A Logan 'n Lava Overnighter

Rob's been working quite a bit of overtime lately, which means I've also been working a lot of overtime lately. We needed to get away for a quick break! So I planned a perfect overnight getaway for our family of five.

We spent our first day and the night in Logan, Utah. We really enjoyed lunch at King Taco. 

Next we visited Willow Park Zoo. It's small but perfect for a buck fidy per person! 

Right next door is a big park and since it was such a beautiful day we spent some time here just hanging out.

Of course we were thirsty after all of that play time so we got drinks at Fizz N Fryz. This place is so fun for the family! Drinks start at, again, a buck fidy. They have all sorts of drinks that can be customized a million different ways. The kids thought this was SO cool.

Next up, The Jump Zone!

We had a few minutes before dinner so we got some ideas for the kids' Christmas lists at The Book Table (and toy store) on Main Street.

Next up, dinner which was delicious as always at Le Nonne! We all ate well. We even got to see a couple of Rob's beautiful cousins who own and run the restaurant. 

After eating, we were off to our lodgings for the night. I found this SWEET cabin to rent right on the edge of Hyrum Lake and it really was perfection. We all loved the two double-sized bunk beds, table, and kitchenette. At $48 a night, it was a complete steal for a perfect little hideaway!

We played family board games and ate snacks before bedtime.

Morning came and the kids couldn't wait to explore the lake in our front yard! We ate cereal and cleaned up and we were off for more exploring!

We planned to visit the Logan Temple but the grounds were closed so we drove on to our next destination: Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. 

We first ate at the The Royal Hotel and Pizzeria before patronizing a couple of rock shops. 

We walked down the Sunken Gardens path before heading in to The Lava Hot Springs Hot Pools. We didn't take our phones in so no pictures but there were 5 hot wading pools varying in temperature of 103 degrees up to 112 degrees. You'd think that the 9 degree difference between the coolest pool and the hottest pool isn't that big of a deal but it sure is. We were all able to play and relax VERY comfortably in the 103-105 degree pool but Rob could barely walk across the 112 degree pool. The whole place was so clean and beautiful and relaxing. We thought it was great!

(Side note: This was Nate's first time in a men's locker room and he thought it was hilarious...lol) 

Afterward, the kids played at the tiny old-fashioned playground across the street for a few minutes before we drove to dinner. The kids had been begging for a long time for us to take them to Texas Roadhouse so that's where we ate. Do you think they were tired at this point?

Then we listened to loud music the rest of the way home. The whole overnighter was so relaxing and family-oriented and JUST what we needed!   

A Goodbye to a Calling

I had been the primary secretary for 2 yrs when our stake was split in January 2013. When the bishop called me in I knew why. He told me that he was about to call another sister to be president but then stopped and realized he needed to call me. I was nervous and wasn't always glad he extended that call. There were many times I was just DONE. But there have also been so many times that I've been so glad he did and I've been truly blessed to be in primary!

At the time I became the primary president it was amongst the chaos of half our of ward leaving and half of a new ward coming in. Adults and kids alike were sad to be leaving friends.

I didn't know many people and we only had a few teachers in place. I browsed facebook a little bit while contemplating whom to call for my counselors and secretary. All I had to go on were names and maybe a profile picture. However, I was still able to get inspiration on the women that would bless our primary and, especially, me! I love them all and everything would have just fallen apart if it weren't for them. I value their strengths, talents, and opinions, especially when they've differed from mine! I trusted and relied on them and they never let me down. I appreciate them more than they know.

During the 2 1/2 years I served I went through 3 second counselors, 3 secretaries,  3 music leaders, 3 pianists, and COUNTLESS teachers and nursery, achievement day, and scout leaders. On average, we had approximately 100 primary children and 25 nursery children. Our bishopric changed 3 times. Our church time and primary schedule changed 4 times. Our church building changed once.

Much of my time as the primary president felt more like I was a human resources manager! I spent so much time figuring out callings, memorizing the huge list of children's names that constantly came in and out of the ward, putting out logistical and emotional fires, and just plain trying to get everything (or ANYTHING) to run smoothly!

Sundays and primary gatherings could be quite chaotic BUT, every once in a while it would just click. Usually they were the times when I or one of my counselors or music leaders shared our testimony to the children and teachers and the room would grow still.

I will miss working with all the men and women I came to know. I am such an introverted person that it usually takes me YEARS to feel comfortable in a ward and to make friends. This calling definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and I feel more at home in my ward and neighborhood than I ever have anywhere else. I LOVE my people!

And the KIDS. What a blessing they have been to me! I thought it would take me a while to feel comfortable up in front of them all but they made it so easy. I love each of their little and big personalities. I love their smiles. I love their quirks.

A couple of months ago I had to give a talk in sacrament meeting. I told the kids beforehand in sharing time that I was nervous because I was so used to talking to them, rather than their parents. So I asked them to help me feel more comfortable by looking up at me during my talk so I would feel like I was just in primary. And they DID! I saw SO many sweet faces looking up at me, supporting me. I love them for that moment and for many others.

My last Sunday doing sharing time was also special for me. I didn't know it would be my last but it couldn't have gone better. The topic was on sharing the gospel. As I was pondering my lesson, general conference came on and during one of the speakers I felt strongly that I needed to ask my dad to share his conversion story. I only vaguely remembered a portion of it so I didn't know exactly what he was going to say. After I had the primary kids write notes to our new missionary that just left, I showed the video of my dad. It's a good story!




I ended by sharing how grateful I am that someone shared the gospel with my dad because he was baptized. Then he and my mom taught me the gospel and I was baptized. Now my husband and I are teaching my kids and they are or will be baptized. During my dad's and my own testimony, the room was still.

Afterward, our junior primary was invited into Sunday School to sing the closing hymn to the group. I held hands with a couple of the children while we sang I Am a Child of God. Once again, the room was still.

Those still rooms are a manifestation of children of God feeling the Holy Ghost tell them that what they are hearing and feeling is good and important. I didn't accomplish every goal I had for my primary during the time I was serving but I think we, as a presidency, helped the kids know they are a child of God and how good it feels in our hearts when the spirit testifies. We tried to mention it every time we felt it happen so the kids knew that's what they were feeling...the still small voice telling them that they are loved. Those are the moments I will savor forever.

California 2015 - Beach Time

One of the priorities of our trip to California this year was to have some really good beach time and boy did we ever. A huge bonus was a significant storm far out to see pushing monster waves towards California. This produced some of the best waves I’ve ever seen in California (not that I’ve seen all that many but still). Such a blast to play in the sea for hours at a time and hang out with my entire family.

Check out the video to experience all the fun.

We went to Huntington Beach multiple times because it is such a great beach and was so near to where we were staying. The first afternoon/evening we setup shop near the pier. Great spot and the sunset was mind blowing! I included a couple photos from all our visits to Huntington Beach.

The other beach we hit was Little Corona del Mar. This place is literally a treasure. Just take a look. You’ll know what I mean.

A couple of last thoughts about the beach. The ocean is an amazing place; the smells, the sounds, the sand and sun are all so breathtaking. On the flip side the sea is so powerful and that can be a little scary. I (Rob) am not a strong swimmer so getting out just a little too far makes me uneasy.

I loved watching the kids on the beach and playing with them. You can’t pay for that kind of happiness, joy, and fun. It comes from nature. Literally amazing.

The Worst Rube Goldberg Ever

Just like everyone else, I'm a big fan of Rube Goldberg machines. They make me happy.

(A contraption, invention, device, or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion, usually including a chain reaction. ) 

Check out these 10 Brilliant Rube Goldberg Machines! 

HOWEVER...

When it comes to my body, negative chain reactions make me sad rather than happy. Now, I present my very own "Worst Rube Goldberg Ever." 

STEP 1: Get sick with a very bad cold or mild flu for 3 weeks.

STEP 2: Upon healing from sickness, get really bad chest pressure and painful constant burping for the next 6 months (nothing over the counter for acid reflux or gas does anything to help).

STEP 3: Visit doctor and rule out anything serious including heart and gall bladder problems. No other symptoms to go on.

STEP 4: Three months later, visit gastroenterologist who is a jerk and decide not to listen to his advice for an endoscope. Begin prescription strength probiotics. They don't work.

STEP 5: Visit 2nd gastroenterologist who decides it's probably caused by bacteria in the upper intestines. Go on antibiotics with high hopes. Ignore more advice for an endoscope.

STEP 6: The antibiotics give extreme metal mouth. Discontinue use even though I know I shouldn't stop a round of antibiotics in the middle of its course.

STEP 7: Ask doctor for an alternative antibiotic. No side effects, phew!

STEP 8: Chest pressure and painful burping continues. Go for a 2nd round of the same antibiotics.

STEP 9: Still not cured. 

STEP 10: Still trying to avoid an endoscope, decide to try a 3rd type of antibiotic. One that is $700 and makes me very sick for 10 days. 

STEP 11: Still. Not. Cured!

STEP 12: Decide to finally get an endoscope. Results: Acid Reflux even though I never had any burning or other typical symptoms and the over-the-counter stuff did nothing for me. Start taking prescription-strength meds.

STEP 13: Miserable for 2 weeks and now diagnosed with C-Diff from all of my antibiotic use. Did I mention misery?? 

STEP 14: Back on the metal mouth antibiotic. This time I finish the course.

STEP 15: Get very painful tendonitis and bursitis, exacerbated because of all the meds.

STEP 16: Get a steroid pack so I can walk at Disneyland.

STEP 17: The antibiotic/acid reflux/steroid cocktail gives me thrush in my mouth and throat. Prescribed anti-fungal.

STEP 18: 2nd round of anti-fungal after thrush returns.

STEP 19: C-diff returning? Will wait and see...

STEP 20: 15 months later and I'm STILL NOT CURED of my constant chest and gut pressure and painful burping!! One more prescription to try. 

STEP 21: Cry.

And the Worst Rube Goldberg ever continues...

Home Decor: Hallway

So hallways shouldn't be a big deal to decorate. They're small and you basically have to hang something on the wall, right? Well, I have this thing about hanging things on my walls that have no personal meaning to our family. I can't just buy something random from the store and put it up. It has to have a story behind it. Therefore, my hallway remained pretty bare for way. too. long.

I obviously have way too much patience for bare walls. I'm pretty sure it's an outward manifestation of how crazy I am inside my head because looking at this calms my mind...

So how happy was I when we received a gift from Rob's grandma? VERY! She gave us 3 beautiful frames full of butterflies that SHE caught in Indonesia and mounted. They are stunning. And perfect for our nature-loving family (even if it did require a little murdering of innocent, brightly colored insects).

 

The medallion on the wall is also from her collection from her Pakistan (?) days. It's so beautiful and I love how all the light bounces around the textured surface.

(Someday I'll have my carpet re-stretched.)

Now, it also took me way. too. long. to decide how I actually wanted the hallway painted. I knew I wanted something minimal since it's surrounded by busier walls. I mocked up about 20 versions but in the end decided to leave the side walls and the walls around the corner as-is. Around the corner are 4 doors...the kids bathroom, 2 bedrooms, and the linen closet. It's too small and dark for more dark paint and it would've had a striped effect with the small strips of wall in between all the doors.

As far as the paint color goes, it was leftover from our downstairs bathroom and I knew it would look beautiful behind the gold frames. It's hard to tell in the picture, but it's a deep navy.

I'm not sure why it took me so long to finish this little space but I'm glad it's finally done!

My Life-in-a-Box

My parents brought me a bin full of my old stuff. I didn't know it even existed.  I took off the lid and found a pile of pictures, journals, day planners, and letters. It was like a time capsule of my growing-up years.

I made my first journal entry when I was 6 years old.

Tues, Jan 1, 1987
"Today is New Years day. I got a diary from Brian. BRIAN IF YOU EVER READ THIS YOU ARE DEAD!!!!! Love, Julie"

The records of my life-in-a-box continue another 11 years, until I'm 17.

As I read I remembered. I have a good longterm memory anyway but it was fun to get the smaller details that are often overlooked, thought of as unimportant or not meaningful.

I also got such a full picture of who I was and how I grew over the years. It's very clear how I always was who I am. My personality's the same. I had the same strengths and weaknesses. Sure, I've grown, but I haven't actually changed much.

Some other observations:

• My first day planner started when I began 7th grade. I was always organized!
• I kept myself busy with friends and school and a lot of church activities such as dances, service projects, plays, piano performances, volleyball and basketball, and youth camps.
• I have ALWAYS struggled with my guilt complex. Practically every journal begins with "I'm so very sorry I didn't write yesterday! I'll do better!"
• My family and friends were always at the core of what I wrote.
• Family birthdays were a big deal to me. I wrote whose birthday is coming up or had just past and then I listed all of the gifts received. With 6 siblings and a handful of nieces and nephews, that's a lot of birthdays!
• I can see (read) myself as a sweet child turning into a moody teenager.
• I didn't realize I was so boy crazy!
• I was always a pretty serious soul and it shows through in my writing.

A lot of the stuff was unimportant and uninspiring so it went in the trash. But I did find some true treasures. Enjoy some embarrassment on my behalf!! 

(6 yrs old)

Jan 6, 1987
"Yesterday I felt That life was to hard for me to retern to my Hevenly Father."

(7 yrs old)

Feb 19, 1988
"I'm comfused. I feel grown up like doing my nails and growing them long. And I feel popalor. I'm scared! alot."

(8 yrs old looking just like Little Bo Peep)

(9 yrs old. WOW)

(10 yrs old)

Oct 15, 1991
"Today, for dinner, we had ministroni! the worst soup I have ever tasted!"

Oct 25, 1991 

"whoever reads this when I die, I am sorry I didn't right that much. I LOVE YOU."

Mar 15, 1992

"I'm scared. I have a very strong feeling for beau. Not just like oh he is so cute, but like I don't know maybe love. but I know I am still along ways till I'm old enogh. I am sooo very scard. Hevenly Father please help me choose the right." 

(11 yrs old)

June 27, 1993
"Brian got fired from hometown buffet for talking to much and fooling around. Too bad. They had good ribs! Dad is 49! Can you believe it. I can't. He is getting to be real old. Mom is 40. She doesn't look that old though. Right now mom is sleeping. (Beauty Rest.)"

(12 yrs old)

Aug 9, 1993
"I also met someone named Stephanie. I liked her at first, and I think she like me first. but when she found out I couldn't say my r's, she seemed to back away. But I am going to keep trying to make friends."

(13 yrs old)



Dec 31, 1994
"I am so tired, my dad was watching tv in my room so I couldn't go to sleep. Some of the things he watches are really stupid. He's kind of weird sometimes, but he's nice. Well, I hate Saturdays, there's nothing on tv and it's so boring. I'm watching woodwork."

Jan 1, 1995
"Well, my mom thinks I'm still a little kid. I was doing my hair this morning. She's always bugging me about my hair. To cut it, grow it, curl it under, curl it up, how to do it, and today, I was fixing it and I was having a hard time. She asked me if I wanted her to do it!!! I'm thirteen, I wouldn't be caught dead having my mom do my hair, I just looked at her funny and she said, "Well I was just asking so shoot me." I felt kind of bad but still. Well, now that I have that off my chest, I really do love her and she's a great mom."

Jan 6, 1995 

"You know what? David Yost is kinda cute. It's kind of strange, he's the Blue Power Ranger. I don't like him for the Power Ranger part, but as a person."

Jan 9, 1995 

"I saw him today! David! I love his smile. He has a silver and black Ford Windstar."

(14 yrs old and looking drugged)

Sept 16, 1995
"I sure like my friend ********. She's nice, smart, funny, talented, and pretty. Last night she was over and Karen was talking to her and I was right there. And Karen said, "Your prettier than Julie." I mean, I knew she was, and I knew other people thought so, but when someone actually says it, well, anyway. I would also like to dance like her and be as popular."

(15 yrs old)

Nov 24, 1996
"Last week I went to seminary with my zipper undone! Hopefully nobody saw. It was also hard to zip it up without making a noise or having someone see me. I also tripped over Sam's box of dougnuts on the floor twice!"

Dec 15, 1996 (Telling myself to get up the nerve to say something to him)

"SAM!!!!!! you can do it!!! Don't worry, it'll go great!"

(16 yrs old)

Feb 17, 1998
"I've been in 3 accidents, pulled over once, locked my keys in my car once, ran out of gas once, and had to get a jump start twice. Oh, I forgot, I got my car impounded once. All in 6 months!!"

(17 yrs old)

1999 (If you knew me at this time, this entry is not about who you might think it is about.)
"Dear Diary,

It's been so long since I've written it's as if I fell into a deep, tranquilizing sleep and have just awoken. I'm writing for myself; for my sanity. I will explode into a million pieces if I don't sort out my thoughts on **********. I don't think you realize how hard this is for me. So hard, I'm about to give up and keep silent forever. But I can't. I need to keep going; keep striving for reality and complete unified thoughts on this man."

"People ask if I like him. Boy, do I like him. More than anyone could have thought. I literally think about him all of the time. When I wake up, driving, during class, while I'm talking to other people, and at night while lying in my bed. I've dreamt of a wonderful but realistic life with him. Everyone always comments on how perfect we'd be together, and I silently agree. The only person who has a clue of how deep I feel is myself, and I'm getting lonely talking to myself about him. Lot's of people suspect I have feelings for him, and that he might have feelings for me, but no one really, truly knows for sure."

"*********** and I are good friends. My favorite times in life are with him wrestling on the floor. I have so much fun that I never want to stop. But I have to."

Unfortunately, when I got engaged to Rob, I tore out all my journal pages and threw away every memento of my ex-boyfriend (NOT the boy from the letter above) so there is a year when I was 18-19 yrs old that is undocumented. Although I'm sure it would be horrifying to read what I wrote during that time of us together and then breaking up, I'm sad that I don't have any record of it. 

And thus ends my life-in-a-box. Two more thoughts after sitting on my floor and reading through all of it: 

1) Maybe I will sympathize with and understand my daughters a little more as they head into the next decade of their life.

2) I'm curious to know what my 55-60 yr old self will think of my blog...

Some time I'll have to go through my journals from where these left off until our blog began in 2005. Should be fun!

California 2015 - Dolphin Safari

We recently returned from our family vacation to California where we played at the beach and went to Disneyland. It was a great trip that we all enjoyed immensely. Here is a video of our adventure on a Dolphin Safari with more pictures below.

At the recommendation of a friend we took a dolphin safari trip out of Dayna Point with Captain Dave. We had an excellent ride on the water and enjoyed hanging out and watching the various types of wildlife including dophins, minky whale, sea lions, and a several types of wild brids. Let me just say for a moment that the sea was fantastic that day. Calm water, sunny skies, spray of the sea at your feet, sea creatures, family; it just doesn’t get much better.

One of the things I really enjoyed about the boat was an open netting area in the front. Water would spray up and wet our feet. It felt great to have wet feet in the warm sun. Here are Nate and Joe (cousin) enjoying the water.

Dolphins! Check out the video for more dolphin shots.

Nate, Julie, Breanna (my sister), Kelly (my brother), Jess (Kelly’s girlfriend), and Madi.

Sisters at sea.

My parents relaxing in the back of the boat.

Gene (Breanna’s husband) enjoying a moment.

The last of the pictures from the outing were of a bunch of lazy sea lions on a buoy. Stay tuned, more posts to come.

Roller Girls

We are experiencing a resurgence in the popularity of rollerblading in our neighborhood. Is this an isolated occurence among 7 to 9 year olds or are others experiencing a similar trend? I (Rob) of course could not be happier with this as rollerblading is a 90’s favorite. Anyone else remember Airborne? Classic movie.

Anyway, I went skating with Madi, Cara and a couple neighbor friends the other day and I shot some video. Hope you enjoy this.