This world is full of peacekeepers and troublemakers, two opposite ends of the spectrum. But I believe most of us fall somewhere in the middle into the category of “We just want what’s good for us and our loved ones.” We want kindness and peace and general civility. We want the benefit of the doubt. We want to feel like we’re not alone in our struggles or successes. That’s all.
I’ve become quite timid online. I used to be more vocal on facebook and my blog, but I’ve been misinterpreted or judged unfairly or whatever. So, now I’m timid online. It’s not that my feelings have changed, I just don’t feel like rocking the boat anymore. A status update doesn’t give much opportunity to explain something, it’s more of a soundbite.
If I was the old me, this is what you’d be hearing right now from me:
BYU may have lost the game, but the Utah fans lost their marbles.
I truly don’t understand why anyone would pick Obama again. Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing and expecting different results? I refuse to believe our country is insane. Yet. I guess we’ll see in November.
Two point conversion? Really? Maybe if we had more than 17 passing yards in the whole game, it would’ve been a good idea. Boo.
When I buy something from you at a booth and you don’t have change, why don’t you throw in a free product instead of just decided to raise the price so you don’t have to make change?
If I have my blinker on and I’m waiting for a parking spot, that doesn’t mean you can zip in front of me from the other direction and take it. I’m talking to you, Costco customers.
I support traditional marriage, I support family values, I support smaller government. That doesn’t mean I hate you, it means I disagree with you. There’s a difference.
Not every red light is a race when it turns green, not everyone in line in front of you is trying to ruin your life or make you late, not every mother with a crying child in a public place is neglectful. So stop punching the gas, muttering “C’MON!”, or rolling your eyes. I don’t see you being perfect.
Anyway, you get the idea. I enjoy reading the occasional civilized exchange online, but I’m afraid most of it is so angry and vitriolic. Chill out people. We are going to vote according to our conscience for the President of the United States. We are going to cheer for our favorite sports team. We are going to support different causes or propositions or amendments. We are all fighting our own battles. We are going to have different opinions, and that’s okay. I let you have yours, just let me have mine. And be nice about it, for heaven’s sake. Please.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Primary Program
The best Sacrament Meeting of the year, hands down, is the Primary program. The kids work so hard to memorize their parts, learn the songs, and testify to us, their moms and dads, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I love it every year and this year was no exception. I watched with great anticipation and joy as four of my kids and my husband sat on the stand and participated in this program. Joe is Colin’s teacher and sat with his class. Beau was right in front, singing every song. Camri was right behind him as she smiled and sang and said her part perfectly. Colin stood strong and straight as he spoke of his recent baptism. Emma sang loudly and clearly with her beautiful voice, and ended the meeting with her speaking part. One of her friends, 10 years old, played “I’m trying to be like Jesus” on the harp. There are no words to describe the beauty of that song!
Can you tell I’m a proud mom? I cried as they sang, “I will go, I will do, the things the Lord commands!” As they punched their fists in front of them (I will go), then upward (I will do). I silently prayed that they will keep this Spirit of obedience as they grow up and face the challenges of life.
I’m so grateful for the Gospel to help raise these beautiful children. I hope they always know that Heavenly Father loves them and wants the best for them. I saw their faces shine as they spoke and sang about their Savior. This is joy.
Joe was able to sneak a couple of pictures during their rehearsal. I love these kids!
The Senior Primary sang a song about the ten commandments. After the Program, I took Emma and Colin to talk to a member of the Bishopric to get a recommend for the temple dedication next Sunday. He asked them to name some of the commandments that we are asked to follow. Since this song was fresh in Emma’s mind, she used some of the lyrics, “Take not life in wanton ways.”
Good answer sis! It was a wonderful day!
I love it every year and this year was no exception. I watched with great anticipation and joy as four of my kids and my husband sat on the stand and participated in this program. Joe is Colin’s teacher and sat with his class. Beau was right in front, singing every song. Camri was right behind him as she smiled and sang and said her part perfectly. Colin stood strong and straight as he spoke of his recent baptism. Emma sang loudly and clearly with her beautiful voice, and ended the meeting with her speaking part. One of her friends, 10 years old, played “I’m trying to be like Jesus” on the harp. There are no words to describe the beauty of that song!
Can you tell I’m a proud mom? I cried as they sang, “I will go, I will do, the things the Lord commands!” As they punched their fists in front of them (I will go), then upward (I will do). I silently prayed that they will keep this Spirit of obedience as they grow up and face the challenges of life.
I’m so grateful for the Gospel to help raise these beautiful children. I hope they always know that Heavenly Father loves them and wants the best for them. I saw their faces shine as they spoke and sang about their Savior. This is joy.
Joe was able to sneak a couple of pictures during their rehearsal. I love these kids!
The Senior Primary sang a song about the ten commandments. After the Program, I took Emma and Colin to talk to a member of the Bishopric to get a recommend for the temple dedication next Sunday. He asked them to name some of the commandments that we are asked to follow. Since this song was fresh in Emma’s mind, she used some of the lyrics, “Take not life in wanton ways.”
Good answer sis! It was a wonderful day!
Root Beer!
Dad is the hero! He brought home some Captain Jack Sparrow root beer for the kids.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Utah State Fair
Since we had so much fun with Grandma last time we went to the State Fair, we decided to go again. Lucky timing, it was free parking (thanks KSL!)
We saw a Katniss look-a-like made entirely out of butter!
One of the best parts of the day was the fun-house mirrors. We were laughing our heads off at the funny kids!! 
That’s a good look!!
We saw goats and cows and pigs and sheep…
What are you? A chicken?
Mmmm, scones with sugar and honey and little bit of frozen lemonade!
We had fun with Grandma, but decided we weren’t done playing. We went to lunch at Chili’s to end our afternoon adventure. We love Grandma! We love Utah!
We saw a Katniss look-a-like made entirely out of butter!
One of the best parts of the day was the fun-house mirrors. We were laughing our heads off at the funny kids!! 
That’s a good look!!
We saw goats and cows and pigs and sheep…
What are you? A chicken?
Mmmm, scones with sugar and honey and little bit of frozen lemonade!
We had fun with Grandma, but decided we weren’t done playing. We went to lunch at Chili’s to end our afternoon adventure. We love Grandma! We love Utah!
Emma, Emma, she’s our girl!
Usually in Elementary School, only sixth graders get to run for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and HIstorian. But since this is Emma’s last year in Elementary School, all fifth graders had the opportunity to run too.
She decided to give it a go and used a similar speech to the one Koko gave when she ran for President:
My name is Emma Heugly and I’m here to say, I want to be your fifth-grade President today.
A vote for me is a vote for liberty. Vote for Heugly and you will see.
I started here in Kindergarten, been here all these years. And now it’s time to give back, to all my peeps out here.
I want to serve you, and work for you, and do all I can do, to make this year at Silver Mesa NUMBER ONE FOR YOU!!
She also made a darling poster
She went to school and did her thing. When I picked them up after school, she didn’t look very happy. She said it had been a three-way tie between her, another girl, and a boy. They re-voted between the three and the boy won (naturally, he had all the boy votes!)
So, she didn’t win, but in my opinion, she succeeded! She tried, she did her best, and I am very proud of her! Colin followed her brave example and applied to be a class representative…he made it! Thanks Emma for showing us that we do hard things, you are amazing!!
She decided to give it a go and used a similar speech to the one Koko gave when she ran for President:
My name is Emma Heugly and I’m here to say, I want to be your fifth-grade President today.
A vote for me is a vote for liberty. Vote for Heugly and you will see.
I started here in Kindergarten, been here all these years. And now it’s time to give back, to all my peeps out here.
I want to serve you, and work for you, and do all I can do, to make this year at Silver Mesa NUMBER ONE FOR YOU!!
She also made a darling poster
She went to school and did her thing. When I picked them up after school, she didn’t look very happy. She said it had been a three-way tie between her, another girl, and a boy. They re-voted between the three and the boy won (naturally, he had all the boy votes!)
So, she didn’t win, but in my opinion, she succeeded! She tried, she did her best, and I am very proud of her! Colin followed her brave example and applied to be a class representative…he made it! Thanks Emma for showing us that we do hard things, you are amazing!!
Sunridge Ward Summer Party
This morning, Colin’s team played Murray at the Bingham fields. We won!! The boys played great and didn’t even let the other team score once. I was so proud of our boys!! 
On that high, we got ready to help with our Ward Party. I got to help prepare the food, so we went over a little bit early to set up. The men had done most of the work already, they had tables set up (with colored tablecloths and everything!), drinks, games, etc. All we did was plug in the crock pots full of sloppy joe meat and hot dogs….done. We set out the buns, the fixin’s and some chips. Other members brought salads and desserts, the food was excellent!
The kids all took turns dunking the Bishop. Beau hit the target, but it wasn’t strong enough to trigger it, so he just slammed the target with his hand and ran away…poor Bishop.
Others took turns getting dunked as well….even some of the kids sat on the hot seat!
Along with the bounce house and dunking machine, there were lots of fun games. The kids put shaving cream on balloons and tried to shave them without popping the balloon.
There were gunny-sack and three-legged races…
A water balloon toss…
Jousting for the grown-ups…
Candy cannons for the kids….
Neighbors, friends, and family all joined the party!
One of our dear ward families donated their time, efforts, and supplies to serve the kids freshly popped popcorn and homemade cotton candy….they were definitely the hit of the show!! They added authenticity to our old time carnival!
The day would have been completely perfect, but for a small accident that happened at the end of the party. One of our ward sisters fell and landed on her elbow. Thank goodness our ward is full of paramedics and nurses, she received great care until the fire engine showed up and took her to the hospital. Looks like she’ll need surgery to replace her shattered elbow. Super bummer. We wish her a speedy recovery!
On that high, we got ready to help with our Ward Party. I got to help prepare the food, so we went over a little bit early to set up. The men had done most of the work already, they had tables set up (with colored tablecloths and everything!), drinks, games, etc. All we did was plug in the crock pots full of sloppy joe meat and hot dogs….done. We set out the buns, the fixin’s and some chips. Other members brought salads and desserts, the food was excellent!
The kids all took turns dunking the Bishop. Beau hit the target, but it wasn’t strong enough to trigger it, so he just slammed the target with his hand and ran away…poor Bishop.
Others took turns getting dunked as well….even some of the kids sat on the hot seat!
Along with the bounce house and dunking machine, there were lots of fun games. The kids put shaving cream on balloons and tried to shave them without popping the balloon.
There were gunny-sack and three-legged races…
A water balloon toss…
Jousting for the grown-ups…
Candy cannons for the kids….
Neighbors, friends, and family all joined the party!
One of our dear ward families donated their time, efforts, and supplies to serve the kids freshly popped popcorn and homemade cotton candy….they were definitely the hit of the show!! They added authenticity to our old time carnival!
The day would have been completely perfect, but for a small accident that happened at the end of the party. One of our ward sisters fell and landed on her elbow. Thank goodness our ward is full of paramedics and nurses, she received great care until the fire engine showed up and took her to the hospital. Looks like she’ll need surgery to replace her shattered elbow. Super bummer. We wish her a speedy recovery!
Tailgate Party!
Our cute Gremlins practice every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. After practice on Friday, we have a tailgate dinner with all the players and their families to get ready for Saturday’s game. Each family signs up with another family to prepare and serve the dinner one time during the season.
It was our turn. We decided to have a baked potato bar with chili, broccoli, sour cream, cheese, etc. We had watermelon, cookies and cupcakes (shaped like footballs and colored green for our Huskies!), and lemonade. It was a lot of work getting it set up and ready to go, but it was worth every ounce of effort….our Gremlin family is awesome!
Now that our turn is over, we get to come on Friday and enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor! Like I said, worth all the effort…I don’t have to make dinner on Friday until after the season is over. Hurray!
It was our turn. We decided to have a baked potato bar with chili, broccoli, sour cream, cheese, etc. We had watermelon, cookies and cupcakes (shaped like footballs and colored green for our Huskies!), and lemonade. It was a lot of work getting it set up and ready to go, but it was worth every ounce of effort….our Gremlin family is awesome!
Now that our turn is over, we get to come on Friday and enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor! Like I said, worth all the effort…I don’t have to make dinner on Friday until after the season is over. Hurray!
Conner is great!
Our Saturdays have been jam-packed with fun and this was no exception…
After seeing Conner and his family yesterday in the mountains, we got to see them again today for Conner’s baptism. He looked so handsome dressed in white.
He’s their baby, so this was their last baptism! Their ward does something different and wonderful….they focus directly on the ordinance of baptism and the laying on of hands. They begin the meeting with a song and prayer, the Bishop conducts, and they go directly to the baptism. After the baptism, we sang several beautiful Primary songs while we waited for them to get ready. Then Conner was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The meeting was full of the Spirit of the Lord, and we could feel the importance of Conner’s decision to follow Christ’s footsteps. It was a wonderful meeting!!
Afterward, we headed to Los Hermanos for lunch…we had the back room and enjoyed everyone’s company and the delicious food. We love our McBrides!!
After seeing Conner and his family yesterday in the mountains, we got to see them again today for Conner’s baptism. He looked so handsome dressed in white.
He’s their baby, so this was their last baptism! Their ward does something different and wonderful….they focus directly on the ordinance of baptism and the laying on of hands. They begin the meeting with a song and prayer, the Bishop conducts, and they go directly to the baptism. After the baptism, we sang several beautiful Primary songs while we waited for them to get ready. Then Conner was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The meeting was full of the Spirit of the Lord, and we could feel the importance of Conner’s decision to follow Christ’s footsteps. It was a wonderful meeting!!
Afterward, we headed to Los Hermanos for lunch…we had the back room and enjoyed everyone’s company and the delicious food. We love our McBrides!!
Football Football
Colin’s first season game was at Mt. Jordan against Granger. It was fun to watch him play and watch Joe coach. 
Emma wore Colin’s other jersey and helped out with the touchdown bucket. After our team scores a touchdown, they take a bucket up and down the sidelines and gather spare change. They shake the bucket to cheer for our team’s score. They also get the green pom-poms and become the cheerleaders for our Gremlins! Good job girls!
Awww, Beau. I love ya.
We didn’t win, but we’re getting better. Colin had some good plays and our team scored a touchdown. Soon, there will be no stopping the Huskies!!
Emma wore Colin’s other jersey and helped out with the touchdown bucket. After our team scores a touchdown, they take a bucket up and down the sidelines and gather spare change. They shake the bucket to cheer for our team’s score. They also get the green pom-poms and become the cheerleaders for our Gremlins! Good job girls!
Awww, Beau. I love ya.
Justin and his boys came to support us…it was awesome! We’ve loved going to their games over the years and it was so fun to have them there!
Grandma and Grandpa Heugly were there. Mike and his kids came, too…We love our cute family and friends!
We didn’t win, but we’re getting better. Colin had some good plays and our team scored a touchdown. Soon, there will be no stopping the Huskies!!
Heber Valley Camp
My sister and her family rented a campsite at Heber Valley Camp. Since we were unable to sleep over, we decided to make a quick jaunt up there Friday morning. Most of the kids were in school, but I brought my two littles Annie and Beau. The drive was beautiful, with the fall colors everywhere, the crisp air, and the wildlife.
We got there around 9:30 and stayed for a couple of hours. It was early day, so I had to be back in time for the kids to get home. But we enjoyed it while we were there!
Cheryl was making omelets in a baggie when we got there….she just built omelets-to-order, put them in a ziplock bag and dropped it into a pot of boiling water. They looked delicious!
The campsite had three cabins, a kitchen area, tables, and a fire pit…it was awesome!
Grandma and Grandpa were there too! They had been camping with the rest of the gang.
Beau had fun climbing everything, playing in the sand, and enjoying the mountain scenery.
Annie felt right at home…
The lake was a few minutes away.
Raccoon tracks? Cute!
My beautiful, wonderful sister!
It was so pretty up there!
Grandma and Annie are best buds!
Beau figured out how to climb up to the top bunk.
So, Annie followed right behind.
Hi Maddie!
Hi Conner!!
We visited outside until a mighty thunderstorm rolled in and began to pour. Then we visited inside! We’ll definitely have to come back when we can spend the night. Family Reunion, anyone?
We got there around 9:30 and stayed for a couple of hours. It was early day, so I had to be back in time for the kids to get home. But we enjoyed it while we were there!
Cheryl was making omelets in a baggie when we got there….she just built omelets-to-order, put them in a ziplock bag and dropped it into a pot of boiling water. They looked delicious!
The campsite had three cabins, a kitchen area, tables, and a fire pit…it was awesome!
Grandma and Grandpa were there too! They had been camping with the rest of the gang.
Beau had fun climbing everything, playing in the sand, and enjoying the mountain scenery.
Annie felt right at home…
The lake was a few minutes away.
Raccoon tracks? Cute!
My beautiful, wonderful sister!
It was so pretty up there!
Grandma and Annie are best buds!
Beau figured out how to climb up to the top bunk.
So, Annie followed right behind.
Hi Maddie!
Hi Conner!!
We visited outside until a mighty thunderstorm rolled in and began to pour. Then we visited inside! We’ll definitely have to come back when we can spend the night. Family Reunion, anyone?
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