Brezack Family

My last official BYU post...RIP

2011-03-25T00:14:00.000-05:00

The first honor code, The Ten Commandments given to Moses, isn’t a cruel dictate from a merciless Father. It is a moral compass to guide us through a dangerous world. Whether the Ten Commandments, the Catechism of the Catholic Church or the BYU Honor Code, our problems in life arise more from abandoning these guideposts than from following them.

As a graduate of America’s oldest Catholic university, I would like to applaud Brigham Young University for understanding the true meaning of the term alma mater. If, by chance, BYU and Georgetown were to meet in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, one would witness a clash greater than East vs. West.
One school long ago abandoned its charge to educate the spirit as well as the mind. The other stays true to its mission to educate the whole person — regardless of winning basketball games.

Cain M. Pence is a writer based in Minneapolis, Minn.
Copyright 2011 The Salt Lake Tribune

Good looking boys at the Gym!

2010-04-28T22:38:00.001-05:00

I love this gym...but I now have two gyms! Lifetime Fitness is the Cadillac of fitness centers. It is a two story palace that smells like eucalyptus and hair products (cuz it has a hair salon to your left and a deli restaurant to your right). I love going and running into all my friends and doctors I work with! I pretend I know how to use all or any of the metal standing equipment...but really I follow the pictures on the side of them and set it at 10lbs! I joined another gym closer to my house, mostly because they have TV's on everything that has heart handle monitor. This other gym is where I wear my Target gym clothes not my Adidas.
My most favorite part of this gym is this...

Taking my boys/nephews to swim! They love the walk in pool with the yellow mushroom. I love watching them "swim"!

The only reason I have kept this gym membership is cuz the kids like it...well, that and the steam room!

And who could deny these two a Saturday at the gym!

20 March 2010

Trevor visits Aunt Mindy in Utah

2010-04-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

Trevor heads from Idaho to spend a weekend at his Aunt Mindy's and Uncle Hustons! He went skiing/snowboarding with Mindy's oldest, Carson and they had a blast!
It was great for Trevor to spend some time in Utah, with family. He is blessed to have his relatives only four hours away from Rexburg.

14 February 2010

Thanks Frankin Family!

My photo journal of Jimani...

2010-03-03T22:03:00.004-06:00

My Photo Journal of Jimani

THE CALL

2010-01-25T20:25:00.004-06:00

Tonight I got another CALL!
Last week, Pauline called and said would you like to go to Haiti?
YES, I said!
Your in.
Call Nicole on her cell and tell her you can go.

Nicole, this is Jill, I can go to Haiti.
Great, can you leave at 3pm today?
Yes I said!

What was I thinking! My husband was on a snowmobiling trip with the boys and I was packing for Haiti. I needed my passport, some money, to pack, so much to do...
Then Nicole called back and said there was a change of plans, ICU was going next, surgery would go later.
I was sad and relieved! I was on-call to go with another team, at another time.
I went to the Temple on Saturday, and prayed that I would have peace about this very difficult decision. My husband came home, and I got a Priesthood blessing on Sunday night. I finally felt better about not knowing what was going to happen...would I be able to meet the strain and stress of the catastrophe that occurred in Haiti January 12th.
Tonight I got THE CALL I am going to be leaving in two days! I fly out Wednesday, January 27th.
Leaving for Jimani in the Dominican Republic to help 350 patients at a small clinic with no electricity or water!
I can't wait!

This is how I'm getting through it all...

2010-01-18T17:43:00.002-06:00

I love each one of these sweet ladies...
Each one has offered help, shoulders and food, some even said they would bring hammers and shovels!!
This photo is from our December luncheon (I stole it Laurie).
And I love them all!
Thank you girls...

Going Private

2010-01-11T22:29:00.002-06:00

Not that I have that many followers but...
I have been writing about the fire that destroyed my husbands business the Bagel Bin. I would really like to post this story simply because I plan to turn my blog into a book, for my children to read someday. I don't want to share the intimate actions taken by others, on our behalf, with anyone who would choose to judge those actions as wrong.
There are those who may wish to place blame or make accusations...I'm only interested in sharing our family story with those who know us and understand that decisions were made during a time a fear and faith.
Plus there were some pretty dang funny things that happened...and I just gotta share those!
I'm pretty sure if your reading this, you will hear and understand our fire story...
Thanks, we love you~

Today our Bagel Bin went up in smoke (part 1)

2010-01-08T22:55:00.014-06:00

I'm writing this post on Friday January 8th 2009, not sure if or when I will 'publish' this posting, but I wanted to write it while it is fresh in my mind!

At 10:08 Thursday January 7th my husbands cell phone rang. JD his night crew opener called and said the Bagel Bin was on fire.

The Bagel Bin is the only Kosher establishment this side of the Mississippi river, a burnt offering is sacrificed in the large rotating oven regularly. Scott's first impression was that these ingredients were probably smoking, or had fallen off the oven rack causing smoke. He was told his brother David was 10 minutes ETA and in route. Scott, was a little irritated he was woken from his limited sleep.

Not, 5 minutes later David was on the phone and said the Bagel Bin WAS on fire!

Scott, immediately started throwing on clothes yelling a few swear words as he put on double socks. I was following behind him putting on my own sock, saying I was going too.

"No, just stay here" Scott said.

I replied, I would just follow him if he didn't let me come along.

It was 6 degrees below 0 with a windchill of -30. I put on sweats, slipper boots, sweatshirt and jacket. I thought to grab my camera, but did not want to upset my husband (he HATES pictures).

We drove recklessly to 119th and Pacific Street. We arrived to find 8 firetrucks on scene.

Smoke was billowing from the roof and out the windows.

More firetrucks showed up, more firemen and women arrived. It was declared a two alarm fire. Soon, the fire hit the firewall, two businesses, ours and Invisible Fence were engulfed in flames. More fire trucks arrived and a fireman yells to me, "Mam, do you work here?".

"No, but my husband does" I said.

We quickly found Scott who was with his brother David and the other two evening Bagel Bin crew members.

The fireman was looking for the fire hydrants. We have had over three feet of snow and all of it was plowed against the parking lot curbs. None could be found! The fire dept. had to run hoses to Pacific Street!

Soon another call went out, a mayday. All firefighters were to evacuate the building and roof. The Assistant Fire Chief told us the roof collapsed SECONDS after the call was made.

Another alarm was issued, a three alarm fire was now raging within the business that sustained our family. Our health insurance, employees incomes, financial stability, our entire physical substance was in flames. We were in shock.

My mother in law arrived, I took her to our car. We parked behind the fire chief. Before we knew it there were 50 firefighters, 12 trucks, rescue vehicles...I have never seen so many resources used at once in my life!

Our dear friends arrived with a camera (cuz the first thing Scott said to me as we arrived at the fire was, "did you bring your camera"?) our Elders Quorum President and Scott's great friend arrived as did hundreds of Bagel Bin supporters, customers and friends. Scott's brother Glenn came with tears on his cheeks.

The ice was unbelievable, three overhead ladders with hoses and probably 10 hand hoses fired back at that freezing cold fire. I burnt my cheeks while standing outside in the sub zero tundra.

It would be a long night, we gathered at the only open establishment, the bar, to share our shock with each other. We went home at 2am and then the calls came.

The calls started at 10:08pm and...well I just answered another text!

Christmas with Tyler's family...finally

2010-01-06T20:46:00.003-06:00

Since the snow storm (and many more to come) took out our Christmas day celebration with Tyler and family they came to Omaha to see us on New Years Eve Day!
It was fun to have lunch (pizza and cinnamon rolls) together and open a few gifts. It was exciting to see Grant/Tyler's reaction to the autograph and photo of Eric Crouch, 2001 Heisman trophy winner's gift. Perfect for Tyler's Husker room at his house!
The Berry's brought our college student the perfect birthday gift...thanks Berry's!
We played Domino's for hours! Tyler had never played before, it was funny when he turned to Valerie and said,
"Do we have this game"?
And she said,
"YES"!
Games are a big hit in the extended Berry clan, it was the theme for our family gifts to each other! Thanks Berry's for making the trip to Omaha to celebrate together!

Trevor turns 19!

2010-01-06T20:27:00.003-06:00

Trevor tuned 19 on December 27th 2009! A milestone birthday cuz 19 is a special year! It's the year Trevor is of age to serve his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We're so happy for Trevor and the decision he has made to serve.

So when you see those sweet young men riding their bikes down the street, look closely, it may be our son!

We took Trevor to Outback Restaurant...for the first time! He ordered a FULL slab of ribs!

Trevor opens his only gift...so far, his card from Gramma and Grandpa Berry!

Thanks Berry's just what Trevor needed!

We love you Trevor...happy 19!

Christmas Morning 2009

2010-01-06T19:56:00.002-06:00

The Snow storm heard round the world!! We were aware that a major snow storm was on it's way to Omaha...so we were lucky the Brezack family made it to our house for Christmas Eve...but NO ONE was making it to our house Christmas Day!
We stayed in our jammies ALLLL day! Well, I did! The rest of the family suited up and headed for the snow! Scott on his 4-wheeler with plow, Chrisi to the front porch with Harley and Trevor to the neighbors with his own shovel! We must have gotten 20 inches that day, with blowing snow and drifts that covered the mailboxes!
Each Christmas morning we have a tradition...we bring up the home made treasure box (that Christina made in 4th grade) and read what was written in years past. We write down what we were thankful for in past years and what we want to work harder on in the next year. We write down the year, but not our names. When we read each previous years we are reminded of the blessings we have received and how we have grown throughout the years.
This year was hard for me. Knowing that at this time next year my son will be somewhere in the world serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He will be spending Christmas morning serving others and living as the Saviour would. Teaching, serving and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Christina said we should spend next Christmas morning on the beaches of Cancun...I can't say that wouldn't be a bad idea!

Christmas Eve 2009

2010-01-06T19:21:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve has traditionally been at our house, each year. Spent with the Brezack family. It started when Scott and I were first married, we had the first grandchild, Christina. We wanted to celebrate Christmas and Scott's family was Jewish. So we decided we would spend the first night of Hanukkah with Grandma and Grandpa Brezack and Christmas Eve at our house. It was wonderful to expose our kids to both holidays. I remember buying a Hanukkah book and reading it to my kids to explain the importance of both religions and how it will be a part of the heritage of our family.
As the Brezack family has grown, we now celebrate Christmas Eve, but will always be grateful for our Jewish ancestors who suffered death at the hands of evil, while proclaiming their faith in God. And for those ancestors who fought to defect to America...who changed their birth dates and purchased train tickets out of Poland and sailed to Ellis Island so that I might have my family.
This Christmas I am thankful for the gift of family, and through the Gospel we have created a culturally sound eternal family.

Gingerbread display Day

2009-12-28T18:58:00.002-06:00

On November 25th we met up with the Berry's for a trip to the Gingerbread display at the Mormon Pioneer Trail Center. The kids love to get their 'can you find this item' game sheet and locate all the goodies on the list! Lucky Trevor was there to help Grant find the guitar!
It never fails...we always seem to run into friends from near and far. This year we bumped into the Hinckleys! Fun to catch up with them, both Valerie and I have know the Hinckley girls since they were little.
Thanks for the traditionally fun day Berry family!

Thanksgiving at the Gramma Sues

2009-12-28T18:44:00.002-06:00

After our visit to Lincoln we traditionally spend Thanksgiving Eve at Gramma Sues! She makes amazing food and the kids love seeing their cousins too.
We have such a huge year span between the oldest cousin, Christina (21) to little Maya (2) but the kids just love to be and play together.
Chrisi and Trevor are GREAT examples to their cousins! I'm proud of the young adults they have become and know they will continue to be positive influences to all their little cousins!
Thanks Gramma Sue for feeding us every year...we love you!

Happy Thanksgiving at the Berrys

2009-12-27T19:54:00.003-06:00

We were SO blessed and thankful this year to be able to spend Thanksgiving together with Berry family again! Not since my parents moved to St. George Utah have we traveled to Lincoln to be together for any holiday

This Thanksgiving was very special because my son Trevor "surprised" me by driving home from Idaho, instead of us traveling to Utah to meet him and spend Thanksgiving at my sister Mindy's home. Trevor drove straight through from Rexburg Idaho to Omaha Nebraska in 16 hours! I was on pins and needles waiting for Trevor to get home! I was SO happy to see him!

I was also so happy that Valerie agreed to feed us ALL! Lindsay and her family arrived and we ate GREAT food for the holiday!

We took family Christmas photos! Because I still had my tri-pod in my car from our family photo shoot, so imagine how excited my teens were to smile again! I LOVE the photo of us ALL!

Loved seeing the family photos this Christmas, when their cards arrived in my mailbox!

Family Photo Day

2009-12-27T19:31:00.002-06:00

My family HATES having their pictures taken! Every year is a huge family fight! This year I told my kids,
"All I want for Christmas is a family photo"!
I bought matching outfits, which in-and-of itself, sent my teenagers over the edge. I spent two days shopping for our brown and green ensembles!
I booked a photo shoot at Portrait Innovations at 4:30pm but told my family it started at 3pm.
We piled in the car with our little niece Kaylee (whose turn it was to spend the night at Aunt Jill's house) and I directed Scott to Lanaha's nursery where a park across the street was the PERFECT location for some outdoor photos!
It was cold and windy on November 24th...but I MADE everybody get out of the warm car and pose like a HAPPY DANG FAMILY!
I set up the tri-pod and told Kaylee to press the silver button, over and over again!

Note: when I went to pick up these photo's at Walmart, they had called and asked for a photographer copyright signature allowing Walmart to print these "professional" photos (I love my Nikon camera).
I said I would have to get a hold of the little girl in pink to see if she would ok the printing!

A Happy Halloween Night

2009-11-27T21:26:00.002-06:00

Happy Halloween 31 October 2009

This was a reunion of sorts for our Halloween tradition! When Tyler lived in Omaha five years ago they would come over to our house for chili and cinnamon rolls. We would trick-or-treat at the neighbors across the street, it was always decked to the nines, with scary creatures roaming the corner and scary images strewn across the lawn. We would have to carry Sarah to the door and take quick photo's of her scared for the night!

One year we hooked up the trailer to the Sorensen's 4-wheeler and went for a 'hay-rack ride' through the neighborhood, stopping at each house and unloading our goblins!

This year was very tough for me, having NO kids at home and still wishing for a night filled with kids, candy and doorbells, I was feeling sad! So, Scott and I headed to Lincoln to my brother Tyler's house where Lindsay and her family showed up and Uncle Michael came with us to walk the streets begging for sugar! Grant started out running from door to door...but as the night wore on he ended up on his Daddy's shoulders. I helped Kaylee with her makeup! And so sweet that Sarah is still hangin with the kids, put on an adorable costume and gathered enough candy to last till Easter!

I'm thankful to have family around at this season in my life. I know my nest is empty but my wings are still full...my nieces and nephews mean so much to me. I'm so blessed to have the best two children in the world and love to have my extended family to 'fill in' when I'm needing a hug!

An Awesome Halloween Party

2009-11-27T20:29:00.002-06:00

Happy Halloween at the Patterson's home 30 October 2009

We had so much fun at the Patterson's home for a costume party the night before Halloween! I was so excited to go looking for a costume and wanted to be a witch-hmmm!

I looked on line at costumes and found this witches costume and loved it, then my BFF told me there was a great Halloween store in town and we should check it out. That is where I found the exact same costume I had found online...love the green witch costume!

We took a cheese ball/pumpkin with crackers for appetizer! There was GREAT food, desserts and more appetizers!

The Oakey's and Ray's won best and most original costumes for their psychedelic 60's look and elderly couple respectively!

We played the funniest game of 'Do you love your neighbor'! The following are some of the best responses: Yes, I love my neighbor but...

I do not love...anyone with not real breast- yep, Jeff Anderson and TJ Fenton switched for that one, and Bruce said many more would have moved if the economy wouldn't have been so bad this year!

I do not love...anyone with back hair-sadly my dear friend Mary Poppins ended up in the middle without a chair, I asked her 'why would you admit in having back hair', she said 'oh, I thought they said black hair'!!

I do not love...anyone who is a witch-after the three of us dressed in black hats switched it up, Jeff said, 'there should have been a lot more movement on that one'!

The last one of the night

I do not love...anyone who's been to a nude beach-I can't even tell you how many costumes moved on that one!!!

Thanks Pattersons

Vala's a Tradition in Omaha

2009-11-22T18:17:00.004-06:00

Berry family, Sheely boys and Aunt Jill at Vala's pumpkin patch! 26 October 2009

We have loved going to Vala's Pumpkin Patch since our kids were little...

When we first started going to Vala's back in 1990 it was free to get in and you paid $1.00 for each haunted house, which was only two. You could take a ride on the trailers, pulled by little tractors, out to the acre or so of pumpkins, pick one then pay a dollar or two more, having had an amazingly cheap afternoon.

Now it is like going to Kansas City to World of Fun! It's expensive but still offers a lifetime of memories with whichever kids you can find to take! $12.00 to get in and much more for food, treats, pumpkins etc.

We had such a great day as family!

It Was a Beautiful Night

2009-11-12T21:28:00.002-06:00

After dropping Trevor off at school, we hurried home for this...
Nicole Bailey's beautiful wedding receptions on September 12, 2009 was such a lovely night.
The weather was perfect and the Baileys transformed their enormous backyard into an intimate evening for friends and family.
Nicole and Chris Gardner were married in California where they had a reception hosted by the Garder family, then came back to Nebraska for a reception hosted by Nicole's family.
I had fun helping Tammy in small ways...looking at flowers, shopping for a dress (for the mother of the bride) going to the rental shops but mostly showing my BFF supportsmanship!
The Gardners both new and senior, and the Bailey couples played the Newlywed game! I came up with some nutty questions like...
"What will your wife say her car is: 4 wheel drive, front wheel or rear wheel drive?" or
"What did you notice about your spouse...on first site?" Brad Bailey said,
"My wife's pockets"! Needless to say, the Baileys won!!
It really was a beautiful night....for all the families and friends.
Thanks Baileys!

The Adventure Home...seen thru a few tears!

2009-11-08T18:56:00.006-06:00

After leaving Idaho Falls we drove east...we had no plans, no itinerary, no son (with us). So poor Scott took on the task of making a little vacation out of his poor wife's pain, and I must admit it was fun!
When I wiped away the mascara and tears from my eyes, I found we were in Jackson Hole Wyoming. Since I was not up to the usual Super 8 hotel...we got a room at the beautiful Wyoming Inn. We spent the day shopping in downtown then decided to go for a drive, and drive we did. Right into Yellowstone National Park!
The traffic and construction made for a slow trip, but we loved the sights at our destination, Old Faithful (which erupts every 90 minutes). We took a 4 mile hike from Old Faithful up the mountain and through the geysers. We saw a coyote that was looking over the Old Faithful lodge, he was planning his next meal.
We headed back to Jackson Hole that night, went out to dinner then set our sites on the next adventure...tomorrow!

When we checked out of the hotel the next morning the hotel employee asked us where we were headed, we said,

"We're not sure, any suggestions"?

She pulled out a map and we headed to Teton Village! It was beautiful!

We booked tram tickets for a ride of a lifetime.

We climbed 4,139 feet to summit Rendezvous Mountain.
We headed down Corbets Trail a 2 mile hike. The view was incredible, we were surprised we could text our kids from the top of this mountain...but we did, we sent pictures to them!

It was a new adventure and a new life Scott and I were headed on...no kids, the dynamics of our family had changed. I was feeling so overwhelmed with the thought of an empty nest, but on this trip Scott showed me that our nest was not empty, it just had more room for growth, for new adventures and someday we would need more nest room for two more kids...in-laws, of the younger kind. I started to feel a little sorry for whoever that son and daughter in-law might be...hope they'll know I'm the adventurous kind!

My Sonshine goes to College

2009-11-02T18:40:00.003-06:00

Ohhh I had been dreading/looking forward to this day his whole life!! On 9Sept 2009 we took the 15 hour drive to Ricks/BYU-I college to drop our youngest son off! I had gone to Ricks College in 1987...but only for 6 weeks! I hated/loved this college! I was unprepared for how small, cold, isolated, lonely Rexburg Idaho was. But I told Trevor..."this is the place/second place"! So Trevor packed his guitars, winter clothes, and a hidden portrait of his mother (cuz I packed it) in tubs and we drove his car and ours west.

We stopped at Davenport Apts. my old haunt and took a picture with my 6 ft tall son by my side...and the memories of college flashed past my glassy eyes!

Trevor is pretty lucky to have a piece of home staying in Rexburg too. Keirsten Bruun packed her winter coat and moved down the road from Trevor. They went to High School together and now can say they are college co-eds together as well.We had planned to stay in Rexburg for two days but after moving Trevor in, complaining about the cleanliness of the apartment, unpacking him, getting his class schedule, buying books and checking out the campus, Trevor said goodbye! I held it together as loonng as I could...we took a picture together and then Scott and I watched as our youngest son rode off into the sunset on his skateboard, never turning back! Well, till he called 20 minutes later to tell us he had forgotten $160's worth of books in our back seat!

We drove back, gave a few more hugs then headed for Idaho Falls where we were staying.

I bawled all the way back to that lonely hotel...the one we had just stayed in with the funniest teenager I knew! As Scott and I stared at each other till I felt the tears coming again! I buried my head in my pillow and WAILED!

When I finally rolled over, I looked out the window of our hotel and saw the Idaho Falls Temple lit by hope! I KNEW Trevor was where he was suppose to be and I had done my job, delivering him into Hands that we, Trevor and I both, had faith in.

The view that saved my soul...

Mindy Visits Tyler Moves In!

2009-11-02T17:49:00.004-06:00

4 September 2009

Our family loves to gather for Nebraska Football! We love the game, food, crowds, tailgating...all the Cornhuskers have to offer each season, we take in! This year Mindy came for the NU vs Florida Atlantic (Home opener) game.

Scott, Trevor and I were already packed and ready to go to BYU-I that weekend and were unable to go to this football game. But we were sure glad to get together as a family to celebrate the ushering in of the football season anyway!

Tyler and Valerie had been living in Tulsa Oklahoma for a couple of years, they had been wanting to return to the seen of the crimes (Nebraska) for quite sometime. It just so happened that a job became available and offered to Tyler in Beatrice (about 40 minutes from Lincoln) Nebraska. We were SO happy that Tyler and Valerie took the time to pray and ponder this move, ultimately deciding to pack up their sweet family and come home!

While we dinned at our favorite Valentino's Buffet word came in that Tyler and Valerie were the proud owners of a beautiful new home they had placed an offer on, in Lincoln, that day!

We knew Tyler's prayers, as well as ours, had been answered and that their family was to have a place for Mindy and her family to stay each time they come for the big GAME!

Welcome Home Berry Family!

Dinner with Gramma Sue July 2009

2009-11-01T20:47:00.002-06:00

We LOVE to go to dinner with Gramma Sue! She occasionally takes us to the 360 Club for an amazing dinner...on her! My most favorite dessert in the entire world is the carrot cake at the 360 Club! The carrot cake is wrapped in white chocolate and so moist!
Gramma Sue is Christina's best friend, and we are so thankful she has loved the grand kids so dearly. They have loved spending time with Gramma when they were little just as much as they love spending time with her while they are older!
We ALL love Gramma Sue!

4th of July at Sorensens

2009-11-01T20:29:00.005-06:00

Each year for the 4th of July we have celebrated at our good friends the Sorensens! This year was no exception...except, that I was on call at the hospital and it was about 45 degrees out!!
We still had fun and are always thankful to the Sorensens for their hospitality!!
So fun to have all our family together for the barbecue and fireworks!

My friends My Birthday luncheon

2009-10-19T15:57:00.002-05:00

(Wendi, Jill, Laurie, Kimberly and Jenifer)

I am sure blessed to have such GREAT friends! For my birthday we went to Village Point Mall and ate at Paradise Cafe! We love to solve the worlds problems, do our Visiting Teaching or explain why we were not able to get ours done that month!
These girls motivate me to be a better mother, sister, friend and daughter of God!
Thanks girls

My Pioneer Legacy

2009-09-27T16:59:00.007-05:00

I have been waiting to write this post for such a long time! My family heritage has influenced my own faith in such a great way, that I wanted to fill this post with history. The history of our trek as a family of three as well as the history of my Great (4) Grandma Sarah Moulton and her families trek west with the Willie handcart company.

Four years ago we went as a family of four on the first handcart trek ever made by my family line since Thomas Moulton and his family of seven set sail from Liverpool, England, March 3, 1856, on the ship "Thornton."

Scott, Christina, Trevor and I loaded our 5lbs of gear and "headed west" with the rest of the Omaha Nebraska Stake as well as the Papillion Nebraska Stake. We had many adventures on this trek (saved for another day) but the most memorable moment on this footpath of faith was as we arrived at the Kanesville tabernacle. I was along the trip as the nurse, many families were organized and Trevor was placed, quite unexpectantly, in the Willie Handcart Company #2. Each family learned of an original handcart family and about their lives as pioneers.
As we entered Kanesville I walked next to some of the youth in the lead handcart company I asked them what was the name of their family. They answered Moulton! I had secretly been caring Sarah's name as well as Christina and Trevor carried Sophia and Hebers names. When one of my dearest friends daughter, Natalie Sorensen said
'I am Sarah Moulton'
and another dear friends daughter, Courtney Bartlett said,
'and I am Sophia'. I wept.
Courtney said,
'what happened to me?'
'I happened Courtney, because of this amazing family I am here, on trek honoring them'. I said.

So I wish to introduce you to the Moulton family and why trek holds such a dear honor in my heart. It is why we as a family again walked a total of 25 miles in two and a half days in pouring rain with smiles on our faces on 11~13 June 2009.

Compiled by Verda Hicken, great-granddaughter of Thomas Moulton
These were the days when great things were happening in the United States and Thomas and his family were to be permanently affected by these events. By the time Thomas was 20 years old, the Prophet Joseph Smith had organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seven years later on June 13, 1837, Heber C. Kimball, together with other church leaders, was on his way to England. Among the many converts made by these missionaries was the family of a shoemaker, John Tingey,, who later became branch president in the area. Mrs. Tingey was a friend of the Moultons, and she tried to persuade Sarah to go with her to some of the meetings being held by the Mormon missionaries, but Sarah was not interested.

One day when visiting at the Moulton home, Mrs. Tingey left a tract, “The Voice of Warning” by Parley P. Pratt, lying on the table. Sarah was not home when Thomas came for supper, but had spread a simple meal for him on the table and left the tract lying beside it. “That was part of the supper he ate,” his descendants were later told. Indeed, it was a feast, spiritual food of the choicest kind. When Sarah came home, Thomas greeted her with these words, “Mother, where have we been? Here is the gospel!” The Savior said, “My sheep know my voice.” Thomas had heard and recognized the voice of the Master. From then on they studied the Gospel and joined the Church December 29, 1841. At that time their family consisted of but two children, Sarah age four and Mary Ann just seven months old.

After the Mormon Saints had been driven to Utah where they finally found a place of their own, converts throughout their world were encouraged to move to "Zion." Like the Moultons, most of these converts would never have been able to come to Utah without help. Two programs were set up to help these poor emigrants secure passage. In 1849 Brigham Young set up the Perpetual Emigration Fund(PEF), This consisted originally of five thousand dollars which was immediately available to Saints of the frontier and in England. It was the intent of this program that after they had been able to earn money in their new homeland, the recipients of the program would return the money to the Fund so that others might also be able to come.

The first to travel with the aid of this Fund did so by wagon train, but this means of transportation was expensive and even with the help of the PEF few could afford it. The use of handcarts was investigated and it was learned that not only could the saints travel much more cheaply with handcarts than with wagons, they could also travel faster.

At last Sarah's day had come. With the help of the PEF and the cheaper means of transportation, her dream could be realized much sooner than she had anticipated. What had looked like such an impossibility, particularly with the number in their family steadily increasing, was now within their grasp. To their (the rest of the family) great surprise, Sarah got out the fruit jar filled with money and the family began the tremendous task of preparing for a trip of over six thousand miles, one that would take about six months.

The Moulton family now numbered seven children, four girls and three boys all born in the little town of Irchester. For a family of nine it took careful planning to prepare for the trip. To save even more money for the purchases they would need to make, they lived chiefly on barley flour for nearly a year. As the time of departure approached Sarah was expecting a new baby. The baby would be born at sea and Thomas feared for both mother and child. But Sarah had made up her mind to go and, brave, staunch soul that she was, she replied, "Father, we are going. The Lord will take care of us." Thomas continued to feel hesitant about making the long journey under such circumstances but Sarah could not be persuaded otherwise. So before they were to leave England one of the brethren gave her a blessing in which he promised her that if she would go to Utah she would make the journey safely without losing one member of her family

Yet another test of their faith was to come. Sophia Elizabeth Moulton Hicken, who was three years old at the time of the following incident, wrote a letter dated November 27, 1932, to her granddaughter, Verda Hicken, as follows: "Before leaving England our sister was staying with our aunt, and she took the smallpox and died.* My sister took it, too, but lived. When we left she had only one pox mark. It was on her left wrist. She had some gloves (which her mother had made for each of the girls to cover the pox and allow the family to pass the health inspection). When we went to be examined, before we could get in the ship, Father prayed earnestly that they would not take off the glove covering the mark, for if they did the mark was so fresh they would not have let us come. God answered his prayer. They did not take off the glove. I consider the whole journey faith promoting."

Thomas Moulton and his family were assigned to the 4th handcart company, again under the direction of Capt. Willie. The Willie Company was composed of 500 Saints, with more than the usual number of aged. With them were three cows, a wagon to carry supplies and three yoke of oxen for each 100 travelers. There was a tent for every 20 persons and a handcart for every five. All together there were 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen and 45 beef cattle and cows.

The Moulton family was allowed one covered and one open handcart. Thomas and his wife pulled the covered cart. The baby, Charles, and "Lizzie" rode in this cart. "Lottie" was allowed to ride whenever the cart was going downhill (but complained that she would rather ride uphill). Heber, only seven years old walked behind with a rope tied around his waist to keep him from straying away. The other cart was pulled by the two girls, Sarah 18 and Mary Ann 15, and the two boys, William 12 and Joseph 10. It was so late in the season before the Willie Company was prepared to leave Florence, that a council was held to decide whether they should go or remain in Winter Quarters till Spring Some who had been over the route strongly cautioned them against the danger of traveling so late in the season. But Captain Willie and the members of his company felt that they should go on, knowing that if they stayed at Florence they would be without any accommodations. Among those who cautioned against a delayed trip was Elder Levi Savage, a returning missionary. Elder Savage, seeing himself overruled, said: "What I have said I know to be true; but seeing you are to go forward, I will go with you; will help all I can; will work with you, will rest with you, will suffer with you, and if necessary, will die with you. May God in His mercy bless and preserve us." ("Mr. Chislett's Narrative," in Stenhouse, The Rocky Mountain Saints (New York, 1873, p.316). John Chislett was the sub-captain of the fourth hundred in the Willie Company.

Thomas Moulton was the camp butcher. Though weary from each day's trek, it was his responsibility to do the butchering. The immigrants drove the beef until they got "poor" from the trek. Then the worn out oxen would be killed and cut up to supply the Saints with beef. "When a beef was killed the children would burn the hair off the skin, put the skin on long sticks and roast it till crisp --- to them it tasted better than pie does to children today." (Charlotte "Lottie" Moulton Carroll from her autobiography.) To make soup, the immigrants cooked hoofs. None of the company, it seems, knew how to catch a good buffalo, so this source of food was denied them. For fuel they gathered dried buffalo chips to burn.

The trials of these Willie Company pioneers were getting more difficult all the time'

Nights had been getting colder from the time they left Fort Laramie but as they began traveling up the Sweetwater River the nights became very severe.
When they arrived at Rocky Ridge another terrible wind and snowstorm fell upon them.

In fancy one might imagine the Moultons, with their brood of eight, to be one of these families, pulling and pushing the two carts assigned to them as they struggled on through the deep snow: the one cart drawn by Thomas and his wife, with its precious cargo of life--Lottie, Lizzie and baby Charles--with little Heber stumbling and being dragged along by the rope around his waist, his limbs so cold that he scarce could move them; the other cart being drawn and pushed by the four older children, encouraging and helping one another.

Little Heber took the brunt of the bitter weather. Perhaps there was not sufficient warm clothing to go around for all. A kindly old lady, seeing the freezing lad's dilemma, grasped his hand as he trailed behind the handcart, held by the rope around his waist, and struggling to climb the slippery slopes of the ridge. This kindly act saved his right hand, but his left hand, being exposed to the sub-zero weather, was frozen. The flesh dropped off his poor little fingers to the first joint. When they reached Salt Lake City, it was necessary to saw off the blackened bones and, as there was no ether or other painkiller, Heber did not even have the comfort of those to buoy him up during the operation.

Each morning they pushed on as rapidly as possible, anxious to get the benefit of the newly broken road before the drifting snow filled it. On the 24th of October after a hard climb, they reached South Pass, where flour and plenty of wood were found at the camp where Reddick N. Allred's rescue team and wagon had stalled. November 1st they met seven teams from Fort Supply coming to their aid and three from Salt Lake City. From then on they met teams every day, but most of them went to the relief of the other parties.

The following day they were filled with joy to find about fifty teams that had been sent from the settlements north and south of Salt Lake to haul them the rest of the way, although many still walked all the way. Up to this time about one- sixth of their number had died since they had left Iowa City on the morning of July 15th.

Charlie, the nursing infant, was a mere skeleton so weak and frail that no one expected him to live. He had been cushioned all the way on a pillow to support his frail body. People came from all around to see him and give his mother warm clothing to cover him and his brothers and sisters. When his pitiful little body was held up to the sun, one could see right through it, so little flesh did he have. Certainly the blessings given to the Moultons before they left England had been fulfilled, for not one member of their family was lost on this perilous journey.

I will NOT break this chain of faith as I struggle to raise my family in the wilderness of current events...faith in every footstep!

The BEST camping trip ever...

2009-09-24T23:13:00.005-05:00

I texted my sister Mindy and asked her what they were doing the weekend of the 24-26th of July she texted back...'hmmm, let me check with Huston'. Well, Huston had the 24th of July off (only in Utah do you get Pioneer Day off) so we pulled our trailers to the only park with reservations and electricity!
Yampa River State Park, near Hayden Colorado

We Tubed!! Well Mindy and I "lounged" down the River. We entered the river about a 1/4 of a mile upstream and floated down...right into our campground.

Mindy did dinner the first night...amazing ribs, potato's, corn on the cob and cobbler!! So YUMMY! Thanks Mindy

I fixed dinner the next night...I'm not gonna lie, I was nervous! I don't cook much and certainly not in an oven the dutch made! I made Dutch Oven pizza and Moose Balls! It turned out much better than I thought! Mindy's boys loved it!

We loved being together as family and had fun fishing, tubing, eating, swatting mosquito's and hangin with each other...thanks Franklins!

THEN...as you may know, we got LOST! Scott's dumb GPS took us through miles of Colorado, landing us in Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel!!!

We walked up the front entrance and I was in love with this amazing white building. I asked people next to me,

"Are you staying her?"

Everyone answered yes, and I was so jealous!

So my husband said,

"Go see if they have a room?"

I was so excited! I went to the front desk and asked if there was a room available. There was...for $219! Scott said 'too much'!

But, they had a room for $99 at the Manor House, next door! We took it!!

I was giddy with excitement to be staying at one of the grandest, most haunted, old and historical hotels in the country!

The Stanley Hotel is the backdrop and setting for The Shining written at the hotel by Stephen King.

We stayed next door at the Manor House in room 1206...during the night Scott said he heard someone walk up to our door, listen then walk away during the night?? Ghost or weary travelers, who knows??

On the fourth floor...most haunted floor. Ghost children can be seen playing in the hallway...

We stopped by haunted room 417! Many famous people including President Roosevelt have stayed in that room.

On Sunday Scott and I headed to Colorado State Forest to Ranger Lakes Campground.

We were up over 10,000 feet! I could really feel the lack of O2! Our campground was quintessential Colorado camping! Lots of trees and COLD!

Many of the trees in Colorado are infested with a beetle!! The rust color trees are all infected and will have to be logged out! Our campground host told us 90% of the State forest will be LOST!

The forest won't look the same in years to come...90% of the trees will be logged out, to prevent the spread of the beetles!

We had one of the BEST camping trips ever!! Tubing, fishing, campfires, family, nature, grand hotel, great food, 4-wheeling, and each other... we were thankful for the time Scott and I had to be together...even when our children have grown and are camping on their own!

Loved this trip!

Family Visits...18~21 June 09

2009-08-28T13:44:00.001-05:00

These are a few a my favorite things...
I love when our family gets together! These sweet kids are mine...we'll my niece and nephews, but I am their favorite Aunt Jill! Ayden, Grant, Kaylee and Ashton. I think I had to cough up some money for this shot. I believe this photo cost me a quarter each kid...but it was worth it!

This is June...can you tell which football team our family supports (and when I say support I mean pay tuition to)! Mike and Lindsay Sheely, Sarah, Tyler and Kaylee Berry.

Tyler and his girls.

Little Miss..."Chrisi taste this, I didn't lick it, I promise, you can even smell it first"!

I LOVE these kids!

Aunt Jill with Ayden and Ashton Sheely, Sarah, Kaylee and Grant Berry.

Girls Camp 22~25 June 2009

2009-08-27T13:34:00.011-05:00

For Girls Camp 2009 we went back to Little Sioux Scout Camp....
Last year, for some reason, we decided to go to Camp Cedar, just for a change of pace for the Omaha Stake Young Women. We have been going to Little Sioux for at least 12 years (well, that's how long I have been going as a leader anyway!)
I've served on the camp committees many years and this year was difficult trying to bring a sense of peace and renewal to Girls camp after such a stroke of nature had intruded on our happy camper experiences!

I have served in many capacities at camp...as a ward leader (favorite) Stake Camp director (shhh least favorite), nurse and YCL leader (most fun)! This year I was the YCL leader for the most AMAZING group of YW! These girls ROCKED! They were the most responsible, take charge, spiritual group of women I've come across! They rose to the leadership positions they were trained to become...I love them!We hiked to this sacred place on the bluffs of Little Sioux to this spot, where the tornado touched the earth and we learned how it touched our lives as we read from our scriptures the strength of our God.

The National Weather Service said it was an EF3 on the 1-to-5 Enhanced Fujita scale of tornado intensity, with an estimated wind speed of 145 mph. Meteorologists said the twister cut a path about 14 miles long.
"The devastation was massive through the campgrounds," Gov. Chet Culver earlier told NBC's "TODAY" show, calling it "horrific."
The Dean family is grateful to be alive. On June 11th, their home, located on the Little Sioux Scout Ranch, crumbled from the force of a tornado. They were trapped under a pile of rubble. But two young scouts came to their rescue and pulled them out to safety. Now one month later, the Deans credit their lives and their future to those scouts.
Nathan Dean shared his families experience with us...we were honored to hear how his faith has grown much larger than a "wimpy F3"!

One evening Paul Clark and his parents came to speak to us at the site of the previous shelter, that many boys had fled to. Paul was at Little Sioux on the night of the tornado. He is among the best and brightest of Scouts invited to the Leadership training camp.

'"There were some real heroes at this Scout camp," Culver said, adding that he believes the Scouts saved lives while they waited for paramedics to cut through the trees and reach the camp a mile into the woods.' msnbc report

Paul shared his story with us and his parents' shared their story. Families ARE forever, they said.

We honored those boys and our young women the week of Girls Camp. We were Women of Virtue and we grew in our testimonies of preparedness, virtue, strength and experience.
I LOVE Girls Camp!

Editors note: Thank you Laurie for helping me to edit my blog format...I love the new look, but have noticed my photo's are cut off on the right???

I am working to center or 'fit' my photos to my post, but have waited to blog for so long, I thought I would get this post up! Sorry girls if you were "on the right" in my photos :(

Trevor Graduates

2009-06-26T21:26:00.016-05:00

Trevor Graduates!!

30 May 2009, from Millard North High School!! Yahh, he's headed to Brigham Young University Idaho!

Chrisi goes to Scott's Alma matre and Trevor will go to mine...

Well...I spent 6 weeks there :) Thanks Mom and Dad!

Trevor's Open House

2009-06-26T21:12:00.009-05:00

WOW!! Busy summer!! Here are some quick updates...

Trevor's Open House! Lots of fun, family and food!

29 May, 2009

Family Time

2009-05-15T19:15:00.016-05:00

Michael graduated 9 May 09! In Construction Management! We are so proud of you Mike!

Family barbecue at our house! Great weather, night, fun, and food! We love to sit outside and watch the little kids JUMP on our really OLD trampoline...it has seen it's share of bounce!

We got to meet Michael's new girlfriend Andrea and we LOVE her! She just finished her second year of Law School in Lincoln...one year left and she's an attorney, and who couldn't use one of those in their family?

The original Berry's~at Valentino's after graduation! We had so much fun together as a family! Thanks sibs for coming "home" to Nebraska for the graduation weekend and thanks Michael for being a great example to all the "kids" younger than you!

Love you all....

What's That Noise??

2009-05-13T20:25:00.007-05:00

Guess what?!!
My car is making "funny noises"! I took it to the car shop and the grease/gasoline smelling car guy got in and drove with me! I kept telling my husband,
"My car sounds funny".
"Sure" he said, "you just want a new fj Cruiser".
He totally didn't believe me, even took the car in and the same mechanic drove it and said,
"Ya, I think your wife just wants a new fj Cruiser, cuz I don't hear anything".
WELL, today, after work, I drove straight to the "mechanic" and made him ride with me...
only took once around the block! There it was, that transmission, axle, engine, grinding/slamming noise!
WHOO HOO I think I'll get either the BLACK or BLUE cruiser...

What do you think??

Senior Prom

2009-05-11T20:04:00.016-05:00

Trevor goes to Prom!!
It was a beautiful day and all was well in Prom Land!
Trevor, at the last minute got himself a darling date.
Although I was not able to take photos, Trevor took his Dad's camera and came out with a few good shots.
Shayla Matson from the Omaha Papillion Stake and Trevor went to Millard North Prom together...well for most of Prom anyway.
Many of the kids went in groups and all met up at the nights activities. First was a barbecue for the kids at Tim's. Only $5 bucks a kid for steak and all the fixins! Bargain and lots of fun. Then off to Prom, after Prom and then to the grocery store for flowers...for their Mom's for Mothers Day!
Sounds like a FUN night for all...

Some of the boys and the lucky two girls!

Seminary Graduation!

2009-04-27T14:20:00.007-05:00

There are many things to be proud of when you have kids. My kids are exceptionally talented, expressive, outgoing etc...I could go on, but you get the non-biased picture.

There are few things I am more proud of about my two children than their miraculous graduation from early morning Seminary!

I taught early morning Seminary for 2 1/2 years and remember how difficult it was to hit the alarm clock at 5:10am, shower, put on nylons (in my case) and climb into my vehicle. Wow, does that car thermometer really say 10 degrees?!

Well, Sunday night I "tearily" watched Trevor walk across the Papillion Stake Center stage to accept his Seminary Graduation packet (no certificate yet...they still have 3 weeks of official Seminary left).

What an amazing accomplishment for these youth to have studied the Scriptures for four years. These amazing kids studied The Holy Bible (Old and New Testament's) The Doctrine and Covenants and The Book of Mormon. One book each year, what a loving testament to their spiritual education!

Trevor has had amazing Seminary teachers...pictured above is last years teacher Brother Shane Walker and to Trevor's left, Sister Sarah Partridge. Trevor loves both these spiritual giants, their examples to these kids has been a priceless experience. Trevor has learned the Gospel in action each morning from these instructors examples. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifice on our behalf! Thank you Brother Walker and Sister P!

You might notice Trevor was the only guy in his class...cute huh!

Yahhh Trevor! Great job following in your sisters footsteps!

I Want This....

2009-04-18T15:16:00.004-05:00

I drove this Toyota fj cruiser today and I want one! It is cute, sporty, fun to drive, cute and I look cute in it! Cute all round!

Why would my husband say NO, I ask?
Because he thinks it's too complicated for me, to many knobs that have something to do with off roading??

I think it's perfect when a car tells you how many tires are on the road. Perk~!

I Want One!

Zipping through Kauai

2009-04-05T12:15:00.021-05:00

March 12th started out, as usual with an amazing breakfast! We went to Kountry Kitchen on the East Shore. Of course they received an ONO from our blue guidebook! We waited 40 minutes but it was so worth it! The special...french toast, dipped in pancake batter stuffed with cream cheese and pineapple! Yum Next we drove to Kilauea Light Station! It was kinda cold and rainy but worth the sites! The Kilauea Lighthouse is a postcard-perfect landmark perched on a bluff and represents the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. When it was built in 1913, it had the largest clamshell lens in existence and was used until the mid 70's when it was replaced by a beacon. Directly offshore is Miku'ae'ae Island, a bird sanctuary. We looked for whales but none to be found on the North Shore! After our sight seeing we were registered for a zip line trip! We zipped with Princeville Ranch Adventures for 5 hours of FUN. We were all nervous at first, but we had great guides who were funny, well trained and cute! Tyler jumped up first for the trial run...Go Tyler!

We zipped 8 lines, the longest was 750 feet. We also had the opportunity to swim in their swimming hole which was so cold~but really when would we ever have the chance to do THIS again! So in we went. We all jumped of the little fall (nothing like the day before) and enjoyed the thrill of swimming in a pool in Hawaii!

Swimming include lunch, sandwiches and a hike back to the top for the last zip! We had so much fun overcoming our fear of heights well, and falls too! A great day that left us all exhausted!

That night we had BBQ at Scotty's! So good, we all shared BBQ platters and watched for whales...still none on the North Shore!

Scotty at Scottys!

This was a great day we all went home wet cold and BRAVE! Thanks family for such a chance of a lifetime day! And Mindy...cute hoodie! And I did not mention the Lighthouse tree photo!

Third day...Hawaiian style!

2009-03-28T20:58:00.018-05:00

On our THIRD day in Kauai we ALL got up early. I think one of my most memorable moments in Paradise has no picture. The morning of March 11th my husband got up at 6am (11am OT) to walk along the beach with me! While the rest of the family worked out in the gym or to run the resort, Scott and I headed up the road along the beach. We walked one direction then I ran back...really I doubled my run cuz I would run back for Scott when I got too far ahead. We then headed to the lava rocks next to the ocean and scoured for sea cucumbers till a big wave headed for us and well, each to his own...I got a total head swat as Scott swung around to run for the road! Nice...so much for our romantic beach run! Hit and wet is how I went home!

We had breakfast at the Sheraton again...who could get tired of the best breakfast buffet on the Island? Then went for a walk around our resort...we checked out the hammocks, and pools at our disposal and took some photo ops!

Then it was back to Po'ipu Beach to show Tyler and Valerie what all the blisters and bruises were about...catchin the waves on the boogie boards! We had a BLAST out on the waves. Watching for that next big one, we saw it...a HUGE SEA TURTLE further out to sea, but it's head was so large! We wished we had our snorkeling gear so we could swim with it!

We grabbed lunch at a grill in the Po'ipu Shopping Village called Po'ipu Tropical Burgers we were looking for some yummy fish and chips but found none...the food was yuck and the service, worse :(

Our next target of fun was a well know waterfall with a swing from a tree that would make our hearts drop. Located off Kipu Road was a glorious little hidden place we found enchanting. This waterfall called Kipu Falls pours into a deep pool, which was ringed half-way by a 20-foot cliff. On the far side was a rope swing with a ladder leading up the side of the cliff. You have to climb out of the pond via the thick tree roots.
We found the waterfall after a short hike through a former sugar cane field.

We all had our suits on and we were ready to jump, then we got to the top of the waterfall...we all looked down and said NO WAY. We took pictures and dipped our toes in the stream above the falls and thought 'Oh,how beautiful'.

Just then four boys, teens about Trevor's age showed up, then 'skipped' across the top of the falls while stripping off their shirts, shoes, tossing their towels and headed for the top of the falls, then they JUMPED over the falls into the pool. Next they climbed the ladder and swung over the cliff edge, back into the pool.
I looked at my family and said "I'M DOING IT"!
My husband says, "OH, NO YOUR NOT, our children still need their mother!"
I hand my camera to my sister and say "DO NOT MISS THIS SHOT"!
The four boys give me hand signals and hints...where to stand, how to jump OUT far, where to land etc
I head for the little ledge the boys had used to jump off and count to three...

I was the first fool in! It was GREAT! I was so proud of myself!

Huston heads across the top of the falls to the rope swing and is the first one off the swing!
My husband looks at Valerie and says "I will never live this down if I don't jump"!
Scott jumps next, and I head to the rope swing! The boys and Huston show me how to hold onto the rope...as I'm talking to the boys I ask them how often they have been coming to Kipu Falls, they say "not long, we from Brazil".
I'm like WHAT! I would have NEVER jumped if I had known these boys were from Brazil! I thought surely they came to the falls all the time...maybe even helped hang the rope or something... Brazil, really, WHAT!!
Finally, Valerie jumped too, she took a hard hit! EWWEEWW I think that's what we said when she 'landed'! Let's just say there was bruising!
I'm first in! But the photo of me jumping is soooo unflattering! But Mindy did get the shot!

That night we went for dinner at the very famous Brick Oven Pizza! I think this was Tyler's favorite meal. We ordered the Hawaiian Pizza, imagine that, chicken, pineapple and Canadian Bacon...so delicious!

On our way out of the Brick Oven we spotted a local...a huge centipede! Must have been about 6-7 inches, or half Hustons foot! Yep, they bite!

We came to the end of another long, busy, and exciting day on our vacation. This night was pretty special besides the fact that we were engaging in such original experiences, we still needed the familiar comfort of prayer. On night three Tyler was feeling especially sore. He didn't make it to the waterfall with us. That night he asked Huston and Scott for a blessing of comfort, Tyler needed peace and strength and he knew where to find it. A blessing was given and strength was found. This too was an amazing experience and we were grateful for the power of prayer.

On day four we zip and swim through our fears OVER the Island of Kauai!

Our Second Day in Paradise...Kauaii

2009-03-24T19:16:00.016-05:00

Our second day started out with the most amazing breakfast at the Sheraton Resort restaurant. The breakfast buffet was sooo yummy and had all the fixins! The photo below is the table that is shown in our blue book showing the view of a lifetime while eating banana pancakes with coconut syrup.Later that morning we took a drive to try and find the water ski outfitter. Scott thought it would be classic to water ski in Hawaii...we drove till we found this...
Opaeka'a Falls in Wailaua! This landmark is a 151 foot falls that flows year round. Located on Kuamo'o Road this area receives 428 in. of rain per year!
Mindy tried to kiss one of the locals...those rooster are EVERYWHERE!
We also checked out the Wailua River lookout where we saw kayakers out for a day of paddling.
No luck on the water skiing... so we headed back to the south shore to rent our gear for the week. At Nukumoi Surf Co. we loaded up with snorkeling gear, boogie boards and rash guard shirts! We then spent some time snorkeling at Poi'pu Beach. We saw some pretty amazing fish around the sand bars. We then went for lunch at Brennecke Deli where Scott and Huston raved about the chili and rice. Mindy and I stayed away from the spice and starch and went more bland...sandwich and salad.On Kauaii you will find the most annoying creatures surfing the roads, grass and hotel lanai's. They are the native Roosters! These birds proliferated since the Hurricane 'Iniki' freed so many back in 1992. They are soooo dumb and turn up everywhere, we saw our first at the airport!
We were excited to pick up Tyler and Valerie, they were coming in on the same flight Mindy and Huston came in on the day before...Tyler had not been feeling well prior to our trip to Kauai, we were so glad he was able to board that plan for 10 or so hours and land relatively well.
That night we were ready for dinner. Tidepools at the Marriott was the best meal I've ever had! It was BEAUTIFUL! We had the most delicious meals. I ordered Mahi Mahi on a bed of mashed potatoes topped with huge grilled shrimp smothered in a cream sauce with papaya drops. Our waiter Les made the night perfect, he was funny, thoughtful and well paid! Our bill alone was $150...WOW, but so worth it!Well, again we talked of staying up late walking the beach and sittin in the hot tub...but by 9pm (2am Omaha time, that's what we kept saying) we were OUT!
It had been a memorable day, one I will treasure as I think of my brother walking out of that airport and climbing gingerly into the car rental. That moment reminded me of why we fast and pray for health and safety on occasions such as these.

Stay tuned for March 11th when we boogie board again and I jump off a Waterfall!

Our First Day in Kauai

2009-03-17T22:51:00.014-05:00

We stayed in POIPU....

We left Omaha at 6am on Monday, March 9th and arrived in Kauai at 2:30pm! How did that happen...only 8 hours?? Well, there is a FIVE hour time difference between Omaha and Kauai, so we flew from Omaha to Phoenix Az, which took about 3 hours, had a 2 1/2 layover in Phoenix then an EIGHT hour flight to Kauai. Which meant we arrived at 2:30pm...perfect for a little sight seeing before meeting up with my sister Mindy and her husband Huston.

We picked up our 'ride' cuz that's how my hubby 'rolls'...an H3, which I found to be very small and confining, but the hubby loved!

Then we headed to the Sheraton Resort and Hotel which was post card perfect, with it's own beach (Po'ipu Beach) on the South Shore off Hoonani Road. We used the beach facilities, exercise room, bought gifts at the two gift shops, and LOVED the breakfast buffet..which we got free if we choose not to have our room cleaned...

At 4:30pm my sister Mindy and her husband Huston arrived from Utah, I was so excited to see them, I ran to the registration building to find them...guess what they were 'rollin in', a black Navigator...not the mini-van we agreed on...Mindy said she just couldn't do it, ride around Kauai in a minimormonmom van (not her words, a word I just made up, cute huh).NICE!

We checked out the area, our adjoining rooms, wore our purple Lia's, and unpacked...we were GIDDY! That night we ate dinner at Keoki's Paradise I loved the ambiance (and having my family as surroundings) plants everywhere, a large fish lagoon, waterfalls and thatched roof! Located in the Po'ipu Shopping Village in Po'ipu, just up the street from our resort this restaurant got an 'ONO' from our blue bible The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook which means it stands out from the others in some way. We had Fish and Chips...yummm, somehow fish in Hawaii just taste amazing!

After dinner we were ALL EXHAUSTED! We had visions of Phase 10 by the pool, walks on the beach in skirts ;) and sunsets, but none of that was as enticing as those Sheraton Resort beds!

We were out by 9pm...which was really 2am!

Next...our day boogie boarding and Tyler and Valerie arrive from Oklahoma...stay tuned

An Eliptical Day

2009-02-27T15:51:00.008-06:00

(caution...political view to follow)

Today I was at the gym on my favorite Precor Elliptical anticipating The Bachelor to announce Molly or Mellissa on The View when Breaking News flashed across the flat screen in front of me.

I began reading as quickly as possible what President Obama was saying while he stood in front of those Military personnel. Then I read it..."I have a plan and a date for ending the war in Iraq"! I am shocked at my reaction...TEARS! As I read on I was so moved by the idea of our Military hero's coming...home. I could not stop the flow of emotion sliding down my cheeks (I used my Lifetime towel to dab at my "sweat").

As much as I am conflicted about our countries dire circumstances, I am eclipsed by my concern for our Military servants and their families.

One of the scrub nurses I work with at the hospital recently returned from her tour of Iraq. She describes her surroundings in the makeshift operating rooms she was previously working in...the missing limbs, painful stares, limited reserves, jagged bones, burned flesh, dense dark grease/blood, holes in bodies....

Those injured are not just our Military Personnel, they are Iraqi children, mothers, brothers.

August 31, 2010 will be a day to include in our Prayers, Temple worship, Testimonies, Thoughts.

I was rhapsodic with hope...

As I viewed on, how apropos, playing on my Ipod...Coming Home by The 88's!!

Regardless of how we feel about politics ending a war is principled...just ask the Israeli and Palestinians.

My Happy Valentine

2009-02-18T17:29:00.003-06:00

Thank you to my happy Valentine for taking me to dinner (with great friends) and for my beautiful roses...and as always my sweet husband gave me the most amazing gift! It seems when ever we plan something fun to do ie. our trip to Hawaii...it becomes my most fabulous gift my true love has ever given me!

One year we got new carpet in April...well of course my hot hubby decided that the carpet would also make a great birthday gift (for June 25th). So as the carpet guys rolled out my plush pad, my heart throb mate mentioned again,

'you know this is for your birthday right'.

'Of course'. I said!!

So for this Valentines I got roses and a trip to Lihue, Hawaii! Thank you my luver buns! And happy Valentines to you too!

Congrats Trevor!

2009-01-24T22:19:00.003-06:00

Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you admission to Brigham Young University-Idaho. We look forward to having you on campus and feel that you will be an asset to this university...

Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to BYU-Idaho! Rich blessings and life-changing opportunities await you here.

Sincerely,

Admissions Committee

Brigham Young University-Idaho Admissions Office

Political Humor

2009-01-24T21:25:00.004-06:00

One of my good friends at work the other day said she went to lunch with her husband and one of his friends, to a local deli. Both her husband and his friend are Democrats. While eating lunch they discussed the Inauguration that occurred the previous day...
The husband's friend turns to my friend and asks,
"Did you see any of the Inaugural Ceremony yesterday?"
To which she replied,

"Oh no, I'm a Republican, I was at work."

I thought that was hilarious!
Thanks Julie...

I Blogged my Bob!

2009-01-17T14:23:00.011-06:00

I blog cuz I plan to blur! Someday, I plan to turn this techno window into a book...someday. For my kids to read, not today. They could not care what my hair looks like or what the head under the hair thinks, they are teens (well young adults really).
So I will blog my thoughts and hair-do's anyway and hope someday they will care...

I will not keep scissors upstairs anymore...promise Valerie!

I made some changes to my life/body on December 3rd. And I mean in a medical sorta way. I have been expecting before's and after's, but they are not as quickly as I'd imagined.

So yesterday I got out the scissors and made some drastic more speedy changes to my hair!

I do not know what I was thinking! If I needed my appendix out (and I did when I was sixteen) I would not take it out myself! Although, I am highly capable of assisting any surgeon with this procedure, really myself...never!

So what was I thinking when I thought I could cut my hair..by myself! Seriously, there are professionals for this life altering, face changing, wind blowing appendage to my head, they are there for a reason! I should get to know those professionals better. The problem is my very best profession and sister-in-law moved to Oklahoma and I am left to find another (hair dresser, not sister-in-law).

I will take vitamins, wash carefully, and pray, then it will grow back...I have faith!

Before and After

New Years Eve

2009-01-08T14:24:00.000-06:00

We started December 31st out with good friends, good food and goals! We ate dinner at 5:30pm cuz Scotty said we had to be there early, he was right. We went to the Outback Steakhouse with Gal and hubby. I had shrimp cuz I hate red meat and everyone else had red meat.
We went to see Seven Pounds with Will Smith after dinner, I love looking at Will Smith, and thought the movie OK.
Gal saw it and did not like it, that is because Gal is always the optimist...they should have gotten married, before the hot sweaty scene and had 5 kids (that is what Gal would have wanted...)
My husband set lofty goals this New Years Eve,
"I want to be in bed by 9:30pm" he said.
He was!
This year was my year to be on call at the hospital New Year Day and I was.
My goals for the year:
Go to my new gym Lifetime for a Lifetime
Read the Book of Mormon (again)
Have a new wardrobe by summer
Go to Hawaii with Gal (on a cruise or not)
See the HUSKERS go undefeated.
Love my family till they get married in the Temple or till they go on Missions... and only till then :0)!!
Happy New Year

Happy Birthday my Son Shine

2009-01-03T14:02:00.000-06:00

My Trevor grows taller every day and his sweet heart grows as well.
Yesterday his Gramma Sue couldn't get her pictures from her camera to her computer and printed (or something like that) Trevor wrote on his hand...'go to Gramma's fix camera'. Thus saving Gramma from buying a new camera!

Trevor has always said the FUNNIEST things!

When he was about 10 yrs old, while riding home from school one day he said:

'Mom, XXXXXX said he has a six pack on his stomach. I lifted up my shirt and looked at my stomach and said 'Oh ya...I have a loaf of bread.'

A couple of weeks ago we got out of church early. I was speaking with a good friend of mine who was telling me what a great kid Trevor was and how proud I must be of such a fine young man. Trevor came up after my chit chat with his arm around my shoulder he said:

'Mom I feel it is a blessing to be let out of church early, and when you stay talking to others you take that blessing from me'.

Just last week Trevor asked his Gramma Sue if she was planning on seeing the movie Marley and Me. He was concerned about her watching a pet movie when she is the queen of all pet owners. Gramma Sue said that looked like a good show she would consider renting it when it came out on DVD. Trevor said: 'Ok Gramma, but you should know the movie is about Marley's whole life...do you understand what I'm saying Gramma?'

Thank you Trevor for being my son shine! You make me happy when skies are grey...you'll never know dear how much I love you...

Love Mom

Mary Christmas

2008-12-21T09:23:00.000-06:00

I started a new calling last Sunday...Valiant 9 Primary teacher!
I LOVE Primary, Ok...I love Young Women's too, but this Sunday, my first in Primary in a llooong time, I told big fat lies to my Primary kids!
I'm sure when the Bishop reads this I'll be released...back to the nursery for me, I bet!
It's not fair that I happen to have THE smartest N9ne year old's in the whole body of the Church! We took out our scriptures, I started on the straight and narrow, just fell sideways about 10 minutes into the class.
Hands were up the entire reading of Luke 2 and Matt. 2, my first mistake was to call on one flailing young hand..
'What does a virgin mean'?
Silence...listening for the prompting...
'It means a young woman who has not been married...yet...??'???
First Lie
Continued reading...I barely look up, cuz hands and bodies are now up!
'What does espoused mean'? As in Mary was Joseph's espoused wife..
No hesitation this time (I'm good, I learn quickly)
'NEW' I said!
50 minutes of class time....really??

Merry Christmas Card to my Family

2008-12-14T15:02:00.000-06:00

Family...

Although you are unable to comment on the blog, I still know you will be checking it out...

So here is my little Christmas card to you (of course I sent you a card in the mail, I just better be getting one in return?).

So enjoy our family photos!

This gathering of peeps would be my greatest wish for this holiday season along with:

World Peace

Mitt Romney as President

A world with a need for NO stents (kidney or heart)

Just a couple of more weeks off work

Bigger Ipod

Thinner thighs

And YOU! Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

2008-12-01T17:46:00.000-06:00

Just Great Photo's to share...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Brezack Families!

I had so much fun at TWEENLIGHT

2008-11-27T15:11:00.001-06:00

I had so much fun on this night with these girls! I admit I read all of Stephanie Meyers Twilight series. I enjoyed them...they weren't exactly Talmage...but fun none the less. I guess the best part about Twilight, for me, was the great night I had going to dinner then a show I knew all of us LDS women were going to feel comfortable watching.

No bad words, explicit scenes..just innocent love, something we all crave, but don't try to degrade.

Thanks to you Laurie, Wendi and Kimberly and a special thanks to Jennifer.

I had a wonderful time!

And YES, I was the oldest women in that theatre!

Maybe I'll Get You a Johny West Set for Christmas?

2008-11-19T18:15:00.000-06:00

When I was a little girl, just a few short years ago, all I wanted for Christmas was my own horse! Ok, and maybe the Barbie house to go with my Johny West set.
But, having MY OWN horse would have been the ultimate.

In Houghton Michigan, where I lived, they didn't have horses...at all! It is way too cold in the Upper Peninsula. They measure snow by the foot; not,
"We are getting 3 to 4 inches of snow today."
They say,
"We are getting 3 to 4 feet of snow today."

Anyway...I would have loved to have my own horse as a kid.
My kid, Christina has her own horse, and until last year she had two horses.
Her Grandma Sue got her a horse for her 14th birthday. His name was Dallas.
Dallas passed away last year, he was Christina's barrel horse.

Now Chrisi rides Briggs. He is only good for a photo, pretty much. Briggs poses and Chrisi smiles. They make a great team!

Maybe this year I will get Chrisi a Johny West set for Christmas, since she has a horse and all...

Battle of the Bands!

2008-11-12T09:02:00.000-06:00

If you want to see this sweet Boy:

Play with this Sweet Band:

Then come to BATTLE OF THE BANDS at Millard North High School Thursday night, November 13th, 7pm...

Cuz they rock!! And, we hope they WIN, it is their Senior year after all!

Join us if you can, and yes, Grandma Sue, I am bringing your orange earplugs!

My Daughter My Friend

2008-11-09T18:49:00.001-06:00

What is the most important thing in my life...? This my family! Why take up time on my talk block about B. Obama and not this...? IDK! So I decided to post more important things (and honestly much more adorable than any of those politician, don't ya think) than our economy.

And here she is...my daughter my friend!

You have grown into an amazing, beautiful daughter of God and I am so blessed to be your mom! Thank you for being 'honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men'.

We love you Chrisi

My Political Thoughts

2008-11-07T18:24:00.001-06:00

We'll I never really thought of my blog as a political venue, more in the light of a 'thought block'. Writing down my inspirations, a little journal with photos... you get the idea.

This past week my thoughts are nothing but political, so writing down my feelings seems logical (in this illogical political season).

I have been thinking about how much emphasise has been put on Barack Obama's campaign promises (and now for real promises) of economic reform, how 'socialism' is his underlying agenda. Those fears are not mine. The prosperity of the 1920s was unevenly distributed among the various parts of the American economy—farmers and unskilled workers were notably excluded—with the result that the nation's productive capacity was greater than its capacity to consume. In addition, the tariff and war-debt (which currently is astronomical) policies of the Republican administrations of the 1920s had cut down the foreign market for American goods. Causing the Great Depression!

The economic, agricultural, and relief policies of the New Deal administration under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Democrat) did a great deal to mitigate the effects of the depression and, most importantly, to restore a sense of confidence to the American people. This may occur again during this Democratic leadership...I'm up for a NEW DEAL!

Besides, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (as well as a registered Republican) I plan to live a higher law eventually! The Law of Consecration. Granted, the Prophet, under the direct leadership of the Lord, will determine my distribution of wealth (which by the way is very little, but toiled endlessly by, standing many hours holding hearts, removing colons, repairing ruptured retina's)...but still I will "give to those in need, by word and deed". Let the government use my contribution as needed. It does anyway. New taxes, they are going to be created, for what, I hope to revive this economy as the relief policies of the 1920's did.

My concern is this; if I were to under go Atrial Ablation surgery, would I want a Cardiac Surgeon who has volunteered many previous Atrial Ablations. Who had experience in Atrial Ablations and who could manage the team assisting in the Atrial Ablation.

That is how I felt about John McCain! During this time in our countries history we are involved in TWO 'Atrial Ablations', and I wanted John McCain to be our surgeon. He volunteered to serve this country as a member of our armed forces as well as sacrificed for you and me to defend our rights as citizens of a free country. He would have been an amazing Commander-in-Chief. He would have surrounded himself in other's who have done so much in serving this country, not themselves.

He's to secretly wishing I had a new bumper sticker that said Mitt Romney Secretary of the Treasury!

And that is my 2 cents worth (now only really worth about .87 of a cent)!

TOFW Omaha Oct 2008

2008-10-30T12:15:00.000-05:00

Time Out For Women should be called Ton's Of Fun Women!! We had so much fun this year (but no Mac Make-up, Urban Outfitters Shopping or Marriot Hotel's, this time) going to the Deseret Book Company A Joyful Life Women's Conference.

We did go out to dinner before the conference at THE CHEESE CAKE FACTORY another favorite of the girls. Of course we all start out thinking a huge healthy salad is what we are going to eat and then you see those sneaky waiters bringing out the table to the left's meal and you now want PASTA!

Ton's Of Fun! The next day we started out early with our Large Diet Dr. Peppers (some caffine for your physical uplifting, TOFW for your spiritual) then we settled into our back row seats, cute bags in hand.

Now I could go on and on about how supper funny Mary Ellen Edmunds is (learned she's never been married no kids, but a boyfriend...her cute 3 yr old nephew) how Elia Gourgouris is such a successful relationship couselor because all his 'wife' clients are totally enamoured with his accent and will do what ever he says (loved his talk the very most) or how Pam Hansen has inspired me to run a marathon! I could write forever about how much I loved all their 'words of wisdom' but what I learned and felt the most was THIS.

Kenneth Cope was the master of ceremonies...he was irritating and annoying at first. Made me feel like I was at the 700 club Sunday night TV taping, and then the music began and he opened his mouth in song and the tears began.

I wasn't going to buy anything (feel I should also support our little LDS Bookstore in Florence too) until I heard this song Him, And Him Alone. I was in mid disscussion with my bestie Gal and stopped as I heard Kenneth's lyrics...

'How could I think it's mine to merit

Or speak of my share in it.

This saving work He wrought alone

I've been a fool to believe I'd earn it

Or suppose I could deserve it

By words and deeds I'd call my own

From this day on

I know I'm saved by Him alone'

I felt the attonement in that song, in those words while sitting in the back row, cute bag in hand.

I jumped from my seat, and bought that CD All About You by Kenneth Cope!

Love It

PS Go to his website and you can listen to a sample of this and all the songs on his new CD All About You

2008-10-26T22:51:00.000-05:00

We had the best time at the Vala's Pumpkin Patch on the 20th of October! I was so lucky to have all the kids go...Christina, Trevor, Chrisi's friend Maria and the Twins A&A. All the kids had fun. I watched as Chrisi and Trevor stood by the Welcome sign that said 'how tall this fall' and tears came to my eyes and I thought of how long ago it was when I would bring by two little ones to Vala's. Now Trevor is over 6 foot and Chrisi is up in the 5's! We had a GREAT Day!

Yahh I got TAGGED

2008-10-21T13:21:00.000-05:00

Well it took me a day or two to figure out what 'tagged' meant...but I think I got it.

My friend Julie 'tagged' me which I love the idea of getting to know others, I just couldn't think of SEVEN random things about myself.

I don't have SEVEN blogger friend to send this onto, but I do know that many of you lurkers who check out my rambles could start a blog and give this tagging thing a try! Thinkin of you Jodi W ;)

1. I once saved a patient in the OR by putting my finger over the hole in the aorta (I saw it first). I then stayed in that position for THREE hours while the cardiac surgeon sutured the hole closed...wheww...good thing, or I would have had to go home with the patient.

2. I love the smell of yews (evergreen shrubs) they remind me of my Grandma Millers' house on University Ave. in Provo, UT. The smell when we would arrive at G&G Millers' meant we were in store for Fresca, home made ice cream, Maggie and fried chicken, all smells I love!

3. I love to be scared (only good scared not for real scared) like scary movies my favorites: The Others, The Birds and I loved The Hardey Boys. My new favorite scared is watching Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi. Grant (lead investigator) is LDS and served his Mission in Italy, I love when he asks the ghosts if they speak Italian!! Scarrry

4. I love getting Christmas update letters in my Christmas cards, my parents say nobody ever reads them, but I do, then I save them and scrapbook them.

5. I really love Girls Camp! OK, just about everybody knows that about me, I've been going for like 20 yrs now ... I have gone as the Stake Camp director (not the funnest :), Ward Camp Leader, Nurse (for like 10 yrs) and now am the YCL Leader!! I love Girls Camp!! Like one big slumber party, Girls Camp is (I capitalize it cuz it's important)! You eat snacks, stay up late and go swimming, maybe a hike or two, unless you say you 'twisted' your ankle and then you eat more snacks!! Yaahha Girls Camp!

6. Not a fan of make believe, I prefer 'based on true events' when I watch or read something.

7. Love the Gospel and my family more than ... dare I say Girls Camp!

There's my TAGGED now I hope Laurie, Wendi and Dianna will carry on, check out their bloggs, they have ton's of friends. They'll TAGGED on..
Thanks Julie!

Happy Birthday Scottie

2008-10-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my one and only!

Could it really be that we have spent

21 birthdays as an old married couple.

25 birthday as best friends

30 Happy Birthday songs, one for you and one for Kris S. cuz, she has the same birthday.

5o birthday cards we have given each other (funny ones from you, sappy from me).

87 birthday cakes as a family!

Remember these birthdays....

Love You Honey!

I have a Testimony of....

2008-10-07T18:13:00.001-05:00

My mother sent each of us an email that contained her testimony! I LOVED reading her thoughts and it gave me an idea...

I would share my testimony by this wonderful means of expression...blogging!

On Saturday and Sunday we listened to a 'Prophets Voice' and these are a few of my favorite things...

I loved Robert D. Hales talk on Saturday about Christian Courage.

I have a testimony of sharing the Gospel, how could I not, the Savior shared his testimony by his compassion and example. He defended his Christianity when confronted by money changers in the Temple, to Pilot, when betrayed by his friend, and while on the cross.

So I will share my testimony and hope to do so just as the Savior did...

I will say yes when I want to say no.

I will answer others as the Savior answers us, with concern, loving kindness.

Even when asked to be a WEBLOWS leader (after serving in Young Women's for SEVEN years, Weblows is testimony building experience above and beyond ;)

I will strive to defend Christianity by my example.

I also loved the quote President Monson used "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare" this quote was originally stated by the winner of the NYC marathon.

I will remember this in all I say and do...

I will prepare my testimony so that I may win!

I am so thankful to have this opportunity, twice a year, to hear the leaders of our Church give us inspiration on: Unity, Service, Prayer, Revelation, Speaking well of each other, Returning to Virtue (love Elain Dalton), Missionary Work, Change, (Pres. Monson...he should run for US President don't you think:) and Gratitude.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hope my testimony will strengthen others, and sustain me.

Thanks Mom

Friday Night Lights

2008-10-07T16:50:00.000-05:00

We love to go to Millard North Football games! We have been going since our kids started attending Millard Schools back in Middle School. Sometimes MN is GREAT sometimes they look like the HUSKERS trying to make a comeback!
This year is especially fun because our friends' son is a Freshman playing on the varsity team! This is unheard of at MN! This is a difficult team to get on, and even harder to get on the field, to play! This Freshman player is amazing (already scoring a touchdown in the rain this year)!
For Homecoming this year, Chrisi came home to watch the game too. We cheered for our favorite freshman and we're so excited when Trevor's good friend Collin won HOMECOMING KING! We cheered all night, till MN lost and we left to see a movie!

Congrats Collin!

Wheww A Day OFF

2008-10-01T11:10:00.000-05:00

This is what I do on my days ON. Work is stressful, this week I was doing everything from Anterior Cervical Fusions to Carotid Endarterectomies. STRESS I tell you, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 17 years of days ON.

But today on my Day OFF I ran this! Gal and I headed to Lake Zorinsky to run the 4.5 mile trail. I have not run this trail in a while, Gal has. We chat for our warm up, again solving the world problems (Christmas decorations up at Hobby Lobby already, are you kidding me). Then we head around THE corner, turn up the Ipod, Viva la Vida for me, Meatloaf for her (we're sooo different and yet)now we're OFF. I am usually ahead of Gal, not cuz I'm better cuz my legs are longer. Then I hit some Josh Groban and come to a mere swagger, Gal passed me. Then I saw it, a little dirt path that took me SLIGHTLY ahead of Gal, I took it, she was ANGRY I could feel it thru the cement under my Asics. I was now in my ZONE. Running the back side of the lake doing the loop to the south of the park and I turned to look for Gal, she's nowhere to be seen (small smile)...surely I wasn't Kils. ahead or even yards ahead, she was nowhere to be seen. I panicked. Could she have stumbled, worse could she have hit FOOTLOOSE again and gone mad. I started to run backwards (not an easy feet or foot, whatever) she was nowhere! I head BACK! The worst possible scenario for me...back, calling for her, I check the bathroom, I ask the lady on the bike if she has seen Gal, then I turn towards the dyke about 1 1/2 miles ahead and I see Gal! Her arms all swinging, sweatshirt blowing around her waist she's running for the finish line...and I am FURIOUS! How had she passed me! Then I see it, the BIG dirt path that cuts out the entire section of the Park and heads straight for the checkered flag! I turn up Blue October and sprint! What happens next is the worst of all...I hit the hill and start to 'jog/walk' I look up and there is our friend H. Clark (who is a REAL runner, she can run with boys, wears name brand running gear, and an Ipod that wraps around her arm) she says to me,

"Gal says to hurry"!

"Hope Gal and I can still be friends after I break both her legs" I think to myself.

So much for a day OFF!

Happy Birthday A&A

2008-09-22T15:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my little guys! Four! How did they get so old so fast. I remember the night I headed to Lincoln to be with my sister as she went into labor. Lindsay was nervous and wanted her MOM, I wanted HER Mom! I was nervous, TWINS were on their way and I was armed with...my camera, of course! The boys were born late in the night, and 1 1/2 hrs apart, which made OUR mom nervous. But they came soft and sweet. Grandma and Grandpa Berry left St.G and headed straight for the blue blanket bundles. I was in deep conversation with Lindsay, when she shushed me and said 'shhh, is that Dad's voice?'. Lindsay could hear my dad out in the hall talking to one of the nurses and practically jumped out of her IV to get to the new twin grandparents!

We're so glad your FOUR! We had a great day at the ZOO for your BIRTHDAY! A&A were sooo excited to see all the ANIMALS. They liked the new BUTTERFLY Garden with it's MORMON butterfly (for real). They loved to hide in the CAVES and would say 'find me aunt Jill'! (Not funny when Grandma Berry comes). We walked it ALL! They liked the SHARKS from a distance and thought everthing was looking for it's mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GUYS!

A Day at The Old Market 13 Sept 08

2008-09-16T19:59:00.000-05:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Last Saturday Trevor decided we should spend the day as a family!
SHOCK! DOUBT! MOTIVE?
Really with his parents! I wasn't thrilled about cruising the mighty Missouri in our modest boat, but I couldn't resist a day with my boys. So I ran inside grabbed the sunscreen, People Magazine, and my camera.
We dropped the boat in the river and headed for downtown, where we docked and walked! EWWE I wish I wouldn't have worn flip flops! We ate at Spaghetti Works then checked out the sites of the Old Market.
Trevor thought it fun to FISH in the murky marsh pond near the big slides. He would spit into the water, to make the fish 'think' they were about to receive the bounty of an everything bagel with veggie spread, only to be slammed by Trev's big ole hand! CRAZY KID!
Good Scott was there in his famous boating hat to give helpful hints to that kid of ours.
Is it true, only ONE year till my little boy heads out to tract, teach and bear testimony.
He will become a fisher...of men
No tricks
Only TRUTH
So glad we had this day...
We are so proud of our FISHERMAN.

Happy Birthday Mom

2008-09-15T12:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday! I wish you were here or I was there! If you were here we would go to Brown Baggers for lunch then to Southpoint Mall to shop. We would look for items to decorate our houses. If I was there we could go to ARTIC CIRCLE my favorite, Oh, yah it would be your birthday lunch whoops. Ok, then we would go to ARTIC CIRCLE anyway, cuz you would let me, and cuz that's the kind of Mom we Berry kids raised :)! Then we would go and check out the beautiful scenery surrounding ST. G. The red rocks, Temple, Art Show that would sell amazing picts, that I would bring home. And we would laugh.
Thanks for all the great memories, I have of you, being a great Mom.
We are thankful you kept us!
Well, aren't you so glad you kept me anyway!
We love and miss you MOM!

Below: 1993

Below: 1983

Happy Birthday Sarah B!

2008-09-13T11:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday my BEAUTIFUL Sarah B. I can remember the day you were born like it was yesterday (easy for me, I had a camera in my hand, not a stirup under each leg)! You were so dang SWEET from the moment you came to earth. You are my HEREO you are kind to everyone, you listen to the still small voice, you CTR every day.
I miss our slumber parties and our trips to McDonalds (Aunt Jill always forgot your socks so we would buy new ones) I miss our poll nailish sessions and our zoo trips. I miss SARAH B.
May your birthday be filled with FUN and HAPPINESS! And remeber to include in your birthday wish a WIN for NEBRASKA!
HAPPY VOLLEYBALL BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

Ok, but Never Say That Again!

2008-09-12T19:19:00.000-05:00

Today, I spent my time cropping with this gal. We spent the whole day cuting, cropping and solving the world problems (Did Sarah look flustered by Charles Gibbson and she should totally get contacts) and we love our day.

We try and go often to the Scrapbook store and justify spending money and time doing our 'geneology'. Our husbands will call us more than once and wonder why it takes a whole day, to make one multicolored mess. 'Crapbooking my husband says'. They just don't understand our need for the feel of paper, ribbon and glue in our hands.

It always goes like this:

"I need to make two trips from the car, I brought my cricket, where is yours?"
"Dangit, I left my pictures on the kitchen table again."
"Do you have a pencil...for me."
"Put your drink in your cropper hopper, so it doesn't spill (like this will protect the supplies within)".
"I'm not driving to lunch, I don't want to lose my out-front parking spot".
"Hope that girl doesn't plan on humming all day."

Thanks for the memories gal!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

2008-09-11T13:29:00.000-05:00

So glad you decided to get married and have me...were there others? Pretty good examples after 43 years of blistful cohabitation (with a temple sealing).

So thankful you are my parents and I love you for staying that way.

PS. I know the card is late...but wait till you see what you get for your birthday mom.

Love ya

Why I Started A Blog

2008-09-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

I have browsed blogs a little here and there over the past year... They never really interested me much, but I loved to hear uplifting, family oriented and spiritually enlightening testimonies. I came across the blog above and have followed it for sometime. I also read the blog C Jane enjoy it at http://cjanerun.com. These two sisters have inspired me to be a better mother, sister, daughter, friend.
Yesterday on NBC they interviewed this family about the trials of caring for 4 children who have been temporarily orphaned by an airplane that crashed. Their parents are struggling to live and this family still exhibits peace, for an audience of morning TV viewers.
Peace is a gift from above and no matter how bad things seem, peace will always rise above the planes ashes. Giving children wings.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

2008-09-10T20:24:00.000-05:00

I love my family! These guys make me so happy. They are such good kids and desperately strive to do GOOD! They are good friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and know what it is like to be a Child of God.

Husker Heaven on Earth

2008-09-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

We love Husker football! Each year we pick a game and the family comes together! This year it was the Huskers vs Michigan State the first game of the Bo Pelini and AD, former head coach (and lets face it, a legend to us all) Tom Osborne season! We had so much fun going to the practice field for some run and fun football of our own.

Mindy came from Utah, Tyler and family came from Oklahoma and the rest of us just came to feel the win.