7 days and counting

The stories from my friends about the 2005 flood didn't really seem possible....until yesterday.  I have driven over this bridge for almost 5 years now and usually see just a sliver of a "semi-river."  But, holy cow - yesterday morning was another story as you can tell by the photos.  We were about ready to build an ark!  This is the longest streak of NO SUN I have ever seen since living in St. George and just for your information -- ENOUGH already! 

She Did It!

Email Surprise from Maryland!

I received this in my email last night along with a cute photo of Lerin and her companion.....made my day!

Dear Sister Bridges,
It has been our pleasure to have the opportunity to have your daughter in our ward, in our home and taking her and her companion out to eat. She has such a wonderful spirit. She just lights up the room. I love her laugh. She always has a big smile on her face. And the energy that she has is so powerful. I love it.
She has been working hard sharing the gospel with others.  Even though she has been in our ward only a short time, it feels like we have known her forever. Thanks for raising such a wonderful daughter and sharing her with us. We will be sad to see her move on when the time is right.
Thanks again for sharing your beautiful daughter with us.
Sincerely,
Shelly

Fall Break?!

What a gorgeous weekend it was in our little corner of the world!  We just had to get out and play for a day while it was so nice and Alexa was in town for a visit.  Friday morning Kambria and Alexa had their photos taken by the talented Heather (http://photosbyheatherstott.blogspot.com/) because they both are celebrating major milestones in their lives -- Kambria Six months on earth and Alexa graduating from USU!  We can't wait to see how they turn out! 

After the shoot, we hit the road to explore Kolob Canyon in Zion for the afternoon.  It was gorgeous this time of year and very few people!  After stopping to help three women from New York change a tire on our way down the mountain....we finally made it to Oscar's in Springdale for dinner!  Yummo!  A perfect day, so far......and then life hits you really hard and you realize what really matters most ~

As we were heading home, we were making a turn in LaVerkin and then BAM~~out of the blue we were hit full on by a truck from behind!  The driver didn't even break -- a 40-45 mile per hour hit!  We are so grateful that not one of us was hurt (seatbelt reminder), but the truck that hit us and Lynn's precious Tahoe - well that is another story. 

  Yes, we are so blessed ~ AND when it was all said and done, we did still end up having a perfect day together!

Coronado Island

Last week Lynn had a symposium at the Hotel Del Coronado, a famous old hotel on an island off of San Diego - so of course I was persuaded to take a couple of personal days and join him!  The hotel, the town and the landscape were gorgeous-plus the weather was a sunny 71 degrees! 

Besides watching a couple of dolphins play off of the coast one day, I witnessed real Navy Seal training for 3 hours one afternoon!  The week we were there just happened to be the pre-cursor to "Hell Week", which happens next week. There were 250 Seal candidates and by the time hell week is finished, there will be about 60 who actually become Navy Seals.  They were put through crazy hard stuff for the entire 3 hours and I can't imagine what the 'real' hell week must be like for these men.  Watching these men made me so grateful for such men who are willing to do this kind of thing for our country.

Hope

“You can live without love,

But you cannot live without hope.” Vaughan J. Featherstone

Many friends have asked me from time to time… “How do you do it? There’s no way I could handle the trials you've had to go through like you.” I know that most people could and they would, probably better than me. Real life is hard. But after experiencing so much as a parent, I am ok with that most of the time. I know from experience that after the pain and hard stuff, the best stuff happens ~ so yeah I am ok with real life. I kind of laugh and smile to myself when I hear people allude to the fact that all will be rosy in their family if they do all the right things (FHE, family prayer, scriptures, service etc. etc.). After all what could go wrong when they are doing their part? Let me just say…..plenty !

I am not sure what other “stuff” is still yet to be learned as I carry on through my earthly life, but I will do my best to be taught and keep “learning” for as long as it takes. I will hold on to hope ~ after all, according to Bruce R. McConkie “hope is always centered in Christ; and without hope there can be no salvation.” So, I will continue to faithfully grasp onto HOPE for my children. What a grand word. Hope.

Last week our cute Sister Bridges wrote and this was a part of her letter, which touched my heart…..This work is true and real. The change which comes over people when they feel the spirit is such a gift to see. I don't know why the Lord has trusted a little person like me to change the lives of others. The spirit is the one which does the heavy lifting. I am so blessed.

What comfort I feel today as I have faith and hope for my children. I am blessed and lucky to experience my “real life.”

The countdown begins....

FIVE days and slowly counting~and then it's back to school for me.  Why is it that summer ALWAYS flies by way too fast?  I continually over the years have amazing intentions to get so much done during my break.  What a joke~~Ha!  The summer seems so long and I have so many goals that I want to accomplish the morning after graduation....then POOF it's August!!! 
So, this summer my days were filled with planning, planning and some more planning for Stake Girls Camp, a perfect trip to Maui with Lynn, a couple of quick trips up north, a few hikes, trying to tend my garden, two education conferences and a couple of classes. Even though I didn't get one home project done~~ I did have some fun and made some memories with family and friends which is more important than projects at home---AND there will always be next summer!
CAMP PHOTOS~~~

The PINK Tribe -- These ladies rock!

STRONG Women of Bloomington!

Even STRONGER women!

My friend - Ruth....she drove 604 miles round trip just to speak to our girls. 

I will never be able to repay her for such selfless service.
Her gift of sharing gospel messages inspires me --

FIRST's for Kambria -- It has been quite a summer!

First Cereal...I loved it!

First REAL game....I loved it!

First Swim...I loved it!

First Temple Trip...I loved it!

First Hotel stay...I loved it!

Maui with "the man!"

Photo Updates

Kambria @ 2 months old -- Photograpy by Heather Stott :)

Sister Bridges in Maryland! The half way point.....She loves serving and loves being a missionary.

Can it Be?

Can it really be?  22 years already?  NO.... I am NOT that old, am I?  Sigh.... Our cute little "twins" are having a birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lerin (Sister Bridges) and Alexa!!!!  After enduring nine months of morning, night and day sickness, hospitals, IV's and weakness beyond imagination -- these two cute things popped out into the world and have brought us complete joy ever since.  I think they knew that they had given me enough grief before they made their first appearance on this earth and decided together to live their lives exactly the way their parents and Heavenly Father would want them to.  

Both have become amazingly talented and beautiful women.  They each know exactly what they want in life and are making it happen for themselves.  They love their family and their Heavenly Father and it shows as they live their lives.  Lerin is now in the 9th month of her mission (you know what that means.....9 more months and she will be home!) and inspires me with each and every letter to become a better person.  Alexa is working at the Children's Justice Center in Logan where she was awarded a paid internship this summer and will graduate (with honors by the way) from USU in December.  What lucky parents we are -- WE LOVE YOU girls!

Sister Bridges Birthday is Coming....

Hey Family and Friends --


Just as an FYI... Lerin (Sister Bridges) has been transfered and is now in a suburb of Baltimore.
Her birthday is coming up (the 25th) and I know she would LOVE to get cards/letters/notes from some her favorite people...which include you! Thanks so much for your kindness and support for Lerin -- she loves being a missionary and loves to hear from family and friends....

SISTER LERIN BRIDGES
807 Red Fox Run

Towson, MD 21286

INSPIRED.....

I have been INSPIRED this past week - so much that I had to share. 

First --

I was inspired to become a better person, mother, wife and church member at Women's Conference. 

Here is just a snippet of the inspiration received from attending this year......
"To Walk with the Lord, we need to know the difference between our essential, necessary and good to do lists."  "Playing the comparison game is harmful, we will always come up short -- No one is better than you and you aren't better than anyone else!"  "Just run your own race - when we compare ourselves to others, we compare out weaknesses to their strengths."  "We must build our fences of protection....obedience, prayer, scripture study and LOVE."  "The greatest battles of our lives are battled in the inner most of our souls."  "The power of Rebekkah - she knew and understood her importance, just as we should know ours."  "Remembering and keeping our covenants helps us to yield our hearts to God."  "Run with patience the race that is before us."  "Excessive pre-occupation of self is harmful."  "Trust in His gospel, Trust in His plan."

Second --
The St. George IRON MAN - was beyond INSPIRING. 

Lynn and I were lucky enough to be volunteer's for this world class event. Although getting up a 4:00 a.m. was not fun, working with these Phenomenal athletes was truly INSPIRING.  We were apart of the transition team - helping them get out of their wet suits and into biking gear.  After the 2.4 miles swim at Sand Hollow (54 degree water temp), then off for a 112 mile bike race and then a full marathon!  Wow... The men's overall winner was from Austria and the woman's winner was from Canada.  92 athletes out of the 2500 participants, qualified for the International Iron Man Championships in Kona, Hawaii!

Heather, from Canada -- heading for the finish line with a police escort!  Want to read more...check out this blog from an athlete who participated.

http://trainingpayne.blogspot.com/

My oldest baby is 29...how did I get so old?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Amber!

 

I am so grateful that I was chosen to be Amber's mom, because.....

• She is one of the kindest people I know
• She loves to read!
• Compassion for others is in her nature
• She is a responsible hard worker
• History fascinates her 
• Shoes and purses are her weakness
• She loves watching Basketball
• She goes hiking with the family on occasion even though it's NOT her favorite past time
• She knows that her Heavenly Father loves her
• She is realizing her destiny and understanding  the most important things in life..family & faith

• Amber is also becoming a great mother--Kambria is a lucky little girl to have a mother like Amber and I am lucky to have a daughter like Amber!

Sister Bridges update

Lerin's blog has been finally updated if you would like to take a peek.

sisterlerinbridges.blogspot.com

There's nothing like a brand new baby!

She is here -- Kambria Bridges arrived on Saturday afternoon, March 27th at 1:30 p.m.!  She weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 20" long.  She is a perfect little gift from heaven. Amber is doing well and can't believe she is now a mom.  She is realizing the awesome responsbility that comes with the title of "mom."  It is now all about what is in Kambria's best interest.  I know Amber is willing and ready to make that happen as they march through life together.  We already love this little thing so much!!!

1 Day Old - Kambria (Thanks Sandy for the personalized Onesie!)

Friday is the BEST Day of the week!

One of the best parts about my job is that I have FRIDAY'S OFF -- 3 day weekends are my norm; which I LOVE because I get to do stuff like this while other people are still struggling through their work week -- sorry my working friends!  Friday's are the best!