucepan.  Cook until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly.  Pour over fruit while still warm.  Add bananas right before serving.  VERY good warm OR cold.  It's my favorite!

Frog-eye Salad (This makes the huge Tupperware Fix-N-Mix bowl full!! It sounds like work but is quite quick to prepare ahead and is always the hit at every family reunion!)

Boil 3 quarts water and 1 Tbsp oil.  Add 1 box of Acine de Pepe (usually on the top shelf above the pastas.)  Drain 2 cans (1crushed and 1 tidbits) pineapple, saving the juice. 

In saucepan, add:
1 3/4 cup pineapple juice
t tsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs (I whip them up a bit first)
Boil and cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
Add 2 Tbsp. lemon juice.

Pour over cooked and drained pasta.  Fold gently.  Refridgerate overnite.  The next day, add:
2 cans drained mandarin oranges
the pineapple
1 large container of Cool Whip
2 cups marshmallows
marishino cherries for color!

(Some people also add a cup of coconut flakes.)  Fold it all together, keep chilled until serving.  Will feed an army!

Don't dwell on those who let you down.
 Cherish those who hold you up.

 

stuff

• ZJ had her best day in two weeks.  That's not to say that she didn't spend much of the day lying on her tummy across the lazyboy, but she did go outside and actually bounce on the trampoline for a few minutes in the sunshine.  Then, she was right back on the chair in tears.  But.  She did have a good moment and that was awesome.  I think that the sunshine had to help a bit!  Sunshine is good for every ailment!
• Book group was last night. Since Doug went on his crazy shift and we started tending Zaylee last fall, I've not gone. It felt great to return. We'd read Anita Shreve's "Light on Snow".  There was a fun conversation about an interesting book.  I am always fascinated by the fact that 12 people can read the same book and come away with such different opinions.  One thing that was quite surprising to us all was that one very important paragraph was eliminated from one edition of the book.  A few of the ladies said, "WHAT?  Where was that?" When we looked, it was totally missing.  I've never seen that before but it really changed one important point in the book.  Hmmm.
• I called Kevin today to speak with Zaylee and to let him know that her package was on the way.  She was napping and when he told her that we were on the phone, she barely stirred, so we asked him not to wake her. I mentioned everything that I'd sent and that I'd not sent her shampoos and conditioners.  He asked me about that and then ended up having his step-mother get on the phone so that I could "teach her" how to care for Zaylee's hair.  I told her, step-by-step, what she needed to do and how to do it.  For some reason, this hit me hard and by the time she handed the phone back to Kevin,  I completely lost it, just sobbing.  Kevin ended up crying too and apologized over and over for hurting us.  I hate this.  I really do.  But, we hung up, I said a prayer, and then found a tender mercy waiting for me...an email from one of my dearest friends.  The quote today, a long one, is what gave me the strength I needed today.  Thank you, Susan.  (I'll share it below.)
• Everyone's talking about the Time magazine cover of the hot mother nursing the little BOY, not baby.  I'm married to granolaman.  Of course, I nursed our children until their first birthday.  Dale was 13 months. We're very pro-nursing. It's a beautiful gift.  But, Doug's comment was that this kind of sensationalism sheds a negative light on the mothers who do nurse responsibly and respectfully. I thought that the photo was not at all about nursing mothers, but more for a shock factor to sell magazines.  PS. Time... the magazine doesn't come out for another 11 days.  By the time it hits the newsstands, this will be old news.  I don't think that they'll sell anymore mags than they would have initially.  My humble opinion.
• Speaking of the media...I'm not loving the last two weeks of American Idol.  
• Liza called late last night to tell me that Buddy had made her a nummy dinner where he'd taken chicken breast, pounded them, covered them with pepperoni and cheese, the rolled them up, baked them and covered them in a maranara sauce.  She said that it was very tasty and it took a a few minutes to realize that he'd made her Aurora's Chicken Pepperoni.  That's the meal that is the center of attention in the old Chevy Chase/Goldie Hawn movie, "Seems like Old Times".  It's one of our favorites... the movie, not the menu. BUT, I'll be trying the recipe soon.  Too funny.

It's the weekend!  And Mother's Day weekend, at that.  HAPPINESS!!  Bring it on!!! Life is good.

 

"...The Buddhists say that pain is inevitable, but suffering is a painful feeling about pain. Pain is simply a sensation, but suffering comes from thinking that what is shouldn't be. I saw that no matter what happened to me in this life, I could trust that God had me in mind and that

life happens for me, not to me.

 It's all for my good."

"I envisioned myself looking at the possibilities for my earth life, accepting all the risks, and saying, "I am willing, send me. I am willing to be the one who is betrayed. I am willing to be physically uncomfortable. I am willing to lose a child. I am willing to be...lost, confused, hurt, offended, upset, in pain, maimed. I am willing, send me. I want to feel what it is to be alive, to love, to forgive. I am willing to face pain so that I might know true joy."

"...I had always said, '"I want to be like Jesus,'"...Was I truly willing?...He was willing."

Can I also say, "Here am I, send me?

 

ZJ, a recipe and two things every mom should know

Well. We still don't have the answers to ZJ's issues.  However, Dr. Anderson assures us that her problem is not surgical.  He thinks it may be viral.  He spent one hour and one minute iwth us, reviewing every test that has been done, going over her first CT Scan, slice by slice, every blood test, the ultrasound, X-rays, everything.  "On paper, she looks perfectly healthy."  So.  He determined that, hopefully, what ZJ has is viral and that it will pass in a few weeks.  Not the answer we wanted, but I suppose that, if he's right, it's the best answer.  Much better than "Let's do surgery!"  He says that we can set up an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist in SLC, but that will take two months and, more than likely, she'll be well again before that.  Let's pray!  

BECAUSE  as of now, ZJ has found that her most comfortable position in on her tummy, stretched sideways across the arms of the lazy boy, with her tummy dangling in the middle.  Dr. Anderson suggested that we bag the BRAT diet, recommended by the ER doctor and allow her to eat whatever she wants, but to avoid spicy. Since everything she eats or drinks hurts, she may as well eat what she wants...which is very little.  Who wants to eat when they know that it's going to cause them major pain within minutes?!  She has lost 4.9 pounds since Saturday.  She'd been craving a McDonalds cheeseburger because she has seen them advertised all week long.  We got one on the way home.  She ate every bite, but within minutes, she was hanging over the edge of the chair again.  She won't be back in school today again.  FRUSTRATING, but we are hopeful that this is just a bad virus and that it will pass soon.  Enough said about that.

I've learned two new things over the past few days that I wanted to share.

1.    A good rule of thumb for taking Ibuprofen.  200's can be taken every two hours.  400's can be taken every four.  600's every six hours.  And 800's can be taken every eight hours.  I never knew that.  Whodathunkit.

and 2.  After Taylor was coming out of the anesthesia, the nurse taught us a little trick for people who are a bit nauseous. I thought that this was a great idea for parents with kids who get carsick.  I've never had kids who had weak stomachs, but I know lots of people who do.  SO... if your child is feeling nauseous, open a little alcohol wipe (the kind wrapped in foil that they give you before tinkling in a cup for a urine analysis), slide the little wipe halfway out of the foil and hold it near the sickie's nose.  The mild scent of alcohol supposedly calms the upset tummy.  I think that these would be a great thing to keep in the jockeybox of your car!  Love it when I learn something new!

Also,  I wanted to share a new quick and easy recipe.  WOW!  You will need Pork Chops, one package of Ranch Dressing Mix and a can of Cream of Chicken plus 1 can water as needed.  Mix well and cook in the crockpot until the meat is tender.   I may "let" Doug cook this recipe for Mother's Day!

That's it! My to do list for the day includes a run to Sam's Club for Doug's blender drink necessities... spinach and brocolli, reading and napping with ZJ.  I feel like it's been weeks since I've done any serious cleaning and housekeeping... I've had a few other things on my mind but today...Today, I am kicking it back into gear and getting back to real life.  And it's good.  Enough said.

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.

 

moving forward...

A few ramblings...

• Liza applied for a job opening at a different branch of her bank a few weeks ago.  She had heard of an opening at a branch that is, literally, within walking distance from their home.  Presently, she spends up to two and a half hours riding the bus home after work on days that Buddy is working too. Woohooo!  Yesterday, she got the news that she got the job!  That alone was like getting a huge raise because there are days that they put over 150 miles on their car going from school to all of their jobs!  Happiness!  Also, Liza was promoted (I guess that it's a promotion?) to Senior Teller!  We're very happy for her!  She and Buddy are both working so hard and serving in demanding positions in their LDS ward.  We're very proud of them and thrilled for their good news!  And good news is most welcomed currently in our home!
• More good news...Carol's daughter,Taylor, no longer has a gall bladder. Happiness! She did well with her surgery.  Now we just hope and pray that she can get back to life as she knew it before!  I spent the afternoon at the hospital with Carol during Taylors surgery and recovery.   We had some good laughs. which was also welcomed.  
• ZJ sees the sugeon today.  Last night, we ended up calling the ER very late because she was hurting so. I asked them if I brought her back up a third time, would they admit her to control the pain until they figure something out.  The ER doc said that they would consider it since this has gone on for a week.  The bottom line... insurance rules.  This makes me sad. Hopefully,we'll have some answers.  I'm sure she's lost weight.  She's lived on popcycles and bananas for the past week.   We're seeing the surgeon, but, I'm really hoping that he can prescribe some magic medicine to make ZJ's pain go away and not have to take out any "parts".  It's so frustrating to see her hurting so much and have no answers. 
• As I posted on Facebook this morning... five words NO mother wants to be awakened to:  "Mom, the toilet's overflowing!"  Especially when Doug's already gone to work!  Yagottaluvit!  Or Not.
• I packed up all of Zaylee's clothes and a few of her toys and bathtub toys to send to her.  This made the whole situation really begin to sink in.  She's not coming back anytime soon.  We're making the adjustments emotionally and physically.  This weekend, I'll be putting the rest of her things in storage bins in the garage because Zaylee is everywhere in our home...from her own dishes to toys and clothes and books. It hit me, as I was thinking about this, if things go as Kevin plans, she will probably have outgrown many of these things before she returns.   He's gone to a lot of expense to move them to Arkansas, so he's not going to be coming back that easily or anytime soon.  The not knowing is the part that's most difficult for my brain to wrap around.  But, it is what it is and we need to face the facts.  I'm not whining.  I'm coping and I cope best by talking about things.  Enough said about that.
• Finally, I just realized this morning that Mother's Day this weekend.  I thought about it and there is, literally, not one thing that I want or need.  My Kindle has several books waiting to be read.  My iTunes playlists are satisfied.  I'm not even thinking about decorating or entertaining right now, so no needs or wants there right now.  I have just bought a new two sizes smaller wardrobe.  I don't need or want a thing.  All I want for Mother's Day is a healthy eleven year old girl!  
• And one last thing... as I was just spellchecking this entry, in my robe and ready to hop in the shower, the doorbell rang.  Messy bed head.  No make up.  Still yucky from cleaning up the nasty bathroom floor. I didn't want to be seen.  But, I answered the door.  An friend, on her morning jog, just stopped by to say that we'd been in their prayers.  Our conversations are always fun and upbeat.  I love her! This morning, this friend was an angel sent as a tender mercy...saying exactly what I needed to hear! She made me laugh and cry and she didn't even care that I looked like... well...the mess I'd cleaned up on the floor.  Tender mercies are my favorite thing!  ENOUGH SAID!

Life is good!

Be Mighty

I will acknowledge that the following entry is a little "preachy".  I can not apologize, however, because my heart is so full of thanks and gratitude this day.

For Family Home Evening last night, we talked about one of my favorite things ~"tender mercies".  I love this verse from the Book of Mormon.  "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of  deliverance."  (1 Nephi 1:20)

Over the weekend, Grace commented, referring to Zaylee being gone, ZJ being so sick, her finger recovering slowly and a few other things, "This is the worst week of our life, Mom!"  Knowing that all three of the babes have been worried sick over Zaylee and we've all been concerned about ZJ, it was time for a little reminder of this important principle of life. 

I explained that a tender mercy could be something huge, like Kevin calling to let us know how Zaylee is, to something as simple as the box of chocolates delivered by a friend this past weekend.  Tender mercies are those little happenings in our lives that reconfirm that we do have a Father in Heaven who is very aware of who we are and of our needs, even when they are sometimes small and trivial.  Tender mercies confirm to us that He is there! I asked the kids for some examples of tender mercies in our lives.  I was touched by how quickly they all came up with answer from the present to years in our past.  Of course, the first was our family adoption. But, they were thoughtful in remembering how Go-Go came to our family immediately after Fancy was put down, how sometimes things just work out perfectly when by all rights and means, they shouldn't, how we receive love and kindness when we least expect it.  I was happy for their recognition of the many tender mercies in our every day lives.

And then, we discussed what "being mighty" means.  "Being mighty means being Strong", ZJ confirmed.  And one interpretation of "being mighty unto the power of deliverance", simply stated is that we must have faith, even in the toughest of times. When life gets tough, we must be mighty unto deliverance.  Our faith must be stronger.  Our actions and our faith must be "mighty".  Rather than whine, "Why me?", we need to ask, "What is it that I am supposed to learn from this experience?"  And then... and only then, in Sophia's strong and firm belief, do we grow and gain from our challenges.  Lastly, I shared that throughout this past week, I've had, in the back of my head almost constantly, "Know this, that all these things shall give the experience and be for thy good."  Because it's true!

That was our lesson/discussion with the kids.  They got it.  Their prayers last night were as tender as could ever be...giving thanks that Kevin's heart was softened, that he called us, that we were able to speak with Zaylee, for Kelly's well-being and then for others... for Taylor's surgery today, for my stomach (which has been a wreck since the word that Zaylee was gone) and for ZJ's recovery.  They got it.  We all have our challenges and trials...and rather than complain and whine, we need to be thankful for opportunities to grow.  And boy!   Has this week ever given us ample opportunity!  

With that in mind... here's the lastest at the Corbridge...no whining.  No complaining.  Just facts.

Zaylee.  Kevin called.  The second that I heard his voice, I started to sob, thanking him for calling, rather than screaming, "YOU IDIOT!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?!?"  Those thoughts have crossed my mind, but again, after much prayer and thought, I know that this would have been wrong.  And I was sincerely grateful.  They are in Arkansas, living with his birth father and family.  Zaylee is doing well.  He was calling from outside on the lawn, where Zaylee was riding her bike with her "new" cousin.  Zaylee talked with me a few times during the call and was able to talk to her very best friend in the world, ZJ.  This was great for both of them.   She sounded great, and, after our hour long conversation, Kevin immediately took a photo of Zaylee in the new swimsuit that he'd bought her and texted it to me.

Kevin explained his reasons for leaving.  I can not go into detail, because the details are not mine to share. However.  Kevin is within his legal rights to have done this. Although I'm not one teeny tiny bit happy that Zaylee is 2000 miles away from us, for now, this is how it is and Doug and I will have to be patient with the situation.  Kevin assured me that we will be able to speak with any time that we want.  He gave me a landline, his cell number, as well as their address.  He was very emotional and apologized profusely about taking her from us.  I don't think that he'd realized the impact that this would have on the babes.  It was a positive and straightforward conversation.  For now, we will accept the situation as it is.  He texted me a few times later in the day.  That's all that I can say for now.  We would appreciate your continued prayers in Zaylee's behalf.  I felt a peace that I've not felt for a week, knowing for certain where she is.  I do have to say this and I'd be lying if I didn't.  I hate this.  BUT.  It is what it is. Now, it's time to "be mighty".

ZJ.  After almost 16 hours on Saturday and Sunday in the ER...after bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasound, several IVs for rehydration and pain, we still have no clue what is wrong with Zeej.  Monday was her best day in almost a week. We were sent home, quite frustrated, I might add, with a "colonoscopy prep" drink to "flush any possible virus through her". She didn't mind the taste of the nasty lemon drink, but, as for it making a difference... not so much.  She will be seeing a surgeon on Wednesday.  The ER doctor's bottom line, "Take her home, bring her back again if it gets worse, and eventually, we'll go ahead and remove the appendix.  But, for now, she looks too good on paper to do anything." Seriously?  An eleven year old child, curled up in a ball, sobbing with pain at a "9-10" on the pain chart for five days and that's all ya got?  I wasn't amused.  BUT.  Again.  It's time to "be mighty".

Doug gave ZJ a beautiful father's blessing and in the blessing, he said, "We're given pain to appreciate the perfect body that Heavenly Father has created for us."  Boy, is that the truth!  It's so easy to appreciate our health when we don't have it!

Mom.  Help me. ;)  I can't even go there, but suffice it to say that I never anticipated at age 53, I'd be worrying about my mother, her dog and her manfriend!  

Rick.  My brother cracks me up.  Totally. He invited himself over, with a pizza, to spend the day yesterday.  I was not alone for one minute all day long.  It was fine.  ZJ was lying on the couch.  I caught up on seven loads of laundry since I've been a little preoccupied. (The laundry truly brought home the realization that Zaylee is gone more than anything else has, as her little socks and clothes would come through.  I will be sending her clothes to Kevin today.  Ouch.) So, Rick and I watched Mamma Mia, which he'd never even heard of.  Big, burly, rough and tough Rick likes ABBA and he laughed out loud through the whole movie.  I thought that Rick living up the street with Mom would be a nightmare.  I'm enjoying him.  He's loud.  He's obnoxious.  He's crude.  But, he's very entertaining and he becomes an instant teddy bear around the kids.  He's really trying to be a good uncle, bring treats and snacks and, very much, respecting our "house rules".  ZJ said, "Uncle Rick makes me laugh, Mom."  Me, too, Zeej.  Me too. Rick loves to "escape" to our house for a break from Mom and Boyd.  My favorite thing is listening to his whispered messages on my iPhone, "Help me.  Save me.  You neeeeeeeed me to come down right now."

Dad.  During all of the other "drama", for lack of a better word, my dad had to have two stints put into his heart. He's doing much better.  He's been worried sick about Zaylee and Zeej, calling a few times a day.  Who'd have ever guessed, after 35 years of living without my family in my life directly, that they'd all be right here all the time, even if only by phone.  Again.  No complaints.  Just fact.

There are several other things happening in our world right now, as well.  But, I've share more than enough for one day. I admit, it has been one of those weeks that I've struggled with being the open book that I am.  I've not wanted to sound like a whiner or a martyr. While I was in church on Sunday, I looked at another sister in our ward and my heart ached for her.  Her trials made mine seem almost insignificant.  That was, again, a tender mercy for me...the reminder that no matter how tough things seem, someone else always has it tougher!

 I've appreciated every single good thought, phone call, text, email and visit over the past week.  I've barely had a moment alone since Zaylee left and that, too, has probably been a tremendous blessing to us. I'm grateful for the love and support that we feel when it is time to "be mighty".

If I could share one lesson learned this week, it would be this message.  Trials and struggles are the only good time to ask, "What's in it for me?"  Because with every fiber of my being, I believe that, like it or not, the tougher the challenge, the bigger the lesson is in it for each of us.  Enough said.

 Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries
with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.

Kevin called!

I've not been alone since the moment I woke up this morning.  And I'm still not.  BUT.  Kevin called from Arkansas.  I'm so thrilled.  ZJ and I were able to speak with Zaylee. She sounds great.  I still have company and slipped away long enough to share this good news.  Details tomorrow.  Again, thank you for continued prayers.

faith

The circumstances are beginning to settling into our minds, our hearts, our souls.  There are many questions... Will Kevin call soon? When? Where are they?  Is Zaylee missing us?  Is she confused? She would be with us today.  Does she realize that she's so far away from home?  What does she understand?  And yet, with the questions not answered, all we can do is put our faith and trust in Heavenly Father and remind ourselves that she is His daughter and He loves her more than we could ever begin to understand, too.

Also, after five hours. blood work, several lab tests and an Ultrasound at the hospital with ZJ, we have no more answers than when we went in.  We came home with her in as much pain as when we arrived, lots of frustration, but no answers.

Regardless of any of these circumstances, our resolve...we put our trust in Him and know that all will be well. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are humbled by the kindness and concern that we have received.  Thank you, thank you.  Enough said.

Sent by my sweet friend, Jayne:

day 4

Again, thank you for the many prayers and contacts for our missing granddaughter, Zaylee.  There has still been no contact from Kevin.  However, Stott and Wendy, Doug and I went to dinner (a much needed out that really brought some relief...we discussed the situation non-stop for an hour and then said that we would not discuss it again during dinner.  Although, it's our every other thought, it was good to not talk about it for an hour.)  While driving, we happened to see Kevin's brother.  We felt that it was a tender mercy that we happened to pull into this random side street and find him standing there talking with friends.  He was very kind and respectful toward both Doug and I.  He informed us that more than likely, Kevin has taken Zaylee to Arkansas.  He gave us more details about Kevin's leaving.  Apparently, this was something he'd been planning for quite some time.  We pled with him to relay the message to Kevin, asking him to make contact with us.  He's been around the babes before and when he asked about them, I told him that they have been devastated by this.  He seemed surprised and touched that they have cried their eyes out too.  I honestly felt that this was an awakening moment... to the fact that this is far more than Kevin just "getting even" with Kelly, but that this action is affecting so many more people in Zaylee's little circle of life.

Again, we feel confident that he would never do anything to hurt Zaylee.  At this point, Kelly seems to be giving up and accepting it as what is supposed to be.  I can't even address this thought process.  For now, we just want to hear from Kevin.  We just want to speak with Zaylee.  We assured his brother that this was all we were asking for.  

There's nothing more to share, but, again, we appreciate the many prayers in our behalf and feel so much love. Doug and I, both, have been overwhelmed by your support. Thank you.  Truth be told... Life is good, but didn't feel so good today. The kids are really struggling with this.  It hurts so deeply.  But, we will continue to try and have faith in Heavenly Father's plan...whatever it may be.  Enough said.

update

First of all, thank you, each and every one of you, for the thoughts and prayers.  The emails, text messages, phone calls and comments were overwhelming and we have felt your prayers. Although I've not been able to return any contacts, except a few texts, words can not express our gratitude for our many friends who care.  Thank you.  Oh.  I was asked Zaylee's full name several times.  Anderson is her last name.  Thank you again.

I spent the day from 7AM on with Carol's daughter, who was having more tests run.  Since Carol is a kindergarten teacher and we have been anticipating that she may need the time off work, if Taylor has surgery, I've tried to be there for her during these tests until they diagnosed the cause of her issues.  Taylor will be having her gall bladder removed on Tuesday.  This was good news...not that she has to have surgery, but that we hopefully can finally see a way for her to get better.

We did have contact with Kelly a few times during the day.  Her world is being turned upside down.  Her landlord, a friend of Kevin's... Even though she pays that bills and earns the money that pays them, she's been asked to leave.   She's devastated.  She feels that she has lost friends, possessions and her daughter.  She feels defeated and hopeless in getting Zaylee back.  His emotional abuse has certainly taken it's toll on her.  

According to the police officer who's been in frequent contact with me for the past two days, no one in Kevin's circle seems to have a clue or even knew that anything was "up".  If they know, they aren't talking. We are still praying desparately that Kevin will at least acknowlege and recognize that in this home are five very concerned people who love Zaylee very much and that Liza and Buddy are also mortified about the entire situation.

Because of the circumstances, I don't feel comfortable sharing the details of the legalities and options involved.  But, I will say this much.  Our hands, at this time, are completely tied.  I've cried until the tears won't come.  I sit here, shaking my head, in disbelief that this is actually happening.  I keep telling myself, "Focus on the big picture, Sophia. "  It hurts.  More than anything I could ever put words to.  This is my worst nightmare come true. No complaining.  Just a fact.

Kelly doesn't want to talk.  We've tried.  She hangs up on everyone who's contacted her.  She's a mess.  We would love to be able to help her, but, we also are determined not to have this be any more upsetting than it already is to the babes.  They recognize that her choices have brought her life to this awful point.  There have been many, many tears and deep conversations.  Quayd even wanted to go to Kelly and "Try to talk some sense into her."  

I've said more than enough.   I did want to express our appreciation.  I also need to share that ZJ had her little school opera last night. Life goes on, in spite of the unpleasantries, doesn't it?  When you have kids at home, there is no choice.   Although my mind was far from the song and dance most of the time, the kids did a great job and she loved her small role.  There were far too many girls, so she volunteered to be a miner!

 It was all that I could do to NOT burst into tears when they sang the finale, "You'll Be in my Heart", from Tarzan.  This was the song that I sang with Quayd as a toddler, reminding him that whatever happened, wherever he was, we'd be together.  He still remembers that and I know that he was thinking of Zaylee, right along with me, when the kids sang it at the finale.

Also, I might mention that ZJ is in bed right now, with me "on call", prepared to take her to the ER.  She's been showing signs of appendicitis for a few days and it has been getting worse.  We do have a doctor appointment today for her to be seen, but she knows that we'll go straight to the ER if she wakes up any worse.  As I look at both photos, I can see that she was not feeling her best.  Oh my.

WHO would  have guessed that this was where our heads and hearts would be 72 hours ago.  When it rains, sometimes it pours.  But, and I still believe it with all my heart, life is good.  It just has to have it's ugly moments for us to appreciate the good.  It's ugly.  And I'm appreciating every second of good right now.  We also appreciate your continued prayers.  Enough said.

zaylee

Some people might call this "airing your dirty laundry".  I don't care.  We need your prayers.  If you've read my blog for any time, you know that we are open book. It is what it is.  Life happens and the main point is that we are to grow from every experience. Just this morning, I said to a friend, "I recognize that life has it's challenges and some of them may even be horrific.  I just hope that I have enough faith to keep that eternal perspective/the big picture in mind through those rough spots."  Little did I know that I was only hours from one of those "rough spots".  This one is a growing experience, if there ever was one.  We need your prayers and faith.   Our three year old granddaughter, Zaylee, is missing.  

Sometime in the past 24 hours, Kelly's husband, Kevin, literally, trashed their house, removing everything that was/is worth anything and has disappeared off the face of the earth with Zaylee.  He is suspected to be heading to Arkansas or Washington State with Zaylee.  He has, in the past, threatened Kelly with "I'll take her and you'll never see her again."   Yesterday, he cleaned out Kelly's phone of all numbers of his family and friends, so that she would have no way of contacting any of them, he gathered every photograph of Zaylee in the home.  And he left.

Theirs has been such a volatile relationship since the beginning.  There are always two sides to every story and with them, who knows what happened this time?  All we do know is that Kelly came home from work to a destroyed and mostly empty house, the money was gone, his cellphone is no longer in service and Zaylee is gone.

Kelly has little interaction with us, other than when she needs us to tend or when making arrangements for us to keep Zaylee on the weekends.  So, we have no clue what led up to this recent "chapter". And where Kelly and Kevin are concerned, as Doug always says, "this is them and tomorrow, it could be a whole other story." Not to sound heartless and cold, but Kelly and Kevin are adults. They have made their choices and their unhappiness is the natural consequence of those choices.  That, we can not help.  BUT.

Zaylee is an innocent three year old child caught in the middle of their nightmare of dysfunction.  I'm pleading for any good thoughts and prayers in Zaylee's behalf.   We are praying for her safety, for Kevin's heart to be softened enough to contact us so that we know where she is and , as always, that Kelly will be given the sound mind and reasoning to make better choices, especially in the handling of this situation.  IF Kevin does not make contact soon, it could be considered "custodial interference", which, if he has left the state, is a felony.  Kevin loves Zaylee and we feel confident that he would not harm her.  But, we are very concerned about Zaylee's emotional welfare and this total disruption in her little world.  We are literally sick over this.  If  you would, please, keep Zaylee in your prayers.  Thank you.  Enough said.

buzzzzz

At 10:30, I've already been out and about all morning long and am back out the door in fifteen minutes.  It must be MAY!!!  The end of the school year is always so filled with busy things.  I need to run, so here's another rambling entry.  Quickly!

• I was on my way to town yesterday morning when my phone rang.  It was the Jr. High School calling to ask if I was on my way to our meeting?  WHAT meeting?  I said, "I'm in my truck right now, I'll be right there."  I did a U-turn and headed north to the school for a planning meeting for Grace's first year there.  I had no clue that I had this meeting.  NONE!  I came home and looked in her file, looked through my planner.  There's no notice of anything anyplace.  Fortunately, I was able to be there and get things done.  OOPS.  My bad.  Too many meetings!  Too much on my mind.  Another plug for using a planner. USING being the operative word!
• I took Grace to the dentist yesterday after school for her check-up.  While there, the office manager, came in and said that she needed to ask me a big favor.   BIG.  I joked, "Do you want me to move my truck?"  She said, "HUUUUGE!"  Okey dokey then.  They are filming a commercial and asked me to be one of their patients.  I said, "WHAT?  I'm SHY!!!"  They laughed and said that when Brett had been approached with the whole idea, I came to mind  because they know that I love them all so much.  He's right!  I do!  I have the greatest dentist and he has the greatest staff in the world!  BUT.  I am camera shy.  They are giving me a few days to think about it.  Seriously?  Me??
• At Grace's teacher conference, it was mentioned that she's acing language arts except that she doesn't remember to track her reading.  Grace!?  Seriously?  The child who walks down the street with her face in a book??  So, last night, we sat down and recorded all of the books that she's read in the last two months.  She's read 5000 pages!!!!!   She listed the books and I checked the page numbers on Amazon.  As we clicked on each book, she would say, "Oh!  That's my favorite!  I love that one!  It had [this person or that event] ... or It's the one where...."  She is definitely a reader!  Today, she'll probably jump to first place in the reading challenge, simply by turning in her paperwork!  Paperwork...ugh.  I get that.
• One last random thought... I'm Soooooooooooo excited about Castle!!  This is my favorite TV show!  Well, besides Survivor and Idol.  I have loved every minute of this show and the finale of this season looks so promising!  I love the possibilities of Kate Beckett and Rick Castle together!  Have I mentioned that my dentist looks like Rick Castle/Nathan Finnian?  Looking forward to next Monday... then it will be wait till fall to see what happens.  Summertime...no TV time.  I actually look forward to that too!

Life is really good.  Crazy, crazy, busy, good, but so good!    

You could make a wish or you could make it happen!

yagottaluvit!

I was awakened this morning to the sound of thunder that shook the house!  It poured the rain for about twenty minutes and blew over.  Yagottaluvit it!

I'm off this morning to run errands, have lunch with Denise and then Grace has a dentist appointment this afternoon before her Young Womens Activity.  ZJ has opera rehearsal and piano lessons.  Quayd has piano and Young Mens/Scouts.  Somewhere in there, I'll squeeze in dinner.  Tuesdays are our craziest day of the week.  I really like having all the action on one day and leaving the rest for come what may and Yagottaluvit.  (Oh, I crack myself up.)

I've been spending a lot of time helping a friend with some doctor visits and can I just say that life is expensive?!  So far, Gracie's broken finger has cost us just over $1000 and we're not even close to reaching our deductible, so it's all out of pocket.  Yagottaluvit!

ZJ's big opera is this week.  Rehearsals every day.  She is so thrilled.  I am so thrilled that this is the last opera we'll have to deal with, as she will no longer be in elementary school after June.  I can't believe that all three of the babes are in that next phase of life.  Time flies much too fast.  BUT, no more elementary school!   Yagottaluvit.

We bought the new released DVD, "We Bought a Zoo".  This movie is so dang good for the family.  Lots of things to talk about in it.  It's clean and decent and sweet.  Not at all the slapsticky comedy I expected and not a kids silly animal movie.  It's a serious movie with serious issues, a few giggles.  Good family entertainment.  Yagottaluvit.  We did!

It looks as though our Phantom of the Opera trip in June is not going to happen.   The scheduling was a nightmare and Gracie and Quayd will now be at Scout Camp and Girls Camp that same week.  Carol will be making the trip with her kids instead.  Doug will be chaperoning both camps.  ZJ and I will be doing our thing all by our lonesome.  We'll make the most of our little time together.  Life can be so busy.  And the rest of the summer, will be calm and quiet.  It all had to happen the same week.  Yagottaluvit.

Kelly called this morning to ask me if I'd start tending Zaylee again.   It's almost summer.  Schools almost out. A three year old changes everything.  BUT, we want Zaylee around as much as possible for her own sake.  Hmmm.  What to do, what to do.  Yagottaluvit.

My brother, Rick, is getting a little stir-crazy spending all of his time with Mom and her manfriend, Boyd.  He thinks he needs to be invited to my lunchdates and girls night out...with all of my married friends. While I have really grown to like my brother, that's not happening!  Yagottaluvhim!

This make-uP...  Seriously?  People really do this?  Yagottaluvit??

The kids are begging their dad for a new dog.  A wolf-husky breed.  We had one years ago.  She was stolen from our back yard.  We were devastated.  She was the first dog we ever paid money for.  Shumoni.  (Right when Dances with Wolves was big.)  We loved her so much and I think that she is the only dog that Doug has ever really mourned the loss of.   After watching videos of "the old days", the kids have done nothing but beg us for another "Shumoni".  Doug's not even close to warming up to this idea.  I'd buy one today. Yagottaluvit.

Life is good.  Busy.  Crazy.  Wild.  Expensive.  But, gooo-ooood!  Enough said.

Life is far too short to be sad, to be mad, to hold regret,
to look back, to be sad, to be unkind.  
Be nice and do good!  Every day is new!

good

A few weekend ramblings.

• Well, I'm sad to share that on Saturday, one of the kids next door fell out of "the" tree.  They thought he'd broken his arm but it was only his wrist.  The look on ZJ's face when she told me said it all.  
• I found a recipe for homemade hot and sour soup.  I was telling Denise about the recipe with all of it's funky ingredients.  Her response:  "Or we could just go to Black Pearl."  
• I'd planned on making this tasty sounding cream cheesy corn "stuff" to add to our potato bar yesterday.  I made a grocery list of seven items for Doug to pick up on his way home Saturday night. On the list, I had written "1 mild chili".  He'd called and asked me what kind of chili.  "I don't care.  Just a mild one."  I didn't care... I just knew that jalepenos and habaneros are too hot, so I just wanted a mild one like a banana pepper.  BUT.  I didn't elaborate.   He came home with Two cans of Nalley's Chili.  I asked "Why did you buy Chili?  We have a case of it downstairs."  He said, "You told me to."  I did?    We laughed at how easy it is to miscommunicate.  No corn stuff yesterday. But, we did have chili.
• Yesterday, after Stake Conference, we went to Carol's for dinner.  We took with us all of our old VHS movies from good times that we'd had twenty years ago when Madi was a baby, the bigs were the same age as my babes are now.  We laughed and laughed at the fun we had.  It was the first time we'd watched them in years.  Hearing Carol's husband, Jon's voice brought tears to my eyes.  We were amazed at how much Grace looked and sounds like Kelly did at that age.  We were equally amazed at how much ZJ looks and sounds like Liza.  
  
  On one tape, Dale, Kelly, Liza and I came home for a vacation during our two year time of living in Indiana.  Doug wasn't able to leave work for that three week trip.  All through the tape, I expressed how much I wish Doug were there and how I missed him.  On the last night, after seriously one of the best times of my life, I said, "This has been the best trip of my life.  It would have been perfect if Doug were here!   But, since he wasn't, it was only 99.9% perfect!"  We all laughed and laughed.  Last night, as we were saying goodnight, I told Doug how much I love him.  He teased back, "I'm glad that having me in your life makes that "point.one" percent difference from perfection."  Har-Har, Mr. C.
• The doctor took a look at Gracie's finger and was not happy with how it looked.  She's now sporting a metal splint from the wrist to her fingertip.  We've invested in some more colorful wrap for it.  She now wears orange, purple, red and lime green bandages, color co-ordinating with her outfit of the day.  She is such a girl!  And he also has said that she'll be keeping it wrapped for another four weeks... basically until the end of school.  Whodathunkit?
• It's supposed to be 72 degrees today.  Loving the spring weather.  On Saturday, we got the flowerbed sprayed with Round-up to start it over once again and planted the carrots and spinach.  LOVELY!  Now comes the waiting part while the weeds and old stuff dies before we can start over. I'm so not a gardener.
• My brother, Rick, has offered to help Quayd and Doug build a "mancave" type treehouse in our backyard.  Quayd is so so excited!  
• Twenty-four more school days left.  Summer will be here in no time!  
  
  Life is good! Even on mornings where I've tried going back to sleep since 4:14!

A good laugh is sunshine in the house!

beautiful spring

Be your own kind of beautiful.

A few ways to save money and a recipe

Previously posted in 2007

Last month, Carol and I attended an interesting nine hour class about money management.  The class was geared more toward young married couples, but in the promo, it said, "Teaching your children money management", which was what interested Carol.  I went along for the ride and loved the class.  Much was review, but it was a great shot in the arm to motivate me to reorganize myself.  The beset thing that I got out of the class was the tip to read (I downloaded it to my iPod) Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Management Makeover".  What an awesome approach to being "together" on your money management!  I mentioned it on my blog a few times and had a few emails requesting some detail.  Here are a few of the money saving tips:

1. SAVE FIRST!!!  If you have a savings account of $1000 for emergencies, you won't have to use the credit cards to pay for car repairs, unexpected expenses.  Saving the $1000 emergency fund is priority to paying off high interest credit cards because with the savings, the credit card balances won't have to continue to increase as you are paying them off.
2. Add extra payments to your debts, even if it's only $10 a month.  Giving up one meal out a month , a bad habit such as smoking or sodapop or one movie night and adding that savings to your debt will get the balances down quicker!
3. Pay off the highest interest loan first, then apply that amount that you'd been paying on that loan to the next highest interest loan until they are all paid off.
4. Use the great outdoors as your gym during the warm months.
5. If you want to purchase something for over $75, contemplate the purchase for 24 hours to see if you still want it. 
6. Review your cable and magazine subscriptions.  Are there any you could cancel?
7. Make sure that your cell phone plan matches your needs.  Increasing the plan (adding text messaging services or more minutes) can actually be a savings to you in the long run if you go over often.
8. Buy used instead of new from cars to books.
9. Exchange DVDs and books with your friends or check them out at the library.
10. Unplug electronic devices when you are not using them.
11. Use rechargable batteries.  The cost of the charger will be less than the cost of replacing 8 AAA batteries.  Once you've converted, you'll buy batteries annually instead of monthly.
12. Close the doors to keep from heating and cooling unused rooms.
13. Offer your services or talents in liew of buying a gift.
14. Draw names for your family and friends, instead of buying for all.
15. Limit your trips to the store.  Shop from a list.  Shop alone and not when hungry.
16. Work over-time one shift a month and save the earnings.
17. Empty change from your pockets, purse or wallet at the end of each day into a jar.  Put it in the bank every few weeks.
18. Raise your deductible on insurance.
19. Save your raise.  Save the increase and live on what you've been living on.
20. Involve the whole family in a savings plan.  They'll catch your enthusiasm.
21. Arrange for bills to be automatically deducted from your checking account, saving on late fees, mailing expenses and time.
22. Always send in for rebates, even if it's only $1, it adds up.
23. Reduce the size of your storage unit or better yet, get rid of it and the stuff you aren't using.
24. Attend matinees.  Go to the 5:00 show.  Don't go to the movie hungry and the popcorn won't be as tempting.
25. If you entertain, have potluck.
26. Vacation off season.  Some places are less than half the cost in the off-season.
27. Wear slippers or socks.  Add an extra blanket to the bed.  Turn the head down.
28. Use small appliances rather than heating up the oven.
29. Clean the lint filter in the dryer every time you use it to decrease drying times.
30. Shop for Christmas all year long.  Make sure to write down what you buy and where it's stored.
31. Avoid leasing cars!
32. Don't speed.
33. Get a home energy audit every few years from your power/gas companies to see if there are ways to cut costs.

A VERY good recipe from the class that I'd have NEVER tried had I known...

BANANA BREAD

2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/4 cup mashed white beans (this is the oil replacement)
1/4 cup butter (or more beans)
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 300° (Seriously, that's what it says but I've always baked mine at 400°.) Grease one 9x5 loaf pan.  In medium bowl, mash bananas and stir in eggs until well-blended.  Set aside.  In large bowl, beat beans and butter together, gradually adding the sugar.  Stir in vanilla and banana mixture.  Whisk together the flour, soda and salt.  Blend into the batter.  Add nuts if desired.  Pour into pan and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, (check after 1 hour). 

If you'd be wealthy, think of saving more than of getting.

 

friday

Too funny.  Yesterday morning, I took this picture of our Asian pear tree blossoming and my beautiful blossoming girl!

This morning, I took this one of the view out our front window.

It poured the rain last night, which means snowed in the mountains all night!  Beautiful!  Doug and the babes all slept out in the pop-up for the first time of the season.  They kept the heater on all night and Quayd said that he was hot!  I enjoyed a nice quiet night alone in the bed without Doug's middle of the night getting up for work routine.  It was heaven!  Six hours of sleep without one interruption.  SWEET!

It's the weekend!  We get Zaylee tomorrow.  I've not seen her in two weeks, so I am excited to have some time with her.  The girls and I are planning a little party night tonight while Quayd and Doug do their thing. It will be a busy weekend for us all.

Other than that, there's not much to say today. Here's ten random thoughts in ten words or less....

1. Natalie introduced me to Elements Lettuce Wraps!  Cache Valley's best!
2. We bought "We Bought a Zoo".  Can't wait to watch!
3. I bought carrot and spinach seeds.  Too wet to plant!
4. New Visiting Teaching Route again.
5. I don't  like the sound of the furnace in April.
6. Lawn mowing one day.  Winter coats the next.  Cache Valley.
7. Doug's off all weekend long!  Happiness!
8. Happy Birthday to my favorite niece, Lindsey!
9. Did I mention those lettuce wraps?
10. Life is good!!!

learning along the way

Please do not take offense!  I'm learning!

Yesterday, I took a friend into the hospital for a two hour procedure/test, during which, we sat there and visited with the tech the entire time.  A very nice looking guy, probably in his late 30s, with the friendliest disposition ever.  By the time we were done, we were all friends.  

This guy was awesome!  He was not LDS but had been lived in Utah and Idaho his entire life.  That's uncommon around here.  During the course of our conversation, we discovered that his beautiful curly black hair used to be down to his waist.  He said that he'd cut it a few years ago because his wife thought he should for work.  Today, he's as clean cut as could be.  He has four children, the oldest is 14.  He's worked at his job for ten years since graduating.  He also has a tattoo "sleeve", which was covered by his lab jacket.  Before the conversation, I'd have never envisioned the guy as a "ponytail tattoo kinda guy."  But, the interesting thing was that after and during the conversation, I'd have never envisioned it either because during the conversation, I asked myself, "What the heck is a tattoo-ponytail kinda guy?"  That's stereo-typing and I hate stereo-typing!  

Seriously.  This guy was so dang sharp!  He's obviously a good dad, based on the conversation.  He's great at what he does...by far, THE friendliest employee I've ever met at that hospital. I seriously felt an instant connection to him and would invite him and his wife over for dinner and cards in a heartbeat.

During the conversation, I asked him if people treated him differently with short hair than they did when he had the long hair.  He said that he'd always worn it pulled back because it would get in the way of putting in the IVs, but yes, every day,  people would ask him condescending questions, "Do you know what you're doing?"  "How long have you been doing this?"  Even, "Are you the only one who does this?"  He commented that after the hair cut, he's been asked those questions only three times in a few years!   That's when he mentioned the tattoo sleeve.  He said that because of the lab jacket, no one ever sees it and that he is discreet about it at work because he recognizes the "stigma" that goes along with it.  BUT, he said that he'd just had an experience while changing his lab jacket and the patient immediately asked him, "Do you know what you're doing?" and changed their disposition toward him instantly.  Instant vision impairment.

Our daughter, Kelly, is covered in ink.  And I have to admit that I have had that same attitude as the vision impaired patient.   I am not a tattoo fan.  NOT FOR ME.  But, for someone else, as the old song goes, "It's your thing, do what you wanna do."  NOT my place to judge.

And then last night, on American Idol, my favorite, Skylar Layne sang a song about a Tattoo Town.  Ryan Seacrest asked her if she had a tattoo when she said she dedicated that song to her town.  She showed him a feather, tattooed on the top of her hand.  Ryan asked her what it represented.  Her response, without hesitation, "It's to remind me that my troubles are as light as a feather because God carry's them for me."  WOW.

Also, while talking with Bret, our new hospital friend, he commented that there is a personal responsibility that goes with the choices we make about how we look... he said that some people have the "in your face" attitude, "It's my body, deal with it, if you don't like it." Or that you can be respectful of others with your presence.  Good point.  Before we left, I said, "Okay.  I have to ask.  May we see your sleeve?"  He was quite surprised that I asked.  "Really?"  He took off the lab jacket and his arm was covered in a solid red white and blue, Revolutionary War emblems, an American flag and more.  Pretty cool.  No marijuana leaves, no naked women, nothing but American pride. Imagine that.

Anyway.  It was on my mind last night and I was quite surprised when Skylar made her comment about her tattoo.  Would I ever get one?  No.  A.  I don't like needles.  and even more important to me, B.  I totally agree with what Doug says often, "Why try to mess up/improve/change the beautiful body that God gave us?"  Our feelings are that our body is a temple and we treat it as such. Again, that's our personal feelings.  BUT.  I think that I walked away from yesterday having learned a little, being a little less judgmental and a lot more tolerant of other people's choices.  It's one of those things that I pray for for myself every day. On the days it happens, it's a good thing.  Enough said.

One other thing... I had to share this amazing version of the same song that I shared yesterday.  This is beautiful!  I'm off to take Grace in for her broken finger follow-up!  Have a great day!

 

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

 

wednesday stuff

The kids have been begging to put up the pop-up trailer for weeks.  A few days ago, Doug said that it was okay to set it up and air it out.  They, naturally, wanted to sleep in it.  Thinking that they were going to, Doug surprised me and said that he doesn't want them sleeping outside unless there is an adult out there with them.  I was stunned.  Especially after all of the talk about being over-protective this week.  I was, actually, quite pleased that he's showing some more concern too!  Oh, to live back when we were kids and the world wasn't such a scary place!

It's been wonderful weather all week long.  Three record breaking high days in a row.  And now, the cold front is moving in and we'll be praying for all of the beautiful blossoms on our fruit trees to not freeze!

I tried the Pinterest Crock Pot Orange Chicken.  Not a hit at our home.  Needed tons more salt.  The texture was just strange.  I won't be making that one again.  That's only two of the gazillion Pinterest recipes that have not been a huge success.  

Dang Rhubarb Cake.  I can. NOT. make another one!  It's too good!

At 1:30 this morning, the phone rang.  I thought I was dreaming.  Finally on the nine ring, (I know because the fax machine started to answer it), I picked it up.  It was a recorded message from Logan City Police Department looking for two eleven year old boys last seen yesterday afternoon, a description and the names of both boys, also listing their home addresses.  I was too tire to remember much of anything except that they live at the other end of Logan!  I live in Smithfield, six miles north of Logan.  I have no clue why our number was selected.  I did call this morning and ask if they were located and they have been.  Like Carol said, "Who's up at 1:30 in the morning to be noticing missing boys?"  It was an odd call.  However, if it were one of my kids, I'd be glad someone was looking.  Go figure.

OH!  AND THANKS TO SUSAN FOR THE HEADS UP!  Yesterday, I posted that I ONLY watch R rated movies for the past fifteen years!  The sentence was supposed to say that I had only watched THREE R rated movies in the past fifteen years! Braveheart.  Patriot and Last of the Mohicans!!!  LOL  Honest!  We do NOT watch R rated movies!!!!

I've fallen in love with this song.  Any version of it is awesome, but this was pretty cool!  Take a sec and watch!

 

 

Tuesday rambling.... a recipe, a movie and a response

I found this recipe a month or so ago on Pinterest for PF Changs lettuce wraps.  I am a HUGE lettuce wrap fan.  Lettuce wraps are probably my favorite food these days.  I also have found the recipe for the Cheesecake Factory lettuce wraps but they were a lot more work than these, so I made them for Sunday dinner.  I totally expected the kids to eat rice and bag the rest but they were a huge hit!  Lettuce wraps are such a pain to make and sloppy to eat, so I usually just cut up the lettuce and eat mine more like a salad, which what we started out doing, but I'd served them with rice and everyone ended up just mixing the lettuce wraps and rice more like a casserole.  Dinner was a huge hit!  The recipe was pretty simple to follow and it was a fast fix.  If you're a fan, these are worth the effort!!!  I doubled the recipe, so here's what we did...

8 chicken tenders, sliced thinly or 2 pounds ground turkey
1 medium onion, minced
salt & pepper, a dash of each
4 large cloves garlic, minced2 inch nob fresh ginger, peeled & minced
2 Tablespoon sesame oil

5 Tablespoons soy sauce

1 Tablespoon water

2 Tablespoon natural peanut butter

1 Tablespoon honey

2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoon rice vinegar

2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (or more if you like it hotter)  (The recipe called for twice this.  We did 3 tsp and it was ON FIRE!)

dash of fresh pepper

6 green onions, chopped

1 8oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped

1 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup peanuts, chopped

curly or romaine lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry

Heat a large, non-stick skillet on high. Add chicken, onion, salt & pepper, and cook until chicken is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add in minced garlic and ginger, and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink.  Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, honey, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce and pepper. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Add into the skillet and stir to combine.  Add green onion and water chestnuts into the skillet then cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions are soft and the water chestnuts are heated through.  Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, and serve with cold lettuce leaves.  Again, we served ours with rice.  Enjoy!!!

Today, I'm making crockpot orange chicken.  More on that tomorrow!

Last Friday, Denise and I went to a movie and dinner.  After Texas Roadhouse, we saw "The Lucky One", which I'm still reading the book.  I love this story.  Carol hated the movie because she said that it was so different than the book.  But, I loved the movie because it's the first Nicholas Sparks movie where the star doesn't die!  HAPPINESS!!  The language was clean. The scenery is beautiful.  Zach has definitely grown up.  BUT.  Be prepared for a steamy love scene.  There's no skin, but there's action that definitely leaves no room for the imagination as to what they are doing.

This love scene has completely given me a paradigm shift!   I realize that I'm conservative and the fact that I have watched only three R-rated movies in the last fifteen years adds a higher shock value to scenes in movies.  But, seriously?  There's a love scene in this movie that IF I were a sixteen year old girl on a date with a seventeen year old boy and I saw this scene, I would be mortified!  What the heck is a boy supposed to think after seeing something like this?  YIKES! Therefore and in behalf, I've decided that when my babes start dating, they will not being seeing movies unless Doug or I have seen them first.  I think it's a good idea. Enough said about that.

Thanks so much for the great comments and emails regarding your thoughts on ZJ, the tree climber.  I was shocked by how many moms agreed with Doug's "Let them Climb!" attitude.  This was therapeutic for me! I'm continually trying to lighten up a bit where my own fears are concerned!  Thank you, thank you!  Does this mean that Zeej will be going back up in the tree anytime soon?  Hardly.  But, I may be less likely to freak out when she braves her next adventure!  And I love that she was recognized for her courage and strong personality!  Thanks again!  Tonight, Quayd and the Young Men in our ward are hiking to the wind caves.  This has to be one of my least favorite places on this earth.  It's just downright not a good place for a dozen silly teenage boys to be messing around!  Deep breath, Sophia.  Deep breath!

Yesterday, I discovered on our record breaking heat day that the A/C in the Expedition is not cooling.  Today, I get to have that repaired.  The guy checked it out yesterday and said it just needs some of that one stuff.  The compressor is working fine.  So, hopefully, there's not a huge leak and it will be the $80 that he mentioned and not some new discovery that costs me $800!  ETA:  I wrote this before going to town this morning and thought I'd hit publish.  Maybe I shouldn't have said $800.   It was$750.  So not amused.  But the air conditioning works great now!

Life is good.  Even with $750 car repairs!  

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  

A poll... and it hasn't nothing to do with politics!

On Friday afternoon, Doug was in his office doing his thing while I was in the kitchen helping Gracie and her friend, Brooklyn, bake cookies.  At one point, I looked out in the back yard and there were eleven kids on swings, tramp, or just hanging around.  Then, the yard got quiet and I assumed that all the action had moved to the front yard.  That's about when Alyssa came inside and said, "Aunt Sophia, ZJ wants you to get your camera because she has something to show you."  I grabbed the camera and as I was walking to the front door, I had this feeling and I asked, "Is this something she wants to show me something that I'm going to love or freak out over?" Alyssa gave a cute little sing-song, "I don't knoooow."  Somehow, I knew that this could not be good.  

When I walked outside, I looked next door toward our new neighbor's home.  They are a delightful family with seven children under the age of eleven.  So far, they are very well behaved children and the parents are very kind and friendly.  (It's wonderful to finally have a good family living next door!  Prayers answered!)  

As I walked to the side of our home, I heard ZJ's voice but I didn't see her.  I did see a few kids just climbing at the bottom of one of the six fifty foot tall trees.  Literally, twice the height of the telephone pole out front.  Literally, one story taller than the neighbors two story with a high pitched roof home.  Literally, half way to the moon!!!!  After a few "Mom!  Look!!!" attempts, I finally found ZJ.  AT THE TOP OF THE TREE!!!!   AT THE TOP, I tell ya!  Along with three of her new neighbor friends!!!  I'd literally had to search for her in the tree and when I saw her, she looked like a tiny little dot!!  Well, maybe not a dot, but tiny!  Look for yourself!?  Can you see her?  She's the top one!  Look closer at the photo on yesterday's post! YIKES!

The tree was swaying back and forth.  For a split second, I saw Bella and Edward at the top of the trees overlooking Forks.  Trying to not completely freak out because I didn't want to A)scare them into falling to their deaths and B) embarrass ZJ to death, I said, calmly, I proudly add,  "Zyanne Jentry.  You are not Bella Swan.  I'm going to take your picture now and then you are going to carefully get down and you are never going to go there again, are you?"  She laughed, but she knew that I was not happy.  

I snapped two shots of them and promptly walked back inside the house and said to Doug, "I'm quite proud of the fact that I didn't just freak out, but now it's your turn to go and supervise our daughter as she climbs down the fifty foot tree next door.  Sorry, but I'd prefer not watching her fall to her death or breaking multiple bones."  Doug chuckled and responded, "Babe, if they fall, they won't fall to the ground.  They'd just hit the next branch on the way down and grab on.  They'd be fine."  I teased back, "BABE!  She's not Spiderman and this isn't a movie!!"  He laughed and went outside.  I didn't hear the conversation, but I'm almost certain that Doug's reaction to Zeej was more like, "Awesome!  WAY TO GO!!!  GOOD JOB!!!"

Oh, and I failed to mention that while I was calmly making my "climb down now" speech, the mother of the other three children who were also in the top of the tree was standing behind me laughing.  Not at me, but she thought my reaction was funny.  I'd not even seen her there, but she'd been working in the yard while the kids were climbing and apparently thought that this was a perfectly fine activity.  (I'm not judging her at all.  I'm just saying that this was what happened.)

Later, I downloaded the two photos.  Doug and ZJ were watching over my shoulder, anxious to high-five her success again.  When we could barely see the kids in the foliage, Doug teased, "Oops.  Zeej, you'll have to get back up there so Mom can take a better picture with better lighting."  NOT AMUSED, MR. C!  ZJ proudly stated, "But, Mom, it's one of my talents!"

And so.  This brings me to my thoughts and a question for the day.  Doug and I were raised so completely different.  I was raised by a paranoid mother, who would dress us up in the morning and let us sit on the couch reading a book, for fear that we might get dirty, get hurt while having fun playing or even worse - kidnapped or murdered while we played on the front porch.  Literally.  This was my childhood... constantly being reminded of all the bad people out there who could harm us and of the dangers in riding bikes, sledding down a hill, walking alone in a grocery store.  At twelve, I was excited to be "allowed" to ride my bike to the driveway of the house on either side of us!! Woohooo!  

A few years ago when we got the pool, when Mom was living with us, going through her chemotherapy.... she said, "Don't let the kids play on that side of the pool with the intake filter because it will suck their hair into it and rip off their scalp."  This is the same mother who told me to never let my kids wear "Crocs" because their foot would get stuck in the escalator and it would slice the foot right off."  My response was "It's a good thing we don't have any escalators in Cache Valley, isn't it."  Literally, I was raised to live in fear.

And then there's Doug, who tells tales of driving the truck into town when he was eight years old.  (He was a farm boy, and they all did this.) He also tells of walking to and playing in the canal a few blocks away when he was three and four.  His brothers tell stories of one brother is the weight holding the board in place off a fifty foot roof while the other brother is standing on the other end suspended out in the air!!!  Yes.  We were raised quite differently.

I know that somewhere...Somewhere in the middle is a good, healthy place for raising children.  Now, Doug points out to me often, "We're still alive."  When he says this to me, he's not being contrary.  He's just calmly reminding me to relax.  And honestly.  It wasn't until my mother moved near us that I ever realized how irrational her parenting had been.  When Quayd plays night games with a group of good, sharp teenage boys in our ward, playing hide and seek in the dark...Mom's comment:  "Oh, he's doing that BAD thing."  When they sleep over at Nana's, which happens less and less as they are getting older, especially for Quayd, they can't play on her porch because someone could see them or it's too cold or it's dark and we have to keep the doors locked.  I'm learning.  And the rebellious Sophia, almost enjoys telling the girls on the rare occasion that we are shopping with Mom, "Sure, you can go to the toy department ALONE. Just stay together."

My closest circle of friends have all commented many times about how much more relaxed I am with the babes than I was the bigs.  Thankfully, because of Doug, I wasn't as bad as my mother, but,  I have finally learned to let them be kids and enjoy the journey.  Granted, I'm still a far cry from cheering them on while they climb a fifty foot tree and I still like them to be together and not alone, but to me, that's just plain safety smarts, not paranoid parenting.  I'm just saying.  Parenting is a complex science!  

SO.  Here's the question of the day.  We've asked everyone we've talked with this past few days and have gotten some interesting responses.  Most men have had no issues with the tree climbing experience.  Most mothers have said, "Are you kidding me?!?!??  THAT tree!?!??!"  The kids wanted me to take a poll and ask.

Would you have been alright with your eleven year old and three younger kids climbing to the top of a fifty foot tree, unharnessed, unprotected?

Feel free to email me or respond on the comments below.  Thanks!  And don't hold back.  I know that I still have a long way to go!  That's another reason that I am grateful for my second chance at parenting!

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.
One is roots.  The other is wings. 

A mother...not amused!

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them, leaves an impression.

Previously posted in May 2006

I apologize for this lengthy entry, upfront. But, I honestly believe that we all need this reminder and often.

ZJ and I were walking through Sam’s Club recently. As she stood on the end of the cart, she would let go with one hand to do her beauty queen parade wave to everyone who passed. Dressed in an adorable pink sun dress, pink jewelry and piggy tails, she did not pass a soul that didn’t wave back and most stopped to tell her how beautiful, cute, darling she looked. She was eating it all up. (What will she do next fall when she has to go to school rather than parading around town with me in the afternoons!?)

At one point in the store, I took notice of a man who I immediately recognized as a Utah Registered Sex Offender. (One thing about living in a small valley is that there are very few secrets.) He walked in our direction, I continued moving and he came right up to ZJ, bent over towards her, winked and said, "Hi!". This time, rather than her normal big friendly smile, ZJ immediately looked at me and then looked away from him. She was absolutely sober, even stoic. I kept moving towards an empty aisle and whispered to her, "ZJ, why didn’t you smile and say hello to that man?" I wasn’t scolding her, just inquiring. She said, "Mommy, he made me scared." I assured her that she was safe and that it was fine to not talk to someone who made her scared or uncomfortable. I think that it was forgotten as soon as she saw the big boxes of Fruit Loops on the shelf. But, I couldn’t help but to be amazed by her wisdom or intuition. Not a word had been said, but she recognized something that wasn’t right.

I’ve spent the past 24 hours in a serious search of my rings that came up missing yesterday. They are still missing. Gracie’s first words this morning, when I asked if she had any idea of where there might be, were "You could pray, Mommy."

When Quayd saw my tears on Sunday, after hearing of the our friend’s second battle with cancer, he said to me, "It will be okay, Mommy. I’m sorry that your heart hurts, Mommy." He then went on to explain to me that a little girl in his class has cancer. I asked him if he was sure and he explained that she had told the class about it and that she’s going to have no hair and have to wear a wig. He has been very-tender hearted about this. As I prepared dinner to take to our friend’s family tonight, Quayd acknowledged that "That’s nice, Mommy, because, now, Sister __ won’t have to worry about cooking for her kids. She’s sick and shouldn’t have to stand up."

From the mouths of babes. I look at these little children, ages 8,7 and 5 and just marvel at the wisdom they already have. I am often blown away by their observations. It’s these kind of observations that remind me that they need to be treated with dignity and respect. Liza and I were joking the other day about a mother who licked her finger and then wiped off her child’s face with it. I’ve never done that. Partly because I hated it when my mother did that to me. Partly because I don’t want to lick my fingers and partly because I usually have a baby wipe handy, if there isn’t a sink! (there’s that OCD again, I know.) Yuck. Can you just imagine how you’d react if a friend did that to you!

I love the story of the mother who heard the doorbell ring and answered it, only to discover her young child standing there. "Why did you ring the doorbell, son?" "Because I love to see your company face!"

One last thought... my most poignant moment at CKU was while listening to Stacy Julian, in a private converstaion, share some personal thoughts on having a child with ADHD. She said that each night, she kisses her little boy and tells him that he's the most wonderful and special boy in the world. I was moved to tears by this comment. This wasn't about Stacy Julian, scrapbooking wonder. This was about a mother, who understands and loves her son more than life itself. Every child deserves to know that they are "the most wonderful and special" child in the world.

So, my thoughts today have been about treating these precious babes of mine with the same respect and dignity that I’d treat a guest in my home. After all, our children are the most important guests we will ever have within the walls of our own home. Today, I’m reminded to speak to my children as I would a friend... with love, kindness and gentleness and not as though they are inferior because of their size or age. I want to smile for them as I do when company arrives at the door. I want to love them as though this is our last day together. I hope that I already do these things but I want to do it better, more. I can’t help but to think that It can’t do anything but make us all happier, right?

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world, there hasn't been, and until the end of the world, there will not be another child like him."

 

what if?

Yesterday, we heard the news that one of Doug's father's best friends had passed away at the ripe age of 81.  His funeral will be on Monday.  Bob was a good man, a neighbor and friend of the family for years.  I believe that he was also the LDS Bishop who conducted Doug's father's funeral when Doug's father, Dale, was killed in an automobile accident.  Dale's death left Doug's mom with their six children, ages six to seventeen. Doug, the oldest, was a senior in High School.  

A few days ago, after pondering something I'd read, I asked Doug what was the worst day of his life. Without even a thought, he answered, "The day that my dad died."  That was  forty years ago this past December.

Yesterday, when we heard the news of Bob's passing, surprisingly, my first thought was, "This was when Dale (Doug's dad) should  be dying." Odd thought because we do not live in the past or waste time wishing or thinking "what if".  We try hard to focus on the positive and learn from the challenges that life brings us each day.  However, several times yesterday, I couldn't help but visit there in my mind a little bit.  Later in the afternoon, we were having a discussion and I said the words, "Well, it probably wouldn't have been that way if your dad was still alive."  And as those words left my mouth, I realized that those words are spoken often in our home.  "If Dad were still here... if Dad hadn't have died..."  We think and speak of Dale often.

Doug's dad passed away five years before I met him.  But, for thirty seven years now, I've heard stories and tales of Dad, Uncle Dale, friend and neighbor Dale that have consistently made me aware that I really missed out by not knowing him!  And it makes me sad.  He was a very social, outgoing, giving man, known for his hearty laugh and his fun-spirited personality.  He was a very successful business man.  He was a good father, an upstanding citizen and known for being the first to lend a helping hand to anyone in need or to build the confidence and spirit of everyone around him. One of the greatest compliments that I've received in my thirty six years of marriage to Doug, coming from an old close friend of Dale's and from his sisters several times over the years has been "Oh, Dale would have just loved you!"  How grateful I am for my own knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives me the hope that I will get to know him one day!

We'll be attending the funeral of this good man, Bob, who was Dale's friend.  It will be a celebration of his life, well-lived.  But, I can't help but wonder, as these thoughts have gone through my mind this morning,  "What if this were Dale's funeral?  What if he had been here for our children and grands?  What if he'd have been here, in the flesh, to be my father-in-law for all these years?  What if Doug had have had his dad to go to with questions and lean on for guidance and counsel all of our years?? How different would our lives be today? Doug says, often, that we have learned lesson and grown in ways that we never would have, had his Dad been here with the family.  That's absolutely true.  But, I can't help but wish that we could have known life with Dale.  And for some reason, Bob's death has really brought that to my mind.  {{Shrugging shoulders}}  Oh well.  It is what it is.  But, it doesn't really hurt to wonder.  Enough said.

Every moment is a golden one for those who have the vision to recognize it as such.

Photo:  Dale and Anna Corbridge, wedding day 1953

short & sweet

I'm off to the doctor this morning for the annual physical.  Lovely.  But, I do love my doctor, who is like an old friend, so I always look forward to visiting with him.  I've got nothing to complain to him about, so hopefully, aside from having four gallons of blood drawn, it will be a good visit.

This week has been a blog bomb.  I've had very little to say.  Perhaps because I've been so tired!  After all, Doug's working lots of OverTime.  Perhaps it's because I have a new addiction and can't stop "Drawing Something".  Perhaps it's because in between drawings, I'm reading Lucky One and trying to decide who will die on the last page.  Perhaps it's because I have been pondering my lesson every spare moment.  Perhaps it's because I just have nothing exciting, new and wonderful to say.  Regardless, I'm glad it's the weekend (ours starts on Thursdays at 3PM).  I can start over next week!  I will.  Enough said.

When all else fails, laugh.

rainy wednesday

Another day of rambling... that's what happens when I have nothing exciting, new and wonderful to share.  Maybe I need to plan a little party!

• It's another rainy, spring day in Cache Valley. It's pouring! I closed the windows and turned the heat on again this morning.  Yesterday, I spent much of the afternoon yesterday, sitting outside on the deck studying my lesson.  Glad I caught the sun while it was there to catch!  Have I mentioned that I loved Arizona? I texted to Liza that I would be an old leathery woman if I lived down there because I could never get enough sunshine!
• Doug's been working overtime, which means going in at 2AM.  Which means, that our lives end at 6PM.  I've been camping downstairs in the family room with the kids so that he can sleep peacefully upstairs.  The phone is off the hook at 6, the "Please do not disturb, Doug is sleeping" sign is on the door and life just comes to a standstill.  I think that last night was the end of it, though!  It's been a rough week, especially for Doug, but, the paycheck is always sweet.  Now, he'll nap a lot this weekend!
• Tomorrow, I go in for my annual physical with my OB/GYN, who I just love!  I can't wait to see him and have him give me a big attaboy on the weight control.  I say control, instead of loss, because my brain has finally captured that this is what it's all about!  Control!
• We've had three funerals in our ward in the past week.  Our ward is more than half, retired.  I didn't know any of these three people and, actually,  only knew of one of them.  I've been hearing details of another family where the children are trying to take control of the parent's finances because of age (or thier opinion of the parent's aging status).  Last week, two discussions were of "It's time for __ to stop driving and turn in their license."  Two different people.  Maybe this is a sign of my own age, but, in my life, I've never even considered these topics.  These were never issues or subjects of conversation in my younger years.  Hmmm.
• Three more words:  Dang coconut M&Ms!  CONTROL, SOPHIA, CONTROL!

Life is good!  And another fabulous quote from President Uchtdorf:

It's your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself
that determines how your life's story will develop.

busy tuesday!

I'm late again today!  I've been to town, ran errands, went to an IEP meeting for Quayd to plan his freshman year (SHOCKER!!!  It's happening too fast!!!) and Denise and I brought home a pizza to watch a movie for lunch.  My mom commented on us going out to lunch and I informed her that I've not been to Chili's since March 15th!  SHOCKER!!!  

Last Sunday, I took dinner over to Carol's for her birthday.  Because we have church so late, I made a crockpot chicken and I ran home in between church meetings to put the rice in the oven.  Carol ranted about my rice and this morning, it hit me that I've never shared my recipe.  How silly does that sound!?  But, seriously, this is good rice.  I learned from my sister-in-law and have done it this way for years!  It couldn't be any easier and plain white rice has never tasted better.  Here's how.

You will need:

1 9x13" pan
3 cups of rice
1 tablespoon of salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick or cube)
6 cups of water

Pour everything into the pan.  Cover tightly with foil or the lid to the pan.  Bake at 350 for one hour.  Then end. Enjoy!  Honestly, you'll never make rice another way again!  Enjoy!  Optional,  for a pilaf type rice, add a package of dry onion soup mix and a couple of cubes of beef bouillon.

 Another random thought this Tuesday is this great little find on Pinterest:

 

That's all she wrote this Tuesday!  Life is good!

Each day comes bearing it's gifts.  Untie the ribbons!

monday musing

What a weekend.  What was supposed to be a stay at home and check things off the list type of weekend, ended up being insane!  We ended up with four commitments on Saturday and not going to any of them. We were trying to squeeze in as much as possible.  As Doug and I were getting ready to run over to a friends 50th birthday open house, we heard Grace start sobbing!  Long story short, she and ZJ had been messing around and ZJ kicked her finger, breaking it in two places. ZJ cried more than Grace. she felt terrible! We spent a few hours in the ER and the only thing I ended up getting done was a quick, but much needed, stop at the grocery store on our way home...and even then, I forgot the cream!  Grace was so funny.  As we were leaving the hospital, she was thanking the medical team.  I complimented them on their speed.  We've never been in and out so quickly.  Less than three hours!  Grace, thinking about her appendectomy stay and not an ER visit, said, "Yeh!  Last time, it was six days!"  She's done much better than I expected and didn't even ask to stay home today from school.  I think she wanted to show off her fanciful finger.

Fifteen years ago yesterday, tax day, we moved into our home.  That's the longest I've ever lived anywhere in my life.  Three years was the longest I'd ever lived in one home.  I'm ready to move again.  We won't, we've decided until the kids are all out of school, but I'm ready.  Until then, I am glad that I love to paint.

Liza and I were skying this weekend while Zaylee was here.  (We had her from Friday night till Sunday afternoon.)  Zaylee came in and asked Liza to play Hide and Seek.  Zaylee would go and hide and I'd walk around the house with the laptop wherever Liza asked.   "Are you under the table?  Are you behind the couch?  Are you in the bathtub?"  Each time, Zaylee would say, "No!  I'm wherever she was."  We laughed and laughed and when I'd set the laptop down on the ground so Liza could see Zaylee hiding under the bed, Liza would say, "There you are!"  Then, Zaylee would say ,"Let's do that again!"  It was hysterical.  I love technology!

It's official!   As of last night's measurements, Quayd is half an inch taller than me!  And he's loving every second of that news!  He called me "squirt" and "little one" and teased me all night long.  I told him that the good part of this is that now, I can start picking on him because it's not nice to pick on someone smaller than you.  He thought about it for a second and said, "Does that mean I can pick on Dad and he can't pick on me because I'm smaller than him?"  Too funny!

Our June Phantom plans have gone from Plan A to now Plan E.  We've gone through both our family calendars for the summer and have, literally,  two weekends that are possibilities and one of them, in August, is only a possible option.  So, the only available weekend for five of the six of us is the week that Gracie has Young Womens Girl's Camp.  Doug has offered to chaperone for her camp, which is three nights and four days.  This week, also, happens to be the same week that Quayd has Scout Camp and Doug usually chaperones for that too.  So, this is already a small conflict, but Doug felt that the girls could use his help because they'll probably get more men offering to go with the Scouts.  

So, now, we're trying to decided what to do.  Grace was in tears when we all realized this at Carol's last night. She lives and breathes for anything with YW.  She is dying to go to Phantom.  We came up with a possible solution... attend girls camp for Wed and Thursday, then Doug could bring her home bright and early Friday morning when we leave for Vegas. She would only miss one full day and the morning that they clean up to come home. But, this would mean that the YW need another dad to go up for one night.  We'll decide asap so that all arrangements can be made.  We have only two other things happening the rest of the summer that couldn't be worked around and everything else falls in one week!

Something about that night and the 100 year mark to the minute gave me chills.  I've been a Titanic buff for years before James Cameron made it famous.  Always had a fascination.  But, last night, for some reason, it became more real than it ever has been.  So sad.

That's all of my rambling thoughts for the day.  It's sunshiny and gorgeous outside!  It was supposed to be stormy.  Go figure.  Life is good!  Actually, it's grand!  Enough said!

Faith in God includes Faith in His timing.

Gracie's surprise....

Middle finger.  Right Hand on a Leftie.  Two breaks.

If you are feeling generous...or kind...or thoughtful...or blessed...

Friday the 13th

Thirteen random thought on Friday the 13th:

1. Doug isn't working today!  We have a whole day together!  Happiness!
2. Today is the last day I can say to myself, "This time last week, I was...." about my time with Liza.  Sadness!  I miss my girl!  As much as I love winter, I've told Doug that I'm ready to move to Arizona.  He reminds me that as much as I love winter, I hate extreme heat.  So, I have to spend a week there in August before I can ever even hint about moving there!
3. I have a mile long "to-do" list.  Where to begin!?  I'm ready to take on the laundry room makeover.
4. American Idol last night was interesting.  I love that the judges are so encouraging and positive toward the contestants but I think that they are over the top and almost being biased in this situation.  I was glad to see the votes last night.
5. With General Conference and traveling, I've not been to church in three weeks.  It feels like forever! I'm looking forward to Sunday!
6. I've decided that the Apple Straws, sold at Sam's Club, are addictive!  LOVE LOVE LOVE them!
7. Last night, the girls and I had pedicures with the glow in the dark polish.  Seriously. It's the little things in life that make it fun!
8. I can not find my Kindle ANY.WHERE.  I want to finish my book and Carol has informed me that I have one week to read the new Nicholas Sparks book before the movie opens.  Please pass where it is?
9. Doug and I went for a walk and I forgot to finish my blog!  OOPS!
10. Found the Kindle!  
11. I think I'll take a little run to Scentinel Candle for some springy scents!  MMMMM!
12. What's for dinner?
13. Better yet, what's for lunch?!

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.  If you haven't found it yet, keep looking.  Don't settle.  As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.  Steve Jobs

I must be hungry...

Well, yesterday, I managed to stay home all day long!  I baked bread, read some, played on Pinterest, enjoyed the sunshine on the deck.  It was a great day!  Then, last night, Doug and I went out for dinner at Cafe Sabor and did a little shopping for necessities.  

It's pouring the rain this morning.  It rained all night long.  Welcome Spring!  I love it!  (Although, the weatherman just announced that it's actually snowing in the mountains.)  I was walking away from Mom's front porch and noticed that her rhubarb is already growing!

If you are in the mood for something sweet and springy, I thought I'd repost this favorite spring recipe of mine... Rhubarb Cream Cake!  I'm not a rhubarb fan and yet this cake is probably one of my top three favorite cakes ever! Everyone rants over this tasty and ever-so-simple cake! Note...A nummy custard will form at the bottom of the pan as cake bakes. It's so simple, so nummy! You'd never know that rhubarb was the fruit in it! My sister-in-law said that she has made this using peaches instead.  I don't know why you couldn't use any fruit. Blueberries would be divine!

Rhubarb Cream Cake

 

1 (18 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix

4 c. rhubarb, diced

1 c. sugar

2 c. whipping cream

Prepare cake mix as the package directs. Pour into greased and bottom floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Spread the rhubarb evenly on top of the cake batter. Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb. Pour 2 cups whipping cream evenly over entire mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.Serve warm. You may add whipping cream on top, but I don't think that it needs it! Store in refrigerator, if there's any left to store. Enjoy!

Today is National Grilled Cheese Day.  Here's a few favorite ways to make a killer grilled cheese sandwich!  Use a tortilla instead of bread. Use something besides white bread!  Be creative!  Sourdough, cinnamon raisin, rye bread.  Spread a little strawberry or apricot jam. Add a little surprise!   Step it up!  It's still much simpler than cooking a full-fledged meal...

photo from Womans Day.com

• Mix up a can of tuna, your favorite way.   Shred in a cup of your favorite cheese, then spread cream cheese on the bread.  Fill the sandwich with the tuna mixture.  On the outside of both slices of bread, butter it well,  grill on medium low until toasty and the filling is warm.  This is to die for on cinnamon raisin bread!
• Spread some butter on slices of bread. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and ripe, slices of avocado evenly.  Salt and pepper generously. Top with the other slice of bread, buttered side out.  Grill on both sides till toasty and warm. 
• Try this one on sourdough bread.  Fill with pepperjack cheese, sliced avocado, slices of fried bacon and thin slices of fresh apple.  Oh my!
• Smash an avocado with a fork, mix in a tsp of lemon juice and half a tsp of salt.    Slice 8-10 grape tomatoes.  Spread the avocado mix, place the grape tomatoes and then add shredded monterey jack cheese.  Butter the outsides of slices of bread and grill!
• Liza and Buddy tried this one and loved it!  2 jalapeno peppers, cut in half lengthwise and seeded, 2 slices sour dough bread,  butter, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1/2 cup jack and cheddar cheese, shredded, crushed Doritos.  Place the seeded peppers on a baking sheet with the cut side facing down.Broil until the skins are blackened, about 10 minutes.  Put the peppers in a zip-lock bag and seal.  Let them cool until you can handle them.  Pinch the skins off the peppers.  Spread the cream cheese on the inside of the bread and butter the outsides. Sprinkle half of the cheese on the cream cheese of one slice of bread, top with the jalapenos, crumbled tortilla chips, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread.  Grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
• This one was nummy!!  thick slices of french bread,  butter, 1 Tbsp blue cheese dressing, 3 Tbsp cream cheese,  2 Tbsp. crumbled blue cheese or feta,  2 Tbsp shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup cooked shredded chicken breast,  1 - 2 Tbsp hot sauce.  Combine the cheeses until they are smooth.  Mix the shredded chicken and hot sauce. Spread cheese mixture on both slices of bread.  Fill with chicken mixture.  Butter outsides of both slices of bread and grill.  Cheese melts quickly, so use medium low heat!
• Grilled Tomato and Basil Slice fresh tomatoes and sprinkle with basalmic vinegar.  Layer a slice of mozzerella cheese, tomato, salt and pepper, fresh basil leaves, another layer of cheese on bread that's buttered on the outside.  Grill.
• Add a slice of ham, pepperonis, turkey, shreded bbq pork, scrambled eggs and salsa, you name it!  Grilled cheese has lots more potential than a bowl of tomato soup!  Enjoy!

It's the company, not the cooking, that makes a meal.

 

just some stuff...

• I spent much of my day, yesterday, thinking of Liza.  She had been asked to share some of her organizing ideas with the sisters in her ward. She was  so excited! We've talked organizing her whole life and last week, she showed me her ideas around their cute apartment. Liza is so much more efficient at this than I am.  It comes naturally to her.  Or maybe it's because she's lived it her whole life.  When she and Buddy were first married, their silverware came with little "hanging" racks.  For five years, she hung every fork, knife and spoon, by color instead of just tossing them into the silverware drawer and she didn't seem to mind it at all.  That would have driven me insane!  Liza takes her time and enjoys organizing.
  
  I was so impressed with their home in Arizona.  Liza and Buddy built a home when they'd been married only two years.  Now, just after their seventh anniversary, their life is more like that of newlyweds.  Buddy's decision to go back to school meant relocating to Arizona into a 600 square foot apartment.  Now, she has to be organized.  She has really worked some miracles in her cute little apartment to be as efficient and organized as possible.
  
  When we talked two nights ago, she said my favorite thing ... "I'm going to suggest that the ladies check out www.mymomrocks.com for more organizing ideas",  referring to my blog.  That was too sweet!  She called me last night, after the class and told me that things went well.  There were two groups of ladies and she loved having the time with them and sharing her ideas.  I'm so proud of my girl!  
  
  
• A few weeks ago, Quayd asked if he could begin taking piano lessons.  Yesterday, he began his first lesson.  He came home all fired up, "I'll catch up with the girls fast, this is my thing!"  When I called him to do something before dinner, he responded, "But, I have to practice!"   We'll see how long that lasts. 
  
  
• I have been loving the details shared in the many Titanic specials on TV. Hard to believe that it was a hundred years ago.  And even harder to believe is the many little circumstances, that had they not happened, the entire tragedy could have been avoided, that trip would have been no different than any other oceanic trip and most of us would never have never even heard of the Titanic.  I'm now anxious to read a book about Violet Jessop, Titanic survivor.  So much to learn!  There's never enough time!
  
  
• My cherry blossoms are in full bloom and all three trees are just buzzing with bees.  Now, if we can just avoid a hard frost, we're going to have a cherry-filled July!  Seeing the blossoms puts my mindset to floating in our pool, catching the sun and hearing the kids enjoying summer!  It's coming!
  
  
• Today, I'm asking for prayers for my cute little friend, Hayley and her husband, Travis.  He's undergoing some seriously nasty cancer treatments this week.  They are young and have two very adorable young daughters.  They need lots of prayers and good thoughts!  Thank you!
  
  
• Other than a nice walk, my goal for the day is to stay home all day long!  Alone!  And I've got plenty to do to keep me busy. We'll see how that works out!   Denise asked me the other day, "Don't you ever get tired of being on the go?"  Yes. I do. And today is one of those days.  
  
  
• We bought a new washer and dryer a month ago.  I've yet to bring them home because I have a laundry room to empty, paint and then decorate.  There's a happy spring project!  
  
  
• Life is pretty dang good.  Here's ten random blessings I'm thankful for this morning:

1. A loving, supportive, fun husband!
2. A fun marriage that's just entered it's thirty-sixth year!
3. Yellow paint!
4. Grass that's getting greener by the day!
5. A blue sky and beautiful morning that's just calling my name!
6. Wonderful friends who I consider family!
7. an awesome camera!
8. glow-in-the-dark toenails and a happy memory to go with them
9. a computer that's still working, even though it's having issues
10. the knowledge and talent to bake great homemade bread, which I'm going to do today! 

 

Life is a great big canvas,and you should throw all the paint on it you can.

sophia's most excellent adventure...the rest of the story

I'm definitely having computer issues.  So not amused.  

Friday, I spent my last day poolside before packing and getting ready to go to our friends, the Burbanks. Liza and I were both thrilled to be able to spend some time with them because it's been years!  We became friends with them when Liza was about six years old.  We'd not seen Kenny and Dorothy since Carol's husband, Jon's funeral, eight years ago.  (We met Burbanks through Jon and Carol, as Kenny was Jon's childhood best friend and neighbor.)  Kenny is the most funny man I've ever known, so we knew that we would be in for some good laughs!  This was a perfect way to end the time with Liza because I knew that my tears would be short-lived around Kenny and Dorothy.

Once Liza was home from work, we loaded my luggage and headed to Burbanks for dinner.  Carol and Taylor were there already and the party had begun!  One of the biggest excitements of this trip for Taylor was seeing Paul, Kenny and Dorothy's 18 year old son, for the first time in years.  Taylor and Paul had played together as babes but as teens, they've been texting regularly for a while. It was so sweet to watch things developing between the two of them.  Paul is absolutely 100% his dad made over, so between Paul and Kenny, my jaws were aching from laughter.  And he's just adorable!  Taylor is such a sweetheart!  Aaahh, to be sixteen again!

I was thrilled for Liza to be able to reconnect with the Burbanks because they are only 29 miles away from her in Tempe, so I felt like she has a family there.  Dorothy insisted that she and Buddy will be welcome for every Sunday dinner for eternity and that they stay in touch, which was comforting to me.  Liza hadn't had any time with Carol either, so she was loving the time together.  I love that Liza still says, "Aunt Carol" because she truly is part of our family!

Saying goodbye to Liza was so dang hard.  Why does it always have to be that way!?   I love that girl so dang much, it hurts!  We'd laughed and laughed with our friends, and then it was time for her to go.  She stayed until after midnight and then I was stressed over her driving so late alone, but she texted as soon as she got home,  a very sweet text thanking me for all of our fun.  I'd expected to be teased for my tears, but Kenny was super-sweet and sensitive about that and then moments later, we were back to laughing and fun.  I appreciated that!  I love this girl!

Insane as it was, knowing that we had a six hour drive ahead of us and Phantom to see,  we stayed up, laughing until we ached until 4:30 in the morning!  Kenny and Dorothy made us a tasty feast of a waffle breakfast and we were on the road to Vegas by 10:30ish.

Penelope, our lovely British GPS drove us around the backroads for 40 minutes until we were out of Pheonix, so we felt behind before we left!  I am going to research GPS because, on top of telling us to turn sharp right into the Grand Canyon several times, she led us on a full loop around  the north end of Las Vegas from the south east side when all we had to do was go straight to Aunt Molly's on the south end?  We were not amused after our Hoover Dam delays!

On our very lonnnnnng drive across Arizona to Vegas, we decided to stop and take a few pix at Hoover Dam.  As we were approaching the dam, we were held at a dead standstill that lasted almost an hour because someone looking at the dam and not the road, ran his car into the side of the mountain.  It took that long to get a towtruck to pull him out of the little water ditch that's been cut out of the mountain.  We took advantage of the time, enjoyed the dam and called Aunt Molly to let her know that we were running behind because there was no way out!

PS.  Carol is not wearing my shirt.  We bought the same one!

Aunt Molly greeted us with a tasty dinner that she'd brought in from Mimi's Cafe, to save us time before hurrying off to Phantom.  We were racing the clock!  No time for showers or anything.  I attended Phantom with flat hair.  (And I'm still alive.)  We made it to the Phantom Theater in time to take some photos and take in the breathtaking sights for a few minutes before it began.  There was a "jello sherriff" who told us no photos inside the theater.  Oops.  I managed to get a few before the chastisment.  Okay, and a few after.  ;)

Phantom.  There is no other word for this show than "BREATHTAKING!"  Literally.  During the entire performance, from the first sound of the auctioneer's gavel until that last note of the organ, violins and flutes, we were either holding our breath, gasping or sighing from having not taken a breath.  It is A.MAZ.ING!!!  From the moment it began, just the opening, 3 minute and 5 second overture was so incredible that Carol leaned over and said, "We could go home now.  We've gotten our money's worth!" This was my third time seeing Phantom.  I have listened to it almost daily for twenty years and seriously, it was like the first time.  I realize that I am Phantom obsessed, but really!  There were fireworks and magic and acrobatics and stunts and the orchestra, you could feel the music!  Taylor sat in the middle.  Her first time.  She held my hand and her mom's hand and squeezed and trembled and gasped.  It was as much fun watching Taylor watch it as it was seeing the actual performance!  And it was over toooooooo soon.  We cried, we laughed, we hugged, we were so thrilled!  And I could not stop thinking of  my girls during the entire show, they have GOT to see this!

As the performance ended, we waited and then were, literally, the last ones out of this breathtaking theater, which has been built specifically for this performance.  An usher asked us if we needed something, as were were still slowly exiting.  I said, "No, we're just trying to absorb every second of it that we can."  He explained that they had to set up for the next performance that began at 10.  "NEXT Performance?!  TONIGHT!?!?  REALLY!?!?"  My only regret ever about seeing Phantom Live is not seeing it twice in a row.  The first time, you are so taken in by the performance and the effects that when you leave, you come out wondering, "How did they do that?"  I've always said that I'd love to see it immediately following, so that I could watch for the "Hows".  We all got this look and went straight outside to find the ticket booth!

We were greeted at the ticket booth by a young man who I asked about ticket prices.  There were $244 tickets and there were $148 tickets available.  I asked him, "But, tell me your best price for your favorite guests of the entire day?"  He started looking and calculating on his computer and offered us pretty good seats for $108 each.  We stepped aside and debated the pros and cons and reached the conclusion that we could either see it again right then or we could come back to see it again before the show ends (in early September) and if we came back to see it, we could bring the girls!!!  Madi hasn't seen it and Grace and ZJ are as much Phantom obsessed as I am.  And that was what we decided to do.  We are now planning our summer girls getaway to see Phantom again in either June or August.  We've already begun working out the details!

After the show, the minute we were in the car, Carol was calling Madi and I was calling Doug.  Remember that this was our anniversary.  Doug and I had seen Phantom twenty years ago,  to the day!  When I told him, "Happy Anniversary!  We're coming back!", he laughed.  He put the girls on the phone so that I could tell them and they were so excited!  ZJ said, "I wanted to scream but Quayd was already sleeping!"Doug and the kids were all at the ranch for a few days.  (What a way to celebrate our 35th anniversary... Doug at his favorite place in the world and me at my favorite performance in the world.  We did talk several times during the day, but we are working on a real anniversary plan now that we are home.)  Have I mentioned that I'm slightly excited to see Phantom with my girls!!!!

After the show, we decided to take a drive down the Vegas Strip and go to the Bellagio to watch the fountains but it took us an hour to drive the strip.  By the time we got to Bellagio, after the Saturday night bazillion people crowds, we were right in front of the hotel when Elton John's "Daniel" began.  It took us the entire two and a half minutes to drive that block, past the Bellagio to their parking, so, we saw the entire fountain show from curbside.  So, we opted to forget parking just tot see it again since we were getting up at 5:30 to head home.

Our drive back to Aunt Molly's proved to be entertaining.  We were not pleased with Penelope's performance, so we'd put her in her case and were depending on Mapquest on my phone, which told us to turn left and go 3 miles to get to Aunt Molly's.  I've been to Aunt Molly's many  times over the years and I knew that we are supposed to turn right.  I told Carol this but it was written in plain english.  So, we turned left.  And then after four miles, at midnight, with us all exhausted, we turned around and went back to that intersection and turned right like I'd known we should have in the first place.  We pulled into the gate at Aunt Molly's, only to discover that it was locked after 10PM.  This left us with only the option of going back to another entry into her development, which I had noooooooooo clue was so huge until we drove around it twice trying to find our way to her home.  By then, our Phantom enthusiasm was dwindling and all we wanted was sleep!  We were all asleep within ten minutes of arriving safely!

Bless Aunt Molly's heart because even though we'd insisted that she not worry about us since we were leaving so early, she was up and made us a wonderful eggs and bacon and hashbrowns and toast breakfast at 5:40! And, she sent us off with muffins from Mimi's Cafe!  Carol must have said a dozen times, "Aunt Molly is a delight."  She really is.  Seeing Aunt Molly was a huge highlight to end my trip on!  I adore her!!

Our trip home, the dreaded trip home... dreaded because we didn't want to drive all day long, dreaded because we hated to see it all come to an end, dreaded because life gets real so quickly, and yet.... I was counting the miles and minutes to see Doug and the babes!  

We stopped at Carol's sister's in Provo for a quick break to return Penelope to her rightful owners and then were on the way again.  As we were leaving, I got a call from Doug, expecting him to be at home wondering where we were.  Instead it was from the ranch saying that Mr. Nobody had left the dome light on in the Expedition for three days and his battery was dead.  There had been two cars pass the cabin all day long and, it being Easter Sunday, he wasn't expecting a lot more.  I called a towtruck in Soda Springs, Idaho and sent it out to him, but before the tow driver was 1/4 of the way out to the ranch, some woodchuck hunters came by and jumped the truck. When I called to catch the towtruck driver, he said he'd send me a bill for $30 and I could mail him a check.  Lovely.But, we'd have had to pay him anyway, and we were all almost home and together!  That's all that mattered!

Our drive home was hysterical.  We laughed and revisited the highlights of the trip, made a few more and the time flew by!  We stopped at Madi's new apartment on our way through Brigham City and then she followed us home to Carol's with the Easter dinner that she'd prepared for us!  Doug and the babes pulled in about 30 minutes behind us,  just in time for dinner!  HAPPINESS!!!!  After an hour or two of visiting and reliving the moments with Doug, we said our goodbyes and headed home to find a very clean house waiting for this mama.

I can honestly say that everything looked great!  They'd unloaded their ranch stuff in the dining room before coming to pick me up, so everyone got busy putting their stuff away.  Other than a few dishes in the sink, some dusting,very needy toilets and seven loads of laundry, there was not much left for me to do!  Happiness!  We all shared our stories and the girls kept asking, "Are we really going to see Phantom!?!?" until bedtime!

Truth be told, however, as friend, Natalie, who'd just returned from a week in Santa Cruz, put it this morning, "Re-entry is hard!"  Coming home after a week of being responsible for no one else's needs other than my own was a fast reality check! "What's for dinner? Where's my green shirt? Will you make cookies today?  Did you remember to pay this bill?  Mom, my contact broke.  I need my new ones today.  I lost my glasses. Go-Go ate part of the bedspread, that's what that fuzzy stuff was.  Mom, I think I'm going to throw up.  I can't go to school today."  Yep.  Real.  Real and fast.  And it's all good.  Vacations are fun, but life is real fun!  I'm glad to be home.

Yesterday, I did laundry, had a fun lunch with Denise, visited my mother for a bit, took down the Easter decor, started a new April tablescape, grocery shopped, paid bills, made dinner and watched Dancing with the Stars.  Doug  told me at 4:30 AM, that Mr. Nobody had left the dome light on his van before they'd left for the ranch, so his battery was dead too!  He took my truck for the day.  That's re-entry, right?   Other than the fact that my heart hurts when I think of how much I'm missing Liza (okay, and the pool)... life is good!  I'm not even spellchecking.  No quote today!  This is a long post and Natalie and I are off to lunch!  Life is so dang good!

Home, safe and sound...

My computer is being wonky.  Perhaps it is because I opened the car door and it fell out onto the road in Arizona.  Just lost the entire weekend's entry...Liza, the Burbanks, Phantom, Aunt Molly.  SO SAD.  Please pass where it went?  I've got a ton to do and no time to redo the entry.    Praying for a healthy computer.  Life is good!  More later, I hope.

PHANTOMENOMENAL!

my girl

My most excellent adventure ~ day 7

Pool time was not nearly as eventful as yesterday.  Thankfully.  And the burn seems to be browning in most spots.  Double thankful!  Today will be my last day poolside at Liza's.  Tonight, Liza and I will be going to visit our friends, the Burbanks, and we will have to say goodbye.  Liza commented last night that planning the last day is depressing, so we should never talk about the last day plans until the last day.  I couldn't agree more.  I hate saying goodbye to my girl!

We had a great girls night out, however, last night!  Buddy came in from school and I drove their car to pick Liza up from work.  I had a few minutes and drove around the Biltmore area of Phoenix, which I was told is where Alice Cooper lives.  He wasn't out mowing his lawn or anything, so I'm not sure which home was his.  There were some very nice homes in the area, most of which were on a gorgeous golf course.  

And now my critique on the homes... Comments are above each photo.  This one looks like a hotel.

I wonder if they have valet parking?


This one was lovely.  I love that spanish flavor.  Gorgeous!  And the grounds were amazing!

This one was a bit dated but there was something about it that spoke to me.  


This one reminds me of the house in the Cameron Diaz/Jude Law movie, "The Holiday".  Doesn't that look like the balcony where she talks to her boyfriend down below with the gardener listening in?  

This was a popular style, but it felt more like a mortuary than a home to me.



And here's my personal favorite... imagine that... it's traditional and looks much more like a family home than a showcase.




I saw an couple out power walking.  They had leathery tanned bodies, she looked a little "perky" for her age (if you get my drift) in her youthful attire, his silver hair perfectly styled...definitely a high-maintenance type couple.  It was interesting because the feelings I had for them were not envy or how would it be?  They looked like an older version of Ken and Barbie, and I'm happy for them to be all that. BUT. I said a quick prayer of gratitude for my simple lifestyle.  When my dad called yesterday, he said, "Baby, you live a charmed life."  And I agree.  I may not live in a million dollar mansion and have money for "body enhancements" but, I have more love and joy in my life than words can say. My life seems to fall in place, giving me the things that I need, just when I need them.  I am happy and can honestly say that I am content with what I have.  I wouldn't ask for more.

After my little tour of the Biltmore area, I was still a bit early for Liza, so I happily sat in the sun and read a bit.  I'm hoping to finish my book today and get started on a new one before I get home.  Liza finished up quickly and we headed to another beautiful mall and the IMAX theater north of Scottsdale.  We had a delicious dinner at a hotspot that was crazy busy.  After dinner, I took Liza on a little shopping spree for a few new work clothes and a new pair of jeans.  I happened onto a couple of pairs of pants for myself too.  (There's perks to losing weight... buying new clothes becomes a need instead of a want!)  

After shopping, we went to see Titanic in 3-D at the IMAX.  Holy cow!  I'd just watched it on DVD about a month ago and it was amazing, the difference.  Worth the money for the experience!  We stayed up way late, or should I say early, talking.  She's not a latenight person, so I'm guessing she'll need a long catch-up nap on Saturday!  Have I mentioned that I adore this girl?  When I grow up, I want to be just like her!

While waiting for Buddy, earlier in the day, I watched last of the Mohicans.  I've never seen it even though we have owned it for ten years.  SO sad.  Beautiful story.  We don't watch R rated movies.  Oh my.  There was no sex or language, but I can't imagine the wars and battles where men had to fight by hand to defend their  freedom, families and liberties.  Unimaginable.  We are so blessed to live today where life is so much easier.  

I just came in from the pool.  Liza texted to ask where my blog was?  Oops!  I thought I'd hit publish.  But, that left room for me to share this photo.  Here's where I have spent most of my day all week long.

And here's the text I received from Stott this morning.  This is what my family woke up to in Cache Valley.  I forwarded it to Carol and she said, "We are NOT leaving!!!!"  ;)

It's time to pack!

I'm feeling a deep gratitude this morning for the week I've had with my girl, for my family who are anxiously waiting at home for their mama AND for my amazing, kind, wonderful, loving,most humorous, gentle, treats-me-like-a-queen husband!  Our anniversary is tomorrow.   I hope that we get another thirty five years together on this earth together.  Each year gets better and better!

Life is so dang good.  Enough said.

 We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

My most excellent adventure ~ day 6

Oh my.  I'm a dork! I couldn't have a week long trip and not have a real blond experience.  That would be yesterday.  Liza and Buddy were off to school and work.  I slept in, blogged, went for a walk, had a bite for lunch and then, finally, pool time!  I gathered up my Kindle, a bottled water, my iPhone and the keys for the pool gate.  She'd hung her keys on the hook by the door so that I could lock up when I went out for a walk and told me to make sure to take the keys to the pool so that I could get inside the gate.  

Twice, Liza has struggled with the key in one of the pool gates and we've walked around to the other. Yesterday, I went straight to the west gate.  The key fit in the lock but wouldn't turn.  I walked around to the east gate.  Nada.  Back to the west.  Twice.  There was a cute young gal in a bikini by the pool.  She's the first and only other person I've seen at the pool all week long.  She was finishing up, so I asked her if she minded opening the gate because my key wasn't working.

She took one look at my key and said, "that's not the right key."  I insisted, "It's the same key my daughter has been using all week long."  She asked if how long they'd lived her and when I told her nine months, she said she was new, so maybe the keys were different now.  Hmmm.  I thanked her and she went on her merry way.

I had the pool to myself, again. It was about 80 degrees out with a slight light wind gust every now and then.  HOT with the sun beating down on me.  Even my Native American skin,I am very cautious about the sun.  I set my timer so that I could "rotissarrie" myself and planned one hour.  

While enjoying the solitude of the pool and the sunshine, I was lying there thinking about the cute bikini girl who'd let me in the gate.  She was early 20s, very cute, very petite, very tanned.  And here I was... all alone in the pool enjoying the fact that I'm 53, married and very much in love to one man, have given birth three times, am not nor will ever be again, the cute tanned skinny shapely girl at the pool, where all eyes would be on me. And I don't mind that a bit!  I could relax and enjoy myself at the poolside, doing whatever, without having to worry about others looking at me and who I need to impress!  There are definite perks to growing up!   

After about fifty minutes, I was feeling the heat, so I gathered my stuff to head home.  I walked to the gate, key in hand and when I went to unlock it from the inside, nada.  Nothing.  I walked over to the west gate.  Nada again.  Twice.  Hmmmm.  I stood there thinking "What the heck?  I know this worked for Liza.  She just had to fool with it for a minute."  I twisted, I pulled the gate, I leaned on the gate.  Nothing.  There's a very nice fitness center about twenty feet outside the gate of the pool and I looked through the tinted windows, in hopes of catching someone's eye.  I could see a few machines moving, but no people.  

After about five minutes of this, I called Liza, hoping she would answer her phone.  She did!  I asked her about the gate, told her my dilemma and she asked, "You did get the right key, didn't you?" I said, "Yes, of course."  She said, "Which key are you using?"  I answered, "The one with Max's wristband on it."  She hesitated and said, "Mom, that's not the pool key.  That's the house keys.  Remember, I told you to make sure to take the one with the lizard on it."  I looked at the keyring. I said, "I thought that it looked more like a snake, but if that's what you call a lizard, I'm good with it."  She said, "Mom, that's not a lizard.  That's a giraffe."   A GIRAFFE?  SERIOUSLY???  MY BAD!

After a few good laughs, she said she would call the office and ask them to send someone to my rescue.  A few minutes later, she called back to tell me that all she got was a voicemail.   So.  I stood there.  And waited.  And then, I decided to just sit down and read.  Eventually, someone would come along.  The pool area is surrounded by palmtrees, but none are down in the gated "island" where the pool actually is.  It was HOT!  I dipped my feet in the pool a few times and continued to move around. FINALLY....

This lady comes walking from a few buildings away.  Very slowly.  Literally, like the bridal march, one step, then the next.  It took her forever to get close enough that I'd call for her.  I asked if she had a pool key.  No.  I could see quickly that this woman wasn't quite "all there".  She was kind, however and told me that she'd go and get help at the front office.  And she left.  Walking the bridal walk away to the east.  Five minutes later, I look off to the west, far away to the west and I see the woman walking on the other side of the west building. Please pass how she got over there?  And so quickly?  There was NO WAY she'd had time to go to the front, several buildings away, and then get back there!

She walked up to the west gate and said hello, as though we'd never talked.  I asked if she got anyone and she suddenly remembered me.  "Uh, yeh.  There will be someone coming around in a golf cart in a little while."  Okey dokey then.  And then she continued, "Would you like me to wait with you?"  "Um, no thanks, mam.  The gate is locked."  She left. And that was the end of her.  

A few minutes later, a nice young man came out of the gym.  I asked him if he had a pool key.  He apologized that his girlfriend keeps it.  But, he said, that he would come back in ten minutes to see if I was still there.   I just sat there and continued to read.  Have I mentioned that it was HOT?

A few minutes later, the gym guy came back over to the west gate.  "Hey,  the woman in that apartment over there just told me that you can pick the lock with a credit card.  She gave me one to show you how."  And then, he proceeded to give me a full tutorial on lock picking with a credit card.  Two seconds later, I was out, had thanked him and on my way back inside Liza's apartment.  FORTY-FIVE minutes AFTER my planned hour had ended!

During the whole experience, I was reading and texting with friends telling my crazy story, talking with Liza and laughing so soooo hard!  I was HOT.  I was alone, locked in the pool in the hot sun, but I was laughing HARD.  And not once did I think about the sun!!!    I dipped my feet in the pool when I got really hot to cool off but I wasn't thinking about the sun!  And today, I. AM. FRIED!!!!  I slept with almost nothing on.  I lathered on the Melaleuca After Tan all night long. (Seriously, there's never been a better product invented for sunburns!) I'm not sure how much sun I'll dare get today.  BUT.  I got a great laugh out of the experience.  Liza and I were texting back and forth and it kept her co-workers all entertained for the afternoon!  Silly me!

Our plans for the temple changed abruptly later in the afternoon when we discovered that temple closed at 1:30 during the Pageant.  Our plans for the Pageant changed when we learned that we needed to be there early and in our seats.  The freeway rushhour put Liza and Buddy behind schedule.  Buddy wasn't feeling so great.  I wasn't feeling the best.  (Maybe it was all that sun!)  As we were deciding what to do, their friends, Liz and Chris texted to invite us over for dinner.  So, Liza and I ran to the grocery store for some fruit and dip makings, then we went off to the Lewis' for dinner and Farkle.  A very fun night!  I love their friends!  

Today.  Some more pool time, probably with a shirt on!  This afternoon, dinner and shopping with Liza and then tonight, we are going to see Titanic at the IMAX!  Tomorrow, the plans are still up in the air.  I'll either be saying goodbye first thing in the morning or a few other possible options and then, Carol, Taylor and I are on our way to Vegas for a short overnight visit with one of my favorite people in the entire world, Doug's Aunt Molly!  ANNNNND PHANTOMMMMM!  Honestly.  I'm ready to be home with Doug and the babes, but I'm not ready to part with my girl!  I adore Liza.  More than words, more than thoughts, more than anything could ever express!

At home, the kids are gearing up for a fun weekend with their dad!  He's got big plans for them.  I'm getting antsy to see them all.  My 35th anniversary is Saturday.  It will be our first anniversary ever apart.  We spent our 15th in LA seeing Phantom.  Seeing it on our 35th is awesome but it would be nice to do it together!  ;)  We celebrate our 35 years every day, so really, it's okay.  Life is good.  Busy, crazy, sunburned, but good!  Very very good!  Enough said.  

And speaking of marriage...Today's quote comes from Liza's friends', Chris and Liz's wall.  I need this sign!  

My most excellent adventure ~ day 5

Liza took the day off work so that we could have an entire day together.  She had big plans and kept us going all day long and I mean all  day long!  Too much fun.  At 8 in the morning, we dropped Buddy off at his internship downtown Phoenix.  He works in one of the "tall" buildings.  I was quite shocked to find this little home smack dab in the middle of downtown Phoenix, in a lot that has been cleared all around it for development.  I said, "Look!  It's the UP house!" (The kids movie where the old man won't sell the home that he and his wife owned forever and he didn't want to leave her memories when they developed a city all around it.)  It made me sort of sad to see this home and think that possibly someone had a real life situation just like that.  I can't believe downtown Phoenix.  It's a very pretty city, very clean.  And it has an Up house.  Note:  This photo was taken in the parking lot of Buddy's building.  There are skyscrapers all around, I just couldn't get to the other side to take the shot with them in the background.

After dropping Buddy off, we headed to the bank where Liza works so that she could introduce me to her co-workers.  She's told me that it's in a very elite area of Phoenix, but seriously?  It's a beauuuutiful bank!!  Liza works in the branch that is on the grounds of the corporate offices and wow!  That's all I can say.  Lovely. Her co-workers were very kind and friendly.  I'm so glad to know that she has a place of employment that she can enjoy!  

From there, we went to Arizona Mills, I think? It's a street of eclectic shops and stores with a heritage feeling.  Awesome!  Then we went to a huge outdoor mall that had everything from Nordstrom to Baby Gap. We had a ball shopping and laughing at anything and everything along the way.  It felt so good to laugh with my girl!  We found a candy shop with candies from when I was a child and had to try that and also we discovered "glow in the dark" nail polish, which we bought and made plans for pedicures later in the day.  I loved going to the World Market, which Marilyn introduced me to a few years ago.  There, I bought the worlds smallest vase which will be perfect for putting the dandelions that ZJ picks for me all summer.  Cute.

After shopping for a few hours, we picked Buddy up and drove out to Chandler for a very late lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  We were able to eat outside on their covered patio and it was a perfect afternoon for eating outdoors and listening to Jason Mraz.  Lovely!

We headed home and then got ready for some poolside card playing.  We played hand and foot and traded seats with each round so that we could be evenly exposed to the sunshine.  It was so nice out!  We didn't get into the pool, but we did dangle our toes for a bit while we chatted some more.  Buddy was taking a nap inside, so we were in no hurry to come inside, especially since we'd had such a late lunch.

Buddy had a Stake Bishopric Training Meeting at 7, so we dropped him off at the Stake Center, then Liza took me to a fabulous walking park.  It has a half mile loop around this beautiful man-made lake.  There were ducks and tons of people walking dogs and playing frisbee.  Beautiful.  It was right at sunset, so it was the perfect temperature for a nice walk.

When we got back home, we had our little pedicure party, painting our toenails a glow in the dark pink, while watching an old favorite movie, Yentl.  (I know, everyone hates Yentl, but we love Barbra Streisand!)  Once our toes were dry, we went into the bathroom and sat in the dark on the edge of the tub, wiggling our glowing toes and laughing.  (It doesn't take much to entertain us!) We couldn't wait for Buddy to come home so that we could show him.  He wasn't nearly as excited as we were.  Imagine that. ;)  Here's my attempt at taking pictures of our toes in the dark...you can see some little blotches on the screen...those are toes.  Don't they look like happy toes!?

Since we'd had such a late lunch, it was their dinner time at about 9:30.  I ate an apple and called it good.  We talked some more and called it a day.  Liza and Buddy went to bed and I watched Dancing with the Stars on my laptop until I fell asleep.  A very very good day, indeed.

In the meantime, at home... the kids are spending the days with the B's.  WENDY IS A SAINT!!!  They go home as soon as Doug is home from work.   ZJ called about fifteen times last night.  One call was to tell me that she wished she had some pie.  I said, "Why don't you make one?"  (I knew that there was a graham cracker crust in the cupboard.)  So,  a bit later, she called again to tell me that she'd made a banana strawberry cream pie.  She was quite proud of herself!  She also told me that she'd read my entire blog at Aunt Wendy's house. She said that since Taylor and Aunt Carol and I were making up phobias, she'd made one up too. Quayd got sand in his hair after playing and she said he had "Sandruff"!

This morning, when ZJ called,  Quayd sounded like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I told him so.  A few minutes later, he called and said that he'd gone back to bed and this time, he woke up on the right side.  HA! Gracie shared that she'd made ribbon eggs at Young Womens last night and she can't wait for me to come home so that she can make some more!  It was then that it hit me that I've left their Easter stuff all prepared but hadn't thought about coloring eggs.  I'll have to leave instructions for that with Doug. (Oh, my poor kitchen.)  

Carol and I chatted last night for a bit and changed our plans a bit.  We'll not be getting together to go to our friends, the Burbanks', until Friday now.  This gives me one extra night with Liza and Buddy.  Their cute, fun friends, Chris and Liz had texted last night, wanting to get together again before I go, so this will allow for another fun night with them!  It works for me!

Today, Liza's at work.  I'll spend the day reading by the pool, taking a couple walks and then getting ready to go to the Mesa LDS Temple and then to attend the Easter Pageant that is held on the temple grounds.  Carol went last night and said that it is magnificent!  Happiness, to be here for this event!

It's obvious, I'm having a great time, but there's not too many minutes in between my thoughts of home and kids and Doug.  This little break is really a shot in the arm for me.  I keep telling myself that it's good to be apart, it boosts the appreciation level!  I think it's even working both ways!  ;)

Wise parents must weigh when children are ready to begin exercising their own agency in a particular area of their lives...If parents hold on to all decision-making power and see it as their ‘right,’ they severely limit the growth and development of their children.  Elder Larry Wilson, LDS  General Conference, April 2012

my most excellent arizona adventure... day 4.

It was a quiet day for me, all alone at Liza and Buddy's.  They'd gone to work early and left me alone with Oops.  I slept in, went for a long walk, sat in the sun reading, had lunch and came back inside to enjoy a three hour nap!  That's more than I sleep some nights and call it a full night!  It was divine...and apparently much needed. 

Here's a picture of my cute girl, Liza, in her jammies.  I love her as much as she'll hate that I posted a picture of her in her jammies!  It's just so fun being with her every second! 

Liza and Buddy came in from work at about 4:30.  Buddy had taken the night off. which was excellent for us!  We went on a drive through a little neighborhood that reminded me of Fools Rush In and then to Ikea.  Oh my!  Fun store!  We came out with little damage, but I did buy the funkiest throw I've ever seen.  Love it.  I want to go back and buy another one to make pillows.  After Ikea, we went for dinner at Pei Wei.  So tasty!  There was tons leftover to bring home.  Good food.

The kids, especially ZJ, are really missing their mama.  It makes me sad.  I'm just stunned by ZJ.  She's always the big tough girl in our family and she's really having a hard time with me gone.  I asked Doug to give her some TLC.  He said she's really struggling.  Tonight, while the other kids are at YM/YW, I'm hoping he'll take her out for a little treat or something to make it special for her.  This is one of the hardest things, for me, about being a mom of bigs and babes.  I need this time with Liza, but the babes need a mama. Sigh.

Liza has some fun things planned for today while Buddy is at school and his internship.  Lunch is the only thing I'm certain of...Cheesecake Factory for lettuce wraps! She's taken the day off work, so it's just going to be the two of us.  I'm excited to see her "hot spots".  Loving it here, but I admit, I'm feeling a bit guilty for leaving the babes and Doug.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I keep telling myself.  Life is good.  Very, very good. 

My quote today is another LDS General Conference quote from Elder Evan's talk:

Our most important work in this and every other endeavor is always within our own home and family.

fun stuff!!!

We left on Friday, the minute that Carol walked out of her classroom.  I was waiting for her in the parking lot.  We headed to her house, threw my stuff in the car and were off...off in a hurry to get to Salt Lake City... just in time for rush hour on the busiest night of the year in the city.  (LDS General Conference was the next day and half a gazillion people are in town!)  We were amazed at the traffic, from the on ramp to the freeway in Brigham City, north of Salt Lake all the way down to Payson, south of Provo.  Insane!  That part of the trip, which normally takes two hours took us almost three and a half!  It was as though everyone was heading south!  BUT.  Once we were past the cities, we made great time and ended up in St. George at 11PM. 

We checked into our room and couldn't get over how warm it was outside!  There were still people in the pool but we were all so tired that we just got ready for bed, checked our emails and went to sleep because we knew that we had a big day ahead.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early and ready to roll!  We'd asked the guy in the hotel for the best way to the Grand Canyon.  He recommended the North Rim and gave us directions.  The signs told us a different way and the GPS, a lovely woman with a British accent, told us a different way. The guy at the hotel might have wanted to let us know, before telling us to go to the North Rim, that the NORTH RIM IS CLOSED UNTIL MAY 15th!  (A little lesson in hotel management 101 would be to inform guests of seasonal closures of major tourist attractions.) We drove an hour and a half out of our way, as a result of this lack of information, only to find the entrance barricaded with a giant CLOSED til May 15 sign.  The drive, the scenic route, was one breathtaking view after another, most of the way, which made the little forgotten tidbit of info worth the drive.  But, with gas priced at $4.19 a gallon, the closed sign was a little pricey mistake.
 
Oh my heck!  When we stopped for gas, I opened the door to get out and take a picture of the AZ/UT state line sign to send to Liza so she'd know we were on our way.  My laptop fell OUT OF THE CAR and onto the street!  I freaked!  I said a prayer.  So did Carol.  And so far, so good!  BUT I was mortified!  The extended warranty ran out three weeks ago!  Oh.  And that little town behind this Arizona sign would be "Colorado City", the town of Warren Jeffs and the polygamists community.  We were amazed at how run down and dirty the town was.  No paved streets, cluttered.  It just felt strange.  Sad.

Northern Arizona is quite barren.  Beautiful red rock cliffs, and not a tree to be found for miles and miles.  It never ceases to amaze me, God's beautiful Earth.

Two hours later, at the end of the road, near Jacobs Lake AZ, which is the town that's 40 miles from the North Rim, I went inside a little lodge that looked abandoned and found three young men who gave me a map and directed us towards Flagstaff, another two hours away, and then to the South rim of the Grand Canyon.  This part of the drive was not so beautiful.  Barren desert land with occasional trailers or yurts, the most impoverished place that I've yet to see in our beautiful nation. I can't imagine living in the desert in a trailer or lean-to, like that.  Many many roadside stands that were barely sheltered and these people have to make a living at in the extreme heat.  This made my heart hurt for the Native Americans in the area. We met some very beautiful women who were extremely talented jewelry makers when we stopped for this photo.  Notice that Taylor is suffering from severe Raviniadescendia in this photo!  (See below...our biggest laughs!)

 

The GPS, which I named "Penelope", kept us entertained with her "in .2 miles, turn sharp right" every two minutes.  Literally, she would have had us turning into the Grand Canyon.  Here's one of the places she told us to turn into: The dirt road ended about 100 feet beyond!  What's up with that?  And then there was the hour that she didn't tell us anything...we feared that we'd offended her with our snarky comments back, including, "Got it, lady.  Now, Shut it!"


By the time we took the real turn off to the Grand Canyon National Park, we were excited to see it and the view completely changed to these massive crevaces in the land, filled with beautiful red rocks and breathtaking scenery. 

As we pulled into the park entrance, the Park Ranger who took the $25 entrance fee asked if we had any small children in the back.  Carol told her that we had a 16 year old and commented on the strong winds.  The ranger said, "Yep.  The winds get pretty strong and when it's like this, you have to be careful cause little children can be blown right into the canyon."   She said it as though it happened every day, as casually as "Please pass the salt."  We got a big laugh out of that.  There were lots of laughs.

The canyon is amazing.  Seriously A.MAZ.ING!  My eyes filled with tears immediately as I took my first look down on of God's most magnificent creations!  It was breathtaking.  I literally could hear the words to the hymn that I posted yesterday.  IN AWESOME WONDER! 

 We took pix, climbed to the top of the lookout tower for an even better view, then took more pix.
 






More pix later.   We were there at the canyon for less than an hour.  Unless you are going to find a donkey to ride down, there's not much more to do, but I could have just found a quiet spot and gazed for hours. Definitely a place that can't been seen without a prayer of gratitude for this beautiful Earth! 



During the entire trip, Taylor rode in a crowded backseat (We'd all over packed and I was bringing a ton of stuff to Liza). Taylor kept saying, "Is my door locked?  Lock my door, please."  As always, when we are all together, we get silly.  I suggested that Taylor has "scratziofaciobia", a new phobia that I created... meaning that she had a fear of falling out of a moving car and getting her face all scratched up.  From then on, we began to create new phobias.  While at the Grand Canyon, we diagnosed Taylor, who is not a fan of heights, with Raviniadescendia, which is a fear of falling into the Grand Canyon.  I, the germaphobe, who has issues with germy hotel rooms, have Lodgiacomfortitis, which is a fear of germy hotel comforters and "Logdgiaunibuttitus", which is a fear of germs on universal remote controls in hotels.  (We call the remote, "the buttons".)  We stopped for Subways in Flagstaff and after the store manager followed me to the pop machine to make sure that I got water and did not steal a free refill of pop, it was decided that he had "worriaeightcentsia", which is a fear of someone stealing eight cents of pop from them (or being overly cheap!)  After Carol and Taylor left me at Liza and Buddy's, Taylor sent me a text saying that she had "longayswechitus", which is a fear of a long hot sweaty night.  It was 95 degrees when we got to Tempe!!!

Maybe you had to be there, but we had great laughs from our little phobia game.  It passed the time and kept us laughing for hours!  I have a feeling that this will be a new thing to do whenever we are together!  Other time passing fillers were playing Encore, where you have a word and everyone takes turns coming up with a song using that word until no one can think of one anymore.  We played Scattergories without pen and paper and we told lots and lots of stories.  And I'm not allowed to mention the treats that were brought along.  ;) 

Liza was waiting outside for us when we arrived at 5ish. It was so good to see her!  Carol and Taylor only stayed a moment and then left to get to Carol's mom's.  Buddy didn't get home until after ten, so we ordered the best pizza when he came in.  We sat and gabbed till midnight.  Liza and I went for two walks and had a great visit.  I remember when my mom would come to visit me and bring me lots of surprises and how much I loved that.  I'd brought one suitcase that was filled with nothing but things for Liza.  So, we had fun going through her new things.  Liza kept saying, "Mom, you look so good!" which made my day!  I assured her that after a week here and two trips with Carol and Taylor, I'll probably gain ten pounds! The goal is not to!  Hence the two walks! 

Liza and Buddy were great hosts yesterday.  It was such a strange feeling... I'm visiting my daughter and her husband in their home in Arizona.  I've never spent the night with Liza in her home.  When we woke up, Sunday morning, they made a lovely breakfast of sausage, eggs and cheese, homemade hashbrowns and homemade without a mixer totally by hand like the pioneers cinnamon rolls!  And the entire meal was fabulous!!!! 

Following a day of watching LDS General Conference (which was amazing and incredible), we took a drive to Gilbert to see the new LDS temple that is being built. Buddy and Liza both talked about living in AZ forever and that this would be a great place to land when he's done with school.  While there, we met a family who were just as friendly and outgoing as could be.  The woman's BYU shirt started the conversation and we found that they had roots in Cache Valley. His name was Scott Jackson, who is also the name of the brother of my good friend, Kara.  So, that made us all feel like family.  We had a fun time visiting with them!

After the temple, we raced back home! Buddy had made his famous spaghetti and sausage in the crock pot. They'd invited their new friends, Chris and Liz, over for dinner and games and we played cards and games until very late.  Lots of laughs and fun and the food was heavenly!  I just loved their friends.  Chris and I immediately started teasing each other and it felt like we were all old friends in no time!  Fun!  I feel great knowing that they have "family" here!

We went to bed right after they left and I was stunned when I woke up this morning to the sound of Doug calling during his 8:30 break from work!  I never sleep in that late!  But, it's vacation, right!?  Today, Liza and Buddy are off to school and work and I am here alone for the day.  I'll be going for a walk, spending some afternoon time in the sun, reading by the pool and then tonight, Liza and I will play some more. 

Meanwhile at home, ZJ, surprisingly, has called a dozen times a day to tell me that she hurt her foot, it's snowing, it's snowing more, what she's eating... I think she misses her mama.  Quayd has connected with his Touch and Gracie, who was so sad that I was leaving has said hello on the phone twice.  I think that she's busy being the mom at home.  And the funnest thing... Doug is learning to text!  My goal for the week was to have him learn to text with me.  My favorite text so far, made me teary-eyed... I sent him a photo of me standing at the Grand Canyon.  His response: "Wow!  Two wonders in one picture."  And that is why I adore this man so!

  My quote for the day, from General Conference yesterday is from, yet another, amazing talk by President Uchtdorf...it's a must hear, see, listen to for everyone, LDS or not!  LOVE THAT MAN!  It's beautiful here. It's not as hot today. It's always breezy. Life is good!

“This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon,” he said. “When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm—please apply the following: Stop it!”

How Great Thou Art

Oh, Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds they hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee.
How great though art!  How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee.
How great thou art!  How great thou art! 

lucy and ethel?