2011 - What a Year!

In lieu of a Christmas letter this is my post for the Clint & Tewie Lord Family for 2011 - Enjoy!

Top 10 List


10 - No more rodents! After accidentally squishing, suffocating and leaving them outside where the cat opportunely flipped them up in the air, caught one in her mouth and ran away (for a snack), and the sniffles - all of the Lord Family Rodents (1 gerbil, 3 hamsters, 5 mice) line the pet cemetery graveyard next to our garden.  A source of sadness to some, glee to others - the pleading for a new generation has begun - we'll see.

 9 - Angry Birds, State Flags, "I can't climb trees" - Luke's corner (7 yo) - Spring 2011 - every day for 50+ days he would wake up, go to the computer, and print out a flag of one of the states - by sight he can tell you the corresponding state to each of them.  Fall 2011 - Mastered all the levels of Angry Birds and wrote an acrostic poem about it:

Angry birds are

Not happy

Green pigs stole their eggs

Rotten pigs!

Young and old birds come to fight

Because the pigs stole their eggs

In coming! Birds are coming to fight

Rotten pigs are going to die

Done with the fight

So happy now

By:  Luke Lord

Finally - funny story:  It is no secret that Luke loves Abby Peck.  One day he came in the house crying as if his heart had been broken.  When I asked what was wrong he said, "Abby will never love me because I can't climb trees."  I tried not to laugh and said, "Abby doesn't care if you know how to climb trees, but she does care if you share your toys with her and talk to her kindly."  His tears started to dry up as his mind worked on that thought.  A few days later he came to report that he had shared his toys with Abby.  

8 - No Concerta, Battleguard, Cranial Sacral, Minecraft & Montana - Jacob's Corner (11 yo) - Around April we decided to go concertaless in order to give Jacob more tools in his toolbox for his ADHD.  We did our research and found homeopathic and herbal supplements, as well as more behavioral modifications and cranial sacral massage (which helps make connections throughout the brain).  His genius is shining through as he builds in Minecraft and works on projects with his Grandpa Holmes up in Montana.  But Battleguard remains his great love!  He worked to earn a Claymore (a huge sword) which he wields with power and promise at weekly Battleguard - thanks Marc.

7 - Growing - Hair, Babysitting & Fun! - Joy's Corner (11yo) - Talk about growth spurt - last year she was the same height as Jacob, this year she is a full 4 inches taller than her twin brother.  With growing ideas about hair and style, I can honestly say, there has not been one day where she has not donned her ponytail with clip and front side dangles as her preferred hairstyle.  Running through the house and skipping through life; giving light and fun to all who know her, she is "perpetually sunny" and loves to give her whole self to all her projects.  She has moved on from babysitting one well-behaved 3 year old little girl to babysitting 3 highly active and verbal kids under 6yo.  Learning what it is like to negotiate and motivate - great skills for motherhood - which she has decided to actively prepare for for it is the area where her personality will shine the most.

6 - Paradigm, Comics, Novels, Hermoine - Faith's Corner (14yo) - Faith has now been through every type of schooling available to a 14 yo - Private (3-6), Public (6-11), Homeschool (11-13), and now:  Charter (14+).  She will tell you there are pro's and con's to each.  She is rounding out her personality as she maintains straight A's and acts as a "Hermoine" to her close friends, which happen to mainly be boys.  Reminding them of their missed assignments, tutoring them, and picking up after them.  She has grown close to them and, more so, with her girl friends who she loves to go shopping with, or just hang out.  Her writing has taken off as she is enrolled in a Novel Writing class which requires a 130 page novel by the end of the semester - she is currently 20 pages away from completion.  But comics - comics are her love.  Aside from the years she has spent filling 40+ composition notebooks full of manga comics, this year she has learned how to frame and block out her comics and her crowning achievement in this category is her retelling of an Irish Folktale entitled:  The 12 Wild Geese.  She also ran her first Theatre Camp this summer and put on a very successful musical production of (brace yourself): Eyefellgloffenhootenanniemerrieberriecrunch!  It's about 30 minutes long and it's on youtube in 4 parts.

Part 1 of 4:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96CbcaP1_HA

Part 2 of 4:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7CT0Mfo0NY

Part 3 of 4:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uebAlagkibU

Part 4 of 4:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up0V_I_jbz8 

This is not to mention that she was "The Merchant" in her Shakespeare Elite Class' production of "The Merchant of Venice" in November.

5 - Vacations:  Wicked (Boise), Cedar City - Shakespeare Festival w/ Paradigm & Bryce Canyon (Aug), New York (Sept), Montana (Oct) - We love vacations!  This year had a unwilled theme of Shows and Family.  After Clint's mom passed away in March 2010 we were able to still get together (almost monthly) with his brothers and sisters, whom we love.  They all live close and we are able to enjoy each other's company often.  My family is more spread out, but we climbed over that hurdle and were able to enjoy a trip to Montana with my parents - where we enjoyed the hospitality of the beautiful Montana farm my mom has decorated so beautifully (she turned the milk house into a quaint little homemade B&B), we helped clean up the underbrush (and Faith got to drive a truck - her highlight) and then had 2 huge bonfires which we roasted weenies on.  It was so fun to see where they work, play and where my ancestors are buried.  We came home with 3 dozen doughnuts from "Scumdiddlyumptious" and felt well-fed and loved - thanks Dad & Mom!  New York was CW & 2e's Anniversary Trip - we saw everything and ate real New York Cheesecake and New York Strip Steak.  We took in "Spiderman" which was great, but our favorite show was "Zarkana" from Circ du Sole.  We definitely are not in that kind of shape, but we admired their unique abilities and someday hope to be that flexible and buff.  Boise was Wicked - In May we took the shortest plane flight (45 min) to Boise where Luke got to know my cousin, Holly and her hubbie Luke better while CW, 2e, Fe, J&J saw "Wicked" - needless to say, we've been singing the songs all summer long (Joy can even hit the high notes - go Joy).  We toured the Old Jail, the International Bird of Prey Museum, found the gravestone of one of CW's ancestors (Susan Walkey) and discovered one of the coolest Science Museums we have ever seen - in Boise?  Who would've thought.  We're enjoying traveling with our kids - they are at the perfect ages and stages!

Grandma Holmes Loving Luke

Grandpa Holmes and Jacob Building a Swing in Montana

4 - Bishopric - Clint was put into the Crescent Ridge 5th Ward Bishopric as the Second Counselor Spring 2011.  What a great blessing to work with such kind and thoughtful people who truly love this great Work.  I always get the questions, "Do you ever see him? Don't you miss him?" and he gets the comments, "What did you do to deserve this?" and "I'm sorry."  To answer my questions I have two comments:  1- It would've been a lot more difficult with younger children, but my kids are at an age where they are more self-sufficient and 2- The blessing far outweigh the sacrifice.  He has been so humbled in this calling, seeing how these great Saints move forward this "stone that was cut from the mountain", and that has blessed our lives - the Spirit has touched us in ways I cannot describe and our hearts are filled with gratitude for Our Heavenly Father and His Son!

Older Writing & Literature Class (OWL)

Younger Writing & Literature Class (YWL)

3 - Starting a Homeschool Co-op - What started as a question has turned into a thriving supportive home-made community.  In the Spring there was a question posted on the homeschool chat boards, "Is there a Commonwealth (Co-op) in Sandy?"  My mind started churning and I posted, "Everyone who would like to have a conversation about the idea of a Co-op in Sandy meet at the library."  We met nearly every week during the summer and ironed out all the details.  We have 14 families and 70+ children with 11 classes being offered (Shakespeare, Writing & Lit, Geography, Science, Choir, Home Economics/Life Skills, Art & Art History, Liberty Girls, Knights of Freedom, Speech & Debate, and a Merit Badge Class).  We have grown to love one another and learn and grow, discovering our genius and providing a great place for inspiration and true learning to take place.  Some of our accomplishments:  The Skakespeare production of "Merchant of Venice" (Nov), Short Story Read Aloud Night (Oct), A Poetic Christmas (each child wrote 9 poems and memorized one Character Building Poem - they read 2 of the poems they wrote and recited their memorized poem) (Dec), the National Geography Geography Bee (Dec), 2 Choir performances (one at an Alzheimer's Clinic - one for family) (Nov & Dec), Making Costumes for the "Merchant" production (Sept-Oct), Seeing BYU and UofU productions, Reading The Hobbit, 20,000 Leagues, Arabian Nights, To Kill a Mockingbird and Screwtape Letters (all books they choose), an Art Exhibit (Aug) and Cardboard Boat Races (Sept).  This is not to mention Battleguard and Park Days.  We are busily engaged in a good cause and we feel great watching the God-given Genius come out of our children and positive relationships blossom!  Just see what we do in 2012!

Brock, Tewie & Shane (My Brothers)

(Faith, Dexter, Joy, Jacob, Ainsley, Darby-Mac, Queenie, Oliver, Luke, Sinjin, Adlyn - July 4th, 2011)

2 - My Brother coming to town - My brother lives in Kyrgyzstan - go look it up - it does exist.  He works for the State Department and it is always a little like a vacation to Disneyland when he comes to town.  We had so much fun with them as we did everything that 11 kids, ages 4-14, can do here in Utah.  They were able to stay for nearly a month.  The festivities commenced on July 4th with fireworks and fun!  We went to Lagoon, swam at the Rec Center, learned about the "Super power" Bugs and critters at the Aquarium (with penguins, sharks, rays and all other under the sea animal life, as well), Thanksgiving Point with the littles while the 8+ went to Space Camp, and even had some time to talk as adults.  I loved being with my brothers and their wives and especially their children.  They are awesome people and I am glad I get to share their lives with them.  Hopefully we'll be able do more with them in 2012!

Our BOM Family

1 - Book of Mormon Youth Conference - What a spiritual feast!  Our Stake put together this years Youth Conference, which was not your normal Youth Conference.  It was a complete reenactment of The Book of Mormon with all the youth and leaders playing all the roles.  Clint & I were asked to be one of 10 Lehi and Sariah's.  We were given a family of 10 youth (even though Faith went she was in a different family - we had 2 girls from our ward).  Our job was to help them express their feelings about what they were seeing and hearing.  I cannot, here, describe all that happened and the feelings that I felt in my heart, but those experiences I will carry in my heart forever.  I gained a stronger love for the scriptures Our Heavenly Father has given us to help guide us back to Him.  This experience strengthened not only my deep love for the principles and words of the Book of Mormon, but also for the Bible and it's influence on the human race.  My prayer is that we can study and learn from these great books of scripture so that we may understand why we are here, what our purposes are and be happy!

Wow!  Yep, I'm a writer - I make no excuses for my long blog.  I have said nothing about Talent Shows and Mansions, but suffice it to say they were definitely a part of 2011.

Love to all - you're the best!
2e

Summertime 2011

Highlights thus far:

Bought a new car -- 11 years in our old one and when I would floor it up the canyon it only did 20mph
Piano Camps -- 3 weeks so far (4-6 yo's, 7-9 yo's, 11 yo boys) - 2 or 3 more (11 yo girls, 13 yo girls, adults).  Katie and I are learning and teaching a lot!!

Faith's Theatre Camp -- Eyegelhoffenhottenanniemerrieberriecrunch - that's the name, 2 musical numbers and 8 cute little actresses later - performance on the 19th and/or 20th of August.  Faith's learning a lot.
Kygyzstan Cousins -- This is our families "stay-cation", 4th of July, Lagoon, late night talks, glow sticks, The Gateway and Space Camp w/ Thanksgiving Point to look forward to.  This is family and love and who could ask for more?  Not me.

Harry Potter 7.2 -- The saga ends.  I just love the epic good vs. evil stories and the courage and love that Harry shows in fighting true evil.  Follow his example!!
Youth Conference -- Who would have thought CW & I would be transformed into Lehi & Sariah for 3 days with our "family" of 9-10 youth.  It will be a moving experience.
Forming Sandy Homeschool Co-op -- I am so excited to work with such inspiring men and women in providing 2 days of awesome classes per week and the rest of the week to enjoy the "flow of the family".  What a great year of  growth and developing genius to look forward to.  So much more awaits!!

This is my life right now -- This list will look different on the other end of summer!!
2e

Talent Show

So our stake gave each ward a challenge to put on a talent show.  From those "Ward Talent Shows" two acts would be chosen (per ward - there are 8 wards in our stake) to perform at the Stake Talent Show on April 8th.  Well the Lord Family had lots of fun doing a few fun things.  Here are the youtube links to our performances.  Enjoy!

Old Ladies on Piano:  (Tewie is one of these)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP-LYEEwYYk
Agony:  (Clint is one of these)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X394GXN89xQ
Snowman:  (Faith, Joy and Jacob are all in this one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4348JWgMoc

Luke Again

I just had to write this story down.  so, Luke came to his father and I one evening with a burning desire in his little 6 year old heart.  He saw that Anna (his sister for all intents and purposes) had a "Micky Club House" watch on her wrist and he wanted one just like it.  "But how do I get it?"  he asked.  We talked about finding out where she had gotten it from and then had our first discussion about money.  Where does it come from?  How do you earn it?  We suggested that if he helped his brother and sisters on the dishes, everytime he would recieved a quarter.  After he found out from Anna that the watch had come from the Dollar Store we had another meeting about how many quarters he would need to earn.  Four quarters equal a dollar and one more for tax. 

He faithfully did the dishes with his siblings.  He would grab them, exhuberantly let them know it was time to do the dishes, and then sings or keep a running conversation with them about octopuses, skeletons, tigers or any other topic that popped into his head.  When he was finished he would run and ask us for his quarter.  He slowly collected them in his little fuzzy dark green suede covered tithing box he had recieved at church a few months ago. 

Finally, the day of days arrived and we set the time to go to the Dollar Store.  I had noticed he didn't have a wallet, so I mentioned that I would get him one at the Dollar Store so that he wouldn't have to extract his coins from his pocket and have them fall all over the floor. 

When we were inside we scoured the toys aisles for the much earned watched.  We didn't have any luck.  Luke was anxiously repeating, "Where could that watch be?"  in his loud carrying voice.  I'm sure everyone in the store throught we had lost a very important watch with the urgent tone in his voice.  Jacob, finally found them and came over to us and told us where they were and we ran over to see.  When Luke looked at the watches his face fell, because he had wanted a Spiderman watch.  With a little further searching the exact Spiderman watch was found.  Now his face turned into the brightest smile I have ever seen, and then his mind remembered a wallet that I had promised to buy him.  Instead of the normal flip wallet we found a small camera case with a zipper and a lanyard - perfect for a 6 year old. 

With his two items retrieved he was ready to depart.  But his mom still needed to go up and down the asiles to buy some other items.  So with Luke trailing behind me I would put candy into my cart and he would pull it out and say, "We don't need this." 

"But, I want it and need it."  I would whine.  Then I looked up and saw an elderly lady snickering at us.  Then I realized how this must appear to her.  Our roles were reversed.  I'm glad that he takes after all true men who hate shopping and just go in to get the one or two things that they need and then they want to leave.  It was just one of those memorably funny experiences that I am blessed to have daily.

Thanks Luke - Your Mom

Luke - Can you cryogenically freeze your 6 year old?

If you have ever met Luke and really get to know him you will know that it is not odd that he carries around an orange octopus named Mr. Deedles, that he loves skeletons and wants to know everything about bones and that his mom would love him to preserve him at this age forever. 

Since this is phsyically impossible, I will attempt to do it in words...

Luke was asked to give the scripture last week during Junior Primary.  We had prepared by picking one that he could read most of the words by himself.  We practiced 3X and then raced to church.  After a very shy girl, who is a year older than Luke, gave her talking clinging to her mother, I walked up to Luke and asked, "Do you need any help?" 

To which he pursed his lips, looked down his nose at me and said, "No." ever so curtly.  I followed at a distance as he marched, papers in hand, not a shred of self-consciousness, up to the podium and loudly cleared his throat in the microphone and began, "... be of good, ... Um-huh..." He motioned for me to come over and cleared his throat as if to say, "What is that word?" 

I put my finger under the word and whispered, "cheer" in his ear. 

He said, "cheer" loudly in the microphone, removed my hand from the paper and cleared his throat loudly again and continued reading, "and do not ... UM-HUH!"  Again the scene repeated itself with him very much in charge. 

"Fear," I pointed and whispered.

"Fear," he said loudly into the microphone, removed my hand from the page and looked around as if he was a veteran college professor.  Continuing, "for I the Lord am with you and shall ... Um-huh ..."

"Stand."

"Stand ... by you."  Then he gathered up his papers and marched off the podium with his little head held high.  He was obviously very proud of himself.

Right after Luke sat down, one of the wonderful ladies from the Primary Stake Presidency came to issue a challenge to the kids in Primary.  She started by asking, "Does anyone here like challenges?"

Luke spoke loudly without raising his hand, "I'm a challenge."  Meaning to say, "I like challenges," but it came out all wrong. 

The Primary representative had just witnessed his talk on the stand and said, "Yes, you are a challenge, Luke."  To which all the good natured laughter was given and I joined in with all my heart.  Luke - you're my favorite challenge.

I wish that I would have had my camera rolling for the next Luke story. 

It was January 13th and Yvette's birthday.  You have to understand Yvette and I have been co-oping with homeschool classes for 3 years.  Yvette is my kids "Other Mother".  I don't think there has been a week (possibly more than 2 or 3 days) that have gone by when my children have not seen Yvette in the last 2 1/2  years.  Suffice it to say that Luke loves Yvette.  She has a very special place in his heart. 

When he found out that her birthday was coming up and we were going to be able to give her presents his little mind started turning.  The night before the party he told me that he had found the perfect gift. 

"What is it?" I asked.

"A cheese stick," he replied, knowing that he was 100% right in his assessment that a cheese stick was the thing that Yvette would most love for her birthday. 

Well the moment arrived on Yvette's birthday when presents were to be opened and when Luke's turn came he proudly stood in front of Yvette with his cheese stick present, held out his hands to silence the crowd and cleared his throat (in customary Luke fashion) and said, "Yvette, this cheese stick is for you."  Then he opened it and continued, "but it is an important cheese stick," he tore off a long stringy portion of it and gave it to Yvette, who was trying to maintain the dignity of the occasion, but was beginning to break up as she held the small string, wondering what to do next.  "It is a wishing cheese stick.  You have to hold up this string and make a wish then eat it and your wish will come true."  At this point we all lost it as Yvette, tears from laughter starting to spill from her eyes, tried to choke down the cheese stick wish and concentrate on her wish at the same time. 

When she was able to speak she asked, "do I get to have the rest." 

"The rest" was still in Luke's hands and he quickly replied, "No, that part is for me," and immediately started chomping on the wish bearing cheese stick to peals of laughter all around him.  Maybe he thought that he would have a part in a secret wish.  So Luke. 

Can you see why I want him kept as my adorable six year old?

2e

New Year's Day 2011

What do people usually do on New Year's Day?  Make resolutions.  I already accomplished one of mine...

1.  Actually post a blog.

One down ...  Now onto the other projects in my head.  Since I am a writing teacher the things that fill my head usually have something to do with punctuation, short stories, research papers and dreaming up new and exciting ways to teach my class of 14/10-14 year olds through inspiration and the love of writing.  This is not hard since I already possess that love.

Other projects I will soon accomplish...

2.  Make a book of the story of my husband (CW) and my courtship - written, just needs editing and printing
3.  Make a book of "The Dumb Farmer" for Henry's 90th in June.
4.  Writing and Literature Class - Research Papers, Essays and Blogs.
5.  Follow through on The Daily Mile (see "2e's Blogs")
6.  Run a wonderfully creative household of my 4 greatest treasures (Code names:  Alex, Liz, Walter & Octopus)

I love it!  2e