there is sunshine in my soul today...

1- Do you see the blue sky?  I can not even remember how long it has been since I have seen a beautiful blue sky like this.  My heart has felt joyful all day long!  And my neck (because of my short, short hair), felt the warmth of the sun as I put my groceries in the trunk at Costco today.  It has been a very good day!

Cobblestone Drive

2- This morning at 10 I met with my very own personal trainer.  I told you I would give a report last week.  I went to the gym a few times.  I have felt really stiff and sore, but I tried.  Anyway, this is the week to start with some help.  As I was leaving for the gym, Jon says, "Where are you going?"  I told him, "To the gym, to work with my trainer."  He hesitates for a minute and then says, "Well, remember, Bunker's aren't wuss-ies!  We work hard and we don't whine and we don't quit.  EVER." Then he chuckled.  What a great pep talk!  I love my husband!!!

3- Hailey and I went to the General Young Yomen's Meeting Saturday night.  I am ashamed to say she asked me what this meeting was for.  I looked at her and said, "You mean, I have never taken you to one of these meetings before?"  I really can't believe it!  Last year she was out of town and I printed President Uchdorf's talk so that we could read and discuss it...but...my heaven's, where have I been?  Anyway, we both loved it!  After the meeting, the Young Men in the Stake had prepared dinner for the Young Women, to show their appreciation.  They were there in white shirts and ties, serving the meal, pouring the water, making sure everyone was well taken care of.  It was very sweet!  After dinner, the Priests gave each Laurel a flower and said some very nice things about her.  The Young Men sang a couple of songs...it was really fun!!!  We were glad we stayed. :)

YW Meeting Attendees!

4- Today felt like Spring!  Here are some random flowers blooming on a random bush in our yard!  I love the foliage in California.  I am trying to appreciate every bit of it while I am here!

5- President got a new car a month ago.  Missionary cars get traded out every 50,000 miles or so, so they still have some value and can be sold.  This is his new ride. :)  He is enjoying a couple of the new features this new Avalon has.

I was driving his new ride a couple of weeks ago on Saturday as I went to the grocery store.  Someone slammed into my rear end.  Yes, the trunk was full of groceries. (I could just see the smashed eggs oozing all over the new trunk)  I couldn't believe it!  It doesn't even have license plates yet!  My husband already thinks I am a bad driver...he was very calm and sweet about it!  Thank you sweetheart, for not making me feel like it was my fault somehow.

Just two little screw dents from her license plate.

6- Last of all, this is a new family favorite!  We open the bag and it is gone the same day!  We are popcorn freaks I know, but it is tasty.  I highly recommend it.  A little sweet with a little salt!  YUM!

Th-th-th-that's all folks!  :-)

a few on monday...

 1- news of the week about susan...no more wigs. i decided to try my new hair style out on my sister missionaries thursday and since then i haven't put a wig on. it is really quite nice to be free of that thing! my biggest fear was being around the missionaries and the people of the church with my freakishly short hair. everyone is very sweet. i'm so grateful sadie and megan were with me on thursday. they gave me the confidence to just do it! hurray!!!

cancer news...i go to stanford this week for a visit with my oncologist. i am feeling really good. i am counting on a good report! i have been taking some herbs (sadie brought me) that are supposed to strengthen my organs. they have a definite taste when swallowing the pills. (some sort of grass/hay taste i think) when i have taken those for a coupe of months i will do a cleanse, that should pull the toxins out of my organs and such. we will see. i may be feeling like a horse before the two months have passed. for now, i really need to get to a gym! my family asks me every time they talk to me. i know... it is time. i am going tomorrow. i will report my success at the end of the week!

 2- sadie and megan spent last week with us! they made it in time for the closing night of hailey's play and then they were able to stay all of last week. we were able to greet new missionaries and say good-bye to the departing ones together. thursday we spent some time with our sister missionaries talking about their dress standards. it was so fun to have them here. they each got their ncaa brackets filled out and posted on the refrigerator. the missionaries loved checking that all out! we laughed so hard we cried, we worked so hard we thought about crying (lots of dishes following a departing dinner), we ate so much...(we will pass on what that did to us), we played and just enjoyed being together! thanks for coming to visit! we love you!

3- we went to hailey's first swim meet in the pouring rain. it is an interesting experience for people from the desert. :) hailey did great! i am excited for this swim season. i will get some pictures of her when the rain subsides.

4- life is going great in the california santa rosa mission! we are blessed. my love to all!

Anything Goes!

Hailey has been in her high school play the past couple of weekends.  They did the play "Anything Goes".  She had a really fun time being a thespian.  She was recruited by her dance teacher from last year, who was in charge of the choreography.  Miss Kathy wanted to do some tap in the dancing and she had Kristen Hardister and Hailey who she knew could anchor the rest of the girls.  Anyway, after she got started, she began singing and even had a couple of speaking parts.  Luckily, now she wants to be in the choir next year.  I tried so hard to have her consider it for this year...I'm grateful she had fun and enjoyed the teacher and the kids in the choir!  She was sad to see it end.  Now she has to get fully committed to swimming.  Her first meet is on Tuesday.  She is on Varsity this year.  Let's GO Pumas!

Becca, Kristin, Hailey and Rose

Elle, Hailey, Emma and MaKenna (sweet friends who came to support on the first Friday!)

Emily, Becca, Kristin, Hailey and Rose

Serenity was Hailey's name!

Kristin, Hailey, Zack and Sabrina

Rose, Katino, Hailey, Kristin, and Courtney 

Kristin, Hailey and Emily

The Set!

Her adoring fans during intermission!

He's been singing the songs all week. "it's de-lightful, it's de-licious, it's de-lovely!"