MaeLyn's Musings

Hannah likes to come up with nicknames for her brothers. For months, she has been calling Peter, "Widdow Peedoh"(Like little Peter, but with a baby's pronunciation), much to his chagrin.  A few days ago, my children came up with Star Wars nicknames for each other. These included: Peter      Darth Peter/ Pete Vader      C-3Pdoh Joshua      Josh2-D2      Josha the Hut John      John Groundwalker (rather than Skywalker)      Obi-John Kenobi Hannah      Hannah Solo

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from my sister April. She and Heather were chatting on line and were thinking that they missed getting together since April moved away from Colorado, and so they wanted to pick a camping place halfway between their homes, and get together for a weekend. Over the next couple weeks, we found a campground roughly halfway between Colorado Springs and Green River, Wyoming, reservations were made, meals were planned, and we were excited to go. On Friday afternoon, I picked up the kids, had them change out of their school uniforms, hurriedly piled everything in the car (I forgot the camera...), picked up Hannah from school, filled up the tank with gas, and headed north. We arrived at Curt Gowdy State Park around 6pm. We spent a little while debating which camp site would be best, but finally settled on the group campsite at the top of hill that we had originally reserved. We set up the tents, ate pizza for dinner (there is a full fire ban so we coul...

One thing I love about summer break is the lack of set schedules. I don't often have to have the kids up and dressed and ready to go in any hurry. I don't have to keep an eye on the clock to remember to pick them up at the right time. If we plan to go to a park or to the library, we can go when we are ready, and I don't have that rush or pressure to get there at any specific time. It's nice. This week was my wake up call, "Summer break is over!" On Monday John had to be at school for a full day at 8:15am. Josh and Peter had to be at school for  assessments from 10:30 until 11:30. Hannah had to be at her bus stop at 11:45 for a half day at school starting at 12:15. John came home around 3:30, and Hannah arrived home by 4:30. Tuesday was the first normal day of school, so Hannah had to be at her bus stop at 7:55, and the boys had to be at school by 8:15. While they were gone, I took boxes to a recycling place, dropped off some clothes at good will, deposite...

Last month, Steven graduated with his MBA. (Read this post about his graduation if you didn't already.) That was almost a month ago. At that point, he had already had several job interviews, and we were confident that a job wouldn't be long in coming. Our prospects seemed to be looking up. With hopeful hearts we went on vacation, thinking that we would hear back from one or more of those companies soon. We didn't. After we returned home from vacation without hearing from anyone, Steven began contacting the places where he had interviewed. They had decided to hire other people. We are pretty much back at square one. Last Sunday, feeling depressed, stressed, and a little sick, Steven asked our home teacher for a blessing. We were hoping for comfort - a job would be around the corner. Instead we were told to be patient, to broaden our outlook. We were left with the impression that it would be a while before this unsettling stage in life is over. Steven started applying to ...

Last night we went to our pack's Raingutter Regatta. Only Joshua, John and I went, since Peter's arm hurt, and Hannah and Steven didn't feel like going. This year was a little different from past regattas we have participated in, in that we didn't use the official kits, but instead, made boats out of foam and straws, provided that night. They had plenty of supplies there, so John, who recently advanced to boy scouts, was still able to participate. When the boats were made, the kids (I would say boys, but a few sisters of the boys participated too.) lined up behind the gutters and practiced racing their boats by blowing on the sails. After everyone had a time or two down the tracks, the competition began, with each boy having a few chances to race different boys down the tracks. John finished the evening undefeated. Joshua wasn't quite as successful, but he seemed to have more fun explaining to anyone who would listen about how his boat was unsinkable...

Yesterday morning, I left home to take John to get the immunizations required for 6th grade. When I returned home, Peter was in tears, lying on the couch, with a bag of ice on his arm. Apparently Hannah and a friend swung him by his arms and feet, then let go, and he landed on his wrist. There was no sign of swelling, and it doesn't really look bruised, so we don't think it is broken, but all day yesterday he was in pain, crying any time his arm moved. We wrapped his wrist in an ace bandage and put his arm in a sling to keep it from moving, and dosed him with children's Tylenol and later, some children's Advil, but he spent most of the day lying around watching movies or resting - which is very abnormal for him. I hope it feels better before school starts next week, since it is his right arm, and he is right handed!

Joshua is nine years old! We started out his birthday with a family bike ride along the South Platte River. We now have enough bikes for everyone! Peter is still working on learning to ride his though. Steven walked beside him as he learned while I accompanied the older kids for a little longer ride. We celebrated his birthday after dinner, for Family Home Evening. First he opened gifts.  One of Josh's favorite gifts was a remote controlled cave man, sent by his Grandma.  He also received several other items. (Can you find Josh in the picture below?) After the presents were opened, we had the cake. This year, Josh requested a chocolate "gear" cake. I think it has to do with the fact that he wants to be an inventor. I did my best with it, and he seemed happy with the result. Happy Birthday Joshua!

As we were heading out to the car to go to church, this gentleman appeared looking for a ride. I had to run back inside for my camera! (We did have Josh remove the cat-hair mustache before church.)

We left Nauvoo Monday morning, and headed northwest over country roads towards Omaha. Eventually we arrived at council Bluffs and the Kanesville Tabernacle . There we learned about the Mormon Battalion and saw the restored tabernacle, the main purpose of which seems to have been a place to announce and sustain Brigham Young as President of the Church. The kids enjoyed playing on the stage at the tabernacle. From there we journeyed to Winter Quarters, where we visited the Mormon Trail Center . There, we learned more about the Battalion and the pioneers who trekked west by wagon, handcart, ship and train, to follow the prophet. The kids got to dress up. The Omaha temple across the street How many supplies can you load into a wagon in 15 seconds? Peter pulls a handcart while Josh pushes from behind Peter tells the story depicted in this beautiful painting by Walter Rane . By the time we left the Visitor's Center at Winter's Quarters, it was dinner time,...

Nauvoo . To the early Saints, it was a refuge, a gathering place. It was a place of peace and growth, a short lull in the storm of their history. From the time I learned that the family reunion would be held at Steven's sister Karen's home in Nauvoo, I was excited to go. Family. This was the first time in several years that the kids and I had been able to see some members of Steven's family. (Steven was able to see them more recently when he flew out to David's wedding a few years ago.) The kids got to know cousins they had never seen. They got to celebrate mock holidays with their grandma. Steven's grandparents were in attendance, and this was a chance for the kids to get to know their great grandparents while they are still around.  We spent a wonderful week there, spending time with family, watching the shows, exploring the historic buildings, visiting the temple, and soaking in the Spirit that permeates the area. It would take too long to write about every...