Ireland 2014

Last week I had to meet up with a client in Dublin, Ireland for some meetings.  I headed out late Friday evening on a flight to London and then caught a flight to Dublin to arrive late Saturday night.  I wanted to give myself at least one day to get over the jetlag, which was good since I only slept about 2 hours that night.

So Sunday I decided the best thing to do was take a long bus tour.  I rarely do these touristy type things as I would rather just explore on my own in a car or something, but I knew I would be tired and could sleep on the bus if needed.  And it was needed!  I picked to do the Cliffs of Moher tour.  We stopped at King John's castle and then eventually arrived on the west coast of Ireland to see the cliffs.  They were magnificent.

 These cliffs are 750 feet high and you can walk right up to the edge.  It was awesome.  We were able to stay there for nearly 2 hours.  Afterwards we stopped at a small pub in a small town to eat lunch.  The tour guide suggested something local like "Irish Stew" which I did.  Basically it is the same as stew here in the USA.  But it was good.  We also stopped at a cool monastery that was built in the 1100s.

The drive through Ireland was beautiful.  It is indeed very green and there are a lot of sheep.  We got back in Dublin about 7 PM and I then headed up to the hotel by my client which was outside of Dublin.  It was gorgeous on a huge lot of land surrounded by open pastures and two gold courses.  

I then had meetings the next couple of days.  The one evening our client took us into Dublin for a walking tour downtown to see Dublin Castle and talk about some of the history.  We then once again headed to a pub for dinner and drinks.  I got some odd looks when I said I didn't drink - especially when they really wanted me to try the Guinness.  But it was fun.

Wednesday I flew back to London to head to my company's office which is outside of London in a town called Swindon.  That evening I didn't have any plans so decided to go see Captain America: Winter's Soldier.  It came out earlier in the UK than in the USA (still not showing here).  I figured out the way to walk there and had a fun evening seeing the movie.  This was similar to the last time I was in London when I was able to see the Avengers before it came out in the USA.  So maybe this is a patter and I'll be there next for Avenger's 2!  

Thursday I spent the day in our office doing training for our team there and meeting them in person.  It was nice.  My hotel in Swindon wasn't the greatest, but it was convenient.  No iron in the room the sink only had one hot faucet and one cold faucet (not mixed).  At this point I was ready to go home and Friday I went back to London to get on the plane back to Phoenix.  I got in late Friday evening.  Tevia and Jarek weren't home as they were in California.  Jacob Webb picked me up at the airport and I was able to collect my other two boys and sleep at home in my wonderful bed again; though alone!  

Saturday I went golfing with Jake and Jake and then we headed to the AZ Game and Fish expo, which was quite fun.  Here are a few pics from that adventure.  Next stop: Costa Rica.

2014 has been awesome!

I am working hard to make the year I turn 40 a great one.  And so far it has been awesome.  I know I am doing a poor job of documenting what I have been doing.  So to catch up I will just bullet point some things that have been great.

- Luke Air Force Air Show: We attended this a few years ago and I was excited to go this year hoping to see an F-35.  It didn't start out great as it took almost 3 hours to get there (it is 20 miles from our house!), but in the end I loved seeing the planes and jets and spending time with our family and Jake and Cari and their family.  And we got a bonus of tasting some awesome spicy ketchup.

- Trip to Napa Valley.  My company's annual conference was last week in Napa Valley and it was great.  Though I don't drink wine (this is wine country) I still had a wonderful time.  I was one of our company's presenters and had a great time with my client.  One night we went to Francis Ford Coppolla's vinyard/home.  He even came out to say hi (though I didn't see him).  We were able to sign up for an activity (like a wine tour or massage) and I signed up for the service project. We went to a school and helped out.  It was probably my favorite part of the trip.  I mostly played and reffed soccer for the kids.

- Attended several concerts for both Jarek and Malik.  They are both so talented.  Must have got that from their mom.

- Malik received the priesthood.  Malik turned 12 and we had family and friends over after the Gilbert Temple Dedication to give him the priesthood and celebrate.  The next week it was awesome to see both Malik and Jarek pass the sacrament on Sunday.

- Golfing.  With Jacob Webb moving down to AZ he has motivated us to golf some more.  I have gone more this year than the last 3 years combined!  It has been fun golfing with him, Brandt and Jacob Wall.  Brandt kicks our butts, but I am finally starting to play a little better.

Next up are trips to Ireland, Costa Rica and New York.  I am excited.  Work is going great.  Loving the new job.

Gratitude Sunday

I wanted to take some time to thank all of you for making me feel so comfortable, at home, wanted, and happy while I visited.  I know I can be forgetful and silly and easily brought to tears, but you all treat me with respect and love. I honestly can't believe you still want me to be around so much.  It makes me feel good, and loved.
Thank you all for overlooking my faults, and accepting me, and allowing me to play a part in your family's lives.
I also want to tell you all how proud I am of how you serve in your callings.  I see your strong examples to each other and your children.  It is fantastic.  We don't serve to get blessings, but they come, surely and steadily.
I see your faith, and feel your testimonies.  It is an honor to be your mother, and mother-in-law, and grandmother.
I want to make an even greater effort to be a part of your children's lives until we can move closer.  Let me know if ever you come up with an idea that I can help with, or a gift I could give, or something I can make or do.  I will try to write each child more, and to Skype more.
I am so blessed to have children who just call me when they are walking home, or at an airport, or to just talk, or for advice, or to share things with.
I am looking forward to 2 baby blessings and a baptism this year. I am proud of Malik choosing the priesthood, and Bret being worthy to ordain him.  Speed loved hearing his name mentioned as Bret read the line of authority, and I felt the Spirit so strongly.
I love how we love each other, even though, of course, we have our differences.  I know each one of us would do whatever it took to help each other if needed.  I know you are there for me.
I look back and see the fun and love and story of our family, and I clearly see how blessed we are.
The sun is shining to day, and though alone, I feel so loved and blessed.  I love Sundays!