This is for Jillian...

Another post is coming at ya! No...really your need to answer your phone! Call us ASAP. Here in La Grande...something has come up. Sure love ya!

Merry Mother's Day-or woman's day in my book

I woke to the sounds of, "Oh no...oh great...what the...it's all over the place!" My husband's normally calm voice, came in frustrated tones from the...kitchen? I got up to investigate. There he was in the middle of waffles, smoothies, and paper towels. My Mr. Man was making me breakfast! I was rushed back to bed, still able to hear the breakfast preparations from our cozy bed. It was like a sitcom but on a radio because I could only listen and guess at the struggles-I enjoyed each minute of it. It was a wonderful meal; blue berry waffles, orange juice smoothies, all topped with cool whip. Then I had all of Sunday morning with him-a rare treat for sure. The whole bishopric spoke as well...inspiring and encouraging talks, filled with the spirit that prompted a desire to change, but also an overwhelming feeling affirmation and love. Just what I needed, plus it is sweet to hear your husband bare his testimony, and praise his wife, his mother AND mother-in-law!! More sweet than the taffy all the women received from the ward-even though I still ate my whole bag...by the end of church...sugar rush would be the understatement here. This gorging was saved by a beautiful Sunday walk with my husband...we even saw a deer! A dinner was cooked together-messy but fun! Then the night ended with tons of dancing. To what you may ask-our wedding soundtrack. Still the best put together love songs CD ever made-even if I do say so myself. What a day...I felt like a Queen! How I love a national holiday that, though commercialize, still allows the celebration of women and their divine and noble calling...their never ending influence, strength and love for all those around them. So to all those women, mothers, aunts, daughters, grandmothers, nieces and granddaughter...keep it up and THANK YOU!!!

I love culture!

Thanks everyone for the words of advise, comfort and prayers. It helped...in ten days I would be refunded all stolen money. I was there for two hours and some minutes shorting everything out. I pulled out the red-headed dragon...and made sure everything got done, in my presence...no more promises of "We'll make sure this happens." Nope...I said "I will not leave until it happens" So by the end of the month I will have my last check from work deposited into the account and this it is goodbye cooperate bank and hello credit union...or something like that.
But I must say I had a wonderful Saturday...though there are no pictures from the events, I felt like I went all over the world. I went and walked a bit for the walk for autism event. Then I went to a beautiful baptism. It was a little Samoa boy, PJ. What a powerful hour. Talks and testimonies were given...tears and the spirit were shed. The singing was outstanding...and so were the homemade meal afterwards. I told Nick we should move to Samoa, the love, and culture could be something I would like to get use to. Then came the African event. I was asked to do face painting for a "All Africa" event. With authentic tribal dances, food and drumming...I was taken to a new place. Did I stick out like a sore thumb! For one, I was wearing jeans. And watch out for their drinks! I thought something was a type of ginger juice...the ladies rushed to my side as I poured my cup, trying to stop me. In broken English they said, "This is too strong for little you...this is spicy...for the men" Well...when they called me "little one" and that it was "just for men"...I had to prove them wrong...it came with the meal anyway-get your moneys worth, right? Lets just say I gulped it down and smiled at the ladies. As I turned to leave, then came the tears! It was hot! Now...there was no alcohol, I was assured before I tried the drink...no need for a bishop interview, but it was pure ginger and mint it tasted like ginger on fire! and...wow...that's all I can say...wow. So all in all...it was a wonderful day!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so frustrated! It feels like my once steady-ish life (lets face it, life is always up and down...hence the need to put the "ish") Has turned upside down!! I work for a living-you get a pay check-steady. Since January I've had to worry about when the thief will strike next, taking money in the hundreds from my account, which is then followed by promises from my bank to fix it and mounds of paper work to help them keep their promises, to basically do damage control. I was told my old account was closed after the last withdraw from the thief...but it seems like the bank is taking money from my new account and transferring money into my old one-WHY!! No one informed me of the said transfer! So now I get to worry about money being taken by my thief and my bank. I've tried calling-I get the ring around, I tried coming in on Saturdays-ring around because no one knows what is going on. I want a new bank because all the money that the thief has taken, that would be credited back to my account, has yet to find it way back home to whatever account they think I have-old or new-who knows. Not to mention the fear of most Utah teacher-unemployment(that will have to take the time of another post...a much longer post). So now I am waiting for the manager to come into my local bank...waiting at home...yes I had to miss work, arrange for a sub.(all teachers know what a bother that is) so that I can get this...what fixed, worked out, resolved...I really don't know what to put here because I thought those words applied to previous times, but it seems to be a never resolving matter. No, it seems like the revolving doors in front of the hotels-I think I make it inside but the doors keep turning and I keep getting spun around-What do I have to do to make it stop!! Oh, door man, a little assistance please! I am getting sick with fear, stress and frustration!!! So now I am back at the beginning-I am so frustrated!! AHHHH!

Rocks, Family, GC, Kidnapping...not in that order

So my husband decided to kidnap me! Well that is the slightly dramatic version. His more sensible perspective would be a surprise weekend vacation, of which the location was unknown by the little wife. I thought we were going to Vegas because of how long the drive was...it was even longer because of the BLIZZARD we ran into on the way down! I am not being dramatic here, we were going 25-35 mph for a good majority of the travel...and we went off the road and pushed our car through slush once. The end destination was Cedar City. It was a great break once there, full of hiking, rest, museums, and fun food experiences. We went to Zion's National Park, and I loved seeing the red rock. I have spared you the endless amounts of pictures a new experience results-I was picture happy! Then we saw all types of historic carriages that Utah EVER had within its boundaries. Even the infamous Wells Fargo Wagon (I hear humming in the background Wheeler family-can anyone say Music Man, or have done it how many times?) It was a great weekend. Then the following weekend came my family!! What a blast!! We had SOOOOOO much fun, little bit too much fun according to some -sigh- neighbors. I have missed laughing, debating, playing and learning from my dear family in person. Plus, I had my adorable nephew all weekend!! So he is the best picture in this post-even with red demon eyes (blame that on the camera-or-the operator who forgot the red-eye reduction button.) April had a great beginning, vacation, family and my favorite-General Conference! How can a few hours in a few days energize my life into, "you can do it, you should do it, here's how to do it, GO TO IT" attitude? Because it is authentic words of God through His chosen mouth pieces...I thank thee for a Prophet. So as April flies by...I hope May can bring just as much good. It will be a hard act to follow!