tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79602804960060726942024-03-13T22:25:10.384-07:00Karen'Z KornerLittle snatches of my life and the people I love from my corner of the world.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-3470507981236621902016-08-25T14:32:00.000-07:002016-08-25T14:32:15.706-07:00The neighborhood is different now and so am I. It's been a long time since I've written and much has happened since then. Many things to cover but today I choose to write about something else.<br />
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Recently a mortuary was built near our neighborhood. I watched it go up. It is a nice building with cool windows and nice brick. Then one day there was a black hearse parked out front with an "Open House" sign on the front lawn. Who goes to a mortuary open house?<br />
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Lately as I have driven by, which I often do, I've noticed cars in the parking lot. Sometimes the parking lot is full to capacity and other times just a few cars. More and more there are people slowly meandering towards their cars, dressed in black with white handkerchiefs in hand as they hug and dab their eyes. Sometimes seeing them there takes me from all that I have on my mind and I wonder... Who is the person they are missing? Was it an older relative at the end of a long life or a child, who was just beginning to live. They look at me driving by and wonder how the world could go on, how they will go on with out this person? Suddenly, the light changes and I drive on. On to the grocery store and the bank. I am the life continuing on as if nothing happened. Should I do otherwise?<br />
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I don't know them and they don't know me. Yet, I have been dressed in black, dabbing my eyes with a white handkerchief, wrapped in the arms of another who feels my pain. Trying our best to breath life back into each other. And on some future day I will stand again where they stand and they will drive by, on their way to the grocery store or the gym or wherever because life goes on... and on they will go.<br />
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In my mind's eye I see them, arms around each other, and my heart aches for them. I offer a little prayer that they will feel love and heal so life will go on for them also - it will be different but it will go on. This I know a little about.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-1816863033151511302013-10-24T15:25:00.000-07:002013-10-24T17:43:06.262-07:00One of those daysAs I have worked to come to terms with my current stage of life, part of my struggle has been my attempt to find something to fill the emptiness in my heart and schedule. None of the options I considered felt right. And then in the midst of all my searching the message got through to me: "I have enough busy people, I need someone I can call on in a moment of need - I need you to be available." I wasn't sure exactly what this meant but I began to feel satisfied with fewer demands on my time.<br />
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Today was one of those days that I didn't have tons of things scheduled. Today was one of those days when I was able to be in the right place at the right time. In each of these moments today my heart felt so full of love towards the one who was before me. I had time and love to give without feeling pulled in a different direction. I could be in the moment for that person. I felt His love for me too.<br />
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Today it was reinforced to me that God is mindful of each of us. As we go through life we have experiences that enable us to look at life in a different way than we would otherwise. As we learn and grow we are better able to empathize and lift where we stand*. Lifting where we stand also lifts us to higher ground. Today was one of those days.<br />
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*<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/lift-where-you-stand?lang=eng&query=lift+where+you+stand#watch=video">Lift where you stand</a><br />
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-37520648725434185382013-09-27T14:19:00.001-07:002013-09-27T16:54:13.749-07:00Tagged<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmDCsaNfifo/UkXwkcV7IyI/AAAAAAAAEhc/o4E9bzwDPqg/s1600/944600_10201459247140694_1444632149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmDCsaNfifo/UkXwkcV7IyI/AAAAAAAAEhc/o4E9bzwDPqg/s320/944600_10201459247140694_1444632149_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had to get a new tag for the broadcast on Saturday. It's kind of silly since we just got released last Sunday. I explored a few options with Sister Ellis, wife of the executive secretary at the MTC, and this seemed like the best one. We are not allowed to use the plastic clip above the tag on the left as the metal parts could reflect the bright lights and cause a glare. The pin on the back failed about 6 months in to our service at the MTC (3 1/2 years ago) - it would not stay closed and as a result my tag kept falling off. I finally super glued it shut and I haven't given it a second thought until now. So, even though I'm "retired", they ordered me a new magnetic tag. When I got my first tag I was just a bit disappointed that it did not say, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints", but I still loved it. When I looked at my new tag today, I was sad to see that tag said nothing but my name (I <i>was</i> happy that they spelled my name right). There were a few other sisters with tag issues, so they rushed them through and all the brand new tags were like mine... name only.<br />
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The tag on the left will always remind me of an incredible four years of learning and growth as we've been blessed to serve with the missionaries at the MTC. It's a bit dull and the lettering is not at white as it was the day I got it. But then, I'm not the same person either. I have learned so much about faith and trusting God as we move forward - not always knowing what the outcome will be. I have been humbled as I learn about the sacrifice of some of the missionaries and the struggles they have been through even at their tender ages. Serving at the MTC involves a lot of repetition. I now look at repetition not as something to be endured but as an opportunity to have something written deeply on my heart.<br />
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This new tag will only be worn once - tomorrow. But I think I will find a home for it, next to my old one where I can see it and reflect on what it means to me. A new beginning, a fresh start - lots of space for me to write my future - and to remind me of my desire to have a tag with "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints" inscribed below my name.<br />
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The last verse of the congregational hymn we will sing mid conference tomorrow says it best:</div>
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"There's surely somewhere a lowly place in earth's harvest fields so wide </div>
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Where I may labor though life's short day for Jesus the Crucified.</div>
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So trusting my all to thy tender care and knowing thou lovest me, </div>
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I'll do thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS Second Alto's (that's me) will be in the right quarter of the choir seats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We will line up by height and then rearrange a bit to mix the colors, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">so I'm guessing I will be mid to lower part of that section. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'll be wearing turquoise!</span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-72968309956961358262013-09-25T12:37:00.002-07:002013-09-25T12:38:18.989-07:00You can quote me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is Brother Ryan Eggett and Sister Emily Wadley. They are our choir directors. Brother Eggett directs the MTC choir and Sister Wadley will direct the MTC sister's choir for the broadcast. Sister Wadley can only be there for half the practices so Brother Eggett directs us every other day. He works with us on getting the notes right and the words memorized, while she fine tunes the dynamics and helps us <strike>not to look</strike> <strike>stupid, silly, odd,</strike> look good while we are singing. Today they recorded us singing and then played it back with no audio. Suffice it to say I was not complaining that the tall sister in front of me blocked my face. We need work. Both of these individuals have strong testimonies, are incredibly talented and understand the power of music. They are both pretty funny too and make the 90 minutes we are there each day fly by. It is a blessing to learn from them.<br />
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Here are some of my favorite quotes from choir practice:<br />
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"Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape."<br />
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"It doesn't have to perfect for you to enjoy it."<br />
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"You are wonderful unique person but sometimes you need to be what's needed"<br />
- KZ translation - worry more about how you can meet others needs than how you can impress them.<br />
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"Your faith in all things makes you strong enough to discover where your weaknesses are"Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-74932153666959821672013-09-24T13:06:00.003-07:002013-09-25T12:44:32.877-07:00Go Forth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's probably no secret, especially to those closest to me, that I have struggled a bit with the whole "empty nest" thing... <i>empty</i> being the key word. I have moments when I feel a bit lost and unsure of what my purpose is and what my direction my life should take. I have also felt the need to have faith and move forward. I have felt peace that as I continue doing what I'm doing, my path will unfold before me. God has a plan for me - a personal, individual plan - I just don't know what it is just yet. While I have felt this in my heart and it makes sense in my head, sometimes my heart forgets. Sometimes I doubt myself and wonder if I shouldn't be doing something different. Maybe I should get a job where I could make money. Maybe I should go back to school and get a graduate degree... I have lots of options. Sometimes I feel so unsettled and I wonder. </div>
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And then this morning 180 voices sang in unison, </div>
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"<i>The errand of angels is given to women, and this is a gift that as sisters we claim, </i></div>
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<i>to do whatsoever is gentle and human, to cheer and to bless in humanity's name" </i></div>
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add 180 soprano voices coming over the top <i>" Go forth...go forth</i>". </div>
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These words penetrated my whole heart and soul. This is my purpose and direction. Care for my family and be available to serve and help. I knew this before but it seemed so vague. This morning though, it was direct and clear. I had to regain my composure to be able to continue to sing. </div>
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Stop fretting... keep moving... trust me. </div>
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I can do that. </div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-86721478838954084392013-09-20T21:25:00.002-07:002013-11-25T14:27:35.550-08:00More Holiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was about 14, I was able to participate in a YW choir for the dedication of some sculptures (like the ones above but in miniature) at the visitors center at the Los Angeles temple. While I have not been blessed with a beautiful singing voice I can usually sing the right notes with some practice. We sang a few songs but the one I remember most is <a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/more-holiness-give-me?lang=eng">"More Holiness Give Me"</a>. We sang a special arrangement written for this event. I still remember the alto part and catch myself singing it instead of the alto part in the Hymn book in sacrament meetings. The choir director told us during one practice that when we sing with all our hearts, as opposed to just singing the words, angels cannot be restrained from singing with us. I felt in my heart that this was true. I pondered the words of the songs and each time we practiced there was a sweet spirit in attendance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evening of the dedication was cool and clear. The temple was lit up beside us as we sat outside in the garden by the visitors center. When it came time for us to sing "<i>More Holiness Give Me</i>" I sang with all my heart, "<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">More faith in my Savior, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">More sense of his care, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">More joy in his service, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">More purpose in prayer.</span><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">.." </span><i> </i>The voices of the choir<i> </i>rang clear and beautiful in quiet evening. Our voices rose to heaven, harmonies blended and the words of the song filled my whole being. I had never heard this song sound as beautiful as it did that evening and I seemed to understand it more in my heart than ever before. The experience is etched in my mind with great clarity some 35 years later. </span><br />
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About a month ago I got an email from Sister Nalley, wife of the MTC president informing us that the general Relief Society President, Sister Linda Burton, had requested a sister missionary choir to sing at the general Relief Society broadcast this year. She had also requested that 50 wives of Branch Presidency members sing with the younger sisters at the broadcast. There was an application we needed to fill out if we wanted to sing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was excited to apply and hoped I would be chosen.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They sent out another request about 10 days later for more sisters. About two weeks ago I got an email letting me know that I had indeed been chosen to participate in the choir - along with 42 other sisters. I guess if you had a desire to sing, you were called to the choir. </span><br />
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Today was our first practice. I will admit that I was kind of lost. I usually have Jennifer sitting beside me helping me figure out my part. (I did apologize to the sweet young Sister sitting next to me - I hope I didn't throw her off too much.) As I was looking through the music at the beginning of the practice I discovered that the second song was "<i>More Holiness Give Me</i>". The arrangement is different than the one I sang so many years ago but the words still moved me, "<i>More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord,... more hope in His word, ... more longing for home..." </i>First day of practice and my soul was filled. What a blessing.</span><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-64180106049897631252013-09-06T19:45:00.004-07:002013-09-06T21:21:48.946-07:00Masters National Championships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mark and I went on a whirlwind trip to Bend, Oregon so he could compete in his first ever National Championship road race. He debated for days whether or not we should even go. He caught a virus and was not feeling very good. He would have good and bad days but was not quite up to par. The weather forecast also predicted rain the morning of the race - and with the race beginning at 8:00 am at the Mt. Bachelor Ski resort with a 15 mile descent... it sounded miserable. </div>
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To complicate things the semester at BYU started this week. Mark had to teach an orientation Tuesday morning and then teach his first day of class Friday morning - 8:00am. Bend, Oregon is about 650 miles away. Monday he felt good and it looked like the weather might cooperate so we left Tuesday around 2:00 after orientation and a last minute lunch with Christian and Robbie (who was in town). We drove half way Tuesday and arrived in Bend on Wednesday. Mark was not feeling good on Wednesday but it looked like the weather would be good for his race, with the storm arriving Thursday afternoon. </div>
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Thursday morning was clear and cool.</div>
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After almost freezing on the downhill at the beginning, Mark was able to get into a four man break.</div>
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(look for "Volo" on Mark's shoulder and the red on his shorts)</div>
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They were able to hold off the pack (about 70 riders) for the rest of the race. </div>
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At one point Brendan Sullivan (who eventually won) broke away from the lead group and Mark went with him. As soon as there was some distance between them and the group, Brendan started attacking Mark, slowing way down and then surging ahead. Mark stayed with him for a few minutes of this and then just dropped back to the rest of the lead group exhausted. Two riders from the main pack bridged up to the lead group while Mark was ahead. </div>
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Mark was pleased to finish 5th overall.</div>
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It was fun to see Mark's brother, Dave, win the 55-59 National Championship!</div>
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Thirty minutes after the race was over we packed up and headed back to the hotel, </div>
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showered and drove 11 hours home.</div>
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Next year the race is in Ogden.</div>
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YES!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">all pictures taken from <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/2013/masters-road-nationals">usa cycling</a></span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-79803309063611639292013-08-29T08:49:00.003-07:002013-08-29T19:39:15.825-07:00End of a EraI dropped Jennifer off at Heritage Halls today.<br />
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We have been making quick trips over to her dorm room to drop stuff off for two days now but today I came home without her. I felt like crying in the car but it seemed silly. I am so excited for her - a new phase of life.<br />
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I remember so clearly the day my dad dropped me off at Heritage Halls. I was in Young Hall. Excited and very nervous. We unloaded my stuff. Stood there awkwardly for a moment (as I subdued the urge to grab my suitcase and go home with him), we hugged and he was gone. I kind of wanted to cry - I could have too because none of my roommates were there - but I unpacked instead. My home was over 700 miles away and I knew no one. Soon enough, my roommates were there and it was like a big slumber party as we got to know each other over the next few days. Then the learning began in earnest - classroom learning but more importantly - real life learning.<br />
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Jennifer is not even close to the first one I have dropped off at Heritage Halls. Every time it has meant a change in our family. New dynamics, sometimes a change of bedrooms for those left at home. I have mourned a little at the end of my "active mothering phase" for each child, but today was different. I came home to a silent empty home. (Christian will move out in two days but he was at work.) I am now the mother of all adult children. My children no longer need me in the same way they used to. They do not need me to pack lunches, cook their dinners or remind them of things. No more piano recitals, meetings with school counselors or Scout/YW evenings. Do I celebrate or cry? Both I think.<br />
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Tonight, I miss my children; I miss my grandchildren and the house and my heart seem empty. I wonder and hope that I have taught them what they need to be successful in life - but I can still teach, mentor and love them, it's just different.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Friday my life will go back to what it was like some thirty years ago. Just me and my best friend - only it will be different. Our life is so much fuller and richer - closely tied and bound together in an ever growing circle of amazing friends that we also call our children; our grandchildren are a whole new generation who are in need of "active grandmothering" even if it is done by long distance.</span><br />
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Tonight my feelings are tender, but tomorrow the sun will rise on a beautiful new day. New opportunities and decisions will present themselves, and I will try to be ready.<br />
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There are some distinct advantages to just being the two of us again - it will be like falling in love all over again.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-17175695796042400232013-03-08T15:18:00.000-08:002013-03-09T11:52:27.220-08:00Inspiration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8rkfYQxyss/UTpqU7bnmbI/AAAAAAAAEVo/zxpKUVVXQss/s1600/Jordan_River_Temple-570x427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8rkfYQxyss/UTpqU7bnmbI/AAAAAAAAEVo/zxpKUVVXQss/s640/Jordan_River_Temple-570x427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rickety.us/2008/10/utah-temples-tour-jordan-river-oquirrh-mountain-draper-timpanogos-provo/">picture credit</a></td></tr>
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I was a freshman at BYU when the Jordan River temple was built. Our family home evening group went to the open house before it was dedicated. Back in the day, this was a very rare opportunity, to be able to tour a temple before it was dedicated. I was so excited and looked forward to this tour with great anticipation and reverence. We dressed in our Sunday best and drove up there together. I remember the covers we put on our shoes and the excitement as we entered that holy building. "Holiness to the Lord"was engraved on the front of the building. It looked and felt like a holy place as I went past the front desk of a temple for the first time. The first stop on our tour was the locker room. </div>
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What?! ....the locker room? All of my life I had seen beautiful pictures of rooms inside the temple and here we were in the locker room? It had.... lockers... and places to change. The tour guide explained that temple patrons came here first to change out of street clothes and into all white clothes symbolic of being clean. I felt a sweet spirit emphasizing to me the importance of being clean to enter the Lords house. Of course they had a locker room. </div>
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Funny thing is, I don't really remember much of the rest of the tour. I remember feeling peaceful and admiring the beauty and craftsmanship but the most specific memory I have is of the locker room. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wt2a-EJbWY/UTpuHxkCxWI/AAAAAAAAEVw/0Hdvxw17Aeo/s1600/los-angeles-mormon-temple48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wt2a-EJbWY/UTpuHxkCxWI/AAAAAAAAEVw/0Hdvxw17Aeo/s320/los-angeles-mormon-temple48.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/losangeles/gallery/images/los-angeles-mormon-temple48.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/losangeles/gallery/download.php?id%3D2692&h=194&w=259&sz=1&tbnid=eJnc6AtdcH3eUM:&tbnh=160&tbnw=213&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlos%2Bangeles%2Btemple%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=los+angeles+temple&usg=__NwUBKM-fUxWoghkutOXTvIyd9Ik=&docid=IZx-eMqBolk2PM&itg=1&sa=X&ei=9206UYm4L6aHywGCtICoCQ&ved=0CKcBEPwdMAs">picture credit</a></td></tr>
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About a year later I when through the LA temple to receive my own endowment. I was a wonderful experience. This time I needed a recommend to get passed the front desk and before I knew it I was again in the locker room of the temple. But this time I was given a locker to use as I dressed in white clothing head to toe. As I did, I felt a sweet spirit envelop me and I knew this was Gods house and was so thankful that I was clean and able to be here. </div>
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I've been to many temples since then and have found that for me, the locker room is a place of sweet peace and inspiration. Strange, I know. I love the sessions. I love to sit in the Celestial room after a session and ponder and pray. But more often than not, it's after the session in the locker room - when I am folding and putting away my white clothing - and when I take a minute to sit in my plain little booth with the door closed, that I often receive the inspiration I was seeking. </div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-85169887753627345322013-02-10T15:13:00.002-08:002013-02-10T20:18:08.403-08:00A day in the life<div style="text-align: center;">
I was thinking that I should record more of my life experiences on this blog.</div>
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Here's one I was reminded of on Facebook:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoulPbQPZSA/URgZgfigt1I/AAAAAAAAEUg/yDPnB6hAMVM/s1600/sylmar1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoulPbQPZSA/URgZgfigt1I/AAAAAAAAEUg/yDPnB6hAMVM/s400/sylmar1971.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.archibaldtimber.com/retrofitting_of_commercial_and_industrial_buildings.html">photo credit</a></td></tr>
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February 9, 1971. </div>
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I was three months past my 7th birthday. </div>
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We lived at 23351 Bassett Street in Canoga Park California,</div>
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in the San Fernando Valley.</div>
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At 6:01 AM a 6.6 earthquake hit, with it's epicenter 19 miles away in Silmar.</div>
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Linda (who was almost 3) and I shared a bedroom - and a full sized bed.</div>
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Julie and Lisa shared a room and so did Greg and Glen (who was almost one). </div>
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I remember being awakened by a loud rumbling noise and shaking.</div>
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I bolted out of bed in the dark and ran down the hall towards my parents room.</div>
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I'm not sure if it's because it was dark or what, but I couldn't find them. </div>
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I ran back and forth in a panic trying to find them.</div>
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We finally all gathered in the boys room where Glen lay sleeping in his crib.</div>
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We offered a family prayer of thanks that we were all safe.</div>
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When everyone was calmed down, my dad when to find a flashlight.</div>
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As he made his way back to the boys room with the flashlight he discovered broken quart jars of fruit in the hallway outside my bedroom door. </div>
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They had fallen from the top of the linen closet where they had been stored,<br />
as there was not enough room in the kitchen.</div>
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During the earthquake they had fallen and shattered. </div>
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I'm not sure how many times I ran through that area in my nightgown and bare feet, but I came through with no cuts or bruises. I don't even remember being sticky.</div>
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I knew that I had been protected - as were my other family members.</div>
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Our house was fine as far as I remember. Our brick fence had a crack going through it.</div>
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About a week later we drove out to Silmar and saw the hospital pictured above. Parts of it sank a whole floor and a one whole wing fell off. I remember seeing a wheel chair sticking up above the rubble and a bunch of ambulances crushed under a carport. I remember being so thankful that our family had been protected - and very sad that others had been hurt or died.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCPQEpAt9_I/URgofS06awI/AAAAAAAAEU0/itEmE2iteR8/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCPQEpAt9_I/URgofS06awI/AAAAAAAAEU0/itEmE2iteR8/s200/Unknown.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8g81NmUcWc8/URgoftXAHvI/AAAAAAAAEU8/PDZjExO-0fs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8g81NmUcWc8/URgoftXAHvI/AAAAAAAAEU8/PDZjExO-0fs/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQRWhBQx070/URgofhNeISI/AAAAAAAAEVA/I1iDK0kGmMM/s1600/sylmar-ambulance-usgs-thumb-300x199-6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQRWhBQx070/URgofhNeISI/AAAAAAAAEVA/I1iDK0kGmMM/s200/sylmar-ambulance-usgs-thumb-300x199-6437.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_uA-o2lRqtE/URgof7qw9KI/AAAAAAAAEVE/VDy5cLVkQmQ/s1600/sylmar-quake-usgs-tracks-thumb-350x237-6443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_uA-o2lRqtE/URgof7qw9KI/AAAAAAAAEVE/VDy5cLVkQmQ/s320/sylmar-quake-usgs-tracks-thumb-350x237-6443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and these pictures make me feel really old!</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-31297237713810536352013-01-07T21:03:00.000-08:002013-01-07T21:03:00.674-08:00FoodI have had a little burst of recipe re-creations lately and have been posting them on the food blog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCobSELjHZ0/UOZh4aL6zcI/AAAAAAAAEUI/SXXBUrZJIeE/s1600/5922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCobSELjHZ0/UOZh4aL6zcI/AAAAAAAAEUI/SXXBUrZJIeE/s200/5922.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whats4dinnertonite.blogspot.com/2012/12/verde-chicken-mexican-lasagna-remake.html">Chicken verde mexican lasagna</a> 302 calories per serving</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCmA2wB95tM/UOZg1n2ahUI/AAAAAAAAET8/b0JXFeWYiIo/s1600/banana-streusel-muffins1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCmA2wB95tM/UOZg1n2ahUI/AAAAAAAAET8/b0JXFeWYiIo/s200/banana-streusel-muffins1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whats4dinnertonite.blogspot.com/2013/01/banana-streusel-muffins.html">Banana streusel muffins - 76 calories per muffin</a></td></tr>
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I've also made some really yummy soups too that I will post soon.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-10662358409389538102013-01-03T11:55:00.002-08:002013-01-03T11:56:16.043-08:00Life Marches On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryg8WxZBz3c/UOXiJj6wWvI/AAAAAAAAETM/GbIeylo-rzw/s1600/snowy+timp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryg8WxZBz3c/UOXiJj6wWvI/AAAAAAAAETM/GbIeylo-rzw/s320/snowy+timp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Twenty Thirteen.</div>
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I think it was when we were driving to St. George from Amy's house in Roseville (CA) that the conversation turned to the events this year would hold for our family:<br />
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Twenty Thirteen promises to be full of change:<br />
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<i>big changes for me.</i></div>
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Jennifer will graduate from High School - my baby.<br />
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<i>My baby who has become an amazing, beautiful woman and a dear friend.</i></div>
-No more children in public schools.<br />
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Jennifer will spend three weeks in Germany on an school organized exchange.<br />
- I realize that she will be 18, but my baby will be in a foreign country.<br />
- Mark and I will have three straight weeks to ourselves.<br />
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<i>Exciting, different, a little taste of things to come. Three weeks is long enough to do something fun, something productive - and not quite long enough to feel lost.</i></div>
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Christian will return home from his mission<br />
-Can I really be the mother of three returned missionaries?<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Ruby will start Kindergarten</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Jennifer will start College</span><br />
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<i>I'm getting old. </i></div>
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Christian and Jennifer will move out and attend BYU.<br />
- Which means I retire from full time mothering...<br />
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<i>This is the big one. </i></div>
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<i>The first twenty years of my life I looked forward and prepared to be a mother. </i></div>
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<i>It was the desire of my heart. </i></div>
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<i>The next almost thirty years I have spent enveloped in the lives of my family,</i></div>
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<i>most especially my children.</i></div>
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<i>This is a great blessing I have been given from my Father in Heaven</i></div>
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<i>as well as my amazing husband, as he has also made it possible,</i></div>
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<i>not only to have them, but for mothering and nurturing to be my full time job.</i></div>
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<i>I look forward to having having a freedom we have not had for many years.</i></div>
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<i>But, he will go to work and while I will have Kindermusik,</i></div>
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<i>for the first time in a long time, </i></div>
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<i>no one will come through the door in the middle of the day</i></div>
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<i>ready for a snack and some chatter about their day.</i></div>
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<i>I will miss that. </i></div>
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<i>The house will be very quiet most of the day,</i></div>
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<i>which isn't <b>that</b> different than it is now,</i></div>
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<i> but it will feel more empty.</i></div>
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<i>I guess that's why they call it an empty nest.</i></div>
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Mark will be released from the MTC.</div>
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-Which means he will have an extra 16+ hours a week.</div>
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-We may actually get to sit together in church.</div>
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- We will miss the great blessing of associating with the incredible Elders and Sisters at the MTC.</div>
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And then, last but not least on 11-13 of 2013, I will turn 50.</div>
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- Not a bit deal really. But I guess a lot of it depends on the things that happen earlier in the year.</div>
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Twenty thirteen promises to be full of change, probably summed up by a fortune cookie: </div>
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"Your path may be difficult but it will be rewarding."</div>
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Ready or not, here it comes...</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-43288852961698358262012-11-13T07:50:00.001-08:002012-11-13T08:02:50.933-08:00Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LGpuHeNJms/UKJryZuoWwI/AAAAAAAAESA/9XqdF9HMe1M/s1600/SCAN0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LGpuHeNJms/UKJryZuoWwI/AAAAAAAAESA/9XqdF9HMe1M/s320/SCAN0020.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
Dear Mom and Dad,<br />
<br />
Thank you for having me. I know that expecting number three when number two was only 7 months old must have been a shock. But I never felt like I was a burden in any way. Thank you for teaching me about life, this beautiful world, about love and what it means to be part of a family. Mom, thank you for carrying me, for nurturing this body I use every moment of every day. Thank you for giving birth to me - for going through the pain and struggle that is part of giving life.<br />
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Thank you for helping me with homework, paying for my piano lessons, taking me to the doctor and dentist. Thank you for my siblings who danced on the furniture with me while singing to My Turn on Earth and Saturday's Warrior. I know that you spent many hours and tears and worry over me when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 11. I am so thankful for your prayers and fasting and priesthood blessings in my behalf. I'm sure that there were days when you were sure that at age 49 I would be in a wheel chair, quite disabled. Thank you for your faith which produced miracles.<br />
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Thank you for countless meals, clean clothes, a roof over my head and family games of Rook and hide and seek (even when mom cheated and hid on the roof). I have such wonderful memories of sitting in the tangerine tree and eating tangerines, sneaking chocolate chips from the always open bag and canning all kinds of fruit in the kitchen. I remember Dad sitting on the bed with his arm around me one evening as I cried - having just had my heart broken for the first time.<br />
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Most of all, thank you for teaching me that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and provided a plan so that I could return to Him with my family; a Savior who atoned for me - who made it possible for me to repent and change and who can comfort and guide me no matter the issue; and the Holy Ghost which can guide and direct me everyday and remind me of God's love and my eternal worth.<br />
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I love you more than I will ever be able to express.<br />
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And THANK YOU SO MUCH<br />
<br />
love,<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-58339491331426386312012-08-24T13:51:00.000-07:002012-08-25T09:34:28.972-07:00Princess Festival 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ak744ErPgmk/UDfW2R2VhWI/AAAAAAAAEI8/CwUjNxkqJDM/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0174.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ak744ErPgmk/UDfW2R2VhWI/AAAAAAAAEI8/CwUjNxkqJDM/s400/Utah+June+2012_0174.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mark and I were able to take Ruby and Olivia to the <a href="http://princessfestival.com/">Princess Festival</a> while they were here. </div>
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<a href="http://www.karenz-korner.blogspot.com/2011/07/little-slice-of-heaven.html">Mark and Christian took Ruby last year</a>, but this was the first time Olivia and I attended.</div>
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The Festival is held in the children's garden at Thanksgiving Point. There are princess all around and each princess has a story that is acted out with lessons about service and kindness for the audience to learn about. Last year Ruby was a bit traumatized by the step sisters in the Cinderella play and did not want to go to any of the little plays so we wandered around a little bit. First we looked for the Princess and the frog (who was really good at math problems). We found the princess but no frog...</div>
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We found Rapunzel:</div>
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and then something the girls got excited - a horse and carriage <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xip9mm-VE5I/UDfZTxtChYI/AAAAAAAAEJM/AfB1fnkU9PU/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xip9mm-VE5I/UDfZTxtChYI/AAAAAAAAEJM/AfB1fnkU9PU/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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Unfortunately it turned out that a carriage ride was $8.00 per person... <br />
Ouch! So we just pet the horse instead which the girls were quite happy with. Ruby was not afraid at all and Olivia kept a close eye on the horse. He was a very gentle and mellow, very large horse! <br />
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The playground caught Ruby's eye as she is an expert at climbing. </div>
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The day was getting warm so we had a snack in the shade and a big drink
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It took a bit of coaxing but when we showed the girls their pictures on Grandpa's iphone they really liked putting their faces in different pictures.</div>
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Near this bear statue is a cave. It was nice and cool and there were no groups there at the moment. There was a princess and a few friends in the cave and we talked with them and built up a pretend wall with cardboard blocks and knocked it down again. Both girls were brave and crawled through the tunnel in the cave which they thought was quite fun. We stayed in the cave when a group came in and watched the little play. After that we joined a big group activity on a grassy hill. We had some of our picnic lunch, a few otter pops did the hokey pokey, turned our selves around and then did the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7LjHgohBc4&feature=related">chicken dance</a>. I thought we had a video but I can't find it. Anyway, it was getting hot and some of us were getting a bit tired. We decided that an ice cream cone on the way home would be a good idea. We took a few pictures on the carriages they had at the exit, <br />
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and drove off in search of ice cream. At last we found Arctic circle and got some cones. This may have been the most fun thing we did. Olivia was hilarious, She would take a bite from the top and then take one from the bottom. We kept waiting for the ice cream to drip from the bottom but she was able to eat it fast enough to avoid drips. Ruby also loved her cone and both girls wanted a second one. It was so fun to see them watch each other and giggle and interact. A few days after Ruby went home, Olivia and I were driving in the car. Olivia asked to go see Ruby. I explained that Ruby was at her house and it would take us all day driving in the car to get there. She thought a minute and said, OK. I hope these girls always remain friends and remember that they really are princesses.<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-1099788476250524832012-08-22T08:00:00.000-07:002013-09-06T17:48:35.926-07:00Livi lou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since Olivia moved with her parents to Illinois when she was just a few months old, our opportunities to interact in person are somewhat limited. We were thrilled to be able to have her here for just over three weeks. This series of pictures, taken on the fourth of July, provides insight into Olivia's personality. </div>
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To say we are not big fourth of July party animals is an understatement, however I do enjoy our neighborhood "Cul-de-sac of fire" where neighbors come together and share purchased fireworks. We could hear the sounds of fireworks from around the neighborhood and Olivia, unsettled by the noise, didn't really want to go out to see them. Jennifer and I were able to persuade her to go out in the street with us during a lull in explosions. We looked down the street and could see neighbors a ways off setting off some quieter ones that were just on the ground. We oohed and ahhhed and when Livi thought they were cool we decided to just go on a little walk and see if we could see some more. We ended up in the cul-de-sac (surprise, surprise) and this is kind of how things transpired from there:</div>
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She was kind of the same way on the trampoline. She and Ruby tried to bounce together but the unpredictability unnerved Livi and she preferred watching from the ground rolled in the Lighting McQueen blanket. But given the opportunity to bounce by herself and we have:</div>
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She was not this way with more familiar things, she LOVED the carousel, getting ice cream cones, the splash pad - when we left the splash pad she asked if she could swim in one of the fountains (the little swimming pool)... umm probably not. <br />
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Olivia also discovered <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Mother-P-D-Eastman/dp/0394800184/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345416257&sr=1-1&keywords=are+you+my+mother">Are You My Mother</a></i> as well as <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Rose-Horse-Joan-Heilbroner/dp/0394800257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345416222&sr=8-1&keywords=robert+the+rose+horse">Robert the Rose Horse</a></i>,</div>
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In fact at random times she would get a big grin on her face and say, "Ker choooooooooooooo"</div>
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to which we would reply, "up went Livi, up went Grandpa, up went the puzzle and Auntie Jenn fell down flat! (or a hundred different variations). </div>
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She also proved to be her fathers daughter as we celebrated her mom's birthday a little early.</div>
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See the direction of the smoke and which ones went out first?</div>
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Olivia is a great helper in lots of ways!</div>
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Oliva is a thoughtful, careful child when it comes to things she is not familiar with. Give her a little bit of time and when she understands the situation and knows more what to expect she will, on her own, jump in full throttle. She likes to be in control of herself in new situations and flourishes when you allow her that opportunity - and when you are willing to do that... this little girl is pure joy. </div>
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That's probably one reason she plays so well on her own. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">PS Aaron, a job within a one day drive when you graduate would be sooo nice!</span></div>
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Livi Lou, I love you!</div>
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One day Aaron asked her, "Livi, are you being facetious?" to which she smiled and replied,</div>
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"Yes, faleetious"</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Last segment - "The princess festival" - coming soon!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Then maybe we'll get to our trip to Yellowstone and our upstairs remodel.</span></div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-82335898829180309272012-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:002012-08-20T07:00:05.808-07:00A true gem<div style="text-align: center;">
is my Ruby Lynn.<br />
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You always know where you stand with Ruby. She is a very vocal little girl and will let you know if she is feeling happy, worried, excited or upset. Ruby loves to make plans and knows exactly what she wants. Or at least what she thinks she wants. Ruby was so excited to sleep on the top bunk. When they arrived she went straight up to the bunk room, climbed the ladder and checked out every inch of the bed. But when it came right down to sleeping so high up - she felt a little nervous and was relieved when Jennifer traded her for the pop up trundle a little closer to the ground. Ruby had lots she wanted to do while she was here. We played trains and dress up and instruments in the basement - and balls. We missed Uncle Christian throwing them with us but Ruby knew the exact song she wanted to listen to while we played with the balls. And we listened and played - over and over and over...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YV8EtsThAR0/UC639GEsKaI/AAAAAAAAEGg/nmYApoJIaHs/s1600/Utah-June-2012_0149.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YV8EtsThAR0/UC639GEsKaI/AAAAAAAAEGg/nmYApoJIaHs/s320/Utah-June-2012_0149.png" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39H3RJA2XMI/UCF8VmJHTGI/AAAAAAAAEE4/UXDEIYX8EHQ/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39H3RJA2XMI/UCF8VmJHTGI/AAAAAAAAEE4/UXDEIYX8EHQ/s400/Utah+June+2012_0011.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a><br />
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Ruby was excited for the splash pad but after putting her hand in the water a few times she was content to sit and watch Peter and Olivia get into it.</div>
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Ruby knew what animal she wanted to ride on the carousel. She remembered some of the books we had on our shelf and requested them by name... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LMNO-Peas-Keith-Baker/dp/1416991417">LMNO Peas</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Mother-P-D-Eastman/dp/0394800184/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345238268&sr=1-1&keywords=are+you+my+mother">Are you my mother?</a> were among the favorites. And Ruby loves the trampoline. She even let Grandpa bounce her really high. Ruby has an amazing imagination and curiosity. She also loves dogs. One afternoon we were in the backyard and heard a little dog barking close to the fence. I told her it was our neighbors dog, Lucy. Ruby wanted to see her, so we went to the back corner of the yard and I held her up so she could see over the fence. Lucy was still a little way off so we moved to the very corner of the yard where the fence posts come together. I first held her up and as she looked over, Lucy saw her, came to the corner and barked at her. Ruby responded, "Oh! you dreamed about me last night?" She continued to have a conversation with Lucy and when I put her down, Ruby discovered that the space between the fence posts was just big enough for her to put her hand through and pet Lucy, both were thrilled. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fvLZU2FOc4/UBGIbp_wZqI/AAAAAAAAEBw/QFFEibVEV_U/s1600/Utah+Trip+June+20129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fvLZU2FOc4/UBGIbp_wZqI/AAAAAAAAEBw/QFFEibVEV_U/s320/Utah+Trip+June+20129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It't hard to believe she's getting so big. </div>
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Ruby is already planning the next time we get together.</div>
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I can't wait!</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-68025276882096960512012-08-18T09:23:00.000-07:002012-08-18T12:18:01.669-07:00About Kate<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Waa1iys1c0I/UC3FX6pGDXI/AAAAAAAAEGA/bG3V0iSSD3w/s1600/Utah-June-2012_0016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Waa1iys1c0I/UC3FX6pGDXI/AAAAAAAAEGA/bG3V0iSSD3w/s320/Utah-June-2012_0016.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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Katelyn is my newest grandchild.</div>
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Born March 11 2012, she was blessed in our home June 24th.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Amy took some great pictures - you can see more <a href="http://thewrightlens.blogspot.com/2012/07/beautiful-little-k-my-niece.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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She has the cutest smile and adorable dimples.</div>
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If you click your tongue she smiles every time.</div>
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She thinks Olivia is hilarious and watches her closely -</div>
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then suddenly she just busts up laughing.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAEQ1gGYNsY/UBGF93y0bsI/AAAAAAAAEAo/tQqO6a3LddI/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAEQ1gGYNsY/UBGF93y0bsI/AAAAAAAAEAo/tQqO6a3LddI/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0064.jpg" /></a></div>
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Kate rolled over for the first time while they were here.</div>
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Stomach to back and then back to her stomach.</div>
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In the evenings Kate would lay on her blanket and just squeal.</div>
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High, long, loud squeals. </div>
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She was not upset but just playing with her voice.</div>
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We affectionately called her the "Nazgul".</div>
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She was also content to sit on our laps and look at our Rook cards.</div>
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Her serious expressions made you wonder if she was trying to figure out what we would play next. </div>
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It was so fun to see her personality begin to emerge.</div>
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Sweet Kate!</div>
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I am truly blessed.</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-49492298092581497652012-08-16T20:34:00.000-07:002012-08-16T21:39:14.022-07:00My favorite thing...<div style="text-align: center;">
...about having the grandchildren near is being able to spend one on one time with them. I love to let them take the lead and just get to know their personality a little better. Because they live far away and our personal interaction is somewhat limited I am able to see how they have grown and how they are changing. Each child has unique qualities and characteristics that make them who they are and help me know how to interact with each one. </div>
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Let me start with Peter</div>
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Peter LOVES his momma </div>
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The family arrived Saturday night and Amy and Jordan had a wedding reception to go to. We all thought that after a day in the car the kids would be much happier playing here. Amy got them settled and she and Jordan left. I had Peter who quickly realized quickly that his mom was gone and began to cry. </div>
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Before everyone arrived I went to Costco and bought new pj's for the kids to wear in the new bunk room (pictures of the bunk room to come). Ruby and Olivia got similar ones with butterflies on them, and I saw the cutest ones for peter with a fire engine on the front - the only problem what that they only had a size too big. I debated and searched through ALL the pajamas to find just one pair of 2T's but with not luck. I looked around at all the other ones but felt I just HAD to get him the fire engine ones even if they were too big. I brought them home and placed them on their respective beds with Peter's across the rail of the crib. </div>
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I took my crying grandson upstairs and as soon as he saw the fire engine pj's he stopped crying and made a truck sound. Yeah!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y_ZLVxQJcXI/UBQU0XkgaaI/AAAAAAAAEC4/ZnBRQvawxaA/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y_ZLVxQJcXI/UBQU0XkgaaI/AAAAAAAAEC4/ZnBRQvawxaA/s320/Utah+June+2012_0162.jpg" width="213" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rUyZGZ6SHqw/UBQSX7wMseI/AAAAAAAAECo/R6in86N8ReU/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rUyZGZ6SHqw/UBQSX7wMseI/AAAAAAAAECo/R6in86N8ReU/s320/Utah+June+2012_0166.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a> With his fire engine pj's in hand he was ready to play. We read books - his favorites were about cars and trucks and animals - and did puzzles and played with the trains. I also remembered a bin with toy cars that was currently living in the basement and got it out right away. Big smiles - no more tears! While Peter usually likes to be on the move, he was happy to sit in Uncle Aaron's lap and and watch Aaron drive his car game. This boy loves vehicles.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIMmhwfWU00/UBGInGrXGuI/AAAAAAAAECI/ZIgh3ororyk/s1600/Utah+Trip+June+20127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIMmhwfWU00/UBGInGrXGuI/AAAAAAAAECI/ZIgh3ororyk/s320/Utah+Trip+June+20127.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOYd5dXm1eM/UBQXQqqjGKI/AAAAAAAAEDg/L4jPaEv6fhQ/s1600/Utah-June-2012_0151.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOYd5dXm1eM/UBQXQqqjGKI/AAAAAAAAEDg/L4jPaEv6fhQ/s640/Utah-June-2012_0151.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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He absolutely LOVED the splash pad. He would put his face right in the stream of water. He did not love the carousel but was OK as long as everyone cheered wildly when he came around. Peter is mellow and content at times and full of energy other times. He loves to explore and see just what he can do. He is a cuddler and such a happy child. He is delighted when he succeeds at something new. He is growing up so fast.</div>
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I love my Peter boy!</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-35730686022654537162012-08-12T20:23:00.001-07:002012-08-12T20:23:12.782-07:00Amy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3xV3Xt18Bw/UBGBXCOknBI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/1fi_EZtc8I4/s1600/Utah-June-2012_0057.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3xV3Xt18Bw/UBGBXCOknBI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/1fi_EZtc8I4/s320/Utah-June-2012_0057.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Amy Michelle...</div>
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I loved the name the first time I heard it in college.</div>
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I hoped that my future husband would like it as much as I did. </div>
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He did. I love it even more today because of the person that has this name.</div>
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What a blessing Amy has been in my life.</div>
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Beautiful calm peaceful baby,</div>
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happy content child</div>
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and now a completely amazing woman, wife and mother.</div>
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Parents hope that their children will be better than they are and Amy passed me up a while ago. I feel truly blessed and privileged to be her mom.</div>
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Happy Birthday Amy!</div>
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I'm a day late and a dollar short...</div>
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but there's always next year.</div>
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Happy late birthday.</div>
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I love you!</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-57162941113296894612012-08-07T15:38:00.002-07:002012-08-07T15:39:14.299-07:0053 years young<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcvskxuVLQU/UCF7blNTNFI/AAAAAAAAEEw/xmGoGhNELTE/s1600/p1010007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcvskxuVLQU/UCF7blNTNFI/AAAAAAAAEEw/xmGoGhNELTE/s320/p1010007.JPG" width="257" /></a></div>
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This man has blessed my life and the lives of so many...</div>
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A wonderful husband, father and grandfather,</div>
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great cyclist, professor and servant of the Lord. </div>
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He has incredible integrity, strength, kindness</div>
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and just gets better every year.</div>
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So glad you were born 53 years ago.</div>
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So glad you're mine for eternity.</div>
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Happy Birthday Sweetie!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39H3RJA2XMI/UCF8VmJHTGI/AAAAAAAAEE4/UXDEIYX8EHQ/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39H3RJA2XMI/UCF8VmJHTGI/AAAAAAAAEE4/UXDEIYX8EHQ/s320/Utah+June+2012_0011.jpg" width="213" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Dsq-IGi-ng/UCF8WrhGXRI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/OG-REOOdb7g/s1600/Utah+June+2012_0170-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Dsq-IGi-ng/UCF8WrhGXRI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/OG-REOOdb7g/s320/Utah+June+2012_0170-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-53318846041896235522012-08-02T22:19:00.001-07:002012-08-02T22:19:30.441-07:0030 years<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After dinner in Deer Valley</td></tr>
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Yesterday my sweetheart and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary.</div>
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THIRTY YEARS</div>
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Shouldn't I feel old?</div>
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I'm not thirty but I've been married for 30 years.</div>
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There is just something different about this anniversary.</div>
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We reminisced about how far we've come and how much the next thirty years will be very different from the last thirty. The last thirty have been filled with schooling, a growing family, career changes, major moves, graduations, missions, weddings... not that we are through with all of those things but many of those things are winding down. In one year we will be empty nesters - just the two of us for the most part. We have learned so much and grown quite a bit in these past years but still have much to learn. I'm so glad I get to do it with my best friend.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from our bedroom window at the Park City Hotel Cottages</td></tr>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-47658863330300555492012-07-27T11:29:00.000-07:002012-07-27T11:29:00.178-07:00Visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbCx-H97Hqg/UBGBX0m4FaI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/2_MuYuP7LZc/s1600/Utah-June-2012_0065.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbCx-H97Hqg/UBGBX0m4FaI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/2_MuYuP7LZc/s400/Utah-June-2012_0065.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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In mid June our house was full. It was wonderful. All four grandkids and their parents were here. Amy and Jordan and family were at our house for a few days and in town for a week while Aaron and Celisa and family were here a little over three weeks. As both families live out of state I just can't get enough of these moments. </div>
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Mark, Jennifer and I met up with Aaron and family on Thursday, June 21 in Evanston, Wyoming. They were on their second day of travel from Illinois and we were on our way home from a quick vacation in Yellowstone (more on that trip soon). We met at the Wendy's by the freeway (which we found despite the faulty directions of the gps). </div>
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Mark and I had not moved back upstairs from the basement since the finish of the remodel (more about that later) so we just stayed downstairs and gave Aaron and Celisa the master bedroom. It worked out so well and we may do that in the future too. </div>
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Amy and Jordan arrived Saturday night with Ruby and Peter. </div>
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Baby Kate was blessed on Sunday (more pictures to follow)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture by<a href="http://thewrightlens.blogspot.com/2012/07/beautiful-little-k-my-niece.html"> Amy</a></td></tr>
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and then the mighty rumpus began:</div>
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more to come...<br />
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<br /></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-40164529433293689492012-07-26T10:38:00.000-07:002012-07-26T11:36:22.220-07:00Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have lots of things I need/want to blog about - I've been away for a while. </div>
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Amy told me she missed my blogging and knowing how much I appreciate her frequent blog posts that allow me to keep in touch with day to day happenings of her life I decided I needed to do better.</div>
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Thanks Amy!</div>
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So with many important things that have recently happened and are currently happening I choose to blog today about something kind of silly - food.</div>
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Years ago during a visit to Mesa, AZ my parents took us to a little Vietnamese restaurant they like. We started the meal with these wonderful Vietnamese spring rolls. Fresh veggies and herbs wrapped in a rice paper wrapper - cold and fresh - the mix of flavors was divine.<br />
All the food was really good and despite my dad ordering some kind of soup with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripe">tripe</a> in it<br />
(I've seen him eat some disgusting things in my life but this was the kicker -<br />
the owner wasn't sure if they had any on hand, people usually don't order it)<br />
we really enjoyed the meal.</div>
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I have since tried to make them - </div>
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actually I have been successful at making them in the past with a few challenges:</div>
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gathering the right ingredients - regular grocery stores don't carry the rice paper wrappers or the fish sauce for the sauce. Also buying fresh mint and basil from the grocery store is pricey!</div>
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And cutting the carrots and cucumber in tiny little matchsticks just about killed me. </div>
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But I recently purchased a mandolin:</div>
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Where have you been all my life!?</div>
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The best $15.00 I've ever spent.</div>
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I had fresh mint and basil in my garden</div>
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(I will have to plant twice as much basil next year - the two plants just can't keep up)</div>
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and the slicing for seven (or eight) spring rolls was amazingly fast. </div>
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I have to tell you too that tearing the basil and pulling stems on the mint leaves smelled HEAVENLY.</div>
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The recipe calls for shrimp but I used what I had on hand - imitation crab meat.</div>
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I also made some with no meat/fish at all and they were wonderful.</div>
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I'm not sure how many I ate but I am one happy camper.</div>
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Here is a <a href="http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/55841/vietnamese-fresh-spring-rolls">link to the recipe</a>.</div>
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I even made the fish sauce and it was just like the restaurant.</div>
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Except for not adding rice noodles, substituting the crab and adding avocado to some</div>
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and using baby spinach instead of lettuce leaves.</div>
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I followed the recipe just like it's written</div>
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(Oh yea, I also soaked the rice wrappers a little longer to soften them)</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-25240431370861089172012-07-21T17:06:00.003-07:002012-07-21T21:07:54.121-07:00Dream come true and a little nightmare<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view this morning as the race began</td></tr>
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Today I drove wheel support as Mark rode in the Utah State Championship road race in Coalville. This is one race, the Chalk Creek Classic, that Mark has never won. The course begins at the high school and goes gradually uphill to a turn around point - and back to the high school - a total of 47 miles. Not enough hills or length to really separate the peloton and it usually ends up being a crazy sprint at the finish. Last year there was a crash on the last corner because the group was so big going around a tight corner. </div>
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This year they decided to have the Masters 40+ do two laps making it a 96 mile race. The first lap had two riders out front with the peloton about 30-50 seconds behind them. As we came up to the start line to begin the second lap the group caught the leaders and a few riders - including Mark surged forward. I made a brief pit stop and then rejoined the riders. The surge of energy from the front was doing it's damage as riders were strung out and some were spit out the back. The course joins the main road after a few miles and I had yet to catch the main group. After about 6 miles I could see them ahead. I could also see a pack of riders (in a different category) coming towards me. I was going slow because I had riders in front of me and when some unusual movement in the oncoming group caught my eye and I slowed a little more. Two riders bumped each other and suddenly riders were going down everywhere with one bike on the ground heading into my lane in front of my car. I slammed on my brakes and heard at least a wheel under my front bumper - nothing under the tire. I jumped out of the car as many of the riders were getting back on their bikes - except for two. One was close to my car and a little behind me and one on the opposite shoulder of the road. I had no phone coverage so I flagged down a pickup truck apporaching the crash and they called 911. There were a few other cars who stopped that were behind the peloton and there were people by each of the men still on the road. The one in the middle of the road was moaning but awake. His nose was bleeding and he had other blood on his face as well as road rash - he couldn't really move and someone speculated that he had some broken ribs. I went to the other guy who was worse off. Two people were which him. He was convulsing with his eyes rolled back in his head. Blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth and his jersey was torn revealing a compound fracture of the clavicle. I ran back to my car to get a blanket that someone asked for. I ended up going down the road to get traffic and other groups of cyclists coming into the area to slow down. The "shoulder" guy began yelling, swearing and trying to get up. A few people held him down and talked to him as a police car arrived from my direction. I was glad there were other people there. Two EMT's came upon the accident and helped until the ambulances came. Eventually the road cleared, I talked with the police about what happened and agreed to meet them after the race to fill out some paperwork.</div>
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As I got back in my car to find the Masters - hoping no one had a flat while I was gone - I began to sob. Too many what ifs'. What if I had not seen the movement and slowed even more... </div>
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I have driven wheel support many, many times and the possibility of a rider in front of me going down and me not being able to stop has haunted me more than once. It's a reminder to stay aware, keep my distance and do all I can to protect the riders. Images flashed through my mind of what Mark must have looked like lying on the pavement after <a href="http://www.karenz-korner.blogspot.com/2011/09/de-ja-vu-well-sort-of.html">his crash</a> and how appreciative I was for those who stopped and helped him. I took a deep breath and got under control. I still had a job to do... the race was not over.</div>
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A few miles down the road I passed four riders - including Mark - heading the other way. The official on the motorcycle who was following them signaled to me that I should turn around and follow them too - which meant that they had a good lead over the rest of the group. Wahoo! The official told me they had missed me and I explained what happened. He told me that these four had a two minute lead. I knew, by who was in the group, that we would not see the peloton again. Double Wahoo!</div>
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The four worked together until a few miles from the finish line - this is usually where the jockeying begins - the one who leads into the finish rarely wins... sprint too early and you may run out of gas... wait too long and you're history. They took the corner fast but under control and I was able to see Mark sprint past the leader and up the short steep hill to the finish, another racer tried to sprint past him but Mark ended up winning by about 10ft. Awesome!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwuDsWsEhMg/UAs9tZ6qjHI/AAAAAAAAD-g/SV_SgZTBK-8/s1600/IMG_0618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwuDsWsEhMg/UAs9tZ6qjHI/AAAAAAAAD-g/SV_SgZTBK-8/s400/IMG_0618.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still smiling after 97 miles! 2012 State Road Race Champion!</td></tr>
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The sun was bright and the day was hot. </div>
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I pulled the car to the side of the road past the finish line near a tree. </div>
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I popped the trunk and opened the back door so the riders could get their wheels. The officer from the accident approached me with paperwork to fill out. I retrieved the requested information from the car and took the clipboard to the grass under the tree. My hand was shaking and it was hard to write... and I began to sob again... great heaving sobs that just poured from me. My shoulders, back and neck were tight and began aching - as if it had been <a href="http://www.karenz-korner.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-than-leaves-fell-last-friday.html">my accident</a>. </div>
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Much to process. Lots of feelings.</div>
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Gratitude I didn't kill or hurt anyone. </div>
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It could have been so much worse.</div>
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I'm so thankful for the still small voice and that I heeded it so quickly.</div>
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So many tender mercies to be thankful for. </div>
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I felt so much joy in Mark's accomplishment.</div>
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This has been a long time in coming and he has worked very hard for it. </div>
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I hurt for those who were injured. </div>
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So many feelings from times past rushing back today. </div>
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And now I move forward and not back.</div>
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Fear or faith?</div>
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Accidents happen</div>
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God does have a plan</div>
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He is aware of me.</div>
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I think I need a nap... </div>
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and maybe some yoga...</div>
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</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960280496006072694.post-45956608778152117212012-07-20T14:32:00.001-07:002012-11-27T13:54:02.822-08:00And then there were none...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJAwjdP7t0U/UAnMVWS6GLI/AAAAAAAAD-A/P3GHRm7-iy4/s1600/Utah-June-2012_0065.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJAwjdP7t0U/UAnMVWS6GLI/AAAAAAAAD-A/P3GHRm7-iy4/s640/Utah-June-2012_0065.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture taken by Amy</td></tr>
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After three heavenly weeks filled with children and grandchildren the house is quiet again. More so than usual as Jennifer has been at girls camp this week. Just 11 days short of our 30th anniversary we have been as we were then... but not quite.</div>
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Last night we lay in bed, long after we should have been asleep, laughing about how we used to play yahtzee and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pong">pong</a> on our new atari computer. How you used to have to type in exact words or phrases and "run" to get programs to work. Life was good... we had big plans and our whole lives ahead of us. </div>
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We still have a lot of life ahead of us as well as some good years behind us. We spent wonderful time this past month with people who were not part of our lives 30 years ago. Much of the last 30 years decisions both large and small have been made and late nights spent trying to determine what it best for them. While there is still lots of prayers and some effort made in their behalf (as well as for their spouses and children) day to day life is quite different. And next year, as Jennifer will be a senior, we know more changes are coming. </div>
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I love my life now and treasure every moment - but I think that when our nest becomes empty next year... I'm going to love that too.</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423334896632136328noreply@blogger.com2