A Circumstance for some Pomp

Hailey Tamara Chamberlain officially graduated from her Pre-Kindergarten class on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.  

At first, Tom and I thought it was kinda silly to pay $15 to purchase a cap and gown just for a pre-K graduation ceremony.  We wondered why the teacher was going to all of this trouble for kids who haven't even entered kindergarten yet.  Then, yesterday-----it was all made clear to me.  The music started.  Everyone stood out of respect.  As I watched her teacher, Mrs. Allison (who is absolutely wonderful) announce each child's name upon entering the room, I could see the look on everyone's face.  They were all smiling.  These kids DID indeed work very hard and we were celebrating what they had achieved.  I could see the wisdom in Mrs. Allison by letting these children feel that sense of accomplishment (something that I fear many children aren't able to feel which leads to self-doubt and depression).  I could see her paving the way for these children to start down the path which leads to other future graduations--from jr. high, from high school, from seminary, from college . . . .  Why not get them used to this feeling when they are young?  I also realized that even though something is really not necessary, it still can be of great value if it lifts the spirit.  I immediately thought of chocolate fudge ice cream from Baskin Robbins. Ha!  It is certainly not necessary but when the occassion calls for it, it puts a HUGE smile on my face.  So---why not have a circumstance for some pomp?  I'm all for it!!!

Here is Spencer having an "unnecessary" chocolate shake to celebrate his awesome poetry reading at school. 

I think his face says it all!!!!!

Can somebody please explain this?

OK - so here is a plant that I payed $5 for. 

We set up a drip line for it to receive water.

I gave it miracle-grow as a fertilizer.

I WANT it to grow and flourish!

Yet . . . it is dying!!!

 Now, here are some plants that I did NOT pay for.

We have not given these plants any water.

I have not given these plants any miracle-grow fertilizer.

I DO NOT want these plants to grow and flourish!

And . . . these weeds are growing beautifully!!!  Argh!!!!!



Can somebody please explain this to me?
I am clearly "afflicted and tormented" by these weeds!!!

Here is my Hailey helping me pull the weeds.



Ahh - we are halfway done------

Ta Da!  We are finished---two hours and a lot of sweat!!

Rider is the BEST dog!

Little Rider is the best dog ever.  Seriously, that dog puts up with anything the kids can dish out.  He is so patient, so loving, and just adores any attention anyone can give him!  He especially loves to go swimming and the first time I saw the kids take him down the slide I panicked!  But, he took it like a champ and actually gets mad now when the kids go down the slide without him!  ha ha

We are so glad to have him in our family.  He has stopped chewing on stuff which makes my life much happier!  But to have a dog with his fun personality and calm demeanor is just the perfect combination!

Cabbages and Roots

Several months ago, my blondie/blue-eyed freckled face "sunshine" boy, aka SPENCER, came home from school crying his little eyes out.  He was given a cabbage plant at school and told to go home and plant it in a garden.  Whichever student cared for their plant and grew the largest cabbage, would win a $1500 scholarship from the nursery who donated the plants.  Well, he kinda misunderstood the "scholarship" part and thought he could win $1500 for himself. :)    What happened was that on the school bus, his friend bumped him and broke off several of the leaves.  He said it wasn't a very leafy plant to begin with, like his friends' plants were.  So, when he realized that his plant was just basically a stem, he got upset and threw it down the street. 

After he told me the story, I made him jump back in our car and we went to rescue the cabbage plant.  I told him that if the plant still had its roots, it could grow into a beautiful plant someday.  It would be a little behind the other kids' plants, but it would still grow.  So, after hunting for this small plant, strewn along the road, we found the stem and sure enough----there were some roots left.  So, we went home and planted that little stem in our garden. 

It was a great teaching moment for me to explain to Spencer that this little plant is like US.  Sometimes we may get bumped around in life and get hurt by others or get discouraged by something that didn't go our way.  We may feel, at times, that our leaves are getting torn off.  But, if our roots are still in tact----our roots being "ties" to our Father in Heaven and our earthly family who loves us, then we will be ok.  With food, water, and lots of love, we will grow big and strong---just like this cabbage plant will.  Spencer was hopeful but I could see a lot of doubt in his eyes.  That little plant was pathetic looking!  I'm sure he thought, "yeah right, Mom---like this thing is going to grow?"  But Spencer has a lot of faith and he and I checked on that plant every week. 

Well, a few months later we went outside and here is what our cabbage plant looks like today!

There are three cabbages growing inside that huge plant.  Wow!

Hailey loves to play with Rolie Polie bugs!

They tickle her arms and she giggles like crazy!

Missing Oregon Today

I am missing Oregon so badly today . . .it hurts.  Whenever we get a nice cool, cloudy day with a little rain---I get the Oregon blues---bad!  There are so many things I loved about living in Portland.  The rain, yes--was a pain in the neck while living there because it just seemed to NEVER stop.  But here in Arizona, when rainy days are few and far between, I just get a little homesick for Portland whenever these types of days come around.  So, I made a pot of tapioca pudding (one of my favorite comfort foods) and talked to our kids about what their favorite memories are of Portland.  Kohler and Kelsey are the only ones who remember anything about it.  They were 8 and 5 when we moved here.  Spencer was barely 2 months old so he, of course, doesn't remember a thing.  We took the kids on a trip there last summer and it was just so great to take a walk down memory lane  (and pick some berries along the way!)

Here are some of the top things we all decided we miss about Portland:

1.  GREEN, GREEN, AND MORE GREEN

2.  Picking as many wild blackberries as you can eat ---for free!!

3.  Hanging out at Ibach Park in Tualatin. 

Ibach Park in Tualatin

4.  Taking drives---oh how I miss the beautiful drives out to Wilsonville, or Newburg, or along the Willamette River, or out to Vancouver, or around Lake Oswego.  ahh! so beautiful!

5.  Driving to the city and walking along the riverwalk, watching the ships come in and the sailors taking their "leave" for the weekend.  Kohler loved doing this!

6.  Lee Farms and Fir Point Farms - totally fun places for kids to visit!

7.  The gorgeous tulip farms south of Tualatin.

8.  Walking around the lake at Tualatin Commons, eating a sub or ice cream and listening to the summer evening concerts there - or having the kids play at the splash park there.

Kohler and Kelsey remembering Tualatin Commons.

9.  The temple - is a place we would visit often.  When Kohler was little, he fell into the fountain and got completely drenched- funny story.  That temple is very special to Tom and me. 

Portland, Oregon Temple

10.  The awesome ocean breezes and incredible "Indian Summers."  The fall season was my all-time favorite there.  Homemade apple cider at the pumpkin patches and all the leaves changing colors!  Ahh

11.  We even miss our apartment we lived in for 6 years and the home we rented for one year.  Even though we love the house we live in now, there is something to be said for everyone living CLOSE to each other in a small space.  Not much to clean, not much to worry about decorating, but MUCH to be happy about!

We lived in the first floor apartment.  The far left window was Kohler and Kelsey's room.  The far right window was our office/piano teaching room.  I spent a lot of time teaching in that room.

Here is the home we rented for one year.  I felt like we lived like royalty to be able to have a garage and a yard for our kids to play in during those rainy days.  The backyard had a nice deck and even a garden for the kids to catch slugs in!  ha!

Ummm- I lost count but another thing we really miss about Oregon is OHSU.  That campus is gorgeous and has the most incredible views of the city being up on the hill.

We miss the roses that bloomed ALL over the city during the summer months.  July was the month of the Portland Rose Festival and boy, was it ever spectacular!

Of course, we fell in love with the Oregon Coast ----who wouldn't?  If I was there today, I'd drive to Tillamook and get some of their famous cheese, drive over to Seaside and buy a kite to fly around Haystack Rock on the beach.  Then, I'd drive down to Newport and get some awesome clam chowder and famous salt water taffy (after we went crabbing for dinner! good times)

The best part about Oregon, though, was the people.  We met some incredible people who have strong testimonies of the gospel, who helped us by being our family when we didn't have family to turn to, who loved us and our children as their own, and who still are very much a part of who we are today.  So, yeah . . . I really miss Oregon today.................

Mother's Day

Sunshine on the left and Hailey Girl on the right!

Mother's Day is just one of those special days when you get to be treated like the queen.  I have fond memories of Mother's Day when I was a kid.  We would do pretty much the same things we are doing now---make mom a nice breakfast, make her cards or gifts from school, dad would buy her some fun things, then we would do dinner dishes for her.  I remember when I was really young, singing with the primary kids "Mother, I Love You" and I looked at my mom.  She was crying------so I started crying too.  I'm not sure at the time if I knew why I was crying . . . but I felt, even back then, that it had something to do with love because even now when I hear that song . . . I get a lump in my throat. 

Hailey with her cute Grandma Marshall

 Hailey's Pre-Kindergarten class gave the most darling program for the parents a week ago Friday.  Since Father's Day is in June, it was a program for both mothers AND fathers.  They sang about 10 songs, all memorized and all with actions.  My mom was in town and able to come.  Hailey kept introducing everyone saying, "Hey, this is MY grandma!"  It was very special for Hailey that her Grandma Marshall could be there.

Singing "Skid a ma rink a dink a doo" . . . I love you!

I have saved almost every picture she has given me.  I keep them in a binder or up on our art gallery wall.
They are priceless!

Tom and I also had a nice conversation with his mother, Mary.  I miss her.  I wish we lived closer so we could have her over more often.  I am hoping she will be able to come visit this summer but with Colby getting married, there may not be a lot of time for her to come down.  But I am looking forward to spending some time with her and the rest of our family up in Utah and in California.  I am so blessed to have such an incredible family---both the one I live with now and the one I grew up in.  Life is wonderful and I am so happy to be living it!

Testimony Building Weekend

On Saturday, after we helped build the playground up in Mesa, Kohler had to get to an Eagle Court of Honor because he had been asked to conduct the meeting by his friend, Chip Hixon, who was one of the boys receiving his Eagle award.  It was quite an honor for Kohler and I wanted him to have a great experience.  I ironed his shirt and dropped him off at the church 30 minutes before so he could get all the information he needed from Chip's dad (Bro. Hixon).

Kohler and Bro. Hixon going over last minute details.

 I really wanted to go and support the Hixon and Murset family.  But now, it was 4:15 and I still hadn't had a chance to shower--there was a hat covering my sweaty head and I drove home thinking I would probably just have to miss this one.  Well, as soon as I pulled the car in, I had the strongest feeling to get back down to the church.  So, I just slicked back my hair into a ponytail, threw some lipgloss and perfume on, changed into a skirt, and I made it by 4:28.  I wanted to be there for Kohler to give him some moral support while conducting his very first Eagle Court of Honor.  There were over 200 people there!  Well, little did I know that if I hadn't gone to this meeting, I would have missed out on an incredibly unique experience.  Chip stood up to present his "mentor pins" and the first one he presented was to one of his scout leaders.  (typically that is who the boys choose since these great men give so much of their time in helping these boys progress to the rank of Eagle).  Well, when Chip got to the second mentor, he explained to the audience that this person really meant a lot to him and has been a tremendous example to him --that he really inspires him and helps him to be better---then, he said, "Kohler Chamberlain."  Everyone in the audience was floored----even our Young Men's President said that in his 47 years, he has NEVER seen a Young Man present a mentor pin to another peer.  I looked around and noticed many adults welling up with tears.  I looked over at Kohler and he was so touched.  His eyes got watery and as he walked up to the microphone, Chip extended his hand out to Kohler to shake it.  Kohler grabbed Chip and they hugged.  It was one of those surreal moments that you never forget.  They looked like two "men in the making." 

Chip Hixon presenting Kohler with his mentor pin award. 

 Sunday, during church, I had so many people come up to me and tell me how cool that was that Chip admired Kohler that much.  Many adults also told me that they have never seen that happen before where an eagle scout presents a mentor pin to another teenager.  I asked his mother if she knew about Chip's decision and she said she didn't know.  The only thing she told her son before the meeting was to make sure and choose someone who "makes you think before you act."  I am so proud of Kohler that he has made such an impact on this young man's life.  Chip is an outstanding and very talented young man.  What he did for Kohler today, will forever be a source of strength for him.

Then, after sacrament meeting, Kohler walked up to the stake president who was sitting on the stand next to the Bishop.  Bishop Everton told President Layton about Kohler receiving the mentor pin and it made him smile ear to ear!  Kohler later told me how great it felt to conduct that meeting and how someday he wants to be a bishop and be a great leader like those men.  (heavenly words for a mother to hear!)

Sunday evening, Kohler was invited to come and visit the Hixon's Grandfather who was staying at their home for a few days.  They call him "Pappa Magic."  Kohler said he taught their priesthood quorum lesson and everyone was just glued to every word this man spoke.  So, his good friend, Brandt Carmichael, came and picked him up and they spent the evening over there just hanging on every word this man said.  He also taught some "life lessons" as he arm-wrestled the boys.  (He is 70 years old and he still beat every boy there!)

Kohler getting beat by a 70 year old man.  What a great night!

Jake Hixon, Brandt, Simon Hixon, Pappa Magic, Kohler, and Chip

I am so grateful for the Spirit touching my heart and prompting me to go to that Court of Honor.  If I had missed that sweet moment in time, I would have been so sad.  Those moments are like "gold" to any mother---especially one that worries about her son like I do.  I am so proud of these boys.  They are righteous priesthood holders who are trying their very best to become great missionaries and fathers someday.

BYU Theater Ballet Came to Mesa

Here is our little Hailey with some beautiful ballerinas.

Yes, this is old news but I had lost all of my photos of this great event and just found them this weekend so I am so excited to post these on our blog!  Back on March 10, 2011, the BYU Theatre Ballet came to the Mesa Arts Center.  We threw a fun pre-show Prince and Princess Party where we had over 100 children with their parents show up dressed in costume to meet the dancers.  We had finger desserts for them and it was a very special time for the kids to feel like they were meeting "superstars!"

Kelsey and Hailey posing with a lovely dancer!

A view of our Prince and Princess Party!

During the intermission, the children were invited up on the stage to dance with the ballerinas.  It was their chance to feel "famous!"  Hailey kept asking me, "Mom, is it my turn to dance yet?  When?  When???"

Saturday Service Project

Our Phoenix BYU Alumni Chapter joined with the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation to help build a playground for a park in Northeast Mesa on Saturday.  We were the largest volunteer group there, besides Fry's Grocery Store which supplied all of the delicious food for the event.  I was really proud of all of the BYU Alumni who showed up to give several hours of their time on a busy Saturday.

 Here is Spencer and his friend Zach, brushing dirt off of a wall to get it ready to be painted.

 We also had kids activities that BYU provided.  The children were able to help tie fleece blankets that we are donating to the victims of the tornadoes in Alabama.  But Hailey and Spencer, after tying a few knots on the blankets decided that they wanted to "build" and do what the grown-ups were doing!  They really worked hard!

 Tom, Tamara, Kelsey, and Hailey---all wearing size XL t-shirts.  (I need to know how to tie mine in the back so it doesn't look like a tent! ha ha!) We gave over 4 hours of service each.  That's 20 hours of service (including little Spencer!)

 Spencer really helped with the digging!

We stuck by the motto from BYU--"Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve!"

Spencer's 9th Birthday Party

Spencer turned 9 years old on April 19th.  For his party, he invited 4 friends over for a "late night."  They ate pizza, played night games like "murder at midnight" and "cops and robbers."  They also went to the park and threw around a lighted-up frisbee. 

(left to right) Conner Prusse, Zach Everton, Spencer, Mason Romney, Grayson Kennedy.  He has known these boys for a very long time and they are best buddies!

Kelsey decided to get crazy with a plate of whipped cream and chocolate sauce.  Look out Spence!!!

Aren't sisters the best?  Spencer, you've never looked better!  ha ha!  Happy Birthday Dude!

Kelsey's Cinderella Scholarship Pageant

Kelsey was in a pageant two weekends ago called the "Cinderella Scholarship Pageant."  It was held in Mesa and was for all girls in the East Valley of Phoenix ages ranging from little toddlers to teens.  Kelsey really wanted to try the pageant this year as her dance director has been begging Kelsey to enter!  She worked very hard attending workshops and learning how to walk with her shoulders poised, do slow turns, and speak into a microphone slowly and clearly.  She had three competitions:  an evening gown, casual wear, and talent.  For her talent, Kelsey did a clogging solo that stole the show.  She wore a bright pink sequin jacket with a turquoise tutu skirt and clogged to the song, "Vacation" by the Go Go's.  She nailed it!  She took second place in her age division but also won the overall talent award for the teens.  We are so proud of her!



Here is Kelsey winning the overall talent award for her age group.  Yea Kelsey!




The proud parents :)  Her daddy bought her some roses . . . Awww!




Grandma and Grandpa Marshall just happened to be in town so they were able to come!




This is a tired, but smiling group of cousins with Aunt Melanie.  They were at the pageant for over four hours!




Wow - Kelsey is so pretty in this dress!!




Hailey just couldn't make it to the end.  Kelsey and I were there from 3:30-11:00 p.m. but Hailey, only staying for half that time, still couldn't help falling asleep.  It was an extremely LONG day!!!