Prague: The Astronomical Clock

Prague absolutely took my breath away!  Even the street lamps, the old doors, and cobblestone roads were oozing with History.  Everywhere I looked there was a story to be told.  

The medieval astronomical clock adorns the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall in Old Town square. It announces every hour with 12 apostles passing by the window above the astronomical dial and with symbolic sculptures moving aside. 

The wooden figures of apostles with their attributes appear in the windows every hour, while at the same time some of the sculptures begin to move: the Death holds its hourglass and beckons to the Turkish man sculpture, which shakes its head in response. There is Vanity portrayed as a man with a mirror and Miserliness as a man with a moneybag, shaking a stick. The other statues, that don´t move, are an Astronomer, a Chronicler, a Philosopher and an Angel. When the apostles finish their journey, the golden cockerel at the top crows and quivers its wings, the bell rings and the clock chimes the hour.

The astronomical dial shows the medieval perception of the Universe: the Earth is the center. The blue part of the dial represents the sky above the horizon, the brown part the sky below it. 

(Text from www.prague.cz)

I wish the clock could have made time pass more slowly while we were in this beautiful city!

Prague: Charles Bridge

One of the first places we visited in Prague was Charles Bridge. It is an amazing stone Gothic Bridge that was commissioned by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles the IV and began in 1357! It is even said that egg yolks were mixed into the mortar to strengthen the construction of the bridge.

Along both sides of the bridge there are many Baroque statues. The most popular statue is probably the one of St. John of Nepomuk, a Czech martyr saint who was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV by being  thrown into the Vltava from the bridge. The plaque on the statue has been polished to a shine by countless people having touched it over the centuries. Touching the statue is supposed to bring good luck and ensure your return to Prague! (text from myczechrepublic.com)

Prague: A Wink on the John Lennon Wall

 When John Lennon was murdered in 1980 he became a sort of hero to some of the young Czech people.  His picture was painted on this wall along with other graffiti and lyrics that encouraged free speech non violent rebellion.  Back then the Czech people had very little freedom so their expressions on the wall were considered to be against the state. However, even the threat of prison couldn't keep people from slipping there at night to paint graffiti of the Beatles and also their own hopes and dreams on the wall. 

 Some people say John Lennon's Peace wall is the Prague's equivalent of the Berlin Wall.  The original wall used to be covered in anti communist graffiti but is now covered in messages of love and peace.  John Lennon's picture is long lost under layers of new paint, but you can still find many tributes to him and the Beatles. 

We couldn't resist adding our own message of love to the wall... "WINK!"

 Near the Lennon Wall there are railings covered in padlocks.  Local Lore says that couples put their padlock on the railing then throw the key into the river below to demonstrate their love and commitment.  It reminds me of the sealing power and promise from our Heavenly Father that love is eternal and families are forever.  I loved this quote from an article discussing the locking of hearts:
With time, keys in the water will drift away, engraved or written names will slowly fade away, padlocks will disintegrate or perhaps be removed, but a covenant with God will remain throughout all eternity. 
I am eternally thankful for the blessing of a temple marriage and the promise that our family is not only together for this time, but for all of eternity.   !

God Delights to Own and Bless You

When I was in 8th grade, I had to choose a country to report on to my class.  I chose the country of Austria because it was the country I wanted to visit most in the world!  I remember showing clips from the "Sound of Music" and bringing pastries and cheese for the class to sample.  Oh I hoped  someday I would be able to visit the country where the hills were alive!

Back in October Dallan's co workers in the athletic department asked if Dallan and I could accompany  the BYU Cougarettes on an international competition in Prague and Vienna!   The trip was scheduled for July.  They were aware that it was difficult for us to leave Caleb and were hoping that by giving us enough notice we could arrange some nursing for him so we would be able to go. To say were were thrilled to have that opportunity is an understatement.

However, as I really started to think about it, I was very conflicted inside.  Dallan and I had never both been away from Caleb at the same time, and I was nervous about being so far away from him.  I was terrified  something might happen while we were gone.  I started toying with the idea of  joining Dallan for a couple of days but even that didn't feel right.  By the time February came we still hadn't firmly committed. Little did we know how much our lives would change.  After Caleb died, going to Austria was the furthest thing from our minds.  However the time came to commit to the trip... and we did.I cried the whole way to the passport office. 


A couple of weeks ago we returned from the trip of a life time time.  Prague was amazing and Austria was everything I imagined.  While on our trip a phrase from the hymn "Dearest Children God is Near You" kept going through my mind.  And (God) delights to own and bless you...
Back in October we didn't know how different our lives would be in July.
God did.
No one in the Athletic department knew that this was the place I wanted to visit most in the world.
God did.
We didn't know how each one of the girls we traveled with would touch our hearts.
God did.
He delighted our hearts with a blessing that was beyond what we could have ever imagined for ourselves.

(And guess what, hills really are alive!)

(Warning:  Lots of pictures to come:)

I Have Been Changed for Good

This past Christmas I heard that WICKED was coming to town!  The last time it came to Salt Lake I tried for hours to get tickets but was unsuccessful.  I crossed my fingers this time and called the ticket office to see if I could surprise Dallan with tickets for Christmas.  There were some seats left, but none of them were together, so I decided to send a message to Dallan work.

Me:  So... would you want to see WICKED?!!!!

Dallan:  Why?

Me:  Because I really really really want to see it but just found out there are no seats together. 

 Would you still consider going?

Dallan:  Um...what if  hypothetically we already had tickets for July 19th.....?

I had hoped to surprise Dallan with tickets for Christmas, and he had already purchased them for me for a birthday surprise.  I was really touched that he knew how delighted I would be.

 With a heart full of gratitude and delight, I went on a special date with my sweet heart along with my brother Jacob and his wife Teresa.  We ate a wonderful dinner at the Copper Onion then went to see WICKED! Oh I absolutely loved every minute!

I couldn't help but think of Caleb during several parts of my favorite song:

 It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me 
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart

...But because I knew  you,

I have been changed for good.

Stewart Falls

This past weekend we took our boys on a hike to Stewart Falls. The last time Dallan and I were there was when we were dating!  It was a magical hike to a beautiful place.  

Matthew is quite the hiker!  He always brings his own pack with some water, snacks, and his favorite trinkets!

The back pack Dallan is wearing is Caleb's feeding pump bag.  We use it on all of our adventures, and it makes me smile when I'm bringing up the rear and see a bit of Caleb with us. 

Here's a wink from Josh on the trail!

Matthew insisted on hiking right up to the waterfall and got soaked!

As we were hiking Mitchell asked Dallan, "Dad, do you think Caleb is able come with us on our adventures?"  Dallan replied, "Of course he can!"  Mitchell then replied, "Well then, Caleb's lucky because he probably never gets tired!"

Timpanogos Caves

Every year I like to make a bucket list of the things we want to do in the summer. One of the adventures we had listed was "hiking to Timpanogos Caves!" We recently took our boys to the caves, and we loved it! The weather was perfect, the caves were amazing, and Dad's arms were really strong when Mitchell got tired!

If you look closely Matthew and I are flashing a secret "W" for "wink!" 

Mitchell loves to pull goofy faced whenever we take pictures... He can cross his eyes quicker than any kid I know! 

Last Day of School

I can't believe another school year has come and gone. Josh finished his last day of Elementary school.  I feel like we're all headed into a new season. Josh will be in Junior High next year. Mitchell will be starting Kindergarten, and Matthew will be learning his states and capitals!

 I'm looking forward to a making wonderful memories with my boys this summer.  We started by heading up to the cabin right after school got out.

We love the stillness of the canyon.  

We love leaving the world behind and being surrounded by nature. 

This threesome tickles my heart.  I love that my boys get to grow up with my little sister.  They are best friends. 

Josh and Alisa were in the same class for the past 2 years.  What a blessing Alisa was for Josh as he adjusted to a new neighborhood and new school.  I hope they continue to stay close as they go to Junior High together. 

I love watching my boys leave their cares at home when we go to the cabin. 

It was the perfect place to celebrate a successful school year!

Piano Recital

Josh and Matthew recently had a Spring piano recital! They both played wonderfully! Josh's favorite song was from the "Legend of Zelda" and Matthew's favorite was the "Star Wars Theme." Keep it up boys!

Preschool Graduation

This year Mitchell and I were involved in a wonderful preschool group in my neighborhood.  Mitchell looked forward to every single preschool day! He loved making new friends and learning new things. 

On our last day we had a special graduation activity for the children. 

Each of them received a special graduation cap-

and a scrap book that had been compiled during the year.

 The children did projects, played games and munched yummy treats!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful children and mothers.  I loved being so involved in Mitchell's preschool experience!