Reminders

My mind has been going back in time a lot lately. So many things are different, yet the emotions are so much the same. I still love my sister Chrissy as much today as I did 9 years ago before she passed away. I still miss her with a fierceness that takes my breath away. I look at her pictures so I don't forget her face. I remember so many secrets told under the covers, games played together, pictures drawn, and stories read to each other at night. I remember promises made and questions asked. All of these things are packed away in a section of my brain, and they seem to come out whenever something triggers those moments of hidden remembrances. Pictures that Rygh has drawn with his Pastels.
Big reminders of all the nights that she would stay up late and work on a piece of art while I would be up late reading. I love her and miss her, and I love all of the reminders. I hope I can continue to pull all of the hidden memories out of the closet as time steadily passes.

Skiing

I haven't quite figured out what other "sport" requires people to bundle up like fat cows (in order to stay somewhat warm), fall at least a hundred times, subject themselves to fast speeds with no control, and stay in those conditions for hours on end.
Well... it isn't that bad. Actually it was quite fun. I do have to say that I really enjoyed myself. I admit that Rygh was much better at catching on to snow boarding than I was. I think it has something to do with his center of gravity being closer to the ground than mine. Next time I would like to try skiing. I think it would be much easier to balance and turn.
Of course Will took home the trophy. He has been skiing quite a few times before and he had a really good time. Hopefully we will go back up to the top at least one more time this season. It was a really good way to spend some quality family time together.
Will bought us matching outfits for our Christmas gifts. Don't we look so "red". They really kept us warm though. I am glad I had a one piece outfit. I didn't get any snow up my back when I fell. Rygh loved his board; blue is his favorite color. He has decided that snow boarding is better than skiing. (I am not sure how, as he has not skied yet)
He mastered the bunny hill in two tries. Much better than I did. Will did a great job helping Rygh get his balance in the beginning.

I ended up going to the lodge after about 4 1/2 hours. My bum couldn't take it any more. Hats off to the boys. They kept it up for 5 1/2 hours.

We can't wait to go again. We will keep you posted on my progress. Hopefully I will be better at skiing than snowboarding.

Proud to be an American

In today's world, it seems that fewer schools are instilling a pride for their community and Country. Some public schools do not require the pledge to be said daily or even on occasion. I find it disheartening.
So, when I found out that the 3rd graders were putting on a presentation with the theme being "America", I was wondering were they would take it. Rygh's teacher asked him to say a part in the presentation. He practiced for two weeks
.
I took a half day off from work & Will and I headed to the school. The children did a wonderful job. Patriotic songs were sung. Information was given about our Presidents. The "hardest" part for the kids was to present the Gettysburg Address. I was definitely impressed. They ended the presentation with "God bless America".
I am glad that we are in an area that still thinks it important to teach about the principles that our country was founded on, have pride in our country and to not be afraid to sing a song with God in it.

Rygh did a great job, and we were very proud of him.

Random Rygh pictures

Rygh was helping me make some food the other day, and I couldn't resist taking a shot. He looked so comfy in his robe and slippers.


Rygh also had a blast putting together one of his Christmas gifts. He wanted me to post this one. (He thought that it was just to funny)

Valentines Eve

This year Valentines Day fell on a Saturday. Which I am sure quite a few couples enjoyed celebrating on the actual day. My husband and son decided that celebrating on Saturday just didn't fit into their plans. I worked late on Friday, and just as I was locking up, I get a call from Will, wondering when I would be home. I explained that I was leaving late, had to pick up worms (for Ms. Orange Neck), and get a gallon or two of milk, being that Rygh had used the last of it the night before. Will listened attentively and then told me to hurry home so we could make something to eat, because he was hungry. As I dragged my tired butt all the way to the back of Walmart to pick up the milk, I kept thinking about taking the easy way out and picking up a pizza or something just as simple to make. Why do they put the milk in the back of the store? I imagine it is so that people like me might just give in and pick up other things that they really don't need, but look good or easy to make. Anyway, I didn't give in to my temptations, and after a really long wait at the check out, I headed home. I pulled into the garage, and Will came out to help me bring in the groceries. As he opened the door, I was assaulted by the incredible aroma of dinner, the sound of classical music, and the ambiance of candle light. Rygh was waiting for me as well. He took my coat and purse and escorted me to the table. I was so incredibly surprised and touched by their planning and effort. After seating me at the table, they presented me with valentines cards and (of course I had to shed a tear or two) then we enjoyed our wonderful meal of prime rib, Au gratin potatoes, peas, buttered french bread, and spinach, artichoke dip for an appetizer. After dinner Rygh gave me a foot message, and then we watched a movie. The night was perfect. So, I do think that Valentines Eve may be one on my favorite Holidays.

As most of you know, Rygh went to Ohio for Christmas break and came back home after the first of the year. He was really excited to go, and ended up flying solo. He handled the flights well and we were very proud of him.



We are getting back into the swing of school, church, and activities. Rygh's report card should be coming home soon. We just started a new study on marriage and relationships, for our small church group. I just started working with Canon Business Solutions. The department I was in, was being outsourced to them. The transition went smoothly, and all is going well at work. Rygh's Birthday is coming up soon, and we still haven't figured out what we are going to do for a party. I would like to check out the black light (indoor) miniature golf course. There are a lot of different ideas that we have been discussing.

One of the gifts that we received as a Christmas gift was Guitar Hero. All of us like to play it, and have a blast. Rygh also bought a fighter pilot game with the gift card he received from Cathy and Bob. I need to see if I can get a picture of Rygh and Will playing the game together. They take the office chairs and sit in front of the TV. Pilot and C0-Pilot style. Rygh loves it.



Will took this one of me after I came home from work and decided to play a quick song

Big Turkey, Bilblical Times, and The Minature City

I am blogging again. 2 months is too long, and I have a bit of updating to do. In November, Will had the honor of being Moses in our Church Festival. All of the kids had a blast and Will did a great job. Rygh enjoyed the face painting.




We have been reading "The Shack" during Nov. and Dec. in our small group that Will leads. We all enjoyed the read and had some indepth conversations.

Will also had lunch with our pastor and the president of MAF. Our pastor was asking us what brought us out to Idaho, and we told him about our desire to do mission work and to get connected with MAF. Pastor Steve let us know that the president of MAF, John, is a member of our church. He decided to invite both Will and John to lunch. It was an incredible opportunityy to get to know each other and talk about what is going on in the mission field. God has blessed us with a wonderful church and is opening doors in our lives. We are truly grateful.


Rygh was also busy. Now that he is in 3rd grade, homework is getting more involved. He had his first project that needed to be completed outside of school. His class has been studying communities and towns. They built an entire suburb with ordinances and dues. Their project for home was to build a business that would belong in a city. Rygh chose to do an air force base. We found that there really aren't any books out there (at least at our library) that shows pictures of any bases and how they are layed out. I imagine it has something to do with the security of our military. We were finally able to google earth an air force base. Granted we couldn't get a very close view, but it gave us an idea. The only challenge was that the base has too many building and things to fit them all in a 18"-20" cardboard base. We improvised a little, but It still turned out well. The kids all had to bring their projects in, and they assembled the entire 3rd grade town in the gym. It was really neat to see.








Thanksgiving found us at Barbs. It was so nice to see her and the kids again. It was such a wonderful little vacation. I was glad that I could spend time with family. The drive was really pretty and the food was incredible! Rygh enjoyed playing with Trevor, Amelia, and Ariana. I know that Barb was missing Travis, but I am so glad she had us over despite Travis not being there. It was a wonderful rest. Amelia and Ariana are sooo lovable. I loved the fact that they gave both Will and I hugs and kisses. It almost made me want a little girl of my own to cuddle. I am hoping that I can visit again in the Spring. The weather is a little crazy right now for traveling.
Here are a few pictures of the kids.








Now this brings us to December. We have had quite a bit of snow. Will thought that it was quite funny to see me shoveling snow in my heels. One of our neighbors said that it was a first for him to see.