Things I'll miss in Oregon

As time comes rushing forward I've come to accept the fact that we are moving away from what we know and love.  I find myself relishing in the simple things that I have loved about Oregon.

1. Sunny spring bike rides on the river bike path.
2. Colorful blooming rhododendrons and azaleas in the spring.
3. Day trips to the coast.
4. Warm ceder-scented days in Sunriver.
5. The perfect summer day: not too hot and not too cold.
6. Lots of beautiful city and state parks.
7. Wonderful campgrounds near waterfalls and hiking trails.
8. The Sweet Life Patisserie
9. All of my friends and family

I'm sure there will be more things that I will find myself missing and some things that I won't miss( ie the buck-nutty-Subaru-driving environmentalists, for one).  Don't get me wrong, I love recycling. I just happen to think that there are more important things in life.  I believe in moderation in all things.  

But I digress.  Here's the list of things I want to do before we leave.  Some we have done before and some we have not:
1. Camp at Belknap Hot Springs
2. Eat at Kings Estate Winery
3. See a Shakepearean play in Ashland
4. Stay and play in Sunriver
5. Go river rafting
6. Ride bikes around Dorena Lake
7. Party with all my cool friends

So much to do, so little time.

Curveball

Just when you get your kids figured out, in whatever stage they are going through, they change and grow and you have to grow and change with them.  As a mom I am constantly learning, constantly adapting, hoping against hope they they won't change again.  But I know they will.  Of course I want them to grow up and be successful and happy.  But, do they have to do it so quickly?

Life is much the same.  Just when I think that life is good and I know what to expect, I get thrown a curveball.  Swing-and-a-miss.

I thought that we were going to settle down in Oregon and stay here for the long run, but sadly this was not meant to be...

We are moving to Nashville.  We lived there 6 years ago, so it's not brand new, but still...curveball.  Dan and I prayed to know if this is right for us, and we both feel that it is.  Even though it's not what I want right now, I think God gives us the experiences we need to become who He wants us to become.  I am clay in His hands.  I will learn again, I will change again, and I will adapt, and most of all I will trust in Him and in His plan for me and my family.

Small Things

We had a very full December with parties, events, school choir and band concerts, Breakfast with Santa, Zoo Lights, playing with cousins and lots of delicious Christmas cookies! We played Lasertag with my sister's family and saw movies and played games with grandparents.  The Oregon Zoo was ablaze with twinkling lights that were stunning and beautiful to behold. And in all the excitement and fun in the month of December it's interesting to note that my favorite moment was a quiet Saturday morning spent walking on the river path in the wintry air.  As we walked along in the cloudy chill we laughed and sang, and we build each other up with talk of kindness.  It doesn't happen very often, but when we pause and are still, long enough to truely hear each other, we find paradise in the small things in life.  

Summer Fun

So, I haven't blogged much lately.  Busy summer, I guess.  I didn't stress myself too much, but we had lots and lots of fun.  Here's a few of our favorite memories from summer:

Lake Shasta: We rented a boat for the day and with my brother Eric. He and I insisted that we have lunch on top if this huge, muddy hill.  By the time we made it to the top I had fallen down twice and was covered in mud, but still determined to have fun.  The Shasta Lake Caverns were also beautiful and amazing!

Endless days at Amazon Pool: I honestly got a little tired of this, but the kids had fun swimming, tanning and playing in the sand while I talked to friends or read a book.

Leaburg Fish Hatchery:  Don't know what it is, but we love this little hangout.  We usually bring a picnic and find a grassy spot to eat and watch and feed all the fish and sturgeon swimming in the ponds.  We wander down to the river and wade in or invariably throw rocks, because we all know there's something magical about throwing rocks into water, right?  If only for a moment, it turns us back into silly, playful children.

Boise: I know it sounds lame, but the kids and I drove across Oregon to meet up with my sister, Kristen and her 2 kids.  It was a "no husbands" adventure the turned out to be a blast!  We went to the water slides and ate lots of good food and won some money playing scratch offs and stayed up late talking and laughing.  We didn't stay in the nicest part of town though.  When we went to bed the first night the boys looked out he window and saw a bright marque that said, "Naughty school girl party tonight".  Then asked, " What's a naughty school girl party?". That was an interesting one to explain!

Playing at Sahalie Falls and Belknap Hot Springs:  We hiked back behind the Falls and stood up on the precipice of the waterfall.  Hearing the roar and feeling the rush of the spray was exhilarating!  I could have stayed all day, but we wanted to go to Belknap.  We hiked around behind the hot springs and watched the kids play tag in the big fields and just took in the beautiful scenery:  it's gorgeous!

Ah summer, adieu!

Trek 2012: ZION or BUSTos

This year Dan and I were asked to be "Ma and Pa" to a family of 10 kids that we had never met and lead them in an LDS pioneer simulation up a mountain in central Oregon.  Being apprehensive about hiking 27 miles and pulling a handcart up and down 3000 elevation feet, we were more than a little unsure about whether we should do this.  But being committed to serving in this capacity we, with more than a few worries, persevered and led our new "family" for 4 days in the heat, dust and dirt.  We pushed a handcart on a rough dirt trail, over rocks,and through bushes, with ticks crawling on more than a few of us.  We made and broke camp each day ,(barely) sleeping on thin pads and repacking our handcarts each day. I, and many others, developed blisters, treated and taped them, and walked on.   If I stopped my story right there most people would (and have) said, "you couldn't pay me enough to do that".

But my story doesn't end there...

With no electronics, no cell service, no TV, or recorded music there were no distractions.  I found this "simpler life" so incredibly joyful.  Just me, my husband, my "kids" and God to lead the way.  I learned to lean on Him and to trust Him in a way I never needed to in my life.  I had been entrusted with a huge responsibility of being a "Ma" to all these teenagers and I wanted so very desperately to say the things they needed to hear, and to love them in a way that they would feel loved.  I prayed for guidance.  I wanted to be able to walk on and be a good example to my family and inspire them to be the best they could be.  I prayed for strength and perseverance. I wanted to keep up the spirits of my family so they would have the strength to keep walking.  I prayed for inspiration.  And I wanted to be able to keep this up for 4 days and make it to the end.  I prayed for sleep.

And my prayers were answered.  I felt God's love for each and every one of His children.  He loves me and He loves you! He is only waiting for us to ask, to have faith, and to TRUST HIM.

And I learned to be so very thankful for the comforts of my life and for the sacrifice of pioneers that came before me.  I learned to love without reservation and without fear of acceptance.  I learned faith, patience and inner strength.  I learned what God's and angels' hands feel like, guiding me in the right direction.  I know more assuredly how my Savior helps and heals and loves.

Was it difficult?  Yes, very.  Did I miss my fluffy, cozy bed and my toilet and shower?  Uh, ya. Were there times when I was miserable and utterly exhausted?  For sure.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat!

To feel God's love that intimately is worth any sacrifice I could ever make.  Because it was He, even Jesus Christ, that sacrificed everything, so that we might come back and live with God again.

It was SO worth it.

Texas...

The land where 3 of my 4 children were born, is our spring break destination. We lived in San Antonio for 7 years and we are headed back for a visit. While planning our vacation I am reminded of all the things I love about San Antonio and Texas.

1. Spring wildflowers, especially bluebonnets!
2. The food!!! Papasitos, Rudy's, Zio's, La Maidleline, Taco Cabana...etc. (It's so good that I'll probably gain back the 10 lbs I've just lost.)
3. The missions. Everyone tells you to see the Alamo, which is awesome, but you would be remiss if you didn't see some of the other missions in the area.
4. Family and friends I have there.
5. Lost Maples State Park--amazing in the fall!!!
6. Sea World, Six Flags and many other amusement type parks.
7. The Hill Counrty and Fredrickburg--beautiful and charming.
8. South Padre Island--a great place to swim in the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico.
9. Canyon Lake. You can dive right from the rocky shore into deep, pristine water.
10. The Riverwalk. While it's especially humid, the unique and and colorful ambiance is inviting and fun to experience, especially on a riverboat tour.

I can't wait to leave this rainy, cold weather and take in the 80 degree sunshine that's waiting for me... Yee Ha!

Olivia's Baptism

Olivia was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on February 4, 2012. She was nervous when she got up to sing "When I Am Baptized", with her friend Jada Loganomoce, but Jada reached over and held Olivia's hand throughout the song. It was so sweet! They looked and sounded like little angels!

Olivia was also nervous when she stepped into the font, but when she stepped out she said, "Mom, it was so great! I want to do it again! I thought it was going to be scary, but it wasn't. I felt warm and happy!". I'm so proud of her for taking this important step in Heavenly Father's Plan. Together, as a family, we will return home to our Father in Heaven. We are His children, and He loves each one of us!

Food in Jars

I thought it would be fun to make soup in a jar for Christmas gifts this year, so searched long and hard for good recipes. When I finally found one that looked good I decided to do a trial run before I gave it out to all my friends. Well it's a good thing I did, because it was awful!

So then I decided to do cookies in a jar. They are not as healthy as soup, but that failed, so I had to move on. When I finally found one that looked good I didn't have time to try it out. So I only gave a few jars out and crossed my fingers that they would be good. Fast forward a few weeks and the reviews came in: they were fantastic! So I had to try them myself, and sure enough, they are wonderfully delicious! So here is the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cowboy-cookie-mix-in-a-jar/detail.aspx .

Try them and see what you think.

A Little Reminiscing...

This is how big my sweet Olivia was when we moved to Oregon in July 2007! She was just a little baby!

I also found this absolutely delicious little jem of her sleeping on the stairs, of our then brand-new house.

And this is her now... Happy 8th Birthday Olivia! I CANNOT believe how time has flown in the past 5 five years!

Here's a bonus pic of the 3 kids in 2007. Why, oh why, do they have to grow up soooooo fast! It's really one of the great cruelties of life. But, I guess I do want them to grow and learn and be the fantastic people that they are. I LOVE MY KIDS!

Christmas Fun

We love to swim in the morass of wrapping paper and bows (that always get chucked across the room, as tradition).

This was the first year that Daphne got into the excitement, and took her turn opening presents with pure joy. We all take turns so everyone gets to see what everyone else gets (and so it lasts longer).

Olivia was so excited to get a Fijit Friend from Santa!

Best of all was the last 2 presents, one for Savannah and one for Liam. They were each wrapped in 4 different boxes, and when they got to the last one it was an iTouch! They were obviously thrilled!

The very last gift was marked "From Jesus". Inside was a sheet of paper that said, "Eternal Life". This is the greatest of all the gifts of God. I am so thankful for my Savior and His humble birth. Because of His life we can return to live with our Father again. Mery Christmas!

A full November...

Daphne had her third birthday!



...Complete with bounce house, crafts and games!



Savannah turned 14!!! She and Daphne celebrated together.



Olivia sang in her school talent show!!!!!!! I'm so proud of her!



We went to Shore Acres in Coos Bay to see the fabulous Christmas lights. It was so beautiful!

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Oh yum!!!! A friend of mine put this recipe on facebook a while back and I finally made them today. If you like pumpkin at all, you will love these. I ate like 6 or 7 of them today. I kept saying, "ok, this is last one", and then I would walk by them in the kitchen and eat another one.

1/2 c softened butter
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 c pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger (I actually used cloves--I like cloves better with pumpkin)
Cinnamon Sugar for dipping

Mix in order. Mixture is very sticky. Drop balls into cinnamon sugar and then to pan. Flatten a little with the palm of your hand. Bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes.

(I put in chocolate chips in half of the batter and baked them without the cinnamon sugar. Very yummy too!)

Enjoy the taste of Autumn!

The Fall Fairy

Oh how I LOVE Autumn! The leaves, the pumpkins, the hayrides, the spicy-sweet smell of cinnamon and fresh apples and the crisp-cool weather are a few of the things I enjoy about fall. I love it so much that I have created a new holiday. A few years ago I decided that September 23 (the first day of fall) is Fall Fairy Day. Every year the harbinger of the new season, The Fall Fairy, comes and leaves a special fall treat for the kids with a personal note for them. It's simple and easy and the kids love it! Of course, for me, any reason is a good reason to make every day special.

Back To School

I always have such mixed feelings about my kids going back to school. I have so much fun in the summer playing with them! Although it is, at times, exceedingly difficult I still really, really love being with all of my kids. Things I love about back to school: 1. Buying new clothes for the kids. (I really love this part!) 2. Settling back into a schedule with regular bedtimes. 3. Dan giving the kids a father's blessing to start the new year. 4. Having a calmer atmosphere at home during the day. 5. Being able to go where I want, when I want without the kids coming, or complaining about me being gone too long. Things I am reticent to leave behind with summer: 1. Being with my kids most of the day. 2. The exploring of parks, farms, fish hatcherys, rose gardens, waterfalls, swimming pools,and dollar movies. 3. Hiking, biking and going for walks all together.

Dumb or Fun?

I've done a lot of dumb things in my life, i.e., dumpster-diving for Monopoly game pieces at McDonald's, dropping an entire plate of food down some lady's dress when I worked for BYU Catering, and crashing/flipping my 10-speed over the hood of a moving car. That being said, I have never regretted doing something so much as when I jumped off Dorena Drop this summer.
The Drop is a 40-50 foot cliff that falls into Dorena Lake. It looks awe-inspiring from the bottom and terrifying from the top. Nevertheless I persevered and decided to take the plunge. The first 2 seconds were amazing, but then on the 3rd second everything went wrong. As the wind shear forced my pencil formation into a sitting formation I braced myself for the pain, exquisite, earth-shattering P-A-I-N!!!!!!! Words cannot describe the torment that went through my body when I hit the cement-like water. I actually bruised/broke my coccyx! And I have been living with that pain for 5 weeks now! Fortunately, this last week the malady is finally beginning to abate and I am starting to feel like a normal person again.
Will I ever do it again you ask? The sad thing is, I just might. I guess that shows just how dumb I am.

All in a Day's Work

So there have been 9 kids in my house for the better part of the day today and I have applied Band-Aids of every size and variety to almost all of them. I have soothed their dramatic souls and cheered up their sad faces. I have whipped my head around to "Mom", "Aunt",and "Lori" so many times that I'm dizzy. The highlight of the day was when my mom and I took 7 of them down to EWEB to run through the fountain saying, "Let's just get a little wet" and then watching them COMPLETELY soak themselves without any towels to dry off with. The low point was when we got back and everyone was fighting over who got to get in the tub first. Then when the boys (both age 10) finally got their turn they just sat there, totally naked, with all their toys in a DRY tub and screamed for me to come turn it on and then off again. Come on boys...REALLY? You're 10. I'm pretty sure you can turn it on and then off again. Why is it that everyone needs me to orchestrate all of the minutia in the day? ...UGG!

So then Savannah has to have a sleepover and I reluctantly agree. The girls have spent the evening cackling at the top of their lungs and coming up with strange ideas to take revenge on their 7th grade homework assignments. Dan and I took Daphne for a ride to get a bit of a break and Savannah calls to ask if it's okay if they start a fire to burn all of their old math assaignments. I'm thinking, umm, please don't tell me you've started a fire in my absence. I tell her that I'm just wayyyyyy too tired to help them make a bonfire at 10pm,...maybe tomorrow.

Have you ever?

~Have you ever noticed that freshly folded laundry clothes stay really warm, and sometimes even several hours later, when you reach into the laundry basket you could swear that there is lingering warm feeling?

~Have you felt that tingling, bubbly feeling in the back of your neck which preceeds a grumbling in your tummy?

~Have you ever noticed how wonderful sun-warmed pine needles smell, reminding you of care-free summers spent camping in the woods?

~Have you ever spent the day lounging in the back yard watching your kids laughing as they run through the sprinklers while reading a really good book?

~Have you ever noticed how pure and sweet your toddler's breath smells right when she wakes up from her nap?

I know this is really random, but it's just what I was thinking about today. How about you?

Things I wish my husband knew...

After 17 years of marriage (this month), heaven bless him for being so patient with me, but there are still a few things I wish my husband knew.

1. If you soak a dish for 20 minutes and it doesn't get any less crusty I doubt that another 24 hours in cold, slimy water is going to get it much cleaner.

2. When you put a brand-new dress on a toddler you need to check inside for the attached diaper cover and detach it from the dress before getting the toddler dressed and taking her to church.

3.When you wipe down the table you must actually scrub at the dirty spots. A cursory "running a wash cloth over the table" just doesn't do the job. It just gets crustier and stickier until you put some elbow grease into it and scrub it all off.

4. A fairy doesn't come make the bed every day. If it's made it's because I
made it. Maybe you could do it every so often.

5. Pizza is not that amazing.

6. In conjunction with # 4, the blinds don’t pull themselves up and down morning and night. People can see inside your house at night when your lights are on and your blinds are up.

7. A two year old needs someone to brush her teeth for her. A seven year old also needs help every once in a while. They don’t have the dexterity to do it all by themselves until they are at least 8.

Now I have to say that my husband is getting better at some of these things, and at least he tries. Thanks for 17 fabulous years!

Our Fabulous Trip to Italy

Wow! All I can say is wow! The weather was amazing, the people were fun and the sights were incredible! We took off for Rome on May 17th and after 12 hours on a plane we landed in Rome and proceeded to find a train, a subway and then walk to our hotel which took about 4 hours from landing. We didn't sleep for 48 hours and then did that same thing on the way back. But even for all the hectic time traveling there, it was still wonderful!

I have never walked so much in my life and my feet have never hurt so much! We walked from sight to sight ALL day long and then rested our weary feet for a brief night's sleep and did it all again the next day. We walked at least 40-50 miles in all.

We saw stunning ancient Roman sights, amazing Tuscan wine country, a beautiful Medieval castle, and countless incredible pieces of art and I even got hit on by a brazen Venetian waiter! Botticelli's The Birth of Venus truly moved me. It was a trip I will never forget!

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Our favorite things about Hawaii

Seeing the Laie Hawaii Temple.


Eating Shave Ice at Aoki's! Yummy!


Finding sweet-smelling plumeria flowers everywhere and putting them in our hair.


Body-surfing the big waves in warm Pacific waters.


Snorkeling at Sharks Cove and Olivia looking cute in her swimsuit!


Playing in the Dole Plantation Gardens.



Ahhh the breath-taking scenery and cool turtles at Turtle Beach.



We can't wait to go back!