Moon Shine and Nascar!

Yesterday I had a entertaining conversation with Savannah. She was working on one of her "Faith in God" goals. She was supposed to read about the Word of Wisdom and then explain it to me.

While she was reciting the things that we should avoid putting into our bodies she mentioned "strong drinks" bought or home made.

"This is talking about moonshine ya know mom."

"Really."

"Yep, we learned all about it in history. And, did you know that women were responsible for moonshining."

"Seriously, how so?"

"Well ya know women don't really like men to drink beer and stuff. So they passed the prohibition law. Then the men just started making it themselves. They would sneak it into restaurants and everything. Then if they were about to get caught they would have to drive away really fast in their cars. They would rev their engines REALLY loud. Well that let to street racing and that led to Nascar racing. So, there you go. Women invented moon shine and Nascar."

What a wealth of knowledge is my Savannah.

Clean the corners first.

While preparing a lesson for my young women on the importance of having a house of order and cleanliness I remembered something about my Grandma.

When I was little we used to go over to my Grandma Larsens house alot. All of the cousins would be there and we would play for hours and hours. Our favorite game to play was library. We would make a huge mess. But it was so much fun. Looking back I really feel bad for our imaginary customers. It was quite an involved procedure to check a book out from us. We would scan, stamp, slide, bag, signature, log, and backgroud check every book. When it was time to go we had made a massive mess.

Grandma really didn't care for our game of library. She got to the point where she would come down and give us a warning that it was time to clean up. She used to tell us to clean the corners first. We thought it was the weirdest thing to say. After years of hearing the instructions I asked her why. Why did she always tell us to clean the corners first?

She told me that she knew we would not leave a big mess in the middle of the floor, but we had no problem leaving a mess in the corners.

I have thought about that advice several times over the years. I think it can be aplied to several different situations. Not often do we leave obvious things undone, or obvious sins unaccounted for. But, what's lurking in the corner? Clean the corners first.

People will start to wonder!

Last Thursday I left for TaVaci in a frantic frenzy. I wasn't mad at anyone I was just frusterated that I never have enough time to do everything I would like to do. Mike knew I was in a "mood", that's why I was surprosed when my phone ran between my classes. I never answer my cell phone when I'm teaching. Mike knows not to even call. So, when I heard his ring tone I knew something was wrong.

"hello?"

"Don't freak out. I think everything will be O.K. I might have to take Logan to the hospital!"

"What Happened!?!?"

"I was snuggling and reading a book to Emma Grace on the couch, when I heard Logan whinning in the kitchen. He wasn't even really screaming. I thought he was O.K. until I heard the intake of breath. He fell and smacked his face on something. Chuck looked at it. I don't think his cheek bone is broken. But if the swelling doesn't stop I'm taking him to the emergency room."

My heart stopped. What do I do? Go home and leave my students with no teacher? Actually, Esther could have pinch hit for me. Mike can be kind of dramatic.

"Call me if anything changes."

TaVaci went well. My kids are awesome. But, I really just needed to get home to my baby.

Here's what all the fuss was about.

Logan got his first shiner. We're so proud. I can totally see how it happened. He runs everywhere. A lot of times his head runs faster than his feet and he falls flat on his face.

My Irish Twins!

New Beginnings

They called me to work with the Young Women in our ward. I’m the Beehive advisor. The first big activity of each year is called New Beginnings. This activity is supposed to explain the Personal Progress Program, highlight and welcome the new beehives, and inspire the rest of the girls to keep on working on the program.
I saw on my cousin Marli’s Facebook page some cute pictures from a program her group put together. It was an NBA theme. We copied her.
It was fun. The girls made team uniforms. The new Beehive’s got drafted to the team and signed contracts. The girls that received their medallions this year had their uniforms retired. (We hung them up on the basketball backboard and then raised the backboard) One of the Young Women told me that she thought it was so funny. She couldn’t stop laughing. The leaders were cheerleaders! We did a halftime show and I think the girls (and their parents) thought we were crazy.
I hope the girls got the spiritual message. I hope they understood that we love them and we really are here to be their “cheerleaders”. We want them to succeed, to be happy, and to remember who they are. We have a great group of kids. I’m always impressed with them.

That's what I'm talking about!

Finally we got a REAL snow fall. 6" on our back porch! That is the most we have ever seen in our 12 years of southern life. Aparently their was the "blizzard of '92" but we were nowhere near Georgia.

We had to play fast because while there was a lot of it, it started melting as soon as the sun came up. No matter, WE HAD A BLAST!

Logan was in complete heaven playing outside in the snow.


Savannah couldn't quit smiling while Daddy was pulling her behind the 4-wheeler.

Our beautiful snow covered house.

Emma Grace enjoyed the fun. This face was just irresistable.

Who says snow days are just for kids. Jen and I had just as much fun sledding down the hill as the kids.

The hill in front of our house makes the perfect sledding hill.

Alyssa played outside ALL DAY. She came in for lunch and not again until dinner. She was Exhausted, and informed me that her toes were suffering from frost bite.

My three snow bunnies.

Logan only got off the 4-wheeler to play with the neighbors dogs. Other than that he was perfectly happy to hang out with Dad.

Sweetie Pie Thomas

Alyssa's third grade class had a "Because of Winn-Dixie" party. The kids were told to come to school dressed as their favorite character from the book. They reenacted a party that was in the book. Alyssa dressed up as Sweetie Pie Thomas. She knew exactly who she wanted to be. She had her hair-do picked for a week before hand. She collected pictures of dogs to take to the party just like the little girl in the book. What she didn't anticipate was that Granny would send the PERFECT shirt for her to wear.

When she got to school Mrs. Inglett greeted her by saying, "Well, good morning Sweetie Pie." She continued to call her by Sweetie Pie all day long. Alyssa was super excited that Mrs. Inglett thought she was so cute, and that she was the only one that chose to dress up as Sweetie Pie.

If you want my opinion Sweetie Pie is the perfect nickname for Alyssa. She really is a sweet little girl. She has been having a little bit of an emotional time since her best friend in her class moved. She's trying to find her place. Girls are mean. There have been a few times that I've really had to control my Mommy insticts to protect my young. But Alyssa is tough. She stands up for what she knows is right and doesn't let things bother her too long. She really is a Sweetie Pie.

Pony Tails

Emma Grace's hair is long enough to fit in a full pony. She looked so grown up. I don't think I'll do her hair like that again for a long time. I'm not ready for my baby to be big.
The other night I was snuggling her while she was falling asleep. I know she close when she starts singing. Usually she just hums, but this night she sang, "Big girls, they not cry. No, they not. Big girls, they not cry." It was the cutest thing I've ever heard. It was all I could do to keep from laughing.

Logan's Laugh

After we ate Mike's birthday cake, Logan and Patrick started playing a game with teh birthday candles. It was so cute. I don't think I've ever seen Logan laugh so hard. Patrick would pick up a candle and then drop it, and Logan would bust up laughing. Mike ran to grab the camera. Smiles like this are not so easy to capture. We'll have to invite Patrick to come along the next time we get his pictures made.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

A few weeks before Mike's birthday Savannah and I were explaining to Emma Grace that It was almost Daddy's birthday. She was so excited. she told us that we needed balloons, and a cake, and some presents, and sing Happy Birthday. Savannah mentioned that it would be fun to have a surprise party. She explained to her little sister that at a surprise party everyone hides and then popps out and yells SURPRISE!!! Emma Grace thought it was a great idea.

We wondered why she was crawling behind the pillows on the bed, but it all came clear when Mike walked into the room. Emma Grace popped out from behind the pillows and yelled SURPRISE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!

Mike's real birthday was kind of a blur. Poor guy, he was sick as a dog. He ended up going to the doctor and getting his second round of antibiotics and a steroid pack.

But a birthday is a birthday. So, we were ready with balloons, cake (Emma Grace blew out the candles), and presents when he got home.

Happy birthday to my best friend. I love you.

Attitude Change!

I'm not sure what was the catylist, but Savannah has had a major change of attitude toward being a big sister. Lately she has been so cute with Emma Grace. She loves to paint her finger nails and do her hair. Here is a photo shoot they did after getting all dressed up.

Happiness is being a sister!

Money Joe's Night Out

Something strange happens at this time of year. Children that are normally very well behaved start acting out. Fits get thrown. Walls get climbed. Nerves get worn. Patience gets lost.
Will spring never come? Are we to spend the rest of our lives inside? NO! NO I SAY!
When winter stays, the monkeys must play.

We knew the big girls would have fun at Monkey Joes. We knew Emma Grace would have fun if her sisters played with her (which Savannah did, without being bribed!) We did not anticipate that the child who would enjoy it the most would be Logan. The child LOVED going down the slides. Not the tiny baby slide, the biggest, baddest, yellowest slide. I think he went down it 20 times. If we did not immediately start back up to the top he would pitch a fit, lean, grunt, fuss, and moan. When asked if he would like to try it again, we would get his, "HUH!" (yes!) answer.

It was great to get out of the house,with good friends, to run and run until our faces were red and our pitters were sweaty. Great way to beat the winter blues.

She's Growin' Up!

Savannah has started her orthodontic journey. I couldn't resist snapping this shot. It's good to have a few "black mail" shots for future refrence. My poor Nan got the worst case senario when it comes to her teeth. She's got the "Baugh small mouth, big teeth" and the "Larsen over bite". She is in for some serious treatment.

She is getting fitted for a Hurpst appliance. It's and expander for the upper and lower jaw. They are also going to put braces on her front four teeth to start correctiong the over bite. She'll wear the appliance for about 9 months. Then she'll got a full set of braces and wear them for another nine months. After that she better wear her retainer every night for the rest of her life. We're not going to pay another $7,000 to fix them again if she doesn't. I about died when they showed us the bottom line. Dr. Evans is racking it in! But, he seems really, really good.

Savannah's excited. She laughs about how she's going to have to learn how to talk again after she gets the appliance put in. I hope it's as easy and painless as she imagines it will be. The end result will be worth it. This beautiful girls deserves a beautiful, straight smile.

37 years ago today!

Happy Birthday, Michael Jay. We love you!

National Jr. Beta Club

Savannah got inducted into the National Jr. Beta Club. This is an important honor for her. It means that she has gotten a 3.5 or higher grade point average during her whole elementary school carrer. She was very excited that Mike and I were there to watch her recieve her award.

The ceremony was held on a Thursday. Thursday is the day that Savannah's class presents their vocabulary word for the week. They are to come dressed up as or have something that represents their word. Savannah chose the word "frenzied". I told her that I was an expert on "frenzied" and I would be happy to do her hair. She went into the bathroom with flat straight hair and came out looking like this.

She thought it was so funny. She couldn't wait to modle her new look at school the next day. It was only then that Mike gave me the "evil eye" and reminded me about the top secret Jr. Beta Club induction. Thankfully it wasn't too hard to convince Savannah that a picture was just as effective as the real deal, and we really didn't want to scare any of the small children.

Ms. Headly thought the picture was so funny that she still has it on her white board. Savannah said that she showed all the other fifth grade teachers and even had Dr. Truett come up to see it. I asked her if that made her proud or embarrassed. She blushed and ducked her head and whispered, "proud".

The Andrade's brought over a very special cake that Patrick had decorated to congratulate Savannah. She was so pleased and it meant alot to her that they would go to all that work for her. We have very supportive friends.

Become as little children

Savannah has taught me alot lately about holding firm to your values. At the beginning of the gymnastics season she made the decision not to compete on Sundays. We told her that we were proud of her and what a good choice we thought it was. So far she has competed in 1 of the 5 meets. Her all-around score in her only attempt was high enough to qualify her for the state meet in March.

I'm so proud of Savannah. She has made a hard but good choice to keep the commandments. I know, and more importantly, she knows that she will be blessed for sticking to her conviction.

Me and My Gang

There's nothing better at the end of a long day than a snuggle with my gang.