Pesky buggers

These buggers are bugging us.  Woodpeckers.

Oh, and the damage they can do to our house!

John had to take out a chunk of stucco and replace it (so glad he is handy!).  The bird had already burrowed in.  Marked his territory - it was now his nest.  His home.  We had to put an end to that!

Not an easy task.

Not

At

All

I haven't heard him pecking since.

I love Spring .... but not this part of it!

Asked to Prom ... Jaley! (Mormon Prom)

Jaley was summoned to the front door.  She did not want to open it.  

She wasn't sure what would jump out at her.

We assured her that she would be fine.  (Jenna and I just about died with what was waiting at the front door when we realized there was something there for Jaley).

She opened the door and Laban came in.  He sat down and patiently waited while Jaley retrieved the note 

from the pillow on his back.

It read:

Lady Jalene M, you are cordially invited to attend

the Spring Formal On May 3, 2013 with

Sir. Max A. O.

Your carriage will pick you up at 

a time to be determined

and sweep you away to the ball.

Formal wear is requested.

It will be a night to remember.

Please let Sir Max know if you are able to attend.

His loyal dog Laban will be grateful

for his safe return to his home if your answer is yes.

If you are unable to attend you

may keep him as a reminder of all fun you would have had.

Cordially yours,

Sir Max A. O. 

So .... she had to make a choice.  Attend the Royal Ball with Sir Max, or keep the dog.

Kendall had a plan.  After all, Sir Max suggested it.

Dear Max,
I've always wanted a dog so, Jaley says no.
Kendall
P.S. Can I have the pooper scooper and food?


I drove Kendall to Max's house.  He patiently waited at the door for Max to answer.

For what seemed like a very long time (to a 6 year old).

Max answered.  I'm not sure what he thought.  Here is Kendall with a note telling him Jaley said no because he wants to keep the dog.  Plus, Kendall wants the pooper scooper and food?!?

Thankfully Jaley saved the day moments later by walking up with Laban with her reply attached to the royal pillow.

I'm sure you are dying to know what her reply was, right?!?

P.S.  We have to give kudos to Max's talented Mom for sewing Laban's outfit late at night in preparation of this fun event!

Prom 2013 - Jenna

Prom Season!

Jenna 2013

 Jenna and her date, Nick.  A friend and co-worker.

It was really sweet.  He asked Jenna if she wanted to do corsage and boutonniere.  She said she didn't mind either way.  Nick said he would rather give her a bouquet.  I thought that was so sweet!

And beautiful!

And yes, we had to "modest-ify" the dress.  I love that my girls like and want to dress modestly.  As a mother of young boys, I know I will appreciate it when they are this age as well.

Asked to Prom

Nick, Jenna's co-worker, asked her to his prom (at another high school).

It was pretty creative!

 He said he had more papers to put on, but he was was running out of time - he had to get back to his high school for class.

 This is how she answered:

 Gotta love sticky notes!

Best Looking

In the car Kerst said, "I am going to be the best looking guy in college. That means I am going to be just like Jared (Julia's Jared)."

 I'm glad he has a great role model to look up to. 

A Holy Place/Moment

When I shared an experience my family recently had, my Mom pointed out that we had experienced the Holy Place/Moment that Sis. Dibb referred to in her talk at the General Young Women's Meeting.

When we moved to our home a couple of years ago, our kids adopted our neighbors as their grandparents.  They really enjoyed spending time with them.  Over the past year, we have not seen them as much.  Gpa T's health was failing.  We saw Gma T at Julia's reception.  It was the second time she was out in the past year for a social event.

Last week Kendall was home sick.  Gma T. called me and asked for me to put instant sugar free vanilla pudding and sugar free canned peaches on my shopping list.  She then broke into tears telling me that Gpa had only days/weeks left to live.  I told her I would be right up.  My one hour visit turned into four.

She was frantically trying to reach her boys.  One son was on Spring Break with the grandchildren on a remote island with little cell coverage, another son lived out East.  She asked me to pray with her.  I did.  

We visited.  Held hands.  Remembered.  Cried.  Laughed.

Gpa had a breathing rhythm going.  Deep breaths.  No breathing for 20 seconds.  Shallow Breathing.  Repeat.  Gma was connected and knew the pattern.  She would go over and check on him - it was during the 20 seconds on no breathing.  That pattern continued.  It was nice to be there with her.  To see heaven so close.  To see her loving and tender care of him.  She had been doing this day in and day out for a long time. She was getting worn out.  She needed help.

I needed to leave to pick the kids up from piano.  Just as I was leaving, "Visiting Angels" arrived - hospice care - to do an assessment.  She said it would take an hour.  Two hours later, she was still there.

I told the kids about Gpa T's failing health during dinner.

Kerst went to visit after dinner.  Gpa T and Kerst have a sweet connection.  Even with Alzheimers, Gpa still connected with Kerst.  He called Kerst "my little boy".  Kerst held Gpa's hand.  Gpa woke up and saw him.  He smiled and started holding "conversations" with Kerst.  Kerst conversed right back.  Kerst sang to him.  That calmed Gpa.  Kerst sang Lullaby by Billy Joel.  Kerst had the hospice helper, Lisa, in tears.  Gpa would reach up and pinch Kerst's cheeks and touch his dimples.  It was very tender.

On Wednesday, April 3, his health was failing rapidly.  Jenna and Jaley took the afternoon off of school and went to stay with Gma and Gpa and visit.  I arrived later that afternoon.  Gma told me that Gpa asked for "my little boy" frequently that day.  She had our Christmas Card and would show him Kerst's picture.  He would light up.  Kerst arrived after school and immediately came over.

Gpa heard Kerst come in and immediately called "my little boy".  Once again, the sweet interaction between the two continued.  Jenna and Kerst sang to Gpa.

Gpa would drift off.  We would sit with Gma and visit.  Gma would go over and check on Gpa.  She would tenderly touch his head, bend over and weep.  It brought Jenna to tears.  A Holy Moment.

Jenna spent her 18th birthday with them.   She told me she couldn't think of a better way to spend her day than with them.  A Holy Moment.

We left that night with Gpa's bday cake that he never ate due to his failing health.  We used it to celebrate Jenna's bday.

Thursday I stopped in to check on them in the morning.  Gpa was slipping away.

We were heading out later that day to UT to see Julia sing.  I knew heaven was close.

Kerst came home on Thursday.  I told him Gpa was not responding to anyone.  He was "transitioning" as the hospice nurse shared.  Kerst dropped his things and ran up the driveway.  I had him come back and wash his hands.  Kerst went in to see Gpa.  Gpa opened his eyes when Kerst held his hand.  We said goodbye.

Kerst sobbed as we walked down the driveway.  He has a tender heart.

We experienced a Holy Moment.

Gpa passed away on April 6 at 11:33 p.m.  One of his sons and the grandchildren were able to get home in time to say goodbye.  A tender mercy.

Kerst and Jenna are singing at his funeral tomorrow.

Stand Ye In Holy Places - General Young Women Meeting

Jenna, Jaley and I were able to attend the General Young Women's meeting at the Conference Center over Spring Break.  What a treat that was!  My sister-in-law, Mary G, was able to locate tickets for us.  It is nice to have "connections"!.

The them was "Stand Ye In Holy Places" - after the 2013 mutual theme.

It was a powerful meeting.

I really enjoyed Sis. Dibb's talk on Holy Places.

Here is a summary of her talk from our church website:

Sister Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, told young women that they can create and stand in "holy places" even in the hardest times.

She said that while a holy place can be a physical environment or a geographical location—like a temple, a Church building, or a home—but it can also be “a distinct condition, position, or state of mind.”

“This means holy places can also include moments in time,” said Sister Dibb, “moments when the Holy Ghost testifies to us, moments when we feel Heavenly Father’s love, or moments when we receive an answer to our prayers. Even more, I believe any time you have the courage to stand for what is right … you are creating a holy place.”

It is through finding, creating, and visiting those “holy places” that young women are able to experience an incredible strengthening power.

“These places are providing you with protection, strength, and peace in unsettling times. Your testimonies are becoming stronger because you are standing for truth and righteousness in glorious ways.”

I love how she pointed out not only can a place - temple, home - be holy, but also a moment in time.  That has made me think about how I can create holy moments.

8 hour drive to hear her sing - twice!

We made a quick trip to Utah to hear Julia sing.  Twice!

She had her Women's Choir concert on Friday, April 5.

It was definitely A Feast for the Senses!  They had a variety of videos playing during their music reflecting on the movement we were feeling during the pieces.  The final section of music was by the Beatles.  For their final song they handed out glow sticks to the audience.  We waved them side to side as they sang Hey Jude. It was so fun!  Julia couldn't stop smiling as she saw the audience really getting into the music with the glow sticks.

And then we were in for yet another amazing treat.  Julia was selected from the BYU Women's Choir to sing at the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference!  BYU combined choirs sing every 3 to 4 years in General Conference.  This was an amazing experience.  I had never attended General Conference in person.  The closest I ever got to attending General Conference was sitting on the lawn outside of the Tabernacle in Salt Lake when Julia was only a week or two old.  My Mom took this sweet picture of Julia and John on the lawn for General Conference.

Jesus The Very Thought of Thee

You can spot Julia here at :17 and 3:55.  She is smack dab in the middle of the second to top row.  Unfortunately the camera does not show the top rows often.

Did You Think to Pray?

We LOVED this piece.  Did You Think to Pray?  It was very moving.  The arrangement was beautiful.  I listen to this on repeat.

1:01

1:48

2:31

4:54

5:06

While watching the big screen in the conference center, this view of the choir appeared.  

4:44

This was a very moving part of the song.  If you weren't already in tears, you will be by now!

Congregational Hymn was Rejoice the Lord is King.  

I think I found where we were in the mass of people.  I'm not positive this is us, but if I was to guess, it is.  Jaley, Jenna and Kerst are in between Jared and John.

And the final song:  More Holiness Give Me.  So powerful.  Just sit back and take in the music.  Julia said it was challenging to memorize since every phrase began with "More".  She said that her testimony was strengthened as she sang this song and reflected on the phrase "More Longing for Home" - her heavenly home.  She also said this is one of her new favorite hymns.

:55

1:08

1:40

3:22

4:36

I can't even explain how amazing the music was in person.  It is moving just listening to it on the computer.  What a wonderful memory and experience.

18 and counting

18 great years today!  Happy birthday Jenna!

This is the collage I put together to be displayed at the high school's after prom party next weekend.  They will also use it to display at the senior celebration night as well.  It is a neat tradition!

First Time - YW Conference

During this Spring Break trip, Jenna, Jaley and I were able to attend the annual Young Women's Conference in the conference center.  That was a first for all of us!  My sister-in-law, Mary, was able to track down some tickets.  We walked into the conference center and headed to our section ... and who did we get to sit by? Mary with Krista!

We loved hearing about Standing in Holy Places.  What a wonderful theme the youth have had this year!

Festival of Colors

We were able to attend the Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork last week during Spring Break (we tried last year, but Jenna's accident foiled our plans).

Here are some pictures from our fun day!

We started out nice and clean ....

And then this happened - chalk throwing

My favorite of the kids!

John still has pink in his hairline - 3 days later!  I wonder what story he is telling his co-workers ....

The kids acting like zombies

We went to Sam's Club afterwards for pizza, pretzels and ice cream.  We turned some heads ...