Ole' Nauvoo

I have hated to even post because the hijacker did such a beautiful job on my blog. I loved it and didn't want to change a thing, but I guess I need to update and post pictures of the grande visit we had to Ole' Nauvoo. I had been to Nauvoo with my parents, back in the days when the restoration was in it's infancy. Earl and I took the kids in 1999, which included Rob, Chelsea and Giselle and had a wonderful visit. We left then saying that we wanted to hurry and retire so we could go there on a mission. When our dear friends - Rob and Gayla - went on their mission 19 months ago, we told them we would visit them before they came home. We were going to go when Jodi and Mike went to the temple, but that was right during the time of my Mother's worst part of her illness. We had one week left before they came home, so we jumped on a plane and flew. It was wonderful and worth every penny. We want now, more than ever, to go there on a mission! The first picture is of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum and their last ride. As they left Nauvoo to ride to Carthage, the Prophet turned in his saddle and looked back over his shoulder at Beautiful Nauvoo. The statue is inspiring and depicts the Prophet and his brother so well.
This is the only picture of Earl and me together the whole time we were in Nauvoo. We are standing next to the statue above and some people came along and offered to take our picture. The view from here is gorgeous - it is located across the street from the Temple. You can see all the homes of Nauvoo down below and the Mississippi in the background. This place is truly amazing.
We were on the horse-drawn wagon ride that takes you around the town of Nauvoo - Elder Maxfield is one of the team drivers - and this is almost at the end of Parley Street. This is the street that the Saints walked down as they left Nauvoo. It is called "Trail of Tears" and there are markers with vingettes of different people's memories or comments. As the street ends, it runs right into the Mississippi and this is where the Saints crossed on that cold February day with ice chunks floating in the River.
If you turn and look over your shoulder as you hit the end of Parley Street, this is the view the Saints would have had of their sacred Temple. It must have been so heart-breaking to leave your home and the Temple.
This is the statue of the Propher Joseph and his beloved brother, Hyrum. It is taken in the courtyard in Carthage, close to where the Prophet would have fallen from the window. The spirit at Carthage is unreal. It is impossible to leave that place without a lump in your throat, tears in your eyes, and love in your heart for all that was sacrificed for us to have this beautiful Gospel.















This is the Smith Family Home. Joseph and Emma lived in this home after living in a very small log cabin that is located to the other side of what you see. The Church of Christ owns this site plus the Nauvoo House, the Mansion House and the Red Brick Store. They allow our church to do the re-enactment of the forming of the Relief Society in the upstairs of the Red Brick Store where it was originally organized.

This is a statue of the Prophet and Brigham Young holding a map of the Rocky Mountains.
The Prophet received this revelation prior to his death and had a map maker draw what he had received.
Rod and Gayla were wonderful actors in the shows. We knew they would be. It was so good to see them and stay with them and partake of their spirituality. They were the hit of the show for us and we love and appreciate their example and continued commitment to the Gospel. It was such a good trip for Earl and me, as well. We just enjoyed the time together.

On a side note - without pictures - school has started and we are back at the "usual" schedule. Dad and I continue to make the trek to Layton each day. I scheduled his appointments so we could go after I am finished with school. He has had foot adjustments and orthodics placed in his shoes and last week he had his knee adjusted. About the time his back is feeling better, then we work with his feet and knee, which causes lots of pain. We hope the knee will be feeling better by tomorrow. We think we will be finished with the treatments by the end of this week or the middle of next week. I can't tell all of you how much I have enjoyed spending this time with my Dad. He is a wonderful person. He is brave and stalwart and so determined to feel better. He is so knowledgable and I have drunk of his well of knowledge all summer. He is so observant and shares what he sees with me. It has been a beautiful experience for me. He is patient with my driving and doesn't complain out loud -- I see him reach for his elbow rest every now and then, but other than that, we've had a good time.

Blogging Highjacker

I have high jacked my mom and dad's blog while they are out of town. They have so much to do and as a result their blog suffers. Therefore I have chosen to give this blog a face lift and in doing so I have chosen the top ten reasons that our parents are such amazing people.




Our Marvelous Mother:
#1 Her dedication to her family. This is just not her husband and children, it goes way beyond that. She has served her parents, and still does, endlessly for the last several years. It is because of her my grandfather is able to rid some of his back pain and can independently walk and maneuver around. In the mean time she plans family vacations for her children, maintains a rigorous work schedule to financially support her family, and allows any of her children to invade her home for extended periods of time. (Just to mention a few!)


#2 Quite possibly the greatest cook in the northern hemisphere. This woman can cook anything and make it delectable. She also can go to a restaurant and taste something and then come home and reproduce it. (All hail penne rustica!) She has also taught each of her daughters to enjoy and appreciate the art. I am sure when she slows down (ha ha) that she will write a cook book of some sort. I am not sure what the title would be..."The best food you will ever eat?"

#3 Education motivator. She single handed has brought the ed-net program at SSHS to its prime. Over the last several years she has directed students in their educational goals and as a result several of her students have graduated with their associates degree before they even leave high school. If a student is having a problem she will work endlessly to help them solve it or find someone who can. Along with her motivation to the students as SSHS she pushed and supported her own children to get an education and be a "star". All of us have bachelor degrees and been very successful in our respective fields.

#4 Country Lovin'. Living in the country is not a chance for my mom it is a necessity. She loves all that nature has to give her. Often times she photographs the magical forces of our beautiful surroundings. She enjoys having a farm and looking out her windows to see the horses, dogs, cows, deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and whatever else shows up on Fox River Ranch. She recently went on a wagon ride in her own wagon up through Northern Summit County just for fun. She has so many memories of milking cows and riding horses all while singing a song and dancing a dance.


#5 Production Queen. Give her any type of task and you just stand back and watch. She can turn a family picture opp into a "Hollywood Production" with full on stunt men and a fog machine. I have witness my mother lead music, direct shows and pageants, coach drill team, organize any ward festivity, fund raise for clean water in Africa, and play to accordion to boot!

I really could go on and on but I had to limit it to 5 items a piece. I want to add that my mother is remarkably spiritual and is also an inspiring poet/writer.

Our Fascinating Father

#1 Know-it-ologist. He is by far the #1 knowitologist in the world, possibly the universe and any other galaxy or distant unorganized matter that he can and will identify. If you want the answer to any question and I mean any from the species of tree to the molecular density of acid rain, this man has the answer. It is not worth trying to compete with him. It is not humanly possible.

#2 Babies! Strange but this man adores babies. He is quite particle to any that have his biological genes but he will hold and cradle any baby he comes across. If our mother would not have taken drastic measures I am positive I would have 20 to 30 siblings. (This is no exaggeration) He has been at almost every birth of his 8 grandchildren. In fact one day he was lamenting about how his children were not producing enough grandchildren at a steady pace and that he would pay any of us $500.00 just to have a baby. Did you ever get your money Chelsea?

#3 Pepsi Alone. You know the saying man can not live off bread alone, well that may be true but there is one man that can live on Pepsi alone. He has one for breakfast then goes to work for hours in the hot sun and will only stop to have a second Pepsi for lunch. If he has time to squeeze in dinner he will if not a Pepsi will do the trick before bed. There could be a reason he weights less than his own children FOR REAL. Not only does he love Pepsi but he feels it is his duty to introduce it to ALL of his grandchildren. They know where to go when they need a quick fix!

#4 Ability to use procrastination as motivational device. He will admit himself that he can procrastinate to the last milli-second. I have witnessed this first hand with writing scripts for programs, building projects, grading papers, and any other detailed oriented task. Which I thing in all honesty goes hand in hand with his ability to make cars run. If you wait until it is absolutely necessary to change the oil or get your windshield replaced it is fine. As long as it still functions will minimal problems there is no hurry to remedy it. (I love you dad but the purple roxy car needs some attention.)


#5 Outstanding priesthood role model/figure & hardest working man alive. Our father has carried the priesthood mantel for years in his family as well as many others. There has never been a time when he has not represented the ability and honor of the priesthood in our home and abroad. I have personally benefited from his belief and steadfastness in the gospel. He has served the Lord in many capacities and has been an example to his children, brothers and sisters, friends, and acquaintances. He has a Christlike love for people and his priesthood powers have changed many lives.

He works from sun up to sun down either on the farm, teaching school, or fulfilling his church callings. He had taught each one of his children the value of hard work. There have been many lessons learned behind the wheel of the tractor than just how to rake two rows or hay together. We will forever cherish the relationship we have with him.

I am so thankful that I was brought into this world by two amazing people who are perfect examples to myself , my children, and my siblings. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for ALL of us. Together they have made a WONDERFUL LIFE!