... Of Good Report !!

I am happy to report a few things are happening with Lynn and I and in our family that will have a great impact on our lives, for the good mind you! :)

1) My sister, Linda, is coming for a visit the first week in June!!! I am so ExCiTeD to see her and to spend some time with her in Chicagoland. Linda and I, in our early, early years spent some time in the Evanston, IL area while our dad was attending Northwestern University. I think this may actually be the first time Linda has been back to the Chicago area since our family moved west to Utah.

I absolutely love living in Illinois! I never thought there was a better place to live other than Utah until I moved to Southern California. The warm winters, the Pacific Ocean, ski resorts if you wanted to really go skiing, the topography, and the people I met and grew to love helped me realize that living in California was the best place on earth to live, minus the earthquakes! ;)

After our time in California, Lynn and I moved back to Utah. Once again, I thought nothing could be so perfect for us as living in Utah. Family was close by, I met more friends that literally changed my life. I know nothing, nothing could be better than living in Utah. That is, until we moved to Illinois!

I was 3 or 3 1/2 years old when I left Illinois the first time, so the images and memories I have of Chicago/Evanston are pretty vague, with exception of a few family pictures. So, when Lynn and I moved to Aurora, IL, it was like a whole new world for me! I love the fact that we live close enough but far enough away from the big city life of Chicago. I love all the art, music, history, topography, forest preserves, the busy(ness), yet slow(ness) of life. The food around here is to die for! Chicago style pizza, hot dogs, whoopee pies, cheese cakes, popcorn, etc. I know I am now living in the most beautiful state in the nation, next to Utah, California, Arizona, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, etc. I can't wait to show off my adopted state and city to Linda!

2) My niece, Cori, and her husband, Jeff, received word that their new adopted son, Evan, now ten months old and living in South Korea with his foster family, will be joining their small family soon. Evan will be coming home to his older brother, Seth, who was also born in South Korea and who joined the Mohr family in November of 2008. The Korean adoption agency Cori and Jeff use provide a foster family for the child until they are twelve months old, and then they are presented to their adoption parents. My heart goes out to those generous mothers in South Korea who lovingly and with the utmost care take a son or daughter into their home for twelve months knowing they will be giving them up to their future mother and father within a year. * The pictures of Evan, Seth, Cori & Jeff are part of the Mohr's family photo collection. Seth and now Evan are truly lucky and blessed to have Cori and Jeff as their parents. Evan will be joining the Mohr family and a whole host of grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins in just a few short months!!! Welcome to the family, Evan!!! We LOVE You Already!

3) I have another niece, Kristi, who in July will be having her second son. Kristi and Andrew's first son was born on the same day in November (2007) as Seth. Miracles of miracles ... two boys (Luke & Seth) ... separated by oceans and countries are now bound together as a family ** cousins ** in every way!! Luke had some health problems when he was born. There were times we didn't know if he would make it. But, Luke is a fighter!!! He has shown us all so much grace and patience. He is truly a miracle in every way. I do not live close enough to put my arms around Luke, nor his mom and dad, but Kristi and Andrew generously share with family and friends pictures of their family so we can stay up-to-date on their young but growing family. Luke and his baby brother are fortunate and blessed to have doting parents who love them. Luke and his brother will have tons of family members they can turn to and who will love them in every way possible. I am in awe of how wonderful Kristi and Cori are as mothers. They are amazing mothers raising their sons to be God fearing and loving individuals who will bless everyone's life they come in contact with.

4) Within the next few months, Lynn and I will have five nieces and nephews graduating from college. Three nieces will graduate from high school and head off into a world of endless possibilities and adventures. Carrie, our niece, received a mission call to Washington DC (South) and will leave for the training center on June 30th. We have another nephew who is serving a church mission in the South Africa region. Four nephews have returned from serving the Lord on missions.

5) Our brother-in-law will be returning home from Iraq, hopefully by Mother's Day, safe and sound!

Lynn and I are truly blessed to have such a wonderful and extraordinary siblings, parents, nephews and nieces!

March 6, 2010, Chicago!

Even though we are in the month of April, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that on March 6, 2010, Lynn and I found ourselves in downtown Chicago. I DO LOVE CHICAGO! To me, Chicago is a breathtakingly beautiful and vibrant city. I can and do see a picture taking moment everywhere much to Lynn's chagrin! ;o) I love Chicago's skyline, the architectural genus that went into the skyscrapers, every structural and colorful facade, and even the parks are picturesque. Chicago has never lost sight of its true gem, Lake Michigan's sea front.

Here are just a few pictures from our glorious day in March!

View all

Get your own

-Shelly

My Ode To Fall ...

The green leaves outside our windows are once again turning lovely shades of red beginning at the top of the trees interspersed with yellow and orange coloring throughout. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and the thought by Lin Yutang captures my feelings so perfectly.

"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

With or Without ?

With or without? Hmmmm! Thanks to a friend’s recent Facebook entry, I am reminded that as of October, 2009, Lynn and I will have been in Chicagoland for 2 (two) glorious year. I cannot think of a place I would rather be with Lynn than right here by his side.

Our family and friends as much as we love them, will continue to grow older, and be taller (or shorter), wider or thinner, gain hair/loose hair, with or without us. School days for youth march on. Even though we do not have youngsters of our own, family members and friends are happily and sadly in some cases heading back to school.

Family and friends are facing tough decisions on what university or college to attend, anxieties about their new roommates, vocation resolutions, missions, vacations? Will or will they not, have a few vacation days hopped scotched in during the remainder of the year? Again, this will happen with or without us.
My mother, surprised us all this year, by adding an addition to our family tree, by way of a 4-legged, small puppy, named Tuffee (I have probably misspelled his name); of course, Mom did this without us, but we were so happy that she did. My sister, without us, is surviving breast cancer; another is fighting horrid kidney stones and lipotripsy action, without us. A nephew is on a mission in South Africa, another is hitting a mile stone in New York. Our brother-in-law is heading to Iraq. Even though our family and friends are doing things ‘without’ us physically. Our hearts, love, and soul, are 'with them always'.

Our hearts still ache with loss for family and friends who are no longer with us, and whose laughter has been hushed for awhile. WE KNOW we will hear their laughter again, in time. We will continue to work hard, play hard, embrace and absorb life, and love every moment we have in our phase(s) of life.

Our religion continues to be very important to us. Like time, our religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) continues to move on with or without us. We WANT to be on that bus, train, jet, or walk, for the long haul.

Life. Life will happen with or without us. We want to make the most of and cherish ‘our time’ and ‘do it together’. We intend to make the most of it and enjoy it. Whether time flies by in Chicago, or the warm sunny skies of California, or if we find ourselves in another state or back in the dry, but glorious desert state, of Utah or Idaho. Time will always go by, with or without us. WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE UPS AND DOWNS, THE SPILLS AND TURNS, AND THE EXHILLERATING RIDE OF LIFE!


-Shelly

Chicago and Cantigny Park

I have to explain that this entry has nothing but everything to do with each other. One of the collages I've created by way of Picaso, is the incredible time we had with our niece, Vali, when she came out to Chicago during her spring break, and then I have another collage of a Memorial Day outing we had with our sweet friends Daryl and Donna Miyasaki to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. I had a glorious time on both outings. Actually, I just LOVE to get out and see new things and visit wonderful parks and places throughout Illinois and the surrounding states.

The trips to Chicago and Cantigny Park are so different and provide strong and deep emotions in very different ways. But, the one thing they have in common is that Lynn and I are spending them with family and friends we love and cherish.

Shelly

A Monument to God and Man

I am transfixed and in awe of another mountain range, it is a mountain range that is not made up of rocks and stones that have been heaped up on the earth for thousands upon thousands of years. Instead, this is a mountain range in the midwest created with the hand of steel, fiberglass, cement, and the sweat of man's brow.

This is a monument to creativity, imagination, and foresight. It is a testimonial to extraordinary architecture, curved lines, beautiful colors, with spires and tips that can literally reach the sky. It is the Chicago skyline. To me, it is truly a masterpiece created by the inspiration of God and given to man.

-Shelly

Seeing Chicago w/Vali

I have had the most wonderful time with my niece, Vali. Vali arrived on Friday and we have been on a whirlwind march ever since. We visited with my other niece, Cori, her husband, Jeff, and their lovely son, Seth, on Saturday. On Sunday morning we traveled to Dearborn, Michigan to see my sister, Ami. We had a fun time in Dearborn. Besides being w/Ami, John, Max, Tim, Sydney, and Vali; we also met up with some good friends, Shirley and Lee, and toured Henry Ford's Museum. Vali and I returned to Aurora on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning we rode the Metra down to Chicago. Toured the Sears Tower and several 'hot spots' around Chicago. We had such a delightful time that we decided to head back into town and visit Chicago's Field Museum. Tomorrow, Friday, we are heading to Cantingy Park, tour parts of Naperville, and who knows what else we will find to do. Saturday we are heading back to Chicago for a St. Patrick's dinner cruise. We will be feasting on corn beef & cabbage, potatoes, soda and dessert. Then we will rush back to Aurora for a Mystery Dinner activity. Sadly, on Sunday we will be putting Vali on the plane for Salt Lake.

Lynn and I have had a wonderful time being with Vali and sharing her enthusiasm for life. Hopefully, I'll have the pictures I took ready soon so you can actually see for yourselves how much fun we really had this week. :)

-Shelly

Waiting for Vali!

We are SO EXCITED! Our niece, Vali, (residence: Castle Dale, UT) will be coming to visit us for 8 days. We will pick her up tomorrow evening and have planned some fun-filled and memorable activities. We will be heading into Chicago for a few days (my first 'real' time in downtown Chicago), run over a few state lines to Michigan to visit Ami (my sister). Hopefully, I can get a few pictures and words posted next week. If not, tune in to our blog Sunday, March 15th, and you'll more than likely get the total rundown.

-Shelly

The Orient Express? No, It's Metra!

On President’s Day Lynn and I took our (or my) long awaited Metra trip to Union Station in Chicago. We took the train from Aurora to Chicago. Our train stopped at several small communities. It took about an hour to get to Union Station. Once at Union Station, we quickly ran outside the train station to take a few pictures. We looked at the large hall in Union Station with all the hard benches and architectural detail, and then took one of the faster trains back to Aurora. The train didn’t stop at all the little stations like it did on our way to Union Station, but it did stop at our parking lot. It took about 30 minutes to go from Union Station to Aurora. I had a fun time. Lynn groaned; but, I think he had a nice time too.

-Shelly

Chicago, at last!!!!!

Last Friday Lynn and I ventured into the west part of Chicago for a possible job opportunity. These are pictures I took from our car window as we were driving into Chicago. WOW!!!!! It’s a beautiful and spacious skyline. In October (2008), Lynn and I will be celebrating our first year in Illinois and this was the first time we ventured downtown. I am EAGER to explore more of the city. Lynn, on the other hand, said as we were driving into Chicago that he could see himself living in Castle Dale, Utah.