Dan's Birthday #7

Dan turned seven on the 29th.  He celebrated with a party the day before his birthday.  He had so much fun, and his friends / cousins spoiled him with nice gifts.  On his birthday we opened presents before school.  He really wanted a stuffed animal turtle, which he didn't get.  He does have a glow pet that should arrive today, but it is not a turtle!  Oops.  For a seven year old he did pretty well opening presents at his party.  He was generally enthusiastic and thankful.  He did okay when he opened presents on his birthday, but I did hear him say, "Well, at least I got a cool movie."  He has been a tad spoiled this year!  He had his first full soccer game on his birthday and prayed at night that he would only remember the good parts of his game.  Anyhow, he is a wonderful, dramatic, fun boy.  We love him a lot.  Here are some pictures.

Birthday Party Cake

 Lucas, Dan, Mason, Sam (Lucas wanted to help blow I think!)

It took Dan at least 7 blows to get those 7 candles out.

 Jordan and Dan sword fight.

 Dan said, "Take a picture of this Mom!"

 These were supposed to be our best fierce fighting faces.

 Did you know that Dan likes to pose dramatically?

This was his birthday cake (for the actual day)

I put the candles closer together this time,

but it still took a few tries to get those candles out!

Honoring Kayli

 On Sunday my sweet Kayli received her Young Womanhood Recognition award.  She worked really hard on this and did it all without ever having to be pushed.  I really love this girl.  Derek and I feel really blessed that she is ours.  Congratulations to Kayli!

Kayli and Connor loved going out for shakes this Summer.
This was taken by Connor and I got it from facebook.

 

 

 

Our Annual Vacation

Every year, no matter where else we go, we try to make a trip to Idaho.  This isn't because we love potatoes so much, and it certainly isn't because the air treats us better.  I have kids that seem to be physically allergic to Idaho, but they love going anyway because it is hard to beat cousins to play with!  This year we were sad to be missing cousin Lauren who was off helping another Aunt and Uncle, but it was a fabulous trip anyhow -- at least for me.

My niece Kelli was visiting with her husband Jamie and their little girl Meleah.  It was very fun to see them.  Derek and I were even persuaded to play a game.  Gasp!  We stayed up way too late Thursday night (the 15th of Aug.) and had fun.  The next evening Derek and I were able to spend with my brother Brian and his wife Stephanie.  We went to a movie, and to dinner, and then walked around the Rexburg Temple having excellent conversations.  The temple was closed, but we enjoyed the beauty of the grounds and the chance to visit.

Saturday evening Derek and I got to go with Tina and Chris.  They all humored me and Chris drove all the way to Idaho Falls so that I didn't have to try to pretend I was really going to enjoy something on the menu at that Thai restaurant we went to last time we were there.  I'm not exactly known for my adventuresome eating habits!  I can eat food I don't like, but I'm afraid I haven't mastered keeping a straight face while doing it.  After we ate too much we walked up and down the trail in front of the Idaho Falls temple enjoying more excellent conversation.

Sunday was church day.  All of the kids had a cousin to go to class with, and I enjoyed a rare chance to attend an adult class (I'm usually in Primary).  Later we were able to eat a nice dinner that Tina and Stephanie prepared.  We ate at Brian and Steph's house and were happy to see my parents arrive safely from Utah.

Monday was a get up early and work day.  Tina and Chris were redoing their roof.  I didn't plan on helping because I've gotten steadily more afraid of heights as time has gone by.  However, I discovered that I enjoyed being on their roof and, as long as I didn't watch anyone who was by the edge, I did very well.  I wasn't a huge help, but sweeping away the slippery grit from the shingles we were taking off might have saved at least my own life and so I felt slightly heroic, which is always good.  Connor, Derek, and Kayli were helping, as were friends and neighbors.  Tina was cooking and cooking so that everyone had good food to eat when they were hungry.  Lots got done and after lunch we packed up and left the rest of the roof work to others.

Thanks to Derek, who drove, we arrived safely back home at the end of another fun vacation.  Hooray for the terrific Idaho cousins, and for my parents who fed us on the way there, and then let us get back in their house and eat their food while they were still in Idaho working.

The First Day of School 2013

Kayli, Connor, Jake, and Dan seemed to navigate through their first day of school just fine.  Here are some pictures.  You can especially admire the one of Dan in front of his classroom.  I took two and was going to try again but he declared that this one was just fine!  Enjoy.

Jake--6th Grade

Dan--2nd Grade

 Connor  -- Tenth Grade

 

 Kayli -- 12th Grade!

 

These are great kids.  I hope that they will be able to make their way through the challenges of a new school year with joy and hope and optimism.   I know that their classes will be better because they are in them, and that is a great blessing for a Mom.

God's Love

This is a song I wrote for a friend.  If you would like to hear the melody then click here.  The usual disclaimer about my voice and the not great video quality applies.  Dan was my camera man this time, and he cut off the last note.  I guess he was done with the song by then!   I hope you will like my song at least a little bit!

God's Love

 

You know it rains sometimes

When we want the sun to shine

Dark clouds come rolling through

And we don't know what to do

The darkness seems like night

And we want to feel the light

But warmth and light both seem so far away

 

But do not fear my friend

Though the storm is crashing in

There are angels all around

To bring the light back down

When you lie down at night

Their love wraps you up tight

And holds you close until the morning light

 

And there are friends for you

Who will help to see you through

They will hold up an umbrella

And a lamp for comfort too

You will feel the warmth and strength

Of your angels who are near

And you'll know there is nothing you should fear

 

For Father's love is true

And He will see you through

He'll keep angels round about you

So that you'll know what to do

And peace will seep right in

As the storm begins to dim

And God's love sends sunshine to your soul

 

He'll send His sunshine to your soul.

How To Turn Your World Right Side Up

Like most people, I have days, weeks, or even months when things don't seem to go my way.  Sometimes I feel like I put my foot in my mouth every other minute, or I get headaches or shoulder aches.  Perhaps something I really want to have happen just doesn't, or people I love are struggling and I don't know how to help.  There are even times when I have had my world turned upside down by frustration or anger.  There are so many reasons our worlds can tip over that I can't count them.  However, I have been surprised to find that, no matter how the problems vary, the answer is often the same.  The answer is gratitude.  Gratitude doesn't always right my world 100 percent, but it always starts it tilting in the right direction.

This may seem too simplistic, but it really is extremely helpful for me to remember what I do have instead of counting what I don't.  It's nice to be thankful for the times I didn't stick my foot in my mouth, and the times that I do feel good.  I am thankful for modern medicine, and people who help me lift my loads, whatever they may be.  I am thankful that if I don't know what to do to help someone I can pray, and get inspiration, or at least leave the problem with Heavenly Father who knows better!  What a blessing! 

Sometimes my world has felt upside down and I have not known why.  On these occasions I go to the temple and find that, when praying for help, it is usually the gift of gratitude that I am given and it is such a generous and helpful gift!  I come away remembering that I am loved, and blessed.  Gratitude always makes my problems seem a lot smaller.

There are days when I want to feel grateful, but I struggle.  I find myself giving thankful prayers like this:  "Thanks for the kids, but I wish they would clean up more.  Thanks for the food, but I wish someone else would make it.  Thanks for the plants, but I wish the weeds wouldn't grow."  It becomes a little humorous in a tragic kind of way.  I think feeling grateful is a gift from heaven, and when we don't feel grateful we can ask for that gift, and then try our best to be thankful even if it is not given to us right away.  One thing I know for sure -- being grateful, or even trying to be grateful, will not make things worse.  It is very likely to turn your world right side up!

*Picture from google images

Fiercely Loyal: Christensen Reunion 2013

The Christensen Reunion is always packed with activities.  Derek's parents have 49 grandchildren and there are usually 22 adults.  This year Uncle Bryon couldn't come, but Trisa's Travis came and so the number of people was the same.  I can't possibly adequately recap the reunion, but I can share a few of my favorite moments, and the ridiculously few pictures I took.

I liked Devin's devotional about Sir Thomas Moore and being fiercely loyal to what we know to be right.  Devin is always interesting, easy to hear, and articulate, with a bit of amusing thrown in for good measure.  I also liked his prayer for those working at night in the cherry industry since he was saying it for Kayli's benefit. 

I liked going for a walk at night up at Derek's parent's cabin with Derek and some of our kids and some of Megan and Leon's kids while Leon went down to retrieve a key we needed to get in.  I also liked that Leon energetically played a game with the kids even though it was late, making things more fun for them.

I really enjoyed watching Derek entertain his nieces this reunion.  It was so fun to watch them get really close up to him and argue whatever silly statement he had just made.  They giggled and laughed and it was fun to watch.

I love that the aunts and uncles love my children and care about what is happening in their lives -- it makes my children's lives better and I am so thankful that they have such good role models to turn to for a listening ear, and advice.

I liked that Travis jumped right in and helped with as many things as he could, and that he and Trisa were happy.

I enjoyed watching the music videos that we were assigned to make.  I was NOT thrilled to make one, but we ended up laughing really hard when we watched it, and we enjoyed all of the others too.

Finally, Connor and Porter challenged their Aunt Megan, who is a terrifically good sport, to a dance off.  Connor and Porter learned Napoleon Dynamite's dance, and Megan ended up recruiting some nieces to dance to the Minion's version of YMCA.  That was fun!  Dan added himself to her group too -- he couldn't resist doing a few moves!

 Aunt Megan -- Dance off Queen

 Good Uncle Derek trades hats with Sara

 Sara is in pink with Derek's hat

 Tyler carrying everyone's snacks for the hike.

 Trisa modeling our reunion tee shirt.

 Laura and Mandy having a chat in the woods.

 Mandy watching the slide -- before her nephews drench her in a water war.

Connor (The Dance off King) at the bottom of the huge slide.

 

On Saturday we had a devotional about being fiercely loyal to our country and its founding principles, and had a great "adult discussion" about communication and loyalty in marriage led by Doran.  All of these things are helpful, and enjoyable.  I think it is easy to be fiercely loyal to such a terrific family!

An Engaging Reunion

The Christensen Family Reunion was held July 18, 19, and 20th.  On Friday the 19th, after the rest of us left Grandma's house to go home for the night, Travis Sonderegger asked Trisa to marry him.  After she said yes he put the beautiful engagement ring on her finger that they had spent the day shopping for.  They will be married December 20th at the Mount Timpanogas Temple.

 

I didn't remember to take any pictures of them myself, but Travis had Connor take a couple and he (Travis) sent them to me.  They had a happy time together, and since they live about five hours away from each other right now, December seems far away.  Hopefully the time will pass quickly for them.

 

Happy engagement to my beautiful Trisa!  The years sure flew by quickly for me. The day after they got engaged I woke up with the words to The Circle of Life from The Lion King running through my head -- "There's far too much to take in here"!  I need to figure out how to be a good Mother of the Bride!

The Grand Ole Opry

Here are some of the fun things we did at the Grand Ole Opry.  My sisters and I sang Blue Moon in a dramatic fashion.  Derek was in charge of the puppet show where Jeff was the hamburger, and Brian was the shark.  Ray, Jenny, Dan, and I had parts too.  Brian sang a couple of songs while accompanying himself on his guitar.  Some of my nieces and Kayli taught us a round and then did a musical number themselves.  We did some sing along numbers where everyone sang.  My sister-in-law Lori showed us some great pictures she had taken, and framed.  Kayli taught line dancing, Tina led the Hokey Pokey, and Jenny and Jeff wowed us with acro yoga.  I have a talented and fun family!  Here are some pictures complements of Lori and Tina.

 

 

The Blessed Fuller Reunion

I love family reunions, but this year I seemed to look forward to the Fuller reunion with extra enthusiasm.  It sounded like a vacation.  Activities planned, great people to hang out with, and people to share in the menu planning, cooking, and cleanup.  The only disappointing thing for me was that Jenny did not feel well, but she is one impressive woman who somehow helped, kept a smile on, and even sang dramatically with Tina and me, even though she was feeling super lousy.

Dan, Hyrum, and Caleb.  Uncle Jeff is fun, and he has a backhoe to give boys rides in.
They loved it!

How many men does is take to get a go-cart running?
Three.  My Dad, and my brothers Brian, and Ray.  Much fun was had riding
the go cart around later.  Max, Jenny and Jeff's dog LOVES riding in the go cart!

 Dan fell asleep on his cousin Lauren's shoulder on the way to our Friday hike.

 Connor!

 These were some great hikers!  They were first to the waterfall.  Unfortunately,

with nobody to curb their enthusiasm, Caleb and Dan were soon sporting owies.

Hyrum was not hurt, except in his feelings.  He wanted to scale the walls like Spiderman

and his Mom thought it was a little dangerous in those shoes.  Poor boys!

 All children should have an uncle like Jeff.  Here he is with his boys Seth (in red) and Owen.

 

 Lauren, and Tina.  We weren't exactly all wearing the perfect hiking shoes!

 Can you find Kayli standing up high?

 I allowed Derek the great honor of taking my picture:)

Dan and Connor

 

Our reunion started on the 4th of July with a parade in Huntsville.  We enjoyed visiting during the day and went to the fireworks at night.  Besides these things, and the hike, we also had talks from both of my parents at different times, and a "Grand Ole Opry" at my Mom's request.  I'll write more about that later.  I had a terrific time and loved getting to visit with all of the family that could come.