Entitlement

Mackay is having a fit in this picture. A good one! Mackay, I'm so sorry but Dad and I just laughed. Mackay, you're gonna have to do better than that. You have three older siblings, and a dramatic sister on top of that! We've weathered a lot of tantrums and come through relatively unscathed. So sorry you are experiencing the terrible twos, but really-get over it! Soon.
I think the terrible two's are just a rehearsal for the rest of our experiences about what we want, what we will give in to and what each of us are entitled to. Each family and pocket book has to determine for themselves what their children get but there is one absolute guideline that has been given to us, through modern prophets.
"Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."
So, Mackay, and Jack, Grant and Hailey- we love you and we're committed to giving you everything you are entitled to. Just remember everything else is a bonus, No tantrums please!

A life lesson

"Why am I still alive?" I've heard the question more than once, but then I've worked in Geriatrics and have Grandparents who live exceptionally long lives.
My Grandfather just died after living 97yrs.
I've pondered those last years that seem to drag on for some. I wonder at others who try to end it prematurely. I'm not sure the Lords time frame but I have seen that there are things learned at every stage that make me conclude that I hope to live to a ripe old age. Here are a few age appropriate nuggets of wisdom.
A 6 yr old learned that oatmeal on a road trip can be more fun and yummier than McD's.
A 36 yr old learned that taking your little sister with you on your date wouldn't have been the end of the world and now regrets not doing it. (Hey, it may not be too late!)
A late 40's learned that while in twenties, you may have wished you could go back and do it over better, you really don't want to go back and do it again.
A 50 something learned that it's OK to change your mind about careers and try something else.
A 70 something learns it's never to late to change your heart and your ways
At 97, all faults are over looked, just living and being there for family is a great purpose and being there for that long is a great accomplishment!

thank you

from one funeral to another...
My husband's co-worker was shot and killed last Thursday. His funeral was today. This evening, they held a memorial procession through Gilbert, AZ to the Police Department, where a small memorial service was held for the community and for people like me (with sick kids) who didn't attend the funeral. All along the streets of Gilbert, people came out and waved flags and held 'thank you' signs. My husband said he cried the whole way in his cop car. Oakleys hid tears well. No wonder ALL cops wear them. It was really beautiful to see the support and love of this town for their police (even thought they may be forced to cut their pay). I found my husband at the memorial and we stood together and listened to the words and music. Afterward a Mother who had walked to the memorial with two small children in a wagon came up to my husband. Her daughter held out a small American Flag to Chris and mom said "say thank you". It is just my imagination but I think she was looking at me as well.
A friend taught me once to pray for the spouses of our government leaders. I have taken that a step further to pray for my church leaders wives and police spouses along with my Presidents wife and government leaders spouses. Those are the support for people who do tough jobs and make difficult decisions. Its hard enough out in the world, these people need to come home to a family who understands long days and frustrated conversations about work. I pray for wives who will tell their husbands to do go no matter the cost and who won't leave them for the price they pay in their time.

Thank you Officer Eric Shuhandler for your life served protecting ours. And thanks to the Shuhandler family who lent their loved one to us long enough to make a difference.

...and she celebrated when her husband died!

I love my grandmother. She set an example of Christlike service that makes me tired just thinking about it. I hope to develop some of her traits and learn to be like her when I grow up. So when my grandfather passed away last night, and my grandmother rejoiced, I am trying to follow her lead and be happy too! He was a wonderful man. He slipped candy into my hand when I thought my parents weren't looking (maybe they knew anyway), and made it a point to talk to us grandkids about staying out of trouble as teens. I will miss him. But Grandma is celebrating and so I will too. After all, she has probably missed him more in the 8 years since she passed away, than we will miss him now that he has joined her. Goodbye Grandpa, tell Grandma we love her and thank you both for the wonderful life you have lived.

See no English, Hear no English, Speak no English!

I was recently invited to my dear neighbors surprise baby shower. My neighbor Veronica is having a girl. She thought she was through and then this little surprise so I'm very excited for her and willing to help out in any way she needs me. Now if only I spoke Spanish. She doesn't speak English and the shower was at a Hispanic friends house. Only white girl-raise your hand. I tried to fit in and say what little I could. I smiled when they laughed and probably looked like an idiot. I had intended to just drop by with a gift, and then go but a Hispanic shower is a little different. Every woman's whole family came, husbands, children, grandfathers etc. And everyone was dressed to the nines, with lots of jewlery and cleavage. (Shot, I'd left mine at home). The food was amazing so I had to stay for that and then fun shower games. I won one- you must pick up cloths pins in one hand with out dropping them and then say one thing a baby needs and try to get the most. Hum, in Spanish? Leche, Leche ...and Mamma and Papa! They said (through a Teenage daughters translation) that was the first time any one had ever said Mom and Dad. Is that enough to redeem myself? Not after the next game.
"Come up" they motioned and then blindfolded me. Next they put a jar in my hand. Baby food? Stop me if you played this game. Really, stop Me! Am I suposed to eat it? No, teenage translator says. You feed your partner. Some one I can't see and can't understand!
So stop for a moment and imagine the picture. I had to enjoy the humor at this moment and then... we're off! I did my best to feel where I was feeding and be swift in the process. When the spoon clanked at the bottom of the jar, cheering! I undid my blindfold and looked up. My partner had babyfood all over her face and down her white blouse and in her in blouse! Oh My!
!Lo siento! was all I could say.
Lots of fun, next time I'll bring my family!

what a thriller

No, I do not think I can dance. But when the teacher of my jazzercize class suggested we do this for our Church's Halloween carnival, how could I say no! Really, the chance to learn Thriller! I'm not sure what got into me, (Halloween possesion?) and I think I was a step behind the whole way but I am sure that I had a blast! Kinked neck and all! It was a pitifully small group of us that performed it (darn toe, Kristy!) but we danced with the funk of forty thousand years and loved it, every minute. (I may not be able to dance, but I can sew-do you like the dress I made for the dance?)

Oh, the Secret Garden!

I had a great time as Costume Director ... and now I'm glad to be finished. 33 children were in this production, and most of them had several changes.
I sewed, planned, shopped, and coordinated to get all the costumes finished by Opening Night, October 20th.
I planned and shopped during the day when I could and then sewed after I put the kids to bed at night. I've seen a lot of late night M*A*S*H, The Office, and listened to a book on tape to help the time go. Here is a before and after of one of the dresses. I bought it at the thrift store and then modified it for the play.
Chris was very good about the mess in my work area, a.k.a our bedroom. As long as he could find the bed at night, he was OK. But there were a few times it was so covered in lace, fabric and cloths that even that was a challenge. Here are a few pictures from it all.













In the end, there were three racks of cloths like the one shown. I took a picture of some of the cast members during Cast Pictures to give you an idea of how they looked.
I had a blast with this project and feel really blessed to be able to do it.
As a side story, My favorite character in the play is Martha, seen in the cast picture wearing a cream blouse and red skirt. She is optimistic and helps in healing the whole story. She is a maid and wears very simple cloths but the whole time that I worked, hand sewing, beading, adding lace, velvet etc., I wished I could have made her something beautiful that would reflect her spirit. But that would be out of place for her part so I sewed costume jewels into the hem of one of her smocks, because she was a treasure. I told the girl who played her after the production was over and she was so delighted. She said she was bummed her part didn't have any fun cloths like some of the other characters, but she sang fabulously and played her part well none the less.
And so it is, I think with our part in life and where we are to affect and help the lives of each other around us.