Semester's End, Spring Travels, and More to Come

The early end to the semester and April 10 graduation are the best things I can comment about the newer BYUH calendar. How nice now to have more free time to care for home, family, and continue old and begin new projects. Completing homeschooling with Trevor was also in this early April time. We had a great first grade experience in reading/language arts! He's such a good student.

SIFE regionals were a big success. The presenting team and several students and leaders attended this in Honolulu. Advancing to National Expo in Minneapolis May 11 - 13 meant more focused attention to scripts, reports, videos, travel plans, etc. But in reflection, it was truly worth all the effort. More on the Expo in Minneapolis later.

In one of our less planned trips, we arranged with one day warning to go to Kona, HI for a wedding of Will Wong and his bride. It was a lovely day to leave before dawn, be in the temple, and enjoy this day to ourselves after. We were home by 4:30 p.m., grateful for a brief yet welcome getaway.

Ho'omaikai Dinner honored BYUH employees with benchmark years spent here. Bill received his 25 year award [we've been here officially 26, though] and chose a gift of ukulele, and asked me to choose a black pearl necklace as a remembrance since I'd given that long to his BYUH endeavor too! That was a special observance.

Trip time again! This time to southern California. We traveled to Long Beach for Bill's WASC accreditation conference, then we enjoyed a time in Newport Beach Temple, a really beautiful time with Rebecca Waldron's mom and husband there and at the Mexican dinner following. The Italian lunch was special too--I'll always remember the beet salad! Delicious! From a quick trip then onto Balboa Island, we ventured to everyone's favorite place, Disneyland. We walked and walked to/from and while there, but had a most delightful time reliving our memories with kids and also making new ones of our own. The end of the day was a highlight as we exited the renewed Small World and stood to enjoy in the sky the ginormous firework display, in all directions. Soaring over California is still my favorite. Love those "fast passes."

After church and In and Out Burger, my first one [!], we returned the rental car
and flew to HNL. Always glad for a break away, but always glad to be home, too. And yes, another trip was in the works. Love spring!

It seemed like I wasn't home long before the adventure to the Midwest--to Des Moines to be with my mom for Mother's Day--a first. Then a busride to Minneapolis to support the SIFE team and see daughter Erin and Avery, a wonderful bonus, then tripping to Nauvoo, back to DM via a day in Cedar Rapids vicinity to surprise my Mary, and finally home after 2 weeks away.

Mother's Day began Saturday, with the edible bouquet arriving from Jenny and family. Loved the pineapple daisies with melon ball centers, mounds of strawberries, and skewers of grapes! A sweet surprise for us! Then on Sunday, I attended church with mom, then she, Mary Ann, and I traveled to Wiota, Iowa, where my cousin Dorothy was surprised by her children and they celebrated at the renovated farmhouse of my Aunt Mary. I hadn't seen some of these special family members for . . . YEARS! Perhaps I was 16 when I was there last? ? Still trying to remember when. Such good food and pleasant catching up time for us all. That night I heard about Megan's day. . . she had given a talk in church [about mom's/me] and has a new calling in RS presidency, so much for her to share in our phone visit.

The Minneapolis trip was a good one, though we wish the weather would have been more springlike. Erin was a trooper to bring Avery and endure the airline hassles which seem to always manifest themselves in Detroit. Note to self: avoid Detroit transfers! Uncle Mike Reynolds and Pam were excellent hosts and we even got to connect with their Bryan and Kayla, who both attend school in that area. Mall of America, MOA, was a main stop for most of the SIFE group, even Bill. Erin and Avery and Nanna and Papa got our fill of Nickelodeon Universe. A bit jiggly for some of the rides, but most for Avery were tame. A tour or MSP by Mike and Pam added to our enjoyment and appreciation for this grand midwestern city. Love the Abdullah chocolates made here! The two-story Target had to be our shopping stop the next day. By then the SIFE event was in full swing. Attended our presentation and -- how rare-- two judges verbally told them how fantastic it was! YAY--they advanced to the next round of competition for the busy Thursday.

Again, verbal praise given to the team, but their place was second runner up, or 9th - 12th place in the nation. We are SO proud of these young people and the PR they gave as well as the SIFE organization here and there many worthwhile projects. Time now to plan for next year! We're glad they are excited to get started.

Erin and Avery left us Thursday morning. We were very glad to see both of them, even though we know how hard it was to travel like this with a little one and that Erin spent her vacation time getting to us. Such a wonderful thing to visit, even if only for a short time. I value this.

The afternoon presentations were unfortunately delayed somewhat, so a decision to get a start on the road for our 7-hour journey was made after a few of the top four presentations. 3 vans and a rental car for us later and we were on I35 headed south for Nauvoo, Illinois. So glad we made it safely, as the next morning a flat tire was discovered and needed a repair. All wandered around the area and we even found a maidrite place--we look for these when in the midwest. The peaceful time alone in the sculpture garden Tribute to Women was a remarkable treat for me. Flowers blooming, I took many phonecamera shots and hope to learn soon how to post those!

The Saturday morning experience was most memorable, attending the Nauvoo Temple with 17 of our troop. A truly beautiful place, it captures the "as it was" feel one would expect to find inside. This visit was followed by the entire group traveling and experiencing the Carthage Jail grounds. Many were touched by being in this space. Photos were special here, too.

The visits in the afternoon to sites and so many fewer tourists than previous trips meant we got so much out of the experience this time compared to any time before. I feel like I know Nauvoo now.

For me, the travel from Nauvoo to I-380 exit 4 was much anticipated. I was staying at a hotel to wait for morning when Kelly Hauschildt Butzen and family would pick me up to surprise my Mary on her 60th birthday. We traveled to the Ox Yoke Inn in the Amana Colonies and yes, she was
S U R P R I S E D ! ! !

The brunch was fabulous and time was indeed memorable. I'm so glad it worked out to do this. Our Sunday was relaxing as we took down their camp site and enjoyed time back in Marion, their home. The new technologies made some of this so doable and the surprise easier to pull off. I'm learning how to text these days, though my thoughts sometimes appear to be Welsh! I hope I'll be improving in the months ahead.

Time to ponder on Monday, and accompany Mary to appointments, [prayers offered] then a busride back to Des Moines, dinner with mom and cousin Mary Ann. Met Katie LePorte, the graphic artist for the Yurich Directory and her husband, Mike. So glad to know these two cousins better! Whew! Much packed into that day, too!

Pleasant Tuesday, preparing for a trip back to HNL. Helped mom clean a bit, too. Travel day arrived, and it was enjoyable, quick transfers, so no time to waste in airports. That is good!

Returned to welcome all -- chidren and grandchildren and husband, responsibilities, projects old and new, and put life back together at home time. It's nice to be home, and...YES, there is another trip this week coming--to Kauai, for nephew Matt's wedding. I'll record that adventure in the next update.

Life is good. The Lord blesses us. I know He has done His part and is so willing to do so if I do mine. Peace always.