Desertbound

Released

2012-01-08T17:42:00.003-07:00

I was released today from my calling in the Relief Society. Strangely, I was too busy in December to post my contribution to our monthly Relief Society newsletter - so at the gentle prompting/reminder of a friend, here it is, short and sweet.

As the seasonal celebration of our Savior’s birth commences, we as a Relief Society presidency wish to express our love for Him and for all of you. Hundreds of prophets assured countless people down through the ages that He would come as Savior and Redeemer. And He did! Just as the song by Hillary Weeks says, “It was like there’d been a drought, and every word He spoke was rain...” He truly brought life, hope, love and the only way back home. Please know that our testimonies of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ burn as brightly as the Christmas lights on our trees. We may be small individually, but together we can light the world! We love Him. We strive to serve Him. We testify of Him and know that He not only lived long ago, but He lives today as well.

In his name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Wrappin' it up for 2011

2012-01-01T20:15:00.003-07:00

Happy Holidays!

Hopefully this finds you all enjoying life and loving those in it. Our blessings are being counted and we are truly grateful that you are one of them.

Mayflower (13) is in 8th grade at Orion Junior High School. Her choir teacher chose her as student of the month last spring. Her braces came off and she flashes that smile around all the time! She continues her voice lessons, YW activities and babysitting jobs. She hiked 17.5 miles with me, Rock and Uncle JT up and down the infamous Half Dome in Yosemite with what appeared to be a smile on her face and a skip in her step. Upon further questioning by myself and the benefit of hindsight, she just wanted it to be over:) We then headed to St. George and hiked through the breathtaking Subway canyon with sisters, cousins and friends.

Michex (19) just finished her 3rd semester at Weber State. She has become a valuable employee in our office at Wasatch ENT & Allergy and it was hard filling her shoes as she took the summer off to go to Camp Sugar Pine in California with Scout as a camp counselor. We also nicknamed her “the Destroyer” as she took a sledge hammer to the side yard fence I wanted taken out and basically took the whole thing down herself!

Scout (21) has just finished her 5th semester and has completed her Associates Degree at Dixie State College. She took on the challenge this summer of accepting the position as ART Director at Camp Sugar Pine and had to assess, order supplies, clean, stock and then manage and teach all the art classes in the Art Barn at the camp. She was maid of honor for her best friend, Karli (technically our daughter #5) so we were all able to celebrate that day in September with the new Mr. and Mrs. Nick Brophy in Panguitch. Scout is now heading out on a new adventure as a nanny for a family in Glenview, Illinois. She leaves January 6.

Shematite ~(23) has kept herself either on the stage or in the garden this year. Both of which are her passions. She played one of the stepsisters in Into the Woods, was a chorus member in Curtains and now has a small role in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum which opens New Year’s Eve. I have given her free reign in my flower gardens and they are always beautiful and well cared for. Moving into a small house in Washington Terrace with some dear friends/roommates in September took her closer to her Terrace Playhouse and her job as Dr. Major’s nanny.

Rock ~ has finally given in and told the girls that boys are still yucky, but that they have to date them anyway in order for some grand babies to eventually show up. It was an interesting conversation:) Just to let him know that they were all on board with it, the 3 eligible ones had a group date at our house last weekend complete with spaghetti dinner and gingerbread houses.

We enjoyed our nephew Bid D staying with us for the summer, helping us with the “honey do” list. Many hours were spent with the chainsaw taking down the much too tall maple tree in our yard this summer. It’s a good thing we took it down on our schedule rather than having the BIG WIND Storm take it down for us. Rock loves being the Teacher’s Quorum advisor and was able to take the 14 & 15 year old young men in our ward on a canyon adventure I am sure they will never forget. Best. Hike. EVER. He and I also got to sneak in a quick trip to Mesa, AZ to visit his parents and their new house.

Desertbound ~ I love my calling in the Relief Society and being able to serve the sisters in my ward in some small way. After meeting a sweet, beautiful lady coming down the trail of Half Dome in Yosemite who had just completed the Lake Tahoe Ultra marathon (yep - 100 miles) and watching her stride, my goals as a runner shifted a little bit. I will take endurance over speed any day. But for my stage of life right now, I do what I can. That includes running a 15k on July 4th with my brother-in-law Wildman, several 5k’s and the funnest one of all so far...The Dirty Dash 10k! Rock, Michex, nephew Kyle and several friends from work joined our “GOT SNOT ENT” team in September and had a great time playing/running in the mud at Soldier Hollow. I am looking forward to many more happy miles!

It was probably not a good thing that all my preparation for Half Dome was physical rather than mental, because it was the toughest mental challenge I have faced in a long time. Go ahead and google some images of the Half Dome cables. You’ll know what I am talking about:) Thanks JT for going ahead of me and being my inspiration.

Our hands and heads may be busy with work and school but our hearts are always full as we count our blessings, renew our faith, grow our testimonies and serve others in the Gospel.

Our Savior lives. We joyously celebrate His birth and life.

2011-12-11T22:19:00.002-07:00

Scout leaves January 2nd for her new job as a nanny for a family in Glenview, Illinois. For a year!

More later:)

Yosemite

2011-11-01T20:48:00.005-06:00

Yes - Our trip to Yosemite was clear back in August, but it still needs a belated mention in the blog archives. So forgive me because here it goes...

Jaw - dropping.

That is the the reaction I had when JT, Rock, Mayflower and I turned the corner in Yosemite Valley and saw El Capitan for the first time. This is one of those places where pictures are worth a thousand words and yet just don't do justice to the scope of the landscape. I was simply speechless at times.

The first day in Yosemite Valley (hereafter known as "the Valley") was spent leisurely sight-seeing, taking photos and gathering some last minute trail beta and tracking down some gloves to use on the chains of Half Dome. We camped outside the park in a campground called Yosemite Pines. It was about an hour away, but the accommodations were much cheaper than in the Valley.
August 8th - Half Dome Day ...8.5 miles up to the top....which means 8.5 miles back down:)
Start time: approx 6:20 am
Rock, JT, Mayflower and I (DB).
Waterfalls - 2 major falls plunging hundreds of combined feet. Mist, moss, rainbows, weeping rocks, etc.
Breathtaking views - numerous at every corner.
Towering granite formations - always in view.
Trees stretching to the heavens - a forest full of them.
Until we got to the "shoulder" of Half Dome, Mayflower was the youngest person on the trail that I saw. Out of 400 permits for hikers that day, I saw only 2 boys younger than her.
Now about our little Mayflower. I am pretty proud of her. She was literally the energizer bunny (thanks in part to a little Zipfizz in her Camelbak) that kept bopping along the trail in front of us, waiting patiently as I took pictures and never whined or complained. She wanted to turn back twice (1. as she made her way up the granite steps cut into the shoulder of Half Dome and 2. when she first saw "the cables" to the peak. Her fear of heights and the exposure put tears in her eyes. It turns out that her fear of being left behind to sit and wait was greater), but only when her strength literally gave out and she could not safely pull herself up the cables did she wisely turn back. Rock turned back down the cables with her to make sure she got down safely and I was left to follow JT and pull myself and the camera up to the top and document his bucket list check mark. I had not prepared my upper body for this at all! Legs and cardio were no problem, but the dozens of pull-ups required while trying to keep my mind focused on putting one foot above the other while keeping a tight grip on both cables was one of the toughest things I've done in a long time. I kept thinking that if I turned around, JT would have no one to take his picture at the TOP! That, and the thought that I just might not get here ever again. ( A sad side note here - for some reason I can't get my pictures of Half Dome to upload here. Please see them in my facebook photos).

So, I hauled my sorry carcass up those blasted cables, never looking down, and blessing my garden gloves the entire way. I am extremely grateful that Mayflower wisely decided not to continue up the cables. She pushed herself past her limits as it was and I am very proud of her for knowing her abilities. JT and I enjoyed taking photos on top of Half Dome and marveling at the view of the valley. The "shuffle-slide" back down the cables was much easier for me. It felt like rappelling:) Only with much more concentration required seeing as the "rope" was missing. It was still very slow going, though, because those people coming up the cables have the right of way, so those going down scoot over as much as they can and let those pulling themselves up go past.
As the 4 of us made our way back down the trail, our water ran low. But knowing that we brought a water filter eased my mind. As we came back to the river to filter water, it was discovered that a small crack in the filter we noticed that morning had grown to the point that it was virtually unusable. The nice couple that we told to meet us at the river and we could fill up their water bottles were sadly out of luck as well, but extremely kind and forgiving. It was fun getting to know June and Brian from LA.

So we hustled down the trail, JT and Mayflower taking the slightly longer but less steep way we had come up, while Rock and I ventured down the Mist Trail to see another waterfall. We all met back up together near the end and finished the hike in just over 12 hours. Thirsty, hungry and tired never felt so good!

First of all, special thanks need to go to Little T for her amazing permit-getting skills. Without her, this special trip never would have happened. Next time for sure!
Second - My big bro JT rocked! It was so fun to share this adventure with him. It was because of him that I made it to the "TOP".

And last - My Rock and my Mayflower. You amaze me. You both made this adventure ...priceless.

August Relief Society presidency message

2011-07-30T22:51:00.003-06:00

Here is my quarterly contribution to my Relief Society's monthly newsletter....(was that confusing enough?) I love my calling:)

One day this past week I found myself alone, laying in the warm sand of Zion National Park next to a hidden waterfall in a beautiful side canyon with some very rare “alone time” on my hands. I took the opportunity to meditate and pray in gratitude for the love that I felt from my Heavenly Father for allowing me this precious gift. We all feel our Heavenly Father’s love in different ways, and for me, I often feel it the easiest when I am enjoying His creations. I am reminded by Elder Bednar in the October 2009 General Conference that ....”Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others... It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him.”

Remember the challenge to look for and acknowledge the ways that you see God’s love for you in your life. Record them. Share them when appropriate. And not least of all, please know that as Relief Society sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you have all of our love as well!

I won!

2011-07-10T12:19:00.002-06:00

In reference to my post of May 23...I won! It certainly wasn't easy, but it will be well worth it. I am so grateful that through fasting, prayer and the work that I do for a living, I have been given the knowledge and understanding to know my way around health insurance companies, policies, procedures and appeals. I was notified yesterday by my health insurance company that my visits with the "Voice Doctor" will be processed to my in-network benefits:) I receive my next treatment on Friday July 15. Happy Day!

2 for 1

2011-06-12T15:09:00.003-06:00

Last Monday, Scout and Michex ventured forth for a summer at Camp Sugar Pine, a Girl Scouts of America sponsored resident camp. They spent a night in Panguitch and picked up best friend Karli and then spent the next night in St George visiting cousins and Aunt Bethany and Uncle Brandon. They reached camp safe and sound (as far as I know) because Scout called me Friday night and told me all about how she had spent the day cleaning out the Art Barn. She swept, dusted, wiped, inventoried, cleaned out shelves and drawers and then swept and mopped again. She was planning on painting some of the bulletin/cork boards the next day. They can only get cell phone service about a half mile away from the camp, so once the campers arrive, Scout and Michex won't be leaving the camp to make phone calls or anything. So.......! Here is the mailing address:) They would both love to get letters from anyone!

Jet or Jazz
Camp Sugar Pine
Box 4398
Camp Connell, CA 95223

For the protection of their staff members, the camp has them go by a nickname.

Scout = Jet

Michex = Jazz

Karli = Smalls

It would seem that my house is quite a bit quieter and somewhat empty for the summer. Not so! Rock's nephew, Dallin (Big D) has taken up residence in Michex's empty room. Since he graduated from Ben Lomond high school a couple of weeks ago and is currently under employed like a lot of people in today's economy, the "rent" of $200.00 he was being asked to pay at home was too expensive for him. So he happily helps around the house and especially in the yard in exchange for a bed, pillow, food and shower. I think I am getting the best end of the deal:) He is sweet, cheerful and gracious so far and Mayflower loves doting on him. He has helped dig out unwanted fence posts and railroad ties, mow lawns, re-stack wood piles, clean out the shed and fix broken sprinkler pipe. We also enjoyed having Rock's parents parked in our driveway for a couple of weeks with their 5th wheel. They have gone up to Idaho to spend the summer and will stop by again on their way back home to Mesa, AZ in the fall. We sure love having them!

Shematite's play, Into the Woods opens this coming Friday, June 17th.

Get your tickets online at www.oldbarn.org

So that is what is going on in our neck of the woods!

Done with that!

2011-05-23T19:12:00.002-06:00

Well. I just sent appeal letter #2 to my health insurance company last week. Apparently the only doctor in the entire state that comprehensively treats the voice disorder that I have, and that I have been seeing for over 3 years, is not a contracted provider for the new health insurance company that we switched to in September through the school district. So I have been balance billed for the 2 treatments I have received since then. $500.00 each. I can't afford any more balance billing, so I won't be getting any more Botox treatments for my voice unless I win the appeal, or until September when we have the option of enrolling in a different health plan. So I will apologize now for using up valuable energy as I try to battle feeling frustrated, fatigued, emotional and withdrawn. Any prayers would be appreciated. There you have it. Wo is me.

Okay! Done with that! Shematite and I went to the nursery on Saturday and picked out lots of fun flowers for her to plant and take care of . It makes her GIDDY:) She is also busy rehearsing for another play this summer - Into the Woods. She plays one of Cinderella's step sisters. More info on that will be forth coming. Michex took a power tool to the side yard fence and took it down. We now call her, "Michex, the Destroyer". Mayflower is finishing up school and had fun running on the track team as a seventh grader in the 800 m. Scout is home from Dixie and she and Michex are eagerly preparing for their departure in June to Camp Sugar Pine in northern California to work for the summer. Scout will be the art director and Michex will be a unit counselor. I look forward to running a few miles out on the trail once in awhile. It seems to keep me sane:)

"Spiritual Revival in my Heart"

2011-03-23T18:08:00.003-06:00

I was reminded today, as I had the privilege of singing with my sister Bethany at her sweet friend Stacy's funeral, that music has a special power to comfort and heal hearts. Best friends do the same thing:) Sweet Stacy's husband said to us with love and tears of hope and healing in his eyes that, "that was the most beautiful song I have ever heard. It was like a spiritual revival in my heart."

YES - The plan of happiness is in place, the atonement is accomplished, the resurrection is assured. Thank you Stacy for the beautiful example of friendship and love.

LHS

2011-03-23T17:16:00.005-06:00

We spent the last weekend in February up at Lava Hot Springs with the"clan". Rock's parents, Bob and Karen, gave us a night at the Aura Soma Lava Convention Center as a Christmas gift to our family. We decided to buy another night and invite Rock's sisters and their families and have a huge cousin slumber party! It was a blast:) We played games, swam in the private hot pool on the property, ate yummy food and laughed until we cried. Definitely a do-over.

It snowed a lot the night we drove up there. We wished we had brought our snow clothes and boots so we could have built a snow cave and had a snowball fight. Instead, the kiddos got really hot in the pool and then had a "who can lay in the snow the longest in their swimsuit" contest. Ashlyn getting a big hug from Uncle Rock.
Mayflower, Kyle and his friend Kelsey.
All the cousins (and some tag-a-long friends) enjoying a hot soak!!
Playing games.

Eryn, Teran, Kyle and Dallin playing Just Dance.
I hope we can make some more memories next year:)

Job Well Done

2011-03-01T09:12:00.006-07:00

Due to chronic arthritis, a tooth abscess and cancer, our furry friend Milo was gently laid to rest at Li'l Dew Ranch last week. We are so grateful to Wildbound, Wildman and the kiddos for loving him, taking care of him and making all his herding "jobs" important:)

Dear Milo,

May the sheep be fluffy, plentiful and slow.

May the thunderstorms be muted and short.

May the rubber tires be forever detached from the lawn mower.

And may the Hands that scratch your ears and rub your tummy be gentle and warm.

Keep up the good work! We'll see you again:)

What transpired at the lunch table.

2011-01-29T21:31:00.006-07:00

Today at our lunch table (as opposed to the dinner table), the conversation went something like this...

Michex: (While eating a lemon cupcake) Hey. This tastes like Christian Bale.

The rest of us: Huh?

Michex : Christian Bale is lemon. If he were a flavor, it would be lemon.

Me (DB): Well, in that case, what flavor would Robert Downey, Jr. be?

Shematite: Dark Chocolate.

Me: Jude Law

Shematite: Caramel

Me: Who would be milk chocolate?

Shematite: Ryan Reynolds...with strawberries.

Me: How about cinnamon?

Shematite: Will Smith

Michex: Chocolate covered cinnamon bears!

All: Ya!

Harrison Ford?....Allspice/gingerbread

Clint Eastwood?....licorice

James Franco? Reese's peanut butter cup

Apple pie?...........Toby Mcguire!

Cookies & Cream?.......Zachary Quinto!

Gerard Butler?........ mint chocolate chip

Judd a.k.a. "Fabio" ( the newest winner of Survivor)......anyone? anyone? Pina colada!

Me: Okay girls. So who would be Rocky Road?

Shematite: (without missing a beat) ...Sylvester Stalone!

Family news in the traditional letter kind of way...

2011-01-18T20:01:00.005-07:00

Here’s the low-down on the family for 2010!

Mayflower (12)~ Entered the Young Women program in April. Backpacked over 10 miles each way into the Grand Canyon to Havasupai in June with her mom, dad, grandparents, and various aunts, uncles, cousins and friends! Enjoys voice lessons, but has discontinued piano and tumbling. Loves roller coasters and skinny jeans. Hates to be alone in public places (won’t even walk to the next aisle in the store without someone with her). Likes to crochet and make friendship bracelets, but hates pudding, applesauce and pizza with sauce. Passed the Canyoneering 101 course designed by Rock by hiking, downclimbing, swimming and rappelling through Keyhole Canyon in Zion National Park. Performed in The Crucible this past fall at the Union Station under the direction of Aunt Chelsea and Uncle Caleb. Got braces on her teeth and helped her 7th grade girls flag football team win the 7th period championship! Likes banana bread, but hates bananas.

Michex (18)~ Graduated in May from Weber High School. Enjoyed all kinds of singing, dancing, performing and playing that came with being in Chamber Quire and Play Productions. Hated saying good-bye to lots of school friends, but loved being able to still go to girls camp as a youth leader and perform in the Arise Youth Spectacular. Has chosen to study Theater with an emphasis in technical design at Weber State University. That means lights, sound and cool stuff like that! Works part time at the local Arby’s, but will soon be joining our team at Dr. Major’s office as one of our front desk receptionists. Loves cheesecake, but hates confrontation. Continues to share her vocal talents with local sacrament meeting congregations. Loves soft pretzels, lemonade and banana bread, but hates bananas.

Scout (20) ~ Completed her 3rd semester at Dixie State College in St George (and just started her 4th). Enjoyed studying Art, Visual Technology, RA responsibilities and ninja skills. Promptly left the borders of the United States after spring semester to perform with her Dixie State Raging Red show choir in CHINA! Came back. Flew to Maine and worked/taught at Kamp Kohut for the summer as a camp counselor specializing in arts and crafts, outdoor skills and rock climbing. Loved the kids, hated the humidity! Loves taking friends hiking in Zion and hanging out with Aunt Bethany, Uncle Brandon, Kass, Mitch and the Coombs family in St. George, but hates pizza, gravy of any kind, girl drama (you know what I mean) and excuses. Currently is serving as the Relief Society 2nd counselor in her student ward. Likes bananas, hates banana bread.

Shematite (22) ~ Smashed the Terrace Plaza Playhouse’s previous attendance records by bringing the house down each night she performed as Milly in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers last winter/spring (a proud mother has the right to exaggerate to make a point). Discovered her green thumb and brought the flower gardens in the yard to life and new heights this summer with her meticulous, daily attentions. Enjoyed a couple of classes at Weber State University during the summer, but struggles with major depressive disorder and anxiety. Loves FOOTBALL and that means Peyton Manning, but hates it when the Colts lose and when her pants don’t fit right. Loves movies, but hates both banana muffins (especially if they have chocolate chips in them, because that is just taunting) and...bananas!

Rock ~ Finally got a new calling! Was released from the Elder’s Quorum and called to be the Teacher’s Quorum advisor. The fun is just beginning:) Instructs Fremont High students not only in Math, but driver education and tennis as well (which frequently adds up to 14 hour days). Continues his quest for his Master’s degree in Teaching with Technology. Says that there are too many things he loves to list here and too few things he hates to bother remembering what they are. Apparently has a beef with Associated Food Stores for their decision to discontinue the distribution of his favorite Brazilian beverage, Guarana. I must add my displeasure as well. Ran two 5k’s with his honey (Yep! That’s me!)...simply because he loves her- not running:) Loves both bananas and banana bread....and Hallmark Christmas movies!

Desertbound ~ Hmmm....what a year! I have thoroughly enjoyed my calling in the church as the Relief Society 2nd counselor. LOVED hiking into Havasupai and can’t wait to go back again. Loved trying a little bit of trail running and found what feels like a new lease on life with the increase in energy I feel. It also keeps me sane:) I have been working long hours and overtime at Dr. Major’s office trying to implement new electronic billing software as well as electronic medical records. A work still in progress. I hate the fact that I need sleep. I loved floating in the Great Salt Lake this summer, but hated the bugs. Loved making memories with my family and friends on various adventures, including hiking the Subway in Zion, hiking Ben Lomond peak and mountain biking in St. George. Hated making the change back to standard time and losing my daylight in the evening in which to run. But never fear! Daylight Savings Time will soon appear:) Oh! And I hate bananas, but LOVE banana bread!

Looking back at the previous year always helps me feel extremely grateful for all of our blessings. Even events or conditions that appear to be trials have helped us draw closer as a family and closer to the Lord. We see His hand in our lives. We know He lives. We hope this new year brings an uncommon sense of gratitude to you all. We are certainly grateful for all of you.

Who'd a thought!

2010-12-19T17:41:00.004-07:00

I feel a new blog post coming on...stay tuned...

Eh. No time like the present:)

I have never come into the holiday season feeling so emotionally drained. Luckily, I guess, that gives me the opportunity to really fill up my "bucket" with the wonderfulness of the season as well. I have been able to enjoy Mayflower's first junior high Christmas concert, make a gingerbread house with my girls, rehearse with my ward choir (performing our program on the 26th) and sing with as near to a full voice as I am able because of the timing of my latest Botox injection. Rock and I slipped down to the Ogden Tabernacle last Sunday and joined in the annual Messiah sing-in. Apparently with the remodeling of the Temple in the works, the Tabernacle may not be available next year and the organizers of the sing-in warned that this may be the last one for awhile. I am glad we went! I have also found new Christmas music favorites on Pandora radio. Who'd a thought! I have been blessed to go visiting with my RS presidency some of the sisters in my ward and have been truly touched and strengthened through them and their sweet testimonies that they have....And! Scout is on her way home from Dixie State as I type!

I have also had to learn the art of letting go of some things, which I may or may not elaborate on at a later time:)

But most of all, I hope.

Dang it!!

2010-11-21T21:29:00.004-07:00

Well. The befuddled bafflement mentioned in my previous post has given way to ... hmmm... I really don't have any idea what. That is probably why I haven't posted any thing in weeks.
After 7 weeks and finally a round of antibiotics for what appeared to be a bad sinus infection, Shematite's physical symptoms have improved. Unfortunately, she had to drop all of her classes at Weber State. The mental and emotional struggle still goes on, however. I am grateful that we have at our disposal so many great tools, knowledge, understanding, support of friends, family and special visiting teachers and home teachers. I am grateful that Shematite is and always has been the BEST laugher at my attempts at humor. I love coming home from work and making her laugh. We talk lots. We cry even more. But most of all we are traveling through this life with the understanding that maybe we are here to help each other learn what we need to learn about compassion, empathy, judgment, mercy and TRUST. It helps me to think that the Lord TRUSTS her with the obstacles that are in her path. I am learning to trust her as well.
For some people, pain is a private matter. I've learned that it's pretty exhausting to maintain that all of the time. So if I seem to be telling it like it is, please forgive me. I'm learning to dang-well enjoy the dang journey...dang it!!

Baffled

2010-10-08T06:34:00.002-06:00

Isn't it cool that the word "baffled" sounds like it means?

Anyway...

Other than the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, theses have been the longest 23 days ever!!!
Shematite has been very sick. Headache, body aches, sore throat, nausea, some abdominal pain, but most of all, overwhelming fatigue.
Dr. #1 - on day 8, Strep test...negative
Dr. #2 - on day 15 @ the Instacare...hmmm, " it's going around, here's an antibiotic and some cough medicine. Get lots of rest."
Dr. #3 - on day 20 ...Mono test...negative
Dr. #4 - is on Monday if she is not better
Dr. #5 - is on Tuesday to follow up on my one last hunch.

Please keep her in your prayers!

August Rushed

2010-09-12T07:58:00.017-06:00

Mayflower and I were on our way to our annual Stake Birthday Bash last night to volunteer at the cupcake walk when she commented on how fast the summer seemed to fly by. She then stated that they were only going to keep going by faster.....
I agreed, but secretly thought, "Really!?! You are only twelve! How do you know this?"
I have intended to post our August activities oh, for about 3 weeks now, and really only have the excuse of working lots and being busy, just like everyone else. So! No more excuses! Here's the lo-down.

August 6 - My Birthday! I took the day off work and went for a fun little hike with my Rock, Mayflower and nephew, Parker. White Pine Lake near Tony Grove was beautiful! I got a fun surprise upon coming back to the trailhead. Our friends, Joe & Cindy from St. George, were there at their family reunion, so we had a quick chat and a big hug:) Then we headed to Crystal Hot Springs and enjoyed a nice soak.

School started! Mayflower headed off to junior high with a spring in her step, new contacts in her eye balls and best friend by her side.

After making a practice run the week before to see how long it took, Shematite and Michex were extremely disappointed and frustrated when they learned that it doesn't take 30 minutes to ride UTA to Weber State. It takes a freaking hour and a half! To this day, we try not to talk about it. But! The great news is that they both like all their classes, Shematite thinks her astronomy professor is The Bomb ( his name is Prof. Armstrong! How cool is that!) , Michex has a costume construction class that seems super fun and it's just fabulous to see them enjoying their higher education experiences so far:)

Scout made it back from her summer camp counseling job at KAMP KOHUT in Maine. Her new friend she met there, Ashley, lives in St George and they planned to travel home together. Ashley made the flight reservations, unfortunately, from Portland, Oregon...not Portland, Maine. This was discovered as they were leaving camp and arriving at the airport in Portland. Needless to say, reservations had to be canceled and re-made at the last minute and they got to ride a bus to Boston and spend about 20 hours at the airport people-watching! When asked if she would work at a camp again, we got a resounding YES! But, maybe not that camp. She would prefer something away from the humidity of the east coast:)
The last weekend in August, we headed down to Dixie to see Scout, take her a vehicle and do a little bit of hiking in Zion. Mayflower passed the Canyoneering 101 class by going through Keyhole with Scout, Karli, Makenzie, and her dad.

Even though it is not officially August any more, we had some fun on the warm Saturday of Labor Day weekend floating in the Great Salt Lake with my sister Kira and her boys ...

...and then hiking Ben Lomond Peak via Inspiration Point on the cold Monday. I had never actually floated in the lake nor set foot on the peak before, so these were some of the highlights of my summer. JT, Little T, Parker and Em joined me, Rock and Mayflower on a breathtakingly beautiful day! A little nip of fall was in the air as we first made our way up the dirt road and then hiked the ridge to the peak:) JT then treated everyone to milkshakes in Brigham City at the Peach City drive-in.

For those of you who have read this far- everything above this line in my post inadvertently got published before I was done adding all the photos and finished writing and editing. I had minimized the computer screen Sunday morning to get ready for church and just came back to finish it at about 4:30 pm and found it published with 2 comments already! I thought I had clicked 'save as draft' , not 'publish post'. Sigh...Oh well:)

August 21 I ran my first ever 5k race! I signed up Rock, Shematite and Michex to participate also and I had so much fun running with my family! After spending all spring training for the hike into and out of Havasupai in June, I really did not want to lose momentum and the fitness level I had gained, so I started running a little bit back in June, and yes, it hurt. But I imagined it hurt a lot less than a heart attack would, so I kept going, slowly. After believing for so long that running was "bad" for my body and hating the pain and fatigue I felt every time I tried to do it a little bit, I was really happy with the change that was brought about in my attitude, perspective, beliefs and my stride by reading the book Born To Run. I can't continue preaching to my family about health and cardiovascular fitness as a crucial part of provident living if I am not willing to do what I want them to do. So, in spite of working 8-10 hours a day, I decided I needed to set a better example and prioritize. After all, my honey works way more hours than I do. And guess what? I now belong to the CAN camp and not the CAN'T camp any more- which, in my mind, answers the rhetorical question, "what good does it do to be able to hike across the Grand Canyon but not be able to run for help if needed?"... Plus, I feel happier and healthier than I have in years. And...running doesn't hurt any more:)
I am now looking forward to my favorite season...Autumn! Enjoying a crisp evening outside, being able to almost smell the leaves changing color, and making homemade caramel and dipping apples makes me want to take a big, juicy bite out of life and savor every moment! Thanks for making my life richer and sweeter!

Perspective

2010-08-08T09:04:00.014-06:00

Thanks to Wildbound, I have a new perspective on...life. Apparently, in order to get these...

Everyone around me has to put up with this...!

MmmmmHmmm.....:p

Dearest Em

2010-07-30T22:05:00.002-06:00

Dearest Em,
I thought of you while I was at work today. I loved seeing your bright, brown eyes and beautiful smile the other day and most especially loved the hugs I got from you and your brother. I also thought of the fact that I learned a little bit more about you and some of the things you love. Animals! In all shapes and sizes and colors! I knew this, of course, but I came to the realization that you and I may have something in common that might surprise you a little bit.
A few years ago I lost something that was very precious to me - my ability to use my voice the way that I wanted to and was used to doing. I LOVE to sing and I miss being able to do it to my satisfaction so very much. I know you have such a big heart that misses having a furry little something to snuggle, pet and love. I hope that someday, there is a way for you to have all the special, furry friends that your heart desires, but until then, just know that I understand your frustration with your allergies and what appears to be such an unfair thing in life. Elder Worthlin from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this in his last conference talk...

The Principle of Compensation

"...understand the principle of compensation. The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

This has given me a lot of peace and hope. And believe you me, I am going to hold the Lord to His end of the deal!

I imagine great things are in store for you and your family, as well:)

Until then, know how much I love you, your brother and your Mom & Dad.

Hugs & Kisses,

Aunt Heather

Summer reading, summer not.

2010-07-17T20:58:00.003-06:00

I just finished 4 books that need to be ranked in the "page-turner/can't put down" category.
I have realized that I don't have time for much fluff and my reading preferences have now fine-tuned themselves to include very little fiction. So if you want to learn about 4 compelling, true stories, I highly recommend these books (not listed in any particular preferential order).

1. Stones into Schools - the sequel to Three Cups of Tea that I mentioned in a previous post.
The continuing story told by Greg Mortensen of his and his non-profit organization's (the Central Asia Institute) efforts to build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

2. Blind Descent - the story of the "race" to find and document the deepest cave on Earth - the last known terrestrial discovery. Wow! The rigors of deep caving are described as something like rappelling down El Capitan, in the pitch dark, with a waterfall pounding on your head and then climbing back up - over and over again for weeks at a time, but don't forget to include the digging in tight spaces for hours at a time and diving into "sumps" of unknown lengths and depths.

3. Born to Run - by Christopher McDougall. "A hidden tribe, superathletes, and the greatest race the world has never seen".
OK, I seriously laughed out loud while reading this book, all the way through to the point where tears streamed down my face as I choked back sobs at the end! I've never been a "runner". The last time I remember feeling any joy at all while running was clear back in my childhood. But ...this week, I felt it, out on the trail of the Ben Lomond bench all by my little lonesome self as the sun was setting. And you know what the best part was? I was grinning ear to ear at the END of the trail... because it felt so good to remember!

4. Deadliest Sea - by Kalee Thompson. The Untold Story of the Greatest Rescue in Coast Guard History. Don't like cold water? This is the story of a fishing trawler that sank in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska in March 2008 and the ultimate rescue of 42 of the people on board. The story itself needed to be told, but author Kalee Thompson was dead-on in her story-telling and fact-based time line accuracy and research. Kudos!

The People of the Blue-green Waters.

2010-06-20T07:17:00.019-06:00

Havasupai certainly left it's mark. Not just on my feet, but on my heart as well. I guess that is what the Grand Canyon does.
Rock, Mayflower and I returned from our little adventure over a week ago and I have struggled to not only find the time to post on my blog, but to also come up with any descriptive superlatives that really do it justice. So, instead, I am just going to fall back on my list of "favorites".
1. Watching my daughter, nieces and nephews do SO WELL! I was amazed!
2. Not only is Havasu Creek beautiful, but the canyon is as well.
3. The pleasant realization when we got to the village that there were only 2 miles more to go and I didn't feel all that bad!
4. The incredible blue-green water.
5. Sleeping on top of my sleeping bag, under the stars.
6. Grandpa Bob playing his harmonica.
7. Did I mention the incredible blue-green water?
8. Marveling at the searing heat of about 105*.
9. Being pleasantly surprised at the composting facilities:)
10. Laughing at myself and Cowboy Bob trying to have a conversation near the roar of Mooney Falls. He without his hearing aids, and me without a voice. Hilarious!
11. Napping in the shade at Havasu Falls.
12. Tossing my Tevas to the bank of Havasu Creek after they both lost their souls (there might be some kind of metaphor here) and watching one land on shore and the other float on down the stream, imagining it forever caught in the tumbling turbulence of Mooney Falls. This was also my biggest disappointment. Wardrobe failure. It kept me from hiking below Mooney and hiking back up to the New Falls where everyone was jumping and playing. Hmmm...guess I'll just have to go back!
13. Watching the kids accomplish hard things! Yea! Like making the descent to Mooney Falls!
14. Oh, and the beautiful blue-green water!
15. Getting a lukewarm hamburger and hot dog at trail's end back on Hualapai Hilltop from native villager "April".

We "slept" at the trailhead the night before hiking in. "Slept" is really a rather broad description of laying in the back of the car (for Mayflower, it was sitting in the front seat) listening to the wind and the loud boy scouts for most of the night. We started hiking before 6 am.

Bethany, Mitchell & Parker reach the bottom of the switchbacks and take a break and take in the view.

Kassidy!

8 miles down. 2 to go!

New waterfall created by the flood of 2008

Bright blue-green water of Havasu Creek right by our campsite.

JT enjoying the soak.

Cindy, Joe, Tristano, Nicoletta, Desertbound, and Rock @ Havasu Falls (photo by Lil' T).

The Emster playing in the falls!

Mayflower @ Havasu Falls

Hanging out at camp!

This is what a vacation is all about.

Some of the crew heading to Mooney Falls.

One of our favorite things to see on a hike! Warning signs!

Breathtaking Mooney Falls!

Mayflower, Emily & Kassidy posing just below Mooney Falls.

Early morning At Havasu Falls.

The hammock @ Havasu.

Aunt Carol & Uncle Kevin taking the plunge near the new falls!

Blue-green water I tell ya...

Last night in camp. Mayflower loved sleeping in her hammock! We got up at 4 am the next morning and hiked the 10+ miles back out.

1.5 miles to go!

Back to Hualapai Hilltop in 4 hours 40 minutes! Thanks to those who offered "mule space" and lightened our loads!

15. But the absolute best part of this adventure was, of course, sharing it with my family, the new people of the blue-green waters.

Special thanks to Tristano for all the coordinating efforts!
....OK .....Now. When can I go back?

Class of 2010

2010-06-13T19:17:00.003-06:00

Our amazing, sweet, intelligent, talented, beautiful Michex is movin' on up. She graduated May 25, 2010. We enjoyed throwing her a little BBQ celebration that evening and loved having the support and company of friends and family there.
She is planning on continuing her education at WSU in the fall and is currently "pounding the pavement" in search of gainful employment! GO MICHEX!

April 28, 1998

2010-05-13T07:35:00.005-06:00

Yes. The day my sweet, wonderful little Mayflower was born!
8 lbs 15.5 oz.

Trial Lake 1998

October 1998

Pink Cliffs 2002

Below: Kindergarten

Left: Coyote Gulch 2002
Below: Climbing @ the Gap 2004

Disneyland 2006

Far Left: Lake Powell 2007
Left: Antelope Island 2008
Below: Fall 2009

And these are just some of her friends...the ones that made it to her birthday party. We had lots of fun making necklaces, playing games, having ice cream sundaes and playing DODGEBALL!!

Love you, Mayflower!

Errand of Angels/ May Kaleidescope Message

2010-05-09T10:33:00.001-06:00

Once again it was my turn to write the ward RS message for our monthly newsletter.

As April showers indeed start turning into May flowers, I can’t help thinking about the beautiful blooms that always seem to come around Mother’s Day. Gardening in my flower beds always reminds me of my own amazing mother whom my girls call Grandma Judy! She truly is blessed with a green thumb. Houseplants eventually wither and die from neglect if they are left in my care, but under her watchful, loving touch, they bloom and flourish.
Unlike houseplants, we have a choice as to whether or not to remain under the watchful, loving care of our Gardener. We can also provide that same care to others in need, spiritually and temporally, as we become tools in the Gardener’s hands.
The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name.
“You sisters do not know the full extent of your influence. You sisters enrich all of humanity. All human life begins with you. Each woman brings her own separate, unique strengths to the family and the Church. Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry, “Do I look all right?” “Do I sound OK?” “What do people think of me?” A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.
James E. Faust, “What It Means to Be a Daughter of God,” Ensign, Nov 1999, 100
All our love and prayers are with you on this errand of angels!

Tagged by Kassidy

2010-04-30T19:47:00.005-06:00

I was tagged by Kassidy to post a link and/or video of a song that I like.
Here it is.
A Jon Schmidt arrangement of Taylor Swift's Love Story and Coldplay's Viva La Vida.
I tag Shematite, Scout, Dreampacker, Panguitch Joe and The Rock:)

" It's spring back at the farm!"

2010-04-25T10:18:00.006-06:00

I know, I know. It's been weeks since the play ended, I'm way behind on my blogging and that line I'm sure has been taken already. But I love it!
Gideon goes up to the hunting cabin and tries to convince Adam to come back to the farm.
But unlike Adam, I am perfectly willing to go where ever spring is! And by the looks of things lately, and the number of times the lawn has had to be mowed, it's actually here to stay:)
What an absolute joy it was to watch Shematite and the rest of the cast of 7 Brides perform each night and truly get better and better every time! I ended up only missing 2 1/2 shows and I wish I could have seen those, too. Thanks to the WONDERFUL, TALENTED directors Maud'Dib and Sayyadina who brought out the best in everyone. And a truly deep down thank you to all of those who made time in your schedule to come support and cheer on Shematite. Some of you came from very far away and it is greatly appreciated. I love you all.
And now what is Shematite up to? Summer semester @ WSU! Yea!

Time for a change.

2010-03-14T20:10:00.007-06:00

I have a confession to make.
I loooove Daylight Savings Time!
Yes. I love "losing" an hour! I will gladly give up that hour over and over again in order to have more daylight in the evenings.
I remember as a kid, growing up in Morgan, on summer evenings running from one end of the backyard to the other just as the sun was setting, feeling the warmth on my face, smelling the fresh cut grass and feeling sheer JOY. We would play No Bears Are Out Tonight and have hoppity horse races. All this after 9:00 pm! Sigh...
Next confession.
I love the smell of sunshine. You know what I mean. When the kids come in from playing outside on the first warm day of Spring, you give them a big hug, take a deep breath in, and....Heaven!
So for me - DST must come in order for the smelling of a little bit of Heaven.
It's been a long cold winter. I'm looking forward to puttering around in my yard, playing in the dirt and planting flowers after working at a computer for 10 hours a day. And with the time change, it will actually be light enough after dinner to do just that! Oh! And go for a trail run, too!

But, enough of that. Here's what's going on around here.
Rock - School, Driver's Ed, Master's class, gave up daily Dr. Peppers in exchange for green tea.
Shematite - Has gotten proposed to 9 times, married 18 times and has not even been courted! Go see the play! She's amazing!
Scout - Dixie State college RA, show choir is going to CHINA in May and she will be a summer camp counselor at KAMP KOHUT in Maine starting June 8th as a rock climbing instructor and art instructor.
Michex - performed in AIDA @ WHS - simply AMAZING! Recruiting and practicing for the Youth Spectacular in July, looking forward to Graduation May 25th.
Mayflower - Youth Council at school. Planning her 12th Birthday party, tumbling, voice lessons, piano lessons and READING like crazy.

Here are some photos of Michex going to the Sweetheart's Dance in February, which was girl's choice, and the Junior Prom last night. Fun stuff.

Research Study

2010-02-07T09:31:00.002-07:00

Here is a link to a research study that I participated in with the U of U. It basically consisted of a very lengthy telephone interview.
http://www.utahvoice.org/pageview.aspx?menu=5462&id=11915

If you are interested, click on the New research for risk factors at the top of the page.

The funny thing is that after seeing all of my mom's siblings together in the same room last week, I want to call the University and change my answers.

Hot Chocolate & Lemonade

2010-01-29T07:31:00.005-07:00

Hmmm. Well. Now that I have some nine grain crunch bread toast and Italian amaretto hot chocolate, I think I can sit down to the cold keyboard and do some blogging. I have the day off and those that are leaving for school have left and those that have late night play rehearsals are not awake yet. Which means I have a quiet moment to myself - rare indeed.
My Grandpa passed away this week. I immediately thought of the last time I saw him a couple of months ago at my cousin's viewing (the irony is not lost, believe me). He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug and smile, then turned and saw my little Shematite. Her eyes were shiny bright as Grandpa Earl held her face in his hands and whispered, "Beautiful!" His hands stayed on her face as he gazed at her for much longer than I expected. She met his eyes unflinchingly as he seemed to soak in all her glowing-ness and love. I don't know what they were thinking, but I was thinking, "Yes! She is the best part of you and me, and everyone that helped create her, isn't she!" I hope he understood that in some way.
Don't our children need to be smarter and stronger than we are? It seems that we constantly pour all of our knowledge and experience into them when they are "little" and then expect them to "wait for us", "don't run ahead - you'll get lost". Do things this way. It has always worked.
Work, shmerk.
The only thing that has always worked (besides my Dad. And he has yet to make a list!) is having faith in my Savior, and applying the principles of the Atonement as I try to live the Gospel . And understanding that there just might not be any real "trials". Just the adventure of mortality coupled with agency, which we all signed up for. So how do I learn to perceive trials as adventures in mortal learning and experience? Up to now I have HATED what depression has done to my beautiful Shematite. But I am hoping. Because that's all I really have, that .....
Well, no... let me rephrase that.
I KNOW that as the storm rages, she is trying to dance in the rain the best that she can. She is in the middle of the heat of the refiner's fire sipping a glass of lemonade (as we all are). I suppose if I tried to yank her out before she was done, she might not be as shiny bright as she could have been.
I have watched her and her sisters conquer mountain peaks, rappel down the cliffs of insanity, swim through slots of cold pothole water, hike huge sucky sand hills and heft heavily loaded backpacks all with smiles on their sweet faces! And willing to do it again!

So, bring me some lemonade and cheers to Grandpa Earl! I'm going out to dance in the rain.
After all, everybody's doing it.

Good Grief!

2010-01-12T08:14:00.005-07:00

Good grief! It's been a month since I posted. We had a beautiful Christmas with the highlights being visits from Scout and Mom & Dad Snowbird, cousin Kelsey's Temple wedding and the New Year festivities with the Watts and Nelson families. Loved it all!
Which means, now that it's January, and the outside-ness that I see every day is either very dark or very smoggy, I have resorted to viewing my DVD collection of Happy Places and getting my exercise by challenging the Rock, Michex, Mayflower or Shematite to a dance- off on DDR. So, that is what's happening in my neck of the woods. If only I were in the actual woods...

And! The girls gave me the most fascinating book for Christmas! A true must-read.
Three Cups of Tea
I would love to write a review, but this book left me truly wide-eyed and speechless. Upon finishing it, I immediately got on Google Earth to see the images of K2, the Karakoram, Pakistan, the Baltoro Glacier and the village of Korphe for myself. The photos of the Hushe valley are stunningly beautiful. I now want to go to Pakistan. Go figure.

2009 newsletter

2009-12-11T08:18:00.023-07:00

Happy Holidays! As I look back on 2009 it helps me truly say, "I am blessed."
Here are some of our memorable highlights.

Mayflower - 11! Our cute 6th grader has enjoyed tumbling, piano, swimming, voice lessons-with her first ever voice recital last week, a little bit of baby sitting, serving on the student council, choir, reading, trampoline, playing with friends and watching and listening to everything her big sisters do and say.

Michex - 17! A senior! She is very busy with Chamber Quire performances in full swing, Play Productions, All State choir, being the Stage Manager for the school musical, cleaning Dr. Major's Farr West office for a little bit of cash, Junior Prom, Snow Ball dance, YW Recognition Award, and State Drama. Oh! and lots of friends and flirting!

Scout - 19! Graduated in May and left the next day to work at Jacob Lake near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for the summer, then headed to Dixie State College on scholarship, studying Art and Visual Technology. She is performing with Raging Red, Dixie's show choir and planning on touring with them in the spring in CHINA! Last week she applied for and got a position as a Resident Assistant in the dorms. This will pay for her meal plan so she can save her $$$ for that trip! She also met James, Mike, Tyler and many others, and we all said good-bye to Shane for 2 years...sigh.

Shematite - 21! Has been busy climbing the emotional & physical mountain of depression. Medication, kind, compassionate doctors, sunshine, exercise (she kicks some major booty on Dance Dance Revolution), family, friends, Institute, work and theater have all helped bring back her sparkle! After several nights this week of try-outs and call-backs, she learned yesterday that she was cast as the lead role (MILLY) in the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! The show starts its run in February:)

Rock - 40...ish! is up to his baby blue eye balls in his Master's degree, teaching math, instructing wanna be drivers, serving in the Elder's Quorum, and pretty much being the most awesome husband in the world by taking me on my "adventures" and bringing me back home safe and sound. And he knows how to fix pretty much anything! Our bathroom floor started to "bulge" and he ripped out the sub-floor, sanded, patched, replaced and put the porcelain throne right back on. Sigh:) He also took his nephews down to Zion once again to do some canyoneering. He's the best!

Me...Desertbound- 40...! I am working 8-10 hour days for Dr. Major, now serving as Relief Society 2nd counselor(over the activities) and trying to keep up with my family while cherishing memorable moments like...
~Family dodge ball games
~Having my girls singing around the piano with their friends and each other.
~Watching Scout paint.
~ Visiting Arches and then Grand Junction for baby Meg's blessing.
~The marathon games of "Go to Jail" and Bocce Ball in Goblin Valley.
~ Directing the youth choir for Stake Conference in May and getting to meet Elder Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
~Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim in a day with Michex, Scout, Joe, Cindy and Rock! 23 miles of thigh-burning, calf-crunching, gut-puking extraordinary beauty and blessings!
~Mystery Canyon with my honey(of course) and two of my brothers, JT and Maud'Dib! Loved it!
~Re-connecting with my cousins and siblings at the Nelson Family reunion in South Fork:) Amazing.
~ Girls camp at Bear Lake with Michex.
~Jacob Lake and the North Rim to visit Scout for my birthday in August.

~Pine Creek and Spry Canyon in Zion with Aaron, Kim, Cindy and Scout.
~Back to school priesthood blessings for all the Stoffers cousins!
~Thanksgiving dinner with family to start off the wonderful holiday season.

But above all, I am blessed most by my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My new favorite quote from President Monson is,"Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. I declare that God lives and that He answers our prayers. His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and our Redeemer. Heaven's blessings await us."

We love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Family Christmas Card Bloopers

2009-11-14T12:38:00.002-07:00

Just for fun, here are the pictures that are not going on the Christmas Card this year!

Head Shot of Michex

2009-11-11T19:42:00.002-07:00

Ummm. Yep.

November Kaleidescope Message

2009-11-05T06:34:00.014-07:00

Every month a member of my RS presidency writes a message for our little newsletter that goes to every sister in the ward. This month was my turn. I thought I would post what I wrote...

As the harvest season winds down and I look at the rows of bottled tomatoes waiting to be made into delicious stew this winter and the peaches and black berries in the freezer waiting for the cobbler, I am truly grateful to all those who contributed some of their precious harvest to me. It brings to mind the powerful and inspiring words of my favorite hymn...

"Come, thou Fount of every blessing. Tune my heart to sing Thy grace".

There is a canyon in the back country of Zion National Park that my family and I love to hike through. Just over the halfway mark there is a spring of fresh, cold water where we always stop and refill our water bottles. I have always counted on having the water from this spring so that I don't have to be weighed down by trying to carry a full day's supply. However, this spring is easy to miss if one does not know it's there. Many times I have stopped my hiking group and led them to the spring. Surprisingly, some have refused to drink or refill their containers, I assume because they question the source or they have carried enough water for the entire day. Since this canyon has many obstacles that drain me physically, knowing this source of water is there in abundance is of great comfort to me, just like having the knowledge of my Savior's tender mercy is a sweet and everlasting comfort to my sometimes parched soul that is too often "prone to wander".

The Lord truly is the Fount, the source of the Living Water, not only of every single temporal blessing we enjoy, like water for our gardens, but also of every spiritual blessing that we enjoy; even the blessing of eternal life.

As a new season of Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we all remember the "streams of mercy never ceasing" that come from the spring of Living Water, and all we have to do is go and drink!

Well, there you have it.
I stopped my car on the side of the road near the Mountain Road Nature Center on my way home from work a week or so ago. I had my camera with me, the light was pretty good and the leaves were turning. The above photo was taken of the little spring that seeps out of the ground near the trail. I finally got the right angle to capture the reflection of the gold leaves in the water. Here are some more of my favorite fall photos...

Halloween

2009-11-03T09:15:00.005-07:00

Here is a picture of Mayflower and her friend Lauren on Halloween.
Michex was in a fun mystery dinner theater a couple weeks ago. She played the part of Pippa, the snobby heiress and did a great job! I would post more pictures, but....

I am officially asking Santa for a new computer for Christmas. It just took me 15 freaking minutes to do this post with 3 pictures on it! I packed my lunch and cleaned the family room while I was waiting for the "uploading". BTW, I still love my camera:)

Be careful what you wish for...

2009-10-27T07:51:00.003-06:00

Sunday in family council Shematite talked about wanting to make more money. She would like to return to her schooling and possibly go to China in the spring as a chaperone/companion with Scout and her singing group. Lo and behold, yesterday, she went to work. The new manager, who started on Saturday and had never met her before, terminated her employment on grounds of her compliance (or I suppose lack thereof) with the attendance policy. She was sick all last week (fever, chills, cough, sore throat) and still went to work simply because she couldn't find anyone to cover for her. Apparently that is the policy: if you can't come to work, you have to find someone to cover for you. Friday, she felt much worse, but still couldn't find anyone. She let her supervisor know and asked if she would need a Dr's note or something. She was told, no, it was OK. In the 6 months of working there, she was late 2 other times so maybe this was her 3rd strike or something?
Anyway, now she has the wonderful opportunity of seeking better paying employment! ( I'm trying really hard not to be a helicopter mom and march right down to that manager and give him a piece of my mind).
So, if anyone knows where a bright, bubbly, detail-oriented, meticulous, loyal, and soon to be 21 (yes! she can serve alcohol) young lady can be of benefit to someone and get paid almost what she's worth (who actually gets paid what they're worth?) ...let us know! And pray for her and the right opportunity to match up soon:)

Just a little stemming problem.

2009-10-20T08:10:00.004-06:00

Nope - not apples.
Joe posted this little video on Youtube of the footage I gave him of our Spry Canyon hike.
Stemming has always scared me and I hate doing it. It's a good thing the water was only a few inches deep( we stemmed this just for fun and to improve our skills). I don't have the confidence in my upper body strength that I would like to have. The stemming problem in this canyon gave me a little bit more confidence, if not in my upper body strength, then at least in some problem solving skills. Yet as I get older, my attitude of "Well, if they can do it, I can do it" just might get me into trouble someday... ;) Oh! And enjoy Scout's "leaping from high places"! She makes it look so easy.
I hope Joe posts more stuff on Youtube. He does a great job! Here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWyp7iYSmkY

Fall is flying by...

2009-10-17T21:53:00.005-06:00

Fall is flying by. My Rock is working 12-14 hour days. I usually work 9-10 hours a day and so it seems we must cram all of our REAL life (work is not real life even though we enjoy it) into our weekends.
Last Saturday we enjoyed going to the Salt Lake Tabernacle and seeing Michex perform with the ALL STATE choir. WOW! 700 elite high school choir kids sure did raise that roof! It was incredible! She is also very busy every night with play practice.
And...it was really fun taking pictures of JT & Fam last Sunday.

My new calling in the RS presidency keeps me hopping. I am the 2nd counselor (over the activities) and am really enjoying getting to know all the ladies in my ward:)
At church volleyball this morning, my sweet neighbor Debbie offered to let us come over and pick apples and press them into juice. Couldn't pass that one up, so we, Michex, Dallin, Kyle, Mayflower, Rock and I, spent a couple hours picking and a couple hours pressing this afternoon. Scout and Karli are here for the weekend and they gave the crank a turn or two also. Joel & Debbie even grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for us:) Thanks so much! What a perfect, fall day!

But this, of course, led to securing a way to store the apples & juice....Enter my new (well, not really new - but at least it was free from Rock's sister!) upright freezer! Yea! And dehydrator! Double yea! Now I just need Wildbound's apple pie filling recipe...:)
Well, I would love to post more pictures and write more stuff, but it's 10:30 pm, my brain is mush, I have lost my momentum sitting here at the computer and the Utes are up by 13 with just the 4th quarter to go, so I think I am going to bed. Sigh....

Feeling a little SPRY

2009-09-28T18:07:00.028-06:00

Once again my Rock and I ventured to the lands southward last weekend to enjoy one last summer hurrah in the canyons of Zion. Friends Kim & Aaron were kind enough to provide transportation, food, good company, laughs, new gear and plenty of understanding and patience when it was discovered nearly 25 minutes after leaving the house that we forgot our wetsuits. And more patience and understanding late that night at the campground when the Rock and I decided to buy a new rope the next day…;)

Anyway, here are pictures of Pine Creek that we did last Friday and Spry Canyon on Saturday. We were blessed with the beautiful & inspiring presence of Cindy and Scout with us in Spry (We were sorry Joe was sick!). The last time I hiked through Pine Creek, it was completely dry. Not so this time. It was wet from the get-go with several floating disconnects. I was so glad for a wetsuit! Quite a fun challenge!

This is looking up at the last rappell in Pine Creek. 100 ft FREE! Love it!

Aaaron & Kim got new gloves...;)

Looking out from the alcove at the bottom of the last rappell in Pine Creek. Boulder hopping down the streambed brought us to a couple of plunges in the "pool" and then to the Pizza & Noodle in Springdale.

The next day we met Cindy and Scout in Springdale at 8 am and were hiking into Spry by just after 9 am.

The first rappell in Spry. 170 ft.

Scout, Kim & Cindy

This is one of my favorite rappells in any canyon. It is short, but really fun. You have to sit on the edge of the cliff where the Rock's feet are, clip into the rope that is anchored on the sandstone wall across the gap, and swing out & down at the same time so you don't hit your head or hands. A definite Whoohoo! issued from Scout and myself on this one!

A vertical panoramic shot that Scout took.

This is the last rappell out of Spry. About 95 ft free! You now get to do this one instead of slide down the sandhill to the west, which the Park service now frowns upon.
Total thumbs-up! After scrambling down the rest of the boulder field, we headed upstream and took a few plunges in the "Spry" pool:) Cindy & Scout definitely showed their experience and skill in this canyon, while Aaron & Kim added to theirs.
And to my Rock...thanks again for taking me magical places and bringing me home again safe and sound. Love you.

Just Stuff

2009-09-16T20:40:00.002-06:00

Michex was asked by the Director/drama teacher to be the STAGE MANAGER of Weber High's fall musical! Yea! What does that mean? I'm not really sure other than she is at every practice, has her own script/notebook thingy and once the curtain goes up opening night, the show is handed over to her! "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" will run sometime in November.

Mayflower is excited about being asked to be on the 6th grade student council, almost having her backhand-spring down and going horseback riding with Dreampacker:)

Shematite loves "harvest time"! And therefore Autumn!

I am looking forward to a couple of days in Zion with my Rock.

Weekend

2009-09-07T22:04:00.002-06:00

Loved having Scout, Karli and the Coombs family here for a visit! Played "Go to Jail" in the old orchards, played dodgeball and played a mind-boggling game of "Signs"! Rob cooked all kinds of yumminess on the grill and then the kiddos roasted marshmallows in the fire pit. And yes! We did watch the BYU game! I then conducted Relief Society on Sunday, enjoyed my wonderful, weekly nap that my family makes sure I get and then made a little trip up to Lil'Dell Ranch to visit the Wild Bunch. Learned more about my new camera:) Monday morning...cleaned out my kitchen pantry (such as it is) in hopes of making room for a smidgeon of the harvest and case lot sales that have begun, bid the weary travelers goodbye to make their way back to Dixie and gave myself a mental and emotional pat on the back. Well done. Great weekend. Now back to work:)

Beautiful Day

2009-08-27T21:13:00.005-06:00

Well, ...back to school.

Scout was busily rearranging her schedule down at Dixie so she could fit in the "Raging Red" class she added at the last minute. Apparently a show/traveling choir of some kind that she tried out for. She's very happy about it!

Michex - senior. Enough said.

Mayflower - 6th grade. Likes her teacher. Zero cute boys in her class, so she says....but, pretty darn cute herself, I must say:)

I got home from work Monday, and found that Mayflower didn't have any homework yet and Michex was making chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmm. Had a tomato sandwhich for dinner, some cookie dough, and then went for a little hike up the base of Ben Lomond. The sun was setting, the sage smelled glorious and my heart, lungs and legs did what I told them to do. Beautiful day.

Change of Plans

2009-08-14T20:03:00.013-06:00

Last weekend, the weather kind of helped us change our plans from a backpacking trip in the Uintahs to a surprise visit to Scout at Jacob Lake. Here are some favorite photos!

Inside the Lodge where Scout works.

This is the fire tower that Scout climbs to get cell phone coverage to call home.

Kaibab Forest

Yes, Michex is pointing to a marshy pond in the background, also known as Jacob Lake.

Jacob Lake Historic Ranger Station.

Mayflower enjoying the view from Bright Angel Point at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Scout is actually on Bright Angel Point.

Then we drove out to Cape Royal to catch the sunset! We spent over 30 minutes trying to get the same person on boths sides of a panorama shot. It was so much fun! Come over some time and I will show you the bloopers:) I looove this shot!

Scout took this shot. Love it!

There was a forest fire burning out on Cape Royal so the air was really hazy, but we had so much fun! Scout showed us her dorm, introduced us to a lot of her friends, made us hot chocolate and milk shakes and didn't turn us in to the hotel management for cooking our meals on our balcony with our backpacking stove:) We stopped in Panguitch on our way home and had an impromptu BBQ with the Bremners, Coombs and Smiths. All in all, a great birthday get-away for me!

New Vines from Strong Roots ~ 2009

2009-07-30T07:40:00.016-06:00

Well...we did it! Thanks to everyone for being so willing to help and accept assignments. I loved watching everyone play, craft, tube, rappel, hike, sing and eat together! I was constantly torn between taking photos of the fun and having fun myself. I think I did lots of both! Thanks again, everyone, for your love and support. As for the tune you hear playing on my play list, it is the song that I remember Grandpa Lee singing whenever we were outside together. I'll never forget his big booming bass voice singing the chorus of " Boom-de-ya-da's"! So, Grandpa(and Grandma!), this is for you.

I will always remember...

Kira giving up on changing Izaac's clothes. I am not sure who was happier after that - Kira or Izaac...

Michaela and Summer getting dumped down the waterfall in the river. Expert tube and child handling followed, because Michaela kept ahold of both of them! Whoohoo!

Marshmallow War - Hey! Who's eating all the ammo!?!

KICKBALL!

Greg & Sheri's yummy pulled pork sandwhiches from the Texas Pride BBQ. And peach cobbler!

Boom crash! The lightening flashed! Oh, that's another story...

Guitar serenades by Ty and Bethany...sigh:)

Cooling off in the river...with River!

Zach getting dumped down the dang waterfall and coming up missing a flip-flop but still smiling!

Yummy Breakfast cooked by Grandpa and Grandma:)

Samantha, Joziah, Chelsea and Emily doing their first RAPPEL! You guys Rock!

Hanging out with and getting to know better...John & Kristine and their families!

Please comment your favorite things, too! And if you saw/heard something funny/cute/memorable that I missed, please feel free to share it. As for me...pictures really are worth a thousand words ~ so...

Here are some tubing pictures:)

And some hiking pictures:) The Skull Crack trail around the south end of Causey is 2.3 miles one way. Beautiful views of the reservoir! Would be great in the fall with lots of leaf color, too!

Southfork cave rappelling! Yea!

Just having fun!

And finally... the Faces of Family!

Love you all!

Happy Birthday Michex! July 20th

2009-07-21T06:37:00.001-06:00

Even sweeter @ 17!

One of Mayflower's favorite pastimes...and Mine!

2009-07-19T16:04:00.002-06:00

Yea! I got my new camera! So I decided to shoot Mayflower while she was jumping on the tramp with some major backlighting issues. I am very pleased with the "portraits". The camera's "brain" knew of the backlighting problem and her face is well-lit. I think, however it was trying to decide whether to prioritize the action or the backlighting on the other 2 shots. I am learning! .... Watch out Family Reunion! HEre I come!

Something's missing

2009-07-13T21:36:00.002-06:00

Went to Lagoon last Wednesday.
Hiked to the "Butterfly Pond" Thursday night.
Watched a movie Friday night with Mayflower.
Saturday morning went hiking on the south side of Causey Reservior.
Tonight - FHE at the church baseball field, enjoying some batting practice.
What, pray tell, is missing!?!
PHOTOS!!
When do I get my early birthday present!?! Hopefully FRIDAY!
Wanna know what it is?

SONY Cybershot HX1 digital camera
9.1 MP
20x optical zoom ranging from 28mm-560mm.
1080p HD resolution with an optional HDMI cable.
ISO sensitivity up to 3200.

The Rock now says we need a new computer to handle all the cool pictures I am going to take:) Hmmmm. We'll see:)

Girls Camp 2009 ~ Bear Lake

2009-07-03T16:34:00.002-06:00

Day 1 (Laurels only)
Pizza for lunch
3 1/2 mile hike to the Wind Caves in Logan Canyon.
Set up camp at Bear Lake.
Prepared Scavenger hunt for other girls.
Dutch Oven Chicken for dinner.
Played Bocce Ball on the Beach at sunset.
Smores

Day 2
Omelets in a bag for breakfast.
All other girls and leaders arrived.
Scavenger hunted for T-shirts and flip-flops.
Chicken Salad in croissants for lunch.
Prepared and performed skits (Oh, the places you'll go!)
Went to Minnetonka Cave. Had candlelight devotional.
Roasted hotdogs back at camp.

Day 3
Pancakes & bacon for breakfast.
Played beach volleyball.
Turkey sandwhiches for lunch.
Played in the water and went tubing behind the boats!
Navajo tacos for dinner.
Devotional/ Speaker/ Testimony meeting.
Started raining/ thunder / lightening / huddled under the pavilion:)

Day 4
Muffins/ Cereal for breakfast
Cleaned up camp.
Awards
Came home!

I am so glad that I had my sweet, amazing Michex there with me! It was weird having only one daughter there! She is amazing. She was so helpful and so much fun to be with. Love you, Michex!

Graduation

2009-06-16T17:51:00.006-06:00

Yep. I am more than 3 weeks late posting these pictures. Sigh...oh, well.
Here they are!

WHS Spring Concert - Scout & Michex

Literally 10 minutes before leaving for the graduation ceremony, Scout was finishing up a painting for Dr. John Pobanz to present to him that night at her party as a thank you gift for her scholarship.

Done!

Scout's best friend from Panguitch, Karli, came up for the graduation festivities! She is always lots of fun to have around and she was a great helper for me!

After Scout's party at the Trout Farm, she finished packing for her job at Jacob Lake and then headed to the all night graduation party for her class. Karli stayed at our house, got some sleep, and then headed south with Scout at 5 am the next morning. Karli got dropped off at home in Panguitch, then Scout continued on the road (after a brief, though somewhat amusing trip to the post office in town) to Jacob Lake and a summer of hard work and adventure! She's made new friends, loves where she works, has to climb the fire tower in the forest to get cell phone coverage, explores new places on her day off, studies the Gospel, takes walks in the forest, and is having the time of her life! Check out her blog. www.thewayofscout.blogspot.com
She has infrequent time on a computer so postings may be few and far between but, hey, so are mine:)!

Sometimes the stars align

2009-05-30T10:44:00.005-06:00

Sometimes the stars align perfectly and I am blessed with an indesribable outdoor adventure. Photos never can do the Grand Canyon the justice it deserves but I am posting them anyway.
Blessed with misty rain, we made our descent into the canyon from the North Kaibab trailhead and emerged about 13 1/2 hours later, having crossed over the Colorado River and through Indian Gardens to the South Rim. We even made a quick side trip to Ribbon falls. Worth it. Thinking of doing it again...;)

Thank You Dr. Pobanz!

2009-05-16T16:33:00.003-06:00

This morning we had the delightful privilege to enjoy a wonderful breakfast hosted and sponsored by Dr John Pobanz and his beautiful wife, Cori. Our lovely Scout was one of five recipients of $1,000.00 from the 1st Dr. Pobanz Scholarship Fund. Thanks, Dr Pobanz, not only for making Scout's smile beautiful (and her sister's smiles, too!), but for being the kind, generous person you are and for investing and believing in the kids that you work with.

Just Because

2009-04-30T18:58:00.002-06:00

I posted this just because I love this song. I bought Leona Lewis' CD about a year ago because I liked her single cut "Bleeding Love". But as it turns out, this is my favorite song on the album.

She did it! And Happy Birthday, Mayflower!

2009-04-29T17:28:00.003-06:00

Michex tried out for and was selected as a member of next year's WHS Chamber Quire. She's been working on her song since August and pretty much nailed it. Yea!

Can't believe my baby girl turned 11 years old! Last week I was getting ready for a Futsal game at the church and I had my workout clothes on. I was in the bathroom putting my hair in a ponytail when Mayflower walked in, pointed at my tummy that was showing and said, " Oowh! What are those!"
"Stretch marks my dear, THANK YOU VERY MUCH." Love her. Love her bubbly personality, her tender heart & just the whole darn package! Happy Birthday, QM!

They found him.

2009-04-19T08:46:00.003-06:00

I just received my new National Geographic Adventure magazine yesterday. Guess what. It appears that they found him. Everett Ruess. Yep. Mmm-hmmm. I have the article if anyone is interested.

Games & Goblins

2009-04-13T20:20:00.004-06:00

Cute as a button! Shematite stands guard at camp.

Ah! Hugs! :)

Mayflower, Grandma Dreampacker & Zach check out the hoodoos.

Firestarter Bob likes his magic "Boy Scout" juice ...

Little Wild Horse canyon has some nice slots.

The Valley of the Goblins

Some little goblins sitting on a hoodoo (Zach, Rachel, Mayflower, Mckay and Haley).
The triumphant gamers! Neither wind, nor cold shall keep them from their appointed rounds of gaming in the valley of goblins. Zach, Joe, Mckay & Brad are on the top row. Rachel, Mayflower & The Rock are on the bottom row.

Wow. I had so much fun this past weekend playing with my family and friends in Goblin Valley that I hardly took any pictures! See Dreampacker's blog for more. Thanks to all who made the trip and also made it so memorable. See you on the next trail:)

Arches & Little Nutmeg

2009-04-04T22:02:00.007-06:00

We spent last weekend road-tripping it over to Grand Junction via Arches National Park to be at little Nutmeg's blessing. Great, sunny weather on Saturday:) The crew at Landscape Arch.Dreampacker & Trailblazer
Mmmm. The sand is nice and warm on the surface but gets cold quickly as Mayflower sinks her fingers deeper...We spotted this old red barn, car and pond near Fruita. Scout jumped out to take some reference shots for her art class.Haley enjoyed making all kinds of new friends, especially Mitch, Kassidy and Aunt Bethany.

Cute little Nutmeg.

The drive home Sunday evening along I-70 was an adventure. Good thing we have a Driver's Ed teacher with both hands firmly on the wheel. He and I both thought the windows would blow out of the car the wind was so bad. We got to Green River and pulled into the gas station. All the cars heading east from Salina were covered in muddy ice.

This is the dust storm we drove through going up Hwy 6 to Price. Soldier Summit was snowy but not too bad.

We had a great time and enjoyed visiting Tris, Nicoletta and their cute girlies!

Prom 2009

2009-03-21T20:06:00.002-06:00

The pictures say it all.

It's sure fun to play princess for the day!

Pronounced "Yahkub Lahkuh" by the tourists

2009-03-11T20:10:00.002-06:00

Thanks to a providential late night phone call by Bethany to inform her of a chance to interview, Scout applied for a job at Jacob Lake for the coming summer. She got it. She squeals in delight whenever we mention it:)

Young Womanhood Award

2009-03-08T16:34:00.003-06:00

Congratulations to Michex! She received her YW award a couple of weeks ago but I am a little slow in posting. Her picture is in yesterday's newspaper, however (3-7-09: Standard Examiner). Since she is not a senior yet, I didn't have a senior picture done for her either! Scout kindly took a few shots of her while I was at work. We sure are proud of her and think she's the most beautifullest Michex there ever was!
And...!
Both she and Scout were asked to the Junior Prom that will be on March 21st. Dress shopping was started and completed yesterday. Stay tuned :)

Gone to Border Collie Heaven

2009-02-28T13:04:00.004-07:00

Now it's not what you think. For those of you who don't know - there is a little bit of cow-dog heaven here on Earth. And after months of deliberation (and neurosis-depression on Milo's part) and a few tears, we decided our Border Collie would be much happier keeping the Wild Bunch's cows, horses and chickens on the Little Dell Ranch all rounded up where they are supposed to be. Wildbound will teach him what he was born to do...HERD! Milo will be a great horseback riding buddy for her as well. Happy Trails, Milo. We will see you soon! Thank you Wild Bunch for being willing to make Milo's dreams come true:)

Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T16:04:00.007-07:00

Since my hubby has started his Master's class, he has had to spend a lot of time with his laptop. So, in order for him to remember what I look like, I had some photos taken for Valentine's Day. The shots of me where I really belong (in a field of flowers, on a mountain top, in the desert sand somewhere...)will have to wait a couple months for the thaw - it's so strange to see the "urban" version...(shot at the Old Post Office on 24th St in Ogden). We also took a drive up to Crystal Hot Springs Saturday and had a nice soak. Shopping for a new backpacking tent has also commenced:) Yea!

I love you, Rock. Happy Valentine's Day!

Chocolate Fondue

2009-02-01T21:52:00.002-07:00

Well, another Super Bowl has come and gone (Too bad the Cards couldn't hang on)and my little Mayflower can now stop asking if it's Super Bowl Sunday yet. Why? Because for the last 3 years we have made chocolate fondue in the crock pot and she loves it! For those of you who enjoyed it at the BYU vs. Utah game a few weeks ago with us, here is the recipe.

14 oz of semi sweet chocolate (chips)
4 oz white chocolate (chips)
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme
3/4 cup half and half cream
1 tsp vanilla or other favorite flavoring
Melt/stir ingredients in crock pot or fondue pot on low and enjoy!

various things to dip:
angel food cake
pretzels
cream puffs
strawberries
grapes
nutter butter cookies
brownie bites
apples

Gone to Lunch

2009-01-21T19:26:00.004-07:00

So, today at work Dr. Major stopped in the office after a couple of surgery cases and said he was flying his plane to Heber City to have his skis "looked at". My quick thinking co-worker,Joni, asked if there was room for a couple of tag-a-longs. He said sure! So this is what I did for my lunch hour today!

We left the plane at the Heber City airport, took the courtesy car to Soldier Hollow where the skis in question were not fixed, but traded in for new ones and went to a nice little bakery/cafe in Midway where Dr. Major treated us to lunch. We flew back to Ogden by way of North Ogden Pass-so as we were coming through I texted Shematite to run outside and look up and wave! What a fun first flight for me! Thanks Dr. Major! Kudos to the first one to name the mountain in the top picture.

Happy Birthday

2009-01-04T22:31:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday, Rock! Love you.

Lookin' Back

2008-12-30T19:51:00.003-07:00

As 2008 draws to a close, we have many blessings for which we are grateful. Counting you among our friends and family is one of the greatest.

The Rock ~ is teaching math, coaching girl’s and boy’s tennis and instructing Driver Education at Fremont High School. He often works 12 hour days and somehow has still found time to start his Master’s Degree program (teaching with technology) this fall. In June he took all of his nephews on his side of the family on an “Uncle Rock” trip to southern Utah. He taught them how to rappel in Red Canyon, did a fun little slot in Zion called Key Hole and then ventured out into the Escalante desert to explore some more slots by the name of Peek-a-boo and Spooky. They all had a blast! I hope they continue the tradition! Later in the summer, he and my brother Tristano headed to Colorado to hang out with my brother-in-law Brandon. They caught a Rockies game, rafted the Arkansas River and hiked Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. And he is still enjoying serving in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency.

Shematite (20) ~ completed her first year at SUU in May. She came home for the summer and worked at Lee’s Market in the deli. She enjoyed the summer at home, even taking a little bit of time off to go to Lake Powell with us in June. In August she headed back to Cedar City. Unfortunately some health issues led her to put school and work on hold and she moved back home in November. We are glad to have her back home and hope to help get her back on her feet and reaching new goals! I am especially glad to have someone in the house who laughs at my jokes!

Scout (18)~ is busy with friends, boys, Chamber Quire (vice president), A Capella Choir, AP Art, AP Psychology, and volunteering at an Elementary school in downtown Ogden. She bought herself a video game this summer called Dance Dance Revolution and is queen of the dance mat. Thanks to Bryn, our eye-foot coordination is better and our cardio vascular systems are happy! Bring on the DDR! She received her Young Woman Recognition Award and is excited to graduate this spring. She is thinking of going to Dixie State College to study art and boys.

Michex(16) ~ got her driver’s license in July and is enjoying her junior year at Weber High. She has a heavy load of classes including Chemistry, Math 1050/1060, AP American History, Choralaires, Honors English, and Advanced Drama. She and Scout both were in the cast of the WHS musical this fall – Peter Pan. Michex has lots of friends and invited one special one, Brittany, to join her on her belated Birthday outing this summer. Last year she asked us to take her through Mystery Canyon in Zion but the back country closed down with forest fires. I scored the 6 lottery permits allowed each day in this canyon and told Michaela she could invite a friend. Aaron & Kim, our friends, joined us on this little adventure and we had an unforgettable time in this breathtaking canyon. About 10 rappels, with the last one dropping you right into the Zion Narrows where all the tourists watch you rap down a 100 foot waterfall! Great fun. We love her sly humor and sense of adventure!

Mayflower(10) ~ enjoys her tumbling class and has started playing the piano. She spent most of the summer at the pool turning her blonde hair green. She is becoming quite a good swimmer. She loves her dog, Milo and has lots of friends in the neighborhood and at school in her 5th grade class. She backpacked into Coyote Gulch with us Memorial weekend and was truly a sight to behold. I loved watching her cute little legs underneath that big backpack, heading off into the desert! She probably doesn’t remember much of the trip because she ended up running a fever and sleeping for almost a whole day in the tent. After a priesthood blessing and some Tylenol she was able to hike out the final day on her own. What a trooper! And because she is such a good swimmer/trooper, we decided we could take her through one of our most favorite canyons – SUBWAY. She practiced rappelling off the front porch and watched plenty of “game film” from previous expeditions. We invited her buddies McKay, Annie and Nicole along and they all had a wonderful time on probably the warmest water day I have ever felt in that canyon. Blissful.

Big changes for me, DB, began in January. My Uncle Brad passed away and I think of him often, especially when I’m out in the desert somewhere. Working full time for Dr. Major, an ENT, has been a big adjustment to my schedule, my kids and my laundry! I am extremely grateful for the employment and like my job in the billing department. I have great co-workers which make having to go to work enjoyable. I also got my first Botox injection back in January for my voice (Spasmodic Dysphonia – rare neurological disorder affecting the vocal muscles). I get a treatment every 3-4 months at LDS hospital voice clinic and I am in it for the long haul or until something new comes along. That was such a struggle to come to terms with! Ugh! But I am extremely blessed to be where I am and to have learned what I have learned. I am still the Beehive Advisor in the YW program and YW/YM choir director. They are extremely patient with me and my lack of voice on and off. Love them all. I love all our adventures together as a family and continually look forward to planning more of them. The Rock and I road-tripped up to Lava Hot Springs in September for our anniversary. We found a yummy Tai restaurant and a new favorite get-away. We were also able to make a quick trip Moab in March and to Colorado for Thanksgiving to visit my sister Bethany.
We are so grateful for the blessings of the Gospel, for our family and friends and the time we have been able to spend together and for the wonderful holiday season.

Working Full Time and...having lots of fun!

2008-12-21T23:37:00.005-07:00

December 2008 ~ I love all the excitement during the holiday season. I'll rest in January!
Desert Star Theater dinner and show, thanks to Bob & Karen.
Mayflower's school Christmas choir performance.
Rock & I playing in the Co-ed region volleyball tournament for our ward, played 3 hours the first night (seeding), lost our first match the 2nd night, had to come back through the loser's bracket (played 4 hours this time) to win the dang T-shirts and the championship!
Shematite - keeping the house warm and toasty for us all when we come back home tired and cold.
Scout - singing her guts out with Chamber Quire performances all over town including at the Church Office Building where President Uchdorf stopped and said hello and my office Christmas party. Dr Major (my boss) was so impressed that he handed me a check the next day to donate to the Chamber Quire. :)
Michex - busy with AP classes, Math 1050/1060, Choralaires and all that stuff.
Mayflower - sat on Santa's lap at the ward Christmas party "just to get a candy cane" she said. Narrated our ward Christmas program today with her Dad and gave a talk in Primary. Did a great job:)
Went to Weber High Christmas Concert Thursday.
Caroling with friends and neighbors Friday night on the hay wagon.
Yesterday - Went shopping, made stew in the crockpot, did laundry, cleaned house, helped Mayflower and Shematite cut out snow flakes for the windows, wrapped gifts, helped hang Scouts curtains and re-arrange her bedroom and caught a couple minutes of the BYU game. It is now 12:06 Monday morning and I am going to bed now. I will figure out how to get my printer to print addresses on Christmas envelopes tomorrow...I mean later tonight:)

Family Photos

2008-12-21T23:14:00.004-07:00

Thanks to Sayyadina & Dreampacker and the beautiful background at Mountain Road Ranch we were able to squeeze in the annual family photo shoot. Shematite has moved home from Cedar City and has put school and work on hold while she deals with some health issues. We are sure glad to have her home:)

Thankfully

2008-12-01T19:56:00.002-07:00

Wed. 4 am. - Drove through windy Wyoming to Bethany's beautiful homestead out on the prairie east of Denver. Shematite got a new "do". Pictures forthcoming. We made shrimp alfredo/pasta from scratch, Kassidy made pumpkin pies and we played a little Dance Dance Revolution while we waited for the Wild Bunch.

Thurs. - 8 am. The Rock, Brandon & Wildman donned the required Turkey Bowl outerwear and headed out the back door to the fifty yard line for a little flag football with the rest of the neighborhood men. Since our pom-poms have since been traded for Nikons and Minoltas, we women shot action photos. Hopefully Bethany will post some favorites.
1 pm. Yum! Food! Glorious Food!
Quote of the year from Mitchell when taking a look at finicky Mayflower's choices on her plate, "Don't you like food?"

More yumminess, games, talking, laughing.

Friday - Took the kids to the recreation center where we took a swim in the pool, lazy river, water slide, hot tub and steam room. The guys caught a game or two of raquetball also.
Friday night date + Shematite. Caught the new flick "Australia". Sigh...Hugh Jackman in the outback...what's not to love?

Sat. - headed into Denver to the free candy factory tour. A little bit of Christmas shopping and back to Bethany's for more movies, games, fudge-making and such.
Sun. 8 am - snowy, windy blizzard condtions. Wyoming starting to close down. Decide to head home over Vail pass instead on I-70 and squeak by before it closes. 11 hour drive home. Safe and Sound...Thankfully.

Thank you Beth & Brandon for all the fun and hospitality. Much Love.

p.s. Keep practicing your skit for the family reunion:)

YW

2008-11-09T08:19:00.002-07:00

Scout has completed and received her Young Woman Recognition Award. She also turned the big 18 last month! Yea, Scout! We are proud:)

Antelope Island October 31, 2008

2008-11-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

What a fun day!

The Singer Within

2008-10-23T20:27:00.004-06:00

Found this quote in a book I finished recently titled Message From Forever by the same author that wrote Mutant Message Down Under. I kind of liked it because I am constantly telling the Young Women and Young Men in my ward not to be afraid that someone might actually hear them sing! I think the next time I am teaching them a new song I will have to share it with them:) Here goes.

"Everyone is musical. Music is a part of our own earthly assignment. If you don't sing because you don't think you can sing, that does not diminish the singer within you. You simply do not honor your talent."

Ready. Set. Ponder.

House of Angels and Home Cookin'

2008-10-04T18:32:00.003-06:00

6 am - went shopping @ Walmart. The cute little Asian checker lady said, "You smart! You go shopping ear'y!" Um-hm.
8 am - played some women's church volleyball. I am realizing how refining and patience producing that really is. Did some laundry.
10 am - watched Conference while I put chicken stew in the crockpot. Did some laundry.
12 pm - made homemade caramel to dip apples in 'cause I was craving it. Did some laundry.
2 pm - watched more conference hoping to catch a glimpse of cute little Emily in the children's choir. We saw her eyes and the top of her head! Laughed and cried at Elder Worthlin's talk on the Law of Compensation and Elder Ballard's talk on ANGELS.
Went downstairs to get a can of corn out of the storage room to put in the stew. I glanced at Scout's door to her room. She was gone playing a soccer game in the mud. I decided to see how far she had gotten on cleaning it and opened the door and walked in. Her bed was made, clean clothes were put away, some piles of laundry were still on the floor but it was much improved from earlier in the week. I glanced around and the thought came to me to walk to her closet. At our family council last Sunday we decided to pray for the return and/or finding of her Personal Progress Book (by Saturday - today!) that has been missing for about 2 years. The YW president challenged her to finish by the end of October. It has been extremely difficult for her to finish without it. Every time she has looked and searched, she hasn't been able to find it and got very discouraged. I leaned down and started looking through a small set of drawers on her closet floor. Top drawer - no luck. 2nd drawer - lots of fun dance pictures! 3rd drawer - old sketch pad, pencils, notebook and underneath.... her Personal Progress Book. My heart lept straight to my throat. She was still gone so I just laid it on her freshly made bed. In the whole big, huge universe, the Lord answered a few simple prayers to find a small book.
4:30 pm - Scout came home muddy and cold and hopped in the shower.
5 pm - Ate yummy stew, spinach salad and breadsticks then kissed my honey good-bye as he went to priesthood.
6:30 pm - Sat down to read blogs and ended up writing one instead. Scout passed by and nonchalantly asked where I had found it. I told her. She smiled and said, "Thanks Mom."
I love rainy days. It totally takes the pressure off to GO GET SOMETHING DONE. Now I'm going to go curl up with the book I am reading.

September 18 ~ 21 years

2008-09-21T08:03:00.005-06:00

Happy Anniversary, Honey!
We just got back yesterday from our little anniversary get-away to Lava Hot Springs.

I love autumn! I'm so glad we picked September to get married. The days are warm and the nights are cool and crisp ~ enough to soak in some natural hot springs! Thanks Rob, for an amazing, unforgettable journey through life together. It just keeps getting better and better! Love you:)

P.S.
Tristano, we just thought this sign in the quaint little town of Lava was kind of funny:)

More Mystery Pictures from Aaron & Kim

2008-09-07T08:22:00.002-06:00

And yes! After a few days to air out, our camera survived the fall and is back in working order!

Mysteries of Heaven

2008-08-31T18:09:00.008-06:00

August 30, 2008
Flash flood warning at the back country desk 7 a.m. - HIGH.
Chance of afternoon thunder storms - 50%.
Couln't ask for a more perfect day :)
Special thanks to Amberle for being our shuttle driver!

Aaron and Kim sporting their matching wrist wounds following the thigh-burning descent into the canyon.

Michaela's BFF Brittney basking in the beauty of this canyon.
Aaron & Kim in the shadows of some narrows.
The crew is all lined up and getting ready for the 8th rappel.
Michaela & Brittney
Kim & Heather

Aaron sitting contemplating life and his lunch.
Little black potholes.
It was around the corner at the next rappel - Mystery Springs - where I accidentally handed Rob the camera just as he was trying to handle one too many things on the edge of the cliff. We both watched as the camera, seemingly in slow motion, bounced to the edge and rolled off, bounced a couple more times against the rock, and then splashed 100 feet down into a pool of water. He didn't even flinch. I was so proud of him! So... I rappelled down behind the boulder, retrieved the camera in it's case and hoped that we could salvage the images off the memory card. The images in this post are off that card:) Pictures of the last 2 rappels will have to be borrowed from Kim & Aaron. Stay tuned.

Hurrah! Hopefully not the last one!

2008-08-29T08:50:00.002-06:00

Well, life comes at you fast. School started this week. Summer flew by. I haven't had enough fun yet. So, Rob and I are taking Michaela and her friend Brittany down to Zion to hike Mystery Canyon tomorrow (Yes! I won the permit lottery!). Michaela wanted to go last year for her birthday in July but wild fires closed the back country. She has been patiently waiting for a whole year (and probably a lot longer in her mind!). Pray for clear skies and that the forcasted evening thunderstorms stay that way. In the evening:) Bryn, Quincy and Grandma & Grandpa Stoffers are holding down the fort.

2008-08-10T08:22:00.002-06:00

With my total lack of consistent scripture study, this passage in James had to be suggested to me as study material by a rather strange source. Yes, my chiropractor. Yea, Dr. Meeks! Thank you. It is changing me.

James 1:2-4

"...count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (JST= many afflictions); knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Isn't it interesting to read that we are to find joy in our afflictions.

I was also taught/reminded that some challenges are meant for us to overcome and some challenges are meant for us to endure. Hmmm. Isn't that interesting.

So here I am, "patiently" sitting here in the refiner's fire. Boy! Sure is hot!

Just a fun little hike for the kids...

2008-07-30T08:09:00.005-06:00

Priceless

2008-07-29T21:20:00.005-06:00

A couple of weeks ago...

Fuel for a Sunday drive/picnic with Grandma & Grandpa Stoffers in the beautiful mountains of Wyoming - $75.00

Refreshing soft drink for my honey, the Rock - $1.25

2 new tires to replace the ones that got "shredded" on the dirt road to beautiful Alice Lake (which we actually never saw) - $245.00 (Yep! One on the way up the dirt road and one on our way back to town).

Having kind, generous friends in far away places, with connections (to the guy at the tire shop), on a Sunday afternoon in Cokeville, WY.....PRICELESS!!!

Thank you AnnMarie & Joe!!! We are so glad you knew & found the "tire guy" in town so quickly and helped us:) It was also really neat to see the houses where Grandpa Stoffers was born and lived while in Cokeville.

Girl's Camp Memorial Park 2008

2008-07-14T22:08:00.005-06:00

Day 1 - Laurels only. Rappelling into a cave in South Fork.
Scout

Me, DB - checkin' the ropes and coachin' first-timers.

Michex - Dropping into the cave. About 45 feet.

Day 2 - We were joined by all the YW campers and did a little tubing down the South fork. Our Camp was just a few hundred yards down stream from Causey Dam. Any idea how cold the water is that comes out of the bottom of Causey? Bone Chilling. Had to keep moving and stay distracted by the fun tube ride and the water gun snipers that lay in wait for unsuspecting camp leaders.
Day 3 - Hiked up to and around Causey. Very Beautiful.

After the hike, the leaders prepared a skit for the evening's entertainment while the girls plotted the old "cry wolf" lure to get us to come running to some one's aid. It worked. However only 3 brave leaders were foolish enough to join in the ensuing water fight. 25 to 3 are not great odds so we were forced to retreat to the cold river and stand our ground. Brrrrr!
The skit we performed was video taped and may soon be posted. Stay tuned:)

2008-07-13T07:45:00.002-06:00

So, I got home from Lake Powell, worked 5 almost 12-hour days, another week of 10-hour days and then went to girl's camp. I am back now, showered, pumiced, laundered (which took all day yesterday) and preparing my YW lesson. I will post GC pics soon. We had a blast!

Scenery and Stuff

2008-06-25T21:47:00.001-06:00

The Crossing

2008-06-22T20:04:00.002-06:00

Crossing the Border...

Uh-oh. Border Patrol.

People of Lake Powell, too.

2008-06-22T19:13:00.009-06:00

Copying Maud'Dib's format ('cause it's cool!), here are the people of Lake Powell.

2008-06-01T09:41:00.019-06:00

The Crew:The Rock, Desertbound, Panguitch Joe, Tristano, Cindy, Nicoletta, Baby Jane
McKay, Michex, Mayflower, Scout & Haley in the very front!

The Mission: Hike to Coyote Gulch via Crack in the Wall - camp, play, eat, drink, explore, ponder, nap, filter, shoot, bathe, crawl, laugh, wade, jump, talk, sing, bless, bond, hold onto & let go.

Highlights:

- Stopping at the Bremner's house in Panguitch.

- Perfect weather.

- Having Jane & Haley along.

- Marveling at Tristano & Nicoletta's energy, enthusiasm & innovation with the diaper drying:)

- McKay & Mayflower always getting along and enjoying each other's company as they played in the sand and in the stream.

- Being with best friends.

- Watching The Rock, Joe and Scout take the "plunge" off the rock into the Escalante river.

- Enjoying Scout & Michex's company as we explored hidden waterfalls and sunbathed on the rock.

Oh, what a bummer!
- Mayflower running a fever, headache, sore throat & tummy ache on day 2.
- The Rock completely breaking off a crowned tooth on day 2.
- Missing Shematite :(
Now, back to highlights!
- McKay's excitement when he was told he had to bring his headlamp...

- Hiking/running to Steven's Arch before darkness set in...
- Hiking back to camp in the dark with our headlamps:)
- Cindy & Scout making 2 trips up the sand hill (one came back to carry Haley, the other to carry Mayflower's backpack). Wow.

- Sunrise
(Notice in the above picture, the streambed has eroded down about 12 ft since I was here last in 2004.)

- Sunset
- Moonrise :)
- Croaking Frogs.
- Mayflower hearing, then seeing the rattlesnake on the trail and giving a nice calm warning-really. We watched it drag it's lunch (dead mouse) into the bushes.

- Being reminded how strong my family is.

- Looking forward to our next expedition.

Flower Duet

2008-05-18T07:34:00.003-06:00

For the past year and a half I have felt that a lot of the beauty I have been able to create has been lost along with my voice. So, for the past several weeks, this is what I have been doing in my spare time...

Overheard...

2008-05-15T20:26:00.002-06:00

Overheard at work:

Teenage girl (talking to our surgery scheduler as she gets set-up to have her tonsils and adenoids out): So, he(meaning the doctor) said that if this doesn't help my sore throats and all the drainage and mucus in my nose that we could look at my allergies. Is that like a body part or something? Can they take those out?....

Please, dear child. Feel better quickly and get back to school as soon as possible:)

Please come, Summertime!

2008-05-08T20:45:00.003-06:00

The Rock- State Tennis tomorrow then pretty much "done". Driving students all over the place. Actually, they are doing the driving...
Shematite- roommate backed out of the townhouse. Home for the summer. Looking for employment.
Scout- AP history test tomorrow, got a 94% on college math 1060 class final. Pretty much "done".
Michex - Finishing end of level tests, signing up for driver's ed theory. Done.
Mayflower - Turned the big "10" and had lot's of fun at the Wave Pool. Spring Choir concert last month, school talent show coming up, still tumbling, starting piano next week, signed up for swimming lessons and looking forward to horse camp with cousin Emily.
Me, DB - planted peas and radishes a couple weeks ago, tomatoes and peppers last night. Digging in my flower beds, weeding, planting. Having Rock cut down pesky aspen trees in our front yard that keep sending shoots up in the lawn. I love aspen trees anywhere else:) Sooooooo looking forward to summer...

Tooting Scout's Horn

2008-04-20T08:02:00.003-06:00

Nearly 4 years of vocal training.
Started learning her song for tryouts back in August.
I started trying to order a copy of said Italian songbook back in November. It finally came 10 days ago.
What's the payoff?
When Scout was in 9th grade watching the Weber High School Chamber Quire perform at a concert, she leaned over to me and whispered, "I want to do that."

She did it.

This coming Friday - the 26th, she is leading a ladies double quartet at State Solo & Ensemble. (This picture is her group at Region Solo & Ensemble waiting for the judges to tell them to go ahead and start singing.)
For her spring vocal recital, she and her friend Megan are singing "The Flower Duet" from Lakme'.

Just around the river bend...

2008-04-02T06:26:00.000-06:00

Can't wait...

Easter 2008

2008-03-24T17:41:00.005-06:00

Played softball (Rule #1 - Scout, don't throw the ball unless the person you are throwing it to is looking you in the eyes.)
Butterflied the Rock's nose back together.
Played Bocce Ball.
Did Egg stuff.
Had first grilled hotdog of the season.
Soaked up at Crystal Hot Springs.
Watched Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theater version) with Shematite.
Taught a YW lesson on the Resurrection.
Sang in the Ward choir.
Cooked a nice ham/potato/spinach salad dinner.
Baked and decorated sugar cookies at Mountain Road Ranch.

Junior Prom March 15,2008

2008-03-24T16:57:00.003-06:00

Scout & her date, Skyler

Day Activity: Laser Tag
Dinner: Timbermine
Prom Pictures & Dancing: WSU
After the Dance: DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution)

The Rock: So, when will you have my daughter home?
Skyler: Um. 10:30!
Desertbound (giving Rock a dirty look): Well, if your plans change just give us a call!

I love Road Trips...

2008-03-14T21:00:00.000-06:00

One is never just like another. Meet "New Moon". He made his grand entrance at Lee & Staci's last Thursday night while we were visiting their fun little farm. He was not walking at all and not breathing very well after a very difficult "pull", so Lee brought him out of the cold pasture and right by the warm fire. We returned him to his mama the next morning, had a fabulous pancake breakfast cooked by Staci's daughter,Marqui, and then headed to Moab!
My beautiful, amazing, talented friend Staci!

Beth, Kass and Mayflower

Trailblazer & Dreampacker

Friday afternoon we hooked up with the Moab Marathon crew at the Delicate Arch Trailhead. Love this little hike!

Saturday morning we had a great time enjoying the energy of the crowd and watching and waiting for our runners! Bethany is running to the finish line with a smile on her face and "high-five's" all around! Yea! That's my sister!

Saturday night on our way home we took a detour...

Sigh........Sunset @ Dead Horse Point

New Moon and Moab Marathon Mania

2008-03-11T19:19:00.000-06:00

Stay tuned for pictures and postings...I am having camera issues.
For a sneak preview see the Rock's blog along with Bethany's and Dreampacker's posts. Blog title picture by Bethany :)

Tagged

2008-02-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Apparently I've been tagged by the wonderful Nicoletta. Here goes...
1.What's his name? The Rock
2.How long have you been married? 20 years 5 months 6 days 8 1/2 hours
3.How long did you date? 18 months
4.Who eats more sweets? I think I do
5.Who said I love you first? He did. I was so surprised that I said it right back!
6.Who is taller? The Rock by 2 inches. I am, if I'm in my three inch heels.
7.Who can sing better? At the moment, I can. But right after I have a "treatment", he can :)
8. Who is smarter? He has been accused of being the "smartest person I've ever known" by his students, but I could beat him in a spelling bee.
9.Who does the laundry? I do. He helps fold.
10.Who pays the bills? I did for a lot of years. Now it's both of us - Whoever has time and gets to it first.
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does.
12. Who cooks dinner? Usually whoever gets home first - on weekends I enjoy cooking up something for leftovers during the week.
13. Who drives? He does. I don't like to drive unless I have to. I like to navigate. That way I get to look at maps.
14. Who is more stubborn? Depends on the issue. Rock says he is.
15. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first. I was happily surprised then, too.
16. Who asked who out first? He asked me out first. He was on my "fun to go out with list" so when he asked, I said yes and crossed his name off.
17. Who proposed? He did. Up on Big Rock - which happened to be where we had our first kiss.
18. Who wears the pants? He does. The only skirt I've ever seen him in is the lava-lava his buddy got from his mission in Raratonga. Who has a more controlling personality? I think I do.

I tag my cousin Sheri and all my sisters who may read my blog.

Storybook Love

2008-02-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Nothing much to say. Just wanted to change my blog song. This one is for my honey, the Rock. Love You.

Feelin' Blue

2008-02-03T17:34:00.001-07:00

-Went to the hot springs last night @ 10 pm with Dreampacker, CowboyBob, Nicoletta, Tristano and the Rock.
- The hot springs are right next to the cold river.
- The hot springs are pretty hot.
- Tristano was kind enough to show us how he trains during the winter for his annual jump into glacier fed Emerald Lake near Timpanogas Peak...
- Yes, that's him in the frigid Ogden River. I don't know why the picture is kind of blue, but it sure is fitting for the story.
- Hats off also to the Rock for standing in the cold wind to "get the shot" :)
- Still counting on one hand the times I've been warm this winter. Better go back to the hot springs some more...

One month later....I finally post Christmas pictures.

2008-01-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

New Job

2008-01-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it! I gave up what I have for what I want. With much diplomacy, tip-toeing and tact, I have accepted a new full time position at Dr. Major's office as his Billing Specialist. I will still be working at Dr. Moesinger's office until March (which means possibly working 5 1/2 to 6 days a week until then) and then I will be only filling in if they need me for other's sick days or vacation. This has been a very difficult decision for me because I have loved working for Dr. Moesinger so much. I wish he could offer me what I need and what I want, but at this point in his practice and career, he can't:(
I am excited for this new opportunity and challenge. It has come at the right time for me because I also had my first Botox treatment for my voice on Thursday. I will certainly need a full, strong voice for my new job! If you want to hear what "frozen" vocal cords sound like, give me a call this weekend!