ten and soprano

denver airport

2012-01-30T07:18:00.001-08:00

Thursday morning I left the hotel early. I was happy to find the perfect gift shop for the boys at the Las Vegas airport, Harley Davidson. Had plenty of time to browse before the plane left for Denver.

My lay over there was five hours, but it went quickly. The Denver airport is out in the high planes. I stepped outside and couldn't believe how it felt like Spring.

I stood outside for almost an hour writing, then went back through security, wandered around, took pictures of big planes going to fun places. Had Chinese food for late lunch, more writing, chatted with a cute six year old and her mom, then it was time to board.

I flew in to the Provo airport, the smallest one ever, greeted by Granddad. Went back to Granddad's and Judith's house. Talked about the trip and things for a couple of hours. Strange to be staying there without the kids, but nice to have a chance to talk.
I was grateful for my week of travel, and grateful to be home safely.

las Vegas

2012-01-24T12:16:00.001-08:00

I landed in Las Vegas not entirely sure what I was doing there, kind of enjoying the fact that I had never walked off an airplane before with no where inparticular to go and no one expecting me. I took my time, wandered to the baggage claim and then sat down with the iPhone and started to sort through the hotels on Travelocity. I thought about something fancy that I wouldn't do with kids, but chose Circus Circus. It was cheaper and I thought it would make a good site visit in preparation for future trips west. I was happy to find that it was easy to get ground transportation from the airport to my hotel on the strip, just about twelve dollars round trip.

The hotel wasn't crowded. I checked in, then went to the buffet. The staff was so friendly, I returned for three more meals over the course of my stay. They started to feel like family. The pleasant atmosphere made up for the so-so food. The options were plentiful and I couldn't resist the kid friendly macaroni and cheese and corn dogs.

Thursday morning I redeemed my free buffet coupon at breakfast. While I was eating I got a call from my good friend and college roommate who I had hoped to visit in Las Vegas. She had the flu so we were unable to meet, but we got caught up on the phone and I was grateful for the chance to talk without interruption.

I stayed at the buffet for about two hours, talking and writing. When I left I wandered around the hotel, to preview the Circus Circus adventure dome. I sent pictures of the indoor roller coaster to Sam. He approved.

In the afternoon I set out to wander up the strip. At that point I remembered that Sam had told me that the Bodies exhibit was showing at the Luxor hotel. I walked pretty much the length of the strip, thoroughly enjoying the people watching as I went.

I got to the Luxor after about two hours of walking, just as it was getting dark. I was happy to find the Bodies exhibit still open, and happy I had encountered it on my own as the 35 dollar ticket would have been too much to pay had all the kids been with me.

As soon as I saw the first exhibit I knew that was the reason for my stop in Vegas. I stood peering up into the cavities at kidneys, diaphragm, spleen.
I felt like I had travelled to a different universe. We think so often about exploring things, places outside of ourselves, but to go inside sometimes can feel as foreign and fascinating.
The bodies exhibits are both scientific and artistic. The accompanying information was engaging, inspiring, and educational.

I left, sorry I had come to the end. I wandered back out onto the strip that was now a city of lights. Back at the hotel I went to up to the mall where I had seen a Beijing style foot massage
shop. Ordered the forty minute, got talked into the sixty minute. It was great to make new friends in Chinese again.

I ended the day back at the buffet. It just seemed like a returning place.
In the morning I was back on the shuttle and on my way home.

los angeles

2012-01-24T09:43:00.001-08:00

Tuesday morning Amy was nice enough to drive me forty-five minutes south. I had planned to meet my mother's sister, Aunt Lois, at the ihop in Agoura Hills.

I hadn't seen Aunt Lois since right before we left for Guangzhou, almost nine years ago. That seems impossible. We drove together to Uncle Ted's house in Agoura. Uncle Ted is the brother of my Grandmother. It was amazing to be in his presence since he reminded me so much of her. She passed away about twenty years ago.

Uncle Ted is in his nineties, but still sharp and quite opinionated. He told us stories about his mother, particularly about her conversion to the LDS church in Samoa, and later, how she became minister to a Pentecostal congregation in Hawaii.

After pictures and throwing the ball for Uncle Ted's massive Lab, we drove to Los Angeles, to our old favorite,Tito's Tacos in Culver City.

Auntie Lois was always great about giving tours of the area. She has lived in Los Angeles since the fifties. We drove around to family and historical landmarks, then back to her home where we spent an hour or more looking through a photo album that my cousin Debbie made for her for Christmas.

It was great to spend the day with my aunt. In the evening Auntie Lois drove me to LAX. I flew on to Las Vegas.

hendry's beach

2012-01-22T19:10:00.001-08:00

Monday afternoon we drove up Foothill road on our way to visit Amy's parents. I couldn't pass that way without thinking about Stacie, my voice teacher for many years. I felt blessed that we were able to catch her on a surprise visit. We sat for almost hour reminiscing about high school days.

Later we helped Amy's parents put away Christmas decorations. It was wonderful to see them again too. Then to lunch at the Santa Barbara pier.

We made it to Hendry's beach, my absolute favorite place, the place I think about to clear my thoughts, the place that I imagine when I'm trying to find my zen, just in time for sunset.

For dinner we drove to the Padaro Beach Grill on Santa Claus Lane in Carpenteria. We shared some delicious fried sweet potatoes and onion rings.

What an incredible day. I was grateful for Amy, my amazing tour guide.

monarchs

2012-01-21T20:58:00.001-08:00

After the seals we drove through Carpenteria and then up the coast to the monarch preserve in Goleta, another place I had never visited while living in Santa Barbara.
The large clumps in the trees are swarms of butterflies.

seal sanctuary

2012-01-19T17:32:00.001-08:00

I woke up Monday morning excited about returning to familiar beaches. We started out with hot chocolate and muffins at Simone's in Ventura, then drove up to Carpenteria, just to the north, where Amy showed me something new, the Seal Sanctuary. We parked near a field where someone was growing pink and white flowers, walked down the dirt path through tall grass, passed over train tracks--could smell the gummy,oily, black scent of old cross ties and sea air, and peeked through wild yellow blossoms, over the cliffs, down to ocean, and oil rig, sand, and seals.

A volunteer who stands on the cliff watching over the seals, keeping the beach free of human foot traffic, loaned me her binoculars. I could see them, some waddling about, others flopped out, beached as they say.

cucumber raita

2012-01-19T14:37:00.001-08:00

Sunday afternoon I went to church with Amy. After the meeting we drove through cauliflower fields to the retirement home where Amy's grandma lives. Grandma Margie has a smile that radiates the wise spirit of her age. She will be ninety in August. I felt blessed to observe their Sunday visit ritual.

I prayed that my children would tend to my parents as lovingly as Amy cared for her. I listened to Grandma Margie tell stories of her married years: eloping in Las Vegas, losing her first husband unexpectedly, falling in love again, working as the postmaster in a small town in the San Bernadino mountains, and then she smiled and said, "so many happy memories," and I thought, what an admirable choice.

In the evening Amy's friend came over to make us an Indian feast. Delicious.
I was grateful that he was willing to share his time, culture,and fabulous cooking.

sunday train

2012-01-18T12:36:00.001-08:00

Sunday morning Gina took me to the Irvine train station, just after 7 am. I waited by the tracks in a cold drizzle. The train arrived forty minutes behind schedule, but none of the other passengers seemed surprised. The view, the rhythm of the rails, the chug of the engine were all worth the wait.

I watched the houses go by behind the stucco walls along the tracks and wanted to reach out and pluck fat oranges and lemons off the trees.
We came to Los Angeles with its graffiti and smog and industry. They announced that there would be a delay there as they changed the engine. I don't know why I imagined them climbing up, lifting up the hood, using tools, switching out old parts. I stepped off the train and walked toward the front of the train, where I saw what they meant by changing the engine.

A train car moved toward the front of our train, hooked up to the engine, and pull it away. Our train sat there with no engine at all, as I thought how happy I was to not be in the air. I was happily surprised that the procedure only took the twenty minutes they had said it would. And off we went again.

I saw the landscape change to rolling, rocky hills of short brown brush. The first glimpse of the ocean came just as we approached Ventura where my good friend Amy met me at the station.

aroma touch

2012-01-17T09:27:00.001-08:00

Day two it felt wonderful to wake up in Jennifer's beautiful home. I love waking up in a new place to experience its unique flora and fauna. I could smell the eucalyptus and hear the birds in the trees outside the large skylight above my head.

Jennifer drove me to the Irvine Marriott. I was attending an Aroma touch technique training taught by my good friend Gina who introduced me to doTerra essential oils. I was lucky to be the first recipient of the technique. I loved the healing and stimulating blend of oils combined with the therapeutic touch of massage. The smell was luxurious.

We spent the day practicing the technique, learning more about the oils, getting to know each of the participants. I was grateful to meet interesting new friends.

Saturday night I stayed with Gina in Irvine. She took me to Fashion Island in Newport Beach. My first time to try the Cheesecake Factory. After dinner we drove to see the LDS temple in Newport Beach. It is the busiest temple after the Provo,Utah temple. It was a blessing to spend that time with Gina.

day one irvine

2012-01-15T08:29:00.001-08:00

The second week in January was what I hoped would be my final push to recover from our China shipment. We were expecting Rob's arrival and aside from not wanting the house to be in disorder during his stay, I desperately wanted the unpacking China chapter closed. Thursday I was down to the wire, I stayed up the entire night. Me against the last remaining piles of unsorted laundry.

Friday morning grandma Martha came to stay with the children for the twenty- four hours before Rob arrived from Pakistan. Grandad drove me to the airport.

This is my arrival in Long Beach. My
step-sister Jennifer met me. I loved arriving in California in the winter, eighty degree weather, palm trees,t-shirts, tropical flowers.

Jennifer took me the Spectrum mall in Irvine where we had lunch at my new favorite:the Crepe Maker. Rachel and Axel met us there.

In the evening it was great to spend time with my niece Shannon. We all went to the Olive Garden. Found another new favorite: the eggplant parmeggiana.

I was grateful to be able to keep up with the kids during the day via iPhone, and grateful to spend a great time with Jennifer and the Brown family.

epiphany

2012-01-15T08:03:00.001-08:00

January 6 Sam made king cake for his French class. Throughout the following week I smiled about the warm weather.

January 2012

2012-01-15T07:53:00.001-08:00

zoo day

2012-01-15T07:45:00.001-08:00

Over Christmas break we went to Hogel zoo.

Christmas with the cousins

2012-01-14T18:29:00.001-08:00

The week before Christmas it was great to celebrate together with cousins. I am grateful that we are close to family. We met at Grandma Julia's house to make Christmas crafts and have a pizza lunch. Judy and her kids had surprises for us.

The day after Christmas we celebrated with the Brown family, the cousins from my side. Judith served us all a delicious Mexican dinner.

more December 2011

2012-01-14T18:06:00.001-08:00

Another post under under construction.

more december activity

2012-01-09T17:00:00.001-08:00

Post under construction! Trying to figure out the best way to use the blogger app.

December 2011

2012-01-02T11:40:00.001-08:00

2011 I had the Christmas tree up before December first, unusual for me.

I was grateful for a month of warmth days.

We only had one day of snow. Grant was so excited to go outside and embrace what he could.

He said it was a "perfect day."

He wanted to stand underneath the run off water.

Sam had two DECA competitions. On the afternoon before one fieldtrip, I picked up Sam from school. He told me he needed a new suit. I was feeling sick and ready to just go home and call it a day. When we walked in the door there was a big box of clothing in the kitchen. A friend of mine had told me she had some clothing for the boys to look through. On top of the box was a handsome suit coat. I asked Sam to try it on and it fit perfectly. There was a also a pair of very nice dress shoes, in his something like size 14 size! Granddad took him out to buy a pair of pants, a new shirt, and a tie. He looked smashing! I was grateful that God knew our needs and answered them in that small way. Sam took third place in parliamentary procedure, most notable because he hadn't even planned to compete in that event.

our birthday 2011

2011-12-31T09:27:00.000-08:00

The first weekend in December, William and I celebrated our birthday together. William is affectionate, handsome, funny, tyranical. When he is tired he says "I sleep in yours bed." When he is impatient he says, "Move yours butt!" When people ask me why I have ten children, I wonder how they could imagine a world without William.

This was the first present I handed William on the morning of his birthday. He just wanted to hold it.

In the morning Granddad took us to a big Christmas activity for families of BYU faculty.

Olivia's favorite breakfast.

Sophie was in love with this bouncing Santa.

Sam helped William at the craft table.

In the afternoon we met Grandma Martha for more celebration. I love turning forty and being able to say I went to Chuck E. Cheese for my birthday.

Thank you to Grandma Martha for the beautiful cake she bought us.

I am grateful to share my birthday with you William.

christmas 2011

2011-12-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

Where I grew up in Tulsa, on the street where I lived, my next-door neighbor was a little old lady named Mrs.Thomas. Although she was white haired, frail, and hard of hearing, her home was very much alive. She was the mother of ten, and Grandmother to many, including children like me whom she invited over in the summer to use her pool that was old and cracked, surrounded by overgrown bushes, and filled with frog eggs, but nonetheless a delight to young naturalists, and in the winter she must have welcomed us as well, because I can remember sitting in her living room with wide eyes gazing at her Christmas tree surrounded by mountains of colorful, ribboned gifts. I decided in those visits, that I would have ten children as well. It wasn't a desire for what was inside the boxes that convinced me, but the beautiful scene that their colors created as the lay nestled next to each other, stacked in seemingly endless connection.

Now December 26 is possibly the most difficult day of the year because that is the nature of being so abundantly blessed. Where to put things, and how to respond to all the newness, and take ownership? The boxes are opened and what was inside comes out with it's own demands and all of it's wrappings must be attended to as well. Like any responsibility, inevitably comes the need to remind oneself that this new chore is what comes with the blessing of this new connection.

But I do wake up aware that I have completed something. My single mom Santa hat can now be boxed away with the lights and paper ornaments...quickly as the branches are dry ,and the tree must go out before it goes up like an incendiary,and now to take control of all the wonderful gifts that surround me, to clear away the wrapping, so I can focus on finding a new focus.

This was Christmas morning. Some of this was the single mom Santa, but most was the responsibility of our extreme home teachers who snuck into the house Saturday evening left colorful boxes filled with sweaters and boots, pants, socks, DVDs, toys. They did the dishes, vacuumed the rug, and left the glass on the fireplace open, so Grant looked in and said he swore he could see Santa's foot prints.

Saturday evening they had asked me to have the kids out of the house, so I drove them to the McDonald's in Springville. We brought the girls' friends and sang Christmas carols as we drove along Springville highway, singing in what Kyle called our "lower class British accent." I am grateful for that memory.

winter dance recital

2011-12-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

Monday, November 28, Bethany, Olivia, Mary, and Caitlin performed in the Winter recital at the Covey Center for the Arts.

The costumes and make-up were the girls' favorite part.

Caitlin and her classmates danced to "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

Great job girls. I was very proud of you!

thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday evening, I was grateful to spend time with Sam in the kitchen. I was making stuffing and pear and jello salad. He was working on his Twin Peaks Cherry Pie. Wednesday day we took care of two kids with cavities at the dentist, lost lots of time at Wal-mart, something else there must have been as well, I felt tired and discouraged by the end of the day. I prayed that I could know just one thing I could do to make the kids' life better. I prayed to understand what is life about anyway. What is just one thing that makes life worthwhile. So the answer came the next day, as answers do in small ways.

Cousins.

We were excited and grateful to see Raines cousins we haven't seen for a while,

and Grandma Julia and Great-Grandma Hammond who was visiting from Arizona. There were so many cousins Grandma Julia decided to hold dinner at the church. Grandma Martha came with us too. Then some of the kids came back to our house with a few of the Mangum cousins, and Bethany and Ben went to the Mangum house to spend time with Alex and Samantha and accompany Kayla to a midnight Black Friday laptop run. Friday we all met up again at Trafalga in Lehi. Another chance to use our Pass of All Passes.

Grant and William played miniature golf with Sam.

first snow first lights

2011-11-28T09:15:00.000-08:00

Friday November 18 Bethany and Olivia went to a sleep over. I intended to take everyone to Riverwoods to see the light celebration, but had to bring back the little ones, due to fighting over who got to wear which hat. Sam, Ben, and Kyle took Caitlin. Anyway, its fun for the kids to have separate outings. Everyone enjoys the new dynamic.

They returned and we had Pier 49 for pizza night. I ordered Sam's favorites, pesto chicken and spinach Alfredo. Later we looked outside and saw snow falling. Grant was so excited, he ran out in his pajamas and bare feet. Sam helped all the kids get on coats and boots for a late night snow ball fight. I was nervous about driving Grandma Martha home in the new, slippery snow, and grateful to return home safely. The biggest thing I don't like about winter is the possibility of limited mobility. Grant wasn't worried about anything.

Saturday morning the kids went outside as soon as they could. Sam and Kyle took Grant and William sledding. I had to take Olivia shopping, which was agony for her. She couldn't wait to get back to sledding. Mary and Kyle started a snow man at the park, but decided to transplant it to our yard. By afternoon the snow was almost gone, but the kids intended to use up what they could.

Monday, November 21, the little kids went to Grandma Martha's house for the day. I spent the time getting my Utah driver's license, the kind of thing I dread. Not sure what hoops I'll have to jump through, what paperwork will be slightly off. As predicted there was one glitch. I went to the wrong office. Testing was only done across town. Just as well since I had forgotten my glasses. Tried again after lunch, passed the open book test, failed the eye exam--good thing I had my glasses, and the happiest thing, walked out with a picture I didn't detest. I felt pretty euphoric about the whole thing.

In the afternoon Sam wanted to accompany Ben and me to downtown Provo for Ben's guitar lesson. He found out that I sometimes get lured in to the Peruvian restaurant next to the guitar shop for papas fritas and the most delicious spicy green dipping sauce. On the way we saw this rainbow over the Y. I was limited by my cell phone camera and the fact that the light turned green right as I decided to go for the picture. Here's the best I could do.

Tuesday was the kids' last day of school for the week. Mary and Caitlin came home dressed in paper bags and construction paper feathers. I can remember so clearly my own oatmeal box Indian drums of childhood. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Caitlin and her new friend from school.

Tuesday evening, I surprised the kids with a trip to Pizza Pie Cafe to start off the weekend. I loved this pumpkin pizza. The place was packed. They were having a text special; three dollars off the regular buffet price. Caitlin had a coupon for two free kids buffets for her October reading reward.

After dinner Sam and Mary walked over to the mall to enjoy the lights and the gingerbread houses in all the shops.

Thanks for the pictures Sam.

holding still

2011-11-25T08:45:00.000-08:00

I was grateful for warm days in November.

bethany's birthday

2011-11-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

I think Bethany looks beautiful in this picture. This is the morning of her tenth birthday. We had waffles with lots of toppings and Bethany opened her gift from Granddad and Judith, with the big colorful bows. How could she resist? It was new outfits and this sparkly hat.

Bethany's birthday was riciculously busy, with parent teacher conferences and dance rehearsals. Back and forth between the two all day. The kid were asking "where are we going for dinner?" because that's what we usually do for birthdays, but Bethany always prefers to stay home for shepherd's pie and jello, and no cake what-so-ever. Oreo pie instead.

I love you Bethany.

gyros and eulogy

2011-11-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

The first weekend in November the girls had a dance performance in the mall.

Grant and William spent a lot of time travelling back and forth to dance rehearsals. Here they are taking a peek at Caitlin's class.

More unpacking discoveries. Kyle has been our french toast fanatic.

Still trying to make sense of things, piece life together, find my direction, move forward. This is the basement after the box opening. Looks hopeless. Olivia pointed out to me, during a moment of my own frustration, that we once had an enormous laundry pile in the basement hallway, and now it is gone, so we can make it through this, she said. I was grateful for her encouragement and wisdom.

Here is where all the boxes were in the pictures that I posted before. So she is right. We can make sense of things, little by little. We call this the clean room. I was hoping to sell the big sofas that our old land lords gave us, but they never sold. Ben and I lugged them to the garage, where perhaps they will stay when I create the clubhouse of my fantasy out there...someday. I replaced them with these chairs from Ecuador. They leave more room for the music.

Second week in November. Grandma Martha and the at home kids and I had a fun day driving to Salt Lake City. I had to go pay for my massage therapist license. We had lunch at one of our family favorites, Crown Burger.

This gyros was amazing.

The last of our hamsters passed away so Kyle and his friends held a funeral...

New Orleans style.