IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER

Fun in the Sun

2010-08-08T22:38:00.001-07:00

Lake trip on Friday was TONS of fun! Thank you Kerry And Cass! Why am I so timid about the wake? I DON’T KNOW! But I think that going a lot more often would help cure me! :-)

I feel the same way about snowboarding- I would be more adventurous if I would just go more? But regardless of the boarding the lake was beautiful; the water was refreshing and not shocking cold – the company exquisite …

I love the after lake tradition of greasy food, In-n-out completes the trip with an after party recap. The only thing that could make it better is friends who don’t bail!!! What’s up with that?

Kye - GOOD JOB!
Thanks El Capitan and Capitan jr

Come on!!!!

2010-08-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

Patience, Patience… So as many of you know I have been working on a location for Two Hippies. We are supposed to hear back - any day - if our last offer was accepted at the location we are hoping for. In the mean time, I am still in this transition limbo that feels odd. I feel like a bum. Not the one I sit on… but then again, maybe that one too. Haha, Maybe that is a good intro to Two Hippies hahah Just Kidding – no offence intended. I just feel strange not working on something a little more aggressively, or jsut more focused becasue I have to wait for somemany duck to get in their rows.
Maybe I should call Mike??? I always get off the phone with him feeling like I really could be doing more… More of something, anything – infused with more passion even if it is just for a new book, concept, or – wait is that what I want? I mean maybe I should call Don, because he is so much less intense – I won’t feel so underachieving - Yes, that will work. Arrrrrrg.
Gosh – why does everyone in my family carry the same genes? Mom & Dad I am officially blaming this one you - our lack of intensity that is!

Patience, Patience…

Oh, but wait... look at me, I am blogging!

Disk Golf part II

2010-08-03T21:10:00.001-07:00

It was fun! Can you tell from Porter's enthusiasm and the smile on Bryant's face??

Ok, Waaaaaaaaay too hot. There is a reason people don’t come out of their homes here in the summer unless they have to… Well sometimes I am not too bright and bring and to make it worse, I enlist some to go with me – poor suckers! Hahah

(Thanks Porter, Bryant, and Meagan for be so willing!!) the first 9 rounds were ok, we took a break after #10 to do some monkey-ing around, check out these cool pic’s!

I am glad that we finished all 18, but next time – I say we go to a course with water! And oh, maybe not @ the hottest time of the day.
Nothing like a Sonic banana cream shake to cool us down.- mmm hahaa can I talk about ice cream in every post? I am a bit Pennington I guess!

Eat Pray Love

2010-08-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

So, in case anyone missed my meager book review I really liked that book and lately I feel like have been able to do a little first hand incorporation.
Maui – not a bad setting, OK I didn’t do all the “I’s” Italy,India, etc... but all the same…
Eat, Mmmmmm delicious food! The first night was a yummy Kuala Pork, sandwich, sweet potato fries and a Lava flow. Lots of sweet snacks and as you can see here who can go wrong with pizza and “pazookie”? - One night we got a Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream treat and put in the the “freezer” well we forgot to eat it that night and in the morning took it out… uggg, MAN DOWN! We tried a couple bites just to see if it was milk-shake-ish blek. No.
Anyone remember wasting $5 in Hawaii the first time? Chaulk this one up to the same! Except accounting for inflation- it was $6.

Pray- ok, With out getting too in depth, how can you not feel closer to God in a place like this?
I MIGHT have missed church, Grandma P. would not be pleased. But my soul was so peaceful to hike this beautiful terrain and stand under a waterfall – and swim in the “7 sacred pools” - heaven!

Love – Ok It did not hurt that I was there with a cute boy, I don’t know about love – but I do know that it would be a fun place to fall in love if I ever did that sort-of-thing! Haha I loved many parts of the island, I loved the waterfalls, I loved parasailing (hummm I need to develop those pictures, they are on old school film) I loved the fun, I loved the food, I loved the company, I loved the ocean, I loved the sun and the opportunity to just BE!

A GUUUUUUUUD Day!

2010-07-19T22:17:00.000-07:00

Cami and I were talking the other day about something we both feel really blessed about… We realized that since May we have had family visitors from either my family or hers all summer long. We have been so lucky and we really do love that we have the space and option to have everyone here!
Soooooo right now Cami’s sister Myr and kids are here so this morning we were all getting ready to go and Cameron comes into my room – “Hey Jera, look at me!”
How can anything warm your heart like this???? I LOVE their cute faces and I LOVE their imagination. I have had the greatest day.
Thank you everyone for Phone calls, cards, gifts, and yummmmmmmmmmy foods! I am a pretty lucky girl! Can I just always say girl and not woman? Hahaha – hummm when does that happen? Just not yet, that is all I know regardless of the #.

Flava- What the?????

2010-07-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago I was introduced to the coooooolest concept. Thus entered “Two Hippies” into my life...

Now, I have known a lot of hippies in my day - growing up in Oregon that just is a natural.
I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Some people have taken the liberty let me know that they think I have a bit of ‘hippie’ actually coursing through my veins… well, maybe so. But I think that just has to do more with my affinity for the outdoors, healthy food, exercise and a splash of ty-dye. Really can you blame a girl? (Apparently so if you have any refined culture I am lead to believe!)
Well- To get on with the story, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Two Hippies concept and I am currently working hard to focus on getting one into the Gilbert, AZ Area.
Finding a location has been more challenging than I had hoped. Even some coercion and slight stalking not quite doing the trick.
Phil says I can result to prayer and ask that the location I want go out of business. Hummm - that Karma can sure be a @&%#* - sooooo – I decided (after an oh-so-brief gut check) to go another route.
It’s been a jump to think of stepping back from Acupuncture and putting so much focus into something new, but I am really excited about the “flava” it will bring into any area that it will be in and the adventure that will come with it I am all for! It’s a sweet wave – more to follow about it, soon I hope!
All fresh, local or Organic food - hummm except the new addition of hotdogs to the menu… but we’re thinking of so cooler new additions, for sure to be super tasty! I can't wait to tell you more!

Disk Golf

2010-07-18T17:49:00.001-07:00

Hey – anyone Frisbee golf? Ok- so does anyone have to eat their words as much as I do?? I sometimes really try to not say things that I have to take back, but I don’t try hard enough. It was less than 2 months ago that I was having a conversation with my friend about playing Ultimate Frisbee, in which he asked me – what about “disk golf” do you ever play that? I ask why I would want to? “Do you run, jump, catch or just friendiely push people over in general?” Ne replied “no, and sometimes people can have fun with out being so aggressive,” I asked him why they would want to, when they could have so much more fun?
That was about the end of the conversation. – New friend and conversation - hey lets go to Disk Golf…. OK – and you know what? It was Fun! I and I never knew there were whole parks just dedicated to this!?! It was like being introduced to geo-caching! I live in such a bubble! And it’s a bit easier to get a small group together to play since you don’t need an 8 person minimum. – Here is to peaking out of my bubble! -
Oh, and seriously could I pose any dorkier? It was a beautiful setting though!

and more beginnings

2010-07-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

So it’s one thing to come into the harsh world from the one we leave behind, I am sure, and another to come in with less than the best footings.
I am sad that I have not been able to love and hold the newest additions to the family – But here is little Addison and Weston – they are tough, and having their mothers blood we know that they will be the best little fighters!! They are doing so good, and we are so excited they are off the ventilators and gaining weight! I am grateful for the blessings of the priesthood and prayers. As hard as the things we have to go through to learn about our faith I am so grateful that it grows!

endings and beginnings

2010-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

So, I was reminded recently that I had this “thing” called a blog… hummm who knew? I thought I’d give it a go since I do have a few things I can share about… ok, what first?
How about endings and beginnings?
So fun!
Jeanie – HAPPY HAPPY Day to you, and Justin!– hasta to your “old single” life! Ok, so there is a a little sadness to giving something’s up and moving on, no? Maybe just I (??) feel like that and seeing this was a refelction for me of the ever changing from endings to beginnings. Even when there are happy things and “better” things to be participating in, it’s still a little sad to transition from something that becomes so comfortable – like my favorite shirt from soooo last season, ok- like 10 years ago, there comes a time I know… it does not always make it easier. BUT I have to say looking at a beautiful bride and eager young groom it makes my heart full and forever hopeful of new beginnings.
Thanks for letting me borrow the picture Jeanie!

Marley and Mylife

2009-05-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

For those of us who have seen Marley & Me, I feel like my life has been like the part where he goes into auto mode : about walk Marley, wrote column about blah blah, chased Marley, met Gloria Estefan and Jen went crazy, .. anyways if you saw it you know what I mean - so has been my life for the past few days since I wrote last, please refer to the scene of said movie:
-Hung out with cool people
-Tried e harmony -what a joke, not one match (in the whole world!)
-Tried match.com because a friend had four personal testimonials about it – what a joke I need to take Elder Oaks direction! Not one match, (somewhere in my mind I'm in-between the realization of not one match in the whole world and I believe in amazing miracles because I see them everyday! – Haha)
- Lots of birthdays and celebrations: Aunt Eunice, Steve, Kierstin, Levi, U. Don & A. Eunice Anniversary, Alysa, Jackie
- Didn’t make time for visiting teaching, felt bad about that
- Did make time for Ultimate Frisbee, Loved it
- hung out with Alysa and Kaycee – amazed at how perfect a little human can be, and how fast they grow!
- went on a quazi-date and was introduced to Geocaching
- Went on trail, had Bobcat come right into Camp! Got a bit freaked out and excited all at the same time.
- Saw my first Javalina and scorpion on the trail
- It got so warm on the trail, RS season started already
- met the coolest kids on the trail
- tried to me social in effort to meet my husband, went two a couple of parties, it was painful – I think Cami & I came home and cried. One more social setting we know we don’t have to attend anymore – unless I decide that 40 yr olds with red-vine straws in their rootbeer, saving their gum un top of the can for later is as cool as it was when I was 6, or when I’m hanging out with Levi and Aaron.
- Dustin Graduated from UTI! He’s a Rock Star, had a couple of cool conversations with him – I love to see the man that he’s becoming each day!
- Took Porter, Bryant, Meagan and Heidi to the Chaparral Sharks Spring carnival – It was a blast! Even Heidi climbed the rock wall and we ALL got in the jousting bounce and tried to knock each other out – Porter isn’t little anymore, Hahah we had so much fun, thank you Cami and Shannon!
- AZ Pennington’s spent the night for the first time since I don’t remember when – and we went Geocaching, heidi found ‘treasures’ it was a blast.
- more birthdays and Celebrations: Cami, Jeavoni, Chantel, A. Pat, Makenzie, Ariona, Zachary, and Ryan
- Didn’t make time for visiting teaching, felt bad about that
- Did make time for Ultimate Frisbee, Loved it - humm did I notice something?
- April fools, got duped by a pre-pay your ticket gig on the radio. They did a good job!
- fell IN LOVE several times in April
- Went to Oregon for Makayla & Collins Wedding
- went to Olympia and spent the night with the family @ Dean & Chantels new home (fell in love, I LOVE it there)
- went to Don and Dee-Anna’s passing through (fell in love, I forget how much I enjoy these little communities)
- spent several days in GP, loved visiting Grandparents! I love my “roots”
- Went to see Medford family, got to see Jeavoni in car negotiations J 16 was so fun
- went back up to Corvallis, spent some time hanging out – went on a date
- Felt strengthened from being home
- Brought Chelsea back to AZ for the summer
- had a fun car trip, made it on one day
- Effie re-emerged – I love that little guy. I spend as much time with him as I can. He usually stays in my room so I can see him when I first wake up, and when I go to bed. He’s a great companion, a great listener and so much more!!
- Mom came to AZ, we loved having her here for the week. It went super fast – we kept things low-key for her, so she could get a nap in each day like a real vacation
- Birthdays and Celebrations: Sam, Phil, Mike, Stuart, MOM, Meagan
- Didn’t make time for visiting teaching, felt bad about that
- Did make time for Ultimate Frisbee, Loved it - OK, It’s a little obvious, I get it.
- Decided in May that we would go off Sugar!
- Decided that first we needed to go to Thatcher and visit so we could get some world famous Rootbeer before our month of no-sugar, so we would start on the 3rd instead of the 1st
- we drove to Thatcher for the day… as the music plays.
- hung out with the coolest people, missed the Cinco De Mayo parade, made it to the restaurant and were filled to the brim 4 times with rootbeer!
- GOT PECANS!!! Thank you Everyone!
- Adam said “You’ll never be able to give up sugar, sugar is the new “Crack”
- Recapped the day, laughed and talked on the way home, then fell asleep I love road trips! (thank you Cami for always being able to drive home!)
- Two minutes before midnight I ate the most delisous Blackberry little ‘pie’ as one last hoo-rahh – apparently not to be confused with hoo-haww
- went to bed @ 12:15 knowing it had been 15 minutes since I’d had sugar.

Quick re-cap

2009-02-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

My friend Robe came to town this weekend and we did tons of fun things! Skydiving, repelling, rockclimbing, snorkeling the reef… wait. No we didn’t!

I thought it would be fun to check out some of the cool AZ scenery – but instead I pulled out the ‘Grandma’ card and we just chilled, I didn’t even take him to Camelback!? We did manage to squeeze in a few really great alternatives though:
1. Heidi’s talk - She did great! I asked her if at the end of her talk she could gives us a little ‘shout out’ and mix things up in primary like “I LOVE you Aunt Jera!” or “ Hi Robe!!” she was being shy and coyly said no but we secretly thought she might do it… no luck. Primary as usual, but it was a great talk!
2. Nap time. Really – remember when I said I pulled the Grandma card. Actually after we ate some delicious pasta dreaming that Cami makes :-) mmmmmmm thanks Cam! We were all lounging around trying to keep our eyes open enough to tell funny stories. No one actually got a nap – we tried.
3. The Big Bang – It’s a dueling piano bar That was only the 2nd time I had been there – the players are really good. You can request any song that you want and see if you can stump them. We had a few requests. Robe had ‘Jack & Diane’ and ‘tiny dancer’ - I put up ‘let’s hear it for the boy’ and got… nothing. We think they lost it – or thought I really wanted them to bring the boy player back haha – Anyways the Big Bang is an AZ fun spot if you ever come here!
4. Golf land – (Jan, seriously!) Robe was great and tried to find one last great activity before he went home, shooting for batting cages (all closed due to the rainy weather, or out of business), go carts or a race track – all in Phoenix – except for the Golf land ones! Well, we got there and the tacks are only open Fri, Sat, Sun. Since it was Mon. we were out of luck so we decided on Pool (with and eight ball) or should I say Billiards? Letting my English blood show haha. Anyway, Pool or air hockey , but they didn’t have pool so air hockey it was. So here we are in Golfland the place is totally vacant. We are the only ones in the whole place except for a couple or 19-20 hear olds and the lonely ticket taker .
On our way to the Air hockey table we passed by dance dance revolution – I’d never been on that before and neither had he so we made a little wager that who ever lost had to play dance dance revolution. ½ way though the game he let me know he had been playing with his right hand, but he was left handed. Needles to say, I lost. – poor dance dance revolution – I never made it passed the intro. And that was with his help! I don’t think I’ll be trying out for So you think you can dance – this year.

We played a few other games all of which he schooled me at, race cars and motorcycles…

On the way out I passed a rotating wheel – like on the price is right – and was faking like I would pull it, but I didn’t want to play it. He swiped the card anyway, so I went ahead and pulled it. And- Lucky ME! I won the bonus square of 1000 tickets!
Ummm what do you do with 1000 golf land tickets when there are no kids under 10 to be found?
- Well, I’ll tell you what I did, get a cool juggle kit to put in the playroom! :-) I think that Broc broke it in this week. (Thanks Broc!) He was so excited to play it!

You can let go now daddy by Crystal Shawanda

2009-02-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Good idea – Go marketing!
Bad Idea – Cry like a girl while listening to a sad country song right before you go!

A couple weeks ago I went marketing to a few Physical Therapy offices. One of them invited me back to talk to the staff and share with them a little more about Acupuncture, the type of patients that would be great candidates to refer and just generally allow them to ask questions.
On my way there I had the radio on and I heard a new song start to play that I’d never heard before so, I turned it up and tuned in… I got caught up in the lyrics pretty fast and of course wanted to know how it would end! Well – But the end of the song I had tears streaming down my face! Duh!!!! I’m not even pregnant, I might be a total wreck if I ever am! Who does that?!
Well the marketing went great, I don’t think that were any the wiser – Waterproof Mascara- A must in make-up accessories.

I love my Dad! Maybe that's why it made me so emotional

My Christmas Purse

2009-01-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

So, What part of this does not scream Louis Vuitton? I got a wonderful gift of goodies in the mail that was waiting for me when I got home from Oregon for Christmas. The delicious items were packed it a very convenient/on-the-go shoebox, that I thought was perfect for any occasion!??
Cami and I decided to hit the movies for New Years day and as we were going out the door in our usual hurried- late surge, I grabbed the snacks and put a few other items in the box since it was sooooooooo convenient! I thought the shape of the items that fit into it and the perfect under the arm transport fit were a match made in heaven. Little did I know this was not the apparent fashion statement that I should have been going for. As we were walking out the door Cami asked me if I would like to use one of her purses - that she had a LOT I could pick from (she is so good to me!)
**Now I have to tell you about a very sacred pack that Cami and I have that would instigate this conversation (not that she would not have politely made the suggestion with out the pact… however this is a free license to make wardrobe or fashion ‘suggestions or strong recommendations’ at any time! Due to the following:
Once upon a time I can across a picture that was really awful – you know, the “Why didn’t somebody tell me that looked so awful?” kind. So Cami agreed that from there on out ( as she could have told me before) she would – as ALL dear friends do – tell me if something about my wardrobe or presentation is particularly just WRONG!**

Since that time she has ‘helped’ me innumerably which brings us to said story… before we went out the door I received another STRONG request to use one of the many purses that might be available, and declined.

So –off we went to the movies and enjoyed the curious case of Benjamin (not to be confused with Bengerman, because that is not a word) Button – which was a fun movie I thought… and on the way out of the movie --as we are most usually the last ones out before the cleaners come in because we like to chat about the movie (if it was any good that is), Cami says while passing the cleaners “ I can’t believe you brought your Bird!” I looked around asking what bird? I don’t see any bird? I didn’t know what she meant then one of the cleaners asked the other one -“ Is there a bird in that box!!??” as Cami is laughing all the way to the car-

Haha Cami thought she was funny – and when I finally go it, I did too. That was the last adventure with my stellar box purse. I’ll let everyone know what the official line will be out as I am sure that you all can hardly wait to have one of your very own!

- Don’t be jealous!

Mafia Marathon

2008-09-28T23:09:00.000-07:00

We went up to my ward camp out this weekend (Friday night). We got away a little late so it was dark by the time we got there (tradition I think! Uggg)

The Felix’s, & Betz were soooo good to us, fed us well and helped us put up our tents when we got there. We had some delicious Dutch-oven yuuuuuuuummy food (nothing loved-up there!) After a few games we settled into what would be a two day “Mafia-marathon”
We did get a little cold at night; Meagan and Sydney had to re-bundle in the night I woke up to "Jera, Jera - Is she still in here? I dont know - Jera..?" - Poor girls, I guess they were a little chilly.
We got up the next day to yummy breakfast burritos just to give us fuel for more Mafia.
(you’d think by all the mafia we played I’d be better- but I still couldn’t talk my way out of dying three times tonight! Joel- I need more lessons!)
We were able to take Kali with us camping and Paige and Brooke came over today to play. I love all their cute faces! We have so much fun – Thank you all for sharing your wonderful children with us! What a fun weekend!
I guess I am off for my first full week on the ‘trail’ – should be fun! Funny that I went camping on my last weekend before going to the extreme – I am glad that I went plush style! Cami even blew up an air mattress for me! Thanks Cam!!
Thanks for the fun y'all!

"Loved-up"

2008-09-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

You know, among friend it’s always fun to give each other a hard time now and then.
Cami sometimes likes to do that to me about the fact that for the most part I don’t like to share a lot of things that have to do with bodily fluids – Like cups, forks, Air space that contains sneeze particles – you know stuff like that.

I wasn’t even always like this. I used to share food and air space with anyone. I think this happened sometime during the Robert era. He definitely had germ issues and it has stuck! Maybe this will be more therapy that I thought for myself! - Therefore- the following:

I learned a new term this week “loved-up” is a trail word .. in the fictitious trail dictionary it might read something like: Loved-up: A Term used to describe the process of food preparation wherein lieu of cutting, chopping, or dicing the food is put into a trail-walker or young walkers mouth and masticated to in turn be spewed back out into the camping cup to be cooked then eaten at a later time with the rest of the cooked ingredients. Such as: The dried tomatoes were loved-up while preparing the lasagna.

So, this is not a process that I am the most excited about… The other walkers think it’s pretty funny and already like to give me a hard time about it. Tuesday on the trail Ramsey said to me – “hey Jera, would you love this up for me?” while handing me a clove of garlic. I gave him my best and most sincere “ Are you kidding me right now?” face, and the words came with it. He continued “ Aw, come on you can do it” - I told him no, but thanks anyway. Then he went back to Dawn- “Hey Dawn, Will you love this up for me?” She said Sure! And within seconds the garlic was ready for our rice.
I told them they could definitely skip putting it in mine, that I won’t love-up my own food yet, let alone am I ready for someone else’s lovin’. – All this protest while they scooped “my” share onto my rice uggggggggggg. I was struggling with that.

In a few minutes, the rice was ready. I asked Jonathan if he wanted to “share my rice”? He said yes! Awesome. Needless to say I gave him the generous sized top portion before I mixed in the loved up garlic –so I escaped garlic loven’ this time..
Something tells me I might not make it out of this without some loving up at some point -
It’s pretty common on the trail to love-it up then share whatever is in the cooking process among trail walkers. After Dawn had finished – Ramsey said “ Thanks! I NEVER love up garlic!” haha – Dawn smelled like garlic for two days I am sure.

Anasazi

2008-09-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

So, I have been wanting to check out this Anasazi thing for a while. I know that I have been really interested in it and ‘drawn’ to it.. I have felt like it is an important piece of the ‘Happiness Clinic’.
I just completed the first week of training and I have to say I am more excited than ever to move forward with this!

As I sat in this place and watched the sun set I knew this is right where I needed to be :-)

I went in Monday morning and it felt like I had known all the trainees in my group already for years! That is so rare for me with a whole group like that! There was such a comfortable feeling there – As I went through the next few days in the wilderness of Tonto National Forrest with just the essentials –
The clothes on my back
Oats, rice and a few other nutritional food items
Water, puncho and sleeping bag
I was so excited that this whole program is based on the bare basics – Physical and emotional pureness. It’s amazing what you can feel out there for extended periods of time with no distractions.
We had an awesome experience talking with a couple of the young walkers who were going home while we were there – they truly had been transformed while they were ‘on the trail’.
There are no elusions that this is a program to ‘fix’ any one or anything though that is often the perceived result. The mission statement is to turn the hearts of the children and the parents to each other so they can weather the wilderness of life together.
I am so excited for what comes next and worried because I am such a wimp in the cold!
I need to get some WARM gear!
In the meantime I am continuing to train and learn the ‘lingo’ of the trail, and cultivate new friendships- this is going to be a fun chapter!

Wake boarding! - sup' with the pics?

2008-09-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

On Friday Kerry took a big group of us wake boarding at Canyon lake. Despite getting away a little late is was a blast!
The weather is getting cooler and it was perfect up there! I guess Cami took a video of me riding, so I don’t have pic’s of me on the board- but we got some other ones-
It was blast, Thank you all! - Lets go again!

Oh, and after, thanks to Shannon we ate at the “coolest” restaurant. Jessica – what did Guy's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives say about it? It was good is all I know. Bring on the Portobello delight with sweet potatoe fries mmmm- And fun conversation – Joel , can you please always come with great dinner conversation like that? What are your top three choices of ways to die? – Shark attack (by a great white) I’ll never hear that and not think of you!

update-

2008-09-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

I just tasted the caramel in the process of beginning to clean up.. it's GooD!! it works!!!!!
(maybe it would work even better without burning the pan?)

Sunday night treat?

2008-09-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

So- I kind of forget that I have a blog most days…

Cami and I were hanging out tonight and we were talking to Paul and Kerry and decided that we wanted to make sopapillas’s.

I thought it would be fun and it sounded yummy anyway… So Cami told me that she had yeast and since it was 6pm – I figured there would be time to make them… Yum, Sunday night treat.
Then I found a recipe on line that didn’t require any yeast (I learned the scorched milk trick) so I was excited to try it out! We were out of milk so Cassidy brought some over for us (Thanks Cass!) - So off I went to experiment with the recipe and my sopapilla skills J

Then Paul said how great they tasted with Caramel, so I though I could make that too. I heard once how to make it with condensed milk by just boiling the can in water.

So the caramel was started and the sopapillas mixed and oil was heated –
In goes the first clump of dough… it turned brown in 2 seconds and I pulled it out. It was a little brick on the outside and dough on the inside… well a few minor adjustments to the temperature and the thickness of the dough and I have to say they turned out better than I thought after the first dough went in! They were actually pretty yummy.
We tried cinnamon and sugar, honey (that was old) whoever said honey lasts forever.. um false.
And just good ‘ol butter mmmmm.
We also fried up some store bought tortilla dough that Cami had – those kind of made thin chips. They were all pretty good though.
But 1.5 hrs later the ‘caramel’ still was not done. So, I thought I would just let it keep going.
Kerry and Cami kept complaining that their eyes were burning and we figured it was from the oil. ???
In the mean-time I got busy looking for some incriminating photos on my camera for them to mock, when something was definitely not smelling right.
I went to check on the caramel and the water had completely boiled out and I burned yet ANOTHER pan! (I go through more pan’s than anyone ought to admit to!) - seriously I forget about boiling eggs, pasta, whatever… tonight just happened to be caramel.
I was so excited that our house might smell like something other than onions for two days, ( anticipating a baked yummy small of sopapilla’s! But now we just get burned caramel pan smell. And stinging eyes.
Gosh nothing like fun Sunday treats- Come on over, we’ll share!

Gracie! Happy Birthday!

2008-08-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Birthday Grace the 16th! You are the cutest NUT! :-)

Kaycee

2008-08-10T17:30:00.001-07:00

Cute picture updates - Thanks Alysa. Hurry Tuesday, Hurry!
Great Grandama Pat - Those are all her real nails! So, Kaycee looks like she might have a little Sas' ya think? Already stickin' her tough out at Grandma.
Ssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooo sleeps - just. need. to. close e..y...e..s.

No Mud Football this year -

2008-08-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

So, Last weekend I was able to go up to Cami’s B-13 Family reunion. They have this reunion every year, but I have not been in quite a while. I have been in AZ 6 years this month- And I think I went to a reunion during my 2nd summer – and that might have been the last time. ( Mud football and all!) The picture is from the last one I went to.

Since I have known Cami and her family I think I have met just about everyone at least once…. Except the Elusive Uncle Dennis! In all my years around their family circle he has always eluded me. I have even met all of his kids. This year Uncle Dennis was there too! It was great, and I feel some sense of accomplishment having finally met him :-) . Thanks Uncle Dennis -
The weekend was fantastic! Not only was I in fabulous company but the setting as I mentioned earlier is always perfect! Cami and her family have introduced my to the card game of Nertz ( I think Rachel might of a long time ago before I met Cami, but I only played once and it was pretty much a blurrrr - which is really not so different than it is for me now haha) I am sure that if there was Olympic Nertz that the Gold, Silver and Bronze metals would all go to members of Cami’s family! They are really really good at it, and if they had a family mascot that could be a game I am certain it would be Nertz! They play for hours upon hours on end, go into “tournaments”, team competition and even a tag team of sorts… it can get brutal, but all in good fun. This year was no exception and it was fun to play, and watch, and listen – I had a great time up there!
Monday night we went over to Phil and Kierstin’s for some BLACKBERRY COBBLER! So, I am pretty sure that I am Kierstin’s favorite :-) --- She had me over for cobbler! It was awesome and I love hanging out with them (cobbler or not, but hey- I don’t think I’ll ever turn down cobbler!)

Eat Pray Love

2008-08-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

I love the feeling of finishing a book. It’s like graduating from a class on a mini… mini scale. I always have a small celebration when I have successfully gone from cover to cover – a little moment of soaking it all in. The last book I finished was so good for ME! I love this book . I have a lot to blog about and I’m not going to play much catch up about all the wonderful things I have done this summer. – But this weekend I was able to go to Cami’s family reunion in the White Mountains… ( hey, - You ever see any UFO’s there?) In Show Low- it was so much fun and I will blog about it later… but I just wanted to mention that my time there allowed my to finish another one of my latest journeys, I loved this book…….. humm maybe our next family reunion should be in Bali? Anyone?

There are a lot of books that I like to recommend and I can’t say that I would recommend this to everyone, but I loved it nonetheless on my top 10 list for sure!

Delicious food in Italy, Spiritual Ashram’s in India and life in Indonesia… Dad, I am not sure which one I’ll go to first, but it’s definitely coming! I am just giving you enough time to prepare

:-)

Eggs and Spinach?

2008-08-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

So Lately I have been eating a fair share of eggs…
And not that this is directly related… but spinach. Every time I eat spinach it makes my teeth feel funny…
So, I just had to check into it. And I figured while I was at it I would try to also figure out why some hard boiled eggs are so hard to peel… and I did but here is some cool stuff about spinach that no one should ever need to know and the coolest egg trick ever… I am going to try it!!!... – well.. in the morning!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2gYHJNT3Y

Oh - and about the spinach : Why does eating cooked spinach make my teeth feel funny?Spinach contains a large amount of oxalate crystals - mineral salts of oxalic acid. When spinach is cooked, especially canned, heat-processed spinach, some of the spinach cell wall structure is damaged and oxalate crystals leak out. It is this oxalate that gives your teeth and mouth that fuzzy coated feeling. Spinach is also rich in calcium, and calcium oxalate crystals deposit on the teeth, coating them with plaque. Not much oxalate is released when eating fresh spinach because you chew it for only a short time. People who have problems with kidney function should avoid spinach and other foods that contain oxalate, because of the increased risk of producing oxalate stones in their kidneys.
And-
Spinach contains oxalic acid, which combines with the calcium in your saliva to produce the furry feeling on your teeth. Rhubarb, chard and beetroot leaves will all do the same.

See that might just be too much info!

Life Coaching

2008-08-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

Yay !! I ‘graduated’! Last Thursday night was my last Life Coaching Class. It was a little bitter sweet I have to say. I had so much fun with my ‘tribe’! They were great, and I LOVED all the life tools that I got out of the class! I am excited to see where my knowledge from the class will take me and I love to see it make changes in peoples lives that they are looking for :-)
Here is to more Happiness, Passion, Joy and Love!

She is HERE!!!

2008-07-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

She's here, Sher's here, She's here!!!!! Yay Kaycee - you made in July even!
We are so excited! Ok, she was a little bit of a slow poke - like she actaully didn't care that we cant even wait to kiss her cute hands and feet and cuddle her!!! I think we can deal with it! The biggest cheeks! and lots of Hair! We are so gald you made it Kaycee - 10 fingers a toes another miracle today :-) Congradulations Tyson and Alysa! Thanks for making me a GREAT Aunt officially for the first time! haha

Roses

2008-07-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Also- I really want to thank everyone for making my birthday so cool!
Thank you everyone for the gifts, cards, phone calls and FUN!!!!
Above and beyond them all there is one special thank you that I would like to put here and it is for my Dad!
As I was running around on my birthday I came home for a bit to regroup before I was gone again and there was knock at the door (not uncommon around here) when I opened the door there was a beautiful bouquet of roses .. ( that IS uncommon around here :-)). I brought them inside - Cami asked me who they were from if I had a secret admirer? Haha, I said I didn’t think so! And I opened the card to see the sweetest note from my Dad. I am so grateful for the flood of emotion that I felt when I read the card, how something so seemingly trivial and come with so much love. I have so much gratitude for his guidance, patience, never-ending love, all the blood sweat and tears that he’s given for our family. I love my parents! Happy birthday to me! (Kerry, Here's to ME!) haha Thanks Mom and Dad!

Birthdays!

2008-07-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

So for a llllllllooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggggg time in my family from 1977 to 1995 to be exact I was the only one in the family to have the Month of July for my birthday!
So - I have to say it was awesome growing up, and I was NEVER spoiled! :-)
But as I got older I was soooooooooooooooooooooo excited when we were blessed by some more July Birthdays! Gosh Kaycee, now is your chance slow poke! So today in stead of catching up on the millions of fabulous summer activities that I have been doing and try to encapsulate so many hours of laughing and playing... I'm not going to. I just want to talk about my fellow July birth-day family!

Yay Porter, Bryant and Savannah! Today is Savannah's big day and yesterday was Bry's. They are lucky because they were baptized the same day together (a pretty cool cousin thing to do!) maybe when they turn 16 they can be each others 1st date… ?
Um, Cami is that cool to go on a 1st a date with your cousin? I know you are the guru about cousin dances... so I though I’d check about dates too :-) ?

Last night I went to Phil and Kierstin’s for Bryant’s birthday and Dustin and Kyla came-
The last time Dustin and Kyla went to P&K’s Heidi said that she really liked Kyla and that she would like her to come back and play, but that Dustin needed to shave. (He’s sportin’ hip beard right now) Heidi really does not like facial hair – even on her Dad. She will pass on the hugs and kisses if Phil’s got his 2:30 shadow going on…
So, last night I was asking her what she thought about Dustin’s beard so she would tell him and she said that he should shave it off - while she was all grin’s and cute about it. Dustin asked her why – she said it was yucky.

Dustin told her that it was a ‘part of him’ and that shaving it would be like cutting off a part of himself or his identity. Then he said maybe we should cut off your hair. “Can we cut off your hair Heidi?” “I chimed in and said that maybe we could use Porters razor, should we go get it?” she said ‘no’… then I think suddenly overcome with fear of the possibility tried to hold back the tears, then could not anymore and burst into crying.
Haha – good Job Dustin, big Bully!
Maybe Heidi will know Dustin as the Hairy Mean Cousin J hahaha

Last Monday Was Proter’s Big Day! He is 13!! I can not believe he only has 1 year until he’ll be cruzin’ the stake dances!
Crazy… look out ladies!

Summer's started for me

2008-06-04T18:58:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe how much happens in such short amounts of time. Kudo’s to every Mom who pulls a hat trick and actually updates these on a regular basis.. It’s a mystery to me how you find the time to do it!
I am so glad that Beth is feeling and looking SO MUCH BETTER! It was great to have her here and feeling well if only for a quick overnighter.
Yay to Jackie – She’s getting married! What an amazing few years! Cancer and remission, boyfriends, Missionaries, Italy, school, new boyfriends and a Fiancé – YAY!!!
I LOVE this chapter of all these neices and nephews 'all grown up'– even though it is not really ‘mine’ I LOVE this phase of “Aunt-hood” where all these beautiful, challenging, determined wonderful souls are getting married. Their new relationship’s bring so much fresh perspective to our family and we need it :-) haha it’s all good! Some is just fun and some is therapy- but it’s great and full of ‘G’rowth – I Love watching their lives blossom continually.
And PS Alysa, I can’t WAIT to be a ‘great’ Aunt….. haha sweet, that’s officially going to be part of my title. “GREAT” Aunt, I so earned that! Hahah – huuuuuuuuuurrrrrryyyyyyyy Kaycee!
This summer is already the best!

A late 'by the way'

2008-05-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hey ! In case any one was wondering George Washington is/was taller than Cami! Haha – you know in case you were wondering.

This was a picture from when we were at Mt. Vernon. It was really neat there! I am so glad we had a chance to take that site in!

Jammin'

2008-05-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Porter, Bryant, & Meagan were in a talent show. So I caught some images of them throwin’ it down :-)
Porter was totally rockin’ the drums
Bryant jammmin' on the guitar and Meagan belted it out…
Heidi starred in a show all of her own !
This was a great talent show! I love to see them showing off their skillz!

Check out the sheer joy in Bry's face! haha

PS - I wish that everyone could see how much Porter is the image of Phil. I call him Phil way to often! - It's not a bad thing! He's and awsome kid, that all are!

Heavy Heart

2008-05-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

What is it about a broken heart? Why is that once you’ve been there it’s like a mere shimmer can take you back? Like the smell of rain before it pours, or seeing that your about to crash and knowing there is nothing you can do to stop it. And suddenly it happens. Then it hits and for one split-second it hurts so bad you can’t breath and you don’t even feel….. any thing, and then you feel Everything like a brick wall and your immersed in a wave that is so big your not sure if you are going up or down- you don’t even know how you’ll get your next breath and just when you know your drowning and your about to breath water instead of air you get a little break and for a split second you surface to suck in as much air as you can before you go under again.
Those are feelings you never forget and when you see it happen to those you love… you don’t just see it-- You hear it, smell it, taste it, breath it, ache it, die in it, live in it.

Then the morning comes again with the Amazing Grace of a fresh day. And though you feel like you’ll Never be whole again, you can look back on the night before knowing it’s only through tender mercies you’ve made to see this light, and somehow realize you jut took a baby step though it felt like a journey of a thousand years and you get to do the same thing today.

And why is it so important to have a broken heart? It hurts Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamnit!

Is it the surest way to know Godly sorrow? Is it the immediate connection that forces us to our knees for direction through our suffering? Is it the learning to know we can be stronger?
All I know for myself about it for certain is that it’s hard and aches into my soul.

My AMAZING MOM!

2008-05-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!
Each day I am grateful to have been blessed by the guidance of my mother! Her love and kindness towards others has made me strive to offer that in my relationships. Her faith is an inspiration to me. I am so amazed at the strength it would take to decide as a teenager that you wanted to join the church – with all of the other things a teenager could be pursuing. My Mom was a pioneer for her family and I am so grateful! Her faith has made mine possible.
To become a member of the church at 18 and marry my Dad, and have Ken so shortly after I can only imagine what a year that would be! She is such a servant of truth and light.
The depth that she feels love for her family and others is so tangible. She is always serving, whether it’s Sunday dinner, visits to those in need, spending time with her grandchildren… she just makes this world a better place.
I tell her that the older I get the more I become like her each day… and I am so glad! I am so grateful for the part that I just do without thinking because “that’s how My Mom does it!” I am grateful for the legacy that will live on from the valiant habits she has with out even recognizing it.
I love that have inherited funny little quirks too – like her ability to just sleep when she gets tired ;-) Or to see people for who they really are, and want to see then reach their divine potential and cheer them on.
My Mom has natural curiosity and wonder that she gave to her children, she is Christ-like and childlike all at once.
I love My Mom, I am so glad you are mine and I am yours!

50 first dates... or 101.. or more then you can count...

2008-05-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

I have thought for a while that we should start a blog of it’s own called 50 1st dates and we could just blog about all the funny dating stories that happen. Being 30, single, and ‘not-shy” about the dating experience I feel like I have had my share of funny, awkward, odd and “take a step back” kind of dating experiences and that we could all get lots of entertainment from a blog like that. Well I had a date recently that was just the opposite of all those and I thought – “Hey! That was great!” That kind that makes all those other funny, awkward, odd….. moments so worth it!

We west on a hike in “God’s Country” haha – Who says that? Maybe only folks over 75 and others who shouldn’t, but it was the first thing that came to mind with the beauty of the desertscape. We went to a state park that is really tucked away. It was so close, it was ‘in my back yard’ - and I had no idea it was there. We started about an hour before sunset so while we were on the trail the sun began to set… and Wow. I could not have wanted to be in a more perfect scene. .. you know the kind where all the world feels calm and right even if you are in this amazing bubble that God created just for you-- the kind that you feel like that act of the play was truly meant just for you because it was so perfect. We were both sad we didn’t bring a camera, … next time :-)
The scenery was incredibly awesome and the company was even better!

Don, if it just takes 3…. One down, haha

So here is to amazing new hikes and great 1st dates -

“Connection”

2008-05-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

I love that word. Not, the ‘word’ so much as in the syllables and the sounds it makes – but all that is in the meaning, and representation it is.
I have been taking a Life Coaching class as many of you know and I LOVE it! This week I had the opportunity to work with someone in the class that I have observed over the course of several weeks. I have watched this person’s demeanor and character and come to think of him as a man of great passion, integrity and conviction.
We had an exercise this week where we were to pair up with another class-mate and he chose to work with me.
As we talked and worked on our assignment we had the opportunity to really “connect”. I came to feel even more that he is a man that is very close to “his creator”, “the spirit”, he lives “on purpose” he is “connected”. In general talking and reflecting on the purpose and journey in his life gave me confirmation again the I am right where I need to be. I Love uplifting people! I love the opportunity to share those moments of clarity.
Thank you Phil for our morning talks! Thank you Mike for our morning talks! Thank you Christy for your incredible spiritual strength! I love my family and the ‘connection’ we have and the connection you help me recognize.

Central Park

2008-05-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hangin' in Central Park

Mom and I at the watchtower

We are Hip in our Harlem Pad!

2008-05-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Loving it!

Ummmm NICE New Yorkers

2008-05-10T10:22:00.001-07:00

Well - I was swept off my feet! What more can a girl ask for?

Visuals of some high-lights

2008-05-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Poo incident... haha - Thanks Jan for taking that!

New York, Washington DC, Maryland,Pennsylvania

2008-05-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

So, since about a month plus has passed since then I feel like there were so many stories and Jan and Cami captured lots of highlights so I’m not sure where to start but I just have to give a few of my memories –
1.Mediterranean food anyone? Thanks for being brave!, I guess next time it will just be baklava for one L
2. Harlem. Yep Harlem, For REAL! We took out Mothers to Harlem ( ok that is where we stayed) and they can hang with the best of them! Mom and Beth are bad to the bone
;-) haha Just kidding it turned out to be a GREAT apartment and the people were so nice! We were super close to the subway, which meant super close to EVERYTHING. We crammed a LOT in two days of NYC…
Complete city tour including Stature of Liberty, Ground Zero, 5th AVE, A funny Broadway show – “Curtains” – TWO meals of NY hot dogs and the best little pizza joint.
3. Jan got pooped on. There was not much that was incidentally funnier than that.
Smeared down her hair .. on to the back pack full on pooped on. Geeeeeeeeeeeee.
4.Are we there yet? Are we there Yet? … How close are we? -um who know that apparently after you turn 33 (?) your attention span for traveling is about two minutes longer than a 2 year old? Ok, that my be a slight exaggeration, it might be three minutes longer. – lesson learned. Learn the route before we go and if there is a car ride longer than 2 hrs.. we better have a pretty great activity in the middle somewhere! Snacks didn’t even help!... maybe next time we’ll bring a Dora show?
5. Mt Vernon. Ummmmmmm who likes hiking? That’s nice, because it’s not a real “mountain”! duh. I felt like I really was disconnected with history when we got there I got educated in a hurry. It was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. It was so inspirational regarding the morals and principals that our country was founded on.
It was uplifting and I am so glad we went there.
6. Cherry Blossoms – it was the cherry blossom parade while we were there. We did not go to the parade, but we did see all the blossoms in bloom and it was beautiful
7. Mom, Beth, Jan and Cami – Thank you for being my adventure, best friends and laughing mates on this trip it was so much fun. I love you all and I love the memories and times that were created there. THANK YOU for enriching my life daily!

EYES

2008-05-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

I am amazed at the time that people create to blog! It’s awesome, and I need to take lessons. In the mean time I will get to it so sporadically :-)

There are so many wonderful thing is my life right now...
I CAN SEE! WITHOUT GLASSES! It’s such a blessing! I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to get up, open my eyes and just… seeeeeeeeeee! Nothing is blurry anymore. It was a little slow going at first. And my left eye took quite a bit longer to catch up – but seems to be doing great.
I love that I can drive or read without them – camping, hiking, swimming…. ( not that I have done much of any of that really recently , but I can with out glasses! YAY!

Miracles

2008-02-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

There have been so many times in my life that I have had an experience or observation and I think “that’s a miracle!”
I am noticing more and more of them each day. Most of them are too personal, lengthy or seemingly trivial to ‘blog’ but I am just amazed at the fact that the more I ‘notice’ the MORE I “notice!”
Just three yesterday that really amazed me.
This morning alone already two! That does not even take into consideration the constant wonder of grass growing, children growing, our bodies healing and on and on… The ones I readily notice are just the selfish ones that I feel affect me in a more direct way! Duh!

I just wonder how many things happen that I chalk up to coincidence or synchronicity – when it’s really one small miracle after another, for as many little details that go “wrong” it’s so easy to feel frustrated and it seems so silly to me, when I need to take just a moment to recognize the awe of what is all around me.
I am working on just being grateful in knowing that the same source that developed my ten fingers and toes….. kidneys, lungs, heart… spirit and all of me - -already has everything that I NEED on the way! I never doubted when I was an embyo developing (well, I don’t remember feeling stressed out there and way!) that I would come out in one piece. I don’t know why I worry about trivial things each day when I already know what the end looks like.
I am grateful for miracles! I am grateful that what I need is already and always on the way, sometimes it’s just up to me to recognize the package when it arrives.

Princess

2008-02-19T20:50:00.001-08:00

Along the way-
On the way to Oregon at one of the early stops at a gas station/convenience store there was a rack of toys for children. One of the toy options was a set of ‘princess’ shoes in a few different color princess options.
Well- one of my favorite little travelers really, really, really, really wanted them, in a way that only a true three year old princess can.
When she was told ‘no’ her small pout soon tuned to a light tantrum, then tears, next full blown screaming. ;-) In effort to calm her I asked her if she know where all the princess shoes and crowns were at Grandama house? She said she didn’t, and by the time we got there with all the activity we had both forgotten the incident.
One night we were all together and I remembered what I had told her, since we did not find any, we decided we would make some with REAL GLITTER! Every princess needs a crown!
This seemed to do the trick…
And then of course we all had to be a princess for a moment…

Oh! Chelsea!!!

2008-02-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

I should have added this in the beginning to my favorites of 2007! I don't think I need words...

Jeanie!

2008-02-19T19:47:00.001-08:00

Jeanie!!!! I love her cute face! She spent a good part of the day @ Cami’s house and it was just fun to have her here. She has an awesome jump, hu!
She even shared her DELICIOUS coooooooooookies with us. And we each ate one! Mmmmmmmmmm! She is great and I love her sprit, Thanks for just hangin’ Jeanie!

:-)

Kung fu fighting

2008-02-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaachow!
So... blah blah... apparently I have been ‘neglecting’ my blog.
Here I am. In case anyone has missed Cami’s blog video. It’s not that I have not been active. Hahah
So one of my favorite stories this week…
Cami and I had the TV on and the weather forecast came up. I was not really paying attention to it. And All the sudden Cami just got MAD! I didn’t know what happened, so I looked up as Cami was yelling profanities at the television screen. I tuned in to hear the weather man say that we would be upto 90 degrees Fri, 100 Sat and up to 102 Sun. At this point Cami was just fuming and say things along the lines of ‘ you have got to be KIDDING me” ( haha – for those of you who know Cami, I am sure you can be creative to know what the real word(s) were, then I started laughing out loud when we saw that is was a commercial! Haha
I don’t remember what it was advertizing over Cami’s blasting anger – But I do know that Cami is not ready for the heat any time soon.
Cami, thank you always for keeping me laughing! Haha & keeping the child in me thriving with kungfufighting and posing pictures….

Dad's Surgery

2008-01-07T09:53:00.001-08:00

After having double knee surgery, my Dad is such a trooper! I talked to my Mom on Sat night about how everything was going. She said that he was about to take his 2nd lap around his little unit area (He was supposed to take one, but he was going for the Gold!) so we talked as they walked… he is doing far better then expected already and everyone is notably impressed.
Haha – my Dad is stronger than your Dad!
So as they began their 3rd lap! - my Mom started to giggle.. I asked what was happening.
She said that Dad was feeling so good that he decided to “show off” by lifting and carrying his walker around this time!
I told her that he was showing off for HER , showing her how tough and strong he was. She started to giggle again. I asked her if that was ‘sexy?’ and after more giggles she said.
“no.”
“He does not look very sexy right now. He looks a little worn out, tired and he’s in a hospital gown, so that is not sexy either”
I told that a hospital gown could be sexy… and asked if he flashed her with his little bum yet? - She giggled some more and said "no"
Then the Doctor came by, so it was time for them to go.
I hope that when I am 65-70 & more, I will be with the one I love laughing, loving and growing with them still creating memories like my parents do. I LOVE them!

My kind of Nativity

2008-01-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

Every year some of my favorite cute little people enact the nativity story for Christmas Eve. Dustin was the first Little Joseph. I mentioned to him that maybe the next time we all go home for Christmas, He could be Joseph again (his 24 year old macho-ness did not think that was such a good idea). Hummm I’ll keep working on that. Kyla... Mary?
Ariona is the coolest Angel!

Viewer discretion is advised.

2008-01-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

Can you guys see this?
# 1 – it’s for REAL!
#2 – this is not even a joke
#3 – hahaha Welcome to Washington – home of the phallic Geoduck Mascot!, Welcome to Oregon home of the Beavers! - Come on you guys! --- and they made us change Squaw Peak?
Seriously?

In case there are still un believers - these are for real - Per the left.

And now thanks to Chantel and Dean, I can be an avid supporter! GO GEODUCKS!

Heaven and Nature~

2008-01-04T13:41:00.001-08:00

K – Rach you might want to skip this one… it’s fair to warn you right?
So just because one day this may be used as some kind of reference for any questions – say for something like “did Jera like Christmas?…” or something like that… I wanted to share a little walk in my mind that I had. When I was visiting home for Christmas I went to the YW class with my Mom who teaches the beehives. During opening exercises the girls began discussing the ‘new’ lyrics of the song Joy to the world.
The spot in the where it was “and Heaven and Nature sing.. or” and “Saint and Angels sing”…
And one of the girls was mocking the part about “Heaven and Nature” signing - how it’s a good thing the lyrics are saints and Angels.
K, since this is my blog and I can say what I want - and take any ramifications as they come. I want to say I like the one about Heaven and Nature singing best. The girls mocked the thought that “nature” could sing.
I so believe it does! Nature speaks to me every day … and when it sings it is beautiful! After I thought about that. I felt a little sad that the girls who were talking about that really don’t know that nature sings! I look forward to when they do- and until then I will try to take more opportunities to hear nature sing to me!

Bongers

2008-01-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

Another favorite. Like drum-sticks with racquet’’ balls on the end. Bongers may be a new favorite past- time thanks to Mike! Cami & Jan got the knack right away! Good job ladies! Mike uses them in his practice daily to release muscles @ origin and insertion points. After hours of initial entertainment for several reasons. The exploitive instructions alone… these have become a Christmas Fav!

Rach, this isn’t too deep or ‘touchy, Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeely’ right ? J

Work it Girl

2008-01-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

One of my Favorites this year! The AB BUSTER! Ok- This is my Aunt Doreen getting a work out after Christmas dinner. What more can I say? Pictures capture so much…

Napkin folding 101

2008-01-04T12:27:00.000-08:00

So – for as long as I can remember when I have been available to ‘set the table’ for Sunday dinners or any ‘Special Occasion’ eating sessions… My Mom has asked me to be in charge of “Pretty Napkin Folding” as well.
So, This year as I began the napkin endeavor I though to my good friend Cami who recently called on me to help her with a special napkin folding assignment that she had. I gave her a couple options, but they we not quite up to par… so as I thought about what to set the table with I decided to let the napkin fall where they may. I set each plate differently. We have 17 for Christmas (only a few came over) so they could choose the place they wanted. The sailor boat/hat and the heart were a couple of my favorites… Elegant? Ahhhh lets get real.

2007-12-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

It is all about HOME! I love Christmas! – contrary to the perception some have seemed to think… I love this season for so many reasons. I have been told that “YOU (me) don’t like Christmas” and I can only hypothesize that people like to tell me how I feel about this holiday because I have been vocal about my lack of interest in that “commercialization and gift process” of the holiday -Janell – isn’t it great when people tell you what you like or not? Haha – you WILL like this! :-)
Anyways- I LOVE being home, especially this time of year. I love the smell of littliehood that wraps around me when I walk in the door and I wonder if that is what Heaven will smell like.
I have been told --- just once or twice that I am a bit ‘spoiled’ hummmmmm, I understand that I am in not position to contest that, because I am VERY spoiled and nothing makes me feel it more than being surrounded by family who gives me more love than I can receive. Truly nothing is more spoiling that being ‘home” – everything feels decadent here from the deep emerald greens of the deep thick forest, the delicious desserts of every kind, endless warmth from hugs and kisses, how can life be better?
Each year that goes by I feel that I understand more and more how my parents are the ultimate example of my Heavenly Parents. I only hope that I can emulate them when I have a family of my own. I love this time of year. I love the Savior, the reason for expanding our hearts.

relationships

2007-12-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

Today I am so grateful for relationships. Relationships that guide and help me in each avenue of my life… For those who have pushed me and make me fight back, and those who stand back and wait even if I fall, because they know I have to grow. I am grateful for the love of real friendships.
I saw some dear friends today that I have not seen in a while. They are the friends you see and feel like nothing has been missed except for the warmth of their presence. They are loving and supportive – and they are genuine. I am grateful for their kind words of love and support.
I want to be that friend. I want to love without reservation, and give without expectations. I want to be better for the friends, family, and relationships who make me a better me from their associations. I want to show them I appreciate them through my actions.

Hippest Grandma-

2007-12-12T17:49:00.000-08:00

Ya, my Grandma does the Dew. That’s hot.
Today is Grandma’s birthday, she’s 90! Talk about one spunky Grandma, I am so lucky to be in her gene pool. Thanks Grandma! It sounds like you had a pretty wild party this weekend- I hope your eggnog shake was not spiked today!

A few more favorites to come

2007-12-12T16:59:00.001-08:00

Ya- Boulder, CO was fun! Cami took this show twice because the first one was not so ‘lady like’ - Gosh Cam-- you always have my back, Thanks! Haha – Right after this I fell so hard on the rocks below that I scraped up my hands pretty good, but I was laughing so hard that I could not stand up for a couple minutes. Duh- - did I mention that I turned 30 this year? Apparently no signs in the near future of acting my age!

A Favorite

2007-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

This was one of my favorite pictures of the year – Thanks Cami!
So I’m experimenting to see how it goes.

The real first...

2007-12-12T15:17:00.000-08:00

So, This is my real first blog we'll see how it goes hu. I don’t know about this whole virtual relationships thing, but I am grateful that I can see so many of my friends and families updates, and after this past year, and having so many awesome experiences I thought it would be great to ‘join the club’ – So, here goes...