Happy Halloween!

Hope your Halloween was haunted and spooky!  Here are a few highlights of our Hallo-week 2011!

Ready for the jr. high dance (not pictured...Megan)

Jack the Ripper checking facebook after the high school dance.

Pumpkin carving with power tools!
(Kicking myself that I didn't get a picture of Gabby carving a pumpkin...)

I'm amused by the can of dusting spray in the background...
I'm not even going to ask how that was used in pumpkin carving.

And Gabby's school party today:

Pumpkin toss

Choosing prizes with her friend the construction barrel

Mummy wrap game

She makes a cute mummy!

And Halloween night:

Welcome to our haunt!

Cute trick-or-treaters

The dog costume that lasted all of 30 seconds

The candy...

I let them choose 10 pieces then paid them $10.00 each for the rest.
They send the part I bought to Project Rudolph for soldiers.

And thanks to some great neighbors and friends, Gabby enjoyed her Halloween!  (Yes, that means freaking out over Hallween was at a minimum.)

I spent the afternoon with her at school, then she stayed with me to pick up jack-o-lantern pizzas for dinner.  

At 5:00 p.m Gabby said, "I'm just going as myself."  

"That's ok."  I said.  "Costumes are optional."

By 6:00 p.m. when we left to meet neighbors, she was dressed in two costumes because she couldn't decide what to be, so she was a witch/vampire.  At one point during trick-or-treating I had to leave to go drop off Megan and Jeran at a party.  Of course the haunted house happened while I was gone...  From what I hear, Gabby was a little freaked out, but she survived, and about 10 houses later (by the time I met up with them) she was back to normal again.  When we were almost home she said, "It's kind of fun to be scared."  

Progress?

Sunday Sharing

I wish I knew the source of this, but I don't.  I saw it on facebook this week and liked it.  

In Luke 11: 11-13, Jesus Christ tells us:  

"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Today Gabby asked me to make an Indian dish for her that I'd never made before.  I had already planned potato soup and cornbread for the family.  By the time dinner was over, I was tired and wanted to tell her to heat up one of the pseudo pre-packaged Indian meals she could just heat in the microwave.  I didn't want to cook again, but I knew it meant a lot to her, so I did.

Parenthood can give us a little bit of a view into the love our Heavenly Father has for us, and insight into the lengths he will go to help us...and insight into the times when the answer is, "no."  

Yesterday was a family work day.  We were prepping the yard for fall/winter, and cleaning around the house...not an easy task to sell to a house of tweens and teens.  They asked to hang out with friends.  They asked to "just finish this one part and do the rest later."  I knew that the work was hard.  I knew they'd rather be doing something else.  There was a part of me that wanted to just do the work myself so they could go hang out with friends.  But the wiser parent in me knew they were learning to work, and learning to work together.  They were also learning that family work is part of being in a family.  They were even learning that they could work and have fun at the same time.  My answers weren't the answers they wanted, but they were the best answers I could give from the perspective of a parent who knew what their lives would be like if they grew up without family work days.  

Today I was thinking about all of this and asked Gabby if her prayers are answered.  She's been a little freaked out by the whole idea of Halloween, and said she had a nightmare the other night.  Then she said, "I just prayed and He helped my nightmares go away, and now I sleep like a baby."

Funny, because I've been worried lately because Gabby has seemed a little off.  She hasn't been dealing so well with the whole idea of Halloween.  To us Halloween has always been a fun holiday.  To someone who isn't so familiar with Halloween, it's more than a little weird.  At first I didn't think much of it because I know she had Halloween and trick-or-treating last year, but at least every other day she says, "I'm just going as myself," or "Halloween is a dumb idea."

I prayed earlier this week to know how to help her, but as is often true with prayers, they are answered by others.

We ended up having a busy night on the night of a Halloween party Gabby was invited to earlier this week, so a friend's mom invited her to get ready with her friend.  

Two of the cutest witches on the planet!

The other mom took a lot of time helping them with make-up and hair.  That extra time and attention made all the difference to Gabby.  Then today when Gabby told me about her own prayer for Heavenly Father to help her, I knew that in a very personal way, her prayers had been answered too.  He didn't take away the fear, He just helped her handle it.

Amazing if you think about it.  We kneel.  We give thanks.  We ask.  We pour out our hearts.  We don't see the being to whom we pray, but for thousands and thousands of years, human beings have felt of His love and know, individually and personally that He is there.  

That's prayer.

The Blessing of Memory

I'm amazed at the power of memory.  This week I've kept feeling the pull of memories from a year ago.  We were getting ready to adopt again, just beginning to learn of a girl only known to us then by an internet photo and an alpha-numeric identifier:  G10_60

The photo was accompanied by a description of a child needing a family that "understands grief, loss, and trauma."  Somehow we connected with that need, and couldn't begin to know the journey that would take us on...

We learned her name was Pallavi.  We learned she was in another state.  We learned that up until a few months earlier, she'd been living with her sister and another family who brought both girls to America from India with the intention of adopting them both.  That didn't happen, which meant another home for Gabby...

"A foster home," we were told, but we've since learned it was so much more, which all makes it very difficult to explain how G10_60 came from there to here...

Except to say she's here.

And here we are with her, a year later, with the sights and feelings of fall reminding us that a year ago we were just beginning to move into an unknown future.  

And here she is, a year later:  Gabriella Pallavi Jarman, a.k.a. Gabby.  To those her know her, a blessing for sure.

Don't get me wrong.  We're not oblivious to the fact that there is still hurting, and there are days  we know that Gabby is still wishing (like us) things could have been different for her.  But in a very Gabby-like manner, she takes life on it's own terms, and looks for those inevitable bursts of joy, fun, and love.  To her that is what life is all about.

Gabby and friends at the aquarium a few weeks ago.

Adoption:  By definition, it's love created from loss.  We decided a long time ago that it's the love and not the loss that defines us all, but there's always that little place in our hearts we go to visit where the loss lives, and hurts, and wishes for what could have been different.

Most definitely we heal, and live for all those bursts of joy and love.

But as fate would have it, on my semi-melancholy day, Gabby and I made a trip to the Indian grocery store.  As we were checking out, the store clerk began a conversation with one of the other customers in Hindi.  I saw Gabby look up at them and knew from the look on her face she understood them.  As soon as we were out the door, I asked her what they said.  "She asked when his cousin is coming and he said his cousin is coming on the 8th," Gabby told me.  

I tried to hide my shock.  For as long as I've known Gabby she swears she doesn't remember Hindi, except for a few words.  Yet here she was, almost a year after we met her, telling me what a store clerk said in Hindi.

Also for as long as we've known Gabby, she hasn't been interested in visiting the Hindu temple near our home, or even the cultural center or cultural events.

Today in the store we saw a sign for the upcoming Festival of Lights at the Krishna temple.  I asked if she wanted to go...  And she said yes!  (Anyone want to join us?  It's looking to be a fun day!)

On the way home we talked about speaking Hindi, and a few other languages Gabby knows.  She told me how she thought she had to forget Hindi to speak English or she'd be embarrassed if she accidentally spoke Hindi at school.  I'm just glad it's still in there somewhere.  A few minutes into the conversation she asked about taking an Indian dance class.  I'm pretty sure that means she's willing to go to the Hindu temple and Indian Cultural Center.  

I'm happy for her--happy she's remembering, and happy she's proud of who she is and connecting again to that part of her.

...Which leaves me in complete amazement again at the complexity of human beings.  Us...every little part of our lives, even the parts we don't understand.  And I'm feeling gratitude and amazement at the blessing of memory, and of healing.

And of course the blessing of Gabby!

Sunday Sharing

I borrowed this picture from my sister.  (Thanks Becky!)  It was taken in August when Becky, her two children, and two other cousins took my grandma to visit my grandpa's grave on the anniversary of his death.

My grandma, Rosalie Campbell, will be 93 years old in January.  She continues to live a productive and healthy life.  I can't be around her without being inspired by her love, patience, and silent example of hard work and dedication to her faith and to her family.  At 92, she still makes sure to eat healthy food; she exercises regularly, and quilts in all her spare time.  I have no idea how many quilts she's quilted and donated, but it's a lot.  She stays busy.

I remember when she would spend summers in Juniper, on the farm where I grew up.  I would go to her house during the day "to help her," but I'm sure I ate more raspberries than I picked, and my skills at working a wringer washer were definitely less than impressive (as evidenced by the number of times she'd gasp when my fingers got too close to the wringer).  Certainly that time with her did more for me that it did for her.

Yesterday Megan had a soccer game in Logan, so we decided it would be good to go early and also visit my grandma that day.  At 92 years old, you're bound to have some bad days, and yesterday was one of those days for my grandma.  The quilt she was working on was stressing her out.  She hated the pattern and couldn't wait to finish it.  She was tired and ready for her nap, and confused about who we all were.  Under the circumstances, our visit wasn't a long one, and in a few quiet moments at the end of our visit, I enjoyed telling her how much I loved her and appreciated her example.  

I was happy to have seen her, but in all honesty had hoped for a little more of the familiarity I'd seen at previous visits.  I was hoping to be able to share with her our happiness at bringing Gabby into our family, but the presence of children she didn't know seemed even more confusing to her (and to Gabby, who has consistently been checking my memory since yesterday to "make sure you'll never forget me, Mom.")

Later that day I called Becky, my sister who lives near my grandma, and does shopping for her several times a week.  She sees my grandma regularly enough that she knows her moods and quirks, and just the right phrase or word to spark her memory.  Becky was out of town at the time we went to visit my grandma, so I called her to tell her next time I needed to go when she was there.  When I described our visit to Becky, she reminded me about how my grandmother is still touching lives, even from the confines of her own home.

Becky told me about a girl who used to help care for my grandma, who moved away and went on a church mission.  She wrote a letter back to my grandma later expressing how much my grandma's example of faith and commitment meant to her.  She would help my grandma get ready for bed every night, and was so inspired that my grandma, at her age, would still take time to kneel at her bedside every night to pray. 

Becky had told me that story before, but as she told me again, I realized how my own life has been shaped by hearing those kind of stories about my grandma.  I remember the first time Becky told me that story, thinking about how many times I'm cold, or sick, or so, so, so tired, and on those nights, I pray from my bed instead of kneeling to pray.  But since hearing that story for the first time, that image of my 92 year old grandmother kneeling in faith by her bedside every night has prompted me to get out of bed every night to pray, even if I'm tired, even if I'm not feeling well, even if...

And I thought of how it felt to be with my grandma, giving her a hug, telling her I loved her, and seeing that familiar peace in her eyes when she asked the girls to sing a song for her.  Example is an incredible gift, and my grandma has me thinking today about how example combined with love can shape lives and build lasting bonds.  Today I am thankful for an incredible woman and a life filled with example, service and love for others.

Still Celebrating...

Does it seem like every other week we're having a party around here?  Well...  Just maybe we have a lot to celebrate!

Gabby's adoption day:  August 10, 2011 (also the date of her first adoption celebration)

Gabby's sealing date:  August 16, 2011 (the date of her second adoption celebration--a family/cousin adoption party)

And we couldn't wait to have Gabby's friend party for her adoption, but we were only a few weeks away from school starting, and Gabby wanted to invite friends from school, so we waited...

Then Tim went out of town and we wanted to include him also, so we waited again...

Then the weather turned bad...

Then we finally sent out the invitations.  The party would be October 15th, 2011.

On Friday, October 14th, Gabby came home from school with a fever.

By the next morning she was wasn't any better, and missed her last soccer game of the season.  I was able to contact almost everyone she invited (notice I said almost because Gabby has such a big heart she took all the extra invitations to school and passed them out to as many classmates as she could invite...and of course I didn't have everyone's number or email...)

But somehow we managed to spread the word that the party was being moved to tonight (fall recess in Utah).  The weather cooperated.  No one was sick.  (Shocking, I know!)

The result was a super fun party.  I mean, really, really, super fun.

Hanging out

Dance off!

Dance, dance!

And more dancing!

My cousin, Jason, putting on a torch juggling show

Jason!  Jason!

Blowing out the torches

And we even invented a new party game.  It's called "Wedding Ring Treasure Hunt."  One player who is "it" (a newly married player like Jason works best) lets their wedding ring fly off their hand while playing tetherball, then the rest of the players get flashlights to search the lawn in the dark for the lost ring.  The winner gets to take home all the leftover cookies!  And would you believe we found the ring? Yes, folks...  a nice girl named June found Jason's ring.  And do you notice Jason's ringless left hand in the photo above?  His ring stayed safely in his wife's possession during torch juggling...because we're saving the game of "Wedding Ring Torch Juggling" for the next party.

Sportsmanship

This is the most awesome 13 year old soccer player on the planet.  This picture was taken at the end of last season when her team (Orange Crush) was celebrating an awesome season.

Below is a picture of this same awesome 13 year old soccer player receiving her end-of-season award from the coach.  She got the "Happy Feet Award" for her awesome footwork.

But lately it isn't Megan's footwork that is getting noticed.  Toward the end of the Orange Crush-Happy Feet season Megan started playing goalie.  It gave me heart failure the first few times I watched her, but after a few games her skills were improving.  At this point watching her play goalie is like watching a combination of Superman lightening quick reflexes and Spiderman sticky fingers because balls just don't get past her...at least not often.  

This season Megan is in a competition league.  Tonight we played the number one team in her league.  She's got a great team and great coaches.  They don't mind playing skilled teams.  Sometimes they win; sometimes they lose.  Always they play hard, and playing in this league has definitely made them a better team.

Then there was tonight.  (And this is the point where I get that I'm still worked up over this and probably venting...)

Our girls played a team that had some great skills.  The skills of the other team could have stood on their own.  They were impressive.

But Megan was equally impressive.  Shot after shot flew toward the net and time after time Megan caught, blocked and dove, stopping some amazing shots.

Unfortunately, teams that like to win don't like to be stopped.  And even more they don't like to be scored on, which is what happened next.  It looked for a while that they'd met their match.

Then they got mean.  Really?  Why do teams do that?  Why?  And why do coaches encourage it?  There was pushing, then falling to make it look like they were ones pushed.  Then they started in with swearing, trash talking, and disrespect.  

Still, Megan stayed strong and was talking positively to her team, and trying to stay focused on the game.  By the time the second half started, the unsportsmanlike play increased and was painful to watch.  Our girls were playing hard, but it was impossible to play against mean.  

The point I about lost it was when they were ganging up on Megan inside the goal.  Part of what makes her good is that she's not afraid to be kicked, and she's taken her share of accidental cleats, but tonight she was getting kicked after she had possession of the ball, and the kicks were deliberate.  She felt helpless because nothing was being called.  

Then just a few minutes before the end of the game one of the other team members stomped on Megan when she jumped on the ball.  Her cleat met Megan's kidney, and she didn't get up.  Moms of kids who play sports know that feeling during those moments you see your child on the field hurt.  You want to run out there, but you can't until they're off the field.  Megan's coaches went to make sure she was ok, and helped her off the field.  At that point she just hugged me and cried.  I cried too.  She had played hard, and done everything she could do within the limits of the rules of the game and the rules of sportsmanship.  That she got hurt intentionally for playing well was disheartening.

A few minutes later the game massacre ended.  Megan's team lined up to shake hands with the other team.  Megan didn't walk out on the field.  She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "I don't want to go."  To hear that from Megan (kind, sweet, doesn't-have-an-enemy-on-the-planet Megan) was even more disheartening than seeing her hurt.  Tears formed in my eyes too, and I said, "I know.  But you need to go."  And she did.

To be honest, I couldn't even watch.  How do you shake hands with the girl who just tried to take out your right kidney?  Later Megan said, "I just didn't want to hear her say 'sorry'.  She didn't mean it."

Huge. Sigh.

This is one of the hardest parts of being a mom.  I hate seeing my kids hurt, but it isn't very often I've seen them hurt intentionally.  I'm still struggling with the emotions of that one.  

At the same time I'm proud of Megan.  A conversation we had before the game went something like this:  

Megan:  "I'm nervous.  This team hasn't lost any games."

Me:  (Sensing she was asking for more than a hoo-rah) "That's a lot of pressure on yourself.  Think of it this way.  What if you do lose?  Did you play your best?  What did you learn?  If you have those things, you won."

Megan:  (pausing, then smiling)  "Wow.  I feel better.  Thanks mom.  You're a good therapist."

So what did we learn tonight?  

Sometimes people compromise dignity for winning.  

Sometimes life isn't fair.  

Sometimes it's out of your hands.  

Sometimes you have to do things that are hard, even when you don't want to.  

And always when you do all that, you can be proud that you kept your own self-respect and dignity in tact.  And Megan did.  

Tonight, even more than being proud of her lightening quick reflexes and super amazing lunges, dives, catches, and blocks, I'm proud of her as a person.

And that is why we play sports.

At the end of the day we're growing human beings, not winning games, and it's good to see human beings who learn that winning is great, but not always the most important thing...  And I'm also a little sad at the same time that there is another team of young, potentially amazing girls who are being coached differently.  Grrrrrrr....  Sad.  

Sunday Sharing

Remember last week when I was too tired for Sunday Sharing?  You know, from being up all night with the dog?  Well, this is the event that was on my heart and mind then, the one I would have shared if I hadn't been exhausted.  I'm sharing it now. 

On March 8th, 2011, I turned a whopping 29 years old (plus a little bit...it was actually the 13th anniversary of my 29th birthday...you do the math).  A few hours after falling asleep that night, my phone rang.  It was the call I knew was coming, but wasn't prepared for.  

The two adorable babies pictured below had been threatening to enter the world early for months, and their mother, Amy, patiently sat in the hospital day after day for six weeks (maybe more...I can't remember now).  Whatever it took for her babies.  (For more of the story see here.)

Tyson and Alycia on their blessing day

Background:  Spencer and Amy are Joie's aunt and uncle on the Weaver side of the family.  Spencer is Joie's dad, Nick's brother.  (If you're still feeling lost, see here.) 

Because Spencer was several hours drive from Salt Lake City, where Amy was hospitalized, we had planned in advance that when she went into labor, I would go to the hospital to be with her while she had the babies.  When I got the call, it was still too early for them to be born, so it was with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty I drove to the hospital and greeted Amy.  Less than an hour later, with Spencer (proud daddy) checking in frequently by phone, and me perched behind Amy's head holding the video camera, Tyson and Alycia entered the world.  They were so tiny.

Five long, long minutes after they were whisked away from the delivery room, we finally got word that both babies were doing better than expected.  They would be in the hospital, possibly for a month or more, but it seemed that they were doing well.  It was the miracle we had been praying for...that, and knowing Amy had been able to keep from going into labor long enough for them to have a chance at life.

Amazingly, the miracle continued when only a few weeks later, Spencer and Amy were able to take their babies home.  Tyson and Alycia surprised everyone, including the doctors with their strength and health.  What could have been a difficult tragedy in this family became a faith strengthening miracle.

A few months later I got a call I truly hoped for but never expected.  Amy had been meeting with the missionaries and decided to be baptized.  Then the question...  Would we be there?  

Of course!

Amy on her baptism day with the missionaries, Spencer, the babies, and Bryton, Jayden, and Wyatt, their boys.

I'm a believer that God doesn't send tragedy.  Tragedy is part of an imperfect, mortal existence.  But I do believe that through tragedy, we can be blessed and supported in very personal, loving and comforting ways by a kind Father in Heaven.  It amazes me how, in times of difficulty, our Heavenly Father comforts us personally, not with platitudes, but with the very experiences and knowledge we need to grow.

We have been so incredibly blessed to be a part of the Weaver family through their connection to Joie during some amazing growth and transformations in their lives.  

Last weekend, the story continued when Joie, Gabby and I drove to Evanston, Wyoming to witness another baptism.   

Monique, Pricilla (sister to Nick), Mike (husband of Susan), Susan (mother to Nick),  Amy (holding Tyson), Spencer (holding Alycia), Max, Tommy, Bryton, Jayden, and Wyatt

This time Spencer was baptizing his son, Bryton and another one of Joie's cousins, Tommy.  One of Spencer's sisters said the opening prayer.  Another of Bryton's older cousins gave a talk.  Prior to the service, Spencer was ordained an Elder.  (For more about the priesthood see here; for more about baptism see here.)

I like to think I have as much faith as the next person, but I honestly couldn't have anticipated this day.  During the service, I stood in the back holding one of the babies (tough job, I know...), and looked at the group of people in front of me.  I guessed that probably less than a third of the people in that room had very little to do with church or religion only a few years earlier.  Tears filled my eyes as I thought of how blessed we've been to know this family, and to be a part of witnessing this transformation in their lives.  Then I thought of how Nick and Ruth must feel, looking in on the same scene.  For sure they were there too.

To me, the amazing thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is how it touches and changes lives.  Teachers cannot do what the spiritual stirrings of the heart can, and when individuals respond to those feelings, lives change.

Spencer, Amy, and their cute family of five children under the age of 8, are an inspiration.  

Blessings to Bryton who is already on the right track...

And to these two miracle babies who started it all, and because of the choices of their parents, will not know life without the gospel.

Tyson and Alysha--7 months

(And now a few more pictures just because...) 

Joie holding her baby cousin Alysha

Gabby with Wyatt (who is glued to Gabby whenever he sees her), me holding Tyson, and Joie with Alysha

Random words from a favorite hymn have been on my mind when I think of this day:

I stand all amazed

At the love Jesus offers me.

Confused at the grace

That so fully he proffers me...

I marvel that He would descend

From his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That He would extend His great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful

That He should care for me

Enough to die for me.

Oh, it is wonderful,

Wonderful to me.

(Assorted lyrics from I Stand All Amazed by Charles H. Gabriel)

Red Ribbon Week

Each  year I try to be involved in one major event at my kids' school.  With five children in three schools, that's difficult, but for the past two years I've been in charge of Red Ribbon Week at our elementary school.  It's about this time every Red Ribbon Week I start wondering what in the world I signed up for...and also wondering what it might take to get fired from a volunteer position.  Hmmmmm....

Can you tell I'm in a non-blogging rut?  First I blamed the dog.  Now I'm blaming volunteer opportunities.

But I did want to share a blog post from last year that I wrote for my counseling blog about parent involvement in teaching drug awareness and prevention.  Obviously I feel strongly about intentional parenting.  Period.  

Don't leave it to chance.  

(See here for the article mentioned above.)

Sunday Sharing

Sunday Sharing this week is that there is no Sunday Sharing.  Sorry, my brain just isn't going that deep today.  And I'm blaming the dog...

The picture above was taken from my bed when I was recovering from surgery.  Blossom, who isn't allowed in my room, waited patiently.  I could tell she couldn't wait until I wasn't in bed anymore.  She was so patient.  I love the loyalty of dogs.

But my patience with Blossom was wearing thin last night.  I'm glad I found the picture above...makes it easier to forgive.  Maybe.  Although during the night I wasn't sure...

The story:  Yesterday Jeran made chocolate chip cookies.  He took care of the chocolate chips, but Blossom figured out how to get them out of the pantry.  She ate 3/4 of a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, and after realizing how sick she was last night, we're glad she's still here.

After throwing up all over the house, she spent the night howling and crying, shaking, and tearing around the house and high speed, jumping on the chairs and on top of the table, and even tried to chew the metal bars of her bed...  I kept the bedroom doors shut and just stayed awake with her.  When I'd touch her I could feel her heart racing.

Finally about 4:00 a.m. I was too tired to keep up with her anymore, and put her on a leash.  I laid down on the couch and she pulled and tugged but at least I could keep an eye on her and lay down at the same time.  About an hour later she jumped up on my legs and fell asleep.  Tim woke up about 6:00 a.m. and I passed the leash off to him.  

At this point I've had a total of 4 hours of sleep since I woke up Saturday morning.  We had an awesome day Saturday that would have been my Sunday Sharing post, but I can't do it justice...  Later.  Really.

And since Blossom is snoozing soundly in her bed, I think I will too!

Great Minds

Raise your hand if you remember typing a report on a typewriter...

Then being amazed when you saw the first computer with a word processor or spreadsheet.  

That would be my generation.

I remember trying to explain a word processor to my parents in the same excited tones my children use to describe the technology that could make a world of holographic technology possible.

Which is why, today, I'm a little lost in thought about the loss of an incredible guy whose life started here:

And saw the release of the iPhone 4S the day before his death.

I've loved reading all the Steve Jobs quotes floating around facebook yesterday and today.  This is one of my favorites:

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." ~ Steve Jobs

About the same time Steve Jobs was working away in his garage tinkering with technology and selling his VW to finance the release of the monstrosity of a computer pictured above, President Spencer W. Kimball said this:  

“It's not possible that the problems of this world be resolved by the pesimists and sceptics whose horizons are guided by the obvious realities. We need men and women who think of things that have never been thought of and who dream of things that have never been dreamed of, and who ask, "Why not?" 

I remember hearing that quote as a teen, but it wasn't until years later anyone could comprehend the impact computer technology would have on our world.

For sure the world will miss the genius of Steve Jobs.

At the same time, I can't help wondering what emerging minds out there will transform our world again?

Will it be:

Or could it be one of these great minds?

It makes me think about my job as a parent.  My children are sure I'm a wash when it comes to progression and technology, but for someone who remembers submitting reports typed on typewriters, I think I'm doing ok.  Still, my children are amused at my attempts to keep up.  Yesterday I bought my first iPhone.  This morning Nate said, "Mom, you killed Steve Jobs.  He couldn't believe that Mary Jarman bought an iPhone."

Teenage humor aside, the world will miss Steve Jobs.  At the same time we can also be thankful that such a great mind compels our own minds to think forward and to think of the future, whatever that brings.

We Found Fall!

We're no longer asking, "Where's Fall?"   It was hiding a few thousand feet up the mountain and was hanging out with both fall colors and cooler temperatures. 

And a few action shots just for fun...