Kudi's Paramedic Graduation

Just a couple more weeks and Kudi graduates from the Paramedic program at Dixie State College. It has been an intense couple of years and she has done extremely well. This girl is a hard worker, a dedicated student, an intelligent organizer, and she is still our soft-hearted, lovable Kudi-bear. She's been at the top of her class the whole way, and we are very proud of her.

My Latest Project

I have been looking for a new bedspread for about two years. It's not that I am so picky, it is that I have a deep mattress, and it seemed impossible to find a comforter to fit the dimensions that I needed. But I finally found one, or so it said.

When I got it home, the sheets fit fine, but the comforter was still not large enough to cover the mattress. But I liked it, and I didn't want to return it, so I ended up using the sheets to make a ruffle. I think it turned out cute. And I bought new towels and rugs for the bathroom.

And, wah-lah, my summer project is complete! (Well, almost. I'm going to quilt a cover for a throw pillow with the rest of the sheet. Then I'll be done. ;-)

The Best Five Dollars I Ever Spent

I bought this little radio for $5 from Walmart a long time ago. Like maybe 10 years. Maybe longer. And I've only changed the batteries in it one time. Seriously. It is a marvel.

So I went to the pool yesterday, and since I was going by myself I decided I needed to take some music. I didn't want to take my Ipod, because trying to balance it on my chest while I'm floating around the pool seemed a recipe for disaster, or at least for a ruined Nano, so I opted for the little blue radio.

After 2 hours, yes, 2 hours (I was really taking in some rays) I decided to try another station. When I couldn't find a good one, I turned the radio off and left it standing, apparently, a little too close to the edge. A few moments later, I hear a "plop" and my head pops up and I see the radio going down! I swam as fast as I could to rescue it, but as I held it up to let it drain, water was dripping from every seam and crack, and I thought, "Oh no, I've killed our faithful little radio." I pulled the batteries out and left it in pieces laying in the sun to dry out. Since it was 108° out, I figured it wouldn't take too long. I tried it when I got home, but no go. Maybe if I let it dry overnight?

And sure enough! It's back! I'm so impressed with this durable little miracle. It really is a marvel.

Monkey Business

When the girls were little we took them to Tsubaki Wild Monkey park. It's only about an hour and a half south of Tanabe, but the road is, as always in Japan, narrow and windy. We got there, parked the car, and started walking down the mountainside, down some switchbacks that led to a cove. We're walking and looking all around and see - NO monkeys. Not any. Anywhere. And I think, oh no, this is going to be like a trip to Yellowstone when you don't see any bears, and we've come so far not to see any monkeys! I had taken our essential supplies in a little red napsack, along with some bananas, because we are going to see monkeys, so of course, I should take bananas. Well, I reached in to my backpack and pulled out the bananas and at the flash of yellow, the very rocks began to move. The monkeys had been camoflaged and had blended in so well, we didn't see them. But now they are on the move and we can see a thousand monkeys from all over coming toward us.

I shove the bananas back in the bag, thinking: out of sight, out of mind. Right? Well, the monkeys keep coming and one gets up on the 3 foot wall behind me, and we're doing the Virginia Reel with the kids trying to keep us all together and keep away from the monkeys, when suddenly the female from the wall jumps down and grabs my back pack. All of our important immigration papers we are required to carry with us, are in there . Along with my wallet. My arms straighten out as she pulls, I pull back and her arms straighten, and she bares her teeth and growls at me. We do that a couple of times. I look at Scott and yell, "What do I do?" "Give her the bag!" he yells back. "NO!" I say.

Then the monkey reaches up and flips opens the flap on the backpack, sticks her hand in and grabs the bananas. She starts running, awkwardly upright, cradling her loot. But now all the monkeys are after her. So she tucks the bananas under one arm like a football, and races off on three legs just as fast as she can go.

I look at Scott, blinking and stunned, and I hear myself say, "I just got mugged by a monkey!"

Observation Point - Scotty's Turn

I really wanted Scotty to see Observation Point in Zion National Park, so I hiked it again, this time with him. I didn't know he had Monday off for Independence Day, so it was kind of a last minute thing, made possibile by Tara, who was willing to take the boys to their dentist appointments I had scheduled. (Thanks for always being so willing to help out, Tara!)

We tried to beat the heat and get on the trail early. There was a great deal of the hike that was in the shade, at least on the way up. Still, it was in the 90's. We each took 1.5 liters of water, and a liter of Powerade, and drank it ALL.

Scotty nearly stepped on a rattle snake. A BIG rattle snake. I only saw the last 12 inches of it's fat body. As it headed under a rock it paused long enough for me to count 8 or 9 sections on it's rattler. I was freaked out enough that I couldn't get a picture.

He always notices things that I never see... for example the hidden camera taking pictures of the trail. Apparently we were being observed on the trail to Observation Point. Kudi called it a "Game Camera." I'm not sure how it could differentiate between game and people, so I'm thinking we got our pictures taken. Or maybe it operates on a motion sensor at night, like the lights on our house. There, that makes me feel better.

We saw lots of little furry critters this time. Again, I couldn't get a picture of it, but there was a bush that was full of chipmunks, sitting on the branches eating the little berries off it. Quite the sight. Then there was and overly friendly squirrel that started following me. I thought it was going to climb my leg. Scotty sat down and tried to give it some nuts. It appeared to be nearly blind, as it had a great deal of trouble taking the food we left on the ground. Scott had to pretty much hand feed it.

As usual, a wonderful day in Zions. Made more wonderful since we got to spend it together.

The Champion Returns

Jared got home from football camp today. A little bruised and battered, but no worse for the wear. I think. I can't really assess any brain damage. But it is possible he had that before leaving. (I guess I shouldn't make jokes at his expense.)

He had a great time, and he said the only thing that was really bad was the food. He got home, showered, and and then asked for a big plate of gyoza (pot stickers). I thought that was a funny thing to eat the second he got home.

Observation Point

I am a "herd animal". I don't really like to be alone, or go places by myself, I like to share experiences with others. But I had an amazing day today, all by myself, hiking Observation Point in Zion. I nearly cried, it was so beautiful.

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Beautiful day and a trip to the Silver Reef Mine

It has been over 100 degrees everyday this week, which has been nice since Scotty arranged for a break from his school work and it is my first week of summer break, as well. We spent too much time at the pool yesterday and got sunburned. Today was a wonderful 85 degrees and so we decided to go exploring at the Silver Reef Mine in Leeds which is about 15 miles away. They had a nice little museum there. The boys mostly enjoyed looking at all the old guns. (So predictable, really.)
We came upon some weird plants there. Brought it home and sliced it to see the inside. It looked like a cucumber. Another fun plant was a giant Mulberry tree that was 130 years old. We have never had a mulberry berry before. It was a cross between a black berry and a blue berry and stained our fingers and lips immediately.

Not the most exciting of pictures but it was so nice to have a pleasant, relaxing afternoon. We are enjoying the beginning of our summer. What a relief to our hectic schedule all through May.

Club Mommie

I got a chuckle out of this article today. I have experienced this very thing . . . and my kids saying, "Do you know her?"

Club Mom
By Margaret Anderson

"Mom, do you know that lady?"

"No, why?"

"Then why are you chatting together like you're bestest friends?"

My six-year-old, Kate, asked me this question at least three times today while we ran errands.

My mother used to do this too: strike up conversations with complete strangers in the store, in line at the post office, and in doctors’ waiting rooms. To my young mind, I couldn't comprehend how two strangers could be giggling together like old college roomies after only two lines of dialogue. Now I know. They're all fellow mommies: members of Club Mom.

You see, we're all part of the same sorority. When I see another mom with her shopping cart weighed down with more kids than groceries, I feel like I already know her. We need no introductions. I can just blurt out,

"Hey, have you tried these yet?" or, "How much do you think these will shrink in the wash?" and before we know it, we're swapping laundry tips and recipes and potty training horror stories. That's when Kate looks on and can't believe we're perfect strangers.

Being a member of Club Mom has other benefits too.

"What do you do if you get lost?" I ask my kids each time we go someplace large and crowded.

"Find another mommy!" is their hardy reply. "We look for someone with a stroller and kids to help us!" I teach them this because I know I can trust my fellow mommies more than any other group of people on earth.

I know a fellow sister in the trenches will help my little one find his way back to me no matter how many obstacles stand in her way. She'll probably even have a wet wipe for his nose and a few fruit snacks in her purse. I know this because these are my people. This is my club. Millions join our ranks daily.

But I'll tell you...whew! Club Mom has one heck of an initiation rite!

The Best of Compliments

I have a friend named Tiffany who I think is the most amazing person. Besides being amazingly beautiful, she has so many talents. She can sing, dance, make up programs like nobody's business, take care of nine kids, and yet she is still humble, teachable and faithful. Did I mention she also has style?

I would give anything to be like her.
So, it was the best of compliments the other day when I was trying on a new dress and I came out to show all my guys, and Ian said,"That looks like something Tiffany Nelson would wear."
Perfect.

Well, their family is moving out of our ward. They needed a bigger home for all those adorable children. And so after church I went up to give her a hug and tell her that I was in mourning. I am very sad that they won't be in our ward anymore. Her husband has been the Elder's Quorum president, and he is just rock solid and a joy to work with. But get this, she told me, "You know--- when I first moved into the ward I looked at you and I thought, I want to be just like her." She wants to be like me. I couldn't believe it. That was truly the best and nicest compliment I have ever had.

It was so sweet of her to say that.
I will miss seeing them all in church each Sunday.
I still want to be just like her.