Pictures? Priceless!

 

Brigham at church yesterday.  So stylish!

Mike was sworn in as a police officer in Ann Arbor a while back!
We are proud of his good work!  He is second from the right.

This is Jake and Trisa playing a game from my childhood.  Funnybones.
It is obviously funny!

Trisa and Kayli playing the same thing.

Connor and his stack of Christmas books!

Trisa, Kayli, Teddy and Jake on Christmas morning.

The picture is a bit too shadowy to see that Jake is holding a mini Darth Vader.

And Derek is holding its larger twin.
Naturally, a "light saber" battle followed.

Brigham, Tia, and Mike in their Christmas Eve shirts in their house in Michigan.

The rest of us -- not in Michigan -- in our Christmas Eve shirts.

Ditto.  We are fans of The Chosen so that is the kind of shirt we got this year.
Back Row:  Connor, Amanda, Dan, Derek, and Sherie
Front Row:  Kayli, Teddy, Trisa, and Jake

To Go, Or Not to Go

Dan and Caleb.  The "twin" cousins.  Dan will let you know that he is 5 hours older!

Dan's "twin" cousin Caleb invited him to come to Idaho one of the first couple of weekends in January and I chose this one.  Naturally, our less than wintery winter decided to start dropping lots of snow on the state right before the weekend, so I didn't decide what to do until this morning.  Dan was really, really looking forward to seeing his cousin, and Caleb had already made plans, and I knew they would both be really disappointed if we couldn't make it work.  I decided we could likely make it safely and so we got ready and left, hoping to get to Rexburg without running into any major storms.

The good news?  We are here!  We did see 7 accidents but 4 were on the other side of the road, none included injuries, and we did well following a train of trucks and cars at 40 miles an hour down the freeway in Idaho for an hour or so.  Most of the trip was pretty clear.  

I am so thankful that Dan has a "twin" cousin who is his friend and that they can have time together.  Dan gets a little lonely, and it is great that they have a chance to visit and have a bit of fun.  Depression is a real thing, and depression in winter can be worse.  The love of a good extended family can make a big difference for good!

I had Dan take a picture at one of the sketchiest parts of our drive.
We followed that semi for quite a while and I was glad it was
breaking the way and was easy to see!

Dan's Piano Recital

Dan had a piano recital on Monday at the same time I had a concert, so I didn't get to go.  He did play the song for me before I left, and Derek and Tia sent me pictures.  Dan did a great job on the first page of his song.  The second page wasn't as polished.  I think he likes going to piano lessons more than he likes playing the piano.  He loves his teacher, and his teacher's dog, and having someone new to talk to.

Dan and his Dad
I love those smiles!

You can almost see all of the family that went except Derek.
Dan is on the right, then Connor, Kayli, Tia, and Mike

Derek and Jake.

Here is Connor ducking so that a picture could be taken of the piano students and their teacher.
Dan is standing tall in the front!

Honoring Mothers -- Not Dishonoring Fathers

My Mom and Dad in 2008.  I got this from my Dad's Facebook photos :-)

Sunday we went to a different ward than usual, and there was a Mother's Day program, which is a good thing -- mostly.  However, when we got in the car after church, I felt the need to tell my boys that Mothers and Fathers are equally important.  And Derek summed up by saying, "We don't need to dishonor someone in order to honor someone else".  We also don't need to compare roles and decide which is "most" important.

Now, in both of the speakers defense, neither intentionally dishonored Fathers.  One was a son, who did mention his Father as important -- though, to me, he made it sound like being a Mother is better.  One was a Father, and I think he was downplaying his role, trying to make sure he was giving his wife the credit she deserved.

I honor Mothers.  My own Mother has shown me how to love, serve, cook, bake, and clean.  She has shared her love of books and music.  She has been an example of faith, courage, and forgiveness.  She has shown me that learning can be a constant thing, and that we can learn even if we aren't in school.  I cannot possibly say enough things in honor of my Mother, or my mother-in-law, and all of the Grandmas (both mine and Derek's).  These are women who, in the midst of their own challenges, cared for, taught, and loved those within their sphere of influence.

I also honor Fathers.  My own Father worked a lot of hours.  He provided our family with a place to live, and food to eat, and clothes to wear.  He helped teach us to work, even when having us work probably made the job harder, and to serve, giving to people who had less than we did.  He wrote us cards or letters when he had to work away from home to take care of us.  He shared his love of the scriptures every chance he got.  I do not think I could say enough things to honor both my Dad, and my children's Dad, and the Grandpa's that all worked so hard to love the families in their care.

I love my Mom and my Dad.  Not everyone has a good Mom and Dad -- but that does not take away from the fact that the roles of both a Mother and a Father are vital, and important, and worthy of honoring.

Some of the Christensen clan singing for Derek's Mom on Mother's day
including Tia and Kayli.  We were blessed to be able to see my Mom and Derek's
on Mother's Day.

The Very Best Somethings

Yesterday, when it was tomorrow, it was too much day for me.  

Winnie the Pooh

 I really loved the movie Christopher Robin and every time I hear the quote above it reminds me that sometimes we borrow trouble by worrying about tomorrow instead of just enjoying the day we are in.

I like that in Christopher Robin the "very best somethings" don't come from a to do list.  Instead, "Doing nothing often leads to the very best something."  Work is good.  Play is good.  But just enjoying being alive right now with family, friends, and beauty all around, without having to accomplish anything is perhaps the best of all.

On The Way Home

Ray and Lori's new landscaping.  Lori, and my Mom.

My Mom had the great idea of us stopping at my brother Ray's house on the way home.  I was so tired, and had such a headache, and was so grumpy that I wasn't sure it was the best idea for that day, but I love my brother and his wife, and I know that they always like to see us and so we went.  It was good to see that Lori is getting around without her wheelchair, and it was fun to get a tour of their yard from my brother Ray.  I wonder how often, if I just made myself do something even when I don't feel like it, I would end up just being glad that I did.  Probably most of the time!

Ray with his row of baby trees after giving me a tour.

My Dad and Ray after Dad had a tour.  I love my Dad's smile always
and was happy to see it in this picture.