Back to life...back to reality

I returned home from my 5 day break to find that both of my computers are infected with malware. Some sort of trojan horse virus has taken over and I cannot get into my computer. I'm a bit scared that I've lost all my photos of Viviana from her birth until now--what a scary thought! No, I don't have a recent back-up.....bad way to learn a lesson. But, both computers were completely backed up oh, about a year ago....yes, I know.....

Curt's corporate computer doesn't always let me onto my blog and I don't know if I'll be able to upload photos to his high-security computer so this post remains bare for now.

That aside, what a wonderful break I had in Utah seeing old friends (thanks Julie, Amy & Mitzie for putting the brunch together!) The only regret I had was not taking pictures! Dang! We were having too much fun catching up that I didn't pull out my camera for a group photo of our old AF buddies.

Stopping at all my 'ole stomping grounds....Roberts, DownEast Home, Rod Works, TaiPan, Finders Keepers just to name a few...I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'd almost move back to Utah just for the shopping. Really. It's like none else.

And finding new places to frequent, my favorite which Mitzie introduced me to, "Dear Lizzie" in Highland. I could have stayed for hours and just looked at all the great Parisian housewares and delicacies....next time! Maybe I could open my own store like that someday just so I could experience it frequently!!! And it's always bittersweet to drive by our old home. You know, the one we built? With hundreds of tulips adorning the walkway that I laboriously planted while very prego with Alexandra? Yeah, it just doesn't look the same. They don't love that home the way I did, that's certain. And what happened to all the tulips???

Women's Conference was a wonderful 'high' even though I'm paying for it with cracked and bleeding heels. And I had good shoes! I'll blame the weather. There were so many 'highs' of the week including the service project Thursday evening putting together newborn kits (which my friends Dixie & Amy were in charge of). I loved sitting with Amy for a few sessions and the challenge of rushing to get in line in hopes that I'd make it into each class I really wanted to experience. Campus was just insane!

It was nice bonding with my friends until the wee-hours of the morning discussing things of the past, present and future. It's nice feeling enriched like I'm capable of managing my family with a nice refreshed head on my shoulders....only time will tell.

For now, I'm loving all the hugs my kiddos saved just for me. I'm loving the renewed vigor I have for life and my divine role. I'm loving trying to see my children and Curt the way our Heavenly Father sees them (TRYING is the key word there), I'm loving all my new clothes from my shopping splurge, I'm loving looking back on my notes and scribbles so that I can apply all the great things I learned.

The crowning experience of WC was standing up as President Monson walked in to the Marriott Center and 20,000+ women impromptu singing "We Thank Thee O, God, For a Prophet." Definite tear-jerker. How grateful I am for our dear Prophet and his words of love...and great stories, no doubt.

Sunday morning a handful of us were able to attend Music and the Spoken Word. I figured with six kids, what other chance would I have to make it to a broadcast? That was definitely a treat as the 'spoken word' was something that I particularly had been thinking and fasting about. It spoke of "The Real Thing" and how authentic human relationships with genuine good people are not always easy to come by. I need to pay less attention to those few in my life who are shadows of the real thing and who are self-servers, not true friends with my best interest in mind. I will find more peace as I focus on the real thing, as an authentic person with good character "is the fairest gem that the riches of worlds can produce." Anyhow, seems so very elementary, but the message directly related to one particular situation in my life that has been a struggle for me. Nothing that I can do will change it...I've tried with more anguish than I'd like to admit. But this 'spoken word' brought more light to this particular relationship and I now understand it a little bit more. And the choir was amazing! Alex Boye sang a number and literally rocked out to "Rock-A-My-Soul in the Bosom of Abraham. I have to say I don't enjoy gospel rock but this was fun...especially in the Tabernacle!

Oh...and coming home...I guess my Nordstrom's shopping experience the night before proved successful. I didn't know I was purchasing full-on ARMOR complete with metals and breast plates! I got the full-on body search at the SLC airport...patted in unsaid places (in public, mind you) that was quite the experience. It WAS the bra--amazing. These babies aren't going anywhere--plastic surgery? I don't think so, not with this armor.