Temple announcement and shoe drama

Hello there! First off, a new temple was announced for Payson! I am beyond grateful. It will be so wonderful to have a temple in our community. It will be kind of by Wal-Mart very near the freeway, and I'm so excited. We were a little depressed and okay, jealous, when one was announced for Brigham City in the October conference because it seemed about the same distance from other temples as Payson would be. Little did we know, it would just take a little longer. I hadn't really heard of temples being announced outside of conference, but we'll take it. We can't wait to be involved in the groundbreakings/cornerstone layings/open houses/dedications etc. What a great experience it will be for our family.
On to the shoe drama. Every lady loves a shoe drama. I'm a little different in that I don't really take pleasure in shopping for everyday shoes or even dress shoes for that matter, but I realized recently that when it came to athletic shoes, I could shop all day long and never tire of it. I agonized about the decision for new athletic shoes for weeks. I've loved my And 1 basketball shoes and have been playing volleyball and basketball in them for the last couple of years. Their soles were starting to cave, however, and I began getting shin splints. I loved my old pair so much, I couldn't imagine what to get. I went into a frenzy of different modes.
Online shopping mode: resulted in too much anxiety over how the shoe would fit/feel.
Mall shopping mode: this one lended a funny experience in which the salesman would NOT sell me any shoes. I pointed out a few pair only to be rebuffed for my poor choice. I should have known he was not such the salesman when he berated the lady in front of me, "Do you want to look good, or do you want a shoe that performs?" He brought me a few terrible, ugly pairs professing they were the only ones in the store good enough play my sports in. It was hilarious. Who ever heard of a salesman who tells shoppers the shoes are terrible?
Next mode: depression
Next mode: athletic store shopping. I went to Park Sportsman. I had no idea what they might have there, but finally someone was willing to spend time with me. I walked out of there with a pair of $95 volleyball shoes and immediately felt guilty and unhappy with the choice.
Next mode: depression and ducking back into Park's to return the volleyball shoes.
Final mode: online shopping again. I decided it wouldn't be such a risk if I bought the same brand online as the pair I had been wearing. Duh. I ordered a pair similar to my previous pair and waited anxiously for their arrival. The shoes finally arrived today. I felt a curious bump in the sole as I tried the first shoe on. I put the second one on, and no bump. Aaahhhh. Could I play with a bump? I couldn't imagine what mode I was going to have to go into next. Jeff confirmed the presence of the bump, so I knew I wasn't just having shoe mirages. He pulled up the sole and found a clump of tissue paper stuck to the sole! Now who just allows tissue papers to stay stuck to the sole of a shoe and thinks no one will care? Luckily, we were able to remove the offending clump and now the shoes? Feel great! Thank goodness. I can't wait to play in my new shoes, finally! The outcome of the story: shoe drama 1; Lori 0. I guess I need to score some points in my new shoes.

Invictus!

We saw the move Invictus last night. I was intrigued by it. I certainly hope it wins some Oscars. I loved Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. It's not the type of movie I want to see over and over, because it's a little bit slow, but overall, it's such a good show. I was touched by the scene where the rugby team travels to the place where Nelson Mandella had been imprisoned. Matt Damon's character just tries to comprehend what it would be like to forgive the people who had put him there. Mandella's life, such a miracle in forgiveness, is an inspiration. The shortcoming that I had was a lack of knowledge of rugby. The way these scenes are filmed, it's difficult to follow without an understanding of the way rugby is played. I wanted to understand those scenes better and follow the story in the game more but was unable to. That being said, I think there are so many strengths in this movie in the way Eastwood really explores the theme of how rugby was just one tool in taking a step toward healing in South Africa. I also really loved the scene portrayed in this picture where the team goes out to the poorest of the poor and gives a clinic on rugby. It changes those kids and those players, and it's a great moment. I needed to look up the poem because it's difficult to hear on screen what the words are, but I am glad I did. It's really good.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Wow! I finally got pictures

It took a long time, but I now have pictures on my computer from the past few months. Phew. They were some busy months! First, there were gingerbread houses!Then, there was a matter of a birthday to celebrate. Yeah, Jacey turned three! We had a totally fun party.Christmas Eve! The best Christmas pageant Ever!Christmas Day: too many toys!The day after Christmas, we trekked down to lovely St. George to party with Jeff's family. The warm weather was worth it! AAHHH. We had a totally great time at the party.

Jacey is tonsilless!!!

Jacey was well enough to get her tonsils out today. We were concerned because she had developed a little nose congestion and cough prior to the operation and after November's failure, we didn't want to have to reschedule again -- or try to get our 800 dollars back again. This time, I paid the moolah after she actually went in to surgery. Ha ha. Showed them. She did really great. No crying, minimal frustration at not getting her IV out, good eating and drinking afterward. Heck, I didn't even have to refuse baba juices this morning since we both slept until past her appointment time. Good thing the hospital is so close. I just threw on clothes (most of them the right way) and trucked on down the street with Jacey. It was as easy as it could possibly be.

Really though, Merry Christmas

It looks like my LDS journal has very little LDS in it. I am grateful the Savior was born and completed an earthly ministry. One of the best things to come out of that is the revelation that Christ, our brother and our Savior, has experienced all the trials, pains, and heartache that come along with living in a body in this world. It is of great comfort to realize that He knows what we are going through. I know that He lives and that His infinite atonement made it possible for "God and sinners (to be) reconciled."

I am grateful for my family and the joy they bring to my life. I love the Lord, desire to do His will, and I know that I have far to go in that process.

I have enjoyed learning some Christmas songs from the Primary Children's song book to sing with the kids. One that was new to me was "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus" and in it these lines especially touched me, "Hosanna, hosanna, O Let us gladly sing, how blessed that our Lord was born, let Earth receive her King." Merry Christmas one and all, and let us all let our small hearts grow three sizes this day!

Merry Flippin' Christmas!

To our cyber-friends, the Muir Family would like to present you with a very unique version of a Christmas BIRD! I mailed out "nice" Christmas cards today. We found that even while I had my computer version open, the kids were looking at the screen, repeating the saying, and not quite understanding why it's funny, so we thought we'd better not put it in print. In case you missed it on Facebook, here it is again. We killed ourselves laughing.

It's the holiday season Ha ha

Lucky us, we got snow. Unfortunately, we also got some cold temperatures. My body is still in shock. The snow makes it easier to get in the mood for Christmas though. During the season, I've got a few goals. I'm trying to get my children to learn that it is more blessed to give than receive. They seem to already have a handle on this concept because they give me a headache on a daily basis. Especially this morning. Quinton thought he needed to be the school stink job. Hygiene and nine year old boys don't mix necessarily. He couldn't understand why he needed to wear socks under his snow boots. He had gone the day before without socks just fine. I can't imagine the odor that must have been emitting all day. It must have sent the Barnett air pollutants seriously up. He also couldn't see the need for taking off his snow pants during class. If I could have put him in the shower before the bus came, I would have because I was just picturing all that boy sweat multiplying underneath those air-tight snow pants. Gross! Poor teachers. They must build up quite an odor tolerance.

Whilst this argument was taking place, Jacey informed me she needed to go poo poo. I pulled down her (sleeping time) diaper only to realize that she was a little slow on the informing part and had already started going. I stuck her on the toilet to finish her job and took to debating more hygienic policies with Quinton when Jacey hopped off the john and sat right on the bath mat to inspect the inner workings of an Ariel Barbie. At that point, I had the urge to just stick everyone in the shower indefinitely and call a house-cleaning service. I settled for putting Jacey and the bath mats in the bath (the bath mats actually went in the washing machine) and sending Quinton to school with socks under his snow boots. That's good mom stuff right there.

The kids have also given me gray hairs. That wasn't for Christmas, though, it was more for Hannakah. Now, if I can just get them to give me a break, I'll be on a roll. Ha ha, of course I wouldn't trade my kids for anything.