Beautiful Sounds

 X-man has decided to try his hand at cello as well as tuba this year. He is loving them both.

This was his first orchestra concert of the year. He was excited because he was in the front row and we could actually see him. When he plays his tuba at band concerts he is way in the back and all we see is his tuba!

Speaking of hearing nice sounds...

My hearing has been getting worse and my ear drum had some problems so last week I had a mastoidectomy/typanoplasty surgery. Say what??  The doctor went in through my mastoid bone (behind your ear) and worked around in there as well as replaced my titanium middle bone implants and my ear drum. I guess there was a cyst in there as well.    This is the 2nd time for a typanoplasty and I'm hopeful it'll take this time. 

I'm not a  huge fan of surgery. I felt rather nauseous, dizzy, and unclear and really tired.  I am now feeling much, much better other than having lovely stitches that look like my ear was almost chopped off. I still am tired, but I am up. Hurray!!  My wonderful family, friends, and neighbors took good care of me.

School Daze

School has been in session for a few days weeks. These folks seem to have their feet under them and their brains steadily growing with all the knowledge being poured into them.  I can't believe how fast the school year has gone. Slow dooowwwnnn! My children are growing up, my mind is spinning, my heart is squeezing, and I'm left wondering where the years have gone--school DAZE!

My BABY!!

(though he does  NOT care for me gushing about his baby status!)

L's last year of elementary, 5th grade.

 X-man working his way through 7th grade!

Miss A. is already a junior, 11th grade. 

The year of the ACT/SAT!

She wishes I wouldn't remind her.

B--a SENIOR! What?!  I know! Crazy!

Many good things are in store for her.

 My handsome T on his b-day.

One year older, one year wiser.

 A kiss on our 19th anniversary!  

Too eternity and beyond!

 Xman got to play Tub-ah-ka (think Chewbacca) with the high school band. He met some high school band tuba players who excelled in middle school band and have inspired him. 

 Toot your horn, Xman!

 B. made her very own Homecoming mum in her floral design class. 

She looked classy and she could still hold her head up. Many mums are so large its hard to find the girl behind them!

B at the Homecoming game. There were lots of crickets flying around landing on people's backs, heads, feet, everywhere! Girls were screeching while manly boys were stomping the little black fiends. There was more entertainment in the stands than on the field.  B was glad the crickets didn't find a home in her hair! 

Summer Fun!

This summer we went to visit my folks. B. went out early, so we had to catch up with her.

 We stopped at the falls I always say we will stop at "someday" on our way.

L, X, and A.

 "Hey!" we finally got there. 

We did our yearly camp trip fishing, canoeing, and roasting s'mores.

 Posing for a selfie with her mom. 

A. and me.

 Resting and chatting under the trees. 

 Fisherman X. Waiting for the big one!

 A. biding her time.

 L and Bumpa taking the canoe for a spin.

 "Hey!" again! Xman and Bumpa canoeing.

B. posing like she is Queen of the Mountain!  

She was going to take a canoe ride, but while getting in the canoe, it went one way with one foot while her other foot stayed firmly planted onshore, making her do the splits and topple into the icy mountain lake. Brrrr!

 Campers!

Tuckered out!

 Playing in the mountains.

 Resting. 

And Yes! That's T. He was able to come out and meet us. 

Hurray for family time!

L. lounging. 

 Look at those young folks!

X and L washing off the sand in nice cold water. 

 Cool guys.

 X, L, A, Bumpa, Bumma, and B.

Family.

Wonder Woman and Underwear

Yesterday while at the store, A. asked me to look for items for her Halloween costume. I didn't find what she was wanting, but I did find something...Wonder Woman underwear!

Chuckling I quickly snapped a photo of the costume idea, captioned it with "You could be Wonder Woman. Want me to get?" and pushed send. Clever mom. Before heading home, I checked my text messages. What?? No text from A. about her clever mom's Halloween idea??!  Oh! My! Goodness!  I had accidentally sent the picture and text to my church friend and NOT to my daughter!  I quickly texted an explanation and then sent the picture and caption to A.

The whole thing could have gotten out of hand. I could have texted the Bishop or something! Yikes!

After getting a good laugh, I started thinking about all the Wonder Women I know. I have been very blessed to be surrounded my WHOLE life by Wonder Women. I have always been so supported and loved and guided and counseled and lifted by wholesome, noble, quiet, fun, righteous Wonder Women!  So even though it was an embarrassing mistake, my friend and so many other woman really ARE Wonder Woman (whether they have the underwear or not!).

I Believe in Angels

Today I was sitting in a meeting, discussing the goals set to help one of my children toward a bright future.  As this child's future has been getting closer and closer, I've been more and more nervous on how best to help her find her place in this world. Having never done this, I've felt alone in my search for answers, yet known that I've been guided down certain avenues by an all-knowing, merciful God. As we sat talking and laughing about the possibilities, one of the ladies looked at me and said, "We're here for you. We'll help your child find her way," and I knew she meant it. The other ladies echoed her sentiment; we were together in this goal.  While my search hasn't ended,  it certainly isn't lonely anymore.

And so Yes! I believe in angels.  I believe God sends us help. Sometimes as we are working our way through the struggle and holding on, we just have to step a bit further and there they are: those angels, those people who, while not heavenly beings, are kind, understanding, genuine, and--heavenly. They are God's angels here on earth.  I am so thankful for the angels God has sent to me.

"God does notice us, and He watches over us. 

But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs."      

President Spencer W. Kimball

City Beautiful

Ohh, beautiful Nauvoo, Illinois!  We just got back from a wonderful visit with T's dad there. We got there in time for the fireworks overlooking the Mississippi on the lawn of the Nauvoo temple.
 We were there twice last year and you can check out those pictures here.

July 4th found us in Carthage, Illinois for a parade. In the heart of America there were plenty of tractors, a Miss Beef Queen, a high school band (without a TUBA!!)  as well as CANDY being thrown!  Fun times!

Can you spot the soon-to-be-newest member of our family??

Grandpa N is getting married!

 After the parade we went to Carthage jail.  Xman hugged a tree on the way and A and L photo bombed him. 

 I love this quote outside the jail where Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were taken on trumped up charges and then martyred by a mob of angry men.  I thought it was appropriate in this time when so many angry voices and opinions are being thrown about.  I hope all might have respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.

L wanted this picture of he and his best friend and brother. 

Brothers, to stand with each other through the good and the bad.

 Later that evening we went to the "Sunset on the Mississippi," a performance put on by the young performing missionaries and also the more seasoned missionaries. The boys made fancy hats!

I love this bunch!  

 We then went to "Rendezvous," a performance put on by the seasoned missionaries about the early pioneer days of Nauvoo.  Sis. Watkins, one of the performers joined in for a family picture. Hmmm...I have a feeling she'll be joining us for many more family pictures!  

As we were going about watching performances and celebrations, I offhandedly joked A. that she might just find her future husband right here in Nauvoo!  Who knew?!  

Then on our way to the "Rendezvous" performance I saw the perfect match--a patriotic young man with a flag tank top and cap, Mr. America--perfect!!  I discreetly pointed him out to a blushing A. As luck would have it, A was seated right next to him for the performance!  It was a photo opportunity that I just had to grab, so fully wanting him in the photo I snapped a shot while he chortled to his buddies that he was photo bombing this family--Haha! 

And so here is a photo of A and her future hubby!  Doesn't she look thrilled! 

 Here's Miss A. in her bonnet.

Having fun with Grandpa.

X giving a talk from the pulpit of the Seventies Hall. 

Good job!

Who's that monkey on T's back??

 Family photo at one of the drainage canals that was built to drain swampy Nauvoo.

I love my family!!

 Cute boys.

On our way to Pella, Iowa we were stopped on a toll bridge as the bridge was up for a barge to pass through on the Mississippi.  I thought that was exciting enough for a photo. Eyes rolled in the kiddos' heads at mom's photo opps. 

We posed in front of a windmill in Pella, an old Dutch farming community settled by Dutch immigrants seeking religious freedom in the 1850s. Its a beautiful town, home to Pella windows AND...

DUTCH LETTER pastries. 

You have NOT lived until you've tried one of these pastries! Well worth the drive.

Yum!!

 Largest authentic working windmill in the United States.

Back in Nauvoo, we tried our hand at some old-fashioned pioneer games. 

Sticks used to toss rings and catch them. 

L. and T could really get them to fly. In fact, they got one stuck in a tree and tried throwing their sticks up to loosen the ring, but then got both sticks stuck.  They eventually got them down, with  a few sticks nearly clobbering some folks on the noggin when the sticks fell out of the tree! Hmph.

Xman hauling water.

 Hey!  What's this all about!  

B getting a nice back rub from Grandpa.

 Stick pull. 

The boys won. 

 Xman taking on A. 

MUUUUSSSTTTTT

 PUUUULLLLLLLLLL

 HAARRDDDERRRRR!

He gave it his all.

Before the Nauvoo Pageant, A and I gave the handcart a turn. 

Some must push and some must pull, B and X.

And some must ride, I guess. L 

 Ready for the pageant to begin. 

The Nauvoo Pageant retells the story of the beginnings of Nauvoo and the many sacrifices made by the Mormon pioneers who settled it and made it beautiful. They built it and then left it behind as they left in pursuit of religious freedom and peace.  I'm so thankful for their sacrifice so I might enjoy the peace, the truth, and the fullness of the gospel ordinances and covenants in my family!

And so ended a wonderful time with family. We look forward to going back to Grandpa N and Sis. Watkins' wedding!