letter from Savaii

Here is a tid bit of a letter I received from my mom, while serving a mission with my Dad in Savii, Western Samoa.
The things we have and the way we live!!!
Gratitude is not enough.

------------------
Dear Family,

We are enjoying the dry season now. It only rains once a day or so. In fact we miss the cooling effect the rain offers. When it rains the heat diminishes for a few blessed minutes. I’m sure Dace, Laurie and Dusk understand what I’m flappin my lips about. Today we had an earthquake. It was just a little shaker, but both Dad and I headed for the door of our office. I wasn’t about to be smashed in this old school. It didn’t take but just a few minutes until we were back at work because it wasn’t very big.

Tomorrow I am doing the work meeting for our ward. They wanted me to teach them how to cook something. I decided I would try to come up with a dish they could actually make in their fales. Very few of the families in our ward have stoves, refrigeration, or running water, so I decided to show them how to make chicken soup. If they have a pot they can make it over the fire.

We take so much for granted. They don’t have potato peelers, but then who needs a peeler when few can actually afford to buy potatoes. Their life sustaining product is taro, bread fruit and fruits and vegetables they grown in their own gardens. They eat a lot of mutton ribs, chicken drumsticks and corn beef. Span is very expensive here, about $6.00 US a can, so not many people can afford it.

Many people on the island go hungry. There are students here at the school without food. Every day I watch a bunch of kids that hide out so the others won’t see them. They are ashamed to be seen without a few tala to buy at least something. Dad devised a little plan with the principal to help a few students get a bite to eat at the local campus tuck shop, cook shack. It’s like throwing the starfish back into the ocean, we do what we can.
Think about camping outside in a tent everyday of your life with the rain pouring down. All your bedding is wet and you have no way to wash your few items of clothing or your body unless you have a bucket to save the rain water. It is impossible for us to understand the circumstances of the people in Samoa. They say the wind is the worst because when it blows the rain into the fales it never dries out for the duration of the rainy season, which is several months.
We are very blessed in this little village. Most all the teachers and Dad and I have nice houses, running water and electric. Dad and I have food on our table and clothes on our backs and we are thankful for this experience.

I hope we never have to return to life the way it used to be, without the basics of survival, but just in case times get hard we should do our best to learn some basic survival skills.

I am so impressed with the people here. They are happy, they sing all day long, they live without many things, but they don’t know anything different, so life is okay. Really, the only thing any of us have to do is to work our way back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. The Saints here in Samoa can do that as well as the Saints in any part of the world. We need to remember that righteousness doesn’t require massive riches, but simply a contrite spirit and a humble heart, and they have both here in Savaii.

I love all of you and hope you have a great day! Mom

Weekend for ME!

This past weekend turned out to be super busy, super enjoyable and super therapeutic.

Saturday started at 515am...

I got ready and headed out of the house to catch my ride by 530am. MissEmily picked me up and off we went to Catalina State Park for our 5.2 trail run. We had been keeping up on the weather over the past few days. It went from 70 to 64 and small chance of rain to 54 and better chance of rain...to 35, windy and high chance of rain. We arrived to wind and cold...I was excited to get started and to get warm.

The wind concerned me a bit...but what can you Do? So, we got in line and stretched out and awaited our mark.
The 10 miler started and then it was our turn...I looked up and realized there was no wind! Just like that..it had died down to nothing. I thought of the prayer I had said that morning and thanked Heavenly Father for being so thoughtful. Then it was our turn...and we were off.
At about .5 mile the rain came and didn't stop till we were finished with the run,  in the shuttle heading back to our car. At times it was heavy and then at others there was just drizzle. The trail was awesome and so so Beautiful! What a way to run...distracted by Mother Nature and all her glory. Just beautiful. The race was difficult at times..with its 2 flights of stairs totaling 140 in all. But..I have to say...it was so much fun and I learned so much about myself and my fellow running buddy. GOTTA love Miss Emily A.
Can NOT wait to do it again!
Oh and yummy bfast and smoothies were served afterwards. (just what the mother ordered)

I got home ( freezing and soaked through) at 10 am, changed and left with thee older 4 kids off to a  Primary activity from 10-11.
Back home we went to throw dishes and clothes in the washer for some quick chores, fed the kids and then out again I go at 2 pm back to the church for a girls camp certification dinner from 3-7pm.

I arrived home at 720 to an empty home. Sat down with a bowl full of brown betty a dollop of whipping cream and watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" for 20 minutes til then family showed up.

I made my way to bed at 10pm and Passed Out!

6:20am came quickly for Sunday preparations for our 8 am church block. Out of church at 11am and home to await our dear friends the " Bryces". They show up, we eat, the kids play and the 4 of us adults start in on our therapy session.
We talk about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. We (Harmonious and I) moved our conversation from the living room to the garage to the side of a bathing child to the kitchen (of course) to the loft and then finishing it off at the park down the road.
We had many break through (husbands and wives). I have to say..it's SO nice when you can be real around a couple that know that they are going to love you anyway.

We miss the Bryces and can't wait till our next visit!

Hope it's sooner than..well you know!

Gourmet Fancy Food

Maybe not the kind you were thinking of.

I thought this was pretty comical.
While at the local 99 cent store I came across the "Gourmet Fancy Food" aisle.

Ooohhhh Fancy!

RIP Ladybugs

The other day we went for a walk and came across all theses ladybugs....it was fun!
The kids had a ball looking through the thick, tall grass for these little buggers.
Unfortunately while looking and stepping and crawling...I am sure many lost their lives due to us not being too careful in the pursuit. Poor lil guys.

read this

Just finished an amazing book..."Ultra Marathon Man" by Dean Karnezes. I say anyone that wants to be inspired and realize how strong you really are...READ THIS! Its wonderful.
I learned so much and loved all the quotes and the story.
go get this book from your library TODAY!

book lover here!

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

~Paul Sweeney

Books...I am a lover of a good book.
I have been overwhelmed in good books lately.
For Christmas this past year, my lover gave me an e-reader and it's occupied my time, wisely!
I am loving it. I carry it around with me everywhere. It's just like the quote says, when I have it with me, it's like my friend is always there. strange huh?

Well...here are my past 5 books read:
The Hunger Games Trilogy
The Help
Sisters of the Quilt Trilogy
Lost Symbol
Ford County

Here are a few I am currently reading:
The five Languages of Love
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The UltraMarathon Man

And 5 on my wish list:
A Reliable Wife
Sherlock Holmes, volume 1
These is my words
Maze Runner
Uncle Tom's Cabin

If you can suggest a few good ones...please let me know!

I need that!

Shelby would be so mad at me if she knew I was jotting this down....but I couldn't let another day pass with out posting it for my memories sake.

My little Shelby has the hardest time concentrating on her work when she gets home. There are just way to many distraction...TV, Music, snacks, toys, bikes, trampoline..whatever!

I have had numerous conversation with her about just settling in and concentrating. I have been setting the timer lately for her to complete her work in the time allowed. It seems to work..if the consequence is something extreme to her...like...not playing outside for that afternoon or the next 2 days or a week. So...we have been learning how to help her focus.

Just the other day i made a quick trip to Costco and came home with a super concentrated JUG of fruit punch. The kids were asking me what it was and I said "it's a highly concentrated jug of syrup that we can make into punch". About an hour later, while sitting at the table doing her homework, I heard lil miss Shelby say "Concentrating Juice, Yeah...I need that."
 I just had to crack up. She's a funny little gal.

Extra extra things to do.

We just added a few more things to our calendar for the next few months.
Take a look.

The girls started Track with a team called "Sahuarita Speed". They are learning a great deal about running, posture, and endurance. I am very proud of both of them...the coaches aren't playing around.
Example of their practise:
They line up on the starting line for a 100 yd dash. They sprint that and then walk briskly around the turn and then line up for the other side of the tracks 100 yd dash again. Back and forth and back and forth till they have ran 8 - 100 yd dashes and walked 8 - 100 yd dashes. The next practise they do 2-100 yard dashes then 2-200 yard dashes, then 2 more 100 yard dashes...this is after of course a 20 minute warm-up.
They work really hard and have done so well! I am so proud of them.

Mr. Carter just started coach pitch baseball. He has a great time and does really well. The coach will pitch about 10 to 12 pitches and then if the player hasn't hit it once...they are done. Mr. Cedar hits the ball pretty far on the first or second pitch. He is learning about grounding the ball, throwing the ball and of course hitting the ball. He's a little stud and I am super proud of him as well!

give me strength-update!

To update on my nuttiness from my bad running day extravaganza..


I ran 3 miles a few days later. I felt clear headed, enjoyed the sun on my face, enjoyed the fresh air, enjoyed my body in motion, enjoyed my tunes in my ears, enjoyed being distraction less, enjoyed my little boy sleeping in the jogger I was pushing, enjoyed the outside....and it was good!

I have to admit my mind was playing tricks on me, however I ran a conversation through my head that I had with my sister on that dreadful day of my last little bout with my head being so cloudy.
Our conversation was about my mind and my head fighting and how one is so strong at being weak and how it just wasn't right. She reminded me of a piece of the puzzle that I was missing and ignoring....

the Spirit part of all of me!
duh!
The strongest, most grounded, most reliable part of my being. The Part that I can always count on.
How did I forget that?

Anyhow,...It was a enjoyable run.
*good job, you!

The other night I was watching The Biggest Loser and was listening to this lady talk about walls that she has put up for herself. I knew exactly what she was referring to. I didn't have these walls about 4 months ago....before I started running. Now..I fear certain things. It's crazy. How did this happen?

Well, me and my sisters have been talking about running a half marathon...this one to be exact.. So the other night I registered myself and am dedicated to getter done! A Few years back me and my sisters did this....so I think this will be another great experience and adventure!
THEN...I registered for this run. I am breaking down those walls of fear that I have created for myself.

*good job, you!

Spring Breakation

We had all these grand plans to go straight to s. Utah for Spring Break and hike and hug our brains out. As Washington County Schools break was the same time as ours....which never happens. But with gas prices high and the checkbook low we decided to stay home this year and see how many things we could do for nearly free. Here is our list.

Monday: we woke up had bfast, pack all the kids in the car and head to our weekly vball games at the church. Afterwards we run a few errands and then head home to clean the house. Around 2:30 we went Swimming for a few hours..which is then followed by Baseball Practise for Carter and Track Practise for the girls. We reunite back at home at 7:30pm for a quick dinner and to catch our breath.
Monday night: My SIL and her 4 kids arrived late but ready to party on Tuesday.

Tuesday: Big Breakfast with yummy waffles, fried eggs and stuffed french toast. So good.
11:00ish - After bfast we all got ready and headed to the pool just down the road, that is NOT heated. The kids and I had ventured out earlier the week before and realized there was NO way we were going to dip into that ice pond. But...on this day we gave it another try and my niece didn't have any problem taking the plunge in the pool. She was so brave and daring...and COLD!
This pool was so cold that when I put my legs in up to my knees they went numb in a matter of a few seconds. BRRRR......
My children finally started pushing each other in and me bribing them with an ice cream cone...if they would only jump in. They would go back and forth from the jacuzzi to the icy cold pool.
Plus: they had a blast

Minus: I think Creed got sick from the back and forth deal. NOT COOL. *NOTE to self: Auntie Ruth did a cannonball jump into the pool only to find her breath was forced out by the tempature of the water.
12:30ish - Lunch at my home and my SIL were able to just sit and chat while the kids played.
3:00ish - Off to Costco and the Orange Leaf (self serve yogurt). We had never been to a place quite like this...it was nearly hazardous to my wallet. Luckily my SIL had bought us a Groupon for the joint and so we only paid $4.50 for all of us. AND...it was so good.! Thanks ruth.
6:00pm - We headed home and the Family from Mesa went their way.
We had such a wonderful time with one of the other Hallows families.
come back soon!

Wednesday: We all woke to a nagging mom to clean the house and then we went Swimming with the Chapples for a few hrs....Note to Self: Be-Utiful weather!!!
6:30 pm - Adult co-ed soccer at anamax. Luke and I have so much fun. Neither one of us have played before and we're obviously not the best...but we have a good time trying and rubbing shoulders with our team.

Thursday: Luke took half the day off so we could hit another self-serve yogurt shop, which wasn't even close to being good. NOTE to self: Yogurt city...boo!
We headed to the Budget movie Theatre to enjoy Tangled. We of course eat our weight in salty, budget theatre popcorn and leave with a fluffy belly. We make it home just in time to put the boys to bed and for me and the girls to run to the newly opened Ross a few miles down the rd.

Friday: Because I was super onery and hormonal..Luke decided to take all the kids to Arivaca and let them ride the horses for the morning so I could do what I wanted, which should of been SLEEP. But, it being Friday, my morning consisted of vball, running to the post office, the store for some JELLO & then back home for some much needed cleaning before our guest arrived for the wkend.
The family returned around 3:00pm while I was still cleaning the house and preparing to make a strawberry jello salad for a party we were to attend in a few hours.
4:30ish - Tyler & Amy Twiggs arrive for a blissful weekend that was suppose to be going to a big bday party for a family in our ward...but ended up to be a 5 hour phone call to the computer company to clean my computer of virus's. (another post is needed for this darn story).
5:30 came and went and we were late for our party...so Luke & Tyler prepared some of the yummiest Slaw-Dogs you ever tasted along with chips and jello salad.
9:00 -  stayed up late visiting, reminiscing and laughing with Tyler and Amy. What a fun fun couple!

Saturday - Breakfast of champions..regular waffles, stuffed (peanut butter/banana) french toast waffle, fried eggs and of course lots of cool whip on top.
10:00am - Madera Canyon was calling our name for a quick & easy little hike. we tried hard to find wild life but only came up with 5 little monkeys that looked alot like Luke and I. Beautiful Weather, by the way!!
1:00pm - the adults headed to a matinee movie (Red Riding Hood)...which you should all avoid watching!!
5:00pm - Luke, Tyler and Memphis fed the missionaries and watched the Jimmer take state...while me, amy and the other 4 ninos went on a promised swimming adventure to the heated pool.

7:00pm - Kids get fed and settled and the adults head to Agave,  just down the rd,  for a very nice & delicious dinner. Again....such a good time spent with a great couple. Thanks Dr. T for dinner!!
8:30pm - kids in bed and the visiting begins.
11:30pm - off to bed for everyone, except me...I crawl in the closet and finish my book that has taken me way to long to read.

Sunday - muffins and juice for bfast and off to an 8am Sacrament. Which I missed the Stake Representative presenting me to the ward for my new calling of "Assistant Stake Girls Camp Director".
NOTE to Self: Luke has a new calling as well. "Ward Mission Leader". Great calling for him, lots of extra things. Lots of opportunities to have the Missionaries in our home.
After Sacrament, Tyler and Amy head home and we all go to our various callings..I am in the Nursery with 12 little 2-3 year olds, eating goldfish, round and square crackers, reading books, singing songs, putting on sock and shoes & loving it.
11:30am - CRASH in my bed...church dress and all!
4:00pm - Dinner at the table with my wonderful family.
8:30 pm - BEDTIME!
I love my little family so darn much and had such a blast this spring break.
As much as I wanted to go home to Utah...we had a great time just staying here.
*NOTE to self: Try and get some sleep!

give me strength!

Today was a rough day for me.
Not the entire day just from about noon to 3:00pm. I had taken all the kids to our traditional Monday morning volleyball game at the church and had a great time. Not much exercise but always a ball with those ladies. Once I ran a few errands and got home I decided I would go for a quick 3 miles run while the baby was sleeping. Prepared myself by getting my ipod, sunglasses and hat and then telling the kids I'd be right back.
Before I had stepped out the front door my mind had changed and it was going to be a questionable 3 miles...maybe only 2, because the kids were here by themselves and yada yada yada, excuse excuse excuse. I got outside with my hat that from the get go was annoying me for some reason and then I realized I hated the bra I was wearing and again, any excuse or reason to not have to run the initial 3 miles I had set out to do, was crossing my mind.
I got on the road and my sweet daughter yelled out the window..."bye mom, see you later". I then vocalized to her "oh, I am only going 2 miles, so I will be back sooner". I knew at that point this was going to be an interesting run.
You see...My mind has two brains. The strong, determined and "you can do it" side and then the "oh hell rennie..go home and take a load off, today isn't your day to run or be awake" side.
My goodness...the weak side is SO strong and it makes me ANGER. Maybe I am a multi-personality person. In my mind I know I can do things. I know I am strong. I know I can do what I want to do or need to do. Then that weak side will stomp right on the face of the strong side and mush it into teeny tiny pieces. IT'S a flippin joke.
Today...I got my first mile in and just barely made the turn to continue to the next mile before my weak side took me back home. I ran the next .5 mile and could tell I was so in my head. I was getting mad and then it was wearing on me. I was distracted by everything and so ticked. At one point after stopping to walk I just stopped my feet all together and had an argument in my head between the two sides.
YEP...I am nuts!
I was determined to finish this dang 2 miles strong and running. Which I did...(but nearly died.)
I was so mad and frustrated and disappointed in myself, because I had gone farther and felt like a million bucks.
I couldn't believe I allowed my mind to be that strong when being weak.
I walked through my front door, threw my shoes off, threw my ipod in the cabinet, marched straight to the shower (huffing and puffing and pouting) and turned it on straight COLD. I couldn't believe that was so HARD. What is my deal.
I try to look in the mirror and see beyond my face. What is in there? Who is this person staring back at me?  I see this 35 year old face but the inside is just as young as a 25 year old. But I am NOT 25. So who is this person REALLY. I accept my age, I accept my body...but they seem like two different people. I could hardly look at myself today..so anger with just letting my mind close my body down...just because it was tired.
What is it that makes people tick to drive them to run marathons, or iron mans or just say no to junk food? What is it that allows their minds to just get outside their bodies and push through? I want that!!
I want to not have the constant fight in my head about wanting to eat something, knowing it's going to undo everything I just did and then just eat it in spite of myself. Seriously...I think I am crazy.
I want to just have that desire to push through. I felt like I was gaining it over the past few months. I was feeling so proud of myself with going longer distances or shortening my time or just simply enjoying running in a straight line. But today, well today just pissed me off.
NOW...what am I going to do with this.? This will be the real test for me. Am I going to stop and pout? Am I going to let this sucky day get the best of me? I want to say NO!
I have talked to a few very wise people after my mental breakdown today and I figured.
I HAVE to keep moving.

pray for this nuts-oh

Not the Temple...but a close second!

There is a place on this earth that makes my heart full.
It heals my insides and makes me feel HOME.

When I think of it...my heart gets butterflies in it, my tummy starts to do flips and I get antsy to BE THERE! My brain turns selfish a bit and I think...I don't care who goes with me...I just want to go. When I get it in my mind that I am going...either you re on board or not...but I gotta get there.
Infact, writing this post today...makes me teary eyed to be THERE! I must be homesick, slightly.
It's a place anyone can go.
It's a place that God created for us.
It's a place I could be all by myself and not feel lonely.
However, with all this said...I love love love to share it with people that haven't experienced it before, and of course I love to go with people that appreciate it as much as I do. Lastly...I love that my children love to go there.
Here are a few photos of our last few trips to my Heaven on Earth.
I hope my next trip to Utah has a few visits to this wonderful, healing, amazing place.

Who's with me?


2010 with Mom & Parkinsons




2008 with Robbie and the kids




2007 with my Parents and Lainie
early morning hike



I LOVE Zion