We know it is there -we all have a bit of Grandma Helen in us and my bit oozed out on Friday. I was waiting on a corner of San Francisco for a walking tour and there was a group handing out Coke Zero. So of course I went up and grabbed one and stuck it in my purse. Then I started thinking, hmmm, I'd really like to have one to drink now and one to take home later but how do I do that when these guys know I already have one? I decided to do what Grandma would do -I just walked up and said I'd like another. They hesitated but I pointed out that they were free so I got one. Then my walking tour began and as we walked by the Coke Zero people, I noticed that a girl was giving the drinks away -there had been a changing of the guard! I took advantage of the opportunity, took another can and stuck it in my purse. Yes, Grandma Helen would be proud as I got 3 whole cans out of the deal.
I'm not sure, but I think Grandma Marge would be rolling in her grave right now -I know dad probably is a bit embarrassed :). But then again, maybe she'd laugh.
Time is winding down here for me in beautiful San Francisco. So now is the time to visit me -or forever hold your peace. I've learned about some great places in the city that I could share with you if given the opportunity.
Lots of love,
Kara -those sole consistent poster on this lonely family blog
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Quick Spiritual Thought
I was at Institute tonight and we were talking about gifts of the Spirit. My teacher read a quote from Marvin J. Ashton and I thought I would share it with each of you. I also sent it to Corm because I think it has a great message. The quote is from Elder Ashton's October 1987 conference address "There Are Many Gifts."
He said, "From the Book of Mormon, particularly 3 Nephi, chapters 11 through 26 [3 Ne. 11–26], when the Savior Jesus Christ showed himself to the people on the American continent, many gifts are referred to as being very real and most useful. Taken at random, let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable.
Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us."
These less conspicuous gifts are great reminders of what we need to be doing with our lives and what we should be striving for. I would like to point out that Eliza can be secure in knowing that she has the gift of weeping ;).
I love you all! Give yourselves hugs from me.
Lots of love,
Kara
He said, "From the Book of Mormon, particularly 3 Nephi, chapters 11 through 26 [3 Ne. 11–26], when the Savior Jesus Christ showed himself to the people on the American continent, many gifts are referred to as being very real and most useful. Taken at random, let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable.
Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us."
These less conspicuous gifts are great reminders of what we need to be doing with our lives and what we should be striving for. I would like to point out that Eliza can be secure in knowing that she has the gift of weeping ;).
I love you all! Give yourselves hugs from me.
Lots of love,
Kara
Monday, January 19, 2009
Reality Check
I've been back for a little over a week and it feels like an eternity. I think this past week went as slow as my first week of law school. It was painfully long.
The other day I took a longer route to walk to the train station so that I could enjoy the day and the beautiful weather we are having. As usual I passed a number of homeless people on the streets and I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a home, food, and a family that loves me. Right before I entered the station I saw an older Asian woman sitting on the ground, apart from the crowd. Her face was painted with strange face paint and she looked so forlorn and sad. She was just sitting there and people were passing her as if this was normal -even I did it. None of us stopped to see if she needed help or comfort. I haven't been able to get her off my mind and I wonder what her story was -why was she so sad, why was her face painted, why was she alone.
I started thinking, what if I were the one sitting on the ground, waiting for someone to notice me. What if nobody did. What a sad thought. My reality check came that I am so caught up in my own life so much of the time and not caught up in the lives of those around me. This isn't to say that I should stop and talk to everyone who looks a bit blue; if I did that I wouldn't stop talking to people. But I should be more aware of people around me and try to reach out more to them.
The countdown to my end in San Francisco has begun and sadly it will come much sooner than I anticipated. I'm not ready to leave.
My other reality check came when I realized that my pedometer was crediting me with an extra mile or so of running each time I ran. All along I've thought I was running just under 3 miles when low and behold I was running just under 1.5 miles. Crazy. So today I used a mapping tool and ran 3.3 miles (okay so I walked about 4 blocks worth of those three miles, but I felt pretty good that I actually did it. My goal is to run 3 miles, 3 times per week. (I'm just trying to keep up with the other Kera in the family.)
I love you all!
Lots of love,
Kara
The other day I took a longer route to walk to the train station so that I could enjoy the day and the beautiful weather we are having. As usual I passed a number of homeless people on the streets and I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a home, food, and a family that loves me. Right before I entered the station I saw an older Asian woman sitting on the ground, apart from the crowd. Her face was painted with strange face paint and she looked so forlorn and sad. She was just sitting there and people were passing her as if this was normal -even I did it. None of us stopped to see if she needed help or comfort. I haven't been able to get her off my mind and I wonder what her story was -why was she so sad, why was her face painted, why was she alone.
I started thinking, what if I were the one sitting on the ground, waiting for someone to notice me. What if nobody did. What a sad thought. My reality check came that I am so caught up in my own life so much of the time and not caught up in the lives of those around me. This isn't to say that I should stop and talk to everyone who looks a bit blue; if I did that I wouldn't stop talking to people. But I should be more aware of people around me and try to reach out more to them.
The countdown to my end in San Francisco has begun and sadly it will come much sooner than I anticipated. I'm not ready to leave.
My other reality check came when I realized that my pedometer was crediting me with an extra mile or so of running each time I ran. All along I've thought I was running just under 3 miles when low and behold I was running just under 1.5 miles. Crazy. So today I used a mapping tool and ran 3.3 miles (okay so I walked about 4 blocks worth of those three miles, but I felt pretty good that I actually did it. My goal is to run 3 miles, 3 times per week. (I'm just trying to keep up with the other Kera in the family.)
I love you all!
Lots of love,
Kara
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Back in San Francisco
Dear Family,
I made it back to San Francisco and landed to a clear blue sky and 70 degree weather. Amazing. It's good to be back and to start myself in a routine again. That being said, the month-long vacation was amazing and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and caring family. I had such a great time and am thankful for each of you. It's funny how such a long time can pass so quickly and at the end I can feel like I didn't spend enough time with the family.
On the plane ride I started to read the book I received from Santa for Christmas A Single Life by Kristen Oaks. She has a comment that I thought was really funny that I want to share because I think it is a very true statement, at least in our family. "Not being married becomes a family affair...every relative seems affected by their single state." Just thought that was funny.
I'm excited to see all of you in a few short weeks! We should do a family picture (minus the in-laws because we wouldn't want to buck tradition by having them involved ;)).
Corm, I am so proud of you and look up to you as an example. Sorry that my book entry sucks. I'll try and write an addendum and send it to you so that your companions and your posterity won't think of me as the sister who had nothing to say to you about your mission. Duh.
I love you all!
Kara
I made it back to San Francisco and landed to a clear blue sky and 70 degree weather. Amazing. It's good to be back and to start myself in a routine again. That being said, the month-long vacation was amazing and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and caring family. I had such a great time and am thankful for each of you. It's funny how such a long time can pass so quickly and at the end I can feel like I didn't spend enough time with the family.
On the plane ride I started to read the book I received from Santa for Christmas A Single Life by Kristen Oaks. She has a comment that I thought was really funny that I want to share because I think it is a very true statement, at least in our family. "Not being married becomes a family affair...every relative seems affected by their single state." Just thought that was funny.
I'm excited to see all of you in a few short weeks! We should do a family picture (minus the in-laws because we wouldn't want to buck tradition by having them involved ;)).
Corm, I am so proud of you and look up to you as an example. Sorry that my book entry sucks. I'll try and write an addendum and send it to you so that your companions and your posterity won't think of me as the sister who had nothing to say to you about your mission. Duh.
I love you all!
Kara
Sunday, December 7, 2008
We survived the Nutcracker
Hey everybody,
First of all, let me apologize for the lack of communication the last little while. We have been eating, drinking and sleeping Nutcracker. However, I am happy to announce that we are done. The kids were so freaking adorable. Sitting in the audience watching them, I actually was thinking this was all worth it. Wow! is all I have to say. I am grateful it is over, Cora is grateful it is over, and Brigham cried all the way home wishing it was not over. Overall, I would recommend this kind of thing for your kids. It is a wonderful experience. Here are some pictures to enjoy.
After Saturday Night's Performance
Brigham being the Nutcracker doll
Cora being a little snow flake
Brigham as a mouse (3rd one down)
Cora being the prettiest party boy in history
First of all, let me apologize for the lack of communication the last little while. We have been eating, drinking and sleeping Nutcracker. However, I am happy to announce that we are done. The kids were so freaking adorable. Sitting in the audience watching them, I actually was thinking this was all worth it. Wow! is all I have to say. I am grateful it is over, Cora is grateful it is over, and Brigham cried all the way home wishing it was not over. Overall, I would recommend this kind of thing for your kids. It is a wonderful experience. Here are some pictures to enjoy.
After Saturday Night's Performance
Brigham being the Nutcracker doll
Cora being a little snow flake
Brigham as a mouse (3rd one down)
Cora being the prettiest party boy in history
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thankful
This will be short and sweet. I just wanted to let each of you know how grateful I am to be a part of this family. Each of you bless my life more than I can express in words. I often think how amazing it is that there are so many of us and yet we are all friends and have love and respect for one another. It is a truly unique thing we have been blessed with as a family and I hope that we never allow personal wants and views to interfere with what we have been blessed with.
I love you all and miss you all so much.
Congratulations McCormack. I'm proud of you and sooooo excited for you to serve your mission. You are in for a treat!
Oh and things are still really great for me :)! Wish me (and Christian) luck during finals -I've been so distracted lately that I need all the luck I can get.
Lots of love,
Kara
I love you all and miss you all so much.
Congratulations McCormack. I'm proud of you and sooooo excited for you to serve your mission. You are in for a treat!
Oh and things are still really great for me :)! Wish me (and Christian) luck during finals -I've been so distracted lately that I need all the luck I can get.
Lots of love,
Kara
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
My sweet little angel!!
cute Brig loved holding her
I hope you all are doing well! Weare doing great! Carolina is sleeping five hours eating and sleeping for another three hours, HURRAY!! So Peter and I got called as the Activities Chairman for our ward and are in charge of the christmas party! if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them! I love you all sooo much...
Love, Eliza Peter & Carolina
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Blacks are Posting!!
Hello Family!! I am so sorry that I am so bad about posting! We don't have a good internet connection at our house and I forget to do it at mom and dads so here I go! Two Sundays ago we blessed Carolina and I cant freaking stand how big she has gotten! I cant wait for Christmas to see you all!! I freaking love you and I hope you enjoy these cute pictures. Lots of love....
Eliza, Perer and Carolina!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
My Darling Family
I just got back from New York City where I had a great time. I stayed in a little apartment hotel on West 73rd. It was very cool. Monday was a beautiful day. After a short meeting at the law school, I worked on office work and then spent the rest of the day seeing New York. It was especially fun to walk around Central Park where your mother and I fell in love. After church on Sundays we used to walk in the park or go to the Metropolitan Museum. I then went to the old LDS building where we used to go to church on West 81st. I took lots of pictures of the park and the church. That evening I went to Lizzie and Marks place. I went to dinner with Liz while Mark went to teach at Columbia.
I did not see a single McCain sign in New York. I would not be surprised if the vote were 5 million to 1 for Obama
On Tuesday I spent a good part of the day working on the Class of '69 reunion. I know you think I am too young, but there you go. In the afternoon I went to a temple session at the New York Temple. It is a very beautiful temple. Lizzies' bishop and his wife were the principal actors in the first temple video (she has dark hair not blonde). That evening I went to the American Ballet Theater at City Center. It was very cool. I thought of Cora.
Not to insult any of my children but I just saw a couple of blonde jokes when I googled to make sure I was spelling it right.
Why do blondes have TGIF on their shoes? A. Toes to in first.
Why do blondes drive BMW'S? A. Because they can spell BMW.
McCormack is on his way to Colorado tomorrow.
Love, Dad
I just got back from New York City where I had a great time. I stayed in a little apartment hotel on West 73rd. It was very cool. Monday was a beautiful day. After a short meeting at the law school, I worked on office work and then spent the rest of the day seeing New York. It was especially fun to walk around Central Park where your mother and I fell in love. After church on Sundays we used to walk in the park or go to the Metropolitan Museum. I then went to the old LDS building where we used to go to church on West 81st. I took lots of pictures of the park and the church. That evening I went to Lizzie and Marks place. I went to dinner with Liz while Mark went to teach at Columbia.
I did not see a single McCain sign in New York. I would not be surprised if the vote were 5 million to 1 for Obama
On Tuesday I spent a good part of the day working on the Class of '69 reunion. I know you think I am too young, but there you go. In the afternoon I went to a temple session at the New York Temple. It is a very beautiful temple. Lizzies' bishop and his wife were the principal actors in the first temple video (she has dark hair not blonde). That evening I went to the American Ballet Theater at City Center. It was very cool. I thought of Cora.
Not to insult any of my children but I just saw a couple of blonde jokes when I googled to make sure I was spelling it right.
Why do blondes have TGIF on their shoes? A. Toes to in first.
Why do blondes drive BMW'S? A. Because they can spell BMW.
McCormack is on his way to Colorado tomorrow.
Love, Dad
Happy Fall
Hey Everybody,
The kids at a pick your own apple farm
The hunter extraordinaire
At a pumpkin patch
Birthday celebration
It has been such a long time since I have communicated this way, that I thought it was time. Life is good in Colorado. We are busy as always, but really happy. Things are going great. The kids are involved in some really good activities.
Cora is sooooo busy, but doesn't seemed overwhelmed at all. She is managing homework, ballet, reading lessons, activity days and 5 hours of Nutcracker rehearsal a week in an amazing way. She is really turning out to be an organized and happy kid.
Linc is doing great too. He is practicing a different story every week in his CDC class and at home and every Wednesday he reads the story with his 2nd grade class. He is participating by reading when asked and answering questions. It is really impressive.
Brig is one of the cutest kindergartners ever. He just loves it and is so serious about it. By friday he will have learned all the letters and the sounds they make. He knows EVERY sound that the letters make. It is really impressive. He starts reading books in November. He also really likes the Nutcracker, although I don't think this will be his life's passion like it is for Cora. He is already asking if next year he can do a tennis team instead. Hmmm .... let me think about it .... YES!
Lydia is a cute and crazy child. She is talking so much. Some of my favorite things she says are, "I'm really hungry" or "I'm really tired" or in response to where is daddy? She says, "Daddy is getting a deer."
Rick went hunting but didn't see any deer. His reasoning for that is because deer are really smart. I am 38 years old now. I welcomed the day by getting Botox the day before. I may have to get older, but hopefully I don't have to look too old before my time. Three cheers for injections of bachilism!!!!
Cora is sooooo busy, but doesn't seemed overwhelmed at all. She is managing homework, ballet, reading lessons, activity days and 5 hours of Nutcracker rehearsal a week in an amazing way. She is really turning out to be an organized and happy kid.
Linc is doing great too. He is practicing a different story every week in his CDC class and at home and every Wednesday he reads the story with his 2nd grade class. He is participating by reading when asked and answering questions. It is really impressive.
Brig is one of the cutest kindergartners ever. He just loves it and is so serious about it. By friday he will have learned all the letters and the sounds they make. He knows EVERY sound that the letters make. It is really impressive. He starts reading books in November. He also really likes the Nutcracker, although I don't think this will be his life's passion like it is for Cora. He is already asking if next year he can do a tennis team instead. Hmmm .... let me think about it .... YES!
Lydia is a cute and crazy child. She is talking so much. Some of my favorite things she says are, "I'm really hungry" or "I'm really tired" or in response to where is daddy? She says, "Daddy is getting a deer."
Rick went hunting but didn't see any deer. His reasoning for that is because deer are really smart. I am 38 years old now. I welcomed the day by getting Botox the day before. I may have to get older, but hopefully I don't have to look too old before my time. Three cheers for injections of bachilism!!!!
We love you all, Marisa, Rick, Cora, Linc, Brig, Lyds
The kids at a pick your own apple farm
The hunter extraordinaire
At a pumpkin patch
Birthday celebration
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