FIRE

"This morning at approximately 10:37 AM during the regional Stake Conference broadcast, the fire alarm sounded in the Longfellow Park LDS Chapel in Cambridge, MA. At first, most thought it was a false alarm, but as people poured onto the street, it was evident that the fire was already serious. Copious amounts of smoke were pouring from under the eaves and the fire seemed to be mostly in the attic. It quickly escalated and firemen are still working to put out the flames.
The building was constructed in the 1950’s just outside of Harvard Square in one of the most beautiful parts of Cambridge, just across the street from the Longfellow House. Countless general authorities, LDS scholars, and dozens of bloggernacle members have called this building their spiritual home at one time or another."(http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/05/tragedy-in-cambridge-ma/)

I still cannot believe this beautiful building burnt down. My heart is truly heavy. This is not the church we attend weekly, but it is in our stake and a place where I have worked as a therapist for LDS Family Services for over a year. It is a place where all the children in our ward are baptized, where many in our ward met their spouse, where Christian plays basketball, and where General Conference is broadcast. I have spent much time in this amazing church; I never found myself attached to any of the chapels in Utah, but the chapels out here have so much history it is hard not to grow attached.

This is a picture of the chapel I took last summer.

The Longfellow Chapel on fire

This picture brings a tear to my eye. This picture hangs in the church foyer; I always look at it as I am waiting for my clients to show up. So beautiful.

My very 1st Mother's Day!

I had the perfect Mother's Day this year. Christian went out of his way to make sure he knew how much he appreciated me mothering his amazing son. We headed to Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain. It was a beautiful day and the flowers were spectacular; I love the way lilac's smell. We had a wonderful brunch with our friends Tom and Emily, then we walked to the Arboretum from their house. The weather was perfect!

Check out this amazing view; we could see the whole city of
Boston and Cambridge from this hill.
Being a mom is the most amazing experience of my life. I have only been a mom for 4 1/2 months but it has been my most memorable and enjoyable time as an adult. Being a mother brings so many challenges, but through those come a greater sense of meaning, purpose and love in life. Being a parent has made me realize how much I appreciate and love my own parents. It is sad that it took an experience like becoming a parent to realize the depth of love and admiration I have for my amazing parents.

I am so happy this Mother's Day to be the lucky mother of such an amazing son. He brings both Christian and I so much joy in life.
I love you Berkeley; thanks for letting me have the honor of being your mother.

Volvo Ocean Race

There have been so many rainy days lately; on Saturday I had to get out of the house. It was very overcast and there was chances of rain, but we took that chance and ventured out to Fan Pier in Boston. The Volvo Ocean Race around the World was going on and we decided to check it out. I had no idea that this was such a big deal, but there were a lot of people out to spectate. Unfortunately we went down the day the big boats were racing on the outer harbor and we could only view them on a big screen. It was a fun atmosphere regardless.
These are what the boats look like. This is team USA with the Puma boat. Looks pretty neat!

We did get to watch these smaller sail boats race around, but it wasn't as exciting
as watching the big boats.

Luckily we didn't get rained on, and we enjoyed our day out with some fresh air.

The Mac Gods........

have finally answered Christian's prayers.

Little Berkeles

What has this little dude been up to lately?

He's reaching and touching everything; he discovered how cool the
fruit basket was yesterday.

He loves wearing his muscle shirt that Grandpa S gave him.

Daddy is so much fun to play with. He shows his little guy how to play with his Underwater Sea Adventure.

Berke is finally getting to explore the city. We have been taking advantage of the warm days by going on walks and doing different fun adventures.

The cause of the Swine Flu?

A Day in the Life of a Social Worker

Last week I was given a case to investigate. This was the information I was given: Elderly Woman, Age: Unknown, Name: Unknown, What is known: She is quasi-homeless and roams the streets of a city in Boston. The reporter is calling in because this elderly woman hasn't showered in over a year, and is going around yelling at people and he is concerned she may get herself in trouble with passers by. I am given a description of the woman and sent on my way.
This is a difficult situation. Have you ever looked for one particular person in a city without knowing that person's name, and having never seen them before? All the information you have is what this person looks like.
So early on Thursday morning I head to this city in Boston and start walking the streets looking for this woman who hasn't showered in over a year and yells at people. As I am turning a corner, a woman with stained clothing walks by; I am looking at this woman trying to decide if she fits the description I am looking for, and as I am doing so she says to me, "What are you looking at Mother*!@#?" Yep, this was my lady alright! (Keep in mind I am a Social Worker; my job is to build rapport with people and gather information to see how I can best help.) After that pleasant introduction, the conversation went like this:
Me: "OH hey! I was just looking for you."
Woman: Who me? What's my name?
(Oh crap, I don't have this information!!!)
Me: I am not sure, but you fit the description of a woman I am looking for. I am a social worker and I wanted to see if I could talk to you for a minute.
Woman: How do you know it's me? Is it because I am carrying a Domino's bag? (yes, like the pizza joint)
Me: (Seems like a good in, why not; I mean I don't want to tell her what the real description is if I don't have to, because it wasn't very flattering) Yep. Do you think we could talk for a few minutes.
Woman:Sure, lets go get some coffee.
Needless to say, we had a very pleasant conversation for over an hour and I grew to really love this woman for what she had been through. She taught me that there is a story for why people are the way they are. Unfortunately, she wasn't old enough to be our client, so I gave her some resources and sent her on her way.
How awesome was it that I found this woman? I mean, what are the chances? It was so amazing to turn the conversation from being called a swear word, to leaving as pals.

This week I had do a courtesy visit for a neighboring agency, and their client was in a hospital near by my office. This elderly gentleman had gone in for a routine medical procedure, that was an outpatient surgery; unfortunately the doctor messed up and the guy has been in the hospital for over a month now with severe problems.
The crazy part of this "story" is that this gentleman had invited a much younger woman to live with him before this hospitalization, and while he was having these medical problems she stole things from his home, his money etc. But the best part, or the worst part, was when I had to inform this poor guy that she had come to the hospital with a pastor while he was sedated and tried to have them married. Luckily, the pastor wouldn't marry them because the Elderly man was completely out of it!! This woman thought the guy was going to die and wanted to get everything he owned. It is amazing how low people will go to get ahead in life.

I bet most of you don't get to go home with stories this awesome on a weekly basis!