Distribution to Bibi Khala Girls School

Mark along with several women from FOB Smart were able to make a distribution of school supplies to over 500 children today! What a great day in Afghanistan!! Wish the news would cover this story tonight! To see all the pictures, click on the link here or to the left for Writing A Brighter Future. I'm so proud of Mark along with EVERYONE who has supported us in our efforts. It should also be mentioned that more boxes are going to be shipped from the Winchester, VA Stake Relief Society as they collected supplies on April 17th. I'm so excited that this service project has caught on with so many!

Also, here in Southern Utah, there is a VERY SMALL town called Circleville, Utah. This is where my mom was born and raised. We visited there recently and got to meet some of the women that mom is still friends with all these years later. The good women of Circleville, have supported our efforts all winter long by crocheting helmet liners for me to send off to Mark. While it is warm now ... I KNOW these hats will be appreciated here shortly as fall and winter approach. Thank you to so many sisters who have given of their means and talents for our project!

Kite Festival 2010 - St. George, Utah

This afternoon we drove down to the kite festival which was held down at one of the golf courses here. By the time we got down there, the amatures had taken over the kite flying but apparently there is quite a great competition that went on in the morning. (This morning I spent out at Tuacahn selling plates, etc. at Saturday Market) None-the-less, we had fun looking at all the kites and of course Max was in heaven simply because there was a ton of rides for him to go on and some free activities as well. Here are some pictures of todays events!

ATV - Max and both of his Grandpa's want one of these toys!

First Mini-Ferris Wheel Ride

Train Ride - Max was sure this car could be Diesel 10 (Thomas the Train)

Lots and lots of kites to see!

Half of the field ... lots of people & fun activities.

Michael Bolton Concert!

One of the perks of working at the Gift Gallery at Tuacahn is that I can get free tickets to the concerts. This afternoon, I got the call that I could pick up 10 tickets (if I wanted them) for tonights performance. Everyone I contacted was not able to go on such short notice but, mom went up with me and we had a great time! I love his music especially the big band music. His saxophone player was amazing. While we were waiting for Michael to come on stage, I called Mark and told him where I was. Next time we'll have to go together to this! Enjoyed every minute of it!

Saturday Market - Tuacahn

This past Saturday a shared a booth space at the Saturday Market at Tuacahn. The hours were from 9 am to 1 pm and we had about 30 different vendors come out to sell everything from home-made breads, jams, salsas, cowboy hats, knives, jewelry, pens, bbq sandwiches, hand weaving, purses, etc. I had a great day and plan to have my own booth this coming Saturday where I can spread out all the plates I have along with a cross stitch that my mom did "Return with Honor" and display all of my dad's current weavings. Dad was one of the featured artists showing how he makes his beautiful blankets or as he likes to call them his lap robes! Take a look at the BYU & University of Utah blankets below ... they are all for sale ... and he is currently working on a Wyoming Cowboy blanket! All of his patterns he designs himself, the material is acrylic, machine washable, and he does all the work by himself on sticks! He is amazing! Mom can cross stitch like no one else I know and all of our homes have her beautiful work in them as well. It was a long busy weekend but, profitable and fun! Check out Tuacahn!

I sold plates, vases, and granite coasters.

I took orders that I am fulfilling this week and sending them off to Minnesota!

I also sold Rosemary Peasant Bread and "You Won't Regret Them" Brownies ... YUM!

Here is my dad with some of his weavings!

Check out BYU & Uof U blankets!

I started working part-time at Tuacahn this past week. I work in their gift gallery during concerts and performances .... the pay is practically nothing but, I get free tickets to the shows and I get to see and hear some fun performances. This past week I worked during a Kellie Pickler concert and the BYU Folk Dancers performances. Tuacahn is a beautiful outdoor theater that is located up a canyon in Ivins, Utah about 6 miles from our home! This summer they have Tarzan, Crazy For You and Cats as their main attractions. If you are in the area, I strongly suggest getting tickets!

Tanning Woes ...

Did you know ... that in the last 15 years or so, tanning beds have been upgraded and become 150 times more powerful? Did you know that tanning for 8 minutes on your first exposure in say 15 years (give or take) in a stand-up bed can cause you IMMENSE PAIN for at least 5 days? Did you know that in a stand-up bed the maximum amount of time that the bed will cook you for is 9 minutes? Do you know all the places that your body can potentially have a blister from exposure to a tanning bed? Did you know that your body can potentially have an allergic reaction to your skin drying out and peeling for 3 days? Did you know that I was dumb enough to think, "why don't I try tanning down at the gym, perhaps if I was not so ghostly white I would consider a swim suit this summer or even shorts"?

So many things I didn't know ... and guess what? I know them now!!! Ughhh

The Haircut ....

This story was emailed to me a few days ago ... I thought I would share it with all.

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut.

After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, "I can not accept money from you, I am doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber replied, "I can not accept money from you, I am doing community service this week." The cop was happy and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a Congressman came in to the shop for a haircut, and when he asked about his bill, the barber replied again saying, "I can not accept money from you, I am doing community service this week." The Congressman was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up his shop, there was a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it!

Easter Weekend

Max came down with a fever on Thursday night ... no appetite, etc. By Friday afternoon we decided to take him in to our instacare ... as the fever was up to 101. Diagnosis, strep throat and contagious for at least 24 hours, med's for 10 days and no neighborhood easter egg hunt! Huge bummer! But, we still managed to have some fun today while watching General Conference. Max also had an incredible nap just under 3 hours ... love it!

Easter bunny arrived with new clothes, more trains (these ones for the bath) and of course chocolate. We had several egg hunts, one outside and several inside the house! I got Max into one of his new spring sweaters and shirts for a minute ... took quite a few pictures and here are some from today's events!

An egg hunt amongst the rocks & Grandpa's garden!

Here is the conversation that Max and Mark had on the phone this morning around 6:30 am....

Mark: Are you excited for the Easter Bunny to come?

Max: Dad, the Easter Bunny is not real!

Mark: He isn't?

Max: No, he's stuffed up! He's a fake animal!

Mark: Who told you this?

Max: I told myself!