Brian Graduates from The George Washington University Law School

 We had a wonderful whirlwind weekend last week.  We flew to Washington DC to witness (Whoa!  That's a lot of W's!) Brian's graduation from George Washington Law School.  What a privilege it was to be there!  We flew there on Thursday and went to Brian and Michelle's on Friday morning.  Gabbi was happy to see us.

 She even danced a jig!

 Ken helped Jaron dance with her.

 Jaron warmed up to us pretty fast.

 That evening, we met up with the Hinton cousins in the area for a barbecue at the park.  Two other cousins live in the DC area: Dustin and Nicki- Dustin works there, and Jana and Strider : Strider is in medical school there.  Before the others arrived, Gabbi was sliding queen.  She would climb up, slide, and almost before her feet hit the ground, she'd be running to climb up and do it again . . . and again . . .and again.  You get the picture.

Soon the cousins arrived.  This is Gabbi and Jana's Tolman.

Conner (Dustin's) and Jaron bonding.

J

 Delicious food and delightful company. (Where was Nicki?)

 The bedtime routine.  

Saturday:  We started the day Saturday by taking the kids to Gabbi's dance class.  Michelle and Brian are called as Stake Dance specialists for their upcoming Youth Spectacular, and they had a rehearsal that morning.  So Ken and I got to go to the Mom and Me Dance class.  It was so fun to be there.  The class is designed for Moms and girls so that moms can keep the little ones on task.  But Gabbi didn't need me at all. She did exactly what Miss Kady told her and loved every minute of it.  I wonder where she got those genes???  It so reminded me of taking Michelle to her first classes.  

 The support team.

 I'm pretty proud of this picture as I caught her in the air.  It was pure luck, as my camera doesn't actually go off when I click it.  

Here, they lined up with wands and walked on their tippy toes sprinkling fairy dust with their wands.  Pretty soon, Gabbi was leading the group- leaving the others in her dust!

 At the end, Miss Kady had them each do a solo.  This was Gabbi's.

 After lunch at Michelle's, we headed for the Metro to take us to town for the Law School's award ceremony.

 Students from the graduating class were informed by letter that they would be receiving an award, but didn't know what award.  Brian and his partner had won the Moot Court Competition, so they knew they were getting that award, but it was a fun surprise that Brian also won an award for being an Outstanding Student in Intellectual Property Law!  He's pretty awesome!

 The supporters

Outstanding Student Award: 

 This is my favorite picture of the whole weekend.  After the awards ceremony, we attended a reception over at the law school.  Ken snapped this on the walk over there.  

 Gabbi was so cute eating the cheese and crackers.  Just her kind of dinner!

 We took the metro home.  Then Brian and Michelle got all gussied up to head back to the Law School Graduation Reception.  They were so excited for an evening out.  And we were excited to spend the evening with our grandkids.  

 The reception was held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.  The Law School had rented it for the evening.  After the reception, Michelle and Brian walked along the National Mall, enjoying some kid -free time.  

 Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we had a great time.  . . until bedtime when Gabbi felt sad that her Mama wasn't there.  She finally fell asleep in the rocking chair.

 That evening, Brian's parents arrived.  Early the next morning, we headed back to the National Mall on the metro.

 I think awesome was the only word for it.  Thousands of chairs were set up down the center of the National Mall for the commencement ceremonies.  Thousands!  The stage was so far away, you couldn't even see it.  But there were several huge screens.  The Washington Monument was the backdrop, with the Capital building behind.    What a privilege it was to be there.  Brian Williams of NBC News was the speaker.  He was very good- very funny.

 We moved our chairs over into the shade.  It was such a pleasant day.

 Here's one of the huge screens.

 After the ceremony, we met up with Brian and took pictures.  

 And Gabbi danced under the monument.

 Brian and Michelle packed us a picnic for lunch.  So we headed back to the law school for our picnic, then  to the Law School Commencement.  

Brian receiving his diploma. 

 Then more pictures.

We went back to the apartment and had a delicious meal that they had put in the crockpot that morning.  They honored Cynthia and Me as a belated Mother's Day. 

We had an early flight on Monday.  Thank you for a wonderful weekend, Princes, and hearty congratulations to Brian Gary Prince, Juris Doctorate!!!

The Tipping Point

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It took me back to my college days and my social psychology courses- which was my minor. I read it with a pen in hand, marking things much like a college textbook. The basic premise of the book is that little things can cause things to "tip," dramatically changing society. The book explores three different kinds of people who play vital roles in tipping:
1. Connectors and Super Connectors: people who know a lot of people and have influence with a lot of people. (Paul Revere was one example.)
2. Mavens. People who know a lot about a specific thing or a variety of things. As you read, people you know come to mind. Everyone knows a maven (a know-it-all!)
3.Salesmen. People who know how to persuade.

Stickiness is also a huge factor in tipping. If something is "sticky" it, well, sticks. One of the examples he used is Sesame Street. Combining real people with puppets and costumed people (Big Bird) made Sesame Street sticky.

Context is the next factor explored. This was an amazing example to me: I'm sure those of us who are a little older can remember the reputation of NYC and the HIGH crime rate there. That was "tipped" by simply cleaning up New York. The subways were scrubbed, and graffitied trains were not allowed out on runs. Run down neighborhoods were repaired, painted, and cleaned. By cleaning up New York, the crime rate dropped dramatically. The theory being "people prone to commit crimes are less likely to do so in a cleaner environment."

The example I thought of that illustrates this same factor: We have two serve- yourself frozen yogurt establishments in our town. One is extremely busy; the other, not so much. My theory is that a simple factor makes the difference: the busy one sets out tiny paper cups so people can taste the different flavors without having to ask. The less busy one does not. My theory is that a thing as small as teeny tiny paper cups that you don't have to ask for, make all the difference.

There is much more in this book. He explores the "tipping" toward violence at schools after Columbine, suicide epidemics, fashion trends, mass hysteria (Like the recent example of the girls with the tics in New York), etc. All of it very interesting. The sad thing is that it was written before the huge "tipping" in social media caused by the internet, facebook, etc. I think the principles can be applied, though to the ever-changing world. There is much food for thought, and much that can be recognized and applied in our daily lives.
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October, 2011 Conference Report

Every six months, I humbly attempt to review the conference report that I've been studying for the past six months.  I read all the talks, then I go back and "study" them, looking up all the scriptures. Because I'm weird,  I count all of the references from the different sources, too.  Anyway, I finished the October, 2011 conference this week.
   I had two favorite talks in this conference.  I loved Elder Scott's talk on "The Power of Scripture"  In that talk, he challenged us to memorize scriptures. "Great power can come from memorizing scriptures.  To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship.  It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change."  I took that challenge, and actually, because this talk was going to be the source for our high council speaker in March, I challenged the ward choir (I'm the ward choir director) to accept this challenge.  Each week, before we rehearsed the song "Search, Ponder, and Pray," someone from the choir would recite the scripture they had memorized.  It was a sweet experience as we felt the power of the words of that song after hearing the scripture.  
  Another favorite talk was Elder Yamashita's.  The story he begins his talk with about the missionary in Japan who is wearing his father's coat because his father wore it when he was on HIS mission to Japan hit close to home.  Kristen served in the same Japanese mission that her father served in twenty-five years earlier.  His talk brought back sweet memories of going to Japan and meeting people Kristen loved when we picked her up at the end of her mission.
   Another stand out and memorable talk is President Uchtdorf's to the women of the church in General Relief Society meeting.  Will any of us ever look at a forget me not flower again without thinking of him and his talk?
    Here are the results of the tally of quoted scriptures:
Book of Mormon-175
New Testament- 161
Modern Day Apostles- 101
Doctrine and Covenants- 99
Old Testament-88
Pear of Great Price- 21
Literature- 35
Hymns- 10


32 speakers referenced or quoted from the Book of Mormon
28 speakers quoted apostles
Comparing these statistics from the last conferences shows a BIG increase in the referencing of the Book of Mormon.  There may be a message there!


Most often quoted scriptures:
Mosiah 2: 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellowbeings ye are only in the service of your God.
This was quoted three times by Uchtdorf, Alonso, and Eyering
Moroni 7:  47 But ^acharity is the pure ^blove of Christ, and it endureth^cforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
This was quoted three times by Scott, Eyering and Allred
1 Tim. 4: 12 Let no man ^adespise thy youth; but be thou an ^bexample of the believers, in word, in ^cconversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in^dpurity.
This was quoted by Perry, McMullin, and Eyering


These are scriptures to consider memorizing if you want to take Elder Scott's challenge.
I am grateful for the general conferences of our church and the modern day scripture it provides for me in my life.  

Nedje's Gratitude Concert

Last evening, Ken and I attended our friend, Nedje's Gratitude Concert.  You may remember I blogged about Nedje last year.  I met her at the pool last year and found we had much in common.  She has a Master's Degree in vocal performance.  She taught at a community college: voice lessons and a Humanities Course: The Influence of African Americans upon American Music.  She came to Keynotes a couple of times last Spring and helped us with our spirituals and jazz numbers.  She went back to Maryland last summer, but just kept thinking about southern Utah and was drawn back here.  So she came out again this year.  Her fondest desire is to get a part at Tuachan.  She's tried out both years, but so far hasn't got a part. She felt like she would like to present a concert to say thank you to friends she's met while living here.  There were about twenty of us in attendance- held at the casita  she is renting.  She presented a variety of beautiful songs- everything from opera to pop.  She has a gorgeous voice and amazing stage presence and drama.  It was a treat to hear her and to mingle with her other guests.  I am amazed at the quality of people that she's accumulated as friends in the short time she's been here.  I wish Nedje well and hope her every dream is fulfilled.

I'm sad I forgot to take my camera to the concert.  I just took some pictures of her beautiful program when I got home:  

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

As I always do, I just compiled the list of "to dos" given by our prophet in the Arpil, 2012 conference.  I read the talks, looking for directives.  Sometimes he's quite direct, but usually it starts with  "I urge. . . " or "Let us . . ."  or "May you or your . .  "   I don't claim this to be a "perfect list" or that it includes everything we need to do.  It's just my best attempt at gleaning from his talks the things we need to be working on.  I give this as a visiting teaching handout.  I'm grateful for a prophet!

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

April, 2012 Conference

Sunday Morning Session

1.“Should there be changes which need to be made in your life, may you find the incentive and the courage to do so as you listen to (and read and study) the inspired words of [conference.]”

2. “May each of us resolve anew to live so that we are worthy sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.

3. “May we continue to oppose evil wherever it is found.”

4. “May we be filled with His Spirit as we partake of the proceedings of this conference.”

Priesthood Session

1.”I urge you to contemplate [your] duties and then do all within your power to fulfill them.”

2. “Let us be worthy to serve.”

3. “There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”

4. “Let us hearken to the stirring reminder found in the Epistle of James, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only. . . “

5. “Let us be willing and worthy to serve.”

6. “Let us in the performance of our duty follow in the footsteps of the Master.”

Sunday Morning Session

“Come back.  Come up. Come in. Come home, Come unto me.”

Sunday Afternoon Session

1.”May we call upon Him in prayer. . . “

2.”May your homes be filled with love and courtesy and with the Spirit of the Lord. “

3. “Love your families.”

4.”If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I urge you to settle them now.”

5. “May you ponder the truths you have heard (in conference)”

General Young Women Meeting

1.“I counsel you to look to the lighthouse of the Lord.”

2. Believe

            -Believe that you are a daughter of Heavenly Father, that He loves you, and that you are here for a glorious purpose.

            -Believe in the words of the Young women theme

3. Nurture your testimony

            -study

            -pray for guidance

            -attend your Church meetings each week (Sundays and weeknight activities)

            - Participate in Seminary

4. Obey

            -Keep your life as free from trouble as you can.

            -“. . . Make every decision you contemplate pass this test:  “What does it do to me?  What does it do for me?”  and let your code of conduct emphasize not “What will others think?”  but rather “What will I think of myself?” 

            -Be influenced by that still, small voice.

            -“ I plead with you to choose to obey.”

5. Endure

            - “Seek Heavenly guidance one dat at a time.  Life by the yard is hard, by the inch is a cinch.”

Just show up

Ready for another mantra? I have loved reading yours and thinking about them. Thank you for sharing.

This one comes from a few years ago. A young man spoke in our stake conference. He was totally blind. He was so positive and inspirational. He asked, "Did you go the welfare orchard to pick peaches when your ward was assigned? If you didn't, then on that day I was better at picking peaches than you, because I showed up." Good point. Even if you're totally blind you're better than I was that day! He went on to explain that that is his motto (or mantra): Just show up! Sometimes I think we're afraid to show up. What will be expected of us? Are we equal to the challenge? I know I feel that way whether it's picking peaches, or later canning them at the cannery, or going to a Relief Society meeting alone, or helping someone move or comforting someone who is mourning, or sitting with someone who is ill- so their caregiver can have a break, , or, or. . . It's scary. Can I do it? Will I know what to say? But, if we can just show up- almost always it works out just fine. And usually it becomes a very sweet and even joyful experience. So, there's another mantra for you to consider:  Just show up!

My Favorite Things: Cutco Knife

If you cook, you know what a good knife means to you.  Your world revolves around a good knife!  At least it feels that way sometimes.  I'm always searching for the perfect knife.  Several years ago, we were discussing knives with friends and they said they liked their Cutco knives.  They had purchased them from an acquaintance trying to eek out a living- so it was kind of a charity purchase- but they had been pleasantly surprised with them.  So Ken checked into it and found how he could order some online and surprised me at Christmas with three: a small paring knife, a large bread knife and this medium sized serrated knife. (That man knows the way to a girl's heart!) This medium sized one is my favorite.  It's still sharp three years later and really "cuts it" with me.  In fact, if I can't find it, I kind of panic.  My Cutco knife:  one of my favorite things!

Special Pioneers

I looked out the window and what did I see?  Well, that too, but I also saw the park behind our house full of people in pioneer garb with handcarts.  It was the special needs mutual in our area on their own pioneer trek.  I ran and got my camera and photographed them as the trek trail went right behind our house. It was so fun to watch.
 It made me reflect on the special needs mutual and what a great thing it is.  It started a few years ago with our stake acting as host to all of the St. George area.  It's split twice and now there are three very large groups who meet every Thursday evening.  Youth in the stake are called to serve as mentors, so each special needs participant has a special friend that will be there each week and enjoy the activities with them.  It's kind of a coveted calling.  The youth who do it, love it.  Everyone has a great time at special needs mutual.  I'm glad I got to witness these pioneers to remind me of what life is really all about!

Freak the Mighty

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For our online family bookclub, we read and discussed this sweet little book this month. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about an unlikely friendship between two misfit boys. Each fills needs in the other. It’s a page turner with many themes, including: literacy, death, bullying, judging others, handicaps, and friendship.
This book was well-written and easy to read. I was so glad to read that many junior high school English classes use this book as required and encouraged reading. It's a great book for kids to read. They’ll learn about being a true friend, about the importance of literacy- reading and writing, how to not judge or be cruel to others and that there is a reason people act the way they act- Don't judge, and maybe most important of all how to lift and build others to their potential! I think this also would be a great read aloud for families.


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Our online bookclub:

Thanks for the Memories, Pete!

Pat and Pete Baum moved in across the street 23 years ago. We bonded almost immediately with this friendly, outgoing man and his kind, gracious wife.   You may remember a post I did when Pat passed away a few years ago and we celebrated her life with a neighborhood barbecue.  Pete has been a lonely widower since.  He's recently decided he needs to move back to California to be nearer his family.  He's been like a surrogate grandpa to our kids and a good friend to us.  Even the older grandkids call him Grandpa Pete.  Some things we'll miss:  Whenever we're out of town, we don't even have to ask, Pete takes in our newspapers for us.  Every week he wheels our garbage can up our driveway on garbage day.  We've had Thanksgiving dinners together and barbecues with homemade ice cream, enjoyed fireworks together,  and many talks out on the front lawn or bench.  He has brought a baby gift over for every grandchild to celebrate their birth.  This has been especially touching since Pat's passing, as he goes to the store and chooses it himself.  Though not a member of our church, he attended all of our daughter's baptisms and Kristen's missionary farewell and homecoming.  He used to go to most of Kristen's ball games when she was in high school- often traveling to the out of town ones with us.  We had many good chats on those trips. Pete loved my parents.  He loved that my Dad called Mom "Pete" and dubbed himself "the other Pete." Pete and Pat really feel like a part of our family.  

Last weekend, we held a traditional neighborhood barbecue to say farewell.  Here's some pictures from that:

Pete and neighbor, Sharon 

 The beautiful Sonju girls

 The barbecue kings: Travis and Bishop Sonju

Maci holding the Robertson's new baby girl, Inga

I got busy eating the delicious food and visiting, and didn't get more group shots.  There was a good crowd there.

Thanks for the memories, Pete!  We'll miss you!  

Just Keep Swimming

I just keep hearing new phrases that could be adopted as mantras. When you're looking for them; they're everywhere. I'm always pulling out my notebook and jotting a new one down-- from talks or lessons at church- just things people say in comments in classes at church, on T.V., in movies, . . .. Mantras are everywhere! I've got blogging fodder for months to come!

Before I started really delving into mantras, if someone had asked what my mantra was, I'd have said one of two. I'll save the other for later, but one of them is "Just Keep Swimming," of course, adopted from that delightful movie,"Finding Nemo." That little phrase helps me so much to keep going when I'm tired and discouraged. It's so what I need. Whether I'm trying to get the dishes done, or the laundry, or write a script, or finish a list of errands, or am actually swimming (I do that!), I find myself repeating this to myself. Life is hard. We have to go through hard things sometimes. Those around us go through hard times, too. This is a great little phrase to share with someone who's struggling. It gets me through the tired, tough times. There's a lot of power in just keeping at something. Just keep keeping on! Oh wait, that would be another possible mantra! But it's all the same message. Just don't give up. Keep at it, and pretty soon it's done and you win! I find repeating to myself,"just keep swimming"very motivational.

Morris Spring Break

It's tradition that Joan and whoever she can gather up come for their spring break every spring. She drives down from Boise, arriving on Monday afternoon, then on Wednesday, goes and gets Tom at the airport and this year, brought Devin's Sarah and her two darling daughters back with her for the rest of the week. We shopped all day on Tuesday and talked each other into buying stuff we don't need. It's tradition. On Wednesday, she came to my Keynote rehearsal with me (that also is tradition) and then we went power shopping at a cute quilt store that was madly closing out their stuff to close their doors (sad.) We grabbed a few things at 40% off. We then met Pam (yep, tradition!) for a delicious lunch at a new Italian place that Pam knew about. The chef is an ex- Princess cruise chef and the food was delicious!

On Saturday, between sessions we had a fun, but windy picnic out at one of our awesome neighborhood parks. I did terrible at getting pictures, but the kids had a great time on the unique playground toys.

During the priesthood session, we went to our beautiful city center park. We rode the carousel and played in the rocky stream water play place. The kids had so much fun.

I have two share to Eva- isms from their visit. When they first arrived, I think she was a bit scared of Ken and I. That was Thursday. On Friday, Ken was late getting home for work and we were already around the table, eating dinner. Ken came in and Eva said, "Why's that guy here again?" We all cracked up. On Saturday, when we went to park at the carousel, Joan pulled into a parking spot. From the back Eva popped up with, "This is a lovely parking spot." So cute.

By the end, both girls warmed up to Ken. On Sunday morning before they left, he was holding both of them on his lap. Thanks all for visiting! It was very fun. And thank you, Sarah for the BYU fudge. It was so yummy. If you're going to the BYU bookstore soon, people, may I suggest the Heath fudge? (Sorry, there just wasn't time to get a picture of that before it disappeared) It is so good. Happy Spring!

My Favorite Things- Lindor Truffles

It's been awhile since I posted one of Ken's favorite things. Among his very favorite treats are Lindor truffles. He loves them. Especially the white chocolate ones with the white chocolate filling. They were originally Swiss chocolate, but now are made in New Hampshire. If I want to give my husband a special treat (Christmas, birthday, most recently- Easter) I know just what to get him: white chocolate Lindor Truffles- because they are one of his favorite things!

Grandkid Firsts

Though our grandchildren live far away, we've been so blessed to be with them for a few of their "firsts." We were all in Hawaii in 2008 when Nathan first learned to crawl.

We were visiting the Mackrorys in Provo for Brielle's birthday in November of 2008 when Nathan took his first steps.

I was visiting the Camerons in Ohio in the summer of 2011 when Caleb took his first steps.

And Jacob took his first steps when everyone was here at Christmas.

Thanks, guys for saving some of your "firsts" for when your grandparents can celebrate them, too!

Mother/Daughter Book Club via Google Hangout

We've always had a very close family, but it's a challenge to stay that way when all three daughters live so far away. They are all very busy mamas too. We are SO grateful for email, skype, phones, and old-fashioned snail mail that keeps us connected. Michelle came up with another great idea that we just started last month. We meet once a month on Google Hangout and have a bookclub. We all read the same book and then discuss it together. We had our first meeting on March 27th. It just so happened that Joan was here visiting, so she joined our discussion. We decided to start with reading the histories my Dad wrote. We also read the recently discovered hand-written history of my grandmother, Libby Fox Peterson- my mother's mother, which my sister Joan transcribed and sent to all of us.

My Dad's histories are a compilation of several histories that he wrote. Actually, he was a Dr. and used to voice recording. So he spoke his histories into an old-fashioned cassette tape recorder and then, either Patty or I transcribed them. He did his own history, his parents, and all four of his grandparents over a period of a few years. It bothered my mother that she didn't write her life history. When she was very ill with cancer, she tried to write, but just didn't have the strength. My Dad asked if he could help. So, he interviewed her, writing notes. He promised her he would complete her history for her. My sister Patty wrote: "For the first year after her death, Dad could not bring himself to work on her history. It was simply too painful to recall such tender memories. Into the second year after her death he began the process of making notes and recording his memories mixed with the notes he took when he interviewed her." He finished the first draft of that history early in the summer of 2003. Patty transcribed it that summer and gave it to Dad to review. He made some corrections and changes and in early September, 2003, she finished the final draft of that history. He said, "I feel so relieve to have this history finally finished. I can now read novels and other books I have set aside until I finished Dorothy's history." He died on October 19 of that year. When he finished that history, I think he felt his life's work was done.

A few months after he passed away, my sisters and I got together and compiled this book containing all of his histories. We added pictures and made copies for ourselves and all of our children.

It was so fun to discuss the details of the lives of my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents with my daughters and sister. It was fun to hear their perspective and to see what to me was common knowledge be so new and interesting to them. The book also contains the Life Sketches of my parents, given at their funerals: Mom's by my brother John and Dad's by Tom Morris. They are both so well-written and moving. It was a joy to read them again.

I am grateful for the miracle of technology (and for Brian who understands how to USE that technology and get us set up!) that allows us to hold a book club that spans the United States and brings us together in one more way.