A post Valentine Thought

I've taught a couple of lessons to my "Sideways" boys, inspired by a few things at Sacrament meeting a few weeks ago.

You get out your playdoh. Don't you just love the smell.  Tell everyone to make a snake or a worm.

How about a square.  The squares were all individual and creative. Love these boys.

Then a heart.  Easy peesy.  David, of course, has to sculpt a anatomical heart. He's kind of a geek that way.

Then I asked them why no one chose the dried out playdoh.  It's hard, cracked, doesn't mold.

Scriptures explain the difference between a soft heart and a hard heart.  Sometimes we think a soft heart means a weak person.  When David and I were driving to and fro to St. George last week, we listened to Sheri Dew's book Insights from A Prophet's Life- Russell M. Nelson.  Such a fascinating book.  He was actually a world renown heart surgeon- working on some of the first open heart surgeries and helping develop the first heart/lung machine.  He shared that when he first started his work, it was a theory that if you actually touched a human heart, it would die.  How wrong was that.  And he told about what a healthy heart looked like- soft, pliable and then able to pump the life saving blood thorough out the whole body.  A hard heart is just that- hard.  And because it is hard, it doesn't pump blood which means death (maybe in this case, spiritual death...)

We talked about the things that make a soft heart- kindness, forgiveness, service, looking out for others.  A hard heart is anger and mean-spirited and doesn't forgive but holds grudges and revenge. Maybe it just refuses to be told what to do. That is called defiance.

There is a formula for playdoh.  It is flour and salt and water.  Some people do not like to be told what to do.  Scriptures share with us formulas to be happy.  If we decide we don't want to use salt in our playdoh, we would be left with paste- flour and water.  It doesn't matter how much we demand that it is playdoh, it isn't.

If we want to have happiness in life, it is like learning to control that heart within us.  Following rules (as in the scriptures) isn't a sign of weakness but of great strength.  Anyone can make up their own rules how to live but God has made the rules that He wants us to live by. 

And of course, we had soft Ju Ju valentines (and donuts) to eat afterwards, because that is what we do.  Teach these kids a short lesson, tell them that God loves them and that we love them....and then fill them up with sugar and send them back to class!!!!

LOL

And more Wonderful Randon-ness

I had no sooner gotten home from girls trip to St. George, did our Sunday service and our weekly Sideways boys, then David and I packed up my NEW car and headed to St. George again!!!!  And I sold my old car (that I loved) to new friend Claudia, who just happened to overhear on our last trip that my husband had just put my car up for sale.  My new car (and mind you, I am not one who especially cares about cars.  I think they all look alike to me and I can't tell one from another.) has made a believer out of me.  It is a Mercedes Benz SUV- white (so I'll never be able to find it at the grocery store)- and just delicious.  I've never ridden in a car that drives so smooth!  It's smaller than my last three cars (all SUVs- a Jeep Cherokee, A BMW, a Cadillac and now this) but it's perfect for this stage of life.  And it has all the driving helps and lane change stuff and a large back up cam that I really, really need.  I would have kept my Cadi forever but the backup cam was a little window in my mirror.  I need all the help I can get!!!!

We stayed with our neighbors/friends Cari and Nick- that also have a second home in St. George.  It was so fun to be with them and we played pickle ball one morning (all of us were clueless on the rules) and then the next morning, we met up with Funny Kathy and Greg at their clubhouse and played with people who really know how it is played.  We really enjoyed it and I'm happy that I can finally move better.  This past year has really taken it's toll on me and I'm finally feeling better and ready to be active.  I've actually lost about 20 "butters" in the past two years- the last 5 have finally made a difference.  I could never even have attempted pickleball again 6 months ago.

 

 

Cari and Nick introduced us to a new game- Mah Jongg.  I used to play it on the computer years ago but I've never played the game with tiles.  We really liked it!  Now I'll have to order a set (and they aren't cheap!)

Besides hanging with our friends, we also did some home shopping.  We don't really know what we are looking for.  Something for our family.  Something to maybe rent out part time.  Someplace as a get-away.  I don't know....

Then on the way home, we were able to stop and see Parker (going to school at SUU in Cedar City) and take him to dinner and a good grocery shop.  Love this boy.

 

Hallee Babe and Gracie just had Sweethearts this past weekend.  Gracie (on the right) found her dress in a thrift shop in Paris over Christmas!  They both had a great time- although not without the drama that always follows teenage girls around.  Halle has a job refereeing basketball and they wouldn't let her off work and so they were having to switch all their day activities (you just don't go to the dance anymore. You have a day date, then pictures, then dinner, then the dance and then an activity afterwards- whew!) to Friday night but first their whole group had to go to Hallee's basketball game that she plays in (she's on Brighton's Sophomore team but dresses and plays J a bit as well.).  Then Gracie was nominated by the National Junior Honor Society as their candidate for Sweethearts- and no, that isn't so fun either.  It has turned almost into a campaign- you have to have posters made, make and sell a cake at an auction (Brandi reminded me of my making cakes for cub scouts and then having to buy it back....) and make a video, etc.  And then there is friend drama.  Sometimes it's easier for friends to be there for you when you are having a hard time, than when something good happens.  But, whew!  It's over!  Thankfully. 

 

 

 

 

My- life changes in ten years! 

 

Suzie posted this- just another day reporting to work (both she and Ben do Ski Patrol at Alta Ski Resort.  Ben gets to set off bombs for the avalanche control.  Life is hard!!!!

Sunday was Sunday dinner and we had a baked potato/sweet potato bar and all sorts of goodies.  We love our 2nd Sunday dinners and that our kids are so supportive.  We also invited our friends Tom and Penny, who are moving to St. George, so the kids could say good-bye.  We love them so much- they are like family to us!  Then Sunday night was a going away get-together in our old neighborhood, where Tom and Penny lived.  It was like going to my "Young Marrieds" reunion!  We got to see so many people we loved and raised our little kids with! So much fun!


And look at how big our turkeys have grown!  All 16 on our front porch this morning.  I say "our" turkeys but they run the whole neighborhood and poop everywhere.  I can't imagine when they all have babies again. That's really going to be a mess!  But I do find them entertaining, especially when they play with the deer.  It's a hoot to watch!

It's a Beautiful Day

I barely got home from our cruise, threw clothes into the washing machine, repacked and headed off to St. George on a girlfriend trip.  Funny Kathy has a second home there and invited a few of us for a few days.  BFF Cathy, BFF Brendalyn, Claudia (our new friend- we went to Palm Desert with her last year and she's darling) and I drove down.  We talked the entire way (almost 5 hours) and I don't think we stop talking the entire time.  Wednesday was my REAL birthday (have been celebrating in a big way for weeks) and the friends were so darling to insist it was a day all about me- I could choose whatever I wanted to do.  They took me to breakfast at the Bear Paws (delicious!), then we went to see Tom and Penny's lot where they are building and the model home that their daughter Niki and husband pilot Ross (whom I call Frosty) bought.  So fun!  And I'm so excited for them all!  Tom and Penny sold their home here in mere days so it has been a tender mercy for them.  Then we headed out to check out a townhome in a VRBO community that we are thinking of investing in- I loved one model and lo and behold, across the street a ways is where another friend has a second home with horse property and next to her is horse boarding for my cowboy!  It might be meant to be.....

We had the spa scheduled for the afternoon.  Three got pedi's, Cathy a massage and I got a facial.  Pure heaven.  Lunch was at a fun Mexican place called Lamy's Place and it is sooo good.  That night we watched the movie "I Can Only Imagine."  I hadn't seen it before and it is beautiful.  We had stopped and gotten movie popcorn (since that is my favorite thing to do) and can I say, in the 3 days we all totally overdosed.  I might not eat popcorn for a month!

The next day was more of the same- just playing and eating and talking,  puzzle building, game playing, bracelet making- and a big giant walk in the morning that my feet and ankles are still aching from.   We hit the movies in the afternoon and saw "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood."  I've been a Mr. Rogers fan forever, even before it was cool.  I have read books about him. I loved, loved, loved the movie!

And it has haunted me.  Haunted in a good way.  .  Mr. Rogers wrote 100 letters a year telling people how he felt about them.  Mr. Rogers made 100 people he knew feel what my children made me feel on our cruise - loved and appreciated.  So, yesterday I was sweeping my kitchen floor and pondering Mr. Rogers and I decided that writing 70 letters would be my goal this year.  To let 70 people in my life know they mattered.

So I can play it forward, all these good feelings that I have been feeling.  Everyone needs to
know that Mr. Rogers and I love them just the

way they are.....




“The connections we make in the course of a life--maybe that's what heaven is.”
― Fred Rogers

The Love Boat

Well, it seemed like the Love Boat, because 11 of the people I love most in the world were there!
I had really wanted to take them to Costa Rica but just the semantics of getting 12 people from one spot to another and packing and repacking just seemed like too much to organize.  But a cruise seemed perfect.  I love Royal Caribbean and have always wanted to go to St. Thomas so I chose their Eastern Caribbean cruise.  Months after booking it, the ship was having engine problems (we understand that from our houseboat at Lake Powell) and couldn't dock at St. Thomas- so St. Thomas was switched out for Puerto Rico (which was partly demolished in recent hurricanes.  But not the side we were docked on.)

We all flew into Ft. Lauderdale and spent the night in a nearby hotel since we got in so late.  We had a leisurely breakfast and then headed to the cruise ship. 

 

 We were on the Allure, which is Royal's biggest ship.  Boarding was a snap, unlike other cruises I've been on before.  Our rooms were perfect and our balconies overlooked the Promenade or Boardwalk  We could see 4 of our couples across the promenade and Brandi and Doug were next door.

 

First we cruised to St. Maarten- half Dutch/ half French.  We didn't get to the French side because we did a full excursion activity where we rented a regatta (actually the regatta that won the lst World Cup for the US)- and our family manned the ship!  Everyone worked hard but me- I was delegated to be the bartender but I didn't even do that job- the cooler was too far away to make an effort. lol.

It was amazing to be sailing away so fast and the water was beautiful and we had the best time ever!
 
There were tons of onboard activities- we saw a great ice skating show and Marci sang Karaoke and there were comedy acts and lots of music and dancing.  Marci took a sushi class.  The Flo Rider was a hit with our family with almost (see how that excludes me, the slug)- boogie boarding and surfing the waves.  The guys played ping pong and basketball and we had some great lay out at the pool time.  Everything was punctuated with yummy food.  The weather was perfect- not too hot, not too cool.

 
There were a lot of laughs (usually at my expense).  The kids bought bingo cards and that was a hoot playing.  We played 3 games and I won on the second game but so did 6 other people- so I think my winnings was $60.  The guy in charge tried to get everyone hyped and charged and said this was a competitive game and we were to boo when others were getting close to Bingo (you would stand when you were one space away from Bingo).  He had us practice and of course, I got into it like no other.  Then Brandi stood, because Doug told her she had Bingo.  And everyone was booing. But then she realized that she didn't.  And somehow I yelled out "Liar!"  Which of course became the catch word the rest of the trip. (Yes, Brandi was mortified.  Yes, she forgave me.  You would have had to be there to be caught up in the hysteria!)  (I will never live this down.  Below- what one of my kiddos posted later...)

 
  Then the 3rd game, I won the grand prize!!!!  I thought my kids were just spoofing me but I won ANOTHER CRUISE!!!!!  I  honestly don't think I need another cruise but it was crazy fun to win.

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formal Night!

 

 

 

Puerto Rico was the second stop.  I took a nap there. lol.  It was hot and I didn't care about touring an old fort.  But Co Co Cay- Royal's private island was fun.  It is like a giant waterpark.  It has the world's tallest water slide- one where the floor drops out under you- and miles of beach, fresh and ocean.  And did I mention food.  It was the perfect day at Co Co Cay (their logo!)

 

 

My kids made me the center of the Merry Go Round every single day.  Each night we would gather around a big table and Brandi would pull out a huge book of 70 letters they had collected from friends and family, sharing their love and special memories.  The kids took turns reading the letters and I would try to guess the friend.  And usually add more to the story.  But can you imagine- every night.  Ten letters.  Celebrating me.  It was most humbling.  I will never forget how that made me feel.

We had the best time ever as a family!  I will treasure every single second. My kids are just good, good people and I adored spending this amazing adventure with them!