Great Stuff!

I want to start blogging about the wonderful things we are doing this year, and the wonderful webpages that inspire me. We are going to be making Mini Office's for the kids and I found a great website to share.

http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/search/label/Mini%20Office%20Lapbook

I spent half an hour just looking at all her great ideas!

Did you stand?

Did You Stand? May 20, 2005

I was sitting the other day in a crowded airport, waiting for a boarding call on my flight to As I sat there , I noticed an old man sitting across from me facing the large picture window that gave passengers a view of the runway. The history of a life of hardship traced the old mans eyes as they stared into the twilight of his years, and as I watched, I saw tears rolling from those ancient steel gray eyes, leaving a trail of sadness that tore at my heart. I got up and walked to him and asked if I could join him. Without even looking up to identify me, he nodded, and I sat down, feeling awkward but intensely drawn to him in compassion for his quiet tears. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you sitting here alone. Are you ok?" I asked. There was a deafening silence suddenly between us, for what seemed a long time, and finally he spoke in a voice that was worn and weary with age."Did you stand when she walked by?" he asked. I was confused by his question, and a bit taken off guard by the tone of his voice that sounded almost accusatory. "I don't understand sir, , I answered."Did you stand when she walked by?" he asked again, staring straight into my eyes. "Who?" I asked him. But he turned away from me, staring again at the tarmac just outside our window. I waited for an answer, but there was not going to be any. Our conversation was over it seemed, and I got up to leave, hearing the call to board that by this time, was welcome as an excuse to get out of an awkward situation. I started walking away, but was troubled and torn by his question. I boarded my plane after clearing the gate, found my seat , and settled into it, looking back at the terminal I had just left. He was there as I had left him, sitting alone facing the tarmac. I watched for several minutes, and in that time I noticed a number of people stop to visit with him, presumably to ask if he was ok, and then walk away, some of them shaking there heads, others just gone from view at a brisk pace. And still he sat , fixated on a plane that was resting about 300 yards away, surrounded by military personnel. As I watched, a small procession of 6 men carried a flag draped coffin away from the plane to a waiting hearse, where they stood after the rear door of the black car had been closed and they offer a salute as the car slowly drove away. I looked back toward the window of the terminal, and instantly my tears nearly blinded me when I saw the old man I had been talking to also offering a salute, but from his wheel chair now parked next to the window. Since our craft had used a rolling stair gantry for passenger access, I got up, and made my way to the door of the plane, and got off. I walked deliberately, heading for the terminal, making my way through the crowds to the old man at the window. I walked up beside him, faced the plane as yet another coffin draped with Old Glory was placed in a waiting hearse, and I slowly raised my hand in salute, allowing my hand to drop only when the hearse rolled out of view around a security fence. I turned slowly to the old man who by now was looking solidly into my soul with eyes of countless memories. "I know her name now sir, and I stood when she walked by." He was visibly moved, and he said to me in quavering voice ,"Thank you sir . . . for what you did. My greatest wish these days is to stand again for her, but I can't." I gave my legs in '43 and my oldest son in '67 to that Lady, so she could keep walking. It hurts when no one cares that she walks by. I missed my flight that day, but my heart and soul found wings to the heavens on the words of an 90 year old man who dared to share a heart full of memories with me and dared to remind me why Old Glory stills waves as the beacon of Hope in a lost world.

By Robert VanDerslice Copyright 2003

Summer has gone by so fast. We have been blessed to do so much this year. It is so wonderful to have so many opportunities for the kids to experience the world around them.

One of the things I didnt' blog about this summer were the birds. A robin laid 4 eggs in a nice nest in our tree out in front of the house. The kids were so excited to watch the eggs every day to see if they had hatched. The magical day arrived. The little babies were out. Ricky first saw them and right away said "Oh! They are ugly...well...that's nature." Every day we would go out the front door to look at the eggs. Mom and Dad Robin would dive bomb us the first week or so. But soon got accustomed to our family and trusted we were not a harm to their babies. Next, the babies heads popped up with mouths wide open. Just waiting to be fed. (This gave more meaning to the camp song we would sing at girls camp when I was young.."Here we sit like birds in the wilderness..birds in the wilderness..birds in the wilderness..waiting to be fed.") We were very fortunate to be outside in the swing when one of the birds took a nice leap and flew out of the nest. It was so exciting. We had to watch it for a while to make sure it was okay, and curiosity wanted to know where it would go.

Summer time is wonderful here in Utah. A simple game of spies, or tag, or riding scooters and skateboards is like a dream come true. Green grass, flowers beds, and the sprinklers that water them are the best playgrounds. Friendship is rekindled with those we don't see during the snow bound months. May we all keep these wonderful memories to keep us warm inside during the long winter.

Here is a fun poem

I'm dreaming of warm sandy beaches.
I'm dreaming of days by the pool.
I'm dreaming of fun in the afternoon sun,
and week after week of no school.

I'm thinking of swim suits and sprinklers,
imagining lemonade stands.
I'm lost in a daydream of squirt guns and ice cream
and plenty of time on my hands.

I'm picturing baseball and hot dogs,
Envisioning games at the park,
and how it stays light until late every night,
and seems like it never gets dark.

I long to ride skateboards and scooters.
I want to wear t-shirts and shorts.
I'd go for a hike, or I'd ride on my bike,
or play lots of summertime sports.

My revery turns to a yearning
to draw on the driveway with chalk.
It's really a bummer to daydream of summer
while shoveling snow from the walk.

We love to celebrate the 4th!

I have always loved the 4th of July. Here in Utah Valley it is huge. This year we purchased tickets to the Stadium of Fire once again. It is a huge show put on by the Freedom Festival here in Provo. It is put on in BYU's football stadium. We had such a great time!Shelby looking for her seat after singing back up for Glen Beck

This year Shelby had the opportunity to sing in the Stadium of Fire choir. The sang back up to Glen Becks commentary at the beginning, and sang while the fireworks went off. She had a great time and met a few new people, which is always fun.

Oh yeah..and the Jonas Brothers performed! It was the best concert ever. We had Taylor and Ricky in the stands with us and Shelby was on the field with her choir. We sang almost every song. I don't remember having more fun with the kids.

You can just tell how amazing it was by the big smiles on our faces.Happy Birthday America!

Our vacation with Mom and Dad

From the time we left the house for the airport we had a great time. Thanks to the Davis' for taking us to the airport at the last minute :P We enjoyed the hotel in Orlando. It was exciting to be in Florida. We woke up and called grandma to find out where they were. Took the rental to Cape Canaveral. Did a bit of shopping before we went to the boat. Forgot suntan lotion and sunglasses. Looked for grandma and grandpa the whole time we were in line checking in on the boat. Met them up on deck 9 for lunch. After lunch went to our rooms to get luggage out of the hallways and unpack. It was awesome to see our rooms. The kids got two bunk beds. Not to worry...Shelby gave the top bunks to Taylor and Ricky. Thanks for sharing! We had so much fun checking things out the first day, the kids didn't even go to Camp Carnival that first night. Our waiter was from Romania. At first we thought he was a bit stiff. But not to worry..we loosened him up.

Our waiters got Taylor and Shelby up to dance with them during the show at dinner time on the 3rd night.

The next day was a day at sea. The kids went to their Camps and had a great time meeting new people from all over. Of course when they found out we were from Utah, the next question was...Are you Mormon? Ricky made a friend from Atlanta who turned out to be LDS, too. They didn't find that out until like the 3rd day. On the first day at sea the kids also discovered the water slide. The line was short so they stayed outside a good part of the afternoon.



On Monday we stopped in Grand Turks. Of course we made our way to the buffet for breakfast first. Had a great morning eating with Grandma and Grandpa. Then we all went down to get off and go explore Grand Turks. We did a little shopping first. Grandpa felt bad for Ricky because his shoes were giving him a blister. So he got him a nice pair of flip flops. Everything here was over priced so we did a lot of looking. We went to Margaritaville there. We got there early. Hardly anyone there yet. The kids had a great spot in the pool, while we got a nice table with an umbrella and sat and drank in the atmosphere. We were there about an hour or so. Then we went to the beach and mom and dad went back on the boat. Right after we left it really filled up. The pool ended up being standing room only. LOL. At the beach the Taylor and Ricky found some big shells. The video guy from the boat was there and they ended up on the video of the trip. Rick took the kids snorkling a little bit there. The water was so clear. This is when I realized my camera battery was dead. So no picks.

Oh...did we get sunburned!

Tuesday was in Jamaica. This stop for me was wonderful. I didn't expect Jamaica to be so colorful and beautiful. Our driver took us up into the rain forest called Fern Gully. I didn't even know Jamaica had a rain forest. It was such an education for us. Ricky asked a lot of questions about the poverty he saw. I think for the first time he realized just how much we have. He said he was glad to live in America.

We went shopping at the Flea Market. Wow! You could hardly take a step without venders in your face trying to get you to come to their "booth". Ricky found a wooden turtle he wanted. The man carved his name on it. I found tshirts and a nice trivet, and Rick found a beautiful wooden box. We also got some necklaces they locals had made.
On Wednesday was probably one of the most memorable days of the trip. We were in Grand Cayman. We of course went and had breakfast with grandma and grandpa. We then made our way down to disembark with them. We found a small little "park". It was Ft. George. I was so proud of my kids. They went on their own and read the signs to find out what happened there. I get teased all the time because no matter where we go, I turn it into some kind of learning trip. We have to read all the signs with information on them. Now they are stopping on their own. (snif, wink).Taylor even video taped it!

We wanted to get some great deals while we were in the Caymans. We went with grandma and grandpa to a handbag store. I found a great purse! Can't wait to show everyone. Mom found some really great buys, and got Shelby and bag. And of course we had to get t shirts!


We went swimming with stingrays. Our tour guide was amazing. He would catch them and give you a chance to hold one. Ricky was very scared at first. But after a while Rick was able to calm him down and get him to swim with him.Here I am holding one. I was a bit scared. Rick did a great job getting this shot from the boat. I however didn't do as great of job when it was his turn.
I couldn't get my camera to focus that far away. But he was great with the kids. He deserves the best dad award. He made sure all three kids got a great opportunity to hold the stingrays. He was always right there with them, encouraging them, cheering for them, and helping them.
Thanks honey for all you did for us on this trip. You made dreams come true!

The next two days were days at sea. We went to art auctions and learned a lot about the art work. Came home with a few catch phrases. Who's the artist, who's the artist? We also did a bit of putt putt golf with the kids.Shelby enjoyed a little bit of freedom and enjoyed spending time with new friends in her camp. Here is a picture of them taking a lunch break.
This was the best vacation ever! I was so sad to have it all end.

Second Place!

Second Place ain't so bad for his very first Pinewood Derby. He dreamed about it. He could wait to go. Last year our ward was brand new and didn't do one, and he was so disappointed.

The wait was well worth it. He had so much fun. One of his good buddies got first. Ricky was really happy for him.

Now we just need to get a shelf and frame for that second place car and certificate!

Pinewood Derby here we come!

The Pinewood Derby is finally coming to our ward. It has been much awaited! Rick took Ricky out to the saw and let him cut out his car design. Ricky first had it all drawn out on paper. He knew exactly what he wanted. Next came time to paint it. Ricky knew it had to be Red! Then they had the wheels put on.

Ricky can't wait for Tuesday! He is even going to miss a Baseball game to be at his First Pinewood Derby!

To prepare he watched the move "Down and Derby". He made sure dad didn't "do to much".

We have a lot going on that night..it is also Shelby's opening night of "Taming of the Shrew". But dad will have camera in hand to make sure all the great moments are captured!