The good and the not so good

Yesterday we got up at 3:30 a.m. and made the 2 hour drive to LaMar Valley. Our efforts were rewarded! We saw a moose, a grizzly bear, a black bear, a big horn sheep, and at least 14 wolves. It was so exciting to see the wolves taunt the buffalo and elk. After leaving the first 3 wolves, we saw others and then returned to the first ones. They had taken down a buffalo. Wow!!!

We got a book on the Yellowstone and we have decided that we have seen a large majority the different types of animals in Yellowstone with the exception of the very small critters.

We watched a coyote dive in the snow head-first and catch a rodent and eat it. We loved see the heavy bison meander down a trail to the river's edge and drink to its heart's content. We went to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and looked for mountain lions that we were told lay in the sun on the cliffs in the afternoons. We didn't find them but we were amazed to spot a huge stick nest on the point of a cliff with an osprey in it.

Jeffrey and Macee get up in the morning and chorus: "Let's go find animals!!!" And off we go. The days have flown by. I thought by now I would be ready to head for home but we are still talking about getting up at 3:00 a.m. and going back to the LaMar Valley on one of remaining 2 days. My thoughts are with Joey and Michelle and dear Little Joe today. It's hard to feel good about having fun when I think about him at the hospital having his heavy chemo today thru Saturday. Thank goodness for Rachael being willing to step in for me since I got the days of this vacation mixed up with next week. Rachael is our right-hand person that is always so willing and capable of taking care of things while we are away. I am always amazed that the cows get out when she's in charge of things. Thanks to good neighbors and dear grandpa and grandma B for helping her get them back in. And again, thank you, Rachael, for all you do and all that you are.

3rd Time is the charm in West Yellowstone

It's like deshavue (spelling?), or maybe a dream repeating itself--I'm back for the third time in a month at our West Yellowstone Resort. The only differences are the snow has melted a lot and it's much warmer. It's surprising what two weeks of sun can do to change the appearance of the land.

Jeff, Shaun and his family and I are having a wonderful time here. Yesterday, we went into the North part of Yellowstone. Much of the snow has melted causing the grasslands to be flooded. Animals abound at almost every turn indicating that they are rejoicing that a long, hard winter has passed. Baby bison tag behind their mothers, anxiously waiting for a chance to nurse. Wolves are helping the animal populace with their killings--especially golden eagles, ravens, ospray, coyotes, and smaller preditors. Wolves take their prey down (elk) along riverbanks. Three wolves had done this yesterday and we were able to watch the small preditors feast. Also, at a different location we were told that a bear and a wolf had a squirmish over the recent elk kill by another pack of wolves.

The wildlife we have seen are (I hope I can remember all of them): a black bear, 3 grizzles, antelope, herds and herds of buffalo, elk, wolf, coyote, bald eagles, golden eagle, ospray. I'm still looking for a moose and Shaun wants to see a beaver. We think we saw a beaver in the lake but it was so far away we could not confirm it.

Jeffrey and Macee are regular little travelers. They have the routine down. We stop, get out and enjoy the site and then back to the car, buckle up and "watch for animals!" We sing, I tell stories. They beg me over and over to repeat "One day when I came home from school my mother met me at the gate..." They giggle and giggle and squeal, "Again!" My throat gets so sore. But I'll do anything I can for little children or is it for me so that I can hear their joyous laughter? When I am in the presence of children I feel "true joy."

The 3rd time here is really the charm. We are having a wonderful time and I wish everyone could experience the wonder of it all.

Friends

I have been thinking about my friends. Why have I been so blessed to have the wonderful people I know--in my life? I don't believe it's because I am a good friend. I want to be a good friend but that's a whole other issue. Sometimes I wonder if Heavenly Father is going to say, "I gave you the very best, Lori. You know that. You have nothing to complain about."

May I just say "thank you" to all my friends. You know who you are. Thank you for special walks, special talks in my living room, long talks with listening ears over the phone, homemade cards in the mail with very special sentiments, surprise visits, big hugs, shedding tears of joy or sadness because I am shedding tears, too. Dear friends, thank you for special e-mails, temple outings, visits over FOOD, visits at the hospital, teaching moments, for all that you share with me. And may I just say, because of the teachings of Jesus Christ, I am thankful that I have friends that I can talk to about Him, whom I love. Whether you are my friend in my family circle or my friend because we have developed bonds, I am forever grateful to know you and love you.

"A Glorious Day!"

I don't believe I shall ever get over the beauties of a Spring Day after a long, hard winter. I love every single miracle of Spring--from baby cows and sheep in the pastures, to extremely fragrant lilacs that sneak out of existence as the heat increases. I even like the feel of squinting my eyes because of the brightness from the sun. In spite of all that's wrong in the world, Springtime is a reminder that there is much right and good, too. I choose to dwell on this.

Today, Rachael and I went to Fountain Green to see my parents. My Dad is not feeling well at all. He has no energy to get out in the sunshine. He insists that all the blinds stay closed. He seems to be pretty smiley as one talks to him, but there is not the confidence that he used to convey. I keep asking myself what I can do for him. He is still of sound mind and with Mom's help they both do okay. When does the adult child step in and say to the adult parent, "I think it's time some changes are made."? Mom does well but her stroke took a toll on her confidence, too. I know that know one knows what she has been through with the stroke and then trying to take care of Dad. I would welcome any advice. Someday, I will look back at see all of these experiences as opportunities for learning and understanding.

I meant to stick with my title. In spite of my worries, it has been a glorious day. The fact that I can even see my parents (both of them) is a glorious miracle. The fact that they are independent is amazing. The fact that they live in very favorable circumstances at their ages is a blessing. Yes, in spite of challenges, it is a glorious day and I know there will be many more to come no matter what life hands out. Now, go outside and have a glorious evening!!!

Where does the time go?

Many years ago, today, I gave birth to my first child, Rachael. Little did I know the joy I was in for. Now, I am not saying that joy was all I experienced but I am saying that because of the opportunity of teaching, urging, exercising faith, trusting, exercising more faith, patience, etc., I now look at Rachael with joy in my heart because she is a loving and caring daughter, granddaughter, mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She devotes "all" of her time to the building and lifting of others. In fact, she is not happy if she thinks anyone else is not happy. (And I believe this includes those she sees as "people that do not like her.") Rachael came as a "Ray of Sunshine" (her 1st Bishop dubbed her as this) and when the clouds cover her smile, all in her world are sad.

It seems like just yesterday I held her in my arms as I sat on our family room floor. I was brushing her downny-soft hair and talking to her. She was just barely a month old. She looked at me with her trusting, big blue eyes and I felt like she was trying to tell me something important. She smiled a great big smile and then, over the radio I heard that all worthy male members of the church could now hold the Priesthood. I said to Rachael, "Did you know that? You are alive on this special day!" Rachael smiled all the bigger and I held her close and knew that life would be special with her.

I don't know where all the time has gone since that special day. I do know that I would not trade it! I have learned much from Rachael and my 3 other very wonderful children. Almost, I can understand what love our Father in Heaven has for His children when I think about how much He must love me to send me here to this earthly school and to have allowed me to be the mother of such wonderful "individuals." I know that not everyone gets the opportunity to be a mother but I trust that there is a Divine Reason for this and that someday we will all understand that life is much more than just here on earth. My experience tells me that those who do not bear children on earth are usually more nurturing and caring than those of us who must learn through the bearing and rearing of children. I have the highest regard for those who have not bourne children but continue to bear the burdens of others. May you be blessed because you bless our lives.

It's green in Moscow

After a lovely, l-o-n-g ride, we are finally in Moscow. It is greener than last week. In Montana, it's whiter--meaning there is a lot more snow. This time through we saw the huge elk herds that my Dad said we would see last week. We saw moose, fox, geese, deer, buffalo, antelope, big blue skies, cloud-framed, pine dotted mountains, overflowing rivers, budded trees, freshly plowed & rolling hills. Ahh, the beauties of Spring!

Last night we had fun with Kari, Kurt and their family. We went to a baseball practice, came home and ate snacks at 7:30 p.m. and then had grilled pork loin and fried potatoes at 10:30 p.m. Kari commented that she had tried to allow her day to be spontaneous and that she enjoyed it. I enjoyed it too. How long has it been since I was this spontaneous?

This morning after listening to my Book of Mormon on the i-pod, I lay in bed and listened to my Bobby Goldsboro music. It was most relaxing and a nice start to the day. I found myself composing my own songs in my head and I think I will try to get some of them down on paper. There must be something to spontenaiety.

We'll leave for the Spokane Temple this afternoon. I just know it's going to be a nice day.