She is MY MOM!!!

I am sure that everyone thinks they have the "Worlds Greatest Mom." Well I beg to differ! My mom is truly an amazing, wonderful, kind, loving person. Because of this she can make somewhat of a scene from time to time. She is know for going into the grocery store or even the Ladies Room and coming out with a friend!!! She has bonded over asparagus and toilet paper! And that I am sure of!!

So what would make me think a night out to the Eccles Theater would be any different!?

We happened to be sitting next to a sweet elderly gentlemen from Virginia. He was there to support his granddaughter. He was wearing his WWII hat with pride! He had lost an arm but that did not stop him from clapping. He simply clapped his hand against his chest. He reminded me of my grandfather and the pride he had for his granddaughter was visible for all to see! He was Darling!!! And naturally my mom made a friend!

However he was not the only sweet elderly man in attendance. We were privileged to be in the same room as Elder L. Tom Perry. I shook his hand!!!! It was amazing to see the amount of genuine love for everyone he talked to radiate from him. I have never been that close to an apostle of the Lord before. It was something I will not soon forget. Or ever for that matter!!

Please leave it my mom to insure these two special gentlemen met. There we were standing outside waiting to meet the cast. When the next ting I know my mom is leading Elder Perry toward us. She was saying "Could I introduce you to a friend of mine!" The two men visited for a few minutes and then parted ways.

I was teasing her that only MY mother would accost an apostle!! She went on to tell me why...

Right after she joined the church she had the opportunity to introduce her father to an apostle and did not take it. She said she was not going to miss that chance again!

I learned something very special from my mom tonight. She taught me that there is always time to make somebody feel important! If my mom can find the time to do this! And Elder Perry can find that time! Then why can't I!? Why can't we all!?

I love my mom so much and I am thankful for the lesson I learned tonight!

Oregon Coast 2010!!!!

We packed up the Van and headed for Oregon!! It was amazing to have limited cell phone coverage and no email for 10 days!!!! We used every seat belt in the van and filled every extra space with something we NEEDED to have while camping!!! There were 3 adults, Miriah, Heather and ME! One Teenager: Mandy! And Miriah's 3 little children Mirissa 5, Carson 3 and Zach 1!! It was a blast! Here is my trip in pictures!!!

But before you get started on this little adventure I have a confession to make...


I wrote this post while watching the OCD Project on hulu. Seems harmless right??? Well not really...I have found that it is driving me nuts that I am not able to get my pictures loaded in the correct order. You know from the beginning of my trip to the end. But after many fights with blogger....I have decided to let it go!!!

So please enjoy my vacation in Rewind!!!



We were given "Wonky" directions that ended up adding 5 hours to our return trip!!!! Making it 20 hours instead of 15. He had been driving for 10 hours and had gone less than 400 miles. Low speed limits and winding roads are not a good combo. But along the way we did see this tree. It is full of SHOES... No idea why. But it is what it is!!!
Here is a full view of the tree!

People are so strange. Who decides..."well we have this tree and I have a pair of old shoes. What if I thrown them up there and see if over time others will join me?!?!" I secretly wish I have added my shoes to this one of kind tree!

The sunset on the Ocean is BEAUTIFUL!!! I will not dispute this at all. But I think I prefer my mountain sunsets!

It is still breathtaking!! Heavenly Father sure knows what he is doing!

Kind of dark but I guess it is natures "Mood Lighting" too bad the only men on this trip were 3 and 1!

This is what happens when you eat a marshmallow in the dark!!

This picture was taken on the anniversary of Micheal Jackson's death. So this is my tribute to MJ..."It don't matter if your black or white!!"

I love this picture!!! The light house about 1 mile from our campsite!

Playing on the rocks, waiting for the sun to set!

Coming back from the Tide Pools. We got up really early so everyone is really tired!! But later this day we all took a nap!!!

TIDE POOLS!!!We went in this cave at low tide! These little guys would spit water on you if you touched them. It was pretty fun for the kids!

ELEPHANT ROCK: Don't ask me I did not name it!

Finding sea life is fun!!

The ocean is beautiful, but I will be honest it kinda freaks me out!

FACE ROCK: Do you see the face???

More searching for sea creatures!

I found one!!
We went down to California to see the Redwoods. People have always said pictures do not do them any justice. And I totally agree...Plan a trip if you have not seen them!

Here is a picture of the California Coast.

And another one. It is all so beautiful, the pictures are good...But not quite the same!

This a hallowed out tree. I have never seen anything like this in my life. They are massive!

Mandy twisted her ankle but was a trooper and limped around all day!

More of the California Coast.

OK so these flowers were a testimony builder to me. I know that seems strange but this is why. Heavenly Father wanted this earth to be beautiful for his children. But he took the time to make this little flower. It was a beautiful pink with little streamer like things coming out the middle. But then to make it even better the middle was a deep purple. It was beautiful and reminded me that we need to take the time to notice all the beautiful things we have!!!

Here is a picture of the 3 of us at the top of the Tram we rode through the Redwoods. The trip up was really scary but the view was totally worth it!!

My favorite tree in the forest. The main tree is growing sideways but because the tree needs the sun to survive it grew 3 other trees that reach the sun. And those 3 live off the root system of the sideways tree! I was amazed by this tree!!! Now that is some of the best Team Work I have ever seen!!!

Another view from the top!!

The tram basket!!

The Brotherhood Tree. This is by far the largest tree I have ever seen!!!

Just take a look at these trees they are beautiful!!

Paul Bunion and Babe the Big Blue OX!!!

The California Coast!!

We went to a Wile Safari Park in Bandon Oregon!!! We were able to hold animals we would not otherwise get to hold!!!

Like a Lion Cub!! He was 11 weeks old!

And 5 week old Tiger cubs!!
Or a Opossum!

I wanted to bring him home!!! His paws were my favorite part!!

He is so ugly he is kind of cute!

We fed the animals and they were a very friendly!!! But we did smell like a goat by the time we left!! YUCK!

She is a "City Girl!"

This little guy was found in our camp! I am positive this is the smallest frog I have ever seen!

Saw this sign and decided I want to live in BLISS!!! Exit 137 and you are there. Who knew it was so easy!

View from the Columbia River.

We saw this sign in Eugene Oregon. I am not sure what the purpose is. But I will say I was feeling very calm! I bet Bliss is full of these signs!!!

Saw this town and had to stop. It is not often you see Linn spelled this way. Well not unless you are in this town or looking over my birth certificate!!!

We saw some beautiful waterfalls along the way!!!

Here is a picture of one of them!!!

We found out the hard way the difference between "Weather Resistant" and"Water Proof." But have not fear...I spent 14$ on bungee cords and like any good girl scouts we took care of it! Never mind that there was a police officer watching us but never offering to help. OR that once we got is all covered we did not see a drop of rain!!

Well my friends that was my trip in a NUTSHELL!!! I hope you enjoyed that backward trip to Oregon! I know I loved it going forward!!!

Oh I forgot to mention....I saw 2 police officers in the entire state of Oregon. And yes one of them pulled me over!!! He said I was going 14 over and seemed to be distracted. Perhaps he did not know I was fro out of town and distracted taking in all the sights? But he was kind and let me off with a warning. So I considered my self warned and try really hard to not speed until I saw the "Welcome to Idaho sign!!" Then it was smooth sailing!!