Reflections

Today is my youngest childs birthday. Mark hits the ripe old age of 21. We mormons have an odd tradition of sending our young men out into the world to "preach and teach" and so they normally celebrate their 20th, and 21st birthdays away from family.
Mark definitely adds spice to our lives. I have been reminded of things Mark has done as I have read Rachel and Megan's facebook accounts of their boys. It isn't always easy raising enthusiastic children. Sometimes you just have to hang on, and hope your grip is strong enough to keep your head above water. I cannot even begin to tell all the tales of Mark. Nor would he want me to tell them. Mark was attending BYU-I when he received his mission call. We decided that he would benefit by attending the temple close by in Rexburg. So we flew him home to Alabama one week-end so we could go through the temple with him. After we got home he made this token fire to burn some items that would no longer be needed. Silly boy, but this is so reflective of Mark.

Mark was so anxious to leave on his mission. The only thing he regretted was not seeing Josh return from his mission before he left, they over lapped by a couple of months. This is our Christmas call from Josh. Gotta love the calls from your missionary.

As a mom, you start teaching your young sons about missions almost the day they are born. We sing songs about serving missions, we talk of their service, we save for that big day. I remember so well as Kyle prepared to leave. I started wondering, have I taught him all he will need to serve? I started to worry, and became anxious. Although he was doing the very thing I knew to be right, I had doubts and fears. And then he was set apart as a missionary by our Stake President. I will never forget the peace that filled my soul. I knew that my son was in our Heavenly Fathers care, and the areas that he might be inadequate would be covered.

I am so thankful for the choice my sons have made to serve a mission. I am grateful for the peace I have felt during their service. Grateful for the opportunities they had that have shaped them into the amazing men that returned home to us.

Happy birthday Mark. I love you

Jennie----help me!!!!

Jennie, I need you to drop by and help me lay this quilt top out....
give me a call when you have a chance, and give me your in-put.

for the beauty of the earth...

I often marvel at the beauty and diversity of our world. Waves fascinate me.

I could sit for hours and watch the waves roll in. Something soothing about it.We went down to the beach early this morning. We are hoping to catch a glimpse of the migration of the whales. No luck this morning, but we enjoyed the beauty all around us.

I love the clouds here, the way the sky turns so many shades of pink as the sun rises and sets.

I only wish that I could capture a little of the beauty in a picture.

Our visit with J,J,&J

I was really looking forward to our visit from Josh, Jon & Jennie. I had carefully planned out how I would spend the 3 days with Josh before Jon & Jennie came, and then what we would ALL do together, and then the 3 days with just Jon & Jennie after Josh flew home. Josh and I visited the Arecibo Observatory. I didn't find out til later that the road terrified him. WHAT, now if you want terrrifying, I had a perfect road for that.

Jon & Jennie flew into San Juan Christmas afternoon. We opened most of our Christmas presents the evening of Christmas, not to be confused with Christmas eve.

All the kids got Puerto Rico t-shirts, easy peasy.



The 3 J's were really looking forward to beach time. WELL, high surf warnings, and cold overcast skies kept us out of the water most of their visit. On the last day we braved the elements, and went swimming. I was sorta nervous even though I felt we were in a safe spot. Nancy & Janice, this is actually where we would go swimmng while you were here, just what was behind us, the tidal pool. The kids went for a short time where we swam, but the ocean was just too angry, not good for swimmers.

The water wasn't too bad temp wise, once you got used to it.

This parasail looked so fun, there is a huge fan behind the pilot that allows them to fly for a LONG time. When he saw that I was trying to take his picture, he actually circled around and buzzed us, way cool.

Jennie and I were on the beach watching the guys. We thought they were much too close to the big waves, and were nervous nellies the whole time. They said the waves were at least 60 feet beyond them, ummm I don't think so!!!!

This is a horrible picture, and on it's side tahboot. Jennie wanted to see what the Sam's club was like here in Puerto Rico. I had told her that it is right on the coast, and is in such a beautiful setting, almost seems a shame to waste such a beautiful view on a warehouse store. WELL... Sam's is about 40 minutes away, and we are tootling along, we reach Hatillo, and there are a lot of cars parked on the side of the road, and then we see a LOT of police in full riot gear, and crazy decked out vehicles, and ....I remember a shop keeper in Isabela telling me not to go to San Juan on the 28th because of some festival in Hatillo. OOPS!!!! Well, we make it through, and I call to tell Marlow about all the craziness. He calls back just a few minutes later, we had just gotten to Sam's, and tells me it probably isn't safe for us to be there. Come to find out, the patron saint they are celebrating is sorta like april fools day for children, except the children keep getting older and older. We noticed a lot of cars covered in either shaving cream or whipped cream, and I guess that is why the high police presence, to try to keep control of a volitile situation.

I love the pathway by the train tunnel. The walk is right on the ocean, and beautiful.

Sorry this is turning into a documentary, but for those who have been here, it might bring back some memories, and for those who haven't been, what you waiting for?????

I told you at the start how carefully I had planned our activities. You know what they say about the best of plans???? A huge storm in the Northeast dashed all my careful planning. Not that I am complaining. I'm grateful that since Josh had to get stranded it was in our home, not some airport. But, our little car is wondering what we did to it. I am amazed that we were able to get that much luggage to fit. I was going to stay home when Marlow took the kiddos to the airport, but Jennie would have none of that. Sooooo we set off the 5 of us in our little Kia Rio. We had a wonderful time seeing El Morro, Jennie & Jon are in front of the entrance to the wonderful old fort. It is an amazing structure to wander around in.

I think it is like over 500 years old, I'll have to ask my walking encyclopedia about that next time I see him. Regardless, it is amazing, like stepping back in time.

This is a circular staircase you go from one level to the next, it's a bit weird because the steps are taller than what you are used to.

We were almost done exploring El Morro, look up, and this HUGE ocean liner is going out to sea.

I am so glad that we spent a wonderful day together, what happy memories we made.

One of our favorite things about Old San Juan is the refreshing ice cream you can buy from the street vendors. Jennie had him mix all three flavors, parcha, coco, ooohhh what was the third??

After wandering the streets of Old San Juan, we exited through the Princess gate onto the outer walk way, it was an absolute breath taking sunset. I'm sad that pictures just don't capture the coloring of the moment.

It was a wonderful way to bring to close an awesome week with my loved ones.

The next morning we headed to the airport. Jon & Jennie left bright and early. Josh's flight left in the late afternoon, so we did some more exploring. We actually found a really nice beach, and wished we had our swim suits handy, because as

Jennie & Jon flew out, the sun came out of hiding.

I love to watch the waves, something so calming about the ocean.

Marlow and Josh were able to spend some much needed Father & son time.

It was great to have the kids here. Thanks for the memories, hey that sounds like a great title for a post!!!!

Thanks for the memories...

We enjoyed every minute with our little grandson. He was at such a fun age, and he is filled with so many smiles, what a joy.

We didn't mail Christmas gifts, opened them once they got here. I gave him several books, and he would actually sit and listen to them.

He helped unwrap the presents a little, he really just wanted to eat the paper.

I made him a giraffe pillow, which turned out to look more like sponge bob!!! I also made this real cool crinkly mini blankie that was pretty cool.

We hit the local sites that I can get to, this is at the Arecibo observatory. The weather was gorgeous their whole visit.

We enjoyed the path way by the train tunnel. Kyle got off the beaten path and climbed down to inspect the ocean.

Kayecita visits the Denista!!!!

I don't know if I can find the words to describe my visit to the Dentist today. While I was out in Idaho I had a filling fall out. I thought about having it taken care of while there, but found out my insurance will only cover work done here in Puerto Rico, and since there was no pain, I decided to wait.

I went to a dentist last Friday, which is another story I will have to tell sometime, and found out that I would need a crown, and a ROOT CANAL. Yikes. To say this was not good news is an understatement. I had a root canal done about 9 months ago in Huntsville. I was so nervous, and wound up, but I was able to get laughing gas at the root doctor (sorry, I can't remember the correct name)

Any who, Dra. Diaz (it is Dra. because the dentist is a woman) referred me to the one specialist in Aguadilla. Marlow made the appointment for Dec 21, we wanted to get it in this year to use the dental deductable this year, and the crown will go on next years deductable. Josh arrived this morning, but my last root canal took less than an hour so I didn't think it would cut into our day too badly. My appointment was at 10 am, and were pleasantly surprised that the waiting room was not filled. We filled out the paperwork, and I was pleased that we shouldn't have a long wait. As 11 came and went I was beginning to wonder if there was anyone in the office. I had heard a drill, but no evidence of anyone other than the receptionist that had us fill out forms.

It was probably about 11:30 when I was asked to come to the back. They didn't want Marlow to come with me, but after he asked if she spoke English, he too was escorted in. The work area was open, reminded me of the orthodontist that Kyle went to where all the exam chairs were lined up in one big open area. I'm used to more private areas at our Dentist office. The office was clean and the equipment seemed pretty modern compared to the first dentist I saw. The assistant talked with Marlow, took a few xrays, and then we once again played the waiting game.

As far as I can tell they work on one patient at a time, until they are completely done, paper work and all. Even after the first patient was gone the dentist just wandered around doing who knows what. He finally came to me maybe about 12:10. He was about ready to numb me when I asked if he had laughing gas, at which point he gave me quite a lecture. He basically told me no, and if I wasn't brave enough to do it, the only alternative was put me out with an IV, and that would take a very long time. So.....I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it.

I was given plenty of time to go numb, the Dr returns, and I'm geared up to be brave. He sits down, and then says, "Are you in a hurry? I have a couple of really important phone calls I need to make, and I need a cup of coffee before I start." 40 minutes later he comes back to start. I then find out that he is only going to do 1 root today, and schedule another appoint to do the other root..... NO WAY!!!!!!

We tell him that we'd like it all done in one visit, and he says if I do okay with one he'll do both. I think after seeing me whine about the gas he figures I can't endure a long session. Anyway, he starts a little after 1, and I think he finishes about 2:30. But then it took forever to get paperwork done, and the xrays ready to go back to my dentist that has to do the crown. We didn't head home til 3. FIVE hours at the dentist. I felt so bad that Marlow missed so much work, I had no idea what an ordeal it would be.

Trunk or Treat

The Branch President asked me to plan a branch halloween party. I normally love planning parties, but this one put me way out of my comfort zone. The first obstacle was not having my stuff. The second obstacle was not being able to find stores to buy stuff I know is out there. The third obstacle is cultural, not knowing what they normally do, and what they will like.

I planned an art table, thinking the kids would enjoy doing a project. I was pleasantly surprised by the adults making name tags. Thanks Marlow for being the first.

Brother Torres liked our fishing pond.

Not too many children came, so they fished to their little hearts content.

I have no idea what they thought of this game. Toss the tp in the toilet.

A bit of explanation, it is common to have a waste basket by the toilet. You do not put the tp in the toilet rather in the basket. SOOOOO, they might have thought it strange to be throwing tp into the toilet????

I didn't get in to see the bowling, I think those that did enjoyed.

We did a mummy wrap contest. I found out that you shouldn't buy the cheapest tp, it was constantly ripping. Made it a little more challenging

I think this little boy is about as cute as they come.

We finished up the game part with bobbing for apples. they really went after the apples. The missionaries even got in on the action.

I think everyone enjoyed the evening.

We had more planned, but went with the flow of things.

We also wanted to end before the sun went down.

I guess things can get dicey on halloween eve.