Friday, November 30, 2007

In Memory

Daredevil Evel Knievel dies at 69

I could only think of the Evel Knievel toy one of the boys got for a birthday or Christmas....

Ahhhmaaazazaing

Will gave me the idea of a interactive calendar so we know where people are or what they are doing. I also thought it is great to post birthdays.
I have sent everyone invites to share the calendar I created and it also should allow you to add events! The calendar is also live at the bottom of the blog.
I am so excited to see where everyone is going, what everyone is doing! I think it would be fun to add things like kids school events, games and Big Kids goings on and travel.

If you can't get in or add events, let me know and I will see if I can fix it.

lots of love
SP

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Missionary Moment

I want to share an spiritual experience if I might. The store manager I work with, George Page, is not LDS, but his wife and kids are. They live on a street with five houses, all belonging to George's wife's family members (her dad gave them all an acre to build on). George is great guy, very humble, loves his family, talks about them often. I have become good friends with George over the past 4 months. His son Chad was called to a mission in Recife, Brazil in June. Naturally, George wanted to know from me all about Brazil and my mission experiences. So over the last 4 months I have been to his house, and talking at work about these experiences. Last night they set Chad apart at their home. He left today for the MTC in Sao Paulo. George invited me to this occasion, so I decided to pop in for a moment around 7 pm last night. I had no intention of butting in on their family moment, but from the moment I arrived until the Stake President showed up at 9 pm (they thought he was going to be early) I felt as one part of their family. George kept dissappearing at times, I found out later he was watching the MNF game (Dolphins Fan). Before they set Chad apart, George and his wife said a few words. All of Chad's uncles then got up into the circle to set him apart. I took a chair and sat down to watch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chad's grandma motioning me vigorously to get in the circle, I then noticed Chad peak around one of his uncles and motion me in. I wasn't exactly dressed for the part. But, none the less, I stood in. After the prayer, Chad hugged his mom, then grandma, then uncles, then to my surprise, he gave me a hug. At this point holding back tears was futile. Then, the stake president asked George to give the closing prayer as they all knelt down to pray. I found out earlier that in sacrament meeting the day before, George had given the closing prayer for the first time (Chad spoke), which was a hope that his wife had had for a long time. I told Chad not to worry about his parents because the Lord will work miracles with his family over the next two years.

I told George afterwards that it's times like these that are like fueling up at the gas station. He said, "ya, like the trainings we get through the Home Depot Training center!" I thought to myself, "close, but it's a little different ;)" Someday I know he will know what that feeling is.

Love you all
Chris

Monday, November 26, 2007

Dancing with the Stars...finale

Since the writers are on strike, I thought I would have a go at it:
I was thinking this would be more interesting if the partners were monkeys. Or maybe the partners were still humans, but there were live monkeys on the stage that resulted in a fun and hilarious malay of monkeys, high heels, tassels and fur.
Or may be we do away with the monkeys (stage crew may strike if they have to clean up Monkey poopies) and instead we strategically place Ninjas on the stage and brainwash the Ninjas to believe the dancing stars are a threat. "Slice, Dice, and Cha Cha and Shimmies in to fun!"
Ok Ok, so Ninjas may not be the best route, but I am sure there is some way we can make this show worthwhile to watch...

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Girly Blog

My Sister in Law via Pyrahs has a blog that is fun and interesting. She was recently contacted by the Oprah Show because they had interest in her designer clothes she makes from home.
I like her blog and try to take inspiration from her on how to blog.
She also has posted some great ideas on crafts.
take a gander.
SP

When did I become that woman...

When did I become that woman...
  • the one that decides the jeans are "clean enough" to wear but certainly have baby boogers and splatters from dinner on them from the night before...
  • the one that forgets to comb her hair...
  • the one that doesn't have any social qualms about wearing capri pants in to public with blatant disregard to the fact that she did not shave her legs in the last two weeks...
  • the one that would prefer stretchy material over fitted...
  • one that shops at thrift stores more than department stores...

when did I become so white trash?


SP

Monday, November 19, 2007

Why I should never read books with Mormons

Setting aside my better judgment (and memories of past attempts, and screaming failures), I've joined two book clubs. The first book club is run by the Bishop's wife and consists primarily of Relief Society sisters. The second book club consists of a group of young mothers from the Primary, (of which I am the designated 'granny').

The Bishop's wife chose a book about Willard and Rebecca Bean; remarkable missionaries who served a 25 year mission for the church in Palmyra, New York. It was a poorly written (as well as sloppily edited) story about an AMAZING couple. Honestly! ???"a heard of sheep" Did they pay someone to proof-read that??

I finished the book, wishing the Beans could have entrusted their inspiring story to a more capable writer. THANK THE HEAVENS ABOVE!!! I said NNNNNNOTHING about this at the meeting. I sat on my hands, nodded agreeably, and inwardly congratulated myself for being capable of shutting my yap.

At the end of the meeting, the Bishop's wife CALLED THE AUTHOR! Everyone in the room had the privilege of asking him questions, and he willingly and enthusiastically provided answers. *blush* He was a lovely man, really. His voice sounded like Jim's. Say no more.

Just as I was AGAIN thanking the stars, the moon, and the sun above for keeping my opinions to myself, the Bishop's wife reveals the author is her beloved brother-in-law.......and the Beans are his direct ancestors. *picture Kathy....the size of a gnat*

Surely I wouldn't get into this sort of a pickle with the SECOND book club, right? :/ *sigh*

The book was Stephanie Meyer's Twilight; a charming teen-read about a girl who falls in love with a vampire. He loves her too. While Edward loves Bella, he'd also like to EAT her. Ok, even _I_ can appreciate the conflict there! *snicker*

How could this meeting go wrong? We weren't at church. It was a light story. Nothing controversial. Or, so I thought.

One of the more militant members of our group voiced her dislike of the book, stating it encourages our youth to keep secrets from their parents.

"How so?" Kathy asked.

"How SO?!?! How SSSSO?!?!" Jennifer spluttered. "Bella hides the fact that she is dating Edward. She doesn't even tell her FATHER!! I am SICK of books, aimed at our youth, that encourage them to be secretive and sneaky! And THIS?? Coming from a Mormon author??? I'm appalled!" This comment was followed by nervous titterings by the other group members.

And before she could STIFLE herself, Kathy blurted, "She wasn't hiding the fact that she was dating EDWARD......she was hiding the fact that she was dating a VVVVVVVAMPIRE!! Surely you can see the need for withholding such a detail! Besides, I don't think our notions of right, or wrong (to say nothing of morals) apply to vvvvvampires." At which point I excused myself from the table to refill my SUPERBIGGULPSIZEDCUP of Coca-Cola. *cough* *wicked snicker*

Perhaps I should stick to sitting on my hands, mouth taped shut, reading alone. I doubt I'll be asked back. *blush*

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Feelings of inadequacy

So, we had a Houston-type Boy Scout campout this weekend (in a city park, near a major highway, close enough to see the lights of Walmart, Gander Mountain, and 3 supermarkets). We set up tents between the tennis courts, RV parking, and basketball courts.

Sitting there making small talk with the rest of the fathers, the inevitable question of, "So, what do you do?" comes up. Soon after the words "mining engineer" leave my mouth, I wait for, "So, that's like a geologist, right?". Their eyes always glaze over, kind of like when you ask "How are you", and the guest begins to tell you how they really are.

Who else has jobs that they can't really explain with the words like "pilot, programmer, or priest"?

I only really liked this one for the opening theme song

Come on now, how many songs and movies have been written about environmental engineers??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V10aUEfqqzM&feature=related

Friday, November 16, 2007

So True


Just something to think about.

Thanksgiving according to Morgan

Morgan answered the following questions asked to her by a 3rd grader:
1. Where do you get the turkey? Morgan: from the store
2. What does the turkey look like? Morgan: a Peacock
3. Where do you cook a turkey? Morgan: from a pan
4. What does Mom or Dad put on the turkey? Morgan: salt
5. How long does the turkey cook? Morgan: 5 hours
6. How hot does the oven have to be? Morgan: Dangerous
7. What does the cooking turkey smell like? Morgan: smoke (Sarah: not sure how I feel about this one)
8. How do you know when the turkey is done? Morgan: when Mom and Dad call us
9. What else does Mom or Dad cook to go with the turkey on Thanksgiving? Morgan: a picnic
10. Whose job is it to clean up after dinner? Morgan: Mom and Dad

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Happy Birthday Hudson!



Happy Birthday Hudson!
You are officially an internet superstar!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I got this from Jim...

Grant was supposed to be looking for the keys to his mother's car. I
suspected that he might have left them in the garage or even locked them
in the car so I took him out to look for them. But instead of looking
for the keys he grabbed a baseball bat and began walking around the
garage banging the bat on the concrete floor. After a minute or so of
this apparent diversion I said, "Grant! Are you helping to look for the
keys?"
He replied, "Yes. If I bang on the floor the keys will vibrate and I
can hear them."
Clearly this boy is meant to become a physicist.
Dad

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

True Happiness

Soon to by potty-trained Hudson had a potty-related accident on the carpet yesteday. His mother, trying to be loving as she scolded him, said, "Son, when you go pee-pee on the carpet it makes mommy really sad."
Her son thought for a moment before replying with a sad look, "Yeah, it makes mommy really sad..." His expression changes mid sentence to a devilish smile as he finishes, "... but it makes Hudson really happy!"

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

We're off to see the Wizard

The Arizona Pyrahs, formally of Iowa; formally of Idaho; soon to be Nevada residents, are off to Nevada this weekend. This trip has two parts. We are going up to see the new addition to the Light family and attend the blessing. Second objective is to find a home. We are looking at some sites and have a realtor lined up to help us out. Chris has been thoroughly, mental - I mean methodical on picking the right places to see and preparing for this decision. I, on the other hand, am very tactially oriented. I am anxious to see, smell, touch, and taste to make my decision. The reality is that we have been trying very diligently to make sure that we are prepared. Both temporally and spiritually. I don't think it was selfishly that we are trying so hard - you know just for the heavens to open up and pour out some blessings sort of thing, but really just so we are equipped for the choices and consequences that come our way. I have faith that the Lord will guide us, but I won't be naive to say there may be some trials along the way. I guess all this deep thinking is a result of my RS lessons these last few months. The Lord is really trying to teach me some lessons.I wondered if you might just keep us in your family prayers to help us along this new move. We truely are excited to get closer to family and be able to see, smell, touch, no tasting (that's gross) some familiar faces soon.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Grant in action (well sort of...)


I realize now, watching Grant play football, that I was never really as good as I thought I was at his age. I remember thinking how special I probably was, and that soon my coach would undoubtedly see my special football talents, and the NFL scouts would not be too far off. Don't get me wrong, Grant is starting at 6 (and doing reasonably well), while I didn't really start until 10 or 11, but there are certain similarities that make it too clear to ignore the resemblence.

First, we both play(ed) the same position - left end. It now occurs to me that this is the footbal equivalent of left field. The dissused reliquary for kids that are not quite clear on what it is they are supposed to be doing at any given time during the game. Second, I remember the hesitancy for impact (at least initially - until I got to like it) that is quite apparent in Grant. This tends to be a slight problem in a lineman. Finally, and I must point out that Grant is much younger than I was when I played and that he is also the only first grader on a team of 2nd and 3rd graders, Grant has a sense that his talents are lurking somewhere just below the surface, and at any moment they will emerge and the NFL scouts that happen to come to Dayton Elementary will be dazzled for sure.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Arizona - one more reason...

I believe that Arizona fosters the likes of Hell's Angels (based out of Mesa), the highest stolen car rate in the nation, and excessive LACK of use of blinkers. This is all brought on by the fact that Arizona refuses to answer to Day Light Savings.

For those of you who are not aware, Arizona does not move their clocks back in Fall and does not Spring forward. We stay the same time. So we are on Mountain time now.

SP

Friday, November 2, 2007

Our halloween


Oh, how we've changed...