Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Journey To "A Better Place"

Life is a drive
From one destination to another.
Each destination grants us innumerable priceless souvenirs of life-altering self-improvements
...if we will accept them.

Often times we just get in the car and drive
Not knowing our next destination.
Yet, daring to hope that it will be as good as the last,
We follow the signs along the road.
A sign warns "No U-Turns".
An internal plummeting sensation accompanies our next decision
...keep driving.

At this point it is natural for us to feel lost
Where have all the road signs gone?
In desperation we turn to our handy-dandy, built-in GPS system
Hoping to reorient ourselves
What will Mrs. Robotic Voice tell us of our current circumstance?
Perhaps she will say,
"Current location: somewhere south of Happy*. Keep traveling north."
A glint of reassurance allows us strength
...we are on our way.

Billboards appear, daring to tantalize our deepest cravings
..."International Peace Gardens"
..."Cheesecake Factory"
..."Utah Museum of Fine Art"
..."Laser hair removal"
..."Ensign Peak"
..."Utah State Capital"
And rather than surrender to the sting of red-hot irons
We embrace the opportunity to bask in a bright bliss,
An appreciation for tender mercies
...for love.

Eventually, road signs return to our view, foretelling of destinations to come,
..."Garden City, Bear Lake"
..."University of Utah"
..."Emeryville, California"
..."Lucerne, Switzerland"
Miniscule or grandiose as they may seem
We are going somewhere.
And, as with the destinations of miles gone-by,
There is the bright hope of innumerable priceless souvenirs of life-altering self-improvements
...to add to our cherished collection.

So, enjoy the ride
...and don't forget your camera.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Merrrrr =

Some call it poetry
I call it random stream of thought
aka T.O.L. = Thinking Out Loud

Relaxed. Breathing deeply. Thinking: work tomorrow. Early morning.
Missing: midnight ventilations. Pulling stuffing from my favorite pillow.
Smiling. Infinite memories. "The World!"
Heart beats: best best. Deep sigh...
..."Awesome"

New week: Monday.
New month: July.
Change and more of the same.
A mysterious horizon.

Count blessings.
Hope. Trust. Faith.
Smile: inside first, then out.


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Smile Out Loud

The Hinckleys are one of my favorite elderly couples, ever! Look how sweet they are!

"The trick to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead."


"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. Don't worry.
I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out.
If you do your best, it will all work out.
Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.
The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us...
If we will put our trust in Him,
if we will pray to Him,
if we will live worthy of His blessing,
He will hear our prayers."


I love this song!
I'm going to sing this to my children one day.
Did you know it was composed by Charlie Chaplin?



Thank you for singing like an angel, Josh Groban!


Friday, June 26, 2009

Piteous Pamperment

To every "once in a while" there is an evening
Yes, a night for every pamperment under heaven
A night to have a manicure,
A night to do laundry,
A night for an egg white facial,
A night to iron pillow cases,
A night to whiten teeth,
A night to rearrange my closet,
A night to go to bed in a brilliant state of fresh cleanliness!


A
Friday night, no less

...pitiful

But I feel so accomplished...
Alright!
Alright! Just pitiful!

*Note: I said "every once in a while"

Gotta go, the egg white is gettin' crusty.


Thursday, June 25, 2009

Rulon's Chair

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting my great-aunt Jo with Dad and Madre. We've made it a tradition to do so each Summer when we go to Cedar City. Her modest home sits nestled in the hills above the St. George Temple. I've always enjoyed these visits and hearing stories of Uncle Fred, Rulon, Dan, Huck, Aunt Helen Ruth, Dorothy and of course, my Grandma.
{Top: Fred - Bottom: Rulon, Huck, Julia Fern (my grandma)}
{Top: Dorothy, Fred, Julia Fern (my grandma), Huck - Bottom: Dan, Grandpa Elijah, Grandma Julia, and Rulon}

Dad rang the doorbell and moments later we were greeted by a petite elderly woman dressed in a housecoat and a smile that indicated she was happy to have company. We entered her small home with the lingering smell of cigarette smoke and were greeted by one of Aunt Jo's "indoor cats". She sweetly asked us to have a seat, which we did on her sofa, dusted with cat hair. Sunlight shone softly through the picture window as Aunt Jo sat comfortably in her usual pink chair next to a vacant black leather recliner:
Rulon's chair.
{Madre, Aunt Jo, and Dad}

Dad asked, "How are you Aunt Jo?" She spoke of her daily routine, her cats, her love for reading, and the pains of old age. Then, a smile danced across her face and her eyes twinkled youthfully as she recounted memories of Rulon, her late husband. She spoke of Uncle Rulon's handsome tenor voice. Dad said, "I wish I could've heard him sing," and in a rush of excitement Aunt Jo got up from her chair and walked to the cassette player. Soon, with some help from Dad, the sound of a harmonious quartet flooded the room. Uncle Rulon and a group of missionaries, from his LDS mission days, serenaded our conversation for the next moments. Aunt Jo sat, transfixed by their sound, pointing to the speakers when Uncle Rulon sang a particularly high note in the chorus; all while watching our faces for looks of appreciation.
{Top: Huck, Dan, Rulon - Bottom: Grandpa Elijah, Fred}

Then the quartet started "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." Aunt Jo's eyes welled up with tears and she pointed to the stereo once again, hushing any conversation, eager for us to hear the voice of her gifted husband singing an angelic solo. I watched as Aunt Jo beamed with complete adoration at the stereo. Her expression told of loving memories, no doubt flickering through her mind, as she listened intently. The song ended and Aunt Jo sat back comfortably in her chair with a look of glowing satisfaction. She removed her glasses and wiped her eyes tenderly. What a beautiful scene. That really is love!
{Aunt Jo}


Monday, June 22, 2009

Daddy's Day!

This is my:
life coach, teacher, personal trainer,
provider, comedian, clogged-sink-drainer,
food critic, front-&-center-audience member,
cheerleader, fire builder in December,
spider smasher, complimenter, body guard,
"you can do it" when things are hard,
dance partner, vocal partner, money lender,
hug giver, story teller, vacation spender,
walking partner, landlord, wearer of plaid,
wrong-righter, best friend, oh and...Dad.
~me~

This is my dad when he was a little. Adorable is in the genes :)

{Top: Stephen (dad), Tad, Jerry - Bottom: Grandma Julia Fern, Paul (on lap), Christine, Grandpa Milton, Anne}

I get my love for singing from my dad and everyone tells me I look like my mom. What a compliment! I love old pictures like this. Aren't my parents cute?

What a trooper. This is way before I was born (youngest of 9 and all), but he still did this when I was little. My favorite was when he'd clear away the kitchen table and chairs and we'd dance to "Boston Pops Hoe Down" or "The King & I" laughing all the while.
{Top: Pete, Jason, Steve - Bottom: Dad}

I have to thank my dad for his love for traveling. We have gone on some great family vacations. The best part of these vacations, however, is not the sights we see but the memories we make as a family. That is what I love most!
{Me and Dad at Disneyland}

Check out our big matching glasses. This makes me smile!

These are my dad's parents: Milton and Julia Fern.
They sure raised a rascal of a boy into a great man.


This is our family wallyball tournament.
My dad has a great sense of humor. We share corny jokes and laugh for hours!
{Top: Dad - Bottom: Me, Madre, and Heather}

My dad has always been a great example to me of what to look for in my future husband. He is always sweet and loving to my mom and I appreciate that. There is a great comfort in knowing that your parents not only care for you, but care for one another.


Dad, thank you for always putting your family first and providing for and loving us.
I have always looked up to you as one of my greatest examples, mentors, and friends!

I love you, Daddy!


Friday, June 19, 2009

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

CAH-LO-RAH-DO

Boulder and a pinch of Denver. Here's a taste of my past couple days chillin' in the Centennial State:


Here is our tiny little plane.
I've never been in such a small plane or on such a short flight: 57 minutes!


Goin' through a tunnel in the train. Do you see me and Madre?
This is the vaulted tent ceiling of the Denver International Airport.
I was surprised with how artsy everything was. There were murals everywhere! Love it!


The beautiful view from our hotel room.
I think the Flat Iron mountains are very Germanesque, don't you?
That big, beautiful, brick building (no alliteration intended) is the Folsom Field, the stadium of the University of Colorado - Home of the Buffalo.


This is where Madre and I spent most of our time, the outdoor mall. In Boulder everything is foot-friendly, people walk everywhere they go. Why don't we do that here? We had a rental car, but we only used it to go up to the mountains and get back to the airport.
Walk and smell the roses!


Madre and I went to see the matinee of Pixar's Up and were the only people in this massive theatre. Love that movie, I totally cried.
Ok, hello good food! These guys make killer salads and panini! Yum!
Alas, Utah has not discovered Mad Greens yet...or vice versa?


I found my dream house in Boulder.
I wish I could've gotten more pictures of the beautiful houses they had here. There were no cookie cutter houses, just one unique and beautiful home after another. I would say Collage Avenue is to Boulder as The Avenues are to Salt Lake. So much character, I love it!


See this: foot-friendly!
This is what Naropa U and U of C students do in their free time...fun and friendly exercise!


Ah yes, people! I must apologize, this is the only picture I present-mindedly took of people on this whole trip. That is quite sad. Aren't my parents cute? I love 'em!
Check out this shot, I sometimes wonder when National Geographic will discover me.
Ha... ha...


I would love to do a photoshoot in Boulder. Isn't this barn awesome?
Almost stepped on that...and for those of you who know me, I never wear good hiking shoes. Nope, more like suede ballet flats. But hey, at least they were brown.
Seriously? (shudder) I've never been a fan of Cougars (Go Utes!)
Gotta love the scratches no-doubt keyed into this sign by hikers passing by.


Voile! C'est la Boulder.
Here's Folsom Field and some football teams practicing out front.
That thing is beautiful, they must love their football or something.


Flying home through the landscape of angels with the Rocky Mountains beneath.
Breath-taking! I wish I could fly!


(sigh) Be it ever so stormy, there's no place like Home Sweet Home!


A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.
~George Moore~




Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Heartstrings of the Week: Cross My Heart


After seeing this movie a second time in theaters I decided to buy the breathtaking soundtrack on iTunes. Thank you composer Michael Giacchino and Pixar for allowing me to partake in such beautiful dreams over and over again. Someday I'll be listed in the brilliant credits with you.

For now, close your eyes and soak this in:




Saturday, June 13, 2009

Mr & Mrs Brown

Today I went to Temple Square...





...to attend the luncheon and reception of my beautiful friend Kristin.
Yes, today Kristin married her sweet Kenny!
I am so happy for them both, the little gorgeous faces!

While everyone went to the sealing, Jalene and I walked around and took pictures.

As you can see, Jalene is a model...

...with porcelain skin and yellow eyes...

...and a super cute vintage dress from Shabby Apple.

Then, we met up with these cute people...

...and waited for the bride and groom to grace us with their presence.
And they did! Look how happy they are!



These two are going to have some beautiful children!

Did I mention I love these girls a lot? Cause I do!

We take a shoe picture at every wedding. That's some good "footage"...ha...ha (apologies)!

They make me laugh!


And Kristin & Kenny drove off into the sunset and lived happily ever after!

Congratulations you guys! Love you!