Author: Angela

I write so my family will always have letters from home.

Daniel’s birthday party

I thought we were going to have an easy birthday party for Daniel. We planned to meet his friends at the pizza restaurant up the street and we would stuff ourselves, sing, and go home. We had to change plans when the restaurant told us that “buffet night” is not the best time to try to get seating for a party at their restaurant. In normal towns with more than one boy-friendly restaurant, you could just go somewhere else. It is not so easy in Sahuarita.

We decided to do takeout and hold the party on the back patio. I spent the afternoon on the ladder, hanging lights and festive things. This is what I really enjoy doing, though, so I didn’t feel too sorry for myself.

There was no time to make up creative party games, so we pulled out Twister. It was a hit.

B. always seemed to get trapped.

We ate dinner under the lanterns. Richard is rolling his eyes that I didn’t adjust the settings on the camera before taking this. This is why people hire photographers when they are trying to host a party.

Who needs fancy party games when you can jump on the trampoline?

It’s not recommended that you let 5 boys jump on the trampoline in the dark all at once, but when they’re holding glow sticks, it’s pretty spectacular to watch. We let them do this for about 2 minutes.

Red velvet cake and cheesecake. Yum!

Fall break

Paige and I spent the day at Youth Conference on Saturday. Here’s a video of the service project we did in the morning. We cleaned up the community garden at the park behind our church. Paige is interviewed in the film but she wants people to know that she didn’t take that long of a pause when she was talking.

httpv://youtu.be/0nuxvy0JA0Q

At Church yesterday, Daniel was ordained a Deacon. The little boys practiced giving their talks for the Primary program. Richard, Paige, and I went to a handful of meetings before church. I taught in Young Women. We got home from church around 7:00. Paige made dinner. I collapsed on the bed in my dress and awoke this morning at 6:30. Somebody put the kids to bed but it wasn’t me.

It’s fall break for the public schools this week. I’m going to watch the rye grass grow and the hummingbirds visit our feeder in the backyard. We are taking a vacation from school and I’ll be preparing assignments and reading ahead in the textbooks.

 

I think I felt Christmas

Angie 1977

The winds came through , blowing cool air and sending us to our closets for sweaters. As I taxied kids around town yesterday the old brain registered the overcast skies, wind, and cool temperatures as holiday weather. A little leap in my heart signaled the end of my summer misery. I felt Christmas and hope and lights and music all at once.

Eggnog is available in stores now. It’s a staple for Mark from October through December.

I’ve got some presents purchased and stashed in corners. I love that.

The weather will warm up again, but I’m thankful to be cool outside for the first time in a very long time.

Acceptable

“There are many of the sisters whose labors are not known beyond their own dwellings and perhaps not appreciated there, but what difference does that make? If your labors are acceptable to God, however simple the duties, if faithfully performed, you should never be discouraged.” -Eliza R. Snow

Priesthood Session age 12

Daniel and Richard are posing patiently so I can begin the chronicle of Daniel’s rise in height during the next few years. Paige and I have our photo taken before General Young Women meetings, so I’m starting the tradition of photographing Daniel and Richard each October before the General Priesthood meeting. They went out for pizza with his Young Men leaders after the the broadcast. He said to Richard as they drove away from dinner, “I think this is going to be a good year.”

Dan Man

Here’s the person of the day. He’s smart, creative, athletic, handsome, and carries tools.

I call him Dan Man…even though I don’t really want him to be a man just yet.

Daniel is missing in a lot of our photos because he’s usually blazing the trail for the rest of us. It’s nice to have a boy who is independent but will still give me a hug at night before bed.

He’s twelve and he’s a good boy. I feel so blessed to have him in our family.

2/3

We went to a Be Smart CES fireside last night to hear representatives from Church schools discuss what it takes to be admitted. It was inspiring. Most information presented was not applicable to home schoolers, though. As I looked around the room, there were many of us there, hoping for a more information.

I talked to the recruiter after the meeting and learned that all of the records, hour logs, lab notebooks, carefully and honestly scored tests, assignments, papers, literature lists, and carefully-selected textbooks will not really be considered. For home schoolers (using a non-accredited curriculum), two thirds of the selection process will come down to an ACT or SAT score. Period. The other third will be extra-curriculars and other factors: ecclesiastical endorsement, music, (dance), leadership, service, and “unique” factors (which I hope will include a perusal of our work). A home schooled student will need to have a 27 on the ACT to be considered for BYU. Now for BYU Idaho, they want to see a GED, which is a little insulting, but it can be done.

This ratio was a surprise to me. I always knew I didn’t “count” as a teacher or an institution, but that 2/3 of the measure comes down to one score takes my breath away.  But I will continue to keep good records. I will ask more questions of college admissions offices. We’ll definitely prepare for the ACT and SAT tests. And I will eat chocolate…lots and lots of chocolate.

I share this to be helpful, not to invite criticism or pity. I’m off to teach some classes which don’t count, but will ultimately prove helpful in building individuals of substance and character.

 

Daniel’s Faith in God Award

 

There is really no fanfare given to kids who earn this award at church. There is a certificate at the end of the book signed by our Bishop and Primary President, but there is no presentation or pin. That’s okay. The true measure of a person is not the fanfare and decorations they’ve received, but the qualities they have developed.

Here is what a child (age 8-12) must do to complete this award, and it’s significant:

  • Pray daily to Heavenly Father.
  • Read the scriptures regularly.
  • Keep the commandments and live gospel standards.
  • Honor parents and be kind to your family.
  • Pay your tithing and attend tithing settlement.
  • Attend sacrament meetings and Primary regularly.
  • Write your testimony
  • Memorize the Articles of Faith (13 paragraphs) and explain their meaning
  • Complete 24 activities under the following categories: Learning and Living the Gospel; Serving Others, Developing Talents.
  • Complete 5 requirements under the Preparing for the Priesthood category.
  • Have an interview with a member of your bishopric.

Here are many of the activities that Daniel completed to earn his award:

  • Explained how the sacrament helps you renew your baptismal covenant. In a family home evening, he taught us about things we can do to remain faithful.
  • Gave a family home evening lesson about Joseph Smith’s First Vision. Discussed how Heavenly Father answers sincere prayers.
  • Marked verses of scripture about the Holy Ghost.
  • Read a recent conference address given by a prophet. Decided what to do to follow the prophet, and did it.
  • Prepared a pedigree chart and shared a family history story.
  • Learned to sing “Choose the Right” and explained what agency is and what it means to be responsible for his choices.
  • Read and discussed the parable of the good Samaritan and planned a service project to help a family member or neighbor.
  • Wrote a letter to grandparents expressing appreciation and explaining what he respects about them.
  • Planned, prepared, and served a nutritious meal.
  • Learned to practice good manners and courtesy.
  • Entertained young children with songs or games he made himself. Showed he knows how to care for and protect a young child.
  • Planned a parent-child activity (helped plan and carry out the Blue and Gold banquet).
  • Read the twelfth article of faith and discussed what it means to be a good citizen and how actions affect others.
  • Learned to play a song from the Children’s Songbook on the piano.
  • Wrote a poem about a gospel topic.
  • Made an item from wood and displayed it.
  • Visited a concert.
  • Planned a physical fitness program and participated in it for one month.
  • Learned about and practiced good nutrition, good health, grooming, and modest dress.
  • Learned about the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.
  • Read the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and what it means to do his duty to God.
  • Read scriptures about education and discussed its importance in strengthening priesthood holder for service in home and family and the Church.
  • Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and made a list of things to strengthen his family and make a happy home.