Miffed

I am a bit miffed and not really sure what to do about it. The reason is this: In school yesterday, 3rd grade, Marissa's class was talking about the Salem Witch Trials. Not sure if that is 3rd grade curriculum or not. She came home from school telling me about it, then told her dad. She didn't understand how people could hang witches. Or that there were witches to begin with. We talked a bit with her about it and told her that those things did happen, but we didn't believe there are really witches out there. End of story~until bedtime.

We knew it was going to be a snow day today~just had a feeling, so I let the kids stay up a little later than normal to watch Biggest Loser with me. About 10:00 Marissa came into the family room sobbing. She was freaked out about school. We got more information. Apparently they watched a movie about the trials and the possessed witches. They showed them being possessed by a 'spirit'. The teacher WAS NOT in the room during most of this movie. They watched the movie and had a lesson about this, where they were told that girls as young as 4 were believed to be witches and were hung. This absolutely freaked Marissa out and she could not go to sleep last night. Finally we put her in our bed and Brandon was nice enough to sleep with her. She went to sleep about 10:30. Fast forward 2 hours and we hear her screaming and heading downstairs. We both get up and wonder what in the world is going on. She didn't really say anything to us and I think she was dreaming/sleepwalking. She doesn't remember this happening.

I am not sure what to do. Do I go to the teacher, find out what in the world she is teaching and if this is part of the curriculum, what in the world the people who make up the curriculum are thinking? Do I go to the principal?

I know Marissa was not the only one bothered by this. She told me several kids were upset by it. She also said that she wishes that they would have waited to teach this until she was older, like 4th grade! You are SO much older in 4th grade.

I feel I need to address this and not have Marissa address it. I am just not sure what to do because I don't want anyone being mad at her, she still has to go to school everyday.

1. snow day
2. the gospel
3. my kids

Wanted

A decent vacuum(one with a bag).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

1. a broom

2. having some of my vacuuming done before old one died

3. hopefully being able to get a new one soon

Playing in the White House

By JENNA and BARBARA BUSH
Sasha and Malia, we were seven when our beloved grandfather was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States. We stood proudly on the platform, our tiny hands icicles, as we lived history. We listened intently to the words spoken on Inauguration Day service, duty, honor. But being seven, we didn't quite understand the gravity of the position our Grandfather was committing to. We watched as the bands marched by -- the red, white, and blue streamers welcoming us to a new role: the family members of a President.
We also first saw the White House through the innocent, optimistic eyes of children. We stood on the North Lawn gazing with wonder at her grand portico. The White House was alive with devoted and loving people, many of whom had worked in her halls for decades. Three of the White House ushers, Buddy, Ramsey, and "Smiley", greeted us when we stepped into her intimidating hallway. Their laughter and embraces made us feel welcome right away. Sasha and Malia, here is some advice to you from two sisters who have stood where you will stand and who have lived where you will live:

-- Surround yourself with loyal friends. They'll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.
-- If you're traveling with your parents over Halloween, don't let it stop you from doing what you would normally do. Dress up in some imaginative, elaborate costume (if you are like us a pack of Juicy Fruit and a Vampiress) and trick-or-treat down the plane aisle.
-- If you ever need a hug, go find Ramsey. If you want to talk football, look for Buddy. And, if you just need a smile, look for "Smiley."
-- And, a note on White House puppies--our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there's Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.
-- Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.
-- When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game.
-- In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!
For four years, we spent our childhood holidays and vacations in the historic house. We could almost feel the presence of all the great men and women who had lived here before us. When we played house, we sat behind the East sitting room's massive curtains as the light poured in illuminating her yellow walls. Our seven-year-old imaginations soared as we played in the enormous, beautiful rooms; our dreams, our games, as romantic as her surroundings. At night, the house sang us quiet songs through the chimneys as we fell asleep.

In late December, when snow blanketed the front lawn, all of our cousins overtook the White House. Thirteen children between the ages of two and 12 ran throughout her halls, energized by the crispness in the air and the spirit of the season. Every room smelled of pine; the entire house was adorned with thistle; garlands wound around every banister. We sat on her grand staircase and spied on the holiday dancing below. Hours were spent playing hide-and-go-seek. We used a stage in the grand ballroom to produce a play about Santa and his reindeer. We watched as the National Christmas Tree was lit and admired the chef as he put the final icing on the gingerbread house.
When it was time, we left the White House. We said our goodbyes to her and to Washington. We weren't sure if we would spend time among her historical walls again, or ever walk the National Mall, admiring the cherry blossoms that resembled puffs of cotton candy. But we did return. This time we were 18. The White House welcomed us back and there is no doubt that it is a magical place at any age.

I heard this letter read on the Today Show while I was on the treadmill the other day. I thought it was great. I wanted to share, in case I forgot it.

1. thoughtful people

2. letters

3. church

Temples

Let us be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people.

Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow. Let us go not only for our kindred dead, but let us also go for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety which is provided within those hallowed and consecrated walls.

The temple is a place of beauty, it is a place of revelation, it is a place of peace.

It is the house of the Lord.

It is holy unto the Lord.

It should be holy unto us.

President Howard W. Hunter

Todd and I went to the Temple Friday night. We were on the 8 o'clock session. There were only 11 total people on the session. We are committing ourselves to attend more often. There is such a feeling of peace there. It is a place where the outside world cannot enter. I want to be a temple loving person.

1. temples

2. peace

3. prophets

Snowboarding

The boys have wanted to snowboard for a long time. They got little snowboards for Christmas several years ago, but we never had them learn how to actually go down the hill on the board. With Braden wanting so badly to play Lacrosse, and all of the games around here being on Sunday, we decided to get them involved with things that we can do on our time, not Sundays!

This is their first lesson at Wachusett Mountain. We bought them a 3 lesson pass which includes the lesson, rentals and lift pass for the rest of the day and then a pass for the rest of the season(after 4 pm). They were so excited that it didn't matter to them that it was 5 degrees!

1. excited kids

2. snow

3. coats

Music Lessons

Braden and Marissa started music lessons several weeks ago! They are both enjoying their lessons and they are even practicing every day!

Marissa is playing the piano
Braden is playing the guitar, he has wanted to play the guitar for years, but being the mean mom that I am, I made him take piano lessons first.

1. people willing to teach lessons
2. kids who want to learn music
3. being able to give our kids lessons

FACEBOOK

I have had it with Facebook.

All I hear about these days is Facebook. Facebook this facebook that. I found so and so on Facebook. Aren't you on Facebook. Read about this on Facebook. Don't you want to find people you went to school with on Facebook.

NO MORE!!!!!

People, if I wanted to be in touch with people I went to high school with, I wouldn't need Facebook to do it. I would have kept in touch with them throughout all these years.

Facebook is taking my blogging friends away and I am FED UP! I can take it NO MORE! I am hearing my blogging friends talk about it like it is the coolest thing ever and I won't stand for it.

If you are a blogger, I am begging with you to keep making your BLOG a priority. One of my favorite blogs to read is slowly dwindling due to this OTHER site. I have from sources that the writer of this blog spends more time on this site, which I shall now refer to as the OTHER site, than she does on her blog and now she is having a blogging block.

I can't take it. Please people, if you are a blogger and also participate in that OTHER site, please keep up your blog. It will be so much better in the long run. If you can't do that, please don't tell me you are spending time on the OTHER site.

For the love of pete, keep up your blog for your blog fans!

1. blogs

2. friends

3. fun

Going, going........

GONE!!!!

We put these couches on Craigslist on Saturday and within 15 minutes of putting them on, we had several emails about them. We had a family at our house giving us a deposit on them within 3 hours.

They came and picked them up last night and now we have an empty room(except the piano). the piano is staying. It is way to heavy to move.

Our plan is to get a dining room table because that room is meant for that!!

Now when people come over for dinner there will be somewhere to sit!!

Might have to have a party!

1. easy sells

2. new furniture

3. sunshine

I must admit

I got a little tear in my eye during the inauguration of Barack Obama. I wasn't even going to watch any presidential TV today. Brynn came home from preschool today knowing who President Bush was and that he is done being President today and that 'Arack Bobama' was going to be our new president. I thought I would show her who he was.

I haven't really cared much about all of this. I did not vote for Barack Obama, nor was I happy when he was elected. I was a bit sick to my stomach. Today, after the tear, I got some of that sick feeling back. Although, I am thrilled for what Barack Obama means to many people in this country. All those who thought they would never see a man of color in the White House, their day has come. For them, I am happy. To me, color doesn't make anyone different. I didn't grow up with racial issues nor have I really been affected by them. It truly makes me sad that there are and have been racial issues. To me we are all children of our Heavenly Father.

This is a day that will change history. I hope it is for the good. I hope that we can all support our new President.

I also want to thank President Bush for his service. Maybe I will right a letter. I know many people didn't like him. I am not one to get too political, but I must say that he served our country for 8 years and the people voted for him twice. Something is to be said for that.

Thanks for your service President and Mrs. Bush!

1. government

2. people willing to serve

3. voting

More Birthday Fun!!!

Brynn had a fun birthday! She loved that no one had to go to work or school. She opened presents................

Had birthday cake, went to see Madagascar 2 and got to pick dinner~which was Whatever(everyone gets to pick what they want for dinner~she had noodles) had a visit from my cousin and her fiance! She says she doesn't really feel much different now that she is 4, but she can put on her lipstick better than when she was 3!!!

1. Brynn 2. birthdays 3. excitement

Happy 4th Birthday Brynn!!!

Happy Birthday Brynn!!!

Brynn's 1st Birthday

4 Reasons we LOVE Brynn~

1. she is FUNNY 2. she is sweet 3. she is mom's buddy 4. she loves EVERYONE!

Another Quiet Sunday

We had another quiet Sunday. Today church was not cancelled, I think only because it was our Ward Conference. It snowed a lot last night, but the roads to get to the church were not too bad. Once we got there, it was kind of a ghost town. We had a lot of stake people there, but not many ward members. It was fun to have the stake presidency there, considering our stake is the western half of MA from the north to the south and then some, so we don't have them there very often.

Todd and I went into the nursery for 2 kids, which was fine, given the fact that we only were having 2 hours of church!

Now we are home, have the driveway cleared, have made treats and are going to hang out and be excited for the long weekend!

1. church

2. snow

3. treats

A Different Sabbath Day

Yesterday our church was cancelled. Todd still had stake meetings, so the stake presidency called and said that the ward that meets in the Stake Center was having Sacrament Meeting at 3, so the high council should bring their families and while they were having their meeting the families could have a pot luck dinner.

We went and it was fun. It was fun to have a different kind of Sabbath Day and to be able to take the kids out of the house. It helped keep the day a bit more holy!

1. church

2. friends

3. a GOOD potluck

Brandon

When school first started this year, our kids of course were going to a new school. It was not an easy transition. Brandon had the hardest time. He was used to elementary school and when we went to get signed up for school found out he would be in middle school. 7 different classes a day. He struggled. We have no kids on our street, so none of the kids made any friends before school started.

Several weeks after school started, we were driving to the church for scouts and we were listening to Jericho Road. Brandon loves them, the rest of us think they are ok. This is what he said to us when the song "You Melt the Madness" came on the cd:

"This is the song I would think of at school when I was struggling to get through my day and wishing I wasn't alone and missing my old friends and my family."

Totally made me cry, but I was grateful for good music. These are the lyrics:

Some days it feels like I am walking
through a storm
A strong wind blowing at my heart
I long for shelter only you can give me, Lord
You are all I need need cause
You're the Prince of Peace

Chorus
You melt the madness
You calm the fear inside me
When the world is spinning out of control
You stop the struggle
Lord, it's your love that brings sweet rest to my soul
And my heart knows
You melt the madness
You melt the madness

It seems this crazy world is never gonna change
So, Lord, I want you to change me
And in the chaos I'll be calling out your name
Won't you set me free
With your serenity

Chorus

Come what may
No matter what we face
I'll be still, and know that you are God

Click this link to listen to it! I couldn't find it to add it to my playlist! It is #12

http://www.jerichoroadmusic.com/media/music/album/the-best-jericho-road

1. kids

2. good music

3. feeling the spirit

Had to put the music back on

This is my niece......she loves the music and gets very excited when her mom clicks on my blog and this Utah Man song comes on.....had to put it back on for her!!

This is a picture we took of her while we were talking to them on Skype. her dad was holding her upside down!
My mom is not going to love this picture, but again this is one we took on Skype. We were talking and all of a sudden, someone let a toot and it was bad. She was copying the kids!

1. webcams
2. video conferencing
3. family