December 30 -- Willie's Birthday #17

Happy Birthday, Willie! This post comes a day later than anticipated, but you were born 7 days ahead of schedule so that means this birthday post could be a week in advance. I know you don't want to hear that lame excuse --

Your birthday was a great day and after a few downs there were plenty of ups! Your sister and nephews did an awesome decoration job on your room; a cute young lady delivered birthday balloons to you; you got a bunch of birthday texts and tweets; you spent some time driving around with your mom, another sister, and Molly; you ate your favoite lunch -- hot dogs and garlic bread; you placed an order for your letterman's jacket; you got some nice birthday greetings in the mail; you celebrated with your favorite dinner -- pizza and garlic bread with a few family members; your sister who decorated your room also made you a delicious cherry-chocolate cake; and, your grandpa wrote in your card "you are getting to be a BIG boy". In my estimation, that was a pretty good birthday.

Thank you for being such a great son! You are smart, tall, good looking, thoughtful, and most of the time a dang good kid! You add excitement and activity to our family. You keep me focused on what life is all about! Happy Birthday, posted the day after!

Game Day!

Did you ever see the movie "Cat Ballou"? It's an old western starring Lee Marvin and Jane Fonda. Well, there's a part in the movie where Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin) gets ready for a gunfight. If you can imagine a western legend getting ready for a gun fight -- beginning with the fancy underwear, shirt, pants, vest, boots, and finally the gun holster, gun and the hat . . . .

Well, fast forward to this morning (and every game day with Willie). He starts early getting every part of his basketball attire laid out on the couch. Then, he washes his hair and gets it just right. Next, the tighty underclothes; the socks and the warm-up clothes; and, everything uniform related in the bag. "Did I get everything?" is repeated 2 or 3 times. I get his snack ready -- orange, fruit snacks, and a Powerade or Gatorade. Then, he walks to the refrigerator to get his lucky mouthful of squirty whipping cream and then he's ready to head to the school.

Trust me, this is repeated before any and every basketball game; much like Kid Shelleen in "Cat Ballou" -- after all it's game day!

All of the time on preparation and then it's over in a few hours . . .

Well, Christmas Day has come and gone and the days of preparation were well worth the time and toil and stress and anxiety. The best part of my Christmas was being with my kids and their families and watching the little ones (under age 20) open their gifts with excitement and happiness. It's pretty cool to look at everyone gathered in the family room and see how our family of five has grown to ten with a new little one to join us in June.

I also enjoyed Christmas at Dad's. I wasn't sure what to expect with Mom not around, but things went pretty well. Dad wanted to keep things as much the same as he could. That meant some shopping, new socks for everyone, and the traditional Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day snacks. Thanks to everyone, all activities went well.

Well, now it's over for another year and many of us have a few days off to relax and enjoy the company of family.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost here!

I am taking a break. I have been organizing and wrapping gifts all day long. My knees are a little weary from standing. I still have a few more gifts to wrap and then some grocery shopping to do and then I am ready for the big day.

I listened to KSL talk radio this morning during the Doug Wright Christmas gift "find". Every year just a few days before Christmas he starts this call in, text in process of people needing to find gifts and people who stumble across the gifts on the "find" list. I listen because there is always someone looking for some obscure gift like: Purple Pie Man (Strawberry Shortcake character); a sugar glider (rodent); a Costco singing Teddy Bear; and, Scottish Dog magnets were some of the more interesting.

I have purchased some pretty lame gifts over the years. In my older age, however, I try to stay true to things I know (hope) will be nice and also useful.

Enough for now -- back to the wrapping!

People Pass On

Not to put a damper on the holiday celebrations, but people I know are passing away. Tonight I received a late phone call that one of the "over 80" sisters in our ward passed away, Hope Latham. Hope and her husband Ron had gone to Jim's Restaurant to celebrate his birthday (he is also over 80). She collapsed at the restaurant and could not be revived there or at the hospital.

Hope has been confined to her home pretty much the past 2-3 years. She hasn't been able to get to church or drive her car or go shopping. I was her visiting teacher for a year or so and she told me many times about how she worked with Ardith in the Primary and she bowled on Tuesday nights at Delton Lanes probably in the same league as my mom. She lost her first husband 50 some years ago and has been married to Ron for most of those 50 some years. She lived a vibrant and active life. In fact, Willie and Karl visited with her just yesterday afternoon and she was looking forward to going out to dinner tonight.

Two weeks ago, we lost a young sophomore student at Hunter High -- she collapsed after school, was taken to the hospital and later passed on -- internal bleeding.

A friend of mine lost her aunt last week. Another friend lost her mother. A young mother in a neighboring ward died leaving two young daughters behind. Ross' great uncle passed away last week.

On Saturday, my dad and I were talking about how you [all of us] have only a certain amount of time on earth as mortals. When your time is up you pass on to an undetermined amount of time in the next life. It is so important to make the most of the time you have while you can in this mortal existence. You only get one opportunity to be here. Time here does not allow for repeating events and experiences or making up for lost opportunities. So, try to do what's right, be kind and nice to others, count your blessings and offer thanks, take care of those around you, love as many people as you can, study and learn everything you can about this life and all that it involves, and believe in God and His Son and live their commandments.

What's on your Chirstmas list?

Willie wants some money and love; tie and white shirts, too; swim suit, shoes, and homework help, and a basketball hoop. Dad just wants a Hunter shirt; Mom a good night's rest. Christmas, it is coming fast; Mom's a LITTLE stressed.

So, after decorating a Christmas tree for the second time, I am ready to focus on the Christmas gifting purchasing process. I always hold out for the big bonus check that never seems to come my way as $$$$ for Christmas. Since that will never ever happen, I get into the savings account as a huge and thankful for resource for the purchasing of the gifts.

With only a week to go for "wrapping' things up for the big day, I'm shifting into full gear this week. If there are any pointers you can offer or any great sales here or there, well, send them my way.

Winning Team!

What a way to start the basketball season! Winning team Hunter over East! It was an amazing game. The kids played as a team and they battled hard. I was so very proud to be part of the winning team and not the losing team.

The day before Thanksgiving and . . .

So what do you do on the day before Thanksgiving? Well, I got up an hour later than I usually do. It was a work day for me but very flexible in that I didn't need to get to a school or to a meeting for an entire day! So, I did some early morning shopping for a few Thanksgiving dinner essentials; went to the credit union to make a car payment; stopped by the cemetery to put some new artificial flowers on Mom's grave; stopped by the Home Goods store in Sugarhouse; and, then spent some time at the office.

My day got a little intense with a few parents in the Superintendent's office and a call from one of our school board members, but everything worked out for the best.

Willie had basketball early this morning and stayed after to practice foul shots. When he got home, Haley and Molly stopped by to spend lunch time with him. In a few minutes, I am going to head to South Jordan to pick up the grandsons and eventually make my way to Grandpa/Dad's to set things up for the big dinner tomorrow.

Thanksgiving will be different this year, but not to worry, life goes on until it ends; and, what's left are sweet memories of the past.

So, that's my day before Thanksgiving report.

At 35,000 Feet!

So, I am headed home from a two-day meeting in the Washington, DC area. It was an excellent meeting and I learned a lot and now have more to add to my already crazy work life.

I am working on the plane, headed home, above 35,000 feet. Pretty crazy if you ask me! Technology is totally amazing!

My meetings ended at the Russell Senate Building located just south of the US Capitol. In room 325 I attended a very excellent briefing on a recent survey of school counselors that included some pretty incredible results. I can report later if you are interested.

Other news -- Willie is an official member of the HHS b-ball team. We are all looking forward to an improved basketball year. Willie is a little more confident and ready to move into more of a leadership role on the team, and that is good!

November is one of my favorite months!

I love November!
It's one of four months with only 30 days.
It's Karl's birthday month.
We vote in November and honor military service people.
We give thanks and prepare to give gifts.
It's a month of family and food and fun.
It's usually the month we get our first snow storm.
It's a month of remembrance for those who have gone on.
It's the month when high school and college basketball gets going.
It's a month of thinking about Christmas and all that it involves.

Do you know how proud I am of Willie? Well, I am very proud of him! He is a crazy boy! He is an excellent student! He makes me laugh. I am just proud of him!

In all of our reports on his football seson I am not sure any of us have mentioned that Willie was a starter all season on the offensive line. He started out as left or right tackle; moved into the center spot for a few games; and, ended the season at right tackle. Did I mention he was a starter? That's amazing to me. He worked so hard and learned his position and had a very positive season. The wins and losses don't necessarily describe the positive football season we expereinced. A new coach, new energy, high standards, and an incredible work ethic made it one of the best football seasons I can remember. The last game ended up in a lopsided defeat vs. Lone Peak, but I couldn't have been prouder of my son, the other players and the coaching staff.

So we went to the beach!

We have talked about a trip to the beach all summer. Not the beach at the Great Salt Lake that is 15 miles from home, but the beach in Southern California! Well, we did it! We left the Wood's driveway at 6:20 p.m on Thursday evening and drove to Newport Beach. Seventy five hours later we dropped off the Woods, Sunday evening around 9:30 p.m.

We had the best time ever. Driving, laughing, telling weird stories, wondering how we ended up staying in a beautiful place at such a nice price, watching the ocean, eating some major unhealthy but tasty food, and more. We drove the family truckstar (the FLEX) and it was a sweet ride and right in style with Southern Cal vehicles!

It's hard to believe two teenage boys and a college coed would spend all that time with two crazy ladies, but they did, and we had a blast!

Oh no! The girl/boy activity stuff comes to my house.

Okay, so we have managed to avoid the girl/boy activity in our house. However, it finally happened (sniff, sniff). The door bell rang and on the front porch something for the boy in my house from a girl.

So, the boy responded. Next, Sadie Hawkins Dance on October 28th. I asked the boy in my house what happened. He's managed to avoid several of these activities. His reply, "I am trying to be more social."

The most amazing photo I've ever taken . . .

A few weeks back we drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon to take in the fall colors. At the top of the canyon, Brighton, there is beautiful Silver Lake. It's an easy walk around the lake, so with camera in hand we headed off to the trail. I snapped photos all along the trail, but this one was by far the most amazingly stunning.

What to do with it??? Not sure, but I wanted the world to see it.

30 days flew by in September!

Family - Football - Homework - Housework - Work Work - Family - Football - Homework - Housework - Church Work - Family - Family - Family - Homework - Housework - Football - Family . . . .

That's my life and it's great!

Winning Team . . . . HUNTER!

The Hunter High School Wolverines finally got a win! Yes! The win over Granger was long awaited and well-deserved. Hunter led most of the game, but like last week the opposing team made a comeback. With only a few minutes left it looked like Granger would take the lead. But, a big Hunter defensive lineman intercepted a Granger pass and ran about 60 yard for a touchdown and sealed the win! The boys, the coaches, and the fans were so excited you'd thought they won the Super Bowl.

Willie had a great game. He moved back to right tackle since Michael's (center) foot has healed. The offensive line was the best it's been all season.

It was so nice to be part of the celebration for the winning team!

I am catching up, BLOG world!

September always begins with a celebration, our anniversary, September 1. This year marked 35 years of wedded-ness. We always try to do something with the kids to celebrate. So, Labor Day weekend we (our three-some family) headed out of the Salt Lake Valley, in the new family truckster, toward the Grand Tetons and Jellystone Park. We usually go to West Yellowstone for our anniversary celebration, but this year I wanted to do something different, so we booked a couple of nights at the Jackson Lake Lodge in the Tetons.

It was a beautiful drive through Parley's Canyon, through Evanston then Woodruff and Randolph, the beautiful Star Valley, and finally Jackson. The Snake River was busy with rafters and kyakers -- and so amazingly beautiful! We walked around Jackson, had dinner at Mountain High Pizza and then off to the lodge. About 10 minutes out of Jackson, I let karl and Willie how there was no TV or wireless access in our little "classic cottage". After the initial shock, they were cool about it. About that same time, we saw three bull moose in a meadow which definitely contributed to a great trip.

The Jackson Lake Lodge is your typical National Park lodge in many ways -- rustic, tucked away off the road in tall pine wooded area. A key feature of this lodge, however, is it's spectacular view through 60 foot high windows of the Tetons. We didn't catch the view until the next morning and it was spectacular! We also saw a cow moose and her baby in the grassy meadow 100 yards or so from the deck of the lodge.

After a late night milk shake at the diner in the lodge we headed to our cottage -- a 3 minute walk from the lodge. Our "classic cottage' was quaint, clean, and 1950-ish with a few updates (compfy matresses and a ceiling fan). When it was time for beddy-bye, Willie wondered what to do -- no TV. So, I suggested we play games --I started out by asking him his favorite color. We both had a laughing attack over that question and then just played some dumb "I am thinking of . . ." games while Karl snored away. It was an awesome late night whatever.

Sunday morning we headed to Jellystone via Colter Bay. We spent the day driving through the park, getting out at key points of interest and ending up at Old Faithful about 15 minutes before its blast off - it always amazes me. There is a new visitor's center at Old Faithful -- very modern and exceptionally fancy clean bathrooms. We also walked through the Old Faithful Inn, sat on the front deck for a few, and watched the people. Willie tried to get to the rooftop of the inn, but couldn't find the secret passageway.

We had dinner back at the Lodge and enjoyed the lobby (wi-fi) for a few hours and then back to the cottage.

We got up early Monday and headed home via the Jenny Lake area. It is definitely one of our "to dos" next time -- a boat trip acorss the lake and a hike back. We made it back home in time for football practice and homework! A great weekend!

Happy Birthday!

My mom's birthday is today! If she were here with us, she would be 81. On any given day, if I allow my thoughts to zoom in on the fact that she is not here, I have to redirect and move on.


Today is a day to celebrate mom's legacy and remember her spirt and zest for life. Not a day goes by without feeling some sense of Mom's love for family, hard work, and the gospel. Our times together in conversation and activity resonate in my mind and heart.

Life is so temporary! Love the possibilities and opportunities it presents through family, hard work, and the gospel, and you will find peace, happiness, and sense of purpose difficult to describe in words on a page.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

First 2 Weeks of School

So, the first 2 weeks of school have come to and end; and so has the month of August. Willie is a junior, 11th grade, soon to be 17, driving to and from school, taking honors and advanced classes, taking aviation, playing football, going to church, and trying to eat and sleep when he has time.

Teachers are piling on the homework. One teacher in particular assigned 200 vocabulary words to be written on the front of 3x5 cards with part of speech and definition on the back of the card. Oh my! In what century do we live 20th or 21st? This is such an old fashioned assignment! This course also comes with worksheets! ARRGGGG!!!!! I'll bet that every student in the class has a "hand held" device and most of the devices are likely to have a data plan. Does the teacher know that the students can google any word in split seconds and find the definition, the part of speech, multiple uses, synonyms, antonyms, listen to how the word is pronounced, and more? I am not sure.

Yesterday, I sat in a meeting with key decision-makers for the school district in which I work. A discussion ensued regarding a new platform for instruction called CANVAS. It is a pretty slick program that lends itself to online everything for classroom teachers -- posting assignments, connecting to online texts, message centers, storage space for student assignments, submitting assignments, assessment, and more. I was actually introduced to the program this summer as it was the instructional platform used for Willie's online PE course. (Yes, he plays football, basketball, tennis, and all those sports entail, but he still needs PE Fitness for Life and a graduation requirement -- a topic of debate for yet another day.)

I asked a really stupid question in the course of the meeting as to the status of the roll out of CANVAS to teachers. I was told that the building principals have the information and they can get their staff on board when they choose. I was also told that the "district" staff over the program will do training on CANVAS at school sites from now until November. Well, those responses didn't satisfy me. I suggested that we blast the information out to all teachers and let those who are techno savvy the opportunity to use it now, today, to make their instructional organization more 21st century now, at the beginning of the year. Granted, we do have a few old duffers in our classrooms, but largely a well-trained ready to go with something new corps of teachers.

This final inquiry of the meeting was met with silence. After some time to process, it was explained by many in the room that doing what I had suggested would only look like "one more thing" added on a teacher's plate; it would be overwhelming and stressful for them; it would be too much to move ahead without the support of the education association; and a few more weighty excuses.

So, my conclusion -- it will be another century or longer before our education system moves into the current century. Years form now students will be searching Walmart (the only place their sold) for 3x5 cards made in China (the only place their made).

I can't get too discouraged because students in one of our high schools each have an iTouch and I read about a new school in Davis County where all kids get notebooks (computer notebooks)!

Football Game #1 -- Loss to Layton

Although Hunter HS football team had nearly 300 yards of offense and some pretty good defense in Friday's game vs Layton HS, they couldn't get any points on the scoreboard. There were good plays and yardage and then there were fumbles and interceptions. Relatively new coaching staff, juniors and sophomores playing in their first ever varsity game, and not knowing what to expect, etc., all contributed to the loss. However, they looked pretty good, especially #74, and I am hopeful there will be some "W's" this season.

Next up -- Pleasant Grove on Friday, August 26, 7:00 p.m.

Willie quote of the day . . .

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty pumped up!"

Football game tomorrow -- starting offensive left tackle is my son, not the squirrel in the photo.

Fotoball Game Saturday!

Willie is excited for a football game. The Hunter Wolverines have been practicing since the first week of July with plays and drills. Before that, there was conditioning. Tomorrow is the blue and white game @ 7 PM and then next week a preseason game vs Layton HS. You can read a nice article on the 2011 season if you like.

Schedule
August 19 vs LAYTON, 7 PM
August 26 @ Pleasant Grove, 7 PM
September 2 vs WEST JORDAN, 7 PM
September 9 vs Davis, 8 PM (@ Weber State)
September 16 BYE
September 23 vs WEST, 7 PM
September 30, @ Granger, 3:30 PM
October 7 @ Kearns, 7 PM
October 13 vs TAYLORSVILLE, 7 PM
October 19 @ Viewmont, 7 PM

Sickly Summer Day

Willie is not doing so well today. He has a bad headache, upset stomach, a mild fever, and no energy. He missed football practice --said if he went he would "pass out and die". I paid a visit to the football coach to let him know about Willie. I know it's tough when all of the players aren't at practice, but I didn't want to risk having my son get sick at football.

So, he's been on the couch most of the day. Hopefully, a good night's sleep will bring on a quick recovery.

Summer is winding down -- it's been busy and good. Not much vacationing or anything like that, just nice days and evenings. Willie's been working on an online class all summer and reading a book for honor's English. He hasn't had much free time, but I think he's had a good summer. We are going to try to cap it off with an unannounced trip somewhere (I think I mentioned that in an earlier blog).

For now, I just want my boy to be his normal happy energetic self.

July 25, 2011

Celebrating "Pioneer Day" is really an ongoing activity in my life. I am a native Utahan largely due to my pioneer heritage. Back 164 years ago, Utah and surrounding territories were not the most beautiful and popular tourist attractions around. On the contrary, the countryside was dessert land with a salty lake in the middle. Go figure! The only people who came here (to Utah) were those seeking solace and peace from some kind of persecution. They must have been pretty desperate to come. Some were lucky enough to ride in a covered wagon or later on (after 1869), they came by train. However, most of the early settlers pulled a cart and walked their way here. Some walked 1200-1300 miles from the most western point of civilization at that time. The Utah territory was an unknown, and to walk here -- through Nebraska, Wyoming, and over the Rocky Mountains -- pretty tall commitment and solid dedication.

Flash forward to today -- the pioneer legacy has withstood generations of time! The once forlorn desolate dessert land has truly "blossomed as a rose" (Brigham Young). I love this place (after all it is the "right place"). I have traveled near and far and each time I return to the Salt Lake Valley, I sigh and feel that sense of emotion that there is "no place like home"! I love the valley, the mountains, the salty lake, the buildings and neighborhoods, the people, and just about everything!

The painting in this post is call "Zion, Ho" by Minerva Teichert. It features a pioneer woman who turns and exclaims her excitement to those who follow at seeing the Salt Lake Valley for the first time! This message is never ending. I feel like doing the same when I get that glimpse of the valley from on high.

Friday, Willie and I took the afternoon to do some pioneering on our own. We visited the DUP Museum, stopped by the old Council Hall across from the Capitol, drove through the "avenues", explored the City Cemetery, viewed the valley from the University of Utah, and stopped by the zoo for a churro. Our activity, although a little weird, only confirmed my great love of the Salt Lake Valley and the blessing I have of living here. I will tell all who think about living here to come! It is amazing, those who settled here were truly inspired!

What happened to June?

So, it's July 5. Not a significant day, but clearly five days since the month of June ended. What happened to June?

School ended
Work goes on -- busiest time of year
Annie and Ross in a new house
Yard work and flower planting -- my house and Dad's
Fed the missionaries, not just 2 but 65 plus their mission president and other leaders
Willie's Eagle Court of Honor
Counselor conference at Murray High
Visits to the cemetery
Preparation for ASCA conference
Willie to Youth Conference
Father's Day
Karl microbiology class and lab
House cleaning -- my house and Dad's
USU basketball position camp -- two nights away with Willie
ASCA Conference in Seattle -- 3 presentations
Willie week-long basketball team camp in St. George
Shavy Jones
Children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews

Today, a day off! I am still in my PJs sitting here catching up on a few things. Willie is at summer seminary. Karl is at work. The sprinklers are on. Just a nice day to do nothing. I am just going to sit back and enjoy!

Observations at USU

So, I am currently sitting in the Taggart Student Center on the campus of Utah State University. Willie is here doing what he loves most, playing basketball (USU b-ball camp). This, however, is a different sort of camp where most of the participants are pretty good high school players who want to get better at their position -- post, perimeter, guard. I am spending my time wandering around the campus and making a pretty good attempt at getting some computer work done. Summer is a big part of the school year for me -- a time to get ready for a new year -- professional learning themes and activities, full-year calendar, materials and resources to support kids, and so on. I do a lot of writing, and thinking, and reading, and analyzing, and then pulling things together.

I have a table set up as my work station on the far east end of the second floor of the Taggart Student Center. Wow! There is a lot going on this week on campus -- high school cheer camp, high school leadership camp (student body officers), EFY camp (Especially for Youth), a conference for some kind of college administrators, and of course basketball camp.

I am listening to a group of high school leaders discuss "Snowball". I am not sure what it is, but it involves dancing and the group can't decide if it should be girl's choice or not. Oops, now the subject changed to what the group is going to do on the leadership camp variety show later this evening.

I love the opportunity to break away form the office, spend some time with my son, and do a little of uninterrupted work, too.

By the way, the Taggart Center is names for a former president of USU, Glen L Taggart. He was a pretty amazing individual. Click on his name and read an article written about him in the Ensign Magazine some 20 years ago. Glen Taggart is from Lewiston, Ut, born around the same time as my step-grandmother Frances. I am sure they knew each other -- Frances, a USU grad, was always very high on what the institution had to offer. There are many Eccles buildings on campus. Needless to say, the Eccles family has left their "money" mark on nearly every public college campus in the state.

Enough for now!

On our way to USU we saw a moose!

So we were just coming out of Sardine Canyon, not quite to the Wellsville exit, when low and behold, we saw a moose in a field on the right hand side of the road!!!!! I pulled over to the side and we watched. It crossed a narrow road to our right. We turned down the road to get a closer look. The moose went into a yard and some barking dogs scared it back out onto the road. We followed it and it passed in front of us twice! We tried to take a few pictures (with the phone), but it just kept moving. It was a youngster with his horns just starting to grow. How cool is that??!!!!

Eagle Scout!

29 merit badges + 20 plus nights camping + Super Scout Saturdays + hikes and bike rides + Jubilees and Courts of Honor + a bunch of other stuff and a project = Eagle Scout

(Willie is pinning a mentor pin on Grandpa.)

The Court of Honor was nice. Family and friends from the ward came to support Willie. The refreshments were yummy.

Okay, it's time to go back to school!

So I got home from work Tuesday evening and my son greeted me in this weird attire. He's trying to grow a few inches, so I suggested he wear a neck brace to try to stretch his neck a little. It was so much fun wearing the neck brace, he decided to add a nacho libre mask, an extra small junior jazz jersey, a sweat band, a crazy hat, football glove and arm guard, a thumb brace, hula lei, sun glasses, a boondoggle thing, and a lacrosse stick.

I think he's had way too much summer vacation time -- two days is too much. Time to go back to school!

School's Out!

Oh my gosh! I am so glad this school year has come to a close! It's been crazy, like mentally ill crazy, like out of control crazy, like more crazy than you can ever imagine. I have been a professional educator for some 33 years and I've seen all kinds of situations and worked with many, many students and their families, but this school year tops them all -- positives and not so positive experiences with colleagues, staff, kids, and parents.

The best part of my work is clearly working hard every day of each school year to make a difference for the 29,000+ secondary students in GSD. This school year my department introduced a tidy little planning guide for students and their parents. I think it is just about the best little planning guide around. Although it has been in draft form all year, it is excellent. I have had many opportunities to share it with students, their parents, staff, and community people. All reports indicate it has been very helpful in providing information on student planning and on all of the options and opportunities available to students in our district.

Ther is much work to do this summer to get things ready for 2011-2012 school year!

Elizabeth Ann -- Happy Birthday to You!

Oh, my! It's your birthday! How I remember the day you were born!


You are #1 in birth order, in grandchild order, and in many other orders. You are also number #1 in giving orders. I think that comes with being #1. You have amazing talents and abilities and add a touch of artistic class to just about everything you do.


Have a great day!

Molly Ardith -- You are 1

Molly is a year old today, May 14th. I remember sitting at the hospital last year on this day, at this time (3:30 p.m.) waiting for you to be born. It was taking you a long time to arrive, but you made a grand entry into the world when you were ready.

Molly is a very special little granddaughter -- she is named after her great grandmother. Happy Birthday Molly! We love you!

Wyatt -- You are 2!

My #2 grandson is 2! He is number two in order of birth -- and #1 grandchild, a ranking he shares with Elliott and Molly who are also #1 grandchildren.

The kid sitting next to Wyatt is my #1 son. He will hold that position forever!

My sweet little Wyatt is entering the age I love because 2 year-olds are little sponges, they soak up everything they see, hear, smell, do . . .

Happy Birthday!

Dear Mom --

It's been hard making the transition from talking to you at least once every single day to not at all. Sometimes I get this extremely empty feeling inside when I think about the night I got the call that you had stopped breathing and the paramedics were on their way to your house. I think about not taking a minute to give you a hug and put your foot on the stretcher as you were moved from your house to the ambulance. Then I remember a feeling of peace that came over me as I knew and could accept that your time had come.

Well, today is Mother's Day and you are obviously not where you can take a call or enjoy a visit and talk with me about how you are feeling, the weather, current events, the neighbors, the family, and anything else under the sun.

If you were here today, I would be excited to tell you about so many things that have been going on this week. I would tell you about Willie's concussion! He hit the floor hard on the back of his head a week ago in a basketball game, and he has since missed three basketball games and the region tennis tournament as a result. (Yes, the big tall blond grandson made the school tennis team!) I would also tell you about Willie's scout board of review this week and that he has earned his eagle scout rank. Our conversation would include me telling you about a phone call I got on Thursday to let me know Willie had been selected as student of the month for April and would be recognized in an assembly at school on Friday. I am so proud of him! I love my boy!

I would tell you about Annie and Haley! Annie and Ross are in the middle of selling and buying houses and Haley and James are hoping to get something going with a house this summer. Also, Haley is technically finished with her master's degree from USU and with just one more class will receive her diploma. What a girl! You will be relieved to know that James is not going to Iraq! I love my girls!

And, I would tell you that I went to the U of U commencement on Friday morning because Peter walked in the ceremony. You knew that he had finished his degree in December, but he's official now, B.S. in Health Promotion and Education. I am so proud of Peter! We would talk about the commencement speaker, Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie. His speech was inspiring!

I would spend a lot of time telling you about my grandchildren! Where do I begin? Elliott is growing up and he is such a good boy! Yesterday Annie and Ross had an early birthday party for Wyatt (2 years old) and Elliott was so well behaved about Wyatt getting all the attention and gifts. Wyatt is finally talking! He gives me kisses that end in a smack! Then there's Molly! I shouldn't tell you that she tried to climb up those dangerous slate stairs in her house. Arggg! Molly will celebrate her birthday #1 this week. She is just as cute as a button!

I go out to you house two and three times a week to check in on Dad. Oh how he misses you! He told me that he keeps thinking you have just gone away for awhile and that you'll be coming home. He is taking really good care of the house. He is very neat and keeps things organized. He does his wash every other day and the sheets every other Thursday. Dad is even washing your pillow case each time and places your special pillows and your pixie doll and your mouse neatly on your side of the bed. He's kept all of your things in place. I think he's only put your make-up and bathroom stuff away. He visits your grave at least once a week and usually takes a flower bouquet. We {all of your children} have been making sure Dad gets a nice dinner and has ice for his Diet COKE every evening. By the way, your tulips are stunning. We have had a long, cool spring and the tulips have been in bloom longer than I can remember.

Well, I don't think I can write much more. The tears are dripping down my face and I can't see what I am typing. Mom, I miss you! Please know that I am trying to be a good daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and more. I hope to always live my life like you did -- thank you for being my mom!

I love you!

May - Birthday Month

Happy Birthday to all of the May people!
Ross
Matt
MAX Petersen (we have two in the family)
Wade
Barbara
Molly
Wyatt
Geneil
Dee
Annie
Isabel

It's just about the biggest BIRTHDAY month! (Hope I didn't forget someone!)

Spring Break?

Willie has had a week of no school, but he has had basketball practice, tennis practice, some homework, and some hanging out with me and other members of the family. It's been a nice week because we have been able to sleep in nearly every morning.

I'd like to think it's my spring break, too. But that would mean no phone calls from my office or responding to e-mails. But those interruptions are okay because I am taking care of them from home.

I've cooked dinner this week and done a little house cleaning. Probably the most exciting thing we've done is look for a new car. Yes, a new car (not brand new but new to us). Willie and I think we've found one! With Karl's approval, we may just be dragging 3500 S in style!

Happy Birthday Haley!

It's Haley's birthday today. She is a good daughter and an excellent mother. This is the first birthday in 31 years that I have not wished Haley "Happy Birthday" in person. But I think she knows I am thinking about her. Haley and Molly celebrated with Karl and Willie. James is at National Guard. It was an uneventful day relatively speaking but well recognized. Haley is my number two child; I am a number two child; my mother was a number two child, and her mother was a number two -- pretty amazing. So to my number two daughter -- please know that you are a very special gift as are your sister and baby brudder. Hope you had a great day!

Steve and DeWayne

I flew to Chicago yesterday afternoon to attend a few meetings on transforming school counseling and strengthening equitable access for all students in advanced and AP courses. I sat on row 8 seat F (a window seat) on a big Airbus plane. Next to me were two old guys, Steve and DeWayne. They had flown through Salt Lake City from Spokane to make connections to Chicago. They were headed to a town 20 miles east of Chicago to pick up Steve's newly purchased motor home. After picking up the motor home today, they planned to drive home to Spokane via I-90. The reason I know they were older than me -- grayer hair, more pound of excess weight, slower physical movements, and more. Steve mentioned he was retired Air Force and had served as a "tail gunner" during the Vietnam War. He dropped out of high school to join the Air Force and did eventually take the GED and get a college degree. DeWayne served in the Navy during the Korean War and told me the only way he got through high school and into college was because of sports. He was a three spot guy. Why do I know all of this? I have this weird thing about my persona that invites people to tell me all their life events once I tell them I am an educator, a school counselor, and . . . I also learned that Steve's wife is a real bossy, strong personality and she was recently diagnosed with a rare strain of pancreatic cancer. He and his wife have been to the Mayo Clinic for consultation and treatment. While there, Steve had gall stones and couldn't find a doctor anywhere to diagnose him. It was until he returned home to his family doc that it was determined that he had gall stones and needed surgery. DeWayne explained that he and Steve are across the street neighbors. He had a teenage grandson who lives in California and pretty much didn't give his grandpa the time of day until they went on a hunting trip to Montana. Now they are best friends and get along great. DeWayne though Steve's wife look good (considering Chemo treatments) when they left Spokane that morning. I love the generations older then mine. They are polite, considerate, and very thoughtful. DeWayne helped me with my carry-on, remembered where it was to help get it to me when we landed in Chicago. He made sure I got off the plane okay, and told me to know that he valued my work in education. He said, "When you are my age and you look back, you will know that you accomplished something! Remember that!" So, there you have it, another day in my life -- people, that's what my work and my life are all about.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday, and he is 82. It's been a tough few months for him with Mom's passing and all. He is very sad most days, but he manages to get up and get going every morning. He goes to work 5 days a week and that involves getting the mail, going to the bank, and doing some minor accounting and bookkeeping work for Huber Bro. Inc. He still owns Huber Construction and the property where his sons' business functions -- 947 W S Temple. Dad was just released from a church calling he has had for the past 29 years - Sunday School teacher. He would like to keep teaching Sunday School, but his emotions are too close to the surface right now. He and I have had some good talks since Mom's passing. He told me he doesn't plan to get married. The hardest thing he has to do right now is go to church by himself -- it's tougher than he ever imagined. He has always had someone sitting by him. He's a little upset that Mom didn't teach him how to cook. He goes to McDonald's every other Saturday or so to get breakfast, but otherwise he fixes breakfast on his own. He has told me he appreciates me more times than I can ever remember. He is nervous that he won't recognize Mom when he sees her again because she will be younger looking. Just yesterday he told me that he and Mom were married for time and all eternity but for Mom, time is gone -- she just has eternity while he has some time left. We celebrated Dad's birthday yesterday and because he is so superstitious that made him nervous. Celebrating a day early may have jinxed him. But, I called this morning to wish his Happy Birthday, and he informed me that in spite of the early celebration he lived another day. He's a good dad, and I am happy to be around to help him all I can. Longevity is in his genes. His mother lived to be 84 and his grandfather 94. I guess if he chooses, he can live a good life for years to come!

April Fools!

I got an e-mail from my borther-in-law today with the best news ever (not)! Roger Reid has been named new b-ball coach of the Runnin' Utes! Nice April Fools joke!

Eagle Paper Work Done!

The paper work for Willie's Eagle Project is done and now we just need the final signatures and get it submitted to the right people. It was last March/April that we began the whole process. I guess it really does take a year to get it done. Willie's troop and many people in the ward knitted hats and donated gloves and mittens and books for the Christmas Box House children. We delivered the hats and gloves and books on November 30, 2010.

The write-up for the project was the most difficult part of the whole process!

I guess we had better get the car insurance updated to include Willie as a driver. The driver's license arrived in the mail last week. I told him no driving until the Eagle Project was finished.

Yeah Willie!

March On!

It's Karl's spring break, and he is finding only a little time for leisure activity. He has been very dedicated to school -- we are very proud of him. It's a challenge to reinvent your working self at any age.

Willie is 2-1 in HHS junior varsity tennis -- doubles #1. I am not sure how the whole tennis game works -- the scoring is beyond my comprehension -- but it is a very fun and relaxing way to transition from school basketball to AAU basketball. The tennis coach is amazingly organized and positive.

The school year is winding down. Next week marks the end of the 3rd term and grades will be posted, again. Willie has had a pretty good year in all classes so far, keep your fingers crossed for this term. I don't know how he does it -- the hard math problems, the essays, the French vocabulary -- but he is a very good student.

The March madness is upon us. Good ballgames in all areas of the brackets today including a win for BYU. I must admit that the "Jimmer" has caught my attention! He is an amazing basketball player.

St. Patrick's Day brings out the green! In a meeting earlier today, there were eight women and two men sitting around a table in a conference room at Wasatch Junior High School. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, every person had on some form of green -- green scarf, green pin, green tie, green necklace, green sweater, green vest, green wristband, green earrings, and more. I guess it kind of made me crazy because every green item was a different shade and hue. Oh my!

Dad seems to be doing okay without Mom. We all miss her, but I know he misses her most. He feels her close by, but I know the quiet empty house is hard to get use to. He's fortunate to be able to drive, go to work, take care of the laundry, fix his own breakfast, and more. All of the siblings have helped out in taking care of dinner. It's been fun -- I think -- and Dad reports he's gained some weight. The down side is our cooking is not Mom's cooking and he is getting a little tired of Mexican food. But I know he appreciates everything.

We have a big Huber Family Celebration planned for Sunday -- this weekend marks Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary, so we have a party planned to celebrate! Annie has been working with everyone on a family history book, and it will be unveiled on Sunday.

In like a Lion, but a little delayed!

We woke up this monring to 4-6 inches of snow. I checked the calendar to see if it was in fact March, actually March 8th. The snow was beautiful and typically March snow -- very heavy.

Warm weather seems so far away, but I know it will be here soon.

Febraury 28, 2011

I just finished going through my bottom dresser drawer! It is chuck full of memorabilia -- cards, notes, certificates, report cards, trip momentous, art work, newspaper clippings -- you name it, it's there.

My kids are always giving me and Karl a bad time about arguing -- they call us Fred and Ethel or whatever. That said, Willie joined me in looking through the stuff in the drawer. He found a handmade note he had made -- a red heart shaped construction paper note in very young squiggly penmanship "mom and dad will you lick each other." Yes, he had written "lick" meaning "like". It was very cute.

You see Karl and I do like each other. I love him, actually. But we do disagree and argue -- it is more like an exercise in stubbornness than anything serious now, but we have had our difficult moments over the years. However, we've managed to work through all the tough stuff -- and are now reaping the results and rewards of a strong marriage and devotion to each other and to our amazing kids, sons-in-law, and grandchillins.

That's about the size of boys in my family!

Elliott's first soccer game was a hit - especially the uniform. A few days before the game he told me that he wasn't sure what color his uniform would be, " . . . but, whatever color it is, Grandma, I will like it!" I think that response came as a result of some good pre-soccer preparation at home. Elliott can be pretty opinionated about teams and colors.

After the game the boys lined up for a photo opportunity with Uncle Willie. In a few short years they will likely be closer in height. In fact, my prediction -- Elliott (6'6"), Willie (6' 5 1/2"), Wyatt (6'4"). As for me, I am in the shrinking stage of life from a solid 6' to my present height -- 5' 10 1/2".

SOPHS - Winning Team among the Losing Teams

Other blogs beat me to this posting, but I did want to let it be recorded in the blog universe that the 2010-11 Hunter Wolverine SOPH b-ball team was the winning-est team among the three boy's teams this season -- they won 7 games (6 in region)! The JV team won 5 games while the varsity squeaked by with only 4 (3 pre-season and 1 region).

The SOPH team is a very nice group of kids with potential. They overcame injuries and different combinations of players, but once the team was set (around the time of the third game in region play), there was steady improvement and progress. Congratulations!

February 2011

A new month -- it's registration time in the schools. Although the new school year is 8 months away, it's time to get kids thinking about next school year. There are more and more opportunities for students in high school than ever before -- it's pretty exciting.

January 2011 -- A Month to Remember

Never could I have imagined a month like this one. It is certainly one to be documented in my journal and personal history for review over and over again.

A year ago, I did a blog post on my mother's failing health. Little did I know then that things would transpire as they have. Mom passed away a week ago, Saturday, January 22, 2011. Needless to say it has been a rough week! It may take me some time to get this post completed, but I wanted to make sure I got it started before the month's end.

My mom was my very best friend in the universe, and I miss her like you will never know or understand. I talked to her every day, at least once. I took care of house cleaning and other stuff every Saturday, for years. I saw her at her best and in the frailest stages of failing health. She had most people fooled about how sick she really was -- but not me. I just hoped and prayed deep down inside that she would live forever because I knew it would be so difficult for all of us to accept her loss. I bought her new pajamas only a week before her passing and a new outfit as well. I know she wore the pajamas but the outfit -- she tried it on if that counts for something. We had some great expereinces in the 56 years I called her "Mom" -- and I must say most of them were positive, but we did have our ups and downs. I think what is most upsetting about losing Mom is that her mind was good -- in fact, her mind and spirit were trapped in a rickety old body that couldn't see or hear or maintain oxygen. The last week of her life, she put up a good front -- one last trip to Sam's, one last doctor's appointment, a few last birthday catalog orders, one last attempt at balancing her checkbook, one last time to fix Dad Sunday dinner, and more . . . Mom kept living until the very last breath and then her body died and her spirit moved on.



In addition to my mom's passing, I lost another dear friend, Judy W, just a young woman compared to my mom.

Elvis Lives (or Lived) or Lives!

You know what I am talking about -- Elvis. Is he alive, is he dead, where is he, what happened to him? Too many questions and not exact answers! All I know for sure is that he was born -- Happy Birthday, Elvis -- January 8, 1935. You [Elvis] would be an "old duffer" if you were still alive. So, I will continue to remember you as one of the "dreams" of my youth.

We used to go to the Saturday matinee at the Gem Theater on Magna Main Street -- every Saturday. Most movies were 25 cents (Disney movies were always 35 cents). Mom would give us admission money and 15 cents for treats. My sisters and I saw every "kid-approved" movie in the 1960's. Our favorites were Elvis movies!

Flaming Star - Blue Hawaii - Follow That Dream - Kid Galahad - Girls! Girls! Girls! - It Happened at the World's Fair - Fun in Acapulco - Kissin' Cousins - Viva Las Vegas - Girl Happy - Harum Scarum - Frankie and Johnny - Spinout - Double Trouble - Clam Bake - The Trouble with Girls

I think my all-time favorite is Blue Hawaii. Elvis' name was "Chad-baby" in this film, and it was filmed many years before politically correct actions and words were used with women. When I watch it now, it makes my feminist side cringe, but oh well! I love the music and especially Elvis' dark black silky hair and the wedding scene at the end of the movie. My second favorite is Viva Las Vegas -- co star Ann-Margaret. Modern movies just can't compete with the singing, and the dancing, and the clothes, and the cars, and flying over Lake Mead in a helicopter!

A few years ago, I was at a meeting in Las Vegas. I stayed in the MGM Grand and there was an aura of Elvis in every area of the facility. He rode with me on the elevator, his music was soft and subtle. He was in the restaurants and in the lobby. My meetings were in the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Las Vegas Hilton. To get to the Hilton from the convention center, I walked through a long sky walk decorated with amazing photographs of the stars who had some connection with the Hilton. Needless to say, Elvis was alive and well in living black and white on the walls of the sky walk, every turn, every corridor. Amazing photos . . .

Elvis was born the same year as Uncle Bevan. If still alive, he would be 76. I am choosing to always remember Elvis of the 60s! And yes, he lives and will always live in the dreams of my youth (and in my over 55 adulthood)!

Girls and Boys

I grew up in a family of 10 -- 5 daughters, 3 sons, 1 mother, 1 father. The girls outnumbered the boys 6 to 4.

We (1 mother and 1 father) have a family 3 children -- 2 daughters, 1 son.

My daughters are married -- 2 sons-in-law.

I have 2 grandsons.

I have 1 granddaughter.

The boys outnumber the girls -- 6 to 4.

Just something to think about.

Happy New Year!

My camera has been broken for a few weeks, but I finally got it back into operation. I glanced through all of the 2010 photos saved on the memory card and realized that it had been quite a year. Mostly, it was a year of blessings and opportunity.