PORTLAND BOUND

Finally some good news!
I'm looking forward to:

• Shopping with no sales tax.
• Going out to lunch with my favorite Catholic friend. Actually she is my only Catholic friend because I don't know any other Catholics! Hey, I live in Utah County and there isn't a huge population of Catholics 'round these parts! Wish I knew more like her.
• The tallest building on the right has an awesome restaurant-Portland City Grill, top floor. AMAZING SEAFOOD & VIEW!
• Going to visit the nurse who helped deliver Tanner when he was a Preemie. Can't wait to see her. I've never forgotten her kindness and compassion.
• Cranberry hazelnut scones-YUM!
• Bento for lunch.
• Did I mention shopping with no sales tax? Definitely will take an extra suitcase.
• Oh yeah - some quiet alone time with Daren--PRICELESS!

Except, I'm sure it will be raining - which I totally LOVE!!

**Little side note-Daren and I both lived in the Northwest for 5 years at the same time but didn't know each other. We lived 10 minutes apart and worked 4 blocks apart and never knew each other. He even did depositions in the building that I worked in. It is really fun to go to Portland together because we each have so many favorite places to visit. We always wonder if we passed each other in an elevator or at a downtown restaurant and never knew it.

REALLY ROUGH WEEK

It's been a difficult couple of weeks. Tears shed, hearts broken, faith tested are only the beginning. This past week has been especially difficult. I don't feel a blog is the correct platform to discus all of our tales of woe. I know there are many who know our situation and are praying for us. To those of you who have reached out to our family with love, compassion and friendship, thank you seems so trite. But please know we are grateful for our family and friends who have strong shoulders for us to lean on.

I know that our Heavenly Father is watching over us. In fact yesterday when we were functioning at a low level, Daren received a phone call from a friend who needed him to help with a trial in my favorite city--PORTLAND, OREGON. Words cannot express the love I have for 'The Rose City.' I lived there for 5 years and it has a special place in my heart. It is the most beautiful city with green beautiful trees, a beautiful downtown river, great shopping (with no sales tax), amazing food. I could go on and on how much I love Portland. Plans are still in the works but I am hoping to be able to accompany Daren on this business trip. I think it will do both of us wonders!

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and friendship!

SO ANNOYING

I need to vent a few frustrations:

1) It is so annoying in Utah that we have to dial 10 digits to call across the street! At least I'm still an 801 and not a 385. Pretty soon it will be difficult to remember who is 801 and who is 385. It's SO ANNOYING!!

2) Why can't all my kids get sick at once and then have nobody be sick for a long time? I don't think we have gone more than a 2 weeks this winter without a fever, cough, cold, vomit, or flu in this house!

3) Why does Camille hate David Cook? She mentioned tonight at dinner that if she ever met him she would want to give him a wedgie because he beat David Archuletta.

And most importantly....

4) Why is Tatiana still on American Idol? She's gotta go!!

HEY AMERICAN IDOL FANS....

My neighbors, Jason & Mona Porter, are best friends with this girl:

TAYLOR VAIFANUA

The Porters & The Vaifanuas have been friends for many, many years. They have watched Taylor grow up into a beautiful and talented singer. She lives in Hurricane, Utah. In fact, when Taylor auditioned for American Idol last summer, she stayed at the Porters and has attended our ward several times. As a HUGE American Idol fan, I am hoping she will come back and sing!


Here is a post I copied off of Jason's Facebook page:

Now, I've never voted before, but it can't be that hard. Let's all take some time to tell our network to help this beautiful girl get to the next level. We're giving the kids the cell phones to do the texting and Mona and I will use the land line and skype to dial, dial, dial. We're having friends over for the show too. You only have two hours after it airs to vote. I haven't figured out how they can tell which time-zone you're calling from, but apparently you get two hours of voting from each time zone.Pass it on. Vote for Taylor!

So remember...TUESDAY NIGHT VOTE FOR TAYLOR!!!

ONE YEAR AGO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAREN!!

Sorry this year's party won't be like last year's:

YOU ARE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I LOVE YOU!

MAKING ME LAUGH

Yesterday, the school called to tell me that Camille was in the office and not feeling well. They said she had a toothache. I went to the school to bring her home. When I arrived at the school I looked at her tooth that was hurting. I could tell a permanent tooth was coming in under her baby tooth. I told her hopefully it will feel better soon or we will need to go to the dentist.

She said, "Okay we can go to the dentist but if he says he wants to pull my tooth out then we are LEAVING!"

At 7 years old, she's already figured out the dentist!

Then this morning, Tanner needed to take a cane to school for a play that his class is doing. He brought a cane that Daren received last year for his BIG 4-0. The cane has a horn, teeth and a bottle to hold pills.

Camille tells him, "Tanner be VERY careful with dad's cane at school today. He is going to need that cane in a few years when he gets old. So make sure nobody breaks it." We all just died laughing at the thought of Daren actually using the cane.

WORRIED

So Daren's cute little sister...the one that is prego with her second set of identical twins is in the hospital.

When I think I'm having a rough day, I close my eyes and imagine her plight. Then I realize my day isn't so bad.

She's 24 weeks pregnant today.
She has been in the hospital for the last 2 weeks.
She has no bathroom privileges or shower privileges.
She has 3 little boys at home - ages 4 and 2-year old twins.
She will more than likely be in the hospital until she gives birth. Due in June.
She has a lot of contractions.
She has low blood pressure.
She lives in Maryland and does not have family close by.
She is worried but hopeful.

Cade & Julene-Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family each day. We love you guys! Hang in there!!