What to do in NYC when you have no money:

Or when you spend all your money at the beginning of your day buying train tickets, when you should just have driven into the city and found the free parking... we'll know for next time. But the train has its perks, as you'll see. This is where our day began: the New Brunswick station.

The tourists getting an early start, complete with sleepy eyes and bed head.

Why the train tickets were worth every cent (my face--priceless!):

If you couldn't hear, the man in the seat across from us is loudly whistling some version of "Blowin' In The Wind," while the man in front of us looks back angrily and then asks the ticket master if he could do something about the whistling. All the poor ticket master could do was confirm that the whistler was getting off at the next stop. We loved it. Chace even gave him a supportive 'thumbs up' after he was reprimanded.

Then we got off the train and onto a subway, where we obviously looked like tourists, because a buxom black woman leaned over to me, and in a fine New Yorker accent, grunted, "You know where you're goin'?"

"Uh, yeah, I think we've got it. Is it so obvious that we're out-of-towners!?"

"Whe' you from?"

"The northwest--Oregon and Washington."

"Mmm hmm. Well, when you go back home, you tell them that here in New York, we're nice, friendly people. We ain't gon' rob you or mug you or steal yo' purse."

"Okay, we sure will! Thanks!"

We spent a few leisurely morning hours strolling through Central Park, which was lovely. Though with all the runners and dog walkers about, I felt like I needed either a poodle or something spandex to quite fit in. Above is Belvedere Castle, from which New York and her neighbors get their meteorological report each day. When you're listening to WNYC and they say, "It's 87 degrees in Central Park" this is where they get that read.

My Troll in Central Park.

We took a detour from the Park to see if we could find the temple. And it snuck right up on us!

Then we got back to the Park and followed it down to Times Square.

About this time we were ready for a little sit. Fortunately there were all these lovely chair scattered around, and we took a minute to relax and indulge in my favorite NY activity: people-watching. Then we were hungry, so we moved on to Chace's favorite part of the day: Little Italy. He followed his nose to his own personal Street of Dreams as his mannerisms became increasingly more Italian!

He got ample opportunity to speak Italian with real Italians (versus BYU freshmen), which he always loves. Unfortunately, most of them lost interest the moment they realized that we would not be eating at their restaurant. We wandered around, looking for the most 'authentic' looking place, and finally collapsed at some table and had a very mediocre lunch. Apparently, after talking to coworkers, there's only one restaurant in Little Italy worth eating at. Now we know!

Brooklyn Bridge

Ground Zero


Then, we pulled a Wilcoxson move, and took the Staten Island Ferry across the water, only to turn right around and ride it straight back. These Wilcoxsons just like ferry rides. This one was especially nice because it was free! And we got to see Ellis Island and Lady Liberty pretty close.

We walked around a bit more until we had had enough of the Big Apple for one day, and we headed to the nearest subway and made our way back to our train. So, New York was fun. But the real point of this whole post was actually to introduce this little gem of a video Chace took in the subway station. This moment will be with us forever, just like the memory of the man, nay, the legend who made it all possible. Hope you have a kleenex handy. MJ FOREVER!

About a boy

Today's post is about a boy. A boy who is selfless, thoughtful and sweet in every way. A boy who loves his silly little wife more than she deserves. And he shows her each day, in many ways, big and small. Like by going to work, even when he would rather not. By going out of his way to stop by home en route to a meeting, just to check on her and make sure she's having a good day. By being willing to work hard and happily live with less so that his wife can stay home and, someday, raise her own kids. By letting her put her icey cold little feet against his warm skin at night. By perfectly maintaining that delicate balance of helping her to be better, while never making her feel that she's not good enough. By making delicious gourmet meals appear on the table when she's sure there isn't a thing to eat in the house (yes, even though she has been home all day!) By bringing home treats for her when he travels (she hates when he travels, and she loves treats!)--sometimes a complimentary cookie from the plane, sometimes a shirt he has thoughtfully picked out. By putting the toothpaste on her toothbrush for her (well... that could just be a hint?!) By hiding sweet little sticky-note messages between the pages of her book or the cards in her wallet. By showing her each day that home, by her side, is where he most wants to be. Most recently, by rubbing her feet, tickling her arms and scratching her back for over an hour, just to help her get to sleep last night when she wasn't feeling well.

I could go on indefinitely. But I have one or two other things to do today, so I'll end here.

Oh, and did I mention that he's also a total fox?

A Perfect Judge

This filled me with gratitude and hope today:

“Jacob, in 2 Nephi 9:41 [of the Book of Mormon], in speaking of the straight and narrow, reminds us that ‘the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel’ and that Jesus ‘employeth no servant there.’ The emphasis rightly is on the fact that Jesus ‘cannot be deceived.’ There is another dimension of reassurance, too: not only will the ultimate judgment not be delegated in order to serve the purposes of divine justice, but also divine mercy can best be applied by him who knows these things what only he can know––the quiet moments of courage in the lives of his flock, the un-noticed acts of Christian service, the unspoken thoughts which can be ‘credited’ in no other way, except through perfect judgment” (Neal A. Maxwell, For the Power Is in Them . . . [1970], 37).

“The self-assigned gatekeeper is Jesus Christ, who awaits us out of a deep divine desire to welcome us as much as to certify us; hence, ‘He employeth no servant there.’ (2 Nephi 9:41.) If we acknowledge Him now, He will lovingly acknowledge and gladly admit us then!” (Neal A. Maxwell, Notwithstanding My Weakness [1981], 124).

Chief Scarlett

I had to post this picture I took of my niece in Wamic last month.

I love her!

To Be A Rock

My Dad posted the following several months ago, part of a talk by Chauncey Riddle, a man whom I was privileged to work for during school. As I try to overcome my faults and weaknesses, and live a life that "conform[s] to all that I know," close to the Spirit of the Lord, I keep coming back to this quote. Perhaps you'll find it helpful or inspiring as I do.

"To be a rock, a bastion of surety, revelation must be something on which one can count and receive in every occasion of real need. I began to seek for it actively. I prayed, I fasted, I lived the gospel as best I knew. I was faithful in my church duties. I tried to live up to every scruple which my conscience enjoined upon me. And dependable revelation did come. Intermittently, haltingly at first, then steadily, over some years it finally came to be a mighty stream of experience. I came to know that any time of day or night, in any circumstance, for any real need, I could get help. That help came in the form of feelings of encouragement when things seemed hopeless. It came in ideas to unravel puzzles that blocked my accomplishment. It came in priesthood blessings which were fully realized. It came in whisperings of prophecy which were fulfilled. It came in support and even anticipation of what the General Authorities of the Church would say and do in general conference. It came in the gifts of the Spirit, as the wonders of eternity were opened to the eyes of my understanding. That stream of spiritual experience is today for me a river of living water that nourishes my soul in every situation. It is the most important factor of my life. If it were taken away, all that I have and am would be dust and ashes. It is the basis of my love, life, understanding, hope, and progress. My only regret is that though this river is so wonderful, I have not been able to take full advantage of it as yet. My life does not yet conform to all that I know. But now I do know; I do not just believe."

-Chauncey C. Riddle, Sunstone Symposium IX