Tucker's Slideshow

Try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA20bN2egKI

TAYSOM

This was the video I made for Taysom's YW medallion recognition night.

Try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH2PJwyX7Hk&feature=youtu.be

Our First Eagle Scout

As most of you know, Tucker completed his Eagle project last summer during his HEFY trip to Tonga.  He collected all kinds of rugby equipment (shoes, socks, jerseys, shoes, balls, pads, shoes, etc.) to provision a rugby team in Tonga.

 Although he did some fundraising, most of the equipment was donated - not by sports companies, but by individuals Tucker located through an email campaign.  The money earned through fundraising was used to help pay for the excessive baggage fees to transport the equipment.

I don't think any of us realized the headache, and more importantly, the testimony building this experience would be for our family.  I cannot put into words how thankful I am that Tucker was able to have this experience.  What a blessing it has been.  So many miracles... from getting in touch with the right people through emails/blogs - to earning enough money to transport all of the boxes - to airline employees who didn't weigh things correctly and who allowed things through customs that apparently weren't supposed to be allowed through - to all but one of the seven HUGE boxes making it safely, etc., etc., etc.  Even though Tucker had to leave a lot of stuff behind simply because he couldn't afford the baggage fees, he still had enough equipment to provision TWO rugby teams.  One team was set up before hand though HEFY.

The other team was coached by a local that Tucker met at Yum Yum Burgers.  It was a complete surprise.

It has been almost 9 months since his trip.  He had to finish up a couple of merit badges, turn in his eagle paper work, and have his board of review.  Check - Check - and Check!  A couple of months ago we received a letter congratulating Tucker on becoming an Eagle scout.  We had hoped to have his Eagle Court of Honor the same weekend that Taysom took out her endowment hoping to have some extended family there to celebrate with us.  Unfortunately it was the same weekend as Stake Conference, and we couldn't make it work.  Instead we planned for Wednesday March 27, 2013.  Mom designed the program for us...

This was folded in half - the right side as the front.

Inside the program

It was a wonderful evening.  Our "family" out here provided the refreshments - American flag cupcakes from the Tuckers and cookies from the Belnaps and Arayas.  Tucker was showered in love and support.  I cried through the video watching my little boy growing up before my eyes and felt guilty as his pinned the mother's pin onto my lanyard.  I remember my mom guiding my brothers as they worked through the scouting program and especially their eagle projects.  Tucker really did this on his own.  My contribution of teaching him that he could mail boxes using the post office instead of the UPS store seemed so insignificant and definitely not "pin-worthy".  Since it is tradition, I kept it... mostly to remind me of this incredible experience.

Way to go Tucker!

*see Eagle slideshow

Spring Break in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Ahhh - I want to go back...

I am to thankful to Melanie and Leslie for planning and making this Spring Break trip to the beach happen.  They found a great deal on a vacation home rental in Gulf Shores a couple of blocks from the beach.  The Tuckers loaned us their Highlander - not sure why as their family (5 adults) had to squeeze into their mid-sized car.  The drive there wasn't too bad - a mere 12 or 13 hour drive.  But on the way home we got stuck in a traffic jam for a couple of hours and some wintery mix weather off and on.  It was a LONG drive home!

The home was very nice - across the street was a tennis court and pool, 

view from the house

some contemplation time at the house

...but we spent most of our time at the beach.  
It was heavenly!!!

 

all kids besides Taysom and Lindsay

walking to the beach

almost there

Henry

Ilah

Sam and Tucker

Beach hair

 

enjoying the water

Tucker, Lydia, Ilah, and Megan

Tasha, Tucker, Henry, Ilah, and Lydia

Dan Belnap

Ultimate Frisbee

Taysom

my sweetheart

the ending of an era... the turning of a page

 Come back Spring Break... 

Special thanks to Sam for the excellent pictures!

Hermana Wallace ha sido llamado a servir en la misión de Santa Rosa!

~ Spanish speaking ~ 

She leaves April 3rd.  

After the long wait to receive her call, 

Taysom is thrilled that she only has 8 weeks until she leaves for the MTC.  

We have a LOT to get done.  Her temple endowment is set for March 2nd at 10am.  

We are so excited that some of the family will be there with us!!!

I thought I would have so many mixed feelings about this - but I just feel such peace.  It seems like she has been preparing for this her whole life... and she is ready... ready in the sense that she has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ... that she knows what faith is and uses it regularly... that she loves her Heavenly Father and knows that she is His daughter... that she understands the plan of salvation.  She has grown so much the past year and a half.  I am in awe.  Of course there is still so much to learn... the Spanish language is one of many things.  But I know she knows how to ask for help in faith.  I am so excited... for her... for our family.

I will miss her big smile, her generous heart, seeing her in Ilah's room on the floor (between Ilah and Henry), her "hip gurgles", her joy floating around the house, tucking her in at night, and mostly her laugh.  I know she is going where she is needed, and that Heavenly Father will watch over her.  

I found a picture of her mission president and his wife.

   President and Sister Alba have been presiding over the mission since June 2012.  I think I can entrust my daughter to their care.  They will love her almost as much as I do.  I am sure of it.

Good News

Taysom heard from our Stake President last night that the medical issues are resolved.  He said that her call should be issued Friday, January 18th... AND that she should receive it Friday, January 25th.

CAN'T WAIT!

Where will she be serving...

2012 Review (stolen from Megan)

1. What did you do in 2012 that you had never done before?

sent a child off to college

switched to standard based grading

served as a tour guide for the Kansas City Temple open house

did temple work with all four of our children

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and do you intend to make any for 2013?

I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions last year... I was just in survival mode.

I have made a list of things to do this year - some very simple and some that may only be a pipe dream.  I was inspired by my sister Megan.

 
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister Adrienne gave birth to Charlie who was stillborn and my sister Becca gave birth to Alec.

My friend Carlyn gave birth to Parley (affectionately known as Tucker Jr.)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
As mentioned above, my nephew Charlie died.

I didn't know her, but my counsin, Matt Howell's daughter Tiffany Howell finished her mission here on earth.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you didn't have in 2012?

a full family reunion

7. What dates will be etched into your memory from 2012 and why? 

February 17th: Watching Henry in Into the Woods with his own role as Rapunzel's prince  and filling in last minute as Jack as well.  I was in shock when the curtains opened. 
April 19th: Watched in amazement as Ilah stole the show as Drizzella in Cinderella.  She is usually so soft spoken.  I loved being there to witness her obvious talent in drama.
May 5th: Cultural Celebration for the Kansas City temple celebration - one of the best moments of the year for sure.  Cried almost the entire time as I bathed in the spirit of the Lord.

July 2nd: Lake Day with Jim, Amy, Syd, Bob, Mom & Dad W., and all the cousins.  Loved watching the cousins hang out and have fun.  Loved visiting with Heather.  Loved watching as Shane was pushed into the water... and he was genuinely happy.  Loved watching Henry and Shea keeping the fish in the little dug out "fish bowl" that Amy helped them create.  Loved watching Tucker and Ilah ride the Sea-Doos.  Loved watching Mom going for it even though her knee was giving her problems.

July 4-7th: Girls Camp - The theme was "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" - I needed that reminder and out-pouring of the spirit.

July 21st: Tucker returns from Tonga - felt like a taste of things to come.  I'm so proud that he had a desire to go serve and that he was able to finish his eagle project.  I didn't remember what gate he would be at and I can not tell you how worried I was that we wouldn't be right there when he walked off the plane.  For me it was sheer panic.  All was well - we found the place and saw him as he exited the plane.  He was only gone for 2 1/2 weeks... I can't imagine how it will be when the kids are returning from their missions.

July 24th: Taysom returns from BYU-I.  One of the best moments as a mom ever - to watch as oldest embraces youngest with genuinely love on both sides.  Henry beaming with joy and Taysom smiling through the tears.  Love!
Last week of July: Megan and Chad's family come to visit.  Just love these two and their beautiful kids.  I feel that Megan 'gets' me and, trust me, I know that is hard to do.  It was so comfortable having them here with us.  We didn't do anything spectacular, but sure enjoyed having that time together.

September 1-3rd: Going to Iowa for Alec's blessing.  These are the things that I wish I could attend for all of my nieces and nephews.  It was wonderful to be able to meet up with my mom and dad and see Ben, Becca, Izzy, Theo, Adeline, and meet baby Alec.
October 6th: Returning home to Tucker running up to us saying that the mission age had been lowered with a big smile on his face.  I didn't believe him until I saw Taysom in tears. Enough said.
October 19th: Senior night at the football game.  I was so proud as we walked arm in arm with Tucker across the football field and instead of announcing what college, etc. Tucker would be attending, they said, "Tucker plans to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
November 21st: Taysom finalizes mission paperwork - we thought it would be just 2-3 weeks until she got her mission call... little did we know...

November 22-23rd:  Thanksgiving festivities with B&B family, Tuckers, and Belnaps.  Loved helping Izzy make a pie, playing lots of pong, being surrounded by people I love.

November 24th: Whole family goes to temple to do baptisms for family names that both Tucker and Megan gathered.

December 21st:  Family temple trip.  Mike and I were able to do the initiatories for the above mentioned family names.  Haven't done initiatories in a long time and it was amazing.  I needed that.

December 23rd: Caroling with Belnaps, Tuckers, and Claypools.

December 24th: Christmas Eve - lunch and festivities with Belnaps and Tuckers and the missionaries - then traditional Christmas Eve with the family.

8. What is your biggest achievement of the year?

Good question. Painting the basement and hanging up most of the kids' artwork?

9. What is your biggest failure?
Having two cavities.

Getting two speeding tickets.

Not being able to afford the Mount Rushmore family reunion - or any summer family trip.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

No. 

11. What is the best thing you purchased?

Mike got me a new pillow for Christmas.

12. Whose behavior or accomplishments merited celebration?

Mike lost 70 pounds!  

Henry was ordained a deacon.

Ilah and Tucker received their patriarchal blessings. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed? 

myself at times

14. Where did most of your money go? 

Mortgage and regular bills and repairs.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Being honored as a Golden Apple nominee by one of my previous students.

Kim getting the new job she wanted and being able to move close to her family.

Taysom earning a full tuition scholarship for when when she returns to BYU-I.

Tucker earning a 31 on his ACT.

16. What songs will remind you of 2012 and why?

Broken

17. Compared to last year...

a. happier or sadder? Sadder.  NO real logical reason for this one - it just is what it is.

b. thinner or fatter? Definitely fatter.

c. richer or poorer? Poorer.

18. What do you wish you had done more of?

Visits to family.

19. What do you wish you had done less of?

Facebook.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We spent Christmas Adam going caroling.  
It was incredible - put on a little program at a care facility too.

We spent Christmas Eve having a lunch with the Tuckers, Belnaps, misisonaries and Lore Dempsey.  We had a white elephant, played pong, decorated cookies and visited.  Then that evening we had our traditional potato chowder, homemade bread, and sparkling grape juice... using only candle light.  We updated our ornaments with new pictures/artwork and wrote our gift to Jesus for the year.  We sang some carols and then the kids watched A Christmas Story while Mike and I wrapped up our Christmas. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Yes if you count pets.  I have to admit that I love Molly. 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Project Runway Allstars and The Next Iron Chef. 

23. What is the biggest choice you made this year?

To switch from teaching 5th grade (elementary) to teaching 7th grade Reading (middle school).

24. What is the best book you read?

The Book Thief or Unwind

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

?

26. What did you want and get?

to be released as YW president - Phew - how do they do it? 

27. What did you want and not get?

To switch jobs and it make everything feel 'right'. 

28. What was your favorite movie this year?

Les Mis.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 41. Mike took me to see Les Mis in St. Louis with our friends the Buhls, Belnaps, Tuckers, Kartchners, and the Mawbys.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

a vacation! 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2012?

Whatever I can still squeeze into. 

32. What kept you sane?

my mom, reading, and watching Taysom transform - gives me hope that I can do the same. 

33. What celebrity did you fancy the most?

? no clue - not really into the celebrities.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

"The majority of newly-elected leaders do not value the same things that I do. And we have a president who has a vision for America that is far removed from what our country should stand for." (This is a quote from Megan - I agree wholeheartedly.)

35. Whom do you miss?

Shannon and lots of family

36. Who was the best person you met?

Elaine Sherwood

37. Valuable life lesson learned in 2012?
No matter how old you get, you still need a Christmas surprise.

Don't let go of Santa even when the kids know...

38. What is something that really made you laugh this year?

Taysom -KFC party pack - "here, I threw in a couple of oreos... Enjoy"

or throwing the toy for Molly and it hitting the wall or Henry, etc.

or her "gentle" hugs etc.

39. What is something that really made you cry this year?
Realizing that Taysom and Tucker are going to be gone next year on their missions... Have I been the mother I promised Heavenly Father I'd be to them?

40. What do you anticipate will be the biggest change in your life in 2013?

Sending two kids into the mission field!