July 29, 2008 by Mallory.

So I totally didn’t realize how close school was to starting until Sunday when Wendell said something about me having to go to school next week and I said, “Wait….what’s the date of next week??” “August 4″….”Are you serious?!” “Yup.” “Oh no!” Yeah….I had all these grand plans of planning so much and reading so many different thing to help me be better prepared for this year. Have I been doing those? Nope. Ok, not totally no. I have been reading this book, but it’s taken me quite a while. I don’t know if many of you know this, but I was “kicked out” (or surplussed b/c they didn’t have enough students) of my other school, and I interviewed at my current school and got the job. I finally went to my school today to look at my classroom and the school. Luckily the classroom is bigger than my last one, which is nice. Still not too big, but it’s a good enough size. Also luckily, I realized it this week instead of next week when it would’ve been WAY too late. So I plan on going into school all this week and getting my classroom ready. I’m really excited. It’s a really nice school (even though it’s in not as nice of a neighborhood). It has 2 floors, and it has a whole hallway of classrooms not being used. It’s too bad they can’t just combine schools. Anyway, I’m hoping that it’ll go well and I can get a lot done with less than 2 weeks until the student come to school! Eek! Wish me luck!

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July 27, 2008 by Melanee.

I flew all my children in for the week to share in family celebrations and enjoy each other for a week’s vacation. Saturday we enjoyed Rachel’s wedding, then Sunday we blessed Lydia at my home and after that we celebrated my grandson Kevin’s first birthday on July 20th. The house was full of family and laughter.
Monday we spent a day at Lake Compounce which everyone enjoyed. Anya kissed the carousel horse good bye after the ride was done. She was having so much fun. It brought back memories for me when I rode the the same merry-go-round 40 years ago. Then we traveled to Mystic where I rented a house for two nights. We went to the Sea Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. We came home on Friday. The girls started helping me go through things in the house and start dividing up what they wanted- books, camping equipment, school papers, etc.

My son-in-law, the computer engineer, helped me buy a new computer. He then took Kev’s hard drive and the other computer hard drive and put the info on my new one. He moved the computer downstairs to my office. I am totally happy with the results. Kev’s computer took a spike the day before his funeral and we were unable to retrieve the information. The computer I used was old and needed updating. Now I have all the pictures, info, etc that he had on his computer. I know Kev would be happy with my choice of hardware. What was funny-is my son-in-law was going through the hardware my husband had. We found the receipt for Kev’s system he bought in 2001. The cost $1300. My computer cost half as much.
Now, that is what we see as technology gets cheaper as it improves.
My girls have returned to their homes and my daughter Ashley and Lydia are staying with me for another week which is nice. The house is quiet again. But I have many wonderful memories of having all my children and grandchildren around me for a week.

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July 27, 2008 by Melanee.

My sister Rachel got married. In all that was going on we had a special day to celebrate my baby sister getting married on Saturday. I also planned to fly all my family out for the occasion. There was not enough time to get the house ready and special things done that Rachel wanted me to do for her wedding, but I got everything done(with the help of good friends) and it was well worth it.
The wedding was so special because we traveled to the Manhattan Temple to witness the marriage. Yes, I drove in New York City(a first for me) with my brother as navigator. Luckily I had room in my rented car for him and his wife. My father was recently set apart as a sealer in the Boston Temple and was able to get special permission to marry my sister in the Manhattan Temple. That was pretty neat that my Dad could do that.
She looked so beautiful. She wore my mother’s prom dress as her wedding dress. It was so her. Off white, mid length with capped sleeves. We did pictures outside in front of the temple then left to have a reception in my parents backyard. A large tent with tables and chairs were set up for a beautiful garden reception. The tables were decorated with flowers in old fashion canning jars. I (my sister, sister-in-law, and friend from church helped) made 15 table runners for the tables out of antique floral and checked fabric that my parents had.
Rachel put up peach jam last year as favors for everyone to bring home. Old fashion soda bottles were put in metal buckets for guests to take. A display table was set up to honor those who were not with us that day. I provided a picture of Kev and I. Croquet, horseshoes, and bocce were set up for guests to enjoy. A storm blew over in the beginning that made everyone nervous about the stability of the tent, but it held fast. We were entertained by a singer that sung and played his guitar. Then the Ipod was put in and everyone danced a while. We closed the night with breaking out the sparklers as the sun came down.
I really enjoyed having all my daughters there with my three grandchildren having a fun time and enjoying ourselves with family, especially celebrating Rachel’s marriage to Schaun a real special guy
My girls, their husbands, and my grandchildren enjoyed themselves that day-Rachie’s Day.

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July 27, 2008 by Melanee.

About 10 days ago I had the privilege of accompanying the residents where I work, on a whale watch. My boss could not make it due to some important meetings. (Oh well, someone had to do it. You didn’t have to twist my arm too hard) We headed to Gloucester, MA and boarded the boat. The day was pristine with a light blue sky and wisps of clouds like they were painted. The sea was calm. We traveled 16 miles out to sea and first encountered a basking shark. Then later on we saw two adult whales that hung out on the opposite side of the boat. Minky whales were far off, and a seal came to check us out. First on the other side, then he popped up on our side to check us out.
Of course this was a wonderful experience but deep down inside I was hoping for some kind of spectacular experience on our side of the boat. Just wondering if something special could happen for me.
A half hour to the end of the tour. We were out in the sea for three hours-Three humpback whales showed up on our side. Mother and baby and mid-teen companion. They came up in unison as the blew the water out of their blow hole. Then their huge backs crested and then came down with their tales coming up out of the water and gently disappearing in the sea. They stayed on our side coming up about every four minutes.
Then, the baby poked his head out of the water RIGHT IN FRONT OF US as we stood at the side rail watching. His face rose about three feet out of the water just checking us out, then we looked in the water as we saw his underbelly and the white of his flippers just looking up at us. He peeked at us again raising his head up from the water about 4 feet away from us. The person giving the narration said “Look the baby just breached and is checking us out on port side. What a sight.” She later told me personally that this is very rare to see and she has been doing this for 19 years.
This experience filled my soul with joy and I came home feeling so special that I got to witness this with others who were on our side of the ship. For me it showed how nature is closely watching over us comforting us in many ways, if we keep our hearts and minds open the nature’s miracles.

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July 9, 2008 by Mallory.

As most of you know, the Harry Potter series consists of 7 books. I hadn’t read the last book, but I wanted to read all of them again before I read the last one. So when school finished, I was determined to read them all as quickly as possible without becoming a complete hermit and totally neglecting my apartment and husband. I can now valiantly say…I’M DONE!!!!!!! I finished yesterday right as Wendell was walking in the door from school (perfect timing!). It was a fabulous book and a great plot! It just makes me wonder how on earth J.K. Rowling could imagine up a totally new world and be so detailed in everything and be looking ahead and have tiny details in earlier books be a huge deal later. They were so good. Did you know that there are 4,100 pages in the Harry Potter series and that halfway through the whole series is on page 230 of book 5? I wanted to know when I got halfway, so I figured it out. hehe. Well, if you have never read the Harry Potter books, I HIGHLY recommend them (and the books are SOOO much better than the movies). Alright. Just thought I’d give myself a little pat on the back, but now back to trying to get my apartment and life in order.

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July 8, 2008 by Melanee.

Never thought I would be describing another funeral within a month’s time. But the funeral was helpful in the healing process. The feeling I came away with was peace, the same I felt at Kev’s, my mother-in-law’s, my brother-in-law’s and now Joshua’s funeral. Having people there to give their best was wonderful. Family and friends I have not seen in years came to pay their respects to my sister and her family.
My brother-in-law, Joshua’s dad, Lee, made the casket. He crafted and upholstered it himself and even painted; favorite things, the family, and many symbolic pictures that my description would not do justice. It was perfect for my nephew.
My sister Ellen procured a small oak tree; cards were hung from all the cousins. The tree was planted at the gravesite.
The funeral was full of music of all kinds, a friend singing “Where Can a Turn for Peace”, A piano and cello duet, the cousin’s singing Joshua’s favorite songs-”The ensy-weensy spider”, “Head Shoulders, Knees and Toes”, “Happy Birthday”, and I am a Child of God. Anya came down from the group and started to conduct to all the cousins like an orchestra conductor. My sister thought that was really cute.
The speakers were Joshua’s birth to three teacher, my sister Rachel, who spoke at Kev’s funeral, my father and the Bishop. All the words were appropriate and comforting. The service ended with singing, “A Child’s Prayer” by the congregation. It was beautifully sung with both parts.

The words are:
Heavenly Father are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child’s prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away.
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
“Suffer the children to come to me.”
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.

Pray, He is there;
Speak, He is listening
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom
The kingdom of heaven.

My hope is that my sister and her family find peace and the Lord’s loving spirit and His arms remain around her at this time.
(Her ward family was a huge support with meals, a family meal before the service, room set up for the viewing, etc, etc…All my seven siblings and in-laws and thier parts in making it all happen with love and support for our sister. How wonderful it was!)

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July 8, 2008 by Mallory.

So you know how about a month ago my gerbils had babies? Well, unfortunately, when you get one batch of gerbils, you’re pretty much guaranteed 2, because they get pregnant RIGHT after they have the babies. This, time, they’re separated though, so the most they can have is 2 groups. Well, last time there were 6, one died and now there are 5. This time (if I’ve counted correctly, I’m not sure if I did, it’s kinda hard when the mama gerbil is always on top of them or they’re covered in bedding) there are 8 or 9 more! Well, seriously, if any of you want any gerbils, let me know, because now I have 15 or 16!!!!! AHHH!!!!! Well, hopefully it’ll all work out. Let me know if you want any!

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