Snow Day

Our first ever SNOW DAY in Ely - yeah I know it should be Christmas Break anyway, but we still have school though Wednesday.  It will be a nice day to get ready for our big trip to Denver.  It sounds like we will be following the snow.  Hopefully our 11 hour trip doesn't turn in to 15 or longer. 

 About 2 feet of snow.

End of November

It's crazy that November is quickly over.  The end of the year seems to go so quickly.  November has been filled with meetings, concerts, school work, and family.  Someone said that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday because it is filled with food and family -their two favorite things.  I would tend to agree with that - probably family first, haha.  Our Thanksgiving was fairly simple this year.  Melanie and family joined us and we spent dinner with the Briggs'.  Melanie and I (and baby Bryton) then headed to Las Vegas arriving about 10:30 pm.  We went straight to Walmart to check out where everything was located in anticipation of the 12:01 sale.  We found that people were already starting to load items in their carts, so we did the same for a certain limited toys.  At 11:30 they announced over the speaker that the sale was open, so we headed to check out.  The problem was the prices weren't in affect for another 1/2 hour.  So Melanie stood in line while I wandered the store finding the other items we needed.  We were out of Walmart by 1:00 am and decided to get some breakfast.   Since nothing else was open for awhile we took a nap for an hour and headed back out at 3:00 am.  Again we decided to check out Walmart for the 5:00 am sale - debating whether to go to Target's opening at 4:00 first or not.  When we got back to Walmart we found there were lines for the electronic items we wanted so, we each took a line and proceeded to wait for an hour and a half.  Again we were able to check out fairly quickly and we headed off to Target, and then the mall.  By about 12:00 we were ready for lunch and a break.  We enjoyed Olive Garden and then went back to Grandma's for some needed rest.  After a few hours we headed back out to the mall and other stores and we went till we could shop no more.  By 9:00 we were back resting and waiting for Pizza Hut delivery.  Definitely our longest shopping experience to date!!! Why do they have to start earlier and earlier each year?  I don't mind the crowds or the waiting, but I'm not much for staying up all night.  The good news is I am 98% ready for Christmas and no shopping stress left, just some shipping to get done.  I know lots of people hate it, but I have been doing it for 20+ years and it works for me.

Probably sound crazy to most people, but its the way I prefer to begin my Christmas Season.  We missed having all our family around, but life changes with each passing year.  We are looking forward to spending Christmas with Chelsea and family in Colorado.

I was asked an interesting question for someone's paper - what are the benefits of having a stay at home mom.  I found it difficult to put into words.  Anyone have any perspective on this.  I would enjoy reading your thoughts. 

So I am still working on getting my 49 acts of service in by my 49th birthday - it may take longer than I thought.  It is interesting to think each day about service and what I can do.  I'll post more when I'm done.

Lots of Changes - and not just the weather!

Life has been very busy lately.  As primary chorister I have been helping to prepare the kids for the Sacrament Meeting Presentation, and a week and a half ago it all came together.  A few bumps, but mostly just awesome participation and especially singing.  I do love those kids and I am going to miss them very much.  One of the teachers after hearing that I have a new calling said, "They're going to let you keep your primary calling, right?" When I said no, she said she is changing her vote, on sustaining me on my new calling.  I really have loved primary this past year.  A few days after the program we had a Relief Society Activity I was in charge of.  We focused on the temple with a great lesson and a few simple crafts about the temple and families.  We had a wonderful atttendance and a spiritual experience, what more can you ask for?  Then over the weekend we had Stake Conference, at the saturday adult session we were privileged to hear some amazing talks, including from President and Sister David Foote, a counselor in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission, - now misisonary work is close to my heart, but even better when delivered by old friends.  Sunday I received my first Stake Calling - Stake Relief Society President.  You're right my first reaction too, was what, no way, I don't think I can do that calling.  The Stake President assured me that the Lord knew I could do it, so I guess we go forward.  The presidency was set apart after conference, and I really felt a special spirit.  I know the church is true and the Lord knows us and will help us in every calling he extends.  I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know the sisters of the Stake,  (some live 1 1/2 hours away) that is the best part of a stake calling.
Then Monday night we let Spencer know that we felt it was time for him to change high schools.  We have been concerned about a relationship that has been developing with a young women at school.  We have asked him to commit to certain things, and it seemed that he was unable to do so.  We felt that it was only going to get harder as time passed, so we decided to follow through with our threats/promises and we told him that the next morning he would be transferring to Lund High School (30 minutes away).  I took him out the next morning and we signed him up for classes.  I am extremely impressed with how he is dealing with the situation.  He did not get angry, he was upset and sad of course, but he still talked to me and had a smile on his face.  (I am sure there are others of my children that would have at least given me the silent treatment for a while.)  It seemed like he had a good first day and now he is on to the second.  There is a bus that he catches so I have to pick him up from seminary a few minutes early, but at least he is still able to attend.  One of his teachers sent me a picture after the first day, no way they would have gotten me to do this, and look at the big smile on his face.  Wherever he goes he is known for his smile and good looks? or so the girls say.  I asked if he ate lunch with some of the boys from the Stake, he said no two girls invited me to sit with them - What?  the first day?  Seriously I am extremely proud of him and love him so much for listening to us and being so understanding.  In conference they told us we need to be courageous parents and sometimes that isn't easy, but I am grateful with all the concerns and misgivings I've had about making this change that we have done it and only time will tell if it makes a difference.  (It doesn't hurt that my Aunt Kaye is one of his teachers, and my cousin Jeannie Griffin is another, and my son-in-laws mother works in the office, and I could go on and on)  I'm sure my dad is smiling right now.

So as you can see our life is full of change, as well as receiving snow this week.  Change is not my forte', but I will keep my head up and move forward.

PS  Selina and Chelsea both received callings recently in their new wards, and guess what they are both the same - Relief Society Teacher and Ward Choir Director.  They are so talented, I was alot older before I received those types of callings - They'll be great!!

New Blogger

I have struggled with the New Blogger layout, especially when you want to add an outside feature.  Things don't always turn out like I would like.  Anybody else having this problem?

I did find one thing that I liked today.  You can now add Tabs or Pages to your blog and you can use the copy and paste feature in postings.

To add Tabs
Go to Design - Posting - Edit Pages - new Page

And that's all there is to it.  The only thing is the extra pages are individual, can't have multiple posts.  But a great way to have access to info that stays there without taking up space on your main page.

Happy Blogging!  It seems like Facebook has taken over blogging - not as many posts as there use to be - what do you think?

Trevor's Goal

Trevor had a pretty exciting game on Friday.  The team was playing Fernley, NV in soccer and after the first half it was tied 0-0.  About 8 minutes into the 2nd half our team had a corner kick after a deflected penalty kick and Alex Tracy was chosen to kick the ball in from the corner, Trevor caught it with his head and bounced it in for a goal.  He was very excited - his first header and only his 2nd varsity goal this year.  The other team made a goal later and we ended in a tie 1-1, but it was a great game.  team played very well.  You might have to watch it more than once to follow it, but enjoy!!

The Shoe Tree

If any of you have traveled the lonely roads of Nevada, you know there is not much to see along the way.  Every now and then someone tries to create something to look at.  This is the shoe tree located on Highway 50 (nicknamed The Loneliest Highway).  We stopped and took a few pictures.  Do you see all the ones that didn't make it in the tree or have fallen out?  It smells really bad, lots of rotting something.  But it is something to look for.  This one is located 30 miles before Fallon, Nevada. 

This is an article about this particular shoe tree along with a picture from the winter time:

A shoe tree starts with one dreamer, tossing his or her footwear-of-old high into the sky, to catch on an out-of-reach branch. It usually end there, unseen and neglected by others. But on rare occasions, that first pair of shoes triggers a shoe tossing cascade. Soon, teens are gathering up their old Adidas and Sauconys, families are driving out after church with Dad's Reeboks and grandma's Keds. Many inscribe messages on the sneakers in permanent marker -- greetings, love poems and life accomplishments.


The shoe tree blooms with polymer beauty. A work of art like this may last for generations, tracing our history by our sneakers . . . as long as the tree doesn't die.

On Highway 50 near Middlegate, Nevada, a lone cottonwood stands, clotted with hundreds of shoes. The story behind the tree goes as such: A young couple camped there on their wedding night and got into a tiff. The woman said she was gonna walk away and the man said, "If you do, you'll have to walk barefoot," and threw her shoes in the tree. Then, the man got in the car and drove to Middle Gate to have a drink at the bar. The bartender talked him into going back to his wife, which he did. A year later, they brought their first child's shoes to the tree and tossed them into the branches. Since then, people have been adding and removing shoes from the tree so that when you drive over a hill on that very desolate road, all that you can see is this cottonwood tree with shoes hanging from every branch.

Maybe we should start a tradition somewhere on one of these roads, any ideas?

Lord, make me an instrument

Since I have moved back to Ely I have kind of felt that I haven't been taking time to serve others like I should.  I know I should just do it, but it seems I am so busy it is difficult to just get my visiting teaching done.  I often think I should call this person or that and invite them to attend an activity with me or such, but for one reason or another I do not follow through.  At times I feel I have lost the ability to hear or feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  Whenever I think this, the thought comes to mind that I am serving the primary children each week through the efforts I put into my Primary Chorister calling - but some how I still feel I need to serve the sisters more. 
Last saturday we had a stake RS activity and as usual I thought of several sisters I should call and invite, but didn't do much as I was busy preparing for a class I had to teach at the activity.  I arrived early set up my class which wasn't until the afternoon.  Looked for a few sisters I might know and sat at a table waiting for things to begin.  Soon I saw a sister from our ward come in, she is a good friend of mine, but is an older sister.  She looked around and saw most of the tables that had people at them were full and didn't see anywhere inviting to sit - She headed out to the other side of the cultural hall.  I tried to get her attention to sit with me as there was one seat open.  She kept walking and I thought perhaps she was heading to the bathroom, but for some reason I ran after her and told her to come and sit with me.  Which she did.  We had a little breakfast and a great opening speaker and then we headed off to classes.  When they announced the classes I thought none of these are for my friend as she is great at all these things, but she attended them anyway (always a great example to me).  After the first class I didn't really see her the rest of the day and I went on with the things I needed to do.
At church the next day she handed me the following note:
Thanks for being a friend yesterday and sensitive to the spirit.  I would have gone home.  I've lived here all of my life and have never felt so detached from everything as I have lately.  Your kindness was felt deeply and appreciated.
Now I don't include this to toot my own horn, only to realize that sometimes we are instruments of the Lord in small ways that we may not even recognize.  I remember thinking after I had chased after her, "Why did I do that so abruptly?" as I was in the middle of talking to someone else.  Yet if I hadn't she would have headed out the door.  Most of the time we don't receive little notes letting us know we were an answer to someones need and so we don't recognize that the spirit really is working through us.  So I guess we just keep trying and doing our best.  As I was an answer to her, her note was an answer to me that I am still worthy to feel the spirit and act on those promptings even small ones like this.

Beginning Sewing and a little for more experienced as well

I taught a class at a Stake Relief Society Preparedness day and thought I would post the info here for everyone.  I was asked to teach a beginning sewing class.  I figured most would not be true beginners, so I mixed a beginning with a skill most probably wouldn't know.

We started out making continuous bias tape.  (the not so beginner skill) Most I have seen on the internet were a little different.  This is the easiest and makes quite a bit, about 4 yards out of 1/3 yard of material.  It can be saved to use on other projects or quilts.

Then they had the choice to make a pillowcase or a pillowcase dress (so called because you can make it out of a pillowcase, but we just used material.

Pillowcase Dress With Handmade Bias Tape

Busy summer is coming to an end!

We have had a very busy summer.  Starting with the end of June and Melanie's baby being born and then she came to stay for about a week and a half.  Then the end of July Selina, Richie, and Kamry came as well as Melanie and kids and then the next week we added Chelsea and Gavin and April, James and Everett.  Eventually everyone available was here for a week including our landlord, who decided to fix the basement ceiling the same week.  We spent the week playing games, attending Trevor's Eagle Court of Honor and tending babies and more babies.  It was great to be together.  We missed those who were unable to attend.  Apil and James are now in China and waiting to hear where they will be placed for their internship.  Sounds like the baby did well on the plane and they arrived all in one piece.  They will be happy to get settled for a time as they have done nothing but travel since the baby was born - Ohio to Maine then Ohio to Nevada - then Nevada to China.  Lots of places in a months time.  Well since pictures speak a thousand words, here they are.  Our summer that flew by and now back to school next week.  (Sorry about the random order as I can't figure out this new blogger)

Designer Car seat Cover

Melanie had planned on posting these, but I guess she has been busy with 3 children. We had fun making it. We used the old cover and took it apart to make a pattern. We made the blanket cover from online instructions. I thought it turned out great and Bryton looks very "Designer".

Giving yourself a gift for your birthday!

No really I love this idea, and I love the simple acts of service she did for strangers who didn't know the giver. A great way to make someone else smile. I'm planning on trying it for my 49th (yikes) birthday, if you try it report back and let me know how it went.

http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2010/07/birthday-ripples-celebrating-birthday.html

Another Grandson how can so many miracles happen in one life?

Everett Lionel Morin was born on Tuesday, July 13th in Columbus, Ohio. This is his Uncle Trevor's birthday also. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and is beautiful and healthy. We can't wait to see him in person in a few weeks. April and baby are doing well and even made a 15 hour drive the day after leaving the hospital. They are in Maine visiting James family and also were able to get their birth certificate and apply for Everett's passport on the way to Maine. It looks like everything is going well for them to be able to head to China together on August 20th. Thanks to Heavenly Father for so many little miracles.

We were able to be a part of Everett's blessing this morning via Skype - it was held in James' parents home. They were having a family reunion and they were able to have most of their family there. Here's a couple of pictures from Skype (so not the best quality).

I thought you might be interested in seeing your father perform. Kathy Tucker convinced him and I was surprised. He did a good job. Hope you enjoy.

Life has been busy with new grandbabies. Melanie and Nick were blessed with a new baby boy: Bryton Leroy Pay born on June 28th. He is a beautiful baby.

Big Brother Jayden was very happy to see him, Aaryn was less than thrilled and found joy in some gummy worms Grandma Jones brought him (haha keeping up tradition).

It looks like April will be induced on July 12th so the 7th grandbaby will be arriving soon.

Busy Month of May

So much has happened in May. Yes Alex did get transferred and then he was transferred again two weeks later and became Senior Companion. Then a few weeks later he was made District leader. He is doing well and we enjoyed talking to him on Mother's Day.

We just finished up Track and Trevor and Spencer both did very well. Trevor took 1st in two events at Divisions and 2nd in another. (State info follows this post) Spencer had a personal best at Divisions in both the 300 hurdles and the 110 hurdles. He has continued to improve all season. Here is what was in the newspaper after Divisions.


Spencer Jones may not have qualified for state, but he was one of our highlights. His improvement this year is fantastic and we are very proud of what he has accomplished.

Trevor Jones set a new PR in the 300 hurdles and brought home the gold. He improved by over a second and is still relatively new to the event. He could place high at state and next year could be looking at breaking the 40-second mark.
(The Bobcat 4x400 Relay team of Jacob Bradshaw, Nic Tracy, Sam Johnson, and Trevor Jones set a new division meet record.)

May started out with me subbing Biology for a week, while Cammie spent a week in Italy at her son's wedding. After that I took over 2 band classes and a history of Rock and Roll class for the rest of the year. I took a crash course from youtube in leading band (rather than choir) and went to it. We had our final concert on May 20th and then played Pomp and Circumstance at graduation. It has kept me busy this month.

Spencer also was in a play early this month. Here is the clip that explains why he received the "Screams Like A Girl" award for drama.


Nick Pay (Melanie's husband) graduated from Great Basin College with his bachelors last weekend. They also spent a few days in Salt Lake prior to that. They have been very busy.




Zac (Chelsea's husband) is still on the hunt for a great job (which we know he will find soon). Chelsea keeps busy taking care of Gavin who is ready to get moving. Crawling is just around the corner.





Selina is enjoying the great weather down south and the time off from school for the summer, Kamry and Richie are doing great!




April and James are gearing up for their new little one's arrival and going to China at the end of the summer.


We are all doing well and are grateful for our many blessings. Sorry these posts are so long and overdue, but read on there are two more.

State Track Meet May 21 & 22 in Reno, Nevada.
Trevor's 1st event was the 300 hurdles at 7:00 pm. He had taken the Southern Division with 1st place after only 3 weeks of training. He was positioned to take 4th at state. He took off and was in 1st place until he rounded the last corner. He could feel someone coming up on him, he tried to speed up and caught the hurdle a little slowing him down he continued on and held on for 2nd place - a silver medal at state in his first event - an event he only started 3 weeks earlier.



Next the 4x400 Relay Team prepared for their big race. It was 9:45 pm on a cold and windy Friday night. The team was slated to take 3rd place. We looked on as they knelt in prayer asking Heavenly Father to help them run their very best! (all of the boys but one, I believe ran a personal best, in terrible conditions.)


I only hada video of this race, and by the way turn your sound down - It starts with the handoff to Trevor, then just watch on the other side for the 1st place person.
On the podium in 2nd place!!

400 Meter Race on day 2 the weather started out better, but about this time it started snowing. Almost to the finish line in 3rd place just behind Nick Tracy also of White Pine High School.

After taking 3rd in the 400 meter (he was slated to take 6th) he was totally spent and could hardly moved. Here his teammate who took 2nd is helping him to the medals podium.


Still waiting for the podium......

It was super cold and windy! We all barely survived as we hadn't expected it to be quite soooo cold.

This is what the local newspaper reported about Trevor and our 4x400 Team after State:

The boys 4x400 relay team of Jacob Bradshaw, Sam Johnson, Trevor Jones and Nic Tracy almost upset the favorite Whittell. The Bobcats led throughout the race, but Whittell's anchor John Robinson later won the 400, ran a fantastic race to edge out Nic Tracy. "Robinson ran a 49 split on his leg," Dolezal said. "You have to take your hat off to him for that kind of performance."

Senior Nic Tracy proved that he was one of the best 400 runners the following day coming in a close second to Whittell's Robinson.

"Nic had a great season in the 400 and it paid off here at state," Dolezal said. "He will be hard to replace." But his replacement was right behind him in the 400, Trevor Jones was right behind Nic in the 400 bring home the third place medal. "Trevor had two great races this weekend, the 400 and 300 hurdles. He is going to be one of the favorites in both events next year at state." Jones had a personal best in the 300 hurdles and placed second. "Trevor has only one speed and that is all out, that is what make him a great 300 hurdler."


A great sophmore year for Trevor. He is looking forward to the next two years in Soccer and Track his favorite sports.