Monday, the 23rd, was Adam's birthday. He's almost halfway through the teenage years. Where has the time gone????!!!!!???? I can't believe that my "little boy" is not so little any more.
Adam is really growing (around 5'5" now) and maturing (have you heard him speak lately?). He is enjoying school (especially Show Choir, German, and Seminary) and the things that he is learning there (including how to sing AND dance at the same time, while holding hands with a girl! Tee hee!).
He has great friends. His two best friends sent him / took him on a scavenger hunt to find his birthday present from them. They had a fun time planning it for him and he had a fun time going through it. They were glad to return home as it was COLD outside when they did it. His friends' favorite part was the fake gift. They got Adam a very small stuffed animal (we're talking about 1 1/2 inches tall) and acted like that was the gift (for a while). Then, they gave him his real gift -- something they knew he would enjoy ... an iTunes gift card!
He is enjoying experimenting in the kitchen. (The whole family is enjoying that, especially moi!) Tonight, he wanted to make something with salmon, which we purchased a small bit for him and he enjoyed every last bite!
Adam has a way of being able to make everyone in the family smile. He shares his laugh and his love with us very freely.
We are very grateful to have Adam as a part of our family.
~Bobi
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Not Forgotten
Earlier this year, I realized that, come fall, both of my children would be in secondary school. After getting over "I feel so old" and "where has the time gone?", I recognized that my daily schedule would be quite different. I had also been having thoughts about needing to attend the temple on a more regular basis. So, I started thinking about how I might accomplish that. I began to have thoughts about becoming a temple worker.
Just before school began again (which just happened last week, right? -- there is no way it's been 2 months already!), I made an appointment with my bishop and talked to him about becoming a temple worker. After visiting for a bit, he agreed that would be an okay thing for me to do and completed the appropriate paperwork. About a month later, I received a phone call asking me to interview with someone at the temple.
On the appointed day, I arrived at the temple to talk to them about what I could do to serve there. The brother conducting the interview first asked me how long ago I had been divorced. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? Apparently, my bishop had indicated that "yes" I had been divorced, instead of "no" I had NOT been divorced. I even remember the bishop asking me about it. It went like this: "Blah, blah blah...And, you've never been divorced, right?" "Right". So, he marked "yes". After reassuring the brother at the temple that I have been married for 21 years and never been divorced, he fixed the paperwork and then proceeded.
Next question that caused some concern -- "do you have children at home under the age of 18?" Since the answer is "yes", we had to explore that for a while. He explained that the Brethren feel very strongly about having mothers with children in the home be at home when the children are. I told him that my husband was supportive of my desire to serve in the temple and would help get them out the door to school, if necessary. Also, as my children left very early in the morning for school, my desire was to serve in the temple in the morning so as to be home when they returned home from school mid-afternoon.
The brother went on to explain the different positions in the temple where they were looking for help. None of them seemed to really fit. Then, he said, "I see from your background that you have some musical ability." I agreed. He indicated that he believed there was a need for some help playing the organ in the temple. I told him that was something I thought I could do. He promptly took me to meet his wife who tried to contact the sister in charge of the 100+ organists. She told me that there was an opening in the baptistry on Friday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. I let her know that I thought that would fit into my schedule just right. She assured me that she would continue to try to get in touch with the sister in charge and have her contact me directly. She told me that the sister had talked to her just that morning because that spot had been open for a while and she wanted to be sure to get it filled as soon as possible.
What I hadn't shared with ANYONE -- not the bishop, not any of the interviewers, not even Brian -- was that, in my heart of hearts, I wanted to play the organ in the temple. Don't get me wrong. I wanted to serve in the temple wherever they needed me the most. However, ultimately, what I really, really wanted to do was to play the organ. I honestly hadn't even prayed too much about it, because I didn't want to be disappointed, if that wasn't where they needed me.
Prior to my interview with the good brother at the temple, I was beginning to feel that Heavenly Father had forgotten about me. I had been "struggling in the faith", as one scripture writer wrote, what with Brian's employment challenges over the past couple of years and my battle with a skin infection called pyoderma gangrenosum which started in February. (It's on the back of my right calf. The ulcer just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It started out about .5 cm by .5 cm. It's now 5.2 cm by 7 cm. The drugs the doctor has me on aren't working. I've been on Prednisone, a steroid, since April, in addition to some other drugs that aren't working. I am still being treated for it and hope to find a resolution soon. Since this post is not about that, on with the narrative...)
As I left the temple and headed for home, I said a prayer of thanks to my Father in Heaven. I realized that He is aware of me, personally. He hasn't forgotten me. He knew what was in my heart of hearts and answered me in a way that let me know that He knows what I desire, and, as it was a righteous desire, He blessed me with it. I felt quite giddy! Even with all the "stuff" going on, He is aware of me, PERSONALLY. I am not alone down here. I can remain strong and faithful. Everything will turn out just right.
Later that evening, the sister in charge of the organists called me to set up an audition. I auditioned the next Monday and began my shift that very Friday. I have played the organ 3 times now, and enjoyed it very much. I have been surprised at the number of youth that are at the temple early on a Friday morning. I look forward to the morning that my own children will get up and go with me.
I am so grateful for this experience and the loving reminder I received. Thank you for letting me share it with you.
~Bobi
Just before school began again (which just happened last week, right? -- there is no way it's been 2 months already!), I made an appointment with my bishop and talked to him about becoming a temple worker. After visiting for a bit, he agreed that would be an okay thing for me to do and completed the appropriate paperwork. About a month later, I received a phone call asking me to interview with someone at the temple.
On the appointed day, I arrived at the temple to talk to them about what I could do to serve there. The brother conducting the interview first asked me how long ago I had been divorced. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? Apparently, my bishop had indicated that "yes" I had been divorced, instead of "no" I had NOT been divorced. I even remember the bishop asking me about it. It went like this: "Blah, blah blah...And, you've never been divorced, right?" "Right". So, he marked "yes". After reassuring the brother at the temple that I have been married for 21 years and never been divorced, he fixed the paperwork and then proceeded.
Next question that caused some concern -- "do you have children at home under the age of 18?" Since the answer is "yes", we had to explore that for a while. He explained that the Brethren feel very strongly about having mothers with children in the home be at home when the children are. I told him that my husband was supportive of my desire to serve in the temple and would help get them out the door to school, if necessary. Also, as my children left very early in the morning for school, my desire was to serve in the temple in the morning so as to be home when they returned home from school mid-afternoon.
The brother went on to explain the different positions in the temple where they were looking for help. None of them seemed to really fit. Then, he said, "I see from your background that you have some musical ability." I agreed. He indicated that he believed there was a need for some help playing the organ in the temple. I told him that was something I thought I could do. He promptly took me to meet his wife who tried to contact the sister in charge of the 100+ organists. She told me that there was an opening in the baptistry on Friday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. I let her know that I thought that would fit into my schedule just right. She assured me that she would continue to try to get in touch with the sister in charge and have her contact me directly. She told me that the sister had talked to her just that morning because that spot had been open for a while and she wanted to be sure to get it filled as soon as possible.
What I hadn't shared with ANYONE -- not the bishop, not any of the interviewers, not even Brian -- was that, in my heart of hearts, I wanted to play the organ in the temple. Don't get me wrong. I wanted to serve in the temple wherever they needed me the most. However, ultimately, what I really, really wanted to do was to play the organ. I honestly hadn't even prayed too much about it, because I didn't want to be disappointed, if that wasn't where they needed me.
Prior to my interview with the good brother at the temple, I was beginning to feel that Heavenly Father had forgotten about me. I had been "struggling in the faith", as one scripture writer wrote, what with Brian's employment challenges over the past couple of years and my battle with a skin infection called pyoderma gangrenosum which started in February. (It's on the back of my right calf. The ulcer just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It started out about .5 cm by .5 cm. It's now 5.2 cm by 7 cm. The drugs the doctor has me on aren't working. I've been on Prednisone, a steroid, since April, in addition to some other drugs that aren't working. I am still being treated for it and hope to find a resolution soon. Since this post is not about that, on with the narrative...)
As I left the temple and headed for home, I said a prayer of thanks to my Father in Heaven. I realized that He is aware of me, personally. He hasn't forgotten me. He knew what was in my heart of hearts and answered me in a way that let me know that He knows what I desire, and, as it was a righteous desire, He blessed me with it. I felt quite giddy! Even with all the "stuff" going on, He is aware of me, PERSONALLY. I am not alone down here. I can remain strong and faithful. Everything will turn out just right.
Later that evening, the sister in charge of the organists called me to set up an audition. I auditioned the next Monday and began my shift that very Friday. I have played the organ 3 times now, and enjoyed it very much. I have been surprised at the number of youth that are at the temple early on a Friday morning. I look forward to the morning that my own children will get up and go with me.
I am so grateful for this experience and the loving reminder I received. Thank you for letting me share it with you.
~Bobi
Monday, August 17, 2009
Whew!
Since my last post,
We came home from Girls Camp, washed our clothes, repacked, and prepared to drive to Idaho the next day.
Why did we go to Idaho, you may ask, remembering that we had just made a quick trip up and back the previous Friday? This time, we went to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. It was good to reconnect with my dad's family again, for the little bit of time we were there, anyway. Then, we went to my grandparents cabin in Island Park for the rest of Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday morning. We enjoyed spending time there as a family, with 2 of Adam's friends, and 1 of Lyssa's friends. My dad, step-mom, and my aunt and uncle (whose anniversary we just celebrated) came to visit us on Sunday and go to church with us. It was nice to spend that time with them. I had been looking forward to not playing the hymns in Sacrament Meeting (I am serving as my ward organist), but it didn't work out. The man in charge of the meeting came by asking if anyone would be willing to play the hymns and lead the music. My dad volunteered himself to lead and me to play. Ah, well. That's how it goes when you are a member of the largest volunteer organization!
We came home from the cabin Tuesday afternoon. The next morning, Lyssa and I went to the junior high to get her school schedule and locker assignment and find out about lunch and walk around the school so she could find her classrooms and went to her locker so she could get used to opening it. She is so excited to start 7th grade!
Day Camp was a good experience as well, even though the weather didn't cooperate! A cold front came through Friday night, so our plan to be outside all day Saturday, including our plan to swim outside for 2 1/2 hours didn't work out. I was so impressed with the other Girl Scout leaders who were in charge of the event and the plans that were made to make sure that everything that was planned still happened, just indoors! The girls still had a great time, even with the changes. I was grateful for the opportunity to live the life skills of flexibility and adaptability. I was also very grateful that we didn't have any melt downs or problems and that everyone else also demonstrated those life skills so well!
Yesterday marked 21 years of marriage for Brian and I. Wow. Where has the time gone? I can honestly say that I did not forsee our life would be like it is at this point in our married life. However, I wouldn't change a thing. The things we have learned are priceless. We are happy, healthy (for the most part), and still kicking! What more could we want? Our wonderful son, Adam, made breakfast before church and, with Lyssa's, help, made a wonderful candlelight dinner for us to celebrate our anniversary. He is such a stud!
Tomorrow, I get to take Adam to the high school for his schedule and locker assignment and for his school picture. We'll take some time exploring, since this is a new experience for us. Friday, Lyssa gets to go to school for an unofficial first day, where there are only 7th graders in the school, prior to the official start day. This weekend is the ward campout. Sunday is the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication. Then, school officially starts next Monday. Amazing!!!!!! Where did the summer go?
~Bobi
- Lyssa and I went to Girls Camp for 5 days
- The entire family plus 3 friends went to Idaho for about 4 days
- Lyssa got her 7th grade schedule for school
- Lyssa and I participated in Day Camp (for Girl Scouts)
- Brian and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary
We came home from Girls Camp, washed our clothes, repacked, and prepared to drive to Idaho the next day.
Why did we go to Idaho, you may ask, remembering that we had just made a quick trip up and back the previous Friday? This time, we went to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. It was good to reconnect with my dad's family again, for the little bit of time we were there, anyway. Then, we went to my grandparents cabin in Island Park for the rest of Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday morning. We enjoyed spending time there as a family, with 2 of Adam's friends, and 1 of Lyssa's friends. My dad, step-mom, and my aunt and uncle (whose anniversary we just celebrated) came to visit us on Sunday and go to church with us. It was nice to spend that time with them. I had been looking forward to not playing the hymns in Sacrament Meeting (I am serving as my ward organist), but it didn't work out. The man in charge of the meeting came by asking if anyone would be willing to play the hymns and lead the music. My dad volunteered himself to lead and me to play. Ah, well. That's how it goes when you are a member of the largest volunteer organization!
We came home from the cabin Tuesday afternoon. The next morning, Lyssa and I went to the junior high to get her school schedule and locker assignment and find out about lunch and walk around the school so she could find her classrooms and went to her locker so she could get used to opening it. She is so excited to start 7th grade!
Day Camp was a good experience as well, even though the weather didn't cooperate! A cold front came through Friday night, so our plan to be outside all day Saturday, including our plan to swim outside for 2 1/2 hours didn't work out. I was so impressed with the other Girl Scout leaders who were in charge of the event and the plans that were made to make sure that everything that was planned still happened, just indoors! The girls still had a great time, even with the changes. I was grateful for the opportunity to live the life skills of flexibility and adaptability. I was also very grateful that we didn't have any melt downs or problems and that everyone else also demonstrated those life skills so well!
Yesterday marked 21 years of marriage for Brian and I. Wow. Where has the time gone? I can honestly say that I did not forsee our life would be like it is at this point in our married life. However, I wouldn't change a thing. The things we have learned are priceless. We are happy, healthy (for the most part), and still kicking! What more could we want? Our wonderful son, Adam, made breakfast before church and, with Lyssa's, help, made a wonderful candlelight dinner for us to celebrate our anniversary. He is such a stud!
Tomorrow, I get to take Adam to the high school for his schedule and locker assignment and for his school picture. We'll take some time exploring, since this is a new experience for us. Friday, Lyssa gets to go to school for an unofficial first day, where there are only 7th graders in the school, prior to the official start day. This weekend is the ward campout. Sunday is the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication. Then, school officially starts next Monday. Amazing!!!!!! Where did the summer go?
~Bobi
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Circle of Life
The past 8 days have been full of ups and downs.
A week ago yesterday (Saturday), I picked Lyssa and her cousin up from Girl Scout Camp. Two of Lyssa's good friends joined me for the ride to Trefoil Ranch. We got to hear all about the great time they had at camp! The last time Lyssa went to Girl Scout Camp at Trefoil Ranch, I was the absolute last parent to pick up a child. That was pretty sad, especially because I got there only 45 minutes into the pick-up window! Before leaving this time, Lyssa had several conversations with me about not being the last parent to arrive. I had planned to be there right at the start of the pick-up time. Because of picking up Lyssa's two friends, I wasn't there right at the start like I wanted. However, I was there only 20 minutes into the time frame. I'm not sure if that was good or not, because once we arrived, we waited in line, in the car, for another 40 minutes! Yep! You read correctly. We picked Lyssa up at the end of the pick-up time frame. At least there were MANY other girls still waiting to be picked up as there was a very long line even after us!
Anyway, we hurried to my sister's house so that Lyssa and her cousin could shower away their camp smell and put on nice, clean clothes. Then, we all went to a baby shower for my sister. Exciting and fun! Then, we went to my mom's house and hung out for a while, waiting for another of Lyssa's friends to get home from a family reunion so we could go to the new Draper Temple so the girls could do baptisms for the dead. Lyssa, her cousin (first time!), and 3 friends were able to participate. We also had a friend's mom bring Adam and two others (siblings of one of the friends). It was a great experience. It was fun to be there with Lyssa's cousin and to share that with her.
Monday, Brian and I attended the funeral of my mother's sister's husband's brother (my uncle's brother). He had lived with his brother (my uncle) and family for over 20 years. It was very sudden and unexpected. It was nice to hear the stories that friends and family shared of their relationship with him.
This past Wednesday morning, Brian, Adam, Lyssa and I were able to go the Salt Lake Temple to do baptisms for the dead. This was the first time that we went all together as a family. We had all gone, just in smaller combinations. Pretty exciting stuff! Then, Adam and Lyssa hung out in the Youth Room in the Marriage Waiting Room while Brian and I attended the sealing of our cousin/nephew and his new bride. It was very, very nice. We were able to stay for pictures on the temple grounds and then join everyone for the wedding luncheon. We all had jobs to help at the reception as well. Brian scooped ice cream; I kept an eye on the toppings and helped serve the cake; Adam helped with the gifts; and Lyssa got to help clear tables. She even got to wear a frilly apron!
Two days ago (Friday), Brian, Lyssa and I (and my youngest sister) made a quick trip to Hamer, Idaho to attend the funeral of my dad's sister (my aunt). (Adam was at Camp Steiner as a CIT. He was able to come home with our other cousin/nephew -- brother of the groom -- for the wedding.) My aunt had been battling cancer for a while. It was good to see all the family, even though it was a sad occassion that brought us all together. We left at 6:38 a.m. and returned home at 5:03 p.m. Very quick trip!
Anyway, celebrating the excitement of new life in the form of a baby and new life in the form of a marriage sealed for time and all eternity and mourning the loss of a physical body while celebrating a life well lived (twice!) this past week has caused me to stop and ponder a bit about what this life really means. I don't profess to have any answers to any questions that might arise from this type of reflection. What I do know is that our Heavenly Father loves us and is in charge of what happens. All we can do is do our best to live as He would have us live so that when it is time to return home to Him, we can be satisfied with what we did while on this earth.
~Bobi
A week ago yesterday (Saturday), I picked Lyssa and her cousin up from Girl Scout Camp. Two of Lyssa's good friends joined me for the ride to Trefoil Ranch. We got to hear all about the great time they had at camp! The last time Lyssa went to Girl Scout Camp at Trefoil Ranch, I was the absolute last parent to pick up a child. That was pretty sad, especially because I got there only 45 minutes into the pick-up window! Before leaving this time, Lyssa had several conversations with me about not being the last parent to arrive. I had planned to be there right at the start of the pick-up time. Because of picking up Lyssa's two friends, I wasn't there right at the start like I wanted. However, I was there only 20 minutes into the time frame. I'm not sure if that was good or not, because once we arrived, we waited in line, in the car, for another 40 minutes! Yep! You read correctly. We picked Lyssa up at the end of the pick-up time frame. At least there were MANY other girls still waiting to be picked up as there was a very long line even after us!
Anyway, we hurried to my sister's house so that Lyssa and her cousin could shower away their camp smell and put on nice, clean clothes. Then, we all went to a baby shower for my sister. Exciting and fun! Then, we went to my mom's house and hung out for a while, waiting for another of Lyssa's friends to get home from a family reunion so we could go to the new Draper Temple so the girls could do baptisms for the dead. Lyssa, her cousin (first time!), and 3 friends were able to participate. We also had a friend's mom bring Adam and two others (siblings of one of the friends). It was a great experience. It was fun to be there with Lyssa's cousin and to share that with her.
Monday, Brian and I attended the funeral of my mother's sister's husband's brother (my uncle's brother). He had lived with his brother (my uncle) and family for over 20 years. It was very sudden and unexpected. It was nice to hear the stories that friends and family shared of their relationship with him.
This past Wednesday morning, Brian, Adam, Lyssa and I were able to go the Salt Lake Temple to do baptisms for the dead. This was the first time that we went all together as a family. We had all gone, just in smaller combinations. Pretty exciting stuff! Then, Adam and Lyssa hung out in the Youth Room in the Marriage Waiting Room while Brian and I attended the sealing of our cousin/nephew and his new bride. It was very, very nice. We were able to stay for pictures on the temple grounds and then join everyone for the wedding luncheon. We all had jobs to help at the reception as well. Brian scooped ice cream; I kept an eye on the toppings and helped serve the cake; Adam helped with the gifts; and Lyssa got to help clear tables. She even got to wear a frilly apron!
Two days ago (Friday), Brian, Lyssa and I (and my youngest sister) made a quick trip to Hamer, Idaho to attend the funeral of my dad's sister (my aunt). (Adam was at Camp Steiner as a CIT. He was able to come home with our other cousin/nephew -- brother of the groom -- for the wedding.) My aunt had been battling cancer for a while. It was good to see all the family, even though it was a sad occassion that brought us all together. We left at 6:38 a.m. and returned home at 5:03 p.m. Very quick trip!
Anyway, celebrating the excitement of new life in the form of a baby and new life in the form of a marriage sealed for time and all eternity and mourning the loss of a physical body while celebrating a life well lived (twice!) this past week has caused me to stop and ponder a bit about what this life really means. I don't profess to have any answers to any questions that might arise from this type of reflection. What I do know is that our Heavenly Father loves us and is in charge of what happens. All we can do is do our best to live as He would have us live so that when it is time to return home to Him, we can be satisfied with what we did while on this earth.
~Bobi
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Reading is Fun
Those who know me know that I love to read. I always have a book that I am reading. The current book goes with me everywhere. I read every possible moment. I am even a member of a couple of book clubs.
This morning, as I was reading in the criptures, it really hit home with me about how much I love to read! I love the printed word. I enjoy learning new things. I enjoy being entertained. I enjoy trying to figure out the mystery. I love that there are so many books to be read. I am so grateful for authors who have thoughts that they put down on paper and turn them into books that I can read. I love that there are so many books out there that were written a long time ago (think Little Women or Anne of Green Gables) that are timeless.
I am currently reading the second book in a series. The series, and the name of the first book, is called The Mother-Daughter Book Club. The second book is called Much Ado About Anne.
Funny side note: Lyssa and I have participated in a Mother/Daughter Book Club sponsored by the County Library system for the last 4 years. We read The Mother-Daughter Book Club for our last meeting in May. We were at Grandma Camp's house, getting ready to leave to go to our last meeting. We had been talking about our Mother/Daughter Book Club. Grandma asked if we had read the book. We said yes. She asked the name of the book. Lyssa said, "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." Grandma said, "I know. What was the name of the book?" Lyssa said again, "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." I started laughing, because I realized that Grandma thought Lyssa was still talking about where we were going and didn't realize that she was now saying the name of the book!
Anyway, the first book is a story about four girls and their mothers who start a Mother-Daughter Book Club. They took an entire year to read Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The overall story is about the four girls and their experiences in 6th grade. The author does a good job of relating experiences from Little Women to the four girls and the experiences they are having. In the second book, the girls and their mothers are reading the Anne books by L.M. Montgomery. The author is again using quotes and experiences from the Anne books as she tells the continuing story of the four girls who are now in 7th grade. I was thinking about how these books (the Anne books and Little Women) were written 100 years ago or more, and yet the messages and the experiences are still applicable to today.
The same thing happens with the scriptures. Isn't it great that the things we read today that were written hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years ago still apply today? I guess truth is truth, no matter where you find it!
~Bobi
This morning, as I was reading in the criptures, it really hit home with me about how much I love to read! I love the printed word. I enjoy learning new things. I enjoy being entertained. I enjoy trying to figure out the mystery. I love that there are so many books to be read. I am so grateful for authors who have thoughts that they put down on paper and turn them into books that I can read. I love that there are so many books out there that were written a long time ago (think Little Women or Anne of Green Gables) that are timeless.
I am currently reading the second book in a series. The series, and the name of the first book, is called The Mother-Daughter Book Club. The second book is called Much Ado About Anne.
Funny side note: Lyssa and I have participated in a Mother/Daughter Book Club sponsored by the County Library system for the last 4 years. We read The Mother-Daughter Book Club for our last meeting in May. We were at Grandma Camp's house, getting ready to leave to go to our last meeting. We had been talking about our Mother/Daughter Book Club. Grandma asked if we had read the book. We said yes. She asked the name of the book. Lyssa said, "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." Grandma said, "I know. What was the name of the book?" Lyssa said again, "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." I started laughing, because I realized that Grandma thought Lyssa was still talking about where we were going and didn't realize that she was now saying the name of the book!
Anyway, the first book is a story about four girls and their mothers who start a Mother-Daughter Book Club. They took an entire year to read Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The overall story is about the four girls and their experiences in 6th grade. The author does a good job of relating experiences from Little Women to the four girls and the experiences they are having. In the second book, the girls and their mothers are reading the Anne books by L.M. Montgomery. The author is again using quotes and experiences from the Anne books as she tells the continuing story of the four girls who are now in 7th grade. I was thinking about how these books (the Anne books and Little Women) were written 100 years ago or more, and yet the messages and the experiences are still applicable to today.
The same thing happens with the scriptures. Isn't it great that the things we read today that were written hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years ago still apply today? I guess truth is truth, no matter where you find it!
~Bobi
Monday, June 22, 2009
Life is So Fragile
A very good friend of mine had a pulmonary embollism Saturday morning. She was 26 weeks pregnant with a little boy. She and her husband were so excited to bring this new little life into this world. Today, the decision was made to take her off life support. She passed away shortly after. She was only twenty-something!
I met her when I was assigned to be her visiting teacher several years ago. She didn't want anything to do with me for a very long time. As I continued to call her and ask to visit with her, she finally let me and my companion in the door. Her sweet husband joined us during our conversations. One of the things that I recognized from the very first was how much he loved her. He was not a member of the LDS Church at that time. Over the course of a couple of years, they got married, he investigated and joined the Church, they were sealed in the temple. They are wonderful people! It is so hard to believe she is gone. My heart is breaking for him. I am so grateful that I have been able to be a part of their lives.
~Bobi
I met her when I was assigned to be her visiting teacher several years ago. She didn't want anything to do with me for a very long time. As I continued to call her and ask to visit with her, she finally let me and my companion in the door. Her sweet husband joined us during our conversations. One of the things that I recognized from the very first was how much he loved her. He was not a member of the LDS Church at that time. Over the course of a couple of years, they got married, he investigated and joined the Church, they were sealed in the temple. They are wonderful people! It is so hard to believe she is gone. My heart is breaking for him. I am so grateful that I have been able to be a part of their lives.
~Bobi
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Comment
Lyssa said the following yesterday, after her first experience doing baptisms for the dead. We were able to take her to the Jordan River Temple. We each did 15 confirmations. Brian was able to baptize her for 15 people.
Me: So, how do you feel?
Lyssa (in an extremely happy voice): That was so great!!!! It was like going on a new ride at Lagoon, only, you know, more spiritual!!!!!
~Bobi
Me: So, how do you feel?
Lyssa (in an extremely happy voice): That was so great!!!! It was like going on a new ride at Lagoon, only, you know, more spiritual!!!!!
~Bobi
Thursday, June 4, 2009
She's Not Young Anymore!
Last month, Lyssa had a birthday. She also had a musical theater performance on the same day. So, we combined her birthday party with her performance. It was a lot of fun.
Her friends came over for brunch. After we ate, she opened presents. Then, we piled into two cars and headed for her performance. Up With Kids presented "Enchanted" this year. Lyssa played "Nathaya", the wicked stepmother's hench-woman. She did a great job. She had many lines. She even got to sing a duet with another performer. She sounded wonderful!
After the performance, her friends joined her on stage for some pictures. After Lyssa had changed out of her costume, we took some more pics. We went home and had lunch, opened more presents, and then had cake and ice cream. Her friends thought it would be fun to give her a big surprise by pushing her face into her dessert! She was a great sport about it.
~Bobi
Tenor Taylor
Adam gets to go to high school next year. When we filling out the registration form, way back when, he put down that he wanted to be in Show Choir and then anxiously awaited the day to find out when auditions were.
The day came. He, along with a lot of other friends, went to the high school to audition. He sang a solo. Then, he dashed to his junior high to play with the Jazz Band at the school's Tiger Extravaganza. When he was done performing, he returned to the high school with a group of friends so that he could be part of the group auditions. The audition process took about 4 hours total. After that, he anxiously awaited hearing the results.
We were told that the list would be posted the following Monday. No list. The rumors at the junior high were many: that the list would be posted later in the week; that there would be no list posted and phone calls would be made; that those who made it would be "kidnapped" from their homes early in the morning for breakfast. The "kidnapping" sounded like the most fun!
Days passed. No phone call. No list posted. Nothing. More days passed. We waited with anticipation. How would the call come? Had it already happened and Adam hadn't made it? When, when would we find out? This is something that he really, really wants to do!
More days passed. It's now been almost 3 weeks since the auditions. Maybe it wouldn't really happen. He must not have made it. Then...wonder of wonders! The phone call came. Someone currently in Show Choir called to let me know that Adam would be kidnapped the following morning... EARLY! Like 5:30 a.m. early. He wanted us, as his parents, to be aware and be willing to answer the door when he rang so early in the morning. We were stoked!
I was out of town at the State PTA Convention, so I didn't get to witness the early morning wake-up call. I heard that it was so much fun! Adam was surprised. His sponsor had made an outfit for him to wear throughout the school day. Doesn't he look great?
~Bobi
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
We Really Did It!
It's official. The musical is over. We had a BLAST! Adam is not liking the calluses on his fingers. Lyssa and I can't get the songs out of our heads. And Brian keeps leaving his "Candle Man" prop around on the floor so I keep stubbing my toes! ;)
However, tonight would have been a rehearsal night and ... we didn't have one! It was actually quite odd to be able to do the "normal" things. Lyssa was able to go to a friend's house after school do practice the flute and to do homework. Adam was able to get his bike tire fixed and ride his bike to his soccer game and home again after. I was able to teach piano lessons and pick up Lyssa and watch the last 20 minutes of Adam's soccer game and then rush home to straighten up the living room to then host my monthly Book Club. (Thanks to everyone who came!) Brian went to a seminar with a friend he made while doing the musical. All in all, a great evening!
We took TONS of pictures of the people in the musical, and us, of course! However, I haven't learned how to get them on the computer, let alone to a place where I can attach them to this blog. I promise to learn very soon and will add them.
Thanks to everyone who came and supported us. My sister, Heather, was able to take some pictures and a few short video clips. You can check them out at her blog, http://tendermercies1.blogspot.com. That will have to tide you over until I can figure out how to get things on this one!
We had a great time. We made great friendships. We feel like we now have friends everywhere in our area. We created lasting memories. It was worth every minute!
-Bobi
However, tonight would have been a rehearsal night and ... we didn't have one! It was actually quite odd to be able to do the "normal" things. Lyssa was able to go to a friend's house after school do practice the flute and to do homework. Adam was able to get his bike tire fixed and ride his bike to his soccer game and home again after. I was able to teach piano lessons and pick up Lyssa and watch the last 20 minutes of Adam's soccer game and then rush home to straighten up the living room to then host my monthly Book Club. (Thanks to everyone who came!) Brian went to a seminar with a friend he made while doing the musical. All in all, a great evening!
We took TONS of pictures of the people in the musical, and us, of course! However, I haven't learned how to get them on the computer, let alone to a place where I can attach them to this blog. I promise to learn very soon and will add them.
Thanks to everyone who came and supported us. My sister, Heather, was able to take some pictures and a few short video clips. You can check them out at her blog, http://tendermercies1.blogspot.com. That will have to tide you over until I can figure out how to get things on this one!
We had a great time. We made great friendships. We feel like we now have friends everywhere in our area. We created lasting memories. It was worth every minute!
-Bobi
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Case of "The Nerves"
So tonight is the official Opening Night of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast". We are prepared. We haven't peaked too soon. We had our "bad rehearsal" for the "good show" last night. Except, the choreographer said the dancing had never looked better! Wow. That makes me wonder how it's really looked all along! ;-)
The orchestra sounds marvelous. The mikes all work. The costumes fit. We've figured out how to put on the appropriate amount of make-up so we look alive on stage instead of half-dead. We are READY!
Have I mentioned that we're ready? Well, we are. However, the closer the time approaches to 7:30 p.m., the more my hands are getting sweaty and my heart is pounding in my chest. I haven't been this nervous in I don't know how long!
I have survived multiple surgeries, many, many doctor's visits that include all kinds of pokes and prods, bearing 2 children, unemployment, playing/performing in church, "performing" in front of all kinds of people as I have been charge of many, many meetings, and have not had a case of "The Nerves". Why now?
Probably because I am so EXCITED and want to do my absolute best. I'm excited for people to come see us. The show is almost completely sold out! Last night, the guy in charge of the Box Office said that out of the 2500 tickets to be sold (5 shows selling 500 tickets each show), there are only 216 tickets left! WOW!
Since it's bad luck to say "Good Luck", I'm going to say, to myself and everyone else involved -- BREAK A LEG!!!!!!!
~Bobi
The orchestra sounds marvelous. The mikes all work. The costumes fit. We've figured out how to put on the appropriate amount of make-up so we look alive on stage instead of half-dead. We are READY!
Have I mentioned that we're ready? Well, we are. However, the closer the time approaches to 7:30 p.m., the more my hands are getting sweaty and my heart is pounding in my chest. I haven't been this nervous in I don't know how long!
I have survived multiple surgeries, many, many doctor's visits that include all kinds of pokes and prods, bearing 2 children, unemployment, playing/performing in church, "performing" in front of all kinds of people as I have been charge of many, many meetings, and have not had a case of "The Nerves". Why now?
Probably because I am so EXCITED and want to do my absolute best. I'm excited for people to come see us. The show is almost completely sold out! Last night, the guy in charge of the Box Office said that out of the 2500 tickets to be sold (5 shows selling 500 tickets each show), there are only 216 tickets left! WOW!
Since it's bad luck to say "Good Luck", I'm going to say, to myself and everyone else involved -- BREAK A LEG!!!!!!!
~Bobi
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
He's Caught the Vision!
Our stake (collection of several wards [congregations]) is putting on Disney's "Beauty and the Beast". Brian, Lyssa, and I are on stage. Adam decided he wanted to be in the orchestra, playing the double bass. We have all been practicing a lot in preparation for our performances the last full week of April. The orchestra is just about ready to join the actors on stage. Adam has been making comments about how long the songs are. "Be Our Guest", for example, has over 400 measures. That is a long song, especially when you consider the stuff he's playing in school has around 100 measures. Also, Adam hasn't been enjoying "Be Our Guest" since he plays almost the entire song (remember, over 400 measures) pizzicato. (That means plucking the string instead of using the bow.) Pretty boring for him.
Last night, the leads went in to where the orchestra was rehearsing and sang "Be Our Guest" with them. Adam said it was so AWESOME! He says that playing while they were singing makes the song not be boring anymore! He was so excited! He has caught the vision of playing in a large orchestra (or band) while others are performing. He is now so psyched! The orchestra will be joining the full cast at our rehearsal tomorrow night. He can't wait.
I am so grateful that our family has this opportunity. We are each enjoying what we are doing and the parts that we are playing. I am especially glad that Adam is enjoying his experience in the orchestra so much. I am so glad that we are in a position to be able to be a part of something like this. It's been (A LOT OF) years since I have performed on stage, dancing and singing and just being a part of something that is larger than I am. I am loving the chance to be able to do it again. It's even better because my family gets to experience it with me. So much fun!
~Bobi
Last night, the leads went in to where the orchestra was rehearsing and sang "Be Our Guest" with them. Adam said it was so AWESOME! He says that playing while they were singing makes the song not be boring anymore! He was so excited! He has caught the vision of playing in a large orchestra (or band) while others are performing. He is now so psyched! The orchestra will be joining the full cast at our rehearsal tomorrow night. He can't wait.
I am so grateful that our family has this opportunity. We are each enjoying what we are doing and the parts that we are playing. I am especially glad that Adam is enjoying his experience in the orchestra so much. I am so glad that we are in a position to be able to be a part of something like this. It's been (A LOT OF) years since I have performed on stage, dancing and singing and just being a part of something that is larger than I am. I am loving the chance to be able to do it again. It's even better because my family gets to experience it with me. So much fun!
~Bobi
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"Yes! I Can See!"
Yesterday, Lyssa got CONTACTS!!!!!!! After struggling for quite a while, she was able to put a contact in her right eye. She looked in the mirror, and with hands punched in the air, she exclaimed, "YES! I CAN SEE!" The technician and I laughed. She wasn't able to get the second contact in, so I helped out with that. She has fairly large astygmatisms in both eyes, so she gets to experience the joys of wearing her contacts for a few hours the first day and add on an hour or two each day after, due to the shape of the lens. She is loving having her contacts. She already came home from school today and begged me to be able to put them back in again. It's hard to be patient! I remember feeling the same way!
~Bobi
~Bobi
Friday, March 6, 2009
"I Like Myself"
The other evening, after Lyssa finished freshening up prior to that evening's activities, she came to me and said:
"Mom, I've decided that there is more to me than being pretty. I'm smart and funny. I LIKE myself. I mean, I'm pretty, too, but there really is more to me than just that."
I told her that I agreed with her and that I was really glad she likes herself. I encouraged her to take a few minutes and write down her thoughts and feelings so she could remember in the future. (She did.)
Later that night, she told me that at her last Up With Kids rehearsal, one of the directors had encouraged the students to go home and look themselves in the mirror each day and tell themselves "I like who you are and what I see". That was the impetus for the above.
I am very grateful for kind, thoughtful, caring people in my daughter's life who are helping her with her self-esteem. I'm grateful that she is open enough to listen and confident enough in herself to take it to heart and own it.
~Bobi
"Mom, I've decided that there is more to me than being pretty. I'm smart and funny. I LIKE myself. I mean, I'm pretty, too, but there really is more to me than just that."
I told her that I agreed with her and that I was really glad she likes herself. I encouraged her to take a few minutes and write down her thoughts and feelings so she could remember in the future. (She did.)
Later that night, she told me that at her last Up With Kids rehearsal, one of the directors had encouraged the students to go home and look themselves in the mirror each day and tell themselves "I like who you are and what I see". That was the impetus for the above.
I am very grateful for kind, thoughtful, caring people in my daughter's life who are helping her with her self-esteem. I'm grateful that she is open enough to listen and confident enough in herself to take it to heart and own it.
~Bobi
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Long Time, No Read
I know it's been quite a while since I last created an entry. Sorry for that! Life has been EXTREMELY busy. That's probably not the best exucse, but there you have it.
Since I last posted, Adam has continued to attend school and jazz band, to go to Young Men activities and Scout activities (including planning a couple of Scout campouts -- one this weekend to Lava Hot Springs and one in March to go cross country skiing), sold flowers at school and put together flowers at school and delivered flowers at school, done homework, practiced his instruments, cleaned house, eaten food (including help make meals), slept, read, watched TV, played on the Wii and the computer, helped clean house, hung out with friends, including sleepovers here and there. In short, he has lived his normal, regular life.
Since I last posted, Lyssa has continued to attend school, to play in the band (she decided to be in the Honors Band as well), to go to Activity Days activities (only 3 more months of those!), attended Up With Kids rehearsals (she got the part of Nathaya), to go to violin lessons, to play with friends, to have sleepovers and late-overs, to watch TV, to read, to eat, to sleep, to practice her instruments, to help clean house (including cleaning up her room -- did you know she really does have carpet in there?), to play on the Wii, to check her email, to attend Girl Scout activities, sold Girl Scout cookies, performed on the violin at Libby Gardner Hall with other violin students. In short, she has lived her normal, regular life.
Since I last posted, Brian has continued to work part-time at The Piano Gallery, he has looked for additional side jobs (and found some!) and completed said side jobs, has researched what he needs to do to officially set up a business, has read scriptures and other good books, has cleaned house, has prayed, has fulfilled Church callings. In short, he has lived his normal, regular life.
Since I last posted, I have continued to teach piano, attended PTA meetings, held Girl Scout meetings, helped sell Girl Scout cookies, checked email, worked at my online transcription job, cleaned house, done laundry, made meals, done ironing, read, read, read, planned and executed a Couple's GNO (thanks to everyone who attended), was part of the State PTA Nominating Committee meeting (which involved an overnight stay), played for the violin students who performed at Libby Gardner Hall, volunteered at my children's schools, filed our taxes, etc. etc. etc.
As a family, we have decided to participate in the Stake production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." I have been asked to be in charge of all the singing. We had our first singing rehearsal last night. It's going to be great! Adam has decided to play the string bass in the Orchestra. He says it will fun and challenging. Brian and Lyssa are singing in the chorus and plan to help with the stage crew. I will be leading the singing and eventually will be on stage in the chorus. We have 8 weeks until production week. If anyone is in town April 22-25 and are willing to pay $3.50 a ticket, please plan to come see us! It should be great!
I'm sure there are more things to write about. Life is never slow or uninteresting. That's all I can think of at the moment. Know that even though the blog doesn't get updated regularly, we are still alive and well, happy and healthy.
~Bobi
Since I last posted, Adam has continued to attend school and jazz band, to go to Young Men activities and Scout activities (including planning a couple of Scout campouts -- one this weekend to Lava Hot Springs and one in March to go cross country skiing), sold flowers at school and put together flowers at school and delivered flowers at school, done homework, practiced his instruments, cleaned house, eaten food (including help make meals), slept, read, watched TV, played on the Wii and the computer, helped clean house, hung out with friends, including sleepovers here and there. In short, he has lived his normal, regular life.
Since I last posted, Lyssa has continued to attend school, to play in the band (she decided to be in the Honors Band as well), to go to Activity Days activities (only 3 more months of those!), attended Up With Kids rehearsals (she got the part of Nathaya), to go to violin lessons, to play with friends, to have sleepovers and late-overs, to watch TV, to read, to eat, to sleep, to practice her instruments, to help clean house (including cleaning up her room -- did you know she really does have carpet in there?), to play on the Wii, to check her email, to attend Girl Scout activities, sold Girl Scout cookies, performed on the violin at Libby Gardner Hall with other violin students. In short, she has lived her normal, regular life.
Since I last posted, Brian has continued to work part-time at The Piano Gallery, he has looked for additional side jobs (and found some!) and completed said side jobs, has researched what he needs to do to officially set up a business, has read scriptures and other good books, has cleaned house, has prayed, has fulfilled Church callings. In short, he has lived his normal, regular life.
Since I last posted, I have continued to teach piano, attended PTA meetings, held Girl Scout meetings, helped sell Girl Scout cookies, checked email, worked at my online transcription job, cleaned house, done laundry, made meals, done ironing, read, read, read, planned and executed a Couple's GNO (thanks to everyone who attended), was part of the State PTA Nominating Committee meeting (which involved an overnight stay), played for the violin students who performed at Libby Gardner Hall, volunteered at my children's schools, filed our taxes, etc. etc. etc.
As a family, we have decided to participate in the Stake production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." I have been asked to be in charge of all the singing. We had our first singing rehearsal last night. It's going to be great! Adam has decided to play the string bass in the Orchestra. He says it will fun and challenging. Brian and Lyssa are singing in the chorus and plan to help with the stage crew. I will be leading the singing and eventually will be on stage in the chorus. We have 8 weeks until production week. If anyone is in town April 22-25 and are willing to pay $3.50 a ticket, please plan to come see us! It should be great!
I'm sure there are more things to write about. Life is never slow or uninteresting. That's all I can think of at the moment. Know that even though the blog doesn't get updated regularly, we are still alive and well, happy and healthy.
~Bobi
Sunday, January 25, 2009
I've Been Tagged!
I haven't been able to get online for a few days. It's amazing how busy life ends up being at times. I was grateful to get on tonight to catch up on my blog reading. I thought I'd even post something, since it's been such a while.
Imagine my surprise when I read a few friend's blogs and saw that I had been tagged! I decided I'd better do it now, or I'd forget. So, read on. I hope you enjoy my answers, just as I enjoyed theirs!
RULES~
1- Post the rules on your blog.
2- List 6 random things about yourself.
3- Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4- Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
5- Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Rule #1? Check.
Rule #2? Here goes...
1. I have two single sisters. One lives in the States and travels throughout the world quite frequently. The other is currently living out of the country. She also has an opportunity to travel a bit. They bring me gifts from their travels around the world. I love that! I love to travel; however, I am not in a position to do so at this time. So, I am even more grateful for the gifts they bring me from their travels. I feel like it gives me a taste of other places, even if I don't get to experience it for myself right now.
2. I love to read. I read voraciously. I usually read at least 2 books a week, sometimes more. I know I've been really, really busy if I haven't been able to finish a book in a week. I enjoy reading fiction mostly.
3. I'm auditioning for the role of Mrs. Potts in the Salt Lake Hunter Central Stake production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast". I haven't been in a production since I was a senior in high school. I'm actually really, really nervous about the acting part of the audition because I was told as a freshman in high school that I am incapable of keeping the action moving along on stage. To quote, "Faster! Jump in with your line! Speak over the person who is speaking!" And then, after I delivered my lines: "That wasn't fast enough! Do it again!" I didn't get the role of Chava in "The Fiddler on the Roof" my junior year because the director remembered that and wouldn't give me another chance, even though the dance director and choral director were confident that I could pull it off and really fought for me. I expect that I've learned a few things over the years. Maybe I won't freeze up? We'll see.
4. I LOVE being a Girl Scout leader. I love the Girl Scout program. I love tailoring the program to fit the girls that are participating with us. I love seeing the girls join together and participating together and learning and growing together. I work very hard with the other leaders to make our troop meetings and activities fun and inviting. I want them to feel safe with me and with what we are doing. I attended a Leader Training day-long workshop thing (what do you call them?) and learned through an exercise there (an Aha! moment) that I have great memories of my experiences in Girl Scouts as a girl because I felt safe there. I wasn't asked to be a miniature adult. I was allowed to be a girl who was whatever age I was at the time. It was very, very hard for me to give up being a Girl Scout when I was 12 and in the 7th grade. I remember fighting my mom about it for a long time. I was very jealous of my friend who was able to continue. I wanted to be with her so badly! I'm very grateful that I get to be an adult leader and share my love for the program with other girls. I was so glad when Lyssa was born. I planned almost from day 1 to get involved with Girl Scouts with her. I'm glad that we get to play together in that way.
5. When my dad was getting ready to remarry, he called me to tell me about my stepmother-to-be and about her family. There are 5 children in my family -- 4 girls and 1 boy (in the middle). There are 5 children in her family -- 4 boys and 1 girl (in the middle). I reminded my dad that I had always wanted an older brother and asked, "How old is the oldest boy?" I was informed that I am STILL the oldest. Argh!!!!!
6. Growing up in Chicago meant that we made a lot of trips across the country to visit family in Utah and Idaho. It seemed to be that no matter where we went, my dad would find someone that he knew. Once, we had just crossed into Wyoming and stopped to get gas at the tiniest place just off the highway. My dad went in to pay for it, and didn't come back for a very long time. My mom was about to send one of us in to find out what was up, when he returned to the car. He had recognized the clerk inside as a person he had attended high school with. It started to be a family joke: "We can't take you anywhere!" In college, twice I was a member of a dance team that went to Europe. The second year, my sister and I were able to be roommates when we stayed with host families in Holland. While there, one of the guys on the team was excited because a person he had baptized to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while serving a mission in Sweden (or Norway -- can't remember exactly), came to visit him. My sister and I started visiting with this guy and learned that he had family that lived in the Chicago area. As we visited more, we figured out that his aunt and our mom worked at the same company! I enjoyed having a story to tell my dad so that he could say back to me "We can't take you anywhere!"
Rule #3? I tag Lara, Alayna, Russell, Ryan, Heather, and Amy.
Rule #4? Will do.
Rule #5? Will do.
Thanks for reading my random thoughts. I hope you don't feel there was TMI!
~Bobi
Imagine my surprise when I read a few friend's blogs and saw that I had been tagged! I decided I'd better do it now, or I'd forget. So, read on. I hope you enjoy my answers, just as I enjoyed theirs!
RULES~
1- Post the rules on your blog.
2- List 6 random things about yourself.
3- Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4- Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
5- Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Rule #1? Check.
Rule #2? Here goes...
1. I have two single sisters. One lives in the States and travels throughout the world quite frequently. The other is currently living out of the country. She also has an opportunity to travel a bit. They bring me gifts from their travels around the world. I love that! I love to travel; however, I am not in a position to do so at this time. So, I am even more grateful for the gifts they bring me from their travels. I feel like it gives me a taste of other places, even if I don't get to experience it for myself right now.
2. I love to read. I read voraciously. I usually read at least 2 books a week, sometimes more. I know I've been really, really busy if I haven't been able to finish a book in a week. I enjoy reading fiction mostly.
3. I'm auditioning for the role of Mrs. Potts in the Salt Lake Hunter Central Stake production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast". I haven't been in a production since I was a senior in high school. I'm actually really, really nervous about the acting part of the audition because I was told as a freshman in high school that I am incapable of keeping the action moving along on stage. To quote, "Faster! Jump in with your line! Speak over the person who is speaking!" And then, after I delivered my lines: "That wasn't fast enough! Do it again!" I didn't get the role of Chava in "The Fiddler on the Roof" my junior year because the director remembered that and wouldn't give me another chance, even though the dance director and choral director were confident that I could pull it off and really fought for me. I expect that I've learned a few things over the years. Maybe I won't freeze up? We'll see.
4. I LOVE being a Girl Scout leader. I love the Girl Scout program. I love tailoring the program to fit the girls that are participating with us. I love seeing the girls join together and participating together and learning and growing together. I work very hard with the other leaders to make our troop meetings and activities fun and inviting. I want them to feel safe with me and with what we are doing. I attended a Leader Training day-long workshop thing (what do you call them?) and learned through an exercise there (an Aha! moment) that I have great memories of my experiences in Girl Scouts as a girl because I felt safe there. I wasn't asked to be a miniature adult. I was allowed to be a girl who was whatever age I was at the time. It was very, very hard for me to give up being a Girl Scout when I was 12 and in the 7th grade. I remember fighting my mom about it for a long time. I was very jealous of my friend who was able to continue. I wanted to be with her so badly! I'm very grateful that I get to be an adult leader and share my love for the program with other girls. I was so glad when Lyssa was born. I planned almost from day 1 to get involved with Girl Scouts with her. I'm glad that we get to play together in that way.
5. When my dad was getting ready to remarry, he called me to tell me about my stepmother-to-be and about her family. There are 5 children in my family -- 4 girls and 1 boy (in the middle). There are 5 children in her family -- 4 boys and 1 girl (in the middle). I reminded my dad that I had always wanted an older brother and asked, "How old is the oldest boy?" I was informed that I am STILL the oldest. Argh!!!!!
6. Growing up in Chicago meant that we made a lot of trips across the country to visit family in Utah and Idaho. It seemed to be that no matter where we went, my dad would find someone that he knew. Once, we had just crossed into Wyoming and stopped to get gas at the tiniest place just off the highway. My dad went in to pay for it, and didn't come back for a very long time. My mom was about to send one of us in to find out what was up, when he returned to the car. He had recognized the clerk inside as a person he had attended high school with. It started to be a family joke: "We can't take you anywhere!" In college, twice I was a member of a dance team that went to Europe. The second year, my sister and I were able to be roommates when we stayed with host families in Holland. While there, one of the guys on the team was excited because a person he had baptized to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while serving a mission in Sweden (or Norway -- can't remember exactly), came to visit him. My sister and I started visiting with this guy and learned that he had family that lived in the Chicago area. As we visited more, we figured out that his aunt and our mom worked at the same company! I enjoyed having a story to tell my dad so that he could say back to me "We can't take you anywhere!"
Rule #3? I tag Lara, Alayna, Russell, Ryan, Heather, and Amy.
Rule #4? Will do.
Rule #5? Will do.
Thanks for reading my random thoughts. I hope you don't feel there was TMI!
~Bobi
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Everyone sing along now ...
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With the girls cookie selling,
And each one asking you to "Please order now."
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Wait. Is that how it goes? Nope. It's not. I just thought I'd have a little fun with the lyrics.
"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is different for each person. For me? I love the end of January because it's time once again to sell Girl Scout cookies! Lyssa is doing so, along with a lot of other girls. As a Girl Scout leader, I love talking with the girls about what they would like to do with the money they earn for the troop. It's always fun to hear them dream a bit and then to talk about how many boxes of cookies each would need to sell in order to accomplish that goal. A lot of times, they will change their minds when they understand exactly how many boxes they need to sell. It's a good exercise in goal-setting and then planning how to make that dream a reality. It's also fun to listen to them talk about what they can do with the money that they earn personally. Lyssa has determined that she wants to go to Girl Scout Camp again this summer. She is happy to sell cookies to help earn money for that adventure. And what an adventure it will be!
So, if you like Girl Scout cookies and would like to order some, just let me or Lyssa know. We'll be happy to take your order.
~Bobi
P.S. Debbie, you are on Lyssa's list to call! We haven't forgotten about you.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With the girls cookie selling,
And each one asking you to "Please order now."
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Wait. Is that how it goes? Nope. It's not. I just thought I'd have a little fun with the lyrics.
"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is different for each person. For me? I love the end of January because it's time once again to sell Girl Scout cookies! Lyssa is doing so, along with a lot of other girls. As a Girl Scout leader, I love talking with the girls about what they would like to do with the money they earn for the troop. It's always fun to hear them dream a bit and then to talk about how many boxes of cookies each would need to sell in order to accomplish that goal. A lot of times, they will change their minds when they understand exactly how many boxes they need to sell. It's a good exercise in goal-setting and then planning how to make that dream a reality. It's also fun to listen to them talk about what they can do with the money that they earn personally. Lyssa has determined that she wants to go to Girl Scout Camp again this summer. She is happy to sell cookies to help earn money for that adventure. And what an adventure it will be!
So, if you like Girl Scout cookies and would like to order some, just let me or Lyssa know. We'll be happy to take your order.
~Bobi
P.S. Debbie, you are on Lyssa's list to call! We haven't forgotten about you.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Holiday Memories
I know, I know. The holidays are over and the kids are back in school. The decorations are down and put away. The smiles and memories are fading. And I have yet to update the blog!
Where has the time gone, you ask? Well, it has gone...I don't know where. However, it's gone and cannot be retrieved. So, I thought I would share some of the highlights of our holidays.
First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who sent Christmas cards and letters this year. I was amazed at the number of cards that arrived that were photos! It was so great to see how everyone is and to hear about everything going on in your lives. Thank you for sharing. Maybe I will get to that this year. . .
Second, I would like to say thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make our Christmas be a true miracle. We appreciate each and every one of you (you know who you are!). Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Now, for the memories.
Adam has finally hit true teenager-hood. He knows how to sleep in past 7:30 a.m.!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! The drawback is that he seems to grow a smidge everytime he actually sleeps past 7:30 a.m. Hmmm. Not so fun for Brian! (Tee hee!)
On Christmas Eve, it was really fun to go to Grandma Maathuis' house to have the Christmas story read and then eat donuts and have hot chocolate. It was different to not have Grandpa with us (he passed away in September). Lyssa (finally!) got to be Santa's helper this year; she helped fill the stockings. She really enjoyed that. I was glad to still keep a few surprises back for her, though. That made Christmas morning even better.
Christmas morning, we had to wake Adam up at 8:30 AM (What?!?!?!?!?) to open presents. Ah, the injustice of it all! He was okay with it, though. He liked what he was given, so he felt it was worth it. Lyssa got what she wanted as well. We enjoyed relaxing and being together before heading to Grandpa and Grandma Taylor's for lunch and more presents. After a nice time with them, we headed out to Grandma Camp's for dinner and more presents! (Do you sense a theme here? Never-ending presents? Well, they did end...eventually.) We had gotten a new family game that morning and had taken it with us to try out. If you haven't heard of or seen Sorry! Sliders, I highly recommend the game. It's loads of fun.
For New Year's Eve, Adam had his two best friends (Ryan and Robby) and Lyssa had her bestest friend (Kelly) join us to go to First Night in downtown Salt Lake City. Brian and I volunteered for 2 hours while the kids went ice skating and got something to eat. While Brian and I got something to eat, the kids went to Temple Square. When we were done eating, we joined them and ended up seeing Jon Schmidt in concert at the Assembly Hall. We had really enjoyed his concert at Kingsbury Hall earlier in the month and enjoyed sharing that experience with the kids' friends.
When the concert was over, we decided to drive our cars to the top of the parking structure we had parked in so that we could see the fireworks display at midnight and then we'd head home. As Brian and I were driving up to the top, we were stopped because the fireworks were being shot from the parking structure we were in! Bummer. Adam and one of his friends had decided to run up the stairs to see if they could beat us to the top. A would-be police officer stopped them and threatened them with seeing the inside of a jail cell. I was annoyed, but the boys laughed it off. So, we drove around a bit and found a place to watch the fireworks from the comfort of our warm cars instead of standing outside freezing anymore. Then we returned home to toast to the New Year. We were able to spend the later afternoon and evening at Grandma Camp's again with the Maathuis relations. It was a very nice, laid-back afternoon and evening.
Lyssa and I enjoyed our girls afternoon with Aunt Robyn the day after. We always love it when she comes to town.
The rest of the time was spent relaxing and sleeping and being with friends and being together as a family. It was a much needed rest time for all of us. It's actually been a bit hard to jump right back into the regular schedule again. Especially since I got a pretty nasty cold from First Night and am still battling it. I am feeling better today, thank goodness! Hopefully, it will only be a week long instead of 10 days!
Even though we aren't very good about updating the blog and calling to see how each of you is, we love and appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for being who you are, and for being our friends through all the trials of life. It definitely makes the journey easier.
Love,
Bobi
Where has the time gone, you ask? Well, it has gone...I don't know where. However, it's gone and cannot be retrieved. So, I thought I would share some of the highlights of our holidays.
First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who sent Christmas cards and letters this year. I was amazed at the number of cards that arrived that were photos! It was so great to see how everyone is and to hear about everything going on in your lives. Thank you for sharing. Maybe I will get to that this year. . .
Second, I would like to say thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make our Christmas be a true miracle. We appreciate each and every one of you (you know who you are!). Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Now, for the memories.
Adam has finally hit true teenager-hood. He knows how to sleep in past 7:30 a.m.!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! The drawback is that he seems to grow a smidge everytime he actually sleeps past 7:30 a.m. Hmmm. Not so fun for Brian! (Tee hee!)
On Christmas Eve, it was really fun to go to Grandma Maathuis' house to have the Christmas story read and then eat donuts and have hot chocolate. It was different to not have Grandpa with us (he passed away in September). Lyssa (finally!) got to be Santa's helper this year; she helped fill the stockings. She really enjoyed that. I was glad to still keep a few surprises back for her, though. That made Christmas morning even better.
Christmas morning, we had to wake Adam up at 8:30 AM (What?!?!?!?!?) to open presents. Ah, the injustice of it all! He was okay with it, though. He liked what he was given, so he felt it was worth it. Lyssa got what she wanted as well. We enjoyed relaxing and being together before heading to Grandpa and Grandma Taylor's for lunch and more presents. After a nice time with them, we headed out to Grandma Camp's for dinner and more presents! (Do you sense a theme here? Never-ending presents? Well, they did end...eventually.) We had gotten a new family game that morning and had taken it with us to try out. If you haven't heard of or seen Sorry! Sliders, I highly recommend the game. It's loads of fun.
For New Year's Eve, Adam had his two best friends (Ryan and Robby) and Lyssa had her bestest friend (Kelly) join us to go to First Night in downtown Salt Lake City. Brian and I volunteered for 2 hours while the kids went ice skating and got something to eat. While Brian and I got something to eat, the kids went to Temple Square. When we were done eating, we joined them and ended up seeing Jon Schmidt in concert at the Assembly Hall. We had really enjoyed his concert at Kingsbury Hall earlier in the month and enjoyed sharing that experience with the kids' friends.
When the concert was over, we decided to drive our cars to the top of the parking structure we had parked in so that we could see the fireworks display at midnight and then we'd head home. As Brian and I were driving up to the top, we were stopped because the fireworks were being shot from the parking structure we were in! Bummer. Adam and one of his friends had decided to run up the stairs to see if they could beat us to the top. A would-be police officer stopped them and threatened them with seeing the inside of a jail cell. I was annoyed, but the boys laughed it off. So, we drove around a bit and found a place to watch the fireworks from the comfort of our warm cars instead of standing outside freezing anymore. Then we returned home to toast to the New Year. We were able to spend the later afternoon and evening at Grandma Camp's again with the Maathuis relations. It was a very nice, laid-back afternoon and evening.
Lyssa and I enjoyed our girls afternoon with Aunt Robyn the day after. We always love it when she comes to town.
The rest of the time was spent relaxing and sleeping and being with friends and being together as a family. It was a much needed rest time for all of us. It's actually been a bit hard to jump right back into the regular schedule again. Especially since I got a pretty nasty cold from First Night and am still battling it. I am feeling better today, thank goodness! Hopefully, it will only be a week long instead of 10 days!
Even though we aren't very good about updating the blog and calling to see how each of you is, we love and appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for being who you are, and for being our friends through all the trials of life. It definitely makes the journey easier.
Love,
Bobi
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