Tender Mercies

The most amazing thing about Tender Mercies is how individualized and personal they are. And how simplistic or involved- how they can be to you- for you- or through you.


The DR and Oldest (and many other family members) spent the weekend helping get Grandma and Grandpa packed up and ready to move home, then on Monday, the DR and his sisters took the boys to check in for EFY. Now- Oldest is not the most outgoing person in the world. And his cousins aren't either, so the mommas have wondered and worried (and-truth be told- giggled) about how this adventure was going to go. Oldest at least gets one cousin for his roommate- the other cousin is having to go solo. Anyway- so they are headed back to their room to make sure the boys have what they need and there is a boy across the hall who says to my nephew, C- "hey- what is your last name"- well, this about cause near panic that a stranger had spoken and neither boy answered. So- the DR or his sister said that his name was M- and the other was Larsen. Turns out that the boy had grown up back east with CM- they had been in the same ward and played together all the time. As the DR was relating this fun tidbit to me- my first thought was "tender mercy"- this will most likely make it easier for the boys to interact in their group (CM especially) and for those of you who know Oldest in real life- here is hoping he will actually talk to people. at all. Besides CM and J.

Tender Mercy - I received a call later on Tuesday night. The inlaws had not left for home until very late, and my sister in law was already enroute with the rest of her kids when she tried to stop and buy some crackers to feed and distract her baby girl for the rest of the trip to Small Town. Lo and behold- she had no purse. She must have left it behind at her sisters. Anyway- she called me to see if I could meet her with some cash so she could go to the store and buy some basics since there would be no groceries at the house. However- I was one step ahead of her- I had already been to the store and put groceries in the fridge and house because I knew that Mom and Dad L would be super tired and not want to run to the store, and who knew if they were bringing food from the apartment or not- so I opted to be prepared for them- just in case. I got to be the provider of a tender mercy for my SIL- which is a neat thing.



NOTE:  I WROTE THIS LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT- BUT BLOGGER WOULDN'T COOPERATE AND SAVE IT-  I SAVED IT IN WORD AND FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL I JUST FOUND IT IN MY DOCCUMENTS FILE :)

Sunday Moment

I just want to record here the spiritual experiences from today.  It is seldom than an entire Sacrament Meeting has me near or in tears but today was such a day.

The DR is conducting this month and he is out helping his parents so he just called me to hear how it went.  Thanks to last week being Father's Day- (which was also a great meeting) , he had asked for one of the YM and the YM president to speak about their experiences with the Aaronic Priesthood encampment as well as a couple of the YW and one of their leaders to speak about Girls Camp.  There are times in General Conference and other such  meetings where the General Leaders talk about our youth- and today was such an experience.  To hear of such strong testimonies and the bonds of friendship and brotherhood or sisterhood that are forged at such events just gets the spirit burning. 

The young man who spoke is the older brother to Middle's friend B- and he spoke about their building of their fortress against the storms-  in real life-  but it was also metaphorical for me-  the relationships these young men make on the camps and activities are helping to build the fortress against the storms of High School and Life in general. He spoke of some of the boys reading their scriptures together in their "man cave"- mentioning Oldest by name- and the discussions they had.  He went on to speak about the strength of the youth in our ward-  which for the most part- they are really great and stalwart. He was teary and so was his mom and I at the very least.

The young women also spoke of the spiritual experiences that they had and felt.  They are both girls from my circle- and I have known them for the past 13- 14 years.  The spirit was strong- even in the midst of their personalities shining brightly through.  H has known and babysat my patients pretty much all of their lives- her sisters are my patients' close friends- but this camp gave Middle and H a whole new level of relationship.  It was heartwarming to see H's face glow with the spirit.  I couldn't contain it either. She sang a beautiful song- accapella and beautifully.   The YW leader- in the interest of time- briefly summarized what the girls had said- from the perspective of an adult.  It was perfect.

The final speaker was the YM president who happens to be a firefighter in his spare time (he is a banker by trade).  He talked about the service project, the twist of events which led to him speaking to the youth instead of the Bishop- which then led to him being reluctant to take up time during testimony meeting, until the spirit hit him so hard to share the thoughts he was having.  Which were these-  each of the youth spoke of feeling the spirit, of their testimonies.  He said it was like the fire they had been sitting around-  it had started out big, and bright and burning hot and clean-  but then as time went on- they didn't put any more fuel on the fire and it began to burn lower and less bright, it also created more smoke and the lower it burned, the more hazy it became.  For some reason- this analogy really hit me.  We talk a lot about needing to feed and strengthen our testimonies, even likening it to a fire-  but the visual of the increasing haze as they didn't feed the fire was so incredible to me.

She is home and He is off and they are coming home

Today Middle returned from her first Girls Camp. The DR and Oldest went up the first day to pull our trailer up for the "Priesthood Quarters" (much to Middle's chagrin- she wasn't happy to hear she couldn't go in the trailer at all) and Oldest got to help a lot of Damsels In Distress and set up tents and whatever.  They stayed up the whole evening until Devotional was over and another Priesthood Holder showed up.  The Bishop stayed up the whole week and cooked for the girls-  SPOILED!! Our bishop can cook!  and he was very grateful for my trailer because there were a few things forgotten in the packing. Middle did not enjoy the first night-she did not sleep thanks to freaking out over every little noise thinking something was out there.  I will tell you that we do camp in bear and mountain lion territory- so it isn't like the back yard.  The second night- the DR was up again for the evening for the devotional time and they were able to calm her and give her a Priesthood blessing.  It is just one of many times that I am sooo grateful to have married someone who not only holds and honors the Priesthood, but is willing to use it frequently enough that my patients readily ask for blessings from their daddy. The third night her daddy stayed up the whole night and she slept just fine.It seems that she had a fabulous time and it was good for her spirit as well.  She helped encourage a more recent and reluctant convert girl to go and participate.  That girl was only going to go for one night-  but then she decided to stay- so hopefully those experiences will help her testimony and help them all to make good choices in life. 

On the other hand-  Oldest is off to experience EFY for the first time.  His personality is so different than Outpatient, that it is going to be interesting to see how this goes.  The DR threatened him with needing to bring home at least 4 girls contact info (hah!).  We didn't manage to get his hair cut until today and I gave a quick explanation of what needed to be- and it ended up too short for his taste and he is not happy (understatement) and he looks like a dork and he does not want to go but he will because he doesn't want to pay me back the (approx) 500.00 that it cost.

But he is packed up and he and the DR left tonight with the added purpose of helping G. and G. Larsen- also known as my in-laws- get packed up and moved home. They completed the extended mission last Wednesday and are very ready to be home.  Truth be told I am ready for them to be home as well.  I haven't had the time to deal with my own little yard let alone their huge one and it is kind of a mess (sorry- you should have seen it last year- I did much better).  I only have to finish cleaning  a little more of the house up and I am going to get some basics in their fridge and then we are all set. Not sure what day they are coming but they are anxious enough that I wouldn't be too shocked to see them tomorrow night (I won't, but still- they would possibly) - most likely I will see them Sunday or Monday- at the earliest/

Good Food Friday- Party Treats

A couple of the things we served at the wedding were Brownie Bites and jam filled tarts.  In the interest of time and sanity- we bought the brownies and I didn't tell the DR about the tarts or he would have stopped me.

This topping for brownie bites or even for tarts is just a bit yummy- and obviously very easy.

Easy Topping/ Filling:

Mix together :

3 oz instant pudding (chocolate or white chocolate is yummy)
1 C  cold milk
1 C Cool Whip-

allow to set up a little then pipe it on top- you can garnish with fruit or chocolate shavings if desired.


This topping is also yummy but more involved:

2 oz of Baking White Chocolate
2 TB milk
1 8oz pkg of softened cream cheese
1/4 C  powdered sugar
1 C Cool Whip

Microwave milk and chocolate for 1 min.  Stir until smooth.  Mix sugar and cream cheese well and add chocolate mix.  Fold in Cool Whip.

Brownie Bites:

For the brownies- you can make from scratch if the recipe is more cake like-  if not use a mix and follow the directions to make the cake like version (usually just an additional egg).  Then using a mini muffin tin- grease or spray cups, and then fill 2/3 full.  Bake 14 minutes until edges are set DO NOT OVER BAKE.

Indent brownie cups immediately when you remove them from the oven.  I have a tart shaper for that- but you could use something else- like a medicine measuring cup or something else that fits inside of the muffin tin and leaves about 1/8 inch or so around the edges.  Cool 15 minutes and remove from pan-  finish cooling completely before topping.


Tarts:

1/2 C butter
1/3 C sugar
1  egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1  1/3 c flour

Beat butter until fluffy.  Add sugar until well blended.  Add yolk and vanilla-mix well.  Add flour gradually, beat constantly until blended.

make small balls from dough- approx- 1 tbsp size- you want enough that it come up to the top of the cup when it is formed.  Place in mini muffin tin or mini tart pan. Push down with tart shaper to form or the back of a round measuring spoon.  Bake at 350-

If using jelly to fill-
bake 8-10 min.  Fill indentation with small amount of jelly.  Bake an additional 8-12 minutes.  Cool 2-3 minutes only- then remove to cooling rack.  you can also put jam in afterwards- which is what I did

If filling after baking-
then cook for approx 15 minutes-  cool 2-3 minutes ONLY- then remove to cooling rack and allow to cool completely before filling with pudding filling.

It is important to remove from pan quickly or you will have a tough time getting them out.

Sewing Camp 2011

This year- just Youngest was able to participate in Sewing camp.  Middle had scheduling conflicts.  Youngest has come along nicely. I was able to leave her several days in order for me to work.  The most she needed me for (because otherwise she refused to listen to me) was to keep her on task.  She likes to start projects and then gets bored with them.  Anyway- we managed to get her to completely finish 5 projects- a cute flower shaped pincushion, a bag that they called a "snap bag", another pillowcase (turquoise and yellow)- then she made a pillow front one day while waiting for someone to be able to help her- which isn't done because we were trying to make sure she got the actual camp projects completed. I forgot to photograph the pincushion and the pillowcase.

The Snap Bag opens up and snaps shut thanks to tricky pieces of metal measuring tape sewn into the top band and you pull on those triangle pieces to open it up.

Her Throw Pillow front that she sewed because she was bored

 She also completed a darling reversable apron and another cute bag they called an "Origami Bag". She also almost finished a fun, big, Tic Tac Toe game set which she also did on her own.  I just didn't go buy her the beans to finish the beanbags yet and again with the needing to complete the main projects while camp was going because this year- there were NO written instructions.  Somewhat annoying because then the girls with some additional experience couldn't work at their own pace- which is why Youngest started making up her own projects or bringing one from home.

side one

side two-  or the other way around if you like-

Origami Bag-  need to sew the buttons on and then it is done.

Tic Tac Toe game-  needs the bean bags filled and finished- and there will be borders of the matching beanbag print around the sides.  Those are cut out and ready to go.  We are thinking of making a couple of these for the Reunion Auction. This is 3 feet by 3 feet.  If anyone would like to order a set-  just let us know.

So- she did very well, and made cute stuff and is getting better at her basic sewing skills.  Apparently I don't sew enough anymore because she doesn't think I have a clue what I am doing.  I have only been sewing seriously since I was her age-  patterns and everything and with my grandma the perfectionist and my other grandma- the sewing teacher looming over my shoulders. Now- this is particularly amusing to me because I was the only one to put the pillowcase together correctly (I was trying to help her catch up to the others- and thus was doing my own thing)- the instructor had them all put the border trim on wrong- but still, I know nothing.

Middle is at Girls Camp for the first time (she wasn't able to go last year)  and it is her first time for really sleeping in a tent that was not set up in our back yard, and Oldest is getting ready to leave for his first experience at EFY.  How much I would give to be a little mouse or bug in his pocket this next week :).

Utah Summer Games Recap

The girlies and I just spent the last several days in Cedar City Utah- so that Middle and her soccer team could play soccer.  We loaded up the van with luggage, soccer bags, dog and her stuff, and friend B- and off we went.  We stopped at my baby sister's to drop Miss Sophie off to visit her dog cousin Flash, and headed on down the road.

We got into town just in time to watch most of the second half of the boys' team's first game-  when we got there, they were behind 2-0, but then we came and brought the good luck vibe provided by a couple of cute girls- and they ended up tying 3-3.

Then we grabbed some dinner and went to check into our hotel.  The room was HOT and took until about 2 in the morning to cool off enough- so I didn't sleep that great.

  The first game was in the morning and they tied that one-2-2, then we headed back to the hotel so I could work and the girls could relax a little.  After getting lunch, we relaxed some more until the next game. 

 That one was super windy and the girls were caught off guard by a quick goal- and they just couldn't recover, playing defensively and ended up losing that game 3-1.  So- then we had to wait to see what happened with the other game between the two we had played.  The girls ended up getting to play on- because the other team they had tied with had a yellow card handed out- and we were clean, so we played against the top team in the other bracket- and we won that game 1-0=  girls played awesome and it was a fun game to watch until they were playing the stoppage time and we were about to stress out :)

That meant we were playing for GOLD!!!  It was also a stressful game- and I just started off at the first pacing along the sidelines.  The team we were playing beat the team we lost to by a lot.  The game was intense and very physical-  but ended up in a tie at regulation-thanks to a PK for us because their goalie took out our player (she actually even bit her on the arm- don't know if the refs knew about that- wish they did and carded that girl) Anyway- went into double overtime and they scored with about a minute left- so we ended up with silver- and we were very happy and excited about that.  The girls are a D1 team and most if not all the other teams were Premier level- so our girls felt good about their play in those last two games.

We headed home and made the obligatory stop to take pictures in the Giant Rocking Chair (and grab some lunch and a potty break)  It would be interesting to know how much business that station gets just because of that giant chair!  I bet it was a pretty good investment.

We picked up Sophie, saw Outpatient and LOL for a brief minute and then we headed for home.  It was awesome to sleep in my own bed!

10 years ago-

We were on vacation in California, and the DR had unusually left his cell phone on all night.  It rang rather early in the morning on a Sunday.  I answered the phone to both my uncle and aunt on the line.  They were trying to get in touch with my parents.  My parents had been visiting my sister but were on their way home at that particular time.  So- I got the news instead.  My grandfather had been murdered in his home. 

My Grandpa A was a quiet man.  He had grown up on a cattle ranch and loved it with all his heart- but since he was one of the younger sons- he had to leave the ranch and make a different life for himself.  When he and my grandma were married, they eloped to Driggs ID, and didn't tell anyone for a while. They were eventually "caught"- I can just imagine the conversation-  "well folks-  the good news is we are married".  Grandpa worked road construction and then he and my grandma decided to open a Coin Op laundromat.  They raised 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys- my dad was the oldest son- but the third child. I very seldom heard my grandpa's voice, and never heard it raised.  He would head out to the laundry with his big ring of keys and say- "c'mon Fluff" to the dog and off they would go- out the back door and across the small yard to the back door of the laundry.  Funny side note-  my grandparents did not have a washer and dryer in their house-  they had a whole huge laundry right out the back door.

Grandpa was very mechanical- and could fix anything.  For years, they washed and ironed sheets for the hotels in town- and sometimes we got to ride with him when he picked up and dropped off the sheets.  Then he would "pay" us and send us down the street for a milkshake.  He would also often open up the pop machine and he would give us a free pop.  Grandma A was definitely the dynamo in that relationship, but Grandpa A had a very quiet strength.

Grandma and Grandpa were really into Square and Round Dancing and they traveled all over to participate in dances.  They helped with dance festivals and Grandma would be the caller quite often. Grandpa apparently liked clothes a lot-  he had quite a closet full, and some things even still had tags on them.

Grandpa became a widower when my grandma died at the age of 60 in 1981.  That was really hard on him.  Once when I was there at his house, I heard him talking out loud to her about why she had left him.  It made me really sad for him.

Grandpa came from a big family and not one of them went by their given name.  There was a Bill- who was NOT a William- there was Hoot, Bud ( the real William), Babe, Gigs, Lolly, Oscar, and Louise- really her name.  This might be why my dad was insistent that we went by our given names at all times-  no nick names!

So- Grandpa had gone dancing that Saturday before, and at some point that day (and on more than one occasion that day) a man had gone into the house and stolen lots of my grandma's old jewelery and what he could find trying to get something of value in order to get drugs.  At some point, Grandpa was home when he came, and after quite a few altercations in several locations in the house, he beat my grandpa and left him for dead, after starting a fire in the office to cover up the crime.

As the DR and I were driving home after the sentencing hearing months later, I had a rather strange reaction-  I was proud of my grandpa.  He was 81 years old and he put up a major fight against a man in his 30's.

Grandpa was a quiet man, but he left a big impression on me.

June Celebrations!!! (sorry I am so late)

Congrats on some awesome Milestones!

Hailey

Tayla

Jeff and Chelsi

Ty M
Ty S

Ty M's GRADUATION!!!!!

Rachel

Thayne

Bryan

Tye

Kay
Barb

Veronica
Shiann

Deb

DaLee

Ashley G

Mckenna
Jake and Lindsey

Quick rundown of last week.

I am just taking a quick second to post so you don't think I have completely left the blogosphere.

This past week has been a tad busy- Oldest and Middle had soccer camp every day, Youngest had sewing camp- and I did end up spending nearly the whole time there with her.  On Friday, I got up early and drove out to Cougar Town for Dennis' funeral.  I am so glad I went.  I had to leave a little before it was over because I had to get back in time for the late afternoon crazy-ness. 

Thanks to Road Construction, I spent over 6 hours on the road that day.  Middle went boating immediately after camp with a friend, Youngest had a birthday party to go to and we had a pot luck dinner with the ward.  I stopped off quick at Outpatient and LOL's apartment to drop off some stuff and see their progress then it was hustle on down the road. Get home- get patients to various drop points and make a potluck dish (the DR had stayed home to take care of the patients as best he could while working).

Then, Saturday morning, the DR and I got up earlier that I would have liked and went on a major 4-wheeler back road ride with a bunch of people- like, 20 people in/on 15 machines.  We drove a Razr and there were several of those type of vehicles and several 4 wheelers.  We ended up going about 76 miles all around the back country- and we even went to Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah.  All at the same time :)  (we rode all the way to Three Corners).  I don't think I have ever been so dirty in my whole life-  but boy is that some Beautiful country back there.

We got home, quickly showered, and loaded up patients and luggage, then headed back out to Cougartown Territory for my nephew's mission report (excellent- by the way). And home again today.  That made for 3 trips out and back in a week.  My tailbone is NOT happy with me and I don't blame it.  I have forced many many miles on it in a relatively short period of time.

I have a lot of stuff to get caught up on both with work and home- and the girls leave for summer games on Wednesday, the Boys leave for a camp on Thursday- so there is no rest around here.  Anyway - I will post some pictures from the trail ride a little later.

Not quite halfway through June.  I  think I can. I think I can. I think I can - make it to July without losing my marbles.  Oh, and my weird infection is all better, I have my voice back except when I sing- sometimes it plays hide and seek then.

Memories-

I have been reminiscing quite a bit the last few days.  Remembering things from my childhood.  I have posted on here before about Marcia, here.  a longtime family friend and one of the sweetest people you could be so fortunate to know.  Well, Marcia is married to one of the sweetest men you could ever know.  His name is Dennis.  Dennis has been living with Parkinson's for many many years, until Sunday when Heavenly Father called him home.  Dennis and Marcia owned and operated a care facility for the mentally (and physically) challenged.  They raised 6 kids and were close friends with my parents for over 40 years.  On Facebook today, one of the daughters posted that people keep telling her it is for the best.  She says it doesn't feel like it is for the best.  And it won't, for her anyway. 

It is interesting, because we just passed the 23rd anniversary of my father's accident.  My mom and I were discussing how we had prayed so hard for my dad to live, but if we had known just what he would have to live with and through, we might not have prayed quite so hard.  My dad's health is going downhill fast.  He has always been so adamantly proud of getting out of a wheelchair and re-learning how to walk.  Just recently he told my mom he needs a chair again.  This is a major concession for him.  He is falling a lot.  Getting confused (dementia) more and more.  It is hard to watch, and when it is time for him to go on, it will be for the best, and I will feel that it is. For all intents and purposes, I lost my dad 23 years ago.  For Dennis' family, his body was sick, but his mind was still okay.  His personality was still there and intact.

I have great memories of time spent with their family.  Softball games and camping, and just running around the neighborhood.  I remember a Christmas time when my dad was trying to help them with their plumbing and we couldn't get our celebration started until he was done.  ( I might or might not have been kind of bratty about that).

I am grateful for Dennis and Marcia and the example and influence they have had in my life.  It probably feels amazing to Dennis to not have his body trapping him.  My thoughts are with the family this week, that is for sure.

Tender Mercies Tuesday- in the Eye of the beholder (yes it is Wednesday)

Oldest has been trying out several brands of contacts- he has astigmatism in the right eye-  but it has improved to where he doesn't have to have a contact specifically for that.  Which is great- but has made fitting him with a different type a bit tricky.  We have been trying since the first of March (remember?  I took him in the day after finding out he was sick with pneumonia again).

Anyway- finally found a keeper, but when I called, the soonest we could get in was June 1.  Today.  I picked an early appt because I have to work.

The doctor came in and made some small talk- remember I live in Small Town and you generally end up knowing people on many levels around here.  He grew up with the DR, one son played soccer with Outpatient, another son had a mutual little crush on Middle a while back. Anyway- he asked about the wedding and how things had gone, etc.

He looked at me as he was turning off the light to begin the exam- and stopped short.

As soon as he was done with Oldest- he stuck me in his chair, blinded my poor hurting eye with light- and told me I have celulitis.  He gave me a prescription for an oral antibiotic and an optical one, told me if I get a fever or start seeing double to get to the emergency room. And that if Oldest had it- he would be in the hospital for 3 days!!!

So- I got into a doctor and got a prescription without have to do anything.  I might mention that I made the appointment for Oldest over two weeks ago.  Just saying.