The Proposal March 6th 2009

March 6, 2009...
It was Sarah's 21st birthday (Good ol' Allan proposed on Colleens 21st birthday! Like father like son...). Sarah was planning on spending a nice morning to herself while Jory was at school working- but that's not what Jory had planned...
10:15 a.m.- Sarah got her first clue -- a Scavenger hunt! What a creative hunk-a-love, that Jory is.
That cutie pie, Jory, was up until two a.m. writing special poems and creative clues to guide Sarah on her journey through their memoirs of love. Just a few hours later- 5 a.m. rolled around, but it wasn't hard for Jory to wake up, he was as giddy as a little school girl and couldn't wait to be on his way to Aspen Elementary to get everything in order for the hunt. Sarah had no idea what was in store on this beautiful, snowy day. Burning that midnight oil was worth it- Sarah was sent all through Orem and Provo.. from Jory's best friend Brandon's house, to Fatcats, to movie theaters and restaurants. Even a touching stop at Aspen Elementary where these two love birds first laid eyes on each other... (Mrs. and Mr. Schmidt forever... Mr. Schmidt's students knew more that these two did at the time...) Jory, with the help of Brad and Brian were tracking Sarah's every move... (Yes, creepily filming Sarah at every stop and reporting back to the big guy where she was and where she was headed..) Last stop-- Color me mine a cute little pottery place of fond memories, that Sarah and Jory spent hours sharing their creativity. Sarah was having the time of her life running all around town, still thinking that Jory was at work, and just thinking that all of this was just a fun little birthday surprise. There was a clue on that last poster that made her heart almost skip a beat when it said, "HURRY AND COME PICK ME UP, I'M WAITING FOR YOU UP AT A SPECIAL PARK IN THE CANYON."! He wasn't working!! She drove as fast, and safe as possible- thinking that he was sitting, freezing in the snow waiting for her. Little did she know, she kept these boys on the their toes and they were right in front of her. Sarah got up to this beautiful park, pulled into the parking lot and there stood Jory, The handsome prince, wearing a full suit and tie- looking fabulous, with snow in the air and trees surrounding them, only the faint sound of the river rushing, love was in the air. Sarah, being the oblivious person she is, still didn't know what Jory had planned. He suggested a walk up this pretty little trail which he previously lined with roses... (Such a romantic...)

The roses led us to THE SPOT. (If you look close, the ring is in a orange box to the left... and a bouquet of roses to the right..) Jory asked the big question and Sarah responded with a parade of "Yessses". They were lucky enough to get it all on film. Jory's blessed and dedicated friend Brad, knelt in the snow with out moving for the whole proposal.... It was gorgeous and perfect and they both can't be happier! They're thinking August 7th so mark your calenders!! Yahooo!

A dream come true

Since the age of thirteen I have wanted to hunt a cougar with my bow. After many years of applying for a draw tag I got the news I would be one of three hunters that drew a tag for the area near Price Utah. I was excited but also bummed because this year work has been slow and I could not afford to pay a guide with dogs to take me. I was going to turn my tag back in and get my money back but Mauri said to hang on to it because maybe something would work out. Boy did it work out. One day we were elk hunting and we came across a cougar track. I started looking on the cliffs and ledges when a guy drove up the road and said he had a uncle that had hound dogs. A phone call later and i had a guy that would guide me free of charge. He just did it for fun and wanted the training for his dogs. A few weeks later I was on my first cougar hunt. We found a track and let the dogs loose. A hour later the dogs had the cat up a tree. I was really excited but we still had to snow shoe up the canyon to the tree. After a few hours of walking and tripping on the snow shoes we got close enough that I could see the cats tail hanging out of the tree. My blood really started to pump. When we got to the tree I seen one of the most beautiful animals on earth. We stood at the tree for two hours taking pictures and video. After two hours I had to make a hard decision. The cat we had was a female. I chose to not shoot her and try for another one. Right after I said I would pass on this one Matt Said on the radio he has another on up a tree so we gathered our gear and headed for the other cat. When we got to the tree this cat was a small male so I passed on him also. I was exhausted and sweaty so we headed for the trucks. I had to return for work for the week but I was going to return the following weekend. Saturday morning came and we was off looking for more tracks. We found one and it was a really large one so we let the dogs go and they took off barking. When you hear the dogs barking as they smell and chase the sent your hair stands up on the back of your neck. It sounds really cool. As we sat there with the radio tracker Troy said they have the cat up a tree. I dont know how they know that but after many years of doing this they know what to listen for. So we got on the snow shoes and headed in the direction of the dogs. After a three and a half hour hike we walked up to the tree to see one of the largest cats these guys have seen. We took many pictures and video of the cat before it was time to for me to complete a dream of mine. As I got ready to take the shot I got really nervous and started to shake. I kept telling myself to calm down and concentrate. I drew my bow and took careful aim and released the arrow. I dont know what really happened next other than all hell broke loose. The cat jumped out of the tree and the dogs went crazy. After about ten seconds I could see my dream about thirty yards down the hill. It was all over in seconds. While walking down to my cat I had to fight back emotions. Emotions of not only of fulfilling a dream but I did have some emotions because I killed one of the most beautiful animals I have ever had the chance to see. After lots of handshakes and pictures we started back for the trucks. Not only did I get my cat but I met a family that is one of the nicest familys I have ever met. My cat is the biggest cat killed in Carbon County in ten years. We had record book score it and it will rank as the 22nd largest cat killed in the united states. So now I know dreams do come true. I want to thank Mauri for letting me do this. She did not complain on bit about me being gone chasing one of my dreams.

Black Goblet Special

The fancy schmancy black goblet dinner in the family room.
Jory on cloud nine with Sarah wondering if she made a BIG mistake.
Hunter with his green napkin that was fan folded in the black glass.
Aaron trying to look smug & Mauri trying not to notice what he just said.

We broke out the black glasses on Sunday to impress Sarah for the dinner Jory invited her to. Hoping she would think we are totally refined, respected and retroactive. Hunter has never consumed so much water in his life as he did using the black (never let anyone under twelve use) irreplaceable mugs. I even let him take them to the counter as he helped clear off the table.

Both Brayle & Hunter helped serve the meal. Brayle filled the glasses with ice & water. Hunter placed the bowls of food on the serving table in a 12,3,6 & 9 position around the table. It was fun for all, even Aaron lost control as he willingly revealed most of our deepest, darkest secrets.

Jory was not to be discouraged as he purchased birthday gifts for Sarah's birthday on Friday, March 6th. We actually discussed both Sarah's birthdays which are only days apart confusing who's was when. All in all, she was still speaking to us when they left (Jory's Sarah that is). Little Sarah will probably not be after her birthday, if we don't get something mailed soon.

Please just give me Five Minutes Peace!

Another issue of Another Gray Hair.

Moms never have any privacy or a quiet moment to themselves. This is manifest in a few different ways: phone calls, bathroom breaks, baths, and a few others. A Mom can never have a phone conversation without lots of little voices interrupting. It is as if children have phone radar, a sixth sense, when mom is on the phone.

This doesn’t happen with dad, just mom.

I can ensure that everyone is occupied with a task, project, or game - but never fail - three little faces asking for, needing, wanting something the moment I begin talking to someone. It doesn’t happen when I lift the receiver, or even while dialing, they are creatures of the night lying wait for the person on the other end to answer the phone before they pounce on me.

I have talked to friends by phone while running, not brisk walking, but full on running away from my boys throughout my house. Sometimes a mom just needs to talk to another adult once in awhile.

“Just go into the bathroom,” my husband has suggested.

“They just follow me then pound on the door . It echoes in there,” I explained.

He obviously has never tried to escape to the bathroom before.

A friend and I were lamenting about this the other day and she confided in me a trick that she once used for this very problem. She sold scrapbooking supplies from home, a consultant for a national company. There were many phone calls in a week that she would need to make: customer’s orders, other consultants, hostess follow-up, etc. She would buy a bag of M&Ms, the really big one, in preparation for her calls. After making sure she had her list of whom to call, the necessary papers, forms, phone, and the like, she would sit at one end of her hallway. She would dial a phone number, grab a handful of M&Ms, throw them down the hallway as hard and fast as she could, then as calmly as possible talk on the phone while her children were madly scrambling for the M&Ms at the other end of the hallway. She could see when they were nearly all picked up and quickly end the call, hoping that all business was complete.

We laughed and laughed until our sides hurt, then laughed some more.

“Genius!” I told her once I was able to come up for air. I made a mental note to try it.

A mom can never use the bathroom by herself. I can do all kinds of things in the bathroom before or after needing to use the commode, but the second I use it at least one cherubic face needs me.

At our house we have the bad habit of not closing the door while using the toilet. It may have come from potty-training and wanting all toddlers to see mom and dad using the toilet, or from having all males in the house except me, maybe just laziness but we are all in the habit. It is bad when friends & neighbors come over.

I have three little boys and often receive the question of why I have to sit for all lavatory use. We use anatomically correct names for body parts in our home and am often asked where mine is. I often wonder if my boys will ever fully understand what a girl is. I am the only example in their lives of the opposite gender - will that effect their romantic lives?

Another bathroom activity that brings all my boys to the door, this time closed, is when I take a bath. Everyone wants to join me.

There is a great book that my mom gave me called Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy. It is a delightful book about a mother elephant that has a typical morning but needs a break from her children so tries to take a bubble bath. The oldest interrupts to play his recorder, the middle child has to practice reading, and the youngest shares his toy into the bath. Soon all three children are in the tub with mama elephant. She gets out, goes to the kitchen, and I am sure you can guess what happens next.

I often have days like this and sometimes I yell and scream. All I have to do is to look into those big brown eyes, chubby faces and tousled hair of any one of my boys and my heart melts and I want to spend all day reading to, snuggling, and playing with each of them.

Noah is in the newspaper!

Noah's picture is in the newspaper! Check out www.othelloindependent.com and look at the flipping paper. In last weeks issue, 2-18-2009, check out page A6 in the top right corner. He is in the red shirt next to Captain Zero. He & his class were so thrilled. Mrs, Whitney, his teacher is standing in the background.

Spring is right around the corner

Another column of: Another Gray Hair.

A few days ago I bundled up my boys in their coats, hats and gloves and sent them into the backyard to play. They needed to run & I needed a break from them.


It has been getting nicer ever so slowly. I am too impatient for the spring to come - when will it be here? What did the groundhog & his shadow say about the spring - why do I even listen to or think that he can really calculate the actual coming of spring?


On one of my many trips outside to check on my boys, stop them from fighting, rescuing one or two from climbing to high or kissing an “owie” - I discovered something! Or one of my boys discovered it and pointed it out to me - my bulbs were beginning to grow.


There they were, little growths beginning to peek through the earth. I immediately began lecturing and questioning my boys.


“These are Mama’s flowers,” I said. “Do we step on Mama’s flowers?”
“No,” came the reply from Noah with his head shaking back and forth. His brothers watched him and began to do the same.
“Do we touch Mama’s flowers?” I asked.
“No,” they all chimed in this time with the head movements again - all looking at each other and back at me.
“Do we pick Mama’s flowers?”
“No.”
“Good boys!” I said with glee.

While examining them and the ground all around I saw many breaking through and other places that looked like many are still to come. This spot is protected on three sides and is always the first to bloom of my garden. They have often bloomed and gone before my front yard even begins the same process.

“What kinds are they Mom?” Noah asks.
“Daffodils and tulips,” I explain.
“Which ones are your favorite?” Kade asks.
“Daffodils are Mama’s favorite.”

I began peaceful thoughts of what spring & summer mean to my family. I can send my boys out to run, play, climb and be themselves while I can either enjoy the outdoors myself, finish a few chores inside, or even work on the love of my life - scrapbooking.

I envisioned mud pies, bugs caught, three baths a day for my boys, being so tired that naps occasionally take place - for both boys & Mom alike and water almost constantly running from the outside hose.

I can look outside and all three will be just fine, then - just seconds later - all are naked playing in a mud hole they just made.

I can hear them through the screen door and faintly hear one calling for Mom with an edge to his voice. After checking I find him in a tree with branches about to break - just in time for a rescue.

I have watched Noah climb the wood pile, walk along the top edge of the wooden fence - all to go play with a friend on the other side. Boys are great!

I saw a photo once of three brothers, all young, with their pants around their ankles, in a row, peeing in unison. A mother of girls would be horrified. A mother of boys just laughs and wonders how long it will be until she see the same from her boys. I just hope I have the camera handy!

Who Remembers Granddad?

Twenty years today is when Grandpa Crane passed away. It was a tough but the healing and peace came after the natural process of time. No one knows how it will affect them until your turn is here. Depending on who it is and the circumstances surrounding, you do the best you can to cope.

Here's a few things I want you to know about Grandpa:
1. The one talk he gave in church was about keeping your family name clean by honoring your ancestors and representing them the best you can.
2. Waking early each day, he would wake us up to do our chores before school because he wanted us to learn the value of work.
3. He liked to help with his big blue two ton truck and brought loads of gravel and top soil for our yard. His stock trailer moved our belongings many times.
4. Loud laughter was his signature and he didn't hold back. I loved to say things which induced him to bring it on.
5. I have his nose, chin and personality. He encouraged me to share my talent of acting.
He loved each of us and may you remember him today.