Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Take A Chill Pill

During the week we were in Baltimore to say Kerry was stressed would be an understatement! He was spread so thin with all of his projects that I was worried about him snapping at times. Apparently I wasn't the only one with concern. When we arrived home this basket of cookies was waiting for us. With a note that said "Take a chill pill!"


The bunny on top is Kerry the "chicks" and eggs represent each of the projects and then the four bunnies on the bottom represent those he works with on the projects.
It was very cute and thoughtful for them to send it to him. Too bad he couldn't chill at all. We got home on Sunday and on Monday he was on his way back to Honolulu for the project. However, part of the family will be there during this trip to play a little and we are looking forward to it!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

More from Baltimore

While Kerry was attending his DBIA meetings I was able to wander through the city a little bit. It rained quite a bit while we were there. When I saw this ship sitting in the Bay I immediately thought of our Captain Jack and that he would be fascinated by it.
Our last night there in Baltimore we went to dinner at a restaurant named "The Rusty Scupper" it had been recommended by several people. We decided to walk around the bay to check it out. It was such a treat! The view was fantastic and the food delightful. It was certainly on the pricey side but we took advantage of the evening specials and enjoyed some of the best food we have had in a long time. I even found myself trying to identify favors to be able to recreate one of the dishes at home. We shall see...Thanks for the suggestions.

This is a view from the other side of the Bay looking to the city.

The next day after the last of his meetings we headed to Bel Air to stay with Cameron's parents and younger sisters for a couple of days. It was fun to visit with them and watch conference. While I was flying home I began reading Michael J Fox's new book and there is a part where he talks about never dreaming that some of his closest friends would come as a result of meeting people through his children. That is how we feel about the Lunt's we so enjoy being with them, thanks to Cameron and Rachel for introducing us. We look forward to seeing them again later in the summer.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

A Great Example

Today our family lost a dear family friend. Lorraine Thayne was one of my mom's closest friends as I was growing up. For my sister and I at times she was like a second mother. She passed away this afternoon just one day short of her 86th birthday. We renewed ties with family members during the last few days as they gathered around her. Earlier in the day Rebecca and I got to go and have lunch with Liz, Rebecca's cousin. It was fun to spend sometime with her. As we drove to Salt Lake to pick her up Rebecca was playing her new Rascal Flats CD and this song caught my attention. In light of the circumstance of the day it had a little more inpact on me. And once again it is a Country Song that sends the message.
Things That Matter
Sometimes he lets that boss get in his head
He can’t see past that mountain of deadlines on his desk
5 oclock he’s that last one out of the gate
And he gets cut off flipped off ticked off out on the interstate
And he wonders why this world won’t leave him alone
Till he hears that little voice holler “daddy’s home”
Things that matter
Things that don’t
She’s held on to that grudge all her life
Had thirty years of anger
Since her dad walked out that night
She thinks of all the moments that he's missed
All the birthdays ballets first dates
That seems too much to forget
She gets that call that said he don’t have long
She walks in
He starts crying
The past is gone
Things that matter
Things that don’t
Time ain’t on my side
Don’t want to leave this world
With why didn’t I? Why didn’t I? Yeah why didn’t I?
Sometimes I take on this world by myself
Thinking I got all the answers
Don’t need anybody’s help
Well god was right there waiting for me all along
To fall down on my knees surrender all
Things that matter
Things that don’t
Things that matter
Things that don’t
Just a thought that went through my mind as I left the Thayne family this afternoon just a short time before she passed away. Thanks to Lorraine for being such a great example of service in my life. Our love and sympathy to her family.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Baltimore Maryland

Our first day in Baltimore Kerry had a few hours before he had to go to a meeting so we went to the National Aquarium. We spent every second we had there. It is amazing.


A view of part of the city from the Aquarium

Part of the experience was going to the 4D Planet Earth presentation it was pretty cool. It reminded me of Star Tours or Soarin' at Disneyland because you could feel so much as you watched. The glasses well, aren't we cute?!


I couldn't help but think of Natalie as we went in the Dolphin show. Makes me want to head to Sea World this summer, not sure when we'll fit it in though. Today I stayed away from the soak zone which is uncharacteristic for me!

Say cheese please


I loved looking for all of the turtles,

This big turtle has only three fins but gets around the tank really well. While we were there some divers went into the tank and fed it and the rays. If Kerry had the opportunity he would have been right in there with them, he watched with great interest.

This fish kept coming up to Kerry at the window like he was expecting to be fed.

Kerry loved showing me the fish that he sees on a regular basis when he dives in Honolulu.

Of course I thought of all of the Disney fans in the family when I saw Nemo here.
After we finished at the Aquarium we headed back to the hotel and Kerry went to his first meeting. When he came back we went back to the waterfront for dinner. We went to a place called La Tasca a Spanish place it was ok but the server was pretty lame, it made me think of all the stories our girls have told about serving and I tried to be patient. We went to Barnes and Noble to find a book since I finished the one I brought with me and on the way back to the hotel we were hit up for money just like in any metropolitan city, can they tell we are tourists or what. After a long day we were ready to kick our feet up and relax for a little while. It's just nice to be together.

Our Family