Miracle Baby

It's been awhile since I've updated on baby Caleb. He is a little miracle baby. From this six months ago (3lbs. 12 oz):

To this, yesterday( 15 lbs. 3 1/2 oz):

We are so grateful!

Isn't Shonna's new haircut cute??

Conference Report: October, 2009

I know, I'm late. After each conference issue of the Ensign comes out, I read all of the talks. Then I go back and study each talk. This includes looking up each scripture referenced in my scriptures, often marking them and making notes. To me, it's a great way to study the scriptures. It's letting general authorities, including apostles, take me by the hand and lead me through the scriptures, teaching me what they have learned. Often (examples include Elder Nelson& Elder Andersen) you get a whole extra talk in the footnotes. It takes a long time to do this, but I figure I'm going to study scriptures anyway, and this is a great way to do it. I work this in with other scripture study I do, so it takes me the full six months to get it done. My goal is to have each Conference issue studied before the next one comes out, which means this one should have been done by the end of April. I'm late, but I finished this morning.

As I finish studying each talk, I tally how many times the speaker references each of the standard works, how many times they quote apostles, literature and hymns. Then, when I've studied the whole Ensign, I do a total tally of each of those. Why? Statistics such as this are very interesting to me. I like to see changes over the years and ponder what those changes might mean. I won't give you my conclusions, I'll let you do that for yourself, but I will give you the total tallies, in case you're interested. I will mention that I've seen a great increase in how much the general authorities quote latter-day apostles, living and dead. In this conference, apostles were quoted 75 times. Just in case you're interested, following are the totals: (These totals include scriptures quoted and referenced-scriptures referred to, but not actually quoted):

Book of Mormon: 186

Old Testament: 36

New Testament: 98

Doctrine and Covenants: 108

Pearl of Great Price: 24

Apostles: 75

Hymns: 7

Works of Literature: 22

There is a great quote from Elder Michael T. Ringwood in this conference that expresses a reason I love to study conference talks:

"My testimony is that the teachings from our prophet and apostles in this conference, if followed, will lead to an easiness and willingness to believe in the word of God."

In these troubled times, I am grateful for bi-annual conferences that keep me focused on eternal things, help me live my life better, and lead me through the scriptures.

Happy Father's Day!

A Family Tree (so to speak)

Lyman sr, Lyman jr, John, Skip

My Grandpa: Charles O. Peterson

My Grandpa: Lyman Conrad Gabrielsen, Sr.

My Dad: Lyman Conrad Gabrielsen, Jr.

Father of Kristen, Shonna, and Michelle

Grandpa of Brielle, Nathan, Gabriella, & Caleb

Kenneth Allen Hinton

Father of Brielle, Nathan, and ?

Jared Mackrory

Father of Caleb

Blake Cameron

Father of Gabriella

Brian Prince

I'm a lucky lady to have (and have had) these wonderful fathers in my life. Happy Father's Day to all!

Poco a Poco

Poco a Poco=Three Powerful words. "Poco a Poco" means "Little by little" in Italian. It’s a musical phrase. For instance: “Cresc. Poco a poco” means "Get louder little by little." I believe these three little words have great power, not only in music, but in life.

Years ago I attended a Music workshop at BYU. Bonnie Goodliffe (now Tabernacle organist) was the Keynote speaker. Her talk was entitled "Poco a poco." I’ve never forgotten it and think about it all the time. It had a profound effect on me. Let me give you two examples of the power of poco a poco.

#1: Tonight I attended the senior recital of one of my students- Joanie. Joanie began voice lessons with me when she was in 8^th grade. She was shy, not very confident, but determined to be a good singer. As I drove to her recital tonight, I reflected on "poco a poco." It took me half an hour to get to her church in her neighborhood, where the concert was held. I realized how many times she had made that half hour drive to attend her lessons. Week after week after week she came. She missed very few lessons over the years. Maybe one or two for illness, and a few as she participated in activities (like the musical at school, etc) where she was using the talent she was developing. At first, her mom drove her each week, then, when she could drive, she came on her own. As soon as she was old enough to get a job, she paid for her own lessons.

There were many times of frustration and disappointment over the years. I even remember a few tears shed in my living room. There were also some wonderful, glorious moments: like landing a part in the school musical, being crowned in her town’s royalty (singing for her talent number,) and getting a superior at state solo and ensemble festival. Poco a poco- little by little- talent was developed; confidence gained. Tonight was a glorious, crowning culmination of her efforts. She sang beautifully with confidence. She had us laughing one moment; crying the next. It was an inspiring and wonderful concert. "Poco a poco."

#2: Years ago, I realized I would need to play the piano better if I was going to be a good vocal teacher. I took lessons as a kid, then played for Primary, etc, as an adult, but I wasn’t very good. I began practicing. I wish I could say I practiced every day. I did when preparing for recitals, but not the rest of the year. But every Christmas and spring, I literally spent hours a day on my piano bench- preparing to accompany my students in our vocal recitals. The first recitals I accompanied were SO disappointing. Even after over 100 hours of practice( no, I’m not kidding- if anything, that is an UNDER exaggeration), I would blow songs in the recital. I remember several years ago after messing up bad for two of my students( I can still tell you which students- which songs- it was terrible!) I said, "I'm not going to do this again. I'll hire someone to accompany them. I just am not cut out to accompany." But a little voice inside of me said, “Poco a poco.” So I persisted. The last few vocal recitals have been quietly wonderful experiences for me. I can’t say I’ve played or accompanied perfectly, but I honestly think no one really noticed me much. That’s what my mom used to say is the goal of an accompanist- not to be noticed. I’ve even done some accompanying at Sacrament meeting. As recently as last Sunday, I accompanied a double quartet in Sacrament meeting. I accompanied a couple of Joanie’s songs tonight."Poco a poco."

I really believe "poco a poco" is one of the things we are on earth to learn. "Poco a poco" is the key to returning to live with our Heavenly Father. It’s overwhelming to think of having to conquer all our faults and failings at once,to have to learn everything we need to know, and become all we need to be, but little by little, we can do it. Three powerful words: "Poco a poco."

Pedicures

I’ve had two professional pedicures in my life. In my entire life . .. two. And both were in the last six weeks.

Pedicure #1

Last month we went on a cruise. I was excited because we had some free onboard credit. I determined before we left that I would use part of that for a spa pedicure. So on the first day onboard, I headed up to the spa, only to be discouraged by the price. I debated with myself for a few hours, then found out that if I waited until the boat was in a port I could get the pedicure for half price. That did it. I signed up.

So while my family went on Mr. Toad’s wild ATV ride in the jungle( I got to go the next day at the next port), I luxuriated in a spa pedicure. Ahhhh. Let me describe this to you:

First, dear Anaisa from Africa had me soak my feet in luxurious bubbles. Then she exfoliated my skin below my knees with this wonderful smelling scrubby stuff. Then she buffed my feet and pushed back the cuticles. Each foot would soak while the other was being treated. Then, now get this, she got hot stones and greased them up and massaged my legs and feet with these hot stones. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Yes, my mouth is watering. She did that for a long time while soft music played and I rested my head in the comfortable chair. Ahhh. Then, she rubbed on this wonderful tingly cool gel. It was called a fire and ice pedicure- hot stones = fire; gel= ice. Ah, so nice. Next came delicious-smelling lotion. She massaged my legs and then my feet for a long time. It was wonderful. Then she put stuff between my toes and carefully painted my toenails- four careful coats in all. Then she put me under a toenail dryer for awhile. I read my book. Then she gave me these jazzy little paper thongs so I wouldn’t smudge my toes. I left feeling happy and feeling that Anaisa and I would be friends for life.

Pedicure#2

I admit, Pedicure #1 created an appetite for pedicures. It’s hard for me to even get to my toes. I know they are down there, but unless my foot gets really ahead of my body, I can’t even see them. So, having someone take care of that for me just sounds like pure heaven. So, I’ve been plotting and checking around. I found this place called Asia Nails that advertised spa pedicures for $19. I called them and talked to the oriental owner. I asked what it included: soak, scrub, massage, paint. Do you sterilize the instruments. “Of course we do. That’s the rule.” The defensive tone in his voice should have scared me. It did, but I decided to give it a try anyway. So armed with my paper flip flops from the last pedicure, I entered Asian He . . ., oh, excuse me, I mean, Asian Nail. I walk in and am immediately ordered to choose my color. On the wall are all these paints. I choose one and head back to where I was ordered. I’m told to put my feet in the foot bath. I do, and immediately say, “Ah! That’s too hot!” “Take your feet out lady.” I do and she adds some cold water and turns on the bubbles. After soaking for less than thirty seconds, a 2^nd little Asian gal comes and orders me to take my feet out and put them up here (on a dirty- looking towel.) “Not like that ! How do you expect me to clean your toes?” “My jaw drops to my chest and stays there for most of the rest of the ordeal. She starts poking my feet with instruments. “Ouch!” “Oh, that hurts?,” she asks with a wicked smile. While she works, she talks in Tagalog with the gal next to her. They sneer. I wish I knew how to say, “Stupid Mormon woman” in Tagalog because I ‘m pretty sure that’s what they’re saying . . .or worse. Melanie and Aaron, where were you when I needed you.

Okay, so then she starts clipping at my cuticles with scissors. Ah, I don’t want to be clipped. I lose concentration (maybe even consciousness) at one point and she tells me off. “Are you trying to make this hard on me?” How rude of me. Here I thought a pedicure was about ME- not YOU, lady! Then she puts this foul smelling stuff (I think it dissolves skin) and then she takes this brushy thingy, grasps my foot, and starts vigorously rubbing the bottom of my feet with the brush. I’m jumping all over the place, but like an experienced fisherman extracting the hook, she has a firm grip, and I can’t get loose.

By now, the chairs around me are filling up. Others try to engage these gals in conversation. They’ll have nothing of it. They just sneer and talk Tagolog with each other. I don’t even try to make conversation. ( Remember my lower jaw is on my chest- it’s hard to talk in that position.)

Then comes the massage part. Oh good. At least this will feel good. Okay, here’s the massage: She sprays pink lotion up my leg and rubs it in maybe twice. Then she grasps my foot and with the other hand starts slapping the top of my foot as hard as she can. Yes, open hand slapping! Then she balls her hand into a fist and pounds the bottom of my foot as hard as she can. That’s the massage. Bruised and bleeding ( from the cutting and filing) she then yells at me again for not holding my foot right as she applies the polish. She puts on two coats, tells me to sit there to let it dry and she moves onto another poor victim. Pedicure chop shop.

While I’m sitting there, I watch the workers throw dirty towels in a hamper. Then I watch them go and get towels to use out of that same hamper. I watch them put their tray of instruments in a cupboard. I watch them get trays of instruments to use on the next person out of that same cupboard. I watch the one male working there picking his nose (No, I’m not kidding), then without washing his hands go to work on the next client. Ahh. After a few minutes, I go to pay. The lady at the register tells me I can leave a tip.

As I hobble out, I swear I will never get a pedicure again. My pedicure appetite has been spoiled. I go home and spread sanitizing gel all over my feet and toes. Then I put Neosporin all over them. I continually check for signs of infection. I pray my toes are pink only because of the polish and not because of infection. I wake up the next morning, sure I’ll see pussy discharge, sure signs of gangrene. Every time I feel a tingle in a toe, I have to check it. This goes on for days.

So now I’m on to my next plotting. Don’t tell them, but it involves three daughters in Virginia later this month. I’m thinking I will let them choose Pedicure #1 or Pedicure #2- kind of like Door #1 or Door #2 on “Let’s Make a Deal.” If they choose #2 they’ll hear, “Dun, Dun Dun!” And I’ll start yelling at them to hold their feet still and I’ll burn and cut and pound and slap. But I’ll use a clean towel. That’s where I draw the line. Hopefully they’ll all choose #1. Anyone know where I can get some smooth, hot stones?

As for me, I guess I'm going back to my previous way of doing things. I do the scrubbing and clipping and preparing and Ken does the painting. He was a little hesitant at first, but I told him, "Just stay in the lines - like in coloring." He does a great job. And he doesn't hit, slap, or sneer. AND sometimes he throws in a nice massage. I didn't know how good I had it!

I Simply Can't

I love onions. I love them fresh and raw. I love to cook with onions. I love them sautéed in olive oil and lemon juice. I love them in just about everything. I like to make my menus and shopping lists for a month at a time. I looked at my list. There were only two thing on there for the whole month that didn’t have onions: Creamed Tuna on Toast ( and now I’m thinking it would bump it up to sauté onions in the butter . . .) and Joan’s Crème Broulee French Toast ( ummmm . .. no!) I simply can’t cook without onions.

Here’s my secret, fondest, don’t you dare tell anyone wish: I’m hoping the prophet will announce that anyone who’s eaten a lot of onions in their lifetime gets celestial kingdom- automatic!

Okay, if not that, then I hope those nutritional scientist will discover that anyone who eats a lot of onion will be healthier and happier and prettier (hey, it’s a wish!) . . .and richer . . .and that their children will all move to within a few miles of them . . . and . . . . well, whatever . .. go eat yourself an onion and think of me!

The Comb

Oh, if this brown comb could talk, the stories it could tell!

Awhile back, we were visiting Kristen’s family and I noticed she was using MY brown rat tail comb( the one I’d use for years to do my three daughters’ hair) to do Brielle’s hair. “Hey!” I said, “You stole my comb!” Kristen got a very guilty look on her face and said, “Sorry.” I said, “It’s okay; I stole it from my mom.” Hmmm. I wonder where my mom got it . . . .

Until We Meet Again

Words of a Prophet

Here it is again. Each conference, I make a list of everything the prophet specifically asks us to do in his talks. I then post it on my fridge and it really does help me remember and check myself. Here it is from April, 2010, in case you're interested:

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

Saturday Morning Session:

1. Reach out to new converts or those making their way back into the church- surround them with love.

2. Attend the temple faithfully

Priesthood Session:

1. Prepare for a mission and temple marriage

2. Date only those with high standards

3. Go to places where there is a good environment

4. Dress appropriately

5. Avoid extremes in clothing and appearance, including tattoos and piercings

6. Treat everyone with kindness and dignity

7. Be honest

8. Use language to uplift and build those around you

9. Avoid pornography at all costs

10. Don't be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change a radio station if what's being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father's standards.

11. Keep your body clean and pure

12. Don't listen to unworthy music

13. Treat your date with respect

14. Fill your minds with good thoughts

15. Be ye clean

16. Pray

17. Keep the commandments

18. Selfless service

Sunday Afternoon Session:

1. Study conference messages, ponder their teachings, apply them to your life

The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I loved this book. I was constantly being torn with desperately wanting to read it, and desperately NOT wanting to . . . because then I knew it would be over.

The story is told through three distinct voices: Aibileen and Minnie: black maids in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962, and Miss Skeeter: a white young woman who is a fledgling writer- anxious to write something that will make a difference in the world and be published. Naïve to the full repercussions of writing about what it’s like to be a black maid to white people in Mississippi, Miss Skeeter secretly recruits Aibileen, who finally reluctantly agrees to help her. Eventually, other courageous women come forward to anonymously give a voice to the black community. It is a powerful story of courage and sacrifice.

Besides these three, there were other well-developed characters. The “Nyah ha ha ha” villain of the story, Miss Hilly, with Oprah-like power (now there’s irony!) in the white Jackson community, was Satan personified. Could someone really be so ignorant and evil? As we all know, the answer is "yes." Unfortunately, I don’t think she was overdone at all. Her puppet white friends only cared about their social status and what Hilly thought. Enter any high school in America, and you see this plot played out every day. Even Skeeter hoped to keep her friendships with Hilly and the southern white elite women, while keeping her clandestine meetings, and eventual friendships with the black maids strictly underground.

Set against the backdrop of what really WAS happening in Mississippi (the assassination of Medgar Evers) and the US (Rosa Parks, the assassination of JFK, etc.) this work of fiction is believable and real. At the same time I was reading this, I was reading a non-fiction book about Abraham Lincoln and the civil war. It was revealing to me that 100 years later this battle for civil rights and freedom was still being fought.

This book definitely makes my “all-time favorite book list.” I was disappointed at first that it was only available in hard back (the paperback version will come out in Jan, 2011), but now I am so glad I have it hardback as I’m sure I’ll want to reread it again and again. I would love to hear the audio version, too.

I think my only criticism of the book was the ending. It left me hanging a little. I’m hoping that means there will be a sequel. Miss Stockett????

View all my reviews >>

Ohio

We just returned from a great ten-day trip to Ohio to visit Shonna, Blake, and Caleb. We arrived on Saturday. Blake's parents were already there (such fun people), and Michelle and Brian came that evening. Caleb was blessed on Sunday. It was a great celebration. Michelle and Brian stayed until Wednesday. Ken and I got to tend baby Caleb while Shonna worked and Blake went to school. Shonna took Friday off and we enjoyed a fun picnic and stroll through a gorgeous metro park. Saturday, we went to the conservatory and watched the butterfly releasing and had a fancy schmancy lunch. We all went to dinner that evening. We played games lots (Ken says he's through with the game of Monopoly for life ), enjoyed grandchildren, and had a nice, relaxing week. Ken enjoyed going each day to a metro park to bird. Columbus has amazing parks. It was a great week. Thanks, Blake and Shonna and everyone!