road trip nightmares

Last Friday we decided we needed to go up to St. George. We did actually need to go up there, Nathan had to get the tools and equipment out of Grandma & Grandpa Taylor's garage finally. So we thought it would be a good opportunity to go visit the some friends, and eat at the Pasta Factory while we were there (WELL worth the drive to St. George, I'm just sayin). Anyway, since it was going to be a quick trip, Nicole decided she and Ryiah would go with us. See our plan was to go in the morning and be home by 5. We had a ward party that night that we wanted to be at. The key to those last two sentences is PLAN. Never plan anything. Something will go wrong, and you'll never make it home when you PLAN to.

Let's back track a bit. For a couple weeks, Nathan's truck would make this weird, high pitched noise, not so much a screech, but a noise. It would make the noise for a minute then go away. Also, his brake light was always on, and two weeks ago, his ABS light went on. Not good signs. We had taken it into Tire Works to have the brakes checked and the tires rotated, but they said the brakes were OK but would need to be replaced in the not too distant future. Well, they were actually right. The brakes weren't too bad, it was the hubs, and let me tell you, when the hub barrings go out . . . so does EVERYTHING ELSE!!

As we were just entering Utah, right at the point of entry, there was a HORRIBLE screeching noise, and suddenly, Nate was holding the steering wheel to the right just to make us go straight! Being in the back seat, I could feel the "grinding" that was happening, and luckily Nathan was smart and pull us off the side of the road, quickly. He got out of the truck and there was a HUGE plume of smoke coming out of his drivers side tire. Not happiness. There was no more driving the truck!! So, we called AAA, and my dear friend Evelyn to come rescue us. Poor Makayla was having a melt down. She was so scared!! Nicole and I were laughing and taking pictures. What else do you do? Nathan was over dealing with the truck and Makayla wanted her daddy, so she was with him. Evelyn came and got us girls and kindly let us use her car for the day. We did get the tools picked up, we did get to see the Despains at least & we did get to eat at the pasta Factory. We did not get home by 5, we got home at 10:30, and the trip cost us A WHOLE LOT MORE than we;d had planned. Good thing we had just gotten our tax return, otherwise, Nates truck would still be in St. George & we would be a one car family. We definitely count that timing as a blessing.

Well, here are some pictures to enjoy!

New Beginnings

On February 17th, we had New Beginnings. I was in charge of it and did it as one of my Personal Progress projects. I have been working on it since November. I think it went really well. I had some really good feedback, and there were tears, so I think it was all okay.

The theme was, "Oh the Goals You Can Reach!" The room was set up like an airplane, 2 seats, 3 seats, then 2 seats. The invitations were airplane tickets with seat assignments. I made "in-flight safety instructions" for the program. I had all the leaders dress in black pants and white shirts - like flight attendant uniforms, and got wings from my dad.

I started off by telling everyone to turn off all electronic devises and securely place all carry-ons under their seat. Then a phone went off, and I was asking whose it was, and telling them that the plane would crash because it would interfere with the electrical circuits . . . IT WAS MY PHONE!!! I never have my phone on noise! It's ALWAYS on vibrate, except tonight! I was so embarrassed! They laughed, and I'll probably never get to live that down.

The night started off with the Bishop and all YW leaders singing a song, re-written to "Oh the Thinks You Can Think" from Seussical. I can't upload the video, but here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_wOgT8FBTc Needless to say, they laughed really hard! Then I had all the leaders introduce themselves, and the different YW Classes as well as the value experiences they had completed. The YW then had to get up and talk about the Value Experiences they had completed and how doing that experience made them stronger and have more courage. They did AMAZING! I'm so proud of my girls. Then I gave a talk on PP. Why we do it, reasons to love it and how it helps us in our lives.

I really learned a lot about Personal Progress and myself in doing this project. I had a lot of fun putting it together, and making it fun and creative for all my girls. I really hope they got something out of it, cuz I sure did.

The bishop was the captain of Southern Hills Airlines (that's what I called our flight), which is why he is wearing my dad's captain's hat.

The Laurel, Mia Maid & Beehive statements have changed and here they are. You can't read them, but they are pretty great.

We provided treats and snacks that you would get on an airplane.

This is the table with the balloons in the color of each value: Faith, White; Divine Nature, Blue; Individual Worth, Red; Knowledge, Green; Choice & Accountability, Orange; Good Works, Yellow; Integrity, Purple; Virtue, Gold.

I put together a "trip/destination" wall with all the values listed and a bunch of pictures of life goals that you can achieve because of the different values. Below are a bunch of pictures of the night.

Over all, I think it was pretty well received and hopefully everyone felt the spirit. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to do it. I have mixed emotions about it being over, am relieved and saddened. Guess I'll have to start in on something new. ;-)