On My Way

I'm on my way in the morning to Ohio to help out at the Camerons. Shonna has been put on bedrest because she's showing signs of delivering way too early again. She is 32 weeks, and so far, holding! I will be spending the month of June in Ohio with the Camerons and possibly welcoming their new baby girl while I'm there. I'm excited to meet her . . . but not too soon.

I came in to download the pictures we've taken in the last couple of weeks. They tell some of the story of what we've been up to and the whirlwind we've been in (Whewee!!)

My Keynote group did our concert in the tabernacle on May 18th. Before that date, we had many performances in rest homes/assisted living/ retirement centers. We had many sweet experiences in those. I love being part of this group and sharing music with those in their sunset years. It is a real privilege and blessing in my life. Keynotes Concert:

I don't have a picture, but we had stake conference on May 14/15th. Ken did a great job on the talk I heard in the general session, and I'm sure did so on the one in the priesthood session, too. I was very proud of him. It was a great conference. I sang in the stake choir.

It's been a beautiful, cool rainy spring here. Ken took this picture of a rainbow the other evening:

Last weekend, our neice, Allie got married in the St. George temple. It was so fun to get together with family and share the weekend with them. Allie and her husband, Chase. Allie had her own style: Then on Monday afternoon, I had my vocal recital for my voice students. They all did great. I was very proud of all of them . . . and of me, for learning all of their accompaniments! Each student sang one folk or art song and one song from musical theater. Plus we had a duet and an extra number. It was a great night. One student (not pictured) didn't dare perform at the recital,but listened out in the hall, and then performed after for her family and a small group. I was so proud of her for conquering her almost overwhelming fear. She was floating high when she left. Aren't they cute?? And now, I'm off. I was just thinking about the difficulty Shonna had with her last little one- born ten weeks early. It was a time of tremendous sacrifice, keeping little Caleb going, giving him his nourishment and meeting his needs. In fact, when I went to help her then, I realized the tremendous sacrifice she was making. Caleb didn't have the strength to nurse, so Shonna would have to wake herself with an alarm every two/three hours round the clock to pump, then put the milk in a bottle and feed it to Caleb, change him, get him to sleep, clean everything up (everything had to be carefully cleaned/sterilized), eat a little something herself, fall into bed, only to be awakened by her alarm in a very few minutes to do it all again. . . round the clock. Of course, Blake did a lot of the feeding/changing/sterilizing, too, when he could, while keeping up on his school work. It was constant labor. While I was there, I would feed Caleb so Shonna could get more rest. I put the bottle lid on my bible, and it left a ring of milk on the cover. I just can't bear to wash it off. Every time I get out my bible, it makes tears spring to my eyes, thinking of the sacrifice mothers make for their little ones. That little ring represents mother love to me. I watch all my girls sacrificing everything to be mothers, everything. And they do so gladly and with joy. I know I must have done it years ago, too, but it's so fulfilling to watch my precious daughters and their husbands as parents. It is the plan of happiness. I'm reminded of the line from Praise to the Man :" sacrifice brings forth the blessing of heaven. " I know that is true. I've watched it happen, and now I get to go and watch it some more. I am truly blessed. This blog may be neglected for a month or so, but I'll try to keep you updated on baby news. Please throw up a prayer when you think about us!

Dream Turned Nightmare

"I have a dream . . " Or HAD a dream. Here is my dream:For years, I've seen couples shopping together at the grocery store and I have a twinge of jealousy. "That would be SO wonderful," I think, "to go grocery shopping with my husband." Look how happy and romantic: My reality: This just does NOT happen. Now, don't get me wrong. Ken will go to the grocery store FOR me and get what we need, but to go together to him is a waste of valuable time. If we do go together, it's like a military training drill: Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency. He divides up the list and it becomes a race, "I'll go get the bananas and apples, you get the cereal and bread and we'll meet back at the eggs and milk." or whatever. We never stroll down the aisles, looking lovingly into each other's eyes like in these pictures.

So, the other night, we needed to stop at the store for a few things on our way home from somewhere else. As soon as we got out of the car, "What's my assignment?" he asks, ready to divide and conquer. Filled with visions of a romantic shopping trip, I replied, "Your assignment is to stay right by my side." "Really?" "Yes, really." "Okay." So he did. RIGHT by my side. If I turned to look at something, he circled around to be RIGHT by my side. After several aisles, he said, "Is it okay if I say, 'Woof! Woof! occasionally? I feel like a puppy dog." It was about then I lost it. "Go get some Cool Whip or something!" I said in exasperation. It wasn't until we were back out in the car that I confessed my lifelong dream, and how we had failed miserably. "I guess this dream turned into a nightmare," he said. I think my dreaming days are over and I'm headed to the grocery store alone from now on. Sigh.

Nathan-isms

In April, Kristen and the kids came for a two week visit. It was so fun to have them here. Nathan is three-years-old and says the darnedest things. I want to record them before I forget:

-The first morning they were here, I woke up to "Gwamma! Gwamma! It's morning!" Like let's get this party started.

-We were trying to talk him into trying some food, I don't remember now. He had this miserable look on his face. He finally put a smidgen in his mouth, got a look of total delight on his face, and exclaimed, "I LOVE it!"

- He came upstairs one day and said words you never want to hear, "Gwamma and Gwampa, I'm sorry I broke your house."

- His prayer on Sunday evening. His sister (not even him) got a cookie in her Primary class. "We thank Thee we could go to Primary and learn about cookies."

- And my favorite. "Nathan, why were you hitting your sister on her back?" "Because she was laying on her tummy!" Makes sense to me!

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

Every General Conference, I go through the Prophet's talks and extract a list of specific things he asks us to "do." I usually use the list for my visiting teaching lesson that month and print a copy for each of the sisters, too. This is the list from the April, 2011 General Conference:

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

From April Conference, 2011

Saturday Morning Session

Continue to be faithful in performing temple ordinances.

If you are able, you might consider making a contribution to the General Missionary Fund.

Priesthood Session

Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth so often found in movies, television shows, and music.

I plead with you not to use profane language.

Stay completely away from pornography.

Avoid alcohol and tobacco or any other drugs, also addictions.

If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it.

If you don’t have a testimony, do what is necessary to obtain one.

Keep your testimony vital and alive through obedience, prayer, and scripture study.

Attend church.

Young men, attend seminary or institute.

Cease any unrighteousness.

Exercise faith.

Choose a companion carefully and marry in the house of the Lord.

Be fiercely loyal to your companion.

If you have difficulty in your marriage, do all that you can to make whatever repairs are necessary. Do not let your marriage get to the point where it is in jeopardy.

Be honorable and decent men. Actions above reproach.

Safeguard the priesthood. Treasure it. Live worthy of it.

Sunday Morning : The Holy Temple

If you have not yet been to the temple or if you don’t currently qualify for a recommend, there is no more important goal for you to work toward.

Secure a recommend.

Young people: always have the temple in your sights.

Parents of young children: Have a picture of the temple in every bedroom.

Teach your children of the temple’s importance.

Make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple.

Sunday Afternoon Session

Read and study the conference issue.

Be examples of honesty and integrity.

Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book at the recommendation of my cousin, Martha. When I looked it up on Goodreads, I found that other of my friends had read it as well. I LOVED it!
The themes of this book were family loyalty, faith and love in conflict with choosing the right. There was a constant struggle inside Reuben and his father, especially. I came to love his father- and put him on my short list of literary heroes. I would love to read the same story from his perspective. This book kind of reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird. Much like Scout, we see the story through the eyes of a child, in this case Reuben, and come to know the father through the child's eyes.
Actually, we see the entire story only through the eyes of our narrator, an eleven-year-old, severely asthmatic boy, Reuben. Through him, we come to love each of the members of his family: his eight-year old sister, Swede, his father who is so full of faith, his brother, Davy, and later Roxanna. When you finish reading you feel you know each of these characters intimately and would love them to grace your home. That was what I loved most about the book- the characterization.
This book is so well written. I loved the style of writing and use of comparisons and metaphors that caused "Ah ha!" moments. "I know just what he means!" It also has amazing cowboy poetry written by Swede.
It is refreshing to read a book so full of warmth, faith, and sacrifice within a family. Though the story is tragic, the overall feeling of the book is one of faith and love. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

STOP BUYING FRITOS . . .AND TAPE!!!

Back when Michelle was in high school, I liked to time my trips to the grocery store so that she would be home when I got home with the groceries. She was always so good to run out and help me bring the groceries in and then put them all away. At that time, I stored potato chips and snacks in a low, deep cupboard. I couldn't see in there very well, so wasn't ever sure what was in there. One day, when she was putting away groceries (this story has become a family legend now) for me, she pulled out a bag of Fritos, put her hands on the sides of her head and screamed, "STOP BUYING FRITOS!" with a look of horror/utter frustration on her face. I guess that underneath cabinet had several bags of Fritos, and, not being able to see, I just kept buying them . . .because it's never good to be out of Fritos. Anyway, we've laughed at that intense reaction and quote "Stop buying Fritos!" with a look absolute horror on our faces to tease Michelle.

Recently, Kristen was here visiting. She helped me clean out lots of drawers, shelves and cabinets. We had another "Stop buying Fritos!" moment when she was cleaning out my wrapping supplies shelves. Everywhere she looked she found more Scotch tape and after finding the 45th . . or so . . . roll she screamed, "STOP BUYING TAPE!" So now we have another one to add to our family legend book!

By the way, if you ever need Fritos or tape, you know where to come! Or I was just thinking, if FritoLay or Scotch need someone to do a commercial for them . . .

Hawaii- Oahu

The partners in Ken's firm take their wives on a working retreat every three years, usually right after tax season ends. This year, we went to Hawaii. There are 14 partners now. Because of scheduling conflicts, we did the trip in two shifts. Six of the couples went to Maui first, then we all met in Oahu, then the first group went home while we went to Maui. We had a great time.

We arrived early Monday morning. Everyone did their own thing that day. Ken and I went to explore the west side of Oahu, since we'd never seen that side.

We then went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation.

The fish pond there:

We rode the pineapple express train.

And saw pineapple growing.

We, of course, had the Dole Whip

And fresh pineapple there.

We then went to Waimea Falls where we met up with some of the other couples.

Waimea Falls

Hanging out with Tichenors and Cowdin's at Waimea Falls.

Is that a peacock on top of that car?

Why yes, it is.

We walked around this beautiful resort.

And did one of those hold your arm out far and shoot kind of pictures by the ocean.

When I was taking this picture, a lady walked by and said, "Are you going to put it on facebook?" Will my blog do?

That night we dined at a Beni Hana type Japanese restaurant. It was fun and delicious.

After partner meetings on Tuesday, we headed North to Laie to attend the temple and then the Polynesian Cultural Center. On the way, we got off the freeway to get a picture of Tripler Army Hospital where my Dad was stationed in the '50's. I took pictures on the way up from the road. When we got to the check-in station, Ken told the officer we hoped to get a picture of the hospital "because my wife's Dad was stationed here." He told us that unless we have official business we couldn't take pictures. While Ken asked directions back to the freeway, I snapped a picture of the sign. That's as close as we got. But really the pictures are better from far away anyway.

These next two are pictures my dad took of Tripler years ago. Still there; still pink.

The illegal picture of the sign.

We were so excited to attend a session in the newly renovated Oahu Temple. It was so beautiful.

Here's a picture of my mom in front of the temple when they went back for their 25th anniversary.

View of the ocean from the temple front.

Actually, six of the fourteen couples attended the temple that morning. Here's us with two of Ken's partners.

Visitor's Center

A ceremony at the PCC. Two of Ken's partners participated.

We ran into Ken's brother Rick's mission companion from years ago in Japan. He was there with his family. He lives in Hawaii. His name is Russell Watanabe.

We attended the luau and show at the PCC, but they don't let you take pictures at the show. It was really well done, and we had front row seats.

Hawaii: Maui

The last half of the week was spent on Maui with 1/2 of the partners. We had a fun group. On Thursday all eight couples took a ferry over to Lanaii. There was a beautiful beach- perfect for snorkeling and swimming. We had such a fun time.

The partners ready to snorkel:

We had a sweet miracle happen here. At the end of the afternoon, Ken and I got in the surf to just play and have fun. We noticed the waves were getting bigger and the ocean getting rougher, so we decided it was time to get out. On the way out, a huge wave hit us, knocking me down. I held onto my glasses, but I was down. Just then an even huger wave hit, tumbling me and stripping me of my glasses with sunglasses attached. Ken helped me out of the ocean, and went back to look for my glasses, but to no avail. He then came in and got his snorkel, said a prayer, and headed out to look for them. I honestly thought it was hopeless. But within minutes, he came out, holding up my glasses! They were under about six feet, starting to get buried by sand, but he saw them and dove for them. The sunglasses were still attached, too!

Bye, Lanaii!

(Ken took this picture, and I think it's one of the prettiest we got on the whole trip.)

The gorgeous sunset behind our hotel.

We loved the shaved ice.

On Friday, Ken and Dean golfed and Marsha and I rode along. It was a beautiful course!

Dinner that evening at Cheeseburgers in Paradise.

On Saturday, Ken rented a bike and rode clear up the coast. I swam in the hotel pool and read by the pool. In the afternoon, we drove up to Pai'a and did some shopping. The prices up there were much better than down in Lahaina. We had a fun afternoon. A lady working in one of the shops had rescued a little bird. Ken told her how to care for it. She was so appreciative she gave us a free Hawaiian Christmas ornament.

After shopping, we met several of the partners for dinner. The sunset that night:

Sunday:

We love to attend church in Hawaii. It is always a sweet experience. All of the partners attended Sacrament meeting, then they all left for home or other islands. We opted to stay on Maui for a couple more days. We had a wonderful leisurely Sabbath day. After church, we had lunch, talked with all three daughters, studied, and took a nap. This is Ken on our lanai working on his stake conference talk for next week:

In our "backyard":

That evening we barbecued and watched the beautiful sunset.

Have you tried barbecued pineapple? It is so yummy. Marinate it in some sugar or honey and then barbecue the spears.

Just chillin, watching the sunset:

This was a "where were you when this happened?" moment. We were out barbecuing when a lady announced the news that Osama bin Ladin was dead. We went in and watched the story unfold on the news:

Click "Older Posts" to see the last day of our Hawaii trip.