November 2013

Kara vs. the Pole

I was out shopping; thinking that I had been out too long and was a bit shaky because I needed food. I headed out of the Target parking lot thinking of what to make for dinner. I glanced in my rear view mirror and was momentarily blinded by the sun glare. I was thinking about what to make for dinner and then suddenly there was a horrible noise, crash, a terrible smell and I heard myself screaming. I stopped screaming, looked in the mirror, saw my nose bleeding and screamed again. Then my door opened and a man asked if I was okay. I had driven right into a pole and the air bag had deployed.. A wonderful couple stayed with me for two hours while I called James and my insurance and waited for a tow truck and then they drove me home.

I was very shaken up and my neck hurt but was so very blessed. Blessed that I was alone and the boys weren't with me, blessed that I had my seat belt on, blessed that I was mostly unhurt and blessed that people were in the right place to help me and were so willing to do so. 

(I also called Tiffany to tell her that I would not be able to teach the lesson in YW's the next day. I was looking forward to teaching and was disappointed that I didn't get to give the lesson I had prepared. But I did not feel up to it. During YW's the next day the girls wrote me cards and brought them over to me along with some fuzzy socks.)

(I was also blessed to have a great chiropractor and to have insurance that covered the cost.)

Max's ALP Aircraft Project

For his ALPS project Max chose ships as his subject. After reading several books about all types of ships, he narrowed it down to Aircraft Carriers. He constructed several models with legos, drew many different types of ships and then finally worked with James to build a cardboard model.

THE LEGO CONSTRUCTIONS

BUILDING & PAINTING

THE FINAL PROJECT

PRESENTING

He presented his project to the class; reading his report, showing his model and all the parts of the carrier and then shooting an airplane across the room using his homemade rubber band catapult. I was so proud of his successful first school project and presentation!

We celebrated with ice cream!

Father's Blessings

For FHE James gave the boys blessings. It was the first time he had done it and he admitted he wasn't sure how to go about it. I printed out some basic instructions from lds.org and jotted down some ideas of things he might focus on in the blessing. He said it might just be him repeating those things but we both felt it was important to let the boys know that their Dad has the priesthood and can use it for them.

We started with a simple lesson talking about types of blessings, how you should act during a blessing and then Father's blessings. I read a little story about a girl who was nervous going to school and received a blessing from her Dad. Then asked Max if he would like a blessing from James. He said yes.

I cried. Of course I cried. Seeing James give Max a blessing was so sweet. I was worried that Max would be restless or Zane would interrupt but they both sat so quietly and listened. James did follow very closely what I had written but also brought his own spirit to it.

The blessing...

"As Max starts school he will be excited to learn, he will listen to instructions and understand what he learns. That his brain will be smart and his body will be strong and he will have energy. And that he will enjoy learning."

I was a little ashamed that I hadn't thought about Zane getting a blessing as well and was humbled as I watched him walk to the chair, climb up and look up at his Dad. He was ready for his blessing! More tears as I watched him sit so still and quiet while James put his hands on his head and gave him a blessing. James did great with the unexpected and blessed him with similar things such as "that his brain and body would grow strong" as well as, "that he would be friends with his big brother."

I am so grateful that James was willing to do something that is so far out of his comfort zone; something he did not grow up experiencing. He wants his boys to have the gift of the priesthood as they grow up.

It was a sweet touching experience. I hope there are many more moments like this one in our home.

Max Goes To Kindergarten

Max was so excited when all of his school supplies came in the mail.

He had fun playing games at the UTVA school orientation.

 At the "Back To School" pizza party Max was introduced to Aislynn.

They looked at each other, finally said hello and then took each others hands and ran off to play.

They were instant best friends that would be together the rest of the year at every event.

Pantry Makeover

BEFORE

"PROFESSIONAL" PAINTING

AFTER

I have hated the nasty wooden pantry for years and finally just did it. I tore out all the nasty boards (and they were even nastier than I thought) and then had lots of help from the boys painting the walls a soft blue. The final touch was the new white wire shelves. 

A Sanity Trip to Kimber's

July 18th-21st

During a phone call with Kimber, she spontaneously invited me to bring the boys for a visit and I spontaneously decided to go. For sisters with the same plan-ahead-and-over-organize-everything paranoia this came as a wonderful surprise to both of us.

I have been feeling so worn-down, exhausted, snappy, emotional, overwhelmed and impatient. Part of the appeal of going to Kimber's was getting away from home and the routine, knowing she would take care of me a bit and knowing I could get in to see Relda. I was so grateful that Kimber mentioned her and suddenly things fell into place and it felt so right. My visit with Relda was so theraputic! I cried and laughed and unloaded as she read my eyes and told me several things affecting my health and emotions and gave me several herbs to take home. I felt so much better just leaving her house as I had a plan for getting better and knew that there was an end in sight for this feeling.

Of course, Kimber and I had a great time together but having our boys have fun together is an additional bonus.
And, have fun they did!

Max and Zane are all about "vehicles".  They know the names of nearly every construction truck and train car and when we pulled out the car mats they led the way.  The car mats haven't been out for over a year but once they got started their imaginations took over and they zoomed around together on those mats. The ping pong table added even more driving space and a perfect runway for the planes.

In the garage they were entertained by the basketball game, both for shooting balls and for monkey climbing.

During the hottest hours of the day Max, Nathan and Hyrum relaxed in the house with games, videos and Netflix . . .

and Zane was entertained by the sink.

On Sunday morning they looked like mini-missionaries and since we had them all suited up early we put the 

Book of Mormon video on for them.   It gave the mom's just enough time to finish getting ready.

After church they had a picnic on the porch and then waited patiently, catching every last

minute together, while the truck was loaded.



We tried to get a few age/height pictures of our adorable little men but that just led to silliness

So, to the sound of their laughter, having had a great few days together, we were off. 

July: Young Women's

YW Secretary

I got a call for James and I to meet with the Bishop. James was just called as the Elder's Quorum Secretary so we figured it was a calling for me. A few nights before our meeting I was out riding my bike and ran into Tiffany (Parkin). We got talking and she told me that she had been called as the Young Women's President and asked if I would be her secretary. I was super excited. I loved being in Young Women's before and I enjoy working with her. I was glad to have the head's up (always am) and was excited to say yes.

The new presidency was called just two weeks before Girl's camp and there had been little planning done. The other two counselors (Erroly & Stacy) both had obligations so were unable to attend camp or Youth conference, which was scheduled the following week. So, Tiffany and I took over the majority of the planning. Along with Chantel, the camp leader, we spent hours meeting, emailing, talking on the phone, planning and preparing. The day finally came and we were off to camp.

Girl's Camp
I didn't know any of the girls, Chantelle the camp leader or Patrick from the bishoprick when we left for camp. By the end of the week I felt like I had built relationships with all of them. A very late night in a tent with Tiffany and Chantelle turned into a hilarious confessing and instant friendship forming night.
It was SO SO SO cold! Most of the girls had a miserable night and we had leaders bring up more bedding for the next night. We didn't have to worry about sunburns as much as staying warm.

Tiffany, Sarah, Heather, Kienna, Chantelle, Kaity, Emily, Sarah, Malerie, Abbie, Patrick

The Hike
We started out walking on the path, the on the road before we got to the mountains to hike.
Several of the girls asked if we were done when we were still on the road. It was about a mile hike and beautiful.


Crafts and Games
Chantelle had such cute things like the pillowcase and bag with the theme and fun craft activities like the rock and frames. The girls enjoyed joining with the entire stake to make the cute handkerchief bag and theme hanging. They went home with many fun and useful reminders of their week.

The Skit:
Tennis Shoes and Faith Among The Lamanites

Two girls are reading the story of Abish, one with reverence, one with boredom & sarcasm. They are transported to the scripture time and watch when Ammon tells the Queen that King Lamoni is alive. She believes him and he tells her she has great faith. King Lamoni, his Queen and Ammon are "overpowered by the spirit." The girls see Abish, who runs to gather the people to see the miracle. Abish trips because of a broken sandal. The girl lacking in faith gives Abish her tennis shoes and says that someday she hopes to have as much Faith. The Lamanites gather & begin to murmur. Abish takes the queens hand to raise her up. The Queen thanks Abish & then says, “I must have some of those foot coverings of curious workmanship.”

(Our skit was definitely the most fun and thought out.)

 Delivering Goodies to other Wards/Build Your Own Trail Mix

 The Stake had a fun picture taking setup.

Youth Conference
Just six days after returning from Girl's camp we headed out again for to the Manti Pageant for Youth Conference. We set up tents for yet another night of camping and then had a nice dinner at a nearby church. We found seats and settled in to wait for dark. I haven't been to the pageant in years and it was enjoyable despite how tired I was! The boys made quite the racket and Tiffany and I stayed up reading, "Edenbrook" out loud to each other until they quieted down around 2 am. Far to early the next morning we had an easy breakfast of muffins and cereal and headed to Seven Peaks Water Park. I had absolutely no interest in getting in the water but after walking and hauling lunch in the heat the water felt wonderful. It was tiring but fun to have another big event and spend time getting to know the girls.

Back row: Kienna, Lisa, Heather, Tiffany, Anna's cousin, Anna
Middle: Kaity, Emily, Abbie, Ashley
Front: Malerie, Me, Kennadi, Erin