"And the house on the rock stood still!"

On Sunday we attended two LDS missionary meetings -- Eric Jordan (going to Japan) and Stranz Wolfgram (going to Brazil). Eric is in our current LDS ward. We have known Stranz since he was born. His family still lives in our Magna neighborhood.

Stranz Wolfgram's farewell talk was awesome! He delivered a very animated, energizing discussion of testimony and faith. His final words, "And the house (testimony) on the rock stood still." His manerism, his smile, his aura are so much like his deceased dad -- it was kind of surreal. I was so very proud of him. Stranz's mother had leis for many significant church leaders at the meeting. I was so impressed by his lei I took this picture (Willie, Stranz, and my brother Dee in the background - the Bishop).

It was great to be in a Magna LDS ward. There is such a difference from where we live in Hunter. The energy, enthusiasm, spiritual atmosphere -- not sure what it is, but it is definitely different. It will always be home away from home!

Did I ever tell you how lucky I am?

I hope that when the final judgement comes my way, the Lord takes me aside and lets me know that I can only be judged by my children. I know if He uses them as a measurement of my success on Earth, I will be able to join them in heaven!

Every now and again, we give our neighbor girl a ride to school in the morning. She is very involved in school (like Willie) and she is a great student (like Willie). Well, on this particular morning, she came out of her house laden with the "newborn baby" from the Teen Living class. She had the baby in a carrier, a diaper bag, her backpack, and all of her other school stuff. She managed to get into the car okay, but it took some doing. When we pulled up in front of the school, Willie got out of the car and started to walk his usual path to school when he turned to check on Shelena. He paused, waited to make sure she could handle everything, and then they walked together to school (no prompting from me).

Yesterday, Willie had a track meet at Kearns High. It was very relaxing to sit in the bleachers and watch all of the kids compete. I had my eye on the tall blond boy most of the time. He helped to time some of the races and organized the measuring of the shot-putters' throws. Once finished with his tasks and competition he asked for permission to go home with his family. As we walked to the parking lot, a group of young female track stars called out, "Bye Willie, see you tomorrow, . . . ." I couldn't resist the chance to talk to them --

Me -- "So is Willie a good boy?"

Them --- "Yes, he is and he his also really funny."

Another them --- "_______ wants to be his girlfriend."

Me --- "No girlfriends for him, I am his mom -- I don't approve of his friends with girlfriends, either."

Another them -- "But I'm nice."

Me --- "I'd have to give you a writing assessment or something to see if you measure up."

Same them -- "My handwriting sucks, but my grammar is great!"

I walked away smiling, giggling inside -- I love junior high students! At the track meet, Karl and I sat with Haley and James, Annie and Elliott (Ross was there in spirit). The support my kids have for each other is so amazing! I am so blessed -- and even somewhat lucky, and if I mind my manners, their greatness can only help me get to Heaven.

Six Years -- Happy Anniversary Annie and Ross

The sixth anniversary of marriage is celebrated with candy and iron and wood. Imagine that!

I look back at the seven plus years you (Annie and Ross) have been hanging out together, and I must say that you have a very strong, positive marriage. I admire you for the solid foundation you have established for your family.

Notes from others:
A happy and successful marriage is full of traditions. A tradition could be the little moments you share with one another; a tradition might involve a trip to a very special place at a special time, or a remembrance of something the two of you did together. Celebrating the wedding anniversary has really only become popular in our day and age. Specific wedding anniversaries have picked up their own "themes" which reflect the anniversary's stature and importance -- a couple's fiftieth anniversary is known as the "gold anniversary," and that gifts of gold should be exchanged in commemoration. There’s an entire calendar of wedding anniversary symbols, almost every year in a couple's initial years together are considered cause for a special gift.

Why do we have anniversary symbols? I didn't really pay attention to them until my girls began celebrating their wedding anniversaries.

The Origin of the Symbols
Wedding anniversary symbols, though probably practiced informally even before, truly began in 1897. In that year, Queen Victoria of England celebrated her sixtieth year on the throne. The event was called the "diamond jubilee," and well-wishers celebrated by giving diamonds as gifts effectively creating the modern diamond market.

Easter Sunday

When I was 8 or 9 years old, my dad was preparing to give a talk in church on Easter Sunday. I decided I needed to help him, so I got out my Bible and got to work reading the story of the crucifixion and surrounding events. I just knew that it would be my inspiration and insight that would help Dad give the best talk ever. As I remember, my dad gave a good talk that basically followed the last days, hours of the Savior's life. The story had a powerful impact on me then and still does.

I have much to learn and comprehend about what happened some 2000+ years ago to a kind and gentle man, Jesus Christ, whom I believe to be the Son of God. It is on Easter Sunday, today, that the Christian world celebrates His resurrection, an event that leads me to know that we can all live again. It's a pretty peaceful feeling to know that life is everlasting.

Sharing religious, sacred, thoughts is not my BLOGGING practice, but you know, today may just be a good time becasue of the thoughts, love, and concerns I have for my aging parents, my yet unborn grandson, my husband, my children (including sons-in law), my 2 year old grandson, and many other dear family members . . . I just know that if we do what is right and consecrate our lives to His work, life and death will be mere words that define a brief transition to eternity.

(Wow, this is a deep BLOG psoting!)

Haley -- It's Your Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Haley!
You are smart, beautiful, kind, generous, caring, talented and you always go the extra mile in everything you do. You are so good with kids of all ages, including your nephew and your brother. I am always so impressed by your competence and commitment in everything you do. You make people happy and you make me proud. Thanks for being my daughter! Have a great day!

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad!

It's my dad's birthday today -- 80 years!

I am so blessed to have both my parents alive and kicking (but not very hard). Dad still goes to work everyday, he teaches the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class every other Sunday, he goes home teaching, does all the grocery shopping, takes orders from Mom, helps her like he's never helped her in their married life, he walks every day to keep in shape, prays for Mom, his children, grandchildren (especially the ones on missions) in every prayer he offers, and much more.

Dad grew up in Salt Lake -- 427 Kensington Ave. He is an Eagle Scout and was part of the first ever rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Cataract Canyon rapids long before Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell (he later did some enginnering work for the construction of Glen Canyon Dam). He graduted from South High School in 1947 and the University of Utah in 1951 (the same year he and Mom got married). He has a degree in Mechanical/Civil Engineering from the "U". Dad played football in high school and at the "U". He has always been fond of Utah sports and enjoys a good win over BYU. Dad served in the Army at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey during the Korean Conflict -- Army Intelligence. He's been a Bishop twice for a total of 15 or so years, he has owned and managed his own business, and has set his sons up for success in their work. Of his eight children, all but one are U of U graduates -- education, business (CPA), communications, and law (JD). His posterity will number 53 by the middle of June.

This is beginning to sound like an obituary, so I'll end now -- Happy Birthday to a Great Dad!

April

April is the month when educators crank up the retirement discussion. "How many years do you have?" "I am retiring in 2 more years!" "Retirement can't come soon enough for me."

I have been working in a JOB off and on since the summer between 6th and 7th grade. I think I will keep working a JOB forever. Work is something I love -- sometimes I can't get enough of it. It's just my life --

I WORK at the district office for some sweet moolah $$$$.

I serve my family with the rewards $$$$ of my work.

I never stop doing, thinking, reading, learning, listening, . . . I guess these actions are considered work.

For the record -- I just hope I can keep up the pace for many years to come. I began teaching school in the spring of 1977 at Mount Jordan Middle School. I was hired as a long-term sub for Frances Mickelson (a veteran, amazing teacher at the time). I was honored to take over her classes for the last term of the school year. The principal at the school didn't have an opening at Mount Jordan for the following school year, but he found me a place at Eastmont Middle School -- just up the hill. I taught there until Haley was born in 1980. I then resigned my position and decided to be a SAHM. That lasted about 3 months when I started teaching in the Granite District night school (adult education program). At one point, I was teaching classes at Jackling Elementary, Granger High, and Kearns High. Karl and I would pass each other in the driveway four evenings a week. I did the night school thing for about six years during which time I started a master's degree program at the "U" in educational psychology. I took graduate courses one night a week for nearly four years. At that same time, I was the Primary president, taught preschool in my home, and continued teaching/counseling in the night school program.

Now it's April 2009. Another master's degree and years later -- my best calculation is that I have been an educator for 32 years. I'll be 86 in 32 more years. If I stay healthy and if Alzheimer's skips my generation, I'm good to go. Bah hum bug to the retirement discussion!