Ken and Chrys are still married

Ken and Chrys are still married.

In one of my recent posts I was referring to some difficult times we have faced in the last couple of years. I do have every intention of writing more about them although for most of you it will only be repetitive. My mom keeps telling me I really need to write about these experiences. I will. I really will.

At any rate... I mentioned that I've seen parents get divorced and I have. I do consider Geoff's parents to be my own. Just to make it perfectly clear, Ken and Chrys are still married. It will be 42 years this December!

Divorce is devastating. It has been one of the hardest things we've had to experience. I hadn't seen Geoff cry until then. We cried together. We cried alot together. Even now thinking about it and the circumstances around the divorce it still makes me cry.

Dinner experience last night

Me and the 4 kids at the table. We were eating our dinner and having conversations. Here's how it went down.

Caleb: "mom, you should be a lunch lady at our school cuz you make yummy food."
Tyler: "yeah mom you should. Guess what nice surprise I found in my taco today?"
Me: "what?"
Tyler: "a big long hair"
All of us: "eeeewwwwwww"
Tyler reaching into his pocket: "yeah and I think I still have the hair. Wanna see it?"

And after the leggy soup I was sure it wouldn't get any more fun.

Yes, Tyler really did save the hair. Why, you might ask??? Me too!!!

Dinner experience 3 nights ago

Caleb: "Mom, this soup has bugs in it"
Me: "no it doesn't. It's just the seasoning I put in it."
Tyler: "Then your seasonings have legs because mine has legs also."

After checking my soup thoroughly I had to concede.

I noticed that I had a bunch of cream cheese in the fridge so I planned to get some milk and broccoli with my food order at the Bishop's Storehouse, which I did. I decided that I would make a huge pot of it and have it for a couple of days. We had it one night without any gliches (concerns about leggy seasoning). It was the second night when we had it for leftovers that the legs were discovered!

I have a huge container of chicken bouillon and it is about 5 years old. Apparently you can't keep bouillon that long. Unless you like leggy seasoning. And then some could argue the added protein is good for you. I, for one, don't like leggy soup or seasonings so the whole pot was dumped.

So was the bouillon.

What we cheer for!

I've been watching some ads on t.v. that advertise a trip to Disneyland. You've probably seen them too. The ones where the parents have surprised their kids with a trip to Disneyland and the kids start cheering and screaming with excitement.

I went to the Bishop's storehouse the other day for my first ever food order. It was an interesting first. I remember a couple of years ago sitting with sisters filling out THEIR food order. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would be my turn in a couple of years. Never. But it happened. (and, by the way, how thankful I am for it!!!)

So I brought the groceries home and asked my kids to go out to the car and help carry groceries in. My kids went out to the car, and just like the kids on the commercials, started screaming and cheering that we had food.

It was a moment not to be forgotten. And now it really won't because it's here.

My Weakness

I have found my limit! I have found my red light. I've discovered what I CAN'T do.

I know that I CAN run a 200+ mile relay race over 2 days.
I can run my house. I can run 3 businesses at a time, be Relief Society president and full time mom all at once.
I can raise 4 crazy kids.
I can live through a ruptured tubal pregnancy (barely made that one!)
I can live through 11 miscarriages and make the decision to not try any more.
I can lose a house and car. Well, I know where they are- just not in my possession anymore.
I can lose our 3 businesses we worked so hard to make successful.
I can lose property and valuable "things".
I can live through parents getting divorced (although the stitches in my heart are still mending) (***EDIT: Ken and Chrys are still very much married and in love! I do consider Geoff's parents my own as well. Sorry about such confusion!!! Stop the gossip quickly!)
I can live through unkind things said about me and nurturing a budding desire to forgive.
I can move several hundred miles away from my parents who have lived down the street from me and my kids for 14 of our 16 years of marriage.
I can move away from all my friends who I love and admire.
I can live everyday wondering where the money will come from for the next bill.
I'm living through the scary thought of one of my kids having a brain tumor.
I can do hard things. I can. I do.

But what I can't do is be without Geoff! He's been gone for 3 weeks and I've got 2 more to go. Time can't move fast enough. I'm falling apart.
I'm so in love with my husband.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I Love You!

Wow! Where do I even start.
My dad, my hero.
He means so much to me. Here are a few of the things I LOVE about him.

He's taught me that learning is endless. He ALWAYS has his nose in a book. I grew up always seeing my dad excited and anxious to learn more about the gospel. Scripture study is something he never misses. I know at the crack of dawn I will find him in his favorite chair studying the scriptures and then moving on to some other gospel book.

He's taught me how to use duct tape in 350 different ways including (but not limited to because there really is no end to what you can do with duct tape or in my house, grey tape) mending holes in your shoes, belting loose jeans, patching torn jeans, hemming church pants, art work, plumbing issues, fixing a broken handle on the car, putting the rear view mirror back in place, patching a hole in the boat, patching a hole in your hat, getting rid of warts.

He's taught me there is no if, only when. I can do anything I decide to do.
He's taught me to be dependable at any cost, that doing hard things makes me stronger. Never say no to a calling. Obedience is ALWAYS first priority.

Work so you can have fun. Make vacation a priority. Love your spouse. Never forget the Lord in anything. Who cares what you wear, just be glad you have something to wear. Make yourself work hard.

Wrong turns aren't really wrong turns- they are just another adventure.
He taught me to love camping, fishing, Mexico. He's the reason why I am a creative cook because, as he says, "if a little is good more is better", and that a banana in most anything tastes great (well anything, if you ask him). He helped me see the value in a long afternoon nap. He also helped me see just how quickly I could get out of bed bright and early in the morning when he poured freezing cold water over my face.

He's quiet and strong. He taught me to work hard and to not let being female limit me in any way. He expects alot from me.

He's taught me a love for giving. He's the most generous person I know. He has a humanitarian spirit that is contagious and I'm so thankful for his example. I've learned through the years from him that giving is always more fun than to receive.

Last August it was time for us to make our move to Utah. We have been best friends with my parents forever and now we had to say goodbye. After we did the last final loading of the truck we headed down the street to my parents to say goodbye. That was one of the hardest days our family has had. We stood in their kitchen and I watched my parents and my kids hug and kiss and say goodbye with many tears in their eyes. It was my turn. I looked at my dad and he reached into his wallet. If you know him you know he always carries a $100. bill neatly folded up and tucked away in the corner of his wallet, "for emergencies", he says. So he took out his $100. bill and hands it to me with tears in his eyes. I watched him take it out and like a little kid fold it up for me. Then he hands it to me and says, "put this away in a far corner of your wallet for emergencies". I took it, then we hugged and cried our eyes out together. I think that's a memory I will never forget and I told myself that I would never spend that $100. bill.

That $100 bill is gone now. Not because I wanted to but out of PURE DESPERATION. One day we were down to nothing, again, but this time we were racking up the overdraft fees faster than I could scream and I couldn't figure out how to make it stop. I found every penny we had and deposited it but we were still short. I knew that money was there but there was no way I was going to use it-- not THAT $100. bill. But that was all I had and I knew it had to be deposited. I took it to the bank crying like a baby. Not about our poor financial situation but because of how much that bill meant to me. After depositing the money the lady at the bank said, "oh, you look like you need a sucker". I wanted to punch her.

I climbed my mountain that day and cried the entire 3 miles up. I kept trying to tell myself that it was only money. But it wasn't only money. It was special to me. The value of that bill far exceeded its face value and I didn't have it anymore.
What I do have though is the memory and that can never be taken away.

I think my dad thinks I'm awesome. I hope he knows how awesome he is to me.
I love you, dad.

My Mountain

One of the perks of living in Pleasant View is that we live at the base of some beautiful mountains. We discovered that there are several hiking trails on these mountains. It's a 7 minute drive to the start of the hike. We started hiking this mountain last year during the fall season and loved it! I could hardly wait till the snow melted to get back up there. One of the hikes is about an 11 mile round trip hike but for a daily hike I just go about 2 miles up to a lookout that is stunning. Every other day I go a little farther and one day I'll make the 11 mile roundtrip hike. I hike up and run down. The other day while I was running down I passed a man who said, "wow, you have way more energy than I do" to which I replied, "yes I do. My extra energy is stored in my backside. See my three rear ends"? He laughed and I told him not to rub it in next time.

This hike has become one of my newest best friends. It has heard my cries, my prayers and my gratitude. It's also teaching me so much.

The other day it was windy as heck and I decided that I was going anyway. There are several switch backs. I was cursing the wind the entire time until I got to the last switch back. Just as I was the most tired and had been fighting this wind the whole way up- almost blew my hat off a few times- I realized that on my last switchback the wind was blowing me forward and pushing me along. It became easy to get to my goal.

I think this has been my last few weeks. I feel opposition in many ways and the challenges are regular. When I have felt the most tired the Lord puts out a lifeline. Sometimes it's a friend who asks how I am and REALLY wants to know how I am. Sometimes it's a phone call from my parents (who are my best coaches!). Sometimes it's an unexpected gift dropped off at the door. Sometimes it's understanding as I read the scriptures. Sometimes it's a check in the mail. Lots of times it's a hug from Tyler and flowers from Caleb (he brings me flowers everyday! I don't know who's yard they come from but THANK YOU neighbors for planting such beautiful flowers for Caleb to pick and me enjoy at my desk or in the kitchen). It's tight squeezes from Geoff. It's personal revelation and feeling the Spirit. It's realizing that we have been blessed in so many ways.

I'm learning that the Lord will always be there but most especially when I feel my most tired. He will always be there.

Smarter Everyday!

I'm...I'm....I'm becoming a smarter mom! I'm tongue tied, actually. Ok- I'm so excited I just had to share! It has to do with laundry, Tyler and Caleb.

So the boys room has been a huge mess for days. Today I had enough with the mess and made them stop playing to clean their rooms. I know, duh! Should've done that a LONG time ago but they capitalize on my absentmindedness(could that be one whole word?) and busy-ness (I purposefully didn't want to say business-because there is none!) that I just haven't been the world's greatest mother. That's right, no "Mother of the Year" award--AGAIN.

ok- anyway. So Tyler and Caleb are cleaning their room and I make an effort to get my buns upstairs and just check in with them when to my horror I find Caleb bringing down this MOUNTAIN of laundry. Just looking at it at a glance I see clothes that I KNOW they haven't worn for a while but there they are---IN THE DIRTY LAUNDRY PILE.

So I say, "don't even think about it!". Then I tell them that they will go through every piece of laundry and check to see if it is clean or dirty and that the pile better be AT LEAST half the size when they are done. I leave to use the restroom.

I have revelation while using the restroom! No joke. I clean up and go back to the boys room all smug and smart and everything and I say, "ok- I take that back. You can put as much laundry in the laundry room as you want but you won't be able to play again until the dirty laundry has been washed, dried, folded and put away by yourselves. One load of laundry will take about an hour and a half."

YOU SHOULD SEE THE SIZE OF THEIR PILE NOW!!!

See??, I AM getting smarter!

The Lord has reduced my numbers!

I have so much to catch up on. I feel like this post is a middle chapter of 100 and you may have no idea what the beginning was like. One day I'll go back a year or two. But today I've got to post what's on my mind. I think it was revelatory for me.

Let me first say that lots of my posts seem to have a downer mood. Life is crap right now!!! I won't even try to flower it up because it hasn't been flowery. It's been crap. BUT we have also found peace and yes, even happiness. We are happy.

We continue to be left wondering every month how we'll survive yet another week. With no work and limited funds coming in our bank account has suffered. (Friends and family- this is not a call for help). I remember better days when we had 3 successful businesses going. I would make a deposit twice a month and each time I had to make a deposit it took me 3 hours to put it together. We had tons of checks that all had to be matched against the accounts receivables. Then I had to make copies of each check and then enter them on my deposit slip. We had to special order deposit slips because there was not enough room to list all the checks. You know what?!!! I COMPLAINED about how long it took me to get a deposit together!!! Today I laugh. I have special order deposit slips with line after line to enter checks and I have 1 check to enter maybe once a month. We started a new business selling Italian Ice. LuLu's Italian Ice- www.LuLusIce.com. We travel to different shows and festivals selling our ice and custard. On good shows we come home and I have to wash out several buckets and they are a pain. One night after we came home from a sale I began to complain about washing out those darn buckets and I remembered my deposit experience. I haven't complained about washing out buckets again. Washing out buckets means that we sold out of ice and were blessed. Now I pray to have the chance to wash out as many buckets as possible.

My story is getting long so I better cut to the chase. Our numbers have been reduced. We don't even deposit 1/10th of what we used to. We would be elated if we were just able to maintain a balance of zero. Those overdraft fees really add up!
Our little family has seen such hard times in the last 3 years it really is amazing. In so many ways! The financial part is just a part of it- there has been so much happening- so much that we have faced together- so many struggles, trials and challenges. We are on empty in EVERY way. I have often thought why has it had to be SO hard. Why so much in such a relatively short amount of time? I know the adversary would like to have me and I also realize that some of these thoughts are what he has planted. Nonetheless these questions have often been on my mind. I can understand why the Lord would need to polish somebody. I totally get that. It's necessary and a huge blessing- in the end. We have just experienced SO MUCH.

So yesterday during Sunday school I had personal revelation. The lesson was on Gideon of the Old Testament. Here was the question thrown out at the classroom, "Why did the Lord command Gideon to reduce his army of 32,000 to 300 to fight the Midianites?" Well, we know why. So that the Israelites would trust the Lord and recognize that it was the Lord's power that delivered them and not in any way was it their own wisdom, strategy or power.

It hit me like a ton of bricks! I had been praying and searching for answers and I received it during Sunday School yesterday. The Lord has reduced our numbers, strength, pride, everything, so that when He brings us up and delivers us, we will know that it had nothing to do with our smarts, strength, strategy, power nor any of our abilities but everything to do with His power. Why does it have to be so hard? So that we will know when He rebuilds us that it was by His power.

As it seems right now- I can't see the end. The challenges and struggles still come but I believe with all of my heart that one day the Lord will deliver us and when He does my family will know how we were delivered.

Scripture Power

Our Relief Society lesson this past Sunday, 2 days ago, was on the scriptures. The lesson was great and it surfaced a memory I have from an experience a couple of years ago.

I had the kids in the car and we were headed somewhere. It was a pleasant day so we had the windows down. We stopped at a red light and the car next to us was blasting (as loud as he could) music with foul language. Yikes!!! I was fumbling around trying to get the windows up but realized that wasn't going to be fast enough. My fingers kept fumbling around the music player and I pushed the first button I could push just to get something else playing so my kids didn't hear what was outside. To my pure delight and surprise, the children's primary song, Scripture Power, began playing. I blasted the music and our whole family started singing at the top of our voices.....scripture power....everyday I need the power that I get each time I read. Our windows were not quite all the way up so now our song and voices were even louder than the foul music right next to us and we sang like there was no tomorrow. I paused and listened to my kids belt out the song. It was powerful! Not just the loudness of it all but the words to the song and the conviction I felt about the message in the song.

I'm alive

It's been so stinkin' long since I last posted. I keep thinking I just need to sit down and write something....ANYTHING! Well, here it is.

One day I'll take us all back to June of 2009 and update my blog journal. That's really what this is for me, my journal. Since I don't keep any other sort of life record this is it. So much has happened and hasn't happened. I've learned so much. I'd like to think I'm evolving into.....not sure yet but somethig different.

So here's a thought I've been pondering for a while. While my mom was visiting us here in Utah we had a chance to squeeze out life and visit a bit. She said something that I've been thinking about. She said, "It's easy to be sad and blue. It takes alot of work to be happy". Being sad, mad, blue- you can call it whatever you want--- is the easy way. It really does take work, motivation and determination to be happy. I guess we can sit on our rumps and play the blame game or get up, get going and make our own happiness!

I know some of these thoughts don't make sense for some of you- but again, this is my journal and these are my thoughts right now, so there!

Mormon Message

I LOVE those Mormon Messages!!! I found this one tonight. Wes and I watched it and I looked over at him and said, "wow! that makes me cry." This one is a tear jerker for me. I hope this works and I can get it copied here so you can watch it. (it may take a few edits-- be sure to pause my playlist so the music is not a distraction!)

A couple of years ago when we were getting ready for our annual Christmas humanitarian project in Mexico I watched my dad grab some clothes we were organizing into various bags to be distributed among the Mexican people and he began to stuff the pockets with money. This reminds me so much of him. This is my dad's character. He is my hero!

I guess we just never know what our random acts of kindness will do for others. We truly can be tools in the Lord's hands.

Who was it???

When we moved (that story to come later) I left my house needing to be cleaned. Geoff has been back a couple of times to the house and he told me that some of my darling friends cleaned my house for me!!!

Darling friends--- please confess so I can send a proper thank you! I have a big feeling that one of them was somebody who's name starts with J, has an o and a d in the middle and ends with i. I think there were more. I think the other may start with L and end with i also.

Whoever you are you just can't know how much I appreciate that!

Random thoughts and sayings

The other day Ashlyn said, "I'm getting tired of having patience"
I just thought that was funny.

I drove by a sign that read, "Thanksgiving is a word of action"

I listened to a youth speaker at church quote somebody who said something like....where there is gratitude there is humility.

You know it's bad when......

You know it's bad when you can't afford to be the tooth fairy.



Caleb keeps losing teeth and I don't have a dime! Just today he lost another tooth. Then he put it in a little paper cup filled with a little water (the tooth fairy pays more for clean teeth) and set the darn thing right next to the sink in the kitchen. So guess what I did when it was time to tidy up in the kitchen? Yep, looked at that little paper cup and knew it needed to be thrown away. I dumped the water down the kitchen drain and threw out the cup. Then I started to rinse the dishes in the sink but the sink was plugged so I ran the disposal!
You can imagine how Caleb felt when he came in, so excited and asked me where I put the little cup with his tooth in it.
So how do you fix that you wonder? You write a note to the tooth fairy explaining that you put your tooth in a cup cept your mom cleaned the kitchen and threw the cup away and don't forget the p.s. part.....the tooth was extra clean!
Anyway- a small part of me was so excited because then I wouldn't have to figure out where to find a buck. What ever happened to $.25 for a tooth? It's Geoff's fault. All his fault. He's the one who started handing out dollar bills for teeth. Well so now I have to make up for this whole thing and make it really good. Maybe I'll just stick my credit card under his pillow.

Come on guys- add your "you know it's bad when....". I'd love to hear it. Come on! There's got to be something better than mine.

A sad funeral

I went to a funeral yesterday. A very sad funeral. A 28 year old sister in our ward died of cancer September 28th. She left behind her husband and 4 small kids all under the age of 5.
Of course this family has a testimony of the gospel and the plan of happiness. They know they will see each other again. That's the happy part-- for all of us.
She was just so young! It was so very sad.

Here is a link to her blog if you'd like to know:
http://jeffandashleighfarnsworth.blogspot.com/

Sitting there listening to the memoirs of her family and their kind words of her very short life I began to think of my own loved ones. I wonder if they really know how much I love them.

It's sad to think that it seems to be much easier to say unkind things to each other than it is to acknowledge the good, compliment each other, offer praise and support, express in words and actions that we love each other.

And so I'll say now to all my family members, even those who can't stand me, that I love you all. If I died tomorrow I would want all of you to know that I admire each and every one of you and love you tons!

I'm sorry to those of you who have problems with me that I'm not who you've hoped I would be. Your judgements of me are harsh and untrue. My bad feelings for you are unfair. When will it ever stop? It'll have to begin in our own hearts. But I want you to know that I love you and always have- always will.

My dad is my hero. My mom has been a savior and exemplar. Geoff is my everything. He has brought sunshine, laughter and happiness to my life. I live everyday for him. He's my best friend. My children are my angels.

My Dear Moms

Let me write about Sunny.

I met Sunny in a funny way, kindof. I went to Geoff's homecoming talk at his ward in Mesa. I was living in Tucson. Geoff and I had become good friends through mail while he was on his mission so I decided to go to his homecoming talk. Afterwards he invited me to a little luncheon that his mom was putting on. That's the first time I met Sunny. I remember that day.

There's lots to love about Sunny. Lots and lots. I wish I knew her a little better but I know her well enough to see what a wonderful person she is.

She is a woman of independence. Her love is dance. She has been dancing since she could walk. She's taken this love and talent to make a successful business. She has been teaching dance for several years and has had several hundred students probably even thousands.

She is loved by many people and has been a great influence on many. She has a great talent of making friends. She laughs at herself. She's a great story teller- she'll keep you for hours telling a story ;) She's a humanitarian.

When I think of Sunny I think of strength and faith and trust in the Lord. I love her testimony of the gospel. In fact, most times when we're talking she takes our conversation somewhere having to do with the gospel. I love that! She's often shared with me an experience she had at the temple, of visiting teaching, or something she's read or understood better in the scriptures or a chat she had with one of her church leaders or a lesson that was discussed during Relief Society or Sunday School. I LOVE this! She has a beautiful, strong testimony of the gospel. She knows who she is. She knows what she stands for. She has taught her children the gospel and for that I am eternally grateful.

She is a woman of courage. Even in such challenging times as now she is a woman of faith, hope and strength.

I love you, Sunny!


Let me now tell you a little about my mom.

I'm drawn to her priorities. First she loves the Lord. She loves my dad and she loves her family.

She has been my best friend for years. She is a source of light and strength for me. The thing that most impresses me about my mom is her devotion to the gospel and our family. She loves and loves and loves and loves deeply. I know my mom loves me without any question.

She is an example of unselfish service too. One of my favorite memories of her was when I was growing up in Tucson. She was ALWAYS making something to give away. She made scrumptious homemade bread, cookies, cakes and dinners. Many times she was cooking for somebody else. In fact everytime she was making something a member of the family would come in and ask if that was for us. Her answer was usually, "no, it's for the family down the street" or "no, it's for somebody in the ward". It seemed that she was always making something for somebody else. Sometimes when we asked who it was for she would giggle and say, "it's for our family". Now it's kindof a family joke. Whenever she's making something that smells so good we joke with each other over this memory.

She's a perfectionist! She taught me to make things right. Well.....she tried to teach me that, anyway. We laugh at each other in the kitchen because she's so perfect and I'm so NOT! She follows recipes to the T and it's far and few between that I even find a recipe. She sets the timer when she's mixing a cake! I just guess and mix until it looks good.

My mom taught me how to pray, to read the scriptures, to have faith, to hope, to serve others, to love my spouse. She tried to teach me how to keep the house clean, to keep up on the laundry, to have dinner ready for my husband every night, to make my bed everyday but these things didn't sink in. She loves me for my diversity and rebellious spirit anyway.

She's a natural teacher. It is, in my opinion, one of her greatest talents. I love to listen to her teach the gospel. I love to hear her testimony. I know she's touched many with her testimony and understanding of the gospel. That has become my greatest blessing- the teachings of the gospel from my mom.

She's also a survivor! When she was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 years ago I prayed hard. I couldn't imagine life without her and I told the Lord that. I was living in Queen Creek at the time and she was still in Tucson. She had begun chemo therapy and her hair was falling out all over the place. I took on the job of shaving her head for her. I remember the drive down to Tucson that day was very short because my thoughts were of her the entire drive down. I told the Lord that if he needed her more to help me understand but that I thought we needed her more in our lives right here. I reasoned with the Lord asking him how her work anywhere else could be any more important than what she can do in and for her family. I pleaded with him to give us more time. Well.....we have it. I love her in my life and in my family's life. I need her. We need her and until it's time for her to go I'm going to get as much out of her as is possible!!!

These are a few of the things that most impress me about my mom.

I love you, mom!

Keys in the Toilet

Here's a long story that nobody cares about.

Yesterday was a lovely day at church. It really was. It was a beautiful day and I was surrounded by wonderful people.

I drove to church so I was responsible for the keys.

After Sacrament I made a pit stop before going into Sunday school. Geoff took my scriptures and went ahead to save me a seat. I went into the bathroom stall, looked around for a place to set my keys and found what I thought was the best place; the top of the toilet tank. What I didn't know was that this tank was slanted just ever so slightly. I put my keys there and began to get ready to use the toilet when all of a sudden the keys went kirplunck! Right into the toilet! They sank right down to the bottom, of course.

I sat there for several minutes with a wrinkled forehead, really just stunned. I rolled my eyes a few times, even thought about swearing. I didn't though (mostly because I was at church not because I don't know any swear words!). I said several "Oh my gosh" es and decided that the only way to remedy the problem was to stick my hand down the toilet and get the keys. Well really...how else would I get them out??? Of course I would've grabbed a plastic bag had that happened at home. Well forget that! I would have bribed Tyler or yelled at Geoff to save me or anything. But no- there was nobody but me. So I did it. Yep- stuck my hand down the toilet, well by the time I got to the keys half of my arm was also in the toilet. YUCK!

I washed up- several times- and scrubbed the keys with soap. Thank goodness there was an ample supply of soap that day.

I went to Sunday school, found Geoff who had saved me a seat and told him I dropped the keys in the toilet. He leaned over and said, "it seems like you've dropped your whole life in the toilet so why not the keys". Yes, it was symbolic.

Oh Wesley!

So Wesley's cousin was playing football and Wes went to one of his games and came home and said, "mom, I can play because those guys are wimps. I can knock them down". And so we signed Wes up for tackle football. He loved it. He was the tallest on the team and one of the largest so he got to practice some intimidation tactics.
He was awesome! We loved watching his games. We got Grandma Sunny, Papa Boyd, Nanni and Poppy, Aunt Jodi and whoever else we could grab to come watch the games with us. I hope he signs up next season.

May 09

May was a busy month! After the baby blessing Geoff and I celebrated our 15th anniversary on a cruise- our first. My parents watched the kids while we left it all behind for 7 days. We went from Long Beach, CA up the coast and into Canada then back down the coast. When we got to Vancouver we got to rent a car and go see Geoff's grandparents for a quick visit and lunch out on the town. So glad we got to do that! We had a fantastic time together! Here are a few pictures for evidence. The picture of the house is the house that was used in the movie, "Goonies". We walked right up to it! The picture of the other couple were Aaron and Hilary Croft. They shared a dinner table with us every night and the two guys were our awesome waiters. Geoff was able to walk right up to some sea lions napping on the dock. They didn't like to too much and barked at him quite a bit but he got some good pictures for proof.

April 09

In April my mom was an honoree at the "Relay for Life" in Queen Creek. This is a 24 hour walking relay. Those who participate help raise money for a cure for cancer.
They start the entire night with the survivors walking together just after sun down. Geoff, Jodi and I got to join my mom as she walked with the survivors in their "survivor lap". It was really a neat experience. I was really touched to see perfect strangers interlock hands and arms as they walked together no doubt remembering their fight to survive. They had the track field lined with luminaries with names of those who lost their battle. We walked, quietly, remembering not only the struggles our family members went through but what others may have gone through as well as we passed each of those luminaries. It was amazing. Quiet. Reverent.

I love you, mom! Thank you for letting us join you that night. It's something I won't soon forget.

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Then we were off to Georgia- well, I was off to Georgia. Geoff stayed home with the kiddle E dees so I could be with my brother and sister-in-law and their new baby. Adeline's baby blessing was such a fun time! I've got some wonderful pictures and more at: http://picasaweb.google.com/lezliebrady/Atlanta09#

April 09

We grabbed the family and my parents and headed to Rocky Point for a quick trip to the beach. We had one SUPER FANTASTIC day and then came hell!

The night we got there we found a campground right on the beach and it seemed to be nice. We found a place away from everybody- we like peace and quiet.

By about 7pm the winds started to pick up and so did the partying. We had several EXTREMELY LOUD neighbors. In fact one neighbor had a party with loud Latino music blaring until 3am.

The winds picked up so much that things were blowing off the tent trailer we were camping in! Nobody slept all night. Morning came and we were gathering our belongings from clear down the road. The wind was horrendous! When I lifted my foot to take a step the wind blew off my flip flops. It was awful!

But here are some pictures of our wonderful first day. What a sunset!

Grandpa turned 90!

In February my grandpa turned 90 this year. We had a huge party with friends and family and had such a fun time.

My favorite things about grandpa:

He LOVES chocolate
He LOVES ice cream
He always has candy and soda around the house and in every corner
He's one good looking grandpa
He calls me Les
He can make a coin go from one ear, knock it around in his head and make it come out the other ear. (He wears dentures)
He's been to most of my special events- baptism, graduation, baby blessings, etc.
He gives the best hugs
He loves to tease and be teased
He's a master carpenter- actually just stopped working last year!
He gets emotional telling stories from his past
He has a soft heart
He has a strong testimony
He loves me back!

I'll have to post pictures of him later. The office is in a scramble right now!

February 2009

Alrighty! It's time to get with it. I said I'd start with February- here it goes. Since it's been so long I'm working from memory here so if dates are wrong give me a break people!

I've had the wonderful opportunity to work in Relief Society on a stake level for the past year. I've been able to serve with some wonderful, beautiful women. We went together (minus Tiffany- we missed you!) to Salt Lake City for some training and had so much fun together.

Cristi Martin, Mindy Hall and Tiffany Johnson

Thanks for the fun memories. It was so much fun to work with you ladies. You're awesome! I love your testimonies and spiritual strength. You've all been wonderful examples to me and I love you!