I hope to be back to regular blogging this week. We'll see how that goes…stay tuned (all 4 of you).
In the meantime I thought you all would enjoy this blog that is just fascinating me of late. This young Aussie girl is attempting to sail around the world – by herself. And she's blogging about it. Can't say that I'd be letting my 16-year old attempt it, but I have to say she seems quite mature and delightful. And I am enthralled with her posts. Quite something!
Take a look:
I have a serious case of post-vacation-funk-syndrome (PVFS). I also am fighting a real-life-hope-it's-not-the-flu "bug" that is keeping me down. And I have a case of the messies – messy laundry, messy kitchen, messy me. It's not good – I wouldn't be comin' around here if I were you.
But this came in the mail today:
It's the latest Hilary Weeks Christmas CD. Which reminds me that I get to meet her in December and go to a private concert too…more on that later. (giddy).
That, coupled with the fact that I am starting to knock out some Christmas shopping, gives me at least some hope that I will eventually (eventually) come out of this dark cloud and get back to blogging soon.
Had a great time in Canada!
Enjoying fall with my boys!
Lots to come…
When bug and PVFS leave.
After a crazy busy week of preparations, Derek and I are off…
to Banff, Canada!! (And Lake Louise and Calgary).
I can't wait for the beautiful hotel, luxurious spa, and heavenly meals. I can't wait to hang out with Dana, Matt, Shelley and Scott…I can't wait to laugh and laugh and laugh! I can't wait to spend time with cute Derek. I can't wait to see my first glacier! I can't wait to wear my new hat and coat and gloves (30 degrees there today with a low of 9!!).
Mom and Steve are holding down the fort this weekend, and then my Aunt Lisa takes over until we get back.
It seems much of the family talk these days is about the upcoming nuptials of my handsome brother, Mark and his darling fiance, Anne. In 5 weeks we'll be all dressed in our very best duds, watching Samuel walk down the aisle with rings and the boys pass out programs. It's exciting!
These two are SO fun to watch. They bought a new house together and invited us over for a housewarming dinner. My boys christened the pool and talked Mark in to getting in to (cold and rainy that day) – actually they forced the issue. It's a lovely home and we're excited for them.
Then Mom and I got to attend a "gourmet club"-like bridal shower for Anne thrown by longtime family friends. The invites were made out of aprons! The tables were fully decorated with fall decor. The food was fabulous. I loved it. But the best part was watching Anne's face…she was giddy and delightful. She's lovely in every way and I'm so thrilled to have another amazing sister-in-law. I'm really blessed in that department.
MIL Nancy, Anne and mom, Kathy
Almost a month ago (behind in blogging!) we were invited to our lovely friends The White's home for barbecue and swimming. Ray White was Derek's mission president, way back when. We.love.this.couple! They are the warmest, kindest, most generous, loveliest people. And they love us, which makes this relationship even sweeter. In our ward is one of Derek's old mission companions and his wife and 4 kids. We often try to get together with them and the White's to reminisce and glean any kind of virtue from these wonderful people.
I love people of more mature age. My grandparents especially, or Grandma Kake, or grandparents/parents of friends. I think surrounding ourselves with people like them does a lot of good for our hurried, fast-paced souls.
The White's used to home teach the Hinckley's and were dear friends of theirs. They also receive a gift every Christmas from the First Presidency, which they showed us this last visit. We love these good, choice people.
Two weeks ago we celebrated Jacob's big 10. On the night before his b'day we had the missionaries over for dinner – I made Jacob's favorite, taco salad this time with fried corn tortillas (yum-o) and chocolate sheet cake.
Caleb was ecstatic to give him a dollar-store pocket knife. I love this picture, despite it's washed-out-flash-look.
Then on that next Saturday we had a family brunch.
He is blessed to have the love and affection of extended family. This year, more than ever, I felt grateful to celebrate…not only his turning another year older, but HIM…who he is, who he has the potential to become, who he wants to be, who he has developed into over the last 10 years.
We love you, Big J.
Remember that program we did for Girls Camp called "Women of Light"? Well, we were asked to perform it again last week for the Stake. I loved digging out and ironing the costumes, tweaking the script, and seeing the girls again. The inspiration for this program came to me one night after prayer and study, right before bed. And then it just evolved into something with scripts, lights, costumes, stage directions, music, video, slides, sound, choir mics and choirs…with many, many people playing important roles. One of my mottos in life is "Go Big!", but even I didn't foresee or predict that it would be "this big". Seeing the Young Women put their hearts into their parts was one of the things that I will never forget. I love those girls and have a deep appreciation and reverence for who they are and how they conduct themselves. Seeing Dana, Kristan, Rachel, Julie, Bro Warner, Bro Ellison, Bro Frederickson, Pres Dotter, and others all dedicate themselves to it and do whatever it took to support me and the program was heartwarming and uplifting.
I have to say that doing it inside was much easier than doing it outside at Camp! Wow – what a difference A/C makes. But the experience was the same – reverent, special, spiritual.
One sidenote: One of the things I told the girls many times was that it didn't have to be PERFECT. They had worked hard and studied their lines, and had prayed for guidance, but in the end I knew that imperfections wouldn't lessen the experience. So I told them to do their best and the rest would fall into place. Last Monday, as I was beating myself up over the mistakes I had made (muting the video and having to start it again, the PowerPoint slides boucing out midway through, etc.) I was discouraged and frustrated that it wasn't perfect because of my failures. Then I remembered my own words and had to swallow hard and realize that the same applied to me (as much as I didn't want it to). It didn't have to be perfect – the message was still the same, the Spirit undeterred. It's funny when you're own words come back to bite teach you, isn't it?
An upcoming wedding plus all my siblings living in the same metroplex-area = lots of opportunities to get together and enjoy each other, which for me is pure joy. Love my family!
This weekend my Dad and Christy were in town so we all met at Jacob's soccer game, part of the time in the rain. He was SO pleased to have everyone there and played with extra gusto and determination. They lost, but just barely.
Then we headed to Matito's for dinner to celebrate Mark's 32nd b'day.
This family of mine is a diamond in my crown. Having everyone nearby (or within driving distance) fills my cup to overflowing. We are blessed.
Twice a year our Church has its semiannual General Conference. Two days, 4 sessions (+ a priesthood session for the men and a women's session the week before). It is uplifting, inspiring and wonderful. It's one of our favorite times of the year. Partly because of the break in routine. Partly because of the fun traditions. But mostly because the messages from Church leaders help us refocus, re-prioritize, and reflect on what's really important. This year I especially enjoyed our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson's talk about "doing good" – looking for needs around us and lifting others up through service. There were so many talks that I loved and I have some notes and promptings that I want to act on. The cool thing is that all of these wonderful messages are printed in a magazine that will arrive next month so we can read and study their words all over again.
Two of our favorite traditions are…
Sunday morning brunch with Audra. We've done this one for many years and always enjoy having her here.
This year I made a "puffed pancake" which is so yummy (it's more like an egg dish than a pancake, but you serve it with maple syrup).
Sunday afternoon session with Hickens and Dalebouts + yummy dinner afterwards = twice yearly fun. Love these guys.
I took a week off of blogging. Somewhat unintentionally, although as last week got going and blogging kept slippng lower to my list of things-to-do, I decided that it was indeed my "week off". I love to blog, but the truth of the matter is that it takes time, and last week I was lacking in time.
So now I'm back (still lacking in time, but chalk it up to lame excuses). And will be blogging every day this week, right up until I jump on a jet plane and head for balmy Canada with my sweetie and sweet friends. Can someone say thermals?
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