Rides

Our family loves to go on rides!  It's just something we do, and it started way back when we were first married.  It's so fun to just hop in your car, and drive somewhere you've never been before!  The frequency of our rides have definately been scaled back, since gas prices have risen over the years, but we still manage to squeeze them in every once in a while.

We've seen some strange sightings on the past two rides we've taken. 

We took these two pictures on one of our shorter rides.  These guys love to meander across a road close to our home. 

On Tuesday, we drove to a place I've been dying to check out-- Madera Canyon.

We saw a group of wild Turkeys, crazy!  That's a first for me.

The strangest thing we saw was this:

A river bed full of water!  I think we're going to go on a family hike in Sabino Canyon on Monday.  I hear it's full of water as well.  We've had so much rain lately!  Fun stuff.

Reading

My book list is getting really long!  I belong to a women's book club, and love it!  I get so busy, that I know I wouldn't make the effort to read as much without it.

For March we're reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  A good classic!  I'm only on the 6th Chapter, and I'm already hooked.  The language is very formal, so it is a challenge for me, but it's understandable as well.

For April, I'm hosting.  I had a hard time choosing since I don't have much time to read other than what we're reading for book club.  My friend Aimee suggested Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jaime Ford.  I've already read a few chapters in that, and it drew me in right away.  I can't wait to dive into it.

The kids and I are reading Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren.  They're in a book club as well.

As I have mention before, Morgan and I are singing in the Stake Choir.  What does that have to do with reading?  The Stake President specifically asked that we increase our scripture reading, and try to read everyday until the performance.  So I've taken on his challenge.  I've been trying to fit in as much time for scripture reading as possible.  If I can't read, I'll listen to the scriptures on my phone while driving.  I often wonder why I don't always read more.  I'm so much more able to enjoy the scriptures and get far more out of them, when I read more at a time!  I'm also hoping, with all this additional scripture reading, that I will feel closer to the spirit.  I'm searching for a few answers in prayer right now, and I need all the help I can get.

On a totally unrelated side note--  I have strained my neck.  Ouch!  I did it a few days ago, and unfortunately it is not improving.  I'm really not liking this!  It hurts when I don't move at all, when I sleep, when I sit.  Please tell me this too shall pass.

Kaitlyn's in the ER

Morgan woke me up around 1:40 am to tell me that Kaitlyn couldn't breath!  When I got to her, she was coughing and struggling for every breath.  She had fear written all over her face, and I knew it was serious.  When she gets bad like this, it's so scary!  We live about 40 minutes from the hospital, so there's always the chance we may have to call the ambulance.

Aaron and I gave her 2 nebulizer treatments, which helped-- but she was still wheezing a lot, so we decided she should go to the ER.  Morgan said that she had a green/yellow color to her face when he first helped her out of bed, and he seemed pretty worried. 

It's now 3:10 am, and I'm still wide awake.  It's hard to go back to sleep, and I'm waiting to hear from Aaron.  I'll write more, when I find out how she's doing.

It's Been a While

No, I did not die-- even though it may have seemed like it.  I did, however, attend a funeral this week and I found out yesterday morning, that my choir teacher (the one I had in middle school and all through high school) died.

When my mom called to tell me the sad news yesterday, it caught me off guard.  I didn't realize how sad loosing my choir teacher would make me feel.  I guess, out of all my teachers, she was the one I was closest to.  She definately influenced me.  She taught me a lot about singing and dancing.  We worked hard preparing show choir competitions.  I have many good memories of her.  It was hard to know that her life ended at such a young age.  She had so much energy! 

I cried on and off yesterday morning, and found myself wanting to listen to the Hymn Each Life That Touches Ours For Good. 

1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.


2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.


3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.


4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.
Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943.


Listening to this song helped me feel better, and allowed me to move on with my day.  I really like Dustin Gedhill's version of this hymn on his CD, Always.  Actually, I love all of that CD, and I especially like to play it when I feel emotionally drained.  It uplifts me when I listen to it. 

Anyways, my week wasn't all filled with sad news. 

Aaron and I went to the Temple on Saturday.  Some members of our ward drove up to the temple, and watched our kids for us.  It was a special day for Aaron and I.  We haven't gone since last May or so.  I just love going, it really blesses our marriage and helps us both feel closer to Heavenly Father.

We've been working on work samples again.  They're due every month, and it takes some time.  The kids all have to submit a writing sample and a math sample. Can you believe it-- I'm already thinking about Spring break?  :)  I might actually might have the time to finish organizing our garage.

I'm going to Stake Choir practice every Thursday evening.  There's going to be this amazing musical fireside, with the most beautiful music about the Savior.  I'm serious, this music is so beautiful, it often brings tears to my eyes.  You can just feel the spirit, and the words go straight to your heart.  You mine as well hang up singing when that happens.  :)  Morgan's singing with me as well, and we love it!

Yesterday was pretty much a big playday.  Even though the day started out sad, I got to go to lunch with an amazing group of women.  They're all so fun to hang out with, and we do it on a monthly basis.  So cool.  Later in the day, we had FHE with our good friends, the Kemp's.  They told us about this children's play that was held at the high school next to us.  It was so fun, all of us had a blast!  Even Abigail, was giggling through the entire play.  We are so blessed to have found such wonderful friends!

This week was a busy one, and I just didn't feel like adding blogging to my list.  Maybe I'll do better this week, maybe not.  I hope so.