Table for Eight

It turns out yesterday was not the end to our Stolen Phone Story. At about 10am on Thursday, the owner of the $3 Car Wash (Which isn't $3, PS. No idea why?) phoned to tell me he had re-reviewed the security footage from night Dave's phone was stolen and had more information for us. For those of you following this wacky story, this would be our 4th day of interaction with the employees, managers, and owner of the car wash.  Every day they have tried a little harder to help us get Dave's phone back AND find the person who took it. To be honest, as I read the number on this inbound call I thought to myself, "How could there be more? We already know the footage doesn't show the license number of the car/car owner that took the phone?" But it turns out the car wash owner wasn't satisfied with just letting this go. He wanted to do all he could to help us--and give his business a positive reputation. So, my point! The car wash owner was able to ...

There are so many good good people in the world. And sometimes I think I forget to take note of all the extraordinary kindness that's shown to me or my family. So, I wanted to take a second and write down three really special moments we had this week, moments I hope I will try and reciprocate for other people.   1. Introduction To A Service Dog. We saw a "service dog" on our way to the store Wednesday and we were immediately smitten. The puppy's name was Rarlyn and she was a beautiful dog; we were eager to learn more about her and what she does. But I was a little nervous about taking the trainer's time, because I imagine a lot of people stop them as they go about their work. (This probably comes a little from my experience post-Survivor. I am usually reluctant to stop people in public places now. Ha.) Anyway, we ended up in conversation with Rarlyn's trainer and I couldn't believe how kind she was. She gave us a mini-overview of the work she ...

Me with our sweet baby Zu, a few years ago. I know it's completely stepping out on a limb to think that I could/should offer a parenting tip: I have SO much to learn yet myself. BUT, after Zu came home yesterday and shared this experience she had while riding her bike in our neighborhood . . . I just had to . And in my defense, I have had a few profound life experiences adopting 6 kiddos and living on a deserted island with "strangers" for 67 days--experiences that have taught me one SUPER IMPORTANT LIFE/PARENTING LESSON/LIFE-HACK: Whenever you meet someone--no matter where or how you come to meet--focus on what you have in common. Find the common ground. Even if the only thing you have in common is that you are both human beings on Planet E at this unique space/time: find the common ground. Your relationships, and the health of our societies, depend on us finding common ground one with another. I promise you--try it for a day and you will see what ...

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 ...

My thoughts are all Oklahoma today. I woke up wanting to do something to help, but wasn't sure what/how, so I visited The Pioneer Woman's blog this morning and she has a lot of suggestions. In case you are wondering also, here's the link to her blog: http://www.thepioneerwoman.com PS: I don't know Ree Drummond personally, but I'm guessing many of you have heard of her? She lives in Oklahoma and is a famous mom, blogger, rancher, and cookbook author. Her blog is phenomenal. (But just in case you're wondering, I don't have any connections to her, I just wanted to post the link to her site because it's All Things Oklahoma--and that helped me this morning.) It seems like today's a good day to remember to hug your babies/family/friends. Lu, Papaya, and Zu in 2010.

Lots to rememb er and  honor here in the US today: 1. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life, legacy, and birthday observance today. 2. The Inauguration of President Barack Obama. (c) Lainey Melnick, via @pinterest at the Inauguration Ceremony ***** I hope you have a beautiful start to your week! PS: I wanted to share this with you today.  Yes, it's religious. Ye s, it's forward of me. But for me, God is LOVE--regardless of your belief-system. So everywhere and every time I hear GOD, I think LOVE. Much love to you today. 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 r...

Opening our box of goodies. Last year I was sitting at our kids' gymnastics practice when I received a message from Tyler Cox--the amazing college student who's featured on TLC's Extreme Couponing. He was writing to tell me he was/is a big Survivor fan and also let me know about his show. Ironically, our family had already seen his show and fallen in love with him months before. So, Tyler and I did what all reality tv people (oh that cracks me up) do: we formed a Mutual Admiration Society and vowed to keep in touch and one day meet. Well, we haven't met yet. But ... yesterday our doorbell rang and the UPS Man (ours is really a man) had a gigantic box for us FROM TYLER. Can you believe that? Tyler--From Extreme Couponing; A college student (21); With lots of college things and work on his mind--took the time to pick out things each of our kids would like, package them up in a box with a teddy bear on it, and send them to us.   Oh! And wait! He also sen...

We're on our way to sunny So Cal to speak at a youth conference. I. Can't. Wait.  Heaven knows there's nothing quite like green grass in March ! Woo hoo! **** Now, about Survivor last night. Did you watch? Oh, man. What the what? What did you think? Here's how I felt after watching last night: And here are a few other thoughts: 1. The women ROCKED that reward challenge! It's hard to launch coconuts using surgical tubing. The women were amazing! 2. The women did not ROCK the immunity challenge. I'm thinking maybe the lack of food, water, and sleep may have contributed to that. 3. What's up with the rice and lawn chairs? I've been able to confirm this w/ a cast member: both tribes have rice this season. Huh?  (And a lawn chair?) We didn't have rice, just coconuts/fish. (Granted, Savaii won taro in the first reward challenge, but Upolu never had a starch/carb.)  How are people supposed to star...

Happy Monday! This is a big week: 1. I'm planning to relaunch the blog on Wednesday--with some fun changes/updates. 2. We're giving away the heart-shaped waffle maker Wednesday morning. So, if you've entered the contest already, you're set. And if you haven't entered, you've got until Tuesday, Jan. 31 @ 11:59pm (MST) to do so. Click here for more details on the giveaway: http://thedeserethousewife.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html PS:   I wanted to share this picture (above)--to show you just how incredible the whole "Survivor" experience continues to be.  If you've read the blog before, you might remember me mentioning a college student, Jake, who met me at the SLC International Airport over the Christmas break?  Well, I'd mentioned on the blog that I wanted to send him some bread.  And I finally did. So Jake--and his friends--sent this photo Saturday when the bread arriv...

My best "Cowboy Rick" impersonation. On the heels of yesterday's somewhat whine-y post about our experience at the library, I wanted to post today about all of the AWESOME people there are on Planet E. Because if there's one thing being on national television has taught me, it's that 99.9% of the world's population is KIND, GENEROUS, FUN, THOUGHTFUL, and LOVING. Prove it, you say? I can. Using 6 of my most recent Twitter exchanges-- with people I've never met in person -- I can prove my theory: My Theory = Planet E is overflowing with kind, generous, fun, thoughtful, loving people. Examples #1 and #2 Stephen Fishbach and Courtney Yates are both Survivors (Tocantins, China, Heroes v. Villains) They both corresponded with me via Twitter once Survivor South Pacific started airing.  Though we've never officially met,  we have had so many kind, funny exchanges on twitter. They are downright good peop...