Goodbyes

Have you ever taken extended-release medicine? The idea is to ease the pain through continuous doses of the good stuff.

In the same spirit, we decided to try the extended-release version of "take your son to college."

DAY ONE
Arrive in Utah after a very cramped car trip

and a quick stop in Las Vegas to visit Great Grandma.

(Not pictured) Mother/son bonding time at Wal-Mart.
Spend hundreds of $$ while purchasing all the necessities.

DAY TWO
Time to hit campus in Provo.


Separate for parent/student orientation activities.
Back together that afternoon to move into Helaman Halls.

DAY THREE
John and his extended family continue the monumental task of cleaning out Grandpa's house and getting it ready to put on the market.

(Not pictured) Mom sneaks in a quick visit to her BYU roommate Tammy, who just happens to be in town only a few blocks away.

Mom serves as a personal shopper.
She returns some of the "necessities" to Wal-Mart and buys and delivers replacements to dorm room.
The REAL necessities are delivered later that evening in the form of scrumptious cupcakes.

DAY FOUR
Separate Sunday.
First time in student ward.
Family spends more time in the car driving to Wyoming for a quick family reunion.

Lots of quality cousin time

DAY FIVE
First day of classes.

Time for siblings to show they "bleed blue" by spending Mom & Dad's money on BYU sweatshirts. Mom finds a cheaper souvenir to wear.


Sharp-eyed sibilings spot Aaron longboarding off campus.


Quick stop to chat.

That afternoon an emergency phone call is received. "I need a couple more pairs of jeans!" Tragedy is averted thanks to Kohl's and American Express.
Back on campus in time for ward FHE.

DAY SIX

(Not pictured, thank goodness) Removing wallpaper at Grandpa's house.

(Sadly, not pictured) Quick visit to hold beautiful baby Paislee, and hug her mom Heather, her aunt Angie and her Grandma (Aka Aunt Muff)

Final goodbyes.

We head off in a slightly less cramped car, towards an slightly more empty home.

FYI, extended release is definitely a less painful way to go!

My Brother David

I want to let you all know that I LOVE my little brother David.

He is soooo amazing! I hope you all have a brother like him.

But you won't because no one is as spectacular as DAVID!

My baby brother is visiting. He happens to be a computer expert. I guess he decided to use his skills to hack into my blogger account. Love you Dave!

Best Quotes of the Week

Evan: You will take me to Jamba Juice. You want to take me to Jamba Juice. We will go to Jamba Juice now.
Me: I'm NOT going to Jamba Juice.
Evan: Darn! I guess Jedi Mind Tricks don't work on you.

Aaron: My favorite thing about college is that you can take a shower for as long as you want and no one knocks on the door telling you you're using all the hot water.

Dallin: Oh, can I clean the toilet? I LOVE cleaning toilets.

John: You've had a long day honey. Why don't I rub your feet?

Dallin: Marianne, can I have a banana & bacon sandwich?
Marianne: No, that's disgusting!
Dallin: Aunt Melanie, can I have a banana & bacon sandwich?
Me: No, that's disgusting! (He finally did agree to eat a BLT as long as we left off the tomato.)

Brianne: (Makes a cooing noise while smiling)

The Power of One!

One pix text

One smile

One sweet baby

made my day

One month old!

A Very Important Quiz!

1. Do you believe in the atonement of the Savior, Jesus Christ?

2. Do you have a brother or a son?

3. Are you a wife or mother?

4. Do you work with children or youth at church or in another setting?

5. Do you enjoy reading (1 point for each):

• stories
• scriptures
• poetry
• science
• research statistics
• quotes from Lord of the Rings
• quotes from General Authorities
• personal experiences

6. Do you want to be prepared for the future?

7. Do you want to be a force for good in the world?

8. Are you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?



To find your score, give yourself 1 point for each "yes" answer.

If you scored:

1-3 points, you'll want to read He Restoreth My Soul

4-6 points, you really, really need to read He Restoreth My Soul

7-15 points, you absolutely, positively can't wait to read He Resoreth My Soul!

16+ points, you might need to work on your addition, but you definitely must read He Restoreth My Soul!


This is such an awesome book that I bought a whole case and have them in my dining room! Actually, I just have half a case now. I've given away half of the case to family and friends.

Now, I'd like to give YOU a copy. Why? This book opened my eyes and helped me understand things in a new way. Even more importantly, it gave me HOPE!

If you would like a copy, just leave a comment or email me. I will mail or deliver a copy of He Restoreth My Soul. I will also include a bookmark I'm making that directs you to some of the "highlights" of the book, just in case you're not ready to jump in and read the whole thing right now. I read over 100 books in 2009 and (next to The Book of Mormon) He Restoreth My Soul was the best book I read last year!

PS Please feel free to let your friends know about my giveaway or link to this post!

Pick a number between 1 & 12

A few months ago, I wrote this post about a recipe for choosing to live joyfully. I recently read a wonderful article by Ezra Taft Benson where he explains that the Lord has provided at least "a dozen ways which, if followed, will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing!"

1. Repentance
2. Prayer
3. Service
4. Work
5. Health
6. Reading
7. Blessing
8. Fasting
9. Friends
10. Music
11. Endurance
12. Goals

I really needed my spirits lifted today! Fortunately I had #3 & 4 already on my calendar. I had signed up to work at the Bishop's Storehouse. As a bonus, I got to experience #9 as I worked alongside a friend in our homeschool group, my daughter, my niece and a young man in our ward. Not to mention the fact that one of the service missionaries made a delicious lunch for us!

Which number is your favorite way to lift your spirits and rejoice?

This afternoon . .

Evan and Marianne blew bubbles in the backyard. I went outside to watch because I know that at ages 12 and 13, these moments of childhood are as fleeting as soap bubbles.

Photo by Marianne