My birthday

I would like to thank everyone with birthday calls (Trina, it was so nice hearing Rosemary talk), cards (including an e-mailed card), presents, and wishes for a happy birthday. Thank you.

We had the cake and birthday dinner on Saturday, because Nathan, Amanda, Joshua, and Tawnia were going to Salem for the weekend. And then on Sunday, I went to church. The Primary kids sang happy birthday. Eric made Chinese. Then Aunt Marli, Sarah, and certain Dicksons came over in the evening. We had great fun playing "In the Manner of the Adverb." Sam was great -- he held hands with his wife hungrily and pulled weeds reverently. And I had great fun brushing my teeth suspiciously and watching a movie defiantly. It was so funny.

I hope you all are having a great Christmas. I got a new dress, a couple of movies, and five books, including a fantasy trilogy by Terry Brooks (which I'm greatly enjoying) and "Rebekah" by Orson Scott Card. And I've been having fun with my niece and nephews.

the proposal story

So Aaron and I have been talking about getting married for a while, but had decided it would be best to wait until next summer to get engaged. He wanted to ask Mom and Dad's permission, and we didn't want to be engaged for a long time. Basically, I was not expecting anything.

We were spending Christmas Eve at his mother's house out in Cremona, with all of his family. Due to family circumstances and plans we opened all the presents on Christmas Eve after a large dinner. I was happy, watching them all open things, and collecting quite a stash myself as well. Didn't have a clue what was coming up. Thinking back on it though, he couldn't seem to sit still the entire night, like he was waiting for something to happen. Anyway, we all looked around at one point and figured that everything had been opened. That's when Aaron went back behind the tree and pulled out a little red box.

He brought the box over to me, where I was sitting on the floor, and kinda got down on one knee. I pulled off the lid and found a sparkly pink heart necklace and matching pink earrings.



I can't remember exactly how the rest happened, since I was in a daze, but I think he held out his hand with ring number one, and said something like, "I think this would look great with those."



He slipped it on my ring finger and said, "You can wear that until we get THIS one re-sized." And then he went back up to the tree, pulling a little box down from near the angel.



This time, he got down on one knee and said, "I know we've been talking about it, but here's the official question: will you marry me?" I got all blubbery like a girl and started crying and somehow remembered to say yes. (And so we're all clear, the ring isn't purple, it's a pink sapphire.)



We hugged and kissed and his family said hooray. And then I asked, all startled like, "Did you ask my parents?!" He chuckled and said yes .. that was who he had been on the phone with the day before, when I was yelling at him that he would be late for work, and he said it was his mom. And then I called everyone and walked around in a daze.

To answer the other question: the wedding will hopefully be next Christmas, or the following August. Either when he finishes school (next December), so he can move down here while I finish, or when we're both done (I graduate in July 2010) and I can move up to Canada where we plan on living.

pictures

Christmas pictures are on my personal blog now. Hope everyone enjoyed the snow in Oregon - wish we could have been there with you!

FHE

I found this in an old journal and just had to share it.

"Dec 17, 1995

...we came home and had family home evening.

I was lesson and for that we watched "Mr. Krueger's Christmas." It is one of my favorite Christmas movies. Our special number by Eric was interesting. He asked Trina and I to join in whistling "Love at Home," but we kept laughing, so we sang "Joy to the World."

Last we had activity, a round of "Do You Love Your Neighbor?" and then some catch. Then we ate some vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips on it."

Salem Winter Wonderland

Hey everyone. We aren't getting nearly as much snow as Lafayette but here are some pictures from the past couple of days.

Bush on 12-21-08



Bush on 12-22-08

Parking lot 12-22-08

On 12-21-08 Joshua couldn't take being inside anymore and so we ventured out into the wintry paradise.

On the 21st again playing with what he called icicles.

We had fat flakes this morning (22nd) and we went out to see them.

When this picture was taken the room was only lit by half a dozen candles. Joshua is holding a flashlight and that is a windy LED light on his play mat. Our power was out most of the day yesterday, but came back on at 7:30 pm.

On the 21st I wandered over to Minto Brown Island Park across the street and took some pictures. The interesting thing is this dock has always been partially submerged. In this picture it is frozen in this pond.

This tree is getting a little drowsy.

"Christmas trees" on the corner of our street.

It is really beautiful and quiet outside but very cold. We hope we're able to make it to Mom and Dad's for Christmas. At least we're in a warm home and have plenty of food and diapers and not at an airport or bus station trying to get somewhere or trying to find a spot to sleep like many other people right now.

Merry Christmas everyone!

speaking of "awwww "

I need to put this on my mommy blog, but I thought I'd put it here too since the title fit so neatly after Tawnia's post ...

Summer occasionally asks for the "Awwww" song. She says it rather drawn out. It took me awhile to figure out what she was referring to - she wants us to sing "Angels we have heard on high" where we sing "Gloooooooooooooooria, in excelsis deo." She apparently doesn't realize there's a "Gl" on the beginning of the "awwww" part and that we're actually saying a word.

P.S. Adam has a job interview in 10 MINUTES. Prayers today that it goes through! And his last final is tonight, and all of his papers are turned in so as of 9:01 pm he will be officially DONE with law school!

YAAAAA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Sweet

Yesterday I sang a duet with a girl in my ward for our ward Christmas program. It just so happens that this girl is the older sister of one of my former students (small world I know). We sang, and did well (and then today I came down with a cold.) Anyway, I saw her at FHE tonight and told her about all the compliments I had gotten (and therefore she had gotten also since we sang together.) A few minutes later she came up to me and said, "hey I've been meaning to tell you this.... I mentioned to Emily (her sister that I taught) how we were singing together and she told me that you were her favorite teacher and always would be." That pretty much melted my heart. You can all say "awww" now.

Joshua's blog

Joshua posted on his blog. If you have not seen it...you should.

safe and sound

So yesterday I got up shortly after five in the morning, and got the last few things loaded into my car. I was out of Rexburg by six, out of Idaho by seven. All the mountains in Montana that I was worried about were clear - no snow at all. The roads were perfect, and I actually made it to my halfway point (Great Falls) in less than five hours. It's a good thing that part of the trip went so well, because the rest was a little less fun.

I got to the border, and they made me go inside. I had had to in September too, but it wasn't a big deal. This time was more complicated, because I was planning for staying so long. And, after they looked in my car, seeing all my stuff (since I didn't put any in storage), made it look even worse. And it didn't help that I've gone through the process of permanent residency before, so they can tell I've wanted to live up here before and am aware of the process of being able to stay. I had to explain the track system at school, and just pray that they believed my story. The girl seemed reluctant to let me in, but she said, "Don't make me regret doing this," and then gave me a temporary visitor's pass thing, saying I can't work or go to school (which is expected), and I have to leave the country on or before April 20th, since that's when school starts. I'm not going to make her regret it, because I do plan on leaving Canada, and I plan on taking all my stuff back out of the country too. But it was a stressful little bit, while she asked me all sorts of questions and all that.

So the border took up an hour of my time, putting me back on schedule. The next hour and a half was fine, but after passing through Lethbridge, it started to snow. At first there was more snow blowing around on the road than the grass, but eventually it got harder and harder to see the edge of the road, and then it became difficult to even see where the lanes were. We all generally drove behind each other in the slow lane, so it would stay partially clear. But, even after all that slowing down, I still made it to Aaron's apartment only 30 minutes behind schedule. The drive through the snow was scary enough, I don't even want to think about what it would have been like after dark. But I'm here, and I'm safe, and VERY grateful that I drove out yesterday and not today!

Packages

Well... packages are on their way to Florida, Maryland, Texas and Canada. I even had to fill out customs on the Canadian one. Woohoo. It came to a whopping $30 to mail the four packages, so I hope you are all happy and that they get there before Christmas. They asked if I wanted to get e-mail notification when they had been delievered for an extra charge. I said no, because I figured that you would all e-mail me and let me know when the packages got there. So... this is my asking for e-mail (or blog, or phone call or smoke signal... just kidding) confirmation that the package arrived.

Thanks!

And for all of those who will be in Oregon. Please, just let me know that I've arrived home safely with your presents on Christmas morning and that it isn't just a fabulous dream!

New Family Photo

Hi all. Here's a picture our hometeacher's wife took of us today. Isn't that nice? (Actually, we never have that much good luck taking pictures of the kids. Laurel worked a little PaintShop magic to get both of them looking at the camera...)

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa! We love you and are looking forward to spending Christmas with you and Mom and all those other guys (just kidding, we love all of you too)

Love,

Eric, Laurel, Stephen Frank, and Allie

the final days

If you haven't seen - Jared put up a bunch of pictures of Emma! Hooray! She's a beautiful baby. And I love seeing more pictures of Brooke and Bryan. Bryan has such personality in his expressions .. and when did Brooke get braces? I had no idea! I look forward to seeing all of you guys at the reunion next summer.

So I'm down to my final weeks. Week and two days, actually. I got my work schedule last night and I'm driving north to Canada next Saturday. And then Aaron immediately told me that he's working on Saturday - from 5pm to 2am. I guess I'll see him when I wake up in the morning. But I'm very ready to get out of Rexburg .. I just have a ton of stuff to do in the meantime.

T 12/4: Graphic Design class, Outlet release party*, Old Testament, work (maybe)
F 12/5: Graphic Design class, dance practice with Daniel @ noon
S 12/6: group practice @ 11:15, dance competition** 12-2, work 3:30-9:15
S 12/7: work 11:30-5:15, Christmas broadcast, work party 8:00
M 12/8: Doctrines of the Gospel class, Social Dance class, Design and Color class, work 6-9:15
T 12/9: GD Poster/Presentation due, OT class, group performance/Big Band Dance 7-10
W 12/10: DofG class - take final, DandC class - final, work 6-9:15
T 12/11: GD class, OT class
F 12/12: GD workbook due (worth 25% of grade), work 5-9:15
S 12/13: Leave 6am for Canada

Besides being where I need to be, I have to actually do the assignments, study for the finals, write/mail my Christmas memories, make two more birthday cards, pack up everything, and find time to sleep.

And if anyone hadn't heard, my cellphone will be turned off after I head into Canada, and Mom and Dad will terminate it then. I'll come up with my own phone when I come back in April.

*Outlet release party. So around the same time I entered stuff into the BYU-I gallery (end of October), I also submitted a few pieces to the Outlet. It's a magazine published by students of student art and writing. A few weeks later they sent out an email to let us know we could pick up our submitted pieces, and they would email us later that day to let us know if we made it in. I never got an email, so I assumed I didn't make it. Alas, on Monday of this week, I DID get an email, saying how they hoped everyone had gotten the email to let them know they were in, and that they were having a party on Thursday to celebrate. I'm hoping this means I get a free copy of it, but if not I'll buy one anyway, because that's just cool. I have no idea what made it in, so I'll have to update you later on that.

**Dance competition. For my social dance class we have to participate in a competition. We get the same grade if we make first or last, but if you're in the top you get a ribbon! (ooooh and awwwww) We have the opportunity to dance either waltz or cha-cha or both. While the teacher was talking about it, a guy named Adam asked me to dance cha-cha (which I'm excited about, because cha-cha is fun!) and then later after class Daniel asked me to dance waltz with him. I feel very popular.

A "Great" Teacher

Today I taught the Kindergarteners about how the Earth revolves around the Sun and rotates at the same time. We practiced revolving and rotating. I was the sun, and they walked around me for the revolving. Then I had them spin around for the rotating. (I didn't have them try to attempt both at the same time.) After leaving my room they go out to recess. I was heading upstairs to make some copies at that same time and one of the kids was trying to put his coat on (upside-down... just doesn't work to well, go figure.) So I helped him put his coat on and we had the following coversation.

Daniel: Thanks for teaching us that stuff about the planents going around the sun today Miss Palmer.
Me: You're welcome.
Daniel: How did you learn that stuff?
Me: I must have had a really great teacher when I was younger.
Daniel: Was Mrs. Neiger your teacher (she is the kindergarten teacher and has adult children, but none my age, so probably wasn't teaching when I was in Kindergarten.)

Anyway, after that I had to go and tell Mrs. Neiger that she must be "a really great teacher" at least in Daniel's eyes.


Another quick story. I was reading with some of my first graders and we were discussing the book afterwards. It was about a girl who moved to the city and didn't have friends and then she went out and made friends. So we talked about moving and having to make new friends. One of the girls then asked, "Do you know how many friends I have?" I said, "No." And she replied, very knowingly, "About a million." I chuckled a little to myself and turned to the other girl and asked her how many friends she had. She thought about it for a minute and then said, "Five." I think one of them was exaggerating, but I'm glad to know she feels loved.

And to finish it off. I am teaching my fifth graders about genetics. Today we were talking about learned behaviors versus inherited traits. One of the students said that personality is inherited. It was at the end of class and that sparked a bit of a discussion. I sent home the question as homework (they have class with me again next Monday). So I want your input... is personality a learned behavior or an inherited trait?

Okay, one more. I drive a couple of girls home after school and on the way I was asking one of the girls what classes she is taking (she's in seventh grade). She told me. Then I asked her about her favorite one. I then pointed out the fact that sometimes the teacher makes a really big difference in the class. I asked her if her favorite teacher was the one that taught her favorite class. Her fifth grade sister was sitting in the back seat and I teasingly said that I couldn't ask her because I'd be hurt if she didn't say it was me. The seventh grader then said, "Actually, she does really like you. She's talked about it at home, so I can be her witness." It was one of those sweet, "aaawww" moments.

Those are the joys of teaching.

Christmas review

To make sure everyone remembers their Christmas exchange stuff, the info is HERE. And to make sure I know who is where, so I know where to make sure the memory letters go, here's what I know of:

OREGON: Dad, Mom, Eric, Laurel, Stevie, Allie, Tawnia, Emily, Nathan, Amanda, Joshy, Uncle Gary, Aunt Karen.

DC: Trina, Adam, Summer, Marnie

TEXAS: Jared, Michelle, Brooke, Bryan, Emma

CANADA: Mindy (and Aaron)

FLORIDA: Clarissa

Did I get that right?

grateful

This year, I am thankful for ...

~ Adam. There are so many things that I could list that he does for me - it would go on and on and on all day.
~ Summer and Marnie, and the bit of heaven on earth that they are.
~ the spiritual power of the Book of Mormon.
~ living so close to a temple, and that we can attend frequently.
~ babysitting swaps.
~ our generous and supportive friends, here in DC and anywhere else in the world.
~ living in a city where there's tons of stuff to do with kids and it's FREE.
~ the support of our extended family, even though everyone lives so far away.
~ that we don't need anything (except, apparently, egg nog which Adam just announced from the other room). We have plenty of stuff, plenty of food, and a comfortable home.
~ that even though we have a lot of debt right now, it was responsible debt (school and a car, and no craziness with the credit cards) and it's manageable.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Joy of Three-Year-Olds

This evening, Laurel put Stevie and Allie to bed and then watched as Eric and I battled it out in Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit. Stevie was on an air mattress on the floor in the library. After the game, I came to my room to get ready for bed. I heard this scratching noise coming from the next room and went to investigate. Stevie was scribbling on the wall, cheerios covered the mattress, and he had scattered the pieces of the chocolate and vanilla ice cream puzzles, cards from Big Fish, Little Fish, and everything from the Cradium: Family Fun game.

I took the pencils to Stevie and reported the damage to the others. Laurel said she wanted a playpen to put Stevie in, so I got Joshua's out of my closet. We also had to pick up all the puzzle pieces and game pieces, and then sort them. Report: Baby Wipes do work on cleaning pencil off the wall.

Mom waited until we were at the other end of the house before laughing.

artwork updates

I uploaded about eight new pictures on my page this evening. Most of them were assignments, but I've somehow managed to do two non-school related paintings as well. I'm really looking forward to the winter when I can work on the book, and actually have time to do my own personal creations as well. If you have any requests for pieces, now would be a good time to put them in my brain, since I'll be more likely to get to them in the next several months. And happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I'm grateful for a few days off, so I can spend time with Tawnia.

Happy Anniversary!

Sorry this is a day late! I thought about you all day yesterday and then thought I shouldn't call because you were probably out on a date (at least I hope you were!) Anyway, I tried to add a picture of Emma, but for some reason the one that is on-line here wouldn't save to my computer. So sorry! Anyway, here's to 39 years and the hope for 39 more (times infinity!)
I love you Mom and Dad!

39

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! It was great to see you this past summer, and we're excited to visit you and everyone else at the reunion in July! Love - Trina, Adam, Summer and Marnie.

Weird

So I am home being sick today. It's not a normal illness... I don't know quite how to describe it. I just feel.. "out of it". I have moments of dizziness, light-headedness, and wanting to puke... I think I have had a fever off and on, but then I'll feel just fine at other times. I came home from work early yesterday because I was just feeling awful, and got it all arranged so that I didn't have to come in today. So I'm home being lazy and decided that I should post on the blogs since I haven't done that in quite a long time.

I heard rumor that someone was asking why I wasn't teaching full-time if I'm not taking classes. To clarify... I AM teaching full-time. I am just not the typical classroom teacher. I teach as much (if not more) than the classroom teachers right now... so yeah, I'm working full-time... which is why I have health insurance again, hooray... so if this continues I CAN go to the doctor.

Anyway, just wanted to expell that rumor and tell you all that I love you.
Love,
Tawnia

Stevie calls me "Goofy"

A few days ago Stevie decided to start calling me Goofy and calling himself Mickey Mouse. (Allie is "Daisy" and Laurel got left out of this for some reason.) So now I get to hear "Goofy, I want some candy" or "Goofy, I want chocolate milk." If I'm not in the room, I hear him ask Laurel "Where's Goofy?" The best part though is when he starts talking in a high squeaky Mickey Mouse voice, which is even funnier than his robot voice from last week.

Baby Emma

I thought you would all like to see our beautiful new baby. I've been having some issues with my camera charger so I didn't get any good pictures at the hospital. I got this one right after she came home on Monday. Everyone agrees that she looks just like Brooke and Bryan. She's certainly a cutie.

I'm enjoying myself here in Texas, having fun playing games with Brooke and Bryan. Today I organized Emma's little clothes. She has lots of tiny ones but hardly any of the bigger sizes. I told them that she may get to wear each little outfit only once. I guess that would save on laundry.

Sure love ya,

MOM

Where has Eric been?

Actually, several of you know where I've been because I've seen you. I'm busy working right now (yes, on Sunday) but I thought I'd take a second to express my appreciation for our family.

So on Tuesday, October 21 I found out there was a stop work order on our contract in Monterey (since it was protested by a competitor) so we decided to take that trip to Oregon we've been putting off. We spent Wednesday through Sunday in Oregon. We spent time with Mom, Dad, Emily, Nathan, Amanda, and Joshua. Good times. Stevie and Allie had fun meeting their cousin Joshy.

We got home Monday night, and then on Tuesday morning Laurel drove me to the Monterey Airport and then drove to her sister's in LA. She got there before I got to Austin, which is where I spent the next few days teaching a class. On Wednesday night I drove down to Jared's and we watched the last few innings of the World Series and ate pizza. Michelle was still pregnant and very cheerful and positive. Brooke and Bryan are taller and skinnier (probably skinner from growing taller). And Jared's fine. It was fun. I flew to LAX on Thursday night and Laurel picked me up. We spent Halloween there. We did the trunk or treat at Rachel's ward, and that was enough for Stevie and Allie. Stevie watched a movie with his cousins and ate lots of candy after that.

We drove back yesterday and went to church this morning. Craig and Becky Kiser attended our sacrament meeting today. They were in town for a medical conference and were about to fly back. It was fun to see them. I learned that he was just called as the new Stake Patriarch. If that don't beat all.

Anyhow, that's my last few weeks. It's been very busy with work, but it was nice to see so much of our family last month.

could it be?

Since I have received no phone call from Texas, I'm assuming that Baby Emma has not decided yet to grace the world with her presence.

Do we actually FINALLY have a November birthday in this family? Woo hoo! Combining both sides of our extended family - the Palmers and the Caudles - there's a birthday in every single month EXCEPT November ... until now! Yay! So with just the Palmers, that means September is the only month left now with no birthdays.

review

Thanks for all the birthday phone calls - it was nice to talk to everyone! We didn't do anything for my birthday ON my birthday. It was a Sunday, so it wasn't like we could go out to dinner. The weekend was really full with random ward stuff, including a convert baptism on Sunday. So the entire day Sunday was geared toward that, particularly since Adam is the ward mission leader. It was our ward's first convert baptism in 2 1/2 years, so it was a big deal for us. A number of people at church did wish me a happy birthday, because they saw it on the Relief Society monthly calendar (that lists everyone's birthdays). But mostly, I just said that it was Lin's day and I didn't want to steal his thunder. I have a birthday every year - you get baptized only once.

Adam and I have a date scheduled for next week - we're doing a babysitting swap with Sarah and Taylor, because it's also Sarah's birthday in a couple of weeks. It's not THE day or even THE weekend, but whatever. We fit it in when we can.

And speaking of converts, or potential converts ... I have a couple of friends (who are now married to each other) from college who I also worked with at the Capitol in Salem. Marc occasionally asks me for advice relating to spiritual things, and recently, he emailed me asking a few questions about gaining answers to prayer. I kept getting off track when trying to email a response, and I also was trying to figure out how to suggest to him that the missionaries would be able to help him better than I would. I've referred him to the missionaries before (about 3 years ago), and he got mad at me for it.

We finally talked on the phone yesterday and ended up talking for about 2 1/2 hours. It was fairly close to the beginning of the conversation that I brought up the missionaries. The bulk of the conversation was along the lines of, "If I became Mormon, what about this and this and this." He's a former Catholic so he asked about confession. He also wanted to know if he and Jessica would be required to serve a mission, what happens in the regular Sunday church services, how tithing and donations are paid, and a couple of other things. Ultimately, he did agree for me to give his name as a referral. He said he doesn't think Jessica is quite ready for a substantial religious commitment but he's looking for direction in their lives. YAY! I'm very happy about this. I've thought for a LONG time that he and Jess would eventually join the Church. I don't know if it will happen right away, or if they'll take awhile. But they'll get there.

They're in Nathan and Amanda's stake - the Turner Ward. If they need some extra support, I'll give you guys a holler.

I'm in a gallery!

So the Spori Gallery does a variety of shows. The last one was of faculty art, and the next one (opening tonight) is the student show. Anyone could submit up to four pieces. And I figured, what the heck. The worst they can say is no. So I submitted four .. and THREE got in! Hooray! I'm very excited. Too bad I can't actually go to the opening, because I have to go to a dance class, but I'll skip out on it early, and go see. I'm not sure if I actually won money (I would love to just break even, to pay for all the framing), and I don't know when I find out, but I'm just happy to see them hanging up in there! The show runs from today until November 14th, so if anyone happens to be in the Rexburg area, you are encouraged to stop by!

And the three pieces are:

Happy Birthday Trina!!!

It's still your birthday here in Oregon even if it's past midnight in Maryland. I hope you had a wonderful day. Send us some details and pictures.

Eric and his family came to visit us for a few days this week. It was great having them here. We really enjoyed playing with our grandchildren. They are so sweet and fun to be with. We got some extra visits from Nathan's family too. I can't get too much of my grandchildren.

On the first I'm flying down to Texas to see Jared's family. I guess this is family time for Mom. It will be fun to meet my newest grandchild. I'm looking forward to playing with Brooke and Bryan, too. I'll be there for two weeks.

I can't wait until next summer when all of my kids can be together again. Sure hope that it works out for everyone to come.

Love ya,
MOM

My new calling

Yes, I have a new calling, and I've done it for about three weeks, despite the fact that I have yet to be sustained. They're a bit slow in Yamhill at times. Yes, Yamhill. If you didn't know, I defected.

My calling is to help with the girl's achievement -- girls ranging in age from eight to eleven. The first week they were coloring charts for family night. This week, they painted pumpkins. I helped with squirting paint and cleaning things up. One girl added a lot of paint to her pumpkin, including the stem. She also got paint on her nose. She put on so much that even after the snack (pumpkin pie -- no surprise there) the paint had not dried so she had trouble carrying it. And she dropped it in the hallway, and it rolled along, leaving splotches of gray and orange paint behind. I think we got it all out of the carpet.

Christmas exchanges

All 3 of the boys emailed me and said that they're in for the gift exchanges, so here's the name draw that I just did:

Trina and Adam - to Mindy (and Aaron?)
Eric and Laurel - to Emily
Jared and Michelle - to Tawnia
Tawnia - to Eric and Laurel
Emily - to Nathan and Amanda
Nathan and Amanda - to Trina and Adam
Mindy - to Jared and Michelle

Clarissa is out of the exchange because of being on her mission - I hope that everyone will at least send her some cookies and a card in December, if not a small gift. I'll email her as soon as I'm done with this post to tell her what's going on.

Tawnia suggested that we do some kind of memory gift - a small item related to a memory you have of that person. You're welcome to make something that costs no money at all, or spend a small amount. Nothing extravagant of course, not that anyone can afford to compete for the "best" gift anyway.

ALSO, if everyone could write memories of everyone else ... how do we want to work that organizing? Everything gets emailed to Mom and she organizes it and sends it back out? Or just put it in an envelope and stick it in with your Christmas cards? Hmm. Actually, I kind of like the idea of getting a bunch of different letters - I will mail all of mine individually.

Everyone else can do this as they have time, but I wanted to throw it out there that I will also write memory letters for each of the spouses. It would be nice to have them for Adam as well, but nothing is "required" or should feel like it's an obligation. Participate in the memory letters as your life permits.

Book exchange for the grandkids - if you can't/don't want to buy books, I think it would be fun to make them for each other. Either way is fine:

Brooke - to Stevie
Bryan - to Joshy
Stevie - to Marnie
Summer - to Bryan
Joshy - to Summer
Allie - to Brooke
Marnie - to Emma
Emma - to Allie

Yes, the sibling exchange was a blind draw. I tweaked the kids a little to make sure they were not giving to a sibling - the point is to have an exchange between cousins.

Did I get everything?

Tawnia's Classes

First Grade Assistant: Each morning between nine and ten, I help in the first grade classroom. There are 18 first graders and when you want to read individually with each child, it takes more than one adult to cover all 18. We have some kids who are just barely reading and a few that read on a third or fourth grade level... so individual reading is important. I go in and read one-on-one or with small groups. I enjoy it a lot. I really like this group of kids and it has been fun to be able to listen to them read and help them move forward in that area of their lives.

One day as I was helping a little girl turned to me and asked if she could go to the bathroom. I paused to think about it and before I could even respond she looked at me and said, "I just went a little in my pants." I told her to quickly go to the bathroom and finish... but it was to late. Unfortunately the room we were in was carpeted... and we don't have custodians... so guess who had the joy of cleaning up that mess! Yeah, ME! So at lunch that day she came up and asked if I'd ever had pink ice cream. I said yes and then she asked if I'd ever had blue ice cream and I said no. And then she told me that once she had had pink ice cream and it made her throw up. Oh, the conversations I have with first graders! They are so funny.

Fifth Grade Math: I teach the fifth graders math while the fifth grade teacher teaches the sixth grade math class and the sixth grade teacher does either administrative stuff or teaches a public speaking classes at UVU. There are 12 fifth graders and we work well together. I enjoy them most days. They can be really chatty but then again, sometimes they will work really hard for me... usually when recess or a lack of homework is being held over their heads. Most of the students understand math pretty well but a couple of them really struggle. So far we've covered basic arithmetic, measurements including converting measurements... something I don't remember ever learning, and now we are starting into fractions. We also learned a really cool way for checking multiplication, division, and addition. It's called casting out 9's. I'll have to show it to you sometime. It's baffling at first, but it works and I really like it.

Kindergarten Science: My kindergarten science class consists of nine rambunctious five year olds. They are an interesting group. I originally had ten. Two of those tens were twin boys and those boys were nearly impossible to get anything done with. They hated taking any directions and were basically out of control constantly. I knew it wasn't just my problem, because I work very closely with the kindergarten teacher. Eventually it was decided that they were not ready for kindergarten yet. (It was only two weeks until the decision was made but that was a LONG two weeks!) So that dropped us down to eight and then a couple weeks ago we got a new little girl... so now there are nine. Last year there were 14 kindergarteners and they were EASY compared to this group of nine. They are getting better though. We are working on following directions and taking turns. I think we actually made it through an entire class where I didn't have someone throw a tantrum once so far. (And that was yesterday!) I am coming to love the kids though. It's hard to resist when they come up and hug you around the waist (or knees). Also when they see you and get a huge grin and yell, "HI, Miss Palmer!" even though they are supposed to be being quiet.

In Kindergarten the topics we learn about in science coincide with what they are doing in their class.... and that changes each week. Lately we have been learning about Pets and Fall and we had a little safety and health mixed in there. Next week we are going to start on the senses. We will learn about the sense of sight next week. The week after that is the sense of taste, and we are also learning about pumpkins... yeah, so science is a bit sporadic and spontaneous. The activity can change from moment to moment and sometimes I will just pull something out to keep them entertained, but that's how it is in kindergarten.

A cute kindergarten story: The other day one of my kindergarteners fell asleep during my class. This little boy's dad is in Iraq so his mom is trying to raise her three kids (him being the oldest) and run a restaurant on her own. So I just let him sleep and we continued on in our activity. A few days later the little boy didn't want to leave the kindergarten classroom at the end of the day and the Kindergarten teacher (Sherry) teasingly suggested that he would be sleeping in the classroom. He thought about it and said, "No, sleep in Miss Palmer's!" Sherry had to come and find me afterwards and tell me about it.

First Grade Science: Eighteen first graders in my tiny little classroom is always an adventure. They are pretty good kids though. I just have to make sure that certain ones don't sit together.
In science this year we started out learning about our different Body Systems. The kids were really interested in learning about bones and muscles and the circulatory system, digestive system, and nervous system. Then for October we have been learning about the three states of matter (ie Solid, Liquid, and Gas). I made up a song to the tune of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" and we sing it each time they come. We made examples of solids out of play-dough one day and this last time I used a solid and liquid to make a gas. (I put vinegar in an empty water bottle, baking soda in a balloon, and then put the balloon on top of the water bottle, and dumped the baking soda from the balloon into the vinegar. They reacted and caused a gas to fill up the balloon... the first graders were very impressed.

Funny story: One of the first things I did was have the first graders tell me what they knew about their bodies and what they wanted to learn. One little boy wanted to know how a cord could connect a baby and a mommy.

Second Grade Science: I have ten second graders and they are one of my favorite classes. Three of them are new this year and the others were all here last year. I love this group of kids because they are pretty well behaved. They also get really excited about whatever we are learning about. We spent September learning about the Digestive System. At the end we talked about eating healthy. Currently two of the little boys have become my "lunchroom monitors." They always come up and see what I'm eating. If it isn't healthy they say, "Miss Palmer, you is that healthy? You shouldn't eat that!" When they see me eating an apple or carrots they always tell me good job. Lately they have been asking if I am exercising each day. Sometimes I shake my head and think, "What did I do to myself!" but they are good kids and they are watching out for me.

We are now learning about rocks. They have become really interested and have started bringing me the "cool" rocks that they find outside. I even teach them the rock cycle, so that when they get into fourth grade they'll already have a basic understanding of it.

Funny Story: In the first week of school the entire Lower School (Pre-K through 6th) goes on a hike. This year we went to Cascade Springs which is beautiful and a pretty easy hike. I went and while I was there one of the boys (who happens to be one of those "lunchroom monitors" now) turned to me and told me that I was his favorite teacher. I smiled and said, "You say that to all the teachers don't you." In all seriousness he stopped and looked at me and said, "No, I don't!"

Third Grade Science: There are 12 third graders and most of them are pretty good. I'm not sure what happens at this age but the "I think it's cool to be snotty" starts coming out in some of the kids. Fortunately I know the parents of the ones that do this most often and can talk to them about their child's behavior. In third grade we are learning about sound and the anatomy of the ear. It has been pretty fun. I played my guitar for them and we discussed that. I have had them do some different experiments with hearing. And the nice thing for me is that I already have the anatomy of the ear pretty much down since it's been covered in at least four of my college courses so far. We'll be talking about Alexander Graham Bell this next week and then after that we'll finish up this unit and move on to learning about magnets.

I can't really think of a funny story to go with this class right now. I'm sure they have done something to make me laugh, or at least smile, but I can't think of anything at this point.

Fourth Grade Science: I have sixteen fourth graders. They have been learning about the rock cycle, soil, and fossils. They work best when I do something "boring" in order to earn a fun activity. This next week we will be making fossils. It should be fun.... and messy.

Fifth Grade Science: Again, there are 12 fifth graders. I talked about them above in fifth grade math. They have been learning some basic Geology and now are learning about Cells. They will be doing a "cell project" soon which I'm excited about. They have to make a representation of both an animal cell and a plant cell. It should be interesting to see what they come up with.

Sixth Grade Science: I have ten sixth graders and they are like a gift sent from above. Eight girls and two boys, and they take school seriously and want to do well. We have been learning about microorganisms and then I realized that they didn't have the background about cells that they needed. So we are learning about cells right now (just like the fifth graders.)

We grew mold on bread and bacteria on potatoes. It took awhile and was pretty gross, but I enjoyed it. I had the kids rub their dirty hands on the bread or rub the bread on the bottom of their shoes, or spit on it. Amazingly the bread with the worst mold was just from some water. I guess that the spray bottle was not clean because the other bread that had been sprayed with water didn't get any kind of mold on it.

I also had the sixth graders each do a report on a different microorganism. It was interesting to learn about e. coli and anthrax and some of the other things out there.

After school I go out and supervise the playground for ten minutes and then I tutor one of my fifth graders in math for thirty minutes and then I come home. My life is very busy as you can tell. I teach each science class twice a week, which means that I have three classes each day except Friday when I have only two and then get some time to prepare for the next week.

Marnie's birthday party

Pictures from Marnie's birthday party this morning are now on my personal blog here. Enjoy!

Fall Break

Today and tomorrow I don't have to go to work. It is our "fall break" and I have been VERY much in need of it! Unfortunately I have a mile-long list of things to get done over the weekend.

My car needs it's oil changed, tires rotated, and it needs a good cleaning... I want to go through all the papers and stuff that gets stashed in there and throw out the stuff I don't need. Poor Petey has been neglected lately. Part of the reason I'm needing to do that is because I'm going to be giving a couple of my students rides to and from school (and getting paid some gas money for doing it! Woohoo! The way gas prices are right now I'm in serious need of help with gas.)

I also need to get my apartment all cleaned up. Not for any particular reason other than that it's getting messy and I need to clean it up. (Messy being defined as dishes sitting in the sink and the bathroom really does need to be scrubbed down.) And I need to do several loads of laundry. And it would be nice to go through and clean some stuff out of my room and organize things.

Other than that I need to make sure I have lessons planned at least for this next week of school. I want to try and have things planed out from now until Thanksgiving, but I don't think that will happen. And I need to grade some math papers and get my on-line gradebook updated.

And I also want to be able to relax and have some fun... I am supposed to go out to eat with my friend, Laurel, at some point either today or tomorrow. I'm also going to go see a play with my friend, Janee, on Saturday evening. That and just chilling at home and reading a book or watching a movie and knitting (I'm currently working on Rosemary's blanket.) Oh, or practice my guitar!

I need to get as much of the above done today and tomorrow because on Saturday I have a retreat with my choir. Did I tell you that I tried out for a choir? We do firesides, though apparently not any until January. I had to audition for it. It was the first audition I have been to in six or more years... it was pretty nerve wracking. I got in and I'm very excited! I've been needing something more in my life, some way to share my talents and express myself, so I'm excited about this.

So all of that is my fall break... which is just a four day weekend! I must get busy on things soon. And I'm watching my friend's two pet rats for her while she is in St George for the break. They are named Niya and Flower. They aren't to bad, just wake me up with strange noises sometimes, but I'm dealing with it.

Christmas reunion in DC

First of all, I'm not suggesting this be in 2 months, or even next year. But eventually, I think it would be awesome to do a Christmas family reunion in DC. Check out all the awesome stuff there is to do in DC in December ...

- the DC Temple Visitor's Center to see the billions of lights, the international Christmas trees, the collection of international nativity sets, and there's a music performance every single night of December. Last year, we went to a bell choir.

- the White House with all the Christmas decorations, as well as all the Christmas trees out on the Ellipse, with the "national yule log" (a big fire pit that is great when it's freezing cold) and lots of miniature trains around the base of the main tree.

- the miniature electric trains at the National Conservatory.

- the military band Christmas concerts at the Daughters of the American Revolution concert hall

- the "Messiah" sing-along at the Kennedy Center. Wouldn't this be the most AMAZING thing to do????

And it's all FREE. Free free free.

There's also a candlelight tour at Mt. Vernon which goes into sections of the house that are not open the rest of the year, but you have to pay admission for that. And Colonial Williamsburg is also supposed to have a ton of really neat Christmas stuff that you also have to pay for.

We haven't done the Kennedy Center yet but it's definitely on my Top 100 list. I don't think we're going to go this year because of having to be there 2 to 4 hours early just to get in the door, and then the 2 hour performance, etc ... It's 2 days before Christmas and I won't ask anyone to interrupt their own holiday to watch our kids for so long. So we'll just wait until they're a little older. I am going to try to get tickets to the DAR hall for the Navy Band concert this year - the tickets are free, they're just for crowd control. That one is on the 20th this year, which is also the last day of law school for Adam. Definitely a day to celebrate.

You all have to wait until we actually have a big enough home to fit everyone for a few days, but I just thought I'd throw this out here since I was thinking about it.

Mindy's classes

Doctrines of the Gospel - an excellent class, touching on the main points of the gospel. My teacher has us read a lot of articles along with reading the manual. Our tests are all open book, as all of his questions are directly out of the chapters or specified sections in the scriptures. Some can be a bit tricky, and force us to read things very carefully to help us understand things better. I got 100% on the first two. This week we've been talking about the Atonement and it has been amazing. If anyone can get on Gospelink or find the book called "Broken Heart" by Bruce Hafen, the article (or chapter?) there is called "The Atonement is not just for Sinners." It is excellent.

Social Dance - We've learned the foxtrot and swing, and this week we start cha-cha and waltz. It doesn't help me to know all the steps if I don't have a guy leading me who knows them to, so I look forward to being able to teach Aaron some of this stuff. For the end of the semester, I have to know the names of all 30 guys in my class .. which I did by the third week. It's a fun class with no stress.

Design and Color - this is probably my favorite class, so far. My teacher is always very impressed with my work. He gets to put favorite examples of work from each assignment, and mine has been out there every time so far (twice, woohoo). I did post one of my assignments up on my website, but I haven't had the chance to photograph any of my others yet. We just started painting this week, but we're just doing value scales, so nothing to show off there. I'm learning though, and having a lot of fun.

Old Testament - We started in Abraham, but now we're up to Genesis 24 or so. We talked about Isaac yesterday, and Rebekah. There aren't as many assignments due in class for this one (although I did get an A on the one paper we had to write), but there's a lot of studying we're supposed to do on our own. Lots of scripture reading, of course. And, instead of taking the final, we can do a "scholarly project" throughout the semester. I'm finding Ensign articles on the topics we are studying, and reading those to gain more insight. I look forward to getting a copy of the Ensign every month (once I'm settled down enough to actually get a subscription). Oh! That's what I should get Aaron for Christmas! HAHA!

Graphic Design - This is my most demanding class. I've gotten B's on both of my assignments thus far, but I'm actually okay with that. I'm going to rework my first one, and hopefully get a bit better (instead of an 82), but considering how many C's he says he gives out, I'm happy with the B. The teacher is very intense, but he's very real and practical. This week we're starting our logo project - a reptile themed exhibit (of our choosing), that we're creating a logo for. I'm thinking of doing a reptilian art exhibit, but that might change. I'm learning a lot, and surviving this class might determine if graphic design is really what I want to do (along with taking illustration classes).

Art History - besides a little bit of outside studying, this is one of my least involved classes. Sit, listen to the lecture, take notes, and focus on remembering what pieces go with which period. Our grades are entirely based on our tests - and I got 100% on the first one, and just got a 92% on the second (that we took yesterday). He said that the second test was usually the hardest, so I'm not worried. Besides, we take 5 tests and get to drop the lowest score (or not take one), so I'm good to go.

Celebration

I'm ready to celebrate. I am finally done canning pears, (and everything else until my apples are ripe enough). I was given several boxes of Bosc Pears and just got the last of them canned and I've filled every jar I own. I'm not sure what I'll use for the applesauce. Maybe I'll have enough empty jars by then.

I have also purchased my plane ticket for Texas. I'll be there Nov.1 thru 15. The baby should certainly be born before I come home. She'll probably arrive before I leave here. I'm excited to see them all again.

Now that I can take a break from canning, I should be able to get busy making the blessing dress. Then I'll start on my Christmas projects. I have plenty to do.

I may even have time to post on here, occasionally or to update some pages.

Love ya,
MOM

But Of Course

Yes, I'm in on the Christmas gift exchange and the theme of "Memories".... I'm the one who came up with it. I guess none of the boys or Mom or Dad are interested.... since I posted about it on September 21 and they still don't seem to know if they want to do it. Or if they do they aren't saying anything. Maybe it will just be a "sister" gift exchange.

I will be typing up something for everyone regardless.

Tawnia

Memory Exchange

I vote a big YES on the memory exchange for Christmas this year. Whether it is specifically of Christmas memories or not (I vote not), I'm ALL about hearing from everyone! I also think it'd be nice to gift exchange, with the name drawings. I like the idea of using the memory theme along with that too. If Trina wants to do the official name drawing, then that's cool by me. So you know, Trina and everyone else, I'll be up in Canada for the holidays, and the few months after. It's my break from school, and that way I can just drive ONE direction during the winter, instead of home and then north. I'll be living with Aaron's mom, and working closely with her on the book I'm illustrating (since she's the author and publisher). I found out that I might be able to use that as some internship credits for school too!

In other news, I'm doing well. My classes keep me busy with lots of homework, but I'm enjoying it. Design and Color is probably my favorite class, although Social Dance is entertaining as well and has a lot less homework (none!). I've done well on all my assignments thus far, and the B that I got on my Graphic Design project can be redone as many times as it takes until I get an A. (The teacher is more focused on actually getting us to LEARN than the grades.) When I'm not in class, I'm usually doing homework, or working at Payless. Occasionally I find time to sleep, and make late night runs to Dairy Queen with my roommates. (If you haven't tried their pumpkin cheesecake blizzard you REALLY should!)

back to Christmas

I was scouting out Christmas gift options for the girls this morning when I was at Toys R Us to get Marnie's birthday present (a little piano). And it occurs to me that I should get crackin' with my Christmas memories letter to the whole family if that's what we're going to do. So ... are we? I'll do the name draw again if everyone wants to do something.

Also, to Eric/Jared/Nathan - do you want to do the book exchange with the kids again? I really liked that and would like to make it a tradition for the next few years at least (until it becomes totally unwieldly, but that won't be for awhile). I don't mind if people want to make little story books instead of buying anything to save on cost that way. Either way is fine with me.

I have pictures!

Hey all,

I decided to finally upload all our pictures from the camera from the last few months, and so I've updated my picture calender now to include stuff from August and September.

really?

Tawnia was in the choir that sang for the Relief Society broadcast? Really?

Haven't blogged in quite some time.

This is Michelle, not Jared. I couldn't remember my login and password, so I borrowed Jared's. I didn't think he would mind. I thought it would be nice to let ya'll now how things are going. I am about 8 month pregnant now. The baby is due October 30. I feel fabulous. I have swelling ankles and trouble getting comfortable for sleeping, but that it very normal. The doctor says the baby looks great. What more could I ask for? I am really, really excited about the baby. I can't wait to hold her.

I am still one of the activities days leaders for 10 and 11 year old girls. I really love the girls. They are very talented and sweet girls. This year I will be the home room mom for Brooke's 3rd grade class. I think that will be lots of fun. Perhaps, I will get one of those baby front carriers and just have a baby strapped to me during the parties. Brooke and Bryan are doing great. They really like school and are learning lots. Brooke is still a brownie scout and we are thinking about signing Bryan up to be a tiger scout.

The kids' school canceled classes for 6 days. They returned yesterday. I think they are happy to be back, even if they don't admit it (which they don't). I guess things are beginning to return to normal for us. There are plenty of my friends and neighbors still without power and still others with damaged homes. My prayers are with them. I hope to find all of you doing well.

Michelle

Grandparents

I only remember one grandparent -- dad's mom. The others all died when I was little, so I've only heard stories about them. Grandma was a sweet old lady, but I always remember her being in a care home or with Uncle Gary.

I knew about Grandpa Palmer being Shirley Temple's body guard, a nice bragging point.

I have some cards written by Grandma Beers when I was a baby. It makes me wonder if writing is a gene.

One great-grandmother was Ruby Evelyn Ingalls. I remember hearing about her when I was first reading the Little House Books; I was about seven, I think, and I couldn't even say "Laura" correctly. And Mom pointed out the scene in "Big Woods" where Laura gets into a fight with her cousin Laura over which of their baby sisters is prettier. And Mom said that baby was her grandmother.

By the way, I've seen pictures of both those baby sisters. In South Dakota, Clarissa found a picture of "Eva" and said she looked a lot like Tawnia. Mom then freaked out. And just for the record, our great-grandma was indeed prettier than Baby Carrie. I always thought she was.

Grandparents

In answer to Mom's question: Who were your grandparents and great-grandparents? What memories or stories do you have of them?

First off, I know that I have great-grandparents, and I know they have names, but I don't always remember those names off the top of my head. This is most likely due to the fact that they died before I was even thought of.

As far as my grandparents go. We'll start with Dad's parents and then move over to Mom's. My paternal grandfather is Louis Dean Palmer. He died in 1970 before I was born.... though I might have at least been thought of at this point. (Was I?) I don't have any memory of him, but I have heard a lot of stories about him. He was Shirley Temple's chauffeur and body guard when she was a young teenager and she called him Palm Tree. Dad said that she called him that because of his name and because he was tall... but if he was tall, why did none of those tall genes get passed on?? Anyway, I always liked to use that as one of my "claims to fame."

Grandma Palmer, Severa Theresa Knobloch Palmer, lived until October 2006. I have a few memories of Grandma. When I was little I had these orange knit slippers that she had made. I also remember getting cards for my birthday with money in them, usually about a month after my birthday, but it was the thought that counted. I also remember going to California to visit her a few times. I think the last time we visited we joked about having a big party for her when she turned 100. (That didn't happen though.) I remember that once the younger kids got left at Grandma's to be babysat and we older kids went somewhere with Mom and Dad... but I don't remember where we went, I just remember dropping off and picking up the little kids. I also remember that we took her organ home with us to Oregon. It was quite the ordeal, and then we only kept it for a few years after that. I remember getting the news that Grandma had died. It was right after going to a baptism and Mindy and I were driving over to have lunch with all the people who had attended the baptism. I ended up taking the entire next week (which was a short week so it worked out) off from work and went to Grandma's funeral. I was asked to sing and Uncle Gary told me that I should be part of "that Mormon Tabernacle Choir thing."

My mom's father was Elmer Porter Beers, I hear that he went by Bud. Grandpa died when I was five or six years old. I remember that Grandpa seemed really tall, probably because I was so little. I remember going to Grandma and Grandpa's and watching the Lawrence Welk show on their little black and white TV. I remember looking at the dollhouse that Grandpa was making for Jenny and looking forward to when he would make one for me, but he died before that ever happened. I remember learning the "Grandpa-pa" song to sing to Grandpa when he came over and being scared to sing it. I remember going to the nursing home and seeing Grandpa for the last time. I actually don't remember much other than the drive there. And for years after that I would remember as we were driving down certain roads that these were the roads that we took to see Grandpa at the nursing home. I also remember Grandpa's funeral. Eric was really upset and laid on the bench in the back of the chapel and cried. I didn't understand what was happening, but knew that Eric was sad, so I laid on the bench next to him and cried myself. Then someone (Uncle Gary or Uncle Chet... I'm not sure which) came and picked me up. I remember someone asking him who he was holding and he said, "It's Tawnia, Evelyn's daughter."

Grandma Palmer, Erma Christine Peterson Beers, was a sweet little Grandma. I remember visiting with her a lot. She would write notes and cards to me always telling me how sweet I was. Granted, I was a little kid, but I still have those in a box at home to treasure. Again, I remember going to watch the Lawrence Welk show at her house. I think I remember that a lot. I have a vague memory of Grandma and Grandpa spending Christmas with us one year (is that just my imagination.) I think the day Grandma died, I remember Mom getting the news and standing in the kitchen crying. Again, I didn't really understand what was happening, but I think I just stood there and cried too. I remember going to Uncle Speedy's and all of the boys were given one of Grandpa's old ties, and all of the girls were told to pick something out of Grandma's jewelry box. I chose a pin that was shaped like a Christmas tree. It was gold and the ornaments were plastic "jewels." I think I must have thought they were real. I wore that pin for several Christmas' after that and still have it somewhere in a box at home. The jewels have been falling out and I need to get them fixed. I think the thing that I remember the most about Grandma is that she loved me.

Okay, some of those memories could be totally made up, because they all happened before I was eight... (except the more recent Grandma Palmer memories) so I'm curious as to how accurate I was.
Love,
Tawnia

Christmas Gift Exchange

I have an idea for the Christmas Gift Exchange, that is, if we are planning on doing one among the siblings again this year. I was thinking about how we had a theme last year and thought that it would be nice to have a theme for this years as well. So my idea for a theme is "My Memory of You" or something like that. I think it would be fun to think of a memory of that person and then get a gift that coincides with it. So if you remember going hunting with that person and shooting a deer you could get them a stuffed deer and write about how you remember doing that. (I used this example as I don't think any of us have that memory of each other!)

I was thinking that we could exclude Clarissa from the gift exchange for this year and all do something for her. Also, it would be nice if she knew what was happening and could type up a memory for each of us and not get us a gift, that way it would be a cost-free Christmas for her.

As far as Mom and Dad go, it is up to them if they want to do "memory" gifts for each of us or not, or they could just type up memories they have of each of us and we could do the same for them. I was just remembering the Christmas when we all typed up memories we had of each other and then they were printed and put in each of our stockings. I remember that for about ten minutes Christmas morning there was silence as we each read through the "memories" that others had had about us. I really enjoyed that and still have that paper somewhere.

Anyway, it's all just an idea. Your thoughts on it would be appreciated. And, again, the gift does not have to be anything expensive. It can be something that you already have, or something you make.

Okay, I expect replies to this!
Love,
Tawnia

New Allie and Stevie Movie

Happy Saturday!

I just posted a new movie that we shot Monday night for our FHE activity. I started editing it then too, but I finally got around this morning to finishing it.

So check it out and post your comments!

http://www.youtube.com/ericpalmer

Good Morning Everyone

Where has this month gone. I've been busy canning a lot of the time. I have my peaches done and some pears but I just got more from Marli. I plan to go to Deb's this afternoon and make apple cider with apples I got from Marli and the Heltons. When my apples get ripe I'll make some applesauce.

On Monday I'm going to have the surgery on my eye lids that I was supposed to have last January. I'm a little nervous, so keep me in your prayers.

If you haven't seen my answer to the question about my aunts and uncles you might want to look at it. I'm putting up a new one soon. I also hope to have time to work on other areas of my page and on the timeline. You know you can add things to the timeline, too.

I enjoyed your answers to the job question so here is another one for you. Who were your grandparents and great-grandparents? What memories or stories do you have of them? Have fun with that one.

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas presents and even working on a few. I don't think I'll make calendars this year so if someone else wants to take that project on you're welcome to. You might want to let me know so that we don't get 5 or 6 of them, but that might be interesting, too.

Love you all,
MOM

conference day

Last summer (a year ago), Adam did his internship working on a case about the terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay. He decided at the end of the summer that he wanted to put together a conference at school to discuss a number of legal and constitutional issues about how to handle the cases, where the criminal justice arena factors in (because it's separate from military/war action), and all kinds of stuff that I don't understand and couldn't explain even if I did.

He got 3 other students to help him, and they decided what they wanted the panels to focus on, got all the sponsors to help fund it, all the speakers, arranged everything with the school's events office, you name it. The other day, the events office (which is handling the registration) sent him the list of organizations in the city who are sending people to attend - Joe Biden's office, the Dept of Defense, Dept of Transportation, Dept of Justice, and on and on it goes ... I think the number of people registered to attend was over 200. And he got great speakers for his panels - professors and other people have asked him how he got such great speakers. Well, he got suggestions from professors and then just emailed and asked them. And they said yes.

Today is the big day. He just left for campus and he seemed pretty nervous. Extra prayers for Adam this morning, please!

I'm going over to the school for the afternoon panel. Not that I'll understand a word, but to be there for moral support. I'll take one of my journals to write in. My friend Jackie and I are doing a babysitting swap today - I've got her kids all morning so she can volunteer at the stake clothing exchange, and then she's taking our kids for the afternoon so I can go be with Adam and then we'll go out to dinner.

Hola

Hola mi familia -

So I don't really know Spanish, but you thought I did for a second didn't you? haha

Anyway, I was just writing a quick hello to let you all know that I'm still alive. I am busy working full time. This year my schedule is interesting. I come in and have a prep period of the beginning of each day, then I help in the first grade for an hour. Next it is over to teaching fifth grade math, then I have lunch, then I teach three science classes in the afternoon (but only two on Fridays) and after school I supervise the kids on the playground for the twenty minutes after school. This all keeps me extremely busy. I have short breaks between all of my classes so that is why I am posting right now.

Most of my kids are really good. And those that I am having problems with... well, it's not jsut me. It is nice that I have the support of the classroom teachers this year. I feel a lot more part of the school than I did last year. It also means that I have to go to a lot more meetings though. And, I will probably be tutoring one of my math kids after school for a half hour. (And getting paid extra for that.) And also, I will still go over to my summer job and help out when I can.

Basically my life right now revolves around work. I do go to activities in my ward, and hang out with friends in the evenings on occasion. But mostly I just get home and crash because I'm exhausted at the end of the day.

Well, I have to go teach math now.
Tawn

Greetings from The Central Coast

Hi all. Sorry I haven't posted for so long. It's surprising to see. My only excuse is that I've been very busy at work (and at home, for that matter). We're wrapping up Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08), and that means lots of work and reports and long hours. But it's a fun job. It sure beats sitting around doing nothing.

We had a warm week around my birthday, and Laurel took the kids swimming every day. Stevie and Allie both love the water.

We're not sure what's next for us (as far as when we'll be moving) but we should know something soon. Exciting, nervewracking days ahead, but that's okay.

The important thing is: Allie is starting to walk. She's taken a few steps. The last few days she's taken four or five at a stretch, which is more than we've ever seen. Exciting times. Plus she's cutting her fifth and sixth teeth.

Stevie talks constantly. I don't know where he gets that from. Laurel reports that he is the loudest one in the nursery. He's a happy boy most of the time though. He loves to sing. On Saturday he sang the "On Demand" song to Uncle Jared. That's the song they play before his show starts when we order it "on demand" from the cable company.

Anyway, we love you all and look forward to Summer 2009 when we can all get together and party like it's ... 2009.

Hurricane Report

Hurricane Ike struck in the middle of the night on Friday night/Saturday morning. We lost power at about 11:30 pm, and we were woken up at 5 am to our shed blowing away. It knocked down a section of our fence, but all our stuff that was in the shed stayed put. We were able to go out to gather the stuff in to the garage a little later in the day, and hopefully all the rain didn't cause too much damage.

Our power came back on at about 10:00 this morning (which is why I'm now able to get online). My work and the kids' school are still closed for a day or two, so we'll be able to get things figured out here at home.

Ike Update

Okay, here's the hurricane situation as of right now. I was released from work today at noon, and the kids are out of school tomorrow. We are not in the evacuation area, so we'll be staying home to wait out the storm. We may lose power, and the phone lines will likely be pretty jammed, so don't be too surprised if you don't hear from us right away. I'll try to let you all know the situation when I can.

Joshy is ok!

The surgery went well and Joshy is home and sleeping. Thank you for all of the prayers - the surgeon said that it went beautifully and the anesthesiologist said there were no problems at all. Hopefully the recovery process will be quick and he'll be back to his happy self very soon.

Love,
Manda

Prayers for Joshy

Hi everyone,
I'm going to post this on my blog, too, but I just wanted to ask for prayers for Joshua tomorrow morning when he goes in for his surgery. He's got a cold and is kind of congested, so they may reschedule if the anesthesiologist is concerned about that, but otherwise it is a go. We have to be there at 7:30, the surgery is scheduled for 8:30, and it will go probably about 2 hours. It sounds like recovery will be pretty easy unless something unexpected happens, but you never know exactly how a little critter will respond to surgery and everything, so all prayers are appreciated.

Love you all!
Manda

the inner circle

It isn't that I don't have anything to say right now, it's just a matter of finding the time to type it all out! I'm currently between classes, and don't have any major homework due right away, so thought that now might be a good time to post. I just have to say I love having a laptop, and I love wireless internet.

So, last week I spent a few days up in Canada. I drove for 12 hours on Monday, then set up a few things around Rexburg on Tuesday, followed by another 10 hours in the car on Wednesday. Spending the time with Aaron was fabulous, and look forward to doing it again. We surprised his Mom, with my coming - everyone else in his family knew except her. She was very happy to see me, and is very happy with the relationship between Aaron and I. She says I'm a good influence on him. So anyway, he was baptized on Saturday evening, and confirmed during Sacrament meeting on Sunday. His friend Mikey confirmed him, and it was an amazing blessing. I really think Aaron can go far in this church. I already know he prays several times a day, and has been reading his scriptures on the bus to and from school. He's excied to interact with the missionaries, and even got the Aaronic priesthood the same day he was confirmed. Lots of good things in his life right now.

Elder Basinger, Me, Aaron, Elder Berret

I drove back Sunday afternoon/evening, and arrived in Rexburg around 11:15pm. Good thing I dropped my early morning class, so I could sleep in a little. It was THEN that I added another class (to bring me up to 15.5 credits), so I really do have to get up early most days of the week. I'm officially taking: Introduction to Graphic Design (and we're already starting out first project, woohoo!), Design and Color, Art History, Art Seminar (meets all of five times during the semester), Social Dance (which focuses as much on the social as it does the dance), along with two religion classes - Old Testament and Doctrines of the Gospel. When I type it all out that way it seems like a lot, but I'm hoping I'll be able to manage it all right. At least my religion classes are on different days, and my major art classes (the first two) are also on different days. Here's hoping that I can stay afloat and not be overhwlemed. This is my first time being a student in a classroom in over five years, so it'll take a little while to get used to it again.

The good news is that my roommates are all relatively normal. Megan is never there, but she's moving out in a few weeks anyway. She's kinda holding the spot for another girl, that we've never met. The other two, Meeshell and Courtney are fun. I'm not home a whole lot, but it's nice to be able to come home to welcoming people. I'll probably be home even less during the semester, since it looks like Payless is interested in transfering me. I will mostly likely have to take a pay cut (since I'm not assistant manager anymore, and the minimum wage is lower here), but that was to be expected. Anyway, I'll find out all those details on Friday, after I'm done with classes for the week.

I'm safe, I'm well, and trying to make sure I get enough food and sleep. I have a horrible sore throat and it hurts to swallow (so meals take a while), but I'll survive. Remind me to post more often, and I'll try and keep you updated on what's going on with me (since it is more interesting that it used to be!).

random Monday stuff

Just saying hello. We had a fun dinner with some friends in our ward last night, Natalie and Topher, and Jay and Jenna. Neither of them have kids yet but they're planning for within the next year, and they're great with our kids. Topher held Marnie all through dinner so Adam and I could eat, and he didn't even get a plate until everyone else was finished.

If you have a grill, here's our idea for you (and what we did for dessert last night): get fresh peaches (the yellow would be better than white), cut them in half and pull the pit. Then just put them cut side down on the grill for a few minutes and heat them up. Flip them back over when you take them off the grill, and watch the nectar come out in the middle where the pit used to be. Eat with vanilla ice cream - yum yum yum!!! (If there's more to it than this, Adam, please put it in the comments.)

Since starting my politics blog (which I also announced on my personal blog), I pretty much have politics on the brain. I'm taking my time getting those posts up because I'm trying to do a lot of research into what I write. That's the whole point of it - to be INFORMED. And still post at least every couple of days. I just put a post on it while the girls are down for their naps so it's quiet and I can type fast without anyone yanking on my arm or the keyboard.

But I'm still trying to post on all the different blogs at least once a week, so here I am on this one. On Monday. So here's an FHE thought:

A few weeks ago, one of my friends referenced this Ensign article on her blog. It's specifically about raising children, but of course it can be applied to any relationships. The bullet points are:

- Never underestimate the power of love.
- Sensitive discipline promotes responsive obedience.
- Have regard for free will.
- Create a family with vision.

Good luck with your families, whether it's the traditional or you build it yourself with roommates and friends.

Loss of... what is it again?

Oh yeah! Memory. Amanda said that pregnancy has led to a loss of memory. She claims this happened last time but couldn’t quite remember. Here is a story of Amanda and her pregnancy memory.

We have several black pens that Amanda likes to use for filling out paperwork. Sometimes there are three or four sitting out on the table or desk. Except for when she needs them. Last Thursday we had a move-in and I was clearing off the table so Amanda could do the paperwork. I left the new resident’s paperwork on the table along with a black pen – both of which Amanda had placed there earlier.

Now my memory hasn’t been top notch ever since the accident so when Amanda got up from napping and came out of the restroom asking me where the pen was that she had left there I thought maybe I was going crazy. Hmmm… It sounds like Amanda was napping in the restroom. She wasn’t. She was napping in bed, and then came out here and then went in the restroom and then came out and enquired about the pen. I told her I left it on the table with the paperwork. She proceeded to dump out the folder and the pen was not there. I looked on the ground and on the table. I was reminded that every time Amanda needs a pen it is nowhere to be found.

Did I use it or move it between the time I put it with the paperwork and Amanda came out? (all of about 10 minutes.) No. It wasn’t me. It was Amanda. She took it with her into the bathroom to fill out a survey, and then came out to the dining room and adamantly blamed me for the missing pen. I had the last laugh though, because I was the one that remembered seeing Amanda with the survey in the restroom, so I was the one that found the pen.

I guess pregnancy does affect memory.

Amanda said that this story might not be as funny to others as it was to us so if it isn't funny it wasn't meant to be. If it is funny, good. It was supposed to be.

Happy Labor Day

Well, Trina, I tried to keep your FHE idea alive but it doesn't look like a survivor to me. If you notice I didn't get any comments either and no one else volunteered. Maybe we should go back to our questions. I still have to answer the one on the aunts and uncles and I'll get that done but meanwhile here is a new one. What places have you worked and what did you do?


Mindy left this morning for Idaho. She has one passenger, Vanessa Reynolds, our former Bishop's daughter. They left at 6:30 this morning and miraculously managed to fit all their things into the car. I'll be riding out there with Deb on Wednesday while she takes Amber, Sarah and Ron's son Josh. Josh is going to work for his Mom's brother in Idaho Falls. He was going to ride his bike until Carol told him that Deb could take him. On the way back we'll get peaches and maybe pears in Idaho, where they cost half as much as here.

Emily is at Nathan's, today, earning some extra cash by helping them clean apartments and get them ready for the next tenants. Dad and I are staying home, cleaning, doing yard work, etc. You know - laboring on Labor Day.

Have a great day,
Love,
MOM

the big 3-4

Happy birthday, Eric!
We hope you have a great day!
Love - Trina, Adam, Summer, and Marnie

P.S. Sorry we didn't wish Stevie a happy birthday on the blog - Sunday was a pretty hectic day with Deb visiting, home teaching, visiting teaching, other extra church meetings, etc ... and Monday was even worse. We hope you got his birthday card in the mail, because we did send it!

FHE Aug 25, 2008

I volunteered to do the lesson for this week not knowing what I should say. Yesterday our hometeacher came over and read this spiritual thought that had been given in Ward Council that morning.

Men and women who turn their lives over to
God will find out that He can make a lot more
out of their lives than we can. He will

Deepen their joys,
Expand their vision,
Quicken their minds,
Lift their spirits,
Multiply their blessings,
Increase their opportunities,
Comfort their souls,
Raise up friends,
And pour out peace.

Whoever will lose his life to God will find
He has eternal life.

-President Ezra Taft Benson

I decided to find where the message had come from and found this article from 1975 when he was president of the Quorum of the 12. I had my lesson.

I recommend that you all read it. There is a lot in there and you could go many different directions with it. I'm sure you could create several different lessons from just this one article.

First he talked about the gifts Christ has given us:

1)He not only died for us - He lived for us and gave us the perfect example.

2)He gave us a prophet. We need to listen to the prophet and follow his counsel, especially the prophet who is guiding the church today.

3)He gave us the church. "Through it we receive baptism, priesthood, celestial marriage, and other sealing powers. It is the organized means that God is using to establish and expand his work. We must work with it and in it, build it up, and move it forward." He then goes on to explain that the Lord uses mortal men to do his work and sometimes they do things that are unwise.

4)Scripture - especially the Book of Mormon. It is the most correct book on earth and it was written for us. He said: "If we really did our homework and approached the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we could expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men, including socialism, humanism, organic evolution, and others."

5) The Constitution. He gave this quote from Joseph Smith that I've heard paraphrased but hardly ever quoted : “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.” He said that we need to look to the founding father's who wrote the constitution. He also referred to this book by Clarence Carson entitled The American Tradition.

After reminding us of all that Christ has done for us he asks what we can do in return. That's where the quote at the top comes in. He talks about sacrifice but like President Brigham Young said, “I have heard a great many tell about what they have suffered for Christ’s sake. I am happy to say I never had occasion to. I have enjoyed a great deal, but so far as suffering goes, I have compared it to a man wearing an old, worn-out, tattered, and dirty coat, and somebody comes along and gives him one that is new, whole, and beautiful... When I think of what I’ve suffered for the gospel’s sake—I have thrown away an old coat and have put on a new one.”

Some people say that going to the temple is a sacrifice. I know it's a service but I think of it more as a blessing. Service in any way is a blessing for the server as much as for the served. Here is a final quote that explains why: "Try as you may, you cannot put the Lord in your debt, for every time you try to do his will, he simply pours out more blessings upon you. Sometimes the blessings may seem to you to be a little slow in coming—perhaps this tests your faith—but come they will and abundantly. And it has been said, cast your bread upon the waters and after a while it comes back toasted and buttered."

Take the time to read the article. There is so much in there. I love you all and I'm so glad that you are mine.

Love always,

MOM