ELDER SEGURA

He is home!!!

{More to come}

MASON

In exactly one week - after two years of waiting - I get to see this face, in PERSON! Can't wait!!

Finnish strong, Elder!

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WEST POINT

My cousin, Tony, is a cadet at West Point. He has visited me in DC a few times, but I've never been able to visit him in New York. I've been anxious to make my way to West Point, and drove up, last weekend, with Jennah. I have never been, and had an absolute blast! Not only is the campus beautiful, but it is rich with American history! George Washington marched his troops on the main lawn, for heaven sake!! I was on cloud nine!

The first item on our list of things to do? The final West Point football game of the season. So fun! (Rainy, but fun!)

After the game, we went on a tour of the campus. Talk about impressive! Tony's good friend, Tyler, is the First Captain at West Point. (I didn't know this, but being First Captain is a very big deal.) Tyler was with Tony when they came to DC a few years ago, and I took them through the White House. Tyler took us around West Point as a, "thank you" for his White House tour. After this weekend, I'd say we're even.

Thanks, cuz! We had a great time! Can't wait for your next visit to DC!

MOTHER

Merriam-Webster defines the word Mother as: A female parent. A woman in authority; specifically: the superior of a religious community of women. An old or elderly woman. Maternal tenderness or affection.

The word, mother, means something different to all who say it. To some, it is simply a word. For others, a term of endearment. Some think of the person they yelled for when there was a monster lurking under the bed. It may cause others to reminisce of afternoons in the kitchen, baking cookies or bread. Some may think of their constant cheerleader - the person who made it to every game, recital, school assembly, competition, back-to-school night, talent show and was there when you got your braces off.

My mother is all those things and more. She is my best friend, my partner in crime, my example, my fashion critic (Okay, I'm her fashion critic...but she likes it. Promise), the person who takes care of me when I'm sick, my dance partner, my teacher, always there to hold my hand when I'm scared or nervous, there to wipe away my tears, the person I turn to after heartbreak (Silly boys), always patient with me at the piano, reminds me I can do anything but can always do more, a tender woman of charity and service, quick to give a hug or a smile and is by far one of the most fun people to be around.

The word, mother, will always stir up sweet memories of singing around the piano or laying in bed while Mother read stories in her sweet, calm voice. I'll always remember a very patient mother while shopping for prom/homecoming dresses...eventually buying a dress, only to have her alter it to my liking. (I went to six formal dances while in high school. That's a lot of sewing!) I think of late nights, when anything and everything is funny and we can't stop laughing. The word, mother, will always remind me of silly inside jokes or watching an old movie on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Yes, the word, mother, means many things to me. In fact, it is something I aspire to more than anything in this world. I feel so blessed that it has always been more than a word to me. It is a term makes me smile. When I think of my kind mother, I am happy. I am content. I am safe. I am home.

Love you, Mama.

KIDDOS

I was able to meet the newest Segura grand baby, last week. Spencer and Missy had little Oliver Thomas a few months ago and my visit was very much overdue. He is such a cute little guy. I just sat and stared at him.

Mom and I also got to see Jane, Megan, Catherine, Jack, Luke, Kate and Mack. We had so much fun! I love spending time with my brothers and their families. Missy and Christine are the best sister-in-laws and I am in love with their kids. I miss them already and can't wait for my next trip.

With Nana and the babies.

My buddy, Jack. We had a lot of fun in the back yard, one afternoon, and played a great game of soccer. I had to laugh though, because in the middle of the game he ran over, buttered me up with a big hug and quietly said, "Aunt Mimi, you can let me win, if you want." I just laughed and said, "If you play better than I do, you'll win." He won. Yes, I'm a pushover.

I promise, Luke likes me.

Catherine is covering her eye in the above photo because she is being a pirate. Funny Catherine. Jane and I were trying to blow kisses to Uncle Mason.

My cousin, William Duncan Humphries, recently returned from serving an LDS mission to Albania. Can't you tell how excited he was to see me after two long years? I can't believe he is already back!!! Mason will be here before we know it!

MOM & DAD

~High School Sweethearts~

~Wrote letters for two years~

~Married for 33 years~

Happy anniversary, Mama and Daddy!

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PATRIOTIC WEEKEND

Oh, how I LOVE the 4th of July! I have lived in DC for four years and have spent every 4th of July, except one, with my friend, Jennah. We made plans for Jennah to drive down from Connecticut and spent the weekend out and about in the District and Virginia.

One of the best things about being in DC for the 4th is...there is plenty to do. On Thursday, July 3rd, we went downtown to watch the dress rehearsal for, A Capitol 4th. A Capitol 4th, is a program that takes place the evening of July 4th at the steps of our Nation's Capitol. It was a great show with performances from Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, the cast of Jersey Boys, Natasha Bedingfield, the National Symphony Orchestra and Sesame Street! And since we were watching the dress rehersal, the crowd was relatively small. We had such a fun time! I love DC! It's a big city, but in many ways, still feels so small. You run into friends, former colleagues and neighbors, wherever you go!

Yes, Arianne and I realize this looks like a cheesy engagement photo.

Silly Jennah Renae and Millie Mae.

Sitting on the Capitol steps, waiting for the concert to begin.

The Capitol with Old Glory.

Rockin' out to Barry.

The evening of July 4th, Jennah, Chareese and I had an early dinner and headed to the Air Force Memorial to watch fireworks with friends. Below is our first roommate photo! Jennah moves in, in August! Yay!

On the phone with friends, coordinating our meeting spot. I got tired and needed to sit down.

The Air Force band was playing at the base of the Memorial. Loved it!!! Talk about setting a patriotic mood!

Waiting for the fireworks to start. There was such a great crowd. (i.e. everyone from my ward.) I even ran into Kerri Baird Johnson and her family. I have kown Kerri since I was four years old and have fond memories of playing at her house. It was so fun to see her! I'm only sad that we didn't get any pictures!

Great show! Time to head home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

JESSE

I have always admired my cousin, Jesse Bushnell. She is solid in the Gospel, smart, beautiful, incredibly talented, has a wonderful sense of humor and is immediately liked by all know her. I admired her so much, that when I was a little girl, I named my favorite doll, Jesse! (To this day, my family and I lovingly refer to this doll as, my Jesse doll.)

My childhood memories are flooded with images of Jesse. When we were six, we liked to pretend we were twins. We both complained to the other about piano lessons and wondered if we would ever be as good as our dear Grandmother. Jess and I would spend hours at the kitchen table drawing pictures of our dream homes. She and I traveled together to Europe, alone, at age 12. A favorite memory is sitting in our hotel room in Florence and "helping" each other pass the art test our Grandmother had prepared. (Nana wanted to be sure we were actually learning from our countless museum visits.) As little girls, we fantasized about our future and believed we could do anything!

Jesse's first love and passion has always been art. I was 11 years old when Jess first told me she would grow up to be an artist. When she found herself at BYU, Jesse headed for the art department to cultivate her talent. She studied hard and has lived in New York, served an LDS mission in Fiji and traveled to Ghana. Sketching and painting along the way.

Yes, I admire many things about my fabulous cousin. However, one of the things I admire most, is the fact that she is living her childhood dream. She is an artist. She persevered and made it happen. Her art has been showcased in various arenas and has most recently been featured in the July issue of the LDS magazine, The Ensign. The full text Jesse's experience in Ghana can be found here on page 40.

I love Jesse's art and a few years ago, she gave me the below painting of Christ as a birthday gift. It will always be among my prized possessions. Not only does the image remind me of the love my Savior has for me, but it causes me to think of Jesse and her quiet example. If she can fulfill her childhood dream, so can I.

HAPPINESS

I have always admired Dennis Prager and completely agree with this. Take five minutes and watch.

KEYS

After my visit to Williamsburg, I decided to stop in Richmond to see my dear friends, Brittany & Brian Richman. I met Brittany in my last class at BYU, Basic Food Prep. (I'm still working on those cooking skills.) She and I then worked and lived together in Las Vegas on the 2004 Presidential campaign. We both eventually made our way to Washington DC and the White House. I lived with her a little over two years and my DC life wouldn't be the same without her.

I was a little distracted during our visit (Britt shared some very BIG news) and I accidentally locked my car keys in my trunk...Ooops! Darn Baby Chuck!

We called someone to break into my car so we could simply pop the trunk and get my keys. A fourteen-year-old-looking guy arrived and was able to get into the car through the passenger door. Yay! Only problem was, when we tried to pop the trunk, it wouldn't open. By this time...the car alarm was blaring and my car and gone on the defensive!!! (Sorry neighbors!) Apparently little Heidi (yes, my car has a name) was able to sense that someone was trying to break in and maybe even steal her! The fourteen-year-old-looking guy shrugged his shoulders and said, "Yeah...um...I think you guys need to call a locksmith to make a key for the trunk."

Round two: We called AAA and a very nice man, who rolled up in a somewhat shady looking van, proceeded to make a key to get into the trunk. Only problem was, none of the FOUR keys he made worked! The nice man then drove his shady looking van to his boss' workshop where they made one last key.

Three hours later, my car looked like this and we finally got into the trunk and retrieved my keys. Also, the alarm stopped going off every time we opened the door.
When midnight rolled around, I was finally heading back to DC. Although the night turned into quite the adventure...I was happy for the delay. I love spending time with Brittany and Brian. They're two of my favorite people!!!