I'll be OK...soon.

   Each  day happens once and so we're told to make the most of it.  At my house with my spectacular mother, hardly a moment is wasted. We are involved in anything and everything we can, but I found that you can't do EVERYTHING.

   Zions Youth Symphony and Chorus (formerly Las Vegas Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus) fireside was on September 30th. There they gave us the music and I found my new friend Sariah was doing it, too. They wanted us to fill out a sheet saying when and which rehearsals we could go to. As this is Marching Band season, I waited to turn mine in until I knew if I had competitions on those weekends. It turned out that I had competitions on both Saturday practices, and they asked us not to miss more than two, so I said I would come to the other practices. I turned in that paper THAT NIGHT.

    The first three practices were last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday  I missed Christmas program rehearsal, part of my Band Practice, and the Sandstone Stake Youth Conference, so that I could go to two of those rehearsals.  When I got home on Friday Mom said she got an Email from Zion's Youth Saying that I could not participate because I was going to miss the "mandatory" practice this coming Saturday.  THis was after I had missed all of these things to be there. And they probably only realized it because Mom sent in another form saying when I could/could not come. She sent them an annoyed Email saying why I could still participate and heard no reply by Wednesday when we had another rehearsal. So I went.

    At least two-thirds into the rehearsal, during a short break Bro. J Skouson asks if Eliza Een is here, and he asked for me to come talk to him. Basically it seemed that the choir secretary didn't want to deal with Mom, so she had Jeff talk to me. When he confirmed that I could not (without inconveniencing my entire family and the band) come to Saturday's rehearsal, he said that he was sorry and that I couldn't participate. 

    I was angry and sad and I spent the rest of the rehearsal outside trying to calm down enough to go inside. When I saw people leaving I found Alayna and we drove home. I don't think it's fair to have such late notice or that I thought this was important enough to miss everything else. Mom lovingly thought of ways for me to be there, but I don't think it's worth it anymore. So here is a song that I love that can relate to this somewhat. 

Bluebird By Sara Bareilles

Word came through in a letter, 

One of us changing our minds.

You won't need to guess who, since I usually do

Not send letters to me that are mine.

Told you I saw this coming, 

That I'd practically packed up my things.

I was glad at the time that I'd said I was fine, but

All honesty knows I wasn't ready, no.

And so here we go bluebird, 

Back to the sky on your own.

Oh let it go bluebird, 

Ready to fly

You and I, 

Here we go.

The Devil Wears Prada

Watching this with my friend Emily (not to be confused with Alayna's friend Emily) for homecoming, I saw this and thought is was enlightening. If you ever feel like this, know it's normal. It may not make you feel better, but here it is.

Andy Sachs: She hates me, Nigel. 
Nigel: And that's my problem because... Oh, wait. No, it's not my problem. 
Andy Sachs: I don't know what else I can do because if I do something right, it's unacknowledged. She doesn't even say thank you. But if I do something wrong, she is vicious. 
Nigel: So quit. 
Andy Sachs: What? 
Nigel: Quit. 
Andy Sachs: Quit? 
Nigel: I can get another girl to take your job in five minutes... one who really wants it. 
Andy Sachs: No, I don't want to quit. That's not fair. But, I, you know, I'm just saying that I would just like a little credit... for the fact that I'm killing myself trying. 
Nigel: Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you. Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy"? Hmm? Wake up, six. She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people. You think this is just a magazine, hmm? This is not just a magazine. This is a shining beacon of hope for... oh, I don't know... let's say a young boy growing up in Rhode Island with six brothers pretending to go to soccer practice when he was really going to sewing class and reading Runway under the covers at night with a flashlight. You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care. Because this place, where so many people would die to work you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart. 

I like this movie, a lot.

...and I've only been at school for a few days.

So far I have had to make up 7 homework assignments...and I've only missed school for a few days.
I have made up a test... and I've only missed school for a few days.
I haven't gotten more than seven hours of sleep on a school night...and I've only been at school for a few days.
I met five new percussionists...and I've only been at school for a few days.
I kinda sorta (ok, so really) got asked to Homecoming...and I've only been at school for a few days.
Story Time!
After band practice on Tuesday Mom was talking about fundraisers, etc. with the other "Band Moms" (aka Percussion Moms). They want to arrange for teachers to be thrown into "Jail" for Homecoming.  Sammee's mom asked if I was going, and I said no. The percussionists do everything together. They do stuff for Homecoming, so she thought I should go.
The next day, at the end of class, Fox (yes, his name is Fox) asks me if I wanted to go with him and the Percussion Group for Homecoming. His mom was the other Band Mom. Of course at the time I had told the Moms that I couldn't date until I was 16, but....?
It was really nice and sweet and not awkward because we're friends, but I had to say no. And I didn't really want to got to Homecoming anyway.

Did I mention that Homecoming "A Pixar Perfect Night" isn't until October 5th? Cause it's true.

This is what happens if you miss the first four days of school. At least if you're me.

The front door is going . . . going . . . GONE!

The original outside door and sidelights are already removed.

 

 

Kim in his "Sampson pose" pushing out the pillars.

Doorway gone, side wall still solid.

The "pony wall" (why is it called that) created.

The new entry area.  The beam above the old doorway was removed, but fear not--the wood is being re-used to widen out the "column" at the base of the stairs.  Waste not, want not . . . why would we not use a perfectly good piece of wood?

      The major work upstairs is done.  There is still a lot to do there, to be sure . . . but it's time to turn our attention to the downstairs.  Especially since we needed to have some activity on our building permit and go for at least a partial pass on the building inspection and thereby updating our building permit, BARELY within the 180 day requirement.
      We put in new sheetrock spanning the old to newer areas.  The old sheetrock was buckling right at the wall where the door was and had holes from the old heat vent--and having been stepped through I believe.  Apparently I haven't taken a picture of that yet.  Since we were up until 3:30 AM putting up that piece of sheetrock on the ceiling you may understand why it slipped my mind to capture the moment in a photograph.  But there is more (not all) of the sheetrock done on the ceiling here.
     Interesting to note on the timing of the Tuesday/Wednesday 3:30 AM sheetrock fest . . . . it was the night AFTER Kim called in for an inspection.  They didn't come Tuesday (at 180 days) so we knew they'd be there the next day.   On Wednesday the inspector was willing to give a partial pass for a wall that he figured was actually done. I think he had to look to find one.  I knew we wouldn't get it all done--even staying up all night--but I guess having at least some of the ceiling sheetrock up showed more progress.  It at least showed good intentions.

SUMMER Summer summer

Some funny/cool entries in my English journal. My interpretations.

"Personal Page" from my Biology notebook.

Pretty much everything I've eaten in Geometry in the past two months.
  Compliments of  Sister Adams' seminary class.

Rough drawing from/for an Art project.

Butterfly from above, both sides, in my planner.

 Pictures, I'm new to this.

First, an explanation. Yesterday I went through my backpack/binder/school crap. Only now can I believe that school is almost over. The journal entries, if you can read them (you don't have to), one says something about cats and dogs and river streets and outer space. This had to do with several successive prompts we had over the course of a week or so.

I CAN draw! Not very well, hardly ever when I want to, and only if you tell me what to draw. Yes, I eat food in Geometry. It's not like I'm eating CEREAL! (<- different story). 

My Biology 'teacher' loves me (us, and she's a long-term sub. With a major in math. : /)

My English teacher hates me the Final had 200 questions and 2 essays. : P

My Geometry final I'm bound to fail, I take it on 6/6 (day of the DEVIL) 

I don't think there's even an exam for Band... :)

Dance, I'm pretty much set, I just don't want to go first.

Art. 3 essays (how do you even find 3 things to write about in art?)

Then, I'm DONE!!!!! :D

kind of ...

On the Stairway to Heaven

This morning I had the opportunity to talk with my friend and work colleague Phyllis Suiter.  Phyllis is a Nurse Practitioner.  I have known her for many years.  She is amazing professionally and personally.  I like her a lot.  Lately as I have been going to the gym in the early mornings I see her and we climb stairs together.  This morning we ended up talking about some of the "weightier matters" death, miracles, priesthood power, and Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  Phyllis is not particularly active in any church, but has many beliefs and has experienced much in healing and at deaths.  She talked about such things and in very general ways about multiple ways people viewed Christ and belief in a "Higher Power".  I had the opportunity in different ways to bear my witness of what I KNOW of Christ, the Priesthood power, and the Atonement.  I felt to tell her of my experience just this week when I asked Kim to give me a blessing so that my mind could rest and not keep interrupting my sleep with my concerns about the swim team injustices . . . and how I have slept better and been able to have more peace regarding that topic since then.  (I can think about it without feeling my blood pressure rising, that is good.)  She reflected that it was like "releasing" or "giving it up" to a Higher Power.*  I was reminded again how that is made possible by Christ's Atonement.  It really brought that back to me at the truth of what I was telling her.  I recently posted for a friend on facebook regarding this:  Any negative vibes can really bring you down, but it doesn't need to--"give it up" to Christ. Let Him carry that burden--he already has. That's what The Atonement is for, too! It lets you be free of that pain and forgive. You have so many strengths and talents. You are loved by so many people, but most importantly by your Heavenly Father and OUR Big Brother, Jesus Christ!

I am so blessed and I know it!

*As a side note--yes, but it was really only by the Priesthood blessing that I was able to have that burden lifted.

Awesome April

I had a wonderful and eventful April.  I always like April, but this one in particular.  This month flowed from event to event, some planned, some not.  All worth thoughtful consideration.

General Conference--always wonderful & inspirational

The week after General Conference I learned that "favorite cousin" Ann Tate Alger had pulmonary embolism with clots thrown into her brain and that she was not expected to live.  The funeral was Wednesday, April 11.  I was able to cancel my work clinic (no one scheduled anyway) to go.  I took a Greyhound bus (which WAS an adventure).  I wanted to be there to celebrate the life our our dear cousin and to see cousins and aunts and uncles that I haven't seen in many years and I know I may not see again.  Plus--visit my Mom--near her 84th birthday (April 13) and my siblings Melissa & Ron and Paul & Doris. I was able to go to Malad, Idaho and see sites there--who knows when or if I will go there again.  Ann was buried right next to Grandma and Grandpa Burton.  Her sweet family was there all around as was many others of our family.  What a wonderful, caring example Ann is.  And always so much fun.  Her way of telling her kids to take care and be careful was, "Drive fast, take chances, and run with scissors!"  Ann made our wedding cake.  It makes me sad to think she wasn't able to make the wedding cake for any of her 3 children.

We planned for David to be ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood and for our little Melissa's baptism to be delayed a bit so Aria could be here during a break in school.  That followed on the tails of my return from the trip to Utah/Idaho for Ann's funeral.  Aria arrived Saturday night, David was ordained Sunday, April 15 before church and then passed the sacrament for the first time that day.  Melissa's baptism was Thursday night.  We wanted to do baptisms for the dead while Aria was home and since David now could and the only time we could schedule that was Thursday afternoon.  So Thursday Kim was able to baptize ALL of our children.  Alyssa Heyborne came from out of town to celebrate with us and went to the temple as well.  David was baptized vicariously for his Great-Uncle "Bud" Clarence Een.  All of our children in/at the temple.  Melissa waited in the atrium area, I stayed with her much of the time, but went in to see David baptized and some of the girls.  We went almost directly to Melissa's baptism.  She was supported by many family and friends--even our neighbor Kathy Pouncey came.  That's the only baptism she has attended.

We made a quick trip up April 28 for my nephew Eric Hilton's marriage to Jessica Cook.  All of my siblings were there!  David and Lara flew in--although not with any of their family.  All of my siblings were together with our Mom in the temple.  It was great!  It was a necessarily quick trip, but again worth supporting the new couple and a great time to be together.  I'll have to try and remember the last time all 6 of my siblings were together and who knows when we will all be together again--David and his family aren't coming to the family reunion this summer--even though Lara and her family are.

So many rights of passages--all in one month . . . Baptism (both live and vicarious)--entering on the path; Priesthood Ordination--MY only begotten son joins the ranks of The Priesthood, the power that makes the ordinances and so much else possible; Eternal Marriage--the start of a new family; and Death--the loss of beloved family that reminds us of the importance of all of the above and the promise of a glorious eternity together.

Definitely an April to remember fondly!

Just When I Need It

Last Monday (was Melissa's birthday) I had homework, Band, Swimming, etc. That all needed a lot of time, which I was quickly running short of. Then I went to school and found out that Pep Band was playing for Garside's last Home Game. It started at 3:45, during swim practice. Since I was sick and Band counted as a "school-excused absence" I didn't go. PERFECT!!! And now today is David's birthday. I have Band, Homework, Swimming, etc. OH WAIT! Swim practice is canceled because of a coaches Emergency. Our poor coach (don't know which) just made my life sooooo much easier. I love life, and life loves me a little, too.
No Grrrs today!
Eliza

Harriet Potter with no zag

It was Friday, February 3, nearing the end of a busy day.  We had just finished practicing for the OK Adcock Talent Show auditions ("Life's a Happy Song" from The Muppet Movie) with Melissa and her young friends.  I was looking forward to going to an organ and oboe concert--free at Doc Rando Hall.  It had been on my calendar for months, I didn't care how many of my family would come, Alayna and Eliza were at a Bonanza Basketball game.  I would even go by myself.  Melissa went out to say goodbye to her friends.  I went to the doorway, following the last of the singers out and to watch Melissa come back in.  Just as I reached the door I heard a cry in the direction of the Johnson's big van and saw a crumpled kid in the gutter.  I ran over, and part way there realized it was Melissa.  As she came up I saw her forehead gouged and bleeding.  Her hand had been on her head and it was bloody.  I slapped my hand on it to give pressure and stop the bleeding and guided her back into the house.  I knew my concert plans had been derailed and we would instead spend the night at the Peds ER.

I brought her in and sat her down in a chair and asked David to go and get a towel to put on her head.  He did.  And that First Aid Merit Badge boy thought of other things to do as well.  As I got her situated with the towel I asked him to help her keep it on her head while I ran upstairs to get showered and dressed . . . yes, it had been that kind of day.  I hadn't been able to make it to the gym very early and as the elements had combined I was still in my sweaty workout clothes.  I had one of my quick showers and came back downstairs.  Kim had Melissa on his lap (I can't remember if Kim had just come home or if he had been there all along somewhere).  He told me how David had also thought to put some rubbing alcohol on the towel to help disinfect Melissa's wound.  Ooops, OUCH!  Melissa was calming down in her Dad's lap and with the blanket David thought to get for her (to treat shock--smart scouter)!  We prayed and Kim gave Melissa a blessing before we left for the UMC Peds ER.  David was very concerned and upset to the point of tears watching his sister.  It was very touching.  We left David home by himself, he was old enough to stay and I knew it would be hard for him to see the whole thing.  Oh, we hadn't really eaten so we grabbed cold pizza or something for Kim and me and a yogurt for Melissa.  And I brought a couple of Magic Treehouse books--I remembered how much that had helped to have a book to read to Eliza while HER forehead was stitched up. We had given Melissa some Ibuprophen to help with pain and inflammation.

Melissa at triage--I told her she'd want a picture of it.

By the time we got to the Peds ER it had stopped bleeding.  It wasn't a very busy night--even for Friday, it was before 7 PM when we got there.  At triage they put on a bandage to help numb it and prepare for further numbing by injection.  Then we waited for a while--not too long.  We looked at the really cool Gingerbread House Peds ER Hospital (we took pictures when we went back later).  We started reading the Magic Treehouse book.  I prayed that the doctor would be a REALLY good seamstress.  When we went back a very nice woman physician came to see us.  She was probably in her 50's or so.  We had turned off the TV (so annoying stuff) and were reading.  She had Melissa lie down on the table.  I had hoped the topical numbing would have worked better so Melissa wouldn't feel the numbing injections as much--but she was brave.  The doctor didn't say much--we didn't even catch her name until we went back to get the stitches remove and she was the same one who took them out.  But what is there to say--better not to say much and just do--I appreciated that.  Talking about it would have made it worse I think.

With the cool numbing cream

Before stitching--I guess I shouldn't have used Macro. 

 I sat by Melissa and read her the book and rubbed her arms to comfort her--had to hold her arms at one point during the numbing injections.  Melissa ended up feeling some of the stitches, too.  Several stitches inside--I purposely didn't watch much--what I saw made me somewhat nauseous.  It's been a while since I've worked at the hospital and was used to seeing stuff like that.  The doctor said afterwards that it was pretty deep--through the layers of skin.  The doctor was quick and it looked pretty good.  8 stitches outside.  Melissa got a popsicle--root beer.

8 stitches outside ? inside--for my almost 8 year old.

Ready to head home--feeling much better.

We went home via Smart and Final--had to get something--I can't remember what.  Then picked up Alayna and Eliza at Bonanza and went home.  The next day Melissa's friends the Johnson girls came and brought her a big get well card and a donut.  Her friend Sammie McAllister brought her a soft stuffed animal dog with hearts.  Melissa was quite brave throughout.  We were to wash and change the dressing and put on antibiotic ointment 3 times a day.  Melissa started doing that herself pretty early.  Ms. Mazzei, Melissa's school teacher commented on how calmly she talked about it--surprisingly when Melissa can be moved to tears so easily by other things.

The stitches were in for a week, we went on the intervening Monday to have the wound checked.  There was another family there with a little girl who had stitches on the bridge of her nose--no bandage for THAT.

I'm hoping we won't even be able to tell that it happened in a few years.  I hate when these perfect babies that Heavenly Father sent me get scratches and dents!  But I guess we won't escape earth life without SOMETHING to show for it.  I'm glad that all is well, but I would still have rather gone to the organ/oboe concert!

My mother is pretty cool.

Last Sunday my mom played in an awesome recital with the Las Vegas Something-or-other awesome choral group.
Dad, David, Ari, and I got to go because we pretended to be ushers. But... a picture is worth a thousand words. So I'll let them speak for themselves.

I don't know how to flip this around.

The "Red Ferrari" of the organs.

And a whole lot of pipes.

I love this picture. Dramatic David in the Argyle. Oh... and Mom too. ;)

I'm sad it's blurry, but there was an awesome little compartment. So I went in.

gees

Finally Eliza posts.

Well, I thought I would save you guys from David.

I had a Dance Recital/Concert thurs-fri and it was cool. All of you can see my (2) pictures on Fb. I looked great and my friend Julianna said I better take some because she couldn't come and I told her I would be wearing tons of makeup. It doesn't look like a lot, but I was wearing lipstick and the whole shabang.

Movies that I have been wanting to watch include: Princess Bride, The Wedding Singer, Stardust, Abduction, and Music & Lyrics. Half of which are inaccessible at the moment because Aria took them to Hawaii and didn't bring them back :( anyways... <3

-Eliza

Lost & Found

ALAYNA logged me off this blog but I got Found

YAY :)

Done

Done with finals

Haza!!!!!!!!!

I GOT A 100 PERCENT ON MY ENGLISH EXAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finals

Finals

I did English and science...same as Eliza.

so close to winning

Last Night in my basket ball game we were winning in the first half but we lost by 4 at the end.

we never won a game yet.

I hate puking... it smells... its messy... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Curious?

I guess it shouldn't be odd to me that my son finds it easier to access and blog on this "family blog spot" than I do. --The Momma, the Momma . . . .

Look at my profile picture....

(go left to where it says Dav-e)

I wish my Basket ball team could do that GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR