Mikey

The one and only Michael Chandler spent Wednesday with me and my family. It was so good to hang out, to laugh, to "show-off" Fresno (ha!), to eat, to reminisce, and goof-off with the camera. Mike took me to dinner at the Elephant Bar and we had a great visit -- just brother and sister. Thanks, Mike. I love you!

Mike is one of my closest friends. I wish everyone had a brother like him. I can tell him anything.

Take Courage

My Arizona friend, Julie, posted this picture on her blog. Arizona is also voting next week on a prop similar to Prop 8. I love this picture!

Charlotte n Jack

My sister, Jessica, and her sweet family spent Friday night with us in Layton. It had been years since Jason last saw Jess and her family. Charlotte LOVED Jason! She went to him and stayed with him the whole night. Thinking the attraction would rub off overnight, I was wide-eyed to see Charlotte cling to Jason on Saturday morning! Thank goodness I had Jack to cuddle with! What a perfect baby!

Can I take him home?

The birthday girl and her favorite person.

Charlotte is trying to escape my grasp.

Panoramic View

Jason's parent's beautiful home sits high on a hill in Layton with breathtaking views of the Salt Lake Valley. It's humbling, inspiring, and relaxing to lean against the rails and ponder the beauty of the land below. Special thanks to Dave and Carol for their hospitality this weekend!

True Blue BYU!

Go Cougars! Jason and I left on Friday, October 24th for our annual BYU football game. This year we made it extra special by attending a home game instead of an away game in California. Friends, Alison and Rod Kellogg, who had never attended a Cougar game, joined us for the weekend in Happy Valley. And our Cougars' offense miraculously pulled off a 42-35 win over UNLV. We had a great time visiting, laughing, cheering, and eating with Jason's family, my family, and the extended Kellogg family -- lots of people, so little time! It was great to be back on my favorite campus with the mighty, towering Rockies, the beautiful Autumn colors, delicious, "I want more" BYU Creamery ice cream, and most importantly, memories of a very happy time in my life.

After 14 years of BYU games together, I am a firm believer that Jason's veins bleed blue and white.

Alison had on a red shirt just a few minutes before the game! Knowing that she could be physically harmed wearing red in a sea of blue, we found matching Cougar shirts. It was only 60 degrees but it was hot! Can you believe that we, from the Tribe of Fresno, would be sweating and burning in 60 degree temps?


Some how we we were escorted out of Lavell Edward's stadium by the marching band. And for some strange reason, Jason, Alison and I thought it was the funniest thing ever. In fact, we slowed down our gait so that the band would have to slow down and well, it was just one of those moments where you had to be there.

Davis Turns Five

Along with friends, family, and The Jammies, Davis celebrated his 5th birthday on October 22nd. He invited several friends, including his special cousins, Grace and Eve, to a backyard party featuring The Jammies. What a party! Davis was extremely possessive of the "stage" and loved having his very own concert. Chandler asked if he could have The Jonas Brothers for his birthday. I teased him with, "yes, as long as Mommy can have Rob Thomas at her birthday party."

Justin Debbas and Chad Knutson AKA "The Jammies"

LeJuan and Davis kickin' back and jammin.'

Ethan, Dylan, and Keaton show off their "finger horns."

Air guitars

Davis screamin' with joy over a present.

His baseball stance. Jason gave him a new bat and some balls. This boy LOVES baseball.

Too Sweet to Be Wicked

Olivia couldn't wait to try on her Halloween costume. My very talented neighbor and friend, Stacey Olmos, made it for her and sells her Posh Princess Couture creations on-line (www.poshprincesscouture.etsy.com). Olivia modeled her costume and I goofed around with the camera.

My Favorite Football Player

Chandler played flag football for Clovis and loved it. Last night was his final game and he scored a touchdown! His favorite position: catcherback. (We'll need to work on field position names next season.)

Packets of Spiritual Sunlight

Some of you know that I've had two weeks off from work. Without getting into specifics, let's just say . . . . my world came crashing down. I'm finally feeling better and I'm so thankful for the packets of spiritual sunlight that have brightened my way. Let me explain.

When I was in Utah last month, trying to heal and escape my world, my sweet sister placed a talk written by Richard G. Scott, an Apostle of the Lord, in my purse the night I left. The talk is entitled "Trust in the Lord" and was published in November 1995. I have read this talk almost daily since I left Utah and I have applied the teachings found therein to my life -- and it's working.

I love this quote from Elder Scott. "I testify that when the Lord closes one important door in your life, He shows His continuing love and compassion by opening many other compensating doors through your exercise of faith. He will place in your path packets of spiritual sunlight to brighten your way. They often come after the trial has been the greatest, as evidence of the compassion and love of an all-knowing Father. They point the way to greater happiness, more understanding, and strengthen your determination to accept and be obedient to His will."

I testify that those packets of spiritual sunlight are real! I've seen them and I feel them! Whether it's a text message from Dad offering an "I love you, Becky," a bag of candy corn handed to me at my children's school, or a prayer offered in my behalf, the packets of spiritual sunlight I've received have strengthened me. And I am forever thankful.

Parkin Cemetary

Stop by the Parkin Cemetary. On Sundays the corpses rise from their graves to haunt the "Yes on Prop 8" sign thieves.

Flashback Friday: Maui 2007

We loved Maui. It was our first time vacationing in Maui and we had a blast. We hope to return in Spring 2009. Anyone want to join us? We are a lot of fun and we know how to vacation! Come with us!

On our first day we were adventurous and definitely "easily-to-spot-tourists" as we cruised around the island in the Jeep. Absolutely beautiful. There were some one-lane roads that freaked us out and some primitive areas. Always the teacher, I was concerned about the children who lived in these primitive villages and looked for schools. I saw abandoned school buses but no buildings. I survived the hair-pin curves and bumpy roads without an upset stomach and wondered how school buses manuevered these curves. I know! Stop thinking about school and enjoy the beauty!

My happy stomach did not, however, like the helicopter tour. Oh my gosh! If I could have jumped out of the window, I would have. I threw up several times, dry-heaved, and was dripping in sweat. It cost us nearly 400 bucks and after 15 minutes I was ready to die! I politely asked the pilot to stop making quick turns in consideration of my stomach. I think that just made his day -- he thought it was funny and of course, didn't listen. Good thing Jason got some shots of the islands 'cuz my head was between my legs.

I have never been so bone-chilling cold in my life! We waited on top of the volcano for the sun to rise and then rode the bikes down. It was a spectacular sight but I'm not sure I'd do it again. I prefer heat!

This sign was posted above the toilet in the volcano visitor's center. I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard -- and because I had so many layers on and struggled to get my pants down. Now, who in the world would consider drinking toilet water? I'd rather lick a rat's tail than stick my water bottle in a toilet for liquid refreshment.

I love sand. I love to walk barefoot in the sand as the waves crash on the beach. I love to look out over the horizon and ponder the beauty of the magnificent oceans and my place in the universe. I'm a beach girl.

We took a boat ride out to an island to snorkel. Jason saw one of the tiny sharks and I jumped in and out of the freakin' cold water. Again, I like heat -- maybe I'm part-reptilian! But, I like to look at the little fishies and I like to grab people and freak them out! I say "Oh, excuse me, I thought you were a fish."

Jason sportin' the look outside of Mama's Fishhouse. Oh my gosh! The best food on the island. And breath-taking views. Our friends, Barbara, John, Karen, and Steve, recommended the restaurant. I could have eaten there every night!

Talking Sweet Potato Fries --I'm nuts

Max's Bistro and Bar is one of my favorite Fresno restaurants. After a pampering visit to Strands, I met Jason for an impromptu lunch date. We always order sweet potato fries. They are delicious! So, we eat the fries, share a yummy pecan-crusted chicken salad, and I look to the table at my left and there are sweet potatoes fries looking at me. Yes, LOOKING at me. I hear my name: "Rebecca . . . Rebecca . . . Rebecca, eat us. We're going to be thrown away." Shamefully, the customers hadn't even touched their delicious treasures and those beautiful orange sticks were begging me to rescue them. I was tempted, but couldn't do it. Afterall, I'm a refined woman -- just a little drugged right now. Is it time for a nap?

Two Thumbs Up

It's not often I boast about Jason but here goes . . . . . .
Esquire Parkin rocked in Madera court this week! He won his motion AND the judge awarded sanctions against opposing counsel. The boy knows how to argue!

Bunco Makes Me Happy

I love, love this game. It was just what I needed -- smiles, giggles, and hugs from my friends. We missed Denise tonight, but Kelly was able to join in the fun, even wore a wig, and now she is officially a Bunco Babe. It's been 5 years of laughs, food, "neighborhood watch" and good times. My month to host is October and take a wild guess at the theme!

Backrow: Chris, Meggie, Kandance, Marty, Christine, Lori, Michelle, Frontrow: Stacey, Jodi, Misty, and Kelly (Gweynn is taking picture)

Kandace and Rebecca. She won a prize for the braids and barretts.

Rebecca and The Queen of Bunco --Lori.

Love, love this girl. Always looks good -- even with Poof wig!

Christine has beautiful blond, LONG hair. She freaked me out when she walked in with Pocahontas hair. Love that smile.

Chris, Rebecca, and Stacey. My girls! That's Stacey's real hair!

It took us several tries to take this picture! I couldn't stop laughing. Gweynn is the neighborhood Go-To. If we have troubles, we go to Gweynn. If we need an answer to a question, we go to Gweynn. If we need to find out ANY information, we go to Gweynn. Get the picture! She is an extraordinary woman and I love her.

Meggie sportin' that bad, bad hair. She lives next door and I'm so happy she's my neighbor. Poor Meggie has to suffer through my hairball-mutt barking all night. Oh, and Davis and Chandler following her husband, Mike (a REAL fireman), all around his garage and yard.

Sportin' that black hair! Black is back!

Stacey and Jodi.

Action shot! I scored two buncos tonight!

This one's for Jessica. I didn't have any apples, but I had pumpkin stickers.