I’ve moved.

Now blogging at lifeonbonita.com 🙂

Come on over!

Cheers!

hard things

Yesterday was full of hard things.  Sadness.  Innocent people suffering, even loosing their lives.  My heart is with Boston.

It is hard to take in, understand and process these events that keep happening.  The Why in the mess of it all?

I also have a work-friend who’s dad is fighting cancer.  I feel for her.  It brings back the feelings that I have and had about loosing my mom to cancer.  The pain I felt in that loss, the pain of loosing a loved one, grief.  Real physical heart-pain caused by the loss of life of someone so precious to you and you love so dearly.

That experience has caused me to grow immensely and look at life differently.  It also has provided me with deep feelings for people who are going through pain.  To watch good people suffer is really hard.
Life  is full of hard things, painful things, things that we don’t have any control of and that really hurt us, and our loved ones.

I’ve been thinking about all of the pain that is in the world.  The abuse, wars, fighting, loosing loved ones, loneliness, depression, struggles, selfishness, greed, pride, tragedy, and hate.

There is ALOT of pain and suffering in our world.  It’s all over the news, in the faces of those around us, within our own minds and hearts.

I don’t have all the answers.  I’m trying to work thorough my own feelings and thoughts, and my own pain.  There are people suffering in my neighborhood, my family.
There is also messy “stuff”  happening in my extended family that I don’t agree with or think is right.  It hurts those I love.  It hurts me.

I  can be the source of Pain.  Even though I try my best not to, we all inflict pain on others.  Ironically, we hurt those we love the most.

I’m learning that the more I learn about pain, unfairness, and suffering the more I am amazed at the resiliently of the human spirit and the life of Jesus Christ.

He is the healer and has suffered for our pain individually and collectively.
So we don’t have to suffer alone.   So we can be forgiven when we hurt, and we can forgive those that hurt.
The knowledge of that brings me hope and peace when I don’t understand the WHY?

I rely on my faith in Christ.
It helps me focus on the light amidst much darkness.
There is still so much good in the world.

Tax day – weekend wrap

Happy Tax day.  I’m really glad that I did my taxes in February.  I’m grateful for the country where we live, but sometimes I’m not grateful to pay so many taxes.

Today, when I left for work my tulips looked beautiful with a background snow dusting.  To be honest, i’m getting over the snow but it keeps coming back, just in little bits.  It’s ok I guess, as long as it dosen’t kill all my tiny plants.

This weekend we had our first saturday soccer game, of the soccer team I help coach.  It’s a special needs soccer league, that my lil sis MizS plays on.  It brings joy to my life to be around these sweet kids.  I’ll post more about it later.

MizE wes there kicking soccer balls and all sassed out with her new shades.  I love this little woman.

We also went to gormandize bakery in SLC.  It’s this amazing french bakery/cafe that is pheenom.  The french have got it figured out in the desert department.

I spent the day with these two kids on Saturday.  MisZ and little MrEv.   We had so much fun.  Sweet and awesome people they are.

I also had dinner in this canyon.  Can’t wait for summerrrrr.

goodbye spring

Do you know what is the worst?

When a winter strom comes in and kills all the almost-blooming-tulips.

It’s a wierd storm.  It’s a wind storm with winds and winter-tundra-esque with 70+MPH winds.  Just think –  the plains of wyoming.

I guess, I should be glad that the only thing damaged was my tulips.  I was just really looking forward to meeting all of them and now they are all drooped and blown over.

My daffodils though, they made it.  I love how hearty those guys are.

Here is a shot of the bench where I live from further west.  Crazy storm.

restaurant review – la cai noodle house

If you have never had Vietnamese pho you have not lived yet.  I mean, how can delicious broth, thai basil, jalapeños, cabbage, cilantro, bean sprouts, and onions go wrong
?

Well, it could potentially but it dosen’t at la cai noodle house.   B&I enjoyed pho a few times this winter, and it is one of the best filling, fresh, tasty dishes (and cheap!) in the city.

I have no complaints about this place.  The atmosphere is great.  The service is good.  The scene is diverse.  And the food is amazing.

We ordered the brsiket and beef tradiitonal pho & the bum bun rum.   So good.

And, they have an awesome fish tank!

Go try some pho in your area.  You won’t be disappointed.

polka dots & colors

There is a whole lot going on in this outfit.

I like it.

I am loving that I can use all my thrift store finds,  patters, colors and grandma belts to create some funky fun outfits.

The trends are so fun right now.

color explosion!

Don’t worry about that my hair isn’t done and my bathroom is a hot mess.

I haven’t unpacked yet.  It’s only been a week?

 

1 month old seeds & garden update

Don’t you just love spring!  I’m really into it.

I’m looking forward to my garden, camping,  hiking, fishing, BBQ’s, concerts and long summer nights.

B and I have been working hard getting our garden ready and prepped.  Some of my seeds haven’t come up, so looks like all my squash plants i’ll have to buy.  Bummer.  Not sure what I did wrong.

Here are a few shots of the yard, garden, I snapped this morning.

It’s coming along but there is still TONS of work to do.  So fun!

daffodils all in a row.

these little ones are going outside.

the garden in coming along.

peas. onion. carrots. 1 month old.  June Harvest!

tulips everywhere!

how long will butternut squash last?

the last butternut of the year. lasts till spring.

‘Till spring.  And i’m not even mad about it. Just make sure to keep’em cold.

Easter

Easter.

What a beautiful holiday.  Spring is wonderful and the symbols of life after death, spring after winter, the miracle of Christ, and the hope and peace that we will see our loved ones again.  My mom.  B’s Dad.  My grandparents.  My sister.  Those loved ones we’ve lost we will see again, all because of the hope in the Resurrection of Christ.  He lives.  The miracle of his life, sacrifice and resurrection fill me with peace, amazement, hope and desire to be better.  More kind, loving, giving, generous and the best person that I can.  For Him.

I love to celebrate Easter.

I helped MizS with a little talk in the primary.  It was about easter and the resurrection of Christ.  After she finished she said “I did it.  I did it.”  I also helped one of my nephews read a scripture from Matthew.

Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

We had a special easter breakfast of Gluten free pumpkin muffins (for my gluten free sis) orange juice, eggs, toast and fruit.  I used my crystal glasses.   MisS loved her yellow easter basket and was so excited for the easter eggs filled with money.  She is saving up for a trip to sea-world.  B is just the sweetest in all the land.

We then had easter dinner and traditional egg hunt with my family.

I thought of my mom.  I missed her.  But, the joy of easter helps take the sad away.

Kent-O

B’s dad was an amazing man.  Yesterday was his birthday and we celebrated his life.  We go to his grave and let balloons fly up to him, we go to dinner and spend time as a family.

I wish that I would have had the chance to know him on this earth.  We would have been really good friends.

In some ways, I feel like I do know him.  I see him in B.  I see the family he devoted his life too.  I see how bad people miss him, especially his family, and they love him dearly and talk about how much he impacted their lives.  I have felt his presence and influence.  Especially when B and I were dating, we knew that he helped us to find one another, at the very perfect time.  He was present in the temple when we were married.  When I am quiet and peaceful, I know he would be pleased with Ben and I and the life we are creating.  I know that he is  aware of us and loves us.  I have read some of his journals.  I have listened to his music.  I have heard stores about him.  I see him in my husband, B’s goodness, kindness, strength and desires I know come in large part from his amazing dad.

Sometimes I wonder why both B&I have lost a parent in our 20’s.  I don’t really know the answers of why two beautiful lives were cut so short.

But, I do know that loosing them has helped us both to grow and to learn to trust the Lord and in HIS plan and HIS timing.

And I know we are still connected to our loved ones.  They are closer than we realize.  And when I am calm and quiet I can feel their presence and love for us.

Little Kent @ disneyland Jungle ride

A beautiful spring

Us & his grave

His 3 sons & sweetheart

His sweet little grandson that was named after him.

A very sweet letter from Kent to his family I wanted to include here.  We love you Kento and miss you!

February 28, 2007:

 

“Dear Family,

 

“Too many of you to call, so we will talk email.  I will have a hard time finding the words to adequately say all I’d like to say tonight.  The spirit whispered to me some time ago what the results would be today, so I am calm as a summer’s morn.  I really wasn’t sure, but I had a pretty good idea.  The last round of treatments have been ineffective.  The tumors in my liver are much larger, there are some 20 small tumors appearing in my lungs, and my spinal situation will be evaluated Friday…

 

“We’ve known from the beginning that this type of cancer has never been cured.  We have had so many small miracles over the past year, that I can’t count them. It has been a marvelous year.

 

“My name has been on the temple prayer rolls literally thousands of times.  Earnest petitions to Heavenly Father have been offered daily by hundreds.  It is overwhelming to hear the stories.  And I know my family has been among the most earnest.  I have had powerful priesthood blessings.  I have tried to eat, think, and be as smart in my treatment as I can.  I have had the most loving care and counsel from very intelligent sources. Some, very close friends.  I have been in the temple myself nearly every week this past year, and very frequently for many years prior. I have felt the love of the Savior more profoundly than ever in my life. I’m telling you all this so you will know that I know, that this is certainly in the Lord’s hands. As I have plead for blessings and healing, I have been overcome with a desire – stronger than my desire to live – to do the Lord’s will.  

 

“But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things”  (2 Nephi 2:24)  As Nephi said, so say I, “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever”.

 

“I don’t know how long I have. It could be a few months, or a year.  But I suspect I don’t have that long.  We have been blessed to be prepared for this in every way… financially, spiritually, emotionally.  With the rich life I have been blessed with over the past 52 years, I am certain that I wouldn’t trade my life for any man. I really mean that.  Thirty-three years ago, I fell in love with the Savior of the World.  And that love and my desire to serve Him has blossomed greater every year since.  He is my shadow by day, and my pillar by night, my king, my deliverer, my all.  I am certain that we will all be in his presence sooner than we think, and it will seem that this life went by in the twinkling of an eye.  Julie is broken hearted, but she is being a rock.  she has known trouble many times before, and is made of fine steel.

 

“I love you with all my heart.  Memories of you and my love for you is what makes the 52 years so sweet.  Please don’t see this letter as my resigning and giving up. I will live every second I can, and I am assured that I will not be taken until I have finished my work on the earth.  

 

“All my love,

 

Kent”