Cousin Deb's Mardi Gras memory

I just had to share part of this email I got. Its a story of one of those really silly memories you have as a child that you carry around with you even through adulthood! "Dear Lisa...I am so happy that your kids are experiencing Mardi Gras. We lived in New Orleans for a short time and I have extremely fond memories of Mardi Gras. Even after we left, we would go back and visit for the parades. Like ya'll we went to the "family routes" to view the parades. I was an adult before I saw women acting crazy for plastic trinkets. My parents favorite story of David and I (Nancy wasn't here yet) was our first Thanksgiving in Houston. They took us to the downtown Thanksgiving parade and David and I saw the floats and kept shouting "Throw me something mister" and were extremely upset when there were no beads, bears, cups or doubloons. My parents had to explain to crying children that only in Louisiana (and now I know Mobile) did the floats throw treats. I am glad to hear ya'll are settled in and through with Hurricane Season. The kids look amazing and thank you for the photos... Happy Mardi Gras. Love, cousin Deborah"

Does one person's voice really matter?

Last night I attended the hearing for the proposed boundary changes at our local elementary school. I was disappointed at the number of parents who were there (or not there) to speak, listen, and become informed on the matter. Many of those parents that I have heard over the last few days express dissatisfaction about the matter were non-existent at the hearing. Those that did come and had something to say asked questions which I thought were trivial compared to the real issues at hand. "What color uniforms does the new elementary school require?" "What kind of money has the PTA at the new school raised this year?" "Why does the new school start 40 minutes earlier than the current school?" Do they not realize what issues are at stake here? I was relieved when the current PTA President stood and offered a three phase plan to help alleviate the growth problems at our school but became quickly dismayed when her emotions took over and all I heard was more about "how much money we have spent as parents at this school" vs. "how much money the PTA has raised at the other school". How "we built our house in this area because we were promised that Hutchens is where our children would go to school" blah blah blah. It was midway through the meeting that I finally stood and offered the information I had prepared over the past few days. All it took was a couple of clicks on the computer. I spent time perusing Test scores, School websites, and phoning the people at the school board for fire codes, attendance requirements, growth projections, etc. All of which have everything to do with the facts on hand and the change to the boundaries for our school. I still don't understand why PTA money has anything to do with changing the board member's minds about the move. Can the parents really be upset over the money that went towards their school? What happened to doing something because of the impact it will have on not only your children, but the children of the future? So what if the new school's PTA isn't up to par? I say: Jump in, get involved, make it the PTA you would want it to be! Wouldn't that be the logical thing to do? Regardless of what went on around me last night, I was able to speak my peace, lay down the issues, propose some immediate solutions and managed to even get a quick spot on the 10:00 o'clock news. Does one person's voice really matter? I say YES. As long as that voice is informed, educated, and willing to accept the responsibilities that come with having a stance on something that may or may not be the popular choice at the time.

And yet another blow to my kids...

Today I received a note from our elementary school saying that the School Board will be holding a hearing tomorrow night on a possible re-districting of our school boundaries. This means that my two youngest children may possibly be asked to attend a different elementary school next year. Take it...the new school is actually newer. Built in 2003 it is newer than the one they attend now. The new school houses only 550 students while the current school they attend houses close to 850. Could my children benefit from being moved to a new school for the 2006-2007 school year? I'm sure there are things that they could stand to benefit from, but after such an eventful year are they resilient enough to stand yet another blow to what they have come to know as their 'comfort zone'? Timeline: Move from Woods Cross Utah in March 05. Start a new school in the middle of the school year in April 05. Out for the summer May 05. Hurricane Dennis July 05. Start new school year early August 05. Hurricane Katrina late August 05. Out of school for 2 1/2 weeks because of the storm September 05. Possibility of having to move to a new school February 05. New building, new teachers, new friends, new everything. We hope for the best for our children and we expect those that we elect to represent them on the school board to do what is best for them. But when does doing what's best for them actually hurt them? We have yet to understand how the school board knowing the enormous growth in this area could not forsee the need for more elementary schools in West Mobile. After this move from one elementary school to the next, will they then be asked to move Middle schools and High Schools as well? Will the School Board see fit to at least take a moment to think ahead a few years and not just put a bandaid on the initial problem of overcrowding at one school, but actually dig deeper and find a solution to the on-going problem of growth in our area? We have yet to see.

Pride and joy...

No one could be prouder of our kids than us!

Kenny's Pen Pal Adventure

Kenny spent the last several months writing back and forth to another 2nd grader at Robert E. Lee Elementary school in Saraland, Alabama through a PenPal Program his teacher, Ms. Meg Nikolakis started several years ago. On Friday we boarded a bus and drove the short trip north to meet the pen pals for the very first time! It was a bit awkward at first, but by the time we arrived at CiCi's pizza buffet for lunch it seemed like the two of them had been friends forever! We hope they keep in touch!

Lots of stash from Mardi Gras!

Mobile Mystics Mardi Gras Parade

Mardi Gras float from the Mobile Mystics parade on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006!

Mardi Gras Rocks...Beads anyone?!

Okay so I wasn't quite sure what we would think about Mardi Gras this very first year here in Mobile, but it turns out that there are some very"family friendly" parades to choose from and many are held during the early afternoons instead of late at night. We also found out that Mobile, Alabama is actually know as the birthplace of Mardi Gras and they have celebrated with parades and 'throws' for years!!!! Who would've known?

Most parades start the second week of February and run through Fat Tuesday which is Feb. 28th. We decided to take in a parade today. One that was carefully chosen for us by a close friend who has done the parades every year with her husband and knows exactly which ones to go to and which ones to stay away from.

It was rainy and wet and around 40 degrees. The kids were freezing and we were layered up like it was the middle of winter in Utah but as soon as we heard the creole music playing and saw the huge floats coming down the road the kids warmed right up. I'll have to say I got all caught up in the moment and danced right along side all the other revelers as we were being pelted with beads and other fun throws. Horses, drumlines, clowns, and> mystical beasts were a sight to see! I have never seen such beautiful floats and costumes! Again...who would've known?!

For our very first parade I think we did pretty good. Kenny insists that this is our new family tradition and that we will celebrate Mardi Grasevery year from now on. I still can't get over the stash of gifts the kidswalked away with! Stuffed animals, t-shirts, masks, footballs, and more. They were even throwing ice cream sandwiches! Kenny alone counted 162 strands of beads. Lisa caught one that was her favorite "BYU" blue color and was as long as Jessica was tall. Jessica seemed to be a favorite with the"Krewes" that were throwing and she walked away with a dozen or so stuffed animals ranging from bears, to tigers, to TY beanie babies! I guess it pays to be> cute!

I managed to click a couple of pictures while we were there and thought we would share some of them with you. Hope you are all well and enjoying the Mardi Gras season wherever you are!

It goes without saying...

Dear Doris,

I know that it has only been a day since Natalia was laid to rest, but I wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you and wondering if you are doing okay. It has been a rough week for you I am sure, and I am afraid that as with others that have suffered a loss such as yours, the worse may be yet to come. It goes without saying that you may call on me for whatever you may need any time day or night. It goes without saying that if there is anything I could do for you please do not hestiate to ask. And it goes without saying that I, like many others, are here for you for as long as you may possibly need us. And although it goes without saying that we obviously love and care for you.....I will say it once again....we love you Doris and are thinking of you today.

Lisa and family

PS I'm not sure if you are aware of what people thought of the services for Natalia, but I received a handful of phone calls yesterday and today from people who wanted me to know how the viewing and services went. I was told by each of them what a wonderful series of events it was. What an extremely powerful moment it was for them to see such strength and composure in your amazing family. Your courage and durability in such a tragic moment was humbling to those who spoke of it to me. For you and your family to open up to others at such a tender time and give them comfort when they should be the ones comforting you taught a valuable lesson to all those that witnessed it. From the viewing to the gravesite service, you showed amazing grace and courage that brought peace to those who sought for it at your side. Sometimes we never hear of the influence we are to other people. I just wanted you to know that even in your own time of great need, you and your very special family blessed the lives of others just like you have always done in the past and just like you will continue to do in the future. Natalia's memory will continue on through you and the dedicated service of your family. Your spirit of love and courage touched many people over the past few days and I know that's exactly the way Natalia would've wanted it to be. I hope you know my dear friend, Doris, that you are simply amazing.

A letter to Doris...

Dear Doris and family,

Today will be an especially hard day for you and although I am not there to comfort you I am here thinking about you and praying that all will go well. We don't always understand why Heavenly Father calls certain people home sooner than others, but I know that Natalia was a very choice spirit daughter of our Heavenly Father and I am certain that he is rejoicing at having her 'home' again. It will only be a brief moment in time that you are physically away from her. How blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives and know that our eternal families will be together again one day. We love you and everyone in your very special family, Doris. We mourn the loss of Natalia, but celebrate the life she lived and the example she was to all of us. Be strong and have peace in your heart.

With love,Lisa Schloemer and family

Remembering Natalia Ann Garner Christiansen

Natalia was one of the very first people we met when we moved to Woods Cross in 1997. She quickly became a very close friend and with all the time we spent together literally was a 'second' mom to our three children. I would tease her all the time about never having been able to raise my kids without her help, but I seriously believe that she influenced Lisa, Kenny and Jessica in a way that I never would've been able to myself. We have many fond memories of Natalia and cherish the times we spent with her, Matt, Mason, and Logan before we moved to Alabama last year. We are saddened that we cannot be there today as they celebrate her life and mourn the loss of a very special daughter of our Heavenly Father. We pray that you may be comforted at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with you as our hearts and minds remember Natalia this day. Love always...
Arnold, Lisa, Lil Lisa, Kenny and Jessica Schloemer
allkjs@msn.com
Feb 9, 2006
Mobile, AL

Welcome to my first ever bog!

Hello all! I read about this sight in LDS Living magazine and had to give it a try! I'm hoping to use it to keep in touch with family, submit my thoughts and ideas, and receive comments on the hot topics of the day such as recipes for dinner, how to make that pine wood derby car a winner, and does the school board really think they can redistrict the school boundaries without a fight? Hope you'll join in and let me know what it on your mind! What's the latest in your life and what are some of the things going on in your household! Thanks for stopping by! Hope to hear from you soon!