Spring and Baseball ??

You can just tell that spring is in Chicagoland’s air. The news topics around here have changed from corrupt governors, Chicago Bulls, and outrageous movie stars to Chicago's real love, which is BASEBALL!!! In fact, the main topic of one of our morning news shows was a poll being conducted on which baseball team, the Chicago White Sox or the Chicago Cubs have the best fan base. If you want to want to place your vote click here http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/debates/. So far with 11 days remaining, the White Sox fans are winning the poll!

My niece, Cori, her husband Jeff, and their son,Seth, live about an hour north from us and they have a soft or favorable spot for the Chicago Cubs. Lynn has a more practical approach when it comes to Chicago’s baseball teams. He says the Chicago White Sox are like Rodney Dangerfield, they ‘get no respect’, so that means Lynn leans a little bit farther to the White Sox bench. I like watching both teams. Since spring is in the air and Tuesday’s White Sox opening game is fast approaching let’s stop slinging hash and start playing Ball!!! The pennant and bragging rights are up this year for grabs.
-Shelly

In Honor of Mom's Everywhere!

In honor of mothers and to the strong and beautiful women who mother other mothers children, thank you for being you and for sharing your love and tenderness with us. We love you!

Shelly & Lynn

A great visit with the Bates & Mohr Families

Lynn and I are having the time of our lives with family visits. Lisa, my sister, and her family are in Chicago visiting their daughter, Cori. For some of Lisa's family, they are meeting Seth for the very first time. We got the entire gang together last night in Glenview at Hackney's Restaurant. I will be heading with Lisa, Steve, Kim and Andrew for a fun-filled adventure to Nauvoo, IL. We will come back tomorrow. Poor Lynn, Cori and Jeff have to work, so sadly, they will not be able to go with us to Nauvoo. Picture postings of Nauvoo will be posted soon.

-Shelly

A friends blog WORTH reading

I have a friend in Idaho who's daughter has Cystic Fibrosis (CF). A year ago she crashed and had to have a double lung transplant. She has written a blog that chronicles her ordeals, her faith, her highs, and her lows.. That she is alive today is a miracle. I thought it good enough to post a link to her blog on our sideboard to the right. I think that for it to make more sense you should start at the older posts and follow them to the present. Her name is Jamie. If you know anyone who has Cystic Fibrosis, refer them to her site, it would be worth their time. She is more than willing to communicate with others about her illness, and has done so with many people.
Lynn

A week with Vali

Last week with Vali (our niece) was wonderful as we toured various parts of Chicagoland. We had a nice time when we visited my sister Ami in Dearborn, MI. I am going through over a hundred pictures (I'm not kidding either) of our outings so I can post some of them, send copies to Vali, and to just categorize them. Here is a picture we had taken of the three of us when we were sampling brewed root beer at Walter Payton's Roundhouse Restaurant. I have more pictures to post or I will put them on a small video at another time.
-Shelly

Second Missionary from the Hook Siblings

Just wanted to report that my nephew just received his mission call to go to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. Our second Missionary, and the first foriegn Missionary.He is leaving on Aug 6th. He is bummed though. He was hoping that it would be sooner than that......Congratulations David you will do well.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Lynn & Shelly

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wow! It has been amazing living in Chicagoland. The communities that dot the landscape surrounding Chicago and Chicago itself really get active and festive for their holidays. North Chicago celebrates St. Patrick's Day the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Then the South side of Chicago follows suit and celebrates the 'BIG GREEN' day on Sunday. Parades, dying parts of the Chicago River green, wacky and elaborate St. Patrick's Day costumes, are all part of the holiday revelry.

Since Vali (our niece) was in Chicago during this spirited and fun holiday. We decided to celebrate as well. We took advantage of the day by cruising through the lime, slime, shamrock green Chicago River dining on corn beef & cabbage, potatoes, etc. while admiring Chicago's architecture.

So, on behalf of the Chicagoland community, Lynn and I would like to be the first to wish you a HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. (The green dye is harmless to the environment and wildlife and will be gone by the end of the week.) May the Luck of the Irish be with ye this week and always!

-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

More Snow ...

The snow is flying everywhere today. More snowball type snow storms are heading our way during the week. My friend sent me this picture and I thought it was appropriate for the day. :)

I actually did leave our little cat CC outside. If it wasn't for Lynn's good ears she would have spent the entire night outdoors.

-Shelly

From "The Conversation Piece"

Here's a little tidbit from a book titled, "The Conversation Piece", authored by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie. Lynn and I thought we'd share with you some of their conversation pieces and see if their ideas could get you talking or 'thinking' of things you might not consider unless the question was asked. Here is the conversation piece for this week.

"Suppose you owned a large home in the country with a huge circular drive. If you could place one thing in the center of that circle to greet your guests as they approached your home, what would it be?"

If you know me, you wouldn't be the least surprised to find a giraffe enclosure in my circular space that would give me and my house guests the rare opportunity of a man/woman/child-to-giraffe and giraffe-to-man/woman/child relationship.

Lynn, on the other hand, wants just a nice tailored yard with grass, flowers, and bushes that he doesn't have to take care of but can utilize when he needs a bit of fresh air, a little serenity, and a quiet place to think. :)
-Shelly

I Have a Question!

Can you answer these?

If one doctor doctors another doctor does the doctor who doctors the doctor doctor the doctor the way the doctor he is doctoring doctors? Or does the doctor doctor the way the doctor who doctors doctors?

If something happened in the nineteenth century, but nobody really knew about it until the twentieth century, which century should it be tested with? Does the answer change for something that was started in the nineteenth century but continued on into the twentieth century?And who, pray tell, made a reading list that lumps the two centuries together and then organized the exam with them separate?

What about saying these tongue twisters really fast?

• A good cook could cook as much cookies as a good cook who could cook cookies
• I saw a saw that could out saw any other saw I ever saw.
• Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said "this butter's bitter! But a bit of better butter will but make my butter better" So she bought some better butter, better than the bitter butter, and it made her butter better so 'twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter!
• I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.

Have a Good Week and Happy Valentine's Day! ! :)

Happy Groundhog Day!

Here's a Little Groundhog

(can be sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")

Here's a little groundhog

Furry and brown

He's coming up

To look around

If he sees his shadow

Down he goes

Then six more weeks

Of winter snows.

Lynn & Shelly

A Comment From Garfield

We received this cartoon from one of our fantastic friends and E-mail buddy. Looking down at our (Lynn and my) physiques, Garfield clarifies everything.

-Shelly

*** Fox River !! ***

It has been very cold in Eastern Aurora (IL) this season. We had a temporary thaw about a month ago which caused some flooding in Chicagoland. Aurora was spared. Some of the Naperville residents that lived on the Dupage River had water coming into their homes because of the rapid amount of rain we received. Once again though it has turned bitterly cold. I think December and January's high temperatures have been 10 degrees above zero and lower. Many days we woke up to below zero temps. Here are a few pictures a photographer on the Internet took of the Fox River in Jan. 2008. (The Fox River flows through downtown Aurora breaking the city into Eastern Aurora and Western Aurora. Lynn and I live in East, East Aurora. We border the Naperville/Aurora bounderies.) I loved the pictures. The snow we've accumulated this year though is deeper than the pictures indicate. We drove over the Fox River on Friday and the ice is pretty thick and snow covered in many places.

-Shelly

Dust Ourselves Off!

..."We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. ..."

President Barack H. Obama
1/20/2009

Good Things

I am back on the unemployment line again. I was hoping to work with the Samaritan Counseling Center http://www.samaritancounselingnwsub.org/sam.htm for at least a few years. However, wishing and actually ‘doing it’ are two different things. During these difficult and hard times, individuals, along with families, need the professional help they will find at the Samaritan Counseling Center. For me, there are no hard feelings since I learned so much from those I worked with in just a short amount of time. Experience is my greatest teacher.

I am doing fine. I have filed for unemployment, along with nearly a quarter million other folks in the United Sates. I am back with Kelly Temps and I am registered with JobFox, Monster, LDS Employment, etc. I know things will work out for the best.

Lynn received a bit of ‘good’ news this week. His Commanding Officers wants to try and make Lynn’s position with them a “civilian” job rather than a contracting position. The procedures for a change like this may take a year or so, or not happen at all. But, I think the Army Command Center Lynn is with now has found out how valuable he is as a team member. So, to keep the position from not being renewed or even moved to another area, they want to create a position just for him.

Good things are happening to us and God continues to bless us every day.

-Shelly

It is Darn Cold Outside ...

The last few days have been cold in Chicagoland. Yesterday we woke up to a 20 below temperature, with the wind chill Aurora was 35 below. But, this morning we woke up in Aurora at 30 below, you can only imagine how much colder it felt with the wind chill. Never fear though. Lynn and I, Maxwell and CC are all doing well. We are warm and safe. Today’s high temperature (expected in the evening hours) will be 7 above. It is funny when 7 degrees is considered to be warm.

-Shelly

More Snow ...

At least someone in our family is enjoying the snowfall we're receiving. Our snow started early Friday morning, tapered off for a few hours and then resumed in the late afternoon. We have around six inches of snow on the ground in Aurora. According to the weather folks we're to continue the accumulation until this evening.

Our cat, CC, truly enjoys the snow on our deck. She jumps in it, tail flying everywhere. CC will try and grab the snow in her paws and does something like a belly flop into the deeper snow banks. Then she'll move to drier ground to warm and prep up (at least that's what I think she's doing) and then starts the fun all over again. CC is really humorous to watch. If Lynn or I throw a snowball, she'll chase after the snowball. If the snowball is on the ground she'll move the snowball all around until it's crumbled to pieces. It is fun to watch her. Our other cat, Maxwell, looks at the snow from the safety of the doorway. We do enjoy watching both of our cats antics and quirky personalities.
-Shelly

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Lynn & Shelly

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!