Trevor gets more pins

This past Wed Trevor got several more pins for his Webelos colors. It was pack meeting --and I wasnt even there early to set up! Actually, the 14 and 15 yr old YM put on a fun olympics activity for the boys and girls of the ward. It was pretty fun.

What a weekend!

Todd took Friday off. Partly because the kids had the day off school and partly because he has been working so much overtime on the weekends lately. He got his car's oil changed, emissions done and registered. Something that I had told him that I'd help with but didnt get to it. I slept in actually. I have been fighting a cold. I really thought that it was allergies - but no it wasnt in the end. Colds are so draining! Anyhow, Todd requested that we go to the canyon for a little hike ( I didnt hike as far as Todd and the dogs.) It was such a beautiful warm day and the leaves were turning. I sat and watched the kids play in the creek/ waterfall area that we love. They were soaking wet but had a great time. We came home and ate lunch. Then Todd and I went to the temple with many of our ward members. Our ward friends and neighbors, Brett and Lydia went throuhg the temple for the firt time.Lydia was baptized just a year ago. It was so wonderful to be there!! That night Brandon left for a campout.

Saturday morning Trevor left early for the same campout with his Webelos leader. Christen had a birthday party to go to and Todd and I headed for the temple again to see our same friends sealed as a family with their children. It was incredible. The spirit was so strong and it was so neat to be there with our ward family. I always choke up when they bring in the kids. Their little boy waved at me. It was the cutest thing. We are so blessed to have such a GREAT ward!!

After that Todd got a ride home and I had a few minutes to prepare myself for the funeral of Brooke, the girl I mentioned in the previous posts. I sat outside the temple by the fountain and took some pictures of the temple grounds. The flowers are amazing right now.

I drove to the church and met up with the other stake ladies. There was a beautiful display of pictures, bright flowers, scrapbooks, buttons with her picture on them, and memories from classmates and primary children. I never actually got to see her last week because I ran out to look for the ambulance. The service was incredible. The father gave a wonderful eulogy and told fun and mischievious memories as well as fond, precious moments with their little girl. It really was heartbreaking, but the family were such a great example of strength and faith in the gospel plan. I held it together for the most part until there was a solo that was performed of Families can be Together Forever, but he had changed the words up a bit to fit it from Brooke's perspective now. Our Presidency all gave eachother a group hug at the end and we went on our seperate ways.

(A few of you asked what actually happened to Brooke. Shee had been sick with croup and some other bronchial infection the last few weeks and had antibiotics etc, getting over it ok. They had ridden their bikes to church, which apparently they often do. She was just fine for the first 2 1/2 hours of church and then went out to get a drink of water and collapsed there from a massive asthma attack. Her mom was her Primary teacher and she and the dad were both at the scene instantly. It was decided that if it had happened at any other time -like at school, on a field trip, at a friends house or whatever, both parents would not have been able to be there. She died after beng at church, singing primary songs, taking the sacrament, being together as a family.)

From there I went straight to Todd's band concert at the library. I met Todd's parents there and Christen showed up there from her party. He did a great job! This is such a great hobby for him! We came home and had a BBQ. After the folks left I went to the RS general broadcast at the stk ctr. It was so awesome!! It was a great finish to a pretty emotional and busy day. I cant wait for Conference next week.

Today we had a nice normal Sunday together. Originally, we thought we may be helping out PM ward primary with whatever they needed after their tragedy, but they requested to do it on their own. I think I was traumatized a but because I kept mentioning to Todd and the ladies that I was there with that I hoped all of our Primary kids got home safe. We actually couldnt find Brandon for a bit because his class got out late and that freaked me out!

Ok that is it for now.

Update

I heard yesterday that the little girl passed away in the morning. The funeral will be Saturday. We are going to the temple to see some friends of ours be sealed in the morning so I hope to attend both. Our Presidency will attend that ward primary on Sunday to help out any way we can.

My Last Two Days

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to visit a ward Primary program. (It was not my own ward.) With my calling I will be going to 9 Sacrament programs in the next 2 months! I was so impressed! Everything went so smoothly and the children were very reverent. They also made very meaningful comments and testimonies. The music was wonderful. Afterward, I got to meet the Primary president. What an inspirational woman! Unfortunately we missed visiting with the children because they have their Sacrament meeting last. We hope to speak with them next week.

As we were chatting with the Primary president all of the sudden there was a scurry in the hall and people were asking if anyone was a nurse or doctor because there was a child not breathing. We were frantic! Immediately we called 911 and two women began CPR. The girl was from another ward and their Primary was just finishing up. Luckily, the primary children did not know what was going on. The girl collapsed in the hallway. I ran outside to flag down the ambulance. The hospital is about 5 or so minutes away. The EMTs came and took over. They worked on her for quite a while without leaving. Then they finally left for the hospital. Our Stk Primary President went to the hospital to be with the mother and father. Blessings were given and prayers were offered. The ward was just finishing up so we were grateful that we were there at that time to be able to support the family until the ward could take over. I went home with the ladies that I drove and we waited anxiously to hear any news. The girl was air lifted to another hospital and as the helicopter left the Ward RS Pres and Counsellor arrived to take their responsibilities from there. We were all so concerned and the 2 ladies that I drove home were pretty shaken because they had seen the drama unfold while I was outside at a distance. All we could do was wait.

There was a Stk Youth fireside that Brandon was supposed to go to. I needed to divert my mind so I took Brandon to the Standards Fireside. It was excellent and I was so glad we went. It reminded me of all of those youth firesides I attended! News had spread and they prayed for the family at the fireside. When I got home I got a phone call that the girl was not doing well at all. She had been deprived of enough oxygen needed for so long. She had been sick the last few weeks but had been cared for and had antibiotics.

I didnt sleep well at all last night. I just felt the sorrow of that young family. As I was getting the kids ready I got a call to substitute at the kids' school. Not in the plans, but I decided to take it. It was 6th grade Social Studies and Language Arts. The day went pretty well but every time I had an extra moment free without students I was drawn to the big window that faced the playground. I saw so many happy children playing and laughing happily, and so carefree. All I could think about and pray for was that sweet little child of God and her family. When I got home I got another phone call that said that it was still very questionable and decisions would be made soon. It is all so sad, and yet with the gospel knowledge that we have it seems that things no matter how they turn out it will be ok in the eternal perspective. My president mentioned that when she was in the waiting room with the parents initially there was such a peaceful calm in the room. The mother was crying, but there seemed to be an understanding that they would be taken care of no matter what.

More later. . .

Brandon is a Star!!

Last night Brandon and his Scout group had a Court of Honor. Brandon is a Star Scout now and in 3 months will be a Life Scout. He has 17 merit badges and got a bunch of other patches from scout camp. - - 2 being the 14er patch (climbing Mt Sherman) and the Polar Penguin (for jumping in the lake ever morning at 6 AM at camp) I just sewed all of those little buggars on his sash today! He is doing so well and we are very proud of all he has accomplished and his leadership skills along the way. He has recently been called to be the Deacons Quorum president as well. He is taking it very responsibly. Thank you to AWESOME scout leaders and Young Mens Leaders!

Before we know it we will be working on his Eagle project! - Hopefully next summer and before he starts High School Band activities.

Christen's Class Field Trip

I am Christen's room mom this year. Of course I signed on before I realized the change in my calling. Anyhow, I love her teacher! Both of the boys had her as well. Their field trip last Friday was a walking tour of our town. They stopped at the Police Station, the Library, a local cafe for a milkshake, and the Fire Station. They were working on their mapping skills. It was fun -even though it was rainy off and of through the day!

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I seem to be having issues with posting my slideshows from slide.com. It keeps saying there is an error and wont show the slideshow right on the screen. Any ideas? You can click on View all images to see the pictures. Then press Original View to see how I actually set it up! Help!! Ann-- we NEED to get together!!

9/11

I felt like I wanted to post today. Now its late so I may finish this tomorrow. Anyhow 7 years ago today Todd called me up from work to tell me the news. he left very early to work. It was Trevor's very first day of preschool. I was doing a co op with my friend Pam -remember Pam? - We didnt realize the extent at the time and I remember later she wished that we would have cancelled. Brandons first day of kindergarten at his brand new school was 4 days later. Christen was 7 months old. Todds brother Roger was our closest contact of people being in the area. He actually had a meeting either in the Pentagon from what I remember - or very close to it. He was safe.

What an emotional day, and weeks to follow and years now. I made sure we posted our flag today. We have several family members and friends who have served or are serving in the military then and/or now -- in the action or away. Thank you so much for your service to our country. We so appreciate you!

Will it ever end? It is so sad.

I have been pretty emotional lately - not just from the anniversary of 9/11. Thanks to mom and dad E for being so supportive and for my friends in my new calling. Its interesting how sometimes you can be so contemplative about your life and those things around you that affect you -- and then you dont think about those things for a long time. Todd, you are the best too! Thanks for putting up with my ups and downs!!

I was in the temple today and thought while I was there that it was the safest place to be. I saw someone there that I hadnt seen for 10 years from our last ward. That was fun! I also got my peaches that I ordered from the western slope. Cant wait until they are ready to eat and can!! Yummy.

Calling ALL Crafters!

So, with my new calling we are preparing for the annual Activity Day girl Conference - in Nov. that they have. I feel kind of out of the loop with the older girl thing since I have done cubs for so long. We are thinking of a possible SIMPLE craft for the girls. We cant do paint or anything messy because they will be in their church clothes. I was thinking of maybe a bookmark that you get from Deseret and then adding some beads on a string or a small notebook / gratitude journal with simple scrapbooky thing on the front and beads on the bookmark. Maybe even a frame with a picture of them or Christ or a mirror. It cant be too costly. The Theme is "To this End I was Born" - referring to the girls and to Christ's life. There are about 150 girls - 8 yrs to 11 that we will split in 2 sections - one having lunch, one doing the craft for about 30 minutes.

So -- I need your help/ideas. Please comment or email or call!! I know you all and how TALENTED you are in these areas -

Let me know!!

Cute Chrissy

I just had to post these pictures of Christen. She was looking particularly cute the other day as she waited for her ride to school. Maybe it was the fact that we actually did her hair back or her uniform was put together just right, or that she has lost several teeth lately. I dont know. It reminded me of that song in Mama Mia (love that movie) called "Slipping Through my Fingers"where Donna is singing to her daughter as she prepares for the wedding. . . "School bag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning, waving goodbye with an absent minded smile. . ."

Time goes too quickly. You have to enjoy those little moments together!!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a nice long weekend and it was fun to just hang out and not worry about "stuff" Saturday I actually layed around alot. I wasnt sure why I was feeling so drained but then I determined that it was allergies. Monday we went to Todd's parents house for a visit and lunch. We havent gone to Garden of the Gods for a while so we did that too. They live right down the street from there and we dont take advantage of it as much as we should! It was a beautiful day. I LOVE this fall weather. I just hope it doesnt snow too soon. You never know here!

Their First 14er!

A few weeks ago Brandon and his scout group and Todd and Trevor climbed Mt. Sherman. Todd has been wanting to climb a 14er for a long time so he want about to pass up a chance to volunteer as a dad helper. They had a great time and made it just fine. Brandon and Trevor were troopers getting up. I will have to get Todd to fill in some of the details. Anyhow, it was a success!