Blythe Speaks in Church--A First!

Blythe was asked to speak in church today. I've been urging her to prepare something for several days, and last night, concerned with what she had written, I asked her to read me her talk. I was so pleased when she read what she had come up with. After ice skating yesterday, she felt inspired to talk about resilience, getting back up after we've fallen, and finding the good in life. She didn't have a scripture or quote from a general authority, so I looked for something she might like to add. I found a good quote from President Nelson, and with that addition and one scripture, her talk was fabulous. Today, she delivered her message with calm self assurance and clear diction. Even over Zoom it must have been good because I almost immediately got very positive feedback from several people in the ward. 

Blythe is a remarkable young woman. I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom, either. So many others think the same thing, because it is true. I was pleased with Blythe's honesty in what she shared. She is still working to gain her own testimony, a process that is often difficult and always incredibly personal. She is making efforts and looking for the good, and I think she is just terrific. 

I tried to be sly about taking this picture.

Before the meeting started, I sat down in a row all by myself and put up the phone.

Mandy Ficker, two rows back, said, "I see you."

I promised to return to my seat and be reverent the rest of the meeting.

Here is Blythe's talk:

Hi, for those who don’t know me, my name is Blythe Barrus. I’m 12 years old and have lived in this ward my whole life. My talk is about picking yourself back up. Yesterday I was out ice skating. There was a guy there, ice skating as well, and I noticed something about him. He was really good at ice skating. And when I say really good, I mean it. He was gliding over the ice, doing twirls and skating backwards. As I skated around the rink I was watching him out of the corner of my eye when he twirled, and fell. He laughed, stood up, whipped the snow from off his pants and tried the twirl again. He fell a second time. He tried a third time and executed the twirl perfectly. 

            There were some other people who I noticed fall down. There were two types of people when falling. There were the people who stood up, dusted themselves off and skated away. Or the second type. The people who went off to the sidelines. 

             I sometimes like to think of life as a snowglobe. We live in this little snow globe village, living our lives, doing our work, waiting for good or bad things to happen. Sometimes life gets bored. So life comes over to the mantle, picks up our snow globe and turns our world upside down. But we get to choose how we fix it. 

             There's a quote I like that says ‘We can’t choose what wounds us, only what seals the scar’. I was talking with a friend once and she was in a bad mood. So she obviously being a bit negative. I asked her if the glass was half empty or half full. She told me that she knew that I was going to say the glass was half full.

             However I told her she was missing the point. The glass is refillable. When she told me that didn’t make sense, I told her that even if the glass is half empty or half full, you won’t be going thirsty. When the ice skater fell he didn’t let that stop him. He got right back up and tried again. Life is going to shake our snow globe up. We can’t stop it. But we can always work through it. 

When something bad happens, or I feel kinda low I think of my friends and my family, and count all the positive things that are going on right now. 

            Maybe the sky looks really pretty, or maybe it's warm outside. Maybe I get to hangout with a friend, or see friends at school. Maybe I get to have something I really like for dinner, or maybe I get to help out at Sister Rasmussen’s, something I really enjoy. It's small, and it's simple, but it helps me look at all the good things. Maybe I didn’t get a toy I really wanted or maybe I wasn’t allowed to build a fort in my room, but that's alright. 

             There's an audio clip I found one day called Dear Best Friend. I love sending things like quotes to my friends to make them feel better. In this audio clip it says “I’m not mad, I’m just in pain. But what's the sun without a little rain right?” and in another part it says “I will stand tall and stay strong. Because I know you wouldn’t want to see me fall.” 

             There may be some things about the church that I don’t agree with. There are going to be rocky times that I have with God or my faith. There is going to be a time where I have to choose who I want to be. And who I want to follow. I hope, with all my heart, that I choose God. Because I know in my heart that he is real. I may never have a vision, or have an angel visit me, but I don’t need one. I have my testimony and my belief. 

             President Nelson says in his talk Face The Future With Faith quote “Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.” That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives. How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature and inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow, and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.” end quote 

             Like the ice skater who fell over, we need to continue to pick ourselves up when we fall and find strength and courage in the Lord. In Doctrine and Covenants 98:3 The Lord gives this promise to each of us,  quote “all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good and to my names glory.”

            I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

A Haircut

Brandt's hair has been out of control. It has been long, curling up at the back, hanging down over his ears, and flopping in his eyes. Every time he's asked me for a dog lately, I've said we should get a hound, name him Scooby, and then we could call him (Brandt) Shaggy. We could call him Shaggy anyway. 

Today, I took him over to Mikayla's for a haircut. She got out the clippers and dispatched with very much hair. It came off in great long clumps, curling onto the floor. It didn't take too long before his too long hair was just right. It's short in back, but still long in front, just like Brandt likes it. He likes to play with his hair, so having it long over his forehead suits him. He looks so much better!

This is really too many people in Mikayla's bathroom,

but I insisted on supervising.

Once There Was a Snowman . . .

I went to kindergarten today and helped in Cora's class. She wanted to come home with me, and as I needed to go shopping, I agreed to have her walk home with me, and then she could join me for a trip to Costco. On our way home, we passed a snowman. Cora wanted a picture of herself with the snowman, and for me to have one too. So I took a picture of her and then she took a picture of me. 

Witness to the Book of Mormon

In Sunday School today, we talked about the three official witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and then others who were permitted to see the plates, like the eight witnesses and Mary Whitmer, as well as Emma who saw and felt the plates covered up. Paul MacKay was teaching, and he challenged us to write our own witness of the Book of Mormon for our posterity. I'm taking that challenge to heart.

I have read the Book of Mormon dozens of times. I almost always read in the mornings because I have found that my day is better when I begin it with time in the scriptures. I hear God's voice, I learn something, I am reminded of and taught truth every time I read. I feel as though I know those whose stories I read, and I am grateful they were willing to record their interactions with Heavenly Father. I love knowing that even prophets of God have challenges that weigh on their souls, that bring them sadness and heartache, but continue faithful, always acknowledging God's involvement in their lives and their faith in Him. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, a second scriptural witness of his life and mission. I love reading about his sweet visit to the Nephites after his resurrection. I know the Book or Mormon teaches pure doctrine. I know it was translated by Joseph Smith, who was a prophet, just likes those whose recorded their testimonies on the plates. I know Mormon saw our day and wrote for us. I love the Book of Mormon and know it is true.

Best Winter Young Women's Activity Ever

 

The Young Women went tubing at Soldier Hollow tonight for their weekly activity. Just last week I blogged about how it was the Best Winter Activity ever! Turns out, it was just as fun for Blythe this week as last. Meghann Nebeker sent me this darling picture of our girl and Lily Lusvardi. Here's to good leaders who serve our kids, to good friends, and to fun winter activities.

Valentine's Day

I wanted to make this a fun Valentine's day. Yesterday, in the afternoon, we had a DeMartini family party, with treats, games, and cookie decorating. It was terrific, except we didn't have a substantial enough lunch, so I overdosed on the treats, eating popcorn and candies and chocolate covered pretzels until I was on a sugar buzz. I thought Mikayla was making cookies to decorate, and she thought I was making cookies to decorate, so I went to buy sugar cookies which weren't brilliant. Next year we'll communicate better. 

We played some games. Brandt participated with the kids in using a straw to move candy hearts from out of a bowl onto the table. He was pretty good at this. I gave people a box of conversation hearts and had them create a poem. They were all very silly. Brandt ate some of his before I got his. Mine said:

Bae, You & Me, Real Love

Hug Me, Yaaas

Luv You, Bae

Sweet, Peace, Dream

Nice

 

I had some Valentine trivia people tried to answer, and we played a Valentine's version of Finish the Phrase where we all wrote down the ending of a phrase, and whoever had the most similar answers won. We also did a photobooth. Silly pictures without our girl who didn't come because she wanted to hang out with Lily Lusvardi instead. It was fun to be with those we love for the holiday that celebrates love in all its various incarnations. Well, maybe not all, but some.

Mikayla said, "Mom, come take a picture with us!"

She picked out those two arrows, then approached the wall, looking at who was going to stand on which side of her.

Mikayla and I had to switch places.

This  morning, I got up and made Christmas breakfast rolls. I made a recipe that makes a tremendous amount of dough, so had enough to make five rolls. I formed them into heart shapes, but when they baked, they rose out of shape. Oh well. They were delicious and we all snarfed ours down, then started in on an extra. I do love cinnamon rolls, and so as that we don't eat too many, I almost never make them. Valentine's Day was a worthy cinnamon roll cause. But no pictures. We consumed it all too quickly. I also got cute cookies from our neighbor, Justine Banks, and gave Kent and the kids a cookie and card. 

After church, we delivered cinnamon rolls to Grandma Dawn and Papa Scott, Sandralee Jensen, and Craig and Julie Robison. Kent and I drove down to Springville to take a treat and visit briefly with Kathy Dutson through the window of the rehab center she is in. 

Kent was very sweet and bought flowers for me and Blythe--roses for me, tulips for Blythe. They were a lovely treat! It all made for a very nice day. Here's to love, love, love!

Young Women Art

For Young Women today, Blythe received a canvas and was to paint something of her choice, then share her art with her classmates. This is the painting she created, which I quite like. It's bright and dark and fun. H

Best Winter Activity Ever

 In the company of most of the DeMartinis, we went tubing at Soldier Hollow this evening. I've been tubing there before, years ago, as part of a winter triathlon that was fairly brutal. But this evening, it was absolutely terrific. It was so much fun!! There are groomed runs, and a conveyor belt lift you can ride that delivers you practically at the top of the hill. You've got to pull your tube, but it's all pretty slick. I told Kent he was coming, even though he has a hard time having fun, and he came along, somewhat reluctantly. 

We couldn't have picked a better night to go. Even though we were there after dark, the day had been warm and the evening was hardly cold. Brandt complained that I made him wear too much clothing. Blythe too. We were able to do eight runs, most of which we did in big groups. The speedy descents were so exhilarating, the air brisk, the company entertaining. I laughed and shrieked every time we went down. The conveyor did stop at one point, forcing us to hoof it up the hill. That was bad. But it was just the once, and after a significant pause at the top of the hill to catch our breath and somewhat recover, down we went again. Kal loved the conveyor belt, and went up and down between adults, rode on tubes, nearly fell off once, causing Kent to fall over trying to prevent him from rolling off into the snow and forcing us to leap off to save him. He was funny! 

It was so super fun. Everyone had a great time, including Kal and Cora, our littlest people. Kal went down once standing up with his arms outstretched, looking like the king of the world. He said, "Again! Again!" at the bottom of every run. Cora cried when we had to stop. We will definitely do it again. It will be our for sure activity every winter, like canoeing is every summer.

The conveyor was a bit tricky the first time on. 

It was moving, and the tug of the tubes made it unstable when you first got on.

Then sometimes, as in this picture, you lose your balance and fall over.

Christopher rode up this time on his belly.

Getting ready for a big group run.

Kal chillin' on the conveyor

A pile up at the end

Errand Company

 I needed to go grocery shopping today, and after our Saturday fiasco with the car wash, I told Cora she could come with me. With Mikayla, I went to help in Cora's class, and then she walked home with me. I put together the shopping list, we went to pick up Kal, and then we went to the car wash. The Quick Quack still had an hour-long line, so we went to Supersonic. The line there was only about fifteen minutes, so I agreed we could wait. Everyone was thrilled to pass through the danging, spraying, exciting car wash.

With a clean car, we then went grocery shopping. Cora and Kal spent a fair amount of time clinging to the side of the cart, and a fair amount of time running around. It's so hard to keep them close. They both ate a banana and put stuff in the cart, then both had a meltdown at checkout because I wouldn't give them candy. Everyone was hungry and falling apart, so we drove through Chik-fil-A on the way home and got lunch. Cora and Kal stayed for several hours this afternoon and kept me company. It is always nice to have someone along when I'm running errands.

Name Poem with Alliteration

Blythe has Creative Writing this semester. She's been so excited for this class, stating it was her favorite class, even before she actually had it. Her teacher, Mr. Hunter, has already given some fun assignments, including writing a name poem with alliteration. The poem was to be an acrostic, with alliteration from the letters in your name. I quite liked Blythe's poem.

My name is Blythe. 

B. Backpacking across Brazil can give you bad backaches

L. Lacing up my LA gear shoes is an easy task but not in the Las Vegas heat 

Y. Yelling across the yellow table at my brother to slow down

T. I took a taco, and tallied down ten, for my tenth taco 

H. I hailed the lady with the hat and the hazel eyes

E. I egged the rather large elephant 

The Park in lieu of the Car Wash

I took Brick and Cora to Costco with me today. I should never go to Costco on a Saturday because it is always a zoo. But I had good company, so it wasn't horrible. We were going to go to the car wash too. There was a dirty, dirty rain last night, and because we went to Timpview to see Macbeth, the car was out and ended up filthy. Everybody and their sister needed a car wash, however, and lines at every car wash in the valley were ridiculously long. Cora loves the car wash and insisted that we wait. I, however, was unwilling to spend an hour in line. She began to cry. Not wanting to disappoint, I promised we would get the car washed on Monday, and instead, we could spend an hour at the park. Although not entirely happy about the exchange, Cora agreed. 

We picked up Kal and drove to Bounous Park, just south of Timpview. There were other options, but it was close. It was also fenced off due to construction, with "No Trespassing" signs posted along the fence. There were other people on the play equipment, and I asked how they got in. They had pushed open the fence a bit, so we followed suit. We were miles away from actual construction and not risking life or limb any more than we would if the park wasn't closed, so I didn't feel too guilty. A bit guilty, but not much. It was beautiful and sunny and everyone had a great time.

Here's to sunny weather in February.

National Frozen Yogurt Day

 Happy National Frozen Yogurt Day! In honor of the day, as in years past, we went with the Johnsens and Grandma Sue to have frozen yogurt at Yogurtland. And as always, it was a cold delicious treat. Brandt was doing tech crew at Timpview, so he did not join us in person, but I got him a cup of yogurt and delivered it to him. That only seemed fair as it was he who looked at the calendar and reminded us. 

Lily Lusvardi was over when we were heading out, so she joined us.

She didn't get yogurt with us because, in a weird twist of fate, 

she had just been at Yogurtland with her aunt before she came to our house.

Our Own Techie

Brandt has been devoting hours and hours to his tech crew responsibilities. As the soundboard guy, he's been at school after school and in the evenings, helping with a variety of productions. This week, it's Macbeth. Tonight, we went to see/hear him in action. Not only did he cue the actors mics, he had a line! In his very deep, growly voice, he said, "We will now have a ten minute intermission." We are delighted to see him enjoying tech crew, and are even more delighted at the friends he is making.

Kal's Best Buddy

Oh boy did I get lucky today! I was invited to go to Kal's pre-school as his Best Buddy. I felt honored to be chosen and was absolutely tickled to be there with him. As soon as I walked in, he said, "Grantie Kake!" and waved to me. All the kids were sitting in a line on the floor, and I sat with the other buddies along the wall in a very tiny chair. As soon as I sat down, Kal came over and gave me a big hug. He's so stinking charming. 

Kal's teachers read each child's My Best Buddy page, with the answers the children gave about their buddies. I love Kal's answers, especially that I like to go to his house, and his final statement, "I love my buddy because she is so cute, and precious, and beautiful." I was melting!

I'm fairly sure his teachers didn't understand that Kal calls me Grantie Kake.

That's why it says his best buddy is Kiki.

After we heard all about everyone's best buddy, the kids sang two songs, "Skidamarink a dink a dink, I love you," and "A Bushel and a Peck." Kal did all the actions and sang out loudly "I love you" and pointed right at me. SOOOOOOO CUTE!!! (heart eyes, heart eyes, heart eyes). 

Most of the kids sat for most of the time in a mostly line.

After the singing, we got to have a brownie and milk. Kal brought me a brownie, declared it "really tasty!" and carefully carried over a cup of milk. We shared both. In between bites, he hugged me or wiggled around in an entertaining fashion. Sort of like below. (more heart eyes)

In the end, we got to have a picture together, and I got a most wonderful portrait painted by Kal himself. I look amazing!!

Everyone agrees that the tuft of hair on top of my head is terrific.

Consensus further says I look like either the BFG or Sloth from Goonies.

I've got great lips for giving lots of little kisses.

I drove Kal and Quin Seamons home. They chatted with me about all sorts of things, from going to school, eagles, eating fish and rats (Quin said he doesn't eat fish, but he does eat rats. When I said, "Ew, gross! Do rats taste yucky?" he readily agreed they did.), my old car and when I was getting a new one, and why I had to take Quin home first. 

Being Kal's Best Buddy was the BEST part of my whole week.