When you turn 8 in our family, you get to do some "grown-up" things. Such as learn how to light matches and use a sharp knife. You also get a big plate at the dinner table and a big fork and knife to eat with. When we were setting the table for the birthday dinner, Benj had a great idea: "Let's throw away all of the little [salad] forks! We don't need them any more." Silly Benj! 
Something funny happens between sisters when they know that there's a limited amount of time before, all of a sudden, they don't live in the same house any more. Origami, together, for hours. Producing fish, penguins, cats and paper airplanes out of tie-dyed paper. Making chocolate-covered bananas together. Nuts or sprinkles on this one? Sharing the same kitchen. Looking through family pictures together. I like how you did this scrapbook. Showing the other one how to get pictures on a disc for printing at CVS. I love observing this. My girls are growing up.
| I am the first to admit that I shorten names-- a lot. I've heard that it's a girl-thing. That's my reason and I'm sticking to it. I was given quite a long, old-fashioned name and always longed for something a little spiffier sounding. When I was about 6 my dad asked me what name I would like to go by. There was quite a list to choose from: Eliza, Liz, Lizzy, Betsy, Beth, the list seemed to go on. He listed all the aunt Liz's that I had and how Grandma goes by Beth. After I thought about it, for not very long, I decided on Lizzy because it had two z's and a y. Wouldn't that be great to write in cursive! That lasted maybe a week and then Liz stuck. My older brothers affectionately called me 'greenyhead' (not even gonna capitalize that one) and now call me "Isa"--short for "Isabeau." In college I tried to go back to Elizabeth, but soon noticed how I wasn't answering when people called me. Habits. When Erin was born, I thought in the back of my head that Erin was a short enough name that no one would ever shorten it. Of course you can shorten it! I call her "Er" on a regular basis. And that's not all --when she was a toddler, I called her "scuba" for quite a while. When I heard someone else call her that, I heard how ridiculous it sounded and soon went back to her real name. Caitlin was called "Punkin" for a long time before we settled on Cait. And sometimes still gets called Caiter. Stefanie has been Stef forever but she prefers Stefi--with a heart over the "i." Jace, the only one lucky enough to be given a one-syllable name was actually Jacie for a while and is still sometimes Jacer, J-man, and Buddy. And then there was Benjamin. To me he's not a Ben, but he's called that at school and at church. I don't know any way around it. I've asked people to please at least add the "j" and call him Benj. I've even written notes to teachers, but all to no avail. Last Sunday I was subbing in Primary and heard everyone around him calling him "Ben." I looked around, "Is that my son they're talking about? I have no idea who this Ben is." Maybe shortening/changing names is a family thing--like genetics. You get it from those around you. It's contagious. Does every family do this? You try out a name and keep it around for a while. See how it fits in the setting. See how other people like it --or not. Dust it off occasionally and when it's out-of-date, chuck it. |
| I have been asked to teach a 20-minute Enrichment Night workshop on blogging. I am certainly no expert so I would like to ask for all of your help! Please take a minute and answer these questions for me-- Why do you blog? What got you started blogging? What sites help you be creative (name specific sites that help you do slide shows, templates, movies, music background, etc.)? How did you come up with your blogging name? Do you find it easy to manage or is it sometimes a headache? Is it worth your time? Any tips on security issues? What's the main thing you like/dislike about the blogging world? Have you ever surfed blogs of people you don't know? Anything else? Please answer as many questions as you can in the comment section of this post. If you have lots of info (which I welcome) email me at calm57@gmail.com . The meeting isn't until mid-August, so feel free to think on it or if you find new ideas or sites next month, come back and add to your comments. Thanks for your input! Liz |
| There is a family in our ward whose daddy just came home from Iraq. He served two consecutive terms. He had been gone for two years with only a short break after the first year. When the family walked into church yesterday, the smiles were incredible. His kids hung on his arms and sat on his lap throughout the service. He was asked to give the benediction in sacrament meeting. I have never heard such a personal and sincere prayer before. There is one phrase that he said that I can't get out of my head. He prayed, "We are grateful that we have one more day to prepare to be with Thee." I keep thinking--What am I doing with my day today to help me prepare to be with God again? Our soldier was looking death in the face every day. He was a very good soldier in an elite group and was fighting in the most dangerous areas of Iraq. But, we also face death every day. We never know when we will be called home. Are we ready? What are we doing to be ready? Isn't that the purpose of our life here-- To be ready to go back? |
