A Bang-Up Time (Literally!)!

It was one of those moments that will play out in my mind forever. Last week, Brecken and I ventured to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi for a girls trip and some fun scrapbooking time. We flew into Dallas on Wednesday, then drove three hours to Shreveport to see my step daughter (Stefyn), her sister, Devyn, and their mom, Tina. We had a wonderful time touring the city of Shreveport and eating at hot spots in town.



Brecken and I stayed the night at their house, then ventured back to Dallas the next day where I was speaking at the CPR (Creative Photography Retreat) convention that night.

An hour outside of Shreveport, we were on the interstate, listening to a book on tape, when we were involved in a horrible accident. A car was having mechanical problems and hit the guard rail which caused his airbags to be deployed which caused him to come into the other lane. The car in front of us tried to avoid the car and crashed into the cement median. The car in front of us (also a rental driven by folks on a business trip) crashed into this car and we crashed into the rental car. Our airbags deployed and there was smoke, gas, and metal everywhere. The entire front of the car was smashed and the dashboard around me was down by my legs. Our rental car, a red Toyota Camry, was totaled. (By the way, Alamo was wonderful through all of this).





At first I thought my legs were broken. Just badly bruised (this photo was taken a few days later--still bruised and swollen but the first day they were double in size).



Brecken and I both had seatbelt burns on our collar bones and I still have a serious case of whip lash.



It was a such a scary experience but we were so lucky that nobody was seriously hurt. We also were blessed that Stefyn and Devyn knew somebody driving from Shreveport to Dallas and she stopped along the interstate and picked us up! Thanks, Charris!

The next day we flew to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, then drove to Natchez, Mississippi where we participated in Scrap-n-on-the-river. I couldn't believe the excitement and enthusiasm among all the women (around 250-300). Here is a photo of some of them!



We experienced some really great Southern hospitality and loved our time there. This is Pam Frank, her mom ("mama") and Annette (her pal) who all organized the event! Also, Brecken and I are modeling our scrapbooking pajamas. If you don't have these yet, you've got to get them. Go to Scrapbookgirl.com for more information.



We stayed in this plantation home in the servants quarters:



We also toured through this amazing plantation home:



We went to church Sunday with some of the scrapbookers and enjoyed lunch at the bishop's home that afternoon.



We met truly wonderful people including lots of cool scrapbooking store owners! If you're ever in Lafayette, LA, stop in at Simply Scrappin'!

This was one of my favorite things about the weekend--seeing a decorated cake which was created using the Cricut!



And it's all completely edible! The creator of the cake and inventor of the technique is Linda McClure. She produced a DVD which shows all her secrets to decorating wonderful cakes using the Cricut. She gave one to Brecken and she watched it the entire plane ride home. She's obsessed! For more information on the DVD, go here.

Other fun things on the home front.

My friends, Morgan and Stephanie Ashton, finally were able to bring their little girl from Haiti home. We had a fun shower to celebrate this wonderful occasion.



We had our good friends, the Sumsions and Hunsakers, over for a swim party. (I set the Sumsions up! Just had to mention that my matchmaking skills sometimes work!)



Also, I got quite a kick out of Collin and his football/basketball friends. They were over here on Wednesday and decided to paint pictures for their rooms. They took it very seriously and were so competitive with each other.





Well I guess that's enough excitement for one week. I'll post again soon. And hopefully I'll see you at CKU-Provo next week!

Remember, life is fragile!

Sincerely,
Lisa

Memorize This Happy Moment!

Can you believe it? One of the first things you see in my home when you first walk in are six chairs hanging on my wall with the sign "No Empty Chairs."



All the men say: "Did you know you have chairs hanging on your wall!" All the women say: "Cool--you have chairs hanging on your wall."

These chairs are a daily reminder for each of our family members that we don't want any empty chairs around our table now (dinner is at 6:00 p.m. sharp!) and around the table of the grand feast in the next life.

My cute son, Kade, recently introduced me to the song called "No Empty Chairs." Just had to share the lyrics with you:

No Empty Chairs
Words by Orrin G. Hatch and Music by Janice Kapp Perry

Look around our family table, every person in his place.
Memorize this happy moment, and each familiar face.
Look around our family circle, feel the love that we all share.
Life is sweet, and so complete with each loved one gathered here.

There are no empty chairs at our table,
No empty feelings inside,
When all those we love are together,
Here side by side.

Time will fly and all too quickly, some will leave to try their wings,
Empty places at our table will tug at our heart strings.
But the number at our table will increase as children come,
Bringing to our family table, sweet innocence and fun.

We'll add a few more chairs to our table,
A lot more laughter and love,
As our joy is multiplied daily,
To fill our cup.

When there comes a time for parting, there will be no tears because,
We will set a grander table where all may live in love.
There we'll wait for all our loved ones, who will come to take their place.
At the feast that lasts forever, in God's eternal place.

We'll have no empty charis at our table,
No empty feelings inside,
When all those we love are together,
There side by side.

May the circle not be broker, may each on return to be,
Safe within this peaceful haven, through all eternity.

We'll have no empty chairs at our table,
When all are gathered above,
No more empty chairs at our table,
In heaven's home of love.

I can't quit singing this song! Love the melody and the lyrics. One of my favorite lines is "Memorize this Happy Moment."

So, I've memorized a lot of happy moments these past few weeks. Just have to share a few!

Observing three of my children (and Elliiott, a friend from London) doing chores around my parents home including washing their car.



Spending an entire day tearing down an old railroad tie wall and building a cement one in the back of my in-laws house.

Almost the entire family came out to help:



Including this little guy (Henry--the youngest member of our family):



The bricks were so heavy--80 lbs. a piece:



The work was back breaking but oh so satisfying when we were done. I want to memorize this "girl power" moment!



Sitting in church and getting the news that our neighbor's basement was flooding with sewer water! Our congregation dropped everything and ran to the aid of these dear friends:



It was neat to see everyone working together. I want to memorize this happy moment with neighbors who will help out in every time of need. And it gave me an good excuse to wear these new boots:



I took lots of pictures and am in the process of making an album called "The Crapbook" for my friends just to remind them that they got through a tough time through the help of so many friends.

Witnessing the weddings of my two beautiful nieces (truly moments to memorize):

Chelsea Broderick married Colby Sutton on July 17th:



And Heather Blair married Jeff Stevenson on July 6th:



The amazing reunion in Midway (thanks, Carrie!) and being with all my sisters and mom and dad:



This picture depicts a happy and sad moment. My dad is officially in a wheel chair and is scheduled for brain surgery in September.



The happy thing is he's still with us and is sharp as a tack. His legs and body just don't work so well anymore. What a great friend he's been throughout my life.

What are the happy moments you've memorized these past few weeks? I'd love you to share them with me!

Sincerely,

Lisa B.

P.S. I'm off to Dallas for the CPR retreat and Natchez, MS for Scrap-n-on-the-River. . Fun times!

Summer is in Full Swing!

Just a quick update on Spencer. He's received 411 envelopes from almost all the states and several other countries! He finally decided what to spend his money on. An IPod Touch. And he used the money left over to download some favorite songs. Listening to music is very therapeutic for Spencer and what a treasure for his family to have when he's no longer with them. They'll be able to listen to his favorite music and feel close to him. So--if you donated your $1 to the cause, just consider that you bought him a song!

Now a little bit on what's been happening in my neck of the woods.

Lake Powell, located in Utah and Arizona, really is heaven on earth.

Here is the type of scenery you are surrounded by:





And there's so much shoreline that you see very few other houseboats and ski boats.

Here's the gang from our family who went this year: (Steve bought us all the cool do rags.)






Kade was on a three-week church trip and wasn't able to go. So, Devyn Glass (my step-daughter's sister) came in his place! We love you, Devyn!

This is my sister, Angela's, family.



Ron and Robin Beck and their family came along:



Some really fun teenagers from our neighborhood came for the fun:



And our Florida friends (here are their daughters with my niece, Mallory):



We did so many wonderful actvities:





Really fun times. I was going to post about all the other cool things I've been doing this summer but my son accidentally took my camera to work. So--I'm waiting to show you pictures at the same time.

I'm off for a family reunion for three days in Midway, Utah.

I'll write again soon!

Lisa

One Last Request, I Promise!

I feel bad I haven't done a "normal" post for so long. Life is going at such a fast pace this summer. I really will write soon.

Just another update on Spencer. (See posts below.)
The one dollar letters keep coming in for him! He has been so excited about this and is keeping track of the states they come
from. So far he has letters from 42 states!! This is amazing. If you know anyone who lives in Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island or West Virginia, please beg them to send an envelope and dollar bill. It would be so cool if Spencer could get a post mark from every state. Please feel free to forward them this e-mail! Here is a link to Spencer's Caring Bridge website. His mom says it's good for him to walk to the mailbox each day--and he loves what's inside!

Thanks everyone and have a safe and happy 4th of July! We will be going on a bike ride in the morning, hosting a swimming party/shrimp boil in the afternoon, and going to the Jonas Brothers in the evening. Lots to pack in!

Lisa