the beginning of updates

I finally uploaded the first of the Summer movies. After having many hassles with the computers, and trying to communicate between them, we finally got it all figured out. It does take some time, and it's already late, so the other two will be added in the next couple of days. Watch the first one here.

Before adding that one, I finally got around to adding a second tap dance number, taken back in May. You can watch that here.

Oh, and I also added a couple of new drawings to my page. Well, one of them is from June, but it was Trina's Christmas present, so I couldn't actually share it yet. But she received her present already, so you can see it now. I'll let you poke around and find it (it is towards the bottom). I wish I had more to post there, but I have been busy working lately, and getting all the Christmas projects figured out. Maybe I'll set some time aside next week specifically for drawing.

To Trina

Trina posted about the family history thing and I think it's a grand idea. I was going to post this as a comment, but sometimes blogger doesn't like me to leave comments. So I'm just making it a whole new post... something we need on here anyway.

Anyway, I think it sounds like a great idea (please refer back to Trina's post "Family History".) The question that just came to mind was to ask about everyone's favorite memories of Grandma and Grandpa Beers. I realize some people don't really have any memories of them, but a lot of the older cousins probably have a lot more memories of them.

Of course we also want info about each of the cousins... funny stories, and such. I'm sure I'll think of more later.

Tawnia

School

Well, family, I've reworked my schedule. I had to drop creative writing to sign up for a history class that doesn't conflict with German. (The other available choice was a class I was bound to hate.) Also, I had signed up for a trip to Nauvoo during spring break, but as so few people have signed up for it, I thought it will probably be canceled anyway. So I'm going to Boston during spring break instead.

Tomorrow, I'm going to do an oral presentation on my history paper: "Zero Hour." Then on Friday, I'll be presenting it to the entire history department. (All four of them.) Then I have to rewrite the paper. But before I do that, I have to write a couple of essays for other classes. About a week to go, and then finals.

family history thoughts

There's apparently a big push in our stake to get people to do family history. There was a survey passed around in Relief Society and priesthood this week to ask if people are familiar with the Temple Ready and PAF programs and such, and general questions about what has been done already in our family history. My answers to the survey were that all the easy stuff has been done - we're now on the hard stuff, and it's really not a priority for me especially since I know that other people in my family are doing the heavy lifting right now.

Then it occurred to me that there's more to family history than a string of names and dates and places put into the PAF program - there are stories. So I think I will suggest to our family history coordinator that she also encourage people to do interview type things with older members of their family to preserve their more recent history before people die. I know Mom is working on her personal history with that questions-in-a-jar thing, which is good. Make sure Dad does it too, Mom!

And this is just now coming to mind - what if we started working now on doing a Beers history, and get it ready for the 2009 reunion? Could you all help me come up with questions to send to all of our aunts and uncles, and questions to send to all of the cousins? Then I'll send an email out to everyone to gather the stories/answers, and start compiling and formatting to get it ready for printing.

Back to school

Well, we headed down from Maryland today. I had a pretty good Thanksgiving. I didn't go out and see D.C., although we did go to the temple on Saturday, and I took Summer to the park more than once. (She can say "park" and "book" and "baby." Those are some of her favorite words.) So it was nice.

But now it's over, and I've got to get ready for the next couple of weeks. Here's what I have in store for me (in no particular order):

1. Rewrite 25-page research paper, which I haven't looked at since I finished the first draft.
2. Work. And the store is now open even later. Oh fun. I have thirteen hours this week, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so I don't get a weekend at all.
3. Figure out my schedule for next semester, and hopefully arrange it so that I CAN graduate in May. This is causing me great distress.
4. Figure out how to pay for next semester.
5. Spend a couple of hours writing my latest story. November is novel writing month, after all, and I'm just getting up to the exciting part of the story.
6. The rest of my classes -- Am Civ, German, biology. And the stinking reading assignments for the senior paper class, which I really dislike.

I'm not feeling very happy right now.

Stevie's Words, and the cat

Hi all, just thought I'd let you know that a couple of new Stevie videos have been posted (and there's some Allie in there as well). I'll be putting up new pictures soon. If I don't get it done this week just call in the evening and bug me about it. I have made new goals about getting things done, so feel free to support me in that.

We just wrapped up a nice visit with Sarah, Amber, and a boy (gasp!) that Amber seems to have taken a shine to. Also, Anthon and Julie (his wife) came over. We had a good time. Well, I did anyway. I shouldn't speak for anyone else.

We've had a nice week here in Rexburg, Idaho. We pretty much just stuck to the house and the family. I got a lot of reading done, and did a lot of playing with Stevie. Laurel's family enjoyed the kids. Stevie really took to everyone. He's such a loving guy. Laurel's mom had a special time with Allie, and today in church Stevie was finally good when he sat on his grandpa's lap.

Tomorrow we're travelling home. We should be back by the evening. We're driving to Utah in the late morning/afternoon, then it's a quick flight to home. We'll probably spend more time waiting in the airport than in the air. I'm not really looking forward to being back at work, but I'm not dreading it either.

We had a good Thanksgiving. I am thankful for so much this year. I have a wonderful wife and we have a beautiful pair of children, the gospel, health, and everything we need. I'm also thankful for each of you and the relationships we have and will continue to develop. I'm so excited for all the wonderful things you have going on in your lives... Clarissa going to the temple and on her mission soon, Emily wrapping up her undergrad degree, Tawnia back in school, Nathan and Amanda and Jared and Michelle and Trina and Adam and let's not forget Mindy and Dad and Mom. (breath) All doing great things and continuing to be just great people. I love you all.

My Turkey Day

My Thanksgiving was grand. I spent the day with Mindy, Mom, Dad, Clarissa, the Dicksons, and Aunt Marli. We ate lots of good food and then played games like three men on a couch and nerts. It was fun.

Love,
Tawnia

Happy day after Thanksgiving

Hello, family. I'm here with Trina, Adam, two of the most beautiful little girls in the entire world, and right now Adam's sister is over with her family. We had eight adults and five little kids over yesterday. I actually spent quite a bit of time at a little park around the corner. Summer loves the swings and the slide, but I had to keep a pretty close eye on her. It took a while for dinner to get done -- the turkey was in the oven for hours. But it finally got done.

I am thankful for my family and that we are so close to each other, even if we may be miles apart. How was your Thanksgiving?

Why the Dishes Never Get Done, Chapter 37

Summer and Rosemary run a great tag-team on me with their naps. Rosemary sleeps all morning while Summer plays and gets into trouble. The minute Summer goes down for her nap in the early afternoon - the time varies, but still, the minute Summer goes down for her nap, Rosemary wakes up and wants to eat for the entire 2 hours. When Summer gets up, Rosemary goes back to sleep until after dinner, while Summer is particularly destructive and difficult to keep occupied. The only time they're both awake is in the evening. It's almost like they planned this ahead of time, it's so dead on. So much for studying during Summer's nap, because there's no putting on the headphones while she's up and running around unless there is someone else here to supervise. (Not that I got much studying done while Mindy was here anyway ... somehow that just didn't happen the way I had pictured it.)

So if anyone has suggestions on how to get Summer and Rosemary to sleep AT THE SAME TIME, I would appreciate it. And yes, I already know the whole thing about "wake up the baby when you want her to be awake, and then she'll be tired when you're ready for her to sleep." Doesn't work very well with these 2. If they don't want to wake up, they won't. It can sometimes take almost an hour to wake up Summer from her nap, and I fought Rosemary about waking up to eat for the first 2 weeks. She's doing better about eating, and now I'd like her to get onto a better schedule for sleeping.

do you have cable?

If you don't ... you're about to lose your TV signal. All TV stations in the country are switching to ONLY digital signal on Feb. 17, 2008 (most have been doing a dual signal as they've upgraded over the last 10 years or so), and regular "analog" TVs won't be able to read it. I don't think anyone in our family has upgraded to an HDTV (except Jared - if I remember right, he won one), which will pick up the digital signal without cable. If you have cable or satellite or DirectTV, you're fine with an old TV. If you're like us and don't have cable, you need a converter box for your TV which will apparently be available at electronics stores after the first of the year.

More information: www.dtvanswers.com

I saw this website and the info on the news yesterday. Just thought I'd pass it on.

Cows

I have now been to the church dairy farm three times in one year. The bishop said that two times in a row meant your calling and election was made sure and that three times meant you were extra special.... so yeah, no worries about me now (hehe). I actually really enjoy the dairy assignment, even when it means shoveling cow manure. The thing I like the most is the comraderie, especially when we go out to eat afterwards smelling like manure. So my advice is to take the service opportunities in your area, whatever they may be.

Love,
Tawnia

Grandma's 100th Birthday

Today is a very important day. If my mother were alive she would be 100 years old. For those of you who remember her, what are some of your favorite memories of Grandma? She was a very tiny woman but she was very sweet and a hard worker. She was a true example of Christlike love. I miss my Mommy and it seems incredible that she would be 100 if she were here with us. Just thought you'd want to remember her today.

Love ya,
MOM

Temple Trip

I'm going through the temple November 24 (that's the Saturday after Thanksgiving) at 10 am. Your challenge, if you choose to except it, is to be at your respective temples at the same time I am. That would be 11 am for those in Idaho and Utah, 12 pm for those in Texas and 1 pm for those in Washington DC.

Addresses and such

Now that you all know where I am going (Florida Orlando Mission) and when (January 9, 2008), feel free to talk amongst yourselves or shower me with advice.
While in the MTC, you can write to me at:

Sister Clarissa Nicole Palmer
Florida Orlando Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

Once I get to Florida, send letters and packages to:

Sister Clarissa Nicole Palmer
Florida Orlando Mission
10502 Satellite Blvd Ste E
Orlando, FL 32837-8426

Adam wins the guessing game because he said "I say that you go someplace that no one has picked." No one picked Florida. Runners up would be Jared with Arkansas and Nathan with St Louis, Missouri.

There we have Idaho

It's amazing how quickly vacation plans change. We're going to Idaho for Thanksgiving. Lots and lots of fun for all. We'll be gone from 11/17 (the Saturday before) until 11/26 (the Monday after).

Also, we're going to Cheryl's wedding on Saturday. I just talked to Debbie and she and Speedy will be there, as will Max and Jean (she said). It should be nice to see everyone.

Christmas Exchange

I don't know if anyone else had forgotten about it, but I sure did, so I wanted to post this friendly neighborhood reminder about the gift exchanges for this year. If you click on "September" over there--> in the sidebar it'll take you straight to the details.

Updates to Eric's Page

Hi all. Happy Monday!

I've posted a few updates to my page. There's a new Stevie picture, some Halloween photos, and a link to Laurel's favorite Robot Chicken clip.

Hey Jared. It'll be okay. Lay out your priorities, do your best, be honest with yourself and your leaders, and most of all take your concerns to the Lord, and you'll know what to do.

Oh man...

I just got a third calling at church yesterday. I'm already the Physical Facilities Rep and an Elders Quorum instructor, and now they want me to be the Assistant Webelos Leader. What, do they think I'm made of time and energy? I already have none of either!

good night Summer

Summer doesn't like going to sleep at night. She'll stand up in her crib and scream if she's alone, especially if she doesn't have a bottle. So someone will take her out and sing to her for a while. If she doesn't fall asleep, you have to try again, because she just won't cry herself to sleep. It can get frustrating, but it's just what has to be done. Last night I set her in the crib, to let her know that it was time for bed. She screamed, and held her arms out for me to hold her. So I took her in my arms, and sat down in the rocking chair, with her head on my shoulder. I wasn't in the mood to sing, and I noticed the Book of Mormon on the shelf. So I picked it up and started reading, first Nephi, chapter one. She was asleep before I got to chapter two.

Hello

I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I would give an update. We're doing good. Did everyone have a fun Halloween. Brooke was a devil and Bryan was a jedi master. They got a lot of candy. We had a lot of trick or treaters come to our house also.

Last week I was asked to be the home room mom for Brooke class. I will help with the Christmas and Valentine's day parties. I am also an activities day leader for the 10 and 11 year old girls at chuch. They are very giggly and nice girls. It's fun. Other that that, I am still playing house wife.

The kids got their report cards today. Both were really good. Bryan got all E's and S's. Teacher note said that he always has a smile on his face and she enjoys having him in her class. He is doing more than satisfactory work in class. He can move forward with spelling words and attemping sentances. "However, please talk to him about working faster." Looks like kindergarten is off to a good start.

Brooke got all A's: 93 in reading, 91 in language, 97 math, 96 science, and 94 for social studies. She got E's and S's in everything else. Hooray! This is the first time Brooke has gotten actually number grades, last year was just letters (no +'s or -"s). I can see exactly how she is doing. Kinda cool. Brooke teacher wrote Brooke is very sweet, curtious, and helpful. She is making friends and getting along with classmates. She is strong in all subject areas. Please encourage her to continue read at home. I couldn'task for more.