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.