Saturday morning on a Sunday evening!

My friend, Peggy, had the fabulous idea to have a Saturday morning on a Sunday night. That way we could expand the weekend a little and be in denial that Monday was coming so quickly!

We gathered in our pjs and brought our favorite cereal boxes and enjoyed some snippets of our favorite Saturday morning cartoons from when we were little. Smurfs, anyone? Or Carebears? Or, what about Pop-eye?!

Mmmm....

I debated between Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Reeses Puffs... it was a toss up. Love 'em both!

We didn't have "cereal straws" when we were younger... but can't eat cereal as a kid without them now!

Remember sitting this close to make sure no one walked in front of the tv and make you miss something important!

This is the life :) Let's do it more often.

Powder Puff Football

This might be my 2nd top favorite ward activity (after talent shows). Powder puff football! Last Saturday we got some fabulous women together to play and it was amazing. The New England Patriots have met their next competitors!

This year's contest was the Sisters of Relief against the powerhouse Patriettes (who won last year.)

There was also some smack talk between the two coaches:

"There will be no relief for the Patriettes from these sisters."

- Dave Alba, Sisters of Relief head coach

"Not only can these girls play football, they all, every one of them, can play it better than Dave Alba can."

-Kodie Bennion, Patriettes head coach

Although I wasn't able to play because of competing events that day, I was able to stop by and watch for two quarters. It was a beautiful spring day. I was in awe of the talent and skill on both teams.

Look at that throw!!

The Champs

Team Photos

Coach Dave with Chelsea and Carolina

Coach Kodie

Well, as it turned out the Patriettes won, yet again, and by a large margin! There's already talk of the next match-up... :)

A Mother...

This blog would not be complete without a post to my mom! She's the most fabulous woman I have ever met and she ceases to amaze me. Everything I am and ever will be I owe to her... and that is the honest truth :)

MOM - I LOVE YOU!!!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Mom's smiles can brighten any moment,
Mom's hugs put joy in all our days,
Mom's love will stay with us forever
and touch our lives in precious ways...

The values you've taught,
the care you've given,
and the wonderful love you've shown,
have enriched my life
in more ways than I can count.

I Love you Mom!

Lilac Sunday

Lilac Sunday is one of my favorite things about Boston. It's held at the Arnold Arboretum which is located in South Boston.

I took this picture!!! Pretty, huh! And they smell good too :)

Here's some info on Lilac Sunday:
There are over 422 lilac plants of approximately 194 different kinds in the Arnold Arboretum collections. They provide a season of color and scent that extends over five weeks each spring.
The lilac is singled out each year for a daylong celebration. On Lilac Sunday (which is always Mother's Day), garden enthusiasts (and people like me!!) from all over New England gather at the Arboretum to picnic, watch Morris dancing, and tour the lilac collection.

I've been for the past four years, and yes, I've even gone in the rain! It's just so beautiful and fun to walk through their garden paths. But, it's even better when you can picnic there. You're only allowed to bring food in and picnic on Lilac Sunday... so that's why it's even more popular. And, mother's day (lilac Sunday) was the PERFECT day for this!!

Here's my friends and I after our little picnic.... soaking it in. I could have stayed there forever!

My friend, Meredith, and I walking amongst the lilacs

More friends came to join us, and two of my roommates... and again, more eating after our nap!

Aleigh, Shelly, Michelle, Andrea and Mark

Linda, Leah and Seth

I had such a wonderful afternoon. If I couldn't be with my mom on Mother's day... this is where I wanted to be!

93 and still counting!!

Can you imagine being 93 years old? Wow. Nope, I surely can't. But this fabulous man can!

Joseph A. Rider turned 93 years old on May 11, 2008

I am so fortunate to have my grandfather living in an assisted living facility ten minutes away from me. I get to visit him every week, hear continuous advice about what I should do with my life, and enjoy learning about his past. I LOVE IT! (And, if I was to be totally honest, he is one of the few reasons I still call Boston “home”.)

So, to celebrate this event, as well as my uncle's birthday on May 12th, I joined my uncle Don, uncle Peter (and his family, Debbie, Matthew and Danny), and my grandfather for dinner on Saturday night at the CHART HOUSE, which is a very nice restaurant in the city by on the water. (I forget that Boston is located literally on the water's edge. Pictures below)
So, here's all of us. I just have to comment... I am not a huge fan of the outfit I am wearing with this necklace/earrings, but I was dying to wear my new "seashell neckless" and it was really cold to wear anything "summery"! I found this cute necklace at a little boutique that came into our gym last Wednesday and I splurged! I've just got to find the right outfit for it now :)
Here's the man of the hour... blowing out his candles! Happy BIRTHDAY Pop-Pop!

It was great to get together with my uncles, aunt and cousins because I don't see them very often. And, it was also fun to spend some time by the water waiting for everyone to arrive. I get so caught up in my life on the west side of the city I forget how close we are to the water!

And, this is my favorite picture of all... there's the boats and there is the city right behind it!

Off to the island...

This post has been a few weeks in the making but only because I’ve been waiting for more of the pictures to come my way. Thank you Becca and Evan!

This post is part of my week-long adventures… I was sooooo fortunate to be able to travel to Whidbey Island, WA for my grandparents 65th (!!!!!!!!!!!) wedding anniversary. 65 years. WOW. I can’t believe it and neither could my grandparents!


Marian and Warren Fitzpatrick, Married May 15, 1943. (Little side note - I learned on this trip that my grandfather was in the service for a greater part of their early married days and that he wasn't even able to be present for my father's birth!)

This trip had been in the works all year. Justin, Becca and the boys were flying in from CO, me and Evan from UT, and my dad from RI. I was pretty impressed with the timing of all our flights. We all arrived within one hour of each other. (and for once none of us got held us by delayed airplanes or lost luggage!) Other guests were my grandmother’s sister (Aunt Jewel) and her daughter/daughter’s family who already live on the island.

Whidbey Island is unique. I have memories of visiting in when I was little. The big thriller was driving to the ferry and taking it over to the island. (I always thought it was funny when my grandparents said they “went oversees” one day to go shopping (they love Costco), etc.) The ferry ride takes about 25 minutes and you can get out and walk up to the top to see the view.

Well, Evan and I arrived together and met up with my dad. We got our rental car and drove to the nearest restaurant for lunch. This restaurant didn’t have a normal menu. It seemed to be famous for its cornbread and pulled meat (pork and chicken). I got what I thought was a simple salad… the meat was a bit strange but I was hungry. Unfortunately, it came back to haunt me later (details below).

We started our drive to the ferry and even though it was a Friday afternoon, we were impressed by the lack of traffic. That is, until we got to the ferry line. It was CRAZY long (over 1 hr 15 min wait). So, I decided to get out and explore. I wanted to get a great view of the island since it was a clear day so I hiked up some mini hills and probably trespassed on some people’s property, but no one seemed to care. Seattle habitants are MUCH more laid back than Bostonians. On every corner there’s a coffee shop and the local people just hangin’ out. They’re on a different time schedule than a typical easterner. I’m not saying that’s bad or good. I am just saying it.

Here's a few pictures from my hike...

Here's the ferry!

So, I got back to the car just in time to board the ferry and as luck would have it Justin and his family were the 2nd to last car to get on as well! I was excited to see Riley and Jace (my nephews) because it’s been about 18 months since I had last seen them. Riley is 5 and Jace will be 2 in July.

Evan and Riley

When we got to the island we went straight to my grandparents house which is about 5 minutes from the ferry. They live along one of the peaks and their backyard faces out onto the water. Since the weather was beautiful out the grandkids and the great-grandkids went out to play some soccer in the backyard before dinner (which was my grandparents favorite – Costco Lasagna).

There were too man of us to stay at my grandparents, so Justin and his family stayed there and my dad, Evan and I had reservations at the local motel. Initially I was surprised the island even had a motel since I had never seen one before. My expectations for what this hotel would be like were pretty low, but I was blown away! It actually had cute rooms, a microwave, little fridge, cable tv, comfy beds, and free WI-FI!! WOW. But, here’s where the story gets miserable. I was pretty tired because of the time changes and all the traveling in the past few days… and around 9:30 PM I started to feel really sick. I thought I could just sleep through it but little did I realize I was about to have the most miserable night I can remember in a LONG time. I’ll spare you the details, but I wouldn’t wish what I experienced on anyone! I almost never get sick, but when I do get sick, I GET SICK. Ugh… I still tremble from the memories of it. And, even thought I was in a room by myself and in a comfy bed, I was miserable (to put it mildly).

In the morning I hobbled over to the phone to call my dad’s room and give them the bad news. I didn’t want them to wait around for me, but they were so patient and concerned! My dad went to the store to get me some water, gingerale and saltines. Then, Evan gave me a blessing. It was wonderful to have the priesthood so close by! Normally, I would have had to call someone if I had been in Boston, but it meant a lot to me to have my little brother there to give me a blessing although I was too weak to acknowledge it at the time.

After an hour I felt my fever start to break and I was able to get the strength to take a shower and get dressed. I was so slow, but I did it! Then, my dad grabbed anything I would need for the day and I fell into the backseat of the car. We drove to my grandparents and I walked in and fell on their couch, which is where I spent the majority of the day! It was beautiful out, but walking more than 5 feet was miserable.

My family’s activities that day revolved around me (at least this is what it felt like to me!) and what I was able to do. We all hung out in the living room while I laid on the couch and when I felt a little better we got in the car to go to the park. I just wanted to be around everyone, so I laid down on the park bench and watched the action take place.

Jace

Riley

Jace and Riley

My brother and sister-in-law introduced me to a new game. They had this moving bar at the playground. It’s about a foot off the ground, but moves back and forth. Two people stand on it and move their bodies around to shake the bar and try to knock the other one off. Hilarious! Of course, I didn’t do it, but here are some pics. Justin seemed to have practiced and was the champion, but Becca didn’t let him win too easily!

Justin and Becca trying it out

Justin won

Evan and Justin... yet again, Justin won

Then it was back to the house for lunch and back to the couch for me. Everyone chilled again for a while, but then decided to go to town to see the boats and the shops. I opted out of this one and slept for about 3 hours. I have never moved less or slept more in one day in my life.

Here's Riley playing my dad in chess. He's so smart! At five years old he knows his multiplication tables. We asked him 4 x 3 and he said out loud "That's 4 + 4 +4. 12" WOWZERS!! And, he starts Kindergarten in the Fall!

Pictures of their trip to the town

Evan... he's the shining star in the family :)

Fortunately, by 5 PM, I was feeling able to at least sit up for a while. This was a good thing, because we had to leave for the big dinner at the only restaurant on the island. A Chinese restaurant! So, that’s where we all gathered to celebrate their anniversary! I look pretty normal in these pictures… but you would not believe how un-normal I felt!

Me and Jace

Evan, Riley and I

Justin, Evan, Riley and I

Not a great picture of all of us! But, the only one I had with my dad and sister-in-law.

This is outside after dinner... with Lynn, Roger, their son Alex, and Aunt Jewel... with my family (minus me)The same group... this time with me minus my dad

After dinner it was back to the hotel room for me and I crashed. So much for enjoying the hotel’s amenities! I finally was able to sleep for longer periods of time and was able to keep the saltines down. I was so nervous about flying back the next day and being stuck on a plane for hours and hours, but fortunately, I was able to again sleep almost all the way back!

Sunday AM I did feel better but still very weak in my muscles. I was able to pack my things and shower, etc, but still couldn’t carry anything (thank you Evan!) We met up with Justin and his family at the Ferry for final good-byes as we traveled overseas to the airport.

As luck would have it, just as their car was pulling in behind ours at the rental car place at the airport Riley got sick from being in the car and Justin and Becca had to drive out of the airport to a gas station to clean it up! POOR THEM! But, fortunately, we were all able to meet up again in the airport playroom while we waited for our flights.

The trip home was uneventful except for the bible basher who sat next to me on the first part of the trip. At first he seemed interested in talking to me about the church since he noticed me reading my scriptures, but then he just wanted to argue with me. It was terrible! If there had been another free seat on the plane, I would have moved!

Upon leaving the island I reflected on whether I could ever live on one... and the answer was no, or at least not now. It's a little too remote for my liking, too quiet, and too far from things I love. But, it is a great place to visit, to rest, to relax, to get away from the 'hustle and bustle'... and for me this time around, it was a great place to sleep!

And, I just have to give a 'shout-out' to my dad because he really did watch over me every step of the way and made sure I was as comfortable and as cared for as possible. THANK YOU!!!!

OVERALL, the trip was fabulous, and I only have happy memories of spending time with my family. I wish we could get together more often, but I’ll savor what I can get! ☺

Duh!

There are many wise words of wisdom my mom passed on to me when I was growing up... (and fortunately for me, she still does). Two of them stuck out in my mind this week as I learned an important lesson. One is “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” … meaning that anyone can say anything, but do they actually do what they say they’ll do. The other statement was “You can say anything till you’re blue in the face, but what is it you’re doing?” … again meaning you can talk, talk, talk… but people will watch and learn more from your actions than from what you say.

Well, this week I needed to have a difficult conversation with someone because of a "difference" that was getting in the way of our relationship. A minor thing, but an important thing. So, I asked my roommate for suggestions on how I could approach it.

She is amazing!! She turned my question around back to me and said (not exact words here, but pt. is made) “Imagine you’re at school and one little boy is frustrated because another little boy won’t share the toys with him. What would you tell them to do?” Ahhh… here’s where the enlightenment comes in. I thought about what I have said to children at least once a day for the past 160 some days… sometimes 5 or 10 times a day.

We encourage the students to not go to a teacher to solve their problems (unless the problem is a “Double D”… meaning something that is dangerous or destructive). Instead, we role-play and practice how we can use our words to solve our problems. In the above situation, I would ask the student who is frustrated to tell his friend how he feels by using an “I Feel” statement and then allow his friend to state one in return. Then, they’re encouraged to either work out a compromise or for one student to apologize, etc. I’ve walked kids through this so many times this year that I’m “blue in the face”, but yet I haven’t listened to a word I’ve said and haven’t followed through on my own advice!!

So, yes, it’s good even for adults to use an “I feel” statement, let the other reply as well, and then try and work out a compromise. And, maybe listen to your own advice every now and then :)