After School Leftovers

There is a dissected sandwich on my kitchen chair. Mayo side flat on the chair, bologna and cheese spread like a fan. And the crust, of course, is leftover and there as well. On top of the table is a plate of half-eaten, leftover manicotti next to a bowl of warmed up leftover macaroni and cheese, with hotdogs. Several cups are present, all at a different phase of consumption. Never been touched, half full, empty and full of baby backwash.

Still covering the table is powdered sugar, scattered under and amongst the neglected lunch dishes. The powdered sugar is left-over from breakfast, which is now piled up by the kitchen sink. A couple of cold abelskeivers, one last swallow of orange julius and plates that have been licked clean of the afore-mentioned powdered sugar. All piled so everything is touching something but nothing is in a stack. All a delicate balance.

So I move the newspaper, Entertainment section, from the crowded counter to the messy table and sit down with my leftover, half a hamburger from last night and some awesome, homemade potato salad. And I fill my glass full of chocolate milk. Its been hidden in the fridge so nobody knows its there but me. And today, for lunch, I don't have to worry about sharing, because I am alone. Evidence of 4 children and a husband are all around me but I have been deserted and am alone.

What is this thing called the last day of school? School started earlier today than any other day this year, ever and we were home 2 hours later. Where is the sense in that? Of course my tears welled up as I left the school and Mr. Brunner locked the door behind me. (I'm not kidding, he really did). We loved our teachers this year and the kids had a great time and its such a fun, formative time of life. My kids are growing and developing and becoming. I'm glad I had a day to say good-bye and I'm glad it didn't last longer than 2 hours.

The kids came home, ate only half of what was offered and left. They just left. School is over and they are off to begin their summer adventures. Girlfriends, talking, giggling, scheming, guy-pals, xbox, wii, bikes, otter-pops, exploring, chasing, water guns, pools, swinging, lots of laughing, big loud boy noises, sunburns, sunscreen, BBQs and homemade ice cream.

And the house is empty and I am alone. A left over.

And I don't have to share my chocolate milk.

Braggin'

My baby's cuter than your baby.

Its fair to say that...right?







okokok







My Rachel is the cutest Rachel ever born in (month) in (city) (state)!!!

That's a little better. A little.

OOOoooo she's just so cute. Just wanna eat her up with lots of chocolate sauce on those juicy cheeks and whipped cream on each toe and swallow her down with a big glass of her giggles. Just love this little girl. Lovelovelove her!

No child was harmed in the typing of this post. I've felt the same urge to consume each of my children, but their baby photos are not digital and are currently packed in the garage whilst we begin the task of finishing our basement. So I have no proof of how irresistibly delectable they were as babies. But I'm pleased to confirm they did survive babyhood, fully intact, with only juicy kiss marks to show my endearment.

Roots

Last week I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon in the small picturesque Idaho town of Malad, pop. 4100. You see, that is where I come from. Well, part of me does, a long time ago. My grandma grew up there and she was Welsh. That's where the Welsh pioneers gathered, don't you know?

Malad, Idaho may be a small country town but it sure puts out top quality people. People like my grandma. On May 20, 2009, to reinforce to the young people the community, the quality of people they produce, and to let those young people know what is expected of them, my grandma,

Mabel Jones Gabbott,

was inducted into the Oneida County Hall of Fame.

This is a picture of the placard.

Below is a brief history of her life that was read at the induction ceremony:

Mabel Jones Gabbott was born October 23, 1910 to Mary Lusk Jones and Bernard A. Jones in Malad, Idaho. Of her childhood in Malad, Mabel later wrote, “Emily Dickinson said ‘Area is no test of depth.’ The area of my childhood and growing years was small in radius, but it was deep in love and learning, and rich in cousins, friends, and family. To me it was wonderful.”

When a senior at Malad High School, Mabel was elected student-body president and was valedictorian of her class. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Idaho and became a teacher. She taught in Weston, Idaho and then in Malad, where she taught her own younger brothers. In 1938 she was called to serve a mission to the Northwestern States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After her mission, Mabel lived in Salt Lake City and worked as secretary for LDS Church Apostle Elder LeGrand Richards. In 1941 she married J. Donald Gabbott, whom she had met earlier when they were missionaries. They lived in Bountiful, where Don established a photography business. They had five children: Cheryl, Sue, John, Geoff, and Steven. Don died in 1976 of leukemia.

Mabel became well known for her writing, especially her poetry. In 1946 she was invited to submit texts for new hymns for a new LDS church hymnbook. Three of her texts were accepted and set to music: “In Humility, Our Savior,” “Lord, Accept into Thy Kingdom,” and “Rejoice, Ye Saints of Latter Days.”

In 1957 Mabel became the manuscript editor for The Children’s Friend, and in 1965 she joined the staff of The Improvement Era magazine as Editorial Associate. She wrote many articles and poems for the church magazines. She also served as a member of the MIA General Board.

In 1973, the LDS Church Music Committee began to revise the Church hymnbook, and Mabel served as chair of the text committee. One of her poems -- “We Have Partaken of Thy Love” -- was set to music for the new hymnbook. Her lyrics can be found in many Primary songs, including “Baptism,” “To Think about Jesus,” and “He Sent His Son.”

Mabel also served as Chair of the Davis County Library Board and gave many hours to reading poetry and stories in nursing homes, elementary schools, and the library. She presented workshops on writing poetry to children and adults and served as a judge for poetry contests. In 1962 she and her sister, Elaine Castleton, collaborated to write the script for the pageant for Malad’s centennial celebration.

In her personal history, Mabel wrote, “There is an inexpressible joy in forming a thought into intelligible and rhythmic words...Often it seems that the thoughts will not clarify into measures, or the words will not interpret what the mind wants to say, or the lyrical, pulsing singing of the line is jagged and wrong. Then after much struggle, the line falls into place, and what the heart feels and the mind believes come true. That is joy…I do not think I have written any great poetry. But I have loved fooling around with words, and putting my thoughts, my feelings, my life into verse.”

Mabel Jones Gabbott died in 2004 in Bountiful, Utah.

She is in good company, her name along side LaDell Andersen (an accomplished basketball coach for UofU, USU, ABA, BYU) and John V. Evans, former Idaho Governor servng 10 years. Here are Mabel's children, accepting the recognition at a special dinner. (which was delicious, by the way)

John, Geoff, Sue, Cheryl

After the dinner we were also invited to stay for the Malad High School graduation, where the inductees were be honored again.

BUGZ video

"BUGZ"

Now its time for all these bugs
To get some free advice.
They decide to ask the lady bugs
Who know how to act nice.

How will the bugs get to the picnic?
Its cold and dark at night.
They need some friendly fire flies
To guide them with their light.

They made it to their picnic.
There was lots of food to eat.
Going on a picnic
Can’t Be Beat!!!

I couldn't help but notice the choir director, Catherine Stambaugh, during the final song. The smile on her face truly demonstrates her love and enthusiasm for the children. I'm grateful Sydney had the opportunity to work with a director who enjoys what she does!

BUGZ

Sydney is a star. She is a member of the Lehi Children's Choir and it has been a really great experience. She has had a lot of fun and made some new friends. For their final spring performance, they put on a mini-musical called "BUGZ." Sydney had two speaking parts.

She dressed up as a Fruit Fly. She was so beautiful!

We were especially excited that Grandma and Grandpa were able to come see her perform... ...and take us out for ice cream afterwards. A perfect evening.

Ode to JOY in my posterity

I can't get no...

...satisfaction...

Alex is not happy with the way his life is going. Although he is busy enough, working with his step-brother at the Happy Dragon tavern his step-father runs, he is yet unsatisfied. But all of that changes for Alex while on a walk to cool his temper and clear his mind.

Seeing a sign that reads "Adventurers Wanted" in the window of a small book store marks the beginning of, well, an adventure. That's what adventurers do, afterall. But we soon find out that Alex is not your average adventurer. His ability to simply see the "wanted" sign marks him as someone destined for greatness, of great power and strength. His valor, however, is something he has to determine himself.

Alex is quickly introduced to the obligatory forrest-dwelling elf and tunnel-dwelling dwarf as he begins his journey as the eighth member of an adventuring team on the hunt for Malgorath's treasure, a dragon whose notoriety precedes him as well as the magnitude of his treasure.

Troll encounters and bandit fights ensue as Alex begins his adventure, not just in pursuit of treasure, but in pursuit of who he really is. Although meeting with an Oracle gives him some needed confidence and comfort in his search for identity, he still wrestles with doubts as simple as whether or not he believes in magic; and as complex as whether or not he can rise to the power everyone is convinced is within him. And if he does believe he is someone remarkable, what will he do with that knowlege? And there-in lies the true beginning of his adventure.

His search for identity continues as Alex returns home and discovers there is more to his background than he thought. Regardless of the doubts and questions that still run through his mind and his continual search for a more complete self-identity, he is satisfied in knowing he is not just common help in the tavern. He is an adventurer.

All I Wanna Do

Like...last night was totally fun.

Like...it was totally rad, fun to the max!

Pardon my high school lingo here but I seem to still have a hangover from the party last night.

Our ward had a Disney LipSync night and boy oh boy, did we have a good time.

The Browns, that would be my own totally radical family, did our own version of "Be With You" from HSM3. We were cool-o-rama, for sure! The song was supposed to kind of represent Sterling's, my hot stud-muffin, courtship of moi. Because I am so babe-ilicious. Totally!, duh!

So I waited around for him for a couple of years, and then a couple more, and then several more. Finally he, like, found me and like, totally rocked my world! Tubular!

And just for the record, there has been some debate on the origin of my dress. Well, its totally mine of course! Like, gag me with a spoon! Why would I wear anything else when this dress is so totally awesome and I look so totally bodacious in it???? Geez, get a life! Like totally, get real! I was totally rad in high school. Don't you remember?

So, I'm totally stoked for you to watch our song. It was like way totally fun to do, fun to do, to do, to do!

Some faves...

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Sarah's wedding week.

Complete with captions.

How to properly eat a cupcake.

(wish I had the video of this, hint hint Paul!)

Punch drunk Ryan

The first shall be last and the last shall be...the best of all the game. We both win. HA!

Life is good

At the Salt Lake Temple

Eternal Families

Conversation Bench

Bachelorhood

That's what friends are for...

putting your deoderant on for you when its a challenge on your own.

Enough already!!!

THE END

Family pictures

It takes a lot of this...cooing and smiling and dancing and making faces...all of us...

to get something like this...

Dewey family cousins

Parker, Raine, Sydney with Rachel, Camille, Paige, Ryan, Bella

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

The Big Race

Ster, Karin, Janell, Mitch, his friend, DaLynn, Bronwyn, Ariel &friend

ALL SOAKED TO THE BONE!

So I started training in February for a 10K race in May. My only comment about that is I prefer training for Fall races, not spring races. Running on a track and treadmill is just not that exciting for me. I'd rather train outside in good weather.

Speaking of good weather. It WAS NOT good for the race. It was pretty much a downpour. Even after the rain stopped, the trees that lined the path we ran on still dripped and rained on us. But it was a great race. Beautiful path following the provo river (I think). I loved running with Sterling. He's way better than an ipod. Quality talking time, just the two of us, no interruption, except my gasping for air when I talked tooooo much. I ran approx. 11 minute miles. Not bad for a beginner. (1:06:57)

LOOK QUICK! WE ARE JUST A BLUR- you know, running so fast.....

Still raining? Yep, still raining. What about now? Yep, still raining.

Married

My baby sister is married. It happened yesterday. I'm a little sad about that. Really extremely happy but a little bit sad. I will miss her.
.
.
.
She's growing up.
.
.
.
I'm turning her care and well-being over to Dallin, her husband.

By way of introduction...



Um, so I hope she's, . . .well . . ., ok.

AWKWARD!!!





Actually...

Dear Sarah,

We LOVE Dallin almost as much as we love you! I just know you will be so happy. And obviously, you will have a lot of fun figuring this marriage thing out together. I couldn't be happier for both of you. Keep loving each other, cheer each other on in every good thing you do, say "I love you" a lot and say "I'm sorry" even more. You are both beautiful people, inside and out and I love love love you!!!!

Your sister,
Karin