State Competition

The bus is finally here. Rebekah, Camille Larson, and Rachel Iba from Chanticleers . Just before the performance. Rebekah didn't want to ride the bus so we drove to Emporia separately. We were told to leave by 11:50am in order to try and get an earlier slot for singing since some of the kids had to get back for their roles in the school play. The bus company didn't get that memo so they left at the originally scheduled time. But we left at the earlier time so here we are still waiting. Waiting for the rest of the choir.

A few weeks ago the choir Rebekah sings with got a 1 rating at Regionals. The entitled them to participate in the State Competition held in Emporia KS. A 1 rating is the best. For the competition they are required to sing two songs with one of them being in a foreign language. I was a little worried what rating they would get because they did a better job at regionals with their first song than they did today. They did an awesome job on the second song though which was the foreign language song. This year the choir director had the girls in all the choirs sing as one group and all the boys sing as one group too. So Rebekah participated in a small ensemble as well as a large ensemble. I am happy to say that both of the groups she participated with got a 1 rating. Way to go Rebekah.

Rebekah is on the back row middle.

My New Do

I had fun today. I got to be a hair model for Jamie Johnson. Jamie is the daughter of my friend Bobbie. Jamie recently returned from serving a mission in England. She has been trying to find a salon where she could practice her profession. She contacted a woman at a salon to see if she could have a booth on commission. In order for this to happen Jamie had to demonstrate to her that she knows what she's doing. So today for the first time in my life I got highlights; also a new style. I like it now and hopefully in the morning I will be able to do it again.

Have You Done Your Visiting Teaching?

Okay so this may be a little irreverent, but I thought it was worth posting. A least it gave me a good chuckle. Hopefully it will do the same for you. You can find more like this at http://www.9thwardcartoons.com . It's where I got this one.

Finding Faith

I think the worst part of my struggle with the Big Blue Monster is the feeling that I am alone in this battle. I don't mean feeling like I'm the only one with this struggle, (because I know I am not) but it's the feeling that Heavenly Father is not listening to my prayers. It's having a lack of the Spirit. It's a time when I plead for help and guidance and I feel nothing. I feel so utterly alone. In a sense I feel like I have been abandoned by the Supreme Being who created all. I've come to learn though that this happens to others that have depression. I found out that two particular individuals that have this battle have also gone through these same things. These two people are men that I respect greatly and that I see as very righteous and spiritual men. One a former Stake President and the other a former Bishop as well as holding other callings in which receiving inspiration is a must.
For some reason, whether it be physiological or something that God has happen as part of this trial, during the very bad bouts with this illness for me anyway, I can not feel the Spirit. I then feel "okay what am I doing wrong?" which then leads to an even bigger downward spiral in my self-worth. It sometimes is so bad that I feel like giving up. I know I can't and I press on. I am in one of those bad downward spirals right now, but I made a conscious decision, that regardless of the loneliness I will continue to do the things I know I should. I am taking a leap of faith in the hopes that one day I will be able to have that wonderful gift return.

Singin' Time

This last month has been slightly eventful. Rebekah participates with the Shawnee Mission South Choir. She has had so many concerts the last two months. Spring brings the State Competitions. That's one of the reasons for the many performances. The good news is that each of the groups Rebekah sang with got a 1 rating. That's the best rating to be had. She also tried out for the Raider Revue. That is night of song and dance that the choir uses as a fund raiser. She made that as well. She has a group of friends that they will be doing "Dancing Queen" from Mama Mia. I'm so excited for her and what she has accomplished.

Welcome Home Elder Divis

April 1st brought Jeffrey Divis(my nephew) home from serving in Romania.
When he left for his mission, Jeffrey and Laura were both in the MTC(Missionary Training Center). That was fun for both of them. They would see each other occasionally at meals and devotionals. Jeffrey is also Daryn's favorite cousin since they are only eight days apart in age.
Since Jeffrey came home on April Fool's Day we decided to be a little foolish.

Those that greeted him at the airport were of course his parents Jeff and Kathy Divis,

his sister Jaimie, Jon and Dani Allee(cousins)Linda and Celeste Rathjen(also cousins), John, Travis, Easton, and Jenna Fackrell(uncle and cousins),
Joe, Heidi, Laura, Daryn, Sean, and Rebekah Fackrell(uncle,aunt, and cousins).




As part of our foolishness we decided to have Dani's husband Jon greet him at the gate. Jeffrey hadn't met Jon before he left so we thought that would be a good trick. We wanted to have Jon dress up as a security person and try to scare Jeffrey,

but decided against that since we didn't think the real airport security would appreciate the joke. Then the rest of us waited at the baggage claim for him to arrive. We had a lot of fun with it. There was one airport employee by the claim area that would just look at as and chuckle. She did make a comment on how she liked our hats.

2009 Chili Cook-off

A fun time was had at the chili cook-off. Every entry was delicious. My favorite was Karen Babin's that had a secret ingredient. She added chocolate to her pot and it was yummy. Steve Stokes won the prize for best after taste. The Millers won for best flavor. Joe Fackrell won for the hottest chili. Calli Potter won a prize as did the Capeners. The best over all chili prize went to Kevin Manning for his scrumptious entry.

My New Philosophy

I found this quote on a piece of flair. It's not an exact quote, but it's close enough.





Here it is "Smile like nothing’s wrong,

talk like everything is perfect,





act like it’s all a dream,



.and pretend it’s not hurting me."

Fun in the Snow

Snow is cold, but it can also bring hours of fun. Today during the warmup Daryn decided to make a snow fort. He had the help of two of our neighbors. They had a good time building the fort and even more fun destroying it. Daryn is such a fun person to be around. He views life as a simple thing. I could learn from him if I would allow myself.

Sunday Go to Meeting Dress

 

Celeste is wearing a dress that a dear sweet friend gave as a shower gift. We al oohed and awed about the dress so I thought I would take a picture of Celeste wearing it for the first time so that the person who gave it could see her in it. Not a big deal, but I thought she looked adorable.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

I have had the pleasure of being in a monthly book group for the past 15 years. Over that time I have come to know, respect, and become fond of some wonderful women. We have read a variety of books from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer to Angle of Repose by Wallace Earle Stegner. Mysteries, Sci-fi, Romance, Non-fiction are just some of the genres we have perused. We try to only limit ourselves to reading wholesome uplifting books. We are all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and so try to keep our standards when choosing a book for the group to read. I haven't always liked the books we read, but am always willing to give a book a shot.
These last few years it has been very difficult for me to read as I have struggled with depression. One of the ways the depression affects me is in my ability to focus. I am easily distracted in some areas and reading is one of them. It frustrates me to no end because as a child, teen and adult, reading has been a way for me to escape and to relax. I have discovered that listening to books is a great solution to the problem. The only problem with that is not all books come in an audio version.
The book the group is reading for February is called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. While it is a very lovely fictitious book it has not been an easy read for me. The format of the book is pleasing and it is very well done. It's a collection of letters set just after WWII a time in history where many atrocious things occurred. I was getting through the book just fine until almost the end where in one of the letters the writer was explaining the condition of young man that was found trying to steal a potato from a vegetable garden. I had to stop reading because I started sobbing. Even though I know this is a work of fiction, those types of things really happened. I know from first hand experience the wicked things that others can inflict on someone whether on purpose or through a lack of understanding. As I have battled my own past demons these types of events seem to affect me more and more. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

A Lesson from a Hymn

I was holding Celeste feeding her a bottle and decided to start singing to her. Not that it sounds that great, but because I like to sing. I started singing “I Am a Child of God” by Naomi W. Randall because it’s my favorite Primary song. It was one of those moments where I had to get konked on the head so to speak. There is so much truth in that song. After I sang the first phrase “and he has sent me here” I had a witness that I am here for a reason. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. It was a moment where a hymn can teach so much in a fraction of a moment. How many times have I sung that song and it not hit me before so strongly? I had to be singing it to my granddaughter for it to sink in. I've included the words even though most reading this will know them anyway.
I Am a Child of God
Fervently

35395, Children’s Songbook, My Heavenly Father, I Am a Child of God, 2–3

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.

Giddyap Horsie

Okay, I know this is so posed, but it's funny, at least I think it is. Our Border Collie is jealous of the attention that Celeste gets when she comes over. But he also gets upset if she cries. I think this dog has an identity crisis as well. I sometimes think that he thinks he's a cat. He's still lovable and he has been in our family for 8 years.

More Rolling Over

 

 

 

 

These are pictures of Celeste in the process of turning over. Linda was taping it while I was taking pictures. It was so fun to watch her. She is such a cutie. I know I'm a bit biased, but that's how I see it.

Quotes

Just a short post with this one.
"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." * George Washington (1732 - 1799)
"A woman can and must have an identity and feel useful, valued, and needed whether she is single or married. She must feel that she can do something for someone else that no one else ever born can do" (Pres. James E. Faust "What It Means to Be a Daughter of God," Liahona, Jan. 2000, 123–24; Ensign, Nov. 1999, 102)

See What I Can Do Now!

You would almost think I was the Mama instead of the Nana. Celeste had the greatest play of the game. She rolled over for the first time and I missed it. We were over at the cousins' house and I had to leave early so Rebekah could work on school stuff. Maybe I'll get to see her do it today when Linda comes to clean. These are some pictures I took a couple of days ago. She was getting ready for her big event.

Wii

Celeste was over at the house the other day and we thought it would be funny to pose her like this. She's not really playing the game but I thought it was cute. Doesn't she look like she is having fun?

Random Thoughts

I love watching the snow fall. There is something peaceful in the way the flakes float that brings a small amount of pleasure to me. I like snow, but not the cold that comes with it.

One thing I would like to do is to travel in space. I think viewing the earth from space would be one of the most awe inspiring events that could happen to a person.

Some days it is very hard to smile,
but I keep plugging along even when I don't feel like it, like today.
Kids make the best teachers.

The Blue Monster is Back

Grover Monster is one of my favorite Muppets.
I really hate this depression stuff. I was doing okay, not great but noticed improvement on the new meds. I thought maybe I was finally going to get a handle on things and actually start enjoying life again. Maybe finding hope again, but it's all gone bye-bye. I guess I've used up my quota on the miracle line. I did have two bright spots today though. They were being able to visit with my sister-in-law in Liberty and having Celeste fall asleep while I was holding her.

Chocolate Cake in a Cup

I don't remember where I got this recipe originally, (probably in an e-mail) put I sent it to my niece Dani and she made it recently. It sounds easy enough to do and I'm still thinking about making one. The picture is how hers turned out. Where's my fork?
MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well . Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2, if you want to share!)

Baby's First Christmas

I know this is a little late in posting, but I went out of town the day after Christmas. Some of these pics were taken before opening gifts. Celeste just couldn't wait and was letting her displeasure known. The others were taken afterwards.