Why I've Been Missing

I've been away for several weeks visiting family and I want to share it with you...

There are a few things that will always be better in the Midwest than here in Utah.  Thunderstorms and swap meets specifically come to mind.  I didn't have the joy of the first while I was home this time, but we did the second one in style!  I introduce you to the Sparks Flea Market in Sparks, KS...

Basically an abandoned town in the middle of nowhere, for 4 days in spring and fall Sparks is converted into three packed city blocks of campers, vendors, shoppers, and unimaginable bargain finds.  My favorite relics to look at were a toddler ride-on Oscar Meyer weinermobile and an antique child's wooden rocking chair.  What I ended up buying (and subsequently hiding and forgetting when it was time to come home) was an antique wooden circus truck complete with wooden circus animals.  At some point my mom will mail it to me and it'll become my first foray into re-finishing an old item.  My boys will love it and I'm so excited!

My littlest making a discovery

There didn't seem to be a reason for my recent trip when I decided to go, but by the time I was there it became obvious that the hand of providence had been at work in my life.  My grandmother passed away while I was on my 18-hour drive towards my childhood home.  I'm certain that I would not have made it out there for her funeral and to be with my family if I had not already been on the way.

Luella Josephine Dobbs from Greg Young on Vimeo.
Because I was there, I had the opportunity to sing a special song at the funeral with my mom and two of my sisters.  Growing up we sang together in church, school music competitions, and other events.  They laughed when I said I missed that and wished I lived closer, but I do and they'd better just watch out...it's not unthinkable that I'd move back just to torture them in that way.

Every year I get nostalgic for the Pella Tulip Time festival.  For anyone not familiar with Pella, it's the home of Pella Windows and VerMeer Corporation.  It was also a settling point for my ancestors and thousands of other early-20th century Dutch immigrants.  Town zoning laws require all commercial buildings to be adorned with traditional Dutch facade and a trip to Pella demands a stop at Jaarsma bakery for S-shaped, almond-flavored Dutch letters.  This year I got to go to the celebration!

It was a chilly, on-and-off rainy day, but it was so much fun!  We got there in time for the afternoon parade and I was instantly transported back to my high-school marching band days.  All the better that my alma mater (can you say alma mater for a high school?) was by far the best band in the parade.  When the rain started we curled up with fresh hot funnel cakes buried in glaze and powdered sugar and then drooled as we walked past the poffertje (mini pancakes) and stroopwaffle (syruped waffle cookies) stands.  

The rest of the day was filled with more food, an antique tractor rodeo, a kiddie corner, and a night parade.  The rest of my trip was filled with plenty of cousins for my kids to play with and family drama that incited both uncontrollable laughter as well as thoughtful conversation.  It was a different kind of visit than I usually have and I hope that my future visits can be the same. 

Meet My...

...Father-In-Law...

Duane Hiatt

Interesting Fact #1: Duane and his wife Diane brought 15 hilarious and thoughtful people into the world.  After Diane passed away from ovarian cancer, Duane and his 15 kids relied on their faith that the family is central to the Lord's plan and that He had a plan for each one of them.  A year later an equally faith-filled woman named Sharon came into their lives and together the 17 of them continued onward into the world.  Now, nearly 25 years later 17 has grown to 87 with 15 spouses, 54 grandchildren, and the oldest grandchild's fiance joining the family this year.

Interesting Fact #2:  There is a fairly short song every LDS Primary child knows called, "Follow the Prophet," (9 verses is short for a kid's song, right?).  Asked to write the song only weeks after Diane had passed away, the song holds special meaning to our family and Duane continues to share the message portrayed in the song whenever he has the opportunity.   

Interesting Fact #3  Duane is the only rock star I know.  Really!  In the days of Elvis and the Beetles he performed in a band called  "The Three D's." Touring across the United States, Canada, and Asia in a time when the face of music was changing, they found increasing success by keeping a clean image and entertaining without lowering their moral standards.  Their music is particularly refreshing today when #1 hits too often are denigrating and evocatively offensive.  Covering both religious and secular subjects and songs, each album has distinct character.  My personal favorite album is Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason-Great Poetry Set to Music.

My father-in-law has lived a full life and earned the right to sit and rest, but that's not who he is.  He continues guiding the people around him with big ideas and entertaining delivery.  The Three D's message is as essential and applicable as it was when three young family men first took it out on the road and that is the reason I'm sharing this part of my life with you!

For your last chance at an early entry in my A Blogtastic Extravaganza giveaway, leave a comment here telling me something from this post that has peaked your curiosity!

In My Heart On Thursday

-Lisa Jan South,  Ensign, Febrary 2011

Bring On Spring

 A few weeks ago I broke my resolve to save money by suppressing all travel desires.  With 24-hour's notice and an invitation from family to join them in the Grand Canyon, I hastily packed my bags, loaded bewildered kids in the car, and hit the open road.  It was the perfect way to welcome spring and summer adventure back from hibernation.

Apparently a little too perfect because now my imagination has gotten the best of me.  With extended family trips already scheduled to San Diego in the summer and Iowa in the winter most people's vacation budget would be full.  I guess it's all in your priorities.  My home is humble and my kids wear hand-me-down clothes and that's fine for me.  Its what makes the going possible.

So what else is on the itinerary?  Well....

~An unexpected additional trip to Iowa and Kansas next week.  Fact is, I miss my family.  And my boys miss playing with grandpa's antique toy trucks. So we're going.  Simple as that.

A July wedding in the Washington D.C. LDS temple that I'd love to go to, but probably will be the first item on the chopping block when reality sets in. 

Relaxing weekends at a "secret" beach-side camping spot

~Hiking in the Utah  mountain canyons.

~Lots of sun and fun at our local waterpark

~Parades and city festivals until we can't bear to take one more piece of free candy or cheap advertisement

~Meeting my sister half-way between here and there for a random weekend meet-up (hint, hint, Beth)

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with side trips to

 White Sands National Monument

and the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

   And if I'm lucky, an incomprehensible number of things I haven't dreamed up yet!

What have you dared to dream into your summer travel adventures?

In My Heart On Thursday