Birthday Buddy

As I've mentioned before, on the day my newest little CTR was born in the birthing room next to Linda, Jenny Staggs was having her baby. Finally got a picture of the two of them together. I don't think there was ever any concern of getting the two of them mixed up. Drew has dark hair and my little Teddy Bear is very much a blondie. They are both adorable.

My Little CTRs

Just some pictures of my CTRs.

Summer Vacation

For our family vacation we spent the day in St. Louis. Linda, Nathan, Celeste, and Charlie went with us as did Dani and Jon. It was a fun filled time. We also combined a visit to the temple for Sean to receive his endowment.





Most of the evening was spent in the hotel pool. It's been too long since I've been swimming. It was a blast.

MoTab Wanna Be

One of my favorite classes in high school was choir. I started singing in school choirs in the fifth grade. My dad was singing in the ward choir at the time so I guess you could say I was following his example. Music was a big part of his family growing up and I wanted to continue in that tradition. In high school I would joke around with one of the other choir members who was an inactive member of the church that some day we would both be singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Now there is no way I would ever be able to sing with that wonderful choir, but I think I have the next best thing. My daughter Linda has been trying for a very long time to get me to join with her in singing with the Mormon Chorale the KC area's version of the MoTab. I would tell her no because I don't think I'm a good enough singer. Plus I have to sing alto now since age and allergies have diminished my range somewhat. That's little bit of a problem since I don't really read music. I mean, I know what the notes are on the staff, but if you were to ask me what an "A" sounds like, I wouldn't have a clue. I can sing the part if I can hear someone next to me singing it, but I am very self concious of how I sound. Well, I put my fears aside and sucumbed to Linda's persuasions and joined. I've gone to two practices so far and I tell you it is an experience. I imagine the practices are very similar to how the MoTab does it. It is challenging and I'm LOVING it.

A Slice of Heaven

There is something very special about seeing one's children together in the celestial room of the temple. Last Saturday we had the experience of going through the temple while Sean received his endowment. It was extra special because My three older children were able to attend with us as was my niece and her husband. It would have been nice to have more ward family members there, but I was glad the Mannings were able to be there. It was a nice experience. I just wish I could have enjoyed it more. The blue monster had a hold on me that day which made things a little difficult, but that's how it goes at times.
It was a special day for Sean because after the endowment session he was able to assist with baptisms as Rebekah was participating there. It is a tremendous blessing to know that all of my children are worthy to attend the temple.

August 2010 Family Update

It’s funny how sometimes a month just seems to fly by and at other times creep along like a snail. This has been one of those months that has flown. Probably because so much has happened since I last wrote an update. I’ve decided to do this a little differently this time and post this on my blog instead of just sending it in an email. I won’t go into the boring details of why I’m trying something new, mostly because I want to try something new.

Joe is busy, busy, busy. I don’t know how he does day after day. Things at the hotel have eased up a bit so that’s good. Unfortunately the business did lose their biggest client this month. We knew that was a possibility since the contract was awarded to another company, but thanks to the great sales team we have, enough new clients have signed up to make up the difference.

Laura is now home from BYU and enrolled at the University of Kansas. She has decided to live at home which makes me happy. I think in the long run it will be less expensive since there is bus she can use to commute. KU has even accepted a lot of credits from BYU, not as many as she would like, but more than expected. She’s looking for a job also. I know she could get one at the hotel. They would hire her in a second, but she wants to try something new. Nothing wrong with that.

Linda and her crew have had a major change to their family. Charles Theodore Rathjen was born July 14 and is a healthy little boy. I still have to laugh to myself of the coincidence that happened that day with my bishop’s wife giving birth that same day in the delivery room next door to Linda’s. Nathan has been able to work for a few weeks this month with his dad’s company. I keep hoping that one day he’ll be able to find a more permanent job.

Daryn has been working more at Joe’s office. Between that and learning code and programming for the computer he stays pretty busy. He has been called to work in Primary, teaching the Sunbeams. He loves it. He is so good with little kids. He just has a natural rapport with them.

Sean received his mission call. That’s his big news. He has been called to serve in the Nevada, Las Vegas West Mission. It’s a good thing our neighbor down the street just returned home from that same mission so he can give Sean the scoop on everything. It seems too we have quite a few missionaries from the stake serve there.

Rebekah is a working girl now. She got a job at Michael’s. It’s going to be really difficult to restrain myself from going there too often to shop. I guess it’s a good thing I have this need to finish a project before I start another. She also obtained her driver’s license. Yipee! No having to drive her to Seminary in the morning. Plus since it’s still a novelty to her, she is willing to run errands for me.

Not a whole lot is happening with me. I did get a “job” too. I don’t know if I would really call it that. I’ve been hired by a gentleman in my stake to do research for him. For me it’s perfect. I can do most of the work from home, I can set my own hours, and I get paid to do something I enjoy anyway. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Born in the USA sorta

In the past couple of years I have had the privilege of attending citizenship ceremonies for two of my husband's employees. One of the nation's newest citizen Violeta Soubie
There is a lot of preparation that goes into the application for citizenship that one doesn't normally get to see. It is also interesting to see the slight differences in each of the ceremonies. The first I was able to attend took place in a large auditorium and was said to be the largest swearing in to ever be held in the state of Kansas. The more recent one had about 90+ people and apparently according to the security guards at the federal building is held on a monthly basis with about that many in attendance. The first one I attended the officiator named a country and every from that country stood. The more recent ceremony, the clerk read each person's name, their native country, and their occupation with place of employment if they had one. Free advertising for us lol.

Those attending the ceremony to support Violeta except Billie and TP who missed the photo op.


Almost the same thing as above except Billie and TP are in this one and Calli was taking the picture.

Gab Bumatay was so kind in letting Violeta have a party at her house afterward. They set a great spread. Tasty!

Judgement Day

About a month ago Daryn was on his way home from work when he was pulled over by a police officer for driving with expired tags. No of course it wasn't his fault because it's not his car. I knew we were gambling that that could happen, but what can one do when the funds just aren't there. In the process of issuing the ticket it was found there was no proof of insurance in the car. Now the insurance was paid, but the card wasn't in the glove box where it's supposed to be. Again something that isn't his fault since he isn't the car owner and he's trusting that we take care of that. Anyway, today Joe and Daryn went to pay the ticket, $90. For some that might not be such a huge amount, but for us right now it is. Of course they went during lunch time when there is hardly anyone around to take care of business. When they arrrived there were 3 stations opened to pay fines. Daryn and Joe get up to one and give the paperwork to the clerk. Just at that moment a judge walked in behind the clerk and took the paperwork. He looks at it and reduces the amount of the ticket by $70! Joe was so amazed by the whole thing. Daryn of course doesn't realize how significant it is.

The Blue Monster

For the past several months I have been able to keep the "blue monster" at bay. It's not been easy. I have to pretend at times that everything is fine. At others I just have to push myself to do the things that need to be done. It's not something I can explain as to why I am affected by this malady. I have a wonderful family and wonderful things have been happening. That in itself makes me feel guilty, because I am blessed this way. I just know that some days I want to give up, but something keeps me going. This past week has been extremely difficult to keep the smile painted on even with the wonderful things happening. It's very frustrating.

The Call Is Here

Sean received his mission call today. He will be serving in the Nevada Las Vegas West Mission. What's really funny is Joseph Naylor just came home from that mission and he just lives down the street from us. Serendipity.

Charles Theodore Rathjen

Charles Theodore Rathjen arrived July 14, 2010 at 11:29am.
He has a good set of lungs on him. I had the privilege of being his mommy's labor coach, not that she needed it. The nurses did such a wonderful job. Christa was Linda's nurse and she was fabulous.
7lbs and 19 inches long. He's seems so tiny.
The day was extra special because in the birthing room next to us Jenny Staggs (the bishop's wife) was having her baby. So the race was on. Charles came in first with Drew Staggs following a close second 2 hours and 15 minutes later. I was hoping to have a picture of the two boys in their bassinets, but it didn't work out that way.
Baby Drew Staggs
Baby CTR
Oh well, I'll just have to steal one they took. We are now and forever tied to their family whether they want it or not.
Poor Celeste
Big Sis
doesn't even have a clue as to how much her life is going to change. I think she will do fine, but it will be interesting to watch the transition.

Father and son


I think he's gonna be a blondie.


My little Teddy Bear

KC Temple

I was visiting with one of my favorite people today in Liberty and so I stopped by the temple site to view the progress.

Mall Rat in the Making

We have great indoor malls in OP. This one has a merry-go-round and a fun play area that CTR absolutely loves.

Independence Day

A legal way to celebrate the fourth. Love those poppers. Daryn tosses them and CTR pops them.

A New Project

Linda had a great idea to make a dollhouse for CTR. I have this pattern that I made for the girls when they were little that is kind of cute. We started working on the house in May and so far we have three rooms done. It's going a lot faster this time around than when I made it for the girls. Dani, Linda, and I get together once a week to woek on it together.
The crew
Wednesdays are again my favorite day of the week. Now that Laura's home even she is getting in on the fun. We're changing some of the colors. The bathroom and bedroom are different.
The front

This is a well worn pattern for sure, but so much fun.


The back


Working on the outside.

Even CTR is helping. I am so enjoying this.

Spending the Day with a Favorite Cousin

CTR got to spend the day with Cousin Dani while mommy was "playing" at cub scout camp. I don't know who had more fun, Dani or CTR.