Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Family Tree

We went to my dad's house this past weekend and while I was there we started going through alot of my grandma and grandpa's old pictures/albums/papers. I've had this huge desire lately to work on my family history, so I was pumping my dad for as much info as possible. One of the jewels that we came across was my grandma's baby book that her mother had made for her. I can't read most of it because it's in german, but she did write a little in english too. My favorites are two poems that she wrote to my grandma, both of which happen to be in english. I was so excited to find these because, as some of you know, I love to write poetry as well (though I haven't really had the chance lately), so I felt this immediate connection with her. I just wanted to include the poems that she wrote because they are super sweet and really well-written.

"May Future with her kindest smiles
Wreathe laurels for thy brow;
May loving Nature guard and keep thee
Ever pure as thou art now."
My Dream of You
"I had a little Dream of you,
before you came down here,
A wonder dream so very true,
My own, my baby dear.
A little dream so tender sweet,
It brought a smile, a tear -
Love's rainbow flashing out to greet
And welcome you my dear.
'Twas but a dream, a fancy flight,
For since I hold you near,
The joy of you through day and night,
No dream could tell my dear."
Something else that I learned is that my grandmother (whose name was Margaret - yes there is a direct correlation) was called Gretel by her parents. My sister keeps razzing me about giving Margaret a nickname and insisting that it be Mags b/c that's what my grandpa called my grandma all of the time. As much as I love my grandma, I really don't love the name Mags; but Gretel is entirely different... I could get used to Gretel... We'll have to see; I really can't see (my) Margaret as anything but Margaret right now... and Margaret is a beautiful name.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Ahhhhh...

I have to apologize for being such a slacker lately on my blogging. I've started work again and I've been spending just about every minute of the day trying to meet a really hard deadline. Thankfully, I JUST finished and now I get to take the rest of the week "off" so that I can focus on Young Women In Excellence. I just have to say that I have the most wonderful husband in the world. I would never have been able to finish my work if it hadn't been for him taking over with the kids in the mornings. Thanks hon, I love you!

Nothing new has been going on with us lately. The kids are starting to get excited about Christmas (partly due to the fact that I'm listening to Christmas music already - I can't help myself - and b/c there are christmas lights up in front of the library.) Steven talks non-stop about how Santa is going to come and bring him some presents. In fact, he even sings songs about it, though they're not any songs that I've ever heard before! Margaret is our little talking machine and has really fallen in love with books (more than usual.) After putting her to bed at night (with the mandatory 2-3 books) I'll hear her "reading" to herself for a good 10 minutes before she actually falls asleep. It's way cute! They are starting to play really well together, though they both have their days, and I have to say that hearing them laugh together has got to be one of my favorite sounds in the world! I'm so blessed to be able to stay home with my kids. Sure, there are plenty of times that I could just pull my hair out (you know what I'm talking about), but when it comes to the end of the day I feel so much love for my kids and know that I'm the luckiest mom in the world!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

What a Disappointmet

The election results are in and Obama will be the 44th US President come January 2009. Can I just say that I am so disappointed in our country and more than a little scared for its future. I really can't believe that so many people were taken in by his smooth talking and crazy politics. Now I'm going to be forced to send my kids to preschool when I'd rather teach them at home, among many other things. Arrrgggghhhh... I HATE big government sticking their noses where they just don't belong!!!! Maybe I can talk John into moving to Canada...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A Fun Day in the Park

I had the great opportunity to go to Six Flags yesterday with the youth in our ward... it was so much fun. Granted, even though I had an extra hours sleep last night, we still didn't get home until after 11:00 and my body feels like a train wreck today... especially my feet! Maybe I'm just getting old, who knows. There was only one ride that actually scared me, but on some of the others I didn't want to ride them again for the simple fact that I didn't feel too hot afterwards. Like I said, I must just be getting old. Anyway, it was a really great opportunity to get to know the girls a little better, and I even had the chance to meet a few of the boys and get to know them better as well. And of course, I have the opportunity to serve with some of the most amazing women that I know, so it was way fun to hang out and play with them all day, too!



NEVER AGAIN!!!!!



Emily and Taylor

(Even though she might look like a youth, Emily really is our YW President.)


Emma and Darci


Taylor and Darci

Carissa and Emily

Taylor and Emma