Young Women Medallion Dinner

Misha completed all of the requirements for Personal Progress to receive her Young Women Medallion last year shortly after she turned 16.  She received her medallion last year, but the Stake had a night to honor all of the young women in the stake who completed the program in 2017.  Each of the girls was given a small Christus at the dinner.

Similar in concept and difficulty to an Eagle Scout for boys, the Young Women Personal Progress program signifies many hours of work and growth for the young women who choose to complete it.

Sadly, since I was sick, I was not able to attend with Misha and she had to go on her own.  I am thankful for friends who took pictures and let me post them here.

Misha with her Young Woman leader, Lauren Spendlove.

My Hole-y Sweatshirt

I have a sweatshirt that I love; it has been my favorite for at least 25 years now.  It shows 25 years of wear as well.  There are a multitude of holes at each wrist and around the lettering on the front.  I was wearing it the other day when my girls were out of school.  As we collected our jackets to leave the house, Kristen looked at me in my favorite sweatshirt and asked with some disapproval, "Are you going to wear that?"  I responded that yes, I was.  She shrugged her shoulders and with a little shake of her head, opened the garage door.  "Ok."

Misha's Latest Project

Misha is redoing a project that she worked on last year.  She didn't use watercolor paper the first time so the current art piece is not to her liking.  She started working on this piece last night.

Misha's Room

Much to Amy's disappointment, Misha commandeered the queen bed after Amy moved out.  Misha wasn't about to let such a treasure go to waste in an empty room.  I actually surprised Misha with the move while she was away at school.

Her comforter wasn't quite big enough, so I grabbed the down comforter from the guest room in the basement.  It fit perfectly, and it keeps Misha warm and toasty at night.  Her room is above the garage and it can get quite chilly during the night.

Happiness

But life can be both bitter and sweet. 

It is up to us to choose whether we want to reflect 

the voices of gloom or gladness.  

Marvin J Ashton


How can we cultivate happiness and optimism?

* Be grateful - have a gratitude journal

* Read Scriptures - 2 Nephi 5:25 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness. 

* Make it a conscientious choice

* Serve others

* Hold your tongue when it would be easy to criticize

* Give compliments - Try the opposite of criticizing: hand out compliments

* Find one good thing in every day

* Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

* Trust in the Lord

* Sing a Hymn  - Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings; see what God hath done (Hymn 241)

* Pray

* Believe that you are a Child of God - Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for yourself. Don’t belittle yourself. Never forget that you are a child of God. You have a divine birthright. Something of the very nature of God is within you. 

Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it. … You are a child of God, of infinite capacity. 

Stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart.

Of course there will be some problems along the way. There will be difficulties to overcome. But they will not last forever. [God] will not forsake you. …

Look to the positive. Know that He is watching over you, that He hears your prayers and will answer them, that He loves you and will make that love manifest. (Gordon B Hinkley)

Happiness is an inside job.

Speaking Canadian

Misha, Kristen, and I went shopping at Flatirons Mall after the snow cleared on their day off.  As Kristen and I were coming out of the restroom or washroom, Kristen commented on the sign by the sinks, "Look, they speak Canadian."  I grew up calling a bathroom a washroom.  I thought it funny that she would notice the sign.

Changing Kristen's Room

Every so often it is fun to change the girls' rooms around.  We dove in to the project on a day off from school.  It is always necessary to make a mess in an effort to create order.

Kristen received a bean bag for Christmas.  As it has had time to expand, it seems to get bigger and bigger.  She wanted to add the bean bag to her bedroom; I think we were able to fit it all in.

It took a couple of hours to clean and organize, but with the help of carpet sliders, we were easily able to move the furniture together.

Inspiration Journal

A couple of months ago, I was serving in the temple and had the opportunity to simply sit and ponder while it was quiet.  One of the impressions I received was that I needed to keep an inspiration journal.  There are so many times that I receive impressions and act on them, but I feel that I need to start recording them along with my feelings. 

You won't see my journal entries posted here, but maybe you'll feel impressed to make a record yourself.  God is good, and He blesses our lives in so many ways.

Because We Have Been Given Much

Throughout our married life, one of the overriding themes that Chris and I have tried to pass on to our children was the idea found in DC 82:3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required... There have been moments when Chris has begun the sentence, “Where much is given...” and the girls sometimes begrudgingly grumbled, “much is required.” 

Sheri Dew once wrote, "...for unto whom much is given much is required (DC 82:3), and at times the demands of discipleship are heavy. But shouldn’t we expect the journey towards eternal glory to stretch us? We sometimes rationalize our preoccupation with this world and our casual attempts to grow spiritually by trying to console each other with the notion that living the gospel really shouldn’t require all that much of us. The Lord’s standard of behavior will always be more demanding than the world’s, but then the Lord’s rewards are infinitely more glorious—including true joy, peace, and salvation."  We Are Women of God

For those of us living on the North American Continent along with other first world countries, there is no doubt that we live in a prosperous time and circumstance. It is hard to understand and heart wrenching to see the disparity with those who make do with so much less. Wherever we live, we each have different levels of prosperity, but the true measure of our success in this life is the condition of our hearts and our willingness to cheerfully say, "much is required."

Crazy Kristen

Kristen was bored and going a little stir crazy on Friday evening as her friends were all busy and it was just her and I at home.  After watching a short video clip on Facebook of her friend Maggie, Kristen decided to copy Maggie and make her own short videos.

55 Years Together

My parents are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary.  I am grateful for their relationship, their friendship, and their great example of working hard toward a common goal.

Crazy Looking Potato

Does this potato look like the most sad, stressed, overwhelmed potato ever?  That's what I thought.

Roommates

Throughout my girls' lives, I have mentioned to them that someday they would have crazy, messy roommates.  Crazy, mess roommates are just a fact of life and a rite of passage.  They help to strengthen your communication skills, develop your patience, and build friendships (and usually points out exactly who you do and don't want to live with in the future). 

It has only taken two days for Amy to feel the frustration.

Misha's Artwork

Misha completed some commissioned artwork for our friend Patti for Patti to give to her children as Christmas gifts.  I am always amazed with Misha's talent.

A New Chapter - Day Three

I woke up rather early on Saturday morning, thinking about my girl.  I am amazed that the past 18 years have gone by so quickly.  She is ready to fly, but that doesn't make it any easier on my heart.  It seemed appropriate as I lay thinking, that this line from I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go entered my mind:  So trusting my all to thy tender care.  I AM trusting my all to His tender care.  (Read here to see how this song spoke peace to my heart 18 years ago as a new mother to this Amy girl.)

It was another busy day.  Chris took the girls to pick up Amy and bring her back to the hotel to have breakfast with us.  From there, we dropped Amy off for more I-Connect activities.  (She was having a lot of fun with her group and for that we were grateful).

We went to Deseret Book, had lunch, checked out some of the buildings, and spent some time on campus waiting for Amy to be done.  When the Spirit of Ricks presentation was over, we met up with Amy and drove back to her place.  We had just under two hours before we had to say goodbye.

We tried to help Amy figure out another class to add and added items to her list of things to do on Monday morning.  She was contemplating changing her major from Business to Communications.  I just hoped she would find the right fit for her.

Before leaving, Chris gave Amy a father's blessing.  I know it started my tears flowing.  Misha and Kristen both sobbed as they hugged Amy goodbye.  Okay, so did Chris and I.  We were going to miss this Amy girl tremendously.  But she honestly couldn't be doing anything better at this time in her life, and we are so proud of her.

The happy sad family Kline.

We left for the airport.

Amy got busy and organized her room, sending me these pictures.

We didn't have many dinner options at the IF Airport, so we had to wait until after landing in Denver.

We stopped at Chili's for dinner.  As we walked in to the restaurant, the hostess asked, "Just the four of you?"  We avoided tears, but I think each of us ached a little. It might take a little getting used to life with a college student.

We were glad to hear that Amy was out having fun with her I-Connect group at the dance and activities as we climbed in to our beds.  Some of them in the group really seem to hit it off well.

Amy sent me this picture with the message, "I win!"

A New Chapter - Day Two

We left the hotel around 9 am to head to Rexburg.  Chris had rented a Nissan Armada and it was exactly what we needed to transport all of Amy's stuff.  We had a full day of shopping and registering planned and that Armada came in handy as we loaded it up with apartment supplies and then groceries later in the evening.

Amy and I went in first to register at The Ivy (Amy's new apartment complex), thinking that it would take a little while, but nope, it was pretty slick.

She also signed in for I-Connect, smaller groups led by student volunteers to help the freshmen assimilate throughout the beginning of the school year.  Her group was #14.  Chris, Misha, and Kristen, started bringing in Amy's bins, suitcases, and boxes. None of her roommates were there at the time.

Next stop, the Rexburg DI (Deseret Industries) where we found a bedside lamp and some matching Corelle plates.  Then Walmart.  Seemed like it might have been the next stop for a LOT of people.  Walmart was packed.  We found plastic drawers, a wooden shelf for a bedside table, and then loaded up on medicines, paper goods, pots...that was just the beginning of the draining of the bank account!

Hangers.  Can't forget about the dozens of hangers!

We made a quick stop for Subway takeaway before a trip to the bank.  And then four more flights of stairs with arms loaded.  Amy headed off to spend the afternoon with her I-Connect group.  We stayed to unload some of her stuff, to get a load of dishes going from her DI purchases, and put together the bedside table.  Amy loves to organize so we didn't want to do any of that for her, but we took a little of the chaos and made it workable.

We met one of her roommates, though she was really quiet and retreated to her bedroom.  Kylie

We had a parent seminar and group meeting where President and Sister Henry J Eyring spoke.  We watched a brief inspirational movie about BYU-I from past presidents and President Hinckley.  As I sat and listened, this thought very strongly filled my heart:  Trust Me with your daughter.  I am and I will.

All of the freshmen left to continue with their I-Connect groups and Chris and I stayed for the parent seminar.  (Misha and Kristen went to check out the bookstore and find something else to do as they weren't interested in staying).  Really it was just more reassurance along with advice on how we can encourage, support, and guide Amy.

Following the meeting, we found all of the girls in the Manwaring Center (MC) at the pool tables.  We stopped for Amy to get her I-card, her campus ID.

Next stop:  Bookstore.  Amy stopped first at the required fitness attire section to purchase clothes to use in the on-campus facilities.  She didn't want to find a dressing room to try on the shorts!

We were prepared for a huge bill here, but after buying clothing for the fitness center, she didn't have too many books.  They have a new thing now where you can rent a used book for a fee.  Seemed like a great option.

Back to Amy's apartment to drop off stuff.  Amy got to meet another roommate, Erica, who seemed nice.  She and Amy had been texting over the past week.

We decided to stop for groceries at Broulims.  The prices might have been a little more expensive, but it was closer and a lot less crazy.  The Ivy provided shuttles not only to campus but also to both Broulims and Walmart, so those students without cars--Amy--could easily get to either store.

It was expensive to set up a student with a new household.

More bags.  More stairs.

We helped Amy unload groceries and tried to help her figure out another class to add to her schedule.  We were glad when Erica stepped in with some advice.  It was then that we decided to leave Amy to get to know her roommates and begin life on her own.  It was 9:30 and we were ready for bed.

Dad's Credit Card

Amy lamented as she purchased supplies for setting up an apartment for college, "Swiping Dad's credit card is so much easier than swiping mine."

Adulting.

A New Chapter -Day One

Amy has been looking forward to college with anticipation mixed with a healthy dose of trepidation.  As many of her friends headed off to college last Fall, Amy recognized that not having friends from high school was a bummer.  She and her boyfriend, Brenton, continued to date and hangout with friends from work, but she didn't have a close girl friend.

The goodbye with Brenton was heart wrenching on Thursday morning, and as Amy walked in the door thirty minutes before we were supposed to leave, tears streamed down her face.  I dropped what I was doing, found a step to stand on, and engulfed my girl in my arms as the sobs shook her.  We didn't have long to stand and hug as her containers needed labels, the lids needed to be ziptied closed, her comforter needed to be bagged and tagged, the Pilot needed to be loaded....lots to do.

Amy put on a brave face as we headed off to the airport, packed to the gills.

We planned to drop everyone off on the 6th level drop off to check bags at United while I drove the Pilot down to the economy lot, parked, and ran back to the terminal.  With five of us traveling and four of us consolidating our luggage, Amy was able to check her luggage, a box of shoes, and three totes.

It worked pretty well; Chris called and asked if they should wait for me at security or go on ahead just as I was taking the elevator up to the 5th floor.  After getting off the train at the B Concourse, we had to walk all the way to the very end of the concourse to B84 where the smaller airplanes were located.

Sadly, Misha and Chris had both missed lunch, and we had very little time to get any food at the airport before our flight was ready to board.  We had some lovely snack boxes on the plane to tide us over.

Our plan, once we arrived in Idaho Falls, was to stop at the hotel and drop stuff off (we were able to leave all of Amy's cargo in the luggage holding room at the hotel instead of having to take it all up to our room), have dinner, and then do a little shopping.  We noted that there were two Deseret Industry thrift stores in Idaho Falls/Ammon.  The first one was brand new and not even open yet, so we raced to find the other under Misha's navigation, before it closed at 8 pm.

Even though it was a thrift store, we were able to find some nice matching cups and silverware.

It's Magic... or Laziness

Having a conversation with Misha about the status of her clothing and laundry basket.  She commented that she had some clothes that she had probably outgrown and needed to go through her closet.

I commented, "And yet, somehow they still manage to show up in your laundry basket."

She replied in typical Misha fashion "I know.  Magic!"

Shaking my head, I responded, "It's not magic.  It's lazy!"

Packing for College

Amy has spent the past couple of days packing for college.  We leave Thursday afternoon and will all fly to Idaho Falls for a quick weekend to drop her of at BYU-Idaho.  Misha and Kristen wanted to come as well so they could see Rexburg, check out Amy's new apartment and roommates, and say goodbye.  Amy's a lot nervous, somewhat excited, and ready to move on with life.  We will miss this girl.

New BBQ

We have been looking for a new natural gas BBQ since this last summer when Chris had a natural gas line stubbed out on to the deck.  Chris found some Weber brands that he really loved but couldn't justify spending so much money on them.

I had periodically checked Craigslist since then to see if any of the styles he wanted were posted.  The few times I found a BBQ that Chris would like, the BBQ had already been sold.  I happened to look on New Year's Day and found one that met Chris' criteria AND was a great price--at least 2/3 less than if he were to buy new.

The guy who was selling the BBQ was moving to North Carolina and just wanted to start downsizing.  We drove all the way down to Parker to pick up the BBQ on New Year's Day.  Misha had a friend over when we got back home, and we happily enlisted her and her friend to help us lift the BBQ out of the back of the Pilot, up the steps to the front door, and out to the deck.