Welcome Home!

When Brother and Sister Gwinnup moved into our Ward, they were newlyweds and he was headed off to Afghanistan.  It's been a long year and a couple of months since then, and I'm so happy to report Austin's safe return from the war.  

It reminds me of an old song by Ira Gershwin and Jerome Kern from the 1940s when so many other couples were parted by war:

"Long ago and far away I dreamed a dream one day
And now that dream is here beside me!

 "Long the skies were overcast but now the clouds have past

You're here at last!

"Chills run up and down my spine, Aladdin's lamp is mine

The dream I dreamed was not denied me!

"Just one look and then I knew that all I longed for long ago
Was you!

 "Just you!"

Glad to have you safely home, Austin!

God bless our troops, wherever they may be.

Once Upon a Time





This is like "Where's Waldo?"  Can you find the 13 year old me?



Longview School Graduating Class of 1965
Phoenix, Arizona
Photo scan courtesy of Carolyn Stanley Sanders


Here's a teeny tiny hint:

Across the many waters

Fredrik with Goo Ma's card

When I go shopping for cards for kids, I try to get them ones that will do something, or be fun to play with.  I remember how excited I was, as a child, to get mail addressed to me.   (Funny how that doesn't get old until you're all grown up and the mail addressed to you becomes either bills or junk mail!) I also remember that getting mail was even better if you could play with the card after you read it.

So, I went in search of such a thing, carefully picking out a card for Fred for his second birthday.  I found one at the local drugstore that had a puppet built into it and a fun story about various animals. 

Then I sent it off on its long perilous journey to the Orient.

Fred showing his card to his sister

 I'm told he really liked it!

Imagine how thrilled I was to get these photos of my little Fred and the card I sent.  It apparently has afforded some hours of play for the little guy. 

Not bad for a birthday card.

It just warms my heart to see that little card was a big hit.

It also is a reminder that it's the little things in life, the small and simple things, that are often the sweetest.

A Very Small Twig

A friend of mine went on vacation back East over the summer and went to the local LDS meeting house on Sunday for church services with his wife.  However, when they got there they discovered the building was closed because it was stake conference weekend.  A note on the door gave the address and time, but as it was being held in a neighboring city, they were unable to go.  To their surprise, there were several other vacationing couples there, too, from various parts of America, all similarly disapointed to have missed services.

My friend said it made him feel good to think of LDS folks all over the world seeking out church services, even on their holidays.

But what happens when you live in a far away place, with few Latter-day Saints and no LDS meeting houses?  I've been asking my nephew what he and his family do for church in Shenyang, China, and he has responded by posting these photos.

The Saints of Shenyang

There aren't enough LDS folks in Shenyang to even have a branch organization of the church.  Here are the Saints of Shenyang.  As you can see, it's a very small twig.

Church was held at Daniel and Holly's apartment last week.  I guess they take turns amongst the group.  They are able to meet together with other similar tiny groups of saints across China via Skype.  (God Bless Skype and the wonders of modern technology!) 

It seems a strange way to attend church, but how great to be able to share fellowship with the saints, partake of the sacrament, and worship God - even far away from the comforting structure of a branch or a ward in a proper ward building.

It makes me more thankful for the comfortable, new church building where I attend services every week, with fully functioning auxiliaries that bless my life.

First Day at School

Noah on his first day in first grade

There are a lot of "firsts" we experience in life, and perhaps none so nerve-wracking as the first day of the school year in a new school.  My friend Noah, age 6, had his first day yesterday.  First day in First Grade.  First day at a new school. 

That's a lot of firsts for a 6 year-old.

I love the picture his mom took of him at his new desk at his new school.  His face just says it all, doesn't it? Will I like my teacher?  Will s/he like me? Will someone be my friend? Will I make it through the day?  How soon do we get lunch? (Okay, that was one of my concerns as a child!)

We've all been there, right?

Well, I'm happy to report that Noah likes his teacher and new school, was befriended by someone at lunchtime, and generally had a great day. 

Not bad for the first day.

Mom Barbara and Noah's brother Aaron

Noah's older brother Aaron also had his first day of school yesterday, as did children all over the country.

I don't know what it is about Fall, but each year as September looms into view (Egads! Tomorrow is already the first!) I get this overwhelming urge to go back to school.  I start reviewing school catalogs and thinking of courses I'd like to take.

What's up with that?  Is it just the conditioning of years and years of schooling?  Maybe.

Whatever it is, it doesn't take long before reality kicks in, the feeling leaves, and life goes back to normal.  But I remember those first days of school as a child, the smell of chalk and paste and #2 pencils. 

For Noah and Aaron, and all my friends who are going back to school this week, or went back last week, or are going back next week: have a great school year!

Make your moms and aunties proud.

Jack in the Box

Monsieur Jack and Mr. Kitty in the box

 I love my cat. 

He's funny and loving and very sweet.

Jack gnawing on his box "fort"

He also has an active imagination and this thing for boxes. 

He plays so much with the box his Turbo Track came in, that I finally just gave up and left it in the living room.

 It makes a REALLY COOL fort.

 Here is Mr. Kitty trapped in the fort.  Oh no!

Seeing Mr. Kitty leave the safety of the fort, Jack wrestles him into submission. 

Take that, Mr. Kitty!

Look at your cat.  Now look at me.  Look at your cat again.  Now look at me.

I am Jack.

Go Brownsburg Cheer!

Brownsburg High School Cheer, August 2011

The great thing about being an aunt, both real and honorary, is that I have lots and lots of wonderful kids to brag on.  This past week I received a post from my friend Scott with the news that Brownsburg High School Cheer squad won the Indiana State Fair competition!  He was very proud of his daughter Emma, who is on the squad, and I say he has every right to be.  I've seen the gymnastics involved in modern day cheer and am blown away by what these kids are capable of.  What an achievement!

According to Pappa Scott, the squad was on the Fox news affiliate following their win, and Emma got some good face time on TV!  Also fun! 

It's a great face, by the way.  I love that face.



Emma, taken in March on her California visit

 [In a side note, the competition is traditionally held at the Indiana State Fair Grandstand, but had to be moved this year to the Indiana Convention Center.  If you remember, the State Fair Grandstand was the stage area that collapsed on August 13th, killing seven people and injuring more than 40 others.  According to local news sources, much of the wreckage is still in place as investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.]

To Emma, and all the kids on the squad, congratulations!  To perform all the difficult stunts you do, and do it well, is hard enough.  To perform well under pressure is especially tough. 

Good for you.  Talk about having the right stuff. 

I'm such a proud Tante!