Everyone around me has to put up with this...!
MmmmmHmmm.....:p
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Perspective
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
Everyone around me has to put up with this...!
MmmmmHmmm.....:p
Friday, July 30, 2010
Dearest Em
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...
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
More Summer Reading!
Okay! I just barely finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and I am once again astonished to say that I laughed, giggled, smiled, sighed, held my breath and wept my way through this book. And yes, it is a novel of fiction no less! Thanks, Bethany for lending it to me. I think I need my own copy now:) What could possibly be a more delightful summertime treat than sitting in the porch swing, sipping lemonade and reading a great book!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Summer reading, summer not.
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!
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!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The People of the Blue-green Waters.
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?
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?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Class of 2010
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!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
April 28, 1998
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!
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!
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