Our hikes

I'm grateful for our family hikes and am especially grateful that we have managed to resurrect them in the past couple of weeks. We used to hike every weekend before Oliver was two but then got to a stage when Oliver was too big to carry on a hike and too uninterested to go on any! Now that he's a bit older though we've found that he manages walking much better and seems to enjoy going on a hike a lot more than he used to. Ben fits right into our little Baby Bjorn we have for him and falls asleep as soon as he's in the fresh air.

One of our favourite hikes (that is a mere 10 min drive from our flat) is a small peak called Cairn Mon Earn and close to the site of an old Roman camp. We've hiked it twice in the last two weeks and it gives great views of the surrounding area. We'll have to make sure that Nana is able to make it up there if she makes it here one last time before we leave.

I'm grateful for live music!

I've become a little bit of a concert junkie since coming to LA. I can't really help it! I have so many opportunities to see amazing live music. A couple weeks ago a friend on mine and I went and saw Regina Spektor. It was so awesome! The venue was this outdoor concert hall called the Greek. It was a little chilly that night (for LA) but the blowing wind added a fun effect to the already awesome concert. Regina didn't seem to mind. The wind tossled her hair but she's just say cute things like, 'I hope our love is keeping y'all warm tonite.' Coming from Russia I guess she can handle adverse weather. She's a good performer live.

My favorite of hers, ever since Mercedes mentioned it back in '06, is 'Fidelity.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGTDRztaCCw
It has about 14 000 000 views, and I'm sure about 5 000 of them are mine. I just LOVE the music and the artistry of the video. So I was stoked first of all that she was performing here at all and secondly that I would be able to hear my favorite song live. I kept waiting for it and waiting for it- she performed some songs with her band and then on her own. Then she brought out her guitar... I kept wondering when she'd play 'Fidelity.' Well the concert ended and she began an encore, of course. Still I didn't hear my familiar favorite! Well... she finished up that song and the band came back out. Only then did I hear the familiar strains of the bouncy opening to one of my favorites. I felt complete. It was awesome to hear a fun variation on it :)

I'm grateful for goals

So my marathon is coming up on Saturday. I'm pretty nervous about it. That said, I've been pretty diligent about following my training schedule and building up my stamina. I haven't been perfect (which may account for some of the nervousness) but its been such a great experience getting in shape in preparation for this big day. I've had fitness goals in the past (ie lose weight) but after a while I lose interest and my goal fades. The marathon goal has been so much better in the sense that I'm preparing for some particular event or activity. It has kept me very motivated and focused. I think that having a very specific objective is important in goal setting no matter what area we're focusing on. I'm trying to apply that to other areas now. Instead of a goal to "read my scriptures", I've set a goal to "finish the Doctrine and Covenants before the end of the year". Then, I try to work up a schedule to help achieve it. I hope that is helpful to some of you!

I'm grateful for my kids!

We took some pictures at the temple on Monday night. No one was there, so we were just enjoying the grounds and running from place to place. I was carrying Jack while the boys were chasing us. Jack let out a squeal of such delight it made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes at the same time. Having all of these little ones has really helped me see so much beauty and joy in this world. I'm so grateful for them!

Thanksgiving

Hi Gang,

This is the season of thanksgiving and Nana just sent a blog about the mountains and how thankful she is to be able to hike and see such fabulous scenery.

We have a tradition in Canada, borrowed from the British, to wear poppies in remembrance of those who have sacrificed for our country. I am thankful for these brave men and women and the sacrifices they have made so we can enjoy the freedom and prosperity we have today. Many others around the world are not so fortunate, and live in countries where their leaders exploit them and take away their freedoms.

We may not always agree with the politics and complexities of war, but we can acknowledge and praise the brave men and women who have done what their country has asked them to do. I pray that our family and our posterity will always enjoy freedom.

It would be interesting to hear what others reading the blog are thankful for right now.

Luv,

Gramps

I thought doing The Limbo was supposed to be fun

Jordan and I are in limbo. Limbo, according to the Catholic church, is where lost souls abide on the edge of Hell. Although I enjoy getting overly dramatic about things at times, I wouldn't say we are abiding on the edge of Hell just yet. We are however, in a rather uncomfortable spot of transition where we are neither at our destination nor are we fully at our point of (intended) departure and as much as we try to proactively steer our own ship, we find ourselves inevitably at the mercy of the waves and storms of flat sales, job offers and passport applications.

From some brief internet research I read regarding the Limbo dance (which originates from Trinidad): "It is believed, that the people of Trinidad during this dance portrayed going down in the hold of a slave ship which carried them off into slavery. No matter how they twist or turn, squirmed or arched they would go deeper and deeper, some would make it, some would not."

This story, the image of the struggling and squirming, resonates with me - I don't mean to trivialise the plight of the slaves - I just mean I understand trying to wriggle through a situation while watching the bar above steadily lower down on me. This is not a post of sadness, hopelessness or the thoughts of one lacking faith - this is just where we're at right now. I mean just look at that guy in the picture - it's not an easy position to be in. It takes muscles, stamina and some fire retardant clothing.

I Love the Mountains, I Love the Rolling Hills

It's been cold and rainy for the past few days - Winter is coming.
Sadly, that means my hiking days for the year are pretty well done.

I'm grateful for so many happy hiking memories. And I'm grateful too for Grandpa Young and Pop who passed on their love of the mountains to me and the Young family, as well as to my own Schneider family (Beej I love your facebook profile photo!)
I hope to have some happy hiking memories with each of you this coming year.

1st photo -
Snow Lake, September 2009

2nd photo - Rattlesnake Ledge,
August 2009