Travis is Home and Now We Are Off to CAMP!

Hey there! Travis arrived home safely from his cross-country journey. He had a good time and was happy to be home. He also brought the camera back with lots of great pictures. So now I can post pictures of the finished quilts for Morgan. There are 2 quilts - they are NOT identical (even though they may look that way). They are pretty great, if I do say so myself. I am so pleased with them and have been thinking of other t-shirt possibilities.

On the way out to Utah, Morgan was adamant about getting her National Park Passport stamped at some point. She looked at the planned route and she chose this location (Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site) based on what she had learned in her AP US History class. She and Travis learned a lot and enjoyed their stopover here and Morgan got her stamp.

She was thrilled to arrive at BYU campus and thought it was just beautiful. She wrote to me today on facebook and stated that she knows she made the right decision and is so happy. I asked if she still goes to dinner by herself and she said, "My dorm is so much fun!!" She also reported getting an A on her first Bio quiz!!

Her roommate never showed up, so she has a room to herself for the summer (that will change in the fall). She was concerned about this at first so I suggested that when she was in her room and willing to take visitors, keep the door open. Then, every once in a while, take a walk around and go visit someone. That worked very well for her!!

After leaving Morgan, Travis drove down to Hurricane, Utah, to visit his parents for a couple days. He helped with a few things around the house and enjoyed his visit.

Then it was time for Travis to head home. His dad rode along with him and kept him company. He really enjoyed the company!! They stopped over in Houston for a short visit with his brother Shan, Mikkyn, and their family.

The kids are a hoot! They were thrilled to have Grandpa and Uncle Travis there. They were entertaining. Here is the family in their natural state. The above picture is completely posed!! This next picture is the REAL family!!

So the next phase of summer brings us to Girl's Camp. We are all going (except Morgan). The theme is "BEE" oriented. It is kindof a tradition in our ward to make matching tshirts for the girls to wear as they arrive at camp. I offered to help them tie-die. The shirts came out beautifully!!! This is my shirt:

Then I took the shirts home and embroidered them thusly:

There is a story here and I will start by saying that those three dots under the bee are not blood. The black dye has many different color dyes in it and those are pink flecks. As I was embroidering my shirt (with my titanium embroidery needle) I was moving the fabric out of the way and the machine made that "chunk chunk chunk" noise and I stopped the embroidery. The needle had broken and the lower part was bent in a "C" and stuck on the pad of my right ring finger. I went to pick it off and realized it was stuck. Horror filled my sould. I slowly turned my hand over, and...two strands of thread were coming out my fingernail. "What have I done?" "I'm so embarrassed." "I have been sewing for 31 years and have never done this." "I can't teach a sewing class if I just sewed my finger." All those thoughts were running through my head. Then I thought, "I have to pull this out." The needle was out and I cut the thread running to the maching. Then, with firm resolve, I grasped the needle and pulled really fast. I put my finger in my mouth and ran downstairs for a paper towel. I thought, "I need to apply pressure." So I did. I paced the kitchen for a minute and then felt a little dizzy, so I sat down on the bed. I held my hand until it was numb. I put a bandaid on it, and then went back to finish the sewing project. I still had 9 shirts to go!! I have a hole in my fingernail that I have to keep filing down as it catches on things. It still gives me the heebies to think about it.

Odds and Ends and Dance

Great Joy!! School is out. So first things first, we took the youth to the temple in Orlando. They are a great group of kids. The excitement of the day was arriving at the temple and one of the girls ran to the waiting room and vomited all over. All got cleaned up and the kids moved forward with their business and she was feeling fine a few hours later.
This picture is going way back in time to Rozzie's birthday. In all the confusion of graduation, parties, send-offs, and all that, I never posted a picture of Rozzie's birthday group. These are mostly church friends. She just wanted her cake decorated "prettily" so it has butterflies on it. She has her driver's permit and is looking for opportunities to drive at every moment. She does a pretty good job behind the wheel.

Last night was the dance recital. It was wonderful, as always. A great evening of entertainment. I haven't worked backstage for two years now and I miss out on all the group pictures. They got a few, but then the costume changes were coming too fast. They sure enjoy their time at the studio. This is their tap class - there are a few more girls, but they were doing quick costume changes. They danced to "School's Out for the Summer". I love their little school-girl costumes.

Maddie had taken a few years off from ballet, but decided to pick it up again this year. This is her ballet class. She has a man-teacher and he works them really hard. she has really liked betting back to ballet and hopes to be on pointe next year.

And finally, Morgan is settled into her room at BYU. I cried all last weekend. Morgan had a little panic attack Sunday night as we were finishing up the last bits of packing. Then Hannah and Sarah showed up and helped her out and calmed her down. Bless those girls!! Morgan and Travis pulled out of here early Monday morning and drove cross country to Utah. Morgan was so excited to see the mountains (and snow up at Rick and Holly's). She has been to BYU many times, but this time she was looking at it through different eyes and she loves it. She had freshman orientation yesterday and today. Travis and Katie helped her get unpacked. Travis said she started to get a little overwhelmed last night and Katie, with her cheerful attitude, just started helping out and Morgan followed suit. I think those two will like being close together!! So far, Morgan's roommate hasn't shown up. But Morg is off on her grand adventure.

I'll have more pictures to post when Travis returns home. Oh, and about the FSU blanket on her bed, I made her TWO tshirt quilts and she covers her bed with her FSU snuggie. alas...She'll get the quilts out when it gets colder (on the flip side of the summer).

I have vacuumed out her room. Her bathroom is next on the list of things to tackle. Rozzie and Maddie have dealt with all this pretty well. They cried on Sunday and Monday morning, but are mostly just really excited for Morgan. They ask what she is doing. And they stay busy with their own stuff.

Ta ta for now!!

I Hope She Had the Time of Her Life...

Congratulations, Morgan!! Class of 2011 - Fleming Island High School
We have come to this point in our lives where we have a graduate. Morgan has been so excited about this (as all graduates are) and she was thrilled to be done with school. (I keep wanting to ask her what she has due.) It was nice to be with the seniors as they readied themselves for the occasion. The kids take a lot of pictures with friends and favorite teachers. I am usually posing with students, but this year I followed Morgan around and took pictures of her. Here she is with her very number one teacher, Ms. Jenkins, and a few of her very bestest friends.

This picture speaks for itself:

It was a hot night. Here come the teachers!!

I had set up chairs early in the day for Travis and Annette. They were pretty close! Here is me being very excited for the upcoming transaction. I was continually misty eyed and excited.

Then the moment came when I was able to accompany her to the podium. I had tears in my eyes and so did Morgan. I think she was rather excited to have this moment with me (and I, her). I have been so excited about this for 4 years, when I found out that our school allows us to give our children their diplomas.

And here it is. The transaction, itself. I didn't fall down the stairs, either. It was a very sweet moment. She was smiling and was so happy to have gotten to this point.

Pictured: Maddie, Annette, Rozzie, Morgan, Travis, Jenni, Sara, Mom.

Pictures with friends and family: Sarah, Hannah, Morgan, Rozzie, Maddie, & AJ.

Here is McCall. Her grandma is from Hawaii so she makes leis for the kids. Morgan got one, but it was covered up by cap in this picture.

Now, a note on the National Honor Society stoles - the thick, yellow neckbands. The sponsor of NHS didn't order enough stoles and many kids (including the valedictorian) didn't get one. Kids were really mad!! They were told they would all wear a patch instead. The kids rebelled and wore their stoles anyway. The patch was crudely affixed with safety pins to their arms. Sadly, the patch was white as was the girls gowns so they were basically invisible. Morgan refused to take her stole off as she walked in. This infuriated Mrs. Malicki and she started ripping the stoles off the kids. Isn't that a nice way to treat your honor students? The kids were horrified. She punished the kids for her error.

We had a busy weekend of party preparations and party attendance. Then it was time for our party!! Our first arrival was Andrea - my cousin - from California. She was on vacation with her family on the east coast and were driving through on their way to Universal Studios and Harry Potter World!! What a treat to have her here!

Sara helped me build the cake. I think we did a fantastic job and it was delicious!! This is Morgan's "shrine". I made her two quilts out of all her tshirts. There should have only been one quilt, but the quilters couldn't quilt it that way - it is a long explanation. Just so you know, they are amazing!! She won't be cold out in Utah, for sure.

The foods!! We made different salads, meatballs, chips/dip, fruit, and Travis was outside making funnel cakes! It was so good, and we have a lot left over.

These are the three graduates from our ward: McCall, Morgan, & Joanna.

The house was packed with people. Cars were parked up and down the street. The chairs were all full. People sat outside, even though it was hot. A neighbor made a video for Morgan and we watched it a few times. It was a tear jerker!! Morgan mingled. I mingled - which is hard for me to do when having a party. I wish I could just sit and talk with everyone. It also gets confusing to me when I have to monitor food!! We had such a nice time, though.

When it was all over and mostly cleaned up, I had to go in to school and write out quick sub plans for today. I'm glad I took the day off so I could sleep in and enjoy Mom and Sara for just a little longer. A big thanks to them for making the trip.

And now for your daily dose of cute:

Patrick is so naughty. He scratches, bites, and sits on the table. BUT HE IS SO CUTE!! Just look at his cuteness!!

My Sincerest Apologies

For all those who are addicted to my blog and have been dying for a new post, here it is. I am sorry for the delay. These past few weeks have been very busy with important things every afternoon and evening. It will all slow down in two weeks (I keep telling myself). To start off, we got our family portraits taken by Jen when she came out to do Morgan's senior pictures. I got them ordered and hung on the wall!! I took the picture at this angle hoping Jen could see the metallic finish on the pictures. We went with that finish because we were at the rail yard. We are so happy with how they turned out!!Maddie was inducted/abducted into the National Junior Honor Society of Green Cove Springs Junior High School. She was rather proud of this accomplishment and they had a very nice ceremony with candles and all that stuff!! Here she is, a proud member of the NJHS. Next was Morgan's senior awards. This is a very nice evening other than the fact that we don't have an auditorium and it was about 85 degrees in the cafeteria. The administration does a nice job to make it a special deal for these kids. Each senior (receiving an award) has a slide with their picture, a list of their accomplishments, and (if known) where they are going to school. Morgan's slide states that she received the Principal's Scholar Award (3.75 GPA), the Eagle Pride Award, and AP Scholar Award. It also lists that she is attending Brigham Young University. She is pictured here with Mr. Ward, our principal. The next evening was Morgan's Band Banquet. That was a fun night, sprinkled with a few tears. As you know, band has been Morgan's home at high school. She has loved it with all her heart. She has looked forward to her senior banquet for 4 years, anticipating her 4-year plaque. She was also awarded one of 3 "Best Attitude" awards which was a great honor. It was so nice for her instructors to recognize Morgan's love for the organization. Morgan is so thrilled that her marching band experience is not ending, just progressing, as she was accepted into the Power of the Wasatch, BYU's marching band. We already have our plane tickets to go out for homecoming!! This past week was my senior barbecue. Four years ago, I asked my department head if I could have a little barbecue for my seniors to celebrate their accomplishments. Most of them don't receive the senior awards at the fancy ceremony; however they have put forth great effort to get to the finish line. So the senior barbecue was born. Over the past 4 years it has grown tremendously. WalMart donates time and food. The local corporate people come with with all the food and drinks AND they grill it and serve it. This year, Golden Corral also donated macaroni and cheese, cookies, and cupcakes. And let's not forget my dear Travis who takes a day off and makes funnel cakes for the kids. Last year, one of my students wanted to play flag football every week. I finally told him that we might be able to play a game at the barbecue. I was a bit nervous about flag football, though, and suggested kickball. The administration said ok, and the kickball game was held. As I said, this whole thing has continued to grow each year and this year, it was no different. The kickball game grew to having 4 teams with an actual playoff. we have a 10th grader who is a little league umpire and he dressed up to call the games. We had team colors and decorated tshirts. We have a 1st place and 2nd place trophy. It was, as expected, the best day of the year. The kids ask about it weekly and were so excited for the big day. This year, Morgan was a senior and she was allowed to play in the game. I like this action shot of her. The ball is hovering in the air, Morgan is running, and the infield is running for the ball.When the day was over, my team was victorious and I now have the trophy in my room for a 2nd year!! This is the group picture. It was in the high 90's, but the game went on! Right after kickball was Morgan's last violin lesson. She has been playing for 15 years and has had Kyle as her teacher for 11 of those years. He was just home from college when we started with him. He went to school at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. We moved from Cincinnati the same week he came back home. At our first lesson, Morgan wasn't so sure about him until he mentioned having gone to King's Island (amusement park) the weekend before he came home, which turned out to be the same day we had been at King's Island. She was sold!! I kept my emotions in check until we got in the car and Morgan mentioned getting choked up playing one of their favorites, "Ashokan Farewell". Then I cried. Kyle has been much, much more than a violin teacher. Then there was Maddie's band concert. They played many recognizable songs and Maddie was so excited for this evening. The bands are small. Band doesn't begin until 7th grade here. I feel that and earlier start brings in more interest, and by 7th grade many are lost. The kids have to take so many other classes, too, that there just isn't time for band. But these kids worked hard to learn the instruments this year and did a great job. Both the 7th and 8th grade bands combined to play 4 songs at the end of the concert. Maddie said those were the hardest songs. She agreed that playing hard songs makes one a better. If you are having trouble locating Maddie, she is the 2nd trumpeter from the left. We discussed how good these kids become very quickly once they reach high school.

These are Maddie's good band friends, Kelly and Taylor.And last, but not least, we have a new kitten, Patrick. Here is Licky and Patrick. Patrick is interested in Licky. However, if this picture had sound, it would be a low rumble. Patrick is a very fun little kitten with very sharp claws.

This next week brings Rozzie's freshman awards - it isn't fancy like the senior awards, but she is receiving something anyway. I have been suffering from a cold. I haven't been sick in ages and this is not fun. My ears feel like there are balloons inside them. I have even taken to using a neti pot and it really helps!! I never thought I'd be able to do it, but I didn't drown myself. Maddie was even brave enough to try it. Friday night is the big night. Stay tuned!

My Moms

A dear friend did a post today recognizing the strong women in her family. She is one for whom I have great respect. She had some great stories and it is evident in these stories, why she is such a wonderful person. I, too, have been blessed by some great women in my life. I thought I'd just mention my grandmothers and mothers.

My grandmother, Ruth Presler Talberg was a formidable woman who could wield a fly-swatter with accuracy and agility. She moved around a little bit in her youth, but then her father moved the family to central Minnesota. Her mother had left the family and her father raised the three children on his own. I didn't learn that she spoke German until she went to school until her funeral. My mom said that Grandma and Aunt Minnie would speak in German when they didn't want the kids to know what they were talking about. Grandma had 7 children and 40-something grand-children. My memories are of food, lots of food, from the garden that Grandma & Grandpa tended. Grandma was always canning and freezing. When we went to visit, we would shell peas, scrub cucumbers, shuck corn, etc. She would give us a dime to go to the Foley pool and then come and wave at us through the fence. She had a lot of friends - people dropped in at the house all the time. Grandma always had food to share with anyone that dropped by. She taught piano lessons and played the organ at church.

My grandmother, Isabelle Ritchie Hawley, was born in Scotland, and her family emigrated to California when she was three. She had 5 children and 24 grandchildren. We would go out to visit Grandma and Grandpa every summer and would stay for near a month. She would get us McDonalds and gum. She would take us to movies. She was always so kind and loving to us. We loved our summers in California. I have fond memories of the smell of the dishwasher in their house in Simi Valley. She kept all her daughters' dance costumes for us to use as dress-ups. Later on, she lived in Northern California on a 10-acre walnut orchard. We found it so exciting. She has always had such a strong testimony of the Gospel. Just last weekend, my grandparents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. My mother-in-law, Barbara Graham Smith, is a woman of faith. She has always understood the Minnesotan in me. She has 6 children and 25 grand-children. She is a hard worker and is never afraid of doing the hard things. I have seen so many friends struggle with their mother-in-laws, but I have been so fortunate to always have a great relationship with Barbara. I know she counts me as one of her children. On of my fondest memories is of a time when Mom and Dad were on their way to Madeline Island and they stopped at our house. It was suggested that I pack up Morgie and Rozzie and go along for a week's vacation. I packed up and the next morning we rolled out. I had a most wonderful time with my in-laws. I am forever grateful for that level of comfortability with them. My own mom is Katherine Talberg Olsen. She was raised in Foley, Minnesota. She joined the church when she was a college student at Macalester College in St. Paul. I have always been impressed that she accepted the Gospel as a college student. She has remained active to this date. She raised 5 children on her own. She was a substitute teacher, a piano teacher, and an envelope addresser. She worked round the clock, and I don't believe we were the most grateful of children. Don't worry, we have already apologized. She has a bunch of grand-children; some of them by blood and many by marriage. They call her Grandma, too. She has played the organ at church for many years, (just like her mother) and has passed that gene on to my sister, Sara. She works at the temple. She belongs to multiple book groups. I love her very much for all she has done for me and for being a great example. On time when I was the smartest teenager ever, I told her that I was going to raise my kids the "right" way. Well, I ended up following her example and have done it the "right" way!!