Redneck Playstation

I know that economic times are hard. This might be an option for the kids this year.  I know they have asked for a new wii game but this may have to do.   You had better check this out. Your kids might enjoy it to.  I hear it is the in game for Christmas this year.

Happy Thanksgiving

A friend sent me this link and I thought it was quite clever. I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving and remember that I am very thankful for you.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS DANIEL GOING?

We heard just about an hour ago that Daniel's mission call came in the mail today. We have spent the last hour coordinating a time that he can open it and we can all hear him read the letter. It's a bit more complicated since he is at BYU. He called me when he got the letter and his voice was shaking he was so excited. I am anxious to hear the news.

Brent left his corporate meeting so that he could be on the speaker phone with Daniel. Those of us at home sat around the computer on ichat and Daniel and everyone in Provo sat in front of his computer on ichat. He anxiously waited for everyone to arrive and then he kissed the envelope and opened it with his ceremonial pencil. He read it aloud to all of us. Wow, what fun.

It is official now. He heads to the MTC on February 4th and will spend two weeks there before heading to St. Louis, Missouri. We are all thrilled for him. What an exciting time! His mission area covers the greater St. Louis area, some of Illinois, and a wee bit of Kentucky. I am anxious to get to see his mission map. I can't seem to find anything online.

There you have it. We are all so excited for him. I am thrilled.

Becca and Volleyball

Becca decided a little way into the volleyball season that she would like to play on the team. She faithfully attended practices and was invited to play on the "A" team. Since she came into the season late, she wasn't able to play in any games until she had 10 practices under her belt. She was a fantastic support for her team. Even though the "A" team didn't hold practices on Friday, Becca felt that she could use all the practice that she could get and met with the "B" team on Friday's.

Once she had her alloted practices under her belt, she continued to sit on the bench and support her team. She cheered. She laughed. She supported. The coach came to her and suggested that she might want to play on the "B" team so that she could have some playing time. Becca gave it much thought and decided to stay on the "A" team so that she could practice harder and be there with her friends.

It wasn't until the last game of the season that the coach leaned over and called her name to go into the game to serve. I am sure that her heart was pounding but she served and won the point. I was so excited for her.

I am so proud of her. She did something that she had never done before. She worked very hard. She NEVER complained about sitting on the bench. She was always cheering on her team. She was ready to shine when the coach called her name.

Guess what? She can't wait for next year's volleyball season.

SUNBEAMS

I was called a few weeks ago to be the Sunbeam teacher. There are ten, cute, three and four year olds in my class and they are all full of life and personality. I am so excited to be their teacher. Immediately after my call, I started thinking of what I could do for them for their birthdays and for Christmas. Preparing lessons is almost as challenging as when I taught Gospel Doctrine since I must prepare for a multitude of possibilities. The first Sunday I taught, the Primary President poked her head into our classroom to see if everything was okay. She had been tipped off to possible trouble by the kicking on the back wall of our room that unknown to me, shares a common wall with the Primary room. I now know how to call for help!

Awhile ago, I attended a lecture where the following story was shared. I laughed so hard and thought you might like a good laugh yourself. God bless the Sunbeams.

I work part time as a teacher of family doctors. This program provides training on psychiatric disorders and emphasizes the importance of emotional support. The new doctors are given plenty of time in clinic to visit with their patients and learn about their challenges. One of our interns who had never lived in Utah and knows nothing about Mormons is still struggling to understand the cultural climate here. Last week he was interviewing a new patient and stumbled upon what he thought was a raging psychosis.
Doctor: "Well, Mrs. Olsen, we've talked about your high blood pressure and your medications. Are you experiencing any particular stress in your life?"
Patient: "Oh, yes! It's the Sunbeams. They're driving me crazy."
Doctor: (Very surprised) "The sunbeams."
Patient: "Yes. I've never had trouble with them before, but this group won't sit still. They bounce all over the room, and run out the door and down the hall."
Doctor: (Reaching for a pen) "Have you told anyone about this?"
Patient: "Of course. I told the president."
Doctor: "Really! What did the President tell you?
Patient: "She said Sunbeams are like that. I'm just going to have to learn to deal with them."
Doctor: (Concerned that he may be missing something) "I know people who are sensitive to sunbeams. Do they cause you to rash or anything?"
Patient: (Confused) "A rash? No."
Doctor: "What's the biggest problem they're creating?"
Patient: "It's the noise. They just won't quit talking."
Doctor: (Astonished) "The sunbeams are talking to you?"
Patient: "Well, yes. But mostly to each other."
Doctor (Scribbling furiously in the chart) "I see. Can anyone else hear them talking?"
Patient: (After a moment of stunned silence) "You're not LDS, are you?"

Reflections of Christ

Our family was invited to go to a special viewing of a photographic exhibit entitled, "Reflections of Christ", done by Mark Mabry. Mark was in town from Mesa, AZ to set things up and then did a short "fireside" to give us some insight into the miracles that had occurred related to the photo shoots. It was amazing to say the least. The spirit was very strong and I was so grateful that we could be there for this experience.

Ben couldn't nail down which was his favorite photo because he liked them all. Becca loves the one of Christ walking on water. I am told that prints will be available in October and I would love to have one for my house but I don't know which to choose.

There is a website at www.reflectionsofchrist.org. If you register there, you can then view the videos with commentary on some of the pictures. It is really worth registering to see. Personally, I think you should also go to youtube and type in mark mabry reflections christ project.. I LOVE the music playing in the background on the youtube site.

I Love Living in the Middle

So it turned out that all my family living in the West came to stay with us over the Fourth of July. I LOVE IT! I love being surrounded by family and that doesn't happen very often. We are all quite spread out geographically but who could resist the urge to get together before the cost of fuel rises even higher.

We mostly just "chilled" at home so that little ones could maintain their nap and sleeping schedules. There was no lack of entertainment though.

We had the Wednesday night dance contest that Maren won hands down based on fan voting. Bridget was a close second with her retro style. Nathan was lucky he didn't rupture anything.



Then there was the attack Ben festival. Ben laughed so hard his face hurt and the kids were laughing almost as hard. It is great to see the big kids loving to be with the little kids.



We spent some time outside at the park having a picnic and playing in the water. It was a beautiful day to be outside. The park was a bit crowded and some of the "views" were less than wonderful but, oh well.

The fireworks "contest" got started with the neighbors parading down the street with the Grand Marshal wearing a patriotic striped hat and sitting atop his four wheeler. The rest of the reunion folks marched behind waving flags. We shot off illegal fireworks but these aren't the ones.

And we just basically had a blast being together. I live for these times.

God Bless The USA

Steven had requested that we stay in town for the Fourth of July so that he could participate in lighting the sky on fire and choking the neighborhood with acrid fumes. Last year our neighbors waved a white flag and surrendered after our finale. This year they planned a family reunion for the 4th so they could show us up. We took them on but my feeling was that it was a draw. They presented us with a 2nd place ribbon. Really funny you guys! We presented them with some party poppers and sparklers to get their stockpile started for next year.

He's Home!

Steven was all smiles at the airport and it was wonderful to see him. The flight came in a bit early so I had to whip out my camera and take a quick shot but gratefully it turned out. He spent some time greeting everyone at the airport and then we went to get pronto pups for dinner since he was starving. From the airport we went to the Verizon store to get him a new cell phone and then on to the Stake President's house. He came out from the house holding his name badges in his hand. He said later that it felt weird not to be a missionary anymore Daniel has him all scheduled out though. Last night they went together to institute. They went afterward with some of Steven's friends to get ice cream. Steven is out tonight celebrating a friend's birthday. He seems to be getting back into the swing of things. It sure is great to be able to yell up the stairs and hear him call back to me. We are glad to have him home.

fancygens.com

Senior Moments

Perhaps you've noticed that I haven't posted in a bit. We have been busy. It is with a multitude of mixed feelings that I chronicle some of Daniel's activities over the last month.

At the Senior Band Concert, Daniel was awarded the John Philip Sousa Award for being the outstanding Senior band student. As such, he was given the conductor's baton and led his classmates in their final piece of music at the concert. He has loved his music experience in high school so much that he plans to minor in music at BYU.


At the final Choir Concert each year the seniors are given the opportunity to perform solo. Anthony and Conner (senior choir students) invited Dalin and Daniel (senior choir wannabes) to assist them in a "boy band" concert. They want everyone to know that they really do like girls. You can see them on youtube by doing a search with the words "vhs boy band choir", or you can just click on the top left corner of my blog. It really is worth a look. He made me so proud!

While you are on youtube take a listen to Daniel performing at the State Solo Festival. He did a fantastic job. I never realized that a trombone could sound so beautiful. He was disqualified on a technicality--unknown to all of us, he needed to present the judges with a letter from the publisher to assure them that the music was out of print. If we had known that, he would have won third at the state contest.

Daniel played men's doubles at the district tennis tournament. He and his partner, Spencer had to be "rushed" from Caldwell to downtown Boise in heavy traffic after they both completed their four hour Statistics AP exam. They then had to play two matches. They won their first but were eliminated from the tournament with their loss in the second match.










Then there was Prom. Daniel took one of his best friends to prom and had a great time. Since they went as friends there wasn't all of the pressure that sometimes accompanies these big events.



Graduation was this past Saturday. Daniel ended the year at #4 in his class and with a GPA well above 4.0. He graduated with 19 college credits and with his scores on his ACT won't have to take many of the Freshman level classes. The Air Force awarded him a certificate as the Top Science Student (his doubles partner was given the Air Force Top Math student award). Daniel loves learning and graduated #4 in part because of the number of classes that he took (it diluted his AP credit GPA). He will be attending BYU this fall for a semester before leaving on his mission.


One of the most exciting days at our house recently happened to be Senior Skip Day. It was also the first day to sign up for housing on campus at BYU. Daniel and 4 friends, plus one of the friends cousins, all want to room together. Derek's mom called down to BYU housing and asked what the possibility was that these 6 young men would end up rooming together and she was told that it would be impossible. So --- bring on the challenge! They swarmed around all the available computers in our house and following an opening prayer and about an hour of fidgeting, whooping, hugging, yelling, typing, phoning, worrying, and stressing they all ended up rooming together this coming fall. Look out BYU here they come!



I really am going to miss all the excitement.

California Dreamin'

It really happened! Carrie and I made our way through the desert to San Diego to enjoy the California sun. We arrived at our motel (like a hotel just crappier) Monday night thanks in large part to the help of Gert our Garmin guidance counselor. The room wasn't quite what we had imagined from the 4 star rating it was given online but the price was right. Tell me---would you be a bit freaked out if you found this list of safety tips posted inside?


For those without eagle eyes the sign reads:

Safety Tips


1. Do NOT answer your door without verifying who it is. If a person claims to be an employee, call the Front Desk and ask if one of their staff has been sent to your room, and for what purpose.
2. Keep the door securely closed when you are in your room and use all of the locking devices provided.
3. Lock windows, sliding glass doors, and connecting room doors.
4. Do not display large amount of cash or expensive jewelry in public.
5. Do not invite strangers to your room.
6. Use the Hotel Entrance when returning to your room late at night. Be observant. Look around the parking lot before exiting the car.
7. Do not leave valuables in vehicles.
8. Be careful about displaying your guest room key in public. Don’t leave it on tables, at the pool, or any other place where it can be easily stolen.
9. Place all valuables in the Hotel’s safe deposit box located at the Front Desk.
10. Immediately report any suspicious activity to the management.

We also found it a bit disturbing that there was about an inch of daylight that came through the top and bottom of the door (remember this is open to the outside and any bug or critter that wanted could come join us in the room).



Is it any wonder that we spent our time away from the hotel room? We spent time basking in the sun at the beach, watching the surfers, enjoying the first 9 innings of the Padres/Rockies 22 inning duel, and just basically taking life easy. It was gorgeous and we really must do it again next year.

You can read Ginger's account of the trip HERE.

Where Has The Time Gone?

This is my first installment of FLASHBACK FRIDAY (just a few hours late). I figured it would be fitting to post this picture of Carrie and myself from way-back-when.

You see--Carrie has just celebrated a significant birthday and for her gift she and I are going on a road trip to San Diego. She has Spring Break off this next week and we are headed to the sunshine. It has been a long winter and the sun will be a welcome break. (That's Carrie in the picture pointing toward San Diego.)

So here's some history. I was born and then two years later my brother was born and then two years after that another brother was born and I prayed and prayed that my next sibling would be a long awaited sister. On April 1st, 1968 my Dad called from the hospital and when I answered he said, "You have a new baby sister." I responded by saying, "April Fool's". There was no way possible that I was going to fall for Dad's cruel joke. He however tried as convincingly as possible to let me know that he was serious. I did in fact have a baby sister (born March 31st) and I am the luckiest girl in the world. My prayers were answered. Happy Birthday, Sis!

Who Knew I Could Be A Princess?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I Stand All Amazed

The most wonderful thing happened at church today. The young man assigned to bring the bread for the Sacrament wasn't at church. The Teacher's Quorum President and his mom left to get bread but the roads leading to their house are closed because of construction which meant that there was extra time to prepare for the Sacrament. We sang "There Is A Greenhill Far Away" and then we sang "I Stand All Amazed". During the last verse, the bread arrived. It was decided that we would sing "I Stand All Amazed" again as the Sacrament was prepared. Never before have the words to that song been so powerful. I will count this Easter Sunday as one of my most treasured. I bear testimony that Jesus Christ lives and that because of his atoning sacrifice I will live again. And because of his atoning sacrifice, imperfect and weak as I am, I can be made whole.

Happy Easter

Game of Tag

So Lynette tagged me and I think I like this game better than the ones that you have to run and think fast in order to win.

10 years ago:
It was 1998 and we had lived in Nampa for 5 years. Steven was 11 and was in his first year at the Middle School and Becca was 2. Brent was the Bishop and we were in the process of building our new house. I believe I was in the Primary Presidency at that time. My goodness time flies by quickly.

Things on my to-do list today:
1. Try to figure out what paperwork I need to file to get 501(c)(3) status for the Assistance League.
2. Pick up Jensen to babysit her while JeNeale rehearsed with the HS choirs.
3. Wash the car with Jensen, inside and out because Jensen says the car is happy when it is clean inside.
4. Meet JeNeale at Costco to pick up a few things.
5. YW Presidency meeting that I totally forgot about (had to put things from Costco in Tara's freezer during the meeting)
6. Watch Daniel play his first tennis match of the season.
7. Ditch Enrichment Meeting since it was a Mother/Daughter one and I was an hour late getting home after tennis and Becca was asleep on the couch.
8. Tried to do my best Sports Psychologist impersonation with my distraught son.
9. Watched American Idol and cringed when David Archuleta forgot the lyrics.

What would I do if I suddenly became a Billionaire:
1. Build a cabin for my Parents in Island Park.
2. Buy a cute summer home on Edgebrook.
3. Build my own cabin someplace.
4. Send my husband to Chile.
5. Surprise unsuspecting people with money.

3 Bad Habits:
1. Procrastinating.
2. Saying "yes" to often.
3. Drinking Diet Dr. Pepper, fully leaded.

3 Places I've Lived:
1. Idaho Falls, Idaho
2. Seattle, Washington
3. Salt Lake City, Utah

5 Jobs I've Had:
1. Cleaning a dental office after hours (paid for my first 10 speed bike)
2. Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips (have more patience with anyone doing fast-food for a job)
3. Reading and Math Tutor to 1st through 6th graders during summer school.
4. Anatomy and Physiology Lab Assistant (got me a blind date with the professors nephew and great stories about the worst date of my life).
5. Registered Nurse.

5 Things people don't know about me:
1. I have run at least 8 5K races and 6 10K races and trained for a marathon (injured my ankle the week before the race)
2. I would love to be able to fly.
3. I was voted Student Nurse of the Year at Ricks College.
4. I am not afraid to die. I had a chance to face my own mortality at age 14 and came to terms with it.
5. I hate deciding what to fix for dinner.

This isn't fair---most everyone I know that reads my blog has already been tagged---Okay so Becca -----YOU'RE IT!

My Little Brother

I made a quick trip to Utah this weekend to check in on my little brother. I learned Thursday night that he had been airlifted from Deer Valley Ski Resort to the University of Utah Hospital. He had surgery to repair his jaw that had broken into 4 pieces. He now sports a hi-tech, titanium chin. Top that off with a mouth full of metal and wires that he gets to sport for the next month to keep his mouth wired shut. He looks a bit scruffy since he hasn't shaved in a few days. His face is a bit swollen and he has a manly scar under his chin but to see him at home and to hear him talk was wonderful. Truth-be-told, he looked fantastic.

I Am Grateful For:

. . . a paranoid wife that made her husband wear a ski helmet.
. . . an obedient husband that wore the ski helmet.
. . . the ski gear company that gave him a discount so he bought the helmet.
. . . helicopters.
. . . priesthood blessings.
. . . skilled surgeons.
. . . narcotics.
. . . family close-by.
. . . blenders.
. . . colorful straws.
. . . a brother that I love with all my heart.

Long Overdue

Becca and her friend Sydney were asked to sing along with the band from Nashville that did the JOSEPH and TREK cd's.  It was quite and honor and they worked for several months with a voice teacher to prepare.  What they couldn't prepare for was Becca's strep throat just 4 days before the performance.  I think she did a fantastic job.  I was so proud of her.  There were about 650 people in the audience and she didn't even sound nervous (she looks green---not because she's sick but because the lighting was such that the movie had to be shot with the night vision feature on).

Brent shortened the clip. I loaded it onto the desktop. I sat in front of the computer for an hour and a half this morning PATIENTLY waiting for the clip to upload to you tube. I had to leave and spend the day at the HS doing concessions to earn money for the Senior Safe and Sane Graduation Party and when I arrived back home 5 1/2 hours later the clip was still "uploading" to you tube. The file is 12 GB. I don't know how to make it smaller. We may have to send you all a DVD. Sorry.

What Pictures Can't Say

I told you that I could go on for days talking about my experiences at Special Olympics. Here goes. Yesterday afternoon I watched the rebroadcast of the Opening Ceremonies on TV. The only part that I was really interested in was when the countries marched in and when they interviewed some of the athletes. It was so fun to recognize the faces of the athletes and coaches from all of the foreign countries.

Here's what the pictures can't say:

As the delegations marched in they were all wearing a light blue and white scarf lovingly hand knitted or crocheted by someone from the Meridian, Idaho Paramount Stake.

Sunday at the history museum, each delegate left with a handmade lap quilt made by the sisters in another local stake. Each quilt included a personal note welcoming the athletes to Idaho and wishing them well in their competitions.

Eric, from Sweden, has a flamboyant personality and loves to sing karaoke. I will never forget hearing the Macarena sung in Spanish with a Swedish accent.

The Kuwaiti's all say "cheese" when they smile for pictures.

Isabelle was quite nervous and shy about heading off with her host family. Gratefully her sister, Jenni, was her coach and was assigned to the same family. After some coaxing they all left the Welcome Center. Saturday, when we saw them next, Isabelle refused to let go of the arm of the mother of the host family.

One of the Chinese delegates asked what the word T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T meant while attending Sacrament Meeting with their host family.

Special Olympics!

Boise, Idaho is hosting the Invitational Winter Special Olympics this week. Athletes and coaches from Romania, Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria, China, Germany, Kuwait, and Lebanon arrived early on Friday to get accustomed to the time change and altitude difference. All of the delegations except for Kuwait stayed in the homes of host families Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and part of the day Monday. During this time, there were several activities designed to give the guests a "taste" of the Host Town.

I was invited to help at these activities. What a treat! We attended a Western Hoe Down and Dinner at Bogus Creek Ranch that was fabulous. One of the things I won't soon forget will be watching one of the Chinese athletes spontaneously getting on stage and begin spinning a red and white "doily" on each pointer finger perfectly synchronized to the fiddlers.

Another activity was held at the Idaho Historical Museum where the delegates participated in pioneer activities such as quilting, churning butter, roping cattle, and indian dancing. I got to serve the famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato. You should have seen the looks (Sorry, no pictures. We were told we couldn't take photos because of privacy and security issues) as they stared at what they were being offered. Those looks weren't just from the foreigners.


I could go on for days exclaiming about the experience but I will spare you. Suffice it to say that I loved having the opportunity to participate in a small way. My eyes were opened to so many things. I was once again reminded how similar we all are no matter where on earth we may live. I had the opportunity to display my vast "charades" skills due to the Tower of Babel effect but more often than not the laughs, smiles, and hugs communicated all that needed to be said.

He's Coming Home

We received Steven's travel plans in the mail today. He arrives home on Tuesday, July 1st at 2:29 in the afternoon on Skywest/Delta Airlines.

Along with the official itinerary from the mission office came a letter from the Mission President. It encourages us to help him stay focused on missionary work up to the end of his mission, it gives us options for booking travel for our family if we want to escort him home, and it asks us to have someone at the airport to meet him.

Oh, please. Do they really have to tell us to meet him at the airport after telling us for the last two years to stay away? Believe me--we will be there. Even Brent's non-member secretary at work knew what he was calling about when he told her he needed July 1st off. We will be there! My concern is that they have enough security there on July 1st so that we don't rush the doors and go chase him down. We will be there!

Store-bought Sunshine

My adventure for the day yesterday was to head to WalMart to pick up a new movie for Becca to watch to keep both of us sane. As I walked in they had a display with some gorgeous begonias. I decided I needed the lift.

In the late afternoon, the doorbell rang and Country Floral was there with a delivery. Seems someone knew I needed a lift. Thanks for the sunshine!

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

I have lived here for nearly 15 years. One of the things that I have thumbed my nose at others about is that our winters are so mild here. Well this winter has been an additional reminder that I am not in charge.

We have had storm after storm after storm. I realize that there are many of you that are less than compassionate in this matter. Sure you get your multiple feet of snow every winter and you just suffer through. For the most part, you have chosen to be where you are. I have chosen to live here and one of the reasons I am here is because we can have winter and enjoy the snow in the mountains but we don't have to shovel it or drive in it. If it does snow, it usually has melted before the day ends.

WE ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THIS KIND OF WEATHER.

Firstly, people have no clue how to drive in this stuff. They are either insanely nonchalant or they freak out and morph into turtles. Secondly, when there are only a few snowplows to cover the entire valley, there is a good chance you won't ever get where you need to on cleared roads. Thirdly, the road crew budgets for the entire winter were used weeks ago.

I remember laughing as a teen in Idaho Falls when I would hear that some town had been shut down because of a few inches of snow. After having lived in Seattle and in Nampa, I have repented. The other day there were 5 cars stuck at the bottom of an underpass because they couldn't get up either side because of the slick roads. We have had heartbreaking deaths this week due to road conditions. Daniel came home late last night from a high school basketball game pretty shaken. He had passed an SUV flipped over on its side but the one that really affected him was on the freeway. He had been crawling along at 20 mph as had the rest of the traffic. As he got off the freeway at our exit, police officers directed him to take an outside route under the underpass. Hanging over the top of the freeway ready to fall to the roadway below was a car that had gone over the guardrail and was "resting" on a small concrete outcropping. Daniel saw the driver of the car standing off to the side and realized how lucky he was to be alive. How he made it out of that situation is a miracle.

Okay---I'm finished whining. Just let it end, please.

Man of God

I had one of those experiences that stays with you for life last night when I heard that President Hinckley had passed away. My initial feeling was one of such grief and loss that it hurt to the core. That feeling was followed just as quickly by one of gratitude.

How blessed I have been to have known such a man of God, a Prophet of God. I don't know him personally but I feel as if I have lost a friend. Through the years it has seemed as he has spoken to me as I have heard his counsel and have felt the spirit confirm to me that he was speaking the truth.

I will miss him. The memory of his sweet, simple, optimistic attitude will stay with me.

Throughout the day I have wondered on what is happening in the spirit world today. The world has lost a mighty man of God but Heaven has reclaimed one of its own.

Sister by another Mother

One of the difficult realizations when a hysterectomy was needed was that Becca would be the lone girl in our family. I worried most that being the youngest she would have no way to learn how to be a mom. Gratefully, my best friend, JeNeale decided to help the situation and have a little one for Becca to practice on.



We have watched Jensen grow and love her like she is one of our family. She turned 5 this past week. My how the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday that her mom called me from the hospital to let me know that she had arrived. I am not partial in any way, but I think she is pretty great.

We got to babysit her tonight for a few hours while the rest of her family was at mutual. Becca made her a peanut butter sandwich for dinner and then entertained Jensen for over an hour "coloring" pictures at the computer for every member of both families. Becca neatly wrote each individual's name for Jensen to follow so that she could address each picture to the person she had designed it for. They put them into envelopes and Jensen wrote everyone's name on them ready for personal delivery.

As I watched them together, I realized that my prayers had been answered. Becca will be a terrific mom. Thanks Jensen for letting her practice on you all these years. Happy Birthday!

LOBSTAH!!!

So this year Rick got our name for Christmas. He called ahead to verify that sending us live crustaceans would indeed be a gift and not torture. We waited anxiously for the FedEx guy to ring the doorbell and sure enough our little friends from the ocean survived their trip all the way to our house. We almost felt guilty looking at them longingly as they squirmed about in their chilled, moist, styrofoam habitat.



We each took a turn carefully extricating our own little friend from the box. The first few were hanging on to the others for dear life but guess what --- we are bigger and happened to be hungry. We read the instructions carefully and placed them head first into boiling water.



Ben was brave and went first and didn't seem to be bothered by the final step in the process, ripping the claws and tail apart from the body.





What a sacrifice those little guys made to make our Christmas merry! They were so sweet dipped in butter. We will never look at lobster quite the same way again. That was the tastiest lobster I have ever had. WOW! What a fun treat and a memory that will last forever. LOBSTAH!

Thanks Rick.





p.s. Becca loved her pot stickers.

How long has it been?

Becca has been begging me to help her get a blog up and running. As I was looking through all of the options, I decided that I was very bored with my site, hence the change. Stay posted--there may even be a new post sometime soon.