On My Honor....

...he had such a hopeful and confiding
nature that he was always ready to believe
in whatever seemed beautiful and good. He
kept his heart continually open, and thus
was sure to catch the blessings from on
high when it should come.
from: The Great Stone Face
by: Nathaniel Hawthorne

We had a WONDERFUL evening celebrating Brian's and Blake's achievement of the Eagle Rank!
So many people contributed to making it a perfect evening!! And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. It was one of those moments when you knew that it truly does take a village to raise a child. Especially a boy child!!!
We are so very proud of Brian!! and Blake!!!
Its a BIG deal getting such an award!!!

Blast From the Past!!

The sweet little fairy princess is my niece, my brothers youngest daughter! This was last year's Halloween. The amazing pics were taken by a VERY talented neighbor!!! I love how these photos make me feel!! Its depicts all thats good about Halloween!! Enjoy!!!!

The gods only go with you, Cerdic,
if you put yourself in their path.
from: The Crystal Cave
by: Mary Stewert

We are so proud of our last born!! Hes the first to put in the serious time and work to get this award!! Tonight is the celebration...and we are grateful for all the family and friends that plan on joining us to honor Bri and his best bud Blake!! Pictures will follow tomorrow!!!
(chelsea is the artist behind this great shot!!)

Such a tragedy!!This is a very sad story about a bear. Everybody should heed the warning to not feed wildlife because they become dependent and cannot forage for themselves anymore. This is such a tragedy to see what they have done to our country's wildlife! The photo below captures a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect US wildlife . . . .... Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signsof belonging to the Democratic Party.... as they have apparentlylearned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and providefor their care and sustenance. This photo is of a Democratic black bear in Montana nicknamed .. .. .Bearack Obearma.


(thanks lynley--it was cause for a good laugh)

I MISS This Boy!!!

Growing up spoiled a lot of things.
from: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
by: Betty Smith

* 45% of Americans don’t know that the sun is a star.
* 70% of the poor people in the world are female.
* 96% of people put the peanut butter on first when making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

* 27% of female lottery winners hid their winning ticket in their bras.
* In a lifetime, the average driver will honk 15,250 times.

* Thomas Edison, lightbulb inventor, was afraid of the dark!
* Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills in Ireland!
* Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day!
* You’re born with 300 bones, but when you get to be an adult, you only have 206!
* 101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan are the only two Disney cartoon features with both parents that are present and don’t die throughout the movie.

* A dragonfly has a lifespan of twenty-four hours.
* A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. No one knows why.
* A female ferret will die if it goes into heat and cannot find a mate.

* Every day 20 banks are robbed. The average take is $2,500!
* The most popular first name in the world is Muhammad!

* Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult!

Blast From the Past!!

Amber and Meagan!!
Last years Halloween costumes!!
Gotta LOVE these girls!!!
I bet they're missing their big brother this year, as he serves his mission in Texas!!

Give a glittering scale to each of
the other fish. You will no longer
be the most beautiful fish in the sea,
but you will discover how to be happy.
from: The Rainbow Fish
by: Marcus Pfister

Clarks cousin Ben, sent us this picture, informing us that the photo was/is going to be published in the Liahona Magazine sometime soon!!! My boy's a celebrity!!! And tall too!!!
Keep stand'in tall my love!!!

If You Cant Beat'm, Join 'Em!!!

I do not like football, which I think of as a game
in which two tractors approach each other from
opposite directions and collide. Besides, I have
contempt for a game in which players have to wear
so much equipment. Men play basketball in
their underwear, which seems just right to me.
from: Living Out Loud
by: Anna Quindlen

I have my father to thank for my appreciation of the game of football. And my mother for taking it all in stride.
Growing up we watched football, in our cozy little den/office.
For some reason I was happy to watch football with my family.
If I remember correctly- in my youth it was all about the Washington Redskins!!! Later, after we moved to California, it was all about the 49'er!!!
I think we ate popcorn while we watched.
Now Im grateful, for I find it enjoyable and even relaxing to watch football with MY family. And the added benefit is that I GET it!! I understand the intricacies of the game. I know how they earn points. (unlike golf and tennis) I appreciate the athleticism. I can argue with the refs. about a stupid call or question why a flag wasnt thrown!!!
But...
Im not a fanatic.
I dont know any stats.
I dont know names of the star players, or even the names of all the teams.
But...
I like the game enough to take the time to sit and watch.
I love that I can sit in the room and watch and even contribute.
And I get to do this in the company of my men folk!!! Its a fun bonding activity.
Its a simple pleasure!!!

So thanks Dad!!!

GOOD GAME CARDNIALS AND GIANTS!!!!
GOOD GAME!!!!

"Trying to maintain order during a legalized gang brawl involving 80 toughs with a little whistle, a hanky and a ton of prayer."
(a referee, explaining his job)

Im LOV"IN the smell of: burning leaves-its burn season in our community; not so in love the the smell of melting plastic due to the lightbulb in Doobies encloser/kiddy pool in our bedroom. The lightbulb is there to try and warm Doobies reptilian heart through the winter. It could be a long winter with a pool FULL of holes!!!; the funeral potatoes I cooked for sunday dinner-does anyone outside of Utah call the sour-cream potatoes anything but 'funeral potatoes'?

I'm Lov'in the Taste of: home grown pistachios; home grown pomegranates-boy are they particularly yummy this year!!; pickles 'n melted cheese on Triskets; homemade applesauce; salmon-yep, we're still enjoying the fruits of Brians trip to Alaska!! YUM!!; coconut- I've been baking with it recently.

Im LOv'in the sight of: autumn leaves chang'in in Zion, and a little bit here; Olives chubby cheeks; So You Think You Can Dance; Logan free standing on the family room floor- I give him 2 weeks and he'll be walk'in!!; Zoey's brown eyes and her company here in our home again; pumkins.

Im LOV'in the Feel of: Logan's wavy blonde hair; L's stubbily buzz; could it be that the hot flashes have begun....bring on the heat!!!; my Builders arm around me, holding me close in our meatlocker church building, attempting to keep me warm, hoping to insure that I wont bolt for home to defrost.

Im Lov'iN the Sound of: Justus's shuffle down the hall when he returns home; L begging to "go to MiMi's house" on the phone; Logan say'in da da;

Im Lov'In the Idea of: recycling in St George; Brian getting his Eagle Scout Award this week; Justus hitt'in the "send" button so his mission call will come. (I wonder where he'll go?); of receiving the inspiration we needed for the Church Christmas party.

Wee Pumpkins!!!

When you discard arrogance, complexity
and a few other things that get in the way,
sooner or later you will discover that simple,
childlike, and mysterious secret known to
those of the Uncarved Block: Life is FUN!!
from: Tao of Pooh
by: Benjamin Hoff

Wee Logan...11months

Olive..6wks "L"..2 1/2yrs

He would have passed a pleasant life of it,
in despite of the Devil and all his works, if
his path had not been crossed by a being
that causes more perplexity to mortal man
than ghosts, goblins, and the whole race
of witches put together, and it was...a woman.
from: Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by: Washington Irving

My Builder and I had an interesting conversation last night while dining at a local BBQ restaurant.
While we shared a tasty meal of ribs and brisket, the Magic and the Hawks were playing a game on the tv that hung in the corner of the establishment. I know NOTHING about these two teams...but it took only a few seconds to surmise that the Magic was stomping all over Atlanta!! Nothing was going Atlanta's way. I also quickly observed that the Magic seemed to have a one man band go'in on. There was a star player- what I would call a ball hog.
As I swiveled my head around to glance again at the action...there he was again-standing at the free throw line, taking some foul shots. I took a double look, and before I even asked my Builder what he name was, I exclaimed, " My , my, that's a mighty fine body!!"
(Note: somehow, some way I have 'conditioned' my Builder with this kind of talk. It has been going on for years and years, and I think its fairly safe to say that my Builder is secure in his manhood, and how I feel about him.) I have never really had to curb my tongue or thoughts, knowing that my love for my Builder is deep, unshakable and never based on how big his 'guns' are.
Anyway...My Builder knew who this player was...right away. His name is Dwight Howard. And my Builder also made some witty comeback about how it is for men and how they could NEVER make that type of comment about a woman.
I looked him square in the eye and questioned him as to why he felt he couldnt? ( I happen to know that he finds Olivia Newton John to be a hotty.) I wondered why he didnt feel he could reciprocate like feelings about some super human, airbrushed, Hollywood bimbo? His honest reply, "Men are different that way." (dah) "When men look at a women, it a whole different experience." (duh) "Thats just the way we are built and its our constant battle to keep it in restraint." (duh)
I get this...I've raised 4 sons...I get this.
Bless my man!!
And as I continued to enjoy watching this beautiful piece of man-flesh known to the world and his mother as Dwight, I explained again to my hubby that when I look at a man like this, I am filled with admiration- not lust- only for what that perfect physic represents. The hours or work outs, the blood, sweat and tears that it takes to 'produce' such a specimen. (plus good genetics too)
So here's to good old fashioned man watching, ladies!!! And to realizing once again that when a woman is oogled at .... Thats Not What they are THinking!!!
I like my world better!!!

the beautiful Dwight Howard!

...and all things denote there is a God;
yea, even the earth, and all things that
are upon the face of it, yea, and its
motion, yea, and also all the planets
which move in their regular form do
witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
from: The Book of Mormon
by: Alma the High Priest

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

DI D YOU KNOW.....

"Can you twirl, and waltz and curtsy?"
asked Heber. "No," said Fanny. Then
she said, "But I know how to harness
a horse, plow a field, and shuck corn."
from: Fannys Dream
by: Caralyn Buehner

Kenny Chesney is brilliant.

Yams, that I LOVE, have 10 times more vitamin C than sweet potatoes.

I long for a chandelier to hang over my bed.

1/2 cup of raisins has 250 calories!!!??

Keywords take all the fun out of blogging.

Peaches and apricots are my fav....farewell dear fruit...for a season.

The only good thing about winter.....hot tubbing!!!

Canaries were used to test the air quality of mine shafts.

Apples are more effective at keeping people awake in the morning than caffeine.

The difference between a rock and a cliff...a rock, like The Great White Throne can be circumvented (walked around) and a cliff cannot.

Cockroaches can live for 9 days after their head has been cut off.

Mexico and Iceland have the highest per capita consumption of Coca-Cola

Pinocchio is Italian for "pine-head."

More people die from vending machines falling on them each year than shark attacks.

There is one slot machine in Las Vegas for every eight inhabitants!

I Am Delighted!!!

I am delighted. My life goes well.

I must say it as clearly as I can
before Im gone.

So little delight there can seem in the world.

Almost as if it's shameful or naive
to love what is there:

A new collapsible pair of glasses
flat in a one-inch pouch--imagine!

Can be worn inside my bra.

Anywhere the telephone book,
a needle, newsprint--it's Okay.

Touch a key on my new computer,
Clean up window. And tiny icons
on a desktop scoot about for space--
alphabetical!

Take a 4 o'clock walk from Ketchum
past the fields and watch a young mare
and gelding frolicking like kittens,
a nine-year old biker trying to look nonchalant
as he sails past you
with no hands.

Hear the brook getting in with
the white swans at the black pond.

Feel the sun making its last statement
to the fence posts.

Smell the perfume of the yellow haired
lady strolling with the short man's hand.
Nod as the Land Cruisers give way
to the languid redolence
of manure.

Back, find the word you've hunted for:
forage, jasmine, medallion.

Taste the strawberries on yogurt
at your own sink.

Let the shower have its way with
your hair.

Be tired.

After they have stood and sat and walked
and climbed the stairs, put those legs
to bed.

Talk not at all.

Take as long as you need
to find the fit.

And those eyes, let them close.

See, see, particles of delight
to sleep with
and be delightfully surprised by
tomorrow.

by: Emma Lou Thayne

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing." said Piglet, taking Pooh's
paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
from: Winnie the Pooh
by: A.A. Milne

This sweet boy has grown up to be a VERY fine man!!
Today we are pleased to honor the day of his birth.
And to celebrate we're having POT ROAST!!
With adoring family gathered around....I will continue to try and win his heart through his stomach.

Pot Roast and Gravy

Joe's path to heaven will be lined with beef and gravy and with fast food burgers!!
In his heaven will also be his beautiful wife and his off the scale handsome boy(s)and 18 holes of golf!!!
I love this boy with all my heart!!
Everyday I feel so grateful that he lives nearby....and love that he'll stop by and eat a bowl of cereal and brighten our day.
Happy, happy birthday my love!!
We are so very proud of you!!

We seem to be within a great
honeycomb of light, the burning
center of an immense flaming rose.
from: Platero and I
by: Juan Ramon Jimenez

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ELDER CLARK?

"Can I have a pig too, Pop?" Arable replies-
"I only distribute pigs to early risers, and
Fern was up at daylight trying to rid the
world of injustice."
from: Charlotte's Web
by: E.B. White

Clarks new mission president and wife have started a lovely blog!! I send out my quiet gratitude to them each time I stop by to see whats going on in Santiago!! Its a shot in the arm to see images of the boy we love and to read about the magnificent leadership these young people are enjoying!! I scrolled through the snapshots, looking for a glimpse of our son...and low and behold...I found some. Give it a try...click on the photo, and see if you can see our handsome guy in the crowd!!??
Once again, Im at a loss for words to try and describe my gratitude in realizing what a huge gift it is in these young peoples lives to be out in the world doing what they are doing. Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ has no other rival in importance in this world!!! I can see our Clarkly growing into the finest individual there is, right before my eyes....though my eyes and arms long to behold him and squeeze him right here right now too.
You too can enjoy the missionary spirit, in a small way. Click HERE and take a peek into the life of a missionary in Santiago Chile. Its fun!!!

RED MOUNTAIN TRAIL AND AWESOME CHASM

Here we have Awesome Chasm....its awesome!!!
And believe me when I tell you that you cant possibly capture the 'awesomeness' of this chasm on your camera. Just visualize this slot, this crack, this ravine, this chasm, that drops straight down for at least 1500 feet!! Straight down!!! Did I mention that its pretty awesome?
The people that I hike with are really awesome too. This is Leanne; shes awesome. She ran the St George Marathon a couple of weeks ago. She shaved 12 minutes off her time from the last time she ran it...12 yrs ago!!! Thats awesome. I believe Leanne loves to hike as much as I do.
Here's another try at capturing the grandeur of Awesome Chasm...I told you...it cant be done.
This is Nick and James. They are really awesome. I've known Nick for years. I knew that Nick would make a great hiking guide. He knows Zion National Park like the back of his hand. He's an outdoor enthusiast. Hes sporting his brand new Camelback backpack that he just bought. He thinks its really awesome! We were very happy to have him along this morning, and we look forward to gleening all is awesome knowledge of this area.
Then there's James. I've only know James a few weeks. But already I can tell that he's awesome. He works hard, he plays hard, and the man wants to fly!!! At every precipice he longs to jump off and fly. Hes convinced that it would be awesome!! Me...I like both feet on the ground, thank you very much. James is partner in the new Resort venture. He's doing all he can to make Desert Cliffs awesome for all that come and stay.

This darling lady is Melanie. Shes new to Southern Utah. She my new neighbor. And I knew right away that she was awesome. She's here to make a new start, and is going to be a huge asset to our new hiking staff!! Melanie loved to hike in Colorado, but if I understand what I read on her facebook wall, I think she loves hiking here even more!!! How awesome is that?
Heres awesome Leanne again. We all had to poise for a picture for use on their new blog about Desert Cliffs Spa and Resort.
Nick had a laissez-faire attitude about his portrait being taken....that's an awesome way to be.
I on the other hand was avoiding the camera this day. My hair wasnt awesome.
This is John, husband and helpmeet toLeanne, and founder of Desert Cliffs Spa and Resort. Can I just say...He's AWESOME!! He's soft spoken, a ponderer,(this might not be an awesome word) and the brawn behind the beautiful idea. He's patient and supportive and has vision. I feel so lucky to share the trails with him. He and James have an awesome road to hoe...but it'll be a great ride!!!
I wonder how it is that I am surrounded by such awesome scenery AND by such awesome folks.
I just know that every single day I utter a prayer of thanks and gratitude for my life, my friends, and my family!!! and my good health!!!
AWESOME!!!!

The Office...What is The Office???

I think I've watched The Office maybe twice...I just dont get it. My boys love it!! I dont get it.
But I "GET" this video...does that make me hip?
I know it makes me smile!!!
Enjoy!!!

It sometimes happens, even in the best
of families, that a baby is born. This is
not necessarily cause for alarm. The
important thing is to keep your wits
about you and borrow some money.
~Elinor Goulding Smith

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

They were kind to their old people, who remembered
and enforced the ancient customs of the tribe, but
when an old person became decrepit, it was time for
him to go. Sometimes he was simply abandoned,
with a little food, on an island in the lake. If he
deserved special honor, they held a tribal feast for
him. The old man sang a death song and danced, if
he could. While he was still dancing, his son came
from behind and brained him with a tomahawk.
from: The View From 80
by: Malcolm Cowley

No sooner does Doobie make a full recovery due to the miracle of antibiotics and his now residing indoors in our bedroom in a big plastic kiddie pool, where its warm.....
do I then turn around to discover that old man Pig-bird is dead on the bottom of his cage. (there will be no reviving of him)
Pig-bird has been with us for at least 7 years.
Small birds dont normally live 7 years.
We have considered ourselves lucky and grateful to have had him with us for so long.
Pig-bird will be missed.
Boy oh boy could Pig-bird sing!!
We will miss his presence in the corner of our kitchen.
And since I carry no guilt about his inevitable death, I will probably look into replacing him in the not so distant future.
I also want to acknowledge Bri-dog - my ever sweet, sensitive teenage son- who will KILL me for using those adjectives to describe him-but he just is!! Bri-dog felt prompted to give Pig-bird a proper burial. And so we 'planted' Pig-bird next to the artichoke plant in the side yard.
May heaven enjoy his sweet, melodic tunes, churps and tweets as much as we did!!!
(image from flickr)