This is it!

So my long lost husband is coming back tonight. It has been a LONG two weeks and we are going to be so happy to have him back (although Oliver says he's going to be "mean to him" 'cuz he's been missing him so much). It did give me some time to finish my book, though. Yep... this is the last chapter. I almost decided not to post it since it is in the VERY rough stages, but I really need your help. It was hard to write and I really just need to move on to other aspects of the project. So, as always... please give lots of feedback. Just a word about the format. I have read a lot of "American Girl" books and noticed a couple of things from them. First, the books seem to end abruptly. Partly, I think, to keep the reader's attention (8-10 year olds don't always have long attention spans- so they skip some of the details) and also to give an opening for a sequel. Also, every character must have a doll. Here it is..

Chapter 6

The Doll

Martha’s life had changed so much since she met the missionaries. Several weeks after their blessing, her hand had completely healed. If she had any doubts about the truth of the message of the American missionaries, it completely faded after that miracle. She, her mother, and brother were soon baptized.

Their life afterward was a whirlwind of activity. Life was so hard in England and there were rumors of people losing their jobs at the factory because of joining the church. More than once, Martha and her family had been criticized by people standing outside of the homes of members when they went to worship together on Sundays. Martha and her family had decided they wanted to move to America to live with other people who believed as they did. Martha secretly hoped that she would even be able to meet the prophet Joseph Smith.

Gathering money for the trip was difficult since her family often had barely enough to eat. They begin to sell some of her father’s things to raise the money. The hardest thing to part with was his gold watch. It had been part of the family for generations and Martha couldn’t remember ever seeing her father without it. Her mother comforted her by saying that she was sure that her father was looking down from heaven, so happy that he could give them something that would help them to get to America.

The day finally arrived to leave on the ship. All of the saints gathered to watch them off. They said a prayer, and Brother Kimball spoke about the wonders of the new gospel of Jesus Christ. Afterwards, everyone hurried to hug and load all of the boxes onto a small boat that would carry them to the larger ship.

“Martha, Martha wait!” Savannah breathlessly ran towards Martha. “I have something for you.” Savannah quickly handed her something wrapped in a cloth. As she unwrapped it, Martha could see that it was Savannah’s cloth doll.

“So you won’t forget me,” Savannah said with tears running down her face. “We will come to America, I just know we will.”

Savannah’s father had not joined the church and did not want to move to America. This would be so hard for the two girls. They had become close friends after the accident at the mill. Martha realized, after being baptized, that she and Savannah were more alike than different. Between work in the mill and worship services, they saw each other every day.

“I’ve never had a doll,” said Martha. “I will never forget you, and I just know we will see you in America.”

“Martha, it is time,” her mother called. Martha turned to look one last time at the place she had always called home, then looked toward the ship and her new life in America.

Baby it's COLD Outside!

It is so cold here right now. We have broken all recent records for temperature and length of this "cold spell." I just can't seem to get warm and have been leaving my coat on indoors. I didn't even realize I was doing it until Savannah asked why I haven't taken my coat off in days. Oliver even asked, "Where going?" when he woke up from his nap. The other day, when we got into the car to pick up the girl's from school, I started singing, "Baby it's cold outside...." (and in true Mama fashion, ended in a lot of la-la-la's because I can't remember the rest of the words.) Ollie said, "Mama, not baby. I BIG OLLIE!"

The Huntzinger Family Top 10!

Our family has a New Year's tradition (that we got from Georgia). On the first Monday of the new year, for Family Home Evening, we make a list of the "Top 10" things that have happened to our family that year. Some are good, and some are just memorable. Here's our list from 2006.

1. Savannah got into Salt Lake Art's Academy.
2. Emmaline got baptized.
3. Oliver had his first "friend" birthday party.
4. Dad has his first art show.
5. Emmaline learned to snowboard.
6. Mama became the Primary Chorister.
7. We went on a road trip to Oklahoma.
8. Dad got called to be in the Young Men's Presidency.
9. Emmaline did not get stitches! (For the last 6 years, one of the top 10 has been that she did get stitches.)
10. Mama got stitches!

Kind of a fun tradition and something good for me. I am a big goal maker. Last year I made several goals and because of some things I couldn't control, I was not able to keep 2 of them. It has been pretty hard for me because they were good things. Some times it is hard to understand Heavenly Father's plan and know that although something might be a worthy endeavor, right now is just not the time. One of the goals I did keep was reading the Book of Mormon two times. I usually just read it from beginning to end once, so I felt good about that. This year, two of my goals are to enjoy the moment and learn to listen to the Spirit more.

My little boy wants to grow up!

Sorry for those who have already heard this story...

As the girls were getting ready for school one night (packing lunches, backpacks, etc.), Ollie decided to get ready for school. We played along and helped him get a lunchbox which he packed with some crackers and a small box of crayons. He asked for help to get his shoes on and we asked how he was getting there. He replied, "Bus is coming." We watched out the window as he made his way down the driveway (it was almost 8 p.m.). He waited there for several minutes, then headed back to the house, tears streaming down his face. When we opened the door, he said, "Bus didn't come." I don't know if we played along too well or what, but I guess he truly thought the bus was coming for him. It was heartbreaking! I'm just glad it really won't happen for quite a few more years... even though he just can't wait.

We had a Merry Christmas!

Tyler told me last night that he feels like we've been "partying" since his birthday in November! In addition to that party, we've had several get-togethers including a party for his employees, a large family gathering for the 24th and a smaller one when Neal and Leslie came to visit. I have slept in quite a bit and generally feel like I've had a vacation. Here are the highlights (in no particular order).


Savannah and Emmaline peeling potatoes for Clam Chowder on Christmas Eve.


Savannah explaining the finer points of snowboarding to Emmaline. She told me, "She is so lucky to have a big sister like me to teach her everything."


NEVER buy blue candy canes! I don't know whose ideas this was, but we certainly learned a lesson.

Christmas Day. The girls woke up at 4:30 and raced up the stairs, only to realize it was too early, and went back to bed. One hour later, they raced up again, and came to the same conclusion. (Of course I could hear them each time.) Finally, at 7:30, they woke up Oliver and we all opened presents.



One evening while I was helping the kids do homework, Ollie was getting into a bit of trouble on his own. I love how he had one, still wrapped, off to the side. Maybe he was saving it for later?

I've decided I must get better at taking pictures! I think that I don't because then I feel guilty if I don't get them scrapbooked. I am catching up, though.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.