Eagle Court of Honor

Well, Mr. Cool finally had his big Eagle Court of Honor.  Here are some pictures.  I sure am proud of that young man!  It's awe-inspiring to see him grow and put off some of the silly to exchange it for reverence and dignity.  He is hard-working, capable, and dependable.

A lot of great men poured manhood into this boy!

It was fun to see him exercising some character traits that he mostly keeps safely packed away so as to not damage his image. 

Here he is being humble--WOW:

Brotherly, friendly and helpful:

What fine, upstanding youth! 

They clean up real good!

(Who knows what's going on behind the Dudley Do-Right smiles, though.)

(I had a most-convenient migraine that day, but mercifully my dad had some narcotics that held it at bay. Not my best day for pictures--and where is Brenda with her Photoshop editing skills when I need her!?! 'Cause even when it's all about Mr. C, it's really all about me. ;)       )

They turned the time over to him at the end. He spoke clearly, in FULL SENTENCES, and with dignity! He thanked people! Again, WOW!   Who'd uv thunk it?

(Uh, turn your head sideways.  I'm apparently unable to fix this glitch.  No worries.)

Little P, all dressed in white--what were we thinking!?!--you gotta love the socks!

We miss our great friends!

Thanks for taking the pictures and for the steak dinner afterwards, Grandpa!

A few memorable mishaps:

--Left his shirt, sash thingy and merit badges at home.  Had to borrow from a friend.

--Missed the original Court of Honor with his friend.  Rescheduled for the next day.  Oye! 

--Previously mentioned migraine along with general hormonal instability (mine, not his).

--Arrived home in time to kick him out the door for his High Adventure 50 mile hike.

New Pictures

My personal photographer and one of my favorite sisters did a photo shoot for us.  Awesome!  Some of the new picts are already on, more to come. 
Thanks, Brenda!

Also, Eagle Court of Honor was awesome!  Pictures to come later, also.

Bad Mama

On a recent Sunday, the Nellie Family sat dressed, clean and EARLY for the 9:00 am Church meeting.  Afterwards, I taught a spiritual, prepared, well received Sunday School lesson to Mr. Cool's class.

Then a beautiful family lunch, which a friend and I also delivered to another friend and her family who live in a temporary Crazy-Land.  (If you ever make it out of there, you ought to remember those who remain!)

I spent the afternoon giving each Nellie individual "Sabbath Conference" time; coordinating calendars, setting goals, making to-do lists, etc...Planned for an Eagle Court of Honor, Girls' Camp 4th year hike, Scout physical appointment, famly campout, Weblos day camp, Boy Scout High Adventure 50-miler, Cub Scout Pack Meeting, Drama Class and final performance, birthday party, two upcoming famly reunions and a baptism.  (Whew!)

I worked on the Personal Progress Program with two YW Nellies (And signed off my last one!  I earned it again!  Go, me!) Signed off several Weblos achievements, delivered several various scout forms to two different locations.  We waded through 6 pages of the cute Preparing for Baptism workbook, started a new Faith in God workbook, and colored in the Littles' Sunday books. 

Waffles and Ice Cream for our traditional Breakfast For Dinner Sunday meal--yeah, Mom!  Had Family Scriptures, Prayer and typical bedtime routine for almost everyone. 

Then I fell into bed completely exhausted and DISCOURAGED.

Discouraged?  Completely and totally.  Beat myself up good.

Well, after dinner and then during the next hour and a half, Little P had thrown a "Grand-Mal Tantrum." Her bedtime routine that night had been anything BUT. 

The entire tantrum was a power-struggle over the word, "Please."

And although for the most part we were remarkably patient, calm and gentle; and in spite of the eventual surrender and loving finale; I couldn't stop second-guessing myself about the root cause of the disturbance; maybe her diet, or my parenting skills, or behavioral tecniques, propensity towards ingrown toenails; everything remotely guilt-inducing was brought to the table.  How had I failed?  Any suggestions were welcomed and accepted--irrational or otherwise. 

Handsome Prince's thoughts on the matter?  "She sure is strong-willed, isn't she?"  Then he rolled over and fell asleep.

Why, when I should have felt like a million bucks, did I feel more like $1.50? 

How could I have spent the entire day immersed in God's work, serving His children and then forget that I am also His Daughter?

Mercifully, He reminded me. 

Jesus Christ paid the price for me, because I will always fall short.  Oh, how I love Him!

Sure glad tomorrow is a new day.

Unstable

Six of my Nellies are girls.  This has made me develop some creative coping mechanisms.  Most of them seem hilarious to me at the time. 

Yesterday I told a screaming little girl at the library not to cry, we would find her mommy. 

Ha!  I was her mommy (Little Nellie K). 

Today I opened the bathroom door to a screaming Nellie P, quickly grabbed her and pulled her into my interrupted shower with me, she was fully clothed. 

Whatever works, I guess.

COMING SOON:  New family picts.

NO SLEEP TONIGHT

My sister once wrote a letter to the ever-elusive sleep, and in that spirit:

Last night, as we battled the night-games and fireworks just outside our front door; desperate for a bedtime, knowing on some level that nocturnal rest aspirations at our house are mostly desperate fantasy anyway; another glitch surfaced to kill any hope.

Sweet P had already made it clear that she could not go downstairs to the laudry room alone to get her pajamas, as we had found a spider there the day before.  Handsome Prince appeared to rescue her from the horrors of nakedness and aracnids, bless his heart, and he bravely accompanied her. 

(I know, I KNOW!  I'll put the clothes away some day.  At least it was clean and folded, OK?)

After an abbreviated scripture study and family prayer, and a firm, "NO!  We are DONE playing outside!  It's 10:30!" I finally herded the three littles into their room.  This is when the unthinkable happened. 

Now, normally I encourage the old adage, "Look before you leap," but last night I wish she'd never seen  (Gasp!) The Spider On Her Bed. 

Even though we caught it, squished it, and flushed it, the damage was done.

( I have to be thankful that we didn't have a renegade spider somewhere in the bed, spotted briefly but running loose.   We would have had to rent a hotel.)

 I've discovered on more than one occasion that it doesn't take much to send a 5 year-old girl into hysterics. Last night was no exception. 


Oye, I'm so tired!

 

It's worth noting that in the midst of all the chaos, Mr. Cool thought it would be a good idea to bring up the dead spider he had just found in the basement.  I guess his reasoning was that it could have been worse--"Look how big this one was!" Helpful. 

Girls' Camp Letters

I wrote some letters for the Faith Walk the girls will go on at Girl's Camp next week, and thought I would post them.

Dear Liz,

Hope you’re having a great time at Girl’s Camp!  Your leaders asked me to write you a letter, telling you about a time when I had to make a choice, so here it is.

When you were 1 year old, we lived in a split-level house with a walk-out basement.  They had converted the garage into a big bonus room with pretty windows and an access door to the front of the house. 

One day at a garage sale, I found the most darling little table and chairs set that must have been used for a preschool; it could seat probably 12 kids.  It was fun to have in that room, and a great little craft place. 

I had just earned my Elementary Education Degree the month before you were born, and I decided that it would be totally fun to start a pre-school!  I started making plans and buying supplies.  Then I got the needed neighborhood approval, made a house diagram, and put together the paperwork needed to get my permit.  I was given a permit at a city meeting where I presented my plan (while you banged noisily on the chairs). 

Word got around and I had a couple of people claim a slot for their kids before I’d even advertized. 

I could tell that your dad wasn’t entirely thrilled about it, but he was only supportive and kept his misgivings to himself.  His feelings prompted me to take it to the Lord, something I really hadn’t done. 

When I finally prayed about it, I was surprised that my answer was a firm NO.  It was something I really wanted to do, and I knew I could do it well.  I had to choose.

Thankfully, I chose to follow God’s counsel.  Within a few months I was pregnant with Andrew.  I see now that this would have been an unnecessary distraction from my REAL job, which was being a mother.  I had already wasted precious time that could have been spent nurturing you. 

The time that you and I had alone together when you were a sweet toddler is some of my most precious, and I’m honored that Heavenly Father loved me enough to give it to me.  I could have been a fun teacher for a lot of little kids, but instead I chose the better part and was the Mother for YOU!

I love you so much!   I hope that when you are a mother, you will choose not to let anything distract you from this most important calling.  I want you to be happy, and I can’t think of anything that has brought me more joy! 

The Lord wanted me to be a Mother, not a preschool teacher or published writer or Boy Scout grant writer, or anything else that I have been tempted to do.  Maybe there will be other things for me in a different season of my life, but I know that right now this is what I am supposed to be doing, and I am so content!

There are many different people with many different callings and roles to play in life.  Yours will be just as unique as you are.  I hope that you will prayerfully consider each path you take, so that our loving Heavenly Father can guide you to the blessings that He holds in store for you. 

I’m so proud of you!  You are so close to God, and are so obedient!  I pray that you will always turn to him as you do now.

I love you!

Mom

Dear Mayli,

Hey!  I hope you are having a great time at your first Girl’s Camp.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to run faster than the bear, just faster than your friend.  Also, keep your mouth shut when you sleep.  Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, probably.  (Ha, ha, ha!)

Your leaders asked me to write you a letter telling you about a time I had a choice to make, so here goes.

When you were about two years old, I was in a writing club once a month.  It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done, and I learned so much!   Some of my best friends were also in the group, and we had a riot!

The leader of the group was a publisher and a published writer.  She helped me to know that I was a “real” writer, even if I only wrote for myself and for fun.  She had a talent for seeing and showing others their talents, and encouraged so many!

Once, after I shared my writing, she looked me right in the eye and told me I should try to get it published.  She told me how I could format it who to send it to and what would be involved in marketing it.  I was so excited! 

It’s no secret that I LOVE to write, and I love it when I can share what I’ve written and others enjoy my stuff.  I also admit that sometimes I aspire to fame and glory.  Now you know.

My drive home that night was filled with fantastic visions of television interviews and book signings (I may have gone a little overboard—it wasn’t that big of a deal.)  But later, as I rocked you to bed and kissed your little face, I knew that this was not the path for me.

At that time in my life, I had four kids under six years old.  I was also Young Women’s President.  I didn’t know it then, but within a few months my parents would be getting divorced.  

The scriptures say that there is a time and a season for all things.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1)  I have had seasons of education, seasons of community service, missionary work, etc...   But for the last 17+ years I have been in the season of Motherhood.  I think that this is the best seasons of all!  Maybe some day I will be in a new season:  I pray that I will always stand fast in the season that God wants me to be in.

Each of us has talents, and everyone on earth has a purpose and a plan.  There have been times in my life when I have had an opportunity to take a new path—most of them very good trails with fun destinations.  But I have always known that the road I am already on is where I should remain. 

Sometimes I haven’t chosen wisely, but I have always done my best to follow the guidance given to me by the Holy Ghost, and to repent and get back on track when I need to.   Because of this, I am SO HAPPY.   The only way we can have peace is to know that what we are doing is in accordance with God’s will.

You are a Daughter of your Heavenly Father and he loves you so much!  I know that this is true.  I love you so much!  I’m honored to be your mother.  You are so pure and sweet and good!  I pray always for your safety.  You are obedient, and make good choices.  I pray that you’ll constantly seek the Lord’s guidance in the decisions that you make.   I trust that you will. 

Mom

  

Desolations, Abominations, and Starbursts

It's hard to be Mr. Cool when yo Mama teaches yo Sunday School class.  Last week I cussed him out for eating candy in front of everyone (How rude, son!), confiscated the candy, and then ate it in front of everyone.  The lesson was about hypocrisy.  It went over really well, especially after I explained that it was a set-up object lesson.  (Then I shared the candy with everyone--that went over REALLY well.) 

My personal philosophy is that the Gospel is delicious, so is food.  I try to use both in my lessons.

Today I taught about the destruction and scattering of the Jews, and also the prophesies of the second coming.  Tough subject.  Also, boooorrriiiinnggg.  (If you're 14 or 15, anyway.)

So I cut up the scripture references and some quotes, put the papers in a bag, and let the kids pass it around and draw some out.  "Dude, only take what you can handle."    Snort.  Suddenly they were eager-beavers.

Plus I had candy, and Cool's  played the game before, so before I could even start the discussion, he took a handful of papers and started volunteering to answer questions with his scripture references and quotes.  The kid's a natural leader.

I just played discussion moderator after that, and I threw a Starburst candy at anyone who made a comment, asked a question, or shared a scripture.  Occasionally I would ask a question, and that would set things off again.  Awesome!  I LOVE candy.  We had a real discussion and a nice snack.

Hell expanded

So, I introduced my blog to several people, fully anticipating that someone would call me on the "Big Guns" description, which, I admit is hyperbole, but I can dream.  No one caught that one, but I was asked about my experience in Hades, so here's the equation.


   1 baby who did a head dive onto the pavement (And only took a 15 minute nap the entire day)
+ 1 Three-year old with no nap and a full day of sugar and Lagoon
+ 3 extremely whiny little girls
+ 2 boys who need to tease
+ 3 adolescent girls (SHUT UP!  JUST SHUT UP EVERYONE!  TURN THE RADIO UP!)
All "crammed" in a van, in the middle of UT construction, after 10 hours at Lagoon and 40 minutes on  the road, with 20 minutes left to go, way past everyone's bedtime
=A Moment in Hell.

Oh, That I Were an Angel!

Oh, that I were an angel
And could have the wish of my heart

I would spend my days
Soothing the troubled
Calming
Nurturing
Relieving pain

Protecting from evil

Strengthening courage
Lessening fears
Feeding the hungry...

Yea, I would feed the hungry,

While singing, caressing,

Or just enjoying a good book

In my cozy rocker, with my warm, fragrant baby.

But alas,

My body wearies,

The "Big Guns" are floppy and sag.

I MUST wean the caboose.

But she's so dang cute; and asks so nicely

For just ONE more time.

The old grey  mare, she ain't what she used to be...

And enough is enough.

But I hope that eternity finds me

In a rocking chair
(With some chocolate and a good book)
Loving a baby.

I'm not messing with ya

OK.  I'm officially blogging.  I have no idea what I'm doing, or how to share it, but I'm going to do it and stick to it.  (Not like the last time I started a blog and then got pregnant.  This blog will stick.) 

I'm constantly thinking in "reporter mode" and I'll often narrate my life as I go throughout my day for self-entertainment.  I need to have a place to just jot things down before I forget them.  So...I will be blogging in a self-centered way--this isn't really a "family web site" as far as equal coverage goes.  It will be more like a "whatever I want it to be today" sort of thing. 

Just jumping right in.

Took the kids and one of  L Nellie's friends to Lagoon by myself last Friday.  Lots of fun.  Let oldest Nellies go off together to meet up every couple hours, and I made them each take a turn coming with me and the littles. 

Was a lot more fun earlier this month when it was O day and the Handsome Prince was with me, but it worked.

 Favorite part:  At the end of the day, I took the 3 youngest Nellies and let the older ones do one last ride.  P and K rode Bulgy the Whale about  four times while we waited. Wish I had a picture of them on that cute, piddling little ride with their arms up roller-coaster style, unadulterated joy on their faces!  Whoooeee!!!

Beautiful day, not too crowded, lots of fun. 

Last 20 minutes in the car on the way home was a glimpse of Hell.  Let's just say I'll be on the straight and narrow for a long time after that little preview.