The Winger's Restaurant of Life...A Comedic Salute

Some folks feel like the main dish in the Wingers Restaurant of Life. Others feel like a side dish, the little saucer of coleslaw that only some notice and enjoy. Still, there are those who can relate their life best to a huge piece of Asphalt Pie...dessert...right on. But me...? On occasion, (not saying when...just on occasion) I feel more like the pre-dinner snack. I'm not talkin' the wings...or even the celery sticks that come with it. I'm talkin' about the POPCORN they sit ya down with...mindlessly eaten...spilled on the table...left with nothin' but hard little kernels and popcorn droppings at the bottom of the bowl...completely forgotten by the time the hoity toity Asphalt Pie comes out. Sigh. Oh well. One things for certain, whether the main dish, side order, dessert, appetizer or stinkin' popcorn...it all gets swept off the table at some point. The busser is no discriminator of dishes. Moral of the story... Go to Wingers and enjoy the popcorn. The end.

P.S....I'll be the Asphalt Pie at some point today...it's just the way it is! Cheers!

"Love At Home Begins With L!"

"Love At Home Starts With L!"

A friend recently asked me how Kevin and I have maintained such a happy marriage over these last twenty-two years and it gave me reason to really think about just why we are still happily married, when so many of our friends and even some family members have either not found this to be the case in their lives, or have felt the bitter sting of divorce.  I can`t say why others have not found the same happiness, because I do not know their circumstances and have not walked in their shoes, but I can make an attempt to describe why I think Kevin and I have been so blessed with a happy marriage for so many years.

First and foremost, when we were both of dating age, we not only sought out people we were attracted to, but people who we felt shared our own belief systems...beliefs in God, character, work, and family.  On our first date, we weren't just thinking, "Gosh, he`s/she`s so cute!"  We were both thinking, "Something about this person makes me feel like I`ve just come home."  Being that we both came from happy families, ourselves, coming home was a positive feeling of belonging and acceptance; respect and admiration; familiarity and security.

The day Kevin and I married, we invited three other people to share in our partnership and be daily participants in our marriage:  God, our Eternal Father; our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit.  We had our own panel of experts to help guide us on our journey - our parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and even those loved ones who had already passed on.  We didn't really have a clue what we were in for, how difficult it would be, and on the flip side of that coin, just how wonderful it would be.  We only knew we loved each other and had the faith and hope in each other and God that we were going to succeed.  Were there times when we thought we wouldn't make it?  Dang right there were!  However, we are both fortunate that we EACH wanted to make it and therefore aligned our choices and actions accordingly.  We have both made mistakes, and a lot of them, but thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ, we have had and do have the opportunity to repent of those mistakes, receive forgiveness for our wrongdoings, and recommit to living a better today and tomorrow.

As I ponder the ingredients to our happy marriage, I recognize that numerous "L" words come to mind.  The late  President Gordon B. Hinkley, Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, gave advice to the youth of the church in the form of the "Six B's."  Be Grateful - Be Smart - Be Clean - Be True - Be Humble - Be Prayerful.  I appreciated the way he presented this because it sticks with me...I remember.  Well, in relation to our marriage, I would like to present, in a similar format, Kevin and Donna van Uitert's "Love At Home Starts With L!"  

*  Laugh
*  Listen
*  Lift
*  Look
*  Learn
*  Live
*  Leave
*  Lean
*  Love

*  Laugh:  Be willing to laugh at yourself and the silly mistakes we all make.  Laugh together, and often, because laughter truly is the best medicine, at times.  Just laugh!
*  Listen:  This one is huge.  Listening is so much more important than talking.  Listen to the hopes, dreams, fears and frustrations of your spouse.  Validate their feelings.  Polish reflective listening skills to help them open up and communicate.  Listen to their cries for help, their complaints about work, their innermost thoughts and workings of their minds and souls.  Even listen to their heart beating inside of their chest.  Listen to the silence as you hold hands, as you pray together or just lay together side by side and reflect on the particulars of the day.  Listen.
*  Lift:  At various times in our marriage, Kevin has had to lift me up when I have fallen, spiritually, emotionally, and certainly physically.  I, as well, have lifted him during periods of darkness, personal struggle, or desperation.  Lift each other's burdens when one cannot carry them any longer.  Lift each other's spirits when one is down and lowly.  Lastly, lift your ideals and standards to meet those of our Father in Heaven's and allow our Savior to assist in all of that heavy lifting!  Lift.
*  Look:  Take the time to look.  Don't just see what's apparent or in front of your face.  LOOK for what you WANT to see in the other.  Look for the good when everything seems bad.  Look for the happy when all appears sad.  Look for a smile you haven't seen in a while.  Take the time to look and be prepared to find exactly what you are looking for.  Matthew 7:7  "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."  Look.
*  Learn:  A popular musical artist, Alanis Morrisette, wrote the song "You Learn," in which it says, "You live, you learn; you love, you learn; you cry, you learn; you lose, you learn; you bleed, you learn; you scream, you learn....You grieve, you learn; you choke, you learn; you laugh, you learn; you choose, you learn; you pray, you learn; you ask, you learn; you live, you learn."  Learn about each other.  Learn what makes the other happy and do it.  Learn what God wants for his children and their marriages.  Learn how to put yourself second to the needs of your spouse.  Learn to be quiet.  Learn when to say yes and when to lovingly say no.  Make lots of mistakes and learn from them.  Make many happy memories and learn from those, too...repeat them over and over again!  Learn, learn, learn.
*  Live:  Sometimes we are so busy working, running, sleeping, and talking, that we forget to really live.  At times it feels like a life of survival, of endurance, of getting to the next day, the next rung on the ladder, the next step ahead.  Enjoy today, plan for tomorrow, learn from the past, but LIVE.  Have fun, be flexible, throw caution to the wind, at times, explore, wonder, be a child and live.  Your marriage will thank you for it.  Live.
*  Leave:  This may seem like a peculiar word to include on the list, but I believe it is essential.  Leave time for each other.  Leave the room when you are so mad that you feel your self-control slipping.  Know when to leave work at work.  Leave it in the Lord's hands... Leave.
*  Lean:  Lean on each other when one is feeling weakened.  Lean on the Lord and let his support succor you both.  Lean like a young sapling when the wind blows and stand up straight again afterward.  Lean into love and away from anger.  Don't fall or break when you can lean.
*  Love:  Don't forget to love...with your language, your eyes, your speech, your time, and your body.  Romantic love has been one of the strongest ties that has bound us together over these last twenty-two years.  We still love to be together. We continue to "be in love, fall in love, stay in love."  Some say that their fire has burned out.  Light it again.  Better yet, keep it burning, because it is so much easier to keep it lit than to find the resources to relight it.  It can be done, though.  Choose to love, want to love, remember to love.  Love is not just a feeling.  It is an action, a choice, a gift, a treasure.  Love others...allow others to love you.  The more love you give, the larger your receptacle is to receive.  Love.

I'll finish by saying that there are so many more ingredients to a happy marriage, but these are some of the highlights from ours.  We still have much to learn and with God's grace, many more years together!  Kevin is a blessing in my life.  He is the only man I want to be with and I am forever grateful that he chose me to share his life with.  He is an excellent father, provider, leader, Priesthood holder, example of patience, and most of all, friend.  I thank my Heavenly Father every day for such a man and pray that everyone can find the same happiness and joy in their marriages as we have, thus far, in ours.

xoxo --  Donna

Room at the Inn...

1/16/11

Our Sunday School teacher asked the congregation this question, pertaining to the birth of Christ and the innkeepers who would not make room for Him to be born:  "How can we make sure we have room at our inn for the Savior?" These are my thoughts...

My first thoughts were centered more on what my heart and mind are full of already.  Is my inn too crowded to make room for the Savior?  Have I invited too many trivial and inconsequential guests that might prohibit me from inviting Him in?  Is my music, television, car engine or computer so loud in volume that I don't even hear him knocking?  Am I running so fast and vigorously that I can't even see him standing at the door?  If so, then how can I alter this?  How do I get rid of unwanted guests, reduce the white noise and slow down long enough to take note of things of eternal value?  This is what came to mind...

Picture the foundation of a home in your heart.  With every act of kindness, service, minute spent in prayer or scripture study, showing love to your family, friends, and strangers, the foundation of this home grows in strength and magnitude.  With every act of hatred, anger, selfishness, ingratitude, or impatience, this foundation shrinks in both size and quality.  The choice is yours.  Would you like to build yourself a sturdy, spacious home full of room for ALL of your loved ones, the Savior, and future worthwhile experiences?  Or would you, instead, prefer a shanty fit only for temporary shelter from the elements...one that will not stand up to the storms and tempests of life?  The wind and rain will buffet...the earth will groan and tremble...the floods of adversity WILL rise, no matter which home you choose to build.  It is the nature of this world we live in.  Choose now what the habitation of your heart will be.  If we have already built ourselves a shanty, just remember that we can always start over...it is not difficult to tear such a structure down and rebuild.  After all, the Lord will never repossess the land he gave you to build upon!  No bank or contractor or real estate agent can ever offer such an extraordinary contract or opportunity to match that of our Lord and Savior, our Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit who promises to be the foreman on any worthy project we should choose to build.    

We could all take a lesson from a cow...

Driving into Logan tonight, I passed a field full of black cows. Come to think of it, I pass them about three to six times a day, and last night, in the blizzard, my children and I expressed our compassion towards said bovine for having to weather the storm. Today, however, it struck me that we, the human race, could sure take a lesson from these cows in the field...a lesson in endurance, faith, coping skills, and optimism.

First off, these poor cows were getting hammered last night. They were covered with snow, buffeted by the wind, and left standing in the middle of a field with no escape...no run in shelter. Several of them huddled together, perhaps finding comfort from the companionship of their peers, or the heat of extra bodies. They have no choice but to deal. They endure. I can't help but think they are prewired with the knowledge that "this too will pass." They've been through storms before, and they know that they end. To me, this serves as an example of endurance through our trials and faith in a future free of, at least, the particular trial at hand. When times are tough and the wind buffets and the snow swirls around us, we can find comfort in the companionship of others - friends, family, pets, Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We can find warmth in their smiles, their words, their hugs, and their acceptance.

Secondly, I noticed this evening that the cows were already pushing the snow aside to find the remnants of green grass perhaps hiding underneath. They made it through the night, through the subzero temperatures, and on the new day, pushed away the evidence of their trial to find new hope of fresh comfort. How many of us, after the tempest of our trials, stomp around on the evidence, curse it, nurture it, cling to it? How much happier would we all be if we had the smarts of a cow to stick our noses in the cold snow and push it aside? They don't get rid of it, but merely shift it to another place, in order to move on with their duty of survival.

Now, I haven't talked to a cow, recently at least, and therefore know not their thoughts on these matters, but am pretty sure one might say, "Donna, you think too much. We're just hungry and we don't give a rat's butt about endurance, faith and optimism. It is what it is. Enjoy your steak and think of me." And with that, I bid you adieu.

Sincerely,

Donna van Uitert
a.k.a "The Cow Whisperer"
11/24/10 11:15 p.m.

Limber Pine Trail Pictures :0)

Limber Pine Trail Pictures

Limber Pine Trail

Today, Kev and I and the kids took a drive up Logan Canyon for a little hike. There's a great trail that is easy breezy up at the top of the canyon, overlooking Bear Lake. The quakies were changing colors, the air was crisp and just a bit chilly, and the trails were moist, but not wet, from the rain we received a few days ago. We weren't prepared for the cooler temps being quite so cool and didn't pack any sweatshirts, so....we had to improvise. All we had in the car were Gerrit's and Dayton's shirts from Priesthood conference, that were inadvertantly left in the back. So, when you see all the white shirts, you'll understand! We don't typically go for a hike in white church shirts, but there's always a first! We had a great time and snapped some photos to share with y'all. Hope you enjoy them!

History Repeats Itself

I am feeling very thoughtful tonight after reading a friend's post on facebook about Boyd K. Packer's talk in conference this weekend. The gay and lesbian community is in an uproar over his words...words that have not changed over the history of time...words about homosexuality. I was troubled to read that the President of the HRC painted a picture of his conference talk as one of hate and condemnation. He even went so far as to say that our church deems gays and lesbians as undeserving of love. Where he got that, I do not know. My friend posted something I did not understand, but when I read the name Packer in her post I asked her what she meant. After much thought and inspiration I wrote her the following and wish to share it with you:

With all due respect, because you know I have that for you, I felt none of the hatred and scorn that the HRC paints of Elder Packer's conference talk. But you know, Prophets and Apostles have always been hated because they deliver messages that are going to be unpopular to different groups of people. Eleven out of the twelve original apostles were put to death because they would not recant their testimony of the resurrection of Christ. I would say that there are plenty of people who would like to see Boyd K. Packer deceased for his words...words that should come as no surprise to anyone. It was Dallin H. Oaks who was hated last year over the same issue. I have no doubt they would willingly suffer death rather than recant what they know in THEIR hearts to be true. I would do the same. I love Boyd K. Packer. I have a testimony of his apostalic calling and those of the other twelve and first presidency of the church. Perhaps in the next few years they will say something that offends me or that I don't want to hear. I wonder if I will suddenly lose my testimony and belief in prophets and apostles because my lifestyle is no longer in harmony with their teachings. I hope not, but many have. How many left the church when the blacks received the priesthood, because they didn't think it was right? How many left when President Benson taught from the pulpit that mothers who could, should stay home with their children? Many women who had a testimony of the divine calling of President Benson suddenly lost their faith in him as a prophet because they now disagreed or felt defensive at what he was saying. How many have left the church over their stance on gay marriage and Prop 8? Plenty, I'm sure. But, you see, it's not them who are changing what they preach. They have always taught these principles, but when they are reiterated at a politically charged time when the majority seems to be bowing to the wants and desires of the minority, folks get bent out of shape and decide the church is no longer true and that the Prophets and Apostles are no longer men of God. I feel love from President Monson, and that's not because I am a straight girl...I feel his love for the gay and lesbian community. The church has never preached hate, but to read that HRC president's remarks, he makes it sound like that is exactly what Elder Packer did. I guess we heard/read two different conference addresses. Elder Packer, Elder Oaks, President Monson...they are all just modern day "Samuel the Lamanite" figures and the world is desperately trying to shoot them off of the wall they are standing on. I hope to never find myself as one of the crowd shooting the arrows at the Prophets of the Lord. I love you, my friend, and I barely know you. I sense a deep, compassionate, loving, hurt, confused, and good heart in you. I hope you can come to a peaceful resolution with your thoughts and feelings about your life as a member of the LDS faith. Perhaps you are no longer a member and have requested your name taken off the records of the church. Whatever the case may be, I know God loves you, the Prophets and Apostles love you and me and everyone on this beautiful earth. Jesus loves you and is mindful of your situation and your feelings. Please don't buy into the hatred that certain groups are propagating, because it simply is not there being directed at the people they say it is. I really feel this in my heart to be true.

Gerrit's Poems

Here are a few poems that Gerrit wrote at EFY...

A Change

I feel a change
Within my heart.
I do not know
How it did start.

There is a change
In who I am.
To be better
I know I can.

It's a good change,
One of the best.
It comforts me
And helps me rest.

"I wrote this on the second to last day of EFY when I noticed that something had changed inside of me."

The Spirit

I feel my heart beat
Deep inside.
My happy limits
Are defied.

The Spirit's here
Deep within.
And I know God
Can forgive all sin.

I am filled
With so much joy.
And I know this
None can destroy.

"I wrote this at EFY Nauvoo 2010 during testimony meeting. The poem explains the rest."

EFY 2010

Gerrit had the opportunity to speak in church today about his experience at EFY - Nauvoo. He had a fabulous time and grew tremendously spiritually. What a blessing to have programs such as this that help strengthen our children's testimonies and love of the Lord and the Savior.

Perky Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon

Perky Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon...


The darkness seeps in...it slinks and it slithers
Staining my mind like a beet's scarlet stain.
It darkens the truest and brightest of motives
Like storm clouds do swallow the sun in the rain.

Left unattended, the torrent is raging
Drowning the remnants of joy's hopeful sails
But just as the last of it threatens to vanish
Light pierces through and seeks to avail.

-- Donna van Uitert 2:00 p.m.
August 22, 2010


(that being said...I'm just fine and dandy...irritable and a little ill tempered from a short night's sleep and unfinished thoughts about enjoying the journey no matter what mile marker I seem to be at...but still...fine and dandy...so no worries, my comrades...no worries!)

On a happy note, Kev and I had a great time with friends, Marli and Jeff Shelledy, at Rocky Mountain Raceway last night. We've never been out there for the car races before, and were lucky to be with Jeff, a veritable expert on the ins and outs of track etiquette. We kept him busy asking questions...what a sport! It was windy, and a tad bit filthy, but entertaining (especially the girl with the cuts all over her jeans, tattoos and both cheeks and breasties threatening to jump out at any moment...eek. She opened up her non-supportive bra and stuffed her dollar bills into the side of her ample bosom, leaving Kev to remark, "Well, that should be a safe spot for it, 'cause nobody'll be wanting to reach in there to get it...")

Happy Sabbath and here's to the last few days of freedom...school starts on Thursday. Signing out...

When Sleep Will Not Come

You know what happens when I brag to all of my friends on facebook about how I am now getting to bed before eleven p.m.? Yep...I can't sleep. Don't you just love it when old Murphy comes along to kick ya in the rear with that stinkin' law of his? Ugh.

Volleyball shoes. Volleyball shoes are the culprit. Perusing the internet for volleyball shoes for my daughter, who just made the Freshmen team for Mountain Crest High School in Hyrum, Utah. Didn't I just read, only a few days ago, that if one has trouble sleeping, or falling asleep, NOT to spend time on the computer before retiring to bed? Now, what happens if that "one" has a splendid case of ADHD...ooh...the possibilities are limitless. Volleyball shoes turned into cowboy boots for moi, which then morphed into spiky high heels to die for, followed by lace up to the knee Converse All-Stars for the teenagers in my brood. It's like a creeping vine on the front of the house...cute and frisky as it grows, adding a little greenery to the otherwise lacking appearance of a brick facade, only to turn into Cousin It by year's end, suffocating the windows and doors and all you hold sacred and holy! I do have to state, however, that I only LOOKED. I did not purchase. All is not lost.

Then came Netflix. Donna's overactive mind had just got started and what's a girl to do, after all? I watched "Julie & Julia", a completely splendid film about a girl who had a striking resemblence to...me, myself and I...not physically, per say...just in that erratic, slipshod, immediate gratification seeking kind of way. Watching "Julie & Julia" brought my mind about to my blog, which I have not posted on for over six months. SIX MONTHS! Wow. Where did the time go and why don't I remember it being more fun, since everyone says, "time flies when you're having fun"? For me, it just flew...a la carte...hold the fun. Okay, that's not completely true. I dabbled with a bit of fun in these last six months, but just a dab...truly. Here's hoping to a stellar four months that I have left in this year. Gotta make up for these last six, you see.

This is when I did the unthinkable. I looked out the window. (Reminds me of a Primary song I used to love...except there was NO popcorn popping on the apricot tree.) Lo and behold, the chicken coop doors were wide open with the brooding light on. There couldn't be a more clear invitation to every skunk, fox, and racoon in Beaver Dam than that. To top it off, the chickens were alive and well and carrying on quite a conversation. I am a worry wart. On goes the sweatshirt. On goes my daughter's slip on shoes (sorry about the poop, Ness). Out goes Donna at 2:35 a.m. to secure our little feathered friends and to take a good look at the chicken coop that has NOT been cleaned, the laying boxes that have NOT been refilled with clean hay, and the empty food tray, which is no doubt what the little critters were yapping about in the first place. Time to have a talk with a neglectful child or two. I didn't count the hens, but the roost was full of 'em, so I suppose all is well that ends well...except for me...who can't sleep.

Which brings me back around to the blog. It's been so long that I even forgot my password. Sheesh Lou-eesh. I should be flogged. Perhaps all IS well that ends well, though, because here I am writing again, with a little help from a facebook friend who suggested I get my rear in gear (thank you Tracy) and a little kick in the pants from a pair of volleyball shoes!

Free Verse Poetry

Marin and I had fun creating some free verse poetry for her class assignment. See what you think!


summer is…

summer is saddling up my favorite horse
riding through fields of safflower and sage
scents of sweat and dust fill the air
sounds of hooves clip-clopping a steady rhythm

summer is walking to church in sandals
no coats or boots or snowy roads
short sleeved dresses and church shirts
scriptures swinging by our sides

summer is roasting marshmallows over the fire
sitting like kings on our tree stump thrones
graham crackers and chocolate bars
singing and laughing and telling jokes

summer is eating watermelon with my cousins
even the cat wants to try some
seeing who can spit the seeds the furthest
sticky hands and arms and chins

summer is jumping on the trampoline
sprinklers watering the garden and the kids
both are growing bigger each day
barefoot in swimsuits and sunscreen

summer is long days and cool nights
trips to the lake and sometimes sunburns
ticks and mosquitoes that nibble and bite
the horses and kids and even moms and dads

summer is stacking hay on the trailer
driving down rows of checker board fields
alfalfa and grass down Dad’s shirt and pants
he looks like the Jolly Green Giant when he’s done

summer is floating on tubes down the canal
looking for spiders under the bridge
collecting snakes and lizards and frogs
and begging mom to keep them all

summer is my favorite time of year
vacations and warm weather and parties
family and friends and fun
summer is… happiness

-Marin and Donna van Uitert
February 2, 2010



angel baby

hair the color of milk chocolate frames her face
pink rose petal cheeks against snow white skin
her eyelids flutter as she dreams angel dreams
whispers of baby breath the only sounds she makes
my little china doll sleeping in her crib
mother calls her a miracle and a gift
daddy calls her an angel straight from heaven
I call her baby sister

-Marin and Donna van Uitert
February 2, 2010

Owls

Tonight we were surprised to hear two owls hooting in front of our house, likely in the trees on the other side of the street. They were so loud, and so close! Kevin and I were on our way out to the grocery store and Kev stepped back in the house to tell Vanessa to lock up the chickens. It reminded me of our owl experience a few years ago. Some of my readers will remember this poem and pictures, but for others it may be a first. Hope you enjoy!

The Noise in the Coop

I think I hear a noise,
In the chicken coop out back.
The chickens are asleep,
And the sky is nearly black.

My mom built us a coop,
For the roosters, ducks and hens,
Where they can all be safe,
When the foxes leave their dens.

So why is there a noise?
I better wake my dad.
To lose any of our chickens,
Would make us very sad.

The sky is changing color,
From black to morning light.
My dad is going out,
To make sure things are alright.

I can see a shape with wings,
Flapping frantically within,
But it's far too big and dark,
To be one of our chickens.

"Oh, my gosh! Can it be?"
My mom and dad just cried.
The noise I heard was coming,
From a young owl trapped inside.

It must have made it's way,
Through a hole we didn't see,
Then couldn't figure out,
How to set itself back free.

My mom is in the coop now.
It's snowy on the ground.
The owl is just keeping still,
And looking all around.

Those great big yellow eyes,
Have my mom locked in a stare.
Now, she's reaching down above him!
Oh... I would be so scared!

The owl didn't even move!
He's in my mother's hands.
They're wrapped around his wings,
And she can finally stand.

Wow! Is he a beauty!
A Great Horned Owl, I think,
Talons tucked up underneath,
And eyes that never blink.

"Can we keep him?" I ask,
But my mom shakes her head.
"He wouldn't be too happy
In a cage, locked up" she said.

"A creature that's so lovely,
One so wild and free,
Belongs back in the sky" she said.
No one could disagree.

"Let's take the owl out in front,
Where everyone can see,"
My mother held him in the air,
And there she set him free.

He's flying over all the oaks,
Past the ridge and far away.
The owl might be out of sight,
But this memory will stay.

"Now, to the coop," I cry out,
How distressed we are to see,
A duck and two hens lay silent,
As dead, as dead can be.

Although, we feel the sadness,
At the loss of our few pets,
Our time with the great horned owl,
Has left us no regrets!

Until... the next day when we find,
Two more chickens dead!
"That owl might've looked real good
Stuffed, on the mantle," Dad said.

Oh, well... live and learn,
As my mom will always say.
We'll just fix our chicken coop,
And remember our owl day.

-Donna van Uitert
September 7, 2007

Happy Birthday, Gerrit!

Seventeen years ago, today, Gerrit John van Uitert was born into our family. I can honestly say that he has been a pure joy ever since. He was a cute little baby with already very wide feet, copper red hair, and a wrinkly nose when he yawned. He had an infectious smile and laugh, with dimples in both cheeks and a small cleft in his chin. My brother, Karsten, used to say he looked like Kirk Douglas with that chin. Gerrit was almost always smiling and pleasant to be around, if not a bit exhausting, as well. Go, go, go!... was the motto for this little tyke; dancing on the table, shaking the torch lamps, pulling the videos and books off the shelf...go, go, go! My sister, Barbara, even asked me once if I thought he might have ADD, because this kid was so active and engaged in one thing after another. My other sister, Karen, might remember babysitting Gerrit and feeling the heart attack at realizing that Gerrit was running through the parking lot to the car. He didn't walk much...he ran! It was a fun activity, indeed, to sit this little guy on your lap and play patty cake and peek-a-boo, because of the reaction he always gave...hysterical laughter and the hugest grins. Carolyn, my oldest sister, used to sit him on her lap for that very thing and they would laugh, and laugh, and laugh. What a joy Gerrit has been!

Gerrit doesn't sit on my lap anymore to play patty cake or peek-a-boo; he doesn't pull the movies and books off the shelf; he certainly doesn't dance on the table! Gerrit DOES still play games, though, but now more with his friends, and he still smiles and laughs through them all. He's still ticklish and still has those dimples and that little cleft in his chin. His copper red hair is only obvious in direct sunlight, but his feet are still just as wide. Although he doesn't dance on the table anymore, he still loves to dance at ballroom dance classes and school/church dances. He's a natural at playing the melody of music he hears on the piano and still lights up the room with that smile. Gerrit is a straight A student with a 4.0 and excels at anything he does. He is a responsible, down to earth, friendly, forgiving, and worthy Priesthood holder who makes friends easily, leads inherently, and has an honest desire to do what is right. I love to hear him bless the Sacrament in church, and note that he performs his duties deliberately and with reverence. He is President of his Priest Quorum and an active Home Teacher. How could I ever want for more in a son? I thank my Heavenly Father for my first son, for the joy he has brought to our lives, and for the example he is to his brother and sisters, as well as the youth in our community who look to him and trust in his judgment. A special thanks goes out to all of our family and friends who have taken part in Gerrit's life, in any and all ways, and have impacted his life for the better. Here's hoping for another successful year in the life of Gerrit John, one full of memories for his old mom to cling to when we see him off on his own in two short years! Cheers!

It's Time for a Change...

Better late than never, huh? The last few weeks have been a little off for me, and thus...not much motivation for the blogging! You see, one of 2009's changes has thrown me for a loop, but I am adjusting and shifting gears and will hopefully be up to smooth sailing anytime now! Just a week or two before the year ended, we found out that Kevin was no longer going to be allowed to work from home. Big deal, right? Actually... it's a HUGE deal for me. I have truly loved having him home this last year...not because I asked him to do things for me around the house or escape with me all the time (I just didn't)... but because it was just so dang nice to have him here. Even if he was working...he was HERE. Kids could pop in to say hi, bring him lunch, have him at school activities, etc. Gasoline expenses just went up by another $500 a month, and had we known about this a year and a half ago, we would have bought a house closer to Kaysville. Ah, well... no regrets. We love Beaver Dam and have learned a lot here. Still, we will probably move to either get closer to his work or at least closer to the kids' school in Cache valley. Something's gotta give...

Putting our kids in school full time has definitely been a change for 2009. We love their charter school; love the Principal; love the students...don't love the drive. It's worth it, though. Feeling good about their educational environment has always been a concern for us (thus the homeschooling) and finding a school that actually sits well with us is a huge blessing. We took Audra out a month or two ago, though. She needs a little more quantity/quality time with her mom. I'm just glad I have the ability to do what needs to be done. Many mothers do not have the choice of homeschooling because of employment necessities and/or single family households. For the blessing of 'choice'... I am grateful.

Last, but not least... I think I was probably more distressed and depressed in 2009 than in any other year to date. The last FEW years (maybe even five) have been filled with changes and stresses that just kind of built up and finally pinned me down. This is not to say that I did not enjoy happiness this last year, because I certainly did. I just kind of passed out, emotionally, spiritually, and even somewhat physically. But, from the depths of the chasm comes the realization that there's only one direction to go (well, not really...things could have been much, MUCH worse), or at least only one direction I WANT to go, and that is UP. Sadness, pain, loneliness and discouragement have motivated me to search for ways to improve my life and have given me a wake-up call that I cannot ignore. They are all symptoms of something inside of me that needs healing and are little warnings that there definitely are WORSE things to come if I don't take care of myself. So, here's to hoping that 2010 is the year that I find the solutions, make the commitments, and learn to smile just a little bit more. :0)

The Case of the Baptismal Finger

I just have to relate this story that I heard from one of our sweet six year old primary kids today! In class, Kevin and I were teaching the kids about choosing the right and the significance of the CTR insignia. I told the kids that Jesus wants us to be happy and that choosing the right will help us live happy lives. After asking them if they remembered a time that they were particularly happy and telling them that I was especially happy on the day of my baptism, Cami Jo shot her hand up in the air.

"Yes, Cami Jo?" I said.
"Uh... when my brother got baptized his finger fell off."
Smiling at her, Kevin and I shot each other a look and Kev said, "How did that happen? His finger fell off?"
"Yes, Cami Jo... tell us. It happened when he was getting baptized?" I added.
Bobbing her head up and down she answered, "Yeah...when he was saying the prayer it came off! His pinky!"
"Wow. Did he stick it into something in the baptismal font, or something?" we questioned.
"No... it just fell off. His pinky... gone."

I looked around the class and told them that my fingers had never fallen off when I prayed and one little girl piped in, "Me neither. I wouldn't be very happy if my finger fell off." Kev and I stifled our chuckles.

After church was out, Kevin approached Cami Jo's parents about the supposed missing pinky finger on Carson, who didn't appear to have any digits missing. Her parents explained to Kev that when Carson was getting baptized, his pinky finger came up out of the water whilst he was being submerged and they had to do it again. Kevin and I started laughing hysterically! His finger didn't come off...it came "up". What a sweet girl! She was completely serious about the finger falling off and no doubt has figured it all out in her head how the pinky grew back or was put back on her brother. Aww... the innocence of youth!

Same Old... Same Old

Howdy, howdy to all you 2010 enthusiasts! We have decided that this needs to be the year that we see some significant changes as a family. However, this is my entry about three things that have NOT changed this last year, and so I'll just have to get to some of those needed changes later. Or, perhaps, the three things that didn't change in 2009 might just end up being the very things I want to see altered for this next year. I guess I'll find out as I get writing...

The first ingredient in our stagnant pond of 2009 is our church schedule. Nope... no changes with the ole nine o'clock church schedule. Here in Beaver Dam, one can count on nine o'clock church for the rest of their life, or at least, into the unforeseeable future. These sweet people have not realized that change is good and that they just might find a whole new activity level in the ward if they just rotated schedules every year. Even every other year would be a big bonus. All of my good friends know just how excited I get about nine o'clock church and have already heard me weep and wail about this particular stagnancy that I will just quit typing about it right now. Ssppbbtt... (that's my attempt at typing the sound I might make as I stick out my tongue and spit... or what the world calls 'blowing a raspberry') I'd say this particular pond ingredient was akin to the slimy black mud on the bottom of the pond - the compost material of fish feces and decomposing plant matter. Let me emphasize that the never-changing hour that church begins is the slimy gross part, but let us not forget that although compost materials might stink and basically sick us out, they are vital for the enrichment of the earth and other things that grow. What we get from our attendance at church, no matter what the hour, is definitely enriching and helping us grow and expand in our relationships with others and our spiritual progression. See how I whipped that one around into something positive? Gotta pat myself on the back every once in awhile.

Next on my list of 2009 unchangeables is the love of my own sweet Goliath, Kevin. This man is amazing in his patience, understanding, work ethic, humor, and all around ability to share of himself. He found himself teaching a lesson every month in Elder's Quorum, home teaching some awesome folks from church, playing basketball in the church league, coaching Dayton's Jr. Jazz team, working his buns off providing for our family, and supplying humorous entertainment for all of us! I am certainly glad that HE is, at least, one positive thing I can count on through the thick and thin and everywhere in between. We celebrated our twentieth anniversary last August and find ourselves not only 'still' in love, but even more so than we could have ever hoped. He worked from a home office all year and I am so grateful to have had him with us and spend more time with him than any other year of our married life. He's an angel and we are blessed by his influence on a daily basis. In keeping with the pond analogy, I'd say Kev was like the beautiful green moss that floats on the surface of the water, nourishing the fish and little critters that shelter themselves in and around it. It keeps the water still and gives the appearance of solidity to an otherwise movable surface; vibrant and lush; broad and sweeping, yet soft and tender. Aww... my little mossy Kevin! What a sweetie-pie!

Pond ingredient number three might just have to be my garage. It is still packed with a bunch of boxes of stuff that we obviously don't need, don't want, or just simply don't KNOW that we really WANT to NEED! Hmm... did that make sense? I think not. We have not mustered up the gumption to attack the garage and sort through the residue of our lives, our moves, and our disorganization, in general. This third unchangeable should probably not be dictated as 'the garage', per say, but rather just our disorganization...period. Didn't change this year in this department. We had little hopes and glimmers and thoughts of it changing, but, alas, it stayed the same. This is one of those things that is on our list of MAJOR changes for 2010. One step at a time, I guess. Big works are brought to pass by individually small efforts and experiences, right? Tonight, as we drove into Logan for some groceries, we spoke about this and decided that if we chart out the progress we want to see this year in our 'organization' efforts, and then accomplish these set goals, we should see the major changes in this arena that we so hope for. I would say that our disorganization and procrastination, this year, have been like the big stinky carp that feed on the mucus-y grunge on the bottom of our pond, that each year grow bigger and fatter and perhaps even stinkier! This year, we're gonna expunge those carp and trade them in for beautiful goldfish, rainbow trout, or... if we're lucky... maybe even some striped, swimming, water turtles! Wouldn't that be great?! Maybe if we planted some striper or perch in our little pond of 2010, my dad would even visit on a regular basis and bring my mom along for a little sun bathing on the banks! *wink wink*

Okay, y'all... I could go on and on, but looking back at my decision to focus on ONLY three things that didn't change this year, I realize just how smart that really was! Stagnant ponds are quite lovely at certain times of the year, but let us not forget that if they are left alone too long, they breed mosquitoes and leeches and all sorts of nasties that I would NEVER want to irritate my guests with! So, on that note, I will bid you adieu and will meet you on the next round of my investigations of 2009!

"You say goodbye and I say hello... hello, hello..." - The Beatles

It's almost time to say goodbye to 2009. I look back on this year and am honing my eyesight to recognize its defining moments through the chaos that seems so prevalent. Quite frankly, it seems like I've been on water skis this year being hauled all around by a psychotic driver who just likes to see the scared look in my eyes as I just barely make it over each break and who giggles a little under his breath as he crosses wave patterns with another boater just as intent on scaring the bejeebers out of HIS skier. I'm not sure my terminology is even correct with that analogy, as I prefer the snow to the water, but I've never had someone else pulling me down the mountain by a cord (thank heavens, because that would mean I was likely on a gurney!)... and because I am somewhat afraid of the water and have felt completely out of control, at times, this year, the whole water skiing thing just seems to work.

Some things have stayed exactly the same this year and other aspects of my life have changed dramatically. Nothing so special about that, huh? I'm fairly certain that every person on the planet could say the same thing, but since this blog belongs to me and NOT to every other person on the planet, I will divulge a few details about the drastically changeable and unchanging life of Donna, circa 2009... and if I'm lucky, it won't be a bunch of repeats of previous blog entries; otherwise, I might just have to reference you to read said blogs and save myself a little time! I will post this year's highlights in separate entries, in part, so as not to drive the love of reading out of my special guests by sheer longevity, as well as give my guests something exciting to look forward to in their email inboxes, where I am actually the guest, instead of vice-versa.

I think it only fitting to outline, right from the beginning, the sequence of my entries... and I am completely shooting by the hip, as I always do, and therefore have no idea of what I will say next! However, I am afraid that without an outline, my entries about this particular year may never end and we simply cannot have that. After all, it wasn't THAT good or that BAD of a year that I'd wish to eternally evaluate its particulars! Having said as much, I shall focus primarily on the number three... three things that have stayed the same, three changes, three milestones and perhaps, three hilarities, in no particular order or arrangement. Before you get scared and block The Funny Farm from your inboxes, I swear to you that I will not send you twelve separate entries. As much as some of you may enjoy my writing, enough is enough, right? Please do not despair at the enormity of my undertaking, for I promise to make it entertaining and a whole lot more forthright than this introductory entry. Words, words, words... I enjoy them WAY too much and can only aspire to share my love of them with you, my readers! Until next time...

It's late...

It's late, it's late, it's late! I should be sleeping, but as I am apparently not, I may as well jot down a quick note on the old blogarooney. Since I last wrote...

...I colored and cut my hair. I posted a picture to show the new do, which doesn't even look like that anymore. It is a few shades lighter already... always happens to me. I have to color it extra dark for it to lighten up to the shade I actually want. I do like it, though. I quite liked the dark, but it's tough for me to get it to stay in. Why fight nature, huh? I have a lot of gray coming in now, though, and the highlight I had before was better at hiding that transition. A highlight may be calling my name, again, in the not so distant future. I gave Marin the same haircut and highlighted hers a bit, cut Audra's into a bob, and gave Vanessa some extra highlights, as well. It's been a busy hair month!

...two of our goats passed away. Our mama goat, Isabella, and her baby, Clover, passed away on the same night, but at separate locations. I had Isabella over to a neighbors to breed with his billy and he found her dead the next morning. I personally think the other goats were too rough on her and she didn't have anywhere to get out of the cold, like she does here. Had I not been such a comatose wastoid that day, and had checked out my neighbor's setup, I would not have sent her to her death. As it was, I was not feeling good, stayed in bed all day and sent the kids over with her. I didn't hear about how rough the other goats were with her until AFTER she was dead. She was totally healthy, though. Big bummer. Her baby, Clover, didn't grow as big and strong as her twin, Dora, and I think the cold just finally got to her. We could see she was ailing, brought her in that night to sleep in the pet porter, and she was gone by morning. Dora is fine and living with our other nanny goat, Belle. Still a sad, sad day for the van Uiterts.

...Kevin turned forty-four on December 4th. I wish I could say I made it a day he would always remember, but I had one of those weird allergic reactions I get, from time to time, which shut me down for the evening, was stressed about one of my daughter's school teachers, and ended up sending Kev to the ward Relief Society Christmas party alone. Poor guy. He's such a sweet guy... patient and understanding... and now one year older!

...our table caught on fire and was working itself into a towering inferno of plastic dishes and gingerbread house boxes when we finally discovered it. One or two of our beautiful children lit some candles and placed them way too close to a plastic bowl, which somehow caught on fire and turned into one to two foot flames licking upwards to the light fixture. I grabbed glasses of water and doused it in a jiff, but not quick enough to save the table from being seriously scorched on top. Maybe this is a blessing in disquise...my mini horses need another shelter and I think the table would do just the trick. Throw a tarp over it, and wallah... horse shelter extraordinaire! Really, though, I'm glad Marin spotted it. She, Audra, and I were busy hanging the last few ornaments on the tree in the front room when she noticed. It's not every day you see a real live fire on your dining room table. Kevin says we could have had a new house, had we not been so quick to discover it, and in some ways I could dig on that. But, truly, who would want to lose everything at Christmastime in a house fire? I actually dread that thought and fear, from time to time, that something like that will happen while we are gone (pellet stove, etc.) and my poor animals wouldn't have a way out. The three dogs, two birds, rabbit and the snake would be crispy critters, and I just can't stomach the thought of that. Anyhow... all's well that ends well, right? Catastrophe averted, Christmas tree decorated, table cleaned off (took a fire to do it, but hey...count yer blessings is what I always say...), and one less tupperware bowl to wash!

...I have made good friends with a sweet gal from Uganda. She lives down the street from me and I have felt impressed to visit her from time to time, and upon doing so, have found that we are like soul sisters and a great joy to each other. I feel for her, being so far from her family and home, and have encouraged her to plan a trip to Africa this year. Kevin has always wanted to go on a safari and now we have a friend that can show us around Kenya and Uganda. Maybe next year...

...I have been visiting Sandy Voge, who I call 'my energy lady', and she has been working on me every week to help balance my emotional/physical energy meridians. Through her work, she has found that my thyroid is not functioning properly, and that I am starving for iodine in my diet. A good friend of mine recommended that I have my thyroid checked out, because she had experienced similar problems in her life with emotional balance, fatigue, etc., and had a life changing experience by just taking iodine. I took her advice and had Sandy check me for it, and wouldn't you know... I need iodine. I'm just starting on it today and am hopeful to regain some balance in my life. Apparently, the thyroid is really important for proper body/mind function and mine has been jacked up for a long time. This could be the answer I've been looking for! I'm excited to find out!

...Dayton and Vanessa have been playing basketball up in Hyrum on Saturdays and are both really enjoying it. Dayton gets taller by the day, I swear, and Vanessa is fast on his heels. She is taller than I, now, and wears a shoe two sizes bigger than mine. Dayton is probably 6'4" now... I need to measure him again. All I know is that he was as tall as Kevin's brother at Thanksgiving and I think Brian is around 6'4" or 6'5". They are both finding their confidence out on the basketball court, though, and we've sure enjoyed watching them play. It's fun to meet the parents of the other kids, as well. Vanessa's friend, Milanna, is such a sweetheart and besides playing on the same team, they go to school together, as well. Her parents are simply marvelous and we've really enjoyed getting to know them better. They were kind enough to take us to a Utah State basketball game a few weeks ago and it was so much fun, we're even thinking of becoming Aggie fans, ourselves. We've always liked USU, but aren't true fans of ANY college sports team. We're thinking we might just have to do something about that :0)

Well, it's after 2:00 a.m. and I have to be up in four and half hours to take the kids to school. Field trip day... they are really excited! We have lunches to make, cameras and ipods to take, and no doubt naps for me and Audra when we get home from dropping them off! Goodnight!