Welcome to harmony's Roundeo.

So we got back from the states on Saturday May 2nd, and then: 

MAY

3rd, I taught Relief Society

9th, Geneve Stake Women's Conference

11th, Mother's Day

12th, RS presidency meeting

13th: book club

14th: french class

15th: Alma's hip hop concert

16th: went to the temple and took James Gillespie's photos

17th: Visiting teaching

19th: Dance class/Photos, RS meeting

20th: Alma's bday party, leave for Normandy

20th-24th: Trip to France (Normandy)

25th: first day at our pateaugoire (wading pool) and Versoix pool

26th: dance class/photos

28th: french class potluck dinner

29th: Geneva Storytelling festival

31sth: BBQ at pond with Hiatts

31st: I spoke in Sacrament meeting

(Also Geneve started crawling this month)

JUNE: 

2: DANCE/PHOTOS

4th: wading pool/park with our family

5: Enrichment night (I'm the Enrichment counselor, therefore much of the weight of this falls on me)

6: Primary Activity

9: Dance/Photos; Cado's school spectacle

10th: Car (front passenger tire) fell in a hole on our way out of our parking spot

11th: Paisley's school picnic

12th : Book Club

13th: Cado went to a friend's bday party; RS Stake meeting; Adult session of Stake Conference

14th: Stake Conference, dinner at Bayart's

15th: Cut Jennie's hair

16th: meet with Cado's teacher

17th: Big Play day for Penny at Pirate Park

18th-19th: Spencer in Zurich

19th: Shower for Becky

21st: Father's Day

24th: Cado's Fete des Ecoles; submitted kids photos into a photo contest (mentioned because it was very time consuming to edit/choose/upload etc.)

24th-25th: Spencer at a conference

26th: last day of Cado's school

26th-27th: Father & Sons

27th: Cado's Birthday Pool Party

28th-July 5th: Mom & Dad Roundy come for a visit (went to Venice and did a quick Swiss tour)

(Also, Geneve started walking this month)

WHEW! So yeah, we've been busy!  Things have slowed down a just a bit which is nice, but I'm not complaining about the busy-ness. We enjoyed it, though I think those two months did wear me out a tad!

(First of all . . . I know I'm a whiner, but does anyone in the world care about my blog? And yes that is me fishing for comments!)

Okay, so after seeing Normandy beaches we went to Mont St. Michel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel . Which is extremely cool. Later that day we went to a port city called: St. M, because I can't remember it's name for some reason! I'll have to edit this blog when I think of it. Anyway, it was a great day! The pictures will hopefully help me tell the story because for some reason that is all I can think to say on the subject! sheesh, no wonder no one cares about this blog! ;)

Wow. What an experience this was. I thought of my Dad who is a huge history and especially war history buff, and of course his Dad who was a Naval officer and participated in this war (though not in active combat). For those of you who don't know much about the significance of this place, I invite you to learn a bit, there's plenty of info on-line for starters. I personally wished I knew more before going, but now really want to. 

We talked to the kids about the significance of these places and explained to them that many people gave their lives for the cause of freedom, and we spoke of their bravery and selflessness. It was a really cool experience to do this, and even to share it with our kids. I was a little concerned about Cado, but he handled it so well. With the memory that kid has, I think this may just be something he never forgets. 

We started with Point du Hoc, the place where the army rangers took out the artillery of the Nazis, then we went to the American Cemetery and from there down to Omaha beach and then to Utah beach. All impressive and very emotional sites. I was really overcome with gratitude and awe at what those who fought here did for us. I can hardly fathom that kind of bravery and selflessness coming from regular people like me, with families and futures, many never to be seen again or realized. It's so important that we always remember.

So, when we got back from the States our friends the Cowans said, Hey, do you want to come to Disneyland Paris and Normandy France and Mt. Saint Michel with us? And we were like, hmmmm, yeah, I think we would, and so we did. We were a bit iffy on going to Disneyland because we had just gotten back from doing the Disneyland thing and its of course pretty expensive, but then we decided doing it with friends in Europe would be a pretty awesome and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so we said, what the hay! Yep, that's what we said.

Anyway, it was pretty awesome and I'm glad we did it. It was fun for us to share the experience together and it was fun to see all the differences and similarities between California and Paris. I like them both for different reasons, but conclude that California is better overall. A couple cool things is that they've really elaborated on the themes of each land and made a very thorough statement with the whole look and feel of each place; and that during the parade you can sit or stand wherever the heck you want to, on the grassy hills, sitting on fences, etc.  A couple not cool things are that the food is awful (and of course expensive) and that they do not manage their crowds well (hours, rides having different opening/closing times, not enough space, etc). We decided now all we need to do is go to Disney world and the Asian Disneyland (Tokyo?) and we'll be members of the world Disneyland visitors club (that I just made up), which clearly we must do now, it is our only course of action. onward Disney fans! anyhoo...

I got to be the Disneyland trip planner and it was fun to plan it and show the Cowan's around, because even though I'd never been there, it is laid out similarly and there are a lot of similarities. Our trip was May 20th to 24th. So we drove to our hotel Wednesday night and went to Disneyland Thursday, then stayed at the same hotel and headed to Normandy Friday, and did Mt. St. Michel Saturday. We're very glad the Cowans invited us. More to come!

Most of you probably don't care, but I'm excited about Jennie's new haircut. She let me do it and a makeover! It was so fun. She wasn't a huge fan of getting her picture taken though, but I think there are still some good ones.

As her husband said, and I'm sure you'll notice, she is beautiful no matter what, even when she didn't get any sleep, has no makeup on, and just pulled her hair out of a ponytail!

It's my big bro Brian's birthday today.

  Brian, I'm glad you have always been a part of my life. I hope you have a good one and feel loved. You are so talented and have such a big heart.  You will always have a special place in my heart and life. We had such a fun childhood together. I can't imagine life without you. I am a lucky girl to have had such a great, fun, creative, supportive friend for a big brother then, and now. We love you lots! 

 recent photos of the man, the myth, the legend (as our Father might say)

Here I would have added a nice little 311 playlist for you with grooveshark only for some annoying reason that proved impossible. So go listen to some good old 311 for me. Here are the songs I was going to throw in: use of time, do you right, bomb the town, I can't remember the rest. It was going to be a sweet little list though. What we should be doing today is going to a  311 concert together, that would be sicktight. When I hear "Do you right" I always think of cruisin around with you in your truck listening to that song and rockin out. good times. miss you! Do yourself right today and enjoy it!

California!

So we were able to spend almost 3 weeks in Corona at my parents' house. It was pretty chill. We did Disneyland 3 days, 2 Beach days, lots of play time at Grami's house, ate lots of yummy food, saw a couple friends, went on a date and saw Monsters and Aliens (loved it), shopped a bit, hung out with the fam lots, including all the siblings Brian and Doreen, Josh and Miriam, and Jeffrey, played some tennis with Dad (for the first time in years) and played at the park, and did some art with the kids. We enjoyed all of it. I did not get my fill of In N Out or Miguels, but I don't know if thats even possible.We got picked up at the airport by Grampi/Pop-Pop and Miriam. What a happy reunion. And then the kids were super excited to run in the house and see Grami. It was a joyful moment. And then they were thrilled to see more Easter baskets! One with a huge Transformer for the transformer obsessed Cado, and one with an Ariel doll for Princess Paisley. They couldn't have been happier to be at Grami's and have such desired new toys! I'm sorry to say I've already forgotten many details, but the photos will remind me. In any case,

Thanks for the really great time! We love California!

We started our trip to the States with a short visit to Utah! It was so much fun, but 4 days was definitely too rushed especially when you factor in jet lag. I think the pictures pretty well tell the story, but here is a quick recap. Left here on Wednesday 8th, arrived Wednesday afternoon. The kids did so well on the airplane. Lots of people commented on it, so that was really nice. They were so jazzed up to be picked up at the airport by Grama Roundy. I don't necessarily remember the sequence of events, but I did some shopping, we did Easter Activities, ate good food at Grama's house, hung out with Darrell who cleared his busy schedule for us, and Lauren and Jennifer and Mom and Dad, and played games, went on a fun date, dealt with sick kids. Paisley started the sickness here in Geneva, and it wouldn't budge for at least a week. Then Geneve got it, or vice versa actually, and then in California Cado got it. We had a great time. We also got to spend a few hours on Saturday with Grandma Maris and Great Grampa for a big Grotegut Family Easter egg hunt and lunch. 

I invite the Grandparents (and others) to share any memories, or impressions of the kids' personalities, or whatever!

Thanks for a great visit! We love Utah!

Isn't it wonderful that God still speaks to us through Prophets!

This Saturday and Sunday are one of the blessed times of the year when the current prophet Thomas S. Monson, his counselors and the Quorum of the twelve apostles speak to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the world at General Conference. I look forward to this weekend and the first weekend in October every year.

I invite you to Come Listen to a Prophet's voice and be uplifted, edified, and enlightened.

www.lds.org

http://lds.org/broadcast/gc/0,5161,8584,00.html

The first session is Saturday at 10 am Mountain time, then at 2 pm, and the same for Sunday sessions.

Here's is an excerpt of a talk that President Monson gave last October at General Conference:

"I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.” . . .

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now. . . .

Said the Lord in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.” May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

In closing, I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die?

He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.

The time came when He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

 Earlier, perhaps perceiving the culmination of His earthly mission, He spoke the lament, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” “No room in the inn" was not a singular expression of rejection—just the first. Yet He invites you and me to receive Him. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

 Who was this Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief? Who is the King of glory, this Lord of hosts? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow me.” He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise."  He pleads, “Keep my commandments.” Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."