My Nest

"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps

a singing bird will come."

Chinese Proverb

My heart must be green because the summer of 2009 has been full of singing. The summer of 2009 has been:

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  A Summer of travel: 2 trips to Europe to watch Connor cycle with the US National Team, a trip with Jennie to France, Switzerland and Germany to see the sights and once again relish Connor's last year as a Junior cyclist. A 2,600 mile road trip in the "View" from Quebec, Canada to Bend, Oregon where Connor competed in a Nation's Cup and then US Nationals. Dave's "Where in the World is Dave O'Leary" experience continues to top the list of exciting adventures for 2009.


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  A Summer of Nesting for Jennie: Jennie moved into a new apartment on Foothill Boulevard where she will nest with her old roommate Marsha. It is always fun to place her cute things in a new spot. I love the nesting part, minus the moving part. This time movers moved the furniture and that was such a luxury for all of us.


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  A Summer of change for Katie. She was recruited by another management company to come and be a manager of their Bountiful property. What a compliment. She has been a shining light at AMC and they will be missing her skills and temperment. A fun new job and MORE pay!


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  A Summer of working on the cabin and knee Surgery for Mike: He hurt his knee on our last fling to Grand Cayman Islands. His upcoming surgery will surely put an end to a beautiful summer.


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  A Summer of Book Tours and job changes for Sarah and Grant It was perfect for her "boyfriend" to accompany her on her tour for "Boyology". Who will accompany her next year when she tours with "Girl World"? Chronicle Books has expressed an interest in this fun new, yet to be written book and now the negotiations begin...and the writing.


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  A summer of new pursuists" Little Bird Publications was just a thought and dream but on September 3rd it will become a reality for Sarah. She has left Harper Collins to become an independent publicist and spend more time on her writing. We will all watch as Little Bird Publicity takes flight. Fly Girl, Fly!


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  A Summer full of Bike Racing. AHH the smell of sweat on lycra! My nose has grown allergic to even the thought of this smell. Over the years, Connor has given us hours of suspense, fun and bragging. Although he has hated the bragging part, we can hardly resist. It has been a Junior's Career that he can be proud of. We know he can "dig deep", continue to the end, cross the finish line no matter what! He certainly knows how to "Live Strong".


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  A Summer full Gourmet Meals: Annie has probably cooked 90 or so gourmet meals this summer, sandwiched in between workouts and entertainment for the children, she has managed to out do herself. Connor seems to find his way to Annie's house around supper time no matter what or if I am cooking. She continues to amaze all of us who hate to cook.


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  A Summer that continues to be full of "New Businesses and Jobs": Erik has started a 3rd job, he, Curt and John have started a new packaging company and of course Erik will be the one to keep it a float! WOW, what a hard worker.

I feel such gratitude for the blessings we enjoy as a family, especially over this past summer. Truly our wildest dreams have come true. Dave has worked so hard over the years to provide these opportunities for our family and it has been pure joy to watch him take a break from work, enjoy his hobbies and travel to exciting places. I feel like a squirrel gathering nuts so that we can weather the winter. Hopefully that will mean literally the cold weather, but if storms of a different sort come our way, I feel like we have woven the fabric of our family and our faith so tightly that we will be able to keep warm.