Post Season Soccer

So happy for Lauren to get to play some extra soccer with some girls from Rsvl. They picked her up just in time to make it to the State Cup last weekend in LR. They didn't fare too well in the win column but she got better with some good coaching tips and did finally score in the last game. Of course, I didn't get a picture of that, but here's some other moments in our very hot day in Burns Park.

A missed shot...

I love my mother

I've been "home" for almost the last 3 weekends. First, to hug my mother for Mother's Day. Second, for my grandmother's funeral. Third, to work with Lauren at my mom's store. I'm thankful for such a comfortable place to go and for such loving and generous family to call my own.

One day in college I woke up and I was my mother in a million ways. Now...even more so, and I say "thank you" when people tell me they see the similarities.

My mom has been through a few very rough things over the last few years. She has handled them with gracefulness and gentleness. Her example has not gone unnoticed.

I love you Mom.

Grandma 5-20-10

I lived in the same house for 17 years. My grandparents lived less than 2 miles away for that entire time. When my parents moved into town my senior summer my grandparents also moved in the same direction. For as long as I have been alive my maternal grandparents have lived within a couple of miles from my house. We were close growing up. They were almost the only baby sitters I ever knew. We celebrated every holiday and birthday together. We worshipped together on Sundays. We were close.

Today my grandmother died. I am so relieved she is finished with her life here on earth where her mind and body just weren't healthy. It's so hard to watch people turn into people they aren't. She is a grandmother that made homemade cookies, chex mix, fried chicken and always had chips and dip at her house. I can't remember her ever telling us we couldn't come over and we all loved to spend the night at her house. She had one of those beds with about 10 sheets and quilts and yet it was cool. I mean, once you got in the bed, you couldn't move because of the weight of the blankets, but it was very comforting.

This weekend is packed with activities for our family. We already have three places for us to be on Saturday and the funeral will be at 10am that morning. I will be able to drive up tomorrow to be there for my mom during the visitation and will be able to stay for the funeral. There's just no way for us to get everyone else there. Grandma would never want anyone making a fuss over her so I feel somehow excused for the rest of my family.

Crazy thing, before I went to Hawaii I drove up to MH to hug my mom for Mother's Day. I hadn't seen her in a long time and talking on the phone just wasn't going to be enough. While I was there we took Grandma to the hospital because she was having problems coughing and not clearing her throat. I got to spend about 3 hours of my 12 hour trip with my Grandma. She was in a hospital bed, just resting, breathing shallowly, but I did get to squeeze her hand, which made me feel like a kid. I loved to squeeze her hands when I was young. I'm thankful I got to see her one last time.

She left us with a heritage of gracefulness and preciousness. She was kind and loving to all and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was not only unselfish but generous. Grandma loved Grandpa, until her last moments on earth. She has asked for Everett for the last 5 years even though she never heard him answer. Today, they are in the presence of the Lord together.

1st tooth...

One day while in Hawaii, I got a call from home and it was Sheridan informing me that she lot her first tooth! I was pretty excited for her and excited for me that I wasn't there when it happend. Evidentally she lost it while she and Grandpa were watching the school choir concert. Good for her! What a gal!

Why do we keep teeth? I don't know.

Island Images

The scenery in Hawaii provoked us to take lots of pictures. I want to record them here but I won't get to them all in one or two posts.

On our first full day on Oahu our host drove us around the outer edge of most of the island. He took us to some hot spots but there wasn't a stretch of space where there wasn't something beautiful to look at.

Here one of several shrimp stops on the east coast. We waited in line and then almost 30 minutes for this meal. It was delicious. Busses were stopping here, locals were waiting, it was a happening place!


We stopped at a lesser known beach that had 3 people on it in the middle of the day. The flowering plants along the walkway had us captured and then...we got to the water.


Oh my!

We stopped at a huge lookout at a huge blow hole on the coast. As the waves come in on the sharp black rock the water sprays through a hole worn out in the rock. We could see another island in the distance and the view and sound of the waves was breathtaking.

tour bus logo...

Hawaii

I've replenished the kitchen with food, washed and folded clothes, mowed the yard and even scooped poop. Yeah, it's back to normal.

It's crazy to think that I was sitting on Waikiki beach two mornings ago and riding mopeds around Oahu. This last week was so wonderful and one of the best trips of my life. Not only was the weather beautiful, but the quality time with Richard was awesome too!

The days of our vacation were long but we weren't ever rushed or on a schedule.

On Friday morning we went to a place called Turtle Bay to see large sea turtles and then enjoyed a less tourist-filled beach on the North Shore.


The sand was like sesame seeds (not dirty and sticky but smooth and shiny) Richard bought a simple snorkel set and he explored the reef in that area.




On Saturday morning we climbed up Diamond Head which is one of the outer rims of an extinct volcano which was also a military base years ago. It was hot and steep but we made it to the top where the view was worth every drop of sweat!



The climb up Diamond Head is steep. There are two stairwells and a tunnel at the top.




That afternoon we rented mopeds and drove around the island for about 3 hours laughing all the way! (except for my little spill)

A break from scooters at a harbor in Honolulu.


As far as work goes, we had a wonderful time meeting moms at Rhea Lana's of Hawaii. The ladies we worked with were so sweet and really ready to learn what we knew about the business. I wrote about it on Rhea Lana's blog here.

Hawaii day 3 - early post

It's still pretty early here but we're taking a break before we go move into our store. We got up at 4:15 this morning because we had a TV interview. It was a pretty big deal and an experience. We only were on the air about 3 minutes and at the SAME EXACT TIME Erin was competing in the Jr High talent show. I knew she was nervous...and so I started texting my teacher friends hoping one of them would have their phone on. I'm so so thankful to live in a small town where my friend found Erin, told her we were praying for her and gave her a hug for me. That's a good feeling when you're 5000 miles away from your kids.

When we finished the interview they were counting votes at home and Erin won. I'm so thankful for her song choice: Free to be Me. Great words for a teenager.

Not sure what I was saying here, but it might have been stupid:

Hawaii day 2

OK, while I've been touring one of the most beautiful places on earth it's been "cold and rainy" on the Lane. Not only that but today Lauren was told she made ALL CONFERENCE in Soccer! THEN, Ryan called after his choir concert and told us he got an award there. THEN, while I'm eating a pineapple sorbet/vanilla twist waffle cone at the Dole Plantation, Sheridan calls to tell me she has pulled her first tooth.

They're all in bed now, so no more calls today...unless the tornado that is going through the area touches down....or until tomorrow when Erin sings in the talent show at school. I'm praying hard about her nerves.

We're going out to dinner now.

I'm missing my family.

Hawaii is a long way from home.

Mother's Day

This has been the LONGEST Mother's Day ever! It's going to end up being 29 hours as we crossed a couple time zones today! My head is a little dizzy now but Richard says we need to stay up a little bit longer so we won't wake up at 4:00am. I thought I'd post a little, but I keep typing the wrong letters...

The flight was so LONG (finished the book I was reading, watched 2 movies, ate lunch and dinner, and took 2 short naps) and it was such a thrill to look out the window and see land!

We drove around part of Oahu today, saw so many beautiful flowers, birds, buildings, clouds, mountains...it was awesome.

We also met with LOVELY Rhea Lana leaders from Honolulu. We talked for over 2 hours about checking in folks at their event and answered questions they wanted to know about the sale. I love this job!

Pink Panthers

Hugging...

Hitting...

Out-Fielding...

Roses

Today when we woke up the arbor outside was FILLED with roses. Yesterday I saw a couple of dark buds in the leaves and today....this! The blooms are dark pink, but were covered with a light layer of frost and looked so pretty.

I love a flower with a sweet smell. Iris, roses and honeysuckle are so prominant right now here and smell so sweet!

I think Jesus is called the Rose of Sharon. I'm going to have to look that up.

AWANA

I love AWANA. "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed" The big kids went through the program from 3yrs to the 6th grade. Sheridan is working though SPARKS right now. I love it that my children can memorize so easily! "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word."

Last night in our end-of-the-year program, Sheridan quoted Psalm 23. The whole thing. She learned it early in the year and it is "officially" her favorite scripture. I can't think of anything better to be going through her mind.

The girls looking at their new frisbees. The plan of salvation is on the back.

Regionals

This afternoon Ryan's team will complete their first game in the regional tournament. Our game was called in the 4th inning on Friday when lightning and a huge storm moved in. It's been a long weekend...wondering just how we are going to come back from a 14-3 deficit. ... The only high point was that Ryan, who is the lead off batter, took the second pitch over the fence.

"going yard!"

Greetings from the team as he comes home!

The opposing pitcher and he are friends and were texting this weekend.

I'm glad my boy is so nice...he invited the guy over for batting practice!