Ten Grandkids - Ten and Under!

How convenient for Ara to turn ten - just as we acquired our 10th grandchild!!

She got the ball rolling for all of us 10 years ago - and it's just gotten better and better. Ara is a wonderful girl - how we love her - how we have always loved her!

She is bright and funny and smart and clever and kind and helpful - and I love playing games with her - it's nice to have someone around who wants to play Phase 10 with me!!

Happy Birthday Ara - and in the words of someone whose opinion I concur with - "Thank heaven for little girls!!"

there has to be a recent (and decent) picture SOMEwhere of me and Ara

So, this one will just have to do for now.

But it is my dear Ara's 10th birthday today, which is So Crazy to me... partly because I vividly remember being 10, partly because I vividly remember the day she was born. I bet most people remember when she was born from my point of view, because everyone seems to remember that everyone forgot to tell me that Bonny had given birth that day, and now I am among the first to know about such things. Ha.

Anyway, Ara, can't believe you're 10. Although I'll be honest, I've been referring to you as 10 for some time now, instead of saying "She'll be 10 in January." Huzzah.

Congratulations for making it this far.

Singing - and walking - in the rain!!

I try to walk as much as possible. I'm not athletic, not much of an exerciser, so walking does the job. However, unless I have a destination, I tend not to walk.

So I walk to work - it's a mile or two - and it's downhill going, so if I'm running late, I can usually make it. Most days I have a friend who walks with me - she walks to my house, then walks me to school, then walks home. I walk home from school alone - which is not bad. I change my route frequently, and it's quite enjoyable.

But it seems like often people don't want to see you walking. I guess they assume that since I'm not wearing walking or exercise clothing that somehow I need a ride. And I stop at the library, or the grocery store, or Baskin Robbins, or the antique store - and sometimes carry home a bag of something. So maybe it looks like I need a ride.

Today it was raining - not hard, in fact a mist when I started. I had to go to the district office for a meeting - and I was looking forward to getting in some extra walking since tomorrow night is weigh in night at WW! My co-worker was aghast when she pulled up next to me and insisted I get in the car.

After the meeting I had her drop me back at the school so I could walk home from there anyway - and Harry called asking if I wanted a ride home. I declined. By the time I was actually headed home - after stopping at Vons, Baskin Robbins and Tuesday Morning - it was raining harder. But I had my umbrella - and it wasn't bad at all.

It was dusk however, so I didn't dare sing!! (Someone would undoubtedly have thought I was goofy - maybe they did anyway!!)

Scrub and Shine, Shine, Shine

Mom was having trouble posting pictures.

It's working okay for me...?

Notice!!

Blogger is giving me fits!! I was ready to fly Eliza or Hannah out here - or even Karl - but he could fly himself here!! - to give me a tutorial or something - over the last weeks, Blogger has narrowed my ability to post - first Mozilla would let me post pictures at all, so I would do it on Internet Explorer. Then Internet Explorer wouldn't let me blog pictures either. Then Blogger kept telling me I had to change to the new Blogger for the Terrill Connection - but I can't change that one because I'm not the administrator.

Then I think Blogger tricked me into signing up for the new Blogger on my No One's Aiming to Please blog - but then wouldn't let me post until I created a new blog - so I thought I had to re-enter my info - then when I did that they said that blog was already used - of course!!

This is like a bad Kafka movie or something.

Anyway, I posted some pictures on my blog - just an FYI to all the fans out there in bloggerland!!

Big Harry thinks that it's a problem with my computer - could be. I'll work on that angle. This is what I get for being hooked on the techno world, without having the skill and expertise for same.

Maybe I should take a class - online of course - on blogging!! Ha, ha!! JK!!

"Anchored in Christ" - Arcadia Stake Women's Conference

As a Stake Relief Society President, I am in charge of two stake Enrichment events each year - and one of them has to be the Women's Broadcast in September. Our other event is the Annual Women's Conference that we have had for the past 20 years or so.

We held ours today - the theme was "Anchored in Christ." We had a keynote speaker - the wife of a former mission president in our mission. She did an excellent job. She talked about 5 ways to anchor our lives in Christ. We also had a Stake Relief Society Choir, and they did an excellent job too. They sang "Make Us One."

We had 4 classes and you could attend 2 of them. The topics were "Running a Tight Ship" on home and personal organization, "Hook, Line and Sinker" on strengthening home and family, "Sailing Solo" on being single in a married church and "Hidden Treasures" on ways to learn, love and live the scriptures.

We decorated with a nautical theme, and it was quite charming - portholes, paddles, buoys, sea shells, nautical pennants, and the like - in shades of blue and white - we used hydrangeas and Queen Anne's lace. I took a bunch of pictures - and they were all blurry - so just use your imagination.

I have a WONDERFUL presidency - and they did the lion's share of the work while I was in Virginia. Friday night we set up - Harry helped us - and was his usual encouraging self.

We served a nice lunch afterward. The sisters hung around - eating and visiting. It is so good to break bread together - it has such a unifying effect. We had a chocolate fountain too - we got a lot of feedback that said, "Have the fountain next time!!"

We had about 150 sisters - a really good number for our stake. I was certainly pleased and gratified to feel so supported. Bonny came - and of course Dawn and Baby Harry. Dad did the babysitting honors since little Harry had worked the night before and had to sleep. Ara and Ella came with Dad to help clean up - everyone either said "Are you twins?" or "You certainly look like your mom." They were a big help - many hands do indeed make light work.

I'm happy to get January 27th crossed off my to do list - but I'm already thinking about next year!!

repartee'

A little background: Annika gets busted for getting gum on her back and in her jammies, everyone wants to know what going on.

Mom: Why does everyone have to get in everyone else's business?

Esme': Because we like business.

The Snowy Day

"Back in the saddle again . . ."

You know, going to help out when a new first baby is born is one of the genuine perks of being a mother of daughters! It's kind of like a big co-ed slumber party - you sit up late, taking your meds, feeding the baby, burping the baby, changing the baby, eating popcorn, watching videoes, folding laundry, finishing the afghan you started last July, taking shifts with the baby at night, and talking about anything and everything. The world doesn't intrude much - you aren't aware of weather, news or even time of day sometimes - especially when your body is on West coast time! (The flowers are the ones Matt brought to Eliza in the hospital.)

And even though subsequent babies are wonderful, you just don't get to do it all the same the second, third, or fourth time around - because you have to tend the other kids then. And that has other perks of its own too! It's just that we're not talking about that right now!

And so because I knew that the wonderful time was drawing to a close, I really was sad about leaving - happy to see everyone here at home of course, but missing baby Theo and Eliza and Matt too.

So now we will look forward to the blessing in April - and hope Eliza posts photos and reports regularly so we can enjoy things "virtually!"

Be careful, Phoebe

(this video was taken in Portland)

Blessing FYI

Hey everyone, just letting you know that we're planning to bless Theo on Easter Sunday, which is April 8.

Obviously we're a little bit out of the way for most of you to attend, but just FYI! Anyone is welcome!

It's time

For those of you who aren't already in the know (and I'm not sure who you are), you can get the story here.

Spaghetti Man

Unlike the second newest Terrill, grandchild, this grandson has had a name from the get go. But that doesn't stop the little "pet names" from cropping up!

I have been heard calling him "little guy," "sweet boy," "sweetheart," and "baby boy." But I haven't called him Porter or baby Harry, which I thought I might do. (However, I have been calling Eliza, Bonny and Matt, David!! Go figure!)

The point of all this, however, is the fact that Matt and Eliza both refer to little baby Theo's propensity to acquire what Dr. Sears calls "limp-limbs" as "Spaghetti Man."

For example, as Eliza is feeding him and he "crashes" at the breast, she says, "Oh, now don't be a Spaghetti Man." Or Matt, when holding him after feedings and attempting to elicit the often elusive burp, says, "He's just being a Spaghetti Man."

This could be a trend. At least it will make a good story for the baby book!!

And frankly, I just enjoy holding him when he does his "Spaghetti Man" routine.

"you look just like Harry when you do that"

Said Professor Thayer to me, after I smirked at his joke.

(The joke was--"I once knew a girl named Kerosene... she set me ablaze." Those of you who know D. Thayer shouldn't be surprised at this cheesy humor. He did write Greg and Kelly, after all.)

I Like to Look For Rainbows

we got a treat yesterday as we were going to school. we don't get too many of these around these parts. 

There You Have It

After prolonged debate, we have decided that Theo's middle name is Keith, after his dad (Matthew Keith) and great-grandpa (Lynnette's dad Owen Keith, who went by Keith).

There you have it!

More fun.

So here we are at the hospital in Arlington, VA falling asleep all over each other. Barbara because she was up all night Wednesday worrying and then up all night Thursday while redeying it out here. Matt because he was up all night Tuesday rubbing Eliza's back, Wednesday night watching a baby monitor, and Thursday night listening to lots of beeping and one loud nurse. I'm not sure why Eliza is so sleepy.

Anyway, before going to bed I thought I'd post a few pics. We are very excited and hopefully can talk to more of you this weekend. Theo is spectacular.

Isn't she beautiful? And that's like halfway through.

That's not even our baby.

Nothing can keep Eliza from blogging!

And what a boy!

Getting all cleaned up.

Our first family photo. Two of these people are wearing diapers, can you guess which two?

I think I woke him up with this shot. I don't think he liked it.

Notes - and photos - from the field

I'm here in chilly Virginia after taking the JetBlue RedEye Special. Matt and I are off to see Eliza and little Theo, but he suggested I post some of the photos.

So here they are. He said they got Eliza up and walking, and she is doing well. I took a welcome nap when we got here. So I guess this afternoon we will go get acquainted with the newest Terrill/Selander grandson.

The last 4 grandchildren have been boys - does this mean the next grandchild will be a girl??

Guess time will tell!!

The newest Brother Selander

Eliza sent me this - more to come. They took it on their phone.

It's a boy! And he has a name too!

Eliza and Matt had a baby boy this afternoon. After a long labor, she ended up having a c-section. He was just too big - and his head was too big too - this seems to be a trend in Terrill grandchildren!! He was 8 lbs. 10 oz. and I forgot to ask the length. Matt says they will call him Theo - middle name TBA!

Matt says Eliza was a real trooper and was awake during the delivery. They felt like the doctors and nurses were great and after all, "all's well that ends well!"

Pictures and other details to be forthcoming.

Manning the watch -

Got a call from Matt at 5:30 p.m. our time that Eliza was in the hospital. She had been having contractions all day and went in to the doctor's office. They checked her and told her to go to the hospital - which she did at about 4 p.m. their time (they are 3 hours later than us.)

So I am puttering around getting things in order to fly out there tomorrow night. And Big Harry has fallen asleep over his book. And Little Harry is at work. And the littlest Harry is keeping Dawn and me company while we wait for some news.

We'll keep you posted - but at least we are making progress!

I'd like you to meet someone

My pirate name is:

Dirty Ethel Flint

You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Fire in Malibu

Check Bonny's blog - bonnybrae.blogspot.com - for latest update.

We are grateful things are calming down.

And it really is HOT here - even for January in SoCal!!

But rain is forecast in the next 5 days!!

Which I probably won't be here to enjoy.

But I have resumed blogging on my personal blog. FYI.

Have a great day - I'm planning to!

Miss Potter

Dad and I have been going to a lot of movies - or at least it seems that way. And they've been pretty good movies too - The Queen, Casino Royale, We Are Marshall ,Charlotte's Web.

Tonight, on a whim, I suggested that we go see Miss Potter - in all of our movie going, we'd seen the previews several times, and it looked intriguing.

It was a GREAT movie - what a treat! I came home and googled it a bit and some of the reviews were not flattering, but hey, who says the critics are always right? Not me!

I've always loved the little Beatrix Potter books - and now I know why!

We have a boxed set of them - Carol Thomas and Laureen Jorgensen gave them as a shower gift to Noah - and the grandchildren are loving them now. I remember that the older kids enjoyed Beatrix Potter as library books!

Do yourself a favor and go see it!! And let me know what you think.

What will the future bring?

I suppose we'd all like the answer to that - and at the Terrill house, at least on New Year's Eve, we try to at least make some good guesses with our tradition of writing predicitons for the new year. And then we read them aloud the next year to see how close to the mark we hit!

This year was no exception - they are fun to read, and sometimes someone is really on the mark - as in Dawn predicting that Matt and Eliza would be in DC and be having their first baby!

Some other good ones: Bonny will transfer her Playmobil obsession to American Girl. (This from Bonny - who knows these things!!) Eliza will become Primary President (this from Ara!!) No new babies this year (from Eliza!!!) As Eve begins a new habit of affecting a British accent, they decide that London may be the lifestyle of choice. Dawn becomes nanny to a nice family on 17 Cherry Tree Lane with two children Jane and Michael (from Hannah.)

Karl said, "Barbara: Everyone gives her a water pitcher for Christmas. Harry: Sent cards to everyone telling them to buy water pitchers for Barb."

Ella wrote her own this year: "Esme and Eve will be four. Porter and Calvin will learn to say Mom. Harry and Dawn will redo their house. Annika will learn to run. Dawn will grow her hair. (okay, you can't get them all right!!) Annika will learn how to talk. Esme and Eve will learn how to say super-cali-fragi-listic-expee-alle-doses."

And from Dad: "Harry and Dawn finish their house only to cut a deal with the city of Monrovia in a direct swap for the Boys and Girls Club House. Barb and Harry get a mission call to be meetinghouse librarians in the Crawford, Texas, Ward. Annika, Calvin and Porter form a hit singing group that makes it big in the Sourthern states, after getting a boost from an appearance on Oprah."

The illustration with this post has nothing to do with predictions - but along with the tradition of writing and reading predictions each year, our good friend Ry has made it a tradition to send us a Christmas print - and this is this year's print!!

Mom didn't quite capture

the full effect of the play-doh activites.

this is a snake catching a mouse. 

and let's not forget

the battle that was hard won on the hike.

well, not really, but it's a good pose. 

Just in case you wanted to know . . .

No one has asked what Plunkets are. Someone did ask who Hooty/Hootie was? And Eliza ably answered that it would be Porter who answers to that moniker. In fact, his nursery leader at church thought he was deaf or something because he never answered when called. And she then discovered that he answered more promptly when called Hootie/Hooty (I'm not sure what is the preferred spelling.)

At any rate, I thought I'd share the recipe for Plunkets - because if it came to hiking the Mt. Wilson Trail with Harry P. and Bruce or staying home for David's Plunkets, I'd have to choose the Plunkets everytime!!

My memory of the history of Plunkets is somewhat vague - sort of normal for my memory in many arenas. But I recall that it is an old Fillmore Family Fave that David used to make for Phoebe and her roomies in the old Treehouse abode in Provo in the BYU days before marriage. And there was a roomie who was called Plunket - it might have been her last name. And maybe she loved them excessively. I don't know - once David introduced them to us, they were Plunkets forever.

You take three packages of refrigerator biscuits and spread them around a bundt pan - two packages on the bottom row and one on the top. Then you combine a cube of butter, one cup of sugar, the juice and the zest of one orange and boil them all together on the stove. Then pour this mixture over the biscuits in the pan and bake at 375 for 20 minutes until browned. When you take them out, hold a large plate with sides - kind of like a large pie tin - we have a lovely pink Bauer ware plate that does the job nicely - over the bundt pan and flip it over - you have a lovely cake-looking vision in front of you that you can separate with a fork - be sure to sop up plenty of the syrupy liquid.

This is how I gained 4 pounds over the holidays - they are too good to resist - the smell alone will drive you mad!!

We alternately praise and condemn David for bringing Plunkets into our lives.

More Wrap-up of the Wrap-up!!

For some reason, blogger won't let me add pictures to a post - and my computer can't handle more than 5 at a time - so I just do more posts. I'm not the administrator, so I can't switch to the "new" blogger - if that would indeed solve the problem.

I have no computer gurus around here at the moment, so I improvise.

Here are some more pictures.

And there's nothing wrong with more posts, now is there??

The Wrap-up Wrap-up!!

While browsing through the pictures, I found some that I'd like to post - so I guess I will!

First off, if you notice the paper crowns, they are from the "crackers" that we always "snap open" on New Years Eve.

Secondly, I wanted to be sure that I covered everyone, so I will just be posting random photos so I'm sure you saw everyone who was there.

I was there - and once again I note that I haven't taken too many pics of myself. The ones people took of me are less than flattering - what does that tell you??

And finally, the holidays were wonderful - but we did miss having Eliza and Matt here - and we want them to know that!

Holiday Wrap-up - Saying good bye to the travelers

We welcomed in the New Year - Ara, Ella and Henry made it to midnight! We all settled down - it was a lot of bodies in our small house, but everyone slept well - and late!!

On Monday a.m., Bruce and Dad went for a 10 mile run up the Mt. Wilson Trail. The rest of us stayed home and ate Plunkets that David made for us!

Phoebe and David loaded up their rental car that Phoebe calls The Hearse and took off to rescue their car from the mechanic in Lemoore. The plus side was the visit that enabled them to have with Scott and Shelly.

Dad, Hannah, and I went to Soup Plantation with Bonny, Bruce and girls for one last meal together before we all went back to the "grind." Except then Hannah and I went to the show!!

Then the next morning, Hannah and Melanie took off - we loaded Hannah up with food and supplies. It's been great to have her here - she's done well - her grades came - she got a 3.84 - and she's looking forward to her internship and getting closer to graduation.

The tree is down, I'm making some headway at putting all the "stuff" away, I got Karl's and Phoebe's forgotten items in the mail, I sent off the yearly journal to Joy, and Harry, Noah and I went and saw "Casino Royale" tonight - I love sleeping in and going to movies and taking naps in the middle of the day!!

Maybe I'll even get my Christmas cards done!!