Problem....

Savannah came home from her playgroup yesterday and I greeted her, "Hi Savannah! How was playgroup?"

She sat down beside me and said, "It was fine, but there was a problem."

"Really? What happened?" I was curious.

She began, "Well, I started it," and then with some exasperation, "but NO ONE ended it!"

Can you believe it!? We might have to find a new playgroup.

p.s. I'm s.l.o.w.l.y. updating and catching up on my blog. I post additions with the actual dates of the events. (I have to since this is like a family journal.) I think I'm all caught up to March of '09. Sad.

Bride and Groom

Who doesn't like a good love story?

One of my favorites is between a girl named Kristina and a boy named Tyler.

It's a match made for heaven!

Family and friends gathered for a dinner on Thursday evening to celebrate their upcoming wedding. The food was DE-LISH and Tyler sang a sentimental song. (He's good!)

On July 16th they were married for time and all eternity in the Draper Utah Temple. The ceremony was beautiful! Kristina was beautiful! Everything was beautiful!

Of course they were themselves. Dancing, walking with a spring in their step and being robots. The real photographer got even better photos here.

And we were ourselves; sampling everything on the table,

Cam made some fast friends and Mason kept us on-the-go all night long.

I was myself, frantically running around before the reception. I learned a hard lesson when I ruined my dress just an hour before I was supposed to put it on. Sad, but not a catastrophe. The dress had lots of static and I tossed it into the dryer with a dryer sheet because I was in a big hurry. So it turns out that when the tag on a dress that says "line dry" it really means you can't put it in the dryer - even for 90 seconds. The heat from the dryer caused the the beautiful champagne fabric to become very splotchy. I wish I would have spent those 90 seconds reading the label.

No matter. This was a day to celebrate because...

families are forever...

and it is a marvelous occasion to mark the beginning of a new one!

In the middle of the night...

Many of you know that Russ and I both served as missionaries in the Philippines. Eleven years later we finally got to go back. Pictures and details will be coming, I just want to share one quick experience.

At 2:30 a.m. I woke up to someone coming into our dark room. I had been in a very deep sleep and when I heard this person talk, I didn’t know who she was or where I was. She approached Russ on his side of the bed and with the little light coming from our bedroom window I could only discern that she had long hair. She was short and I thought perhaps she had a form of dwarfism. What she was saying didn’t make sense, something about a noise and that she was worried. Her words were all jumbled. Russ spoke to her and said, “Wala ‘ko kadungog.” (Meaning, “I didn’t hear anything.”) I was glad he spoke to her in Visayan, because her English was so confusing and I was sure that we would better be able to understand this Filipina if we just spoke in Visayan. However, this only upset her and she couldn't understand.

Finally it came to me that this was our daughter! I just didn’t know which one and I was relieved when Russ identified her as Savannah. With a weak voice I called her over to me. She came and I was just about to let her climb into bed with me when I realized that we were home and instead of the hard floors in the Philippines there was carpet and she could bring her bedding into our room and sleep next to us. When I suggested that Russ protested. I knew what he was thinking and explained, “There’s carpet on the floor,” and he replied, “Oh, we’re home.” After she got settled, I laid awake and reviewed the event in my mind, the parallel thought processes between husband and wife, and my dwarfism assumption. I laughed off and on for almost ten minutes, for some reason things are even funnier to me in the middle of the night. Russ did not laugh, he was trying to go back to sleep.

Philippines - Day 1

On June 9th we kissed our kids goodbye and left them in the good hands of their loving grandparents. Our first flight took us from Salt Lake to Los Angeles. It was supposed to be short and easy, but Russ had a serious migraine. Thankfully the migraine subsided and after a short layover we flew to Seoul on Korean Air.

We sat next to a lovely Korean girl that giggled about everything and taught us how to mix up our lunch, bibimbap. We watched Invictis, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and Extreme Measures. Sure, we had our own personal screens, but we crossed over the international dateline and it was suddenly our anniversary so it was only fitting that we synchronize our screens and watch movies together, read at the same time and try to nap at the same time.

The Seoul airport (which is actually in Incheon) is immaculate, much better than the old one I flew into in 1998. We landed and tried to find some kimchee to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We had a hard time communicating with the hostess and waiter at the airport restaurant, but the menu abbreviated English translations sufficed. They brought out a pot of pork stew with kimchee. It boiled and boiled in the little cast iron pot. I wondered if it would ever cool enough for me to eat it. It did cool. However, the fiery spices did not. Russ finished it and I ate the other items that came with. One was a boiled potato and the other side dishes, while unrecognizable, were still both chewable and swallowable. Our bill came to 11,000 wan. I know airport food is expensive, but three zeros on any receipt is frightening. Oh well, it was our anniversary and we weren't going to eat Subway while in Korea. (Turns out that was less than $10, phew!)

Our flight left that evening around 6:00 pm and we flew directly to Cebu City in the Philippines. The contrast between the Cebu airport and Incheon airport is like comparing Nordstroms with your local 7-11. As it turns out we like the 7-11 better and we were so excited to be back! In a way it was like coming home after a very long absence. We funneled through the terminal with a throng of Koreans. I believe Koreans migrate to the Philippines with the same frequency that New Yorkers migrate to Florida.

We went through customs in the foreigner line. Russ was unsure which of the forms he should keep and which one would stay with the customs official. He asked the official, "Akoa ba 'ni?" (Is this one for me?) The official slowly turned his head over his left and right shoulder, trying to figure out who had spoken to him. When the official saw no one he looked a bit bewildered, even a bit spooked. Russ repeated the question, and the man looked at him, dumbfounded, while his female co-worker burst into a hearty laugh. That was the beginning of many such experiences. It's not just surprising to Filipinos when Caucasians can speak Cebuano - it's really funny!

While waiting for our luggage we noticed two American men dressed in suits. We suspected they were in Cebu for the same reason we were, (for the temple dedication) and struck up a conversation. One was Elder William Walker of the Quorum of the Seventy and the other was Tom Coburn, who manages the temple department for the Church. They introduced us to the Elder Walker's wife, Vicki, and we also met Ralph and Lee Cottrell (they served as mission presidents in Cebu from '90 -'93.)

The clock approached midnight and we were anxious to get settled. We checked into the Golden Prince Hotel and after a couple mango shakes we slept soundly.

V-o-l-l-e-y-b-a-l-l

I played volleyball again this winter and spring in two different city leagues. It's good exercise, nice to get out of the house during the cold winter months and where else can I compete? This is the second year I've played with this group, most of them anyway, we added Shanna and Annie and lost one player. Their coaching and encouragement has really helped me to improve. (We were all relieved when I finally got my serve down!)

Our first season didn't end well. Our matches were close, but we struggled to finish them with a win. After our final match, and one of our most frustrating losses, we decided to sign up in another league that was about to begin play.


Adjusting to the new league took some time. We missed having referees, score keepers and cramming three courts into one gym was kind of annoying. We played all twelve teams in the league and came up just short of being placed in the upper-division tournament. Lower-division was a bit disappointing, but we liked our chances of winning our remaining games.

We beat our first opponent in the tournament and barely lost to the second. The following week we won our first match and advanced to the championship, which was a rematch with the team we lost to the week before. Because we were coming from behind we had to beat them two out of three sets and then again in a set to 35. We lost our first set, won the second and the third and then beat them 35-18 in our final set.

2010 Champions!

Twins!

I've always wanted twins and last week my wish came true! Not once, but three times over. We watched some of our friend's kids while they took a trip and it was an adventure.

Aren't they darling?

Kate and Mason

They are just three weeks apart - close enough to count as twins. Kate is a sweetheart! She turned two in October and does very well with her large vocabulary. On her first night here I helped her get ready for bed and she said, "You are so nice!" in the cutest little voice ever. The next day we were out shopping at Costco and she randomly declared, "You look nice!" She says "sank you" about 12 times a day, likes when I sing, and takes at least three hour naps. I could keep her forever. Seriously.

Savannah and Nicole

Nicole is very loving and expresses it in so many ways. On Friday, the UPS man came to our door to deliver a package. As I signed the tablet Nicole rushed outside and gave him a warm hug. He looked down and said, "Aren't you a sweet girl!" He seemed to appreciate her sincere gesture and I couldn't help but think that world really would be a better place if we followed Jesus' teaching to become like the little children. (Certainly the UPS people would like their jobs better.)

Naomi and Alexis

Naomi and Alexis are two months apart. They happily played together for hours, only pausing for meals, school and sleep. Alexis is thoughtful and analytical, she's also witty and easy-going. She and Naomi put together their own cookbook with six or seven original recipes. They were so pleased with their creation, that is until one of the two year olds colored on it. (Hint: it wasn't the exceptionally polite one with pigtails.)



The oldest daughter is two years older than Cam so I can't count them as another set of twins. Allison is a mother's dream. She is selfless, considerate, polite and very helpful. (She even likes to bake and cook!) I don't think we could have handled the full house without her.



After four days our friends returned home from their trip and they wanted their beautiful girls back. Sigh. It was fun while it lasted.

Naomi Lives Here

Our home is blessed with our daughter's beautiful creations.

From a very early age we knew that she had an artistic flair,

and a knack for color schemes.

Our dining room table often looks like this.

She makes our place prettier,

every part of it,

and certainly has a mind for detail.

I can't wait to see what she will do with her talent. Naomi could be an artist, an interior designer or perhaps a gang member with duties as chief tagger.

Whatever she does, Naomi will leave her mark.

Cam Update

First up, calling him "Cam" is all the rage.

Cam is a member of the Bear den in his Cub Scout Pack and the lucky boy has his Grandma Shearer as one of his den leaders! Life is good for scouts, this month they participated in the annual pinewood derby. Russ and Cam made a nice car (that I failed to take a picture of.) It was black with a LEGO man driver and trust me, it looked goooood!





Last week we went to the BYU Paleontology Museum with the Bear Den. I thought is was perfect for kids his age. They gave us a 30 minute tour and admission is free!





They are sticking their heads into the jaws of a prehistoric crocodile that was the length of school bus!

Recess is the first thing he tells me about when he gets home from school. I get animated play-by-play accounts of how this happens to his clothing on a regular basis...



Cam participated in his first Hershey Track Meet this month. Third-graders from five Elementary schools gathered at the local high school to compete. Unfortunately, we missed Cam's events, the standing long-jump and the 200 meter, while picking up Savannah from preschool. However, he did well, had a great time and is already anxious to compete next year.



Perhaps you noticed the red spot just above his lip. Here's another shot taken a few days later.



This is what an airsoft gun can do to your face. He doesn't care. After his first airsoft war with a big group of kids in the neighborhood, all he can talk about is buying one of his own. I can hear echos of The Christmas Story. "You'll shoot your eye out, you'll shoot your eye out." He promised to wear goggles so we are going to give him a probationary period to prove he is responsible enough to own one. I suggested a year long probation, but he didn't like that so much.

Cam keeps plugging away with piano lessons. This month he learned how to play Ode to Joy. He might play this for the recital in June and has a month or so to polish it up.



Cam works hard at school and recently became a fan of a reading program that the school is testing out. It's called Ticket to Read and he can't wait to do his reading homework each night. We are thinking about buying subscriptions for our kids this summer. It's less expensive if you buy them in bulk. If any of you are interested in going in for a group rate please let me know. You can get a 14 day free trial here.

Blossoms!

The previous owners of our home must have loved blossoms because nearly every tree and shrub has spring blossoms. For two weeks our place feels magical!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend began with the arrival of cousins on Friday afternoon. Elise and Jacob came to stay the night with us and Savannah went to Grandma's house for a sleepover with cousin Madeline. On Saturday morning we ate breakfast and listened to General Conference.

Around noon we gathered with relatives for an egg hunt. The forecast predicted snow in the afternoon so we met inside a seminary building.



We spent the afternoon session at home and welcomed Randy, Daryl, Tim, Jen and their kids to come watch it with us. Afterwards the men went out to eat before attending the Priesthood session and the rest of us stayed at our house.

On Sunday morning I woke up in an okay mood. The layer of snow on the ground was pretty but I just didn't feel the "happy" part of Easter. I made the mistake of reading some news and that sent me downhill. There are so many problems in the world and sometimes I let them get to me. I tried to remind myself that it was Easter and I should be celebrating Christ's victory over the grave. That wasn't so helpful, it only sparked the emotions connected to death.

Easter is the celebration of Christ's Resurrection and I felt like a doubting Thomas for being so down. I started to think about the untimely deaths of family and friends. I thought of my widowed sister, the recent passing of two angel cousins, and and a friend that lost his wife to cancer in February. I ached for them. Sometimes the Resurrection and Christ's return just can't come soon enough. I'm not much of a crier, but Sunday morning I really cried. Of course it wasn't for my own pain, but for the intense and lonely sorrow of those grieving their enormous losses.

I pulled myself together and joined Russ and the kids to watch the Sunday morning session of General Conference. I walked in during this talk by Elder Richard G. Scott. (Keep in mind that Elder Scott is a widower and that his first born son died at a young age during heart surgery and that his second child lived for only a few minutes after birth.) He spoke of things that I know, but the Spirit helped me to feel it in my heart. His message was profoundly sincere, comforting, reassuring, hopeful and uplifting.

Easter means more to me than it used to. I don't know that it will ever be as festive and light as it once was. It's now heavier - more tender and it leaves me with a sense of longing. Longing for the end of grieving caused by separation. However, it's also more personal and poignant. I know the Atonement is real and I am thankful for the miracle that is assured to each of us.