Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was more than I expected!  My husband and Jorgen built a new pantry for me.  I love it!  Xela took us to Gaslight Theater for a night of fun.  I spent more money than I should have giving "just the right gift," but it was so much fun shopping Cyber Monday and saving money!  Decorating our home and the tree this year to make it little grandgirl proof was awesome. Having an unexpected guest drop by on our Christmas dinner day was a nice surprise.  And there's more! 

The New Pantry

We had celebrated Thanksgiving the day after because of schedules, and Christmas was celebrated the same way.  Sometimes you just have to go with the flow!  We had Christmas dinner on Monday, December 19 since Xela's friend Chris was flying to New Hampshire on Tuesday.  Christmas Eve was Friday the 23rd, and Christmas, at least gift opening, was the morning of the 24th because Xela flew home to New York early on Christmas day.  Some really neat things happened, though, throughout the season.  On the day we were just getting ready to sit down for Christmas dinner a good friend of Anders' from his school days was in town and just came by to say hi.  We hadn't seen him in many years.  His easy smile and constant chatter helped me remember my son who is spending his days in California (http://childreninprison.blogspot.com/) Having Todd sit at our table felt almost as if Anders were with us.  This was a gift to our family.  

After opening the gifts on "Christmas morning" I drove to Chandler to witness the baptism of two friends (husband and wife) of my son Nick.  All he did was open his mouth!  Then early Christmas day I drove Xela to the airport in Phoenix then to Chandler for the confirmation of Joe and Kerri.  What a glorious weekend and way to spend the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Redeemer.  Two people were reborn because they want to do what is right. 

Yesterday I was reminded of our mortality when I said good-bye to the sweet grandfather of my daughter-in-law Rachel.  Ben died of lung cancer.  The funeral was emotional for me because Ben was so much like my kin, a little rough around the edges, but with a heart of gold.  I will miss him at family gatherings. 

We have no idea what may come our way in 2012.  Certainly 2011 had some days like heaven and some days from the other place!  The greatest lesson I've learned is that it's ok to lean on another when our faith becomes weakened by life.  That very act can strengthen us, and give us the courage to move forward.  I hope your 2012 will be a year of many blessings!       

How Blessed is this Grandma!

Nick and I spent a week in Salt Lake City over Thanksgiving with Gens and his family.  I've never spent time in SLC except for a day or two.  This time I explored the city on foot, at least the blocks from Trolley Square to Temple Square and Capital Hill.  I loved it!  We did a lot of driving into the different canyons for sightseeing and playing, too.  I decided that I have more fun playing as a grandma than I did as a kid.

We went to Pioneer Heritage Park ("This Is the Place" monument) for their annual Christmas village walk through with all the lights, carolers, train ride and even reindeer. We bundled up in our gloves, hat, and warm winter coats. It was freezing! My favorite exhibit was the live nativity with a sweet, living baby Jesus. When we were "following the star" to the manger I could sense we were going to witness something sacred.  As we walked into the little wooden structure where Mary and Joseph were with their newborn babe I almost felt like I was a shepherd kneeling in awe on that sacred night over 2000 years ago. What a wonderful start of the Christmas season!        

"And a Little Child Shall Lead Them"

I have been wearing my Grandma hat a lot since July.  First there was premature labor, then a premature birth, then stuff, a trip with two of the grandsons, more stuff, and another trip coming up with four of the grand kids for Thanksgiving.  Don't get me wrong I'm loving it, but life has changed for me.  I remember remarking to Nick a few months earlier how much I like my life--come and go as I please, volunteer a couple of days a week, shop whenever, stay up late, hike and run any day I choose, fix dinner when I feel like it, travel, so forth and so on.   Oh, and my house stays clean.  Forgive me if I sound a little selfish. I must admit I had looked forward to my empty nest days.  Just being alone.  I do enjoy being alone oftimes, but not lonely.       

Grandma with Jess (3 months) and Keira (18 months)

Keira and Jess, along with their mom and dad, have spent several weeks in our home the past few months.  I love what I'm learning from these little girls.  Maybe I needed to have my self-centered life interrupted? 

Keira and Jess in their ballerina costumes

Remember the story about Peter walking on water?  Jesus told Peter to "Come" when Peter asked if it was Him out on the water.  Peter thought, " if my master can walk on the water and He asks me to come to Him, then I can walk on the water, too."  We know what happened, Peter faltered, started to sink into the sea, then Jesus reached for Him and walked Peter, on the water, back to the ship.  There are times when we are faced with a "walking on water" kind of situation.  The Lord will bid us to come, but we might think to ourselves, "this is too hard, I can't walk on this water."  I'm not referring to my sweet little grandchildren at all.  I am talking about trials or any adversity we may face.  I kind of like thinking about these as  "walk on water" experiences.  Even though we may lose faith and begin to sink once we have made the decision to come to our Lord, He will lift us and walk with us back to the ship.

Spending Time in Paradise

I have had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in Hawaii with my son Nick Jr and his family.  I will admit I love the Islands. I love just about everything!!  I've been hiking, snorkeling, running, helicopter riding, shopping, eating, sightseeing, and more.   

Nick is here because of his career and his hobby.  He is a coach of endurance athletes, and he competes himself.  The first week we were on the big island of Hawaii for the World Championship Ironman.  The third week on the island of Maui for the Xterra World Championship Triathlon.  We also spent a few days on Oahu in Laie going to the Polynesian Cultural Center and the temple.     

I have learned in my lifetime that the principle of agency is one of the greatest gifts God has given us even when it means others may be hurt by those who exercise their agency wrongfully.  I have been on the giving and receiving end of the wrong use of agency.  I hope my repentance has been complete for those times I have hurt another. 

We read about the "tender mercies" of the Lord in 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  Another way of saying that is "compensatory graces."  I have felt God's love and His compensatory graces 100 fold while visiting this part of His creation and vineyard.  I am so grateful.    

I Love Football!!

Sometimes I think I was born with a football in my mouth!  I love it so much, at least watching those teams I choose to watch.  I'm not a fan of professional football, unless there's a player I'm familiar with, but I do enjoy college football. The players seem a little less arrogant than players who are getting paid to perform.

I grew up in a football family. My dad was an all-star player in his high school and was even asked to stay another season so he could play football for his championship team.  (I guess they could do that in the thirties!)  After high school the Oregon State Beavers gave my dad a scholarship to play college ball which he did for only two years.  Marriage, home, and the war interfered with future football playing.    

My dad, Bill Gent on the left, Enterprise, Oregon High School, 1937

My older brothers, Buck and B.J. played football in high school as well.  The first year after moving to Cascade Locks, Oregon they played 6 Man Football instead of the regular 11 man.  Their games were all over the state in order to compete with other 6 man teams.  The next year the 6 man teams were changed to 8 Man.  It still meant traveling long distances for games, but we did it as a family.  B.J. went on to make a couple of cuts on the BYU freshman football team, but a concussion and broken tail bone ended that career.

During my brothers' high school years we lived about an hour away from Portland, a very large city that hosted many college and high school games.  My dad would load us in the car; stop at the 19 cent hamburger joint on the way for burgers and fries, and off we would go to some football game in the Portland State College stadium.  My memories are of trying to catch up with my dad who was usually 50 yards ahead of us wondering why we aren't at the ticket taker with him.  Another great memory is the smell of cigar smoke, natsy in any other place, but at a football game almost sweet.  Later in life my dad and mom would go to the state high school championship games, along with their bag of peanut M&M's.

My brothers, Buck and B.J., Cascade Locks, Oregon High School, 1961

I didn't want to be outdone by my brothers on the football field so as a junior and senior in high school I played powder puff football.  Just one flag football game a year, but enough to satisfy those longings.  Maybe enough because I would play backyard football with my brothers, although they always made me play center!

 Me, Powder Puff Football, Stevenson, Washington High School, 1964
Running for a 3 point conversion!

I'm happy football season has started.  If there's a BYU, U of A game or another PAC 12 team, you'll find me sitting in front of the television gritting my teeth, shaking my head, or gleefully whooping! 

Happy is a Woman Whose Quiver is Full!

What a summer!  I've been trying to organize my photos from the past three months, or I should say trying to find them on my computer.  I just finished that task so I can finally share all the good that's been happening:    

Benjamin KeKoa Goodman

Born July 21, 2011

Jessalyn Xela Goodman

Born July 28, 2011

Keira, Grandpa, and Jessalyn

Karalee, Linda, Karen

I spent seven wonderful days in Utah for BYU Education Week and one day in the mountains in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  I wouldn't mind having some of that cool weather in Arizona!

Soren is reading a book to little sister, Kylamarie

Sam and Jake Goodman

Dailan and Magnus (Superman) walking to school the first day!

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.  If not so, ... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad."  2 Nephi 2:11  Being a grandmother is a joyful experience; little children are sweet, innocent, and pure. To me, they are what's good in life.  Chances are I wouldn't understand their goodness if I hadn't had some experience with opposition.  There are valleys and peaks in life; the ebb and flow of it.  The climb up those peaks can be difficult, but the vista makes the effort worth it.         

TWO NEW GRANDCHILDREN!!

I don't have pictures, but I have to share the news that Nick and Rachel gave birth to their third son on July 21st.  His name is Benjamin KeKoa, and he weighed in at 9 lbs 11 oz, 22 inches long.

And for more news, Jorgen and Amy gave birth to their second daughter via emergency c-section on July 28th.  Jessalyn weighs 5 lbs 8 oz, 19 1/2 inches long and is doing remarkably well for being born 5-6 weeks early.

That's three grandchildren born this year, but the birth rate will probably slow down for a while.  I have been playing grandma to Keira, the 15 month old big sister to Jessalyn Goodman.  Talk about life slowing down, I have cancelled everything to play with her and keep her happy.  I must admit, it has been an adjustment!

 Keira is learning how to feed herself.  Notice the piece of spaghetti hanging down from the back of the chair!

 Keira loves playing with the play food!  I knew those pre-school toys would come in handy with grandkids.

This is a diaper cake with a Hawaiian theme I made for Amy's baby shower that did not happen since she was in the hospital!

Attention young mothers or mothers of young children:  I admire you, I respect you, I think you're amazingly wonderful to do the things you do.  I had 5 children in 8 years, which is fairly close, and I do remember being busy, but taking care of one little 15 month old takes a lot more time than I remember.  How do you do it?!

My Second Triathlon

Today I did my second triathlon.  Three weeks ago my friend who lives at Ft. Huachuca invited me to stay with them if I was planning on doing the triathlon on base.  I asked Xela if she was interested, and since it only cost $15 (most are $45 and up) she said sure.  I thought about it for a couple of days after she registered, then signed up myself.  Three weeks to train---not enough time!  And for several days I wasn't going to be home.  But I did it, and I didn't drown, crash, or walk (well, maybe a little bit).  The weather was very cooperative, cloud cover and on the cooler side.  Actually, Ft. Huachuca is in a beautiful setting--I'm glad the fires didn't get that far.

800 Yard Swim

12 Mile Bike Ride

3.1 Mile Run

A few years ago I would never have posted pics of myself on any kind of public network, especially looking less than "lovely."  Why am I doing it today?  I'm not sure.  Perhaps it's because I'm over 60 so who cares, or maybe my focus is different.  I like seeing what my body can do, how far I can push it (not very far), and doing hard things is good for me.  Maybe I've said this before, but feeling and enduring physical pain helps me endure emotional pain.  Or maybe it's the other way around?  Whatever the case I hope I can keep it up!     

The Busyness of Life

This is the only picture I've downloaded into my laptop's photo album since the beginning of June.  I have a lot in my phone, but since I walked into the pool this morning with said device in my pocket, I'm not sure I'll be blogging those pix.  Grrrrr!

This is the latest picture of Grandma Goodman with her El Paso, Texas grandchildren.  Soren is two and the spitting image of his dad when he was two, Dailan is 6, Grandma is ??, Kylamarie is 4 months, and Magnus is 4.  Lively children, full of love, being a grandma is the best!

Here are a few of the 4th Year YW after our first practice hike at Catalina State Park.  A few weeks later we were told Mt Lemmon was closed to all campers and hikers until measurable moisture, so no Stake Girls Camp this year.  What a disappointment and even a sad time for me!  I really had to ponder on this because I had a distinctly strong impression last year that I was to do the hike again even though I was resistant to the idea.  To make a sweet, long story short I got my answer "why" while standing in the cultural hall waiting to leave with the Ward YW for their camp.  And what a blessing to be invited to our Ward's camp in Virden, New Mexico!  Heavenly Father really does know what's best for all of us!  I've got to learn how to be more trusting.

I've run only a couple of races in June, both 5Ks, but interesting and different.  The first one was running the hills around Colosal Cave on the far SE side of the valley.  We got a free pass into the cave which we did that day.  It has been a dry cave for 10,000 years so not as dramatic as Kartchner Cavern, but still very interesting.

The other race was downtown Tucson with almost 1800 people running.  When you get that big of a group the energy is tangible, and even though the race was in the evening I thought the heat was an advantage.  All my joints felt loose and bendable!

I have had lots going on the past month, and one of the craziest things ever to take up more time is the sprint triathlon I'm doing on Saturday, that's right in 5 days, at Ft. Huachuca.  I've only done one other tri and that was almost 3 years ago.  It is an 800 yard swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run.  Again my goal is not to drown, keep the bike upright, and finish whether walking or running!  I will report next week!

No Doubt in My Mind!!

There's no doubt in my mind why Xela is who she is!  The picture below is of our WGGM friends, Weitzel, Goodman, Glauser, and Mosely having a Harry Potter party to say good-bye to the Mosley's who have moved to Pinetop (hopefully not to a fire). 

Who Says Adults Aren't Fun!

If you can't guess who I'm supposed to be, "Sybill Trelawney"

Xela and Chris at the end of a Warrior Dash Mud Run in Florence

Xela and Chris,dressed as a two headed woman, competed in a local 3.4 mile mud run.  It was set up as an obstacle course where they had to climb barriers, jump through tires, run, crawl in the mud, and so much more.  They did it all wearing this dress I had made years ago for Xela and Kacy to wear to a Stake Dance.  Nick and I actually wore it to a party one time, too.  Although a little bit uncomfortable, they had a great time doing something so crazy and fun.

As you can see the acorn doesn't fall to far from the tree, or she's a chip off the old block, or like mother like daughter.  I just hope she has only the best qualities when falling from the tree! 

Thank you, Thank you!!!

I wish this picture were a little clearer, but if you look closely there is a coiled rattlesnake, shaking his booty, and ready to strike!  I went hiking today, haven't been for some time because I've been traveling, and sick (so much better now, thank you).  What a beautiful morning for hiking today!  I went by myself, had asked someone to go with me, but they couldn't.  It's probably a good thing!

I hiked in the foothills of the Catalinas where the trail begins as a graded road.  It is very steep and gives me a good work out, then the road becomes a well-marked trail surrounded by desert vegetation.  It is that time of year when hikers need to be thinking about rattlesnakes, and since I have met a few while hiking, those thoughts were definitely on my mind.  I try not to bushwhack during the warmer months.  Today, I decided to go down the trail where it forks instead of up just for some variety.  I hadn't been on this particular part for a long time.  I was bounding (as much as an overweight 63 year-old can bound) up a portion of the trail when all of a sudden I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and heard the distinct warning rattle of a venomous creature who could do me great harm.  I was within four feet of a poisonous diamondback rattlesnake.  I quickly turned, leaping back down the trail, almost falling in the process, to get out of the deadly serpent's grasp.  I was in awe, and stood where I was safe, to observe him.  For a full minute he sent off his warning signal, probably at least 8-10 buttons on his rattle, and remained in a striking pose.  He was mad, and wanted to protect his territory, this was his trail, and he didn't want any visitors.  My first and last thoughts were, "Thank you, dear God, for giving this beautiful and deadly animal a unique way to warn others so I would be safe today."  I am still thanking Him.   

St. George--The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!

Nick and I drove to St. George, Utah last week to watch Nick Jr compete in the St. George Ironman, and for a little get-away.  Jorgen and his family joined us, too.  Nick swam 2.4 miles in the Sand Hollow Resevoir, biked 112 miles up and down hills, and ran 26.2 miles up and down some of the same hills in his fastest Ironman time ever!  He finished in 9 hours and 53 minutes (oops, Ironman website says 9:38!).  Can you imagine doing that?  He was prepared after months of training and has again qualified for Ironman Hawaii.  (I get to go, too!)  So many things can go wrong: getting kicked in the head as 1600 swimmers take off at the same time, flat tire (s), heat exhaustion, etc., but Nick was blessed!  A perfect race! 

The Good--Nick Jr (33) coming across the finish line

While in St. George I went to Stan and Linda Fisher's home for a great visit with Linda and her daughter Elizabeth along with her cute little family.  Elizabeth is an active competitor, wife, mother of 4, YW President, and a good friend.  I remember cheering for her at high school track meets.  She is one of my heroes!

The Good--Dansie Family and Linda Fisher

This is the UGLY!!!  Some way, some how I picked up a nasty eye infection the day before we left for home.  It was so bad and painful that within a few hours I was sitting in a walk-in clinic to find some relief.  The next morning my eye was swollen as well as oozing goop.  I almost wondered if I was bitten by a spider?

The Ugly!

While in St. George we hooked up with some dear friends we met while living in Cuba.  Rick was a Marine without his family. Our friendship has stayed strong over the miles and years.  This is the third time we've seen each other in the past 27 years, but it was as if time stood still, except for the white hair and love handles!

-The Good-

Rick, Nick, Linda, Sue, and Valorie

 

    

I was also able to see a niece I hadn't seen for a few years, and a nephew who just got married last week.  Who would have thought I would have this much of a connection with St. George!  All good things.  Another good thing--we took a tour of the St. George Tabernacle and I heard the sweetest testimony from the senior Sister missionary.  Wow, it was hard to tell whether my eye was weeping  because of the infection or emotion!

I do have to end with the bad.  When I got home on Tuesday evening my eye was ugly and my throat was bad.  I have had a raging sore throat for four days now.  Never in my life do I remember ever having my throat hurt this much.  There's congestion in the nose as well and some starting in the chest.  Xela had it a couple of weeks ago and survived, so I'm hoping I will, too.  But it's BAD!

Cleaning House :-(

I am sad.  :(    I was looking over my blogging family and friends and saw that there are many who have not posted in months and months and some over a year.  I have been debating for quite some time about deleting those who seemed to have dropped off the edge of the blogging world.  These are people who are dear to me, family and friends I really care about, but if you have decided that blogging isn't for you for whatever reason then that's ok.  I respect that and I will miss you.  I just needed to clean house.  Now, if I have deleted you erroneously, please comment and let me know you are still a blogger.  I will put you back on the list!

I have a ton of stuff to post, Girls Camp preparation, Gila Vally Temple trip, Easter, Relief Society lesson and workshop, being released from Relief Society, trip to St. George, Nick Jr's Ironman, seeing old friends, eye infection, etc.  

      

Jorgen's Graduation!!!

Nick and I drove to Provo for Jorgen's graduation from Brigham Young University.  He graduated from the college of Life Sciences with a degree in Exercise Sciences, a pre-med focus.  He and his cute little family will be moving to Mesa, Arizona in June to begin medical school at A.T. Still School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona.  We are so excited to welcome them to the desert and closer to us.   

Nick, Linda, Sharon and President Samuelson, Jorgen, Amy, Keira

Mom and Dad holding Jorgen up!

Jorgen tore his achilles tendon a week before graduation, had surgery the day before and will be on crutches for many weeks, then a walking boot for many more weeks.  Long recovery time!  

I believe there are some things in life that require a long recovery time.  Repentance, forgiveness, ridding ourselves of the "natural man," becoming new "creatures," to name a few.  Perhaps just coming to earth is a period of recovery as we, with patience, grow line upon line in order to return once again to our heavenly home.

Lamb of God PREVIEW: Hosanna

Happy Easter Everybody!  This is just a sample of some beautiful music I happened upon.  Enjoy!

Wasson Peak Hike

A few of my friends and I hiked Wasson Peak this morning.  We left home about 6:15 a.m., got to the trail head at 7:00, and back to the car by 11:00.  The temperature could not have been nicer, cool, crisp, and breezy.  Wasson Peak is the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains, west of the freeway.  If you look to the west, we were on top of the highest point.  The trail is 3.5 miles to the summit, a bit rocky, but clearly marked, and not technical.  We go up in elevation about 2,000 ft. so somewhat of an incline, a good workout.

Reiko, Karen, Julie, and Me

Looking to the north east

Looking south

I loved the General conference talk given by Elder Paul Johnson of the First Quorum of Seventy.  He spoke about a beautiful hike in Logan Canyon that offers vistas of the canyon and valley below.  He said that getting to the tops of the cliffs wasn't easy because it is a constant climb and just before reaching the top, the hiker encounters the steepest part of the trail.  He let the congregation know that the final exertion is more than worth the effort because of the breathtaking views.  And he added, "The only way to see the views is to make the climb."  He added that, "Often a particular challenge helps prepare us for something vitally important."

Amen!

We Sold Our House!

We closed on our home in California on March 31, 2011.  I will miss it--so beautiful and unique.  This is a picture of the family room in the basement, not too common in our community to have a basement.  The house is three stories with the master bedroom the entire top floor.  The basement also had two bedrooms with an adjoining bathroom.

These two pictures show the front of the house.  I loved the porch under the shade of very tall trees.  I spent a lot of time on the swing, summer and winter.  We just set this swing up on the walkway of our Arizona home.  Although it's under a big tall shade tree I might not be spending as much time in the summer on this swing.  While I was sitting on the swing yesterday, memories came flooding back of our time in California, especially of Anders.  He spent his teenage years in this home.  I miss him.

 What I loved about the house from the very beginning was the mountain cabin feel it gave me.  I don't know that there are any other houses in that community like it.  I'm not sure why it took over three years to sell, but finally someone saw the value and bought it.

 This is the living room and dining room.  When we bought it there was a wall where there is now an archway and book cases.  Nick tore the wall down, built the archway and installed the book cases.  He put his heart and soul into the remodel.  It made the house more functional and elegant. 

 The Kitchen.  I fell in love with the wood floors, not only in the kitchen but middle floor bathroom.  Up keep on wood floors is not that difficult, and I believe it adds warmth and comfort to a home.

This was our back yard.  And might be one of the reasons that the house didn't sell right away.  It is very small, but because of the wind blowing leaves everywhere, I thought that was a plus. 


 
I heard Elder Eyring speak in General Conference  last October about how the Lord had blessed them to sell property they owned in California, which they had not been able to sell.  I felt stirrings within me, by the spirit, that we needed to think outside of the box and be creative in order to get out from underneath our very high mortgage payment.  It has only been six months, almost to the day, and we no longer have this debt.  Prayers are answered.  I will continue to pray to become debt free, listen to the spirit, and work towards that.        

Spring has Sprung!

Autumn has always been my most favorite time of the year.  I remember as a kid getting so excited for school to start the day after Labor Day because I would get new pencils, a new notebook, and maybe new shoes.  And I would meet new friends.  Loved it!  And I still love fall of the year.  The hot days of summer are shorter and the nights much cooler.  But lately I'm thinking spring might be my favorite time of year.  Maybe it's my age, but the contrast from winter to spring is huge.  I'm not so sure I like winter, even here in the desert.  It only serves to make me appreciate spring!  

I walked around the yard today and took a few pictures with my new camera, Canon Powershot SD1300, of  spring.  We have a few wild desert flowers opening their faces and smiling at me because they know I love them.  I thought for sure this little citrus tree had met it's maker because of old man winter, but HA! the green leaves of spring have sprung out on the limbs!  And our tangelo tree is producing plenty of sweet, intoxicating blossoms.   

On my brisk walk across Thornydale to the west I heard these hawks planning their family.  See their nest?

What do you think of our first rose?  Ah, glorious spring! 

Spring not only means a renewal for plants and animals, but for me, too.  This spring I've been trying to look at the scriptures a little differently, seeing what underlying meaning and personal application they have.  Doing this has given me a peek into the mysteries of God.  I've always admired that in Nephi who as a youth desired to know the mysteries of God.  I wonder if when we understand the mysteries or even a single mystery our trials, our difficulties won't matter that much anymore, because we will be seeing them with spiritual eyes.