Idaho members reaching out

I have been pretty bad about doing this lately. With the busy Christmas season and a few bad days I have avoided this for a while but I am back!
I think one of my favorite things about having a missionary is the communication from other members in her area who reach out and send letters, texts, pictures and general praise for my daughter, things I know and miss. For instance, a sweet family has invited them to Christmas breakfast and wanted ideas for a gift to give that morning. Ashley would love anything so to get specific was hard. But I think she will be surprised. And it helps me feel so much closer to her and know that they are treating her well. If I can't be with her, at least those who are with her are treating her with kindness and love. And in turn I live having the Sisters over here! the spirit they fill our home with is amazing and they truly love what they are doing!

Alex's dad died. He died December 4th. Travis, my dad, Tami, and I went to the funeral and it was nice. A little different from others that I have been to, but it was nice. Alex is having a hard time and I wish things were easier for him. He had a long week of funeral preparations as well as studying for finals. It is too bad the rest of the world can't stop for family tragedies. Cortney will make sure he is fine. She is good that way.

Happy Birthday, Ashley!!!

Today over a thousand miles away Ashley is spending the day sharing the gospel, sharing her sweet testimony. playing someone's flute, and enjoying the company of many others like her who are away from home at this time of year. And of all days today I miss her the most.

I love you, Ashley!  Always and forever

Happy 21st Birthday!!!

 

 

Throwback Thursday

Christmas is here and one of my favorite parts about it is Mr. Kruger's Christmas. It was a movie the church produced back in the 80's about a lonely man who finds the joy and comfort he needs to get through the Christmas season through the Christ-like attributes of a little girl who befriends him when he needs it most. It is one of my favorite movies, mostly because of the star. I have always been a big fan of Jimmy Stewart, and not because of his fine acting skills (yes, I have seen a lot of his movies. My mom is an old movie junkie and I am a constant companion to many of them!)

Nope, it's because he looks like my Grandpa. I watch him and I reminisce about a very quiet man (more quiet than my dad, even! Yep! Hard to believe, huh?)

 who kept to himself most of the time and was as stubborn as a mule (See, old movie talk!) He was taken too soon from us, before I really got to know him.

(Okay, he did live 10 years after he had the stroke, but that really doesn't count. That was only a shell of who he really was.)

I watch that movie and remember. And I watch that movie and look forward to someday chatting, or not chatting probably, and spending some quality time with a man who has always been a mystery to me.

 

 

Kenzie's first concert!

Tis the season for Christmas concerts and the first one was last night! Mackenzie had her first orchestra concert ever and she did great! Joey sat in the front row and made paper airplanes with a little boy and flew them until the concert started (will my little boy ever grow up? I think he is stuck in what Britt would call an annoying state childish boyhood that never ends. She is his biggest fan right now!) The whole family was there and it was a great way to spend Family Home Evening!

 

 

Way to go, Mackenzie!!!

Now, the following video is for my older girls. Franklin Orchestra has a long standing tradition of performing this song during the Christmas concert. They have done it the last 17 years since we have started attending franklin and I figured Cortney and Ashley would get a kick out of seeing it. Mackenzie is still in beginning band so she has a few years to go but how cool is this? The Franklin Marching Orchestra!!!

 

All in all, a great night!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Cortney!

Cortney is 23! Hard to believe she is that old! She is doing so great! She got a promotion at work and is loving it! And knowing how much she loves movies, it is probably the best job for her! (Although Ashley did get tired of the movies every now and again)

Her and Alex are enjoying married life and all of it's ups and downs. I am very proud of the woman she is becoming.

But she will always and forever be my little Cortiboo!

 

 

 

....From Boise

Another text from Boise, Idaho!

 

They are rolling out the door after Thanksgiving lunch to Thanksgiving dinner :)

Weekend Fun!!!

What a weekend! First, congrats to Brittany for a wonderful concert!!! Euporia performed last night and the dance classes got to participate. I thought her dances were the best, although I was told not to come because they were embarrassing. Hah! Not so! She was so cute! (not sexy, but I think that was her problem, lol!)

She asked me to record Tarod's number and so I did!

 

 

He had to wear a Mountain View Letterman's jacket so it did not stay on very long, lol!

 

All in all, I was very proud of my kid and I look forward to seeing next year's dance, as long as there is not vampire number.  That one was kind of weird!!!

Saturday morning started early with getting Britt, Zach, and Joey off to Youth Leadership traininfg first thing in the morning at the seminary building. Joey was worried he couldn't go because of the fall festival. But he did and it was good for him, although I am not sure how good for the leaders. I heard he raised his hand each time, and had a comment every other minute. Ah, the enthusiasm of youth!!!

Mackenzie had primary practice for the program on Sunday. Cannot wait! Our ward is the last one this year!!! and we are done!

We made it to the fall festival just in time for Joey's concert! Mr. Higgins did a great job! The music was awesome and Joey was able to do the cymbals, the triangle, the base drum, and even the snare!!! He was so proud!!!

 

He wanted two songs up so Ashley could choose which she liked best (please choose one! You know your little bro! There will be no living with him if you don't! )

I had to pick up Britt and then head over to decorate for the banquet. Wow! Those chairs are heavy!

 The program was very nice if not a lot long but that is expected every year. We gotta figure out how to make it a little (no, a lot) shorter. Zach got a letter in guard and I am proud of what he has accomplished this year! I was not sure this year would work for him but he did awesome!!!

They gave me candy, flowers, and a card and I was embarrassed and very appreciative. I think this experience as President has been good for me by allowing me the courage to talk to people in front of a microphone as well as talk to people whom I normally shy away from. And I have grown to appreciate Mr. Brooks as well as Dr Quamo a lot more. My band teacher years ago did what was required to because marching band was not his thing. These guys put so much of themselves into this program and you can tell by the quality and the loyalty from the students. That is above and beyond and I am appreciative of it. 

And the boosters! They are amazing! So much help and time is put into this program! Hours and hours as well as money, and I have developed wonderful friends and I am maybe even a little closer to my sister and I am so grateful for that!

Throwback Thursday

This time of the year what I am most grateful for is being a mom, especially those years when we were up at 3:45, strapped the girls into their car seats and took Travis to work, trying to beat the sunrise home. Then the kids would go back to sleep and I could get an extra hour or two before the chaos started. And if the sun beat us home, then all bets were off and the day had started.

And those days when I was in my pajamas all day, and one minute the house was clean and the next, forget it! And there would not be another adult in sight for a few days! And then we would pack the three up again when the sun went down and headed back to get Dad.

 (Overtime! A good word but a bad one at the same time!)

I never thought I would miss it but I do! And what fond memories I have with these three during that wonderful time of no school! We would find strange things to do, play at the park, and watch movies that involved a lot of Princesses.

 

 

 

Yesterday was Lois Cutler's funeral. She was 100, just shy of 101. I helped out. I was Ashley's sloppy second, and she was missed! Sister Moody said we can't have another funeral until she gets back! Hopefully God was listening to that demand, although I think he probably will do what he wants regardless. But it was a good wish!

I have decided that I want to live to be 86. My kids will be married with kids of their own, hopefully with kids of their own. And I might have most of my faculties! I will still be old enough to chase David around the block (even in my wheelchair) and blame it on being too old to know what I am doing. I can sleep in late and still drive my kids crazy with odd phone calls with no rhyme or reason. (haha, so not much will be different, lol, except for the sleeping in thing. Kind of looking forward to that one!) And everyone will be saying, 'it's about time' instead of 'how sad' when I finally pass.

Yep, that's my plan. Now, if I can only make it that long!

2nd place in Division II

The Mesa High Marching band took 2nd place in Division II! Not too shabby! What a year!! It has been a pleasure serving, hanging out with, and being around such wonderful kids! Marching band will always have a place in my heart! And the kids are a hoot to be around!!! And special thanks to Mr. Brooks and Dr. Quamo for their love and support of these talented kids who know how to put on a show!!! By the way, I was told that we received a standing ovation... the only school that did!

 

I also want to express my thanks to the many parents who helped make this year a success! It seemed like it was a lot harder and more involved than in the past years, but that might have been because I was president. Not sure I want to do that next year! The parents went above and beyond this year! We are a determined and service oriented lot! And they love their kids! That is what makes the difference!!

Sharing the Gospel

The other day I was coming home from somewhere, seriously cannot remember, and I saw some Sisters decorating the sidewalk with chalk. I was curious but in a hurry to get home so I let it pass.

I was picking Britt up for lunch later that day and I noticed that two other sisters had joined and they were having a picnic in the water retention area on Spur, right next to their completed artwork. Again, Britt was waiting so I didn't get time to stop and ask.

Well, I had forgotten about it until just today when I stopped to see what it was. It was a spiritual message

 

The one after this was completely erased.

 

 

I was sad that one block was erased but the whole idea was cute! And from what I could see the Sisters were having fun doing it! And I have it on good authority that Sister Missionaries have a lot of fun while sharing the gospel! And this was one unique way to do it!!!

Nothing is better than getting a hug when you are having a bad day.

Or a pat on the back for always being willing.

 Or someone telling you how wonderful you are even if you are not sure how right that statement is.

And nothing is better than getting a card telling you that you are not only a wonderful mother but have done an awesome job raising someone who is always willing to give service with a smile, no matter what!

Thank you! I really needed it!!!

And I love you too!!!

Suessical the Musical

The musical was fantastic! I only saw it three times. The last week of production I was busy with Roundtable as well as our trip to California with the band so I wasn't able to go, but I heard it only got better! I could tell you all about it but I heard a picture is worth a thousand words, or so I am reminded often by one of my best friends. So I have pictures!!!

 

You're welcome, David!!!

 

 Wednesday night I heard some girls talking behind us about what a good dancer Britt was. I tried to look behind us and I did not recognize the girls. I don't think they realized her mom was in the row in front of them. But it did my heart proud to hear such sweet words about my kid!
 

Tarod is lifting Britt! You can see him if you look really closely!

 

 

Taking a break with her favorite guys!!! Tarod and DJ!

 

 Wednesday night the girls from church came to support them! These three have been friends since they were in nursery! I love them so much!!!

 Britt and Grandma!

Grandma and her girls!!!

Sometimes it is hard to find one without the other!

 DJ!!

 Danni, DJ, Tarod, and Britt

Britt and her boyfriend!!!

 

 

I know Britt was not the star of the show but she was in my eyes! Great job, Brittany!!! I am so proud! You did a wonderful job and I loved watching you shine!!!