so crazy (by Megan and Joie)

Our "new" living room

In an attempt to hide Angel chewed furniture, we moved the upstairs furniture downstairs and the downstairs furniture upstairs. Mom, the "Grandma couch" is now our main couch, so if you come visit, you may have to sleep in the living room. The leather chairs came from Tim's parents' house last year. I've tolerated them downstairs, but love them now that they are upstairs. I love our living room again. Something about the feng shui of the entire room was off, and now we have it back. Esther, be sure to thank Angel for us...and don't ever, ever let her on your couch!

Like father, like son.

Once upon a time, a loooonnnngg time ago, but not so long ago I can't remember, we had a garage. We even parked cars in our garage. Then came the woodshop. Don't get me wrong. We love the woodshop. It's wonderful to live with "Tim the tool man" There are a lot of projects in our house I owe to Tim, as do many other neighbors and family members. So when I'm scraping ice and snow off my windows through the entire winter, I remember my shelves, my benches, my cutting boards, my night stands... Yes, it does make scraping snow and ice off windows a little more bearable.

So on to the story. I promised Nate a project in the woodshop the other day. In the ideal, perfect world, dad would have been helping him, but in the real world, dad had to leave for work, and I got to be Nate's assistant. Actually, I had a lot of fun watching him work, and was amazed at his abilities, especially since neither of us are allowed to use tools when Tim isn't around. :-) Nate started off with a foot long 2"x4". He clamped it in the clamp on the wood table, and started sawing away...with the handsaw! He sawed the entire length of the board, and then wanted to sand it. We cheated; we did use the power sander. While sanding, Nate discovered he could shape the wood pieces with the sander, and started making a pinewood derby car. He then got out the chalk line, and marked across the edges where he'll cut with Tim when they're out there together. He has plans to get wheels, etc. He's a little too old to race it, but the therapist in me thinks he's resolving all kinds of past issues that have to do with letting his dad, the woodshop expert, make his pinewood derby cars. He lost twice. Apparently expertice with wood doesn't win pinewood derbys. Kidding aside, I loved to watch his creativity. Being one of those artistically challenged people who can look at a block of wood and see...a block of wood, I admire anyone who can make a 3-D image move from their mind to an object. On this particular day I was happy to play assistant. I held the table while he sawed, and plugged in the power sander...and just enjoyed getting out of his way and watching him work.

Family Home Evening

Monday night...Family Home Evening. Tim says that his dad, who is an career institute teacher and mission president said that Family Home Evening always starts with "Love at Home," and ends with "Master the Tempest is Raging." It is a funny description of what Family Home Evening can feel like...and we all laugh because we've all been there. I have to say though, for the most part I enjoy seeing our children get excited about knowing that night is for us, and being excited about learning. They're still kind of young to be pulling the teen attitude on us, so we'll just keep enjoying it as long as we can.

Tonight was one of those payoff nights. Megan was in charge of the lesson, something we've just started assigning to the kids. Part of my reluctance has been knowing that Tim and I often have something specific in mind we want to teach, so turning it over to them means giving that up once in a while. I was aware that yesterday Megan was planning the lesson, but didn't remember to ask her what it was about. I knew she said she needed donut holes. On the way to get donut holes, it did occur to me I could ask her what the lesson was about. She explained it in terms of the donut holes--that the donut holes are living a Christ-centered life. He's the hole and everything is centered around Him. I have to say I got a little teary-eyed when she said that. Our stake president challenged us recently to have a goal to live Christ-centered lives. I had thought, "We really need to review that for Family Home Evening," and here Megan was, teaching that for her lesson. I said, "You were really following the spirit on your lesson." She told me she'd looked at different lessons and kept coming back to that one, so we got a little moment in the car on the way to buy donut holes to identify how the Holy Ghost was working to help her teach a lesson our stake president had wanted families to focus on. I love those spontaneous teaching moments with kids, when you hardly have to say anything, but you know the spirit is teaching them and they just know.

Megan's lesson was great. She asked questions, used scriptures, and involved everyone. Our humorous moment (gotta have a few of those, right?) was when Megan asked, "Can anyone guess how our lesson is like donut holes?" Joie, who raises her hand to every question in primary and Family Home Evening, whether she knows the answer or not, was bouncing off her seat with her hand in the air. She had to know, right? So Megan called on her and she said, "Faith is like a...(pause) little donut hole." Seriously, that will be one of our infamous family quotes that cracks us all up as soon as it's said. That was followed up by (singing to the tune of "Faith is Like a Little Seed") "Faith is like a little donut hole. If planted it will grow...donuts." Maybe you had to be there, but we had a good laugh. I'm incredibly thankful for the gospel working in the lives of our family.

Ballerina Girl

I keep meaning to post this one, but haven't. Joie begged and begged to take ballet, then saw Megan in gymnastics and just had to sign up. Four whole months later she was finished with her gymnastics career, and was begging again to take ballet. She is now taking lessons with her friend, and to be honest, a bit frustrated that she couldn't dance The Nutcracker after her first lesson. In true Joie form, she thinks big. She doesn't talk about taking lessons, she talks about "dancing in Ballet West." So here she is in all her glory...and after one week is begging for a tutu because her teacher said it was ok to wear one.

She remembers when she first got her wings

And how she opened up that day

she learned to sing

Then the colors came, erased the

black and white

And her whole world changed

when she realized

She's a butterfly, pretty as the crimson sky

Nothing's ever gonna bring her down

And everywhere she goes

Everybody knows she's so glad to be alive

She's a butterfly

Like the purest light in a darkened world

So much hope inside such a lovely girl

You should see her fly, it's almost magical

It makes you wanna cry, she's so beautiful

God bless the butterfly,

give her the strength to fly

Never let her wings touch the ground

God bless the butterfly,

give her strength to fly

Never let her wings touch the ground.

(Lyrics to "She's A Butterfly" by Martina McBride, shared with me by Beth and Becky.)

Good-bye

(Read the following 3 blogs backwards, starting with the bottom flower picture and going up.)

Then Joie turned the flowers to look out the window, locked the door again, and we said good-bye. Then we got in the car and she asked if I could turn on "the angel song." (Calling All Angels by Jessie Clark Funk)

And then...

Then we went inside and Joie took some more pictures.

Sunflowers

Ruth and Nick's house sold Friday. The other day after being at the graves, we went to say good-bye (again...) to the house. We didn't have a time capsule...already left that. We took the angel off the wall, the one Joie left there last month. The sunflowers were growing outside and were quite tall. We decided we could leave 4 flowers in the house as we said good-bye. We went outside and picked a mommy flower, a daddy flower, a kid flower, and a baby flower. Joie put them in the window and we shut out the lights and she locked the door. It was dark outside but I could see the sunflowers in the window as we walked past on our way to the car, and it was definitely one of those teary moments. I remembered I had the camera in the car and wanted to see if we could take a picture. This is the first picture Joie took.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Last year we started a strange tradition--don't remember whose idea it was...I want to pin it on Susan because she had some good ideas, but I'm not sure, and it's possible this idea just evolved. Starting on Nick's birthday last year we went to the graves to have a birthday party. Nick's birthday last year was close to a month after Nick, Ruth and Audrey died, and we were all still feeling the loss and the need to be together. Susan, Skeeter, Lala, Monique, Max, and Tony travelled to Cedar Fort from Evanston and we had a birthday party for Nick with cake at the grave. A month later we did the same thing for Audrey, with fewer people. In June we did the same thing for Ruth, that time with April, Wynnie and Dylan, then fed horses afterwards in memory of Ruth. April was weirded out by celebrating a birthday in a cemetary... We fully acknowledged it wasn't your usual birthday celebration, but that it was Joie's tradition, so we do it anyway. Fast forward to this year. I wondered if we'd continue the tradition, and didn't say anything to Joie, not sure if she was just done with birthdays in the cemetary, or if she'd do it again. About a week ago she started planning her daddy's birthday. This time we called it a date, and she and I went alone...Nate and Jeran protested "eating cake in a cemetary." Of all the possibilities of cakes to choose from, Joie picked an oogley-eyed monster cake at Albertsons. It was even "crying." As usual, we left cake at the graves when we left, a piece for everyone. Joie remains unconvinced that spirits can't eat cake. Somehow it's always gone when we go back. I think there are either some really good neighbors or happy dogs in the neighborhood.

Jeran for Student Council

Jeran's speech: I am Jeran Jarman and I am running for 5th grade student council…not for president of the United States. So I can’t promise to fix the economy, end the war in Iraq, solve the energy crisis, or offer solutions to global warming. To be honest, I can’t even promise shorter lunch lines, better lunches, shorter school days, or soda pop in the drinking fountains. I can promise that as a member of student council I can set a good example by following the rules, being a good friend, and representing the interests of Sunrise fifth graders and other students to the student council. I will work hard for you if I am elected to student council. Vote for Jeran!

Megan for Student Council

Megan's speech: I’m Megan. Last year I was an alternate to student council which means I already have tons of experience with student council…oh, wait… I didn’t actually have to do anything last year. So let me tell you what kind of experience I do have. I have tons of experience just being me. As a matter of fact, I’ve been me my whole life! I also have a ton of experience being a friend. I’m not an angel, but I think it’s kind of awkward when kids bully and fight and focus on who’s better than the others. Instead I like think like an ambassador. I usually try to think of how I can help other people cheer up if they are sad. If I am in student council I will think of the things that will help everyone feel good about being a student at Sunrise Elementary. Vote for Megan!

Jarman Sweep

Yes, they're both running for student council...both from the same class. With 2 possible winners per class we're predicting a Jarman sweep!

Nate's Adventure

Go Nate!

One of those freaky moments when you realize how much alike they really are...check out the details...right down to the stride!

Healing Field

Megan at the Healing Field

Healing Field

The year after 9-11, this field was created in Sandy, Utah, near where we live. Every year they put flags up in memorial of those killed on 9-11 and those killed since fighting terrorism. I'm still not quite sure how they decide the number, but this year they maxed out on space for flags and have stopped at 1776 flags, leaving the number there as a reminder of America's freedom being declared in 1776. We usually go as a family, and have memories of going here with Ruth and Nick's family as well. Today Tim got a jump on the tradition and stopped by with Megan and Jeran after dropping Joie off at dance. We plan to all visit before they take it down--it's usually up for about a week.

Poooooor pup-pies (by kids)

Puppies look so cute when they're sad, and when I'm sad they look cute. Look at those cute little puppies. Makes you want to give them a hug. Like Angel. She was so, so, so, so cute, but she was a DEVIL! But we named her Angel. Esther, if you're reading this, beware of Angel. She's a devil in disguise, named Angel.

Love, Joie

Must be crazy...

The kids brought home choir sign-up sheets today and I was very excited to see that the choir is being directed this year by one of Megan's friend's moms. Megan loves to sing and when she was in kindergarten she begged to join choir. Someone told me there were other kindergarteners who had been in choir if they had older siblings in the choir. Well, forget talking Nate into choir (although he did sign up this year in middle school). But I knew the teacher in charge of choir and volunteered to help out with signing kids in so Megan could sing a year early. Fast forward to 2008. If you know me you know where this is going... To make a long story short, I signed up to help again. I called the director and she asked me if I thought she was crazy for taking this on. I told her yes, and that I was crazy enough to call and help her. I said I was looking at the volunteer list and I was qualified for the non-musical positions. She laughed, but I think it will be fun... Then again, maybe you should ask me next month after we've been getting out the door by 7:00 a.m. every Wednesday and twice a week before performances! Megan and Joie both want to sign up, and Jeran said, "No thanks," and offered to get himself to school on time every Wednesday morning.

we had a carnival! (by kids)

okay i am not braging or anything we had a carnival on

sept. 5,2008 it was awsome in so many ways!

we had cotton candy and we had pizza ,snow cone's

it was all at the school on friday. tell me what you think

if you had a carnival at your school?!

Road Trip, School, and a Connection to Iraq

A few times this summer we've said we want to go to Colorado to visit my sister, Esther, and it has never worked out. So on the last official weekend of summer, we made it a priority and guess what? We went! And it was fun! We loved Esther's little farm and are jealous of her lifestyle. Her garden is amazing and makes us wish for more land ourselves. She amazes me. I have loved Colorado since my Philmont days, and driving through and being there always makes me wish I could move...either Colorado or Seattle...my two dream spots to live. We wish we could have spent more time, but leaving us hungry to go back is a good thing, right? Our other reason to go back and visit has four paws and a tail...yes, more pet drama. After a lot of thought and discussion, we left our puppy, Angel, in Esther's competent hands. Angel was already showing us she was happy with the farm, so she now belongs to Esther. We've heard she's adjusting well...still being Alpha girl, but Esther will be Alpha before long. We miss her but are happy she's happy. We took on a dog when our hearts wanted to say "yes" and our lives were too crazy to make the commitment. We're glad she's with Esther, because she wasn't a very happy dog here.

And on to school. It's going well. After almost 2 weeks back, the kids are doing well. All my nervousness about Nate going to middle school wasn't necessary after all. But would I be a mom if I didn't worry? I kept telling people I worried because I had no frame of reference. My own middle/jr. high experience was 2 teachers in the same building where I went to elementary school. It was a tough mental task to visualize my own son walking through a maze of nearly 1,000 students and 6 hallways to find his locker, open it, and get where he needed to be when he needed to be there. On back to school night, I stopped in the middle of a random hallway and said, "Ok Nate. Can you find your locker from here?" He said yes and asked how long I gave him. I said, "Three minutes." He said, "Easy, and open it too." And he did...probably in two minutes. I was ok after that. The crazy things moms do, right? As for the others, nothing new. Joie has more homework than she was used to last year, but she's the kind of kid who loves the challenge. Megan has figured out she loves math, thanks to a really supportive teacher last year. Megan came home and said, "Mom, guess what? I LOVE math!" Granted we're only in the second week of school, but all of the moms out there know you kind of breathe a sigh of relief any time you don't have to persuade a child to do homework. And Jeran...what can we say about Jeran? He loves school. He's in the same class as Megan so it caught us off guard this year when he said he didn't like his teacher. He usually loves to live up to the challenges teachers throw out. Jeran doesn't struggle in school so a little heat once in a while is good, right?

And a connection to Iraq. I've recently started working with more children of refugee families at work. These are often children who have witnessed horrible things in their home countries, usually African countries. But the other day one of the supervisors told me he put a 4 year old Iraqi girl into my schedule. I didn't think much of it until I did the assessment, and as I heard their story I felt a sense of awe for what Joe is doing. Tough cases bring out the fight in me and I found myself working so hard for this family to help them hopefully see a brighter day. From the time this little girl was about 2 1/2 until about a year ago she witnessed horrible things happening to her family. One night their home was attacked and militants threw a grenade under the door that exploded in the living room when she was the only one there. Another night they threw the burned body of her uncle into the house and she witnessed everything and knew also that it was her uncle. She was also in the home when it was burned and her father was beaten. He was the one telling the story in the assessment and told how he passed out after being beaten. The house was on fire and she was in the living room with flames around her when he came to. His leg was broken but he was able to get her out. They are just looking for help because this little girl wakes up screaming every night that "they're coming to get us," and one night was sleepwalking and they found her trying to climb over the second story balcony to get out of the house because "they are coming to get us." I rarely start therapy on the first visit, but felt like I couldn't send them home without helping them. The entire session took place with an interpreter, who thankfully could get animated and on this little girl's level. She colored in places on a picture of a body where she feels the scary feelings, and colored in her head and stomach. Then we practiced with blowing bubbles to get them out--blowing them into the bubbles and running after the bubbles to pop them. Then I gave her a worry rock and she practiced holding it and putting all the scary feelings into the rock, and also her nightmares. It isn't a miracle, but the family left with hope on their faces. The dad came to me and said he needs help too, which was the best part--for him to see what was happening with his daughter and feel like he had enough faith in it to ask for help himself. I was able to sit with the parents and explain PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) to them and the heirarchy of safety so they could see where they are at and where they can be headed. As I've thought about it, it breaks my heart that horrible, hateful people could do so much damage to a child and a family, and to know there are probably thousands of other families going through the same thing, or worse, is sad. I remembered Joe's story about the Iraqi man thanking him and was touched by the heart of this man. It helps to see first hand that the good in that country is just as real as the evil, and I'm proud Joe is doing what he does...and our part is even smaller, just to support him and people who need help.

So those are my random thoughts about the week. I feel blessed to be a mom, to have the family I do, and to live in America.