Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year everyone! We have been partying at our house with the youth in the ward tonight and I feel compelled to share a little something.
Auld lang syne means "the times gone past or the good old days." Do any of you 40 somethings remember the fabulous fashion phenomenon...leg warmers? Well, just in time for me to reminisce over the last year an how good 2008 has been...WHAP!-I got sucked into a time vortex and landed in the 80's as my 15 year old came strolling out in this! AHHH! I was wishing they were "times gone past" but then I remembered how much I loved my leg warmers and decided they were "good old days". Yep tonight is all about Auld Lang Syne! Happy 2009.

We're Back!

When live gets overwhelming, something has got to give. The blog was sacrificed.
Over the last 5 weeks we enjoyed the following...
Grandma Joan came to visit for 2 weeks. She was here for Thanksgiving and Preston's birthday. We enjoyed having her here for a long time! Congrats to Donny and Lena on their daughter Cora who was born on the 3rd of December. P's birthday was the 4th. He is 6! We can't even believe it! Then I, T, had my 15th birthday! I have been busy with band lately. I had one parade and 2 concerts. Last, but not least, Christmas! P got Transformers, C got a Littlest Pet Shop house (she pretty much had a Littlest Pet Shop Christmas), A got a pogo stick and laser tag, I got an iPod, Mom/Dad got a new TV, and the whole family got a WII!!! :D We have been playing the Wii like crazy! So be ready when we come to Utah!

What'd Ya Think?

Saw the movie last night. I know you did too. On a scale of Positive, Neutral, or Negative.... tell me what'd ya think?

Parting Words

So she left with a friend tonight to go to a football pep rally and I can feel her growing up and sprouting wings right before my very eyes. This is a good thing. I know. Still hard to let the little bird test her wings sometimes.
Just before she walked out the door with my cell phone in her pocket, full of giggles and excitement I found myself grasping for similar words I heard as a teenager...
"Remember who you are and what you represent. You are a Condie. Represent us well."
I am confident she will.

I'm Thankful for...Family Home Evening!

It's that time again...we shared our Family Home Evening with the missionaries tonight. It was great fun. After our lesson on Article of Faith #11 (we are memorizing all 13 as a family) we made our annual Thanksgiving Turkey (Thankful Theo) with paint swatches from Lowes for feathers. On each color of the paint swatch you can write 1 thing you are thankful for. I love this activity. I love the variation of answers you get when you ask what people are thankful for. Some of tonight's notable answers were snow, flip-flops, mountains, Jesus, temples, family, lights, mail, adversity, cellphones, ipods, teeth, water, candy, piano, high school, The Office, hampsters, and jeans.

AMEN to that!

Who You Rootin' For?

TECH vs. USU

With our Bulldog shirts and Utah State hats, we were excited to see Utah State play down here in Ruston, LA. We didn't know who to root for, so we switched off every quater. I (T) had a lot of fun! I was so excited to see my team play Tech today!

I was the photographer and got a lot of amazing pictures. I had so much fun doing it.

It was FREEZING cold! Mom made us leave after the halftime show because it was so cold! "A" and I were begging to stay but mom still said no :(. It is ok that USU lost 48-35. They did their best. I still had so much fun! Too bad my dad wasn't there.

Mi Hermano

Lucky us! My brother Tony came to visit! It was a fortunate coincidence that he had a class in the surrounding area and had/made the time to hang with the Condies for the last couple nights. Thank you Tony- we loved being with you. What a great guy. I must say that I am blessed to be surrounded by an amazing family on both Curtis' side and mine. I am also fortunate that in the last week I have been able to spend a little quality time with 3/4 of the McIllece Men. FABULOUS!

The kids loved hanging out with him too. He got a lot of attention and the kids were happy to "show off" for him. You are a good man Tony.

All Showered Up

Just got back from a quick but fabulous trip to Utah. It was great to see my mountains again and this trip they had a dusting of snow. That will probably be the extent of my winter.

I made the trip to give Lena and baby girl a baby shower! What a great visit we had. Like I said, we didn't have a large quantity of time but it was definitely quality time. It was great to spend time with friends and family. Can't believe how much Tucker has changed. Cute boy! Fun to be in my mom's beautifully remodeled home and spend time with her...I figure I can sleep when I'm dead.

As for the baby...she is going to be a cutie-her parents are beautiful people. Inside and out.

Thank you everyone for such a great time. Wish we were closer-geographically that is...

Got Gas? (revisited)

When I took this photo it was for a previous post in August. We had just filled the tank for $3.68 a gallon. Currently we are paying $2.13 a gallon and LOVING IT! I am saving hundreds of dollars a month (about $250). Maybe this picture should have tens in the gas tank instead of twenties.
So I ask the question again...where do you live and what are you currently paying for a gallon of gas?

Ordained

'A' was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday. I am really pleased that he chose to be ordained and is worthy. I am also pleased that my husband is a worthy priesthood holder. Next week 'A' gets to start passing the sacrament. He's excited. He looks good in his new suit and ties to boot (thanks Grammy Condie)!

Must Be a Recessive Gene

It is a mystery. Her father and I can't even touch our toes with out risking a strain of some sort. Must be a recessive gene. She's been trying the splits for a while now and finally got to the floor today! You Rock Sister!

Righteous Family Traditions

This post should really be titled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY 'A'"!

He is now 12 and will soon be receiving the Aaronic Preisthood. This is a great young man.

I love this picture because Anthony is actually smiling for a picture and because every family member knows how much 'P' likes to blow out candles! My dad would have really appreciated this one!

His birthday, however, has brought to mind a few family traditions I'd like to share...

The Red Plate...given to us a number of years ago by Aunt Amy I believe...We use it on special days (birthdays, mother's day, etc). On the back is recorded the event and date the plate was used. The record dates back to 2000 when 'A' turned 4.

Birthdays always include the following...celebratee gets to choose the birthday dinner and dessert ('A' chose lasagne and a pumpkin pie this year instead of cake), a homemade sign/poster/banner is created by family members and streamers are hung in the doorway, followed by a 'treasure hunt' to find your gifts and treats!

We have also started the tradition where mom and dad take out the birthday child on a date to a (reasonable) restaurant of choice. I like this one because it gives us one-on-one time (actually two-on-one) and gives us a chance to practice good manners and build strong relationships.

We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In our belief system there are a few important birthdays. 8 and 12 are both important ages. When each of my children turned 8 (the year they reach the age of accountability and can choose to be baptized) we have given them their own nice set of scriptures. We now get to start a new tradition. When the boys turn 12 they each get a new suit in preparation for passing the sacrament on Sundays. 'A' is excited to go shopping with mom.

What righteous family traditions do you enjoy?

Can't Wait! Can't Wait! Can't Wait!

Anyone else excited for THE movie?

This is why 'T' is headed to Logan...

Enough said.... :D

Conference Reverence Tent

In this month's Friend magazine they had a FABULOUS suggestion...
In the morning before school the kids and I read scriptures. We have just recently finished reading about King Benjamin in Zarahemla. I love King Benjamin and so did his people.
Mosiah 2:6 reads, "And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which King Benjamin (the prophet) should speak unto them."
We decided to emulate this event by letting the kids pitch their tents facing the TV so that they could also remain in their tents and listen to the God's prophet and apostles speak to us!

Conference Quilters

I love General Conference. Today the girls and I decided to listen to Conference while we dove into a humanitarian opportunity.
After cleaning out the storage room at church a huge laundry basket full of fabric and quilt blocks was discovered. We sewed for about 7 hours today.
We finished 2 quilt tops and have plenty more to do. T is using this for a Personal Progress project.
C made a hat all by herself and learned how to use the sewing machine! It was a very uplifting, productive day!

Tuba or Not Tuba

Yup. That's my boy! Middle school has been a fun new adventure. Part of the adventure is taking band and learning a new instrument. He's the only tuba in the band.
Currently T is playing the piano, P is watching Spongebob, and A is bellowing on the tuba in his bedroom. Just wanted to share some of the wonderful new noises filling my home.

Dag-nabbit! I've been TAGGED!

Who came up with this Tagging idea? Here is the dealio...I am supposed to list 6 quirky things about me and then tag 6 others to do the same. Here-goes.

1. I hate being tagged.
2. Same goes for chain letters sent snail-mail or e.
3. I would rather not eat breakfast.
4. I am OVERLY PARTICULAR about loading my dishwasher.
5. I like getting bills in the mail.
6. I won't attend parties that try to get you to buy things (Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Jewelry, Discovery Toys, Scrapbooking, Usborne Books...you get the idea).

I guess I am just busting out of the box and having my own little protesting party. I AM NOT TAGGING 6 OTHERS. This little tagging gig ends here with me. Grrrrrrr.

A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, "IKE"...

Not again!
I may be a little obsessed with the weather lately. I am looking at Hurricane Ike and in about a week he will most likely be in the gulf-not good. I ask myself, 'Why do people live in places that have a season for natural disasters?' Doesn't make much sense to me. But here we sit waiting for the next letter in the alphabet to pummel us.

On the other hand...As Bishop H. David Burton puts it...
"In 2007 the Church responded to major earthquakes in 5 countries, massive fires in 6 countries, hunger and famine in 18 countries, and flooding and severe storms in 34 countries. In total the Church and its members responded to 170 major events---nearly one every two days for the entire year. It was a busy year with many opportunities to serve."

If I look at the glass half full, I suppose these category 3 &4 A,B,Cs are great opportunities to serve others whose needs are greater than my own.

Whew!

These are common sights in Northern Louisiana. We made it through Gustav just fine. We experienced a lot of rain and high winds. Thankfully we didn't lose any trees in the yard but a few in the neighborhood did. The power was out for 16+ hours and spotty at best once it came back on. It was kind of fun for the kids to light candles throughout the house and have it be so dark and quiet (a rare event for this house). Ruston housed plenty of evacuees from the southern part of LA. Hopefully they can return to minimal damage to their homes as well.
We can expect more rain to already saturated ground. There are flash flood and tornado warnings all around us still-but the worst of the storm has passed and we are breathing a sigh of relief.

Gustav in the Gulf

We are preparing for our first hurricane. It looks pretty ominous to me. Not sure what to expect since a small microburst in Saratoga is the strongest wind I've ever experienced (blowing the trash cans over and toppling backyard playground equipment). Gustav is moving into the gulf and may already be a category 3 hurricane which will do alot more damage that toppling trash cans.

I am thankful to live a bit inland in Ruston. We actually have shelters set up here in town for the evacuees from those along the coastline. Normally (so I am told), by the time it reaches Ruston it is strong wind and rain at much less intensity that when it makes landfall. LET'S HOPE SO!

D&C 38:30 "...if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." We have food storage. We have water. We have 72 hour kits. We have insurance. We have been warned for years to have these things. I hope others have them too.

The Tin Grin is In!

She's only 7 but she's totally wired! 'C' got her expander in today. She sounds like she has marbles in her mouth and she has to relearn to swallow. She also has to wear headgear at night but remarkably she is all smiles! Not sure if she will feel the same way tomorrow night when Mom has to start cranking her expander open and very literally giving her a splitting headache!

Sticky Food Party

'C' gets braces on tomorrow! In honor of the big day we celebrated by having corn-on-the-cob for dinner and a 'Sticky Food Party' afterward. 'C' got to eat all those yummy, sticky things she will have to avoid over the next 18 months! YUM!

I'm a "Ringer"

Last weekend proved it. I'm a "Ringer".

We were able to enjoy the Closing Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was a fabulous ending for an amazing 2 weeks. I admit that I am somewhat sleep deprived because I stayed up until nearly midnight each night to see all that Beijing and US athletes had to offer.

Our whole family enjoyed cheering on Michael Phelps, US gymnasts, USA Basketball, Beach Volleyball, and many others. We were amazed by Bolt from Jamaica. We celebrated every USA victory and we were dissapointed when USA lost no matter what sport we competed in. It was fun to gather as a family to celebrate the human spirit overcoming incredible odds.

We also spent all Sunday afternoon watching The Lord of the Rings (all 3 were on TV but we gave up and put in the DVDs to avoid commercials). This is a huge epic trilogy celebrating the human (and hobbit, elf, dwarf, wizard) spirit overcoming incredible odds. Notice a theme here?!?

So whether it is fantasy or reality...I'm a 'Ringer'!

Please Just Say Goodbye...

This morning has been one of contradictions.

I am going to play the Awesome, Not Awesome game (thanks Amy). Here it goes...



Awesome-P started Kindergarten.
Not Awesome-Ummmmm.......actually, No...that is just plain awesome!

Awesome- C is the best big sister ever- she escorted him lovingly to his room and helped him find his way to his new class.
Not Awesome- He didn't need his mom to do this.





Awesome-P loves in his new class and 'hit the ground runnin'.
Not Awesome-I had to ask him 4 times to just say goodbye.





Awesome-P didn't cry -NO seperation anxiety whatsoever!
Not Awesome- I cried in front of other adults when I left him at school. I think I may have temporary seperation anxiety.

Awesome-I have the house to myself until 3pm! Not sure what I want to do yet...

Not Awesome- there is laundry, mopping, dishes, and many other chores that need to be done and I have the whole house to myself until 3pm.

Slight Detour...

The Lord knows best.

Foolishly I got all excited for the new found freedom that the "Year of Wendy" was about to unleash upon the world. Instead, I was just called to be the Relief Society President of my ward again.

I liken this to going into labor with your second child. Having done it before you know what is about to happen with full awareness. A necessary struggle to achieve a great end. We all love those babies we take home with us. Just like those sweet babies I know I will love serving in this capacity again. These are wonderful people that I get to serve. I will learn alot from them. Instead of having on city block to look after I now have a city (actually plural-cities). It will be a great experience-I'm going to need all the help the Lord will give me.

Thought these traffic signs were ironically applicable!