Pride and Prejudice

Well, I finally finished Pride and Prejudice some 10 years later than when I started.

That book was a monumental undertaking. I swear I started over at least 5 times and let it sit on my nightstand for years and years. Kind of felt like the Book of Mormon -- you know the getting so far and then starting over again.

I had such a hard time with the language and understanding what they were saying. I'm wondering if watching Downton Abbey this winter helped. At least it seemed after watching an episode and then picking up the book, the book seemed more understandable.

Once I got about half way through then I breezed through the rest. It actually got more interesting and I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen.

I promised myself that I had to read the book first before I watched the movie.

Bring on the movie!

And I'm so glad to get that book off my nightstand and back on the bookshelf.

April General Conference

I know I'm a few weeks late on this . . . but can I just say I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE.

Kiersten does too. At least that's what her grandpa told me.

I think my other kids do too.

 

At least they were all busy taking notes . . . until the last hour. Then I think we all kind of zoned out or fell asleep, myself included.

My conference moment this time was when they released the Young Women General Presidency and sustained new leaders. When Bonnie Oscarson's name was announced as the new president, I quickly went online to make sure it was the same Bonnie Oscarson that I knew vicariously.

You see I know her as Mo. At least that's what her children call her. She just recently returned from serving as matron of the Sweden temple. She has five daughters and two sons. Before going to Sweden she had just completed her studies and graduated from college . . . after all her children were raised and had left home. Her and her husband first had a call to go to China on a mission, but at the last minute it got changed to Sweden as temple president and matron. Before leaving they felt the need to sell their home in Bountiful and move into a condo in North Salt Lake/Salt Lake. 

And how do I know all this? I like to read blogs and three of her daughters blogs are on my short list. Here's a link to one of her daughter's thoughts about her mother becoming the president of the Young Women organization for the LDS church. I know she will be wonderful just from the little bit I know about her and frankly from the family she has raised.

Baptism book

I forgot to mention that our Primary gave Ashlyn the cutest little baptism book.

It looks like it was made of envelopes glued together where she could put all the nice little notes people wrote to her while she was getting dressed.

Reborn

My little brother Matt told Ashlyn yesterday, "I'm so glad you were born . . . and reborn."

We celebrated with our Ash as she made an important step in being baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Grandma and Grandpa arrived the night before with a few gifts. I let her open mine, her white dress, that she had picked out an entire year before and had forgotten all about it until a few days ago. When she asked about it, I played dumb and didn't know what she was talking about even though the dress was wrapped and sitting on the mantel. She never clued in.

Grandma Jules made her a beautiful purple quilt

and Grandma and Grandpa Leary gave her new scriptures which she and Nate have diligently been reading most mornings.

She was beautiful and glowed all day long. The service was short and simple with Ashlyn being the fastest dresser ever. Her Grandpa Sharm commented that she was like Superman because she changed so fast. We just wanted to hurry and hear the rest of Kiersten's piano solo of "Baptism" arranged by Paul Cardall.

Our new bishop took a few minutes to welcome Ashlyn into the ward. I liked what he told her about the Holy Ghost -- when we are doing right and following the commandments there is a peaceful feeling that accompanies us which is the Holy Ghost. When we are confused, then we know there are some things in our life that we must correct.

There was also a minor change to the program. Nathan was supposed to lead but ended up not feeling well and staying home, so I took over. The first verse of the closing song "I Am a Child of God" kind of hit me hard as I sang "has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me . . . " Those words touched me as I thought of my own parents sitting in the audience who have been so kind and dear and have taught me correct principles, who have shown me the way that I must go, who have led me and counseled with me. I am forever grateful to them simply for being wonderful parents, for being MY parents.

Breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day. I love it all and so we tried to have it all. There were egg casseroles with salsa and sour cream, Dutch oven potatoes, ham, bacon, cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, lots of fruit and dip, orange juice and apple juice. Oh my! I was in heaven. We ended up with more than enough, but my idea of a good hostess is that my guests leave feeling full, hopefully not wondering where they can stop on the way home to finish filling up.

I hope Ashlyn remembers the good feelings she had about her day. My only regret is that we didn't get a picture of her with Grandma Leary and Grandma and Grandpa Ellis, three of her great-grandparents. It's not usual to have great-grandparents attending such events. What a blessing to still have them around and in good health (Brian did get some pictures of them at our house, just not with Ashlyn).

Al's little buddies

I'm pretty sure that Alex thinks this is the best week of his life. Most days he asks, "I see Tanner?" And I have to reply that Tanner or Logan won't be coming over. 

But this week . . . 

This week they've been at our house every day, all day, and all night.

A weeklong sleepover with two of his favorite cousins just can't be beat.

Calf Creek Falls

While grandpa worked on our van, we helped grandma work in their ginormous yard. There were trees limbs that needed moving, a lawn that needed raking, and a garden area to clean up.

Then the next day we headed out for a little day trip to the Escalante area. I had come across a hike I wanted to do and didn't think it would be too strenuous.

First stop was the Anasazi State Museum where we saw some Indian ruins.

 

Next was lunch at the trail head. We had just pulled in when a gentleman approached us. He watched us pull in, saw me get out and thought "I know that girl." It was my sister-in-law's dad who happens to live in Cache Valley. He was down there for the week with a scout group. Can I just say small world!

After filling up we were ready to start our hike to Calf Creek Falls. The website said it was 5 to 6 miles round trip. There wasn't a lot of elevation gain but we would be walking through sand.

We walked.

And walked.

And stopped to take a picture.

We walked some more.

And walked.

And sang as we walked.

At this point I was beginning to feel like a pioneer. Kiersten even commented how much it felt like trek.

We were really beginning to wonder how much further.

Just around the next corner.

Then the next corner.

At one point we were in a canyon that echoed. So we took turns yelling and making echoes. Alex thought echoes were something to be seen. "I see my echo." I kept explaining that an echo was something we heard, in our ears. "Oh." I don't think he got it because on the way back when we were at the same spot, he yelled, "I see my echo."

We had to be getting close. So most of us kept walking. Ash was our leader and would often run ahead and wait.

Finally when I was getting ready to give up and turn around, we made it.

And it was worth it. The falls were spectacular.
There were 14 interpretive markers along the trail. When we started we didn't know how many there were, but on the way back it sure make it easier to know how much further we needed to go. I also decided to keep track with my pedometer. We all thought the hike was much longer than what was advertised (and maybe it just felt long because I had a 2 year old on my back most of the way).

According to my Fitbit it was 7 1/2 to 8 miles round trip (depending on where you calculated from . . . the trail head or the car). I'm glad we didn't know that at the beginning or I don't think we would have done it, especially with a 2 year old in tow.

It was a fun, exhausting way to spend part of spring break. I love that my kids are getting old enough to do adventuresome outings.