Birthday Weekend

Sometimes I need to escape. I'm okay for awhile and then BAM... I want out and I want out now. That's what happened on a Thursday afternoon. I booked a trip to St. George and texted Brett to pack his bags for the weekend. His response? "Sounds good. Are you taking control of your birthday weekend?" I smiled. He knows me so well.

Brett likes to ask two questions. First, "Does it get any better than this?" and "What was your favorite part?" I smile at the first and never know how to answer the second. I love to enjoy every moment, and I don't like to pick favorites. Brett, to answer your questions this time... my birthday weekend couldn't have been better and everything was my favorite.

During the drive to and from St. George, I read aloud "The Art of Dancing in the Rain." That book kills me... in a good way. I had to stop reading several times to ponder, cry and shake my fist. So many good lessons to learn, so many things to reflect on, so much love, so much forgiveness, so much hope. I love seeing life through the eyes of others.

Also, during the drive there were two moments that took my breath away. We were passing a vehicle, using the oncoming traffic lane, which ALWAYS makes me so nervous. I was holding Brett's hand and began tightening my grip when he turned to me and lovingly said, "You're safe." His words pierced my heart. At that moment, time stood still. I wanted to feel as safe as I felt at that very moment for the rest of my life.

The other moment was driving down the road while listening to Brook play the ukelele while Bre sang along. They were singing "Lazy" and laughing as they changed the lyrics to be appropriate. I turned to Brett and said, "These are the moments I will miss." I even secretly recorded them... a recording I will always treasure. I'm grateful for peaceful and fun sister moments.

Brook is totally amazing me with her skills. Since she's been playing the violin since she was six, picking up the guitar and ukelele comes as second nature. She watches a Youtube video and BAM she's playing right along. Bre then chimes in with singing and it's priceless! I'm grateful our girls got their grandma Lynette's musical talents! Too bad it skipped a generation!

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I believe that is true. If I had time, I'd write those thousand words for every single pic. Instead, I will share each pic with only a caption... yet for me there is an entire story behind each one.

As the winter ends and spring begins, I rejoice in every flower...

I crave color so much!

This guitar took my breath away. Nestled in a round-about,

it seems out of place, yet home.

More art... with 3 crazy girls.

Don't ask... we just couldn't resist being silly.

I love my girls. They make me smile. This is what happens when I ask for their picture. Why be normal? Instead, mimic the crab...

and let the crab pinch your head.

There is something about running in the water that I crave. It reminds me of running through the mountain streams as a little girl. When I see my girls playing in the water, my heart rejoices.

Bre keeps telling us she's white, but that she has a black woman trapped inside her. I keep telling her it's just her shadow, but she doesn't believe me.

I fit perfectly in his arms.

After some begging, Brett agreed to lay on the warm concrete in the sunshine... his arm as my pillow. I just couldn't get enough of the sun!

Awkward... and fun. Good thing Brett's got muscles.

That's a heavy sack of potatoes!

I absolutely LOVE this pic of Brook. She is full of so much joy.

There are times when I can't resist taking pic after pic.

Run, Brook, run! Be young and free!

My sweet family at Bryce Canyon. We froze a bit, but the view was worth it.

Isn't God grand?!

Oh, the beauty!

I could sit and soak in the beauty for hours!

One big castle.

Magnificent!

This is our souvenir photo!

Goochie-goochie-goo! We think we are so funny!

Don't ask what we did to deserve jail time.

Oh wait, now I know why Bre deserves jail time!

But the mommy? Let her free!

Brett promised the girls we'd return one day and sleep in a teepee.

When we do, it's got to be warmer than 50 degrees!

We stayed at Coral Spring Resort. The girls loved that they got to choose between 4 beds. Of course they both chose the top!

Lovely family room where we watched "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

The kitchen... where Brett made me a delicious birthday breakfast.

The master bedroom... which led out to a private balcony with a fireplace and beautiful view.

After 9 holes of golf in the freezing cold and a delicious treat from Nielsen's Frozen Custard, Brett and our girls made me a delicious BBQ birthday dinner. Good thing the girls convinced Brett to cook the meat! He likes his meat still mooing, but mine must be ALL THE WAY DEAD!

Thanks for the great memories! Love, Anjulani Kulani

The Sunshine Box

When our girls were little, and would see sadness on TV, their immediate response was to place their little hands on the screen and try to comfort the crying baby, the injured boy, or the wounded animal. I will never forget the pained look on their little faces, or the sweet words they'd use to try and bring comfort... feeling so helpless, yet wanting to make things better in the worst way.

I, too, have always felt like this. I hear of someone getting injured and I want to take them a care package. I hear of someone suffering and I want to find some way to bring them hope and comfort. I hear sirens and I immediately begin praying that the ambulance will get there soon enough and that the medics will have the skills to do whatever is necessary.

I haven't always been the best "first responder." When our girls broke a bone, it was Brett that did the immediate investigating... while I was hyperventilating. Once I knew the situation, and I knew what was required of me, I pulled myself together and did whatever was needed. I guess that's the part of me that needs to process and plan before proceeding. Interesting how we all deal with situations differently.

Speaking of situations... my heart has been touched by a situation in our neighborhood. A new family moved in and thanks to wonderful neighbors, we found out about their situation. Three weeks after the father died unexpectedly, their beautiful daughter of 12 years, Jordan, was diagnosed with cancer. A short eight months later, that beautiful young lady has now entered her final chapter in her mortal existence. My heart aches for this family.

Two weeks ago I received a call from Brook. "Mom, we made dream catchers at young women's tonight. If it's okay, I'll be home a bit late. A few of us girls want to take Jordan a dream catcher." Tears sprang to my eyes. Of course that was more than okay. I immediately thanked heaven for my girls and their friends, their willingness to serve, and their example to me.

On the front porch of Jordan's home sits a sunshine box, made by a wonderful woman in our neighborhood. Every day people put things in the box to bring Jordan and her family sunshine. When I heard of this, my heart leapt with joy. How wonderful! So many times I want to help, but don't know how and don't want to intrude. The sunshine box was a perfect solution! I've driven by the house many times to see balloons, flowers and other items placed there.

Don't we all have a sunshine box? Yes! A smile can bring sunshine, a kind word, a note, a hug, anything! It doesn't have to be big or expensive. Some of the greatest gifts put in my sunshine box are intangible. As I reflect on my life, I wonder if I have spread enough sunshine. Did I pay attention to those needing sunshine and did I provide? Have I thanked others enough for putting treasures in my sunshine box? I'm grateful for this time to reflect.

To my sweet girls, once again, "You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear... how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away."

May sunshine and smiles greet you, Jordan, in this life and the next. Thank you for touching my life.