To Each His Own

When I started this blog, I was concerned that I'd never really have much to say. Well, I've put that fear to rest. I have a lot to say.


I like to think that I am a positive person, this post might just put that into question.

Recently, while sitting in Sacrament Meeting, I heard the dreaded words that I fear. I grew up participating in this recreational activity, but something happened and upon hearing these words, I feel a sinking feeling in my heart and a wave of fear.

"Ward Campout!!!"

My kids, on the other hand, practically jumped out of their seats and whispered excitedly to each other.

"Yeh, an activity where mom and dad

have to drag 5,000 lbs. of gear for an overnight stay

in a dirt pit."

Brent is an Eagle Scout and therefore, cannot utter any negative camping comments. He loves it.

I want to like camping.

I love being together as a family, I love nature:

but I also love cleanliness and a comfortable bed.

It wasn't even a question whether we would go or not. Of course we're going, for a few reasons.

1. Hang out with our awesome ward members and

2. My kids LOVE IT!!

So, it is with a little fear and a little, tiny bit of negativity that we embark on our overnight camping trip Friday evening. I'm going to have to bite my tongue if anyone acts up. I know exactly what I'll say,

"Quit it or we're going straight home." (YES!!!!)

See, I used to like camping.

(My brother, Paul, and I)

See "the orange bucket" behind me there? Any ideas what that was used for?

I know that I will return with pictures with some very happy children in them, it's all worth it.

Have a great weekend.

Going Solo

Tonight there was a choir concert at McLoughlin Middle School.

Let me tell you, there was one nervous girl.

She had been nervous for a few weeks, and today, the day of the concert, was no exception.

As she sat in the big cafeteria, her stomach was churning and had a million butterflies.

Her heart was pounding and she became quite teary.

No, it wasn't Elizabeth that was the nervous wreck, it was me. I got through it OK though.

As Elizabeth walked to the microphone to perform her solo, she carried herself with such confidence and ease. She did an amazing job.

Here she is with some friends before the performance, no sweat.

Jenna, Hannah, Elizabeth, Madison and Audrey

During the performance, cool, confident and awesome.

After the performance, her usual calm self.

I don't know where my kids get their confidence from. At their age I would never have willingly auditioned for a singing part. Here we are, I'm feeling a lot better thank you.

When I was in Primary I remember my mom and dad had to encourage (bribe) me with the promise of six of these treats to get me to perform my song for the Primary Stake Musical Festival. It took ice-cream to get me to face my fears.

I admire your confidence and talent Elizabeth. You're amazing!!

quirky

The names have not been changed, we are completely guilty and proud of it.

The unusual, quirky things make me laugh. In the area of gift giving, I have to smile at how we go about it. While some guys give serious, deep thought to the gifts they give their significant other, with personal and romantic their topmost priority, I am the recipient of pure, simple practicality.

I tease Brent about it, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Around the first part of February, Brent bought himself a pack of twistable crayons. They are excellent scripture markers, and I commented how cool they were. So, guess what I got for Valentine's Day? Yep, twistable crayons, to mark my scriptures. He was sure to point out that he purchased the larger 18 pack for me.

Last week for our anniversary I got this large Costco pack of white washcloths. I really needed them and love them, which is an important part of any well received gift.

I Ok'ed this post with Mr. Romance before writing it. He laughed and said,

"I really like my gold toenail clippers you got me for Valentine's a few years ago."

I guess we're both guilty.

So, what's gift giving like at your house?

Lavishly Romantic or just plain practical?

Beautiful

I've seen some beautiful sights in my life. I've been here:

Grand Canyon
I've toured Paris. There were some amazing sights to see.I've seen the Space Shuttle being launched in Florida.

I love the view of Mt. Timpanogos covered with snow.I've seen some beautiful things and some amazing places, but today I saw JOY!

My friend and her husband adopted a little girl and today they were sealed here:

When little Lily came into the sealing room in her white dress, I knew that I had witnessed the most beautiful sight on earth.

Congratulations Mitchell family.

It was an honor to see the start of your eternity.

My Little Tree Hugger!

Tuesday:
Kenley: "Mom, Friday I have to go to the Principal's Office."

Me: "Oh really, what for?"


Kenley: "Well, at school we use Styrofoam lunch trays and David T. is going to talk to Mrs. S about switching to something that doesn't take 500 years to disintegrate."

Elizabeth: "Oh my goodness Kenley, are you turning into a tree hugger?"


Me: "Styrofoam takes 500 years to disintegrate???? How did you become involved in this?"

Kenley: "Our class is given Styrofoam lunch trays everyday because we eat in our classroom and it's easier to throw them away than to go back to the lunchroom to take back reusable trays. David did some research and then we wrote a letter to Mrs. S. (Principal) She scheduled a meeting with us for Friday.


Friday:

Me: "How did the meeting with Mrs. S. go today?"



Kenley: "Mrs. S. said that when she read our letter, she was surprised. She is planning on talking to the lunch ladies and then she is going to meet with us next week. We came up with the idea of a recycling bin, but we need a parent volunteer to help with that."


Me: Thinking (Oh great, I wonder who is going to get that job?) "Oh, recycling them is a great idea."


Kenley: (After a long pause and thoughtful look.) "Mom, can you help take the Styrofoam to the recycling place."

Me: "Of course." (said with a genuine smile.)

I'm proud of you Kenley.

When you feel strongly about something,

you have to speak up, if it's a worthwhile cause.

This evening Elizabeth and Kenley put together their cute new bathroom cabinet from W.Mart. Styrofoam packaging everywhere.




This girl was not amused. Britton did his "little brother getting in the way trick."

Why Blog?

I guess the theme of the week is feet. My last two posts have contained pictures of feet. It hasn't been intentional at all. So, here I am again posting a picture of my feet. Last night, while searching for something else, Brent came across my favorite pair of flip-flops that have been missing since last summer. They obviously aren't attractive, but wearing them is like walking on a

"dreamy cloud of luscious puff."

So, needless to say I was thrilled when he pulled them out from under the bed. In the 2.3 seconds after I first saw them, I thought to myself,

"Oh, I've got to post about this."

A nanosecond after I thought that Elizabeth said,

"Are you going to post about finding them?"

Why would I think that finding a pair of my favorite flip-flops would be exciting to anyone else but me? The real question here is,

What's the draw to blogging?

This blog contains the fun times and activities we do together as a family. To think of actually writing these things down in a book and including pictures doesn't sound fun to me. I suppose that's why I have never kept a journal. But blogging about it and including a picture of my feet, bunion (hidden slightly under my left foot) and all, is exciting. I'm going to publish this into a book this summer, and that brings a big smile to my face. So, for what it's worth, I found my flip-flops and I shared it because it made me happy.

A big thank-you to those who read the comings and goings of the Spurgeon Family. Stay tuned tomorrow for a report on "MY LITTLE TREE HUGGER," who is going to the Principal of her school with her cause.

So, why do you blog? What's the draw?

14 years?

We took little 4 week old Elizabeth on our first anniversary date with us, so sweet! We went to the Red Robin on George Washington Way.

Our second anniversary date we took little terror Elizabeth with us to Sterlings Restaurant on George Washington Way. As we were being served, the waitress spilt one plate on the floor. No big deal really....

But that meant one plate of food ready,

one coming,

and one wiggly little girl.

So, Brent ate while I took Elizabeth on a walk outside. No real date.

Tonight for our 14th anniversary date we had a babysitter lined up. This is just incredible to me that my little ones are growing, old enough to babysit, and do an amazing job at that. We went out to dinner in the hour and a half after Brent got home from work and the time he had to be at his meeting.

14 years? How could that be?

lavish gifts? Don't need them.

Treasures? Got them thanks!

Lessons learned? Many.

I've learned to relax and have fun. See, I don't even care that Cameron's feet are dirty going to bed. He just has to hang them off the bed all night so his sheets don't get dirty.

(This is a forgiving picture, they are pretty filthy.)

Happy Anniversary Jungle King!