Feis Secrets

Today, we spent the day at the Utah State Feis with our beautiful daughters. I am so proud of them and all the hard work they put into being prepared for the competition.

This was Nicole's first Feis ever! After years of watching sisters compete, she finally got her shot! She did great! She competed in the Reel and the Light Jig. She tied for 2nd place in her Reel and received 4th in her Light Jig. Then she promptly removed her wig, her dress, and her shoes and assumed her usual role of hangin' out with Grandma.
Sariah's group was huge this year! Her Reel alone had almost 20 girls! It was her first dance of the day and she nailed it! Even with such steep competition, she walked away with a Fourth Place medal! She had a great day! Jade, one of her great friends from class, spent the day together dancing and laughing. What I am the most proud of her for was her willingness to step in for a fellow dancer. She danced the 3-Hand with Emily and Abby in a level 2 groups above her own. Even though she was in such an older group, she did awesome and her team won 3rd for that dance.
This year was fantastic for Emily. She has been working so hard with Irish. Her kicks have gotten really high and she can now stay high on her toes for the whole day. She looked beautiful while she was dancing. She took 3rd Place in the Light Jig, the Slip Jig, and the 3-Hand. She and her wonderful partner Grace also took 6th (in a very large group... I didn't even count!) for the 2-Hand. I think they were jipped! I don't usually complain about the judging, but Grace and Emily were fantastic. It gave me chills to watch them! They were perfectly in sync with one another. At one point, I was watching them from the profile, and it was like there was only one dancer. They were right together. The exact step, the exact placement of feet, the exact height on their toes and kicks. There leaps were wonderful and in perfect alignment. I thought for sure they would be in the top two even with so much competition. Grace's mom and I both felt this way, but our girls were such great sports about it! It was like they were being the example to us. I was also supper impressed with how responsible Emily is getting. We arrived at the Feis and for the first time, I was informed that there was one dance that she was to dance in shorts and a t-shirt instead of her dress. I was worried that we were unprepared, but she had been told in class what she needed and PACKED IT HERSELF! WOW! She is so proud of herself. And really excited, because her success means that she has moved up a level in all her dances except the Single Jig. This means she can now officially begin hardshoe and get fitted for her Team Dress! Go Em! You totally rock!
That leaves only my sweet little two-year-old. She was pretty great considering she had to wake up early and spend the entire day at the competition. When Nicole went to pick up her first trophy, Grace saw them all on the table and announced that she needed a trophy. Grandma took pity on the future dancer and awarded her the Shamrock Cup for the Under 3 Division. She carried the cup around all day calling it her Trophy Cup. She even had me take a picture of her with it!
I do have to say, she will make a beautiful Irish Dancer in just a few years.... when she can grow into the hair!
So now that the competition is over, the girls can rest.
Well for about a week... then back to practicing 100 minutes a week to prepare for Boise!

Pssst: I guess I should have told you the biggest secret. FEIS is pronounced fesh. Plural is Feiseanna. Just so you know :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's the hap-happiest season of all!

With great sunshine greetings

And Popsicle eatings when friends come to call

It's the hap-happiest season of all!

The pool is now open

My skin's good for toastin'

And playing around in the sun

There be happy cute stories

And tales of the glories

Of summers long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year

There be much noodle splashing

And kids will be dashing

To to get to the pool so near

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Summer is my favorite time of year! And yesterday, it officially began! We spent our first day at the pool. When I walked through the gates and saw the pool, I sighed. So glad to be back!

After about an hour at the pool, Gracie and I have this conversation:

G: "Ready go home?"

Me: "Are you ready?"

G: "No! I stay alllll day!"

She's my kinda girl!

Well...

"And when they had plated a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after they mocked him, they led him away to be crucified"-- Matthew 27: 29-31

I suppose I don't truly know what it means to be striped of rank or honors...

What's the Secret Difference

Lately, I have been wondering what the difference is between humbling and degrading. In my mind the former has always been a kinder gentler word. Denoting a kind of love or caring behind the action. Whereas degrading has always been meaner. Representing a bit of malice behind the action. I guess I always really considered these two words to be different. But the reality is that they mean the same thing.

According to Webster, Degrading means:
a: to lower in grade, rank, or status : demote
b: to strip of rank or honors
c: to lower to an inferior or less effective level
d: to scale down in desirability

Online dictionaries define humbling as:
a: Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly
b:To give a lower condition or station
c: To bring low; to reduce the power, independence, or
exaltation of; to lower; to abase; to humiliate.

And of course, one of the top synonyms for humbling is ..... DEGRADING.

So, really what is the difference. Have I been wrong all these years? Or does the intent of the actions really dictate the choice of words? And when do you move from "humbling" to "degrading"?

I suppose it all comes down to pride. Doesn't it always? If you can strip away all your pride then trials and difficulties can be seen as humbling experiences. A reminder that someone more powerful than you is guiding your ship. But if you keep any of that pride then really the trials just seem degrading.

So tell me, how do I manage to strip away all the pride in my heart and still keep a sense of self worth? How do you let humbling experiences lower you in rank or station but still keep the quality of the person you are? How can you let these experiences remind you that your power is all in the Lord and not scale down your desirability of character? But instead be used to strengthen you and cause you to be more valuable?

I don't really expect any of you to have the answers. I think this is a timeless question with an individualized answer for each person. I just hope I can find mine soon.

Go Mommy Go! You can Do it! Goooo Mommy!

I had this thought running through my head at about the ninth mile! Just had to share my "souvenir" from this day:

Update: Gracie's Secret List Completed

Hip hooray it's time to see Noah!

Grace had a long list of things she planned to do with Noah when we saw him in Idaho. And I am happy to report that she was able to complete all of them.

First up, go to McDonald's with Noah. The stairs were a bit to high for Gracie, so Noah helped her get up them:

Next, the Zoo to see giant animals and snakes:

She also had a very specific plan to go down a green slide. There was no green slide at McDonald's, but luckily we found one at the zoo:

Next up was swimming with Noah. They had a blast in the pool, though I have to wonder what my sister is teaching her son about chivalry when he started yelling out, "Don't get me dad. Not me. Not me. Get the girls!":

And we couldn't forget that they had to play cars together:The only thing on Gracie's list that was a bit tricky, was a sleepover with Noah, so we settled for 2 silly pajama parties. This worked fine the first night, but on the second, Gracie cried herself to sleep saying, "Noah, come back.":

The last thing Gracie planned on doing was hold Baby Brynley. Brynley wasn't very fond of this plan:But Brynley really enjoyed stealing Gracie's paci!

Despite what Noah and Gracie thought, the real reason for us being in Idaho was to run the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon! Jamie and I were so excited!! We did it!

We finished 13.1 miles, one bathroom break and a fleeting thought of stopping at the spa instead in 2 hours 26 minutes and 36.8 seconds. The route was beautiful! And the time seemed to fly by. And because it was the Famous Potato race we celebrated with baked potatoes at the finish line!

PS Steve, Mike and all the girls came too! They had a lot of fun visiting and playing.

Gracie's Little Secret

We are planning a trip to Idaho. We will be meeting my sister from Oregon there. Grace is so excited to see Noah, but she doesn't want to "be patient!" She has come up with a few tactics to try and get us to Noah sooner.

Tactic #1: Two weeks before going, announce that you will be waiting in the car until we go see Noah.

Tactic #2: Call Noah and cry hysterically about how long it is taking (at least we think that's what she was doing, we couldn't really understand her)

Tactic #3: Obsessively talk about what you will do when you see Noah. They will be swimming, going to McDonald's, sliding on a green slide, playing cars and going to the zoo. At the zoo they will see the GIANT animals and the snakes.

Tactic #4: Find a blankey to give to Noah and pack it for the trip

Tactic #5: Begin finding and packing your own clothes

But my personal favorite is the one she did this afternoon:
Tactic #6: Find your swim suit. Put it on. Find your swim hat. Put it on. Walk out the front door and head towards Noah!

A Secret for Jamie

Just thought I would tempt you with all the beautiful pages I made for Brynley's book during National Scrapbook Day.

Secret Projects

I have been trying to catch up on my 2008 scrapbook this past week. And trying to remember all the fun things my family and I did last year. Here are a few of my recent projects:

Adventures surrounding Twilight:

Just over a month until my happy place opens!:

And Christmas time (be sure to check out Gracie's face when she opened her dollhouse):

Of course, with our recent visit from Moe and family I had to scrap the egg hunt:

Thanks for stopping by. I really have been horrible about keeping up my blog, but I hope as things improve with the weather, I'll be ready to open my window again.

The Secret of a Name

After discovering that her true love was also her family's long-time enemy, Juliet lamented:

"What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part...

What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;"

The message of this statement is as true today as it was then. What truly counts is what someone is, not what they are called. But, names do matter. They matter because they represent who we are. They are the means by which we sort ourselves and those we come in contact with. Growing up I always hated my last name. I hated that it created an association with someone who's choices and values were not my own. I despised the fact that it was different from those who loved me. And that it set me apart; put me on the outside. As soon as I had a choice (one that did not have difficult consequences anyway) I dropped it. I never use my maiden name unless it is absolutely required. Instead I cling to my married name.

Recently, I have had cause to ponder on "What's in a name?". I can't help by revert to a story that we told our children this past year while studying the prophets. George Albert Smith, 8th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had been very ill as a young boy. During his recovery, he had a dream in which his grandfather appeared to him and asked, "I would like to know what you have done with my name." George Albert Smith was able to reply, "I have never done anything with your name of which you need be ashamed." How wonderful is that! To be able to state that he had never brought shame upon his name.

As a Christian, I have taken upon myself the name of my Savior. My prayers go out in His name. My service, in His name. My deeds, in His name. What am I doing with his name? If Jesus appeared to me today and asked would I be able to echo President Smith's response? I think so. I think that despite the trial that my family is currently caught up in, I would be able to say that I am doing nothing that would shame the name of my Savior. What I can't say is that it is easy. Integrity doesn't actually pay the mortgage. But at the end of this life my name needs to echo the same names given to my Savior.

I hope that when all is said and done, the name that I have held to for 12 years now will still mean something positive. I hope that those I share this name with will act in a way that will not shame it. I hope that there will be a positive end to the belittling comments and backbiting. I hope that my name will carry with it the same association as the Savior's: Peacemaker. I hope that all involved will recognize that honesty in business is the same to Heavenly Father as all other forms of honesty. And that those who share my earthly name also share with me the name of the Savior. Are we willing to trade our names for the things of this world? They are inviting and enticing and some of them are even quite needful. But is worth our integrity? Is it worth disgracing the names that are placed upon us?

This life constantly colors things in shades of grey. We use the necessities of this life to mix the black and the white until they are no longer there. But ultimately, there is still just black and white. The challenge Joshua made to the people of Israel after reciting all the blessing the Lord had bestowed upon them is the same black and white choice we all need to make. As for me and mine, we agree with Joshua when he said, "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord".

It's A Girl!

Welcome the newest member of our family

Twila

Yes, another girl! Even when we can choose we choose a girl! She is the sweetest kitty! She loves to cuddle and have her coat brushed. She is so good with kids even Miss Gracie. She is currently sleeping with Grace and Nicole. It is soooo cute.

Changes

I hate changes! Maybe not so much change itself, but the process it takes to get there. And the time. I really hate waiting. And the uncertainty of it all.

I have thought of something that could help me through this process I just haven't been able to find it. If any of you could help that would be great! I am looking for the time piece that Heavenly Father uses. You know the one that indicates how long "shortly" and "soon" are. The one that shows you exactly what time you will finish the process of change. Anyone know where I might find one?

Secrets of a Search and Rescue Worker

A week after Emily and Morgan's birthday, the mommies finally got around to having a birthday party for them. They really wanted to have a Littlest Pet Shop Birthday. I really wanted to just have a mommy-daughter day with Emily because that took a lot less planning. But since Em is growing so fast and will soon be done with cute theme parties and because it is what she really wanted, we had a LPS Party.

So we had a Search and Rescue Party. All the Littlest Pet Shops were missing and our team of 15 (yes, we are crazy to have that many girls) volunteers set out to find them. The volunteers began by making posters showing what pets were missing:There were clues along the way that would lead us to the next clue. But in Amazing-Race-like-fashion, there were tasks that needed to be preformed before the next clue was given. The tasks consisted of games, eating birthday cake, and opening presents.

Finally, the last clue was given and the pets were saved. Each of our special volunteers was given a pet to keep safe. It was a really fun party. One of Emily's friends even said it was the best party she's been too! Yay!!

Whoa! That is a lot of little girls! But we count ourselves lucky, if we hadn't limited the girls to inviting 3 friends each (in addition to all the Purser/ McDougal cousins and the Needles "practically cousins") then we probably would have had 35!

Update on my Dramatic Return to Relief Society

So last week, I had a really bad Sunday. And then of course, I post all that here! Today was better.

This week, I found some goodness in my bad Sunday as I was able to assist a friend. And today, a very kind member of our bishopric called me out of class to share something with me. At first, I was worried. After all, when I had a bad day I decided to watch TV. I could have spent the day praying or reading my scriptures, but instead I spent an entire Sunday afternoon watching a marathon of a show I had never seen. Of course, that is not why I was asked to talk. He just knew I was having a bad day last Sunday and had found a scripture he wanted to share with me. Now, many of you know that I haven't fully explained why I was upset Sunday. But to the few people I did speak to weren't completely aware of the situation. They missed a part of it so I had to explain more. All 4 people completely understood after I explained, but even my husband missed it. So, imagine my surprise when this kind member of the bishopric found the exact scripture that I would need to hear. If he were a woman, I would have hugged him. But I figured it was too awkward, so I just told him thank you. And of course, then I tried not to cry. Not because I felt small, but because I knew that the Lord had acknowledged me. And through His servant shown that He accepts me.

Now, for the lesson learned. Had I decided to read my scriptures because I felt bad, I may have discovered this scripture on my own. But alas, though it is entertaining, the television is no where near as helpful as the scriptures. Go figure.

Secret to the New Song

Jaqui made a comment about me adding songs that make her cry. I am sorry. My new song was not really intended for Emily's birthday. It was more about the way I was feeling last night at 1 am.

Yesterday was a tough day for me. I need to get thicker skin. Sometimes it is just too easy to feel this big. I know that someone did not mean to offend me. And I know that some of that feeling lays on my shoulders because I let things bother me. But still, I felt quite small and insignificant and yet still managed to make a spectacle of myself on my first day back to Relief Society. Go me!

So to escape my own life, I allowed the TV to entertain me. And I ended up watching a show that reminded me of an event that completely shook the foundation of my world about 16 years ago. This song by Mary Chapin Carpenter was a favorite of mine at the time. I felt like "our dreams went bump in the night". I wanted to spin around and around like a little child until I fell to the ground. And when my head cleared I wanted to open my eyes and have it all be a dream. I didn't want my world to change. I didn't want to leave childhood. Nothing else has really shook me like that since, Events have completely changed my life since, but they have all been positive. Things that I looked forward to. Things that made my life better.

Well, anyway this show combined with my bad day and my usual post-Christmas depression conjured some of those same feelings. I am ready to twirl around. To forget that I have to be an adult now.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Ten years ago, I welcomed this beautiful little baby into the world. When she was born, she had a few issues with the transition into this life. She couldn't breath well and was quickly turning blue. So after only a few precious moments to hold her, they wisked her away to the NICU. After they took her, I cried myself to sleep thinking that I hadn't had enough time. Only a few moments. It was not long enough.

And now here we are. An entire decade later and I think she is growing too fast. I feel like I have still only had a few moments with her. It's all going too fast. And it's not long enough!

Happy Tenth Birthday!

Secret Midnight Bash

Well, I guess it wasn't really a secret. If your last name is or was Purser you were invited to ring in the New Year at Grandmas. It was a blast! Steve and his brother both brought Guitar Hero and everyone had a good time putting on a show. After a while, my sister-in-law got sick of the songs on Guitar Hero so she went to Wal-Mart (yes, they were open at 11 pm on New Year's Eve) to pick up American Idol. And then the show really began. For those of you who know Steve, imagine two more brothers. Oh, yeah it was very entertaining! Here is Steve preforming "I'm Every Woman" during the final round of American Idol. It was so funny:

But this was probably the most entertaining act of the night:

I think she got a little too much sugar in her. She can now reach into the candy drawer and get her own treats:

And it probably didn't help that she overheard me say to Nicole, "Sure! Go ahead! It's New Years Eve eat until you get sick! But just don't throw-up on me!" I really didn't care if they had a lot of treats that night. Grace took me kind of serious though and had to get a bowl so she could "throw-up" in it. (She didn't really) But at least she was paying attention when I said, "don't throw-up on me".

Just about everyone managed to stay up until midnight. Including the crazy little girl who didn't fall asleep until 1 am when Grandma finally made her stop moving:

PS Sorry about the videos. I forget when I am recording with a camera that I should not rotate the camera. Opps.