He knows us.

I continue to be amazed by my Heavenly Father. Not that I've ever doubted his magnificence. I've experienced the miracle of perfection in our tiny new grandbabies, and in the awe-inspiring grandeur of Zions Canyon and the Pacific Ocean. But what I am always amazed at, is that Heavenly Father knows me. He knows me. He knows me! He knows my heart. He hears my prayers. He answers my prayers. And when I need Him to, He answers them quickly. Recently I've had an attitude about some issues. I didn't like the way I was feeling about these issues. In fact, to be honest, my heart was hurting over my attitude about these issues. Like a physical ache. And you probably know that when Satan sees someone at the tiniest bit of a low point, he thinks he can squeeze his little toe in the door and then his foot and then his leg and then his bum and then his other leg...and well, before you know it, he's got his whole self inside your home and your life and your head. I didn't want to have these feelings and I really needed the Lord's help. This morning in Sacrament meeting, the Spirit was so strong, and everything that was spoken was exactly what I needed to hear. And I was so aware even at that moment, that Heavenly Father was answering my prayer. He heard my pleading, He knows my heart, and he made me aware of the fact that those messages were for me. I love my Heavenly Father.

We took a different ferry back to Washington. This one took us through the San Juan Islands. They said it takes about 2 hrs and 15 minutes. I wasn't keeping track, and the time seemed to fly by. Before we knew it, it was time to get back into our car and get ready to make like a tree and leaf!

This ferry took us real close to Whidbey Island, so we spent a couple hours with Grandma and Grandpa Talbot. They are such amazing people. So Christ-like.

We went to an early dinner at Zorba's with Helen and Cecil. It was my first time going to a Greek restaurant. Yummy!

Canada is such an interesting place. I love odd signs, and this place is FULL of odd signs and weird names of things. For instance, there are two things you can do at this park. Can you guess what they are?

...and apparently they teach their kids it's OK to play on the highway:

They must be REALLY good at Dodge Ball!

Every-thing in this town must feel like such an emerg-ency!

Butchart Gardens

When my family's vacation took them to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) back in 1978, I'll be the first to admit I was thrilled that I had just started my first "real" job and couldn't take time off work to go. Silly, immature 17 year-old me! *Add this to the list of regrets from my childhood! I'm pretty sure I never would have appreciated it like I did today. This place was AH-mazing! Each garden was more impressive than the one before it! Here's me to Ron: Ooh! I want to transform our backyard into an English garden, with rose covered arches!

then,"Ooh! I want to transform our backyard into a Japanese Zen garden, with a Pagoda water feature!

then, Ooh! I want to transform our backyard into an Italian garden with window flower boxes and naked statuary!

then, Ooh! I want to transform our backyard into a gravel pit, then transform it into a gigantic world famous garden that people come from miles and miles to see and pay tons of money to feel sad that their backyards mostly grow moss and mushrooms!

Yep, it was pretty darn cool! Thanks Honey, for taking this bratty 17 year old (just a few years removed) to the "gardens". My mom was right, I loved it!

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

We had such a great time this week and experienced so many fun things. This is the fancy shmancy Empress Hotel...

...where Afternoon Tea is served each day...and where we did not stay................................................................................. This is the fancy shmancy Super 8 Motel where they serve a decent continental breakfast and no Afternoon Tea...and where we did stay.

...And notice how the three "Super 8" flags across the front of the building give it that International flare! Are ya with me on that?

Vancouver Island

Ron is taking me on little excursions to show me the beauties of the Pacific Northwest. Not that he need take me any further than our own little town for that, but it has been fun to see all these places through his eyes. Leaving Port Angeles on our way to British Columbia. I love that I get near the water, any water, and suddenly my hair turns into a Chia Pet! Eeesh!

We had set the camera to take the beautiful Olympic Mountains, with a small view of us in the foreground. Then we asked a lady on the ferry if she'd mind taking the picture for us. While we were standing there, she started moving the settings on the camera..what?? who does that? So here is a BIG shot of us and no Olympic Mountains! I guess she minded taking the picture! hahaha!

Coming into the harbor...so beautiful!

Coming back to our car from the restaurant we walked past a phone booth. When was the last time you saw a real phone booth? I didn't know they still existed!

Tomorrow: Butchart (pronounced, Boo-Shart, NOT Butt-Chart) Gardens. Can't wait!

Childhood revisited

The window in my art room is open. A warm breeze occasionally whispers in through the screen, along with one of the best summertime smells ever, freshly mowed grass. I can hear the squeals and yells of older kids playing nighttime games in the neighborhood behind our house. I am transported back to 1973, playing "kick the can" and "hide and seek" with all the kids on First Street. It is a welcomed delight to the senses. Hello Summer. I've missed you.