how can you not love arizona in the spring??

never a dull moment

80's day at the high school. It is amazing what you can find in one short trip to the thrift store. Their spirit week at school was a little creative - fake injury day, 80's exercise day, hillbilly day, little kid day. Melanie embraces it all. I asked her if she ever worried that she would be dressed up on the wrong day, or worried that no one else would be dressed up. She responded like that was the most ridiculous question - there would be just that much greater spotlight on her! Melanie had a cooking goal for her personal progress. Is it too much to ask for a mother to take one nice picture to document the work???

Never mind getting a decent photo. You did a good job, Mel. It was a nice treat to have you make us dinner! Creamed cauliflower soup, vegetable plate, biscuits and a pumpkin cake. Very delicious!

not much going on around here

Nothing exciting going on around here these days. I am on spring break from my seminary class. I was looking forward to a few fun projects, but instead ended up with a full week of boring old office work. I did get a chance to get outside and do some weeding in the flower garden after all the recent rains. I am happy to report that I've kept a corner full of foliage alive for 5 months straight. I'm a little bit amazed and impressed.

It was also my mom's birthday recently. There was a surprise party planned and she was surprised. I don't think she is generally the "surprise party" kind of gal, but it was a great afternoon with lots of family attending. This is my mom and my older brother. (Garry, I just realized you remind me of Grandpa Whipple -- all white shirt and tie on a Saturday afternoon!)

I went hiking with Suzanne and Lezlee for an hour or so this morning. I really enjoy being out in the desert. It is nice just to turn the phone off and get away from the noise of traffic and just hike around the hills for a bit. It was a good way to start the day. Since then I've written a note to Brady, did some business paperwork, copied some system design prints, made a run to the post office, wrapped a wedding gift, helped Dave load the trailer, stopped at the grocery store, did the morning dishes, ran a load of laundry, updated our business bank deposits, and now I need to go get some painting done up on the eaves while it's not raining today. Speaking of rain, my sister is planning a big outdoor wedding reception for her daughter tomorrow evening. She has been in a panic during this very wet and blustery week. It looks like clear skies for now. I hope it is beautiful. We are all anxious to attend. Both my sister and niece are extraordinarily creative and it will be a beautiful event, I'm sure.

There was a fantastic sunrise as I was driving to seminary a couple days ago. I'm not generally a fan of the sunrise. If it happened a little later in the day I probably would be.
After class, I've been out hiking this week. The desert is gorgeous right now - the temperature is perfect this time of year and the recent rains have greened up the hills so beautifully.

Hiking has been a good distraction this week. My nephew was in a tragic motorcycle accident Monday night. He is a good and handsome young man who is loved by people far and wide, most of all his new fiance. They have a marriage date set for May 1st. Here is a note from his sister's blog a couple days ago:

I know that Michael is a fighter...has been his whole life. If you know anything about Michael, you'd know he has this mentality that he's invincible. I'm sure that's doing him at least a little bit of good right now. The fact that he's still fighting after more than 24 hours is pretty miraculous. Mike is pretty much a superhero.

I also know that Michael has an amazing support system. I was worried about how little family we have in Utah. He has Lisa, of course. And my great aunt and uncle headed to the hospital immediately. My mom got there yesterday evening with another aunt. But the hospital waiting room has been consistently filled with friends and well-wishers. Apparently, he has quite a BIG family in Utah after all.

Social networking is amazing. There has been an outpouring of support from friends and strangers alike...not only for Mike, but for our family and Lisa (who is family in my book) as well. I know that prayers are being heard and answered...for that I am sincerely grateful. It's certainly doing some good.

I certainly wish there was something we could DO for him right now. It's no wonder the Relief Society prepares so many casseroles - it feels productive and useful. I would rush up to Utah if I felt I could help there. I wish there were more I could do for my sister, I wish there was more I could do to take away the uncertainty and the fear. We pray and we fast and we wait. and wait. and wait.