DanceSport 2010

Benjamin and Melissa took first place in the Standard Syllabus Youth Division at the National DanceSport competition in Provo Utah. That makes them National champions. They competed in the Waltz and Quickstep.

Trip to Utah in June 2012

So Mr. Ralph and Ben decided that they needed some time in Utah. There was some work to do on a property that we have there. (But I think they just felt "left out" when Rebekah and I took our trip to Mexico.) They were going to go solo but I "begged" to tag along and they finally caved and took Samuel and me.

We left at 4:00 in the morning and then had to turn around after 20 min because I had forgotten my purse (causing trouble already). We drove the whole way from Kent to Provo with just stops for gas and the shopping ritual at "Smith and Edwards". I managed to get a pasta rack for drying homemade pasta noodles (pretty excited to try it out). We got to Provo around 7:00 pm, tried and Mr Ralph saying that we should break it up next time (that always sounds good to me because we leave the night before and get to Provo even earlier!! ;-)
We ended up going right to the emergency room at the hospital, where Elizabeth had taken little Andrew. He was running a fever, had been vomiting with diarrhea, and then wouldn't eat or drink anything. Needless to say he was very dehydrated. They had hooked him up to an IV and by the time we arrived he was bouncing off the bed and ready to go. Of course, I managed to fall down while trying to follow Sarah down a five (alright four) foot drop (couldn't find a closer parking place) before arriving in the hospital and by the time I got in I was bleeding enough from my elbow for the receptionist to panick and "get some bandages". (Still sore but that's life).
We spent the night with Juan and Jessica on their very comfortable couches. Ben and Samuel slept on an air mattress in the spare room.

 

Thursday I went with Elizabeth and her two little guys, Isaac and Andrew, to her midwife appointment. It took quite a long time and when she was done, they had made her an appointment to see a specialist (maternal-fetal medicine) because of a concern on an early ultrasound. Of course that makes one concerned but she was pretty positive and keeps repeating positive affirmations to herself (it's her hypno-birthing ideas kicking in).
After the appt. we met up with the guys who were putting carpet into the duplex. They were busy, busy and needed food so we had gotten 4 footlong subway sandwiches. That seemed to help everyone. We went to Elizabeth's house that afternoon. Sarah had a ward activity that she needed help with her hair that afternoon so we were back at the duplex curling hair and pinning her into a dress (I actually had to sew it on her because I couldn't get some pins through the thick material). She looked very nice and left before we did - it was a "etiquette dinner". We then bought two Costco Pizzas (it was on sale) and some fruit and met up with Liz and Austin at Jessica/Juan's place for dinner and a ballgame. The HEAT smoked the OKC (very sad game).
Friday, Mr. Ralph, Ben and I went to the Salt Lake Temple for a session. It was very beautiful and inspiring. Then we had lunch with Lon Chesley, the temple engineer and he talked about the projects they were working on inside the temple. It was pretty amazing. Ben met up with his dance partner, Kynistan and we took her to lunch too.

We made it back to Provo by 4:00 pm, Jessica had taken Samuel swimming and they seemed to have had a good time. (Samuel was able to sneek into the lobby by the pool and try out the cookies that were available - that was fun for him). That night everyone was busy except Juan and Jessica so we took them to dinner and had a nice chat. Ben spent much of his "off" time with Carli Treu and her family so we didn't see too much of him after we got back to Provo.

Saturday was busy trying to get all the last minute things done. Susan and her youngest two children, Josiah and Kimball, along with Bill, Susan's friend, drove all night and arrived at 5:00 in the morning. They came by early that morning and we had breakfast at Juan's place. Then we went back to the duplex and Ben worked on the Explorer for Jessica and Mr. Ralph got new tires on Sarah's car (she was surprised when it didn't shake anymore after that). We managed to clean out the trunk of Sarah's car (she hadn't unpacked her stuff from her move of seven months prior).
We went to Elizabeth's house and took pictures and then to Jessica/Juan's place for games. That was very fun. It was the men against the women - you know who won!  ;-)

Sunday was church in Springville with everyone and then we divided up to head our different ways home. It was sooooo nice but we missed Jon and Jenna and their kids - but we'll see them in August.
Stay tuned.

Coming up on Christmas 2011

Everyone keeps asking if our children are coming home for Christmas. I say, "all but one". I can't believe that they will be here and I wish Susan and Dave could be here with their kids. It would be soooooo nice to have everyone together.
Liz and the boys are coming early to "help" me out. Sarah is coming later to "help" Susan and Dave out. Jon and Jenna and Katelyn and Nathan, Ben, Austin and finally Jessica will be coming home. YEAH. Christmas will be different this year as it is Sunday and I am in charge of the Christmas Sacrament Meeting Program coming off with the choir. I felt good about it and got it approved by the bishops so it is a go for right now.
I'll try to get everything done before family arrives so I can enjoy the holidays and strengthen family ties. Remembering our Savior and why he came to earth, makes family all that much sweeter.

Physical Fitness Challenge

Hi Family,
Well, I spoke with Susan yesterday and we've lamented that we are the only ones who are not working on getting physically fit. So, I challenged her to the "help each other" method and she said that I should post it on my blog. Here goes! I have found that checking in with someone is beneficial. Susan would like to use the Weight Watchers methods. I know that it's a great program. I have all the stuff for WW. I also would like to add that there are several websites on weight lose that may be helpful. Here's just a sample: http://www.freedieting.com/ Also our insurance company - Regence Blueshield has a wonderful interactive program.
I do know that physical health is a spiritual battle for me. It's overcoming the natural man. I really enjoy food - it's nice that this is fast Sunday so I can start this out right. Yesterday I walked the dog for 40 min. It was going to be more but they were having a race at the Soos Creek Trail when we got there, so we walked around Lake Meridian. After coming home Rebekah and I worked in her garden, clearing out old plants and rocks. Then in the evening your dad and I dug up grass and weeds from the new raspberry arbor and put down compost. I'm very excited about putting in the raspberries. Needless to say, this morning I am pretty stiff and sore, but my weight is down!
If you would like to share some of your methods for getting fit and staying that way - I'd love to hear them. Also any challenges that you face during this process may help others realize that they are not alone. Let's help each other be the best we can be!
LOVE YOU!!!!!

We're working on our food storage and I found a nice little food storage calculator. Try this blog site. It's pretty nice! http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/03/09/long-term-food-storage-calculator/

Hopefully, everyone is recovered financially from Christmas and starting the new year with a determination to get or stay out of debt. Also, there is plenty of work to do on relationships and physical fitness - Oh, where to start. We are inventoring all the food storage we have in our house. That's the best way to start becoming self-reliant - figure out where you are now and where you want to be. Rebekah is in charge of getting the inventory list done. I'm in charge of preparing the list of things we need (menus and lists of supplies that go with them). Everyone will be working toward getting the basics on hand.
As to physical fitness, Ben is taking two PE classes (weight training and fitness and health) and he is also being challenged in Dance to chart his aerobic activity every week. Stephen continues to run at least three times per week and I'm trying to locate an exercise bike so I can start getting in better shape. We are trying to utilize our food storage to eat healthy homemade foods. It's been a challenge but I know it will be worth it.
Hopefully, everyone is also working on the most important aspects of our lives here in mortality and that's those precious relationships that are eternal. I'm reading the Love Dare book that I gave to all the couples. I hope that you are doing something in your relationships also on a daily basis. Start with the most important - that's your spouse, then reach out to your children and other family members. Finally, we all need to become Christ-like with all of God's children (I know I'm not even close on this one but I'm working on it).
Well, I've rattled on. I hope to have more concrete info in the future.
Love, momma Ralph

Giving thanks

Ok, Here's a quick blog to let you know what I'm doing with my Bear den. This month we're going to focus on the scout motto of "do a good turn daily" and record the boy's good deeds. We're going to fill a jar with buttons and record the good deeds on a calendar. The plan is to send both to Pres. Monson for Christmas. A monthful of good deeds by about 18 boys should be Lots!
What kind of ideas do you have for the month of Thanksgiving? Are you remembering your family members near and far? Try to do a kind deed everyday for a family member and see how our family bonds are strengthened and our love for family grows. Give me your feedback!
Love you all!