From Darkness to Light . . .

The last week of 2008 will be remembered for our stunning Christmas Eve dinner, our relaxing and comfortable visits on Christmas Day, and our IN THE DARK Dec. 26/27.

Even though some throat issues are affecting both of us, it's been a good week, all in all. We enjoyed all of our company here for Christmas Eve dinner...though it was a bit hard to take without any of our own family here. Pierces were with the Pierce Ohana, so in some ways it was a smaller group here, but a friendly, congenial company seemed to enjoy the evening here with us. With so few children, adults were needed in the Nativity--even Ken and Lisa had starring roles.

Joining us for sandwiches on Christmas Day were the Pierce crew along with Nate and Christy Tilton and her brother, Jesse. At night, Ken, Lisa, and Sis. Taylor dropped by for a visit.

Friday was the "day we took the tree down"--re: Michael McLean--and by 12:30 we were normal once again. It is always hardest for me to take down the last area, the "in the meadow" with the snowmen and trees, and ornaments with my grandchildren's names. Mary's wallhanging made that so special, too, this year. The good thing is looking forward to NEXT Christmas with a new ornament for Miss Jensen, our anticipated granddaughter. Progress moves us on.

We thought Friday would be sort of normal, but we learned differently later. As the Cottle and Breinholt families from Utah left here [the Breinhold daughter was baptized at Alligator Pond] all of a sudden, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT! And they didn't come back on for 19+hours!!!!

We didn't realize what was happening island wide until a few hours later, thinking it was a "local thing" but it wasn't. We then got out our lanterns, candles, portable radio and played some hands of 2500 with the Rook cards. Bill drove to BYUH to check on students for a few hours, opening up the stake center so they could be in light if needed. Mostly international students only were still around. We heard the power would be back on in the morning, but they didn't mention that if you lived waaaaaaay out in the country that would more likely be mid afternoon.

We survived fine, and were grateful we didn't have to heat homes, provide milk for little ones, and just had to worry about us mostly. But having electricity is a blessing in our lives, and yes, we'd rather live with it than without it!

We're recovering from some throat/coughing issues, so it's good to just have days to spend at home, doing family history, reading [Bill finished his MAYFLOWER book today], and preparing my Sunday TFOT lesson.

We'll be in Honolulu Tuesday to Thursday, starting with a visit to Hickham Base for Nate's commissioning in the Air Force. Then we stay at Ala Moana Hotel to welcome in the new year with fireworks out on the barge in the ocean, away from smoke and noise from a Laie New Year's Eve here. It's then time to complete new syllabi for classes and get in the groove for 2009. I'm glad, SO glad, to have started this blog. I hope to expand my abilities with it in the year to come.

I count the many blessings of my life, gospel, husband, daughters and families, events such as graduations, births, blessings, several travel experiences, and the every day blessings of health, safety, a lovely home to keep organized and cared for, work which can be fulfilling, technology, and so forth. Just so grateful for ALL....so grateful for all of you. May the new year bring blessings the Lord sees we are worthy to receive. SCTTL--my lesson for the day--STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD.

N O V E M B E R & D E C E M B E R . . .

November Notes and December Doings

--It was so wonderful to have Erin and Avery with us for 15 days. Their extended stay came so that Wil wouldn't have to drive with them to Sydney twice, and it seemed to work well for all, even if it rained the first few days they were here in Hawaii.

Erin accomplished many things in a short time . . . Avery is now a dual citizen of Australia and also the United States. Wil has applied for his visa for their move to Pennsylvania. . . Erin has an updated drivers' license and new social security card. She took her GRE and passed--hooray! Mom had her annual wish fulfilled by playing our "Angels..." duet for RS enrichment night. We were able to shop for some basic life necessities and fun things for her family, plus she did her Christmas shopping at familiar malls. Special for all of us was having her and also John, Lindsey, and boys here for traditional Thanksgiving. Erin's yummy pumpkin roll was a hit. She and Avery enjoyed time with the cousins and L and J often, so it was good time for all. Kyle celebrated his 1st birthday, so we got in on his cake dig-in ordeal and celebration. Spaghetti Factory, Chilis, and 4 trips to Taco Bell and Jack in the Box for potato bacon cheese wedgies was also accomplished. Missed Jenny, Aaron, and Wil and Megan at Spaghetti Factory traditional Christmas meal, but we know J, A, and M [he-he JAM!!] will make their own fun Christmas in Pennsylvania.

During Thanksgiving time, Megan escaped to Logan to spend T'Day with the Petersons and Wil had a turkey sandwich since Aussies do not celebrate T'Day as we do. Megan is happy to be working two jobs now, one at Energy Solutions Arena, the other tutoring at West High near her LDSBC campus. It sounds like being a KHS grad is a help to her in dealing with some of the students she has in her stewardship. A quick visit with Lindsey's family was welcomed in early December. She now will be changing rooms in the dorm, moving 3 doors down with someone she has met this semester. We hope that goes well for her. Perhaps next fall she will be in an apartment. . . we'll see how it goes!! It sounds like she'd like to spend spring/summer in PA. . . but time will tell what is in store for her. With possibly a niece and a nephew there, she'd be a well-needed auntie for the summer season!!

Megan has now officially ended classes and has done well in her first semester at LDSBC, and is looking forward to her escape in a few days for PA. I think some skiing and other fun things are planned.

Jenny and Aaron moved into their home in Lock Haven. How nice to finally be on their own officially. It sounds like they are happy homeowners, but had to go through the usual initiation of challenges. It's great the rest of the Jensens are still close by so they have a support system if needed.

The semester has ended here, too, with classes done, and grades yet to send in by this Thursday, but can do. The local floods created havoc, though; we did have an opportunity to offer assistance with laundry and housing and meals for one family. This community is very nurturing, so many came to the aid of others. Laie is a good place if one is in need.

Graduation was a grand but somewhat soggy event...enjoyed very much President Eyring's talk about being a learner in all aspects of our lives adn that it's important to know how to work hard.

Travel time to Iowa was a welcome, wintry wonderland for us last week. We headed straight for the Hauschildts and experienced with them the "down home" variety of Christmas I have always wanted to spend. Dinner out, then home to their log cabin room for games, talking, snacks, caroling, fireside friendshipping, it was just. . . way, way grand. On to Shell Rock for visits with Grandma Lois Neal, Auntie Betty, and meetings for Bill. We got in a day of shopping, with no one at the malls, due to the seasonal "snow scare" and ice warnings. :D Good for us! Visited UNI one morning, and walked around our former campus. . . and yes, we'd both do it all over again, in spite of the changes, and cold weather. It brought back warm memories. . . and those will stay forever. We did some of our favorite places and new places for eating out -- Olive Garden, Panera, Gravy's Diner, and MAIDRITES. YUM!! Mallard Pointe is a grand place for retirement. We think Lois is really in a good place and wish her happiness there for a long time. The meals there were great, too.

We even surprised my mom in Des Moines on Wednesday, taking her and cousin Mary Ann out to a favorite restaurant, Latin King. Again, ice was in the forecast, but we did okay and no one fell down. That was fun, to see how she got excited that we'd come all that way for a quick time to visit.

Our trip back to Laie from the airport on Thursday seemed a bit different...so much water was on the side of the roads...and then we learned some friends had 2 feet of water in their faculty homes in Laie! Shocking! It is still threatening for part of the week ahead, but we hope to manage well, Lord willing. It's time for sun here.

More traveling . . . Lindsey, John and the boys had a winter getaway to Utah then California while we were in Iowa. They got to see Megan in Utah and play in the snow. Disneyland is also one of their favorite places, so it will be good to hear about their adventures when they return this week.

I've been commemorating this eventful week in my life thinking hard on my experiences from exactly 9 years ago. It was a surprise then, too--A Christmas Around the World surprise for Lindsey's performance, then home to some, uh, tests and biopsies. What seems like a dream now was very real then. Those days brought me to this: I'm so thankful for each day, and especially each cancer-free day.

These holiday times are very different from most with floods and after effects seen throughout the island, and with my four little girls now grown up and most on their own. . . but we have so much to personally be grateful for. We'll be celebrating in some usual ways. . . Christmas Eve, Honolulu stake concert on our 34th anniversary. Of course, the music is either on or playing on the harp or piano. Today I got out the Min-prepared CD of Megan's Christmas programs...and loved, of course, hearing my favorite trumpet player of all time in the solos and trumpet sections and whole band. What special memories those bring back for me. Yup, I'm tearing as I write, [oops, a little more flooding!] but it just means Megan, you're right here. I'm so happy for you to be in such a good place, and to be able to celebrate with your sisters. Hmm! That's you calling now on the phone . . . you must have known I was thinking of you. :D

Life is good, and the Lord is so good to each of us. May we continue to know Him and recognize His hand in all our doings. ly mom

Newsy November for the Neals

It is time for a brief catch up of our lives this new month. It's a time to gather together -- at least in thought--and recount our many blessings again.

November includes the last of the soccer season for Trevor, weekly visits with the 3 boys, Thanksgiving , visits from Erin and Avery, basketball season begins, Megan starts a new job, Jenny gets ready for home ownership, BYUH concerts, plays, Hon. Symphony, and at-home Christmas music and other gifting and prep.

It seems very different to be at home alone, just dad and mom. It is very true that we are keeping busier in some ways compared to our lives last year. Dad's new responsibilities for Napua Baker's job plus his former responsibilities mean he is serving for about 10-11 hours at work each day. With children here, that wouldn't have been very doable. The Lord knows what we can handle. . . and when.

We decided the other night this year has turned into his "first mission." He does need/spend more time on BYUH projects. I help by not nagging about his early to work/later arrivals home. It is easier to do this with just the two of us, and I'm thankful he was around as much as he was while the girls were growing. I also assist with typing or proofreading a bit for him here at home. We've had some nicer dinners here, later ones, usually, and fortunately, he doesn't mind if I get on a "South Beach" kick for a week or so here and there. We're still committed to looking good in the decade approaching quickly!!!

My one thought on this "mission" is that I hope he can enjoy the moment. With so much stacked on top of each other, the activities can seem more like checking off a to-do list instead of parts of a journey to be enjoyed. . . I hope he can get enough time to feel "re-created" at some of the events we're able to participate in/attend. . .

Our nights try to be relaxing, or at least, together, unless it is a church night for dad. SIFE, other invitations out, BYUH plays/musical productions are mostly shared. Last night was a special one. It was the unveiling of a restored copy of the first publication of the BOM in Hawaiian. Megan's former seminary teacher, Dean Ellis, had it restored; his grandfather had donated it to BYUH long ago since it was a departing gift when he left here in 1920 on his mission here...but it was in the vault for 30 years at BYUH, then the last 16 months it was taken out of the archives and redone [because of the efforts of Bro. Ellis' family] and now is on display at the Visitor's Center, a rightful place.
We were able to see it and hear about the history of Bro. Ellis' grandfather who served a mission or two here. It was very interesting and I felt it was a great opportunity and privilege for us.

After, we watched the BB team get a good start on the season with an "ice cream night" because of their high and victorious score over 100. It was Lisa's "coach's wife" kind of game :D We hadn't seen much of the Wagners lately, so it was great to reconnect awhile with Lisa and watch the game, too.

Soccer ends today for Trevor. We'll spend time at their house to be with the boys awhile due to a funeral. Being with them always brings us smiles and memories in those chances we get to do that. Although our visits may seem spaced, at least we're "not in their face" all of the time and hopefully, we're a welcome instead of dreaded [ugh, not you again!] sight!! Lindsey and John have their hands full, and we are very proud of them for their investments of time and selves into their kids.

For a diversion, I'm looking forward to the Brahms at the Symphony tonight, too, with some shopping and eating out included in the adventure in town. An oboe soloist is on the program...I've enjoyed that instrument more and more in recent years. . .

I reread and realize that this posting is not that much of a headliner, but it's nice to be up early and be able to update my life for a bit. We'll attend the temple this a.m. also, and a few more times until it closes in late December for what will seem like a LONG time.

Classes march on, and the semester ends in just 4 weeks, then one final day to meet with students. I'm grateful for the opportunity to still teach, though I'm weary of some of the study and attendance habits of my students. [Yes, these are moments I probably need to enjoy more.] Perhaps my days are counted in this. . . at least the HEC class. I hope I last until Megan is out of school!! It's nice to have a chance to help out with her expenses while I can and as I did for the others. It's gratifying to see you've all had a chance to be away from home and to have independent time to prepare each of you to thrive. . .

But that brings me back to the beginning, in a way. With everyone seemingly involved in their own "moments" it is a great feeling as a parent to know how thriving everyone appears in their own worlds. We all have so much to be grateful for. The times can be trying as we look beyond our lives, but some things are firm and unshakable. Our faith, our beliefs, family, make it a calmer environment within in a world of change and uncertainty.

Let us all press on!!!!

TAGGED --by Erin

As of October 25, 2008
Just 2 more months until Christmas!!!

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS
1. Designed to Sell
2. House Hunters
3. Sell This House [the home staging show]
4. Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door
5. Thank [Goodness], You're Here [AUS]
6. Curb Appeal
7. Gilmore Girls
8. Great Race

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
1. Cheesecake Factory [Sweet tamale cakes appetizer]
2. Tanaka's of Tokyo or Benihana-style Japanese Restaurant
3. Phuket Thai
4. Long John Silver's/A&W in Mililani
5. Olive Garden
6. PFChang's
7. 23 Degrees North [Turtle Bay] or Ola's or Leilei's, too
8. Most any . . . not cooking is just my VERY favorite!!!

8 Things that happened yesterday
1. coughed . . . lots
2. dr. appointment
3. got medication [Foodland Pharmacy!!] for bronchitis
4. sent mailings to 3 girls, bought stamps
5. met my student at FHC
6. helped a patron at FHC
7. came home and rested
8. picked up and enjoyed time with Dad at home


8 Things I'm looking forward to
1. going to Pier One today..."Pumpkin Swirl" spray and candles
2. voting--giving my voice, even if I write in candidates!
3. being healthy again
4. giving my RS lesson tomorrow: Daughter of God
5. preparing for my next travel...not sure where/when yet
6. Halloween--seeing the boys dressed up
7. Preparing for the "Erin and Avery" visit
8. Any time with dad, like today.

8 Things on my wish list
1. new, nice kitchen counters and sink
2. finished bedroom [painted walls, window coverings, rugs, etc.]
3. gutters for house before rainy season...maybe
4. travel
5. travel
6. travel
7. good health
8. good wishes for each family member

I'll add one other list:
8 Things I'm grateful for
1. beautiful family and time with them
2. upbringing with solid values passed on to me, through me
3. The Lord's blessings in every aspect of our lives/Gospel
4. Dad's wonderful opportunities through the years
5. Beautiful places we've lived since 1974
6. Learning and loving it
7. Loyal friends through the years
8. best husband in the world for me

best wishes always to you. ALOHA! mom/Dianna

An October to Remember

It has been a memorable October already, and it is just 9 days old!

Last Wednesday evening [1 Oct] Bill and I and others from Laie left on the red eye non-stop flight to SLC. Both of us had been there within the past 4 weeks, but this time we got to travel together. It was a last minute idea to go and to accompany him with the companion certificate. Friend Grant Guinn booked us a room at the downtown Hilton, in an upgraded room, too. So I can say right now, it was truly worthwhile to make that decision to go this weekend.

We arrived at 7:30 a.m., Thursday morning, and even after picking up our luggage and rental car Bill was dropped off at his meeting held at LDS Business College by 8:15 p.m.

Since the hotel early check in was not even available until 12:00, I had to make a plan of how to spend the morning. Hmmm....knowing Megan was probably still asleep, --and we were planning to surprise her--I headed out to the Granger area to Kohl's, a department store where I enjoy shopping whenever I'm on the mainland. Yes, they had some bargains waiting just for me, so this happy shopper decided to head back to downtown and park and do some other errands in that area. I had just gotten to the car and got a phone call--from Megan. She knew some BYUH folks/friends were going to be on her campus today, but didn't know where to find them. In that call I recommended she peek in the Multipurpose Room and she would find them...including her dad! Then I told her I was here, too, and she was surprised again! We made plans to meet after her music class test.

The day progressed well, with walking in the gorgeous weather to JS Building, eating lunch at Olive Garden, taking Megan with me to Walmart, resting up, then meeting dad to eat again at Olive Garden, then finishing the day with TV, rest, and sleep since it was at a premium on the flight to SLC. Our fun time had begun!!

We attended a morning session at the SLC temple then strolled through the temple grounds to cross to JB's to have some breakfast. I spent some time then at the FH Library, learning about the Nichols family name and first ancestors to arrive in this country. Always a favorite place to research and pass time. Megan had a full schedule that day. But she and friends came later to swim at the hotel's pool. Bill and I escaped after his morning meetings to Emigration Canyon, up 8th South, past UU. We enjoyed the colors, winding canyon road, and river to experience a bonafide leaf ride. AHHHH........so nice. Photos need to be added to this to get the full effect. Picture gold, a bit of green, some dark pines, a splash of red, purple, and of course, orange. The day was....perfect.
Friend Janice Morgan joined us for dinner at Benihana's...so the full courses of delicious food made the day, too. We visited with Janice for a bit in our room until all of us were yawning. Jet lag and packed days...but such good times in spite of that!

SAturday was Conference Day #1. Megan had passed out all the tickets and she and friends enjoyed in person while we watched from our room. Early breakfast in the hotel worked just fine for us and there we visited with Grant and son, Ashton. We left after the 2 p.m. session for Ogden. We'd called the Litchfords to warn them of our coming. Bill and Dan attended the meeting at 6 while Nancy and I got another bonus leaf ride up Weber then down Ogden Canyon. :D Kristi Palkki and Matt had prepared a fine salmon dinner for us so we enjoyed that prior to the meetings and rides. Kristi has a huge home for her and her 5 kids...with 3 nieces and nephews on hand at times.

Sunday was our day to pack up and go, though we were happy to watch Day #2 of conference in the morning after our breakfast. We met Megan at her place around 12:30, then ate at Arby's with her before dropping her off and heading to the airport. Our flight was delayed, but it worked out all right. We walked right off the plane in LA onto the next one to Honolulu. Better seats this time, so we had a pleasant flight home.

Just what I needed.....a fun weekend, time to reflect and be refreshed by conference, friends, family, husband, nature, and spirit. In a word, if this is one, AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

September. . .New Seasons. . .SLC/Schooling . . . Serendipity . . .Settling In

School time has arrived. Megan is now settling in nicely, it seems, in SLC at LDSBC, right in downtown Salt Lake. We spent 2 days getting what she couldn't pack and bring and didn't get lost even though I was driving in new areas of the town. I love the layout of this city; the N-S-E-W designations work for me. What a great location for Megan to attend school-- the weather has been great, and when we call we hear she is busy and doesn't have time to talk!! We think that is a good sign, but hope to have her share her first week experiences with us in more detail soon. Mom and Dad remember how exciting it was to be away from home at last, so we empathize with her new life "on her own." That makes our life's season transition to "empty nesting" much easier.

SLC is a favorite place for me. I love the shopping, and now with Janice Morgan there, it allows me to spend extra time to enjoy, too. Janice is our great friend who we hometaught for 7+ years in Hawaii and was also a part of our FHE combined families' group once a month. After 2 days of getting Megan settled, Janice had me turn in the rental car and we attended a Greek Festival right downtown, near where I'd been staying. Yummy gyros, salata, and baklava--a good crowd and lively music and dancing entertained us that afternoon. Stops at other malls--there seem to be TONS of them so close by--then home to enjoy our light supper at her house. Finding Halloween treats that are hard to come by was just one of the "serendipity"moments I enjoyed. Walking barefoot through the grass in her yard was another, too. SOOOO soft! One of her yellow roses blossomed overnight to a gorgeous flower... we visited Temple Square to appreciate the pink roses and other garden delights... got PAF working again on her computer...and found a great message to remember: Grant me the patience to deal with my blessings. Eating a peach or two...reminiscent of Brigham City Peach Days in olden times for us from Logan days. Enjoyed peach pie, too, that Janice made. I even had some alone time to play the piano!!! Ahhh...all of this made for a relaxing break in my usual school-busy life.


Friends and acquaintances just popped up out of nowhere! While moving Megan into the dorm [it's the PLAZA HOTEL property at West Temple/South Temple] we saw and greeted Laura Ditto, our former bishop's wife, and Autumn Keys from Laie [Megan's bandmate from KHS a few years ago] who is also a student now at LDSBC, and her mom, Judy [a family history buff who also volunteers at the LFHC] and visited with Jack and Marsha Peterson who came to see us from Logan on Friday evening. Actually, Marsha was picking up her new car, but we worked into the plan anyway!! We always have fun visits, even if it's just a brief time at dinner. Marsha and I laugh lots when we have these rare chances these days to meet. That was a treat...especially enjoying their company, plus Matt P. and Betsy, too. Cheesecake Factory, always one of my favorites, was our dinner setting...and yes, my favorite --sweet corn tamale cakes-- and regular cheese cake with cherry topping for dessert pleased my palate tremendously.

MORE good stuff: That, plus the visit to Olive Garden for Megan and me Thursday, AND successful shopping at my favorite store just a few blocks from Megan's dorm, meant a packed yet productive time in those 4 days in the mountain-view city--now like an urban ghost town in the downtown area as CityCreek is developed. Although I didn't venture beyond SLC, it was great to connect with this crew of friends. I'll be enjoying having Megan in SLC for as long as she is thriving there! Many people to see and other things to do next time...but this was all so relaxing AND enjoyable for me. Since Megan didn't come home with me on the companion reservation, I had TWO seats to myself. But, as always when I travel, it was great to get home.

We now enter a new season of our life...as Mary would say, each new season is a beginning. We enjoyed a bit more freedom and in some ways, less worry, this week. School demands and Bill's work, plus "student conference week" for me filled my days. Fun moments were the positive finds for students in FH, celebrating Trevor's Super Citizenship at Laie Elem., and enjoying "Sunset on the Beach" here at Kakela. Visited with Ken and Lisa there...Lisa said she is jealous that we can be at this stage of our lives...we remember when they used to come and visit us next door sometimes at the townhouses, staying up late [they had no kids then], sometimes until almost 1 a.m. on a school night for us! Yeserday we enjoyed our visit to the temple, yardwork and closet cleaning, then off to Honolulu for a movie and dinner. Hmmmm...are we supposed to like this so much??? :D

I guess what helps is knowing we've tried to do the best we could in raising these girls. We tried to provide a steady, conservative, predicatable-in-many-ways, gospel approach and routine to life with values they could count on as young people and now as adults. Much help along the way, and good examples in friends and family, helped these things stick. Life is not perfect for them, for us, but we are confident that with prayer and other divine assistance, their lives and ours can be very worthwhile and successful.

Here's to 28.5 years of parenting in the home [roots]!! Here's to happiness for them all as they remember their roots...and take wings and fly!!

Tagged!

This looked like fun!!

1 rule: use one word that comes to mind to answer the question...but if you have to use a few, it's okay!!!
1. Where is your cell phone? drawer
2. Your significant other? forever
3. Your hair? natural
4. Your mother?thoughtful
5. Your father? reunited
6. Your favorite thing?napping lanai
7. Your dream last night? unremembered
8. Your favorite drink? A&W
9. Your dream/goal? celestialized-family
10. The room you're in? computer
11. Friends? been close a long time
12. Your fear? driving
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mission (or travel)
14. Where were you last night? home after class
15. What you're not? discontent
16. Muffins? no thanks
17. One of your wish list items? bedroom redo
18. Where you grew up? Iowa
20. What are you wearing? 'jamas
21. Your TV? off
22. Your pets? allergies
23. Your computer? Dell
24. Your life? daily gratitude
25. Your mood? unpredicatable family loves this! --not!!
26. Missing someone? Family (grateful for blogs, chats, Skype)
27. Your car? Camry
28. Something you're not wearing? Shoes (Hawaii!)
29. Favorite Store? Christopher and Banks --tomorrow :D
30. Your summer? Traveling
31. Like someone? Bill (and love)
32. Your favorite color? any
33. Last time you laughed? yesterday [Running-boy Avery]
34. Last time you cried? Goodbyes (saying goodbye to family)

Sorry, one word is just NOT me!!!