November Notes

I like to be more careful and creative in my blogging than just a travelogue of our life, but sometimes the time just flies by so fast I can't capture the essence of the moments.  And the precious glimpses of joy and depth and growth are faded and I am left with a bit of a skeleton.

Still, I hope that the skeleton can still awaken some of those joyful memories.  They remind me of the structure of our lives, the things we did.  And as we read back on those moments it will be fun to see how each person experienced them a little differently.

So here's November:
You can only go so long without family pictures before the old ones seem really outdated.  I waited too long last time and was already expecting Sullivan before Sarajoy made it into one.  So I girdled up my loins for one of the most un-romantic parts of parenthood.  It is a time of dread.  As funds were pretty skimpy, I was thrilled to find a coupon that would allow me to get all of our portraits on CD for only $50.  Then I could print them, use them on my computer, etc. The deal was about to expire so I got us in quickly.  I was really enjoying the fall colors, and liked the family picture we got years ago with browns and oranges, so I decided to see what we had.  Miracle of miracles:  I found something for everyone to wear that matched.  Then the whole getting ready ahead of time and hoping hair can stay pretty and people won't fall asleep on the ride there and did we remember to bring some candy to bribe smiles out of people.  It actually went pretty well except for sweet Sullivan.  He was completely upset by the whole situation.  Please PLEASE smile, little buddy.  Glad when that was over, and glad to get a coupon when I picked up my CD that got me a large canvas print for only $20.  We've paid a lot for those big prints before, so that was a blessing.

Sadly, the deal expired 2 days before Nathan got his braces off so he still has them on in his picture for the next year.  He is very glad to have them off.

Dallin and I attended a day-long conference called Stand For The Family.  It was extremely informative about the anti-family agenda and the movements all over the world that call good evil and evil good and bully people's freedoms away from them.  It was also extremely inspiring and hopeful that there are good people out there fighting for what is right and that there are ways that I can support the movements for good.  And it was great to feel supported for doing the most important job of all:  caring for my family at home.  I had my first Crown Burger on the way home.  It was pretty tasty, but had a lot more meat than I prefer.

Dallin and the boys went to the BYU vs ISU game and had a fun time.  Though I think Simon went with them and it was not his cup of tea.

We had a really fun Relief Society Activity where we made magnet clips for our Visiting Teaching sisters and cut out snowflakes for the upcoming ward breakfast.  It was pure therapy to sit at a table and be creative with paper and scissors while I got to know some sisters in the ward.  I actually learned some skills that helped me know how to make snowflakes I've only dreamed of making before.  It is kind of silly how much I like it, but every time I see a picture of a snowflake now, I try to imagine if I can re-create it with paper.

And we kept up our regular routine: Monday-Wednesday mornings doing school together with devotional, a time to share what we've learned, a lesson or activity about geography or art or science.  It has been a good year.  We played tag for exercise on the days that the weather was good enough.  Tuesday afternoons the girls have book clubs and Brandon has Shakespeare.  Wednesday afternoon is temple day.  Thursday all day is co-op with Brandon doing Speech and Debate and Life of Fred math and Pyramid Project (science) while the rest of us do geography, artist and composer studies, and play and visit.  Friday is the day to catch up on projects or do something fun and relaxing.

Nathan got his Eagle Project approved in the nick of time.  He had to schedule a special meeting for the approval because they were all booked up for the month.  We knew we couldn't start selling things until he had his approval so it was great to get that part done.

Thanksgiving with the Millington family was really nice.  We got there earlier than usual this year.  We set things up at their church and had some time to visit and play before the food was served.  It was nice.  Dallin was able to gather his family and share some feelings and quotes about forgiveness.  I think his siblings especially appreciated his willingness to begin to open some lines of communication again so people can support one another.  It was super fun having the Crandalls stay with us for a few days.  All the other girls came and spent the night as well.  We had Ruby, Daisy, Emily, Holly, Ally, Erica, Brinn, and Jocelyn.  They had a great time and Dallin taught them a funny cheer he saw online that they performed for the family later.  Friday Dallin had scheduled a time for the whole family to attend the exhibit Sacred Gifts that is at BYU this year.  It has some really precious pieces that make it a once in a lifetime thing.  Sadly, we forgot the stroller which made it pretty much impossible with Sullivan.  I made a quick wander through and spent the majority of the time in the foyer.  Kind of a bummer, but a really great experience for everyone else.  (Except Simon because he really wanted us to rent an ipad.)  Actually, I know even he had a neat experience with those life-size paintings of the Savior.

And with a late Thanksgiving, suddenly it was December. 

3 Days I Could Live Over Again

Wednesday October 30, 2013
I started the day feeling sluggish, achy and sick.  I have had this cold/sinus thing that comes and goes and it hit me hard that morning.  I kind of suspected it would be a rough day, but I did what I could to resist the pull downward.

Due to birthdays and Halloween, there were a few things for school that we hadn't gotten to.  I had felt thwarted the previous two days in my attempts to wrap up our October studies.

Miraculously, I managed to do Devotional and break out the Science books.  We did a few fun labs about the Solar System.  I learned a few things and we had a nice time.

I had hoped for a chance to lie down for awhile before going to the temple, but it didn't happen.  There always seems to be a good reason not to go, but I knew I'd be happier if I went.
And I was.  The kids I get to associate with on these trips are just great kids.  I love their laughter and enthusiasm and their interest in important and meaningful things.  I appreciate that they are willing to make the sacrifice to come and admire their ability to see the good it does them.

I made chicken enchiladas with lots of green chile sauce and they were great.

Nothing really big happened on Wednesday, but it was just nice.  We did most of the dinner chores before Dallin got home so we could just enjoy the evening.  Since I was on dishes and had already done them, I was free to play the piano for awhile.  I missed my chance on the chore rotation the night before because we attended an event at Nathan's school.  Yes, playing the piano is one of the chores on our dinner chore rotation, and it is the favorite. While I played the piano, Nathan and Dallin talked in the kitchen and the other 6 kids were dancing to Piano Guys in the family room.  It was just beautiful family down-time.

We had time to do our evening reading of Anne of Green Gables and The Phantom Tollbooth and everyone went to bed on time.  Dallin and I fell asleep talking about the importance of homemaking.  How thankful I am that he supports me in being a homemaker!  How beautifully the work and effort I put into homemaking support him.  I love my job.

Day 2: Halloween

Thursday, October 31, 2013
Halloween is fun.
Whatever its origins or dark past, I like the way we celebrate it.
I do not like things that are gory or scary, but we have always been able to celebrate Halloween without these things.

One of my favorite parts is dressing up.  It is so fun for kids (and adults) when we enter the realm of imagination.  And I LOVE homemade costumes.  I love finding odds and ends and scraps that make the perfect this or that.  It is a time of year that I have permission to drop everything and get creative, and it is joyful and nourishing!

This year we got to have Halloween on our co-op day.  The theme was geography so we could have our costumes and potluck item come from somewhere on the map.  Not everybody went with the theme, but most people did, and it was fun. The kids had previously decided to do a family theme of  Peter Pan.  Everybody's costume but Ruby's (the mermaid) could fit the geography theme as well.  She decided to wear a beret and artist's smock and french braids and be from France.  There were quite a few Frenchies there, so she was not alone.  The food was great, the kids were all happy playing for most of the time.  It was a beautiful sunny autumn day.  There was quite a period of time when the kids were all playing and the moms were reveling in a few minutes of uninterrupted conversation.  Ahhhhhh.

Thankfully our Bean and Rice dish did not get completely eaten so we plugged in the crock pot and had warm beans and rice to go with our candy for the rest of the evening.  We got home from co-op and refreshed our costumes so we could get some pictures with Nathan before he left for a Halloween party he'd been invited to.  When I walked in the door, I cringed at the realization that I'd forgotten to have the kids carve our pumpkin and I'd also lost my chance to make pumpkin sugar cookies with candy corn faces.  I don't know why, but I have always loved them.  Just as I was thinking that, Nathan showed me that a neighbor had left a plate of them on our doorstep!  Sweet tender mercy!

Finally we were all together in full costume:

Dallin as Captain Hook.

He tucked back the fur from his Santa suit, wore the peasant shirt and boot tops I'd made for the boys' spring performances, black curly wig from a yard sale, pirate hat from Nathan's Timberline camp this summer.  He was looking pretty good but needed a sword and a feather and a hook.  Simon's dollar store sword did the trick, and we made a pretty awesome feather with pellon and pipe cleaners.  The hook was made from an old formula can saved from years ago with a garage hook screwed in and covered with duct tape.  It was pretty awesome.

Simon was Peter Pan with a hat we made in co-op 6 years ago studying medieval history.  Brandon had carved him a sword for his birthday and I made him a tunic out of green felt left from a Christmas project.  Felt and pipe cleaner for his red feather and he was all set.

And Nathan?  Having wanted to get a morph suit for a few years now, he came up with the great idea to be Peter Pan's shadow.  It was pretty impressive!

Notice Mikey the photo bomber in these.

It is so funny how he always comes to see what we're up to and wants to be a part of it.

Brandon was the Crocodile in his green morph suit.  We painted an old hat and added felt teeth and eyes.

Ruby's costume was a lot of fun to come up with.  She sewed a lot of the skirt and I added the fin and the shapes with sequins.  The fabric is from a yard sale. The top is a dress that has become too short.  It already had sequins so I added the blue ruffle to tie it all together.  We undid her french braids for pretty mermaid hair.

And Daisy was Wendy.  I thought for sure I'd have to buy fabric for her costume, but I didn't!  I found an old nightgown of Dallin's grandma's. ( I hang on to anything tricot that I find because it is hard to come by and so fun for dressups. )  The top of the nightgown was faded and stained so I cut it off and used the skirt.  I just happened to have a small piece of light blue tricot that was barely the right size to cut the bodice and sleeves.  I lined the bodice using an old knit shirt of mine.  I'd forgotten about the blue gauzy stuff that was from a yard sale this summer.  It came together so beautifully!  The sash is just a blue ribbon we had.  I had some satin slippers from my mom that my girls loved but were too big for them.  I just cut the sole to fit and stitched the back of the slipper back down to the place where it was cut.  Voila!

Sarajoy was Tinnkerbell.  Easy Peasy as we've had this costume for almost 8 years.  I'm surprised the wings are still intact.  She had a pretty bun with green hair "spahkoos". (sparkles)

Sullivan was our little "Lost Boy" wearing the lion suit made for Brandon when he was a baby.  Everyone except Nathan and Daisy have worn it.

And me?  I was Nana the Newfoundland.  And since we all learned the provinces and territories of Canada this month, we all know where Newfoundland is!

We trick-or-treated as a family because it is so much more fun.  We came home and relaxed and ate candy and the kids watched a Halloween Heffalump show and it was just a good, happy day!
Lately I always stay up too late talking to Dallin, but it is pretty fun.
But it wasn't fun that just as we were drifting off, Daisy remembered she'd eaten all of that candy on an empty stomach and it wasn't until 1am that she finally threw up.
And it was just plain old unfair that the next day was a school day.

Still, It was a Happy Happy Halloween!

Day 3: Perfect Saturday

I stayed up pretty late on Friday night, but I still managed to get up and read and study and still be on time.  Dallin and Brandon were great to make lunches, remove car seats, pull up driving directions, and other odd but important jobs.  We left early in the morning, but it was already proving to be a nearly perfect autumn day.  It was wonderfully warm and beautifully colorful and clear.

It was the first Speech and Debate tournament of the year.  As I nearly filled my big van to capacity with youth, the feeling in the car was one of nervous excitement.
These kids have been doing things together for years.  They are comfortable with each other.  They tease each other, but mostly they encourage and mentor and lift each other.

How would they do?  Would they have their speeches memorized?  Would the first years be able to handle the pressure of their event?

It was at BYU, so the trip wasn't super long and I was absorbed in conversation with the other mom who came along to judge.  It was a very thought-provoking conversation.   We continued it through orientation and the prep period for my first event: Extemporaneous.  The kids had 30 minutes to prepare a memorized speech on a topic given at the beginning of the round.  None of our kids were in my room, but it was interesting.

The next round I had free, so I went to find Brandon to see how he was doing.  I was extremely nervous for him.  This was his first time doing Oratory:  a 7-10 minute memorized speech on a subject of his choice.  I had worked with him on his speech 10 days before and he was pretty much in a state of despair.  He had worked very hard and long on it, but it was just not good enough.  I gave pointers and pep talked and he was gracious and tried to have a better attitude, but I could tell he felt utterly miserable about it.  "There is no way I can finish this and have it memorized in time for the tournament."

His attitude completely changed after he had a chance to go over it with his teacher.  Bless you,  Mr. Martineau. But I hadn't read it or listened to it since the day I tried to help him.  I had heard him frantically trying to memorize his speech in his room the day before and even that morning.  I asked him if it would make him nervous if I listened, and he calmly told me "no".  He had already done it once, so I was really curious about his calm, positive attitude.  But I was still nervous. 

The first to go was Joseph from our co-op.  He is a couple of years ahead of Brandon in speech, and his speech was amazing.  After a few more speeches that I don't really remember, Brandon got up.  He calmly walked to the front of the room.  He stood there all handsome in his gray suit.  The judge asked him how old he was and was surprised at his youth.  Then he began. 
The words just flowed.  His speech was good, his delivery was good, his memorization was good!  He did great!  One of the best in the room for that round.  He did it! 

Two more rounds after a quick lunch.  During one  I judged oratory and most of the participants were disqualified for speeches that were too short or not memorized.  I began to think that Brandon might have a chance to be recognized that day. 

I was one of the first people in the auditorium after round 4.  I tried to read, but fell asleep.  When I woke, the room was nearly full and noisy with the hum of expectant participants.  Was that Nathan I just saw?  Yes!  Dallin had brought the kids in for the closing ceremony.  It was fun to see their grins and snuggle and nurse the baby before they started announcing the awards. 

The teacher announced the top half of each category, about 5 people at a time.  Oratory is usually announced last.  I thought for sure Brandon would make it in the top half and get his name read.  This had never happened to him before.  But when they didn't read his name in the first batch, my hopes fell a bit.  Oratory is generally pretty competitive and they had nearly 40 participants.  When he was getting to the end of the second batch, I wasn't surprised to hear Adrianna's name announced.  I had heard her give a speech at the last tournament last year, and it was amazing.  But I WAS surprised to hear the announcement that she tied for 8th place with.....Brandon!!!!

Now I'm crying about it.  I was too excited then.  That pretty much sealed the fate for the rest of the day.  But now I'm teared up because I'm thinking about my baby boy that the Spirit told me was not going to fit into the public school system.  I'm thinking about the kid who brought me the animal encyclopedia when he was 4 and told me he wanted to learn to read.  The kid who learned the letters and sounds and words over and over and over again, but it just wouldn't click.  The kid who started reading the scriptures because he heard a story about a boy who learned to read that way.  Who realized that he would have to read them out loud if he wanted to get anything out of them.  Who struggled and struggled and struggled with writing.  Who felt like he wasn't cut out for this Speech and Debate thing, but kept at it because of an inspiring teacher.  Whose mother marked success by progress rather than grade levels or benchmarks and trusted that if she kept his self worth intact, it would come.  It came.
It means an awful lot to both of us, that tie for 8th place.

Dallin and Nathan and everyone was there to share in the excitement.  Nathan had an event at BYU that evening, so we split up, agreeing to meet at home in about an hour.  A couple of the kids brought gas money which provided the much wished-for pizza night we've been craving for awhile.  Dallin was ordered to get pizza and ice cream while I worked on getting the kids back to their parents. 

The energy in the car was slightly different than on the way there.  Everyone was talking at once, reading comments from the judges.  Trying to be humble about winning 3rd or 2nd place.  Giving each other pointers, joking, laughing.  It was a feeling of relief and celebration! 

My friend couldn't get ahold of her husband to come pick her and her son up from my house.  They didn't live too far away, so I said I'd take them.  Then I got a call that our star-gazing party with another home school group was happening right then.  We had been looking forward to that for weeks and weeks, having it cancelled several times due to cloudy weather.  Dallin wasn't even home yet, but I piled a bunch of warm stuff in the car and waited for him.  I was SO THANKFUL that he had pizza we could take and eat there.  It just happened to be in the same neighborhood as my friend who needed a ride, so that was quite convenient. 

So we went to the top of a mountain and looked at stars.  We looked at galaxies, even!  Our veteran homeschool friends had telescopes and a wealth of knowledge that made it very interesting and exciting.  Being at a park up in the woods at night with glow sticks was an exciting adventure for the little ones.  We weren't there for very long, though it seemed late when we got home.  And we still had to eat the ice cream to celebrate Brandon's triumph! 

Little ones were more than happy to go right to bed after that.
But the big kids were still buzzing with excitement.  They and Dallin showed me the "new" treadmill and bookcases handed down from the neighbors.  That got us thinking about how to arrange the books now that we have room for them all, and then some fun summaries by me about some of my favorites.  I do love books. 

Next thing I knew, I was on my way up to bed and saw the 4 oldest kids snuggled together on the couch, just STARTING a movie. 
But it had been so long since I'd seen them all snuggled up enjoying each other that way...
I walked right by with a smile and a word of encouragement, and I might have given a slight correction to my husband for shedding some "go to bed" wisdom as he walked through. 

I tried to stay awake to watch an episode of Kung Fu with Dallin, but I didn't make it. 

But as I closed my eyes, I felt a deep sense of contentment.  My tummy was nice and full of comfort foods, my bed was warm, my husband loved me, my kids loved each other, I knew some new stars and constellations, and Brandon placed 8th at the tournament. 

Satisfaction.

Days to be lived over again.

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