Missionary Monday

The best thing about Monday's is that we hear from Elder Wood.  He has had his challenges over the past few months, but he manages to get through them and move on.

Today's email was HIGHLY ANTICIPATED as he was going to give us the news on his transfer.
Because of the weather in the Houston area, transfers were delayed.
I hoped that he could survive another five days with his companion....he was definitely ready for a change.

Not to gloat - but I had guessed where he would be going.  (You can ask Evan and Preston). 

Lake Charles, Louisiana is his new home.  He is excited. 
NEW CITY (he is in Heaven with Chik-fil-a and Target). 
NEW COMPANION. 
Legit ward with kids.

The new area will be an adventure.  The city is 47% white and 47% black. 
It is on higher ground (13 feet above sea level).
They drive a Toyota Corolla to their area and then bike. (I hope they park their car in a safe place)
It will be a hot humid summer.

Here are a couple of pictures of the flooding from last week in the Houston area. By the way, the temple does NOT have a reflecting pond.

Tennis and the Gospel Make the Best Team

Elder Wood has become quite the missionary.

This past week he had the opportunity to baptize Quiana and Roger (Mom and Son) in the small town of Cleveland, Texas.

The contact with Quiana came from playing tennis with her on her grass.  It was probably not the best "court" to play tennis.  But it was the best "court" to break the ice with Quiana!

I love how he gave props to the missionaries who first contacted her in Charleston, South Carolina 8 years ago!

I love how he has kept his sense of humor - destroying pants and bike tires along the way - and being attacked by inbred Dogs.

I love how he has eaten anything placed on his plate - from raccoon - to frog legs - to shrimp and corn.

I love how he is so into missionary work that he hasn't hardly asked about Tennis - specifically his future wife - Maria.

I love how he deals with the insults being thrown his way by random people.

I guess I just love that baby boy of mine!

 

 

Footnote:  There were some issues with Quiana.  Let's just say, they found a lost sheep and baptized her son. 



The Big Day is Almost Here!

It's strange, but the last entry on the blog was about Meranda's engagement. Now, the wedding is just 3 days away.

It has been fun planning the wedding - she is my only daughter and I want the memories to last the rest of her life!  We haven't had any major meltdowns.  Meranda is level headed and has made decisions that are her - not just because she is supposed to do certain things. 

For example, she is not having a "throw away bouquet" - she said she thinks they are dumb!
When asked how many bridesmaids - she politely said - I'm not having bridesmaids.
When asked if she is having her nails done...the answer is no - I've never had my nails done.
When asked who is doing her hair and makeup - the simple answer - I am.
When asked if she is excited - she said - sure - but it's just another "life-step" - she is ready for marriage!

Things have pretty much gone according to plan.  Now we just wait for the day and hope everything comes together which requires relying on the tables, chairs, lighting, being set up at the Salt Lake Hardware Building...the caterer showing up and being ready...the cake getting there without tipping over...the florist delivering the bouquet to the temple and arranging the flowers for the reception...the photographer getting some really great pictures...and of course hoping that guests will come and enjoy the day/evening with us (that is probably the thing I stress out about the most).

It's unfortunate that her Grandma Huber and Grandpa and Grandma Wood won't be there - but I know they will be there in spirit.

It's unfortunate that Parker won't be there.  He wanted her to get married before he left.  I miss him being around.  But, we sent him a tie to wear to match the guys - and we will flood him with pictures!

Here is a picture that I took the day of her "formal/bridals"...

I think she looks gorgeous!

Meranda and Pedro

Congratulations to Meranda Kay Wood and Daniel Pedro Sanchez, Jr. on their engagement.

Set your calendar for Saturday, February 20, 2016.

They are so excited and have a great adventure ahead of them.

I'm excited to plan a wedding.

Parker won't be here for the wedding, but OF COURSE he has asked for a life size cutout to stand in his place.

The Bond is Strong

We get together at least once a year with 3 of my friends (and their husbands) that I met almost 30 years ago when I started working in public accounting in the Big 8 firm of Coopers & Lybrand.

The year was 1986.  When I joined the firm, there were 2 women in the audit department - Cheri and Barb.  Cheri was married - a U of U grad.  Barb was single - a BYU grad. I started in January 1986 (as an intern) together with Kristi (a recent BYU grad).

It was difficult to enter a male dominated work force.  It was hard.  There were things said, situations we were put in, challenges we faced every day. We often met in the woman's restroom for pep talks and therapy sessions.

Last night was one of those good therapy sessions.  Our husbands still couldn't believe the "crap" we had to deal with.

I know that women today are still faced with the same issues.  You see it in the news every day.  I know a lot of people don't believe it or don't want to believe it happens, but it does. 

I know that women have become stronger.  They are more confident and even more determined to be treated as an equal.  

We are still a long ways away - I see it even today with my own work situation. I like to think that what we went through in 1986 in some small way helped pave the way for other women who wanted to get an education, who wanted to have a career, who wanted to become a wife and mother.

Last night it became clear why the four of us have remained friends.  We have supported each other through good times and bad.  Balancing work - marriages - motherhood - becoming a widow and single mom - marriage of our children - sending missionaries out into the field - becoming grandparents - losing our own parents. 

We bonded years ago and that bond is still very strong!

He's a missionary!

Parker survived the 12 days in the MTC and is on to Houston!
He woke up at 2:40 a.m. to report to the front desk by 3:30 a.m.
They bused them to the Provo Frontrunner Station.  He said it took forever to get from Provo to the airport. He called us from the airport at 7:30 a.m. and we talked for 40 minutes.

He is excited but also a little nervous.

He didn't ask about the US Tennis Open - but I was ready - I even wrote the names of the winners on the women's side.  He was disappointed that I didn't watch any of the matches.  I told him I couldn't even remember which channel was the Tennis Channel - I didn't know they were on ESPN.  Hopefully he will meet someone in Houston that can keep him posted on Tennis - because I don't think I will do a very good job.

There are 24 missionaries going to T.H.E. Mission.
He said he talked with a group going to Lithuania today.  He told them to tell Elder Petersen "Hi" from his big redheaded cousin.

He says he still can't believe he is a missionary.
He loved his district in the MTC.
He is ready and I know he will do the best he can!

Signed, sealed, delivered!

The missionary is finally on his mission.
He is such a good boy!
He says the hardest part will be living in Provo for a 12-14 days.
Our house is so quiet and we actually got to bed on Wednesday night before midnight.
I just wish he could call/text me and tell me about his companion, the food, his day...I guess I'll find out eventually.

3 WEEK COUNTDOWN.....

Three weeks from today Parker enters the MTC......
Three more Sundays....
Three more Mondays...
Cousin Annie took some great pictures and was even mistaken for his Mom.
I'm excited for Parker. 
I'm excited to have a missionary out again. 
Our house will be quiet and we will miss him but he is going to be an amazing missionary!

 

Graduation Trip 2015

We give our high school graduating children a trip of their choice. 
Preston chose NYC - Yankees games - touristy stuff
Meranda chose So Cal - San Diego - Anaheim - SeaWorld - Disneyland - Beach
Parker chose the New England States - all six of them

It was a great trip.  The northeast is beautiful. I love the New England Accents.

We did visit all 6 states, although one was just a drive through.

I don't think I will go back there again - but if I do.....

I would spend more time in Vermont.
I would spend NO time in Connecticut.
If I had a choice - I would send my children to Harvard - not Yale.
I would love to rent a beach house along the Maine Coast.

Our fun packed trip included:
Boston Red Sox Game
Visiting the Boston Temple (it was closed and there is no visitors center)
Visiting Cambridge - Harvard Campus
Walking the Freedom Trail - really cool - other than they basically charge you to see the historic buildings - which is a rip off - and no we did not pay
Prudential Center - Skywalk Observatory
Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise (a very SLOW boat ride around the Harbor)
The 4th of July Fireworks
JFK Library - very cool!
Plymouth Rock (cute town)
New Haven, CT - Yale campus - a TOTAL DIVE!
Deerfield, MA - Yankee Candle Store/factory

Sharon, VT - birthplace of Joseph Smith - out in the middle of nowhere
Montepelier, VT - a very cute town - an amazing Italian Restaurant
Waterbury, VT - home of Ben & Jerry's - very good ice cream - bought cute shirts - and lost some of them somewhere along the way
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Portsmouth, NH
Maine Coast - very cool - the houses are super cute

Rye Harbor, NH - took a whale watching cruise - 24 miles off the coast - saw 3 Meinke whales and a sun fish
North Hampton, NH - ate at a delicious pizza place - Flatbread pizza
Hampton, NH - as Parker said - a totally "ratchet" place - we couldn't wait to get out of there

The scenery was beautiful.  The people were nice.  They had no idea where Salt Lake City was - one lady thought it was in Arizona.  I guess they don't focus on US Geography in school.

We had some good family time!  I love my family.  I missed Preston, Katie and Beau. 

Glad to be home.....

HAPPY GRADUATION TO PARKER 2015

Friday, June 5, 2015 marked graduation for my youngest. 

I am finished with the public school system as a parent.

The graduation was quite nice - a very well behaved group of students.

Parker was on the podium as a Senior Class Officer.

We had a crazy party at our house that night.

He started working today - no rest for the new graduate!

 

 

Everything's Bigger and Better in Texas!

The long awaited, highly anticipated Mission Call came on Friday, May 1st....yes a Friday!

Family and friends gathered, Parker stood in front of everyone, the anticipation was mounting.

Texas Houston East Mission - reporting September 2nd to the Provo MTC!

At last he knew where and when....

He thought all along he would be going to the South. 
Many thought he would follow his Dad, brother and sister and go South America.
Some figured Japan.
He feared Boise or Southern California.

Every mission is unique - and more importantly I know that the calls are inspired.
The more I think about it, this mission is meant for Parker and I am so excited for him!

Sending packages will be easier - and more importantly he should get them in a timely manner! 

He can shop at normal stores.

He can eat at normal fast food places. 
He gets to live in a new State(s). 

He will experience humidity at it's best!

Hurricanes are a possibility.
The drawl is already beginning.

I have no doubt that the people in Texas and Louisiana will welcome my big tall handsome ginger with open arms!

He will grow in the gospel! He can talk to anyone about anything and I know he will have an impact on everyone he meets - member and non-member alike!

Healty Living Challenge

I just finished a Health Living Challenge sponsored/monitored/organized by my two nieces - Annie and Haley. 

I would call it a success for me.  I liked the approach - not focusing on the weight loss - but rather becoming more healthy. For me, I wanted to lose weight! I wanted to finally achieve my annual New Year's resolution of losing 10 pounds.

I was ready to quit after the first week - literally starving with stomach growling - and at the end of one week I had actually gained weight.  My personal cheerleaders (aka Meranda and Parker) encouraged me to give it at least another week. 

Well I stuck out the whole 12 weeks and voila - I lost the ten pounds (and a little more).
I became more conscious of what I eat, drink and do throughout each and every day.
My 10:00 a.m. Diet Coke restriction is now down to almost one a day - and not until around 2:00!
My energy level is up.
I'm ignoring the stomach growls (the best I can).
The first week off the Challenge I actually had my largest weight loss!
The most surprising thing is that I WON the Challenge and earned a healthy return on my investment in more ways than one!

Thanks Annie and Haley!

Three years goes by pretty fast

Three years ago on March 27, 2012 I went under the knife and had my first major surgery...

 

It turned out to be the best decision for my health.  

 

Apparently I chose a really good orthopedic surgeon.  (Preston is now an orthopedic sales rep and has confirmed that.)

 

The surgery went well.  The recovery was remarkable.

 

I guess it was meant to be.  I'm grateful and blessed!

What's happening.....

What's been happening in the lives of the Woods?

.  Parker started his last quarter of High School...hard to believe.  He is ready to be done - our slogan for the last few months "FINISH STRONG".

.  We have been painting the house - everyone helped.  I'm glad I have a 6'3" son with long arms.  I'm glad I have both a son and daughter who aren't afraid of heights and were willing to climb tall ladders and scaffolding!  I still have the trim to finish.  The last time I painted was probably over 10 years ago - the next time I paint - I will hire it done!

.  Beau is the cutest little guy!  He lights up when he sees us.  Of course, the world revolves around him when he is at our house.

.  Tennis season is in full force.  The first week included 8 matches.  This will be my last high school sport as a spectator for my children!  I drove the last group of tennis players to St. George for a tourney and I needed to fumigate my car when I got home.

.  Parker will become an Elder on Sunday and has his mission papers into the Stake President.

.  I joined the latest 12 week "Healthy Living Challenge" sponsored by my awesome nieces.  It's been good!  I feel better and have dropped some lbs!

.  I have been without a cell phone this week - and haven't really missed it - except when I need to text or talk to my family!  Upgrade day is Sunday!

.  We are busy planning Parker's graduation trip - to the Northeast in July - hopefully visiting 6 states. It should be a blast!

.  Meranda is training for a half marathon on May.  Her crazy work schedule continues to be crazy.

There you go!

It might be a conspiracy!

I am having issues with my car and my phone. 

First off the phone - I still use an LG "Chocolate" phone from the early days.  I call it my "Badge of Honor" - not giving into the new stuff.  It has quit working many times.  I thought for sure it had died in the Elk Accident and had even gone to the Verizon store to pick out a new IPhone.  They didn't have the one I wanted in stock and before I could go to the next store, the phone started working again.  Now it won't keep a charge.  I could not get it to charge over the weekend and was going to start using another dinosaur phone until my upgrade kicks in (another story).  Well guess what - yesterday it charged!  So I'll keep limping along until March 29th.

Next the car - there is a sensor in the driver door that if you don't shut it just so - you get the continual "beeping" that the driver door is ajar.  It's even more annoying when you get out of the car, shut the door, lock it and get the double beep - which means the door is ajar.  Sometimes it has taken me 10 times to get the door to shut without double beeping at me.  We had this fixed while it was still under warranty - and then took it back last week - I had had enough!  Even though it was a problem they supposedly fixed - now no warranty to cover it - I was not going to pay to have it fixed. I would just deal with it.  Well after some stern talking to the Edge and deciding to look for a new car - guess what....the double beeping has been at a minmum this week to where it is bearable. 

It is a conspiracy - my phone and my car do not want me to get rid of them. 

They irritate me for awhile and then start behaving! I'm a sucker for sticking with them!

The Jury is in Session

Believe it or not, Parker was summoned for Jury Duty.  He received the notification in late November or early December.  We completed the paper work, including the reason why he shouldn't have to serve....HE IS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT!!!!!

So a week or so ago, he received his YELLOW TICKET in the mail with the instructions to call after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16th to see if he had to report.  He called, listened to the message, and he listened again and he listened again.  His number was selected and he was to report to the court house on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.  He was immediately stressed out!

All weekend he was a total worry wart...he was going to miss the first day of the new semester...what was he going to wear...how long would he be there...and on and on.  The night before he sent out help in twitter form - What should he wear?  One of his friends told him "Whenever Tina Fey on 30 Rock was summoned she would dress as Princess Leia, take a stack of 1970's playgirl magazines and tell everyone she could read minds".  That made us laugh all night and the fun began with scenarios of how he could act, what he could wear, etc.

At 10:30 a.m. I hadn't heard from him.  Finally at around 11:00 a.m. I texted him.  He hadn't been chosen, but he had to wait until the jury was selected.  It wasn't until about 3:00 p.m. that he was let out of jail.  No lunch (they brought in snacks) and no available bathroom (unless you wanted to go ask the baliff).  Lunch and bathroom....a big deal for Parker!

I couldn't wait to hear about the events of the day...here are a few:

***There were about 60+ people in the jury pool - which was apparently quite a few - because it was a big case - scheduled to last two weeks.

***There were all ages of people - he was the youngest.

***The questionnaire he completed asked questions like - What are your hobbies?  Are you marred? Do you have children?  What is your job?  What is your source of news?  What kind of magazines do you read? 
                  His source of news "Twitter/Instagram/Facebook"
                  His Hobbies - playing tennis and going to school
                  His Job - "I'm a high school student"
                  Is he marred/does he have children - NO.
                  Does he read magazines - "Sometimes the New Era"

***After completing the questionnaire they were called in to be interviewed. They had to introduce themselves and the Judge asked questions.  I guess Parker got a few chuckles with his answers and the judge told him that they were quite interested in him as a juror...but that they didn't think it would be good for him to miss two weeks of school.

We had a good laugh.  It was a good experience for him.  As he was leaving they asked if he needed an excuse for work/school which he proudly took with him this morning!

January 20th

Today is my Birthday.  I know - it's weird to post about myself.  But this isn't really about me.  It's about good parents, a good husband and awesome children and now a beautiful grandson.

In case you didn't know, January 20th is also the day of every presidential inaguration.  I remember sitting in school watching as a new President took oath and usually wearing a new outfit that my Mom gave me. 

My Mom always gave great presents.  I remember the year I got a white cardigan and a red pleated skirt.  One year I came home and found an organ in the living room.  January birthdays are kind of a let down after Christmas.  When I got older, Mom would take me shopping to look for a present - hard to do when the stores basically had whatever was left over from Christmas - but it was always a good time. 

Whenever my family asks me what I want for Christmas or my Birthday - I give the standard answer "A Happy Family".  That is the honest truth.  I want a happy, healthy family.  I want them to know that I love them and want them to be the best they can be.  They bless me every day of my life!  Maybe it takes birthdays - or other special days - to help me stop and reflect on that.

At the end of the day.....

We went to see the Hunger Games new movie the other night.  It was just after a grand jury verdict was announced in a racial event that happened in August of this year.  When we got home and saw the news - the riots - looting - fighting - were we in America?

I've thought alot about things that have happened throughout history - and some things - people - events - religions - will never be treated equal.

Some of these events have had a direct affect on my life - starting with the Pilgrims coming to this continent.  My Mormon ancestors wanting religous freedom and making the long Trek to Utah.  Women receiving the right to vote and wanting to be treated equal.

I don't know if I will ever not be "persecuted" for my religious beliefs...
I don't know if I will ever be treated equally as a women in the workplace...

But that doesn't mean that I give up on trying and doing and believing in what I think is right. 

We live in a great country...we have freedoms - rights and privileges - we are a blessed nation.  There will continue to be problems - in fact - things are going to get a lot worse.

     AT THE END OF THE DAY...we can be victims - or we can be fighters for the things we want for ourselves and our families and continue to work, to serve and to love others. 

     

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PSW......

TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY...I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE 18 YEARS OLD...WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE.  YOU ARE HANDSOME, SMART, KIND, LOVING, FUN AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN BE A BIT OF A COMPLAINER BUT THAT'S JUST YOU....YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU.  THERE WILL BE GOOD TIMES AND NOT SO GOOD TIMES. ALWAYS REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND THAT YOUR FAMILY LOVES YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!

 

 

 

UEA ROAD TRIP 2014

We had talked about taking a road trip up the Californa/Oregon/Washington Coast this year and I personally didn't think it would happen....but it did. 

We left on Wednesday and flew to Oakland, CA (I know scary).  We got there way late - picked up our rental car Mitzi (short for Mitsubishi) - found our hotel and ate at a nearby Dennys.  Welcome to Oakland....basically chased by a homeless guy wanting money. 

On the plane ride, I sat next to a robotics engineer who had been at the U Med center fixing a robot - he lived on a sail boat in Oakland Bay and suggested we take the Oakland Ferry to San Francisco to avoid traffic.  We took his advice - it was great - taking us right to Fishermans Warf. 

We gave money to a guy that gave us a sticker that said "Are we having fun yet?" Walked around the Warf - got some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl - took a Harbor boat tour around the bay, including under the Golden Gate Bridge - walked to Ghiradelli square for ice cream and chocolate - met the "bush" man - and even with Parker warning me about him - he did jump out and scare me.  We took the cable car to Union Square - riding with a mixed bag of Russians, Americans, Germans, Asians, etc.  Went to the biggest mall ever - the Westfield Mall - where the strange people sightings heated up - a guy in a spandex outfit with high black patent leather boots - a scarf - and pink lipstick.  We then headed down Market Street to the Ferry Building to catch a ride back to Oakland.  Glad to be going back to Oakland.  Then ventured to Berkley to see Cal's campus and get something to eat.  Also, stopped by the Oakland Temple - it was dark - the temple was pretty - not sure how the surrounding neighborhood was.

The next day we headed towards Oregon...we decided to take the 101 inland and saw beautiful vineyards - stopped at the absolute worse Walmart we have ever been to - drove through places I had never heard of - like Willits, California - a bit sketchy -major SQUATCHY- stopped at a Big Foot tourist trap - drove through the Redwoods - stopped at an Oregon Beach - went through an area with "ELK" signs everywhere - even seeing a small herd off the road - brought back bad memories - stayed in Brookings, Oregon - it was late - dark and rainy - ate at The Onion Grill - interesting!.

Saturday we got up and still headed north - beautiful scenery - trees and more trees, lakes, rivers, fisherman, more trees lakes - sea lions - headed to Eugene to see the University of Oregon Campus - not too impressed - then headed up the road towards Portland - stopped at the Portland Temple (a BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE) - a sister missionary in the Visitor's Center gave us a lead on a burger joint downtown - "The Little Big Burger" - it was good - downtown Portland was cool - headed East to get some miles/times behind us so the 13 hour drive wasn't so daunting - made it to Pendleton, Oregon and watched BYU lose their Football game.

Sunday headed out for home stopping in Boise - visited Boise State Campus (I might be a bit partial - but the University of Utah Campus is so much nicer than the 3 we stopped at) - the Boise Temple - the State Capitol and then back on the road stopping in Twin Falls to eat at Jakers - a good prime rib/steak house - then homeward bound......

It was a good trip.  Oregon is interesting.  The people that live there are a bit quirky.  Their road signs are limited to one word such as "ELK" "SLOW" "STOP" "SPEED" "TURN" "BUMP", etc......  Whereas Northern California is a bit more descriptive - maybe TMI.....  Also - Oregon speed limits are ridiculous - sometimes the speed on the freeway (45 mph) was slower than the exit ramp - Parker happened to be driving at that time and I thought he was going to lose his mind!

We didn't make it to Astoria, Seattle, Vancouver...and I can't believe I thought we could.  That will have to be for another trip.  Mitzi the rental car ended up being okay - just major ugly.  We only had a couple of melt downs...and when we went home we all darted to our separate areas...24/7 together time was awesome and I can't wait for the next roady!!!!!