A Big Deal

I won't lie, these past few months, and these next several months are pretty epic in the lives of the Morrell Bunch.  There are a few things in our pocket that will be unfolding in the next several months which are awesome.  Plus, the launching of the Foundation was a huge milestone that we are loving; and on it's heels was Mark being published in his first book.  It's entitled "Entrepreneurs on Fire; Conversations with Visionary Leaders"  Cool right?

The book is a series of interviews with those who have broken the mold of Corporate America.  The first chapter is by Barbara Corcoran who gives some really inspiring insight about how to tap into your own power.  

Mark is the third chapter and he talks about the lessons he learned from his Disney managing experience.  He has been titled the #1 Expert in creating systems and processes to help people and companies succeed.  His chapter really taps into the ideas of pursuing the Power of You.  And it is inspirational and awesome.  {No biased opinion there I'm sure}

The best part is, this book has reminded Mark of his passion for writing.  And what better thing to write about and share with the world than some of the tips that he has learned from his time with The Mouse?  He loves it.  And, he is Really good at it.  So - cheers to our FIRST book publishing milestone; but certainly not our last.  

Love that man of mine.

AND - bonus...if you'd like a copy of this book, you can buy it directly from Mark for a cheaper price than Amazon sells it.  :) He is selling it through Etsy so go there if you want a copy.

{GET YOUR COPY OF ENTREPRENEURS ON FIRE HERE}

A portion of each sale goes to The Say ChEARS Foundation.

Family History Lessons

Have I had quite the education these last several weeks!  I have never really been able to get into my family history; mostly because I am of the syndrome "my grandmother's have done it all".  AND - let's be honest here, I haven't really ever tried super hard.  BUT - all that changed these last few weeks after our trip to Nauvoo uncovered a bit that I didn't know about.

I had always known that my father's side held Pioneer stories.  That was basically the extent of my knowledge. So, when we visited Nauvoo and discovered the home Jonathan Calkins Wright, you better believe my history heart came alive with curiosity.  Jonathan is my 3rd Great Grandfather and has an interesting story line that led him to Nauvoo and into Joseph Smith's circle of friends.  He then crossed the plains to Salt Lake and soon found himself settled in Brigham City Utah. What I didn't know was the treasure trove I had just uncovered. 

Fast forward to last week.  My husband's family also has roots in Brigham City, Utah.  They were basically the pioneers that came with President Snow, under the direction of Brigham Young, to settle the new area.  Mark has an uncle who has been commissioned by the Mayor to do an extensive history of the area. Consequently, he is a wealth of knowledge and offers history tours of the city to passers by.  We were just so lucky to schedule a private tour just for us.  He took us all over to town showing us some key points of interest.  Starting with our very personal history.

 {1}  First stop was the now abandoned building that served as the hospital where Mark's father was born.  Say what? Abandoned?  Yes, and I totally wanted to go and explore.  But didn't.  Next up {3} Clyde's boyhood home where many summers were spent on those steps playing pickled waters.  A game I have no idea how to play.  And then, a surprise to me for sure was the trip to the high school where the Morrell name has been immortalized forever.  {2} Outstanding boy in 1966? Clyde Morrell.  Way to go pops!

We then learned quite a hefty load about the 3rd Great Grandpa Alvin Nichols and his history in Brigham City.  We saw some homes he lived in, the pasture where he did his farming, and the land he once owned that is now the home of many of his descendants.  We then hopped over to the graveyard to see where they are all buried.  

{This is where the tour got really interesting}

We found the graves of Alvin Nichols.  It was a square marker with the names of each of his wives on one side.  And who is one of his wives? A lady by the name of Charlotte Wright.  (dun, dun, dun).  Just a stone throw away was the grave of Jonathan Calkin's Wright.  This suddenly sparked my interest, so I asked Uncle David what the connection was.  And yes, Charlotte Wright was Jonathan Calkin Wright's daughter.  Can you put that genealogy chart together in your head?  I'm not going to spell it out for you right here, but there IS a polygamist line in there.  That is important to mention.  

Uncle David showed us Charlotte's house (below). and across the street was where Brigham Young gave his final public address 10 days before he died.  

So there you go.  A history lesson that sparked my interest way back in Nauvoo and led to a connection that I never expected.  Let's give it up for small towns eh? Cuz at this point, there is no going back.  {This last statement will make no sense if you haven't made the connection - the one that I'm not going to admit here. If you really are THAT curious ~ give me a shout out and I'll spell it out for ya. Again - there IS a polygamist line in there...let's not forget that point! Please. :)}

Obsession

I am sure not all people can say that have a TV family obsession.  In fact, I am sure that this is probably reaching an unhealthy level.  But - I'm coming out with it and embracing it in it's fullness.  I am obsessed with the Duggar family. (as seen on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting).  There are so many things about this family that I just love! Firstly, just as people in general, I think they are fantastic. I'd love to be their friends.  Secondly, their values are tremendously inspiring. Although they are not members of my faith, they follow similar values which I admire. Thirdly, they have 19 kids.  AND here is the bombshell; I want 20 kids.  As many as the Lord would bless me with, I'd joyfully take them. So that is cool to me.  I desperately want to sit in a room with Michelle and just listen to her talk.  So yes, I'm obsessed.

Fast forward to yesterday.  My sister is visiting Northwest Arkansas.  I know, not a place people usually go, but she is there. AND - because she loves me more than words can express, she stalked the street where the Duggar's house is and drove past for a photo op.  excuse me? Yes.  She made a little drive just for me to sit here and take a picture.  Isn't she fantastic.  She even said that a Duggar came into view and was driving the golf cart!  Be still my obsessed heart!

So - a quadruple thanks to my lovely sista and her feeding of my obsession.  Mark my words internet world; some day I will have my pretty little face in a photo just like this.  Don't mind me Duggar's, I'm just holding a stake out until my cup fillith over.  :)

For the first time in forever

Yes, I just used a "Frozen" line to title my post.  Let the record show I am not as obsessed with this film as the majority of Americans.  That being said, it does fit perfectly with how I feel this day went.

I had a great day.  Simply awesome.  Why you ask?  Well, because - for the first time in forever, I capitalized on the fact that I don't have an employer, I had a car to my disposal, and I could do whatever I wanted.  For my whole life, I always had to make plans on weekends; and even now am constantly aware of my husbands work schedule and when we can and can not play.  Well, with him being out of town, I decided on a  whim to drive up to the Golden Spike Historic Site.  I have wanted to go since moving here, and for the first time in forever, I actually realized that I could just go!

So, on a random Friday, I loaded up the boy and a few snacks and headed north. And, as a totally unexpected bonus, Uncle Tom decided to join us!

 This was a totally lack-luster historic site.  So many stories about this little 45 minute stop that I could fill a whole page.  A few favorite highlights included:
** the tour group just before us was full of Historical Society Senior citizens.  They were super helpful! Never in my life have so many strangers approached me to tell me about what I needed to do.  The platforms behind the trains was the most frequent tip.  Tom and I couldn't help but smile.
** The platforms. Not sure why everyone acted like thy were the best thing ever.  They are there to help you look into the locomotive.  Um - pretty sure I've been inside several trains at other historic places. So-looking into the cabin wasn't that exciting.
** Trains vs. locomotive.  I was corrected a few times by the gentleman reenacting some historic part.  I was telling Cameron, "isn't this a cool train?" and the man, looking around in wonder, exclaimed - "where is a train? There aren't any trains here. This is a locomotive".  Oh - my bad.
** NOTHING was historic.  The entire site, from railway ties to "trains" to the golden spike was all reproduced "look alikes"  The whole place was a farce.
** The plaques spoke of "a booming train depot with several ruffians who preyed on the train passengers." There were restaurants, hotels, saloons, and communities all up in these hills.  My thought - where are the remnants of this "booming town".  There wasn't so much as a foundation or a stone to show of any type of town.  How is that there are deserted ghost towns all over America and yet there isn't one single anything here to show there was life.  It all seemed very strange.
** You're not suppose to climb or even touch the locomotives.  Being that we arrived just after the demonstration ended, we were left alone with the locomotives right at the end of our visit.  Not even a ranger to supervise us.  Hence the illegal but DARLING photo of Cameron on the train.  ehem-locomotive.

We laughed and laughed at the whole day.  It was a bit of a drive into the middle of nothingness to get there, so it was funny when it was so - blah.  But I LOVED it.  And I loved that I could just pick up and go without any obligations to attend to for someone else.  I love that part of my life.  And I have finally just grasped the reality and coolness of this.  I feel like many more day trips and road trips may be in my future!

B.T. dubs- Isn't my kid like crazy photogenic.  Seriously.  I need to get him connecting with a modeling agency.  Start monetizing this cuteness.