Journey of self discovery...

A few months ago my son and I had a really nice conversation. He voiced some frustration over trying to figure out who is he and what he wants out of life. After our discussion, I sat down to compose a heartfelt letter of motherly advice and finished with my "life mission" in writing (for the first time). Seeing it in writing had a profound effect on me. I read it several times and cried and cried.

Our kids see our example and know us as a parent, but how often do they get a glimpse of our most intimate feelings, goals and desires for our life? How often do we put much thought into our "life mission?" I've always loved the idea of living with intention and using my gifts to help other people but never thought about putting it in writing. I have a strong sense of purpose and I want to stay aligned with what I am supposed to be doing in this life. When I'm making an important decision I can ask myself if it is in line with my life mission. If not, what is my motivation for doing it? Every decision may not align with it, but at least I'm aware of it now.

My husband is big on goal setting and has had a clear understanding of his life mission for a long time. I knew how he had arrived at understanding his, but never knew I would arrive at mine by writing a letter to my son. I am enclosing the letter I wrote to Tyler (with his permission) and hope it helps others find the way to more fully understanding their life mission.

Love,

Lisa




Tyler and Mom




Tyler,

I have some words of advice. I'm gonna tell you some things you've probably heard before and some things you probably haven't. You mentioned you've been struggling with decisions. Ty, I honestly believe you have the ability to create the life you want. You can try on different things and keep some and throw out others. I believe for you to be truly happy the things you choose to keep in your life need to align with your life mission. So maybe it's time to figure out what that is. It can be something very simple or very complex.

As an example, Rex's life mission is to be a teacher of righteousness. He is a very unselfish person. He has a great sense of purpose and a very good self esteem. He recognizes his strengths as "gifts" and wants to honor Heavenly Father by using his gifts as a teacher, resource, mentor, guide, etc. for righteousness (for good). He doesn't spend much energy on things that are dark, negative or bad or let them distract him from his life's mission. He seeks opportunities to use his gifts. Whether it's mentoring a friend or child, teaching a Sunday school class or implementing a concept/system in a work setting. It's not only what he does but WHY he does it. His "motive" is righteousness and his actions are consistent with his mission. You could predict what he is going to do in any given situation because you understand his motive/mission.

Sometimes when we don't have a mission/plan/goal we defer to the natural man. We go into survival mode and do what serves us at the moment. What is going to help me right now? Feel good right now? Get me out of my immediate pain or boredom right now? When we're deferring to selfishness (or the natural man) we make decisions that feel good now without regard for long term consequences.

As I look back on my life there are two very distinct situations (and some very strong role models) that helped me decide the type of person I want to be. I'll tell you more about those in person sometime. My life mission is to use my gifts to help other people (through Christ-like love and caring). I want to be someone who is consistently nice, caring, genuine and unselfish. Someone who builds others up, helps others see their potential and instills hope. I want my presence to be positive. I want to leave things better than I found them. I want my word or handshake to be as binding as any written contract. When I'm old, I want to look back over my life and say I did my best to be faithful, kind, caring, clean, honest, repentant, unselfish, hard working, fun loving, healthy, happy, responsible, playful and generous. I want others to be able to predict my behavior because they understand my mission and motives. I love the word LOVELY. I want to use my gifts to be a truly lovely person.

I've lived a lot of life in my 44 years. I've made plenty of mistakes and I've learned a lot along the way. Bottom line is...I'm happy, I'm living the dream and I am so grateful for my life.

I hope this helps because I love you SO much son!

Love,

Your Mum





Rex and Lisa

Moving Target...Cameron bloopers

Spencer, Natalie, Cameron and Alivia have been in St. George for the past week. We've had several get togethers and each time I've tried to take pictures of Cameron but he is too active to capture. I have several new pictures of him that are blurry or just of the back or side of his head. My camera is about a second too slow to catch him looking. He is always on the go... but what a little doll! I am so in love with him!

Cameron bloopers...



He turned head just in time to capture a great profile pic..




Tell me, "what's my best side...left or right??"





No pictures please! "I can turn my head so fast that it almost gives my mom whiplash!"




"Wheels help me move even faster!"







Having fun playing with the other kids. Of course... he's the one in motion!



Texas style fun...

Rex had a workshop to teach in Dallas for two weeks. After enduring two miserable weeks away from each other in December we decided we needed a visit in the middle of two week workshops (whenever possible) to prevent us from dying. OK... that's a bit dramatic, but we are newlyweds! Honestly, I hope we'll always feel this way. Since it's just the two of us and we spend our lunch hours, evenings and weekends together a two week break is painfully long!

We had a great time seeing Daniel, Christie and Lucy! What a beautiful family. Lucy is so smart and sweet. She is a precious little angel. We really bonded while playing. She loves running from one end of the house to the other screaming and giggling. I'd say, "READY, SET..." and she'd say, "GO!" and take off running. She runs so cute!

We had fun watching her open her Easter gifts. We got her a sweet, princess-like dress in soft pink and brown, but her favs were the accessories. Christie said she loves shoes, purses, jewelry, etc. It was so cute watching G-Dad help her put on her frilly little socks and try his best to put on her new shoes. She was curling her toes and not making it easy. Lol!

We watched her for the evening so Daniel and Christie could go out on a date. Lucy helped G-Dad make some congs and then they spent hours reading and exploring the book store. They truly have a special bond!

Rex had to work Monday so I entertained myself by swimming, sitting in the hot tub, shopping, etc. I was sitting in the hot tub at 10 a.m. Monday morning thinking, "this is a great way to start a new week...I'd highly recommend it." What a nice break from my normal manic Monday!

Monday evening we went to Fort Worth to Rex's old stompin' grounds. It was fun seeing places he's talked about like his old work and neighborhood. He seemed to enjoy his visit down memory lane. It's such a bitter sweet thing having your kids grow up. He showed me the kids old school and said things like..."Scottee and I would spend hours kicking a soccer ball around on that field."

We went to dinner at his old fav...Cousin's BBQ and then had dessert (two fork cheesecake with white chocolate and strawberry sauce) at Saltgrass Steak House...YUH-UM!!

We have a blessed life! The quality of our lives is so much better since we met and especially since we married. I wish everyone could experience a love this amazing, this right!

Kailey's Spring Break Adventure...

We had a fun and action packed week with Kailey! I've posted most of the highlights on Facebook as they've happened, but wanted to fill in more of the details...

Kailey flew into the new St. George airport last Friday. We (Rex, Lisa and Kailey) went to Las Vegas on Saturday and headed straight to the Stratosphere because Kailey wanted to do the Sky Jump ride where you literally jump off the hotel attached to cables and it slows down just before you land on a bullseye tarmac 855 feet/108 stories below. She was scared to death but determined! When we got there we found out she needed a reservation. So we scheduled a time for her jump and had a few hours to kill.

We spent time browsing The World's Largest Gift Shop. They had the funniest baby t-shirts (my favs were "I coo and poo...it's what I do" and "I'm what happened in Vegas"). the shops at the Stratosphere were fun. I embarrased myself (and Kailey) when I dropped a candle in a glass jar and broke it...oops! Another store had a wall with thousands of magnets with sayings on them...

mean (but funny)!

We also went on the Nascar rollercoaster. When they say, "zero to 60 in three seconds" they are not kidding! Kailey and I got off the ride looking like we'd just been through a wind tunnel. Rex got a good laugh at our wild hairdos...wish we had pictures!

We headed back to the Stratosphere for Kailey's jump...they suited her up in a flight suit and took her to the top. We waited at the bottom (outside on reclining chairs) for what seemed like an hour. I was so nervous and full of adrenalin I didn't even notice how cold it was until it was all over. Just before she jumped another bystander asked Rex how old Kailey was. When Rex told him she was 17 he started freaking out and telling everyone. She had the largest, loudest cheering section of any jumper since we'd been there. She loved it and has the DVD to prove it!

Kailey in her flight suit

our view from the ground

On Sunday we had a family brunch with Mike and Teresa and family. Yum! The food is always amazing with that bunch! Kailey went to our Sunday school class and was one of two girls and about 10 guys. We invited the class over for dessert Sunday evening and had five guys show up. Rex made peach cobbler, rolo cookies, congo bars and congolos. It was a lot of fun seeing the guys compete for Kailey's attention. They loved watching her Sky Jump DVD and every one of them said they would be too afraid to do it.

On Tuesday we went skiing/snowboarding at Brian Head and had a blast! Rex and I completely expected to be on the bunny hill all day. We were so surprised at how advanced Kailey was for her fourth time snowboarding. She ended up tearing up the really challenging intermediate runs (on Giant Steps) by the end of the day. We were so tired after skiing/boarding all day...it felt great climbing in the hot tub when we got home!

Rex and Kailey went for a drive up Kolob Mountain on Thursday morning and then met me for lunch.
We decided to throw a surprise birthday party for Teresa on Thursday evening since Kailey will be back in Washington and Rex will be in Dallas, TX on her actual 60th birthday (April 12th). She love it and really appreciated the thought. Kailey made her a huge balloon creation birthday hat...it was pretty hilarious!

We ate so much fast food and junk food this week. I bought a bunch of groceries and never cooked a meal. We ate at In and Out Burger, Jack in The Box, Chili's, Pizza Factory, Carl's Jr, Brian Head Lodge, Applebees, KFC and Subway.

Kailey also enjoyed relaxing at the house...watching movies in the theater room and laying out by the pool. She's going home a little pink from all the sunshine! She and I planned on going shopping for an Easter outfit, but never got around to it. You know it's a pretty action packed week when two girls (especially US) can't find the time to go shopping!!

It was so hard saying bye to Kailey. We loved every minute with her! We are SO excited to have her and the rest of our family here in June for the Conner reunion!

XXOO...We love you KK!

After her jump with new friends

monkey in a palm tree

Daddy's girl

Rex and Kailey working together on snowboard

TG's birthday hat

playing Pounce with "The World Champion"