Dick Danjou helping Mom and Aunt Connie explore Concord and Lexington

The hard part about the trip for when my mom and Aunt Connie were here was that I had to work most of the days while they were here. I got some of my friends to show them around while I had to work. One of the days I had Dick Danjou take them around to the Concord and Lexington area. 

Buckman Tavern

The oldest tavern in Lexington, Here, about 77 Minutemen gathered in the early hours of April 19, 1775, while awaiting the British regulars. 

The Minuteman Statue at the Lexington Battle Green 

Munroe Tavern

More than 300 years old, this tavern served as a temporary headquarters and field hospital for British Brigadier General Earl Percy and his 1,000 reinforcements on the afternoon of April 19, 1775. Fourteen years later, President Washington dined at the tavern when he visited the Lexington battlefield in 1789.

I believe this is just a random house that my mom liked.

Hancock-Clarke House

Home of the Hancocks and the Clarkes, this house was the destination of Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775, as he and William Dawes rode from Boston to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the coming of British Troops. 

Connie and Dick

I meet up with the three of them after work and we had dinner at a fun little Italian Diner. Then we went over to the Old North Bridge. 

Connie and Mom at one of the memorials at the Old North Bridge. 

Connie and Mom

Dick, Connie, and Mom sitting on the wall of the Old North Bridge. 

Concord River

Minuteman Statue

After the bridge Dick took us down to the shooting range that is back in the woods and far off the path.

Dick has an old Riffle that you have to pack with a ball and gun powder

Dick with his Riffle

The lead ball

Packing it in. 

Aim-Fire

Such a natural look. LOL

After the riffle range we headed out to Kimball Farms for some of the best ice cream in the Boston area.

Mom, Martha, Connie and Dick

Thank you Dick for taking my Mom and Aunt Connie around for the day to show them the sites and to have a good time. 

Fun places I took Mom and Aunt Connie for trying new food!

I wanted to take Mom and Aunt Connie to some fun eating places while they were here. One day while I had to work my friend Karina escorted mom and Connie around the freedom trail. I met up with them after work for dinner and we went to UBurger. They have amazing hamburgers and the best Chocolate Chip Mint Oreo milkshake.  

Mom, Karina, and Connie

Martha and Mom

Waiting for the "T"

Mom enjoying her ride squished with the other passengers. 

Connie scared to death of the "T"? or the people? 

I got introduced to Indian Cuisine while here in Boston and I wanted to share this special new favorite with mom and Connie. So I took them one night over to the Rang Indian Bistro over near my house. 

They start you off with this chips with a couple different sauces. One is spicy and one is sweet. 

I ordered Lamb Korma

Mom ordered a Tikki Masala

Aunt Connie ordered Shrimp Masala

Then we ordered some nan to share. Nan is an Indian type bread. Mom and Connie didn't like their sauces to much so they shared my meal with them and they really enjoyed mine much more than theirs. 

Mom, Martha and Connie enjoying our scrumptious meal!!

Another day I took them to the Greek Corner and introduced them Greek Cuisine. 

I got an appetizer of Calamari and only Mom and I would eat it.  

Mom eating her Calamari and then we all ordered the Greek Corner Gyro. Since they liked my Indian selection for food they decided to order the same thing I ordered this time. They really liked what we ordered here as well. It was fun to have them try new things. Take their taste buds on an adventure ride. I am glad I got to introduce them to new flavors they don't have back at home. 

Graditude

I woke up way to early this morning. As I am laying in bed praying to fall back asleep my mind begins to think of all the people and things I am grateful for in my life. Many things start flashing through my mind so I decided to get up and write it down because my mind was swirling so much sleep had evaded me.

I am grateful for my family. My parents taught me strong values and helped to shape and mold me into the person I am today. I am grateful for the values my parents taught me. I am grateful for the examples my parents are to me. For always being willing to let me call no matter what time of day or night. If I need to talk; the phone line is open and they will always answer. 

I am grateful that my dad who has shown me how to selflessly give to those around me. I need to improve greatly in this area. But he is one of the best examples I have ever seen of someone who constantly gives to others. He is constantly serving those in his life. He looks for opportunities where he can help and offer the help before he is asked. And when he is asked he graciously gives of his time and energies to provide the service at hand. He is a true example of Christlike service and I am grateful for this example so I can learn to implement this trait into my life. 

 I am grateful for my mother and her ability to put the needs of others before herself. As a child I didn't realize the sacrifice she constantly made to ensure the needs of her family were meet before her own. The many things we all got to have and she went without. She didn't complain but gave with love. The time she sacrificed to take care of our every need. To watch her as she served her family members to see their needs were meet as well. To help them in ways they couldn't help themselves. 

I am grateful for a grandmother (Ruth Olsen) who swallowed her pride to allow us to server her. Due to her extreme arthritis she couldn't help herself and therefore relied on others to take care of the daily things that we all take for granted. I didn't always help with a good attitude but as time went on I saw the great lessons she was able to teach us. To show us how to accept service of others. She provided many opportunities for us to learn to serve and to learn to do it with a happy heart. 

I am grateful for a grandfather (Wilber Olsen) that down to his last breath I do not recall him complaining about the lot in life he was handed. No matter how hard, difficult or extreme pain he experienced he did so without  complaint. Watching him go through the things he did and being so young this is the greatest lesson I learned from him. We are handed difficult things in life. The true test is to see how well we endure it to the end and learn the lessons we can from it. For we will not be given something greater than we can handle if we will but turn to our Savior who will give us the added strength and power to succeed and make it to the end. At which point I want to know he will tell me you have endured well and been faithful. 

I am grateful for Grandparents (Ellie and Mary Holloway) that made sure we knew they loved us no matter how far away they lived. Even though we didn't get to see them but once every few years, they made sure we knew and still know without a doubt they love us very much. My grandmother has also taught me the power of acceptance. No matter who we are or what we have done God loves us and I need to love and accept his children the same as he does. She reminds me of this lesson frequently. She also has taught me the importance and power of forgiveness. If we do not forgive it only causes long term damage to us. This is baggage and damage that is not worth keeping in the closet. It takes up unwanted space that can be used by something of much greater worth. 

I am grateful for my many other relatives that have given great support and love to me over the years. For sisters who have been there for me. Letting me tag along with them and their friends. Putting up with their little sister being an appendage to them to help me feel included. For helping me with my homework so I could pass my classes. Giving me a place to live and a home to be a part of. For caring and wanting to be a part of my life and being concerned for me. 

For helping me with things I ask for. 

I am grateful for the many people who have taken me in and treated me as their own family over the years in the many different places I have lived. I have so many adopted parents one can't help but feel loved. So many prayers, thoughts, and concerned people who love me and want the best for me. As I have traveled through my life you have given me support and encouragement to keep moving forward with strength. You have provided me the comfort I have needed many times when my parents couldn't be there for me. I have appreciated the many blessings I have been able to receive from you since my father doesn't live near me. To be able to still take advantage of such a great blessing in life. For the tremendous love you have extended toward me when you all have your own children to love but have made me feel a part of your families and welcomed. 

I am grateful for my many friends. My friends that have kept in touch with me even when you or I have moved to someplace knew. For the strength you have given me when I have been weak. For the support you have given me to help me to carry on. For the shoulder you have let me cry on when times get hard. For the comfort you have given when I have needed you the most. For the long hours of talking and time you have sacrificed. For the trust you have given me and for knowing I am there for you too. For the great times and amazing experiences we have shared together. For the sacrifice of your time to let me know you care. For the great words of wisdom and examples you are to me. For allowing me to learn from you. For being my family when I have been far from home. For just letting me be a part of your life. For the judgement you have not passed upon me. For the love you have given me. For the nice notes I get from you in the mail to remind me someone is thinking of me and loves me. For sharing your testimonies with me through the way you live your lives. For reminding me who I can become, to help me to be better. For helping me face my fears. For loving me!

I am grateful for my Savior. For His Atonement that has become a part of my everyday life and a part of who I am. For His gospel and the teachings I have to apply to my life to become a better person and become who He intends me to be. For giving me experiences in life that teach me hard lessons and shape me into who I am. For never leaving me alone. My Savior who loves me so very much that he was willing to sacrifice all that I may suffer a little less and be comforted. A Heavenly Father who loves me that he allowed His Son to make this great sacrifice. A Father who loves me that he has blessed my life with many amazing people. He has blessed my life with great jobs that my temporal needs may be fulfilled.  He has blessed my life that I may taste of great things that leaves me wanting for more that I seek it out to fulfill my spiritual desires. I am grateful for the knowledge we have been blessed with to know what we have to look forward to and what to work towards in this life. To know that I may live with him again. I am grateful for his priesthood power that he has entrusted to man to bless our lives and provide us the guidance and words of council and blessings we need in our life that can only come through this power. For the ordinances we have the opportunity to partake of in this life to prepare us for so much more. For the spirit he has sent to be with us to guide and direct us to help us make wise choices and to know what His will is for us to do. For the choices he gives us to allow us to choose what we will do to learn from our experiences. I am grateful that he always listens when I speak with him and for the many answers he gives me. I am grateful for the many things he has entrusted to me.

Thank you all for being a part of my life. I wouldn't be who I am today without all of you. 

Introducing Mom and Aunt Connie to my friends!

My parents worry a lot about me. I wanted them to know that I am surrounded by many great people who care and look out for me. I decided to have a couple of dinners to introduce my Mom and Aunt Connie to some of these people. 

The first dinner I had I invited the people who have taken me under their wings and welcomed me in as part of their families. Dick Danjou, Jo and Bill Maitland, Bob and Leeann Packer. We had a wonderful dinner and I was glad Mom and Aunt Connie got to meet them and they got to meet Mom and Aunt Connie. 

The next dinner I had was with my friends who have become my family away from home. So many great people came and I could tell lots of things about each one for how they have touched my life but we would be here all day. 

The dinner turned out great and I had an amazing turnout of people who showed up. 

Sitting with Mom and Aunt Connie are:

Liz Hollender, Mindy McDonald, July Tracy, Rob Leahey, Micaiah Masterson and Karina Holthoff. 

Austin Walters, Daniel McMurtry, Celeste Carolin, Diana Densley, Diana's brother, Cathie Ballif, Vera Hernandez and Joe Michela --Stanley Jean Charles was also there but didn't make it in the picture. 

Thank you all for coming and being a part of my life. Thank you for showing my mom I am surrounded by wonderful and amazing people who look out for me. 

A day at Quincy Market

I think by the time we got done with all the adventures Mom and Connie started to love their ride on the "T". They got yet another ride when we went to spend the day at Quincy Market. 

Where's Waldo AKA Mom and Connie

Connie was amazed at how large the foot of the statue was. 

We walked through the Holocaust Memorial and then headed to the street performers. 

This little boy was incredibly talented. 

The Street dancers were fun to watch and they could get there bodies in crazy positions. 

The little boy was my favorite. 

Now it was time for audience participation. They started off by asking for a midget to volunteer. Then then went through the audience and pulled 4 very pretty women to join in. Then the last person they got was a man who was over 6 feet tall. They tried to get the tallest guy in the audience but he wouldn't join.

As they were talking and explaining what was going to happen they kept trying to do things to make us worried for what we were going to be involved in. 

Then randomly this little boy came out and started dancing he was so adorable. The dad tried to catch him but missed him and decided to just let him go out and dance. The performers used it to their advantage and the audience loved it. 

Now we were told to bend over so our backs were flat.

Then one of the performers ran and jumped over 5 and a 1/2 people. I wondered if they had spoke to the midget man before hand to see if they could use him as the brunt of their jokes or if he happens to be their friend and they use him all the time. They were funny about it but hopefully no one was offended by it. 

We got to see some Colonial era people. 

We had lunch at Anthem which was voted the Best of Boston Clam Chowder. Mom and I had clam chowder but Connie did not. She doesn't like sea food. 

Then we walked down to Modern Pastries and got some cannolis and then went to Mike's Pastries to get Lobster Tails. As we were walking there we past the park area and Connie kept telling us I don't want a Lobster tail. We kept trying to tell her it was just a pastry but she still thought it was going to taste like a lobster or have lobster chunks in it.  

We got two Lobster Tails so we could share them between the three of us because Connie was sure she wasn't going to like them. But once she started eating it she asked when we could go back and get more before they went home. 

Connie was really into comparing how big things were. They could not believe the size of the Lobster Tails. It was bigger than her hand. Unfortunately, we didn't make it back for Connie to get her seconds. I guess that will require her to come back to visit me so she can have Lobster Tails once more.