Apple Bobbing and Other Stuff

It's no wonder it rained this year on Halloween. I actually put some effort into our Halloween costumes, and so it just makes sense that it would rain all over them. Still, I had so much fun crafting these costumes that I just might do it again next year. But let me explain...

You see it all started with an idea and a friend. One day early in October I had this thought: Hey, I have a glue gun. why not use it on those costumes I got for Halloween? That was followed by me doing absolutely nothing because I don't even know where a craft store is, and I'm not really into Halloween.

If not for my friend Lessley stepping in, the holiday would have passed as usual. The week before Halloween I took my store bought costumes over to her house, and we brainstormed ideas. Between the miscellaneous stuff she had and a trip she took to the craft store, we came up with some great stuff. Lessley made Alli's cape and found some fringe and things to glue onto her dress. I picked up some bling stickers and hair glitter and the rest is history. I am so thankful for all of Lessley's help! I'm sure she had better things to do right before Halloween. But without her I wouldn't have caught the Halloween vibe, and it made the night a million times more fun.

I even found the energy to get some apple bobbing and mini pumpkins together for the kids and some friends to decorate. That was a lot of fun as well, and it was nice to have one last good memory in our trusty house that has seen us through so much. Soon we will say our final goodbyes, but that is another story for another blog.

Picky Eater the Third

All of my kids are picky eaters. I was a picky eater. Ty was a picker eater. It's a family trait. I was that stubborn kid who refused to eat anything but the marshmallows from my Lucky Charms cereal and pretty much survived on bread and butter or mac and cheese until I reached adulthood. Ty got by on those candy machines inside ZCMI where you put in a quarter and get a handful of sugar. That was his big Friday night plan as a kid. Jump the fence to the mall and lock and load.

My kids didn't fall far from the turnip truck. I know other good moms who get their kids to eat healthy food all the time; perhaps they dangle a dessert threat to keep them munching on that carrot or make them sit till they eat it. Maybe it's the three bite rule. And then there's the old standby: If they don't eat tonight, they'll get hungry and Mom'll say, "I'm so sorry you are hungry. That's no fun at all! I will make an extra big breakfast in the morning, and perhaps you will remember to eat more tomorrow night."

Yeah. My kids don't remember. They just starve. Again. and Again... It's crackers and candy or nothing, as far as they are concerned. And let's just get one thing straight. I am cooking kid food, people. It's too "spicy" though, or it's too hot or cold or whatever. The other day Maddie told me that the Bug Juice we bought on the way up Provo Canyon was too spicy. It's a sugar drink. Come on.

Somehow, the survival technique of eating food when it's available did not genetically encode. Instead, they only want food when it's not readily available, and/or I just spent an hour cleaning up the food they decided not to eat at mealtime. It's a wonder they've lived this long on bread and water(not the crusts), but I just have to keep reminding myself that I did the same thing to my Mom. What a stinker I was!

And now the third girl of the bunch is showing her true family colors. She won't eat anything unless she can pick it up herself and put it in her mouth. No rice cereal, no jars of baby food, no applesauce, no kidding. I have to bake her sweet potatoes once a week and cut them up for her to eat. That or grapes, frozen berries, or cheerios. No bananas, though. That would be too close to baby food for her taste and too easy for Mom to keep on hand.

It really is funny, considering how calm and happy she is all the time. I guess I can give her this one tactical advantage. Besides, she lets me call all the other shots, so what's the big deal? Someday I'll have grown kids to cook for, and they'll appreciate what I can make for them. Until then...

More Family Firsts

It's seems like the more you try to hang on to life as it is, the more it changes and slips away from you, like a river current bent on moving downstream. I keep trying to fight it, but walking upstream is hard work and I'm losing ground! Alli is in 1st grade. She takes a lunch to school and rides the bus all on her own. She eats meals without me? How can this be? She even wears glasses now, just like I did in 1st grade. In short, she's growing up, and I can't do a thing about it.
And those aren't the only family firsts. Ever since school started my life keeps dumping itself out and re-arranging, like my toddlers used to do with my purse. I agreed to teach Maddie and four other little girls from a pre-school system called Mother Goose, which takes two hours every Wed and Fri. In a couple of weeks, my turn will be over, and another Mom will take over, but for now, my entire living room is covered with signs and alphabet charts. We can guess the weather while we watch the evening news and wave a color wand whenever we want... My girls have spent hours pretending to play preschool using the visual aides I have tacked up all over, so just for that, it's been worth the effort. I'm mostly glad to spend some extra time with Maddie.

Then there was the "Hullabaloo" over Alli. That's what she called it the other day, so I knew it was time to take the conversation behind closed doors. I had her tested, and the school gave us the option to put her in second grade or leave her with her teacher, which is what she desperately wanted. I can understand why. Her teacher is awesome, and I quite agreed with her that second grade was "scary". After talking myself nearly to death with as many people as I could, I made a decision. Alli would stay in first grade and get some extra lessons at home to fill the gaps. I'm really lucky to have Ms. Oliekan teaching Alli, and I'm glad I didn't have to give that up. So, again, with the rearranged schedule. And I was so happy at the end of the summer with a simpler quieter life... I guess that will be postponed until further notice.


After making all these changes during the past few weeks, I'm thinking I need a nice quiet boring week next week. I'll hunker down and get it done-- forget about any extra anything that might pop into my head. That's the plan, but you know how that river current is. I could end up doing anything next week. The possibilities are endless and endlessly possible.

Virginia

A week ago, Ty's mother died. We knew the day was coming, but it just didn't seem to help ease the suddeness of it. The finality of death is something that I don't think you can ever prepare yourself to face. You can imagine what it will be like without someone you love, but actually facing up to it is quite another thing. As I watched Ty carrying the casket to the gravesite, I could hardly stand that feeling of emptiness- that hollow place where something was and will never be again. I know we will all be reunited in heaven, but there is so much separating us from it. I don't think I ever realized how far away heaven is until that moment we closed Virginia's casket, and I knew in real terms that I will never again see her in this life.

Alli seemed to understand and accept her grandmother's passing up until the bagpipes started playing outside the chapel. I can understand. Those dang bagpipes did me in too-it must be why Virginia wanted them. A lesser contingent of people held out after the bagpipes, but everyone else just gave up and cried away. Alli and her cousin Lexi where hitched together boo-hooing, and I wished we could stand there forever and soak it all in.

I heard Alli say to Lexi, "We're never going to see Grandma AGAIN!" and then more sobs on Lexi's shoulder, which was actually very touching coming from such small fry. I wanted to be the one huddled together with my sad little girl, but somehow I felt like her cousin was just the right size and perspective to comisserate with at that moment. I'm glad they have each other, and I'm glad that Alli was able to spend time with her grandmother when she was with us. My other kids will miss out, and that makes me the saddest.

Ty's family asked me to write the obituary, and here it is:

Virginia Mitchell Hansen, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away September 9, 2010 in her home, surrounded by her family. After fighting with diabetes for many years, it was her wish to end her days at home, with those who meant the most to her in life. From sons and daughters, to sisters, brothers, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many came to support, love, and care for her during her last week.

Virginia was a gifted and innovative artist and craft designer. She sold her work nationally through a family owned business, Decorative Designs, for many years, which she and her husband eventually sold to Provo Craft in the 1990's. Her painting techniques set new trends in the industry, and many of her pieces are still treasured today within her family and the community.

As a successful business owner, she was able to magnify her painting skills and teach others to paint. She employed each one of her children in turn, truly creating a "family" business that supported and nurtured both her family and hundreds of friends and neighbors over the years.

Her expertise was recognized by BYU Academy when she was commissioned to paint panels in the rose mulling style for the building.

The mother of six children and one foster child, Virginia loved her family and served them well. She attended all of her grandchildren's baby blessings, baptisms, and other important events, never missing a chance to be with her family. She was also an active member of the LDS Church, holding many teaching positions and other callings where she was able to serve.

Virginia was born February 19, 1942 in Provo, UT to Brigham William Mitchell and Mary L. Keith. She was married September 22, 1960 to Jack Kent Hansen in the Salt Lake City Temple, and is survived by her husband, six children, Jackie Schroeppel (Mark) of Orem, Kent Hansen of Orem, UT, Kay (Van) Parker of Kimberly, ID, Robert (Alicia) Hansen of Herriman, UT, James (Tamra) Hansen of Clearfield, UT, Tyler (Sierra) Hansen of Lehi, UT and foster daughter Vida Cleveland of Aurora, CO. She is also survived by seven siblings, twenty five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Orem Hillcrest 4th Ward Chapel located at 440 E 800 S Orem, UT. Viewings will take place at Sundberg Olpin Mortuary, 495 S State Street, in Orem, on September 13, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at 10 a.m. prior to the funeral at the 4th ward building. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

Ryan's Home!

Two years have come and gone, even though it feels like only yesterday that I watched my little brother walk through those MTC doors. But when I stop to think, a lot has really happened. It's like he never left, and at the same time he missed so much. It's funny how time starts to play tricks on you the older you get.

On the way to the airport, it was like an Amazon rain storm accidentally migrated to Utah, and our car was just pummeled as we navigated the point of the mountain, the belt loop, and eventually, the airport. Ty was at school, so I had three kids strapped in the back seat and my Mimi, who used to drive 18 wheelers for a living, in the passenger seat. Between her and Alli, I was getting a lot of driving advice. All I know is that I've never gone 20 miles an hour on the freeway, even in the snow, and it was white knuckle all the way. We made it, and arrived at the terminal with bells on. No, we actually did. My grandmother brought them. And balloons. And signs. We stuck out a bit.
Anyway, Ryan looked great as he came down the escalator still holding his scriptures, name tag in place. Now that's dedication. All I would want on an 18 hour flight from Australia is a sleeping pill and some atarol. Not Ryan. He rocked that trip in a full suit and my parents to boot. They picked him up two weeks before and showed him the sights that he missed while preaching and what not.

Fast forward to coming home. The special sign I had made at Kinkos for 60 bucks blew away in the freak rain storm, and was nowhere to be found. Sitting at Chili's with my family an hour later, looking out at the dry ground and beautiful blue sky above, I don't think they quite understood where that sign could have gone. I promise. It was like the... tropics... and stuff...

My next few days were spent preparing food for the Welcome Home on Sunday, which I catered for my Mom. Ryan gave a great talk, and we had fun entertaining so many old and new friends. Welcome Home Ryan! I'm so glad you're back.

Are we Having Fun Yet?

"Don't bother me. This hat is so going to get me more candy"

We are serious about our parades in Lehi. Especially Maddie. She gets the good stuff: hats, Frisbees, Barbie Boot Camp beach balls... You name it. This year Ty finally got the shade to park proximity exactly right, and we were nicely shaded the entire time. Then we were able to get in line at the face paint tent before it was an hour long because we were just across the street! Way to go Dad. Making the memories.

That's right, it was a parade to remember. The girls got their faces painted, we bounced in the bounce houses, and then we got some good old over-priced Lehi take-out in the park. I love it all. Can't wait till next year.