Scottsdale Princess - wow!

Okay...so this is the Scottsdale Princess...doesn't it look beautiful? Well, trust me it is! This is where Dan took me for my romantic get-a-way! It was wonderful! We arrived around 3pm, checked in. Our room was great! We got our bathing suits on and headed down to the "South Pool" one of five. We spent the afternoon lazy around the pool. I ordered a mojito...it was a tiny little glass that cost me $13!! Crazy i know...but hay! At 7pm we had dinner reservations in the Bourbon Steak House. I felt like I was on an episode of "Top Chef" every time they came over with a dish. They would explain in DETAIL what we were eating...i had to contain myself not to bust out laughing. I wanted to reply: "thank you Chef!" ;) We both had steak (you ordered your sides separately...and i will not tell you how much each cost....craaazzyy!!) My steak was honestly the best steak I have EVER eaten!! The flavor, o my gosh! My mouth is still watering. We ended our dinner with Creme Brulee - even though we were both extemely full - we will always have creme brulee if it's on the menu...it's our favorite! So we shared it, and i had a cup of wonderful italian coffee! We went back to our room and I probably could have fallen asleep I was so full, but instead, since it was only 9pm we decided to go back down to the pool - they are open 24 hours! Good deal! :o) We swam, sat in the hot tub and eventually made our way back to our room. We slept in till almost 10 o'clock the next morning! The beds were super comfy and the pillows!! wow! they were amazing!!! We had coffee in bed while watching the news, then finally after a couple of cups we got up and got ourselves ready to leave. We decided not to eat at the hotel (we spent enough the night before!), but left around noon and went out for brunch. It was so great to get away even for 24 hours! I highly recommend it! We could never afford this hotel during regular season - see there are benefits to living in a crazy hot state!! They reduce the prices during the summer! So it was wonderful to go and experience this kind of luxury.

So back to normal this week...need to buy school supplies, first day of school outfits, paper lunch bags...etc, etc! School starts next Wednesday. Wow! Where has the summer gone? Our little jaunt away was a nice way to end my already full summer. Well, i'm off to the gym - gotta go work off my Saturday night dinner...do you think it's too late? LOL

well, until later then...Lynnie

A Surprise Trip!

So this morning I woke up at 7:40...it's Saturday! A day I could sleep in...but no! Anyways, in my bathroom was a card, and in the card was a note. My note told me to pack for a night and a day...and at 2:30 I will be leaving. I was so excited! So worth not sleeping in for! I found out that Dan and I are going to have a little get-away. We're staying at the Scottsdale Princess. Five star, sounds beautiful and i cannot wait for 2:30 to get here! I love how spontaneous Dan can be! I am truly grateful for this man, for his love and commitment to me and our marriage. We need this time away - so often we as parents can put ourselves on the back burner...our kids need us, we recognize that...however, one day those kids (all six of them!) are going to pack up and move out, and where will Dan and I be? In our 2-seater heading for "who cares!!" ha! ha! No really - I hope and pray we're still surprising one another with surprise outings and little notes and gifts along the way. I am blessed. And hay...who am I kidding - I seriously hope we have that 2-seater!!

Until later then...Lynnie

Bittersweet

Today I attended the funeral of my friend's father. I only met Scott one time...i went to support my friend. It is always sort of weird to say "the funeral was amazing." But it truly was. It was a wonderful tribute to a man who left an incredible legacy for his children and grand-children. I was moved with every aspect of the day...from the words spoken, to the graveside, to talking to my friend about how I seemed to have a better understanding of her dad & the kind of man he was. I walked through many different emotions also...thinking of Betty (Scott's wife) and their girls, and their husbands & kids, to thinking of my husband and my kids, thinking about my parents...my dad in particular. I thought of myself too, and realized that I too want to leave a legacy for my children and my grandchildren...a legacy of faith, of love, of joy. In the end it truly won't matter what trophies or achievements. It will simply matter how I lived my life, and did I impact anyone with it, and is Jesus happy with the way I lead it?
I am thankful today for Scott Kemp's life...although a simple handshake and a hello is all I knew of him, he even in his death has taught me something about myself and the way I want to live my life.

In the baby lies the future of the world. Mother must hold the baby close so that the baby knows it is his world but the father must take him to the highest hill so that he can see what his world is like. - Mayan Indian Proverb

Until later then...Lynn

Monday, July 14, 2008

I received this email today, and I love what Roy Lessin (author) says...let me share with you:

"Just think, you are not here by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else - you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation."

This gives me new purpose today...what about you?

well, until later then...Lynnie

July 13, 2008

Well, this is my first attemp at "blogging!" It's late and I just returned from vacation in Canada last night, so I am experiencing some jet lag, so this will probably be short. I'm known for giving way too many details...so maybe i'm kidding myself saying "this will be short!" I just spent three weeks away in Ontario with my family. It was great to get away and enjoy the lake and be with family & friends. I am so grateful for the people in my life...for all the experiences I have had with them. The good times, the rough times, the in-between times. I come away from my vacation counting my blessings and being truly grateful for all that life has thrown at me, and the people that have ventured alongside of me. I am enjoying this journey...although at times difficult, I am growing & changing and trying hard to become who the Creator wants me to be. I continue to look upwards and cling to the robes of the One who is pruning me!
Well, like I said it's late...so, until later then. Lynnie