Time Flies!

I always say "Time flies when you're having fun!" And that is the case here! This will be my last post on here as I have found a better way to document my travels and am getting away from toxic people who can't seem to quit stalking my family. I love seeing this beautiful world of ours, learning about different cultures, and making new friends wherever I go.

Summer Day Dream

Some of the best trips are unplanned and this trip rates at the top. We decided to take a trip to Southern California and hit up Lego-land. It was so much fun, going with kids is the funnest and having two young boys was the best. To see things through their eyes, their enthusiasm. They both love legos and Nijago was huge hit. Going to the Lego aquarium was worth every bit, the sharks, the lego divers, the different types of fish, the tanks that had starfish, seahorses, jellyfish and other fish was incredible. By the end of the day they were exhausted, but wanted to go to the ocean so that is what we did, the sunset over the water is so beautiful, I never tire of the scene. I think though, my favorite part was watching the boys as they got to fly on an airplane for the first time. The wonder in their eyes, the way they talked the whole time about what they were seeing out the window. It was truly a magical weekend.

Back to DC

I love the way this country started, I love to read about our Founding Fathers and there is nothing I love more than going to our Nation's Capitol and visiting living history. Seeing where Washington grew up, visiting the memorials and honoring those who have given their lives in blood for this great nation. Being able to see the White House, the Museums. I love going to Europe where history goes back centuries, but I love America's beginnings more.

Southern Hospitality

For my Mum's annual Mother's Day trip, we went to The South with Charleston being our main destination. One of the things about traveling is "the must" of being flexible if something does not pan out. We had originally planned on flying straight to Charleston and spending all our time there. But plans changed and we flew to Orlando picked up a car and drove along the Eastern Coast from Orlando up to Charleston. I checked off a bucket list item when we stopped at the Daytona Stadium, it was a lot bigger than I ever imagined! Jacksonville was pretty cool and we stopped at the typical tourist trap shop, saw a 13-foot alligator, supported the locals when we bought some delicious fruit. We continued on our journey and at the recommendation of a local spent the rest of the day at Hilton Head South Carolina. What a hidden treasure! Wave runners for rent right in the harbor. We ate dinner at a place called the Krazy Crab, it was so good and right on the water and after we listened to local bands while rocking in rocking chairs with the ocean as the backdrop. We woke up early the next morning and it was pouring cats and dogs, but the rain was not like desert rain. When it lightened up we continued on our journey to Charleston. What a City! The history, the culture, the people. All very wonderful! We went to 2 plantations a gone with the wind era, the great Dame homes were incredible, I liked the Magnolia plantation the best though it was not the original home. we walked downtown and along the harbor. We saw American History first hand. We went to a market that was along the harbor and watched local merchants sell their wares. After spending two days there, it was time to say goodbye and it was tough! We began our drive back to Orlando and on the way back we drove through Savannah (A city I want to visit soon!) because we didn't have time to stop. The south really does have a charm to it I can't wait to go back again!

Loving Memory

It has been a few months since my Grandma has passed away. Spring was her favorite time of year and I see memories of her when I am out in the garden when, I am shopping at her favorite places, when I am out traveling and think of the phone calls we shared. For those who have lost a loved one, you can understand the tumult of emotions that come and go as one realizes you will never see that loved one again in this life. I have so much happiness for my Grandma, I know she is once again happy and with her family and sweetheart. My Grandma was an orphan and so she had to endure more things than others. But she was a strong vivacious woman who was with it until the end. She left this world on her terms. She made peace with the world and with those who did not do right by her. She had one daughter who unfortunately let anger creep into her heart. She and her family lost out on so many memories and healing that could have taken place. This family had a daughter who committed suicide (my Grandma's granddaughter). Unbeknownst to her family this granddaughter would come and see my grandma and on occasion my family. I know with every fiber of my being that my Grandma and my cousin are up there having a long discussion. I have so many memories of my Grandma, my Mum made it a priority to have Grandma in our lives and that made all the difference. It was not always easy but in the end, my family didn't have to stay away because of imagined offenses, we were able to have loving memories with a woman who was the glue of the family. A woman who loved broken things and wanted to fix them, who loved animals, who always had a welcoming home to anyone in need, who loved to garden and always had some exotic plant in her garden, a woman who had a love for the Gospel and up until a few weeks before her death a fire in her to do her family history work. My grandma loved music, she lead church choirs, she loved to draw and always had some kind of sewing project, art project going on with music (oldies) or Rush Limbaugh in the background. One of the first memories I have is being in the flower shop she and my Mum owned in Southern California. I remember the smells of all the different flowers, the chill of the refrigerators; the giggles when I and my sister were allowed to poke holes and pour water into the scraps of oasis and make our own "arrangements." My grandma loved Dotsons though she had a few other types of dogs, her favorite were those long-bodied, big-pawed dogs. I remember she loved going on car rides when she and my mum would come visit me when I was at college. As I said earlier, my Mum always made it a priority for my Grandma to be in our lives. I do not remember a time when my family didn't go to Grandma's for Sunday dinner, talking, watching old reruns, snuggling under one of her blankets. My Grandma was my confidant when the dynamics changed in our family and my Aunt Uncle and cousins pulled away due to some imaginary offense; my family grew closer to my Grandma. Some days during the week, I would go over there during the last five years and we would spend my hour lunch together talking about life, love, family, genealogy, scripture, old stories of her past etc. I cherish those with all of my heart. This is a bittersweet time as my sister put it. Because my Grandma didn't go before her time and lived a long full vivacious life, I am happy for her that she is no more dealing with the weight of this life. But I am sad because there are no more memories to be made with her in this life. No more trips to the store watching her sift through aisles, no more hearing her say "It's ok baby," and no more shouting goodbye from the car and watching her wave from her doorway as we drive off. More than anything I am so grateful I will never have to the regret of saying "I wish I had..." instead I will be able to say "I remember when..." in regards to all the memories I have with Grandma. She will be missed in this life but I am happy she is reunited with my grandpa and other family members.

Christmas

As my family put up the tree and decorations, I could not help to think how the lights seemed a little less bright this year but through the season, I was reminded of the Love our Savior has for us and how grateful I am for my family and how much we love each other. Travelling is a big part of my life, however, it felt right to stay a little closer to home this year. Las Vegas is always a treat and I am fortunate to live so close, so it was an easy getaway weekend to do some Christmas shopping. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Venitian's rooms. And I was even more surprised when I found out the Western Cowboy expo was just a small jaunt away. What a fun Expo! It is good to see the different cultures within our own country, and I felt like I had been transformed to another place and maybe even back in time, the jeans were a little tighter, the shirts were all button up, the clank of boots and spurs was prevalent and it felt like the theme song from Pure country could start up any moment. After Vegas, life seemed to roll back into a bit of a melancholy state. I miss my Grandma Lenore very much and not being there to put up her tree or help her take out her Christmas village has made for some sad days. Most of what I miss is the opportunity to speak with her about life, about life decisions, about concerns, hopes, and dreams. And so when our tradition to go to Salt Lake started to take shape, my heart hurt a little bit because in years past my Grandma had come with us, to see the Nutcracker, to go to Temple Square to go shopping in the large malls etc. I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am for the fond memories I have of spending time with my family. This year my family started in Gardener Village where they always put up darling displays (we go to the Witchapolza whenever we can that is their big shebang); then it was off to Temple Square to see the lights eat at Nauvoo Cafe, enjoy the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and shop at City Creek; The Ballet West Nutcracker, I have been going for forever it seems (Personally I do not like the changes that have recently been made to the Nutcracker) and was disappointed in that there were no more Gingersnaps (not sure what the bees represent) and the set no more sent Sugar Plum Faries dancing through my head, instead it felt like a hot summer day. I was saddened that the once famous Nutcracker with many Prima Ballerinas was now more like a bunch of children dancing about for a premium price. It was like another Chapter in my life was closed, I am not sure I will go back as it is so far removed. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was next on the list and there is nothing that speaks to my soul like music. And with the Special guests every year it seems to be more wonderful than the last. After coming home from a wonderful weekend in Salt Lake, my family's annual Nativity gift giving began. This Tradition was started by my amazing Mum many years ago when she wanted to help expand my sister's, mine, and my brother's outlook on Christmas. We truly learned that Christmas is not just about Santa (Though he is magical), and it is more than just receiving gifts, the "I want's" seemed to become less as we started to focus on what Christmas is really about. It is about learning to give without receiving anything in return, it is about loving others even when they do not return that love, it is learning to be happy for other's accomplishments and finding the good along the rough road, it is about bringing the life of Christ into the home. For many years my family has seen the positive impact this tradition has brought into our home. This year we chose a family who helped us with my Grandma, the Mom has 3 wonderful Boys who loved my Grandma as their own and would check up on her whenever they could. Normally we keep it a secret so that the family doesn't know who has given them a Nativity set, but this year we decided to let her and her boys know how much gratitude we have for them. Driving by my Grandma's old home was probably the toughest part ... but to see the light come upon the mom and boys faces when they opened the door Christmas Eve was priceless and worth it. Christmas would not be complete without going out to the Tuacahn Live Nativity one of my favorite things is to see the children's eyes light up when the camel comes out and then the awe as the angels sing and the Savior is passed around to the shepherds This season is truly about the Birth and Life of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the Love of my family And though there is a large hole in my heart for how much I miss my Grandma, She has been and will always be an example to me and though she was not perfect, she was the perfect Grandma. My Testimony in Jesus Christ has been strengthened this Christmas. I am grateful to my wonderful Family, who comes together to support one another and who encourage one another, pray for one another, and cheer each other on the road we call life. Love will always win in the end.

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Roman Holiday

There is nothing more important than Family; in may my Grandma started to decline in health which in turn postponed all plans. I had planned for Mother's day, fly my mum to Paris and take a road trip to Mont Saint-Michelle (if you have seen Scarlet Pimpernel with Jane Semore than you know what I am talking about), Normandy and other parts of the French coast. She and I had for mother's day before flew into Nice France and took a road trip through the French Rivera into Tuscany Italy. Just a few days before we had planned to go, my Grandma got very weak and needed full-time care. I am so grateful for the time from May to October. The opportunities I had to hear more about my family history and to learn more about my Grandma are moments I will treasure forever. After the funeral, my family started the daunting task of cleaning out all of my Grandma's belongings, it was a time of healing for my family a chance to say a final goodbye. There came a time where I realized I needed a break from everything...and so did my Mum. She had put her life on hold and for the past 10 plus years, since my Grandpa passed away, and had been the primary caretaker of my Grandma. Though we have traveled in the past, this trip was the first we didn't have my Grandma to come back to. This trip was a trip to heal and my Mum and I became even better friends than we were before. Not everything went as planned but it was so much fun and there are so many things in Rome that were historic and I was able to check off several items on my Bucket list. The one thing I am finding about Europe, that is so sad is all the Graffiti I keep seeing everywhere, all over the buildings, historic sites, in the transit along the walls of the riverwalks... in a way it helps keep me thankful for my home. Here are some pictures of our adventure, I love my adventures with my Mum. We flew to Lonon First class and then hopped onto British Airways over to Rome it was perfect!