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.

Another Terrific Kid

I Love the words that they have put with the word Terrific.

Thoughtful
Enthusiastic
Respectful
Responsible
Inclusive
Friendly
Inquisitive

Capable

I need to be Terrific.  but since this post isn't about me and what I should be I will tell you why Mrs.  Jacobsen thinks Jake is terrific. 


January 25,2012   Jake Woodland is the Terrific Kid in Mrs.  Jacobsen's class for January!  He pays attention during his lessons is enthusiastic about learning, and shows respect tot others.   Jake shows he's responsible by handing his homework in and using his class time wisely.    Whatever he is assigned as a class job, you know he will get it done and do it well.  Jake is a Terrific Kid!


As a mom I think he is terrific as well and love to hear others see in him what I see.   Love you Jake keep up the good work. 

2nd Place

The Pit Crew

We are the last minute, throw it togethe,r get online and figure out all the secrets to the little scout derby's.   We never win best looking, most real to life or any other award!    Most of the time Dan doesn't even participate in the construction of these rockets or cars.   But, when it comes to the actually race Dan is all business.   Jake sanded and painted his rocket all by himself and then him and I glued it together.   The night of the big race it was him and I alone for the first round and we failed miserably.   Dan had a welding night with his own scouts and so he was late.   When he got their Jake was on deck.   The three of them rearranged a few things added the secret winning potion.  (If you want to know you will have to call me.)   They won!   The next three races Jake won which put him back into the winners circle.   He lost the last round by just a hair.   It was a fun night.   I often wonder if activities like this are really necessary?    Then I look at photos like this and know that memories like this are priceless.    

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!

CUJR Award Baunquet

The boys had there awards banquet the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We tried not to let them know how they had done but someone slipped and told Zeak. He finally won his first saddle and he was pretty excited. He had an awesome year and improved a lot. He Loves to rope and can't wait to rope in his new saddle. Him and Dan also won another set of team roping buckles that they were excited about. Dan said there is nothing like winning a buckle with your son.

Jake had a great year as well he held the record for the fastest barrel run of the season for all three age groups. Him and Stran were the only two boys really in contention for the saddle this year and they had a great year it was so fun to watch them improve and gain confidence this summer. Jake said, Stran can have the saddle because there is no way I am riding a calf and I am pretty sure Stran would choose riding a calf over any of the other events.

They promise we can have a little break for the Holidays before we hit the practice pen hard but, with Zeak's new saddle I might have a hard time keeping him off.

Family Home Evening with the Funny Man

Jake is our funny man. He keeps us on our toes and keeps us laughing. Then there is the other side of this funny man it is his spiritual side. The other night Jake was disappointed about his horse being to sore to ride and decided we would stay home and have family home evening. He was so excited to do it and he had an idea that was all his. He included his little sister in his preparations. While I was making dinner he wen through the gospel art kit and the church magazines to find the pictures he had in mind. Then he was insisting we were making bread. I agreed but didn't ask to many more questions. When dinner was over he got the piano bench with all of his visual aids together. He had each person grab a picture and say how each picture was important to us. He had a picture of the temple, the scriptures, family, The Prophet, church, and Jesus. We discussed each picture and how they were important and why we needed them. After we discussed the picture we put one ingredient in the mixer for bread. Here is where the funny man comes in. After the first picture he said mom we need this much flour. He was just going to pull a recipe for bread out of his head. Looking back I maybe should have let him do it. But, the mom in me stepped in and said lets use my recipe. When we were all done and the dough was mixing Jake said, now see how we have to have all of these things to to make it to the Celestial Kingdom just like we need all of the right ingredients to make delicious bread. And a Child shall teach them. Thanks Jake for the awesome Family Home Evening.