Good thought!

The picture below depicts a boy being taught to work!!  Almost novel in today's world, isn't it?  Teaching children to work seems to be one of the biggest challenges that parents have to deal with.  All 5 of our children are hard workers.  Their Dad was a super hard worker and honest to boot.  I'm sure it was his example but also equal part or maybe even more than equal, was earning their own way.


They had to earn their own money for what they wanted...and that included our daughter.  She had travel wanderlust in her soul and she'd do hard physical work to make the most money possible.  She was a waitress, a meat cutter, a charter boat deckhand that filleted halibut larger than her and all sorts of other jobs, in order to travel to Japan, go on a cruise, live on BYU Israel Study abroad for 6 months, backpack through Europe for 6 weeks.

I'm sure I'm missing some of the other adventures she had but she paid her own way.  Maybe it was because we couldn't really afford to grant her desires, except to support her efforts and tell her she could do anything she set her mind to.  This was in the day before the Internet and the fast paced world of today. I think that makes it harder to teach work habits.  She lived a very pioneer super survival minimalist life and knew only her own hard work would make all things possible to her. (well, that is my take on it!!)

Hard work does form children's character.  My friend Tamera has a son on a Mission and she is collecting letters to make a special gift for  him.  I'm going to write about what a hard worker he is.  He is very thorough, self-motivated, handles small details to make a job look great, doesn't shortcut or loaf, has pride in his accomplishments, finishes what he started, works hard and fast as he can.  She and her husband taught him to work.  What specifics did you do, Tamera?  Share.  Please.  Parents want their children to learn to work and value work and all that goes with it but what can be done?

My kiddos used to play hard.  Outdoors.  tree and forts and mud and a little creek were their toys and they made up games.  Maybe that makes a difference?  I know it's a different world now and especially for city dwellers but there must be some modern ways to accomplish teaching children to work. 

Would love to hear how any of you address this issue or is it not a problem in your home? 

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Jeanee was very small (check her wrists) and would wear several layers of clothing to keep warm.  She'd sit on the Halibut to fillet it.  She would come home aching from head to toe (from how physical and hard the work was) endeavor to untangle her windblown gnarled hair, shower, fall into bed and arise super early to go on the next charter.  thought you'd enjoy this picture of her working hard!!  She is still a hard worker.  (as are her brothers also)

Here is what she wrote about being a deck hand....

 We would go out deep sea fishing about 2 hours. There were 12 people on the boat and each person could keep two halibut. When the max was reached we would head back to the boat harbor, hang the big ones to show the passing tourist for pictures then we would fillet them.

real life lesson shared....

(Seems to me this would be a great FHE discussion)

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Sometimes, not winning can prove more valuable than taking home the gold. American snowboarder Shaun White, favored to win the men’s halfpipe competition at the Olympics, finished fourth, just off the medal stand. But when he didn’t win, White set a great example that all kids can learn from. Here are several lessons we can take away from White’s fourth-place finish by Shannan Younger writer for ChicagoNow’s Tween Us:

1. You don’t always win. Sometimes in life, you do your best and it just isn’t good enough. While it’s heartbreaking, it happens. Keep a broader perspective in mind: You tried your hardest, you accomplished something. That’s enough.
2. Being a good sport matters. Right after his last run, which didn’t go well, White hugged Iouri Podladtchikov. In an interview later, he said, “I’m happy for the guys who did well.” He was gracious and sincere. As hard as it may be, kids can learn to rejoice in the success of others.
3. He didn’t give up. White said, “It just wasn’t my day. I’ll live on to fight another one…. Next time.” One bad day doesn’t mean you’re not good at something. It simply means you had a bad day. Everyone, even Olympians, can have a bad day now and then.
4. He asked for a hug. After the competition, White said to his friend, “Come here, man. I need a hug.” The agony of defeat is never easy, but having friends who support you no matter what makes it much easier. Plus, in a world where men are expected to be so tough, it’s nice to see him asking for a hug in his time of need.

Perhaps the icing on the cake came when White spontaneously leapt over a barricade to high-five Ben Hughes, a young boy and cancer survivor visiting the Olympics thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Before Ben had finished his treatments in 2012, he had found two new inspirations: snowboarding and Shaun White. He loved both. Meeting Shaun White was not part of the original plan, but the snowboarder made it possible after he heard about the boy – and changed the 10-year-old’s life forever. Read the full story by Mike Wise at WashingtonPost.com.

We think it’s fair to say that this famous sports star delivered an Olympic moment on the day he failed to win a medal.

I think we need to step up to the plate!

Energy not quite up to par so we bypassed Stake Conference and felt the loss of missing Church.  Sundays aren't Sunday without Church in my book.  enjoy the association and familiarity of routine.  Listened to a lot of great music and BYU shows with all sorts of goodies!

I'm so eager for the Saturday meeting with girls from 8 and up.  I've really been thinking about the state of the world and immoral acts becoming legalized.  I've thought of the discord/discontent of active LDS women. I also thought once again of President Kimballs acknowledgement of the power of women in the last days.  here

Here is my concern.  It's one thing to just say....I know the Church is true.  We need to put a bit of substance in our testimony, don't you think?  someone that is challenging us or wanting to win us over is not going to simply say...You are wrong.  We need some doctrinal understanding and not just a cut and dried...I just know.

That being said...I just know is fine as far as it's a soul deep conviction and within myself I can back it with Scriptures and Church statements by Authorities.  That I have no doubt about my testimony, the basics of it, is something I want to come across with certainty.


I'm not into arguing/debating etc.  My religion is personal and private in a way but I'm okay to defend it.  I'm still a basic 11th Article of Faith woman.

What is of concern for me right now are the young woman of the Church and the things they are up against...legalized marijuana, legalized gay marriages, LDS women wanting the Priesthood, abuse of technology, no standards in the world on chastity and now pornography and on and on.  I was just reading that girls need to be talked to about perils of pornography so they can avoid it!  How on earth do you do that?  What do you say?  I have no idea.  One thing the article said, is to talk about what they read, as that is sometimes the beginning of future problems with romance type books being a common teen genre.  Music?  Movies? As I said, I have no idea on that particular subject BUT I do think you wonderful women with girls need to figure it out and act on it.

I talked to one of my granddaughters tonight and told her my concerns and to please educate herself doctrinally on issues and fortify her basic beliefs.  We talked a bit about the Family Proclamation.  I told her about the letter from the First Presidency to those women wanting to enter into the Priesthood meeting in a desire to obtain, eventually, the Priesthood for themselves...that has the statement that Doctrinally this goes against the plan.  That is a good one to study also.

To learn to access God through prayer and to also figure out how to receive regular guidance through the Holy Ghost.  A gift at baptism so even an 8 year old can experience it.  two great powers that we can all develop and use.  Shouldn't that be taught and fortified?  I think so.

These precious girls need us to help them gear up to fortify themselves and be ready for anything they encounter.  You sweet Mothers will be inspired to leave nothing to chance.  Figure it out Moms.

As a Grandma I can speak up also.  Am I still feverish and ill, just soap-boxing or what?????  I feel this so passionately to get these girls in battle gear!!!  Hallucinating?  No.  I really feel this way!

I look forward to the Saturday Broadcast.  I have no Granddaughters here but I have my 8 year old BFF, Lydia, and if it all works out we will be together for this historic event. 

Better and Better!!!!

The party has ended and Dave, Sam and Grace have headed home.  We so appreciated him coming to see us even though we were two bumps on log.  Just sort of sat/reclined/napped and enjoyed watching the energy of everyone else.

Today, gorgeous spring day, we had another roaring fire in fireplace.  Strictly recalling lifetime memories of Alaskan coldness with wood stove being our heat source.  Opened the back door to survive the heat!

Grace snuggling by fireplace!!!

 Art time with Uncle Kipper...oil painting today after yesterdays chalk/pencil.

David fixed a hole that was an eyesore!  Terry said his left arm didn't always do what it should and he poked a hole in the ceiling at Christmas while decorating.  Thank you, David!

Ceiling repair!!

Again....eat family dinners or any meal together as when your children grow up they will want to recreate that again.  Be consistent in cooking a few things a million times-- which amounts to the years your child will be at home from birth to high school graduation. Today's sentimental meal was Poor Man's Mush.  (wall paper paste/Norwegian Pudding etc.)  For some reason, after a near lifetime of making it, Terry changed the recipe.  David asked him not to but Terry insisted it would be even better.  The tweaking did not work!  People were polite and pretending it was so good but it wasn't quite the same although David ate two bowls of it!

Grace continued to dance her heart out for us!!  She made an observation that I found astute.  She told her Dad...This house is not to big and not to small and there is room for everyone.   I like to think she was feeling cozy.

David and Grace found his hand-print when he was 5 years old, on our old 1976 Homer fireplace hearth we made. Jeanee had it shipped to us for our big anniversary celebration at McCall.  It was tender for me to see Dave with his daughter, reliving those long ago memories.  Anything you have in your house over a long period of time becomes a part of your child's history if they grow up with it and it will mean a lot to them.  This is just hand poured cement with our hand-prints.  we had gone to the Spit and picked river rock and had a wild FHE doing something with no experience but a fun time.  Somehow or other it needs to be featured.  Terry thought I wanted it plopped into the gravel.  Now I'm nervous it will fall apart!  some creativity is needed.  Soon.

 Our family is spread out over years and years.  Kipper was 13 when David was born.  He used to sneak the baby out of his crib and sleep with him as he wanted him to know he was loved by his older brother.  How time flies.  Here Kip is showing him something on his computer.

Plan on your memory making.  IF I'd known then what I know now-- I would have really plotted and planned!!!  Mine is more or less happenstance.  I'm so glad that there were enough repeat patterns, of some rather commonplace events, that there are some things that survived and make for great rekindling of family love when re-enacted.

Sentimental Evening...

Another great day of moving ahead.  Both of us are really progressing.  I still nap at unexpected times but not for very long.  I feel strength coming into me and I appreciate that fact.  Kindness from others has it's own healing power.

David cooked us a fantastic salmon dinner with his own original recipe.  So good!  Used fresh spinach.  Then he felt the need to build a roaring fire and it was tolerable if I opened the back door!  It felt relaxing and reminded him of his childhood.  that is what counts.

So again...2 sons, 2 grandchildren for a family dinner.  So nice.

I'm thinking of you and hoping you are making enough memories that it will be pleasant for adult children to take a step back in time and feel those feelings again.  Eat dinner together as many times a week as you can.  You won't regret it.

Kipper is a fun Uncle and he and Grace had an art class that turned into a competition that will be judged.  By me!

Chef David

wrapping foil packets

butter pat slicer--Gracie

the seal is opened

Wish I could let you smell/taste this!!

ready to start the art contest

Artists at work!!!

David was missing his childhood!!  HOT fire!

He had wood to last for several fires!

David loves his Dad and vice versa!!

Moving Ahead a bit!!!!

Terry: will have his gall bladder removed on the 17th of April.  Pre-op appointment on the 10th.  Soonest available appointment.  That is fine as he is not hurting and is gaining strength.

Me: x-ray comparison shows my innards are looking good.  another stint at taking it easy, resting when tired etc.  I'm feeling so much better.  just still a bit wiped out!  Will have one more follow up appointment.

I think we can manage our lives again!!

Huge energizer today.  5am.  David, Grace and Sam pretty much of a surprise arrival from Utah!  Had a wonderful family dinner tonight.  I think there is nothing that opens up & draws a family closer, than a home cooked dinner.  Is it nostalgia or what?  All I know is the most fun relaxed times and great conversations occur at a simple pot roast meal with the trimmings. Terry was chef!!  I could feel the love and the energy.  Beautiful!!

Terry is reading how to cook a frozen pie for dessert.  Cherry.  turned out so good!

Kipper-Sam-Terry-Grace-David

Best medicine....Grace our little dancer!!

Sam absorbing after dinner stories from Uncle Kip

What a marvelous day!!  What a beautiful time of year to heal!!!  Couldn't ask for more!!

Did I thank you today for your love, thoughtfulness, prayers, service, food, flowers, cards and everything that you have so generously given????  I didn't???  Well, THANK YOU!!!  Could not have made it without each of you caring and showing us kindness in abundance!!!  xoxoxox

Putt Putt

Well, I don't have the steam I thought I would today but I'm better! 

Tomorrow will tell the tale of x-ray.  I hope it is a real progress report.

I have to come to grips with this feminist movement wanting the Priesthood.  Maybe I'm feverish in that I want to shake them by the shoulders and get in their face and say...Stop It!!!  I'll think on that while I'm sort of down for the count.