The Beginning of the End of the Journey

No more merit required merit badges,

no more blue cards,

no more paperwork,

no more project.

Hunter turned everything in today, and is awaiting a board of review

to become an Eagle Scout.

Congratulations!

The best part of this process has been reading his letters of recommendation.
Normally they're sealed until the board of review.
But two teachers gave him a copy.

My favorite lines, are "Hunter has an incredible sense of right and wrong,
his moral integrity is beyond reproach.
He takes pridei n his faith, his family,
his citizenship and commitment to others.
He is a shining example of what his fellow students should strive for.
With a student such as him I do not fear for the future of this great country."

I told Hunter my journey is coming to a close as well.
When I can read these words, from somebody else,
then I know I've done all I can do. He will be able to do the rest.

Reading Ribbons

Sawyer has been reading and filling out logs like this.

Except this weekend, he filled it out without actually reading.

Four pages full.

The excitement of coming home with reading ribbons caught up to him.

"Mrs. Flynn,

The four ribbons I got today

I did not read books to get them

so I am going to read four books.

Sorry for getting four ribbons."

There are still lessons in life we learn out of a book,

and even more we learn without a book.

A Magical Evening

Jarrod's work on the side has a perk:

$50 a ticket fundraiser events.

"It's not like it's the junior prom!"

Do all ladies have to hold onto their husbands with both arms to get a picture?

My beautiful bracelet from my bracelet-making buddy ;-)

The trees that adorned our table

Can we say jungle?

Called to the stage by the "mentalist."

who magically

took off ten pounds

erased all gray and a few wrinkles

fixed our car

straightened all my kids' teeth

...

Those things would have been magical, all right, but

just being with Mr. Brown Sign, was all that I needed.

Superior!

Congratulations!

Superior Ratings!

Tanner's Science Project (Physics) moves on to state!

How Not to Sleep

Beautiful, peaceful, serene are words that describe this sleeping boy.

Even in the car seat he's cute.
Tanner's resting comfortably
Porter's looking relaxed, rested.

Me?

What happened to peaceful, serene looking?

Am I drooling?

Kindergarten

What do you say to your son,

when he comes home from school,

and announces that in his kindergarten end-of-the-year play,

about ants,

he's the stinkbug?

Basket Belle

We have a tradition in our family.

We fill out the bracket, now on an automatic entry form through NCAA or ESPN.

We have 36 entries this year!

Competition is tough.

The games have been amazing.

The winner takes home the coveted bronzed jock strap plaque.

Their name is engraved and they have to hang it in a prominent place in the home.
I am in the lead.

I have been in the lead before.

I have never won.

I have had sons win it four times.

Perhaps some of their luck is rubbing off.

Or I'm just picking up stuff that boys know.

Or my method for this year worked a little better.

There are over 5 million entries on ESPN.

#36 in our group, at .3 percent, is ranked 4,736,874

I'm currenly #1.

I'm ranked 910.

What are the odds the Boston Belle will do better than the boys?

Not very good. I picked Kanas to go all the way, and they lost.

But it has been fun.

Dental Bridges

This is a beautiful pedestrian bridge in the United Kingdom.

Reminds me of a beautiful smile.

Straight, pearly whites.

Evenly spaced.

More dental work for this cute boy.

This is our bridge in Proctorville, OH.
It reminds me of someone with braces on and lots of rubber bands!

Cooper is not wearing rubber bands. Yet.

He got his lower palette expander, which is removable for brushing.

We turn it every five days to widen.

This is the George Washington Bridge we crossed a few weeks ago.

Reminds me of Cooper's palette.

Very narrow!

This is the upper palette expander, not removable.

Yes, food gets up on top.

Their suggestion was to gargle with salt water.

Really?

We'll be trying the water pik.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Could you recognize your American cities by their Masonic temple?

(I'm a little bit of a Dan Brown fan.)

Time for a road trip (work conference)!

Mr. Brown Sign and Hunter hit the road for Indianapolis, Indiana.

This bridge is named after Daniel Carter Beard, one of the original founders of the Boy Scout movement, appropriate to share this year as they celebrate their 100th birthday. He was responsible for establishing the outdoor skills that are still at the heart of the Boy Scout movement.

This city has more monuments than any other American city except for Washington, D.C.

This is a memorial to Hendrick, vice president of the United States for only 9 months, but he was from Indianna! My favorite because of the lovely ladies on each side representing law and justice.

Morton Memorial, governor of Indiana during the Civil War, hence the Civil War soldiers.

This is the Indiana war memorial, remembering those who have served in all wars.

It's one of the larger memorials, actually only 15 feet shorter than the statue of Liberty. This picture is near the top.

Another one of my personal favorites, George Washington in his Masonic apron. You'll have to go visit yourself to see the actual statue ;-)

Indianapolis is very well known for the speedway.



There were many cars but this is just a glimpse at the fun!

There is also a bus ride on the 2.5 mile track among other things you can do there.

The best trophy in the world. If you look closely, you can see little heads on the trophy, representing all the winners of the Indy 500.

The story of the USS Indianapolis is a must read, especially for mothers of boys.

This memorial is in the World War Memorial and Museum.

The World War Memorial is designed after one of the ancient seven wonders of the world, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus for King Mausolus of Persia. Say that fast three times! His name is where the term mausoleum comes from.

At Jarrod's actual conference, Carl Lewis was there promoting the Hershey track and field games. He is a 9 time Olympic track and field medal holder and the only man besides Jessie Owens to win four gold medals at a single summer Olympics, 1984 LA

The Capitol of Indiana...

...where one who has been reading architecture books is in heaven with three stories of design. Hunter finally had a thing or two to share with his father.

This is a tribute to the coal miners of Indiana, a fitting pause as well for the coal miners in the tri-state area of West Virginia and Ohio.

"Without coal the marvelous social and industrial progress which marks our civilization could not have been achieved. But the production of this vital commodity, so essential to the world's progress, has cost the lives of thousands of "coal miners" in Indiana. It is to the supreme sacrifice of these men that this memorial is dedicated."

We all know now what our leader thinks of coal today.

The Headquarters of the NCAA is also here!

If you're looking for original and upbeat, it's here as well!

This was the only visible reminder that the NCAA final four game is coming to Indianapolis.

And because they were there on March 17th, a little city spirit was evident as well.

Indianapolis definitely ranks in the top ten cities of America, and is a must stop when driving by. Hoosier hospitality is abundant, things to do and see are abundant, and Mr. Brown Sign wants to go back with the rest of the gang.

Stewardship

There is a miniature horse in the field next to our house. The owner of the field was looking for a small horse for his grandson and came into contact with a man who had rescued this horse from a very abusive situation, but only had a small shed in which to keep the horse. So in exchange for building a fence and erecting a small barn, my neighbor was allowed to board the horse for his grandson. The horse, having only known abuse, and small quarters was brought to a beautiful 1/2 acre of green grass, with a mound in the middle, a new clean barn with hay, and large bouncy balls for toys. He received attention and love more than once a day, and was joyful to watch run and play in his new home.

It's been close to a year now since the horse arrived, and it's changed. He gnaws at the fence trying to unhitch the latch, escapes frequently, and is often kicking at the fence. I wonder how the horse could have forgotten its previous, miserable conditions, and the joy he had when he was first introduced to his new home where everything he could ever need was given to him.

Sometimes I feel we as members of the church can easily fall into this trap of the miniature horse. We're blessed with the gospel, which provides us with everything we'll ever need, yet we kick at the fence wanting more.

Elder Quentin Cook spoke on stewardship this past General Conference and said, "It is easy to confuse our priorities. Some individuals place undue priority on temporal and material possessions. Some are far less diligent in their efforts to immerse [themselves or] their children in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Having religious observance in the home is as important as providing food, clothing and shelter. We also need to [develop and] help our children develop their talents. We are responsible for the talents we have received. Children who are not taught that they are accountable for their time and talents are increasingly subject to the foolishness and unrighteousness that are so pervasive in the world."

There is a song my boys learned last year, called My Eternal Family. It goes,

I am a builder working each day to build my family.

And I will do the best that I can to serve them lovingly.

I am a builder growing so tall and learning every day

to speak with kindness in my home, to help at work and play.

My Heavenly Father sent me here and He knows I can be

strong and righteous as I build my eternal family.

This song made me think of my father, a few years ago, who was building a small shed out of wood. Having spread all the boards and toolos over the picnic table, as a workbench, attracted the attention of my then 3 year old son. He wanted to know what was going on and he wanted to help. My father reluctantly gave him scrap wood and nails and offered the picnic table bench as a little work bench. He said, "Porter, go ahead and hammer the nails in these boards." Surprised at how adept Porter was with the hammer, Dad cheered him on. "Wow, Porter, you really are doing a great job with the hammer!" When my father returned the following day to put on the door to the shed he realized that all the scrap pieces of wood had been nailed through to the benches. He later told me he was going to leave those boards nailed to the benches so when all who sat would ask why, and he would remember the day Porter taught him that children are always watching and following our example, and we need to always be doing the right thing at the right time.

May be strive to be that builder who, as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants 51:19, "is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward," and "shall enter into the joy of the Lord," surely including a really large green pasture with bouncy balls.

The Power of Grandmothers and Magic Books

Sawyer read to his grandmother last weekend in Boston.

This was some of his homework while we were traveling.

When Mom heard him read, she wrote on his book log:

"Sawyer needs harder books to read." Signed, Sawyer's Grandmother

I have been fighting this battle all year.

She won. Mrs. Flynn went looking for harder books.

When I signed Sawyer out of school, a second grade teacher stopped to talk.

She told me Sawyer's teacher visited her room for chapter books.

For Sawyer to read.

She wanted to know what my secret was.

Why is Sawyer so adept at reading?

Did I do a special reading program with him?

When did I begin his training?

Really?

There was no training, no special program, no secrets.

Just reading library books and scriptures.

Maybe one secret.

In my house there is no television, no cable, no computer games, and no video games.

What else is there to do but read?

Do you think that helped?

He really likes these books!

What is My Race?

I am not a color.

Punch Ball Balloons

This has been one of Miller's favorite toys.

A 99 cent punch balloon.

He slobbers and slobbers all over it, then asks me to blow it up.

Lovely.

Sometimes it's rather large, mostly it's medium.

Today the opening of the balloon was found dried shut.

No amount of coaxing could blow that balloon up.

Want to know what it reminded me of?

Look very carefully.

Then only read on if you're not faint of heart.

My stomach after six pregnancies!

(Told you so.)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I love a good parade. Not too many of those around, unless you're in Boston. I think I counted fourteen parades, spread out over the entire weekend through today. I forgot. There's no Irish living in West Virginia. Therefore, no leprachauns. And I forgot to dress my kindergarten boy in green. That would be considered child abuse on the east coast. I was worried all day I'd hear horror stories of all the pinches he got because he wasn't in green. Porter happened to wear a Marshall shirt (did that trigger anything? hello Amy Jo?). Cooper was saved by his green braces. Sawyer came out the door all smiles. "Sawyer, I'm so sorry I forgot about today. Did you get any pinches?" "Oh no. Don't worry Mom. Mrs. Flynn said it was against the rules, and if anybody pinched they had to write 100 times 'I will not pinch.' I mean, who wants to write that much just for a pinch? It doesn't even hurt." Thank goodness pinches don't hurt for us Moms who forget.

Sharing

Today we reached the end of our gummy bear vitamin bottle.

Sawyer got the last one, with Cooper left with none.

He walked over to the drawer, retrieved the pill cutter,

and shared the vitamin with his brother.

Was this my child?

Whisperings of the Spirit

When I was asked to speak on the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, I asked them why these whisperings hadn't told me that day, as I walked up to and down from the organ, that my skirt had been left unzipped. There are conditions that must exist first, to receive these promptings.

Recently we were returning home from out of state and while traveling got off the interstate for lunch. When we returned to the interstate, we did not realize we were going the wrong way. We traveled in this direction for a mile or two, when we saw a sign for Hagerstown, MD. Wondering why this would be in front of him when clearly it was suppose to be behind us, he began to look very seriously for clues as to the direction in which we were traveling. Jarrod was looking for an interstate sign that would show him whether or not we were going east or west. We tried finding the names from other signs we passed, on the map to determine where we were. We were even wondering about the position of the sun. Then we remembered the car's internal compass. When we realized we were headed in the wrong direction we began to look for a way to turn our car around. It seemed like miles! that we had traveled in the wrong way and back to where we made the original mistake. The Holy Ghost works in a similar way. There are warnings and promptings that are given to help us travel in the right direction and travel aids in the way of scriptures and the temple that work like today's GPS, or yesterday's road map. If we fail to heed to or not even notice the influence of the Holy Spirit, or have lost control over our body through bodily appetites or addictions, we will not be able to make the necessary course corrections. We need to be in a quiet place, in the right frame of mind, in a worthy state to receive promptings. There are places where it is easier to feel the Spirit. General Conference and the temples are some, as is being in our homes while praying and reading the scriptures.

We also know that "while the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil," the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost comes as members are given the gift by the laying on of hands by those who have the proper authority (Moroni 7:16).

I believe that because this power and gift comes from Christ, it resembles the voice of Christ. In Helaman 5:30 it describes the voice of Christ as a "still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul." Other scriptures as well as prophets teach what this constant companionship feels like. The Lord tells us "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost (DC 8:2). Enos stated that "the voice of the Lord came into [his] mind again (1:10). Joseph Smith said, "When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas." President Eyring described the influence of the Holy Ghost as "peace, hope and joy." But, the Holy Ghost is not always easy to discern. The Book of Mormon tells of faithful Lamanites, "because of their faith at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not (3 Nephi 9:20).

My son Hunter, as we were all headed out the door to an outing in Austin, asked me if he could bring one dollar. I reassured him we'd have all the costs covered, but asked why he wanted to bring a dollar. He said, "I don't know." Later in the day, we were walking back to our car and Hunter found a dollar bill on the sidewalk. As we were talking about what to do, whether or not to pick it up, we were approached by a man, obviously poor, very parched, asking for a dollar to get a bus ride back home. Hunter handed him the dollar, looked at me, and said, "Mom, I knew I needed to bring a dollar." We both knew Heavenly Father had provided Hunter with that dollar bill so he could serve this man. Even after I said no. How often do we prevent our family from these kinds of teaching moments, or spirit strengthening experiences because we fail to recognize the promptings of the spirit? "Verily, verily, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good - yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit (DC 11:12). This was Hunter.

John 14:26 says, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance." Because I don't remember Heaven, Heavenly beings, or actually much from last year, it's hard for me to understand the atonement, Christ's sacrifice, his suffering. The sacrament becomes a time and place for me to reflect on this, and as it says in the sacrament prayer, "to always remember Him." Participating in the sacrament ordinance helps keep us worthy of receiving the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I feel Heavenly Father blesses me with a drop or two of oil, or understanding, each week, if I fully participate in this sacred, weekly ordinance. This is similar also to participating in the ordinances of the temple, and being taught there. As I was reflecting on all of these things, and trying to understand how and why Heavenly Father, could and would allow these things to happen to His Son, I realized in a very small way I was giving up, sharing, sacrificing my son Tanner, in a short time, to serve for two years on a mission. While this thought caused the fabric of my heart to tear in a small way, it helped me not only understand how Heavenly Father could allow His Son to be our Savior, it also allowed me to share a miniscule amount of the pain Heavenly Father felt as well. These teachings, sacred to me, were possible through the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Vicki Matsumori, in the General Primary Presidency, testified that, "When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us the peaceable things of the Kingdom and all things what we should do. We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and the Son."

Happy Birthday Sawyer!

Life with Sawyer is filled with lots of accidents,

lots of adventure,

lots of love.

Happy 7 years full of Sawyer's unforgettable faces and unforgettable Sawyer moments.

Hershey, Pennsylvania!

We knew we were in a SPECIAL place when we found t h i s near our hotel!

We stayed overnight in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and woke up to the smell of chocolate, Hershey Kiss-shaped street lamps, and a whole town devoted to chocolate!

The factory tour is free, but everything else costs money. This is a picture of the picture we could have bought, but it shows the amusement park type cars that drive you through the factory. Very fun.

Boys being smokestacks.
Hershey smoke stacks.

The family being happy pieces of chocolate.

Being in Hershey makes you happy!

The replica oven that bakes the cocoa bean into cocoa, that you drive through on the tour.

The boys all wanting a kiss from a Hershey!

My funniest find in the gift shop.
Who in their right mind would wear tinfoil looking hats, whether or not they resembled the kiss candy?

Hershey, Pennsylvania: Fourteen thumbs up!