Alisa and Joshua - Honor's Society Program

Another great year in Honor's Society.
My daughter Alisa Baadsgaard and my grandson Joshua Moody
 have been blessed to have each other as best friends
during their high school years.

Happy Birthday Logan

LOGAN’S TREASURE

By Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy birthday Logan. I love you oh so much.

When Logan buried a dollar coin in his back yard garden, he didn’t know what would happen. When his father planted peas, peas grew. When his mother planted corn, corn grew.  So after he planted the dollar Logan watched and waited. Nothing happened for a long time even though Logan checked the ground every day and kept the dirt moist with his watering can.

Then one morning Logan noticed the ground bulging. The next day the ground cracked and out popped a fountain of pennies. When he gathered them into a pile and counted them, there were 100 pennies.

The following day a shining bush with silver dots on the end of each branch grew in the place where he planted the dollar. The silver dots grew and flattened out until they became nickels. When Logan picked them he counted twenty nickels. The following day Logan noticed a green hedge bordering the garden with four large quarters resting on top. The next day Logan found a tree with two large fifty cent pieces dangling in the highest branches.

Logan gathered all his money and counted his treasure.

“I have so much more than I started with,” Logan said. “This is much more than I need. I think I’ll open a free money store.”

So Logan gathered a card table and a chair. Then he opened a money store in his front yard with a sign that said . . . “Get Your Free Money Here. Price = One Promise.”

When the first children stopped by they noticed Logan had a bowl full of pennies, one for nickels, another for quarters and the last one for fifty cent pieces.

“How much for a penny?” the first child asked.

“If you give me a promise, I will give you three pennies.” Logan answered.

“What is the promise?”

“Just promise me that you will do three things with your pennies,” Logan answered. “Promise me that you will save one, spend one and share one.”

The child promised, took the pennies and skipped back home.

Then another child came by and Logan made the same deal.

Soon everyone in the neighborhood had received a small monetary gift from Logan and had given him a promise in return. Before long Logan noticed that the people in his neighborhood seemed to talk to each other more and helped each other with their yards. He also watched as neighbors secretly dropped off gifts to other neighbors.

One day Logan's younger brother asked, “Why did you give all your money away? You could have been rich.”

Logan took the dollar coin out of his pocket and cupped it in his hand.

“Oh, I’m rich alright – rich with friends. And I still have all I need,” Logan answered. “If I kept planting and sharing, I’ll always have enough.”

The greatest joy in living is always in the giving.

JustServe Service Project

Ross helped with a service project for Tabitha's Way yesterday. They are creating a warehouse for their food panty.

New Horizons Orchestra Concert

I love making music
with this wonderful group of people
I have grown to love.
It was a great concert last night.

Happy Birthday Alice

ALICE THE GRAND

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy Birthday my precious Alice.

While you read this poem written just for you - notice the words in italic.

They are taken directly from the book “Alice in Wonderland”.

You are our Alice the Grand who brings wonderland everywhere you are!

Some people fall down a rabbit hole to discover wonder land

I know a girl who popped out of that hole whose name is Alice-the-Grand.

“Eat me!” Drink me!” says Mother to Alice with a smile.

“Now it’s time for dinner so stop running for a while.”

“But Mom,” Alice replies, “It takes all the running I can do to keep in the same place.

If I want to get somewhere else, I must run twice as fast!” before I can say grace.

“Curiouser and curiouser,” says mother with much care.

“I believe no matter what I do, we’re all mad here.”

“Who in the world am I? Ah that’s the great puzzle,” says Alice with a grin.

I think there is a Chesshire cat who will tell me where to begin.

So Alice finds her feline friend and says boldly without fear,

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends,” Chesshire says, “a good deal on where you want to get to” my dear.

When brothers Griffin and Rylan make a mad dash for her toys

Little Alice stands with her scepter and shouts most boldly

“Off with their heads, you scallywag boys

If you want to keep your heads, give me back those toys!”

“That is impossible,” says Rylan with a smirk

“I can’t think without my head – I think you are berserk.”

But Alice holds her stance and says with a mighty blast,

“If you can’t think, you wouldn’t talk so fast

So brothers beware if you don’t want a neck cast…

Give those toys back to me or today will be your last!”

Shivering with fear and quaking in their boots

Griffin and Rylan’s hand back the toys and all their sister’s loot

“It is no use going back to yesterday,” says Rylan with sigh

“way back then I didn’t see my sister’s greatness by and by.

But now I know and have been enlightened with this mighty scare

No more bothering great queen Alice - even if I dare.”

Nine Mile Canyon

Loved our Nine-mile Canyon trip
during spring break!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

ANDREW IS TURNING SEVEN

By

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy Birthday to a very special grandson I love.

If Andrew is turning seven

Then he can’t be eleven

So let’s shout hurray

For this birthday boy today

Sometimes he sits still

Other times his wiggle will

Bust right out of his skin

And make the fun begin

For Andrew is like the sun

Before the day is done

He runs fast as the breeze

So remember if you please

He likes a big high jump

His arms are circle pumps

Swings right through the air

So notice if you dare

He will climb right to the moon

Then be back by noon

And eat blueberry pie

When it’s the fourth of July

He also likes to snuggle

And if you give him a huggle

He’ll squeeze your neck so tight

Your heart explodes in delight

For Andrew is a treasure

A jewel without measure

For a boy who is turning seven
Is a little piece of heaven

Payson Temple History

I enjoyed talking to a group of cub scouts at  the Payson Utah Temple this week.

They were especially interested in the cornerstone box that is behind the large stone that reads: Erected 2015.

I was able to share several interesting stories about the temple
from the Payson Temple History book I wrote and compiled.

Happy Birthday Sam

Dear Samuel,

Happy Birthday! You are thirteen years old today - an official teenager. This is such a great time in your life. As your grandma I sure have enjoyed watching you grow up and become such a fine young man.

A few months ago I watched you perform a piano solo at your recital. I was so proud of you because you did something hard. Hours of practice and persistence made it possible for you to perform well. I think learning to play the piano is a lot like learning to become a loving person. With the piano, you start out as a beginner and learn one musical concept at a time. With life, you start out as a baby and learn as you grow. With the piano, first you learn how to read music and then begin playing simple one finger songs. With life, you learn to walk and speak before you can sing and run. With the piano you make slow gradual progress over time and if you don’t give up eventually you can play beautiful concertos. With life, you make slow gradual progress over time and if you don’t give up eventually you will become a strong, kind and compassionate man.

What if we tried to learn to play the piano without making mistakes? That wouldn’t work very well would it? Mistakes are part of learning to play the piano. Mistakes are also part of learning how to become a loving person. Mistakes are part of the process of growing. If you don’t get discouraged and keep trying you will keep improving. Sam, you get to choose what kind of man you want to become. You simply choose who you want to be and then start practicing. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you make along the way as long as you don’t give up and keep trying.

I’m giving you some music for four hands. They are called duets. Learning to play a duet takes a special set of skills. That is why many piano teachers require their students to learn a duet. Learning to play music with another person requires that they practice together and learn to discern subtle clues from each other about starting and stopping and how to measure time in the same way. Duets are a lot like striving to develop a loving relationship with another person. Love is not something we give or get. Love is something that two people decide to grow and nurture between them. Both people have to want to grow in love together before this can happen. It works the same way with our relationship with God and our Savior. They always want to grow in love with us but they are patient and wait until we are ready.

In the same way you have regular piano lessons each week where you demonstrate to your teacher that you had been practicing, be sure to report to your Heavenly Parents on your knees in prayer. Talk about your day and what you’ve learned as you try to become more like them. Your Heavenly Parents are the best teachers in the universe. Remember to schedule regular lessons with them. This is called prayer and meditation.

As you live your life, you will make heavenly music for others to hear by the way you treat them. Your love and kindness will let them know how the love of God feels. Your friendly bright personality will brighten the day for all those around you.  Someday the sum total of your deeds of goodness will be your masterpiece – your literal song in the night. God will use your light and goodness to spread love to all those around you as you share your bright and happy melody of love.

Sam, I have enjoyed watching you grow up for the past thirteen years. When I think of you I always smile and feel warm inside. I so enjoy seeing your smiling face come through my front door. I love your passion for life and joy for living and learning. You have an amazing mind and a joyful spirit. I will always be your biggest fan. 

With great love,

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy Birthday Tessa

Tessa and Her Jungle Room

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy birthday Tessa. I love you so, so much.

There is a girl with a jungle room, her bed perched high in the sky

And every time she goes in there, her animals come alive . . .

First there is a monkey with a silly grin.

If you open your heart, he will wiggle in

He likes to jump and swing and tease

But first he says, “Tessa, would you please,

By my best friend when it’s time for sleep

And hold me oh so tight and squeeze?”

Next comes snake that likes to say “Hiss….”

Now this is a best friend you won’t want to miss

She likes to sliver and slink and slide

And curl up right at your side

Then she likes to climb a jungle tree

And settle in for a nap on a breeze

Then there is a green frog with yellow on his tummy

He likes to hop a lot and be rather funny

First he croaks and then he blurbs

And then he sings a song that is rather absurd

He likse lily pads and moonlight on the pond

For that is when he sings his best song.

Then there is a bright orange fish

With eyes that you just can’t miss.

You’ll want to add this little buddy to your list

For she dives and wiggles and makes a wish

That Tessa will swim in the deep blue sea

And choose this fish for a best friend to be.

Next you’ll see lizard climbing walls at night

When you turn out the lights and the stars shine bright.

This buddy is quite a mysterious sight

Who likes moon-light and never wants to fight

He just likes to hang and stay rather still

And before you know it your heart is filled.

Now with her five new friends, Tessa won’t be lonely.

She will hug them all and say rather boldly,

“You are all my best friends, I like you all the same.”

Then she’ll throw them in the air for her favorite game.

“You are all my best friends, I like you all the same.”

Then she’ll throw them in the air for her favorite game.

Happy Birthday Lily

Lily’s Song

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

I love you so - my little Lily.

There is a girl named Lily

Who has a great big smile

If you take her little hand

She will walk with you a while

Sometimes she feels dancey

As she twirls all around

And sometimes she feels quiet

And won’t make a single sound

Sometimes she feels artsy

So she draws a picture for me

Sometimes she feels like talking

Or is as playful as can be

Sometimes she likes to share a lot

With her little sister Eden

Other times she wants to snuggle

Cause she just feels like readin’

But every single day Lily

Has lots of love to share

Cause Lily is a sweetheart

With a heart just full of care

So if you’re very lucky

You’ll have Lily for your friend

She will be your best buddy ever

Right up to the end

Happy Birthday Emma

MY OWN BEST FRIEND

By Grandma Baadsgaard

I love you Emma. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

When Emma went to visit her grandma she frowned and said, “I don’t have a best friend any more. She just told me she is moving.”

Grandma sat down on the couch next to Emma and took her hand.

“My parents used to move a lot when I was your age,” Grandma said. “I learned how to always have a best friend. Your best friend is not out there Emma. Your best friend is in there.”

Grandma pointed to Emma’s heart.

“What do you mean?” Emma asked.

“Friends out there move away or stop being nice to you. Friends don’t always stay your friends. But there is one friend you can always count on.”

“Who?”

“You.”

“I can’t be my own best friend.”

“Oh, yes you can. You can do fun things with you. You can listen to music with you or look up at the stars or read great books with you.”

“You mean it is fun to be alone?”

“Yes. If you are Emma’s best friend you will take good care of yourself. You will eat nutritious food, exercise and have happy thoughts about yourself.”

“What if sometimes I think bad thoughts about myself?” Emma asked. “What if sometimes when I look in the mirror, I think I’m ugly or fat?”

“Then it is time to begin practicing. When you look in the mirror, you can think happy thoughts about yourself like this: ‘I like my strong healthy body. I like my shiny blond hair, my big blue eyes, and my beautiful smile. I like the way I dance, sing, work hard and never give up.”

“The other kids at school make fun of each other sometimes. I don’t want them to make fun of me, so I just listen.”

“Another way to be your own best friend is to speak up and protect someone from unkind comments when you are around. You can teach those around you how to be a friend. Sometimes you will have to be strong and stand alone. ”

“What if sometimes I don’t want to be alone?” Emma asked.

“You just need to practice being your own friend. You can think thoughts to cheer yourself up. You can think thoughts like this: ‘This will be my delightful day because I’m going to do all my favorite things like play with Jez or jump on the tramp in the sunshine.’”

“What if sometimes I don’t like myself because I make mistakes?”

“When you make a mistake you can be your own best friend by telling yourself thoughts like this: ‘Everybody makes mistakes because that is how we learn. I can try again and again and again  . . . and never give up on me.’”

“Sometimes I’m afraid to be alone.”

“No matter where you go, there you will be. You can’t run away from yourself so learn how to like being alone. You are the only person who will never leave you. If you are kind to Emma, you will always feel loved and in the best of company.”

“Maybe we can be good friends too,” Emma said.

“That is a wonderful idea,” Grandma answered. “That’s what grandmothers are for.”

Baadsgaard Family History in Denmark

This is the church in Dommerby where Baadsgaard family members were married.

This is the church in Lundo where Baadsgaard ancestors were baptized, married and buried.

My son John is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark right now. Many of my husband's ancestors are from Denmark. John has recently been  able to visit the places where the earliest known Baadsgaard family members lived. Here is what happened just last week.

"We drove around to a couple of the areas where my ancestors come from (Dommerby, and Lundø to be specific). At the church in Lundø, which is where my earliest known ancestors from the Baadsgaard family come from, we found 3 gravestones in the cemetery with the name Baadsgaard on them. I took those pictures, and found the people on family search, but ended up finding out that not all of their information was on family search. Because of that find, I have now added about 30-50 names to my family tree in family search. I can't tell you how strong the spirit was being able to put those names in, and reserve their temple work.

Baadsgaard Rock at the site of an old Baadsgaard farm in Denmark.

I'm pretty much a Danish family history expert now, and am excited to help all of you learn how to do it when I get home. Plus, I can speak Danish, meaning I can read and understand the records that my family's information is written on. It's pretty special, and I know that has to be one of the many reasons I was sent to this country."

Lots of people ask me where our unusual last name Baadsgaard came from. It is a Danish last name. Turns out it is a fairly unusual name in Denmark too. (A spelling reform in 1948 introduced the letter å, already in use in Norwegian and Swedish, into the Danish alphabet to replace the digraph aa. The old usage still occurs in some personal and geographical names.) This is a picture of my son John in front of a Baadsgaard street sign in Denmark. Vej means way.

Meaning of the Name Baadsgaard

In Danish, "gaard" most often means farm, courtyard, or estate, and "baad" means boat. Since aa = å, another spelling of the name is Bådsgård.

Baadsgaard as a Place

To date one American research group has identified at least two places in Denmark named Bådsgård in the 1700s. One is on Hanstholm (formerly an island, now connected to the mainland) in Hansted sogn, Hillerslev herred, Thisted amt. Political boundaries changed, and Hanstholm became part of Viborg amt. The other Baadsgaard is in Højslev sogn, Fjends herred, Viborg amt. More Baadsgaards may be found in Denmark and Scandinavia as research continues.

There is a cove called "Bådsgård vig" that can be found by searching for Bådsgård on google maps.

From Wikipedia

"The northern part of Denmark is rising because of plate tectonics, and has lifted the island of Hanstholm out of the water, so it is no longer an island, but an elevated area. You can still see two old farms: Bådsgård, which means boat farm, is located on the previous island Hanstholm; Færgegård is located in Sårup towards Hansted. Today you can simply drive between Sårup and Hansted."

"Lundø is a peninsula surrounded by Bådsgård creek to the south, Skive Fjord on the west, and Lovns Bredning to the northeast, in the southern part of the fjord." 

Baadsgaard as a Surname

It was commonplace for a Dane to use a place name following his/her patronymic name, and a person living at Baadsgaard might use that name as part of his/her personal name. As traditional naming practices evolved, "Baadsgaard" became attached to some families as a permanent family surname. The surname is still in use, though it is rare in the USA.

Baadsgaards in the USA

Of the Baadsgaard descendants living in the USA, a rather light investigation suggests two ancestral lines: Peder Baadsgaard (b.1677) and Søren Andersen Pugdal (b.1659). Soren had a son named Andres (Anders) Sørensen Baadsgaard (b. 1717). Apparently, the name Baadsgaard was used as a place name by Anders.

It has not yet been determine if these two lines are related somehow. Descendants of Peder can be found in Utah, Washington (the state), Nevada, and Texas. Descendants of Soren can be found in Indiana, Illinois and Texas.

Pictures of Ross Esbern Baadsgaard

Ross as a baby with his four older sisters.

The only boy .

Ross with his seven sisters.

Ross as a little boy with his family.

Ross with his parents and sisters in their Springville home.

Ross's childhood home in Spanish Fork.

Ross as a little boy with his family.