Tidbits

• In 3rd grade, I wrote a story called "The Prince and the Cherry Pit". It was about a prince whose best friend was a cherry pit that got lost behind his dresser.

• I actually lived in Lehi when Footloose was filmed. I also remember hitchin a ride with my older sister when she dragged Main. There was absolutely no lights along that road back then. We'd start at the HS and go as far as the Colonial House and start all over again. For a 10 year old it was the highlight of my week.

• I was sent to the principle's office in 1st grade because I yelled down the hall at one of my classmates that was breaking the rules.

• I spray-painted my initials on the back of a Drive-In Screen. It was in varnish, but it's the deviance that counts.

• I had a "Harry Potter" scar on my forehead before Harry Potter was a common household name. It's shaped like a lightening bolt and is a result of my curious 4 year old self who went to extremes trying to get a gum ball without paying for it.

• I have OCD when it comes to loading the dishwasher. I don't care where the dishes end up after they are washed, but they need to be in order to maximize the space just right or I have to re-load it before I wash them.
  

• Our first fight as a married couple was over how to load the trunk of the car after our honeymoon. I guess Chris has a touch of OCD, too.
  

• I'm the baby of 3 girls, but you'd never guess it when we were growing up. We would climb trees in the cemetery, rip our jeans scaling fences, and play Charlie's Angles with cap guns we had received for Christmas in our stockings (thanks Dad). Forget the dolls, we wanted to heavy artillery.
  

Well, now you know more about me than you probably wanted to. But it was a nice trip down memory lane, anyway.

Kids Being Kids

This is turning out to be a great summer. We are doing all we can to get excited and involved. I have devised a plan of something to do at least 4 out of the 5 days in the week. We have some pretty exciting stuff coming up, but that's a whole different post.

Samantha and Zacory had a great time in Grandpa's backyard in this new jumper. I tell you, they are so spoiled! It seems like we didn't get anything fun growing up compared to what these guys have at their disposal: a jumper, airplane teeter-totter, basketball hoop, 4-wheeler vehicle. Man, I didn't get any of that stuff when I was a kid. I guess I'll just have to act like one all over again and enjoy everything along with my kids.


So you remember running in the sprinklers as a kid? We did all the time. We would even play hospital. One kid would get "hurt" and the ambulance (2 other kids) would come pick them up and drag them over to the hospital. We would treat the wound with mud and then they would wash it off in the sprinkler and it was the next kids turn to get hurt. Silly, huh? Well, here's an attempt at providing memories for my children. They were having a ball running around. It took Samantha a little while to get wet, but once she took the "plunge" there was not stopping her. I love to hear their laughter as they enjoy the simple things in this life.



Today we ventured to the District with Grandma and saw Kung Fu Panda. It was actually quite entertaining. I found it quite funny that after the show was over, I asked the kids to pose outside for a picture and they tried to imitate what they had just seen. It was priceless. We had a great time being in the cool show during the heat of the day. They need to keep these kid-friendly movies coming all summer, so we can do this more often. I have such great kids. I'm glad that they chose me as their mother. It has been a true joy to get to know them and what they have to bring to this world and family. I am truly blessed.

Summer Fun

We are having a great time so far this summer. First, we ventured to Lagoon with Chris' office. Doesn't everyone look thrilled to be riding the train? This was a little later on in the day, so we were a little tired and worn out. Tyler is our little Geronimo. He was game to go on just about anything he could. He loved the Wild Mouse and the Flying Aces. We also had a blast on the Tilt-A-Whirl. I dragged my sister along for the day so we could do the twisty-turnie rides. Chris gets motion sick and can't do a whole lot. He occupied Sam on the Sky Ride for about a hour because it stopped and started so many times. I took her once and I was freakin out. She could've fallen through the bars easily. I was fine if we kept moving because that meant we were almost there, but when it would stop, so would my heart. I had a death grip on her the whole time. Sam had a good time with Aunt Steph. It really was a fun time for all. Steph and I ventured on a ride called the Samuri. I literally thought I was going to throw-up and then DIE! I was so scarred. I couldn't hit another ride for almost an hour afterwards. I think that's a sign you're getting old: you can't go on the intense rides over and over again.



The next day we went to the ward camp out. We were pretty much spent by that time. It was somewhat of a chore to get everyone ready, but we thought the kids would have a great time. They really like to get dirty. Chris and I don't mind it either, I guess. We explored, visited and tried to sleep. I think I got a total of 2 hours all night just because. The kids and Chris slept fine. I think I've learned that whenever I'm NOT sleeping in my cozy bed at home, I need to take something to knock me out. Otherwise, I don't sleep. It was a fun time for all. We especially liked the tower o' cobbler. Quite impressive. Nick and Mark would've kept piling them up if there had been more to put on. Thanks to those who organized it. I know it can be a lot of work.

Reflections on Dad

I've had some time to reflect on my Dad and the influence he's had on my life. He is the reason I'm who I am today and I love him so very much.



As a young girl I really liked to cook. About age 10, I tried to cook my first cake not from a box. The cake turned out great. It was the frosting that I got hung up on. I didn't know what "confectioner's sugar" was so I improvised and used granulated sugar; the only sugar I knew existed in our household because it was the one in the container on the counter. Needless to say, I ruined everything. I was so distraught and disappointed. I ran out of the house into the back yard and attempted to hide from my failure. My dad came and found me. He had brought out a towel to wipe away my tears. We sunk to the grass and just cuddled and talked while we watched the sun slowly set. I learned that it's OK to make mistakes and that my Dad loved me no matter what I did wrong.



Growing up, my family had one pew that we would sit on every Sunday. Everyone knew it was the Powell's bench and it would always be empty whether we were early or late. Every Fast Sunday, one of us girls would bear our testimonies, sometimes all three of us. You would think that my parents were holding FHE every week and just righteousness was dripping from their pores. Little did anyone realize that my dad would BRIBE us. Our FHE consisted of going to the local Baskin Robbins for ice cream cones. He would buy us ice cream sundaes if we had born our testimonies in church. Inadvertently, I learned to love the gospel and despite the questionable push, I overcame any fear of public speaking all because I was easily bribed.



Later in adolescence, I participated on the Cheer Squad. I was driven and learned new things to ensure my success as a cheerleader. I had just started my Junior or 3rd year cheering when my Dad asked why I was still doing this. He seemed baffled that I wouldn't move on to something else. It was pretty simple in my mind. You see, I had always been secretly envious of my friends and sisters who had received trophies for participating in various activities. I had received lots of participation medals but was mediocre enough not to shine. I replied, "To get a trophy." Then I explained this secret wish of mine and that 3rd and 4th year cheerleaders receive trophies at the end of the year. I was working towards a trophy I could call my own. That year for my birthday, my Dad gave me a trophy for just being his daughter. He had engraved my treasured accomplishments to that point of my life (17) and ended with "A-1 #3 Kid." That meant that I as A-1 in his book, but I happened to be the third daughter. He taught me that just being me was reason enough to be recognized for greatness.



Throughout my life, my father has had an open door. He is more than happy to invite others into his home and share a meal and conversation. I have a cousin who was estranged from his family for a number of years. He lived a few hours away from us in CA and knew he had an open invitation to visit any time. My dad not only extended his hand of fellowship to him, but became the Father figure he was so lacking in his own family. He taught him how to lay tile, plant a garden and fix a broken chain on a bike. To this day, my Dad is very open with invites and makes everyone feel welcome and loved. This has taught me to open my home; to be available to others and make them feel appreciated for what they have to offer whatever it may be.



I write these words of love and appreciation for a man living with Cancer. I have watched his health decline over the past year and fear for what the future holds for him and us. I have watched his energy decline but enthusiasm electrify the air around him. I watch as his body rides a roller coaster of ups and downs that he has no choice to get off and I see a strong man learn patience with the circumstances he cannot change. I have watched my Dad grow through this chapter of his life and could not feel more pride and amazement for who he has become.



So I thank you, Dad. I thank you for all you have done for me, for all you have taught me, and for all your love you have showered upon me in my life. I have always felt like the "Favored" child while knowing that my dear sisters have felt the same way. You are loved beyond measure and I pray in gratitude for the opportunity to be your daughter.

Pictures in Review

I had a blast looking over the pictures on my camera. It's new since Christmas and I have yet to download my images. I thought y'all might get a kick out of some of them.

We have entered into the wonderful world of trying not to take over school projects. It didn't work so well. I had fun using my Cricuit for Zac's "100" project. BTW there are 100 butterflies that Zacory stamped on the poster.


I had to reign Chris in from going way too far with Tyler's favorite animal diorama. He was talking about a fake water pond and putting a hippo half sinking in it. Oh Man! He was getting way too complicated for a KINDERGARTEN project. I think the only thing Tyler did on this one was paint the bright purple, orange and green lions the brownish color.





I realized that both of us need to take a step back and allow Zac and Tyler to do their own projects and gently direct them instead of taking over the project.








Zacory's baptism was great. I'm happy to actually have these pictures. In the rush to get out the door at 9:00am Saturday morning, I forgot my camera. That's what I get for not getting my things together the night before.


Aren't my boys just handsome?

It was a really special day and I was so grateful for all the family and friends that were there to share in Zac's baptism.

On a special note, Heidi Mock was baptized the same day. Amber, her mom, has been my constant Visiting Teacher since I've lived in the ward, going on 3 years.




Afterward, we returned home to eat scrumptious fixin's. I caught Sami looking so cute in this magicians top hat.
Our trip to Mazatlan was nice and relaxing. We are very blessed to have Chris employed at an office that does these "reward" trips. Otherwise we wouldn't go anywhere. We had a wonderful time exploring, sitting on the beach, and deep sea fishing.


Every time the fishing line would snap, we'd get all excited that we had actually "caught" the big one. Chris did a fantastic job reeling in the not so big one.


I may have only been a about a foot long, but it was the biggest fish Chris has caught to date.


The highlight of the whole off shore excursion was watching a pod of dolphin swim in the wild. There were about 200 and we think they were teaching their children to jump out of the water. It was quite the sight to behold. They are such beautiful animals and so so smart. They would come right up to the side of the boat and swim right next to us. I could see them through the water and could almost reach out and touch them.




We had such a wonderful time and had a great room. We were positioned right over the beach and could see the sunsets from out balcony. It was just beautiful and peaceful.

There are so many more I'd like to share, but that's all the time I have right now. I hope you enjoy this little look into our good times.

Daily Miracles

So on Sunday I bore my testimony about miracles. Little did I realize that we would be blessed with so many more is just the last few days. First, Chris' schedule has been very sparse. If he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid, so that's not a good thing. Tuesday night he prayed that we would get more patients and his schedule will fill up. By noon Wednesday he had a full schedule for the rest of the week. Second, Samantha has been sick lately and this aggravates her asthma. She was having a difficult time breathing yesterday and I had to get her to the doctor, but my van was trapped in the garage with the power out and no way to keep the garage door open and drive it out at the same time. So while on the phone with a neighbor asking for help the power clicked back on and we were outta here. Also yesterday, our receptionist at the office gave us notice. We are so sad to have her leave. She's great but knew she wouldn't be with us much longer. Today, Chris got a resume out of the blue for a receptionist that is experienced and bilingual. Our Spanish patient base is huge and only Chris and the hygienist can speak it. A receptionist who could speak Spanish would be wonderful.

I am just amazed at how the Lord knows each one of us and our needs and even on a daily basis. Wow. My faith has been rekindled. They aren't lying when they say a testimony is found in the bearing of it.

Pondering the World

Why is it that some days I feel on top of the world and other days I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders?

Greetings

I am so excited about this new adventure. Be patient with me, as I am still learning all the ins and outs of this new venture.