Goblin Valley & Galaxy Quest

We had such a great time hiking in the valley of goblins this weekend. I added this picture of the movie Galaxy Quest because it is one that Justin worked on the movie set when we first started dating 11 years ago. There is a part of it that was filmed in the valley. It was fun to reminisce and think about him trying to describe this to me over the phone. Now I understand the giant red rocks scattered throughout out first home. The truth is, I have never seen anything like this place. The kids loved playing hide and seek and we even hiked to this really awesome cave. We went home and watched Galaxy Quest and had fun picking Justin out of the behind the scenes footage.

Here are some other films he has worked on:

Meet the Deedles

The Testaments

Host

Blues Traveler Video

Several episodes of "Touched by an Angel"

My Mother's Smile

My mother and I were shopping last night. It's probably our favorite thing to do together besides going to garage sales (which we did last Saturday) and is in itself a form of shopping. Last night, this sweet lady looked at us both and said, "You know, you both have the same smile". I immediately broke out in tears which then made my momma cry too. It was in that moment that I realized, despite some of our challenges....

All I am, is because of her!

It's now her favorite story to tell.

Smile on......

This is How We......

get a drink of water at our house.....Who needs a cup, anyway?

This works perfectly fine if you ask me.

This photograph is 100% authentic by the way. Our boys are serious about staying hydrated over the summer!

We Did It!!!

I work with the most fantastic people on earth, REALLY and TRUELY!

I am grateful.....

to work for a company whose core vales are aligned with who I am,

a company that values human relationships and the dignity of our elderly residents above all else.

I am grateful....

to be part of an organization who puts great value in my talents and takes the time to teach me and build my weaknesses into great opportunities of learning.

I am grateful....

to work for people who appreciate that I am a working mother and that the time I have with my children is precious.

I am proud....

to be an employee of Courtyard at Jamestown.

2009 Best of State Assisted Living.....

After 9 years, I am STILL IN LOVE with this place....Quite possibly the best senior living community in the world if you ask me!

Priceless....

*The yummy things I can make from all the freshness that is grown here....

WORTH A LOT....

*A husband who spent his childhood gardening as a chore and not really caring for it, doing it for his wife anyway (with a bum shoulder in tow I might add).....

WORTH MORE......

A Father, teaching his son what a man in love does for his woman.....

PRICELESS

Living Planet Aquarium

Look at this cute boy, obviously feeling SO much better these days!




Another Great Photo OP Of Miss Abby making funny faces at Mr. Fishy







One of the coolest things about the aquarium is there is a "touch and feel" exhibit where the children can explore the sing rays, starfish and other sea creatures.

This was a REAL ELECTRIC EEL!

You could even hear the electrical charges it was giving off. So Cool!

There is a spotted sting ray at the top

of this photo with Ethan.







This HUGE Octopus came out just to

say "Hello" to us.

Phoenix

I have to brag about Justin for a minute. I think he has the best taste in music. In fact, his opinions on music have had an influence on me since the late 80's. I mean, he is the person who introduced those great favorites like: Erasure, Depeche Mode, The Cure and so many more. As a high school graduation gift, he took me my first ever concert to see INXS in Kansas City. Different kinds of music have defined our friendship, dating relationship and marriage. A song can easily remind me of all the tender moments we have shared in our life together. It's funny to me that my current favorites like Snow Patrol, Killers, Phoenix and others that I really did not like when he first introduced them to me. I need to learn to trust that whatever he likes will soon become my favorite, I just need to give it a chance. I love that he always makes mix cds still for different seasons and times of year. I must admit that to this day, I have absolutely NO idea how to put something on my own IPOD. He does all that for me! This week I fell in love with the song "Love In a Coffee Shop". I had no clue as to the title or artist. He went right to work finding it for me and by dinner time it was magically in our cd player! What I really want to say is that so often when we are married to someone, there is such a natural tendency to focus on what that person doesn't do or what they could do better. We so miss the awesome things they do for us everyday! Thanks to my sweet husband who fills my life with beautiful music!

P.S. Phoenix is the new group I love, you should check them out on Pandora!

My mom just called to say, "They loaded up the RV and are leaving Missouri this morning....." They should be in Utah by the end of the week! They will be here for the whole month of June. We've planned some fun adventures in the RV to Southern Utah! Only one problem, I have to get my life organized here before she arrives! She can't see all the mess I have become since she departed 6 months ago.... Is it AWFUL to have a "TO DO" List for her??????

Here's My Wish List:

1. Have Dad Fix Garage Door

2. Hanging Baskets on the Back Patio

3. Paint My Front Door Black

4. Stain Dining Room Furniture

5. Paint Stucco on Entry of House Exterior

6. Window Boxes on Front of House

7. Get the Garden of "Weeden" Under Control

Are you thinking about how selfish I am?????

Then, you must know my mother's first words when she pulls in the drive will be,
"What projects can we work on this time????"

P.S. Mr. Hill is reading this and thinking to himself, "What is wrong with her?"

It's called OCD Honey, You've been living with it for a LONG time now!

Love In A Photo Booth

She's My Best Girl!!!!!

Today, I am Remembering....

Tom Wyatt, my dad's father who lost his battle with cancer 17 years ago....

Lester Arthur, my great grandfather and whom I spent most of my childhood years riding "horsey" on his leg.....

Ann Arthur, my great grandmother who passed 2 years ago at the age of 97. A woman who taught me about all things beautiful and graceful......
(You can always pick her out in a photo from the biggest bow)

Wilma Danner, my mom's mother...A woman who climbed impossible mountains in her life.

Who are you remembering today?

A Day To Celebrate!!!!

Bekky entitled this photo, "Mindy Made Us Do It"

P.S. Todd looks mean, b/c he IS!

A Message from your friends in Provo!

Dear Mr. MBA,
In honor of your graduation day, we played bingo, went to Wal-Mart, observed "Popcorn Friday" (even though it is Thursday:) and went for a spin on the pond in a rubber boat! Good thing there was no flood!

On a serious note, ALWAYS knew you were destined for something great in life. I hope it goes without saying, I cherish the 5 years we worked together and learned SO much from you! Thank you for the constant guidance and support (we all knew I was more like your assistant than you mine), maternity leave coverage and countless discussions on the meaning of life! Courtyard will never be the same without you! Johnson and Johnson is LUCKY to have you as an employee. See you in Jersey!

A New Thought....

After this week, I thought of a new caption for this great picture:

THERE IS ALWAYS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!

Better Days....

Just after surgery, all tuckered out!

This is what being BRAVE looks like!

Isaac has a new cool white tiger he named ARIES, his new friend has given him a lot of comfort as of late.

This is very typical of "the middle child"

This is our sweet daughter, very concerned about her big brother.

There's nothing like seeing your babies joined together like this. So glad they want to take care of one another.

That's LOVE

He continues to do better today. Well, really it's 10:30 and he's not awake yet. He slept snugly between Justin and I awoke at 7 a.m. to take some pain medicine and go back to bed. I am glad he's getting some good rest. He is a lot like me and has a difficult time just staying down and being restful. I called the pediatrician this morning and he's ecstatic that things are going better. I think both he and I are relieved that we made the best decision not to have him put in the hospital. We were planning on camping in Hobble Creek Canyon for Memorial Day Weekend, but can't chance putting him in cold weather so we're looking forward to another quiet and restful weekend around our house. He'll have a follow up chest x-ray next week and see Dr. Cornish to talk again about the immune deficiency and where to go from here. All in all, looks like better days ahead for him and for that we are thankful!