4H

Feb 10 - We registered Afton for 4H.  A young couple from our old 5th ward is doing a class on raising farm animals and gardening.  She set a goal this year to learn more about gardening so this class was perfect.  She is also excited because I think they are having the kids each raise a lamb that they can show at the fair if they want to.  I was excited because I was hoping that this meant that we could finally get chickens.  She starts that class this week.

March 13 - Afton has been getting ready for her rabbit project. It's going to be Mini Rex rabbits.  She is making plans to build a hutch with her dad.  The kids are keeping him working in the garage!  There is a lot of sawdust building up out there.

March 24 - Afton loves, loves, loves 4H.  She looks forward to playing with the sheep every week.  Dennis took the girls out Friday night and bought materials for a rabbit hutch. All day Saturday we were working on this hutch.  It turned out so nice!!  I think every one did something to help. I have attached two pictures that Dennis took when it was done.   She has made two very good friends with girls in our ward that go to 4H. She is a very friendly and accepting person. One of the moms said to me, I'm so glad that Afton came over to play.  I think the ice is broken with these two quiet girls.  It's been fun having her in our home laughing and playing.

The door latches and tar on the legs were finally finished on Tuesday.  So now we just need bunnies.  Harder than I thought.  I've been trying to find information about raising for show and 4H and you need to buy from a breeder, because it's not just a pet.

While we were working on the hutch, Bonnie found a nice pile of mud to play in.  She was having a blast!

Last Saturday Afton and a friend of hers went out to the animal care facility to practice with their animals.  It was actually very funny to watch. Afton got peed on and McKinzie got bumped in the nose and knocked on her bumb.  They had a blast though, lots of laughing and smiles!  While we were there the local sister missionaries stopped by. One of the sisters is from Africa (I think she said Africa) and had never seen sheep before.  She really wanted to pet one so the girls held one still for her.  It was enjoyable to watch! Lots of good experiences in 4H!  

Watermelon Baby!

Bonnie has been asking for watermelon for a couple weeks now.  I kept telling her that we can eat watermelon when it gets really hot outside in the summer.  We went to Costco the other day and what did they have?  These big beautiful seedless watermelons. I'm cautious of out of season fruit, but because she wanted it so bad, I decided to pick one up. You know what, it was actually very yummy!  I think Bonnie ate 1/3 of it all by herself. What do you know, you can have watermelon in March.

My Birthday

My 39th Bday

My birthday came around again this year. I turned 39 on 03/09.  Funny huh!  It's weird to think that I only have one more year in the fabulous 30's. The kids wanted to give me my presents on Saturday. A beautiful spring bouquet of flowers.  I have loved them.  They are so refreshing! Afton and Dennis picked out this pretty white shirt with beautiful yellow and blue embroidery on it. It matches a couple of my skirts perfectly.

Dennis also took me out to Cafe Rio my absolute favorite place to eat out.  I always get the chicken or pork salad.  The house dressing is so yummy!  And I love having left overs the next day. We did a little window shopping for a new laptop.  I think I know what I want now I just have to find it - at a great price!!

It also happened to be YW New Beginnings on Sunday night and I accompanied a song for the girls to sing.  Here is the link if you want to see a video of the song on the church website.  I think it's fabulous! Come Unto Christ The girls did such a great job that they have asked them to sing it in sacrament meeting. I love playing for them because I get to hear them sing. I've found that no matter what happens at practice they always do such a great job in the end the last practice we had was beautiful.  Good things always happen in YW's. It's pretty great that way.

WWII

I have been fascinated with this time period lately.  I'm not sure why exactly, but I just can't get enough!

I have been watching documentaries, movies, reading books all about different aspects of this war. There are incredible people, Winston Churchill, General Patton, Eisenhower, and President Roosevelt. Others I'm just beginning to discover.

The Ghost Army

• During World War II, a hand-picked group of American GI's undertook a bizarre mission: create a traveling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe, with the German Army as their audience. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used inflatable rubber tanks, sound trucks, and dazzling performance art to bluff the enemy again and again, often right along the front lines. Many of the men picked to carry out these dangerous deception missions were artists. Some went on to become famous, including fashion designer Bill Blass. In their spare time, they painted and sketched their way across Europe, creating a unique and moving visual record of their war. Their secret mission was kept hushed up for nearly 50 years after the war's end.
  - Written by Rick Beyer

A while back Dennis was telling me about this documentary that he watched.  I was fascinated that artists were sought out for this special mission.  It was the first things to open my eyes to art and war.  It would not be the last.

I was reading a biography about Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, and I learned that during WWII he served with a unit that created films for the military.  They were usually instructional videos, but I had no idea this was done.  Another example of artist during war. Then of course all the propaganda posters and things.  for good or bad they were a huge part in the war effort.

The Monument Men

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, the film is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys - seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 - possibly hope to succeed? But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind's greatest achievements. 

Release date: February 7, 2014 (USA)

Director: George Clooney

Running time: 118 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13

Story by: Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter

This movie got me thinking about my exposure.  I am beginning to believe that the more exposure we experience to those things that are uplifting and good in this world the fuller our lives are. I was amazed at the offensive and defensive in motives, and strategy for art during the war. Why was it that the first things to be destroyed when conquering a people was their histories. Very impressive.  I also remembered learning about the spe

The Rape of Europa

"The Rape of Europa" is a documentary about Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring and the Nazi's large-scale theft of European art--and the Allies effort to preserve and return it. In a journey through seven countries, the chronicle takes the audience into the violent whirlwind of fanaticism, greed, and warfare that threatened to wipe out the artistic heritage of Europe. For twelve long years, the Nazis looted and destroyed art on a scale unprecedented in history. But young art professionals, as well as ordinary heroes, from truck drivers to department store clerks, fought back with an extraordinary effort to safeguard, rescue and return the millions of lost, hidden and stolen treasures.

Release date: September 14, 2007 (USA)

The Rape of Europa was really interesting.  I've seen lately how valued artist were, from their secret missions of deception, to the "Monuments Men".  I thought I knew so much about it because, we hear so much about it, but wow!!  I had no idea the Nazi's were "collecting" art.  I had no idea that Hitler studied art himself.  Some of the first things they destroyed when conquering a country was their histories, monuments, architecture, artwork.  Amazing to me.

The King's Speech

After the death of his father King George V and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII, Bertie who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue. After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill, the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.

Release date: September 6, 2010 (USA)

Director: Tom Hooper

Screenplay: David Seidler

Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture

MPAA rating: R, PG-13

I watched "The King's Speech", not realizing that it was rated R.  Which was such a shame because it was a great film. Justifying the rating because it uses the "F" word, albeit as part of his therapy because he doesn't stammer when he swears.  And you kind of know it's coming, so it doesn't feel like swearing really.
 I thought of this quote, from Harry Potter. 
"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well." 
— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7))

I've been interested in seeing the movie Schindlers List for some time now.  It's also rated R for obvious reasons. But I really want to see it to see the good that people do during horrific times.  I think it would be inspiring.

Senior Night

Dennis took the kids to the last BYU home game of the season on Saturday.  I ended up with a migraine so I couldn't go which left one extra ticket so they invited a friend to go with them.  Turns out it was his birthday that day.  How fun is that!  And BYU won!  Everyone had a great time and they even met the BYU cougar "Cosmo" after the game.  I guess they were quite a ways up in the nosebleed section which was pretty bare, so the girls went down a little closer by the railing and stood to watch.  Bonnie had so much fun sliding down the isle rails and then going back to the top and down again. They all had a great night.

Date Night

Dennis and I were able to go on our belated Valentines day date on Friday the 21st. There were actually 8 of us that went out together. In-laws and their spouses. We had dinner at the Lion House first. I had a nice sundried chicken breast, yams and rice and Dennis had the stuffed chicken breast.  It was yummy!

We walked over to the Conference Center Theater and watched the BYU Contemporary Dance group perform "Encounters."  All of it was very impressive.  I'm always amazed at their physical strength. I especially enjoyed the short music video that they put together called "Inner Child". It expressed joy in so many aspects of regular life; a slumber party, in the elevator, at the grocery store, or park or even at the dinosaur museum. It made me want to dance in the isle and in the elevator and to jump on the bed!! It was so fun! 

As I was watching these talented artists I realized that it was truly beautiful! I felt happy and inspired and filled. In fact, the 13th article of faith came directly into my mind. I am so grateful to have these opportunities. 

(Photo from their website)

(Photo from their website)

 One low of the night however.  As we were leaving the underground parking, we started up the little incline to pull out onto the street and . . . we ran out of gas!!  That is the first time that has ever happened to me. A little embarrassing. We were in luck though, because we had family with and they were nice and brought us some gas.
We went out for ice cream at Leatherby's to end our little date night. Dennis even shared an ice cream with me.  He's come such a long way. He would never have done that when we first got married.  He said it was because I stayed on my side of the glass.
It was a great night!!

14 Year old!

This year Jacob turned 14. He wanted to go somewhere "fancy" so we took him to the Olive Garden.  He thought it was special to have Italian sodas with dinner.  He loved the pasta and took his left-overs home with the intent of enjoying it for lunch the next day.  We picked up a couple of T-shirts and a school belt for him as well as a new basketball.  He also wanted a game for the Xbox and tickets to go see the latest Hobbit movie with a friend.   I think it was a good birthday.

Grandpa and Grandma Marker stayed over night so they could come with us to church on Sunday when Jacob was ordained a teacher. It was a very special day for us all.  Jacob has been looking forward to the next level of his teens and responsibilities in the Teachers quorum. I think it's something about moving on that lets you feel older and more responsible. These are such good milestones.  He is such a good young man!