the white house at the right time: February 2011

2.12.2011

For those Who Are Strong

This photo gave me perspective.

Once again.

How blessed I am.

How grateful for my loving husband.

My safety. My country.

For women that have courage to persevere.

For those that tell their stories.

Thank you!

South African-born photographer Jodi Bieber has won the 2011 World Press Photo of the Year for her portrait of an Afghan woman attacked by her husband. The World Press Photo Organization announced the winners of the 54th annual contest February 11 in Amsterdam.

Bieber’s close-up portrait shows 18-year-old Bibi Aisha, who tried to flee to her family home to escape her husband’s abuse. At the order of a Taliban commander, she was held down by her brother-in-law and her husband cut off Aisha’s ears and her nose. Aisha was rescued by aid workers and the US military and taken to a women’s refuge in Kabul. She now lives in the US. Bieber’s image of Aisha also won first place in the World Press Photo Portrait category (.http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Jodi-Bieber-Wins-Wor-1889.shtml?imw=Y)

Institute Opening Social - Luau

At the start of every quarter, there is an opening social.
Usually with games.
Always with food.

And always pool and ping pong!

I joke with Randy he gets paid to read scriptures and play pool and ping pong all day. No wonder a lot of people want to do what he does. Rough job!

This time around they had robo-surfer. Think bull ride in the "waves". Super fun.

The guys went downstairs to practice their "Ka-ma'te" island dance while the girls stayed in the gym to learn the hula. Cayleb learned it too!

Madalyn and I tried the hula, but Kenzie wanted me to hold her on my hip.

Another 35 pounds no matter where it is, makes shaking and swaying awkward.

Black and Blue Eyes

My younger 3 kids often go to school with black and blue eyes.
"No" not from hitting.
From crayola markers to the face.

Madalyn has this creative streak.
Dressing up.
And easily coaxing the younger two to play along.
Full costume.
Full make-up.
Full of fun.
Animals with whiskers.
Moms and princesses with make-up (most easily applied by marker).
Sick patients. Chicken pox the number one disease.
Crash victims. Blood everywhere a red marker can go.

It takes a few days and washings to get it all off before one character fades and another one is created.

So bring out the clowns and the black and blue eyes.

Last Cheer Game!

End of Makayla's cheer season. Onto competition season. Next couple of Saturdays super busy!

Makayla has loved being a "flyer", the one going up in the stunts. I always wanted to be a flyer too, but I was a base only going up a few times.

She cheered for 9th grade JV football (undefeated season) and basketball (won most games).

Of course, she is darling. Smiles and has energy but isn't all spastic and too over the top or stiff and boring.

Just right.

Randy loves coming to the games. Madalyn and Cayden have a lot more interested in the basketball season games since both are in the middle of hers/his league play now.

Even Makenzy can now make it through at least the first half.

Either Randy or I, with some of the other 4 kiddos, have attended every game.

I think it is so important to support your kids when you can.

Though in classic, teen style, Makayla said, "You know you are the only family that comes to every game?"

When Randy cheered back at her, "Go Makayla" I had to nudge him and tell him,

you don't cheer on the cheerleaders.

Stay safe and call out, "Go Bears", "Defense" or "Score!"

Geesh - Cheer Dad's!

2.07.2011

only six weeks ago....

we were visiting with Frosty at the holiday lights

and

writing letters to Santa.....

and

sledding on the Herriman hills....

and

hoping that Santa's look a like helpers took our letters to the nice elves in the North Pole and not the angry elves in the South Pole (Cayleb was particularly worried about this)

and

leaving a little bag of Christmas goodies and cheer to the two homeless men that sleep in the stairwells at Randy's work

and

learning a bit of life's lessons about choices and consequences and being thankful for beds and blankets

and

the kids following family tradition and lining up in order of age (a tradition that goes back to when Randy's dad was little - there is even a write up about it in the Deseret News) to go in an open up presents only after they had to sleep in, eat Dad's special Christmas breakfast, clean up, and read Luke 2

and

thinking how soon the lights would come down even the absolutely gorgeous light "garden of lights" we saw at the Botanical Garden

and

all the other "ands" that happened in between now and then.

Can it really have only been about 6 weeks! If time doesn't fly then it surely disappears like gum out of Randy's glove box!

Will Play "4" Mud

The shirt says number 4 but he was the number 1 defender and goal scorer for his team this year!

All parental biases aside, Cayleb absolutely slayed at soccer. He wasn't in the mob chasing the ball, he would move out, get his foot on it, move it down the field, and power kick it to the goal box.