The Barefoot Pixie

Well, you would never be able to tell it here but I love to write. On my blog I am lazy and only take the briefest amount of time to update, not paying any attention to the way I craft my words or turn a phrase. But it’s true, I do love to write. Sometimes that love is more like a love/hate relationship but I always come back to it. I’ve been working on a project for about two months now and that is the longest I’ve ever stuck to one thing. I really want to keep working on it but I’m forced to put it aside for now as I work on another project. The project I need to be working on is to finish the script for the Knights of Freedom Summit. We only have two and a half weeks! YIKES! I’ve got some general ideas but still need to flesh it out. Of course the nice thing about this plot is that it really is a Scooby Doo mystery, not an Agatha Christie. In fact, wouldn’t it be funny if our villain, at the end after he’s been vanquished, said, “And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for you rotten kids!” I don’t think that any of the kids would get the reference but the adults would sure get a laugh.

The problem with writing a Scooby Doo-type plot is that it’s really not that interesting to write. It’s hard to get into it. Anything that I write just seems so obvious and over the top. I’m just not a Scooby-Doo kind of girl. Maybe I need to shift my line of thinking. Instead of Scooby Doo maybe I should be thinking more along the lines of Boris and Natasha - we need to tie someone to the train tracks. How would that work…

Make a difference!
Em

I just had to share a couple of silly things that Isaac has said. First, I must tell you that he is hilarious! He comes up with some of the funniest things especially because he like to use big words for just being 3 years old. He’s also getting to that age where he is really an expert at embarrassing his parents because he just blurts things out, really loudly, at very inappropriate times and with no tact. Tactful 3 year olds have never been our forte.

A couple of weeks ago I asked Isaac to do something that he didn’t want to do. He turned to me and said, “Try a different approach.” Hmmm, I’ll have to work on my approach I guess.

As you know we had a death in the family this last week. When I told the children about Grandma, Isaac asked, “Did she go like this?” then groaned, closed his eyes and stuck his tongue out, just like Daddy does when they play together. I was just glad he didn’t say that at the funeral but was just at home.

The other thing he’s been doing a lot lately is using the word “actually”. For example, I told him it was time for us to pick up his toys. His response: “Actually, you pick up the toys and I’m going to eat a donught.” You get the idea.

For my favorite silly of the week. This one actually goes out to my sister Amelia for her very sympathetic comment about Grandma. We had a family BBQ on Monday. I was talking to Amelia and told her that Grandma had passed away that morning. She looked concerned and said, “Oh, how’s she doing?” Then she got all flustered and tried to explain that she meant to ask how Richard was doing. It was too late, we were all laughing way too hard. Good one Melia!

Make a difference!
Em

Ethan has been struggling just a bit over the last year or so. I’ve really felt that something was missing, that he needed something more than what I could give him at home. Academically I can offer what he needs and I’ve been trying to get mentors in other area’s of interest. Still, there just has been this missing piece. It’s like when you make cookies but forget to add the pinch of salt. The cookie still tastes good, tastes like a cookie, but it’s just off a tiny bit. I can’t describe it better but it’s been a very real feeling.

Today I was picking up some free tables and desks from Benjamin Franklin Academy, they are moving locations and giving away some of these types of things to homeschoolers. I got talking to a lady who works there about their school and was just so impressed! They call themselves a “homeschool academy” which may seem like a contradiction in terms but it sounds just wonderful. They have school from 8:30 to 12:30 Tues-Thurs for ages kindergarten through 12 grade. It’s strictly the basics of reading, writing, math, history and science so all extra curriculur activities including art, music, etc. would be covered at home (perfect!). It sounds like a wonderful environement, too. I had such a great feeling when I talked to her, this feeling of peace and excitement mixed together. Ethan is really interested, too. Here’s the problem - $200 per month. It’s lower than most other schools but it’s still $200 per month. There is no way, especially with finances as they are right now, that we could come up with that. It would be around $2000 for the school year including a couple of up front fees and some books although it doesn’t have to be paid all up front. We need a sponsor. LOL. Still, I believe that if it’s the right thing for Ethan that Heavenly Father will provide a way. I’ll be praying…
Make a difference!
Em

For anyone interested her is Grandma’s Obituary

Make a difference.
Em

My husband’s sweet grandmother passed away this morning at 6:45am. She was almost 96 years old and has been a fiesty lady all her life. She was able to live on her own nearly to the end and was still cooking for her entire, huge family as late as memorial day!

Florence was one of the most giving people I ever met. During a hard time in our family she took us in and let us live with her for 14 months and was actually sad to have us go even though our small children could be quite a handful. She had a large dose of bossiness mixed in with her sweetness but I love even that about her. Her husband passed away from a sudden heart attack when he was in is 50’s and she has been a widow ever since. She still had children at home at the time and helped to support her family by making wedding cakes. She was a great cook. She has 7 children and only one was a girl. My father in law is her oldest child. He lives across the street and took care of her consistently and faithfully.

One of my favorite things about Florence is that she would always tell you she loved you. I was her granddaughter in law but she never differentiated between me and her grandchildren by birth. She would always say, “love you” and give me a kiss, usually right on the lips!

Grandma was getting very tired of hanging on and hanging on. The most recent time that she was injured from a fall she was very upset and wanted to know why she couldn’t just go already. I know that she is so very VERY happy to be back in the arms of her sweetheart, Marion, again. She has waited a long time for this reunion.

One of the most poignant things about her last day: My brother in law has been estranged from his ex-wife and his children for four years and they were reunited for the first time at her bedside yesterday. The work of her life was her family and to keep them close and together. She did this through family gatherings (feeding people all the time), family reunions and family history. Her final influence was one that brought people together.

Grandma we love you so much and are so thankful for your example and the blessings you have brought into our lives. You have always been a hard worker and held the gospel so close to your heart as you’ve tried to share it with all of your family. Thank you for everything and God bless you!

Make a difference!
Emily