A Mexican Dish is all we wish!

We finally stumbled upon a Mexican food restaurant here in Salt Lake City that is “almost” as good as the Mexican food we are used to in Arizona. 

It is always fun to drive to Salt Lake and pick Daddy up from work and take him out for lunch.  Now that work is only about 15 minutes away, we can get there more often when the kids have breaks from school.  The Red Iguana Restaurant is close to his work so we thought we’d give this place a try.  It’s one of those places that you’d never stop at had it not come recommended.  Our expectations were not super high, but this place did not disappoint.  It was actually really good. 

It’s always crowded on weeknights.  In fact, we tried it on a Friday evening in August and the wait was nearly an hour.  We left.

The kids voted that this place is on the “keeper” list. 

What tomorrow holds

My mom has Alzheimer’s Disease.

I don’t like it.

At first the Alzheimer’s seemed to come on really slow but now it is progressing rapidly.  She had a seizure a few weeks ago that sent her to the hospital.  We have learned that seizures are a side affect of the disease.

Mom can no longer do the simplest of tasks.  She needs help with everything and she cannot be left alone.  It is so hard to watch this happen. 

I called her today, she asked me if I have always lived in Salt Lake or if I just moved here.  But, she remembered I was coming to visit soon:) 

Why, oh why must we go through such terrible things?

I found this poem, it fits mom perfectly.

Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand.

Blessed are they who know my ears today
Must strain to hear the things they say.

Blessed are they who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my answers slow.

Blessed are they who look away
When my drink was spilled at the table today.

Blessed are they who with a cheery smile
Will stop to chat for a little while.

Blessed are they who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today.”

Blessed are they who know my ways
And bring back memories of yesterdays.

Blessed are they who ease the days
And care for me in loving ways.

Blessed are they who make it known
I’m loved, respected and not alone.

I am very lucky to have such a wonderful mother. She really was one of those “best” mothers.  I have loved every minute of being her daughter.  As I was being raised, I was never once embarrassed by her, rather, I always wanted her around.  

It seems just like yesterday when:

-she came and got me at school because I left my bed unmade

-she curled my hair on Saturday night with pink sponge rollers that I had to sleep in

-she let the cast of my high school play have a party at our house and she never let us run out of nachos.

- she would ballet into my bedroom in the morning singing “Good Morning Mary Sunshine”, her hands raised over her head like a ballerina

-  she let me keep my best buddy, Pierre, a curly, white, fluffy poodle that my friend gave me

- she planned the best wedding reception a girl could ever hope for!

(I could go on and on)

Just remember no one knows what today may bring or tomorrow holds

Love you mom.

(see you soon)

Another Fall drive

Mount Timpanogos

This was our view from the Alpine Loop scenic byway.

We just can’t get enough of this nice Fall weather.

Some say it’s a glacier on Mount Timpanogos, some don’t believe.   Some say it’s just snow pack.  Some say it’s snow pack but there is definitely a glacier way down deep.  We refer to it as a glacier and it’s on the back side of Mount Timpanogos. 

Last Saturday we drove the scenic Alpine Loop.  We started up Provo Canyon,  passed by Sundance and BYU’s Aspen Grove.  It’s just so beautiful at this time of the year with the nice cool air, a slight breeze, the sounds of water, leaves rustling in the wind and the smell of campfires. 

A friend told us we had to visit Cascade Springs which is located off the loop about 7 miles.  What a fun place. 

The water is so clear you can see through to the bottom.

Paved paths and bridges take you through the springs.

Little Mister found a “willy worm” 

Hi!

We also stopped at Timpanogos Cave National Monument.  We didn’t plan enough time for the hike to the cave that day, they were sold out of tickets anyway.  They are now closed for the season so we’ll go next year. 

It’s fall

…and the leaves are turning!  So we decided to take a drive up the canyon last week…which is so close to our house.  Through our kitchen window we look directly out at Little Cottonwood Canyon but had never taken the drive.  It’s beautiful.  Little Cottonwood Canyon leads directly to Snowbird and Alta Ski resorts.  It’s a climb to about a 10,000 foot elevation.  Our house is at about 4400 feet.  (Little Mister RARELY looks at the camera…he just can’t help it!  It’s aggravating:)

20 minutes and 20 degrees cooler!

The week after our drive up the canyon, the weather turned colder and now these mountain tops are covered with snow.

The skiers will be here soon.

But, today was a nice 71 degrees down in the valley. part of Alta Ski Resort

It was a fun drive…but we have lots more canyons to get to.  One of these days! 

When we got home from the canyon, Charlie, our landlord invited us to go feed the ducks at a special location he knew about.  The kids were thrilled!   There are hundreds of ducks.  It’s fun to watch them fight over the bread.  They bite each other’s tail feathers and quack so loud like they are yelling at each other!  This place is quite the attraction. 

I’m sure we will be going back.

Quack!

That rhymed.

ha

The gift of forgiveness

Life is a study in forgiveness.  No one gets through life without needing to forgive.  And no one escapes the need to be forgiven.  Perhaps the central test of character, forgiveness brings out the best in us.  It leads us beyond our own pain and suffering and helps us feel God’s love. Ironically, we help ourselves in the most profound way when we give the gift of forgiveness to others. 

Charlotte Bronte’s literary classic, Jane Eyre addresses the theme of forgiveness so well.  Young Jane, orphaned and sent to live with a spiteful aunt, endures years of neglect and cruelty as a child.  When Jane is old enough, her aunt sends her away to a substandard boarding school, where she again is mistreated.  But Jane learns a vital lesson from Helen, a dear friend there.  Helen explains to Jane one of life’s great secrets:  Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs,”  Helen teaches Jane to forgive: to forget wrongs, to love enemies, to “bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…and despitefully use you. 

Jane’s life is different ever after.  It doesn’t necessarily become easier – Jane still has to endure injustices, hardships and betrayals – but she is better prepared for all these things because she has learned not to hold on to grudges and ill feelings.  She frees her soul from anger, bitterness and revenge.  In fact, Jane even returns to her malicious aunt and attends to her during her dying days.  Ultimately, Jane finds true joy – and even true love – because she learned to forgive. 

And so can we.  It may be the hardest work we ever do, but it is also the most rewarding.  Resolve now to let an old grudge go.  Decide in advance to forgive any future offense that may come.  Determine never to let a mistake get in the way of a meaningful relationship.  As the 18th century British poet Alexander Pope wrote, “To err is human, to forgive, divine.”

By Lloyd D. Newell

Music and the Spoken Word

October 2, 2011

As I listened to Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday, I could not help but feel the power and truth in the words spoken on forgiveness.  I loved this message and wish everyone could have heard it along with the beautiful music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.