Random Catch-up

Veronica had a wonderful time at Especially for Youth, meeting new people, having spiritual experiences and a lot of fun. She was exhausted when she got home.

The family went to Lagoon for Bach Corp Lagoon Day. It was fun! The kids had a blast, we enjoyed a good meal, Richard, Matt and Kristina joined us for awhile and we saw Little John (not so little anymore) and cousin Matt while we were there. The only problems with the day were that it was really hot and we couldn't get enough water and all of us had aching feet. I stubbed my little toe and the nail lifted completely off and bled underneath. I now have a fever and can feel my pulse in my little toe.

Nairn and Maria had a beautiful baby boy. We stopped on our way to Lagoon and held him and admired his preciousness. He has ridiculous fingers and toes. I could have held him all day.

I received an exciting letter yesterday with an offer to publish "Gifted." I had a great visit today with my new editor (I can't believe I just said that) and so now the work begins on getting the book revised (they wanted me to add a few things) and ready to go to print. I will have a book in bookstores. I cried and then made a few phone calls to those who have followed my writing career closely and given me encouragement. The editor suggested that I start an author's blog, so you can link on mine on the top right of the blog. Please become a follower! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. That's me silently but enthusiastically screaming with a lot of excitement and a little bit of panic.

I love Elder Holland

I remember when this talk was given in October, 1999. At the time, I was pregnant with Joe and so, so, so sick--losing weight, throwing up constantly and in terrible pain.

I read the talk again and again in the next several months as I was on over three months of bed-rest and in excrutiating pain every time I'd have to get up to use the bathroom. It was inspiring and helpful and given just for me.

A few months after Joe was born, I was grocery shopping at Fred Meyer in Bountiful, when I saw Elder and Sister Holland in the produce section. Hesitantly, I approached him and with tears in my eyes, told him how his talk had impacted me and how important it had been during that hard time. He admired my beautiful baby and curly-haired little girl, gave me a hug, and told me that Heavenly Father loved me and knew good things were just around the corner.

How inspired are the brethren. I love conference and I love Elder Holland and this inspired message.

Happy Father's Day!

It's great to have a day to celebrate and reflect on the wonderful fathers in our lives.

First, I'll talk about the one I chose to be the father of my kids. I'm so thankful to have found someone who loves being a dad and wants to be a part of his kids' lives. Travis is a dad who takes his kids to church, prays with his kids, is always willing to take them to a movie or the park, supports them in their activities and loves and encourages them. He would choose to do something with his kids before he'd choose to do something with friends. The kids know he likes to be with them and that's a wonderful thing. He gives them father's blessings and teaches them about faith in the Lord. He teaches them to be practical, thrifty, and hard-working. He isn't frivolous and wasteful and he's teaching all of these qualities by his example. He's a blessing in our lives.Then there's my Dad, a man who sacrificed and worked hard to support eleven children. He's a man who was a great cheerleader, encouraging us and telling us we were world-class in everything--music, sports, etc. He helped us with homework, gave us blessings, taught us the gospel and bore his testimony to us. In spite of limited money, he traveled with us, making sure we saw new places and had new experiences. He's a gifted teacher and to this day is one of my favorite school teachers. He taught us to love good music, to do whatever was asked of us in church and to be loyal.

Travis's dad is funny, generous and thoughtful. He's laid-back and casual and makes you feel comfortable immediately. He's genuinely interested in what is happening in his kid's and grandkid's lives and celebrates every accomplishment. He works hard and taught that quality to Travis. He loves to share with his family, especially good food that he usually cooks himself and fun experiences, like ball games and fine dining.Travis's step-dad is a kind and generous man with a witty sense of humor. He is encouraging and helpful and likes to see people succeed.

We are very blessed to have these fathers and grandfathers in our lives. I'm so grateful for the influence they are on my kids and I love them all.

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Birthday to Me

I still need to catch up on a reunion posting, but that will have to come next week, a little out of order.

So today was my birthday. Birthdays just aren't the same when you get older. I don't look forward to them quite as much. It was nice, though and my family was sweet. Savannah made me a birthday cake. This is no small thing since she isn't my daughter that likes to bake. In fact, she usually rebels at the idea of helping Veronica or me in the kitchen, so thanks to Savannah.One of the things I wanted to do for my birthday was to frame three watercolor cards I purchased in Alaska from an amazingly talented artist at a little booth. Her name is Kana Yamasaki and she was so nice and her work was so beautiful. I also purchased a lovely Christmas watercolor that will be displayed later in the year. I love that I found a frame for cheap at Ross and that this turned out so great.

The kids gave me a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and Travis gave me flowers.

The three younger kids and I ran to See's to pick up Father's Day presents and we all enjoyed a couple of chocolates or a sucker. See's has to be the best candy in the world!

For the past several days my sciatica (I hope I spelled that right) has been hurting and I haven't felt great. In Idaho I had a woman that did lymphatic drainage and reflexology. Well, knowing I was hurting, Travis called an old colleague and hunted down someone for me to go to. It was both great and brutal. I doubt I'd have hurt worse if I'd been in an old world dungeon with shackles and whips and cruel instruments pulling off my fingernails one at a time, but DO I EVER FEEL BETTER!!! She really knew what she was doing and it made a huge difference. Thank you Travis!

Spencer and Kristi and their family are in Utah visiting from Oregon, so we invited them down for hot dogs around the fire. We had a nice visit. Their kids are so cute. Unfortunately they ran into bad traffic both directions, so that stunk, but it was nice to have them come down. Here are a few pictures. I'm looking forward to lunch tomorrow with Travis for my birthday and Father's Day. Thanks to my family for making today a nice day. I have many, many blessings and five of the best of them live with me.

Summer Vacation 2010

(From notes I kept on the trip)



We left just as school got out, drove to Bountiful and saw John and Tawnie's beautiful new baby. Drove on to Idaho and saw our house looking a little tired and overgrown. Oregon was beautiful. Hills covered with green and purple grasses. Pine trees. Beautiful farms, red barns, cows grazing.



Ben Lee singing "We're All in this Together," making me glad to be here with my family. Kids napping. Me napping. Travis driving and cracking jokes. Joe asking how much longer 'til we get there. A little talk radio. Peanut butter M & Ms.



Gas is getting cheaper. We see a sign that the powerball jackpot is 220 million. Travis asks what's the first thing we'd do if we won that much money. I say "pay off everyone in the family's houses." Bruce says, "Buy everyone new houses and get the schoolhouse for Grandpa and Grandma." Sounds like a good plan.



I want to read my book but the scenery is too pretty. Love seeing the trains, even the graffiti covered cars. Joe has read 14 chapters of White Fang. I'm enjoying the old-fashioned power lines--the ones that look like a man standing there holding the wires.



Bruce's graduation is happening right now. We're all glad we're here instead.


SATURDAY - Kids swimming. Ivar's fish and chips. Feeding seagulls. The market--flowers, Three Girls Bakery and more. Disappointed that they no longer make haystacks and smaller mounds cost more. Andre Lovett singing on the street. He's excellent.

(For Mehmet)

SUNDAY - We drive around the city and look at some homes. Veronica has a bad cold. Road-raged, insane flipper-offer. Bags of fancies for breakfast. Challenge getting our parking taken care of, then a crazy taxi ride. Long lines, but finally on the ship.

Safety drill. Unpacking. Sign kids up for teen club and tween club. We read in the library. Delicious family dinner. Bruce can't be in teen club. Bummer. Tween club fun, but no girls in teen club. Bruce and Veronica join us for cheesy show, but Bruce gets called on the stage to participate so we're glad we went.

MONDAY - Basketball. Savannah and Joe climb rock wall. Veronica meets girl from Lone Peak. Rocky Road ice cream on demand. Oh oh. Terrible comedian. I mean the worst. I wanted to boo. Beautiful scenery. Bruce and Travis place third in Sports Trivia. Joe wins survivor in kid's club. Veronica and new friend go to teen club and have fun. Bruce, Travis and I go to fun Majority Rules game.
TUESDAY - Juneau. We rent a car. Neat town. We hit a Wal-Mart and a laundramat for the necessities. Mendenhall glacier. Beautiful. Souvenirs. Drive around seeing the town. Sunny and warm. Ski wall entrance. Bruce tries the highly recommended Russian Dumplings. Lobster for dinner. Dance games in Kid's Club.

WEDNESDAY - Skagway. Very old-fashioned and cute and small. Hot! 85 degrees. Souvenirs. Triking down the 4 miles from the lookout. Fun pictures in panorama at the park. Discovered delicious pecan sticky buns on the ship. Golfing and suffleboard. Funny waiter asks Joe to pay the bill several times, even bringing him a fake bill at the end of the meal. He asks Joe for his room card to pay and asks for Joe's signature. Joe writes at the bottom of the bill: Never. The waiter can't stop laughing. Crossword puzzle with Bruce. Bruce entertains the room with his dance moves at a dance party. Fun juggling show. Too much food!

THURSDAY - Glacier Bay National Park. Over 3 million acres of incredible beauty. Calving glaciers. Stunning ice. Park ranger who said "I'd encourage you to..." at least 100 times during the few hours of narration. Breathtaking!

Delicious lamb, pecan pie, mousse and scallops. Travis, Bruce and I took 2nd place in Olympic trivia. Very funny 2nd City Comedy group. 2nd place in True/False trivia (There is a limit of 4 per team, but we keep losing to a family with four playing, but about eight more "watching"--pretty fishy). Can't take Andy the cruise director. Shuffleboard, basketball, pirate fun, photo scavenger hunt, library, gameroom where we play a really dumb game of Office Trivia.

FRIDAY - Ketchikan. Interesting and charming town. Duck Tour. Eagles. Entertaining lumberjack show. Purchased a couple of pretty watercolors. The girls wanted some rings from a seller there. He started out at $20.00 each. The girls started to walk away so he offered to make them a deal. If they'd buy 10, he'd sell them for $7.00 each. They asked if he'd take $28 for 4 of them and he said, "Well, I don't know. How about 5 for $30?" I quickly agreed and we were on our way.

2nd place in 80's trivia--Again. Hilarious improv show from 2nd City group. Chocolate buffet. Beautiful weather. Another crossword.

This eagle was real. I promise!

SATURDAY - Slept in late. Animal towel folding demonstration. Second City improv workshop. We laughed so hard I almost had an accident. They were my favorite part of the entertainment by far. Good juggling show. Crossword with Bruce. Last dinner in Summer Palace.

Victoria. Carriage ride and bus tour. Beautiful city! Incredible architecture. Gorgeous homes. One of the prettiest cities I've ever seen. Last evening with Joe and Veronica's cruise friends.

SUNDAY - So sad! It's over. Easy exit. Really wish the week was just starting. Wish we'd gotten more pictures with the kids' friends. Raining in Seattle - the only city we didn't have sunshine.

Some final thoughts as we go home:

I'm actually glad Bruce couldn't go to the Teen Club. We loved doing more things with him. Loved all the family time--activities, meals, games, shows. So many fun memories with no blow-ups, everyone laughing together and having fun. A fantastic week.

On the way home we visited for a couple of hours about funny memories and experiences, impersonations of people we met, things we'll miss, etc. So glad we went!