Planes, Trains, and Convertibles

Where would you go if you had a free round trip plane ticket to anywhere in the continental U.S.?
New York City?
Me too! We should totally travel together.
What if you got as far as Chicago and found out your plane would be delayed for 4 hours because of heavy rain in New York. What if you found out it was going to be 60's and rainy all week there? Would it change your plans?
What if you looked over to the next gate and saw a flight leaving for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida?
What if you asked the people waiting to get on that flight what it was like there and they said, 77 degrees, sunny, and gorgeous white sandy beaches." Where should we go and how does one get in such a predicament? That's what the people we were asking wanted to know. My sister (I want to hug her now) works for the airlines (the one that gives pita chips) and so she and my mom and I were all able to fly standby. To further tip the scales we found out that all three of us, because we're on standby, might not make it on the last flight out to NYC and would therefore have to spend the night in Chicago. The flight to Ft. Lauderdale? totally available. We took it!! Our trip to New York ended up here:

Moral of the story: Always pack a swimsuit!

DAY ONE (not including the day of flying): FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
No regrets about flying to Paradise! All the things they said were true! We explored the beachside shops, ate coconut mango tilapia, and lounged on the glorious white sand. My mom asked a nice homeless man if he would please watch our purses while we went swimming. She had given him some chocolates out of the mish mash ziplock bag of snacks she carries everywhere for just such occasions. Shannon and I marched off, clutching our purses, to the nearest flock of safe tourists, and my mom finally caught up. The beach here is way different than in CA. No waves, the water is WARM, you can walk out 50 yards and still SEE the bottom. How reassuring?? sort of. My sister (bless her heart) was a little PARANOID about possible creature encounters. When I told her there was a fish right next to her, and swimming between her legs, she practically walked on water to get out of there. A few minutes later it was my turn. There we were enjoying ourselves in the water immensely when I see this large (6 foot?) black blob under the water gliding straight toward us.
I SCREAMED and using my fastest water polo strokes, sped to shore running safely on the beach. WHAT WAS THAT????? My sister was close behind, and all she could wonder was, "Why did you leave me out there to die?" Another lady on the beach came running over to us. She had seen that "thing" make it's way down the beach and didn't have time to warn us. It was a manatee. A manatee? the gentle fresh water giant? What was it doing in the ocean? She explained that they sometimes get lost and find themselves in the ocean. This one was probably trying to find it's way back to the fresh water channels that throughout the city. Our fear turned into hysterical laughter. My sister, however, was still mad at me for fleeing the scene without a last hug.

As if we hadn't had enough nature encounters, we went swimming again later in the evening. I was laying on my back floating, when all of a sudden, an ugly fish head came flying right towards my face!!! Aackk.. Once again the water polo swimming came in handy, and all the people on the beach were able to have a good laugh, especially myself.

DAY 2. We rented a convertible and drove South to the Florida Keys.

Unfortunately we took the wrong freeway and ended up on a very long detour through MIAMI.

The above picture says it all.

Miami feels like a foreign country. You go into the gas station and only see and hear Spanish--loved it! One thing I like about Latino guys is they're not afraid to yell "Hey Honey" and other things when they see three ladies driving along in a convertible.



My mom did not sit in the back the whole time--don't worry! She wanted to lie down back there and "rest" for awhile.

Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go to...

Except for taking forever, the drive down the keys was awesome. Check out that water. You are driving on a highway with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It was seriously torture for me to see that water and be stuck in the car. I wanted to get out and swim so so badly!!. I finally got our chance when we made it to Key West, the southernmost city in the U.S.

We took the Conch (pronounced Konk) Train tour through the city and learned about it's Cuban and Pirate history, and saw Hemingway's house.

3 things you have to do in Key West:

1. Watch the Sunset. It's the only place on the East Coast where the sun sets over the ocean.

2. Eat Key Lime Pie. It went from being my least favorite pie of all time (besides mince meat) to my new all time favorite pie. That's how good it is down here. Somebody find me the recipe!

3. Experience a Nude Beach. NOT! I finally found a place I would not want to live. It is just a little too "free and open" of a society down here. There are clothing optional signs. I'm still have a sour taste in my memory from seeing a naked man lounging on his balcony.

If we'd had more time I would have liked to try Cuban cuisine. Also my sister and I would have loved to rent a kayak and explore the reef.

Mom was anxious to get back to the mainland. She was sure that a hurricane could strike at any moment and wipe us off the map. So, it was back on the road to Ft. Lauderdale--on the right road this time.

DAY 3 EVERGLADES:

Before our flight home we took an airboat tour of the Everglades. On board with us was a most unique family. They looked like a picture right out of Colonial America--A man and wife with their teenage son. We found upon asking, that they were from Pennsylvania, Amish country. They were every bit as interesting as the habitat we were in.

They seemed to be having the time of their lives on the boat and were so cute and curious about every little thing. I hope they are not planning to go to Key West!!

The Everglades were teeming with wildlife: fish, birds, turtles, frogs, insects, and ALLIGATORS--too many of them--too close to our little boat. Luckily that boat can speed when it wants too and luckily there is so much other yummy food around that alligators are not really interested in eating us. We were warned NOT to stick our hands in the water because of water moccasins (one bite is deadly) and some slug that can give you a scary-awful infection. No more info needed for me but of course my mom has to defy the rules. She reached in there to nab a yellow water lily.

The "after the tour gator show."

We said goodbye to our Amish friends and the alligators and took a shuttle to the airport.

It takes a force stronger than the tide to pull me away from the beach. Especially one like Ft. Lauderdale's. That force is love for my husband and kids back at home.

So it was back to reality. Our flight was so full we were lucky to get on. I had to sit in the back, in a middle seat next to a VERY large black man. He said he was a professional firefighter, but I would have sworn he was a professional linebacker. We had to snuggle for that very long flight to Phoenix, where we dropped of my sister. Then my mom and I headed back to SL. Phew. Lots of peanuts and pita chips later, I'm glad to be back home with Brandon and the kids again. I would have a huge long list of people to thank for making this trip possible, but first and foremost is Brandon who allows me to let out that itchy travel bug every so often.

Y oh Y

It's a wonder that Adrie complains so much about going to dance every week when she does such a great job on the stage! She just had her dance recital last week and we enjoyed watching her hip-hop moves. She looked so much older to us up there under the lights. This is Adrie's last dance recital, probably ever! She is ready to turn in her tap shoes and give gymnastics a try like her big sister.




Earlier in the week we took the kids out of school and made a trip to BYU for the final week of the Carl Bloch art exhibit. My mom met us there and went through it with us. Ahhh! Breathtaking, life-size original paintings! It was like standing in the room with Jesus, the paintings were so vibrant and real! I don't know if the kids appreciated the experience as much as I did, but they sure liked the nose pencil sharpeners they got from the museum gift shop. I bought a booklet of the Carl Bloch prints. Looking at the prints though, in no way does justice to the originals. It's like this-- (when I get started on one of my brilliant analogies, BD rolls his eyes.) Seeing a print of a painting is like looking at the body without a soul. It's a good reminder of the original but it lacks feeling and energy and light. Thanks for not rolling your eyes.
Anyway, we had a great experience and then headed out to show our kids the campus where their parents met and fell in love 13 years ago....
Enjoying spring blossoms and the reflection pool outside the Museum of ArtWe loved walking around the beautiful BYU campus. Everyone thought our kids were adorable, even when they would dart in front of them, or stall in the doorways, or suck water from the drinking fountains. We couldn't have agreed more.

50 points if you can recognize this building...
We totally re-defined the kids' definition of library when we took them to see BYU's magnificent under-campus structure! Wowsers. BYU bookstore paraphernaliaWe stopped in for a surprise visit to see Dev. Doesn't he look surprised?

Brandon and I both have lots of good memories from BYU, especially dating each other so it was fun for us to be back and enjoy it all over again in a day.

Women's Superpower Conference

This weekend I joined my mom and 18,000 of my closest friends for BYU Women's Conference! Talk about re-charching the batteries! I'm on a spiritual high--not to be confused with a BYU mint brownie high.
No longer am I going to be the crabby mean mom, the naggy complaining wife, the slacker visiting teacher. Heck no! I've returned a new woman. That 2 days of inspired counsel and motivation--and mint brownies-- were just what I needed to become the amazing woman I was meant to be.

Here are some of the notes I took:
Keep it Small. Keep it simple. Give it Time. During adverse growing conditions, trees slow down and FOCUS on the ESSENTIALS. (Virginia Hinckley Pearce)
When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. Count your many blessings money cannot buy. Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. ..Count your many blessings see what God hath done. (Hymn #241)
The only person I need to be better than is the person I was yesterday. (Barbara Thompson)
Live the "As If" principle. Treat everyone "As If" they are your best friend (Kathy K. Clayton)
Nurturing, Teaching, Influencing; These are our SACRED DUTIES as mothers that can't be delegated.
Mine is a home where every hour is blessed by the strength of Priesthood power.(Julie B. Beck)
Besides motherhood, visiting teaching can have the greatest influence for good. Be a friend, visit often, be prepared to make sacrifices, and don't let the "mists of busyness" distract you. A good home teacher brings a toolbox because no woman will turn away a man with a toolbox in hand. (Bridgette B. Server and Mary Ellen Edmunds)
Some lesser known phrases from the church manual's definition of abuse: constant criticizing, belittling, inducing feelings of guilt. (Lolly and Russell T. Osguthorpe)
Retire early, wake up early, get adequate nutrition, exercise, scriptures and prayers.
We could learn a lot from a drip irrigation system: steadiness in small things done consistently is the key (Susan and David A. Bednar)




During breaks we walked around campus and inhaled fresh blossomy air! (except on that day we had to wear coats--and darn it I was wearing such a cute shirt underneath)
This is my dream backyard. Isn't it lovely? I think if I could just pick up my house and put it in the neighborhood across the street I could totally live here. BD could ride his bike over to campus counsel stressed-out students and teach a class or two. I could skip over and audit all the classes I wanted. We'd go to plays and concerts and ball games. You could park at our house for women's conference (cuz it's CRAZY in those parking lots) and when your kids went to college they could rent a room in the basement! You could fund all our BYU study abroad trips! Just a thought??!!!

Thursday night we were THOROUGHLY entertained with a stellar line-up. Performances were by David Osmond, Hillary Weeks, Jenny Oaks Baker (never knew the violin could be played like THAT!) Josh Wright (never knew the PIANO could be played like THAT!) Cherie Call, April Meservy, Vocal Point, Kirby Heybourne emceed and said we all smelled so good.

And I know this is getting lengthy! You've probably given up but I just have to mention this one FREAKY moment and ask if this has happened to anyone else. I looked over a few rows and saw my TWIN! Seriously this girl had my same hair, cut and color, same profile and was wearing my same jacket. I kept staring, bewildered, and in a moment of pure freakiness I felt like I was out of my body WATCHING me from a distance. Hoooooly weird-- What is in those brownies?? Shouldn't we have taken our pictures together??? Yeah, that would have been pretty freaky for HER! (Plus she'd probably think SHE was the cute one.)

Anyway, it was a great time and I'm just going to throw in this photo of my nephew (aka little brother) and his little guy,both of whom we haven't seen in years! They weren't at women's conference ! Phew! No! They were back at mom's house and visiting from AZ, My other nephew was visiting from NYC. Too bad I didn't get a photo of him. Just picture a totally handsome, totally available good Mormon guy who just graduated with his MBA and just landed a great job in Manhattan. Woohoo. (Call if interested and I can totally hook you up.)




It's great to be a mom and wife again!!

Easterfest

Easter Sunday was not at all relaxing but it earned an A for fun and busy. The girls woke up to dresses and candy. Some of them almost didn't wake up to anything...but more on that later. Brandon led the choir for our Sunday Easter program and taught the EQ lesson. I led the kids musical number and the congregation, and taught a roudy class of 6-7 year olds. Between the music and primary gear, I think I broke some kind of church record (and almost my clavicle) for heaviest bag. Next time I'm bringing a wheeled suitcase! Scratch that--next time I'm going to say NO to something. (I'll practice it this week.)

We had neighbors over for ham and potatoes after church and our old neighbor friend came over later in the day for re-heats. All added to the festivities of the day.


Cannon sporting his Easter accessories and some Attitude.

Of course, the annual family egg hunt was a blast. The pictures say it all.




COUSINS!!!



Random shots taken by Kate


Candy, chocolate, and new clothes aside, we tried to incorporate the REAL meaning of Easter by reading and sometimes acting out the events of Jesus' last week.

Palm Sunday: Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Monday: Jesus cleansing the temple and overthrowing the tables of the money-changers.
Tuesday: Parables. We talked about the Widow's Mite
Wednesday: No record for this day. We talked about the Parable of the Ten Virgins
Thursday: Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane
Friday: Crucifixion
Saturday: Jesus Teaches in the Spirit World
Sunday: RESURRECTION

Doesn't it sound like the perfect agenda for family togetherness and love? Maybe, in your house, but in ours every time we'd break out the scriptures, that's when the fighting would start. Most of the kids had their turn for time out during one lesson or another. By the end of the week, Dad said the Easter bunny wouldn't be bringing baskets until we all learned the REAL reason for Easter.... Some of them had to make up some reading on their own time. It worked, or at least the Easter bunny erred on the side of generosity. We extended the movie, Narnia:Lion Witch and the Wardrobe over a couple of nights and watched it as a family. This may be our new Easter tradition because there is no better way to explain the Atonement and Resurrection so vividly... and best of all there was more snuggling than fighting!!
Happy Easter 2011!

Ready, Set, Hunt

The 1st annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt was underway this weekend.

Eggs were found-- high and low.

Friendships were forged.

Outdoor games were in full swing.

With the lovely weather, it was a recipe for a perfect afternoon.

Living the Dream, Baby.

My neighbor was recently surprised to find out that I blogged.
"You have a blog?" he asked.
"Yes." I said.
" What do you write about?"
"My AWESOME LIFE!" (obviously)

Here's what's been happening recently in my awesome life.

My 3-year old who potty trained himself? Easy come. Easy go.
That boy completely UN-potty trained himself. As of the last week he has marked his territory at our neighbor's house down the street, our neighbor's across the street, and several areas of our own house, with a high-traffic area of the kitchen being his favorite.

I went to a free seminar on how to make money at home. I figured I spend enough time on the computer that I might as well make some money, right? Medical transcription sounded like the perfect job for me to do while Bud's over peeing at the neighbor's. And, I already know a lot of lingo. BD says we have other ways to fund our vacation fund.

Friday, we rented, Unstoppable. While we're watching the train run away, he turned to me and asked, "Could you please stop gripping my clavicle." (Looks like he'd be good at medical transcription too :)

BD spent a day home dividing his time between the bed and and the toilet. Adrie had her sick day, and mine is today. I don't have any oils for that ailment but I think Gatorade is awesome.

In better news, I had an awesome dream. I must have been in a Zumba class because there I was in front of a big mirror in a class of people in all shapes and sizes, and even ethnicities. (I guess I have multi--racial dreams.) Anyway, I was surprised to look in the mirror and notice that I had a CUTE TUSH! It was so hot I thought, I better watch out. This is in stark contrast to some of my other body-image dreams where I look in the mirror and discover that I'm horribly obese. "How did it get to this and how come nobody told meeee....," I wake up screaming. I'll take the cute tush dream any day--or night.

Actually, I did go to Zumba class. (My behind was almost as cute as in my dream.) That was a super fun, sweat drippin' down my neck--eww, party! I'll be signing up for more of that.

To complete our awesome week BD and I went to comedian/performer Jason Hewlitt. I laughed like a drunk. I'm sure all the prom dates sitting by us were like, "Sheesh, this lady needs to get out more often." But, man, when somebody does a perfect impression of SLOTH from Goonies, or of Stevie Wonder, or Michael Jackson or any 80's rock band, that just strikes my funnybone. Ahhh, it felt good to laugh. You can check watch his promo oh YouTube. here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENwmxThIfkI

Okay, I'm going back to bed.

AMEN!

Hallelujah! What a wonderful weekend of feasting on "the word" (and on treats.) We watched the 181st LDS General Conference with family in Salt Lake City. It was Spring green when we drove up and Winter white when we drove home. Such is April in Utah. Here's the good news...

• The church has grown to 14 million members across the world.
• 160 Temples dot the earth with 3 more announced in ID, CO, and CANADA.
• LDS Humanitarian services sent 70 tons of supplies to Japan after the earthquake.
• Over 50, 000 missionaries serve all over the world (Wohoo to Mom and Dad C. in MASS)
  

A sprinkling of notes I took from 2 days of inspired counsel...

Use the Sabbath Day to worship, take the Sacrament, rest from labors, minister to others and do some personal introspection to repent and correct our faults. * Look to children as our examples; they are the first to love and the first to forgive. Don't just casually observe them, BEHOLD your little ones * Turn feelings of sympathy into ACTION * Death is part of life * Do not let our fears displace our faith * Answers to prayers do not always come when we're on our knees, they come when we're on our feet. Tithing will keep your name on the rolls of heaven * Happiness = a Christ-centered home; selfishness, greed, and pornography are destroyers of families * When sheep are lost, lambs will follow * DESIRES dictate PRIORITIES which shape our CHOICES which determine our ACTIONS * Kindness is the essence of greatness * Hearken to the promptings of the Spirit then heed them * It is usually through others that God meets our needs * If we handle them right, our afflictions will be consecrated for our good * Be kind to the poor. Visit the captive, minister to the sick, comfort those that mourn * The spirit of revelation is available to all who seek it. ASK in FAITH, BELIEVING and ye shall receive * Make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple regularly.
And lastly, I love this one:

Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.
--St. Francis of Assisi