San Diego...

 

I love San Diego! The perfect place for sun and fun. Where Kimmie has lived twice, Rex once (for a summer), and the place my kids and I vacationed nearly every summer as they were growing up.

We had a wonderful weekend get away to San Diego. Highlight: spending time with each other and Kimmie (and seeing Kailey)!

The first day we started out eating breakfast at a side walk cafe overlooking a farmer's market in Riverside. Then we bought some fresh fruit and flowers and headed to Kimmie's house in San Diego. Kimmie, Rex and I had fun relaxing and body surfing at Mission Beach that afternoon. I took 'sand in your shorts' to a new level...I didn't realize I'd scooped up half the ocean floor until we got home.

The second day we had fun at Ocean Beach...Rex and I enjoyed a nice walk on the beach and we loved seeing Kimmie's dog, Kobe, run and play with “the big dogs”. Kobe did not want to leave the beach. Neither pulling nor coaching worked to get him to go. Kimmie literally had to pick him up and carry him to get him to leave. It was sad, really. Good thing he's a yorkie and not a German Shepard!  

The last day was a little crazy dropping Rex off at one end of the airport in Ontario, California and picking up Kailey and Brecken at the other end. Luckily, Rex was able to check in and then hoof it to Kailey's terminal and see her before he had to take off for a workshop in Michigan. Fun tidbit: this is his first trip to Michigan...now he has been to 49/50 states, with only Alaska to go (we should've gone to see Blaine and Cindy while they were living there!). I dropped Kailey and Brecken off at Redlands University, for a youth conference, and then drove home.

I had some fun moments in the car ride home. I heard a song that Tyler and I always listened to when he was younger (Don't Take the Girl, by Tim McGraw) and called him and left him a message and played the song for him so he'd know I was thinking about him. I talked to Christie, Natalie and my friend Linda on the phone and I stopped by and saw Tracy on my way through Mesquite, NV.

Thanks for having us Kimmie! Kailey and Brecken I hope you have a blast at EFY! Rex, I love you so much and miss you all ready!

Love,

Lisa

Tracy

Resilience

Resilience is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience. Resilience means facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person or group of people to rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.

Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit—a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we have a clear sense of identity and purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future.

Much of our resilience comes from community—from the relationships that allow us to lean on each other for support when we need it.  (I don't know who wrote this...but I love it!).

Resilience is a word I think of when I think of my mom, sisters, nieces, daughters, and many of my friends. Strong, spirited sometimes even stubborn women...absolutely AMAZING women. I have been surrounded by so many of them throughout my life. I have had so many wonderful examples to draw strength, light, love  and wisdom from. This is a tribute to one of my dearest friends and soul sisters, Tracy Rodgers. I hope you continue to heal and gain strength daily. I hope your resolve is stronger, purpose and priorities are clearer and you never forget how loved you are!  

A recovery fund has been set up for Tracy Rodgers. The charter bus that caused the accident was not licensed or insured. She suffered fractures to her neck, back, boths arms, pelvis and legs. So far she has required two surgeries. She will require weeks of care in the trauma ICU and months of rehab care. Donations will help to alleviate the stress of medical bills and lost income. Please make donations to: Tracy Lynn Rodgers Recovery Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, acct 5664274817. Thank you for all of your words of love and encouragement! Thank you for your kind donation! Love, Lisa

Washington DC...

Rex has been conducting a seminar at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia so we decided to meet in Washington DC for a fun weekend. We toured by bus with a hop on, hop off pass to the major sites and also took a habor cruise. It was my first time to DC. What an amazing city! We really liked the Spy Museum and the Smithsonian Air and Space museum. We had an absolute blast!!

Ice cream from Haagen-Dazs at Union Station...$12
Tour package (bus, Spy Museum, harbor tour) for two...$108
Visiting the Nation's Capitol with the LOML...PRICELESS!

National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia

Happy Birthday Lucy and Kimmie...

We made a mad dash to Phoenix last Saturday after my nurse practitioner conference ended (in Las Vegas) to celebrate with our sweet daughter (Kimmie) and granddaughter (Lucy) who share the same birthday. Lucy's birthday party was at Melissa and Chris' pool/clubhouse and had a Minnie mouse theme. I've never seen such a precious little two year old birthday party (her aunties are so good at this stuff). She had a cute Minnie mouse cake and cupcakes. She carried around a little bucket of peanut M&M's eating and sharing them all evening. On Sunday we had lunch with everyone for Kimmie's birthday. Rex made her a congo bar cake and cookies (a first)...YUM!! She got lots of fun presents. It was a fast trip but we are so glad we didn't miss out on all of the family time and fun. It was great seeing so much family. Happy, happy birthday...we LOVE you Kimmie and Lucy!

Lucy and Uncle Chris

Lucy's birthday party at the clubhouse

Yummy treats!

Lucy is 2!

Kimmie's birthday lunch

Lucy LOVES her G-Dad! The feeling is mutual, of course!!

Alivia Nicole Leany

Natalie and Spencer's precious baby girl was given a name and a blessing on Sunday, May 1st. She looked like an angel in her pretty white dress. Alivia means "peace, fruitfulness and dignity." Nicole means "people of victory." She's a sweet little baby and we're so grateful she is happy and healthy!

Alivia's blessing

sweet lil' angel

Alivia looks like her mama, who looks like her mama, who looks like her mama

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!