Dr. Ruth Is In The House.

Well, in bed actually. Ruthie and all the other second graders went to the local hospital on a field trip called My Friend The Hospital. Or something to that affect. Each of the kids got a surgeon cap and mask. Ruthie wore the hat to bed. Daniel suggested we call her Dr Ruth. I asked if he knows who Dr Ruth is? Yes, but she is Ruth and is a doctor right now. It's cute. So this is Dr Ruth. Asleep.

P.S. The bangs are extra long because she is in the process of growing them out!

The Best And Worst Birthday. Ever.

Last Thursday began as a wonderful day. We sang to Isaac and kept bugging him with Primary birthday songs. Then he went to school with a treat to share with his class. After school I asked how it went and did the kids like the treat. He said they didn't celebrate his birthday. He was so bummed. So I quickly emailed his teacher just to make sure he got to pass the treat out on Friday. She was so sweet and apologetic. She was being observed and was a little frazzled and forgot the fun stuff. So we went on with our afternoon, planning dinner and waiting for dad to get home so he could open gifts.

Then that dreaded phone call came. It was our brother in law Brian. Mom and dad were in a car accident and all he knew was that they were on their way by ambulance to the hospital and had to be extricated from the vehicle. When I got off the phone I told the kids and we knelt down for a quick prayer. My kids were so scared. We didn't know anything and were just praying for the best. I reminded them that all their cousins and aunts and uncles were now praying for them and that they would be okay.

We went on with our evening as best we could. Isaac was found in his bed at one point, under the covers and very upset. I asked what was the most upsetting. He said he was worried about Grandma. Oh baby! I was worried too. But we needed to wait to know more.

Then we had cake. You will find that chocolate cake is a serious business here. I baked and frosted a total of 3 cakes this weekend. Oh chocolate cake. Lovely chocolate cake! And yes, only three candles. I was not prepared.Isaac opened his gifts. We've made turning 12 a spiritual gift opportunity. Isaac got a new scripture case, scripture markers, tabs on his scriptures to make scripture chase a faster business, 4 new ties, pristine undershirts, his very own mini Hymn book, and a Moroni and the Title of Liberty tie tack. He was not impressed. Grandpa had sent his gift over earlier in the day. That gift trumped mom's idea of a good time. He also got, from the fun dad, a storage box for his NXT robot and a sound sensor. Or something. I know so little of such things.

Friday bloomed brighter. Even though Grandma had some bone fractures in her neck, back and ribs, she would be fine. She would need to be in the hospital and then stay in a care center. But she would be fine. Grandpa had some torn ligaments in his shoulder, but was able to go home and would heal up fine.

Isaac got to pass out his treats in class, too. yay! Then another phone call. "Mom, I hurt my hand. Will you please come get me?" Isaac jammed his pinkie finger while catching a ball. It was swollen and he couldn't move it. So I got him home and on ice. Happy birthday! The next day it was bruised and still swollen. This is how it looks today. Still bruised and a little swollen, but not hurting as much. We went out to dinner to celebrate his birthday and had a fun evening. Despite the hurt finger.Saturday bloomed bright with dad heading to the hospital to be with Grandma. She was bored and wanted to go home, but doing well. Isaac had invited his friends over for a birthday bash. My thought that morning was that if these boys didn't come, Isaac would have chalked this birthday up to being the very worst EVER! Luckily they all came. Here's the cake. The second cake. Notice the mom got "12" candles this time.

The cake turned into a facial for some of the boys. Sam decided to join the sticky fun. To our great relief, the boys who left with sticky hair and faces have wonderful mothers who can appreciate a good time. Even with whipped cream and chocolate cake.

An evening with 11 and 12 year old handsome and intelligent boys includes Risk. They play it at each boys' birthday and when they just hang out. Daniel's kind of crowd.

Risk was proving to challenge the clock to they moved to Apples to Apples. There were complaints about the fact that it's the Junior version, but they played anyway. They are all very weird, too.

He opened more gifts and was very grateful for wonderful friends. Notice the apron on Ruthie. She served at her cousin's wedding reception and Aunt Deanna made aprons for the girls. She wore hers so she could help me serve the boys.

So the boy had a good birthday. He did say on his actual birthday that it was the worst birthday ever. But now that Grandma is doing better and his hand is healing and it's all over, he thought it was pretty great. Another look at the cool blanket from Grandma and Grandpa.
I am waiting on pictures of Isaac on Sunday after his ordination. My mom had her camera and I didn't. But Isaac received the Aaronic priesthood and was ordained a Deacon on Sunday. And true to form for birthday boy, the Bishop forgot to have him come up on the stand to sustain him. So someone ran up to the Bishop when he sat down to remind him. Isaac was sustained after the Sacrament was passed. Abbie, Poppy and Meme came to share it. Then they came over for lunch after. We missed Grandma and Grandpa, but still had fun visiting with Abbie and Poppy.

Sunday night we went to Uncle Alex and Aunt Mindy's house for our get together. We had more cake. The third and final for March and had fun with cousins. Our Aunt Mindy announced she is expecting and we are so excited for that.

We've told Isaac that with all the things, good and bad, that happened over his birthday weekend, this would be one of the most memorable. We hope he remembers the good...family, friends, Grandma and Grandpa are fine, Abbie and Poppy and Meme shared his ordination with him, his hand is still attached, and he had lots of chocolate cake. Good stuff.

Zipadee-ay And Heighdee-ho!

It's Isaac's birthday! Happy 12th birthday kiddo!
We love you and we are so glad you belong to us!

A Bit Of Useless Information.

It's beautiful outside at my house. Well, minus the goat poop smell. But the sun is shining and it's kinda warm out there. I love the feel of a warm sun. Spring. Bring it!

A couple of weeks ago I walked in on a conversation between 2 wonderful ladies. The subject was this: What band did Bret Michaels sing with back in the day? There was talk of Poison. So in my infinite wisdom of such things I say this: Yep. Bret Michaels was with Poison. Uhuh. I know this.

Actually forget I said anything about infinite wisdom. The fact that B.M. (that's how I'll address him if I need to address him again, although I know that the B and the M can make you think of something else which I'd rather not talk about. So I won't.) and Poison are floating around in my head is just, well, random. So back to the lack of infinite wisdom about B.M. There is none. It's actually one little tidbit of totally useless information that is in my head. I only know it because I was watching that music video channel on TV. A Poison video came on. And who was singing? B.M. So I just stored that tidbit away.

And it came in handy. For just a small moment I was the coolest and smartest in the room.

Like last night. Daniel came to me and said this: I know what we can watch next (on NetFlix). What? I said. He responded with: The A Team. To which I sang the theme song. Which I can't type out. It's just music. But it came out so fast and furious that even Daniel was impressed.

So you see? Useless information can float around unneeded and unused for years. And then the right time comes and BLAM! you whip it out and impress.

And that's all I really have to say about that. What useless information do you have floating around in your head?

12 Years Ago.

12 years ago today I was wanting my baby to come, yet hoping he would wait another 48 hours. I didn't want a Leap Year baby. I suppose it would have been fun if he had been born on February 29, but I'm kinda glad he wasn't. He's a March kid. And that's a fact.

Today we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house so Isaac could pick a quilt. Each of the grand kids gets to pick a homemade quilt when they turn 12. Isaac was so excited! A homemade quilt from Grandma and Grandpa! There were many to choose from. But when he saw this one, he knew it was his.
On an inside corner there is a tag with "Return With Honor". He is pretending to sleep. But deep down he is smiling! He loves his new quilt.
One more week and 48 hours and I will have a 12 year old. He is preparing to receive the Aaronic priesthood and be ordained a Deacon. I can't wait to see him pass the Sacrament. I think he can't wait to pass it! He is finished with his Faith In God requirements and will get his book signed. I can't believe my baby is almost 12.



I also can't believe our good fortune to have an extra 24 whole hours to use tomorrow. What are you going to do with all that time?? Sleep? Eat? Watch TV? Read a book? Wash windows? Do laundry? I am so excited to have 24 hours with which to catch up with my life. Or, maybe it will just be another Wednesday to keep up on. I guess an extra 24 hours doesn't really mean much. It's just another day. But I still think we should count it as an extra 24 hours with which to have some fun. So, what are you going to do with all that extra time??

And The Award Goes To...

In the spirit of the Oscar's, which I don't watch because I haven't seen most of the movies, I just titled it like the Oscar's. But this really isn't like that. But I have 2 wonderful awards that need some recognition.

First. I am a Wolf Den Leader in our ward's Cub Scout Pack. I love my calling. I was told by my great friend and Cub committee person extraordinaire, Mandy, that I qualified for the religious square knot. So I looked into getting it. I found that there is a whole big time deal that can be done along with the religious square knot in the LDS church program. It is the On My Honor award. So I qualified and went through the interview with my bishop and on Thursday night at our Blue and Gold Banquet, I received this...
It's the scouting crest with angel Moroni. I love it. Daniel even got to come up and present it to me. The Young Men, aka: soon Isaac, can receive this award by earning their Star rank in Scouts and finishing the Deacon requirements in their Duty To God books by the age of 14. So my boys will be working on this award at the appropriate time.

Second. And only second because it happened on Friday. Isaac had his second Robotics Challenge Night. He partnered up with a boy named Evan. The challenges were hard! Hard I tell ya! Daniel and I were helping with judging and entering all the scores. Many teams didn't even get a blue award. And there were lots of white awards. Tough challenges. Isaac and Evan earned two blue, one red and one white. Pretty good scores all considered. So Isaac's total score from both challenge nights equals 100 points. That is a Captain rank. We're pretty proud of our Mr. Roboto.

All 3 kiddos begin the Goat club in March. We are pretty excited about it! And speaking of goats, Mama Cass' udder is starting to show. (Blushing) We are getting close. About a month or 2.

Under The Influence. Addiction.

I am under the influence of 2 very strong influences. Actually, I have a couple of addictions. And I feel I need to share with you. It will be a form of therapy for me to share them. They have taken over my life. I can't get anything else accomplished. I have fallen under the spell of 2 very potent entities. I have lost control. I need intervention.

1. Downton Abbey Can't get enough! I have watched all of season 1 on Netflix and will begin watching season 2 on line. And then my life will be able to move on. I am only taking a small break today because the Blue and Gold Banquet is tonight and I have stuff to do. But I am hooked. If you are, too, you know my pain. If you haven't begun to watch, look out!! It will take over your life! Only one thing trumps Downton Abbey. Only one...

2. Indexing

I read an article in the Ensign about indexing and then put the magazine down. I then got on to Family Search. But just for a moment. Then I took my first batch. Then it was batch after batch after batch. I can't stop. I will sit for hours and index. I have let laundry go. I haven't made dinner. I forgot to eat lunch. I know I need to shower, but I can't stop indexing. It has taken over my life.

I changed my mind about needing help. I really need to keep watching Downton Abbey. It is so so so good. I can't stop and I won't stop. And I will not stop indexing. I am addicted and find great Joy in extracting names of people who will have posterity looking for them. They then can find their names, dates, place of birth and/or death. They can complete a search for an ancestor and can then do the necessary work for them. I love Downton Abbey. But I love Indexing more! Try it, you'll like it!