30 years ... WHAT!

I don't know how this can be,

seeing that I'm only 27 ...

but

30 years ago tonight Brad and I met for the 1st time.

He and Eager-Sensei greeted the 6 of us:

their new group of students.

My brother, Bruce, dropped me off at the MTC and it was a breeze for him -

a little teary and very much an adventure for me!

I remember that first night in the classroom ...

Carol Dawn Ward and Marcia Flanders were my companions

we were joined by Scoville Choro, Malmrose Choro and Powell Choro.

We learned to pray in Japanese.

Sort of.

And through the weeks I learned that whenever we were sick of studying,

we just had to ask Brad:

"Chapman Sensei, will you tell us a mission story?"

Now, 30 years later, if we want to distract him we use the same technique.

Although I was strictly mission-oriented, I have to admit

I did notice his gorgeous eyes!

Happy Anniversary Brad

it's a GIRL

We had a great last-shopping-day with Caci.

Brad spent the morning at work;

Bry & Az were in Idaho with Brookie, Steven & Gage;

so of course, the rest of us went shopping!

Caci was on the look-out for a

little black dress

that will serve her well for business functions

in The Ukraine

and will grow with her :)

We found one!

So of course, we needed jewelry to go with it

We ate lunch at Costco

(the samples filled us up!)

then headed out for

CACI'S ULTRA-SOUND

We got Trevor on the phone (Trev's in The Ukraine)

so we all heard the tech announce:

"IT'S A GIRL!"

At 17 weeks, she's already gorgeous!

What a blessing - to have a daughter-in-law who actually wanted me there for the unveiling!

Thanks kids, and

CONGRATULATIONS!

she's MY american idol

Sierra auditioned for

and participated in her high school's idol talent show

She accompanied herself singing

"A Thousand Miles"

and was

AMAZING

I am SO proud of Sierra!

I'm also so thankful for Caci & Jace's support in being there

and

very, very grateful for our Campbell family ...

they showed up in full force to support Sierra.

Sierra also had friends show up to cheer her on!

We are blessed :)

luck???

In some ways I think I am so, so lucky ...

i ALWAYS get a close parking spot, no matter how crowded the lot is;

i come from a lucky family: my mother once

guessed the exact # of nuts & bolts in a jar

and won a truck and camper;

i ALWAYS pick out the best chocolates in the assorted box -

no taking bites & putting them back for me!

BUT

sometimes I think I am terribly UNlucky ...

take tonight:

We put Bryan and Azure on a plane bound for Idaho

they were to spend 4 days there, enjoying Brooke, Steve & Gage

and filling a babysitting need

(YAY! Brooke got the internship she wanted!)

The babysitting starts tomorrow at 8 am

Being the seasoned travelers that they are, we left them at the security gate

and asked them to call when they boarded ...

4 hours later we were picking them back up and bringing them home

Their flight was cancelled.

Why was I surprised?

1st of all, it included airplanes

secondly, Brooke was involved

all of us Chapmans are unlucky when it comes to flights -

but no one beats Brooke

well, maybe Sierra does ...

but it really doesn't matter:

the combination of Chapmans + flying = delays, lost bags, damaged baggage, cancellations, etc ...

it just does.

luck???? hmmm ....

actions lead to understanding

One of my conversations with Brooke last week

left me with a topic to ponder...

We know that Adam offered sacrifices long before he understood why

Nephi made plates of ore "... for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not."

1 Nephi 9:5

The scriptures are full of examples of obedience, followed by

understanding, or testimony.

So often

most often

I want to understand why or I want to already have a testimony on a topic before I act. But that's not the Lord's way.

Actions first, testimony later.

Faith before miracles.

In my head, I often know a certain action is the right action ....

I am determined to do better following that knowledge

When I do so, I know that my testimony of that principle will become unshakeable.

teenage siblings

i just realized last week that this year (2010) we'll have 3 teenagers at home!

What a great year!!!!

I hope Bryan, Sierra and Azure realize that this is the beginning

of the best.

I LOVED my teenage years with my family.

(well, except when the boys were being jerks ...

Bruce & Michael, remember when I sent you to your rooms?)

We loved

dating each others' friends

staying up late talking

sharing music

going to dances & parties together

sports (playing and cheering on the player)

and "on and on" (remember Stephen Bishop's song?)

truly, GOOD TIMES

The pic below is missing our engine & caboose, but we love them anyway :)

the power of prayer

Several things have turned my thinking

to prayer

these last few days.

In Women's Conference, Sister Leavitt said something like:

"What do we do when we don't know what to do?

We drop to our knees and we pray."

Brooke and I were having a phone conversation last week.

(we talk every day ... YAY for me!)

One of the things our conversation turned to was Alma the Younger

and the fact that his big change-of-heart came about

because of the prayers of his father.

It appears that Alma didn't even know that he wanted to change

until his father's prayers were answered.

I use prayer on a regular basis for my personal benefit.

I need to be comforted

I need to be directed

I need to be inspired

I'm grateful - oh so grateful! for the power of prayer in my personal life.

But I also know that there is great power in prayer

when offered in behalf of others.

There are important, even vital things that have

come about in my life and in the lives of those I love

because of the prayers of someone else.

The heartfelt prayers of a parent for a child

seem to elicit a near-immediate, heartfelt response

from our loving Father.

This I know to be true.

happy birthday BRYAN!

I had a hard time picking just a few pictures of Bryan.

He's AMAZINGLY ADORABLE!

Let me tell you about Bryan ...

Bryan, age 1

As a baby, bryan was so chubby we had to clean the rolls on his neck with q-tips daily!

Brand-spankin'-new, he was a snuggler.

I don't know if he loved his sarongs or his paci-s more.

One thing is for sure:

he has always been completely attached to his parents and siblings.

He was 2-years old before we could leave him with a babysitter without Trevor or Brooke with him. As long has he had some sarongs, a handful of paci-s and a family member, he was always content.

Bryan was a month shy of 2-years-old when we signed his adoption papers.

That was THE LONGEST 2 years of my life!

2 months later, he was sealed to us in the Hawaii temple.

I anticipated a heavenly experience ... I knew angels would be present and I was sure it would be absolutely celestial.

Bryan screamed the whole time.

But we walked out of the temple that day a complete family.

Bryan - age 2 - outside of the Hawaii temple

I can hardly believe 17 years have passed!

No longer rolly-polly, Bryan is still tender-hearted and snuggly.

Babies and animals LOVE Bryan.

Bryan with nephew Gage.

One would think that headphones have actually grown out of Bryan's ears or are surgically attached. (I guess they've taken the place of pacifiers)

I used to kiss that dimple daily. Now I have to sneak a kiss whenever I can ...

but he's still a little snuggler.

Bryan is:

fiercely loyal

empathetic

tender

amazingly smart

generous to a fault

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN

I love you.

Inspiring Conference

I just came from our Stake Relief Society

Women's Conference.

I have to admit that when I was laying in bed,

revelling in the fact that I could stay there all day if I wanted,

then remembered we had Women's Conference

I was tempted to try to forget.

Boy am I glad I didn't!

This conference was meant for me.

I haven't been so inspired in a long time ...

Our amazing Stake RS Pres'y invited 2 older sisters to speak.

Sister Leavitt and Sister Kesterson must both be in their 80s.

The wisdom they shared was almost more than I could take in.

But at the same time, I felt like I could sit at their feet for days ...

It was a tearful day for me.

It's an interesting thing - to be moved to tears by the Spirit -

not out of sadness or joy or anything other than being divinely taught.

We had 2 musical #s. Both amazing.

But it took only a few words coming from my friend, Rebecca,

in her song

for the tears to flow steadily.

After today I am more committed to:

* Remember the power of prayer

* make time for relationships outside of my home

* recognize the Savior in my life

I am grateful for inspired leaders and friends with talents.

family fitness

Thanks to Brooke's

BIGGEST LOSER CONTEST

our family is getting fit!

Besides watching our food intake

(sometimes it looks really pretty!)

We're all exercising.

Every morning after driving the kids to seminary,

Azure and I workout with Jillian Michaels

It's a pretty good 20-minutes

inducing sore muscles and sweat.

(So glad I have a partner in Azure!)

Azure's pretty cute with her fashionable azure-blue 2 lb weights.

Brad does his own workout with 5lb weights later in the day.

Sierra does her 20-minutes on the eliptical after school

and here's what's really impressive:

Bryan gets up at 5am so he can get in 20 minutes of boxing

before seminary.

He's a pretty fast shower-taker, so it works.

Added benefit:

The rhythm of his boxing is my alarm clock.

Here's to hoping we're all VERY fit on April 11th when Brooke's contest ends!

Want to join up?

It's not too late.

BROOKE'S BIGGEST LOSER CONTEST

divine currents

Today I am

seeking to "identify [my individual plan]

and to carefully follow the direction that the Lord

has put in [my] life."

Elder Richard G. Scott

I remember when I first read this talk by Elder Scott.

I love the thought of divine currents.

We each have them.

We can each identify and follow them.

Elder Scott also said,

"Oh, how I would encourage you

to weave deeply into the fabric of your soul

the recognition that your life now

is a part of a much bigger plan the Lord has for you."

cute blog, cute name

Brooke introduced me to a new blog

that is destined to be a big hit.

Artistically titled:

honey + the moon

the site promises

"all things beautiful, useful and delish"

Nice, huh?!

It's brand new, with only 2 posts ...

can't wait to see what's next!

Sunday Quote

"Youth need fewer critics

and more models."

Thomas S. Monson

as quoted by

Elder Kenneth Johnson

LDS General Conference

April 2008

Elder Johnson said,

"It is ... our responsibility to safeguard the home as a center of learning where these virtues can be instilled in an atmosphere of love and through the power of example."

what i do after juicing

I've become a big juicer.

Here are some of the benefits:

* the body can quickly absorb larger amounts of nutrients from juices than from solid foods because the process of digestion that is necessary when you eat whole foods is bypassed.

* it is an easy way to get beneficial enzymes, which are primarily found in raw foods, into the body.

* Enzymes are also involved in metabolism, so one of the more valuable health benefits of juicing is that it can increase metabolic rate.

* Juicing also ensures that the body is getting sufficient amounts of phytochemicals, substances in plants that are considered among the most powerful ways to fight disease.

* antioxidants and other immune enhancing properties are concentrated in juices.

(from BestOfJuicing.com)

So anyway, I've been juicing a lot.

I've found a way to use carrot & apple pulp that is really yummy!

I've made some substitution to the following recipe:

Carrot Muffins

If you can’t use the pulp right away, freeze it in a plastic bag and defrost before baking. You can also use grated carrots – equal amounts apply. While I switched to whole wheat flour, you might experiment with other whole grains. Either way, it’s a delicious way to get your veggies and a healthy dose of fiber, starting at breakfast:)

Makes 12

2 Cups whole wheat flour
1 Cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 Teaspoon sea salt
2 Teaspoons cinnamon
1 Teaspoon nutmeg
2 Teaspoons baking Soda
2 Teaspoons vanilla
3/4 Cup Sucanat or brown sugar
2 Cups carrot pulp

4 medium to large pastured eggs
1 Cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease approximately 12 muffin tins thoroughly. Mix the whole wheat flour, olive oil, water, salt, baking soda, eggs, and sugar first. After the first group of ingredients are blended, add in the remaining ingredients and mix again thoroughly. Put into muffin pan and cook for about 20 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes and serve.

(from Cook4Seasons.com)

I use applesauce instead of olive oil. I also use equal amounts of apple and carrot pulp.

DINNER PARTY

(thanks for the idea, Brooke)

if i could invite anyone TV or book character/celebrity to a dinner party, my top ten invitees would be...

1. Marcellus from Lloyd C. Douglas' Book "The Robe"

2. Jeeves & Wooster (Yes - they have to come together ... and thanks for letting me borrow your guests, Brookie)

3. Mr. Chips

4. Anna Karenina (but only so I can chew her out and tell her that normal people don't live like that!)

5. Gregory House, MD (remember, it's not Hugh Laurie I'm inviting - it's his characters)

6. Maddie Hayes & David Addison (From the 80's Show, "Moonlighting" ... or they could come as themselves, Cybill Shepherd & Bruce Willis ... either way, they'd be welcome at my dinner party)

7. Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn (just to keep things lively)

8. Pathros & Hafid (the 2 GREATEST SALESMEN IN THE WORLD)

9. Edward Cullen ... the way I imagine him from the book (c'mon ... don't deny that you'd like him at your table!) And I'd really like ALICE to come with him.

10. The Dread Pirate Roberts, aka Westley and Princess Buttercup. Ok ... I would actually enjoy having Vincini, Fesig, Inigo Montoya and the 6-fingered jerk too (From The Princess Bride)

Brooke started this, and I think it's fun.

So post who you'd invite and let us all compare guests!

healthy eating

My mother heard me saying how much I want a tortilla press ...

so when some friends of hers were traveling to Vegas

she sent one with them for me

(thanks Mom!)

The result:

SUPER yummy homemade tortillas

filled with sliced avocado

and homemade apricot salsa.

(Everyone else had taco meat, cheese, etc)

I just think I might win

Brooke's BIGGEST LOSER contest!

at Brad's request

Yesterday Brad asked me to write

on his blog

about my 1st experience SCUBA diving.

I'd copy & paste here,

but would rather send you to his blog

because he's written so many great posts

some of you may really enjoy them.

So check it out at

HisWondersInTheDeep.blogspot.com

xoxoxoxoox

to all of you!

super cute ... SUPER affordable!

Hey Girls ...

Check out these amazing headbands:

There's a variety and

they can be purchased at a new Etsy Shop:

JanuaryJill

(this one is only $7)

tempted

Well, I did it.

I passed up temptation.

I knew there would be the usual goodies

at Amy's house when I arrived this morning.

But I wasn't prepared for an onslaught of

chocolate muffins, french toast muffins,

mini chocolate cakes

and all other sorts of Costco yummies

But I had a little chat with myself

and convinced myself that I really wanted a toned, healthy body

more than I wanted a chocolate treat.

Maybe tomorrow I won't even be tempted ....

SUNDAY Quote

Since I don't want to spend a ton of time

on the computer on Sundays

and yet, I've made a resolution to blog as often as possible

I'll share a significant quote each week.

This one is from

President Ezra Taft Benson

It reads:

"Be cheerful in all that you do. Live joyfully.

Live happily. Live enthusiastically,

knowing that God does not dwell in gloom

and melancholy,

but in light and love."

Here's to a cheerful, joyful week

for all of us!

super-yum

Brooke is sponsoring a friends & family

BIGGEST LOSER

contest beginning Monday

That's this Monday, January 11th.

You're all invited!

Really. The more the merrier.

Just email Brooke at

brookeredfern@gmail.com

and tell her

YOU'RE IN

There are t-shirts and everything

AND a prize for the winner.

No details here ... go check them out on her blog

StevenAndBrooke.blogspot.com

Anyway

last night for my

LAST HOORAH

I made a double batch of tapioca pudding.

I ate a little more than 1/3 of it

I ate till it made me sick

To kick off my 3 months of trying to win I made this amazing salad

with spinach, lettuce, carrots

hearts of palm (super, super yummy and almost no calories)

cauliflower, celery, tomatoes

and I sprinkled a few craisins on it.

I ate the entire confection.

by myself.

So, join in friends and fam!

2010 will be the year of GOOD HEALTH!

floss-fluke

Sheesh!

Here I am, brushing thrice and flossing twice

that's every day, you know

and what happens?

Last night a piece of floss broke off between two teeth

So I unwound more floss and started again

This time to get the little stuck strand out

WHAT?

It broke and left even more floss between those 2 teeth!

This was ridiculous - and starting to get painful

Lots and lots of floss later, and some swollen, bleeding gums

I gave up and went to bed

So this morning I zipped to the store and bought what looked like very powerful floss

It broke.

I zipped in to see the dentist who got the floss out for me.

I'm comfortable now.

Just thought you'd like to know.

".. one of the joys ..."

I have a great library in my home.

My parents instilled in us a love of reading

(at least, all my brothers and sisters love to read, so I figure it came from my parents)

To digress a little:

my teenage years were spent in "the old-old-house"

in West Chester, PA.

(we don't say "Pennsylvania, mind you, we say "pee-ay")

The old-old-house holds many fond memories.

One room (the family room) was amazing:

wood floors, wood walls with built-in bookshelves

and it even boasts an elevator to the master suite.

More about this old-old house on another post.

But that room was FILLED, I tell you, FILLED

with books.

And recliners.

So, back to the present ....

We have, in our family room, some beautiful wood bookshelves filled with books.

Many of the books are beautifiul hard-cover classics

(yup - I collect them, in case you were wondering about a gift for me)

When I was in High School I skipped reading the Classics we were assigned.

(I think I was intimidated by them ... I don't know ... I liked reading other things, just not what I was assigned to read)

So as a very young mother I decided to read them to my kids.

I think I started with Little Women, or maybe Tom Sawyer.

Right now I'm reading what is destined to become one of my favorites:

Good-bye, Mr. Chips and Other Stories

by James Hilton.

I absolutely love this book.

In one of his short stories, "Merry Christmas Mr. Chips"

is a beautiful line:

"... one of the lovely joys of growing old was to add to this list of trivial things one didn't care about, so that one had more time to care for the things that were not trivial."

One of the joys, indeed!

... excited ...

I'm so excited that it's now 2010.

You know when you were a kid and something exciting

was coming up, but you couldn't remember what?

And the anticipation kept you hopping around

all day?

That's how I feel.

I don't know exactly what I'm excited about,

or what anticipation has got me hopping,

but I'm pretty sure it has to do

with the start of the new year.

2010 is going to be AMAZING.