Alopecia Strikes Again

Well, Alopecia has officially taken Jackson's hair again. Jackson is trying to be strong, but he is struggling a little with it. We had a hair shaving day. Hopefully it won't take a year for him to grow it back again. It takes Jackson a little time to adjust to his new style. We have to remember that we are being tested in this life to prepare us with the strength that we will need in the next life, but it still STINKS! (No one said we had to like the tests.)

Egg Drop and Extravaganza

Jello filled bag

Jackson and Madi

Jackson and wrapped egg

Jackson participated in a 4th and 5th Grade Egg Drop at school. They had to find the "lightest" way to pack an egg into a container and still keep the egg whole when they dropped it from the roof of the school. Jackson used his knowledgeable UPS Aunt and Uncle to help him. His weighed .76 grams. He came in 3rd for his class. The most interesting container was his cousin Adam that filled a zip lock bag with jello. Of course the front row viewers got a shot of jello splashed on them. His friend Maddi put hers into a stuffed animal.

Colton had his end of year Choir Extravaganza. This is the closing performance for the choir department at the school. It has been a tradition for 40+ years. One of the songs that they always sing is the theme song for the group, they invite all the alumni members of that group to go up and sing with the choir. I have now gone up with my boys three times since I was in the same group in high school. I worry all during the performance if I should go or not, but I went up again with Britton's friend Amber and stood between Colton and Mitch (his best friend since 1st grade). I was proud of Colton. He really has developed into a great guy. He is fun to watch him perform. I am glad that he has had the chance to develop his musical and performing talents. It has really given my boys self confidence and good self esteem to be involved with music in high school. Both Boys have participated in this. It has also taught them self discipline, the love of music, the importance of great lifelong friends, the excitement of youth and how to manage their time.

Coltons best friends for life Mitch, Joey and Landon

After the performance, Colton had asked about 11 people to come to his Grandma's house swimming. He has many friends both in choir and not. We should have known what would happen. Next thing I knew, Amber and I were the parent chaperone's in the front of the house inspecting those that arrived and Dave watched from the back of the house as at least 100 high schoolers came to the party. We had kids from all different groups at school. They parked up and down the street for 500 yards both ways. I was panicked that the cops were going to be called. There was one policeman that drove up the street slowly but maybe he saw me sitting out front and knew that I was the chaperone. At 11 Dave sent most of the friends home. Then about 15 people stayed and had fun for about 45 minutes. It taught us all a valuable lesson.

MABLE The KITTY

Well, here we go again. We have fallen in love with a new kitty (again). Her name is Mable. We are trying to figure out a way to keep her from crossing the road. She is very playful and very whiny. Jackson loves her.

I love Memorial Day. It has always been a family outing of sorts to go to the graves to pay our respects. We always take pictures and enjoy being together and reminiscing about our ancestors. My family has always loved getting up early and meeting their cousins at the cemetery on Memorial Day, it is one tradition that I hope never changes. My children have learned history and family togetherness as we spend a couple of hours together there.

In our rounds from Layton to Kaysville, we always make a stop at Veteran's Park in Layton where we take flowers and go visit a makeshift grave site of sorts for my MIA Uncle Capt. John C Ellison. He was shot down in the Vietnam War, his body has never been found. My mother finds comfort knowing that there is a place that we can pay respect to my Uncle and other Layton citizens that fought for my freedom. This is a great place to do that.

Another great tradition that has been in our family since 1997-ish the first "Firth Swim Day". We always get sunburned because we are not used to the sun yet. There is a barbecue and just togetherness. It is a great day!

Life On The FARM

This morning Dave took a picture of our "Pet" Pheasant. He has been living in our ditch for years. He is like my alarm clock. He crows and then flaps his wings so hard that it moves my windows in my house. Every morning around 7:30am this happens. I love living here. It is so fun to feel like I am living in the country but yet, I have all of the precious needs near me.

The other morning at about 6:50 am Laurel called from the field to tell us that we had about 4 deer in our backyard eating our newly planted garden. To try to discourage that a few years ago we moved the garden right next to the house. It didn't matter. So much for gardening. We always have high hopes in the spring but by fall we are buying our produce, thanks to the deer. I still wouldn't want to give this up. I love it. But just understand when the famine hits, we might be eating deer instead of the harvest.

Jackson had his first few baseball games this week and last. So far, they are really good to watch. Jackson has been playing short stop and catcher. He is playing great. He has a few really good friends on his team so he is having a great time.

Jackson as catcher

Jackson at bat and around the bases

Eagle's Nest

Dec. 30, 2008
Eagle

Grandpa and Cutest Baby Ever and Colton

Giving Grandpa the Mentor Pin

Eagle Promise

Mom pinning on the eagle

Singing the National Anthem

Here is my display table

Well, two down...one to go. We finally got Colton to complete his eagle. He got the paperwork for it in December before Britton left but we just couldn't fit it all in. We had a combined court of honor on May 2nd. It was a very nice program. He got it with his cousin Austen and his friend and fellow scout buddy Landon. It was well attended and the boys did great.

The Trainee Is Now The Trainer

Trainee, Britton, His Trainer

Looking out over the Sound

Egg-ceptional Elders

CLEAN YOUR ROOM ELDER ODLE

On April 22th we received a letter that Britton had a very humbling week. He was called to be a trainer. He was the youngest missionary to get called as a trainer . He has a new "Greenie" names Elder Christensen. Not only that, he was sent to a new area. Bothell 1st ward. It is a bike area so he is feeling exhausted.

On April 27th he wrote that it is fun training but also hard with such a new companion. He thinks that President Showalter must think he is out of shape because the area that he is in is the most hilly bike area with the biggest hill in the mission. It's called NIKE hill. One of their investigators lives at the top. They try to find rides there but sometimes they can't so they have to bike it. He said it "really stinks, I'm definitely getting my workout."

He sent me pictures with a Birthday Card, I will post them. He some how inherited a gray suit.

On May 4th he wrote that he is definitely getting his exercise. His teaching pool is slowly growing. They are working so hard to get people to church. He has been stressed out a lot this transfer. They just can't seem to find who they need to find. It is really disheartening for Britton because he wants so bad for Elder Christensen to have a successful first transfer. He said he is tired of just "planting seeds. I've worked so had this transfer, and I'm always exhausted. I feel like the fig tree. I look like I am bearing fruit but I don't have any fruit to give. The only thing I can do is just to work harder. I know the Lord will bless me. I just hope it is soon." He has really had fun training his companion, he loves to see his progress at teaching.


This brings me to my plea to all my friends and family...Please pray for Britton and Elder Christensen; at this time, that they will be able to bring the Bothell 1st Ward success and find the investigators that are searching for the truth. They really are due for some good news.