The Hurrier I go.....

the behinder I get-

Yesterday that statement was waaaay tooo true here at the Looney Bin. The day started out okay- just got progressively more and more hurried. Last Day of school and I had accidentally procrastinated Teachers gifts. I knew what I wanted, and had intended to pick them up while on the bike trip. The little incident of the wreck put it completely out of my mind. Also I had a much delayed trip to the post office which HAD to be made in order for the Outpatient and Nancy Face to get a package. In getting the packages ready- something for Nancy Face was unusable- don' t ask- so I added another stop to my day. I left the house later than I wanted to because I called my sister to see if I needed to mail the stuff she left here or if I could send it home with some of my in-laws. This would prove fateful later on.

So, I make first stop. I walk in the store, and immediately set off the alarm system. That was a shocker. The girls smiled and waved me on, I walked immediately to what I was getting- picked up two, and purchased them. Leaving, I again set off the alarm. What the hay? Okay, so on to next stop WHERE THEY DID NOT HAVE WHAT I NEEDED to replace! Wrote an apology to Nancy face for this, then made it to the post office amid calls from the DR, Sister in Law, and Mother in Law. Made it back home, quickly made cards for the gifts for teachers and secretaries, then to the school right on time- amazingly.

Visit Youngest's class- take pictures. Stop to visit one of the Outpatient's friend's mother- her son is serving in Canada. Moved on to Middle patient's room. They were having a pizza party. Took pictures. Friend E asks if Middle can come home with her to swim after school. Uh- school is out in 25 minutes- Call the DR because he had wanted to take the patients out to lunch to celebrate- he is fine if she goes- I run home to grab Middle Patient's new swim suit I bought her, and see the Oldest locked out of the house for about 30 minutes- OOPS. Grab him as well as stuff for Middle.

Back to the school where pandemonium has erupted with the former Fifth Graders having a running parade through the halls, blowing horns and other noise makers. Makes me smile. Send Oldest to get the Youngest, head to the Middle's room, grab her to go try on the swim suit- it fits- sort of. It is a size 10- little girls- and it has padded cups?! Oh well- have to do for now. Off to pick up the DR.

He makes us actually get out of the car and come into the office. We then head to the restaurant where they very nicely don't make us pay for the Youngest because all she wants is dessert. Outpatient used to work there. We talk about the school year- Oldest had brought home a certificate for maintaining over a 3.5 for the year. Considering that a month ago he was flunking three classes, that is quite the happiness.

Take DR back to office, patients and I run to Wally World. Set off security alarm again. Spend way too much time there. Mention the alarm problem to cashier- she says to check my shirt. There is a security tag in my shirt that I bought last summer. Head home. Realize- UH OH- I forgot to make the Baked Beans for my nephew's grad BBQ. Still have to pick up Middle. Drop off other kids, get out stuff for beans. Run grab Middle, which takes 45 minutes! Sooo not planned on. Get home, DR is unloading a ton of groceries for the EQ BBQ today. Where am I supposed to put all this? redecorate the fridge for groceries. Start chopping like a Mad Woman. Throwing stuff into giant bowl. Get to the Ketchup and it spits a little bit on my white blouse, you know, the one guilty of setting off alarms, the one I am supposed to be wearing at the graduation in 30 minutes. Wipe them off. Continue dumping rest of ketchup and it blobs across my counter- onto my sister's stuff she left- AAAAAUUGGH! (Amerinkus is having a heart attack right about now as she is reading this). I turned to the DR and said just go- I will figure something out. Very carefully, I get my sister's things for her baby's blessing dress out of the ketchup globed bag (it was all fine- thank goodness) Immediately put the material and stuff into zip baggies. Finish the beans- get them in the oven. Check shirt for more mishaps- good to go- have neighbor drop me off at graduation. Missed most of the program, but made it for the most important part. Didn't take my big camera so no good pics of nephew or Best Friend's little sister.

So- lesson learned- make beans night before :) don't wear white- or leave blessing dress stuff on kitchen counter. And take the big camera if at all possible. Geesh.

End of School 2009

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the year 2008-2009. There has been much growth- both mentally and physically. The past two weeks have been filled with activities and such as the teachers could create to keep the kids busy seeing as all testing was completed weeks ago.

Oldest spent today at the Rec Center as a reward for passing the D.A.R.E. program.

Last Thursday, Middle had her Rendezvous Day. We made Levi pocket bags tied with twine and put marbles in them (very popular)

flower clips (also very popular)

and yarn dolls (only 2 left)

This week, Youngest has had Field Day, the Spelling Bee,

and today was the Teddy Bear Picnic.

I will not lie. I will be so glad when the kids are out of school for the summer. I relish the less hectic schedule we get to keep in the summer. Although June promises to be busy with the final Dance Recital, Utah Summer Games and Cottonwood soccer tournaments, the rest is wide open for now.

Public Service Announcement

As you know- Favorite Aunt is a Breast Cancer Survivor. My Grandma also had Breast Cancer, and one of my Aunts also had a mastectomy. I have watched others who have gone through this procedure as well.

Please take a minute to visit the Breast Cancer site on my side bar. There is a place there to add your signature to a petition to stop Drive By Mastectomies. This is such a life changing situation- that a "quick fix" isn't right or even really humane. There isn't anything that should be "quick" or "same day" about it.

And then, after you do that, please take the time to spread the word.

Children insist on Growing Up.

Middle Patient is 10- will be 11 in August. Last night, she made quite the discovery. She will need to start shaving. A whole lot sooner than I had anticipated. She is not thrilled. I am not thrilled. She said things like- "GROSS", and "I don't want to talk about it", and "I am only in 4th grade!", followed by the very poplular, "I don't want to grow up".

Me neither, Babe- Me neither.

End of School YEAR 2008

Memorial Day Weekend Roundup

It has been quite the weather for Memorial Day Weekend- and to think I thought the snowflakes that fell last year were bad.

We couldn't leave for the mountain until the girlie patients were done with dance, so the DR was finishing the lawn and other yard chores, I ran the last minute trip to the store, then while I was gone, our area had quite the downpour. This should have been a warning of things to come.

Well, we made it up to the trailer, which the DR had taken up on Thursday, and quickly set up camp, made dinner, and prepared to enjoy ourselves. Then came the rain. Lots of it. All day Saturday, alternating between drizzle and downpour. So, what did we do? We went 4-wheeling of course, isn't that what everyone does in a rain storm? I actually drove a Razr- but I have only driven a 4-wheeler type vehicle once, or twice, ever- and it wasn't much of anything. This was MUCH of EVERYTHING :) Mud, rain, cold, slick trail, big rocks, and huge water puddles that got much bigger by the time we came back across. The DR had a great time at my expense, which considering that he alone knew my complete lack of experience was rather rude of him, don't you think? It was fun though, and a definite memory maker- not to mention dirty laundry maker.

Sunday was more of the same only less times of drizzle. Finally cleared up for all of 20 minutes, then commenced to rain again. During that 20 minutes, I kicked all out of the trailer. They came back soon enough. This is why trailers are wonderful things, and we played lots of games and watched lots of movies, with no real issues from the quantity- er, I mean- QUALITY time spent together.



Monday was finally not raining- until about 2 in the afternoon- then the rains returned, followed most swiftly by HAIL! We had tons of it piling up on the awnings- so the DR and I are out in the wet, pushing the hail/slush off the awning. The DR had much of our stuff gathered by that time, but not all, so we brought home a lot of wet stuff, and due to the accumulation of hail on the roof of the slide outs- this included the carpets inside when we got home :( I was worried about that, and now we know. We will be buying a large squeegee in the near future.

The point is, we still had a lot of fun, ate very well, and made memories as a family. Next up: graduating nephew, and EQ BBQ- the same day as the EQ Pres, also known as the DR, has scheduled a big time 4-wheeler ride. Any bets on who he thinks is going to get everything ready for the BBQ? While attending to the soccer games and activities of the three patients here in the looney bin? Any wonder why I call it the looney bin? Didn't think so.

Think About It- BE PRAYERFUL

The last "BE" in the book. However, I am sure most would agree it is the first in importance. This is not the easiest for me, and while my sis, Am, was here, we talked about it a little bit. Personal prayer is not a habit for either of us, although we both know better, and we have prayer with our families and our children. I told her that I think it might partially be due to the fact that we didn't pray much growing up, and I don't really remember either of my parents kneeling down with me at my bedside. If they did I was very, very, young. Oldest and of course Outpatient have been on their own for a while, but we still go in with the girls most nights. I do, however, do a better job of quick in the spur of the moment prayers. I often chat with my Father in Heaven as I go about my day. Something along the lines of...please bless Oldest right now, he is taking a test this hour, or please watch over Outpatient as he is teaching thy word today.

President Hinckley say, "You cannot do it alone... You need His help, and you know that you need His help... You will come to realize that and recognize it more and more as the years pass." I know that many people in the world today try or think they can do life alone, only to find at some point, usually through a particularly hard trial, that they are not alone, and had they but asked, He could have given comfort and direction. I remember a former church lesson that taught when we chose to follow the Plan, we in effect tied the Lord's hands, and that choice made it so we were bound to the laws of this life. He wants to bless us, but we must do our part. He never leaves us, but like the earthly parent who must let go of the bike, letting our child fall and get scrapes, He watches and helps when we ask and it is according to His will.

A couple of us bought a print for the DR's parents a few years back- "The Prayer at Valley Forge". Our Founding Fathers all knew the value of Prayer. There are many people who came to this country for that very purpose. Quite a few years ago, someone took that away from our public lives and just look at the results. I would not want to be her when the time comes for her to meet her Maker.

President Hinckley goes on, "...Prayer will change your life. It will bring you peace. It will give you direction and guidance. It will help you feel that you are not alone in the big and sometimes brutal world. The Lord answers our prayers. I know that. I have seen it happen again and again and again....We can be perfect in our prayers."

I know the Lord does answer our prayers, not always how and when we want, but He always answers.

What's up?

Sorry- I have been a bit busy, but the best excuse ever? I have had visitors!

Guess who came to visit their Not Quite Favorite Aunt?

Miss Ava Grace, Katerbug, and Little Miss Elle (along with their mom and dad, of course)

Things learned:

Katerbug can Hula Hoop!

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Ava Grace learned that Sophie (bad dog) will indeed bite if you pull her out by her tail. Apparently Aunt Head Nurse wasn't lying

Elle is a good traveler- at least for now.

And no matter how clean or dirty your room is before hand, this is what it looks like afterwards

Tender Mercies Tuesday

Unlike most Nurses, I have a really hard time getting away from my patients. Tongue in cheek for the first part. Seriously, leaving for a trip without the patients requires extreme amounts of effort and organization, and some one to take the night shift.

This trip, Best Friend sacrificed her time to come keep the unruly patients in line, got them to their various activities that unfortunately couldn't be canceled, and most of all, let them have the time of their lives.

As the Outpatient has known for quite some time, she is a keeper!

Best Friend- I can't thank you enough for the service you provided in caring for the patients. Hope they didn't make you too crazy.

I came back to a tidy looney bin, bathed and mostly sleeping patients with their clothes ready for our early departure, and she didn't touch my laundry- Good as Gold that girl is!

The Funky Bunch rides again

This year's rental house

For the last 12 years- a group of people who have now become friends have gone on a long weekend trip together. We didn't join until 7 years ago, would have been 8 but the Youngest had come to live in the Looney Bin- and they said "No Kids- even beautiful baby girls". Anyway, we haven't made every trip since then either, due to surgery one year, and going on a cruise another. The group dynamic has ebbed and flowed, until 2 years ago, they decided that these 8 couples are it- no adding or exchanges. If someone can't make it- then it is just a smaller group that year.

There are quite a few strong personalities in the group, but for all that, we get along, share the work of feeding the group, and even have a group "Mom". I think most of the group would say that Vicki is Group Mom. She handles all the organization part and does a great job. Her Hubby, Whitey, is the unofficial Dad. He drives and picks up, and follows along should anyone feel the need to abandon the ride early. This year was the first real casualty. Vicki was riding along about 6 miles into what turned into a 33 mile ride (about 13 miles too long according to my posterior). As one of the other riders was passing her, the handle bars caught on the arm and Vicki went down, hard. She was face down on the gravel for several seconds- felt like minutes. As she tried to get up, she and we realized her fingers - middle and ring on her right hand- were broken- like really- they were dislocated, but the bones had come out of her skin. Yes, it was gross, but we didn't think about that- we started trying to get her up, down the path, calling Whitey on the phone- but turns out that he was actually parked just about 20 yards down the trail, he had decided to wait there instead of meeting us at the designated lunch stop. Tender Mercy indeed. Within just a few minutes, they were at the hospital in Aspen, where the doctors happen to deal with a lot of broken bones :)-

Vicki had surgery, the rest of us continued down the trail, and as I mentioned, went a lot further than we had thought it would be, with a strong headwind for almost the entire trip. So- other than those two things, the rest was great! We hit the hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs that night (my muscles thanked me), we had awesomely delicious food (as per usual), and this year we came home a tiny bit early to make a trip out to our Nephew's mission talk.

Things I liked this year, I was less tense and stressed- once I actually got there, and no one in our familes had a medical trial this year. We (DR and I) had Saturday breakfast- favorite food assignment, plus we were alone on the assignment so not too many cooks in the kitchen ;). The trail was beautifully surrounded by river, mountains, and other gorgeous scenery. Vicki and I spent Saturday afternoon shopping, just the two of us, while the rest of them were at an Adventure Park- we have never had the chance to spend time just one on one- so that was fun. I was careful with the eating and didn't over indulge- yeah me! AND I didn't drink a single pop the whole time!

Things I didn't like- we had the lousy room assignment this year- bummer that- but we haven't had it yet- so I guess it was our turn. However- both of the air mattresses leaked. And the couch was a bit narrow, and the loveseat- well, it was a love seat- so it was short- but we did have the theater room with a screen and projector, the door shut and locked so I didn't have to rely on the bathroom to dress ( which was good, because it was a tad small, and we were sharing with another couple. Obviously- the wreck we could have done without. But as Vicki said again and again- she was so blessed and protected and grateful she had on her helmut and biking gloves because they protected her a lot.

Some of the group coming down from the adventure park.

Weekend Quick Report

Bike Trip was great- but not uneventful- details to follow later


Late trip home, four hours of sleep, then up early and off for Nephew's talk. Visit with Family, see Baby Addie for the first time. Take pictures.



Home again home again- jiggedy jig


Up the mountain to retrieve the trailer, had to- no time today or tomorrow, and then back up it will go for Memorial Day.

Piano Recital tonight, then, Hurray- one less thing to stress about.

Soccer and Dance is what we are down to- oh, and the last pesky 9 days of school. Rendezvous for Middle, Field Trip for Youngest, and President's Fitness Test for Oldest. Amongst other things. Like getting to household projects before Outpatient returns.

I Vill be BAACK.

Wild Week- and it is only Wednesday

It has been a bit crazy around here this week. I am completely wiped out- and it is only half way over. Monday was a normal Monday- until we found out that Middle Patient had travel team practice- then
Tuesday was full dress rehearsal for the Girlies and their TaVaci group for their concert, which unfortunately overlapped with the Oldest Patient's 6th Grade Band performance. So we covered the best we could- divide and conquer. Today was the first performance for the Middle Patient's 4th Grade program. DR made that one. Then immediately after school, we hustled to pre-concert run through, grabbed dinner, and then back to get ready and attend the TaVaci Concert. I know I have mentioned it before, but this is one thing that is absolutely worth the money for the Girlie Patients. The Oldest was recruited by one of the other boys, but no way- he says.

The DR and I are off Thursday afternoon for our annual bike trip with the Funky Bunch bike group- or whatever they decided we needed to be called last year. I am so not ready to go, and I need to go watch the Middle Patient's program in the morning, shop, finish a few things here at the house, go to the post office to mail the packages that are sitting here waiting for me to get off my rear, not to mention try not to stress out about all the stuff on the calendar that Best Friend is going to try to deal with- (sorry- and I soooo owe you BIG TIME).

I want to go back to Hawaii. Like, yesterday.

Tender Mercies Tuesday

In about an hour and a half, my sister, Favorite Aunt, will get to put her arms around her son who has been serving his Father in Heaven as a missionary in Bulgaria. I have thought back over the past 2 plus years since he first opened his call and everything our families have been through in that time, starting just one short week later, and while the trials have been abundant, more blessings have been heaped upon us than we can even count. I remember calling him shortly after I knew he had been told of his mother's diagnosis and promising him that we would take care of her the very best that we could. He was set apart the night of her biopsy, and left very early the next morning. How tough that had to be, for both of them. I know it was hard for me from where I was standing at the time.

I can't adequately express how full my heart is, just thinking back. I know they were watched over during a very difficult time, and I have to say, I am the tiniest bit jealous that her boy is home, even though my boy will be very shortly, but I have deep sympathy for my sister in law who sends her boy out next week. It is the epitome of Bittersweet. The time goes fast, really , it does. But it seems long at the same time.

Welcome Home J- and well done! We love you and are proud of the service you gave so willingly and we can't wait to see you!

Weekend Quick Report

The call, in a word, AWESOME! We let the Comp's parents call first as they were home before we were. It was a good thing. They talked for quite a bit longer than they were supposed to, and so did we. It is just too darn hard to hang up. The family whose home they were at have added myself and the DR to their Skype, and I had my computer on, and she tried to call us, but her mike didn't work. This happened about an hour before "Call Time"- anyhow, the DR got on and tried to communicate (funny! He always makes fun of me when I am trying, but he does the same things when he is) long story short, about half way through him trying to help her fix her computer microphone with him speaking NO Portuguese, and her NO English, he finds out that it has now become, in fact, THE OUTPATIENT on the other end at this point. DR asked "Is Elder L there? and the reply- " ya- who do you think is typing English this fast?"

There is giddiness just knowing that he is communicating right then. Anyway, he is so happy, working hard, and wow can he speak fast! He had a long list for Head Nurse- of course. But then each of the kids spoke to him briefly, the DR- not so briefly, then I got one more quick turn.

As I was trying to say goodbye, and find out why Miss Sophie was barking her head off (strange dog in yard), and accidently letting strange dog enter my house uninvited, Best Friend pulled up. I think she about died when she saw I was still on THE CALL, and eventually couldn't help herself, and put her ear to the phone, without him knowing. It was pretty awesome!

She did what I did. Instant tears just hearing the voice, which for her, has been a whole year. It was perfect, and he doesn't even know. Yet.

May Birthdays- WOAH- way behind

In reminding the DR that his Mother's birthday is coming up, I remembered that I didn't post a birthday post.

Without further ado-

May Birthdays/Anniversarys

7th- Corey

10th- Adam

12th- Grandma Larsen
Joshua
Madeline
Rainier
Wyatt

27th- Nathan
Tommy

28th- Carey

29th- Grandma Bunnie and Grandpa John


Kennadee and Madison-

Yes- you read that right. We have 5 family birthdays on the 12th. Easy to remember, anyway. Rainier and Wyatt were born hours apart on the exact same day. They will be four. Heaven help their mommies :)

Would have been two of my grandparents' (Grandma A. and Grandpa A.) birthdays on May 9th and 20th-

And Happy 45th Anniversary to my parents which is a milestone few could understand just how remarkable it is for them to have made.

Happy Mother's Day

"Do not kiss your children so they will kiss you back, but so they will kiss their children and their childrens' children" Noah Benshea



"A mother understands what a child does not say." Jewish Proverb



"It will be gone before you know it. The fingerprints on the wall appear higher and higher. Then suddenly they disappear." Dorothy Euslin



From my mother, I learned to be my child's friend. I learned that celebrating holidays matters to children. I learned to cook because she didn't. I also learned to sew because she didn't. I learned that an event was worth making special. I learned to appreciate good friends. I learned to be strong in the face of adversity. I learned what I wanted in a marriage partner and what I didn't. I learned that you can burn Sunday dinner three weeks in a row but your children will still love you. I learned to go the extra mile. I learned to go to church on Sunday and to do my best to serve in whatever capacity that I am asked. I learned faith from my mom. I learned to love from my mom.

I am grateful today for the women who came before me. For their examples. For those characteristics which are inherent in my genetic make up.

I am grateful for those special people who call me mom.

Teary- again.

In just 19 hours, I hope to be enjoying my very last missionary call from the Outpatient. This is an event waited for on both sides. I will be so grateful to have my son back in his own country, but I will hurt for him having to leave the people whom he has come to love so much.

I have many things that I wish I could get done before he comes home, but I know he has experienced much of doing without, and seeing how little people truly need compared to how much we think we need.

I am teary tonight- but of course. It has been an interesting week or two. I have run into many mothers of the Outpatient's friends. Mostly the girls- but a few guys as well. The Guys Moms' are all conversations about this ones release date, or that one's year mark- but the girls moms have been kind of funny. There are a few who, after a carefully worded inquiry about Best Friend, made sure to let me know their daughters are still around and to be sure to have him call them when he gets home. I promise I will pass on the message, what he chooses to do with that information is entirely up to him, although I feel (know, actually) that he most likely won't be calling anyone- with one exception. I have been told over the years what a catch my boy is/ will be. I happen to agree with this assessment. He is something special. There are several mommas who wouldn't mind adding him to their families.

My son. I remember the day I was told I was having a boy. It wasn't really a surprise, I kind of knew in my heart already. That was the day I learned to cry over everything. I cried over FTD commercials and at every missionary farewell and homecoming- whether I knew them or not. He has been a source of joy and fun, entertainment, and an honest appraisal of me as a mother. Okay- so that isn't always so fun, as the truth can be painful. But he is my friend and I am his friend.

To hear his voice will make me want to grab his face- it always does. A little over four months and I am there. Father- Thank You for this boy who is now a man in the eyes of the world, but will forever be that baby who first made me a mom.

Think About It- BE STILL

Life. Is. Busy. Life is loud, crazy, unpredictable. Life is fast-paced, distracting. Satan wants it this way so we can't hear the promptings.

President Hinckley said,"The world is so noisy. There are voices everywhere trying to influence us. We all need time to think. We need to drown out the clamor and noise and simply be quiet. We need time to ponder and meditate, and to contemplate the deeper things of life." As I was out walking today, I was thinking about "BE STILL", and pondering on that feeling of peaceful stillness which can seem so hard to come by. I remembered back to the infancy of each of my children. I remember vividly when I would be up in the middle of the night with them, all alone, just the two of us. It was time that I would "talk" to them, sing softly to them, tell them how blessed we were to have them. They would look back into my eyes with so much peace, I wanted to stay in that moment. There was such a feeling of warmth and contentment at those times.

Now, there are few of those moments. We run like crazy to be on time for school, we have our calendars filled with activities. We are noisy. I remember going to visit my sister- the Favorite Aunt, and when she had left to run some errands, I turned on the TV- for background noise. I was so conditioned to the noisiness that filled our home from a preteen, two preschoolers, and a baby, that I couldn't stand the silence. Now, sometimes during the day, I will go for hours with just the sound of my typing fingers, with the occasional email notification. I have adjusted to the quite of an empty house. It really is much easier to think in the quiet stillness.

President Hinckley also said, "Our lives are so busy. We run from one thing to another. We wear ourselves out with our studies and our social lives and our pursuit of money (and might I personally add- our childrens' activities)....We need to spend time out in nature where we can think and breathe deeply and feel the earth and listen to the sounds." President Hinckley recalls his father going to a rock wall on his property, sitting on that wall, and thinking and meditating for hours.

I think that this is one of the reasons that attending the temple is so uplifting. Not only are you serving others, but you are taking the time to seek peace, and stillness. Even though it isn't always completely quiet, there is a stillness there which opens our minds and spirits. President Hinckley admonishes us to find our own "rock wall" and to think about our life and who we want to become, and although the book, Way to Be was geared toward the youth, I must say that I am not done "becoming" yet and I would bet you aren't either.

About 6 years ago, one of the Outpatient's friends was killed in a car wreck. He had only had his license for 6 months. It really had a profound effect on the Outpatient, and many others in our small community. His parents, although hurting, seemed to be so at peace. They used this painful circumstance to teach the plan of salvation to many people.

They had a plaque made with the following scripture which is also quoted in Way to Be...

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

The Magic of Time and Space-

They say time heals all wounds, absence makes the heart grow fonder (or forgetful- name that movie), time stands still for no man.

Some things I have learned about time:

Time can both stand still and move faster than anything.

Time doesn't necessarily heal wounds, just makes them less painful.

Absence can make the heart grow so fond that you wonder if you had a heart before.

Distance is relative. Next Door can be way too close. and Brazil is really not close. But with internet it can seem pretty close for a minute.

The thought that you can't talk to someone can make you almost desperate to communicate.

When you get a chance to talk to them, your mind can draw a complete blank.

Two years is a really long time.

Two years can fly by.

Four and a half months is really short.

Four and a half months can feel like forever.

And there really is such a thing as Bittersweet.

Tender Mercies Tuesday

This past weekend was the blessing of one niece and the one and only new nephew- who lives far away- so we didn't get to participate in that one, but we did get to go visit the Jungle Explorer's Jungle and witness the blessing of their little one. I also was able to help my other sister by making her family a couple of batches of jam. There is a bit of a story there involving three less than familiar stores and a hundred or so aisles, but I was glad to be able to be of service and any chance I get to smooch on the babies, I will most certainly take. By the way, if you are in Provo and looking for MCP pectin- start at Maceys, I think the fifth aisle from the south end and towards the back of the store- you're welcome.



I am so grateful for the opportunity to be an Aunt. It is better than Mom- because I get to spoil without any direct responsibilities- kind of like when you are a grandma- only without having to be old enough to be a grandma- I will get there faster than I even want to think about.



What a great blessing it is to have a new baby in a home! Reminders of just how close Heaven really is.



I was blessed to be able to stay awake on this, my fifth trip in barely 5 weeks. It was tough, but then the patients started "helping" me be able to wake up.



The blessing day was beautiful- up until the point when the DR started to harass me- I need to talk to him about that. My BIL blessed his daughter that she would follow the examples of her Aunts- and she has some good examples to follow - I know my sisters inspire me!



I am grateful that Elle has decided to pork up a little- emphasis on little- but she is back up to her birth weight, so she has gained a pound the past three weeks. This picture was taken after her bath a couple of weeks ago and she didn't have her oxygen back on yet-- I love it!


I know there a many blessings every day that we are not aware of, but I am especially grateful for the progress the sweet little baby girls have made, and for the good health of the others- and we are praying for the safe arrival of the next babies.

Remember When?

Do you remember when I said it was almost a year since this medical record began?

Well- IT'S HERE!

(I had to look it up to be sure- how lame is that?)

Dear Nancy Face- I have your address from your dear daughter- your prize will be in the mail shortly- and it is a surprize- but I promise you will like it, although you might not thank me for it :)

Dear Lunch Lady- I tried to deliver yours but- as usual- I ran out of time and since it wasn't my best, I decided to try again another day (have you ever tried to bake bread on a horribly rainy day? It doesn't work out so great)

and Dear Kaylen- I am still trying to decide what to bless you with. Hum- have to think on that some more.

Thank you for coming back to read my rambling patient notes, and leaving a few of your own.

Little Fingers, Little Toes

Little Fingers and Little Toes,
This is how Love's Garden grows.

Good Food Friday - Jammin for now and later edition

As I may have mentioned- I am up to my eyeballs in strawberries.

Just for those of you who are curious, I use the recipe that comes in the MCP Pectin. I prefer MCP- and apparently I am not alone, because it runs out first in the stores here in small town so I make a point of stock piling it. I prefer this recipe because it calls for corn syrup which makes it so the sugar doesn't crystallize. I also prefer the name brand syrup- it has a better flavor than others and yes- you can tell. Lemon juice is less picky.

I thought that I would share a little tip for those of you without the time right now- or perhaps you have limited freezer space.

If you wash and mash the berries, then measure enough for a batch, and add just the lemon juice, you can freeze it.

Then later, just allow the mashed fruit/lemon juice mixture to thaw and come to room temperature and finish the rest of the recipe- pectin, then the syrup and sugar, at a later time. It is more space conscious than freezing whole berries, and works great. That way, if you don't have time to deal with all that you want to right then, you can still have the chance to capture the fresh fruit. If you want to make a blended batch- like Strawberry-Raspberry, measure the amount you need for that so that when Raspberries are on, you already have the strawberry ready-

This has been a public service announcement. :)

Think About It- BE HUMBLE

humble- adjective, 1)modest,not proud; 2)poor, plain, small; 3)respectful, courteous : verb 4)to bring down to defeat, to humiliate. When I think of humble, at least in terms of how we should be, I also think of the word teachable. To be quite honest, I do not like the way the verb definition makes me feel. Somehow, I just don't think that is what the Lord means when he counsels us to be humble, although there have been times when the Lord has had to humble his people.

The DR had a rather interesting experience at Wally World this week. He went in to purchase a new fertilizer spreader since our old one bit the dust. (ha- no pun intended). There were two of the nicer ones that have an edge protector (my tulips thank him for that), but one was marked with a clearance sticker and was over 20 dollars cheaper. He took that one- obviously. Well, it rang up for full price- so he pointed out the sticker. The cashier called the dept manager over- who then proceeded to treat the DR like he was the scum of the earth, accused him of putting the sticker on himself- and was otherwise incredibly rude, ripped the sticker off and wadded it off- demanding the full price be paid, Well, he paid it- while the customer and the cashier looked after the manager in disbelief- and both encouraged the DR to report her. He set the spreader to the side and went after the "lady" and asked her for the sticker back, at which she went into a rant- raising her voice to tell him to do whatever he thought he was going to, telling him she had witnesses,- to which he replied-"yes, WE do" And the first thing she needed to learn was a whole lot about customer service. Anyway- so he went to the Customer Service desk, and asked to speak to the Manager. He related the situation, to which they honored the clearance price, and told him they would speak to "KATHY" (that is her real name- avoid her). Come to find out, the spreader was a little damaged on the frame- hence the discount. Had MS KATHY not been so proud and determined that the DR was a dishonest creep, she might have discovered this for herself by trying to decide why it might be marked down and saved all those involved trouble and embarrassment.

www.wikihow.com/Be-Humble has some great definitions if you want to look that up (sorry, I have yet to get a link to work in my blogs- I am willing to be taught :) )

When President Hinckley was a missionary, his father wrote to him telling him to " 'forget yourself and go to work'. About the same time I received that letter, I happened to read this verse in the New Testament: 'He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it' (Matthew 10:39)."

President Hinckley admonishes us to Be Humble, not arrogant. He alludes to the fact that circumstances do not have anything to do with being humble. He shares the history of Florence Nightingale- which I was unfamiliar with. She was raised to a life of privilege and leisure, and yet she lived to serve others and brought great improvements to the medical care of the sick and wounded. She shunned any attention for her efforts.

President Hinckley also said, "Be Humble. Recognize that everything you have- your time, your talents and skills, your health and energy, your accomplishments, and your very lives- come as free gifts from your Father in Heaven. How grateful we ought to be for His goodness to us. How humble we ought to be to think that He knows who we are, and that he is waiting to guide our every step."

When we are secure in who we really are, and put other aspects of modern life into proper perspective, humility- being humble and not proud, being respectful and courteous to others, will become easier to attain.