You know it's a recession when...

We were getting toilet papered last night...again. It seems as if we're getting toilet papered a couple time a month, but I guess that's what happens when hou have two and half teenagers.

It wasn't too late, only about 11:00 at night. I was in the kitchen (a little late night snack) and I heard Kali start barking. I heard a couple of thumps, some running, and a car screeching away. I immediately thought "Oh, @!#! we're getting toilet papered again."

I flipped on the lights outside and ran out. It wasn't too bad because Kali scared them away soon enough. I know she usually barks at the toilet paperers, but we're usually asleep and don't always here her because she likes to bark on the opposite end of the house.

I was so happy this time I heard her because when I ran out I found so many barely used rolls of toilet paper. I quickly scooped them up hoping that the three second rule applies to toilet paper as well--doesn't it? After all, toilet paper seems to be getting more and more expensive and I now have about 8 barely used rolls that were left in my yard.

Every 15 Minutes

There's a pretty good video of the Every 15 Minutes program that Kelsie was in at her school. You can watch it and see how "real" everything seems to be. Kelsie is one of the "Living Dead," you can see her at the beginning and the end of the video--as well as her cute baby picture and current picture.
Check out http://www.vimeo.com/3606083

Kelsie's Untimely Death

Kelsie died today. We knew it was going to happen...but it's still a strange feeling. She was chosen to participate in the school's Every 15 Minutes program, which is an education "experience" to remind students of the dangerous consequences from drinking alcohol.

In this program a drunk driving accident is staged behind the school with real cars that have been in real accidents. Several students are "victims" who are actually in the car and the Jaws of Life have to get them out, another student is the "drunk driver" and other students represent the Living Dead--others who have been killed in alcohol related accidents.

I didn't really want Kelsie to be one of the victims because then I would either have to go to the morgue and identify her body, or go to the hospital and see her on life support or suffering from other injuries. I don't like hospitals(I don't think I would like a morgue either) and I really didn't want to willingly go through the emotions that accompany such an experience, so we asked the director to have her be one of the "Living Dead." I actually wouldn't have minded if she was the drunk driver--I would have had to go to "court" and watch her trial, but I think I could have removed myself more from that experience than that of being an accident victim.

As it was, two policeman and a chaplain went to Chris's work this morning to tell him that his daughter had been killed in a drunk driving accident. Why did they go to Chris's work? Because they videotape the experience and show it at an assembly tomorrow for the school. We saw the video from last year and all the parents are crying and I didn't want to be on video for an assembly--I'm not a pretty crier-- so Chris volunteered for that part. He said it was very surreal. He knew they were coming. He knew what they were coming for. He had warned the "counter people" so that they could send the officers in, but he said it still felt very real. He felt such a range of emotions; what if it had really happened, knowing that it could possibly happen, and empathy for families that have had to go through this trial.

Meanwhile, Kelsie gets to miss two days of school (no wonder she wanted to do this). She even had to leave her cell phone at home! She was at the accident scene this morning, went to the hospital, went out to lunch, went to the morgue, then she goes and watches the "trial" of the drunk driver. Police officers drive the students everywhere they go. They have dinner tonight with guest speakers, stay the night at the Brandies-Bardin Institute, go out to breakfast in the morning, and then tomorrow there's an assembly where their obituaries are read.

The parents "get" to go to the assembly tomorrow. We also get dinner tonight and attend a luncheon tomorrow...so it's not all bad. It's an interesting experience. When I first learned of this I thought it might benefit someone else more than Kelsie--perhaps someone who may be more inclined to drink and drive. But as I've experienced this, I've realized it's a lesson all of us need to remember. The importance of life. The blessings of family. The importance of faith.

Just like me

I'm always looking for good qualities and characteristics in my children so I can quickly claim "They got that from me." Of course, all their negative traits come from their father. Kelsie surprised me yesterday with our startling similar characteristics.

The youth went on a temple baptism trip and Kelsie kept asking me when they would be home. She wanted to make sure they would be home before 8:00 PM since she had signed up for a blood drive (NOT like me...I don't give blood). I was surprised she had signed up for the blood drive since she had never done anything like that, but she assured me it was because they got a free Marie Callender's pie if they gave blood. (Like me...the only time I even signed up to give blood was for a pie...but I chickened out.) She made it back in time for the blood drive and when I asked her how it went she said that she had chickened out, it was too scary. (Like me) Instead, she went to Taco Bell. (Like me...although I probably would have just gone and bought a pie...)

Trevor's Braces

February 19th, 2009 at 2:00 PM

February 19th, 2009 at 3:15 PM

As one can probably tell, Trevor was not in a "Picture" mood when he got his braces off. What is it about teenagers not wanting their picture taken? It can be so annoying. In fact, that was the only glimpse I've even had of his pearly whites since he got his braces off. Money well spent? We'll have to see...only if he smiles.

So Close...and yet so far

Since November 15th I have been crossing out each day on the basketball schedule. A nice two page schedule that has controlled my life and my family's life for the past three months. The last day on the schedule was February 15th. I have been anticipating that day for quite a while. That was to be the last day of the basketball season, a day I could cross off and throw the schedule away and realize I have a little bit of my life back.

I forgot about the possibility of basketball playoffs.

The season is still not over.

Kelsie's team made it to CIF and so they have a CIF game Thursday night (and I REALLY wanted to go to a Scrabble party...but I would have major mom guilt). Branden's team has a playoff game on Saturday morning for his basketball team (he wasn't even on my two-page schedule.) Trevor was the only one who ended his basketball season on time, but he started playing volleyball on Monday, so I didn't get a break there.

So, our schedule is STILL hectic, but this week REALLY should be the last week of basketball.

Bryan's baptism

Our sweet friend Bryan was baptized yesterday. He is a sixteen year old boy who has been taking the missionary discussions at our house since August. His older sister joined the church several years ago and he started asking her a bunch of questions during the summer. We kind of got involved because Chris is the YM President, so the missionaries would have the discussions at our house. After we had met Bryan, we realized that he and Trevor had played soccer on a couple of teams together, and so we actually knew him and knew his parents a little.

At first I just liked the discussions because the missionaries would come over on Sunday night's and I liked that because then I didn't have to worry about a Family Home Evening lesson (we have FHE on Sunday night's since it's the only night we are all home.) After a few weeks I forgot about the FHE lessons I was getting out of and really enjoyed the spirit the missionaries brought into our home. It was an amazing experience for the boys (and me) to sit in on the missionary lessons and to watch Bryan's learn about the gospel and develop a testimony.

Chris was such a great help in teaching Bryan. Chris joined the church when he was seventeen, so he was able to really relate to everything Bryan was going through; all of the questions and trials and feelings...it brought back a lot of memories for Chris.

I was really amazed at how supportive Bryan's family was of his baptism. His sister and her husband came down from Utah and his brother-in law baptized him. His parents were there along with another brother he has. His grandparents and some close family friends came to support him. I thought it was really nice that they were all at his baptism, but then his parents also came to church today for his confirmation. It was really cool.

I remember when he came over a few weeks ago and he had finally decided he wanted to get baptized. He was SO happy. There was such a change in him. After the baptism I asked how he felt and he said "I just can't wait for tomorrow to get the Holy Ghost." How cool is that? Chris was able to confirm him in church today but then I had to go to another ward for ward conference, so I haven't been able to get the "Holy Ghost" update from him.

I am so thankful for the opportunity that our family has had to go through this process with Bryan. Watching him learn about the gospel has been an unforgettable opportunity. Since I haven't been on a mission...yet...I feel like I finally had a "missionary moment," even though I really didn't have to do anything except sometimes read a few scriptures, make sure the house was suitable for company and occassionally share my desserts--but I'll still take it as a missionary experience.