And it begins...

Yesterday I attended my first research and statistics classes. The research methods class has 18 students. One of them is Camille's (Micah) sister! Another student wants to be a social worker with deaf families (does ASL,interpreting etc.) and one student wants to "save the world" in a similar vein as Kryn and Gregan. Another student has 8 children - ages 5-15, including 2 sets of twins. Three other students are also "older" - although I suspect I'm a wee bit older than any of them. So there are more happy commonalities in that class. (As I found with students in my BYU class in the spring).

I have a new (reinforced) opinion regarding Tressa cutting out the answers in the textbook her students will be using this year in her ASL classes. I read the first chapter of my statistics book last night, and I am soooo glad answers were in the text to check my understanding of the questions throughout the chapter! It would have been very frustrating to NOT be able to have immediate feedback as I studied on my own. I'm not sure I buy the argument that "high schoolers" can not use that resource responsibly. It's part of their education... I say, give them that option, and let them experience the consequence of abusing the resource, if that's what they choose to do... Because many of them WILL benefit from it.

Well, I am weeks behind where I wanted to be in my independent study class. And today I begin my gig with Wasatch Mental Health. So hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off....

Great day so far!

Keaton and I just attended the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. Church meetings for the whole of Utah were canceled today so that everyone could attend a televised broadcast of the dedication. We went this morning at 9:00 and Devon and Alicia will attend at 3:00 while the little girls stay here with us.

The talks were all very good. The lights were down, and it didn't seem appropriate to search for pen and paper. But there were at least 3 thoughts that I was particularly impressed with:

1. As youth (or even as adults), we may struggle concerning making wise choices and not being as obedient as we could (should) be. Although those who love us struggle with those decisions, it is the individual himself - or herself - that is going to be hurt the most. When we choose to be faithful, we don't do it for anyone else. We do it for ourselves.
2. It is our choice to be whatever we will be. No one, not even Satan, has the power to determine what we will ultimately become. Only each of us personally.
3. The temple refines us. We are better people when we leave the temple than when we enter it.

I don't remember the names of all those who spoke, but it's always a treat to hear President Monson, President Uchtdorf, and Elder Bednar. I really felt the strength and power of the Priesthood in the services today. I would love to plan a trip to the Oquirrh Temple with Keats, Devon, Alicia, Kindy, and Marty soon!

I learned today that while I was on one of my trips, Ken Swenson was called to be a counselor in the stake presidency! (The spot vacated with President Love's move to Herriman). I had a great visit with him, Debbie, and Reid and Sandy after the dedication. Debbie appreciated getting a "very nice note" from Kindy (regarding their wedding reception).

I loved being able to spend time with my east coast family these past few weeks!!
But I have to say -- there is something very nice about Utah summer evenings. Ava and Aria spent Friday night with me. When it was a little cooler, we spent a long while in the back yard. They loved swinging, playing tetherball, and going down the slide. Ari is the perfect size right now for the little slide and she went up and down over and over. Although the days get plenty hot, I love the cool of the evenings, even on days that have been in the high 90's.

Keats moves to Provo tomorrow. We both start classes at UVU on Wednesday. My statistics textbook arrived yesterday. Last night I flipped through the pages. Pages and pages of numbers and symbols and formulas and stuff and stuff. :( Wish me luck!!

The Church is true!!

Trip to DC and Philly

Well, it happened! I made it to Washington DC to spend a few days with Rudy, Gregan, and Kryn. I'm happy to report that THE TREE in which ALL of the kids have had a picture in, on, or around (close to the Washington Monument) is still there! Last time I was in DC (30 years ago) I never did see the Jefferson Memorial OR the Library of Congress. Both were highlights of the trip for me this time. As was visiting the park where Gregan lived in his car for 8 weeks!
Also, we had a wonderful day in Philadelphia with Kryn. He has a GREAT apartment. We saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed. And the University of Pennsylvania campus (NOT Penn State) :) is absolutely gorgeous. The buildings are very old and very beautiful. Lots of history within that Ivy League school. (The University of Pennsylvania also established the first School of Social Work, I learned in the class I am taking right now...)
We also ate Philly Steak sandwiches and had water ice. Yummmm.
I printed 81 pictures of my trip, so these are just teasers. Thanks to Rudy for taking all the pictures! AND for being such a good sport and great host for 4 very packed days!

Matters of the heart

It's good to be home...but I felt like I left part of my heart in Florida. I do hope I get to see that new baby again before she's walking. :) The flower in Merin's hair in this picture was a gift from Kindy (from Hawaii)... Merin's gorgeous in pink, but also in yellow, green, blue... :)

I had a great time in Florida. Damian and Amy are so easy to just hang with. And there is NEVER a shortage of entertainment with Hay and Zade around! I laugh when Amy rolls her eyes at Zade's never ending chatter. One year ago, she was most anxious for him to say ANYTHING! It's amazingly easy to make out just what he's saying, even though his articulation is a "little" lacking. :) He is sooo cute and LOVES life.

As does Hayden! He's such a smart kid! It's hard to believe he is just going into 1st grade this fall. He reads really well, and he reminds me a bit of Kryn and Gregan with the great facts he can recall about all kinds of things - especially stuff that live in the water... Amy's absolutely right when she says he's "over the moon" over Merin. He's a very sweet, tender big brother to her.

Merin was a perfect princess on Sunday. With a mom and two grandmas to get everyone to the church on time, we still left the binky and her bottle at home. But Merin was a little angel all during church. (And had special care from her handsome biggest brother...)

So I headed home yesterday. I had made only fair headway in the book we are reading for book club this month, The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt. (It's over 600 pages long). But thanks to waits in the airports (especially a 3 hour delay in Dallas - thanks, Keats, for picking me up at 11:00 p.m.!!) and flying time, I FINISHED the book an hour before reaching Salt Lake.

I ended the trip much like I started it - with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. As I settled back to listen to some of the best music ever written -(on the IPOD given to me by my kids) - and looked down at the valley that soooo many Saints sacrificed so much to establish, I felt absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude and a burning testimony of the reality of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Keaton and I drove right by the new Oquirrh Mountain temple on Bangerter Highway, and it was stunning. (BTW, I found Parley's discourse about polygamy enlightening - pages 523-528. I know that some of my kids would love reading it). Parley endured as much hardship and persecution as anyone in the Church. He was a tremendous missionary, and a faithful husband, father, and leader... AND a gifted writer...

Other highlights of my time in Florida included attending a fireside featuring David Archuletta, and getting a beautiful new crown (as in tooth) in the chair of my son, the dentist. :)

'Looking forward to the reunion and Salem Days on Saturday!