Using some less than admirable slang, I said, “Holy smokes!”
To which Mark replied, “Who smokes?”
This same exchange happened no fewer than 3 times on June 26, 2009.
Wondershirts
So, I have this embroidery machine that really makes me happy and Michael’s had t-shirts on sale for $2.50 so it was determined that we will have Embroidered Wondershirts for the 4th of July parade. (The parade, by the way, that we are driving 14 hours to see…and it had better just be “partly cloudy” as forecasted.)
Luckily, Michael’s also had the essential Pop Rocks available, too. Ahh, the simple pleasures of July 4th traditions!
Sarah Sees Sahuarita
Yesterday, Sarah and Bryan had a Sahuarita experience. We took them sight-seeing at the lake.
We showed them “our” pond where a water lily was in bloom for the occasion.
Daniel and Mark showed off the tortoises.
And Mark enjoyed some freedom.
In the evening after a meal of fajitas and watermelon, we embarked on adventures in entertainment. Audience admission was a slot to perform in our talent show. Richard played piano, Paige danced (on film), Daniel played piano, Timothy produced, directed, and acted in a Potato Head Puppet Show, Sarah sang an awesome solo, and I played the guitar and as we all sang together.
Bryan gifted us with his debut harmonica performance. Nicely done, man!
Mark’s talent was all about dance, running, and a basketball. He then got us all moving to one of his favorite songs, I Like To Move It…
And then we were all on our feet, dancing despite the storm outside…
And suddenly my hair defied gravity and for this and many other reasons, I call the day a success.
Thanks for giving us a reason to celebrate, you two.
Singing Sarah
Sarah Sings
We love Sue
We are praying for you, Susan. We love you! Get well soon.
(Photo from Sanchez blog)
The joie de vivre that personifies Susan is affecting. Her attention to such details as specially wrapped chocolates on a sick bed or blue corn tortilla chips over more commonplace varieties makes us feel special. Her fashions, whimsical and elegant, so willingly shared with me during my teenage years made me feel like an heiress; her laugh, engaging and full, has invited us to join in her enchantment for just a minute as we have laughed along with her.
Susan embraces all things lovely and makes them seem more lovely by her attention. And God who knows and loves her best is watching over her in her illness while we pray for the recovery of her heath and spirits.
I feel blessed to have a very special Great-Aunt Susan, who is much greater than this terrible cancer.
Princess Waltz
Dear Paige,
Since you have so many adoring fans, Dad decided to create this video of your Princess Waltz ballet number. This version was edited for content, as the original had too many babies screaming in the background. There are benefits to being the only daughter… you can have as many ballet lessons as you like. And fans, please note that Comments are Open on this post so you may request Paige’s autograph and congratulate Richard on his cinematography and editing prowess.
choreography by Michele Brady
Sunday will Come
During the trials in our life, big and small, it’s always good to have a reminder of the Savior’s understanding and victory over it all.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlc5RvmWN4s
Goin’ to Town
Sunday, June 21: This was me, just before our big Stake Conference on Father’s Day at Centennial Hall. We met Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The kids shook his hand. We are now members of the newly formed Sahuarita Arizona Stake.
Here are some photos that I took while taking another long drive to Tucson. In all, I drove up 4 times this week. I know, it’s only 45 minutes away, but it gets a little old.
When I get to the pecan groves, I know that home is just a few minutes away. Someday I will take the kids and we will run down the shady rows between the trees, laugh, sing songs and take about 100 pictures.
Flashlight tutorial
This is what we did on Wednesday afternoon at our house. It was so neat we had to share it. I got the idea from a Cub Scout Roundtable meeting.
You will need this stuff plus some newspaper and electrical tape.
The tiny bulb is a flashlight bulb. Look in the camping aisle at your local camping store/Wal-Mart.
We used a C battery, but you could try another size. It’s science, so have fun.
Cut a piece of electrical wire about 4 1/2 inches long.
Strip each end of the wire.
It will look like this.
Using scissors or a drill, make a hole in the lid of the bottle. Be careful not to make it too big. You want the bulb to fit through it snugly.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Slide the bulb through the hole.
Wrap wire around the positive side of the battery. Actually, any end will do, but this seemed to be easier for us.
Tape into place.
Wrap the other end of the wire around the end of the flashlight bulb.
Tape into place, keeping the end contact of the bulb exposed.
Your assembly will look like this.
Place enough newspaper in the bottom of the pill container so the battery will touch the bulb when assembled.
Insert battery & wire into the container. Screw the lid on (upside down).
Once you touch the bulb to the battery, it should light up. If not, check your connections.
Go in a dark place and be amazed. You just made a flashlight!
Are you a Federal Employee?
Ryan and Margie Hess are our friends. In addition to prayers, there is something else we can do to help this family. We have learned that if you are a Federal employee, you can donate leave time to Ryan. Margie sent us the following:
***FEDERAL EMPLOYEES- PLEASE DONATE LEAVE TO RYAN HESS***
My name is Margie Hess, my husband Ryan was diagnosed on June 12, 2009 with a rare and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Since this is an aggressive form of T-Cell Lymphoma, his doctor has put him on an aggressive chemo regimen that will result in him being unable to work for the next 4-6 months and possibly longer. At the time of diagnosis he was finishing up his 1st year as a Podiatry Resident at the V.A. in Tucson, AZ. Ryan is a devoted husband and father of two children, Hallie (5) and Max (2). By the end of this month (June 2009), Ryan will use up the last of his vacation and sick leave and will have to go on unpaid leave. Ryan is the sole provider for our family; I stay at home with both the kids. Without him working we have no income. I need to stay home to help care for him, so I cannot get a job right now, either. As difficult as it is for our family to have to ask for help, we have realized that we must do so at this time. We were told that any federal employee (ie: military, Border Patrol, DEA, FB I, Dept of Justice, EPA etc. EXCEPT Post Office employees) can donate vacation time to be used as sick leave for another Federal employee. We would be so thankful for any number of extra paid days we can accumulate. Thank you so much.
How can you help if you ARE a Federal Employee?
Go to your HR department and request to donate leave to Ryan Hess who works for the VA. (Your HR person will know the form that needs to be filled out- each Federal agency has their own form to donate leave)
Once filled out and signed, the HR person will then need to fax or e-mail the form to:
OLIVIA McCLURE – Benefits Specialist (TUCSON V.A.)
Phone #: (520) 792-1450 x 6076
Fax # : (520) 629-1849
E-Mail : olivia.mcclure@va.gov
ALSO, for those who are federal employees, please print out this message and post it in break/lunch rooms to help get the word out as well as emailing it to co-workers!
How to help if you are NOT a Federal Employee:
PASS this along to ANYONE and EVERYONE that you know and then ask them to pass the message along. Post it on blogs, Facebook…whatever you can think of.
Thanks again everyone- this will help SO much!
GO TEAM RYAN HESS!
(E-mail teamryanhess@gmail.com to receive updates or to send a message!)