The Leavitt Ledger

Alex's 75th email from Chile 1/23/12

2012-01-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

Go over to Alex's blog to read about the shirt

I just posted Alex's 75th email from Chile on his mission blog. He sent a lot of pictures and 2 videos!!

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 74th email from Chile 1/16/12

2012-01-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's 74th email from Chile. No pictures today but I'm posting it on time :D I still need to post our Christmas call with pictures. Hopefully later this week.

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 73rd email from Chile 1/9/12

2012-01-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's 73rd email from Chile with pictures. I'm slowly but surely catching up. In the next couple of days I'll post his Christmas call with pictures.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 72nd email from Chile 1/2/12

2012-01-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

Alex's District and Elder Braddy's District at the Mission Christmas Party.

I love the matching ties!

For some reason I thought that I had posted Alex's email and pictures from last week. Imagine my surprise when I realized I hadn't - yikes! Now I have this weeks email here and I still have our Christmas call to do. It's been difficult to stay on top of this while our family has been here. I have posted last weeks email with pictures and will post today's in a days. Enjoy!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 71st email from Chile 12/26/11

2012-01-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Mission Christmas Party

I finally posted Alex's email. I still need to post our Christmas call and then tomorrow there will be another email. I have so much to catch up on. He sent pictures. Enjoy!

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 70th email from Chile 12/19/2011

2011-12-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

Alex and his zone

I just posted Alex's 70th email on his mission blog and there is a fun video clip at the end. A young man in the ward he serves in sent it to me. He goes out with the missionaries all the time and he and Alex have quite the handshake - it's almost like a dance!!

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 69th email from Chile 12/12/2011

2011-12-12T22:59:00.000-08:00

Rocio & her family with Elder Carcamo & Elder Leavitt

I just posted Alex's 69th email from Chile. He sent a lot of pictures and a video. Enjoy!!

Red Solo Cup

2011-12-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

For any of you who watch Glee you would have heard this song last week. There has been a lot of talk about it out there and it's been floating around online.

Justin sent me these two clips of both Landon & Evan singing the song. It's priceless and made my night. I had to share :)

My Grandson & Daughter are t.v. stars.....

2011-12-09T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well not really but they were interviewed for their local news station and they both did a great job!! Evan attends a preschool for children with special needs. Evan has SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). The school just opened in a new location and they did a spotlight on it in the news and Evan & Kira were interviewed. Go take a look!!

Alex's 68th email 12/5/11

2011-12-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

Alex on a zone p-day.

I just posted Alex's 68th email from Chile with some pictures and a video :) Enjoy!!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 67th email from Chile 11/28/11

2011-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

Santa looks the same in Chile

Alex with Elder Braddy, Elder Mlazgar, Elder Carcamo & Elder Sousa

I just posted Alex's latest email on his mission blog:

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 66th email from Chile 11/21/11

2011-11-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Republica Zone

I just posted Alex's 66th email from Chile. He is working hard and is dead tired. It makes us happy to read how well he is doing. Enjoy!

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 65th email from Chile 11/14/11

2011-11-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

Elder Sosa & Alex in a burned out car on the street.

This car was burned during the student riots.

I posted Alex's 65th email from Chile. He included pictures. The time is just flying by!! Enjoy his email.

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 64th email from Chile 11/7/11

2011-11-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Can you believe he found a street sign with San Diego on it?

I just posted Alex's 64th email from Chile with pictures and a video. Enjoy!

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 63rd email from Chile 10/31/11

2011-11-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's 63rd email from Chile with a lot of pictures and a cool video and story from the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Enjoy!

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Halloween in Chile

2011-10-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

Now that Alex is in the city I'm sure he sees stores like this.

I read something very interesting about Chile & Halloween today. I posted about it on Alex's mission blog if you are interested.

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 62 email from Chile 10/24/11

2011-10-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

MTC buddies reunited at the 50th Anniversary Celebration

Elder Leavitt, Elder Adair & Elder Braddy

I just posted Alex's latest email. There a few fun pictures sent to either his facebook or me from members. There is also a fun video clip at the bottom. The video clip is of the Elder's practicing their song for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. It was on the mission blog for the Chile Santiago North mission. I've put when you can you see Alex on the video. I swear I can hear him even with the 100's of voices!!

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 61st email from Chile 10/17/11

2011-10-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Alex has quite the email this week as he talks about his transfer, new companion, new area and the big Cultural Celebration held to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Chilean Mission. There are a lot of pictures also. The church had a live stream and we were able to see it. At the end we even got to see Alex singing in the choir. It was wonderful and made my day!!

elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

2011-10-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

Alex & a beautiful sunset

I just posted Alex's 60th email from Chile on his mission blog. I have some great pictures from not only him but also Hermana King. Go check it out!

http://www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 59th email from Chile 10/3/11

2011-10-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

Alex at the mine.

Look at the clothes in the background. Does someone live at this abandoned mine?

I posted Alex's latest email on his blog with some pictures. They are ones he sent last week but I hadn't posted them yet. Enjoy!

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

P.S. Alex's mission has had another address change. It's the third time since he's been out. I made the change on his blog. Please take note of it if you are planning on sending anything to him.

I Love General Conference - Read this before Conference

2011-09-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

I read this in a blog earlier today. I LOVE it!!! It reminds me a lot of the home teaching message for this month.

One thing that I love about conference is the unity I feel with the Saints around the world.

The other thing I love is that, somehow, the Spirit can reach us individually; answering our questions, lifting our burdens and touching our minds and hearts so laser sharp specifically.

I hope you have a minute to read the story below by Wendy Watson – it is a GREAT message to read just before General Conference! And as you are reading it, it will be good to remember that she is currently married to Elder Nelson. You will see why this is significant.

I love this!

——————————————————————————–

Things are not always the way they appear to be. I learned this, in a very personal way, when I was about your age. I was 24, doing graduate work at BYU (Provo), wildly in love and engaged to be married. The young man seemed to be my absolute dream guy: Returned missionary, well educated, employed, musical, handsome, great social skills, loved my family, and committed to keeping the Lord’s commandments.

ALL the attributes and abilities, on my “husband-to-be wish list”, were there! He had them all…or so it seemed.

And talk about a courtship! He wrote me poems, songs, and letters of love. What a guy! A man with the same desires for marriage and family-and for life-as I had. Or so I thought.

I was teaching family history in my BYU ward at the time, and with some compelling insights about the importance of the temple which I had gained through this calling, I chose to receive my endowments a few months prior to the time I was to be married in the temple.

What a blessing temple attendance was for me! As I returned to the temple week after week, my world view started to open up, to change. And my view of myself and my fiancé followed. I can clearly see in my mind’s eye the day that I walked out of the Provo temple, after having gone fasting and praying, seeking an answer to a question that had started to haunt me: “Should I marry this man?”. A friend who had accompanied me to the temple that day asked, “Well, did you get your question answered?” I replied: “I didn’t get an answer-but I know that everything is going to work out.”

Freeze frame. I’ve learned through subsequent experiences, that the Spirit of the Lord is involved whenever I find myself saying: “Everything is going to work out”.

Little did I know just HOW everything was going to work out!

It seemed that from the very minute I said those words, the Spirit whispered to my fiancé, who was working in another state: “Show her what you’re really like.”

As the days and weeks unfolded, his behavior changed. His letters changed. Our conversations changed. My experience with our relationship changed. And, as I studied it out in my mind, I became increasingly concerned.

Enter: a servant of the Lord, my Bishop.

In preparation for April general conference, which was just two weeks away, my Bishop taught me a truth I had never known before. Although I hadn’t spoken to him about my engagement or my concerns, when my Bishop offered this truth over the pulpit, he was speaking to me. He didn’t use my name-but I knew-he was talking directly to me. He even let others listen in. But clearly, he was speaking to me.

Here’s the truth my Bishop spoke: “If you have a question that you need answered, if you will prayerfully and humbly listen to general conference, you will get it answered every time. Perhaps at the time, perhaps over time, but you WILL get your question answered every time!”

Did I have a question?!! Absolutely. And I was desperate for an answer from the Lord.

I prepared myself for that general conference by fasting and praying-and by purchasing blank audiotapes. Now, I realize that audiotapes are not typically requisite for listening to general conference, however this was in the days that not all conference sessions were broadcast to Canada, and I wanted to audiotape the sessions for my Mom and Dad.

I can still picture the Saturday of that April general conference. I listened eagerly to every talk. I listened with my ears, mind and heart poised and ready to hear the answer to my question: “Should I marry this man?”

I experienced this day of general conference unlike any other. It was a highly unusual day of talks, because each and every talk was on marriage! Every single talk! Multiple speakers-but only one topic: marriage-or so it seemed. And the most amazing thing to me was that at the end of all those Saturday addresses on marriage, the clear answer I received was, “Don’t marry this man.”

I can still picture, at the conclusion of conference, turning off the TV, shutting off the cassette recorder, and walking directly and calmly to the telephone, and dialing my fiancé’s number to cancel our engagement.

I wasn’t nervous at all. I was at peace. I had asked. And I had received my answer. So, what’s a young woman to do when she has asked, and then heard and felt the voice of the Lord telling her what to do? What’s a young woman to do…but to follow through?

Fast forward several years. My ex-fiancé is married and he appears to be happily involved in family life. I have completed my Masters degree, have worked a couple of years, moved to a new city, dated some great men, and continued to be directed by the Lord to pursue further education.

Another fast forward a couple of years: It is Christmas time and among the cards and letters is something from my ex-fiancé. It is a lengthy, hand-written letter from this now- no-longer-young man, declaring that he is choosing a life-style inconsistent with Gospel teachings and Church standards, and telling me of the sorrow that has come to his wife and family since their recent divorce and his declaration.

My dear young brothers and sisters, things are not always the way they appear to be!

Years ago on that Saturday evening when I ended my engagement, it seemed to many people-many who chided me for the breakup, many who tried to convince me to change my mind-that I was terminating a relationship with a marvelous young man-a man with whom I could experience much love and joy, as we entered into the covenant of marriage, and commenced raising up a family to the Lord.

How unkind could I be?! How cruel! How unwise to turn away from this great man and his love-especially at my age (I was 24 after all!!) To many people, it seemed like I was throwing away an opportunity of a life-time.. But-things are not always the way they appear to be.

The Lord knew this young man’s heart, mind and actions. And when I asked-with as much preparation and faith as I could muster-and as I listened to the messages of general conference-I was guided (some days it still feels more like “snatched”) away from something that looked good-but wasn’t.

One last fast forward: It is now 6 months following receiving that Christmas letter of declaration. I am asked to prepare a Relief Society lesson on marriage. Of course I will-and I know just the audiotapes to review to find an excerpt from a general conference address on marriage, to supplement my lesson.

I remember finding the clearly marked tapes, and with anticipation, pushing the “play” button on the tape player. And then, I remember listening and listening for hours, as the talks played on and on.

But something was different about the talks this time. Something was missing. To my dismay, there was nothing-absolutely nothing….about marriage! Not one talk-was on marriage!

It had been the Spirit of the Lord that had taught me as I listened to general conference. The Spirit had helped me to hear exactly what I needed to hear.

General conference had been the vehicle. The Spirit had been the messenger. “Don’t marry this man” had been the message from the Lord. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

(Wendy Watson, Things are Not Always the Way They Appear to Be, BYU Devotional, March 19. 2002)

And here is a two minute video by Elder Holland. I love what he says at the end! I remember when he said it the first time and it brought tears. It doesn't matter how many times I watch it I still feel the same way. I hope you are all as excited about conference as I am :)

http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/general-conference-has-something-for-you-b?lang=eng

Alex's 58th email from Chile 9/26/11

2011-09-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

Does this look like a drink to you?

I posted Alex's 58th email from Chile last night. He sent A LOT of pictures! I posted a lot but I will post the rest on a Monday when he doesn't send any. I love how far technology has come and that we have access to it.

Enjoy!

http://www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Tear Jerker Video & Pictures

2011-09-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Alex in front of the sign that is no longer there. He sent this picture to us while he was in the MTC

(Missionary Training Center)

So the other night I had a dream that Alex came home. We were all so happy. He was happy and there were just a lot of smiles and hugs. I don't know why I had that dream. Maybe because Fred and I were talking about his mission the night before and I went to bed with it on my mind. Who knows? All I know is that it was the first time I have dreamed about him coming home since he left. I did notice on Sunday in our ward bulletin that he is the next boy to come home even though it's not until June. That was a little freaky when I realized that. The next morning I woke up to an email from my Missionary Mom's group I belong to and this video was attached. I watched it twice and bawled. I'm starting to tear up just writing about it. Why would I watch it twice right? I couldn't help myself.

As much as it's been easier to have Alex gone than it was Brandon & Ben, two years is still a long time and just recently I've been really missing him. Maybe that's another reason why I had that dream. It's been easier with Alex gone on his mission because technology has improved so much. He will send home pictures in his emails almost weekly. With my other boys we had to wait for months for pictures to come in the mail. It's great to be able to see him consistently. Salt Lake now allows skype for Christmas and Mother's Day calls. It is so wonderful to be able to not only talk to your son but actually see him where you can interact with him. It's also amazing to meet his companions that you will most likely never meet. We've also enjoyed meeting some of the members. We truly are blessed with the advancement of technology, but even with all of that you still miss your boy here and there.

The day we dropped Alex off. There were large crowds of families waiting to get their picture by this sign.

We have had three completely different experiences dropping our boys off at the MTC. Brandon's was different because the MTC was under renovations, Ben's was the norm until the norm changed (I really need to write down the differences in another post). The experience we had with Alex is the one they show in the video. This is now the norm for dropping missionary's off. They have you drive up and they direct you to a sign and a spot on the curb. You say your good bye at the curb and then your missionary walks away with another missionary who guides him to where he needs to go. I actually prefer this way to the old way. They allow you as much time as you want to say goodbye. You aren't competing with all the other weeping, wailing, laughing and talking of a room full of people. It's more intimate and private and I really liked having that time just to ourselves.

Us girls hugging Alex good bye. It really didn't hit me until we were on the freeway leaving Provo. You can see the missionary helping Alex patiently waiting in the background with Alex's silver/gray luggage.

This video made me sad that we never took a video of Brandon or Ben and that we never took one of Alex when we dropped him off. When Brandon & Ben came home we were all just so excited that we were lucky we remembered to even take pictures! The thing I don't like about taking a video at certain events is that I feel like I miss out on the moment. I think I will be happy just to get pictures of Alex unless we can talk someone else into taking a video for us. For now, I can enjoy this video and know that that I have experienced this twice before with my boys and I look forward to that sweet reunion again with my Alex. We are so proud of him and the service he is rendering. We are proud of the man that he has become. We are stronger in our faith because of his service and example to us. Alex I love you more than words can express!!!

Love your Mum xxxxooo

Alex & President Rees. President Rees set him apart to be a missionary the night before he was to enter the MTC. President Rees was his Stake President while he was a student at the University of Utah. He is also a former mission president.

All of our family who were able to attend the setting apart. We wish Ben & Kira could have been there but it's hard when everyone gets married and moves away.

Lunch at the Brick Oven before entering the MTC.

Alex & his MTC district all pointing to where they will be serving.

I'm behind on Alex's mission posts......

2011-09-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

Alex & his adopted dog he's named Shadow.

So I'm behind on Alex's mission posts so here are the links for the last two weeks. I'm also still feeling guilty that I haven't written more personal posts. I really will try to rectify that :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2011/09/alexs-56th-email-from-chile-91311.html

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2011/09/alexs-57th-email-from-chile-91911.html

Alex's 55th email from Chile 9/5/11

2011-09-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

Kites for sale

I'm finally home from all of my travels and trying to catch up on blog posts. I just posted Alex's 55th email from Chile. I will blog another tomorrow. Tomorrow's will have a fun surprise!!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2011/09/alexs-55th-email-from-chile-9511.html

Alex's 53rd email from Chile 8/22/11

2011-08-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

I finally posted Alex's 53rd email from Chile on his mission blog. He sent pictures. I'm off to Utah again and I'm sick :( This time we drop Sarah off to college for good - well at least until Thanksgiving. I think I'm going to cry :(

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 52nd email from Chile 8/15/11

2011-08-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Alex, Elder ?, Elder Merchan

I just posted Alex's 52nd email from Chile on his mission blog.

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 51th email from Chile 8/8/11 & a promise

2011-08-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

Alex with his dog that follows him all over and to his appointments. He'll be waiting outside for him when he comes out of an appointment.

I just posted Alex's 51st email from Chile on his blog. Hopefully, this next week I will get my act together and blog about my trip to Canada. Right now I'm trying to get some work done before I leave for Utah on Wednesday. I also spent more time this morning taking 90 voice mail messages off of the answering machine. Fred never checked the machine once while I was gone for two weeks!!

www.elderleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 50th email from Chile 8/1/11

2011-08-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

President King, Elder Leavitt, Elder Garcia & Hermana King

Alex's 50th email from Chile has been posted on his mission blog. Fred posted two others while I was in Canada if you want to go back and read those as well. Enjoy!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

P.S. I also just added a video this morning to the blog post.

Alex's 46th email from Chile 7/4/11

2011-07-04T16:49:00.000-07:00

Alex & Elder Florez making 'pan'

I just posted Alex's 46th email from Chile on his mission blog along with pictures.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Aelx's 45th email from Chile 6/27/11

2011-07-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

Alex in La Islita

I finally posted Alex's email from this week. We were in Utah and didn't get home until Wednesday and I'm finally getting to it now. I included a picture and a youtuble link a friend of his sent us about the area he has worked in. It's a song.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 44th email from Chile 6/20/11

2011-06-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

I posted Alex's email with a fun a picture at the end. Go have a look!

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 42nd email from Chile 6/6/11

2011-06-08T07:03:00.001-07:00

Life is crazy with grad nite and I'm very behind. Here's Alex's latest email from Chile.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2011/06/alexs-42nd-email-from-chile-6611.html

Elder Broken Toe's 41st email from Chile 5/30/11

2011-05-30T18:21:00.000-07:00


Call me bias but I think he's a pretty darn good looking Elder!!

Here's the link to Alex's blog: http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 40th email 5/23/11

2011-05-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

Alex's email this week is short because of some unbelievable & sad events that have occurred in his mission.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 39th email 5/16/11

2011-05-17T09:32:00.001-07:00

Alex writes "I told you I am in wine country here in La Islita. Well here is a batch of grapes out of wine barrels."

I just posted Alex's 39th email from Chile on his mission blog. He sent some great pictures this week.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2011/05/alexs-39th-email-51611.html

Alex's Mother's Day Call 5/8/11

2011-05-15T03:06:00.000-07:00

I finally got Alex's Mother's Day call posted on his mission blog with pictures. I was so busy with AP testing that I couldn't get to it until now. I finished while waiting for Sarah to get home from her senior prom.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 38th email from Chile 5/9/11

2011-05-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's email from yesterday on his mission blog. I will post the notes we took from our Skype call with him later this week. This picture was taken during our call.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 37th email from Chile 5/2/11

2011-05-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's 37th email from Chile. He was transferred last week and is now out in the country. We are looking forward to our Mother's Day phonecall on Sunday. We get to skype again :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 36th email from Chile 4/25/11

2011-04-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Alex in his raincoat. It's that time of year and he's had to pull it out.

I just posted Alex's 36th email on his mission blog. He sent pictures also :) Stay tuned for next week when we find out where he was transferred to. Transfers are tomorrow and he received a call telling him he's leaving LoOvalle.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 35th email from Chile 4/18/11

2011-04-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

I posted Alex's 35th email from Chile on his mission blog.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 34th email from Chile 4/11/11

2011-04-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

A view of the Andes Mountains from Alex's apartment.

I just posted Alex's 34th email on his mission blog. He not only sent pictures but a video clip from their zone activity today. It's hilarious!!! He also looks like he's lost a little weight.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 33rd email from Chile 4/4/11

2011-04-04T20:37:00.000-07:00


This is how Elders play ping pong......with their journals.

When you read Alex's post make sure that you read the P.S. at the bottom. It's hilarious!!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

How to Greet a Chilean

2011-03-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

I subscribed to a newsletter on Chile and their customs because I thought it would be fun to read and learn a bit about the culture while Alex is there on his mission. I try to include some of the interesting posts on his blog. I just added a new one today.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 32nd email from Chile 3/28/11

2011-03-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

This picture makes me laugh because it's a typical Alex picture

I just posted Alex's latest email from Chile.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 31st email from Chile 3/21/11

2011-03-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

Alex eating his birthday cake. It looks yummy!

I just posted Alex's email on his blog. He tells us who his new companion is and where he is from :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

A little something that happened today where we live........

2011-03-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

Mountain lion hit and killed in Rancho Penasquitos

By Debbi Baker

Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:52 a.m.

A young female adult mountain lion was struck and killed by a vehicle Thursday morning, March 17th on Carmel Valley Road just east of Winecreek Road. California Department of Fish and Game warden Cyndy Pourroy was dispatched to retrieve the animal and was assisted by SDPD officers to load the 80-100 pound animal in to her truck.

A young female mountain lion will be taken to the Fish and Game headquarters will a veterenarian will examine the body, then a necropsy will be performed on the big cat.

The area where the big cat was struck is near the northern border of the Black Mountain Open Park.

A mountain lion that had been hit and killed by a car was found early Thursday in Rancho Penasquitos.
The body of the female cat was found about 6:19 a.m. on Carmel Valley Road near Winecreek Road not far from Oak Valley Middle School, authorities said.

Wardens with the California Department of Fish and Game estimated that the animal weighed between 80 and 100 pounds and was probably one to two years old. It will be taken to the agency’s office in Kearny Mesa and a necropsy will be performed.

Alex's 30th email from Chile 3/14/11

2011-03-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Happy 20th Birthday Alex!!!

I just posted Alex's 30th email from the mission on his mission blog. It's crazy to think he is now 20 yrs. old and no longer considered a teenager. He left on his mission a teenager and he will return a man. It's exciting to witness this transformation when they get home, but I can say that after doing this two other times this is probably what makes me the most melancholy. I miss the opportunity to watch this next phase happen and only get the end result. I was happy to read that Alex's birthday in Chile was fun & memorable.

I sent a brownie mix in his birthday box. He took it over to Alan's house and shared with their family. I wonder if they have brownies in Chile?

Where has the time gone? How could he go from this..................

to this in such a short amount of time!!

This is Elder Nielsen Alex's MTC companion. They are in the same zone right now.

http://www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 29th email from Chile 3/7/11

2011-03-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

Alex in his "amazing" jacket & hat he bought

Alex sent us A LOT of pictures this week. I've only posted some and will save some for weeks we don't get any. Enjoy!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Chilean Salad Recipes

2011-03-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Doesn't this look delicious?

I subscribe to this blog that is all about Chile. Whenever something interesting comes up I post it on Alex's mission blog because I think it's great to read and learn different things about the country & culture that he is a part of. Today it was interesting to read about what they think a salad is compared to what we think a salad is. I've also included a couple of recipes. Go to Alex's blog to get the recipes:

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Hopefully that link works this time. It was so bizarre that Lynn went to read his blog the other day and it took her to another Elder by the name of Alex who is also Spanish speaking. I don't know what happened there because it was the correct address. I just erased it and put it in again and it worked. Hopefully this takes you to our Alex in Chile :)

Alex's 28th email from Chile 2/28/11

2011-02-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

Alan & Alex

I posted Alex's 28th email from Chile on his mission blog last night. He sent some great pictures to go along with it. Also, I just noticed it was his 28th email on the 28th of the month. If it hadn't been for Ben's birthday this week I wouldn't have probably noticed that. Ben turned 25 on the 25th.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

The Beloved Firefighters in Chile

2011-02-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

I thought this was very interesting so I posted it on Alex's mission blog and mine.

Firefighters in Chile are called bomberos. The Chilean people love the firefighters. In fact, they are more highly regarded and trusted than the police or other government services.
This is partly due to the fact that there are no paid firefighters in Chile. Each firefighter serves without promise of reward or payment. This altruistic labor seems to attract those that are most likely to serve the community well.

Chile’s Oldest Firefighter Company

Before firefighting companies were formed, fires would often burn entire blocks down to the ground. In answer to this great problem, communities started to organize forces to combat the fires.
The first Chilean firefighting company was formed in the port city of Valparaíso in 1851. It was originally funded by wealthy merchantmen who brought equipment and supplies from their home countries. Thereafter, other companies started forming across Chile in a similar pattern.

Chile’s All Volunteer Firefighters

Unlike Carabineros, the Chilean national police force, there is no uniform national firefighting organization.
Each region, city, or sub-section of the city has different firefighter companies. Many of these companies carry the names originally given them by the European colonists that formed them in the late 1800′s.
These volunteer firefighter companies are responsible for the purchase and upkeep of their equipment, fire houses, and trucks. They must also pay for any training or new skills that they need.
National government funding for the Chilean firefighters only accounts for 30% of their expenses. This puts the burden of financing efforts on the local government, community, and the volunteers themselves.

How do you call the firefighters?

In case of emergency, you can always use the national emergency phone numbers used in Chile. For the bomberos, dial 132.

Maserati

2011-02-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

So today in the paper I read this little article and I thought it was pretty funny. It reads:

A high-profile local executive is proud of his sleek new Maserati but weary of all the attention it's getting from officers of the law. "If I have to stop and lift the hood for one more cop,' he sighs, "I've had it with this car."

A Bosch Can Do What??

2011-02-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

It amazes me that no matter how old I am I can still learn things about cooking, baking and my Bosch machine. I have never been sorry I waited and got a Bosch over a Kitchenaid. I just finished watching a demonstration of the difference between a Kitchenaid and Bosch whipping one egg yolk and then making bread. Hands down the Bosch is soooo much better. Today I learned something else my Bosch can do. Why didn't I know this sooner? I love Crystal's website and that she posts these little tidbits for us to learn from. I love Crystal anyway....she grew up in our stake and is the same age as Kira :) Watch the attached video:

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2011/02/21/a-bosch-can-do-what/food-storage-recipes?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EverydayFoodStorage+%28Everyday+Food+Storage+Recipes-Food+Storage+%26+Recipe+Blog%29

Alex's 25th email 2/7/11

2011-02-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

Elder Diaz, Juan, Alex & ?

I just posted Alex's 25th email from Chile on his mission blog pictures are included.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

De-cluttering 2.0

2011-02-02T06:13:00.000-08:00

I just read an article on de-cluttering - something I am always working on and wondering if I will ever conquer. My biggest problem is paper clutter. Anyhow, the article didn't say anything I didn't already know or haven't read before. What it did have that I wanted to share was some new ideas on donating and re-purposing your unwanted items. Of course there are still the good old standbys; Salvation Army, Goodwill, Desseret Industries, etc. Here are some unique options for re-purposing discards:

• Dress for success accepts interview appropriate women’s clothing and shoes for disadvantaged women. To find a location near you, go to www.dressforsuccess.org.

• Use eBay Giving Works, givingworks.ebay.com, to sell unwanted items and donate up to 100 percent of the sale price to a nonprofit organization in your area or nationwide. eBay refunds seller fees equal to the percentage of the profits donated.

• The Glass slipper Project, www.glass slipperproject.org, collects almost-new formal dresses and accessories and gives them to Chicago high school students in need. (I’m sure you could find something in the areas you live in)

• Depending on which state you live in, the military order of the Purple heart, www.purpleheart.org, will schedule pickup of donated cars, RVs, clothing and household goods. Proceeds from sales of donated goods support veterans programs.

• Cell Phones for soldiers, www.cellphones forsoldiers.com, provides prepaid shipping labels when accepting donations of old cell phones. Proceeds from recycling phones are used to buy calling cards for deployed soldiers.

• Unwanted crayons can be shipped to the Crayon recycling Program, www.crazycrayons.com.

*the crayon recyling program is the one that intrigued me the most. Why didn't they have this when I had all my little kids at home???

Alex's 24th email from Chile 1/31/11

2011-01-31T15:00:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's 24th email from Chile with pictures.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 23rd email from Chile

2011-01-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's 23rd email from Chile.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Pucker Up....

2011-01-22T22:46:00.000-08:00

I clipped this fun little fact out of the paper a bit ago and just ran across it again. It was in the science section of the paper called 'Body of Knowledge.'

It says that a one minute kiss burns 26 calories.

I just thought you might all want to know that :)

Weightloss

2011-01-21T09:59:00.000-08:00

I figure if I write about it on the blog maybe it will help me to be more accountable with my goal to lose weight. It is so bad that I woke up at 3:55 a.m. and could not get back to sleep. The whole time all I could think about was the weight I've gained and how I need to lose it. I stayed in bed until 5 a.m. hoping sleep would come but when it didn't I just got up.

I had already decided that today was the day I was starting and here I go. My problem isn't that I don't know what needs to be done. My problem is lack of exercise & lack of motivation. I have the hardest time staying motivated. Over the last couple of years I have lost my walking partner and my beach walking body/boarding partner. Since then I've had a very hard time motivating myself to go out by myself. I guess I'm a social person. We don't have the money for me to join a gym or some class. Although, if we did, I would go to this yoga studio that a lot of my friends go to. I really think it would help my back. I also would like to try Zumba.

That aside, I need to do cardio and exercises to lose the weight and get in shape. Yoga would just be for strengthening and flexibility. I really want a Kinect for our xbox. I would love to get the yoga & biggest loser workouts I've seen for that.

This morning I exercised with some ladies at a park. I am trying to do that every Friday but need to get a routine and motivation to exercise on my own the other days of the week. I'm also trying to track what I eat.

If anyone has any tips on how to stay motivated when you are doing this all by yourself let me know. I wish there was someone who would be my workout buddy.

This is what I'd love to look like at the beach!!

Alex's 22nd email from Chile 1/17/11

2011-01-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's latest email with pictures. I promise I will blog about something else soon. It's been a little crazy!!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 21st email from Chile 1/10/11

2011-01-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

I finally have posted Alex's current email with pictures. I was out of town so that's my excuse :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 20th email from Chile 01/03/11

2011-01-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's Christmas call and 19th email from Chile

2010-12-27T17:41:00.001-08:00

I just posted two blogs. One with pictures and one without:

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2010/12/alexs-skype-video-phonecall-122510.html

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2010/12/alexs-19th-email-from-chile-122710.html

Alex's 18th email from Chile 12/20/10

2010-12-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Star Sightings in Malibu

2010-12-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

I went to Malibu this week to help Brandon & Serene and the girls who were afflicted with the stomach flu. I was glad that I could go and be of some help. Poor Brandon had finals. (I ended up getting the stomach flu when I got home on Wednesday evening. I was sick for two days but today I am better)

Brandon & Serene have had several friends who have had many star sightings in Malibu. There are quite a few movie & t.v. stars that live there. Brandon has a seen a couple of people and Serene has seen a couple of people as well but not nearly the amount others have or as famous. Malibu is really a very beautiful and pretty isolated place. I can understand why the stars move out there. I love the Pepperdine Campus where Brandon attends school. It really is so incredibly beautiful and peaceful. I love the feeling I have when I am there.

Pepperdine University

On Tuesday, while Serene & the girls took naps I ran to the post office. After I was done at the post office I was leaving the shopping complex and while I was right by the newsstand I had my second Malibu star sighting and it was a BIG one!!!!

Malibu News Stand

I saw Pierce Brosnan finish paying for something and then watched him walk to his car. I could hardly believe it!! He was only about 10 feet away from me and he is as gorgeous in real life as he is on the big screen. Gorgeous just gorgeous. I smile just thinking about it :)

If I never have another star sighting that's okay. This one was amazing!!!

My first star sighting was almost a year ago. I took my Mom to go and visit and see where Brandon & Serene & the girls lived and where he goes to school. She was excited for Brandon to show her the law library since she worked in the Law Courts Library in Edmonton for many years before retiring. We went to this great cupcake store called 'Crumbs'. It has a great fish tank that the girls like to go and watch the fish in......not to mention the delicious cupcakes which have become a tradition when I go to visit. While we were there we not only had a star sighting but had a quite a conversation with Soleil Moon Frye. Some people know her as 'Punky Brewster'. I never saw that show in Canada but I knew her from 'Sabrina The Teenage Witch' where she was one of Sabrina's room mates.

She is the one with the long dark hair.

She was there with her husband and two little girls. Her two little girls were having fun watching the fish like Sydney was and Soleil was quite taken with Hayley who was only a few months old. We had a very nice conversation with her about the baby, babies in general, the girls, etc.

They were a darling family and so very nice. After we said good bye and left I said to Serene "You know what that was right?" and Serene said "That was Punky Brewster right?" and I said "Well, I don't know about that but she was on 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'".

Here she is with her little girls.
(Not the day we saw her. I had hoped to find one with her husband also.)

Alex's 17th email from Chile 12/13/10

2010-12-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

Alex's latest email is on his blog. His companion is struggling. Please keep him in your prayers.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 16th email from Chile 12/6/10

2010-12-06T14:02:00.001-08:00

I just posted Alex's latest email with pictures :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 16th email from Chile 12/6/10

2010-12-06T13:58:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's 16th email with pictures :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 15th email from Chile 11/29/10

2010-11-30T07:55:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's email from yesterday with a picture :)

http://www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 14th email from Chile 11/22/2010

2010-11-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

I just posted Alex's latest email. He sent pictures! I also just found out that Alex's trainer that has only been home two weeks is engaged!!!!

http:www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Just Sayin'...........

2010-11-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

San Diego among Top 10 holiday destinations

By Lori Weisberg

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 11:33 a.m.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

San Diego is a top destination for those planning trips over the upcoming holidays.

If Internet travel research is any indication, San Diego is a popular destination when it comes to making travel plans for the holidays.

According to Yahoo! Travel, San Diego is among the Top 10 places holiday travelers plan on visiting this year, sharing company with Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Myrtle Beach.

New to this year's list is Austin, Texas, which bumped Miami and Honolulu from the top faves this year. Chicago, absent from last year’s list, rejoins the Top 10 destinations this year.

The Yahoo list is based on consumer interest and activity on its travel site. According to data compiled by the research and booking site, family-friendly trips within the United States are popular for this year’s holiday travel season.

Not surprisingly, searches for "Christmas vacations" are "are off the charts," while online interest in “family vacations” has spiked 145 percent in the past 30 days.

Meanwhile, a recent Yahoo survey found that 52 percent of respondents plan on traveling this holiday season, mostly within the United States, although most will be making their trips by car.

I love living here!!!! Sure, maybe we could have a nicer house somewhere else. Maybe we could go on more trips if we lived somewhere else or maybe I could have a fancier car. Maybe we could have a lot more of everything if we lived somewhere else but I love it here and I love my life here. Every day is like a holiday and I LOVE it here :) Just sayin'.......

Alex's 13th email from Chile 11/15/10

2010-11-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

Alex tells us about his new companion in his email.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Rincon Spiders

2010-11-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

I posted a blog on Rincon Spiders on Alex's mission blog. They are nasty looking.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Rhubarb

2010-11-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

I bet you are all wondering why I am writing a blog on rhubarb :) When Alex received his mission call to Chile I started doing research and I found this newsletter I could subscribe to which talks about a lot of things in Chile. I received the current post today and it was all about Nalca - Chile's giant rhubarb:

http://www.joeskitchen.com/chile/2010/11/10/nalca-chilean-giant-rhubarb/

This brought back all sorts of memories for me. I grew up eating and loving rhubarb. I love rhubarb & strawberry jam, rhubarb & strawberry pie, rhubarb squares, etc. etc. I love the smell of it cooking. It is one of many things I've missed since moving to San Diego.

As I continued to read the article more memories came flooding in. I remembered the very first house I lived in in Edmonton. We had rhubarb growing on the side of the garage. I would go out there and pick it to eat it. I would dip it in sugar and take a bite, dip it in the sugar again and take a bite. Imagine my surprise when the article says that in Chile they dip it in salt!!

Rhubarb leaves are very large. When I was younger I would make hats out of them. They would shade my face in the sun and sometimes I would pretend they were like an umbrella. It was fun to read that Chile they use them for the same thing, although I was wondering if it was just the follies of a young girl that would use them for that or does the everyday population use them for that? At any rate, I think we should try and grow some rhubarb here in San Diego!

Alex's 12th email from Chile 11/8/10

2010-11-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Memories

2010-11-07T08:07:00.002-08:00

Our Car Activity Kit - read below for story

Fred is finally getting around to finishing up a project he started a number of years ago - cleaning and organizing the garage. I will cut him some slack because it's not an easy task. We have no basement in our house and not a lot of storage. This can be difficult when you have 8 people living in a house. We have been needing to go through accumulated things for sometime and the garage ends up being the place to dump everything. It's quite daunting actually and when he was traveling so much for work it made it even harder. Saturdays are really the only time he has and a lot of Saturdays we've had things for kids or company. The unfortunate thing is that because we waited so long there has been some water damage to some papers and I'm trying not to think of other things that may have some damage to them. The good news is that it is finally getting done. Once it's done then we can clear out the downstairs bedroom/office that has also become a storage place because we couldn't throw anything more into the garage.

There have been a lot of things lately that have brought back memories for me. When we had our primary sacrament meeting program a month or two ago it brought back a flood of memories when my kids were those ages. I remembered when I would put in the primary songs for the program in the tape player in the car so that while we were driving we could practice. As a family we sang in the car all the time. I remembered one year in particular how Ben refused to practice the primary songs. We had been somewhere as a family and had promised the kids an icecream on the way home. We kept trying to get Ben to practice the songs and even pulled over on the side of the road and refused to drive until he started singing with the other kids. It wasn't until the threat of no icecream and the threats of his siblings that he finally started singing. I've remembered talks & prayers the kids gave - especially Brandon. He could memorize and give talks without help at the age of 3. When he prayed he thanked Heavenly Father for things like quote: "the world so we would have something to stand on" or "the trees so we would have something to climb."

I have memories of family home evenings and family scripture study that were very successful and fun and times when it was horrible and we did not have a good feeling and I wondered why we even tried. I remember the frustration as the older kids got older and we still had younger ones trying to juggle those FHE's or scripture study times to meet both needs. I also remember trying to do mix things up and try to do them in different ways, different times etc. to best fit schedules which can be a bit crazy with eight people in a home. I think because of all the many different things we tried and because we didn't always call it "family home evening" or " family scripture study" our kids don't always remember what we did or think we didn't do it. Sometimes that makes me sad. But as we go through these things in the garage the memories are flooding back to me as we run across my files with lessons & activities or when I see the family home evening board I made that I was so proud of.

Whenever I am sad and think that my kids don't ever remember that for the most part we were pretty consistent in doing the things we should - even if we didn't officially say we were doing that or calling it that as they got older - I make myself feel better by knowing that something we did must have sunk in because they have all remained strong and faithful and have testimony's. They've served missions or are serving missions and the four who are married have been married in the Temple. They are all active. They are all wonderful young strong active adults. This makes me happier than they can imagine - well the one's that have children now can understand a little more.

Now onto the picture above and memories it brought back. This is one of the things that Fred came across in the garage yesterday. The plastic box was worse for wear but everything in the box was in pretty good shape still. This was our car activity kit we had for trips we went on. This was what we had long before the day of portable t.v.'s or portable DVD players or even cars with t.v.'s in them. I was so proud of the the car travel kit and games I would put together for our trips. I would always add something new and it wasn't something we had in the car for everyday travel. We may not have had money to fly to various vacation destinations when all six kids were home but we had some great family trips which usually involved camping or cheap motels. I know that our kids don't remember all those trips either but we had a lot of fun and I know that those times have helped shape them. I have a memory of something Fred devised for one of our trips long before water bottles became the rage. He took a large thermos/cooler we had and made some kind of plug for it which had very long thin rubber tubing coming from it. The tubing was long enough that it could reach from the front of the van all the way to the back. Whenever someone wanted a drink you just had to pass the tube back. He thought he was pretty clever. Then one time someone complained about one of the younger kids back-washing and they grossed out and that was the end of Fred's idea :)

I'm proud of my kids and so happy that despite my faults & imperfections they are active, happy, and striving to be better than me. I know I have high expectations of my kids. It's because I know what potential they have and I know they are better than me. It's my hope and prayer that each generation will improve upon the next.

The Best Beards in Mormon History

2010-11-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

This is hilarious! You've got to love 'beard winning relatives' ha!ha!

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 19, 2010. – In an announcement that surprised exactly no one who had seen his campaign poster, apostle-inventor-astronomer-mathematician-pamphleteer-surveyor-poet-editor-missionary-mission president-philosopher-debater-historian-theologian [at this point members of the typesetters’ union went on strike, declaring that setting type for the man’s full resume would require overtime pay and a possible increase in medical coverage for carpal tunnel syndrome] Orson Pratt of Salt Lake City, Liverpool, western New York [here a gentle nudge from the typesetters’ shop steward forced curtailment of a listing of the man’s residences] was today named as the proud possessor of the Best Beard in Mormon History.

“Oh, shucks,” Pratt murmured, his eye cast modestly toward the ground where the toe of his right boot traced the solution to a quadratic equation in the dust. “It wasn’t something I set out to do. My chin was as clean-shaven as the next missionary’s when I went on my first mission, and when I was called to the Quorum. But like most young men, I indulged myself once by not shaving during a fishing trip, and, well, I discovered I could grow whiskers purty fast and purty thick. Before I knew it, all the youngsters were treating me with awe in December, real eager to do their chores and such, and once I caught on to their misunderstanding, well, there was no going back. I had a time of it convincing Sarah that it was a good thing, but even she eventually came ‘round.”

When asked whether he thought his supporters had truly confined themselves to voting for his beard, or whether his overall appearance had won the crown, his eyes twinkled. “Well, I don’t know that that is the case,” he said. “I did take special care when I had this photograph made to brush my hair and fluff out my beard. But it would have been nigh unto impossible to make a picture of my beard without my mustache, wouldn’t it?”

Consolation prize winner Heber J. Grant, also of Salt Lake City, was predictably dignified in his reaction to the news. “Orson is a fine man, with a fine set of whiskers,” he agreed genially. “I voted for him myself, to tell you the truth. My second place showing was a complete surprise – I would have predicted that Joseph F., with his fine double-patriarch, should have taken the second prize. Or Benjamin, maybe – he always had a streak of originality in the tonsorial department.”

Grant quickly denied rumors that he was in hiding as a precaution against Porter Rockwell’s reaction to his own third-place finish. “Oh, no,” he laughed. “Porter is a fine man. He stopped by this morning to congratulate me and to assure me that there were no hard feelings. He has always been very loyal to Joseph Smith and his successors, you know, and I have felt nothing but loyalty from him myself.”

Rockwell, reached at his lodgings above his stable, confirmed Grant’s impression. “Sure, I was a mite disappointed,” he grinned. “We was runnin’ so even-like in the balloting for so long. Truth be told,” and here he gave the reporter a sly wink, “I was hopin’ to sway a few votes by distracting the ladies with my flowing, naturally curly locks. Many’s the time a mother has reached out to stroke my hair, tellin’ me she wished her little girls had hair as fine as mine!”

This reporter sought an interview with Mormon Blogger BHodges to elicit his reaction to the special election held in his district between himself and, well, himself – an election demanded by supporters who had threatened to boycott the entire affair due to BHodges’ failure to take the title in his division at the end of the primary election. We could see BHodges through the window, where he appeared to be reading two books simultaneously, typing the review of one with his left hand and handwriting the review of the other with his right. We didn’t have the heart to disturb such a busy man, so we left our card on the tray in the entryway and quietly slipped out.

The editorial board of Keepapitchinin congratulates the winners and thanks all those who participated, whether as candidate or elector.

Alex's Missionary Stocking

2010-11-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

I have made all three of my boys a special missionary stocking their first Christmas out in the mission field. Brandon & Ben loved theirs so I'm hoping Alex will love his as well.

Here is Alex's stocking:

Here's the first one I made for Brandon in November 2003:

And here is the one I made for Ben in November 2005:

Alex's 11th email from Chile 11/1/10

2010-11-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's 11th email on his mission blog.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

The Beautiful Place We Live

2010-10-31T22:21:00.001-07:00

Water from recent rains flows over falls at Los Pensquitos in Rancho Penasquitos
Oct. 27, 2010 San Diego Union Tribune

Every year for Memorial Day weekend we hike through our local canyon which is a preserve. We hike down to the waterfalls (they really aren't what we would call waterfalls) and eat a lunch before hiking out. Sometimes we've even rode bikes to the falls, then climbed down the rocks to the falls and then we would eat our lunch that Fred would always carry in a back pack. He always has volunteered to carry it for us :). We've had some interesting stories over the years but none quite like the year that Alex broke his arm and Alycia went missing.

Ben & Brandon were climbing on the rocks and I had told them to be careful because their feet were wet from going in the water and I didn't want them to slip. Alex, not to be outdone by his big brothers and always wanting to be bigger followed. The next thing we knew we saw him take a tumble. It really is a miracle he wasn't injured more or even killed. The amazing thing was to watch him tuck and roll. It was so scary to see him fall and know we couldn't get there fast enough to do anything. Thankfully Kira had worn a bandana and between that and a t-shirt Fred made a make shift sling. Fred had to carry Alex out over the rocks which was a little precarious at the time. Also, we didn't know what to do with his bike.

Now is where the story of Alycia comes in. Alycia, like Alex didn't want to be outdone by the bigger kids and she rode ahead. Unfortunately she got so far ahead and took a wrong fork in the road and went missing. This was not the day to have a lost child while Alex was in a lot of pain and we were just trying to get out as quickly as possible. After we frantically looked for a bit, the park rangers were notified. Just as they were about to call a helicopter to search for her another biker came along and asked if we were looking for a little blonde girl on a bike. He directed us to where she was.

Even then we still had to get to our truck & van to load in the bikes etc. We got home and got the other kids settled before getting Alex to urgent care. We felt bad it had taken so long with all the delays; precarious climb out, bike ride out and Alycia getting lost.

We also had an episode once when Alycia was riding and some bees flew down her shirt. I will have to find some pictures to share at some point. For now this picture that was in the paper the other day will have to suffice. It is after all the inspiration for the post and the memories.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

2010-10-29T09:29:00.001-07:00

Recently I've read several articles about the health benefits of coconut oil. I bought some and have used it twice in place of olive oil in a couple of my recipes. Remember the yummy soup recipe I posted? I used the coconut oil to saute the vegetables. I've copied an article below from my local market where I bought the coconut oil:

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

How is Lauric Acid Used by our body?
The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia. As a result of these various health benefits of coconut oil, though its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system.

Before we move on to the benefits of coconut oil in detail, let us understand its composition.

Composition of Coconut Oil: Coconut oil consists of more than ninety percent of saturated fats (Don’t panic! First read to the last word. Your opinion may change), with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Virgin Coconut Oil is no different from this. Let us have a bit detailed study of this.

The Saturated Fatty Acids: Most of them are Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well. Lauric Acid is the chief contributor, with more than forty percent of the share, followed by Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Myristic Acid and Palmitic.
The Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Linoleic Acid.
The Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: Oleic Acid.
The Poly-phenols: Gallic Acid, which is phenolic acid. These poly-phenols are supposed to be responsible for the fragrance and the taste of Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these poly-phenols.
Certain derivatives of fatty acid like Betaines, Ethanolamide, Ethoxylates, Fatty Esters, Fatty Polysorbates, Monoglycerides and Polyol Esters.
Fatty Chlorides, Fatty Alcohol Sulphate and Fatty Alcohol Ether Sulphate, all of which are derivatives of Fatty Alcohols.
Vitamin-E and Vitamin K and minerals such as Iron.

Let us now explore the benefits of coconut oil in detail:

Hair Care: Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.

Skin Care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care.

Premature Aging: Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

Heart Diseases: There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss: Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.

Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.

HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancer patients.

Finally, coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.

P.S. I'm adding some links that Lynn sent in her comments

http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/coconut-oil-fact-and-fiction/

http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/oil-solutions/

Easy Apple Cake

2010-10-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

I wish I had taken a picture of this cake. I made this recipe when our friends were visiting from Canada. Alycia had recently made an Apple Crisp - which we love - and I decided to make something that seemed "fallish." I found this recipe and made it - YUMMY!!!

Easy Apple Cake

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups diced apples
1 cup chopped dates rolled in flour
1 cup chopped walnuts

Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and cinnamon with a wire whisk and set aside.
Combine sugar and oil using a mixer until blended.
Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
Add flour mixture and mix well.
Stir in nuts, dates and apples. The batter will be very thick.
Pour into a greased and floured 9 X 13 pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until done.
Cool cake and using a skewer, poke holes in cake.
Cook topping ingredients on stove until mixture bubbles.
Pour topping over cake letting some (ha… more if you like) seep into the cake.

Enjoy!

Alex's 10th email from Chile 10/25/10

2010-10-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's 10 email on his blog. He sent pictures this week. That made me smile :) I think he is the cutest missionary!!

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

A Cleaning Shortcut

2010-10-23T16:33:00.001-07:00

So I read this in a magazine the other day and I am going to try to remember it the next time I clean windows. It totally makes sense and I don't know why I didn't think of this on my own.

It says to wipe the windows horizontally on the inside and vertically on the outside, or vice versa. This way you can easily spot any streaks that remain on the inside or outside.

Making Cookies with Grandma (Cookie recipe included) and a trip to the Zoo!

2010-10-22T06:57:00.001-07:00

Sydney & Hayley - my two little itty bitty bugs!

I called Serene a month or so ago and told her that October is free for kids at the zoo. I have a pass so Serene could get in free with me. She brought Sydney & Hayley down for a couple of days. Unfortunately the weather was rainy & cool but we had fun nonetheless. It would rain a little then stop then rain a little then stop. Twice it really came down. We still saw everything we wanted to see for this trip and it wasn't raining during the important things we needed to do: the petting zoo and eating our lunch outside on the benches under a lovely tree while the humming birds flew in and out of the tree.

Sydney petting a goat

I bought the girls t-shirts like I did for Evan & Landon when we went to the zoo. We didn't get a picture though :( I'll have to have Serene take one and send it to me so I can post it. Then I'll have to post one of the boys.

We rode the tram twice. The girls loved it and Sydney especially loved flying high like the birds.

Sydney was sooooo excited to hold the umbrella!

Our sweet wet Hayley fell asleep on the way home.

Not to be outdone or out-pictured, Sydney says "Grama, take a picture of me. I sleeping too." Note how tight her eyes are squeezed shut. As soon as I took the picture she pops her head up and starts chattering to us again :)

When we got home we made cookies. I got this recipe from a friend's blog and it is yummy!! The last time the girls were down Sydney and I made chocolate chip cookies. She remembered making them and had asked her Mom if we could make cookies again. I had already planned on it :) I think this will be our little tradition.

Sydney making cookies with Grandma

Licking the beaters is the best! Look at how she sits on the floor? This girl is so incredibly flexible. You should see what she can do! She needs to be in gymnastics or some type of dance.

The finished product - yummy!!
Pumpkin Whoopie Cookies with Cream-Cheese Filling

Here's the link for the cookie recipe:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pumpkin-whoopie-pies

Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup

2010-10-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

Soooo.......I really have been meaning to do more of a personal blog. I've been so focused on Alex's and other things in my life that I just haven't got around to blogging about all the things I want to blog about. I have hundreds of thoughts and ideas going around in my head. I've even had "one" child give me grief asking me why I even have a blog if all I'm going to do is post that I updated Alex's blog :) Sooooo.......I'm going to try and be better about blogging different things.

A few weeks ago I wanted to make some soup but I wanted a healthy soup recipe. I did a search and came across this recipe and looked good. I added a couple of other ingredients as well. I thought I would share it.

2/3 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves
3 cups of broth (I used Chicken but you could use vegetable or beef)
1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage (I cheated and used it out of a bag)
1/2 cup green beans
1 TBSP tomato paste
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup diced zucchini

In a large saucepan, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute carrot, onion & garlic until softened, about 5 mins. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano and salt; bring to a boil.

Lower heat and simmer, covered about 15 mins. or until beans are tender. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 mins. Serve hot.

*I add some left over chicken to this recipe. I also added a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach. I didn't wait to add the zucchini or the spinach. I added it right along with everything else and cooked it and it was great. I made this soup again this week and had some left over turkey from our Canadian Thanksgiving and chopped that up and put it in. This soup is delicious! Also, sometimes I keep my vegetables chunkier for a more hearty soup!

Alex's 9th email from Chile 10/18/10

2010-10-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 8th letter from Chile 10/11/10

2010-10-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's 8th letter from Chile.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 7th letter from Chile 10/4/2010

2010-10-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

I just posted Alex's latest letter.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's 6th email from Chile 9/27/10

2010-09-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

A great letter with pictures. I love getting pictures!!

www.elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com

Alex's Fourth Letter from Chile

2010-09-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2010/09/alexs-fourth-letter-from-chile.html

An extra fun post on Alex's mission blog

2010-09-09T13:21:00.001-07:00

An extra fun post on Alex's mission blog with a couple of pictures :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-coincidence.html

Alex's Third Letter from Chile

2010-09-06T16:11:00.001-07:00

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

A New post with pictures from the MTC

2010-09-01T11:52:00.001-07:00

A new post with some thoughts and pictures from Alex's time in the MTC. He sent home a box and we scanned some of the pictures :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2010/09/few-thoughts-pictures-from-mtc.html

Alex's Second Letter from Chile & Pictures :)

2010-08-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/2010/08/alexs-second-letter-from-chile-pictures.html

Alex's First Letter from Chile

2010-08-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

I kept checking all morning for Alex's email which didn't come. Then I started to wonder if his preparation day was even Monday. I went to my missionary mom's group and asked the question there and got a few replies back confirming that it was indeed Monday. As the afternoon wore on I decided that maybe we weren't getting one or it was hung up in cyberspace somewhere. Then it came! I was so excited and a little teary as I read it. I'm so very grateful that he is adapting and that he has a wonderful trainer. I prayed for a wonderful trainer :) He's having some wonderful experiences already and he hasn't even been there a full week. Enjoy his letter.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

A Picture & Letter from the Mission Field!!!

2010-08-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

I received an email from the secretary in the mission office today. There was a letter from the mission president, a picture of Alex with them & his companion and a map of where his area is. Go have a look :)

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

A Phonecall from Alex :)

2010-08-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

I've posted some highlights on Alex's mission blog from our phone call with him yesterday. It was wonderful to hear him. He's excited and happy to get going. I didn't realize how much he sounds like Ben on the phone and at first I thought it was Ben. Alex arrived in Santiago at 8 a.m. this morning. I also updated his mailing information on his blog.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/

Alex's 17th and final letter from the MTC

2010-08-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

I can hardly wait to talk to Alex later today. He will call us during his layover in Dallas. He will arrive in Chile tomorrow morning.

http://elderalexleavitt.blogspot.com/