Just thought I would shatre this with you!

2008-2009 Fall Semester

Principles of Accounting A
Intro to Business A
Business Math A
Computer Micro Concepts A

This gives me a 4.0 for the semester and a 3.8 cumulative.

Christmas Thoughts

It seems to me that the main issue at Christmas time should be gratitude. As this season has progressed one thought has weighed heavier and heavier on my mind and heart. I have lately been thinking about how often I have not openly expressed my gratitude. I might have even seemed ungrateful because I have failed to express my gratitude. The more I pondered on this I came to realize that I have often had to gain perspective before I actually realized how much gratitude was owed to others. There is not room enough to givr individual thanks to everyone for all of the things that they have done for me, it will have to suffice to say thank you to all of you that have been so considerate to myself and my family. Thank you for your friendship, for your caring, and for your patience.I am most grateful to the Lord for the gospel and for blessing me with such a wonderful wife and children. I am grateful to my parents for putting up with me and showing love, care, and concern for me. I am grateful to my brothers for their support and encouragement. I am also grateful to my wife's family for their acceptance and encouragement as well. This new year I will endeavour to be more expressive with my gratitude and to be more grateful.

Thank you all
Drew

Double Weights

A double weight afghan is an afghan that is crocheted with two strands of yarn. This is something that Grandma Wilkinson has done for each of her children and grandchildren. They are favorites.

Echo asked me this morning, How come her green double weight afghan was bigger than the other blankets on her bed? one of which was also made for her by Grandma Wilkinson?

I told her she did not have a green double weight that one was mine. She disagreed with me which led to a trip upstairs to look and then a search for all the double wieghts to show echo which one really is hers. She is glad that now her bed will be easier to make, as all the blankets will be the same size.

Here is a picture of all nine of our afgahans.

Picture Tag

The object of the picture tag is to:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder
3) Explain the picture
4) Tag 4 people to do the same
NO CHEATING! (cropping, editing, etc!)

I was doing trying to change the mitchell branch R.S. newsletter titled "The Sego Lily" and so I have a file of pictures of "lilie's" (none of them are of me)(because I spell my name different). This is the fourth one.

Stormy Sunday

Well, today when It was time to get up, Tom and I got up, went down stairs and looked out the front door. (Our windows are all covered with frost.) and when we couldn't see the fence across the street we decided that we were not going to church. And then we went back to bed. A little while later, our Branch President called and agreed with our decision. Then he told Tom that he and Jim had permission to serve the sacrament to our family at home.

We held church, with songs, prayers a talk, and the sacrament. How blessed we are to have the priesthood in our home. It was very touching the first time I watched my son pass the sacrament and there have been a couple of times(especially since moving to our little branch)where Tom and Jim have both passed the sacrament. How neat it was to have Jim and Tom serve the sacrament to our family in our home. I am so blessed.

There was a bit of snow in our area more in others. But there was a huge wind. The temp was not above zero I think we had -3 as a high and with the windchill it was -35. it is interesting to look in our drive way, in parts it is so windswept we can see the blades of grass, and in other parts we have 3 foot drifts. maybe when the kids get home from school I will go out to take some pictures.

With the storm. The interstate was closed in parts of South Dakota, and they advised people to stay home and off of the secondary roads. I decided that if I didn't go to church, then I should not go to work, so I called off, I was only one of many.

School was postponed to a 10:00 start in Emery, and a 10:15 start at Mitchell Tech. I only have one class after 10 on mondays and I emailed my teacher in that class to tell her that I was not driving in for one class, she is a good teacher and will understand.

This storm has made me stop and wonder if my car has everything in it incase I am stuck in a storm. I have blankets, extra hats and gloves. a scarf or two, granola bars, and chocolate bars. I am thinking I need to get a couple of solar blankets and start carrying water with me when I leave the house, I can't just leave it in the car, or it will freeeze and then what good is it. Maybe get a couple of those hand and foot warmers.

Seminary

Last year when we moved to South Dakota, I was asked to be Jims seminary teacher. I was rather overwhelmed with trying to get my family settled and starting a new school for me and the kids. so we didn't get started on the second semester of the Old Testament till the end of July. We needed to finish it, so jim can get a full four year certificate from seminary. Also I wanted Jim to get that knowledge. We finished the Old Testament today. We are about a semester behind the rest of the stake, (even the whole church) But on Monday we will start the New Testament.

To celebrate, we had icecream floats. Jim thought it was neat that he didn't have to wait in line to get his float. Though he was assigned to fix them for the whole class and the teacher, Oh yeah, that is just the two of us, student and teacher.

I am looking forward to the New Testament.

I discovered years ago, that my week went better if I went to church on sundays. It has been interesting to watch this reflect into my life now as a seminary teacher. My whole day goes better and I am more alert in school, and do better on tests if I have seminary.

With only one student it is much easier to stay focused and we can cover more per class than your customary seminary class. I am hoping to be done with the new testament in June.

Lillie

Pie Quiz

I didn't agree with all of the answer options but here ar my results:

You Are Lemon Meringue Pie

You're the perfect combo of sassy and sweet. You always know how to brighten someone's mood, but you're not overly sappy. In fact, you can be a bit too honest at times. And most people find that refreshing. While you're always true to yourself, you keep things light. That's how people are able to stomach your slightly bitter outlook. Those who like you have well refined tastes. You're complicated - and let's face it - a true enigma. You enjoy defying expectations, and there are many layers to your personality. There's not one easy way to define you.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Is this Lillie or Drew

Pheasant Fest

Yes it is probably time for an update. This last weekend we had a couple of friends from Springfield come up to hunt pheasants, which, by the way, are not the same as peasants. They treated Jim and I to a guided hunt on private property. A fun day was had by all. As you can see by the picture Jim got his first bird. He also got his second. I did not get any as I was acting as blocker. The blocker stands at the end of the field that the other hunters are walking through in hopes that that the blocker will frighten birds that are running on the ground to fly up toward the walking hunters. You don't get quite as many shooting opportunities when blocking. I made up for it in volume of shooting, I was the fastest with a follow-up shot, and another, and another, well you get the point. We still have another month or so in which we can hunt. I sure do hope that my family decides that they like pheasant.

Good Day

Today was the first time that I have taught a college class as Dr. Wilkinson. I have given presentations and have even stood in for a professor as their assisstant. This class was a multidisciplinary class taught by a math professor and a physics professor and it is about the search for truth. I was asked to guest lecture on the subject of intellicence, I guess you don't have to have it just know how it is measured. Class went really well and on the way out we ran into the president of the university. After the professors that I was with introduced us the president asked me to get my vitae to the provost so that they could offer me a job teaching at the university. Needless to say I was quite excited. I sent a copy of my vitae today and now I just have to wait and see.

Lillie's List

THis list is going around the family blogs. Feel free to participate. This is Lillie's list, Tom's is below. I have done all the things on this list that are in bold, but none of the regular print things.
You can participate by copying the list to your blog and bolding the items you have done in your life.
I think that many of the things you haven't done are as telling as the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (half)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (for someone else)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

My list

This list is going around the family blogs. Feel free to participate. This is my list, my wife may post hers later.
I have done all the things on this list that are in bold, but none of the regular print things.
You can participate by copying the list to your blog and bolding the items you have done in your life.
I think that many of the things you haven't done are as telling as the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (half)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (for someone else)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Snow

Well last friday we got our first snow, it was bad enough that I did not go to school, for about 12 hours the interstate was closed from Mitchell west to the Wyoming border, it was open in time for Tom and our neighbor JP to get to work, so they went. The kids still had school. Today school started an hour late, Jim had the News on till it was time for him to go to school hoping they would update with a closed notice, before he had to leave. They have postponed the Veterans Day Concert to Friday, to encourage people (especially some of the older generation) to stay home and stay warm and safe.

For the Veterans day concert, Our band would do it twice, once here and then go to help bridgewater,(the next town over) with theirs since our two high schools have band together.

I want to say THANKYOU!!!!!!!!! to our soldiers (and their families) for all that you are doing and have given for our country.

We are out of the football playoffs, it was a tight game and we are proud of our team for how well they played. Jim says he is going to focus on school work instead of trying out for basketball.

In the mail yesterday was the envelope we have been waiting for, for Toms licensure, now he can schedule his test. Thankyou for your prayers, please keep them coming.

Doughnuts

Well, my kids are home from trick or treating and they say that Trick or Treating is much better than Trunk or Treating. We did doughnuts on the front porch. and ended up cooking 90 of them. A couple of kids came back for seconds and so did a couple of parents and one grandpa, who said that it reminded him of when he was a kid and went trick or treating. We live on the edge of town, and I think a lot of kids didn't want to come down our street because there are only a couple of houses.

Win!!!!!

The new picture is a picture of A halloween candy man that Katie brought home from school.

The first playoff game was last night, we won 50-0. Jim did not get to play, but the game did not get to halftime. (again with the South Dakota Mercy rule)
Go Seahawkes!!!!!!!

At the branch party last friday night, One of the games played was eating a doughnut off a string. Jim was the fastest at this.

Danny

I am trying again with the picture of Danny among the iris.

Danny

Here is a picture of danny sitting between some of the iris we planted one day. Mikey, Danny and I had a lot of fun with this.

Broken Butt?

Jim was coming down to the last football game of the season and he BROKE HIS BUTT. Well not really, its just a bruised tail bone. But did he hurt it playing football so he can someday in the future claim "an old football injury"? No, he was racing to answer the phone and as he stepped from carpet to linoleum, and turned to pick up the phone, (at top speed), he slipped and landed on his backside, we all laughed and gave his some ibuprofin and a rice bag for the future pain. but the next morning he hurt to move, we kept him on tylenol and ibuprofin for the next week before taking him to the dr. who had xrays done, she said it is not broken simply very bruised and to take it easy and stay on ibuprofin and get a donut to sit on. Its up to jim whether he takes the donut to school or not, but definitely use it at home. Be careful at football.

So now his coach has said to work hard but to stop in practice when it starts to hurt, because he doesn't want Jim to still hurt next year.

The last game was thursday, we lost 50-8. Jim did not get to play. Which is ok because Jim has a broken butt.

Echos quote

Echo was given an assignment to find two quotes that describe her, she picked these two:

Reading is ... the roual road to intellectual eminence... Truly godd books are more than mines to those who can understand them. They are the breathings of the great souls of past times. Genius is not embalmed in them, but lives in them perpetually.
William Ellery Channing

and

You may have tangible wealth untold;, Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be---I had a mother who read to me.
Strickland Gillilian

I thought I would share these with you.

The game

We Won!!!!

42-24

Homecoming

The homecoming game is tonite.
So the homecoming parade was this afternoon. One of the fun things about living in a small town is that when you have a homecoming parade, the parade goes by twice. Once going and then it circles around and comes by again. This is extremely helpful if mom did not turn on the camera the first time and missed a picture. even after the teacher stops the class, gets your childs attention and waits for you to take the picture. it was also easy to get lots of candy. the float with the bus, was designed by Jims class and I didn't a picture of echos class float. Echo and Jim were not in the parade as their classes designed floats that did not need people. and most of the kids in their classes were in the band. Even the preschool was in the parade as firemen. (the hats on Mikey and Danny).

Personal Progress

I am working on my personal progress and I am supposed to ask some mothers that I admire, What they think some important attributes for being a mother are. I would like to ask any women for their opinion. Thank you!


(Carolyn) Carie Wilkinson

Mercy....

So I learned some new things about football today.

1. When one team is ahead by 45 points they stop stopping the clock. (for timeouts and such). They did this today during Jims game when the score was 51-6
at half time.

The third quarter was actually 12 minutes long, WoW.

2. When that team is ahead by 50 points, they stop the clock and call it a game.
They did this today when their was four Minutes left in the game.

Go Seahawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 57-6 WHOOOOOOO

This is called a Mercy Win or some such thing. Some of the terms I heard were Mercy
Smashing and Mercy Killing.

Jim got put in with 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, and played the next six minutes till the end of the game. The coach called him over at one point to tell him "You got good contact, now drive the feet."

Now Jim says he feels "DANGEROUS"

Go Jim.

This week

Now on to this week. Thomas, Finally, got official word that his application for licensure was approved and he is elligible to sit for the EPPP (the national exam). Now he just has to wait to receive the information in the mail to schedule his test, which he will probably take in December. If he passes that with a score of 500 or more he will then be scheduled to sit for his oral boards in late January or early February.

Jim will be playing the school that we thought he would be going to in football today. All of the rest of the kids are excited about homecomming week next week and are helping make floats for our tiny little parade. They are also happy about getting Monday out of school as it is Native American day in South Dakota. They are also very excited about Halloween, and it is very annoying to me. I guess Thomas has rubbed off on me a little bit. I guess I have rubbed off on him too because for the first time he seems to be getting a little excited about it too. I love living in our small town because this year I get to carry on a hugo family tradition of making donuts on Halloween.

last week

Wow, I was supposed to do this a week ago.

Jim won his game last friday 48-8. Go Jim!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Monday we were getting ready for dinner when someone knocked at our door. (this is a rare happening at our house). It was Cousin Barbara and Uncle Mike. (this is kinda funny because actually Mike is cousins with Tom's dad, -but we call him Uncle Mike- and his wife we call cousin Barbara, It would make more sense to call them both Aunt and Uncle because of the generation difference or maybe have them become honorary Grandparents). They have visited us every year or two since we "found them" on a family history chat board. We all love visiting with them. It was a short visit this time, only about an hour. But cousin Barb took pictures which she will share with grandma Carolyn, and we will look forward to visiting again, maybe someday, we will get to visit them in Colorado.

My Mom thinned out her Iris bed, last week, and sent us some iris for our yard. Danny, Mikey and I planted them yesterday. It was fun.

Thangles

Way back when we lived in Missouri, I was part of a couple of quilt groups at my local store, Merrilee we quilt, One of them was a purple thangle quilt, I did not like to do them one month at a time, so I would wait till I had two or three months worth (sometimes more) and then I would sit down and cut and sew them. Well, I spent the morning cutting and pinning the thangles. (For those who have not seen them thangles are strips of paper with solid and dotted lines, that you pin your fabric to. A light and a dark strip, and then you sew on the dotted lines, and cut on the solid lines, and then when you are finished you have what is called a halfsquare triangle or a square made up of two triangles.) I still need to sew and then cut some more. but the pinning and initial cutting are the hardest part to get done.

I have been more stressed this semester, and Thomas has suggested that I take some time for myself doing something not related to school. I am hoping to make thursday my quilting day, but we will have to see.

WE WON!

Just to let you know,

Jims football team won their game against Parker last night, the score: 48-22.

GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!!!! It was Parkers homecoming.

Jim got to play for his 30 seconds. He says during the Varsity games that is what he gets. He gets more than that during the JV games.

His coach says he is learning the game fast.

GO JIM!!!!!!!!!

License to Drive

Jim and I went to the DMV today. After driving back home to get his birth certificate and after filling out the paperwork, and having his picture taken, Jim is now licensed to drive.

For the next 90 days he can only drive with an adult 18 or over with him. (who has had their license for at least a year). If it is after 10 P.M. It must be a parent.

If he goes back after 90 days and before June 5, 2009, then he does not have to take another test. ( the ones he took in drivers ed. are enough). Then he will get his regular license.

His 90 days are up the week of Christmas, so he might have to wait till after Christmas, but what a Christmas present!

P.S. He won't be 16 till June 20009

Smelly

O.K., so last week when I was sick, I asked Mikey to put a rice bag in the microwave for me for one minute. (on our microwave this means you put it in and push start). A
little while later I started to smell something burning. As I walked into the kitchen, the microwave beeped. Since I was not feeling well, I have no idea how long it was in the microwave, but the fabric had burn spots, and we had to throw it away.
The problem:
Now whenever we use the microwave we get the same nasty burnt smell.
The Fix?
Does anyone have an idea for getting rid of this smell, buying a new microwave is way not in the budget.
Lillie

Ha Ha! I'm not gonna put a title on this one either! (oops)

thanks for all of the celebration. Let's see if anybody else can pay more attention than my wife, who loves me dearly, but doesn't always listen. My application is complete and all that is left to do is get it through the education review. After that they will send me a letter saying I can schedule my tests. There are 3 of them the EPPP (national certification test), jurisprudence (ethics and state law regarding the profession), and state oral boards. If I pass all of these tests they will then offer me the opportunity to pay for a license. Please keep praying and I will prepare well, which by the way also includes much prayer, and before long I'll be licensed. Hopefully before the end of the year.

I was sick on Friday and missed school, which included missing a test in math. I had to go in on Tuesday, ( I don't usually have to drive into mitchell on Tuesdays.), to take the missed test. My teacher had also given me a wrong score on one of my homework assignments which I talked to her about today. I just checked her online gradebook, and found that she had corrected my wrong score and posted that I got 57 out of 60 on the missed test. I am now getting 86.5% in my math class this takes me from a solid C to a solid B. the chapter we are covering now is about paychecks (I am much more secure in this) so hopefully I will keep the B for a while, Maybe even the whole semester?
Lillie

BIG WEEK

This is a big week for our family.

Most importantly for the whole family is that Toms licensure application was approved, the letter is on its way to us, and then he can schedule his test.

Then for the little boys, on monday they received their b-day present from Nana and Poppie. Geotrax from fisher-price. For those of you who dont know this is a really cool train set that entertains kids of all ages. danny (age 3) loves it, he can take it off the track and the remote still controls the cars, Mikey (age5)likes trying to build new shapes with the tracks, which are really easy to put together. Poppie( age : grandfather to a 15 year old , and many younger) likes it because he can play with it with all of his grandchildren. Geotrax does take six batteries for each train and Nana shipped the batteries separate from the train, so for the first two days the kids could only build tracks and hand drive the train around it. But the batteries came today in the mail. so now they can play with the remote.

I think I like them better with out the remote. But we all know I don't like noisy toys very much. Maybe they will just have to play in a room they can close the door in.

Lillie

Birthdays

Last night I made cupcakes for the boys to take to preschool. I was going to send some on Monday with Mikey and then some on Friday with Danny, but I was tired sunday night and decided that while I would not always be able to double up. (next year mikey will be in kindergarten). I would while I could, so I sent cupcakes to school today. Jim frosted them this morning. The teachers said thank you.

Tonight Carie and I made suckers. for her to take to school for her birthday. When I looked in my recipe box, I had five different recipe cards for the same finished product, mostly just different sized batches. I thought I had more than one set of sucker molds, apparently I thought wrong. I have one set of 10 gingerbread men. For Caries class of 24, we had to make 3 batches. We made them, pink, purple and blue.

Have I mentioned lately how great it is to live in a town where I can take/send homemade treats?

When we asked mikey what he wanted for his birthday, he said dot soda. ( this is
7-up.) So we gave him that and some M&M's. He loved being able to go to the fridge and take out a soda without asking. He also did a great job of sharing with anyone who asked.

Mikey has several times asked to do things that he was not big enough to do last week, but now he is five. It is a sad day that he is still not big enough. He makes a point of reminding me that now he is five.

I am looking forward to finishing this week of birthdays, we will be finishing it with a branch brunch on sunday, I think we counted seven birthdays in our branch for this month. So there will be lots of birthday cake.

Our Twig

I am excited this week.
when we moved into our branch there were two other families that regularly attended plus a couple of couples and single members. so on a good week we would have about 30 people in church. We recently had another family move into the area. They live 15 miles farther east than we do giving them about a forty mile drive into church each week. Last night for YM/YW. they drove in to our house and then we drove the rest of the way. When I called to invite the mom and younger children to stay at our house during the activity, Shelly was very excited. They have five kids, pretty close to the same ages as some of ours. including a six year old set of twins, one is named Lily. Sunday we had 46 people in church. There was someone on each row in the chapel. I have only seen it that full for branch conference.
I guess the bottom line is that our little "twig" here in S.D. is growing another leaf, and becoming a stronger and bigger branch all the time.

Lillie

This is dedicated to the ones I love

This post is dedicated to all those that I love that are improving their lives.

This is a picture of Echo wearing a shirt that reminded me of a post on Della's blog.



At our house we are all about choosing our own destiny. By the way I think now would be a good time to congratulate Della on completing her first half-marathon. Della you are a good example to my children (wow did you ever think you would hear someone say that about Della?) That last comment is from my husband who loves you too Della.




We already posted that Jim's football team won their first game. Here is a picture of Jim in his snazzy uniform.



I also want to let you know what is new in Tom's life. He has been asked to be a guest lecturer in a physics class at Dakota Wesleyan University. He will be speaking on intelligence. The class is called from blackholes to blackberries.

Birthday wishes

Happy Birthday Mike and Ella. From the Wilkinsons

Football Season is Truly upon Us

Well it's official. Jim got his pads today and has his first football practice tomorrow. Their first game is a week from friday (08/29/08)



Mikel always likes to be like big brother.



Looking forward to an exciting season. (I never thought you could get me to cheer for a Seahawk)Go Jets! J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets!!!

To School

We start school on Tuesday. I know most of my multiplication and most of my division facts. Everyone Dad through Danny will be at school. Jim is playing football. Echo is doing track and field. I am playing basketball.



Jim - Sophmore
Echo - eigth
Carie - sixth
Katie - forth
Janet - secont
Mikel - preschool
Danny - preschool


Carie Wilkinson

Hunter Ed

Jim and Carie went to Hunter Ed. this week. They both passed.

In Utah Hunter Ed is a much smaller thing usually held in the instructors home. with 10-15.

Here it was held at the county fairgrounds in the 4-H building with 57 students, and five instructors.

Tom and I found out who we need to contact to recertify as instructors, (life was to busy in Missouri, but we both miss it).

Jim and Janet

Jim got up early this morning and after eating a good breakfast, and an hour of seminary got on his bike and rode it to, and from mitchell, giving him a 50 mile bike ride. He is now almost done with his cycling merit badge.

Janet finished reading Little House in the Big Woods today. she has been reading it since Nana and Poppie went to DeSmet with us at the beginning of July.

Some interesting things

I forgot to say that Tom has started a fantasy football team in a league with some of the guys from work.

and that Echo is up to date in reading Schlock Mercenary.

Katie has discovered the Readers Digest, a friend was given a subscription and doesn't like to read it so offered it to our house.

summer is almost over

Well since summer is almost over, We are trying to crowd in as many trips to the pool as we can. it closes on the sunday the 17, with me going back to school on monday the 18 and the kids on tuesday the 19.

We went to the pool yesterday and swam in the rain, (no lightning so it was still open)

In the morning, I went to Mitchell to grocery shop, I took Echo with me so she could help in a YW. birthday celebration for one of her leaders. They decorated her door and then had doughnuts. I took Jim and the bike with me and dropped them off at the edge of town so he could do his second 25 mile bike ride for his cycling merit badge. It took him less than 2 1/2 hours.

Last week we went with another family from our branch to family night at the drive-in theater. We got to watch Wally. The little boys had more fun climbing in and out of the car, and around the car than watching the movie. The older kids said it was a very slow and boring movie. I kept waiting for something to happen. The mother of the other family says that they try to go once each summer.

tidbit: there used to be more than 4,000 drive ins in the U.S. now there are less than 400. The one we used to go to as kids is now apartments.

FW: Memories

This is a carry over from Carrie's blog but it sounded intriguing.

For fun!!
Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

This memory could be about anyone in the family.

summer fun

We have been having a fun summer. At least two kids have gone to the pool every day, and on sundays after lunch danny is sad when he gets a no. to the question of "pool now"? The girls all took a session of swimming lessons and are looking forward to taking more next summer. the kids have been having fun riding bikes and playing outside.

I am glad softball is over. I enjoyed the last couple of games a lot more than the first one. Is this because I was figuring out the game. (not having played it since highschool) or because My girls were doing better? I think the girls only lost one game. there were enough girls on the team that for their final game, the coach split them in half and had them play them selves. it was fun to watch.

Jim went to youth conference. It was a quad stake Youth conference in Fargo, N.D. There were 250 youth from the four stakes which included youth from the Souix falls, South Dakota, the pierre District (not technically a stake but quite large.) the Bismark and Fargo North dakota stakes. There were kids from S.D., N.D., Nebraska, Minnesota. Jim says it was lots of fun. he was the only youth from our branch, He met a lot of kids, enjoyed dancing with the girls (especially Treva) and saw a t-shirt he wants that says: I love mormon girls.

We enjoyed both visits from my parents, they stopped by on their way to and from the palmyra pageants. On the way back they had two of my nephews (dellas boys) with them and we took them to the pool. We made pizza for dinner while they were here, Chris seemed surprised that we would MAKE pizza. but no one delivers out of mitchell.

After the kids were all in bed we WII'd with dad, mom just wanted to watch. I like to WII before bed. My favorite is golfing and bowling, there is a cow race that is kinda fun and so is fishing. the three younger girls like to play cooking mama.

Busy Week

Well this has been a very busy week for our family. We finally got pool passes (Thanks to Emery city for their scholarship program). The kids start swimming lessons today, but now back to the past week. Needless to say the children and Lillie have spent considerable time at the pool. All are coping well with their various stages of sunburn. This was also Lillie's first week after finishing her Summer math class (she got an A in college algebra y'all). And I was asked to make chili for the Aurora Plains Academy chili cook-off. I made some good chili and then prayed that I wouldn't win. The winner got the privilege of preparing 10+ gallons for the Mitchell Stampede Rodeo chili cook-off as the APA entry. Well my luck is holding and the Lord may have been trying to teach me to make plans more carefully because I was the lucky winner. My prize was that I got to spend all day Saturday cooking the 80 lbs. of chicken needed for the chili. and Then I spent half the day Sunday putting it together and babysitting it. We had fun but didn't place. My friends from work said that we had the best chili. By the way, I used to keep recipes like this secret but if you're interested in a spicy but not to spicy chicken chili I'll post the recipe. It's really easy to make and everyone that has dared to try it has really liked it, well except me, it's a bit spicy for my taste but I can eat it without problems. I almost forgot for our 16Th anniversary (last Thursday) Lillie took my bike to the shop and had the shifter cable fixed. This posed a problem as the only way to get it home is in her minivan and she and all of the kids were at a Branch activity. Jim begged to be allowed to ride the bike home. There were two main problems with this 1) I haven't ridden my bike yet since it has needed repair the entire time I have owned it (I got it second hand from a friend who is fanatic about bikes, it's a Burley recumbent.) and 2) it was 25 miles to home. Long story short Jim completed the trip in about 2.5 hours which isn't a bad time considering that he has never ridden a recumbent, the longest bike ride he has done in the last 10 months has been 5 miles, and he didn't know how the shifter worked so he did the whole thing in low gear. Just one more thing, By this time next year Jim should be an Eagle scout. He needs 3 merit badges and his project. He is finishing his time for life right now. He lost six months in the move because our Branch is so small that it does not have it's own Scout troop. We worked out a deal with another troop in the stake to enroll our boys (both of them). As counselor to the young men's president I was given the assignment of assistant scoutmaster to the other ward's troop. Well I guess this has gone on long enough we'll report the outcomes and post pictures later.

You know you live in a small town when...

You know you live in a small (wonderful) town, when...
the mailman (regie)sees one of the older patrons drive up on his golf cart and then Reggie meets him on the sidewalk with his mail.

way to go reggie

FOOD!!!!

I have experienced two wonderful new foods while in South Dakota and want to share them with you:

Burrito Smores:
Small tortillas
Peanut butter I used creamy, but I think crunchy would be good too.
Mini Marshmellows
Chocolate Chips/ m&m/s work too.
coals

spread some p.b. on the smore- down the middle or half or cover the whole thing, how much p.b. do you like. sprinkle on a hand ful of marshmellows then some choc.
wrap up like a burrito and then wrap in foil. place on coals for 2-3 minutes(not too long or it will burn). Open and eat.

Walking Tacos.: I found this one at the ball park
scissors
A snack size bag of chips, the ball park uses nacho dorritos, at home we also use cool ranch dorritos or fritos.
Taco meat
Cheese
Lettuce
Tomato
Sour Cream
salsa

In your hand smush the chips so that it feels like more bite size bits, turn on side and cut off the side 1/4" of bag, add meat cheese and what ever other toppings you like. serve with a fork. I think an adult serving is two. but this is really good.

propane tank

We have a propane tank in our backyard that holds our propane that heats our house in the winter. One day I saw a bird go in the little hole and after a while it came back out I went over and found a birds nest.

Jims Cake

Jim decorated his birthday cake. And wanted to share it with you.

Softball

Softball

Katie and Janet are playing softball here in Emery. They are doing very good and getting better. Katie likes to take her PINK bat to the games to use. "Power in Pink". Poppie and Nana got to gowith us to two of their games, which was fun.

At the tournament for their age group, they won first place.

Happy birthday Jim!!!!

Jim turned 15 years old today!! he planned for this very carefully, asking to not have to do any chores on his birthday, He wanted to not have dishes or laundry today.
I also gave him extra computer time. He enjoyed finding b-day songs on you-tube, especially weird al's happy birthday. He learned that he shares his birthday with the infamous Schlock, of Schlock Mercenary infame. (though Schlock is only 8 to Jims 15).

Here comes summer

Jim started his Drivers Ed. Driving today. He will go every day this week and then we can take him into the DMV and let him take his test. He would like to get his provisional license before his b-day.

Echo is working hard on her Faith project for YW.

Carie has started babysitting.

Katie and Janet are doing Softball with their first game tonight.

Mikey and Danny are busy playing and being little boys.

Tom and I are busy with school and work. And parenting 7 kids.

Love you all.
Lillie

School's out!!!

I got my final grades for the semester. I have a 3.6 GPA. I was a bit disapointed that the A I earned in math ended up as a P as in Pass/Fail. at least I passed.

I have enjoyed my week off. Playing with the little boys and working on a quilt. There are a lot of things I wanted to get done, however, I will have all summer to get them done and during the summer I will have the help of my children.

Today is my last day off, before my summer math class starts. It is also the last day of school for the kids. They would have been done last friday, but there were too many snow days, so they had to make one up. My math class will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a couple of hours each day, and my teacher wants to be there for longer than that, so we can get out earlier in the summer. It is supposed to go till July 17, so I would really like to get out early. I have talked to her already about missing during Girls Camp, and she was very agreeable.

Work is going good for Tom, We went to the company bonfire, (I think it is an annual thing) there was lots of good food, including smore's. There was a drawing for the adults. I think Each of the kids who are big enough to write put their dad's name in, but they only let him have one prize, katie and I are excited about it. It is a bird feeder. (For her B-day, Tom got her a pair of binoculars and a bird book)( She is very interested in the birds around here). Then they had glow necklaces, bubble swords, and kites for each of the kids.

Now what to do over the summer? Jim would like a summer job, but everyone wants someone 16. We will be spending a lot of time at the pool. Katie and I have been talking and I have assigned her the job of researching the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead in Desmet, SD. to see how much it will cost, and what there is to do there, how long it will take to do it all. Echo has read the books more than once, but Katie is on herfirst time through them.

May 13th Celebration

Happy Birthday Lillie and Chet!!! Lillie - 35 Chet - 38 It seems like he's always out scoring her. Go figure.

Echo Back Through Spring

Months ago I was on the Emery Junior High quizbowl team. I placed fist or second and had a lot of fun. The funny thing is I was only signed up because Mrs. Rayman signed up either her math class or her reading class (Kyle Herrick is in math but not reading).
The other thing is Track and Field. The JH season ended last thursday at the conference meet. My relay team ended up in third place (we beat sombody too!) and in the two hundred I came in second to last in my heat which was awesome (I'm usually dead last).
Echo

Cinco De Mayo!!

Happy 9th birthday Katie!! there is a lot going on here. Katie loves living in a small town where we can make our own cupcakes and take them to school. Echo ran in her second track meet today but we didn't have the opportunity to go. Echo on the other hand just likes running so when she got home she didn't remember how she placed or her times. These are some pictures from her first meet. There are only 2 weeks left of school for the kids and for the college student in the family this is the last week and she will finish her first year. Next post we'll have some pictures of how spring comes to the Dakotas.

Spring and Chili and Camp

Fridays snow was mostly gone by saturday afternoon, and we were able to go to the
2nd annual Mitchell Branch Chili Cookoff. We invited our neighbor J.P. and his little boy Gavin (visitors got to judge). Our family took three different pots. Franks chicken chili with corn. Franks chicken chili w/o corn and a pot of Cowboy Beans. There were ten entries altogether. The sister half of our missionary couple won judges choice. Tom won the hottest, as well as the kids choice, for different pots. which was interesting because the the difference between the two was that one had corn and one did not. Tom now has a new apron and a chefs hat.

Sunday after church, Pres. Smith asked to talk to me, and issued the calling of Girls camp director. We will have three girls going this year. This is the first year that our branch is sending more than one girl. I am very excited about going. I will have to plan some easy dinners and such for the kids who will be home. Tom will be home evenings. I have already talked to the teacher who will be teaching my summer math class, which I will miss twice, she said she usually allows one missed day, but since I am letting her know so far in advance it will be o.k.

SPRING???????

For the last three nights I have been hot enough that I ended up tossing off my blankets, and quilt and sleeping with my sheet. Yesterday I took the extra blankets off my bed, and left the quilt on, but before bed, I folded the quilt at the bottom, just in case.

This morning I woke up to rain. To be fair, it did rain all day yesterday, before I left for school, It had turned to slushyness, as I got back in the car from dropping the little boys off at daycare, I decided it was sleet. It took me fortyfive minutes instead of my usual 25 to get to Mitchell Tech. I got there and had time to print out the paper due at the end of my second hour. Then right before my class got out at 9:50, my class was interupted by office staff telling us that Mitchell public schools were closing at 10:30 and MTI was officially closing at 11:45. by this time it was "sneeting" I went to my 10:00 teacher and handed her the paper, (I had planned on reading thru it and doing any fine tuning)(Oh, well). Then I left, I had to go grocery shopping on my way home. It took an hour. Then I drove home. It took 65 min. to drive home. My kids called when I was almost home -6 miles, away in Alexandria- to tell me that school was canceled and they were home, Jim and Echo went to the daycare and picked up the little boys. According to the radio as I drove home the visibility was 1/8 of a mile. and the wind was supposed to be increasing.

An interesting thing here in S. Dakota is the wind. even with a day of rain and then sleet and sneet and snow there is a side on all the trees that is dry.

The kids were supposed to get out of school on May 16, but they had too many "snow days" and now school gets out on May 19. They were told that since they started the day at school they will not have to makeup today.

Katie is hoping for a good day for her B-day on May 5, so she can play outside on that day.

I am planning on planting some bulb flowers, crocus and tulips and daffodil but what will this kind of weather do to them?

An AMAZING day!

Today started out as an ordinary school day, I got up, helped Tom get off to work, showered, dressed, The big kids got my little kids dressed. We were out the door about 10min. earlier than usual, which allows me more time to refocus on school, when I get to school. Jim drove Carie to school, since she is on crutches, this helps her start her day easier(but it only happens on my school days) then drove around the block to get to the day care at this point Jim takes his school bag out of the car and walks across the street to school, I take the little boys into the daycare - Mikey into the preschool room and Danny into the toddler/infant room- then back out to the car and drive to school.

At school I started with Business Law, then Human Relations. As soon as H.R. ended I walked down to the room where they were doing the school blood drive. They asked me if I was willing to give twice. I did. This took a bit longer, so I was late to Math. Mrs. Star welcomed me to class and told me that she was disappointed in everyones scores from the test on Monday, so the class was reworking missed problems for half points. But I only missed one so I was not eligible for this. So I started working on my homework, I could have left, but I felt a bit shaky and was not sure if I was ready to drive. By the end of the hour class, I was feeling lots less shaky, so I went ahead and drove home.

I stopped at the post office and found a package card in my box so I went to the window and presented it to the postmaster Reggie. He had me sign for the package, and then I took it home and opened it. It was an early b-day present, from Della. It was a wii. Wow! We have set it up and started playing it. I have wanted something for my kids to do at my house, with their friends, at my house (is there a bit of redundancy here). Now I have one.

I have also discussed with Della my concern of the S.Dakota alcoholism. So she wrote out an oath for my kids to take before playing:

I (name) hereby promise and decree that I will never partake of alcohol.
I do solemnly promise that when I am bored I will seek out positive forms of recreation.
I will encourage my friends not to drink.
I will be an example of what I believe is right, to stand up for it at all times, in all things, and in all places.
I also swear that under no situation whatsoever, regardless of embarrassment, loss of friendship, exposure to the elements, or any other painful or uncomfortable thing will I ever, ever get in a car with a drunk driver.
This I do solemnly swear and promise, because I value my own life and the quality of life that I enjoy, under the binding of my own word and integrity, so help me God.

Isn't that great!

I am so excited. It has been an AWESOME day.

life

Its been a busy week with not much to show for it, except another week crossed off of the calendar.

Jim has been working on his paper from his trip to D.C. and the powerpoint that goes with it. I think he is turning it in today.

Echo hurt her ankle in track and missed two meets trying to rest it. She got to go to Young Womens, Wednesday night. I drove her in to Mitchell and sat reading for one of my classes while she did her thing. Her YW leaders (they have assigned the sister half of our senior missionary couple to be the YW counselor) are really excited about girls camp this will be the first year that our branch has sent more than one girl. There will be two - possibly three,- but the third is not sure when they are going to leave for the summer long summer vacation.

Carolyn has a sprained ankle as well, and is about 1/2 done with her time on crutches. She is looking forward to being done with them. about the time school gets out.

Katie is busy reading the Little house books and is greatly enjoying them.

Mikey and Danny both went to the Preschool screening. The speech therapist for Mikey had recommended we have his hearing checked. and I am wondering if Danny should be in speech. Mikeys hearing is fine, and Apparently Danny is right where he should be for a two and a half year old. We can reasses when he is three. (though self admittedly, I am a bit more worried about speech as a speech kid myself.)

Tom had a busy week at work. Today he gets to give part of his caseload to the new therapist at work.

I am falling deeper in love with S. Dakota everytime I have to drive into Mitchell. Which is three times a week for school, plus church I love the changing fields and watching the colors in the sky.

Auction Quilt

I made this quilt during some of my spare time, in February and March. It was for a benefit that Emery city and Bridgewater City (the next town over)held. To help a lady and her one year old daughter who lost their husband and father and their home.

I was not able to go to the benefit/auction because we were sick that day.

I just found out that the quilt sold for $90.

Quilt

I spent last week working on the quilt for the R.S. it turned out a bit smaller (36x36)than I thought it would be but I think it turned out good.

The middle block says Remember the Great Things of God. The primary made the blocks.

SCORE!

Last week in math I took a test and struggled through the whole thing. Then worried all weekend about how I did and I was frustrated when school was canceled Monday due to snow. Today in Math our teacher announced that only one person got 100% and we all needed to study harder. I thought, well, it was not me, I was so surprised when she said "Good Job, Lillian" Wow, apparently my struggles were not in vain.

Then tonight when I took my weekly online test, I got 97%. I usually get 75% or 76%.

It's been a good day for me.!

Events

Just wanted to share,

Echo is in the choir. there was a performance tonight, she did very good.

Last week the Missoula Childrens Theater was in Emery. They came on Tuesday, and
practiced all week putting on two shows, Saturday. The show: The little mermaid.

Janet tried out and was given the part of a seahorse.
Carie did not try out, she was at the dr.s with a sprained ankle, She heard that the lights person would not be able to be there on saturday, and asked if she could help with that. she did. They both did a good job.

The girls are looking forward to when the MCT comes again. (every 2-3 years we are told).

Dannys Quilt

I made this quilt while we were still in Missouri, but I have now learned how to post pictures and I think it is interesting that Carrie and I made similar quilt for our little boys.

Spring Break

Last friday as I was leaving school, I was also making plans for what I was going to work on during spring break.
Work on my benefit quilt
Work on my R.S. quilt
Work on my online course which I am behind in.
Clean Jims room while he is visiting with the Barnes'
Go through boxes, repack many of the almost empty and not quite full ones.
Make bread
Make sourdough bread, Yes, I made a start last thursday.
Enjoy being home with my kids

On Sunday we had friends from church come for dinner, we made pizza and It was a fun evening.

On Monday I woke up and felt achy and stuffy and thought I would just take it easy and start on list on Tuesday.

Tuesday was worse, mid-morning I actually decided it would be worth a co-pay to see why I felt so awful.

Wednesday morning after paying that co-pay, I found out that I was suffering from Influenza A. Oh, yay. The nurse practitioner said to go home, get my kids out of school and quarantine ourselves for four days. Technically this was over by sat. nite, but I wanted to make sure We were all well and ready to start our lives again on Monday. So I called and asked the YW. pres to invite the R.S. into her Y.W. she was more than willing to do this. and we stayed home.

The funnest things we did as a family during my spring break,

We watched The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music. What fun, and what memories that brought back for both Tom and I of watching these with our families as kids.

I am back in school, today, though my kids are not, they have it off, do to Easter.
I was sick enough we did not make the traditional easter cookie that you make saturday nite and then leave in the oven overnite, and then eat in the morning. but it is a hollow cookiie. I think this is very sad, a couple of my kids were very sad and missed this annual experience. but Easter will happen again next year.

I did enjoy talking cake decorating with Carrie, as she was learning and growing in this area this last week.

Jim got back from his trip with Brian on Saturday Night, It is good to have him home.

Sunday

Sunday was a good day, we all went to bed early to get us ready for the time change.

We were up by 7:00 and eating breakfast, showering, getting dresses and all the fun stuff that getting ready for church entails.

Carie gave a talk in sacrament mtg about Lehi's dream, and I gave the lesson in R.S. Ooops, I forgot my book (on my desk where I studied it) with all the highlighted parts so I had to fake it, I think I did O.K. except I finished early. which ordinarily would not be a problem, but in our "twig" (my sister in law, Emily, says she thinks my branch is not big enough to be a branch, it's lucky to be a twig), did I mention that our branch/twig is too small to staff sunday school, so we only have church for two hours. Anyway on highcouncil sunday, we have a potluck so that after the highcouncilman drives an hour to get here and be here for the early meetings we feed him before he drives home. the primary is held in the same room where we hold the potluck with one of the classes meeting in the kitchen,

Tom took the leftover cowboy beans from dinner friday, and added more beans, and some cooked bacon, and a pack of polish sausages cut up and added a bit of BBQ sauce. He got several compliments. WE also took our "easy fruit salad"
a big box of vanilla pudding, a big can of fruit cocktail. and some chocolate chips. Several of the sisters commented on how wonderful chocolate was with the fruit. Who Knew?

Echo

Echo won the seventh grade spelling bee at her school. So today we went to the regional one. She lasted till the third round and the word incense, as in: They burn incense at the Chapel of the Dolphins. This is a word I have always had troubles with. I thought she did a great job.

WAHOOO!!!!

WAHOO!!!, We made it. We are done changing diapers!!!

It has been a week since Daniel told us he wanted to wear underwear to bed. I gave his diapers away yesterday. (We all know how handy wipes are, so I kept them).

We have been changing diapers at our house since June 12, 1993. For those of you who don't want to do the math, that's 14 1/2 years of changing diapers. I will admit that we have had a few dry spells in that time, but they have not been very long ones.

Danny I am so proud of you.

Lillie

Friends and Family Plate

We were brought a plate of goodies yesterday, we thought it was to say welcome, or something like that, after we ate the plate we could read the poem on the plate, and I thought I would share it with you.

Friends and Family Plate

This plate shall have no owner
For its journey never ends.
It travels in the circle
of our family and our friends.

It carries love from home to home
For everyone to share.
The food that's placed upon it
Is filled with love and care.

So please enjoy what's on this plate,
Then fill it up again,
And pass along the love it holds
To famiy and your friends.
_______________________________

It reminds me of the star in the window at Christmas, the heart at valentines, the ghost at halloween. yet, it is for the rest of the year.

On the back of the plate the families sign it as they pass it on.

What a wonderful Family Home Evening

Little things mean a lot.

I have been thinking about some of the joys in my life right now.
There are my husband and my kids.

When we moved I threw my electric skillet (with a bent lid and a broken leg)away, my new one is much nicer, with a detatchable bottom so it is easier to clean, and bigger, I can cook a larger roast, or six hamburgers or pancakes. WOW, its amazing how much faster dinner cooks when I can do six burgers instead of the old four.

I also have a new vacuum. My old one had a bag which I could never remember what size to buy, it also did not have a very long cord, or hose. My new vacuum has a very long cord, and the hose is quite long too. Though I am also excited about the "stair paw" which is good at cleaning stairs as well as the riser, I have not tried it on the furniture yet.

Here in South Dakota, My kids came home and told me that they were allowed to take home made treats, In Missouri, we were only allowed store treats. Jim has taken brownies, and Carie and Echo made treats for their classes for Valentines. hoorah for homemade school treats.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

I want to wish you all a

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

School

It is 10:00 and the kids just left for school. here in South Dakota there is something called late start. When you get up in the morning, you turn on the TV. and watch to see if you have school, or late start, or if school has been canceled.
Today, the TV said 2 hour late start. Yesterday, Thomas was not well, he turned on the T.V. and was watching the early show when down at the bottom it was talking about school closings it said late start,so we told the kids they could go back to bed. I went to school. Right after my first class got over at 9:50, Tom called me to tell me that school was cancelled due to the bad storm that was supposed to be on its way in, and to be extra careful as I drove home after my noon class. i went to my 10:00 class, but then went to talk to my 12:00 instructor and told her that I was going to skip class since school was canceled for my kids and I did not want to get stuck in the storm. She gave me my assignment and told me to hurry home. What a great lady.

Today we woke up, woke up the kids checked the TV, sent the kids back to bed, sent Tom off to work and at 9:30 woke up those still in bed, and then sent them off to school at ten.

Mikey gave me a great big hug when I told him he gets to stay home with mommy today. and told me he likes Mommy days.

Now I am hoping I can get some school work done while my boys are helping me.

Lillie

Tom's Grandfather

We got a phone call yesterday, telling us that grandpa kirby died. To those who loved him, my prayers are with you. He no longer is held back by his earthly body, he has no elderly pains and he is with is wife Marion, whom he loved and took care of for many years.

I want to say to him, that Tom and I have been married for more than 15 years and we still like to sit next to each other on the couch, at church, or simply whenever we can.

For those of you who don't know, When we had been married for 2 days and were returning his cake plates, and tiers, we were sitting on his couch talking with him, and he asked us to scoot apart becuase we were making him uncomfortable as we would not want to sit next to each other a year from then.

Any way, we do still sit next to each other and we still enjoy it. Especially after a long day of work and school, and kids.

Lillie

Danny, Jim and Carie

Danny stayed dry last night!! We have been working on this seriously for a week. For two night he has stayed dry! The daycare ladies told me to tell them what I was doing with him, and they would do it to. Yesterday, when I went to pick him up, they gave me the diapers and wipes he had not used yet. and told me good job. I thanked them for their help. Danny stayed dry all day yesterday. with only one accident the day before. Tom told me that I am a "mean mom" since Danny's treat was to get a drink of water out of a "joke"cup from Dixie, everytime he went potty. I laughed and said I was simply refilling his water level in his body, to ensure he would need to go potty again. Tom laughed and told me good job. I love that we are done buying diapers. Interesting thought: We have five boxes of wipes plus two refill packs floating around our house.

Jim started Drivers ed. this morning. He is excited, so am I. It will be after school and on saturdays ending in the middle of March. He will not start his driving hours till school gets out in the middle of May.

In South Dakota, at the age of 14 kids can get their license though they can only drive during certain hours of the day.

Carie got 100% on a spelling test yesterday.

Here's the News

We have lived here for a month now. I think I am as unpacked as I can get before we get more shelves. I unpacked a box of lotions and one with towels today. I also made curtains for my living room. The curtains clash with the couch, but I am planning on recovering it with denim. They will look good together. I even made a little curtain to cover the window on the front door, they all look really nice.

Tom hung most of our pictures today. It really helps me to feel moved in to have the pictures up. Another bonus to hanging pictures is that there is no longer a big huge box, (we managed to find a box big enough for all the pictures)sitting on the edge of my computer room. He also found my spoon rack in the picture box, and hung my spoons. (I can't find the new spoons we bought during the move, which is probably a good thing since my spoon rack only has room for one more spoon, and we bought more than that). I will keep looking.

The girls got to go to sleepovers last night. Katie went to the home of a friend from school, the other girls went to The Smiths from church, ( the branch pres.) they have three girls (and a boy-17) the girls all had a lot fun.

We are looking forward to church tomorrow, It will be the first sunday since we got here that we are all well.

still cold

I noticed on Chet and Liz's blog that they have a weather spot. I thought it was cool and asked Thomas to put one on our blog, he also renamed it.

I think it is interesting that we are colder right now than Chet and family who are in Alaska. right now, it is 1 degree with a "real feel" of -25. WOW!! We are going through Propane rather fast, and I have the temp set at 66.

Echo Play Tag Too

names I go by: Echo, Gecko
2 things I'm wearing right now: Pink hospital socks, a Pooh bear sweatshirt
2 thngs I want or have in a relationship: a boyfriend who can deal with my dad and my brother, to be sixteen so I can date.
2 fave things to do: imagining, reading
2 things I did last night: read and imagine.
2 people I talked to last: Dad and Jim
2 things I'm doing tomorrow: Spelling Bee, School (oh reading and imagining).
2 longest car rides: Utah to Missouri, Missouri to Utah
2 fave holidays: Christmas, 4th of July.
2 fave drinks: Kool-aid and Root Beer
2 things about me you may not know: My birthday is 5 days after Christmas, I've read Pride and Prejudice twice.
2 jobs I have had: Reading and Imagining (I've done some babysitting too)
2 movies I could watch over and over: Esther and the King and any movie while I have a book in front of me.
2 fave foods: peanut butter, home made bread
2 places I'd rather be: the library, in bed


Aunt Niki and Joanna Tag you're it

Cheater Tag

I think that it's cheating to tag your spouse but since my wife's motto is "cheat to win" I guess I'll have to play along. (especially since I have been trying hard all these years to get her to adopt this motto.)


2 names I go by: Drew, Tom (recently I get called Doc alot which is kinda cool)
2 things I'm wearing right now: Pink shirt, my really cool christmas knife (thanks Brian)
2 thngs I want or have in a relationship: A wife who understands the need to have airsoft wars, and someone who belives in me when I loose faith in myself.
2 fave things to do: shooting, reading
2 things I did last night: Talked to my family on the phone, watched movies with the kids.
2 people I talked to last: My brother David, my Dad, and Barbara Palmer(thats 3, but I never was much good at following directions.)
2 things I'm doing tomorrow: Group therapy and individual therapy.
2 longest car rides: England to California(as a kid, we rode a plane part of the way), Utah to Missouri after visiting family for Christmas
2 fave holidays: My birthday barbeque at the Palmers and Super Bowl Sunday.
2 fave drinks: Coca-Cola, and Cock and Bull Ginger Beer (Egg Nog at Christmas time)
2 things about me you may not know: I am a member of the Tri-M Music honor society, I can teach you how to beat the polygraph.
2 jobs I have had: Bouncer at Lamar's, I worked security for Karl Malone
2 movies I could watch over and over: Tommy Boy and Necessary Roughness
2 fave foods: Red Meat and White Meat (other colors are OK too).
2 places I'd rather be: Elk Hunting, Chupin' Mate con mis companeros (even if we were doing it in a war zone). (It's an Argentine thing).


Karl and Emily consider yourself Tagged

I've been tagged!

My sister tagged me, I hope you all enjoy this!

2 names I go by: Mom, Lillie
2 things I'm wearing right now: Wedding ring, black jeans
2 thngs I want or have in a relationship: a husband who holds me and listens to me(I am so lucky), and a husband who talks to me.
2 fave things to do: read, bake, spend time with my family (oops thats 3oh, well, deal with it)
2 things I did last night: bake bread, bake pizza from scratch.
2 people I talked to last: my dear friend August, sisters Della and Carrie, and my brother Chet (thats four, but it was good to hear from each of them.)
2 things I'm doing tomorrow: Laundry and homework for my online classes.
2 longest car rides: Provo to Houston (as a kid), Utah to Missouri
2 fave holidays: Mothers day( especially when it is on my birthday) and Christmas.
2 fave drinks: Red kool-aid, and SLOPP ( a wilkinson family drink)
2 things about me you may not know: I was a part time nanny for a year, I have been married for almost 16 years.
2 jobs I have had: Burger king, Nanny
2 movies I could watch over and over: Sahara and just about anything is my husband is with me, or I am quilting
2 fave foods: Spaghetti, and lately I am really enjoying soft tacos from taco bell.
2 places I'd rather be: In Utah visiting family and friends, with my husband.

I tagg Thomas and August

Cold.

Wow! It's cold here. We were supposed to have a high of 5 and a low of -7. It doesn't feel too cold if the wind is not blowing. But if the wind is blowing,,,
WATCH OUT!

At church today, Carie stayed home sick. So Tom, Mikey and Danny stayed with her. I was invited into the Branch Pres. office and issued a calling. He said he had one for Tom too, but Pres. Smith said he would wait till he could talk to Tom. He thought it was interesting that our bishop in our last ward was also named Wilkinson. I am glad to have a calling now, I have felt a bit limbo'ish. knowing that there were several spots they could put me in, but not knowing what it would end up being. They will release the necessary person, next week and sustain me then.

School is going good. For everyone. Carie is sick, they think it might be Mono. but the test showed no. with her white blood cells where they would be if it was mono. She has been sleeping alot. was only in school for part of mon. part of tues. she stayed home wed. and I took her to the dr. on thursday.

Jim went with Tom and our neighbor Jeremy who he works and carpools with to be trained in restraints. He was their "crash test dummy" they all had a lot of fun.

We are back!

Back on the net that is. We are all doing good.

Carie lost a tooth last night, it's a good thing, since the next tooth is already up and ready.

We are all settling in and enjoying school and church. I am enjoying playing with the new gateway tablet that I got through school since I am in the business program. and getting to know our new friends at church, I have been asked to be a Visiting Teacher. The kids (Jim and Echo) have been invited (with the other kids from the branch) to go with the Huron ward to the temple this Saturday.

We went this weekend and got the last of Tom's things from the house he stayed in in Plankinton. My living room only has three boxes left in it. I am slowly getting unpacked. I had great hopes for this last weekend, but I was sick instead. We missed church and I stayed on the couch all day. I was feeling better this morning but I am glad I had planned on being home today ( so I could be home for the internet guy). I have a meeting in Mitchell (20 miles away, but where I go for school) on Tuesday for one of my internet classes. So I will be going in for a little while. Usually I will only go to town for school on M, W, and F.

Love ya all.

Jonesin' for the blog

It has been a while since we have posted anything and Lillie is starting to get a little crazy. We don't have Internet access at home yet (we will on the 14Th). We are at home in South Dakota all of the kids have started school. When asked by the neighbor if he had made any friends at school Jim replied "yeah, all of them." He then told us all that there are 14 students in his grade at the high school. Life is colder here but we like it. Lillie starts school today and the little boys start in daycare. I had an interesting experience at work that should teach us all to be careful of what we ask for. I was passionately advocating (read raising quite a fuss)for the needs of the young girls that I work with and asking the directors of the treatment program where I work when we would have the facilities in place for our independent living program. I also asked if there is a program ready for the independent living program. The response of the directors was that I should talk with a guy that they had just hired to take care of this, They described him as some new hot shot doctor from Missouri. They laughed as I gagged. Above all of my other duties this week I get to design the independent living program so that we can get it started in the next week or so. Well since I have to do this at work I guess I'd better not spend any more time on it today. Lillie will be back with you soon.