Lars Garden 2011



Garden June 2011

Lars Strawberries

First time cabbage

Sierra's Funny

Sierra taking a ride on the bike

Park City

JoAnna's UCAS Graduation

May 2011 JoAnna is done, finished and on her way. We had a fantastic night followed by an all nighter with food and games that I was a part of. I only stayed until 1 am and was ready to crash in my bed by then. Oh proud we are of JoAnna. She graduated with High Honors with many of her class mates, what a great group of kids!

 

Park City Pictures

Spring Run Off

Barn Door

Julia and JoAnna several years ago

May 2011

Julia's safe!

I love softball season!

Julia's city softball team ended the city tournament with a bang. They finished 3rd and will go to State! Julia played well with being off for two years. This picture is her sliding home with the runs tied at 12, she slide home for the winning run and was very safe as you can see. I CAN'T believe i got this shot, let alone two shots as she crossed the plate with no tag. The other team still things she was out, but as you can see she is clearly safe! We had just got back from girls camp and where I had lost my voice, so screaming at this game did not help any, but I was so proud, as was Julia. State here we come, can't wait!

The best part of summer is cheering in the bleachers after an amazing play. I really could go every night if I could. I love sitting in the sun with no worries, well if your kido does not get hit or hurt in some way, and just enjoying the sounds of the season. I am so happy that Julia decided to play this year, as she has since she was 5 all the way up until we moved. I love summer with the joy of the soft ball season.

Julia's raspberry, as she slid on it, in two games in a row!

Julia's Ball

 

Seminary Recongnition

Seminary recognition was completely joyous tonight. How grateful and lucky we are for all the churches programs especially the seminary program. JoAnna also had the opportunity to have four years of seminary and institute count for both high school and college. She has had a unforgettable experience unlike my own. I didn't enjoy my seminary years, some due to my own dysfunction but some due to really bad teachers. She has grown with the spirit and is an amazing example to all of us.

JoAnna's Graduation's

How would it be to graduate from a University with a associates degree before you even graduate form high school? How hard has she worked?  Pretty hard but with determination and dedication. She has really had a smooth ride with a few bumps with tests and studying for the ACT four times while going to college. We owe so much to the best high school in the nation and the best University that associates with it. How blessed we have been to have this charter school be a part of JoAnna's destiny.

 JoAnna has also played hard. In her Sr. year she went to three prom's, homecoming, morp and hung out with a lot of great friends. She also drove herself to two part time jobs looking way too cute in her green bug. We always told her if she made the grades we would help her buy a Volkswagen bug and both our dreams came true.

The Girls/Sisters

A Very Happy Kido

Proud Family

Oh Great Thou Art!

How I enjoyed Carrie Underwood's performance of this song. Every time I hear this hymn I shed a tear in remembrance of my grandma and her funeral. As she requested we sang this song as dedication to her life, and what a life she had of 92 years. She influenced me more than she will ever know. God is great and all knowing and I am so grateful for the knowledge that I will live with my love ones and God again in His time.

JoAnna's final Sr. Prom

Mother's Day 2011

This is how I feel when I take little wonded children aside and feel their pain.

Becoming a mother makes you the mother of all children. From now on each wounded, abandoned, frightened child is yours. You live in the suffering mothers of every race and creed and weep with them. You long to comfort all who are desolate. -Charlotte Gray

JoAnna's Sr. Proms

If There Wasn't April...

If There Wasn't April in Utah—

I wouldn't have the opportunity to be inspired and edified by watching conference

And sustain the living Prophet in the only true church.

I wouldn't be able to enjoy the early bloom of spring,

Only in Utah I can enjoy flowers and snow in the same day.

I wouldn't be able to play or walk at the park after a long winter.

I wouldn't have the opportunity to watch my daughter walk in cap and gown.

I wouldn't enjoy the beginning of soft ball season.

I wouldn't have fresh water to drink, as we WILL have a run off this year.

I wouldn't have the opportunity to rack my brain and take finals,

Only to start all over next semester

I wouldn't have the luxury of opening the windows and then turning on the fire place.

I wouldn't enjoy the bitter cold wind with the sun shining through.

I wouldn't enjoy spring cleaning, no I really do.

I wouldn't have spring break, to breathe and enjoy my kids knowing they are going back soon.

I wouldn't celebrate Easter and reflect on my Savior that died for me.

I wouldn't look forward to the summer, to feed 3 kids + friends and taxi around.

I wouldn't be able to plant peas as my grandma made me appreciate my garden.

I wouldn't have to miss my grandma as she died 10 years ago the day before my birthday.

If There Wasn't April in Utah—I wouldn't have been born, as this month I will be 38.

-C. Ann

I started my April poem in 2008 as a tribute to my ever favorite month, April and my Grandma. Each year I change it slightly for a new occasion.

Spring Garden

Today we woke with several inches of snow on conference Sunday.  Life has been rewarding and enhanced as I have devoted myself. The snow has drizzled down on and off most of the day. Sierra made a snow “chair” before most of snow melted. The plants out in the garden should be ok.  April 2nd we planted outside—more peas, carrots, radishes, lettuce and broccoli. We planted in our greenhouse—cucumbers, pumpkin, watermelon and all kinds of peppers. How grateful I am we can work as a family and create a garden. Every needful thing is my family garden. Julia broke a shovel while digging up a tree located in the corner of the garden. Julia has become one tuff cookie.

Dear Family and Friends,                                                                                          March, 28^th 2011

 We are so proud of JoAnna's never ending devotion and dedication to dream big.  She has always been very motivated and driven.

Some of JoAnna’s accomplishments over the past few years—won 1^st place in Utah, in the MTNA (music teacher’s national association) Composition Competition in 2009. She has played in the UVU and UCAS talent show two years in a row. Someday we hope to have her music ready with copyrights for a CD. She maintained above a 3.8 G.P.A. throughout, while being a piano teacher to a few students and working in the food industry for two different companies.

            JoAnna will graduate with her General Associates Degree from UVU.  JoAnna has worked hard for the last three years while attending UVU and UCAS. We are so appreciative of the opportunity that was given by UCAS to attend this early collage high school. This has contributed to JoAnna’s success significantly. UCAS  We would love your attendance at the UCAS ceremony if possible.  Also, JoAnna’s Seminary Recognition Night will be Sunday, May 22, 2011.

JoAnna’s next adventure will send her a bit South of UVU to BYU.  She has been accepted for summer semester and will start in June.  She has changed her major to Neuroscience.  I know, don’t ask me where she came up with that one.  She will work on some Chemistry classes in the fall and begin the program as soon as possible.  She is still thinking about a minor in music.  I celebrate her accomplishment humbly with gratitude. 

http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/food-shortage-part-ii/

Spring Garden in Utah

If you want to start your crops inside now is the time! Use your window seals, a little green house or any warm light to get started (TIP below). Spring weather in Utah can be unpredictable. But you can start today.

Gordon Wells course and book has everything you need to know step by step.
Larry and I went to the classes. We have followed his book closely for the last year.  We had tons of big yummy tomatoes  last season and the year before. We watered like he suggested. We fertilized like he suggested. Larry's Spring and Fall broccoli was a success. He also planted the variety of strawberry's and asparagus Gorden suggested. They have been beyond great!

His book includes the right crop variety for our soil and weather. How to fertilize. How to water. Exactly what you need for your Spring and Fall crops.
 Right now we have peas, lettuce and broccoli growing. They will be ready for transplant between March-April

TIP OF THE DAY- DON'T THROW AWAY CLEAR PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH LIDS.  FOR EXAMPLE IN THE PHOTO YOU CAN SEE THE SQUARE CONTAINER.   BULK SPINACH OR LETTUCE ARE SOLD IN THEM.   USE THESE TO PUT YOUR PLANTS IN.   PUT ON THE LID AND YOU HAVE A SUPER GREEN HOUSE. ALSO SAVE YOUR MILK JUGS. THEY MAKE A GREAT SHIELD OVER CROPS WHEN YOU PLANT THEM OUTSIDE.

Emergency Preparedness/Gardening

This is from the Preparedness Pro Blog- http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/food-shortage-part-ii/
     The last part of her article.

Let me state this clearly so that there’s no mistaking the importance of this news. This has NEVER happened before in our history.  So, in closing, I firmly believe that it’s time that we start giving ourselves a “pass” on not being more frugal, more focused, in taking measures to stabilize our food budget.  I also suggest that you make friends with your window sills, backyards, and patio space and learn to grow your own overpriced tomatoes, asparagus, etc. I also suggest that you learn why wheat is such an important commodity and why it needs to be in your home. There are certainly plenty of articles that I’ve shared in the past on this matter.

JoAnna's latest accomplishments-Today JoAnna received her Young Women's Medallion. I am so proud of her. I am happy she can look at and wear this necklace with confidence and know she set goals to be closer to Heavenly Father. She accomplished that! She is an example to her younger sisters and me... as I never completed mine. I pray that she will keep her values closely guarded and continue to be bold and brave as trails arise.

Go To Collage With Me

As of today I am 37 years old. This year is my 20th High School reunion. I also will graduate with a BS degree. This is only the beginning of my learning. But, for now I have two more semesters before I reach my goal of becoming a Certified Family Life Educator. CFLE is not all I hope to accomplish. I strive to be a better writer, self-reliant, better communicator or even experience walking the halls of a University before my daughters, so I know how to apply for student aid or be an example in learning. I will begin with what I have learned today. As time allows, I will re-visit my past classes and write what has REALLY made a difference in my life...attending school over the last 5 years and what might inspire.
This Spring semester 2011 This is what I am enrolled in-Family Law, Family Fiance Management, Experimental Psy, Applied Parenting, Mediation and Negotiation.
So.... I learned -my credit score; how to use- Outlook, Mint.com; how communicating is crucial; Utah law: marry your 1st cousin? Your marriage is void, unless you are 55 and older. This law is for a good reason! Yuck! I completed my basic training for Domestic Violence through the state. Tonight in Mediation-BLT, breath, listen, talk and learned how to write a agreement to mediate. I am enjoying this class a ton! Until tomorrow-good night.