Tom’s Trip

The Gourley family and Erin and Jacob went on their planned Hawaii trip in November.  We got lots of Facetime calls and texts while they were there.  Tom came up to me and said, "I want to go to Hawaii." I told him to talk to his dad.  We planned a trip just for Tom in March.

We wanted him to experience the things we did while we were there a few years ago.  

His first adventure was going zip lining!  I wish I would have had a camera to video record his reaction on the first line.  He WOOHOOed all the way across the line.  He was very excited!

We had some great guides.  They were so good with Tom and helped him along the way.

We had a great time together!

This was not at Kualoa Ranch like we did last time.  This time it was Climb Works.  They were just as great and some of the climbs to the next line were a bit easier so that was good for Tom.  It was a great experience but he was time to be done.

I think the smiles say it all!

On Tuesday we went to the PCC.  Again, that was the one thing I knew we had to do with him.  He loves culture and languages so this was perfect.  He enjoyed the opening ceremony as well as each of the islands.  He especially liked the Haka and the fire dancing.

Wednesday was a more chill day and we went to the Swap Meet where we bought things for our family.  

Thursday was back to Honolulu where we went to the USS Arizona and then the USS Missouri.  

I don't think Tom comprehended what happened with the Arizona but I do think he felt the reverence of the memorial.

I am always amazed at the feelings I get there.

The USS Missouri in he background.

We had to stop at the Dole Plantation for a Dole Whip.

Tom makes friends with cats whenever he can.

The weather is always beautiful to compliment the beauty of the Laie temple.

The temple was closed for a two week cleaning so no ordinance work this time. 

The flight home had Tom making friends again.  This time with the flight attendants.

I think he enjoyed his trip very much.  We'll have to plan another trip for him sometime.

Bike Riding When?

Back in the end of December we had some nice weather.  By nice I mean the temperatures were in the mid 40's.  Pat suggested we go for a bicycle ride.  

We rode to Gresham and then to the Gourley house and finally back on Upper Red Lake road and home.  It was warm enough that I didn't need to wear my heavy winter coat.  The rain coat keeps the wind out and therefore I stay warm.

I can hardly believe that we were out riding in December!

 

Stake Primary President

I am beginning my third year as the Stake Primary president.  I never thought this would be a calling that I would love as much as I do.  I especially love the unit conferences.  Last year I read a book to the children and it captivated them.  This year I have an object lesson and then a book.

Last Sunday was the Gresham Ward conference. Sharon did the music and I did the lesson.  We have a new presidency in Gresham so I invited them to stay.  We talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I hope they really understood what I was trying to teach.  

I enjoy visiting the units and seeing how they love the children.  We have some amazing leaders in the units and I have amazing counselors in Sharon Scheinost and Cece Pawlowski!  How I love those ladies!

 

One Last Time

We have gone to see "Stayin' Alive" three times.  Once in Vegas and twice here in Wisconsin.  They play the favorite BeeGees tunes and I enjoy it.  For our anniversary we went yet again.  Turns out it is exactly the same group that we've seen twice before.  They are aging just like the rest of us.  

Because Pat bought the tickets very last minute, he got them from a third party.  We've been to the Meyer theatre once before but had no idea that there are primo seats. These people were all behind us. 

These people were all below us.  Lots of people dancing along the walls.  I'm always amazed at the age of the people coming to this particular show.  Most of them are OLD!  By that I mean older than us!

We sat in the balcony in the second row in these very comfy seats. 

I sat on the end just because I was still coughing and didn't want to bother anyone with my cough.  I did have some cool air blowing on me all through the concert so I kept my jacket on my shoulder.  

It was an entertaining night but I don't need to see a BeeGees act anymore.  I'll just play the CDs if I want their music.

Door

When we left our mission in Nauvoo, we came home with a lot of treasures.  One of them was an exterior door that came off of the Orson Hyde home.  What do you do with an exterior door?  We decided to use it for our new upstairs bathroom.  We would have to use it as a barn door style as there is no frame.  I thought about having a window in a bathroom door and how do I make it so whomever is in the room has privacy?  A curtain!  Nope.  That won't work because it would have to be on the inside and it will slide so it just isn't feasible.  

Cierra!  She is so talented and creative and able to paint.  I asked her if she could paint it for us.  She agreed to do the job over the summer when she had some time.  But what should she paint on it?  Nauvoo flowers!  I sent her a bunch of photos of the spring flowers in Nauvoo and she just came up with this piece of art.  

She needed to paint both sides because if only one side was painted there would be "holes" where someone could see through.  I stripped the exterior of the door but there was too many blemishes to try to restore it so I painted it the same color as the accent wall in the bathroom.  The fancy pieces were taken off and replaced with new as they would've been a nightmare to try to fix.  

My husband asked that one side be faux grained.  It had been a few years since I did that so there was a bit of a learning curve.  When I look at it I see where I could have done better but then I realize that no one else sees those flaws.  I absolutely LOVE it!  

Seashells

When we were in Florida I collected more seashells.  One evening as we were gathered, I gave a mini lesson about shells.  

Each shell is different.  They are different shapes, sizes and colors yet each one is beautiful in it's own right.  That's just like each one of us.  We are different because of how we look and the talents we have been given.  

I got out the paint and glue and let them decorate their own shells.  I think they all had a good time doing it and I have some very talented grandchildren.  

Basketball Season

Basketball season is upon us.  I love watching Cami compete!  The basketball team has a total of nine girls so Cami gets quite a bit a playing time. 

I've watched her improve and be more confident in shooting both from the free throw line as well as just putting up shots. 

Some games they play really well and others are not so great.  The not so great games come when they run into a team that is really good and presses them for most of the game.  It has to be hard to get anything accomplished when there is someone in your face.

I think she could teach the other girls on her team how to "box out."

I don't know how their team will do.  Probably nothing in the post season play but they have a weak conference so who knows.  So far they've survived each of their conference games. 

Once again, this is her last season and I won't really have a reason to go to any games next year.  At least not until some of the other grandchildren get involved.  I'll enjoy this while it lasts.