"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!

March marched on . . .

• The March Madness of the NCAA Basketball Tournament is winding down. On one of my bracket sheets, I actually picked 3 of the final 4 teams. That doesn't really matter, however, because I selected way too many teams to win that eventually lost. I am rooting for the NC Tarheels to be the outright winning team this year only because I like Tyler Hansbrough, a key player on the team and one who played all 4 years (no early exit to the NBA draft).
  
• My parentals celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary on March 19th. In this era, it's pretty amazing that couples stay together forever like my parents. Congrats Mom and Dad!


• My favorite late night television host, David Letterman, married the mother of his 5 1/2 year old son on March 19, 2009, in Montana. I am pleased he finally made the commitment. He and his wife have been together for a decade or so.


• Finally, my bad luck has persisted in March -- I was in a parking lot, one of our schools, last Wednesday, driving away, when a kid on a razor scotter came through some parked cars and crashed into me (my car). I thought I'd killed him, but I only ran over the handle bars of his scooter. I made him wiggle everything, I checked with a witness and she reported that the kid had jumped from the scooter and landed on his feet, he kept himself from falling with his hands on my front/side bumper. Arrggg . . . . .

Have a great "last day of March!"

Brackets Ready?

The "Ugly Betty Special" is going to the Big Dance!

It's March madness for me and my fellow basketball junkies. I think I've watched a dozen games just this past week -- JR Jazz tournament games, college conference tournament games, and more. It's just what I love to do.

On Thursday night the Runnin' Utes played the TCU Horned Frogs in the MWC Tournament. Joe Cravens (a former assistant coach at the "U") was the color commentator on the "Mountain" (station covering the game). It was not the prettiest game I've watched. It was one of those games where you find yourself moaning and groaning at the missed jump shots, bad passes, turnover after turnover, and more. At one point in the game, Cravens commented that he felt like he was watching the "Ugly Betty Special" as the Utes struggled to get their game going.

The Utes went on to win that game and eventually the tournament championship last night against San Diego State University. It was an excellent game -- just the opposite of the "Ugly Betty Special" from two nights before.

Winning the tournament championship cinched a place in the "Big Dance"! The Utes now play Arizona in Miami in the first round on Friday! Yes! Basketball again this week!

Wolverines -- the Champions!

It was a great JR JAZZ season -- probably the best ever because the Wolverines went undefeated in the regular season and in the tournament, and they won the 8th Grade JR JAZZ Tournament for Salt Lake County. Coach Karl's teaching and on the court learning paid off. The team was spectacular in their championship game! The after game wrap-up brought tears to the coach's eyes -- his players did what they were suppose to do, everybody scored, it was huge! My son was the leading scorer and re-bounder for the season -- he has some sweet basketball skills!

Happy Anniversary Haley and James!

You are great kids! Hope you've had an anniversary-type special day!

(The following is from a wedding anniversay site. I could have written it myself, but I ran out of time. Copy and paste comes in so handy!)

While many people believe that the individual years of a marriage are not as significant as the 5, 10, 20, 25 year increments, the truth is that each year of a marriage is special and unique. Each anniversary is an important milestone, and should be considered a significant step forward in your life together.

Many people follow the traditional themes of celebration and gift giving for their anniversary, a practice we (I) wholeheartedly encourage. In this tradition, each year celebrates a specific quality symbolized by a particular material. The more commonly known expressions are the silver (25 year) and golden (50 year) anniversaries. The traditional and modern gift recommendations for each anniversary have symbolic meaning associated with the path of successful marriages, and are a great way of reinforcing the hard work that goes into making a happy marriage.

The traditional recommendation for a second anniversary present is cotton.

Cotton symbolizes durability and versatility. Two years into a marriage, you now have the experience to realize that these traits are necessary for a successful marriage. As 2 years is early in the life of any marriage, cotton also represents a practical material that can be used in building the household of a new couple, such as bedding, table cloths, bath robes, towels, clothing, and of course underwear!

Weird things can happen more than once . . .

When I took Willie to school this morning, I couldn't help but notice how dirty my car was. The wind was pretty vicious yesterday -- blowing dust and gunk everywhere and a lot of it stuck to my car.

A couple of summers ago, after getting gas at the Conoco I decided to get a car wash. I think Willie, Meranda, and Parker were with me. The car wash ended and the exit door was slow to open, in fact it wouldn't open at all. I honked the horn thinking someone from inside the gas station would hear it and come to our rescue. We hoped another car would get in line behind us and trigger the door opener. Finally, I called Karl to have him look up the phone number so I could call and get someone to help get us out (I wanted a little sympathy, too). Karl's response was go out the "man door". I had no clue what he was talking about, I didn't see any door anywhere but the exit one to let us out. We were laughing so hard in the car that I couldn't really understand the phone number but eventually got it from Karl. The employee who answered the gas station's phone didn't quite understand that we were stuck in the car wash. Eventually, some intellectually challenged person came to our aid. We laugh about the experience all the time.

You probably know where this story is headed. I stopped to get gas on my way to work this morning. My car was so filthy dirty I decided to include a car wash. I was the only one in line probably because the roads were a little wet from a late night snow storm. At any rate, I got the car wash, and you guessed it, the entry and exit doors wouldn't open to let me out. Stuck again! I called 411 to get a number and tried several times to contact someone in the Conoco (same one as before). The line was busy (yes, I remembered to dial 801). I got out of the car and shimmied to the exit door. It was wet an gooey, but I managed to lift it opened but not without having streams of black water drip down my arms onto my long sleeved white shirt. I looked to see if anyone had noticed my predicament. Sure enough, there was some dude filling up his car and just watching me.

Not sure I will do the car wash at that Conoco ever again.

First place is slipping away . . .

Rats! The UTES have the two toughest basketball games just days apart at the end of the season on the road, and, well, you guessed it, they lost both. They let the Cougs kick their behinds on Saturday, and they choked in the second half of the game in the UNM "pit" tonight. Now all that's left is a share of the conference title and a run at the conference tournament championship next week. They had it, they had it, they really did, but they let their defense down, missed a bunch of shots, lost their focus and composure, and now the games are history.

Number two (2)

Haley is all about numbers. She reminded me that she is a two of a two of a two. What that means is this:

Haley is the number two (second born) child of Judy (me) who is the second child of Jerry (Grandma) who is the second child of Fern (Great Grandmother) who was the second living child of her parents, David and Anne Jones.

The following is also true:

Elliott is the number one child (first born) of his mother (Annie) who is the number one child of Karl (her dad) who is the number one child of his parents (Ardith and DeWaine) who are the number one children of each of their parents.

How about that!

Not the best day, but . . . .

I could tell it wasn't going to be the best day . . . .

• When I didn't get up when Karl left for work, I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was 7:07 a.m. I drop Willie off for school at 7:20 a.m. and he was sleeping soundly. We work well under pressure, he "kicked it in gear", and I delivered him to school at 7:26 a.m.
• I got showered and ready to leave the house in record time, so I decided to quickly check my e-mail knowing I would be in meetings all day. I read only one e-mail. It was from a pretty reliable source that the wife of my good friend and mentor, Norm, had passed away. I was shocked. Norm and I are pretty close professionally, and I couldn't believe he wouldn't call me with the news. I scrambled to find his phone number and called him from my car. I began the conversation with, "I've heard some sad news . . ." Norm then told me how his wife had just been diagnosed with a rare cancer and that doctors give her 3-6 months to live (she had not passed away).
• My meeting was at the Radisson Hotel downtown. I arrived to find the hotel parking lot full. There was a sign in the driveway directing guests to the lot across the street. I made my way there only to be told by the parking attendant that the lot was reserved for monthly permits. So, by this time I was running very late, I took the first meter space I could find. When I got out of my car to put money in the meter, I was greeted by a not so friendly meter person (meter maid) who demanded that I show her my vehicle registration. (She parked her car in the street parallel to my car.) She said that the sticker on my license plate had expired. I assured her that my registration is always due in February and that it had been mailed, and I was just waiting for the new sticker. I found my registration, and sure enough it indicated that the expiration was 2/2009. She rudely told me that the sticker on my car said 1/2009. She called on her phone to check out my registration. The response on the other end was that my car was good through 2/2010. She rudely "back-peddled" making threats to me that I could get pulled over and ticketed for not having the right sticker on my license plate and blah, blah, blah. Arrgggg! Once she left, I put money in the meter and headed to my meeting inside the hotel. I planned to leave at the first break to move to a pay lot nearby.
• At the break, I drove around the block to a pay lot. I paid my fee and parked my car. As I headed around the block back to the Radisson, I pushed the key-lock button to lock my car and by doing so, I set off the alarm of the car parked next to me. I just kept walking. I heard the alarm beeping all the way to the hotel.
• The meeting ended at 3:00 p.m. I hadn't had a Coke all day, so I headed to the closest McDonalds. I was waiting in the drive-thru line when a homeless looking kid walked up to my car window. He motioned for me to roll down my window. I responded that I was not interested in talking to him. He yelled at me and flipped me off. I drove ahead, got my Coke, and watched as he approached other cars.
• After a few things to finish at my office, I headed for home via Office Depot and Winder Farms Store to get a few last minute things for the big Women's Conference tomorrow. Once home, I packed up my car and headed to the Stake Center. The building was an absolute mess! I was the first one of the set-up group to arrive and I spent more than an hour just cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, before we could even begin to set up.
• Once finished at the church, I headed to the grocery store for a few more things I needed to get for the Women's Conference.

What a day! It wasn't the best day, but it was okay -- I think it was just Friday the 13th a week late. Whew!

Sunday Night

Another Sunday night but without the stress of school/work tomorrow -- it's President's Day tomorrow, and that means a day to sleep in and just hang out at home.

Willie's science fair project is due on Wednesday, so I think a good part of our day tomorrow will be working on putting the results on the "science fair 3-fold board". The science experiment has been completed and videotaped, it's all about hot, cold, and room temperature air pressure in balls -- basketball, soccer ball, and volleyball -- and how their "bounce" is impacted by the amount of pressure and temperature.

What to Blog?

Not much going on today. Another busy day at home and at the district office.

As you know, I worry about our public school system. We're losing kids right and left, everyday. We still have the majority of our teachers doing what they do in a mostly white, middle class mind-set. The problem is that the majority of our students are not white and not middle class, and most importantly they (the kids) are not succeeding in school. I have some ideas, solutions, some "what to do" actions. I'll report out sometime soon.

Our RS women's conference is coming up and Carole Mikita from KSL television and radio is our keynote speaker. I am excited to hear her speak.

American Idol -- another season with some interesting talent -- I am anxious to see the next phase where the contestants really perform and sing their lungs out. Last year, Grandma Petersen and I talked immediately after nearly every episode of Idol. I really miss Grandma --

I am excited about a new grandson. I am ready for as many grandchildren as I can get -- I love the grandmotherhood role. I just hope his parents can come up with a name ---- I like Elvis.

Willie is doing pretty well in basketball. His JR JAZZ team went undefeated this season -- there was really no competition. The team will be in a tournament in March -- I am anxious to see how they do with some tough competition. They are actually a pretty good little team. Junior high basketball is going well, too. Willie is playing in every game and scoring some points and getting some rebounds and steals.

Haley comes over on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for piano/guitar lessons. It's so nice to have her here. She does such a good job with her students.

Annie says Eliott needs a hair cut. I am not sure he likes the "buzz buzz", but I enjoy cutting his hair. It grows so fast!

Karl is working with the older scouts for the next few months. He is helping them plan a trip to Moab that may include a Colorado River trip. He is great with the younger male generation in any capacity.

Life is good!

Game Day!

First junior high game today -- Hunter 40 - Jefferson 38. Collin hit a shot at the buzzer to win the game for Hunter. Willie played in every quarter, and he thinks he had 8 points. Wow! He looked pretty sweet in his vintage game day outfit. I like that the coach requires a shirt and tie on game day!

Life's Lessons

A year ago, we hit a family low point when Willie didn't make the junior high basketball team. It just didn't make sense -- big kid, pretty good skills, lots of experience, . . .

It was a difficult process to work through, but we did it, and we all lived to tell about it.

This morning, I drove the boy to school, entered the forbidden parking lot, parked in a visitor slot, told the boy to go in the school and check the "list", I waited. I waited. I had this sick feeling in my stomach. I waited. It seemed like and eternity, at least 50 students walked by and entered the school. Then I saw him, he came out the far south door, no indication of anything, I was sick inside. Then, I saw a sign, right arm thrust upward with conviction, and the right thumb pointing up! He made it! He made the final cut! He is on the basketball team! Yes!

January 2009, brought a new junior high basketball season. Willie participated in every open gym/intramural basketball activity. He prepared, every day, to do his best at the upcoming tryouts. He worked hard, made himself known, did his best (with prayers and faith), and then added some intensity. Behind the scenes, he prepared himself mentally for both a good or a not so good outcome. He knew before the first cut that he had given his very best. And he told us he felt good about tryouts either way. He definitely knew how his friends felt who didn't make the first or second cut.

Well, I am pleased to report that he made the first cut, then the second, then the third. He made the team! We know Willie is very blessed on or off the team. We're excited he can move to a new level of play -- new coach, new team members, new environment, new gym, . . .

The whole process has been a good learning experience for all of us --