This isn't paradise, but I can see it from here......

...is a common joke around our house and, I'm guessing, around our city because there is a town named "Paradise" just a few miles down the road.

But today "paradise" isn't a town, it's a state of mind.

Skiing with Chloe yesterday was so very good.  The sun was shining, it wasn't too warm or too cold, the snow was fresh (not icy) and we tried a bunch of new runs.  We got on and off the lifts perfectly every time (okay, the chair hit my butt a couple of times but at least I didn't fall down!)  I skiied all day and I'm not even suffering too much today!  The sunshine boosted my mood and my success on new runs boosted my self-confidence.

I can see "paradise" today :)

Dear Grandma

Dear Grandma,

Today is your birthday.  As you know, you would have been 95 years old.  It's only been a few weeks but I'm having a hard time moving on.

I know you were ready to go, you've been talking about dying for many years, but I never really believed you and I certainly wasn't ready for you to go.  It happened so fast.  I'm sorry I wasn't there at the end.  I could have been.  I'm sorry I didn't call or come visit more often.

You gave me so much.  Did you know I notice the way the carpet looks after I vacuum?  I can't stand footprints on it :)  I love to sew and I'm reasonably good at it.  I'm a perfectionist and very independent. 

Life was hard for you.  I know you fought for everything you had and everything you were even though sometimes you didn't have to.  It was just the way you were.  You thrived on the challenges that life presented you.  You were so very social.  I knew you best these last few years when you were softened by age and suffering but your spirit still burned within.  You were strong and amazing and fierce and I miss you.

Happy Birthday.

5k Friday and Gingerbread houses

This morning I went to the gym and actually jogged my 5k.  I'm very happy with myself :)

Last night we went to Pack Meeting and watched the kids make gingerbread houses.  Even Chloe pulled herself out of bed and went.

Brian jumped in and helped a little.



Graeme had a plan, if I didn't know better I'd swear he had blueprints hidden somewhere.  He was very focused!

Almost done!

All the way done!

This is Chloe's house after the tremendous candy rainstorm that came through.

Kai thinks tall.

And this is Graeme's ski lodge.

This is all three houses all the way finished.  Left to right: Kai's, Graeme's Chloe's.

It was good big fun and everybody's at school today.  Hooray!

I am a Christian

I had kind of a shock yesterday in Primary.  We were discussing the political atmosphere in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas in ancient times (you know, Jews vs Christians) and one of my students looked at me and said:

"Well, we're not christians, we're Mormons."

Immediately all the other kids joined in with similar comments.  I was really, really surprised!  We've spent this whole last year studying the New Testament, learning the teachings of Jesus Christ!  Plus, one of these kids has a dad in the Bishopric, one of them has a dad in the High Priest Group leadership, one of them has a mom in the Relief Society Presidency and they all come from strong, faithful families.  No wonder the world doesn't consider us christians, our own children don't consider themselves christians!

It made me wonder: do my children know?  You can bet we'll be having this discussion in FHE tonight!

But for the record, I belong to the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as the "Mormons".  I believe that JESUS CHRIST lived on this earth, died and was resurrected.  I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of God who atoned for my sins.  I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the Savior of the world and is my own, personal Savior.  In short,

I AM A CHRISTIAN.