Megan's questions

A few afternoons ago Megan walked around with a small notebook and a pencil. "This is my notebook of questions," she said. "My first question is, 'how does a rocket make it out of the atmosphere?' Mom, does a rocket just go so fast that gravity can't pull it down." I said, "Yep, that is basically it."

"My next question is, 'how big is the sun?' Mom, can you google that?"

"Do you want to know how heavy the sun is?"

"I want to know how big it is from the top of the sun to the bottom." So we looked up the diameter of the sun.

"My third question is , 'how does an airplane stay up?'" I pulled up a diagram about Bernoulli's principle and we talked about air speed, air pressure and lift. 

"Keep that picture on the computer. I want to draw it in my notebook, but I will put five arrows under the wing and four on top so I remember that there is more pressure pushing up."

"And Mom I brought home one book about space and one book about NASA from school. Can I get the space books from downstairs too?"

Yes, Megan, you sure can.

WInning the Battle

For several weeks last month I was fighting a battle, the battle of inadequacy. I felt like there was nothing I did right, and on those occasions that I felt like I had done OK or done my part to the best of my ability, there always seemed to be somebody doing more and doing it all sooner and better than I . I was emotional, and it was all absolutely exhausting. I talked with my Heavenly Father, and asked for help overcoming my pride, the pride that made me feel like I didn't measure up.

The Lord answered my prayer in such an interesting way. Someone I know and love, and who also was geographically close by had an emergency and she called me. I was in a place to drop everything and go to her. As things became even more serious I was able to be with her and her family. There wasn't anything I could do to take away the burden, but the Lord gave me the opportunity to give comfort. And I noticed that as my prayers changed from focusing on how I was feeling to focusing on the needs of people I love, my first prayers were answered. The Lord was helping me win the battle of inadequacy by giving me opportunities to serve.

I am not saying that I will never have this struggle again, but I am grateful that for now, the Lord is blessing me. I know that we hear things like "forget yourself and go to work" or "when you ahve challenges, reach out and help others" a lot, but I was grateful for this very real example happening in my life.

How they are growing

I am definitely not a perfect mom, so far from it in fact. I know I have weaknesses and faults, and you know what? I am okay with that. I am okay with the fact that I am working to become a better person. I mostly feel grateful that my children are who they are despite my weaknesses. I often see the qualities I am working to improve as a strength in one of my children, and am grateful for their example as it encourages me to keep going, keep improving and not get discouraged.

In December we had a lot of sickness going around the house. Brian got hit the hardest and was really sick for about a week. The kids all took turns with it too, but they each were only sick for a couple of days. Needless to say our morning scripture study schedule was completely thrown off. On the first day that everyone was better enough to go back to work/school we began scripture study in the morning again. After everyone was ready for the day, we gathered in the living room and read. When we were done Nathan raised his arms like a referee declaring a touchdown. This simple gesture reminded me that scripture study makes a difference in how our home feels, and that Nathan was celebrating having that feeling again. (Similarly, I am grateful that my kids have not taken after me in the fact that they are morning people. They get up and ready on their own, and for the most part, are pretty cheerful too.)

On Valentine's day the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was the school and immediately wondered which of hte kids needed something and what they needed. On the other end of hte line was Liz's school counselor. She had called to tell me that Liz had brought her a Valentine that day, a Valentine that Liz had made. She told me that she thinks Liz is just wonderful and is really a light to those around her. She said she wanted to call because parents don't hear enough when their kids are doing good things, and she said, "You are doing a great job with her." I am grateful for Liz's desire to bring joy to others. She has a talent for making people happy.

Megan came home from school one day last week, and without needing any reminding or prodding, jumped right into her homework. She did EVERYTHING right away, and she did it well, and with a smile. There are plenty of days that this doesn't happen, but it is neat to see her growing up. She can't wait to be eight and to be baptized. She shivers with excitement every time she reads or hears any word related to baptism.

A few months ago Nathan lost his neckerchief slide. It fell out of his pocket at scouts one night. He was disappointed, but planned to buy a new one. A few days later Michael came to me and said, "Can you go buy a slide and I will pay you for it so I can give it to Nathan?" He was so excited to do something special for his brother, and Nathan was so surprised and grateful. Michael is very generous and is already planning gifts for his sisters' birthday "so it is fair," he says. I love that kid.

None of them are perfect, but they all bring light, joy and happiness into our home. I am grateful that we get to all travel this road of life and learning together. I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father sent these children to me and Brian.  What would we do without them?

Reminiscing

Fourteen years ago yesterday marks the day that Briand and I decided to get married. It was a little more sudden than either of us had planned, but it was right. (Today marks fourteen years since he officially proposed!) Last night as we were kneeling down to pray I asked him if he even imagined all of those years ago that this is where we would be. I know that is a silly question though, because we couldn't possibly have imagined where we are now. We had hopes and dreams of course, but it is almost overwhelming to look back and see that things have been perfect. I don't say perfect in the sense that the last fourteen years have been easy with everything going just as we hoped all of the time, but rather in the sense that despite the challenges, the worries and even frustrations I wouldn't change a single thing about the last fourteen years. I see the ways the Lord has guided and cared for our family, the ways that He gave strength when trials came, and the ways that He helped increase our faith. And (I know that this will sound entirely sappy), through it all, we have been together.

February 14, 2000

Fall 2013 

The New Year

So everyone is back at school and work today. Getting into the swing of things was not easy. The last 2 1/2 weeks have been absolutely glorious and I wasn't ready to give it up.  And the house is far too quiet this morning.

I had everyone home. Brian took work off for the kids' entire Christmas break. We had a few things planned, but mostly, we just got to be together. Here are a few highlights, in no particular order.

Brian's been reading to the kids again. The book is not new, he read it to the older kids a few years ago, but Megan was too little to be interested. Now she is. It is really her time with dad, but sometimes the other kids join in.

Both Brian and I had lots of time to read on our own FOR FUN this break. I enjoyed reading, but I was mostly grateful that Brian had time to really relax. The weeks leading up to Christmas were kind of crazy at work and the next few weeks will be too. I am grateful he had a little time to really not think about crazy for a while.

We had the most wonderful visit with my Grandma and Grandpa. For the last 10 or 11 years we have headed to their house on the morning of Christmas Eve. We talk and share excitement about the holiday. This year Liz played several songs on the flute and the others sang songs they learned at school. This visit is always a favorite because for me it kicks off our holiday celebrations. For a reason I can't really explain, this year will hold a special place in my heart. 

 Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year! Though I wasn't feeling 100%, this year did not disappoint. My Grandma joined us for our traditional dinner, I loved as we listened to Brian read the story of the first Christmas in the Bible and the kids PJ pants were really cute this year. We have some simple traditions that help us to remember Christ first on Christmas. I love how my kids have latched onto these tradition, not just the fun ones (which we love too.) I love the joy I see in them throughout all of our celebrations. They make it all that much more wonderful.

 The day after Christmas it worked out for us to stop in Salt Lake and see the lights on Temple Square. Being there with all of the beautiful lights makes me so happy. It just feels wonderful to be in such a beautiful and special place.

 We made a gingerbread house. I have wanted to for SO MANY years, and I have always wanted to shingle the roof with Necco candies (I love those things!). This year we finally did. We were very proud of it. Michael sang, "Shingle bell Rock" as we worked.

 We took the kids to the Sacred Gifts Exhibit at the Museum of Art. We took them to the Carl Bloch exhibit three years ago and we were excited to see more of his work, as well as paintings by Heinrich Hofman and Frans Schwartz. The paintings were stunning. My favorite one, a painting of Christ healing the blind man, appeared to glow. What a wonderful experience to share as a family! I will be going back on my own of of these days. It will be wonderful to see them all again.

Usually at this time I am working on wrapping up and ordering my scrapbook for the last year, but I am really on the ball and that is all done. I am looking forward to what this next year will bring!

Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope this finds you well, and enjoying another beautiful Christmas season. We have been blessed with another wonderful year, full of excitement and joy.

Megan - 7 years old - She is in the second grade. Her reading skills have blossomed and she enjoys it more than ever. She loves math, and she had her first horseback ride this summer!

Michael - 9 years old - He is in the fourth grade. He is always asking mom to teach him new things in math (cubing numbers, multiplying fractions and the distributive property). He earned his Bear Scout award and is really hoping for a pocketknife for Christmas so he can practice the skills he learned at scouts. .

Nathan - 11 years old - He loves being an official boy scout, has been on two campouts and has earned two ranks and three merit badges. He is in the sixth grade and is already talking about junior high next year.

Liz - 12 years old - It has been a big year for Liz. She is now in the Young Women's program at church. She attended girls' camp in the mountains of Utah and helped pull a handcart on a 28 mile pioneer trek this summer. She started junior high, joined the band (flute) and has started some babysitting.

Not much has change for Jen and Brian. Jen continues to help with literacy at the school and tutor math at home. She is still working with the 12 and 13 year old young women at church and went to camp and on trek with Liz. Brian is still in the BYU Registrars' office, has many new responsibilities and opportunities and works with great people. He also attended the Pioneer trek and has been on Nathan's scout campouts too.

We have had many opportunities this year to spend time with extended family, and we look forward to more of these opportunities throughout this holiday season. We are grateful for our friends and family who bless our family in countless ways.

We are grateful for the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are grateful that no matter our circumstances, whether a time of relative ease, or challenges that make each day feel a little bit hard, we can feel joy, and peace, and hope. We are grateful for this Christmas season, for this time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is his life, and his Atoning sacrifice for us that bring us that joy, peace and hope.

Merry Christmas!

Love, the Chantrys

Megan and Santa

Megan's first Christmas (she was about nine months old) she met Santa for the first time. She had on a cute red velvet jumper and looked darling as she stared at Santa's beard and tried to eat her gift. The next year she screamed. The closer we got to Santa the louder she cried. (we felt a little sad because it was Great Grandpa wearing the Santa suit, but we didn't push it.)

The next year we didn't want her to be afraid of Great Grandpa, so her Grandpa (who also dresses as Santa at times and has a beautiful costume) took her downstairs and showed her everything. She tried on the boots and the hat. She saw the beard and mustache and coat. The next day she stood right next to Santa and even gave him a hug. Each year she was less hesitant to visit with Santa as long as she knew exactly who was in the suit. One year Megan told me, "I am not scared of the REAL Santa, just the fake ones." That is irony at its best.

Last year Megan learned the Santa secret. She seemed almost relieved. She isn't scared to sit on Santa's lap anymore, but still likes to know who it really is.

WEll, this year she wrote a letter to Santa. She folded it and asked me to put it on Santa's desk.

Dear Santa Claus, How are your rein dear?Do you have four elvs? How is Miss. Claus? I love stuft animils a cat plese. Mady (Maybe) I will like something that will help my legs I have growing panss (pains). Love, Megan

p.s. I know how (who) you are

Brian wasn't sure if the postscript was just a statement, or something more sinister.