Mona's Got Talent

Today was the talent show at Mona Elementary.     I know the teachers have been wondering about the value of such an activity.   They have been crazy with testing and science fair.  Not to mention their everyday curriculum.   So to add in a talent show seems such a waste of limited time.   I'm not even a teacher and yesterday when I was helping in the classrooms I thought wow this is just to much.   Today I had a different perspective on the whole thing.   I watched in amazement as these children with confidence (some more than others) got up on stage in front of their peers and performed their talent.   From the bottom photo you can see a large number of brave kids.   You should know this is only half of them this is only grades K-3   The pmK, 4-6 were in the afternoon and they had just as many kids.    I thought of myself and when I was young.   I remember singing in church and primary.   I remember singing in a Stake Primary meeting once.  Now I am the ward choirmaster and you can't hear me sing.    I don't stand up with much confidence.   So why is this that most adults hide our talents and loose confidence?   Why don't we want to share our gifts with those around us?   I'm  not sure of the answer and I am going to ponder this and fix it.   So if anyone has any feedback for me please share.   In the mean time I will be a proud mom of Kaci and Jake.   Kaci made up her own roller blade routine to Love Story.   Included in her routine were one foot glides, swizzles, and fishies.   Jake sang to Love Story, our Karaoke version wouldn't work so he got to sing with Taylor he did a great job.   Next year we will have to convince his dad to accompany him on the guitar.     My favorite part was watching the older kids cheer and lift each other up.   What a fun inspiring day.

My Pot of Gold

Today I received a txt from a friend that had a list of all the things she was thankful for.   Then Kaci brought home a punch of Lucky St Patrick's Day things.   Suddenly I knew I had to blog about my favorite Holiday.   St Paterick's Day.  So what is this silly holiday and why do I love it so much.   Funny that I love it and don't even know or maybe remember its meaning and history.

Saint Patrick's Day^] is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century, and has gradually become a celebration of Irish culture in general.

The day is generally characterized by the attendance of church services, wearing of green attire and the lifting of Lenten restrictions on eating, and drinking alcohol, which is often proscribed during the rest of the season.

The last part strikes me as funny church services but then we lift all rules after the service?  Kinda crazy but I guess tradition is tradition and its ok because we went to church first?

  So why Shamrocks and the color green.  According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish people.  So what is Holy Trinity it is the belief of God being three divine persons, God, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.   They just have a different view on God being all three. 

Not far off what I believe.   Just that I believe they are separate personages.   I believe the Father and the Son are two personages with their own body and spirits.  We believe in the Holy Ghost.  

First Article of Faith.

 1 We ^abelieve in ^bGod, the Eternal Father, and in His ^cSon, Jesus Christ, and in the ^dHoly Ghost.

Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's day grew.^[13] Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century.^[14] Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day.^[15][16] In the 1798 rebellion, to make a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March in hopes of catching public attention.^[13] The phrase "the wearing of the green", meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing, derives from a song of the same name.

Today even though most people int he United States observe St Patrick's Day it is not an official holiday.   In the US it is not typically observed with church services rather lots of food and alcohol.  

Now that you have had my history lesson for the day I guess I should explain my love of the Holiday.   I was born on March 16th for the longest time I wished I would have been born on St Patrick's Day.   I really have no idea why other than, maybe in my simple childlike mind that would have made me more special to have my birthday on such a unique holiday.    My wonderful mom must have sensed my lack of self worth and confidence because at the age of 12 she made a big deal of my birthday being the day before St Patrick's day and gave me my very own shamrock plant.   From that year on she gave me something green to let me know how special and important I was.   So for that reason alone I have developed a love of this holiday.   Now 36 years later I have come to learn how special I am.   First,  I am a daughter of a King a Heavenly Father who loves me and wants what is best for me.    Second,  I am a daughter of earthy parents who love me and have taught me what is right.   Third, I am a Wife to an imperfect most wonderful Husband in the world.   Fourth, I am a Mother to three amazing children who teach and love me every day.   Fifth,  I am a Friend to so many amazing people.    The list could go on and on today.   My heart is very full and I am so very blessed.   Because of this in a few days I will not go searching for a pot of gold.    As you can see my pot is already pretty full of GOLD!   

Happy  DR. SEUSS  Day

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

"A person's a person, no matter how small.”  

Two of my favorite Dr Seuss Quotes.  

I think I've been shot by Cupid

 Kaci's favorite holiday is Valentines, not her birthday, not Christmas yep Valentines.   Last year we had a girls Valentine party that was really fun.   This year I wasn't quite as on the ball.    Thanks to Cupid she had another wonderful day.   Kaci looked through all of her Valentines and then put on her roller blades.   This is a daily ritual she roller blades for hours.   She will roller blade outside for a while and then come in to unthaw.   I heard her go out and then come back in pretty quick.   I thought that was weird so looked to see if she was ok.   She was leaning against the door with an armful her smile was priceless and she had this lovestruck look on her face.   I was a little sick I'm not going to lie.    I was not prepared to see this look on my daughter and then to here the words, "Mom I think I just got shot by cupid!"  was a little more than I was prepared for.   At this point I was ready to run for the bathroom or the gun just couldn't decide which direction to go.    Then I had a reality check and remembered she was only 6 not 16 thank heavens.    Then I txt her Dad waiting his response.   Mine was definitely worse.  I guess I just don't want my baby girl to grow up.  So are you dieing to know who shot the arrow?    That's what I thought.  His name is Dallin Jarrett.  He is a really shy adorable kid in her class.   She gave him a Christmas Present and when I do my back post I will post about that.  

This year her and Jake decided to make heart crayon Valentines instead of candy and we made their Valentine boxes.   Valentine boxes are still a big tradition in Mona Elementary parents go all out.  It is almost as bad as the pinewood derby.    Jake wanted a guitar and I think it turned out pretty good.   Kaci wanted a bird house with Love birds and heart flowers.    Their boxes came home overflowing with sugar and notes from classmates.    

I didn't blog about our Valentines experience last year.    Dan surprised me with a new outfit and dinner date.   We doubled with Wendy and Casey Winn.  That was a fun night.   We came home to Mona to see a house was on fire in the new part of Mona.   That was really horrible yet a blessing for our family because we were able to help them rebuild their house.   Dan was highly recommended by Jeff Boyd and Shane and Stephanie Woolslayer turns out that the Jolley's ride motorcycles with them.   The kids stayed home and didn't answer the door for anyone just like we told them.   There were a few plates and goodies on our front porch.   There was a gift for Kaci from the Williams'.   The boys questioned where theirs was and even though I thought that was strange I just said well she did a Valentine Party so maybe they just did a special Valentine for her to say thanks.   A few days went by and I didn't dare say anything to Tina.  Seriously how do you say anything.   I ran a few scenarios and nothing sounded good.   Really it wasn't a big deal but in the back of my mind I kept thinking this is just weird.   Finally,  Jake and Keanna had a discussion about it on the way to school.  This broke the ice for us to know that there should have been 5 Valentines on our front porch.    So the mystery began and has never been solved.   We have our suspicions.   Obliviously someone needed the treats and gift certificates more than the rest of us.   At least we know we were not forgot and a year later it is a memory to laugh about.   So this year I told Tina she had to deliver them in person and then we needed a photo.    I think Tina loves Valentines as much as Kaci she always has the funnest gifts with the cutest heart cards and this is when she sends out her family cards.   We Love her and her family and our grateful for their friendship and memories we have.

Sparkles

Our boy dog named Sparkles.   He has been with us for 3 years and Wednesday I thought it was over.   He usually rides with the kids to school and then hangs with me in the mornings while Kaci is at school.   Today was no different except that I didn't take the kids to school, Andy picked them up.   I wondered a couple of times where he was but got busy and didn't think about it.   When I went to pick Kaci up from school still no Sparkles.  Kaci had a friend come to play and they played outside most of the time and still no Sparkles.   I asked her when the last time she saw him was and the tears started to come.   Jake came home and we looked over the neighborhood.    We called to see if by chance Sparkles had climbed in the Williams' car and got left there.   We looked in all of our vehicles still no Sparkles.   Jake was very concerned and Kaci was in hysterics by this point so I called Dan for backup.   He said,  I can't talk I am right in the middle of something.  His usually response sometimes I wonder why I even bother.   Then he told me to call the Sheriffs office.   When I tried to explain how ridiculous that idea was he said just trust me.   So with great hesitation and sheer desperation to find my daughters 4 legged friend and comforter I called.   "Hello, this is Lisa Woodland you are going to think I am crazy and I am but, Dan said I should call and tell you my daughters little puppy is missing."   The voice on the other end didn't even laugh he just said what kind of dog is it.    I said, "a a shitzu poodle cross."  He asked what color he was.  "a greyish brown longer hair."  "Yes Mam we have your dog what is your address we will send an officer out with him."   "How did you get my dog and how did Dan know and why are you bringing him to me, I don't even have to pay the pound fee or anything?"   So for the next 20 minutes while we waited I had a million questions.   Come to find out the boys home down the street claim they found him up by the freeway.  I don't bye their story.   So Craig Ryan went and picked him up he went to several homes trying to find out where he belonged then he took him home to get a drink and some food and let him play with his dogs.    Then he just rode around with him all day in his truck sitting on his lap and in the office waiting for us to call and find him.    Craig had took him to the vet (Mont's)  they looked to see if there was an electronic tag. (didn't even know they had them) The dog catcher was unfamiliar with him.  Craig decided since he was so well mannered and behaved someone was sure to miss him and look for him so Barbara and him were just going to take photos and put a sign up at the post office and keep him with their dogs until they found where he belonged.  So how did Dan know about this.   Craig went in to Do it Best Hardware when Dan and Brad were in there getting materials and Brad said,  "Hey that dog in that Sheriffs truck looks just like Sparkles."  Dan said, "Ya it does."  and they left.   Craig said he had thought about asking Dan especially when they were looking at him funny but didn't.  So Sparkles had a day on Duty with the Local Sheriffs Officer which he loved.   But, when you saw him and Kaci's reunion it was so awesome.  They really love each other and that is why I am so glad we still have our boy dog named Sparkles. 

Let's go back to the Good Old Days

Jake took all of his money from Birthday, Christmas and Rodeo.   He has loved driving his pony around his goal is to get the pony broke enough to sell pony cart rides.  It is so fun to watch the boys work together and figure things out.  Fae wants nothing to do with the cart and horse days she is all about her roller blades after all, they are the ice skates for concrete! This last few months I have really got into family history.  I don't just want to do their history I really want to know their stories and know them.   This last weekend while at my Grandpa and Grandmas we read stories about my great great great grandparents who moved their family to the farm and raised cows and chickens, they sold eggs and beef.   As I was reading Jake was enthralled in learning that his love of animals was an inherited gift. Dan's Aunt sent us her memories of her dad and him and Zeak loved learning where their love of horses and dancing came from.   So fun to see my kids loving the good old days and wanting to learn more about them.  Then taking what they learn and relive them in the 20th century!

Novemevber

Boys day on the dessert

Aunt Brenda made her awesome cake

Woodland Family

Barnhurst Family

Grandma Woodland on ice

Wrestling Tournament

Pie Party

School Thanksgiving party

Aunt Shannon is the favorite

Dan carving the Thanksgiving turkey

Thanksgiving Dinner

Even Cowboys can iceskate

Wow November was another full month.   Zeak started wrestling and we were able to take Grandma Woodland to the Spanish Fork Duel.   She is so good to support the kids and loves to watch them.

A few years ago when we lived in Nephi we were invited to a pie party.    Dan loved it and has wanted to do one every since so we finally made time for not one but two pie parties.   We have lots of friends in different circles and so we had a party on Friday night and then another one on Saturday night.   It was a lot of fun we will have to try and make it a tradition.

I helped with the kindergarten class party we made the traditional turkey apples and played some fun games.   I love being able to go help in my kids classrooms and help with the class parties it is one of my favorite jobs as a mom.

Thanksgiving was with the Woodlands this year.   Everyone came to Susan's house this year.   Dan helped carve the turkey which I think he loves doing.  It is so fun to be together and enjoy the holidays.   I was in charge of the rolls and I saw a fun idea on pinterest and so we tried it.   I asked everyone to email me what they were thankful for.   I typed it up and then put it on a piece of paper inside each roll.   It was fun to hear what others were thankful for and to see who's paper you got.    My rolls are always a hit but I think everyone enjoyed the papers.

The day after Thanksgiving was Kaci's Birthday she was feeling really sad that her Birthday is always on Thanksgiving and so she can never have a friend birthday.   So I talked to both sides of the family and we invited everyone who could and wanted to go ice skating with us.  We reserved the rink for 2 hours.   We had a blast.   Kaci loved it then we went back and had cake and ice cream at Susan's.   Brenda has found a new creative talent that we are all enjoying.   She is decorating cakes.   The ice skates she made out of rice krispies and fondant.  The ice was cake and fondant.   She did a great job and Kaci loved it. 

The day after Kaci's Birthday the boys went riding on the desert.   They enjoy going.   I love that they have iphones and can take photos while they are on their outings so they can be blogged and journaled. 

Dan and I celebrated our 14th anniversary.   That is so crazy I don't have any photos.   Our anniversary was on a Tuesday night so we didn't do a lot that night we did however spend the second weekend of the NFR in Vegas with Aaron and Melanie Hall.

And that concludes our November bring on December.