More memories - not so long of a lane...

One of my favorite memories growing up was playing with shaving cream and drawing stuff on the kitchen table. It is always something that I tell people about and how much fun we had. People usually think I am crazy.
There is always the classic temple trip experiences. I loved filling out the papers, seeing the rock quarry and eating in Chesterton. We all also loved running for the boarder and drinking Tang.
I also remember dressing up like cleaning ferries or something and going to the Evelands or somewhere. I just remember how fun it was to dress up and act silly.
Hope this is what you wanted.
Lori

Hey mom, Happy Mothers' Day! It's been great growing closer to you these past few years. I know I as a snob growing up and I'm glad I have grown out of it and have been able to form a relationship with you. I really appreciate all of your advice and your willingness to listen to all my complaints, struggles, long stories, etc. You've always been a great listener and sympathizer (if that's a word). Thanks for keeping us all updated with the weekly letter and for the random coupons. Thanks for all your love and support. A fond memory is when you used to hide the chocolate chips and marshmallows and we could hunt for them. Love you, Annette

Toshi
I remember when I would run into your room and roll up into a ball and you'd open me like a present and I'd act like an animal and you'd talk about how cute I was. Another memory I have is when it was your last time as primary chorister and we sang "I see my mother kneeling" and I cried.

Tim
I don't know if I have a favorite memory of you. I do have many good ones though. Memories of cub scouts tying saltines to our heads and smashing them with newspaper. Memories that involve make up like my Stay purred Marshmallow man costume and covering up the purple circle on my forehead from the popper in middle school. But what I think is best is that there are very few good memories that don't involve you. Every sporting event, band concet, or important event, you were there for. My wedding, the birth of my children, alumni meets, races, graduations, moving etc. You were always there for me. You really are the best. Love, Tim

Taki

Mother, Well, I thought of 2 childhood memories.

• The first is of my favorite FHE Treat at Sweetlands. Remember those huge floats? Loved them. And the big gummi alligators.
• Then I thought of all the awesome adventures to the lake. Remember that first year when I raced back to the house thinking I just caught a huge bass? only to find out it was actually a Dogfish! We had to throw it in the woods. Then, of course, all the tubing, swimming, Joe falling in the lake, etc.
• Remember those "etiquette lessons" you would try to give us with that tape? I remember laughing the whole time while Tim and I would do the exact opposite. Don't think our manners improved, but at least it was fun.

I love you, mother. Taki

Kylie:

Grammie, I remember when you took me to the dollar store. I felt good and prized that you let me get something glass. I can't remember when I got it. It was a woman holding a vase of flowers. I think it was back in 2005. Jordan got a Katana. It had a curved blade and a dull edge. Thankyou for everything. You are the best. Love, Kylie

Jordan

Grammie, I remember when we went to that one school where I met all those kids who you teach. I remember the man who played the guitar and all the children who played it too. I also felt happy to be around you. I also remembered eating that lime sherbert with you. Thankyou for all the wonderful things you've done. I wish I could spend more time wiht you. I love you very much. Love, Jordan Masau Sugiyama

I hope you all enjoyed the walk down memory lane as much as I did. As I read your memories, I remembered things I have forgotten for years. It was very fun to remember those old times and to know that I did something worthwhile in your lives. My life would be pretty meaningless without these wonderful memories. Love, moms

Walk down memory lane

Well, I am a little slow to post these Mother's day memories that I got in May, but things have been very busy. I finally got a night free (Halloween) and no trick or treaters because it is raining. So I started to clean my room and was looking for any excuse to quit when I found the memories you sent. I'm going to start with Tad's because it is really long. If you get through it, you should easily make it through the rest!
Tad's Mom memories (mixed with true confessions)

• I remember when I would turn into a present on your bed when you were just waking up or already awake. I'd bundle myself up into a ball and tell you to open me and then an animal would come out and it was me pretending to be that animal. (Racoon, Seal, Prarie Dog, Bear, etc). Man, those were good mornings, and I would do that to you at least 10 different times and all with different animals.
• Another good memory I have is when I would pretend to be sick just so that I could come home and see you, or skip school, but let's say it was for you. Then I would come back just in time for recess or gym. I would pretend to be sick and then be everywhere in the house. I remember one incident where I saw it was almost time for recess or gym and so while you were talking to Aunt Becky, I built a hurdle made of blocks and showed you that I could jump over them to show you that I wasn't sick and then you said "I'm taking you back". I had such a mischevious mind when I was yound and was a good liar too.
• Remember when I forged Dad's signature for a spelling test. I almost got away with that too.
• Mom, do you remember when I git the mailbox going down Breckenridge Ct. When I looked back at you and waved and then I looked foreward and got clotheslined by the mailbox and flew off my bike.
• I remember going to the toy store when I had enough money and going to buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles weapons or gear. I remember how we discussed what I was gong to buy and you alking with me and helping me pay.
• I remember when I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned to get that Nichel Jordan Jersey that we bought at JC Penney. Then on the day of a roller skating party, you let me wear it . I loved that. I was so happy.
• I remember that time when you took me to the Grand Plaza hotel to get my finger sewed up. But I don't remember fainting.
• Remember when I tried to get you a mothers' day card and it said "from your daughter". Luckily Lori caught that one. Ha Ha. At least I tried.
• We can't forget the violin lessons with Mrs. Boomer though. With Kristian Anderson. Now, that I think about it, you went through a lot with me.
• I remember the love you showed, the care you had for me and my friends like when you took Aaron Bowkamp home cause he was scared, but I also remember your patience for me. I love you , mom and happy mothers Day.

Mom's Conference Favorites

OK, I prayed to learn how to become whole. I have made a lot of progress in my lifetime to overcome my childhood when I never once felt safe and was never sure what the next minute would bring. It seems like I make a lot of progress and then I realize that I still am not the person I want to be. It really has been weighing on me if wholeness is even possible for every person, but I believe that in this conference, it was said that it is possible. I felt like the whole conference gave me hope and ideas. First, Henry B. Eyring gave me a good idea to write down what I have seen the Lord's hand do each day. I have had many small and great miracles in my life and I have written some down but not the day to day stuff that is also important. Then Julie B. Beck talked about how important it is to know who we are and to become strong and imoveable. That is what I want. Next, David Bednar talked about doing good, being good and becoming better. He mentioned having our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit. He starts the theme of gaining forgiveness of our sins and overcoming bad, which Claudio Zivic continues. Then Dallin Oaks says to simplify and cut ineffectiveness out of our lives. Deiter Uchtdorf reminds us that we have great reason to rejoice and that the Savior will heal our broken hearts. Finally, Michael Teh mentions that we all need each other to return to our Heavenly Home. I got a lot of good ideas of what to do and where to start in my quest. I also got further insight in the Temple this weekend. I feel very positive and excited about Heavenly Father's love for me and His interest in helping me become the person I want to be. The best story for me was Snow's story about the butterscotch candy. I loved his smile and I loved the story. It was the best. I also liked the story about the shoes. I think that this was the best conference I have ever heard. My favorite quote was Boyd K. Packer's : "you never know by looking at him how far a frog can jump". I hope to hear from everyone. I guess that just leaves Lori. Maybe I can get dad and Tosh to post. What do you think?

SPENCER...or was it Preston....CONDIE

That was a joke for dad...he often refers to Presotn as Spencer (side note: interestingly there are many similar letters in these names and Preston says that he gets it a lot...strange).
At any rate, I really love Spencer Condie's talk about promises that have been made to us through prophets. He talks about how the scriptures hold countless, innumerable blessings such as:

-Forgiveness
-the windows of heaven being opened
-great treasures of knowledge
-ask and ye shall receive
-Gift of the Holy Ghost
-Remain unspotted from the world
-Divine guidance
-Personal revelation
-Fulness and continuing of seed
-Run and not be weary

Surprisingly I had never really noticed how many promises there are in the scriptures. Of course they're always contingent upon our behavior and worthiness. I loved when he said, "we live in a time of 1 hour dry cleaning and fast food and sometimes we think our promises have been misplaced." I have recently discovered that I am really lacking in the patience department. I generally want answers, blessings, or help RIGHT NOW. But it's important to remember that the Lord is mindful of us and everything takes place in His time.
Condie uses Rachel as an example, she was barren for so long and finally, "God remembered Rachel" and she bore Joseph and Benjamin. This talk was a great reminder to me of the many blessings that are available to me if I will endure to the end and be patient.

The GA Combo

Well, I thought I'd start things off with a post about conference. The theme for a lot of the talks at this conference seemed to focus on becoming better. Right off the bat the first talk by L. Tom Perry during the Priesthood session discussed the idea of 'setting the bar higher.' Also during that session L. Whitney Clayton had a sweet talk with one of my favorite quotes in all of conference. He was talking about making choices and how we weigh out the good from the bad. Many times we find ourselves saying, 'it's not too bad.' Elder Clayton made an excellent point when he said, "Though it might not be considered 'not too bad;' it's probably not too good." Isn't it crazy how a little thing like that can make you see things in a whole new way.

Dallin H. Oaks' talk toward the end of the last session was probably among the favorites of many. He too followed the theme established by introducing his good, better, best philosophy. I like how he mentioned there's, "too many good things to do that time allows," and that we should, "focus on the great things." It made me think of one of my favorite car commercials back in the day that said, "If everybody settled for good, would good be good enough?" He talked a bit about finding a balance in doing the best things in each aspect of our lives. One funny comment he used was when he said, "We don't usually look back to say, 'I just didn't spend enough time with my job.'" How true it is to find balance in our lives and focus on doing the best that the Lord has to offer.

These combined talks were like prophetic bookends marking the beginning and end of what I felt to be the most important theme. Right now I've made some goals on things I want to take from a good level to better, and hopefully best. With these goals I hope to follow Pres. Monsons counsel, "It's in the doing, not the thinking, that we accomplish our goals."

Swallowing my pride...

Enough is enough folks, I've finally decided to plant my foot and move forward with my online degree from BYU. I've been back and forth, considering all of the emphasis areas at one point or another. I finally narrowed it down to Management or Family Life (basically total opposites). If I had just made a decision initially, I think I'd almost be done by now!

It was Elder Scott's talk at General Conference that really touched me. In one sentence he re-affirmed to me what I knew all along, "to further complicate matters, others try to persuade us that our decisions must be socially acceptable and politically correct." That was it. I knew that I needed to do the Family Life emphasis, in fact, I think I knew it all along, but I couldn't set aside feelings of pride and views of the world/academia.

I'm excited to take classes such as: Human development, basic nutrition, family finance, how to overcome self defeating attitudes, how to teach children to read, how to write family history, etc... I think this emphasis will stretch and challenge me, while also creating a more well-rounded Annette (probably in more ways than one - I already struggle to find time for exercise... now it's back to being a full time student)!

I'm still trying to convince myself that this is the right choice, but I bought some of the books today, so the deal is pretty much sealed. What would I do with a bunch of books about family if I didn't take these classes? :)