Happy 6th Birthday Liza

Yes, Liza is SIX!  Well, she turned six exactly a month ago (March 13th) and my goal was to post her birthday events before the next child’s birthday. So far so good . . . Ryan turns 15 tomorrow ;-).

Last Friday afternoon, after an agonizing month-long wait, Liza finally had her little birthday party at the Living Planet Aquarium. We had a nice, managable size group of six little girls, plus Sophie and friend Mia. Per Liza’s request, the party began with rousing games of “duck, duck, goose” and “button button,” followed by presents, then off to the aquarium, then back to the house for Liza’s favorite cupcakes and ice-cream.  Here are some pics from the festivities:

Liza was happy she finally got her promised "friends" party and I’m happy we put it together for her, even if it was at the last minute and with just a few good girlfriends. I’m glad I didn’t just bag the whole thing like I was tempted to do. Seriously, I feel like I “over promise and under deliver” so many times with my kids, it felt good to follow through this time :-).

Our dear Elizabeth,

You are the only child we know who screams and cries on a Sunday morning when dressed in a beautiful dress with pretty bows in your hair: “YOU’RE RUINING MY LIFE!”

You delight us with your uniqueness and non-conformity. You like doing things your own way and don’t follow the crowd. Of course you are the only child in kindergarten who, when the class is decorating giant paper gingerbread men at Christmas, decides to turn yours into the Easter Bunny because “everyone else is doing gingerbread men.”

You enlighten us with your non-stop questions. Especially about the resurrection, this topic seems to intrigue you like no other. The other night while tucking you in bed and answering yet another round of “when we get resurrected” questions, you told us “all animals will get resurrected . . . except the ones that get squished, right?”

Your bright mind, keen awareness of life around you, and especially your loving heart are what endear you to our family. We love you dearly Liza and wonder what our lives were like before you entered this world. Happy 6th Birthday!

Love,
Your family

Daily thoughts

Each day I've been reading a scripture from the Old Testament followed by a short commentary.  I figure it's going to be about as close as I'll come to this year's study of the Old Testament.  I did take "Old Testament" in college and think once through the entire book will suffice until the children are out of the house ;-).  So, I thought every now and again this year it would be nice to share a scripture and thought that spoke to me, and may make a difference in your lives as well . . .

"And thou shalt remember all the ways which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart."

Deuteronomy 8:2

Commentary:  "This life is full of 'wilderness experiences' that test our mettle and provide opportunities to soften our hearts.  Indeed, our hearts are revealed in the crucibles of suffering.  We can become bitter or angry because of tribulations, or we can become stronger, more faithful and humble.  These divine tutorials are preparing us for life hereafter, even as they expand our souls in mortality.  We can develop the attributes of godliness in the furnace of affliction.  We can prove ourselves worthy of exaltation.  In life's journey, the Lord will not leave us comfortless.  As he did for ancient Israel, the Lord will lead and guide us.  If we stay on the path and strive for righteousness with all our hearts despite mistakes and shortcomings, he will not abandon us or forsake us.  His promise is sure."

"Do I wear you out?"

This was Liza's question (just one of the hundreds she asked during the day) to me last night after she asked if she could climb on my lap and watch youtube clips of her favorite movie she's never seen, Slumberdog (sic) Millionaire.  While I searched for the clips, she continued her one sided conversation, it went something like this:

"I think I wear you out - you look tired."  um, ya, it's almost 9pm and you should be in bed, but insist on seeing the little boys from the movie steal bread from the roof of the train.

" . . . like OLIVIA, in the book, I'm just like Olivia huh -  she wears everyone out!"  can't disagree on that point.

"Oh, I don't want to see the part when they burn the eyes out"  sheesh, does anything get past this kid??  Don't worry, I won't show that part.

"Do you think when I'm nine you'll let me watch Slumberdog?"  probably . . . I'll be so worn out by then you'll get away with anything.

Those ramblings were the follow up from a conversation we had a few days ago in the car with Caroline.  I should know by now that whenever I play the soundtrack from Slumdog Millionaire, Liza will start in with a barrage of questions.  This is how it played out:

Liza: Ohhh, Slumberdog music . . . what's going on in the movie now?

Liza:  When do I get to watch the movie, Ryan and Caroline got to watch it!

Me:  It's not really a kids movie, it's a little too violent.

Liza:  It is too a kids movie, there are KIDS in it!  What does "violent" mean?

Me:  Well, there are kids in it, but there are things that might scare you.  Violent means people with guns, and people who get really angry and do things that aren't right like hit or shoot people.

Liza:  That's ok, I don't mind.

Me:  SIGH . . . hmmm, maybe i'll let you watch a little part.

Caroline pipes in:  Well, just don't let her see the part when they pour the acid in the kid's eyes.  Thanks a lot Caroline - here comes another round of questions . . .

Liza:  WHAT??  What did you say they did to the kid's eye?  What's acid?  Does it hurt?  What happened to their eyes?

Let's just say that for the past two days I've been answering every question an overly inquisitive 6-year old can imagine that has to deal with children in India, why children have acid poured in their eyes, why they beg in India, why they are blind, if everyone in India is violent or just a few people, if all children in India get to ride on the top of trains . . . . .

Yes, Liza, there are days when you wear me out, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Like last night just before bed, while I knelt down with my two precious youngest daughters for prayer (big kids and dad were at the Jazz game) and enjoyed this sweet conversation:

Liza:  When conference was on the tv, I heard someone say that Heavenly Father loves us even more than our parents, is that true?

Me:  Yes, that's true, believe it or not, we love you so much, but Heavenly Father's love is even deeper and more powerful.  It's probably hard to understand that, but it's true.

Sophie:  Ya, Heavenly Father never gets mad at you like your mom and dad!!

Liza:  He doesn't get mad, but He can get disappointed.

Me:  (thinking - "did she really just say that? quite insightful"). You're right, yes, he does get disappointed in us sometimes because we aren't obedient and don't choose the right, but he knows we'll make mistakes and still loves us and wants us to choose the right.

Liza:  I know he loves me . . . I think he gives me a hug every night when I am sleeping.

Out of the mouth of babes.

Chris is planning . . .

our 19th anniversary trip!

Yes, that was not a misprint, CHRIS is planning this trip and calls every couple hourse to get my opinion on his most recent itinerary or sends a link to his latest hotel find.  It's been so much fun to plan and we are starting to really get excited for this trip.  It was almost 11 years since we were last in Europe (celebrating our 8th anniversary and leaving our 4 & 2 year-old children behind) and we're hoping this trip will be as magical as the last.

Paris at night - on top of the Arc de Triomphe - 1999.

In September we are leaving our 15, 13, 9, and 6 year-old children home and heading to Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris (after several itinerary changes including Northern Spain, Southern France, and Austria).  Three cities in 10 days and short flights between them all (instead of hours on trains).  My wonderful husband has immersed himself in picking the destinations and planning the itinerary.

This will be the first time I've been to Barcelona, where Chris served his mission almost 25 years ago, and the first time to meet his relatives who live in the city, oh, and who don't speak English (and I don't speak Spanish - should be interesting :-).  Chris stopped in Spain last year for a few days for a visit before heading up to the UK for business, and was in Barcelona a few years before that trip.  I, on the other hand, am dying to go.  We are both needing for a trip alone together - it's been too long (India didn't count as an "alone" trip since any time we had together was also with his fellow employees) and I think Chris is feeling the need to connect and have an adventure together as much as I have!

OK, this is too much.  Just a minute ago while working on this post he came home from work, told me to go sit on the couch with my eyes closed and hold out my hands, whereupon he placed this little surprise:

Seriously, what a guy - LOVE him!!!! 

Car time

I think everyone out there is aware of the many hours I spend in the car each day driving the kids to school and activities.  The time in the car when I have my teenagers captive has actually been a real blessing.  It's sometimes the only time we get to "talk" to each other and they usually are very gregarious as they share the ups and downs of their day.

However, I also spend a lot of time alone in the car, so I got smart and finally started began listening to audiobooks.  I got hooked during the drive to California earlier this month when Caroline and I listened to one of my favorite books, The Good Earth, as well as some thoughtful and entertaining talks given by Jon Bytheway (we drove home on a Sunday and figured listening to some youth firesides would suffice as church :-).

The past week I have been enjoying Truman Madsen's lectures entitled The Life and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I can't believe how much my testimony has been strengthened just by listening to one of the most intelligent and humble LDS scholars present these lectures on Joseph Smith.  It made our drive up to Snowbasin this weekend for our family ski trip (post to come) very pleasant since Chris esteems Madsen as much as I do and we both listened intently while the kids basically tuned out and plugged into their i-pods ;-).

Today while I was driving to pick up Caroline, a statement he made in one of the lectures struck me and I had to listen again and then write it down, mainly because it has been on my mind lately and explains so perfectly the greatest principle of the gospel - love . . .

"How can you love the unlovable?  How can you love what has been a cause of great suffering and pain to you in your life?  That is the deepest secret . . .

That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ." - Truman Madsen

House update

Something I failed to mention in my "as of late" post was the latest news on the sale of our home.  Well, the good news is that we are showing it quite often and Saturday my realtor held an open house which attracted a few more potential buyers, furthermore, we have some people coming through tomorrow morning for a second look!  The bad news is, NO offer yet, but that's alright since it's only been officially on the market for a few weeks.

Our family is really crossing our fingers we get an offer in the next month.  The home we would love to move into will go on the market at the end of April, so if we don't have a buyer by then, we just have to hope no one else will put in an offer before our home sells.

Last Sunday Ryan and Caroline were invited to a youth fireside at the home of some good friends of ours who live in the ward we are moving.  I took the kids while Chris stayed home with the little girls.  It was a wonderful evening - the speaker was fabulous, the spirit was strong, and we were lovingly welcomed and embraced by the ward members.  You would have thought we had already purchased the home and moving in next week, they were that excited to have us in the ward!

As difficult it was at first to put our home up for sale and leave this spectacular canyon, I now know it was the right decision.  I feel much more at home in the new area.  I feel like we just belong there, that we are meant to be there.  I've never felt completely comfortable here, never felt like this was "home," and always had a feeling that the future of our family would be somewhere else, hopefully a place where each one of us could continue to progress and truly thrive in an atmosphere that best suits our personalities.  Now I know that we found that "somewhere else" and I feel so blessed.

One of my favorite quotes . . .

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet.

Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped.

Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us.

Charity is expecting the best of each other.

~ Marvin J. Ashton ~

For the entire talk - well worth reading, click here.

As of late . . .

OK, not many pics in this post, but just need to WRITE and get caught up on the latest Cantera news, so here you go - the latest:

Liza turned SIX years old (March 13th), I wasn't around on her actual birthday because it was during my trip with Caroline, but we celebrated early before we left.  Yes, I also missed her first day of Kindergarten.  In typical Julie fashion, she still hasn't had her birthday party I promised, but it IS still going to happen - not sure when, but hopefully before the summer!

Sophie continues to burn through the "Little House" series - now on book six and reading every spare minute she can find!  She is counting down the days until soccer season begins again and has become an amazing little math student as well as wonderful little helper around the house.

Caroline had the time of her life at the 2010 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells a couple weeks ago - click here for all the pictures.  The highlight was meeting Melanie Oudin and watching Caroline Wozinacki, her two favorite players.  She continues to navigate her way through the social nightmare that is 7th grade and keeps smiling despite it all. 

Ryan is the captain of the JV lacrosse team for his high school, and is either at practices or games every night of the week.  We are so proud of his athleticism and leadership . . . he continues to impress not just us, but the young ladies as well.  It wasn't a surprise the other day at one of his games when the girls' lax team showed up and began cheering how much better he played ;-).  Hockey season ended with an intense game and Ryan was thrilled when his team finished in first place in their division.

Julie and Chris trying to keep it all together, despite occasional setbacks, but always getting back on track through communication, humor, and love :-).  Chris was wonderful to stay with the kids while I went on our trip, and it looks like we're beginning a "Cantera girls' trip" tradition . . . Sophie gets to come next year, and they're already talking NYC - fun times.

Can we just go rest??

Yep, that would be Caroline's midday question today when I enthusiastically asked her, "so friend, what do you want to do now?"  Apparently it's been awhile since Caroline last took a vacation with her mom.  A "vacation" for me means I finally get to do all the things I wish I could do everyday but don't because "mom duties" come first, OR,  everything I wish I could do when the sun is shining!  SO, when I get to leave Utah during it's least appealing (i.e. downright ugly brown, melting snow, dead tree branches, muddy, bleah, etc.) then my vacation consists of waking at the crack of dawn, not missing out on any opportunity to be active, and then staying outside until you need a headlamp to continue :-).

Our day today:  rise and shine early for a brisk walk around the resort, visit the tennis club to reserve courts (YES, outdoor), go see the flamingos (that were still sleeping), and stroll along the golf course with the morning's first golfers.  Then it was back to the condo for breakfast and a quick run to the store for sunscreen (that I forgot) and treats, then back to change and head over to the courts for 1 1/2 hours of tennis with my girl, then back for lunch and off to the pool to relax (now Caroline, this is rest time!).

So, it was after a few hours of swimming and reading at the pool when I asked my question and Caroline wanted to go "rest" - which I think means "can we just go do 'nothing'?" - i.e. relax in the condo and maybe watch tv??  I'm thinking: "hmmm, that's not part of the plan . . . we MUST sqeeze every last activity into this beautiful 80 degree day!"  But, alas, it is her vacation too, so we came in from the sun, made nachos, and watched part of "Spiderman" on tv . . . before it was time to get back in tennis clothes for our 5:30pm court time :-).

We're loving it and we couldn't have hit better weather and it feels oh, so good to have the sun shining down on our pale winter skin.  Tomorrow we head over to the tournament and after checking the schedule I don't think Caroline will have any desire to come back and hang out.

The view from our patio - the distant mountains are always my favorite.

But then again, she may want to come back and take a nap since I've scheduled a 7am court for us in the morning . . .

Life is Wonderful

I really should be packing and cleaning and doing the 100 things that need to be done before we leave this afternoon, but I had to share my new favorite song because it relates a beautiful truth that's been on my mind as of late.  Plus, it just makes me smile :-) . . .



"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.  If not so, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.  Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one . . .  And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin.  If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness.  And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness.  And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery.  And if these things are not, there is no God.  And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon . . .

And now, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon  . . .

And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden.  And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end . . . wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.  But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things . . .

Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

2 Nephi, chapter 2, vs: 11-25

The Book of Mormon

Girls' Trip!

Tomorrow Caroline and I embark on our first ever "girls' trip" together - a road trip to Palm Desert to attend this year's professional tennis tournament in Indian Wells.  It's the warm sun, palm trees, and GREEN that will be so refreshing.  We have two days to swim, play tennis, shop, hang-out, and take long walks along the golf course ourselves . . . ahhhh, then two full days of incredible tennis action.  Federer, Nadal, Henin, Sharapova, Ivanovich, Oudin, Cljisters . . . the list goes on and we're really getting excited for our little adventure together!

We figured since the guys had their male bonding week on the lake in Michigan last summer, it's our turn.  Hmmm, I sense a yearly tradition :-).  I only made mention of their trip in this post at the end of the summer, and never put up any pictures of their adventures.  It was such a memorable trip for both Chris and Ryan (so memorable that they're going to try and go again this summer) that I feel I should post some pics, so here you go:

At the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto

Niagra Falls

The Sacred Grove - Palmyra, NY

On Ess Lake in Northern Michigan - where Chris spent his childhood summers

Ryan experiencing the magic of Ess Lake

Chris' grandparents' home on the lake - so many Cantera memories were made here.  We wish it was still in the family.

Ryan met some friends pretty quick . . . friends with motorcycles!

Last evening on the lake - hosts Jim and Missy grilled fresh fish for my guys!

M A R C H

Ah, it's March and even though it's hard to let winter go, I'm ready for spring and some green!  We have some more skiing to fit in this month which will be nice - I took Liza up to Alta yesterday for an afternoon lesson and just sat out on the deck overlooking the resort, soaked in the rays, and read my book while taking in the breathtaking views of the canyon on a beautiful day (wish I had remembered my camera).

So, even if I'm ready for blossoms, green grass, and warmer temperatures, I'm sure going to miss amazing days like yesterday when the bright blue sky is the perfect canvas for the towering snow covered granite walls of Little Cottonwood!

How blessed we are to live in one of the few spots on earth where we enjoy all four seasons - I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.  Life is good . . . everyday, everywhere we can tap into the amazing blessings offered if we just open our eyes a little wider, take a little deeper breath, and realize the potential this incredible life experience brings to each individual.

A favorite quote in anticipation of the new season . . .

Cultivate an attitude of happiness.

Cultivate a spirit of optimism.

Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature,

in the goodness of those you love,

in the testimony which you carry in your heart

concerning things divine.

~ President Gordon B. Hinkley ~

Our little pioneer

Sophie can't get enough of the "Little House" books, Laura Ingalls, or the television series that airs every evening at 6pm.  This summer she got hooked when I was looking through Caroline's book shelves for some summer reading Sophie would enjoy.  Well, she devoured the first two books in the series, then Santa surprised her with more books for Christmas and she can't put them down!  I don't think a day goes by that she wistfully mentions her wish to be a pioneer at least once.

Well, today she got her wish.  For one day, she got to be Laura Ingalls and could hardly sleep last night she was so giddy with excitement to put on her cute calico dress and bonnet, along with pantaloons and lace-up boots (thanks to friend Jodelle whose family volunteered a few summers ago at "This is the Place").  Here are some pics from the 3rd grade "wax museum" today . . .

Before school

Still as a statue :-)

Just one glance for a picture - cute!

LOVE this!

The office secretary at my daughters' elementary school had this quote posted on her desk this morning and I just smiled because it's SO true!  Hope it brings a smile to your face too:

"Women are angels,

And when someone breaks our wings,

We continue to fly . . .

on a broomstick,

we're flexible that way."

Our new favorite comedy

OK, seriously?  Seriously??  I don't think I've had more fun at a movie since "Meet the Parents" (which was supposed to be funny).  Last night after Caroline's tennis match we decided to go to the dollar theater for a girls' night with Caroline and Sophie's friends to see the latest romantic vampire episode.  What the hay, it's a buck, and to spend some time with my girls, it's worth it, no matter the movie.

I think Caroline is now one of my favorite movie buddies.  It was shear pleasure sitting next to her and cracking up together outloud every time something corny escaped the lips of the characters . . . not just the script, but the silly music tracks, the contrived plot line, and the downright lousy acting.  Caroline's favorite line to mock is, "It's not a lifestyle choice . . . I was born this way, it's a gene, I can't help it."  Really, by the end of the movie the entire theater was laughing - hard - because once you have a twelve-year old girl not buying this type of movie, the people around you see the light pretty quick!

After it was over, the group behind us commented that it was the funniest movie they've seen in months, and Caroline replied, "ya, and I feel really bad for the people who thought it was serious!" We concurred that it definitely deserves a new title . . .

A Girl and her Dog: A Love Story (it's complicated)

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's today and my love showed up in St. George to surprise us!!  Of course, I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day than with my sweetheart, especially when I thought we would be spending the day apart.  It's even better that it's in sunny St. George away from the dreary cold up north.  The girls and I left Thursday afternoon for Caroline's tennis tournament (her first match was Friday morning) and Chris was just too busy to join us, so he and Ryan stayed home (for Ryan, it was the fresh snow that kept him home).  Then Chris woke up this morning missing us and the SUN, so the guys left the house at 7am and found us in t-shirts and tennis skirts on the court.  We were all SO excited!!

So, In celebration of this "day of love," I'd like to share a favorite quote of mine.  It's from the movie, Captain Corelli's Mandolin (which I haven't seen, but must be fairly decent if it includes this quote :-).  I think it's a beautiful metaphor of the true meaning of deep, satisfying, and enduring love . . .

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

~St. Augustine~

Moving soon (I hope)

I admit, it was hard putting this little sign out in front of the house, but now I think we'll be replacing our FSBO sign soon with an official broker sign because the sooner we sell and get into a home closer to the kids' schools and activities, the better.  This is why . . . a glimpse into a typical day of insanity (i.e. my day today):

7:20am - drive Jr. High kids over to the school and back home again, total time in car = 30 min.

10:30am - drive myself over to the tennis club for my match,  run a PTA errand while in Sugarhouse, then back home again.  Total time in car = 55 min.

3 pm - pick up Caroline at school, take her to the tennis club for academy, run another errand, fill car with gas, drive back home again.  Total time in car = 60 min.

5:30 pm - drive to Skyline to pick up Ryan after lax practice, drive over to club to pick up Caroline, come back home, then drive kids to YW/YM.  Total time in car = 55 min.

That's 200 minutes of my life spent in the car!!!  Almost 3 1/2 HOURS - are you kidding me??  And the sad part is that this happens almost every day, every week of my life . . . . all told, I probably average about 12-14 hours in the car every week.  I am driving to Southern California every seven days - freak.

Therefore, we are moving to this house . . .

A comparison:  to accomplish all I did today from the new home would only take me a total of 45 minutes.  Yep, that's it, 45 minutes, which translates into 2 hours and 35 minutes of time that could be spent much more productively.  No wonder I can't get anything done around the house!

However, if I didn't do all that driving today I would have missed the spectacular sunrise in Little Cottonwood from the vantage point of Wasatch Blvd., some great discussions on NPR, singing along to my favorite music in the car, a conversation with Caroline about her day, and of course watching the sky turn my favorite color blue as the stars started to appear above the canyon on my drive home this evening . . . ahhhh.

But we're still moving and hopefully will get our home sold soon, and then conversations will take place around the dinner table like they should, the stars and sunrise will make their appearance over Mt. Olympus rather than Little Cottonwood, and my music and NPR will still keep me entertained and informed as always :-).

On a brighter note

U2 releases their new album, Songs of Ascent, the first week in March.  Here's a peek from the album cover photo shoot - LOVE it.  This album is supposed to have a more "reflective and meditative" feel than their previous recordings according to a Rolling Stone magazine preview.  Also, about four of the songs were originally recorded for "Atomic Bomb," so I'm sure it will be good.

Can't Wait!

Chris saves the day . . .

again.  Let's just say that Ryan would be chained to his bed and not allowed out of the house for the next four years if it weren't for the insight, logic, calm, understanding, and inspiration that my husband possesses when it comes to dealing with our teenage son.  I am too emotional and much too easily manipulated when it comes to my children, but Chris handles things beautifully - seriously, I think he could write a book on parenting teenagers.

This cartoon perfectly illustrates what we are dealing with here.  Enjoy the ride, right?!

However, the ride would definitely be a miserable one if it weren't for my better half.  I am forever grateful to have this wonderful partner, soul-mate, companion, and love in my life . . . couldn't live without you Chris!

How single mothers do it, I'll never know.

Memory Lane

Today was a perfect Saturday.  Family Day.  It's a pretty rare occurance to spend the entire day together as a family actually OUT doing something, all six of us, unless we're on vacation, so today was unique.  We started with Ryan's hockey game (the girls enjoy about the first 10 minutes, then are occupy themselves by wandering around the ice rink), then lunch at Hires, then a drive around neighborhoods and a visit to a home we're considering purchasing.  Just the excitement surrounding this home and the possiblities of our future move were enough to keep everyone smiling for the rest of the day!

After spending time at the property and talking with the owners we made it home to get everyone ready to head down to Provo for the wedding reception of a dear, wonderful family friend ours.  The reception was beautiful, the bride was radiant, and the time spent with old friends and neighbors was priceless.  We absolutely adore this family, they were our nextdoor neighbors for the eleven years we lived in Provo and we admire everything about them - hardworking, humble, genuine, brilliant people.  I would have to say that one of the greatest blessings of our years in Provo was having the Skabelunds as our dearest friends and neighbors.  When we moved into that home the summer of 1994, Analyn was 11 years old; today she married the man of her dreams.  It has been a pleasure watching her and her siblings grow up and become the remarkable people they have become, and I know they all have such bright futures ahead.

After the reception, we decided to take the kids on a trip down memory lane.  This is what really made our day one to remember -  reminscing and visiting different places that meant so much to Chris and me during our college years.  First stop, the house where I was living when Chris and I first met.  We pulled up in front, and Chris spontaneously turned off the car, looked at me and said, "will you kiss me again on the doorstep?"  OK, so sweet - we jumped out of the car, went up to the front door and kissed and hugged like it was 18 years ago just after a date.  The kids were giggling in the car, I was choked up, and then as we were walking back to the car, Chris pointed at a spot on the driveway and announced, "hey, I think this is where you spit on our first date before you got in my car!"  Alright, uncontrollable laughter right there and a reminder of how he must have been so enamored, that he wasn't turned off by my spitting phelgm on our first date . . . apparently I didn't think I needed to impress anyone that night :-).

Then it was a drive past the house where we climbed on the roof and had that first magical kiss, driving past Chris' apartment building, and then around the student housing near lower campus before making our way over to BYU.  We showed the kids the athletic complex, tennis courts, and lax field where hopefully Ryan and Caroline will spend some time when they come to school here; then we drove past the business school where Chris recieved his MBA, past the Humantities building where I spent so much of my time, the testing center where I my heart still races by just the thought of taking another test in that dreaded building.  We expressed our love for this campus, our desire for them to have the opportunity to come here, and especially what a wonderful experience it is to be part of such an amazing institution.

We ended our night with a visit to the Wilkinson Center for tacos and Creamery ice cream.  We sat in the CougarEat with our four children and continued to talk about such zoobie entities as International Cinema, the Varisty Theater, the library, dances, and class schedules.  I think the kids had a fabulous time.  There was a dance going on in the ballroom, so Chris took Caroline inside to show her what good, clean, college fun looks like . . . they even danced part of a song.  Now that's a memory I won't forget!