Aloha 3

Wednesday we had a few hours in the morning before Kent gave his last lecture so we did some "sight-seeing". On our way to breakfast we found a little road-side beach/park and took a walk in the sand! It was so wonderful - I love the smell and the sound of the ocean. It really made me miss Bernie's in Mexico!! :) We chased crabs and saw some wild life:

Yes, this is a seal!!

Isn't this amazing?

We had to wash our feet off, of course. We wondered why there weren't low faucets just for feet. :)

After breakfast we went to the temple visitor's center. Mark Eubank was the Elder that took us around - he even gave us a Utah weather report! :)



There are 11 stakes in Laie and each one has a Christmas tree in the Visitor's Center. Here are are 2 of them. Sorry about the blurry ladies - amateur photographer. :(

After our visit inside, we wandered around the beautiful grounds:





While Kent did the final prep on his lecture, I took a nice nap! We walked over to the Aloha Center where he gave his lecture and answered questions - did a marvelous job, of course.

I liked this "action" shot of Kent adjusting his mic before the lecture.

Got one last hug with some of our students and had to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes. But, the bitter was mixed with sweet because we immediately headed off to the PCC for a luau and show with our friends the Garrs. It was great fun - especially to spend an evening with them! Thanks Arnie and Cheri. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the show, these are at the luau:

Front row seats with the Garrs :)

We had to pack when we got "home" because we had to leave early the next morning to catch our flight to Hilo, on the Big Island. Kent took a picture of me wearing all of the leis we both received - the smell was pretty heady! I wish there had been a way to bring them home.


Here are a couple of pictures from the apartment we stayed in:

This is the "yard" behind us

These fell off one of the trees. Don't they look like hula skirts?

This is what they look like on the inside.

Aloha 2

Tuesday Kent did the devotional. Our hosts presented Kent and I with a lovely lei before the devotional. Not surprisingly, Kent's talk was terrific! The best part the luncheon they held for us following the devotional. 5 former Jerusalem students [now attending BYUH] were invited to join us. We love them all so much and it was so good to hug them again!! :)

Lexi, Whitney [Fall 2010]; Denise, Michelle, Raquel [Winter 2011]
Aren't they beautiful??

The weather couldn't have been better - warm and sunny with a nice breeze blowing! We had a bit of time in the afternoon - we both took naps - and then we attended a dinner on campus before going to Kent's lecture at the Stake Center - also on campus. More leis here as well. Kent didn't have a nice relaxing dinner - they had a question and answer session during dinner. I don't know where he stores all the stuff he knows! AND he can remember it all when asked!
At the fireside, we got to see some of our students again, and I sat with our good friends, Arnie and Cheri Garr. They are serving a mission in Hawaii.

This is Kent with our student Raquel.

Aa-lo-ha

Yes, we went to Hawaii! Can you believe it? Neither can I. I'm so thankful for a talented husband who is asked to do things like this! For those of you who know and love him, you won't be surprised that he did a MARVELOUS JOB!! Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about?? Well, let me fill you in. :)
Kent was asked to be the guest speaker at BYU Hawaii this past week. He spoke at the devotional, and gave 2 lectures on campus. We took the opportunity to vacation while we were there! My plan is to share the day-by-days with you.
Day 1: We left Salt Lake on Monday, November 14. You know how I always set off the dingers and have to be patted down? Well, this time I went through the new "body photo" machine - and I didn't HAVE to be pulled aside and wanded - yay!
I had to wear my sleeve for the flight - pictures will be posted later. Worked fine - I guess. The flight was uneventful and direct - thank heavens. Here are some pictures of our drive into Laie after we landed.



We were greeted by the Dean of religion when we got to campus. He showed us to our room - the same one we stayed in the last time! After we had cleaned up a bit, he and his wife took us to dinner at Turtle Bay. Sorry - no pictures. Food was great and we even saw a celebrity. If you were a "Lost" fan - he played John Locke. Now, he is apparently in the current "Hawaii Five-O". Sorry, I don't know his actual name. ;)
By the time we returned to our apartment we were tired - even though the clock said only 8:30 - our bodies were on Orem time - 11:30. That's really late for us old timers!

More Halloween pictures

Lucky us - the grand kids came to our neighborhood first when they began Trick-or-Treating! Here is a picture:

Aspen is a Lala Loopsy with her pet dog/bee; Crash the Ninja; Haley the Geisha; Jackson the Mexican; Lexi the witch; Grandpa; Ethan the Zombie; Max the duck.

2 new cancer adventures!

This past week has been good and not so good. I had an appointment on Tuesday, with a lymphedema specialist. Because I had 9 or 11 [can't remember] lymph nodes removed during my mastectomy, my lymphatic system is now compromised. The smallest infection from a cut, or overdoing heavy lifting with that arm, or getting too much sun - the list goes on - could cause the onset of lymphedema. That means fluid will build up in my arm. The specialist told me the other things that could happen - worst case scenario - but I quit listening. It was too unsettling! There is only a small percent chance that I will develop lymphedema. To reduce that risk I was given a pageful of things to do or not to do.
The main reason I went in was because Dr. Clark prescribed a compression sleeve for me to wear whenever I fly. The specialist took several measurements up and down both arms and then ordered a sleeve that will fit ME. They will call me when it arrives.

Here is what I was sent home with:

This nice bag to hold everything. The bottle is a special soap to clean the sleeve with. The packets are lotion and gel that I use on my arm.

A DVD that I haven't watched yet

I put this on my arm BEFORE I put on the sleeve to help it slide more easily. Then I pull it out once the sleeve is in place.

These lovely gloves, pink of course, help me slide the sleeve and get out all of the wrinkles

Doesn't this all sound so fun?? I have to put the sleeve on 2 hours before I fly and leave it on for 2 hours after I fly.

Now, so that I don't end on a down note - the second experience was a good one. I finally got my prosthesis. The ladies were SO nice and helpful. I feel really good about it!

To improve the mood further - Kent and I have the opportunity to go to Hawaii, again! Not so great for him because he has to speak several times, but we do get a vacation out of it! I just hope my sleeve arrives before we fly out.