Maui moments

Aaaaaah the memory of Maui...

Happy Maui cows

Here in California we have some great commercials from the California Milk Advisory Board, and they all center around the ad "Great milk comes from happy cows, happy cows come from Calif." (be sure to click on the ad-you'll love them) BUT, I have to say after seeing these cows and the view of beautiful ocean THEY have...well let's just say there couldn't be any happier cows than Maui ones!

my paradise...

Maui this!

Right now I am sitting on the couch looking out over the Pailolo Channel across to Molokai'i--my favorite view. I can lay in bed and watch the waves and hear the surf every day. Paradise! Forgot to bring my camera charger and my upload cable, so pictures will have to wait till I'm home and back in my "normal" routine...till then, ALOHA

Sprinkling Nora

Could it get any cuter?

Happy Anniversary Amy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wow the years have flown by! Now you have two beautiful children to add to the family you established in 2001. Congratulations honey on a wonderful life.

Follow the Prophet...he knows the way

After reading this you may wish to donate your time or means by clicking on the right hand side of my page (Protect Marriage.com). People of all faiths, not just LDS, are part of a broad base of supporters who believe and are contributing to this cause. And, you do not need to be a resident of California to participate!

SALT LAKE CITY 30 June 2008 The following letter was sent from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Church leaders in California to be read to all congregations on 29 June 2008:

Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families
In March 2000 California voters overwhelmingly approved a state law providing that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The California Supreme Court recently reversed this vote of the people. On November 4, 2 008, Californians will vote on a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that will now restore the March 2000 definition of marriage approved by the voters.

The Church’s teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage.

A broad-based coalition of churches and other organizations placed the proposed amendment on the ballot. The Church will participate with this coalition in seeking its passage. Local Church leaders will provide information about how you may become involved in this important cause.

We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage. http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage

Awake, Arise, and Come Unto Christ

I was reading an article sent by a family member, and realized how motivating this was. I have always had a clear and unaffected understanding of myself as a woman. I've run into only a handful of men who really don't "get it". But that has never mattered to me. I have always known the power of being a female, (and not at the expense of diminishing men) and have gloried in it with every act of giving birth to my children. But I have to say I acknowledged that power long before my body, and a temple marriage gave me that right and privilege. I'm not sure why I have always had that confidence. Believe me there were plenty of reasons surrounding me to make me think otherwise. But somehow that sure knowledge was always there.

As I read the article by Sheri Dew (click to read it in it's entirety), she quotes Spencer W. Kimball, “Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world . . . will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happyways—from the women of the world” (Ensign, November 1979, 103–4).

It has been three decades since that call to action. Are we all that different from the other good women of the world? Are we ever going to do more than just quote President Kimball? We have the gift of the Holy Ghost, a living prophet, spiritual gifts that magnify us, access to priesthood power, ordinances that endow us with knowledge and power, unique leadership training, and the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. We should be far more distinctive than even the very finest women in the world. But are we?In our everyday lives, do we talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, and testifyof Him (2 Nephi 25:26)? Are we women on a mission to build His kingdom?

***Making of your life a ministry means consciously asking yourself in everyday situations,“Why has the Lord brought me here today?” and then looking for ways to build up people and the kingdom. It means asking the Lord what He needs you to do rather than feverishly working down your list of To-Do’s that may or may not have lasting significance. Ministering might mean talking to your friends of other faiths about your spiritual journey or starting a blog to share what you believe online, or mentoring a young adult. It is our stewardship, after all, to pass along the legacy of what it means to be a woman of God to the next generation.***

Consider this headline: “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” (Forbes, 17 September 2007)...in order to have influence, a woman must have money, fame, or a title.
That is a big, fat lie!
Here is the truth about womanhood. Our Father gave His daughters a divine endowmentof gifts that give us unique influence. First and foremost, we have the high privilege of bearing children. If mortality is the time in all eternity to prove ourselves, then there is nothing more important than bearing children and leading them along the path home.President David O. McKay said that, “motherhood is the greatest potential influence . . .in human life” (Improvement Era, 1953, 452).

Our Father also gifted us with the nature to nurture, keen sensitivity to the Spirit, selflessness, discernment, and heroic faith. No wonder our Father placed us at the heart of the family and thus at the center of the plan of salvation. We are the Lord’s secret weapon.

Christ is the other reality in my life. I feel blessed to have been brought up always knowing of his ministry, mission, and divinity. And I feel humbled to have been able to find His church organized in it's fullness. I have felt led by the doctrines and principles that have allowed me to raise good children and I know the influence of righteous women in my life. Let's pass it on!

new Disney thrill...

Lucky day for us!!! Laura won a contest for Disney passholders to preview the new ride at California Adventure. So on Thursday the 12th we trooped over to Disneyland and got in line for what turned out to be a GrEaT time! If you haven't read the press about it, take it from us this is one of Disney's finest moments!
Guests wear 3-D glasses aboard spinning vehicles that travel through virtual environments based on classic carnival midway games, The attraction features mini-games after a practice round, each of which includes at least one "Easter egg" that can trigger additional targets or game play changes.

Pie Throw Practice Booth (pie toss target practice game, no points awarded)

Bo Peep's Baaa-loon Pop (dart throw game)

Green Army Men Shoot Camp (baseball throw / plate breaking game)

Buzz Lightyear's Flying Tossers (ring toss game)

Woody's Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Gallery (suction cup shooting game)

*Plus a bonus round where you rack up as many points as possible at the "old mine". The nice thing to that was well thought out...when the ride has to pause or gets back-logged, they put up targets without points so you can hone your skill while waiting. You almost hope for delays!!!
Each guest's score is recorded by an onboard display screen as points are acquired with individual toy cannons firing simulated projectiles at virtual targets. Easy enough that even a four year old could enjoy it, and challenging enough for those considerably older to get competitive with it!!!So since we had until 3:00 PM to try it out as many times as we liked, I called Ken to get off of work and join us, because no kidding they have a winner on their hands! We were on it for the last time before they closed out our group, and wouldn't you know it...the spring-action shooter stopped working only minutes into the ride! When we got out and reported the error to the cast member, he then allowed us to go back into the ride. NOT just that, we were the ONLY ones on the whole ride, because they were shutting it down...it became a "Disney is all our's" moment!

Guarantee: the lines will be 5 hours or more long for this over the summer! THIS IS A HIT! and we got to enjoy it ahead of time! THANKS DISNEY!!!

Happy Birthday Heidi

Nora enjoying the dinner out after party...
Heidi enjoying the birthday dessert with Papi's help
Heidi and Natalie playing with the "take"
Nora helping keep the party "popping" The birthday spread...cake courtesy of mama Amy.

Heidi is four!!! How can that be? she is such a big girl now! And of course we just had to celebrate... (40 people Ames??? now you sound like your mother!) But it was nice getting together with all the old Claremont friends, and the new Dana Point ones! GOOD TIMES. Heidi's "tinkerbell" b-day went really well I think. Great party games..and good food. Nice combination.

blogging-it's my business

Recently I posted the following to friends and families "comments" (don't feel left out if I didn't make it to your BLOG-I only have so many hours in a day! and I was supposed to be working on my seminary lesson!):

"It is valuable that good young families share their ideals online and it reminded me of this thought by President Ballard: --Elder M. Russell Ballard, an apostle in the Church, told the mostly Mormon, graduating students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii to use the Internet — including blogs and other forms of “new media” — to contribute to a national conversation about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "

Great a wonderful excuse for my wandering mind and thoughts that I call my online journal (BLOG)! Up until now I had a hard time justifying why I kept one. My over riding excuse was that my relatives from far away could keep up on my once-a-year Christmas update and I could avoid postage.

But how do I rectify the hours spent lurking on others blogs??? Ummm, looking for material from greater minds??? Sure. enhancing others with my witty one line reparte? of course. feeding people's self worth by commenting? check. lowering my self-esteem for not having accomplished what some people write about. ouch. finding ways to lure people into saying I obviously have the cutest granddaughters? you bet. Shedding light on the gospel that is so integral in my life?...well I guess that comes from the everyday living and loving that families just go about doing and sharing on their blogs. the love and caring (and yes the frustration) because that's what we do best...it's what eternity is all about.

ummmm sweet!

So you can all be jealous...Ken got me tickets for Mother's Day to the Michael Buble concert. WOOOHOOOOO!

holy Guacamole

Mexican Flag Lolly enjoying fajitas!
Aztec idol---protection from Montezuma's revenge
Happy refried beans...

A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16. In the United States, focus on that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry respectively. Similar to those holidays, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin.

I say anytime is Taco Time! pass the chips, Viva la red sauce! ai-ai-ai...

dressed in white

Brianna the "baptism girl" of the hour
Patty, Steve, Brianna & Ali
Brianna and Steve prepared to enter the font
Nora and Laura happy to celebrate the happy day.

The Boyer family gathered together this Saturday afternoon to celebrate the baptism and confirmation of Brianna. It was a wonderful event, one of the biggest ones we can make in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our doctrine states that little children do not need to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age, as they are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. Moroni 8:8. Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me...12. But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!... 13. Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell... 14. Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell... 15. For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism...20. And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption... 22. For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—

Missionary work

Meet our friend Paulo Cordeiro. Brian met him while he was serving in Belo Horizante Brazil. He has become a good family friend, since our family was able to meet him when we picked up Elder Boyer in November 2004. Recently he was called to serve in the Nagoya Japan mission and we got to pick him up early in Salt Lake City for a few days of visiting before he had to report to the Mission Training Center.

Spring has sprung~

A wonderful day with my friend Connie. Her birthday was in March, and this year just seemed crazy on getting our schedules together for some fun time. Luckily spring break rolled around and we got to have some time for ourselves! I originally wanted to go to the Lavender Fields, but they weren't in bloom quite yet, so this was the runner up and it turned out perfectly!

1. First a stop for lunch at Belle Fleur restaurant where we indulged in wonderful salads and cream of tomato soup.
2. Shopped and browsed at the outlet mall.
3. Explored the FLOWER FIELDS, took pictures, sat and relaxed in the warm sunny day
4. Chatted about this-that and everything!

The Flower Fields, are where they grow a particularly beautiful flower called the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus . The fields were planted on over 50 acres, and you can see them rolling over in patches of color like a giant quilt; red's, purples, pinks, yellows, oranges etc. They bloom from March till May heralding the arrival of spring in southern California!

Connie and I

Spending the day with family

Natalie and Heidi exploring in the fields
Annie, Nora and Amy
Nora and Aunt Lolly
Natalie and her nature finds!

Wednesday the 9th, I'm able to drive down to Orange County because we are on spring break (no seminary!) I get to go with my sister Annie, my niece Natalie, the Johnson girl's, and Laura to our favorite restaurant Natraj which specializes in North Indian Cuisine. We spend a good part of the afternoon sitting, eating and chatting. Later we decided to "walk it off" by taking a hike up in the foothills above South Laguna. It was a beautifully warm day, and we enjoyed being all together. Nothing like California in the springtime...