Time Experience Thoughts

Passion (Cade’s blessing) Focus (Christmas 2010) Honor (Sean’s, Kyle’s birthday; Soldiers and Scouts) ~ T hink, T ough, T oughness (Ryan’s birthday 2011) H abits, you can do H ard Things (Ryan's baptism 2011) E xcellence (Start of school, Sept 2011) A ttitude (Kansas/Thanksgiving, Nov 2011 ) N umbers (Kansas) S kills (Kansas) W ork, W ork Hard, or Hard W ork (Christmas 2011 ) E nthusiasm (End of school year 2011-2012) R . . . I . . . S . . . L . . . O . . . V . . . E  . . . (I've got a couple hundred more...)

Passion -- Cade’s blessing Focus -- Christmas 2010 Honor -- Sean’s, Kyle’s birthday (Soldiers and Scouts) ~ T hink, T ough(ness) -- Ryan’s birthday 2011 H abits, you can do H ard Things -- Ryan's baptism 2011 E xcellence -- Start of school, Sept 2011 A ttitude -- Kansas/Thanksgiving, Nov 2011 N umbers -- Kansas S kills – Kansas W ork, W ork Hard, or Hard W ork -- Christmas 2011 E . . . R . . . I . . . S . . . L . . . O . . . V . . . E  . . . (I've got a couple hundred more...)

Over the last two years we have fallen in love with one of the sweetest Christmas carols, The Little Drummer Boy. Last year in California we sang it with our grandsons who, in turn, sweetly sang it for my mom keeping the beat on bongos from the recreation room. This year in Kansas we all sang it again just after Thanksgiving for Scott’s mom, and her sister convalescing at home. We were asked to make a presentation at this year’s ward Christmas party. We chose to focus on this song. Last week we enjoyed a sweet spirit as two little children sang about the little drummer’s gift to the Savior. Scott added three beautiful overhead slides helping everyone visualize the scene. Interpreting the song (see below), Scott suggested we can think of ourselves as the little drummer boy. So, what is our drum? What gift of ourselves might we give this babe who grew to become the Redeemer of all mankind? It is in and through our continual gifts to Him that we, through His grace, become more like ...

See three new power words f or the boys below -- for discusssion during our week together in Kansas visiting Grandma Dot for Thanksgiving. (New words in blue.) ~ Passion Focus Honor ~ T hink, T ough H abits E xcellence A ttitude N umbers S kills W . . . E . . . R . . . I . . . S . . . L . . . O . . . V . . . E . . . . . .  

Found it! I was looking for a photo of Terry Tenove -- he was number 11, and was our quarterback and defensive back. Today being 11-11-11, I thought of him. Especially a photo of him jumping high into the air to intercept a pass (as a defensive back). I can see the number 11 on his back. Well, I never found his photo, however, I did (finally) locate this drawing of a motorcycle I did in the late 60s. It is the third in a series of three motorcyles I drew when I was a mid-teenager. On this one I actually wrote the Arlo Guthrie verse, "I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride on my motorcycle ." (Page is partially riped.)   I don't want a pickle   Just want to ride on my motorsickle   And I don't want a tickle   'Cause I'd rather ride on my motorsickle   And I don't want to die   Just want to ride on my motorcy... (See the first two motorcyles here: http://scottvanatter.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-dont-want-pickle.html )

This Boy (Like His Brothers) By Scott L. Vanatter, September 21, 2011, poem in honor of Cade’s birthday This boy, Like his brothers, can cover a lot of Ground! We can feel that in this boy, As in his brothers, real faith and true joy Abound. This boy that follows his leaders - His mother, his father, and others - thus also Becomes One. We plainly see the shine of this boy’s deep inner smile - And all his brothers’ - which lights our way back into the bright presence of The Son.

Power Words ~ Passion, Focus, Honor ~   T hink, T ough H abits E xcellence     A N S W E R   I S   L O V E

Another science experiment/project. Mentos in Diet Coke. Carrie built a delivery mechanism for the Mentos (a curled up piece of paper to fit inside an open soda bottle top). The boys carefully placed the Mentos in the ammunition cartridge, then dropped the charges into the soda. The blast of fizzing soda went about 6-10 feet in the air. Over my head, and way over the boys heads. Note the boys faces. See movie below.

This afternoon, Becky and I got all bundled up and took a trek around our back yard where the boys (Ryan, Sean, and Kyle) would run and play. In many places the snow was up past our knees. We enjoyed exploring the deep, white snow drifts right in our own backyard.

The boys have MOVES! A little bit of Kung Fu Panda, add in some Star Wars lore, and a lotta BOY, and you get excellent martial arts moves. See the movie for a long strectch of Ryan's improvisational Kung Fu moves. Loved being with and watching and admiring and loving these boys.

Dear Sean, Happy Birthday, you "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy." We like to listen to this song every now and then before we fall asleep at night -- and think of you, "darling Sean." Can't wait to see you ride your bike! See you soon . . . With lots of love, Grandma Becky Grandpa Scott

Since we took Carrie, Kyle, Sean, and Ryan to the airport last evening . . . "there's a kind of hush all over the [house]." The toys are put away, the boys have flown away, but the joys will never go away. So much love.

Asking early -- and often -- for what they, really, really, want; Though, soon enough, receiving that which they actually need . . . and perhaps just a bit more. Seeking out the highest, and the brightest, The right, and things that matter most . . . they find themselves. Knocking on the doors of opportunity, They enter in with opened eyes . . . and fully enjoy, no longer boys. Scott L. Vanatter, 15 April 2008 (Poem for Kyle, Sean, and Ryan on Kyle’s birth)

Grandpa Scott shows Ryan and Sean how to draw on the computer.

Eugene Russell Vanatter Eulogy August 17, 1932 - January 16, 2008 Eulogy delivered by Scott Vanatter, his son, January 22, 2008, in Fort Scott, Kansas. REMEMBER My Mom, our dear mother Dorothy May (Lifer) Vanatter, my sisters Gina and Tracy, the entire family, including Dad’s sisters Loretta and Kathleen, and I . . . thank each one of you for joining with us this morning. Thank you for your loving expressions of care and concern. The good people here at Cheney Witt Funeral Home have offered the most kind and comforting service; our heartfelt thanks to you, Jared, and the whole staff. Tears of Sadness and Joy Today we are here to remember Eugene Russell Vanatter—“Gene” to most of you, including to our Mom . . . but Dad and “Grandpa Gene” to us. It is entirely appropriate that we shed tears of sadness—and also tears of joy—as we remember Dad. DEATH TO UNDERSTAND ETERNAL LIFE Faith whispers to us that life is eternal; that our personal existence does not end upon our death . . . we live o...

“Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Carrie, Scott and Family http://www.forevermotts.blogspot.com/  (Roseville, CA) Carrie is a busy, stay-at-home mom and blogger. With her blog, she both creates an ongoing family history, and also keeps grandma and grandpa up-to-date. She serves as 2nd counselor in the Young Women organization. Scott, her hubby, works as a financial planner/stock broker at Merrill Lynch. He serves as the ward Elders Quorum President. This past summer he also had successful thyroid cancer surgery, with the related radioactive iodine treatment. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.) Scott is of good cheer. Carrie and the boys are very glad to have him with them for a long time to come. Sean (2) and Ryan (4) will be welcoming a new baby brother into the family, due to join them in early April 2008! Carrie and the boys visited us this summer; Scott then joine...