Shout, "Hoo-ray!"

I was just remembering a random moment from Thanksgiving and it made me smile. Chris had injured himself playing Turkey Bowl football with the guys from church and their sons, and Dad/Danny had gone to the hospital to give him a blessing. We carried on and continued to get dinner ready, set the table, all that jazz.
There was the sound of the front door opening, and Chloe was the first to greet the guys home. Then she ran to me in the kitchen, with her eyes just sparkling, and with a big old grin exclaimed, "YOUR DADDY'S HOME!"
I clapped my hands and said,"Oh, Yeah!!" and we went to greet our 'daddys'. Truly, I was pretty happy my 'daddy' was home, but it did, and still does, bring a tear to my eye to think how thrilled our children are when their daddys come home. Aren't we just so lucky to have them? :)

Treat! These are Cutie-Patootie Trickers

I've been up to my eyeballs lately, but I wanted to share some moments that are the "best" on the good-better-best continuum. Of all the things that I do, and wish I were doing any and all of them better, the time I spend with my family is the best of any of it.
Don't you have to love dahlias? They only quit when a hard frost takes them. I had this bunch Halloween Day.
Then for those of you who can't recognize those children because of their new identities; that's Tay-Bee, Harley-Dragon, Truly Terrifying Jacey Lion, and Transformin' Lucas. The people in Jennis's neighborhood are sweet people. They were very kind and patient with children who would rather play in their pumpkins than trick or treat, with those who wanted to come in the house for a visit, and those who were oblivious to the whole thing. Fun night, thanks for sharing with us.

Me, too

Xander: "My waist hurts."
Me: "Is your belt too tight?"
Xander: No, why?"
Me: Because you said your waist hurts."
Xander: "No, it hurts INSIDE."
Me: "Oh, like, you're hungry?"
Xander: "Yeah."
Me:"Mmm, me too."
Xander: "Cause your belt's too tight?"

'sigh'

I've Heard About This....

Tonight I went to my Stake Leadership Meeting, and it was pretty good. (I was reminded of Elder Oakes quote;"It has to be a pretty good meeting to be better than no meeting at all.") After the Relief Society class portion we met together in the gym for brownies and apple cider. (The brownies were awesome, by the way.) I was walking in and some lady I didn't know said, "OH MY GOSH! I KNEW IT!" I looked around to see who had won a door prize or something, and she was looking at me. I said, "Excuse me?" and she said, "I"m the popcorn lady! I made the popcorn for the Prairie kids today!" "Ahhh..." says I. (I'm thinking, "Is that supposed to explain something?") So I smiled and went into my, Maybe -if-we-keep-talking-something-will-make-sense mode. "Oh, hi, it's nice to see you." (?Nothing yet)She said in a rush, "I was telling my friend who was helping me that I bet you're LDS, your ears must have been burning because we were talking about you in the lunch room today! I just knew it!" (I had lunch duty) Me,"What on earth made you think that?" And here's the punch line; "Well, it's just the way you looked, in your face, in the way you carried yourself!". I have to tell you that's just about the nicest thing a stranger has ever said to me. I guess your insides can be in a knot over kids throwing lunch pails at each other, but if your spirit's at peace, your face will still show it.

kids are funny

I wanted to share a couple of moments from my Friday school day. I had asked the kids to color a picture of themselves that I intend to use for markers as they reach their reading goals. I'll put their face underneath the 25%, 50%, etc. Everyone was doing a very serious job, making their hair and eyes the actual color, putting on the shirt they were really wearing, things like that. Then one guy gave me a totally black square. He colored it very dark black, with just two small spaces not colored in completely. I was confused. I said, "Um, Ethan, I'm not gettin' this." He deadpans, "I'm a ninja."

The next funny moment was when I was doing some lunchroom duty. I walk around and open milk, stop children from poking each other, and each other's sandwiches, advise them to "remember your 12" voices, stuff like that. Toward the end some children ask if they can wipe tables as a job from the custodian.(She gives then PRIDE tickets to be used in a drawing at assembly) There was one young man among them who has long greasy hair and a longer reputation for trouble. As things were winding down this very distinctive young man looks up at me with sad eyes and says in a droll, slow, plaintive, voice, "Mrs. Seversike, dontcha even recognize me?"
I smiled and said, "Why, of course I recognize you, how are you doing?" At which point he wraps his arms around me, buries his head in my stomach, (pressing his bleach rag into my back)and says after a long,drawn out sigh, "I'm fine." Apparently the start of school is tough on all of us. Let us remember the power in being recognized and given a hug. It can make the whole day better.

Anti-Nephi-Lehies

Today the word "anti" is defined as "against or opposed, situated opposite." I learned this week that during the time the prophet Joseph Smith was translating the plates, one of the meanings of the word "anti" was "in the mirror image of."
In Alma, Chapter 23, we learn about a blood-thirsty region of the Land of Nephi where Lamanites listened to the teachings and testimony of Aaron and his bretheren, and were converted. They were convinced, by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, that the traditions of their fathers had been wrong. They had no more desire to do evil, and thousands covenanted to live peacefully. Knowing of the earlier meaning of the word "anti" makes the choice of names by which the converted Lamanites wished to be called, The Anti-Nephi-Lehies make much more sense. They wanted to emulated their righteous ancestors, to be associated with righteous men, to make themselves over in the mirror image of good examples.
These once murderous Lamanites, wishing to show their God the sincerity of their hearts, buried their swords, their bows and arrows and other weapons of destruction deep in the earth. This commitment did many things; it made them vulnerable to their enemies, showed humility, and demonstrated their complete reliance upon their God for their safety and salvation.
Pondering the sacrifice that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies made as they tossed their weapons of sin into the pit, I wondered; what are we willing to toss into the pit to show our earnestness and commitment?
Most of us have committed to living the Word of Wisdom and tossed harmful practices to our bodies into the pit. We use our Sabbath day to worship God and to learn of his son, Jesus Christ, throwing personal entertainment on Sundays into the pit. We give up some of our earnings to help build Zion, some of our time and talents to build the Kingdom, and come to the aid of our brothers and sisters.
It seems as if today we still have to keep the pit open, and continue to throw little things in all the time. Where anger arises, we have to run to the pit and throw that in. Where pride enters our heart we have to cast that in as well. Just as soon as we empty our hands and hearts of sinful thoughts, Satan is there to try to put something back in.
If you are recognizing the battle, and the continued need to throw things into the pit, you are on the right course! Seeing the constant need to identify and eliminate sin means we are humble enough to be receptive to instruction and correction. Don't despair as you continue to see the need to run to the pit, to repent, and rid yourself of the tools to do evil. It only means that we are being steadfast in the effort to make ourselves over into the mirror image of Him whom we wish to emulate, even Jesus Christ.

And this time the pictures too...

For Somethin' New to Look At

These are cute pictures which no real purpose, I just thought you might like them.:)
The squatters in our house are still there, leaving notes that "we have people watching the house..." and, "I'll press charges next time..." you know, like Dawn said, "CRIMINAL justice system". BUT!! We joined LA Fitness, so I'm going to get fit and probably look 22 again, and blonde, I'm thinkin'. And probably drive a really nice car, too. I wouldn't be surprised if I look good in an evening gown. All this, and more can be yours...

If at First You Don't Succeed---You are like most people

This day didn't go nearly as well as I hoped. We moved our reticent renters out, with a whole long story of their lying, and put their larger belongings on the lawn and the rest of the house in the garage.
When we finished we showered and went to get milk. When we came home the cops were outside the rental, the woman actually had the nerve to call the cops. Shortest story possible: the creeps have all the rights. So I am bummed, she and her felon boyfriend are still there, with a promise to move "in a week... or ten days..." We'll start proper eviction procedures, which can take up to 3 months. Did I mention I'm really, really, bummed? Soooooooo--if this is some kind of test I'm going to pass it. Cause I'm really good at tests. You don't get a GPA like mine (graduating CummaGoomaLoudly as dad says) without being a really good test taker. Instead of any more garbage I'm going to share some more of my beautiful summer memories and just mellow out. So here's to new antiques (the youth chair)(hey, is that an oxymoron? new antiques?) Cousins are cool, aunties and porch swings go good together, friends are wonderful things, and birthdays are fun days.

If at First You Don't Succeed

Better Days...Better Nights

Tomorrow we have the unpleasant task of moving out a renter who is basically a squatter. Danny and I have a tendency to think the best of people, and seem to have a knack for being gullible. President Hinckley used to say that "there is much of kindness in the world, there is much of goodness." Perhaps because we look for those qualities and choose to see the world as basically good, we find ourselves "taken in" now and again.(In my head I see David with his finger pulling at the side of his mouth, as in "hook, line, and sinker") We believed them, we got snookered. So tomorrow we'll start spending our days moving their furniture out, cleaning up their mess, and painting the walls away from hideous and back to normal.
Hence, no sleep for this girl tonight.
I thought I would console myself my counting my blessings instead of sheep. It's worked a lot of times. So the objective of this post is to share happier days, and remember that this is just the short-term, and everything of eternal significance is wonderful.
For this post I chose a couple more blessings and good memories from Yellowstone: Hikes in the Sunshine, Bridges, Earning my Walking Stick Medallion, Blueberry Pancake Breakfasts, and Amazing Thermal Gardens.

"That's a Little Bit of Heaven Right There"

That's one of my favorite things that Amanda says about really good moments in life, whether it's a perfect piece in a great day, something really delicious to eat, or holding someone you love, or finding the perfect pair of shoes. Well, our trip to Yellowstone was like that. Even if it did take me two days of spit-baths to decide I would fork over 3.25 for a shower, and after a while buffalo in the road are not that charming, it was, overall, a truly amazing couple of days. Here's just a few, because it's simply not right to make people sit through the whooooole camera card full of Yellowstone pictures. I just like that one by the entrance because "It took am Act of Congress" is another one my favorite sayings. Three Billy Goats Gruff were immediately inside the North Gate and were an indicator of the wildlife we'd see. "We Two" was at the top of a hike where orange water ran out of the hill side. "On the Bridge" was in the middle of a hike to another set of falls I'm trying to watercolor. The waterfall was at the bottom of a long hike, totally worth it! We hiked all over that place and deserve both walking stick medallions we found! If you like these---I got more. :)
It looks as though a couple are going to be sideways, don't know what to tell you about that--they were right side up in i-Photo, and on my desktop. Chalk it up to the personality of computers and the mood they are in when you ask them to do something. Kind of ruins the impact, but whaddayagonnado?

Ya Wanna Raise Your Bloodpressure?

It's easy. All you have to do is voice an opinion different from the noisy minority!
Yesterday afternoon we went down to Winlock and had a lovely visit with Grandma Huston. I want to be as gracious and loving and full of life when I am in my 80's as she is. What a great example of a lady.
What has this to do with heart-thumping encounters, you ask? Well, we got to talking about Obama, bail-outs, his statement that "we are no longer a Christian nation..." and what we think is right, and we all agreed that we better start getting informed, and making good choices at the polls, etc. I said that I think we need to start writing emails to our representatives, and start being a voice that states our opinion about the direction we'd like to see our country go. Yup, yup, yup, that's what we need to do all right.
Isn't it interesting how the Lord puts opportunity right in our paths? I checked my email before I went to bed, in case something wonderful was put on during the day, and a "friend" that I accepted to Facebook had taken up the whole first page with at least a dozen entries. Gadzooks. Among all the polls she had taken that day, and all the crud she felt the whole world needs to know about, ("I have 227 friends! I didn't know I was so popular!!")(barf) was her statement that we should not sign the referendum stating that marriage is between one man and one woman. She is in the group against it, and stated her opinion most decidedly. Fine. Have it. (She also used a bunch of initials when she said that "some of her friends are SBDEFZQ" (okay, the Q is the only one I remember) anyone know what that means?)
Soooooo, in the tradition that to not speak is to imply agreement, I commented back that I had already signed it, and that Heavenly Father has been very clear about his opinion on the subject. That's all. I WISH I had referenced the Proclamation on the Family from the First Presidency. WELL!!! This morning I had several return comments, one of them quite hostile. Whew!
Well, I just had the YW motto pop up in my head, "I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I love Him...I will stand as a witness of God, in all things, in all places, and at all times as I strive to live the young women values..." Guess what; It's harder than it sounds. But I did it, and I'm glad.
I commented back once more, that "I knew I was invoking the wrath of...hmmm, her I guess, but that this was a free country and I hoped I had at least as much right to my opinion as she had to hers, and let's us agree to respectfully disagree. Have a nice day." The End.
Then I took that person off my friends list, cause guess what? I've about had it with Facebook. I wonder if it's a good use of my time, because I blog to the people I REALLY want to keep in touch with, and the rest feels just a hair voyeuristic to me. I think I'd be better served to put my time into a note or a phone call. I know, I don't know if I'd do it either. Thanks for listening, I feel better now.

"Happy is the Bride the Sun Shines On"

Pretty soon it was time. Hard to believe something you wait so long for happens in just a few minutes, isn't it?

Hmmmmm...

Well, that was weird. My post went to 'drafts' and the pictures didn't make it. So, I'm going to repost them, and with my bloggercarma they will probably show up twice. That's okay, they're cute. :)

Logan

Logan was the reason for the trip. We were excited for Yellowstone, and for all the stops before and after, but the wedding was what it was all about. I am going to do this in a couple of phases. Since that is the way my laptop and Bloggerville interact anyway, it should all work out for the best.
Callie was a very easy girl to get to know, she plays along really well. She let me hold her and talked to me like old friends. Dad played a little wii with Julio, and we had a little BBQ, and everyone had a good time waiting for everyone to gather.
We made a quick run to the Logan temple Saturday morning, then kept watch over things while we once again waited for everyone to assemble at the church.

Huh?

As we were walking past a fellow camper this week I overheard a mother venting to her child. The tired mother was outside furiously peeling something while the little girl, who was probably six, stood there silently taking her tongue lashing. Now, of course, I realize I have no personal knowledge of how much whining, begging, or laziness had already occurred, or what hardships mom had already endured. What I do know was that the little girl was looking rather blank, and as if she'd love to know how to make it all stop.
"I am cooking dinner for you. The least you could do is be considerate."
We kept walking and she kept talking.
"You do nothing while I work...and I'm sick of it."
Good heavens, I thought, she's six years old. In the first place, does a six year old comprehend the phrase, "The least you could do.."? Next; "be considerate"? "You do nothing"? Huh? I wondered if the kid thought "I watched a movie and played with my toys you gave me. I ate lunch you gave me, I talked to you...whaddayamean I did nothing?"
We kept walking and I said to dad, "You know, she'd have gotten so much more cooperation if she said, "Mommy's tired, please go sit in the tent." (or go see Daddy, play with your ball, read a book, whatever.) Or, if there was energy: "Look, Sally, everyone needs to help. Everyone in a family needs to do their part. I'm making dinner and you need to pick up your toys from the tent. (or wash the potatoes or wipe the table or whatever.)
I've learned from working with a couple of hundred kids that they do NOT, repeat, DO NOT intuit much. You must be very direct with your request, including a time frame. For instance, you can't say, "Put that away" because that, loosely interpreted, means, "ruin this as you shove it in your desk out of sight, never to see the light of day again." Instead you say, "Please put this lying flat in your yellow folder right now while I watch." (Watch) "Thanks, nice job."
Also; always state what you want, not what you don't want. "Don't put your feet there" could mean, "Lean back in your chair and put them on the desk instead" or, "See if you can reach your neighbors chair". Instead, "I need your feet on the floor right now." In our campers case, asking the six year old girl to follow a specific request would have increased the odds for success 100 fold. Of course, that wouldn't have allowed her to Mt. St. Helen's her frustrations to the world, would it. But it would have spared a six year old a tirade she was helpless to stop.
The really sad part was that I have a hunch she was talking to the wrong member of the household about "the least you could do" and "consideration". Ya think?

Whew!

Silly Blog, someday will someone teach me how to do this properly, please?
I still can't make a post longer than five pictures. One of those album thingies where the pictures get put down like you're looking at a stack of pictures would be cool. Anybody? Got some time to show me? Anyway, here's set two; the outside, which is meant to invite you to come in to the inside. We'll see.

Ta-Dah!!

Danny thinks I'm a bit touched in the head, with zero minutes left to go and a whole lot that I could be doing that I am taking time to write this blog. It's the last thing on my "MUST DO" list, with about three dozen, "Would if there were time" items. Please go down to the 'before' so you can fully appreciate the 'after' of the project that has consumed us for a little while now. (What will he do next?)

Check! Check! Check!

All certificates made for awards assembly; check!
Family Luncheon accomplished: check!
Field Day over; all children present and accounted for-no (serious) injuries: check!
Comments on report cards: check! (only took til midnight)
Specialists grades, attendance, next year teacher assignments on report cards: check!
Stuff off walls: check!
Math Journals home: check!
Poetry Unit home: check!
Art portfolio home: check!
YES! It's going to happen---Houston, we have lift-off---

I'm Still Here!!

Don't give up on me. Life is just going really, really fast right now. The winding up scenes at the old school house is always a frantic mess; too much to do in waaaay too little time. Add to that we promised the kids a line dancing session and only this week to get it in, some checked out kids who no longer feel like working, and you have: ta-dah! organized madness and mayhem. I've got three out of four cushions made for Tilly and she is looking sweet! Pictures soon, I just have to get at least one thing done on it first.

Welcome to the Fam!

Add May 14 to your calendars, as Allison has arrived. She didn't wait a couple of days to share Daddy's birthday, so I guess it's birthday cake for a week at Joel and Jenna's house! She looks like a dark-haired version of Joel some times, then her little pout lips look make her look just like Sarah, Jenna's stirred up in there, and then sometimes she looks just like herself. She was very cuddly and still very tired from the whole ordeal when I saw her, I'll have to check in with Jenna now a couple of days later to see what she is deciding about sleeping. She was 6 pounds 11 ounces of pretty baby. I'm so excited to get to know this sweet spirit so fresh from Heavenly Father's presence. We are so richly blessed in this family, aren't we? Our cups runneth over.

Just Sayin'

Be kinder than necessary to everyone you meet.
Everyone is going through some kind of battle.

And if you're not presently carrying the
burden of a cross to bear, then you should
be at the feet of someone who is.



Everyone needs a smooch-gootch

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Some of you might have read this too. It was in our Community News/advertising magazine yesterday. It made me laugh as I read it, and it was a running gag between Danny and I the whole day. To paraphrase:
One sabbath day a little family was seated near the front of the chapel to hear their minister deliver his sermon. He quoted dramatically from the scriptures, "Without God we are but dust..." To allow the full effect of his words to sink in he allowed for a dramatic pause. In the silence a little voice was heard to inquire, "Mommy, what's butt dust?"

Our New RV; Part 2

So, okay, we're at the part where we don't want to store a RV all winter, and we want something that could make a road trip in more comfort than either of our old, cheap cars. Thus the 10 year old Caddie. Done.
Next we decide, with the help of the experts, that it can tow a load of not more than 3500 pounds. With a hitch we could tow, (dramatic pause) ta-dah!!! the new trailer.
These are the 'before' shots, though Danny had already ripped out the curtains, cushions and some dry rot before I even got home that afternoon. So stay tuned, the work is on-going!