Tender Mercies, Mechanics Edition

I was driving home from work today and all of the sudden my car started humming really loud. Then I felt something dragging under the car.

I knew Jiffy Lube was only a block away so I loudly pulled in and said I have no idea what is wrong but it is loud. The mechanic looked under my car and my exhaust pipe had split in two and was dragging on the ground.

Jiffy Lube does not do this kind of work but they put the pieces back together temporarily and gave me the directions to the closest mechanic at a Goodyear shop. They did not even charge me for the time.

The mechanic at the Goodyear store looked and listened to my car. He gave me two honest repair options and had the car fixed within an hour, without breaking the bank.

Talk about tender mercies, my car broke down in the city and not on the freeway or in an unfamiliar location. Then the mechanics I worked with were all very helpful and got me on my way as soon as possible without huge costs. Heavenly Father really watched over me today!

Everyone Needs to Take a Break Sometime

This week was crazy busy but I had made plans to go to Moab and run the 5 mile run. The Lecheminants agreed to come over from Colorado and spend the weekend. The first night there we ate at my favorite Mexican place and explored the rock store, which Kaden and Trey loved!
Deah and I had both signed up for the race but we decided on the drive down not to run. Instead we spent the day in Arches with the Lecheminants and had so much fun.

It was not really cold, but the wind started blowing and it got cold fast.

Kaden did not like the sand in his eyes.

Trey was telling us all where to go, as you can see.

Julie got very cold, so she tried carrying Avrey in her sweatshirt. This picture is so cute, I love Avrey's face.

The boys loved the sand and wanted to play in it or put it in their pockets. They claimed it was pixie dust.

As you can see we wore Kaden right out.

We went to Sand Dune Arch. It is perfect for kids. Lots of sand to play in and rock walls on both sides so the kids can't get out. They had a ball.

Once again we wore Kaden right out.

I think this is a great picture of Trey and,

I am not sure what to say about this picture of Kaden. He is such a funny kid.

When we got back to the hotel the boys said their feet hurt. No wonder, their shoes were full of sand.

After a lot of fun hiking and exploring, we "bathed" in the pool (I put bathed in for you Deah).

Avrey is such a sweetheart, but she is growing up way to fast!

The sand from the shoes was dumped in the tub. It is true what they say, you never seem to get rid of it.

Trey in his cool googles!

We decided to be brave an hike to Delicate Arch. I was so impressed with how well Kaden and Trey did. Kaden decided at one point that he was going to crawl there, that didn't last.

The wind at Delicate was strong but we made it and had a lot of fun a long the way. I am so glad I took a break and enjoyed family and friends!

GREEN

Do you remember this famous St. Patrick's Parade!


Don't forget to wear your green tomorrow!

Ode to the Library

In the 1980s I remember going to to the Provo City Library on 100 East in Provo. As I went down the stairs to the children's section there were black shoe prints leading the way. I always made sure I stepped on every footprint and I loved to check out 2-3 books.

Flash forward to 2011 and my love for the Salt Lake Library has increased more than I can express in a blog. My siblings are well aware that I get everything at the library, books, DVDs, and books on CD. Others talk about there Netflix queue and I talk about my library queue, but mine is free even though it takes longer sometimes.
The library has a book sale in the spring and fall where I have found such treasures as the Christy Minstrels records and Old School Sesame Street books.

If you have not been to your local library lately, I highly recommend it. There is no better free thing that I know of. Just follow the footprints and let the adventure begin!

Long Eyes

When I was little I use to tell my family that I had long eyes that could see all the way to Disneyland!

One day, my mom asked how I got long eyes. I told her it was easy I just poured gas and water in my eyes.

I know you are thinking it is amazing that I am still alive today.

I Bet You Didn't Know...

That Easter candy is the best holiday candy on earth!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

It looks like this outside my house right now!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

Kris and Michelle had a new baby girl on March 4th, named Mariella!
She even smiled in a picture for me.

Kris was not getting enough attention so, he had a little cold but he claimed that he was practically dying. What a baby!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I love this place!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I taught first grade at Provost Elementary School for seven years and now...



Some of my first graders are at Timpview High School taking classes from my dad!
Time flies by too fast.

I Bet You Didn't Know...

My mom and all of my siblings worked at the Ream's Turtle at some point in our life.
My mom was a checker for several years.
My sister, Kim, met her husband Brad there.
Brad worked in the produce department.
Stephanie worked in the snack bar.
I was the nut girl and a checker for five years during college.
Kelly worked in the snack bar and helped me with bagging nuts over the holidays.
Kerri worked in the snack bar and helped me too.
Kris worked as a bagger, in produce and as a nut guy.
Julie and Spencer both helped me bag nuts over the holidays.

Too bad they tore the building down. No store puts up flags and big pairs of jeans quite like they did.

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I can almost dance as good as Elaine!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

Making Valentine cookies could be so much fun!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I had this idea too! It is too bad that someone else acted on it first.

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I love doughnuts with sprinkles on top!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I like to go snowshoeing!

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I have offered to play the recorder for ward musical numbers in previous wards. Funny, no one ever took me up on that offer.

I Bet You Didn't Know the Answers...

1. Which one do I like the best?
The first Rocky movie is the best because it is the story of a man who needs to prove something to himself. He needs to prove that he can endure, stay standing, which is far more important than winning or losing.
Rocky III is a close second where a man loses confidence in his abilities and has to recreate himself.
2. Which one has the best music?
Without a doubt Rocky IV has the best music.
3. Which one is not a part of the series but instead a waste of time?
Rocky V. I tell most people that this is not a Rocky movie.
4. Which one was a pleasant surprise even though I had no expectation for it to be any good?
Rocky Balboa was better than I thought it would be. It helped redeem the series after the disaster of Rocky V. However don't have realistic expectations of this film, just watch it for entertainment value.
5. Where does the story end in my opinion?
It ends at Rocky III. Rocky IV is entertaining and fun but it tries to do to many things and recreate story lines from earlier movies.
6. What are some of the best movie lines from this series?
Hands down the best line in all the Rocky movies comes from Mic. He says: "You're gonna eat lightnin' and you're gonna crap thunder!"

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I love this series of movies!

1. Which one do I like the best?

2. Which one has the best music?

3. Which one is not a part of the series but instead a waste of time?

4. Which one was a pleasant surprise even though I had no expectation for it to be any good?

5. Where does the story end in my opinion?

6. What are some of the best movie lines from this series?

I Bet You Didn't Know...

I love cookie dough! Sorry to my gluten free family members.

I Bet You Didn't Know...

Today is Chinese New Year and this is the year of the rabbit. I was born in the year of the tiger. What year were you born in?
http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/zodiacs.htm

I Bet You Didn't Know...

Today is ground hog day. Day of my favorite holiday and favorite movie. I hope you all get a chance to watch it.

I took my Bar Application in today. I hope I don't have to relive that experience over and over.

By the way, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow so we can all hope for an early Spring!