Scott & Marci, typical age for wise parents

After a very crazy fast move to Colorado, our hearts are filled with gratitude for:
Faith, Family, Friends (that live in sun or snow), a great new job, teachers, and for being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For your gift this year, please feel free to print out the pictures below of sheet music that might help bring music to your home this Christmas season. (Don't worry,  It's copyrighted music and the owner gave permission to distribute it.) Comment to me with any problems you had while printing out the music, include your e-mail and I will send it to you personally.
Merry Christmas.

Carter's late night

As the shopping days approached, Jacob and Carter were asking if they could go with me on Black Friday. At first, the didn't want to plan their shopping trip. I kept "encouraging" them to decide on a store and plan what they wanted to get. The did a great job preparing for the trip by selling video games on Craigslist to earn cash for what they "needed".  As the countdown to shopping hours drew near, Jacob decided to hold onto his cash, but Carter wanted to go to the daddy of all black Friday stores, Best Buy. His latest "mario and sonic" game was released a few days before and he noticed that it was $15 less if he went that night. At 11:30pm (super late for him, this boy takes his sleep seriously) we ventured out and I asked him again if this is what he wanted to do. He slept on the way to the store and that power nap seemed to re-energize him. We stood in line which went completely around the building and into the parking lot next to Applebees.  Once again, I tried to tell him that it didn't look good...we might not be able to get the game since there were soooo many people and only 4 of this specific game avaliable. Also we learned that the boy just behind us in line was after the same game. It just didn't look good. But in Carter's pure optimistic view he told me, "let's do this Mom. It will work out an be fine".  Also true to Carter's form, he made some very funny remarks during our 45 minute wait to get into the store. I loved spending this time with him. We made it in, he got the game (shocker for me), and then proceeded to stand in the worlds slowest line. Mental note for shoppers: if you stay back in a dept for check out, mind that the manager checking out customers will try to sell "add on" insurance, speakers, etc. So our wait in line for 1.5 hours was all worth it when the big grin came out with Carter victorious on his quest.

Thanksgiving: food & football & fun

This year was quite a quiet Thanksgiving. We cooked the turkey on the BBQ, made rolls, and even made mashed potatoes with gravy (usually we make oven roasted potatoes). And our new employer gave everyone turkeys this year. Super nice of them isn't it?? Note the feathered headbands that Sperry made as name holders...so cute! Jacob made his soon to be world famous green Key Lime pies and of course Carter was all about the Pumpkin pies that he made. It was all delicious.

After dinner we had our big football game, girls against boys and our new neighbors joined in the fun. Scott had to become my relief QB so I could be the team photographer.

Family with nameholders. Guess whose got the flower?

Carter catches some Air on the ramp

Feasting & Family fun

the BIG game

Family: Gathered round for the festivities

Dramatic display of strength and skill in our front yard.

As much Gratitude as stars in the sky

 Last night for Family Home Evening (once a week, we do something as a family) we had a gratitude wall.

I wanted there to be a place that we can look at all week that shows us what we are made of. During the process of giving thanks, we recognize who we are. I wanted the wall to be big, bright, bold, and busy with things that we are grateful for. I bought two packs of sticky notes shaped in stars. At first I thought, they only have stickies in shapes of butterflies and stars...what am I going to do with that? I knew the boys would NOT go for the butterflies, so I bought the star shaped stickies. Abraham's promise came to mind, that his posterity would be as the stars in the sky. After that thought, I knew exactly what to do with the stars...put them all over a wall in the kitchen. Granted, there are many silly ones up there like: light switch (with an arrow pointing to a light switch), the wii, wool, potty's and funny sounds. But there are also some that read: prayer, scriptures, family, temple, food, friends, and heaven.

Carter, I'm grateful you agreed to be in a picture

This THANKS-giving, may we not only think of the things we have been given, but for the promises that are ours to earn as well.  In giving thanks for past and present, while giving our best in the future...our sense of who we are and what we can become will be as big as the stars in the sky.

Lesson in climbing and Belaying

In our adventures in our new land, Carter and Sperry were very interested in rock climbing.
Two stories of support from fingers and toes with concentration the key. While they learned about climbing, I was about parenting.

Carter's confidence and concentration

Sperry rises up

 

 

Look at her fancy footwork

Carter reaches the TOP

It's not easy to see your children work up a rock and have only a rope to support them.  I've realized my job has been changing as my children grow older and more independent. I go from the main caregiver, to a belayer. Wikipedia defines this as "A belayer controls the rope, keeping it taut and preventing long falls."

With a lot of choices in their path of life, some can be confusing that scream out for attention and distract them.  But, in the climb, the goal is to reach upward and eventually the summit.  Jacob, Carter, and Sperry, there are things to be anchored in this life. You can be happy no matter the storms that come to challenge you.  There are principles that will bring happiness and security. I've found that the teachings of Jesus Christ to be one that has anchored my soul. It has helped me to climb farther than I thought, have confidence in what I'm doing, peace that is achieve in no other way, and recovery if I slip or fall. You are able to do great things. I see great things for each of  you. As a belayer stays on the ground to steady and support, they also have a view of what lies ahead. I love you and am grateful to help lift while you find firm footing.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland has stated, "I believe we have all been created for greater things that we can comprehend. The times call for great things, but great things in the noblest and most redemptive sense are predicated upon tolerance, love, respect, understanding, dignity, prayer God.  When you are confronted with challenges that are difficult to conquer or you have questions arise, the answers to which you do not know, hold fast to the things you do know. Hang on to your firmest foundation, however limited that may be, and from that position of strength face the unknown."

R U tough enough?

This morning, I saw the sun was up and bright, it didn't snow like the forecast forecast-ed, and Scott was ready to get on his bike commute to work.  So when the kids asked if we could ride bikes to school, I said "sure".  Little did I know we should always check the outside temperature, it was about 30* way too chilly for me to be on a bike.  My kids were in shorts and we were very unprepared for the mile ride to the school. Poor Sperry's knees were red and Carter just booked it onto school. Carter was smart enough to wear ski gloves, his new poof coat (that I bought yesterday since we only had thick jackets prior to the purchase).  Sperry and I kept things light, jackets and light gloves...yes and she was in shorts.  Reality check, like you'd think I'd have it down by now...it gets cold out here.  On my way home, I called Jacob and told him that it's way too cold for him to ride his bike.  When I arrived home, Jacob had on his poof coat, ski gloves, and was in jeans. He told me that it's been that cold for several days and he's ridden in cold before.  Once again, he's got it handled.  I guess the girls of our family are still California Dreaming on such a winter's day... but then again, out here I get to see very pretty sunsets. Here's one I snapped at a spotlight.

Life's Marathon

 I heard this wonderful memoir this morning on one of my favorite things: NPR Story Corps.
The narrative is about a woman who as a side effect after her brain surgery to remove a tumor, suffers from short term memory loss. This moved me to tears...Each one of us have experiences that we have learned to adapt within. I love how she asked her boyfriend to not read the mile markers during the run of their first marathon together. He kept telling her that they had been running 10 minutes or so. She tearfully finished the marathon and was so happy to see that her strategy worked.

Think of the strategy's that will work for you. Don't measure things in what you used to do, measure them in the joy you have now. There are a lot of mile markers in life that we need not be focused on. Just take things 10 minutes at a time.

cLicK hErE to launch story:

To hear more, StoryCorps click on the box above (and another favorite story, search on their site under "korban".  It's a story that you will never forget, truly amazing.

oh yeah, Halloween

What does Dorothy, a Skier, and a Taco delivery guy have in common?

 This year for halloween, it seems to be taking on traditions of their own. Sperry has a cute costume that someone has given us. And she agrees to wear it for several years (her ruby slippers almost fit here during year 2). And Jacob and Carter...well that's another story.
Several years ago, I went all out for Halloween. I broke my budgeted amounts for costumes and got a cool Narnia costume for Jacob and a Ninja costume for Carter. These costumes were awesome and somehow I justified that it would be worth the extra dollars spent because my boys would spend hours dressing up and playing in these costumes. Well, by the time Halloween came around, the boys had changed their minds with what their costumes were to be. I told them that they had to go and wear their Original plan. They did, but since then, we have the agreement that they can pick whatever costume they want, minimal effort, minimal cash request, and it might be something that comes together as you walk out the door for a night of trick or treating. So, to answer the above question: What does Dorothy, a Skier, and a taco delivery guy have in common? A happy mom who has low stress holidays and appreciates her kids creative style. Thanks Grammie Sue for joining us this year. We loved having you here.

Loving Tribute to Greg

Gregory Louis Goheen,
Join us in celebrating the life and times of  Gregory Louis Goheen June 19, 1971 – October 7, 2011.
Loving son of Penny Buchan and Frank and Stella Goheen. Dre’s amazing boyfriend and husband. And to their children, he will always be Gabriel’s (7) best friend,and Jordan’s (6) nail painter. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 8267 Deseret Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.

He is my brother in law and today I have to share my heart about him, his cute and heroic little family, and the things I have learned from them.  My sister Andrea met Greg and we all just thought, "Hey this guy can handle this spicy gal."  I was impressed right from the get go.  Greg's the strong silent type, he speaks when he needs to. And when he shares, you will want to listen. He and Andrea are such a great match for each other. They both loved to cook, and I'm talking gourmet cooking.  They put me to shame (but I happily ate everything they made).

Greg, you learned how to get answers from God. You were baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held the Priesthood. I am so grateful that I was there to witness your baptism. Even during that time, your body was often in too much pain to bear. When you were baptized, it took both my brothers, Quinn and Aaron to help you lower your body for complete immersion. That day you taught me that you will find a way to do the difficult to achieve something you want.

I could relate to you because you had chronic pain (much greater than mine). You were learning how to adjust to the things you could do, and not doing all that you wanted to do.  But somehow through it all you remained a powerful presence in your family. Your kids adore you, and always will.  Andy always found strength through your support. I have learned that even when you are complete with your work here on the earth, you remain a powerful influence in the lives of your family.  Somehow once again you will be given errands to support your wife and children as they forge ahead with heavy hearts, missing you.  I have never seen so much strength in my sister Andy.  I know she will continue to feel of your love and support.  You are missed.  I am still so surprised of your passing. Thank you for teaching me how to love and support others during the physical roller coaster.  You have completed the things you had to do here on this earth, and  have been joined by those who love you and have already passed.  Thank you for being a part of our family.

Some were asking me how to donate helping this sweet family.  Donations can be made to
Schools Financial Credit Union phone: 916-569-5400 on 6000 Main Avenue Orangevale, CA 95662 ACCOUNT: Andrea Goheen. Or if you'd rather send something directly, post a response and I can e-mail you her address.  Life gives us a little more gratitude when we see time as a gift.

Waiting game...chapter eight

Once again it's snowing here. These storms have dropped over 12" during a 12 hour period. I see the trees on our yard that are loaded with leaves, and the additional snow has brought some of them to their breaking point.  Some days, I feel a lot like those trees: not shedding leaves from the previous season, moving quickly into another season, feeling a little caught off guard, or unprepared.  During these times, I get weighed down in the "heavy weight" of small things. I worry about my house not selling, it's been a little over 2 months without a written offer.  Every once in a while, my branches heavy with worry and stress.

Even during these times, I allow one day of "heavy snow" and the next day I forge ahead, finding courage and daring the sun to come. Even out here in Colorado, after each deep snowfall, the sun has appeared the next day helping the branches to wear their new load with beauty. I have found comfort and peace during our little storm season and realize it is only a test to remain faithful when I see no end in sight.  We have been promised that all will work out, not to worry, and to write of this experience.  I can't have my writings complete without sharing the days of deep snowfall. Even on these days, there are things that help to sustain.  A husband who is a whiz at numbers and helps me to understand how long we can sustain financially cost of two homes.  Kids who are amazing during this time of forgoing allowances (albeit small) and realizing on their own how they can contribute. Friends who will listen to my complains. And prayers and times to be humbled while we watch for our miracle. Being still and knowing that God is there for each of us. It's just the season for snow; even in winter the sun shines brightly.

to the rescue...chapter seven

Here we are at chapter 7. Are you getting sick of all the details now?
We were happy to be in our new house, new area, new friends to make.  I had to get out of boxes!! I've got a little problem when I'm not organized, I feel really unsettled. So I put all my adrenaline to good use and all the strength I had been blessed with and set up shop! But it doesn't mean that a girl can go without her little mommy. I asked my mom who is queen of organizing and settling to come and help me out. She and my brother Quinn made a weekend road trip out of it and came out for a visit.

They were great sports as I had them clean out yucky mold out of our extra fridge, organize my first ever pantry. Wow, those things are cool!! And help me get my first ever laundry room inside my home in ship shape. Thanks guys for all the help. I loved having you guys out here. Next time I won't work you so much.

We continue to wait for our perfect buyer. And as I wait I figure I might as well "pay myself" to be patient. I am not going out and buying all my dream furniture...but I can look, right?  I call it "Dream Bucks" you can plan all you want, and don't actually have to pay for till later.  I've got to remember all that I do have. All the kids are settled in school, Scott loves his job, and I have to admit this place is really growing on me.  It's beautiful here, all the untouched protected areas add to the "wilderness" element I love. We have the perfect kid neighborhood with all the kids congregating to spontaneously play in the streets. I'm still getting used to the idea of kids playing in the neighborhood, unscheduled. And they run happy!  I've even been riding bikes with the kids to drop them off at their school. I love all the paths that cut behind the houses to the pond and take us directly to the Elementary school.  Jacob straps his trumpet case to the back carrier on his bike and sets out on his 3 mile one way trip to the middle school.  Pretty impressive, right?

Our house has had some interest, but come on...I can't drop my price that much! The talk hasn't been reasonable. So, I will focus on my family and home here until the right family is found that wants to buy my house there.  More patience please, with a side of smiles.