My Next Career....Storm Chaser!

What happens in the South in the springtime when the air is warm and a storm is in the forecast?

TORNADOES!!

For the second time this week, we've had to seek shelter. The first time was last Saturday when Penni and Rick were here. We took Bob's brother Rick to the airport on Saturday morning and then headed to downtown Nashville for a fun-filled day. We toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, walked to Demos' for lunch, and then headed back home. The weather had been GREAT all day. It was a bit windy, but other than that it was a perfect day to be downtown.

When we got home, Penni and I decided to go to town and rent a movie. As we were driving down our street, I heard something. I thought maybe it was the radio, so I turned it up. It wasn't the radio. Just then, my cell phone rang and it was Bob telling us we may want to turn around and come home because we were under a tornado warning. It was then I cracked the window of the car and heard the eerie sound of the tornado sirens in the air. It was sunny outside and looked like we might get some rain, but didn't look that serious. Then I looked to the West and saw this big black cloud moving our direction. Needless to say, we headed home.

We turned the television on and watched them tracking the storm as it was moving our way. We thought that was pretty interesting, but not nearly as interesting as watching the clouds converge from the vantage point of the front porch. Isn't that what you're suppose to do when the sirens are blaring and the clouds are mixing it up in the sky? I mean, how can you take your eyes off of it? Seriously, I think Penni and I could be storm chasers! We finally relented and went downstairs to our "safe place", and did so only after Rick told us it wasn't some little spouts we were looking for, it was THE WHOLE SKY! So off to the basement we went. Thankfully, we had enough light (thanks to the other Rick) and a ping pong table to keep us occupied for the short time we stayed down there. Penni and Rick were able to get the full Nashville experience....country music, barbecue, and tornado warnings!

The second time we had to seek cover was today. Our flight was scheduled to leave Nashville at 5:15. We left home, drove through torrential rain and lightening, parked the car, checked our luggage, and stood in line to go through security. As we were standing there, they suddenly closed everything down, had everyone stand against a wall. Then they led us all to a secure hallway away from any windows. You know the door that says no unauthorized personnel? That one! We were under another tornado warning! We stood there for about 15 minutes before we were allowed to go through security and to our gates. When we got to our gate, we found the flight had been delayed until 6:40. That would have been fine, but we would definitely miss our connection in Chicago. Only problem....no seats on ANY OTHER FLIGHTS! Even if we got there tonight and put ourselves up in a hotel (they don't pay for anything if it's weather related) there were no seats on any flights to Salt Lake City on ANY airlines leaving Chicago in the morning.

You know you've got a real dilemma when the girl at the desk has that "deer in the headlights" kind of look and looks at you and asks..."What do you want me to do?" Uh.....GET US ON ANYTHING THAT WILL TAKE US TO OUR DESTINATION!!! I think she wanted us to say "Oh, that's OK, we'll just go some other time...have a nice day!" We have learned from experience that it is better to just keep cool and keep trying ANYTHING! This, unlike the guy next to us trying to do the same thing. I guess while I was gone and waiting in line at the Southwest counter to see if they had anything at all available to get us to Salt Lake, he started losing his cool, left the counter, and left "cool-hand-Luke" (Bob) with the flustered girl at the counter who finally exhausted all efforts and found the only two seats available for 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. If you're ever in this situation and see Mr. Cool standing next to you....DO NOT LEAVE THE COUNTER! This is the guy that can get you first class seats when you miss your connecting flight and sweet talk the girl on the other end of the phone when everyone else is yelling at her.

When Bob called me and told me to come back because the girl had found something for us, I didn't know about this other guy and how upset he was with this girl for giving US the seats. It must have really rubbed salt in the wound when I returned and told the girl she was a miracle worker and thanked her over and over. I didn't even notice this guy seething next to us. Hmmmmm, I wonder if he's going to conference too. I'd sure hate to ruin his entire weekend for him by saying hello and reminding him where he has seen me before! Guess he'd better work on that little attitude of his now shouldn't he!

We're Wired!

Bob's brother flew in last Thursday night to help us get the electrical work done in our basement. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I mean, how many brothers would fly clear across the country to work? Even more than that...how many wives would allow their husbands to do this on their anniversary? Thanks Connie! We owe you big time!

The two of them worked feverishly for a day and a half to complete the job. Now we have plenty of lights, plenty of outlets, and plenty of switches to turn everything on and off. We're even wired for surround sound for that much needed fourth big screen TV.

If you'll remember, Bob (the builder) LOVES projects...especially when it involves a trip to Home Depot. And...although no wood was involved in this project, the rush of adrenaline produced by electrical wiring tools and supplies delivered the same effect. The difference this time was that he had his brother guiding him through, thus eliminating the overwhelming impulse to buy all the tools and extra items that seem so all-fired important when you are under the influence of the "smell" inside the Depot. Of course, they are brothers....maybe it's genetic!

Thanks Rick!

Meet Michael's Lucky Charm

Meet Anne!

She's the girl who has swept our Michael off his feet, and said YES when he proposed to her on St. Patrick's Day! He will tell you that it was definitely the luckiest day in his life!

She loves to have fun!

She's talented!



She's determined, smart, and strong!



She's beautiful!



We can't wait to meet her! We love her already! She'll always be our lucky charm!

Happy Birthday My 24 Year Old Baby Boy

Dear Michael,


Twenty four years ago you made your much anticipated entrance into this world. The announcement of your upcoming arrival was a neighborhood event. When one of our neighbors found out you were on the way, she adorned our front yard with five Styrofoam snowmen...a mom, a dad, two children, and a baby. It didn't take long for word to spread. Everyone was excited with us. We had waited a long time for you!

My doctor wanted to make sure you were a boy and said if I took the blue prenatal vitamins he prescribed that you would be. They worked! We drove home with a bundle wrapped in blue, and soon afterward our home was transformed from having everything pink and frilly to having an equal amount of everything "boy".

You have always been very determined and have long been making your own decisions. I always knew if you decided to do something, it would get done. The trick was getting you to think something was your idea.

Honestly though, I think you knew how to do this to me better than I did to you. I mean, what mother in her right mind would share her ATM card with her teenage son? Oh, and also her Chevron card. I remember you saying to me that I might as well give it to you and save myself a trip to the ATM for that twenty bucks you'd need again in a few days! It was much easier for you to go to the ATM than it was for me to leave work to go there. Makes sense no? As a matter of fact....where is my Chevron card?

Trust. It's a simple word, but such an important one. I knew I could trust you. Evidently others felt the same way. I remember one of the mom's in high school saying she was always comfortable and never worried when her daughter was out with you. I knew I didn't have to worry either. You made the teenage boy years pretty fun. That's probably the reason you got off so lightly when you drove the Civic into the ground playing Michael Andretti on Skyline Drive in Fullerton. Seriously, new brakes after only 8,000 miles? Did you really think we'd believe your innocent eyes and cockamamie story about Keaton and the emergency brake? Well, maybe me, but Dad? Seriously!

Speaking of fun...I remember getting in your car and moving some hats so I could put my feet on the floor and then opening the glove compartment and finding a bunch of my old sunglasses. I think there were some old Blue blockers and some big 80's style sunglasses in there. When I asked you what you were doing with all these in your car, you told me that whoever rode in your passenger seat had to wear the hat and glasses that went best with the music choice for the day. I can still picture in my mind poor Whitney having to wear sunglasses and a straw hat on her way to early morning seminary.

It's no wonder you have so many friends. You truly care about people. You demonstrated this quality at a very young age. I received a phone call from a mother one afternoon asking if you could come over and play with her son. She then began to express to me how thankful she was for you because you had been so nice to her son who had been struggling at school. Other kids made fun of him, but you were nice to him. You were his friend.

You love all people. I remember waking up in the hotel room in Honduras and you opened the curtains wide and exclaimed, "Don't you love my city?" Then as we drove to the distant places you had lived and served, I could see how much you really cared. You were hesitant to leave them and continued to worry about their well being long after you left.

You've managed to put a lot of life into your short 24 years. Thank you for the happy times!

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for letting me be your mom. Happy Birthday to you my 24 year old baby boy! I love you!



Mom

Happy Birthday Bobby

Nothing you could say

Could tear me away from my guy (my guy)

Nothing you could do'cause I'm stuck like glue to my guy

I'm sticking to my guy like a stamp to a letter

Like birds of a feather

We stick together

I'm telling you from the start

I can't be torn apart from my guy

A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you when you forget the words. I know you'll always be there to remember if I ever forget! Happy Happy Birthday!

Luke Turns Five!

Here it is March 1 and our cute, handsome, adorable, and lovable Luke is having his 5th birthday today. Where have these 5 years gone? As grandparents we think of what Jacob from the Book of Mormon taught when he said: ". . . by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream . . ." (Jacob 7:26). Luke's 5 years have gone by so quickly it seems like it has been a dream. This young man has touched our lives in so many ways, we just can't imagine life without him in it! What a joy it has been to watch him grow up! We're sure glad his mom has a blog so we can see pictures and hear about all the fun things he is doing. So what are some of the things we know about Luke?

We know he loves his family. Luke always worries about Taylor, Blake, and his parents. He has very tender and kind feelings for everyone, and yet, he also knows how to teach his younger brother the fine art of wrestling, and playing bad guys. Yes, recently we found out this is a favorite game the boys like playing together. He's all boy, but has a very soft spot for his big sister Taylor. He'd probably do just about anything for her.

We know Luke is passionate about the things he likes. When he was in preschool in San Diego, the teachers had to ban Transformers from school because they became a distraction. (I can just imagine.) In an act of solidarity, Luke and his little 3 year old rebel friends congregated on the playground in a circle to sing the transformer song together. They would stomp their right feet and sing "Transformers....more than meets the eye!" I'm sure they really felt like they were getting away with something. He still loves Transformers, but lately he's had to balance his love for Transformers with his love for music. High School Musical music that is. Yes, he can sing along with High School Musical with the best of them.

We also know that Luke is very inquisitive. He asks lots of questions. He'll ask a question and then answer it with a "right Grandpa?" or "right mom?" or "right (fill in the name of whoever he is asking the question of)?"

Whatever you are doing, Luke wants to be in the thick of it. He wants to be grown up so he can play the games his mom and dad play with their friends.

A funny saying we remember is when Luke was in preschool in California. He had a new friend and they were playing a game of sorts. Luke told his new friend that girls can't play with them because, "it's for boy's only, right?".

Luke is kind and respectful of any adult he meets. He greets them with friendship and kindness. It's no wonder all his teachers love him. Who can resist those amazing blue eyes, beautiful blond hair, and sweet smile? He was certainly born in the right state. He looks like a beach boy! He's definitely stolen my heart!

Luke is Bob's mini me, and is right by his side when they are together. He loves when his Grandpa J. twists him around and throws him over his shoulder.

Luke and Grandpa have a game they always play. Grandpa didn't know it had a name until Luke came up to him and said, "Grandpa, let's play you can't go." Grandpa had to think about it for a few moments before he realized what the game was. This is a game that Grandpa has played with Luke since he was little. Grandpa will sit on the couch and Luke will stand in front of him. Luke starts to walk away and Grandpa grabs him and says you can't go. It's pretty hard to tell who is having the most fun.

Most importantly, we know Luke is our friend who we love, we miss, and we pray every day for. We are grateful Luke is a part of our family.

Happy birthday big guy.

We love you and miss you.

We wish we could spend this special day with you.

Nanu and Grandpa

32 Years and Counting

Guest Blogger

32 years ago today, we were in the Salt Lake Temple creating an eternal family unit, another kingdom so to speak. Little did I know how great those 32 years would turn out. Neither you nor I knew at that moment in time we would be blessed with three beautiful children. 32 years ago we weren’t thinking about three children and especially about the five beautiful, loveable, adorable, incredible, wonderful grandchildren that would come into our lives and prick our hearts with a love we never thought we would experience or even realize existed. We’ve learned in those years how to forgive, forget, and how to love even more than we did when we first met. You have shown me how to be a better person. You’ve taught me about service and devotion to family. You’ve shown me how to love at all times. You’ve truly shown me how to love as the Savior loves. Your Christ like demeanor continues drawing me and others to you. Your love for our children is greater than any love I have ever witnessed.

Neither you nor I knew we would have opportunities to move around the country and see areas outside of our comfort zone that caused us to stretch. Here we are in good old Tennessee with new friends, new church callings, new opportunities to grow in ways we never thought possible. We’re now at a stage in life where we wished our children were closer to us or we were closer to them. We continue going forward, striving from a distance to build up a family whom we love, miss, and are grateful for blogs and cell phones so we always know what is going on.

Where have we come in 32 years? Our first daughter was born 9-months after we married. OK, so no one told me it was that easy. 3 ½ years after our wedding day, our second daughter was born. 8 years from day one, we had number three who became our number one son. We’ve sent two of those children on missions to the far reaches of the world. Two of three have graduated from college, with the third close to completing his undergrad degree. Two out of three married in the Los Angeles Temple causing them to feel closeness to the Lord’s house in California. All three have returned to their roots in Utah. Number one daughter has three children, and daughter number two has two children. Oh what a blessing these all are to us. There really is nothing better than watching your children grow, develop, raise children, and most importantly, have a testimony of the Savior.

For 32 years you have stood by my side, watched my struggles in life, and encouraged me to better myself. You have shown me how to love others more than myself. You’ve taught me kindness by example. You continue quietly serving and loving and leading in so many ways. You have blessed my life beyond measure. You truly are the key to my happiness. When you are gone, my life is empty. When we are together, our lives are full. I will always be grateful for the day when you and I married for the eternities. I will always be grateful for your love and kindness. I will always be grateful for the person I call my best friend. You truly are my best friend forever. Thank you honey for 32 wonderful years. I love you so much (ILYSM).

Bob

Our Baby Avery's First Birthday

Avery's first year has been full of lots of smiles,lots of kisses,

lots of good times,

and lots and lots of sweet memories!

We've only known you a year, and just can't imagine life without you in it. We Love You!

Happy Birthday Baby Avery!

OId Hickory Ward Sisters/Christmas 2008

On December 6th, I was asked to head the food committee for our Relief Society Christmas Party. Everyone LOVED the Chinese Chicken Salad, so I thought I'd share it with my favorite inter peeps.


Since I didn't share this event with you then, I thought I'd throw in a few pictures so y'all can see some of my sweet sisters here in Nashville.


As my son-in-law Joe said to me...."You know, Amy Grant had it right...It really is a Tender Tennessee Christmas!"

The Skit

Putting the Salad together...

By the way, the recipe calls for rice noodles. You should have seen all the varieties of noodles that showed up. Have you ever tried to eat Vermicelli rice noodles uncooked? (They are like spaghetti noodles, only tougher to chew.) Well, they were not cooked...just broken up and tossed in the salad. We got a really good laugh over that one. Thanks to all the polite sisters who ate them while trying to choke them down. We also got some long wide noodles cooked and ready to toss. At least they were dropped off in a zip lock baggie and not tossed into the salad. Can you imagine cold wet noodles in a green salad? Yummm!

Needless to say, I'm changing the recipe to say "Chow Mein Noodles". I'm sure there are crunchy rice noodles out there. More power to you if you can find them. It was really good with the Chow Mein Noodles.

Old Hickory Ward Sisters

It was lots of fun!

Here's the recipe...enjoy!




Chinese Chicken Salad
Serves 12-15

12 oz spinach
21 oz. romaine lettuce
(Add some red leaf lettuce for color)
1 cup shredded carrots
3 cups mandarin oranges
1 1/4 cups bacon (cooked and cut into pieces)
2 1/4 cups toasted almonds (sliced)
1 1/2 bag Chow Mein Noodles

Poppy Seed Dressing

1/3 cup vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
Heat and dissolve sugar in vinegar

Add:
1 Tbsp dry mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
2/3 cup oil
1/2 tsp. salt

Whip together to mix oil and vinegar. It will mix completely and not separate IF whipped together long enough. This makes about 1 2/3 cups.

Chicken

Cook and cube 4 chicken breast halves. Thaw chicken or, if fresh chicken pieces are used, remove skin and trim fat. Dust in flour mixed with some seasoning mix (Lawry's Chicken Rub). Shake on a bit more of the seasoning and a tiny bit of garlic and bake in butter at 375 for 35 minutes, turning the chicken once.

The spinach, romaine, red leaf, and carrots can all be mixed together ahead of time. the rest of the ingredients are to be mixed in just prior to serving.

Finally...Christmas 2008

If you fly the friendly skies, it could take up to a half a day to fly from Tennessee to Salt Lake City, and that's if you have a layover somewhere. By car....well lets just say....if you go by car, it's NOT a day trip! But... when all is said and done, you will be able to say you've been in Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and Utah. So after giving it some thought, we decided to drive home for Christmas. This does shed some doubt on our ability to make a rational decision, but all rationale goes out the door when you're emotionally driven by a great desire to be with loved ones for Christmas.


So our road trip began...and after miles and miles of miles and miles, we ended the first leg of our trip in Denver. A mere 18 hours and we had arrived back in the Rockies. Ahhhh....home! And though we still had miles and miles of more miles and miles to travel, we were finally able to take some scenic pictures. (Yes, our first and only scenic pictures were taken the second day of our journey when we drove through the mountains of Colorado.) As a matter of fact, it was so beautiful that we almost made a phone call saying we'd come as far as we could and if anyone wanted to see us, they could join us on the slopes of Vail Colorado. Too bad we don't ski. Lucky for us we were just one step ahead of the snow storms that wreaked havoc on Christmas travelers across the U.S. As a matter of fact, the road we were traveling on (I-70) was closed the day after our arrival in Cedar City, Utah. Then it started to snow. And snow. And snow. We wanted a white Christmas and it looked pretty likely we would be having one.

After we arrived in Cedar and the snow kept falling, we decided this called for some serious gingerbread house making and snow playing. After three days, we were back on the road again. But before we left, Before we left, we made sure to stop for the best burger in town. Ya wanna guess where that was? The BOWLING ALLEY! Go figure.



Next stop...Salt Lake City. With our sleigh packed to the gills, our bun warmers on, and an extra gallon of windshield wiper fluid, just in case, we headed north.


After traveling all those miles and miles of miles and miles to get to Salt Lake for Christmas, we began to really question our decision. What in the world possessed us to do such a crazy thing! Especially since we still had to drive back...AAUGH!

So...why did we do this...

Maybe we did it because we really wanted to be a part of that crazy gift exchange at Penni's house. You know...the game that Grandma Hand started years ago with all her treasures from entering the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes that she couldn't bear to part with so she decided to wrap them up for a Christmas Eve we would never forget. Thanks to Penni, the tradition continues. Oh the treasures one can walk away with...
Maybe it's because we love opening up new PJ's to wear to bed on Christmas Eve. Or maybe it's watching the faces of our grandchildren as they listen to the story of our Savior's birth on that first Christmas so long ago. Or maybe it's that magical feeling only present on a snowy Christmas Eve.
Maybe it's because we can't wait for Santa to come so we can watch the faces of the kids as they open their gifts. Priceless.Maybe it's the jammies that fit,



and those that don't.
Maybe it's tradition. Maybe it's Christmas casserole, muffins, and juice, or Bob's
Tenderloin....yummm!

Maybe it's having a white Christmas and playing in the snow.
Maybe it's the family band and lots of Christmas songs together.

Maybe it's four generations of girls under one roof.

Maybe it's having breakfast with best friends and wondering how time has gone by so quickly that our girls are now moms and we're grandmas! Maybe it's realizing how blessed we are to have such lifelong friends. (Thanks LaDean and Aly...it was so fun to see you!)


Maybe it's staying up as late as we possibly can after getting all the kids settled down so we can play games, laugh, and just have fun together.

Or maybe it's that after-all-the-games-are-over-late-night-talk-with-mom. You know... the one that's not planned but happens every time we're together that I look forward to after dad goes to bed. The one that sort of caps off our visit and begins our long goodbye. That one.

Maybe those are the reasons we do it, or maybe we're just crazy!! I guess we are a little crazy. All I know is that it was worth it. Thanks for such a wonderful Christmas! We love you all!