May 2018

HELLO DOLLY!

The local theatre put on the production of Hello Dolly so we took the YW.  So cute. I've been in my calling now two years. That is the point where I either need a change or I have to breathe new life into it! I have no choice but to breathe new life into it! 

THE BEE'S!

I attended ANOTHER field trip with Graham's class on Thursday. I am glad that he likes to have me along on his field trips. I don't remember having so many field trips as a kid! I also don't remember moms coming or getting involved. For this reason I don't like it when I hear moms making a bunch of rules for their group and taking away all the fun. The substitute told me that my group had "the problem kid" in it. As soon as we got to the park he bought a snow-cone and bat and used up all his money. He didn't like the snow cone and didn't eat it. He said, "I wish I didn’t spend all of my money! Can I borrow some?" I said, "No, but you learned a good life lesson didn't you?" Still, I felt badly for the fella. So while he was off running around, I took the snow-cone back to the counter and told them, "I have a sad 5th grader who wishes he didn't waste his money on this, he doesn't even like it." The lady gave me $4 back and said, "Just make sure he doesn't tell the others." When this kid came back to the blanket I told him what I had done and gave him his $4 back. He was so grateful he gave me a big hug. He was really not a problem at all during the game. I think he knew I was on his side and wanted him to have a good time. He was gone for a while at one point and came back with a limp and grass stains all over his shirt. I asked, "What happened to you?" He had a big grin, "I got hit in the leg with a bat." Then at the end of the game he got his bat taken away by the teacher because he was breaking open leftover milk cartons with it. Honestly, I didn't see the harm;) After all, it was only TRASH and being splashed with milk never hurt anybody. Besides, he was getting his energy out before the long bus ride. The substitute saw it differently. 

I could relate to this kid. The Savior is merciful to me and gives me second chances over and over again. I trust Him because I know he has my best interest in mind and he also wants me to just have a good time!

Graham was excited to buy a ball and bat at the game as well. I told him, "Mallerie bought a bat when she came too!" 

THE ASTERS
When we bought this house the owner told me about the asters that line the driveway. She said, "People will pull over and ask you what they are." Sure enough the next September when they were in bloom, there were knocks at my door and other inquiries about the magnificent purple flowering bushes. However, as the years have passed they don't bloom as brilliantly and the inquiries have stopped all together. The bushes that grow in the shade are not as large as those that grow in the sun and so...
We tore out the asters! They have gotten a bit ratty looking since they are almost 20 years old, and what a pain to weed they are. Matt and boys had them dug out in no time. We decided to replace the area with grass...but we don't have any grass. 

The extra dirt and bricks filled up the back of the truck completely. It was a big job to unload it at the dump. I told Matt, "We just have to pretend we are on the Amazing Race and that a team we don't like is right behind us." While Matt and me were shoveling out the dirt, I looked over and saw a pile of sod someone had dropped off! I asked the worker if we could take it. He said, "Sure." Matt said, “I don’t think I would’ve even noticed that grass if you hadn’t pointed it out.” I said, “Welcome to my life! If I need something it falls out of the sky." Tender mercies are all around and if we look for them every day we will see the Lord’s hand in everything.

THE QUAD

I got a text from my dear friend Missy, who lives in Kansas. She was in Utah and wanted to get together with the Quad. She only comes to town every few years so we all dropped everything and went to Caraba's in Orem for dinner. The Quad consists of myself, Melanie, Missy and Kirsten. Even though its been four years since we all sat down together we picked up as though we had seen each other just the day before. I love these girls. It was interesting to hear how the conversation has changed from potty training trouble, to raising teens, to having adult children now. Life is a climb that is for sure. Sing it Miley! 

It seemed to be a week of reunions all around. Mother's Day weekend we caught a movie after attending a reception in Orem for some dear friends from our ward in the 90's. The following Monday I went to lunch with ChyAyn so it seems to be time to connect with old buddies. "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold!"

MOTHER'S DAY

Ava gave me this sweet picture with her card, "Whenever I picture me as a baby this is what I picture:" 

We got to Skype with Mallerie! 

Mallerie is so animated, which made us all chuckle. After a while she said, "This computer I am on is going to die soon. It says I only have 10-minutes" We finished up our conversation and then she called right back, "Okay, they plugged it in." Hahaha. There were issues two more times where we thought we had said good-bye and then she'd call back. After four hours she said, "Guys I gotta go!"

I got some beautiful watercolor work in the mail from her later that week. I added it to my wall. Mallerie's is the one on the bottom;)

INDIVIDUAL WORK COOKIES

For our combined Young Women activity in May we made Individual Worth Cookies. The girls brought all sorts of ingredients like gold fish, Ritz, Frito's and pretzels to mix into the dough. We also added mini chocolate chips, white chocolate, Raisinets and Rolo candy. The point was that all of our quirkiness together makes for something sweet and great! These are also called compost cookies if you ever want to try them. We froze the cookies and served them at camp on Bishopric night. 

GIRLS CAMP SURVIVAL KITS
Using the red treat bags Lindsey put together for her girls as inspiration, the Laurels made Survival Kits for the other YW. The Treats inside were: Red nail polish, Nibs, Trident gum, and a Nut Roll with the following instructions:

-Use your hands for building and serving
-Find things throughout the week to "nibble" on as you learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt helped me on that one!)
-When you have the chance to TRI something new at camp -Do it!
- Know when to be "nutty" and know when to be "soft" (my fav)

FUNERAL FOR LARUE TUCKER

I attended the funeral for my paternal Grandma's sister-in-law, LaRue Tucker. She is the last one of my grandma Taylor's generation to pass on. When I walked in my dad said, "I wondered if I'd see you here..." It was also good to see my aunts Linda and Chris and my cousin Rachel. You know the beautiful song, Consider the Lilies? Well, the guy who composed and wrote it was there and he played it and sang it! I guess he was a personal friend to LaRue's and it was her lifelong dream that he play and sing that song at her funeral. What a treat to be there for that. There was a delicious luncheon afterwards at a nearby chapel. As I walked in and saw the RS sisters my heart was so touched that they would be there working so hard. I have been on the other end and know what a long day that is to help at a funeral. On my way out I thanked them for their service. This is how it is in the gospel isn't it? Sometimes we are on the serving end and sometimes we are on the receiving end. 

THE BEAN MUSEUM

I attended Callie's last field trip of the year. I had to laugh when we were at the Bean Museum and the presenter told us that cattails are actually edible. My girls sold them on the corner when they were kids, "CORNDOGS!" and people actually bought them (no, I was not aware they were doing this...I thought they were out on the lawn playing patty cake.)

I want to mention that my sister Sadie also finished school! She earned her masters through online schooling. Somehow she was able to work, hold a calling and wok two jobs in the process. She said the only way she could do this was to get up every morning and read her scriptures and a conference talk before praying. When I saw this quote from President Nelson on BYU campus I thought of her. It is very true that when we give time to the Lord He will multiply the rest of our time.

 I took this photo of this ginormous geode since we would be breaking geodes at camp. I am having so much fun with our theme of Individual Worth.

FIFTH GRADE PROGRAM AND GRADUATION

Graham was George Washington for his fifth grade United States of America presentation. I think his arm got tired from all that pointing but he did a great job! The students got to decorate their caps however they wanted to and of course Graham drew the Titanic on his. I feel sad he is done with JR Smith but I know he isn’t sad so that makes it easier. I was filming his program and at the end I filmed Ava a little bit. I told her to say something for Graham, she said, “Fifth grade is the worst! “ 

Since 6th grade is in the Middle School, the 5th Grade got to have a clap out and release balloons on the last day of school. It made me cry. I am especially tender over the fact that he and Callie will no longer be in the same school. They really are the best of friends. It has been so great having them bike together each day. They are such good sports about it, rain or shine; they ride those bikes (their choice, I promise!)

I had to smile at these pictures. Matt makes that same face! Graham's future wife is going to love it.

You know what I am really going to miss? Our morning prayer huddle. Their helmets clank together as I pray for them with our arms around each other. Best part of my day.

As per tradition we got snow cones after school to kick off summer break. Ava was working so I ordered the Satan;)

MEMORIAL WEEKEND

Oh man, we had a full house! These holidays bring cousins cousins cousins. 

SATURDAY MAY 26TH (ALSO MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY)

Below: My mom with her siblings. We picnicked at the SLC Cemetery like it is a park. A man came over to chat. At first we thought he was going to let us know it is distasteful but instead he said, "We do the same thing!"

MONDAY MAY 28TH (ALSO MY PARENTS ANNIVERSARY)

New this year at the Provo Cemetery is my Grandma Taylor's sister's grave for Alison Tucker Shanz who passed away in February of last year. Her headstone has now been placed. We noticed that my dad's cousins had it inscribed with, "Best Mom EVER!" We joked, "Well how do you like that...isn't that a little brazen??" 

My dad told us stories about our ancestors.

We picnicked at the Scera Park afterwards. Matt even brought coals to cook on. When Romney was staying with us that weekend she was reminiscing about the mini hotdogs and my special sauce that I would make for them when they slept over. I obliged and made them at the park, equal parts grape jelly and equal parts mustard. It's not bad, you should try it. 

Our family joined the Taylor's afterwards at Fat Cats. Watching babies bowl is a hoot.

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
Like last year, we honored my secretary's late mother by hosting a Teddy Bear Picnic in her name as close to her birthday as possible. I always think that with the end of the school-year festivities going on at the same time we will have a low turnout. We invited the Activity Day girls and had 50 in attendance with the leaders (and that isn't even counting the stuffed animals!)