being 17

unlike the Sound of Music. I am not starting at the very beginning of Victoria's adventure to Utah, but at the end. Here she is in John Hall, Helaman , on BYU campus getting ready for her last big section of her trip to UT. She attended Cougarette Camp! She said she was meeting her idols, that she so long wanted to meet. And they are National Champions, they truly are a hard working talented group of dancers.. What memories I have, as I leave her here where I firsr stayed in Merrill Hall, then later dropped Valerie off and last Derek off in the same hall ,on campus. Seeing her charming personality, confident and talented, I reflect back to myself. What happens now? How do we use our experiences to process forward with an eye single to service and joy? 

here she is in the back stretching out with hundreds of other very talented girls.. in the splits, which we know our family has been blessed with strength in flexibility

oh all these beauties! Getting early to their last day, I got to see them learn their jazz number. Fossey, All that jazz,! and perform various different styles of routines. what a great opportunity!!

some of the girls at Cannon center, where, as freshman we find our freshman 15lbs!! ugh

Some of the young women who were great friends to Victoria right away, Picking her up at all hours and showing her the sunsets, hiking, getting ice-cream, going to stake youth conference and probably other things I would have loved to have done at that age,

We love  Emily and her sweetness in sharing the sabbath with us, She is in her own apartment now , with a real job and a great example

the first day after she got here, she got to go to the Provo City center temple for baptisms

and EFY in Payson, it was an extreme adventure! Reminding me that when I got to BYU  I really wanted to go camping in the mountains ( and then got in trouble when I planned a campout,, its another story that is in my life story ,,of lessons learned!) oh to be l7!

we went on Deer creek Kayaking. She got to get photos of our favorite mts, Timpanogos, 

Here in the calm morning, with our shy cat Oreo. Victoria shows her gentle, sweetness as she basks in the warmth of love

ever the beauty, went up the Squaw peak to start her senior photos!

We learned so much having her stay with us. We were reminded of our youth, The joys of living life to the fullest, the importance of having good friends. having family near by. Planning rest time and service time. Honoring God and all the wonderful creations . Oh, to be 17 again? What would I do differently? I am were I am from the choices I made, I love that we have a Savior Jesus Christ who loves us and has taught us how to love one another and serve others, And I continue to learn from HIM.

 

tripping back to Southern California

LUCKY US !  Planning a trip back to make repairs in Simi and catch up with friends along the way. We didnt take any photos but these, Here we are hiking on our last day as we stayed in Thousand Oaks very near Wildwood hiking area, We remember going here on a hike with flash light but even Derek doesnt remember, Hiking has been one of our ways to enjoy seeing the beautiful world  we live in. We stayed in TO 4 days as Jim repaired Simi home and I tried to find friends at home in Simi, Missed most of them as I have a new phone and lost many numbers. But those I did catch up with were filled with wonderful love and memories   

never missing the traffic. Remembering  the drive on the 118 to work everyday for 20 years, But also the  drive to serve in the LA temple for 2 years,

We miss our temple! ir is only open 3 days now! it is with great sadness that I see this happening in my life. Lucky we got to set aside time to feel the spirit here and pause

this is the joy that I will remember from this trip. We had help as we were trying to get a photo and one of the grounds keepers said,, Kiss her again!! See that  joy !! It has been 50 years since I first moved to LA and lived at the Temple Parkway Apt, right at the entrance to the temple by Santa Monica, After graduating from BYU and then going on survival I figured I could conquer LA!! It took many years for me to learn many lessons of survival ! Sorry I got no photos of friends we saw and stayed with >>Loraine an Whit, the Hanks and their whole family, Dittmans, Aes, Ursals, Kristie Williams and some of Jims work friends in Malibu./ We miss you all and send prayers of love and gratitude