Last Day of School!

Today was everyone's last day of school. For Grace-it was her last day of elementary school! Grace received the presidential academic award yesterday at the fourth grade award ceremony. She has earned all As on her report card and did very well on the standardized testing. Her favorite part of every school day - has been her math class. Her teacher exudes excitement for learning and loves Grace. And if you love Grace - she will love you back and think you are the best!

Tanner will be a first grader when he gets off the bus today! I am so excited for him and all the things he has learned this year. His favorite part of school has been recess. Especially outdoor recess - where he chases girls. Mostly one girl. I hope it is good exercise. Maybe we should talk to him about the $500 kissing challenge this summer. . .

Hannah and Eliza are taking finals today. No parties or kickball tournaments for them today. But there will be relief when they come home. 3 months of freedom ahead. Time to make summer goals. . . There are some from last year that we didn't finish! Let summer begin!

Impulse Purchase

Hannah and I love to stop in at a nearby antique mall. Today we were looking for a nightstand for her room. But she found these lovely dresses instead. The funny thing is -- I remember having a pink dress very similar to this when I was about 5. I don't remember why - but I remember a picture of a wedding party and the bridesmaids were all in sherbet colored lace dresses with shiny satin bows. I will have to call Mom and see if any of this memory is true?

As the girls tried them on - they both complained about the smell. The antique mall has a smell to it. But as I walk down memory lane, listening to 60's music and point out to Hannah - all the things my grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles owned - we bond. She is in the process of re-decorating her room. Most everything in it - we bought second-hand and it has been re-done in some way. I will have to post pictures when we are finished - but I am always amazed at the things she loves and her ideas for making old things new.




Where should they wear these? If only we had found these beautiful dresses before prom!

Tanner's Soccer Fans

Tanner is playing soccer. I know its not supposed to be funny but I think at this age it is. At this game we watched Tanner down his entire water bottle during the first of 6 periods. In this league they don't keep score - but Tanner and his teammates know that they have won every game - by a landslide. And Tanner is a head taller than everyone on the field. He has learned a lot and its fun to see them actually pass the ball to each other and move the ball down the field to score. But often - kids are going the wrong way. Some get tired and sit down. Some are still afraid of the ball. It is funny. I hope we don't offend any one with all our laughter. Mom and Dad and Rudy were in town and got to cheer Tanner on this week. And laugh a little too.

Brownies and Memories

My Grandma Rhees was known for many wonderful things - and one of them was her homemade brownies. They are more cake-like and the frosting is really the best part of them. About a year before she died - she told me that sometimes - she just used a cake mix and didn't go to the trouble of making them from scratch. So for the few times I have made them in the last few years - I just used a cake mix. And they were good. My kids loved them. People we had for dinner loved them.

But today - I had some buttermilk on hand and I made the recipe from scratch. And they were so much better. As I ate a chilled one over the kitchen sink, tears flowed and the memories of Grandma's Brownies filed through my brain. I never actually saw Grandma make the brownies - they were just always there when we arrived - waiting for us on the back porch on top of the dryer. Usually 2 large trays of them. One with pecans in the frosting and one without. I liked the ones without.

During my college years - Grandma's house was a place of refuge. If I needed to study, or get away from drama or cry over a relationship - I would go to Grandma's. I talked to her about everything. She knew what I was excited about - she knew my disappointments - she knew my friends. She knew me. And she loved me no matter what. The brownies today reminded me of that.

Sirens

Sirens were going off about thirty minutes ago. And they caused a knot in my stomach. My oldest child, who recently got her drivers licence has my 2 youngest in the car with her. They are running an errand and getting frosties. So how long will sirens make me feel like this? Will it be the same amount of time I spent gritting my teeth and gripping the door while she learned how to drive? Or will this feeling last until they all leave for college?

Lost Child

I haven't really lost her - but she has pointed out that the blog is definitely missing her presence! So this is for Eliza. I want her to feel loved and not left out! These are some of my favorite pictures of her. Each picture shows a small part of her personality.



Eliza shows her emotions. Her face - cannot hide what she is thinking or feeling. Lucky for us - her gorgeous smile indicates her most often expressed emotion - joy. Eliza laughs easily. If I were to make a soundtrack of my life - it would include her laugh (as well as the sound of her gagging every time she brushes her teeth!)



Eliza Is not afraid of imagination. From the time she was little - Eliza could use her imagination to keep herself entertained for hours! Now that she is older - she uses her imagination to entertain others.



Eliza loves to read. This picture was taken on the day she dared to cut off most of her hair. She was bold to do it. But after it was done -- she went back to her reading. Her favorite gift this year was a kindle. She is usually happiest when she is in the middle of a great book/story. This picture makes me smile.

20 years ago. . .

Twenty years ago this week, Steve and I flew from Utah to Albany, NY so that Steve could meet my parents. At Christmas time, a few months earlier - I had submitted my mission papers -- so my parents were quite concerned when I called the stake president and asked him to hold the papers. Steve was the reason. So they wanted to meet him. Little did they know that he had a ring in his pocket and wanted to propose to me while we were home.

The first night we were there - I fell asleep on the sofa and my parents asked Steve if they could talk to him. ( He claims that he asked to speak to them . . . ) So the three of them gathered in my parents bedroom to have a conversation. He wanted their help in the proposal and they wanted to talk him out of it. They talked about all the education he could complete while I was on a mission. They were concerned about his major in English and stated desire to be a poet. (I don't think he was ever really serious about that career track.) He talked about how much he loved me and his plan to ask me to marry him while we were in the Sacred Grove the next day. They tried - but they couldn't talk him out of it.

And I am so thankful. The next day we drove to Palmyra, NY and toured the sites there. After a visit to the Grandin building and a hike up Hill Cummorah, we went to the Sacred Grove. Snow was falling. We walked out into the trees and Steve pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him. He was afraid that the ring would fall into the snow -- I was nervous about breaking the news to may parents. I had no idea that they knew what was happening. . .

So we were married 6 months later in the Salt Lake City Temple. And life has been good. So good. And my parents love Steve. And I love him more than I did 20 years ago. So much more.

Christmas decorations still up!

This is the last of my Christmas decorations.



The other decorations all came down by January 2nd but I love this door of Christmas cards. I love seeing most of the people I love in one place. I haven't seen many of these people in years! Some, we see only once a year. But I love, love, love them. Usually, I just place the cards in in a basket. But this year the pictures went on the pantry door in our kitchen so we could see them every day. I will miss them but I guess it's time to say goodbye. Until Christmas. . .

P.S. I have handpicked all of my children-in-law off this wall. I'm just now beginning to see why my Mom and her friends used to fantasize about their children marrying each other. I am blessed that we don't believe in arranged marriages. . . but at this point in my life as a mother -- it is sounding like a good idea. I guess I will just have to trust my children - the way my parents did.

Daddy-Daughter Dance

This was Steve's 10th and last Daddy-Daughter dance at the elementary school. Grace was his gorgeous date! Before the dance - we invited some of Grace's friends and their dads over for dinner. It was fun to see all the couples dressed up for the luau theme. These girls are all so blessed to have wonderful dads who show them what a good man is!

You Can Thank Me Later

This has been the snowiest winter I can remember. Not necessarily in inches. But in number of days there has been snow on the ground. I haven't done the research to back it up - so don't quote me on this. I just wanted to let all of the people in central Ohio to know that there will be no more snow this year. How do I know? Today I bought a second snow shovel.

Ever since the first snow fall this year - we have lamented that we didn't have a second shovel. This is a great thing because it means more people in the family are actually willing to use the shovel! But I decided to not have the conversation again - so when I passed the depleted snow shovel aisle at Meijer today - I carried one to the check-out. And I'm really hoping I don't have to use it!

The Week

Everyone in our family, who can read, enjoys reading The Week. We all have our favorite sections. The articles are short which cater to my short attention span. It covers a little of everything and the politics are pretty balanced which allows for me and Steve to both find value in it. The news and articles are great conversation starters around the dinner table. Some are fluff. Some help us know what is happening on the other side of the world. Some help give insight to family members. Hannah just told us about an article about procrastination. We asked her about it and she said she started it but then decided to finish it later. . .

Steve found a great quote in the latest edition by P.J. O'Rourke

Recently my teenage daughter was complaining, “Life is not fair, life is not fair.” I got fed up. I said, “You’re cute. That’s not fair. You’re smart – that’s not fair. Your family’s well off –that’s not fair. You were born in the U.S. – that’s not fair. Darling, you better get down on your knees and pray that things don’t start getting fair for you.”

Love it. I am printing it out in a large font and placing it on the fridge.

Better Late than Never

The best day of 2010 was the day that Hilary and Miles were married. The entire Lange clan was together. The setting was fantastic and the weather was perfect. But the most glorious part was this amazing couple. Miles was the happiest groom I have ever seen and Hilary was the most beautiful bride ever.

Tanner thought the party was for him. He danced from the minute he finished his dinner until the music stopped. The girls had a blast with their cousins. The kids made the night unpredictable. The ring bearer picked his nose. The family photo is missing a very important member who could not be bribed to be in the picture. My son asked in a very loud voice why there was goose poop all over. It was wonderful. Really it was. Thank you Hilary and Miles for the best day of 2010!

Hallelujah!

One of my best memories of high school choir is singing this music with a large crowd. Chills every time.

Best $500 I Ever Spent

I've been pondering whether or not to share this happy news because in some parenting and psychology circles this may be looked at as bad parenting or just bad living. Some may even call it betting or bribing which is not something I condone. I don't even do raffles at school functions or support the bingo for money fundraisers. But this girl accepted a bet/bribe from her parents. And on her 16th birthday we had to pay up.

When Hannah and Eliza were 11 and 12 we made a deal with them. If they made it to the age of 16 without kissing a boy - we would pay them $500. If they make it to 18 - they get another $500. Hannah has assured us this will be the only payout. Eliza declared that she will get the full $1000. Eliza asked us if there could be a payout at an even later date. We made it clear that kissing and boys are something we do want for her future. Just not now.

Our goal is that our children will highly value their kisses and more importantly their hearts. We could just teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves. But I have to say - that $500 has been a great conversation starter about relationships and standards. And we have talked A LOT about the types of boys to date. (That is another post - let's just say that when Steve starts in on this one - the girls roll their eyes and I smile to myself because I know it is embedded in their brain.) There is a very true reason our prophets have urged our children to not date before they are 16 and to not be in serious relationships until later. The world teaches our youth that intimacy is to be experienced at a young age - that it is part of growing up. I am grateful for prophets who guide our lives towards simplicity and happiness.

Thankful

In seminary this week, we have been making a list of our blessings. I have 35 people/things on my list right now and could add a hundred or more. But at the top of my list are my Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They each have a significant role in helping me get where I want to go after this life. And the next 5 things on my list are:

THEM

and HIM!
I love my life because of them. I get crazy because of them. I laugh a lot, thanks to them. I have so much to be thankful for because of them. So, on Thursday as we celebrate Thanksgiving and go around the room and talk about our blessings this year - I will talk about them. And I will do my best to tell them and show them that I love them every day after that. Happy Thanksgiving!

I know this is True

Unexpected Fun

Our family was planning a great conference weekend. We were all hanging out with my parents who were coming up for one last visit before they start their new calling at the temple in Birmingham. We were going to hang out in our sweats all weekend and listen to the timely messages we needed to hear. Hannah had invited some friends over to watch movies Saturday night. But then our plans changed. Hannah was elected to homecoming court and our nice relaxing weekend got pretty busy and a little crazy.

These two lovelies are part of a large cheering team my girls are blessed with. They teach them at church and listen to their worries and encourage them to stay on the straight and narrow. They came to the stadium on Friday to see Hannah walk across the field. Jenny and Amanda's husbands are great too. Their sacrifice of time does not go unnoticed.

Steve was in New York on Friday. There were storms on Friday and the airport was flooded. We prayed and prayed. But Steve did not make it home in time to walk with Hannah across the field. He did make it home safely. For that we were grateful. I was happy to get this picture of them together before she went to the dance and he went to the Priesthood session of conference. He deserves all the credit for her dress. He is the one who took her shopping the Saturday before. Have I mentioned that he is a super-shopper and I am not? I also cannot say enough that Steve is a great Dad. Not only does he shop with his girls - but he really enjoys being around them. And it shows. Hearing them all laughing in the kitchen as they swap stories and jokes is one of my favorite sounds.

Grace and Grandma at the football game. We noted that since Brock has been on a mission, Grandma has not been to a football game. We stayed long enough to see Hannah and as long as the Birmingham blood would allow. Grandma brought with her our favorite sweets from Savage Bakery. She also spent all of her 28 hours in our home - making it better. She folded laundry, cleaned and talked and listened to Tanner, Grace, Eliza and Hannah. AND ME.

Dad and me with Hannah. I was so happy Dad was there - so I didn't have to walk across the field alone. It was nice to have someone to laugh with when we saw Hannah's heels sinking into the grass as she walked in front of us down the 50 yard line. She wobbled a bit but laughed her way through it. While Dad was not on official homecoming duty - he took each of the kids on a date to their favorite places. And put several puzzles together with Tanner. He was busy!

Thanks to this boy, David, Hannah didn't fall on the field. They have been friends for a few years and was kind to be her escort.

It wasn't the weekend that we had expected. But it was fun to see Hannah honored this way.

Indian Run

A couple of weeks ago, Steve, Eliza, Grace and I "ran" the Indian Run in Hocking Hills. We arrived there around 9 am to check in. When I told the lady at registration who we were she oohhhed and ahhed and informed me that they had been talking about us the day before when they were preparing the registration packets. She couldn't believe that such a big family was running the race together. I couldn't believe that Steve and I with half of our children were considered a big family. She then told me that they had informed the media about us and they would likely like to talk to us. We got a good laugh over that and then loaded the bus to go to our starting point.

Our friends, Emily and Richard ran the 10k. Eliza and Steve ran the 5k. My friend Katie and I took Grace and her friends and hoped to briskly walk the 5k. 3 minutes into the race, one skinned her knee and had blood oozing all over. One wanted to stop and watch the fish jumping in the lake. On our way through the campground part of the trail, we stopped to ask for a bandaid. While there - we saw the bathrooms and decided to stop. Grace tells everyone that I dragged her over the finish line - she was so tired. So our brisk walk turned into some of the longest 5k finishes known to man. I think we beat the 60 year old couple who had a baby in a back pack.

So about the media. Steve crossed the finish line and a reporter approached him. She was sorely disappointed that we weren't all running together. Her photo-op moment was not going to happen. But I love this picture. It was a great day.

T is for Tanner

Tanner has a lot to tell me these days because we are not together for 3 hours every day while he is at school. He is always anxious to tell me about school and the friends he made that day. His one problem is that he can never remember their names - or perhaps he never asked them in the first place. Tonight at dinner - the girls were asking him if he found out the name of a particular girl he had been talking about. He said he asked her her name but it was "complicated". The girls started to throw out names with 3 or more syllables. They all sounded like Rumpelstiltskin trying to guess the friends name. After a few minutes of guessing and laughing - Tanner pipes up with, "I think her name was Anne or something like that."

Tanner came in the house from jumping on the trampoline today and declared: "I am not going to military school!" I tried to find out where this idea came from but he wouldn't say anymore. He got a drink of water and went back outside.

Tonight, we were driving to the church, in the dark to pick up the girls from church. He started singing a song that sounded like a game show theme song and then rapidly fired off words he wanted me to define. He started with "cute" and "darling". He then moved on to damn and piehole. I gave him a definition for dam that included cement, logs and a stream or river turned into a lake. He then asked if there is another dam. I asked him why and he told me that there is a song he knows and that he thought the words to it were: "my damn partner is a monkey" but someone told him those are not the correct words. The correct words are: "my gym partner is a monkey".

So now - I get to wonder where he was singing about his damn partner loud enough for someone to correct him? My apologies to whoever it was and to the parents of any friends to whom he taught that song. He knows better now and hopefully won't do it again.

Comfort and Joy

On Saturday I was getting ready to go to a seminary teacher training meeting at the institute building. I was kind of dragging my feet. I told Steve that I anticipated the first hour - to be a discussion of questions the first year teachers have about the way to run a seminary class.

I WAS a new seminary teacher 2 years ago and could hardly wait to get to the meeting to get answers to my many questions. But now I am a third year seminary teacher. We have our routine. I love the kids. And study like crazy and hope the Holy Ghost will teach them every morning.

What I needed was - more than details on how to run a seminary class (there are lots of details!) -- I had been praying for comfort and joy. I have been letting myself be dragged down by some things going on around me that are out of my realm of responsibility and control. I was feeling heavy-hearted.

For 1 hour and 50 minutes of the meeting, we discussed procedures, tasks, and ideas about how to best run a class. I tried to contribute where I could -- but in a room full of people - I have a difficult time raising my hand and speaking. But I did. And I brought home a few ideas I am going to try. But as I looked at the clock and saw that the time was about over - I was disappointed that we hadn't spent very munch time in the scriptures - discussing doctrine or our Savior.

But then a question came that caused Brother Burton to stop and open his scriptures and remind us that the gospel is to be taught and lived with joy. He read from Mosiah 2:40 and 41:

40 O, all ye ^aold men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a^bremembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression.

41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

The spirit whispered to me that I needed to loosen my grip on my worries for my friends problems and to dedicate my thoughts more to the blessings of living the gospel. Blessings are all around me. The joy of the gospel is not reserved for after judgement. We can experience joy now. I am so thankful for the multiple examples of people around me who live the gospel and recognize their blessings.

I am grateful that I received the comfort and understanding that I needed. My heart is lighter. I know my Father in Heaven knows me and knew about my worries and my desire to feel joy. I love that the scriptures that are for everyone - can feel so personal.