Brian Stokes Mitchell part 2

I think I'm in love (don't tell Rick.) Ok, well, at least I'm in love with a voice. My oh my. What a voice it is. Last night we had the good fortune of attending the BYU Homecoming Spectacular. It was in a word - Spectacular! Wow. Brian Stokes Mitchell was the guest performer. It was fabulous entertainment and Brian was amazing. He appeared a couple of years ago with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the annual Christmas concert. He sang with the choir another time as a guest with Music and the Spoken word (video below.) I've followed him since. They will do a second concert tonight at the Marriott Center. He sang "the Impossible Dream" with the BYU Men's Chorus and the BYU Philharmonic orchestra. It brought tears to my eyes! It was powerful. Brian is an awesome performer. If you live in the area - be sure to see it!

Even though the quality of this video isn't great, the sound is wonderful, so ENJOY!!!

Provo Tabernacle Temple!!

We were so excited to learn last Saturday that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be rebuilding the Provo tabernacle and turning it into a temple! It is indeed a happy day!
Our tears have turned from tears of sorrow to tears of joy!
This temple will be a great boost to downtown Provo. The Church has bought up the property south of the old tabernacle and the redevelopment will add so much to downtown Provo. Now a certain someone can WALK to the temple in his beloved Provo. Great, great news!

Mentors International

I've mentioned this great organization before. Check it out here and here and here and here.
I won't be able to attend the annual gala this year. I'm sorry to miss. Jenny Oaks Baker and Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller will be performing. I'll be headed out of town to tend three of my four grand girls for a week.
Here is a shout out to a wonderful organization that does a lot of good in the world. I guess someone else will just have to win one of the beautiful centerpieces this year since I won't be there to claim it. Best of luck! I hope everyone gives generously. Check out this great video.

Visit all 50 (updated)

2 1/2 years ago I shared that Rick and I were trying to visit all 50 states sometime in our lives. I'm happy to report that we've made some progress. I think we will need to take three more trips to polish all 50 off. We need to go through the mid-west to pick up 5 states, to the great lakes area for 4 more and finally go back to new England to pick up the last 4 states we're missing. 13 to go! I wonder which one will be the last?? Maybe Rhode Island or Maine. We decided that in order to check off a state, that we had to actually step foot in that state or country. Going through an airport doesn't count.
I love this web site that lets you fill in the states you've visited. You can also do it with foreign countries. I'd love to visit at least one country on each continent. Four down, three to go. My map:



create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

Rick's map:


create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide







create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide

Forget-me-nots

I will never look at these little flowers the same again. Now when I will see their five little blue pedals I'll be reminded of the five important points that we as women need to be reminded.

First, forget not to be patient with yourself.
Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
Third, forget not to be happy now.
Fourth, forget not the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.

"Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Thank you for a very uplifting message that touched me deeply.