Cross Country 2012

The starting line with 357 middle school girls headed out for their 4k run (approx 2.5 miles)

The herd of girls as they make their way towards the finish line.

Reagan with her warrior paint on, making it look easy.

She had me so worried at the halfway point. I saw all of the Hayes girls in a clump and she is usually near them, but it seemed like forever before I saw her. I cheered her on and then hurried accross the field to the finish line so that I could be there when she got there. I was so releived when I saw that she had done her usual and passed a bunch of runners in the second half of the race. She was 5th out of our team of the top 7 girls that got to run in this race, so she had caught up to, and passed some of the girls that were in the clump that I had seen earlier.

Our top runner came in 7th and the team came in 2nd in the state. Reagan was 64th over all.  We were so proud of them for all of their hard work.

It was a nice (40 degree) windy morning with a gentle misty rain biting at your face. It's a good thing we were only there for 3 hours. lol.  I felt so bad when Reagan had to strip down to her uniform and get ready to run. They were all so cold, but it's actually easier to run in this weather than when it's 80 and humid.

Bailey didn't qualify to run in the main race, so she was supposed to run in the open race, which is boys and girls, so she bailed and decided she didn't want to run. But she was there being supportive to the team.

Today, Brandon is with the band in Bowling Green at his State Finals Competition. He called us to say that they had the best performance of the year and was so excited, but a little while ago a parent called me to tell me that they came in ninth. So, I'm sure that the whole band is feeling so down right now. I'm so sad because they are so much better this year than they were last year and they got eighth.

So, I am so sad for the band. They have put so much heart into this year's show and it didn't come thru for them. But I am so proud of all the work and effort that they put into it. They are definitely the hardest working group on campus and they don't get near the recognition that they deserve. They take it so much more serious then we did in HS. I think we did one local contest and one in California and that was it. These guys do a contest every weekend for two months straight and get all crazy. I'm not sure which is better. I think Brandon is actually having a better experience then I did, so I think they know what they are doing, but there is so much work that goes into it.

I warned Reagan today that next year was Brandon's last year in band and Bailey's first year and she was probably going to be on her own for State Cross Country next year. I'm going to have to be where ever Brandon and Bailey are and Reagan will have to be with either Troy or friends, because I'm for the first time going to be at the State Marching Band Finals with the band.

Yeehaa

Love ya'll
Donna


Love you all,
Donna

 

 

Indian Ritual

  Dear Sisters,
   The man behind me at the check out at Walmart chuckled, out loud, when I asked the cashier if she knew which brand of cigarettes didn't have a filter. I told her that my sisters and I were going to be doing an Indian Ritual and I was supposed to buy some tobacco to spread around the fire I was going to build!! I had also purchased some maxi-pads, because ever since I had that bad cold, I have been having a hard time not leaking when I sneeze or laugh loud, which is what I do all the time. I am Laughing Grandma, you know!  Kaylee calls them, laugh pads. I was hoping the guy behind me wouldn't notice them.
   "Now, that is the most elaborate story I have ever heard someone tell, who just wants to have a good smoke!" The guy behind me laughed.
   "No, really. I need some tobacco for my Indian Ritual."
   "Sure, you do.."
   "Just give me the cheapest brand you have." I told the cashier.
   "Have a good smoke." the man yelled as a picked up my bag and walked toward the door. He was probably saying to himself, "Now, There is a crazy lady. She thinks she is young enough to have a period and old enough to smoke!"
    "Oh, I will!" I yelled back!
   I have been reading 'Write It Down, Make It Happen'.  In the book it tells a story about an old Indian ritual called the Arrow Ceremony. In many Indian cultures, tribes and families would gather to start up a new year at the solstice and have a special celebration, at sunrise, where they would make a request to the Great Spirit to eliminate certain things that they no longer wanted in their lives, and to bring in things that they now wanted to have in their lives. As a way of representing this, they would craft six arrows: three to represent the things they did not want and three for the things that they did want. They placed bird feathers on the ends of the arrows. They went to low ground and made a circle inscribed with tobacco leaves...See, I really did need those Cigarettes!! One by one they would step into the circle from the North, put the arrows in the ground and say silent prayers, concentrating on what they were willing to give up or what they wanted to get rid of. Once everyone was done, they would burn the arrows. The smoke would send the message to the Great Spirit. Then they would go to higher ground, inscribing a similar circle, this time leaving the opening to the South. Again, one by one, they would go into the new circle, and put the arrows in the ground and make the request to the Great Spirit for what they wanted to bring into their lives. Then they would burn the arrows. Sending their messages to the Great Spirit.
    So, two weeks ago, when Lilly said that she and Brad and family were going to be at the ranch deer hunting, Helen and I decided that we should go out too. Then I thought "We should do this Indian Ritual together," and I called Lilly and Helen and they were all excited when I told them there was fire and tobacco involved.   I collected everything we would need.  Sticks to be our arrows. Ribbon to be our feathers, kindling for the fire and matches, paper and pens to write our requests to the Great Spirit and of course tobacco!!
     When we got to the ranch, we had a great surprise! Kay, Isacc,  Lehi and Lilly and family were there. So fun to see them. Then Crystal and family, Rosie and family all came out, so we had a blast with them all. 
    Sunday morning dawned, bright and crisp. Brad and Wyatt got up just as it was getting light and headed out to shoot Bambie. I heard them rustling downstairs and turned over in bed and whispered to Kay, "Kay, get up. Let's go do the Indian Ritual."
    "What's an Indian Ritual?"
    "Just come on." I pulled on my pants and tiptoed to Helen's room.
    Helen opened her eyes, when I stood over her. I put my finger to my mouth and pointed to the door. She rose quietly from her bed, not wanting to disturb Crystal and baby.  Then I went downstairs to wake the princess. She was having a hard time leaving the soft King Sized, princess mattress Brad had brought out to donate to the ranch house. He is the best!  Just kidding, She jumped right up and was excited about the fires and the cigarettes.We bundled up warm and headed for my car. I opened the back up and we stood there in the freezing breeze and wrapped out sticks with ribbons and wrote out the things we wished to leave behind and the things we wanted to come into our lives. Then we headed for the fire pit on the patio. We had had a huge fire the day before when we tore the drawers, closets and carpet out of Jeremy's room and burned it all.  ( Wow, You should see how nice that room looks! )  There were still some hot embers burning. Helen threw a log on the fire and we gathered around. I opened my very first pack of cigarettes and handed one to each of my Indian sisters. "Here, rip those open and spread them around the top edge of the fire pit."  We stood on the North side of the fire and read our requests for the 3 things we were ready to give up. Mine were Procrastination,  30 Pounds of fat, and Clutter in my life. As we read each one, we threw the arrow and the note into the fire. Then we went to the south side of the fire pit and this time we read our requests in silence to the
Great Spirit and then threw in each request and each arrow.  Then I read this from the book. It is what one women wrote, 10 years ago, when she first began doing this ritual with her friends.
" Great Spirit,
I would like guidance in stepping on to a  new plateau of personal and financial growth and achievement. I want to make a great step forward in terms of what I will accomplish with my life from this point onward. In a quiet understated way, I want to be able to make a difference in people's lives and to make a positive contribution to the world. I am just entering into the main stretch. Please help me to expand exponentially in all areas of my life."
     I think my... "I want to lose 30 pounds of fats" sounds almost as eloquent as what she wrote. Don't you?!!!
    Anyway, the year she started doing the rituals,  this lady had the idea to write a real estate book which was a great success and then she wrote "Simplify Your Life", and it was a best seller. So I thought "It sure couldn't hurt us to do a few dozen rituals, because we need more help from the Great Spirit than the average bear!!
  The Sun was just starting to peek over the east hill so we hiked up the north hill and watched the beautiful day begin. Group Hug! Aren't Sisters just the best idea God ever came up with.  I love you all so much...Love Jelene

Grand Champions

Last weekend, Brandon's marching band took the title of Grand Champions of the competition that they were performing in. They were so excited and rightfully so. This weekend was the semi-finals. If they didn't make it into the top 8 they didn't get to go to state next weekend. According to Reagan and I (we sat and watched almost all of the bands and rated them impartially) they came in 2nd or 3rd.
They are going to be awesome next week at State.

Anyway, a cute story from this morning's rehearsal. They were all in formation and Mr. Kite was walking among them all and talking about being solid. He would push his hand against their shoulder and expect them not to move from their stance. When he came to Brandon, he pressed on his shoulder and Brandon didn't move. Mr. Kite said, "Now that  is good. Nice work." And at that moment him and one of his trumpet mates said. "Solid Sexy". Brandon said that the whole band cracked up so much that they couldn't get them back under control for 5 minutes. My boy is so funny and fun.

During Band camp someone told him that he was the fittest fat person they had ever seen. Too funny. He will show them soon though. He joined the wrestling team and starts training as soon as marching band is over. I'm looking forward to seeing him train and wrestle. Should be fun.

Next weekend he will be on his own, because the girls have their Cross Country State Finals the same weekend, so I will stay here and watch them run. Poor Reagan is so torn. She loves running CC so much, but she loves Marching band too. She could march with Henry Clay as an 8th grader which would be cool because it would be the last time that all three of my kids would be in the same activity, but if she leaves CC next year it will really leave the team short. Basically next year Savannah (who has been our top runner this year), Reagan, and Julia will be the only great runners on our team that are left and it takes a top 5 to win a meet.

Anyway, next year I'll have to spread myself around even more because it will be Brandon's last year here in my home. BOOHOO I have already started to cry about it. I'm going to miss him so much.
I have been getting up and cooking him breakfast since we don't see him much. He is always so grateful and sweet to me. It makes it so worth it. I so look forward to watching him live a wonderful life.

Oh, and let's not forget the good news. I told Bailey today that I was so happy with her behavior lately. She was so cute, and I could tell that she loved hearing it. She still has a moment here and there, but she has really turned into a nice girl the last month or two.

And of course, Reagan is still sweet as punch. She is just a lover. Someone is going to be really lucky to get her. I'm just trying to teach her to be meaner from now until she is on her own. She is my Jesus lover and loves to pray and has such a strong faith in God. How did I get these three awesome kids to choose me?

Humbly,

Donna

Defining Women Group

I wanted to share my amazing day with you.
I belong to a Defining Women's group that my friend Kathlyn Jaramillo founded about 5 years ago.  Every other Friday, I get to go rub shoulders with AMAZING women like my sisters.  When I leave, my bucket is overflowing. We all have the same goal in life; To make the world a better place by giving back to those we come in contact with. Serving others, its refreshing to get to know these women.  I want you all to meet them and be uplifted like I am.  I'm talking to Kathlyn about starting a chapter up in Alaska, with having Beth in mind to run it and get it started. It helps women feel empowered when they have positive, uplifting, loving friends in there life. Everyone of us needs that.
So the lady that shared her story today, had a terrible thing happen to her.  She was abducted for about 8 hours, tortured and raped and then he let her go.  It happened about 7 years ago. She was able to stand up in front of us and share her story and not be a wreck or basket case through the whole thing.  One of the women asked her what she learned from it and what she could teach others. She said she remembers walking out to her car, it was afternoon and over cast. She had just got off the phone and wasn't paying attention to her surroundings. She was preoccupied. She got in her car and before she realized what was happening, a man had jumped into her back seat on the passenger side, wrapped an electric shock collar around her neck and told her to drive.  He wore a mask and gloves, so she never saw his face. She says every time she sees girls walking down the street texting on their phones it makes her sick to her stomach because they are not walking with purpose and confident about where and what they are doing. For a while she talked at schools and tried to bring awareness to young people (boys too, they are not exempt).Because of her case and others, Congress passed something that maked the car manufacturers put a safety feature in cars now that you have to click your unlocker 1 time for just driver door and two times for all doors.  If her car would have been locked she wouldn't have been as easy a target. God was with her and still is.  She described her husband as an ANGLE from GOD. God sent him to her  at the right time. It takes a special person to help someone work through that much baggage.  She has made the choice to not be a victim anymore and to force herself to keep going, to get herself back to being her and not the victim. Her wonderful Dad (as she described him) always said "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". WOW what a strong woman. By the end of her story I was in tears. For the next 6 hours, every time I thought of her or thought of our childhood I cried. It brought up so many emotions. This story I'm writing right now affected me more than I realized. Watching precious children be tortured by there dad, or being tortured is not right, not what a 11 year old needs to watch. My , Our inner child needs lots of healing, and I know we will get this by sharing our story's. I feel so blessed to have all of you in my life. I cant even imagine life with out you all.  Our mother was a GREAT LADY. She planted seeds of GREATNESS in ALL of US.  I have had such an amazing amount of passion for life lately. Its because I finally realized what I want to do with this next part of my life.  I want to write our book, and I want to serve others buy teaching them about doTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS.  I know that if I'm serving others, I will grow as a woman, who will become a leader. The money will come. OUR BOOK IS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS LIST. This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO exciting. I can feel what its going to feel like already. Our ship is in motion, ARE YOU READY TO SAIL?
I love you all. Love Lilly

Precious Children

PRECIOUS CHILDREN

My precious sister Janice always wanted a baby. This couple from Salt Lake felt like Janice would be a good fit in their family. There was no marriage that I can remember, but Janice went to live with Steven and Linda Thompson.  Steven and Linda had 10 children, heaven knows they needed help. Janice wasn't gone to long when Steven came out to the ranch to get a few things Janice had been asking for.  I thought it would be fun to go visit Janice and stay with Steven and Linda for a while.  They had children close to my age. I felt all grown up at the age of 11. I had never been away from home.  I packed my little hand me down bag, with a couple pairs of pants, my prettiest shirts, my best socks, and off I went.  Steven was a tall man with strong features, brown hair and freckly hairy arms. His car was an old green 65 Chevy station wagon. I sat up front in that big front seat. I kept as close to the passenger door as I could. The car seemed so big and roomie. I watched my home and family disappear from site. When I couldn't see home any more I tired to remember why I had wanted to come, Oh ya, Steven had children my age and I would get to see Janice again. It was hot and dusty on that dirt road. To dusty to have the windows down, to hot not to. We stopped in Pioche to get gas and He bought me my very own  Snickers candy bar. I got to eat it all by myself. I did the best I could telling Steven about Pioche and the things I new about it. The old court house that is 100 years old, where the elementary school is and the movie house. When we passed the Mormon church, I said theirs the LSD church, Steven had a good laugh about that, I didn't even know why he was laughing. The road to Salt Lake took forever. I had been savoring my snickers candy bar for what seemed like forever. We were somewhere between Pioche and Wendover,  driving along minding our own business, when a man in a white nova pulls up along side of us. He's yelling at us and shaking his fist at us. Steven starts yelling back at him.  I'm getting scared, this isn't looking good. Finally the man pulls ahead of us and I think thank heavens that's over, when Steven  says "Open the jockey box" I open the jockey box and inside I see a pistol. My heart is pounding a hundred miles a min, what is he going to do with that. Steven says  "Hand it to me". I picked up the gun carefully and hand it over to Steven. He had this evil look in his pale blue eyes. I look up ahead and I can tell he is trying to gain speed to catch up to the man in the white nova. It took awhile for the station wagon to build up speed. We pull up along the nova, Steve yells at me to roll down my window. I crank it down as fast as I can. Steven driving the car with his left hand, the pistol  in his right hand pointing in front of me at the man in the white Nova, yelling at the man to leave us alone or he will shoot. The man in the Nova backed off and we never saw him again. Why did I want to leave the safety of my home and family?
It was dark and late as we pulled up to his home in Salt Lake City. Linda and Janice met us at the door in their bathrobes. I wrapped my arms around Janice and didn't want to let go. Linda gave me a
big hug and right away I knew she was good and safe. She got us some supper and ask  about our trip. I took one look at Steven and knew by the look in his eyes that I had better keep my mouth shut.
I told her our trip was fine. After we ate, Linda  made me a bed on their couch. She hugged me again and told me she was so happy that I was here safe. She reassured me that we would have fun and that everything would be ok. I tried to relax a little, but my mind was running away. Steven with that gun in his hand kept flashing in my mind. Mama had helped me memorize the 21 psalm, and told me if I was ever scared or sad to repeat it over and over and it would bring me comfort. I needed comfort NOW. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green Pasteur's He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my sole.  He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name sake, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow and death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod Thy staff They comfort me, Shirley goodness and mercy shall fallow me All the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  I said it over and over.
I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. I kept telling myself, the LORD will protect me. As long as I was saying those words in my head I felt calm, I finally fell asleep
The next morning was exciting. I awoke to the chitter chatter of ten hungry children. I was use to my
sisters around but Donna was my only sister who was younger than me. Here I was the oldest with ten little ones. I felt way old. They all told me their names all at once. How was I suppose to remember them all.
Breakfast was a BIG pot of oatmeal cereal. That pot was HUGH. I learned quick that you can't be shy at the breakfast table or dinner table or supper table or you went hungry. And you ate what was put on the table or else you went hungry. Linda took extra care to make sure I got enough.
As soon as breakfast was over everyone had a chore to do. Lorraine was my age, and beautiful like her mother. Her hair was blonde and almost to her waist. She wore it in a French braid down her back.
Her job was to get the two and three year olds dressed and hair done. Sarah was two with blonde curly hair, cute chubby cheeks and the biggest eyes i had ever saw. Julie was three, and she new she was big enough to get herself dressed. Just when Lorraine had Sarah almost dressed she would turn around to help Julie and she would be gone, down stairs playing with toys. They had a big play room downstairs with way more toys than I had ever seen before. There were three bedrooms down stairs that all the kids slept in. Steven Jr. Alex and Joshua in one room, Lorraine Ashley and Rachel in one room and then Kathrine, Sarah and Julie, in the other room.  Baby Grant slept up stairs in Janice's room. Janice loved babies.. She bathed him so careful and rubbed him with good smelling lotion.  If a stranger would have come to visit they would have thought baby Grant was hers.  She loved him.  She was so sweet to him. She took care of baby Grant every min unless he was nursing Linda. Linda  was a very soft and loving Mother.  She never yelled at her children, but they listened to her and were very well behaved. She taught with love and encouragement. She was very tender with them.  She was tender herself.  She was soft spoken, beautiful inside and out. She had bright green eyes, full lips with high cheek bones. Her hair was long past her waist. She wore it twisted up into a bun on the back of her head. I loved watching her because I hadn't ever been around a grown up lady as pretty as she was. They were bright happy children during the day, but when Steven the Father came home everything changed. I saw fear in the kids eyes when Steven walked in.  Everyone scurried and picked up toys or cloths.  I noticed Joshua and Kathrine disappear. I felt their pain.  I would hide when my father came home too. So days were happy and evenings were dark.
Linda home schooled her children. As soon as breakfast was done and the table cleared off, it was time to start school lessons.  Everyone had a spot for their school books. Linda was very organized everything in its place. She found me books to read while she was helping her kids with school.  Janice did all the laundry and picked up after the children and helped with the little ones during school.  Then lunch break, then back to school tell 2pm. Free time tell supper at 6;00pm. Chores to tidy up the home before bedtime.  Linda would read bed time stories at night to keep them all down stairs away from their Father.  He would stay up stairs and watch TV.
This was pretty much the routine every day, except on the weekends.  Saturdays were spent doing chores cleaning the house.  Linda would take Steven Jr. to help her with grocery shopping. They would come home with bags and bags of food. They lived on the basic foods like oatmeal, rice, beans, potatoes, and pasta.  On Sundays there was some kind of meat added to the evening meal to make it a little extra special.  Lorraine would make a cake or cookies for dessert. What a treat.
I was going on my second week there and was really getting home sick. 
One evening the kids and I were playing up stairs, just being kids and Alex grabbed a pillow of the couch and threw it at Steven Jr. who was standing by the fire place.  The pillow missed Steven Jr. and hit the fire place mantel. It knocked over a real nice picture frame of Stevens parents.  It crashed to the floor and the glass shattered into what seemed like a thousand pieces.  There was dead silence.  Alex started crying and said over and over.  "I didn't mean to."  Linda went to comfort him and ask Steven Jr. Lorraine and I to clean up the broken glass.  Linda put the picture frame back together and put it back up on the fire place mantel.  She told the children.  "It looks good as new, Father wont even notice its broken."  Two days and nights went by before Steven noticed the broken picture.  He had just got home from work.  We were all busy helping get supper on the table and picking things up.  I noticed when he walked in the door he seemed up set.  He had slammed the front door , marched down the hall to his room.  His usual rutean was to come in and sit down in his big chair and have one of the kids take of his work boots and socks.  All the kids seemed extra quiet.  Steven finally came out of his bedroom, walked around the house like he was looking for something in particular.  He went to the fire place mantel and we all held our breath. Please God don't let him notice the glass missing from the picture frame.  He picked up the picture frame and looked at it. WHO broke this picture of my parents?  Sarah, Kathrine and Joshua had already run to hide.  WHO broke this picture.  Each time he said it his voice got louder and meaner.  He started yelling at the kids to line up, Steven Jr., Lorraine, Alex, Alesha, Rachel Joshua. He went up and down the line yelling. I'm going to spank you all until one of you tell me who broke the picture. He Yanked off his leather belt and started  whipping Lorraine. Each one got at least 3 or more hard swats with the belt. By the time he got to Alex they were all crying. I had run to hide behind Janice  This looked all to familiar. Linda stepped   in front of Steven.  "STOP" she said. Steven looked at her with dark crazy eyes. He slapped her across the face so hard it nocked her down.  "Go sit down" he said. Seven when back to the front of the line and started  whipping Lorraine. again.  This time they were harder swats. "They will keep getting harder.  Someone had better tell me who broke the picture." He had just spanked  Alex the second time and was going for Ashley next.  "Father," Ashley said, "Alex did it.  He didn't mean to.  It was him," she gasp between sabs. Steven got in front of Alex who was crying with his head down.  He pulled his tear streaked face up to look at him. "Did you break my picture?" He shook his head yes.
I knew what it was like getting beat by my Father, but what I saw next made me sick to my tummy. Steven picked up Alex by his ankles and swung his head and body into the wall by the fire place over and over. Linda was begging him "STEVEN STOP you will kill him, STOP." When Steven put Alex on the floor, he had blood running out his nose and ears.  Linda scooped him up as careful as she could and carried him down stairs.  All the children fallowed her. They hovered around to see if Alex was alive. She cleaned up the blood from his nose and ears.  She put a cold cloth on his forehead, and then She picked him up ever so tender, and rocked him back and forth in the chair, telling him how much she loved him and how sorry she was for what happened.
Alex never seemed quite the same after that. Things were different.
I cried myself to sleep every night after that.
Father came the next Saturday. I was so glad to see him, I hugged him tight.  Janice said to Father, "I go with you." We packed our bags and  said good by to Linda and all the precious children.
Lilly

Having Fun with My Daughters

Dear Sisters,  Sorry to take over the blog all of a sudden, but my stories have been stacking up and now I finally have time to sit down and write.
     Linton, I and LeAnna and Reagan drove up to Lehi last Friday so we could be there when Micheal, Janae and Boston blessed Kennedy, their new baby girl on Sunday. Janae had a list of honeydews for her dad to get done for her. Misty and Maya joined us on Saturday and we spent the day laughing and shopping. We went to a fun store called 'the Wood Connection'.  You can buy fun letters and decorations made from wood.  They show you how to paint them and decorate them up so cute. Words for every Holiday, like JOY,  NOEL, BOO, and THANKFUL. LeAnna bought wood letters to spell Reagan for her new room.  We were all standing at the check out when Janae brought out her drivers license  for identification. She brought out her old one with a hole punched through it and said, "I never show anyone my new one because the picture is just horrid." So of course we ask to see it.  It looked like she was cross eyed.  I said "What were you doing?" She said, "I was trying to keep track of Boston and smile at the same time and my eyes got confused."
    Then LeAnna said, "That's nothing. You should see mine!"
     I truly didn't believe it could get worse than Janae's. But then LeAnna showed us a picture of her with her hair all up in a pointy pigtail, sticking straight up out of the top of her head.  "Why did you take a picture with your hair like that?"
     "Well, it was right after I had Adam and the last day before my license expired and Kyle came home for lunch and told me that I better get over there and get it done this very minute. So I grabbed my coat and went over, not even thinking about my hair."
     "Oh, My Gosh, you look just like Alfalfa!" I said.
     Misty said, "When the cop pulls you over, you can show him your picture and yell, 'I just had a baby, OK!!'"
      We were laughing so hard, the people in the store were looking at us like we were crazy. But I wanted to tell them. "Hey, this is nothing, this is only half of us! We can be even louder!"  Then we went to Hobby Lobby and looked for some more goodies. We all went out to Texas Road House for supper and this is what I wrote in my journal that night in the hotel room, while listening to my husband snore in the queen bed next to mine.
     'If I die in my sleep tonight from eating too much at Texas Road House, you can sing this song for me at my funeral. And this is the song that was singing in my head..."If I Die Young---60 is Young, OK!!---Bury me in Satin, Lay Me Down In a Bed of Roses." You know that dumb song, Band Perry sings. I don't like it, but I couldn't stop singing it in my mind.
     Ruth and Kay were both in Eagle Mountain staying with their kids so we all got together at Janae's new house Saturday morning for a visitayt war so fun to see them again.
     Kennedy looked so beautiful in her crocheted blessing dress and she slept through the whole thing. She was happy when she got home she let us take some adorable pictures of her smiling.
     What a great life we live. I am so blessed to have you all in my life. Thanks for being there. Love, Jelene

Parents

Dear Sisters,  The last few weeks, I have been thinking a lot about our parents. The anniversary of Mothers passing brought many tears and memories to mind. I love her and miss her a lot. I often think of the life she lived. The sweet times and the sorrow. I think of how we might judge her quite harshly sometimes for some of the things she did or didn't do.  Then I turn inward and think of my life and the ways my children judge me for not being protective enough, loving enough or standing up for them when I should have. And I realize that this is the fate of all mothers and fathers. This is the life cycle that we all live and none of us escape. At least those of us who are parents. Not one of us is perfect and we shouldn't expect our parents to be perfect either.
      I'm sure mother cried herself to sleep many nights, for the things her children had to suffer. Just like I have.
     I'm sure she wished things could be different. Just like I have.
     I'm sure she wished her husband could have been more loving and kind to her children, just like I have.
     So, I want to thank father for feeding me. For all the trips to D I. For the phone, when it was working. For the electricity, when it was on. For trusting me to drive his diesel.  For teasing me and saying he thought it was mother playing the piano, when he knew all along it was me, playing maybe a 1/16 as good as she did.  For the clarinet duets.  For "It's Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom Time" anytime there were 3 of us together. And for so many more things.
     I could never list all the reasons I am grateful for mother but I do want to thank her for being the best mother she could be. I want to thank her for the music. Her music gave her such solace when I'm sure she felt she couldn't go on. It lifted her up and gave back to her the love she had given to it.  How she loved her piano.  For the 5:30 wake up calls to her lively rendition of 'Polish Dance'. For the 20 years she fed me three meals a day. For making Kay and I long underwear to wear to school, so we would feel like we were just as righteous as the Hammon girls.  For making me believe I could do anything.  For sitting in the hallway every night for as long as I can remember and reading adventure stories to us. She gave us the world every night.  For teaching us how to clean a house. For combing through our matted, snarly hair every Saturday night and wrapping all that hair back into rag ringlets.  For being prideful, talented, stubborn, determined, kind, loving and human.  But most of all, for teaching us how to be the best mothers we could be.   I thank you again, mother.  Love, Jelene

Mothers Last Days

     Dear Sisters,  It was so fun to hear all you voices last night on our first Conference Call.  Let's do it again soon.
     It has been a year since our sweet Mother left us and went to heaven. I was going over that special day in my mind last week. How we were so privileged to have her close by us when she died.  Lee and Keith and families were here a lot. Helen and Lilly came up every weekend to cook meals for the next week. Helen read to her from "The Seven Miracles That Saved America". How she loved her country.  Helen found a CD with beautiful symphony music and mother loved listening to it.  Lilly fixed her hair all pretty.  Kay came out and stayed with mother so Linton and I could get away for the weekend. Ruth and Donna came out to see Mother and all of her children were here that weekend for the BBQ, when it rained and we had 90 Pearsons standing in my kitchen and garage. So fun!
      The day she passed Helen and Lilly and I were sitting around the table. Lilly got up and walked into the room where mother was laying on the bed.  She came back out and said "She is gone". We walked into the room and 'Traumerei' was  playing on the stereo. The piano piece she played at Uncle Blair's Funeral. I'm sure that all her brothers and sisters were there to take her home.  Helen and Lilly and I stood over her and wept. How can you say good-bye to someone like our mother. One of the chosen ones. So talented, hardworking, faithful, giving, unselfish, and so amazing. Thank you for being our Mother.  Love, Jelene

Donna's first half marathon - The Ironhorse

The first picture is proof that Troy was there, even though he missed me crossing the finish line because he went to a store.

The first half of the race was very hilly, but nothing too terrible, just long rolling hills. Just before I came back thru town where the people were cheering us on, I passed the half way point and was thrilled when I saw my time at the half way point was 1:04:00. I was so excited that I was under my goal, so I just kept going. But let me tell you, the second half was killer. They started nice and flat and then all of a sudden there are hills that make you say,  "I think it's time for me to walk for a bit." I didn't feel too bad though, because almost everyone walked those last two terrible hills, so I wasn't alone.

There was an older lady that I stayed with the whole time. She said that she used to be competetive and always trying to win, but now she just does it for the fun. She walked and ran the whole time. I would catch her on her walks and then she would get in front on her runs. I was joking with Brandon at the start, that I was going to find some old guy with a limp and try to stay up with him. So, she ended up being my old guy with a limp. You would be surprised at how awesome some of these old people with limps are. lol.

The last picture is a one that Brandon took. The scenery that we ran through was wonderful. At several points there were horses that were running along the fences with us because they were shocked to see 1200-1400 people running up and down their road in strange, bright running clothes. Brandon has a knack for photography. He really enjoys it and takes some great pictures.

It was so cute. As I came towards the finish line, they met me, then Reagan ran along with me, while Bailey and Brandon ran up ahead and pulled an invisible rope across a spot just before the finish line, so I ran thru it with my hands up over my head. They were all so proud of me. A Very Happy Day. I don't know what I would do without my kids sometimes. They bring me so much happiness these days.

Oh, and at the end, I sprinted and passed my lady with the limp just for good measure.

On another note, Brandon's marching band went away as the Grand Champions of the Competition that they were in on Saturday. They did so good. I can't wait for this weekend. The girls don't have a race, so we are going to spend all afternoon and night watching Brandon and hanging out with the band. I already told Troy to drive a separate car so that he can go home when he wants to. I'm so sweet.

The aftermath: it is challenging to walk up or down stairs, sit on the potty or do any kind of bending over. I think by tomorrow I might feel like I'm getting back to normal.

Donna

Donna's Vineyard

Thanks for sharing your harvest.  Wow, I really want to come help next year.  I didn't see any grape stomping. Is that a lost art? I googled grape smashing and watched a youtube video with two lady's having a contest to see who could get the most juice out of the grapes in so many min. Well  the one lady got off balance and took a header off the platform onto the ground.   It looked painful. That's probably why they don't stomp any more. (not)   Is your other vineyard  red grapes?  Cant wait to taste this years crop. That sounds like a good reason to come see you.  Lilly

Awesome Pumpkin Cheese Cake

Today at the end of Cross Country practice. My friend Sonya brought me a big slice of pumpkin cheese cake. It's her specialty and it is wonderful. So I thought I would share the recipe.

Everyone will think you are a cooking genious at fall parties.

Crust: one sleeve graham crackers, 1/2 stick butter and 1/4 cup sugar
(Crush crackers and add melted butter)
form to your pan. (some chopped pecans really dresses this up and tastes wonderful too)
 

 

3 pkg cream cheese

2 eggs at room temp

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

¼ brown sugar

1 tbsp corn starch

1 can pumpkin

 

Combine all ingredients and bake at

350 for 55 min

 

Sour Cream topping

1 tub sour cream

¼ cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

 

Add sour cream topping sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice (approx.1 tsp)  and bake for another 8 minutes. Let cool and serve.

 

Also makes a wonderful plain cheese cake, just leave out the pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.

 

Hope you enjoy.

Love ya,

Donna

 

 

 

 

Crazy Living arrangements

When we first moved to Vegas, I wouldn't say that we lived in a nice neighborhood or anything, but it was a house and to us it was a nice enough house. Then we moved to an even nicer neighborhood that I really liked because I was within walking distance to my school and I actually had neighborhood friends to hang around with. I'm not sure why we moved from there, but suddenly we were living in a trailer and Father had arranged for us to help around the place in exchange for living in this trailer. In my mind, he just didn't want to provide for us anymore, so he was trying to find places for us to live for free. I don't remember that much about it except that Lilly and I slept out in the tackle room with the saddles and I remember freezing to death one night and thinking, "This isn't really working for me. " (Like my opinion mattered)

After that we moved across the street in to a nice unfinished house, where we were also going to help him finish his house and do lots of work around the yard. I liked that place better. At least we had a nice bathroom and didn't have to sleep with the saddles. At this point (13 years old) I had accepted that I wasn't going to be inviting any friends over for fun little sleep overs, so it didn't really matter that carpet remnants were all over the house and everywhere else was just concrete. We lived there for a while and I'm not really sure what we did to the house. But eventually, he got tired of us and we had to move again.

Then came the best of the best. We moved out into a trailer in the dessert accross the street from Roger and Kady. There was no running water or electricity for the first month or so. I basically sponge bathed during that time. Now I know why I didn't have any boyfriends. Hahaha, that wouldn't have been allowed even if the boys were all over me.

Lilly and I used to talk and wonder what in the heck our Mother was doing putting up with the stuff that she did from Father. These are the years that formulated my NEED for good plumbing and in the back of my mind I think if my husband moves me into a trailer with no running water and electricity I have premade the decision to run the other way. lol

I have to say though, that I was the happiest girl in the world when my Father bought me a Datson 210 with the passenger side door crushed in. It was my escape vehicle. I was truely grateful for that car. I don't think I ever thought for a second about the dent. I just knew it was my transportation away from my trailer in the dessert.

Anyway, it's funny how in some ways I strive to be like my Mother and in other ways, I pray that I'm never like her. I value her spiritual side so much, but then am puzzled by her lack of courage in other areas.

I am going to strive to be more truthful to myself. Even if it means communicating uncomfortable issues in my relationships.

I love you all,
Donna