Birthday celebrations

*Sarah turned 18 and Dave turned 47.  I can't believe that I have 3 adult children and a husband approaching one-half century.  I have been quite reflective as of late pondering the passage of time.  Time seems to move so quickly.  I hope that I can continue to enjoy and appreciate the small events of life and the numerous blessings that have come into my life.

I appreciated a message taught in Sacrament Meeting. The message was of obedience and that it always will be a continual action, one that can be improved upon daily.  I wish that I had copied some of the quotes delivered.  They seemed to help with my current thoughts.

Our home teacher told of an experience on his mission in Venezuela.  It was quite lengthy but to summarize, Bro Downs was sent out of the country with several other missionaries because the government had ordered them to leave.  To solve the problem, Bro. Downs was sent back into Venezuela to work out the difficulties and to then make his way to the mission home in Caracas.  Bro. Downs spoke no Spanish and didn't really understand much about the country so he was alone in finding his way back.   He had rode the bus system, the subway system and then after getting back on the bus had fallen asleep.  Waking up in the night, he stepped off the bus in Caracas, Venezuela, alone and lost, praying for guidance in finding his destination.  He had been praying throughout the day for help in finding his way.   Within a short amount of time, he found himself on the doorstep of the mission home.  A true miracle in his life.  He testified that the Lord knows us individually and He will answer our prayers if we seek Him.

For Sarah's 18th birthday, she spent her time studying for a Calculus test.  Her efforts paid off with the return of a 90% on the test.  Yea for Sarah!  She and 4 other friends finished presenting their senior Social Studies assignment called Project Citizen. This assignment involves the students isolating a problem and then making every effort to present it in a convincing manner. Her group chose the problem of too little parking in Rexburg.  Their group did a good job.  Sarah's passion for the chosen subject was missing a little, but she could do little to change the direction of her project because the other members of the group were set on presenting the parking dilemma.

Two years ago when Kirsten presented her project, she became increasingly interested in the challenges facing education.  There focus was finding funds to increase teacher pay.  Since then, she has become deeply concerned about the state of our economy and how to make major improvements in education,  One concern is that school districts have the ability to attract the best of teachers; for these young students are our future.  A great teacher can make all the difference.  So throughout her Project Citizen experience, Kirsten wanted mostly to convince our state legislature to become advocates of teachers in Idaho rather than enemies.

Other interesting updates:
*Catherine received her driver's permit.  She is so excited to be have the Driver's Ed class in her past.  *Kirsten attended an event in her BYU ward, hosted by the elders, and celebrating the Relief Society women.  She dressed up in her high school commencement dress and looked quite lovely.
*Spencer practiced 900 minutes on the cello this semester.  400 points more than he was required.  He now can participate in a pizza party.
*Sarah received an invitation to the Commencement dance from her good friend Christopher Bressler as a birthday present.
*As part of Dave's birthday gifts, we updated our home phones.  Most of you would look at our phone situation in disbelief.  We have been very much behind the times for several years.  First off, the 2 phones in our home were all corded phones.  So we couldn't travel beyond 5 feet when chatting.  Next, no caller ID (which I am quite happy not to have.)  And then the phones we did own were purchased for just $5.00 so they had been used to full capacity.  We were mixing a lot of static with our phone conversations.  We now have 2 cordless phones and one new inexpensive phone.  I have really enjoyed roaming the house as I converse.  It doesn't take much to improve our quality of life, just a long time.
*I accompanied 3 violinists for a Masterclass at BYU-I taught by members of a New York Quartet.  It is very enjoyable to use the talents I worked hard over the years to develop.  We played Chacone by Vitali, Sonata mvt. 2 by C. Frank and Sonata No. 1 mvt. 2 by J. Brahms.
*Matthew and other members of our family played Battleship, Book of Mormon matching game and a Disney matching game this evening.  Lots of fun
*Camille had her first experience doing a Clinical rotation in the EIRMC Emergency Room.

All of us are healthy and generally happy.

Confusion in Walmart's Parking Lot

We had the most hilarious experience the other night.  I drove Catherine and Sarah to Walmart so they could pick up a few items.  I chose to stay in the car and send them on their way.  Shortly thereafter, I saw Camille come out of the store and called her name across the parking lot.  She heard me and joined me in the car to visit for a few moments.

After awhile, Sarah and Catherine exited the store and began walking towards the car. Catherine took a seat in the back of the car without hesitation.   I sat and watched Sarah as she walked around the van parked next to us.  Before I knew it, she was sitting in the passenger seat of that van with the door closed.  We were gasping incredulously, wondering what on earth she was doing sitting in the seat of an unknown vehicle as a woman driver looked on in disbelief.  Of course it didn't take long for her to realize the mistake.  As fast as she had hopped in the van she hopped out and made a quick dash for her familiar Mazda.  Meanwhile, Camille, Catherine and I were doubled over in laughter.  At second glance, we realized the van was very similar to our own van which explained why she had been so quick to enter.  We watched as the shocked lady got out of the van and retrieved her baby from the back seat.  We were all commenting that the lady looked quite familiar.

 I asked Sarah what she had been thinking.  She said her biggest concern was to beat Catherine to the car so she could sit in front.  I also asked her what the conversation with the lady had been. She said we just said hello to each other and that the lady wondered out loud what Sarah was doing.  Sarah answered by saying, "I thought this was my car, but apparently it is not."  She then said a good-bye and gave an apology then left for the correct car.

The next day at school, Sarah was retelling her experience to some friends, when her orchestra stand partner (also a friend) overheard the discussion and asked, "Wait, were you that girl?" And Sarah said, "Was that your mom?"  We were amazed at the coincidence.

Success Behind the Wheel

Yea!  Sarah is now officially a licensed Idaho driver.  She passed after a perfect drive on Wednesday.

 The girl's choice sweetheart Ball was last evening.  Sarah invited Caleb Bowler to be her date.  She wore Camille's sage green dress.  This was the dress I made for Camille to close off her Jr. Miss year and to wear on stage during her final walk.  It is quite a pretty dress inspired by Pocatello's Jr. Miss around the same time as Camille, whose mother also made the same dress.

Not a lot of change in our routine this week.  Regular activities and schedules.

So I will post a few pictures from activities of previous weeks.

Matt plays basketball

Matthew Receives his Wolf Badge

Sarah dances at Distinguished Young Women Program

Sarah and Caleb Bowler at Sweetheart Ball

Sarah Sings at Honor Choir

Sarah & Catherine's Flowers

Spencer plays basketball

Spencer on the day of his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood.

Catherine and her friends
(Fall 2011)

Driver's Ed. uuggghhh!!!

        As far as passing the driving test on the first try, our oldest 3 children's record is one pass and two fails.  How could two, responsible 17 year olds fail?   We are asking ourselves the same question.  I have concluded that they were just trying to follow their mom's guidance.  I tend to drill in the message that we must be very cautious when driving.  So when Kirsten failed, she didn't push through a yellow light in a left hand turn lane quickly enough before the traffic coming from the other direction started to move.  Immediate fail.  As for Sarah, I tried to counteract my comment to Kirsten by saying "Be more aggressive."  At the beginning of her test Sarah turned right on a red light.  Normally this would work, but Sarah pulled out in front of a car thinking it was in a lane over.  Instant fail.  Camille passed on her first try.  It really is a feeling of great defeat to not get through the driver's test that may seem every other teen has cruised through.  Sarah gets to try again on Wednesday.  In a way, I am glad for the lessons of failure, because with driving there is not a lot of room for mistakes.  It is best to learn that on the driving test.

Good bit of news.   Kirsten is no longer washing the floors in the kitchens of the "Y".  Hallelujah!!!!  She acquired a job at the BYU Bookstore.  Her responsibilities include the inventory of religious books written by non-lds authors and music.  She is very excited about her new adventure which will now allow her to attend FHE regularly and work with people not mops.  

Spencer passed the sacrament for the second time today and began his duties collecting fast offerings.  He is excited to have these new jobs.  He went on a winter camp-out with the scouts 2 weekends ago.  They didn't venture to far  just down the road to Beaver Dick Park.

Camille is keeping her self busily engaged with nursing clinic's, classes, piano lessons, job and dating.  Recently, she was offered a job by a doctor impressed with her bedside manner.  He felt that she was very qualified to work at a Hospice clinic in Idaho Falls.  She was happy to have been noticed and hopes that this is a good sign for the future.

Catherine is desirous that I write about her life.  She is taking driver's ed two mornings a week at 6:00 am.  Very early!  She is also going on drives with her teacher practicing all the skills that are needed to be a good driver.  These drives frighten her considerably but she is gaining good experience.  Catherine loves dance.  She has just been given a part in a dance where she will dance solo fouettes.   

Matthew was recently awarded the student of the week at Adam's Elementary.  We visited with his teacher at parent teacher conference.  His teacher, Mrs. Denney, had many goods things to say about him.  He is a good leader and a good friend and is an excellent student.  She did comment on a moment of disobedience a few days earlier.  Matthew had forgotten a reading chart at home and wanted me to bring it to school.  Mrs. Denney told him to please not bother his mother and just bring it the next day.  But Matthew has a difficult time taking no for an answer.  He went ahead and left the room to use the bathroom and then preceded towards the office to make that phone call.  He reached me and I told him that I would try to get it to him.  By lunchtime I still had not brought it.  He called again and pleaded for my service.  I agreed.  He was happy to receive it.  And delivered it to his teacher who was a bit disappointed at his inability to follow directions.  He is a boy who will pursue his hopes and dreams regardless of others opinions and directions.