Venice Italy 2008 during Carnival

Paris Pasteries

2010-08-02T12:21:00.001-07:00

All I can say is ... there goes my waistline.

Garnier Opera House

2010-08-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

This was truly one of my absolute favorites. I took a guided tour and learned even more than when I was here in 2007. The Opera House was a place to "be seen." Separate entrances, large grand stairs, and balconies over looking the main staircase so that your entrance into the opera would be a show all of itself. People would buy their own boxed area with walls. Their names would be on the door and it would be theirs for the year.

One of the pictures shows a very small snippet of the library of music, opera and design from the Opera House.

The entire building was one I could sit in all day a muse; however, the place I loved the most is under the grand staircase - the very bottom picture.

This is the place that Phantom of the Opera was written for. Unfortunately there are no rivers underground...only a large vessel holding water in case of a fire.

Vincennes Castle

2010-07-21T01:32:00.001-07:00

We took the Metro to the end of line 1 and found Chateau Vincennes. The chapel was one of my favorites...nice and bright on the inside with HUGE stained glass windows. This castle started out as a hunting lodge for Louis VII. Over the many years other kings have added on. It has been used as a prison.

The picture of paintings are of when it was used for a prison, the prisoners would paint the walls. I also got photos (not included here) of graffiti from 1861. I am fascinated by ancient graffiti.

This picture of Eric...I could make an entire photo book of Eric with statues. Thank goodness Eric keeps his clothes on.

Switzerland

2010-07-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

Our short visit to Switzerland was beautiful! I had to take these fun pictures of the hotel. By the time that we arrived in our room the TV was on with dad's name on the TV welcoming him to the hotel. Then they came and made up two beds for Eric and Michael and left an adorable teddy bear on each of the beds in a cute little bag. Then...they left a Swiss chocolate bar for each of us, water, ear plugs, and little wonderful extras in the bathroom. We decided that we didn't want to leave the hotel.

The next morning we were hoping to get up to the alps. Unfortunately there was a low cloud cover so the boys didn't get to see the majesty of the alps. However, the scenery was extremely beautiful and since they didn't know what they missed, it didn't bother them.

We enjoyed the day of sight seeing and driving back to Stuttgart Germany to catch the train and get back to Paris.

Lichtenstein Castle

2010-07-19T00:54:00.001-07:00

The boys and I caught a train (a fast one! It went 320 mph) from Paris to Stuttgart Germany. Welc met us at the train station and we all spent the night in Stuttgart and then rented a car to drive down through Germany and into Switzerland. Welc was going to be looking at fruit trees and checking out the fruit in markets.

On the way we visited a small castle called Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein Castle sits on a crag overlooking the Echaz Valley in Germany. It is a fairytale castle. We had a short 30 minute tour and then we were off on our way to Switzerland. We drove on the Audubon at speeds a little over 100 mph. I was not thrilled in the least with that. I tried to keep myself occupied with watching movies from the History channel (Joan of Arc and Napoleon) that I had downloaded on my ipod.

Bastille Day - July 14

2010-07-19T00:26:00.000-07:00

Bastille day here in France is like the 4th of July in America. Bastille day marks the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 and the first major event of the French Revolution of 1789.

In the evening we went to the Eiffel Tower to watch the fireworks. I really have to step back at moments like this to soak in the reality of being here in Paris. It was beautiful. I found myself realizing that it was not the same without "Oh beautiful for spacious skies..." playing in the background. France is wonderful but America is where my heart is.

Dday continued

2010-07-12T02:45:00.001-07:00

These photos are of the bunkers that the Germans built in preparation for a battle. Eric is standing in the doorway of one. Inside is an empty shell of fear and death. "Cement" walls housed the big machines of war with wide "windows" to swivel and get aim.

Behind Eric in one of the rooms the Americans found 33 German soldiers. Three escaped to a small town nearby and all the others were killed. Looking in that blackened muddy room I recalled the words of a Veteran. In the museum I had heard him speak that he is still haunted by the sounds of a soldier "gurgling" in his blood. The German had attacked him from behind and the Veteran took his knife and sunk it into the German's temple. He then had to slit his throat. Because he could not bear that the man was dying a slow death, he turned him over and stabbed him in the back. That veteran is still haunted by those sounds and life for him was never the same.

Inside the bunker you can see a direct hit probably from one of our ships.

I don't know a lot about war. Standing on those bluffs, in the bunkers, and on the sand looking up at those bunkers I wept. I wept because my 18 years old boys were there with me and that is the age of most of those young men who died on those sands in 1944. I wept because I missed my father and his patriotism. I wept because I know those men storming the beaches of Normandy on that hellish morning felt alone and very scared. Scared of the unknown and the unsaid.

Dday landing

2010-07-12T02:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday July, 10, 2010, we rented a car and drove to Normandy. My heart kept turning to my father who would tell his Navy stories. I remember his pride, patriotism, and love of the Navy. All those memories came flooding back as I stood upon this ground. I wanted my father to be with me. I wanted to tell him that I finally got it and how grateful I was for all this courage, brotherhood, and sacrifice. As Welc and I stood in front of the crosses on that still afternoon we couldn't speak to each other. Our throats were knotted and our eyes wet.

We stopped in a museum the pictures that I took were three separate standing walls.

COMPETENCE: "We had to know where we were, where we were going, we couldn't afford to be wrong; we had to be right on it, we couldn't afford a disaster." Pvt George Tily

COURAGE: "I started out to cross that beach with thirty five men and only six got to the top, that's all." 2nd Lt Bob Edlin.

SACRIFICE: "then it all came down to this brief first day of battle on the coast of Normandy, and, for so many of them it all ended. For the rest of us, what has been since has not been the same." Capt. Charles Cawthorn

I moved on down the hall and saw for the first time a purple heart. "Sgt Frank Peregory received the Medal of Honor for his heroism on June 3, 1944 while moving inland from Omaha beach. When machine gun fire halted his unit's advance, Peregory stormed through enemy positions and attacked with his rifle, bayonet, and hand grenades. His daring actions cleared the way for his battalion's successful advance. He was killed a week later and is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery."

We went down and walked that beach looking up at what was left of those bunkers that Sgt Frank Peregory faced.

Sacre-Coeur

2010-07-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sacre-Coeur means Sacred Heart is on the highest point in Paris. It was build as a memorial of 58,000 French soldiers killed in the Franco-Prussian War. It took 46 years to build. Glittering inside is a huge Byzantine mosaic of Christ.
The views are unbeatable and this is the place to watch the sun set in Paris...and we did.

Cemeterey

2010-07-08T00:37:00.000-07:00

July 7, 2010
Jon Magnus who is from Wenatchee just happened to be in Paris visiting. He has previously lived in France working as a French interpreter. Jon took Michael, Eric and I to the cemetery where Chopin is buried. Since Michael won our local state competition with a Chopin piece we just had to visit.

Jon pointed out that some of the tombstones have CPE or Concession A Perpetuite on them. If they have that engraved, the grave will remain in the cemeterey forever. If not, the grave will remain only as long as the space has been paid for and then it will be pulled up and a new one put in its place. My first thought was "That is terrible!" my second thought was that I sure hope this cemetery is keeping meticulous documentation.

37 Rue de Charonne

2010-07-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

The is the place that we moved to where we will be staying when we are in Paris. It is beautiful. I have not posted any pictures yet of the libraries (yes four to five full libraries from floor to ceiling). It is cool inside and Welc purchased a fan so on hot nights we have some air circulation.

I find myself more and more intrigued with the paintings and drawings everywhere. I want to know the story behind them all.

This place is located by the Bastille which originally was a fortress but soon became a jail for political prisoners. It was here that angry citizens rising up against the excesses of the monarchy on July 14 1789 stormed the Bastille. This began the French Revoluation and destroyed the hated symbol of oppression. There is now in it's place a column which they call July Column with the Angel of Liberty on top to commemorate those who died in the revolution.

Notra Dame

2010-07-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

On the walk home from church we passed and went through Notre Dame. I was hoping that a mass was going on so the boys could hear the organ and singing inside the church. There is a beautiful spirit when that chapel is filled with live music. The mass had been held earlier in the day when we were at church ourselves. The picture of Welc, Eric, and Michael is in the back of Notre Dame - a view that is not taken often and I feel it is actually one of the nicest views.

Jet Lag

2010-07-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

The boys didn't really think they had jet lag...so when I heard one of them snoring away in the other room I had to snap this picture. They were almost comatose. I could barely wake them when it was time.

Statue of Eric

2010-07-07T04:30:00.000-07:00

Anytime I am having a bad day I need to look at this picture. I was laughing so hard that I was crying. This is in gardens in front of the Louvre.

Bathroom door

2010-07-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

Who in their right mind would put a bathroom door in a house that has a window with no curtain? This bathroom was at the first home we stayed at. Everytime someone passes by the door they see the view of the person in the shower, at the sink, or on the lieu. I met the owner and he seems like a very decent man. I am left without words except two - PRIVACY PLEASE!

Conciergerie and Sainte-Chappel

2010-07-07T04:13:00.000-07:00

July 6, 2010

Today Welc was off to Amsterdam and after a day of work there he will fly to Italy before he rests his head to sleep. This morning the boys and I were off to the Conciergerie which has been both an impressive Gothic Palace and a prison. It is probably most famous as the prison where Marie Antoinette was held as she was tried and then taken to be beheaded. Yesterday we stood at the spot in which she was executed and today we stood in the prison where she awaited her execution at the guillotine. We walked through the medieval kitchen and torture chamber. In the prison we saw the cells that held condemned prisoners which were categorized as poorest (reduced to sleeping on straw), prisoners who could afford to pay (received a cell with a bed), and "high class guests" (ha ha) were allowed a desk and lamp.

Right next to the Conciergerie is the Sainte-Chappel which is written to be the "most beautiful church in Paris." Fifteen incredible stained glass windows 50 ft high (each) depicting 1113 biblical scenes. It takes your breath away. I had never been to the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chappel before. Oh what I have missed!

Fat Tire Bike Tour

2010-07-07T04:04:00.000-07:00

July 5, 2010

This morning the boys and I were up early to get to the Eiffel Tower. We knew it was going to be a cool day and we decided it would be a good day to ride the "Fat Tire Bike Tour" (the tour starts at the base of the Eiffel Tower). On the bike tour I found myself pinching myself trying to believe that I was riding a bike through Paris. It was a beautiful way to see the city. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it if I was trying to navigate myself but I didn't have a care in the world as we followed the guide through the streets. We rode mostly on bike paths but there were times when we were sharing the streets with the insane traffic. I tried to keep up front or in the middle of the pack and I didn't worry about cars. It was worth the price alone for the wonderful guided tour but when he told us how to get into the Louvre without standing in line - that was the frosting on the cake, or the glaze on the pastry (is what they might say here I guess.)

New Rue

2010-07-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2010
Here I am once again awake at 2:00 am Paris time...darn I thought I was going to make it through the night.

This morning I awoke to Michael waking me up because he thought I was in a comma - it was 10:00 am. I had finally fallen to sleep around the time Welc and the boys were getting up. Hopefully this will change soon. It has been so warm here that sleeping is hard because there is no air conditioning.

Welc had left us with an European cell phone which Michael had accidentally turned off and once turned on needed a security code to work...so there we were without any communication with Welc.

We cleaned the house we were staying in and embarked on the journey of hauling 8 huge roller bags, a computer bag, and another heavy tote to find a taxi to our next house. We had to walk almost a half mile in the hot sticky weather weaving in and out of passerby's. Quite the spectacle we were. Finally we arrive at a main street to catch a taxi. There were no taxis that were not in use that wizzed by. After about 40 minutes of flagging down taxis we were frustrated but alas one finally stopped. The boys piled into one large taxi and somehow we managed to squish 4 suitcases the computer bag and the tote with them. Horns were honking and traffic was piling up so I put 50 euros in Erics hand in hopes that would be enough money and I told him the address and off they went. It was so fast that I was quite rattled and worried. Here we are, I thought, "if they get to the wrong place or if I get to the wrong place, no phone, no internet connection, no place to stay, and not knowing where the others were, how would we ever find each other?" Their taxi pulled away and I must say tears filled my eyes. I was frightened...so the best thing I figured is to get working and I stood by the side of that street waiting...and waiting...and waiting for a taxi that was not in use. I whispered a prayer for help and comfort. Tears were flowing down my face and I took a deep breath to get control of my fears. After about 20 minutes of my arm out every time a taxi drove by I finally scored an empty one.

The taxi ride took about 20 minutes with all the traffic. My body finally relaxed when we pulled up at our new address and Eric was waiting outside for me. Thank you Heavenly Father.

Our new place that we are staying in is everything you would think of an Parisian home to be...well for a wealthy European. At least four different libraries - floor to ceiling books. All over the home are relics from foreign places. Everything you touch could be a conversation piece. The owner showed us through the home and then was off to southern France. He and his daughter are film directors, his wife is a published author, and his son is an artist. The home is filled with art (several of which we needed to take down and turn over promptly after he left). This place is located in a trendy/artsy area of Paris by the Bastille.

We hooked up internet and got a message off to dad and he sent us the security code to the phone. Dad let us know that we had left our camera back at the old house and we were going to the barge where the owner lived to pick up the phone. We had to laugh that if he looked at the pictures in the camera I had taken a picture of the bathroom door in his home that had this big window in it to see inside the bathroom. How odd is that?

When we arrived at the location there were many barges. We had to open a gate and cross several barges to get to "Cathere". Then the dilemma of no front door. Do I just hop on the barge and walk down the stairs into the belly of the barge? I started calling his name he heard me and at last our camera was in hand and we were on our way.

Napoleon's Tomb

2010-07-07T03:43:00.001-07:00

July 1, 2010
It is 3:00 am and I cannot sleep here in Paris. My time clock is all kookoo so here I sit in a dark room with just the computer screen illuminated to keep me company.

Yesterday I woke up to Eric handing me a pastry - yummy. He brought me a type of croissant with chocolate in the middle. He was smiling ear to ear, excited to be in Paris. I was going to sleep some more but after I had consumed the pastry I was covered in flakes of itchy pastry that had crumbled off.

Eric was a wee bit sad because the cute girl at the bakery was not working so we had to stop there again for lunch and both Michael and Eric got a yummy pizza. They were so funny trying to flirt with the sweet girl who cannot speak English. Today they figured out how to ask her name...perhaps when we visit in the morning for pastries they will work up the courage.Around noon we were on our way to catch the Metro to Napoleon's tomb which is buried in the Sait-Louis des Invalides church and dome. I didn't realize how little I knew about Napoleon. It was fun googling Napoleon to find out basic facts. Also, there is a fabulous exhibit of Armory beginning with Medieval times and moving through D-day and 1945. It is amazing the change of warfare from arrowheads to bomber planes. We chuckled at several suits of armor that had ears, eyes and facial features molded on the head pieces. They were almost cartoonish. There was one that was an intricately carved chicken or duck head. It even had nostril holes on the beak. Imagine that - an intimidating man in a suit of armor with the head of a chicken.

Jet lag had set in as we were finishing up the museum. I was worried that if I sat down I would fall asleep on the bench and the thought of trying to make it all the way home was almost too much to bear. My body felt very heavy and just wanted to lie down. Eric took the Metro back to the house while Michael wanted to cross the Seins river to see if we could see the Arc de Triumph. We made it across the river and I told Michael that I just couldn't go any farther. The heat mixed with the fatigue was wearing me out. We braved up and bought bottled water from a man standing selling them for 1 euro each. We were so happy to have water. We were hoping it was cold but no such luck.

We made it back to the house. I was thrilled to see Eric's shoes and socks on the floor when we opened the front door. He had no money on him and I had worried that he might have taken the wrong train or something. Michael never made it past the couch that is 3 feet in the doorway. He fell on the couch and didn't move for 4 hours until I woke the boys up to come to the grocery store so we could buy food for dinner.

We ended up buying what I think was flank steak, pasta and green beans. I cooked dinner at 9:30 pm so we had a late dinner and once again went to bed around midnight.

I must close this computer and TRY to get some sleep or I am going to drag around again today. So, off I go to stare at a dark room until the sun comes up

Napoleon's Tomb

2010-07-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

July 1, 2010

World Cup

2010-07-07T03:06:00.001-07:00

June 30, 2010
We went to see the Eiffel Tower last night....Fabulous. We took the underground Metro to get there. The World Cup soccer game had just finished and EVERYONE here are fans. The game finished while we were underground and as we were getting off the subway riot police and dogs were EVERYWHERE getting ready to control the crowds. A group of boys/men were chanting "Spainya, Spainya" (Spain won) and shaking the subway as they got on. People in Portugal shirts were crying....holy cow it was exciting and SCARY. I am amazed at how committed these people are to soccer. As we were exiting the subway huge crowds of people were pushed up against the bars of the subway because the riot police were monitoring how many people could get on the subway at a time. crazy. They had this huge screen outside the grounds of the Eiffel Tower where thousands of people gathered to watch the World Cup....so when it was over there were people chanting and taunting Portugal fans who lost.

The Eiffel Tower is breathtaking at night. They have it "backlit" all night but 10 minutes of every hour at night these incredible twinkling lights illuminate the edifice. Magnificent to behold.

We were all hungry so we stopped and ordered omlets and the boys just had to try the escargot. It is not the escargot but the pastries that call me from every window...hope I make it home in the same clothes I came in...don't know if I will fit.

Arrived in Paris

2010-07-07T02:39:00.000-07:00

June 30, 2010
We arrived in Paris and the taxi dropped us off at our location. What an enchanting cobblestone street. We loaded our gear in big carts and we were off to our place which was the last one on the left. It had balconies and a patio that we ate dinner on. Very quiet and private.

2009

2009-12-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

Who can imagine what can actually happen in one year? The struggles and the triumphs are all part of this life. How we deal with each of these is the key.
I am so grateful for an incredible husband and children who have shown me this year what eternal families are all about.
Some moments in life are too sacred to share and I am grateful for friends that have been there just to sit and cry with me. Tears of heartbreak and tears of sheer joy... ah, family and friends - I am blessed.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has opened up to me in a new light this year and I have journaled my thoughts and feelings so as not to forget what I have learned.
And now as I look forward to 2010 I am excited to move forward knowing the bounteous blessings that have been given to me.

Someone stole my costume!

2009-02-17T18:59:00.001-08:00

When I was at the airport the other day I was stopped in my tracks...there was a picture of a woman in Carson's halloween outfit!

Memories

2009-01-22T22:23:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here realizing that I love to check in on my daughters' blogs. It is incredible that they are old enough to be on their own. Two fabulous young women and I cherish them.

Tonight I was walking into the high school (we were going to a wrestling match) and I was walking behind Michael and Eric. I got a lump in my throught. It was so cool to see them walking in as friends and brothers and WOW - SO HANDSOME :) Soon they will be gone...how exciting to see my kids grow up.

I have been spending my days in doctor's offices. I am working on getting my neck/upper back to a point that I am not in constant pain. I have actually tried accupuncture...never thought I would get to that point. It is helping with a combination of physical therapy (again). We are trying some more things before I look at injections or surgery.

Girl's dinner

2009-01-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Paige had the 3 of us get together and fix a dinner together. We had so much fun! Wow was it good...made me think that we should start a restaurant. Well, maybe not - the kitchen was a disaster after we finished! We fixed a yummy chicken over pasta with and incredible sauce on top. Chrisitne also fixed a garlic, tomato sauce for some of the pasta...just like what I tasted in Italy - YUM! For dessert we had a berries and cream over puff pastry.
I am so grateful for my girls and all the fun that we have together...blessings, blessings, blessings! I look at this picture and I can't believe how old they are. What incredibly smart, talented and beautiful women they have grown up to be.

Cosmic Bowling

2008-12-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

We went bowling and had so much fun! Cosmic bowling is when the lights are out in the bowling alley and they have the black lights on.

Michael ordered french fries with fry sauce - they were GONE in no time. And oh - I am much too humble to let anyone know who won the first game! :)

2008-11-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

These are pictures from our "Thanks and Giving" run/walk on Thanksgiving morning....yes morning :) We are smiling in the pictures only because our faces were frozen. We had a wonderful time being together. Michael was #1 in his age group for the 12K race. I was #2 in my age group for the 5K race. I was thrilled and didn't expect to even have come close to being in the top 10! Now that the race is over I don't have any motivation to get exercising. I don't know if it is the Thanksgiving dinner....leftovers or if I need to look for the next race to sign up for to get my mind and body in motion. Right now I think I will just rest and think about it :)

2008-11-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

Here is our Constable for Fiddler on the Roof. Love the mustache! Eric is doing a great job and enjoying the play. It starts tomorrow so tonight we will be at the play late getting details perfect. I am in charge of all the hair and beards for all the cast. I have learned so much. Eric's mustache here looks great on him.

2008-11-11T12:32:00.001-08:00

I know I have not been keeping up.....I am working on Fiddler on the Roof, helping my friend out with keyboard for kids, and I have broken ribs :(
I will update soon.

Beautiful Morning

2008-10-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

I love fall. Tuesday morning I decided to go for a run down by the river. Amazing, amazing, amazing. As I was jogging through the leaves as they were falling from the trees I was pondering on the lesson I am teaching this Sunday for the Young Women. The lesson is on loving ourselves, forgiving ourselves and moving on. I think that we often forgive others and never truly forgive ourselves or spend our time beating up on ourselves. Have we forgotten who we REALLY are or are we not giving ourselves permission to let the full light of Christ shine through us?

The air was crisp and I was glad as I began to warm up on my jog. I pulled my sweatshirt off and tied it around my waist. I could smell fresh cut grass - I love that smell. The big lawnmowers were going over the grass and leaves, probably for the last time of the season. I run I pass old folks with canes, young folks with backpaks, dogs, and bikes. I chuckle to myself...at the beginning of my run I offer all who pass a "Good morning!" As I get more fatigued from my run my greeting turns to a hand wave, then to a hand raise, and finally just a nod with heavy breathing.

I realize I love to run. I have loved it because the music that I put on my ipod is inspirational. Between the beauty of the season and this beautiful music I feel like I can do anything.

Tagged

2008-10-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged which means that you go to your digital computer file, go to the 4th file and the 4th picture and post it on your blog. So here it is .... ta da ... of my mother and me on the balcony of our cruise to Alaska. We are in glacier bay - my favorite part of the trip.
Now I tag Christine, Paige and Olivia.

Homecoming 2008

2008-10-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening

2008-10-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

This evening Jared, Christine and Carson came over. We made carmeled apples...always a must during the fall season! Obsiously Eric got bored :) Jared and Eric played a game of snapping the clothes pins to see who can get the most in a box on the table...Eric got a little distracted.

Today was my first day in my Young Women calling. I forgot how much I love being in the YW. I am very excited for this calling.

Eric and Michael went to their first homecoming dance last night. They were out very late (or early - depending on which way you look at it). They went with different groups and came home with smiles on their faces. They had a great time. Eric and his date, Kjersten Lewis wore black with cream. Michael and his date Erin ? (don't know her last name) wore black with royal blue accents. What a fun time for them.

Mr. Sunshine

2008-10-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Carson with Mr. Sunshine - his favorite

Mother's Weekend/Lava Hot Springs

2008-10-19T00:13:00.000-07:00

I met up with Lori Pathakis at Lava Hot Springs. We had a fabulous time catching up on where the last 22 years have gone. It was so much fun to catch up on kids and remember what good friends are all about. Even though we have missed seeing each other for a few years, we can see each other without missing a beat. I love Lori and her energy!

One of my favorite seminars at Mother's Weekend was by Connie Sokol on Eliminating emotional clutter. She concentrated on 6 things:

1. Nourishing your soul: "I decide what goes on in my home". She talked about doing prayers, scriptures, and temple attendance on a level of being a woman and not as we did as a child.
2. Clear Vision: What do you see as your "ideal" life (emotionally, physically, spiritually)? If YOU DON'T KNOW - then you can't do/have it. Carp diem - make a "to become" instead of a "to do" list.
3. Great JUICY goals to creat vision: "What do you want or need for the next 3 months?" Discuss this with the Lord. Create a wall of inspiration. Achieve one good juicy goal a week.
4. Eliminate energy drainers: guilt, costic people, perfectionism (ask "who am I doing this for?"), inappropriate guilt. Guilt is like a rock dropped at your feet. Ask yourself, "is it mine?" If it is not yours - DON'T pick it up. If it is then pick it up and take care of it.
5. LAUGH
6. Increase energy gaines: magnify your gifts and interestes. PASSION, PASSION, PASSION, MOXY, MOXY, SAVY, LIFE WISDOM.

Mother's Weekend at BYU - Idaho

2008-10-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

We are having a great time here at Idaho! Paige picked me up at the Idaho Falls airport and then we went to T.G.I.Friday's for dinner. We had a great time catching up on her boyfriend, Nathan, and her visits with his family. They sound like a wonderful family - they must be to have such a great son.

Next we were off to my sister Olivia's house in Blackfoot. We had a fun few hours before bed to goof off, laugh, tell funny stories, and try on clothes that I brought for Olivia.

This morning Paige and I were off at 7:45 am to get back to Rexburg. The seminars started at 9:00 am and we went to three outstanding talks. I have to run right now but I will post more on what I learned in each talk later....plus I have the cutest pic on my grandbaby!

2008-10-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Ah....the finish line. My heart is full!

Oktoberfest Half Marathon

2008-10-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

"You have the GREATEST FAMILY!" was the cheer as I passed fellow runners in the Oktoberfest Marathon. I think I had the most and best support of anyone in the marathon! Welc had his dirt bike and went up and down the road cheering me on, getting me water, whatever I needed. Carson and Christine made this fabulous bright pink sign "Keep Going Mom! We Love you!" That pink sign kept moving down the road on the back of her car so I had a goal to get to every mile or so. Eric was hooting and rooting on the side of the road...he kept moving to different points along the trail. Then at one point (the bottom middle picture) Eric stood by the side of the road with my cell phone open. He had it on speaker phone and Paige was hollering "GO MOM! GO MOM!" Alas that is not all...my brother, sister in law, and sister were waiting around the 10 mile mark. What fun to have them come and support me. Oh, I can't forget my dear friend Terri Wynder who didn't want to run the marathon but she wanted to support me so she volunteered to pass out water at a water station.

I get tears in my eyes just thinking about the day and all of them at the finish line for me. This is a day I will never forget. The incredible beauty of Leavenworth this time of year, my family, my friends, and I made my goal! 2 hours 19 minutes!

Cross Country

2008-09-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Of course Dad was there at the finish line. What a great pic. I didn't show you the picture that during the race Welc was on a bike with a bubbly black helmet pedaling from spot to spot around the course to yell out times for Michael at certain distances so that Michael could pace himself. :)

Michael's cross country

2008-09-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

This season cross country running Michael has done exceptional. He has already met his season goal as of today in Yakima...he ran a 16.58 5K!

This weekend I am going to run a half marathon in the Leavenworth Oktoberfest. It was this race last year that got me going with a goal to start exercising. I realize now that I need a goal or I don't have motivation.

Last year I ran the half marathon in 2 hours and 31 minutes. My goal this year is to run it in 2 hours and 25 minutes...I figure one year older and 6 minutes faster is good! I am very excited and it is wonderful that so much of my family is coming to support me :) Yippeee for families!

2008-09-27T21:01:00.001-07:00

Michael had a cross country race this morning. The weather was GORGEOUS and Michael ran a great race. I think he was in the top 5 or 6. The Wenatchee boy's varsity team won a trophy...pretty exciting!
Then I was off to a little place called Cider Mills Cafe in Cashmere. I met up with my friends Terri Wynder and her mother, and Kristi Anderton. Terri, Kristi, and I have been taking guitar lessons and there was a group at the cafe playing mandolins. Mandolins are small and sound Celtic. We had a great time enjoying the music and catching up. Since I have been released as RS President we haven't been able to keep up with each other's lives...it was good to have "girl time."
Then I was off to pick up Christine and Carson for the RS Broadcast. There was a light salad dinner before the broadcast. I was very pleased at the attendance. I was afraid that most women would stay at home and watch the broadcast on KBYU. I guess the thought of getting out and having a light dinner with other women was great motivation...the cheesecake was VERY GOOD!
After the broadcast Christine and I were off to DQ for an ice cream treat before returning home. So a little after 7:00 pm I finally arrived home after a day filled with WONDERFUL memories...I am a happy girl!

2008-09-26T11:07:00.001-07:00

I am going to go visit Paige at BYU Idaho for Mother's weekend! I am so excited to get her all to myself and enjoy the events they have planned. I will also get to see my sister in Blackfoot and also meet up with a college friend in Lava Hot Springs. I have never been to a hot springs before - I am very excited about everything except trying to s-q-u-e-e-z-e into a swim suit for the hot springs. I am assuming people wear swim suits - if you are supposed to go in the buff I am afraid I will have to enjoy a good book curled up in my room :)

I hope to remember to take pictures of the trip to post .... this will be FUN!

Notra Dame

2008-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

After we had walked through this magnificent church we sat at a little cafe on the side street. I ordered a crepe with nutella, sat at our table and took the picture that is in the bottom right corner of the collage. As I enjoyed the moment, I couldn't help but pinch myself and think "I am in Paris eating a crepe and sitting outside Notra Dame!" It was a beautiful day...I will never forget it. I was very grateful that we had purchased food because there are hardly any restrooms and in order to use one you have to purchase food and they give you a "token" in which you can use to open a stall down in the restrooms. Isn't America great!

2008-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

This was histerical....I told Welc to move over while I took a picture of this incredible statue that was at the front of a battle ship eons ago. He moved over and was litening as he looked up at the ceiling. I caught this photo and realized that it looks like he is posing as the statue! I'm not sure he thinks this picture is as funny as I do!

2008-09-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

This is the Louvre. It is HUGE. I think there are 4 or 5 levels and the building itself covers blocks and blocks. It would take a couple weeks to see everything that is here.

August flowers

2008-09-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

I love to garden!

Fire!

2008-09-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Spokane, we received a phone call from Jared telling us there was a fire coming close to the house. They were getting ready to evacuate homes. Luckily Jared was able to get up to the house and help Eric load the Explorer with files, computers, photo albums, etc.

When we FINALLY got to the house the fire had calmed down tremendously. As I arrived fire trucks cars and people were so thick on our culdesac that I had to beg to get through. Here are pictures after one of the fire trucks had finished spraying and left. This last one in pulling in his ladder and getting ready to roll up the hose. Even as I was getting ready to go to bed there was a fire truck camped out front just in case any flair ups.

I am so grateful for the church! When I arrived, besides Jared, Christine, Eric and Michael there was Mike Anderton, the Sister Missionaries, 6 phone messages, and a stream of phone calls coming into my cell phone.

2008-08-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hill Cumorah

2008-08-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

Top of Hill Cumorah
Looking down...this is where they hold the Hill Cumorah Pageant.
I found myself looking at each spot saying to myself "The plates could have been buried right here!"

Palmyra New York

2008-08-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

Joseph Smith's log cabin. Very humble.
Upstairs ... this is the place that the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith.
Finally...the Sacred Grove. I have been waiting all my life to get here. It was beautiful - the spirit overwhelming. As I looked up at the trees I found myself wishing they could talk. I would love to have seen what they have witnessed.
I spent about 45 minutes in the grove...walking, sitting on a bench, basking in the spirit. As I left I turned around and took this picture. It was hard to leave.

Niagra Falls

2008-08-11T20:54:00.001-07:00

Standing right at the falls...spectacular! The sound and strength of the water put things in perspective of how magnificent - how blessed we are to have such beauty.

Kirkland Ohio

2008-08-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the Knewell K Whitney Store. The store is set up the same way as it was in the 1800's. Upstairs at this table is where some of the revelations in the D&C were received.

Here is the Kirkland Temple. We went to this cemetary that is just across the street. We saw several tombstones of Joseph Smith's family and many other names that we recognized from D&C.

Akron Ohio

2008-08-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to go and take my kids to the places of the restoration of the Gospel. In June Welcome, Eric, Michael and I had the opportunity to go to Kirkland and Palmyra.

Our trip began in Akron Ohio ... our first stop - the NFL Hall of Fame (yes, I know this is not a historical spot of the restoration).

Football is not a huge past time of mine and I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money to dutifully smile and act as if I was having fun. However I found it very interesting ... the old videos, special shoes of football players that have played and not had an entire foot, super bowl rings from each year (BLING!), jerseys, helmets from each team, bronze busts of great players, and yes - even an old cheerleader's outfit.

Leaving Akron we were off to Erie Pennsylvania. We spent the night at a Sheraton right on Lake Erie. It was beautiful to wake up in the morning and see the boats just outside our window and on the water.

Our next stop - Kirkland.

Time

2008-08-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

I have been pondering something that Rhonda Webb mentioned in her lesson yesterday at church. She mentioned that she keeps telling herself a lie. That lie is: "I don't have time". When in fact we control how we use all our time. If we are alive - we have time.

This life is measured by time - if we have a mortal body - we have time. It is only our premortal life and our life hereafter that is not measured by "time."

Rhonda told us that when her son Christopher was at the end of his life she was paralyzed with grief and fear. After so long she said it was as if an angel put their hands on her shoulders and shook her and said something like: "Christopher is still alive - snap out of it and use this time instead of squandering it."

I really liked her comparing our body with the element of time...so if I'm alive - I have time.

Prince

2008-08-03T14:55:00.001-07:00

We will always love you...

My first blog

2008-08-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today Paige is helping set up my blog. I have been wanting to learn how to do this for some time now. Paige is have a TON of patience as I am asking questions about everything.