Last week at this time, I was working our Annual Convention at the Salt Palace. I get the opportunity each year to spend 4 days at the Hospitality Desk. I am always amazed at how kind and good people are. I get to meet people from all around the world, from different religions, from different socio-economic backgrounds . . . and everyone is happy and excited to be there.
Our keynote speaker was Doug Wead. He talked about how when he was younger he took a class or two of Spanish in school but dropped out. "I could have learned a second language if I wanted to, I just didn't". He talked about how he started taking clarinet lessons and decided it was too hard. "So what if I can't play an instrument, I could have if I wanted to, I just didn't". He talked about how he didn't play basketball in school or learn to type. "The only difference between you and me is that you learned how and I didn't". He emphasized that now is the time to do all these things that we want to if we don't want to spend the rest of our lives saying "I could have . . ."
I spend so much time over the four days helping people and being buoyed up by people that I leave with a much better outlook on life. People are good and kind and entertaining and really a lot of fun. I think I forget that the rest of the year when I sit at my desk and talk to accountants (no offence meant to my fellow accountants). I also left the convention weekend with sore feet, tight shoulders, no voice, no sleep, a dirty house, a husband and daughter who don't remember me, and a great desire to return to my normal job!
Go XanGo!
ps, props to Scott for being a great single dad from Wenesday through Saturday night!
Merry Christmas!!
Maddy didn't seem to care too much about this special day. I've been told that Christmas is a bit more fun for a 2 year old than a 10 month old, so next year should be more exciting.
This was our attempt at a self-portrait. Not too bad. 
We have the same eyes. That just melts my heart. I sure love being Maddy's mommy.
Looks like a whole new house doesn't it?!!
Later in the day Katie brought the kids to trick or treat around the office. What a great looking bunch of kids!
(Maddy looks like she smells some cows in the pasture!)
As Mary and Ryan and kids drove through town on their way to their new house, we took the opportunity to take a photo of all 13 grandkids. Unfortunately, with 13 grandkids, you can never get a photo where everyone is looking forward and paying attention. Close though!
The Granddaughters.
The weekend before last we got to see the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. WOW! It was soo cool!! I was surprised at how many songs I knew. This goes back to Mr. Pierce in Jr. High who was a huge Beatles fan. In Mixed Chorus - 9th grade, we sang two medleys of Beatles songs. Mr. Pierce decided that this didn't cover enough of their songs and so he wrote a third medley for us. The result is that I know the 
choruses to about every Beatles song there is but I couldn't sing a full song through to save my life.
Last week at this time, I was working our Annual Convention at the Salt Palace. I get the opportunity each year to spend 4 days at the Hospitality Desk. I am always amazed at how kind and good people are. I get to meet people from all around the world, from different religions, from different socio-economic backgrounds . . . and everyone is happy and excited to be there.
All this Sunday afternoon. Scott said that she's been doing this for a few days but boy, it was a lot of new tricks for me to see as "firsts" all in one day. Oh, and she also hits her fingers on her mouth while making a sustained "ah" by herself. She loves the sound that it makes when I do the indian war cry with my fingers hitting over her mouth and I guess she just had to learn to do it herself since I was gone. My sweet, big girl! 
I made these great wreaths tonight. I love the way that 
they turned out. Pretty darn good considering I'm not crafty! 
