Marilyn McNair

As Jeff and I were lounging after church today, I thought of Marilyn.

This is Jeff on his mission in Houston, Texas with Marilyn and David. I love this picture. It reminds me of the wisdom of our Heavenly Father- and the love I know he has for each of His children.

Neither Marilyn or David chose to be baptized, but they welcomed Jeff and his companion into their home and lasting friendships formed. Jeff, his mom, and Marilyn have kept in touch since. I was able to meet Marilyn over the phone during one of her and Jeff's Sunday conversations shortly after we were married. She told me she loved me after our very first chat- and I already had plenty of love for her too. Every few Sundays Jeff and I would catch up with her. Even though it was hard to understand her at times, Jeff and I would laugh through conversations with her about my failed attempt at a brisket recipe- or try and answer to when we were going to have kids- and how her pug 'Pugsley' was doing. She always wanted us to email her some of our latest pictures.

Unfortunately, Marilyn's health wasn't the best, and she recently passed away- much sooner than we had expected.

This post is for Jeff, because I know that was some difficult news to get. I know she loved you lots and really appreciated your time. And I know she'll be waiting for us- excited to tell us about all she has learned. :)

Thank you for exercising the faith to go on a mission and the example you are to me.

xoxo.

Exercise and Endorphines

(Soaked after my new favorite run around the neighborhood.)

When we are old and gray, I will remember that the first few years of our marriage we were very active. Seriously, between tennis work and play, running and kick boxing- we do spend a lot of time exercising, and I'm glad because it does make me happy and it kicks any worries or anxieties to the curb. I'm typing this today with dirt under my fingernails after taking on another backyard challenge (a workout indeed). I may have got my first sunburn of the year- yay!

Jeff came home a while back excited to show me a gift he was given. Eight-year old Colton ran up to him on court and handed him a bag with this homemade treasure in it. I think they love coach Jeff. :)

An exciting first for me this year was playing my first ever real tennis match. The Oly Aces 3.0 ladies team that Jeff teaches invited me to play with them. It was quite the experience. I played 3 doubles matches- lost the first two and won the last one with my awesome partner Janet 6-4, 6-3! I made it through the season without crying or throwing up. And if you know me and my nerves/emotions- you know that is a feat! It was so much fun. Cassey, Diane, Loretta, Janet, Linda, Barb, Pat, Patty, Noreen, and Jill- you are the funniest tennis team in the world and as sweet as they come. Can't wait until next year!

A little golf

Well, It has been a rather enjoyable Easter Sunday today. We just pulled back in the driveway from spending time with our families and I am doing my usual Sunday night routine- making sure clothes are clean, checking the week's schedule and making sure the house is in order for the start of a new week- and figured this here blog was in need of an update. :) Today we watched baby Reece and Oliver do their first Easter egg hunt (In their Sunday best shirts and clip-on ties), and I earned points with both of them by enjoying a few bites of vanilla ice cream outside the kitchen. They blew us kisses and said sweet little bye-byes before we left for the Rice's. We have officially learned how awesome Skype is after chatting with Joanna and Mike in New York. Then Joanne pulled out baby clothes she had made for the kids and kept over the years. I saw clothes I had seen on Jeff in his baby pictures...! I had fun and marveled at how tiny the newborn ones were. Someday soon we will have a tiny little one of our own to snuggle and dress up. :)

***

A couple weeks ago we has a date that I especially loved. It was a Saturday afternoon and I could tell Jeff was hoping to get in a little golf, and he was excited when I told him I would walk some holes with him at the course by our house. Now- golf is probably my least favorite sport, but this date is proof that anything can be fun when you're doing it with the one you love (sappy, but come on- it is true). I brought the camera and had some fun as I was running behind him. Yes, running. Turns out golf is a little less boring when you golf with Jeff Rice. He waists no time. I was scorekeeper and cheerleader and smoocher (we stopped running every few minutes to fit that in). Before we were done we ran into a nice golf pro that gave Jeff some tips and even got me to a decent swing. I had fun honey. It meant just as much to me as it did to you. :) xoxo.

New York City Day 4: Dinner and A Show

Saturday morning I took advantage of the hotel's fitness room. I hadn't ran for days and was having withdrawals (not to mention the chocolate indulgence the night before)! I had fun watching the city life outside my window.

On our way to meet Joanna at Rockefeller center, we walked through St. Patrick's Cathedral. I had never been in a catholic church like this. It was pretty incredible.

Next up: Rockefeller Center!

(Right outside where Hoda and Kathy Lee take over the TODAY Show...)

Joanne and I went to the 'top of the Rock' for an amazing view of the city.

(Top left: The Empire State Building. Top Right: The little blue square in the middle is where the ball drops at Time Square on New Year's Eve. Bottom: Central Park.)

(Radio City Music Hall.)

Lunch: Street cart chicken gyros. Yummy, yummy.

A definite to-do for all of us was to visit ground zero. I don't know what I was expecting to see, but it was different than I had imagined. The base of the towers was still one big construction site. Flowers were on the fence with a note "We'll never forget." There is a memorial park in construction and these murals in memory of the lives lost. It was a bit surreal to be at the actual sight where it all happened and to think of the chaos of that day. I felt reverence and gratitude for all I have. I'm glad we went.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped by Mario Bitatli's 'Eataly' in search for our Sunday Dinner ingredients, then ended up at Trader Joe's to see just how crazy grocery shopping in NYC is. After waiting in a line that wrapped around the store, we double bagged our groceries for the subway trip home. (A little different than we are used to!)

Then it was time to clean up for dinner and a Broadway show! We met Mike for dinner #2 at the Carnegi deli. (By this time, Nonie had informed Mike we were past the handshaking and on to hugs.) In New York, they serve pickles at the beginning of a meal, like they do bread here. By that time, I was turning into a pickle fan. After my huge cheese sandwich we shared a heavenly piece of strawberry cheesecake and set off for our show.

We saw 'Jersey Boys', a musical about Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. We sang, we clapped, We had such a blast. :)

(The stage)

Oh, and we passed Letterman on the way home!

Slumber Party

(Goodmorning)

11?!........ 11?! Taylor is 11, and I can't believe it. For the birthday princess we had slumber party #2 at the house. I'm so glad she still thinks Aunt Lindsey is cool, and doesn't get annoyed with Uncle Jeff's teasing because we really love the spirit they bring with them and the laughs we get from our time together. Not only is Taylor getting older, but I noticed Madi is too. She asked me several questions including: Is that your natural hair color? How old are you? Was this your first car? We went to see 'Rango' at the theater and ate our fair share of candy. One of the characters in the movie was saying a prayer and Madi said 'Amen' at the end. :) Then we had some time to kill before playing tennis with Jeff so we played a little soccer at Target and found some treasures in the $1 section. They were better at tennis than expected and made me run for a couple balls. By morning, all 3 of us ended up snuggled onto one air mattress. Uncle Jeff and I love you girls!

---

Seems like yesterday. You are the cutest...!

(I love the intensity on Taylor's face!)

(Classic Madi. You could always make us laugh!)

Oh...and this (behind my studly brother) was my first car...

:)

Mindy Gledhill

I'm sure that when I think about this day years from now- I will still smile. :)

Mom, Nik and Jess came to Lacey to go to Mindy Gledhill's concert at a rundown little building not far from where Jeff works. It was in a small room, and the ceiling and stage were lit with white lights and flags. Her music is about as happy as music gets. If my honey was there, I would have squeezed his hand and given him dreamy eyes the whole time. If only poor Jess didn't get sick on the way up here and have to camp out on our tiny love seat with a puke bowl, it would have been a perfect night. :( You're a trooper Jess, we missed you. And we have have since ordered a longer couch in your honor. :)

(Pictures borrowed from Mindy's blog)

We are pug-sitting this week! He is currently growling at the turtle. Such a funny dog, that Gio.

Also- I completed my medical transcription course. The job search is on and new adventures are coming our way! (Thanks for your patience with me everyone.)

Happy Monday. :)

New York City Day 3: Mmmmm...

Friday morning Joanne and I had a little adventure of our own as we set off to find the temple. When we got out of our cab, it was nowhere in sight. So- we got some directions and decided it was close enough to run. And run we did- through Lincoln Square, past Trump Tower- all in the rain. We made it within minutes of our session. Wahoo!

After meeting back up with Jo and Nonie we set out to find tickets for a Broadway show and then went to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (a.k.a. The Met).

(Busy city streets outside our hotel.)

(The Met.)

After we were all arted out, we went outside and were distracted by a cupcake cart. In fact, we tried several treats at little bakeries throughout the city and decided Joanne could really show them a thing or two.

The Carnegie Deli is known for their HUGE sandwiches. The couple next to us ordered a sandwich that had meat stacked about a foot high. Seriously! I went for a chicken salad sandwich that was about half that size. Yummy, yummy.

And so began the food frenzy! I am still adding a little extra running to my routine to get back to my pre-NYC self. I ate so, so much. Everywhere we went had incredible food. The sandwich wasn't the end of it that day either...

Joanne and I took the subway to meet Jo and Mike for dessert at Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man. We ate milk chocolate apple crisp with caramel; churros with chocolate, caramel and rasberry sauce; and a s'more sundae. My mouth is watering thinking about it. In between bites we got to ask Mike lots of questions (ya know, the ones we had been thinking of since before we arrived) :) and start to get to know him a little better.

And then we went to bed...with very happy tummies.