Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had our Pack's Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet to celebrate Cub Scouts and recognize the achievements of the boys. Nicholas was awarded his Wolf Badge. Luke was awarded his Webelos Badge and he is one elective away from having his Arrow of Light. It was a proud night for us :)

Thomas Edison

Luke had his fifth grade presentation today. Luke learned all about Thomas Edison. He then dressed like him and gave a speech in front of the class. Luke is very excited about Thomas Edison and his contributions to our world.

Thomas Alva Edison~American inventor
Birth
February 11, 1847
Place of Birth
Milan, Ohio

Death October 18, 1931

Known for
Inventing numerous useful devices, including a practical electric light bulb and the phonograph
Milestones
1869 Received his first patent, for a vote-recording machine
1876 Set up a research laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey
1877 Invented the phonograph
1879 Invented the first practical incandescent electric light bulb
1882 Provided electricity, generated by a central power station, to New York City
1883 Discovered that incandescent materials emit electrons. This phenomenon is known as the Edison effect or thermionic emission.
1887 Moved his research laboratory to larger quarters in West Orange, New Jersey
1891 Finished the kinetoscope, a device designed by Edison and his employee, William Dickson, to produce brief motion pictures
1910 Invented the Edison battery, which used an alkaline electrolyte
1913 Produced the first talking motion pictures
Did You Know
As a young man Edison saved a stationmaster's son from being hit by a train, and out of gratitude the stationmaster taught him how to use the telegraph.
Edison patented over 1,000 inventions.
Edison worked for the Navy during World War I, improving submarines and flamethrowers.

Luke's favorite Thomas Edison Fun fact...he once set the family barn on fire while attempting some experiments.

Many people in his class thought Luke really resembled Thomas Edison as a child. Luke asked if we could check our family history to see if we might be related. After all, they are both from Ohio.

The Man In My Life

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? The History Channel...seriously what is so intriguing about the History Channel...I'll never know. Although, truthfully half of the time he is snoring...my sentiments exactly :P

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? French or Blue Cheese

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Liver

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Diet Pepsi or Mountain Dew

5. Where did he go to high school? Sylvania Northview and Southview (He also did a short stint at Start)

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10 1/2 - 11 depending on the shoe

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Subs...either cold cut, or chicken/bacon/ranch

9. What would this person eat every day if he could? It's a toss up between Steak and baked potatoes or Lasagna

10. What is his favorite cereal? He doesn't really eat breakfast...I can't tell you the last time I saw him eat a bowl of cereal. I think he would choose a Pop Tart, Donut, or eggs/sausage/toast before cereal.

11. What would he never wear? A man bag

12. What is his favorite sports team? Michigan football or Chicago Bulls

13. Who is his best friend? Me of course.... he doesn't really stay in touch with his old buddies from back in the day. He will socialize if given the circumstance, but he never pursues hanging out with the guys...he'd rather hang out with the fam.

14. What is his favorite ice cream flavor? He likes different flavors of Milkshakes...depending on his mood. He definitely is an ice cream fan.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Spend so much time on the computer

16. What is his heritage? It's been a while since I have worked on his family heritage and I have only researched one side of the family. On top of that, Jonathan's biological father is adopted...so it is hard telling. Therefore, I would say German/French and there is a smidgin of Indian in there.

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday what kind of cake? Carrot cake or German Chocolate

18. Did he play sports in high school? Nope

19. What could he spend hours doing? xbox360, watching movies, or working on the hot rod.

20. What is one unique talent he has? He is great with his hands...he usually only needs someone to show him how to do or build something once and then he has it.

Dylan's 8th grade Orchestra Concert

Dylan's 8th Grade Orchestra Concert

February 19th, 2009

Northview Theatre

Dylan and Ian play the cello
The 8th grade plays
The Dynamic Duo


A little tidbit of Dylan's Orchestra Performance

Kyle's Choir Concert

Kyle's 7th Grade Choir Concert

Wednesday, Febuary 18th, 2009

Arbor Hills Gymnasium

Dylan and Nicholas as we came in looking for a place to sit down. Kyle proud of his affiliation with the choir
Kyle decided playing the cello wasn't for him...so his next step was singing with the choir. He really likes it.
Kyle ready to sing
The mixed choirs sing together

Here's a little demo of the boys singing



Nicholas decided he was extremely bored during Kyle's choir concert, so he proceeded to do this little number. Before I escorted him out in to the hallway for his behavior, I decided to catch some of it on tape :)

Me and You

My dedication to Jonathan on this Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Maria

I remember

some of the difficult times,

when we wondered

what we'd gotten ourselves into.

And I smile

when I think about

how far we've come

and where we are today --

partners in a marriage

that's as strong

and secure as ever,

because we continue

to nurture it...

Our marriage works

because we work at it,

and because we've never

allowed ourselves to forget

why we married each other in the first place --

for love,

forever.

I love you.

Happy Valentine's Day

I love you with all of my heart!

Love always,

Maria

Happy Valentine's Day from Jonathan

Each day I spend with you.

I send a little thank-you prayer

up to heaven

for all the love we share.

You are everything

I ever

dreamed of

and prayed for

I love you

Happy Valentine's Day

To the one and only Valentine for me

Love Always,

Jonathan

The Couples Edition Share

Considering it is Valentine's Day I thought it would be fun to include this questionnaire about Jonathan and my dating days :)

Randomness: The Couples Edition Share

Answer and post your own so I can learn more about you and your significant other! :)

Our names: Maria and Jonathan

What are your middle names? Helen and Leroy (Yikes!)

How long have you been together? We have been dating since Memorial Day in '93. We have been married for 15 years.

Who asked who out? He asked me out with much encouragement. (We both had friends who worked on us to ask the other out. I knew that Jonathan was incredibly shy, so I waited for Jonathan to ask me out. It took 3 months)

Was it love at first sight? Absolutely! At least on my part. The moment I saw him come in to the room, I leaned over to my girlfriend and said "I LOVE redheads". She then responded with "Go for it!" I started putting on the charm from that moment on <3>

How old were each of you when you met? I am 7 months older than Jonathan...so he was 19 and I was 20. We got married when he was 20 and I was 21.

How old are each of you now? I am 36 and he is 35

How tall are each of you? 5'7 and 6'0

Whose siblings do/did you see the most? We spend the most time with Jon's Grandma (Ha ha). Then it would be my mom and my brother Jeff and his family.

Do you have any children together? We have 4 precocious boys together Dylan (14) Kyle(12) Luke (10) and Nicholas (8)

What about pets? We have fish and a hamster named Panda

Did you go to the same school? No. He went to Northview/Southview and graduated in '92. I went to DeVilbiss, Whitmer and Dunedin High Schools and graduated in '90.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? We drove out to see my brother Andy and his family out in Pocatello, Idaho a few summers ago.

Who has the worst temper? Easily he does. He is a redhead after all.

Who does/did the cooking? He only cooks on the days I work. Those meals are usually super easy ones. I am definitely the better cook!

Who is more social? I am definitely the more out going one. As far as Jonathan is concerned, if we never left the house again...he would be perfectly content.

Who is the neat-freak? I am definitely the organizer and cleaner. Jonathan is more than willing to help, but drives me insane with his tendency for shoving things "out of sight--out of mind"

Who hogs the bed? Jonathan wraps himself in blankets like a burrito...so I often wake up completely uncovered. But Jonathan often times gets kicked out of bed for his snoring...so then I guess you can call me the bed hog.

Who wakes up earlier? It depends on our work schedule...otherwise we usually take turns letting the other sleep. We both enjoy sleeping in.

Who has the bigger family? We both technically have two brothers each, but Jonathan was raised with his Aunts and Uncles...there were many more of them.

How do you spend the holidays? We are extremely traditional in our family...so it really depends on the holiday. We are fortunate enough to have a good many of our extended family living here in town with us.

Who is more jealous? Jonathan has always been the more jealous one. I have always been very secure in his loyalty and complete devotion for me.

Do you have little pet names for each other? "Hon" "Sex God or Goddess" (Just kidding)

How long did it take to get serious? I had a tendency for jumping in too fast in to relationships. I had determined, I wouldn't do that this time. Jonathan on the other hand was hooked with in a couple of weeks and we were married within 6 months from the time of our first date.

Who eats more? Jonathan definitely eats faster and eats the same amount, but he skips a lot of meals...so I guess you would have to say it is me. Jonathan definitely loses weight the fastest.

Who sings better? Neither of us will be winning a grammy anytime soon. But I spent many years in Choirs...so I guess it is me.

Who does the dishes? We both load the dishes pretty equally, but when the dishwasher broke down it was mostly me.

Who snores? His snoring has long since been a problem for us. I can sleep through a lot of things, but not snoring. We have tried Breathe Right strips, changing positions, ear plugs...but often times he leaves the bed because he gets tired of me waking him and feeling me kick him all night long.

Who’s better with the computer? I definitely am.

Who drives when you are together? I usually do. It used to be a macho thing for him, intil he got tired of my ruthless backseat driver ways. I have a better sense of direction anyways.

Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? Believe it or not, it is me. Jonathan would be perfectly content to just ignore that anything had even transpired between us. I usually have to "check my pride at the door" and make the peace.

Who kissed who first? Jonathan asked me " if he could kiss me?" I had never had someone ask before. It was awesome!

Who has more tattoos?Neither one of us has tattoos

Who eats more sweets? We both have a pretty healthy sweet tooth, but I would say if we were comparing...it is Jonathan.

Pulled Over

Jonathan was driving toward home on Centennial Ave in his '82 Monte Carlo Hot Rod (first time this season), when suddenly he noticed lights flashing behind him. He checked the speedometer, and he wasn't speeding. For once, he actually had his seatbelt on...so it couldn't be that. What could be the problem?

He pulled over, and the Sylvania Police Officer approached the car inquiring if Jonathan "realized that his lights were not on, when he turned back there?" Jonathan hadn't touched the lights, so he explained "they had to be on at that time also." The officer asked Jonathan "If he had been drinking?" (That's never a problem here). The officer asked him "where he was heading to?" Jonathan responded "I'm heading home." The officer then inquired "Is your address correct on the license." Jonathan informed him of our new address. (Fortunately we had changed our address with the DMV back when we moved) The officer ran his plates and license and let him go. PHEW!

Can't help but think there might've been some profiling going on here. Hot Rod out on a Friday night, surely there must be some joy riding going on there. Jonathan was greatly relieved to be released without even a warning, because when he first got the Hot Rod Maria suggested "opening a savings account for all of the speeding tickets he would accrue driving that car."

Dylan becomes a Teacher

February 8th, 2009
Even though it has been a few months since Dylan turned 14, today was the first time that we had the opportunity to have Dylan ordained a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He was also called as Secretary in the Teacher's Quorom Presidency. Jonathan ordained Dylan, with Bishop Benner, Morgan Ethington, Harvey Miller, Jeffrey Lake, and Michael Richter in the ordination circle. (I had misplaced my camera...so I was unable to get pictures)

I thought I would include what a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood means in our religion...The teacher is a standing minister appointed to “watch over the Church” in the ward “and be with and strengthen them” (D&C 20:53; 84:111). He does this by performing certain duties under proper priesthood direction. A teacher has all of the duties of a deacon and some additional duties. The duties of a teacher include the following responsibilities:

a. Follow the counsel and instruction of priesthood leaders.

b. Prepare the sacrament.

c. “Warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (D&C 20:59) and “see that the church meet together often, and … that all the members do their duty” (D&C 20:55) by doing such things as—

1) Performing home teaching.

2) Notifying members of meetings.

3) Speaking in Church meetings.

d. “See that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking” (D&C 20:54) by doing such things as—

1) Being an example of moral integrity and uprightness.

2) Being a peacemaker and a calming influence.

e. Edify and be edified by fellow priesthood holders by participating in priesthood instruction (see D&C 50:22).

f. Assist the bishop in “administering … temporal things” (D&C 107:68) by doing such things as—

1) Helping the poor and needy.

2) Caring for the meetinghouse and grounds.

g. Perform priesthood work, such as assisting in fellowshipping and reactivating young men of priesthood age, and serving on priesthood committees.

h. Usher reverently in stake conferences and ward meetings.

i. Assist the bishopric in other ways consistent with the teacher’s authority.

First Born

I was sent a questionnaire on my Facebook page inquiring about the first time I was ever pregnant. I thought it was kind of fun and wanted to include it on my blog.
1. Was your first pregnancy planned? Yes...I knew I was going to have babies-and lots of them my entire life. My mom contends the first sentence ever spoken was "Hold the baby Mommy?"
2. Were you married at the time? Yes
3. What were your reactions? A little shocked...because I hadn't really connected with the concept that I was pregnant yet. I had a negative pregnancy test.
4. Was abortion an option for you? Never
5. How old were you? 21 most of my pregnancy...I turned 22 a couple months before having him.
6. How did you find out you were pregnant? I realized I was late when a friend of mine was visiting and she began telling me a mutual friend thought she was pregnant. I ran out to Krogers late that night to get a pregnancy test. I ran into Jeff Heitz (Channel 11 news anchor at the time... who I used to wait on when I worked at Bud & Luke's) and didn't want him to tell...so I was trying to hide the evidence from him. I got home and took the test and it was negative. That week I went with another friend to Planned Parenthood because she thought that she was pregnant...she was. A week later, when I still hadn't started my period I went to Planned Parenthood with the same friend who just found out she was pregnant. The test came back positive this time.
7. Who did you tell first? Other than Melissa who was with me...I headed straight to Jonathan's work to tell him the news.
8. Did you want to find out the sex? Oh Yes...I am a planner and like to know as much as possible. People who don't have names for their children until after they are born baffle me. I had figured out names when I was 15 years old. (Although admittedly...some of those names changed in the interim)
9. Due date? November 30th, 1994
10. Did you have morning sickness? All day sickness...exacerbated by working around food all day long
11. What did you crave? Anything with vinegar in it...pickles, corned beef and cabbage, pickled beets, Kosher dill chips, etc...
12. Who/what irritated you the most? The onslaught of illnesses that plagued my first pregnancy. On my first visit to the Dr. Briel's office, the nurse looked at me and said "You were made to have babies. Your pregnancy will be a breeze." Oh no I wasn't...it was one thing after another with him.
13. What was your first child's sex? Dr. Beuchat (a doctor in the practice with Dr. Briel at the time) did 2 different ultrasounds telling me both times I was having a girl. He had never been wrong...not until me!
14. Did you wish you had the opposite sex of what you were getting? Yes...I really wanted a girl (once they told me that is what I was having...and especially after I ended up with 4 boys.) I consoled my self with the concept of how great it would be for my eventual daughters to have an older brother...something I had never had.
15. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? barely 20 (I got chastened about at every doctors visit)
16. Did you have a baby shower? Yes three "girl" baby showers (my side of the family, Jon's side of the family, and church friends)...before I found out that Victoria Renee was a "he".
17. Was it a surprise or did you know? I knew
18. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? I went from having all day sickeness, to migraines, to a yeast infection that covered my entire body (in the summer time when it was sticky hot, no air in our bedroom, and constantly oozed, itched, and burned), to Gallbladder attacks, Gestational Diabetes, non-reactive NST's and bedrest for the last 3 weeks....with Amnios and Biophysical Profiles every week until his lungs were mature enough to be induced. It was during my first biophysical profile that we discovered our baby girl was a baby boy.
19. Where did you give birth? Flower Hospital for all my kiddos
20. How many hours were you in labor? 12 hours and then I pushed for 2-3 hours, only to have them have to assist with the vacuum at the very end.
21. Who drove you to the hospital? My mom and Jonathan were there with me the whole time.

22. Who watched you give birth? My mom and Jonathan (with Jon's mom and step-dad behind the curtain in the room....I hadn't prepared myself for that one.)
23. Was it natural or c-section? Vaginal
24. Did you take medicine to ease the pain? I had planned on going Natural...until they broke my water at 2 cm and I had to labor through Pitocin induction until I was 4 cm with only Nubain (which did NOTHING for me). God bless the creator of the Epidural! I may have stopped at 1 child otherwise.
25. How much did you child weigh? 7 lbs. 11 oz. My comment when I heard that was....it felt like giving birth to a convenience store.
26. When was your child actually born? November 20th, 1994 at 3:33 am
27. What did you name him/her? He was Dylan Mitchell up until the day he was born...We decided to give our oldest son, Jonathan's name too...so he ended up becoming "Jonathan Dylan". He always goes by Dylan though (minus a short stint in Preschool and Kindergarten-2nd grade when he was Jonathan at school).
28. How old is your first born today? 14 years old

Keeping Toledo Hospital in business

We awakened early this morning to get ready for church. I got Grandma ready with some difficulty, but not too too bad. She had been acting a little strangely, physically this weekend....seeming weaker than usual, losing her balance, etc... She complained of not being able to use the bathroom in the morning, but that happens for her at times. Even though she was having some difficulty, she seemed in good spirits, and was excited to go to church. I finished getting her ready, donned her coat and gloves, and handed her off to Jonathan to take out to the car, while I finished gathering up my things.

All of a sudden, I hear Jonathan say "Grandma, you have to stand up...I can't have you go down on me." My friend, Jeanine (who was staying the weekend with us), ran over and attempted to help Jonathan with Grandma. No matter how hard Grandma tried, she just couldn't seem to get her "legs underneath her." Instead, her legs were like jello.

I grabbed Grandma from Jeanine and Jonathan and held her up while Jonathan ran for the wheelchair. We put her in the wheelchair and wheeled her over to the van. She couldn't even step up to get in to the van. We placed her back in the wheelchair and brought her back in to the house.

She was certain that she needed to use the bathroom this time, so then I attempted to get her on the bedside commode without her even being able to stand well at all. It was quite the task and my back was screaming in pain from all of this. (a few cuss words were entering in to my mind). She still couldn't use the bathroom. I began to speculate that this might be another infection, because she did this same thing the last time (coincidentally when I had a friend staying with me that time too). So, I called her doctor's office to find out what her doctor would like me to do.

He finally called back around 10 am and instructed me to get her to the hospital. I knew I wasn't able to get her to the car. So, I ended up having to call for the paramedics to come. They came and checked her over...concluding it wasn't heart related, like they were fearing (I already knew that). Medcorp transported her to Toledo Hospital ER for me. They ran a battery of tests, put in a foley, started an IV and determined...she does indeed have a Urinary Tract Infection. She was admitted to the hospital for antibiotic treatment and to monitor anything else that might go haywire (she ended up pretty sick the last time).

I got her settled in her room and headed back home. Jeanine is a massage therapist, so she waited to head back to her home until I returned so she could work on some problem areas that had developed through the day from helping Grandma. That girl has magic hands! By the time she finished, the sore spots had dissipated and I was able to wrap myself around the fact that I now needed to head to work for a 12 hour shift.

I am so grateful for the "know how" that I have...that I can help Grandma when she is in need. So far, I have been able to instinctually know what kinds of things she needs and get her to the help needed for her. I love that little lady and I'm doing my best to keep her around for as long as I can :) Please keep her in your prayers!

Jeanine and Elijah come to visit

Right before I was a senior in high school, I moved with my dad down to Dunedin, Florida. Most people would be intimidated by such a move, but I had spent the majority of my life moving around. Therefore, I was quite used to it. One of the first things I tended to do once I was established...was to find a friend that I was really comfortable with (someone who could fill the missing role of a sister in my life...as my mom likes to put it).
Living in Florida was no different for me. Even though, I lived there a short time (six months)...I made some very good friends. One of which was Jeanine Record. I met Jeanine on the school bus. I was a Senior and she was a Sophomore. Because of our age difference we didn't have many classes together, but we did have Phys Ed together (I had to take another year of Phys Ed since Florida's requirements were different from Ohio's) and would eat lunch together. We began to get to know one another and discovered we were kindred spirits. I liked Jeanine because she was very "real." She never judged a "book by its cover" and didn't put on any "pretenses". I loved her "genuine" spirit and we ended up spending most of our spare time together that school year. Thus, also getting in to our own share of trouble together :)
After moving away from Florida in March of 1990. I went back to visit in 1992 for Jeanine's graduation from Dunedin High School. She went in to the Navy shortly thereafter and we ended up losing touch. I looked for her a few times over the years, but was unable to have any luck in locating her....especially since I didn't know her married name.

When I was first introduced to Facebook, Jeanine's name was one of the first names I searched for. But once again...I didn't have any luck! Then one day (about a month ago) when I was checking my Facebook I saw a "friend request" from Jeanine! I was ecstatic! I immediately responded to her and it wasn't long before we were in contact once again. We talked a few times on the phone and scheduled a weekend visit. (After discovering that she has been only 3 hours away from me for the last 11 years in South Bend, Indiana.)

Jeanine and Maria

I worried that it might be awkward being together again after all of these years apart. A lot happens to a person in 16 years that could change a person.

It didn't take us long to fall right back into our old patterns again. We were further surprised, at how many details from our youth we could remember.

Jeanine has a little boy named Elijah (he is 11 years old). He enjoys many of the same things as my boys do....especially video games. Elijah had a PSP (a system we don't have)...my kids spent most of the weekend drooling over his game.
Dylan and Elijah playing Guitar Hero together

Our kids got along famously.

Elijah also loves the guitar and is just starting to take lessons. The entire weekend he wore t-shirts of guitar players...like Slash and Hendrix.

Nicholas and Luke showing us their Guitar Hero moves

Jeanine giggled when she saw Dylan in his Snuggee. I think he looks like a monk in it. She readily agreed.

Nicholas and Jeanine decided to make a chocolate cake for us.

Of course, they had to test the batter!

Jeanine and Nicholas show off the fruits of their labors

We called Nicholas the "Chocolate Mustache Bandit".

He said "I'm going to walk around all night with this on my lip."

He did!

Jonathan crashed out on the couch after a very active day.

Isn't he so cute?

I'm once more convinced that when someone becomes a part of your heart...they never leave you. I am so thankful for being able to find my friend again. I truly love her with all my heart and hope that we will never lose touch again.

Mary Ruth's Baptism

Grandma had attended the Seventh Day Adventist church with her daughters for years. When she moved in with us, she continued to go with the Riegers to the Seventh Day Adventist church. We completely supported her in her desire to attend church with Nic and Craige and her family. I would even get up early on Saturday mornings to get her ready to attend church with them.

Sunday morning would come along, and we would get ready to go to our church. On a couple of occasions, I noticed her giving me a "longing look" that she gives me when she wants something. I inquired if she would like to attend church with us. She jumped at the opportunity. So, we began to bring her along to church with us as well. Her weekends attending church on both days, exhausted her...but she really looked forward to them and seemed to enjoy it.

After the first week of bringing her to church, and seeing "things" through a new person's eyes...I realized that there was a lot about our religion that could be quite confusing. Therefore, I thought it might be nice to have the Sister Missionaries come over and teach Grandma the basic principles of the church...this way she might understand what was being taught to her at church. Sister Hunt and Sister Zirker came over weekly teaching Grandma different principles. After a couple of months, Sister Zirker was transferred to Bowling Green and Sister Hunt joined Sister Hansen.

The teaching continued and the more Grandma learned. The more she seemed to accept what she was being taught. She didn't even seem to question it. She and I attempted to read from the scriptures daily. She continued to come to church with us. She continued to have the Sisters and eventually the Elders over to teach her. One week in early December, Sister Hansen and Sister Hunt were over to have supper with us and to teach Grandma regarding the principle of "Baptism". When the lesson finished, Sister Hunt looked at Grandma and asked "Would you like to be baptized?" Grandma looked at her and surprisingly said "Yes."

I was completely shocked! It hadn't ever been my intention to have Grandma be baptized as a member of our church. Not that I didn't want her too, but I didn't think first of all that she would want to and secondly, I didn't want any of her children to feel like we were "pushing" our religion on her. I told Jonathan what Grandma had said, and he was concerned that with all of her confusion "she might not understand what she was agreeing to."

We decided to just let it go and see what happened. A couple of weeks later when the sisters were over, Grandma asked "So, when am I going to be baptized?" I was astonished! I inquired "You really want to be baptized?" Grandma affirmed once again. We set a date for baptism and continued teaching her.

Grandma never wavered in her decision to be baptized. We asked her on numerous occasions if this was indeed something she wished to do and whether she understood the commitment she would be making, and each and every time she confirmed that "Yes, she wanted to be baptized."

Mary Ruth Knicely's Baptism

January 31st, 2009 at 10 am

located at the Eastgate Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

in Toledo Ohio.

Grandma ready to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Jonathan and Grandma together

We believe in baptism by immersion. Jonathan was concerned with being able to immerse Grandma safely with the herniation in his back. Therefore, we had Elder Ralphs in the water as well to assist in the baptism.

Before coming to church this morning, we presented Grandma with her own set of scriptures in large print for her to use. (The same gift we presented to each of our children when they were baptized.) She was tickled pink!

Elder Marshal Ralphs, Jonathan, Grandma and Elder Carlos Puerto

(There were several missionaries who participated in teaching Grandma. It started out with Sister Hansen and Sister Zurker, then there was Sister Hansen and Sister Hunt, then Elder Jones and Elder Ralphs, and then finally Elder Ralphs and Elder Puerto.

Grandma and Jonathan

After Grandma was immersed in the water, and she was pulled back up...she immediately said her famous line "Now what?" That seemed like an appropriate statement at the time. "Now what?" We follow the Savior and His teachings!

Maria and Jonathan with Grandma

(she was having a difficult time keeping her balance)

After Grandma was baptized she was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is the people who stood in her Confirmation circle...

(back) Elder Ralphs, Bishop Mike Benner, Jonathan Simons, and Jeffrey Lake

(front) Elder Puerto, Mary Ruth Knicely and Elder Fernandez

We followed the baptism with a light luncheon. There were many friends there who showed their support to Grandma on this blessed day! It was a great day for her and meant a great deal to her to have those of you there with her.

Riflery Merit Badge

Boy Scout Riflery Merit Badge
A brother in our ward is an instructor in Firearms and safety.
The troop was offered the opportunity to take Riflery classes to earn their merit badge
They went every Saturday for 5 weeks
But as you could probably expect...it wasn't much of a sacrifice.
They all loved it...including Jonathan

Class Instruction

The boys learning to shoot

Jonathan's Target--He scored 192

Dylan working on becoming a Sharp Shooter

Kyle working on becoming a Marksman

Kyle's Target--He scored 181
Jonathan, Dylan and Kyle all earned the "Expert" classification
Way to go!

25 random things about Maria

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

1. I have moved 28 times in my life (maybe more).
2. I attended 10 different schools before I graduated from high school.
3. I went to Kindergarten and 1st grade in Germany. (My dad was in the Air Force).
4. I have always wanted to have a sister!
5. I am so grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ. This simple knowledge has provided me with so much contentment, security, and direction in my life.
6. I wanted to have 8-10 kids when I grew up...including daughters in that picture.
7. I am living my dream jobs...wife, mother and OB nurse :)
8. I hate hurting other people more than anything else in the world.
9. When I was a kid (and even as an adult)...my mom could try to beat me to death, and that never affected me like knowing I had disappointed her. (Unfortunately, that didn't keep me from doing my fair share of disappointing her.)
10. If I had the time and the money to invest in a hobby right now...it would be photography. I want to learn how to do "it" right. I just love catching memories in photographs.
11. I am completely and unequivocally in love with my husband. He is exactly what I need.
12. There isn't anyone in this world that I love more than my children.
13. I would have more children if I could (and could stay at home with them).
14. I wish I could be thinner, but as long as I remain healthy (by living a healthy lifestyle and exercising)...I'm okay with the way that I look.
15. It is important to me to have others feel special on their birthday.
16. Some of the most powerful words in this world are "Thank you" "I'm sorry" and "I care".
17. (I hate to admit this out loud...afraid it might jinx me.) I've never had a speeding ticket. (I know mom will find this fact surprising)
18. I love to read, scrapbook, blogging, and Facebook. I have been reunited with more of my old friends whom I had lost touch with over the years. What a wonderful opportunity and a beautiful creation!
19. I believe everyone comes in to our lives for a reason and they leave their mark...no matter how small.
20. We need to enjoy the journey...not just endure it!
21. If you can learn something from the trials and experiences we have...than no choice we ever make should be regretted.
22. I love to be around people who enjoy laughing :))
23. The most meaningful thing I can do as a friend is to dance in the rain with them during the storms of life.
24. I hate cleaning bathrooms more than any other job in the house.
25. I never bake! I don't like it. If any baking takes place in our home...it is Jon's efforts not mine.
There did you learn anything new?

25 random things about Jonathan

1. My favorite all time car is a Porsche 911.
2. I used to be a Michael Jackson fan, but he has just gotten too weird for me. Now I enjoy country music...something I never thought I would ever say.
3. I enjoy building things with my hands.
4. Getting up and having to speak in front of people absolutely terrifies me.
5. The hardest part of life is losing people we love.
6. I own a 1986 Monte Carlo SS Hot rod...I've never had so many strangers come up and make conversation with me and offer to buy my car, as when I am in my car.
7. I like collecting trains as a hobby.
8. My dream job is to be a conductor/engineer of a train.
9. I am the oldest of two brothers, but I was raised as the youngest of 13.
10. I HATED having red hair when I was a kid! Nothing ticked me off more than being called "Red", "Richie Cunningham" or "Johnny".
11. I like playing sports...especially basketball, but I don't like watching them much.
12. I enjoy roller coasters, cliff jumping, and would like to bungee jump. All things I can't do with a bad back :(.
13. I've only ever been in love one time...unless you count my boys.
14. I like the outdoors and camping. My favorite childhood memories were camping in Canada with my family and the week long camp with Lake James Christian Assembly
15. One of the hardest jobs I've ever done is being a good dad.
16. My best friend is my wife...she gets everything about me.
17. I play video games at night to relax before bed.
18. I have worked in Assembly most of my adult life...although, my favorite position was as a fork lift operator.
19. I enjoy working out...lifting weights, running, boxing.
20. I like reading scriptures with my boys right before they go to bed. It helps me feel close to them.
21. I like being involved with my boys...some of my best memories with them has been when I helped build their Pinewood Derby Cars, serve as a Cub Scout leader, coached their basketball teams, went on Scout camping trips, etc...
22. I once biked from Sylvania to downtown Toledo, just to see Maria at work (back when we were dating).
23. I like watching movies, especially in the theatres with surround sound and theatre seating.
24. I would like to travel more.
25. I would love to learn how to fly a plane.

Did you learn anything?