Happy People Dancing

As we are ending the year 2008, I thought I would pay tribute to one of my favorite links of all time. They are 3 semi-short videos from Stride Gum. It is of Matt’s Place. The entire website is dedicated to ‘happy people’ dancing. Despite political boundaries, cultures and customs, we are essentially the same. We want peace and enjoyment out of life.

http://www.stridegum.com/#/mattsplace/. [Once on the website, click on the 2008 picture, you will then be able to move through the three videos by way of the right and left arrows.] No one can stay angry or mad if they are dancing with all their heart. One of the ways we display happiness is by dancing. Look at the joy in each person’s face as they exhibit their enthusiasm and vigor.

Lynn and I hope 2009 will bring all of us, despite our vast differences, plenty of tolerance and oodles of love.
-Shelly

A Strange Turn of Events

Merry Christmas from Lynn & Shelly!

For our other special friends, Happy Hanukkah!

And for all of our other brothers and sisters who live on this planet who share their deity holidays on days other than December ... It is our wish that we all can find peace and happiness in 2009 and beyond.

Decked up!

We have 'decked up our halls' with the festivities and lights of the season. Lynn and I started decorating the day after Thanksgiving. We were surprised when we received an outdoor angel from my mom and dad, which we placed on our balcony. I'm sure the planes landing at O'hara and taking off from Midway airports can spot our beacon of light. Our little place in the world brightens up the area. Actually, most of our neighbors homes are decorated ... it's a nice warm feeling driving up to our house and seeing all the pretty colored lights and feeling the spirit of the season.

-Shelly

From The Heart

A marvelous thing happened to me today while sitting in church. We were just finishing with the opening song in our Sacrament meeting and listening to the announcements when a young girl, probably 3 years or younger decided to use the bench space next to me as her working table. She was very busy drawing some remarkable pictures. She noticed me looking at her drawings. I leaned over and whispered to her that the picture she was working on was very pretty. She took the writing tablet, went over to her dad and had him help her tear the page out of the book. Then she handed the picture to me. I gave her a hug and told her thank you for the picture. I asked her if she could write her name on the paper. She was too young for that, so her dad wrote her name on the top.

Her small gesture touched me so much. At this time of year it seems we are so connected to the hustle and bustle of the Christmas and holiday season that we forget that it was a child, a baby boy, whose birth many of us celebrate this time of year that changed the world. It is children that continue to grow up and change our society.

Here is Colette’s picture. Colette has never met me or Lynn, so this is the first time she has laid eyes on us; yet, she was so willing to share her talents and love with a perfect stranger. “And, a little child shall lead them …” and so has a child touch my heart today.

-Shelly

Adventuresome Shopping

Chicago must be getting to me, at least the adventuresome part. I broke down on Friday and did something I vowed I would never do. I went shopping the morning of Black Friday. I am happy to report that by breakfast (8:30am) my Christmas shopping was finished and at 9am I was curled up for a morning nap. It was quite an exciting activity. I don’t know if this will be a new tradition for me or if it was just a once in a lifetime thing where I can say, 'I went shopping on Black Friday'! Oh, the joys of the Christmas holidays.

-Shelly

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,

BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.

I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,

I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -

THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE.

BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION

WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING

IN ANTICIPATION,

THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK

BECAME INFATUATION.

SO I RACED TO THE KITCHEN,

FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR.

AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE

FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING

SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,

'TILL ALL OF A SUDDEN

I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING

FLOATING INTO THE SKY

WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING

AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT I MANAGED TO YELL

AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES

HAPPY EATING TO ALL,

PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,

MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP;

MAY YOUR POTATOES AND GRAVY

HAVE NARY A LUMP.

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS,

MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE -

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER

STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Lynn & Shelly

Temple Blessings

Last month when my mom was visiting with us, we went and visited one of the Hindu temples in Aurora. The building's outer architecture and the inner sanctuary were astoundingly beautiful. We were humbled and in awe as we watched the Hindu devotees pay homage and love towards their Gods. We had a delightful experience.

Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple of Greater Chicago
http://www.balaji.org/web/home.aspx

There is also another Hindu Temple off of Hwy #59 that I pass by on my way to and from work. This Temple is as beautiful and ornate in other ways as to the one in Aurora. To the side of the temple is a Cultural Building where they worship, dine, learn, and are entertained.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
http://chicago.baps.org/

I also pass by a Budda Temple, which I hope to stop by soon. About 45 to 60 minutes north is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) Temple. I knew I felt like I was walking on spiritual ground, and now I know I am.

-Shelly

Beauty, Right Outside Our Door!

Lynn and I are so fortunate and feel so blessed to be living in such an extroardinary location (Aurora) and state (Illinois). Everywhere we look beauty surrounds us. As an example, here are some pictures of a sunset I took right off our back porch back in July. Every second and minute a new and brilliant masterpiece was created by shedding either darkness, light or a different color on a particular subject. -Shelly

Our Version of Dressing Up

This is our version of dressing up for Halloween. You can see how decked out we (Lynn and I, along with Max and CC) were and the excitement that exudes from our faces.

-Shelly

Get Out And Vote!!!

Several of our family members in states around the country have already participated in our country's civic duty.... And whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, part of the Green Party or whatever political affiliation you might be … remember tomorrow,

November 4th,

to GET OUT AND VOTE!

Halloween Greetings!

Lynn and I wanted to wish all of you a great, wonderful, and thrilling Halloween season. Lynn wouldn't let me dress up our cats (Max and CC) so I had to do the next best thing. :)

Shelly

A Circle of Love

My sister Lisa came out to visit with us, her daughter and son-in-law (Cori & Jeff) and to meet with her new grandson, Seth Min Cheol, last Wednesday and left to go home two days ago. :( It was fun to have my sister stay with us at night. Since both Lynn and I were working we would take her to Cori's house (in Glenview, IL), where she could spend the day playing with Seth and do the motherly thing with her daughter that only a mother (or a special woman) can achieve, and then after work I would pick Lisa back up from Cori's and would bring her back to our house (sisterly chatting all the way) for the evening.

It has been an amazing few weeks. During the last part of September Lynn and I went up to stay with my younger sister Ami (who lives in Dearborn, MI). While at Ami's, we picked up my mom and then she spent a week with us. Lynn and I have been wrapped up in the arms of love and feel so blessed and grateful to have the families we do. Here are just a few of the pictures of generations of moms with and tons and tons of LOVE for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:)

Helicopter crash in Aurora

We had a bit of excitement the night before last. At around 12:30 AM a medical helicopter ran into a radio tower and crashed in a field nearby. You may have heard about it on the news. The tower is only about a quarter of a mile away from where we live. As a matter of fact I can see it out the back window. They have started dismantling it today around 5:30 PM. If you look close at the picture you can see people on the tower It is raining a little bit today. I would not like to be the one on the tower undoing the bolts.

Thoughts on Fall

"I like spring, but it is too young.

I like summer, but it is too proud.

So I like best of all autumn,

because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer,

and it is tinged with a little sorrow.

Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring,

nor the power of summer,

but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age.

It knows the limitations of life and its content."

- Lin Yutang

-Shelly

A Time Capsule in Michigan!!!

Lynn and I were extremely fortunate while we were visiting my sister Ami in Dearborn, MI to tour a partial sector of automobile industrialist’s Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village. Lynn and I felt like we stepped back into time viewing buildings from the 17th century to the present. Model A’s and Model T’s were taking passengers and guests on tours around the village to heighten their experience. Stone by stone, Henry Ford was determined to recreate homes, stores and buildings from personal and historical heroes and he created a time capsule of a period in time when life seemed simpler than they do now. Candy stores, a pottery barn, along with a tin house, and a working train roundhouse, churches and homes (etc.) dot the landscape. Historians will see a glimpse of Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison's laboratory, furniture from President Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and other historical items and landmarks. My sister Ami said Greenfield Village takes on a different atmosphere for every season and holiday. So, if you find yourself in Dearborn, MI for the upcoming holidays you might want to visit Greenfield, breathe in the fresh air, and tour a remarkable village and see for yourself what is considered to be the largest (and for me ... the most beautiful) outdoor museum in America.
-Shelly

It is a Special Day for us!

The Incredible Adorable Seth Min Cheol !

On Friday (10/3), mom, Lynn and I made our way north to Glenview to visit with Cori (my niece) and to meet our new nephew, and for mom to see her second great-grandson. We had a wonderful time. Cori (like her sister Kristi) are wonderful moms and it is so fun to see the new generation of Larsens, Bates, Hills and Mohrs coming into their own. We spent probably more time than we should have with Cori and Seth Min Cheol . Because they are adopting their son from South Korea, they have guidelines that will help Seth Min Cheol have an easier adjustment to his new family, surroundings and culture. We were heading out of the door when Jeff came home. After a long hard day, Jeff was as cordial and gracious as ever to pose for a few family portraits.

Lynn and I had a wonderful week with mom. We tried to cram too much into a short period of time, but we were so glad and felt so grateful to have mom stay with us as long as she did. Next year we are hoping mom will stay with us for at least 2 weeks. :o)

-Shelly

PS
I still have one more post coming of our trip to Ami's and our adventures in Greenfield Village. Stay tuned! ;o)

Pictures of Love

Words cannot describe what a wonderful feeling it is to be with our families. Here are just a few of the pictures I took while in Michigan with my nephews, my niece, my sister, my mom, my brother-in-law, my husband, my brother, along with Shirley and Lee, who may not be related to us by blood, but they are indeed a part of our family by the love they have for us and through the love we have for them. I have and am a part of the BEST family(ies) ever!
*Shelly

CONGRATULATIONS MAX!!!

Lynn and I spent a fantastic and wonderful weekend with my sister, Ami and her family, in Dearborn, MI. My sister as always was a gracious and talented hostess. My mom who lives in Utah was with us as well as my brother, Richard, who flew into Dearborn from Utah on Friday to be with us for the weekend. I presented my family with Chicago Bear jerseys and my family proudly put them on, even being in the country of the Detroit Lions.

The reason we all congregated in Dearborn was because my nephew, Maxwell, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by his father yesterday. Max and his father are dressed in white to represent purity, and how spiritually clean an adult or child (being eight (8) years of age) becomes when they are baptized. Once Max was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church we gathered together and had a wonderful dinner. (Max and Ryan (Max's friend) had their 8th Birthday a day apart, so both Ryan and Max were baptized by their fathers on Saturday.) The entire day was special, spiritual and a supportive gathering for family and friends who loved Max and wanted to honor him on his monumental day.

I will be breaking my trip to Michigan up in bits and pieces for my next few posts since we did so many fun things, such as touring Greenwich Village (an historic town created by Henry Ford), we attended Max and Tim’s soccer games, and just had a wonderful family weekend. If I tried to put all my pictures of the trip on our blog it would probably clog the system and no one would be able to download our blog or any other blog site on the web due to my extensive Dearborn photo album. (I guess that means if you want to see more of our trip to Michigan, you'll have to tune in or log on to our blog and check it out for at least the next few weeks!)

I love my family. I can’t get enough of being with them and I value the times we do get together.
-Shelly

In honor of tomorrow and the first day of fall, and the fact that Lynn and I are having astounding adventures with our move to Illinois, I am reminded of Robert Frost’s poem.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Shelly

Welcome to the Family Seth!!!!

I couldn't wait to post today. Lynn and I have wonderful news!!! Our niece, Cori, and her husband Jeff, is in South Korea picking up my new baby nephew, Seth Min Cheol Mohr.
Seth will be twelve months old in November and has been living with a foster family until Cori and Jeff could get the necessary adoption paperwork from the US and South Korea completed.
Jeff and Cori met Seth for the first time when these pictures were taken (today or yesterday in Korea) and will be picking him up for real on Thursday and heading for home on Friday (9/19). It is a glorious time for our family(ies) who have been praying for this day to come, and now it is nearly here.
I hope Cori doesn't mind that I have borrowed a few pictures from her blog site so you can see how beautiful and healthy my (great) nephew is. It is indeed a happy day for our family.

-Shelly

PS

Jeff's grin was as big and as captivating as Cori's when he was holding Seth, but I couldn't pull off the pictures of him from their slide show. There is nothing like a mother and father holding their son (or daughter) for the very first time.

Wind Pipes of Love

I am calling the 'wind pipes of love' the loud and deafening Illinois insects known as the cicadas. The noisy mating and social rituals make the night sounds (crickets, frogs, etc.) of Davis County (in Utah) sound like whispering gnats. When I first heard the cicadas this summer I thought our house had been invaded by rattle snakes. Lynn told me the noise was coming from the cicadas. Have you ever stood under a noisy light pole and heard a constant buzzzzz? That is what the cicadas sound like but amplified by 100 decibels.

The cicadas I've heard this summer are annual guests. They emerge in the summer from their larvae stage under the ground and immediately crawl, climb, or fly clumsely to the closest plant, tree, building, etc. and begin singing, and singing, and then singing some more. There are periodical cicadas that emerge in the midwestern states on a 13 or 17-year cycle. Last summer (2007) Illinois was lucky #17 for the cicadas. If Lynn and I are still living in Illinois in 13 or 17-years, we will be investing in a few good pairs of ear plugs so we can sleep at night.

As with crickets, it is the male cicadas that ‘sing’ to entice the female cicadas. Large groups of males clump together. The loud(er) the noise the more females they attrack. All the loud racket disrupts the birds and other insect or animal species that might try making a cicada sandwich for dinner. (It is the usually the early cicadas that are gobbled up by dogs, cats and the birds. But, there are sooo many new cicadas (even when we are not on a 13 or 17-year cycle) that emerge every day that the dogs, cats and birds are sick of them and leave them alone. ) The louder they sing, the more females they attract. It’s a stereophonic symphony of sorts. It will seem like one tree will vibrate and sing, a neighboring bush will pipe in until the whole day or night sky is filled with the rattling boisterous music or noise of the cicadas.

The cicadas are buzzing their last breaths as we approach fall. They will all die out until next summer's generation appears and begins their energetic and earsplitting 'wind pipes of love'.

-Shelly

Summers Last Fling

Naperville had summer’s last fling on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Labor Day). We went, along with our friends Donna and Daryl Miyasaki. The Last Fling had tons of things to do, along with food to eat, and things to see. We had fun watching tossing and pole events from the Highland Games. Saturday was also a day for the dogs!!! Dogs were in their element as they ran and caught Frisbees at a dog’s Frisbee competition.

Donna has been a constant source of comfort to me over the last few months. A few weeks ago she was afflicted with Bells Palsy. Her affliction though didn’t stop her from having a great time in Naperville. We had a barbecue and a fun card game on Labor Day to celebrate our friendship.

With cool air and a down pour of rain today, seeing pictures from our ‘Last Fling of Summer’ makes me feel warm inside. (now .... if my family will note, in a few pictures how big my smile is and what I have in my hand ... it's COTTON CANDY!!!)

-Shelly

New Opportunities and Challenges

I started a temporary job with US Bank today for Kelly Temporary Services. It is a position for two maybe three months.

Another piece of GREAT news, “I HAVE A JOB”!!!!! A real job!!!!! A different job. A non temporary job. It’s a part time position that will move into a permanent one. I will be working with the Samaritan Counseling Center in Barrington, IL. I am so excited. The Samaritan Counseling Centers are dotted across the country. This is the first counseling center in Barrington and it will open in October. I will either be starting on September 15th or the 1st part of October. Here is Samaritan Counseling Center’s website http://www.samaritancounselingnwsub.org/. Naperville also has a Samaritan Counseling Center. It has been open since 1971. Here is their website http://www.samaritancenter.org/. This webpage will provide you with additional insight to our center's goals.

Barrington http://www.ci.barrington.il.us/
is another exquisite and small town in Illinois. I may be whistling a different tune on the first snow day, right now the drive is awesome, except when I'm at a dead stop at a light signal for five minutes or so. But, the job is worth it.
-Shelly

An adventuresome visit with Morton!

Lynn and I had the wonderful opportunity [Lynn is still questioning my enthusiasm after 8 long hours and sore feet to boot if he had a good time or not.] to tour Chicago's world acclaimed Morton Arboretum, which is located in Lisle, IL. The Morton Arboretum is one of the largest Arboretums in the country. This is the same ‘Morton’ who is the founder of Morton Salt and has ‘Morton’ factories surrounding the Great Salt Lake. The Arboretum’s 1,700 acres is the home to 4,000 different species of trees. In fact, 185,000 plants, bushes and trees, from various global terrains, have been catalogued and are viewable while touring the 14 miles of hiking trails and nine miles of roadways.

Lynn and I, of course, started our tour on the tram that shuttled visitors around the park. After our guided tour we took our car around the park so I could get better pictures of the Arboretum and plant life. Some of our favorite moments were walking through the interactive ‘Children’s Garden’ and the ‘Maze Garden’. They were spectacular and so fun to explore. This summer the Arboretum’s landscape was dotted by humongous ants. The ants were made entirely out of wood fibers and sticks. I hope you can see in the pictures the intricate detail of the ants.

I apologize in advance for all the pictures, but I did scale them back from what I did have for our blog site. You are viewing the short(er) version of our visit to Morton Arboretum. Lynn slept through most of the complete epic screening of our trip.

-Shelly