Happy Birthday!

7/4/10

San Marcos

Fred is celebrating is 40th birthday Friday.  He will be on a campout with his Scouts. 

He is a great Scout Master, because lots of people would have refused to schedule a campout on their big monumental birthday.

Either he is taking one for the team or he is afraid of what I might have in store for him.

Regardless, Happy Birthday, Fred!  You are a wonderful husband, father and scout leader.  We are all blessed to have you in our lives.

We can't wait to celebrate your big day!

Service-minded Family

I feel very fortunate that I come from a service-minded family.  My mom coordinates a luncheon once a month for the senior citizens in her small community.  I don't exactly know when she became involved, but I think was probably about 12 years old.  I am not going to do the math for you, but as you can imagine, that is a whole lot of years.

Mom recruited Fred to help Dad grill hamburgers.  Fred gets recruited to grill a lot at family get togethers.  When we are together with family, he is a master griller.  When he is with our family, he starts the grill and then forgets to put the meat on the grill, because he started watching TV.  Once he finally he gets the meat on the grill, we encounter more problems involving the TV.  With family get togethers, he does well because the TV usually isn't a factor.  Maybe I should unplug the TV while we are trying to prepare dinner?

It was a super rainy day.  Jonathan had the very important job of holding the umbrella for people as they came up.  Due to the weather, there wasn't a big turnout for the luncheon.  Therefore, Jonathan didn't have very many customers.  I decided to take a peak to see how he was doing.  I found him holding the umbrella over his head twirling around.  I guess he got bored.

For the most part, we had fun helping out.  There was only one snag... Jess and I forgot to pack her an alternate lunch.  She is a vegetarian and they were serving hamburgers.  She ate peanuts.  Other than that, we had lots of fun and appreciated the opportunity to serve.

Tuesday Night Lights

I had no idea that band was going to be such a big deal in 7th grade.  There have been football games, pep rallies, sectionals and a concert.  In a couple of weeks, Fred is chaperoning a six flags trip.

The middle school band played at two different football games this season.  Fred just happened to be busy both those days, so I carted him up to the high school field.  One week they played at the 8th grade games and then the next week they played at the 7th grade games.  The second week, Jess thought she might like to attend.  One little problem.  Fred was at the Monday Night Football Game watching Chicago stomp on Dallas and he had the Durango with him.  Turns out, I cannot fit both kids AND Jonathan's tuba in my car.  I felt bad having to tell Jess that she had to stay home - unless we could figure out a way to strap the tuba on top of the car or hook it to the back like a little trailer.

I think it is wonderful that the middle school band is playing at the games.  It is great practice for them before they get to high school.  Only one thing, I really wish Jonathan had played the clarinet.  It is hard to get the big, heavy tuba across a parking lot and into the stands.  I told Jonathan that, too.  He told me that he couldn't play the clarinet.  He could never put a piece of wood in his mouth.

I am so glad that I was the one that took Jonathan to his football games.  Fred would have dumped him at the gate.  I stayed the entire time and listened to him, because I am his biggest fan. 

I love it!

I am enjoying our church's General Conference this weekend.  For some reason, it is really bugging me that the rest of my family is not enjoying it with the same amount of fervor.  Fred and Jess are snoring away this cozy fall day and Jonathan has been locked in his room - all vowing to watch the last session.  Which, come to think about it, is just about to come on, so I don't know how that is going to work if they are all sound asleep. 

As cranky as it is making me today, I have to say that my heart did sing yesterday to see my husband and son leave together in their Sunday finery to go to the priesthood session together.  I am not sure if I ever dared to dream that dream. 

So far, I have been edified and have loved the talks and have vowed to do as President Monson counseled this morning.  Count my blessings and remember the times that my prayers have been answered and the times that I have heeded the prompting of the Spirit.  So many times we get bogged down in counting our trials instead of our blessings.

I am so happy to hear the announcement for sisters to enter the mission field has been lowered.  So excited!  That means that we will have so many more sister missionaries out in the field.  As the mother of a son who I hope will choose to serve a mission one day, I am a little nervous that their age has been lowered, too.  However, I am sure we will follow the inspiration of the Lord on that one.

And, of course, who couldn't help but love Ann M. Dibbs talk?  Or, maybe I loved it because I am still in Young Women's mode, but I just to hear her speak. 

I saw on Facebook this morning that there were already t-shirts out there with her tag line:

I am Mormon.

I know it.

I live it.

I love it.

She is so awesome!

I am off to listen to the last session of conference!  Enjoy!

Each Life You Touch

 

No man or woman proceeds alone.  All of us are largely products of the lives which touch upon our lives.
-Gordon B. Hinckley

Today, there have been big changes in the Fortenberry house.  In our church we have callings which are our 'jobs' in the church.  Fred was moved from Assistant Scout Master to Scout Master which is a big job and means that they have a lot of faith in him.  I know that he will do a great job, but I also know that he will miss his buddy.  His good friend, Tony has been the Scout Master.  They moved him to another position.  He will still be working with the Young Men just not the same age group. 

I have been working with the Young Women for almost two years now.  In November it will be 2 years.  I was called as 2nd counselor the day before my Aunt Judy passed away.  I remember waiting to head out to Greeville until a member of the Bishopric came by to give me the calling.  I wasn't even at church to be sustained.  Our Young Women's Presidency was released today.

These girls and the other leaders have touched my life more than they can ever know.  I hope that I have touched theirs.  I might write more about them and how much I love and adore them.  Right now, I am too sad.  I know that they will have great leaders, and I know that I will go on to have another great calling. 

Right now, I just can't help but wonder what I will do with myself on Wednesday nights while my kids and husband are at Young Men and Young Women's.  I am sure I will come to enjoy my time to myself.  However, at first, it is going to be so very sad not to be with our youth.

I am thankful that I was called to serve with the Young Women.  I have loved every minute. 

Flashback Friday: Pinewood Derby

On February 23, 2008 Jonathan participated in a Pinewood Derby.  I love the look of concern and determination on his face as he watches his car (or maybe he is waiting to see his time).  Not sure, but he is clearly watching and waiting.

So cute!

1st in his heat

Cousin Time - Cheyanne's Birthday

On September 15th, MaMaw, Jessie and I met up in Princeton to visit with my Grandma.  We loved on her and slipped her some cash for her 92nd birthday that would be coming up on the 18th.  Green is her favorite color.  After spending some time with Grandma, we jetted out to Greenville to spend some time with our sweet cousin, Cheyanne.  Cheyanne is one whole hand old!  Cheyanne was hanging with her best bud, so we only saw her, but didn't visit with her.  It is exciting when kids start making best friends.  We did get to visit with her mother (which is my cousin), so that was just as fun!

My sweet cousin, Tammy, loves to tag people on Facebook.  If you saw me tagged in Cheyanne's birthday pictures, I want to clear up a few things.  First of all, one of my friends commented on the fact that I didn't look so happy.  If you read my Craftacular post, then you know that I had a migraine for three days after staying up too late.  Well, this was the first day after I stayed up too late.  It was the worst of the three migraine days.  I was trying to smile and participate, but I was pretty sure that I might die even though there have been no proven cases of death due to migraines.  Second of all, someone wanted to know why we were in a garage.  We are from the country and that is how we roll.  You are just jealous that there isn't enough room in your city garages, driveways and yards. 

We always have so much fun visiting our country cousins. It always makes me wish that I had kept my kids in the country.  Everything is better in the country (except the fact that you can't get pizza delivery).