Christmas of 1980 my brother received a gift from our grandma. It was the ABBA Super Trooper LP. I was totally infatuated with this group. I remember listening to this album constantly and using a hair brush as a makeshift microphone. I loved, and still love, ABBA. Last night we went to the Mamma Mia show in Spokane and it was so much fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and had to constrain myself from dancing in the aisles.

We drove up to Spokane early Saturday to do some spring shopping for the girls.

Look at this amazing neighborhood

The streets were tree lined and we imagined how beautiful they wood look in a few weeks. Spokane received a lot of snow Friday night. Spring is not in the air in their neck of the woods.

We visited with cousin Kristen for a few minutes and then hit the stores. After several fun hours of shopping we ate dinner at Anthony's Restaurant over- looking Spokane Falls. It was a really pretty setting.

Elizabeth and Kenley enjoying their Molten Chocolate Cake

After a very filling dinner we headed over to the shopping area. The Spurgeon's can't go to Spokane without a carousel ride, we had such a blast!!

Elizabeth has a major research project due at the beginning of June. The students could choose any subject matter imaginable. To my delight Elizabeth chose THE 1980's. I am so proud. She has already started gathering her information. Here is one of her first pictures. This is uncle Cody's pant legs that he folded and rolled up to demonstrate one style in the '80's. So, tell us, what do you think of when you think

1980's?

One of my BYU professors, Lynn Scorsby said,

"Every child needs to know early that he is responsible for his choices. Each person is responsible to choose, to act, and to receive the consequences for good or ill. Helping children learn this one idea should be a major focus. When he or she exhibits extreme emotions, focus on the need to manage his or her impulses. Encourage him or her to talk about feelings and emphasize that each person is responsible to control the expression of his or her emotions. "

I have been trying desperately over the last several months to teach my children what the difference is between a mistake and an accident.

Throwing the ball at someone because you're mad is a mistake.

The ball hitting someone while playing ball is an accident.

Over the last 24 hours I have felt,

"Anger" One of my children mimicked me while I was disciplining them.
"Entertained" Helping in Dallin's classroom 1 hour a week is fun.
"Saddened" yet "Optimistic" by Jan's dad being diagnosed with cancer.
"Impressed" Elizabeth touched the frog.
"Humiliated" I had to pay a $16 fine at the library yesterday.

I want to teach my kids that all these emotions are normal and healthy.

It's ok to feel anger, but it's not ok to hit.

It's normal to feel sad, but it's not ok to throw a fit.

One thing I know is that JOY is the emotion I cherish the most. It's more than being happy or content.

"Joy is an emotion of the spirit. It comes through righteous living. It is not a casual or shallow feeling, ever. If we equate fun and pleasure with happiness, we may think pain must always be equated with unhappiness. But that is not true. Joy is not a stranger to pain. We may not feel deeply enough to know joy unless our hearts have been hollowed out by sorrow. A heart may not be big enough to know real joy until it has been stretched and pulled by trials and hard things."

A Reminder to Myself:

I have experienced JOY, but only because I have experienced sorrow.

It's directly related to our emotions and choices.

What has brought JOY into your life?

Amphibian on the Loose!

She is very intelligent,

She has a heart of gold,

She is responsible,

She is cute,

But she isn't very brave.

This tickled me. We laughed and laughed.

When we had an animal loose in the house yesterday,

she was on top of this chair before you could say,

"Vicious Wild Animal!"

Look at him, he could really do a lot of damage!

He hopped away while I was cleaning his little bowl.

Oh Elizabeth, you make me smile.

Where in the World?

Tuesday Trivia Challenge.

{You have no idea how much this puts a smile on my face, I love trivia.}

Years ago, I saw a PBS special about this fascinating location.

I love the name of this place, it sounds so distinguished.

I once considered naming my one of my children this.

Some interesting facts are:

*This island chain consists of several islands, but only the largest (6 miles wide)is populated.

*The population of this main island is 269. No outsiders are allowed to buy or settle land. All land is communicably owned. Everyone has one of only 7 different surnames,(I've read their are some health issues because of interbreeding- Is this the right word for humans or just animals?) They speak English.

*It was discovered in 1506 by a Portuguese sailor.

*The resident's two main sources of income include a cray fish factory and making and exporting their postage stamps.

*Located in the Atlantic Ocean. {I added this clue last minute: Brent thought it was too hard without giving a general location, and he saw the show.}

Anyone know the name

of this remote island?

Go on, play along. With a little Google search,

you might just come up with the answer.

What's the prize you say?

It's the knowledge that you are smarter than everyone else that guessed!

"Movie Queen" submitted the correct answer first last week.

Picture Perfect Weekend- Round 3

Kindergarden, Here we come! For months I have been telling Cameron that when he's 5 he can start Kindergarden. Friday was his 5th, so Friday he starts Kindergarden. Right? Poor kid. I told him he's got a lot of swimming, bike riding and lego building to do before the big K.

Here's a snippet of his B-Day.

He enjoyed rice krispie-froot loop treats with his pre-school friends (adding the froot loops makes them seem a little more like a party.)

A lunch play date with his friend Ezra. When I saw the wind Friday morning, I knew I'd have to do the Chuck-e-Cheese inside thing. I'd have prefered the fresh air of the park.

After the most deliberating mind-changing week ever,

Cameron decided on the Rocket Cake.

A BBQ dinner with family. We fired up the BBQ, poor Brent had to brave the chilly air and cook the burgers and weiners. Cameron said his birthday wish was for his little brother, who has not been feeling well, to feel better.

He's a sweet boy.

Then came Saturday. What's more fun than hanging out with cousins?

Jessica (at top, and clockwise) Elizabeth, Kenley and Haley.

Easter Sunday was lovely. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I was wishing for a little sunshine and warmth. After church we snapped a few pictures of the kids. Not always an easy endeavor. Cameron looks a little bored.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Easter weekend!

Stay tuned because I am gearing up for the Tuesday Trivia Challenge.

Prepare

The greatest events of history are those that affect the greatest number of people for the longest periods. By this standard, no event could be more important to individuals or nations than the resurrection of the Master.
The literal resurrection of every soul who has lived and died on earth is a certainty, and surely:

one should make careful preparation for this event.

A glorious resurrection should be the goal of every man and woman, for resurrection will be a reality. Nothing is more absolutely universal than the resurrection. Every living being will be resurrected. {President Ezra Taft Benson}

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Corin. 15:22

Have a PEACEFUL weekend, surrounded by family and love.

Blast From the Past!

Over the past year I have become reacquainted with some friends from the past.

Deanna Sanderson, Me and my little Sis, Sarah. 1986

Like my peach satin dress? I just contacted Deanna this week for the first time in almost 11 years.

Rachelle Bolingbroke and I. Sea World, 1990. Rachelle called me this year after 15 years.
My BYU Roomies and our Family Home Evening "Bros." Fugal Hall, Heritage Halls, 1989.

I had my freshman year roommate, Becky Long (green sweater) call me out of the blue. Jennifer (Steele) Walker, (middle girl on left) and I have kept in contact over the years. She currently lives on an Island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, The Azores.

Jeannette (Stewart) Mortensen and I have contacted each other now and again over the last 16 years. Here she is in 1993, I was always jealous of her incredible hair. Now, through the blogging world, we are able to keep in regular contact and see each other's family.

Reconnecting with old friends is so much fun. Old times are so much fun to revisit. . So, if you've been thinking about a dear friend from the past,

GO FOR IT! look them up.