It was a really fun night (even though I think Elliot fell asleep during parts of it) and I think I've found Lindsay's new job after she's done raising her kids. She would LOVE singing and dancing to those songs! One of my favorite parts of the night, which also brought back some emotions I felt in Washington D.C. during the World War II Memorial dedication weekend, was the tribute to the veterans during their individual songs (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, etc.). I love it when they all stand and sing the words to their songs! It made me miss Grandpa Gregory!
Monday, March 31, 2008
In The Mood
Elliot took me on a date on Saturday night to the 1940's musical "In The Mood." It was such a funny night because we were maybe 2 of 7 people under the age of 60 in the audience. I'm so excited to get old because I'll have an excuse to be tactless. The woman in front of us was being so rude to the large lady she was sitting by and even said, "You've got to scoot over because you're making me too hot!" She didn't sit there after the intermission. The older folks were also the ones directing the traffic out in the parking lot . . . um, chaos!
It was a really fun night (even though I think Elliot fell asleep during parts of it) and I think I've found Lindsay's new job after she's done raising her kids. She would LOVE singing and dancing to those songs! One of my favorite parts of the night, which also brought back some emotions I felt in Washington D.C. during the World War II Memorial dedication weekend, was the tribute to the veterans during their individual songs (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, etc.). I love it when they all stand and sing the words to their songs! It made me miss Grandpa Gregory!
It was a really fun night (even though I think Elliot fell asleep during parts of it) and I think I've found Lindsay's new job after she's done raising her kids. She would LOVE singing and dancing to those songs! One of my favorite parts of the night, which also brought back some emotions I felt in Washington D.C. during the World War II Memorial dedication weekend, was the tribute to the veterans during their individual songs (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, etc.). I love it when they all stand and sing the words to their songs! It made me miss Grandpa Gregory!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Book Club - Island of the Blue Dolphins
Our Book Club met last night and we discussed Island of the Blue Dolphins (by Scott O'Dell). We met at Emily's house and had a little discussion while we ate seafood . . . this just shows you how much I love my friend because I actually did eat the fish (love ya Em)!I didn't actually quite finish the book before we started discussing it, but I skimmed the last few chapters. I enjoyed the book. I think I really like books about women who can take care of themselves. It was written by a man, which I thought was interesting, and I appreciated his insights on little things here and there that are important to women whether or not anyone is around (the main character was on a deserted island).
Emily is so cute. She made us these little earrings (jewelry was part of the book). Next month - The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger (it's not a cookbook . . . I know, I'm retarded).
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter
I love Easter Sunday. I love the little dresses that everyone saves up for this special day. The Primary kids performed today, but Stella missed it because she threw a tantrum during the sacrament because I told her she had to take the first bread and water that she touched. When she refused, I wouldn't let her take it, so she threw a fit. I didn't hear of any problems in Primary though.
Stella was ready for the Easter egg hunt. I couldn't keep up with her. I'll hide them better next year! We had Easter Dinner over at the Dibble's. I bet George that he couldn't hula-hoop, and that started quite the competition. George can indeed hula-hoop (4 hoops at a time) and taught Adam how do hula-hoop without having to replace a hip. Xan impressed us with her hula-hoop neck tricks, and Claire was absolutely sure she was hula-hooping too as she ran around in circles giggling. Happy Easter!
Stella was ready for the Easter egg hunt. I couldn't keep up with her. I'll hide them better next year! We had Easter Dinner over at the Dibble's. I bet George that he couldn't hula-hoop, and that started quite the competition. George can indeed hula-hoop (4 hoops at a time) and taught Adam how do hula-hoop without having to replace a hip. Xan impressed us with her hula-hoop neck tricks, and Claire was absolutely sure she was hula-hooping too as she ran around in circles giggling. Happy Easter!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Pioneer Youth Trek
OK, I can admit that it was really hard. Of course Elliot has wanted to go on this Trek since the last time they did it 4 years ago. It kind of snuck up on me though. I'm obviously not prepared physically and for some reason I just didn't really think it was going to happen until like 4 days before it actually did.
As a Pa and Ma, we were blessed with 12 children (10 youth, 2 adults). It was pretty early in the morning when we met them, so most of them weren't really up to conversation quite yet. We played some games, loaded up, and headed to the Prescott area to start our Trek. The kids had to put together our handcart and load it with 1 bedroll and 1 potato sack (our belongings) for each person in our family, plus any other supplies and water to last us the day.
Day 1 was almost 9 miles and after about 100 yards I already had shin splints. Great, this was going to be great fun. The kids really had no problem working the handcart and they left me in the dust most of the time. On the occasional break, I had the chance to get ahead of them so that they chould catch up, but it didn't last long.
About 4 hours into the hike and before the kids really got to bond, the men all had to climb a steep and rocky hill while they left the rest of us to die at the bottom. They had to watch while the women tried our darnest to get that handcart up that ravine. As Ma, I wasn't allowed to help push/pull the handcart previous to this little activity, so I was a rookie when it came to knowing what to do in any position of the handcart during the Women's Pull. I was pushing in the back which was very hard because you can't see anything and there is a certain fear of ankle spraining that goes along with climbing a rocky ravine. So I don't know how much help I was, but I think we did really well. The girls were pulling with all their might and eventually the guys got to come down and help us the rest of the way. It was kind of a forced spiritual experience for the kids, but it was effective. The boys said that on their way up the hill they were not concerned with the fact that we had to pull it up by ourselves. But when they saw us trying so hard, they were begging the Trek Leader to let them go down and help. When they got the green light, they all RAN down the hill and relieved us of our burden. I compare that experience to repentance as the grief we were all feeling was taken from us (you know, besides having to climb the rest of the hill). We had time for reflection and rest before we finished the hike for the day. By the time we got to our rocky camp, some of the kids were asking if they could just go to bed. I didn't sleep, but Elliot gave me a foot rub (I love him!).
Day 2 was a might bit cold in the morning and I had to eat oatmeal for the first time. It had the consistency of snot and so I didn't complain about having to peel my orange (I hate peeling oranges). I was sure that the kids would be tired and that I'd be able to keep up with them this day, but they had even more energy! I was so slow that the whole Company behind us totally passed me! We only hiked about 6 miles today, so we had most of the afternoon to rest. We had a few rotations as Companies doing journal writing, fire-starting competition, dutch oven donut making, and square dancing (my partner was doing his best to try to switch partners). There were a few women from the Stake that brought their instruments and became the "Strummin' Saints" for our hoe-down music.
Here are my observations about our family: ADAM was our Big Brother and would do anything we asked him to (of course, he was an adult and recognized the importance of it). He would hike back to me on the trail and ask if I needed water. Nice guy. KIM was our Big Sister and continued to be beautiful the entire 3 days. She should have been Ma because she actually kept up with the kids and interacted with them. It was fun to get to know her better.
CHARLIE and TAYLOR were our work-horses. At one point in the Trek, they actually pulled the handcart all by themselves. Charlie was quiet and looked so natural in the cowboy get-up. We weren't sure about Taylor the first day because he was so cranky, but he kind of just got things done in the family and kept everyone in line that wasn't pulling their weight.
JOSH was the Fire Master and helped us win our fire-starting competition. It helped that Taylor was furociously gathering dried cow crap which burns nicely. The favorite quote of one day was, "That's enough poop Taylor!" JAMES refused to even tie his shoes before the sun peeked over the hills. There was a little exchange between him and Taylor because James was "wagging his tail." PATRICK was dubbed Elliot's "pet" because he was like an appendage on Elliot's side. He was a good kid and liked doing the cooking and anything else Elliot told him to do. MICHAEL was our smallest guy and has full on conversations with himself and his alter ego "Dirt" who has a British accent. Interesting.
LAUREN was freakishly strong and a good worker. She got a lot of blisters and walked into several cactus, but didn't complain. ACACIA was our only near-tragic accident. She was stradling the handcart bar when the weight of the handcart flipped it over. It scared her, but didn't hurt her. She had a lot of energy. MARLEE was our silent, but willing worker. She was always working, but we never heard a peep unless we were interogating her. SIERRA was our baby girl. She was very concerned with how she looked. She was also quite the little chef. All of our girls were very willing to help and did whatever we asked them to do . . . we just had to ask them.
We played a wicked game of Mountain-Man Ball (not quite baseball) for a while, which ended abruptly after a girl got a ball in the ribs. The night came on quickly and got pretty cold. Three bonfires were built as we waited and waited and waited for dinner (the coals kept going out). We had the devotional, complete with a video powered by generator (not so authentic to the pioneers). It focused mainly on the Martin/Willy Handcart Company experiences. So here is my question, would you give up a blanket to bury your dead husband in the snow, or keep it to warm your family? I'm telling you right now that I would keep it . . . and I'd keep the boots and clothes too. Sorry Sweetie.
We finished the night with dinner and the hoe-down, which Elliot surprisingly loved! I never get to dance with Elliot, so we had a great time and it kept us all warm! I didn't sleep, but I got another foot rub from Elliot.
Day 2 was Saturday morning and was another cold one and some of our kids were sort of in a rhythm of helping and getting stuff started. They made breakfast, cleaned their stuff up, and packed the handcart most efficiently. And of course, they left me in dust AGAIN as we hiked about 5 miles. I thought for about 5 minutes that I was going to be able to keep up with them . . . until they ran up a hill with the handcart! So I think that the only experience that I could give them was the feeling of having to leave a family member behind on the plains, only it was easier for them because they didn't actually have to bury me.
I was the absolute LAST person to finish the Trek. There wasn't even a soul behind me. I was excited to sit down on something that was higher than my bedroll. I thought for sure the girls would fall asleep on the way home, but they were slap-happy. They laughed the entire way home about who knows what! The second I put my sunglasses on I was asleep, bobbing my head around. My feet were throbbing and my knees were killing me and I was dying to take a shower. My sweet husband is not capable of leaving camping supplies out, so we had to put everything away before the blessed personal clean-up happened. Oh how I love showering. We still had to pick up Stella at Grandma's house, so we were pretty deliriously tired . . . which lasted a few days.
So you ask me which part of the Trek was my favorite . . . I just don't know. It wasn't totally fun. I have more regrets than I do favorites, so maybe that's why I was supposed to go. I can tell you right now that I will NEVER do something like that again in the shape I'm in right now. I also would have prepared more spiritually. I didn't have any thoughts to share while I was there which frustrates me a great deal. I didn't get to bond with our kids like I would have liked . . . they were too far ahead of me!
In a way, this experience also made me think of all of the things I'm not doing. Every day I do the laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc., . . . but what else do I do? Nothing. Why are other women able to take care of those responsibilities (which I actually love doing) AND do other things that can also define who they are individually as well as giving their kids a variety of experiences? Those are the women that don't lose their minds as "stay-at-home" mom's. I LOVE staying home, I absolutely LOVE it! But there are so many other things that I love doing too . . . or I want to love doing. When did the Pioneers have time to sew, or write in their journals, or read their scriptures, or play with their kids, or hang out with their husband, or dance? I imagine that they were working ALL the time, plus they had 20 kids to take care of, yet they still did all of those things. What is my excuse?
Another thing I've learned is that I need to find that burning testimony of following our prophet. Oh, I have a testimony of it, but can anyone really say that they would drop EVERYTHING they were doing at the time and leave EVERYTHING they owned to move across the country, even across the ocean, sacrificing family members and almost your own life just for the privilege of hearing our prophet's voice? I'm so grateful for their burning testimony, because I'll tell you right now that angels would have to be attending to get me to move in that manner again (and mine was only 20 miles)! It was a good experience for us and I'm sure that once I have a while to reflect upon it more I'll find a few more gems that I learned. Elliot desperately misses our kids and is already planning a family reunion, one that I'll happily attend as long as it doesn't involve walking anywhere.
As a Pa and Ma, we were blessed with 12 children (10 youth, 2 adults). It was pretty early in the morning when we met them, so most of them weren't really up to conversation quite yet. We played some games, loaded up, and headed to the Prescott area to start our Trek. The kids had to put together our handcart and load it with 1 bedroll and 1 potato sack (our belongings) for each person in our family, plus any other supplies and water to last us the day.
Day 1 was almost 9 miles and after about 100 yards I already had shin splints. Great, this was going to be great fun. The kids really had no problem working the handcart and they left me in the dust most of the time. On the occasional break, I had the chance to get ahead of them so that they chould catch up, but it didn't last long.
About 4 hours into the hike and before the kids really got to bond, the men all had to climb a steep and rocky hill while they left the rest of us to die at the bottom. They had to watch while the women tried our darnest to get that handcart up that ravine. As Ma, I wasn't allowed to help push/pull the handcart previous to this little activity, so I was a rookie when it came to knowing what to do in any position of the handcart during the Women's Pull. I was pushing in the back which was very hard because you can't see anything and there is a certain fear of ankle spraining that goes along with climbing a rocky ravine. So I don't know how much help I was, but I think we did really well. The girls were pulling with all their might and eventually the guys got to come down and help us the rest of the way. It was kind of a forced spiritual experience for the kids, but it was effective. The boys said that on their way up the hill they were not concerned with the fact that we had to pull it up by ourselves. But when they saw us trying so hard, they were begging the Trek Leader to let them go down and help. When they got the green light, they all RAN down the hill and relieved us of our burden. I compare that experience to repentance as the grief we were all feeling was taken from us (you know, besides having to climb the rest of the hill). We had time for reflection and rest before we finished the hike for the day. By the time we got to our rocky camp, some of the kids were asking if they could just go to bed. I didn't sleep, but Elliot gave me a foot rub (I love him!).
Day 2 was a might bit cold in the morning and I had to eat oatmeal for the first time. It had the consistency of snot and so I didn't complain about having to peel my orange (I hate peeling oranges). I was sure that the kids would be tired and that I'd be able to keep up with them this day, but they had even more energy! I was so slow that the whole Company behind us totally passed me! We only hiked about 6 miles today, so we had most of the afternoon to rest. We had a few rotations as Companies doing journal writing, fire-starting competition, dutch oven donut making, and square dancing (my partner was doing his best to try to switch partners). There were a few women from the Stake that brought their instruments and became the "Strummin' Saints" for our hoe-down music.
Here are my observations about our family: ADAM was our Big Brother and would do anything we asked him to (of course, he was an adult and recognized the importance of it). He would hike back to me on the trail and ask if I needed water. Nice guy. KIM was our Big Sister and continued to be beautiful the entire 3 days. She should have been Ma because she actually kept up with the kids and interacted with them. It was fun to get to know her better.
CHARLIE and TAYLOR were our work-horses. At one point in the Trek, they actually pulled the handcart all by themselves. Charlie was quiet and looked so natural in the cowboy get-up. We weren't sure about Taylor the first day because he was so cranky, but he kind of just got things done in the family and kept everyone in line that wasn't pulling their weight.
JOSH was the Fire Master and helped us win our fire-starting competition. It helped that Taylor was furociously gathering dried cow crap which burns nicely. The favorite quote of one day was, "That's enough poop Taylor!" JAMES refused to even tie his shoes before the sun peeked over the hills. There was a little exchange between him and Taylor because James was "wagging his tail." PATRICK was dubbed Elliot's "pet" because he was like an appendage on Elliot's side. He was a good kid and liked doing the cooking and anything else Elliot told him to do. MICHAEL was our smallest guy and has full on conversations with himself and his alter ego "Dirt" who has a British accent. Interesting.
LAUREN was freakishly strong and a good worker. She got a lot of blisters and walked into several cactus, but didn't complain. ACACIA was our only near-tragic accident. She was stradling the handcart bar when the weight of the handcart flipped it over. It scared her, but didn't hurt her. She had a lot of energy. MARLEE was our silent, but willing worker. She was always working, but we never heard a peep unless we were interogating her. SIERRA was our baby girl. She was very concerned with how she looked. She was also quite the little chef. All of our girls were very willing to help and did whatever we asked them to do . . . we just had to ask them.
We played a wicked game of Mountain-Man Ball (not quite baseball) for a while, which ended abruptly after a girl got a ball in the ribs. The night came on quickly and got pretty cold. Three bonfires were built as we waited and waited and waited for dinner (the coals kept going out). We had the devotional, complete with a video powered by generator (not so authentic to the pioneers). It focused mainly on the Martin/Willy Handcart Company experiences. So here is my question, would you give up a blanket to bury your dead husband in the snow, or keep it to warm your family? I'm telling you right now that I would keep it . . . and I'd keep the boots and clothes too. Sorry Sweetie.
We finished the night with dinner and the hoe-down, which Elliot surprisingly loved! I never get to dance with Elliot, so we had a great time and it kept us all warm! I didn't sleep, but I got another foot rub from Elliot.
Day 2 was Saturday morning and was another cold one and some of our kids were sort of in a rhythm of helping and getting stuff started. They made breakfast, cleaned their stuff up, and packed the handcart most efficiently. And of course, they left me in dust AGAIN as we hiked about 5 miles. I thought for about 5 minutes that I was going to be able to keep up with them . . . until they ran up a hill with the handcart! So I think that the only experience that I could give them was the feeling of having to leave a family member behind on the plains, only it was easier for them because they didn't actually have to bury me.
I was the absolute LAST person to finish the Trek. There wasn't even a soul behind me. I was excited to sit down on something that was higher than my bedroll. I thought for sure the girls would fall asleep on the way home, but they were slap-happy. They laughed the entire way home about who knows what! The second I put my sunglasses on I was asleep, bobbing my head around. My feet were throbbing and my knees were killing me and I was dying to take a shower. My sweet husband is not capable of leaving camping supplies out, so we had to put everything away before the blessed personal clean-up happened. Oh how I love showering. We still had to pick up Stella at Grandma's house, so we were pretty deliriously tired . . . which lasted a few days.
So you ask me which part of the Trek was my favorite . . . I just don't know. It wasn't totally fun. I have more regrets than I do favorites, so maybe that's why I was supposed to go. I can tell you right now that I will NEVER do something like that again in the shape I'm in right now. I also would have prepared more spiritually. I didn't have any thoughts to share while I was there which frustrates me a great deal. I didn't get to bond with our kids like I would have liked . . . they were too far ahead of me!
In a way, this experience also made me think of all of the things I'm not doing. Every day I do the laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc., . . . but what else do I do? Nothing. Why are other women able to take care of those responsibilities (which I actually love doing) AND do other things that can also define who they are individually as well as giving their kids a variety of experiences? Those are the women that don't lose their minds as "stay-at-home" mom's. I LOVE staying home, I absolutely LOVE it! But there are so many other things that I love doing too . . . or I want to love doing. When did the Pioneers have time to sew, or write in their journals, or read their scriptures, or play with their kids, or hang out with their husband, or dance? I imagine that they were working ALL the time, plus they had 20 kids to take care of, yet they still did all of those things. What is my excuse?
Another thing I've learned is that I need to find that burning testimony of following our prophet. Oh, I have a testimony of it, but can anyone really say that they would drop EVERYTHING they were doing at the time and leave EVERYTHING they owned to move across the country, even across the ocean, sacrificing family members and almost your own life just for the privilege of hearing our prophet's voice? I'm so grateful for their burning testimony, because I'll tell you right now that angels would have to be attending to get me to move in that manner again (and mine was only 20 miles)! It was a good experience for us and I'm sure that once I have a while to reflect upon it more I'll find a few more gems that I learned. Elliot desperately misses our kids and is already planning a family reunion, one that I'll happily attend as long as it doesn't involve walking anywhere.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I DID IT!
I didn't get to write my final farewell/will and testament before I left for the Pioneer Youth Trek last week. You all probably thought I died and they had to bury me on the plains, didn't you? Well I'm here, sitting in my office chair . . . oh, you blessed chair . . . and I made it. I can't say that my feet actually made it, but I'm home, alive, fairly clean, and sleeping well. More to come . . .
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Jeepers
We had a play group at Jeepers Amusment Park (indoors) today. The kids had a great time!
STELLA AND CLARKIE on the motorcycle racers. Good thing about little kids is that you don't really have to spend money for them to enjoy these toys.
See, she loves it.
We spent a few cents on these rides (CLARKIE, SAMMY, STELLA)
EMMA AND STELLA
REAGAN
KIMMIE and STANTON
STANTON
NOELLE
MACY
STELLA AND CLARKIE on the motorcycle racers. Good thing about little kids is that you don't really have to spend money for them to enjoy these toys.
See, she loves it.
We spent a few cents on these rides (CLARKIE, SAMMY, STELLA)
EMMA AND STELLA
REAGAN
KIMMIE and STANTON
STANTON
NOELLE
MACY
Monday, March 10, 2008
Goldilocks
I love Elliot's extra commentary when he's reading stories to Stella. After reading Goldilocks, he said, "She should have been devoured." . . . and then he moved on to the next story.
Ward Picnic and a Nap
Our annual ward picnic was on Saturday, March 8 at Mesa Riverview Park. It's supposed to be a missionary opportunity, but some people (including me) forget about that part. The kids had an Easter egg hunt and while I was trying to get another kid to come and join us, Stella gathered MORE than her share of Easter eggs on her own. She played hard and we all had a great time.
By the time we left, she and her father were both in dire need of a nap. We took a family hike after the nap to end our exhausting day! (happy birthday Mommy)
By the time we left, she and her father were both in dire need of a nap. We took a family hike after the nap to end our exhausting day! (happy birthday Mommy)
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Gross
This is what Stella thinks of eating an orange flavored Vitamin C after brushing her teeth. I know how you feel sister, I always drank Tang after brushing my teeth when I was little.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Drunk?
So we've had our mailbox bashed in a couple of times. We don't know who did it. But this is what we found this morning. We didn't hear a thing.
Seriously . . .
Stella, as usual, started out having a hard time wanting to go to Sunbeams today. She was pursuaded to be the reverence child who gets to stand at the front of the room and show the rest of the primary how to be reverent. After she was done being the reverence child, she got a sticker on her hand. Then she put it on her face. Then she ate it.
The Garden - Round #2
I invited my friend Brooke to share our garden this year. Last Friday she came over and we prepared and planted (in the rain) our 2008 vegetable garden. We did corn in the East garden. Hopefully it grows. Nothing grew there last year.
Instead of herbs, we planted zucchini and squash in the herb garden along the North wall.
In the West garden we planted tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, lettuce, carrots, watermelon, cantaloupe and I'm sure there was something else, but I can't remember. I already see growth on the lettuce row, but Elliot thinks it's just weeds. I planted herbs this week in pots and I'm pretty sure we're just about done smelling like manure.Stella loves helping and making sure the water is getting down each row in the gardens. When she's sure it's satisfactory, she proceeds to become as dirty as she can. Thanks for your help Brooke! I hope it grows!
Music
On Friday, Auntie Em invited us to her friend's music class. She does it at an old folks home every other week and sings silly songs with them. She invites some of her friends with kids for additional entertainment for the "grandmas" and "grandpas" so they can help with the props. Stella has gone with Auntie Em before, but hardly participated when I went with her this time. I did get several great ideas for Nursery though. We all went to the "temple's park" (it's across the street from the temple) after the singing class so that we could be harrassed for money. Then we waited almost patiently the rest of the long day for Daddy to finally come home from Baltimore.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Swing Sweat
For our family project today, we took apart and then put back together a swing set that my friend gave us. To avoid a dog attack, we had to wait until today to go and get it, plus I probably wouldn't have gone to get it on my own. Stella has been asking about the "swing sweat" all week.
We were outside most of the day, so Stella was pretty worn out until her friend Capri came over.
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