Roseburg RS Enrichment Interest Group

Music

Guaranteed to get your toe a'tapping. If you have a moment or two click to hear Danzon No. 2, by Arturo Marquez. My favorite part begins with the short piano solo in the middle and the following couple of minutes. You'll know when you get there. The next musical post is going to be me playing the solos in this piece on tin whistle and piano, oh I do love it so! The story behind the orchestra performing, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra , is an inspirational one. Check it out.

Harriet Potter

Harriet Potter. That's what my kids have been calling me today because of my stupid glasses.

Also, we've had a breakthrough! Today at lunch William was saying the prayer. He said "I'm thankful for Jimmy" four times! Let me back up. This William has never quite forgiven his little brother for being born. He has never acknowledged him in a prayer until today! Most prayers go something like this:

Will begins prayer with a list of 'please help's.

I prompt him with a whispered: "And I thank thee for..."

Will, sassy look at me: "Okay, Mom!" [Then proceeds with] "Thank you for Dad, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Seamus, and Mom, and..."

Me, whispering: "Don't forget James."

Will, annoyed: "Don't interrupt, Mom! And Clara."

Me: "Don't forget James."

Will, fully irritated now: "But I'm not thankful for Jimmy, so I'm not gonna say it!"

It's about this time he gets sent away for being mean to his little brother...again.

It was starting to be a problem, so I instituted a new plan. Will gets to help James with everything. Everything. When shoes need to be put on, Will helps James find them. When we sit at the table Will is put next to James. If James is crying, Will comes with me to comfort him, etc. I was trying to apply the principle that service produces love. It was a stretch, I know, and I was wondering if it was the right approach, but today at lunch that question was answered. As usual he went around the table thanking the Lord for everybody, but this time he included his little brother. I cheered right in the middle of the prayer, "Yay, you did it! You said thank you for James!" He thought it was fun, so he did it again, and then we all cheered. So he did it again, and everybody laughed. So did it again, and I told him to knock it off and keep going with his prayer. After all, how could you not be thankful for little Jimmy? He's as sweet as they come!

Okay, back to studying. That's what I'm supposed to have been doing this whole time. Can you tell I'm ultra-bored? Three posts in one day? Sheesh!!

It's Official!

Michael's new associate is officially here and running. Last night we had the official open house at M's office welcoming Dr. Townsend and his family. Michael has officially scheduled himself a four-day weekend twice monthly-ish, and I am officially allowing myself to hope that all the strain and stress, the heartache and headache of the last decade will finally yield the dividends that we were betting on. At the risk of sounding exclusive or overly personal, very few can really understand the hardships of this little trail we've explored. I have been asked many times if I would do it again. I generally just laugh and minimize it--the asker wouldn't understand the answer anyway, so why open the heart to a wall? It would just sound like whining, and I don't whine. But, I don't know. Would you try bungee jumping again after having the bungee break on you the first time? You survived, didn't you? Ask me later when my growing pains don't smart so much. I have no idea how Michael would respond to that question. All I know is he smiled when he mentioned that he was going to have his receptionist block out next Friday for no reason other than spending a longer weekend with his family, and that I've been fielding fewer and fewer questions from the kids about what day dad's going to be home. I think it's safe to say things are going to be okay. It's official.

Various Nonsense

Stinks when you scratch an itch with a pen in a dark car only to find when the lights go on that the pen was out! Nice legs, Jake.

For Grandpa Mikkelsen, a true Isaac art connoisseur, as in one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties, here is an old Isaac piece recently pulled from the archives. It is called "The Alien, pen on paper with tape and yarn," created when he was about four years old. (Note: The left foot which can't be seen looks rather like a club foot, and the yarn tail is at least four feet long.)

And for all grandparents near and far, here's a little video of Audrey at 1 month. Sorry, it's a little close so the lense is doing strange things to her nose--she was sitting on my lap.

Charming little mite, isn't she?

Glasses

My eyes were closed and I was enjoying the soft sounds of sleeping Audrey next to me, the morning sunshine spilling into the window, peace after a rugged night. I smiled to myself when I heard the door open and soft little footsteps come toward my bed and a baby James hand pulling on my pillow to hoist himself into bed. I felt him rub Beedee Audie on the head, then his stuffed mouse give me a kiss. I heard the rustling of papers and books on the night stand (I fell asleep studying), then a small cracking sound, then my glasses placed gently on my face and James's sweet voice whisper a conclusive, "Nice."

Then he put the dismembered piece on my forehead and the moment vanished! Now I have to make an appointment, get a new prescription, go glasses hunting, which is akin to bra/jeans/swimming suit shopping, either take six kids with me or find babysitters (both equally obnoxious), and do it all ASAP because I can't wear contacts at the moment. Pollyanna would point out that I can read in bed comfortably on my right side now. I really liked those glasses.

And P. S., we got Seamus a girlfriend.

Just kidding, but this picture was way too alarming to pass up. Don't think the poor eunich wouldn't care much if we did find him a girl. However, let this be a lesson to us all: No matter how ugly your frau is, it could be worse.

Sorry, folks. Sleep deprivation is hitting me hard today!

William's 4!

Wowsers, as Michael would say! Where has the time gone. Only yesterday, okay, maybe last month, Michael and I were speeding up the bumpy freeway with construction everywhere toward Allen, TX, with me panicking that I might have this baby in the car. He was not born in the car, but exactly where he was supposed to be born. Below Will is 2 or 3 hours old. And so has gone the life of this young lad, who can't stand an exception to the rule. He is a boy who knows where he's been and where he's going. And, might I add, he has quite an eye for style... Here he is wearing the stickers contained in the birthday card from his Primary teacher. He assured me this was how they were meant to be worn. (Oh yeah, and old Easter eggs on his cheeks. Don't ask me...)

William requested to be called "King Wilhelm" for the day, "because it sounds more kingly," he said.

Here Will lovingly holds the precious Superman card his daddy picked out for him.

Sporting his new floaty.

He opted out of wearing the birthday crown. Instead, he decided to simply wrap streamers around his head. "That's plenty, Mom."

Below is the sign that Isaac transcribed for Will in an effort to protect his newly acquired birthday goods. Too bad James, who is the worst offender, is exempt from this warning since--sorry William--it's his room too. For everyone else, watch it!

Happy 4th Birthday, William. Enjoy it because your folks aren't going to let you turn 5!

P. S. And I'm happy to report that Will was in such good spirits the whole day that nobody was uninvited to his birthday--though he did threaten it a few times.

Special Sunday

On the 7th a horde of family emerged from the various wilds of Oregon to join us for a very special Sunday. In the morning several people showed up at the house to do anything that needed to be done (was the ox in the mire? Always!) while Michael and I were upstairs preparing ourselves and a half-dozen other people for church. Later we filled at least a quarter of the chapel with Allens and Mikkelsens alone. It was impressive and the support was touching. Michael blessed our baby Audrey with Grandpa Mikkelsen and all her uncles. It was a tender moment. I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing baby blessings. (I had to throw in this one of her fussing. She's so cute when she cries--like a little froggy.)

Afterwards we all came home to enjoy the superior company (if I do say so myself) and to eat a picnic taco salad lunch and pre-celebrate Isaac's baptism. Thank you, all my sisters, for doing EVERYTHING! In the evening, we headed back to the church to participate in the climactic event. It was a wonderful service. Talks were insightful and interesting for everyone (Dad, we've had several references to the dog who obeyed his master. They listened! Nick, the light still works...) and the music was beautiful. Isaac seemed to take quite seriously, at least his version of serious, the promises he was making. I was happy that he had such a rich experience.

Friends and family filled the Primary room.

Grandpa and Auntie Rivka are always hits!

The Mikkelsen girls, and Scarlett. The aunts (including Auntie Alison and Annalea who are not shown here) sang a song for Isaac about baptism.

We were able to take a rare family picture of the entire Mikkelsen family to send to the missing brothers Pietr and Adam who are in Taiwan on missions.

All in all it was a beautiful day. We love our extended family. We are grateful every time we are with them that we could be so blessed with those associations, both on the Allen and Mikkelsen sides. They are wonderful examples of how to be good and live happy lives.

And, our first complete Allen family photo (soon to be replaced by one with a more svelte, less post-partum mother, hopefully. Give me a few months!).Most of all we're thankful for our little family, the various personalities and strong little people that have been sent to our home. It is an overwhelming responsibility sometimes, but we are confident that we're not alone in this pursuit of real happiness and righteousness.

My Postpartum Thoughts Exactly

Faith

Michael was gone at stake meetings this evening so, because I had to, I took all 6 kids to Isaac's baseball game. Within the first half-hour ominous black clouds rolled over Mount Nebo, rain began to spatter, and the wind whipped up dirt devils on the field. After a few minutes the lightning came, and games around us were being called due to the weather. The rain fell harder and harder and I took all my kids into the dugout. I told Jacob to keep watch while I went to get the car. In the minute it took me to get there the storm had turned violent, and I was completely drenched and water was running over my sandals. Isaac's kind coach handed me children over the fence and we joined the gridlock of cars trying to get out of the park. All of the kids were alarmed at the severity of the storm and, in response to Isaac's suggestion, I had to reassure them that Heavenly Father gave us a rainbow and a promise after Noah's flood, so I was pretty sure this wasn't going to end up like that.

Little William wasn't convinced. As soon as we got home he stripped (per instructions), then went and kneeled behind the couch by himself and said a prayer. He said the rain and thunder were scaring him and he was afraid of a flood, so to please stop the rain and let the sun come out. Remarkably, within a few minutes the rain tapered to a sprinkle, the wind nearly stopped and a weak sun poked through the clouds. Clara, who had put her swimming suit on and immediately went back out to play in the rain, came in with a disappointed written all over her face. But William looked mildly triumphant. Prayer answered, faith rewarded.

Thank you for your sweet gift, Auntie Bethany. I'm pretty sure she loves it.

Audrey and Isaac

For Grandmas and Grandpas who haven't seen the gem yet. Here she is at exactly 1 week...

We are enjoying this little girl more than I can say. What a nice addition she is to our family already. We will be blessing her this Sunday, then having Isaac's baptism in the afternoon. For all friends and family available, you are welcome to join us for these two special events.

And speaking of Isaac... Here are a few little anecdotes about our freshly turned eight-years-old boy. This kid is in love with animals, bugs and pets of all kinds. His latest run turned into quite an inconvenience, so I had to ban all pets (except Seamus, of course) for a time to give myself a breather.

It started with honey bee collecting. For a couple of days Isaac's, Clara's and Will's every spare minute was spent catching bees. (Will would catch them with his hands and never was stung. Don't know how he did it!) The kicker came when they were adding some to their bottle and accidentally let out about 20 bees in the house. They spent a long time trying to catch them again, and we've been finding bees everywhere. Honey producing project over.

So they moved on to newts. Michael taught Isaac the art of newt catching: Thoroughly soak the ground around the outside garbage can, leave it for a day or so, then move the can quickly and there you will find the prize. (I think they're newts anyway. Crying shame that I don't know for sure.) Anyway, Isaac caught about 4 of them. One had gotten "smeared" a little when they moved the gargabe can, so he had some guts showing. Isaac excitedly came and told me he had fixed the one with the guts problem. "What do you mean 'fixed'?"

"Oh, I just trimmed off the extras that were outside its body!" Problem solved. Needless to say, the fixed newt didn't flourish. It died and stunk, and the newt project was scrubbed.

That evening, as I kissed the boys and put them to bed, I went to open their window and found a piece of strawberry on the sill, pink juice soaking into the paint. "Isaac, do you know anything about this?" With a grin he told me to look closer--the strawberry was food for something. All over the screen wingless little flies were crawling and hopping around. Upon inquiry he said, "Well, I didn't want to have to catch them all over again!" Obviously! Flies were let out to perish on the roof, and a ban was placed on fly catching.

I'm such a wet blanket!

Next came the worst of all. Somewhere (and I really don't want to know where) Isaac found a cache of maggots. I came upon this project a hair too late when I found maggots squirming all over a potted plant on the kitchen windowsill. "ISAAC!!" He said that he had found some worms, and worms are good for plants, so he and Meg had packed as many worms into each of my house plants as they could. They spent the next couple of hours unpotting several plants, cleaning off roots, picking out maggots, then repotting them. Then they decided to go get a couple of chickens to clean up the mess. Maggots gone. Unfortunately, we have had an unusual number of flies in the house the last week or so. Where are they all coming from?

All pets are banned. Maybe as a late birthday gift I'll let him start catching things again. Who knows?