70 is kind of a big deal. It is a new decade to be sure. But it is a decade that can be 'dangerous', if that is the right word. Right now Tom and I are both healthy, wealthy and wise. Well maybe not strong on all counts, but generally you get the idea. It's a great time, really! We decided since we are serving our mission in Turkey on my 70th birthday to take advantage of the location and once and for all go see Cappadoccia!
So we booked a private tour, with luxury accommodations, and a balloon ride on the exact day I turned 70. It was magical. Tom and I were saying that the balloons (over 100) were for my birthday! It was very festive. We ate at a couple of great restaurants. We toured some amazing sites, specifically our favorites were Uchisar Castle and Monks valley (pasabaglari).
The full birthday week-end in detail (so I never forget!)
When we arrived in Cappadoccia the airport was packed because of Haijj. People waiting for their family who were coming home from visiting Mecca. It was hard to find our private driver! Then we had an hour drive from the airport to our hotel: Kayakapi Luxury Cave Hotel. I admit right here and now, that hotel was my favorite 'thing we did' the whole week-end! It was truly a luxury hotel. They spoil you beyond imagination! Everything is top of the line. They run you around the complex in a golf cart. Free shuttle into town. They gave me a birthday present! (2 cups and saucers with tea packets with their symbol) They also gave us stone coasters when we checked out.
But back to the itinierary. So after checking in we went to dinner in Goreme to TopDeck. We sat on traditional flooring seating. We ordered the kebab, which comes out in a flaming fire that you crack open the pot with a hammer! Then home to sleep!
Next day is June 4. We wake up at 3:30am and are shuttled to the hot air balloon site. Eventually all the balloons are filled with air, about 24 people climb into the attached basket and up, up and away! It is very smooth, not scary at all. There were over 100 balloons in the sky that day. We watched the sun peek over the mountain and rise. It was glorious.
Back to the hotel for an amazing breakfast of all kinds of foods. Then Tom went to the room and slept. I went for a swim in the beautiful pool all. by. myself. Which is one of my favorite things to do and it is rare to be able to do that. All by myself! So peaceful. So calming.
After my swim we met up with our tour guide, Ceylan. She is young and to be married in about 2 weeks time. Her english was just ok. Tom and I could barely understand her, however, her real strength was that she was flexible. No long talks, no boring agendas. She did exactly what we wanted. The birthday tour highlight was Uchisar Castle and finding a swing looking at the amazing homes in the rocks sipping a fresh squeezed pomegranate juice.
Back to the hotel for time at the sauna and the hamam and the pool. My favorite!
Then Tom gave me a packet of printed notes from the kids and their spouses. I was sitting on the deck all by myself, overlooking a stunning view. It was beautiful and calm. I read all their messages and I was in a puddle of tears. Such kind words, such fun memories. I was blown away. I will include each of their messages at the end. They are thoughts and feelings from those I love most in this world, and I want to always, ALWAYS remember them!
That night we went to eat at Apetito near the hotel. A full course menu that was very affordable and truly delicous!
Then on June 5 we had a full morning at the hotel for one more breakfast, one more swim. Time on the deck. The tour highlight this day was Monks Valley (Pasabaglari). We did an underground city which was interesting but glad we went to the smallest one. More time in one would have been way to claustrophobic! Our tour guide took a terrible tumble because the rocks were wet and slippery. She is stick thin, and I'm sure it hurt! Monks Valley is jaw dropping amazing. Only pictures can somewhat capture how cool it is. We finished touring and walked around Goreme and found Momma's Cave Restaurant and had more great food. Then our private driver picked us up and drove us back to the airport. Caught a late flight, got home and into bed just before midnight!
What an incredible birthday celebration. Indeed, most times you can 'go out to dinner' but this was a full blown incredible party! AMAZING!!! I'm still stoked about it. Wanted to be sure I wrote about it. I can look back on this birthday week-end and know I am loved!
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| Monks Valley |
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| Monks Valley |
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| Monks Valley |
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| Apetito Restaurant near the hotel for my birthday dinner. 4 course meal that was deliciious! |
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| Hamam at the hotel. We had it to ourselves. Oh, I can feel that warm marble and that warm water right now! |
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| The hotel breakfast outside seating area |
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| Hot air balloon ride June 4 at sunrise |
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| All those ballons were for my birthday! |
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| TopDeck Restaurant with traditional seating and the kebab in a flaming fire that you break open with a hammer. |
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| Hajj at the airport. It was packed! |
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| Official document with my name and date of flying (June 4) |
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| Kayakapi Luxury hotel pool. All to myself on my actual birthday! |
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| Monks Valley |
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| Monks Valley |
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| Uchisar Castle and under that umbrella is Tom and we are sipping fresh squeezed pomegranate juice! |
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| The breakfast at the hotel was unbelievable. And they would cook up whatever you wanted as well! |
AND NOW I WANT TO RECORD THE SWEET MESSAGES FROM MY FAMILY!
Dan.
1. I like that Momma says yes. She says yes to new adventures and new experiences. She is unafraid of the unknown and even finds a rush in not knowing what's around the corner. It's the spirit of that girl who rode a motorcycle to work for Uncle Brent in AZ. It's the spirit of the girl who suckers a dude to going on a campout without his financee. She is adventure and finding ways to yes.
2. I'm grateful that mom taught me to work. As much as I hated my night for dishes or the chore chart or weeding the yard on a Saturday or cleaning out the pond or bringing in endless groceries from the car after a run to the Commissary, it taught me to get my work done first. Don't let that hang over your head...knock it out and then go play/relax.
3. One of my favorite memories of mom is the shock on her face when dad flew me home from BYU at Thanksgiving. She's always happy to see me and smiles and gives me a big hug but that one was pure, gut reaction, love and joy. I had shaved my head and bleached my hair so it was first 'who is this dude?' and then 'thats my Dan'....huge smile and big hug.
4. Mom has the best heart. She loves people. She loves her religion. You have to be pretty awful to end up on her naughty list. Nobody is perfect but she is continually trying to improve and that's even better.
Love you momma! Her's to 70 years of finding ways to live a life full of love, purpose and smiles!
Lara
1. I admire that Anita loves to be outside! She values, appreciates and spends time in this beautiful world. She is a lifelong learner who is committed to personal growth, that greatly benefits her posterity. Anita is truly a good person who has pure motives.
2. I am deeply grateful that Anita raised Dan to be a good man, committed husband and an amazing father. Dan is easily the best person I know. He is kind, caring, smart, hard working and endlessly serves those he loves. Attributes he learned and shares with his mother.
3. I remember her swimming in the ocean like a little kid when I first met her! And her whipping around on a motorcycle without a helmet in Driggs! I love those memories because the essence of anita is FREEDOM and ADVENTURE!
4. I love and appreciate that Anita continues to love and accept people for who they are without judgement. She is a fantastic matriarch! Happy birthday! I hope this year is full of adventures, love and new experiences!
Seth
Happy 70th! Bet you never thought that you'd hear that! The same way I never thought I'd hear happy 46th and don't expect to hear happy 70th either. And it's that sense of individual exceptionalism that makes it so hard to appreciate what you and others have done.
But if I remember that you were once 46 the same way I am, and you were once 30 the same way I was-and I don't mean in terms of age but in terms of a life with kids and a house and a marriage and everything that comes with those things-it becomes really obvious what an incredible person you are. Here are some reasons why I think you really are amazing:
1. You are disciplined. I remember you and Dad having scripture study and family prayer and family home evening and I remember you as a key driver of those things. And you were consistent-VERY consistent. The ind of consistent that is hard to find. Like it pained you to have everyone go to bed without a family prayer. We try to have regular things that we do together to enrich the family but it's hard. Very hard. I respect you for having been able to do those things consistently. It takes a ton of discipline. And you have it.
2. You are devoted. Whether it's to the church or to your husband or to your family, you give your all to the things that you care about. And I'll tie that in to my point below.
3. You are selfless.I mean sure, you definitely like the things you like and make sure you get the opportunity to pursue those things, but going back to the husband and the family, it should be recognized how young you were when you got married. It is soooooo common now for people who married young to have a realization that they now need "me" time. Or that they never got to discover who they really were and need to pursue a path of self discover. And they sometimes deprioritize or completely set aside those people that now depend on them-a husband, a marriage, children-so they can pursue their path of self-realization. You never did that. I'm sure you felt like you lost yourself in your family responsibilities and I'm sure it felt lonely at times, but you stuck with us all the way through. Thank you.
4. You are thoughtful. I rmember accidentally discovering a notepad you had been writing on and it was around the time Steve was in high school. You had written down thoughts on how you wanted to spend your time and shape your life as you headed towards "empty nesting". I also remember you being intentional about being a mother in law and saying that Grandma Herway had been so great to you and listing the kind of things she did that you wanted to emulate. I hurt for you that those efforts haven't been recognized by all. It's so rare for people to take that time to self direct and be deliberate about what they do and what they want to try to be. It's a wonderful quality.
5. You are adventurous. You've said that I'm adventurous but guess where I got it from? I'll give you a hint-it wasn't dad. A couple memories supporting that: a. I can remember both the VW van and the Mitsubishi packed with food for days. My recollection was it was basically a grocery paper bag per day that you had thought through what the 8 of us would be eating each day of the trip. And we were off to camp or stay in a youth hostel or who knows where else. That was Europe on a budget. Now that just means where's the chapest place to go out to eat. And this wasn't Google Maps and instagram reviews era of traveling. This was call the hostel and follow the paper map and get lost and ask for directions and order the wrong thing traveling. 2. being in Egypt and you really wanted to go up in a hot air balloon. I still don't love heights and I definitely don't love them from a hot air balloon that someone else is operating. Ultimately no one was willing to go. So did you say "oh well, matybe next time"? Nope. It just meant you were waking up in the dark to head off on an unregulated, non-FAA approved, unlicensed hot air balloon flight in Egypt by yourself! That's adventurous.
6. You are fun and energetic. Heidi will say this exact same thing but our kids have 4 grandparents. One of them was always on the ground, playing at their level, ready to engage with them on their terms-you. That's hard for me to get the energy to do in my 30s and 40s. I'm sure it's a whole different ballgame in your 60s. Your grandkids will always remember that about you.
I have other things but I'll stop here so I can have some things for your 80th and your 90th. I consider myself lucky to have you as a mother. I love you mom! Love, Seth
Heidi
When I think about Anita I think of her excitement and engagement when we spend time with her. She's great at giving her full attention to her kids and grandkids when visiting and she's always fully invested in what you have to say.
1. I always really appreciated as young mom that Anita was quick to help entertain, distract or play with little toddlers. I have a memory of being at Green Lotus and one of the boys being unruly. She just happily took their hand and went for a little walk so Seth and I could enjoy our meal. She didn't make a big deal of it and truly seemed happy to do it. She did stuff like this ALL the time.
2. She seems easily impressed by our kids and is quick with compliments. She makes me feel like the world's greatest cook whenever I cook for her-easily impressed.
3. Anita is humble and attributes all her success and good in her life as blessings from God. She's very faithful and I admire that about her.
4. I like her approach of: ask for forgiveness rather than permission and hope that one day some of that will rub off on my rule follower approach.
5. Annita has been an easy to love MIL and I'm grateful for her! She raised really, really good boys that all turned out to be incredible fathers and husbands. The next generation is so blessed by that.
Happy 70th Anita! Love you!
Jake
Thanks for making this request, Dad, and for making the day special for Mom. I'm grateful for the relationship you have and how you've prioritized and invested in your marriage. It's the best gift a child can have. Sending my love to you and to Mom and you celebrate together.
1. I like Mom's can-do attitude. She's not afraid to try new things, not afraid to go into places or conversations or ideas that might be unfamiliar to her. There might be fear, but she doesn't let that stop her. It's clear that she does put others first. She's very much aware of and accommodating other people's needs, especially her children's.
2. I'm grateful that she invested in teaching us not only the words of life, but also ensuring that we knew how to access God for ourselves. I'm grateful that she put out well-being first and our development as independent people tha work hard, get things done, and contribute to the world.
3. Most of my memories revolve around the peaceful moments where there was love and open acceptance. During the eeveryday living moments around the dinner table, Saturday mornings with pancakes and waffles, coming home from school with her there, going on walks. I also have always appreciated her readiness for activity. Hiking Mount Timpanogos will always be a memory filled with mixed emotions, but ultimately pride in a mother who was willing and able to scale the tallest peak in Utah and ready to take on an adventure, whatever it brought.
4. I'm sure there are many subconscious memories that have influenced who I am and how I see the world that I can attribute to mom. But the one memory that I know changed the way I saw myself was a summer morning and it was raining outside. And all I did during the summer was ride my bike to the school to lift weights and play some football. And that was the only activity of the day. And with it raining I complained out loud that I was stuck at home with nothing to do. Her reponse was, "I never knew a little rain to stop you."
Mel
What I love about Anita is that we share the sae birthday! but I also love much more than that. I love her desire for activity and adventure and how she isn't afraid to get what she wants.
1. A couple memories that stick out fo rme are from back when Jake and I were first married. We were in Belgium and heading to church on Sunday. Steve had slept in and wasn't ready for church. She vented some frustrations and then said, "okay just needed to get that out and now I'm good" and she was! She greeted Steve later at church with love and smiles. No anger, no grudges! I admire her ability to forgive and let go.
2. My second memory was also at church. I believe she was teaching Sunday school and told us that story of when she got in an argument with Tom. She went storming out of the hosue but then had the thought "ther are two sides to a pancake" and with that realized where she was in the worng, and then turned back to go make things right. That pops into my head almost every time I find myself in a similar situation and helps me to take accountability and action.
She is such a great example to me. Even her record keeping and journal writing have inspired me to do better. I also genuinely enjoy the good conversations we have.
Natalie
Happy 70th Birthday mom!
It's hared to believe you are 70 when you still have more enery than I've ever had! lol
Thank you for everything you've done and continue to do for me and my family.
thanks for letting me skip high school for some mental health days. I loved just running errands with you.
Thanks for loving my kids and spending time with them.
Thanks for sharing your love of travel, different cultures, and all kinds of people. You don't think you're better than anyone and you appreciate all kinds of people, and I think that's opne of your best traits.
You work so hard. You have great ideas and you make them happen.
I love just chagging and laughing with you cards, walks, yoga, bike rides, etc etc, but mostly just spending time with you.
I love you. I hope you have a fabulous birthday. You deserve it!
Love you!
Nicole
Here's mine:
1. She loves a good adventure. She's happy doing big, wild ones (traveling, bike trips, swimming in new water, jumping off the high dive, move to a foreign country) and small, simple ones (a yoga routine, a long walk, go to a play or a concert, enjoy a sunset, meeting a new person, reading a good book)
2. I'm grateful for a mom who remembered the little things about us all. She knew I hated doing dishes after having broccoli for dinner, so she'd purposely avoid cooking broccoli on the night I had to do the dishes and would do it another night. She knew I loved Audrey Hepburn, so she'd find a book about her for me at the library that I hadn't read yet. She knew I loved scarves, so she'd buy two whenever she went somewhere and would let me pick which one I wanted first and kepp the other for herself.
3. I loved our Thailand/Cambodia trip! One of my favorite memories is getting mango shakes every day on the beach in Ko Phi Phi and then just hanging out on the beach. We'd go for walks, read books, play in the water and just enjoy.
4. When she went all out for my 16th birthday party and spent all day getting the hosue and the food ready for it. I'd never seen such a spread and had such a fun nighrt with my friends, and (2) when I missed the bus ion high school and instead of taking me to school for the day she took me for an overnight impromptu trip to Paris, (3) when Cora was in the NICU and she'd hold her so I could sleep in the Ronald McDonald house on the 3rd floor fof the hospital without worrying that no one had an eye on Cora (4) our bike trip along the Mosel River in Germany (5) remembering my birthday when we flew to Egypt before Christmas and came into my room with a lit cancle placed in a granola bar even though we'd been traveling all day. I'd also love to know how many slices of French Toast she's cooked for me over the years too!
Steve
I never got double good marks :(
(He wrote this because he didn't submit his memories before my birthday so Tom didn't give him double good marks!)
There are many things I can and have brought up in the past that are all fond memories of both Mom, herself, and things she taught me.
One that I don't believe I have shard was in middle school. 6th and especially 7th grade was rough for me, emotionally. From my perspective, I was 100% the victim. Everyone's the victim in their own stories, right? But I don't recall getting much positive feedback from teachers in school. It was often criticism and left me feeling frustrated.
Looking back aws an adult, I can now see where they were coming from, but it didn't stop those feelings of frustration. I remember coming to Mom after a particularly difficult day and venting.
Because of what I was used to getting from my teachers, I expected her to reprove me. Instead, she listened, validated my feelings, and sympathized. I remember feeling in that moment, "Wow. I really do have someone on my side!"
That feeling has never changed. You've had my back through think and thin and I've never had to question your love. It's easy to love someone right back when they love you so unconditionally.
Happy 70th, Mom
