Merry Christmas

Christmas day has come and gone, but the spirit remains.
We had a very quiet and peaceful Christmas. We had the fun and business before with school choir productions, friend get aways, family Christmas Eve dinners, and present purchasing and wrapping.



But at the stroke of midnight an Christmas Eve not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (we hope) as we waited for Santa to bring us gifts and the opportunity to celebrate the most important birthday of all!

Christmas morning did come of course and children of all shapes and sizes enjoy a good present, but the girls of this family put a little more excitement into the opening of them.
Tayler can make any present seem like the best, she can be quite enthusiastic!

Bailey loves a new toy to destroy and any possibility of undivided attention.
Emele won the award for quickest unwrapper!


We all found things to enjoy, but the best gift was being together!

As for gifts shared between mom and dad, we have a new (old) house awaiting us full of promise and projects. More blogs on that to follow!

Flying Glen

Winter Fun

I've been on a computer vacation and having fun doing other winter/holiday activities. So now it is time to share some of the fun with you!

Before Christmas we were invited to share some winter fun at a cabin just outside of Heber, Utah with our friends. (Many Thanks Friends!!) Below are pictures of the kids enjoying slip-sliding snow covered fun and other cabin amenities!


















My friend Heidi has an interesting way of going down the slops! Always good for a laugh!


In the following blog I'll share a slide show of Glen's awesome moves! He didn't want just an ordinary fast hill, he had to add a bone crushing jump to it, which I insisted on encouraging him to go on again and again while I strove for the perfect shot. Poor guy, I'm sure the most impressive shots were well used up before I even got the camera out. His 35 year old bones took a beating and just kept going!

Merry Christmas USA

On December 10th the United States received an early Christmas present when Glen and 205 others became citizens of this lovely country!



As we left our home Wednesday morning we were greeted by flags and signs in celebration. The Bishopric or our ward borrowed the flags and put the signs declaring the citizenship change on our fence. We have some of the greatest neighbors around!



These sweet girls (with the help of their mother) brought over a congratulatory cake. We received many calls and visits to wish Glen best wishes and congratulations. He told me he was surprised by all the attention this has brought him. I tried to remind him of the great honor it is to be admitted to this amazing country (I'm not biased at all! Ha, Ha!).

We arrived in Salt Lake City at 8:30am for the ceremony we were told would begin at 9:00. However they wanted to give one final reminder of the waiting involved in this long process by starting at 10:00am. It began by opening the session of court, followed by a flag ceremony, some patriotic songs, and then the official swearing in of the 206 new citizens. The participants (from 55 countries) all sat together with friends and family sitting separately in the balcony or back of the theater.

After the swearing in a microphone was passed to allow the new citizen to express their thoughts and feelings. Ten men and women shared with us the events that led to their arrival here and their immense gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this great country. Many of them thanked a Heavenly Father for the opportunities and direction that brought them here. One women shared a brief part of her experience surviving and escaping from Ruanda where she watched 13 members of her family killed, leaving only her and her sister which were separated and found years later. One young man was excited to enlist in the military and defend this country he loved and believed in. A woman from Iran expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be educated and live with equality. A woman from Brazil shared that her husband, an American, could not be there to witness her great joy because he was serving in his third tour of duty in Iraq. Although she missed him her pride for him and the country he defends far out weighed her grief.

Following these "US testimonies" the judge gave his concluding remarks were he encouraged participation by voting, learning English, and being the best person you can be. The entire ceremony was very reverent and special. It made me wish every citizen born here could participate and be reminded of the great privileges we sometimes take for granted. I love the United States of America and I thank my lucky stars to be a citizen and live in the land of the free!

Christmas Music!

Does it get any better than Christmas music?! The first Christmas decorating I did this year was on my blog, it was so easy. I didn't have to clean first or get any boxes out of high places, just click a few buttons on the computer. Now I have happy, jolly Christmas music any time I want!

I know Christmas music would loose it's effect if we had it year round, but I can't help but be happy when I hear it! I am so grateful for the spirit that is felt by so many during the holidays. I know there is a lot of hustle and bustle that can be distracting, but there is also a greater sense of helping others and giving shared by a larger portion of the population. It's no wonder Satan puts so much energy into distracting us with fights over which holiday a store should sponsor and how much money should be spent.

I pray that we may be able to enjoy the holidays for their pure intent. Thanksgiving, to give thanks for all of our many blessings. Christmas, to celebrate the miraculous birth of our Saviour and his charitable example. New Years, to celebrate the beginning of a new time span where we can make new goals and renew ourselves to become all we can.

This turned out to be more than intended, can't seem to stop the wheels from spinning once they start. Hope your holidays are wonderful!

Tagged?!

Heck if I know what this is all about or how you really participate, but I'll give it a shot. Since I was "tagged" at the beginning of November and I'm only now following through, I think it is safe to say I'd have lost this little game.

Six quirky things about me:
1. I want a new post from all the blogs I follow each day, but I'm too lazy to do the same for you on my blog.
2. I share the same pet-peeve about toilet paper being put on properly (rolling over the top)as some of my friends. I really hate when someone leaves it empty, just who do they think they are to leave that job for the next person?!
3. I sleep with three pillows. I like to cocoon myself in.
4. I can't share a drink with anyone, even my husband, because of the possible backwash and germs.
5. I do a crazy number of loads of laundry because I can't stand to mix colors. There is no such thing as darks and lights for me. It's red and pinks, browns, blues and greens, blacks, off-whites, whites, and so forth.
6. I can't throw away pictures. I have every picture sent to me by friends and family at the holidays, even if I don't keep in contact with them anymore, because I can't through away a picture. Maybe I'm part Indian and I think I'm throwing away their soul.

So I was only asked to share six quirky things about myself and I'm sure I have only confirmed how weird I am with these, but anyone that really knows me, knows this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface! It was fun, so thanks Deena for playing this little game with me. Since my blog world is small I'll only tag Amy C., Megan B., Karen F., and Mitzi M. Love to All!

Miracles

A wonderful friend of mine taught a beautiful lesson in one of my church classes today about enjoying all of life's experiences, even those that bring us sorrow. She shared an experience she had reading a family members blog that caused her to ponder the miracles and blessings in her life. She concluded with challenging us to search out the miracles in our lives, write them down, and then return to our lists in times of need. So here I intend to share some of my miracles....

First, the very miracle of my existence! The creation of my spirit and the opportunity to receive a body here on earth to grow and learn in. For the parents that co-created me.

The miracle of receiving a strong healthy body that has so far shown great patience with me as I learn to care for it properly. The miracle of each unlabored breath that I try to appreciate often so the common cold is not thrust upon me as a reminder of what the alternative could be.

The miracle of a free education. I was given the great opportunity to attend safe, well maintained, and award winning schools as a child. Later I was allowed the privilege of attending Ricks College in Idaho where I was instructed with care and diligence.

The miracle of living in a country where I'm free to be who I want to be. I can educate myself, speak and share opinions with others, obtain greater quality of life with work and determination, and I can bring about change where I see fit if I put my mind and efforts to it. I can dream here in America!

The miracle of being surrounded by some of the best people on earth! As an only child I have had many opportunities to be alone in this life. The Lord has always sent the right people to me at the right time! I tease that I have been creating my family as I gather friends, but it is more the truth than not.

The miracle of finding my Best Friend! My husband is the only person on this earth that continues to show me unconditional love through the good times and the bad through pure choice. No life experience is complete until I have shared it with him; from a funny joke to a heart crushing loss. He has boosted my self confidence simply by believing in me and helped me to be a better person by sharing his example. It's a miracle to be loved by him!

The miracle of four healthy, growing, beautiful children! To be given the privilege of raising four of Heavenly Fathers choice spirits is humbling. Each one has a distinct personality that brings me different joys and sorrows. I consider it a miracle each day we survive each other. I have much to learn and I'm grateful for their patience with me.

The miracle of the Gospel in my life. I know who I am, where I came from, and where I'm going. I know what is expected of me in this life and where my blessings come from. I know I am loved and encouraged to succeed. I know where I can turn to in times of doubt and sorrow or great joy. I know where to find instruction and how to seek council. I love the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

There are countless other miracles in my life, but I'm grateful to share these few with you. I hope you will find reason to reflect on your own great blessings as we get ready to celebrate the thanks our early settlers found in discovering a new land and having something to fill their tummies with.

Twilight Mania!

Talk about a phenomenon! I was indeed apart of the crazy crowd that bought tickets weeks in advance, arrived three hours early, and attended a movie starting at 12:03am, all because I read a book series I fell in love with. However, I am very proud to say I was attired in nothing resembling Prom wear or homemade bedazzled bling! (I did however make some serious changes to my hair the night before that could be considered extreme and fitting with the movie, but that was unintentional, simply induced by the fall weather and the need for change.)

I don't want to ruin the excitement for anyone out there that wasn't at a movie theater in the wee hours of this morning, but I will say going with friends made the experience what it was! The movie was no Oscar contender and if you hadn't read the book I think you would be lost, bored, and/or in shock that people would go to such lengths to view it. That being said, I've heard they signed contracts to make movies from the remaining books (who wouldn't with the theater sell out the likes of which I've never heard) and I'll go see them!

The movie theater we attended had a movie starting each minute past 12:00am in separate theaters and while I was out retrieving goodies I saw them rush in the 12:20am crowd. We arrived at 9:30pm and waited outside in the chill until 10:15pm when they efficiently ushered us in to our theater. Most of our large party was seated together allowing the laughter and movie dissection to flow freely. We were "shushed" from behind once or twice by Twilight die-hards, but for the most part the entire theater erupted in laughter or surprise at the same moments.

In the end thoughts were shared and the consensus was basically unanimous in the half successful character casting, lack of impressive wardrobe, missing scenes and awkward romantic interludes, but we had a great time!

Go Vampires! Bring on the Werewolves!

Veteran's Day

This picture was taken in 2006, but I wanted to pay tribute to my dad and all those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so much for our beloved country!
Both of my parents gave service to this country with time in the military. I can't speak for them or their patriotic feelings but I couldn't be more grateful to live in a land where I have the privileges I do.
Sometimes our greatest blessings are pushed aside by the frustrations of the day, especially following a heated presidential election, but I hope a day of remembrance like this one can bring us back, even for a moment, to remember the souls that have worked so hard for the joys we experience each second we take a peaceful breath.
I love America and all it trys to be!

Proud to Be An American?!

Well at least the campaign craziness will go away...but I'm still not sure how I really feel about the results. I'll talk politics with anyone that wants to listen, so I won't be bashful here.
I can sum up this election by relaying a story...When I showed up at the polls Tuesday afternoon my neighbor (and the woman that takes my children to school in the morning as a part of our carpool) looked at me with surprise and said "I can't believe you're here, your kids said you wouldn't come!" She went on to share some of the funny things my children and the others told her on the short ride to school. The best was the statement from my youngest son that we would move to Canada if Obama won. Well he misunderstood, that action was reserved for Hillary, so we will not be moving(Yet!). I did indeed vote, for I feel it is a privilege not to be taken lightly, but I took the "road less travelled" when it came to presidential candidates and wrote-in my choice.
Later I was talking with friends about the crazy things our children were relaying back to us about this election. Our public school was a breeding ground for pushy opinions and craziness. At our home we tried to explain the importance of choosing someone based on qualifications and representation of the values you hold dear instead of popularity swings, color pigmentation, or gender. Luckily they have a while to mature before putting their choices to action.
One last thought on this subject then I'll get off my soap box and push forward like the patriotic American I am...I turned off my TV after the semi-official declaration of Obama's success was broadcast because the only thing that seemed to matter to anyone was the color of his skin. I hope the media gets over that fast because I really don't think that has anything to do with how the job gets done! The media has their prince so I better not hear anymore complaining, they might actually have to do some work and research on stories instead of spouting opinions about what a bad job the Republicans do with everything.
I still love my country and the freedoms I enjoy due to the sacrifice of many. I'm grateful for the ability to express my opinions here and welcome your comments both pro and con, because that is what America is all about!

Halloween '08

 

Tis' that time of year again when the ghost and goblins roam from house to house asking for candy!

Our theme this year may look familiar to some of you....Pioneers! I love a good homemade costume, but I don't love sewing. So with the hours spent preparing clothes for our church pioneer trek this summer came the birth of the 2008 costumes as well. I only sew like that once a year!

Last year the 50's theme came from a previously planned activity, and the pioneers this year. Both sets of costumes left something to be desired for the boys so they have been given the option of choosing our 2009 theme. So far it seems they are leaning towards something to do with BYU, not that it should be much of a surprise living so near to Cougar Town!

Family Blessings

It has been a while since I added the dramas of my life to the world wide web! Life seems to complicate my desire to do everything and nothing at once. I have included pictures of my latest family fun.

We (my family of six) were given the opportunity to care for my little nephew and niece for a week. With about 24 hours notice, this was a last ditch effort by their parents to make their previously planned vacation cruise. When their original arrangements for their children and four other options were exhausted, they contacted us, and my husband graciously accepted. To some this might seem offensive to know that I was so low on the list, but then again you don't know me very well if you think I was even slightly surprised. I am quite open about my inadequacies with children. I love my own flesh and blood and can't imagine life without them, and I find great joy in watching others enjoy their own children, but I'm glad to tell anyone and everyone that I'm maxed out with the four precious spirits that call me Mom!

Having said all this I do find these little guys quite cute and very flexible considering their flight across the US with their aunt, who passed them off to my husband at the airport, who just happened to be returning from business in San Francisco the same day after a three day absence. Its not every day you pick-up luggage and two additional children in baggage claim.

Having cousins is always fun and my children were so excited to welcome theirs for the visit. Saturdays arrival went well, Sunday church took some extra snacks and quiet toys, but went well, Monday Family Home Evening was fun, as noted in the second picture......Then Tuesday morning the dam broke and all the water and then some flowed (quite literally!)

My husband would love to give the details of discovering his nephew throwing-up all over our basement sofa in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but I'll leave that to your imagination. Needless to say this altered the rest of their visit. The poor little guy was miserable one moment and bounding with energy the next, as only a sick three year old can be. I did lots of laundry and avoided potentially staining foods as the week progressed and he continue on with his unpredictable pattern of becoming sick.

Because their parents are readers of this blog I will be kind in simply saying I was not sad to send them home Saturday afternoon. I love my nieces and nephews, but I like them a lot better when they travel with their parents!

As an only child I have made leaps and bounds personally to be a mother to four beautiful children, and after this little experiment , I feel better about my decision to stop there.

Conference Quiet Time

Every six months our family enjoys "Conference Weekend". We stay home Saturday and Sunday to watch two sessions each day of The Church of Jesus Christ's General Conference, broadcast on t.v. During this time the children are encouraged to listen but aren't expected to be perfectly reverent for two hours straight at a time. I have made special games and activities that they only get these two weekends a year and we eat specially prepared meals, so all in all it goes pretty well.

My daughter however has invented her own quiet time routine of styling hair. I am the first in line for a good head rub but she often wants to take it farther, that is where the men of the family become the happy victims. It is amazing to me what they will put up with to have their hair played with. Here we are featuring the latest styles for father and grandfather. Beautiful!

Conference was wonderful! My personal favorite talk was given by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, stressing the importance of laughter in our lives. He shared one of his favorite sayings of his mothers, which is now one of my favorites, "Come what may and love it!". Life is too short to harbor hard feelings for our trials, let us learn the lessons, grow our faith, and thank the Lord for our many blessings. I'll be working on that in my daily life, until we adjourn again...

Excercise Resumed

For those of you who might be worried about my becoming a couch potato due to the week long closer of my fitness center, I thought I'd put your minds at ease. The fitness center reopened the following Monday morning as promised and I was there! Yippee!

After a year of committing myself to this daily exercise thing I actually miss it when it's gone. I do appreciate my Sunday, day of rest, and the occasional Saturday is skipped for family sporting events, but Monday thru Friday I'm there.

I think I would have appreciated the old days when exercise was a built in part of life instead of something you have to make a conscious effort to include. Walking to the local market for fresh produce each day, riding a horse for further distances, kneading some bread, you get the picture. Of course I can say this because I don't actually have to live it, but there was something good about the way things were.

Until I retire to the Montana wilderness to enjoy the simple (but physically hard) life, I'll enjoy my daily trips to the fitness center. Happy Exercising!

School Picture Day

Picture day is an annual agonizing obligation. There is the search for the perfect outfit that will be engraved in the history books for everyone to look back on and with more than one child hanging on the picture wall, those outfits must coordinate (of course). The need for a hip, yet classic hair do so your children that follow decades later don't torment you too badly, though completely avoiding that is impossible! And of course the fact that payment for these famous pictures is received before the results are seen only adds to the suspense of it all.

So with the knowledge that my children are in complete control of their own appearance once they go out my door I tried to take some nice pictures before they left. This year I saw the angels and teddy bears they can be in the split second it took my camera lens to capture them. They sure are cuties!

Summer Vacation '08

Washington D.C. 2008

This summer our family wanted to see how far we could go with dads hard earned "free" airplane tickets. When it came time to pick our destination for the 2008 family summer trip we chose Washington DC with three things in mind. First, with Southwest tickets they are redeemed equally for a short flight to Las Vegas or across the country to the east coast, so let the miles fly! Secondly, Washington DC shows up in enough movies and children's programs that the kids actually know something about it. Finally, once you get there and pay for a place to stay and food to fill the tummies, everything else is free! It is amazing the wonders our tax dollars pay for that we, in the west, have little access to!

We spent five days in the city with two additional days for travel. Our choice of accommodations made all the difference in the world. We stayed at an Embassy Suites close to everything. We had a two room suite with two televisions, a mini fridge and microwave, and a corner view. The kids had their room and the parents had another, although dad spent quite a bit of time with the kids in the main room watching the Olympics while mom read peacefully in hers (ah, the good life!).

Our first stop was none other than 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Just three blocks from our hotel, we started there and just kept walking. We covered miles on this vacation and dined on Subway sandwiches most of the time, they could have made a healthy living commercial out of us!

We saw the front and back of the White house, took a tour through the gardens there, rode the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument, said hello to Lincoln, waited in endless lines to see three rooms of the capitol building, came face to face with priceless works of art (until an unnamed child tried to touch one), learned much at various Smithsonian museums, traveled on the underground Metro to Arlington National Cemetery, and enjoyed hour after hour of beautiful sunshine while walking the streets of our Nation's Capitol.

All in all, one week of continuous family time learning and exploring together was priceless!

Still here!

Last September I started exercising and "eating right", and I'll be, but I lost some extra pounds. I've been pretty good about keeping up with it, with a few hiccups like a cruise with endless yummy things to eat and fun family vacations where you are forced to eat out. It has become habit to preform this exercise five to six days a week now but getting up at 6:00am is still quite an issue (since I'm not very good about going to bed early).

Well this Monday, with renewed commitment I woke up bright (ya right, it's still dark) and early, drove off with my friend to discover a very empty parking lot and closed fitness center. They are closed for a whole week for cleaning and maintenance! I'm sure they have no idea what this has done to my hard earned routine, but I'm going crazy!

In an attempt to exercise on my own, I went for a run with my dog, but she was so out of shape I had to return her to the house 15 minutes later. Today is regularly a weight training day but I can't bring myself to lift soup cans. I guess I'll look at this as forced vacation days without pay and return to the regularly scheduled program Monday when they open the freshly cleaned doors to my fitness center. Until then, wish me luck that I don't take to the couch potato lifestyle once more.

Ward Trek Memories

In June our church group took off on a three day adventure reliving some of the early pioneer's experiences of crossing the plains to settle the Salt Lake valley. We were granted a rare opportunity of pulling replica hand carts through the dry DLL in Wyoming. We were assigned "handcart families" that we pulled with and those were organized into "companies", just like the actual pioneers. Months of preparation went into organizing this event but luckily my involvement was relatively easy. Aside from the 48 sleepless hours I put into sewing our historical fashions, the organization of the remainder or our things went well. We were allowed one 5 gallon bucket per person, plus a treat bucket (a luxury the original pioneers were not granted). They held one change of clothes, extra shoes, eating utensils, scriptures, and toiletries, and became our seats when ever needed.

I have two outstanding memories from being out there, besides the simple pleasure of being so far from civilization. The first was the ability the children had to occupy themselves, fighting off city boredom. There were no electronics, no formal sporting events, and no limits to their imaginations. Groups of children from different families, some new friendships, some old, wondered off together looking at the desert landscape, or in search of harmless reptiles and bugs, or created games out of nothing. I've never had more peace and less worry.

The second memory was from an activity called the Children's Pull. These Trek experiences are something the youth of our church (ages 12 to 18) often participate in, this family experience being very rare as I said before. During these youth Trek activities they usually have a Young Women's Pull where the young women of the group are asked to pull the full wagons to the top of a difficult hill while the young men are taken aside to represent the Mormon Battalion soldiers of the past when they were asked to leave their migrating families to fight. It is a very moving event for each group as the women find the strength within and the men recognize the amazing abilities of the women that sometimes go unnoticed.
In our experience the parent (adults) were taken to the top of a very challenging hill where we discussed our role as parents and the tools we need to give our children to succeed in life. The children and youth remained at the bottom of the hill discussing their needs to follow parental council and making good choices. After our 45 min discussions the parents were asked to line the path at the top of the hill and watch quietly as our children struggled to pull our heavily loaded carts to the top. The only encouragement we were suggested to give was that of prayer to represent the quiet strength our Father in Heaven offers us as we struggle through the challenges of life. I cried with a full heart as I watched the wagons come up that hill, one by one, with the stronger youth racing back down to help the next until all the wagons and children were safely at their goal. Even as I write this now my heart is bursting with the pride and love I felt for my children and those they are so blessed to associate with. I hope to remember the lessons of that afternoon throughout my life.

We had an amazing time filled with fun, dirt, sweat, and a spirit of peace that could only have come from that experience. Of course one of the kids highlights came at the end when we crossed the paths of free roaming cattle and witnessed a bull fight not more than 50 yards in front of us! We don't get that kind of excitement in our everyday lives!

Pictures previously posted.

Remembering the Past

Here we go!

Okay so I don't like change and I drag my feet as long as possible before finally caving into the next trend or technological development. Truly the Post Office should hire me as a spokes person because I still prefer an old fashioned card in the mail, but here I am!
I feel the pressure to do exciting things and make grand productions so I'll have something to blog about, but that is unlikely to happen as keeping up with life is all consuming on a normal day.
I have been very inspired by my friends and family that entered the blogging world ahead of me. I enjoy catching up on the things you do when I have a few minutes to browse the web. Luckily this means when you are sound asleep I can read all about your fun family trip without disturbing your slumber. I do appreciate technology even though I am slow to embrace it.
Well over the next few days I hope to find photos I'm willing to share and fun things to tell, comment away!