First Stake Dance

Michael and Jacob celebrated their fourteenth birthday on January 24th, 2008. Not only were they both ordained to the office of teachers in the Aaronic Priesthood, but they are also now able to attend LDS Stake Dances. It’s hard to even number the Stake Dances that Rex has attended over the years as a chaperone. So it wasn’t ironic that he was assigned to be a chaperone for the first Stake Dance that Michael and Jacob were allowed to attend. Rex didn’t ask if they wanted to go - they were going.

I didn’t envision Michael or Jacob asking any girls to dance, but I could see that a girl or two might ask them to dance since we’ve had a few girls call the house to talk to the boys. We had a talk with the boys that afternoon letting them know that it was our expectation as parents that they would dance with ANYONE that asked them to dance. It was unacceptable to say “no” to anyone. When they returned home they said they had an okay time. Rex later told me that they danced twice - both times they were asked by girls. No surprise there.

It’s amazing to watch these two young men grow and mature. They are great! I just can’t believe how fast times flies. I feel young because I remember my first Stake Dance like it was yesterday. I went with Elizabeth Buehler and her dad was one of the chaperones. And yet I feel old because I have sons who are taller than myself and because they just attended their first Stake Dance. I love you with all my heart Michael and Jacob!

Darn that Weather

I was excited today because I was "planning" my post for tonight, unfortunately the weather didn't want to cooperate.

Michael and Jacob had a track meet scheduled for this afternoon, but when I walked in the door from a run to Costco, Jacob informed me that the meet had been cancelled due to the drop in temperature and the dark clouds looming in the western sky.

I had planned to take some "video clips" to post, similar to what I did of Brooke's soccer game. I've felt recently that my blog focuses mainly on my youngest child and the three others are mentioned minimally. I don't do it on purpose, but at five she seems to be the one who says the funniest things and makes the strangest choices. In defense of the Brookeness of my blog, I will say that Michael, Jacob and Erin have scrapbooks that are at least caught up to their fifth birthdays and I haven't even started one for poor Brooke.

So let's pray for better weather, so you can all see my boys run! Oh, and let's not forget Erin - more coming about her in a bit.

Brooke's Soccer Game - aka Bunch Ball

Thought you'd like to see our Soccer Super Star in action. Brooke made three goals all of which I caught on film. She's a real tough girl as seen in the fourth video clip. Way to go, Brookie!




FIRST GOAL

SECOND GOAL

THIRD GOAL

TOUGH GIRL - falls down and pops right back up

I though it was supposed to be April Showers?

We woke up yesterday to a couple of inches of snow! The snow was heavy and wet - perfect for building a snowman. Jacob and Michael helped Brooke build one in the backyard. Erin arrived home from school just in time to put on some stick arms.

Is anyone else ready for Spring? I sure am!

Jacob, Brooke and Erin enjoy the snow!

Waffles!

In honor of our Swedish ancestory, my mom encouraged us to all have waffles last Tuesday for National Waffle Day.

I found a delish recipe here http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=382 . The waffle recipe was good and the sauce was AWESOME! You could use it on top of ice cream or cheesecake or anything else!!

Enjoy the pics - the little girl sitting next to Erin is a friend from church.

Don't wait until tomorrow

Yesterday one of the men that Rex has home taught, basically since we moved into the ward, returned home to his Heavenly Father. It was unexpected and caught so many by surprise. As I watched my husband mourn with this man's family my heart filled with love and gratitude. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. Can I say that I've always loved the fact that he is willing to drop everything for someone? Honestly, no, but yesterday I realized how blessed I am to be married to someone so kind and selfless. He is such an example to me. I still have so much to learn.

As I sat thinking about the day's events I remembered this poem that someone sent me many years ago. I know it's Valentine's Day and out of all the days in a given year this is the one where we remember to tell those we love how much we care, but please don't forget to do it tomorrow or a month from now. Life is short...let's not live with any regrets.

If I Knew

If I knew it would be the last time
that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I would see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say that "I love you,"
Instead of assuming that you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
well, I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything all right.

There will always be another day
to say our "I love you's"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved ones tight.

So, if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, a kiss,
And you were to busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them,
and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take the time to say "I'm sorry," "please forgive me,"
"thank you" or "It's okay"
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Nothing like a best friend!

I was talking to my best friend (we've been friends since 9th grade) earlier in January. I asked her if she was going to escape the cold of Utah anytime soon. She said that she would be headed to Tampa, FL to visit her dh who does a lot of work in Florida. After spending the weekend she would be heading over to Orlando to take her kids to Disney. My sister lives in Orlando and I'd been considering escaping the cold of Colorado to go see her. I thought how much fun it would be to spend some time with both of them, so I invited myself along. Luckily, we truly are good friends and she didn't say no.

My best friend has awesome connections at Disney and was able to get us two nights at the Grand Floridian and three days at Disney World for myself and the kids for a great price. It was so fun to be there with all of her kids. Michael and Jacob had a great time because her son, Zach is only a few weeks older than they are. They were able to "escape" the little kids for awhile and head to the big rides.

Some of the highlights of the trip:

Celebrating Michael and Jacob's birthday on the 24th. Despite their desire to keep it a secret, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter made sure that the entire restaurant knew about it.

Taking Erin on the Rockin' Roller Coaster and having her say it was so much fun.

Laughing as Brooke took some funny pictures of Tigger and a buxom lady.

Being amazed that Brooke would be tall enough to go on the Tower of Terror AND would go on it not once but TWICE!

Riding the new roller coaster at Wild Animal Kingdom with Rachel my friends daughter.

Eating delicious ice cream near the Tower of Terror and what a great price.

Using the "Rider Switch" pass to our advantage and all nine of us riding back to back on Soarin' Over California.

Other things I'll definitely remember:

How many times Brooke "disappeared."

How Brooke was almost run over by a bus.

How the kids wanted to push the stroller instead of ride in it.

Overall, what a great trip!!!

I'll post more about visitng Lisa in the next post.