Swiss Days in Midway

This past weekend for Labor Day, Roger and I attended Swiss Days in Midway, Utah
It was a great way to spend the afternoon. This year I saw lots of great booths and lots of great ideas of wonderful things that I could use.

One of my favorite booths outside of all my very favorite LDS Artists, like Greg Olsen and Jon McNaughton, was a booth called Fiber & Ice. They had the cutest furniture that they had painted and re-upholstered in bright fun colored fabrics. They were absolutely darling. If you are looking for something fun and different, they have it.

Now, if you know me, you know that I have a dear love for photography. There were two photgraphers whose photos stood out among all the others. One is "Impact Photgraphy" The other is Portrait Art Photography by Doti & Rolf . So if you are in need of family photos, the ones that you will want to keep and display ever and ever contact one of these two. Now, we saw something else that was really wonderful in photography. Andrew Morrill Photography is developing scenery photos onto aluminum and it gives the photo the illusion of a backlight. It was awesome. My husband whose degree is in photography insisted that these photos were back lit. I asked, and No they are not. It is the process they are developed onto these sheets of aluminum, then have a glossy covering over them to protect the photo. They pop out to you. The colors are so vivid and beautiful. He said that he makes 2500 numbered prints and the first of that 2500 sold are less expensive than the last of the 2500 sold.  He has a number of prints that are so gorgeous I would love to have.

One other booth that I really liked was The Photo Board Store  They had some great wall boards to display photos. I really liked them. I don't have a place on my walls that is large enough for them. I'd have to depart with something that I really love already... but perhaps If I get a new home, It will come with more walls than I currently have in my present home.

Well, I have shared with you the things that I really liked the most. One of my favorite Swiss Days contributor was not there this year, she has retired. That is Hella Pope and her European Decorative Tole Painting. There is none better at her skill and her workmanship is the very best there is in the United States! 

The above photo is her baby buggy that she painted for a dolly buggy. She shared it with me when we went to lunch one day, so I took photos in the parking lot before we left the restaurant. She was sharing her pattern with me and teaching me her skill. If I practiced like she does perhaps someday I'll be able to create such beautiful treasures.  I love her buggy! Mine is Red and no flowers yet... but there will be some someday! When I get brave enough to try to put them there . I haven't wanted to try in case I make a big mistake. Perhaps the bigger mistake is in not trying. Ok. Before Christmas my buggy will have flowers. Have many pokers in the fire, so it will have to wait its turn.

Hella Pope is the best at her trade and many of her products are a one of a kind and well worth the price you pay. They are heirloom quality.


Wow, what a wonderful weekend we enjoyed.

The Key of Kilenya

Hey Book lovers, Check out my friend, Andrea Pearson's NEW BOOK "The Key of Kilenya" It's sure to hit the best sellers list.  If you act quickly you may download it for FREE, Yup, I said FREE!!!


Andrea has generously offered it online for free for the next couple of weeks. Here's where to go to get it: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/68856
If you follow the link she has a video that will give you a description of her book. I watched it and I need to get started reading!  Have fun reading. This book is the first book in a series of six.
Congratulations Andrea!!! Way to go!

"Purple and White" Dance 2011

Just looking pretty and waiting....

During Eve's surprise Birthday Dance Party and on her first date, she was asked by a different young man to go with him to the final dance of the year, "Purple and White". This dance is one that is for the Seniors to celebrate the end of their high school years, however all students are allowed to attend.

She attended Purple and White with Jacob "Jake". He is such a sweet young man. This is the same Jake that attended the Christmas program at the Conference Center in Salt lake with David Archuletta and Mo Tab. I really like Jake. He is a cute young man and he and Eve have so much in common. They are both singers, well most of the boys that she likes are.. Maybe thats why she has such wonderful young men as friends. They are all singers. Well, here are the photos.

Perhaps a song will calm the nerves. "Eve, that piece is to be played much slower"

Jake was calling to say that they were running a bit late but would be right here.. She kept saying Ok, and her thumbs would go up with each "OK", We were dying laughing at her. She is so funny and so full of life!

He has finally arrived and whewwww He matches the dress perfectly!!!  Now lets get the flowers put on. Wow how beautiful they are!!  He says that his neigbor made the wrist corsage for Eve.

"Mom, Please help me! I've never done this before" 

We ordered a white rose and we got a yellow rose.. what do you do?

Be grateful that you remembered to order it and that you got one at all ,I guess.  

 She has finally arrived home and says that she had a wonderful night. They went to another young man's home where the boys provided a potluck dinner for the girls. They talked and played games and then they went to the dance which was held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah  

Carl Bloch Exhibit at BYU

6 May 2011

Our family had decided 6 months ago that we wanted to go to Provo to see the Carl Bloch art exhibit that was at BYU. We have made many trips to BYU in past 6 months but always with another purpose so we ended up with the final two days of the exhibit upon us.  Sounds like me, doesn't it? Im the great procrastinator. We decided  to make the trip and off we went. 3 hrs. later we were in Provo. There was especially heavy traffic from Salt Lake to Provo in the construction zones.

Well, we went to Provo. Eve brought along her best friend, Skylar and we all enjoyed the most wonderful evening. What beautiful art that brought such a wonderful spirit.

Finally after 3 hrs, we arrive.

BYU rented is IPad's which was ourr tour guide and explained each painting and gave you a photos in complete panoramaic vision of the church where these Alter pieces call home. All these paintings came from various churches in Denmark and neighboring Countries. What a treat to view all these paintings in one location. Never will anyone have this opportunity again. It was an honor to be able to view these remarkable paintings.

Roger is standing in line to Rent an Ipad just $3.

The rest of us are standing in line to enter the exhibit. Good thing Dad is in the line to rent the ipads while we are waiting in line to go in.. saving time.

Eve, Skylar and Fuzuki are making new friends while standing in line,

  

They were all so wonderful. I was touched by many of the photos, When I came to one, it brought tears to my eyes and it touched my heart.... only because I can relate to it so well, it is the old woman feeding the irds. I love the paintings of Christ, they are beautiful and very reverant and spiritual. However, probably because of my love of birds, the tiny creatures, my heart was truly touched by the old woman who gave of her meager meal to share with one of Gods creatures...  If you know my love of birds and how I feel a need to feed  them, then you can understand my bonding to this old woman. She is beautiful. Of all the paintings I saw by Carl Bloch, this is the one I'd love to have in my home.

I hope that you enjoy the photos. We loved them all. All of them were inspiring. Well worth the trip to Provo. In the next room at the MOA, there was a huge cube made of books. When the exhibit is done on that the books will be donated, I was told. It was pretty inspiring as well.  Matthew told me it was ok to take pictures in that part of the musuem, since the other parts were NO PHOTO Zone.. I pulled out the camera and took this picture.. well, it only took 2 seconds for the security guard to come and give me a curt warning that there are no photos allowed in the MOA. He told me I could keep the one that I took, but NO MORE.. Ok. I am grateful for the ones that I have and the ones that I sneeked. ;)

Since we left home right after school was out, we were all hungry, so even though it was late, we all stopped at the Golden Coral in Orem and we treated Matt and Priscilla to dinner with us. They had met us at the exhibit when they were finished with work and we all had a great time. Skylar and Eve spent so long gazing at the ipads and reading every morsel, the security guy came and told them they had to move from the room they were in, they could go back, but they had to move... I don't think Eve and Skylar understood what he was telling them and they remained right where they had been til they were completed in reading about all the paintings that reside in the Castle.  Very intersting information.

We were very pleased with the use of our time and our childrens hunger for the knowledge of such good things. I can't express how pleased I am in my daughter and her choice of friends. We love Skylar. He will be putting in his papers for a mission in the next year and then be gone for two years.  I hope that when he returns that he and Eve continue a relationship and friendship. He is a wonderful young man.

                        Skylar, Fuzuki, Eve, Priscilla, Matt and Roger

Sweet 16th Birthday

Skyler and Eve beginning her first date.

I told her to stand up straight, she said she was!   

                                

We celebrated Eve's Sweet 16th Birthday with a surprise Dance Party in conjunction to her very first Date!! Woohoo!! She went on this date with the most gentlemanly young man around. He is a mere 6' 9" in height. Eve is a whopping 4'11". They double dated with another couple, and they went bowling then he brought her over to the ward cultural hall where we were waiting to surprise her. 

 The Surprise didn't turn out like we wished... as they showed up without telling me that he was on his way with her, there was a problem with his phone.. so they just walked in.. and we were all dancing and having a great time... but it was a surprise in that she didn't know a thing about it and there were alot of her friends there. We danced and had such fun. We had plenty of treats and games... and great music... thanks to some of the kids who helped me gain access to their groveshark accounts on my DROID.  What a cool thing to have found. It worked out great in accessing all those cool line dance songs that they just love to dance to and the pop hits that the kids really enjoyed!

The kids had a great time dancing before Eve showed up. There were lots of friends who came to offer their support and love for Eve. We had a great evening. Can't wait for the next dance !!
Here are a few precious memories of the occasion.

Dancing away! or were they doing the german 2 step..

 Jake is giving Eve the hug she wanted for her birthday. He said that he asked her what she wanted and she told him she didn't want anything, other than a HUG... so he gave her a card with those two little wierd guys that talk high pitched and they says something about hugging her, and he gave her a bag of hershey's hugs. Inside the card, he also asked her to Purple and White.. the senior prom. He is a great young man as well. He went with us at Christmas to the Mo. Tab Christmas concert with the Archuletta kid. Names escape me tonight. We had a great time singing while waiting in line to get inside the Conference center that night...  He's a good young man as well. I really like Jake! I really like Skyler too!! Both are wonderful young men!!
Jake and the Neeley boy are both giving the hug in this photo. Angelica is there too.. :)

Sloan and Fuzuki are lifting Natalie.. why she opened her legs up... no idea!! Kids.. how fun it is!!
Natalie has been one of Eve's best friends since 1st grade. Fuzuki is our Japanese exchange student for the school year. We have really grown to love her and she had made friends and fits right in with the group.

 This is the Neeley Boy, Brad, Dillon and Jake. All these kids are so much fun!! They are also boys which at one point or another have been on the list of Crushes or still are..and some are not on her list, but she still remains on theirs. It's a fun group of young men. Brad came early to help us set things up. I really like her friends for the most part. Good young men and women.

There were lots of friends, standing, dancing, sitting, or playing twister or singing. I really do like this young man.  This is Skyler. He was watching Eve open up Birthday Gifts. He is such a gentle giant of a young man. Treats Eve like the Princess that she is. Behind Skyler is Nina talking to Jake.

Just nothing like a good game of Twister to add to the fun. Teenagers love it cause they can still touch and hug and fall all over each other and its acceptable if you are playing Twister. Right?

Half sheet cake and we only had one piece left over when it was over. (I didn't even have one piece) 

Bethany is a friend of Eve's and she had a birthday a few days before Eve's so she invited her to help her blow out the candles. Bethany was a great friend and she helped her accomplish the task at hand. Hope their wishes come true. Bethany will be moving in another week.. We will miss her. She is a lot of fun and a good friend. She is a few years younger than Eve.

This is Jake, Eve and Angelica singing Karaoke. They were having such a great time. This group of friends are so much fun. Most of them are in either vocal music or instrumental and all of them love to perform. Doesn't matter if its head standing or dancing or singing or piano playing.

This is Clarissa and her boyfriend, whose name I think is John. If I am wrong, I'll correct when the critics come forth. She is a good friend to Eve. She is a senior and will be graduating in a few weeks.

They asked if they could make a human pyramid. I told them only if they didn't get hurt.

Actually, I told them to Ask Dad... and he said Ask Mom... haha..

These were the brave ones.. the others were more smarter than risking injury.

Easter Break

For Spring break we took Fuzuki and Eve and the family to Arches National Park. Fuzuki chose the site since she will be leaving and returning to Japan in approx 5 more weeks.  We had a most enjoyable time.  We picked a hotel in Green River which made the cost of lodging 1/2 of the price of staying in Moab. We had a great time and the 40 minute drive between Green River and the park wasn't that far at all. Well worth the savings.

Now if you go to Green River, Utah do not miss eating at Cathys Pizza and Pasta. I believe that was the name of the little place. They delivered the most wonderful pizza, well worth the money, which wasn't bad either. I think it was just shy of $20. Plus they deliverd to our hotel room after a day of hiking the park. They even included disposable plates and napkins.

There just isn't anything in the world like Arches National Park. There is a wonderful spirit there. I love history and there is plenty of that there as well. The hiking can be quite tiresome, but if you just go slow, anyone can do it. If I can do it... anyone can do it!!

We had a little incident with a young man who was visiting our foreign exchange student in our home right before we left on this little trip. That was the only distraction for us. Other than that we had the most wonderful trip. The weather was very cool, much better than our last trip there which was last August. It was much better for hiking. We didn't need as much water and we could hike much faster than in the heat of mid to later summer temperatures.

This trip we hiked into Devils Garden, to Landscape arch, it was absolutely beautiful!  It was just shy of a 2 mile hike round trip.  Not bad, it had up and down hills, some sand, which is always a little tougher to walk in but we did just fine. I always get worried hiking, wondering if I get out there in the boonies, will I be able to walk out.. or will my poor husband have to call the helicopter to airlift me out, if I get too winded with my asthma. But we did just great!.

I'm hoping for a trip to Yellowstone if at all possible before she leaves for Japan. Not sure it will happen, but if we can I hope that it is something that we can do this year.

St. George Weekend Trip

This past Saturday, Roger and I took a trip to St. George. We stayed with our friends, Jerry and Marie Ohman. We arrived at their home at 6pm. Marie being such a gracious hostess and good friend, she had dinner waiting for us. We ate a delicious meal and then we played a game that I have never played before, called hand and foot. It was fun. Its not that its a new game, only to me as I am not much of a card player. We had a delightful evening and then we went to bed.  The Ohmans are from our home ward and have just purchased this beautiful home in St. George to escape the winters of Northern Utah.  We were so glad for their kind offer to come and stay with them.

 We were down there to attend Roger's youngest son's newest arrival, Serenity McClellan's, baby blessing in Cedar City on Sunday Morning.  The Ohman's genearosity made that a much more enjoyable trip than it would have been. It's difficult to drive that 6 hrs down there just to turn around and drive it home again after a church meeting.  We had such an enjoyable time with the Ohman's.

The trip from St. George to Cedar City was very short in comparrison to the trip from Brigham city to St. George. When we left St. George the temperature was 23 degrees and before we arrived in Cedar City, the thermostat showed that the temperature was 3 degrees. Brrrrrr.. it was so very cold!

We had an enjoyable fast and testimony meeting. Echo and her Mother both bore their testimonies. It was good to hear their testimony. The ward in Cedar city has alot of members strong in faith. It was good to attend their meetings and share in their joy and faith. Weston was so glad to see his Grandpa that he just jumped up in Rogers lap and hugged his neck. It's always good to see the grandkids. Jolly Roger, wasn't so Jolly. He spent his time with Katie and Dana who sat behind us. Clark and Ashley sat on the row in front of us.   We took a few photos then we took off to head back to Brigham city.  We had a good trip. Riding in the car that long is a real killer to my back. Other than that, it was a great trip.  Can't wait to return to St. George and visit with Jerry and Marie again and play alittle more hand and foot.

Clark McClellan, Devon Day, Matt McClellan, Serenity McClellan, Roger McClellan and Devon Day's son,.

Matt, Serenity and Echo McClellan

Happy 2011!!!! Horray for the New Year!!!

Our Santa Tree in our Family Room.

Wow, how the years fly by so quickly anymore. I guess that is a sure sign of getting older.  It is amazing how when you're small, it seems as if it takes forever for your birthday to arrive again.. and now before you know it,  A new year has arrived and soon, that Birthday will be here again.  I am not going to spend time looking back at 2010. I will just say that it was a good year. We all surviived it!  I am hoping that 2011 is going to be an awesome year!  Of course, it will be only as good as I make it.  I am determined though, that this is going to be a great year! Since, I am an awesome person, I will be having an awesome year!

I have great faith, in so many things. I claim to be a believer. I am a great Believer!! I believe in Christ, I believe the Bible and The Book of Mormon to be the Word of God. I believe in a living Prophet. I believe in doing and being good. I believe my parents did their very best in raising their family. I believe they are the best parents I could have been blessed with in my life. I believe in Myself, I believe in my children. I believe in my Husband. I believe in  Santa's Cause. (I loved that song sung by the Statler Brothers... It just fits me!! ) I am a believer! I believe that most people are inheritly good. I believe in having faith and trusting in others to do the same.I believe in being charitable. I believe some friends are family that we pick for ourselves. I believe the only person hurt when you hold a grudge is yourself. I believe to truly grow in love is to forgive others and yourself.  I believe what you share with others you have not lost, but gained.  I believe I will see my ancestors someday and I will know them because I believe in them and I love them.   I believe that its better to be a Believer than a non-believer!  If I am wrong.. what have I lost? Absolutely Nothing!! If I chose to be as some are as non believers and if they are wrong, what have they lost??... Everything! I am a BELIEVER!!  I hope that you are a Believer too!!

I hope that everyone will have a great and Blessed year.   Happy New Year!!

Christmas was Wonderful!!

Our Family has had a wonderful Christmas season. This year, I made a new tree skirt for my livingroom Christmas Tree. On this tree the only ornaments on it are of the Savior, Family, Community, and Winter. I also have some pearls and some burgundy bows. This tree is what the real meaning of Christmas is to me. First and foremost the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Savior. 2nd, its about time with those I love, family and about my ancestors, whose who made me possible. 3rd, about our community, our neigbors and town and friends. 4th Winter, the world is white and appears clean and crisp. I have glass icicles on my tree. I had a burgundy plaid tree skirt under my tree in the past few years, but it wasn't right. So this year I made a new treeskirt. This skirt represents the life of Christ through photos of painting from LDS Artists. Most are by Greg Olsen, one by Liz Swindle and a couple from artist I am not sure who they are. I will find out and give them credit. I believe one came from my gospel art packet. I have chosen a picture that respresnts different times in the life of Christ. The only thing that is not represented is the 2nd coming, because it hasn't happened yet. The tree skirt is trimmed with a ruffle and pearls above the ruffle. Around each picture I have framed them with ribbons. I absolutely love my new tree skirt. It fits the tree perfectly.  I love it, love it, love it!!!

Merry Christmas!!

The big day is nearly here. Tomorrow morning, well, I guess later today, we are having a family breakfast with all the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. My parents of course and sibilings will hopefully be attending. It is the greatest time of year. A time of great relflection. I just love the Christmas Season. Everyone seems to be a bit kinder, a bit more patience than normal. Truly most people seem to have that Christ like spirit about them. It would be nice if we all had this all year round. 

I have completed my Christ Treeskirt.  I will take photos and post them later today. I also will be doing my baking and cooking for the big day.

All the presents have been purchases, made and wrapped. I only have the baking to complete. We have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season this year. We have attended the Messiah sing along, Several High school choir concerts, and orchestra concerts, Lincoln Youth Sympohony concert as well as Hills of Homes Concert and then the Big one.. We were privileged enough to be able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with guest stars David Archeletta and Michael York. What a treat that program was to attend. It was absolutely beautiful.  Music makes the season just that much better. Tomorrow evening all my children will be home again. What a joy. Then the music will begin in the home again. One on the piano, one on the violin, one on the flute.. and the others singing. I just love it! Nothing better in the whole world.

Well, I want to wish all a Merry Christmas and hope that we will have peace and prosperityin our families  in the coming year.

Songberries

My great friend, whose blog is Songberries, has a giveaway underway. Go check out her blog. She has some of the greatest give away items around. She has invested alot of time on her blog and she has wonderful recipes as well. Currently she has a giveaway for a beautiful fragrance I am hoping to win. Check out the fragrance ForeverLilly Perfume    I won't like the competition in this giveaway, but join me trying to win this beautiful bottle of fragrance.

I know I don't write alot and I don't have alot of followers off this site, but please follow me and follow Songberries as well.Seems blogfrog followers follow me more than here.. wierd. Anyways.. Check out Songberries! You'll be glad that you did!

Fall Break

We had a wonderful weekend roofing a home that belongs to my parents. These wonderful working weekends are fun, but exhausting. We actually spent the entire week on this project. I am unable to climb onto the roof, so my tasks were mainly making sure there was plenty of food for those that were on the roof.

When I returned home yesterday, I had a package in the mail. It was a giveaway that I had won from Carol at http://songberries.blogspot.com . I won a game that came from http://aroundthetablegames.com/ . If you have a chance go check out these games. They are better than games. They are converstion starters for your family under the pretense of a GAME. Wow, how cleaver is that?. My teenage daughters enjoyed the converstations and loved the cards.  I was gifted the tin with two games, Family Talk and Grandparent Talk. I absolutely love games in tins.  My fifteen year old daughter thought that we need to purchase the teen talk or buddy talk as our next one.  I believe that which ever one you choose you are a winner. Thanks again to Beth at around the table games for the wonderful gift. Thanks also to Carol at Songberries where it all started. Carol, We all appreciate the generous giveaway opportunities from your blog.

If anyone is interested check out songberries for other giveaways including this big one....Win $750 Cash on the Fall Follower Giveaway Tour- Open Worldwide- http://songberries.blogspot.com/

We spent this afternoon and evening with some special friends and had a delightful evening.  Ate a delicious meal prepared by our hostess, we played a fun new game,Killer Bunnies. We had a great evening. Thanks Ken and Carol. We had a wonderful evening. We were having so much fun, we way overstayed the time that we had planned. Next time your family will need to come over to play at our home.

All in all, this has been a great week and weekend.

General Conference Weekend

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend basking in the spiritual uplift from the counsel of the Prophet and Apostles. We enjoyed the talks that we heard and will be making efforts to better ourselves.

Life at times seems to become so stressful. It was good to hear counsel that its ok to slow down.
Take time for yourself, so that you can better serve others. (I have a problem with that one)

We had friends  come to our home to listen to conference on Sunday. We enjoyed breakfast together then lunch together between sessions. We shared a box of kleenex as we shed tears from the spirit that moved us.

Finally in the final session of conference, my daughter tells us that we can get the sessions translated for our Exchange student, by way of the internet. So, we did that in the final session. She fell asleep inspite of  listening to conference in her native language of Japanese. I attibute the naps to the lunch that we ate.

It was great to hear of the 5 new temples that will begin their construction. I know their feeling and how many a saint felt their heart twitter as Pres. Monson announced that a temple was coming to their home town.

We in Brigham City are looking forward to our Temple which should be finished within the next 2 years.

Foreign Exchange Students

Time flies... 3 years ago we embarked upon what our family thought was a scarry experience, yet exciting. We opened our home and our hearts to a Japanese exchange student who was coming to Utah for a Home Stay. They were coming for an American Family Experience. Our first student was a young lady who was 12 years old. Her name was Chisato.  She was very shy, but quickly became talkative and was like a professional pianist. she had been playing since age 3.She was very experienced and it was beautiful. She spent the summer months with our family. We went everywhere, showing her things of interest. We sorta forgot she was 12. We took her to the State Capitol, Temple Square, Bear Lake, and so many other places locally. Day before she leaves she tells me she really wanted to go to amusement park. Well, there was no time nor did we have the money left to take her to LAGOON, the local amusement park. We loved her and we all cried when she left. She had become a part of our family.  I wasn't sure I wanted to go through that again. It was a wonderful experience, but my heart ached when she left.

Summer rolled around again and was getting those little email reminders that the summer Japanese students are coming, would we please again open our home and our hearts. We did so one more time, This time the young lady was 13 years old named Madoka, She had a interest in batton twirling. She wanted to see a competition in Baton twirling while she was here. They have those sorta things in Las Vegas. I explained, I didn't think that Las Vegas was a good place for a 13 year old child. She understood and we had a delightful time with her and our family. Learning my lesson from the year before, I asked this student what ONE thing she would really want to do, if we could only do one thing, what would it be. She said she would like to see Arches National park. So off we went to visit Arches,Dead Horse Point,  Grand Circle and the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon. I think that she quickly grew tired of seeing Red Rocks.  Again, time flew and it was time for her to leave...again, Tears!

My daughter feeling abandoned when her brother got married and left her at home alone, she had been asking for us to adopt a child. Well, I thought lets risk and branch out a bit and open our home to a Japanese High School student who would be coming to study for the entire school year. We all agreed and we decided not to participate in the summer exchange students and we would just have the high school student.

 We picked a young lady who had many things in common with Eve. This young lady is 17 years old and her name is Fuzuki. We had been in much anticipation and excitement for her arrival which wouldn't be til the end of summer just a week before school begins..

 As summer approached, again those emails started coming telling us that they had so many summer students coming they needed more homes, so we extended and opened our home and heart once again to a summer student. Her name is Ryoko and she is 15 years old. She was a beautiful young lady. So very mature for her young years. Very smart as well. She was only coming for a short home stay. Only 2 weeks. Well, 2 weeks will fly by in such a hurry and there  is no time to "fall in love" right? WRONG!!! Ryoko is the one student who we fell the hardest for and the fastest. I still feel like I am missing someone in my; home, my heart. She is a lovely young lady. Like Madoka, Ryoko requested to see ArchesNational park, we also took her to Deadhorse point. . Unlike Madoka, she seemed to have actually loved Arches and I think she would never grow tired of Red Rocks! She loved to hike and see the beauty of the National parks. She loved it!!

There was a glorious 2 days where we actually had the two Japanese girls together with us, Fuzuki arrived on Friday August 13th. Ryoko left to return to Japan on August 15th. The morning before she left we took her to watch a live recording of the Music and the Spoken word. It was a very nice morning. We took a family photo together on Temple Square then had a special lunch with Grandma and Grandpa and then we returned again for the second time that day to Salt Lake to see Ryoko off and return her to the UTrek Program. Again... we and she Cried. Our hearts had touched and joined. She will forever be a part of our family. We stressed over and over before she left... if anyone were to ask her where she lived. she was to say she had two homes, on in America in Utah and one in Japan. She writes us an email every week. Her mother also writes and our lives have been enriched!

Fuzuki is now a part of our family as well. We are being blessed by a 17 year old, very thin, beautiful young lady. She is struggling with the English language. I had no idea that so much of our culture revolves around Christianity.  I have tried to be so respectful of these young ladies religion and to not impose my own views and beliefs onto them, that I have perhaps neglected to share with them what I really do believe, other than what the Sister Missionaries have told them on Temple Square when we take them to tour.
Now, I am faced with one Daughter, who is Buddhist,, and needing to understand Christianity to be able to understand her English literature class and her American History Class. She has no background for Christianity. Knows nothing of Jesus. Nothing of Creationism. Nothing of Adam and Eve.   She is so wanting to learn so that she can understand. We are discussing these things everyday now.

If anyone really reads this, I want you to know that participating in this program is a real blessing. If you have the opportunity to participate in these programs, you will enrich your life by opening your home and your heart to one of these wonderful students!!

If any;one reading this lives in the Bountiful Area, there is still a student that is here for the school year and his host family had a crisis and couldnt' take him at the last moment.. and He is still in need of a permanent family for the school year.  If you know of someone in that area, please leave a comment and a way to contact you and I'll have those in charge contact you regarding a life changing experience.   We are having a wonderful time!! I don't even want to think about May!!

August and the Perseid meteor shower

Wow, August just zipped past. We recieved our Japanese summer exchange student on July 31 and she left on August 15th. What a whirlwind of events happened in those two weeks.  Our students name was Ryoko. She was absolutely the most wonderful young lady ever! So very helpful and always happy. Just a real treat!!
It was difficult to send her home. Hopefully she will rejoin our family someday. Our hearts were touched and grew to love her so much in that 2 weeks.  She was such a delight!. We visited all the local sites in Brigham City. She and Eve went to the Brigham City Musuem and the quilt exhibit that was showing. We took her to the Bear River Bird Refuge. What a wonderful place! If you are in the area... go its well worth the time. Be sure to Watch the Movie about the Bird Refuge, called "Wings of Thunder". It's absolutely beautiful, nearly a spiritual experience!  We went shopping, and shopping and shopping from Logan to Salt Lake. Took her to the Cheese Factory, the Pepperidge Farms cookie factory, the Fat Boys ice cream factory, The creamies ice cream factory and of course the Logan Mall. We also went to Salt lake and escorted her through Temple Square starting with the LDS Conference center, then the North Visitors center, The Assembly Hall, the South Visitors Center, the Beehive House and all the grounds. We had a wonderful day there!! Then they went to the Olympic ice rink in Murray and skated for a couple of hrs. It was a very hot day and so their advertisement of the "Coolest Place in Town" was correct!! It was great!  We even went up to Mantua campground to watch the Perseid Meteor shower. Perhaps we went up there too early, it was 11pm, and we saw 3 or 4 shooting starts. It was neat, but we thought we'd see more. I think that Ryoko was impressed as she said in Japan they don't see the stars like we see them here.  We really are blessed that within 5 miles we can get to somewhere that there aren't any street lights and you can see the heavens bright and aglow! Then we took off on the weekend with her to take her to Arches National Park. What a beautiful place!!! We hiked all over the place! It nearly killed me, but it was so much fun inspite of the pain and aches. I have medical problems and problems from an accident a few years ago when an officer ran a stop sign and totalled my van. But I am not going to quit living.. I love life and I want to do things with my kids and family.  The beauty of Arches is so gorgeous.  Ryoko had the best time there!  This is the 2nd summer that we have spent in Arches. Seems the Japanese exchange students all want to see Arches.... so I oblige! Sorta hoping that the new one will want to see Yellowstone. It's been a few years since I was there last.
Two days before Ryoko left we recieved our Japanese school year exchange student. Her name is Fuzuki, she is a beautiful girl and so much fun! We just love these girls. Our lives are enriched by the exchange students and sharing of cultures. It's so great!
In less than a week school starts again. The girls attended the back to school BASH tonight. They had a great time. Being a teenage is so much fun! I love having teenagers in my home. The world is so much fun and they see the most positive things in life. They are just good kids. I am so blessed to have such great chidlren who are following Christ and have good goals and are seeking the good in life!

Can't beleive that August is nearly gone!

Pioneer Day Reflections

I have been busy preparing the ward YW bulletin board this week as well as preparing for family that is coming to visit for a few short days. We haven't seen them for a couple of years and so we are excited. In the midst of that, I have really not taken time to Think about TODAY.  Those in Utah and members of the LDS Church know that today was Pioneer Day, the day that we commemorate the Saints arriving in the Salt Lake Valley.   While I do not have Pioneer Saint Heritage, my husband does. His ancestors were among those that arrived in the valley, in fact he is a decendent of the first white baby born in the Valley, Elizabeth Young Steele.

I am grateful for those pioneers who came to the Salt Lake Valley. Those who sacrificed all for the liberty and freedom to practice their faith.  I am grateful for my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. of Latter Day Saints. I am grateful to have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for my membership in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We flew our flag proudly today at our home. We are extremely grateful for those in our family and for all who have served this great country and who have fought for our freedoms and especially for our freedom to practice the religion of our choice. 

I do not have ancestors who walked the plains to Salt Lake, however I do have Pioneer ancestors who fought in many wars and who took a stand for truth. They were devout and loyal to their God. Good God Fearing and God Loving People.  I wonder if they would recognize the United States today. Would they feel that we have lost our way. Would they feel that we have respected their sacrifices. I don't know.  I can't speak for them.  I hope that they know that I remember them and their sacrifices. Both my ancestors and my sweet husbands ancestors.

Today, I am grateful to be a God Loving person, I can't really say that I am a God Fearing person,  I have great respect for the position, and  I regard Him as my Heavenly Father and will not Fear HIM, I only need to fear myself and my own choices, knowing that there are divine laws and with each there is a consequence, good or bad... It's up to me.

I pray that I will be the type of person that will save this country from destruction. It will not come from some great feat that I will accomplish. Perhaps by small acts of kindness and showing respect for myself, my children, my neighbors,  my country. Practicing Christ like behavior. 

Cub River Cabin firepit

Perfect Firepit!!!

This was the perfect place to warm up on the cool nights at Cub River. We cooked Hobo dinners one evening which was totally awesome and delicious too.  We charcoaled quite a few marshmallows along with smores on the cool nights as well.  Yummmmm

Perfect location for a dining room table...

Don't you agree, great spot for a dining room.

Cub River Ranger Station Cabin site.

This is an essential room. It is a One Seater, features skylight and is well maintained  with low odor.

The Wood Shed. They provide the wood but You chop 

Cub River Ranger Station Cabin site.