We had very interesting church meetings yesterday. We (the American military branch) share a building with the local Portuguese branch, and meet at the same time. Their branch scheduled a baptism for the first hour of church, and then invited our branch. Our branch leadership kind of had to just go along with it, since there was nowhere else for us to meet. Anyway, we got to the church at 9:50, for the 10:00 baptism. By the time everyone got there and we could start, it was 10:50. They finally started the service, which was for a mother and her three daughters. It was very nice, except that someone noticed after the first two that the missionary doing the baptisms was raising his left arm instead of his right. They were good sports about the re-do. After the baptisms, they had a short break, and then started a combined sacrament meeting that included the confirmations of the new members. We were not done until 1:25. Yes, my kids had to sit in the chapel for 3 hours and 25 minutes. They did a pretty good job, but boy did it make me thankful for Primary!

In other news, Rebekah is back! Her plane was actually on time, getting in this morning at 9:30. It was very good to see her. We took her straight to school, which she wasn't thrilled about. I probably should have been nice and let her come home for a shower, but I didn't. Sorry, Bek! She had a great time- got to see castles and cathedrals and eat schnitzel! I'm sure we'll hear lots more details this afternoon. Only three weeks until Tim and I go... I'm getting excited!

She Won!

Woohoo! We just got a phone call telling us that Rebekah's Odyssey of the Mind team won their competition! They were competing against all the other Department of Defense Schools in Europe. This is especially impressive because they are one of the smallest schools. We're excited to hear all the juicy details!

I'm leaving... on a jet plane.... Yes, it's official, we're leaving the island and moving back to Utah on June 22nd. This round of flights shouldn't be quite as traumatic as the last one... on the way here, we left at midnight and arrived in Lajes at midnight the next day. Talk about sleep deprivation. This time, we'll be leaving in the morning, and we'll hopefully be in Salt Lake by about 7 p.m. That sounds lots more reasonable to me.
On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend moving twice in 10 months. Especially not when the federal government and international shipping are involved. I'm really not ready to sort through all the junk we either moved here or have accumulated since we got here, and get it ready to move. I keep coming up with more things I want to bring home, too... hand-painted tiles, baskets, lace, pottery. We'll see how much I can afford in the next 3 months!
We're getting our lists of things to do started, too. Spring break is coming up (it starts next Friday), so we'll have plenty of time then, and when Mom and Dad come we have a whole grundle of things planned.
Rebekah made it safely to Germany yesterday. We got a call from the parent phone tree around 10pm last night- the kids were just getting to their hotel. I bet there were some ready-to-drop kids (not to mention the advisors) last night. Yesterday morning, when I took Rebekah to the airport, I dropped her off at the front (at her request) and went to park. When I got into the terminal, she was almost at the front of the line for check-in. She got all squared away, and then came over to me, all excited. "That was soooo easy- they didn't even ask who I was traveling with. I could go anywhere! I should do this more often!" I think it's a good thing Rebekah doesn't have a credit card. I'm glad she's having this experience, though. How many 11 year olds can say they're international travelers- and without their parents, no less! Emma was very sad to leave Bek at the airport- she cried most of the way home. I'm glad she loves her big sis!

I Miss Her Already...

I am having very mixed feelings tonight. Rebekah is flying to Germany with her Odyssey of the Mind team tomorrow morning. She will be gone until Monday morning. Even though she'll only be gone four nights, it's the distance and international borders involved that are giving me pause. I know she'll have a great time- she's very independent and resourceful, and she's going with friends and advisors. As part of the competition, she and her teammates have created a play- it involves Greek muses, "moments of inspiration," and original works of art (including flute music that she helped write). I went to the dress rehearsal last week... they did great. Here is a picture of Rebekah the flautist!

I'm glad that Rebekah is in our family!

Pinewood Derby Success!

I was NOT looking forward to the Pinewood Derby this year. Our first year wasn't too bad... Price and Josh at least won a race or two. Last year was pretty much a disaster... Josh didn't win even one race. He was very nice about it, and I know losing teaches kids valuable lessons, but still... it was hard to see him disappointed. This year, my mantra was, "Let him win one race... just one race." The boys worked hard on their cars, and ended up being the 4th and 5th fastest cars there- they were thrilled. Even better, they each won a trophy for their designs. Whew- BIG sigh of relief, and even better, they're done with pinewood derbies for the rest of their lives! Well, until they have 8 year old sons. We will have a year off next year, and then we start up again with Ethan. At least then we'll only have one car to worry about. Tim says he's an expert now, so no worries. We'll see.

Happy Easter!

I loved sacrament meeting today- the speakers were so good, and we did a musical number with some of the women in the branch. I needed a reminder about the Savior- what he has done for me, and the perspective that gives me. The little problems in my life really are little when viewed with an eternal eye. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Atonement.

Hey... Don't Forget Me!

This is ME!


Yoda Tigger

Hey! It's Rebekah. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but Mom forgot about me! I am going to Germany, too! I am leaving on Thursday, March 27 at 4:35 am Mountain Standard Time. I am going with my Odyssey of the Mind Team. So, just a little bit about me: I am nearly 12, I enjoy being crafty, and my favorite quote is: "Do, or do not. There is no try" (Yoda, STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK) So, now that you know a little bit about me, "TTFN"! (Another favorite quote: Tigger, from the Winnie the Pooh series on Disney Channel)

All Worth It

Ethan, who is in 1st grade this year, can be a challenge. His first year on this earth was bliss- he was an extremely easy baby who rarely cried, fussed, or woke up in the middle of the night. Then reality set in. The combination of a very strong personality and two older brothers who live to tease has made him challenging at times. When he was three, I took him for a preschool evaluation. He answered exactly one question- and that was by pointing. The others he absolutely refused to cooperate on. That summer, I enrolled him in a "Mom and Me" swim class. Each day, for all eight days of lessons, I had to drag him, kicking and screaming, into the water, and then try to keep him from drowning while I struggled to pry his arms off of my neck. Potty training was a complete joke. Ethan must hold some record for the number of treats and prizes earned for going to the bathroom. He would cooperate exactly long enough to earn the candy, or the plastic dinosaur, or the big red firetruck (yes, I was getting desperate), and then would immediately revert to wet pants. When he turned four things improved immensely... he was suddenly potty trained, he excelled in preschool, and he went to his preschool swimming lessons willingly. Ethan does still give us a few challenges, though. At the beginning of the school year, his teacher told us that although his reading abilities were off the charts, he frequently growled at her. We very often hear high-pitched squealing screams coming from wherever he and his brothers are "wrestling". He is a very stubborn child. Yesterday, though, he made it all worth it. This was the letter he wrote to me at school:

Deutschland, Here We Come!

This is where I'm going on April 21st! It's official: Tim gets to take me with him to Heidelberg when he coaches the Model United States Senate team from our high school. We already have babysitting set up, and Tim got the tentative itinerary yesterday. I haven't been to Germany since the end of my mission in 1994, and I am SOOOO excited to go back! Tim did make me a little nervous yesterday, though. Apparently, going out to dinner, mingling with the natives, etc. is not a problem, because "Jen speaks German". I just hope that is still true....

What I'm Reading

My Mom keeps a book journal- whenever she finishes a book she writes it down, and writes her thoughts about what she has read. I am going to try to do something similar. So here goes... although it may get embarrassing to reveal how much I actually read. It will quickly become apparent why I need a cleaning lady.
On a related note, I am frustrated with our base library. They closed Feb. 29th to replace the carpet... they were supposed to be open again March 15th. So on Saturday, the 15th, our family showed up at the library bright and early, excited for fresh new books and dvds. Imagine our dismay when we read the sign on the door that announced a new opening date: March 30th! This time it said they were painting. Wait a second... they installed new carpet, and now they're painting? So what's next? Carpet cleaning to get all the paint out? Anyway, I'm suffering from major withdrawal. Luckily, I have had a few things to get me through.
I finished a good book this week. We really like Peanuts around here, so it was interesting to learn about the life of its creator.
Now, I'm reading a collection of all of the Peanuts cartoons, 1962-1963. I like Snoopy.

I have a new addiction. Her name is Karla, and she is my cleaning lady. I'm not sure, when we move back to the States in June, that I will be able to survive without her. Obviously, I survived the first 12 1/2 years of married life cleaning my own house, but now I've had a taste of the good life, and I don't want to go back. Karla comes once a week, and once a week my house is sparkling clean. She cleans under beds, washes windows, sweeps and mops my huge expanse of tile floor, dusts, polishes all our woodwork, and (most importantly) cleans the bathrooms. It is such a nice feeling to check my email, play with the girls, bake, go on walks, or read a book, and know that my house is getting CLEANER while I do it. Amazing. Here is a picture of the kid's sparkling bathroom, with the girls wondering at my choice of photo locations.

The Wonderful, Wacky Walkers

Welcome to our blog! I've been snooping and admiring other blogs for a long time now, and I'm finally giving in. Here we are! I won't promise brilliance, but maybe you'll at least get a laugh from our family antics now and then.