Tale of a pig

A few months ago Chris and I had decided to go to Mexico City for his brother's wedding party. We had a deadline for getting the tickets. We needed to purchase them by March 31st in order to get the deal that we wanted through Alaska Air. Our deadline was approaching and each day I would ask Chris if he had purchased the tickets that day. He would say, "no, not yet." I would just nod my head and think about my reservations that I had with going. I could not quite pin point it. Sure, I had this and that going on but nothing that I could not work out for a trip to MEXICO where it's warm. Finally Chris and I talked about it when we realized we both had been putting it off for some reason. We decided to pray about it. We decided that we would take the weekend to pray and ponder it and make a decision on Monday. Monday came and we still felt unsure about our answer. We took that to be our answer and decided not to go.

The following Saturday we got a phone call from a member of the bishopric asking if they could meet with both Chris and I. "Sure." He came over to our home and asked Chris if he would lead the Venture crew in scouting. He explained that it would require a lot of time with the boys and going on many different high adventure activities. We both felt after that meeting that the reason we were not supposed to go to Mexico City was because of this new calling at church so that Chris would have the vacation days to use with the scouts. This may have been one of the reasons but recently got some new insight to our decision.

We were scheduled to fly out to Mexico City last Thursday and would have been returning tomorrow. Chris' brother and fiancee are there right now and called two days ago saying that they had been inside for two days, church had been cancelled and that they have not been able to do all the things they had been planning on doing. All because of the Swine Flu.

When we found this out we knew, beyond a doubt that Heavenly Father had heard our prayer. I'm grateful that we were both in tune to hear his answer and that we followed the prompting not to go. I don't believe we would have been in harms way with the flu but it sure would have been a waste of time and money to go and sit inside for several days. Time that Chris needs with the scouts.

This is a great example of not always knowing why we need to do something or not do something but following the prompting anyway. Sometimes we find out why, other times we do not. In this case we found out why. And it's a great way to talk to our children about how to listen for answers and that it isn't always what we want to hear....but there may be a reason.

Sunday Musings.....

The party went well last night. We had six kids including Makenzie and everyone had a good time. Only one boy though but hey, that was a 100% improvement from last month where we had none. We'll get there though. A boy I had never spent anytime around came and I loved getting to know him better. I know I need to have an attitude change about these get-togethers. The feedback from parents has been positive. I just feel very overwhelmed at times and it feels like "one more thing" but I know its worth my time so I'll shut up about it and put a smile on my face. Oh, we also had a non member come last night as well and that was super cool to get to know her.

Heidi and I played Disney sorry tonight. I rock at playing sorry. I told Heidi she didnt stand a chance against me. I was right. (Heidi says I have to mention how close she was to winning until I won at the last minute, i don't have to mention it but I did.)

I loved our lesson in Relief today. Prayer. I love how the teacher kept it super simple, writing on the chalkboard the main points of Elder Bednar's talk and having us read from the scriptures. I really felt the spirit.

The Amazing Race starts in 5 minute. I can't wait.

I love my husband and children. They complete me. I know it's cliche but forgive me for that please. I don't say stuff like that very often. In fact I've never said that before but I'm feeling that today.

I really wish that I was in Coos Bay visiting my mom and Ben this weekend. Ben isn't doing very well at all. It's really difficult for me that I live so close yet too far away to be there when things are rough. I have a TAG project team meeting tomorrow afternoon so I couldn't go with my sister this weekend.

not to self: do not apply for any district project teams next year.

In fact: and this is interesting for all of you to know. I'm not going to volunteer at all at the school next year. Crazy huh? I'm going from PTO board, TAG project team, Art literacy for two classes and partial coordinator, classroom coordinator, classroom volunteer to 1 hour a week in heidi's class next year.

I can't wait. I need to free up some of my time.

That's it for today. Phil is talking now. I always listen to Phil. (Phil of the amazing race)

random thoughts

Hi blogging friends,

I've been taking a break from the blogging world. So I'm sorry I haven't been commenting on your posts. I will return to that eventually.

Here are some thoughts of mine for today:

I love art. Today we had our stake women's conference and I loved it. Walter Rane, an artist that has done numerous paintings depicting gospel stories came and spoke. It was beautiful.

The mountains speak to my soul. For some they feel it when at the beach and hear the ocean. For others it's the rushing of a river. Maybe yours is a crystal clear blue lake. I believe that we find solace in nature. I believe that everyone connects to some part of nature. For me it's the mountains.

I don't want to have to apologize for my children not being perfect. They make mistakes just like any adult does. So if you have something to say about what they have done or said then just say it. My children are good kids.

I love the two YCL's that I met on Thursday night. I wish the others would have been there too.

I don't want to have this get together at my house tonight. I hope that Makenzie appreciates me someday for it.

I don't really care that my house is a mess. Will 6 teenagers care?

I hope I can to go a movie tonight after we drop the kids off at the dance.

A gift for your day

I don't watch T.V very often and rarely the news. But I did see this person on the Today show yesterday while I was on the treadmill. I didn't have my headphones so I didnt know what they were saying about her. But today a friend sent me an email with a link to this youtube clip.

I watched it and I cried. It made me happy. Now I'm sharing with those of you who, like me, live in a box that does not involve T.V.

Enjoy


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPlkOyaqaQ


Sorry, I wasn't able to find a clip that would let me load it to blogger.

Also, I've heard that she has already been signed by Simon Cowell.

Off the beaten path along I 70 Day 2

Day 2: Enon, Ohio to Independence, Missouri
















Stop #1: Hard Rock Cafe, Indianapolis, Indiana

Okay, so maybe this isn't "off the beaten path" or "unusual" but it is super easy to get to off of I 70. I've been to a lot of Hard Rock Cafe's as my husband collects the City shirts. This Hard Rock is one of my favorite so far. From the outside and when you first enter it's nothing special. But they have some of the best memorabilia that I've seen. They try to keep it local I was told by the gal that worked there. She says nonchalantly that they have stuff from the locals like the Jacksons, John Cougar Mellencamp and Waylon Jennings. " The Jacksons?" I ask. "Yeah, you can go in that room over there if you'd like. It has all the Jackson stuff" she says as she points to a closed door that is black beyond it's windows. My curiosity got the best of me so after our order of Nachos (which are fantastic) I drag my daughter and sister to see what is beyond the closed door. We open the door and try to find a light switch. My sister has success and we stand there gaping at what is in front of us. Original hand written lyrics to Michael Jackson's "Bad", the infamous black leather jacket worn by Michael on the "Bad World Tour", pictures of the Jackson 5 and several of Janet's memorabilia as well. You just can't help but get a little thrill to see a signed cover of the Thriller album. It was one of the first albums I owned.

Stop #2: World's Largest Cross, Effingham, Illinois



You can't miss this one. It's visible from the freeway. In our case we were just looking for a good place to take a break after Indianapolis. I picked Effingham off the map and then googled it on my Blackberry. "World's Largest Cross" came up. Well, that would be something to see wouldn't it? So we stopped. This is a great place to stop. Easy to get to and a very nice visitor center with super clean restrooms. Free coffee for those that care about that (we didn't), 50 cent soda from the machines, couch to rest on and a map to put a pin on where you are from. Fun little place.

Stop #3: Nostalgiaville Kingdom City, Missouri



There were signs for this place all along I 70. We were ready for a break so we decided to check it out. It is full of 50's and 60's stuff and the people that work there are very nice. We were blessed with the sign of the cross when we left. Now that makes you feel special.

Stop # 4: Emma, Missouri pop 237



We had to stop here because I have a daughter named Emma. This was not really a stop but a drive thru because it was raining hard and there was nothing open in this tiny town.

Stop # 5: Liberty Jail, Liberty, Missouri



This is the sight where the Prophet Joseph Smith was incarcerated for 4 months in 1839. For more information on this very interesting site please go here. It is about 20 minutes north of I 70 and well worth a visit.

Off the beaten path along I 70 Day 1

During my recent travels across the good ol' USA we encountered some fun and unusual things. So in a wrap up of my trip I will describe some of these. For those of you that are curious and also for anyone out there looking for the "unusual" on a trip along the same route.

Day 1 - we drove from Columbia, Maryland to Enon, Ohio

Stop #1: Friendsville, Maryland along I 68, We stopped here purely because of the name. I saw it on the map and we decided it would be a good place to stop. Who wouldn't want to live in a place called Friendsville? It was very small but had a good convenience and gas station with bathroom.



Stop #2: Dresden, Ohio turn North at Zanesville and follow Hwy 60 until you reach Dresden. Do not follow mapquest directions as this will take you along hwy 666 and it is truly devilish. Just follow hwy 60. This is a small, quaint town that is the birthplace of the Longaberger basket company. Here you will find the world's largest basket and a number of fun little shops. We ate at Popeye's Soda shop and although the line was out the door we decided it was nothing to boast about. The food was just okay and the service wasn't all that great. They were busy that day so maybe that had something to do with the service. I don't know.

Stop #3: While in the area a stop at the Longaberger Homestead is a must do. Here you can do some shopping, see the baskets being made or make one yourself, and get some yummy food. There is also the largest apple basket in the world there and makes a fun photo opportunity.

Stop #4: After leaving the homestead get on Hwy 16 and head to Frazeyburg where you will find the Longaberger headquarters which is in a building that looks like a huge basket. It's gigantic and will almost make you run off the road. I wondered when I saw it if that has happened to anyone before.

12 on 12 for 12

I went to church


I sang with the choir


I helped Krista make rolls. She made the rolls, I buttered the pans.












Heidi opened birthday presents.

I placed some of these in my attic space as some critters decided to join us after Chris mowed the field where they were living.



I cleaned my younger daughter's room not too happily as you can see in the picture.


I ate dinner with family and friends.

I listened to the kids play on the Wii



I played a game of brick breaker on my Blackberry



We had birthday cake.
I laughed



I watched the Amazing Race.

On going home

I was planning on blogging about my trip tonight. I started to and then got distracted with reading all of your blogs. What fun stuff I've missed. I'm caught up now though.

And as I was reading all of your blogs and catching up on emails my mind started thinking of all the things I need to get done and all the meetings I have over the next few weeks and months. And my heart started racing. It did the same thing the morning that I flew out for Baltimore to start this trip just like it had the day before that and the day before that.

I have too much to do. How did this happen? Do any of you wonder how all of a sudden you just have too many things on your plate?

This trip has been nice in an unexpected way. I knew it would be fun, of course it would be fun. I mean I'm with my sister and oldest daughter doing what we want for 7 days. But it's been nice in that I haven't thought about what I have going on at home once since I left. That is until tonight. I'm sitting here in a hotel room in Baker City and in a way dreading coming home. I miss Chris terribly and I'm longing to breathe in Emma and Heidi's clean hair smell. And I can't wait to give them their treasures from our trip. But then what? I have to at some point figure out what I'm going to do for my daughter's birthday on Sunday. And when is that next TAG project team meeting? I think there is something this next week for that. And I have to meet with my YCL's for camp. That is long overdue and needs to be done this next week. Then there is staff appreciation week that I'm in charge of at the elementary school. A meal each day for the entire staff of the school. And what is going on for the next cooking and preparedness class? I need to look at my schedule for that and contact the person that we want to teach it next month. I have to order the candy for my brother in law's reception. I'm doing a candy buffet. The 5th grade basketball game is in a couple weeks and I am in charge of the concession stand. I have to buy everything and figure out what to price it at. Oh yeah, I think we have a recognition night for Activity days we need to start planning as well. And I've got to go get my fingerprinting done so I can send in my subsitute license application. I also need to schedule art literacy for two classes and do that over the next couple weeks. Do you think they will notice if we just skip an artist?

All that needs to be balanced with taking care of my family and getting them to their commitments as well as my goal of going to the temple every other week. I think this is why my heart has been racing lately. I'm sad to see this trip end. I think on the way home tomorrow I better think about what I'm going to do for Heidi's birthday.

oh yeah, i need to call Chris and let him know he needs to have 2 dozen filled eggs to a member of the primary presidency tomorrow. He's just going to love having that sprung on him.

But I am grateful for the opportunities that I have right now. Every one of them. I've reasessed what I will be doing in the future. And it feels good to have made some decisions. This really helps being able to vent here. Thanks for reading!

# 6 Go to Liberty Jail

note: This was written on Monday morning but I was not able to get pictures to load.

For those of you that are not familiar with the history of our church you might find this one a tad strange. I don't want to actually spend time in jail, I want to visit the place where the prophet Joseph Smith spent four months with 4 other men.

And I went. Last night. Despite the obstacles that stood in our way.

We left Enon, Ohio around 8 a.m. yesterday with plans to arrive in Independence at around 5 p.m. On the way we had terrible weather with high windstorms and tons of rain. We stopped for a break about 2 hours outside of Kansas City and witnessed two car accidents. One of which flipped three times and I saw one of the guys fly out the window. I thought for sure he was going to be dead but all three of those young men got up and walked away. Amazing. But since we had seen it we felt we should stick around to make sure they were okay.

So by the time we roll into Independence it's 8:15 at night. The visitor center to the Liberty Jail closes at 9 p.m. and we still have to drive north to Liberty. We start going and realize the weather is getting worse. It's dark out and the directions we had said we should have already arrived and we hadn't seen the street yet. We finally get there and it's 20 minutes until closing. We get out of the car and realize that it's snowing. And we still have to drive back to Independence where we will be spending the night. So we are feeling pretty rushed.

We get inside and all that goes away. The older gentleman missionary had a huge smile on his face welcoming us. He made us feel immediately like they had all the time in the world for us. A sister missionary took us in to see the Liberty Jail and the spirit was so strong as she bore witness of the sacrifices the prophet made for the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the sacrifices that our Savior has made for us as well, even his own life. I felt as if I was on holy ground. It was a beautiful place to be. I loved that Makenzie could experience the spirit there and also see this sister missionary. I know all my girls want to serve missions yet where we live we don't see sister missionaries so it's almost been this foreign concept to them. Something they know they can do but have never seen done besides pictures from their aunt and mom. So I was so happy that she had this experience.



I've had some people ask me why do I have the Liberty Jail on my list and not Carthage where the prophet was shot and killed? It made me really think about it. When I first made my list it was right there at the top of things that I wanted to do. I've always wanted to visit there. And I know why. The first girlfriend of mine that ever served a mission was Tara Olsen. We grew up in Coos Bay together and she was a couple years older than me. She decided to serve a mission and she was the first sister missionary that I knew personally. She was called to the Liberty Jail visitor center. She would write me letters and tell me how amazing it was and share her testimony with me. At that time in my life I was struggling not so much with whether the church was true or not but with doing the right things in my life. Her letters were a huge push to keep me doing the right things. I felt the spirit of that place, in a small Missouri town through letters.

And last night I got to be there and feel that spirit even more. It's a beautiful place and I hope all of you can experience it sometime in your life.

#30 Visit the Longaberger Headquarters

There was a time when I collected Longaberger baskets. I took every opportunity I could by scraping together a few dollars at a time and saving it and then purchasing this great handwoven piece of art. I still love them but haven't purchased any in a long time. I use all of the baskets I own. They all have something in them. They are useful and beautiful.

When I made my list of 50 things I wanted to do in my life a visit to the Longaberger Headquarters HAD to be on the list. And even though I don't save my dollars for these baskets anymore I was thrilled to be able to visit there today. It was an easy stop off of I 70 even though mapquest took us on a very interesting route. On highway 666 nonetheless. But we eventually made it and joined the hundreds of visitors that were there for Spring Fling '09. Today was part of a two day extravaganza that every Longaberger enthusiast would long to join in on. We had a blast watching the 30 second dash for baskets where 4 lucky people got 30 seconds to grab as many baskets as theey could and get back over the line in time with them. And we loved taking pictures of the giant baskets.

The world's largest REAL basket is in Dresden, Ohio. It is the place where the Longaberger comany was first started. It is a very small quaint town where we had lunch and took a picture of course of the "World's Largest Basket".


Then we were off to the Longaberger Homestead which is where the store is, the bakery, the barn, the outlet and cafe are. Also here is a giant apple basket. This is where the Longaberger family moved their operation to when they could no longer operate the business in the small area of their home. I'm not sure if this one is real, as in really a woven basket. I'm guessing not because it was actually a lot bigger than the one in Dresden and the one in Dresden is the one with the official sign.



Then we went to the actual Longaberger Headquarters. This is the office building. The building itself is a basket. And this one is the largest of them all. It's really a sight to behold. And once again, it can't be real or otherwise it would win as the "Biggest Basket in the World."



We had a ton of fun and now I've got to go because i'm exhausted. We are getting up super early to head to another of my things on my list. I can go months even years without completing a single thing on my list and here I am in a weeks time doing 3! It's crazy I tell ya'....



p.s. look at that blue sky. Isn't it gorgeous? I'm loving, loving Ohio.

p.p.s. Kris, I thought of you so much today. I wish you could have been here with me.