More Joanie...

Here is Joanie around the fourth or fifth grade. If she were that age now, an orthodontist would probably recommend a palate expander... Those upper teeth look very narrow in the picture... Oh, well, it all turned out pretty well since she never had any orthodontia treatment. Joanie liked the start of fourth grade because she was able to take free piano lessons in school. Unfortunately for Joanie, but better for her little brother, she and her family moved in the middle of the school year. Joanie wasn't able to continue with the piano lessons. Again, oh, well, it turned out for the best. She took viola lessons at her new school, but she didn't care for that too much. She and her sister were able to take Tae Kwon Do that year, and that was kind of fun for her. Her sister, Joy, LOVED it and she was very good at it. Joanie really liked it when she demonstrated to her older brother that she could flip him over her shoulder, though. :.D Joanie liked the house they lived in at that time. One of the accesses to the attic was through the closet in her bedroom, and she and her sister liked to go in there and play. She could, also, go out on the roof of the garage by climbing out her bedroom window. They lived there for a few years, and Joanie finished elementary school and started middle school while living there. She and her family moved again not long after she started sixth grade, and she found out that sixth grade in her new county was back in elementary school :( However, that was really all right because it was only a few months until the school year was over. Then, she got to start middle school again... and hormones started kicking in, and mood swings, and insecurities.... Being a teenager was rough. Joanie is very glad she won't have to go through that again :) Ok, next time we'll tell you about Joanie after high school. I know we didn't tell you anything about her while she was in high school, but she made it through and I think that is enough to tell...

A Little Bit About Joanie

Here is Joanie at about age 14 months. The lady behind her is her Granny (her dad's mom). Joanie was born with no hair, but once it started growing in it grew in red. She has had red hair ever since. Joanie was born in Norfolk, VA, and, except for a few months in other states, she has lived in Virginia all her life. Joanie LOVES living in Virginia. She likes visiting other places, but, to her, home will always be Virginia. Joanie didn't go to kindergarten like most kids do now. Her mom didn't think it was necessary for her to go. Joanie's older sister, Joy, had already started to teach Joanie how to read and write. (Made evident by the fact that Joanie started carving Joy's name into the furniture:) When Joanie started first grade, she found that she really liked school and her teacher, Mrs. Kindred. In second grade, she didn't care for her teacher, but she made it through the year just fine. She was excited in third grade because she got to have more than one teacher, and one of them was a guy teacher, Mr. MacDonald! She really liked Mr. MacDonald because he was a good teacher and he liked to be funny and he wore really cool braces on his legs as a result of having polio when he was little. Joanie can remember staring and staring at those braces and wondering what it felt like to wear them. At the end of third grade, Joanie and her family moved across town. So, in fourth grade, she started a new school. Stay tuned, if you're really interested, we'll tell you a little more about Joanie next time.

Whopper and I made it through class!

Actually, Whopper did very well. The class was a one-on-one with the trainer, and Whopper showed how well he can listen. So, I know now that he can listen! I just need to be consistent... and patient. I can do it! I can! I have to! Now I need to sign him up for some classes that involve other doggies and see how he does! He's a good boy, especially when treats are involved! :) This picture is of Whopper on one of his favorite perches - the back of the sofa. I think he's part cat.

Whopper goes to class tonight

This is Whopper. Doesn't he look so cute

and innocent? Don't be fooled! Yes, he is

cute, but he is very much a Brat right now. So, tonight, he gets to go to his first obedience class. Tonight will be a private session with the trainer to evaluate him (and me). I do love Whopper, but I need to learn how to teach him manners. I think he's smart, but I know that he's stubborn. He wants to be alpha dog, and I think that would be fine with the other dogs (except Duncan), but he has a tendency to be a tyrant about it. The trainer sounded very upbeat and personable on the phone. I'm looking forward to the session tonight! Look out, Whopper! You will learn manners whether you want to, or not! :D

My Mike

My Mike is a wonderful person. He is very intelligent, kind, intuitive, loving and funny! Mike has the best sense of humor! He can always get me to laugh. He is very laid-back, easy-going. It takes a lot to ruffle his feathers. He is an excellent person to have around in an emergency because he stays calm and collected and he's a great leader. Mike is a marvelous businessman, too. This picture of Mike was taken in April 2008 in Ireland. He and I were very fortunate to be able to go. Everything about the trip was terrific, except maybe the length of the flight there and back, but there's nothing you can do about that - right now. I love, love, love my Mike!!!!

Election Day!

I am so thankful to live in this country where I am able to cast my vote! Wow! This election has, unfortunately, brought out many people's ugly sides. That is so sad. I know it happens every time. I guess I'm just especially aware of it this time.

Anyway, I'm glad I got a chance to vote! I hope and pray that whoever is best for this country gets elected.

And now for something completely different... Why did Heavenly Father give dogs the desire to roll in smelly things? Why am I asking? Because Whopper rolled in horse poop again! Ugh!

I'm sorry. I'll stop whining now... but now I don't have anything to say! :D

So, I guess I'll go do some more Primary stuff...

First Monday of November

A month to remember to be thankful! How wonderful! I'm very glad that I can do Sharing Time in Primary this month. I really like doing Sharing Time. It's so fun being in Primary and working with and serving the children.
A few things that I'm thankful for... my Mike, my Becky, my Erika, my puppies! Also, I am thankful for my testimony of Jesus Christ! I know that He is my Savior and I know that He died and was resurrected for me and all mankind. I know that the Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ, and I know that all those who read it with a sincere desire to know if it is true will be given the confirmation of its truthfulness.
I am thankful to be able to enjoy the nature that is right outside my home. I love seeing the wildlife and plants each day when I look out the windows of my home. We have lots of birds around here... goldfinches, sparrows, barn swallows, kestrel hawks, vultures, eastern bluebirds, bluejays, mockingbirds, crows, meadowlarks, wild turkeys (occasionally), cardinals, robins, redwinged blackbirds and others that I'm trying to learn the names of. They are so fun to watch and to listen to.

Happy Halloween!

October 31st! Wow. The end of October. We're really getting into autumn now. It is such a beautiful day today. The sunshine is wonderful! The temperature is just about perfect. The dogs enjoyed barking at Ruth Ann when she came by today. She is one of my dear visiting teachers and, unfortunately, she's allergic to the pups, so they can't play with her.
We never get trick-or-treaters here at our house because it's too far in between each house out here. So, halloween is very quiet around here. Oh well, maybe someday soon we'll have our own little one again to take trick-or-treating!
I'm so excited about the possibility of adopting a child! I can't wait, but I'll have to wait. I must exercise patience... but it's so hard to wait!!