THANKSGIVING AND A WEDDING

This thanksgiving we stepped out of the norm and headed to Arizona for Brian's wedding.  The boys were not too thrilled about missing their soccer tournament but there's another one over New Years weekend so they'll survive.  More than 35 people for dinner on Thursday and then a wonderful wedding day on Friday.  What a crazy weekend!  I never stopped eating and we took tons of pictures.  Here are just a few...

ROAD TRIP

Celebrating this MLK Day with Asa and Hamilton!  We drove up Saturday morning to hang out with Karamea, Grandpa and Grandma.  Salt Lake is more fun in the summer.

The boys watched Lord of the Rings on the way up and on the way back.  I tried to be distracted by listening to my shuffle ipod but Lord of the Rings is loud.  So I just gave up and listened to the movie while driving.

We spent Saturday with Karamea.  She took us to a pizza place for dinner.  The boys played pool.  Asa is actually pretty good at this game.  It was late  Saturday night when we finally arrived at Mom and Dad's.  I was exhausted.  Sunday was just as exhausting with church at 9 then fixing meals for everyone and talking with dad all afternoon.  By the time I got Karamea back to her apartment and back out to Sandy it was midnight.  I could barely keep my eyes open on the drive home.  

Now I am back in St. George after enjoying a quick weekend with Asa, Hamilton and Karamea.  Time with my kids...it's the best way to spend my time.    

THAWING OUT

One of the greatest thoughts about quitting my job in April was, "Yes, I don't have to work First Night." That happy thought  was extinguished when CMI merged with KCSG in September.

This week has been all about final details of a First Night extravaganza.  Call time yesterday was 2pm.  Other than a short 2 hour break I was there...outside from 2pm until 1am.  Do you understand FROZEN?

Today my body aches.  A massage is not far from my thoughts.  My house is a disaster, Christmas needs to come down, laundry needs to happen, the boys are starving.  I am tired and my body is still thawing out.  Today will be my day to relax...my bed and the divine heat of the electric blanket and movies.  That's whats on my mind.

HAPPY 2010 TO EVERYONE!  I'm sure I'll feel like partying in a few days.   

INVICTUS

Tonight we saw this movie.  The story of Nelson Mandela and his support of the South African rugby team.  In 1995 they had the heart to win the World Cup against the New Zealand All Blacks.  The title of the movie comes from the poem Invictus.  Nelson Mandela had the poem written on a scrap of paper.  The poem was his motivation to survive during twenty seven years of prison.  This movie is filled with inspiration!

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus is a short poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley.  It was written in 1875 and first published in 1888.  At the age of 12, Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. In spite of this, in 1867 he successfully passed the Oxford local examination as a senior student. His diseased foot had to be amputated directly below the knee; physicians had announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate. Henley persevered and survived with one foot intact. He was discharged in 1875 and was able to lead an active life for nearly 30 years despite his disability. With an artificial foot he lived until the age of 53. The poem was written from a hospital bed.

SMELLS LIKE CHRISTMAS

Coconut bread at Christmas time.  It's tradition.  The first 10 loaves are in the oven.  The boys ask why I only make it to give away.  They just don't remember that they get more than their fair share.  Tomorrow I will make a few loaves of Pizza Bread.  Also a Christmas tradition.  I'm not sure why.  I guess I just don't remember to make it the rest of the year.

It's a busy time of year but I am taking time to realize the lights.  I am enjoying them more this year than in years past.  I think it is because Isaac said that in Germany they do not decorate with lights the way we do in the US.

I love the simplest of light displays.  In our front yard there are 2 palm trees glowing, pillars lined with lights of blue and a thin strand of white runs along the outline of the roof.  So simple and such a reminder of the colors of the beach.

The beach...now there's a place I would like to be. Any tropical island will do.  Just someplace where I can feel embraced by the warmth of the sun.

My week in review - Work, work, work.  Service project on Thursday.  I joined a few members of the rotary club as we assisted in wrapping thousands of presents for needy children in the community.  It's the first year I have experienced this well oiled machine that has been running for more than 20 years.  It's a giant Santa's workshop and there are hundreds of community volunteers.  I think this year more than 2,100 children will receive Christmas gifts where otherwise there would've been none.  This is something delightful.

Also on Thursday, Sunshiner Christmas party...funner than I thought it was going to be.

Then on Friday, Hamilton's birthday.  It is such a joy to fall back into the memories of the year of his birth.  Such a quiet and peaceful Christmas that year.  And a relief to feel that my family was complete.

Ra travels tomorrow for a 3 day business trip.  Back on Wednesday afternoon.  Just in time to clean the temple.  

We are joining members of our ward in cleaning the temple from 9:45 to midnight on Wednesday.  This day happens to be December 23, the day to celebrate the birth of Joseph Smith.  Kind of cool to be cleaning in the temple in the quiet of that evening.         

THANKSGIVING TREK

The turkey was in the oven by 6:30am and we were on the road to our picnic by 11:30.  Spending a day off work with boys sitting around the house and me cooking in the kitchen just is not my idea of fun.  So this Thanksgiving we headed up to Kolob Canyon with our gourmet picnic and trekked the Timbercreek Overlook.  This was a fun adventure and a perfectly beautiful day.  

With Isaac in the MTC and Karamea at work there was just 6 of us and Leo.  Rakai invited Carlie so she took this picture for us.  There was lots to eat and then Asa showed us how to play Wave Tag.  No worries about eating too much today.  I worked it off as fast as I ate it.

I drove home while everyone passed out in the car.  After cleaning up the kitchen I climbed under my electric blanket to watch a movie and take a nap.  Now I'm just ready for bed.

MAGICAL MEMORIES

There's nothing like getting out of bed, twisting my hair into a clip and leaving it there all day. I figured since we were just going hiking that I didn't really need to spend much time on it.

What a spectacular day in the majesty of Zion National Park. Today we hiked the Emerald Pool Loop. Two point six miles of beauty beyond description.

The first pool was a water fountain wonderland. The spray was a welcome surprise to cool us off in our quest to reach the top. A quick stop for water and we were off again. The next pool was an opportunity to get my feet wet and the final pool was worth the walk.

The peaceful sounds of tricking water, the song of a bird and the call of a frog, the touch of a gentle breeze. The beauty in the sights around us. It was completely tranquil and serene.

Only Isaac, Asa and Hamilton were able to come with us. Rakai and Ammon had to work. We treated ourselves to an ice cream by the lodge and after a quick picnic in Springdale Park we headed home. It was a perfectly wonderful day with my boys.

See the slideshow here.

HAPPY LEI DAY

The first of May and its Lei Day in Hawaii. A day when the focus is love. Its like celebrating Valentines Day and Christmas in May. Any time a holiday urges us to focus on love for one another is a good thing.

The first lei day was May 1, 1928. The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, who took a journey from Tahiti, navigating by the stars in sailing canoes. With these early settlers, the lei tradition in Hawaii was born. Leis were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals. In Hawaiian tradition, these garlands were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others.

There are very few "rules" when it comes to wearing a Hawaiian lei. Anyone can wear one, anytime. There are, however, a couple of "unspoken rules" one should know when receiving a lei for the first time. A lei should be a welcomed celebration of one person's affection to another. Therefore, always accept a lei, never refuse. The proper way to wear a lei is gently draped over the shoulders, hanging down both in front and in back. It is considered rude to remove a lei from your neck in the presence of the person who gave it to you, so if you must, be discreet.

I will be enjoying the spirit of this day with my extended polynesian family. All day at the ho'olaule'a in the park then tonight at the luau and concert. The sun is shining the forecast calls for a high of 81 degrees. My chocolate haupia cakes are ready for tonight and I am ready to hang with the poly's.

TODAY IS EASTER

This Easter morning is bright and beautiful. After a few days of clouds, blue skies and sunshine are a welcome sight. The boys sleep it is quiet and peaceful and I reflect on the meaning of this day.

The atonement of our Savior makes life possible for us. His resurrection assures a place for us in Heaven if we live according to His teachings. There is a song - I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus - it should be our theme song. To live as Jesus lived, to love as Jesus loved. To be filled with peace and to live close to our Father in Heaven. This is true joy and serenity.

Click here to view an Easter message from my family.

I have recently completed Jesus, A Journey of Enlightment by Deepak Chopra. I think it is safe to say that Deepak is not real big on the life of Jesus Christ and has a slight misunderstanding of His purpose. I have enjoyed many of the writings of Deepak Chopra but as a Christian and one who believes in the divinity of Jesus Christ, this book is not one I would recommend. To his defense, Deepak did state at the beginning that the story was merely fictional. And that fact was obvious to me as I read. So if you, as a Christian, should decide to read this book remember to rely on your relationship with your Savior and your personal inspiration to know what is truth and what is fiction.

Enjoy the beauty of the day and may you find peace within.

Happy Easter

Presidents Day in St. George brings the Parade of Homes, Baseball Tournaments and Soccer Tournaments. That means the roads are filled with non-local people and everywhere we go its crowded and annoying. That being said, my Valentines Day was spent watching soccer and spending the evening at home.

And what is Valentines Day without a Sugar Cookie? Instead of going out I spent the evening in my kitchen making a little bit of LOVE with SUGAR on top. Its a delicious taste sensation!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I finished Depak Chopra's story of Buddha and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and have come away with a brighter sense of illumination. Here's just one little piece that I read yesterday while waiting for the soccer game to start...

...suffering is a fixed part of life. Fleeing from pain and running toward pleasure will never change that fact. Yet most people spend their whole life avoiding pain and pursuing pleasure. To them, this is only natural, but in reality they are becoming deeply involved in a war they will never win.

Buddhists see suffering as the path to enlightenment. I think that without suffering we cannot know joy. You have to know the bad to recognize the good.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This morning I am psyching myself up for twelve hours of cold. The thought is painful! If you know me at all then you know that I am attracted to all things warm and wonderful- hot showers, hot tubs, sunny beaches, electric blankets, St. George in the summer - just to name a few.

My job description requires me to work the St. George New Year celebration we call "First Night." Set up begins at noon. Break down starts at midnight. So while you are all enjoying the celebration I will be wishing to be wrapped in warmth anywhere but where I will be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

BOXING DAY

It is December 26, Boxing Day in Canada. I know this because that's where my childhood memories are stored. Not only in Canada but in all the Commonwealth countries including New Zealand, Australia, The United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. In South Africa it is known as the day of good will when people give gifts to the less fortunate.

Boxing Day orginated as St. Stephens Day in honor of Stephen the disciple. He was the first disciple to be killed as a result of his proclamation of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World. Stephen embraced his love for the Savior. He was stoned to death in 34-35 A.D. But, as with all things, we tend to stray from the original celebration and create new ways to celebrate.

When I was growing up it was shopping day. Lots of people would flock to the stores in search of the greatest after Christmas deals. According to my boys, the greatest thing about Boxing Day is that it is the biggest "FOOTBALL" (or soccer if you are American) DAY of the year. The big rival teams play each other and apparently that's cool.

However you are celebrating Boxing Day don't forget to remember that once upon a time it was called St. Stephens Day.

May we all follow Stephen's example and possess conviction of the heart!

MAKIN' MEMORIES

Since my family is all together we took a ride up north to spend July 4 with anyone from my Scoville family who could be there. As it turned out Mark, Garry, me, Robert and our families managed to pull it together. Only 2 were missing - Paul and Moana - they live in Arizona.

We went hiking to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. SOOO MUCH FUN! If you look in the picture above you'll see that the water fall disappears for a minute. (click on the photo to view it in a larger way) It actually flows through a whole in the rock. In the past we have been able to walk right into the cave and stand under the water but the spring runoff this year is out of control. We ventured out onto this rock and took a picture as the water flowed frantically around us.

After the hike we paused to capture the memory. For those of you who know my brothers you'll be able to pick them out...Garry is not really a giant...he's just tall and then he's standing on a rock which makes him even taller. All toll my parents have 6 children and I think 23 grandchildren. On this day 4 of their children and 17 of their grandchildren celebrated July 4 with a hike to donut falls. Grandpa and Grandma are in their 80's and this was not a walk for them.

We watched the July 4 fireworks in an untraditional way and decided that we missed our St. George Sunbowl fireworks display. But everything else about the day was fabulous! It will be a wonderful memory in years to come when we find ourselves spread out all over the world.

EASTER LOVE

It's just not Easter at my house if
I don't dip strawberries.
MMMM so yummy!

THE PERFECT VALENTINE ARRANGEMENT

The South Pacific is the best place to be today!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!