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?

Tied Together With Love

Our 2010 Family Reunion theme was Tied Together With Love. 

We stopped in Utah before we drove up to Idaho and spent some time with family there.

Here I am with my cousin Stephen Hines.  It may not look like it but he loves me.

 When we got to Idaho we spent some time with Family there.  Including having a fun picnic in Victor.

Mine and Sarah's bum.  Nice right?

 After that we all headed up to Wyoming for the official reunion.

Nicholas's Last Day of Third Grade

Here is Nicholas's third grade class.  Left to right:  Back Row Iquan, Ms, Shumans, Gavin, Adriel, Chase, Anthony, Nicholas, Mckenzie, Ms. Marlene.  Front Row Liam, Corina, Mone, Tanisha, Rachel, Tanya and McKyleley

 

This is Nicholas with Ms.  Marlene, the assistant teacher.  She really likes Nicholas and calls him Mr. President.

Nicholas's favorite part of third grade was the Montesorri materials, especially the test tubes, which are used to teach division.

Thoughts on Phish

Joe has purchased tickets to four Phish concerts this year. Nope, that isn't a misprint. Four. It probably would be more, but his sister Karen's wedding is on the same weekend of the SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) shows. He has tickets on the 18th and 19th in Hartford. The 22nd in Boston and the 26th in Maryland.

"So what?" you are thinking. "We are supposed to be surprised by Joe Metzger's obsession with Phish?"

No, I know you all realize Joe's true love.

The news here is that after 10 years on hiatus, I will be joining him for one of the Phish concerts. To prepare me for the blessed event Joe has been giving me homework assignments and quizzes. I'm not doing too well.

As I have been inundated with Phish, I am continually amazed at the level of commitment it takes to truly be a Phish fan. Joe can tell you the set list of any concert he has been to and some that he hasn't. This is the same guy who can't remember which cupboard the pans go into. When he gets together with other Phish fans, he can talk for hours about all things Phish. He knows technic they use on the instruments, the mythology behind their lyrics, and how to clap on Stash.

I'm afraid that I just don't have it in me to devote so much to Phish. Deep in his heart, I know Joe wishes I could share his devotion to his beloved quartet. That may never happen, but I will learn how to clap on Stash.

Holden's First Year of Soccer

Holden's first soccer coach was our good friend Brice Flowers.  

Lots of friends were on his team, like Zoe Holland

Being a mom

So I kind of have a love hate relationship with being a mom. I love the big cheesy grins my kids give me. I hate brushing their teeth. I love eating as a family. I hate the mess that is left to clean up. I love watching them participate in things they love. I hate being a taxi service. I love to watch them learn new things. I hate nagging them to do their homework. I love having them in my life. I hate the stress of worry I am doing it wrong.

But in the end, life is not a balance sheet and I won't change the Metzger boys for anything. I am glad to be their mom.

The bunkbed

The BEST news we've had this month.

Matthew went to the doctor to have his platelets checked. 137! That's right. 137! That is almost double last month, with NO medication or intervention.

Due to his low platelet count I haven't allowed him to go up on the top bunk with Nicholas even for a minute. It was probably an overkill, especially the last few months when his platelets were hanging around the 75 mark. I told Matthew that if his platelets went above 100 I would let him go up and read with Nicholas on his bunk. All month Holden has been praying that his platelets would go above 100, so this is a real answer to a child's prayers. The normal range for platelets is between 150 and 400. But with a platelet count of 137 Matthew is out of any real danger.

Brag, brag, brag, brag, brag

I think my husband is a genius. Well, at least behind a camera. I just wanted to show a little of the work he did in 2009. Thus the following posts......