kinghornswalkingonsunshine

CAPITOLA

2011-05-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Karrissa, Nate and Cash

wyatt, cash and maverick exploring in the rocks

Monroe and Maverick

Wyatt and Monroe showing Nana the sand crabs they found

We just got home from our annual trip to Capitola. I look forward to this every year. Karrissa and the kids came down early while Brad stayed home and worked. Nathan joined us as well. We have our "favorite" spots while we are in Capitola beginning with our stop at Gayle's bakery. Then each morning I like to get up and take the kids out for donuts and a walk on the beach. One day we go to sand dollar beach and look for sand dollars. This year we went to Monterey to go to the Aquarium. My favorite thing to do is body surf with the kids. So far Wyatt is the only one brave enough to go all the way out but we had fun. Monroe is getting braver every year. Cash just giggled the first time he felt the sand moving under his feet when the wave rushed over him.

We met this little boy at the Patron's housing in the Temple

2011-04-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

reciting the ABC'S in English with an adorable Russian accent

Our Trip to Ukriane

2011-04-25T21:12:00.001-07:00

3 weeks just flew by

We walked all over Donetsk,

To all the parks,

the Soccer Stadium,

both our old apartments,

Am store

Foxtrot

Reeniks

McDonalds

3 Fat Guys

We rode the Trolley, the Marshooka, The Train (To Kieve, Crimea, and back to Donetsk), Taxis,

and rode with our wonderful driver Vladimir, and President Fry

Had a visit to Olga and Vitaly's

Family Home Evening with the Ternov Family

Family Home evening with the Fry's

2 Sunday's in Centrally Branch

Attended a Service Project at the Kalininsky building

spent time at the Kieve Temple with Olga and Vitaly, and
went to Crimea to see the Black Sea

It seemed like we had just gotten there and we were already saying Good-bye

Oh the Places You'll Go

2011-04-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Family Home Evening at the Ternov's

Trolley Rides

The Black Sea

Train Rides

Ferry Rides

Our Old Apartment on Vatutina

Marshooka Rides

Anya and her dad with Bruce and I

Visiting with Vitaly and Olga at his moms house

Walks in the Park

UKRAINE VISIT

2011-04-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

I was worried about what it would be like to walk through the doors of our church building as a visitor. It was so amazing. I was so excited to see everyone again. It's funny but I was worried that maybe the members wouldn't be as excited to see us as we were to see them. But that was crazy. They smiled and hugged us, and the feeling of love was overwhelming. I felt so loved. I didn't want Sacrament Meeting to start because I was so busy visiting with everyone. Once the meeting did start I loved hearing the prayer given in Russian and just like when we lived in Ukraine a sweet missionary came and translated during the whole meeting for us. It was Fast and Testimony Meeting so we were able to hear the wonderful testimonies of the members of the church.

Our Trip to Ukriane

2011-04-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

Nastia, and her new husband Sasha who was baptized when we lived in Ukraine

Annya and her handsome cousin Ilea

Ilea and Volvo

Sister Fry, Sister Sechova, and Sister Vera

Sister Sechova

Sister Galena

We're back from Ukraine!! What an amazing trip. I was so excited to be back. Olga, Vitaly and Anya met us at the airport. It was so fun to see them and to meet baby Masha. The people at customs were so nice and we were amazed at how comfortable we felt the minute we stepped off the plane. I think it made a big difference knowing what to expect as we cleared customs and went to pick up our luggage. Olga and Vitaly took us to the Mission Home where we stayed until we left for Kiev a few days later. The Fry's were traveling with their two daughters who had come to visit from America. Anya couldn't stay with us because she had to go see if she could pick up her passport. She was planning to go to Kieve to apply for a Visa as soon as she could get her passport.

The first morning when we woke up Bruce and I went for a walk. We found ourselves at McDonalds and as we sat there Bruce commented how it "felt like home". It really did feel like we never left. Olga called to see if we wanted to meet up and go for a walk together so we all met at McDonalds then walked to the park near our old apartment. It was still pretty cold outside but we really enjoyed our walk. The Fry's came home later in the evening and we met their daughters Denise, and Jeanette.

Donetsk Soccer Stadium

2011-04-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Home of the 2012 Worldcup

Kieve Temple

2011-04-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Me and Anya

Me and Masha Gretski

We're going to see Olga and Vitaly again real soon

2011-03-26T23:38:00.000-07:00

Sweet Anya all grown up now

This was what we thought would be the last time we saw Olga (this was taken at the airport)

I am so excited we are going to be in Ukraine very soon with our dear Olga again and her wonderful husband Vitaly. We will soon meet their little baby Masha. We're going to see Kieve for 5 days and will get to spend time at the Temple with Olga and Vitaly. I have kept in touch with sweet Anya as well and am so excited to see her again. I don't know how she got to be such a beautiful young woman in the short time we've been away. I am so excited I can hardly sleep. I am going to hold these two special women in my arms one more time. I have been in contact with Sister Fry as well and they are so kind to let us spend some time with them. I can't wait to see them again. There is so much going through my mind. There are so many members of the Church that I want to see again. Olga is going to have Brother Koslov pick us up in his Taxi at the airport, was our driver on many of our Humanitarian visits. It will be so strange to be back in the church building again. I want to walk to all the places Bruce and I use to visit. The parks, the grocery store, streets that lead to our apartment, the street we took to go visit the Fry's, the street we took to go to McDonald's and the walk through the Reenik. It will be so strange to find ourselves there again but not have on our black nametags. It will feel very odd to not be Missionaries.

The only thing I am sad about is I am going to have to leave these wonderful women and the many members I grew to love again when it's time to return to America. Saying good-bye the first time broke my heart. I never imagined we'd go back. Bruce has given me this trip as a gift. He knows how much I have missed my love's in Ukraine. He's such a wonderful man. I love him so much.

Conference

2010-10-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

While we were in Utah Bruce and I attended Conference. We invited Sam and Shawnee Crossley to go with us on Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning we watched Conference with the Jacob family. While we were at the Conference Center we met up with Justin Permenter for a quick visit and later with Clark and Autumn Harris.

A few of my favorite quotes from the Conference.

President Monson speaking to couples about missionary service,

"There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master"

"This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good".

and speaking about Gratitude,

"There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways."

"When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessings. However, if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given"

and Elder Holland,

"In that spirit my message today is to say that we sustain you, that we return to you those same heartfelt prayers and that same expression of love. We all know there are special keys, covenants, and responsibilities given to the presiding officers of the Church, but we also know that the Church draws incomparable strength, a truly unique vitality, from the faith and devotion of every member of this Church, whoever you may be. In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don’t turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you!

I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone—to anyone—the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

and Sunday ended with an amazing talk by Elder Ballard.

It was titled "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One"

"The battle over man’s God-given agency continues today. Satan and his minions have their lures all around us, hoping that we will falter and take his flies so he can reel us in with counterfeit means. He uses addiction to steal away agency. According to the dictionary, addiction of any kind means to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent on some life-destroying substance or behavior".

"Researchers tell us there is a mechanism in our brain called the pleasure center.2 When activated by certain drugs or behaviors, it overpowers the part of our brain that governs our willpower, judgment, logic, and morality. This leads the addict to abandon what he or she knows is right. And when that happens, the hook is set and Lucifer takes control."

"Satan knows how to exploit and ensnare us with artificial substances and behaviors of temporary pleasure. I have observed the impact when one struggles to win back control, to become free from destructive abuse and addiction, and to regain self-esteem and independence."

"Some of the most addictive drugs that, if abused, can hijack the brain and take away one’s agency include nicotine; opiates—heroin, morphine, and other painkillers; tranquilizers; cocaine; alcohol; marijuana; and methamphetamines."

I am so grateful to be a member of this Church and to be guided by modern day Prophets. I know that the words they share are indeed inspired. They are so pertinent to our day.

Missionary Reunion at the Jacob's

2010-10-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

Dennis and Valerie Clark, Me, Ryan Burrup, and Nick Barnum

Max, Cami Godfry, Michelle and Brad Pearson, and Julia
Julia and Max are friends from Lugansk, Ukraine

Michelle, Me, and Valerie

Clark, Colby and Me

Maryann Jackson and her friend with me and the Pearsons

Livingston, Pearson, and Harris

Mini-Mission Reunion

2010-09-06T00:10:00.000-07:00

The Crossley's, The Pearson's, and the Harris's

Sam and Shawnee Crossley

We are so grateful to the Jacob's who let Bruce and I stay with them in their home in Provo while we attended Education Week. One of the things I was really looking forward to when we were in Utah was seeing some of the wonderful people we met on our mission. We loved being in the Jacob's home and they were so kind and made us feel so welcome. We were so happy to run into President Anderson and his wife while we were on campus at Education Week. We love them so much and are so grateful to have served with such amazing people.

I had been trying to arrange a get together with some of the missionaries who lived in the Provo area and Sam Crossley suggested the RED MANGO for yogurt. So we got the word out on facebook and had a little mini-mision reunion. I just have to say, I love these young people. I really do. How blessed we were to have them in our lives while we were in Ukraine. They were like family to us. We will always have a very special place in our hearts for them.I could hardly wait for them to get out of the cars so that I could hug them again. I didn't think to take pictures until Greg Livingston and Justin Permenter had left. It was so good of them all to come out to see us. I did have phone calls or messages from several others who couldn't make it that night and hopefully we'll see them in October.

2010-09-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Brad and Michelle Pearson (and baby Will)

2010-09-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Clark and Autumn Harris

UTAH TRIP

2010-09-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

some of the beautiful things we saw in Utah

Salt Lake City

2010-08-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

Last week my mom and I left Sacramento for Utah. We took this journey last year and enjoyed a few days at Temple Square, the Humanitarian Center, and the Church History Museum. My moms not a member of the Church but she loved it. So when Bruce and I were planning another trip to Education Week this year we decided that I would come a week early and bring my mom. We left Sacramento on Friday and spent the night in Elko and arrived in Salt Lake on Saturday. We've had a great time visiting Temple Square again. We love to sit and watch the new brides and grooms having their picture taken in front of the Temple. It's such a joyous time for the families.

My mom loves to visit with the Sister Missionaries on Temple Square. We toured Brigham Young's home again. My mom loves to learn about the pioneers. We watched several movies about their journey to Salt Lake. This year we watched a movie on Joseph Smith that was incredible. My mom said she learned so much about him. We went to the "This Is The Place" park and learned more about the great Exodus to Salt Lake. Then we headed for St George Utah for a few days. We saw a play at the Tuachan one night that was fantastic. Then we headed for Zion Park. So mom and I returned to Salt Lake Thurday and had another day of sight seeing then I put her on the plane Saturday morning. It was a busy busy week but I am so glad that I could share it with my mom.

The time we spent here has reminded me how blessed I am to have the knowledge of the Restoration on the Gospel in my life. It was amazing to watch the movie about Joseph Smith and to think about how the Chruch has grown in such a short time. The message of the restoration has traveled all over the world and even reached people in a little coal mining town of Ukraine. Our sweet Ukrainian adopted daughter Olga and her husband are in Kieve right now visiting the new Kieve Temple. Sister Fry our mission President's wife writes and says, that baptisms are up, they have 36 on date for baptisms and several families are traveling to Kieve to be sealed. How blessed we were to be able to travel to Ukraine and see the windows of Heaven open to pour blessings upon the people of Ukraine. This Church is true. I know that with all my heart. I am so blessed to be a member. I love my family. I am so grateful for all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me and my family.

In a few days we will reunite with some of the sweet young missionaries we shared our time in Ukraine with. I can hardly wait.

another sleepless night

2010-08-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

This has been one of those nights when I found myself falling asleep on the couch rather early. I thought,

"oh good, I'm tired, I'll sleep well tonight". So I found my way into my quiet bedroom, pulled back the curtains, opened all the windows and crawled into my big bed. Ahhhhh! and then it began, the tossing, the turning, the thoughts racing through my mind. I tried clearing my mind, a little meditation, relaxing my body, but NOTHING WORKED! So now I'm here, tapping at the keys on my computer wishing I was snoozing in bed.

HOME MADE ICE CREAM

2010-07-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

Sunday after church Papa Mark and the Bailey Family came over and we made HomeMade Ice Cream

Yummy!

MY BLOG BOOK ARRIVED

2010-07-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

I AM SO EXCITED MY BLOG BOOK ARRIVED

While we were on our mission I kept a blog in which I recorded my impressions and our experiences of serving a mission in Ukriane. I decided to have it printed into a book so that I could have a record of the mission. I absolutely love it!

Home Cooking

2010-07-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a HOME COOKED meal.

And I especially love it when someone else cooks it.

Last Saturday Bruce and I got up very early to go work in the Temple. When we got home he asked me "what should we have for dinner tonight?"

he suggested Tuna Casserole

which means I COOK

I suggested Pasty Pie

which means HE COOKS

I went upstairs to take a nap and when I woke up I found Bruce in the kitchen creating this

beautiful Pasty Pie

IT IS A FAMILY TRADITION HE LEARNED TO MAKE FROM HIS MOTHER,

A WONDERFUL MEAT AND POTATO PIE INSIDE THIS FANTASTIC PIE CRUST

NOW THAT'S MY IDEA OF A ROMANTIC DINNER FOR TWO

THANKS, BABE IT WAS AWESOME

Rascal Flatts

2010-07-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

YES, I YELLED, AND SCREAMED, AND STUCK MY FINGERS IN MY MOUTH AND Whistled ALL NIGHT LONG. I DIDN'T EXACTLY DANCE IN THE AISLES BUT I DIDN'T SPEND MUCH TIME IN MY SEAT EITHER. KARRISSA AND I HAD SO MUCH FUN. I THINK WE BOTH FELT LIKE TEENAGERS AGAIN.

CHRIS YOUNG was the opening act. He was AWESOME, then came Kellie PICKLER. Karrissa watched Kellie on American Idol so she was excited to see her. I MADE KARRISSA GET UP AND GO RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE to take her picture AND Karrissa KIND OF STOOD OUT A BIT WITH A BRIGHT YELLOW SHIRT ON AND HER WHITE HAIR AND KELLIE WALKED RIGHT OVER to the edge of the stage AND SMILED AND WAVED AT HER. She waved at my daughter. It was so fun. She came back to her seat just grinning from ear to ear. Then came RASCAL FLATTS and we were right there in front of the stage. OH MY GOODNESS were we excited. THEY ARE SUCH GOOD ENTERTAINERS. THEY ALSO WALKED BACK AND FORTH ON THE STAGE AND WAVED AT THE AUDIENCE. WE HOLLERED AND WAVED AND WENT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE TO TAKE PICTURES. ONE GUY GOT REALLY MAD AND STARTED YELLING AT EVERYONE TO "BACK THE blank up" There was security people nearby who only allowed the people with tickets in our section to go up to the stage but only to take pictures so we couldn't stay there long. They sang all the songs we listened to on the car ride up to Tahoe, and we sang along. Did I say, fun? It was amazingly fun. Can't wait to do it again.

Mormon.org

2010-07-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, the new mormon.org went live today. Check it out. What an amazing way to learn about who we are and what we believe. While our backgrounds and experiences are diverse, we share a deep commitment to Jesus Christ, to each other, and their neighbors. Watch these stories of faith in the everyday lives of Mormons.

Rascal Flatts

2010-07-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

I am so excited my daughter, Karrissa and I are driving up to Tahoe this week-end to see Rascal Flatts. We are going to Harvey's outdoor arena and have really good seats. I love, love, love them. I am so looking forward to the concert. I hope I don't embarrass my daughter too much with my singing along and dancing in the aisle.
(Did I mention it's outdoors?) maybe we really will see them singing "These Days" in the rain. Can't wait.
I'm going out to buy a CD tomorrow so I can practice singing along. I feel like I'm 16 again. Well, maybe 20ish. Anyway, I'm excited. I haven't been this excited about a concert since I saw Willie Nelson. I know that really dates me doesn't it. Hey, at least I didn't say, Wayne Newton. No offense Wayne but I'm a Country Girl.

"These Days" - Rascal Flatts Official Music Video DON'T FORGET TO PUT MY MUSIC ON PAUSE

2010-07-12T23:19:00.001-07:00

"These Days" - Rascal Flatts Official Music Video, posted with vodpod

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

2010-07-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Monroe and I went shopping for a new dress the other day.

She is one little girl who can "work it"

The Grands are getting older now and yet they still run out the front door to greet us when we arrive. It's so sweet because they see us almost everyday but each time they greet us it's with open arms and BIG smiles on their faces. When it's time to say good-bye someone almost always ask if they can spend the night with us. It's so sweet. Bruce and I cherish this time when they are young and sweet and full of love for their family.

Last week I got out some old videos and we were watching a video of Nathan (our 25 year-old son) when he was in Kindergarten and his class went to a Nursing Home for a visit. Nathan was so sweet. It was fun to hear his little boy voice as he cautiously walked around the room looking for someone to give his handmade card to. He smiled and said hello as he passed the old hunched over men and women looking for someone who would return his smile. He stopped to pick up something that had fallen at the feet of an old woman and gently handed it to her with a smile on his face. Soon Nathan and his little friends were gathered in a little circle munching on cookies and milk discussing the responses they had received as they handed their cards out. Nathan was happy. He giggled and smiled as his friends shared their experiences.

This past year our Grandson Wyatt started Kindergarten. He is going to the same school his mother and Nathan went to. I occasionally go and work in HIS classroom. As I sit and watch Wyatt in Circle time I reflect on the days that I joined my children in their classrooms and

I am amazed at how quickly life passed. When your a young parent life can be difficult and sometimes mundane. You feel as if all you ever do is prepare meals, wash dishes, clean sticky hands, pick up toys, and do endless piles of laundry. The days blend into weeks, and weeks into months and it seems you are celebrating another birthday. Now we are Grandparents and our perspective has changed.

WE KNOW that this won't last forever.

The laundry, the dirty dishes, the bruised knees, the battles with homework, the bedtime nightmares, the endless piles of laundry.

WILL ONE DAY END

and all that will be left are the cherished memories of your

precious babies, the way they smelled in your arms,

how their little hands felt in yours,

how their giggles made you smile,

that sweet little smile that greeted you when you walked into

their room in the morning,

or the butterfly kisses at bedtime,

the squeals of laughter that filled the air when they played with daddy

ONE DAY YOU'LL COME HOME AND THE HOUSE WILL BE EMPTY

AND THE QUIET IS DEAFENING.

AND YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN

AND THE EMPTINESS SEEMS ENDLESS AND YOU CAN'T IMAGINE ANOTHER LIFE

WITHOUT THEM FILLING THE SPACE

AND THEN

ONE DAY YOU WAKE UP AND

LIFE HAS CHANGED

GOD BLESSES YOU WITH NEW LITTLE ONES TO ROCK TO SLEEP, AND TAKE FOR WALKS, AND LAUGH, AND RUN, AND PLAY WITH.

there are still dishes to wash, and laundry to do but this time it's different because

YOU KNOW

Waiting For God

2010-06-22T23:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels like we've been sitting a long time........................

Waiting,

for answers,

Waiting

for direction,

Waiting,

for things to turn out "our way"

and sometimes

we wonder

Is it time to move on?

How long must I wait??

the child in us says, "I'm sick of sitting here"

"I can't do this any longer"

and then,

God sends us a reminder that he knows,

HE KNOWS,

we're anxious,

HE KNOWS,

we're hurting,

HE KNOWS,

it's hard,

AND

HE KNOWS

US

he has promised us he will not forsake us

and it is during those moments that we find the

courage to go back to waiting.......

knowing and believing that he has a plan

in the midst of the pain and confusion there is a plan

FATHERS DAY 2010 in America

2010-06-14T00:19:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day Bruce

Oh I know it's not really Father's Day yet but who knows what I'll be doing next week, and it's never too soon to tell someone you love and appreciate them.

I love you Bruce Robert

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

2010-06-13T16:04:00.001-07:00

How do YOU keep the Sabbath Day Holy??

We had been home from church about an hour when I realized I didn't hear Bruce anymore. He had been on the computer but things had gotten really quiet in the house. This is where I found him. On the couch, with his arms crossed, resting, very peacefully, until he heard the click of the camera.

(I think teaching on Sunday's wears him out)

Today Bruce taught a lesson in the High Priest Group Meeting. He worked really hard on the lesson all week. He was a little nervous about teaching today because the lesson was about
The Life of Christ and there are many men in his class that are very knowledgeable about the Christ and his life and teachings. When he got in the car at the end of the lesson he said he felt like it went well. I was told by one of our friends that Bruce did very well today and that there was alot of class discussion. Bruce said, that was what made the lesson so interesting. Well I think that is one way to handle a classroom of knowledgeble men.

I'm so proud of him, he's a great teacher.

Monroe and Motherhood

2010-06-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

What is it about little girls?

This little girl is so loving and nurturing.

She is five years old and already talking about being a mother.

The other day Bruce was telling her she is growing way too fast and she said,

"You know Papa, I'm gonna be a MOM!"

a few days later we were at the pool and I showed her this cute little floating device for babies

that had an umbrella type cover, she looked at me and said,

"Oh, Nana, when I'm a mom you HAVE to get me THAT "

We went to visit my friend Amanda and when we brought little Madi out Monroe couldn't keep

her eyes off of her. She was so sweet with Madi.

She is such a good big sister, she is always keeping her eye out for her siblings and helping

whenever she can. She's the first to undo her seatbelt and let the younger ones out of their

carseats.

She is such a little nurturer. She will sit and play with her babies for hours. It is so fun to listen

to her talk to her babies.

We love her so much.

2010-06-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

When we were on our mission I came across the amazing story of NieNie.

Stephanie Neilson is a young mother of four who lives in Utah. She is a blogger with a HUGE following. I wrote about her amazing spirit when she and her husband were involved in a plane crash and she suffered burns over 80 percent of her body.

I remember the first time I read her blog even before she had her plane crash how her amazing spirit spoke to me.

I remember how moved I was as I read about how she felt about her role as a wife and mother. She wrote about the everyday things young mothers experience. One of the first post I read was about how she had celebrated the first day of school with her children. She wrote about spending time at the family ranch, her devotion to her husband that she calls Mr. Nielson.

But what I remember most is how POSITIVE she was not only about her family but about her life.

One thing that really stood out was how she posted so many candid self portraits. She wasn't always perfectly made up with stylish matching outfits. She didn't always capture a perfect pose but what she captured was the beauty of her life. NIE NIE likes to wear colorful clothing, bright red lipstick, and pretty shoes. see here.

There were post that she took close up shots of her cute face covered in freckles, or her wonderful red lips. I remember sitting in my small little apartment in Ukraine and wondering "how does someone develop such a strong sense of self?"

Maybe we all have it but loose it along the way

When I watch my 5 year old granddaughter Monroe I see she has that magical sense of self

She likes to see herself in the mirror.

She smiles, twist and turns her little body to see all the beautiful angles

She likes to see what she looks like when she has new clothes on

She likes herself

I want to be more like Nie Nie and my little granddaughter

I want to look in the mirror and see the god given beauty I have been given

I want to see the light within

that reminds me of who I truly am

a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father

I have been blessed to be a wife and mother

I am oh so grateful for this wonderful blessing

I have often thought about Stephanie Nielsen this past year as she has learned to endure life in a new body. Each day she struggles to do the everyday things she loved doing for her family. Each small task is a challenge. She has to endure physical pain every day. She has had to endure painful operations, time away from her sweet family. She has had to move out of the home she had come to love in Arizona to be near her family in Utah. She longs to have another baby but is unable to at this time.

I have thought about the things we all endure in our lives. Each of us will have our own personal struggles but we have a choice how we will respond. We can choose each day if we want to be happy or to be sad and discouraged. The beauty we reflect on the outside is really a result of our reaction to the challenges we face. NIE NIE is teaching ME that beauty truly is not what is on the outside. Her spirit shines today as brightly as it shined before the plane accident.She is teaching the WORLD that the beauty we possess comes from a place within each of us.

If you want to read more about this amazing woman go here or watch the video below to see how she has transformed her life since the plane crash that changed her world

DON'T FORGET TO PUT THE BLOG MUSIC ON PAUSE TO LISTEN TO THE VIDEO

My New Life

2010-06-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

2010-06-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

Cash, Wyatt, Monroe, and Maverick

Our daughter Karrissa has been blessed with so much creativity she has such a gift to see things outside the box

She came up with this cute idea to advertise her husband Brad's Window Washing

Business.

She found these old picture frames at a garage sale, painted them and distressed them and then had Brad hang them from the trees at a local park. I love how the pictures turned out. I am so impressed that they ended up with such cute photos.

She even managed to bring an old chair she picked up at a garage sale for some individual photos

(posted in my side bar) and this cute lounge chair to capture a fun look with hats and bathing suits.

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

2010-06-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

2010-06-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

TRADITIONS

2010-06-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Our family has been going to New Brighton Beach in Santa Cruz every Memorial Day week-end since 1986. We usually go for the week prior to Memorial Day. When the children were still living at home we camped at the campgrounds at New Brighton Beach. It was such a great memory builder. This vacation was always so fun for all of us because there were several other families we knew there as well. The children would play together at the beach all day (and I do mean all day). They would start asking us "when are we going to the beach?" the minute we woke up. We could hardly get the lunches packed fast enough. We would always pick a spot on the beach where about 15 families would meet and the kids would body surf or dig in the sand while we all just sat around and ate yummy snacks and caught up on what was going on in each others lives.

Our New Brighton vacation included many yearly traditions. We would always have a huge family campfire where someone would tell scary stories to the kids, we'd sing songs and roast marshmallows and eat s'mores. Once the kids went to bed all the adults would share hilarious memories about the times we'd all been together in the past. I liked to get up really early and walk on the beach so I could usually find one or two other mothers who would join me and take some of the children for an early morning treasure hunt at the beach.

There were traditions around the food as well. There was one family that always had a supply of suckers for the children. So in the mornings the children would go out exploring and visiting their friends at other campsites. They's end up with a little group of buddies just running from campsite to campsite and they'd always come back with a sucker from Brother Draper. We never knew who to expect at mealtime, it was hardly ever just our family. One of the children would always have someone with them when it was time to sit down for a meal. Bruce say's "you never really knew how much they'd eaten before they sat down at our table either". Brother Curry was famous for his Clam Chowder which he made for the whole group every year. There were tradional camp meals as well. Some families always had one night of Taco Salad, then there was the Hawaiian Haystacks. It was fun just to see what creative things people came up with to have for dinner. We had some traditional breakfast foods as well. I won't go into that now.

As I said our family was usually there for the whole week but others didn't make it to New Brighten until Wednesday or Thursday. Some of the ladies were so anxious to come we would even get to the campgrounds a few days before our husbands who usually had to work until later in the week. I was one of those ladies so I would set up our campsite myself with some help from Nate and Karrissa. Although this was trying because they were constantly wanting to know when we would be done so we could go to the beach. There were always a few men who had managed to come early as well and they would help me if I needed it. I got pretty good at setting up my tent and lighting campfires. Speaking of campfires. These same men, would make a run for firewood and would fill the back of a truck with firewood and we'd all buy bundles for our campfires from them. Thursday nights were the nights the men would go see some action packed Adventure movie. The first few years it was just a night for the guys to go alone then some women decided they wanted to go to the movies as well. So they'd pick a "chick flick" and go to the movies on Thursday night too. I preferred to stay back and sit by the campfire with the other moms and kids who had stayed behind. Then on Friday night we all went to the boardwalk. It was so fun all the adults would sit and eat funnel cakes, or corn dogs, while we waited for our kids on the rides. Friday night usually included a stop at Marianne's ice cream on the way home.

We have a collection of photographs capturing some of these memories of the fun times at New Brighton Beach but I don't think we or our children will ever forget the many wonderful years we spent there with great friends.

I know each year I return my mind floods with memories. I can't go by certain campsites without having flashes of the past. Campfires, walks on the beach, body surfing, the men having water fights with the huge water guns, wandering thru the campgrounds completely soaked looking like comandos with water guns resting on their shoulders. I don't think we will ever forget the year Karrissa hurt her foot at the beach and Jerry Harris carried her on his back all the way up the hill back to the campgrounds. There was the year Karrissa ended up with the flu and by the time we arrived at camp it was pouring and I had to set up the tent and quickly make a bed for my very sick daughter in the rain. I don't know if it was the same year but Bruce had to take Karrissa to Kaiser once she was so sick. Then there were the bad sun burns because little girls insisted on going home with a suntan. There was the year the rain wouldn't stop and we all ended up at Round Table for dinner with what looked like everyone else from the entire campground. I think that was the year we finally gave up on the promise of sunshine and we all packed up our soaking wet belongings and went home early. It seemed we could never leave without Nathan getting a bad case of poison oak.

I can't believe so much time has passed. Now our children are trying to carry on this tradition for their family. Karrissa and Brad went to New Brighton this year with their kids. It was fun for her to see that there were still some of the people she grew up with there with their children. Bruce and I stayed in a rental house in Capitola. Karrissa and Brad brought friends and family to share their campsite with and although I am sure it wasn't the same, it is time for them to begin building their own traditions.

I am still hoping to take the children for walks on the beach in the early morning hours, to eat ice cream from Marianne's and to sit by an open fire with a child on my lap every Memorial Day for a very long time.

The Joy of Grandparenting

2010-05-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

EVERY WEDNESDAY I WAKE UP EXHAUSTED

Our daughter, Karrissa works as a hair stylist each Tuesday so

Bruce and I watch her 4 kids while she is at work

It never fails ever Tuesday night I find myself wondering

why my back aches,

why I'm so tired,

why I got so grumpy with the children by the end of the day

I keep thinking,

"It can't be that hard,

they are really good kids,

I should be able to handle them one day a week,

I was a mom, I did this before. I raised two kids.

I studied Child Development

I should be able to keep 4 kids happy all day.

I carefully plan our day, we go to the gym for a few hours in the morning, come home, have

lunch, the little boys take a nap,

Wyatt goes to school and Monroe and I have some alone

time with me to make playdough, or do an art project, or read books.

When Wyatt comes home we'll go for a walk, or go to the park, and then by that time Brad will

come pick them up.

It sounds good

But it never seems to go the way I plan it!

no matter how prepared I am things seem hectic,

even chaotic at times.

It shouldn't be that hard,

I am not doing this alone

I have my husband here to help

and most days I have my mom here as well

so there's always an extra set of hands to......................

get baby Cash out of the bathroom toilet,

clean up a spilled glass of milk,

get Cash out of the closet before he pulls out the vaccum or Bruce's tool box

to help Maverick to the toilet before he pees all over the floor,

Even getting the kids in the car to go to the gym is a production,

finding shoes,

carrying Cash out to the car while I keep an eye on Maverick so he doesn't go into the street

Making sure everyone goes to the bathroom before we get in the car

strapping the little ones in car seats,

making sure everyone has a clean face,

sometimes this is when I notice Cash has gotten into something and his shirt is dirty or his

diaper is dirty, then I have to make sure I brought the key to lock my front door, my gym card

the diaper bag, a snack

for the kids when we get done at the gym

When we get home we only have a few minutes before Wyatt needs to go to school so

I try to find an activity to keep the big kids happy outside for awhile

This is usually when the big kids tell me the younger kids "keep messing things up"

or when someone comes to get me to get the ball out of the tree or the neighbors yard or

to break up a squabble,

then it's time to

get Wyatt's lunch ready for school

I am so grateful for the extra hands to help with all this

Someone has to drive Wyatt to school and pick him up in a few hours,

If I do this myself Cash will fall asleep and the 15 minute car nap will replace his two hour

afternoon nap.

I am grateful that Bruce and my mom are there when we take our afternoon walk because I

need the help with

finding 4 sets of shoes ( I know they should be right by the door but Cash likes to move things)

and putting them on when it's time for a walk

I need someone to

watch the other 3 kids while I'm strapping the baby into the car the stroller

or to hold Maverick's hand so he doesn't go out in the street when we go out the front door

I need someone to

help hold hands when we cross the street

to push kids on the swings, and keep Cash from eating the sand at the Park

and when we get back home I need someone to help make surethe kids have snuggle time

and someone available to listen when they have a really

interesting thing to share with us

NOW I KNOW WHY I'M SO EXHAUSTED

I haven't had to think about so much stuff at one time for a long time.

That's one of the cool things about getting old.

When it's time to go somewhere you just have to remember where you left your glasses and

grab your purse and go.

Thank goodness I have my mom and Bruce to help

I DON'T KNOW HOW I COULD EVER DO THIS ALONE

but I have to say....

I wouldn't have it any other way

I couldn't wait to come home from Ukraine to be here with my family again.

I love how when Karrissa drives up all four of the kids run out of the car to hug me as they call

"Hi NANA" and run into my arms and hug me like they haven't seen me for weeks, even if

It's Wednesday and they were just here all day the day before

and maybe I was a little grumpy by the end of the day

I love being Nana

and.....................

as long as my mom and Bruce are nearby to lend a hand I think we'll all be just fine

Our Trip to Idaho

2010-05-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we packed up and went to Idaho to visit our friends, Brent and Charlene Lee in Idaho. We met the Lee's on our mission. Well, actually we met them at the Missionary Training Center before we left for the mission. They had returned home to Idaho for a few months after serving an 18 month mission in Ukraine. They were the Country Directors of the Humanitarian Work in Ukraine. They were going to be home for a few months then return for another 12 month mission. They came to the MTC to train us since they weren't going to be in Ukraine the first few months that we were there. When they served in Ukraine they were in a different city than we were. It was about a 10 hour train ride away. We did however, have several opportunites to spend time with them. We had a wonderful friendship from the first time we met and we so happy to have the opportunity to see them again here in America. They took a few days from their busy schedules to show us around Idaho. It was really fun. We even went to Jacksonhole Wyoming and stayed a night. After a few days of traveling we returned back to Pocatello and packed our bags to return home. Brent and Charlene headed were headed to Boston the next day so that Brent could participate in the Boston Marathon. Brent and Charlene will be leaving for Jordan in July for another 23 month mission doing Humanitarian work. We feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet them and become friends they are such an example to us. We know that they were a huge reason that we felt our mission was such an enjoyable experience. They were always a phone call away. This mission to Jordan will be their fouth of fifth mission, all of them in Foreign Countries.

An inspirational video about Stephanie & Christian Nielsen who were in a terrible plane crash last year. She has a blog called the nieniedialogues.

2010-05-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Stephanie is a remarkable woman truly an inspiration. Click on the words "My New Life" below to see the video

My New Life

2010-05-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

I just got home from lunch with a friend and..............

THIS IS WHAT I FOUND...

AND A NOTE FROM BRUCE THAT SAID HE WAS AT A MOVIE

WHICH MEANS

I HAVE THE WHOLE HOUSE TO MYSELF

I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT TO

I KNOW

YOUR THINKING

DON'T YOU USUALLY DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ???

of course I do with some compromise

I mean...

there are two of us here

we have to agree on

TV on?

TV off?

Radio on?

Radio off?

talk time?

reading time?

nap????????

blog??

BLOGGING WON!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

I just got home after a nice afternoon with my good friend Kim

Kim is one of those people I can go without seeing for a long time and

when we get together we pick up right where we left off.

Kim and I met when Zach her youngest was almost 4 and Nathan our baby was barely 3

We were all instant friends

Zach and Nathan went to preschool together,

we took them shopping with us and chased them out from under the clothes racks

they played soccer and kim and I sat on the sidelines and screamed,

"get it Zach",

"go nate, kick it kick it"

all our kids attended

each others birthdays and baptisms

This is Kim with her children, Tyler, Zach, Alyssa, Amber and Zach's son, Gabe.

I am so happy that her kids have such an awesome relationship with her. She is a great mom.

THE PICTURE BELOW WAS TAKEN ABOUT 20 years ago

WHEN OUR

HUSBANDS TOOK US TO THE NAPA VALLEY FOR MOTHER'S DAY

(check out these cute t-shirts Kim's even had matching flowered leggings)

WE DID EVERYTHING TOGETHEROUR HUSBANDS PLAYED SANTA ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND WE TOOK OUR TWO OLDEST CHILDREN AND DELIVERED PRESENTS TO SOME VERY NEEDY FAMILIES

(KIM, TYLER, KARRISSA AND I GOT TO PLAY SANTA'S HELPERS)

WE EVEN WENT TO THE MUD BATHS

THIS WAS TAKEN ABOUT 5 years ago

When our children were little we spent every day together,

we did our shopping together,

picked up dry cleaning,

had dinner parties,

shopped for Christmas presents, stayed up all night wrapping them,

We traveled to Utah several years for Education Week at BYU

Our families spent more time with each other then we did with our own extended family.

FAMILY HOME EVENINGS,

VISITS TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH, THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, BOATING, CAMPING, PLAYING IN THE SNOW, SAND SURFING IN THE OREGON DUNES

I am so proud of Kim she returned to College after she and her husband divorced and got her RN liscense.

She has raised 4 children who have grown to be awesome young adults.

It's so good to spend time with Kim. She always makes me feel so loved. I am so grateful that we were so blessed to have been able to share such an important time in our lives as best friends

Easter then and Now

2010-04-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Easter in Ukraine 2009

Easter in America 2010

Maverick

Monroe

Wyatt

Karrissa and Cash

Cash eating the sugar cookie he decorated

Bruce with his brother Jim's family

I love the holidays

Well to be honest

I love any reason to get together with family

One of the great things about serving a mission out of the Country for 18 months is you come home with a renewed appreciation for the simple things in life that you may have previously taken for granted

I love that we can have our families come over and just "hang out"

well.........

I guess we did more than "hang out" this Easter.

We had several children here to

HUNT FOR EASTER EGGS

Eat Easter Eggs,

(In Cash's case crush and smash hard boiled eggs in his tiny little palm)

Eat lots and lots of candy

MAKE SUGAR COOKIES

CHASE EACH OTHER ALL OVER THE HOUSE

complain about

getting punched,

getting "left out"

"being hungry"

"not being hungry"

and just good ole WHINING!!!

but I'm not complaining

I love it!

I love looking into the faces of our grandchildren

as they run around the yard finding treasures

I love seeing my niece being such a great mommy

I love seeing how sweet my nephew Josh is to his little nieces and nephews

I love seeing my daughter follow her children around the yard pointing out the best places to find eggs

I love listening to my husband and his brother reminisce about the "good ole days"

I love seeing my mom with her great-grandchildren

Last year we were in Ukraine and there were no kids in sight.

We walked to church in the rain.

There were no Easter Egg Hunts, no decorating sugar cookies,

and no kids crying, whining, or running all over, no hard boiled

egg shells all over the house, and no family discussions

No.......

Easter in Ukraine was much different.

What I remember most was is it was raining,

we walked to church under umbrellas

I remember there were women carrying baskets of Easter Bread everywhere we went.

Some were walking arm and arm down the street, and some we saw while riding on the bus

I have to admit

there was a part of me that was envious

because I knew these women were headed to friends or family members homes to share this special bread.

This special Ukrainian tradition reminded me of home. Of sharing a special occasion with the ones you love.

We were far from home

far from our friends and family in America but

we did get to share Easter Dinner with the young missionaries who were in our District. These young men and women had become our family in Ukraine.

Another Ukrainian tradition is hand painting Easter Eggs. Olga had spent an afternoon with friends painting eggs and on Easter Sunday she came to church and gave Sisters Fry, Solomanson, and I beautiful hand painted Easter Eggs.

So this Easter I brought out my Ukrainian Eggs and found a special place for them on the fireplace mantel.

I spent some time browsing thru pictures of our Ukrainian Easter as tears poured down my cheeks

and then I did what I promised myself I would do when I returned to America

I counted my blessings

I enjoyed every minute of a house full of loved ones

and I thanked my Heavenly Father for the wonderful

memories of our Easters in Ukraine

OLGA AND VITALY HAD THEIR BABY GIRL

2010-04-06T14:29:00.001-07:00

SHE IS BEAUTIFUL
HER NAME IS
MASHA
I'm waiting to get more details when Olga and Vitaly call on Skype tonight
Olga was our interpretor on our mission and now we think of her as our adopted daughter.

I'm so happy they are home and can't wait to talk to them!!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T15:38:00.001-07:00

I love this time of year. It's wonderful to have all the spring flowers in bloom and to enjoy April showers, however, sometimes it's easy to get lost in the excitement of "celebrating Easter". Our family has always gotten together with extended family for a wonderful day of Easter egg hunts and good food. This year conference fell on Easter Sunday so we celebrated a day early with family. Which was great because that left Sunday to really focus on what Easter really is about. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is risen. He is our redeemer. What a wonderful time to focus on the Savior and his love for us.

I wanted to share a few messages that have touched me as I have

reflected on the Savior and his teachings.

(see the videos at the bottom of the page, after the post)

What a wonderful

blessing it was for Bruce and I to serve a mission and to have

the opportunity to enjoy the rich blessings of service. I know God

loves us and that we can one day return to his presence. I know that

each small act of kindness and service is a reflection of his love for

his children. May your lives be blessed as you love and serve one another.

Don't forget to pause the music on the sidebar to hear the videos below

MEXICO

2010-03-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

what a great trip

2010-03-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

We're back from our cruise.

We enjoyed our time

sitting by the pool,

reading books,

strolling on the deck at sunset

dining with new friends from Canada and London

catching up on movies we've missed,

evening dance shows,

line dancing,

slow dancing

and celebrating 31 years of marriage

My wonderful husband just surprised me with this

2010-01-23T23:46:00.000-08:00

a cruise to Mexico to celebrate our anniversary

we're leaving in 6 weeks wooo hoo!

Which means....................

I have to get serious about my visits to the gym, and my eating habits

since my favorite thing to do on a cruise is lay by the pool and read,

goodbye ice cream, cookies, brownies, pita chips, bread and cheese,
(just a few of my favorite things)

hello pilates, weights, and the treadmill

2010-01-23T23:35:00.000-08:00

The interesting thing about life is that change is constant
I didn't have to have knee surgery
Bruce is cancer free, loved ones are healing, and we are sleeping better

today we're counting our blessings
home, family, friends

thanks for your love and prayers

HAVE I MENTIONED I LOVE LIVING IN THE VILLAGE????

2010-01-23T22:42:00.000-08:00

We're in the middle of a huge storm
but the sun still shines through a beautiful blue sky

Even in the middle of winter we can go for walks through the village and down to the river

I think Cash loves it too

THERE'S SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS TO SEE.....

fun people and animals everywhere
he especially likes the chickens

2009-12-20T22:59:00.000-08:00

This past week was a hard one. A few days ago we were on our way to a friends funeral when we got a call that Bruce's brother had been rushed to the hospital, we spent the last few days at the hospital and had to say our final good-byes to him today.

Bruce and I have had some health problems. Bruce had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his face a few days ago, and I have been having problems with one of my knees which may require surgery. Our hearts are heavy with worry for loved ones. We've had some sleepless nights. There have been days of pain and sorrow.

But, as I sat down to look at pictures to post of the past month I realized that tucked in between the pain and sorrow have been some wonderful times spent with friends and family.

I am reminded that in our times of pain and sorrow God hears and answers our prayers and it is usually through someone else that he brings us peace, joy, and serenity. I am so grateful for my little grands who light up my life, whose warm hugs ease my troubled mind. I am grateful for my sweet daughter and her husband who I can always depend on, and my awesome husband who is my rock. I am grateful for a sister who never stops believing in miracles. I am grateful to have my mother in my life and to know that she is only a phone call away. I am grateful for friends who love me, who call me, and send me little text messages to let me know they are thinking of me. I am thankful for my girls in Ukraine who love me. I am thankful for my dear friend Kim who reminds me of what fun we had being young mommies together. I am thankful for all of these Gifts from my Heavenly Father.

2009-12-20T22:27:00.000-08:00

What have we been up to?

2009-12-20T22:22:00.000-08:00

we got together at my sisters house for a little family fun

we went to the Christmas Program at Wyatt's school

2009-12-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

we celebrated Bruce's birthday with our familiy

2009-12-20T22:14:00.000-08:00

we put up our very first artificial Christmas Tree

2009-12-20T22:09:00.000-08:00

we went to a local parade with the grands

2009-12-20T22:01:00.000-08:00

we had an incredible hail storm on Thanksgiving

2009-12-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

I AM THANKFUL FOR TEMPLES

2009-11-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR TEMPLES AND THE WONDERFUL SEALING ORDINANCES THAT ARE PERFORMED IN THEM.
I AM THANKFUL THAT 23 YEARS AGO OUR FAMILY WAS SEALED FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY.
I AM THANKFUL FOR THE ATONEMENT IN OUR LIVES AND THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES ALL OF HIS CHILDREN.
I AM THANKFUL THAT WE ARE LEAD BY LIVING PROPHETS AND FOR THE WONDERFUL COUNCIL WE RECEIVE FROM THEIR INSPIRED WORDS LIKE THESE,

President James E. Faust

“When the covenant of marriage for time and eternity, the culminating gospel ordinance, is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, it can literally open the windows of heaven for great blessings to flow to a married couple who seek for those blessings.”

President Boyd K. Packard

“We can’t overemphasize the value of temple marriage, the binding ties of the sealing ordinance, and the standards of worthiness required of them. When parents keep the covenants they made at the altar of the temple their children will be forever bound to them.”

I am thankful to know that Families CAN be together forever

I am thankful for my ETERNAL FAMILY

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE PROMISED BLESSINGS OF THE TEMPLE

THAT THE WONDERFUL SAINTS OF UKRAINE WILL SOON HAVE THEIR VERY OWN TEMPLE

Kiev Temple Dedication
Network:
Global
Date:
Monday, August 9, 2010
Time:
2:05pm - 5:05pm
Location:
KIEV

Announcement: 20 July 1998 Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 23 June 2007 by Paul B. Pieper
Construction Status
On Saturday, September 19, 2009, about 680 members of the Kyiv Ukraine Stake, outlying mission branches, and their friends gathered to witness the raising of Moroni atop the spire of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple. This event marks a major milestone in the construction of the temple, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2010. Installation of the exterior stone continues.
Nearly nine years since its announcement, ground was broken for the temple on Saturday, June 23, 2007, coinciding with the 97th birthday of President Gordon B. Hinckley. The event was indeed a fitting tribute to this inspired leader, whose program for accelerated temple construction worldwide paved the way for this temple in Ukraine.1
Though only recently introduced in 1991, the Church has grown steadily in this eastern European nation. At 8,500 members strong, the Church in Ukraine reached a milestone on May 30, 2004, when Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles organized the first stake of seven wards in Kyiv. Elder Nelson blessed members to love their neighbors as Christ that many more stakes might be organized. He also encouraged them in their family history work in preparation for the temple.2
During a trip to Europe in 2002 that included the rededication of the Freiberg Germany Temple and dedication of The Hague Netherlands Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley visited with the Ukrainian saints. Many hoped that the site would be pinpointed for the temple in Kyiv, which had been announced four years earlier; but no announcement was made. During the trip, President Hinckley did meet with Viktor Bondarenko, chairman of the state committee on religious affairs in Ukraine, who assisted the Church to acquire property. In an interview during a September 2002 trip to Utah, Bondarenko indicated that as far as he was aware, the process of securing land for the temple was then being finalized, noting that the major obstacle had been the large amount of land, about 3 or 4 hectares, requested by the Church.3
The announcement of the temple came just a week prior to the dedication of Ukraine's first meetinghouse in Donetsk on June 28, 1998.4

today was my birthday

2009-11-22T21:58:00.000-08:00

look who came over to help Nana celebrate

Wyatt and Monroe spent the night last night then we all went to church. We picked up my mom after church and brought her over for dinner. Karrissa had left a present and dinner cooking in the crock pot while we were at church. Bruce brought flowers and my favorite cake, a fruit basket. I got a sweet note from Olga in Ukraine and Sister Fry who was our mission Presidents wife wishing me a Happy Birthday. My friend Rita sent me an e-mail as well. Anya called from Ukraine and left me a voice message. I had alot of well wishes posted on Facebook from friends from the mission and my coworkers. They even sang Happy Birthday to me at church today. It was a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so loved and so special.

Thanks to Bruce, Karrissa, and Brad for all the effort you all made to make me feel so loved today. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

Fall ........Oh How I Love You

2009-11-22T20:14:00.000-08:00

and the gifts that you bring
cool, crisp nights, with warm fires

FAMILY ADVENTURES OUTDOORS

TRIPS TO

APPLE HILL

for Carmel Apples, Garlic Fries, and Honey sticks,

Oh and Horse rides,

playing in the hay Maze and

hanging out on the cool benches that swing

COOL, CRISP AUTUMN AIR fun drives in the Country

the beautiful Amber leaves on the grapevines

SEEING THE GRANDS EXCITED ABOUT DRESSING UP FOR HALLOWEEN

OUR LITTLE PRINCESS MONROE

KARRISSA THE ALIEN AND THE SOLDIER WHO CAPTURED HER (it's a Roswell thing)

ghost and goblins everwhere

Monroe and her cousin London

Wyatt and Maverick

Sweet little girls

wyatt

Monroe

It's good to be home again

2009-11-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

We have been keeping ourselves very busy...............

reuniting with dear friends,

spending lots and lots of time with

the grands

baking cookies with Wyatt

with family

(my sister Erin and her daughter Brooke)

a trip to the Pumpkin Patch with the Bailey family

FALL HAS ARRIVED

2009-10-13T08:12:00.001-07:00

we woke up to the sound of rain..................

I love it!!!!!

WELCOME FALL

seasons

2009-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

There are some days I really miss UKRAINE....
I could write a whole post about that
but not today........

Today I am LIVING IN THE MOMENT........

It is so great
to be HOME..........

I am loving spending time with my children again.

Karrissa and I got to go to "Time Out for Women" a few weeks ago.

It was so nice to have some time to just "hang out" together.

We had a nice relaxing drive to Pleasanton, and then got to just be spiritually fed. We listened to some great talks and then were treated to some awesome music by Jenny Oaks Baker, and Hillary Weeks. I am hooked on Hillary Weeks, I am sure my husband must be so sick of listening to the latest album but I love it. It relaxes me. I love to crank it up and sing along.

The scriptures teach us that there is a season for everything. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1.)

I love this season of my life.

This morning we woke up to the sounds and smells of fall. The air was crisp, the roosters were crowing, there was a gentle breeze blowing through our bedroom windows. There was nothing calling me out of bed but the warm sunshine on my back deck. No little voices calling "mommy I'm hungry." there weren't loads of laundry waiting to be started, or school projects to complete.

My time is my own now. Or maybe I should say "our time". This is really the season for Bruce and I as a couple to reconnect. I have loved that. That was the real gift of the mission. Reconnecting with my wonderful husband.

I digress, back to this morning.
As I began to stir and think about how I wanted to spend my morning as Bruce relaxed in bed. I thought that I might take a moment to reconnect with my dear loved ones in Ukraine, or maybe go outside with a good book and sit on the deck and read, or I could just sit in the warm sunshine and meditate.

There were so many seasons of my life that flew right by. It seems I was always anxious for what the next adventure would be. When the children were little I was always anticipating what the next big milestone would be. Dreaming about when they would walk, and then when we could have conversations. I wondered what we would talk about.

When I was in Nursing School I could hardly wait to finally be on my own. I met someone a few days ago who had just started the RN program and had just completed day 3 of his clinical rotation. I remember how exciting that was to finally be in my scrubs and walk through the hospital feeling like I belonged there. Like I was where I had always dreamed about being.
BUT, I also remember always waiting for the "next great thing" to come along, thinking "oh next week we get to do this or that". Oh how I wish I could go back and just "enjoy" it. I'd like to go back and sit in that hospital room with my very first patient that I was asked to interview and really listen to the answers she was giving me about her life, her illness, and her concerns. My mind was so preoccupied with "getting the assignment right" that I missed the experience, the magical moment of really connecting with someone.

I wish I could go back and just

savor it.

How many times have I just been waiting for what is coming next?

Life is filled with so many precious moments that just pass us by as we gaze off into the future waiting for our lives to begin.

When life is really found in each precious moment.

Yesterday I had one of those moments as I walked into the kitchen and found little baby Cash standing in the dishwasher. He was so proud of himself (he is just learning to stand and walk) somehow he figured out how to open the dishwasher, climb in and then stand on the door.

Nana's get to enjoy these little treasures. My life is no longer rushed. I got to stop and go get the camera take a quick picture and then just love on him for a moment. When we go for walks with the grands we get to stop and look at bugs, or look in holes in the ground, or just stop and sit whenever we feel like it.

I love that about being in this season of my life.

and I get to enjoy my grown kids.

I love that about my life too.

I don't have to try to fix their problems, I don't have to know everything that is going on with them. I am here if they need me to just be a sounding board, or to help them work through things so that they can find their own solutions.

The best part is we are here to enjoy this amazing season of their lives with them. What a blessing it is for us to be a part of our children's everyday lives.

I love this little guy

2009-10-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

Mission Reunion in Salt Lake

2009-10-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

We just got home from an amazing trip to Utah. The Andersen's decided to hold 2 mission reunions because BYU had a big game on Friday night and they didn't want to miss any BYU fans. So we attended both nights. It was so fun. We saw many of the young missionaries as well as the couples we served with. Then to my big surprise we saw Tanya who is from Ukraine. She is studying for a few months in Salt Lake so she came by to say hello. Then we saw, Julia who also is from Ukraine. She is a nanny in Colorado and served a mini mission while we were in Ukraine. It was so great to see them both. Then we were able to go out to lunch at Simply Tai, which is Michelle Pearson's mothers restaruant. Michelle served in Ukraine with us.
We met Sam Crossley, Colby Kalian, and Clark Harris there for lunch. We finished off the weekend by attending General Conference. We were able to attend all but one session live. It was incredible. We even ran into some of our friends there. Oh, and we got some exciting news that Elder Hunt is getting married. We saw him and his fiance with her parents at conference. We even got to go to lunch Saturday in between sessions with Justin Permenter and his brother.

We were so happy to see all our dear friends and hear what they have been up to since they got home from their missions.

We love them so much.

2009-10-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday night while Bruce was in the Priesthood Session of General Conference. I attended a "Ladies Night" that was put on by Deseret Book and got to listen to Hilary Weeks perform. She is amazing. I love her new album.

we didn't fly home until Monday night so we took a drive into the mountains where it was snowing

we saw some beautiful sights

and.....

we toured the roof of the Church office building. What amazing views!!!!

are we getting OLD?

2009-09-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

Is it really possible that

our baby is 25 !!!!!

and my little sister is a Grandmother

Our son, Nate turned 25 on September 16th so we had a party at our house this weekend.

Nate and his dad

Bruce has been making the kids "dirt" cakes for their birthdays for several years now and this is Nate and Bruce with the dirt cake, and a more traditional basket cake that Karrissa and I like.

Nate and his friend Tony. Nate and Tony have been friends since Nate was in Kindergarten. Tony is now a father of two beautiful children, Violet and Michael, and he is married to an awesome young woman, Courtney.

FAMILY

2009-09-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

My brother Jeff and his family came from Tracy

It was so much fun to have a house big enough for the whole family to gather.

There is nothing better than to be surrounded by loved ones. It was so fun to see my little niece with her two babies. She had her second baby while we were on our mission. What a great mommy she is.

My other niece Brooke has grown into such a beautiful young woman. She is such a help to my sister Erin with her two younger children, Josh and Kennedy.

Our three darlings

Nate and his cousin Brooke

Wyatt and Michael

BABY CASH TURNED ONE

2009-09-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

Our trip to Utah

2009-09-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

What a great trip we had. We got to finally meet so many wonderful people that I had been corresponding with while we were on the mission.

When Bruce arrived in Utah, (I was already there with my mom) we went to Elder Oldroyd's homecoming. This is him and his mom, Kandace. We surprised him by just showing up at his homecoming and we were surprised to see Elders Johnson, Carlson, and Crossley there. We met Elder Carlson's mother too. We spent the afternoon at the Oldroyd's home after the Sacrament Meeting. It was so nice to finally meet his family. Kandace had been following my blog and we had corresponded through e-mails while we were in Ukraine. Elder Oldroyd was in our District and the District Leader for a very long time so we got to know him really well. It was so good to see his hometown and meet his parents and family.

Elder Crossley, Sam, insisted that we come spend the rest of our trip with him and his family in Alpine Utah. So we found ourselves spending four nights in their home. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time getting to know his family. They were so kind to let us stay with them.

We went out to dinner with Calvin Harris and his fiance, Autumn and Sam and his friend, Shawnee, and Brad and Michelle Pearson. It was so fun to see them all together.

Education Week was awesome as usual.

Bruce and I both enjoyed our classes and the fun part for me was finally meeting Jane Ann Woodhead. JaneAnn had been following the blog and we had corresponded off and on during the mission as well. Her son was in Ukraine with us. Jane Ann and I met for lunch and then we went to some classes together in the afternoon. It felt like reuniting with an old friend.

The Jacob's Home

2009-09-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

While we were there we spent a Saturday afternoon at the Jacob's with some of the returned missionaries. This is (last names) Kalien, Hewlett, Hunt, Hatch, Rasmussen, Me, Valerie Clark, Erica Glen, Sarah Howard, and the Jacob's. We had a really nice visit with everyone and a great lunch. I even got to meet Elder Rasmussen's mom who is another mother who read the blog. I had been reading her blog too so it was so fun to finally meet in person.

St George Utah

2009-09-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

When we left Provo we headed for St. George Utah

I love California

But .............

I had no idea St. George was so
gorgeous!!!!

We stopped to see our friends Tode and Brad Hafen that we met at the MTC before we left for our mission. They served in South Africa while we were in Ukraine. While we were at Brad and Tode's home we had a visit from the Whitehead's their son was serving in Ukraine with us. It was so good to finally meet them.

What was suppose to be a one day visit turned into three. We had so much fun with Brad and Tode and felt like we had known them all our lives. We went to Zion and Bryce Canyons and then spent the night at their cabin in an amazing place called Pinto. We had our first Quad rides and were instantly hooked.

Well not only hooked on riding quads but...........

on St. George,..........Bryce Canyon, Zion, Pine Valley,

Pinto, Hot tubbing under the stars at the cabin, waking up to homemade waffles, it was so much fun we hated to leave.

We had such a wonderful time at the cabin and staying with Tode and Brad.

2009-09-09T09:02:00.001-07:00

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I found my camera

I'm back again.

Bruce kept telling me it wasn't really lost, he was sure we would find it and we did.

IT WAS IN THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well, just glad to have it back. so much to tell.....

We've been spending time with some very special people

2009-09-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Our daughter Karrissa and her husband Brad and their amazing children

Maverick

CASH

Monroe,

and our son Nate

AND THEN WE WENT TO UTAH AND MET UP WITH SOME MORE AMAZING PEOPLE

2009-09-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

this is just a sneak peek of what we have been up to..........................

we have to get to a Dental appointment and Bruce is going to come in any minute and wonder why I still have my pajamas on when our appointment is in less than an hour but I just had to post a quick update.

More later
I promise

Our friend Tode we met her and her husband Brad at the MTC and they served in Africa

Elder Whitehead's mom and dad

we saw them in Saint George

wonderful people

Our reunion at the Jacob's with a few of the returned missionaries

Elder Woodhead's mom, we met at Education Week and went to lunch and a few classes as well

We went to Elder Oldroyd's homecoming and saw Elders Carlson, Johnson, and Crossley

more later on that great reunion

Utah

2009-08-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

My mom and I just had a wonderful 5 days together. We left Sacramento Tuesday to drive to Salt Lake. Yesterday I put my mom on an airplane in Salt Lake to go back to Sacramento, then I picked Bruce up at the airport a few hours later. My mom and I had such a great time at in Salt Lake. We spent 3 days touring Temple Square, Welfare Square and the Humanitarian Center. She fell in love with all the Sister Missionaries we met. I have never had so much time to enjoy Temple Square.

Bruce and I are headed for Provo later today. We are so excited for Education Week and to see so many of our missionary friends again next Saturday. Sunday we are headed for Saint George and Las Vegas. Where we are hoping to see more friends who we met at the MTC, Tode and Brad Hafen, they served their mission in South Africa. I am also hoping to be able to get together with Dixie who was such an inspiration to me while I was on my mission.
I still haven't found my camera so sadly, no pictures

2009-08-12T21:45:00.001-07:00

Were having a picnic for any returned missionaries in the area at the Jacob's home in Orem on 8-22-09 at 1pm.
127 West 1700 South
Sister Jacob's cell 801-995-0560 spread the word and hope to see you there! Bring a salad or dessert!!!!

We're coming to Utah

2009-08-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

Bruce and I are going to be in Salt Lake City August 15th and Provo Aug 16-21st for Education Week. We are hoping to see some of our Mission Friends who live in the area during our trip maybe for dinner. Call me or write and let's get together OK.
melinda_kinghorn@hotmail.com

we're in the house

2009-08-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Now if I could just find my camera I would post a picture!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, we got our computer hooked up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I can finally post again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have moved everything out of our storage unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

everything out of Brad and Karrissa'a house,

we have had half of our new couch delivered,

and 6 of the 8 chairs to our dining table have been delivered and assembled

which brings me to this.............................

my husband who does not consider himself much of a handyman,

has assembled 6 Dining Chairs, 2 end tables, a Linen Cabinet,

and single handedly connected our Internet (saving us $200.00)

I was so impressed with the internet challenge, because he had to call technical support several times to get assistance and I didn't even hear him raise his voice once.

who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

we have been so blessed to have had help with this move from our son, Nate and daughter Karrissa and her husband Brad.

We are so grateful to our son-in-law who moved everything out of storage, picked up and delivered all our new furniture and even came over and power washed our new house and washed all the windows, inside and out. We are so lucky to have such an awesome young man for a second son.

I can't wait to invite you all over for a visit.

Mission Life

2009-07-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today we had the opportunity to speak with the High Council at church and tell them about our mission. We sat down at a conference table that was surrounded by about 12 men in suits and were given 10 minutes to share our mission experiences.

Everytime we have the opportunity to talk about our mission I get so homesick for Ukraine and our dear friends there. It is impossible to sum up 18 months of missionary service in 10 minutes. I couldn't sleep last night as I thought about the most important things I should remember to share.

My mind raced...... I must remember to mention the Health Fair,

and the Strengthening Families classes,

oh......... and I should tell the wonderful stories some of the members of the church shared with us about how their families were using some of the skills they learned in the classes,

and oh.................... I have to mention how much we loved having the missionaries in our home for district meetings each week, and how much we learned from them,

and what a miracle it was to see Olga get baptized and to see she and Vitaly married and planning to go to the temple,

and I have to mention sweet Anya, and Marina and her family and what an inspiration they were to us,

and I must tell them about the faithful Saints who save all year to go to the temple in Freiberg,

and I have to mention our wonderful Mission Presidents and their wives and how much we felt loved and supported by them,

and I must remember to share how much my testimony of Jesus Christ grew, and how our marriage was strengthened, and I can't leave out the wonderful experience we had at the Missionary Training Center,

and finally, I must remember to mention that we thought we were going to Ukraine to serve the people of Ukraine but after serving their for 18 months we learned that we went to Ukraine for our own personal growth.

Which really is the most important thing.......................

Bruce and I learned so much about ourselves, and one another, things we could have only learned through this incredible experience.

My mind raced all night........

and as I sat around that table and tried to convey the feelings of my heart and how much I loved being a missionary I simply had to trust the Lord would help me to find the words that would convey the truly life changing experience UKRAINE was for us.

I remember a conversation with President Fry shortly before we left as he counciled us to share the wonderful experiences we had as missionaries and not to focus on the challenges we faced.

Looking back, the challenges seem small and insignificant.

There is nothing left to say.

A part of me will always be in Ukraine. I will hold a very special place in my heart for the incredible people I met in Ukraine.

July update

2009-07-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

We went to the pancake breakfast and parade with Brad and Karrissa for the 4th of July. The children rode their bikes in a parade. We could only locate these two children for the picture the others were off having fun with their friends.
Most days we spend our time with these cuties. This is Maverick and Cash.
Bruce, Karrissa and I have been going to the gym every morning and working out and then take the four kids swimming. Some days we all pile in the van and go to Walmart of Costco for a little shopping adventure.

Bruce, Nathan, and myself at dinner

Once a week we meet our son Nate for dinner and conversation. He is doing great. We are so happy to spend time with our family again.

Well, I can't believe we have been home for two months now. I use that term loosly. HOME that is because we still don't have one. We are about 80% sure we will be moving into our new house this week. We have even purchased a new couch and some bedroom furniture and are moving it in next week even if the house hasn't closed. That is how confident we are that it will close in the next few days. We have been driving by the house every now and then just to imagine living there. I can't wait to get my things out of the storage boxes and finally have a place to call HOME again.

Bruce and I are glad to be back in America and it was awesome to celebrate the fourth of July here in America however, we couldn't help but reflect on what we were doing last fourth of July and how wonderful it was to spend the day with all the missionaries celebrating the great country that most of us were born and raised in.

There is nothing like missionary life. We miss it soooooo much. We miss so many things about it. I can't say enough about how much it changed us. We have had a few opportunities to speak at Church about our mission experience and it makes us miss it sooooo much and really appreciate what a great opportunity it was for us. i think about all the missionaries every day and about the sweet members of the church we came to love and we miss them so much.

Bruce is off to a San Francisco Giants game today and I have a few hours to myself at the Hotel that we are staying in for a few days. So I am enjoying being able to blog again but I have to go for now. Blessings and Love to you all.

Life in America

2009-06-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

It is so wonderful to be home. We have been spending so much time with our family that we have missed the special moments of being alone. Yesterday was our first day in Monterey and it was also Father's day. After we checked into our room we called Olga, Anya, and Sister Fry in Ukraine. A few minutes after we hung up Sister Lee (Charlene), called us from Pocatello Idaho. She and her husband were the Country Directors in Kiev while we were in Ukraine. It was so great to catch up with everyone. Then I got to spend some time creating our new blog and writing e-mails to people I haven't had time to contact yet. Nathan and Karrissa both called to wish their dad a Happy Fathers Day, and then we went out to dinner on the Wharf. Today we just went for a walk, sat on a park bench and read our books near the Harbor. What a great day, warm sunshine, blue skies, the sound of seagulls, and water lapping near the shore as we sat and read. I love this man.
Thanks Bruce for planning this great get-away. I love you so much.

Happy Father's Day Bruce

2009-06-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

The 1966 musical "I Do! I Do!" by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt featured the great love song "My Cup Runneth Over with Love." these words take on new meaning to me as I reflect this Father's Day on the love that I have for my sweet husband Bruce. I am so grateful to have him for my eternal companion.

"Sometimes in the morning when shadows are deep,

I lie here beside you, just watching you sleep,

And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of,

My Cup Runneth Over with Love.

Sometimes in the evening when you do not see,

I study the small things you do constantly,

I memorize moments that I'm fondest of,

My Cup Runneth Over with Love.

In only a moment we both will be old,

We won't even notice the world turning cold,

And so in this moment with sunlight above,

My Cup Runneth Over With Love."

My cup runneth over with love

2009-06-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite movies was Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock. I loved the little girl "Birdie". Birdie's mom and dad seperate and Birdie and her mother go to live with Birdie's grandmother.

I was deeply moved by the love Birdie's grandmother had for her daughter and granddaughter. There is a very touching moment when little Birdie tells her grandmother how much she loves her and the grandmother responds with,

"Oh honey, my cup runneth over".

That is how I have felt so many times this past month as I have had so many special moments with my family. This past six weeks we have been surrounded by family. We have gone to the coast with our children and grandchildren, attended church together, gone on picnics, played at the park, had barbeques. It seems like everytime we sit down a grandchild crawls into our laps. I love kneeling with them in family prayer each evening before they go to bed. I love how they greet us with squeals of delight as we wake up each morning. I love hearing my son's voice on the other end of the telephone when he calls just to tell me he loves me. I love to watch my daughter as she patiently manages her household of four children under 5 years old. We really do feel as if we are "walking on sunshine" every day of our lives.