Time can play all sorts of tricks on you. In the

blink of an eye, babies appear in carriages, coffins

disappear in the ground, wars are won and lost,

and children transform, like butterflies, into adults.

from: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by: Brian Selznick

my goofball..with a heart of gold...before entering the academy today.

What do you do when one of your children doesn't do what you tell him to do?! He's 30+ years old for heck sake!! Doesn't he know better by now!!!??  Doesn't mommy always know whats best?!
It probably never really worked that way...I've been delusional for a long time I suppose.
But now...
what this 'boy' of mine has chosen to do for the rest of his life has driven me to distraction and worry.
I can tell that this will be an ongoing process...getting accustomed to his new profession.
But my trip to Vegas Sunday night was well worth the mileage. I was introduced to the fine men and women of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.  My breast now swells with pride along with a little less fear and trepidation. Rob is in for a very rough 6 months as he makes his way through the police academy...it looks to be a boot camp on steroids. (boot camp is only 6 week not 6 MONTHS)  I get a little weak-kneed thinking about what he'll be put through to come out strong and safe and confident on the other side....but I now do understand that he's in the best of hands. And I know he's as excited as a little kid about the challenges and at becoming one of Las Vegas's finest. I can also feel his butterflies!!!  Im asking the world...my friends and family to pray for him and his good, good wife, who supports him whole-heartedly. Its going to be a tough row for the next 6 months...and they both will  need all the support they can get.   Stay tuned for the metamorphosis of a mother of a newly made cop!! (Feel free to pray for  me too!! I'll need it!!!)
PSS- is it politically correct to call the men in blue (or brown) cops?  Or is it policeman?

These are his bags of police goodies...baton, handcuff, belts and things I probably dont want to know about...uniforms, workout clothes, manuals etc etc.  Sort of like Christmas...but not.  For me each item holds a little foreboding.

Get a plan.  Follow it until you run out of road. Then get

a new plan- or build a new road.  Build a fire in your

belly that no one else can extinguish.  Stoke it daily. If you

dont already have one, get a dream.  A big one.  Bigger than

you believe is possible.  Do everything you have to do to

achieve it.  Then do more of the same stuff until you're an 

expert.   Stop being afraid of challenges, dead ends and

 mistakes.  You will run into all of them.  Decide now that

they wont keep you from running onward.  Dont you dare

accept mediocrity.  Dont you dare deliver it.

from: Put A Cherry on Top

by: Ben Behunin

Sweet Jenna has a bucket list.
"THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND ST GEORGE BEFORE GOING OFF TO THE GREAT ADVENTURE CALLED MEDICAL SCHOOL."

I've had a glimpse of the list. It looks something like this:
See Las Vegas
Hike Angels Landing
Eat at Cafe Rio
Learn to knit
Hike Subway in Zion
See the Grand Canyon
Hike with Cindy
Have a good time
etc
etc
etc

Its been my pleasure to be included and to participate by playing a small part in helping her plans to come to fruition.  Wishes coming true is a beautiful thing to behold.
Sunday my folks and I and Clark and Jenna all piled into my dads Jetta and headed to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. (The best Rim I might add!)

My fear was irrational!! I know!!! But I couldnt let her go!! She wanted the edge!!! I would have nothing of it!! The thought of it literally made my stomach hurt!!

We thought it might take 2 hours of driving to reach the Rim. In actuality it took 3.  Three hours of beautiful scenery, good conversation...and the ultimate destination!
There were buffalo, and wildflowers, clouds that preformed, and vistas worthy of being one of the 7 Wonders of the World!!
Oh what a marvelous world we have been given to love and appreciate!!
Thank you Spark..for the time lapse. It makes me so happy!! Sitting on the deck with you while your camera clicked away...priceless!!