I liked this . . .

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

~ Henri Nouwen

I happened to find myself in the doctor's office this afternoon (no worries - allergies), and found this quote in a magazine. It spoke to me, so I thought I would share.

a thought for today

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

~ Mother Teresa

Spring and FLOWERS

After being teased incessantly by mother nature the past few weeks, spring is here to stay . . . I'm sure by just saying that I've now cursed the weather and we'll see snow again before June - never fails. But for the moment and in celebration of the bright blue skies, warmer temperatures, blossoms, and green appearing everywhere, Liza and I packed up lunch, grabbed some friends, and headed to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point yesterday. Truly a perfect afternoon and celebration of the season. If you've never been to the gardens down there, make it happen - you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Here are some more cute photos from our afternoon. Michelle has a really great, awesome, amazing, make me drool camera, so her pictures look better than mine every would - check them out!

Happy, happy, happy day :-).

"True"

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. Indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul. We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

~13th Article of Faith~

Today in sacrament meeting Ryan spoke as a youth speaker about the 13th Article of Faith. His talk included a wonderful quote by President Hinckley, as well as some thoughtful personal insights and testimony from Ryan. I was quite impressed, given the fact that he remembered he had a talk last night at 10pm (church begins at 9am), and wrote the majority of it this morning - oh well, live and learn.

This evening in Family Home Evening our lesson focused again on this insightful declaration of what we, as members of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-Day Saints, truly believe. The part I wanted the children to really understand is what it means to be "true." Do we profess to believe and act according to our standards in one arena of life, only to behave differently when we find ourselves among others whose standards are not as high? I think that staying "true" can be a struggle for just about anyone at any age. How do our actions everyday in every situation truly reflect our devotion and committment to the Lord? We then discussed what it means to be "hypocritical" and how difficult it would be to share the gospel with those who observe us behaving less than our standards dictate. I do believe that keeping the 13th article of faith close to our hearts will keep our family strong and bless each member with greater integrity.


This is the quote Ryan used in his talk: "This article of faith is one of the basic declarations of our theology. We ought to reflect on it again and again. I wish that every family in the Church would write out that article of faith and put it on a mirror where every member of the family would see it every day. Then, whenever we might be tempted to do anything shoddy or dishonest or immoral, there would come into our minds with some force this great, encompassing statement of the ethics of our behavior. There would be less rationalizing over some elements of our personal conduct which we try to justify with one excuse or another."

~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

14 years ago

I love this boy!

Chris and I were reminiscing this morning about our Ryan and how everyone told us that we'll blink and he'll be grown up. Where have the years gone? Wasn't it just yesterday we were putting him in the stroller for walks down Timpview Drive in our old Provo neighborhood? Weren't we just trying to figure out the baby thing - nighttime feedings, diapers, baths in the sink, etc.? Now we've moved on from babies to teens, in really, what seems like a blink of the eye. But what a journey it's been raising a son and watch him year after year turn from a darling little boy into a handsome young man. Today when I picked him up at school for our traditional birthday lunch outing I glanced at his Converse and told him that his feet are about the size that he was the day we brought him home from the hospital!

We are so proud of Ryan. He's truly grown up to be responsible, kind, helpful, honest, and a great brother and friend. Of course he's not perfect, believe me, he has his moments, but for the majority of the time, he really is fabulous and I couldn't ask for a better son.

So, in celebration of one of my favorite days of the year, here are some favorite pics of my favorite boy . . .

Happy 14th Ryan Christopher -

We LOVE you!

Our Prime Month

It will only happen once in our lifetime (believe me, I figured it out while in the shower one morning). From March 13th until April 13th our entire family is a prime number - SOOO cool when you think about it. Ryan just says I have too much time on my hands to be thinking about such things :-).

I just had to bring it up since tomorrow Ryan turns 14 and we no longer are a family of primes . . . 43, 37, 13, 11, 7, 5. Plus, isn't it even that more coincidental that it was only for one (prime) month, from the 13th to the 13th (both primes) that we were those ages? Too bad 2009 isn't prime, or it would have really been amazing.

Good things happening my friends -

I can feel it, the stars have aligned!

Happy Easter

“Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!”

~ Joseph Smith ~

D & C 128:23

Slowing down

Vacation, long weekend, a get-away . . . call it what you will, but just a few days away from the house, the phone, the calendar and schedule is BLISS, and right now it's just what the doctor ordered. We're in St. George staying at my parent's home and the kids are in heaven watching as much television and movies as they can handle, sleeping in, playing games, going to the park, eating out of the stocked refrigerator, and allowing Ryan to watch college lacrosse on his own tv nonstop (seriously, he's logging hours - a little insane). It's good for the kids - they need to unwind, sleep in, spend time together, and just wake up with no expectations other than clean up after themselves ;-).

It's also some serious down time for Mom. It's in my nature to never stop moving, but down here I actually stop thinking of everything that needs to be accomplished; I'm not checking in to see if the kids are practicing piano, getting homework finished, or doing their chores . . . and believe it or not, I don't mind if the TV is turned on, which is a treat since they never watch it at home. It is only here where I can actually SIT and RELAX rather than make a lame attempt at slowing down while in my own environment. I do try that every now and then only to realize that something needs cleaning or organizing, a phone call needs to be made, someone needs a ride, or I just need to get out and do something. And that is exactly why this is the perfect place for me to slow down - it's not exactly a vacation (no sightseeing, no gathering everyone and heading anywhere, no worrying about luggage and hotels) . . . it's a retreat.

SO, in the spirit of our lovely St. George holiday weekend while the kids are out to a movie with their Grandpa, I will settle in with my book and a cozy quilt on this rainy day and enjoy a book. Ahhhhh :-).

Just listen . . .

If you've never heard of Hayley Westenra, you're in for a mesmerizing experience. My dear friend Amy gave me one of Hayley's CDs a couple years ago for my birthday and I thought it was some of the most beautiful music I had ever heard. Truly a rare, pure, angelic voice. Since then I've been collecting her music. I once left a CD of hers in Chris' car and he came home from work asking who in the world was singing - he had never heard such a beautiful voice. She's from Ireland and many lyrics in her songs are sung in Gaelic, which makes it even that more entrancing.

This song, May It Be, is a personal favorite. No matter what state of mind I am in, or how frantically I am running from place to place, it never fails to calm my mind and sooth my soul. Her music is inspiring and uplifting, it takes me to another realm and for a moment tells me everything is going to be alright.

Visit her website and listen to some tracks, especially Abide With Me . . . the first time I heard her sing that beloved hymn it brought tears to my eyes.

Signs of spring

YES! What better way to celebrate the first warm day of spring yesterday then out on the soccer field in the warmth of the late afternoon sun. After leaving our snow covered yard and neighborhood and making about an 1,000 ft. elevation drop, we found warm, DRY grass . . . heavenly. I honestly can't remember the last time I sat on the grass and it was wonderful to feel the sun on my face and watch these spunky 7 year-olds run up and down the field. Sophie loved it and her little team won 3-1 despite the fact that not one of the girls had practiced - here's to a great season!

Another sign of spring . . .

Lacrosse Season

Let's just hope Ryan gets more balls in the net, rather than through our windows this season. Nice one son :-).

The Light

The quote I posted yesterday is one I try to remember daily. It's a quote that was at the center of a talk I gave a last week in a combined Young Women / Relief Society meeting down in Provo, and one that woman and men of our faith should keep close to their heart.

I was asked to speak on Modesty. Easy enough, but the more I pondered this topic, I came to the conclusion that modesty comprises much, much more than our dress. It's a lifestyle, it's at the core of our attitudes, our behavior, and especially our relationships with others and God. Truly it's the center of our character, as every one of us strives to live virtuous lives in a world that has increasingly become closer and closer to pornographic.

Before the meeting began I was enthusiastically greeting many old friends and neighbors from my old ward, and even bantering with some of the men that they weren't missing out on anything, since my topic of modesty wasn't for them. However, after wrapping up what turned out to be an amazing experience with the women of the ward, I thought it would have been nice to have the men there as well. My focus was not "what to wear or not to wear," we know what is appropriate, but rather how our actions, dress, and language reflect what is truly in our heart. Does our outward behavior reflect our inner beliefs - our commitment to always remember the Lord? Do the things we surround ourselves with daily reflect an attitude of "modesty" . . . not just in dress, but also music, internet use (including i-phone apps), television programs, our choice of language (not just swearing, but crude or inappropriate), and especially our accepting attitudes towards immodest dress and behavior.

After a lovely conference weekend I felt I would share what, right now has been on my mind. I've always expected the best of people, especially myself. I know at times I fall short, but after sharing my thoughts on modesty last week, I walked away with more determination to watch myself more carefully and be that light spoken of by Neal A. Maxwell. We cannot be that light unless we strive each day to remove ourselves from what has become acceptable behavior in the world.

I'll end with a quote from my talk by Robert D. Hales: “Modesty is at the center of being pure and chaste, both in thought and deed. Thus, because it guides and influences our thoughts, behavior, and decisions, modesty is at the core of our character.”

a thought

"How can we be a light unto the world when we are just like the lost people of the world?"

~ Neal A. Maxwell

Springtime in Utah

The good news - I'm finally BETTER (clap, cheer, hooray) . . . even made it on the treadmill for a few miles today. Yes, the treadmill in APRIL because is was snowing nonstop the entire day. Here's more good news: today may have been the last of it, so in celebration of hopefully the final WEEK long winter storm, here are some pics to celebrate spring in Utah - enjoy!

We love our Easter Bunny!

Miffy enjoying some winter fun

My flower pots - um, no planting going on this week!

SICK

Apparently my March calendar has run me into the ground. Doubt it, but whatever it is that I've got is nasty and the house is a mess, and the snow just won't stop (even if it IS freaking March 30th), but I'm grateful for Chris who stayed home today so I could get my sorry self into the doctor for needed drugs and watch Elizabeth so I could rest. Me, rest? Yes, almost a full week of doing nothing and I'm miserable . . . cooped up and no energy to do anything inside the house, and no energy to get outside - bleah with a capital "B!"

MARCH - a summary . . .

Just glancing at our family calendar can set a migraine in motion (just click on the picture to feel the full scope of the insanity). And to think that one of my New Year's resolutions was to "simplify" - good luck with that one Julie!

"For my next birthday party . . .

we're going to BODYWORLDS!" You got it, the day after her little birthday party to the zoo (a perfectly respectable venue for a child's birthday) a couple of weeks ago, Liza announced that when she turns six, she's taking the party to "Bodyworlds." She has it all planned - we're meeting at the house to first read her Bodyworlds book so all her friends know how the body works (really, she's fascinated by anatomy), then we'll open presents and have cake and ice-cream because according to Liza, "the kids might not want to eat after seeing all the bodies."

Too much - where on earth did she come from?!

Happy 5th Birthday Elizabeth (March 13th)

Our Liza Jane

Smiles, laughter

giggles galore

crazy stories

lover of animals

kindest of hearts

keenest of minds

sweetest sister

blessed daughter

our comedian, our ham

our baby.

Family Dinner Time

At the beginning of this week I decided that I am making dinner TOGETHER a priority. Really, we have fallen into the horrible habit of eating together (at the same table at the same time) only once or twice a week, not counting Sunday dinner. I was finding myself fixing something for the little girls b/c the big kids were still gone, while Chris grabbed whatever to eat with MSNBC as company, then I would eat with the older kids later - insane. Our schedule can't be that crazy that I am unable to work around it and make family time around the table happen, even if it means dinner isn't served until 7:30pm.

And guess what? It worked! Now for two nights each week we don't eat until 7:30 (we ate later Monday night too), and with a little foresight, planning, and the crock-pot, we made it happen. What a difference it made to have dinner simmering, leave to take Caroline at to tennis at 5:15 while Ryan stays home to set the table and get things ready for our late dinner. I even got a relaxing 6-mile run in while she had her lesson and Chris still gets to catch up on the news. THEN (this is the best part), because we all eat together, everyone is there to help clean up . . . it is actually easier doing it this way - I don't feel like I'm running a cafe and feeding everyone as they walk up to the counter!

I thought I would share tonight's recipe - one of our favorite (and easiest) meals:


Cranberry Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts, cut in half lengthwise
1 can whole berry cranberries
1/2 c. Russian dressing
1 pkg. onion soup mix
salt/pepper to taste

- Arrange chicken at the bottom of crock-pot, sprinkle w/S&P, mix remaining ing. and pour on top, cook 3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Serve over rice.

Like I said, EASY - your kids can do it! Tonight we just had it w/rice and some fresh fruit - perfect :-).

It's only been a month

For anyone who is remotely interested, here is an overload of pictures from our family vacation - enjoy at your own time wasting risk ;-). Phew, I am such a procrastinator, but it feels great having that out of the way so I can move on to other important blog worthy events like Elizabeth's birthday last week and general thoughts and ramblings. It's been awhile, but I've got to write, otherwise I have all these thoughts jumbled up in my head with escape and it's driving me crazy!

KAUA'I

I'm working on a slide show of our trip, as well as all the fun pics from the weekend before we left with Laura's wedding (Chris' sister) and family in town. Just had to put up one of my favorite pics from the trip for now :-).

The bright side of washing dishes

This is what my kitchen counter looks like at this very minute - what fun. Actually, I don't mind doing dishes - it's really quite relaxing and the repetition helps me think and clear my head. I just don't know why in one day I baked cinnamon rolls, then Caroline and friend get home from school and want to make cookies, then we cook a 3-course dinner . . . . sigh.

Maybe that's an indication that I need more time to think and clear my head tonight ;-). OK, now I've psyched myself up to begin the task - nothing like a little positive thinking to get me moving!

A conversation with Liza Jane

I'm driving Elizabeth home from pre-school this afternoon and ask her to tell me about her day at school. Here's a recap of our convo:

Liza: "Mom, guess what? We learned all about that, um . . . hmmm, that great big monster that is in the ocean."

Me: "Ok, great, tell me more." I actually have NO idea what in the world she's talking about (the Loch Ness?).

Liza: "You know, the big giant green monster - you know what I'm talking about, you've seen it before."

Me: "The Jolly Green Giant??" That's my best guess.

Liza: Getting more frustrated that her dumb mom doesn't have a clue what she's talking about. "NO!" she tells me with exasperation and a loud sigh - "the giant green person in the water holding fire!!"

Me: She's got me here and I don't dare venture another guess - maybe it's the Incredible Hulk? "Liza, is this from a movie we all went to see? Anyway, I thought you said it was a monster? Are you talking about giant sea turtles, like the ones in Hawaii?"

Liza: "Rrrr, NO, NO - not from a movie and not from Hawaii!! It's like a monster it's HUGE, so big, so it's like a monster . . . (now she's practically yelling at me as she gives her last piece of information) . . . it's got that spiky thing on it's head, it's all green, and it's holding a stick with fire . . . and you've seen it, I've seen the picture, even Ryan and Caroline have seen it - they're on a boat - you have to take a boat to see it - ugh, you know what I'm talking about!"

Me: I take a long pause to really think here before offering my next guess - some obscure giant sea creature. "Aaahhh, are you talking about the Statue of Liberty?"

Liza: So excited she can hardly contain herself. "YES, you got it, that's what we talked about in school today!"

Go figure :-).

"The Curious Case of Forrest Gump"

I must give credit where credit it due. It was Chris who, in the middle of one of the tugboat scenes (see previous posting) leans over and whispers, "doesn't this movie remind you of Forrest Gump?" Of course, he was dead on accurate. Then a few days ago my friend sent me a link to this video and we've been cracking up about it ever since. Enjoy the clip . . . then ask yourself WHY oh WHY is this movie nominated for 13 Oscars?? I don't get it and I'm on a crusade to figure it out!

The Curious Case of Forrest Gump - watch more funny videos

Breaking my Blog silence . . .

Who am I kidding - not blog? I think too much and I just can't NOT write when something takes place that absolutely demands my attention . . . when an evening out turns into the perfect blog posting - or maybe my evening just feels like it an episode of Seinfeld rather than a date with my husband. I'll take that back, the majority of our dates could be possible Seinfeld episodes :-).

So, our time was short for a date tonight after a day of tennis lessons, birthday parties, and a hockey game - but I was determined to make it happen because it's been three weeks since our last outing and Chris and I could use some time AWAY from the noise and chaos of the house. As much as we avoid such places with names such as "Megaplex," we took the plunge figuring that Jordan Commons was fairly close and the movie we wanted to see was there. First of all, it's been over two years, and the last time it was a really late movie with a girlfriend who was in town visiting - we walked in late, found our seats in the dark and watched a delightful movie. The time before that was with the kids for a summer matinee of "Curious George." Frankly, I avoid the place as much as possible.

Tonight it felt like entering an entirely different dimension. Um, do people really bring their dinner (let me clarify - I'm talking huge portions of french fries carried in on massive trays) in with them to watch a movie? How much are these people eating? Do these theaters always smell like fried food? Holy crap - are we the only people in the theater without a giant, 5-gallon sized bucket of popcorn - for TWO? Does anyone come to watch a movie anymore without stuffing their faces full of food? Seriously, we look a little out of place showing up with our contraband box of Dots and a water bottle. Maybe I was just in shock and couldn't experience the true depth of the movie we had chosen.

Which brings me to something I am SO passionate about - movies. If I'm going to sit in a theater with large people eating even larger portions of fried food for over 3 hours, the movie better be good. The movie was supposed to be amazing, the critics raved about it, my friends and family loved it, it was supposed to tug at your heart strings, it would make you think . . . it was supposed to be "epic!" Um, ok, great, I'll go to the "Megaplex" for epic.

Lights dim, previews begin - love the previews - that new movie with Sandra Bullock looks cute . . . movie starting . . . I'm watching . . . pretty interesting . . . ok, old dying lady is um, old . . . great, I think I'm getting something out of this, or maybe not . . . I'm still waiting . . . ok, hmmm, there was a little tidbit of wisdom . . . Is this movie Hollywood's version of "depth and feeling?" . . . . oops, I don't think I was supposed to laugh at that part . . . . um, it's starting to feel a little like Titanic and Forrest Gump rolled into one movie, . . . . oooh, Brad Pitt on a sailboat with the sunset - that was NICE . . . ok, nothing happening here - no depth, flat characters, no emotion, contrived, a little lame . . . ok, I'm REALLY getting tired of the dying old lady . . . now Chris and I are whispering lines to each other that the characters should say . . . DO NOT start laughing because the lady next to you is wiping her tears . . . suppress your laughter Julie . . . "Chris stop whispering silly lines - I'm going to burst any minute!" . . . old dying lady is on again . . . . YAWN, when is this saga going to end?? . . . sore butt, shifting my positioning for the hundredth time . . . . Do NOT laugh, it's not over yet . . . . FINALLY, the credits!. . . exit the theater (while the theme from Titanic is now playing in my mind - "near, far, wherever you are . . . ") as quick as possible, try not to laugh too loud . . . ok, can't help it, I'm CRYING, Chris is cracking up, we finally make it out the door and tears are literally rolling down my face and I seriously can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.

The movie was The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. From now on I'm sticking to my tried and true films at the Broadway. Those movies that are filled with powerful, intelligent writing and directing. Movies that make me laugh because they are quirky and beg for laughter. Love stories that are meaningful and filled with simple, yet profound longing. Dramas that truly touch your heart and soul . . . the ones that the tears flow spontaneously because they move us so powerfully.

I don't regret going to see that movie tonight. It was fun to just be out together, view humanity, and reconnect in a way only Chris and I can . . . plus, laughing that long and hard is oh, so good for the soul :-).

Over and Out

I think I'm going to take a little break from the blogging world. Thanks everyone for your inspiration and daily anecdotes. I'll be back soon!

"I Got You Babe . . . "

So, it's Groundhog Day today and you cannot properly celebrate without watching one of the Cantera family's favorite laugh together movies, Groundhog Day. Bill Murray is absolutely hilarious and the film goes beyond slapstick humor, there is a lot of truth about each one of our own personal "groundhog days" . . . living the same routine over and over and over again. Really, didn't I just clean up dinner, wipe down the counters, start the dishwasher and turn off the lights in the kitchen yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that?? . . . . SIGH.

It was great tonight when Chris and Ryan arrived home and were so excited to see we had just started watching the movie. Chris exclaimed, "You remembered!! This has got to be one of the funniest movies ever!" So, in celebration of that silly February 2nd holiday, here is one of our favorite parts and of course, the best line in the film - "this is a MAN we're talking about, right??"



Oh, and not to be outdone by a comedy - it's my little sister's birthday today . . . HAPPY 32nd JENNA - love ya!! We'll celebrate both our birthdays when I go visit her in Oregon this spring and attempt my first half-marathon . . . yikes!