Boise Visit and Cousin's Wedding

We have been on the road the last two weekends spending time with family.  The first weekend we traveled to Boise.  Our excuse for going was the annual trip to Boise made by our high school basketball team.  Truly, many Rexburgians make the annual trip to the state capital so they might cheer on the boys.  Last year, our team was the 4A state champion.  This year they were awarded 2nd place after losing to Rigby,  our rival 15 miles to the south.

The real reason for going was to see Matt, Jo, Harper and Hank.  Since our last trip to Boise, they had bought a home.  So we were excited to spend time with them and see their new abode.   We arrived late Friday evening.  We awoke the next day to a delicious breakfast prepared by Matthew and spent the rest of the day enjoying the warm Boise air and then attending the championship basketball game.  Sunday we attended church together and then enjoyed a scrumptious meal before hitting the road back to Rexburg.

The next weekend, we met family in Salt Lake City to attend the wedding of my cousin Jacob Beckstrand. Before the reception, we traveled to Provo where we were lucky enough to be in attendance at a small performance given by BYU Women's Chorus with Kirsten singing first alto.

Both weekend excursions were very memorable occasions that we will always hold dear.

Boise 

Jacob's Wedding Weekend Begins Here...

Kirsten (middle row, second from right) sings with the BYU Women's Choir at her performance on March 9th.

Kind of blurry, but awfully cute!

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.

Miracle between BYU-I and the Jr. High

Yesterday Camille was assisting me by picking up Catherine and Rylee (friend) from their drive in the Driver's Ed car.  As she was leaving the college, she set her laptop and a nursing book on top of her car.  Forgetting they were there, she drove off towards the Jr. High.  Probably, the trip is about a 2 mile drive with plenty of turns.  When she arrived at the Jr. High, she discovered, to her horror, that her laptop had traveled that distance without crashing into the pavement.  Her nursing book wasn't so lucky.  It was lost somewhere on the journey.  All of us were very grateful for the preservation of her computer and hope that some goodly soul has turned her $100.00 book into the college lost and found.

Matthew and Spencer both played basketball games on Saturday.  Spencer's team lost at the buzzer when a foul was called and the other team shot two free throw shots, winning the game by 1 point.   A heart breaker!  I'm not sure how Matthew's game turned out.  I think he said he won.  I  was unable to attend Matthew's game because I was the accompanist for a violinist at the funeral of an older Japanese woman, Marie Sakota. This sweet lady was up in years but lead a very active life.  She attended many of the MHS concerts and sports events.  She was one of the high school's biggest fan.

Dave and students attended regional honor choir at BYU-I on Friday evening and Saturday.  Sarah participated.  There guest conductor was Sis. Applelonie from BYU who conducts the women's choir in which Kirsten is a member.  She did a good job.  Dave's group of 20 students sang and did and outstanding job according to many concert attendees.

Kirsten spoke in church today down in Provo, Ut.  She said that her nerves were very strong, but afterwards she felt happy about her successful deliverance of speech.

Catherine used a gift card from Camille for Christmas and pierced her ears.   Everyone, including the boys,  survived the event.
 
Sarah is working hard to keep up with everything:  scholarship applications, personal progress, homework, and trying to fit in a little socializing.   She did get accepted to BYU-I last week.  Yahoo!

I am busy learning new music as it is a new semester.  Also, trying to be good visiting teacher, mom, meal preparer,  and all other mom duties.

A 12 year-old son

Spencer turned 12 on January 14th.  We had a very nice weekend of celebration and events.  It started on Friday night when he had a friend birthday party inviting some of his closest buddies.  They played games here at home, ate Hawaiian Haystacks, and then ended up at "The Craze" where they played several laser tag games.  Then it was home for cake and ice cream and the opening of presents. 

The next day was his official birthday.  Grandpa and Grandma Thompson arrived to celebrate the day with us.  We spent time visiting and then going to dinner at Costa Vida.  We finished up enjoying Marie Callender's chocolate pies.  The next day, January 15th, he was ordained to the office of a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood.  It was a very special day for Spencer and our family.  Grandma and Grandpa Wood arrived to attend church with us and participate in the ordination.  Our friends, the Smiths and the Winegars also were with us.  We had a special family dinner afterwards.  We are proud of Spencer.  He is a good example of a kind brother and obedient son.  He works hard to do well in school, enjoys playing all sorts of sports, and supports his sisters in all of their girly activities.  He takes good care of his younger brother Matthew.  On Friday night, he attended Madison High school's basketball game with Matthew.  The rest of us went to DYW program in the same building.  It was nice to be able to give Spencer and Matthew instructions and have them follow them when they attended the game without us.  

DYW is the new name replacing the Jr. Miss name.  Because Sarah earned a talent award the year before, she returned to perform her talent for this years program.  She danced as beautifully as she ever has.  Probably one of her finest performances.  She also was welcomed back on the stage with her father to honor her title as last years 1st runner-up.  She was beautiful and Dave was quite handsome.

Catherine is now adorning braces.  They were placed on her teeth last Tuesday.  It has been a miserable few days but she is past the initial pain.  Thank-goodness!

Matthew earned his Wolf cub scout award on Thursday and also a gold and silver arrow point.  He was happy with his accomplishments. 

Camille completed two days of proctorships at Idaho Falls Mountain View Hospital this week  She was very happy with her shift because the nurse in charge allowed her to have plenty of new experiences.  Something a potential nurse is surely seeking.

Kirsten is desperately seeking a new job.  She wants to be able to attend her Family Home Evening group.  And her current job, besides all the unpleasantries, schedules her on Monday nights.  She applied  for a bookstore job this week.  There are a lot of openings so we are hoping something will turn up.

I am playing for a senior recital jury tomorrow.  Our program includes the entire E minor Brahms cello Sonata.  It has been difficult to learn, especially the 3rd movement since it is almost entirely eighth notes against triplets.  But I must say I have enjoyed challenging myself with tough music. 

Dave's past week was fairly low key, but this upcoming weekend is the region honor choir which is held at BYU-I.  This gives him a few duties for the weekend.  

One more event worthy of recording.  Dave attended the temple with Sarah, Catherine, and Spencer on Saturday evening to do baptisms for the dead.  It was Spencer's first time.  Our ward has many opportunities to attend the temple.  In fact this week, the youth had two baptism assignments to fulfill.  Sarah's recommend became lost for a portion of time so the Tuesday night didn't work out but all fell in place for the Saturday assignment.