For the past 8 years we have had two toned green walls. For 7 of
those years I loved them. But this last year I have really had a desire
to change them. Finally, the perfect opportunity arose to paint them.
James
had a court of honor coming up for scouts. And when it became known
that he was only 2 merit badges away from earning his Star rank we took
action! Especially since he was already mostly done with two of his
required merit badges. For one of those merit badges we needed to do a
family project. Bingo! The project of painting the living room began!
We pulled a ton of books out of bookshelves...
Cleaned and washed the walls....Ben and Mark really enjoyed this part. I'm sure it was tears of joy that they were sharing!
Then we painted! And painted...and painted...and painted.. and three coats later we finally finshed!!
Of course, the final product I forgot to take a picture.
James did a great job organizing the project. He received his Star just like he wanted. Congrats James!
Now if we can get the project of new flooring going!!!
This semester, one of the classes that Luke is taking at the
commonwealth is Hero Project. It is a class that teaches about World War
II. One of the assignments that he had was to interview a veteran from
WWII. I knew that my grandpa was a veteran (he passed away in 2007),
but other then that I didn't know any.
From left to right: Linda our host, Garth Sawyers (WWII vet), John Spirey (Vietnam Vet and Linda's husband), Lee Waren (WWII vet), Wardell Jenkins (WWII vet).
Wardel Jenkins shot down a plane with his rifle! He also told an amazing story of the Fijian people and finding Christianity while he was there. Plus he has had 32 holes in one on the gold course!!
Quiet Garth.
Then, one day at the glorious Deseret Industries, I noticed a mini van with the bumper sticker on it that read "Pearl Harbor Survivor." Luke wasn't with me, so I prayed for forgiveness (since it was Luke's project not mine and he clearly wanted to do it) as we placed a note on the van reading that we were in search of WWII vets to interview for a school project. And thank goodness she called Luke!! She turned out to be a gem! --this helped Luke not be upset at me as well.
After Pearl Harbor, the soldiers were only allowed one telegram that said that they were ok. No other information was allowed to be given.
It turned out that Linda was the organizer for the Pearl Harbor Survivor reunions. She said that there were only 5 left in Utah and that 3 of them were currently in the area for the winter. She arranged everything. She had all three of them come, brought all of her photographs, provided lunch, and was the most gracious host for more then 3 hours as Luke learned from these great men.
I then taught Luke how to use the movie making program and he whittled the 3 hours into 15 minutes. He talks about making more of the stories into viedos as well. There were some amazing stories. They all survived Pearl Harbor and then they all survived the Bougainville campaign.
It was an amazing addition to my education as I am only familiar with the bullet points of WWII. --especially the Pacific battles.
Here is the video that Luke made. I can't wait to see what we learn next!
My only regret is that I didn't get a picture with Luke and these amazing men. Hopefully we will see them again!
This story feels like deja-vo. A car accident and then surgery. Where have I experienced this before?! Wait..in the middle of February? I've definitely heard this story before.
A refresher of last year.. Last February I was in a car accident that left me with two broken feet. I was unable to walk for 2 months and then I had boots on for another 6 weeks. It was not fun. At. All. The accident was on Sunday and the following Monday and Tuesday I was in surgery. I wasn't even released from the hospital until Thursday! It was a long week.
Earlier this month my foot doctor told me that he was unable to help my left foot until we removed the plates that were put there to replace my bones. Now that the bones have grown back the plates are no longer necessary. the pain in my left foot had been increasing and I found myself using a lot of over the counter pain meds. Not fun! Surgery was scheduled for February 22. Last year, my surgeries were on Feb 20th and the 21st!
Cory and I set up a plan to make things the easiest for me after the
surgery. I made a meal list, chore list and all the things I wanted to
get done before I was unable to. I was doing all of this and then my
little boys and I headed to Costco to get the groceries. Well..I was
driving down the street and approaching an intersection. A car in
oncoming traffic was at that intersection and decided to turn and cross
in front of me. Well..I braked as hard as I could but alas, we hit. I
really do not like the smell of air bags. My car was totaled. Thankfully
my boys were ok. I needed some x-rays on my hand but it turned out
everything was ok. It was a long few days being in a hand brace and a foot boot!
Surgery was still a go for the next day. We arrived bright and early and everything went pretty smoothly. They even sent the plates and screws home with me!!--I think a necklace of some-sort will be in the works with them! They left the pins in since they were so deep.
I went in a few days later and had the stitches checked. Everything looks great! They even used the SAME scar! NICE! --now for some feet pictures. Oh yeah!
I wanted to share what we have added to our Family Home Evening. Cory and I noticed that prayers in our family were getting redundant. They went something like this "Thank thee today was a good day. Please help us sleep good tonight. Please help tomorrow be a good day."
I really hope that we're not the only ones with family prayers sounding like that!
Our Family Prayer board helps us to remember what we're thankful for and blessings we are praying for.
Last fall at my retreat that I host, one of our presenters spoke about keeping track of what you wanted to pray for. Her memory is something like mine. At 3pm I would think of something that I wanted to pray for but by the time evening prayers come around, I would have forgotten. She suggested a notebook for personal use to keep track. I decided to use this with my family.
I purchased a picture frame, with glass, from the DI. Then I printed a simple page to be placed in the frame. I also found some dry erase markers to write on the glass. I love it when its simple!
Now, during Family Home Evening, we discuss what we would like on the prayer board. We can add anytime during the week. Then, at prayer time, the board is placed by whomever is saying the prayer. They take a moment to look over the list and then the prayer is said. We're even ok if they have to peek a little to help them pray. Its not a deciding list of what we pray for, but it is helping us think of other things to be said in our prayers.
Anyhoo, I just thought I'd share!
This past weekend one of my favorite friends agreed to let me tag along with her on a day trip to Salt Lake City. A favorite of hers was getting married in the Draper temple and she didn't want to travel alone. I love a quick trip, so I begged and pleaded for her to let me tag alone.
At the crack of dawn, well..maybe a little earlier then a crack, we scurried off on a 4 hour drive to the Draper temple. I had never been to the Draper temple and so I was very excited to go. I was also looking forward to spend most of my day giggling with my friend and her family.
The temple was completely rewarding. The peace that I find inside gives me strength and courage to tackle my trials. We also visited with her sons, who were completely awesome and I hope my boys love me like that in 5 years!!
After the whirlwind trip, we arrived home in time to tuck in my boys as they went to bed. I felt recharged and I loved the new insights that I gained from the temple, new friends, and all of those fantastic giggles.
Yesterday my Mark reached the big 0-4. He is loving life as a four year old!
Sometimes its hard to believe how fast my boys are growing up. When they were little I took the attitude that they would always be small. Since I have learned that this is NOT the case, I really try to love each of these moments.
Last year I started decorating the living room for the boys' birthday. This time, I confess, I had the two older boys do it. They had so much fun and did a great job!
Mark is a green loving fool! When in doubt, just make it green.
To start the day off, the phone rang and it was for Luke. Mark instantly starts crying and after I console him he tells me that "its my birthday! I want a phone call too!!" And wouldn't you know it...Cory conveniently called him a few minutes later. Thanks hun!
Mark wanted a chocolate, rainbow cake. I am able to create a lot of "artsy" things. Cakes are not one of the mediums that I am comfortable with so doing this cake was a STRETCH for me. As simple as it looks, I am very happy with it. Of course, it was served with a side of green mint chocolate chip ice cream.
My boys have a "thing" for beyblades. They are almost to the point that they might need an intervention since they are playing with them ALL the time. Beyblades are like a top- you pull a cord and they spin around. The last one spinning wins. Well, Mark received TWO of them from his brothers. He is currently in beyblade HEAVEN!
His other birthday wishes were to have german pancakes for breakfast and for me to make pizza. Both of which were successful!
Happy birthday Mark! I love how when we play UNO, whenever you play a card you yell "BOUYA!!" I love that you know how to use my ipod better then me. I love your cuddles, kisses and smiles. Your mamma loves you!
I'm finding myself in a sort of blogging funk. I don't know what to say or to talk about. I don't really have any pictures to post and to top it off, I really don't have any readers so does it matter anyway?!
Bleh.
For this blogging funk that I am in. Here are some nonessential-random photos not for your amusement...but feel free to enjoy them anyway.
MMmmm.....toe jam.
Having a bad day? Try a fire. It always works. And BTW, Luke makes THE BEST toasted marshmallows EVER.
Playing Ticket to Ride. I love this game! I was one orange car away from taking it all!! James, on the other hand, was very happy with his red road.
And continuing with James.. this is the jewelry holder that he made for me for Christmas. I told him I wanted something so I could SEE all of my sparkely things. This is what he came up with. I love it!
These are Luke's books for the semester. Right now he is very excited to read the books...however...I doubt. but really hope, the same excitement will be around very long. He already has 4 books do in the next three weeks. Yeah Luke!
I am in the process of digitizing my mom's photos. This is one of my favorite so far from my childhood. My sister is on the far left, then myself and then my brother has a messy face. It just amuses me. I love my family! Since I began at the beginning of the month, I have already digitized more than 2200 photos/negatives. I have loved looking at all of the old photos. There are many many to go. Yeah!
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