Crazy Snowstorm

MK woke up yesterday proclaiming it to be the best day of her life. No school! But there was a price to pay in the form of our neighbor's tree in our front yard.
But we actually got off easy. Bruce got home from work by 6:00 pm on the metro while some of our friends were stranded in their cars and took up to 7 hours to get home from work. We were also lucky enough not to lose power so we could see the Jimmer Show.
He is un-freakin-believable! GO COUGARS! Here's Tom with a giant Jimmer head at the game.Bruce had fun last night driving the suburban around in the 6 inches of heavy wet snow to pick up some friends to watch the game with us. And of course there was no school again today so we can dig out of the winter wonderland that is our cul-de-sac.

RIP Shirley V

This morning when I heard that Shirley Vlasic had passed away my first thoughts were of how I wish I had done more. But then I thought of all the things I did do with Shirley and it made me happy to have known her. I will remember the following things about her:
She was one of a kind.
She worked hard.
She walked far to get to her jobs over the years.
She loved all things colonial Williamsburg including making candles.
She loved little kids--especially Ella Stevenson.
She loved everybody for that matter.
She loved to comment in SS, RS and institute and sometimes it was hard to get her to stop.
She knew her scriptures.
She had 3 or 4 bags with her everywhere she went.
She did her genealogy and temple work.
She was generous with the little she had.
She loved to write notes to people and send them in the mail.
She was without guile.
She would greet me every Sunday with a "Happy Sabbath".
She had no close family.
She was happy.

Vienna Ward was her family. I'm grateful for all of the families in the ward who stepped it up over the years to take care of her. This scripture pretty much sums up why I really wish I had done more....

• Matthew 25:40

  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Ice Day

What a surprise! MK was so convinced that the sleet last night wouldn't amount to anything that she was up and halfway ready for school before I woke up to tell her she could go back to sleep. It hadn't even occurred to her to check the FCPS website. It was so nice to stay in and keep warm. It was also a good opportunity to do a little organizing. I ended up with 3 hefty trash bags full of junk to get rid of out of my scrapbooking/sewing/guest room. It was LONG overdue. Today is also Grandpa D's birthday:) Here's a recent photo:

Check out that dimple. It's been passed down to Mikey:) I had big plans to take lunch over but the ice storm had other ideas. Instead I honored him by watching Bringing up Baby starring fellow birthday boy, Cary Grant.And while I'm on the topic, here are my top five favorite Cary Grant movies:

5. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

4. North by Northwest

3. Charade
2. An Affair to RememberAnd my all time favorite: 1. His Girl Friday
I highly recommend all of the above!

Off to a Rip Roaring Start. Not.

Winter. Blech. At least the days are getting longer and it hasn't snowed much this year. And there is always this to get into: And thankfully there is basketball. Jimmer has been outstanding for BYU. The Celtics beat the Heat in Miami and then there's church basketball.... The YM all did crazy hair cuts for their first game this year. Mikey rocking his hawk: It was sweet finally beating Oakton today. Our YM have struggled in the past, but this looks like it could be our year to run the table. MK has been playing well for her HS and YW's teams and it's been heaven watching her hard work pay off.
She often has to dress up for school on game days:And speaking of dressing up, here they are ready for the new year's dance:
It's already been 15 days into the new year and I haven't made a single resolution. But now I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to set some goals. Since there may be a wedding or two on the horizon (a mom can dream can't she?) I guess it's time to stop letting this:
and this stand between me and my desire to stop looking like: Thankfully I've had a life long love of exercise and since I've lost the same 15 pounds about 10 times now I know I can do it. It's just keeping it off that would be nice.