HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Wishing all our friends a Happy and Successful year!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

And a
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

and for those of you with a different preference,

A Joyous RamaHanaKwanzaMas

Student of the the Month

Congratulations to Jim who is the senior high Student of the Month at Emery High School.

*Congratulations to our December Students of the Month
Senior High:
Jim Wilkinson Jim is always smiling, polite, willing to help anyone, he always has a
positive attitude. He is very pleasant to work with and never complains about a project you assign in
class. He always does his very best even when things do not go well.


One of the great things about this is that you get a great parking spot for the month. So we have let Jim drive. - a couple of times, ( the whole quarter block).

We are so proud of him.

friends

I got to teach Relief Society today. The lesson was on Friends. There were two sisters in R.S. one was a non member visiting with her son who is a member and in town visiting her. several statements in the lesson really struck me.

Joseph Smith once closed a letter to the saints: "I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend, Joseph Smith."

I also was struck again by the fact that the saints thought of Joseph, as Brother Joseph. He was their Friend, the lesson talked of how he was kind, generous mirth loving, 'and yet, although so social and convivial at times, he would allow no arrogance or undue liberites' how wonderful to know that.

...and although a person is a stranger and afflicted when he arrives, he finds a brother and a friend ready to administer to his necessities.

I thank Heaven for my friends, for my life is better for having them in it.

Sharing

I am proud of my sister Carrie for deciding to go to school while still having young children at home. In fact young children are the only kind of children Carrie has at home. Occasionally over the course of her studies, she has called my husband (a psychologist) for help. When she has thanked me for sharing my husband and his knowledge, and for giving up time with him so he could help her long distance over the phone, I have joked that eventually I would call her husband (an accountant) for help with my homework. And when that happened she could share back.

tonight it happened. I was working on my homework and couldn't quite get it right. I tried asking my husband, (again he's a Psychologist) for help with my accounting and it just wasn't working. when I had a brain surge. I have a sister with a husband who is an Accountant. and he was only a phone call away. Well, it ended up being two phone calls. but he was very helpful both times.

Thanks to Carrie for sharing her husband and his knowledge with me.and to Karl for being willing to stay up late and help me. ( I will be calling again)

P.S.
does it strike anyone as funny that I am studying to be an Accountant, with a Husband who is a Psychologist. and my sister is studying Psychology, with an Accountant for a Husband?

Dr.s office.

I have been taking children to Dr's offices for 16 years. I have learned several things during these visits.
such as always take a bag of toys,
some visits go fast.
some visits go slow.
certain times of day are better for quick visits than others.
Kids love to color and draw on the paper that is used to cover the exam table.

In Missouri, I once spent four and a half hours at the drs. office, I called the next day and complained.

Last week I went to the Dr's office with Carie. she has a sore ankle. We got out of the car at 12:53. After checking in at the desk, we had sat down, but not yet opened my book when the nurse came out, talked to carie, about her ankle then turned to me and told me she thought she would just send us to x-ray, it was just down the hall in the same building. (very easy to find).

As we walked into x ray. I started to fill out the papers and the xray tech said to carie, lets go take pictures of your ankle while your mom fills out the papers. I finished them about the time that carie was done getting her "pictures" done. when we walked back into the Dr's office, they took us right to the exam room.
This time I did have time to open my book but not to turn the page, before the Dr. came in. We said hello, he looked at Caries ankle, talked to her about it, It is simply sprained. One week with crutches about 3 more with a brace. Carie was fitted for a brace, then we left.

As we got back into my car I checked the time. 1:35. Wow! I had hoped to be on time to work by three, this was not going to be a problem.

I have had more appts. in South Dakota, but I have not had to wait very long at any of them. I would like to say thank you to my Dr. and his staff for making going to the dr. a faster pleasanter experience.

Thanks Doc.

Summer

Well as this is the last day of the summer it is time for a recap. This summer has been rather busy for us. Carolyn and Katie both played softball, Jim worked his first real job, Lillie was out of school but increased her hours at work. There was a lot of pool going. I went with Jim to Scout camp, Jim and Echo went to youth conference, Jim and I went to girls camp to teach basic orienteering, Echo, Carolyn, and Lillie were in attendance. Carolyn and Echo attended the All Dakotas Young Women Encampment and met Sister Dalton.

We had multiple visits from family and friends. This started with Mike and Niki and there family being with us for the 4Th of July. In August Dan and Heather Saydyk brought their family for a visit (they are friends of ours from Provo, Danny is named for Dan). About two weeks later Nanna and Poppie came to visit, a good time was had by all. Mike and Niki brought their family again for labor day and to celebrate our week of September birthdays. That visit was followed up by a visit from Lex and Barb Palmer and their clan (they are pretty close to family, they are friends from Springfield.) Of course we grilled and had Frank's chicken while they were here. We are getting ready this weekend to meet Mike and Niki and their family in Nebraska City, home of the National Arbor Day Foundation, to help celebrate the Twins birthday. We have greatly enjoyed visits from our family and friends, and we like having family close enough that we can visit in a long weekend.

Lastly I took the EPPP for the third time a couple of weeks ago. Again I missed a qualifying score by approximately one question. I don't know when I will take it again but I am contemplating the end of December, which will mean that I will be able to take my oral boards in January or February, when the board meets next time.

With a notable exception the summer has been wonderful. Jim decided to end his summer on a high note and he went and got a job at Subway. Lillie and I are very proud of all of our children. We take joy in their accomplishments and are thankful that they seem happy to put up with us too (we took a vote last night and they all decided that that was preferable to other options). As we look back on the summer we also look forward to this fall and winter with it's holidays, hunting, school activities and test preparation. We also hope to see more of family and friends and take joy in their company, even if from a distance.

Love to you all,

Thomas (Drew)

TIPI!

My dad and I set up his tipi today so I could have the experience as well as a few index cards of notes on the process. I am so excited for girls camp!
When we had the frame up. Danny looked at it and said, " this could be a tent" when we had the cover on it, he was very excited to see that "this is like a tent".

first day of school

Today was the first day of school.
It was mikeys first day. When the teacher called his name during the roll, he asked if she would call on someone else, he did not have his answer yet!

They all had a good day!

Danny had fun on the wii being able to play whatever he wanted without having to take turns.

Great Summer!

Well, its been a great summer.

We have had visits from family and friends. Several large BBQs.

gotten to watch some amazing storms. One of which my family got to watch on tv, as I was sitting in the back hallway at Walmart( where we go when the sirens go off) this storm also stopped our guests from going to DeSmet, maybe they will come and try to go again. it also blew down the tents the kids slept in the night before and planned on sleeping in that night so all the bags and pillows, ( and library books) got a soaking.

We had swimming lessons. Mikey and Danny feel comfortable in the water and are even willing to leave the childs area. Danny loves to back up 10 feet, run and jump in. he has learned to do a "Y" jump where he stands on the edge of the pool and puts his arms up to make a Y then jumps. I am not sure if this is something they learned in swimming lessons or if he came up with it by himself. He also does this with several other letters. T, K, M,...

On the fourth of July we had a large bbq with Mike and Niki and their family. We also had several friends from Toms work who came, and one of the families that we home teach, visit teach came. we got to go to the parade here in town that day, it was great for the all the kids. they all got a grocery bag of candy. and frisbees.

Tom and I had our 17th anniversary.

Jim got his Drivers License, Echo got her Drivers Permit.

Jim and Echo went to the Winter Quarters temple in Nebraska for on a youth temple trip. (Tom went on this trip too as he is the Young Mens President).

Now we are about to start school, on Wednesday. Mikey will be in Kindergarten, Janet will be in third grade, Katie will be in fifth, Carie in seventh, Echo in ninth, Jim in eleventh.

Jim and Echo have started seminary already. they are learning via webcam which is very exciting for me. I think seminary is much easier when it is more than one student and one teacher. there are three students in the class. the mother of the other student is the teacher

I start school on the 31. The plan is for me to graduate in May 2010. I am looking forward to it.

Tom takes his licensure test on Sept. 3.

Its been a great summer and we are looking forward to a great school year.

17 on the 17th

17 years ago, my best friend picked me up to go on a drive with him, his brother and his brothers wife.

A few hours later, he was not simply my best friend, he was my husband. I used to call him Drew, now I call him Thomas, just as his name has evolved into something different, my love for him has grown into something bigger.

I love being married to him, and I thank him for seventeen wonderful years. And the opportunity to be the mother to his children.

Thomas, I Love You! and I am looking forward to many more years together. I am proud of how you have grown into the person you are today.

Lillian

Jims picture

just thought I would share this picture with you. The lady at the registration table was very touched that Jim would plan to give blood on his birthday. and asked if she could take his picture.

Priest

Jim was ordained a priest yesterday in church.

Wow he is not so much my little boy anymore.

Jims birthday

Well, we got up friday morning and after breakfast, Jim, Echo, and I went to town.

First stop, the drivers license bureau. Jim was able to get his unrestricted license. now that he is 16, he can drive after 10 pm without an adult. Echo was able to get her driving permit, she can drive with a parent in the car.

then a quick stop at the bank.

then since in South Dakota a 16 year old can give blood, Jim wanted to give blood on his birthday. I heard about a blood drive - that just happend to be happening on Jims birthday - where for every pint of blood was donated one of the local grocery stores was qoing to donate a pound of food and coca-cola was going to donate a sixpack of soda to the local food bank- so for Jims birthday we went to give blood all the ladies at the registration table thought it was so awesome for someone to do that for his birthday. My iron was to low, and Echo sat with us, and waited.

then the kids took Toms car out to plankinton to pick up tom and jp. (they drove the company car to work) and I went to work.

It was a good day, and I think Jim had a birthday to remember.

He started his first job today, he will be working as a janitors assistant at our school this summer. He enjoyed it, and thought it was neat that the Janitor told him he was a good worker.

What a good son I have, I am proud of the Young Man he is becoming.

JIM

Happy Birthday Jim!!!

We love you!!!

This is our summer

This has been a quiet summer so far. But I think that is about over.

Tom did not pass his EPPP. He is going to take a few days to adjust. and then get back to studying.

Last weekend Jim and Echo went to Youth Confernce. the theme was "The power of one" they both enjoyed it.

Next weekend there is a girls camp certification overniter. Carie, Echo and I get to go to this. we are going to do the certification now, so that they will be on track next year as this year there will not be a traditional girls camp. instead they are having a "Dakota Encampment" with all the lds girls aged 12-18 who live in the dakotas. they will have a week at one of the universities. A member of the YW general presidency and a few other special guests, and other activites similar with a youth conference. I am very excited for them.

On friday of this week is Jims Birthday, He wants to give blood, (which in SD can happen if the parent is present.) we will also be taking Echo with us so that they can both get new drivers licenses. Jim will get an unrestricted license. and Echo will get her restricted one.

We have a swimming pass again but it is to cold so far for the pool to open everyday. My kids are looking forward to being able to go everyday again, and the younger ones are looking forward to swimming lessons.

We are looking forward to Mike and Niki and their family coming to visit over the fourth of July.

Katie and Carie are both in softball this summer.

I am working part time at walmart.

EPPP

Well I took the EPPP this morning. I feel very good about my performance on this test this time. I will get the official results in a week or so. I hope to be able to sit for the oral boards the middle of June. This is where I am probably strongest (people tell me I talk a lot). Thank you for all of the prayers, positive thoughts, and encouraging words. This time I did not have the same issues as last time. I felt like I understood all of the questions even if I did not definitively know the correct answer. I left the testing center today feeling calm and collected. I know I will feel some anxiety this week, but I expect it to be less this time as well. I could feel the help of the spirit while studying for and taking this test. During my preparation for this I received a blessing from my home teacher (also a psychologist who is preparing for the EPPP) and was asked by the father of one of the families that Jim and I home teach (our Elder's Quorum President and my home teacher) for a Priesthood blessing to help prepare for this same test. While thoroughly understanding a situation is not required to give an effective Priesthood blessing, sometimes it can help make the blessing more meaningful (lesson here is get to know those families that you home teach. I was also set apart as the Young Men's President last Sunday and the Branch President, as part of the blessing, mentioned my test. I also know that there have been many who have added me to their prayers. I want to say again thank you, without the Lord's help I couldn't have done any of this. Without your help I couldn't have made it here to this point either. Thank you. -- Drew

Webkinz

Katie and I both got webkinz for our birthday. does anyone else out there have webkinz? Will you be our friend? Will you give us hints on how to play it?
Lillian

New Job

Well I am not the new Executive Director for Aurora Plains Academy. That went to the former Clinical Director. In related news, I am not the new Clinical Director either. That went to the therapist that I presonally recruited to APA, I guess I really am a good judge of potential. This is a little disheartening , but I do know that the Lord had his hand in this. The corporate big wigs stated that they believe that I have more value as a psychologist than an administrator, which means that they didn't want to have to give me a raise and pay for my replacement. The corporate vice president talked to me and started to outline what there plans for me are, which includes the opportunity to make substancial amounts of money. I don't think that they understand that , while money is nice, it's not all about the money. I am hoping for the best for our new leadership and I will continue to do my job and improve in my service delivery.

On a happier note Jim is running in the JV Regional Meet today. My prayers are with him, and any who read this I would ask to take a moment and speak to the Lord on his behalf. This makes me think of the prayer of the special olympian "Dear God, Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt." Amen to that.

Drew

Update

For any interested, I still haven't heard about the job that I applied for. I have been told that the vice president is comming out next week, and I was told that was a good sign. Please if you add this to your prayers, ask that those who make this decision will be led by the spirit to make the choice that will fulfill the Lord's purpose. Our kids here at APA really need his help.

Also I retest on the 27th of May. Please include this in your prayers because I really need the help of the Lord to accomplish this. I missed the required score last time by about 1-1 1/2 questions. That would have given me a score of 70% I am trying for a 75%. The higher score is not only enough to pass in South Dakota but would also allow me to license in Utah should the desire and the opportunity to return there strike at the same time. Again I am trying dilligently to hear and follow the counsel of the Lord, which is not always something I have been good at. Thank you all for you kind words and thoughts, and all of the prayers on my behalf, and that of my family. I really do love you all. Thanks,

Drew

Katie

Happy Birthday Katie Girl. You're already 10 years old. We love you.

Mom and Dad

In the "leafy treetops"?

Today I had to be at work at 7 A.M. It was kind of gloomy as rain was predicted. but as I walked into work I heard the birds chirping. It was very cheering. I very much enjoyed listening to it. the chirping is louder in the front of the store. yes, Walmart has birds and while they live in the lofty rafters, not the treetops, it is fun. They even bring grass and leaves in from outside to build their nests. I am sure the birds are the bane of the maintenance crews existence as it is their job to take out the nests. but I do enjoy listening to them. I think it is also fun to side with the children of shoppers as they are trying to convince their parents that they did too see a bird.

P.S. Toms new test date for his EPPP is May 27.

Apology

I just wanted to apologize for leaving the Covey's off of my list of service members both Preston and Uncle Wix served in the military (USN and USA respectively). I also need to appologize to my cousin Kristin Veare (her maiden name) she and her husband both served in the Navy as medics. Any other oversights are unintentional as well but if there are readers out there know anyone not included one this list (again these are all people who I know personally) please comment to let me know. -- Drew

Service

Yesterday Jim and I had a very interesting opportunity. The eldest member of our branch passed away last week. While I didn't know Bro. Probst very well, I did know that he was always pleasant andusually telling jokes. I was unaware that he had been in the military. Yesterday I learned a lot about this special man. Because many in his family were also elderly the branch was asked to provide pall bearers as well as giving prayers and the eulogy. He apparently was the only member of the LDS church in his family. Jim and I were both pall bearers and I was asked to give the opening prayer. I learned about this man from the lovr that was shown for him by those in attendance. I was honored to be able to serve and even more so when I learned that as a young man Bro. Probst served as a scout/sniper in the US Marines on Guadelcanal (2 Bronze Stars, Presidential Unit Citation). It made me think of Grandpa Hugo and Grandpa Everett and their service in that same theatre. I then thought of my father's service in the far east and the service of my good friends and brothers-in-law and their service in the Middle East. In our local cemetary everyone is burried facing South, except for veterans who are all burried facing the flag. The local VFW gave the 21 gun salute while Taps and the presentation of the flag was performed by a contingent of a locally based unit of the National Guard. Again, I felt very honored to have played a part in this service. I also wanted to express my appreciation to all those who have served our country at the peril of their own life. That is everyone who has served in the military whether or not they have seen combat. When one of Jim's teachers asked why he was so set on serving in the Army they only reply I had to give was that service to our country is a family tradition. They looked at me a little strange so I listed those that I knew that had performed this service to whom Jim is related:(in no particular order)
Paul Wilkinson Tsgt. Ret USAF Viet Nam (USA)
Emily Hugo, USAF
Mark F Everett, USA WWII
Leroy Hugo, USA WWII
William N Christensen, USMC
William N Christensen II, USAF
Richard Graham, Ltc Ret. USA
Frank Thomas Wilkinson Sr., ANG CCC
Frank Thomas Wilkinson Jr., USAF
Evan Eric Wilkinson, USAF
Leroy A Trujillo, USA
Jerry Cox, USA Korea
Dave Thornton, USA WWII
Dick Thornton, USA WWII
Harry Thornton, USN
Andrew J Kirby, USN WWII
Mikel Hugo, Maj. USA
Brian Mack, Maj. USA
Preston Covey, USN
Wix Covey, USA (Viet Nam)(Thank you Aunt Alice for the reminder and the new information. I think it is important to remember all who served.)

These are only family members of ours that I have known personally who have served our country in this way. I think that this qualifies as a family tradition. Thank you all. Drew

Keep the prayers comming

Thank you all again for all of the faith and prayers that have been directed our way recently. As you know the interview went well and I was invited to go to breakfast with the owner and the president of the corporation. That also went very well, most of the time was spent answering questions about my mission and other early life experiences. One question in particular struck me when I was very delicately asked if I and my family would be more comfortable living in Utah? I responded that even though most of our family lives there that Lillie and I (and the kids of course) really like it here and we could see ourselves living here for a long time to come. I don't know when they will inform us of there decision but things look very promising. On another note Today I received my confirmation of elegilibility to sit for my licensing exam (again). My test is scheduled for the 27th of May, which means that I should have results on or around June 5th. I originally had scheduled the exam for June 3rd but was then informed by my boss that that was a date of a conference which I need to attend. It might also be scout camp week which I will be attending this year (I may have to leave for part of a day to attend the conference) with Jim. By the way I now have all of the basic training that I need to qualify as a trained leader and I should be going to woodbadge in September or October. Any way I have one month to polish up for the exam, and while I have been studying, I still need all of the help that your faith and prayers can give. Thank you, I hope to have really good news soon. -- Drew

Interview

I interviewed with the Owner, the President, and the Clinical Vice President of Clinicare Corporation. That is the Parent corporation of Aurora Plains Academy where I work. The interview was for the position of Executive Director, which would be a promotion to one step above my current boss. My interview was scheduled for 3:30 to 5:00 and at about 5:55 they decided that they had to move on to the next candidate but that they still had questions that they wanted to hear my answers to so I was invited to go to breakfast with them tomorrow. The interview was very positve and we seemed to be on the same wave length throughout. we discussed my clinical vision for the program and when I asked the question about what they are looking for in a Director the gist of their was that they were looking for someone with a clear clinical vision that moved in the same direction of their own. It looks pretty promising They even stated that we could talk about loan repayment since, if offered the position, I will lose the opportunity for federal loan repayment. I am very excited and also grateful for for the prayers and other demonstrations of your support.

thanks

I want to say Thank you to all of you who joined us all for Prayer on sunday.

I am looking forward to May 8th, the end of the semester. There are quite a few projects I have been wanting to work on, but I keep telling myself not till May 9. I think I will make me a master list of projects to work on this summer.

I have changed my hours of availability at work for summer, but I did not ask for more hours.

I just got my school schedule for next semester (fall) I will have the same teacher all day that is four classes with the same teacher. with an hour lunch. plus an online computer class in excell.

Thomas has his interview today.

Thanks again for the prayers.

Help needed

Today my family is in need of some extra help that our extended seems very adept at providing. We are in need of some prayer time. Lillie is comming down to the wire in her school semester she is doing ok but she would like a little help in her Economics class and her accounting class. Jim is hoping to get a part time job at the school this summer and we are waiting to hear back if he gets the job or not. The girls are all doing well but who couldn't use an extra prayer or two. The little boys are doing really well but could use some help in speach therapy and having those skills generalize to everyday. I have several projects that I am actively working on at the moment. I am still studying for my EPPP retake, on Monday (04/20/2009) I have an interview for the executive director position at Aurora Plains Academy, I also have been working on weight loss (lost 23.5 lbs. since Jan 26th)one of the reasons, besides starting out at over 400 lbs, is that I have been diagnosed as prediabetic. I got word today that my A1C is at 6.7 which is not good hopefully the medication I just restarted will help but, since I have had difficulties with my kidneys the doctor is concerned about using this med. I am asking that the Lord magnigfy our efforts as we work toward our goals. In the slightly modified words of an old spiritual Lord please move that mountain, giveme the strength to climb it, or comfort me as it crashes down. to use a favorite quote of mine "not my will, but thine be done." Also Jim, Echo, and Carolyn have been talking about speaking with the Branch President about a recommend for Patriarchal Blessings. Just one last request. I know that this is an imposition but I would like to ask all those willing to stop what they are doing at 8:00 pm CDT tomorrow 04/19/2009 to pray together. This can be silently to yourself, with your family, vocally, or simply a prayer in your heart. While we are separated by distance we can be united in purpose and the scriptures tell us that "...where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, there will I be in the midst of them..." D&C 6:32 This type of service for each other can only bring us closer as a family. Last, but not least, if anyone else needs a similar type of help just add a comment to this post and our family will check it befor we pray tomorrow to add in your needs. That goes for needs of friends, neighbors, or others that you know of. Please join with us in this effort.

What a day

Yesterday was a little busier with family than I am used to. I was able to arange time off to see Echo's 8th grade presentation. She would like to be a middle school or high school history/social studies teacher. For her project she actually taught a 7th grade history class. She then gave a presentation about that experience and the job qualifications and outlook for teaching professionals. She did a very good job with her presentation, she was however nervous. She was so nervous in fact that after answering a question about why she chose the 7th grade class (which was because they were younger and less educationally advanced than she is.) a teacher asked "Echo where is your sense of adventure?" Echo was so nervous that she did not see this as aretorical question, so she answered it "It was right there with me when I was teaching. I really feel that it is important to help students feel your passion for a subject." The teacher was impressed but remained quiet after that. I also got to go to speach therapy with the 2 little boys. I found that I have several things that I have done for years that are enabling the boys speach problems, gotta quit that. After that we went to an interview for Jim so that he can work over the summer at the high school. If he gets the job he will actually be a state employee. Then the girls were off to Young womens while Katie went babysitting. After all this Echo and I sat down and finalized her high school education plan. If that weren't enough to make me feel really old as I watch my kids grow up really fast Jim couldn't get off the subject of his "appointment" in Sioux Falls on the 13th of June. He refers to it as an appointment because he is not allowed to date until he is 16 so unitl the 12th of June he can't call it a date. Lillie and I decided that we are getting old as fast as the kids are growing up, go figure.

Echo's Speech

I am giving a speech on teaching and would like to open with a story. Do you have any interesting one's?
Echo

choir, plays and a baptism

Tonite was the middle school choir concert, Carie and Echo were both in it.
They sang Accidentaly in Love, Witch Dr. I enjoyed it.

Jims play is next week I am looking forward to it. The YW/YM are going to have a combined activity to watch him.

Janets Baptism is scheduled for saturday April 4, at 5:30, It will be at our friends home. Where Janet will be baptized in their hot tub. we will be having desert, and then, the men will all go to the priesthood session of conference.

Truth or ...?

Here you go Carrie:

Here are the rules: Copy and paste the whole questionnaire and replace my answers with yours. You have to state and create a link for the blogger who tagged you. Pass to 4 other bloggers. Remember to inform them by commenting on their recent post. Last, answer each question with truth and nothing but the truth since this is a confession tag.
Have Fun!
.
1)What is your blogger name? Litowilk It is an amalgam of Lillie and Tom Wilkinson.
2) When is your birthday? December 17, strangely enough the same as Carrie, who tagged me.
3). How long have you been blogging? Since November 2007
4) Who tagged you? My lovely sister-in-law Carrie.
5) Tell me your 5 most favorite body parts? My wife's eyes, my children's smiles, my perfect abs (not currently available for display), and of course my my two favorites are my wife's lips and smile
6) What do you wish most for your birthday? That I can break 300 pounds (on the mins side).
7) What color are your nails now? Totally natural I am tryig to quit biting my nails too Carrie.
8) Any depressing thoughts lately? Only when I think about having to takete EPPP again.
9) What's your next 1 month's plan? Continue my weightloss plan, Apply for the Executive Director position at the treatment center where I work, catch up on paper work, and STUDY STUDY STUDY.
10) At what age did you have your 1st crush? Well, my mother would say about 5 or 6, but I don't remember. The first crush that I can remember was Nancy Newbry, I was 13.
11) Did you attend any school reunion after you graduated till now? Nope, I wasn't even invited to my 10 year. I didattend a mission reunion once but I don't know if I want to do that again.
12) Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended you didn't smell anything? You thought I wouldn't?
13) Are you a clean freak? nothing could be farther from the truth.
14) Which era do you wish you were born into? I always thought about being either medieval era or the old West.
15) Are you a vegetarian? I am a member of PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals).
16) How many pillows do you sleep with at night? 2 or 3 unless you count wife and or children (Mikel and Daniel still invite themselves).
17) Are you a light sleeper or an I-don't-care-if -there's-a-bomb-here sleeper? I can sleep through almost anything except a child crying, I even slept standing up on a moving bus.
18) Do you secretly wear comfortable granny panties when your man is not around? I can safely say that I have never worn granny panties.
19) What is your ultimate dream job? I want to run my own treatment program for adolescents.
20) What is it your hubby does that annoys you the most? I think that Lillie might object to being called my hubby. It always bothers me when we sit down to watch a movie together and she reads a book, it is especially bad when it is a fluff book.
21) What is your dream car? 67-72 Firebird, 66-71 GTO, Any Harley Davidson or a Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.
22) Do you easily wake up in the morning? I think that the best way to ruin a perfectly goodnights sleep is to get up in the morning.
23) Do you like hairy men? Hairy men have never been my thing. I can't say that hairy women turn me on either.
24) How about goatees on men? Well better on men than on women, I do like mine.
25) Which one would you prefer, 2 hour spa, 2 hour Thai Massage or 2 hour foot massage? The shooting range with my brothers or my kids.
26) Have you ever wished you had a different name other than your real name? yes when I was young.
27) What is the most extreme sport you have ever done? Rock climbing, even more extreme when you realize that I weighed more than 300 lbs when I was climbing, and competitive shooting.
28) Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I loved Europe, but I'd like to see Asia some day. (Ditto Carrie)
29) What is your favorite food? The kind you eat (Hoorah). I have too many favorites to name them all. I'd really like a good steak. (yes Carrie I plagiarized this one too)
30) What is the most embarrassing moment when you were out on a date? Here goes, Della you remember this: When Lillie and I were just dating she wanted to go skating and conned me into going. I thought we were going to drop Della and her friend at the rink and then go do something together. Lillie talked me into skating. To keep this brief Lillie was pulling me around the floor because I don't skate, in a moment of self-consciousness I flinched, planting my toe stop into the floor. Apparently the brakes worked well and I pitched forward and planted my shoulder in her face and we went down together. After I helped her back up and fixed her glasses she told me it was ok and that I could go sit down. Surprisingly, she married me, but never made me skate again. She even defended me when a friend tried to goad me into it.

If you enjoyed these responses please consider yourself tagged.

Your thoughts please!

Most of you know that I now work at Walmart. I decided when I started working that I would wear a skirt to work when I work on Sundays. I have since decided that if its below 0 degrees that is not wise. but I have a question, If I am already at work and my family finds out that we are out of milk, is it breaking the sabbath for me to buy milk before I go home?

Speech

I have several people tell me over the years that they have a hard time understanding some of Janets words. I guess that since I hear her everyday, I have not had this problem. I also have had children with very severe speech problems, so when I did notice a word or two I did not understand, I told myself not to worry, it wasn't like with one or the other of my children, whom no one understood.

Yesterday, Janet met with a speech therapist at the school and before she got home, Jen (the therapist- whom is also seeing Mikey and Danny, and making great strides with them) called and told me she would like to do a full evaluation and get Janet started in speech as soon as possible. I told her to please go ahead and get the process started.

This means that of my seven children, only 1 will not have had at least half a year of speech. Carie. Jim had part of a year while attending school in Provo, Echo had I think 8 years, Katie had a couple of years, Mikey has had two so far, Danny started in September, and now Janet is starting.

I am grateful for modern technology and the many people who have worked with my children on their speech to help them have a better life.

Aren't we blessed to live in the time that we do.
Lillian

The test

as most of you may already know I took the EPPP last Saturday. I got the results on Thursday and I scored a 492. To qualify for licensure I needed to score 500. The difference is approximately 2 questions. I have had several questions so I will try to answer them all here. Yes I can retake the exam (the average # of times to take this exam to obtain a passing score is 3) I will haveto reapply to take the exam which will take about 2 months, so I will be scheduling my retake for April or May. I hope to sit for oral boards in June or July. yes I will be continuing to study and I will be better prepared next time. Thanks for all of the support, prayers, and well wishes. I'll have better news soon.

Toms test

Tom took his test today. It is relief to have it over.

We won't know how he did for at least a week.

We will let you all know how he did as soon as we know.

Lillian

Interesting

I just found out something interesting and thought I would share.

When you register a car in South Dakota, You might not be registering it for a whole year. Each letter of the alphabet is assigned a month jan - nov. "T-Z" register their cars in Nov. Because of Christmas no one has to register in Dec. They also have not in the past sent a note to tell you that it is time to register your car, (your just supposed to remember) this however was causing problems, and when I registered my cars this month, I was told that this year they are startign to mail out reminder cards.

It also is much cheaper to register cars in S.D. I paid about $35 per car.

Stuff

Tom has his first test scheduled for Feb14.

Carie has a game with canistota this week.

Last saturday Thomas went to "little Philmont" a boy scout training in sioux falls. He enjoyed it.

I have been given a position change, at walmart. they have asked me to be a customer service person.

Jim got to drive to Mitchell on Sunday, he did a good job.