Aloha!

We arrived in Hawaii about noon on Tuesday. It was warm outside but a little overcast and beautiful. We stayed at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani on Waikiki beach. The view from our room was beautiful and you could even see the surfers in the water:
















I went to the beach in the mornings while Travis went to work. Then in the afternoons I would go shopping or just read my book and then we would go out to dinner at night when he got in from work. I know! Life is hard!

On Saturday morning we went to the swap meet at the stadium and then drove up to the north shore. We went and bought some dinner at the local grocery store and ate it on the beach as we watched the sun go down. I had fun with my new camera, and took about a hundred pictures with all of the different settings. I got a good butt shot of somebody, so I guess I need to be a little more careful when snapping the shot! Sunset Beach is one of our favorite places to sit and enjoy the sun coming down...and it didn't disappoint us!

We went to an old coffee plantation and he showed us how the cacao pods grow and how they harvest them for chocolate and then explained the coffee bean process and how it becomes coffee. I think he was pretty disappointed with me after I told him I love the smell of coffee, but I don't drink it! He just turned and walked away. Didn't get a big sale that day!

I loved the colorful pods that the chocolate comes from.


Rows and rows of coffee beans were laid in the sun to dry.

We also went to a Botanical garden in Honolulu while we were there. The trees were beautiful. One tree, called a shower tree, was covered with yellow blossoms and no leaves. Everytime the wind would blow. All of the blossoms would shower the ground. The Baobab tree was huge (note the park bench beside it).

It was a very relaxing week and much needed. I was ready to come home, because that is my favorite place to be, but our "second home" has become very familiar and a comfortable place to be! I am just glad that my husband knows all of the roads and how to get around!

Mother's Day and Birthday!

For Mother's day we all went to church at our own wards and then gathered at Carolyn's for dinner later that afternoon. We had grilled chicken and potato salad and rolls for dinner and it all tasted so good...maybe because I didn't have to cook it! Travis and Christie made me a German Chocolate cake for dessert...my favorite! It was so fun being together again. I love all of my children and grandchildren and being a mother and grandmother was all I ever really wanted to do with my life! The picture is of Susannah playing horsie to Juliana and Malia...they sure loved having her home from college! We celebrated my birthday along with Mother's day because I will be in Hawaii for my birthday. They all got together and gave me a new camera for my birthday! I love it and I needed one so badly...now if I can break my bad habit of thinking of taking pictures "after the fact" it will be a very useful gift.

On Tuesday night we went to ASU where Travis attends classes in Industrial Design, to see the Sophomore class displays and see what they have accomplished during the year. They have done some amazing work and I was so impressed with the design ideas and everything they did. Travis definitely inherited the Harris art talent! His teacher was so impressed with his shoe design that she wanted to display it in the design building for the coming year at ASU.

Susannah finally found a job this week after looking for a month. At least she will be able to make some money to help with school this fall. James found a job too so maybe we will be able to make another year of college work yet again!

I am getting so excited to go to Hawaii on Tuesday. It has been a couple years since I have gone and it will be so fun to just get away and go play in the ocean. We are planning to just go and relax and enjoy the time away. Last summer we had weddings and family reunions so this summer is going to be slower and a much easier pace. Aloha!

Life Just Keeps On Keeping On

We had a wonderful Easter. Susannah came home the day before and we had a good reunion. It just feels good to have her home for awhile. Hopefully she can find a job this summer. She has already been out beating the bushes, so maybe something will come of it. On Easter day, my sister Peggy, and Carolyn and Joshua and their 3 kids and Travis and Christie came for a visit and for Easter dinner. It was so fun having everyone together again. The kids looked so cute in their Easter dresses and we had a fun time in the backyard after dinner doing an egg hunt. Little Grant just goes along with whatever the girls are doing. They were so funny because after they each filled their baskets with eggs, they broke open all of the plastic eggs and emptied them into one basket to "share". My sister and I were laughing, because when we were little that would not have been an option with me. I carefully guarded my candy and saved it forever...eating only a little at a time...whereas Peggy would eat hers the first day! Travis spent an hour out on the driveway helping Juliana and Malia draw pictures with the sidewalk chalk. I wish I would have taken photos of their pictures and drawings...pretty artistic.

It has been another busy week. Work has been going Ok at Walgreen's but I keep telling myself that there has to be something better! At least right now it is a job and it helps with the income.

We had a big Stake Leadership meeting this morning and I taught my class to all of the Relief Society Secretaries. We had a good turnout and I think it was a success, but most of all I am glad to have that over. Tomorrow morning the Stake Presidency wants to see me and my husband so I am sure changes are in the cards once again.

I love Easter!

We just returned from the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant. We have lived here for almost 7 years and this is the first time I have gone. The night was beautiful and the presentation was equally as beautiful. The music and dancing was awesome and the story told is one of my favorites. Everyone portrayed their parts perfectly and I really felt the Spirit whisper to my heart that the things they were talking about were true. I am so grateful for my Savior and His Atonement and that we have the true plan of happiness. His resurrection is indeed a miracle and I love Easter and all it represents. We have been discussing the upcoming General Conference and saying that the principles we have been taught in the past will again be discussed and we will be reminded what we need to be doing. With all of the turmoil in the world, I am so greatful that we have a prophet on this earth to guide us and tell us of the things we need to be doing. We are indeed blessed and no matter what comes our way, we can be led by the hand and given answers to our prayers. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ knows each of us individually and cares about us and loves us no matter who we are or what we have done. That is such a comfort to me. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true!

So Much for Being Organized and Detail-Oriented

I purposely set out last night on my blog to tell everyone how much I love my husband and what a good man he is...and that is the only thing I didn't write! After 32 years together I have grown to appreciate and love him more than I ever thought possible. Here are the reasons why:

1. He said when we were first married that we may always be poor as to the things of the world, but he would always make me laugh. He has definitely fulfilled that promise! He has such a great sense of humor and is always saying something that brings on a smile, a groan, or a full on laugh-out-loud reaction!

2. He is always very thoughtful and caring. He still remembers people's birthdays (and if they live nearby he supplements that wish with ice cream) and keeps in touch with people that have touched our lives years and years ago.

3. He does little things for me that mean a lot...like making the bed in the morning when I have to go to work...or sometimes even when I don't. He brings me candy (dark chocolate to be exact) for no reason. He calls me from work at least once a day to see how I am doing and volunteers to help me with my church calling when I need help. He often helps with the dishes and doesn't expect a meal on the table every night; sometimes coming home from work early and taking me out to eat so I don't have to cook.

4. He is neat and clean and I very seldom have to clean up after him. I don't even have to turn his shirts and socks right-side-out when I do the laundry! Thanks Barbara! His mother taught him well!

5. Most of all he is a good man, with strong ethics, honest to a fault, and honors his Priesthood and all of the covenants he has made. He takes his responsibilities seriously and works hard to do what is right. He is a wonderful companion and my true soulmate. This all sounds mushy but it is all true. I love you honey! Happy Anniversary!

Anniversaries and Excitement!

Here it is...Wednesday night...9:30pm...and our 32nd Wedding Anniversary! I am sitting on the computer and fixing my blog background...how sad is that! We decided to go out and celebrate on Friday night when we had more time and didn't have to work the next morning. It has been a really different week so far. A little surreal and yet very sobering. Yesterday I went to Dana Park (an upscale shopping mall) with Carolyn, Christie and Peggy and we spent the day shopping, wandering through the stores and eating lunch at CPK. None of us bought much since most of the things we looked at were way out of our price range. It was fun to just get out and get away from the everyday work and chores at home. Today I worked all day and Travis took me to dinner tonight at a little Mexican resturant. Then we came home and settled in for the night.

Yesterday, we found out that Dane, Marlene's husband, just lost his job. I was just sick and my heart went up into my throat, as I worried, as only a mother can. My prayers are with them as they try and figure out their next move. I truly hope they are one of the lucky ones and can weather this recession storm. I am so angry that this recession was allowed to happen in the first place, because it was totally avoidable...but don't get me started.

I am so grateful that we have jobs and are working at this point. I have started to do the Hallmark cards at Walgreen's now. At first I thought I would not like the job, but I actually enjoy it. I think I am good at it because it takes someone very organized and detail oriented. That would be me!

We are going to Hawaii again in May and I have been trying to lose weight, which apparently isn't supposed to happen. I have lost 10 pounds and have arrived at my regular stay-right-there plateau! This is my weight and I am sticking to it!

I am getting excited for Easter and looking forward to having the family together again. I sure wish Marlene didn't live so far away. Susannah will be home from college for the summer and I am really looking forward to having her home again. James has decided to stay in Utah and find a job there. I sure hope he can find something! I am afraid Susannah is going to have to be mighty creative this summer. There isn't much available here in Maricopa!

Background

Tried the background thing again and I still can't get it to work! I follow all of the directions I can find and it is still way too small! Another hour shot! You'd think I would learn to leave well enough alone! I guess I will try again tomorrow! I AM going to figure this out!