Irony

James has been working like . . . well, I was going to say "like a dog", but what kind of dumb saying is that anyway? Most dogs I see don't work at all. They poop. They may run around a little, or even play fetch, but work? . . . not hardly.

So, what has he been working like? Like a Maytag dishwasher? No. They do work well, but usually only for a couple of hours a day. I think I work more like a Maytag dishwasher.

Hmmm, no, I think James has been working like an air conditioner in July. He has been working VERY long, intense hours, and there is always more work than he can accomplish in the time he spends at work.

So, this week he received a notice that he is in violation of the Resident Work Hour Restrictions, along with a request that he submit a written explanation for this violation.

I find it ironic that his current rotation squeezes the very life out of him, and then requests that he spend more time in writing out an explanation of why he's working such long hours.

I think I could provide a written explanation or two, but I'm afraid that we might receive another notice of a different kind of violation if I did.

Happy Reading, or Listening, as the case may be

Books Currently on My Favorite's List:

1. The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter
I love this book. It speaks to my heart. I laugh out loud; I sob out loud. It is a true story about a little boy who is part American indian, who goes to live with his grandparents after his parents die.

2. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherril
This book is also a true story about a wonderful Christian family in Holland during WWII. They help with the Jewish underground. It is an amazing story, full of faith, and lessons from their lives about what it truly means to be a Christian.

3. The Peacegiver, by James L. Ferrell
This is a novel that is so excellently written. It deals with a man whose marriage and life are reaching a crisis. In reading it, I gained new understanding and insight into the Atonement. It was therapeutic for me to read. I enjoy therapy in novel form.


Books I am in the middle of reading:


The Five Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me, by Richard Paul Evans

Take Two Chocolates and Call Me in the Morning, by Emily Watts

The Family Nobody Wanted, by Helen Doss

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis

Bonds That Make Us Free, by C. Terry Warner

The Ultimate Career, by Daryl Hoole and Daughters

The Soul of Adoption, by Catherine E. Peolman



Books on tape I am currently listening to:


Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites: Kingdoms and Conquerers, by Chris Heimerdinger

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling

Mother's Day 2007

To my own mother, thank you for wiping the tears and the bums. Thank you for your humor and your guidance. Thank you for enduring the noise and the messes. Thank you for doing the mountains of laundry. Thank you for your faith and for somehow keeping all eight kids clothed, fed, and even presentable (most of the time). You are my hero, and I love you! May this Mother's Day bring you cheer and lots of fun phone calls.

To my mother-in-law, thank you for raising my husband to be a man of faith. Thank you for teaching him to treat his wife like a queen. Your absolute love for and devotion to your children and your family is reflected in the lives of each of your children. Thank you for enduring the years with four young children close in age and a husband who worked long and crazy hours, all while you held down a job as well. I know you hate Mother's Day, but I wish for you a day filled with peace, happy memories, and the honor that you deserve as a wonderful mother! You are also my hero! I love you!

To my friends who long for children, but do not yet have any, I know the pain that this day can bring. It is somewhat akin to having all of your hopes and dreams, your very heart, ripped out, stomped flat and used as a corkboard where the pushpins of other's happinesses associated with this day pierce you with painful reminders of what you still long for. I wish for you an assurance from God that He has not forgotten you, that He has a plan for you, and that He loves you.

To Brianna's sweet, wonderful birthmother, I could never in a million years thank you enough for the sacrifice you have made. We thank you for giving Brianna life. Thank you for making our dreams come true, and for helping the Lord to be able to answer our prayers. I wish for you peace of mind and heart. I wish for you a bright, fulfilling, and happy life. You are an amazing person! I love you!

To Brianna's terrific birthgrandma, thank you for standing by your daughter and supporting her. Thank you for the love and support you have shown to us. Thank you for your faith. You are wonderful! We love you. I wish for you a day full of wonderful assurances that you are loved by your children and others (including us). I wish for you also, a day of true rest, and maybe a little pampering! : )

To my wonderful sisters and sisters-in-law, thank you for your friendships and examples to me. You are all spectacular people, with unique talents and abilities! I am grateful to be related to each of you! I wish you a day full of hugs, kisses, back-rubs, yummy smells, restful moments, laughter, and pampering!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

On "Losing It"

Last Saturday, following weeks and weeks of James working 70-80 hours a week, thereby rendering me a virtual single parent, I felt like I was "totally losing it". Don't get me wrong. I love my children with all my heart, but I NEEDED a break.

James had a priesthood leadership meeting that evening, and afterward went to dinner with a friend from the Stake. When he got home, I turned the kids over to him and said good-bye. He asked where I was going. "Out." I replied.

Then, I left.

Being the total rebel that I am, I drove to the grocery store . . . to buy starch, because we were out and I had a lot of ironing to do. And because I couldn't think of anything else to do. I just needed to get out, . . . alone.

In the grocery store, I didn't wander about, browsing. Nope, I walked briskly, like a woman on a mission, straight to the starch. Once I had it in my hand, I decided I probably needed something more. So I grabbed microwave popcorn (because we were out, and it was on sale), and lime sherbet (because I wanted something sweet and low-fat).

After checking out, it occurred to me that I now had an item that would rapidly melt. I felt disappointment, and a slight sense of relief, when I realized that my "outing" would be short-lived. I had to get this sherbet into the freezer.

I called James. "Are the kids in bed?" "Yes." "O.K., I'll be home in a while."

Not feeling completely ready to return home, I blasted the stereo in my car and accelerated onto the freeway . . . only to find myself behind the slowest driver in our city. There was traffic in the next lane, and my exit was coming right up, so I drove at an unfulfilling 50mph to my exit.

As I neared my home, I still didn't feel quite ready to go in. I drove around the block three times, finally pulling into my driveway as Simon and Garfunkel crooned, "Hoomeward bouund. I wish I waaas hoomeward bouund. "


My Dad has often said that if he ever "totally loses it" we can find him in the freeway meridian shooting out the headlights of the cars driving with their "brights" on--a pet peeve of his. (Before you call the police, just let me say that I have never questioned my Dad's sanity, so I think we're safe.)


So my Dad would shoot out "brights", while I, pathetically, buy starch. Perhaps that's a sign that I didn't "TOTALLY" lose it. . . . Maybe it was just a partial loss? Not that I want to shoot anything, or anything like that. It's just . . . starch?

So, how about you? What do you do, or where do you go when you "lose it?"

More From the History of Great, Great Grandpa Harold

Speaking of when he was a boy, "At about this time in my life, I liked to chase the calves and try and rope them. One day I took dad's rope that he used to pull his wagon brake while freighting from Price and went about 3/4 mile from home to drive the cows home and used the rope to try roping the calves. After I got tired of roping the calves, I coiled the rope up and tied it to the saddle. But I did a poor job of it because when I got home, the rope was lost. Dad needed to go freighting the next morning with no rope for his brakes. He didn't have money to buy another and it was too late to go hunting for it that night, so dad told me to pray for help in finding that rope when I went to bed. Which I did. Early the next morning, I rode my horse as fast as he would go to where I thought I was trying to rope the calves. This area was thick with sagebrush and greasewood so the chance of finding the rope looked about impossible, but I was traveling as fast as the horse would go and there was the rope, coiled up and on top of a bush. I believed in prayer then."

The Power of Friendship

RaNae lived next door. Our friendship ended when we were put in different reading groups in 1st grade, and we couldn't agree on who was in the more advanced group.

Wendy lived down the street. Our friendship ended when she heard our dryer buzzer, and asked, "What is that???" Jokingly I answered, "The fire alarm." I had to chase her up the stairs, out the door, and down the street to tell her I was kidding. She never played with me again.

Cheryl lived kitty-corner from us. Our friendship ended when her puppy was hit by a car. (Incidentally, our friendship started when she got the puppy.) I guess I was a little shallow.

Clearly, I wasn't well-versed in the intricacies of friendship. I never understood that you could have a disagreement, or a falling out, and then reconcile. I just figured that I had screwed up, and that was the end of it.

Therefore, I am soooo grateful that Ben has a friend with whom he laughs, plays, imagines, bickers, shares, yells at, etc. They have already had far more serious disagreements than I had with my little friends, and have reconciled time and again.

For example, when Ben was playing the role of Bobo Fett,(pronounced, by them, as Bubble Fat) the bounty hunter from Star Wars, his friend was playing Jenga Fett(Jingle Fat), Bobo's father, and also a bounty hunter.

Friend: "Bubble Fat and Jingle Fat can't be grown up at the same time. Jingle is the dad so he has a weapon. Bubble is the boy, so he can't have any weapons."

Ben: "People like to have weapons."

Friend: "How 'bout we play a different episode."

Ben: "O.K."

I am always so proud to hear them work our their differences.

To have a good friend is such a blessing. To be able to disagree and then reconcile is a beautiful chance to learn from each other, grow, and be stronger than before in the friendship.

I think I'll go call RaNae, maybe we can start a Book Club or something.

Kodak (or in our case Canon) Moment

Ben had a rough time quieting down and going to sleep last night. At last we no longer heard him. When James went to our room to gather his clothes for morning, he kept hearing a strange sound. Finally, he turned around and saw this:

Apparently, Ben found he could sleep better in our bed, with the light on.

This morning, Ben informed me that he never fell asleep!

Drum Roll, Please . . . .

And the winner is . . .

Grand Junction, Colorado

"Why Grand Junction?" you ask.

"Why not?" I reply.

It is a beautiful city, with truly breath-taking views. The practice that James will be joining is everything he ever dreamed of in a "perfect practice." But, above all, it just felt right.

We hope that you will take some time to check it out and come visit us at some point.

Things To See & Do

Colorado National Monument

23,000 acres of awe-inspiring scenery sets the backdrop for your visit to Grand Junction, Colorado! Colorado hiking is legendary in the sandstone rock formations, arches, and canyons that date back over l.5 billion years. Drive along the serpentine 23-mile Rim Rock Road. Colorado camping is spectacular here, with sites available on a first come first served basis through the Colorado National Monument Visitor's Center. For more information about our many tourist attractions, call 970-858-3617. More.Top

Grand Mesa National Forest

Colorado hiking abounds in the Grand Mesa, a 10,000-foot high "Island in the Sky." Explore lush spruce forests and over 200 pristine stream-fed lakes jumping with trout. The largest flat-topped mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa offers extensive recreational facilities for fans of adventure travel, including camping, boating and fishing. In autumn, enormous stands of aspen radiate brilliant tones of yellow and gold. In winter, miles of Colorado hiking trails on the Grand Mesa become cross-country and snowmobiling trails. Colorado camping and outdoor recreation information is available from the U.S. Forest Service 970-242-8211. More.Top

River Rafting

We'll tailor a raft trip on the Colorado River just the way you like it. The Colorado River has long stretches of gentle terrain that make it perfect for a Colorado family adventure or a group that wants nothing more than a leisurely day on the water. For the adventurous, experienced guides will take you on an exhilarating whitewater rafting ride. In either case, you'll get a perfect view of some of Western Colorado's most spectacular scenery. More.Top

Colorado Hiking and Biking

Colorado hiking is plentiful and diverse in and around Grand Junction, Colorado. Fifty miles of hiking trails on the Colorado National Monument offer a wide range of options for all ability levels. Choose from easy, paved trails to rugged descents several hundred feet into the canyons. Excellent Colorado hiking trails wind through the Grand Mesa, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. Mountain bikers and road cyclists have plenty of options for all ages and endurance levels. Take either of the 142-mile routes, Kokopelli or Tabaguache Trails for moutain biking at its best. Want something easier? Ride 18 miles of paved scenic pathway on the Colorado River Trail around Grand Junction. Take a leisurely ride through Colorado's Wine Country or pedal the 23-mile loop around the Colorado National Monument. More.Top

Grand Junction Golf Courses

Grand Junction golf courses offer you incredible layouts, lush green fairways and very reasonable greens fees. Bring your clubs or rent them. A hole-in-one just might be waiting for you on a friendly golf course in Grand Junction, Colorado. More.

Tiara Rado Golf Course18 holes, Par 71. 970-254-3830

The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa18 holes, Par 72. 970-263-9270

Lincoln Park Golf Course18 holes, executive. 970-242-6394

Adobe Creek National Golf Course27 holes, Par 36/36/37. 970-858-0521

Chipeta Golf Course18 holes, Par 59. 970-245-7177Top

Historic Downtown and Art on the Corner

You'll find unique shops and restaurants in Grand Junction's historic downtown district. Here, bike racks stand next to antique lamp posts, symbolic of the history and adventure that await you. Save a night for the dinner theatre on Main Street. You'll always find plenty of restaurants to satisfy every taste and age group. Enjoy the small town character we've preserved in our historic downtown, while you browse through art galleries and boutiques. Our "Art on the Corner", the first Main Street sidewalk sculpture exhibit in Colorado and the largest anywhere in the West, greets you at every turn as we showcase the talents of national and local artists." More.Top

Dinosaur Attractions

In their day, dinosaur's loved the area around Grand Junction, Colorado and now their legend is yours to explore. A unique Colorado family vacation starts at the Dinosaur Journey Museum of Western Colorado where dinosaur digs are offered two days a week in June, July and August. Spend an unforgettable day with a paleontologist to discover fossil treasures on a dinosaur dig. For more information and reservations, call 970-858-7282 or 888-488-DINO. More.Top

Colorado Family Vacations

Bring everyone in the family because all ages will find fun and adventure in Grand Junction. The Grand Junction Passport to Adventure, available free of charge at the Grand Junction Visitor Center gives you great discounts on six different local cultural attractions. Plus, you'll find some of the best Colorado hiking trails easily accessible and very family-friendly. Horseback rides, bike rides and float trips are easy to arrange. Tell stories around the campfire for a memorable Colorado camping experience under the stars. It's all accessible from Grand Junction, Western Colorado's most family-friendly town! More.Top

Live Theater

Numerous theater venues in Grand Junction, Colorado offer world-class talent and entertainment in a small town setting. Mesa State College has two theaters including the William Robinson 300-seat theater and the new black-box Mesa Experimental Theater, both of which offer a variety of exceptional productions. In downtown Grand Junction, the Cabaret Dinner Theater and its sister the Metro Playhouse bring in Broadway actors for popular musicals and comedies. The new Paramount Theatre offers musical favorites in a cafe-style setting while the Two Chairs Theater Company produces first-time productions by new playwrites. More. Top

Fast Facts
Population

City of Grand Junction - 48,141

With outlying towns - 126,445

Mesa County - 127,808

Elevation

4,586 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures

January - 36 / 16 F

July - 93 / 64 F

Average Precipitation

Rainfall - 9"

Snowfall - 22"


For more information on our future home, and your future vacation destination, visit:

http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/global/vg_download.cfm

(This is the site where all of this information came from, . . . pictures, too. But there is lots more to see. Oh, yeah, and my apologies for not having permission.)

Have I Benchud How Buch I Hate Codes?

Whed I ca't breed out of by dose, I go crazy. I would rather dot talk, because if I do, I ab boud to have to repeat, because dobody cad uderstad.

Cad you relate?

Translation:
"Have I Mentioned How Much I Hate Colds?"

When I can't breathe out of my nose, I go crazy. I would rather not talk, because if I do, I am bound to have to repeat, because nobody can understand.

Can you relate?

Taffy Apple Dip

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Mix with Kitchen Aid wire mixer. (That's what my recipe says, but I'm guessing that if you mix it with another brand, it would still turn out.)

Don't be fooled by it's simplicity. This is one SUPER YUMMY dip for just about any fruit!

P.S. - I have no idea why 'taffy' is in the name!?