October 2015

October was an interesting mix of activities and happenings.  It started out with me getting a call from the middle school while subbing at the high school that Nicholas was throwing up and not feeling well at all.  I immediately called Steve and he turned around and came back home while I took my free period to go get Nick and take him home.  He really didn't look good by the time I got over there.  Steve worked from home that day while Nick slept.  It was only a 24 hour stomach bug, thank goodness.  Nick was up and at 'em the next day.  

October 3rd, Joaquin was a hurricane sitting off the East coast trying to decide if/where it was going to make landfall.  As a result, our weather was very windy and very rainy.  Soccer was cancelled for the day, due to the field being flooded. General Conference was amazing, as always.

October 4th, during conference, President Monson had a hard time with the second half of his last talk.  It was hard to watch.  I wanted to run into the television and help hold him up.  I love that man!!!  Every General Conference I think it cannot get any better and it always does.  

It had rained all night long and there was a bunch of flooding, especially in South Carolina.  The rivers and lakes, which had been dangerously low only a few weeks earlier, were all back up to normal level (2 feet).  

Our dishwasher finally died, but not before leaking all over the floor and damaging the baseboards.  

October was a month for rain. On 10/10 soccer was rained out again.  Naomi was really bummed about that.  Steve and I took the extra time to get ready for the annual Muller Murder Mystery Party.  The theme this year was an old folk's home.  Steve and I were both supposed to be old people.  He was Evan O'Connell who was originally from Ireland and was a hopeless flirt with the ladies.  I was Ethel Dooley, "a sweet old lady, with soft white curly hair and a love of pink dresses."  I also had a problem with Alzheimers.  It was a fun character to play.  All I had to do all night long was walk around and randomly repeat phrases I had heard in the old folks home that placed suspicion on all the other residents.  Sara writes the murder mysteries herself and really has a great time getting into the theme.  It is always a good time.   

Before.

After.

The Renshaws

The Millers and Smiths.

Us and the Tufts.  

Dolores, the birthday girl, was also the murder victim.  Somebody smothered her to death in her sleep, but who!!??

The gang trying to figure out who done it.  

David Miller, Phillip Tufts and John Shamanis

The Lees and Fernanda

Steve and the Jensens

Everyone at the party voted for their favorite characters.  Steve and I won the coolest trophies ever!!  Sara had to laugh because we made the trophies for the party.  

Earlier in the day on the 10th, Steve found out he had won tickets to the Bank of America 500 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  He found that ironic since we would not be able to use the tickets.  Well, luck was on our side and the race got rained out and postponed until Sunday.  

October 11th, I was released as the primary chorister and sustained as the second counselor in the Young Women's presidency.  I got to spend one last week with the kids and it was a teary goodbye.  After church, Steve and Nick went to the race.  They had an amazing time.  Nick is even more in love with cars now, if that is even possible.  

At the race.  On turn 5 about five rows up.  

October 13th Roger Buttars came to dinner.  Roger and I have been trying to get together for years now.  Our visits to Utah have not been on the same schedule.  As luck would have it, he was speaking in Charlotte and came by for dinner while he was in town.  The kids had a great time meeting one of my childhood and life-long friends.  They also really enjoyed riding on his motorcycle.  

Roger and I have birthdays only days apart.  We started kindergarten together and graduated from high school together.  

October 15th I got to go along with the Lake Norman Charter Drama Club to see a live stream of Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role of Hamlet.  It was a-maz-ing.  The kids even enjoyed it, which surprised most of them.

October 16th, Jeremy had his wisdom teeth pulled.  We got Naomi on the bus for school and then took Jeremy straight to the surgeons office.  Nick wanted to be there to see Jeremy when he first woke up.  Jeremy thought he sounded completely normal and was talking intelligently.  Nick and I could not stop laughing because Jeremy was still so drugged up.  At one point he looked at me and said, "I can't feel my face."  Nick continued singing the lyrics of a popular song "..when I'm with you."  The two then sang the song together and started dancing in the truck.  If that wasn't funny enough, Jeremy stopped and got a serious look on his face when he said, "That song is about the dentist.  Confirmed!!"

The pain medication is starting to wear off and this is not so much fun anymore.  

That night I had my first Young Women activity.  We went to a corn maze.  With all the recent rain it was incredibly muddy.  That only added the the fun challenge.  For the first time in the history of this activity, the Beehives won.

Sister Machin lost her shoes in the mud.  

Sara and Kellie before.

Me and Aubrey.  The wagon ride was rough on us.  She got bumped off the wagon when it took a turn and I bailed off so she wouldn't be alone.  It was definitely an adventure.  

Kaylie, Abby, Journey, Mary, Ravyn, Caitlyn and Aubrey.

October 17th was a nail-biter soccer game.  Our team was down 5-0 after the first half.  We didn't have any substitutes so the girls had to play the entire time.  Coach Russ gave the girls a good pep talk during half time and we came back to win the game 6-5.  The girls were so excited.  They really played well and had a great time.  

October 18th Jeremy woke up very sore from the surgery.  We decided to take two cars to church so that one of us could leave and come home if Jeremy needed us.  I was driving down Rocky River Road when a car two in front of me decided to make a quick left turn.  I stopped but the car behind me did not.  She tried to park her car underneath the truck.  Witnesses say she didn't even touch her brakes.  I saw her coming, put both feet on the brake and threw my arm across Naomi while waiting for impact.  Considering I was stopped and she was going about 45 MPH, the impact was minimal.  I have had more trauma on a roller coaster.  The truck absorbed most of the impact.  Naomi was rattled, but not hurt.  When I tried to pull the truck off of the road to get out of traffic, it would not go anywhere.  That is when I saw the smoke inside the car behind me.  I told Naomi to get out of the truck and go stand in the field while I checked on the other driver.  I was worried because she had hit near the gas tank.  The smoke ended up being the dust from her air bags.  I called 911 and was answering the operators questions and trying to get the other driver to tell me if she was okay.  She was only speaking Spanish.  I finally got her to calm down a little bit and speak a little English.  She kept asking what had happened and wouldn't tell me if she was hurt.  The 911 operator needed to know if we needed an ambulance and I couldn't get an answer out of the other driver.  I was patient until the fifth or sixth time she asked "What happened?"  I told her, more curtly than I should have, "I stopped and you did not!!  Are you hurt??!!!?"   With the help of one of the witnesses (from church - this is the main way we all drive to the church) we got her calmed down enough to tell the operator we didn't need an ambulance.  Another church member who spoke Spanish came and talked with her until the police officer arrived.  Yet another church member offered to drive Naomi to church so she could calm down a little bit.  The officer said it was okay for her to leave.  Steve had driven up not too long after the accident happened so he was there to remember to take pictures of everything.  The cop came and looked around the truck while asking me questions.  "There are no skid marks." I had stopped quickly, but not that quickly.  That is when the witness told the officer that the other driver had not even touched her brakes.  There were no skid marks from either vehicle.  The tow truck operator said the same thing while shaking his head and making sure I was all right.  He said we were lucky to not be hurt.  They had to lift the truck up to get her car out from underneath it.  Since the truck was still driveable, they let me go.  Steve said that was a good sign.  I certainly hoped so.  I arrived at church just as sacrament meeting was ending.  After church I was set apart and we hurried home to check on Jeremy.  He was hurting, but okay.  I spent the rest of the afternoon trading calls with my insurance company.  They told me they would help me through everything and that made me feel a little better.  

Not a good place to park your car.  

I had to sub on Monday, and was grateful for the distraction.  I love spending time with the 8th graders.  

Tuesday, 10/20 I got a call from my insurance company and they told me to contact State Farm (the other driver's insurance) to ask where they would like me to take it for an estimate.  From what I could see the damage was fixable.  I am glad I was sitting down when Landon told me what would need to be done.  Basically she had bent the frame of the truck.  The cab was bent where the bed hit it on impact.  The bed had a tear in it where the hitch came up from underneath and started to puncture it.  Long story short, the truck was totaled.  On the way home I started to cry.  I was sad that the truck was totaled and grateful that it had kept Naomi and I safe during the accident.  

Wednesday, 10/21, my insurance company called and said that the other driver's insurance was claiming full liability for the accident.  The accident report showed all the responsibility for the accident as being hers.  I was grateful once again for my amazing truck.  State Farm claimed liability, but getting them to actually do what they should be doing is a whole new story!!!!  You will see what I mean soon.  

Thursday, 10/22 Naomi found out she had made it into the Highland Creek Harmonizers, the elementary school choir.  She was beside herself excited.  Way to go, Naomi.  

We spent most of the day on Saturday (10/24) looking for a new truck.  I was so discouraged by the end of the day.  I am grateful it was Stake Conference and I got to hear some good news that night.  I love that the Church is always there to help me through my hardest times.  

Sunday we got a new Stake Presidency.  Normally that would not be such a huge deal, but it made us realize that we have been in Charlotte long enough to be on our third stake presidency.  We have been here for 13 years.  Wow!

Back at home we helped Jeremy finish up his Lit and Film stop motion project.  His vision and talent never ceases to amaze me. Here is the link to see the finished product. https://youtu.be/JWW1Ta_Fl2E (you may have to cut and paste the link, but it is well worth it).  His video received the highest grade in the class and was chosen to be showcased at the "Art Crawl" in November.  Way to go, Jeremy!

Nick and Matt taking time to relax in their hammocks.  I love the South.  

Halloween was a fun day.  We ran errands in the morning and Naomi played a soccer game in the afternoon.  Naomi had a great time dressing up as a roller derby queen and Jeremy handed out candy.  One kid came to our house dressed as Michael Jackson.  I asked him if he had any moves.  The kid bust out with several MJ moves.  I gave him extra candy.   That is how you do Halloween.

Still haven't heard from State Farm!!!! Even after leaving several messages.  To be continued....

September 2015

September was a busy, fun month.  It started off with me getting a mouth guard that would hopefully help with the jaw pain and stiffness.  So far, so good.  Now maybe I will be able to eat a banana without having to cut it up into small pieces.

Soccer started the last week in August, but really got going in September.  The head coach needed someone to help out on the field during practices.  I offered since I would be there the whole time anyway.  It turned out to be a really good decision.  I ended up as the unofficial assistant coach and had a blast working with the girls.  Coach Russ took a rag tag group of girls with all levels of skill and turned them into a really great team that went all the way to the championship game.  Wait...I am getting ahead of myself.  More to come later.

September 5th we went shopping to get some new clothes for the kids 72 hour kits.  We hadn't updated the clothing in several years and the clothes were drastically too small.  We had a blast picking stuff out at the Goodwill.

Jeremy modeling the latest and greatest fashion.  He is such a nut.  

The kids were very excited to finally have enough collective money to buy a much-wanted Wii game, Splatoon.  They played it for several hours once we got home.  We broke up the Splatoon party to get to Paige Tufts baptism. I played the piano and took pictures for the family.  Tabitha did the same for us at Naomi's baptism.  It was fun to see Paige so excited.  Her little sisters were watching everything and getting excited for their big day.  That night, Steve and I finally went out for our anniversary dinner.  It was nice to get away just the two us for a little bit.

September 7, Steve and Nick were up bright and early to fishing.  They went to Lake James and rented a canoe.  Both of them caught (and released) several fish and had a great day together on the lake.

Back at home, Jeremy finished up his homework and then went to Justin's house for a little Dungeons and Dragons.  Naomi and I spent the day finishing little projects at home.  Everyone enjoyed their day.

September 12th was a busy day.  Steve took Naomi to her soccer game in the morning so I could go to the church and be ready for the Activity Girls primary activity.  I was playing the part of the Wicked Witch of the West.  It was going to be a fun day of scaring the little girls.  I put witches legs in their cupcakes as I told them "I hope a house does not drop on your pretty little head."  In between "classes", I would jump out and scare the girls (which was super fun!!).  They quickly learned that if they sang their favorite primary song or recited an Article of Faith that I would go away.  By the end of the activity I decided I wanted to be a part of their church because they were so friendly and amazing.  I had a line of girls wanting my autograph at the end of the activity.  I really enjoyed helping out at this activity.  

Me and Glenda, the Good Witch of the North (played by Taya Sigg).  The green paint on my face did not rinse off my  hands very well and I was worried I would have a green face the next day at church.  Thank goodness it all washed out. The primary kids would have LOVED it though. 

I stayed in full costume and make up while I drove home.  Nick was working on a school project and needed a witch for his video.  His assignment was to make a travel video/commercial trying to get people to come and visit New York.  His group had done much in school (not for lack of Nick trying to get them to do something) so he decided to get the project done on his own over the weekend.  We all pitched in and helped him.  In the end, he got an A on the project and his video was chosen to be shown at the next staff meeting to show the teachers how the new programs and technology could be used in the classroom.  Way to go, Nick!!!  https://youtu.be/5GRJ_zQQg9Y  This is the link to the video if you want to see his masterpiece.

That night was Ashley Croshaw's Harry Potter birthday party.  I stayed and helped out where needed.  I also got to be the photographer.  It was a fun night.  They swam in the pool, drank butter beer, played pin the scar on Harry and goofed off.  

Everyone in the pool.

On the stairs of Hogwarts.

September 18th I went kayaking on the Catawba River with Sara Muller and Julie Todd.  This is what Sara really wanted to do for her birthday and it was a blast.  I am really glad I went.  It was so relaxing to just float/paddle on the river, watch all the amazing scenery and talk with such fun ladies.  We saw turtles sunning themselves on a log and a gorgeous blue herron.  After a couple hours on the river, we returned to the kayaks and enjoyed lunch with a stunning view of the river.  What an outstanding day!!!

Off we go!!

Sara and Julie with our birthday pies.  

Me and Sara (the birthday girl)

This is our view for lunch.

I love this porch.  It was so relaxing.  The perfect way to end a perfect activity.

September 19th, Naomi had a great soccer game.  She scored three of the five goals for the team.  In soccer they call that a "hat trick".  She was so excited.  Coach Russ likes to play her on offense because she has such a strong kick.  She also doesn't just shoot straight into the goal.  She likes to sneak it in on the side.  Naomi really likes to play goalie and defense.  Coach Russ told her that if she would get out there and score some goals he would put her in as goalie.  That is exactly what she did.  

September 20th, I got a real shock.  Steve and I were called to meet with a member of the bishopric.  Since I had only been in my current calling (Primary chorister) 9 months and the primary program was coming up the following week, I was certain this calling was for Steve. He has been the Scout Master for 5 years.  In my mind I was already getting rid of the all the scout stuff we have been storing in the garage and making room for other things that we could put out there.  Stuff that was strategically stored inside the house - oh, and those cute little Christmas trees I have always wanted to put out on the porch but haven't had the room to store all year.  You could have knocked me over with a feather when Brother Shamanis said, "We are in the process of reorganizing our Young Women's presidency."  It shouldn't have been such a shock because I had felt that something was coming.  The Lord always helps to soften these changes for me by putting events in my life that prepare me.  I had been through one of these events in the previous two weeks, but...  I eventually said yes to the calling but asked that it not be announced until after the Primary Program the following week.  I didn't want the kids to have to deal with that bombshell right before performing.  Seven years in RS, then 7 years in Primary, now on to Young Women.  Adventure awaits. 

September 21st Jeremy got asked out on his very first date.  The Laurels in our ward had planned a good, old-fashioned date night as an activity.  Each girls chose a boy in the Priests to ask.  The girls were supposed to ask the boys in a fun and creative way.  She decorated our porch floor with Hershey's Kisses and held up a sign that said, "Now that I have kissed the ground you walk on, would you go out with me?"  Jeremy was really shocked and pleased at the same time.  She told him not to answer yet.  He needed to do it in a fun way as well.  

September 22nd, Jeremy answered her by putting a 2x4 on the ground.  When she answered the door, he stepped over the board and said, "I know this may be going over board and may be a little corny (while handing her candy corns), but I would love to go out with you."  

September 23rd the date happened.  The Laurels and Priests met at the church where the Laurel advisor (Sara Muller) had set up a date area complete with a blanket and lights.  They made a huge ice cream sundae and ate it while getting to know each other.  Everyone really enjoyed the night.  

From left to right:  Audrey, Justice, Jeremy, Justin, Matt, Sam and Jacey
Making the huge ice cream sundae

September 27th, while the boys went to Delks (an amazing Army surplus store not too far away), Naomi and I went and had our hair cut and then went to a soccer game in the rain.  It was a little slippery, but the girls loved it because it wasn't hot.  They played their little hearts out and won the game.  Naomi and I hurried home to take a shower so we could get to the primary program practice on time.  Everything went well.  The kids are ready for the program.  That night, Naomi and I watched the General Women's Broadcast from home.  We were too tired to go back down to the church.  The talks were perfect and just what we needed to hear.

Sunday, September 28th.  The primary kids blew everyone away with their primary program.  They sang with all their heart.  It was amazing.  I was so proud of them.  They worked so hard all year long and it really showed.  I had a hard time not crying while they were singing.  WOW!!! I love those kids.

Back at home, we all helped Jeremy make a video for Spanish class.  His project was to make a video of him cooking a Spanish dish.  He chose enchiladas.  We didn't mind helping out at all since we got to eat the finished product.

September 30th ended with a Court of Honor.  This one was huge because it involved all the merit badges the boys had earned at camp over the summer as well as several rank advancements.    Steve has been working really hard to get the boys excited about the program and it really showed.

Nick got his rank advancement to Star as well as seven merit badges.  

Jeremy got his first palm and two merit badges.  

August 2015

In August we enjoy the harvest of two of our favorite crops - tomatoes and peaches.  

August  1st we drove to McBee, South Carolina, to pick up several boxes of our favorite peaches.  The kids love the drive and getting the homemade icecream at the peach store.  I love that I will have peaches throughout the year!!!

Our tomato plants really give us a great harvest which we happily turn into Grandma Hansen's Red Sauce.  The kids like to help make it as much as they like to eat it.  We spent the whole day August 3rd making a huge batch that will hopefully last us through the winter.  

Naomi figured out how to chop onions without her eyes watering.

August 4th we ran errands all morning and came home to bottle all the peaches we got on the first.  With everyone helping, we got done and had time to spare.  We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening at the pool.

YUMMY!!!  Smoothies anyone?

August 5th we spent at Lake Norman Charter getting Nicholas's schedule and supplies in the morning and Jeremy's schedule and supplies in the afternoon.  As per tradition, we stopped at 7-11 for slurpees.  It makes the day more fun and give the kids something to look forward to (so they forget that the start of school is looming in their near future).

We hurried home to get Nick ready to go to Matt's birthday party.  Nick loves Matt's party every year.  They go to a local park that has a bike trail.  The kids all bring their bikes and take them for a spin. This year the  park added a new hilly bike area and it was a hit.  After riding bikes for a bit, the kids had cake and ice cream and played a game of kick ball.  That didn't last long because the bike trails kept calling to them.

Cake and ice cream.

Playing kick ball.  Team Us

Team Them

The new hills riding station. 

While the younger kids played mainly on the new hilly portion, Nick, Matt, Naomi and Nathanial decided to take the longer and more difficult bike trail. We had sent the kids off to ride the hills while we cleaned up the party.  When we got to the hills, we found only a part of the group.  The others said that the aforementioned four had gone on the trail.   After about an hour the adults started to get really worried. . Several bikers who we had watched go into the forest on the trail were coming out and we hadn't seen the kids yet.  One of the biker said he had seen them a little ways back and they should be out in just a few minutes.  After 15 more minutes we were starting to panic.  One of the bikers who had seen them offered to go back in and make sure they were okay.  Mr. Patterson started in on foot and I stayed at the end in case the boys came out another way.  After another 20 minutes they finally came out.  I don't know what went on in the other cars, but we had a good talk about not going on the trail without telling the adults where you were going.  We had to hurry home to get cleaned up and back to Matt's house for the sleepover portion of the party.  The important part was that they were safe.  

August 6th, Nick went to the Flick and Float with his buddy, Brady.  They had a great time and didn't want to get out of the pool when it was all over.  

August 7th the kids and I went school shopping.  We had a blast looking for the best deals - and there were a lot of good deals that day.  The kids are now ready for the new year. 

August 8th was moving day for our friends, the Todds.  We helped them in the morning and then went to Garrison Stewart's Eagle that evening.  Steve is so proud of all of his scouts when they reach this level.  He loves doing the Courts of Honor and really puts a lot of time and effort into making them extra special for the boys.  

Steve and Garrison

August 10th, Naomi and Anusha (her bff from school) were FINALLY both back in town at the same time and they got to spend the whole day playing and goofing off.  

August 11, 2015, was a great day for Jeremy.  His braces came off at long last.  Nick, on the other hand, was miserable.  He had a new bracket put on and it was really painful. 

After

Before

August 13th was the first day of school for Jeremy and Nicholas.  They both had a great day and are excited about the new year.  

August 15th the kids' bathroom got a face lift.  We painted the walls gray and added our University of Utah decorations.  The kids love it.  Naomi helped me with the finishing touches.  Nick hung out with his friend, Ryan.  Jeremy went to a church dance that night.  It was a busy day.  

A Utah family are we!!!  Go Utes!!!

August 17th Naomi found out who her teacher was going to be for the coming year.  Her name is Mrs. Rowan and she is new to the school.  Naomi will have to wait until Back To School night to meet her.  She is excited.  

To take Naomi's mind off of having to wait to meet her teacher, we went to the pool with our friends, The Tufts.

Naomi loves the pool and I told her she would grow fins if she wasn't careful...WELL...   We spent every day at the pool until school started.  One day, we were the only ones there besides the life guards. They got out the Lost and Found box and we played with what we found inside.  This was our favorite find.  Everyone gave it a try.  

Naomi and I also did a lot of crafts between the time the boys went to school and Naomi started.  She discovered felting and really got good at it quickly.  

August 17th, Naomi got to meet Mrs. Rowan.  They liked each other and this looks like it will be a great year.  Naomi can hardly wait until the first day.  We went straight from meeting Mrs. Rowan to Dr. Higgins for Naomi's yearly, well-child visit.  The doctor confirmed what we already knew - Naomi is healthy and growing like a weed.  After lunch at Cookout we came home, changed into our bathing suits and went to the pool with the Tufts and the Millers.  

August 18th was Back to School Night for the high school.  All of Jeremy's teachers are very nice and it looks like this will be a great, but incredibly busy, year for Jeremy.  He has two AP classes and three Honors classes.  I see a lot of homework in his future.  

August 20th I took Nicholas straight to the orthodontist after school.  The new bracket was wearing a hole in his cheek and it was very  painful.  They fit him in a cancelled spot and took the bracket off so the cheek could heal. Apparently,the gums were trying to grow over the bracket and that is what was causing most of the pain.  OUCH!!

Since Naomi had been my helper in painting the bedroom, she wanted to help me get it all done before she went back to school.  The final touch was hanging the curtains.  While Steve and the boys were at the temple we put the finishing touches on the room.  The room is now complete.  

I hand-stitched the design.  It took forever, but I think it was worth it.

August 25th was the first day of school for Naomi.  She had a great day and is super excited about the new year.  

Sassy 4th grader.  

Bus stop buddies

August 25th was Back to School Night for the middle school.  His teachers are all incredible.   He decided to take French I which is for high school credit.  He has a tough schedule this year, but he will do great.  I am so proud of him.

August 27th was so incredibly busy for both Steve and me that we both fell into bed exhausted that night and laughed when we realized it was our 22nd anniversary.  Don't worry, we have an awesome dinner date planned for the first part of September.

August 28th was so much fun.  Sara, Christie, Julie and I went to the Goodwill in Cornelius to help Sara come up with a new wardrobe for the school year.  Her budget was tight and we had all heard that the Cornelius Goodwill was incredible.  We were not disappointed.  All of us helped pick out clothes and put together outfits and in about two hours she had a new and incredibly but wardrobe that included several designer labels (with original tags still on some of them!!!)  I always love to hang out with these ladies.  We always have such a good time.