Away on Holiday

We'll be away for a few days. We're packed, we're ready to go. Be safe, be merry, and have a wonderful Christmas!

Fairland Students Named for Leadership Seminar

December 17, 2008 @ 12:00 AM
BILL ROSENBERGER
The Herald-Dispatch

PROCTORVILLE -- Fairland High School sophomores Jenna Hannon and Hannah Adkins (Tanner's Homecoming escort for Court) were named the HOBY ambassador and alternate by a committee of teachers and staff. The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar is a program designed to further develop the leadership skills of students in the 10th grade.

At Fairland, ten students were nominated by teachers, and seven chose to apply for the HOBY ambassadorship. "Those seven were outstanding," guidance counselor Tim Flesher said. "I couldn't be prouder of them. They all took it seriously." The students were required to develop a resume emphasizing their leadership skills and activities that included school, church and community relationships. They also had to write an essay about why they wanted to be the HOBY ambassador.

A panel of three staff members selected Hannon as the ambassador and Adkins as the alternate. The other five finalists were Amanda Cooper, Robert Hinshaw, Lauren Lewis, Zach Rankin and Tanner Schenewark.

Meet My Reindeer

This is Ranger. He's a good reindeer. No red nose, no pokey antlers, just a small digging habit that's hard to break.

And, he even lets you snuggle if you're very soft and gentle and small, and not feeling very well.

End of a Five Year Drought!

This is Sawer and Miller's first snow, and everyone's first snow since going to Texas five years ago. Notice how little there is on the ground and how big they can get their snowmen pieces - they worked long and hard!

Sorry there's no finished snowmen pictures - it was destroyed in a snowball fight.

This is a great picture of Porter's snowball coming towards our window!

Do You Need to Check Your Batteries?

It was fairly pleasant yesterday, I believe it got up to 60 degrees. As a result, our heat never really kicked on. After dinner I was beginning to get a little chilly, and went to check the thermostat - it definitely needed to be bumped up a little. In so doing, I detected a faint smell of natural gas. I don't have much experience with natural gas. I cooked on a gas stove in California, but this house has a gas stove and gas furnace. I remember Tanner mentioning Sunday how he could smell natural gas outside. A few alarm bells started to go off in my head so I thought I would call and ask the gas company a few questions. "Columbia Gas, what's your emergency?" I don't have much natural gas experience but I'm smelling a little bit of gas when I turn my heat on coming through the vents. Is this okay? "Don't touch the phone, don't hang up when we're through, don't turn off lights that are on, don't turn on lights that are off...evacuate your house." That was a bit of jolt. I had two children already asleep and it was COLD outside. We evacuated to the car and waited 90 minutes outside, and then 90 more minutes in a neighbor's house. Turns out we had a carbon monoxide leak through the furnace, and would not be here this morning without following the promptings we received. I'm extremely glad to be awake this morning!

The Dreaded Day is Hair

There's not too many days I dread, but there is one that comes up about every six weeks: haircut Saturday. I know I shouldn't complain, after all it does save at least $70 to do it myself, but it's NOT my favorite thing to do. Fortunately, my husband is always grateful enough to do the cleaning up. I complain after seven cuts, I can't imagine doing this full time. Hats off to stylists.

One of My Little Elves

Sometimes my little elves try to trick me, like playing switcheroo with the phone...

Sometimes my little elves try to be sneaky, like drinking out of the milk jug...

Sometimes my little elves are just plain naughty, but more often than not they just want to have fun...

And every once in a while, when Santa (Mom) is gone, they're a little sad.

My Little Santa

Although he's a little unsure about what a Christmas tree is for, or what the guys in red suits are all about, he does know there's a little extra excitement in the air. He was the hit at Jarrod's work Christmas party at Marshall University, even if he went into his "I'm shy" look.

Middle School Quiz Bowl

Fairland Quiz Bowl has answers

Published 10:35am Monday, December 8, 2008

With a 14-0 regular Quiz Bowl season, the team at Fairland Middle School is going into this week’s tournament with confidence.

Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 teams from the eight school districts in Lawrence County will compete in a double elimination tournament where a team will have to lose twice before it must leave the competition. The event is sponsored by the Lawrence County Educational Service Center and will be at Ohio University Southern’s campus.

Fairland Middle’s coach is again Jim Roberts, who teaches sixth grade science at the school. He has watched the students’ interest in participating in Quiz Bowl increase over the years.

“The first year I had 35 try out. This year they were 85,” he said.

Roberts had to pick only 15 out of that number for the team at auditions held at the school. Then team members rotate with five participating at a time.

What Roberts says he looks for in a strong competitor is someone with intelligence, the ability to think quickly and a broad range of knowledge.

“Most of the kids I have, the reason they are so good at this is that they are good readers,” he said.

The team was chosen in mid-October and went into regular season competition right away at South Point Middle School. Lunchtimes were spent practicing.

Roberts finds Quiz Bowl participation advantageous for the students in a number of ways.

“No. 1, they are learning to cooperate with other kids while they practice,” he said. “And they are learning social skills.”

Remembering

I've always wanted to visit Hawaii for one reason, to go to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Miller was born on this day, and it's a bitter sweet reminder for me. Ground zero isn't so much about remembering those that died, but why they died.

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Tonight we watched the First Presidency Christmas Broadcast. I love listening to the Christmas messages and music. Elder Uchtdorf spoke of a German tradition I just learned about this week, from a friend's comments (December 1st). As I thought about the prophet and apostles we're so privileged to hear from, I remembered one who passed away this week, Elder Wirthlin. He visited our little ward in Ashford, CT when Tanner was a baby. At the conclusion of the fireside, we worked our way up front, and asked if Tanner could shake his hand. He sweetly complied, and told us that now Tanner had shaken the hand of a man who had shaken the hand of a man who had shaken the hand of the prophet Joseph Smith. That endeared this man to me, and I will miss him. Each prophet and apostle touches our hearts in different ways, but all of them leave a hole when they're gone.

The Bug

Stay away. Don't come by. Do not drop off.

No mail being sent from here, no more blogs or emails.

It's very contagious, nasty, and I would be so sad if you got it from us.

You've been warned.

I've heard there are a few viruses going around.

This is the virus that beats all others - hands down

(or up if you're looking at the picture).

Miller began, then Sawyer. Then Tanner and Porter. Now Cooper.

Hunter's holding out strong. The only one in school today.

Tanner hasn't missed in five years. Until today.

Fever, croupy cough, sore throat. Day upon day upon night.

Parafluenza. Cousin to influenza.

Enough said.

Heard this was the year to get the flu shot.

If this is any indication - count me in...the arm, that is.

Frosty

Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly, happy soul...

Until he got under the lights, and remembered all his woes...

that is, the throwing up woes. Thumpity, thumpity, look at Frosty go! Just joking, Cooper did great, the only things flying from Cooper were songs and a hat. It was refreshing to go to a school program, and amidst reindeer, trees, sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers and lots of snowmen were children's voices singing about Christmas. In our culture that seems to be a banned word, replaced instead with happy holidays, kwanza, and other words that wipe away the real meaning of Christmas. I heard the first graders did a nativity play, and have done so for the last thirty years. Where else but here I guess would that be allowed? I love my community.

Boys and Trees

When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay
As ice storms do.
Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain.
They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow crust--
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break;
though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves...
But I should prefer to have some boy bend them...
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground.
He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be...
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
---Robert Frost

Ode to Hillbilly Hotdogs

Sonny's the weinie man, he owns the weinie stand, he sells the best weinies in town...

Sherrie's his weinie wife, she has the spice that's right, Hillbilly hotdogs day and night.

Porter's the weinie boy, he sings the hotdog song, he likes to get his weinies free,

They ate on the weinie bus, can't say they touched that much, but Hillbilly Hotdogs were so great!

Sharing Traditions

We have some fun traditions we've accumulated through the years, but one of my favorite childhood traditions was the yearly gingerbread house. I MADE six kits this weekend, and pulled out all the Halloween candy we'd set aside that was appropriate for decorating. As I was enjoying this tradition with my children this weekend, I realized that it was more meaningful for me because we were sharing it with somebody else. When we were first married, and enjoying our first Christmas, I made gingerbread houses to decorate and I shared this tradition with my husband and his mother. That's one memory of her I'll always treasure. What fun traditions do you have, and do you have plans to share them this year?

Happy Thanksgiving

We'll miss being with family and friends, drive safely, enjoy thoroughly, and feel our love.

Drowning in Dryness!

My children's school has a policy that they're not allowed to bring water to school. The privilege was revoked when high school students were caught sipping on vodka in class. If Tanner tries to leave the cafeteria with a bottle for the rest of the day, he can't leave the cafeteria until the bottle is in the trash. If Porter needs water at 10 a.m. and reaches into his backpack for his bottle, it goes into the trash. I keep sending water because there are times when they're not caught, but usually they're sent to the water fountains. They're coming home with cracked and bleeding lips because they're not getting enough water, and I'm less than thrilled to think about them drinking from something that has more germs than a toilet! What's the best way to approach this with the school district, any suggestions?

Cooper's Baptism

Cooper waited five months until Tanner turned 16, because he wanted his older brother to baptize him.

Hunter was asked to speak on baptism...

The boys were asked to sing a song...

Headed to the font...

Dad speaking on the Holy Ghost...

Sawyer FINALLY with a smile on his face!

Small Sanctuary

Driving along in the hills of West Virginia, we stumbled upon "Our Lady of the Pines," more commonly known as "the smallest church in the lower 48 states." You've never seen anything so small. The 24 x 12 foot church has six pews and seats 12 worshippers. Lithuanian immigrant Peter Milkint completed Our Lady of the Pines in 1958, with hopes that the world would come visit. More than 30,000 visitors sign the guest book each year. It should be 30,006 but my husband forgot to sign the book! I am grateful this season for my husband who helps me to remember the past.

Eye Envy

I have great eye sight, pilot eyes, 15/20, the kind of eyes Tiger Woods got after having surgery. I get them from my Dad. I never had a question about whose eyes my boys would get: mine. I've been wrong. I have two boys in glasses, one about to get them, and two more who want them. This season I'm grateful for my eye insurance.

Such a Beautiful, Yummy Bird!

My friend Ann sent me pictures of these birds in her neighborhood. It got me to thinking about all the yummy dishes associated with Thanksgiving, and the many ways to enjoy this bird, runner-up choice for our national bird. Butternut squash, turnip, pearled onions are some of my favorite side dishes. Marinating the bird in citrus and garlic was a delicious and different way to enjoy this king of poultry. What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? I need to know before I head to the store!

Home Sick

Yesterday I got a call from the school nurse: "Please pick Cooper up from school. He's not feeling well. Neither are the other second graders who he threw up on." How could she forget to mention he was on risers practicing for the Christmas spectacular? Otherwise, I don't think his 10 to 1 ratio would have been as successful.

What's For Dinner, Dear?

We've enjoyed seeing deer in our drives about town and countryside. This sight was not as common in Texas. Recently our good neighbor 'compounded' our relationship and gave us three packs of ground deer meat, otherwise known as venison.

I remember eating venison as a child, more as a stew, and have a slight rememberance of the taste. But I have put off using this gift as I have felt insecure in my ability to cook with venison. The family comments of "Is this spaghetti with deer meat?" or "What's for dinner, Mommy 'deerest'?" have made known to me my family is just as insecure. We bit the symbolic bullet and cooked it for chili yesterday. I never would have known it was venison, I'm glad I'm over that hurdle, and am wondering if there are any other recipes that would sway my family?

Geometry Rap

Sshhhh

I think I've thrown him off the trail...posting two days later...but every sweet sixteen deserves a little recognition. It's just one of those birthdays that's important. Look out world, Tanner's 16!

I Dislike Conflict

This is a picture of the 5000 some protestors in front of the Los Angeles temple (Westwood, California). Two full squads of LAPD in riot gear set up their base inside the temple grounds while SWAT vehicles and hundreds of officers followed the crowds. I'm mostly sad about this situation, a little confused. Mormons have been targeted in California as having been the main impetus behind the passing of Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage in the state. Although the population of the state voted on the passing of the constitutional amendment, the Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims - all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs.

Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.

I appreciate those in California who joined together and did something good. I feel sad for those in situations whose lives would have benefited otherwise. I love this quote by Brigham Young: "You that have not passed thro' the trials and persecutions, and drivings with this people from the beginning, but have only read them, or heard some of them related, may think how awful they were to endure, and wonder that the saints survived them at all.-The thought of it makes your heart sink within you, your brain reel, and your body tremble, and you are ready to exclaim, 'I could not have endured it.' I have been in the heat of it, and never felt better in all my life; I never felt the peace and power of the Almighty more copiously poured upon me than in the keenest part of our trials. They appeared nothing to me." L. Aldin Porter, "'But We Heeded Them Not'," Ensign, August 1998, 6.

I hope that I could be as courageous when I'm called upon to defend my beliefs.

The Borrowers

Did you ever forget something and needed it so badly that borrowing was a good alternative? Maybe a slip while traveling, a toothbrush? We attended a conference with Jarrod, just for two hours, and were looking for something to do. We didn't know there would be a heated swimming pool. Thank goodness housekeeping keeps lost and found items. Mens XL, L and M did just fine on these skinny boys, with a BIG tug on the drawstring.

Veterans Day 2008

This is Porter in his grandfather Hutchins' dress Navy uniform, from the Cuban Missile Crisis. Remember the Veterans today. Think about their service and sacrifice for our country. Enjoy the freedoms they helped preserve.

Nana

It seems like forever since I've posted - have been traveling to attend my grandmother's funeral in Massachusetts. What a drive! I am so glad to be home. It was an uplifting memorial service, and I appreciated being there for this chapter in my family's life. As I have been pondering her life, (you have a lot of time to do that between Ohio and Massachusetts and back again), I've realized there are a few things I'd like to remember from this experience. Singing two hymns in this little Episcopal church in Walpole made all the difference in the spirit that was there, and visibly transformed funeral attendees to being very uplifted by the time they left. Music is an amazing tool, and I want to think about using it more in my life. Also, I wonder what I'll be remembered for? I hope the things I'm memorialized for will be important and eternal. I want to do better in using my time on important things that will have a greater impact on people's lives. What would you hope to be remembered for? P.S. I commissioned Cooper to do this painting of my grandmother, it's very sweet.