A Moment in History

Okay, for those of you who haven't been to our home, you might not understand why this is a big deal to me. But for those of you who have been here and have seen our garage in the past, take a good look because THIS is a moment in history! For the first time since we've moved here, (almost 9 years ago) there is enough space in our garage to park two small cars! Some of the things around the edges will be in an upcoming yard sale, and that will free up more space. I'm getting rid of a small storage unit we've had, to lose a $30/month payment, and will bring a small portion of the business stuff back to the garage and stack neatly, so we won't be able to park two cars for long (still one though). But I just had to show the progress I've been making!

My Sweet Valentines

Just wanted to post a few pics from Valentine's Day. Dave has been gone to Arizona for 3 weeks (still gone), giving 35 presentations in 20 days. It's been an extremely hectic time for him, so I was not expecting anything for Valentine's Day, not even a card. I just figured we'd celebrate when he got back. On Valentine's Day, I received a beautiful card in the mail, and Dave arranged with Andrew to have him make a special delivery to me:

I actually took these pictures several days after Valentine's Day so the petals are starting to curl a little, but they were gorgeous, and it meant a lot to me that even with Dave's very busy schedule, he took time to make sure I was remembered and could feel his love even through the distance. Thank you, sweetheart!

Friday I helped with Emily's classroom Valentine party. Later that night Emily helped me deliver heart cakes to our children who live in Orem and Provo.

Getting ready for the valentine exchange

Emily is "out of uniform" because it was a free dress day for those students with 90% or above on their "good behavior" cards. Way to go!

A sweet valentine from Emily:

Thank you to two of the sweetest people in my life!

Visit With Grandma & Grandpa

Emily and I were privileged to go see Grandma and Grandpa Danes for the weekend. Grandpa had been in the hospital with congestive heart failure, underlying pneumonia, and a mild heart attack. He had been transferred to a rehabilitation center to regain his strength so he could do the basic things to take care of himself. We left early Friday morning and were able to stay until Monday afternoon. When we got there, LaNita and her children were still there at the house, so Emily was able to play with them for a couple of hours before we went to the rehab center.

Allison Vance, Madelyn Vance, Emily, Rosie Vance, Spencer Vance

They did a great job of keeping themselves entertained while we were there at the center.

Grandpa wasn't very happy about having to be in the rehab center and wanted to be home. Needless to say, he was a little grumpy and negative. Emily tried to play the "glad" game with him, but he wasn't too interested. It was sweet because she still remained positive, and she and I were listing things that he could still be glad about, even though he couldn't be at home.

The first night after visiting Dad, Mom and I were pretty tired and hungry, so we stopped at a wonderful restaurant there in Kuna and split a steak dinner special. It was perfect and really hit the spot!

Saturday I woke up to a flat tire on my car, and called AAA. They weren't able to help me, though, because my car has special lugnuts so no one can steal a tire! He didn't have the right lugnut wrench to help me, so I had him pump up the tire and went to Les Schwab where I got two new tires. (I was told they were about the only people in the area with the special wrench I needed.) It all worked out okay. I should mention that about 1 1/2 hours before I got to Kuna the car started shaking at the steering wheel. I knew I didn't have a flat tire and wasn't sure what was wrong. I just kept praying as I drove and was able to get there. It was a blessing I didn't get stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire, because most likely no one would have been able to help me without the special lugnut tool! We grabbed a bite to eat at Wendy's and strolled through Sam's Club while we were out, and spent the afternoon/evening with Dad.

In addition to helping my mother and visiting my dad, one of my main reasons for going up there was go give my dad a project I had been working on for him. When we were there at Thanksgiving time, he had asked me to put 2 songs his mother had composed, down on paper in note form, since the songs were only in his head. I videotaped him singing the songs and brought the video home. I got busy with the holidays and sending Jordan off on his mission, so it was after Jordan left before I started working on the songs. After hearing about his health, I felt a great urgency to complete the songs for him. I was able to find a computer program that allowed me put the notes onto sheet music and add an accompaniment to the melody my father had sung. The songs are both about a young man going off to war; one leaving his sweetheart, and in the other song, announcing to his mom that he is joining the marines.

Saturday evening I presented him with the songs.

Grandpa Danes checking out the sheet music for his mother's songs

We went down to the dining room where there was a piano, and I was able to play the songs for him. He corrected a note that was wrong, and we made sure the accompaniment sounded the way he thought it should. I asked him to sing with me, but he said he didn't feel like it. I asked him again and let him know how much it would mean to me if he would sing with me. He did join in, and so did Grandma and Emily. It was a special moment to have all of us singing the songs that my grandmother had sung to my dad for so many years, and to have the words and music down on sheet music.

I have a few corrections to make, and Dad wants to get it copywrighted, and then we can, with permission, make copies for family members. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to do this for my Dad and that now the songs will be there to pass on to his posterity.

Just a few more sweet pictures from our visit:

I'm grateful to hear that Grandpa is cooperating more with the nurses at the rehab center and making progress. I know my parents' time is short here, especially with their health conditions. I treasure every moment I am able to be with them. It was a wonderful visit!!

EFY Medley

Jordan had asked for a copy of the EFY Medley, As Sisters in Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth as he and some other missionaries are going to sing it as a special musical number. Tonight I decided to google the title, and came across a gorgeous rendition of it on youtube. I've always loved this arrangement and been close to tears when I hear it, but this time the tears were flowing by the end of the song, thinking of my two missionaries, serving and sacrificing. Our youth truly are the strong, valiant followers of Christ who will be the ones to carry on His work in the challenging years to come. Just thought I'd share this beautiful piece. Click on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVHhcHOj7NI and enjoy a few peaceful moments.

Just Use Your Brain

So Emily got the game Connect Four for Christmas and loves it. It says for 7 and older, but she has caught on really well. I was playing it with her Sat. night. She had won several rounds, and I had won only one (and I was seriously working to win). I put my head in my hands and said, "Oh, you keep winning - I don't know what to do!" Emily looked at me, puzzled, and said very simply, "It's easy, Mom, just use your brain." I smiled, laughed a little and said, "I am!" :)

Then tonight, Justin, Emily, and I were playing Clue, which Emily has played only once before. We were not trying to make anything easy on her, just playing the game. Both Justin and I were fairly certain of who did it, with what weapon, and where, but before we could get to the room to make an accusation (we thought you had to be in the room), it was Emily's turn, and she was in the right room, made the right accusation and won the game! We didn't know she was so close to winning too. I haven't seen her that excited in a LONG time. The fact that she had won a "big person" game (as she called it) was pretty awesome to her, and to Justin and me for that matter. I can tell we're in for some heavy game playing in the years to come. Guess I'm going to have to put some effort into using this shrinking brain. Congrats Emmy on a great win! Mom

Elder Jordan Ritter

We've had such wonderful events happening around our home lately, and I wish I would have been better about my blogging. Last Sunday was Jordan's farewell talk and goodbye get together at our home. His talk was excellent, on the scripture, "Be thou an example of the believers." He was very well prepared. At the get together, we had close to 80 family and close friends, but everything went smoothly. The pictures we took are on Jordan's camera, so none to post here! Thanks to all who came and supported Jordan. I was a little stressed about feeding and hosting that many people, but everyone was so supportive and helpful. It was a wonderful day.

Tuesday, January 20 Jordan was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I realized late Tuesday night that we had missed Jordan's appointment for his last set of shots. So Wed. morning early he and Nicia (he needed a companion) went to get his shots. It turns out that in November they actually gave him the wrong shots (how can that happen???) so he will still have to go in for one more set of shots before leaving for Mexico in March.

Wednesday, January 21, was the big day Jordan had been waiting for for 4 months, the day he would enter the Missionary Training Center and begin his mission in full-time service to the Lord. Late that morning we continued our tradition of having lunch beforehand at Magleby's Restaurant. We got camera happy, so here are a few pictures of the crew at lunch:

Elder Jordan Ritter

Smiles from Nicia & Andrew

A proud Mom

Another proud parent

Alyssa chowing down on the breadsticks (they're to die for)

little sister, big brother

Jordan, Justin, and Grandpa Bascom enjoying the moment

Then it was off to the Missionary Training Center in Provo where Elder Ritter will spend 2 months learning Spanish and preparing to teach the gospel in Mexico.

Elder Ritter and Justin

Elder Ritter and Andrew

Elder Ritter with Grandma & Grandpa Bascom

Jordan takes care of the administration stuff at the entrance of the MTC, and we all go into a large meeting room filled with families and missionaries, several hundred people. They hold a short meeting with the MTC president and his wife, and everyone sings "Called To Serve", which is just an awesome experience. We're advised to use the "taking off a band-aid" method in saying goodbye, the quicker, the better. We all give Jordan hugs and kisses, and a few tears are shed as it will be the last time we see him for 2 years. It's an emotional, but joyous time. Jordan leaves through one door, and we leave through another. I peek out the door Jordan has left through and watch my child who is grown up now, walk down the hallway and around the corner. A young man prepared and ready to embark on a wonderful journey as he serves the Lord. My heart is full as I leave the MTC, and I feel such a gratitude for all my blessings, especially the blessing of my children serving full-time missions for the Lord.

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve, with Grandma & Grandpa Bascom, Aunt Karen and Uncle Bill joining our family. We enjoyed our traditional semi-formal Christmas Eve ham dinner with a place setting for our Savior, followed by reading the Christmas Nativity Story (Luke 2) where we all took turns reading a verse, and talked about gifts we could give to Christ.

followed by singing Christmas carols together

with Bill and Karen serenading us with "Our Christmas Tree"

After company left, we opened the traditional Christmas Eve present of "p.j.'s". Emily had plenty of nighties so she got a new purple robe. I really like the way we celebrate on Christmas Eve, a little more reverence and remembrance of our Savior.

Christmas Day brought EXCITEMENT for gifts received:

Even though Emily had asked for nothing, Santa brought Emily a scooter and a special music box with a letter inside from Santa! He let her know how proud he was of her for being such a giving person and not wanting anything for herself, and that he wanted to give something to her anyway. She immediately started dancing and twirling. It was darling.

Christmas Day brought: A PHONE CALL WITH CAITLIN!

Some of the gang around the phone

We have speakerphone, so we were all able to hear Caitlin talking and took turns talking with her. Definitely one of the highlights of my day, and it's awesome to think that in 2 1/2 months we'll be seeing her in person!! She sounded great, in good spirits, and her Spanish sounds like a native!

Christmas Day brought BIG THANKS for gifts received:

Andrew thanks Emily for her gift - a Wendy's coupon

Joe thanks Emily for her gift - rocket balloons!

Emily was excited about everyone receiving their gifts from her.

Christmas Day brought SMILES:

Uncle Justin & Alyssa

Christmas Day brought LAUGHTER:

I can't remember what was said, but everyone was laughing pretty hard!

Christmas Day brought: RELAXING

Alyssa "chillaxing" in the doll's cradle

Christmas Day brought PUZZLES:

We always get a new puzzle for Christmas. This is a very cool puzzle of New York City, NY, that glows in the dark. Jordan and Justin did most of the work on it.

Christmas Day brought: NAPS

Emily and Chipper on Christmas Day in one of their usual nap spots

The other nap spot - Chipper's pillow

Christmas Day brought FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

Caitlin had sent us something to do as family. There were Argentine treats, each with a picture of her and a scripture on the back, addressed to one of us. We took turns looking up the scripture that was for ourself, and read it out loud. It was really neat because the scripture and picture related to us individually. A lot of thought and work went into it. Anyway, it was fun to do this together - THANK YOU, CAITLIN!

Another Christmas has come and gone - it was small in quantity of goods, but big with traditions, music, love, family, and remembrance of Christ, which truly are the most important.