When We're Helping We're Happy

This morning Peter, Emmy and I drove through the drizzle to attend a stake conference broadcast with Mac, Diana and Luke. It was a regional broadcast, so I thought we'd enjoy sitting together as a family even though they are in a different stake. The messages were inspiring. I especially enjoyed Elder Wickman's about finding Zion in California and Elder Merrill's on teaching by the spirit. Luke was so well behaved! Diana got him to sleep early in the meeting. Peter and Emmy were quiet, only up once for a drink of water during the rest hymn and Mac hardly fidgeted at all! Even Mac and Diana's neighbors, Josh, Holly and baby Abby who sat on our row were reverent! Wow!
Rehearsals continue for Emmy's production of Seussical while I'm busy preparing for two school assemblies that will feature excerpt from the show. This is to promote the national Read Across America program. The schools commemorate Dr. Seuss' birthday and encourage the joy of reading by bringing guests in to read and perform for the students. Our theme is: "Readers Help Here There and Everywhere", as all of the guests coming are involved in community service.
In other news, I gave an Art Docent lesson Friday in Emmy's class--it's my twelfth year to serve with this program in one or more of the kid's classrooms. Speaking of volunteerism, Marv is now in his seventh year coaching Peter in basketball. I would have to give some serious thought to how many years he has coached in one sport or another. He was about ready to hang up his sneakers due to his team's lackluster season, but the boys took the floor with a passion Friday night and blew the other team away. Peter played an amazing game, but was sorry to bump heads with a boy from the other team who got the worst of it. Peter was very sportsman-like and patted his shoulder until he felt better. The victory puts them in position to play for the championship next Saturday morning.

I Heart Valentine's Day

I appreciate holidays, not only for the fun they bring, but for the deeper meanings they are associated with. You cannot go wrong with a holiday that is all about love. A lot of people enjoy that stretch when Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's follow one after another, but for me, the special days that come next--my birthday and Valentine's Day, give me something to look forward to during the gray months of the year.
This year some of my Valentine traditions were repeated, however, I neglected some of my favorites. I'll just have to pick them up next time! In years past, I've given a special "Love One Another" Family Home Evening and gifted each person a book to foster love of reading. This year, I did give out cards and we watched the best movie ever about "twue wove", The Princess Bride. My dad, Jim Page, was not much of a holiday celebrator, but he did consistently bring my mom and I a small box of chocolates every Valentine's Day. Sometimes it was the little Whitman's box, sometimes it was heart shaped. I've not forgotten how special it made me feel. Incidentally, Daddy passed away this time of year on Feb. 10, 1983, so I'm thinking of him. Here are my mom and dad pictured just before my birth in 1961.
I also snagged Marv for a quick dinner for two after his Friday the 13th basketball game with Peter's team. We don't get out very often just the two of us. I'm glad we did it.
Earlier that week, I was able to fly Bryan home for a two day visit the 11th and 12th. It's always a treat to have him around. He pitched in to help with a lot of the neglected home maintenance issues. On his last night home, Diana and Mac joined us for dinner with our long-time friend Jenessa Evans. Bryan and Diana are close in age to Jenessa and carpooled to seminary with her throughout high school--now there's a bonding experience! She has been our neighbor since we moved here in 1994! She just returned from her mission in Milan, Italy and it was great to catch up with her.

Birthday--Special Extended Edition

Since my birthday, I've had many opportunities to continue celebrating. I have been taken to lunch or breakfast by friends Judy Rounds, Monica Rose and Juleen Clift. I was surprised and touched by the arrival of the hard-to-find DVD collection of the Canadian television show "Wind At My Back" from my boys. The Saturday after my birthday, Diana prepared a wonderful pizza fondue dinner and gave me a family photo calendar she made with pictures corresponding to each person's birthday or pictures appropriate to that month's celebration. For example, February has shots of each of the couples in the family--so cute!
One of the most serendipitous birthday celebrations occurred February 5th. Emmy was asked to audition for a non-union movie about a little girl who scares her sister to death (literally) with a doll, so she and I traveled to Southern California. I was skeptical about the quality of the script, but her acting teacher Tina Cole put a positive spin on it, pointing out that it was "classic" material. I jumped on the band wagon, pointing out that just like there are fairy tales, this was a scary tale! Kevin emailed his two cents, advising that Emmy's talent and enthusiasm could outshine the script. Off we went early Thursday morning (2/5) to Southern Cal for a stormy, slightly scary drive. Arriving in the nick of time in the area of the Hollywood Bowl, she did well, but was not cast. From there, we braved traffic on to Anaheim to spend the evening with Kevin and Jackie. Here are the photos from our visit to Jackie's delightful place of employ, Olivia's Dollhouse.






Olivia's is a tea party center, the normal guest age is 3-9, but Jackie has served at some unusual events there, too, like bachlorett parties! Jackie decided to treat us to a tour and honor my birthday. We visited the fabulous dress-up room full of costumes. Jackie typically dresses as Cinderella or Tinkerbell when she hosts parties, but had her stylist's apron on ready to give us up-do's. We saw the gigantic heart shaped table in the garden-like dining room where the girls have tea. There was room after room of collectable porcelain dolls. I kept thinking of the doll horror movie role Emmy had just read for and couldn't help finding irony.
The following day (2/6), we went along with Kevin to a scan and biopsy. The previous week, his car engine had completely gone out on him on the way to an initial scan. I'm not sure he would've told me that he'd found a lump if his car hadn't of broken down. I was grateful the doctors got him right in. I've also felt very blessed that both Jackie and Nathan Mills who's living in Long Beach have been able to help him with transportation. Nathan spent the day with us Friday. He's so nice to Emmy. I really enjoy his company.
So far, his scans have been suspicious. The pathology on the biopsy is abnormal but the doctor said it does not look like a recurrence of lymphoma. We are waiting to hear the results on more scans he will be having this week. Meantime, he was able to sell his old car for scrap metal and bought a used Acura CL that was within his budget. He was able to pay for it himself with money earned working at Time Warner/AOL. Kevin is an amazing young man!