Christmas Poem

Occasionally, all the world stops on a single thought

and the hush of quiet softens our hearts

so that we can see and hear and feel what it means

to give instead of take, to wish instead of hate.

And maybe for a moment, collectively remember

how to forgive and forget and how to love one another.

-Joseph Metzger

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Four is great

Now that he is four, Matthew is all grown up. Just ask him. Apparently, not only can four year olds play soccer (which he has been waiting for) they can also carry heavy objects by themselves. They also don't have to hold your hand when crossing the street. Or sit in a car seat. As a parent you are pretty much useless once your child hits four.

The day after his fourth birthday we pulled out the scriptures to read. Generally, when it is Matthew's turn to read I point to the words say them and then he repeats them. But on this day, when I started to read, he put up his hand and said, "I don't need help."

And then he sat there and stared at the words for a while. Finally he looked up at me and said, "Well, maybe a little help."

Good to know I still have some value, even if he is four.

Thanksgiving Things

There are certain things that are forever tied into holidays. They become a part of the celebration and excitement of the day. For me Candy Corn will forever be associated with Thanksgiving.

Growing up, there would be candy corn at your place setting on the Thanksgiving table. Before the blessing and subsequent feasting, we would go around and name a blessing for each of the candies. If there was a small group it was 7 and if it was a large group only 3.

And then there is the song. How can a family that has it's own birthday song, not have a Thanksgiving song? I realized that my boys didn't know this song and I felt as if I had betrayed my heritage. But never fear, that will be rectified this year. And for all those future generations that follow me, here is part of your legacy.

Cartloads of Pumpkins as yellow as gold

Onions in silvery strings

Shining red apples

And clusters of grapes

Nuts and a host of good things

Chickens

And turkeys

And fat little pigs

All this is what Thanksgiving brings

I just have one questions for my dearly departed great great ancestor who made this song a tradition. Since when are pumpkins yellow? This has puzzled me since I was little.

I am grateful for all of you my friends. You have enriched my life and made me a better person. Happy Thanksgiving.

Wordless Wednesday

Springfield Children's Choir

Nicholas and Holden are singing with the Springfield Children's Choir. They LOVE it. They come home from rehearsal all excited and practicing their new songs. These are pictures from their first performance. The Choir sang at a fundraiser.

Check out the handsome boy three from the right.

The choir went over to the fundraiser on a bus. Is their a cuter face in the universe?

There is my Holden.

One of the things the boys really like is that a lot of their friends sing with them. In this group are Bronson, Gavin, Aalyia, and Roci.

The wise decision

A few months back, Joe and I had to decide whether or not to keep our leased Toyota Camry. After some thought and a realistic look at our budget, we decided not to keep it. We turned it in and got a small Geo Prism that doesn't have a payment. It was the wisest thing we've done in a long time. Not only do we not have a car payment, but our car insurance went way down as well. I really should be so proud of us and happy with this decision.

I've always seen myself as someone not really concerned about what others think. That's why I've been surprised at how people's reaction has effected me. We've heard everything from, "So, this is what you drive now?" or "Is this your car?" I really liked having a nice car.

And in the automotive world this is a step down. The Camry drove so smooth and quiet. There was a lot more room in the back seat for the boys. And it was just so pretty. (Do I sound like a commercial?)

The more time goes by and I am removed from my beloved Camry, I become more and more content with the wisdom that we have shown. But, if your in the market for a new car, check out the Camrys.

Wordless Wednesday

One of Joe's Paintings

Wordless Wednesday

Closet Introvert

Recently I've had a few experiences that have led me to decide that I need to make a public declaration. Are you ready?

I am painfully shy and insecure.

Perhaps you don't believe me. You feel that you have seen me be outgoing and perhaps even gregarious. The truth is I feel that I have to be that way. I much rather sit in a corner and hope no one notices me. For some reason I feel it is my duty to make others comfortable. (I never said I didn't have a warped sense of reality.) So I force myself to talk to others.

Perhaps you have felt that I have shunned you. Nope. I am not a shunner. The only thing that you experienced was my own insecurities being made manifest. Sometimes my own insecurities become so overwhelming I can not force myself to reach out and I just retreat into my comfortable spaces.

So I apologize for any offense that may have been felt. It was not intentional. Most likely I love you and would cry if I knew I had hurt your feelings.

Thoughtful Thursday

I didn't have to teach institute this week due to the celebration of Joe's birth. In recognition of all the wonderful ways that Joe has made the world a better place, I have decided to quote Joseph Michael Metzger.

"Damn."

Wordless Wednesday

One Year Older And Wiser Too?

Joe celebrated number 37 today. He loves his birthday and we love to share it with him.

The boys and I made our traditional birthday sign.

We went out for Chinese food and Sushi.

Then we came home, opened presents, blew out candles, and had cake. (The flourless chocolate cakes he likes so much.)

He got a ticket to see a band he likes, (Medeski, Martin, & Wood) a Mark Gordon (the bassist from Phish) CD, and some money (which he loves).

But the celebration of Joe's birth, did not begin today. On Saturday his mom and dad came from Schenectady bringing food, fun, and beautiful cake.

Nicholas, Holden, Matthew and I believe the world is a better place because Joe was born. We love Him.

Thoughtful Thursday

If you judge people you have no time to love them.- Mother Teresa

Wordless Wednesday

Memories of Auntie May

My great Aunt Alice May passed away this week. It wasn't a surprise. When I was visiting in August, I saw her and knew it would be the last time I saw her on earth. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to kiss her one last time. "Auntie May," as we all called her, was the last one remaining from her generation. Her death marks the end of a generation. A generation devoted to the Lord and to their family. Our lives are better because they came before us.

While my feelings are poignant and tears are close, I feel the need to look back at what I remember of Auntie May.

Remember that old green bicycle with the funny seat that she rode around everywhere? She probably outlived everyone because she rode that thing for years. It had that wicker basket in the front that was always full of things to share. Usually things that kids didn't really love like vegetables and green drink.

I still do someone of the exercises Alice May taught me while giving me singing lessons. I stick my finger down my throat and stick my tongue way out. I'm not sure they work, but I still do them.

Grandma Watkins was so proud of Auntie May and all of her accomplishments. Those two funny ladies with their wigs and hats. I love that Harriet, Alice May, and Grandma were such good friends. I love that those sisters grew old together and loved each other always. I want that with my sisters.

There is so much more, but I am at the point where I can't see the screen through my tears.

I love you Auntie May. Give Grandma a hug for me.

New Calling

Five weeks ago, President Forsberg asked me to stop by his office. It was then that he released me from my calling in Young Womens and asked me to teach institute. I was only in Young Womens for a year. I'm starting to get the feeling that no one wants to work with me and so they shuffle me around a lot.

I am excited about institute, but mostly just overwhelmed. There is some serious prep to teach this lesson every week. I teach on Tuesday nights in Amherst at 7:30 and you are all invited to attend. I would love to see happy smiling faces in the crowd.

Every week I write a quote on the board. It doesn't always have anything to do with the lesson. It is just something that I found that I like. So in my efforts to no longer neglect this blog (and to keep my favorite quotes in a safe place) I have decided to post them here as well. I will call them, Thoughtful Thursdays. Aren't I clever?

Here are the one's I have used so far. The italics parts following each quote are just my little comments.

Let questions arise, but never doubts. - F. Enzio Busche

This one is one of my favorites, and if you've had any conversations with me lately, you've probably already heard it.

"Mormonism" includes all truth. There is no truth but what belongs to the Gospel. If you can find a truth in heaven, earth, or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We believe it; it is ours; we claim it.- Brigham Young

When I asked the class what they thought about this one, Samuel said, "It sounds like something you would like. " What do you suppose he meant by that?

No message appears in the scriptures more times, in more ways than, Ask and ye shall receive. -Boyd K Packer

There is more to life than increasing its speed. -Mohatma Gandhi

Since beginning to teach, my Tuesdays are insane. I'm pretty sure that's the reason this one appeals to me.

Both read the Bible day and night

But thou read'st black, where I read white- William Blake

Blake was a English poet and printmaker who was died 3 years before the church was reorganized. I am teaching Doctrine and Covenants and Church History. I love how this speaks of the confusion that can arise and the need for additional revelation.

Don't let the workings of adversity totally abosorb your life.- Richard G Scott

What are your favorite quotes? Send them to me and maybe I can use them.

Alice May Sailey

Alice May Brewer Saily

1919 ~ 2010

Alice May Brewer Saily was born Jan. 13, 1919 and died Oct. 19, 2010 at 91 years old. Alice was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life devoting much to her time, talent and means to the church and to her family. She will be sorely missed by dozens of her grateful nieces, nephews, and friends to whom she has given so much. Alice was preceded in death by her husband Walt Saily. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 25, 2010 at the Lakeside 8th Ward Chapel, 131 South 1600 West, Provo. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services. Our sincere thanks to Bel Aire Assisted Living in Orem for the loving and tender care they gave Alice over the years.

And yet another thing I am not so great at...... blogging

So what have you been up to? Has your life been full and happy? Have you missed us? Well, here my dear friends is a quick update on the comings and goings of the Metzger household.

Joe is still employed at O & G.

It's a long commute, over an hour each way. Not too long ago, I made the mistake of calculating how much more time we would have with him if the commute wasn't so far. It's a lot and I'm sure you will all get sick of hearing me go on and on about it. O&G is a great company and we are grateful for his job.

As previous mentioned Joe attended a lot of Phish concerts this summer. In recognition of this fact, Joe dubbed this summer as the summer of Phish. Being in the presence of these musical masters that much, nearly gave Joe's life enough meaning to make him want to go on.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should put it out there that I did

have a really good time at the one Phish concert I attended with him. It's amazing how familiar I was with their music. Considering the years of constant exposure I shouldn't have been surprised.

Here we are before the concert. Don't we look happy?

I recently got back from visiting my family. It was wonderful. I do plan on blogging all about it, someday.....

Due to my calling in Young Women's I went to both Youth Conference and Girl's Camp. I still wonder however if they released me from Primary for being a bad example to the kids. I just could not master sitting still.....

My sister Sarah came to visit. Fun, fun, fun. Future blog post about this as well. (It will happen, but don't hold your breath.)

Nicholas loved his first year of Public School. I am so happy that it worked out the way it did. It really was a blessing for this control freak mom. His teacher Ms. Shumans was kind and we will miss her.

Holden just turned 7. I can't stand how fast they are growing up. He LOVED soccer, which was nice because he doesn't like very much.

Matthew's platelets are almost in the normal range. Our last count was 137. (Normal is between 150 and 400) We don't have to go back to the hematologist for 3 months. Hip Hip Hooray.

Well there you have it, a brief synopsis of the Metzger family. Does this mean I am all caught up?