Counting Down to Spring

 Hello friends! Are you on your way back?

It's 6:00 p.m. and the sun is still up. In two more weeks this will be 7:00 p.m. Yay for Spring!

Snowmobiles

 Nick had a cabin overnight with the Priests (his Church youth group) snowmobiling Friday and Saturday.
They had a blast, but he also reported that snowmobiling takes some skill learning to move your body 

with the vehicle so you don't get stuck in the snow.
When you do get stuck (often), its hard work to dig your machine out. 

I didn't realize snowmobiles took skill and hard work! Even better!

So grateful for the men willing to take personal time and be mentors for our youth!

We're thinking of getting a couple for Pagosa, but it sounds like there will be a big learning curve.

Meanwhile Dan and I went to Orem to see a film at the LDS film festival done by a guy in our ward.

The Santa Box

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Good acting, original story and dialogue.

Our first movie in a theater since the pandemic started. 

I hope we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

Crocus!!

Look what bloomed today!!  

So Much.

 Submitted two more chapters yesterday and today I received a lot of great feedback --very positive and also constructive but realizing I'm creating the exact feel I've been trying to achieve. This evening I had a meeting with my Write Or Die group reviewing another chapter, and felt like I was at a party in my honor where everyone said wonderful things about me (or, in this case, my writing). Also, for the sections that left them wanting more information or confused, received amazing suggestions and ideas of how to incorporate those details! Such a high!

On the other hand, it's been a madhouse around here today... the AV guys who started work yesterday anticipated finishing today, but will need time tomorrow too. They've had to take our whole server system apart and start from scratch reconnecting everything. Three guys moving around the house all day rewiring, testing different rooms with their computers, communicating by walkie talkie and asking me questions about logins and ip addresses that I cannot answer! Not to mention the internet down a lot of the day. (But SO grateful that they're here and figuring out and solving all our IT problems!!!!) 

Dan had a couple of men from work over for lunch and Nick brought a bunch of friends over after school. (Making more progress on the infamous shopping cart sled!)

 And our builder in Colorado was texting me the whole day with questions about appliances and concerns about a washer and dryer that won't fit. 

I moved from room to room trying to find quiet space to get work done on my next two chapters due Wednesday, but its felt a little futile. Spent more time responding to texts, researching and measuring washers and dryers, and trying to understand and answer WiFi questions.

With all the chaos, diving into emotional chapters in my book and then receiving heaps of praise 
(I may be exaggerating, but that's what it felt like, and I'm going to just enjoy feeling that for a while),

I was a bit overloaded by evening and my stomach was really hurting.

Because I learned at my colonoscopy/endoscopy on Monday that I have two ulcers.

I'm on omeprazole again, but honestly, I think its making it worse.

En Mexico!

He's back in Mexico!!

Friday, Chris was transferred to a new area in Liberal, Kansas...

(several hours away from anything).

He was so excited because he got to do Spanish translation during church on Sunday.

Monday he got travel docs from the Church telling him to drive to Wichita that day and he was flying out to Mexico at 6:00 a.m. the next morning!

Wow! Such a great surprise!

Two weeks ago he called us saying he was coming to Utah to renew his Visa.

He was flying in, taking a taxi to the consulate for his Visa appointment,

and had just enough time to get back to the airport to check-in for his flight back to Kansas.

We were going to be in Hawaii that day, but he wanted to drop some of his winter clothes off,

so Luke and Diane met him at the airport. 

In January, he'd heard more missionaries were heading back and the Church even talked to him about making sure his paperwork was in order in case he got called back. But he wasn't supposed to talk to anyone about it either, so he didn't tell us. (My guess is the last thing the Church needed right now is 70,000 parents calling to ask if their kid was going back to his/her original mission!)

Also, Chris didn't want to get everyone excited and his own hopes up in case it didn't happen.

His mission president was very careful about telling the missionaries nothing was for sure until they actually had travel plans.

A few weeks later one of his buddies got reassigned to Mexico and another got permanently assigned to Kansas (his original mission was a Central American country.) Plus, Chris heard that if you had less than six months left in your mission, you wouldn't go back to your original. So again, he wasn't sure he was going back.

A couple weeks ago they had Zone Conferences and his President said, "Go check your e-mail."

When Chris opened it, he thought the header implied he wasn't going back.

But when he read closer, he realized it was instructions for going to SLC to renew his Visa. 

Again, he was instructed not to tell anyone. Presumably so hundreds of large family groups didn't show up to the airport! He called us to tell us he was coming and to switch some warm clothes for summer ones.

(-12* in Kansas last week. 90* in Hermosillo today!)

He asked us to not even tell the rest of the family. And if Luke and Diane could meet him, I had to make sure they knew they couldn't tell anyone either. It was really important to him that he follow the rules, because of course all his friends would have loved to show up and see him.

Diane and Luke ended up driving him to the consulate -- which is great because taxis aren't exactly on every corner in Utah and without internet, he couldn't order an Uber! 

When he arrived back in Kansas, he let us tell the kids when we were in Hawaii.

But he still didn't want anyone to get their hopes up, because, 

"until you have travel plans, you don't know if you're going."

When he got transferred to Liberal, Kansas on Friday, it seemed that meant he wouldn't be flying out anytime soon. But... surprise!!!

We got this note from his Mission President's wife:

Thank you for these kind words. 

Elder Shaeffer has made such an impact here. We are so sad to lose his joy, enthusiasm, testimony, and love of our Savior.

He’s the type of missionary who left everything and everyone better than he found them.

We wish him well and hope that he will know that he is always a part of the KWM.

 

Thank you for raising such a fine young man and for letting us serve with him for these past months.

 

Sister Ernst

Checking Things Out

 

Portrait of bowel prep before today's colonoscopy. 

Finishing off the last 16 oz. of Gatorade mixed with Miralax. A little sweet for 3:15 in the morning. Protocol was to take 3/4 in the evening and the last 16 oz five hours before the procedure. Set your alarm and take it on time.

Worked on the other 48 oz. from 5:00  - 6:30 p.m. The Miralax didn't have any taste so for the first 24 oz. that Gatorade tasted pretty good. 

Can you believe it's the first time I've ever had Gatorade? It's just always seemed so gross to me. Ironic that the first time I had it it was mixed with a laxative and I didn't even mind it. 

Everything went smoothly ... in all ways. Don't need to have another for ten years.

The Powerful Word of God

Reading the first part of the Doctrine & Covenants has me 
wondering about an expression used frequently. 

(Sections 6, 11, 14)

1 ^aA great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.

2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.

(Sections 15, 16)

1 Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.

2 For behold, I speak unto you with ^asharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the ^bearth.

Why is his word likened to the power of a sword? 
The footnote led me to Helaman 3:29.

29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the ^aword of God, which is ^bquick and powerful, which shall ^cdivide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and ^dnarrow course across that everlasting ^egulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked

The time of Helaman was one of great war and dissension. 

In 1829, those who believed Joseph Smith were experiencing violent persecution and would see much more in the years to come.

And currently people in the U.S. are overwhelmed with political divisions, racial bias, and even personal opinions garnering hate from those with differing opinions. 

I take comfort from knowing that if we heed the Lord's words -- through the scriptures, the prophet, and personal revelation through prayer -- we will receive direction and peace. Hatred, contention and dissension are the cunning, snares and wiles of the devil. We can overcome by leaning on the words of God who is more powerful than all.

More from the February 2017 Ensign:
Through the Spirit, God reveals things to our spirits... His word can also cut through culture, habits, biases, preconceptions, and doubts to speak to the innermost part of us... When people hear His word preached with power, they are often “pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:37) 

God’s word can separate truth from error and “divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil” (Helaman 3:29). It can help us identify the half-truths and complications that cloud our thinking by setting them up against God’s plain and precious truths.

Cozy Saturday

I'm still in my pajamas, nestled in the corner of the family room sectional, blankets and pillows snuggled around me, Kershaw at my feet. I've got all day to work on homework while Dan and Nick are up skiing. The only interruptions are massive piles of snow avalanching off our roof as the sun has come out and its heating up outside. Makes both me and Kershaw jump every time.

Feels good to have this time to myself doing something I love. 

The Nugents came to Utah and stayed up at Solitude to ski/snowboard for the week. 

(With the big storm and the canyons closing, they had the resort to themselves for a few days.)

Last night their family came over and also Sheree, Soren and Simone. 

The kids were running around playing hide 'n seek, climbing the rock wall and exploring Nick's snow fort.

 -- spectacular chaos -- 

the kind that fills your soul when you're surrounded by children's games, funny expressions, the tone of their voices, their delight in cousins, thrill of sleepovers, giving hugs and especially cute teenagers willing to talk with the adults! 

I've missed spending time with my sisters during the pandemic. 
I've missed interacting with their kids and watching their families in action. 

So glad I get to see them when they visit Utah!

I haven't seen Rachel in over a year... maybe at Chris' farewell, August 2019?

That's too long! 

At least we have texting! Our group chats are the best.

Nick was around for a little bit, but had big plans with his friends to make a grocery cart sled.

They attached an old pair of skis to a grocery cart they "found,"

and took turns riding in it down the hill at Churchill. 

("Don't worry mom, we're wearing helmets.")

The videos are pretty epic.

In other winter fun,

Dan and Nick had to leave by 7:00 a.m. to try to get a parking spot at Alta. 

They arrived at 7:50 and within ten minutes of them arriving, the lot was full. 

The resort doesn't open until 9:15, so they used that time by having a "tailgate" 

making breakfast burritos on the Coleman stove with the friends they skied with.

They reported it was pretty chilly and windy, but delicious too!

Settling Back In

 While we were basking in warmth, Nick and friends were building an igloo!

(Sidebar: Because of Covid, anything that could be removed from the rooms at the Fairmont, had been.
No throw pillows on couches, boxes for q-tips & cotton balls, bed bolsters or throw cover, 

no extra blankets or linens for fold-out couches. 
The extra blankets are helpful if its cool outside, but not too cold for working.
Used the robes and towels as blankets -- and they worked just fine.)

I needn't have worried that Nick would brave the elements and drive to school.

He's a good student, but also a teenager. Happy to have an excuse to skip.

While it was too snowy to drive to school, it wasn't too snowy to drive to his friends' house for breakfast.

But embrace snow days, I say!

He and his friends spent the rest of the day (Lizzie and Marty confirmed it was all day!) 
building an epic snow fort.

He felt so epic about it, he actually texted us photos saying, "Look what I did!"

Another "look what Nick did" moment: Dan texted him, "make sure to plow the driveway"

and got a response back saying, "I already did." Wow. 

It feels good to be home. The non-stop flight makes traveling not dreadful.

We were back in bed by 6:30 a.m. and Friday is distance-learning day, so Nick was sleeping in too.

Our bed was cozy, familiar, and the blankets the perfect weight.

After a few hours, we got up and started settling back in, including taking care of all the business of getting a Covid test and bowl prep necessities for my colonoscopy on Monday, going through two weeks of mail, and cancelling and ordering new credit cards and driver's license because 

I lost my wallet at the airport on the way out of town.

Have I mentioned that?

Yep. I bought sandwiches for everyone at Squatters, then mid-flight, I noticed the strap I clip my travel wallet to was empty! I took everything out of the bag, searched twice, stood on the seat to search the luggage compartment, got on the floor and searched around my seat, pulled up the cushions, and reached my hand into gross crevices, all to no avail.

Shout out to Kristin (and whoever invented in-flight texting) for calling Squatters, airport lost and found and also getting the information I needed to submit a lost item claim! She saved the day when I couldn't do any of those things from mid-air, yet was desperate to leave no stone unturned!

Let's also remember the TSA agent I spoke with once in Hawaii asking how I travel home without ID.

"You need to get to the airport REALLY early before your flight."

How early?

"REALLY early. In normal circumstances, people should be here two hours early. 

No one does, but they should.

They don't realize how long it could take to go through security and you shouldn't be rushed.

So you should be even earlier."

How early would you suggest?

"Here's the process, first get to the airport early. 

Don't wait in the pre-check line, you have to go to the normal line..." 

(I actually really liked him. He reminded me of me. Not quite getting to the point, but doing a great job of explaining in detail what to expect!)

And also remembering both that agent and the girl comparing covid test QR codes with ID's saying, 

"But don't you have your passport?"
No, because I was using my driver's license for ID.
"Yes, but are you sure you don't have a passport with you?"
I'm sure.

Fortunately we had neighbors coming to our same resort and they were able to get into our house and find my passport and bring it to me! It was pretty amazing that such a simple solution was available!

And...Remember how I hate my driver's license photo? I get a re-do!

(Also, may I suggest you get all your credit cards listed in their bank apps on your phone. Makes it SO easy to put a freeze if you've lost them and then order replacements if you need to!

Practicing The Future

After spending a full NINE days on vacation (what?!), its hard to imagine 

Dan and I were still up for a few more days in Hawaii. 

Not a bad place to sit in the adirondack chairs (Hawaiian version) and read!

I think part of the excitement was that we could stay -- partly thanks to Covid and online work,
and obviously a lot in part to the success of Dan's business.
Also thanks to Marty and Lizzie living nearby (also able to work/school online)
and being willing to stay with Nick and put off getting to their own home. 

Nick is too old for a babysitter, but too young to be left alone.
Teenagers are NOT cool with just anyone staying over.
Best chance of success is a sibling and his very awesome wife.

5:00 pm lighting of the tikis and blowing the conch shell.

Friday night while getting ready for dinner, we both said we wished we could stay.

(I think we'd both been secretly thinking through about how we could make it happen.)

I had a lot of work to do for my class and Dan had meetings all day on Tuesday.

What if we just worked in the day in our hotel? It would sort of be like when we're empty-nesters.

For several years Dan has said when the kids are gone we're going to live in Hawaii 

for a month -- January or February -- to take a break from the snow. 

We wouldn't sit around for a month, but would do our work from a different location.

View from my outdoor workstation (I got the comfy lounger!)

And that's what we practiced doing. We exercised in the morning:

Tuesday: walked together to Makena.

Wednesday: I swam--a mile again!-- in the pool and Dan did weights at the gym.

Thursday: Beach path walk and kayak.

Watching from our deck four men trim palm trees.

We worked all day with interspersed news report briefs on the snowstorms everywhere else

and in the evening went to dinner and watched shows or movies.

Funny fact: With Marty and Chris, I worried if I went away, they wouldn't go to school,

would get behind in their classes, then not be willing to put in the effort to get caught up. 

I envisioned their whole futures derailed because I left them unsupervised for a week.

With Nick, I texted home three times, "If there's too much snow, don't risk going to school!"

"The school says its not cancelling the day, but said use your judgment if you feel safe driving or not!"

"Best to stay home!"

Tuesday: biked on the cruisers to Paia Fishmarket in Kihei and ate in the park. 

Caught up on the last two episodes of This is Us.

Surfers at sunset in Kihei

Wednesday: Couple's Massage before lunch. Work.

Dinner at the Longhi's in the mall. Watched a boring, yet sweet, but mostly boring, movie, Paper...something.

Thursday: Kayak and sat in the middle of the ocean. Waiting for whales.

We saw a blow from a distance--about two resort distances away--and started paddling

hoping we could get an up close look.

Suddenly we hear a whoosh to our left and just behind. Just 50 feet away a huge

whale back was floating on the surface. Then a second whale equally large surfaced! 

We were torn between getting closer and not wanting to have it hit our kayak!

Dan tried using the snorkel mask to see if he could see it underwater. We were both way too nervous for  him to jump overboard, so he peered over the side. Of course the kayak tilted, I screamed, then swore, 

and thankfully we were able to right ourselves quickly. 

We had rain, progressively getting harder each day we stayed. The mornings were clear, but the ocean more choppy. By noon, gray clouds covered the ocean, rain stopped and started, 

and the sunset was hidden in evenings.

Didn't mind though since we could still be outside, protected on our deck, 

and we'd had plenty of sun and heat the week prior!

Thursday before we left, we had a late lunch at Tommy Bahamas and did a little shopping.

A few t-shirts and flip-flops for Dan and for me,

 found a ring in Tiffany's perfect to wear when we go on vacation.

As tempting as it was to keep staying, we like Nick. 

But I wonder how we're going to decide to come home in a few years?!

Bikes at Sunset

 

Guess What We Did

Guess what we did?

After checking out of the Villa and spending the day in a cabana by the pool...

We checked into a room in the hotel...

And sent the kids home while we stay in Maui for a few more days!

 

The Megaladon - Happy V-Day

On Courtney and Michael's last day, we went big this morning.
Mega-big. Took the Megaladon Paddle Board out to sea.

All seven of us on the one big board with four paddles!

We hoped to see whales up close. We definitely saw whales, but not extra close. Close-ish.

At one time Lizzie screamed when she saw shark fins.

But they were dolphins. They were close and very fun to watch!

After coming back to shore we played in the waves and saw a whale super close to people still out.

Right where we had been! Next year's goals.

After the waves we plunged and made a whirlpool -- a favorite plunge pool game.

Lunch at Coconuts then a scenic trip to Iao Valley.

Naps, Farkle, Grill.

So many laughs, jokes, stories and fun.

Goodbye to Courtney and Michael who start their 12 hour journey home tonight.

Island Star

The Island Star.

Whales, dolphins, snorkeling at cool reef caves, food, sailing.

Always a highlight!

Pizza in Paia after, shave ice at Ululanis.

Back at home: hot tub, nap and a late night Paia fish market dinner.

Views

Even though this pic was taken at the end of the evening, 
it needs to be featured first -- our annual Nick's Fishmarket family photo.

Our family is growing taller and bigger and I love it!

Swam a mile this morning in the pool. It's the first time I've swum laps of any significant amount in
probably five years. At least.

Molokini crater is the crescent below the island behind it. 
It's been so clear and calm while we've been here. Molokini isn't always so visible.

I swam, the girls ran and Nick did homework. 
Marty and Lizzie spent all morning doing work and homework
But Courtney, Nick and I spent four hours on the grass by the pool reading and basking in this view.

While we were relaxing, Dan and Michael rode bikes 12 miles to the top of Haleakala!
After summiting, they rode a longer route down and completed 52 miles in all!

They left the house at 7:30 a.m. and got back at 4:00 p.m. tired and hungry but happy!

 

Nick's Fishmarket for dinner. Their photographer no longer works there,

but we still got our own photos. (And for free!)

Remember a year ago when Marty proposed to Lizzie at Nick's?! 

So glad she said, "yes"!

Came across a large toad and several of his friends. Beware of walking on the grass at night!