Memorial Day 2009

 

(Okay, this is my second try at this post with the collage of our day. I am so lame with Picassa). Anyway, we spent our Memorial Day working outside at both grandparents', eating good food with the Pew side of the family and visiting the cemetery. We have a tradition of placing flags and or flowers on the graves of veterans who have nothing on their grave. We had heard of this tradition and adopted it into our day a while back at least 10 years. At the time we had no relatives in the cemetery. Now we visit Tim's cousin Keith and his wife Nancy who died in a car crash almost 9 years ago. My great aunt and uncle Nola & John Troskie who both died of various diseases in their later years. And our friends the Warrens' baby who died soon after she was born, Emily. It is a great time of reflection. This year was so busy many more people were out this year remembering our vets and their loved ones we had trouble finding parking we parked outside the cemetery. We also had a harder time finding graves needing a flag or flowers. These are good problems. It amazes me that in a time when people are making due with less they are making time for this, this is what life is about. Remembering our blessings despite difficult times and being grateful to those who made those blessings possible. I am so grateful for all who have and still fight for my freedom and safety. Thank you.

Random Updates ...broken dreams, fixed pianos and more

So I have a lot of catching up to do! But I am going to include a collage or something with pictures (soon)so maybe that will spare you the unimportant details--no promises though. I have to admit that I would have forgotten a lot of things if I hadn't just looked at the photos just now!

I'll start with celebrating my brother Charl's birthday at Ethel and Emmett's a new 'diner' type place in Lehi. The food was good it just is very busy! I had my first camp out with our 11 year old scouts--I didn't include any photos of that. I will post those on our troop blog soon. We just do our camp outs in the other leaders' back yard. It's low key and gives them something to REALLY look forward to when they are 'regular' scouts. I stayed until we needed to leave for Charl's b-day.

The next evening Emily and I attended my niece Erika's dance recital. It was really fun, the theme was video games. Obviously this was a modern dance style of dance. She did great and it was fun to watch we did have to evacuate for a while because the fog machine went crazy and set off the smoke alarm! Owell, at least it wasn't a true emergency!

Tim took Taran and his friends to a theme restaurant the Mayan to celebrate his 16th birthday--we had to wait since some of his friends went out of town for spring break. They have some style of Mexican food and a cliff diving show in the restaurant. They had a lot of fun. I took Izak to Pack Meeting so Tim took Taran and gang. Timo and Emily held down the fort!

Emily is making rock candy, we have the jars in our window. They are very colorful but I wonder how long we should wait. It's almost been a month!

Emily was in the Hope of America program put on in Utah County. Since our school doesn't participate--we can't do everything, I guess. My sister Teresa invited her to come with her class--5th graders are invited. Emily had a great experience and my Mom & I enjoyed watching the program. It's a great patriotic program.

The Saturday morning before Mother's day Izak and I went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. It was delicious, his meal was free for being a good student. We had a nice little date! That night we got together with my side of the family for a BBQ at Charl's house. It was really fun for us. Meanwhile, at home Taran was suppose to be competing in a battle of the bands at the high school. Earlier in the week the drummer realized he wouldn't be able to do it, after a few calls they found a friend willing to do it. They practiced with him, things seemed alright. Friday Taran wasn't feeling 100% and was going on a hike and camp out with the Varsity Scouts. He almost lost his sleeping bag and pad. He came home tired and not feeling much better, not sure he could sing that night. We had already set up this BBQ thinking the band thing was Friday night and then found out it was Saturday, later. So we wished him luck and left, he didn't feel good about doing it--we thought nerves but now I think it was more than that! On their way to the high school our digital piano fell out of the truck. Yes. This is kind of info you want to get by phone. Tim ate with us and went out to see the band perform. When he got to the high school he couldn't find Taran. He ran into one of Taran's friends and he said that he didn't know where Taran was but that they weren't on the list. After they changed pianos, they showed up and the teacher in charge said they had to be there at 5:30 PM or they couldn't perform, it was 6:30 PM then. So Tim called Taran and found out everything that had happened, somehow they didn't hear about the 5:30 PM check in time. So they left very angry and went to Wendy's (restaurant) to pout. He pouted almost all the way through Mother's Day--loads of fun! But good news the piano works, Tim took it apart and other than one of the feet to a stand being broken and some scratches it works fine, really! Tim was kind of ogling a new piano but it's a blessing really. Apparently everyone at school heard about it!

Mother's Day was nice Tim always does so many nice things for me. I feel more like it's wife's day! My little kids did make me some cute stuff and I loved how excited they were to give it to me! We went to Tim's sister Amy's and enjoyed a yummy BBQ there. We also celebrated Pew family May birthdays too.

I have mentioned in other posts that we have been in the middle of soccer and baseball. Soccer finished last Saturday. Baseball has about a month left. Timo also finished his lacrosse season. He had a great experience. He was very reluctant at first, but as the season went on he enjoyed it more. (None of his friends played so that's why he didn't want to do it but we spent money on a camp and equipment so he could do it, so he did). I thoroughly enjoyed watching lacrosse. It's a sport I don't know at all but it's so fun to watch! His coach was amazed that it was his first time playing, he asked Timo where he learned his skills. Timo is a quick learner. He figures stuff out and knows how to implement it. He is excited to play high school next year! Taran decided not to play soccer this spring for the high school, he did last year but decided that's not what he should do. A family in our neighborhood asked if he would coach the team the father was suppose to coach since none of the dad or him could really fit it into their schedule. So they set up a payment plan and he has had a lot of fun coaching them and earning money. They are pretty good but needed to learn some skills. The girls and parents have been thrilled with his training and coaching. It's fun to see my kids develop new skills.

Emily had her big debut as Giselle in the Up with Kids version of Enchanted. It was cute and Emily did a great job on her part--that I could see. The younger girls from our neighborhood did a cute job too--it was hard to see very much since they had the performance in a elementary school cafeteria with a stage. So we bought the DVD so maybe we'll see it better! There were tons more kids this time in it so tons more people who came to see it. We appreciate all those who came to support Emily since it was so uncomfortable.

The next night was Timo's choir concert--he's in Men's Choir. They did a good job. Taran had his concert the next night for Men's Chorus at the high school. It was a fun pirate theme for half of it. Thanks to Teresa for saving seats both nights!!! She was a lifesaver!

Zane also sold lemonade one day at preschool and we came to buy it and they counted out the money. It was very cute.

Izak had a rocket launch for Pack Meeting one of the nights of the concerts so Tim went. It was pretty fun, I hear. Tim put the rocket together and Izak decorated it. They launched them at the park--they actually had a guy who they pay to launch them. The little kids enjoyed watching it as well.

It got warm enough one day the kids actually ran through the sprinklers. Last week we got into the 90s one day--crazy for this time of year!

Last Saturday after our last soccer games I went to Park City with my sister. We had a fun time shopping and singing along to the radio that was playing New Wave 80's all weekend, talk about memories! Charl and Katie were up there as well so it was fun to see them too.

The kids have 4 days of school--3 for the jr high & high school. I can't wait! It will be nice to be more laid back. Some of the kids have had big projects the last few weeks which means we are involved.

So hurray for summer!!!

Do you ever feel like Frodo?

FRODO: I can't do this, Sam.

SAM: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

FRODO: What are we holding onto, Sam?

[Sam takes Frodo, helps him to his feet, looks into his eyes and speaks with quiet conviction.]

SAM: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.


I love this! Tim was watching the end of The 2 Towers while I was on the elliptical. It's just what I needed to remember. This movie has so many parallels to our own time and it's easy to get discouraged. Another movie to re-watch!:)

Brandon Mull, the author of Fablehaven

Monday night Izak had a baseball game smack dab in the middle of our FHE time. So we all went. It was fun the little kids didn't watch much but did play on the playground without too much trouble from bullies. Yep, they are everywhere! I had to pick up Timo from lacrosse and meet the rest of the family there. Emily ran up to me, "Mom, look who's behind me!!! Brandon Mull!" I looked, "oh, yes it is! Cool." You may wonder who he is is, he is actually a New York Times bestseller, he writes the fantasy books Fablehaven and he lives in Utah. His nephew is on Izak's baseball team so he was there supporting him. I took a picture of him with the team after, it's not the greatest but still something! (He is in the green shirt & cap). Emily finally got her nerve up and went over and talked to him. Apparently she is friends with him on Facebook! His nephew is also in Emily's musical theater class and is playing her love interest, Robert! So who knows, Brandon may be at her performance! He has been interviewed a lot lately since he just released his 4th book in the Fablehaven Series. He is really nice, life must get crazy for him. People were having him sign books for him after the game. He was very nice about it too. He is going to do some book signing for the team at the end of the season. I better get copies--we've only recently discovered him, Emily has read all the books borrowed from our neighbor. But I promised I would buy all of them so Izak could read them this summer--anything to keep him reading! So I haven't read them yet but I think I just might this summer!

A Movie with a Great Message

My niece Erin recommended this movie, Fireproof. Unfortunately, we never made it to the theater to see it. We watched it last night. Taran was in a mood and was making fun of it's cheesiness but I appreciated it's brave stand on the importance of keeping a marriage together--and more importantly HOW to do it. I highly recommend this movie to all married couples even if there aren't any issues right now. It gives some great ideas. I may buy the book. So snuggle up with your spouse and watch this movie! If you live near me borrow it!

Happy Mother's Day!

So I have this love/hate relationship with Mother's Day. As a young mother I enjoyed it. I enjoyed hearing about inspiring mothers and the importance of being a good mother. Now as I am in my 16th year of being a mother I find I dread the guilt that comes with the day. Who wants to celebrate their inadequacies? Nothing has made me feel more like a "loser" than being a mom. Don't get me wrong it's not the job, it's that the job is SO important that I can't help but be humbled daily by my bumblings. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart, it's not for the timid, it is not for the shy but for the brave, loyal, determined soul who can also add nurturing, love and compassion to the mix. Also patience, it goes a long way and is one thing I have found I am in great need of it. Yes, motherhood has exposed all my weaknesses but I hope someday it will help me become the kind of person I want to be: more patient, more kind and nurturing. I love my kids, that's not a problem it's how I show that love in balance with my other duties of discipline and reproving. I enjoy watching my kids experience new things, develop new talents and enjoy life.

I took this photo of my mom while we went out for lunch last Friday. My mom told me everyday she loved me. It is one of the best things she ever did for me. She has been a wonderful mom and a fantastic grandmother. I am grateful to her and hope I can someday merit the love we children feel toward her from my own children. Because to tell you the truth, they probably wonder why we celebrate Mother's Day before Father's Day!

So Happy Mother's Day! Please know that someday all your hard work in loving and nurturing others--whether as their mother or as an, aunt, cousin or friend has made a difference in the world. Besides my mother I have a wonderful sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-laws, friends and even daughters who nurture me as well as my own mother and today I will celebrate their goodness more than my weaknesses!

Scripture Thought. . .

I was actually having a moment when I could read my scriptures today before I am so beat I fall asleep after a couple of verses--at night. So I was looking at the assigned reading and since my eyes are kind of off I read it wrong. But what I read was what I needed and maybe others I am concerned about in my little sphere of influence. It's D & C 21:5-6
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
6 For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.
This scripture talks about listening to the prophet and taking his word as as the Lord's voice and the blessings that come...WOW!
the gates of hell will not prevail against you, the Lord will disperse the darkness from be fore you! Amazing stuff. So if we follow the prophet these are just a couple of the many blessings we can receive. And the Lord is bound when we do what he says so we can ask for these blessings too! Love it! I hope you do too!
Have a great day!

Signs of Spring

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I am slow on getting things posted lately and I am loving these slideshows. Can you tell? Anyway, we've had a ton of rain and last Sunday we even had snow but it melted quickly. Baseball has started, 2 games a week with practices and we still have soccer games and practices with those 2 boys. It's been better than it sounds, really. We can carpool. Lacrosse is the tricky one since we don't know anyone on Timo's team. I need to get a photo of him in his gear--quite impressive he looks like a Lego dude when he isn't wearing a jersey. We only have a couple of weeks left of soccer now.

Our garden is growing the plants in the slideshow are twice their size now. Tim and I figured out what to use to get the peas to trellis but we were in his little car and we couldn't fit the stuff in it. Hopefully that will be done this week! It's so therapeutic to plant things and they actually grow!

I am grateful God lets us take part in many parts of Creation. I feel closer to Him as I take part. I posted the link to Elder Uctdorf's YouTube 'Creation' a couple of weeks ago--it is such a powerful truth.

We hope to get dirt soon and start planting! I was blessed last year on my birthday some of my close friends let people know we were putting in our sprinklers and that it would be cool if everyone, who planned on giving me something for my birthday gave me a gift certificate to a local nursery. The response was overwhelming! I cried! I was planning on planting last fall when I had my back injury. I took a landscape class in April for 3 weeks from the state expert--he advises Thanksgiving Point (that's where the class was) and Temple Square in Salt Lake City and teaches at Utah State--Larry Sagers. It was very helpful! I am sure I will make mistakes but hopefully less than I would have! So maybe the end of summer I'll have some great photos!

Tulip Festival

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Alan and Karen Ashton started Thanksgiving Point as a way to thank God for their blessings. Karen wanted to have a garden that people could visit and find peace. She also wanted to have a Tulip Festival inspired by annual Tulip Festivals in Dutch communities all over the world. This year I got to go 2 times. The first time with two good friends, Merrily and Melissa. Merrily and I visit teach Melissa, the other lady we visit was unable to come at the last minute so we couldn't really change our plans. We still had a delightful time.

Our family got a family membership last summer so we had never have gone before. Our kids love the gardens so I suggested going there to Izak who had family night. He jumped at the idea. My mom had wanted to go so we invited her, my dad and sister. It was great. The kids had never seen the fish pond, I found it with my friends. This was a huge hit. They were able to feed them. I noticed in the preview at the pond it cuts off some of the kids' heads, sorry! My parents and Teresa had a great time too. We are so blessed to have so many beautiful things in our lives.

Slideshow of Spring Break

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Okay, my disclaimer. The photos got out of order and the Thanksgiving Point farm pics accidentally got put in it so, sorry. I hope this works since I was having trouble last week adding photos.