Sick Days

We had a week of sickness at our house. I had deadlines at work that I was trying to juggle.
The kids were great and real troopers for a few hours each day, to come to work with mom and rest...under the desk.
I just shut my door, and for the most part my coworkers didn't even know they were there.

THE BRICK

A Short Story I Think Has A Good Message:

The Brick

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said. 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.'

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

I hope that we can all slow down and take a minute to enjoy the people and things around us. I definitely need a reminder to remember what is important and what can wait. :)

Intro to Sports Class

Zach is taking an intro to sports class, with a focus on Soccer. When I told Dave that I signed him up he told me that was a sissy sport. Anyway, this class is an introduction and helps them to learn to listen to their coach and also coordination. Which I think is just great!!! Zach absolutely loves it! Everyday he ask's me, "mom, is today my soccer class?" His cousin Hayley is in the same class and it is a hoot to watch them. They do different relay races and all kinds of exercises with the ball. He has gotten to where he doesn't need to touch the ball with his hands, and it didn't take long at all. One of the funny things that they do, which I like to watch....is their coach will flip a hula hoop out so it is rolling pretty fast and they have to run and catch it before it tips over. Luckily they do that exercise one at a time, or there would be kid collisions everywhere.

Chasing the Hoola Hoop

Doing the Crab Walk Relay

The Parachute Game

The Obstacle Course
Crazy Ali

Andrea and Jaxsen

At the end of class they get a soccer ball stamp on their hand! Which they think is the best thing. PS...look at the red faces!

Field Trip to Cabela's

I thought it was kind of funny to go to Cabela's on a field trip. Mostly because we go there so often, we already know the store inside and out.

It actually was quite fascintating. First, our guide taught us about all different kinds of animals and the sounds they make. Then she told us how they do taxidermy and the kids were able to hold various parts. Below you will see Zach with a deer nose and eyes. There were somethings he wouldn't touch, even though they were fake. The kids were able to feel all kinds of furs and they also learned the difference between antlers and horns. That is kind of hard to explain to a 4 year old, but much easier when you can hold one and see the difference first hand.

It was a great trip. Miss Lisa told us that we would be there for about 45 minutes and we were actually there about 2 1/2 hours. (more below)

We were able to see one of the employees get in the fish tank to clean all the algea out. Our guide told us that it takes 10 hours to clean the large tank. He used to get in and just scrub, but it would get so murky in there that he now uses a vacuum to suck most of the algea out. He goes into the tank for 4 hours at a time with scuba gear on, and a weight belt so he can stay on the bottom.

He cleans the tank 4 hours at a time because his hands get to cold. He cleans the largest tank about every 6 weeks and the smaller tanks every two to three weeks. We had a great time learning about various things in the store and how things are done. I had a great time with Zach, and it was fun to just spend some one on one time with him. I cherish days like that.

President Hinckley

Alicyn, my mom and I decided that we wanted to brave the weather and crowds and go to President Hinckley's viewing on Friday, February 1st. Dave told me before we left the house that they had said on the radio that it was a 3 to 4 hour wait. Our kids have been sick the last week, so I really debated on whether it was a good idea or not. I was happy that Dave stayed home with Zach. It was much to cold for him and he would have just been miserable. Ali really wanted to go, anytime she hears President Hinckley talk or anything about him she stops what she is doing to listen. I wanted to go also, so I was glad that she was eager and willing. We went and picked my mom up and we drove to the free fare zone with Trax, and rode Trax the rest of the way. It was really cold, freezing actually. My sister Andrea and her husband Joe showed up about and hour and a half after we were in line. I was so happy because they were able to take little freezing Ali into the visitor center to warm up. We had our Sunday dresses on so her toes and legs were ice. We got in line at 6:00 pm. We waited outside winding around the conference center plaza for 2 1/2 hours. Once we were inside we waited another hour and a half, but at least we were inside by then. Alicyn didn't complain once, not even when she couldn't feel her toes anymore. This was really important to her. :)

All the waiting was so worth it. We wound around the conference center until we reached the hall of prophets on the top floor. The spirit there was amazing and it was so nice to pay our final respects to President Hinckely and say goodbye to him. I am sure it was an experience that all of us will remember forever. He is incredible!

Ali and I have been talking about our last Stake Conference we had which was a multi-stake meeting and we were fortunate to be invited to the Conference Center. I told Alicyn on our way to church that day, that it would probably be the last meeting we had that we could be in the same room with President Hinckley. She told me this weekend how happy she was to have been able to be there and listen to him in person. What a blessing we have to live nearby. I feel for those members of the church who live in other countries and don't have the opportunities we do. President Hinckely did travel the world and I know that others who have been in a meeting with him....feel the same way Ali and I do. JUST GRATEFUL!