Ageless

I met her in art class. She had cool shoes. My baby Emma loved playing with the beads on her shoes. We had the same first name (almost) and it was easy to talk with her. I gave my brother her phone number, and he married her in DC temple!

Happy Birthday to Jen! Hope this day is a great day, a Monday worth remembering. Hope they make you a great cake!

This is most recent Jen Babcock painting of her daughter (and it is on my blog why? Inspiration, and to show you how good she is!)


Some people age really well. They look the same year after year, recognizable, consistent. My sister-by-marraige is one of those lucky people. If she has grey hair, they aren't showing. This is a 2003 Thanksgiving photo, and I think she looks the same today!

Dance!

When I see murals, I try and get a photo, to study, see what works, what isn't as sucessful, things I would change. These are from our Morgantown trip earlier in September this year.

And today, they made me want to dance! I think I need to do more movements during Primary singing time. Maybe not "dancing" but some actions. I've got the wiggles. Tapping toes. Ready for one of those dipping kisses wearing a long dress!

Stars & Wrap Around Murals

This is one star from the quilt I made Mom & Dad years ago...




I like the idea of continuity, completeness, unity, wholeness. My favorite murals to do wrap around the entire room, including the ceiling, so you feel like you are inside the picture. This poster display is for a silent auction donation I gave to support the public library.

This morning I helped 2nd graders pass off their Pledge of Alleigience. They have to know it word for word correctly for the Patriot Program. If they said all the words correctly, I asked them if they had any questions about what the words meant.

I asked one girl what indivisible meant.

"Like you can't see it?"

Another girl asked what "under God" meant. It took me back, I took a deep breath, remembered I was in public school, and told her "It means that the men and women who helped start this country believed that God was over all, watching out for them, protecting them." I wanted to tell her more, but she nodded, and it was enough.

Michael Birthday Bash!

I called Emmalyn today and heard she was up in SLC celebrating Uncle Michael's b-day with carrot cake cupcakes, all 2__ candles in one! What year were you born? Was I 16 when I took you shopping and pretended you were mine? All mine, and not just me babysitting you for Mom while she went to classes (It is great to cheer your mom up on the stage as she graduates from college!) You will be a good dad to your own baby girl, counting down the weeks left now!

Primaries

The Primary children sang today in Church--they did a great job! I was so impressed with their hard work to learn the songs.

This week we have an activity day for the Primary children--and I get a whole half hour to sing with them, teach them new songs! First up is the Preamble to the Constitution, using School House Rock's version of "We the people..." The bishop gave us permission to do it on an activity day--and this is the first one we've had. I feel strongly about teaching the children about being a patriot, loving this country, knowing what we stand for, what we believe in as Americans.

The emphasis will be on being thankful and patriotism. Have you heard Wakko from Animaniacs singing the capitols and states? Sung to "Turkey in the Straw" so it is perfect! Also thinking about first verse of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "Over the River and Through the Woods" all 60 lines of it! Ambitious line up of songs, I know. But these kids are so good! Smart, good singers, fun to be with!

This photo is back in the other primaries. Primary colors, primary daughter! primary elections, Primary kids at Church. All my primary concerns and loves!

7 weeks to Christmas

We had a family home evening lesson on getting ready for Christmas--our goals as a family. Keeping it simple. Not spending lots of money we don't have. Thinking and learning more about Christ. I want our kids to love Him, respect Him, turn to Him when they hurt.

Recent things that have made me realize this should be our emphasis this season: I've been reading some books in the public library marked "Inspirational" and paying attention to what beliefs are explained, the questions asked by characters. I want to make sure my kids know now and have a good foundation so they do not doubt their faith when things get harder. Second, the women's lesson last Sunday in Sycracuse, visiting my sister. The teacher is married to an FBI agent, talked about her crisis of faith and her father's wise counsel to focus on Christ, think about Him, get to know Him better and just follow Him. Easy answer, sweet in its promise.

Outer Space room

Start with a cute nephew, daddy bedtime stories with a specific theme (see Roger's link to Jack and Firebolt stories), a blank canvas (well, the base coat Award Blue by Behr paint, done by his mom) and a weekend of painting!


I am showing you some process pictures, during the job here...








This is to show Deb what I did with the window screen I pulled out of garbage curbside free pile in New York: turned it into a door office with fabric pockets.



I painted this chair for Deb.