Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
It's OFFICIAL! They've set a Date!
It's official! Mike and Adrianne have set a date for their wedding!
It will be: February 9, 2008 in the San Diego Temple.
Mark your calendars! It'll be here before we know it! CONGRATULATIONS Mike and Adrianne. We LOVE YOU!
Caught YOU Being Good!--Adrianne
Duff challenged us a month ago to read the Book of Mormon each day. Adrianne is the ONLY one besides, Duff, who has done it every day. Way to go Adrianne! You are inspiring us all. Keep it up!
Well, I've Been Tagged!
Hmmmm. A walk down "Memory Lane"!
What I was doing 10 years ago---1997
Sent Mike on a mission to Ohio, Stake Girl's Camp, Josh was a senior in High School, Natalie was a freshman, Shaun in 6th grade, and potty-training Christine! Duff busy with his then new company, and we were involved in soccer, color guard, and varsity basketball and primary nursery. At this point of life, I didn't think it could get any better than right now!
What I was doing 5 years ago---2002
Hanging on to 'life' by an emotional thread! Mike was giving us postponed teenage 'grief' after his mission. Josh was home from a mission and at BYU, Natalie was in Rexburg at BYUI as a sophomore, Shaun was doing high school wrestling and suffering through early morning seminary and decided to be generous and share his suffering with us(!), and Christine got baptized. I had a dear friend, Kay, who was dying from a brain tumor and I cared for her daily with her mother-in-law: bathing, restroom, meals, washed her hair, and helped plan and do her youngest's wedding because she was now full time in bed and/or a wheelchair. She passed away that November. My wonderful hubby was my life-savor in literally every way. He held me steady while I emotionally/spiritually wandered all over the place. I didn't think it could get any worse than right now!
What I Was Doing 1 Year Ago---2006
Hubby sold his company the year before and he was 'retired' until his non-compete was up. So he was home and it was heaven! So glad to know we still like to be together after all these years! The first couple of months were interesting, but after that we settled into a really nice rythm, and when he went back to work in the fall, I missed him terribly.
We bought a wonderful cabin in Midway, Utah. We had been wanting and looking for a 'gathering place' for our family.(even though in 2002 , and 03, and 04, and 05 (!) I had been heard several times swearing in my anger, confusion, and wrath that this just couldn't be worth it all and I was just sure I hadn't signed up for all of this and the fine print of my motherhood contract did not mention ANY of this kind of stuff--it was all supposed to be white picket fences and warm chocolate chip cookies!)
Well, we found it and it has been a 'gathering place' for us. Immediate and extended family--close friends who are like family too. A place where we can come and leave the 'other' concerns of life behind and be together, gain perspective, regroup, love, enjoy, laugh, and go back out in the world again.
Mike moved back from Atlanta and was staying with us. He softened quite a bit in his two years away. Appropriately took care of 'things' and went back to the temple this summer. (whew!)
My sister, Lisa, put her life in order and I was happy to have her lean on me during the process. She went to the temple for the first time that summer on Josh's birthday. This was also the first time Mike had been back in the temple. Such a day that I had waited for for so long----unfortunately I ended up in the emergency room in Phoenix, and then with 2 emergency surgeries and in the hospital for a week, and at my parents recovering for a month! Again, my wonderful husband took care of getting Christine back home to her different summer activities, and getting Josh packed up from working in the valley for UBS and moved to Tempe, AZ to start graduate school.
I had a rough recovery for many months with my health, but got through it all and enjoyed Josh and Meredith's engagement and preparations for their wedding in May 07.
Natalie graduated from BYU, and was living at home and working for a year until she went back to grad school too. Shaun was putting his life back together--he got sick on his mission and had to come home, and Christine started middle school as a 6th grader. Mike met Adrianne and they started dating in December and are now getting married in February 08. Whew--what a year! Life IS Good!
What I Did Yesterday---
This would take too long on this post, so I will address it later. BUT the short version is we were in Midway watching general conference, eating, blessing David (Mere's brother)and Kat's new baby, playing Nerts and Dominos, and having Father's Blessings. Even with life's ups and downs, (and we still have them) it doesn't get any better than this!
5 Places I'd rather be:
Back at the cabin
Hawaii
Soaking in a Bubblebath
Disneyland
Arizona seeing my mom and dad, Josh and Mere, and my sister Lisa and her hubby, Craig.
5 Favorite Treats/Snacks: (these are only 5 from a very long list...)
vanilla bean ice-cream with roasted almonds, chocolate, and caramel
cashews
watermelon
Golden Spoon frozen yogurt--cake batter with chocolate malt
Nutella on a banana then rolled in roasted almonds
Peach cobbler
Corn on the cobb
Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Blueberries
Okay--so it was more than five, I could keep going.....
If I Had a Million Dollars:
I'd give it for wheelchairs and eyeglasses for those who need them, and make blankets so every baby could be swaddled and warm, buy an airplane, and get all my food storage/emergency preparedness at once!
5 Favorite TV Shows:
CSI:Miami
The Closer
Dancing With The Stars
Practically everything on Food-Network
24
5 People to Tag:
Shaun
Meredith
Megan P.
Adrianne
Lisa
What I was doing 10 years ago---1997
Sent Mike on a mission to Ohio, Stake Girl's Camp, Josh was a senior in High School, Natalie was a freshman, Shaun in 6th grade, and potty-training Christine! Duff busy with his then new company, and we were involved in soccer, color guard, and varsity basketball and primary nursery. At this point of life, I didn't think it could get any better than right now!
What I was doing 5 years ago---2002
Hanging on to 'life' by an emotional thread! Mike was giving us postponed teenage 'grief' after his mission. Josh was home from a mission and at BYU, Natalie was in Rexburg at BYUI as a sophomore, Shaun was doing high school wrestling and suffering through early morning seminary and decided to be generous and share his suffering with us(!), and Christine got baptized. I had a dear friend, Kay, who was dying from a brain tumor and I cared for her daily with her mother-in-law: bathing, restroom, meals, washed her hair, and helped plan and do her youngest's wedding because she was now full time in bed and/or a wheelchair. She passed away that November. My wonderful hubby was my life-savor in literally every way. He held me steady while I emotionally/spiritually wandered all over the place. I didn't think it could get any worse than right now!
What I Was Doing 1 Year Ago---2006
Hubby sold his company the year before and he was 'retired' until his non-compete was up. So he was home and it was heaven! So glad to know we still like to be together after all these years! The first couple of months were interesting, but after that we settled into a really nice rythm, and when he went back to work in the fall, I missed him terribly.
We bought a wonderful cabin in Midway, Utah. We had been wanting and looking for a 'gathering place' for our family.(even though in 2002 , and 03, and 04, and 05 (!) I had been heard several times swearing in my anger, confusion, and wrath that this just couldn't be worth it all and I was just sure I hadn't signed up for all of this and the fine print of my motherhood contract did not mention ANY of this kind of stuff--it was all supposed to be white picket fences and warm chocolate chip cookies!)
Well, we found it and it has been a 'gathering place' for us. Immediate and extended family--close friends who are like family too. A place where we can come and leave the 'other' concerns of life behind and be together, gain perspective, regroup, love, enjoy, laugh, and go back out in the world again.
Mike moved back from Atlanta and was staying with us. He softened quite a bit in his two years away. Appropriately took care of 'things' and went back to the temple this summer. (whew!)
My sister, Lisa, put her life in order and I was happy to have her lean on me during the process. She went to the temple for the first time that summer on Josh's birthday. This was also the first time Mike had been back in the temple. Such a day that I had waited for for so long----unfortunately I ended up in the emergency room in Phoenix, and then with 2 emergency surgeries and in the hospital for a week, and at my parents recovering for a month! Again, my wonderful husband took care of getting Christine back home to her different summer activities, and getting Josh packed up from working in the valley for UBS and moved to Tempe, AZ to start graduate school.
I had a rough recovery for many months with my health, but got through it all and enjoyed Josh and Meredith's engagement and preparations for their wedding in May 07.
Natalie graduated from BYU, and was living at home and working for a year until she went back to grad school too. Shaun was putting his life back together--he got sick on his mission and had to come home, and Christine started middle school as a 6th grader. Mike met Adrianne and they started dating in December and are now getting married in February 08. Whew--what a year! Life IS Good!
What I Did Yesterday---
This would take too long on this post, so I will address it later. BUT the short version is we were in Midway watching general conference, eating, blessing David (Mere's brother)and Kat's new baby, playing Nerts and Dominos, and having Father's Blessings. Even with life's ups and downs, (and we still have them) it doesn't get any better than this!
5 Places I'd rather be:
Back at the cabin
Hawaii
Soaking in a Bubblebath
Disneyland
Arizona seeing my mom and dad, Josh and Mere, and my sister Lisa and her hubby, Craig.
5 Favorite Treats/Snacks: (these are only 5 from a very long list...)
vanilla bean ice-cream with roasted almonds, chocolate, and caramel
cashews
watermelon
Golden Spoon frozen yogurt--cake batter with chocolate malt
Nutella on a banana then rolled in roasted almonds
Peach cobbler
Corn on the cobb
Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Blueberries
Okay--so it was more than five, I could keep going.....
If I Had a Million Dollars:
I'd give it for wheelchairs and eyeglasses for those who need them, and make blankets so every baby could be swaddled and warm, buy an airplane, and get all my food storage/emergency preparedness at once!
5 Favorite TV Shows:
CSI:Miami
The Closer
Dancing With The Stars
Practically everything on Food-Network
24
5 People to Tag:
Shaun
Meredith
Megan P.
Adrianne
Lisa
Saturday, October 6, 2007
So Fun Saturday!
The candles are lit and smelling good!
Some of the beautiful fall colors .....
Saturday morning breakfast. YUMMM.
Brandon and Cherise Blair
Cherise and the kids: Katie, Isabella, Abby, and Braydon
Had the most wonderful rain/sleet/snow/hail all through the night. Our own private cozy weather concert. Woke up and Duff and I and Meredith ran to Heber to the grocery store to grab a few things we couldn't get in a smaller quantity at Costco yesterday. Meredith had a list of personal items that she and Josh will just keep here so they don't have to bring them back and forth all the time. Like shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair stuff, shaving stuff, etc. We did that a year ago finally and it is nice not to have to pack those kinds of things.
Smith's was having a case lot sale. So we stocked up on several things and put them in the north garage storage. We have been feeling like we should have some emergency preparedness here as well as at home.
Got breakfast done: scrambled eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls, and fruit. So good. Watched conference in our sweats and jammies.
Brandon and Cherisse Blair got here with their 4 cute kiddos. Brandon and Josh have been friends for like 14 years! Brandon's family moved to Idaho Falls about 10 years ago, but we have always stayed in touch and the guys have been close. So they were down visiting his sisters in Payson, and came up to Midway. They will be staying the night and do morning conference with us.
Shaun's roommate, Christopher, came up to hang out 'family style' for conference with us too. We are kind of like that Primary song: Our Door Is Always Open.... you know the one--and we love being that way!
All the 'men-folk' went to Priesthood Meeting at the stake center, and we 'ladies' held down the fort and finished up the dinner that Shaun and Christine and Natalie started. My kids like to cook, so they started a homemade spaghetti sauce. Shaun was the chef and he likes to call Christine his sous chef. She loves the compliment! They report that the meeting was good, and dinner was excellent.
The guys all cleaned up--so nice for us gals--and Mere and I went for a little walk to get some fresh air in the snow.
Christine has been putting all her babysitting skills to good use helping entertain the Blair children. They like her and she is good with them. It's amazing to see how she is growing up. The kids have all appreciated a break from studies--Josh, Natalie, and Shaun. Mere is relaxing from work. We are missing Mike and Adrianne and wish they were here with us.
Looks like I've been tagged from my cousin, Roberta, so I'll have to take a breath and put my mind on rewind and fill this out!
Talked to my sister, Lisa, a couple of times today, and talked to my mom this evening. She has a pretty bad cold, and doesn't sound very good. She assures me she is better today than 2 days ago. As my parents are getting older and I see them with older eyes myself, I notice the subtle changes in them. A little more fragile, vulnerable. I'll be sure to call tomorrow and see how they are doing.
Nighty-night.
Friday, October 5, 2007
It's Friday and We're Baaaack!
The flight was great and we got to Midway about 12:15am. While we were in Long Beach going through security we ran into Kenny and Erin Jenks! I grew up with them in Torrance and Kenny and I were ballroom dance partners for the Dance Festivals. We danced in the Rose Bowl, etc. I had really good experiences as a youth growing up. When Kenny was getting ready to leave for his mission, he and 3 other friends who were all leaving at the same time decided to have 'one more' date. I was Kenny's and we all went to Disneyland. These guys picked us girls up very early in the morning and we had breakfast there and closed it down dancing to Olivia Newton John at midnight. We were all just good friends so no pressure and it was a fun way to send these good guys off on their missions.
Anyway, Kenny is now the bishop of the singles ward in his area and was bringing a bunch of YA's up to conference this weekend. Erin is such a sweetheart and it was great to reconnect with her too.
Today, Duff and Shaun and Christine went to Provo so Shaun could take a test and go to the BYU bookstore and get another sweatshirt. And I went to Tai Pan Trading. Oh MY! I hadn't expected the sensory overload. I could hardly take it all in. It was a lot to process. I did get a Christmas tree for the cabin and a few fall decorations to use at Thanksgiving. The next time I go I'll have a much better perspective. Quite a fun place.
Then Shaun and Christine came back up and Duff and I picked up a few things from Costco. We ran in to Theresa Watson! Her family used to live in our ward and they moved to Springville a year ago because Dale was transferred here. It was wonderful to see her and we had a good long chat right there in the middle of Costco. Duff was very patient!
It has been raining most of the day. Some thunder and lightening. COLD! Just the way we like it. I wonder if we will have snow in the morning????!!!! The news just finished and they say there's a mighty good possibility!
Shaun is in bed, I'm getting ready for bed, and Duff and Christine should be on their way back from the airport picking up Josh and Meredith. We have missed them and they could use a little change so this is a perfect weekend to be together. I called them earlier in the day and told them it was 40*, windy, raining. Josh relayed the message and you could hear Mere in the background yelling: yippee, yeah, etc. It was 95* today in Tempe and they are ready for some cooler weather!
Looking forward to conference. I NEED it. I'm feeling like a sponge lately and need to soak up lots of good things.
Until tomorrow---
Anyway, Kenny is now the bishop of the singles ward in his area and was bringing a bunch of YA's up to conference this weekend. Erin is such a sweetheart and it was great to reconnect with her too.
Today, Duff and Shaun and Christine went to Provo so Shaun could take a test and go to the BYU bookstore and get another sweatshirt. And I went to Tai Pan Trading. Oh MY! I hadn't expected the sensory overload. I could hardly take it all in. It was a lot to process. I did get a Christmas tree for the cabin and a few fall decorations to use at Thanksgiving. The next time I go I'll have a much better perspective. Quite a fun place.
Then Shaun and Christine came back up and Duff and I picked up a few things from Costco. We ran in to Theresa Watson! Her family used to live in our ward and they moved to Springville a year ago because Dale was transferred here. It was wonderful to see her and we had a good long chat right there in the middle of Costco. Duff was very patient!
It has been raining most of the day. Some thunder and lightening. COLD! Just the way we like it. I wonder if we will have snow in the morning????!!!! The news just finished and they say there's a mighty good possibility!
Shaun is in bed, I'm getting ready for bed, and Duff and Christine should be on their way back from the airport picking up Josh and Meredith. We have missed them and they could use a little change so this is a perfect weekend to be together. I called them earlier in the day and told them it was 40*, windy, raining. Josh relayed the message and you could hear Mere in the background yelling: yippee, yeah, etc. It was 95* today in Tempe and they are ready for some cooler weather!
Looking forward to conference. I NEED it. I'm feeling like a sponge lately and need to soak up lots of good things.
Until tomorrow---
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Wisdom---Some oldies but goodies
*Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
*Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
*Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
*Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
*If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
*If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
*It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
*Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
*Nobody cares if you can't dance well; just get up and dance.
*The second mouse gets the cheese. Learn from others.
*When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
*Birthdays are good for you; the more you have the longer you live.
*You may be only one person in the world, but you may be the world to one person.
*We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
*Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
*Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
*Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
*If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
*If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
*It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
*Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
*Nobody cares if you can't dance well; just get up and dance.
*The second mouse gets the cheese. Learn from others.
*When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
*Birthdays are good for you; the more you have the longer you live.
*You may be only one person in the world, but you may be the world to one person.
*We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
We Got It All Done! & Caught You Being Good!
The Edible Plant Cell. Believe it or not, they actually ate this after she did her presentation!
Another view. The round purple thing is the nucleus. I had forgotten that the nucleus has lots of parts.
The finished cake! Christine sure did a GREAT job! Look at the detail and color choices.
Christine and her bakery masterpiece!
The 'on the table' view.
Got Darla to the vet for check-up.
Joanne's craft store.
Albertsons.
Post Office.
Primary stuff.
I was so impressed with Christine's ability to size up what was on her plate and make decisions. I 'guided', but she executed.
First of all, her edible plant cell project turned out amazing. I did take some pictures, and I'm bringing my camera to the cabin so my techie children can teach me how to post them. So hopefully tomorrow I might even have some photos on my blog! She decided against the giant cookie, and went with a big square rice krispie treat instead. Good choice. She did ALL the work herself and was so pleased! It looks just like a plant cell! I went to find 'flags' so she could label everything, and when I saw how much they were I about died. So I came home and scoured the house, and decided that toothpicks with folded, narrow file folder labels would work just as well and they did.
Then she had her Beehive class activity last night too. She had to take a 9" layer cake, crumbed and frosted, to learn some cake decorating. When she got home I was impressed again! It was absolutely beautiful. She told me all about the tricks she learned and I think I just might try them myself. (I have pictures of this too--maybe tomorrow you can see!)
She got all her other homework done, it was soccer practice day, and managed it all with a good attitude and smile on her face!
I was very proud of her because she wanted to do all her own work. Nowadays with projects parents do so much of them, but she was determined to do it all by herself.
Way to go Christine! Caught YOU being good!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Ghostly Night
This week is Super Enrichment Week in our ward. We have two of these a year. Fall and Spring. There is something every day/night, Monday-Friday. You can sign up for any or all of the activities. The committee really does a good job planning these out with varied things to meet everyone's interests, budgets, and sociality.
Monday we met in the Albertson's parking lot and carpooled to Roger's Gardens. It is a HUGE nursery in Newport Beach opposite Fashion Island Mall. Every season they decorate it to the MAX all over. You don't have to buy a thing--just go for the experience of being transported to another dimension! This was Halloween and Fall. But they took it all down yesterday, and today it opens as Christmas!
Last night, Adrianne and I went to Jamie Neilson's and we made Ghostly Night signs in her garage. Soooo cute. Now I don't need one more Halloween Decoration! So I made one for Natalie and Meredith. Adrianne made one for herself. Talk about e-a-s-y. The rectangle wood was already cut, routed, and painted black. All we had to do was distress it with sandpaper, rub on our
GH STLY NIGHT, and stencil a ghost where the O should be. Then of course there was refreshments! The other committee members made Halloween treats. There were mummy wrapped rice krispie treats, mummy calzones, mummy hot dogs, witches caviar, bloodshot eyeballs, Halloween pretzel rods, etc. (when I get back from conference I should post some on the foodporngirls site...)
Tuesday Christine also has piano lessons.
Well, I'm off for a plethora of errands. Christine has an edible plant cell project due TOMORROW, which she didn't tell me about until after school on Monday, so I will be gathering all sorts of candies, gels, and frostings, to decorate her rice krispie cell with.
Look on the FoodPornGirls site for one of our General Conference traditions--Conference Quiche.
Monday we met in the Albertson's parking lot and carpooled to Roger's Gardens. It is a HUGE nursery in Newport Beach opposite Fashion Island Mall. Every season they decorate it to the MAX all over. You don't have to buy a thing--just go for the experience of being transported to another dimension! This was Halloween and Fall. But they took it all down yesterday, and today it opens as Christmas!
Last night, Adrianne and I went to Jamie Neilson's and we made Ghostly Night signs in her garage. Soooo cute. Now I don't need one more Halloween Decoration! So I made one for Natalie and Meredith. Adrianne made one for herself. Talk about e-a-s-y. The rectangle wood was already cut, routed, and painted black. All we had to do was distress it with sandpaper, rub on our
GH STLY NIGHT, and stencil a ghost where the O should be. Then of course there was refreshments! The other committee members made Halloween treats. There were mummy wrapped rice krispie treats, mummy calzones, mummy hot dogs, witches caviar, bloodshot eyeballs, Halloween pretzel rods, etc. (when I get back from conference I should post some on the foodporngirls site...)
Tuesday Christine also has piano lessons.
Well, I'm off for a plethora of errands. Christine has an edible plant cell project due TOMORROW, which she didn't tell me about until after school on Monday, so I will be gathering all sorts of candies, gels, and frostings, to decorate her rice krispie cell with.
Look on the FoodPornGirls site for one of our General Conference traditions--Conference Quiche.
Monday, October 1, 2007
RS Broadcast, Tutto Fresco, Wedding Dress
Loved the Broadcast! Patti and I went together. Christine babysat for J.T. I really related with Bonnie Parkin, but have always had a fondness for Julie B. Beck, so it felt good to have her speak as the new general RS president. She is a cousin to Steve Bangerter (the B. is for her maiden name, Bangerter), and I remember him telling me how neat she is. She has not had a very easy life, suffering from illness. About 10 years ago I went to a regional training meeting when I was serving on the Stk. YW board. SHE was the visiting 'authority'. I was quite impressed with her ability to train a roomful of priesthood with still giving respect and dignity to their office.
Even though I can read it later, I am trying to follow the stake president's counsel to take notes about how I FEEL during a talk and write down promptings. Here are some of my notes:
Relief. Who needs me?
Relief brings sociality. Sociality doesn't necessarily bring relief.
We are in the business of saving 'souls'.
Satan is working overtime on families.
Read, study, and adopt the Proclamation. Be clear with all your children that THAT is your family's plan!
Study diligently.
Pray _______.
Serve willingly.
Pray for abilities to = tasks, not that tasks will = my abilities.
Usually small acts give relief.
Teach by word AND example to my children and grandchildren.
I instantly loved all the sisters in the new presidency! And when we all sang the hymn, High On A Mountain Top, I had goosebumps! to think I was a part of such a sisterhood all over the world. Such a powerful and yet humbling feeling.
After, we went to Tutto Fresco (great Italian food) for dinner with Adrianne and her mom, Diana. We had a GREAT visit, and Adrianne and Patti talked wedding gowns. They decided on Adrianne's favorite one and Patti assured us all that it was one of the most flattering to Adrianne and easier ones to make! Adrianne was beaming!
Even though I can read it later, I am trying to follow the stake president's counsel to take notes about how I FEEL during a talk and write down promptings. Here are some of my notes:
Relief. Who needs me?
Relief brings sociality. Sociality doesn't necessarily bring relief.
We are in the business of saving 'souls'.
Satan is working overtime on families.
Read, study, and adopt the Proclamation. Be clear with all your children that THAT is your family's plan!
Study diligently.
Pray _______.
Serve willingly.
Pray for abilities to = tasks, not that tasks will = my abilities.
Usually small acts give relief.
Teach by word AND example to my children and grandchildren.
I instantly loved all the sisters in the new presidency! And when we all sang the hymn, High On A Mountain Top, I had goosebumps! to think I was a part of such a sisterhood all over the world. Such a powerful and yet humbling feeling.
After, we went to Tutto Fresco (great Italian food) for dinner with Adrianne and her mom, Diana. We had a GREAT visit, and Adrianne and Patti talked wedding gowns. They decided on Adrianne's favorite one and Patti assured us all that it was one of the most flattering to Adrianne and easier ones to make! Adrianne was beaming!
Weekend Wrap-Up
Christine won her soccer game. It was a good match. Both teams were playing at the same level, which makes for a great contest. She has had some pretty good coaches through the years, but I especially like this one. He is all about winning but not at the expense of developing the team for the future. That is a good quality in a coach. He really cares about the girls improving their individual skills.
(Side note: When I was growing up they didn't have soccer here in America. Boys, only, were limited to Little League and Pop Warner football. Some basketball also, but if you weren't too skilled, you sat the bench in all of these. We had a German family in our neighborhood in Torrance, the Stierles. We all went to the same elementary school, etc. One holiday they were traveling back to the US from Germany and Mr. Stierle had a thought: why didn't we play soccer in America? and why shouldn't he start it? So he did! And that is how AYSO began. On the playground at my elementary school, Jefferson, on the corner of Talisman and Carson Streets. One of his stipulations was that everyone played. As you now know, AYSO is everywhere!)
The stake baptism was nice. Five children were baptized. I turned off the radio in the car so I could catch my breath and focus on the way to the church. It dawned on me that I was going to an activity that literally was changing lives for eternity while all around me other life was happening. I was so grateful to be a part of that.
We got the building prepped, font filled, confirmation rooms ready, and at a quarter to the hour, our pianist still hadn't arrived. Erin and I were starting to get a little worried! So I began playing prelude. I am a closet pianist. I can play at home where it is just me and my family, but in church it is a different story!
To accompany is very different than playing for pleasure. My hands sweat, shake, etc. If you make a mistake you have to keep going, not stop and correct it and then continue! I'm getting ever so slightly better, BUT-------
when Kathy hadn't arrived at 5 to the hour, it became very real that I just might have to play. I decided not to look at the congregation. The whole chapel was FILLED. At 1 o'oclock straight up Kathy arrived! Whew. Off the hook. I assumed my role as chorister and it all went off without a hitch!
(Side note: When I was growing up they didn't have soccer here in America. Boys, only, were limited to Little League and Pop Warner football. Some basketball also, but if you weren't too skilled, you sat the bench in all of these. We had a German family in our neighborhood in Torrance, the Stierles. We all went to the same elementary school, etc. One holiday they were traveling back to the US from Germany and Mr. Stierle had a thought: why didn't we play soccer in America? and why shouldn't he start it? So he did! And that is how AYSO began. On the playground at my elementary school, Jefferson, on the corner of Talisman and Carson Streets. One of his stipulations was that everyone played. As you now know, AYSO is everywhere!)
The stake baptism was nice. Five children were baptized. I turned off the radio in the car so I could catch my breath and focus on the way to the church. It dawned on me that I was going to an activity that literally was changing lives for eternity while all around me other life was happening. I was so grateful to be a part of that.
We got the building prepped, font filled, confirmation rooms ready, and at a quarter to the hour, our pianist still hadn't arrived. Erin and I were starting to get a little worried! So I began playing prelude. I am a closet pianist. I can play at home where it is just me and my family, but in church it is a different story!
To accompany is very different than playing for pleasure. My hands sweat, shake, etc. If you make a mistake you have to keep going, not stop and correct it and then continue! I'm getting ever so slightly better, BUT-------
when Kathy hadn't arrived at 5 to the hour, it became very real that I just might have to play. I decided not to look at the congregation. The whole chapel was FILLED. At 1 o'oclock straight up Kathy arrived! Whew. Off the hook. I assumed my role as chorister and it all went off without a hitch!
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