Veterans Park Elementary Winter Program

"Holidays Around the World"

-Featuring the Upper Primary and Intermediate Chorus-

Scouts and Santa

Pack night was filled with Christmas cheer when Santa Claus just happened to drop by. He came to wish the scouts a Merry Christmas and encourage them to remember the true meaning of Christmas- celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.The boys made a reindeer ornament by tracing their hands and feet. They also receive their pine wood derby wooden blocks. Rich had better get planning since he has to do THREE cars next year. Yikes!

Balance

A few months ago, just after Zach was born, Rich came home from a church function and told me that we (Rich and I) had been asked to present a youth fireside for our ward and the Pioneer ward at the end of the month.

I was a bit shocked, worried and not at all thrilled. I was exhausted from getting up with a newborn and tired from getting three sets of homework done each night and driving them to lessons and scouts. Weekends were filled with soccer and baseball. I was preparing lessons and teaching the Laurels every week. This new task seemed intimidating and daunting. Plus, I didn't think hauling six kids to a fireside at night sounded fun, let alone hope they would sit still through the whole thing.

Rich, being wiser than I, immediately said we would. I secretly hoped we wouldn't have to.

As the day of the fireside drew near, I started to get nervous. We had not been given a topic and for me, that made it even harder. Out of all the possible themes, which was the most important to me?

Rich attended a scout meeting the week before and the bishop was there. Rich asked Bishop Blodgett if he had any things he would like me to talk about. The Bishop came through and said that he would be interested in hearing how I keep balance in my life.

When Rich passed the idea along to me, I knew it would work. I am far from perfect when it comes to keeping balance in my life. I stay up way too late. I am not the best at schedules. I tend to do things when I have to, instead of planning ahead.

I instantly realized planning this talk would not only be beneficial to the youth, but could help me strengthen some of my weaknesses. I knew if I followed the principles I was going to present, I could greatly improve my life for the better.

As the New Year is fast approaching and the chaos of the holiday season is upon us all, I wanted to post my talk, so I can look back on it for a reference when life gets out of hand and to give me the strength and resolve to do better each day. Because I think never giving up is the most important part of achieving success.

Maintaining Balance in our Lives

A scale is used to weigh things or to help achieve balance.

I looked up the word balance in the dictionary. There were 25 definitions.

The two that stood out to me were:

1. a state of equilibrium; equal distribution

1. The power to decide an outcome by throwing ones strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.

(Equilibrium: state of balance due to the equal balance of opposing forces or influence.)

So the questions I pose tonight is this: How can we live a life of balance? How can I remain strong and valiant against the opposing forces of this world, and over come bad or negative influence. And above all, How can I achieve great things during my time here on earth and become the person Heavenly Father knows I can be?

I think the first question we must ask ourselves is: What do I want to do with my life. It all starts with a PLAN. We see it with Heavenly Father. He designed The Plan of Salvation or The Plan of Happiness. Heavenly Father certainly was not going to send us down here to Earth and just see what happens as it goes. Thought, knowledge, prayer, faith and work went into The Plan. We were active participants. The same must be done for our own lives.

I think of taking a trip. You might have a destination, but without a plan or a map, you could easily get lost. We need to stop and ponder what direction we are headed and where we want to be in the end. Then it is up to us to do the work to chart a course to get us safely there.

The best way to do that is to set goals.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, in a talk titled: Life's Lessons Learned said, "Many of the most important and life-changing moments of my life occurred when I was a young man. The lessons I learned then formed my character and shaped my destiny. Without them, I would be a very different man and in a very different place than I am today. I have known many great men and women. Although they have different backgrounds, talents, and perspectives, they all have this in common: they work diligently and persistently towards achieving their goals. It’s easy to get distracted and lose focus on the things that are most important in life. I’ve tried to remember the lessons I learned from Coach Oswald and prioritize values that are important to me so that I can keep my eye focused on things that really matter. I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them."

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,” wrote Henry David Thoreau, “and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

With a plan filled with goals and check points we truly can achieve what we dreamed.

When I was a child, we made an 8 track recording of my voice. Even at three I had a plan for my future. I was going to be a nurse, cheerleader and a ballerina. While I didn't become all of those things, it was important for me to have a plan. There are a few things I set my mind to and worked hard to achieve those goals. The only way I saw these things through was to persevere through various obstacles and challenges and work hard and never give up.

* When I was in high school, I had the wonderful opportunity to run six day a week with my Mom. We started slowly and eventually ran five to six miles every morning before I left for school. At times when I had an early morning class, we would rise at 5 AM to get our run in. Over the years, I ran many races and was victorious in a few. These achievements were only accomplished by setting goals, consistently working hard and staying dedicated to the plan.

* Getting an education is something I am profoundly grateful for. Knowledge is power. I have known that my entire life and it helped me see the value of working hard in school. When I completed high school I was able to receive academic scholarships at BYU-Hawaii and later BYU. I received my BS in elementary education and loved using my degree teaching children in Utah and later in Kentucky. Though I am not in a paid teaching position now, I use the knowledge I gained over the years every day as I teach my own children. I know by setting goals early in life, I was able to stay focused and never lose sight of the end goal.

* The most important goal I had in my life was to find a wonderful man to marry in the temple and to become a mother. May 10, 1996 was the best day of my life, because it is the day I met Rich. He has enriched and blessed my life beyond measure. Our children are our greatest joy and blessing. These two goals are what I am most proud to have accomplished. They are my true rewards of life.

Another key factor to having a life of balance is making sure we have ORDER.

Mosiah 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize;

Again, Heavenly Father is a great example to us. In the Bible in Genesis we can read and learn about the Creation. It took seven days to create the Earth. Each day had a purpose and the order was critical. The next step hinged on the previous one.

There are two main factors in maintaining order: We have to prioritize our lives and we can not procrastinate.

Priorities: What is important to you? Is it getting an education, serving a mission, being married in the temple. These things can vary from person to person, but once you know what is most important, you can then make sure you make time to accomplish these thing.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: "We also need priorities. Our priorities determine what we seek in life." Make sure your priorities are the BIG things that will keep you moving in the right direction. I think of different tasks I am required to do every day. When I fail to have a plan, I certainly can not prioritize the things that need to be done. I will often find myself wasting time not knowing where to start or simply find I did not allow myself enough time to get something accomplished because I didn't do the important things first.

The other way to keep our lives running smoothly is to avoid Procrastination, or the “I’ll start later” syndrome, is probably one of the most commonly regretted failings of mankind. How often have we said, and meant it too, “Next time I’ll start sooner”? It sounds simple enough. But, somehow, next time is just like this time, and we’re late again.

It’s been suggested that if someone summoned all the world’s procrastinators and laid them end-to-end, it would be a pretty short line, because most of them wouldn’t show up till next week.

There is a simple way to overcome procrastination, so simple, in fact, that you probably won’t be impressed until you try it. But it really works and surprisingly well. Ready? Here it is: Sneak up on it. Another way to say it is: Do a little at a time.It’s really the lazy man’s way of getting a job done. Whether is is a fireside talk, a YM lesson or an assignment for school, waiting until the last few days or even hours to get something started can lead to un-needed stress, panic and often leaves us with a sub par performance. Eventually the work must be done, so you might as well start early and avoid the problems that can and often arise when you procrastinate.

Another component to keeping balance is having the right PERSPECTIVE. This helps keep us focused and moving in the right direction and helps us stick to our original plan.

I love astronomy, just like my dad. We spent many night looking up in the sky discussing various constellations. One of my favorite pictures in my home is of the Andromeda Galaxy.

To some people, the picture of something so enormous and far away would leave them feeling small and insignificant. They might think they are only one tiny person on a huge planet called Earth. They might wonder- How in the world do I matter? How can one so small make a difference?

I look at the picture and have a completely opposite approach. I look at this vast galaxy and am utterly amazed that through all space and time, I am of infinite worth. I realize that even though there are billions of stars in the sky and billions of people on our Earth, Heavenly Father knows me. He loves me. He hears my prayers. He wants me to succeed. I am his daughter. It gives me strength and purpose. It helps me to see beyond right now and live a life that will get me to where I need to be later on.

Jay E. Jensen wrote, "Always keep an eternal perspective. That truth can become a pillar of strength."

Neal A. Maxwell said, "What is desperately needed is longitudinal perspective, the hope of the gospel. Today's put down is then places in the perspective of our being lifted up tomorrow in God's plan of happiness.

The final part of the puzzle of maintaining balance is realizing we will all be ACCOUNTABLE for our lives and the choices we make during our time here on Earth. The principle of accountability also applies to the precious hours and days allotted to each of us during our time in mortality. We are accountable for how we use that time. “Thou shalt not idle away thy time” (D&C 60:13), and “Cease to be idle” (D&C 88:124).

James E. Faust said, " While we are not all equal in experience, aptitude, and strength, we have different opportunities to employ these spiritual gifts, and we will all be accountable for the use of the gifts and opportunities given to us."

We are accountable and will be judged for how we use what we have received. This eternal principle applies to all we have been given. In the parable of the talents (see Matt. 25:14–30), the Savior taught this principle with reference to the use of property. Heavenly Father expects us to not only use our time wisely, but wisely use the talents and abilities he has blessed us with.

I know as we strive to incorporate balance into our lives by MAKING A PLAN, MAINTAINING ORDER, KEEPING AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE and BEING ACCOUNTABLE we can live a life Heavenly Father will be pleased with and we can become the person Heavenly Father would have us be. By setting goals, keeping our prioritizes, avoiding procrastination, listening to the prophets, keeping an eternal perspective, having faith, and being of good cheer, we can face life’s unexpected challenges and prosper and flourish. We can return to our Heavenly Father with joy in our hearts and a knowledge that we truly became our best selves.

Winner

Josh came home from school last week and casually told me he was a Reflections Contest winner in the literature category. He had submitted a poem he had written about Zach. I think I was more excited than he was about this little victory. Last night I was reading the school's newsletter and saw this little blurb.
I am not sure if he will receive a ribbon or award, but to me, the most memorable and special part of this whole event, was reading about how much Josh loves his baby brother.

Beauty Is.....

By: Josh Jackson

Beauty
Is a bottle of love
Holding a warm heater
Cute and cuddly as a kitten
Brother Zach

Beauty
Is smiling
Burping after bottle
Sleeping forever each day
Brother Zach

Straight from their mouth.....

Just before the baby was born, the boys spied a mouse dart across the basement floor while they were watching TV.

It was our first mouse in the house ever. (Well, at least that we knew about.)

I set traps and it didn't take long for them to go off. On the first day we killed one. We killed a second mouse on day two. I set more traps, but they remained still. It seemed like we had taken care of the situation.

Weeks later my mother-in-law came into town to stay with us after Zach had been born.

The girls were eager to show Grandma to her room and led her to the basement.

Brynn must have still had mice on the brain.

"Grandma," Brynn exclaimed, "you stay down here with the rats!"

I am sure she was thrilled!

____________________

While browsing for bigger clothes for Zach at Baby Gap, I spied two blue bodysuits that read:

World's cutest alarm clock

and

I pulled an all nighter

I had to chuckle.

Too bad they didn't have them in Zach's size, because right now, they both sum up my life quiet perfectly.

Candy Canes

Brynn was busy this afternoon making sure the candy canes were just so. I had a good laugh when I saw her finished product. Anyone care for a half eaten treat? Yummy....

A Gentle Giant

I'll never forget that moment a few Sundays ago. I had just stepped out of the chapel following sacrament meeting to collect a tithing slip when I turned around.

There, down the long hallway, I found myself looking at the back of a man walking away from me. He was tall and dressed handsomely in a dark suit. His hair was black, speckled with bits of gray. His eye glasses glinted in the light.

Over his shoulder there was a cloth of blue and I could see a hint of a baby snuggled in his arms, wrapped in a warm, soft blanket. He didn't sense my gaze. He bowed his head towards the baby, like he was breathing in its scent. His arms moved in tighter, holding the baby close. He patted the the bundle softly and stroked the baby's hair. Even from my distance, I knew there was kindness in his face and a smile on his lips as he looked down on his baby boy.

My heart swelled from the sight. To see this tall towering man, so gentle, so kind and loving with his tiny son, I was moved.


Love like that is precious beyond measure. It is powerful. It molds you into a person of belief, of hope and allows you to freely give love to others. It gives the child a sense of belonging. It gives the recipient the courage to face the world and all its challenges, because through it all, you have someone there, loving you, giving you strength and support. It allows the child to dare to be themselves and resist the forces that might try to pull them down. It is the love that binds people together for all time.


I will never forget that moment, because their lives are intertwined with mine. They are my own. My family. My tiny babe, wrapped in his father's love and sweet embrace. Wrapped in my heart and memory forever.

Winter

Rich and I were abruptly awakened this morning by two excited little girls climbing, clawing and pushing their way onto our bed. They leaned over me and pulled the window shade open. Their giddy faces beamed as they loudly exclaimed, "It's winter! It's winter!"

The world was a shade of white after a light dusting of snow had fallen as we slept.

Baths were quickly forgoten and warm clothes were gathered, as the girls hurriedly dressed themselves and asked for my assitance with their gloves and scarfs.

Brynn rushed out into the cold with a twinkle in her eye and a spring in her step. In her mind, Christmastime had finally arrived.

I snapped a few pictures and returned to bed in hopes of getting warm. Playing outside in 21 degrees isn't my idea of a fun morning activity.

I did have a good laugh later in the day, after the sun came up. Brynn glanced outside and saw most of the snow had melted. "Oh no! Winter is gone. It's summer now."

Blessing of the Hounds

Saturday, November 28, 2009 10 AM

Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill hosted the Woodford Hounds fox hunters' annual Blessing of the Hounds. This traditional event featured the blessing of the hounds, riders and the fox and was followed by the first meet of the formal season. It is a grand event where riders wear formal hunting attire with fox hounds alongside.

While no fox was released, Shaker Village does have wild foxes on their property, though none were truly hunted. In America, fox hunting is also called 'fox chasing,' as the purpose is not to actually kill the animal but to enjoy the thrill of the chase.

The huntsman, often the same person as the kennelman, is responsible for directing the hounds in the course of the hunt.

The Huntsmen usually carries a horn to communicate to the hounds, followers and whippers in.

The Woodford Hounds website posted this about this annual event:

Centered on the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (“Shakertown”) in eastern Mercer County. It consists of approximately 4,000 acres. The Shaker property is mainly rolling pastureland with large fields bounded by stone walls. There are also very steep wooded gorges where Shawnee Run Creek and its tributaries run down to the Kentucky River. Jumps are primarily stone walls with some coops. Very well foxed with reds, grays and coyotes.

Mounted hunt followers typically wear traditional hunting attire. A prominent feature of hunts operating during the formal hunt season (between late October and the end of March) is hunt members wearing 'colours'. This attire consists of the traditional scarlet coats worn by huntsmen, masters, former masters, whippers-in, other hunt staff members and male members who have been invited to wear colours as a mark of honour. The coats are also known as Pinks. Ladies generally wear coloured collars on their black or navy coats. These help them stand out from the rest of the field.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear

Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill

The Woodford Hounds fox hunt was held at Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. It is a thirty minute drive south west from Lexington. I had been there once before in 2004. We were living in Louisville and my family flew out to visit us after Jeff returned home from his mission. We drove down in two cars and took a tour. The grounds are beautiful and the setting is peaceful and serene. I was excited to return again.
The Shakers played an important role in American religious history, developing the longest lasting communal society. Their legacy is found not only in the furniture and buildings that remain at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, but also in their ideals of equality, peace and love.

This legacy is manifested in the tranquility of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and in the beauty of the landscape and architecture.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is America’s largest restored Shaker community, with 34 carefully restored buildings and 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. The village is also home to more than 25 miles of striking rock fences, the most extensive collection remaining in Kentucky today.

The buildings, countryside and historical records of this celebrated National Historic Landmark are preserved and maintained for the educational, cultural and recreational use by the local community, people of Kentucky and all visitors to the site.

Self-guided walking tours wind through the village, where costumed interpreters chronicle Shaker life. Skilled artisans work at 19th century trades and historic farming and musical performances bring the past to life.

Tiffany Rosenhan had her family in town for Thanksgiving. She told me about the event and invited us to come along.Ashlee, Drew and boys were there too.It was a beautiful morning spent with friends.

My Elephant

The saying goes, "An elephant never forgets...."

My elephant says, "Member that?" while she scrunches up her nose and squints one eye.

And to be perfectly honest, sometimes I really don't.

She has a crazy good memory.

Sometimes I am taken aback at the things she can recall from long ago.

For example....

* She spied a little armadillo light Matt won at the balloon glow in Louisville a year and a half ago. She would have been two years old back then. She said, "Matt won that at balloons. I played duck game. I got tooth brush. Member that?" Totally true, but it took me a second to recall the memory.

* "Mom, you hiding Trey's book on fridge. He can't see it. Member that?" Oops. One of Trey's Christmas presents stashed out of sight. At least I thought it was.

* While looking though the drawers for an outfit for Zach, Kaitlyn spied a pair of brown cotton pants. "Nancy gave that Zach. Him's shirt has airplanes that match. Member that?" I was in the hospital when Nancy dropped off the gift. The girls tore open the package while Rich was talking to her. He gave me a vague description of the gift. Kaitlyn was on another level. She knew what the pants and shirt looked like and found the cute toy Nancy made. She knew more than her Daddy that time.

* The girls were playing in the family room when Brynn pulled out a small pack of tissues to clean up a spill. "Mom, those Patty's tissues. Member that?" I am Patty's visiting teacher and a year ago she asked me to drive her to the church for a funeral. The girls came along for the ride. Patty accidentally left the tissues in my car. She might have forgotten them, but Kaitlyn never did.


* I was changing Zach's diaper down stairs and asked the girls to run up and grab some wipes. Kaitlyn came to the rescue. "Mom, you put them heres. Member that?" There shoved in the small drawer in the bathroom was a package of wipes I had stashed away and forgotten. Kaitlyn knew right where to find them..

* It takes us twenty minutes to drive to church. There are endless red lights and stops while getting there. Sometimes when you don't catch the light, you can take a different road in hopes of avoiding sitting and waiting at a light. One day while driving to the building, Rich drove past our normal turn and drove to the next light to turn. Kaitlyn didn't skip a beat. "Dad, you missed the turn! Member that?" No way could the boys tell you which street we usually take.

* We were driving the boys to school, when we passed a white police car. Brynn shouted out, " It Chris' police car. (Chris being our next door neighbor)." "Nope," said Kaitlyn. "Hims car has words. Member that?" Why, yes it does.

* After basketball practice we begin our long drive to the church for scouts every Wednesday night. As we near Alumni Road, Kaitlyn uses her eagle eye and spies a large church that houses her dance class, though we only drive past the other side of the building, a side she never goes in. "There's my dance class. Member that?" Sure do sweetie.

* We were headed into the school to have lunch with the boys when I saw a woman across the parking lot loading a child into a car seat. My mind questioned if I knew the her. A girls voice piped up, loud and strong, while she pointed in the woman's direction. "It's Grant's mom. Hims in my class. Member that?" Indeed Grant is in your nursery class. And I here I was still thinking if the woman was who I thought she was. Kaitlyn, you're way ahead of me girl!

* When I tuck the girls in bed, I usually tell them what we'll be doing the next day. One morning last week, I woke her up so we could take the boys to school. The second she opened those sleepy eyes she mumbled. "We go visiting teaching today. Member that?" Why, yes we were. Glad she reminded me!

* While gather our pool belongings, Kaitlyn spied a pair of goggles and a pool toy. "Thems Issac's. He left thems. Member that?" I wasn't sure, but I didn't doubt her for an instant. She was right. That summer she also picked up and had us return goggles to Addison. If she knows it, you can bet she'll be right.

There you have a few examples of my sweet Elephant and her near photographic memory. Now I just have to hope it can rub off on me so I can 'member that'!

Love you Kaitlyn!

Decorating

This year decorating for Christmas was a real family affair. The minute we walked in the door from the Millars on Thanksgiving evening, the girls were ready to pull out the tree. I wasn't quite as eager as them. My house needed a quick fix up before I was ready to handle the boxes and chaos that ensues once the various boxes are dug out from the storage room and dumped out throughout the house. I did make a compromise and we all helped take down the Thanksgiving decor that night, making it possible to have an early start the very next morning. At first light, they were ready to go! We turned some Christmas music on and had a great time turning our home into a little winter wonderland.Brynn took on the tree decorating all by herself. When I told her she needed to wait because I hadn't put the lights on yet, she simple found a strand in the box, plugged the them, placed them on the tree and kept working away. To her credit, she was a dedicated little worker and spent over an hour carefully placing each and ever ornament (all on the lower part of the tree). I had to wait until she was asleep so I could remove her work, allowing me to string the lights and place the beads BEFORE we put up the ornaments. I know she was pleased with the end results.

Victory

Photo by Kurt Nance