Patience and Fortitude

I love libraries. I am sure that this is related to my love of books and reading. But even beyond that, I feel calm and happy when I am in a library, whether I am reading or not. When we moved Kate to BYU, it was the first time that I had spent any time in the newly renovated/expanded Harold B Lee Library. I was in heaven. I told Kate, "Don't be alarmed if you walk into the library one morning and see your mother "hanging out." She just shook her head.

So I enjoyed the fact that our hotel in NYC was only a couple of blocks away from the library. I walked past it several times each day as I set out on new explorations.



The first time I walked by, I stopped abruptly. Right in front of the library are the lions "Patience" and "Fortitude!" Their cousins, also named "Patience" and "Fortitude," along with "Honor" and "Integrity," guard the Utah State Capitol.

I have a great deal of fondness for these guardians of virtue.

September Travels

I don't usually plan a month filled with continual travel, but September ended up being exactly that. Each trip was very delightful, but I admit that I was ready when October was a month of staying home.

At the end of August/first of September we took a girl's trip to Lake Powell. With Bryce too, of course. Me, Bryce, Caroline and friends--Lexi and Allison, and Jacque with her friend Coreen. We had a very fun time with these energetic and beautiful girls.

Rainbow Bridge is becoming a regular event on our Lake Powell agenda.

Next we went to Austin, Texas with Mark & Laura and Norm & Doug to watch the Cougars play football. Austin is a beautiful city and we enjoyed spending a few days exploring it. Clinton, Melissa and Hazel also went with us to stay with and visit Matt and Andrea. Traveling with a baby is a fun experience!

Beautiful Austin.

After sending them on a wild-goose chase throughout the city, we were able to have dinner with Kelsey & Bill. I loved seeing them and their very adorable children.


Texas Stadium is big!


Can you tell we are BYU fans?

Of course we visited the Texas State Capitol. Very historical. But I am finding that we really have an exceptionally beautiful State Capitol in Utah. (biased opinion)

Towards the end of the month, we traveled to New York City for the Gold's Gym Owners's Convention. We went a day early and attended a session at the Manhattan Temple and then went to the Broadway show "Spiderman." I loved it! Good thing I didn't listen to all the negative critics. Bryce spent the rest of the trip attending meetings, and I rode the subway throughout the city exploring.

I was lucky to get a ticket to the 9/11 Memorial. Impressive. When I was standing in line, two New York natives in front of me were comparing travel stories. One woman declared, "I will tell you where the most beautiful place on earth is--Zion's National Park in Utah!"
I couldn't resist telling them that I was from Utah, and we had a great time discussing
the finer points of red-rock country.

Traveling definitely broadens my horizons.

How many members of our family does it take to move Kate to BYU?

Correct answer--all of us. Dallin also came and helped put together her bed--but he left before we took the picture. Bryce had a business trip he could not reschedule. Clint and Melissa were working. But we all try to gather whenever Kate has a major event. Or even just an event.

All of Kate's life she has had the blessing/curse of not only having hovering parents, but hovering siblings. Clint calls her the "chosen one." I am grateful that my children all support and take care of each other. But as the youngest, Kate is often the recipient of a great deal of attention and advice from all of us. I think that she knows that it is given with love.

Now she is on her own--living at the dorms. Of course, technology keeps us in close contact, but we do miss having her at home. She is doing well. She has some pain and is often frustrated with the activity limitations that she has until January. Her life with scoliosis continues to teach her patience.

Long-Awaited Surgery

We have known for 4 years that scoliosis surgery for Kate was a possibility. We have known for 3 years that surgery was probable, for 2 years that it was definitely going to be necessary, and for 1 year her surgery date has been scheduled. It has been a long process leading up to June 30, 2011.

Before surgery.

She doesn't seem worried. She told us that she did shed a few tears as she climbed on the operating table. The reality of it all.

Recovery.
We couldn't get her warm enough. She was not in much pain when she woke.
(Remaining anesthesia and morphine pump!)
She did say some pretty funny things under the influence of drugs.

Looking cheerful.
The first two days were hard. Nausea; pain; medication adjustment.
Primary Children's is great--good nurses and staff. Still--pretty rough.

Finally get to go home on day 6.

Walking a few steps, nausea gone, pain meds working for the most part.

And now, 3 1/2 weeks out, she is doing great and continues to improve each day.
I am very grateful.

Family Bonding

Many months ago, Caroline suggested that we form a family Ragnar team to participate in the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay on June17 - 18. This race consists of 12 team members who run in shifts from Logan to Park City. Caroline, who has run it before, told us it would be "bonding." She was right.

However, as the time came closer, I was not sure whether it was such a good idea. Caroline was swamped with school and work. Bryce and I were immersed in work and Kate's graduation. We were sure that our family had plenty of runners to fill the 12-man team--but it was harder than we thought. Caroline had recruited at the cousin party in December. From the Newman side of the family, Ryan and Anna had signed on at that time. Lanis & Lance and Leslie & Jon agreed to represent the Berry side of the family. Everyone in our immediate family planned to run it except Kate, who had Youth Conference. Then Jacque got pneumonia. So we lost her as well as Dallin as a driver. We always were a bit nervous about Clint with a new baby. And as it got closer, he and we realized that he needed to be home with Melissa and Hazel. So my nephew Cory agreed to run, even though he would be barely home from Hong Kong. And our friend, David Dickson--who is like family, agreed to take Clint's spot. That left one spot still open, and Caroline called on her Skyline/Utah State running contacts and her friend Becca agreed to come run with us.

Then the unthinkable happened. David had a terrible fall while hiking. The story of his rescue and recovery is a miracle. He continues to recuperate, and he is making great progress. One of the things he said to Clair as they were going through their ordeal was, "I guess I won't be running Ragnar!"

Again, Caroline went to her running friends. When we picked up Lexi on the way to Logan, she started asking questions that made it clear she didn't really know what this race involved. I said, "Lexi, did Caroline explain this race to you?" Lexi replied, "She just told me that she needed me to come run on her Ragnar team, and even though I didn't really know what that meant, I came." What a good friend!

What it meant was--riding in a suburban or running night and day. Everyone ran 3 legs. Mine were the easiest--4 miles each. Still kind of a stretch for me. Running in the mountains in the middle of the night was a unique experience. I didn't feel anxious, like I thought I might. More peaceful. Ryan, Caroline, Lexi and Becca were with Bryce and me. (Ryan was a real sport, listening to those 3 girls for 30 hours!) Lanis, Lance, Leslie, Jon, Anna and Cory were in the other vehicle. The experience really was bonding.

The Wild Berry Bunch. Kate designed the shirts.
Our Van

Finishing High School with a Bang!

We have been very busy with graduation activities during the last weeks of school. I keep telling Bryce, "we can rest in the fall." Ha! Since Kate is a class officer, her parents end up being involved in many things-- which we enjoyed, but we are getting older and we did get tired.

First was the Senior Dinner/Dance. We decorated and chaperoned.

The happy chaperones. Yes, we made very old comments like, "I do not get the way these kids dance these days!"

Seminary graduation!

Graduation Day

Kate welcomed everyone to graduation.

The beautiful graduate.

The class officers' parents planned the all-night graduation party. So we were all up ALL night. Very fun. We got a few hours of sleep Wednesday morning from 6 - 10 am. Then Thursday morning we were up early heading to Lake Powell for Kate's Senior Trip.

Kate's cute friends at Lake Powell. A fun end to 3 great years of High School

On to BYU!

Caroline Graduation

Caroline graduated from Utah State with her Master's Degree. Now she is working and taking classes so that she can apply to PA school. Her school journey continues, but in the end will be worth it!