9 Days Left

We are leaving Logan in 9 days!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo. We are all ready to go. Ramsey keeps asking if he can be done sleeping at his dad's house. Isabella wants to "stay with Mom" but knows she can't. Kristine is worn out and sometimes seems a little depressed. She told me "I just want to go home. I don't want to put up with dad anymore." She has stayed strong -but it is starting to get to her too. Rebekah is at girl's camp in CA, of course and will return to Utah Sunday.

(Ram escorting Rebekah at the SLC airport!)

Meanwhile my focus has started to shift back toward our life - there is a lot to be done when we get back to San Jose. I have been attempting to get DeAnza College the paperwork they need so I can teach in the fall. I have a class I need to prepare, a marketing launch to do for LifeStyle (my business), a client's wedding, school supplies to take care, kid's activities to sign up for, etc etc etc. I try not to worry about the things that can't be done till I get back, but the list is starting to infiltrate my conscious mind. (Type A)

(Isabella) (Ram)
(Kristine)


(Mom)

And with limited days remaining in Utah I am also reviewing the things I wanted to do while visiting: the zoo, the opera, parks, the farmer's market (where we all got henna tatoos!), the aquatic center, American West Heritage Center, birthday parties, sleep overs, dinner with friends, and so on.

(JaNell and Aaron with kids)

We have done so much and made the best of it. But nothing pulls stronger on us than the need to be home and feel stable again.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yolk is easy and my burden is light. Matt. 11:28-30

Reunited

(Photo by Greg Cowley @ Cowley Studios)

I finally got my kids back this afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joy. That's if for today's blog. Joy.

The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us...

he will bless them that fear the Lord both small and great.

Psalms 115:12-13

Without the Kids

We had dinner with the Lurf's tonight which was lovely. They are such good friends - and I will always be grateful that our path's crossed in Logan and more significantly on that fateful day in the temple when I was headed in alone and with the Lord's tender mercies, walked into Ginger... We never are alone nor forgotten, are we?

















We laughed and ate and goofed around. Then Joe took Rebekah way up into the foothills on the four-wheeler and I helped Ginger clean up dinner. It was a wonderful evening.


Then Rebekah and I headed over to the meeting spot to pick up the kids - Rebekah got my camera and had a field day, as you can see!



Unfortunately after a while of waiting, their Dad didn't show. I am supposed to have the children for the state holiday starting tonight, through the weekend but apparently he has decided he will just take the holiday... hopefully he will still bring them back for my weekend with them but I don't know. I have already spoken with my attorney who is dealing with it - but have had no response from their dad. I can't say any more about this - it's too hard. And it hurts the children most of all. Please keep praying for us!

We still have to organize for tomorrow and get ready for the festivities... we'll miss Kristine, Isabella and Ramsey but we will make the best of it, as I hope they do!

Countdown - 16 days till we go home!

We are gearing up for the Pioneer Holiday - July 24th. The children are supposed to be back with me tonight!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait. Tomorrow we are going to see friends and have a BBQ with my Logan parents (the Sorenson's) and spend quality time together. And this weekend, the kids are with me - and we get to return home to CA two weeks from Friday. We are all ready.


(Isabella and her friend, Emily)





The kids called me yesterday and again today - crying and upset. They want to come back to their mom and it pulls on my heartstrings to hear them begging to come home. I want them home more than anything. But, as is my policy, I told them to have as much fun as they can and not worry about the rest! They don't have a choice about where they are right now, so it is best for them to just try to stay out of their dad's way and enjoy what they can.


No matter what, we get to go home two weeks from Friday.


For those of you who don't know, Rebekah isn't included in this mix. She has been with me - she only lasted a week there. Her dad and she had several confrontations, ending with him saying some cruel things and yelling at her on the night of June 29 - he told her at midnight "Why don't you just leave." She was devastated, of course and called me right away so that I could pick her up. Her dad then refused to let me come get her and told her she would have to wait till morning. So she packed up and has been with me since.


The upside is that she and I have had wonderful mother-daughter time. She is such a delight and a great companion. Rebekah has no problem keeping up with me... I didn't realize just how much I like to be movin' and shakin' till now, but she is her mother's daughter! We do miss Kristine, Isabella and Ramsey right now, but soon enough we will all be back together as a family. And that is the most fun of all!

Back in the USA

I made it back to Logan! Nothing is better than returning to my sweet children. I missed them terribly and wish they were all back with me now.

(USU where I taught)
Rebekah had a nice time staying with the Parker's (without whom could I be in Logan for the summer). She also enjoyed hanging out with the Willie's for late night movies and a sleep over. She was well cared for though she was homesick for her mom.

(Ramsey and Lib @ the Parker's)

(Kids w/ Kris Willie)

Kristine, Isabella and Ramsey wrapped up their Yellowstone trip with their Dad and are back in Logan. I got to see them today for a couple of hours for lunch... this is so heart wrenching. Their dad works this week, but will not let the kids be with me - his mom will be babysitting. They were so over-the-moon to see me today and very frustrated by the fact that they couldn't stay with me and Rebekah. But there is nothing we can do at this point. The kids should be able to come back to me this weekend and then just 2 weeks to go! (Please keep us in your prayers.)

The last 2 weeks the children will all come and play with us during the day, while their dad works and then go back to him in the evenings... that will make the last couple of weeks much more tolerable. Besides, y'all know how much fun we have when we are together!!!!

We have managed to have quite a bit of fun in the first few weeks we were in Logan (Jun 20 - now): we have tubed the canal, played at the damn, gone to movies, spent a day at Lagoon (loved the water park), seen oodles of friends, gone to Idaho,

gone shooting (okay, that was just me) and more. (Shot the tar out of these phone books)

So, for now I am happy to be back and know that my children are safe. And I am looking forward to having a blast these next couple of weeks. Anyone want to come and play???

Puerto Rico - Island of Tropical Breezes

I spent the day in Puerto Rico's historic town of Old San Juan yesterday. I took a taxi from the airport straight over to Fort San Critsobal and toured that giant fort perched like a solider on the edge of the sea. I enjoyed the view from her mammoth walls both of the sea and city...

When I left there I spent five more hours walking that town - I saw both of the other forts, two churches, both state buildings (the murals inside are amazing), all three plazas in San Juan, streams of wonderful architecture that if the French district in New Orleans was clean and new would be San Juan's twin city, went into so many shops I couldn't keep track, walked along both sides of the island and meandered the park at the port. I loved the international butterfly import shop and the local woman was a treasure to visit with. I hung out with a well known local artist and bought a book of her poetry - which she signed for me... I walked around all day with a Cheshire cat grin on my face! I ate lunch at an elegant little bistro called Cafe San Juan, recommended to me by one of the locals - and that was fantastic. I picked up a few things for the kids and befriended a Kattian woman who is now living on P.R. And I used my Spanish throughout which was like sitting down with my favorite dessert and taking an entire day to move it around in my mouth and savor the flavor and texture of it - an old comfort food that brings delight to my bones and my soul.

There were three separate times where in my Independence and solitude (sitting in Colon plaza or at lunch) where my heart expressed a silent prayer of gratitude for the week I have luxuriated in and the safety in which I have traveled... I am so fortunate and grateful for all that I have, where I live and the experiences afforded to me in this life.

Alas, I did find my way back to the airport and arrived safely back in the states - with a total of 24 hours traveling when all was said and done. A well spent day...

Last Day in Paradise

Floating on the Caribbean with the sun shining on my back, I was in heaven - then I would spot one and dive down looking for shells from this tropical paradise. It was a perfect last day. I snorkeled in the beautiful waters at Shipwreck Beach and even took all of the children for a turn on the single person catamaran. When I came in to shore I gave two local boys a swim lesson and visited with my friends. What fun!

Later that afternoon we regrouped at the tropical pool in the OTC resort and enjoyed pool side drinks and lots of laughter. The afternoon was cooling off and with it, my trip was coming to an end. As one last night out on the island was all I had left, I joined the Burts for a wonderful Indian dinner and night on the Port. We enjoyed our time together and laughed till our sides hurt. As I have an early morning flight, we decided to head home.

We stopped on the drive back to take some photos - when I met Jon, a professor at the medical school here who is from Nigeria. He kept wanting to take a photo of /or with me! It was hilarious. This island sure is fun!!!

All summed up this trip was brilliant... I am so glad that I came to the Caribbean.

Sailing

I spent the day on a Catamaran in the Caribbean! I snorkeled with a school of squid and hundreds of fish. (Not as exciting as the barracuda earlier this week - but I have had enough excitement.) It was a relaxing and memorable day; the weather was temperate and the sky was a radiant blue - a day fit for sailing the sea. We stopped on the Island of Nevis, ate lunch and relaxed at the Four Season's Hotel - then swam in the warm ocean waters and walked the beach. Then it was back aboard to sail back to St. Kitts - it was a fun and refreshingly wet journey (I was soaked several times over). I was with a dear friend and was asked out by one of the men aboard - Paula and I laughed about that!!! But the day was beautiful... It was a perfect day...

Caribbean Fortress

I went to the Brimstone Fort today and being the history fanatic that I am, I must say it was brilliant! Up on the mountain top, over looking the sea, a mighty stone fortress still stands. It was the first one built on the hexagon plan by King George of England and was the "latest" in military technology. Fortified by long and short range cannons, hundreds of loyal soldiers and a virtually impenetrable location the fort was thought of as the 'Gibraltar' of the West. It was self sufficient in that it had barracks, a kitchen, munitions areas, even a school room for the few children that were there. (Six wives out of every 100 men were allowed to go, based on a lottery.) It was a treat and was worth the trek.

I was also able to enjoy more water activity in the evening - which was geared toward relaxing and having 'girl time.' It was a good day.

Rebekah is getting ready to go to Idaho with the Parker's while I'm gone and the little ones are all off to Yellow Stone with their dad. It hasn't been an easy summer for them, but to their credit they are my children - they are strong! I know they will make the best of it and enjoy what they can.

The Caribbean

I have been on St. Kitts for 4 days and am having so much fun. I have been to the rain forest, black rock, Ottley's Plantation, Romney Manor Botanical Gardens, Caribelle Batik, the Port, Basseterre, and more! I've been into the ocean of course - I snorkeled today and the best part was the sea turtle and the sting ray. The island is beautiful and I love the beaches. I could live on an island...

Rebekah is visiting the Parkers and having girl time!

Kristine, Isabella and Ramsey are visiting their Dad and on their way to Yellow Stone.

Summer is in full swing.