January Snow Days

The last few days have been a blur--me not feeling well, school & schedules all askew. We spent the last two days indoors grateful for electricity, warmth, and good shovels. With no school in session (Wednesday as well for Brian) we all got to play a few computer games and relax. Unfortunately it also meant we couldn't get Scot everything he wanted for his birthday dinner. Even though the spaghetti & meatballs with garlic bread dinner will have to wait we still were able to enjoy a homemade birthday cake with excellent frosting (Scot made it himself).
We had him open presents last night since we were unsure of what would be happening today. He was excited with new outdoor scout gear, as was Brian (he's our new 11 year old scout leader). Another highlight was a kit to make balloon animals from Grandma & Grandpa Nielson. How cool is that?
James worked especially hard at making an igloo yesterday after the boys played outside together with their friend. Spending 4 hours (about 3 of them trying to finish up the hole on top) he finally came in. During most of that time the snow had changed to freezing rain and his coat, snowpants, hair were covered in icy snow. Brian got home a little early; he and Scot shoveled the driveway. Then with all of them in you could hear it raining inside and out--the freezing rain lasted mostly through the night as well as the dripping snow gear.
James' igloo held through the night and the additional morning snow so I couldn't figure out why Scot was anxiously pulling James to the window late morning. Apparently the igloo could not withstand the neighbor kids. Brian helped him (with the pretense of shoveling the driveway again) and Scot pile up a huge snowbank that they'll dig out in a few days for an exceptional igloo.
The girls just went on their own business playing where ever, whatever. Today Maggie wrote (dictated, really) a movie, "Barbie and the Apple." She initially wanted to create a PowerPoint movie, as she'd seen Scot do (and as he'd suggested), but I convinced her (with much convincing) that we could create it with live video. I bought myself a whole afternoon as she prepped the play table with a very creative set including her My Little Pony castle and other props. Tomorrow we film...unless of course the script or characters change...again.
Paul's best moment today was taste testing Scot's frosting. Not realizing he was allowed to take the beater from Brian's outstretched hand, Paul began his taste test by softly touching just the very outer layer of the frosting--like he was touching its sheen. This way he could only get a small dot on his short finger, but that didn't stop a complete suck of his entire finger. He did this over and over, not understanding my urges to skip the finger and go for the beater. Not until I showed him how by licking it myself did he take a lick. Then he grabbed the whole beater to get every last lick. Anything that dripped on the chair was promptly found by a sticky finger and sucked down.
So, in all, I think we did alright through the snow and ice. Scot had an enjoyable birthday, and we all got to relax from school and work. I've probably made Brian sick--James, too, not making him wear a hat (I blame a fuzzy mind)--but I think we'll all survive. One more highlight: a tv highlight of my cousin (once removed) from Mt. Pleasant, UT. Eddie, D-Bob's mom is my cousin on my mom's side. Pretty neat clip, check it out while you can:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5424142

After School Lessons

James giving an after-school lesson on (1) Galileo and (2) why some boys have girl names (and why some girls have boy names). This, of course, was after a very scientific demonstration of the law of gravity & proving that objects of different weights still fall at the same rate. James proved this with a magnetic square and a sock. Maggie then tried to same experiment with a popcorn kernal and a Cheerio. Both experiments were successful. Another afternoon of the miracle of knowledge and Paul wishfully thinking he's just one of the big kids.

James' Baptism Memories

I was baptized a year and a half ago. I remember feeling warm inside and very happy. I was not nervous, but so excited because I’d seen my older brother, Scot, get baptized. I’m going to tell you a few things about my baptism day so you can be excited about your baptism too.

My baptism day started out just like any other Saturday. I woke up, had breakfast, and then went to my soccer game. But this Saturday was different because half way through the game I had to leave to get ready to go to the church.

At the church I was surrounded by many friends and family. Waiting for the meeting to begin, I sat in the front row with my dad. Looking behind me I saw my grandmas and grandpa, aunts & uncles, my mom and brothers and sisters, plus my very good church friends.

One of my friend’s birthdays is close to mine. His name is Wyatt and he was baptized the same day. He also had lots of family there. The room was full of people dressed up in their Sunday clothes. Wyatt and I were dressed in white clothes, just like our dads.

Our family members gave talks and sang songs and then it was time to be baptized. Walking into the font I was surprised that the water was a little cold. I hope you have warmer water!

When I was confirmed and received the Holy Ghost I had a really good happy feeling. I bet it was the same kind of feeling I had when I first came to earth. I was happy because I was following Heavenly Father’s plan for me. I know when you get baptized you’ll be following Heavenly Father’s plan for you.

by James

Eight is Great

Tonight the boys attended our ward's "Eight is Great" fireside for the boys and girls (and their families) turning eight this year. I was asked to play the piano; James was asked to give a talk; Scot just wanted to go. Helping James prepare his talk (which was about his baptism) was a flood of memories for me. Not only did we get to celebrate his baptism, but also Paul's blessing; and we got to do it with amazing family support: my mom and two brothers, Erin & Sid, Gr.Grandma & Gr.Grandpa Hatch, Gr.Grandma Nielson, Grandpa & Grandma Nielson, Andrea, David, Jonathan & Quinn.

It was also wonderful to share this weekend with the Hunters & their baptism and blessing. It added another ribbon woven into a life-long friendship for James & Wyatt and both our families. In addition, we (and by "we" I mean "I") especially felt love all around. Not only from family, which meant so much, but also incredible families who have influenced our family (and by "family" I mean "me"): the Bertoldos, the Wilkinsons, the Reagans, the Marbles, the Davis's...(I'm sure I'm missing some). Being hundreds of miles away makes me miss their inspiration all the more.

For the program, Wyatt's grandpa sang & played the guitar, David spoke on the Holy Ghost, my mom led the music, etc. And James started his 8 year old life clean and pure--a whole week's worth of accountability before becoming a member of the church.

I'm posting a few of the pictures that we had on our camera from that weekend, but if anyone has a picture of the whole group after church that Sunday I'd appreciate a copy! James' talk is the above post, obviously. We wrote it together: he told me about things he remembered and felt & I wrote it into a talk. He delivered it well--paused at just the right moment to get the laugh:) Can't you just hear him giving it?

Maybe this post will help you remember your own baptism. Mine being so long ago (lol), it's a little hard to remember the details, but the feelings never quite go away. I know mine haven't, but they have grown deeper watching my two sons baptized.

Archives

Finding that picture of me playing in the flour made me thumb through my baby book--a precious collection of pictures, certificates, and journal entries that was lovingly made by mother. My mom, of course, will tell you it's not terribly terrific, and in fact, many of the fill-in-the-blank entries are blank and some of the pictures are not of me. I don't really care about the imperfections, I just care that my mom put it together for me. It is one possession that has always made me feel special, and it is one thing that I've always hoped to create for my own kids. So far I'm only 2 for 5, but I haven't given up yet (hopefully they haven't either). I guess what James taught in Family Home Evening this last Monday about fighting our Goliaths is true. Goliath just doesn't fall down, you have to prepare and actually do something.

Looking through my treasures I found this newletter I created around my 3rd grade year--I was probably 8 or 9 years old. Not too dissimilar from the newpapers the kids created earlier this year. Mine, however, was named "Thornton News," not their catchy title, "The Daily [or Weekly] Kids" and mine was typed, yes, on a typewriter. It's nice to know that the acorns don't fall too far from the tree (at least at this point--I'm sure I'll take that back sometime in the future).

Let's make something!

Caught in the flour again!

Paul got busted playing in the flour bin over the Christmas break. Guess who else loved playing in flour, only 30 years earlier!

It's a New Year

Happy New Year, y'all! We pray that 2009 will bring you happiness & peace.

We brought in the new year with the Ritzman's. Think chocolate fountain (with white chocolate), shrimp ceviche, pizza, fizzy drinks, fun games, movies projected on larg(ish) screens, and Wii. A very fun way to celebrate, even being sore the next day from Wii tennis. The rest of our new year up to date is just getting back to a routine--school, work, errands, etc. I volunteered in Maggie's class this week. The boys are reading Harry Potter. Paul still walks around hitting people.

Our church schedule changed and we're back to a 9am start time. Primary has been an adjustment, getting used to my new calling & remembering the difference in teaching 4 year olds vs. teenage girls. True, sometimes the attention and tear levels can be similar. So far it's been great--I'm trying not to get kicked out because I'd hate to leave!

Enjoy the new video of Paul. It makes me laugh everytime I see it!