Sweet Assurance

Time Out For Women was a interesting event. I had the privilage of being "on staff". This two day event took place in downtown Kansas City. There were a lot of women in attendance, I think about 1600 from all over the US. We even had a geography lesson from Jenny Oaks Baker, pictured below.

Any idea where the state that looks like a pot is located you Oklahoma? I'll give you a hint it's in the Midwest, south of Kansas. This isn't funny unless you were at the event but it became a running joke. There was a last minute change in the venue because Sherri Dew wasn't able to be there. The person that took her place was my first choice as a replacement and that was John Bytheway.
John Bytheway. Can't you just tell that it's him?All the presenters were wonderful, but I think my favorite was Kris Belcher. She was hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard and often since I can't remember when. It was just what the therapist ordered. I didn't get a lot of pictures because it was great lighting for my cheap little camera and there weren't a lot of photo ops.

Shelly Broyles, Karen Irick another staffer/volunteer, Kathy Divis, and myself. Joe took this with his phone. Not the best quality, but you can see how big of an event this is.

My oh so official id tag. It was fun to be a part of the staff even though it was on a volunteer basis. I hope I will get to do it again the next time the event comes to KC.

CTR Turns 1

Today Celeste turned one-year-old. Linda had a family party for her at their place. She will have her official part on Nov 6. It will be a blast.
 

Kansas City Marathon 2009

There were quite a few people that wore some interesting outfits. After seeing hundreds run by, I saw the wisdom in that. It makes it a lot easier for ones support group to find a runner. This is an example of what I'm talking about. I don't think anyone could miss the bright orange pants and blue t-shirt combo.


I thought this guy was nuts for running barefoot. Come to find out, he is actually well known in the running world for this. He does it for charity. Still I have to think it would really hurt.


George Gille at mile 12ish. He's been training for months for this marathon. He did an awesome job. He's the one in all black.


Richard Capener (in the orange shirt) and his sister KayAnn at mile 12ish.


George at mile 20. Go George go


Richard and KayAnn at mile 20


George at the finish line. It's hard to see, but he has a big smile on his face. He finished in 4:16:37 very impressive I think.


Richard and KayAnn at the finish line. They did the race according to my unofficial time 4:35:00, not too shabby especially since Richard didn't train for the race. That's according to his darling wife Sara.

I have never been nor will ever be known as a runner. I however admire those that can train their bodies to go great distances. Granted I think they are a lttle crazy, but that doesn't diminish the effort involved. This year was the first time I have ever attended an event like this. It was actually fun to watch even if I did freeze my big tushie off. I knew a few people running the race and went to support them. I only saw two of the 6 people I knew, but hope they know I was rooting for them as well. I think one of the biggest reasons I went was if I were to do something that huge I would appreciate the support, but how could I expect others to do what I am not willing to do. It was even more fun cheering with someone else. Thanks for letting me tag along. Those that I knew were running; George and Kamian Gille, Ruth and Alyssa Campbell, Richard Capener, and Andrea Urczyk

Winter Quarters 2009

The girls I rode with and no I wasn't driving. Kamian had that chore.


Kate taking my picture while I took hers.


Going in.

I love going to the temple. I love being able to get away from the cares of the world and be in a place of peace. The youth in my ward went today to the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha, Nebraska. It was such a good time. We have GREAT youth in my ward. They are fun to be with and such wonderful examples to me. It is such a joy to be with them. I'm just glad they let me tag along.


Almost the whole group.


Some of the flowers in the front. Yes that is snow, fitting since it's "Winter Quarters".


This is the whole group that went. Great bunch of folks.

Just Another Day

My beautiful daughter Linda, darling Celeste, and then there's me by the fountains at Crown Center.

Tres Amigas so my Spanish isn't that great, but I think you get the idea.

This is the quilt Celeste's other grandma made for her when she was born. It has her initials on it to help remind her to "choose the right"

I love spending time with my Little Pumpkin. I can't believe she is almost 1. We spent some time this week together with her beautiful momma, Aunt Becky, and good friend Doride at the Mid-America Quilt Show. Linda's mother-in-law had a couple of quilts on display so of course we had to go see them. We also had lunch so all in all, a very fun day.

My Little Pumpkin

The three of us.


The other kids we went with.


Linda and CTR aka My Little Pumpkin

A close up of the growth chart. Maybe we'll go back next year to have a comparison.


How about this one?


Which way do I go now?


All tuckered out.


These are the ones we took home.

Today marks another mile stone for my Little Pumpkin. I'm going to call her that now since this is her birth month. Linda and I took her to Schaake's Pumpkin Patch just outside of Lawrence with some of the ladies in my ward as part of the Mommy and Me Relief Society Group. We had a good time, or at least I did.

One Last Time

 

Heidi Fackrell, Sherry Smith, Sara Capener, Chris Manning

This past week has been a bitter/sweet one for me. I found out about a week and a half ago that my ward will have the Relief Society Presidency reorganized. Normally one does not find out about this until the day it is happening, but there were special circumstances this time. While I know this is what the Lord would have done, I am struggling greatly with this. I have grown to love these wonderful women with whom I serve. They have become some of my dearest friends. I know we will continue to be friends, but it won't be the same. It feels to me like a kid whose best friend is moving away.
This was our last presidency meeting. We had actually been planning this outing for many months in celebration of our birthdays, but somehow seemed more fitting to be celebrating serving together. I have learned so much from each of these lovely ladies and will miss serving so closely with them.

Outing with Dear Friends

Friday was such a wonderful day for me. I had the opportunity to attend the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha Nebraska with two wonderful women whom I have the privilege to call friend. This excursion has strengthened by testimony of the blessings of temple attendance. When we are ready for insight the Lord will bless us when we go to His Holy House.

Sweet Assurance

I have the privilege this year of helping with Time Out For Women 2009 Tour "Sweet Assurance". I am so excited to be able to attend this event. There will be so many great presenters. One that I am looking forward to hearing is S. Michael Wilcox. I've posted about him before, but I'm doing it again. This is what I wrote "Recently I listened to a talk by S. Michael Wilcox titled "The Fourth Watch". He uses a story found in the book of Matthew chapter 14 when the disciples had been rowing for many hours and were ready to give up. I like how Matthew describes it in verse 24; "the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary." The Savior all the while is watching from the shore looking after the disciples and when they have reached the end of their rope in other words during the fourth watch of the night, the last possible moment when it seems all hope is lost, He walks out to them. At first they are afraid, but the Lord speaks to them and tells them to not be afraid. Then Peter goes out to meet the Savior. Peter starts to lose faith when he sees that the wind is boisterous and starts to sink in the sea. Of course the Savior reaches out to Peter after he cries for help."

At the time I wrote this I was going through a very difficult period in my life and this talk gave me hope and comfort. I think anyone could benefit from attending this event.

Seattle 2009

Flying somewhere over eastern Washington


Aunt Gitti, Uncle Mona, my dad and me.


This is where I spent most of my time on this trip, sitting in front of the embroidery machine.


Of course it had to rain at least one day while I was there. After all it is Seattle.


But after the rain comes the rainbow


Part of the backyard at my parent's. My mother is an avid gardener.


This is a wall hanging my mom is making. All that is needed is to bind it and then quilt it.


The docks


Pike Place Market


The crowds at the market


Checking out the produce


Pike Place Market; home of the flying fish.


This picture was painted by my 3rd great-grandfather Moritz Wimmer. It is typical of his work. My cousin purchased it on E-bay.


Space Needle


Rita supervising the plum picking. After all it was her tree.


Getting all the ripe ones.


Plum picking


My cousin Rita and me. She is the one of two cousins from my mom's side. The other one being her brother Sunjay.


Mt Rainier


Dash Point Beach


One of the displays at the fair.


Giant pumpkin carving at the fair.


For me this was the highlight of the fair.


For a brief moment I turned to the Dark Side. Yes I am holding a blaster.


My mom is making me a quilt using her embroidery machine. This is one of the motifs on the quilt. We bought the supplies while I was there so I could pick out the colors I wanted.


Almost home

This is my documenting my trip to Seattle. Didn't do a lot of the usual tourist things since I really wasn't there for that this time around. Most of my time was spent using the embroidery machine.