Travel Log

Warning: Could be boring!

Kim and I got home Sunday night from a 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise. We went on the (Bed creature, different each night)

Serenade of the Sea. We really had a good time. Having never done this before we weren’t really sure what to expect or how things were done, but there are people at every step of the way to make you do it right and never get lost.

We spent a night in San Juan before we boarded the ship and that was pretty uneventful. We did wander around a little on old San Juan but we didn’t see or really do anything. But once we boarded the ship we did a lot of wandering. They are huge and this one carries 2800 passengers and 900 crew.

(rooms looked like RV trailers, but they were very comfortable)

Each day we went on a different adventure and if that didn’t take all day, you could always shop. Shopping is something they want everyone to do. Especially shopping for diamonds. I have never seen so many Jewelery shops.

We went snorkeling on St. Thomas, which took me a little getting used to. I haven't done it since Hawaii (24 years ago) but it was fun. I don’t think we saw as many colorful fish and coral here but it was still a good adventure.

The next day we took a tour bus into the hills and all around St. Lucia to see the Pitons mountains. We also saw so much poverty and unemployed young adults and men, the homes were the size of many of our garden sheds, or single car garages. Everywhere we went people were trying to sell “stuff".

We couldn’t decide what to do on Antigua,

so we took a cab with some other people and went to a very beautiful beach and just hung out for the day. Kim was able to eat some authentic food, which just the smell made my mouth burn and eyes water, so I just ate his coleslaw. I have to admit I have never seen Kim just relax and hang out at a beach before so I kept asking him if he was bored and surprisingly he always said "no."

We split up on St. Maartin, because I didn’t want to go Scuba Diving.

(Kim getting on the ship just in the nick of time from Scuba Diving)

Kim went and had a good time and was able to “breath under water” something I do just fine above the water. But I went to the shopping area and learned how to ride or drive a Segway or people mover. I was totally surprised how fun and easy it was. We had one women chicken out, she kept telling her husband she wasn’t coordinated enough and just walked away. It took a little getting the hang of it, but after just a few minutes I had it down and off I went. (famous beach, where movies are frequently made, I don't know what movies)

We went on a 4X4 adventure on Barbados to see the Green Monkeys and other tropical forest type animals, and on the way there our guide told us all about the Real-Estate and how much everything cost and where famous people stayed and owned homes and got married, it was interesting but I’m not sure it was really the Island Tour speech he was supposed to give. He did however live up to the 4x4 adventure part by taking us off road through a sugarcane field and factory and about knocking all of us of the back of the truck. Not so fun! (Milton and Mary)

(watching Kite Surfing)

All in all I had a good time, I loved spending time with Kim and eating fancy dinners and having waiters remembered your name and meeting new people. Jodi said on hers they were Mormon magnets, we were not, and as far as I know we never meet or ran into an LDS person, but trust me I kept looking for signs, like no liquor in one or both hands, clothing that night be considered semi-church appropriate, the obvious “lines” under the clothing, but we still really enjoyed the people we did meet. (dinner companions and waiters)

2 single ladies at our dinner table cruise at lest 2 times a year, they have been doing it together for 15 years, since their husbands both died, and had done this same cruise 5 times, only because they love the ship, shopping and beaches. That seems a little much for me, but to each their own. We had a few nights of great entertainment, we never ate until we were sick, and never slept in.
I am grateful for the opportunity to go and be with Kim, to not worry about home and work and everyday things and just be together, but I was also glad to get home to my kids and baby.So Happy Sailing for the next time.


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We're Off

I have failed to mention that 3 weeks ago I was released as Enrichment Counselor in the Relief Society.

I have had that position for 5 years and 9 months, and 3 presidents. The whole presidencies was released. I thought I might have a hard time, but once my last birthday social was over, last Wed. I have been so relieved and ready to move on.

By moving on I mean being able to sit and listen to a lesson without thinking about what I'd say at the end, or looking at the faces of the sisters and wondering if anyone needed help or had needs that we should tend to, and trying to remember what my next week work schedule was so we could plan our meeting and visiting evenings, always thinking about what my next lessons topic would be, and always planning for the next enrichment night.

Well enough said about that but my relief was very short lived, because before the Sunday of the big release, I was called to be the Nursery Leader!!!!! Yes ME!!! So for the last 3 weeks I've been with the kids. So far so good? I sure I'll have stories. The first week one little girl said "oh my ears hurt" as the boys were running and screaming, I totally agreed.

Now to the things I won't be doing for the next 9 days. Getting up at 0345, and working 12 hrs, washing dishes, preparing meals, answering the phone, planning a lesson, banking, grocery shopping, exercising, (oh wait I don't do that much now), blogging, visiting with our baby, (oh too sad), e-mailing, anyway the list goes on and on, but the things I will be doing will be new and exciting and in warm weather and I just pray I don't get sea sick. Kim and I are going on Carribean Cruise for our 30th year anniversary.

I am grateful we have the time and money do go off on a new adventure and see new things and that I have a personal travel agent who knows his way around the computer and the Fodors Tavel book.

Happy Birthday

I hope an early birthday wish is better than a late one, because I won't be home on Gordon's real day, the 24th, and we wanted to wish him a great day and lots of fun and adventure in the year to come. Thanks for being such a great son and fun to be around, even if we don have to leave the room now and then.

You are a great son, brother, uncle and husband. Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday

So I’m coming out of my month long silence to wish Melanie a Happy Happy Birthday. She mentioned a blog or so ago that a lot has happened in her 2 year old marriage, well even more has happened in her 29 year old life and I am so grateful for her being part of our family and bringing such special people along for the ride.

Dad and I love you very much and we are happy with your choices and are looking forward to the future for you and your family.

Happy Birthday Love MOM and DAD

Kim and I have been married 30 years (2-15-79)The commercial say’s a lot can happen in 5 years, well even more can happen in 30.

Here is some of what happened.

30 anniversaries, none were forgotten
30 birthdays, 1 was forgotten
4 children (and all that goes with that, blessings, baptisms, sports, plays, musical recitals, surgeries, illness, school activities, happiness and heart aches)
1 grandchild
7 jobs, counting college years
2 weddings
2 in-law children
6 addresses
2 homes, 4 apartments
2 major remodels
100’s of small ones
9 cars
4 dogs , 2 birds, 1 cat (for a very short time), the rest are too many to count, bunnies, fish, garbles, lizards, frogs & turtles.
1 missionary
7 college graduations (counting in-laws)
1 over seas trip
2 beds
6 family funerals
4 surgeries, 1 ablation, 1 major illness
Countless diets, vacations, church callings, paint colors, DVD players, computers, bills, TV’s, concerts, visits to the temple, relatives weddings, fights and make up’s, the list could go on and on.

But no matter all the stuff that has happened and the things that have come our way I am most grateful for ONE husband and ONE true love that has changed over the years to get stronger and more meaningful. We may have not know each other long before we got married, but what I know about Kim now could have never been foreseen, so I am grateful we took the chance and started our lives together. Thanks for 30 years with more on the way.

Old Fashioned and not PC

I was told my thinking was Old Fashioned today, see if you agree.

Me, My Friend (MF) and young divorced girl living with another young man (YG).

Me and MF saying how great grandkids are and just little babies in general,
YG I don’t ever want to have kids, I have never really thought I would and can’t see me ever with any.
Me, did you feel like that when you were married?
YG Yes.
Me, Does the boy you are living with feel the same way about kids?
YG I don’t know we’ve never talked about kids before.
Me Don’t you think that is a conversation you should have just in case you were to get pregnant?
YG I dont' know, I’m sure we won’t have any.
MF LeeAnn I think you’re thinking too old fashioned . The End

Next conversation, new people. I can’t even remember what was being discussed, but my comment was “Well that’s not a very moral thing to do” the next comment made was “wow you never hear that word any more” meaning moral, me,” well that explains a lot of our society’s problems then doesn’t it”.

Years and years ago I was talking to a young gal who’s husband had gotten in trouble for looking at Porn at work and she didn’t see the big deal, her comment was “as long as he’s coming home for the real thing what difference does it make”? I don’t remember the whole conversation, but she basically told me she wasn’t a Mormon so morals and right and wrong weren’t the same for her, I remember telling her that the Mormons didn’t have the corner on values and morals. Right and wrong were taught and expected by any and everyone no matter the religion. Not just the Mormons believe in a pure heart and mind and right and wrong and having proper morals. She truly believed that had nothing to do with what her husband was doing.

I may be just rambling, but I get really bothered by tip-pie toeing around people who, in my mind are living in-moral lives. I know that everyone is entitled to live as they want with whom they want, but I guess I in turn can say what I want in conversation.

One more story. A 19 yr, old gal living with a 28 yr. old man with 3 children & 2 x wives.
She is unofficially engaged.
Me when are you getting married
YG We don’t know yet, we are trying to buy a house first and pay off some debt
Me I bet your mom is having a fit over this
YG no why
Me. His age, his kids, his x wives
YG no she is really excited for me, it’s just all you other women who give me a hard time
Me and my thoughts…. You can only imagine, and I am sure they are the same as most of yours. No wonder so many kids are messed up, we don’t have any family fiber holding us together anymore. Too many adults are only thinking of themselves and what they want and their happiness.

When I look at our new families and the young married kids in our ward who are doing it right and have the Lord as their center and have strong moral values and teach it to their children I am so grateful we have some who are trying and trying very hard to keep the family fibers tight and centered on the Lord I am so very blessed to have good examples all around me to counter the ones who are confused in how to live their lives.

Blessing day

Sunday was so much fun and I have to admit, it was much funner as the grandma and not the mom. I don't remember a lot of specifics of the day that our children were blessed, but as a women who worries way too much I am sure I was more focused on the clean house and having enough food. But as the grandma I got to just help with the house cleaning, food preparation and really enjoy the baby and the event. Justin gave him a very special blessing that came from the spirit. Baby H is smiling now and seems to enjoy being played with and having silly noises made at him, something Jodi and Grandpa do very well. I think they missed their calling and should have been baby photographers. Melanie and Justin did a very nice job at all the preparations and are also doing a great job as the parents, we are very proud of them both.

The cameras were going most of the day, the pround mom and very proud real grandpa (the one the bibs about)

The food was great and plenty for everyone
Great aunts and uncles and Matt & Jenny along with some second counsins came to celebrateGrandpa Scott Lafeen

I got a little emotional a few times really missing my mom, one of baby H's great grandma's who I know got to meet him and was there in spirit. It was just one of those events I couldn't share with her and make her a part of. The term "Life Goes On" keeps being said in my head and I hate it and will never say it to anyone out loud, because it doesn't make it any easier.

I love being a grandma and am so thankful for the many opportunities that await me.