Challenges

Okay, so the holidays are passing and now is the time to start thinking about goals for the new year.... how about making some of the aforementioned challenges some of your goals for the new year? Then you will feel good about completing the challenge, get a prize, and complete your new year resolutions! It's a win-win-win situation! Oh, and even if you are not planning on going to the reunion you are welcome to participate in all of the challenges. So here is a review of the challenges so far.

1. Memorize "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"
2. Read the Book of Mormon
3. Emergency Preparedness Plan
4. Jared is going to challenge us to do something.

So are there any other challenges to add? You also don't have to attending the reunion to make a challenge. And the grandkids can make challenges too! And that don't have to be churchy type things.

Updates

So how are you all doing on your challenges? Are there any others out there? Not that you need to be making them really soon, but within the next month or two would be preferable. I know what I am going to do for those who complete my challenge, but it is a surprise. I hope those who complete the challenge will like it. But the best part of the challenges is that they are things that benefit us, just by doing them.... there isn't really a need for a prize, but they make it even better.

So far I've memorized almost the first half of the Proclamation. Woohoo! I practice it every day as I'm driving to and from work. I am also slowly getting through the Book of Mormon. I was wanting to finish it and then re-read it again before the reunion, but I'm not sure if that will happen.

As for Trina's challenge, I have not started yet. I think I need to get through finals, and then I'll look at it over Christmas break.

I hope everyone is doing well. I miss all of you! Yes, even you person who doubts that I mean that.

I accept the challenge!

I have decided to accept the first three challenges.

I will read the Book of Mormon through before the reunion.

I will memorize the Proclamation.

And I will come up with a challenge to issue to the rest of you! I'm not ready to do that quite yet; still working out the details.

notes on the other challenges

Book of Mormon: Adam just started reading the Book of Mormon a little bit ago in conjunction with stake conference. He's whipping right along so he'll definitely have it done. I'm cranking through the Old Testament and should finish by the end of the year, and the Book of Mormon was next on the list anyway because I have to read it for the Virtue value project. And, based on some things in General Conference, we decided to stop reading the Scripture Reader books for our family scripture study and switch to the regular Book of Mormon. After a month, we're on 1Nephi 17 because we're going slooooow - only as long as the girls' attention span is for that day. Sometimes we read just 3 or 4 verses, and sometimes we get through an entire page. It just depends. I actually don't know if it would be realistic for us to try to read the entire thing between now and July with the kids, with that as our operating mode. We'll see.

Family Proclamation: I will make an attempt at memorizing it. I'll let Adam speak for himself, and I think our kids are a little young for the whole thing. But I'll choose a couple of sections for them to start with, and go from there. I did want to add this, though -

About a month ago, I taught a lesson in YW about "the law of the land," and the manual was a little bit of "rah rah, go USA!" stuff. I wanted to acknowledge how the law of the US is going these days, with the gay marriage challenges in a number of courts all over the country. My outline was kind of sketchy going into it, and I wasn't sure how it was all going to come out. What ended up happening was we read the entire Family Proclamation out loud, and I said very firmly that we need to have a testimony of the Proclamation just like they have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I was kind of surprised at myself for saying that - it was not thought out ahead of time. But given the current political and social climate, it totally makes sense.

And that's my point here - whether or not you memorize the whole thing per Tawnia's challenge, everyone needs to at least read and ponder it, and pray about it for a confirmation from the Spirit, just like with the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. The world has gone completely haywire, particularly about gender identification and sexual behaviors. But no matter what happens or is said or is popular, we can always go back to that wonderful document that is indeed the Lord's defining statement on families. This is not part of a family reunion challenge - this is genuinely how I feel about our faith and keeping ourselves spiritually strong as the world continues its merry descent to hell.

reunion challenge #3

I've come across a number of things in online reading lately about food storage and being ready for various kinds of emergencies - whether it's a short-term weather related thing, or an unknown time frame like a job loss. And I thought that would make a good challenge - to at least start on your family's planning. So here's the challenge:

1. Make a progressive list of what you would need to maintain your home for 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year.
     a. Remember toiletries - toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
     b. Remember kitchen/laundry supplies - tin foil, paper towels (if you use them), laundry detergent, etc.
     c. Consider various scenarios - if the power goes out for a few days, etc.
     d. Plan how you're going to store the stuff in your home, and what appropriate containers you might need.

2. Make an outline of how you plan to acquire this list of goods.

3. Do at least one thing on your acquiring outline before the reunion. Just one thing, because I realize that money and space currently prevent a number of us from having much more than a 1-month supply of anything in our homes.

The prize will be something to add to your emergency preparedness stuff, like maybe batteries for your flashlights and other electronics, or maybe a big bag of chocolate. Because who doesn't need chocolate when they're in a stressful situation? I haven't decided yet, but it will be something like that.

Another Challenge

First of all I want to thank Tawnia for coming up with this idea. I accept Tawnia's challenge. I also like several of the suggestions she made and have chosen one of them to be my challenge for the reunion. I challenge everyone to read the Book of Mormon. If you read it as a family it will count for everyone who is there and awake during reading time. The prize will be a special scripture bookmark that I'll make for each one who accepts and completes this challenge, so let me know if you're going to do it so I know how many to make. Anyone who makes a challenge should take their own challenge. It wouldn't be right to challenge you to read the Book of Mormon and not do so myself. So let's see how I do, too. I know a couple of people who are planning to read it between now and the end of the year but my challenge is to have it read by the reunion. If you're almost finished read it again but if you're somewhere in 1st Nephi you don't need to start over unless you want to. What other challenges are we going to have?

Challenge #1

Okay - so I haven't heard a whole lot of feedback on these challenges but what I have heard has been positive. So I'm going to go ahead and make the first challenge. It might take you all the way until next July to get it done.

The challenge is to memorize "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." I've done it before but no longer have it memorized.... so yes, I'll be completing the challenge as well.

Part of the reason for this challenge is because so many of the talks at conference (both General and Stake) seemed to be focused on the family and protecting the family. The proclamation is a good recipe on how to protect your family, so it seems a good thing to memorize.

I'm not sure what the prize will be yet so I can't tell you what it is. I'll try to make it something good.... though isn't memorizing this whole thing a prize in itself? Anyway, everyone is invited to participate, even Brooke, Bryan, and any of the little ones that want to try it.

Don't have a copy of it? Well, go to lds.org and there is a link on the left-hand side bar.

Reunion Challenges

Hey Everyone,

I was doing all sorts of thinking this morning and came up with an idea for the reunion next summer. It's up to all of you if you want to be in support of the idea or not.... and if you aren't at the reunion you can still participate.

My idea is to have each person (or family or just whoever wants to do it) come up with a challenge that you want to give everyone to accomplish before the reunion. For instance, you could challenge everyone to read the Book of Mormon, or memorize the Articles of Faith, or run 100 miles, or have a family name ready to do endowments for, or something else. Anyway, the person that "hosts" the challenge would then be in charge of presenting all of those that completed the challenge with some sort of prize. It could be something really inexpensive or something that doesn't cost you anything for that matter. It's up to the challenger to come up with the challenge and the prize. I think it would be good to do some that even the kids can participate in. Or we could modify some or just make some just for the kids. And if the challenger doesn't want to let us know what the prize is ahead of time (because they haven't decided or because they just like the idea of keeping it secret) then you don't have to tell.

So.... any thoughts on this idea?

-Tawnia

we have liftoff!

A full year after we bought the webcam ... the Caudles are now taking appointments for Skype conversations.

We did a test-run with Tawnia tonight and everything went smoothly. Well, with the actual computer systems anyway. Be forewarned that Summer will completely monopolize everything. We're going to have to take turns with the camera and mike, so everyone else (anyone) here has a chance to say anything at all. That, and it was really obnoxious to try to hold Jenna at the computer with Summer and Marnie climbing all over me.

Reunion

Not to ruin things but at this time, Jeremy and I will not be going to Nauvoo this summer. We do not have enough money to do it. Yes, Jeremy may have gotten a better job (training hasn't started yet) but it is a temp to hire so he probably wouldn't get vacation time until later. Also, Jeremy and I will be getting sealed on our first anniversary, July, 9 2011. I'd actually like to see all of you there.
So as of right now, the only way we would be going to Nauvoo is if someone else paid our way, and if Jeremy got time off work.

sibling Christmas exchange

"Family Home Evening in a box" it is for the sibling gift exchange. Here's the list, and yes, I made sure that there are no repeats from past years. Everyone has someone new every time, for 7 years at least and this is the 4th year we've done this. I'm maintaining a list in Excel of this and the kids' exchange - if anyone wants to see it, I'll email it to you.

Trina - Clarissa
Eric - Trina
Jared - Eric
Tawnia - Emily
Emily - Mindy
Nathan - Jared
Mindy - Nathan
Clarissa - Tawnia

P.S. I promise it was not intentional that both of Eric's kids got my kids for the book exchange AND Eric got me for the sibling exchange. I just now noticed that.

Family Reunion

Just to second Jared's post. We're also planning on attending the Nauvoo reunion. And only because his family is. :-) I really hope everyone will be able to make it. It just won't be the same without the whole family.

Reunion

I'm probably flattering myself in thinking that this makes a difference... but I just wanted to put the word out there that we ARE planning on participating with the Nauvoo reunion next summer. I've gotten the impression that my potential plans for Christmas every year were affecting everyone else's plans, so maybe this will get people to want to come to Nauvoo.

I am finally in a position to be able to know that I'll have time off next summer, and it's actually more reasonable for us to get there than Oregon or Washington. Also, it'll be exciting to see some new places.

Trina mentioned possibly taking some more time and visiting other sites in Missouri after the reunion. I think this sounds fun too, so we may be joining in on that, too.

Family Night in a Box

I did this as a gift once before (I think it was in 2007). Included were the lesson, activity, and refreshments. Just add family. I think this would be fun, and it would work for any budget.

I think we could do this as a sibling gift exchange. Any questions?

Christmas exchanges

Continuing with the Christmas exchanges? I love the book exchange for the kids and want to keep going with that, but I'm at a bit of a loss thinking of anything for the sibling exchange. Honestly, I really don't need or want much of anything ... so I'm not sure how to go about suggesting anything. Thoughts?

I have the names ready for the kids exchange. (Mindy, can't wait to add you to the list next year on this!) I'll do another post for the siblings when it gets figured out.

BOOK EXCHANGE 2010
Summer --> Joshy
Rosemary --> Brooke
Jenna --> Emma

Stevie --> Summer
Allie --> Rosemary

Brooke --> Allie
Bryan --> Henry
Emma --> Jenna

Joshy --> Stevie
Henry --> Bryan

COST UPDATE and money business for the reunion

,After further discussion with Mom and Dad and a few other people ... here are some more thoughts.

It would be better to stay for 4 nights instead of 3 to really get some good time together. 3 nights, with the late check-in and early check-out, would make it so we'd have only about 48 hours together. And with everyone traveling such a long way, that's just not worth it. So we stay an extra night.

The tentative plan is: Friday July 29 to Tuesday August 2, 2011 in Nauvoo. Mom got a hold of the cabins, and they start taking reservations for next summer on January 1. I've been assigned by Mom to call them first thing that morning to get our dates on the reservation.

There are beds for 13 people in the largest lodge - if everyone comes (26 people), it would be best to also get a smaller cabin that fits 6 to get all the adults into a regular bed (plus Brooke and Bryan and a couple of other kids), and the small kids/babies can be on air mattresses next to their parents. This would eliminate the possibility of any hard feelings from anyone who paid the full amount but got stuck on an air mattress and was not very comfortable sleeping. This also means we have 4 showers and 2 refrigerators to work with. (The lodge has 3 bathrooms, the cabin 1. The cabin does not have a full kitchen but does have a fridge.) If not everyone comes, we can cancel the smaller cabin a couple of months in advance and readjust everyone's costs. But I think it's best to plan for everyone and make the full reservation and cut back later if needed, rather than attempt the other way around.

The new cost estimate will be $325 for each couple (again, Tawnia and Emily split that). This is $50 more than my original estimate. The cabins will be about $2200 including tax (I googled Illinois hotel taxes, and I'm estimating $1940 for the cabins plus 12% tax of $235). Four full days of meals at $100 a day puts the total at $2600, so $325 per couple.

Meals provided would be Friday dinner, all 3 on Sat-Sun-Mon, breakfast on Tues before we check out and everyone could make lunch to take with them. That would end the official reunion. If people want to go together to see other Church history sites in Missouri after Nauvoo or other things in Illinois, that would be fun to do. Each family would need to handle their own accommodations and food in any other locations.

Relating to costs, in future years when the kids are older, it would probably be more fair to estimate per person rather than per couple and those with larger families should pay a bit more. But the kids are small enough now that I don't think it matters much either way on food costs.

For immediate planning, the cabins website says that it requires a deposit of half the reservation and they prefer a check rather than a credit card. So that means we need $1100 in cash rounded up between now and Christmas. If we can all pay half between now and then, that would obviously cover it. Or if some people can pay their full amount now, then others could save up a bit more to get their share put together. Dad will collect the money, so make out your check to him. Dad, please make a spreadsheet to keep track of who has given you what.

I have my old account at the credit union in Oregon just sitting there with nothing in it (I've used it once in about 5 years), so we'll use that as our PALMER REUNION ACCOUNT. Dad's name is on the account so he can do anything necessary at the bank. And my name is on it, so I can write a check for the deposit directly out of the account instead of having to shuffle money here and there. Also, this way, the reunion money is set aside where it's not going to get mixed in with anyone's personal account. I'm fine with sharing receipts or bank statements if anyone wants any sort of "audit" on the account after the reunion next year.

Any questions or comments?

Thoughts on food (more about reunion)

Cleaning floors doesn't take much mental exertion, so I thought about what we might do at the reunion concerning mealtimes. Breakfast would probably be simple -- cereal, muffins, toast, etc. Maybe one day we could have pancakes and bacon. For lunch, we'd probably have sandwiches or eat out.

Dinner would be the big meal. If there are sixteen adults and we're staying for four days, we could divide into groups of four and everyone could help prepare a dinner. Chinese one night, Italian another, a barbecue if we could find a grill . . . it depends on what the kitchen has. Maybe we could have two couples in charge of the meal. Or we could divide it by sisters, the brothers and Dad, Mom and sisters-in-law, and the brothers-in-law and one of sisters (maybe Mindy). Frankly, I'd love to see Adam and Aaron in the kitchen together.

I think this is a good way to do meals, even if it doesn't happen at this reunion.

Nauvoo cabins

Here's the website I'm guessing Mom was looking at to stay in log cabins in Nauvoo:


Nauvoo Log Cabins

The lodge has a full kitchen, 3 bathrooms, free wireless internet, and sleeps 13. That's half of our group of 26 (16 adults, 10 kids). It costs $400 a night, so assuming we were there for 4 days and 3 nights, that would be $1200.

Looking at what the other cabins are priced at, what if - instead of getting the 2nd biggest lodge - we got one of the smaller cabins that sleeps 6 and has only a fridge and microwave? We would be doing the meals all together anyway, wouldn't we? The lodge has the kitchen and we could use the other fridge as extra storage or all the snacks, or something like that. The 6-person cabin is priced at $85 (rather than $185 for the 10-person lodge) per night, for a 3-night total of $255. Either way, we'd have 4 showers, because the 10-person lodge has only 1 full bathroom.

So it would be about $1500 for the lodging. Yes, that's beds for 19 instead of 26, but all the adults would be covered and I would be willing to put my kids on an air mattress next to our bed so we didn't have to keep reserving and paying for more. But it's $300 less than getting the lodge for 10. Unless the number is high enough that you think $300 isn't that big of a deal.

So just to throw a number out there, let's say $2200 total - $1500 for the cabins plus $200 or so for tax and fees (I'm guessing here), and then $500 for four days worth of meals. (Those with kids can get their own snacks because I'm sure every kid likes/is used to different things.) Divided by couple, and putting Tawnia/Emily together would make 8 couples - $275 each. (Tawnia and Emily could split that.) NOT BAD! If we were to each do this trip separately during the summer, you couldn't even get your hotel reservations for less than that, let alone all your meals. And that was rounding up pretty high.

If everyone did put that amount of $275 (or a little more) into a group account to make the reservations and do the grocery shopping out of, and we came in under - we could either split the extra evenly and give it back to everyone, OR we could leave it in the account to start us on another reunion trip.

Oh, and the catch is, the website says that to make reservations, you have to give them half of the money immediately. That would be about $800. So we'd need to get everyone saving, and pooling their money, right away.

I vote to keep any extra in a family reunion account. We don't need to all migrate back to Oregon every time we want to have a reunion. There's a lot to see around the country! I suggest Palmyra and upstate New York for another family reunion in a few years, as well as camping somewhere in the Rockies like at Glacier National Park.

My thoughts on reunion

See Trina's post for explanation.

I'm giddy with excitement at the prospect of a family reunion in Nauvoo. The cabins Mom found are perfect for our needs. http://www.nauvoologcabins.com/

At my current job, I will have one week of vacation beginning next March. So any time is good for me, but I could only go for a week. Nine days, if we count two weekends. I'd have to fly out there.

family reunion next summer?

There have been some conversations lately - I don't know how many, but I've talked to Mom and Tawnia - about the possibility of a Palmer reunion in Nauvoo next summer. I think it would be AWESOME! We were actually planning to get up to that part of the country next summer anyway and it would be great to do it all as a reunion for the first time since 2006 - it will be 5 years. About time we had one!

It would be really fun to meet up in Nauvoo for the pageant and other things going on - from what I can tell, it seems like you need 3 or 4 days to really see and experience everything. It would be great to go to the temple all together, but based on the number of small children we have right now, it would probably be better if we went in 2 groups (I'd say Mom and Dad go with both groups, so they can be in the temple with ALL their kids, even if it is split up) just so there are enough adults with the kids.

And if people can stay out in that part of the country for an entire week, we could also go together to Independence Missouri and see the Church history sites over there, as well as anything else in the region. I have a list, if anyone is curious. For example, Hannibal MO, where Mark Twain is from and there are all kinds of "Tom Sawyer sites," is only 75 miles from Nauvoo.

Mom found a lodging location that has cabins for groups - we could all fit in two of them, and that would take care of bathrooms/showers, kitchens so we don't have to eat out, and air conditioning so we sleep comfortably. If we want the, especially the large ones, we should probably make the reservations within the next couple of months. Lodging in Nauvoo during July for the pageant is darn near full in February, as I found out this last year when I was trying to sort out reservations for our family to attend our stake's youth conference (we ended up not going at all).

Our vote is to go the last week of July, because then Tawnia should be done with her summer classes and not have started back at the school district for her school year yet. And we could still see the big pageant - it does seem a little silly to go to Nauvoo and NOT go to the big pageant, especially since it's the first time of going to Nauvoo at all for a lot of us.

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts later, but this is to get us started. Please respond in a post and NOT in a comment, because those get buried too fast. I can't ever keep track of comments. Thanks!

A day at the beach

First of all, congratulations and good luck to Jared on his new job.

Now, my biggest adventure of the summer. First of all today, we went out to see the house that Uncle Gary is buying in Wilhelmina. It's got a fair amount of land, though some of it is right next to the creek (I actually think the property line is in the creek).

We headed out to the coast then. On the way, Aunt Karen said, "Look, three deer!" Uncle Gray immediately said, "Free beer?"

We went to the beach and spent an hour walking. It was overcast and a little foggy there, but not too bad. Aunt Karen looked for rocks with holes worn in them and found quite a few.

After a quick fast food lunch, we drove down to Salem. Nathan and Amanda had their hands full with some major leaking, so we kept an eye on the boys. We barbecued steaks for dinner. And afterward, we played on the Wii. I did pretty good at the free-throwing game, but Aunt Karen stomped everyone at bowling.

News

I think people are aware of this already, but I'd better post it in case anyone didn't hear the rumors... I got a teaching job!

School starts in two weeks (though I've started already) and I'll be teaching Jr. High math just a few miles up the road from our apartment. I interviewed for the position on Thursday July 22, got the offer on Monday the 26th, and Friday the 30th was my last day at Rosslare.

A new toy

I bought a new toy last week -- an MP3 player, which I have affectionately dubbed Musey. It's the cheapest player money can buy. It has its quirks, of course. For one thing, the menu button doubles as an on/off switch, which means there is no way that I can discover to get to a menu to select songs or playlists or albums or even randomize choices. No, Musey will only play songs in alphabetical order. If I want to find one in particular, I have to go flipping through the whole thing. Or if I changed batteries and reset it. Musey also thinks half the classical pieces are called "Zip-a-dee-do-dah" and the other half are called "The Prophecy." But still, it does break the monotony of work.

Happy Father's Day to Dad, Eric, Jared, Nathan, Adam, and Aaron! Love you all!

An adventure . . . maybe

It might become a great adventure or nothing. We'll see.

Anyway, I was on Facebook and saw a post from the NaNoWriMo page announcing a new job opening for their company (the Office of Letters and Light). I've looked at their occasional openings before, but I've never been qualified.

This time, I was. So I sent them a cover letter and now I'm hoping. If I got the job, I'd have to move to Berkeley, California. (That's just north of Oakland.) For this job, I'd move. It also pays three times as much as I'd make on my current job in a year.

To give you an idea about the nature of this company, I think mentioning I have a blue spork-wielding bunny called Plot is a good idea. (The sporks are a recent addition; Clarissa gave me several she and Jeremy got when they went out to eat.)

Other than that, my job schedule is going to be a little crazy for the next few weeks. One of my coworkers is off due to medical reasons and others are going on vacations, so I'll have to fill in on days. This includes a couple of Sundays. But I will be able to attend the stake temple night.

update

FYI - I updated my personal blog today after about 2 weeks with multiple back-dated posts and lots of pictures, including our new family portraits that Dad shot and Mindy manipulated for us. Thanks, Dad and Mindy!

It's been rather quiet this week with getting used to having no extra people around. We had a new friend over on Tuesday - a family just moved into our ward and they have a daughter who's only 2 months older than Summer. We had her over for a few hours while their moving truck was being unloaded. Other than that, it's just been the normal stuff. Not really anything adventurous.

I've been reading a lot - both with the girls and for myself. I just finished book #9 for the year - well, technically I finished 8 because I opted to not finish one of them because I didn't like it (Cold Mountain). And 2 of the 8, I started last year and didn't finish them until now. One of them was a Civil War book that I kept starting and stopping - I finally beat that one. I can read only so much about General McClellan - as in, a couple of pages - before I want to throw the book at the wall. He was such an neurotic idiot!

the not so fun adventures in the north

Our current adventures involve job hunting. After working at Legacy Kitchens for three months, the boss decided that Aaron "didn't fit" with the company, and let him go. The boss also thought Aaron was sexist, conceited, and didn't respect authority. This was based off of very limited interaction with Aaron, and the boss's assumptions based on security video. Of course Aaron could defend himself in all situations, but in the end "the boss's decision is final." And that was that. And so we hunt again. Aaron wasn't keen on telling, but I feel like I'm keeping a secret from my family and I don't like that. Besides, we could really use your prayers.

It was just the night before we found out he lost his job that we got my residency paid for. We still have another six months to wait for my paperwork to process, but at least it's in. If we hadn't done it then, it probably wouldn't have happened for a while.

A few months back Aaron's good friend Mikey (who was the one that confirmed him a member of the church) came to us with a little presentation - teaching us about how to handle money and dealing with investments and insurance. He's come back a few more times, teaching us more. At out most recent meeting we made some investments and got Aaron some life insurance (I can't get any because I don't have a social insurance number), and Aaron has joined the company. He's going to teach people about money and help them plan for their future. Obviously we're still hunting for a full time job, but once he passes the exam (anyone selling life insurance in this country has to pass it) then it's just a night or two a week and we'll have some extra income.

Last week we had some snow, but this week the weather improved. Gray some days, but yesterday was beautiful. And then today, when Aaron has a ball game (after last week's got snowed out), it's raining again. We're hoping it clears and dries up by this evening, so he can still play. If not, we hope the weather is beautiful for the two games he has on Saturday. (We're missing the one tomorrow because of a church activity we helped put together.)

I'm trying to stay happy and positive. I like having Aaron around, but we really need some sort of income. I've already started some Christmas projects, which has been fun, but I can't share any of the details with you!

Emily's Adventures

These probably aren't as exciting as your adventures, but here you go.

I get up and I work on my writing. A couple weeks ago I decided to follow Card's favorite advice to me: "Go back and start over." I've already changed the rescue scene, one character's background, and the entire plot exposition bit. Instead of telling a legend, there's a dream-vision sequence.

Then I go to work. Mop floors, clean toilets. The Mikkelsons have been getting me home, and they're good about getting on time. Except for the first night . . . Good thing I had a really good book. I'm currently reading "The Talismans of Shannara." I like an epic fantasy adventure, and Terry Brooks writes pretty exciting battle scenes.

The best adventure was when Nathan brought the boys over on Saturday. Henry's starting to crawl and get into things, though this doesn't make Joshy very happy. We had cheeseburgers and root beer floats, and we took the boys outside for a while.

Adventures

I know you've all been having adventures lately. Nathan has moved. Trina had a baby and then had Mom and Dad visit. Jared went to visit Trina and also had Dad with him earlier that week. Eric will soon have Dad and Mom there to visit, plus I heard rumor of a trip to New York recently. Emily and Clarissa are taking over the house while Mom and Dad are out of town. And Mindy is hopefully keeping herself busy while being stuck in Canada for the next six months. So I expect to hear about all your adventures.

And since I expect to hear about your adventures I assume (is that a dangerous thing to do) that you want to hear about my adventures. If not, just ignore this next part and go straight to posting about your own adventures.

I left home on May 21 and drove down to Nate and Manda's. We had an enjoyable weekend together. I can't think about it too much because it makes me miss Joshy and Henry. On Monday morning (May 24) I got up early and headed towards my new home. Two stops for gas, two stops for the restroom, and one stop for lunch later and I was at my friend's house in North Logan. Yep, that's all it took. Oh, and several CDs worth of Harry Potter 7. It's amazing how quickly a drive goes when you have a good book to listen to while doing it.

I spent the next day in Logan figuring out the last of my pre-grad school assignments and ordering my books. I also got my room set up for the summer and did some homework assignments that I have. (And I need to finish the rest of those soon.)

On Wednesday I drove to Murray to meet some friends for lunch. One of them never showed up, apparently she had written down the wrong day. The other showed up an hour late because her work replacement had shown up 45 minutes late. So I spent a lot of time pacing in front of this restaurant and texting people. After a 2 1/2 hour lunch, I hopped back in my car and drove down to PG (that's Utah slang for Pleasant Grove) to my friend Mandy's. She has a Guide Dog in Training and it was fun to learn all about that. I spent an enjoyable evening with her.

Thursday I drove up to Duchesne to meet my future co-workers and check out my future stomping grounds. I will be in the middle of nowhere. When telling my friends around here how to get there I tell them to drive up Provo Canyon until you get to Heber. Turn right and go another 70 miles.... you're now in Duchesne. If you want to get to Roosevelt you have to drive another 40 miles. The things I noticed about Duchesne are: 1. The people are very friendly and everyone seems to know everyone. 2. There are lilac bushes. (This was a good selling point for the place.) 3. It is quite windy. 4. It was a much longer drive than I was expecting. 5. I am going to be very well taken care of.

That evening I was back in PG for another evening with Mandy and Kyle (the dog). The next morning I drove out to the middle of nowhere in the opposite direction, ie. Eagle Mountain. My friend recently bought a house out there and I had to go and see her and the new house and find out that she's pregnant with number 2. Crazy stuff. Long drive. Excellent 4 hour visit.

I got to Springville that evening and have been here ever since. I have eaten at my favorite restaurants (it's a good thing that Duchesne County doesn't have many restaurants because it will force me to stay in and cook good food for myself), visited with lots of friends, and mostly just relaxed and enjoyed myself. It is normal and yet strange to be here. I'm staying at my old apartment which doesn't make things less normal/odd. It's like going back in time but things are just slightly different... like I now sleep in the living room because someone else has taken over my bedroom.

I will be down here for this week to relax and play because starting next Monday I'll be in class for about 40 hours a week. Plus there will be homework to do once I'm out of class. It will be an intense summer for sure. I'll need all the support I can get from you so feel free to e-mail, text, facebook, post, comment, send mail or care packages, or call me (weekends would be best for phone calls). And hopefully I'll be able to respond to you when I drag my head out of my textbooks.

Love,
Tawnia

Grandpa's here!

Just so everyone knows, Grandpa arrived here safely about midnight last night. He'll be heading off to Trina's first thing tomorrow morning. It was fun having him here for Family Home Evening.

immigration update

So everyone knows, my permanent residence application was mailed off yesterday. We got everything done, so they shouldn't have to contact me for more information, which slows things up. Now I just have to wait six months for processing, and then I'll get to do exciting things - like leave the country, or look for a job. We're glad to have it done, and out of our hands.

plans?

We had plans for Aaron to play ball this week - practice tomorrow and the first official game of the season on Saturday morning. We'll see if that happens at all, with all the snow on the ground. Forecast calls for more rain and snow for the rest of the weekend.

We bought tickets for a Hitmen game (same league as the Portland Winterhawks) for Friday. It's for game five of the series. The final series against Tri-Cities. Our team has won the first three, with game four tonight. I'm pretty sure they refund tickets for unplayed games. [UPDATE:] Wednesday night the Tri-City Americans pulled off a 4-2 win, making it 3-1 for the series. We DO get to see game five!

With the weekend opening up, Aaron will have the chance to have a few friends over to keep working on Otafest - the local anime festival that happens every spring. Aaron is in charge of gameshows, that he plans, creates, and carries out over the weekend. This includes a game of Jeopardy, so they need lots of questions! Lots of planning.

The last of our weekend includes going to a friend's wedding (anyone remember Jason's friend Jon that came to our wedding back in 2003?), and then having Aaron's family over for a Mother's Day dinner on Sunday.

As for more exciting adventures, we don't have much planned for the summer. Little day trips here and there, most likely, but nothing big. We'll enjoy the outdoors, and work towards getting my residency, so I we can take grander vacations in the future. I think a trip to Disneyland is in order.

summer plans

Since I've posted on the other 3 blogs today (my personal one, the recipe one, and the sisters blog), I thought I'd say hello here as well. (Also, the politics blog is dead. I don't think I'm going to revive it at all - it just takes too much time and attention away from my kiddos.)

Adam took Summer and Marnie swimming for a little bit today - first time in the pool for the year! (Mom, don't forget your swimsuit and bring a pool towel because we don't have extras for that. Jared, same for your family when you come in a few weeks - swimsuits and pool towels.) We've got a pretty busy summer ahead - Mom will be here on Monday for 3 weeks, and Dad will be here for the last week. Jared and family are coming for Memorial Day weekend for Jenna's baby blessing. If anyone else wants to come then, speak up quick!

In June, I'm going to Girls' Camp again - Jenna will go with me. The first week of July, we're going to Nauvoo for youth conference - I'm one of the chaperones for our ward, but our whole family is going. I'm really excited for Adam to see the Church history sites - we're planning on going to the Missouri sites as well. We're also going to see one of the guys who served his mission in our ward in DC - he's out there for the summer as one of the performers.

At the end of July, Adam is going to Chicago for work for a few days. *sigh* We don't get to go on this trip with him like we did last year ... but it's shorter. If it were for 2 full weeks again, I'd probably be more inclined to haul everyone along but it's only 4 or 5 days. In August, we're planning to go to Texas for Bryan's baptism (Jared, I need to talk to you about a tentative date for that because of my YW planning), and maybe another weekend of camping up in Arkansas. Apparently, it's a pretty outdoorsy state with lots of lakes and stuff.

Sadly, because of the stupid oil spill in the Gulf, we will not be going to the beach this year. That's a real bummer, because we really like the beach! The beach we went to last year in Pensacola was really great, and it was close enough (5 hours) to do a weekend trip! That area is probably going to get hit with the spill in the next week or 2. And the well that's spewing all the oil still hasn't been capped, or even slowed. Argh! We're wondering if it's going to swoop around Florida and work its way up the Atlantic side. If that stays clear, maybe next year we'll go all the way across Florida to visit some friends in St. Augustine and go to the beach there.

Any big plans from anyone else?

the question list

I did fill out our census form and Adam mailed it back in. Apparently we were not "quick enough" (even though we were before the deadline) because we got another form in the mail with a stern letter that IT'S THE LAW to fill it out! So I MUST do so! It was April 2 when we got this letter. How about you finish going through the mail, Census people, before you start throwing people off by sending duplicate forms, huh? (And no, Tawnia, I do not include you in the generic "Census people.")

My exciting thing to share is that I'm leaving in about 3 1/2 hours to go to Memphis with two other ladies in my ward for the weekend, to go to Time Out For Women (put on by Deseret Book). I've heard of it, so this should be interesting. The theme is "Infinite Hope." Speakers: John Bytheway (as a replacement for Sheri Dew - I wish it were still Sister Dew), some people I've never heard of but apparently have published books through Deseret, and the incomparable Mary Ellen Edmunds. Musicians: Jenny Oaks Baker (who lives in DC but I never got to one of her performances at the DC Temple Visitors Center) and Hillary Weeks.

Mom, if you could get into that box of my mission binders, there is a picture of me and Sister Edmunds in the MTC section. Could you scan and email it to me? I'd love to do a comparison shot this weekend with her.

I think I go left-then-right with my socks and shoes. But I don't know - never paid attention. And I haven't worn socks and shoes for weeks, even for church. Pregnancy feet have forced me to go entirely with flip-flops for over a month now.

My thoughts about cheese:
1. Wow, we eat a lot of it around here! We can go through a 2-pound block of cheddar (or Colby Jack - those are the most common) in less than a week.
2. Sheesh, it can get kind of expensive to eat that much cheese!
3. Especially since Adam has decided that parmesan cheese in the green can is no longer good enough, and we now get REAL parmesan cheese. Fortunately that block of cheese lasts much longer than a week, because you use only a tiny bit at a time.
4. We have four cheese graters.
5. It's yummy if you toast an English muffin, and as soon as it comes out of the toaster, butter it very quickly and put a very thin slice of cheese on it. Let it sit for a minute so the heat from the muffin softens the cheese, and then eat it. If we had any English muffins, that's what I would have for breakfast today.

That's probably enough thoughts about cheese. Huh. Never knew I had so many.

Random Questions

Ummm.... so.... has everyone filled out their census forms and turned them back in?

Does anyone have anything exciting that they would like to share with their family via the family blog?

When you put your socks on do you start with your right or left foot? What about when you put your shoes on?

What are your thoughts about cheese?

Changes to my schedule

So, when I got to work, I heard the manager, Maddy, wanted to talk to me. It turns out that the girl she hired at the same time as me (who got the evening shift) didn't work out. So I got offered the evening position. This makes me feel very happy, because I'd been scheduled to work on Sundays, and I didn't want to work on Sundays. And now I don't have to, because the evening shift is Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. So this has made me feel very happy. The shifts are a bit shorter, but I'll have more of them. (And I don't mind the shorter shifts, because my feet are tired at the end of the day.) I am very thankful for this change. I'll start on evenings next week.

My Testimony for My Children and Grandchildren

As I was listening to the final session of conference and heard the remark that parents should bare their testimonies to their children I felt the need to do that. Even though the comment was made to parents of youth I felt it applied to me, too.

I want you all to know that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that he lives, that he is my personal Savior, that he loves me and each of you. I loved the comment that every individual is a VIP in our Heavenly Father's eyes. I know that Christ visited the people on this hemisphere and shared his gospel with them and that he restored his church to the earth in these days through Joseph Smith. I know that the way you can know these things is to study ponder and pray. As one of the speakers said - archealogy or even miracles can't give you a testimony - it comes through the witness of the Holy Ghost and that only comes from our seeking and asking.

I hope you will each take the time to reread the talks and apply them in your lives. One of the things I heard over and over was the importance of families and of teaching our little ones, even as infants they can feel the spirit through scriptures and prayer. We also need to set our standards high as an example for our children. They are so precious and special.

I know I can do better at studying the scriptures, using my time wisely, serving others and in lots of other ways. May we all work together to be a foreer family. I love you all so much.

MOM

this is (hopefully) the month

No April foolin' - I'm really hoping this baby does not wait until May to make the Grand Entrance. Like I said on my personal blog, the doctor said on Monday that her head is in a good position but not engaged yet. No dilation yet - that would be too soon if it was happening, since I'm still 5 weeks from the actual due date. Adam's "watermelon test" is just about there - yes, he really taps on my stomach and listens to the sound like you do with a watermelon to check for ripeness. I still have plenty of things to do to keep me occupied for the next 3-4 weeks - it's just becoming more difficult to actually DO those things.

Anyway, I am now taking submissions to guess the birthdate and whatever other guesses you want to list. I'll copy Nathan and Amanda's prize - whoever is closest will get the first phone call after she's born. My guess (hope, dream, wish, prayer ...) is April 22 - 3 weeks from today. 

The front page

Have you noticed this about the headlines on the front page? Except for Salem and Lafayette, none of the other locations are current! Funny. And Nathan/Amanda will be moving before too long (right?). I'm not mad about this, I just think it's interesting how much we've moved around recently.

Happy Birthday to Tawnie Pooh!

Hi Tawnia! Happy Birthday! We hope you have a great day!

Love, Eric, Laurel, Stevie, and Allie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAWNIA

You asked how I've seen the hand of the Lord in my life. One very special way is through you. You always set such a fine example for me by being so faithful. I loved what you told BYU when you turned down their offer for grad school. The reason was prayer. That's the way you live your life and I'm so proud of you for it.

May this new year of your life bring many exciting adventures. I'm glad you've had this time to be home but I know that it's time for you to leave again. Remember that we're always here for you.

Love always,
MOM

A job

Yes, I finally have a JOB! An actual job!

So today, while I was baby-sitting a couple of girls for a sister from the ward, Mom came in with the phone. I'd been interviewed for this housekeeping position on Monday, and I so hoped to get a job. (Seriously, I even applied for the position of sign post . . . er, holder.) It was getting frustrating. (I apologize to those who had to put up with me.)

Anyway, the woman on the other end didn't say I got the job; she just wanted to see me this afternoon. Actually, she called in two of us. Originally she was going to hire only one part-time evening housekeeper, but she couldn't decide between me and another candidate, so she decided to hire us both. Only I have a day position instead of evening. I'm very happy. Relieved.

Think what I can do with all that money. Pay off student loans. Get a library card (where I could check out more than one book at a time). Give Mom and Dad some money to pay for the roof over my head (literally). Buy me some chocolate. Go splurge at the bookstore.

Hand of God in my life...

Thanks Tawnia for the great reminder of Pres. Eyring's talk, and the invitation to share a recent miracle or two.

I've seen the hand of God in my life a few times in recent days. One that I'm willing to share has to do with the Project Management Professional exam that I took last Friday. I went into the test a little shakey. They say to get a good night's sleep, etc. and I tried, I really did, but it didn't happen. So the test started around nine thirty, and I had four hours, including fifteen minutes for a test tutorial at the beginning. So I had until one forty five. But I thought (originally) it would only take me three hours to take the test. I was wrong.

When I had a little over an hour to go I was hungry and tired and sure I was going to fail the test. I started to think about what I would tell my boss and how I would study differently for the retake.

Then I prayed. I had the thought enter my mind that I should just do my best and keep working on the test and not give up. And so I did. I used every last minute of that test (I think I stopped it with 17 seconds left).

And I passed.

New Question

Since no one else is putting up questions to try and keep the blog going I guess I will.

Here's a question for the week.

How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life lately?

And if you haven't then start looking!

Love,
T

Accepted

Now I've been accepted to two of the three schools I applied to. Should make the decision interesting. For more perspective on this please read my personal blog. I hope you've all been invited!

for old times' sake

With the sudden explosion of spring here (it seriously seemed like it was overnight), I've been going around singing, "Spring is here, spring is here, life is skittles and life is beer. I think the loveliest time of the year is the spring! I do! Don't you? 'Course you do ... "

So for old times' sake, here are a couple of videos of those Dr. Demento show performances we all thought were so hilarious ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuMLpdnOjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TytGOeiW0aE

Call me juvenile, but these still crack me up!

Things I'm proud of...

Well, I'm proud that I graduated college, that I married a pretty stinking awesome fellow, that I have two stinking amazing babies, and that I'm posting on this blog. And my playhouse - I'm proud of how things are coming, and that I went and re-did like half the stuff I'd already done.

I'm Happy to Report

I've been exercising 30 minutes every morning. For Christmas, Aaron brought the girls a Disney DDR that plugs directly into the DVD player. I've been using that nearly every day for the past month or so. I don't know if I've lost any weight to speak of but I'm working on it. And, of course, my best accomplishment is my beautiful children and my beautiful grandchildren.

what makes me proud

Good question Tawnia. I think it's a good thing to get my mind off what makes me worried. It's a lot like counting my blessings actually, and since I didn't really do any of these things without help (divine and other), it's the same thing. So these are what I'm proud of right now...

- Being the father of two beautiful children
- Buying a house
- Conducting a ten minute meeting this afternoon (short and sweet. oh yeah)
- Reading War and Peace, Ulysses, and Infinite Jest (long, complex, and long AND complex respectively)
- Laurel wants me to help with dinner so I'd better go...

Wahoo!

I got accepted to BYU. Hopefully I'll hear back from USU by Monday. Then comes the fun of deciding where to actually attend.

And that is what I did that I'm proud of this week (the getting into BYU part.)

Emily's plan

Hi, family. Well, it looks like going directly to a publisher isn't going to work, but at least that pushed me to hurry and finish a decent manuscript. So now my plan is to look for an agent to sell my book. I did an initial search on Saturday and made up a list of possible agents, particularly those with a strong interest in fantasy and young adult books. I have ten on my list. Next, I prioritized them and figured out what each one wanted (a query letter only, or if they want the first five pages -- it varies a lot). I've also written a rough draft of a query letter.

I still need to go over my novel yet again and polish up a few points.

Wish me luck.

recently

I finally baked bread by myself.

 

I cut Summer's hair. 

 

Marnie needs her first major haircut pretty badly, but she's tough to get to hold still to even trim her bangs (which also needs to be done). We'll see how that one goes.

my special thing

I posted on this blog. Now I can smile and say, "I did that."

I did that!

Check out my art blog and it's full of creations that I'm very proud of. I do love to show off my artwork, especially when pictures turn out just right. Like my latest picture of Henry. Or the watercolor dogs I just finished (one will be posted shortly).

Whenever Aaron gets home from work, I basically have to give him a tour of the apartment, and show him all the little things that I got done throughout the day. He needs to know where everything goes anyway, so he can start putting things away himself.

Hello? Hello?

So I left town and the blog died? Well, Trina posted one thing, but everyone else just quit. I had even posted another question and everything.

Now I know that we aren't supposed to be prideful, but we all have little things that we've done that make us smile. I would have to say that my "proud" accomplishments of late are knitting a purse and a wallet. I think they are pretty cool and I showed them off to everyone while I was in Utah. My proud accomplishment of last year was learning to solve a Rubix Cube... but I've forgotten how to do it since then. I need to have Clarissa re-teach me how to do it.

Are there any other random questions that people are going to ask in order to keep this blog going?

emailing pictures

Did I ever send ...

Mom: pictures of the girls' stockings? And then the one I got of all 4 kids stockings before we filled them at Eric's? I think you said something about not taking pictures of them before you sent them, and I was supposed to send them to you.

Eric: pictures from Christmas Eve in Colonial Williamsburg and Christmas morning? I got 2 of Stevie in the foot stocks that crack me up (one is Adam's current profile picture on Facebook). I also shot a bunch of Allie with Summer and Marnie all playing with her tea set while you were occupied with Stevie and his Buzz Lightyear stuff.

Tawnia: pictures of the girls with their blankets you made on Christmas morning? I wrapped them and put them under the tree.

I don't think I sent any of these. Sorry about the lag time. I was just looking through my photo folders this evening to see if there was a more updated picture of me with the girls for the sisters blog (the picture there is from last Easter - almost a year ago), and remembered about the Christmas pictures.

More Answers

I'm glad to see that we're posting more on this blog. Let's keep it going. Ask more questions.... or just post about what is happening in your life.

I think I need to go back and answer some of the questions including my own.

My favorite color is blue. It has been since I was little. I think I like blue so much because of the sky. Growing up where it rains a ton, seeing just a patch of blue makes life so much better. I also like chocolate brown. It's probably the color I wear the most. And I love how green it is here. I always forget how many varying hues of green there are until I come back home. I'm really enjoying seeing Spring here for the first time in about five years.

I have a lot of different music that I like. It kind of depends on my mood. I love jazz and soft rock and whatever Ingrid Michaelson is considered. I also like some good classical music for background. And it's always fun to sing along with some of the Broadway classics and movie musicals. I also like to listen to some good LDS music.... as long as it doesn't have too much country twang to it. I don't like twangy.

Weirdest friend requests.... well, mostly just people that I knew when I was at college but haven't seen since and didn't remember because it had been so long. Also some people that I was friends with in elementary school. Or there was the guy that was friends with my friends in Springville and had never talked to me, even though we were always at the same functions. I think it's funny when you know about people who you don't actually talk to when you see them.

So to keep this going we need more questions. What is something that you have accomplished in life that makes you proud? It doesn't have to be something big just something that makes you smile when you say, "I did that!"

In answer to questions

Favorite color: purple. Why? It's pretty.

Most random person to become my friend on Facebook: it was a bit of a surprise when a couple of girls from church (Hunter and Nicki) decided to become my friends. Still, why not?

Favorite music: I like classical and movie soundtracks. I consider John Williams the best composer alive.

I think that was everything.

Strange Friends

Trina asked about the most random people who have asked to be our facebook friends. For me it would have to be another Evelyn Palmer. She said she was inviting all the Evelyn Palmers out there to be her friends. I don't know anything about this person or what ulterior motives she may have so I didn't accept her offer. I don't want total and complete strangers looking at all of my pictures and my friends pictures and all the videos and other stuff that's out there. Also have you noticed that there are a couple of people in the Beers family group that aren't related? I'm going to have to ask Debbie or Robbie about that. Crazy.

Answers to Mind Boggling Questions

Miracle Whip or Mayo - I thought Miracle Whip was some other product like mustard or ketchup. I don't like it.

Favorite colors: blue and red and green. I like red because it's easy to spell and Evelyn looks good in red especially when I embarrass her. Blue is for the blue sky. After being raised under gray skies I really appreciate seeing blue skies. It's like seeing the stars for the first time- I was in the 6th grade the first time I really noticed the stars. Green: I like the large variety of greens in the great outdoors. I love seeing green in its natural state.

Music: I enjoy stuff out of the forties, elevator music, something in the background to break up the silence. Generally it has a beat. I am not much for songs where I can't understand the words.

I don't look at facebook that much so I can't answer Trina's question.

We have accepted a bid for getting the roof fixed and should have enough to fix the ceiling, too. We'll use our tax return for our trip to the south.

good guitar + lyrics i understand and enjoy

that's what i like. a lot of country love songs - a lot of old school stuff (from the mid-90s, i guess), and some pop. i mostly don't like female artists, unless the lyrics are good enough. and i like classical...or acapella...so I suppose that I also like music with no guitar and no lyrics sometimes.

question list

Mayo vs. Miracle Whip: I'm obviously in the minority that I kinda like Miracle Whip on sandwiches. Not that I've had it for years because Adam hates all mayo-based products except in certain cases (potato salad and tunafish, but that's about it) so we never buy it ... but I don't have yucky memories of Miracle Whip.

Favorite color: purple, and I don't really have a "why" to it. It just is. I wear it quite a bit, and it's the main color in the quilt on my bed. I don't know how much I'll use it in decorating the entire house, but it will definitely be in there somewhere. I think purple and yellow would be a great combo for decorating the girls' room, but they like PINK. Pink pink pink! And it's their room, so we go with pink. Green is my other favorite, especially outside. I love it when the outdoors are all green and pretty!

Favorite music: I don't really have an answer to this one. Lately I've been listening to a set of classical CDs that I've had for years, just to have some "background noise" that's not obnoxious. I used to listen to a lot of country pop but haven't stayed caught up with the latest since Adam and I got married, really. I'm willing to take recommendations, so thank you Tawnia and Clarissa for your suggestions on the sisters blog.

Here's a fun question to keep the line going ... who is the most random person to have friended you on Facebook? For me, it's a kid in our current ward who has never actually spoken to me. Seriously, not one single word. I've just let the invite sit so far - I'm not quite sure what to do with it. Also, a couple of people who were in Adam's ward when he was a kid whom I've never met and most likely never will because he's not in contact with them. I didn't accept those.

Did I get them all?

My Favorites

My favorite color - hmm. I guess it's red. That's a color I like to wear a lot but it's not one I like for decorating. I prefer softer colors like blues and pinks for that. When I was little my favorite color was yellow - I'm not sure why. I like lots of colors, so it's hard to pick just one.

When it comes to music - I like Classical, I like Celtic and sometimes Ragtime. I like a lot of different things. Mostly I like what you guys call "Elevator Music" stuff that's easy to listen to.

In news from here at home - We are getting ready to hire someone to put a new roof on our house, yet again. That's not exactly what we had in mind for our savings. We may need to modify some of our travels for this summer - particularly our second adventure. We'll probably fly out for Bryan's baptism rather than the long road trip we had planned. Maybe we'll make a shorter trip to Canada to take Mindy the rest of her stuff. We'll keep everyone posted as to our plans. We are definitely going to Alaska in September 2011 and when the brochures for that come out we'll choose our adventure.

Fav Color

Burgundy... because it's pretty.

Another question: What music do you listen to?
I listen to a mix of church artists, country music, Celtic Woman, Imogen Heap and other pop/ rock artists. It all depends on my mood and what I am doing.

What I like

I prefer ranch dressing over mayonnaise but real mayo is better than miracle whip.

Blue Mayonnaise

Yummm.

ummmm

whichever one is on sale?

Ditto

I also agree that mayo is better. Is this because we were raised with mayo and not miracle whip? Probably. I'd love to hear what some of the in-laws opinions are on this as well. You know this is a very important question and all.

And since we're asking important questions I guess I could always ask another one. So here it goes. What is your favorite color and why? And I don't have to be the only one that asks questions. I just figured that it was a good way to get people to post.

-T

Mayo

Yeah, it has to be Mayo. Miracle whip just doesn't taste right. Probably because that's how my mommy made my sandwiches when I was a kid.

Not a whole lot going on. Mostly writing. Looking for work. A lot more writing. Playing on my computer. Thinking about writing. Reading (most recently including The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.) More writing. I figured out how to do the big reveal in Book 2, but I haven't decided how to have the characters distract the guards so one of them can sneak into the city without being noticed.

agreed

I agree with Mom - has to be mayo. It's all about the taste. I don't mind low fat stuff, as long as it isn't Miracle Whip.

I noticed that Clarissa's blog died almost exactly a year ago. Her last post was about not watching TV back in February 2009. May I suggest posting on the family blog, instead of pretending to have your own - since it obviously isn't working, and the family one needs a little boost. Yes, I have my own blog too, but at least I post. (And I really do want to hear about your life!)

Aaron is at work today - his first day of work since last summer. He was a little nervous, but we're both very excited for him. He's glad to be working hard, using his mind and muscles and being able to provide for me. We've started looking at apartments online, and have a handful picked out. We've made phone calls, and are looking at the first of them this evening. We are hoping to be moved out at the end of the month, and officially on our own.

Mayo

I can't stand Miracle Whip. It tastes very gross to me, especially on my sandwiches. It has to be real mayonnaise not the fat free or low fat stuff. That's my opinion. (See I do check this site quite often to see if there's anything new.)

Three

Three different blogs. Three different posts. All basically saying the same thing. I'm going to Utah next week to interview for BYU's program. I'm excited. And the sun is shining, which is always nice when you're in the Northwest.

I don't think this blog should die either. I think people need to post on it more often. So here's a question for the day or week.

Which do you prefer mayonaisse or miracle whip? and WHY? Please make your answer a blog post and not just a comment.
-Tawnia

Tawnia's question

Good thought, Tawnia ... and maybe it's time we have a discussion about this entire website - what we want to do with it as a repository of information along with any concerns for privacy/security with kids pictures on it (or not), especially since most of us have our own blogs now and even those have been barely utilized since we all got on Facebook.

I'd like to go on record that I'm really starting to dislike Facebook in general. I could get into a huge rant about how I think it's perpetuating an imitation of communication and Adam's thoughts about how it's a sociologist's nightmare, but I'll spare you. I will say, though, that it's a huge time-sucker for me and it's becoming increasingly disturbing. The only reason I haven't canceled my account is because of you guys. All of Mindy and Aaron's wedding pictures are on it, Jared's pictures of Israel, videos of Eric's and Nathan's kids, etc ... Yes, I've relocated some friends from high school and college, and that's been nice but certainly not life-changing or anything. And if I'd like to continue contact with any of them individually, I certainly have other avenues to do so. And WE certainly have other communication methods available to our family, most of which I need to take better advantage of - like this blog and website.

All this to say ... I hope we don't kill the blog or the website. I'm not entirely sure what we should do with them, but we should talk about it. And I hope we don't resort to Facebook as our family's main form of communication.

Death?

So I was looking back at the beginnings of this blog.... back in March of 2004. Kind of crazy that it has been so long.... and yet, not all that long ago. Now I'm wondering if this blog is dying because there have been TWO posts this year. And one of them was from me. And now there is a third from me. And I'm not really much into blog posting. Or at least I haven't been until recently when I started having way to much free time and decided that posting on my blog would be worthwhile. So are we going to continue posting on this blog or what?

J

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARED!!!!!

I hope it is a most excellent and exciting year for you!

Love, Tawnia

Insanity Updated

With all the blogs and how easy they are to update, I've switched my link on the insanityinc page to my blogs. Click on "Mindy" to access what was my wedding blog and is now my general blog. Click on "Creates" and you'll get to my art blog. It still has lots of updating to go through, but that's on my list of things to do during the next few months.