March 24, 2013

Dear Sister Israelsen, First of all, just let me say that your mom and I will not be contacting your mission president or wife over health issues. We just want you to know that you should continue to talk to us about any issues you may have. We want to know what is happening in your life and we will never quit on that. I am not sure why your president would tell you not to talk to us about these issues. You should consult your parents about any health issues!! Ok that is out of the way. This week I had to travel to El Paso, TX for 2 days to do some training for one of my customers. It was nice down in Texas. Then I got back to Denver and the next day it snowed! A Lot!! about 10 inches. I took Jake to get his wisdom teeth out on Friday morning and he seems to be doing really well. He is only a little swollen and he has been up and about without much pain. I know he doesnt feel the best but he seems to be getting around really well. Oh, buy the way Emily Israelsen received her mission call and she is going to the Chicago misson speaking Spanish. I think that she will do great there. Chicago is not exactly the safest place in the world, but what a great opportunity. Kent, Christy, Hunter, Michael, Kateland, and Naomi came to Denver and they stayed with us Saturday night and then went to church with us today. Kent has to go to a conference in down town denver for part of this week so they all came to get away for spring break. It was a lot of fun to have them here. Kent is alway teasing everyone and then we all start to tease back. He kept trying to get Jake's goat but Jake just wasnt having it. Jake and Rachel have been applying for jobs for the summer. Jake keeps hoping that he will be able to be the next head guard. Rachel is just hoping that she can get on at Northglenn so that she will not have to work at Waterworld but she is still applying so she covers all of her bases. I look forward to your letters every Monday!! I Love you! DAd. Hello! You will get several messages from me because I have photos saved in several places. It was the longest week ever! I thought it would never end! Everyone just wanted to get to spring break and get out of the building! Dad went to El Paso for two days this week. Jake had a swimming meet, Rachel did more play practicing and Elizabeth had her performance of Pirates! The Musical. I'm going to try to send Jake's butterfly event this week. He won and is so close to a state time! He got his wisdom teeth out on Friday and is having a great recovery. He didn't swell very much and doesn't have much pain. He had Dad take a video of him when he came out of anesthesia - too funny! Friday night started a huge snow storm - why does it always happen on the weekend? Does everyone in the world hate teachers? All the snow days have come on the weekend. Dad and I shoveled out driveway and then helped Nicole's Mom with their driveway because he is out of town. Kent and his family drove down from Wyoming on Saturday. They had good weather until they got to Cheyenne and then they hit the huge snow storm. We had a fun weekend with them. They just left. We showed them the zombie winter percussion video on Youtube after they asked what the scary picture of you was in your room. Their kids, Hunter, 12 Michael, 10 Katelyn 8 and Naomi is 6. They are all high energy but especially Kent! I am exhausted after teaching all week and then trying to clean and cook all weekend! I am so glad there isn't any school tomorrow! It was fun to have them though. Kent has a conference and they are staying in Denver for the next three nights. We are thinking about going to Santa Fe for a few days if Jake feels up to it and going to hike the tents and perhaps rent some SUV's and explore downtown and the plaza. We just need to get out of town for a little bit. We love you and are very proud of you! Love you, Mom Sent from my iPad

March 17, 2013

What a crazy week! I wasn't home one night! I got my haircut on Monday and then went shopping for Teacher Appreciation gift bags etc. I am liking this new hair stylist so much! I get many compliments on my hair - something I haven't heard for a long time. We will have to have you go see her when you return. Tuesday and Wednesday, I was a guest lecturer at Metro for pre-service education majors. Technology in the classroom etc. Wednesday night we set up the church and did all the decorating for Teacher Appreciation until late. I had school and Battle of the Books until 4:00 on Thursday and then went straight to TA. It turned out fine but our guest speaker was very antsy and you could tell he wanted out of there and felt trapped. Trenton was in the play so we had a video of his tribute. It was very nice. I'm glad it is over and am now going to focus on the JustServe website. We have been working all weekend to write and research Elizabeth's project on the nervous system. I think I am now officially an expert on the Nervous System - the most important system in the body. It regulates your heart rate, breathing, digestion, memory and well just about everything you can think of. Anyway..... Elizabeth has her play this week and we got a cute pink and black pirate costume for her. Attached are some pictures from Jake's swimming meet. We missed both of them this week as one was in Fort Collins and the other was on Teacher Appreciation Night and Jake barely made it. He is the team captain and you will be able to see the lucky gnome in the picture. Rachel is in the play and has started rehearsal's full force. She is very excited. Dad has lost almost 30 pounds and walks for almost 2 hours every day. I walk with him on the weekend and then do my beach body cds at 5:00am every morning. However, I have not dropped much - as usual.... Take Care and let us know what you need! Love you! Mom Dear sweetheart, Sister Israelsen, Finally this week is over!!! Teacher appreciation is over for your mother and I am hoping that she takes a breather for a couple of days or even a week. Spring break starts next week, March 25th. Mom said that she hopes that she will be able to make it through the next 5 days. So teacher appreciation was really good! The key note speaker was the principal of Holy Family high school (A catholic school). I think he was a little nervous when they asked him, but he did a very good job, talking about the importance of families and teachers. Mom was doing a lot of running around at the last moment because a couple of seniors did not show up and their teacher was there waiting for this big tribute. Garron Tanner was one of them, but mom figured out how to get a hold of him and got him there before he needed to present. (Lucky) That would have been ackward!!? Jake gave such a great tribute, he was very funny and respectful to the teacher. His teacher hung around even after we started to clean up to talk to Jake, Mom, and me. I think she really liked it! Northglenn had their musical this weekend. "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". Trent was Molly's Father and Kawika had the lead roll as J.J. Brown, Molly's husband. He did a great job! It was fun to see all the old people from Northglenn. Joy, Mrs. Dill, the old set guy(forget his name). Seth Haley even designed and made a couple of the fancy dresses in the musical. he did a great job. I guess Kawika had some bad grades so the school would only let him perform 2 nights and I guess Trent took his part for the other day, which he had to learn in only 3 weeks. Oh, and Pam Malsh was there. I introduced myself and she had to ask who I was. Of course I said Megan and Jakes dad, then she was on board. She has retired and is teaching voice lessons all over the place and helped with the Northglenn musical So how are you doing? Are you feeling okay? Mom and I talked about the situation, has the doctor talked to you about going on birth control pills? In your moms family, this seems to be common issue and regulating your cycle with birth control pills seems to work well. I wonder if the pain that you have had in the past has nothing to do with you bowels getting blocked and more to do with the sist's all the time? We have been praying for you and hope that all is well. It sounded like your mission president was a little more level headed about the whole thing than his wife. We will keep praying for you. By the way we have not talked to anyone about this, not even the kids. This has just been between your mom and me, and you. I have to leave for one night this week for work but it happens to be on the one night that Elizabeth has a performance with her chior. She is a pirate and of course she is not excited about it at all. Oh well, I guess I'll have to watch it on dvd later. I LOVE YOU, sweetheart! I'm so proud of you and want you to have success. Sorry about the singing advice, my companion did not have a good voice and he only tried it a couple of times. But we did get in each time. maybe it was because his singing was so horrible and they felt bad for him. Did you see the blog last week? Mom, titled the blog "Dad's bad advice" oh well, you live and learn. Keep up the good work! DAD

March 10, 2013

Okay...I admit defeat in the Blog department and have resorted to posting the letters we are writing to Megan as they tell about what is happening in our family right now. It is the least and the most that I can seem to do at this juncture... :) Dear Sister Israelsen, Well, another week. I really dont have very much to say this week. I went to San Antonio for a conference that I could not get out of. I was alright, my boss came out for one night to help me with a little table top display that we hosted for one night. Otherwise it was uneventful. The sisters called me 2 times this week. One to help teach a younger man that they just found. I couldnt help them because I was in San Antonio but then they called again last night to see if I would help teach an older Lady. Ive taught her several times with the missionaries but she never seems to make it to church. The last time I was there about a year ago the spirit was very strong and she seemed to want to come but when sunday rolls around she doesnt quite make it. I guess well see how it goes this time. Rachel make it in to one of the "one act" plays and is starting practice after school really soon. I dont have all the details, I hope she writes to tell you. Jake started swimming with the high school team this week. I think he was really glad that club swim was over. Steve told him that he made state that he would come to watch. I think that Steve is going to miss him also. I'm hoping to sign Elizabeth up for snappers this month. She really needs something to do and to be active. She is in her chior at school and they are putting on some Pirate Play in the next month or so. Their Choir is also going to sing the national anthem at a Rockies game. I think that is also next month. Sounds cold. Just a side note, Kawika Haley and Trenton Brown are in the musical, "The unsinkable Molly Brown" this weekend. Kwika is a the Lead and Trenton is the Father of Molly Brown. It should be good. Kawika has not been coming to church lately and Mom needed his information for Teacher Appreciation, so I went over and got all the information for that and then I grilled him a little bit about coming to church. I really wish he would come. If you have not heard by now Mandy's son Marshall passed away on Monday and they had his funeral yesterday. It's really sad, everything seemed to be going okay for him and then he got some sort of infection and just like that he was gone. I know it has been a rough road for Mandy and husband (name I cannot recall right now). Keep them in your prayers. He came to earth received his body and now he will be with all of those marvelous family members that have gone before him. Michael Thornton and his wife and daughter were going to come this weekend but since the funeral was Saturday they couldn't come. Shannon (Michael wife) is also pregnant. I'm sure that will make them worry. I talked to Michael about there last child, because shannon had a hard time with depression when she was born. He is just glad that they are not in NYC this time and they have family to help them this time. Sister Harrison told me that she loved reading you letters every week. She even asked how she could write back. I told her that you might look at the blog and if you did that she could write a note or reply and you would see it. So, let me know if you actually see the blog? So I can let her know. Don't hold you breath though, she may ask but that doesnt mean she will write. Also, sister Richins asked about you. She loves hearing how things are going. She told me that Justin was having a great time at BYU I. He said that too many girls were asking him out. I say Boo Hoo!! But he is loving it there. I love reading you letters and I Love the pictures too. Keep them coming if you can. I know it can get hectic and you are not always prepared to take a picture. But I like them when you can send them. Keep up the good work!! I love you!! Dad Hello Megan! It sounds like you are happy and enjoying your move to Doordrecht. I looked it up on the map and there was only one o in it - so which way is the correct spelling? I know 5 months - amazing! It still sometimes seems like a long time and then it seems like a short time. I was doing some grading this weekend and watched an Animoto where a 7th grader was trying to persuade you that global warming was going to cause catastrophic change and one of his examples was that melting icebergs would raise the ocean and that the Netherlands would be gone in 20 years. I thought it was good that we were going to see it now then! :) Dad was gone again this week - always so much more difficult when he is gone. He was in San Antonio at a conference and we were here trying to keep it together. TCAP testing started this week and so Jake pretty much didn't have school all week - he had a party at our house until late every night even though we all had to go to school every day! I think he had fun and I like his new friend Dan (at least he is new to me). He is very funny. Elizabeth and I went to 6th grade information night at Silver Hills - wierd and I hope she will be okay at a large middle school. She was thrilled and decided to take Spanish and Choir. I really need to get her signed up for voice lessons. Michael and his wife didn't come because of the funeral on Saturday so we didn't get to see them. We sent Mandy a large planter and signed your name too. It is so sad and seems like Mandy gets more than her fair share of heartache. I know she is concerned about being able to start a family. What a difficult thing for them. Did you hear anything from Tyler's sister? I sent Marshall's last blog from Mandy but it is almost more than you can take to read it. I did more ward training for the JustServe.org website today and am trying to talk to all of the seniors to make sure that they are ready for Thursday. I can't wait until it is over! Well, I need to print a letter for a last minute addition. We just learned on Friday that Bro. Dixon has an inactive daughter who is graduating and when we heard about her, we invited her to be a part of the program and she jumped at it. I called her teacher on Friday but need to send her a letter. Anyway, again I can't wait until it is over! Attached is a picture of our house today defrosting (check out the icicles) after a huge snowstorm on Saturday that dumped a foot of snow - why oh why can't it happen during the week? It is supposed to be 75 degrees on Thursday. The roller coaster weather is typical March I guess. The other two are from picture wars with Rachel on the phone - she always wins... the big bottom lip was a response to me saying no to ice cream - so after that I of course had to say yes and stop at the store - to funny! Take care my lovely daughter! Love you, Mom

Lumiere, Braces and February 2013

Hello Megan! How are you? We just finished feeding the Sisters. They are gearing up to have many more sisters enter the Denver North Mission. Sister Moore has only been out 5 weeks and Pres. Toombs told her that she was going to have to train. It is crazy fast. They talked about what a zoo the MTC is and how they can only have access to the gym every three days and how hard it is to find a washer to do laundry. They are teaching several less actives and were especially excited to get in the door at the Hill's after many tries. Attached are several pictures - Rachel without her braces, Elizabeth at her Activity Day Tea Jake's 18th birthday, Jake as Lumiere - he was incredible - I can't believe how quickly he learned the role and was just a natural, he didn't miss a line or lyric. Their director, Ms. Stacks was so amazed. She went on and on about how she had never seen anyone transform so quickly and take on a role like this and make it their own. It was fun to watch him. He performed Tuesday and Wednesday and then Nick willed himself to be better and back for Thurs-Sat performances. Many people told me that they preferred Jake and I had to agree but the mob scene was in need of Jake and they really missed him so for the good of the show, it was good he went back. I helped with dinner last night and enjoyed the week with the performances. It was Valentines Day this week so that means - you guessed it - American Girl Tea! We did it up right again - they made matching headbands, saw and touched primary sources/artifacts/antiques from each of the decades that the dolls would have lived in and had high tea. It was fun but always exhausting. Dad and Tara's husband came at the end and helped Tara and I set up the bookfair so that we would be ready for wishlists on Tuesday. We get Monday off - President's Day!!! Yeah!!! Well, Dad doesn't get it off and has to fly our to Chicago tomorrow but the rest of us get to sleep in! We need it. Elizabeth has been sick and everyone is exhausted. Earlier in the week, Heather subbed for me so that I could teach 6-7th graders to create Animoto and iMovies. I have a huge report to turn in and grades were due on Friday, Teacher Appreciation is coming up and I feel like I am drowning! I think I may be having a nervous breakdown. :) This time of year always seems to be more crazy than anything - of course I think that of just about every time of year at this point. Elizabeth and Villate hosted a tea yesterday for the Activity Day Girls - I tried to talk them out of a tea but Villate has a huge collection of tea cups and they insisted on having herbal tea. They sent out a message asking if anyone had a problem with the herbal tea and no one did - just me. I feel like the scriptures say tea and they don't make exceptions for herbal. Anyway, this is the second time that I have been outvoted for a tea church activity. She had a great time and their little tea was very fancy. Alice went skiing and her first run down the mountain, she tore her ACL in both knees and has to have surgery. We took dinner over last week and I hope she is ok. I can't wait to hear about you week. The sisters seemed to think there was talk of possibly extending missions in the near future. Are you hearing anything like that? We love you! Love, Mom Dear sister Israelsen (megan), I still have to get used to that title. Well, this week was all about Jake in many ways. I think we told you that he was given the Roll of Lumier. however, on monday it looked like Nick (the original Lumier) was out of the Hospital and ready to back to his roll. so Jake did the first performance, which was for any teacher that wanted to come for free. Essentially, it was the last dress rehursal. so we all decided to go. He did such a good job that the director decided the next day that he was going to do the opening show. Which made Nick a little upset. So we changed our seats for Thurday and went again on Wednesday for the "true" opening. He did great! Again! Rachel has been ushering the whole week, so she is tired of the show by Saturday. It cost $10.50 per show so we didnt go any of the other nights but we heard that it was fantastic. I guess Ms. Stacks (the director) said to Mom that she should have had jake in the program earlier. She had no real idea that he could be such a good actor with a wonderful voice. Seminary is getting tough. the kids all show up really late, around 6:10 most of the time and it is getting harder and harder to get them going or involved in the lessons. I call these morning the "Dog days" of seminary because it is just a long time between new years and the next break (spring break). Oh well, enough about us. How are you feeling? Have you had any more problems with the dairy stuff? Is Money OK? How are your investigators? We just had dinner with the sisters here and they told us that they are going to triple the sisters here within the next couple of months. They should be up to 60 by May or something like that. In fact, I read an article the other day that said that the Utah Universities were worried about the next 2 years because their enrollment looks like it will go way down. So they were going to offer out of state students discounted tuition to try to get them to come to Utah for school. Of couse, it looks like they will have the opposite problem in 2 or 3 years where they will have a much higher enrollment when missionaries come home at a faster rate. One of our sisters is from Sacramento, CA and the other is from Jacksonville, FL. They were both supprised to be called to Denver. Especially, the one from FL, she did not want to go anywhere cold. We told her where you were serving and she said she was envious of you because she wanted to go some place that was not cold. I didnt have the heart to tell her how cold Holland could be. Mom has been having a really hard time with administration about the China trip that it almost got cancelled last week. I was all for it, because it was causing so many problems for you mom. I was ready to cancell and take the money that we saved to go on our own vacation. But I guess that it was saved at the last moment and we are still going. I hope your mother is still sain when this is all done. I sure LOVE you and miss you. Do your best, I know we can count on you to be the best representative of Christ. I have always looked up to you as example of determination and high standards. Thank you for that example. Love you, Dad

Swimming Meets and Pops Concert and Singing in Sacrament Meeting

Friday night we went to the Pops Concert at Legacy High School. The seniors decided to dress in thrift store outfits and the sophomores dressed like spies. Rachel and Jake were very good! Check out the picture of Jake in his camo pants and velvet jacket. They finished the night off with a tribute to Queen with all of the kids standing around the auditorium stomping and clapping to we will we will stomp you and then into the rest of the Queen songs finially ending the the bohemian rhapsody! very good! Dad had screaming girls sitting next to him - he wasn't so thrilled.

Rachel had a swimming meet on Thursday and cut time off all of her events. She rocks at the backstroke! Yesterday, Jake had a swimming meet and broke his times - now the fastest time for a 200 free for Northglen! Beat his time in 100 breaststroke by 2 seconds, 3 seconds better in 200 free and a state time! And he swam his 100 fly at 59 seconds - 4 seconds faster than last time! I

took the afternoon off on Wednesday and Loralee and I went down to the Art Museum to the Van Gogh exhibit - wonderful and thought of Megan the whole time with all of his art and stories of his life living in the Netherlands and Holland. Jake and Rachel sang in church today. Rachel was supposed to sing with Rebekah but she got sick so she begged Jake and he stepped in at the last minute. They sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". They were wonderful!

Mustache Night and Swimming Meet for Elizabeth and Rachel

Elizabeth and her friends Haley and Nicole at Kids Night Out at the Westminster Rec Center. It was Mustache Night!

Rachel at a swimming meet at the VMAC! She got her best times in all three of her freestyle events. She cut time off of all of them!

Thanksgiving 2012

We got to go to Logan for Thanksgiving this year. Jake took the ACT on the day before Thanksgiving hoping to get one more point and then qualify for a full-ride scholarship. He did it!!! We stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Israelsen and then went down to the Beeleks for Thanksgiving - YUM! Sweet Potato Souffle was our new favorite recipe!

We got to go to Logan for Thanksgiving this year. Jake took the ACT on the day before Thanksgiving hoping to get one more point and then qualify for a full-ride scholarship. He did it!!! We stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Israelsen and then went down to the Beeleks for Thanksgiving - YUM! Sweet Potato Souffle was our new favorite recipe!