RING OF FIRE

We experienced the phenomena of the RING OF FIRE! Blue skies, sunshine and warmth. It was perfect weather for an eclipse.

Our original plans were to drive over to Rakai's and then up to the old airport but when we realized there was a perfect view from Tonaquint Elementary we decided to go there instead. We called the boys and told them to come to us.

Asa was the driver and drove the Montero up the dirt road behind the school. We were on top of the hills and had an excellent view of the sky and Green Valley. It was pretty awesome. Ra got out and set up the chairs. Asa got out and lifted the hood of the car to check the oil while we waited for the boys to show up. I turned on the acoustic blues channel of Pandora Radio. Asa said, "mom it's like we are stranded in the middle of nowhere and dad's over there playing the blues on the guitar."

Ammon to the rescue! Blazing a trail of dust they pulled up in the toyota. They all climbed up on the mattress in the bed of the truck and we watched and waited for the RING OF FIRE. Excellent memory!

CATCHING UP

I have mounds of homework to do but I'm way overdue on a blog update so I'm delaying my deadlines to catch up on the blog.

First of all, thanks to all of you who continually ask about Ammon. We continue to feel your love and concern and your prayers continue to work miracles in his behalf. Ammon started sitting in the Hyperbaric Chamber at the IHC wound clinic on September 6th. He goes every day for two hours. Sadly we do not have pictures. 

I've often thought how much better it was when he was in Flagstaff and I could leave the world of work and school behind every weekend. When I was in Flagstaff I could devote my entire focus to his care. While it is wonderful to have him home in St. George, I am surrounded by all the responsibilities of daily living and I am unable to attend doctor appointments or the hyperbaric chamber when he goes.

As a result I get visits and phone calls at work. Yesterday Ammon showed up at work stood in the doorway of my office and said, "look ma...no crutches." It was a time to celebrate. Of course I pulled out my phone and clicked a few photos. He ran up and down the hall, did a few karate kicks and showed me how the new boot works. Pretty awesome! I warmed up some soup for him and he ate at my desk while I continued to work. Then he was off to hang out with his friend and I was back to work. 

Doctors are impressed by the miraculous speedy recovery and healing that is taking place for Ammon. We know it is through the power of the Priesthood and the prayers offered in his behalf that he is alive and he has a leg. There is no greater joy than to remember the first phone call from Matt and then to see where he is now. He is alive and he has his leg. There are not words to describe the gratitude we feel for the ability to experience Ammon's positive perspective on life every day. 

A couple of weeks ago Ammon surprised Karamea as he traveled up north. She sent this beautiful picture of the two of them. 

Now we look forward to the return of our missionary in six weeks time. This thanksgiving will be filled with the sweet sound of Love At Home. This was the scene in my home two years ago and will be the scene in my home in six weeks. The joy in my soul cannot be explained in words.

PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND

Finally a new post!  Asa has been saying, "Mom it's been more than a month."  He's right.

Last weekend was beautiful.  It was Valentine's Day, Presidents Day and Soccer Tournament!  Mother nature cooperated with blue skies, sunshine and sixty degree temperatures.  We had visitors!

The Bailey Family came for the weekend.  Cameron, Terina, Hayden, Karenza and Tyla Jade.  The kids had fun playing together.  We walked up to Petroglyph Rock and hiked around the Red Hills.  Karenza wanted to climb through the slice in the rock a couple of times.  Asa went with her.  We had Family Home Evening on Monday night with Michael, Kristina and their family.  Lots of food!  Terina taught the children a maori song.  

We missed Rakai, Karamea and Isaac with us.  But we will always miss the times when we are all not here.  

Asa played his soccer games at the new Mesquite Regional Park.  It was built by the PGA Long Drive Association and will be used for Long Drives, Soccer and Football.  It's a beautiful place.  After the games were over we stayed to have lunch at the park.  I couldn't resist taking a few photos.  Soccer is the love of our lives!

 

ISAAC'S MISSIONARY FAREWELL

Isaac reports for his mission on Wednesday. We celebrated this weekend. We enjoyed a family gathering on Saturday night - good food and good conversation. Today he gave his talk in the Bloomington 7th Ward. He is so excited to serve his mission.

The focus of his talk was his love for the Book of Mormon. He quoted scriptures and told stories and said that he feels addicted to the words. He just can't get through the day without reading it.

Isaac has experienced complete conviction of the heart and is ready to serve. We are happy for him but will miss him very much.

Not far from our minds throughout this weekend is the fact that Rakai will be leaving for New Zealand on November 30. His one way ticket is scheduled and he is ready for new adventure.

Everything changes.

TRYING TO LEAVE

After Isaac's farewell and all the pictures were done, Karamea tried to leave...this is how it went.

WE ARE SICK

About a month ago Isaac got sick. Then Ammon...then ME...then Asa...then Rakai...then Isaac again. NO it is not swine flu. But this has not been enjoyable. I was particularly bummed because I had not missed a day of work for 10 years and then I missed 1 day. Now I can't say that anymore. But still...

Take EmergenC everyday of your life and you will continue to be healthy.

Despite our germ infested house, some of Ra's family visited for the weekend. Tali was baptized yesterday and we celebrated just the way Puriri's celebrate - lots of food and fun. Colin and Coi and their family stayed with us for a couple of days. They boys always have fun together and we enjoy having them come. We said goodboye to Grandpa and Grandma for a while. They are headed to New Zealand until January. We are sad that they will miss Isaac's farewell but happy that they are going to their native land for a while.

Karamea had to work so she couldn't come. We missed having her home with us.

DAY TRIP

Today we decided to escape the heat and head for Kolob Reservoir. It was a beautiful day! We love the peace and simplicity of the world around us. The drive was wonderful, the reservoir was perfect. I even had a chance to do a little tree meditation and read my book.

On the way home Asa noticed a beautiful meadow. A wide open expanse of yellow grain, cows grazing in the pasture and exquisite red rocks in the background. It will take your breath away. As we passed Asa said, "I love this world."

GIFTS FROM THE EASTER BUNNY

The Planet Earth arrived in our Easter Basket yesterday morning. Well, 3 volumes of the amazing BBC production. We watched the first volume last night. Two questions

How did they do that? and What was God thinking?

You absolutely must see The Planet Earth!

POSTED IN THE KITCHEN

Each of us is connected to a cosmic umbilical cord, receiving spiritual nourishment from God each moment. Yet in slavish dedication to the dictates of a fear-based ego, we resist the elixir of divine sustenance, preferring instead to drink the poison of the world. It's so amazing that we do this, given the extraordinary pain that underlies so much of daily living. Yet the mental confusion created by our dominant thought forms is so intense, and we are so trained by the world to do fear's bidding, that deliverance comes at most in flashes.

Can you imagine a brain that thinks like this enough to translate the thoughts to paper? Only in a world that belongs to Neal A Maxwell maybe.

Except Hamilton doesn't get it...but then he's ten.

A family that blogs together,

loves and lives together.

Now there are officially 5 bloggers in the house.

Dad: ...he has quite a few, about a few different things. email him to get the links: tradewarrior@gmail.com
Mom: laninina.blogspot.com
Karamea: karameapearl.blogspot.com/
Asa: asapuriri.blogspot.com/
Hamilton: hamiltonpuriri.blogspot.com/

What's going on with your family??

Prologue

HAKARI - The letters actually have meaning. While searching through a Maori/English Dictionary for a word to describe our family I came across the word H A K A R I. The letters of the word jumped out at me and I realized they were the first initials of the names of our children. The word means "gift" in the maori language. What could be more appropriate?

This is the blog of the greatest family ever. We love each other. No really! We love each other. So much that when we are apart it's like a body part is missing. When Rakai was in Hawaii he just wanted to come home to his family. And while in California he always wanted us to visit. While Karamea has been in Florida she talks of her family and posts crazy photos of her brothers on her blogs. Isaac took a piece of our hearts with him to Germany. He realizes now how important his family is and says that when he returns we will spend more time together. Our family began 25 years ago when Ra and Lani met in Salt Lake City. But that's another story for another time. Right now you need to meet our children...