#1's Weekly Email: Week #5

It's so funny to see #1 in jeans, as you'll see in her first picture. It is only on their Preparation Day (P-day) that they can move away from the usual dresses and skirts and Elders from suits.

Needless to say, these girls are EXCITED. They are now the oldest missionaries heading to their mission in the MTC. It's funny to think that somewhere in the Olongapo Mission some sister will be called to be #1's first companion. I really wonder what she'll be like. It used to be, from what I understand, that the North American missionaries had to have native companions. I'm curious to see if that's still the case.

I now get photos from Sister T. and Sister P., so that's super great! I love that they so willingly share. #1 did, however, take her own photos this week. She was lacking a card reader. There you go, parents who are preparing to send missionaries off in the future, don't forget a card reader that they can hook into the computers there at the MTC and upload their photos. I ordered her one and had it shipped to her, and now life is hunky dory.

Okay, so I put the most important things in bold lettering so you can cruise through this email if you don't have time to peruse its intricacies. The foreign words are in italics and are translated at the very bottom of the post.

 Here you go....

Enjoy!

Kumusta mga Pamilya ko!

How are you guys? Life here is just plain awesome. Wanna know why?! I got my travel plans!

We're flying from Salt Lake to San Fran to TOKYO! :D We get to spend TWO hours in TOKYO! I'M SO EXCITED! I'm going back to Japan :) Seriously I'm overjoyed. I'm gonna go eat a bunch of jumbos and a bunch of their chocolate bars and yup. That's how it's gonna be.

So on Tuesday, all the girls in my district played the funniest prank on my kasama. It was PERPEKTO. Sister W. pulled her shirt halfway over her own head and had her super long hair hanging out of the bottom and it looked like she had a beard. She makes the funniest faces ever. So while my kasama was in the shower, she went and sat on her bed and got under the covers. She was sitting on Sister T's pillow and was hiding behind the closet door. We turned off all the lights and sat by the door at the desk with the desk light on. Sister T finally showed up and put her clothes away and then turned to her bed. She kind of looked at the head of her bed for a second and then Sister W. chuckled and Sister T. jumped back a foot and then screamed. It was the Funniest Thing I have seen in such a long time.  Oh man I'm still laughing about it and it was days ago.

The other night we wanted to talk so Sister P., Sister S., Sister T., and I went out behind the MTC and talked and stargazed. It was awesome. We almost felt normal again for a second.

We're learning so much. We've kind of started reviewing things since we only have 9 days left here. It's crazy to think that we've already been here for a month. It totally flew by.

Every day we either have gym time where we go work our butt off or we go play piano.

Oh, I'll be buying a calling card and I'm gonna call you guys in when we're at the Salt Lake airport so be sure to be home on the 29th in the morning. At like 9-ish. Our flight leaves around 11:15.

I'll be sending home stuff I don't want to take to the Philippines with me this next week, ok? So if you get a package from me, that's what it is.

Our whole district gets to host the newbies this next Wednesday and Sister P. and Sister S. and Sister T. and I were chosen to be part of this teaching experience that they do ever Wednesday night for the newbies. They put all the newbies in different rooms but in huge groups and they have an "investigator" in there (they're really just converts that have interesting stories) and then a companionship comes in and starts the discussion with the "investigators" and then the newbies take over. It's gonna be awesome. And all the companionships that are chosen are recommended by their teachers. So that means that our teachers like us a lot and think that we'd be good examples for the new missionaries. No pressure or anything. Oh and another thing. We get to do it in English... pero we've only ever taught in Tagalog so we don't know how to do it in English! hahaha we'll see what happens. It's gonna be so fun.

Earlier this week some of the sisters and I got priesthood blessings from our elders. i'm so grateful that we're surrounded by the priesthood here. it's awesome. And that all these elders are worthy to hold it is pretty incredible too.

Ummm I think that's it. I'm definitely gonna write #5 this week and I might send him a t-shirt too (don't tell him that). When the email home to you said that "[T.] pointed [#4] out" or whatever it said, I was about to go all crazy white girl on T. hahaha good thing I didn't. Um you don't need to send cookies. I've got enough food over here... But if you could send me a jar of nutella and a box of cheezits I would love that. I think that's everything.

I love you guys and I miss you and I hope everything's going good at home.

Mahal kita!

-Sister Hess

p.s. I'll send you pictures of everything. Including our classroom, the drinking fountain in our building, and the bathroom.

Top left to bottom right (in #1's own words):

TOP ROW:

• Classroom: This is the room that I've been stuck in everyday for the last MONTH.
• Mga dink: One of our zone leaders favorite words is Dink. he calls us dinks all the time...
• Desks: These are mine and Sister T.'s desks.
• Birthday!: It was Sister P.'s birthday this last week. and behind the banner is the first vision and our purpose in Tagalog.

MIDDLE ROW:

• Air con: This is the air conditioning unit in our classroom. Every single day, I stand on my chair and close the vent cuz it's so freaking cold and my chair's right next to it....
• View: This is the view from our window. the sunsets are absolutely amazing here every single night.
• Hallway: This is the hallway right outside of our bathroom.
• Stairwell: This is the stairwell right outside of our hallway. We study here all the time, and it was out this window that Sister P and I saw President Monson :)

BOTTOM ROW:

• Drinking fountain!: This is our drinking fountain :)
• Bathroom: This is the bathroom in our building :) You said you wanted pictures of everything...
• Computer: This is the computer and tv that we use everyday in class.
• Computer lab: This is the computer lab where we do TALL (our language computer program. I absolutely hate it)

Tagalog-English Translation

Kumusta mga Pamilya ko: Hello, my family

Kasama: companion

Perpekto: perfect (probably didn't need to translate this one, huh?)

Mahal kita: I love you

Okay, I HAVE to share one more thing with you.....Today, among the photos #1 sent was this:

The caption read something like this:

"Our building is named after this cutie. His name is Heber C. Kimball, and this is his picture. Hehe"

Oh, my dear girl! This is the one leader of the early Church that you are, from what I understand, related to. "Hehe" is right.

Creating Our Own MTC

We had stake conference over this past weekend, as I mentioned in the previous post. One of the things that stuck with me from what was said was the fact that now that the mission age is younger, we have more need to better and earlier prepare our kids for missions and for life. In other words, we need to make our homes into missionary training centers.

Monday night, at Family Home Evening, we discussed this idea and worked on formulating a plan for our home. We went around the circle and each person gave one idea of what needs to exist here in order for each of them to be a bit better prepared for someday when they each become missionaries.


Here's what we came up with (I wonder if you can tell whose idea each was):

image: lifethroughthelensblog

•  Be nice to each other.
  If people aren't nice, they have to sit together until they can come up with ten nice things they can say about each other.

•  Read the scriptures.
  Read daily individually and as a family.
  Have a chart.
  Read the entire Book of Mormon this summer. Those who do will get to go to dinner together.

•  No contention.
  Share freely.
  Serve others.

**As a side note: Lately, I've been very verbal as I've shared things with my kids. I've given them the best part of whatever it was and then said, "I'm giving you the best trusting the Heavenly Father will give me His best." I truly believe this. I think many people call this "karma."

At the Children's Museum in Portland

•  Have fun.
  We agreed that being a missionary needed to be fun at times. There needs to be balance in life.
  Have a weekly family activity.
  I need to buy a new container to hold our activity ideas.
  I need to update the activity ideas for the container.

•  Personal prayer.
  Morning and evening.
  #1 has been given the assignment to talk to a friend who makes words with vinyl. We'll put these right above every bedroom light switch in the house.

•  Obey.
  Do things the first time you're asked.
  Strive to be 100% obedient.

•  Education.
  Everyone will graduate from high school (Umm...yah, that's kind of a given), but it is a mission requirement, so we thought we'd include it.
  Learn a language. We decided on Spanish even though I spent some time with the Rosetta Stone Tagalog version. On Sunday, I heard a woman behind us at church say "lalaki," and I knew she was speaking Tagalog. That was pretty cool. We figure Spanish is very usable and close enough to English that none of us will be blown out of the water by it, and it's extremely useable. Bummer for the Warden who already knows Spanish, but I guess he can tutor us, right?

•  Skills.
  Okay, this one was mine. I challenged the kids to take on new skills with the thought of the impact it could have as they serve as missionaries.
  Each took the challenge to learn at least three hymns on the piano. I'm a lousy piano player, but I was called upon over and over again to play at various meetings.

•  Service.
  Do more as a family and as individuals.
  Jump at every chance that comes your way whether planned or spontaneous.
  Have service activities in the family activity jar.


This seems like as good a place as any to start. We're already doing some of these things, but it will be good to put forth more effort because we're not perfect at any of this yet.

#1 has 49 days left in our home. It's strange to think that it won't be long until #2 leaves and then #3 and so on and so on and so on. So grateful for this experience for our kids. It will definitely be life changing. What an opportunity to step beyond yourself and care for others' needs.

Have You Seen This?!

This makes my heart happy!....

Looking Forward

2012!  For twelve years, I've been dreading 2012, and here it is staring me in the face just a few days away--the year our oldest child will leave the roost.  In many ways, though, I'm excited.  She's a good kid.  She'll do good things for this world.

As I'm looking ahead at 2012, here are the other things that lie ahead for the Madhouse:

Tomorrow, #4 will turn 12, so in January, he will become an Aaronic Priesthood holder and pass the sacrament at church on Sundays.
In February, there will be the American Mothers Gala and the Mother of the Year will be named.
In March, the Warden and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Also in March, I'm hoping for a trip to Disneyland--think I'll be able to talk the Warden into that one?
In April, I will graduate from college and #3 will receive her Young Womanhood Recognition Award.
In August (I think), as already mentioned, #1 will head to college.
#3 will go to high school in September and will shortly thereafter probably get her drivers permit.
Also in September, #6 will go to Kindergarten and #7 will go to preschool.

Mixed in amongst these major things will be a bunch of more minor occurrences....
Potty training, driver's licenses and lessons, an Eagle project, other scout activities, soccer, basketball, track, cross country, music lessons, church activities and responsibilities, goals to set and meet, and blog posts....lots and lots of blog posts--just to get me through it all sanely.

What lies ahead for you in 2012?

Merry Christmas!

At about 7:30 this morning our doorbell rang.  The Warden and I looked at each other trying to figure out who could be ringing the bell at that hour.  #6 ran to the door and answered it.  I could hear a woman's voice say, "Is your mom Julie?"  I was a bit baffled.  "Will you give these to her?"  At that point, I started scrambling for something to wear, but by the time I ran to the door with the tray #6 had run up to me, I had missed her.  It was Morgan's grandmother with an entire tray full of the most amazing warm cinnamon rolls with the words "Merry Christmas" written in red and green in the most beautiful handwriting on the foil.  
I sat and cried.  What time must she have been up to make such wonderful rolls?!  They were still WARM!  She hadn't been to my house before.  She must have had to give herself a bit of extra time for that too.  So touched by her thoughtfulness!  They were FANTASTIC!  Thank you Vic!

I woke all the kids threatening that if they wanted one they'd "better come now, or they might all be gone."  Such an amazing way to start the day!



Every year in the past, we've spent Christmas Eve at the Warden's parents house.  Last year that ended, and we had a party at our house with a number of other families.  As we faced the reality of it just being us this Christmas Eve, and I have to admit, we felt just a touch of sadness.

My family, growing up didn't do much for Christmas Eve.  I remember we all got a new pair of pajamas, and I remember my mom, many years, working hard to get them all made by that night.  That was about the extent of Christmas Eve for us, but for the Warden's family, it was HUGE.  His mom made wonderful food and hosted parties of anyone and everyone.  We were all encouraged to bring friends along.  There were always carols sung around the piano and the reading of the nativity out of Luke.  In more recent years, that reading included costumes and acting the story out.

As dinner was just about on the table, the doorbell rang.  It was some dear friends that we don't see very often any more.  They had joined us in years past up at the Warden's house.  We were so glad to see them.  They had come by to drop of a card and some treats.  We asked them if they'd eaten.  He mentioned that they'd "just been snacking," so we invited them to join us.  They had a number of deliveries still to make, so we told them to come back after.  It worked out perfectly.  We were able to throw together a bit more food while they were gone.

It was wonderful to spend the evening according to Hess tradition!  What a wonderful little tender mercy!  #1 played the piano, we read about the birth of Christ and enjoyed some time together.

Now, I'm off to bed, and everything's set for the morning.  Can't wait to see the kids faces.  Breakfast is waiting in the fridge.  I'm doing this this year.  We'll have ham and funeral potatoes (see cookbook p. 18--tomorrow evening).  Tonight, we had the traditional Hess dinner (last recipe on p. 21, Caesar salad, corn, rolls, and for dessert, the bottom recipe on p. 52, which #6 referred to as "Mex in Japan" tonight.  Hmm.  That might just stick around here.)

I hope whatever you're doing that you have a very merry Christmas!  What a wonderful time to spend with family and remember the real gift that God gave to us--his Son.  Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Favorite Things of 2011

I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting room early the other morning.  I found "O" magazine on the table next to me.  I didn't even get the chance to open it because the cover gave me a post idea.  Oprah had favorite things, so I thought I must too.  I got busy jotting down my faves.

Like my "People of the Year," I came up with twelve.  Here they are (minus the cleavage):

Kitchen Aid mixer - LOVE it!  Got it in April.  Now can't figure out how I ever baked without it.

Pink Old Navy overcoat/trench-type thingy (I just found out it's called a "car coat") - My favorite thing in my wardrobe.  Can't tell you why.  I just like how it looks.  During the Spokane trip, this bright pink color was kind of a theme.  I bought Gerber daisies for the graves I went and visited.

Ikea pillow - I bought one for the Warden originally, and he LOVES it, so I went back and bought me one.  I can't even tell you what I love about it.  I just do.  Super pliable and comfy.

Oregon water (I'm a water snob) - LOVE Oregon's water.  Maybe not all of Oregon, but the water that comes into my house is delish.

Bruttles soft peanut brittle - the shop was next to our hotel in Spokane.  Everyday, the maid would leave some on the pillow on the bed.  The thing I don't like about hard peanut brittle is that it's hard and well, brittle.  This stuff practically melts in your mouth.

Our old piano - I love it for what #1 can do with it.  It was my great-grandparents piano that came west with them.  Built in 1879.  The Warden offered to refinish it for me way back, but I just can't do it.  Maybe after I'm dead and gone someone'll get their hands on it, but for now, I'm happy with it just the way it is.

Squeaky shoes - LOVE these.  Some people don't want their kids to make any more noise than is absolutely necessary.  Yes, if my 12-year-old was wearing these, then I'd feel the same, but I love knowing where my 2-year-old is when she's not in my sight.

Sprinter van - What can I say?  My home away from home.  It's a great ride, and my friends all know when I'm around.  I have to be a really careful driver because I'm so darned conspicuous.

Zaycon Foods (not so much a thing, but where I get things) - I am so stocked up on chicken and beef right now because of Zaycon.  Wonderful!

Dry pack cannery (again...not necessarily a thing) - I now go once a month and spend about $100 on food that will last us for 30 years if needed.  Actually, that's kind of a joke.  With teenagers in the house, 30 days'd be a feat.

Envelope system (can this one be a thing?) - This is working miracles on our finances.  I can't recommend this one enough.  Absolutely love it!  I'll give you another update here in a few days.

Ikea Swedish meatballs with lingon berries - Ikea is #6's favorite place in the world.  When asked if he'd rather go to Disneyland or Ikea, he chooses Ikea (mind you, he's never been to Disneyland, but for now, he's saving me oodles of money).  The reasons he loves Ikea--the playland and the meatballs.  What more could a 5-year-old boy want from life?

Day 10- Songs I Listen to When I'm Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

I still LOVE my playlist.  The other day I added on a bunch of random songs from my childhood.  When I found that I had used up my song allowance, I took some of them back off--sad day.

I listen to my playlist frequently.  It goes on after the kids have left for school, and I'm working on cleaning the kitchen and plays intermittently throughout the day.  It cracks me up when the kids go over and turn it on.  A lot of it is just music I've loved over the years.  They complain about a few songs, but for the most part, they enjoy it.  YAY for fun, peppy '80s tunes.

So, I have to add that the songs they complain about are "too repetitive."  HaHaHa!!!  Does this crack anybody up but me?

The other place I turn for music is Pandora.  Right now I'm trying out the David Archuleta station, but my most listened to station is Josh Groban.  Man, I love that guy's voice.  I'm finding that they play a lot of Sarah McLachlan's music, and although she has a very cool last name, I find that I'm not all that fond of her music.  Every so often I'll listen to the Taylor Swift station.  When I study, I listen to the George Frideric Handel station.  On Sundays, I listen to the Mormon Tabernacle choir or Hilary Weeks station.  When I'm hanging out with my little ones and when we're making cookies with Kaffrin, we listen to the Sesame Street station.


Sounds pretty eclectic, doesn't it?

I don't change my listening style much with my moods.  I keep things fairly happy all the time.  When I'm sad, I play the piano--particularly "On Golden Pond," "Princess Leia's Theme," "Jessica's Theme."  After my mom passed away, I spent A LOT of time at the piano--"On Golden Pond" was a staple during those days; you can make it sound as sad as you are.  Very therapeutic.

I have found that music can change my mood pretty quickly, though.  "Into the Ocean" makes me sad.  There's a Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer" is another one.  I always have to sing with that one.  "When I'm 64" by the Beatles just plain makes me happy.  This morning when the playlist went on, Anna Nalick's "Breathe" came on and I sang it at the top of my lungs--just a lot of truth to that song.

So, there you go.  All that didn't really want to know about my music listening habits.  Hah!