Table for Eight

Yesterday turned out a lot better than we expected: --The repair shop was able to tow and fix our car SAME-DAY! So we are back to being a 2-car household (Which I know is lame to say out-loud, but it's really helpful for us to have two cars). --The car wash phoned late last night to say they had reviewed their security footage and were able to find the footage with Dave leaving his phone on top of the payment pillar. YAY! After leaving the phone, security footage shows customers going through the line for the next 30 minutes, finding the phone and setting it back down on top of the pillar ... and that's when an older model Nissan XTerra drove in the line, grabbed the phone from the pillar and backed out of the line without purchasing a car wash. Boooooooooo! For a second we really thought we were going to be able to use the footage to at least report/confirm the phone stolen, but unfortunately the license plate was/is not visible on the footage.  Waaaaaaaaaaa! ...

I take the Easy Road when it comes to caramel apples. Dave and I have been talking a lot this past month about the notion of "EASY." In part, because my experience on Survivor taught me that taking the "easy" path in nearly every scenario is not a good thing (you gain muscle when you struggle--and that's a good thing in the big picture). And in part, because Dave is reading a book where the first chapter is entitled, " The Pursuit of Easy Things Makes Men Weak ." Kinda hits ya in the face like a ton o' bricks, right? Here all this time, I was thinking EASY was a good thing (Easy tests? Love them. Easy workout? Even better.) But it turns out I was wrong. We NEED resistance in life in order to build our strength and character. Now, that being said, this notion of "easy = not-so-great"  doesn't necessarily apply to all life-situations. Like, take caramel apples. In this instance, taking the EASY road actually i...

Scout Troop atop King's Peak (Jr in back row, far right: Bandana Man-Child.).   Last weekend Jr and his Scout troop climbed/hiked King's Peak --the highest peak in Utah (13,500+ ft).  It really was a "Survivor-type" experience for Jr.: he was able to challenge himself on SO many levels. And he did such a great job (he's such a strong young man). We're proud of you for completing this GIGANTIC goal, Jr. (And we're so thankful to your leaders for preparing and guiding you along the way.)   **** PS: This morning's walk: Lu and Zu--up a little earlier than usual. This fella joined us. Psst: THE biggest bug I've seen since Survivor. Eeek! (PS: Zu begged me to let her hold it. I'm medium on bug-holding. How about you?)

Harriet with her homemade Service Dog backpack. (Made by Lu. Filled with First Aid supplies.) We have always been a pet family. (In fact, Dave brought his dog--a Golden Retriever, Barney--on our very first date.) There's just something about having animals that makes our family/life seem more normal and more fun. So over the years we have had cats, guinea pigs, fish, turtles and beautiful dogs. They have each been a huge part of our lives. (And the reason for our expertise in carpet cleaning. Ugh.) But my point! This past week I read a book about a "Service Dog" entitled "Comet's Tale," and as a result I learned that there's a whole world of animal care/life I didn't even know existed. Sure, I'd always known what a "Seeing Eye Dog" was, and our local library has a "Therapy Dog" that the kids can read with once a month, oh--and I remember from childhood cartoons that Saint Bernards carry bourbon in a tiny b...

For all of my friends/family facing mountains right now, the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I love you and am thinking of you. "God Is Able" by Smokie Norful   God is able, God is able God is able and He won't fail Tell me who can make a mountain Move out of my way And who can make a miracle Because of my faith And when the doctor says no Who can still say yes And when I'm in trouble Who's right there to help me pass every test God is able, God is able God is able and He won't fail Tell me who can make a river Out of a little stream And who can tell the clouds To roll back so that the sun can look at me And who can tell the wind to whistle through the trees And when I'm in trouble who is the same God That will come down and rescue me God is able, God is able God is able and He won't fail He won't fail He won't fail Don't you dare give up Don't you dare give in God won't f...

Bam, Papaya and Lu at Disneyland 2010. Like everyone, our lives are full of good and hard. Right now is one of those HARD times. As my BFF said last night when we got off the phone after an update, "Sometimes, don't you feel/think Survivor didn't end, it just changed locations?" And I had to laugh and think, "No question." Survivor has taught me that HARD is part of life. And just because there's HARD doesn't mean life isn't still GOOD. Really good. So, my point! As we face our family's HARD right now, please know, we send love and peace to you as you face yours. (And if it's not too much to ask, please keep us in your thoughts. I truly believe there's a power to collective thought.) XO to you and yours. PS: Since I'm not on Twitter, I'm posting my favorite quote of the week here today. I think it's just awesome:   "We make moment-by-moment decisions what kind of people to be -- whether ...

Our dog, Harriet, asleep Survivor Finale' weekend--IN MY PARENT'S BED! We had no idea. Apparently our kids set this up--and Harriet didn't object. Sorry, mom and dad! I hope you all had a great weekend.  We di d! It was our first weekend without Survivor-related things in t hree+ years. (For reals : I was originally cast fo r season 21 /22, so w e've had Survivor in our lives for a looooonnnngg time ! ) I heart Survivor and the blessing it's been in our lives so very much , but it just feels so good to come back t o life as we know it . I have never loved doing laundry or dishes more. And I really mean that . So, until Tuesday, have a G REAT DAY . Much love to you and your s .   *****   PS: For all my friends and family who've been "worried " about us/me, please know , for every criticism someone has shared related to Survivor, I ' ve received at least two supports/love in kind. (Take that, internet c yber-bulli...

Bam's birthfather, Cory. Last night we got a phone call that turned ou r wor ld upside -down.  We learned that Cory, our daughter Bam's birthfather, had taken his life. We're just in shock. Total shock and extreme sadness. Cory and Candace (her birthparents) mean so much to our family.  They are our family.   We 've known th em since shortly before Bam was b orn-- nearly 16 years ago . And if sharing a bond like Bam wasn't enough to meld our hearts into one, we've had an open adoption and lived in the same city as they have for many many years . We love their family, their extended famil y, and their chi ldren. Simply put: the y changed our family at ou r core. I wish I had the right words. I wish I kn ew how to comfort Bam , Candace, their other children and grandparents. And I wish I kn ew how to stop pain--true pain--like Cory 's. It seems so unfair to have such a heavy burden on your mind/shoulders , one that leads you to...

(c) Iyanla Vanzant, 2012. I love thi s q uote. Do esn't it just fire ya u p?     H ave a beautiful weekend!

Well, I wasn't planning on listing My Favorite Things today, but it seemed like the only thing to do ... given that our ONE working car will NOT start this morning.  Did I mention I start teaching at BYU today? And that it's 32 miles away from our home? Ahhh. Life. Sometimes it's just too much fun. Right? Anyway, no use crying in the middle of the sitcom that is my life--seems like it's much more "fun" to just take a few minutes and remember all the good that's happened in August.  At least that's what I'm telling myself. Ha! Have a beautiful day wherever you are. ;) Some of My Favorite Things This August Bam and Papaya on the first day of school. Lu and Zu on a walk this past weekend. Zu and Lu again. (This is the run-off from the lake near our home.) This random duck sighting. (Taken by our oldest, Jay.) Utah clouds. They're incredible! Papaya. Jr's bday (and Harriet's relu...