Dodge Ball 2007

A few years ago Derek and a few guys from the hospital started playing dodge ball in the annual dodge ball tournament in Spanish Fork. Originally they just subbed for a couple of players on their friend's family team but since have played on "Team X" made up of the X-ray crew he works with.
Spanish Fork takes their dodge ball pretty seriously, except when it comes to the refereeing, so sometimes it's a little scary to watch but it is fun. It's amazing that grown men (mostly) have such a hard time being honest and obeying rules. I was pleased that Derek managed himself so well!
Here is a picture of the team after they were through. Maybe some of you can actually catch their games on Spanish Fork cable. Derek's sister, Pam, saw a little of last year's game as she was flipping channels!

Very Cool Web Site

Yesterday during Relief Society the teacher told us about a really cool web site that helps you schedule your scripture reading if you have trouble getting to it. It also sends you your daily reading assignment according to the time line you have chosen with the complete text as well as an audio option. This site also has a place where you can journal. I think it is cool (although somewhat pathetic that it takes an email reminder to do something so simple, but it does help those of us who need a little help). I'm going to try it. I actually just set up my own account and it was really easy.

I can't get the link thing to work but here is the site address: www.readthescriptures.com

Michael Anne's 1st Talk

Today Michael Anne gave her first talk in Jr. Primary. When the lady called to ask her to speak I asked Michael to answer the question "Why are you grateful for your membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?" Her talk was composed entirely of her answers to this question and went like this...
"I am thankful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ because I like sharing time, it is so much fun singing. I like to learn about Book of Mormon stories. I am thankful for Jesus because he tells us to go the right way. He's a good boy, He's so helpful and so cute. Sunbeams is fun, you get to talk about Jesus and they are so nice to you. I am thankful that I will be baptized when I am 8 and that our family will be together forever. Church knows what's good for you. Church teaches me how to be a good girl. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen."
She did a fabulous job! We are very proud of our little girl. She loves church and is a good example to us all.
Next week she will participate in the ward primary program by singing and saying "I am trying to be like Jesus by being a really good girl at school." (Which, as many of you know, she has been working really, really hard at. Some may expect a more "churchie" answer like praying or family home evening or reading the scriptures, but like her talk I figured it ought to be heartfelt and real, not made up by mom or dad)
After church I told her that I would write her talk out off of the post-it-notes I wrote it on as she answered the question and put it in her journal for her so that she could show it to her children when they give their first talks. She quickly said to me, "Okay mom, but I will let them say their own words for their talk." I'm glad that she is learning to make the Gospel personal and meaningful to herself even at her young age, otherwise what good is it.
Today was a very good day. I feel very blessed.

"Ahh...bedtime...but I'm not tired!"

Like many children, almost every night Michael Anne fights going to bed at least a little bit. So rather than fight with her we let her read or draw a little after prayers have been said. Last night she told me "but Mom, my body just isn't tired yet!" Here are a few funny pictures of her attempts to stay awake just a little longer.


(By the way, if you are wondering why she's sleeping on a make-shift bed on the floor it is because she likes it there much better than her perfectly good bed upstairs in her very own perfectly good room!)

A Few More Halloween Pictures

Michael Anne's school is amazing! They had a parade on the afternoon of Halloween and then I took Michael up to Daddy's work to trick-or-treat at the hospital. It was pretty fun and she was so cute. She even did her witch cackle for everyone and tried out her favorite line, "Trick or Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat...but don't really smell my feet!" She got really good at this as we went from house to house later that night.