A Carol from Katie

A Poem by Emily

This poem only recently came to my attention as I was browsing Emily's page of her class wiki. We're fans of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," so what's a little season blending among friends?

By the way, it's an acrostic poem for Halloween.
Know what that means?
Learn more and write your own here.

School Pictures

Say "Cheese!"

Forts in the living room

2 blankets
2 books
1 rotated moon chair
1 table
1 architect/engineer/builder/resident

Things that come home from school

Two simple gifts arrived home with Emily today.
#1: A certificate that represents an honor for Emily....who is now a STAR student on Brinson Elementary's Wall of Fame for the month of December!

#2: A reunited pair of gloves. Thanks to whomever established the glove lost and found (gloves tied by their fingers to the push bar on the out door on her hall).

'Tis the Season to be Emotional

Here's a heart-warming, entertaining video. It made me want to laugh and cry at the same time although I'm not really sure why the crying. I guess 'cause it is just so stinkin' sweet!



Wishing You a Merry 'Vintage' Christmas! from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

Getting a meaningful message...

Here's a little reminder I needed:

Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Source: Daughters of God by M. Russell Ballard

Lawn Care

I am thankful that my father and brother take care of our yard (even on a Saturday). Not only do they give us the gift of a good-looking yard, but they give us the time we would spend on the yard to invest in our family.

Updated on 11-26-08:
I sent the link this post to my brother and he replied:
"Your smile said all that I needed..." Isn't family great?

Getting all dressed up and having a place to go

Halloween 2008

This photo was taken outside of an assisted living facility where Emily volunteers once a week and Katie sometimes tags along. Emily plays the piano one week and plays the Wii (usually bowling) the next. I came up with the idea originally just to play the piano for the residents a few times a month. After 3 years, she plays pretty well. I know how it lifts my mood to hear her music in my home. I thought having a place to share her talent would help in motivating her to continue to play. She is a very compassionate child, and as we approach the "tween" years, I don't want her to lose this character trait. The week before she started, the center got a Wii which gave Emily another way to be involved.

In the "it's a small world" category, one of the residents is our neighbor's brother. It is sometimes stressful getting her there, but we're always glad we went. As a teenager, I visited the Willow Cabin at facility for the disabled in a nearby town through a Junior Civitan project. We "partied" with disabled teen girls once a month--you know ate junk food, listened to music, etc. I think it was a good experience, and I think Emily may learn some of the same lessons with this experience.

I really want to do this more...put up photos of those I love and write about what is good in our lives. Other bright points:

• Emily got all A's on her report card and had perfect attendance.
• Katie got a great report at Shriners...next appointment in 6 months.
• Joe's dad is in rehab (not the drug kind...he is recovering from a motorcycle accident) and making progress towards coming home.
• I am in the middle of a Children's Book Drive--one of those projects that makes a difference in the community.

Emily's Fascinatin' Rhythm

Emily's recital song was Fascinatin' Rhythm by George & Ira Gershwin from the musical Lady Be Good. I am amazed not only that she can play it so well, but that she does it from memory.

Easter Pictures