The Walk

I have got to get better at posting faster. I try to ]squeeze[ it in between all the pressing events/activities/matters around here, and the result is I-should-be-doing-something-else-but-I-need-to-finish-this-blog-post anxiety. Today is no different.

So let's get started.

Friday was the walk day. Diploma(holder) Day. Commencement, Convocations, I don't really know what to call it.  Josh's college was the first ceremony of the day in the Marriott Center, Britt's was the last. (Britt realized that she could have walked with Josh a little too late - she could have been done earlier in the day and we could have all been present to watch them both walk. I'm putting that in the "Things I've Learned" file.)

We met up with the Feils for lunch in-between the two ceremonies (kudos to Grandpa and Grandma Goldsberry for attending BOTH).

This was the first we saw of Taylor and Lynnea since arriving the previous day. They are seriously so cute.

(This is a not a great shot, but the only one I nabbed of the other table.)

Afterwards we headed off to the Marriott Center for Britt's turn.

The video:

There is a long, funny story about how Britt exited the ceremony. Let's just say, we bowed out a tad early - another entry for the "Things I've Learned" file:  this individual ceremonious distribution of diploma(holder)s takes a very, VERY long time (and I believe Britt's college was the biggest of the day, which is why it was last). Britta received hers in the first 30 minutes or so. From our far above vantage point, we noticed several graduates {discreetly} keep walking... out the doors... after receiving their diploma(holder). Britt had returned to the seats, but was only one chair from the end of a row. After about 15 minutes, the young man occupying the end seat next to her {discreetly} stood up and walked out a side exit. After another 15 minutes or so, we decided to text Britt to see if she would be okay with making a {discreet} early exit. We could tell there was another good 45-minutes-to-an-hour of listening to the names of other graduates before the closing prayer. It was comical to watch Britt checking around... looking for the right moment... nervous... not wanting to draw attention... not wanting to be disrespectful or disruptive. She finally picked her moment, stood up, and {discreetly} headed up the stairs. The same stairs that more graduates just started walking down.

She was stopped. She couldn't go up those stairs, she should be going down.

She quickly located another exit on the ground level, and walked out.

We met up with her outside, and were all happy with the decision to make an early exit. We didn't have to fight the crowd, had some time for photo ops before the masses flooded out, and were able to depart before the traffic became too heavy.

Way to go, Britt!

After the pomp and {discreet} circumstance, we met up with our Feil cousins again. They drove from Bountiful with Grandma and Grandpa G that morning, and needed to pick them up before heading back. We thought the Sweet Tooth Fairy would be the perfect spot to congregate.

And look who else was able to meet us there:

Lexee. YAY!

After a sweet congratulatory cupcake, we headed to Britt and Austin's for dinner.

Do you fondue?

You should! It was delicious. Maybe I'll ask for a fondue pot for Mother's Day.

(Is it okay to ask for something for Mother's Day?)

Graduation posts complete. Up next: A Haircut and The Potluck

Graduation Commentary

Yes, my blog went private. For a day. I was just weirded out for a moment, then remembered that something similar had happened months back, and that, once again, I needed to learn a lesson: Don't click on any links if you don't KNOW where they will go. I tell it to my kids all the time, then I go ahead and let curiosity get the best of me and simply, innocently, click. DUMB.

Thank you to those who cared.

I just had to do a little graduation commentary (pictorial and written) on the events and people in and around the pomp and circumstance.  (btw, we were unable to access/download the pics Austin so kindly put on a disc for us, so you will have to live with my poor quality point-and-shoot pics.)

The Commencement Exercises were held Thursday evening at the Marriott Center. 

This was our view of the crowd:

In case you're having a difficult time spotting Britt (and my nephew Josh), I thought I would help you out:

Note: I have identified a general proximity; however, the tip of the arrow may be slightly off. 
Both Britta and Josh may have been a person or two to the right (or left for Josh), perhaps a row down.

Elder L. Tom Perry was the speaker.

It was very, VERY interesting watching listening to a speech when you can see it on the teleprompter. It added a level of anxiety for me, since I could see when Elder Perry jumbled his words a bit, or changed the past/present tense of a word, requiring adjustments to keep the momentum of the speech moving forward. I think his speech was better for those who couldn't see the teleprompter, or who, if they could see it, didn't get anxious about tiny mistakes necessary adjustments. I've decided that, for me, it's better NOT to see what is SUPPOSED to be said. I would STINK at using a teleprompter because I do not make adjustments seamlessly OR quickly.

Our Jumbo-Tron view.

This is really just a picture of my cute {SON}IL Austin.

I felt to comment on the dress behind him, only because it caught my attention due to some pretty intense discussion around our house lately after Bill and I attended a Stake Fireside for parents of Young Women. Let's just say the Stake President was frank about the whole modesty issue. He mentioned that he had sat in interviews with young women (wearing something I imagine similar to this dress) and asked them if they are currently living the dress standard required at BYU. He said it is awkward when a YW replies yes, when she is clearly substandard sitting across from him. Of course there was much more covered in the fireside about being covered, but let me just say it was pretty specific.

Bill and I discussed it on our way home, and decided that we should implement a stricter standard for our two beautiful daughters remaining at home. If you will be, are, or have been a mother of teenage daughters, you surely must know the modesty topic constantly needs revisiting, because styles are constantly changing, and there is always a line, and many girls like to get as close to it as possible. I've heard some moms say they have given up on that battle.
Not a good idea according to our Stake President.

Did you know the BYU Standard is more strict and specific than the guidelines in the For Strength of Youth booklet? Do you know that in the Ecclesiastical Endorsement to attend a church school the Bishop and Stake President are asked NOT to endorse an applicant if they feel they do not or can not maintain the dress standard?

The Denver Area Stakes hold a Spring Formal each year for the Priests/Laurels. Here is the dress standard listed on the very cute information cards they handed out to the youth:

Young Men: Tux or Nice Suit; Jacket and Tie required. Please be clean shaven. No earrings or body piercing jewelry.

Young Women: Modest, Formal Dress (more formal than Sunday Dress). Your dress must have sleeves that cover your shoulders completely. If your dress does not have sleeves you must wear a cover up that covers your shoulders. Length of dress and/or slits need to be at or below the knee, this includes dresses worn over leggings. Please no extremely tight clothing or exposed midriffs; no low-cut fronts or backs or revealing in any other manner.

If not dressed according to these standards, you will not be admitted to the dance. 
Modest clothing and ties will not be provided.

This year I have not had to worry about the prom dress issue, as my beautiful and awesome age-appropriate daughter was not asked to attend. There may be opportunities next year, or not. Either way, we are committed to wearing dresses to either Prom (LHS or LDS), that would be appropriate for both.

Back to graduation 
(which made missing the school prom easier, since Shi wanted to be there with the fam anyway).

Post prayers, speeches, and musical numbers, we nabbed a few pictures.

I love a funny good candid shot. 

In this one, I especially like how Austin tests the wind direction with his tongue.

I love how, unlike {our} high school graduation where graduates are forbidden to have their phones, Britta could text us with where she was sitting, where to meet her, and other important details like that. Phones are very helpful for locating people in crowds. 

I wondered if she had a pocket. Austin thought no.

We ran into my NIL (niece-in-law) Kayla and my new great-nephew, Noah, in the hallways of the Marriott Center - no grandmas, grandpas, aunts or uncles around - and got to hold the sweet little guy for a few minutes before his family found him. His Aunt Hannah couldn't keep her lips off of him,

...nor could his Uncle Sam. (Hey, Noah, you have a real UNCLE SAM!)

Josh and Britt

Josh: a new GRAD and a new DAD. 

 His little family will be heading to Iowa City for law school in July. I can't believe this is the same little guy that hung out in his diapies, sipping KoolAid with Tay and Britt (speaking of modesty {cough cough} I'm sure they had just finished taking a dip in the plastic pool). Time flies.

By the end of the day, Britt's feet were ready for a breather.

Oh yes, there's more.

The Graduate

This past weekend was the best.

We took a quick trip to UT to attend Britt's graduation.

This is only a smidgen of the pictures - Austin took some really great pics, which he put on a disc for us, then Billy-my-hero kindly stored the disc in his laptop which is currently with him a work.

That won't stop me from posting.

Hopefully Britt will get around to posting details and pics on her blog... soon.

She still has a busy couple of weeks ahead PLUS a new puppy (who is doing great, btw).

Britt, we are so proud of you!

There's a lot more to share about the weekend (we packed it in). New posts coming... soon.

I cut hair.

Starting in May, I am going back to the business of hair.

Am I excited? {YES}

I am also a bit nervous.  It's been a long time since I've actively pursued my own business and promoted myself.
I am the first to admit I do not gush confidence. 

I have complete confidence in my education.

I have confidence in my ability.

I have confidence that this is what I am supposed to be doing

(after 3 or so years of off-and-on denial that THIS was my answer, mingled with stints of being overwhelmed by the roadblocks every time I ventured to pursue it).

It's taken me a while to get here.

I listened to this talk a hundred times before I finally heard this phrase:

"Our own desires, rather than a feeling of "Thy will be done," create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God. God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time."

So, without going into deeply personal detail, let it be written that I know this is what I am supposed to do.
I have only been denying it because I lack courage. I've dragged my heals a bit.
I told God He would need to make it easier, and He has lovingly complied.

So.

Premise Agreement signed.

(turning in today)

Suite-share arrangement made.

(on a hand-shake with a super easy-going guy)

Business cards ordered. 

(partial card shown above)

Facebook post written.

(waiting to post until I get some feedback from my business advisers, Bill and Steph

-because I lack confidence)

Watch for it.

I can relate to Maria in The Sound of Music, so maybe I just need to sing my worries out!

(Which, btw, I used to belt out as my sister and I would sing along to our LP, hiccuping when the needle would run over the scratch on the well-loved record.)

I have confidence in sunshine...

I have confidence in rain...

I have confidence that Spring will come again 

(or not - snow on the ground today)

Besides, which you see, I have confidence in me.

A {big} thank you to Steph, Rebecca, and Bill, my confidence boosters.

Wish me luck!

Our Latest Addiction

Tuesday, as I was in a rush to do the grocery shopping with my very specific list of items needed, I ran across a couple of can't-pass-up deals in Sam's Club, one of which was this:

Extra large cans (87 servings, for goodness sakes) for $1.91.

My mind raced through the possibilities.

• Food storage - but these were in cardboard cans

• Would the ward need this for any upcoming activities?

• Maybe we could gift these to neighbors, VT and HT families at Christmas

(best by date of 9/30/2014)

I WAS in a hurry, and with my new-normal-brain-fog, I couldn't decide how much to buy, so I packed a dozen 14 (2 for good measure) into my cart. I wasn't sure if I would regret the purchase, or regret not getting more. I noticed a recipe on the side of the can for Iced Hot Chocolate, and made a mental note to try it, since we might be needing to chug 1218 servings before Oct 2014, and some of those months in-between would not be conducive to HOT chocolate.

I returned home to questioning looks from the girls, and a thumbs-up-this-must-be-food-storage from Bill.  When I told them what I great deal I got, and mentioned we could possibly use them for neighbor gifts when Christmas rolls around, Bill told me to go get more.  Unfortunately, I did not made it back, and feel quite certain that some other deal-seeker has snatched up the rest of the lot by now.

A day or two later, I decided to give the Iced Hot Chocolate a go, not because it was hot outside, or even a little warm (hello, Spring, is it me you're looking for?), but just because. 

(In case we needed to chug 1218 servings by 10/14.)

It was delicious. Delightful. As good as Starbucks' Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Creme, minus the chocolaty chips (according to Mar and Shi, who have enjoyed several in the past month or so, thanks to a $25 Starbucks gift card that Bill won in a drawing at work). We went through a gallon of milk in no time, and bemoaned the fact that we had to wait a whole 1/2 day (oxymoron) before a new gallon would appear not-so-magically-we-pay-good-money-for-that-service on the doorstep.

I'm sure it can be made with any hot chocolate mix (except maybe Starbucks brand - that stuff is kind of different), and, of course, I have adjusted the recipe a bit (the original says to just pour over ice vs. blending the ice in).  Try it, you'll like it!

Iced Hot Chocolate

Put in blender:

2 cups cold milk

5 Tbs. Hot Cocoa Mix (more if you like)

approx. 2 cups ice cubes

Blend.
Pour into glasses.

Starbucks fancy style (but totally unnecessary unless you are blending to impress):
top with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolaty syrup.
Drink with a straw.

Makes 3 servings.


Britt graduates from BYU next week with a degree in Exercise and Wellness. I think she would approve of this double-hit-calcium drink, since I remember her telling me that one of her professors said chocolate milk was a great recovery drink after exercise. (Britt, you can correct me if I'm wrong, sometimes my new-normal-fog-brain gets things a bit jumbled.)

Just in case you are a curious person, and want to know what my second bargain at Sam's Club was that day, it was Quinoa. One solitary little bag left on the shelf. $2.91. That should last me a good 5 years, since I prepare quinoa so often.

Meet Conan

We've been sitting our grandpuppy (Jack and Ava's little brother) until we can send him to his new home (Britt and Austin's) on Saturday (via Lex).  (Read the whole story here and here.)

When we found out we could get him last Sunday, of course the girls were begging and pleading to get him asap.  Around 8:30pm Sheila and her kids came to drop him off.

Conan.

The cutest pictures of him are on Shi and Lex's Instagrams (and a dozen of their closest pals').

I think he's adjusted pretty well, considering Little Dude was ripped away from the only life he's known (Mom, Dad and Sis - his other litter-mate-brother had been taken away a few days prior), only to spend nearly a week with two very loud, curious, and rambunctious older siblings he had never met, and a boatload of various strangers, mostly of the female sort, who smother him in cuddles and kisses.

Little Dude is my nickname for Conan. For whatever reason, the past few months I've called Jack "Dudie"... "Little Dude" was just the natural progression for Conan :-)  I've tried to call him by his name when I'm talking to him (although I've slipped a few times), lest I give the little dude an identity crisis.

(Obviously I like to take sleeping dog pictures. Maybe because I love sleeping dogs.
I totally get the phrase, "Let sleeping dogs lie.")

Lex has been visiting over the semester break this week, and offered to have Conan sleep with her at night. That was great {for me}, but only lasted a couple of nights. We had to put Jack and Ava in the basement at night because they would go crazy hearing Little Dude upstairs while they were tucked in their kennels. Once they had two stories between them, we all slept more soundly.

After the second night, Lex said she was exhausted. We decided to put Conan in his kennel in the basement, with Jack and Ava upstairs.  This arrangement has worked amazingly well (so far). Conan doesn't cry for long before he drifts off to dreamland, and Jack and Ava have been able to stick to their regular nighttime routine. 

We're loving Conan (literally), and are so happy we (and Jack and Ava - keeping it in the family) will get to see him every now and then.

I am, however, quite happy to send him on his way. Puppies are a ton of work!

Mt. Rushmore - A Pictorial (for now)

Mauri spent part of Spring Break on a fun trip to Mt. Rushmore with the Billats.  She's been pretty busy lately, so I'm posting her pics (from her ipod... or phone... not sure which), and will have her fill in the commentary when she has a few extra minutes.  I think they are pretty self-explanatory.

Thank you, Jeff, Rebecca, Lauren, and Chase for letting Mar tag along!
I want to go. Someday soon, I think.