So, I had to write an “I Am From” poem for my composition class so people could get to know me. I wrote it quickly, so I’m sure it could be better if I had more time, but I still wanted to share it. (And we weren’t supposed to make it rhyme… although I couldn’t help myself a few times. And we didn’t have to make each line or stanza match in length.)

The instructions for each stanza were:

1. Describe items found around your home-the home you have now, or the one you grew up in.
2. Describe items, or places found in your neighborhood
3. Reflect on names of relatives, especially ones that link you to your past.
4. Recall sayings: “If I’ve told you once..” “It’s easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar”.
5. Describe foods and dishes that recall family gatherings, or were family favorites.
6. Name places you keep childhood memories and what you might keep as mementos-scrapbooks, diaries, boxes, drawers, etc. memories, etc.

Anyway, here’s my poem:

“I Am From”

I am from violins, cellos, pianos, and guitars.
I am from conductor’s batons and music that inspires.
I am from volleyballs that fly, tents that make free, and fishing poles that enliven.
I am from hand me down clothes, often with holes.
I am from pictures of Christ, family, and values.

I am from swimming pools that refresh and hiking trails that invigorate.
I am from two story houses with playgrounds for backyards.

I am from Michael, whose wisdom and love comes often and freely,
Whose example of service has changed me completely.
I am from Karen, who worries and wonders the most,
Who once as my teacher is teaching me still.
I am from grandmas, uncles, aunts, and five siblings who I still love THHIIIIISSSS much.
I am from four silly children ages thirteen to three.
I am from a husband who’s loved me for fifteen great years.

I am from, “You only live once, but if you live right, once is enough.”
I am from “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father,” and “Remember who you are”.

I am from mom’s taco salad and her seven layered dip.
I am from Dad’s scrambled eggs and Aunt Carol’s gulf shrimp.
I am from Thanksgiving dinners at Kathy’s with mashed potatoes from Grandma.
I am from Great- Grandma’s fried chicken that I still miss so dearly.

I am from letters from friends about boys, schools, and teachers.
I am from pictures of ditches, church dances, and kisses.
I am from letterman’s jackets with patches of music.
I am from thoughts in my head of good times, yet hard times.
I am from houses of brick, some nice and some not,
But the lessons learned in them of love, God, and trust
Are still who I am and have not been forgot.

I’m going to pull a Cameron and list my events this week by days… lol.

Monday- Errolyn and Emma went to the doctor. Errolyn was freaking out that she’d have to get a shot, but she and Emma ended up getting the flu mist. After FHE, we all went swimming and had fun. Although, Errolyn once again was petrified about the bees.

Tuesday- The pest control guy came. He might have to fog the kitchen and walls if this new poison he tried doesn’t get rid of the sugar ants we see every summer (even the previous owners said they had this problem every summer). Cameron had a Youth Committee Meeting in the evening and then Scouts. The boys went and played soccer and Cameron scored a couple of goals and some of the older boys (who normally aren’t very nice) were actually complimenting him on his playing. Errolyn’s Activity Days were cancelled because they re-varnished more doors and the church stank even worse. Mike went and helped with Temple Recommends at the Stake Center.

Wednesday- Errolyn and Logan both had friends over and we went swimming. Logan and his friend were a little wild together… but they had fun. In the evening, Cameron mowed Grandma’s lawn and even though he was wearing a mask he was horribly congested for two days. He gets sick for two days everytime he does yardwork… I feel badly that his allergies are so bad. Also in the evening, I taught a 19 year old in our ward a piano lesson. I know, I know, I’m not teaching anymore, but he will give Cameron a tennis lesson every other week if I give him a piano lesson every other week, so it’s totally worth it.

Thursday- Cameron and Logan went to the doctor. Afterwards, my visiting teacher came over and then we had the Updike’s over. It was originally just going to be the three older kids but I’m glad they all stayed because I enjoy talking to Maryann. Their youngest boy likes to tease Emma and hit her because she reacts to it, so that’s always a fun obstacle, but in the end they played well together and the little boy asked if he could stay with me. I told him I would invite him over another time, but only if he stopped hitting Emma… he agreed… but, we’ll see. Lol. Kids.

Still Thurday- In the evening, Errolyn and Logan met their teachers. I really like Errolyn’s teacher and she seems like a lot of fun. Errolyn was excited because she got the teacher she wanted. Logan wanted a different teacher, but I think he got a better one… but we’ll see. Errolyn likes the teacher Logan got and said the teacher is good at giving kids more challenging work if they already understand a concept. Mike and I have been playing super Mario Brothers in the evenings for a little bit after the kids go to bed. I don’t play video games very often and Mike only plays once in a while, but in an attempt to do “more” together, it’s been fun playing with Mike this last week. We laugh a lot when we play together which I enjoy. Once school starts, we’ll have to go to bed earlier and probably won’t have time anymore.

Today (Friday)- Errolyn is at her friend Emma’s house today and I went shopping at Sams Club so I can make another set of freezer meals soon. I’m only going to make 3 months this time, 4 months was too much last time. Linda had her baby! Exciting! I love new little babies. Cameron is taking the Red Cross babysitting course online right now, and I think I’ll have Errolyn take it when he’s done since we’ve already purchased the course for a limited time. Cameron finds out his class schedule tomorrow and is hoping his friend Josh can come over again. Janet said she might also come over tomorrow, but she’ll have to get back with me to confirm. Fun stuff!

Cameron had orchestra camp all week in the morning… so no more sleeping in for me. Wednesday, Logan went to a friends house to play for a few hours. Wednesday was also Mike’s birthday and he requested Pizza Hut instead of a home cooked meal… I didn’t mind. I can’t believe my husband is only a few years away from 40… that seems so old to me, but we feel so young.

On Friday, Errolyn had a friend over and they had fun playing and we all went swimming. We started out Saturday sorting through the shoe bins and somehow ended up sorting, cleaning, and organizing the entire pantry, laundry room, and food storage shelves. We moved over the largest shelf and changed the lighting and it looks so much bigger and nicer now. On Saturday, Cameron also had his friend Josh over (who moved 40 minutes away) and they played all day together. In the evening, they went to the Stake Youth Water Activity and then Mike took Josh home.

So, apparently the doors and chairs in the church were re-varnished yesterday and the building smelled so overwhelmingly of varnish that all of the wards in the building only had Sacrament meeting and the other two hours were cancelled. Logan and Emma were crushed. For the closing hymn we sang “I Am a Child of God” and I think most of the congregation could hear Logan singing at the top of his lungs…. it was so cute and he got several comments about what a good singer he was and how they were touched while he was singing.

Because we got out of church early I was able to call my good friend Ester in Germany and talk to her for about an hour… I sure miss her! Our home teachers are coming over soon and then I have some rehearsals for musical numbers and Stake Choir… so I’d better stop writing and start preparing.

I’ve been spending a lot of time getting ready for Stake Conference lately; I hope a lot of people come to choir practice next week. On Friday, the Updike kids left and I went to a routine doctor’s appointment. Later, I went visiting teaching and in the evening Mike and I went to the temple and had a great session.

On Saturday, I woke up early and helped Cameron finish a few pre-requisites for his Personal Management Merit Badge and then I drove him to the Scout Workshop. Carol picked him up and took him to Whole Foods and then came over and read books to the kids for a while. Logan and Mike went on a 15 mile bike ride after lunch. Logan was SO excited he finished the trail and Mike was very impressed that he rode that far. What 6 year old willingly rides 15 miles on a bike? I think it’s awesome! And I love the bonding time they get with their Dad too.

After dinner, Mike and Errolyn wanted to go on a bike ride together. Cameron hurt his ankle and decided he better not go this time. Errolyn doesn’t like going on familiar trails and likes to get lost. So, she and Mike wore blind folds and had me drop them off somewhere 8 miles away. I chose a school that they had not heard of and dropped them off. It took them about 35 minutes before they found a street they recognized and then they found a bike trail and it was smooth sailing after that.

I went around putting up Stake Choir posters up last night. Today I subbed on the piano in Primary… I love doing that and hearing the kids sing. Other than that, we’re good. Cameron starts his orchestra camp tomorrow, and I think we’re all ready for school, yea.

Well, since I’m NOT pregnant yet, I registered for two classes again next semester. I’m taking a required writing course and then a business communications class. None of the music classes were offered at times I could take them, oh well.

I’ve been watching our friend’s kids while they attend a funeral in D.C. Yes, having 9 kids for two days is a lot of chasing around, but it hasn’t been bad at all since they all play so well together. They’ve been playing on the inflatable water slide, playing laser tag, swimming at the pool, playing Wii, riding bikes, and playing games. The kids are having a blast!

I had four meetings last night… lol. A pre-pre Messiah meeting to select pieces, a pre-Messiah meeting with the music people from the Messiah, the actual Messiah meeting, and then my Stake Music Meeting to discuss Stake Conference music. A lot… but if you have to have all of those meetings anyway, I’d rather get them all done in the same night. And now I need to make posters for Stake Conference and make sure the kids are all ok.

So, last Monday Logan and Errolyn had friends over and had a good time. We all went swimming on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Monday, Emma was deathly afraid of the water and wouldn’t even let go of me. By Friday, she was swimming around the big pool in her life jacket all by herself and didn’t even want my help. On Wednesday, Cameron went to the orthodontist and had his braces tightened for the first time… he hated it! I remember the pain. On Thursday, Emma had a friend over and they had a lot of fun. Cameron went over and mowed Grandma’s lawn for her.

On Friday, David & Heidi and their family came over. It was fun to hang out with them! Carter is so adorable and I felt so connected to him… although I think it’s because he reminds me of baby David so much… and also because I love little babies! The kids were putting Logan’s Davy Crockett hat on Carter’s head and calling him Baby Crockett… it was funny. We babysat Halley & Carter Saturday morning while David & Heidi went to the temple. Emma and Halley played well together during the second half of the morning. Later we set up the inflatable water slide in the backyard and the kids had fun playing in the water and sliding down the slide. Logan was sick and was sad he couldn’t play with the others. Carol and Grandma came over for a while so they could see David’s family. In the evening, we just hung out and talked. On Sunday, we went to church and then David & Heidi left. It was fun to see them and I wish they lived closer! (Hint, hint, wink, wink… lol.)

On Sunday and Monday I got caught up on my calling. They want four different choirs for the various Stake Conference meetings and a women’s quartet… so, it was a lot of piece and name submitting. I ordered everything today and am crossing my fingers it gets here in time. Today, Errolyn and I got our hair cut… again with Bre Jackson who is the best hairdresser ever! Then I mailed out a few of Halley’s things, went grocery shopping, and made dinner. Cameron brought our laser tag set to mutual tonight… I bet the boys are having a blast playing it. Errolyn’s at activity days, Emma’s in bed, and Logan should be in bed, but is instead watching me write this and asking why I always write such long posts… lol. I guess that’s my cue to sign off.