June in KY

Time to play catch up....

June 4, I woke up at 3am, threw Caroline & Wesley in the car and headed out to KY for my nephew, Christian's high school graduation. The only slowdown was 5 minutes of NYC traffic. About 13 1/2 hours later we rolled into KY an hour before the graduation started. I ran in my sister's house, dropped off Caroline & Wesley, changed into a skirt, hoped I hadn't spilled on my shirt, and ran out the door with Sherry. Commencement was just starting as we arrived. Christian looked great- really happy. We hooted, hollered and celebrated...

Friday was Christian's party. There is a cake story here.... Sherry is an amazing cake decorator. Christians school mascot is a commodore (no, not the singing group), and Christian is an accomplished swimmer, SO for the cake there was a commodore's head on top with his head tilted like a swimmer coming taking a breath. Sherry said there was a surprise as well. Thursday night the cake was taking shape. Friday Sherry pulled it together. Unfortunately the commodore couldn't stand the extended heat around the stove and a corner of the cake. It was a little devastating, for Baker Sherry, but she's tough and Christian didn't care that the commodore looked like a dead man. Sherry was true to her word and added a surprise just before lighting the cake...she put fireworks in the commodore's hand. What a crack up! The kids tried blowing the ash off the cake to save the frosting, but Sherry ended up scraping the frosting off. We still ate it...of course. Congrats, Christian! Your mom rocks!

Dan, Julee & sweet Ceseley

Mari, Adam & handsome, Des....

Lexington is BEAUTIFUL! We drove around, took pics at the Moody Farm...

Uncle Dan & Uncle Adam taught Caroline to make music from blades of grass.

me, Wes & Caroline

Saturday we went to Alee Simmon's baptism. Congrats, Alee!

Afterward back at the Moody home, we said our good-byes, I went to start the car and it was dead. My brothers and nephews traded intelligent hypothesis as to what jibberjabber was out of whack under the hood. Mark hooked us up with a good mechanic. I left the car there and rented a car for the drive home. Wayne was on a business trip and I needed to get home as soon as possible on Sunday. I left at 4am Sunday morning (forgot the Fast Lane transponder), hit gridlock at the New Jersey tolls, didn't move for 1/2 hour, and hit one obstacle after another until CT. 17 1/2 hours later my angel VTer, Lisle met me at the car rental office and drove the kids and I home to relieve the sitter. Wayne flew to KY and drove the van home on Saturday.

Crazy story told, I am so glad that we went to KY to be there for Christian and spend time with the Moodys & most of our east coast family. We love our extended family. The Moody cousins are the oldest of all of our kids' cousins and because of the good choices they've made, our kids are able to look to them as positive role models. We {heart} the Moodys!

I'm thankful for the progress and good things that came about on Wayne's business trip while I was in KY. He's back to full-time; HUGE blessing! I know that even when things aren't necessarily all running smoothly the Lord is there for us and blessings are right before our eyes.

Thoughts of mother- Wishes & Treasures

June is an exciting month over at Dare to Dream. The founder, Whitney Johnson has collected thoughtful guest posts from her treasure chest of friends and invited one and all to listen and comment. Each comment will put your name in the hat for a $75 spa certificate, and Whitney is giving away one cert. per week! Take the time to read....you'll be glad you did.

This week I'm guest posting based on a recent challenge I've taken on much thanks to Whitney's encouragement. I'm compiling lessons I've learned from my mom (& I've invited my siblings to contribute) based on letters and journal entries my mom left behind. Her text is a treasure filled with gems of life lessons; her thoughts and experiences while raising a household of 10 children, working hard on to her marriage, laughing at antics, crying at losses, etc. Her text is evidence to me that she has walked in my shoes and knows how to be there for me now. Head on over to Dare to Dream for a snippet of my labor of love for the mother I miss dearly.

This experience of writing my mom's story got me thinking of two things; what I regret not doing with my mom while she was alive, and things my mom left behind that I treasure today. Feel free to pass this blog post along...

What I regret not doing...

• Whitney requested a photo of me and my mom. I looked & looked & looked. Nothing. The photo on the left is priceless...my mom offering love to her baby and toddler (my brother & sister) simultaneously. I do think there are a couple photos out there somewhere of me and my mom, but probably just a couple. How did this happen? I would love a photo of me with my mom taken without us knowing while we were doing everyday things....cooking, mating socks, reading, weeding...anything. Too late. But it's not too late for me to give that to my children. And so I have learned to get out from behind the camera now and then...

• I wish I had more silly memories of me and my mom, even just one more. I ask my kids what we've done together that's simply silly & fun and they say: screaming on a rollercoaster ride, water balloon fight, funky dance moves, steam rollers.
• I wish I went to the temple more often with my mom. I only got to go once with her and it was wonderful.
• I regret any grief I gave her. From her writings I have a better picture of her mental and emotional state. Now that I'm a mother I have an idea what her schedule was like. I have an idea what her adult stresses felt like. I don't want my kids to feel the burden I've felt, and so we talk through things a lot. It's hard work. It can be draining. I know my mom gave all she could. I wish I was a better listener & didn't roll my eyes (mostly in my head) the way I did. She was so wise & honest, and it was hard to hear the truth sometimes.

Has your mom passed away? Is there anything you wish you had done with her while she was alive? These questions could be broader...have you lost a loved one, ie. sibling, father?

Treasures from my mom.....

• Her journals and letters. When she was sick she even had others dictate for her at times. She was an honest writer, and it wasn't all flowery and pretty. I still learn from her writings that she has walked in my shoes and knows exactly how to relate to me and help me through my troubles. Sometimes when I wonder what she would do I look to her writings & I find her wisdom there.
• The photographs I do have of mom and our family are priceless.
• I have a couple pieces of her jewelry...I love them. I love that her sterling silver CTR ring came to me well worn.
• Recipes. There are particular favorites. I'll include them in her memoir. A friend of mine from growing up found me on facebook and recalled how my mom could whip up a wonderful dinner in no time.
• The embroidered sampler my mom made just for me while there were no less than 8 kids in the house. This gift inspired me to make lasting gifts for each of my children... for Wayne too.
• I have her voice on a tape she recorded for me while I was on my mission. To hear her say in contemplating who I'd marry that "No one will be good enough for our Becky" still brings me to tears. My mom never said anything like that to my face. Every child should hear their parents speak genuine loving praise...heart to heart.
• A letter from my mom telling me how she felt the day I was born, why she and my dad gave me my particular name, her love for me, and her testimony. Because of this I will never wonder how she felt about me, or where she stood. She inspired me to share these things with my children.
• Important conversations...owning up to mistakes, FORGIVENESS, "I love you's," and questions about eternal things. Hearing her say, "I'll always be there for you at the crossroads of your life." Feeling in our last hug that we will in fact reunite. No doubt.

What has your mother given you or left for you that you treasure?

I would love to hear your thoughts...even if you don't know me personally, this is something that we can all relate to as a child, parent, and/or sibling.

Treasure one another,

Our Family's Summer Reading Challenge

Inspired by Elder Hales' general conference talk, in particular the story of his family sacrificing and saving for a family dream vacation, OUR family has a simplified plan...maybe it will lead to a bigger goal and bigger dream vacation!

Here's the plan for the here and now- Our family's summer reading challenge.

If we can read 100 books this summer as a whole family (though through individual reading if that makes sense) then we'll go on a special family outing at the end of the summer to a campground with mini-golf, lakes, & lots to do {PLUS a short drive to the Garnet Hill Outlet for mom}. We started "The Reading Challenge" on Memorial Day, and so far we're off to a good start. We've rated these books using 1-5 *'s, 5 being excellent.

1. Little Women (abridged)***** -Grace

2. Book of a Thousand Days **** -Christina

3. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, Vol.1***** -Thomas

4. Loud and Clear**** -mom

5, 6 & 7. The Hundred Dresses***** -mom, Grace*****, Christina*****

8. Flatland*** -dad

9. River Secrets***** -Christina

10. Junie B., First Grader- One-Man Band***** -Grace

11. Good Enough***** -Christina

12. John Adams**** -dad

13. Echoes from Auschwitz*** -mom

14. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, Vol. 2***** -Thomas

15. Junie B., First Grader (at last!)***** - Grace

16. Heather the Violet Fairy***** - Grace

17 & 18. The Midwife's Apprentice**** - Christina, mom (my review)*****

19. Junie B. First Grader Toothless Wonder***** - Grace

20. Junie B., First Gracer: Cheater Pants**** - Grace

21. Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy***** - Grace

22. Nate the Great on the Owl Express***** - Grace

23 & 24. Zel (a twist on the Rapunzel story- some mature content)** - Christina, mom **(the more I think about this book, the less I like it)

25 & 26. The Lightning Thief***** - Christina, Thomas***** (a summer favorite)

27 & 28. The Sea of Monsters***** - Christina, Thomas*****

29. Star Wars Jedi Quest**** - Thomas

30. The President's Assassin*** - dad

31 & 32. The Titan's Curse***** - Christina, Thomas***** (the first book of the series is my favorite so far)

33 & 34. The Amaranth Enchantment***** - mom (my review), Christina*****

35. Junie B. Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl***** - Grace

36 & 37. The Battle of the Labyrinth***** - Christina, Thomas

38. Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peaky Spying***** - Grace

39. Junie B. Jones is not a Crook***** - Grace

40, 41 & 42. My Life in Dog Years***1/2 - mom (I think Paulson is part dog:)), Thomas *** (didn't like the dog deaths) This book is on Thomas' summer reading list, Christina***

43. The Tail of Emily Windsnap***** - Grace (she loves that it's about a mermaid)

44. Star Wars: Episode 2 Attack of the Clones*** - Thomas (left out parts of the movie & that was irritating because it made the story make less sense to me)

45. Fun with Colors, by The Clever Factory**** - Caroline! (memorized, but we'll count it:)

46. Number the Stars**** - mom (I hope all of our kids read this)

47 & 48. The Battle of Bunker Hill***** - Grace, Thomas*** (choose your adventure book. Challenge: Try to survive the battle as a Patriot)

49. & 50. The Last Olympian***** - Christina (The mythology in this series was interesting. This book was my favorite of the series because it tied everything together), Thomas***** (This is my favorite book of the series because it's like the last Harry Potter book where it gets to the action immediately...non-stop action)

WE'RE HALFWAY TO OUR GOAL!!!

51. Ruby the Red Fairy***** - Grace

52. Georgia the Guinea Pig Fairy***** - Grace

53. Sunny the Yellow Fairy***** - Grace

54 & 55. Louise the Lily Fairy***** - Christina read this to Caroline who said, "I LOVED it!, Grace*****

56. Olivia the Orchid Fairy***** - Grace. Fun, easy-reading series for Grace.

57. The Princess and the Pauper**** - Christina

58. Penny the Pony Fairy***** - Grace

59. Getting Things Done**** - dad

60. Barbie, A Special Ballerina***** - Grace

61. Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day***** - Grace

62 & 63. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie***** - mom, Christina*****

64 & 65. Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey***- mom, Christina*** (this is on Christina's summer reading list & while the author notes her extensive research, this book is considered Young Adult historical fiction & the story is told in the 1st person)

66. The Diamond Castle***** - Grace

67. Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday***** - Grace

68. Disney's Enchanted*****- Grace

69. Eat, Pray, Love**1/2- mom (I liked the 1st 1/3 of the book the best, but skimmed through much of the last 2/3, esp. the last 1/3---the book is broken up in thirds:) Glad she found happiness).

70. Inkheart***** - Christina (LOVED this book)

71. Goldie: the Sunshine Fairy***** - Grace

72. Disney's Princess Treasury***** - Grace

73. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency**** - mom

74. I, Freddy****- Christina

75 & 76. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules***- Thomas (some of it wasn't that funny even though I think it was supposed to be) & Christina***

77. The Thief Lord**- Christina (after 2 1/2 chapters, still boring)

78. Rapunzel's Revenge*** - Christina (liked the classic better)

79. A Thousand Splendid Suns**** - mom (adult content, sad, riveting story)

80. The Giver**** - Christina

81. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great***** - Grace (It was really good because it was about Sheila and her family moving to Tarrytown and how she makes friends. I like the swim lesson part too.)

82. Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat*****- Christina

83. Miss Popularity****- Grace

84 & 85. Goosebumps: Let's Get Invisible**** - Thomas (It was pretty corny, but the ending was good), Grace***- it was scary

86. Black Beauty (abridged)*****- Grace

87. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society****- mom (once they introduced the GL&PPS I was drawn in. The stories of Guerncy through the eyes of the residents was compelling. I also enjoyed reading about the literature that "got them through" the war. Literature can have such an impact, and I loved that aspect of this book.

88. Don't Judge a girl by Her Cover***** -Christina

89. The Nancy Drew Files: Into Thin Air****- Christina

90. Classic Starts: Anne of Green Gables*****- Grace

91. Hello, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle*****- Grace (Grace laughed out loud reading this fun, classic chapter book)

92. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle*****- Grace (Mrs. Piggle Wiggle has REALLY funny cures like "whisper sticks" and "leadership pills." Mrs. Piggle Wiggle gave bullies the leadership pills so they stopped bullying kids and helped kids who were being bullied by other kids.

93. A Spy on the Home Front: A Molly Mystery (American Girl series)*****- Grace (I liked this mystery. It was a little bit scary, because Molly and her friends were trapped for a little bit by mean Mr. K, but Molly's aunt found them, so they were ok.

94. Little Britches*****- mom (checked this book out from the library on a recommendation by my sister, but now I've got to buy it. It's a great autobiographical story by Ralph Moody about his young days moving from New England to Colorado where he and his family start from scratch building a ranch and a new life. Very well told/written. I'll have to track down the other books in the series now).

95. Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery (American Girl series)***** - Grace

96. Me on the Map***** - Caroline (I love this book!...Grace helped me read it)

97. Inkspell***** - Christina

98. & 99. Goosebumps: Why I'm Afraid of Bees**** - Thomas, Grace****

100. Tracks in the Snow**** - Christina (good, short adventure book)

100 Books!!! Time to CELEBRATE!

....and do some more summer reading...

101. Shannon the Ocean Fairy***** - Grace

I'll update this list throughout the summer to keep track of our progress.

Happy Reading,

Connie's Quilt

Connie is a woman in our ward who was RS president when we moved here. She has a heart of gold. When she was released from her RS calling, she was called to be the Sunbeam teacher. Caroline was in her class. I'll never forget Connie sharing her testimony in church before her first lesson in Sunbeams, and telling the little Sunbeams that she had already been praying for them. Caroline, along with all of the Sunbeams fell in love with Connie. In January there was a little staffing shuffle in Primary, and Connie was asked to teach the CTR 7 class; Graces's class. I don't know who was more excited, Grace or me! We love Connie...I honestly think that everyone who knows Connie loves her.

A couple months ago, Connie's husband died of a sudden heart attack. The RS came together and made a beautiful quilt for Connie to show our love for her. Connie's former Sunbeams had a quilt block, as did her CTR 7 class. Our family made a quilt block with the New Testament scripture reference John 16: 20-22. Back story: I was friends with the RS president in our family's ward when my mom was sick. I was on my mission in TX at the time, and she sent a talk she gave in sacrament meeting titled, "Joy" which included this scripture. It was just what I needed, and I've held it close to my heart ever since. I know that the Lord knows how to comfort us when death takes a loved one.

I took on the task of assembling the quilt top. At the onset of this quilt project, Wayne's work hours were cut more than 50% in order for his small medical device company to stay alive while trying to secure more funding. We struggled once again with unstable employment. Putting together Connie's quilt was good medicine for me. Everyday I thought of Connie and felt reminded to embrace each day I have with my own family. Things were still challenging, but I found it healing to find a way to give of myself everyday and offer my time and resources; things I already had on hand, for someone else's comfort.

That, and it was FUN!

~Girls night out tying the quilt...gabbing so much that we missed who was voted off Dancing with the Stars...3 hours of quilt tying never went by so fast. Before we knew it, it was 10pm!

~When Kelly showed up at my house with her quilt square, and there I was in my black fleece sweats covered in white thread strands. I told her it probably wasn't a good idea to wear black fleece for this project...we laughed!

~Amy's autistic son who kept dropping in as we tied the quilt at enrichment. I loved talking with him and he even helped tie a bit while his mom was at one of the RS classes.

~Seeing all of the different thoughts and expressions of love on each quilt square was amazing.

~I loved this way of interacting with and getting to know other women...service really can bring out the best in us.

The quilt literally took over our dining room...go ahead and imagine the mess; it was real, and yet my family never complained. When women came over to bring their quilt block they looked through the stack of quilt blocks already turned in and could tell that something very special was in the making. Connie's quilt will forever be one of my favorite projects. It was one of those things that never felt like work because it was such a joy.

For more on Connie's quilt, you can drop in on our RS enrichment blog.

Wesley + Corn Starch = ?

If I bathe him, will he thicken?

The Annual Father's & Sons Outing

Dad gave me this awesome new pack. Now I don't have to lug around a suitcase. My pack has a bunch of pockets for all of my stuff.

This is dad & me by a tree by Living Waters.

This is dad and me in front of Living Waters.

This is Dad & me, my camping friends, and their dads. This was taken at our camp site. At our camp site I liked to tend to the fire and lay in the hammock. I slept in the hammock. It felt like I was sleeping on air.

"My Survival Hike"

So, Cameron, Ben, Josh & Luke, Nathan and I were exploring a little trail at Zion’s Camp. We saw a cliff and walked toward it and noticed a trail next to the cliff. Ben and Luke didn’t want to go on the trail. The rest of us started to go down, but it was much steeper than we thought it would be, so we couldn’t get back up that way. So, we started to get a little scared. Cameron noticed a really narrow passageway. While we were hiking through the passage we had to grab onto rocks to hoist ourselves up. I was holding onto a rock, but I started to slip. I noticed Nathan found an easier passageway, so I let go in order to go that way. I got Cameron and Josh to go that way too. It was sort of hard because it was steep, but it was easier because we had trees to hold on to so we wouldn’t fall down. I was the first one to get back up to high ground. Josh was pretty scared by this time, and Cameron and Nathan were behind him. Josh was frozen in fear and started to cry. Josh’s dad came and literally climbed down to help Josh. He got Josh. Nathan slipped, but grabbed onto a tree, and then he and Cameron got up to the top.

The End