Our Trip to Yellowstone

Some bison we saw on our way into the park. The kids were so excited to see babies.

It was pretty wet and cold while we were there. 

Us AZ people find anything lower than 70 cold!

Kitty and a beautiful blue geyser. 

Old Faithful area from up on a scenic viewpoint. 

Not long after this we were caught in a rainstorm.

We finally caught Old Faithful going off after being there a day and a half.

A female elk we saw on the way out of the park.

One animal we did not see in Yellowstone was a bear. However, in Wyoming outside of the park we saw this mama bear with her 2 cubs. This was the best zoom job I could do with my camera, so it's not a great picture. Still, we were excited to see them.

Where I am headed today

The last time I was here I had 18 stitches in my foot and had to wear duct tape wrapped around my sock as a make-shift shoe. It stunk. So I am hoping to have a better experience this go around... Especially because I am so excited to show it to my kids. I have wanted to do this trip for three years.

More later...

Yes, I am still alive

Okay, so I know it seems I have fallen off the planet. But really I am still here. Somehow I always think life will slow down and I will be able to take a breath. But for the past year or so it has been extra crazy. Here is what I have been doing in the past week or so:

- Wrote a research report - this took 24 hours to write. Yikes.
- Started teaching summer school.
- Running the kids here and there. (Now that they are out of school I am a taxi driver.)
- Housework.
- Finished my Shutterfly 2010 family photo book.
- Prepping for a vacation.

To be honest I am really in need of that vacation. I am worn out from working too much and don't feel like spending time on the things I want to do as a result. For example, I only have one chapter left of my manuscript, but I am having a hard time feeling like writing it. So close, and yet so far away?

Scripture of the Day: Genesis 49:2

Loving this quote

I am tempted to put this on a canvas and hang it up in my house. What do you think? Too long?

“There is no such thing as instant greatness. This is because the achievement of true greatness is a long-term process. It may involve occasional setbacks. The end result may not always be clearly visible, but it seems that it always requires regular, consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary and mundane steps over a long period of time. . . .

“True greatness is never a result of a chance occurrence or a one-time effort or achievement. It requires the development of character. It requires a multitude of correct decisions for the everyday choices between good and evil. . . .

“As we evaluate our lives, it is important that we look, not only at our accomplishments, but also at the conditions under which we have labored. We are all different and unique individuals. We have each had different starting points in the race of life. We each have a unique mixture of talents and skills. We each have our own set of challenges and constraints to contend with” (“What Is True Greataness,” in Brigham Young University 1986–87 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1987], 115).

Scripture of the Day:  D&C 88:44-45

Cultivating Gratitude #12

We have been having the most beautiful weather the past few days and I would be remorse if I did not say how grateful I have been for it. I have loved hearing the birds sing outside my window when I awake. It has been the perfect walking weather, too; I have walked and biked more this past week because it is so inviting outside. Nothing makes me more grateful for nature than a beautiful day.


Spring it is with us and Summer is near
And beautiful weather for the time of year
Such beauty the poets and the artists inspire
Of talking of Nature could one ever tire
Her green of September Mother Nature wear
And the perfumes of blossoms in the evening air. 
                        -Francis Duggan

Scripture of the Day: D&C 89:11

Book Review: Blank Slate

A few weeks ago I purchased Heather Justesen's new e-book Blank Slate and installed it on my Nook. I was really in the mood for a good read and this one had a nice twist to it. Although a bit longer than most LDS romances, I enjoyed the plot and found the main character, Adriana, to be well written. Her thoughts and feelings were believable in the unusual circumstances of the plot. Her character was three-dimensional for me.

Synopsis: Adrianna Mueller may be a world-renowned concert pianist, but when she wakes from her coma after a serious car accident, her ability to perform has disappeared as completely as her memory. As she recovers from her injuries, she struggles with the expectations of everyone—her family, friends, and fiancé, Brock—who all want everything to go back to the way it was.

Everyone except Gavin, Adrianna’s brother’s business partner, who finds himself drawn to the woman she is now. But he has his own problems. As he tries to get a handle on a former employee’s embezzlement, he fights his growing feelings for Adrianna.

And then a trip to the emergency room shakes everything up, leaving her to stumble as she tries to regain her footing all over again.

Read additional reviews of Blank Slate on Goodreads here.

Other books by Heather Justesen include Rebound and The Ball's in Her Court.

Scripture of the Day: D&C 59:18

Whitney Award Winners

Late last week the winners for the Whitney Awards were announced. I always like to see which books won because I can count on these books being good, clean reads. And, as it is time to start putting together my summer reading list, the Whitney Award winners help point me in the right direction.

Best General: Band of Sisters - I have already read and reviewed this book, which was excellent and well deserving (read my review here). Congratulations to Annette Lyon!

Best Historical: Trespass - I have not yet read this book by Sandra Grey, but will likely add this to my summer list.

Best Mystery/Suspense: Cold as Ice - Have not yet read this either; looks scary.

Best Romance: Cross My Heart - Cute book! You can read my review here.

Best Speculative: The Way of Kings - Haven't read this, but might give it a try. It looks like something my son would enjoy. This book also tied with another book (Mr. Monster) for novel of the year.

Best Youth - General: The Healing Spell - May have to check this out on behalf of my kids.

Best Youth - Speculative: Matched - This book is at the top of my summer to-read list. It was a NYTimes best seller and is on my book club list to read as well.

Best by a New Author: Paranormalacy - Looks so good!

Novel of the Year: Tie between The Way of the Kings (see above) and Mr. Monster - The cover on this book does not attract me . . .  but I am considering it as a summer read.

Congrats to all the winners! I hope this list provides my readers with some great ideas for what to stock their Kindle or Nook with before heading out on vacation.

Scripture of the Day: Eccl. 3:1