Great Aloha Run

This President's Day weekend, the kids and I ran the "Keiki" (Kiddie) version of the Great Aloha Run with our friends, the Jensens. It was a mile and a half--versus the 8.3 mile real deal. They did a great job and it was a beautiful day to get out. Trevor has quite the competitive streak--he wasn't below elbowing the competition as they edged past him. He's convinced he was the winner. Which in this race is true, cause "Every child is a winner."

What a Sweetheart

This Valentines Day I was asked to accompany the Stake President and Stake RS president along with Barbara Thompson, 2nd Counselor in the General RS Presidency on a visit to determine how the church can better support and assist military families. My friend Jill was selected to discuss the difficulties and needs during a deployment. With Sister Thompson's background as a social worker, she had very purposeful questions about the challenges of military life. It was a pleasant and beautiful day spent on Jill's patio eating Asian pears and talking with the very caring and endearing Sister Thompson.

So...if the church suddenly offers weekly institute classes with state-of-the-art, paid-staff childcare for mothers of young children...I'm just saying, no thanks needed. (wink wink)

Jill Barkdull and Barbara Thompson

The Latest Hike

We had a fun hike up a trail off of the Ko'olau Golf Course. I don't even know the name of it, but we had a great time. Lots of yellow ginger, a gorgeous waterfall, and some wild starfruit to take home. I love the hiking trails here--so accessible and fascinating. It's a great way to keep the kids happy on long afternoons. Can't wait till the next Furlough Friday!


Yellow ginger




A thick, rubbery-textured hibiscus-type flower that grew off vines

Winter Fun in Utah

Independent Worker

Trevor insisted on pushing the trash out all by himself. He was darling to watch, but I felt a little sheepish as all the cars stopped by the traffic light watched me watch him, offering no assistance, just snapping photos. He did great!

Yard Work: Supersize Me

Road Mamas: This One's For You!

Was driving kids back and forth. And back and forth. Day in, day out. Fighting back one of those, "Is this what my life amounts to?" moments. Then I came across this article in a magazine: A Purpose-Driving Life Kyria.com. It was just what I needed to hear!

Excerpts:

"Years before, I'd prayed that God would give me a grand purpose in life. He answered by giving me two girls and a set of car keys.

"Drive,' he said.

"So drive I did. To volleyball. To softball. To the mall. To the beach. To the mall. To church youth group. To Taco Bell. To the mall.

"During my years of driving girls, my car was...at times a confessional and a sanctuary. Something amazing happened when my red Ford Tempo filled with girls. God entered.

"It was all so very natural, yet not. It was mundane and ordinary, yet incredibly holy. Now that my daughters are grown, I actually miss those days. At one time, I'd wanted to be somebody important, to do great things. I ended up driving girls. It wasn't what I'd envisioned, but for a good portion of my life it was what I'd been created and called to do.

"Jesus told his followers that God cares about sparrows. He commended the poor widow who gave two meager pennies, talked about faith the size of a grain of mustard seed and the growth potential of a kernel of wheat. He chose a puny shepherd boy to be king of Israel.

I had asked God to give me a grand purpose, and he did.