Cider Festival 2009

These are events from October 17th, 2009:

Last year we didn't have the Cider Festival, the first time in eight years. So it meant even more to have it again this year. On Friday night, after a whirlwind of cleaning, our guests started to arrive.
First to come in were my youngest brother Craig and his wife Jaclyn. Next came my younger sister Angelina with her husband Rodney, and their four children. They also brought my Mom and Dad with them. This is my Mom's report of getting here: 'We had a good ride over on Friday late afternoon, going through the Craters of the Moon route. The scenery is interesting but it took us two hours longer...we were seven hours on the road and we were in the dark for the last two hours and Dad was tired and confused. When we drove up to Lorena's house and he got out and saw Bruce, he just said...'Oh.....Oh....', and hugged and hugged him. He was SO glad to see Bruce. He said, 'How did you get clear out here?'"

Dad said that same thing two or three more times in the house, "How did you get clear out here?" I think coming in the dark really confused him, but in the morning when he could see out the windows he wasn't disoriented anymore.

A few hours later my niece Linsdey Kay came with her three friends Ryan, Jeff and Garrett from Provo. What fun to meet them and make some new friends. Good choice of friends Lindsey!!

On Saturday morning we had crepes for breakfast and then took off to the orchard to pick apples. All except for Mom and Dad - they stayed at the house so Dad could have a rest. Man, we had fun at that orchard! The trees were mostly bare, so we had to hunt for apples. While we were there my other nieces came, Darcy and Clarissa. Unfortunately Clarissa's husband Josh couldn't make it - we missed you Josh - but it was sure fun to have Clarissa here. (BTW - I missed doing the Yoga! Next year for sure...)
Tim, Darcy's friend, took a ton of pictures while he was here. I have sprinkled some through this post, but here is the link to all the pictures he took:

http://picasaweb.google.com/my.name.is.timo/CiderFestival?feat=directlink

Thanks so much Tim! If anyone else has pictures, please send them to us or post a link!

So with that many people looking for apples, we ended up with 11 bushels! Every apple was a prize, and we found some HUGE ones at the tops of trees that had to go into a contest.After we came home, we had club sandwiches for lunch, and then everyone worked together to get things setup for the Festival. (Thank you so much for all your hard work!)

It started about four and went to six in the afternoon. We had some fabulous fiddlers: David, our friend and neighbor, and Kaylee, Michelle and Nicole - our Clark cousins that come every year. And we did some square dancing to the Virginia Reel. And of course the fresh apple cider and homemade doughnuts were delicious. For the first time this year we added chili to the menu, and thanks to some very dear friends that brought the chili, that added a lot to the party. Bruce takes the kids on hay rides, and you'd think these kids had died and gone to heaven to get the chance to ride down to the end of the lane and back on a hay wagon. Bruce borrowed his Dad's old red tractor, and it was very authentic. I was going to say it "looked" authentic - but, really it "was" authentic! It was beautiful weather, the best we've ever had for the Cider Festival. Towards the end, the teenagers were having fun playing games, and it was fun to sit around and visit with friends.This is our filly Cookie that was born in April.This is Jaclyn feeding Lady an apple.

THANKS SO MUCH to everyone that came and contributed. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed it the same as we do every year. And we came out with about 9 gallons of cider and some to send home with the out-of-town guests, so that is a bonus!

This is definitely one of the highlights of the year, every year, and we look forward to next year!

An Apprentice No Longer

We have enjoyed watching the foals this week! Here is a video of Mary with Stormy (that's the name that won out - Hailstorm - Stormy for short) when he was first born. Pony Girl - you will enjoy this video - and welcome to the blog!


Jesse and Josh performed this week at the Music Concert put on by the Music Club at the High School. Josh played Jessica's Theme from Man From Snowy River and Go the Distance from Hercules. He also sang and played In Dreams, from Lord of the Rings. It was really fun to hear him sing that - I loved it!
Even though Jesse is not in High School yet, they let her come up and sing and play her composition, Waiting. Great job Jesse!! We had a video of it, but accidentally erased it when we got home! That was a bummer.

At the same time, Joseph was running in his first track meet. We weren't able to attend, because it was too far away, but Joseph ran the 3200 meter and the 1600 meter. He was pleased with how he did. The athletes were out in a bitterly cold wind for hours. He said they piled all their bags up to make a wind block, and then got under blankets in front of it. Hmmm - no wonder he wanted to be on the track team. Ha ha

Bruce got me an early birthday present and it came in the mail this week - a Presto 23 qt pressure cooker/canner. I made the recipe in the owner's manual for Rice Pudding, and it was what I hoped it would be - the same Rice Pudding that my Mom made me all the time I was growing up. And the same Rice Pudding she has made me almost every time I have gone home to visit in the ensuing years.

When I lifted it out of the Pressure Cooker and eagerly took the tinfoil off, finding that it looked just like my Mom's recipe, I started to cry. It was such a strong emotion. I explained to the kids later that it was my comfort food. And then Bruce added, and it was so cool to me that he understood this about me, that I was no longer an apprentice, that I had made my "golden plow" (a reference to Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card) and that I had arrived.

It's about time - wish it hadn't taken me until I was 41! Here's a picture of the Rice Pudding and my Wheat Bread.Bruce and I went to the baptism of our friend Richy on Saturday between Conference Sessions. We've known him for years as one of the great young men that lives in our town. He has come to all of our Street Dances, and danced up a storm. He taught Joseph in a hip-hop dance class a couple of years ago too. He has been friends with LDS kids for years, and now, at 21, he has made the decision to join the Church. The chapel was filled for his baptism, and when he was asked to bear his testimony after his confirmation, he could not speak for a full minute or two, as he tried to compose himself. The Spirit was as strong as I've ever felt at a baptism. What a wonderful experience!And this on top of the Conference sessions! Wow, what a spiritual feast! How is it that every Conference can be so inspirational, so thought-provoking, so touching - and they same the same things over and over! It's never anything different! Of course it's the Spirit touching us, and our different life experiences and circumstances coloring the view, but it still amazes me.

Did anyone notice that President Monson had a tear streaming down his face while he told of the woman burying her child in the frozen ground? His voice never wavered or broke, but that display of emotion really touched me. I wondered why he chose that story to tell, and I feel that he wanted us to know that even though many are and will go through very trying times, that joy comes from the gospel, not good circumstances.

I heard a great analogy this week. The rain fell on the wise man's house as well as the foolish man's house!

Elder Hale's talk on provident living was timely, and I thought Elder Holland's talk was one of the most sacred I have ever experienced. I have wondered before if it was required of us in mortality to go through an experience like the Savior had where the presence of the Father was totally withdrawn. The answer was clear from Elder Holland that we need never go through anything like that, although when we sin, we distance ourselves from the Lord.

Elder Bednar's talk, followed by Elder Stevenson's (wonder if we're related on the Stevenson line?) on the Temple was very clear to me. I loved how he said that there is a big difference between those who rush to the temple once in awhile, and those who come regularly to worship. Very thought-provoking!

After Conference today, we got a call from Jancen, one of Josh's good friends, asking us if our family wanted to come over and go for a walk with their family. They have seven children, and their children match almost exactly with ours in age and friendship, so we absolutely love to be with their family. It was a beautiful, sunny spring day, although a bit windy, so it was so nice to be outside and walking in the sun. Mary, Ashley, Christina and Jesse.
Laren and Alyssa (she's the one that makes us wish we'd had one more!)
Jesse and Christina are in different grades, but only about 9 months apart, and they have a ball together.
Devyn and Joseph are in the same grade, and have become really good friends. Devyn is deaf, and Joseph has a gift to be able to communicate and understand Devyn. Joseph was showing me some sign language that he has learned from Devyn, and I was impressed! They have been snowboarding together several times this year.
Jancen and Josh are also in the same grade, and they have also become really good friends. They sing in the same acapella group together, as well as just "hanging out" with the same great group of friends.These two have managed to become really good friends, and I mean GOOD FRIENDS! In fact, I believe they are wildly in love with each other. Bishop P. came by and visited with us for a moment. What a great man. It's his family's property that we took our walk on. Laren manages his property for him. We love their family too.The fail-proof entertainment for kids of all ages (and I mean ages 2 to 42) - throwing rocks in the pond.Peter and Rebbecca (behind Peter in the black) are the same age. Libby and Jacob (far left bending over) are about two years apart.What fun to be with such good friends as Caralee and Laren. (Laren is actually my 4th cousin).For Christmas, Caralee and Laren gave their children these cows. This spring every cow had a calf, so their herd has doubled. They plan on doing the same with their cows as we are doing with ours. In fact, I think that's some of where Bruce got the motivation to do the same.On our walk we got to see the cows grazing.Ashley and Mary, although one grade apart in age, are good friends too! I'm telling you, their family really fits with ours!At the end of the walk, we had a spontaneous "Boat Race".

Thank you Laren and Caralee, for a wonderful afternoon and evening!

The Bittersweet

My life is full of bittersweets right now.
I love these Young Men and Young Women, and the rest of the Spanish branch members so much. Les quiero para siempre.

Last week we were released from our calling in the Spanish Branch. We will speak in the branch next Sunday, and that will be our last week. This is bitter.

But that means that we will back in the Ward with wonderful people like Tammy, Jacob and Becky,
and Craig and Sondra. (And time to get some more current photos too!)
This is sweet.

We went to 7th ward (used to be 4th ward) today for Carly's farewell talk, and I cried for the first ten minutes I was there because I felt such a deep love for the members, a welling up of emotion. I have had to seal that off somewhat for the last two years, and today it was opened up again, overwhelmingly so. Yes - this is sweet!

Another sweet:
But the thought of winter coming on, and saying good-bye to this for another seven months is bitter.

Also, living in our home, and enjoying how wonderful it is - this is sweet. Knowing that we'd be much better off financially if it had sold is bitter.

I'm half way through my long-term sub position at the High School. I had the most wild class of my tenure (ha ha- that sounds funny) this week on Wednesday with paper airplanes flying around the room. I made them leave their backpacks at the back of the room the next two days. They were really mad at me, but it solved the problem. On Friday after school, one of the staff members pointed out 6 different examples of graffiti that were gang signs. She told me I had to put a stop to it. Hmmm - not quite sure how to do that. And the swearing. I'd love to hear something really old fashioned like dang, or Oh my heck! Ha ha. The fact that I will leave all this in three weeks is sweet.

However, I'm also starting to REALLY care about these kids and their future. And I really do quite enjoy teaching, and knowing I'm making some money to contribute to the family (besides the fact that it's really needed). The fact that I will leave this in three weeks is, you guessed it, bitter.

Nothing bitter about this, though!! This is all sweetness!

Libby's Halloween Costume is the caterpillar from James and the Giant Peach, which they are studying (and dressing up for) this month at their school. The fact that we had this costume sitting in the costume box (thank you cousins) is a tender mercy of the Lord, and a nod to my husband's persistence.

Through all the bitter and the sweet, the hand of the Lord is evident. I, with Sis. Worthlin, say "Come what may, and love it."

A week in the life of a busy Family of Eight

My word, what a week we've had. It makes my mind whirl just to think about it. I promise not to do this very often, but I just need to record once in awhile what goes on around here in a week. We'll go by days:

Monday: I did my first substitute teaching job! I taught 5th graders at an elementary school close to our church building. I thought they were a delightful class. I was amazed by how much I could read from their faces, although by the end of the day, there were some surprises. One kid was just fascinated that I could speak Spanish. He kept asking me to talk to all the Hispanic kids in the class, of which there were a fair number (I'd say close to half the class). I was disappointed in the regular staff at the school and how they treated the students. How do students learn respect if it is not modeled for them and to them? I was pretty ticked off that they were treating my students that way- enough that I lost the respect that I had!! Ha ha Anyway, overall, it was a great first experience.

Bruce stayed home from work that day and brought Josh home from the hospital.

I coach Mary's U12 Girls Soccer team, and while scrimmaging, almost at the end of practice, one of the girls kicked Mary's BYU soccer ball into the irrigation ditch that runs behind the field. Immediately, all of the girls were running down the banks, running over the bridge to the other side to get this ball. Nancy started yelling for everyone to throw rocks at the ball so it would go over to the side, which we did, and Kailee went and grabbed this huge branch and brought it down to the bank. After several close but failed attempts, Mary was the one who finally pulled it in with that big branch. It's hard to describe, but it was so fun - we were laughing and carrying on about how to get that ball.

That night we had an informal FHE, all gathered in the Living Room, eating Apple Crisp that Sis. Wells had brought and leftover cheesecake from what was supposed to be the Court of Honor. We didn't call anyone to come, or have a formal anything. I kept thinking, we should start Family Home Evening, but everyone was in the living room talking, and I thought, "Why stop the communication that's happening with formalities?" Now, I know we shouldn't do that all the time, but that night a formal meeting just didn't seem necessary. We did bring up some gospel topics, just because that's where the conversation led, and I was satisfied with that.

Night time is becoming more interesting in our family. Before we were all just grumpy and ready to go to bed. Now, it has become more of a time to talk and unwind from the day, with everybody hanging in the kitchen and eating. It's really quite fun. It just occurred to me that this wouldn't happen if the TV was on. I'm so glad we don't have that habit. I'm also glad that nobody in my family has an ounce of fat on their body besides me, so eating at night - not a big deal.

Jesse's volleyball team won their first game! She ended up having to walk over to her soccer practice, as I had forgotten to pick her up, and she had no soccer stuff at her practice. (This is keepin' it real). Her team scrimmaged one of the boys teams, and Jesse was so mad that she couldn't play because she said that she could see where they needed her help and she wanted to get in there and get it done. They won anyway, and after the game she overhead some boys saying, "The point is, they rock and we suck." Jesse got a kick out of that (no pun intended). Her team is good!

Whew - that was only Monday.

Tuesday: Mary's 6th grade teacher assigned them an autobiographical sketch to begin school. Mary said that someone last year brought in their horse, so Mary begged to bring in a llama. Bruce hitched up the trailer, loaded Sage, our 2 year old female llama, and I took her over to the school. All Mary's class was out on the lawn in back of the school waiting for us. I could just shoot myself that I didn't have my camera. Mary stood in front of the class and we told them all about llamas. While we talked, we had each of her classmates come up to Sage with their head down, and she smelled their heads, which is how llamas greet you. Then they all crowded in around us and were hugging and petting Sage.

She was really incredible - calm, and sniffing at everyone, and not whining like I thought she would be. The kids loved her! So many of them hugged her, as she was just their height, and they could get their arms around her neck. It was darling. Even some of the high school kids walking by came and up and petted her and talked to us. Mary, as you'll recall, was a Reserve Grand Champion in Fitting & Showing at the Canyon County Fair when she showed her lamb at the age of eight, so having all this attention, well, she just loved being in the middle of it, and "showing" her llama! It was really a fun experience for Mary and me!

That afternoon we got Josh up, and after much to-do, got his cast wrapped up and got him into the shower. After that he was feeling perky, so we took him to the high school soccer game. He got a warm reception from a lot of friends and parents who came up and talked to him. Joseph had a SWEET goal in this game, a long kick from about the 25 on the left hand side. It went up high and curved around, and went in over the goalie's head. Wahoo! If it had been with his left foot, that would have been ideal (for Joseph).

After Joseph's game, we left Josh to ride home with friends of ours (we left Mary and Libby at home to take care of him), and the rest of us left to go to the farm to bring in the hay. I drove the truck, while Bruce, Joseph, and Jim C. stacked the hay that came up through the "elevator", which is a machine that picks up the bales and puts them on the trailer. Peter and Jesse ran around and pushed the bales into straight rows, and then they shoveled loose hay after the bales were loaded in the barn. We did that until it was almost too dark to see, and then the elevator broke. Bad news.

Wednesday: At 6:30 am Bruce, Joseph and I took off again to get the rest of the bales up because they were sitting on water, so they had to be picked up immediately or they'd be ruined. Jim met us there, and Bruce and Jim had to buck the hay up onto the trailer while Joseph stacked it. They did that for about three hours without a break. I felt like a pansy because I was just driving the truck. I thought over and over, "This is why they didn't need to work out at the gym in the olden days." Driving out of the farm, Joseph said, "I don't ever want to see another bale of hay again." Then he added, "Why didn't the Nazis just take prisoners out to bale hay all day? Why did they come up with all these torture methods?" Ah, the hyperbole of a teenager. Again, no camera - I've got to get on the ball!

Jesse, Mary, Peter and Libby got themselves off to school Wednesday morning. They rode the four-wheeler down to the bus stop and Jesse took the key with her. I had to laugh later in the day when I was driving by and saw the four-wheeler parked by the bikes. I could see Peter bragging at school, "My Mom lets me drive our four-wheeler to the bus stop." Ha ha

I thought about skipping this, but since I'm "keepin' it real", I'll have to admit that I read Austenland, by Shannon Hale during the day on Wednesday. It's a short read, but still, I should have been cleaning the house. I got started reading it while they men were unloading the hay bales. I have really bad allergies to that hay, so I don't get out there to help them. After I get started on a book, I'm addicted, and I can't put it down. Click on my Good Reads to see a review of the book. It was sure fun, but my house suffered because of it. In retrospect would I do it again? Hmmm - I better not answer that question.

That afternoon, Joseph and I were Assistant Referees (AR's) for a U14 Boys game, and Bruce refereed some High School games.

After that we went and picked up kids for Mutual, and we had a party at our house for five of our Young Women who have birthdays within a month of each other, and one of the Young Men.
We played spoons with all the YM and YW, and leaders. They had never played before, and they thought it was a hoot!
We also played the game where you murder by winking at someone.
It just happened to be Isabel's birthday also, so even though she is not mutual age, we let her come to the party anyway. She and Libby got to be close when Cindy and Isabel stayed at our house last year for a month. After playing games, we had some cake (well, they had some cake) and then left for home.

Thursday: On Thursday morning I got to go walking with my friends. At the end we talked about 911. Shelly said, "The other day I asked someone what time of year nine eleven was at." We laughed about that. We also talked about the upcoming ward split. They were making four wards out of three in the stake. Lots of speculating going on, but no names being thrown around, which was good.

I taught 4 piano lessons - three to home-schoolers during the day, and one after school.

As soon as that was over I raced Peter over to Cub Scouts - his first Den Meeting! From there I went over to Joseph's soccer game. Josh was really mad at me because he wanted to come, but I put my foot down an said he should have taken a shower before, and I was going to see Joseph's game. JV soccer is my favorite to watch. It' great soccer, and better than Varsity because it's not so intense and rough. Joseph is playing well, and got told he would be suiting up once in awhile for Varsity!

At the end of that game, I took Peter and Libby to their soccer practices, picked up Josh, and went back and watched the Varsity game. Bruce was actually an AR for this game, which was dicey because he was attached to the game, but the assignor knew that, and he was needed, so he got assigned the game. He did a good job. I did find myself having to move away from some of the parents that continually verbally assault the refs no matter what they do. I can breathe better when I'm not by them. :) It was a great game, and our team came back and scored 2 goals in the last 10 minutes of the game to win 3-1. Wahoo!

After the game I came home and helped some of our new U6-U10 referees get their equipment, warmed up some leftovers for dinner for the family, then headed over to a Book Group. Book Group is at my house next month, so I got to take five books as suggestions, and then we voted on the one to read. It was way fun to pick out the five books that wanted to suggest! Here's what they were: The Coming of the Lord, by Gerald Lund; Enchantment, by Orson Scott Card; Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier; Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen; and The Book Thief - can't remember the author. The vote was for Rebecca, which I haven't read since I was a teenager. I loved it then, so I'm looking forward to it! We discussed The Other Eminent Men, which was interesting. I was very tired, though, and left by eleven, which is highly unusual for me. Usually I'm there until 2 in the morning.

Whew - we're halfway through!

Friday: Jesse had an early-morning Volleyball Practice at 6:30 am. Thankfully our neighbors came and got her so I didn't have to take her. We read Scriptures without her, and got ready for school. We were too slow at everything. I ended up taking all the kids to school, and missed my walk. Bummer. I got showered, prepared the menu for the coming week and grocery list on Excel, and then headed out the door to a Piano Teacher's Workshop.

I go to this once a year, and always learn some really valuable stuff. I happened to sit at the table for the luncheon with Drue Chamberlain, one of the good judges that has judged many of my students over the years in Festival. I was able to thank her for her valuable service. That was fun!

I went shopping on the way home from this and didn't get home until 4:30. While I was gone, Bruce had to take Josh over to school, go pick up Libby from school because she wet her pants, and go pick up Josh again. All these Mr. Mom things. I was grateful he was working at home that day.

That afternoon at Mary's soccer practice, the sprinklers came on, and we had to running through them, just to get some extra conditioning in, you see. There are some things that are just plain fun, and running through sprinklers with 11-year old girls is one of them.

I got some dinner on for the kids, and then Bruce and I went over to the 4th Ward Elder's Quorum Party. What fun! We have SO MANY good friends in 4th ward. I feel like I'm getting figuratively "drunk" (only much better, I'm sure) when there are so many fun people and friends to talk to. I just talk people's ears off. It's embarrassing when I get home and think, "My word, couldn't you let somebody else get a word in edge-wise?" Yikes. Bruce got talked into going to the midnight movie of Hancock (they didn't have to talk very hard). I was responsible and went to bed.

During the night I was up and down taking care of Josh because when we got home from the party he had a burning fever, and I started to feel like I had the same thing. I never got the burning fever, but I woke up in the middle of the night with a burning sore throat. Ah, it hurt so bad. But I gargled with Listerine and it took it right out, so that was a huge relief. I was worried about the next day though, because Bruce planned to go horseback riding with Jesse and I had a big day with games, etc.

Saturday: Bruce and Jesse left at six in the morning to go riding with Dave and Kimi. We had a discussion before they left about Josh and I being sick and everything, but Bruce decided he really wanted to go. It turned out all right - I took some Alleve and I got through the day with minimal discomfort.

I dropped Joseph off at the school to ride the bus down to Jerome for his JV game. They lost 2-0, and Joseph said they played really rough.

By 9 am, I was over at the grade school with Peter for his U10 game. I also had to make sure all my referees were on time and on the fields with their new equipment, since it was the first game of the Fall season. I am the Referee Coordinator for the Soccer Club. Libby had a game at eleven, which I refereed. One of my friends, Lisa E., came up to me afterward and said I looked like I was sixteen out there or the field! I wahood and hugged her.

After her game was over I heard back from the Doctor that I had called about Joshua's condition. Not only had he had a fever Friday night, but he had a really sharp pain around his ankle that was making it so he couldn't get up and walk hardly at all. I was concerned about infection underneath the cast, so I called. He advised me to bring him in. Ah - I had thought this would probably be the case, but how to fit it in? Of course, this took priority, so I missed the funeral of Willard Stevens, a man in our ward that I loved, a funeral that I REALLY wanted to attend. I also had to call and ask one of the mother's to coach Mary's game because I couldn't be there. This was really disappointing. In the meantime, I had arranged for Peter to go to a teammates house, and I dropped Libby off at a friends to go to a birthday party.

In the ER, Josh and I got a few minutes to talk, and then I pulled two chairs together and dozed off for a few minutes. Bruce called to let me know he was on his way, so I left Josh and ran back to Mary's soccer game.

I got there for the last 15 minutes of the game, and when I got there the score was 1-1. I watched for a bit, and could see that my forwards were trying to do the midfielder position, so I had them stay up as forwards and let the mids do their job. It worked, because they scored three goals before the game ended, and we won 4-1! Have I said that it's really fun to coach this team? They are great girls - I am so proud of them. Mary was awesome on defense, and she has improved this season to where she's not just kicking the ball out of bounds, but dribbling up and passing when she wins the one-on-one with the offense, which is most of the time. Way to go Mary!

Bruce said that at the hospital they took Joshua's cast off and looked at his leg. It looked like the hematoma where he had broken his bone (the blood and swelling) had moved down into his ankle, and that may have been the cause of that sharp pain. They prescribed a new pain med and that has been working much better. He was up and about today, and walked all over Stake Conference (coming up) the next day, so he is doing much better. I still don't know what the fever was about, but he's over it, so I won't worry about it.

The adult session of Stake Conference rounded out the day. It was a great session, with wonderful talks. One of the Bishops quoted Pres. Kimball on hard work. It was something to the effect of, "We were taking the wildness out of the desert and the wildness out of ourselves at the same time." Our Stake President said that Heavenly Father's plan was founded on intelligence. While Father had a Plan, the adversary had a scheme, but not a plan. The adversary is clever, cunning, astute, but not intelligent - his plan is not founded in intelligence. By that I think he meant that intelligence is light and truth, and the adversary has none of that. Pres. G also said that one of the spiritual and temporal challenges of the members of our stake was the depressed economic times. He said this: "If you are anchored in the Lord, and are wise, prudent, and careful, coupled with paying your tithing, all will be well." This is what I needed to hear. One more quote, "We don't need to see the other side of the veil, we only need to feel it." I have felt the other side of the veil, and I want to feel that all the time - that sweet, joyful, uplifting feeling. I want that.

Bruce and I were almost home when we remembered that a group of us always go to Red Robin after the adult Session, so we turned around and went back to town for the twice-a-year meeting at Red Robin. Even though we have been to different meetings (because they are in a different stake), we still meet up with them and have a fun time talking about the session and other things. These are friends that I still feel amazed have adopted us as their friends.

At Red Robin, I heard more about the horseback ride, because Dave was there. Kimi told Shelly, "This is why I love Jesse. We were bushwhacking on a hill that had a steep drop-off, and we were maneuvering the horses carefully. All of a sudden Jesse says, 'This is the first time I've ridden a horse by myself!'" I don't whether that's a compliment or just plain dumb on her parents' part, but Bruce said she did great. They rode Lady and Mackee, and Bruce said they did really well. Jesse told me later in the day, "I hadn't ridden a horse by myself before, but now I love horses." That is exactly what Bruce wants to hear! :)

Sunday: I had a good night's sleep, for the first time all week. I woke up on my own just before sunrise, and had some time to think (wow!) and ponder. We had grapefruit, bacon and bagels for breakfast and then went off to Stake Conference in our new Stake Center! Bruce took some of the kids, and I took Josh and Libby in the truck to pick up Miguel, Isabel and Oyuki. We were late, but at least we were there. Pres. G. dedicated the new Stake Center at the end of the session. It was neat to be there on that historic day.

We came home and ate some lunch, and then headed over to our old Stake Center for a meeting of the 2nd, 4th and 5th wards to announce the creation of a new 7th ward. While we were singing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet", I looked around and saw how many people we love in those wards from our community, and I had to stop singing, I was so overcome with emotion. It didn't matter to me what the new boundaries were - because we have so many dear friends that it didn't matter. Although I do have to be honest and say that the thought of being in a different ward than any of my walking friends was painful indeed, but then I thought, "What am I saying - I'm already in a different ward, so what does it matter?' It was funny.

It turned out that we are in the new 7th ward. Well, at least we will be when we return to our ward of residence. The new 7th ward is really the old 4th ward with a chunk of it taken out. We don't have any new members from other wards. Our new Bishop is our neighbor down the street with the yellow house and black shutters, for whoever remembers that house. He will be a great Bishop.

We came home from that meeting, and I started to write this post. At seven we went to the baptism of Rogelio, Laura, Miguel and Ernesto R. at our new Stake Center. Yea - four new youth for our program! I was assigned to give the talk on baptism. With such talks, I don't prepare a talk, I just go with the thoughts that come to my mind when I get up there. Well, tonight, I started out and then the impression came to tell the story of Bert Whetten and Pancho Villa, which I did. Many came up to me afterward and remarked on it. It is a very interesting story and my point in telling it was that millions, even billions of people are waiting to be baptized and wished that they could be doing at this moment what these young people were doing. And that this ordinance would start their progression on a path that would change their lives; how fortunate they are!

Now, do you see why I say, what a week! If you have made it this far, you are a true friend of mine, and I can't believe your dedication. I love you, whoever you are... Well, Mom, since I know you're the only one, you know that I love you dearly. :)

Who says soccer is not a contact sport?

Well, while we were still eating watermelon at Peter's baptism last Saturday, Josh raced off to play in his Varsity soccer game. I went and watched for awhile, and then got worried about doing some things for his Eagle Court of Honor that night, so I left the game halfway through.

About five minutes after I got home, I got a call from my friend DaraDee, who I had been sitting by at the game. She said, "Josh is down on the field and it looks pretty serious. They have stopped the game." I hung up from that call and got another call from Braden, a captain on the team and Josh's good friend. He said, "They think Josh has broken his leg, and I thought it might be nice to have his Mom here on the field." That was a thoughtful phone call Braden!

I announced to Grandma and Aunt Angie what I had heard. They held down the fort for the rest of the evening - thank you so much! I found Joseph in the garage, so I took him along with me. Bruce called me next as I was on my way over there. When I got to the field, they were on the far side with ambulances all around. I was pretty calm, but still telling myself to breathe deeply. I waved Joseph off, telling him to go talk to his friends, and he gladly complied!

Josh was laying on the ground with Bruce and the paramedics around him. I knelt down and talked to him about pain management. (Birthing at home taught me a lot about that.) He had what looked like a baseball under his skin off to the side of his shin. But he was handling it really well. He only started to slightly cry once. I wouldn't have cared if he had been bawling his eyes out, but he wasn't.

What happened was that he went sliding for a ball with his right foot, and the keeper went down too, after he did. Somehow the ball got kicked away, and the two of them ended up going heel to heel. The impact did this to Josh's tibia:
OK now, just take a deep breath! Ha ha I've already talked about this so much that it doesn't affect me that much, but writing it like this, well I can see that a few of you are going to have to "get some counseling after this", as my friend Shari put it! :)

Josh said that as soon as it happened he felt the pain of course, but his first thought was to stand up, because Middleton guys stand up; they don't lay on the field like pansies when they're not hurt that badly. So he tried to stand up, tried being the operative word. He crumpled instead. As soon as he did that, Bruce ran out on the field. (He was on the coaches bench, so he could do that). At first he felt all around his knee, and was vastly relieved to see it was not a knee injury. He took off his shoe, sock and shin guard, took one look at the baseball-sized hematoma and turned to the Athletic Director and said, "We'd better call 911", which they did. By the way, the keeper on the other team had a swollen knee, but he was up walking within a few minutes.

They got Josh into the ambulance and gave him morphine in an IV on the way to the hospital. I'm pretty impressed the paramedic could put an IV while driving in an ambulance. We met them at the hospital. It took two more doses of morphine before Josh could relly relax.

Wayne Ellis, one of the guys that helps with the Middleton Soccer team, was the first to come and check on Josh. He came all the way to the Emergency Room, and comforted Josh by telling him that it was a really brave thing to do, playing that way on the field. I think at this point Josh was thinking it was pretty dumb!

They x-rayed the leg, and after a time, the orthopod, as the nurse called him, (orthopedic surgeon) came and looked at the x-rays and decided to take Josh into surgery that night. They made an incision right below his knee, drilled a hole down the length of his tibia, and inserted a titanium rod with two screws at the top and two at the bottom. They will leave the rod in there, unless there is some outstanding reason to take it out, because they want to prevent another surgery. Just before the surgery, while we were talking with the surgeon, we figured out that he knew our next door neighbors, and that his daughter had come out to our street dance the weekend before! That was a pretty cool connection. Josh and I figured she was Blonde 1 or Blond 2 or Blonde3 that we listed in the guest list! Also while we were talking, I glanced up at the clock, which read 7:15 pm, and asked the doctor if there was any way Josh would be ready to attend his Eagle Court of Honor that started at 7:30 pm. He said, "Ah...no." :)

Bruce and I both stayed at the hospital that night with Josh. I wasn't any help at all, because the night before I had stayed up feeding out of town guests (and my own family - it wasn't just them), and sewing on merit badges until four in the morning. (Dumb - I know!) Bruce was up and down all night long with Josh while slept. Thank you Bruce.

The next morning before Church, Uncle Gary & Kaleb, Uncle Rodney, Aunt Angie and their chidlren, and all our family came to see Josh in the hospital before they went to Church.
It was so neat to see everyone in the room crowded around to see Josh.

Little Alyssa reached out and touched Joshua's cast, and then touched his toes. He commented on it afterward.

During Church, Bruce brought the Young Men over to the hospital. There were three investigators visiting that day, and the Elders came with them also. The YM gave Joshua the Sacrament, and then the Elders and Bruce and Hno. Iglesias gave him a blessing. It was wonderful to feel the Spirit in the room, and to see the Priesthood in action that way.

After Church, Hna. Iglesias came with her son, and the de la Rosa children to the hospital. I was so glad Hna. Iglesias had gone to pick them up. The three of them haven't come together in a long time, and we usually pick them up every Sunday, but we couldn't that day.

Josh stayed another night in the hospital because he was still feeling a lot of pain on the pills they were trying to wean him on to, so they gave him some more morphine periodically.
Bruce brought him home Monday around noon. I was substitute teaching (my first time! - a story for another day) so Bruce took the day off and took care of Josh.

This morning (Tuesday) he is feeling less pain, but it is still a struggle to even go to the bathroom. He is in good spirits, though.

After school yesterday, Coach Weber and Coach Wells came to see him, as well as seven of his teammates, including all the captains. His friends have been so generous and nice to him. And half of it has happened on his phone, via texting. It seemed like his phone was going of constantly! I think it's cool how they can communicate that way (although I see the need for balance, etc. - another post for another day). Raigen did call him when he was in the ER - it was so nice to hear from her.

"All these things shall give thee experience" keeps running through my head! The hardest thing is that he will miss the rest of his junior year of soccer season. At least it's not his senior year. And Show Choir will be hard to keep up on, but I think he can do it. Loosing his means of income from refereeing will also be tough, but I'm sure he will be blessed in other ways.

My dear friend DaraDee brought us dinner last night. Thank you DaraDee - it was delicious!! And so many friends have called and emailed - thank you to all.

Peter's Baptism

(Suggested music - Faith of our Fathers)
Last Saturday Peter got baptized by immersion into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying of hands. He turned eight in July , and we waited until now to do the baptism because he wanted Joshua to do it.

It was wonderful to see Peter and Joshua together all dressed in white. I thought my heart would burst.

Here are some photos of those who attended. Hna. Carmen and her son Hiram. She serves with me in Young Women's.
Uncle Rodney, Aunt Angie, Ethan, Alyssa, Caleb and Carson (pictured here) came all the way from Wyoming for the baptism! It was so much fun to have them here with us. Aunt Angie gave a spirit-filled talk on baptism. Here's some quotes of the week from their children:
1) Ethan said to his mom on the way over here, "Mom, I want you to stay by me in that big house." I guess last time they were here he got lost somewhere in the house. :)
2) As Caleb walked up the front entry way, he said, "I LOVE these guys!" Of course, we loved hearing that.
"The Brothers" is the title of this picture. All three of Bruce's brothers were present at the baptism. I like this picture! Shawn drove up from Utah with Camille and Lauren to be with us, and Gary came from Oregon with Kaleb to be with us also. Thank you for coming guys!
Cousin Alyssa (the back of her anyway), Mary, Cousin Camille, and Cousin Derek. We had ice cream and watermelon for refreshments after the baptism.
This was the first baptism held in the new Stake Center!
Ramona, Reuben and family kindly came to be with us, as well as Norberto and Elizabeth (not pictured). Bro. Benjamin (in the grey suit) conducted the meeting in English, and was sustained as our new Branch President the next day!
Presidente Cabrera was our Branch President for two years in the Spanish Branch. He was released the next day after this, so this was his last official meeting as Branch President. He had to work until right before the baptism, so he wasn't actually there in the meeting, but he met us out in the hall afterward.
Kathy came with her two children, Joseph and Caden. She is Peter's primary teacher. They are serving a "mission" in the Spanish branch like we are.
Derek, Uncle Stephen and Aunt Kendra were able to be with us. It's so nice to have Bruce's family close to us.
Our dear friend Calvin and his daughter Melissa were there, standing by Libby. Todd also came with his son Jay, even on a busy day when they were trying to get ready to open their net furniture store. Thanks for coming!
And of course it wouldn't be a baptism without Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa gave a great talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He actually told a story that I had never heard before! What? It was about bringing a rototiller home in his van, and listening to the Spirit. Thank you for coming all the way from Colorado for this occasion! We missed our other Grandma and Grandpa who are serving a mission in the Temple Presidency in Panama, but they were here in spirit.
And here's goofy older brother Joseph, trying to fit into Peter's... well, not his shoes, but his suit jacket.

It was a wonderful occasion for Peter, and we're grateful for everyone that attended! The ordinance of baptism is very simple, and yet profoundly significant. I am grateful to the Savior for restoring the gospel and the ordinances of Salvation. What a blessing it is in our lives!