Home in Park City and it is nice to be back, although buried in mail and Christmas and Sam in homework and catching up, ...but nice to unpack and start getting caught up. The weekend was really nice to just get a chance to visit with friends and family. We were able to go visit my cousin David and Carrie and give Sam a chance to play with his cousins. Sam doesn't have many cousins his own age, so it is great when they get together. Saturday evening I was able to see many family friends that I grew up with at our Potomac Ward Christmas. It was so nostalgic really to see so many adults that were such a part of my upbringing and establishing the values and faith that I hold so dear. They have seen me through many phases and have remained loyal and strong examples of faith, hard work, service and fun. In the evening I was able to visit my friend Natalie and her family who I love and only see once a year and never before 10 p.m. and have never left her home before midnight. The craftiest I have ever been in my life was when we lived near each other and had our first babies together in Laguna. I reflect on those days and I think who was I? I was inspired and lifted by my amazing friend Natalie.
Sunday church was wonderful and was reminded through testimonies that were given (the first Sunday of each month people share their beliefs in a reverent way). There were so many sweet lessons that were taught by people's experiences. The most moving was of the woman that had suffered with such ill health and thought there is no way I will ever feel this curse is a blessing, but she had come to realize her illness had been a blessing. It had given her opportunities to witness miracles, to feel God's love through the service and love of others and humbled her and made her spiritually strong. It was very sweet and from the heart and reminded me that adversity is what refines us and can bless us if we allow it.
Sunday evening we dolled up and headed to the Kennedy Center Honors. This year they were recognizing Al Green, Patricia McBride, Sting, Tom Hanks and Lilly Tomlin. It was off the charts! Stars like Lady Gaga, Usher, Jane Fonda, Bruno Mars, David Letterman, "Sue" from Glee, Meryl Streep, Bruce Springstein, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short, Earth Wind and Fire, ...all killed it up on the stage along with the best ballerina I have ever seen that did a tribute dance for Mrs. McBride. It was just an incredible evening! Come to find out at the end of the show my friend Michael Stephens and his father George spoke and announced this was their last Kennedy Center Honors, a show George had created and begun 37 years ago. I was so shocked. CBS is going to have someone else produce it next year. There is no way anyone can gather more talent and put on a better show than what we witnessed last night. My hats off to the Stephens for their incredible job. It was exciting for Sam to see all these celebs along with all the DC big hitters including the President and First Lady! What a night to send us off from our east coast trip, knocking off the Kennedy Center as a memorial to JFK and having a lesson in the arts! After a dinner that went well past midnight and a few turns on the dance floor with my hot dates, Sam and Nathan, we headed back home and then left for DC today.
Sunday church was wonderful and was reminded through testimonies that were given (the first Sunday of each month people share their beliefs in a reverent way). There were so many sweet lessons that were taught by people's experiences. The most moving was of the woman that had suffered with such ill health and thought there is no way I will ever feel this curse is a blessing, but she had come to realize her illness had been a blessing. It had given her opportunities to witness miracles, to feel God's love through the service and love of others and humbled her and made her spiritually strong. It was very sweet and from the heart and reminded me that adversity is what refines us and can bless us if we allow it.
Sunday evening we dolled up and headed to the Kennedy Center Honors. This year they were recognizing Al Green, Patricia McBride, Sting, Tom Hanks and Lilly Tomlin. It was off the charts! Stars like Lady Gaga, Usher, Jane Fonda, Bruno Mars, David Letterman, "Sue" from Glee, Meryl Streep, Bruce Springstein, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short, Earth Wind and Fire, ...all killed it up on the stage along with the best ballerina I have ever seen that did a tribute dance for Mrs. McBride. It was just an incredible evening! Come to find out at the end of the show my friend Michael Stephens and his father George spoke and announced this was their last Kennedy Center Honors, a show George had created and begun 37 years ago. I was so shocked. CBS is going to have someone else produce it next year. There is no way anyone can gather more talent and put on a better show than what we witnessed last night. My hats off to the Stephens for their incredible job. It was exciting for Sam to see all these celebs along with all the DC big hitters including the President and First Lady! What a night to send us off from our east coast trip, knocking off the Kennedy Center as a memorial to JFK and having a lesson in the arts! After a dinner that went well past midnight and a few turns on the dance floor with my hot dates, Sam and Nathan, we headed back home and then left for DC today.
Karen--You don't know me but I'm the wife of Jamie Johnson, Nathan's childhood friend (and a long-ago SkiUtah intern!) We received your Christmas card and I had to check-out your blog because you are living my dream with your Sam this year! In fact, I was looking at an extended home exchange in Europe next year but sadly it didn't work out but I'm hoping/praying for the opportunity in the future. I'll be eagerly following your adventures because I'd love nothing more than to give my kiddos the same opportunity. Kudos to you and God bless!
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