Big Day

Things are a little different these days.

But some things never change.

Boys keep growing up and older and milestones are met.

Emerson turned 8 in July but with Covid, and construction and general life running amuck we waited to arrange his baptism.

And waited.

With cases of covid lower than they have been and Caleb now living here we seized an opportunity.

And then I had a migraine for a few days and wondered if it was wise. But in a few moments without an aching head I knew I needed to send out the link/announcement.  I wasn't feeling terribly inspired to make him a tasteful, reverent announcement of this decision to take the first step on the covenant path...  

So this is what was sent. 

It really captured him though.  And effectively got the important info. across.

Then Saturday morning dawned, overcast, snowing and blizzard like... see last blog post for the adventures in snow and trucks!!

But we made it to the church.  Bishop (Uncle James) and Aunt Tina were there waiting for us.  We spent more time trying to find large enough white jumpsuits for our big 8 year old and his big dad, than we spent setting up chairs. 

We snapped a few photos.

I couldn't resist a Covid Baptism photo.  We were prepared in case there were others in the building and we had to mask up but it was only us.  (we had been told there were 3 baptisms scheduled that day, so I didn't know if we'd be sharing the building, but they were spread out through the day)

So we hooked up the zoom link and began.

(I wasn't able to capture a screen shot of everyone who attended... some didn't have cameras on also. Miles was there for a bit and Schmidt girls, and the Ranch)

He chose 'Jesus want me for a Sunbeam' for his opening song and then Grandma gave an opening prayer (via zoom)

Tina bore her testimony of Baptism and commented that his choice of song was ideal.  Emerson has always had a joy about him and that song showed his personality and his testimony of the simplicity of choosing to be a sunbeam for Jesus.

Then he was baptized by daddy... with Whittaker and Caleb as witnesses.

Then Miles bore his testimony in Spanish (via zoom)

Caleb then confirmed him a member of the church and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Whittaker next.  He chose to have Duncan ordain him to the office of a Deacon in the priesthood.

We sang, I hope they call me on a Mission and then Whittaker gave the closing prayer. 

It was short and definitely sweet.

I don't think I'd realized until it was happening how many little touching events were taking place.  All five sons were involved in some way, even via technology.  

(The spiffy boys... didn't get a photo with all the handsome men)

It was over and it was perfect... and Emerson was still visiting with the zoom guests on the phone as we climbed in the truck to head home. 

I had planned to give a talk on the Holy Ghost but it had been forgotten... so I gave it in the truck on the way home.  It was more relaxed and informal... but I prefer that anyway!

Finding these images on the zoom... helps me to know that I still need to work on giving more succinct talks... I struggle with being a tad long-winded... and this format didn't keep me in check time wise.... I ended up carrying on for 22 minutes.  yikes.  

Summary of talk... (condensed for 45 seconds of reading)

Parable is a greek word for comparison

This is the modern day Parable of the cell phone

The Holy Ghost is like a cell phone.  

* You always have access to use one, but when you own your own it's more accessible

- Everyone can have the Holy Ghost, but when you have the gift of it, it's more accessible

*You have to charge a cell phone for it to work

-You have to live righteously and do things like prayer and scriptures to 'charge' your spirit

*There are dead zones where cell phones won't work

-There are places and times that the Holy Ghost can't be... Stand in Holy Places (create holy places)

*Some places have full bars and better service

-Learn where your full spiritual signal strength is..  (when you study scriptures, in temple, in a certain room or spot...)

*Personalized ringtones 

-Recognize how the spirit speaks to you.

*Cell phones have GPS, phone and texting(communication/connection to people), google access to info., notifications and alerts, entertainment/music/, access to prophets words and scriptures

-Holy Ghost gives guidance, messages from heaven, revelation, warnings/protection, comfort/peace and joy, testifies of Christ

Big boys still play with trucks

We were in a hurry the other morning to get to town for Emerson's baptism.  Patrick took my car and tested to be sure we could get to the main road since it had snowed all night.  Our four wheel drive was needed but we could make it.  So all six of us were ready to go and off we went.  We were following Patrick's truck since he needed to go to work after the baptism and needed his vehicle to get home again.

All was well... until... the first turn.  He took a quick glance back to be sure that I had made it out of the driveway and that's all it took for him to slide slightly into the ditch filled with snow.  He spun, he rocked, but to no avail.  His truck was stuck.  I however was not.  So I continued.  Jim brought Caleb's truck to try to pull him out but it was decided that time was more important, so Patrick just drove Caleb's truck to town and we would deal with the stuck truck when we returned home later. 

Fast forward a few hours. 

We followed the snow plow home so our return drive was uneventful.

We changed our clothes and Caleb and Duncan headed out with the snow blower and shovels to extricate Patrick's truck.

The neighbour had noticed our 'stuck truck' and was preparing his truck with the snowplow on the front to clear the road so that once we had the truck out it would be clear to return it home.  The boys and I watched from our warm perch inside the house.  The neighbours truck got stuck leaving his driveway.  Caleb and Duncan continued to snow blow and shovel.  The neighbour then started up his other truck (he has a work vehicle) and put a chain on the plow truck and unstuck his truck.  

Now the neighbour was plowing his driveway and the part of the road that was clear of stuck vehicles.  Caleb and Duncan had cleared all around Patrick's truck and were attempting to rock, push and drive it out of the ditch.... the back wheels were just spinning.  So the neighbour backed the plow truck up to attach the chain to Patrick's truck and give it a tug.  SUCCESS!  

After an hour the excitement was over, Patrick's truck was back in the driveway, Caleb and Duncan were thawing near the fire and the neighbour was finishing clearing the road.    

After about 15 minutes.... 

knock knock.

The neighbour was standing at the door.  "Could I get a tug, please?"  He had slid off the road at the other end.  So they bundled back up and headed outside.  The little boys and I returned to our viewing window.  

The next three hours...

The plow truck was pulled out of the ditch next to our driveway but Caleb's truck slid in the ditch on the other side.  While trying to pull Caleb's truck out the plow truck became further stuck.  Now with two stuck truck's, his wife's jeep joined the excitement and was used to pull the plow truck back onto the road.  Then they pulled Caleb's truck out.  All trucks were then returned to their driveways. 

Whittaker had hot cocoa waiting for Caleb and Duncan.

 The neighbour found someone with a backhoe to clear the rest of the road... The snow was just too heavy for his plow.  

And it continued to snow for another 16 hours.  

As I type, Caleb is snow blowing again... Our big snow blower isn't working, so all is being done with the small snow blower.  (we're hopeful it's just a new battery needed)  But we are soooo grateful that we have more than a shovel. 

 

Construction Bloopers

All work and no play... 

No worries there.  There has been plenty of play.

For some it seems to be their job.

They have managed to find delight in cast off building materials.  These are extra pieces of the concrete forms... otherwise known as robot walkers.

The tubs have been very useful for collecting scraps for burning, garbage, moving dirt and obviously for rolling around in.

The new ripstick backyard stage was enjoyed, for the few days it existed, before pesky things like walls, roof and plumbing were put in the way.

Then there was Duncan.  He found amusement on the actual jobsite... It was his personal jungle gym.  They delighted in calling to me to come see how he became stuck under the house!  It looks like the house in the Wizard of Oz when it landed on the Wicked Witch.  He was neither, dead nor stuck... but definitely wicked!  The tubs also doubled as a place to sit for the few seconds between tasks.  

Take a Gander at that!

 

Part of the renovation required that a few bushes needed to be moved.  While we had the backhoe seemed the best time to move them.  

Bushes and trees are not something I'm willing to waste.  So.  We transplanted them.  

We opted to plant them around the goose pond.

While we were transplanting them, we decided that the geese would like an expanded and deeper pond. 

Instead of the two weeks of digging by shovel that it took Duncan last year, it was twenty  minutes by backhoe.  

Now it is a daily task to keep the bushes alive.  This first year after transplanting is crucial to their survival.

The new and expanded pond was refilled and the boys decided to enjoy it before the geese soiled it.

It may have been a good idea to keep the geese in the corral until the boys were through.  

The boys didn't seem to mind though.

In fact they all seemed to enjoy their water play.

I believe it's because the bushes added a delightful and irresistible ambiance to the pond.

The geese gave their inspection and seal of approval on the pond and left in search of a snack.

The boys lingered in the pond.

Every inch a gentleman

 

The aspired for 72" (6') has been reached.  

Better than the 72" he is tall, is that he's,

 every inch delightful,

every inch helpful,

every inch a hard worker,

every inch active and adventurous,

every inch dependable,

every inch willing,

every inch creative and capable,

every inch savvy (tech and otherwise),

every inch muscle and strength,

every inch gentle and sweet,

every inch kind to his brothers, to animals, to the elderly, to everyone he meets,

every inch... ALWAYS hungry.

And at just 16 years old... he's still growing in wisdom, stature and favour!

Surprises

Months ago, before the world went wacky, we discussed ordering a few new chicks so we could rotate new hens in and older hens out.  I told Patrick, four new chicks.  He stopped at the feed store and placed the order.  He later informed me that there was a minimum order.  12.  I didn't want 12 new chicks.  

Then the world went wacky... things closed.. including the feed store.  After a few months we hadn't given any chicks any thought.  

Until a phone call on Friday, three months later.  "Mr. Noble, your chicks are ready to be picked up."  

OH...

He stopped on the way home and picked them up.  

Now we have 12 baby chicks.  The weather was nice.. but this weekend it dropped so we set the chick house up in the people house.  Next week they move to the coop.  Hopefully a hen or even a goose will 'take them under her wing.

Meanwhile we are enjoying them.  The boys built a chick maze and we ran online chick races on Family Game Night!  (They're working on a bigger and better maze for next week.)

Just before game night began, Patrick came in the house and called, Duncan, come with me.  

When I questioned him, since Duncan is rather important to game night, I was told... "It's a surprise.  We'll be quick!"

So we struggled along with game night without our trusty tech guy.  Then they returned.  

With a Piano!

His brother was helping a lady move and had called saying, 'She's sending a piano to the dump.. do you guys want it?'

Apparently we did.  

After we unloaded it from the truck and brought it in the house, we began a long process of cleaning it.  The keys were sticky and gross... and most didn't play properly. (once pressed they stayed down or they wouldn't press at all)  

As the cleaning progressed I began to fear it wasn't worth  the effort.  So we decided it couldn't hurt to take it apart and see how a piano works.  An educational project even if not a musical instrument for the future.  

We also began googling if it was even a decent instrument.  We discovered that it was a Gulbransen piano built in 1954.  

In taking it apart we discovered, a paperclip, a sewing needle and a 1950's penny.  We also discovered that an army of mice must have taken up residence inside it.  

We spent roughly 6 hours, vacuuming, washing and disinfecting and researching how to clean and repair a piano.  

Duncan was fascinated.  The incredible detail to building a piano.. the intricate system of pulleys, knobs, hammers, strings and the precise shape of each key.  The keys are each hand stamped with a number. 

On the inside of the lid we discovered these signatures and dates.  We debated who they might be.  The previous owners?  The tuners?  Famous pianists who had played this piano?

The little boys kept checking on our progress. 

They also built Lego piano replicas. 

 

We remade some of the felt stoppers and restrung one of the keys.  Then we put it back together. 

Not only had we repaired all the keys and thoroughly cleaned it... It was in tune!

A Ladies Man...

When Duncan was younger he was the chicken whisperer.  He could have all the hens follow him around like the pied piper.  He often went out to visit them.  He may be older now and these are different hens, but the attraction is still there.

The ladies love him...

Driving Tips

With a student driver at the wheel... I find I'm being asked a lot of interesting questions about road and driving and safety.  This one stumped us both. 

I'm fairly certain this sign is to forewarn us that at any moment a truck could appear out of no where and sled down the embankment.  In fact.. the truck on the actual sign may take off any time now!

Gingerbread houses at Retirement Center

I've been in charge of the homeschool co-op's monthly visit to the retirement center.   

Scheduling the time was the easy part I learned.  I also needed to decide on the activities.  We had been reading to the elderly, but clearly that wasn't a hit.  Many were nodding off while the kids read and since most couldn't hear well, having ten children reading all at once didn't work well.  

We did a playdough time.  Both elderly and children tried to eat the dough.  Soo... for December I decided to let them eat.   

This was the biggest hit.   We didn't have enough room for everyone.  We've never had so many attend our events.  It also lasted two hours instead of the normal one hour.  Some really got into the decorating, others liked licking the frosting off the crackers and others just watched as their child/partner created masterpieces.  All snacked a little. 

We had so many leftover supplies...  My boys decided we could make houses again at home. 

Cookies and Instant Sugar Rush anyone?

Since the gingerbread house building had been SUCH a success, we decided to decorate cookies for February.  

I was a bit nervous about using the decorating bags and tips since my experience always has the icing coming out the back end..  

I tied the bags closed as tight as I could.  

Only two of the twelve bags had exploding issues.  WHEW!

What I should have been more concerned about was the SPRINKLES!

First of all they came out quickly.. Secondly, once the kids started sprinkling, they didn't want to stop!

Some of the cookies were as tall as they were wide!

We had one batch of store bought icing.  We knew right away who was eating cookies with that icing.... they had the green and blue lips!

I've now been told that my activities are looked forward to.  I can't decide if it's the excessively messiness they enjoy or the recent sugar rush!  Our spring activity last year was planting flowers... it was also messy... and thankfully no one ate the flowers or the dirt.  

Duncan says bingo and art day are the only other really anticipated activity days. 

Maybe we should plan an art inspired bingo party... using candies for markers. 

I have three more to plan.  One will be our class musical recital.

Here we go again...

Another driver with a permit in the family.

He's learning to drive on ice.  Literally!  First lesson... how to get out of the driveway in 4 wheel drive and turn into the skid on the icy curves.  Bare dry roads ought to be a cinch!

It may take a while to feel confident in his driving since there's not a traffic light or freeway anywhere in the county for him to gain experience.  May need to plan a road trip.

Chim Chiminee...

October was a whirlwind.  I find myself saying that a lot... like for the last twenty years.  

My life is a whirlwind.  But a fun one!

But October truly was.  On the go a lot.  The boys (Whittaker especially..) had been hounding me about Halloween for months!  I constantly replied.  I'm not even thinking about it until after Miles leaves and even then... I don't know if we'll do Halloween.  It's a long drive to town for junk food... But last year was so sweet at the retirement center so we opted to go there again.. this time as helpers.  And in the two days between dropping Miles off and Halloween we came up with costumes. 

Costumes??

We all just wore our own clothes.  

But the literal soot we smeared on their faces and the fireplace tools they carried transformed them... 

I added a splash of colour to the ensemble and spent the evening saying lovely things, such as..

*Don't dawdle boys

*Spit spot

*Enough is as good as a feast

*You know best

*Practically Perfect in every way

*Rather inclined to giggle

*Incorrigible

While in town and waiting for the retirement center activity we ate our warm chili.  Without me the boys were mistaken for coal miners.  I think they're handsome Irish chaps.... it suits them.

We enjoyed working with the residents at the center.  We were there for three hours and missed all of trick or treating in town but the entire town paraded past us throughout the evening.  In the end... the boys went home with more candy than any other Halloween... so much for avoiding junk and doing something more meaningful.  

They boys didn't miss the traipsing all over town... the snow and ice were also a big deterrent. 

Patrick slipped on some ice in the parking lot and knocked out his crown off a tooth.  So Halloween was not uneventful.  I didn't get a photo.... but if he had a cap that would fit his noggin he'd have fit right in with the boys... just his regular attire.

October 31st, 2019

Moose encounters

Twenty eight different visitors to our home between June and mid September.

All enjoyed seeing the wildlife... the antelope sightings.. the gophers... some deer... even a bloated dead cow. 

Hawks, eagles, falcons, Canadian geese, Buffalo, badger, 

But..

Try as we did, we did not have a moose sighting at all. 

Miles apparently saw them regularly going to work and back but never did we or our visitors encounter a moose. 

Which we have completely made up for this month.

They are rather quiet creatures... and very large.

These three were taking a snooze outside the retirement center when we came to pick up Duncan.

They were tired after having wandered through town enjoying a Halloween snack.

They were not bothered by Duncan leaving the building and coming to the car.

They were content here for hours.  Still resting when we left scouts later that evening.

They apparently enjoy this location...

Since we are only here on Wednesday afternoons, I don't know if this is a daily occurrence or just for us on Wednesdays.  

They don't hesitate to return... even without enticing pumpkin treats.

Here's their apology face for 'moosing' all our visitors.

We've seen them a total of 4 Wednesdays now.  And we've some some ambling across the fields along her drive home.  There have also been some in the bushes by the creek as we enter town... the quick glimpses are always when I don't have time to stop for a photo, so I appreciated the cooperation of these three amigos... or 'amoosgos'.  

Farewell, Antelope, Nuts

Forgot to post this one... thought I had

There was a lot of getting ready for Miles departure.  From the day he opened his call we had 67 days to prepare for travel and for being apart for two years.  There were immunizations and shopping.  There was early Spanish lessons and advice to give.  Last laundry lessons and cooking tips.  There were driving records to send and travel visas to arrange.  He needed interviews and to attend the temple.  There were of course day to day, work and living and preparing for winter to see to as well.  Most importantly there was enjoying the moments that we had.  Tina arranged for a last Wyoming family supper the Sunday before his departure.

Through all the preparations I was remiss.  I took very few photos.  I regret many missed photo opportunities.  How I managed to not even think of them I can not understand.  We attended the temple in West Jordan.  no photo...  We attended the following week the Star Valley, WY temple in a snow storm... no photo.  Tina's farewell supper yielded no casual ranch photos.

We went shopping and he was fit for suits.  It was a family occasion... no photos.

We went to the clinic for shots, had a background check performed and driving record ordered.  We marked all his belongings with Miles sewing most of the markings on his clothing himself... no photos.

I did take dozens of photos of the window replacement project..

... and subsequently Caleb and Sarah visiting to say farewells!

The day before his departure we awoke to over 40 antelope on our hill.  And!!!.. They finally used our salt lick that we put out for them!!!  THAT I have photographs of.

We began the day watching the antelope as they grazed just feet from our living room window.  We sat in the new window nook and were excited to see them enjoying the salt lick and pond.  We watched as they frolicked on the hill.

Then we had a farewell breakfast of croissants and hot cocoa.  We had a relaxing day ahead of us with no where to be.  We intended to savor our moments of Miles and then... a banana chocolate chip cookie came between us and our enjoyable day.  Duncan had a cookie.

In jest, over the last year or so, Miles has claimed that he wanted to be the one on hand to stab Duncan with the epi-pen should the need arise.  Always warning him not to get into nuts unless he was around.  Well.. Miles was around.

When it came down to the moment of stabbing, we discovered that it was not as simple a task as had been joked of.  Neither Miles nor I were eager to the task.  We both knew it was needed and that time was of the essence but truth be told it was more difficult to do than we supposed.  This was Duncan's worst reaction ever.  He was wheezing, sneezing, vomiting violently and shaking terribly.  On top of that he broke out all over in hives.  He couldn't stop vomiting or shaking long enough to have been able to give himself the epi-pen as he always supposed he would be able to do.  While he was hunched over the toilet bowl, Miles and I held him as still as we could and found the location for the epi-pen and then went for it.  It was the longest 10 seconds.  (how long it has to be held in place for the medicine to go in)  Then the bundling everyone up quickly so we could make our way to the clinic while keeping an eye on Duncan to see if the epi-pen had indeed made a difference and was keeping his airway open enough.

This also... I took photos of.

We drove to the clinic.  Miles sitting beside Duncan with another epi-pen ready if needed.  After x-rays and an i.v. to administer more epinephrine and some steroids, we waited. 
The hives were causing him a great deal of discomfort and he didn't look good.  He was on the mend, but the ever present worry... each reaction increases in severity.

After hours of monitoring, we were sent home.  We stopped and picked up some more steroids for the week and noticed a sign at the bakery.  Only two days since Miles stopped working... Difficulties in re-staffing after Miles has left the town without doughnuts.

Back home again in time for supper, we noticed the antelope again... grazing on the grass by the house.  They had enjoyed the peaceful day we had planned.

We haven't seen them since that day.  It was as though they came to say farewell to Miles.  Winter migration time will see them gone again until May when they will return to have their babies in the Spring.  I have an appreciation for the native Americans and first settlers who told time more by the migration of the animals and the seasons than by the pages of calendars and hands of clocks.  Miles will return again when the antelope go to their winter home twice hence.  And even with our concerns of travel and safety and of Duncan's survival.. the animals will continue their patterns and the babies will come in the spring.  There is hope in that..   As difficult as our day may seem.  As much as we wish we could slow things down and stop the struggles.. the days continue.  The sun rises and sets, whether we see it or not, life plods along.

Children grow up and go out into the world.  It is as is should be and things continue.