Journaling

(Grandpa and the girls at Grapevine Canyon)

So, what happens when life gets crazy and you can barely keep up with the laundry? The answer is, that blogging, although much better than laundry, is set on the back burner for another day. Yet, what do you do when the blog is also a capture of memories for your posterity?

Do you................
Skip those memories and pick-up where you are now?
Or, do you...........
Play catch-up and post past events although some are long gone?

I am not sure of what the answer is. Therefore, I am stuck!

Do I mention the letter written by the MyMy pleading to the Naughty Leprechauns about postponing their mischievous acts until we were back in town?


(Maya scouring the house for naughty leprechaun pranks)

Or, what about the fun-filled time we had with cousins in Las Vegas over their Spring Break?


(Enjoying the Bellagio Fountains at night.)



(Valley of Fire)

If I mention that trip, then I surely must mention the Give a Day, Get a Day trip at Disneyland with James and Terra in April.


(James and Terra at the Newport Beach Temple)




(After spending a day cleaning the shores of the Colorado River, the Voss Family enjoyed a day at Disneyland, compliments of Disney. It was a fun-packed day. Thanks Disney!)


(You can't do a trip to California without enjoying a day at the beach. Huntington Beach)

I mustn't forget the Easter holiday either.




(Annual Easter egg hunt at the Bartons)

Now that I am keeping a regular journal of sorts, I realize how life never changes. We repeat activities from year to year.

For example, the girls just completed another year of dancing classes. Their recital was Friday evening. It was fun to see what they have learned, and to see their happy delightful faces.



Swim team has also begun meaning a very busy summer full of early morning swim practices and Saturdays consumed by swim meets.

It seems as if I had just recorded those events, yet it has already been a year.

Yet, it is those traditions, and seasons of opportunities, that we look forward to each year. We love those naughty leprechauns and the coloring of Easter eggs. Dance recitals and swim team also show growth from the year prior. Visits from relatives vary in time, place, and whom. Before we know it, the girls will be all grown-up and gone.

So, although some memories are long past, it is important to take some time and jot down a memory or two to remember that memories are worth collecting and capturing.

I hope you enjoyed this visit down Memory Lane too.

Deal

The MyMy and myself made a deal the other day. She would improve her swimming, I would get healthy. Last year's swim season was pretty much towing the line for both of us. We did it, but didn't accomplish much.

This year's season is just getting started. Already the MyMy has forgotten her swim gear, in which huge smiles have enlightened her pretty face, only for it to fall quickly when Mom still drops her off anyway and the coach makes her run, do squats, push-ups and the crab walk.

I have gotten up at 5:00am only 2 out of the 5 days to exercise and that chocolate urge keeps getting met.

We are not off to a great start. So, here is the commitment: Put it down in writing and throw it out there for all to see. This, I hope, will help with accountability.

Both of us realize that the MyMy is not striving to be the next Michael Phelps, and I am not trying to look like Mia Hamm. Although either would be delightful!

There is however, always room to improve. Wish us luck!

Red Tape

For 3 years we have been trying to maneuver around the red-tape of government. Hours and hours of time have been spent on the phone, in offices and gathering paperwork. The picture above completely represents the frustration that we feel!!!!!!!!!

Because maneuvering red-tape is very time consuming, we wait until we have breaks. So, in our household, spring break, or any other break, also means working on the red-tape, wishing we had a magical wand.

At the last minute, we decided to book a hotel and head to Phoenix for yet another visit to government offices to seek out assistance. Our trip started out very lovely. We admired the saguaro cacti and Joshua Tree's that came into view. Since we have had a very wet winter, we also enjoyed the wildflowers growing along the roadsides the entire trip. Beautiful!



Our first office visit, the Secretary of State of Arizona, was successful! Yahoo! Afterwards, we walked along the grounds of the State Capital admiring the statues, and fragrant trees.







Then we took the girls for a fun treat- pizza at the Organ Stop restaurant. The place is a kick! A man plays organ music of any kind while people eat yummy pizza. Everyone sits family style facing the wall of organ pipes. We enjoyed listening to swing-band music, Louie Armstrong, songs from musicals, and Olympic theme songs and National Anthems. We must of been very hungry because the 4 of us downed 2 pizza's!



After stuffing ourselves silly with food and music, we settled into the hotel pool for some swimming and hot-tubbing.



The next morning, we strolled the Mesa Temple grounds admiring the cactus garden and spring-time flowers. The grounds were so beautiful and fragrant.





Then we took the girls to another adventure- Crispy Cream donuts- yum! We wore our hats and ordered hot donuts for breakfast. We ordered a dozen, and they disappeared quickly.



Then, we went and faced doom- or other government offices, who really like to use the word "NO!"

After sitting in two different offices for a total of 5 and 1/2 hours, hearing a foreign language and the dreaded word NO, NO, and NO, it was time to call it a day and head home.

Which means, more red-tape to work through during the next break. Something to look forward too, I guess?!