The Green Eyed Boy

My daughter, Brie (16), has an amazing gift -  the gift of expression through the written word.  She keeps a blog filled with inspiration, fashion, and occasional teenage drama.  :)  This was her most recent post.  Once you read it, you'll know why I chose to share it here.
_______________________________________________________________

It's allergy season. Nasty allergies. All of yesterday, I fought with my body to keep it going. My family and I bought tickets to a country concert, and we were all excited! As I sat, though, I noticed my head began to gain weight. I could hardly keep my eyes open. Five sneezes came out, and I apologized, and looked at my mom, pleadingly. She told me to lie my head down on my sister's shoulder. So I did. I fought more to keep my eyes open, but eventually I just gave in.

Have you ever dreamt while sick? I have... it's weird.
This is a dream I had. I added more to it, to give it life, but I very much saw this all.

As I shut my real eyes, my dreams eyes awoke.
*

I was standing in a field of wheat grass with a dirt road below me. I turned around and saw a hand extended out towards me. The hand was tough, strong. It looked like it had worked for years, building and fixing and creating. My gaze followed the length of the arm and realized this hand belonged to a boy. The boy seemed a little older than me, and he stood a good half a foot taller than me. I squinted in the brilliant sunlight to see his face. He had chocolate brown hair, tousled and thick, and his eyes were a shade of green more beautiful than a maple tree in the early weeks of spring. As he smiled, his eyes crinkled at the edges, which clearly meant he smiled often. Behind his smile, though, a hint of sadness could be seen in his eyes. He shrugged and put his hand out a little farther, silently hoping I would take it.

I did.

He led me down the dirt road, often glancing back and then sheepishly turning around again when we made eye contact. His grip was firm and comforting. He instinctively tightened his grip as a breeze passed over the valley. I smiled at the gesture. We walked like this for some time; hands locked, him leading, me following.

As time passed, we suddenly approached a split in the road. There was a sign that marked where either of the two roads would take us. The left side read, "Happiness" while the right side read, "Fame and Fortune." To me, the choice seemed simple and easy. It was my turn to take the lead, so I stepped in front and motioned for him to follow me to the left. I tried to move forward, but he wouldn't budge. He stared at the sign, his smile gone and the crinkles turning in to worry lines.

I turned my head to the side, unsure of why he wasn't following me, and tried to meet his eyes, but he looked down instead. I looked over at the right road, and drew in a quick breath. Along the road, the trees were dotted with silver, the flowers were sparkling rubies and sapphires, and a river of liquid gold shined in the sunlight. Farther down, I could hear the distant sounds of music, twisted and evil-sounding beats. I could see people dancing and drinking something, which also happened to sparkle. It looked like they were having the time of their lives. I suddenly had this want to be there, to be with all of them. To fit in, to be 'normal,' to be in the middle of it all. To feel power like that, to have everything I thought I ever wanted. To be popular, to be rich, to be famous.

I slowly glanced back over to the left road as a single tear rolled down my cheek. There was only one tree, rich in green leaves and aged in years. It seemed to speak of wisdom and knowledge, as its leaves shook in the breeze, but its dark trunk stood still. For some reason, while looking at this side of the road, I couldn't hear the distant sounds of the party. The left road extended over a hill, which meant you couldn't tell where it led. I knew I had to go this way. I just knew I had to.

At this moment, I realized I was still holding onto his hand. I looked up at him, and in a moment of pain, saw him turn his head to the right and start to walk toward the party. I cried and yelled at him, but nothing escaped my mouth. My voice fell upon deaf ears. I fell to my knees and pleaded for him to come with me. Tears were streaming freely now, and I had no time to wipe them. As he continued to walk away from me, I scrambled to my feet and grabbed his arm. I turned him around to face me and mouthed the words, "Have faith."

Now it was his turn. Tears fell from his beautiful green eyes and he slowly collapsed to the ground. Everything seemed real now, and I could hear his sobs and could hear my words of comfort escaping my mouth. I repeated over and over, "Have faith, believe me, have faith, please!" He looked up at me and that sadness I had seen earlier was completely visible now. I bent down and wiped a tear from his cheek.

He suddenly spoke, his voice deep and meaningful, scared and unsure. He whispered, "I don't know if I can make it." I let out a half sob, half laugh, and pulled him up off his feet. He combed one of his strong hands through his chocolate brown hair and bit his lower lip. I held out my hand and said, "You can make it." I smiled as he took my hand and those smile lines reappeared on his face. "Just look," I said, "Look at how the sun is setting ever so slowly over the hill. That's hope. The truth is just over the hill. We can't give up now! See that tree? It's our guardian. The other road has no guardian, no hope, no truth."

Without saying a word, he linked his fingers in mine. This time he was the one who led me across to the left side of the road.

I awoke suddenly as the bass drum shook the whole arena.

I breathed in. I breathed out.

I felt at peace, yet so incredibly alone without my green-eyed boy.

Pretty Darn Funny!

I have been waiting for this!  If you are not familiar with the upcoming comedy webseries "Pretty Darn Funny!", you are sooooooo lucky you are reading this post!  I would have felt terrible if you had missed out.  ;)
*
*
The brainchild of our cousin, Lisa Valentine Clark, (we come from such a talent family tree) "Pretty Darn Funny" is a new comedy web series about women and motherhood.  They are calling it a "momedy."  :)
*
Here is the Exclusive Trailer:  (Lisa is "The Fearless Leader")
*
*
There is a contest going on too.  You can check out the details for yourself, but the jist of the contest...  post a video of yourself sharing a funny experience you've had as a mother, wife, or simply just being a woman - make us laugh and you could win a prize.
*
Prizes are given for those who get the most votes. The grand prize... (they actually have 2 grand prizes to award) is an all-expense-paid cruise for two courtesy of Morris Murdock Travel.  Check out your current competition here.
Brought to you by Deseret Book and Tinder Transmedia.

Lucky You!

We had a great Laurel class activity planned for tonight. Since it was going to be St. Patty's day this week, we decided to focus on service and how lucky we are.
I started off the night by reading part of a talk No Less Serviceable, by Howard W. Hunter.  We talked about how there are some people who seem to be in the limelight all the time.  But, there are others that are the unseen heros who give service to others, not expecting anything in return.
I then asked the girls to think of some one in our ward... an "unseen hero" who would love to receive a winners welcome.
We then made our deliveries to our "lucky" winners (in a Publisher Clearing House way):
  • balloons
  • a poster that all the girls had signed
  • a lucky treat
  • followed by a free hug from all

The reactions of our "lucky" winners was priceless!
*
Knowing why the girls chose who they did, all came together as we started the fun... We soon found that the first sister we visited lost her husband a year ago yesterday, another lost her husband 8 years ago and it was his birthday today, another spent the whole day in a huge mess rearranging her kitchen and said she needed a hug and another had some health issues taken care of today.
It was amazing to watch the Young Women after each delivery. They truly felt the spirit of happiness and service.

 

free printable found here, from A Little Tipsy
*
free printable found here, from It Is What It Is

Pageant of Progress

This is for Julie, because I love you!  :)  Sorry I wasn't the one who posted the pageant themed activity.  I wish I was, it sounds like fun!
*
By the way, is this what you were looking for:  New Beginnings: Young Women Values Pageant, skit found here.
*
I decided to throw a few more ideas your way, with the Pageant Theme in mind.  Here are a few photos I dusted off for inspiration.  Julie, I would love a few from your pageant days!  :)
*
{insert photos of 1990s Miss Orem Pageants here}  
*
IDEA FLOW
I began by looking up the definition of  pag·eant/ˈpajənt/
  • A public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene.
  • A beauty contest.
*
My thoughts then turned to developing... "Pageant of Progress:  a celebration of the Young Women program".

  • celebrate the history of the young women program
  • present through a procession of costumes and historical tidbits
  • celebrate individual beauty and accomplishments
I had to do a little research on the Young Women's program next.  This was pretty fun.  :)  I know I used more resources than listed below, sorry I didn't document very well.
*
RESOURCES USED
History of Young Women Achievement Programs
Young Women - Then and Now,
A Century of Young Women
134 Years Young! New Era November 2003 (great photographs in article - here is the PDF)
*
PURPOSE
Celebrate the history of the Young Women Program. Encourage young women to continue working on their Personal Progress by giving them opportunities to develop a new skill, and by displaying their creations.
*
PROGRAM
I could see the night coming together in a number of ways.  I narrowed it down and chose to share this idea with you:
*
Welcome:  ____________________
Opening Song:  "Carry On" (which was written as the anthem for LDS youth)
Opening Prayer:  ____________________
YW Theme:  ____________________
YW Historical Overview:
  • A presentation put together by the young women.  Each of them given a specific era to cover.  Creating a timeline of the Young Women Organization.
  • Or, this could be combined with a fashion show. (see idea below)  (I know a number of young women who would love to put outfits together for something like this.)
Musical Number:  ____________________
Fashion Show(if done separately)
Bishop's Remarks:  ____________________
Closing Prayer:  ____________________
*
FASHION SHOW IDEA
Have the young women grouped into different time eras. Each young women dressed as a girl would from their assigned era.  I would let them do their own research (10 hour project?).  :)
The MC could describe what young women might have worn during that time and a "Did you know?" - tidbits about what the young women organization was like during that time.
*
1869
Fashion:
pioneer dresses - you know the ones!  :)
*
Did you know?
  • In November of 1869, one father wanted to do something specific to help his girls. It so happened that this father was President Brigham Young. And the way he organized his own daughters soon spread throughout the Church. One evening he asked his older daughters to stay behind after family prayer. There were ten of them in their teens. He pointed out that other young ladies in the Church looked up to the Young girls as examples. He asked them if they would form the Retrenchment Organization. He asked them to meet together to study the gospel and to keep their clothing simple and attractive.
1900s
Fashion:
long skirts, large brimmed hats, buttoned gloves
*
Did you know?
  • In 1902 the first joint opening exercises were held for young men and young women.
1910s
Fashion: 
Long dresses, high collars, long sleeves.
*
Did you know?
  • In 1915, every female over 14 was a Beehive girl until she entered Relief Society. There were no Mia Maids, Gleaners, or Laurels.
  • At this time, the Church established its first systematic awards program for girls.
  • First summer camp for girls was held in 1912.  (100 years old this year girls!)
1920s
Fashion: 
The flapper look, a shapeless dress.  I love the hats!
Hair styles were typically short and sleek.
I loved the swim picture, that's the only reason it is there.  :)
*
Did you know?
  • In the 1920’s all young women who belonged to the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association were called Beehive girls, regardless of their age. They were arranged in groups called “swarms,” and their leaders were called Bee Keepers.  The Beehive program included three ranks:  Builders in the Hive, Gatherers of Honey, and Keepers of the Bees.
  • In 1922 gold and green became the official colors of MIA and the first Gold and Green Ball was held.
  • In 1929 they combined Young Woman's Journal and Improvement Era, to make one magazine for young men and young women.
*
1930s
Fashion: 
well matched sweaters and skirts with blouse and jacket combinations
*
Did you know?
  • In 1930 the hymn "Carry On" was introduced as the anthem for LDS youth.
  • Girls ages 12-13 did not become part of the MIA until 1934.
  • In the 1930s, leaders gave new emphasis to music, dance, and the performing arts. They published a recreational song book, and sociable singing became popular. They sponsored ten-minute musical programs or "road shows" that were locally created and rehearsed and then presented in successive wards in each LDS stake.
1940s
Fashion: 
*Skirts and dresses were A-line in shape (not pencil tight) and dropped down to the low knee. 
*
Did you know?
  • Class symbols of the beehive, rose, and sheaf of wheat are introduced in 1943.
  • In 1944 the Big Sister program was started for young women and mothers who needed to go to work during the war years.
1950s
Fashion:
Poodle skirts, cashmere sweaters, sandals or loafers.
*
Did you know?
  • In 1950 the Roses class was renamed Mia Maids.
  • Also in 1950, the Beehive girls became the first two years of Young Women. The next age-group was called Mia Maids. At that time, the 16- to 18-year-olds were called Junior Gleaners. 
  • You would mark your progress by attaching felt seals to your bright blue sash.
  • In 1959, the Junior Gleaner name was changed to Laurels.
  • It was an exciting time to be in Mutual, because every year you got to be in your ward's road show with the young men.  :)
  • You would also probably love the Saturday night dances put on by wards and stakes. These dances were a fun opportunity to mingle with young men, enjoy good music, and taste good food.
  • If you enjoyed playing basketball, you would have been excited about the girls' basketball teams—you could play as long as you had a female coach and followed girls' rules.


1960s
Fashion:
tailored suits and dresses
Our parents pictured above at a high school dance in 1964 or '65. 
Aren't they a good lookin' couple?
*
Did you know?
  • In the 1960’s, some of the requirements to earn emblems for the Beehive bandalo included:
    • Strive to get your full nine hours beauty sleep each night this month. Make it a habit!
    • Increase your self-confidence by acquiring a good posture (sitting, standing, and walking.)
    • Politeness in all things is the mark of a lady. Practice at home being considerate and polite. Learn to accept directions graciously. Conscientiously try to improve.
    • Make the dinner hour joyous by improving table manners of the entire family.
    • Look for something beautiful every day for two months.
  • The first For The Strength of Youth pamphlet was printed in 1965.
image
1970s
Fashion:
Bell bottom pants.  Platform shoes.  Polyester.
(and yes, I watched Charlie's Angels)  :)
*
Did you know?
  • Bandelos were discontinued in the early 1970s.
  • In 1974 the name is changed to Young Women, and the New Era begins.
1980s
Fashion: 
Over sized shirts, leggings, bleached denim, shoulder pads, and accessories were big and gaudy.
(This is Kathy, a couple years ago, dressed up for a Vanilla Ice concert at UVSC)  :)
*
Did you know?
  • The Values program was started in 1985.
  • In the first Church wide Young Women activity, (on October 11, 1986) an estimated 300,000 gathered at sites around the world to release helium-filled balloons containing personal messages from the young women.  I remember this!
1990s - 2000s
Fashion: 
baby doll dresses, blue jeans/navy blazer/classic white shirt
*
Did you know?
  • A new camp manual was introduced in 1993, focusing on service, spirituality, and the Young Women values.
  • In 2002 the Young Women Personal Progress program was revised and new Young Womanhood Recognition Medallion introduced.
  • The words "strengthen home and family" were also added to the Young Women theme in 2002.
  • In 2008 the value Virtue was added to the Young Women Theme.

Today
Fashion:
End with a presentation of all the young women. Each with a sash representing one of the value colors.  My thought would be to let the girls dress in their own way.  Celebrating their own unique beauty.(photo is of my beautiful daughters) :)
*
Did you know?
*
Over the years, the classes, requirements, and awards have dramatically changed. But the goal of learning to make the world a better place through service and self-improvement has been the same throughout the history of Young Women.
*
Susan W. Tanner, Young Women general president , "If young women know of God's love for them, it will influence and shape all of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They will understand they have a mission to perform in this life. They will have confidence in their ability to make responsible, righteous decisions. They will be able to resist temptation, to flee from worldly things, to dress modestly as is becoming of a divine daughter of God."

"Colour In" Your Wardrobe

I saw this DIY Colour In Dress and thought it looked like a fun project for the young women. This would be a great time to incorporate it. And a great ten hour project. Have them use fabric markers (in the value colors) to personalize their fabric. 
*
PURPOSE
Encourage young women to continue working on their Personal Progress by giving them opportunities to develop a new skill and display their creations.
*
ACTIVITY
Have the girls design their own piece of fashion. It could be anything as simple as a headband or bag, to sewing a dress or skirt. But have them incorporate one yard of black and white fabric (samples below), which you provide.
DIY "Colour-In" Dress
found here
Just use fabric markers to color away to your heart’s content.
Here are a few more Black and White fabrics to get the ideas going:
*

UFO - Ultra Fun Outing

Well, as you know I had a plan in mind for Leap Day.  My idea was to make the extra day an extra fun day for my family...  all around the famous quote by Neil Armstrong, "One small step for man, one giant LEAP for mankind".  Not everything went as planned.  And that's okay!
*
The boys and I started out our day by making rockets out of water bottles and bright colored paper.
*
*
We made moon cookies. And Robbie (4 years old) made it clear that the moon did not look like the cookies.  :)
*
I started setting the table for our out-of-this-world family dinner.  I had the moon, the stars, the planets, the silver chargers, my meal plan, but...  more important things grabbed my attention - literally!  My boys wanted to play.  Those boys needed more attention than my table scape.  :) 
*
So, instead of finishing my table decor, we created an alien detector and communicator.  We flew their rockets around the house, snuggled up and watched an episode of ScoobyDoo, which happened to have an alien mystery to solve!  And later, the boys got to the table decor and wanted to know every planet's name - luckily the names of the planets were printed on each sphere.
*
When it came time for dinner, I prepared flying saucersDo you remember having those as kids? Bologna, mashed potatoes, shredded cheese.  Mom used to broil them until the bologna curled. That was the best!  Maddy (13 years old) was excited to see what we were having.  It made me smile! 
*
*
Above, a grown up version with garlic mashed red potatoes, served with green beans.  I guess I could have made it more grown up by serving it on sliced ham instead of bologna.  There's always next time.  Below, my kid version, complete with green pepper alien and star apples. :)
*
*
We didn't get as much family time in as I had hoped, with dad getting home late from work, the girl's homework and then having mutual activities to get to after dinner.  Make the most with what you've got, right?
*
After we dropped the girls off at the church, the boys and I went on one of our Ultra Fun Outing, a.k.a. "Alien Hunt".  This is something we like to do.  :)  I have made it clear to the boys that we are just pretending, no worries.  Tonight was our best alien hunt to date!  So much excitement in the air.
*
Let me explain how our alien hunts work: 
*
*
When the hunt begins, our van is no longer a van.  It becomes our rocket.  Each time we put the van in motion the boys count down, "3, 2, 1, blast off!"  Sometimes they get so excited they start counting down before the car even comes to a complete stop.
*
We have decided that any green or blue lights are the aliens.  We started something new tonight, the boys decided they were going to shoot all the aliens with their freeze guns.  I felt like I was in the middle of the Buzz Light Year ride at Disneyland!  They were going crazy!  Cooper (2 years old) kept yelling out, "Watch out for aliens!" in a very concerned voice.  Robbie was shooting aliens left and right.  I love that they use their imaginations!
*
*
Our main goal is to find the alien spaceships, which are water towers.
*
*
During the hunt, you are real lucky if you find a spaceship with an alien (green light).
Which we did!  The boys were so excited!
*
When we made it back home (which the boys really did not want to do) we used our alien communicator to talk to the nice aliens we had left behind.  If you look real close you will see the mini alien we brought home with us.  The water bottle holding cells were lit up with Christmas lights from inside the box.  :)
*
*
An added bonus... Dad played the bad alien, as the boys ran around the house yelling and screaming.
*
We were planning on making UFOs when we got back home, but we had already stayed up way past our bedtime.  Next time! 
*
Here is my version of a UFO:  using 2 foam plates, toothpicks, 2 glow sticks, and a stapler.  (Pictures are from another night filled with out-of-this-world fun.)  I have the kids poke holes into 2 foam plates, any design they want.  Then we take two glow sticks (make them glow first) and connect them together to create a circle (fits perfectly between the plates).  Next, place the glow sticks between the plate and staple side together.  Voila!  Turn off the lights and the fun begins.  Easy, peasy. 
*
*
Here we are making the UFO's with the cousins, during our visit to Utah this past Thanksgiving.  We took them on an alien hunt in the snow!
*
*
The day may not have turned out the way I had imagined it.  But, my goal had been met.  I knew it had been an extra fun day when Robbie asked me the following morning, "Is it still Alien Day?"  :)  Good times!

Welcome!

I want to welcome RingMasters to Sisters in Zion!
*
Ringmasters Jewelry and Gifts
*
They have some wonderful LDS jewelry, CTR Rings, and more!  Including the "Sisters in Zion" key chain I have on my sidebar.  :)  Love it!
*
They are offering our readers 20% off.  "Thank You RingMasters!"
*
You know, and I know, you can't pass on a great deal... right?  So, what are you waiting for?  :)
*
Here's what you do:
  1. Click their button - found on our sidebar
  2. Fill your shopping cart
  3. Use the code: ZIONSISTERS -  to receive 20% off  your order
  4. Finally, let your family and friends know.  We encourage sharing here!  :)

Beginning Cross Stitch

Here is another activity I have done with the young women.  Beginning Cross Stitch.  It would also be a great activity for the activity day girls as well.
*
Honestly, this turned out much better than I thought it would.  When the girls told me they wanted to learn how to cross-stitch I thought to myself, "Cross-Stitch? Really?"  Luckily, a quick refresher course and a few supplies later...  voila!  "You girls would be so proud of me!"
*
SUPPLIES USED
  • 14 count plastic canvas, perfect for beginners
  • embroidery floss
  • 22 rounded needle
  • scissors
  • pencils
*
I went to Michael's and picked up a plastic canvas sheet for each girl.  My first thought was to purchase an embroidery hoop and fabric for each girl, but I am glad I went with the plastic.  I figured the plastic canvas would be easier to work with.  And it was.   
7-Count Colored Plastic Canvas Sheets
I admit, I needed a refresher course myself.  I found this:  Learn How To Cross Stitch In 5 minutes.  Just what I needed to get started!
*
I started by drawing a grid on the chalkboard and explaing in detail how to create a basic cross stitch.  Remember, I am a visual learner.  :)  I think that approach worked out really well.  We also went over how to thread a needle, knotting the end of the thread, and finishing a stitch.
*
There was some one-on-one instruction where needed.  But, the girls picked it up really quickly.  And we heard a number of them say "this is fun!".  :)
*
The girls used their pencils to draw a picture, a favorite quote, a design, whatever they wanted to on their sheet of plastic.  Then, using their new found knowledge, they began to stitch.
*
Here is a sample of a few different stitches (no, I did not stitch this):
*
Pinned Image
*
DID YOU KNOW?
The word 'Sampler' is derived from the Latin word 'Exemplum'. The meaning of this word being 'an example to be followed'. (You could create a great object lesson with this information, couldn't you?)  :)  Samplers are different examples of a stitches. It is generally believed that sampler stitching was carried out by young girls to encourage skills in stitching for use in later life. A sampler would probably have a variety of different stitches, and would be kept by the girl as a reference for future work. It would normally have been the particular individuals first attempt at stitching.
*
 The above sampler was done by 6 year old (yes 6),
Emily Shelton Sander, dated 1858.
*
During the 19th century, samplers became an important part of the school curriculum, young girls were encouraged to stitch to prepare themselves for their role as wives and mothers. These samplers tended to simple in their design, usually only having alphabets, numbers, their name and date, and the name of the school. The age of the stitcher ranged from as young as six up to about the age of fifteen years. The average age being eleven.
*
Creating a sampler would be a wonderful 10 hour project for the young women.  And a great addition to their hope chests.  :)  Just sayin'.
*
Here are a couple modern day samplers I found (plus a few more patterns):
*
Daisychain ABC's Crewelwork Sampler Pattern
available here for $6.00
*

found here
*
Arise and Shine Pattern
This and more LDS cross stitch patterns found here.
*

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
found here