Our Family Memories

Graduation Day for Josh

2011-05-13T16:50:00.002-04:00

When I was a young mom, I thought how clever I was to have my kids right in a row. They shared clothes and toys and stages of life. Just as one child was outgrowing a set of shorts, or a jacket, or a tricycle, there was another little one grateful to inherit a hand-me-down. HOWEVER, I didn’t really think about how fast life goes and what happens at the other end of childhood when they start leaving home—quickly and right in a row. Now, I’m finding that that is the hard part—just when your tears have dried and your heart has mended from your first one leaving the coop, another one is right around the corner. And you feel the flood coming all over again…

May 2011 Graduation

May 2011

May 2011 Graduation

So, today marks my month—I have exactly one month before I send Josh on an airplane where he begins his adventure at BYU. I feel like I just did this….and I realize I just did—18 months ago! Now I’m thinking I wasn’t such a clever mom after all.

Sometimes I’ve wondered if I have a rare case of maternal attachment disorder; but really I think that I just love the company of my kids and I love knowing they are close.

Josh was born on October 25, 1999 in Orange, CA after the hottest summer on record. We lived in a little duplex with no air conditioning and I credit my friend Marilyn Fisher and her swimming pool for saving both Josh’s and my life that summer.

When he was little, Josh’s first word was “baaaalllll”—everything worth playing with was a “ball” in Josh's mind.... Not much in his life has changed! He had locks of curly hair and big eyes. A great mix between Scott and my Dad.

Zach’s sole purpose in life was to torment Josh and Josh quietly accepted his torment. The two boys were night and day—Zach and Josh. Zach was social and boisterous, Josh showed his love in quieter ways.

Josh rode a two-wheel bike at three years old—(I am not lying about this!) Our neighbors would sit on their decks and watch this little peanut of a boy riding a two wheel bike. It was kind of unbelievable. From the time he was 5, Josh loved soccer and would spend hours and hours kicking a soccer ball against a wall or a garage or into a net. His soccer idol was Jonny Walker of the Universidad Catolica Soccer team in Chile. He collected all things Jonny—cards, posters, jerseys, news clippings. He also grew to become a fine pianist...not many people know that Josh is a great musician. My favorite piece is his Chopin Nocturne--something that he plays with such precision and feeling, I am absolutely moved every time I hear it.

But his passion has been his love for soccer. People who are passionate about something think and dream and talk and work for their passion—and Josh has done just that. His passion will take him to BYU beginning this summer as he joins the Men’s Soccer Team. I envy his passion. I am proud of him and I will miss him greatly.

Josh can be found and followed at http://www.byusoccer.com/.

Thanksgiving in Chicago

2010-12-03T23:27:00.002-05:00

Took a little trip to the Windy City to spend Thanksgiving with Family---that has such a nice ring to it...Thanksgiving with Family!! It is such a treat when we get to spend the holidays with family.

Freezing in Chicago! I think it is colder than Ohio...is that humanly possible?

We had a tasty traditional Thanksgiving feast (with a little Japanese flair), did a little Black Friday shopping and Harry Potter, walked the Miracle Mile and Christkindl Market, went to a real Japanese grocery store, ( I'm stocked with goodies for a few months!), made mochi, and played lots of games! Thanks Jason and Risa--it was soooo much fun!

Jason and Risa

Jason and Jake...Grandmas's oldest and youngest grands

Dinner at Francescas...GREAT pizza!

This is Scott...unplugged. Such a nice holiday!

Check out these pigeons warming themselves by the fire! Smart pigeons!

Moms and Missionaries

2010-11-12T13:05:00.000-05:00

I asked him to "Smile"...he tells me he will do GQ

We have a missionary..it’s been official for nearly two months! I’ve concluded that life snowballs once your kids reach high school. They start out as freshman and the next thing you know, you are ordering graduation announcements and taking senior pictures.

Preparing a missionary is not for the faint-hearted. There are suits to buy, pants to tailor, books to be read, doctors visits to make. All of this is so carefully outlined in the Missionary guidebook, but it says nothing (let me repeat… “NOTHING”) about preparing moms to say goodbye to their sons for two years. I’m not going to sugarcoat it and tell you that it was a wonderful, peaceful, and spiritual experience. In reality, It was hard and gut-wrenching watching him walk away knowing that we wouldn’t have the regular phone calls and texts and our weekly Skype sessions. So why do we do this??!! I have had many friends ask how we can do this! Some of the more common and highly-rational questions are:

I couldn't get them to give me a great pose!!

“Can you go visit him on his mission?” “You mean that you can’t talk to him on the phone except for twice a year??!!” OR “ He does get to come home for the holidays, right??” Um that is a “No”, “No”, and “No”.

Zach pretending to not love his sister...

I think that the best answer to these questions came when I read the letter that came from the Missionary Training Center for our Church. To paraphrase, it said that missions are a sacrifice for both missionaries and their families. Complete sacrifice means that missionaries leave routines behind and devote their full energy to service. Families help missionaries to focus on service when they provide support through positive and encouraging letters. In this way, their lives become immersed in serving and not distracted with routines from home. So…this is both Zach’s sacrifice and MY sacrifice!

I am so happy to report that in these two short months while he has been serving in Colorado, it has already been life changing for him and for our family. I miss him every day-- he is never far from my thoughts, and I look forward to my Wednesday morning email--- BUT I also know that I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is making him into the man I know he can become.

These are some memories that we made just before he left. He is now serving in Eagle, Colorado teaching and helping the Latino people in that beautiful part of the country!

One last one..."See You in Two"!

Goblin Valley

2010-11-11T08:41:00.000-05:00

I have been a delinquent blogger for a while now! I counted and I think I attended 45 soccer games in about 8 weeks! I'm also busy savoring a Senior year...AGAIN! (Didn't I just do this with Zach?)

But just for memories, I am going to post some pictures of our Goblin Valley trip this past summer. I lived in Utah for 10 years and only remotely remember hearing about Goblin Valley--it is only a 4 hour drive from Provo! But after visiting I think it is a "Day Trip Must" and a "highly recommend" for the Utah traveler! The only thing I should prepare you for is the accommodations--or lack of--in Green River, Utah. I recommend the Holiday Inn Express--the other hotels look like set scenery from an old western, ghost town movie...the big question being flush toliets or outhouses?

Check Out These Rock Formations!

Looks Prehistoric!

My Family near the Geiser

Seth on a rock plateau--a very nice climb!

The Three Amigos..the 4th was working in Ohio!

The Spring near Goblin Valley

One of the caves that we explored...

BYU Police Blotter

2010-09-11T10:11:00.001-04:00

BYU is in a world of its own--I think that is what makes it unique. While on campus this summer, I picked up a campus newspaper (remember, The Daily Universe??!) I found a very funny column called "Police Beat"..and for posterity, I am going to share a few snip-its.

PUBLIC PEACE
July 9: A person was reported sneaking around Wymount Park, throwing pebbles at a window and knocking on doors and running away. An officer searched the area but could not find the person.

July 12: Students were reported yelling outside Wyview Park. An officer asked them to be quiet.

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR
July 7: A man was reported drawing circles on the ground and throwing balls into the circles. The man was gone when police arrived.

July 8: A student reported a sex offense occurring at Wyview Park. When an officer arrived, he found a male and a female making out. Both parties were clothed. The officer suggested they find another location to continue such activities.

July 9: A woman at Wymount Terrace reported hearing noises coming from a vacant apartment. When police arrived, the found the noise was wind blowing a door open and shut because a window was left open.

July 9: A man was reported running outside in army fatigues, holding a gun. When police arrived, they found the man was an ROTC student and the gun was a replica.

AND FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE BYU POLICE BLOTTER...

July 4: A man was reported making a suspicious phone call to a female in Helaman Halls in which he claimed he was doing a psychology project and then proceeded to hypnotize the female student on the other end of the line. The roommate of the female came home to find her asleep on the floor. The female is reported of reacting strangely when certain words are spoken. Incidents of a similar nature have occurred about two dozen times in the past. There are no suspects, but the incident is still under investigation.

July 6: BYU police were called out to assist Provo police who had pulled over a man for a traffic offense who did not speak English. Upon arrival of the Spanish-speaking officer, the man realized he was getting a ticket despite the language barrier and was able to speak English fluently.

In contrast, I work at the University of Akron and just last semester I received a text message from campus police notifying and students/staff of a shooter at large on campus. We were to be on the watch and report any suspicious activity. Scary!! I'll take "Ding Dong Ditching" any day of the week. Heres to the idiosyncrasies of BYU!

My Summer Picks

2010-07-26T09:21:00.006-04:00

This summer has been my reading BLISS…

I was thinking back and wondering… “When was the last time I have actually read a book for fun…for me…for no reason at all??” It has literally been YEARS! During graduate school, my textbooks were my best friends. Then I started teaching and the faculty members who choose textbooks for instruction played cruel jokes on us lowly part-time faculty and changed textbooks EVERY semester. Translated, that means that I have officially utilized six new texts over three years! For me, that is like reinventing the class—complete with new lecture notes, presentations, handouts—the whole time-consuming enchilada.

But this summer??...No new books, no changes in Fall classes and that means I am reading for PLEASURE! What a thought! Since my perusal time is limited, I waited for BYU Management Society’s Summer Reading List. I have not been disappointed. The list is chosen by BYU Management Faculty, Staff, and Students—most of which are much more well-read than me. I am grateful for their insights.

I now have a new “Top Ten” book that I LOVED READING-- “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It is a well-written, easy read book that follows a series of pen-pal relationships in post-Nazi times. The stories take place between London and the Guernsey Islands and they give a wonderful human look into the lives of people from the villages of Guernsey. This book has a new space on my top shelf! I also enjoyed“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak—a book that was released a few years ago. It is the story of a young girl growing up in Germany during wartime and her adventures of book thievery that helps her cope with her changing world. It is worth the read. My last book to read before school starts will be “From Poverty to Power” by Duncan Green. It was marketed as a book that helps people to view themselves as powerful agents that can initiate and inspire personal change and make the world a better place.

One final note: I did come across a bit of a dud this summer…and I hesitate to ever discount a book, for fear that it might hold some great benefit or insight for someone. But I did read “Eat, Pray, Love” and found it to be dull and a little annoying! In a nutshell, it is the story of a woman—thirty-ish-- who sets out alone on a one year quest to find herself. She leaves behind husband, family, friends and travels to Italy (to “Eat”), India (to “Pray”), and Indonesia (to “Love”) in hopes of discovering who she is. She walks away from her home and her relationships in her quest for self-discovery. As alluring as it may sound to travel unaccompanied and eat your way through Italy, I found myself thinking of the great women in my life and their path to self-discovery. The women I know have a pretty clear sense of “who they are”. They didn’t need to abandon their home or their husband or their jobs to find an inner peace—quite the contrary. It was their families, their friends, their service, their faith that helped them to discover their potential. And they most certainly did NOT need to travel to Italy, India, or Indonesia to figure it out…their life’s lessons came closer to home through, what I am sure, were less-than-exotic experiences. (For me, it has been cleaning the bathroom for three boys...)

“Eat, Pray, Love” was not on the Management Society list, for obvious reasons! And, yes I probably will go to see the movie just in case I missed the point!

Spring Snip Its

2010-05-20T18:50:00.009-04:00

Spring Tulips by Carly Hunter

It seems that we wait all winter long for Spring Break--then it comes, and before you know it...school's out! The kids tell me there is 9 days of school left this year. Time flies when you're having fun!

For Spring Break, we visited Baltimore. What a great city... I recommend it, highly! Very family-friendly, easy to drive, lots to see--a great weekend get away. We also visited Rehoboth Beach, bought a beach kite, flew it in 45 degree weather in 45 mph winds! It was freezing, but it was a beach. We saw the famous Washington cherry blossoms--they are as beautiful as the tour books describe! Zach came home, celebrated his 19th birthday, opened his mission call, and we accompanied him to the temple--it's been a whirl.

All-in-all a great Spring.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Kite Flying in Rehoboth Beach, Maryland.

Did I mention it was COLD??!!

Japanese Cherry Blossoms on the Mall, Washington D.C.

"The Mission Call"--live and in stereo via cell phones and Skype!

Jake caught the garter at a wedding we attended.

We tried to explain that it should really be for "eligible bachelors". He felt eligible.

Zach and his good friend Kristin, Medina Prom.
Check out her corsage. I painstakingly helped the florist find just the right color match...
pretty sweet, eh??

Jake and Dandelion

A summer now to look forward to...a missionary ready to serve, soccer camps, campfires, grandma and cousins and friends to see. I feel very blessed!

Denver

2010-04-27T10:14:00.004-04:00

Zach has been called to serve in the Denver, Colorado South mission--Spanish-speaking! He reports to the Missionary Training Center on June 23 to begin this wonderful adventure! We learned that 34% of the population of Denver is Hispanic, so we have great hopes that he will be able to use his Spanish daily! However, my sweet Argentine friend Silvia reminded me that he will not be speaking "real Spanish", but probably more of a "Mexican-Spanish". Among the latinos in South America, there are great debates about who speaks "real Spanish" (My vote? ?The most beautiful and understandable Spanish belongs to the Columbians!)

Zach's mission covers the south area of Denver, goes south to the New Mexico stateline, west to the Utah stateline, and north to the Wyoming stateline--even taking in a bit of Wyoming! It's funny, because I would never have thought Zach would go to a place like Denver, but I feel that he will do really well in Colorado and will have the opportunity to work with the Latino people--whom he has a great love and affinity for.

Now the fun begins--two months and lots of preparation, prayer and planning! He is thrilled to be serving and is really looking forward to going!

Blink

2010-04-21T11:01:00.006-04:00

Life is a blink…
It just wasn’t that long ago that we all said our sad “goodbyes” to Zach at the airport as he started off to BYU. That was last August—it is now April! And now I am preparing for another quick hello as he returns home from school and a long goodbye as we await his mission call. It’s quite an experience---these mission calls! Paper work and doctor’s visits, shots, buying suits, white shirts, ties—all the preparations needed to put your “personal life” on hold for the next two years.

I recently listened to a talk by Elder Ronald Rasband, a leader in our church who talked about how missionaries are “called” or assigned to different areas of the world. (I've included the 11 minute video below) It’s truly an inspired process, with each missionary going to the place chosen just for them! Zach has kept us updated on all of his freshman buddies who recently submitted their mission papers and have received their assignments—he has friends going to London, Jamaica, Oklahoma City, and Long Beach, California—Cambodian-speaking! In our family alone, we have had missionaries serve in Tokyo and Nagoya, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, France, Chile, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and Australia!

We are anxiously waiting and waiting for his mission call to come…currently at 13 days and counting! It’s been an exciting time for our family as we race to the mailbox daily, place bets (in a very non-gambling sort-of-way) on where he’s going—Scott and I even bet “dishes for a week” if it arrives before Friday! (Scott later withdrew his “bet”—for fear he’d actually have to do these dishes ALONE for a whole week...lame, I know.)

I am thrilled Zach is coming home from BYU--I've missed him a bunch! I think it was the experience for him that we hoped it might be. But here he goes again, on what I think will be one of the great experiences of his life…more to come soon—hopefully an announcement!

Kid Pix

2010-04-06T10:19:00.009-04:00

I've been working on a little scrapbooking project for my sister’s family. And while I was in Utah a couple of weeks ago, I went through a few of my Mom’s pictures to include in this scrapbook. It took me a while to go through everything, but it was fun to go back in time... I think my Mom has saved every picture, school paper, and art project she received from her kids and grandkids throughout the years. Maybe that’s part of the fun of going back home—so many things are EXACTLY the same way they were when you left. In some ways it is like you never left home… and for my Mom she seems really “o.k.” about keeping it that way!

So as I was searching for pictures, I came across these few that caught my attention. I now see that some things never change and other things will never be the same…

This is Carly when she was probably five...and this is why she earned her nickname “Mop Top”—she had this crazy, curly, long hair--but she liked it that way and we kept it! This picture is what I remember of her as a little girl--always smiling, usually with a ring of chocolate around her mouth--chocolate was her 5th food group. No chocolate here, but the hair, the smile, the jacket is vintage Carly. These days she would rather die than leave the house with curly hair and she is up at 5:15 a.m. every morning to make sure it doesn't happen.

Here is Josh hugging Carly—one of those things that are not quite the same these days. I need to show Josh this picture as I think he has forgotten completely how to give people hugs. I look at this picture and I think he really seems to be sincerely giving her an “I Love You” kind of hug. These days, Josh just kind of bumps my shoulder as a hug—almost like a mini body slam. Scott tries to coach him and give him hugging lessons--you can imagine how excited Josh is about that... Obviously hugging your mom is part of the “I’m kind of embarrassed to know you ” phase.

These last two made me laugh out loud. Check out Zach and Josh in their argyle and stripes… and the last is Josh (as a blonde) when we lived in California. Look at that bulging belly and diaper bottom—Funny, eh...the only time this shape is en vogue is when your two... Oh, I miss our “beach days”!

So...moral of my post? Hug those little ones while they still hug you back and no matter how hip you think you dress your kids, they will someday laugh at your fashion choices!

Hay Balls

2010-03-09T11:46:00.003-05:00

On my way to school each day, I pass a Mennonite Farm owned by the “Miller Family”—in fact it is called the “Miller Dairy Farm”. We’ve visited several times with preschool and Scout groups and it is great fun. Mr. Miller has cows that you can milk, chickens to feed, little black pigs, ostriches, alpacas, and even some skunks. You cap your visit off with a real-live hay ride. (So much fun if you are riding, but a little slow if you are following behind in a car…)

Mr. and Mrs. Miller dress the part—the Mennonite suspenders, hat, haircut—its all very cool and they are so, so nice. Of course now in the winter, things are slower on the farm. But, this is the picture I saw last week as I passed the farm. And then I realized that Mr. Miller has it all figured out when it comes to feeding the “farm family”. He just throws a big ball of hay into the field and let them have at it. They sit around the ball and eat and eat down to the last straw—(it takes them days to finish!)

When the hay ball is gone, he throws another ball out there and they start all over again. Those farmers know how to streamline chores! They’ve got it all figured out in my opinion.

I told my kids I needed a hay ball for them. They just laughed at me and rolled their eyes.

Outside my Kitchen Window

2010-01-18T09:49:00.004-05:00

Looking outside my kitchen window, I realize it is another day in Winter Paradise. The weather forecast says a high of 18, a low of 14. Hmmm. I think it sounds ironic—all of this reporting of “highs” and “lows”… I mean-- "Really? A high of “18”?? In my mid-winter mind, there is nothing high about “18”.

So many decisions to make…should I wear my brown parka, with matching Sorel snowboots, brown scarf, gloves, snowmask and ear muffs or should I wear my down ski vest, five layers of thermals, leather gloves, and snowpants? These are the thoughts that occupy my mind E-V-E-R-Y-D-A-Y.

My favorite TV channel since moving to the Midwest has been The Weather Channel. My kids laugh and are slightly embarrassed for me, but it helps me cope, mostly in the winter. If Carl Parker tells me that it will be 35 degrees and sunny on Wednesday, I count on it—I live for it! Sun is a rare commodity in January in Ohio.

Canela trying to catch some winter rays...where are her paws and I think her bottom must freeze??!

This winter I’m hoping to change my attitude and look for the virtues of my cold-weather climate. As I have looked, I realize there are a few. First, snow is really beautiful—it makes our trees white and puffy and our yard is like a thick cotton blanket. Snow is also fun—sledding, snowmen, snow angels. Done that and made a few this winter; now we need to find a hill so we can ski! Snow slows things down a little bit too. We drive slower; occasionally, we even have a “Snow Day” and school is cancelled and we play games in our pajamas or go to movies. And, then I remind myself that all of this snow, and sleet, and ice will eventually melt and then come the beautiful trees and green hills and grass—all of the things I really love about the Ohio countryside. So I will impatiently wait to thaw and count the days until Spring!

Shopping in NYC...a balmy 19 degrees. Don't you love the 10-layer look?

My Sis

2010-01-03T21:17:00.005-05:00

For five years my sister Linda has battled cancer. She has been an amazing survivor, enduring rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. She has been an optimist with an enviable attitude—I’ve often wondered that if I were in her situation, would I have been so positive? Maybe not.

On Christmas afternoon her husband called to tell me that she had passed away. I can’t really explain how it feels to lose a sister. It’s harder than I thought it would be. I think in life that we just expect our parents to go first. I think our parents expect to die before their children, and for that, my heart aches for my mom who has now lost a child.

I believe that there are two things we can take with when we die—our relationships and the things that we know. I will forever be grateful to Linda for making the trip to Utah this past July when I was visiting with the kids. We spent two good weeks playing, taking walks, eating, and laughing. My kids love their Aunt Linda. Every birthday there was a package with a homemade card waiting at the doorstep. We laughed because it would take at least 15 minutes to open her presents—cutting through the multiple layers of 3M packing tape. Her favorite story to retell to me was when she tried to negotiate adopting Carly with Zach. Carly was about 1 and Zach was 5 or so. She told Zach she would trade Blade (their Golden Retriever) for Carly and Zach said “OK”!! I think he was ready to sign on the dotted line! (It took me an hour to convince Zach that we would NOT be trading Carly). Another time she took the boys on a walk in her neighborhood in Reno. They were climbing a large hill and were out of eye-shot of her home. Zach and Josh were about 3 and 4 years old. Jokingly, she said: “I think we’re lost. I don’t know how to get home!” Josh runs over to a little boulder, climbs it, and starts yelling: “Hellllp…Helllp!” I love her humor; that was just her way and I love her for it. I will miss that so much.

As for the things that she knows, she knows a lot about being a good wife and mother. She was a great mom to two wonderful boys, Jason and Matt. She knows how to be a good friend. The best thing about sisters is that you can be both sisters and great friends. I will miss my sister and my friend. Over the past few years, I have seen her renewed belief in the power of faith and prayer. I know that it was her faith that sustained her during these last few months because she told me so. Those are the things that she knows and will take with her.

I am happy to know that this life is just a step in a great plan. It’s really the only way to get through a loss. And I am comforted to know that families can be eternal. I believe this, I hope for it, and I am banking on it!

Braces Off

2009-12-20T06:57:00.004-05:00

Carly's long anticipated day has arrived...She got her braces off this week!

I now think she looks even more like her brothers...don't you think?!

Anyway...its been an early Christmas for Carly with her new smile : )

She celebrated with carmels, popcorn, and gum....hmmmm.

Reunion in Memphis

2009-12-08T14:48:00.004-05:00

I had a fun opportunity to travel with Josh to Memphis this past weekend as he participated in a showcase soccer tournament. Usually because of work schedules, Scott is the lucky one who gets to go with the boys to these tournaments, but because my semester is over—I got to go! It was great to be with Josh and to watch him play. He is a good soccer player--I wish I could say it was genetic... but it’s not. He played in the U-19 division—most of the boys he played with were much older, bigger, and had much hair-ier legs!

The highlight of the weekend was Josh’s reunion with one of his best childhood friends, Emilio who is from Mexico. It has been almost seven years since we left Chile, but they have remained in touch over these years. Emilio now lives in the Memphis area with his wonderful family and was playing at the same soccer tourney! Imagine the odds! The reunion was fun for our families—and a little emotional to see these “babies all ‘grown’ up”!

I have decided that is just one of the many “perks” to living in so many different places—it’s the great people you meet, the memories you make with them, and the special place they will always hold in your heart--no matter where the wind takes you!

"Gran Amigos" Josh and Emilio, 2002--both about 9 years old

Emilio and Josh in Memphis, December 2009

Willy Wonka

2009-11-26T13:39:00.005-05:00

For the past THREE years, Jacob has wanted to dress up for Halloween as the scary Joker from the Batman movies. Creepy white face, gorry make-up, you've seen the movie...

Two years ago, we talked him out of it and a friend came to our rescue with her 4 foot yellow painted sponge costume...Spongebob was a huge hit at school! Last year, he found a wig of dreadlocks, bell-bottom pants, tie-dye shirt--- another great diversion from The Joker. This year he announced that he wanted to be The Joker (ugggh, again!). I pretended to ignore him and told him we would go shopping for ideas.

Stroke of luck or divine intervention, we found to COOLEST glasses and purple jacket and our costume choice was obvious…

He made a great Willy Wonka!

Family Pictures

2009-10-02T12:10:00.007-04:00

I just got some photos back and I wanted to share! This past July, my mom, my brother and sisters all got together after too many years apart! It was very fun! Because our gatherings are unpredictable, I had a friend and talented photographer, Gayle Vehar, take our pictures.

Orimi (wearing blue) is my oldest sis. She is a veteran school teacher (30+ years?) who runs a tight ship in her classroom. I've visited her class a few times and have been very impressed! She must practice yoga on her ride from school to home, because she morphs into a calm and laid-back mom. I would have to say her greatest love is her fluffy white dog, Shanden.

Linda (pictured in black) is the "middle child"--which describes her perfectly! She is always in the middle of fun and mischief. My favorite Linda story was when we were in Japan. Our Japanese grandma LOVED cotton-candy! She ate it for breakfast every morning. One morning we put actual cotton-balls in her cotton candy and watched her chew and chew and chew. After tears of laughter, we (in very broken Japanese), helped her spit out the cotton. There's always a good time when Linda is around.

In the picture, my brother David is wearing the only polo shirt he owns. He was a good sport to take this picture because I know it is way out of his "comfort zone". Dave is a t-shirt and jeans kind of a guy. He is the best brother I could have--kind, hardworking, and a great uncle to my kids. He can grow anything and he can fix anything. A true handyman.

My mom is the matriarch of our family. She is 81, but looks 70! (that doesn't read right, but it is meant to be a compliment!) My mom raised her kids mostly as a single mom and is a very determined and hardworking person. It was unique growing up with a Japanese mom--for "Show and Tell" one year, I told my class that my mom could flip an egg with chopsticks. EVERYONE was impressed.

So there you go! This is my family...I love them and miss them!

PS: Gayle Vehar is a fabulous photographer. If you are in Utah and need a great photographer, Gayle's your gal. Visit her website and blog: gayleveharphotography.com

Good Carbs & Bad Carbs

2009-09-16T10:20:00.006-04:00

For a couple of years now, I have been focusing on “good carbs and bad carbs”—mostly removing them from my life in hopes that they will remove the little extra ‘muffin top’ around my middle! For example, I LOVE white rice (it’s in my genes), but I have become a fan of brown rice and crushed steamed cauliflower—which, if you don’t look too closely, can double for mushy white rice. My mom, who is the connoisseur of rice making, begs to differ with my comparison of the two. In her mind, cauliflower will never be Japanese white rice—Chinese white rice, maybe, but never Japanese…

My anti-carb campaign has been successful to the point that I have even indoctrinated my kids! Sandwiches with whole grains, whole wheat French Toast etc. etc. But it came to bite me in the ‘muffin top’ during the Jake’s church class on Sunday. The children’s class leader—who is also a good friend-- was teaching a lesson on things we can eat that will make our bodies healthy or unhealthy. Kids would come up to the front of the room, pick a card with a picture of food or drink on it, and tell the class whether it was good or bad for your bodies. First few kids go up and it goes something like this… “Peaches?”—Good for you! “Eggs”---Good for you! “Cigarettes?”—Bad for you! So then a little boy goes up to draw a card and low and behold, he draws a picture of freshly baked dinner rolls—white dinner rolls. Jake says “Rolls—These are Bad for you! Because of all of the bad carbs in white bread! You shouldn’t eat these.” All of the kids were laughing at him...He had no clue what was so funny.

So today, I offered a concession to my children who have been deprived of eating PB&J’s on soft, fluffy Wonder Bread or burritos made with flour tortillas. I baked white rolls for them for their after school snack—and they ate every last one!

And yes, I cheated—I too ate a roll and I LOVED EVERY BITE.

Long live the muffin top...

Firsts and Lasts

2009-08-27T08:32:00.006-04:00

Today was a day of “Firsts” and a day of Lasts”. It was the First Day of School for Josh, Carly and Jake---complete with all of the excitement of new teachers, new clothes, and new schools. For Carly, she begins her first and freshman year at Lake High School—and for Jacob he begins 4th Grade in a new building at Lake Elementary. It is his first time to have rotating teachers.

I love the feeling of a new school year! For me, it means a new beginning—the slate is clean, we set new goals, put ourselves back into a routine after a lazy summer, and I really do feel renewed!

Today was also a day of “Lasts”—it was my last day with Zach before he leaves for college! It has been “bittersweet”. I don’t think I ever fully understood that term until today! The sweetness comes in knowing that he is leaving tomorrow to do something that he has worked hard to achieve. A new chapter full of new friends, experiences, and learning. The bitter is the lump in my throat that I feel when I realize that I won’t be there to see him off to school in the mornings…or hear the details of his day when he comes home. That is the hard part of letting go. There have been tears, lots of tears!

I’ve thought about being a mom a lot lately. I have watched my role change in my kid’s lives and for the most part, transitions have been smooth and natural. But right now I feel like I am in unchartered waters! Sometimes I don’t think I am up for the new challenge. But that is the nature of life. Sometimes we have to stretch farther than we feel capable of stretching and let go of those we love so that they can learn to do their own stretching!

The Big Send-Off, August 26, 2009

PS: Zach arrived at BYU safely and has officially had his first "BYU Experience". He went to the Wilkinson Center to get his student i.d. and was sent right back out and was told he needed to shave before they would issue his card. For those of you that haven't seen Zach lately, his "beard" consists of the 5 hairs on his chin that have taken him about three weeks to grow. Scott, BYU's greatest dress code violator of the mid-80's for his overuse of flip-flops, got a chuckle out of that one!

Summertime

2009-08-19T13:31:00.030-04:00

Wow! It is August 19 and I find myself thinking....Where has our summer gone--especially August which absolutely FLEW by!?" Monday is the "First Day" for most of us and then Scott will head to Utah with Zach later next week to move him into his dorm. It is hard to believe that his time has come! Yesterday, Carly downloaded our summer photos (thanks, Carls..) and I re-lived a few very fun family times we had in Summer 2009!

Jacob in his "soccer debut" at BYU Soccer Camp

My family at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.

Three pools--ranging from 112 to 105 degrees--Hot, Hotter, & Boiling Hot (I saw bubbles).

All I can say is...limp, wilted noodles.

Once a kid, always a kid. Found a fun, shady Pocatello park and practiced our swinging! Above is my sister Linda and kids---and below are my sibs...

We love our cousins!

Fashionistas Miss Marley and her Aunt Alece Park City Moose and Ohio friends

Midway, Utah's finest Beach models-- Carly and Jake

The Hunter Family Mini-Reunion at Scera Park with our newest additon, Owen!

I had to include this picture of Water Balloon Volleyball--I know a couple of gals who need some lessons...

Team Hunter/Hunter...

And the talented Team Ackroyd--Jon and Tina. Jacob thought the name "Tina" only belonged to pet llamas...

And this team? We call them "The Extreme Team"...

The Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

The Place We Call Home

2009-08-06T14:09:00.013-04:00

Each summer, I have looked forward to “going home”… and by that I mean going back to Utah—home to my mom, my brother and sister and the same house that I grew up in. For many summers, I have gone to Utah with the kids—sometimes under the guise of a few “extras” like soccer camp or a BYU Football game. Picnics in Provo Canyon, hiking to Timpanogos Caves, visiting Temple Square, swimming at the Scera Pool—these are our Utah summer traditions!! I love the Wasatch Mountains—they are truly remarkable to those of us who have moved far away to areas where our version of “mountains” are green rolling hills. I took the kids to a BYU Soccer game last night and looked up to see the sun setting on “Y” mountain, blue sky, pink clouds, rocky mountains—it was a postcard moment. I also looked around and saw all of these

BYU students who now look like my children!

I always look forward to reconnecting with old friends when I come to Utah; meeting their kids, catching up, and laughing about our Orem HS days. I loved high school, but I am glad that life doesn’t make us repeat it! (It’s the same feeling I have when I think about carrying around a diaper bag and stroller again…) Now many of our friends are “Utah transplants” from California, Washington, Chile, and Ohio—I love knowing that I can see them again—Utah is such a cosmopolitan place!

I was filling out some paperwork the other day that asked for my “Hometown”. So I starting thinking...a “hometown?” Hmmm. Does anybody have a “hometown” anymore? What is a hometown anyway—is it the place where you were born? Or is it the place where you lived most of your life? I wonder what “hometown” my kids will put on their college applications? I was reading that the average American will change jobs 8 times during their career lifetime and for our family this has been true—we’ve lived a few different places—so defining “hometown” is a bit of a dilemma for me.

But something strange happened during my visit to Utah this summer. A little bit of an epiphany, maybe. Usually, I don’t really miss Ohio—in fact, I usually don’t think much about it while I am gone. But this year, I found myself missing “home”—my Ohio home! Go figure that! First, I miss my boys, Scott, Zach, and Josh (who will be in an out of Utah at various times this summer) and our little dog Canela. I miss my house and the green trees and those Ohio rolling green hills! Call me crazy, but I even miss the humidity of Ohio—lotion has become my new best Utah friend. I miss my wonderful Canton Ward and the “family feeling” of going to church. I miss my friends, my routine, I miss corn fields and tractors, no traffic—it’s all been kind of interesting. So maybe I AM changing. I believe that I may need to re-think this idea of “going home”. Maybe I am home when I’m with my family and doing my thing—that’s what feels like “home”.

I don’t think things will really change--I still plan to visit and do all of those things that make coming out here special, but “going home” will be thousands of miles away! I loved growing up in Utah, it was a good place to be, but I am thinking that my home for now is Ohio. And Utah? It will be my “home away from home”. Problem solved...I think I may a new answer for my "hometown"questions...

(P.S. One final thought and for the record, some things will never change. I love Ohio, but I don’t think I will ever wear the Ohio State Buckeye Red--I could be stoned for saying this in Ohio!—--But once a Cougar, always a Cougar.)

Zach's Graduation

2009-07-03T14:03:00.022-04:00

Dad, Carly, Brett, Zach, Mom, Jake, Sarah, Josh

Lake High School Graduation, June 6, 2009, Canton Civic Center

It is an interesting time of life. I am only a few weeks away from my first child leaving home to head off to BYU. I have thought about this day for over a year. Most days my heart and my head can hardly believe that he is old enough to go. I wonder where the time has gone—it seems like just a blink. I used to hear my “older” friends say, “Enjoy this time with your little ones… it goes so quickly!” And I can really and truly tell you now… that yes, it goes way too quickly.

Zach at 3 months, Ojai, California

Zach at 5--he LOVED suspenders!! I love Zach. From the get go, he was a hand-full. So, so busy and mischievous. Constant questions, never walking, temper tantrums. He was my first and so I thought all kids were that way. So I planned only to have two. And then I had Josh and he was so different!! But somewhere along the way, Zach’s busy-ness morphed into happiness, creativity, and leadership, which have been such admirable traits.

As a child he was so curious and so comfortable talking to everybody and anybody. But, he was also a master tattle-taler. Mrs. Munroe, his third grade teacher, even created a “tattle-tale” mailbox and told him that if he needed to tattle, he would need to write his tattle out and she would collect mail at the end of the day. She thought this would solve his tattle habit. On the first day, she opened the box to find a three tattle slips from Zach. We still laugh about this today!

Partners in a love-hate relationship

"A Love Moment"

"Conehead" at Carly's 5th Barbie Birthday Party

"Albert Einstein" Nido de Aguilas, Santiago

Christmas 1998--Spokane, Washington

Baptism Day--Spokane, Washington 1999

His mind and his hands have built some great projects—a toy cart with wheels, spray paint art, garden boxes, a duck pen, a tissue paper hot air balloon. He has put together many Christmas bikes and toys for me. (Thanks, Zach.) He is the musician I always hoped he would be. I pushed piano, he hated the piano. He wanted to play the cello. And so he became a wonderful cellist. I love to listen to him and I will miss the mellow sounds of the cello coming from his room late at night. Soccer has also been a huge part of his life. He has played since he was 5 and he has been such a fun player to watch. We will miss seeing him on the field. I will also miss his cooking—we have been the lucky recipients of his tasty creations. He makes a to-die-for banana cream crepe—they are especially good late at night!

Soccer--Lake High School

CCarly told us to "smile big"--this is what I got! What a ham!

I know Zach will love college and love the chance to spread his wings. It is his time. I think letting go is a tiny bit easier knowing that he will be surrounded by family and find friends that value the good things in life. Sometimes it’s tough living away from family, and in a small way, I feel like he is “going home”. So for those reasons, life is good. Probably for reasons only Mom’s can understand, I’m a little sad for me and a little anxious—hoping that I have taught him all he needs to know, hoping that he studies hard, fits in, is a good roommate, keeps the faith, changes his sheets, eats healthy, and last but not least…misses home!

We will miss him. He adds a spark to our lives.

We will look forward to his calls, his texts, and his time to come home.

Congratuations and we love you Zach!

Graduation Day, June 6, 2009

Tennessee Summer

2009-06-19T21:17:00.023-04:00

Dale Hollow Lake at sunset--perfect skiing conditions!

For the past five summers, our family has gone deep into the backwoods of Tennessee for some summertime R&R. It is a trip we look forward to every year!! Before we moved to the Midwest, I didn’t know this--but Kentucky and Tennessee are home to some of the best lakes in the country. The lakes are big, and deep, and warm. We pack our bags, grab our skis and wakeboards, and head off to Byrdstown, Tennessee home of Dale Hollow Lake for
a full week of fun.

Jake in beach drag--a CarlyCreation

Byrdstown (pop. 903) is very remote and paints a great picture of southern life. The Southerners have their own distinct culture and if you don't listen 'real careful' you might miss what they are saying. I think the people are among the kindest I have ever met. Business is done on a handshake. People are laid-back, so trusting and helpful, and life just moves a little slower down here. One of the best features of Dale Hollow is no cell phone coverage—which is such a great perk for the family of Scott Hunter! We dock at Star Point Marina--managed by "Bob" and "Frog"--two locals who have a combined 54 working years on the Lake! Unbelievable--it's a little like getting stuck in a time warp and we welcome it! It is a vacation that requires much planning. We have to pack all of our food and drinks in because Byrdstown’s version of a supermarket looks like a fruit stand with sodas. Temperatures are around 85 and it is humid, so we generally bring in 160 bottles/cans of water and Gatorade!

This past week was another banner week. Josh and Zach perfected their wakeboarding skills—trying some 360°’s and timing their switches—it is actually very fun to watch, but something that I would only try with five layers of bubblewrap! Carly and I worked on our wakeboarding switches—Carly a little more successfully than me! (Why is it that age makes us more fearful of falling?!! It seems to me that we have more to pad our falls!!) Jake caught a few more inches of air this year and made his first deep water slalom start. Kudos to Jake! Scott survived another year without a tubing concussion and I saw him truly Reeelaxxx—something that only comes when he is “out of touch” and “out of the service area”. This is so nice to see…

Zach getting some pretty good air!

The classic wipeout...or as we say in Tennessee: "a good ol' bum spankin' "

Zach board grab--look at this water!!

Our own Byrdstown Diva in tubes and goggles...

Jake jumping the wake...wooo whoo!
Tube wars are our family’s version of an extreme sport. The goal in life is to wipe Dad out. He loves it…we love it and wouldn’t trade a minute of our time at Dale Hollow. Our bodies are tired, but tired in a very good way. We are more bronzed and look a little Bohemian back home in our little village of Hartville, Ohio.

I have loved our Dale Hollow days. We have watched our kids learn to ski and swim, and wakeboard these past five years. If we are lucky, we might get to squeeze in one more year next June with all four kids before Zach leaves for his mission. Every year, on our way out of Byrdstown, we read the sign that says "Have a Dale Hollow Day".
Thank you Byrdstown....We have and we will for as long as we can.

NYC

2009-05-28T19:06:00.001-04:00

Strawberry Fields in Central Park:

Meg, Suz, Katy-- with shopping bags in tow!

Over Mother's Day weekend, I traveled to New York City with my friends Katy and Megan for a little “Girls Getaway”. I have taken other “Mom Vacations”, but this was my FIRST dedicated “girlfriend trip.” It will not be my last! I know Katy from Canton--she is quite possibly the best cook I know and has many other wonderful, enviable talents. Meg and I go way back to our Orem High days--I love her humor and our history runs deep!

Ellis Island

New York City is a great place---so many different people and cultures, buildings, traffic, lights, energy, shopping and history. We visited the site of the World Trade Center and saw pictures and heard stories from those who survived that horrific day. Workers still continue to clean up the rubble from the explosions. We toured the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I felt a little emotional as I thought about my own grandfather, Harry Gavos, who at 17, sailed from Greece and came through Ellis Island to begin a new life in America. After reading the immigrant stories and seeing their pictures, I wondered if I could have had the courage to do that. I am grateful that my grandfather did.

The first torch for the Statue of Liberty--originally lit by candles!

Having one of our tourist moments...

We were lucky enough to see two fabulous Broadway Shows—“The Lion King” and “Guys and Dolls”. Broadway lives up to its reviews and far surpassed my expectations! Our “brush with fame” came after the Guys and Dolls show, when like groupies, we waited at the Stage Door to have Oliver Platt (The Three Musketeers, The West Wing) and Lauren Graham (The Gilmore Girls) sign our Playbills.

Times Square after The Lion King

We walked the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, visited Little Italy and Chinatown, and discovered the NYC’s Underground Purse Railroad when buying our Coach and Prada (aka: "Fauxch" and "Frauda") knock-off’s. That is a story for a different day…

On the Brooklyn Bridge...

Did I mention the food? Katy did the research…best deli in the city? The Carnegie Deli—home to the foot-high (not foot-long) sandwich. Great pickles too. For pizza, Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn is probably some of the best pizza I have had…EVER. And in Mid-Town, behind a black curtain at the 5-Star Parker Meridien, is “The Burger Joint”—it rivals In-N-Out—and that is saying A-LOT! And if that isn’t indulgent enough, the cupcakes at The Magnolia Bakery are TO DIE FOR! Loved them so much, we went back TWICE. Needless to say, after our weekend calorie splurge, it’s back to reality—nothing but Kashi Go Lean and tofu for the next 10 weeks.

Mostly it was fun discovering something new with good friends. I am exhausted (slept 15 hours in 3 days—sharing a double bed with Meg!), but energized. Scott scores a "10" for a great Mother’s Day present! And thanks to Rod, Hailey, and Hannah and Kris, Karin, Kirsten, Ava, and Mia for sharing their gals with me!

Prom Date

2009-05-21T14:34:00.000-04:00

Thought I would share Zach's prom pictures...

My prom was so very different--thinking back we all kind of dressed like pioneers--minus the bonnets! As a mom of teenage boys, you always hope that the girl will come with as much clothing on as possible...BUT we are in Ohio and a long way from Utah!

Scott and I worked the After Prom Party with a few other parents. I was really dreading it, mostly because I no longer am a "night person"--11:00 is a late night for me!! But we had a great time. Scott spun cotton candy and I scooped sno-cones until 3:00 a.m.! Church was a little hard the next morning, but it was fun and "enlightening" to watch my son on a date. All I can say is that I am soooooo glad I'm not in high school anymore.