Life in a Treehouse

Merriam-Webster

2012-02-15T09:58:00.002-07:00

I think I've come up with a new term that should be included in the dictionary.

blog-block (n) - inability to come up with anything interesting, funny, or insightful to blog about (i.e. Today I suffer from blog-block.)

what was I thinking?

2012-02-13T14:33:00.002-07:00

Oh, if only I had a dollar for every time I say that!

Sometimes I really don't know what I was thinking. Like when I signed up to do a marathon this year. Really? What was I thinking?

It's not that I don't like to run. I do. It's just that marathon-training takes up a whole heckuva lot of time. Way too much time. To quote my cousin, "Running is running my life!" And it's not like I haven't already crossed "run a marathon" off my bucket list. So, what was I thinking? I think the answer is usually that I wasn't thinking.

Please, please, please remind me to never do another marathon. Ever! Half-marathons - okay. Full marathons - NO! Don't let me lose my head again and sign up for another one. Please. I'm begging you. Do my thinking for me.

Sweetheart's Dance

2012-02-11T23:02:00.004-07:00

McKayla attended Sweetheart's last night and had a fabulous time! They went to IHOP for breakfast. McKayla had her hair done by a pro but didn't like the updo and took it out anyway. Their group contained 12 people but McKayla said they really spent the night divided into 2 groups of 6. They had dinner of chicken alfredo at one of the girls' homes, went to the dance, and then went to one of the guy's homes for sundaes and a movie.
McKayla said her group of 6 just hung out together talking and laughing and really enjoying each other's company.
L-R: McKayla, Jesse VanValkenburg, Clay Lambourne, Val Ashley, Reed Dudley, and Kaitlyn. This was the first time I'd met her date, Jesse, but he seemed very nice and friendly. He was also very enthusiastic when I asked if the dance had been fun. McKayla is very good friends with the other two guys (in fact, both were at our home Friday night) and the one in black was her date to Boys' Pref. Clay, Reed, and McKayla hang out in the same group and are together nearly every Friday and Saturday night - probably why she felt so comfortable all night.

Pinterest-obsessed

2012-02-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Oh my heck! I finally looked at Pinterest a couple months ago but I just stalked it occasionally. If I found something I really liked, I would just "old-school it" and bookmark the page.

A few weeks ago I finally requested an invite and got all signed-up. Now, I've become a monster!

The list of Pinterest-inspired projects/recipes/etc for just this week alone:

*made a drip-catcher for my 5-gallon cooler out of a 2-liter soda bottle
*made Red Velvet cheesecake brownies
*used a slit toilet paper roll (empty) to hold wrapping paper in place
*made Tikka Massala (family liked)
*made Honey Sesame Chicken (recipe is now deleted)
*made pizza grilled cheese sandwiches (kids will probably make for selves when I'm not cooking)
*made "52 Reasons I Love You" deck of cards for the hubs
*made punch for Chandler's birthday (I have a better recipe I'll stick with)
*made Dr. Oz' sleep smoothie for 4 nights in a row to see if it worked (didn't - I'm still not sleeping)
*bought tic-tacs so I can use the container to hold bobby pins
*made my daughters a ruffled skirt out of old t-shirts ($4 for cute skirt)
*made crockpot breakfast casserole
*made peanut butter truffle brownies (for a party tonight - haven't sampled yet)
*made Snickers popcorn for my sisters-in-law
*and will probably make orange zest cookies for the party tonight as well

Can you say "OUT OF CONTROL?"

embarrassing moment

2012-02-10T08:38:00.002-07:00

Author's Note - This post is published with the permission of the embarrassed party.

We've all had our share of embarrassing moments. I sometimes think I've had more than my share. This past Wednesday was McKayla's turn.

Last weekend a picture was taken of her and Michael (the two of them like each other). I haven't seen it but McKayla says it is probably the worst picture she's ever seen of herself - way worse than her driver's license photo!

Of course, that's not the embarrassing part.

On Wednesday, 2nd period, she walked into her Health Occupations class only to have her teacher tell her that her track coach wanted to see her. McKayla walked across the hall to his classroom only to see the photo of Michael and her displayed on the projection screen. She made the classic-teenage-sound-of-disgust and walked out. She didn't realize her track coach followed her back to her classroom but she got back to health and her teacher told the class "Today we're watching a movie" and when she turned on the projection screen, there was the picture of Michael and McKayla. Her track coach started laughing and McKayla turned to him and said, "Oh, I hate you!" (though she was laughing)

Then comes 4th period Spanish and her teacher starts off class by turning on her projection screen to...you guessed it! Michael and McKayla! She had several students comment to her throughout the day so she was about ready to kill her coach.

(Please don't take me literally - that is NOT a death threat against a teacher! McKayla really was laughing as she told me all of this. Her coach just really enjoys giving her a hard time and she really is able to take it.)

Makes me laugh!

hot and cold

2012-02-09T08:35:00.002-07:00

After declaring for weeks that she was NOT going to the Sweetheart's Dance, McKayla came home on Monday and announced she WAS going. Nothing like waiting until last minute!

Sweetheart's is a girls' choice, semi-formal dance. Most of the girls asked weeks ago. But not McKayla - she waits until 5 days before the dance.

So, first things first, she actually has to ask him. So Monday night she buys a half-gallon of ice cream, pokes holes all over it and puts her name in one of the holes. Then delivers the ice cream and a note reading something like, "don't leave me out in the COLD, say you'll go to Sweetheart's with me"

I thought his answer was perfect! He gave her a jar of HOT tamales with one red Mike and Ike mixed in. His answer read, "This jar's full of HEAT but if it contains something sweet then on Saturday we will meet."

Clever!

the results of "THE STRIKE"

2012-02-07T08:34:00.002-07:00

I really don't know how successful my one week "no cooking" strike really was. I know my family missed having meals made for them but whether that will translate into them being less picky remains to be seen.

They didn't miss me cooking breakfast for them in the morning because Chandler took over that duty. He made pancakes and coffee cake and eggs. The rest of the kids were in heaven!

They all really missed homemade dinners and were ready for me to cook for them after my week off. So far, they've eaten fine but it's hard to know whether that's due to the strike or whether I've just made things they like. I guess time will tell.

If nothing else, when they do complain about what I fix, I can always threaten to go on strike again and they'll know I'm serious. Maybe that will make them think twice.

when I was young...

2012-02-06T08:19:00.002-07:00

Life was simpler in my day. I grew up in a small town with a high school of 500 students (10th through 12th). We didn't have tons of electives. AP (Advanced Placement) classes were unheard of. Concurrent enrollment? Nah. Tech centers? No way! There weren't even any honors classes. I think the biggest choice I had was whether to take Chemistry 2 or Biology 2 my Senior year. Wow. Decisions. Decisions.

Fast forward to trying to figure out McKayla's schedule for the next 2 years. It definitely involves some planning. We met with a counselor last Friday for 45 minutes to sort it all out. Of course she has to meet graduation requirements. She wants to do the CNA (certified nursing assistant) program at the Tech Center. She also has to meet NCAA clearinghouse requirements since she's hoping/working for an athletic scholarship. In addition, she'd like to graduate with as many college credits as possible but some schools don't accept all concurrent enrollment classes so she needs to know which ones to take. Then there is weighing the benefits of AP classes over the stress of an already busy schedule (soccer and cross-country both in one season which means 5 nights a week of not even being home until at least 7 pm if not later). Whew!

Good news - I think we've got her all figured out for the next 2 years. Fingers crossed. Hoping.

Dear Chandler

2012-02-05T09:11:00.002-07:00

Dear Chandler,

Today is your 11th birthday. Wow! I know you're getting older but to me you'll always be "my baby" (I know you hate that). I struggled with the idea of a 5th child but I love you so very much and am so happy to have you in our family! We need you!

You are a good student - especially at math. Your teachers always love you because you are a hard worker, you pay attention and you get your work done. You are sometimes a bit too competitive though since you race to get your work handed in first.

You are also a good athlete. You would rather be outdoors at any time and in any weather. You don't like to sit still. You are a good cook and I am constantly amazed at how proficient you are in the kitchen. You are creative and build wondrous things with your Legos, and the fort in the backyard also exhibits your creativity.

You tend to worry and stress quite a bit. You don't like to be late. You like everything to go according to plan and you want everything planned well in advance! You want to know what is going to happen and when.

Like your siblings, I believe you are part fish. You are so comfortable in the water. You like vacations where you can play in the water. If we are at a hotel with a pool, you spend every possible moment there. One trip to California you begged not to go to McKayla's soccer game. You said, "just leave me in the pool."

You are the best helper anywhere! You are always willing to lend a hand. You have a great curiosity about how things work. One of your favorite things is helping Dad fix the cars or fix things around the house. You even love to help the neighbors with things like cement work or unloading groceries. I think you are a favorite among the neighbors.

Thanks for 11 great years! Happy Birthday!

love,
Mom

run, Kaya, run

2012-02-04T19:05:00.002-07:00

McKayla took part in an indoor track meet this weekend. For her, the meet got off to a bad start. By the time her team waited for the insanely-long check-in line, she walked into the oval in time to her her race being called. She rushed to the starting line without having time for a warm-up. To make matters worse, her coach hadn't submitted times for any runners so all of them were in the slowest heat. McKayla had not one to help pace or push her. She didn't even know where the finish line was so she stopped about 30 yards short and had to restart.

Needless to say, she was a wreck and lots of tears were shed. Still, she managed to finish in 5:33 which was 17th overall out of 172 runners.

Today's 3200m run went better (but only slightly). She almost got disqualified for having her IPOD in the bullpen (she didn't know). Then she realized she didn't have her shoes. Luckily they were in the car so I raced to the Suburban and made it back with about 30 seconds to spare. Yikes!

She managed to finish 7th out of 76 runners so she at least scored a couple points for her team.

She did have a couple of highlights. A college coach asked her coach about her although he had to walk away when he found out she's only a sophomore. Also, the sprint coach asked her to please try the 4x400 relay. He thinks McKayla might do better than one of his current runners. She decided to focus on those 2 things since neither of her races went as well as she wanted.

Oh Canada!

2012-02-03T06:34:00.003-07:00

Tuesday and Wednesday I made a whirlwind trip to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I needed to go check in on my Grandmother. I knew she probably wouldn't know who I was but it's good for family members to be there so the nursing home staff knows someone is checking on her. I was up at 3:30 am and headed to the airport for the flight to Edmonton via San Francisco. I got my rental car and drove straight to the nursing home. She looked really good!She seemed pretty lucid for the first while but then things degenerated. Still, I think she was happy to have company. I listened quite a bit.

After a few hours, I said goodbye and headed to the temple. It is under some sort of construction so the outside isn't quite picture perfect. I believe the layout is the same as the Spokane Temple.

After the temple I was on my way to the hotel when I passed the West Edmonton Mall. My curiosity was up since I'd seen signs EVERYWHERE for the mall and my hotel boasted its proximity to the mall. I needed to eat anyways so I decided to check it out. OH MY GOSH!

Let me repeat - OH MY GOSH! I've never been to the Mall of America so I don't know how this compares but it was pretty incredible! However, first things first - I needed food. The extent of my eating for the day had been a bagel, a candy bar, and the tomato juice served on the plane. I walked into one of the mall's food courts and noticed this:Yes - POUTINE! It caught my eye because on the flight there I was reading a novel where much of the action takes place in Canada. The main character eats Poutine a couple of times and describes it quite well and even mentions it is only a Canadian thing. So, when I saw it in the mall I just HAD to try it (even though I am really not much of a fry fan). Poutine is fries sprinkled with cheese curds and topped with gravy. It was pretty good (high praise indeed coming from a non-fry person). I will also admit to having a nanaimo bar (chocolate coconut crust, cream cheese/pudding filling, and ganache topping). It was NOT a good diet day (most unhealthy eating I've had since New Year's). But YUMMY!

Then I set out to explore the mall. Let's just say - I got lost! To those who don't know me that may not be of interest but I have an excellent sense of direction and can get around well. Not so in this mall. I explored for a while and then couldn't find my way back out - I had to go to the information desk and get a map to get myself out of there.

The mall was huge - containing over 860 stores. But that's not all. It contained a waterpark with slides, a ropes course, a miniature golf course, an indoor skate park, an ice rink, an amusement park, a shooting range where you could rent guns and practice, a dinner theater, bumper boats, an aquarium, movie theaters, and this replica of Christopher's Columbus' ship that you could explore. I've probably left something out.

After about an hour of wandering around I finally left for my hotel. I checked in about 7 pm and immediately headed to the fitness room to ride the exercise bike (an injury sustained running on Monday prevented me from using the treadmill - still haven't been able to run since). After a workout and a shower, I was ready to turn in by 9:30 so I could be up by 4:20 to catch my flight back home.

Whirlwind trip but mission accomplished with a bit of fun on the side.

books I read in January

2012-02-03T06:00:00.002-07:00

Here's the list of books I read the past month. It's a pretty good list due to flights to/from Omaha, Nebraska and Edmonton, Canada (lots of reading time).

"Girls Don't Fly" by Kristen Chandler

"The Silent Land" by Graham Joyce

"Carrots" by Colleen Helme

"Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun (Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries #1)" by Lois Winston

"Simply Sane: Living Outside the Fast Lane" by Debbie Bowen

"The Litigators" by John Grisham

"Before Ever After" by Samantha Sotto

"With a Name Like Love" by Tess Hilmo

"The Cost of Winning: Coming In First Across the Wrong Finish Line" by Dean Hughes

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne

"Learning to Swim" by Sara J. Henry

"Lost in Shangri-la" by Mitchell Zuckoff

Probably the "Lost in Shangri-la" was the best of the lot.

Resolution Check-Up

2012-02-02T09:48:00.002-07:00

I am fairly excited for this check-up because I think I did well last month.

Home Improvement
1) Build shutters for the windows in the front of my house - waiting for warm weather
2) Paint the shutters, outside trim, and outside doors - waiting for warm weather
3) Plant lavender in front of the house - waiting for warm weather
4) Do window treatments for family room, dining room, kitchen, Shanley's room, and the master bedroom - I took all the window measurements and have browsed curtain sections of stores a few times
5) Paint/stain the back deck - waiting for warm weather
6) Paint the master bathroom - no progress

Family
1) Plan a special date with Kevin once a month - did in January
2) Spend one-on-one time with each child every month (away from the home) - did in January

Social
1) Have 2 game parties for adults this year - have planned a party for February
2) Host 2 special FHEs with other families this year - did one in January

Physical
1) Lose 20 pounds - I lost 7 pounds in January (I was down 8 and thought I could make 9 but then went out to eat Jan. 27 and gained 3 pounds eating fajitas. Who knew they were so fattening?) Still, I'll take the 7.
2) Climb Mount Timpanogos - summer
3) Run a marathon and a half marathon - I am registered for both races. The training has been going well (up to 11 miles) but I pulled something on Monday. It is healing but still having trouble moving. I am hoping to be able to run tomorrow but we'll see

Mental
1) Make sure 1/3 of what I read is uplifting (spiritual, classical, best-book type stuff) - have done this
2) Write a book - I've written 5500 words

Spiritual
1) Spend 1 day a month in the temple - did in January
2) Go to 3 new temples - I've already been to 2. In January the family went to the Winter Quarters temple and 2 days ago I was able to go to the Edmonton Alberta Temple.
3) Read the New Era and the Ensign every month - done in January
4) At the end of every day, record the hand of God in my life for that day - this started out being very difficult for me but as I've persisted it has become easier. Now I sometimes has 2 or 3 events each day to write about. I truly feel this is helping me recognize God's hand in my life

Overall - I am doing very well. I have several things that I can't work on until summer months but I am making good progress in most areas. A lot of my goals are continual so I will have to keep up the focus each month and not slack off.

just call me "Hildy"

2012-02-01T19:10:00.002-07:00

This is out of order because I don't have time to tell all about my Canada trip right now but my flight home today was eventful.

I got up at 4:20 to make the early morning trek to the airport. I couldn't get my pass to print at the hotel or at the kiosk so I had to wait in line for a ticket agent - LONG line! My eyes were probably blurry from lack of sleep (I got up at 3:30 am the day before to catch the flight to Canada) and I guess the ticket agent's eyes were too because...

Anyway, she gave me my tickets and I got in the super long Customs line and waited. After a while I took a closer look at my tickets and noticed the first one was going to San Francisco - check! But the 2nd one had me going to Maui. What? Huh? As tempting as that was, I certainly wasn't prepared to be shipped off to Maui. I looked closer and saw that I'd been given tickets in the name of Hildegard Morisette. Who?

I went back to the ticket agent (walked straight to the counter) and explained the problem. She snapped, "Well, it's the same last name." Again, what? Huh? Morgan and Morisette are NOT the same last name. How does this happen when she had scanned my passport?

Finally got the right tickets and went back to the HOUR-LONG Customs and Immigration line. Got through and got on the plane only to have the pilot tell us that San Francisco airport was closed and we all needed to get back off the plane. After 1 1/2 hours we got back on and took off. Circled San Fran for 20 minutes and then finally landed.

Of course, I'd missed my connecting flight to SLC. The next United flight wasn't until 3 pm so I switched airlines and found a Delta flight at 1 pm. By the time I took the train to the other terminal and got through security again, the flight was reported as being delayed. Yep, it didn't leave until 2 pm.

I am now safely home and I am certainly hoping Hildegard is enjoying her trip to Maui!

FHE

2012-01-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

My children have been begging to do fun family home evenings sometimes. I guess lessons just get too boring - imagine that!

So, last night I invited 2 other families and we went and picked up garbage on a stretch of road. (That will teach my children to complain about the lessons!) just kidding!

After we cleaned the roadside, we came back to our house to wash up and enjoy sugar cookie bars. Then we went to Fongo Bongo Games. They have lots of tables set up in their back room along with shelves chock full of games. We played games (dividing out by age group) and really did have a lot of fun.

It was the first time I've ever played Carcassone and I enjoyed it.

running with a fox

2012-01-30T12:14:00.002-07:00

No, I didn't run with Kevin this morning (brings back memories of the song "fox on the run, you scream and everybody comes a runnin', take a run and hide yourself away. Foxy on the run." but I digress).

No, I saw an actual fox. Even ran with the fox for a quarter of a mile. Well, I guess it's stretching it to say I ran WITH the fox. The truth is I followed the fox. The closest I ever got to catching up to it was about 50 yards behind.

I had completed about 5.5 miles when I spotted a fox ahead on the trail. He noticed me too. I kept running. The fox would move along the trail for a bit then turn and watch me. Then it would move and then it would stop, turn, and watch me. I am sure the fox was evaluating what kind of a threat I was. I could have eased its mind considerably if I just could have told it that after 5.5 miles, I'm not much of a threat to anyone.

Or maybe the fox was sizing me up as prey...

mother-daughter time

2012-01-29T07:06:00.002-07:00

I made it a goal this year to take each of my children on a "date" once a month. Yesterday's "date" with McKayla was probably the most fun.

We drove to Orem to buy her new running shoes. Her coach helped us and we have some fun laughs with him. Then she and I went to Sub-Zero. Neither of us had ever been there. You pick your base (premium, custard, low-fat, yogurt, soy), your flavor, and your mix-in and then you watch as they use liquid nitrogen to freeze your ice cream in mere seconds. Cool!

We drove to the mall and window-shopped wedding dresses (no, not doing any planning). Then we went to Plato's Closet (a name-brand only used-clothes store). We found her 2 pairs of capris, a pair of shoes, and a cute ring for only $12.

Lots of good conversation and some laughs - good day!

the horrors!

2012-01-28T08:58:00.003-07:00

In Utah, the only rivalry is Utah vs. BYU. It is huge. Offices have pools regarding their games. Schools have contests in their names. I ran a Rivalry Relay last year (BYU vs. Utah and we ran from the U to BYU) It seeps into wards and at times is even included in testimony meetings (not very spiritual). Even the Red Cross has contests to see which fans donate the most blood.

I am, of course, true BYU blue through and through.

I am also a sucker for free things, though, and the U sends us free tickets for its gymnastics meets every year. Add to that the fact that the U gymnastics has won many national championships and it does make for good viewing. So, over the years our family has attended its fair share of Utah gymnastics meets.

Last night Alec and I attended the meet between the U and BYU. Once more it was one of those sacrificing for your kids things. I tried really hard to talk Alec into going to RHS basketball but he was set on gymnastics. So....

Have I mentioned that over the years I have been highly unsuccessful at getting Alec NOT to stand during the U's fight song? (I have tried to raise him right - honest, I have.)

Last night I couldn't even get him to cheer at all for BYU. He saved all of his hyper-enthusiastic cheering for the Utes. He danced. He chanted. He clapped. He caught the attention of another Utes fan which is when the unthinkable happened. This man gave Alec a Utes beanie (bright red and all). The horrors! Can I really be expected to allow him to wear that out in public? What will the neighbors say? Oh, the shame of it all.

I might not be able to show my face in public for a while. Or, at least, I can blame it on the Utes hat rather than the horrid haircut I got a few days ago. heehee!

on strike

2012-01-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

My children used to be very good eaters. I was happy about that! The only picky eater was Chandler and he was horrid but at least the others ate well.

I don't know what has happened but Alec, McKayla, and Shanley have all joined Chandler in pickiness. No matter what I fix, someone won't eat it.

I've had it so I've decided to go on strike. I will not fix any meals for the next week. (or I'll fix only enough for Kevin and I) I'll keep you posted on whether or not the strike makes them miss my cooking thus getting them to actually eat what I fix.

Sacrificing for Kids

2012-01-26T08:39:00.002-07:00

As parents, why do we sacrifice so much for our children?

Not that I am whining about that. I do it willingly. I just wonder why. I think it's more than just love. Do we feel it's owed them? Do we just want them to have things we never had? Is there an element of competition in it? Did any of these same things motivate Christ's sacrifice or was that done purely out of love? Would our sacrifices mean more if they were made solely for love?

Last night I sacrificed sleep. What parent doesn't?

Chandler had 2 tickets to the Utah Jazz basketball game. Not that I don't love basketball (or any major sporting event) but I was tired. I've had a horrid cough and am not sleeping at night. The idea of a 4-hour stint (drive + game) not to mention traffic, crowds, noise, etc was too much for me when all I wanted was pajamas.

Still, it's your kid and he's excited to go so what do you do? (After you try to talk McKayla into taking him but she has far too much homework)

I grabbed Alec as well since I knew he would LOVE it and the three of us headed downtown.

The game was very exciting and I ended up really enjoying it (after I finally turned around and asked the little boy behind me - very nicely - to please stop kicking my seat).

Of course the game had to go into double overtime ensuring that what I thought would be a 4-hour stint turned out to be closer to 5 hours.

The things we do in the name of love.

things NOT to do

2012-01-24T19:12:00.002-07:00

I should make some new resolutions. They should include:

*don't go to the grocery store when hungry
*don't talk to kids immediately after checking their grades on SkyWard
*don't wait to get your hair cut until you are absolutely so desperate that you'll just walk into Great Clips and let them cut it. Yikes! (Yep, my hair is a hack job and I hate it. Thank goodness hair grows back)

Christian?

2012-01-23T08:12:00.002-07:00

I get why Evangelical Christians claim Mormons are not Christians. After all, we believe in a God of flesh and bones who looks like us. We also believe in a Godhood of three separate and distinct beings. We believe in a resurrected Christ. We also believe we can become Gods. In other words, our Christ is as different to them as Buddha is to us. I get it. They are not saying we don't believe in Christ just not the same Christ they worship.

What I don't get is how these same Evangelical Christians can vote for a thrice-married, cheating scoundrel over a happily married man just because the former is a "Christian". Which one acts more Christ-like? Don't values count for anything? What about a moral code?

Maybe the American public wants to vote for someone they can relate to and maybe a cheat is easier to identify with then someone who can be happily married for 30+ years and who is also financially successful.

Winter Quarters

2012-01-22T07:26:00.007-07:00

We took a quick family trip to see the church historical sites at Winter Quarters. I truly believe the hand of God was evident in this trip. The flight to Omaha looked great until the day before and then, suddenly, there were barely enough seats for our family. It was worrisome but I prayed and felt really good. The morning we were leaving I checked the seats again and found more seats had opened up. I've never seen that happen before (usually they only decrease). I knew the Lord had answered my prayer. Another small miracle was that the minivan rental cost decreased $20 from when I checked to when I booked it. Yippee!

We got to Omaha and picked up our minivan and drove straight to the Mormon Trail Center. We enjoyed a film. The kids tried their hands at packing a wagon for the journey. We toured the visitor's center and learned lots. This statue is outside the Mormon Trail Center.

Next we drove to the Kanesville Tabernacle where Brigham Young was sustained as prophet. Again we watched a film and learned quite a bit. I knew there was a gap between Joseph's death and Brigham being sustained as prophet but then I thought it happened quickly after that. I didn't realize there was a big gap between Brigham's death and John Taylor being sustained and then another gap between his death and Wilford Woodruff being sustained.

The Tabernacle from the back and a few shots from the inside:

The Tabernacle was built for the express purpose of sustaining the Prophet. Brigham Young was actually in the Salt Lake Valley but most of the Saints were still at Winter Quarters. The largest building only held about 100 people and they felt that more people should have the opportunity to be there to sustain the new President of the Church so the Tabernacle was built to hold 1000 people. Brigham Young returned for the sustaining vote. Here is the first presidency of Willard Richards, Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball.

In downtown Omaha there is a block where statues of wagons circle the block. Here's a few of them.

The highlight of the trip for me was going to the Winter Quarters Temple where the kids did baptisms for the dead. I love the temple!

proud mom

2012-01-21T05:57:00.002-07:00

Thursday night Chandler had his last Pack meeting (well, only theoretically since he has earned his Arrow of Light but 2 boys in his den will get theirs in April so the pack will honor all 3 boys at once at the pack meeting in April). Still, our final son finished with Cub Scouts!

Kevin and I are celebrating no more pinewood derbies! (not our thing)

We are also really proud of Chandler who earned all 20 pins for Webelos!

life

2012-01-20T06:20:00.003-07:00

I attended a viewing last night for a man in our ward whom I'd best describe as quiet. Just looking at the photo display and watching the DVD, I learned more about him than I ever knew during his life. I learned he loves to fish and that he likes the Dallas Cowboys.

It made me ponder on how much I really don't know about people in my life. Do I spend enough time really getting to know them?

How about me? I feel like I'm an open book but would people be surprised by the stories that are told at my funeral?

Special Olympics

2012-01-19T08:05:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday Alec bowled in Special Olympics. He brought home a silver medal and best of all - he had a great time!(Alec is 3rd from the right with his arm around a girl, of course)

a hard job?

2012-01-18T08:30:00.003-07:00

Alec tends to sleep everywhere but on his bed. His bed of preference seems to be the floor. We bought him a new mattress and box springs over the weekend. He didn't really get a chance to sleep on it since Brakston and Whitney were here and they used Alec's bed. So, last night was his first chance to sleep on his new bed. Where did we find him this morning? On the floor! I asked him if we need to go buy new sheets so he'll sleep on his bed. What would it take for him to sleep on his bed?

His answer? "I'm working on it, Mother. I'm working on it!"

silly boy

quilt

2012-01-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Finished this Saturday night:
Middle of January and one Christmas present is done. Yea! I love how these quilts look. I've made one for each of my siblings over the past couple years.

Big OOPS!

2012-01-15T09:05:00.002-07:00

Last night was Boys Pref. McKayla went and had a really good time. Here's her and her date, Reed Dudley along with Tanner and Val Ashley.

Funny, embarrassing story:
I was helping McKayla answer Reed. I have a really cool way of putting an answer inside of a peanut M&M. So, I sorted through 2 bags of holiday M&Ms and picked out all the red ones. Then I found a cute bag to put them in. I left it at that thinking McKayla should put the answer inside - after all, it was her date. Somehow we didn't communicate. She thought I'd already done it so she wrote the instructions on the bag and tied it up with a cute ribbon and delivered it.

Fifteen minutes later, Reed called saying he had smashed all the M&Ms (rather than eat them) and couldn't find an answer. McKayla assured him there was a slip of paper that said yes inside one of the M&Ms and he should just keep looking. Twenty minutes later he called back to say he still couldn't find an answer. McKayla came and asked me where I had hidden it. I told her I thought she was doing that part. We got a good laugh when we realized neither of us had done it. She had just delivered a bag of M&Ms. period. Kind of embarrassing!

2012-01-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

Chandler has had Lego League every Friday for a couple hours since school started in August. Lego League is using robotics, science, and technology to solve a problem. Chandler was disappointed that they didn't build with Legos MORE. Last Saturday was the competition. His team did well. He's glad it's over though.

Trafalga

2012-01-12T17:15:00.003-07:00

For Christmas, we bought the whole family "The Pass of All Passes". It allows us unlimited use of Seven Peaks water parks in both Salt Lake and Provo; Trafalga Fun Centers in both Lehi and Orem; 4 Utah Grizzlies hockey games; Orem Owlz baseball games; Ogden Raptor baseball games; and Utah Flash basketball games. I told my friends about these passes and they bought them too so now we have plenty of people to have fun with.

Last week I took the Chandler and his friend Jared to Trafalga. We played 9 holes of blacklight miniature golf and 18 holes of outdoor miniature golf (outside in Utah in January? unbelievable!) The boys then had a great time climbing the rock wall.

this is the day...

2012-01-11T08:12:00.002-07:00

The time when Brakston and Alec were toddlers was not my glory years. I was working full-time, Alec ran away constantly, I'm not much of a baby-mom, etc. It was, however, the glory days for that big purple dinosaur Barney. Ugh! One more reason those years won't make it onto my all-time favorites list.

So, why do modified words to a Barney song keep going through my head?
This is the day that never ends,
It just goes on and on, my friends
It seems I started living it not knowing what it was
and I'll continue living it FOREVER just because...

Because?

Because this truly is the day that never ends. It started with waking up at 3 am and reading for a few hours before heading to the high school for Student of the Month breakfast. Now I'll go catch a flight to Idaho Falls and take Brakston and Whitney out to lunch and shopping before flying back home. I will head straight to a school community council meeting (probably a few minutes late) and then from there I'll head straight to a RS meeting.

Hopefully, I'll be in bed by 9 pm! Even better, maybe I can catch a few winks on each flight.

Gotta run.

you just never know....

2012-01-10T16:47:00.002-07:00

Alec loves to bear his testimony in church. He says some really great things. At times, you can really feel the Spirit.

Then, there are those other times.

Those times when you don't know what will come out of his mouth. Like the month he told everyone McKayla had her first date and she loves him. Like the month when he talked about being Homecoming King and gave an acceptance speech. Like the month he talked about Princess Leia. Like this past Sunday when he talked about his "cousin" Shanley and told everyone that she is getting married.

fun times.

I Spy

2012-01-09T18:13:00.002-07:00

Fun things I've seen the past several days while running:

*Hundreds of geese
*Coach Jerry Sloan (former head coach of the Utah Jazz)
*5 deer

Not so fun things:
*piles of horse manure

I just don't get it. I've been running the Jordan River Parkway Trail. All along the route are reminders to clean up after your dog. There are even baggies provided for this purpose along the trail. I find it hard to be concerned about a tiny pile of dog poop when I keep encountering massive amounts of horse poop. I realize it might be impractical to expect people to clean up after their horse. However, the flip side is that I'm sure it's hard to motivate a dog owner to care about the little extra their dog might add. I might soon have to take up hurdling to stay clear of the horse crap but I guess I should just be glad I don't have to worry about dog doo-doo. Lucky me!

MIA

2012-01-08T06:01:00.000-07:00

The last two days have been so crazy/fun/busy that there has been no blogging activity from me. In fact, I haven't even touched my computer.

Friday after taking McKayla to school (we're without one car) I rushed to get ready and then Chandler and I went and watched Alec in Special Olympics bowling. After the bowling we rushed to the Children's Discovery Museum (stopping at a 7-11 on the way to buy them a hot dog for lunch - how healthy). We enjoyed the museum but then I rushed home to do some algebra tutoring. After tutoring, Kevin and I went running and got home in time to shower and go to bed.

Saturday I awoke early because Chandler had a 7 am soccer game in Murray. His team won 13-1. Chandler played defense most of the game but managed to score a couple of goals. After the game we rushed to his Lego League competition (we got there an hour late). After the competition, we shopped at Costco on our way home. We were home for 25 minutes and then went to Chandler's basketball game. This time his team was the one to get their butts kicked. I literally ran home from his game so I could get my 5 miles in for the day. Got home in time to tutor algebra again. Then had a quick shower and got ready to go to dinner with Kevin and some friends - Texas Roadhouse - YUM! Got home about 8 or 8:30 and was ready to fall into bed (if only).

Still, a fun couple of days.

Infinity scarves

2012-01-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have become slightly addicted to Pinterest. The other day I made a "slutty brownie" recipe for my family that I found on Pinterest. (They are "slutty" because they are easy and a bit filthy - heehee!) I also found these Infinity scarves on Pinterest. Knowing my girls love scarves I just had to check it out. They looked so easy that I immediately cut up a t-shirt and made one. My girls loved it and wanted more! Unfortunately, I don't keep old t-shirts around so we headed to DI for a t-shirt shopping spree. We came home with 7 t-shirts and have made a scarf out of each one of them.

Here's me in the necklace-type one.
Shanley and McKayla much prefer the ruffle-type scarf. Here is Shanley in one.

For McKayla's I added a small pom-pom edging to one of the ruffles. I love that effect.

I love these scarves! They take about 15 minutes to make and cost me $1-$2 each (could be free if I'd just not throw away old t-shirts),

a new tradition

2012-01-04T08:34:00.003-07:00

This year we started what I hope will be a new Christmas tradition - a 12 Days of christmas Service advent calendar. I made these trees.Inside each tree was a service to perform (i.e. sweep someone's gutters, write a missionary, bake cookies for someone, watch someone's kids, write a serviceman, etc). We opened a tree each day and performed the service.

books I've read in the past month

2012-01-03T07:56:00.002-07:00

Here's the books I read in December. I've ** the ones I recommend.

**Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron

The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith

House of Learning by Richard and Kathleen Walker

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

**The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

New Resolutions

2012-01-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this one a lot lately. There are so many things I wish to accomplish but I can't do EVERYTHING. So, here is what I feel is most important for me to do in the year 2012.

Home Improvement
1) Build shutters for the windows in the front of my house
2) Paint the shutters, outside trim, and outside doors
3) Plant lavender in front of the house
4) Do window treatments for family room, dining room, kitchen, Shanley's room, and the master bedroom
5) Paint/stain the back deck
6) Paint the master bathroom

Family
1) Plan a special date with Kevin once a month
2) Spend one-on-one time with each child every month (away from the home)

Social
1) Have 2 game parties for adults this year
2) Host 2 special FHEs with other families this year

Physical
1) Lose 20 pounds
2) Climb Mount Timpanogos
3) Run a marathon and a half marathon

Mental
1) Make sure 1/3 of what I read is uplifting (spiritual, classical, best-book type stuff)
2) Write a book

Spiritual
1) Spend 1 day a month in the temple
2) Go to 3 new temples
3) Read the New Era and the Ensign every month
4) At the end of every day, record the hand of God in my life for that day

I will report progress every month so that I can be held accountable.

Resolution Check-Up

2012-01-01T10:07:00.002-07:00

It's time not just for the monthly accounting on how I've done on my goals but for the sum total of the year's progress.

Lose Weight - I don't even want to talk about this one. It is so bad! Guess I know which goal I will carry over to the next year.

Read Jesus the Christ - COMPLETE! Yea!

Go snowshoeing - COMPLETE! Yea!

Run Ragnar - COMPLETE! Yea!

Write My Grandma's Life History - I did spend some time locating the interview tapes of my grandma. I spent a lot of time looking for my notes that I used to type the lost draft of her history. Unfortunately, I can't find the notes. I know they will turn up and I just need to keep looking. I feel like there was progress made on this goal because I at least have regained the desire to do this. Losing an almost-finished rough draft was painful but I think I've finally recovered and am really ready to start again. Now I just have to locate my notes.

Do family search indexing - COMPLETE! Yea!

Attend 5 Temples that I've never been to before - I went to the Albuquerque Temple this month. Overall, I only made it to 3 new temples this year so I fell short of my goal. On the other hand, I took McKayla to 5 new temples this year! Unfortunately for me, only one of those was new to me. I'd been to the other 4 before. Still, I can't help but feel good about my 3 new temples and McKayla's 5.

Overall, I accomplished more than I didn't. I feel good about everything except the losing weight. I am excited for a new year's worth of goals.

hiking in a winter wonderland

2011-12-31T15:27:00.002-07:00

I love going hiking! Mountains and fresh air and flora and fauna really appeal to me. I love the time to be alone and really ponder. Plus, it's good exercise while still being lots of fun. Unfortunately, it has been a summer pastime - until now. I tried snowshoeing and loved it! Look what a beautiful world I live in:

Of course, it didn't hurt that the outside temp was in the 50's. Who wouldn't love snowshoeing in that kind of weather?

Festival of Lights in D.C.

2011-12-30T09:30:00.005-07:00

Christmas night I decided to go see my parents so McKayla, Shanley, and I got up early on the 26th and flew to Washington, D.C. It was a quick trip but so much fun! We played lots of games - Zilch, Pandemic, SkipBo, and Ripple. We ate way too much! We went to see the Festival of Lights at the temple. We looked at the creche display in the Visitor's Center. We went to the temple. I even got to see an old friend of mine from Cody. We watched a couple of heartwarming videos. Early Wednesday morning we were on a flight home.

Here's the beautiful lights at the temple. Wow!

The Washington, D.C. Temple is one of my favorite temples (along with the one in San Diego).

Christmas recap

2011-12-29T10:04:00.005-07:00

This was probably the best Christmas I can remember! I am glad about that because I didn't go into it with much Christmas spirit. I felt like Scrooge on the 24th. I really missed having Brakston with us! It was hard because he'd been gone the previous 2 years on his mission and I had really looked forward to having Christmas with him once again. But, alas, he's married now and spent Christmas with his wife's family. It is something I will have to get used to but it was really hard on me this year and I shed a lot of tears. Also, I was a little frustrated with a couple of my children who had put off making their homemade gift. Also, there was no snow which didn't exactly help put me in the proper Christmas mode. So, Christmas didn't get off to the most promising start.

I arose really early and took care of a few things. I also made homemade eggnog and started the Swedish Tea Ring which is our traditional breakfast. We went to church before opening anything. The music and prayers at church gave me the peace and joy I was seeking. We came home and baked our tea ring, ate breakfast, and did the dishes. Finally, when the kids were ready to burst in anticipation, we went in around the tree for another family tradition - the finding of the pickle. Based on a supposed German myth (most Germans have never heard of it), we have a pickle ornament which is hidden on Christmas Eve. The first child to find the pickle receives an extra present.

Chandler was the lucky pickle-finder this year and got a jar filled with gumballs.

Santa does not wrap our gifts but leaves the gifts and stockings on the couch covered with a tablecloth.

The kids line up by age for the unveiling.

I guess what really made this a great Christmas was that Kevin and I managed to surprise every child with something they really wanted. Some didn't know that was what they wanted and some didn't expect to get what they wanted. Shanley got this peacoat which she absolutely loves and didn't ask for.

McKayla was shocked to receive an acoustic guitar. She has really wanted one for a while but didn't actually expect to get it.

Chandler needed a new bike but thought he'd have to wait until his birthday. We also surprised him with a Legos watch. He didn't even know there was such a thing and he LOVES it!

Shanley and Alec show off their matching pajama pants.

Alec wanted a light saber. He was sure every present he opened would be that so, of course, I saved it to the very last. He was pretty excited about it. He likes that it makes lights and sounds.

I am so glad we were able to surprise our kids! I threw the budget out the window this year which wasn't smart (and is so unlike me) but it was worth every penny seeing every child so happy!

bowling

2011-12-28T19:11:00.007-07:00

One of our favorite family traditions is Christmas Eve bowling and pizza. We love bowling because it is something the entire family can do! Even Alec bowls a pretty mean game!

Kevin and Chandler
Alec, Shanley, and Whitney
me
Chandler
Scores from our first game. McKayla got a 66, Kevin a 95, me a 76, and Chandler a 77 (hate it when your 10-year-old bowls better than you do!)
More scores from our first game. Brakston scored a 74, Whitney a 79, Shanley a 111, and Alec an 85. You can see from our scores that we're practically pro. heehee!
Brakston and Whitney.
Alec with his usual enthusiasm.
Scores from our 2nd game. McKayla a 74, Kevin a 139, me a whopping 54, Chandler a 71.
More 2nd game scores. Brakston a 96, Whitney a 100, Shanley an 83, and Alec a 119.
After bowling we had pizza at The Pie (another tradition). Yummy! We also enjoyed their new drink machine. It is electronic and gives you so many options - Fanta in grape, cherry, strawberry, peach, etc; lemonade in strawberry, raspberry, cherry, etc; even vanilla root beer. We used one of these machines in the Atlanta airport earlier this year but this is the first one I've seen in Utah (course I don't eat out much either and almost never buy a drink when I do - I'm kind of a water gal).

The rest of our Christmas Eve tradition consists of reading the Nativity story from the Bible and giving our gifts to Jesus (usually a spiritual goal for the upcoming year). Then we watch "A Christmas Story".

pics - FINALLY

2011-12-28T19:03:00.004-07:00

I'm a little behind on getting pictures posted. Here's the gorgeous anniversary flowers from Kevin. I just wish the photo could do justice to the amazing color of the bouquet.
Here is Alec's birthday cake. He picked it out since he told me for weeks before his birthday that he wanted a Star Wars cake with Luke Skywalker on it.
I went to the Denver Temple on the 23rd. This is the view from the entrance.
This is the view from the street (the opposite side from the entrance).

surprises!

2011-12-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Christmas present opening was a LOT of fun this year! We managed to surprise every one of our children with at least one of their gifts. And, in every case, the surprise gift was something that really made them happy.

For Alec, it was a light saver (yes, he's a Star Wars fan).

For McKayla, it was a guitar.

For Shanley, it was a peacoat.

For Chandler, it was a Legos watch.

Seeing them so excited made my Christmas a lot cheerier.

the case of the missing Christmas present

2011-12-24T08:53:00.002-07:00

As a youth I devoured mysteries. I loved Boxcar Children, Trixie Belden, Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and The Hardy Boys. I read them all!

You'd think I would have picked up a hint or two on how to solve my own mystery but alas...what I really need is my own personal Encyclopedia Brown.

I helped Alec buy a Christmas present for McKayla. I remember that much. I even remember exactly what it was. What I don't remember is where I hid it. It is a small item and I have looked in all my usual hiding spots - dresser drawers, closet, under my bed...Nothing. Zip. Nada. I even went so far as to clean out my closet. Still zilch. Closet looks good though.

I've never experienced a completely lost present before. I'm not liking the sensation. Where is Nancy when I need her?

my anniversary flowers

2011-12-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

Kevin is great about giving me flowers! He does it really well. I especially loved the color of these ones that he gave me for our 24th anniversary!

seminary

2011-12-21T04:58:00.002-07:00

Today will be my final day of 4 days substitute teaching seminary at the local middle school.

thank goodness.

Normally, I love teaching seminary. I love it a little less when it's at a middle school rather than a high school.

I love it a LOT less when it is merely a few days before Christmas! Students are insanely hyper - I am going to need a lot of luck and a huge amount of prayer to get through today. Pray for me.

anniversary and birthday

2011-12-19T18:57:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was the 24th anniversary for Kevin and me! Yep - 24 years!

I went to bed early Saturday night feeling a bit queasy. I awoke yesterday to gorgeous flowers (roses and lilies in a wondrous shade of orange), a mint truffle and a wrapped gift. Sweet!

Unfortunately, I was still a bit queasy.

Last night, Chandler and Shanley were sick all night. They stayed home from school today.

Today is Alec's 19th birthday. He requested eggs for breakfast and coffee cake for dinner. He also wanted a Star Wars cake with Luke Skywalker.

The celebration went great! It was quick because we had to get to Shanley's dance recital. She was barely feeling good enough to dance. About halfway through the recital, Alec got really sick and I had to get him out of there. We barely made it home in time for him to get super sick. Poor guy!

Do we know how to celebrate or what?

best nativity EVER!

2011-12-16T21:39:00.002-07:00

Last night the Special Needs Mutual performed the nativity. Alec was a shepherd and was very serious about the role. One of the sheep insisted on wearing tinsel in her hair like the angels. One of the wisemen had on a Utes beanie. There were more angels than anything since almost every young woman wanted to be an angel. One shepherd on the stage enthusiastically waved his arms in leading every song. One man, who played the part of a cow, made us all laugh when he bore his testimony and said the whole thing was "udderly" fantastic. T

My personal favorite was the narrator reading about King "HE-Rod". I'm not sure I'll ever read the nativity the same again.

It has also never touched my heart as much before.

Merry Christmas!

Adult Truths

2011-12-14T05:05:00.002-07:00

A friend of mine has been posting these on Facebook (a truth a day). It's from an email that's been circulating (probably forever). Some really do make me laugh!

Adult Truths
1.I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. (you know who you are!)
2.Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3.I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4.There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5.How in the world are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? (I just roll and roll and roll!)
6.Was learning cursive really necessary?
7.MapQuest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. (LOL)
8.Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9.I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10.Bad decisions make good stories.
11.You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day. (YES!)
12.Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my Collection…again. (thank you!)
13.I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to. (this applies to other apps too)
14.I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15.I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
16.I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.
17.I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
18.How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?
19.I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
20.Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever. (don't totally agree)
21.Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is. (LOL!)
22.Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey, but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time. (totally disagree with this one. I've never hit a snooze button in my life and my current alarm doesn't even have one!)
23.The first testicular guard, the “Cup,” was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.
24.Has anyone figured out why there’s an eject button on the DVD remote? Don’t you still have to get up and take out the DVD???

catch-22

2011-12-12T17:42:00.002-07:00

One of the ironies of living in an area completely surrounded by mountains is that you find yourself hoping for a big winter storm.

No, that's not a joke. You see, the drawback to living in a valley is that the air gets trapped in the valley (inversion) and the air quality gets really bad. The only way to clean the air is to have a good storm.

Currently the air quality is so bad that it's rated as a "red" day meaning you are not supposed to be outside. The schools keep the students in for recess and they encourage you to exercise indoors. That brings the second catch-22. Do I stay indoors and suffer the ill-health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle or do I go running and inhale lots of poor, gunky, dangerous air?

I guess you could say "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!"

2 fabulous concerts

2011-12-11T07:01:00.003-07:00

Every year FM100 hosts Christmas mini-concerts on Tuesdays and Thursday at noon at the mall. These concerts feature 2 artists for 30 minutes each.

It has become my tradition to try to attend a few of them. Relaxing and listening to Christmas music by wonderful performers is such a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

This past week brought 2 of the best concerts! On Tuesday there was Eclipse (a local acapella group who actually performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter 2002 Olympics). They were highly entertaining! They were followed by Jon Schmidt who is Chandler's favorite piano player. Therefore, I even pulled Chandler out of school to attend.

Thursday was David Tolk (another amazing pianist) and Peter Breinholt (a folk singer whom I personally enjoy very much).

Definitely feeling the Christmas spirit!

electrifying

2011-12-10T18:38:00.004-07:00

Lately I have had the oddest sensation in my left leg. It's a bit of a vibration.

I often set my person at my feet and over the course of several days I kept picking up my purse to check my cell phone. I was always surprised to find nothing there because I had clearly felt it vibrate.

Being the extremely quick-minded person that I am, it only took me several days to realize that it was not my phone vibrating but MY FOOT!

An electric pulse, a vibration, something was starting in my left foot and working it's way partly up my leg - very odd.

I'm sure it's just my electric presence!

candy land

2011-12-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

My home is beginning to look like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Yum!

Every year we host an open house for our neighbors.

So far this week I've made:
English Toffee
Fudge
White Chocolate Pretzels
Haystacks
Peanut Butter Balls
Cake Batter Truffles
Mints
Milk Chocolate Balls

Unfortunately, that is only about halfway there. I still need to make:
Peanut Brittle
Caramels
Turtles
Coconut Orange Balls
Oreo Truffles
Divinity
Mint Truffles
Chocolate Truffles
Another Batch of Fudge

We don't even want to think about how much sugar I go through in December but I love having my neighbors and friends over! It is so much fun to visit! Last year about 60 people came and I loved all of them! I always stress about having enough candy and I always have tons of leftovers - luckily, I never have a problem finding people to give it to.

what do you do?

2011-12-08T18:15:00.002-07:00

What do you do at 3:30 am? Sleep? Nah. Highly overrated. Personally, I can't sleep so I just get going on my never-ended to-do list.

Monday morning at 3:30 am you could find me downstairs in the basement organizing my seasonal decor into storage bins. I will confess. My storage has probably been what can best be described as "a disaster". It is now organized, labeled, and stored in an accessible fashion.

Tuesday morning at 3:30 am you could find me in the kitchen. I made coffee cake for the kids' breakfast, stuffed mushrooms, cordon bleu lasagna, and tortilla dessert cups.

Wednesday morning at 3:30 am you could find me in the living room on my laptop. I answered emails, typed our Christmas letter, and caught up on facebook.

Thursday morning at 3:30 am you could find me still in bed. That's right. I slept in and didn't get up until 4 am at which time you could find me back in the kitchen. I made fudge and dipped pretzels.

Sometimes I actually amaze myself with all that I can get done before 7 am.

Now, if only I could stay alert enough to get something done after 6 pm.....

You might be...

2011-12-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

You might not be a shopper if:

*You take your almost 11-year-old son to the mall for a free mini-concert and he informs you he's never been inside before (only been there to drop off his sisters a couple of times). You don't believe that's possible, and on further review, it's not. You brought him once before to do a photo scavenger hunt. Yep, he's been once in almost 11 years - I am not much of a shopper!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-06T08:10:00.002-07:00

Thanksgiving was great! 25 people at my home - everyone helped with food. We ate, visited, did a puzzle, and the kids played. Here's the boats I made as place cards. I thought they were pretty cute. Too bad I don't remember where I stole the idea so I can give credit where due. Just know I didn't originate the idea.

I was reading the New Era on Sunday and came across a gratitude challenge and thought I should do it. Then I saw the same gratitude challenge when I was reading The Ensign. I take that to mean I really should do it so here goes:

10 Living People I'm Grateful For:
Jesus Christ
my husband
my mom
my dad
Brakston (and Whitney)
Alec
McKayla
Shanley
Chandler
Pres. Thomas S. Monson
(super hard category to only name 10)

10 Dead People I'm Grateful For:
Joseph Smith
George Washington
Nephi
Abinadi
Abraham Lincoln
Handel
Jane Austen
my grandpa Searle
Benjamin Franklin
Mother Theresa

10 Physical Abilities I'm Grateful For:
sight
touch
able to run long distances
sense of hearing
I'm flexible
my body's ability to heal
sense of smell
able to smile
able to take 10-minute naps and feel refreshed
ability to read

10 Material Possessions I'm Grateful For:
laptop
scriptures
sewing machine
Bosch mixer
car
television
quilted advent calendar and stockings that Vicki and my mom made for me
cell phone
books
scrapbooks
microwave

10 Things in Nature for Which I'm Grateful:
the majestic mountains which surround me (especially the Wasatch Range)
leafy trees in summer that give shade
sweet-smelling flowers
the colors of the trees in autumn
juicy, ripe tomatoes in late summer
fruit trees
sparkly white snow when I can stay indoors
water in which to swim and play
clean, pure water to drink
beautiful, clear-blue skies with a golden sun

10 Things About Today I'm Grateful For:
my to-do list is do-able
I awoke at 3:30 am and already have a dozen things done
I get to help a couple girls with a project for SilverRush
I get to go listen to a mini-concert of Voicemale and Jon Schmidt
my Christmas decorations are up and I can enjoy them
I have the house to myself for a few hours
I have time to think about what I'm grateful for (count my blessings)
my family is all healthy
I get to go for a run soon
I have a positive attitude

10 Places on Earth I am Grateful For:
my home
the temples
our church building
Disneyland
the Wasatch Mountains
Yellowstone National Park
Jerusalem
Cody, WY
Cancun
Hawaii

10 Modern-day Inventions I'm Grateful For:
computers
cell phones
cars
airplanes
microwaves
DVRs
DVD players
iPods/MP3 players
modern medicine
internet

10 Foods I'm Grateful For:
chocolate
peaches
berries
warm rolls
lasagna
burritos
watermelon
peanut butter
tomatoes

10 Things About the Gospel I'm Grateful For:
the Atonement
the Plan of Salvation
that it's the same no matter where you are
it's well-organized
the Primary
the Young Women's program
it's constant and sure (doesn't change with the world)
living it makes me happy
living it is a protection
it gives me direction and purpose

books I've read in the past month

2011-12-05T06:03:00.004-07:00

Here's my list of books I read in November. I put a * buy the ones I recommend.

"A Lesson in Secrets (Maisie Dobbs, #8)" by Jacqueline Winspear

**"Tuesdays at the Castle" by Jessica Day George

"Sullivan's Woman" by Nora Roberts

"Breaking Night: A Memoir" by Liz Murray

"Irish Hearts #3" by Nora Roberts

"The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise" by Julia Stuart

Resolution Check-Up

2011-12-04T05:07:00.002-07:00

Better late than never. I just didn't have time to blog at the end of November so here is my monthly accounting of how I'm doing on my goals.

Lose Weight - Yikes! Gained weight again. Pretty frustrating. I ran long miles surrounding Thanksgiving, tried to not badly overeat, and still gained a ton. The only bright spot is that I did lose some weight after Thanksgiving.

Read Jesus the Christ - COMPLETE! Yea!

Go snowshoeing - nope

Run Ragnar - COMPLETE!

Write My Grandma's Life History - No progress this month.

Do family search indexing - I did do quite a bit of indexing.

Attend 5 Temples that I've Never Been to Before - I made it to the Denver Temple. It was nice.

Overall - failure on losing weight and my grandma's life history but good progress or complete in other areas.

in which I brag that I survived

2011-12-03T15:39:00.003-07:00

whataweek!

Insane might best describe this past week but I'm still standing. I survived.

Threw a scavenger hunt-type FHE for my family and a friend's. Hosted book club at my home complete with refreshments. Sold flags at the RHS basketball game. Did countless hours of PTA work. Attended a PTA meeting. Volunteered at Festival of Trees. Delivered (on foot) 90+ invitations. Attended Shanley's dance performance as well as my niece's. Fielded 13 calls per day regarding subbing, PTA bylaws, RHS SilverRush,Battle of the Bands etc. Got McKayla ready and off to California. Had the Suburban break down on me and walked home to get another car. Went to a doctor's appointment and underwent allergy testing. Taught Special Needs Mutual.

And in my spare time, I was in charge of the Ward Christmas party. You know. A little thing like feeding 350 people dinner, arranging for Santa, organizing entertainment, shopping, cooking, helping to decorate...

Anyhow, it was the week in which I didn't get to do much running but still lost 4 pounds because I didn't even have time to eat. Ever.

Didn't have time to sleep either.

So, I am going to go take a nap because although I did survive, I don't want to be "still standing".

'dis'sed

2011-11-27T15:52:00.003-07:00

Dismayed. Disgruntled. Disgusted. Disappointed. I am even feeling a bit irritated.

Finding it a bit hard to retain the spirit of love and gratitude that comes with the holidays.

I was asked to be in charge of our ward's Christmas party. 350 people. $500 budget. I have had sign-up sheets going around the ward for the past couple weeks and even a plea in today's ward bulletin for help with the food. Just asking people to bring a pot of chili.

I can't get enough volunteers.

This party has occupied my every free moment for the last 3 weeks. I have lost sleep at night stressing over it. I have prayed and worked. Plotted and planned. Made phone calls and organized. And I can't even get 17 people to agree to bring a lousy pot of chili?

Sorry to be so negative. Tomorrow I will grow a new attitude but for the moment, I am going to wallow in a few moments of self-pity.

Count Your Blessings

2011-11-24T12:50:00.002-07:00

name them one by one...

1) I finished one major Christmas project this morning - YEA! Gifts for 9 families done.

2) I don't work in any of those stores that are making their employees work at 10 pm or midnight for Black Friday. For that matter, I'm glad I don't work in a grocery store that makes their employees work until 2 pm. Plan ahead people - buy your groceries ahead of time so these poor employees don't have to work.

3) I got to teach seminary yesterday.

4) We are not heading out of town for a soccer tournament.

5) We have tickets to Hale Center Theater tomorrow night.

6) Everyone chipped in this morning to help clean the house without complaint.

7) Great kids, fantastic husband, good health, home, ....

8) My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

my fave

2011-11-23T14:10:00.003-07:00

Tonight is my favorite holiday. It's Pie Night!

What?!? You don't celebrate Pie Night? Well, you should. Everyone should. At least everyone who loves pie, that is.

My extended family started Pie Night years ago. We decided we were too full after turkey to truly enjoy the pie. Also, you have that pesky problem of in-laws wanting their time too so you don't always get Thanksgiving with everyone. Not to mention that this is the first year in about 9 or 10 years that we are not going out of town on Thanksgiving for a soccer tournament so usually we weren't really able to celebrate on Thanksgiving day. So, voila! We created Pie Night and it solved all the problems.

Everyone is available on Thanksgiving Eve so we all get together and eat soup, scones, and PIE! Yum! After that, turkey is so anti-climatic.

Dawnette is hosting it for their friends in Texas since she and her family can't be here. I've even had ward members tell me they now hold Pie Night. Good for them! Best holiday of the year!

musings

2011-11-22T10:31:00.003-07:00

*I get the most random emails - everything from dating sites for senior citizens to info on obtaining my GED. What? Nothing like those boosts to my self-esteem.

*I don't hate cooking for my family. I just hate that most of the time, someone doesn't like it. I guess with 7 people in the family, odds are that I can't please everyone but still...

*I don't know anyone who doesn't feel like they are the busiest person on earth. What have we gotten ourselves involved in? Once in a while, it would be nice to go back to the days of spending the evenings sitting on your front porch watching people stroll by leisurely.

*It seems a fine line between starting Christmas too early (Really? Christmas decor on sale in the stores before Halloween is even over?) and appearing Scroogelike. My kids are so adamant about not starting Christmas too early that they don't even want to attend a Christmas concert with me on Friday because it is "still Thanksgiving weekend".

100 Life Goals (and counting)

2011-11-20T19:14:00.002-07:00

Years and years and years (since I am now officially old - just ask my children) ago I made a list of 100 life goals. I guess it was my bucket list. Who knew that 100 would not be sufficient?

A few more:

1) Serve a mission (or three) with Kevin
2) Go to the Sacred Grove
3) Memorize 20 of my favorite scriptures
4) Watch the AFI's 100 Best Movies
5) Hike the Grand Canyon
6) Go to Paris, France
7) Study the conference talks of Elder Neal A. Maxwell
8) Become more proficient at Power Point presentations

a temple-going person

2011-11-19T10:15:00.002-07:00

Alec loves going to the temple to do baptisms. He has been going at 4:10 am twice a month for years. He is usually so excited about going that I don't have to wake him. Often, when I awake at 3:30 am, he is already up, dressed, and ready to go. He hates it when it's not his week to go and usually argues with me about it - he is always sure it is his turn.

I had to laugh this past week because McKayla drove he and Shanley to the temple on Tuesday morning. As Alec was leaving the baptistry, he ran into Pres. Haight (the temple president). Pres. Haight shook Alec's hand and told him to come back. Alec got really excited and said, "Really?"

Alec definitely took Pres. Haight seriously because Wednesday after school Alec dressed in his suit and demanded that we take him to the temple. We couldn't persuade him otherwise so I dropped him off at the temple by himself and hoped he'd be okay until I could send McKayla back for him later.

I blame Pres. Haight.

just kidding.

I am actually thrilled that Alec desires to be in the temple so much! I don't know that he understands what is going on there but I do know he feels the Spirit and wants to be there.

grace in motion

2011-11-18T08:08:00.002-07:00

NOT!

I certainly would never be described as graceful. Especially if you had seen me yesterday.

I was delivering pizzas to a high school classroom with an assistant principal when I tripped going up the stairs. I went down hard with my big toe and my palm taking the brunt of it.

You see, I like to display my klutziness to others.

The good news of the day was that the assistant principal was carrying the pizzas - thank goodness!

The big toe is really swollen and attractive today - maybe I can trip over it a few more times as I navigate the crowded halls of the middle school all day today with Shanley. You know, display my grace to a few more people.

no comprende

2011-11-17T05:45:00.002-07:00

Can I just say I cannot relate to people who don't want their teens driving?

For me, my teens receiving their license is a cause for celebration! It makes me do the happy dance! It makes me sigh in relief! It makes me shout for joy!

Finally - some help.

It has been so helpful having McKayla as a licensed driver. Both girls need to go to the YW activity? No problem. McKayla can just drive. Chandler is at indoor soccer and Alec is at the temple and Kevin is flying and I am in a meeting? No problem. McKayla can pick up Alec and Chandler. Shanley needs a ride home from dance? No problem. McKayla can go get her.

And, of course, the biggest help of all is that McKayla can get herself places. McKayla needs a ride home from cross-country/track practice every night? Yep. Can do. McKayla wants to go to a friend's house to do homework? Yep. Can do.

I'm not sure what I'll do with all my free time. Maybe spend some time perfecting that happy dance.

how the West was won

2011-11-16T12:29:00.002-07:00

or not.

That would be a different show.

I just got back from chaperoning a middle school field trip to see the high school's performance of "Annie Get Your Gun". I was blown away (pun intended) by Annie's voice - amazing talent for a high school student.

Now I have songs like "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" going through my head. I might be singing those all day.

the rest of the story

2011-11-15T09:36:00.002-07:00

So many stories I read in the paper, see on the internet, or hear on the news tug at my heartstrings or make me angry.

But, I often wonder about the rest of the story. What else was going on that we don't know about?

For example, the paper this morning reported on an orchestra concert where the conductor stopped the performance not once but twice because he could hear noise. He accused people of bring children to the performance (no one under 8 was allowed) and then asked the offender to leave. It turns out the "offender" was a man with a mental disability. This made the audience angry and they yelled at the conductor.

This conductor could have saved himself some grief if he'd known "the rest of the story". I would expect a different reaction had he known it was a man with a mental disability rather than thinking it was a rule-breaker.

Maybe the audience members needed the rest of the story as well. Had this conductor gotten in trouble in the past for allowing noise during his concerts? Had audience members complained in prior performances?

We just don't know.

Too often I find myself guilty of judging before I know the whole story. I will admit to some sympathetic feelings for Joe Paterno when he was fired in the Penn State sex scandal. However, as more and more of the story came out, my sympathetic feelings changed to outrage over a man who did very little to protect innocent children.

Is there still more of the story? Probably. (Do I want to hear it? not really but that's beside the point)

So many other examples. So much judgment, anger, and condemnation. Maybe misplaced, mistaken, misunderstood.

If only I could learn to tame my feelings until I was certain I had "the rest of the story".

committed

2011-11-14T09:16:00.002-07:00

Well, it's done. Too late to back out now. I have signed myself up to run a marathon and a half-marathon next year. Of course, at the moment I am excited and don't want to back out but who knows how I'll be feeling in 6 months.

I ran a half-marathon just a little over a year ago and I've run 8-10 miles at a time in recent weeks so the half should be no problem.

On the other hand, I haven't run a marathon for 17 years! I honestly didn't think I'd ever run another one. Running one was on my bucket list, did it, checked it off, moved on. Now, I've got the bug again. So, my birthday present to myself will be running a marathon (it's the day before my 45th birthday). What a way to celebrate!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-13T06:51:00.002-07:00

More things to be thankful for today:

*Brakston married a woman I really like
*Alec gives great hugs
*McKayla causes me very little stress
*Shanley is so funny and makes me laugh
*Chandler is so curious and inquisitive

and last, but certainly not least...

*Kevin is incredibly patient, hard-working, and is always improving!

parent-teacher conference

2011-11-12T05:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was Chandler's parent-teacher conference. Ironically, his teacher's name is Ms. Chandler. Easy to remember. And Chandler can definitely spell his teacher's name correctly.

The conference went well. He is a whiz at math (100% on the benchmark and straight A's on every unit). He struggles at reading aloud and identifying sentence components. His teacher says she loves him and he is such a cute kid. She also says he is too competitive at trying to finish all of his assignments first (I think we've heard that from every teacher since first grade).

I never stress about meeting with Chandler's teachers.

the irony

2011-11-11T07:46:00.002-07:00

The substitute teaching in the culturally-diverse, impoverished junior high has continued all week.

Yesterday's class almost made me laugh (or cry or wring my hands in despair or something). A 14-year-old girl gave the devotional on dating. She read from For the Strength of Youth on dating. She read the part about not dating until you are at least 16. Then she read the part about double dating and testified that double dating is good because she and her boyfriend and her best friend and her boyfriend doubled over the weekend (did I say these girls are 14?) and they had a lot of fun.

She told the class they should follow the guidelines in The For the Strength of Youth (I guess she meant except the part where they tell you NOT to date until you are 16).

playlist

2011-11-10T12:34:00.002-07:00

My current favorite running songs are:

Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
We Live - Superchick
Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri
You Are Loved - Josh Groban
Home - Michael Buble
Arms - Christina Perri
Bright Lights - Matchbox 20
Waka Waka (Time for Africa) - Shakira
California King Bed - Rihanna
Uprising - Muse
Landslide - Dixie Chicks
All That You Are - GooGoo Dolls
Walking in Memphis - Marc Cohn
If You're Gone - Matchbox 20
Better Man - Pearl Jam
Kiss from a Rose - Seal
King of Anything - Sara Bareilles
Viva la Vida - Cold Play
Secrets - One Republic
Someone Like You - Adele
Do You Know - Enrique Iglesias
All These Lives - Daughtry
Hollywood's Not America - Ferras
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Cold Play
Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Wilson
If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback
Good Life - One Republic
One Last Chance - Daughtry

What's your favorite running music?

reality check

2011-11-09T13:20:00.002-07:00

This week I have been substituting seminary at a junior high in a highly impoverished, culturally diverse area. Nothing brings home the difference to me quite as much as asking my students what qualities they want in a future spouse and hearing the answer "not being a gang member".

What a wake-up call. I don't think I would ever hear that answer at the schools in Riverton. Sometimes I forget how good I have it in my very average, middle-class neighborhood. I'm not even sure my children could tell you what a gang is.

stuff happens

2011-11-08T10:42:00.003-07:00

Dang it!

I feel so badly for Brakston and Whitney. The engine blew on their car last Saturday.

They had tried so hard to do everything right. Brakston worked hard all summer, budgeted carefully, and saved every penny he could towards buying a new car. Whitney also saved money. They carefully researched cars and found out which car to buy. They found a Subaru Legacy in their price range and took it to our mechanic friend who inspected it well. He gave it a thumbs up so they bought it. They were quite happy with it.

Just over 2 months later - ENGINE BLEW (and that blows).

Yep, stuff happens.

Gratitude

2011-11-07T06:06:00.002-07:00

I have a lot to be grateful for but I don't always give Thanksgiving the attention I should. Not that I put up my Christmas tree the day after Halloween or anything but still....

So, today I'll list a few things I'm grateful for:

*FHE with my extended family - my brothers usually make me laugh

*That Brakston is so excited to take part in the family traditions that he missed while he was serving his mission

*That my husband is a pilot so we get to fly for free

*That my elementary, middle school, and high school students each have an amazing principal (how often do you strike the jackpot like that?)

*Ward members who laughed and teased McKayla yesterday when Alec announced to the ward during his testimony that she had had a date

*That I'm not the one that Alec shares embarrassing stories about when he bears his testimony

FIRST DATE

2011-11-06T05:51:00.002-07:00

Whew! Survived McKayla's first date last night. Dating can be so rough on the parents. This one was great because they stayed here all night making it easy to keep an eye (and an ear) on them.

I was pretty skeptical when he first asked because he is 18 and already graduated from high school. Too old for my baby!

However, I was won over by a few factors:
*she met him at EFY
*he is a cross-country runner
*he has his mission call (to Washington, D.C. South)
*THEY WERE GOING TO BE AT OUR HOUSE ALL NIGHT

His name is Taylor Braithwaite.

He came over and brought Texas Toast and the two of them made french toast. Then they played Ticket to Ride with Shanley and Alec (more points in his favor). They goofed around on the piano and then played soccer with Chandler and his friend. Then they headed downstairs to watch Forever Strong. Alec watched it with them. In fact, he even sat between them the entire movie. (heehee!). After the movie, the two of them played a few games of Settlers of Catan before calling it a night.

McKayla had a great time and it certainly was a low-stress date on her parents. Thank goodness!

XC Awards

2011-11-05T08:25:00.004-06:00

Thursday night was the RHS cross-country team award's banquet. McKayla received a varsity letter. The certificates are pretty nice.
McKayla and her friend, Bre, holding their certificates and plaques.
These are the plaques received by everyone who lettered (ran varsity). The a is meant to signify that they are the alphas of the wolf pack (Riverton High Silverwolves). The a is also found on their jerseys.
McKayla and Bre each received additional awards. Bre received the award for the Female Rookie of the Year (she and McKayla are both new to cross-country this year). McKayla received the award for Alpha Female (top girl runner). This time the A was capitalized to signify the alpha of the alphas.
McKayla finished 19th at State and Bre finished 29th. Not too shabby for 2 girls whose primary sport was NOT cross-country. McKayla's priority was soccer while Bre's was lacrosse. Imagine what they could do if they actually dedicated themselves to cross-country.

necessary

2011-11-04T09:01:00.001-06:00

The essential items in my purse are:

*chapstick (first and foremost - I can't seem to be without this item)
*a pen (always prepared - that's me)
*cash (I hate pulling out the credit card for items under $5)
*a black Sharpie market (I can't believe how often this comes in handy)
*mints (gotta have fresh breath and I can't stand gum)

With this short of a list, you'd think my purse would be even smaller than it already is. What do women keep in those HUGE bags?

it's just Utah

2011-11-03T11:46:00.002-06:00

Just 2 short weeks ago I was exulting in having 60 degree temps to run in - PERFECT running weather! I was loving life!

But...this is Utah. The following week we had a 30 degree temperature drop (yes, that happens overnight here) and now I find myself running in 20 to 30 degree temps. Brrr...not quite so perfect.

I've decided I'm difficult to please. Las Vegas and it's 80's was far too hot. Now it's a bit chilly.

It's true. I want my cake and I want to eat it too. Further, I don't want to gain any weight as a result of eating that darn cake. Is that too much to ask?

DISLIKE!

2011-11-02T08:56:00.002-06:00

My children frequently use a phrase that I have grown to strongly dislike. I think they utter these words EVERY time I ask them to do something. I also think I am not alone as a parent in hearing these famous words.

What phrase?

"HOLD ON!"

Am I right? Does anyone else hear these words often?

It ranks right up there with:

"in a minute"
"later"
"I'll get to it"
"just a sec"

What are Kevin's words of comfort? "In a few more years, you won't have to hear those words anymore."

Who is he kidding? He might use them as often as they do.

I think I will just have to learn some patience. I'll work on that - LATER! heehee!

books I've read in the past month

2011-11-01T13:53:00.000-06:00

Oops! I only recorded reading 2 books last month. I think I read 4 but I forgot to write them down so I don't have titles or authors or even a clear memory. whatever. give me a break. I am 44, have 5 children, and usually run around like a chicken with my head cut off.

In fact, what's really bad is that one of the books I read this month is one I just read in July. I forgot I'd already read it until I was about 30 pages into it. Unfortunately, it was the only book I took on my Las Vegas trip so I had to keep reading it. Again. At least it was pretty good. It was:

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

The other was:

Think of a Number by John Verdon

Both books were pretty good. If I remember what else I read, I'll update this. Then again, we may never know.

sweet 16!

2011-11-01T10:27:00.002-06:00

Let the driving and dating begin - McKayla turns 16 today!

I really am not afraid of her dating or driving. She shows a lot of common sense and level-headedness. She is pretty mature and I believe she will make good decisions. At least, thus far she hasn't given me any reason to worry. She got asked to go to Lagoon last Friday by a guy she really likes and without even double checking with me, she turned him down by telling him she wasn't old enough to date yet. It was also Girls' Pref on Saturday so she wasn't old enough by ONLY 3 days but she didn't beg or bug me about it - just knew she wasn't old enough yet.

That's the kind of gal she is.

And as far as driving is concerned, the sooner I have help the BETTER!

McKayla has a bit of a stubborn streak (which is great when it's focused on good things). She is reliable and a good student. She is organized and doesn't forget things but does keep the messiest room imaginable! Yikes! (can we say slob?) She is athletically gifted, modest, and has a fun and playful personality. She likes to give people a hard time (I'm sure she doesn't get that from me - heehee!) yet she is generally nice to everyone. She has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and is a good example of living according to her beliefs.

She has brought so much joy to my life! I love her and am so proud of her and her accomplishments!

Happy Birthday, McKayla!

Resolution Check-Up

2011-10-31T15:02:00.003-06:00

Another month come and gone and it's time for my monthly day of accountability regarding my New Year's Resolutions.

Lose Weight - I am losing...losing this battle, that is. Not doing well at all. In fact, I gained. Must. Quit. Eating.

Read Jesus the Christ - COMPLETE! Yea!

Climb Mt. Timpanogos - Dangit! I decided that for safety's sake this one must go on the shelf until next year. We have late snow which prevented me from going up early and then a wedding that kept me too busy to go up. Once I cleared my schedule early this month, I determined that the Timpanogos Emergency Rescue Team had declared the season over and had disbanded. Not that I planned on needing rescuing but I don't feel a solo climb of Timp is a smart idea outside of the normal climbing season. I will re-try this goal next year. For now, I'm replacing it with going snowshhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifoeing for the first time (again, assuming the weather cooperates. I will need snow before year-end to do this one).

Run Ragnar - COMPLETE! Yea! This was a lot of fun! For more info, see here.

Write My Grandma's Life History - No progress this month.

Do family search indexing - I did do some indexing.

Attend 5 Temples that I've Never Been to Before - No new ones this month. I took McKayla to the St. George Temple and it was her first time being there but I've been to that one before so I can't count it.

Overall - failure on losing weight and my grandma's life history but good progress or complete in other areas.

loss of stress

2011-10-30T12:55:00.002-06:00

I have now had a headache for 48 hours. Nothing is working to get rid of it. I've tried a nap, pinching the area between my thumb and forefinger, massaging my neck and shoulders, drinking extra water, etc. I even resorted to taking Ibuprofen. Still, the headache persists.

I blame it on my lack of stress. For most of September and October I had WAY too much on my plate. Life was extremely hectic. I tend to hold all of my stress in my neck and shoulder muscles.

Over the last week or so, life has calmed down considerably. I have been able to take a deep breath and relax a bit. I am not running on overdrive. Thus, my body is also trying to relax so now I feel the high tension in my neck. Ouch!

Anybody have any great headache relievers?

calling

2011-10-29T11:56:00.002-06:00

I LOVE my calling to serve in Special Needs Mutual!

I must admit that when I was called, I wasn't overly excited. I deal with Special Needs nearly every day of my life and have for almost 19 years now.

However, I LOVE love LOVE it! Greatest church calling EVER!

AWARDS

2011-10-28T07:24:00.002-06:00

A few awards for the kiddos this week:

Wednesday night was the RHS soccer team banquet. It was quite fun and, being catered by Costa Vida, it was also yummy!

The long-standing tradition is that the Seniors determine the awards for all of the underclassmen and the coach then selects the Seniors' Awards. Usually the underclassmen awards are inside jokes requiring some explaining.

McKayla's award was "Just Keep Pace with Mickey - NOT!" (Her soccer team calls her Mickey) The story behind this is that the coach was requiring the girls to run a mile in under 6:30. Most of them were very stressed about this. On the day of the time trial when the girls were expressing their fears to the coach, he told them to "Just keep pack with Mickey and you'll be fine". The Seniors related that the team tried to keep up with her and couldn't even do it for one lap around the track. They said, "We were practically dying trying to keep up with her." They said she ended up lapping a lot of the girls on the team. Thus, the award.

The Senior girls also gave Alec an award for being their best fan! They gave him a mini soccer ball, a picture of him at their game, and a thank-you card. He was so pleased. Of course, he kind of strutted up to the front to receive the award. Then, on the way home, he kept randomly bursting into giggles. When I'd ask him why he'd say, "I just so happy!". That made me happy!

Thursday night was Pack meeting. Chandler was award his Webelo! Yeah! He also earned several activity pins. He is now one team sport short of having earned every single activity pin possible. That last pin should be his by December.

no good at night

2011-10-26T08:55:00.002-06:00

My mom and I are alike in many ways. However, we have a couple differences. For instance, I never remember her going to bed without leaving the house clean -- no dirty dishes in the sink for her.

I, on the other hand, am usually worthless at night. I am tired (and generally a bit cranky). It is all I can do to help kids with homework or wait up for them to get home.

It is not the least bit unusual for me to leave my dirty pans in the sink. I am much more able to face them and deal with them in the pre-dawn hours.

I don't wake up to cleanliness but on the bright side, I get to enjoy it ALL day while my kids are at school before they come home to mess it up again!

HOPE Squad

2011-10-25T07:33:00.002-06:00

After there was 3 suicides during one year at Riverton High, Hope Squad was formed. Hope Squad is a group of students who, under the direction of the school counselors, are trained to talk to those in crisis. (and then direct them to real help)

A little over a week ago, the 734 members of the sophomore class were each asked to write the names of 4 students who they would want to talk to in a time of need. The top 15-20 were named to the Hope Squad.

McKayla was one of them.

I think it is an honor and McKayla was happy to be chosen. My only concern is that all the training takes place in 4th and 8th periods (the last periods of either A or B day). Those are the same periods she consistently has missed for her sports. Not to mention those periods are Chemistry and Spanish 3 - not the easiest things to miss.

It might be a minor miracle if McKayla can manage to keep her grades up while still missing so much class time. I worry a bit for her but I am so glad she has gotten so involved in school activities. She is really loving high school and is certainly not getting lost in the huge number of students.

RAGNAR!!!

2011-10-24T08:28:00.006-06:00

First things first, we had to get the Suburban all decked out and ready to roll. Tonya's kids Josie and Curan as well as Phillip's wife Apple did the paint job.

The scenery was not very pretty. Desert landscaping. Maybe it was just hard to appreciate it in the blistering heat. I love to run in temps in the 60's not high 80's.

Our van load before the race - Karen Goins, McKayla, me, Tonya Cole, Jacobson Cole, and Phillip Adamson. Our race gear was supposed to include the plaid boxers and a plaid bandana but we soon got to hot for any extra clothing.

All of us at the finish line (not looking a lot worse for wear but maybe feeling it!)

The entire team at the finish - Alex Adamson, Josh Harker, Danny Adamson, Phillip Adamson, Jake Cole, me, McKayla, Tonya Cole and (front row) Kristine, Rose, Carina, and Karen Goins.
McKayla and I at the finish.

Our impressive number of "kills".

191 miles (lost runner so we did 3 extra)
31 hours
12 runners
2 1/2 hours sleep
85 degree temps
2 vans
over 140 "kills"
dozens of tired muscles
HUNDREDS OF MEMORIES!!!

Ragnar Relay

2011-10-20T07:14:00.003-06:00

McKayla and I are heading out today to start our Ragnar adventure. 188 miles. 12 runners. Hours and hours with no sleep. Blistering Las Vegas heat (I'm a huge heat wimp). What were we thinking?

I am excited and nervous. Anticipating and scared. Curious and dreading. Confident and unsure.

My legs of the race aren't terribly difficult (McKayla has the hard ones) but I'm not sure how I'll handle the heat and the sleep deprivation.

All I really know is that I can't wait to be able to say I've accomplished this goal!

Go Ragnar team!

awesome coach

2011-10-19T08:33:00.002-06:00

I have been so impressed by McKayla's cross-country coach. I couldn't tell you if he is the best coach as far as the actual running is concerned but he is fantastic as a caring, dedicated individual.

He really gets to know all of his runners. He knows who they like, what other hobbies they have, etc. He has attended several of McKayla's soccer games (he has 3 other runners on the soccer team as well). He is encouraging and positive.

To top it all off, yesterday he gave each of his 10 runners who qualified for State a personal letter. I don't know what anyone else's letter says but McKayla's is complimentary and motivating and it is obviously not a generic form letter of any sort. I can hardly imagine a coach taking the time to do this. Especially one who is not only a teacher but is currently taking classes to obtain his Master's Degree, doing an administrative internship, fathering 3 kids, and fulfilling church responsibilities.

Very impressive indeed.

Gingerbread Scones

2011-10-18T07:59:00.001-06:00

This recipe is a favorite of my family:

2 C flour
3 T brown sugar
2 t baking powder
1 t ginger
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon

Combine the above ingredients then cut in 1/4 C margarine.

Mix the following in a separate bowl:
1/3 C molasses
1/4 C milk
1 egg yolk (reserve egg whites in another bowl)

Stir into dry ingredients and mix just until moistened.

Turn onto floured surface and knead 6-8 times. Roll into an 8-inch circle. Cut into wedges and place 1" apart on a greased baking sheet.

Beat the egg white until frothy and brush over scones. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees.

the big reveal

2011-10-17T09:00:00.002-06:00

Life with Alec is so very entertaining!

He came upstairs last night and announced he'd cleaned his room and he wanted us all to come see. Kevin went down immedicately (I was loading the dishwasher...). Alec wouldn't let Kevin in because he wanted the entire family there at once.

So, we gathered everyone outside Alec's door. He made us all close our eyes before entering his bedroom. Then with a big TA-DA he told us we could open our eyes.

All of us were double over laughing but we made sure to ooh and aah over his clean room.

now if only my girls got that excited about a clean room....

training

2011-10-16T04:55:00.002-06:00

I attended a huge, state-wide, 5-hour Special Needs Mutual training session yesterday at the U of U Institute. This was for my calling as a YW Advisor in the Southwest Region.

I wasn't overly thrilled about going because I figure I have almost 19 years of Special Needs training (it's called ALEC).

However, it is always wonderful that even when you don't necessarily get anything from the speakers, the Spirit can always tell you something. I believe when you faithfully attend your meetings, you put yourself in a situation where the Spirit can teach you what you need to know regardless of what the speaker is actually saying.

I came home with some great inspiration for my calling. And, as an added bonus, I came home with some inspiration specific to Alec as well.

Just another example of the Lord's tender mercies in my life.

moment of the week

2011-10-14T15:31:00.003-06:00

The winner for most uncomfortable moment was:

(I will be intentionally vague just in case...) I was sitting in a meeting at a school when we were getting ready to elect a leader for the year. I knew very well who the principal wanted and as I really like this person as well (and have known him for years), I was all prepared to nominate him. Someone else beat me to it.

I was thus all prepared to settle back and watch him be elected when the obnoxious, know-it-all bore next to me leaned over and asked me to nominate him.

Yikes!

I just don't have the personality to tell him, "I'd rather not because I'd sooner give birth again than have to listen to you at every meeting."

Nope. Couldn't do that.

My name will forever be in the records linked to his nomination.