St. George Road Trip

Wednesday morning we checked out of our hotel, tried to exchange our rental car to get a cheaper one (since we were done with the government subsidized portion of our trip), only to find out after lots of hassle and time wasted, that once you added all the hidden fees onto the price at the other place, we were going to have to pay more for a compact car than our nice, roomy one. We shoved the unsigned receipt back across the counter and said, "Thanks anyway" and called back the first place to take them up on their offer of extending our discount, with no hidden costs...and then finally got on the I-15 headed south.

We stopped around Lehi(ish) to have some Cafe Rio lunch with Shelly and hubs, David...and then hit the road again...



I was enjoying the scenery. Look at that gorgeous view...and the fall colors, too. ;^)



Who doesn't put their feet on the dash?



This may seem simple, but it doesn't take a lot to impress me. A cupholder muffin. Genius. It was so attractive, I hated to eat it. But I did and it was delicious, too. Thanks for the parting gift, Marriott concierge lounge!



That is actual snow falling on the mountain ahead of us.



I couldn't really capture the beauty of the fall colors, but you get the idea.



And then...a DOUBLE rainbow! (What could it MEAN?!)



Here it is from behind.

I was texting my brother the last half of the drive down there. I didn't realize how much I missed texting. That, or maybe it was just because we were texting about how much I couldn't wait to meet Evey, and how cute she is and that she was getting all rested up and she was going to be happy to see me, etc. It was fun. I told Justin I was afraid she was going to suddenly develop stranger anxiety the moment our eyes met...



I didn't need to worry.



She was ready to party with Auntie Carrie!



SO cute!!!



She was all smiles, all the time.



Cutie Patootey!



Wonder what she's thinking here? ("Wow, Auntie Carrie...you did well for yourself...Uncle Cliff is hot!") Something like that.



I love how she just dosed off here listening to the conversation. So happy and content.



We saw this when we pulled up and I had to take a picture. I really didn't think my brother was the libertarian, doomsday-er, gun-nut type (even though we do have some of those sprinkled into the mix in our family). If you don't know what it is (like I didn't), no worries...it's a snowboard company. (Whew!)

Oh Yes It's Navy Night, And the Feelin's Right....

Seven years ago, while we were out to dinner in Park City on the Monday eve of Chaplains Seminar with the Whitakers, we talked about how fun it would be to have "Navy Family Night" with any of the Navy Chaplains and their wives there for the conference. The next year we made it happen. Its beginnings were humble, as our numbers were small and not everyone was always able to attend, but it has grown into something very special.

We look forward to this night every year, but this year, Cliff and I were committed to do the VIP tour and dinner, so we thought we'd miss out entirely. Lucky for us, most everyone was also available on Tuesday night, and they wanted to wait for us. We love these guys!


We were back at Buca for the 3rd year running. They always treat us so well. We outgrew that little room at the Olive Garden years ago, PF Chang's was just too loud, this is perfect.



Each couple orders a dish, and we pass them around and around the table until everyone gets a taste of whatever they like. You're drooling, aren't you?

For the second year in a row, we used Jen's "speed dating" suggestion, and every 15-20 minutes, we picked up all our stuff and moved 2 places to the left. This way we all had the opportunity to visit with everyone, instead of just the people seated near us.

We had a record number of candidates this year, and following Chaplain Vance's suggestion, we treated them all to dinner to give their student budgets a rest.

Once again, I got pictures of all the lovely (new and familiar) faces around the table:



New



Familiar. Still rocking the student thing.



More familiar student faces.



Familiar. Still plugging along. Getting close.



Familiar. Very Familiar. Anyone on the board reading this? Rick is ready.



Familiar Fleeties. The wives couldn't make it. =^( We missed you ladies!



Our partners in crime



Hubba Hubba



More, awesome partners in crime.



Lovely old timers ;^)



Perfectly seasoned. We're so thrilled they came back to join us. They make retirement look good. I light up inside when I see these two. He was our Chaplain before Cliff was a Chaplain.


And of course, the outtakes:






We're already looking forward to next year...hoping some more of you will be here as full-fledged Chaplains, and that those who couldn't come due to operational commitments, etc. will be able to join us, too...and not just so we have more ways to split the bill.

Seminar farewell

Unfortunately, things didn't go quite as planned on Tuesday morning. We were supposed to drive the Chief and his Aide to the airport and then join the Chaplain Seminar, already in progress. But, the rental car place gave us one of those fancy, keyless cars. You use this plastic fob to start it. Well, that's all great...unless the battery dies...then you can't even open the dang car. So, there we stood in front of the Marriott, waiting for Cliff to pull up...when he walked up instead and broke the news. I felt terrible, but they were both SO gracious. Luckily, there was a cab waiting for a fare RIGHT in front of us, so they were whisked away to the airport, and Cliff and I walked over to the Church Office Building.

We listened to more wonderful speakers (can't wait to get the CDs and listen again), we ate lunch at the cafeteria in the basement, held an unauthorized Navy spouse breakout session at Deseret Book's new flagship store during the panel discussions (sshhhh!) and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. (Boohoo!)

Felila is one of my favorite people on this whole planet. She is so positive and all around smiley. She also makes me want to be a better person.



It's always a race to see who we can get pics with before people rush off to catch planes, pick up kids, etc....or they just plain kick us out of the room.



This picture was ten years in the making. Ten years ago, we met both of these couples at our initial training and setting apart here in SLC. I had no idea at the time that the gathering of just six people would be the beginning of such treasured friendships.

Sometimes (like every year) I look around to my left and my right and think, "How on earth did I get here to be in company like this?" It is a blessing I don't deserve, but am so grateful for.

Chaplain Spouse Luncheon and VIP Tour

I love this view from the front as we were waiting for everyone to filter in. Talk about a gathering of incredible women. It's always such a treat to see familiar faces, and new ones, too. This is in the Relief Society building, and the feeling in here is like a little piece of heaven. I love the pics of past Relief Society Presidents on the wall.



They tried something a little different this year, and after we were all seated, they had us stand around the room and then had all the chaplain candidate spouses fill in the middle section...so we could surround them with our love. Isn't that a cool idea? We have a record number of applicants right now, and it was fabulous to contrast with years past.



Then we were called to fill in the other sections, one branch at a time. Here are some of my Air Force sisters. Lookin' good, ladies. Our Navy section was looking pretty strong, I must say. But I was too busy humming "Anchors Aweigh" to think to get a pic.



The luncheon was the usual chicken salad in a half of a V-cut cantaloupe, rolls, pink punch and a fruit-topped cookie for dessert. This year, I was OFF the speaking docket, so I enjoyed it much more than last year. Amy did a fantastic job with her talk, and so did Sheri Dew. I was so excited to see her again.

Right after lunch, we had to head off to perform our escort duties for our guest of honor. The Navy Chief of Chaplains did such a great job with his message earlier this morning. He has come to Okinawa a couple of times when he was the deputy, and we just really enjoyed getting to know him. His Aide was just as fabulous. We felt very lucky to have the opportunity to tag along on the VIP Salt Lake City tour with them.

We took them to see welfare square, including in depth looks at the Bishop's Storehouse, Deseret Industries, the cannery, dairy, Church Employment, and the Humanitarian Operations. Then we headed over to the Family History Center for a tour of that facility, even getting to learn about some of our guests' family history. Then we crossed the street to Temple Square. It was sprinkling by then, but we didn't mind.



We started at the Visitor Center, where these Sister Missionaries took great care of us and answered our questions. It was so fantastic just to sit here and look at the Christus. It was hard to want to leave.



Sitting in the Tabernacle was great, too. I hadn't been in here since I was a kid. Even with the impressive Conference Center, this Tabernacle is still amazing.




Intently listening to our tour guides...



Here's some more Tabernacle photos:










The Assembly Hall



I love this statue. One of the General Authorities on the tour did a fabulous job briefly telling the story of the handcart companies. He got very emotional, so naturally, I followed suit.



We finished our dinner with an incredible lamb dinner at the Joseph Smith Building. It's been years since I've been inside, and it was more breathtaking than I remember.



I'm so glad someone suggested we get this picture. I think it will be one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, we have to take them back to the airport tomorrow. It all went by way too quickly. SO grateful to have had the opportunity, though.

Conference Weekend 2010

Before we knew it, Saturday morning was here and it was time to join the throngs of Saints headed to the Conference Center. We stayed at the Downtown Marriott this year, so we were the closest to the Conference Center we'd ever been. Made for a nice leisurely walk, actually...


And right across the street from the Conference Center is about where the protesters start...



Sometimes, I look at these signs and think..."WHO are they preaching to, exactly? What do they THINK WE believe?!"



It is a bizarre phenomenon.



I've also made some other observations over the years:

(1) If my church was represented by preachers shouting at people and calling them fiends and serpents of the eternal pit..and telling them they were going to Hell because they have obviously pledged their soul to Satan by wearing a military uniform (yes, these are actual examples we have encountered) I would RUN...not walk, the heck out of there.

(2) If someone wants me to listen to them, they are sure as heck not going to succeed by shouting insults at me...or my husband.

(3) If this were ANY other church in America...this would be on the evening news and there would be such outrage over it. Can you imagine this happening in front of a synagogue or a cathedral in the USA? But yet it happens at every. single. conference. Every six months, they are there, exercising their right to free speech as we exercise our freedom of religion. I guess we should count our blessings it's no longer legal to kill us, at least?



Still, it was such a lovely day...and so wonderful to see so many beautiful, smiling faces...



From all around the world...



And ESPECIALLY this one. (Chika-bow-WOW!)



These pictures were taken over the course of Saturday and Sunday's sessions. Saturday night, Cliff picked up the Navy Chief of Chaplains and his aid. We they were VIP guests for this year's Chaplain Seminar. We brought them to the morning session of General Conference on Sunday.



This little platform is where many wedding pictures are taken, with the temple in the background. This family was adorable, trying to get everyone looking in the same direction for the camera. I couldn't help stealing my own shot of them.



This is the other side of the Conference Center as we are headed over to the Church Office Building for lunch on Sunday. I always wondered how they fed all of the "official" people, who are stuck in town, between sessions. Since we were escorting a VIP, and therefore honorary "official" people for the day, we got to see for ourselves. We were fed in the Church cafeteria...only instead of having tons of choices like we do on a weekday during the Chaplain Seminar, they just hand you a plate of food. It was Thanksgiving dinner*. Yum.



One last shot. This one was taken on our way back to the hotel on Sunday. Just a dude and his dog (in sunglasses) out for a typical, Sunday drive.


*Since this talk had just been delivered in the morning session, there were plenty of Jack-rabbit jokes...even from our VIPs.

Chaplain Seminar Banquet

Like I said, we get to our hotel room Thursday around dinner time. We were so exhausted, and as I mentioned in the last post, the altitude had done mean things to my feet, so I HAD to lay down. We decided we'd just nap for a couple of hours and then go to dinner. Who were we kidding? Neither of us had the strength. We found ourselves setting goals like, "We'll get up for the last half hour of dinner in the concierge lounge." That didn't happen. Then, "We'll just go down and eat in the restaurant about 8." Neither of us moved. Then, "They serve dessert in the concierge lounge until 10...we'll go up at 9:30." Nothing.

So, we slept until about 3:30...and we were both wide awake and starving. Finally, at 4:30, we got up, showered, and were waiting at the lounge when they opened for breakfast. Because of our escorting responsibilities this year (which I'll go into later) we didn't have as much free time as usual...and that's usually very little, anyway. Sine we wouldn't be able to do our usual Sunday dinner at my dad's (we wouldn't really get to spend any time with them until the following weekend) we decided to see if he and Garrie were available for lunch. Lucky for us, they were. They aligned their lunch breaks so they could both meet us at Applebee's, and we had a very nice time. It was so great to see them and laugh with them.

All too soon, we had to head back to SLC to get ready for the opening banquet of the Chaplain Seminar. Let me tell you, though...it is the most awesome night. We all gush about how it's our favorite, because we know we will be seeing so many people we love, for the only time of the year we get to be with them. My heart just skips a beat when I see lovely faces like these:


Let me tell you, these women are incredible. I love them so much.



There's never enough time to say all we want to. They always end up shooing us off the 26th floor at the end of the evening.



Some of our dearest friends. Oh how I love these people. We will be friends forever. We've been in this together from the beginning. We are raising our kids together, even though across the miles.

It was a very special reunion this night, though, because before this, we didn't know if we'd be seeing Brandon here again. He suffered a brain hemorrhage several months ago, and his chances of survival were so slim. We had braced ourselves for the reality of this, while spending many hours pleading with our Father in Heaven to spare him...trying to have the courage to accept whatever His will, but at the same pleading that it please, please, please be His will that Brandon live. (I know, that's weenie, double-talk...but there you go. A little glimpse into the depth of my faith sometimes.)

While he was in ICU, I woke up every morning and the first thing I did was check Facebook for an update (which Amy was SO wonderful to provide to us almost every day, even while she was in the throws of dealing with all of this and their five children). Some days I was jubilant and hopeful, some days I pleaded, "No! You CAN'T take him...please!" But I knew that sometimes it is His plan that people die. Even when they have a loving spouse who will be devastated, even when they have little kids who need them. I've seen it in my own family. I've given up trying to understand why...but even in my lack of understanding, I know that Heavenly Father loves every one of us and uses all circumstances for our good. Still. I just couldn't believe this was what was supposed to happen. We are so grateful that Brandon has made a miraculous recovery. Grateful beyond words.

So, I'm sure you can understand why, when I saw them, all I could do was hug them and weep. I can scarcely think of them without getting emotional. We are blessed with some fantastic friendships, that is for sure...and it is through the trials which we share...even if only from a distance...that those bonds have grown stronger.

Like I said, they had to chase us out of the banquet room...we could have gone on for hours...



Here we are, ears popping with our rapid 26 floor decent. Felila is telling us to get ready to jump at the bottom (which was a sight to see...a bunch of grownups in uniforms and dresses). I tried to take a pic, but we were just a big blur, darn it.

Tomorrow, General Conference will begin, and in a blink, four days will have passed and we'll be saying our goodbyes once again. It's so unfair. Every year I try to soak in every moment, to see if somehow I can make it last longer by being more conscious . It doesn't work, dang it!