2011--January through March and then some

JANUARY
How quickly these months have gone! Normally blogging each month, it has truly gotten away from me. Perhaps there are some reasons for that. Teaching the Tuesday Family History Class at BYUH, temple service on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings, subbing for those who can't come, and the Friday Family History Center afternoons, along with Erin and Avery here and all my girls and their families nearby and the treasured Nanna Dates with my precious grands mean life is full... and I'm very grateful for it all.

A wonderful surprise, actually a late Christmas wish I had, came through in January. I had spotted in November's Church News an invitation to apply to become a young performing missionary in Nauvoo for spring and summer. It sounded SO MUCH like what Megan could do and gain from. . . . but her busy semester end made it impossible to complete an audition/CD to send in with an application. In January, she received an invitation to submit an application since they were short of trumpets! We encouraged her, she auditioned, and she did receive that invitation to go to Nauvoo then. So, it was my dream come true. . . I hope it becomes what she will value and cherish even more as the days come to be there and serve. I really felt she should give it a try. . .and knew that if it were what the Lord wanted for her it would happen. We will pray for her happiness and success in this unique service opportunity.

Erin made 3 months at Hyatt, and got a pay raise--great! Her car accident set her back in some ways, but seems to all in all have come out for the better after all, though it took 3 months for that to feel that way. Just grateful the Lord looks out for all of us. I'm very impressed that the 3 sisters have been so willing and caring for Avery's needs as she is away about 55 hrs a week from here. It is no fun being a single mom, but Erin does feel closer to us all now that they are living with us. Her birthday dinner was at a kid-favorite, Chuck E. Cheese, so the sisters could watch their kids play and have smiles. That was a great gift, I think.

In February, Jenny's Kylee got a super special 2-year-old birthday party on Saturday, February 19th at our house. Last year, her 1st birthday party got ":tsunami-warning'ed out" so a fun cupcake party, complete with cupcake decorating, apron painting, and bouncing castle, and of course FOOD made for a fun day for their family and other friends in our back yard. It was a perfect day! Jenny and hubby got away for J's birthday dinner and we tended for them. WE also loved watching our Saturday basketball games, sometimes watching both Trevor and Devin at the same time! They love the sport! Dad spent a unique week in the south Pacific, in Fiji and Tuvalu. His daily activities and mine are often in different spaces these days.

March came in and left like a lion! Oh, so windy and more rain, too. More weekly predicable routines, but that is good to report, also. The BYUH basketball team, unranked, made it to the final game of D2 NCAA and came very close. Our Jet Chang was MVP--he's been a guest at our home these past years at Christmas Eve dinner. We were thrilled with the success for the program and for our friends, Coach Wagner and Lisa.

The March 11 tsunami generated by Japan's horrific earthquake caused us to once again pack up the necessities and say a possible permanent good-by to our home. Fortunately, we were spared, but some big island places along the coast were affected, and also nearer in the boat harbor in Haleiwa. But, we do not complain. Instead, we continue to prepare our home and store basics. The economy finds itself even shakier than in recent months as the US is joining in a war in Libya, which is causing an increase in our gas prices, hence all other prices. We pray for the Lord to watch over us and our world. He is in control, and will manifest Himself and His works in His own time. I know this.

Lindsey had a March Birthday, along with Bill. Tending the two bigger boys allowed them a " with just 2 date" and she got to enjoy her sushi. A family dinner on Dad's 27th had a family TExas cake for both of them to blow out candles.

And now we are in April! We boarded a plane April 1 for Salt Lake City and stayed there for Conference and Bill's President's Circle meeting on Monday. While he was in the Monday meeting, dear friend and our SLC hostess Janice Morgan and I made our way around the city finding modest missionary-style clothing for Megan. We seemed to have success here and also found the fabric we needed for band uniform skirts. Time to sew when I get home! Keeping fingers crossed that goes well! Seems I don't sew that much now that these 4 little girls have grown up. A surprise was seeing and visiting the rehearsal of WE LOVE TO SING -- a choral ensemble of 300+ women [and a choir of men, too]under the direction of our dear Marilee Webb. She continues to influence not only some in the world, but the whole world as she directs music in church-wide meetings held in fall and spring. She is a blessing in the life of so many.

As I sit here in the Hyatt Regency San Francisco in our beautiful bayview room, it's wonderful to catch up a bit on the blog. It is always wonderful to travel together, and this relaxation time has been so welcome. We enjoy our travels as times to reconnect as a couple. Have to admit the days and weeks are very packed at home. Our getaways are welcome and do reunite us in our "couple-ness" if there is such a thing. Many service opportunities at the temple, FHC, SIFE, plus family, plus BYUH connections seem to fill our days and weeks. We are grateful to be a part of these things, and they do keep us busy in what we hope is FOR GOOD.