Star Trek Security

Getting to know Jill

For the first 15 years of motherhood, I only knew what it was like to have boys, and then we were graced by the arrival of Jill. She is all girl – a veritable whirlwind of pink and perfume. She has been exploring the world around her and taken to trying out future professions. Lately they have gotten more and more elaborate. There was interior decorator. She re-did my bedroom with all of Jeff’s Spiderman memorabilia. She carefully draped coordinating red and blue fabrics to balance the bed-side of the room which was redone with a Spiderman throw and plush toys. Then there was the restaurant. She made it clear it was a fancy restaurant, the kind you had to be quiet in. She had menus that were hand colored, matching cloth napkins and flower arrangements. She was the chef and the maître di, and owner. They only had special pancakes that day. With two kinds of syrup. Lately, however, she has become a newspaper magnate. She actually takes the photos, does the layout and prints the papers. She has been taping typing papers together to make a full page lay and she has been reporting the news around the house. Most current events revolve around family dinners and chores. She has a photo (hand drawn) to highlight our recent visit to Woodruff and prominently features Granny, for the front page of today’s paper. Other careers she has recently tried out are: Singer, bus driver, teacher, portrait artist, Star Trek Science officer, princess, cosmetic Chemist, and of course, baker/ pastry chef. When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she said, “Fireman.” Really? I talked to her all day about the risks and what firemen do, saying that they get really dirty, the heat at times is unbearable and they risk their lives. After all day she said, “I really wish I could be a fireman NOW, even as a little girl.” “Do they let little girls be firemen?” She had her hopes up, and said “Because I can’t wait to fly and say – FLAME ON!!!” I finally figured out that she was talking about being Johnny Storm, the Human Torch from Marvel Comics.

Prize Mother

Last Saturday there was a rodeo and a chili cook-off. I entered the chili cook off, not because I make the best chili in the world, but because I felt that was one way I could contribute to the family-oriented activity and ensure that such fun activities would be successful. I did however get competitive about it. I carefully diced up an entire 7lb. chuck roast and simmer it with home roasted chili peppers and just picked from the garden onions. I secretly hoped that it would be the best chili there. I soaked beans from my food storage, and simmered them for 4 hours, only to find that they were still hard and dark. I threw them out and added the un-mentionable to the large pot of perfect chili ingredients - CANNED beans. It was just a few hours to the cook off, and I needed to get it there in time to feed the crowds. I was sad that it would not be the best chili there and the most discerning of palets would know that my chili was fake. I sent it and didn't worry about it further. But it was wonderful to know that my boys and Jeff, carefully guarded the leftovers, bringing them home and begging to have chili again that night. They went on and on how it was the best chili there and that they didn't even have a second taste of any other chili, so they would have room for more of the best chili in the world. I hope they know how great that makes me feel. After all, their's is the only opinion that counts in my book. By Sunday night, they had eaten every bite.

I'm not sure I'm a blogger

I have a hard time sitting down and putting my feelings into words, then so much time goes by and I would have to write a novel to update things, and I just give up and read Steven's and Alicia's blogs. I guess I am better off just jotting down a few observations. Jeff just got through writing his life story to be included in a book that his sister is publishing. We had to look up old photographs and I am so in love with Jeff. It was amazing to see how the boys and Jill have grown, how life has turned out for the Strong family. I never thought of myself ( closing in on 6 feet tall) as little or petite, but next to my teenage boys- I am tiny.

Jon's Day

Yesterday was a big day for Jonathan. He was ordained to the office of an Elder and given the Melchizedek priesthood. He also graduated from 4 years of Seminary. He may be the only 17 year old highschool student I know that is an Elder. We are so proud of him.

A Strong Family

As a child I imagined what my life would be like as a mother, I had hopes and dreams for my future home and family. While it has admittedly been harder than I thought it would be, I am glad to say I have a Strong family. It helps that I married into the Strong family and that is our surname. It makes me wonder about the power of suggestion.