For Family Home Evening tonight we ventured over to Park Discovery or Discovery Park or whatever it is called. We ended up playing hide and seek again. You can find a post about that somewhere in the archives. Anyhow, I did have an opportunity to use my best hiding place and it worked just as well though I didn't occupy it quite as long this time. It seems my hiding dominance has rubbed off on one or two of the kids namely Natty and Jack.
In the last round Natty had a great hiding place and we could not find her. I actually tried a little trick and called her cell phone in hopes of locating her that way. She caught on and shut it off quickly so that didn't quite pan out. She finally let us in with some clues and we found her. It was pretty dominating but only because it was outside of our normal boundary. We weren't even looking that far out. Oh well, I think she had a good time while we struggled to find her.
The best of the evening had to have been Jack. He had a fantastic hiding place. It was so good that I was actually starting to get a little nervous that perhaps he had left the area. Such was not the case. After looking high and low I finally called him out as the winner and invited him to come out from hiding. He slid out from and area that I had checked twice and Natty had looked at as well. It was a fantastic spot. We pointed out that we had looked there and Jack just laughed and said, "I was being as quiet as a church mouse".
Well, way to go quiet church mouse, you are the winner.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
You Got What on Your Tie?
Today we moved back to the 1 o'clock time slot for church. Our meetinghouse was of course condemned last week which in and of itself reminds me of a Ghostbusters quote by Egon but we won't get into that right now. Anyway we are now over at the Cedar Stakes Stake Center. On some very positive notes the Chapel is much larger and it appears that the entire ward should fit without a problem. Nobody will be stuck out in the Relief Society room to listen to the meeting over the sound system. That is nice. There were just one or two challenges today for the fam that we had to work through.
Natty tends to get a little scared when she doesn't know exactly what is happening. I don't know how many times I had to tell her that we were going to the primary room for more instruction. It just didn't click for her that we would get additional information there and all would be well. She was a complete wreck and was getting on my nerves just a bit. This may have had something to do with the fact that I had already talked to her about it several times and that I had two boys that were in a bit of a panic as well. Seems once we made it into the primary room Natty finally saw her teachers and her friends and relaxed. My goodness child. The anxiety was killing me.
Jack and Andy were either really scared as well or they were following Natty's footsteps. Once we got into the primary room, scratch that, as I tried to enter the primary room, with Jack in my arms at this point, Jack would put his arm out and stiff arm the wall trying to keep us in the hall. I finally got him in. He would not sit with his class and Andy refused at that point as well. I sat down on one of the rows hoping the boys would join me, they never did. I turned around and Jack looked like he was going to explode. Off to the bathroom we went.
Not too long after Jack got himself situated in the stall he called out - "Dang it! I just peed on my tie. We need to go home and get a new one..." My response was pretty much "you got what on your tie?" I tried to convince him that we could just take it off and he would be fine. Not having any of that and so we made a quick road trip.
Anyhow, we managed to make it through week number 1 at the new building. I am really hoping all the stall tactics from this week are not present next. We are talking expected and unexpected behaviors and hopefully have them overcome.
Funny enough no matter the building in which we gather, or the challenges we may face today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.
Natty tends to get a little scared when she doesn't know exactly what is happening. I don't know how many times I had to tell her that we were going to the primary room for more instruction. It just didn't click for her that we would get additional information there and all would be well. She was a complete wreck and was getting on my nerves just a bit. This may have had something to do with the fact that I had already talked to her about it several times and that I had two boys that were in a bit of a panic as well. Seems once we made it into the primary room Natty finally saw her teachers and her friends and relaxed. My goodness child. The anxiety was killing me.
Jack and Andy were either really scared as well or they were following Natty's footsteps. Once we got into the primary room, scratch that, as I tried to enter the primary room, with Jack in my arms at this point, Jack would put his arm out and stiff arm the wall trying to keep us in the hall. I finally got him in. He would not sit with his class and Andy refused at that point as well. I sat down on one of the rows hoping the boys would join me, they never did. I turned around and Jack looked like he was going to explode. Off to the bathroom we went.
Not too long after Jack got himself situated in the stall he called out - "Dang it! I just peed on my tie. We need to go home and get a new one..." My response was pretty much "you got what on your tie?" I tried to convince him that we could just take it off and he would be fine. Not having any of that and so we made a quick road trip.
Anyhow, we managed to make it through week number 1 at the new building. I am really hoping all the stall tactics from this week are not present next. We are talking expected and unexpected behaviors and hopefully have them overcome.
Funny enough no matter the building in which we gather, or the challenges we may face today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Trail to C
Anyhow, after the day we made our way out the the C trail and we hiked around for a bit. It was a fun time and the kids enjoyed getting out of the house for a bit. Here they are after we just got going.
After we got up a little ways we stopped and Jack had a seat looking down at the little stream below. To the left of him was a tree that was leaning out over the little ravine. Jack was pretty fascinated by it. I'm sure it was very relatxing for him. He sat down by it a couple of times.
Natty found this pinkish colored rock and had to have a picture with it. She also discovered that if she put her head down before the picture and thought of something either really funny or that made her happy she could look up and have a very genuine smile on her face... or something like that. She is such a scientist.
We had reached a stopping point on the trail and Natty and I wanted to get a little higher up so we climbed a little further. Natty wanted to head to the rocks in the background but the climb was steep and the rocks on the mountain side were a little sketchy.
As we began our way back down the trail Andy decided he needed to have rock. He picked one up and asked if he could take it home. I told him he needed to carry it all the way to the car by himself. I actually thought he would drop it on the side of the trail but no, he made it all the way. Such a little man.
We had a good time though we didn't even come close to the C. No, our time on the trail to C was good enough for us. Perhaps another day.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Poor Natty
Late last night when I was writing yesterdays post Natty came up stairs and told me her jaw was hurting. I gave her some ibuprofen and sent her back to bed. As I woke Natty up for school this morning she reported that her jaw had been hurting all night and that she wouldn't be going to school. I let her know we would be going ot school. After a while she came up stairs with a look of swollen horror on her face. Her neck and jaw are a tad swollen. Okay a tad is an understatement. You know, there are things you never want your daughter to experience and this would be something. I kept her home from school, gave her some Benedryl in hopes this was an allergic reaction to something. The swelling has gone down quite a bit and I am hoping that in the morning it is significantly less. Well, she was a good sport about it. We'll keep praying for her.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Shopping Cart Blues
I am having a string of bad luck at the local grocery store that starts with a W and ends in an almart. Seems I have a knack for picking out the worst shopping cart in the fleet. Does anyone else have this problem? Is it just me or are they all bad? Talk about a miserable shopping experience.
I had to run in yesterday and pick up some bottled water for the LBH. I definitely picked the wrong cart. The thing was bouncing all over the place in the front right wheel and it was perhaps the noisiest cart I have ever pushed around the store. I finally tilted it back and pushed along. Mothers were pulling their kids out of my line of fire and they were looking at me funny. Sorry my fellow shoppers, there were two choices. Either I could push my cart the way it was and we could all enjoy the 6.9 rolling quake or I could tilt the cart back on the rear wheels and we could all shop in peace.
Tonight I was in for a few minutes with the boys to pick up a couple of items. Jack needed some seeds for a school project - you know, gardening seeds. There were a few items we needed to replenish at the house and so there we were. I attempted to grab a cart and got two that were frozen together so moved on to the next and quickly discovered that it didn't turn. Oh the horror. The non turning cart is a little more common for me than earthquake cart.
The only thing worse than having to deal with a crappy cart is having to deal with said crappy cart whilst chasing kids around. It is pretty much why I prefer to shop alone. Oh my.
I had to run in yesterday and pick up some bottled water for the LBH. I definitely picked the wrong cart. The thing was bouncing all over the place in the front right wheel and it was perhaps the noisiest cart I have ever pushed around the store. I finally tilted it back and pushed along. Mothers were pulling their kids out of my line of fire and they were looking at me funny. Sorry my fellow shoppers, there were two choices. Either I could push my cart the way it was and we could all enjoy the 6.9 rolling quake or I could tilt the cart back on the rear wheels and we could all shop in peace.
Tonight I was in for a few minutes with the boys to pick up a couple of items. Jack needed some seeds for a school project - you know, gardening seeds. There were a few items we needed to replenish at the house and so there we were. I attempted to grab a cart and got two that were frozen together so moved on to the next and quickly discovered that it didn't turn. Oh the horror. The non turning cart is a little more common for me than earthquake cart.
The only thing worse than having to deal with a crappy cart is having to deal with said crappy cart whilst chasing kids around. It is pretty much why I prefer to shop alone. Oh my.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
What to do with Homework
Andy is not a big fan of homework. The boy is in kindergarten so we are in for long educational journey. Anyway, he was doing a little whining, a little complaining about having homework to do. Just how much homework could he have at this age? Well, he has a regular homework assignment everyday from Mrs. Woods class and then he has 30 minutes of reading to do each day and he occasionally has an assignment from Mrs. Jensen's class. He can be a busy boy and I completely understand where he is coming from. Homework was my least favorite thing to do which is why I usually did it during the class just before the class it was due in. I don't know how I managed to pull off the grades I did in high school. Oh well, the point is I would much rather be doing something else and generally that meant something outside. I see a lot of that in Andy.
So I have Andy complaining about homework and Jack pipes up with a brilliant suggestion on how to lighten the homework load. He said: "Andy, you just need to feed it to the dog". Apparently Jack has heard the excuse that the dog ate my homework . We don't have a dog but Jack sure saw just how easy it would be to mugging people, scratch.
So I have Andy complaining about homework and Jack pipes up with a brilliant suggestion on how to lighten the homework load. He said: "Andy, you just need to feed it to the dog". Apparently Jack has heard the excuse that the dog ate my homework . We don't have a dog but Jack sure saw just how easy it would be to mugging people, scratch.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
First Mow
I should probably look back in the archives to see if I titled and wrote a similar article last year. I may have and I may not have. Regardless, I love the first mow of the year. I like to let the grass get a little shaggy and to green up a bit before I trim it up for the first time. It is always an exciting event though. Tonight after work I got in the first mow of the year on my yard. That made it a wonderful day. Yep, I am a fan of yard work. How can you not be?
Monday, April 23, 2012
Win Friends
Our actions are so important. If we walk around acting like we are the only things that matter and that because of who we are or where we may come from we are somehow better than someone else then we are going to find ourselves without many friends.
I had two experiences today that tie together around this point. There was a couple that came in to the LBH. I am always grateful to see people walk in the door and we really want to treat them well and make them customers for life. I was doing what I normally do in welcoming them. Instead of ordering right away they went and sat down to look at the menu. I observed them from behind the counter and listened to them belittle our sandwiches and make fun of our establishment and the people of Utah in general. Anyway they placed their order which included a sandwich to share and soup, also to share. I asked if they wanted a bowl or a cup of soup. They wanted the bowl but it was to share. I explained that the bowl was 16 oz. and that we would simply split it up into two 8 oz servings for them. Everything was fine.
Well, we delivered the sandwiches and soup. Almost immediately the guy begins to complain. He started off by talking to Dave about the amount of meat on the sandwich and that I said it was going to be 16 oz. He came up to me a minute of so later and made some nasty comment and it clicked that he mistook our conversation about the oz of soup. Anyway, he started to act out and was being fairly rude. He got Dave's attention and started complaining about "who would talk about the oz. of soup?..." He was going on and then I ended up at the front register and he focuses on me and starts up with a bunch of comments. He is shaking his head, laughing at me, pointing to his head while inferring that I was mental.
Normally if someone were to complain (and I can probably count on two fingers the number of complaints we've had about our food) I or we would do whatever it takes to make them happy. With the way this guy was acting I determined that I was not going to help him. Maybe that was childish of me. I was actually thinking about what I could do and felt that no, we don't cast our pearls before swine. Dave and I talked about it and were both of the opinion that it wouldn't matter what we did the guy was going complain. I don't know, I guess I just don't have it in me to act that way. In the end they had eaten every scrap of food that we took out to them though he was kind enough to say thank you and compliment us on our chips in an extremely snotty tone. When someone carries on like that and tries to put on a show we decided that what we will do is simply give them there money back and invite them to leave. Is that harsh?
I go back to a point I was making earlier. Had this gentlemen spoken to be a little differently. Had he not acted like a spoiled child I would have done whatever it took to make him happy.
After arriving at home this evening I was working on dinner and had Jack in the other room watching The Muppet's. I know that Jack likes beef jerky and I had a few scraps left in a bag so I put them in a bowl and handed it to him. Later he called me into the living room and said "Dad, you are the best dad ever" and he gave me a thumbs up. He then asked if he could have a little more beef jerky. I explained that what I gave him was all that was in the bag. Then I said "I think I have another bag, let me see what I can get you". Jack gets it. Hit them with a sincere compliment and then invite them to do something, respectfully of course. Nice work Jack. That is definitely a much more effective approach to winning friends.
I had two experiences today that tie together around this point. There was a couple that came in to the LBH. I am always grateful to see people walk in the door and we really want to treat them well and make them customers for life. I was doing what I normally do in welcoming them. Instead of ordering right away they went and sat down to look at the menu. I observed them from behind the counter and listened to them belittle our sandwiches and make fun of our establishment and the people of Utah in general. Anyway they placed their order which included a sandwich to share and soup, also to share. I asked if they wanted a bowl or a cup of soup. They wanted the bowl but it was to share. I explained that the bowl was 16 oz. and that we would simply split it up into two 8 oz servings for them. Everything was fine.
Well, we delivered the sandwiches and soup. Almost immediately the guy begins to complain. He started off by talking to Dave about the amount of meat on the sandwich and that I said it was going to be 16 oz. He came up to me a minute of so later and made some nasty comment and it clicked that he mistook our conversation about the oz of soup. Anyway, he started to act out and was being fairly rude. He got Dave's attention and started complaining about "who would talk about the oz. of soup?..." He was going on and then I ended up at the front register and he focuses on me and starts up with a bunch of comments. He is shaking his head, laughing at me, pointing to his head while inferring that I was mental.
Normally if someone were to complain (and I can probably count on two fingers the number of complaints we've had about our food) I or we would do whatever it takes to make them happy. With the way this guy was acting I determined that I was not going to help him. Maybe that was childish of me. I was actually thinking about what I could do and felt that no, we don't cast our pearls before swine. Dave and I talked about it and were both of the opinion that it wouldn't matter what we did the guy was going complain. I don't know, I guess I just don't have it in me to act that way. In the end they had eaten every scrap of food that we took out to them though he was kind enough to say thank you and compliment us on our chips in an extremely snotty tone. When someone carries on like that and tries to put on a show we decided that what we will do is simply give them there money back and invite them to leave. Is that harsh?
I go back to a point I was making earlier. Had this gentlemen spoken to be a little differently. Had he not acted like a spoiled child I would have done whatever it took to make him happy.
After arriving at home this evening I was working on dinner and had Jack in the other room watching The Muppet's. I know that Jack likes beef jerky and I had a few scraps left in a bag so I put them in a bowl and handed it to him. Later he called me into the living room and said "Dad, you are the best dad ever" and he gave me a thumbs up. He then asked if he could have a little more beef jerky. I explained that what I gave him was all that was in the bag. Then I said "I think I have another bag, let me see what I can get you". Jack gets it. Hit them with a sincere compliment and then invite them to do something, respectfully of course. Nice work Jack. That is definitely a much more effective approach to winning friends.
Failed My Friends
A few days ago I received a bag of Amish Friendship Bread starter mix and the recipe of how to make it. A year and a half ago I watched as Amy was starting and baking and whatever-ing this Amish delight like a mad woman. She was working it. I remember giving a starter bag to a friend of mine who later brought by a loaf for the fam - it was amazing stuff. Never in all of this however, did I end up with a started bag in hand. Actually, I was not all that interested in baking bread. This time around I took the starter and the instructions and have followed it. There has been kneading of the bag and burping it as well. Pretty fantastic. Tonight however I needed to bake. It was the designated day. I spent a little time debating whether I would move forward and actually do it or just forget it. When 11 PM rolled around I decided I better just get it done and off to work I went. I am currently in the baking stage and hope it turns out well. I hate to put forth the effort for nothing.
The recipe was pretty specific about not using metal. I was doing my best to follow the recipe and found a big no metal bowl to use. It was great. I had everything moving along when I realized I was going to have to use metal bread pans. Oh the horror. Then I looked down and realized I was mixing stuff in my non metal bowl with a metal whisk. What in the world was I thinking? Clearly I am not prepared to produce a true Amish friendship bread.
As I was pondering the topic and wondering if there were any others who had failed on the metal thing. I am sure there are. It became obvious to me that this was not authentic Amish bread. If it is, the Amish use a ton of sugar. Wow. The final ingredient is the one that caught me off guard the most - mix in a small box of instant vanilla pudding. What? If we are going to drop Jello instant pudding into this I am afraid it is not an authentic Amish bread and simply not using metal bowls, utensils and bread pans really shouldn't matter all that much.
Final note on the day. Our Church building has been condemned. It is the oldest church building in Cedar and a recent report on structural integrity scared everyone so badly that an immediate action was taken to prevent any further use of the building. And so, the 2nd and the 8th Wards are moving. The 2nd ended up in our old 7th Ward building. The 8th Ward is actually traveling outside of the Stake. It really isn't that much further from where we are currently. It may actually be a lot safer - well, safer until the Amish read about how I killed their bread and come looking for me...
The recipe was pretty specific about not using metal. I was doing my best to follow the recipe and found a big no metal bowl to use. It was great. I had everything moving along when I realized I was going to have to use metal bread pans. Oh the horror. Then I looked down and realized I was mixing stuff in my non metal bowl with a metal whisk. What in the world was I thinking? Clearly I am not prepared to produce a true Amish friendship bread.
As I was pondering the topic and wondering if there were any others who had failed on the metal thing. I am sure there are. It became obvious to me that this was not authentic Amish bread. If it is, the Amish use a ton of sugar. Wow. The final ingredient is the one that caught me off guard the most - mix in a small box of instant vanilla pudding. What? If we are going to drop Jello instant pudding into this I am afraid it is not an authentic Amish bread and simply not using metal bowls, utensils and bread pans really shouldn't matter all that much.
Final note on the day. Our Church building has been condemned. It is the oldest church building in Cedar and a recent report on structural integrity scared everyone so badly that an immediate action was taken to prevent any further use of the building. And so, the 2nd and the 8th Wards are moving. The 2nd ended up in our old 7th Ward building. The 8th Ward is actually traveling outside of the Stake. It really isn't that much further from where we are currently. It may actually be a lot safer - well, safer until the Amish read about how I killed their bread and come looking for me...
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Lions Mouth Cave
The boys and I went out on a little hike today as part of an Elders Quorum activity. It was just about a perfect hike for Andy and that was nice. We all had a great time. Natty was unable to make it as she is still sick. Hopefully she will get over this cold/flu quickly.
We went to a place called Lions Mouth Cave. Here is a picture of it from down the road just a bit. It is a pretty cool little cave and the boys really enjoyed exploring around it. We ate lunch there and then we continued to hike up to the top of the rock formation. It was a good little outing. Here are a few pic.
Lions Mouth
Jack and his Imaginary Little Wild Ponies.
Andy enjoying the cave.
Andy and I up on top of the rocks.
Jack and I up on top of the rocks.
Jack Adopted the Grandma
I had to include this last picture because it is so totally Jack. He was coming down the trail behind the Scholes granmother (their kids Grandmother anyway). She slipped once and ended up on her backside. Jack was concerned and he walked with her from that point on. I just thought it was neat.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Tragic Morning
After getting the kids off to school, getting showered and handling some work from home I went in to make my morning vegetable shake or smoothie - what ever sounds more appetizing, that is what I made. I went with a little almond extract today and it was good. Well tragedy struck a couple minutes later as I had gathered up my things and was making my way out the door. I was balancing my tasty frozen vegetable beverage on my binder and was reaching back for the door knob when said beverage slid and fell. It managed to land in the middle of the door way shooting vegetable smoothie inside the house, in the doorway and outside the house as well. It rolled out side, down the steps and rested on the walkway. It was a sad, sad moment. There was just a couple of swallows left in the cup and so I enjoyed a small taste before setting to work cleaning up the mess.
Once things were clean I set out on my way once again. I stepped into the truck, turned the key and click, click, click. No problem, I have a charger. I popped the hood, cleaned the connectors, plugged the charger in and went to start it. No use so I ran to work wondering what other little things would happen to me today. I am happy to say there were no other little tragedies unless we want to count Natalie getting sick at school and needing to be picked up right when school let out. The poor wee child. She has been down and out for the rest of the day. Hopefully tomorrow she is back in action and hopefully tomorrow tragedy escapes me. It would be very sad if another of my signature vegetable smoothies hurled itself all over the ground.
Once things were clean I set out on my way once again. I stepped into the truck, turned the key and click, click, click. No problem, I have a charger. I popped the hood, cleaned the connectors, plugged the charger in and went to start it. No use so I ran to work wondering what other little things would happen to me today. I am happy to say there were no other little tragedies unless we want to count Natalie getting sick at school and needing to be picked up right when school let out. The poor wee child. She has been down and out for the rest of the day. Hopefully tomorrow she is back in action and hopefully tomorrow tragedy escapes me. It would be very sad if another of my signature vegetable smoothies hurled itself all over the ground.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Train Table
When I got home from work tonight a very excited Jack came running up to the truck. He does this on occasion and sometimes I am focused on talk show commentary and not paying attention to what is happening and then one of the boys jumps up and bangs on the window of the truck. At that point I nearly wet my pants and we have a good laugh.
So today Jack was very excited. He had a field trip today and I thought that was the source of the excitement. Well, it was part of it but probably a very small part. We had to stop everything and head to the garage so I could see the big surprise. Off we went and Jack proudly showed me the new train table. Sister Dunford talked to me after church on Sunday about this old train table they had that they were either going to take to the dumps or to DI. She wanted to know if we would be interested. Her thinking of us may have had something to do with Jack's train testimonies, I don't know but I told her the boys would love it. Well, they apparently dropped off said table to our house this afternoon.
Know this, when a train table is dropped off at the house of an 8 year old train enthusiast there is no rest for the weary. No sir. There was no time for me to settle down or do anything else when I got home because that track needed to be cleaned. Thank you shop vac. We cleaned that table and, phew, time to sit down for a minute. Oh no, there is a control module that needs to be connected. Well, we got it running and pretty soon I had both boys sitting and staring at it. They absolutely love it. Here are a couple of pics at the boys sitting at the The Train Table. This is actually sitting on top of a futon which is sitting on top of my big dining room table that I am refinishing.
Much thanks Brother and Sister Dunford. These boys are in heaven.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
6th Grade Band
This morning I received an email from Natalie's band teacher. It wasn't a personal email but it did have a great announcement regarding the band and their concert or competition yesterday. Here it is:
The Advanced 6th Grade Band represented our school and the band program very well yesterday at the festival. I was so proud of them. I woke up around 3:00 this morning and started thinking about them and could not go back to sleep.
The behaved very well, the were very prepared, and they performed at a high level that was not expected of a beginning band. The judges were very impressed with the quality of sound and ability. Hooray!
They awarded the band with a "Superior" rating which is the highest rating that they could give. Please tell them congratulations. They have worked hard this year and the adjudicators were thrilled with their performance.
--
Cedar Middle School
Congratulations Natalie and the rest of the Cedar Middle School Advanced 6th Grade Band!
I think it is wonderful that Natty is in the band and that she loves music. She is really doing well with her flute and I hope she sticks with it. I think back on my childhood and that is one thing I wish I would have done - stuck with music.
I had a year of piano and walked away from it. I don't know that I was ever that good but how I wished I would have stayed with it when I entered the mission field. I especially wished I would have stuck with it when I served in King Williams Town and Queenstown. I did begin working on trying to learn how to play when I was in King Williams town and that desire grew and grew. When I got home the folks got me some of the simplified hymn books. I started to practice with that and some other simple things songs. Eventually using both hands just clicked and I started to work on it more and more. It was wonderful. I do quite enjoy sitting down at the piano today and playing some of my favorite hymns. I am not very good and struggle with the timing but I am so grateful for that piano and the joy it brings into our lives.
Well Natty, congratulations once again. Sure do love you.
The Advanced 6th Grade Band represented our school and the band program very well yesterday at the festival. I was so proud of them. I woke up around 3:00 this morning and started thinking about them and could not go back to sleep.
The behaved very well, the were very prepared, and they performed at a high level that was not expected of a beginning band. The judges were very impressed with the quality of sound and ability. Hooray!
They awarded the band with a "Superior" rating which is the highest rating that they could give. Please tell them congratulations. They have worked hard this year and the adjudicators were thrilled with their performance.
--
Cedar Middle School
Congratulations Natalie and the rest of the Cedar Middle School Advanced 6th Grade Band!
I think it is wonderful that Natty is in the band and that she loves music. She is really doing well with her flute and I hope she sticks with it. I think back on my childhood and that is one thing I wish I would have done - stuck with music.
I had a year of piano and walked away from it. I don't know that I was ever that good but how I wished I would have stayed with it when I entered the mission field. I especially wished I would have stuck with it when I served in King Williams Town and Queenstown. I did begin working on trying to learn how to play when I was in King Williams town and that desire grew and grew. When I got home the folks got me some of the simplified hymn books. I started to practice with that and some other simple things songs. Eventually using both hands just clicked and I started to work on it more and more. It was wonderful. I do quite enjoy sitting down at the piano today and playing some of my favorite hymns. I am not very good and struggle with the timing but I am so grateful for that piano and the joy it brings into our lives.
Well Natty, congratulations once again. Sure do love you.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Out of Your Mind
Natty, Jack and Andy walked to the Little Brick House after school today. When they got there Jack went and found these collector series hot wheels and began asking me to buy them for him. I declined and he would ask again a few minutes later with a different car or in a slightly different way. Finally, after seeing several cars I said "Jack, I said no, we don't have money for that". I was in a conversation with my folks and I turned back to them. Jack was walking back to the shelves where the cars are kept and said to me "Are you out of your mind?" Well it gave us all a good laugh. That is not an expression I use often, if at all so I am curious where he picked it up. His tone was great, his delivery was perfect and it just struck us as funny. Thanks for a great laugh Jack.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Oh Sweet Mercy
I am straining my brain trying to remember a moment that I had with Jack this morning that made me laugh and I thought that it would be perfect for the blog. I thought I should write it down to help me remember and should have acted on that prompting. Alas I did not and now the only thing I can remember is that Jack blurted out "oh sweet mercy". It caught me completely off guard as I have never heard him use that expression before. I was laughing.
Oh sweet mercy. It is an appropriate phrase for today. The first thing Jack told me when he came in to the office this morning and told me that he couldn't got to school today because he had thrown up during the night. Well, with Jack he considers hacking up a little flem as puking so I was a little leery of just how sick he might have been during the night. After I finished running we went down to check it out. I asked Jack if it was just a little spit but he assured me it was full of throw up. I asked why he didn't come up and get me. His reply is a sweet mercy in my life. He said "I got it in the bowl (he sleeps with a bowl just in case) and didn't feel like going down the ladder so I just went back to bed". That right there is a sweet mercy. I have cleaned a fair share of puke out of floors, off of beds, off of couches etc so hearing that he managed to get whatever it was in the bowl, yep, sweet mercy.
Jack wasn't kidding. That thing was filled with some serious puke. The bed was clean. That was fantastic. I appreciate very much that he had the composure at some point during the night to use the bowl. I also appreciate that he realized that he was perfectly okay and that he went back to bed. It is a little weird that Jack likes to sleep at the ready with a bowl but I will take that any day over cleaning up a bunk bed covered in puke. That isn't fun at all.
Oh sweet mercy. It is an appropriate phrase for today. The first thing Jack told me when he came in to the office this morning and told me that he couldn't got to school today because he had thrown up during the night. Well, with Jack he considers hacking up a little flem as puking so I was a little leery of just how sick he might have been during the night. After I finished running we went down to check it out. I asked Jack if it was just a little spit but he assured me it was full of throw up. I asked why he didn't come up and get me. His reply is a sweet mercy in my life. He said "I got it in the bowl (he sleeps with a bowl just in case) and didn't feel like going down the ladder so I just went back to bed". That right there is a sweet mercy. I have cleaned a fair share of puke out of floors, off of beds, off of couches etc so hearing that he managed to get whatever it was in the bowl, yep, sweet mercy.
Jack wasn't kidding. That thing was filled with some serious puke. The bed was clean. That was fantastic. I appreciate very much that he had the composure at some point during the night to use the bowl. I also appreciate that he realized that he was perfectly okay and that he went back to bed. It is a little weird that Jack likes to sleep at the ready with a bowl but I will take that any day over cleaning up a bunk bed covered in puke. That isn't fun at all.
The Interview
With the number 8 birthday Jack was scheduled to have a visit with the Bishop today. Bishop Elison is a great man. I sure do love and appreciate him. We went in to interview and he had a great time visiting with Jack and Jack had a wonderful time telling him all about hot wheels wall tracks and the 3 lane super speedway. He even recited a number of the cars that came with the super speedway. The Bishop just took it all in. It was pretty funny.
At one point in the interview the Bishop asked if Jack knew what was going to happen at his baptism. At first Jack said no but then he realized that he did know and he got up to do a demonstration. I started to go back just like you do when you get baptized and I think the Bishop got a little nervous, as did I, that Jack was going to fall straight back. Fortunately he fell gracefully and rounded it down pretty good.
Anyhow, Jack had a lot to say and to demonstrate and we enjoyed our visit with the Bishop. Jack will be getting baptized on the 2nd of June. Obviously that is a little bit away instead of this coming month. This will allow Rachel to be here for it when she comes to pick them up for the Summer.
Well, we are excited and looking forward to it.
At one point in the interview the Bishop asked if Jack knew what was going to happen at his baptism. At first Jack said no but then he realized that he did know and he got up to do a demonstration. I started to go back just like you do when you get baptized and I think the Bishop got a little nervous, as did I, that Jack was going to fall straight back. Fortunately he fell gracefully and rounded it down pretty good.
Anyhow, Jack had a lot to say and to demonstrate and we enjoyed our visit with the Bishop. Jack will be getting baptized on the 2nd of June. Obviously that is a little bit away instead of this coming month. This will allow Rachel to be here for it when she comes to pick them up for the Summer.
Well, we are excited and looking forward to it.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Lazy Day
I probably should have spent the day cleaning the house and getting everything caught up and done. I didn't. No, I actually slept in until 9 and then didn't do a lot of productive work. I wrestled with the boys for a while and we had some fun. I put on a movie, Warrior, and rand for 7.5 miles on the elliptical. I ran for a little over an hour and then sat down and finished the movie. I like that movie. I took a nice long hot shower after that. That was nice. I had a couple of errands to run and had to stop in at the LBH for a bit. Natty watched the boys while I ran out and took care of a few things. I did check out the numbers at the LBH and we were on track to finish the day strong and to have our best week also. We managed to do both and I am pretty excited about that. We are still continuing to grow and to gain a following. I had a couple of gals in yesterday who talked about how popular we were on social media sites. It is all pretty exciting. So yes, today was a lazy day when it came to me cleaning the house. It was a lazy day when it came to the kids playing outside as it snowed all day. It was nice to have a lazy day. So now I just need to go clean the house and then I can go to bed. Excellent.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Visiting
I stopped in at the LBH tonight after I had been home for a bit because I suddenly remembered we were out of ketchup and I had a couple of extra bottles at the house that were sitting in food storage. It is only needed for kids hot dogs unless someone asks for it. I do believe a guy had a Philly steak one day and asked for ketchup. That is just wrong. Anyhow, I brought in the ketchup, surveyed the customers and saw a couple that we have seen in several times. I spoke to them on my way out and then we ended up in a much bigger conversation. Glen and Leslie are their names. They moved to Cedar in October and they love the LBH. We were talking on a variety of topics and it was quite nice to visit with them for more then just a couple of minutes. Neat people.
I find that there is a lot of good in people. There was another gal in today who has been in a few times. She doesn't have the friendliest of countenances but today I got her to smile and laugh a bit at the register. That seemed like a breakthrough as her entire countenance changed. It felt good to see her smile.
I find that there is a lot of good in people. There was another gal in today who has been in a few times. She doesn't have the friendliest of countenances but today I got her to smile and laugh a bit at the register. That seemed like a breakthrough as her entire countenance changed. It felt good to see her smile.
8 Year Old Boy
Eight years ago today Jackson Walter Fontano was born in Carson City Nevada. What a wonderful gift and blessing he has been in my life. Children are such a wonderful thing and I am very grateful to the Lord that I have the opportunity to be the father of three beautiful children. Jack certainly has made life a great adventure.
This morning he came and sat in the office for a bit while I was getting ready to run. We talked a little about his birthday and I sang a stirring rendition of Happy Birthday. He thought it was great - it wasn't all that great but he was all smiles.
This morning he came and sat in the office for a bit while I was getting ready to run. We talked a little about his birthday and I sang a stirring rendition of Happy Birthday. He thought it was great - it wasn't all that great but he was all smiles.
His aunt Clorinda got him a special Alaska shirt that she gave to him last weekend. He loved it and planned to wear it on his birthday along with a new pair of pants that I picked up for him. I'm sure there will be holes in the knees of these in no time - it seems par for the course. Anyhow, he ran off and got all dressed up for school and his big day.
My kids like to watch the show Cake Boss on occasion. I don't watch it other then catching parts of episodes they are watching. Thank you Netflix by the way. So this show is entertaining but it can be dangerous when your kids start coming up with their own elaborate ideas for their birthday cakes. When I end up baking a cake for a birthday party I usually get to a point where I am saying to myself never again will I do this. I would rather just buy the cake and be done with it. How quickly I tend to forget that. Jack wanted a Cars 2 cake this year and next year he already has plans for an Angry Bird cake. Fantastic. Anyhow we went to the store the other night and were looking at the cakes. They had some Cars 2 designs and I showed them to Jack hoping we could simply buy one of them and be done. Nope. He found this blue cake with green trim that he really wanted. I was okay with that, you know, it was done, no additional work for me. Not so fast as Jack then informed me that we would be 'adding jumps and cars flying across the cake...'. Oh my.
This afternoon I got home with the gifts and the cake. Yep, the blue one. Jack came up and together we constructed his cake. You know that Cake Boss comes in handy because I learned that he uses a lot of rice krispy treats in his construction. I figured I could make the ramps out of those. Perfect. I had picked up Lightning and Francesco so our cake could be authentic Cars 2 material. Jack was really excited and decided his Finn McMissle needed to be on the cake as well. We constructed, we frosted, we placed the cars. Oh, forgot, I wrote Happy Birthday Jack on the cake and pretty much ruined everything. I picked the wrong frosting for that and didn't realize it until I started. By that time it was too late, couldn't go back to the store. The good thing about Jack is that he didn't care. He was way too excited about the rest of it. Thanks Jack. Nice design buddy.
Now Andy is my boy that loves to do crafts. He wanted to be in the middle of it but wanted to construct his own cake. So I let him have a rice krispy treat to play with. That turned into two and then three. I ended up having to assist him in frosting it. I thought it was done but Andy had to have one more rice krispy treat on it. I know this sounds pretty exciting and you are probably expecting an intricate carving with fine detail work. No, it was simply a tower. He also went with a lovely pink frosting for his tower. Oh goodness, he was so proud. Don't be deceived. This is no ordinary tower. This is an Angry Birds tower.
It was a fun day. We went out to eat at Cafe Rio - Jacks choice and I was quite happy with that choice as it could have very easily involved golden arches. The fam came over at 8 for cake and ice cream. Jack wanted to start with presents and wow, he was pretty excited about it. He has watched these product review videos about different hot wheels toys and has talked about them constantly. Rachel got him this three lane track that powers the cars around it. I thought he was going to explode when he saw what it was. He went nuts. It was pretty funny. He also got some wall tracks which he constantly talks about as well and then his new favorite Angry Bird flashlight. The boy was quite happy. I let them have a late night playing with the new stuff.
Anyhow, sure do love Jack. He is one of my best friends and my fellow Drink from the Sink Club member. I know, many of you are wondering how you can join such a prestigious club. It's easy, just drink out of your sink directly. It will remind you of simpler times and though it isn't filtered or in a cup you will survive.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Exit, Hard Left
Jack, Andy and I were on our way into our favorite shopping place here in Cedar, that's right, the local walmart. Anyhow, we were on our way in and it is cold so we are clipping along. I was holding Andy and Jack ran on ahead. I watched him as he hurried through the parking lot and made his way up to the front door. Something that Jack is passionate about is using the proper door at the store. There is an exit and an entrance. Well, he was heading straight for the exit door at a good rate of speed and he was kind of focused on the ground in front of him. As he got to the sidewalk just before the door he looked up saw that it was the exit and immediately cut to the left hard and fast. As I approached the store with Andy in my arms I was laughing to myself. I simply enjoy the amusing things that kids do and I get a kick out of Jack and some of the things he does.
Sometimes in our own lives we can be running along, focused on nothing but the ground in front of us only to look up and quickly find that we are about to do, or are doing something that we really don't want to do. We may very easily be on a collision course, unable to stop in time or change direction. As simple as it is for many of us to mix up the entrance and the exit door at Walmart and really think nothing of it, Jack would have been upset about it. Likewise when we make a bad decision or find ourselves doing something we really don't want to do we will be upset about it. We will want to change direction. Fortunately we have that opportunity. It may require sore repentance or it may be rather simple, in either case we will be strengthened by the Lord when we do what is right.
I will always remember a lesson President Armstrong taught us in the Mission Field about spiritual drift. He spoke about sea kayaking in Port Elizabeth and how he would ride the waves near a river mouth. The currents were strong there and when he would look up he might find that he had drifted quite a distance from where he needed to be. He would identify the location on the beach that he needed to be lined up with and would begin paddling back towards that location. Paddling back was often quite hard as he had to fight the current and opposition. Though it was a difficult task he would eventually line back up with where he needed to be. He recognized that if he kept a constant watch on the beach and where he needed to be lined up. By focusing and working towards that position everyday we are able to stay lined up which is exactly where we need to be. The prophets are who we line ourselves up with.
Well that is my rambling for today. Grateful for these little lessons in life.
Sometimes in our own lives we can be running along, focused on nothing but the ground in front of us only to look up and quickly find that we are about to do, or are doing something that we really don't want to do. We may very easily be on a collision course, unable to stop in time or change direction. As simple as it is for many of us to mix up the entrance and the exit door at Walmart and really think nothing of it, Jack would have been upset about it. Likewise when we make a bad decision or find ourselves doing something we really don't want to do we will be upset about it. We will want to change direction. Fortunately we have that opportunity. It may require sore repentance or it may be rather simple, in either case we will be strengthened by the Lord when we do what is right.
I will always remember a lesson President Armstrong taught us in the Mission Field about spiritual drift. He spoke about sea kayaking in Port Elizabeth and how he would ride the waves near a river mouth. The currents were strong there and when he would look up he might find that he had drifted quite a distance from where he needed to be. He would identify the location on the beach that he needed to be lined up with and would begin paddling back towards that location. Paddling back was often quite hard as he had to fight the current and opposition. Though it was a difficult task he would eventually line back up with where he needed to be. He recognized that if he kept a constant watch on the beach and where he needed to be lined up. By focusing and working towards that position everyday we are able to stay lined up which is exactly where we need to be. The prophets are who we line ourselves up with.
Well that is my rambling for today. Grateful for these little lessons in life.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Yard Work
It is that time of year when yard work starts to kick in gear. I don't know that I am completely ready for it to start just yet. Perhaps it is the lilac bushes in the back yard that are in need of a serious pruning that is the cause of my pause. I started that last summer and wow, it was quite hot and rather exhausting. I barely made a dent in it. I then easily justified leaving it be as it is the only source of privacy with the back neighbors. Alas, I think I will carry on in that frame of mind. Until such time as there is a fence between us I prefer the privacy to the trimmed up trees or bushes. That is a hard sentence for me to type because I love to trim up bushes and trees. It is one of my favorite things to do in the yard. We'll have to see.
I did get a call from Ben Fawson this morning regarding coming over to help lay some sod. I was happy to do so. Laying sod is one of the most fascinating things I think you can do in your yard. It is such a quick transformation to a yard. I love it. I got over there and Jay had gone over to help out already. So much was done but I managed to move a few pieces of sod, laid some down, helped do some raking and and moved some rather heavy rocks. It was a good little project and I appreciated being called on to lend a hand. Sure do love and appreciate the Fawson family. They are wonderful people. It was nice to get a little yard work under my belt, I think it was a bit of priming the pump. I needed that.
On the topic of yard work let me give a quick update. Some may have read my post about vegetable ice cream. If your anything like those that I have spoken to directly you probably threw up in your mouth repeatedly. It sounds disgusting I know but it is pretty good. I just made the best one yet. No mixed veggies on this one. Strictly frozen cauliflower. That blended perfectly and actually becomes quite smooth with milk, splenda, vanilla and tonight a little mint extract. I was very happy with that. So I know it sounds gross but I would highly recommend it especially after performing a little yard work.
I did get a call from Ben Fawson this morning regarding coming over to help lay some sod. I was happy to do so. Laying sod is one of the most fascinating things I think you can do in your yard. It is such a quick transformation to a yard. I love it. I got over there and Jay had gone over to help out already. So much was done but I managed to move a few pieces of sod, laid some down, helped do some raking and and moved some rather heavy rocks. It was a good little project and I appreciated being called on to lend a hand. Sure do love and appreciate the Fawson family. They are wonderful people. It was nice to get a little yard work under my belt, I think it was a bit of priming the pump. I needed that.
On the topic of yard work let me give a quick update. Some may have read my post about vegetable ice cream. If your anything like those that I have spoken to directly you probably threw up in your mouth repeatedly. It sounds disgusting I know but it is pretty good. I just made the best one yet. No mixed veggies on this one. Strictly frozen cauliflower. That blended perfectly and actually becomes quite smooth with milk, splenda, vanilla and tonight a little mint extract. I was very happy with that. So I know it sounds gross but I would highly recommend it especially after performing a little yard work.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Chance Meeting
Padre and I had scheduled a Vegas trip for today. We were running down to pick up a second sandwich bain for the kitchen and a few other things. On our way into Vegas we stopped off at a Loves gas station that is just up outside of town on the I15. When we walked in I saw this guy and immediately knew who it was. My friend Bernie Bank was standing there. Bernie lives in St. George so what are the chances that we both end up at the same gas station at the same time? I have no idea but it was great to catch up for a few minutes.
In life I think there are a few people that you end up connecting well with. Bernie is one of those for me. We have had a pretty solid relationship over the last 11 years and I have always appreciated his friendship.
Chance meetings - they are pretty fun. Hopefully they are fun and not bad meetings that you are doing your best to avoid.
Well I am absolutely exhausted, ready to hit the sack and call it a night.
In life I think there are a few people that you end up connecting well with. Bernie is one of those for me. We have had a pretty solid relationship over the last 11 years and I have always appreciated his friendship.
Chance meetings - they are pretty fun. Hopefully they are fun and not bad meetings that you are doing your best to avoid.
Well I am absolutely exhausted, ready to hit the sack and call it a night.
Bathroom Sink Drink Club
Lately Jack has really been into drinking right out of the bathroom sink. Doesn't he know that water isn't filtered? What is his problem? Anyways, I noticed his increased drinking out of the sink and said to him the other day that I used to do that all the time too. He got pretty excited about it. Yesterday morning he talked to me about his new club that only he and I are a part of. It is the Bathroom Sink Drink Club. This morning I referenced the club after he had a little drink, he was again excited. It is nice to be part of a very exclusive club. I am sure there are many who would like to be a part of the club and all I can really say is drink up. Let us know how it goes. I don't know that we have any open enrollment at this time but encourage you to live the life of a Bathroom Sink Drink Club member and perhaps then an invitation to join may come.
We had a great Easter. The Easter bunny saved himself some time by not setting up an egg hunt at 3 AM. Instead the Bunny of Easter went with an even distribution of eggs and cited the fact that church at 9 AM didn't allow for elaborate egg hunts. It all went quite well. The kids were all happy with what they got.
Dinner was at the folks tonight. There was a group of gals, Amy's friends, who came and joined because they couldn't go home. Well, Jack did his best to make them feel at home. He was really excited to see them and talked to them constantly about a wide variety of topics. I have a pic with him at the table surrounded by the ladies. He was working it. You know, when you are a member of The Bathroom Sink Drink Club you can do those kind of things.
We had a great Easter. The Easter bunny saved himself some time by not setting up an egg hunt at 3 AM. Instead the Bunny of Easter went with an even distribution of eggs and cited the fact that church at 9 AM didn't allow for elaborate egg hunts. It all went quite well. The kids were all happy with what they got.
Dinner was at the folks tonight. There was a group of gals, Amy's friends, who came and joined because they couldn't go home. Well, Jack did his best to make them feel at home. He was really excited to see them and talked to them constantly about a wide variety of topics. I have a pic with him at the table surrounded by the ladies. He was working it. You know, when you are a member of The Bathroom Sink Drink Club you can do those kind of things.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter Saturday
We're all familiar with the term Easter Sunday right? I should think we have heard that a time or two. Well, today was Easter Saturday. We had a full and fun day. This morning we did a little Easter egg hunt over at the school. Jim, Clo, Sara, Mom and I went and hid the eggs. Jay came over after a bit and then we called the kids over. The hunt was on.
The kids had a great time running around collecting eggs. They all did pretty good. After we played some kickball, one round is all that was necessary. Everyone had a great time. Natty kicked a homerun, nicely done. Jay had a Babe Ruth moment and kicked a homerun into the trees which he called prior to the kick. I don't know that he expected it to get stuck there. It was a fitting end to the game.
We had a little adult dinner at Cafe Rio this evening and then a group of us went down to the Temple to do Baptisms. It was Natty's first time. Mack was going to go but has been sick so she had to pass. Anyhow, Natty had a great time. Marien and Clayton also participated as did Conner Boyle - Jay and Sara's nephew and Clayton's friend. Jim and Clo were there as were the folks and Dave and Dani.
Natalie really enjoyed being in the Temple. It was great that she could be there with family for her first time. She had two of her aunts and her grandma to help her as well as Marien who is a great example for her. It was a neat experience to watch her there and to participate with her. It is weird to think I have a child old enough to be serving in the Temple. I just don't see myself as being old enough for that and yet I am, in fact I am old enough by a few years. Anyhow Natty would like to go back every month and I think that is a great idea. One of the things I have loved the most in my life is the time I have spent serving in the Temple, it is the Lords classroom. It was a great part of our Easter Saturday and sure to be a great part of our Easter Weekend.
The kids had a great time running around collecting eggs. They all did pretty good. After we played some kickball, one round is all that was necessary. Everyone had a great time. Natty kicked a homerun, nicely done. Jay had a Babe Ruth moment and kicked a homerun into the trees which he called prior to the kick. I don't know that he expected it to get stuck there. It was a fitting end to the game.
We had a little adult dinner at Cafe Rio this evening and then a group of us went down to the Temple to do Baptisms. It was Natty's first time. Mack was going to go but has been sick so she had to pass. Anyhow, Natty had a great time. Marien and Clayton also participated as did Conner Boyle - Jay and Sara's nephew and Clayton's friend. Jim and Clo were there as were the folks and Dave and Dani.
Friday, April 6, 2012
I don't have any...
So my kids have been hanging out with their cousins for the last few days. Jay and Sara got a new trampoline this week and so their backyard has been quite the popular destination. Jim, Clo and the kids are in town for some family time and so there was a bbq, hot dog roast and snore making extravaganza at Jay and Sara's house. It is pretty rough to get over there from right next door. Anyhow, Jay told me that Jack stuck his hands down his shorts and made this amazing discovery. "I forgot to put on my underwear..." he said. Or something along those lines in kind of this surprised expression. I thought maybe he had corrected the problem but apparently he did not. Probably not the best choice on his part as his little jean shorts apparently started rubbing him raw in some spots. His bowl legged walk just got progressively worse over the balance of the evening.
So anyway, there we were in the backyard, I had roasted some marshmallows for Katherine to enjoy and then was asked by Jack to jump on the trampoline. I figured I would give it a whirl and see if I still had any of the magic left in me. Actually I didn't do too bad. Back flips are still fairly easy. The back twist went okay though I over rotated and had to try and make it look good with a worm maneuver as I ended up on my belly. Natty thought it was cool. I went for the gaynor and still had that in the arsenal and then one or two more flips. It was actually a lot of fun. That was one of my favorite things to do growing up. I lived on the the trampoline. I actually have dreams where I feel my coordination has left me and that I struggle to do the things that I use to do. I can feel and know that I don't have what I used to in the tank but I am nowhere near as bad as my dreams make it out to be.
Jack jumped up after I got off and showed me some of his cool tricks. He started out with a rather impressive front flip followed by a big twirl in the air. Pretty fantastic stuff. Jaykob jumped up and showed me a knee front flip in which he over rotated some, lost balance and ended up falling off the tramp. I talked to him afterwards about some of my trampoline crashes - flying off and landing in a bush or flying off and smashing my back into the fence. I think he thought they were funny. Anyhow the trampoline is packed with great memories and good times.
A little later Jack came in from outside where he had been playing on the trampoline with Natty, Tara and Katherine. He announced that he forgot his shoes. I told him to run out and get them. Jack has this amazing ability to come up with some pretty great excuses for not doing certain things. Being asked to go and get his shoes he replied - "I am scared and I don't have any underpants on". I love the random comments. Not having underpants on can be a rather terrifying thing,
So anyway, there we were in the backyard, I had roasted some marshmallows for Katherine to enjoy and then was asked by Jack to jump on the trampoline. I figured I would give it a whirl and see if I still had any of the magic left in me. Actually I didn't do too bad. Back flips are still fairly easy. The back twist went okay though I over rotated and had to try and make it look good with a worm maneuver as I ended up on my belly. Natty thought it was cool. I went for the gaynor and still had that in the arsenal and then one or two more flips. It was actually a lot of fun. That was one of my favorite things to do growing up. I lived on the the trampoline. I actually have dreams where I feel my coordination has left me and that I struggle to do the things that I use to do. I can feel and know that I don't have what I used to in the tank but I am nowhere near as bad as my dreams make it out to be.
Jack jumped up after I got off and showed me some of his cool tricks. He started out with a rather impressive front flip followed by a big twirl in the air. Pretty fantastic stuff. Jaykob jumped up and showed me a knee front flip in which he over rotated some, lost balance and ended up falling off the tramp. I talked to him afterwards about some of my trampoline crashes - flying off and landing in a bush or flying off and smashing my back into the fence. I think he thought they were funny. Anyhow the trampoline is packed with great memories and good times.
A little later Jack came in from outside where he had been playing on the trampoline with Natty, Tara and Katherine. He announced that he forgot his shoes. I told him to run out and get them. Jack has this amazing ability to come up with some pretty great excuses for not doing certain things. Being asked to go and get his shoes he replied - "I am scared and I don't have any underpants on". I love the random comments. Not having underpants on can be a rather terrifying thing,
Thursday, April 5, 2012
A Girl with Green Eyes
Those who know me well, very well, know that I am a Jack Burton fan... Who? Jack Burton, me! Jack Burton is the lead character in the movie Big Trouble in Little China and is played by none other then the great Kurt Russell. Oh my goodness, not sure why this movie ranks as one of my favorite all times but it does. It is a classic combination of humor and action.
Jack Burton is a truck driver by trade. His truck, The Pork Chop Express. When I was much younger and after watching the movie many times I had actually memorized a lot of the Jack Burton CB talk and even shared those skills whenever I found myself with an actual CB radio in hand. It was a lot of fun. "It's like I told my last wife, I said 'Honey, I never drive faster than I can see and besides that, it's all in the reflexes'". It is a wild ride of a movie to be sure.
The villain in the movie is an older Chinese gentleman, David Lopan, who needs to marry and then sacrifice a girl with green eyes to appease his god and gain immortality. So the basics include a girl being kidnapped because she has green eyes and then Jack and his friend Wang going to the rescue. The girl with green eyes is Wang's fiance. I know this is really exciting stuff and you are probably preparing to go and rent it today. I believe you can get it on Netflix. This is circa 1985-86 so don't expect the most advanced special effects. It is a fun movie though.
When I grew up I loved Jack Burton or Kurt Russell. I tried to memorize his mannerisms along with many of his lines. I remember going to a Carson High football game and having a gal at the ticket counter say to me that I reminded her of Kurt Russell. I was honored and immediately started quoting lines from the movie. I'm sure that left her completely confused but you know what old Jack Burton would say at a time like that? Who? Jack Burton, Me. Old Jack always says 'what the hell'.
Why this sudden discussion about Jack Burton and Big Trouble in Little China? Actually it all has to do with the girl with green eyes thing. Seems Natty recently got a love note from some boy who picked up on her green eyes. He refers to her green eyes as being like kryptonite and I think he refers to himself as superman. It all sounds a little cheesy to me but I figured I would note it here in the blog. I mean, somebody mentions a girl with green eyes and I automatically start quoting Jack Burton in my mind. Sensational! I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Obviously the kid scores points with me because he reminds me of one of my favorite movies but chances are fairly good that he will no nothing about this movie thus removing any points he may have scored. Oh my goodness I am lame.
I just need to remember what Old Jack Burton would say at a time like this... Have you paid your dues Jack? Yes sir, the check is in the mail.
Jack Burton is a truck driver by trade. His truck, The Pork Chop Express. When I was much younger and after watching the movie many times I had actually memorized a lot of the Jack Burton CB talk and even shared those skills whenever I found myself with an actual CB radio in hand. It was a lot of fun. "It's like I told my last wife, I said 'Honey, I never drive faster than I can see and besides that, it's all in the reflexes'". It is a wild ride of a movie to be sure.
The villain in the movie is an older Chinese gentleman, David Lopan, who needs to marry and then sacrifice a girl with green eyes to appease his god and gain immortality. So the basics include a girl being kidnapped because she has green eyes and then Jack and his friend Wang going to the rescue. The girl with green eyes is Wang's fiance. I know this is really exciting stuff and you are probably preparing to go and rent it today. I believe you can get it on Netflix. This is circa 1985-86 so don't expect the most advanced special effects. It is a fun movie though.
When I grew up I loved Jack Burton or Kurt Russell. I tried to memorize his mannerisms along with many of his lines. I remember going to a Carson High football game and having a gal at the ticket counter say to me that I reminded her of Kurt Russell. I was honored and immediately started quoting lines from the movie. I'm sure that left her completely confused but you know what old Jack Burton would say at a time like that? Who? Jack Burton, Me. Old Jack always says 'what the hell'.
Why this sudden discussion about Jack Burton and Big Trouble in Little China? Actually it all has to do with the girl with green eyes thing. Seems Natty recently got a love note from some boy who picked up on her green eyes. He refers to her green eyes as being like kryptonite and I think he refers to himself as superman. It all sounds a little cheesy to me but I figured I would note it here in the blog. I mean, somebody mentions a girl with green eyes and I automatically start quoting Jack Burton in my mind. Sensational! I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Obviously the kid scores points with me because he reminds me of one of my favorite movies but chances are fairly good that he will no nothing about this movie thus removing any points he may have scored. Oh my goodness I am lame.
I just need to remember what Old Jack Burton would say at a time like this... Have you paid your dues Jack? Yes sir, the check is in the mail.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Veggie What?
Salad burnout. That is what I have at the moment. The thought of eating salad is almost more than I can stand. So turns out that salad burnout inspired me to try a little something different and new. I make a pretty good little ice creamish dish using frozen strawberries, milk, no calorie sweetener, vanilla and one of my new favorites, almond extract. I happen to quite like it. I decided today that I would attempt this using frozen veggies in place of the strawberries. Yep, that was good.
Veggie Ice Cream. I have to say it was pretty much what I expected and that was expectation was good. I am in to extracts at the moment and as I just mentioned almond extract is one of my new favorite things. Essentially I ate almond flavored homemade ice cream. I do declare that my bowl of veggie ice cream was so much better than salad. Thank you vita mix. Delicious.
Veggie Ice Cream. I have to say it was pretty much what I expected and that was expectation was good. I am in to extracts at the moment and as I just mentioned almond extract is one of my new favorite things. Essentially I ate almond flavored homemade ice cream. I do declare that my bowl of veggie ice cream was so much better than salad. Thank you vita mix. Delicious.
Yes, I Cry
I don't know where I fall in this world of manly men. I am sure that it is far from the top. If real men are not meant to cry then I guess I am not a real man. I cry all the time and I really don't see what is wrong with it. When something touches my heart I get a little emotional. Not much I can do about it. Is that a sign of weakness? I don't know these things.
I'm sure to have mentioned previously my commute in Florida when I was working in Port Richey and living in Lakeland. I use to listen to conference talks on the drive and there were several times when I would be in tears at 75 miles per hour. I also spent a lot of time in prayer during those drives, pouring out my heart to Heavenly Father hoping for relief from the pain that I felt. I'm sure there were plenty of other drivers who caught site of me and increased their speed just to be a safe distance from the crazy emotional guy.
Today I was in a meeting with a gentlemen regarding an add in the phone book. He was writing everything up and I had a moment and pulled up facebook on my phone. I found that Jim had re-posted my post about Jack and Autism Awareness. In doing so he said some nice things about us and I was moved to tears only to look up and have the phone book guy looking at me, ready to review the numbers. I wasn't a total wreck, my eyes were just a little moist. If he ends up making like some of the drivers on Florida's highways I may never see him again. Do you know what this would mean? If he takes off then I may have found the secret for getting rid of persistent sales people.
Okay, seriously now. I am grateful for my family, meaning my parents and siblings. They do so much for the kids and I. I am humbled by the examples that my siblings are for me. I am grateful for their strength. It was a neat thing and a humbling thing to see Jim's post and to feel of his love for my family. Thank you Jim.
Anyways, I cry. If that means I am disqualified from the running for manliest men then I guess I will just have to live with it. Perhaps I will go on a road trip and cry it out. I am good at that.
I'm sure to have mentioned previously my commute in Florida when I was working in Port Richey and living in Lakeland. I use to listen to conference talks on the drive and there were several times when I would be in tears at 75 miles per hour. I also spent a lot of time in prayer during those drives, pouring out my heart to Heavenly Father hoping for relief from the pain that I felt. I'm sure there were plenty of other drivers who caught site of me and increased their speed just to be a safe distance from the crazy emotional guy.
Today I was in a meeting with a gentlemen regarding an add in the phone book. He was writing everything up and I had a moment and pulled up facebook on my phone. I found that Jim had re-posted my post about Jack and Autism Awareness. In doing so he said some nice things about us and I was moved to tears only to look up and have the phone book guy looking at me, ready to review the numbers. I wasn't a total wreck, my eyes were just a little moist. If he ends up making like some of the drivers on Florida's highways I may never see him again. Do you know what this would mean? If he takes off then I may have found the secret for getting rid of persistent sales people.
Okay, seriously now. I am grateful for my family, meaning my parents and siblings. They do so much for the kids and I. I am humbled by the examples that my siblings are for me. I am grateful for their strength. It was a neat thing and a humbling thing to see Jim's post and to feel of his love for my family. Thank you Jim.
Anyways, I cry. If that means I am disqualified from the running for manliest men then I guess I will just have to live with it. Perhaps I will go on a road trip and cry it out. I am good at that.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Light It Up Blue Jack
A friend of mine sent me a note a while back about Autism Awareness Day and Lighting it up Blue. I hadn't heard of it before and figured we had better check it out. Well, it is pretty simple actually. In an effort to raise awareness about autism people or businesses were encouraged to light it up with blue light bulbs. Sounded easy enough to do. I pulled up some information on the matter and found a slide show of several buildings and locations from around the world where they lit it up in blue. There were some neat places and we decided that we would light up our house in blue.
Tonight for Family Home Evening we had a little lesson and then we made our way over to the local Home Depot where we found some blue lights specifically packaged for lighting it up blue for autism. Perfect. We got them, made our way back home and installed the three lights.
While installing them I was thinking about Jack and I was thinking about this day that is now set aside as autism awareness day. I think it is great that the day exists and I would encourage people to learn more about it. As a parent of a little boy that has autism I can attest that those who have autistic children are aware of it everyday. It is truly an amazing gift. I don't know how else to say it. When I say amazing gift I don't want to imply that it is easy. Far from it. There can be extremely challenging days and moments. There can be times of heartache and exhaustion and then times of pure joy and exhilaration.
Those who know Jack probably have no idea that he has autism. From a young age we knew that there were some challenges and I have to say that Rachel did an amazing job with this little boy. She was on top of it and that allowed Jack to get a lot of the help that he needed. He still needs help, he still has a lot of challenges but we have learned a lot and we work hard to try and have an environment where he can succeed, not just in the home but at school as well. For us it is working.
The Autism spectrum covers quite a bit of ground. Jack is considered highly functioning autistic. Much of his challenges are mild - most days. We also try to identify certain things that he struggles with and plan to manage them. I think we grow a little more everyday.
One of my favorite things with Jack was the summer we put in our pool while living in Florida and all the time we spent out there swimming and learning how to swim. I used to launch Jack into the pool. It was the greatest thing ever. Jack has some sensory issues and one of the things that we discovered he loved was the feeling of the bubbles in the water. He would come down in the water and slowly float back to the top in the middle of hundreds of tiny air bubbles. I used to go under water with my goggles just to watch his face. His smile was huge, his eyes wide open, I could do this all day. It was such a joyous thing for him. Jack's joy is contagious. I am grateful for that and grateful to have this little boy in my family.
Big Jack! Sure do love you pal. Go light it up blue Jack, for autism.
Tonight for Family Home Evening we had a little lesson and then we made our way over to the local Home Depot where we found some blue lights specifically packaged for lighting it up blue for autism. Perfect. We got them, made our way back home and installed the three lights.
While installing them I was thinking about Jack and I was thinking about this day that is now set aside as autism awareness day. I think it is great that the day exists and I would encourage people to learn more about it. As a parent of a little boy that has autism I can attest that those who have autistic children are aware of it everyday. It is truly an amazing gift. I don't know how else to say it. When I say amazing gift I don't want to imply that it is easy. Far from it. There can be extremely challenging days and moments. There can be times of heartache and exhaustion and then times of pure joy and exhilaration.
Those who know Jack probably have no idea that he has autism. From a young age we knew that there were some challenges and I have to say that Rachel did an amazing job with this little boy. She was on top of it and that allowed Jack to get a lot of the help that he needed. He still needs help, he still has a lot of challenges but we have learned a lot and we work hard to try and have an environment where he can succeed, not just in the home but at school as well. For us it is working.
The Autism spectrum covers quite a bit of ground. Jack is considered highly functioning autistic. Much of his challenges are mild - most days. We also try to identify certain things that he struggles with and plan to manage them. I think we grow a little more everyday.
One of my favorite things with Jack was the summer we put in our pool while living in Florida and all the time we spent out there swimming and learning how to swim. I used to launch Jack into the pool. It was the greatest thing ever. Jack has some sensory issues and one of the things that we discovered he loved was the feeling of the bubbles in the water. He would come down in the water and slowly float back to the top in the middle of hundreds of tiny air bubbles. I used to go under water with my goggles just to watch his face. His smile was huge, his eyes wide open, I could do this all day. It was such a joyous thing for him. Jack's joy is contagious. I am grateful for that and grateful to have this little boy in my family.
Big Jack! Sure do love you pal. Go light it up blue Jack, for autism.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Conference Words
In my home teaching visits to the Fawson family over the last year and a half we have talked a few times about conference. In those visits they have shared their family tradition with me. It is something that gets the kids involved in listening for each word spoken in conference. The activity focuses on principles of the gospel like faith, prayer, love, family, service, scriptures, prophets, temples, missions, the Spirit, the Savior among others. You actually choose the words. Each family member sits with a page and puts a tally mark every time the word is mentioned. Younger children pair up with an older family member and in the end they count up their totals. They have prizes for those who are most accurate. The kids absolutely love it.
I am not a parent that forces my kids to sit still and watch conference. I find that doing so takes more of my energy and attention then just being able to sit and watch it myself. Perhaps I am completely selfish in this regard. I encourage them to come and listen. I turn up the sound in hopes that they will somehow find themselves listening and that a story will touch their hearts. I try to lead them by listening myself. I don't know that I have really had any success with that.
Ben sent me a copy of the spreadsheet they use in their family. I didn't get it printed in time for yesterdays sessions but got over to the LBH and printed it out yesterday afternoon so we could use it today. Wow. I showed it to the kids last night and they were excited about it. Today we gave it a go and I have to say it was a great success. We all started off together with our sheets and our words in mind. Jack and Natty both handled their own sheets, Andy sat with me off and on. He had his moments when he wanted to listen and then he would wander off to do something else. I was fine with that. Jack and Natty however stayed in the room and listened to every talk. We probably did it a little different and helped each other by quietly calling out each word that was mentioned. Jack was really excited by the points he was tallying up. I didn't do it as a head to head competition rather everyone got a prize and they were really happy about it.
More important then the prizes was the fact that we all sat and listened to the stories, the scriptures, and the testimonies that were shared. In Elder Nelsons talk when he discussed how the eyes work and how the heart functions Jack was totally glued. He had his hand over his heart and his eyes wide open. Natty talked about how they had just learned about the eyes in class. Natty listened intently to Elder Wilson talk and said how much she liked him. The story he shared about his daughter playing in a soccer game on Sunday stood out to her. The story about the quake in Haiti and the family with three children that were buried and rescued had Andy's full attention. Then of course there were the parting words of love and encouragement from President Monson and all of us sat and listened.
Conference words, who knew? Well, the Fawsons, and I'm sure lots of others. I loved it because of how easy it was and that it didn't detract from the messages. It kept us alert and listening to every word. It was a great activity and more importantly a great conference.
I am not a parent that forces my kids to sit still and watch conference. I find that doing so takes more of my energy and attention then just being able to sit and watch it myself. Perhaps I am completely selfish in this regard. I encourage them to come and listen. I turn up the sound in hopes that they will somehow find themselves listening and that a story will touch their hearts. I try to lead them by listening myself. I don't know that I have really had any success with that.
Ben sent me a copy of the spreadsheet they use in their family. I didn't get it printed in time for yesterdays sessions but got over to the LBH and printed it out yesterday afternoon so we could use it today. Wow. I showed it to the kids last night and they were excited about it. Today we gave it a go and I have to say it was a great success. We all started off together with our sheets and our words in mind. Jack and Natty both handled their own sheets, Andy sat with me off and on. He had his moments when he wanted to listen and then he would wander off to do something else. I was fine with that. Jack and Natty however stayed in the room and listened to every talk. We probably did it a little different and helped each other by quietly calling out each word that was mentioned. Jack was really excited by the points he was tallying up. I didn't do it as a head to head competition rather everyone got a prize and they were really happy about it.
More important then the prizes was the fact that we all sat and listened to the stories, the scriptures, and the testimonies that were shared. In Elder Nelsons talk when he discussed how the eyes work and how the heart functions Jack was totally glued. He had his hand over his heart and his eyes wide open. Natty talked about how they had just learned about the eyes in class. Natty listened intently to Elder Wilson talk and said how much she liked him. The story he shared about his daughter playing in a soccer game on Sunday stood out to her. The story about the quake in Haiti and the family with three children that were buried and rescued had Andy's full attention. Then of course there were the parting words of love and encouragement from President Monson and all of us sat and listened.
Conference words, who knew? Well, the Fawsons, and I'm sure lots of others. I loved it because of how easy it was and that it didn't detract from the messages. It kept us alert and listening to every word. It was a great activity and more importantly a great conference.
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