What A Weekend!

This weekend had to go down in my book as a favorite! When I got home Friday morning from working out, whose car did I see in the driveway - "S" and "E"! I couldn't have been more excited..in fact, I think my exact words were "NO WAY" for at least the first five minutes. I knew they were coming, but I thought it would be early evening. I was so excited that I ALMOST forgive them for driving through the night! We had a great day together catching up and hanging out together. They also brought a little "bonus" with them - cousin "B"! Our "B" has been waiting for months for the two of them to get together and now the dream had come true.
Saturday found "P" and "B" spending the entire day getting ready for their dance recital "Born To Fly". Mark, "S", "E" and "B" hit the beach and by the time we met them for an early dinner they looked like lobsters - ouch! After dinner (which we ate in the parking lot because of parking space at the diner - but it added to the fun, so it only added to the experience), we went to the much anticipated dance recital. The girls did an amazing job and had a lot of fun doing it.
Sunday was July 4th so we celebrated by meeting a bunch of friends at our favorite spot for fireworks - the Albertson's parking lot! There was tons of fun, food and I think they may have even been a game of Phase Ten to keep Dad happy. It was really nice hanging out all together.
Monday we got a dose of reality when "S" and "E" headed back to Utah - they even took "P" for a fun little get-away of her own. We missed them before they even made it to the bottom of the driveway. Happily for us, the Bittons invited us to drown our sorrows (okay, that may be a tad dramatic) by riding jet-skis and going boating with them at the beach. It was cloudy outside, but man oh man did we have a blast. If you want a BIG laugh, ask "B" about a dunk that she and Sister Bitton took on the jet-ski. Heehee. We even attempted to find some dolphins, but the weather was getting pretty wild and we didn't want to make our own version of "The Perfect Storm" so we headed back to the harbor. It was such a fun day - thanks, Grace, VJ and Dylan for such a great time!
It was a weekend that we had been looking forward to for some time and it sure didn't disappoint us.
Oh and by the way - Happy Birthday, America!

2010 Girl's Camp

When I wrote to "R" this week and told him about what a great time I had at Stake Girl's Camp, his reply was "I thought the 'younger' girls were supposed to have more fun than the 'older' girls!" (By the way, "R", no offense taken at that 'older' jab!) I thought the girls would have more fun too, but I have to admit that I had every bit as much fun as they did. The fact that I got to be there with my own girlies made it extra fun too; it was really fun to see them having such a great time with their friends. It ALMOST makes me excited for the Pioneer Trek next year!

Memorial Day Fun...

I'm late writing about Memorial Day. In the past it has been a day for barbeques, swimming and hanging out with friends but this year we were up for something completely different. We considered one plan after another and finally just jumped in the car with a "possible idea" and headed east.
We ended up at Tom's Farms near Corona; there were all kinds of Memorial Day festivities going on which only added to the fun. We had a delicious lunch while we listened to the band and sat outside by the pond - and then went over to some of the shops and tried on some funny animal hats.
After a couple of hours, we decided to take in a movie featuring two of our favorite actors - Steve Carrell and Tina Fey. It was a huge disappointment and we all agreed it would have been better to see our #2 choice which was a chick flick.
As we came home, we stopped at the Outlet Mall in Lake Elsinore and walked around.
It was a very fun day - I think we may have a new tradition!

June 5, 2010-What I Learned At The Timmy Concert

When my friend Julie asked me to be her #3 choice in line to go to the Timmy concert, I really didn't think my chances were very good but luck for me #1 and #2 bailed on her - and from the bottom of my heart I thank those people!
It was such an amazing concert - I actually feel myself getting a little giddy just thinking about it. We had fantastic seats where Timmy would have had a perfect view of me if it wasn't for the woman in front of me who had the biggest hair on the planet. He sang my two favorite songs back-to-back...I'm pretty sure he did that just for me (maybe to make up for the big hair blocking some of my view).
I did have some major epiphanies at the concert:
*My hair was definitely NOT big enough to attend a Timmy concert
*Julie and I were the only two sober people there
*Drinking and immodest outfits do not go together (I am not speaking about Julie or myself!)
*You should always eat before you go or run the risk of eating a really scary hot dog
*A true Timmy lover will act ridiculous at the sight of Timmy no matter her age (I may be speaking about myself)
*If you know all the words to Timmy's songs you need to get another hobby
*You have serious "Timmy issues" if you go to his concert and then listen to his CD all the way home
*I am not the only Timmy fan in San Diego who would drive to kingdom-come to see him in person
It was an AMAZING evening and one I'll never forget. Thanks Julie!

Praying For A Strong Back

This morning, I heard an amazing talk by Ardeth Kapp. She told a story about when she was about 10 years old her father took her to the Belly River to teach her to swim. She said that it wasn't easy and it took alot of courage because the water was ice cold, the current was swift and she had to swim against the current. She said what made it possible was that her father always swam along side her; she said she can still hear his voice saying "You can make it. Keep going." By the end of the summer, her back was strong from all her effort and the constant encouragement. The water eventually receded and the current slowed, but only after she had learned the lesson: there must be opposition if we are going to develop strength.
Yesterday I attended an amazing Ward Conference where the theme was Mosiah 24:14 - "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." As this theme was shared from the pulpit, I looked around and saw almost everybody dabbing at their eyes - on some level, we are all swimming against the current.
I know our trials and tests are to strengthen us, but when we're in the thick of the current and swimming as hard as we can it's hard to remember that the current will slow at some point. I am grateful for those who swim beside me - I do know that I am not alone...and I pray that my back will grow stronger as I swim upstream.

One Year In The Field....

Yesterday marked one year in the mission field for "R" or as I should probably say, "Elder Hall". Everytime people ask about him and how long he's been gone, they conclude with "it's been THAT long already?" Yep...one year in the field.
When I really think about it, I remember having these same feelings about "S": the time has gone by quickly, but when I think about how long it's been since I've actually seen him it seems like forever. Now, I don't want to sound like one of those "moping", depressed moms, so I'll quickly follow up my last comment with "I'm so glad he is where he is" and how grateful I am that he is with people that he loves and who love him. That is absolutely the truth. I also know that this experience is changing his life forever and is giving him experiences that he simply wouldn't receive if he was here. He is becoming the young man that the Lord needs him to be.
When his letter arrives next week, I'm looking forward to hearing about how he "burned a shirt" to celebrate. And now I can relish the fact that I can begin to count backwards: next month he'll have 11 months left in the field!
Love you, Big Man!

Lovin' Miss "E".....

I've been thinking about my new daughter-in-law (I still can't believe that I'm a mother-in-law...it's weird to hear myself say it). Adorable Miss "E" is exactly who I prayed "S" would find. She is already such a strength in our family and we are all almost as smitten with her as her husband is. She handles the ups and downs of life with true wisdom beyond her years. She is soft spoken, but strong. She has a wonderful smile and doesn't take life too seriously. She is an angel....I could go on and on, but I can already imagine her blushing. I'm so glad she's ours. I love you "E"...or as we say in the Hall house - "SSUUURRREEE love ya!"