Museum open for business

Some people have asked what the bright yellow sign on our front door is all about. (yes I know its crooked)

Last week on Wednesday it was a snow day. Before moving onto a new activity I wanted Sam to pick up some of his toys off my bed and his bedroom floor. At the time I was in the middle of working on something for the Mt Pleasant Discovery Museum. I knew just saying Sam clean up your toys would result in a meltdown because that task is not specific enough. Creativity can be important at this point. The first thought that came to my mind was “Sam I have this great idea, why don’t you take all of these creations you made with the kid connects and turn your bedroom into a museum!” Then I suggested that all of the pieces on his floor could be piled into like piles so that customers (probably a poor choice of words in hindsight) can easily locate the pieces they want to use to build new creations. He totally bought into it – IMMEDIATELY! I have never seen someone clean up so quickly. But he played for real. “Mom now we need signs – 2 of them, one for the front door (he placed this one and I don't want to ruin his careful placement) and one for my bedroom door”. Our front door now has a sign that reads “Sam’s Awesome Building Place of Fun”. I was the first “test” customer and later that night Dan’s friend became the first real customer. Sam decided though if Dan's friend had fun, his first visit was free (instead of 5 pennies). The next morning the first thing he said when he woke up was “did we have any customers?” I have also been told I need to work on coupons good for 4, 3, 2 or 1 penny off getting in.

I was in a seminar with his teacher the next day and I told her about Sam’s new venture. Two days later Sam had two more museum customers, his teacher Mrs Auker and her daughter. He was so excited to see them come to the house and I had fun observing. He is now considering a second exhibit with space in the basement…Hmmm what a creative kid.

I never thought I'd be working on two children's museums at the same time.

Drawing on other's words - updated links

Because of the deep impact I have felt over the passing of our dear friend's husband Phil the brave I have wanted to write something and share it on our blog. I have been contemplating this but nothing seemed right. Then I gratefully noticed several other blogs with tributes and other feelings posted. Some share much more personal experiences with Phil and others share the feelings I too am experiencing. Because of the sweet friendship we have had over many years with his companion Heidi, Phil has become important to us as well. Our children enjoy listening to Voice Male CD's and thus enjoying Phil's great voice. Hearing his voice always makes me think of Heidi and her beautiful voice that I admired so much when we were mission companions. Then I think what will Eden's voice be like. She is one lucky gal to have such gifted and talented parents and more importantly parents who love her so much. I pray for her to always feel that love but have no doubt Heidi has enough love in her for both.

Because I love everything that has been shared by others including Heidi I am sharing links to these posts as well.

Obituary
Prayer and Peace
Phil the Brave
Shared Tears
Another Angel
It Stays With Us
Remembering Phil
Sing Out Strong
Voice Male In Memorium
Jacksonville State University News (and a poem "FAITH"by Phil)
Forever
Each Life that Touches Ours for Good
Utah Services
Phil's Testimony
Testimony of a Friend
Phantom Pain
Answered Prayers

This is where peace comes from knowing that families are eternal and that all will be together again.

Once in a Blue Moon...

There are common words or phrases we hear this time of year such as “resolutions”, “this year I will…”, “it’s going to be different” and many more you might be thinking of right now. These things happen regularly or at least annually on a regular basis. Other things only happen once in a blue moon. That would be what we will get on New Years Eve this year, a blue moon. I like to be different so I’m torn. Over the years I have come to dislike the all too dead common resolutions ritual. With all the hype one can easily feel pressured into being a bit overzealous in their resolution selection. The resolution is soon tied to guilt and shame for unfulfilled expectations in being able to carry out the unrealistic. This just leads back to status quo. So a few years ago I resolved to not make new years resolutions but find other ways to set goals for my life. It works better for me. However, this year is my chance to say I only make them once in a blue moon. Now I will need to come up with a really good resolution worthy of only being made once in a blue moon!

On a different note I am just curious. What does this year’s blue moon (2^nd in the month and 13^th for the year) falling on the last day of the year mean to you?

1) I’m superstitious so 2010 holds a bleak outlook.

2) I’m optimistic so things must be aligned for a great new year.

3) I could care less about the moon so what is the big deal.

4) I thought a blue moon was something Smurfs do.

5) I’m really lost, what are you talking about?

Weigh in with your response. I would love to hear it.

BTW I read an interesting definition of superstitious that I have never heard before. It says “A person who is superstitious is a person who doesn’t require evidence to believe in something.” Hmmm

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In light of the first word REDUCE, I’m trying something new – a shorter blog post with reduced text.

I found a cool idea on a website for a fun advent calendar. I have several advent calendars and haven’t had the need to make one. But this was too fun and loved the idea of reusing and recycling. I wasn’t sure how on earth to fit it in with everything else going on but somehow squeezed it between other activities (minus putting #'s for each day yet) and the kids help cut the square pictures out of old Christmas cards for our Monday night Family Home Evening activity. I simplified the holder for each square a bit and would be glad to provide info on how I made them out of lunch sack bottoms if anyone is interested. The kids LOVE it!

All in a day

Today’s task list:

Paint hall bathroom

Cook dinner for missionaries

Cut boys hair and a bunch of misc. things.

Today’s events:

Raw egg flying around the kitchen while bowl flips out of hand making a huge mess. Didn’t know one raw egg could cover so much space and in so many places.

I Realized I didn’t have all ingredients to make dinner so great husband offers to go to the store for me (I HATE shopping on Saturdays). However, the 48oz glass bottle of salsa that I left in the back of the car, along with other things I picked up at Sam’s Club yesterday, rolled forward during a turn and smashed into the metal of the middle seat and spilled its guts all over the car and into the little well of the seat connector.

Sam was also swinging in his hammock and managed to do what we knew he would eventually and put a hole in the wall. We have been trying to come up with a solution for this but now we really have to before the hole gets bigger. Anyone know of a good place to get a padded mat with hefty solid backing?

In the middle of this we were taping and prepping the hall bathroom for paint, did the primer and then made some progress on the paint. I was also preparing some pulled BBQ pork, cole slaw, fresh pineapple and grapes and baked beans. The crowning piece was a lemon cheesecake, my first ever attempt to make real cheesecake! It turned out great (ignore the grand canyon in the middle) and is so smooth. The recipe will be posted on Facebook or can be requested.

Overall it was a good day, just frustrating in parts. OH and I did get the boys hair all cut as well (all 3 boys). Yeah!