Famous Last Words

The big news of St. Johns is the opening of the ALCO store in town.  On opening day, they served coffee and doughnuts and passed out gifts bags.  My mom picked up Lauren and they went after school.  I even know of some seventh graders that visited on their lunch hour. In fact, I heard a conversation in the hall that went something like this:

"Dude, are you going to hang out at ALCO after school?"
"Yeah, everybody is going."
"I think I'm going everyday!"

 It seems that all of St. Johns was there at some point in the day.  Except for me. 

I'm too "cool" for following the crowd. 

Finally, the day AFTER the Grand Opening, Lauren broke me.  Twenty-four hours of constant begging forced me to concede my position.

"Ok, Ok, Lauren.  We'll go look in ALCO.  But I don't need anything, and you know that I really don't like to buy things." (True argument actually-but we'll have to address that issue another day). 

Eighty-seven dollars later, I have to say, I like ALCO.  I really, really like it!

I guess I'm not so "cool" after all....

Happy New Year!

Usually at this time of year, we look forward to our new goals and resolutions.  However, my mother-in-law had the unusual perspective to look back on the past decade and reflect on her blessings.  As I read her list, it was amazing to see how full ten years can be; but at the same time, seem like "just yesterday". 

Here are some of the things that have blessed us over the past 10 years. (In totally random order)

-Lauren was born.
-All three kids were baptized.
-Cade received the Priesthood.
-We built our home.
-We all had the chance to visit Alaska numerous times to enjoy family and nature.
-Between Ryan and I, we lost 3 grandparents, but are blessed by our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.
-My parents moved home from Alaska.  It was great having a place to visit, but much better having them here!  (Thank goodness we still have Cortney up there!)
-Cade's sports teams won 3 State Championships, with the lessons of hard work, teamwork and dedication.
-Gained 2 brother-in-laws, 1 sister-in-law, and 10 nieces and nephews.
-I earned my Master's degree (more like a miracle!)
-Ryan and I celebrated our 8th-17th Anniversaries.
-Syd graduated from 8th grade as the Valedictorian developing the work ethic that will serve her throughout her life.
-I served in various Church callings, among them Den Mother, Counselor in YW, and Primary President (twice).  In each one I've been blessed to develop relationships with new people as I've learned new skills and lessons of my own.
-Ryan killed (among other things):  a desert bighorn sheep, an elk, a Dall sheep and a buffalo.  I may not call them blessings, but he sure would!
-The kids and I went to Disneyland 3 times.  If Ryan had gone with us, he would have considered this eternal damnation.  I, on the other hand was blessed to enjoy my kids.
-I found new friends and reconnected with old ones.
-(Hopefully) I gained a little more wisdom, a little more patience and a little more kindness.

As I've read through my list I've realized that many of these things are the "big ticket" items that mark the time in our lives.  However,  I know that each day I am blessed with simple yet profound experiences.  The sacred chance to raise these kiddos of mine; the beautiful relationship that I share with Ryan; the wonderful extended family that I have; the friends that surround me;  the opportunity I have to teach children both at work and in the church; and finally, the eternal and enduring invitation I have from Christ to "Come Unto Me".

Holiday Cheer

School ended and the party began...

It began with our annual Winter Solstice Celebration.  We started this tradition while my parents were in Alaska when Cade and Syd were young.  I'm not exactly sure what inspired my desire to honor this day, but we've been doing it ever since.  Winter Solstice marks the time when the nights begin to get shorter and the bright, sunny days return.  Oh yeah, that must be why I celebrate this much-waited-for day.  Initially we celebrated it in fine pagan form.  We decorated and burnt the yule log.  I made the kids wear garlands of tinsel as we danced around the fire and I recited a poem I'd written.  Thankfully(!?!?) somewhere along the line I lost my poem and the kids matured past the garland phase.  Now I make a big pot of chili and a batch of cornbread.  (I guess that replaces the poem quite nicely).

The kids still decorate the yule log.  (I think this is the best one ever.  Cade thinks his were much better as a kid).

Of course it gets burnt in an open fire as a sacrifice to the gods of the night.  Yeah, I just made that up.

Look at that tinsel burn!

The ritual would not be complete without the Winter Solstice S'more.  (Yup, just made that up as well.)

Or snuggling with Grandma....

The party continued on Christmas Eve.  But with an attempt at a more serious tone.  Notice the word "attempt".

Of course where a baby resides-girls will congregate.  Here Brycie, Mimi, Sydney and Lauren ooh and ahh over Matt and Gina's three month old son, Nolan.

And then the pageant begins.  Levi/Joseph and Lauren/Mary await Jesus/Nolan.

Lauren/Mary was not quite used to a "real-live" baby.  He got a quick trip straight into the manger.

Then came the angels....

Who looked a lot like the wise "men"...

And then the credits rolled...

Sydney:  costume director

Cade: narrator

Mimi, Brycie, Levi, Lauren and Nolan:  Characters

(and I mean that in the truest form of the word...)

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

5:12 a.m.

I had gone to bed late.  Ryan and Cade (along with Quinn and Levi) were traveling back from Las Vegas across treacherous roads.  I knew I wouldn't sleep well unless I was completely exhausted.  So I wrapped presents, cleaned the kitchen, folded clothes and read a book.  I prayed the whole time that they would be sensible, that if they needed to, they would find a hotel, or at least just drive slowly.

When I finally fell asleep, it was a deep, deep sleep.  No tossing and turning or checking the clock.  Until 5:12 a.m.  Suddenly I bolted upright-from slumber to complete awareness.  My heart was beating so hard it hurt. The boys weren't home!  My mind flashed to everything that could have gone wrong.  I laid back down, praying that they were OK.  I was just about to reach for my cell phone when I heard a car pull into the drive. Checking the clock, I noticed that less than two minutes had passed since I had woken up so frightened.  I flew downstairs, threw open the door and welcomed two very tired travelers.


So why? Why in the world did I wake up less than two minutes before they got home?  Mere coincidence doesn't fit my notion of a good story.  Initially, I was afraid that it was a premonition of something bad, but when I woke up they were just driving home from Quinn's house.  My romantic side wants to say that it's because Ryan and I are so in tune with one another.  In the end, I think it was one of those tender mercies that allowed me to sleep peacefully, but still gave them a warm welcome home.  (That looked a lot like me running through the snow without shoes or a coat....)

Letter to Grandma

Ryan's Grandma Ashton just passed away.  She was such a neat lady.  In many ways, she reminded me of my own grandma.  She was a fabulous cook, and played gin rummy like a champ.  I spent many summer days playing cards with my grandma so it always made me smile when she taught each great-grandchild how to play rummy.  All of my kids have a special crocheted afghan that she made for them at their baptism.  Like I said, she was a neat lady.

A few days before she passed away, Lauren (my letter-writer) wrote her a card.  Although she never got to send it, I thought it was so sweet that I have to share it.

Dear Great-Grandma,

I hope you are ready for what's going to happen.  I was so sad.  But then I realized that you want to be with your husband.  I hope your smiling while you read this letter, and that you'll have a good happiness in your heart.  I love you so much I want to give you a hug before you're gone.  You are one of the greatest great-grandma's in the world!  It's been a great time with you!  I'm glad that you're happy about what's going to happen.

Love,
Lauren (Lou-Lou)

If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em!

I'll be honest, our Primary has not been very reverent lately. But when a kid gets up and prays "that all the people with the swine flu will get better", I can not help but laugh out loud. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, it was just a little snort of laughter.

But still, I should work on being a better example....

I've been working on keeping my eyes closed during the prayer, but you know that's when all the exciting things happen.  Still, I better keep working on it.

Baby steps...

Here it is almost Christmas

And I'm just barely posting about Thanksgiving.  With that in mind, don't expect Christmas pictures until February....maybe March.

We did have it.  Thanksgiving that is.  In fact, we decided to celebrate with just our little five person family.  My parents were in Alaska, and we couldn't bear the thought of another traveling weekend to the Valley, so we stayed home. 

Lauren was so excited.  She kept telling me, "Mom, I'm so proud of you.  This is your first time to cook Thanksgiving all by yourself."  She's pretty close, but I still think she should give me a little credit.  Actually, I sat down the family and told them that there was no way I would be willing to cook a big meal all by myself for a bunch of heathens that were going to finish the meal in ten minutes. 

So, my rules were simple:  Everyone is in charge of some dish AND you must sit at the table for at least twenty minutes before I excuse you.

Ryan was in charge of the turkey, Cade made mashed potatoes and gravy, Syd handled the salad, and Lauren was my right-hand girl.  We even pulled out the china, silver and crystal for the big event.  (I also remembered why I don't do that much.  Everything has to be hand washed!)

Notice Cade giving us a thumbs up for the effort.  Oh, the joy of teen age sarcasm.  Maybe next year it will make my list of "Things I'm Thankful For".  Then again, maybe not.  But I'll tell you one thing that is always there- this wonderful little family of mine!