SUNDAY SCRIBBLINGS

Builder Bob will say that Im just stating the obvious. But I'll confess to all that know and love me that I do agree that Im completely spoiled. But I'd like to qualify this confession as well. How spoiled can I be, really, when my only daughter decides to sacrifice 18 months of her life and heads out to serve her Heavenly Father? And in trying to make my whine fest sound even more legitimate, I'd like to add that this service requires her to just about sever all ties with what's going on at home, which includes not checking in with her mommy each day and letting me know whats go'in on in her life. Dont you think that my carry'in on is totally justified!!?? My spoiling began long before her departure to Houston though. Shes been my best friend for some time now. She's practically perfect and been a joy and delight to raise all her beautiful life!!
I also know full well that she doesnt see these 18 months of service as any kind of sacrifice what-so-ever! And when Im being truthful with myself, I am eternally grateful that she had the courage to go out there and serve so well. I just really, really miss her right now. It seems all the more poignant this week because, for what ever reason, we didnt receive an email from her. (once again my spoiledness is blantantly obvious) I've come to count on those emails, as they are my only tie to her at this point. I also have to confess that this is the first time we havent heard from her in a clock-like manner, which once again re-enforces the fact that Im spoiled to the core.
Then-along comes this picture while Im surfing the blogs:

Which inspires me to share a funny story about my remarkable daughter!

Lets go back to the halls of middle school.
It will also help to remember that Anna was raised with only brothers.
Picture Anna heading to Dixie Middle School one day. Im sure it was a day like any other day. She's 14 years old. She's walk'in the halls between classes, retrieving items from her locker, minding her own business. She notices a ruckus going on down the hallway and wonders what it is that's getting kids upset, in an angry kind of way. Then a punk of a boy appears from the masses and has a small spray can of what is known as fart spray-yes you read correctly-fart spray. (What sick, twisted capitalist came up with the notion that brain-dead teenage boys would spend good money on such a thing? answer to my own question: a smart capitalist) Anyway, this punk was causing quite a disturbance as you can well smell. When it became obvious that the punk was headed right towards Annas open locker and had every intention of giving the contents a few good squirts, Anna decided then and there to take matters into her own hands. Sweet, blue eyed, angelic Anna had other plans. There was no way she was going to let a bully, punk boy do any such thing to her stuff or anybody elses stuff for that matter!! So what does this 85 lb weakling of a girl do?? She hauls off and slams his shin with a hefty wack of her foot. (we learned later that this kick leveled him to the linoleum)
Im unclear how the matter was brought to the attention of the Vice Principal of the school. We only learned about this incident from the Vice Principal himself when we went out to dinner together some time later. Mr Vice Principal was thrilled to relate what happened next. He was quite proud of our feisty daughter.
Mr Vice Principal had both parties called to the office. Both had their opportunity to tell their side of the story. The punk was sent home immeditley. Hours later the MotherPunk turned up at the school and demanded some type of retribution for the girl that had assaulted her son!!! (It should be noted that young punk had a reputation of being a major trouble maker--and...that MotherPunk always came to his rescue, no matter how dumb the punk behaved--duh) Mr VP. was happy to point out that the girl he had attempted to assault with fart spray could cause some trouble for them instead. MotherPunk turned on her heel and wasnt heard from again - or at least not until young punk did something else quite stupid-which never took too long.
Anna enjoy a moment of glory at the Middle school and Im positive that she had a cute little smirk on her face just as the Norman Rockwell girl did. Anna will always have the respect of Mr VP as well as a mom and dad who enjoyed hearing this tale and knowing that featherweight Anna would know how to take care of herself.

People ask if I worry about Anna being on a mission- away from home, and sort-of on her own. I say-"No way!" The Lord will take up the slack for anything she cant handle.
Boys, bullys and punks wont get away with any nonsense when she's around!
I Love,Love, Love this girl!!
And I pray she keeps on spoiling me!!

We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property....from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency...
D&C 134:11