Saw this today and I cannot wait!
I love the part 1 of the seventh movie! What a great story! I will probably have to read all 7 books again (yes, again!) before the premiere!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Guess my Favorite day will be WEDNESDAY!!
Email from my Elder Smiley Cole:
Well Hello there!
It has been one crazy, crazy week! My companions name is Elder Shaw and he is so cool! he is quiet and usually lets me do all the teaching, but yesterday i focused on having him teach most of the lesson and when we work together and each teach about 50% the spirit is so much stronger! there are four elders in my room Myself, elder shaw, elder day and elder sims. elder sims is the funniest guy! we're always firing jokes back and forth and it makes life here so much more bearable. Elder day is from dundy scottland and is the coolest guy! our room is the best room by far and the guys in it are probably the closest of all the rooms! IM A DISTRICT LEADER!!!! ive been made the leader of the helamen district. which includes the guys in my room, elder snow, elder root elder wilkey, elder goulding, and two sisters. sister Keogh and sister Sebauld. Elder wilkey is from england and he has the coolest accent. sister keogh is from scottland and sister sebauld is from germany. Our district is not only a way fun district but we are still very spiritual. we all get along really well. Our sisters are so cool, but they are having a little trouble, so if you could keep them in your prayers, i would really appreciate it!
I have learned so much already and i can feel my self changing already. ive been praying for the spirit every time i pray and its making such a difference in my life. they aree having us teach mock investigators. ours is named sam and elder shaw and i have taught him once and we are going to teach him tomorrow. so pray for us to be able to teach with the spirit.
during our excercise time weve been playin futbol and it has been sooooo much fun! i am way way way out of shape though! trhe other day i was in goal after one of my lungs callapsed (JK IM OK) and i made 3 awesome saves! im a regular british futbolsmen!
ive just been having a blast and i cant wait to get out into the missionfeild! Thanks all those who have sent letters so far I was the first one in my district to get letters! (thanks to grandparents Naughton and Scottie Glen!) it really means alot to me and will write back later today. hopefully. well after this im off to asda witch is like there walmart to get a sweatshirt to play futbol in! i love you all and expect letters soon! :)
love Elder Cole :)
Well Hello there!
It has been one crazy, crazy week! My companions name is Elder Shaw and he is so cool! he is quiet and usually lets me do all the teaching, but yesterday i focused on having him teach most of the lesson and when we work together and each teach about 50% the spirit is so much stronger! there are four elders in my room Myself, elder shaw, elder day and elder sims. elder sims is the funniest guy! we're always firing jokes back and forth and it makes life here so much more bearable. Elder day is from dundy scottland and is the coolest guy! our room is the best room by far and the guys in it are probably the closest of all the rooms! IM A DISTRICT LEADER!!!! ive been made the leader of the helamen district. which includes the guys in my room, elder snow, elder root elder wilkey, elder goulding, and two sisters. sister Keogh and sister Sebauld. Elder wilkey is from england and he has the coolest accent. sister keogh is from scottland and sister sebauld is from germany. Our district is not only a way fun district but we are still very spiritual. we all get along really well. Our sisters are so cool, but they are having a little trouble, so if you could keep them in your prayers, i would really appreciate it!
I have learned so much already and i can feel my self changing already. ive been praying for the spirit every time i pray and its making such a difference in my life. they aree having us teach mock investigators. ours is named sam and elder shaw and i have taught him once and we are going to teach him tomorrow. so pray for us to be able to teach with the spirit.
during our excercise time weve been playin futbol and it has been sooooo much fun! i am way way way out of shape though! trhe other day i was in goal after one of my lungs callapsed (JK IM OK) and i made 3 awesome saves! im a regular british futbolsmen!
ive just been having a blast and i cant wait to get out into the missionfeild! Thanks all those who have sent letters so far I was the first one in my district to get letters! (thanks to grandparents Naughton and Scottie Glen!) it really means alot to me and will write back later today. hopefully. well after this im off to asda witch is like there walmart to get a sweatshirt to play futbol in! i love you all and expect letters soon! :)
love Elder Cole :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Waiting.......
I was really hoping today was P-day (that is preparation day that missionaries get once a week and that is the day they email home) but apparently
The last week has been absolutely crazy!! Getting a Missionary ready seems pretty straight forward but really it takes a toll - Ken and I have been so tired since he left!
First, our Bishop took the 3 missionaries in our ward who have their calls, my nephew Kai, Ken and his Son in law Cory to Mexico for 3 days before his farewell - they came back Saturday night and we have 8:30am church. I had the busiest weekend with them gone! Track meet concessions, dinner to Ken's home teaching family, irrigation and a Grandma with a cracked rib who is really funny on Vicoden but very wobbly!!
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm alive and well! The flight to ohare went fine. when we got to ohare we were greeted by a crowd of missionaries!!!! Huzzah for Isreal!!! it was so wonderful to see so many missionaries in one spot! and their all here in england with me :) we have three sisters and they are the coolest. the flight to manchester was really ong and i only got like 2 hours of sleep, but it is so beutiful here! i love you bye
Elder Cole
Is there anything better?
Brenn took his mission pictures - so handsome!!
This one is for his plaque in the hallway of the church:
Maybe P-day will be tomorrow!
NOT!!!
The last week has been absolutely crazy!! Getting a Missionary ready seems pretty straight forward but really it takes a toll - Ken and I have been so tired since he left!
First, our Bishop took the 3 missionaries in our ward who have their calls, my nephew Kai, Ken and his Son in law Cory to Mexico for 3 days before his farewell - they came back Saturday night and we have 8:30am church. I had the busiest weekend with them gone! Track meet concessions, dinner to Ken's home teaching family, irrigation and a Grandma with a cracked rib who is really funny on Vicoden but very wobbly!!
In addition, Dallin's passport and Visa were still in Salt Lake City. I worried briefly on Thursday when Dallin remembered and was wondering how he would get out of Mexico without a passport but I decided the Lord looks after Missionaries and I had enough to do/worry about, and I left that to Him. It came on Wednesday about 2:30pm - We really didn't need it until 9:30am the next day at the airport!!
But it was a fun week - Saturday night Ken's brother Mike and his family came from Utah, we had take-out at our house - Ken and Dallin got home before Logan and I (longest wrestling tournament EVER!) then on Sunday Dallin gave a wonderful talk. When he was finding his scriptures he did it on his phone, but he was just a little embarrassed so he prefaced it, then said, "Deal with it" we all laughed. He spoke on developing Christ like attributes, he did great! I now have to figure out how to get the recording off of my phone and clean it up.
I have to admit to a pet peeve - People who speak before the missionary at a farewell should leave the missionary at least 15 minutes. All of the people crammed into the chapel and overflow are NOT here to listen to you speak for 25 minutes - I almost made a sign and held it up!! Funny enough, Ken almost did the same thing!!
Sunday, we hosted a family dinner for 56 people! BTW - that is alot of people! It was fun and since I made the dinner the Wednesday before it wasn't too bad. I wish it would have warmed up in the oven a little faster though. Then in the evening our ward came by to sing to the missionary - "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" - what a great tradition!
Monday, Ken's cousins wife and 3 kids came in to town from London and we had Ken's parents and sister, and cousins to dinner - it was so much fun! Brenn and Callan played with nail polish (sorry Kathy) and the boys were a hoot!
Tuesday we had an open house with cinnamon rolls - all 96 were GONE!! Our last person came at MIDNIGHT!! (Love you Chandler!)
Wednesday we finished up the packing and he was set apart- One of my friends in my ward told me that it was extra special and to slow down and enjoy it and she was right! What a beautiful experience. My missionary was truly ready! We got done and he gave me his phone and ipod, saying he didn't want them to be a temptation. We went to dinner, just the 5 of us and had a lovely night.
Thursday we got up and finished a few things and headed to the airport. At the airport we met up with 2 other missionaries going to Preston for the MTC.
I did pretty well in the crying department - a little at the farewell, a little on Wednesday when he bore such a beautiful testimony, and some saying goodbye at the airport. I pretty much cried the whole way home, I just had to look at Kai in the passenger seat and it would start. We had to stop by Sonic and get an Oreo Blast to make me feel better! The only other time I got choked up was on Sunday when Nathan Epstein passed me the Sacrament (he leaves in July).
On Friday morning I checked my email and this is what I found:
I'm alive and well! The flight to ohare went fine. when we got to ohare we were greeted by a crowd of missionaries!!!! Huzzah for Isreal!!! it was so wonderful to see so many missionaries in one spot! and their all here in england with me :) we have three sisters and they are the coolest. the flight to manchester was really ong and i only got like 2 hours of sleep, but it is so beutiful here! i love you bye
Elder Cole
Is there anything better?
Brenn took his mission pictures - so handsome!!
This one is for his plaque in the hallway of the church:
Maybe P-day will be tomorrow!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Busy.......
I will be a lot less busy after 11:15am tomorrow.......
and probably a little wet around the eyes!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
14 days and counting...
I am unable to come up with the words on how I feel preparing my missionary (mine opposed to Ken's and mine) to leave for 2 whole years.
Today we have been cleaning out his bedroom. Lots of mysterious underwear, lots of broken toys, tools and various parts to things he has taken apart to see how they work. Dust in large amounts. Books, school papers from Jr high and College. I am waxing a little nostalgic after finding a picture of his first camp out with the boy scouts. Some of the boys are home from their missions already.
As we do this I keep thinking, Is he prepared both physically and spiritually? What have I done? Could I do different? Does he know what I know? It is enough to drive you crazy and yet he is showing a maturity that impresses me.
and I think that is the most important thing.
Joy
Pride
Satisfaction
Busy
Lists of things to get and do
Tender
Panic
Wonder
etc.....
Today we have been cleaning out his bedroom. Lots of mysterious underwear, lots of broken toys, tools and various parts to things he has taken apart to see how they work. Dust in large amounts. Books, school papers from Jr high and College. I am waxing a little nostalgic after finding a picture of his first camp out with the boy scouts. Some of the boys are home from their missions already.
As we do this I keep thinking, Is he prepared both physically and spiritually? What have I done? Could I do different? Does he know what I know? It is enough to drive you crazy and yet he is showing a maturity that impresses me.
He is preparing himself,
and I think that is the most important thing.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Linky Party with Jen...
It seems like I need a prompt (and a little peer pressure) to post. I am running like crazy and counting the days (35) until my missionary leaves. So here is the Prompt:
If you had your choice, would you want to know the future? Would you want to know that your life will be markedly, frighteningly different than you’ve planned all along? Or would you rather have the change come quickly, like an uncontrolled locomotive, leaving disaster in its wake, with you scrambling to pick up the pieces?
Easy for one who thinks not too deep:
Would rather enjoy the ride and wait to see what happens.
As I read Jen's post and the others linking I still feel that way. No need to contemplate or ponder on this, for me, it is simple. Plus, I trust in my Heavenly Fathers plan, so why would I worry? I also find it interesting that the alternative is disaster and scrambling, I think of it as more of an adventure and exciting....
If you had your choice, would you want to know the future? Would you want to know that your life will be markedly, frighteningly different than you’ve planned all along? Or would you rather have the change come quickly, like an uncontrolled locomotive, leaving disaster in its wake, with you scrambling to pick up the pieces?
Easy for one who thinks not too deep:
NOPE!!
Would rather enjoy the ride and wait to see what happens.
As I read Jen's post and the others linking I still feel that way. No need to contemplate or ponder on this, for me, it is simple. Plus, I trust in my Heavenly Fathers plan, so why would I worry? I also find it interesting that the alternative is disaster and scrambling, I think of it as more of an adventure and exciting....
Hhmmm....
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Valentines Day
I woke up
GRUMPY!!
Had a Doctors appointment, they took blood so that means needles! Never a good thing? Also,
Feel free to skip this part
Had to collect a stool sample, can I just say
YUCK!!
I know I deal with this all the time with Gma but somehow.....
Startings of a headache by 3pm and a whiny kid who didn't want to mow the lawn.
I should back up and say I woke up Dallin and Brenn before the Doctor and gave them some chores, I don't care that they are 19 and 20, they still get chores! Both had them done before I got home, that included mowing the front lawn, the whining was from a different kid and the back lawn. If that is tough to figure out I only have 3 kids, come on!!
So I laid down to rest and hopefully get rid of the headache because I knew Ken would want to take me out for Valentines Day.
Door bell rings after 10 minutes, my new Visiting teacher with some goodies.
Phone rings, something I had to handle - can't remember.
Door bell rings again
You get the picture, right?!
By about 5:30 Ken came home with roses - he always gets roses. He is very sentimental about them. He has a hard time buying anything else because they just seem so right to him. So he came with red and white roses. The white are because we tease him a little.
So we went to dinner. We ate Italian because we almost always go Mexican or to a Steak house because he likes those and I really don't care. Food is not really important to me. I like it. I want it to taste good. But I am not a foodie. As long as it fills me up and is not gross, I am good. But I do like Italian and he is not such a fan.
So we try this new restaurant that Brenn found.
It is a little restaurant, tucked in the corner of a strip mall (Higley/Brown). It looked a little hinky. We waited quite a while, but it was Valentines day and we figured we would have to wait no matter where we went.
We ordered the specials - one of each.
I had Pork tenderloins in a sauce with mangoes and grapes.
Ken had Lobster spaghetti.
Ken's was really good.
Ken was
JEALOUS!!!
because mine was the best thing we had ever eaten!!
I gave him a bite to be kind. Before I even tasted it. If I had tasted it first
he wouldn't have gotten any!!
I wish I could pronounce or spell the dish.
I wish it was a regular menu choice.
Then I could google it and try to make it every night for dinner.
I googled:
pork mango
Italian pork dishes with mango
Grape mango pork
Pork tenderloin fusion food
and about 10 other combos.
No luck.
But I did give my email so they could send the specials for the week.
There is still hope!
At least I was in a better mood when I got home.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mission Ready
On Wednesday I got a call from My Bestie Jen and she had some real excitement going on at her house! As I read the blog post about it I am tearing up, it was such a sweet experience. I am getting a missionary ready too and I realized I am busy and neglecting my blog/journal for my posterity and missing out on recording the experience, excitement and frustration of getting my missionary ready. Whoops!
Mostly, I nag. I had to nag him to look at suits. We bought some at a great sale - buy 1 and get 2 free - of course the first suit was $800 but when you do the math it's not to bad. Problem is only one pair of pants and no way to order more. I thought about this. I dreamed about a 2nd pair of pants. And then nagged him in to going to Pomeroys, the missionary store here in Mesa. Unfortunately, one of his buddies recently returned from a NY mission warned him against Pomeroys. So, although they had suits designed for bike riding, two pairs of pants and free alterations (savings of $60 per suit) he was not convinced. He wanted to talk to his friend - which in guy time takes at least a week. Finally, we went with the Pomeroys suits and bought him his overcoat. What an accomplishment. The best part is Dallin is funding his missionary preparation. He is working very hard at Pizza Hut to save as much money as his can for when he returns but is buying most of his mission stuff.
I have picked up most of the incidentals here and there like towels, socks, white shirts and he got nice long johns for his birthday. But I had to nag again to go and buy shoes.
Actually, the shopping trips are awesome! I get to spend the day with my son, just he and I or sometimes Ken comes. We laugh and talk. I will miss him for the two years he is serving but I am so very pleased that he is willing to serve the Lord. I feel the Spirit around our family as we are preparing and I am happy. I am looking forward to hearing of his experiences and seeing him preparing is something I can't quite describe.
We are shopping again today - He is going through the temple on Thursday evening. Another big step with great blessings.
I noticed that several of the comments on Jen's blog had questions about missions and probably Mormons too, so if you click on the temple link it takes you to a good site about Mormons.
Mostly, I nag. I had to nag him to look at suits. We bought some at a great sale - buy 1 and get 2 free - of course the first suit was $800 but when you do the math it's not to bad. Problem is only one pair of pants and no way to order more. I thought about this. I dreamed about a 2nd pair of pants. And then nagged him in to going to Pomeroys, the missionary store here in Mesa. Unfortunately, one of his buddies recently returned from a NY mission warned him against Pomeroys. So, although they had suits designed for bike riding, two pairs of pants and free alterations (savings of $60 per suit) he was not convinced. He wanted to talk to his friend - which in guy time takes at least a week. Finally, we went with the Pomeroys suits and bought him his overcoat. What an accomplishment. The best part is Dallin is funding his missionary preparation. He is working very hard at Pizza Hut to save as much money as his can for when he returns but is buying most of his mission stuff.
I have picked up most of the incidentals here and there like towels, socks, white shirts and he got nice long johns for his birthday. But I had to nag again to go and buy shoes.
Actually, the shopping trips are awesome! I get to spend the day with my son, just he and I or sometimes Ken comes. We laugh and talk. I will miss him for the two years he is serving but I am so very pleased that he is willing to serve the Lord. I feel the Spirit around our family as we are preparing and I am happy. I am looking forward to hearing of his experiences and seeing him preparing is something I can't quite describe.
We are shopping again today - He is going through the temple on Thursday evening. Another big step with great blessings.
I noticed that several of the comments on Jen's blog had questions about missions and probably Mormons too, so if you click on the temple link it takes you to a good site about Mormons.
Monday, January 31, 2011
I am ahead of the game!
My bestie is hosting a linky party tomorrow and I thought I would go ahead and post then link tomorrow. She warned us a few days ago and I have been running it around in the back of my mind and thought I would participate.
The prompt:
Straight after a shower or after you've washed your face, take some time to really look at that woman in the mirror. What do you see that's beautiful? Ignore or re-evaluate those things that have always bugged or challenged you. What is your singular, personal element of beauty? Is it skin, ears, hair? Is it wisdom or humor or understanding in your eyes? We all have one thing that not only makes us individuals. That one thing makes us beautiful. What is yours and why?
Now I have confessed in other posts that I am not really a deep thinker, I do not ponder upon those things that bug me or spend much time in contemplation. To be honest, I tried to meditate and couldn't do it, to boring. So when I read Jen's prompt my very first thought was:
"Wait, I am supposed to be unhappy with what I see in the mirror? Crap!"
I am not vain (really, you can believe me) but I think I look OK. I am not the most beautiful woman out there (except to Ken) but I am not ugly either. I have always been OK with how I look. I wish I was taller. I wish I could lose a few pounds. But I get ready in the morning and that is the picture I carry in my head the rest of the day. Sometimes I glance in a mirror and am shocked that my hair is flat or my makeup is smeared (okay, on Sundays when I wear makeup) but for the most part I don't really think about it again.
Here is the caveat:
I think cameras LIE!!! The pictures they take do not match what I see in the mirror. I know that I am not very photogenic but I am usually shocked at the picture. I see the flaws in film. Saggy body, wrinkles, gray in the hair and a sick smile.
The prompt:
Straight after a shower or after you've washed your face, take some time to really look at that woman in the mirror. What do you see that's beautiful? Ignore or re-evaluate those things that have always bugged or challenged you. What is your singular, personal element of beauty? Is it skin, ears, hair? Is it wisdom or humor or understanding in your eyes? We all have one thing that not only makes us individuals. That one thing makes us beautiful. What is yours and why?
Now I have confessed in other posts that I am not really a deep thinker, I do not ponder upon those things that bug me or spend much time in contemplation. To be honest, I tried to meditate and couldn't do it, to boring. So when I read Jen's prompt my very first thought was:
"Wait, I am supposed to be unhappy with what I see in the mirror? Crap!"
I am not vain (really, you can believe me) but I think I look OK. I am not the most beautiful woman out there (except to Ken) but I am not ugly either. I have always been OK with how I look. I wish I was taller. I wish I could lose a few pounds. But I get ready in the morning and that is the picture I carry in my head the rest of the day. Sometimes I glance in a mirror and am shocked that my hair is flat or my makeup is smeared (okay, on Sundays when I wear makeup) but for the most part I don't really think about it again.
Here is the caveat:
I think cameras LIE!!! The pictures they take do not match what I see in the mirror. I know that I am not very photogenic but I am usually shocked at the picture. I see the flaws in film. Saggy body, wrinkles, gray in the hair and a sick smile.
Case in point - I went to Jen's baby shower, it was really nice. Someone took a picture of the two of us. It was exclaimed by several of our friends as a wonderful picture of the two of us. One dear even said that we should be glad to have such a great picture of the two of us. Apparently it looks good, I only see the old lady on the right! I swear, in person, I don't look like that! I am less wrinkled, gray and certainly younger!!
So as for the thing in the mirror - I'm good. The camera? I have a nice smile. Thanks Jen!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
American Idol and other stuff
I am not a long time fan, but in the last few years have enjoyed it. I was not too sure how it would be with the new judges. No Simon?! Well, I am happy to report a nicer AI and a little ashamed to admit that I love Steven Tyler. He is so much fun! He seems to enjoy ALL music no matter how good or bad. I was pleased to see that Jennifer Lopez feels bad for all the people she has to say no to and she is really very beautiful. It seems to be a kinder AI, showing more of the people who can sing, instead of making total fun of those who are clueless. There are some really talented people who have made it through. I don't like the lower age of 15 - that is pretty young for all of the hoopla that goes on.
In other news I am now a certified home healthcare worker. I shocked several of my friends and family when they got the calls for references from my new employer. Really, I have been doing this for the last six years, only now the state will pay me to care for my Grandma. It was honestly the most useless training, but the lady who did the training was nice and I did learn a few things.
Wrestling is winding down, Logan is doing really well. I am so impressed with how much he has improved this year. He took 3rd in a tourney in Tucson last weekend, of course his first match was a girl. I feel really bad for these girls, because they really have little chance of being as strong in the upper body as the boys. But since there were several girls, they got to have a few exhibition matches against each other and they were really good.
Dallin is getting ready very....
not that it's a shock, but he thinks it is still very far away and I think it will be here before I can blink. We did get his suits and he picked them up yesterday. He is preparing for the temple and looking for his recommend for his patriartical blessing, which is lost somewhere in his room. Is it to much to expect a mission to help all of this?
Because this will eventually be bound and saved for my posterity, I want to mention the shooting in Tucson. I feel really bad for all of the families involved including the shooters parents. They are being judged in the press without anyone really knowing them, its sad. I have been praying for all involved and hope the best for the Senator and the others recovering. I am heart sick for those who lost family members and friends, especially those who shielded others and literally took bullets for them. It shows the best and the worst we have to offer. I am impressed by the intern who stepped up and did his best. The others who ran towards the shooter to help the injured and to stop the him.
In other news I am now a certified home healthcare worker. I shocked several of my friends and family when they got the calls for references from my new employer. Really, I have been doing this for the last six years, only now the state will pay me to care for my Grandma. It was honestly the most useless training, but the lady who did the training was nice and I did learn a few things.
Wrestling is winding down, Logan is doing really well. I am so impressed with how much he has improved this year. He took 3rd in a tourney in Tucson last weekend, of course his first match was a girl. I feel really bad for these girls, because they really have little chance of being as strong in the upper body as the boys. But since there were several girls, they got to have a few exhibition matches against each other and they were really good.
Dallin is getting ready very....
s...l...o...w...l...y,
not that it's a shock, but he thinks it is still very far away and I think it will be here before I can blink. We did get his suits and he picked them up yesterday. He is preparing for the temple and looking for his recommend for his patriartical blessing, which is lost somewhere in his room. Is it to much to expect a mission to help all of this?
Because this will eventually be bound and saved for my posterity, I want to mention the shooting in Tucson. I feel really bad for all of the families involved including the shooters parents. They are being judged in the press without anyone really knowing them, its sad. I have been praying for all involved and hope the best for the Senator and the others recovering. I am heart sick for those who lost family members and friends, especially those who shielded others and literally took bullets for them. It shows the best and the worst we have to offer. I am impressed by the intern who stepped up and did his best. The others who ran towards the shooter to help the injured and to stop the him.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Visiting Teaching
My sweet Mother in Law is the new Visiting Teaching Coordinator* in her ward and was looking for a story to give in her conference. She called me and asked me to write my story for her and I figured since I am
my blog big time I would post it here for all to read.
As a young mother, married just over 2 years, I had could count on one hand how many visits I received from my Visiting Teachers . Or for that matter, how many times I went Visiting Teaching, it didn’t seem very important. You know, the Lord knows how to teach you by example and will usually challenge your unbelief with a loving hand. Mine came from an older lady who was faithful in her Visiting Teaching.
My Husband and I had just purchased our first home and were members of an extremely large ward in Mesa Az. The past six months were some of the hardest any parent could go through, our baby daughter, Brenn, was diagnosed with cancer and had to be treated in San Francisco Ca. On top of that stress I was expecting my 2nd baby and was worried about the timing. You see, my daughter had a check up, her first since undergoing treatment, in San Francisco Ca. and I was due to deliver my baby about the same time. I knew the airlines would not let me fly and was not dumb enough to try to drive all of that way 9 months pregnant. But I felt really strongly, too strongly, that I had to be there for whatever news the doctors were going to give us. So I consulted with my OBgyn and we decided to induce labor about 1 ½ weeks early, I would have 10 days to be up and around before flying to San Francisco and leaving my newborn with my lovely Mother in Law Kathy. All went fine in the delivery, Dallin was born and he was long and skinny (just like he is now). But within a few minutes the nurses swept him off of my tummy and left the room. They told us he was not doing very well and needed some attention. He ended up in the NICU with under developed lungs and was not oxygenating his blood enough. The situation was very grave. The doctor let Ken and his Dad administer to our small son but he did not seem to improve.
Brenn had developed a cold and so she stayed with Kathy and Ed to keep Ken and I germ free for the NICU. I could not drive due to just having given birth, so I had to wait for rides to the hospital to visit my baby. We were not allowed to touch him or make any noise around him, pretty much all I could do was sit there and quietly cry. It seemed useless to be there but yet awful to be home alone too. At this point Dallin was 2 days old, I was home on my knees pleading with my Heavenly Father to keep my son on this earth, to give us a good report on my daughter and to help comfort me. Unfortunately, I was unable to feel the comforting influence of the Spirit and was inconsolable.
My phone rang. On the other end was a voice introducing herself as Kathy Williams, she was my visiting teacher and she apologize for it taking so long to contact me. She asked me how I was doing.
I lied.
She asked me how many children I had.
2, - I was thinking ‘for now’
Then she asked me how my day was going. I told her she probably didn’t want to know the answer to that question. And she told me,
“Of course I do!”
That opened the flood gates. I told her the whole story and figured she would stammer a few things and ask for a new person. But she was wonderful. She told me it sounded like I needed dinner brought in and a big hug. She was right. Just knowing she was there was a big boost. I still to this day, almost 19 years later, refer that day to the worst day of my life. The day I lost all hope.
My Heavenly Father knew my troubles and heard my prayers and knew exactly who I needed. I needed a Visiting Teacher.
*a Visiting Teacher explained:
In the LDS church the Relief Society (RS) is all of the women (or sisters) of your ward approx 18 and over. In the RS each sister is visited every month by 2 other sisters - these pairings are companions and they are assigned 2-3 sisters to visit each month. Almost all sisters are called to be Visiting Teachers. The Coordinator is the sister who keeps track!
NEGLECTING
my blog big time I would post it here for all to read.
My Visiting Teaching story,
As a young mother, married just over 2 years, I had could count on one hand how many visits I received from my Visiting Teachers . Or for that matter, how many times I went Visiting Teaching, it didn’t seem very important. You know, the Lord knows how to teach you by example and will usually challenge your unbelief with a loving hand. Mine came from an older lady who was faithful in her Visiting Teaching.
My Husband and I had just purchased our first home and were members of an extremely large ward in Mesa Az. The past six months were some of the hardest any parent could go through, our baby daughter, Brenn, was diagnosed with cancer and had to be treated in San Francisco Ca. On top of that stress I was expecting my 2nd baby and was worried about the timing. You see, my daughter had a check up, her first since undergoing treatment, in San Francisco Ca. and I was due to deliver my baby about the same time. I knew the airlines would not let me fly and was not dumb enough to try to drive all of that way 9 months pregnant. But I felt really strongly, too strongly, that I had to be there for whatever news the doctors were going to give us. So I consulted with my OBgyn and we decided to induce labor about 1 ½ weeks early, I would have 10 days to be up and around before flying to San Francisco and leaving my newborn with my lovely Mother in Law Kathy. All went fine in the delivery, Dallin was born and he was long and skinny (just like he is now). But within a few minutes the nurses swept him off of my tummy and left the room. They told us he was not doing very well and needed some attention. He ended up in the NICU with under developed lungs and was not oxygenating his blood enough. The situation was very grave. The doctor let Ken and his Dad administer to our small son but he did not seem to improve.
Brenn had developed a cold and so she stayed with Kathy and Ed to keep Ken and I germ free for the NICU. I could not drive due to just having given birth, so I had to wait for rides to the hospital to visit my baby. We were not allowed to touch him or make any noise around him, pretty much all I could do was sit there and quietly cry. It seemed useless to be there but yet awful to be home alone too. At this point Dallin was 2 days old, I was home on my knees pleading with my Heavenly Father to keep my son on this earth, to give us a good report on my daughter and to help comfort me. Unfortunately, I was unable to feel the comforting influence of the Spirit and was inconsolable.
My phone rang. On the other end was a voice introducing herself as Kathy Williams, she was my visiting teacher and she apologize for it taking so long to contact me. She asked me how I was doing.
I lied.
She asked me how many children I had.
2, - I was thinking ‘for now’
Then she asked me how my day was going. I told her she probably didn’t want to know the answer to that question. And she told me,
“Of course I do!”
That opened the flood gates. I told her the whole story and figured she would stammer a few things and ask for a new person. But she was wonderful. She told me it sounded like I needed dinner brought in and a big hug. She was right. Just knowing she was there was a big boost. I still to this day, almost 19 years later, refer that day to the worst day of my life. The day I lost all hope.
My Heavenly Father knew my troubles and heard my prayers and knew exactly who I needed. I needed a Visiting Teacher.
*a Visiting Teacher explained:
In the LDS church the Relief Society (RS) is all of the women (or sisters) of your ward approx 18 and over. In the RS each sister is visited every month by 2 other sisters - these pairings are companions and they are assigned 2-3 sisters to visit each month. Almost all sisters are called to be Visiting Teachers. The Coordinator is the sister who keeps track!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Our yearly Christmas letter, written by my son Dallin. I always get one of my kids to write it because I love to see their take on the year and quite frankly it cracks me up!
So it’s that time of year again when people get all nosey about “how our family’s been doing…” well to you I say, “none of your business!” My mother, however, didn’t like that version of this letter so I guess I let you have some insight into the wonderful life of the Cole family.
Well Ken and Karen are doing well and are ever getting closer to 50. Mom is having a great time with her full time job of being team mom for the Mountain View Wrestling Team. They love her and her cinnamon rolls! Dad has had a great time helping coach the freestyle and junior high teams or the East Valley Wrestling Club.
Brenn has been living both here at home and in Tempe with her friend Audrey. She has been taking a few classes at MCC. She also has been working as an office assistant at a life insurance company and is enjoying it. She is also doing very well with her photography you can see some of her awesome pictures on facebook.
Well I’m doing really well! I graduated from high school in May. Post high school life has been treating me pretty well! I work at Pizza Hut as a server and as a driver. I also have received my mission call to Birmingham England! I leave April 22! I am super excited to go!
Logan is a sophomore at Mountain View this year and loves high school. He has been doing very well in wrestling. He took second place at city for his freshman year, and is doing very well on the Mountain View team.
Well that is a look at the Cole family! Have a Merry Christmas and Cool Kwanzaa!!
Love Dallin and the Rest of the Family
I love that it's from Dallin and the rest of the Family, shows you who is important.
Merry Christmas my family and friends, I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his willingness to be obedient to his Father. For coming to earth to save us all. That example of Love is what I want to fulfill in my life, as always I will follow Him.
Merry Christmas
So it’s that time of year again when people get all nosey about “how our family’s been doing…” well to you I say, “none of your business!” My mother, however, didn’t like that version of this letter so I guess I let you have some insight into the wonderful life of the Cole family.
Well Ken and Karen are doing well and are ever getting closer to 50. Mom is having a great time with her full time job of being team mom for the Mountain View Wrestling Team. They love her and her cinnamon rolls! Dad has had a great time helping coach the freestyle and junior high teams or the East Valley Wrestling Club.
Brenn has been living both here at home and in Tempe with her friend Audrey. She has been taking a few classes at MCC. She also has been working as an office assistant at a life insurance company and is enjoying it. She is also doing very well with her photography you can see some of her awesome pictures on facebook.
Well I’m doing really well! I graduated from high school in May. Post high school life has been treating me pretty well! I work at Pizza Hut as a server and as a driver. I also have received my mission call to Birmingham England! I leave April 22! I am super excited to go!
Logan is a sophomore at Mountain View this year and loves high school. He has been doing very well in wrestling. He took second place at city for his freshman year, and is doing very well on the Mountain View team.
Well that is a look at the Cole family! Have a Merry Christmas and Cool Kwanzaa!!
Love Dallin and the Rest of the Family
I love that it's from Dallin and the rest of the Family, shows you who is important.
Merry Christmas my family and friends, I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his willingness to be obedient to his Father. For coming to earth to save us all. That example of Love is what I want to fulfill in my life, as always I will follow Him.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
My Friend Katie, made me cry.
A Missionary Mom Christmas (author unknown)
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion; their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence; I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year,
I'm giving Him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns; that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year...
I'm giving Christ my son.
I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before... Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me,
His only begotten son.
The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.
This year...I'm giving Christ my son.
My Friend Katie and I spent a lot of time with each other when our kids were little. She and I and our double strollers walked everywhere!! She told me after her second child, who cried ALOT, to slap her if she ever thought of having any more children. But she really wanted a girl, so I let that one go, especially since her daughter was born on my birthday. She has since had 5 more children! She is extremely sick when she is pregnant and worked really hard to bring these kids into this world. Her oldest, who when 3 came into our house crying because Brenn wouldn't agree to marry him in the temple, is on a mission in SLC, UT. They, Brenn and Tres, did go to his Senior prom though. Fun stuff. But I do feel like this Christmas we are concentrating less on the stuff and more on the mission. We are blessed.
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion; their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence; I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year,
I'm giving Him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns; that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year...
I'm giving Christ my son.
I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before... Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me,
His only begotten son.
The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.
This year...I'm giving Christ my son.
My Friend Katie and I spent a lot of time with each other when our kids were little. She and I and our double strollers walked everywhere!! She told me after her second child, who cried ALOT, to slap her if she ever thought of having any more children. But she really wanted a girl, so I let that one go, especially since her daughter was born on my birthday. She has since had 5 more children! She is extremely sick when she is pregnant and worked really hard to bring these kids into this world. Her oldest, who when 3 came into our house crying because Brenn wouldn't agree to marry him in the temple, is on a mission in SLC, UT. They, Brenn and Tres, did go to his Senior prom though. Fun stuff. But I do feel like this Christmas we are concentrating less on the stuff and more on the mission. We are blessed.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Birmingham, England
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1606879423271
Here is the link to see Dallin opening his call!! I am so very proud of this boy!! He leaves on April 22nd and goes directly to the MTC in Preston, England. Needless to say I have been really busy! I am sure there were at least 150 people in our home for this event. I made 60 cinnamon rolls and they were gone in an instant. I wish I would have taken pictures of the crowd but by 9pm I was so wound up! I managed to keep busy from noon until about 7 when we attended an open house with our ward and they were all excited too, so that made me ready to hear but Dallin didn't get off until 8:30pm so. By 9pm my house was full and no Dallin. He did finally come home and honestly, I will count that night as one of the best ever!
On to traditions...
My bestie is having a linky party and up to now I have been a no show. At our house we are all about traditions. My husband is a big Christmas person and so we developed important rituals and up until this Christmas we have always done these things. What is different about this year? I am not sure. We seem too busy. Wrestling every weekend in December and putting on one wrestling tournament the Saturday before Christmas. Planning my in-laws 50th anniversary party and reunion, plus the usual Christmas stuff. But at least I will record our traditions.
First, we always try to put up the tree on my birthday the 7th, we are more flexible as our kids have gotten older because of busy schedules. We always decorate the tree together. A few years ago Ken complained about our ornaments, they are the kids creations from school, primary and various activities. So I bought him his own tree with the white lights and red balls, he and Brenn decorate this tree and the boys and I decorate the other tree, we have blue and red lights added to the white and put lots of old ornaments. Then we put on the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the cartoon one, and string popcorn for our tree, when the Grinch is done we watch The Year Without a Santa Claus. This is something we all look forward too.
Second, we spend one day, usually the 23rd or so baking and taking treats to all of those we love. We are grateful to have such good people in our lives. The best way we know how is to make them fat! I will give out one of my most complimented recipes:
Bon, Bons
1 package of Oreos, either plain or mint but not double stuffed
1 8oz pkg of cream cheese
In a food processor grind up the Oreos, white stuff and all in to a fine powder.
Add to a bowl the powder and the cream cheese.
Mix together well - you have to use your hands - that is just the way it is.
Take about a teaspoon of the mixture and roll into a ball, stick a toothpick 3/4 of the way down and put on a tray. After all of the mixture is gone place tray in freezer for about an hour.
Melt Almond bark either in the microwave or on the stove according to the package.
Use toothpick to dip the bon bon and set on wax paper. Let the chocolate set up.
Take out toothpick and dip the top, sometimes I dip the top in white chocolate to note the mint ones.
Store in an airtight container or ziplock in the fridge. I recommend hiding them.
Last is Christmas morning. We line up according to age and wait for Ken to turn on the lights. Then we open our stockings and gather to open presents. This is serious business for Ken. We start either oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest depending on Christmas Eve. Then you open one present on your turn while everyone else watches. It usually takes us a couple of hours. Mostly, we get to spend the morning together.
Here is the link to see Dallin opening his call!! I am so very proud of this boy!! He leaves on April 22nd and goes directly to the MTC in Preston, England. Needless to say I have been really busy! I am sure there were at least 150 people in our home for this event. I made 60 cinnamon rolls and they were gone in an instant. I wish I would have taken pictures of the crowd but by 9pm I was so wound up! I managed to keep busy from noon until about 7 when we attended an open house with our ward and they were all excited too, so that made me ready to hear but Dallin didn't get off until 8:30pm so. By 9pm my house was full and no Dallin. He did finally come home and honestly, I will count that night as one of the best ever!
On to traditions...
My bestie is having a linky party and up to now I have been a no show. At our house we are all about traditions. My husband is a big Christmas person and so we developed important rituals and up until this Christmas we have always done these things. What is different about this year? I am not sure. We seem too busy. Wrestling every weekend in December and putting on one wrestling tournament the Saturday before Christmas. Planning my in-laws 50th anniversary party and reunion, plus the usual Christmas stuff. But at least I will record our traditions.
First, we always try to put up the tree on my birthday the 7th, we are more flexible as our kids have gotten older because of busy schedules. We always decorate the tree together. A few years ago Ken complained about our ornaments, they are the kids creations from school, primary and various activities. So I bought him his own tree with the white lights and red balls, he and Brenn decorate this tree and the boys and I decorate the other tree, we have blue and red lights added to the white and put lots of old ornaments. Then we put on the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the cartoon one, and string popcorn for our tree, when the Grinch is done we watch The Year Without a Santa Claus. This is something we all look forward too.
Second, we spend one day, usually the 23rd or so baking and taking treats to all of those we love. We are grateful to have such good people in our lives. The best way we know how is to make them fat! I will give out one of my most complimented recipes:
Bon, Bons
1 package of Oreos, either plain or mint but not double stuffed
1 8oz pkg of cream cheese
In a food processor grind up the Oreos, white stuff and all in to a fine powder.
Add to a bowl the powder and the cream cheese.
Mix together well - you have to use your hands - that is just the way it is.
Take about a teaspoon of the mixture and roll into a ball, stick a toothpick 3/4 of the way down and put on a tray. After all of the mixture is gone place tray in freezer for about an hour.
Melt Almond bark either in the microwave or on the stove according to the package.
Use toothpick to dip the bon bon and set on wax paper. Let the chocolate set up.
Take out toothpick and dip the top, sometimes I dip the top in white chocolate to note the mint ones.
Store in an airtight container or ziplock in the fridge. I recommend hiding them.
Last is Christmas morning. We line up according to age and wait for Ken to turn on the lights. Then we open our stockings and gather to open presents. This is serious business for Ken. We start either oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest depending on Christmas Eve. Then you open one present on your turn while everyone else watches. It usually takes us a couple of hours. Mostly, we get to spend the morning together.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Made you look!!
I felt like I was getting a bit predictable by breaking in to my mom's blog on her birthday, so I'm doubly surprising her by doing it today instead! SURPRISE!! :D
Now you guys already know that my momma is the bee's knee's, but I'm gonna tell you a few more things that make her even more awesome.
She just finished making super awesome ward directories. Which take up a bunch of time. If you have ever made one of those bad boys, I salute you. They take time. And patience. And persistence. Three things my mom doesn't always have. Mostly she's short on time. The other two she's pretty much good with. Did you know she hand printed each and every cover of the directories? Kinko's couldn't do it the way she wanted without doubling her price, so she came home and printed them herself. This gets even more impressive when you learn that our printer has a pretty serious inferiority complex, and that she had to pull each and ever piece of paper out of the printer at exactly the right time so the printer didn't mess it up. Like I said, impressive.
She handed out those ward directories last night, and I woke up this morning to her printing a whole new directory that she had made on the side for the wrestling team. I'm telling you, this woman in awesome.
She is also very selfless. She gives up so much for our family. This year, she convinced us that it was a good idea to give our Christmas to someone else. She is such a good Christlike example to me; she is always thinking of others and how she can help. I'm so excited for Christmas this year because I think our family will really be able to focus on the really reason for the season, without the worldly distractions.
I usually post a really flattering picture of the two of us together (remember last year??) but I don't really have one for this year, so instead I'm going to take a picture of the really super awesome birthday present Logan and I (Dad helped!) gave her.
Now you guys already know that my momma is the bee's knee's, but I'm gonna tell you a few more things that make her even more awesome.
She just finished making super awesome ward directories. Which take up a bunch of time. If you have ever made one of those bad boys, I salute you. They take time. And patience. And persistence. Three things my mom doesn't always have. Mostly she's short on time. The other two she's pretty much good with. Did you know she hand printed each and every cover of the directories? Kinko's couldn't do it the way she wanted without doubling her price, so she came home and printed them herself. This gets even more impressive when you learn that our printer has a pretty serious inferiority complex, and that she had to pull each and ever piece of paper out of the printer at exactly the right time so the printer didn't mess it up. Like I said, impressive.
She handed out those ward directories last night, and I woke up this morning to her printing a whole new directory that she had made on the side for the wrestling team. I'm telling you, this woman in awesome.
She is also very selfless. She gives up so much for our family. This year, she convinced us that it was a good idea to give our Christmas to someone else. She is such a good Christlike example to me; she is always thinking of others and how she can help. I'm so excited for Christmas this year because I think our family will really be able to focus on the really reason for the season, without the worldly distractions.
I usually post a really flattering picture of the two of us together (remember last year??) but I don't really have one for this year, so instead I'm going to take a picture of the really super awesome birthday present Logan and I (Dad helped!) gave her.
Custom framing! Woo!! :D Love you momma, hope your birthday was the bestest!!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Have a laugh...
Things that made me laugh out loud this week!!
Home Protection
A must have in every home in America!
For everyone who would rather not have a gun in the house!
In view of the recent Supreme Court ruling, sales of this new product
may skyrocket. The dummies in Washington think they are going to take
away our guns, so check this out.
I like it!
They'd NEVER think of NAIL GUNS!
They're concentrating on doing away with the BULLET-TYPE of ammunition!
HAH! I think I'm gonna buy ME some NAIL GUNS and NAILS!!!!
AND, we don't even have to REGISTER them or have LICENSES for them!
HA! HOW STUPID ARE THEY!!!
AND, you don't have to worry about them being CONCEALED!
Just a LOT of good stuff to do with THIS!
It can drive a 16-D nail through a 2x4 at 200 yards.
This makes construction a breeze, you can sit in your lawn chair and build a fence.
Just get your wife to hold the fence boards in place while you sit
back, and relax and when she has the board in the right place, just
fire away. With the hundred round magazine,
you can build the fence with a minimum of reloading. After a day of
fence building with the new DeWalt Rapid fire nail gun, the wife will not ask you to build or fix anything else, probably, ever again.
This was a forward email from my Uncle. I can just picture someone somewhere trying to put up a fence this way and being shocked when it doesn't work!
Last but not least is the link to "The Real Story -How Amish Friendship Bread Came to Be". This made my day and has kept me chuckling for a couple of days!! Love that boy!!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Catching up....
Why have I been so busy? Well, here are the before and after shots of all of the drywall repair due to the new hot water heater and other such fun things like roofing!
Boys bathroom - I went ahead and just repainted the whole bathroom because they are pigs and the walls were so scraped up.
Down stairs family room ceiling. It took many trips to many
different paint stores to find the right color of white paint for the ceilings. But worth the time because I didn't want to paint all 5 ceilings!
different paint stores to find the right color of white paint for the ceilings. But worth the time because I didn't want to paint all 5 ceilings!
Logan's room didn't turn out so well - some how the drywall was thicker and we will need to work on it but for now it better than a hole in the ceiling. It took lots of paint matching to pull it off, some didn't turn out so I had to paint all of Dallin's room, all of the bathroom, and one whole wall of the stairs. If you ever come to my house the stairs have 2 different colored walls but they are close enough that most won't notice.
Have I mentioned I feel cursed? Well on Saturday Ken noticed some water coming from under the dishwasher. Now my dishwasher is not that great, it works OK but not nearly as good as my last one. I figured I am not too happy to spend the money but won't miss the dishwasher. Unfortunately, after laying on the floor for 7 minutes (a rinse cycle) we found it is not the dishwasher it is the drain. More specifically, after calling my faithful plumber (Dirt Dog Plumbing 480-558-3190) he suggested it would be the pipe that runs from the kitchen sink drain to the clean out and under the house to the sewer. So Ken carefully knocked out the slump block and found the leak. Sadly, it has been leaking a while and the water has been going under the cabinet and then under my floor - UGHH!!
I feel cursed.
Some lady hit Dallin in the grocery store parking lot - her fault but still a pain
Had to get Dallin's car fixed ($1500) to pass emissions
a week later same lights on car dashboard! This time only $20 to fix
Brenn hits Dallin's rental car on the way out of the driveway.
It seems like one thing after another! I wonder if it is Satan trying to make it hard for us to afford Dallin on a mission?
Good Things.
Dallin just has to interview with the Stake President and his papers are in.
He is getting anxious and excited and wants it to hurry.
His job is giving him between 30 and 40 hours a week.
He is very responsible about getting to work on time and being a good employee.
Brenn is feeling better.
Logan is kicking butt in wrestling and the first match is Wed the 1st.
Christmas is around the corner and I am mostly done with shopping.
Ken's parents are celebrating 50 years of marriage.
The gospel is true.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Black Friday!!
My horoscope for Black Friday:
You have many options, which can be quite distracting. Therefore, you need to put stronger boundaries in place to keep you focused on your chosen track.
HHmmm.....
Did Jen and I stay focused? Well we were a little rusty having missed last year due to Evie's birth and my being at Disneyland, but we were persistent and very successful.
Up at our earliest (2am) we froze!
Coldest Thanksgiving since 1933.
Yes, it is confirmed. I wear Grandma bras!
Macy's has crappy service.
No one shopping at Toys R Us buys Ipod touches.
JoAnns clears out after noon.
You have many options, which can be quite distracting. Therefore, you need to put stronger boundaries in place to keep you focused on your chosen track.
HHmmm.....
Did Jen and I stay focused? Well we were a little rusty having missed last year due to Evie's birth and my being at Disneyland, but we were persistent and very successful.
Up at our earliest (2am) we froze!
Coldest Thanksgiving since 1933.
Yes, it is confirmed. I wear Grandma bras!
Macy's has crappy service.
No one shopping at Toys R Us buys Ipod touches.
JoAnns clears out after noon.
Jen is the BEST to shop with!
Strangest thing I saw on sale - a drinking game for $11.99 - UGH!! Really for throw away glasses and a few ping pong balls.
Guess I should do a review of Thanksgiving too. I had 40 for dinner.It was so much fun! I always have everyone bring something so all I did was cook the turkey and make the gravy. We had such a nice visit with the family.
Hosting is very satisfying. I am grateful for a close family and that I can invite both sides and they all have a good time.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Time running away with me!
Time is running and I am chasing and not keeping up with my blog!! I do stop every few days and catch up with my favs but comments are few and far between! I will catch up after BLACK FRIDAY!!!
Here is my newest Favorite:
http://tuckercdenton.blogspot.com/
I love this kid! He is almost one of my own and I am enjoying his posts.
Love,
Me
PS: Just for kicks Shanty2Chic is having a giveaway. I really don't know what it does but why should that matter?
Here is my newest Favorite:
http://tuckercdenton.blogspot.com/
I love this kid! He is almost one of my own and I am enjoying his posts.
Love,
Me
PS: Just for kicks Shanty2Chic is having a giveaway. I really don't know what it does but why should that matter?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
My Mothering Story
I am linking in to my besties blog - it seems like she is the inspiration for my blog posts lately. Thanks Jen for keeping me posting.
When I graduated high school my friends predicted I would be the first one married. Since I hate to be predictable I decided I would NOT be the first one married. So off to college, Georgia and the world I went secretly and not so secretly determined to stay unmarried until I was 25. I really didn't like children - I am sure I was one of the worlds worst babysitters (all children were returned safe but they ALL went to bed early!) During my 2nd year at Ricks (3rd year of college - I college hopped like crazy, but that is another post) I was attending a devotional with one of my good guy friends (Hi Troy) and it was on families and looking for your future and I felt impressed that I would have 7 children (laugh now Jenny).
Speed up a few years and I am married to Ken (at 21, and not first by any means) and I get that itch. You know the one that makes you want a baby. I was shocked and it took a few months for me to even admit it to myself let alone tell Ken. We had been married about 18 months went it hit and Ken was starting his last year in school. I am pretty sure it was a surprise for Ken since I had told him from day one that I did not want to be a stay at home mom and I wanted a career. I wanted to get my Masters in Economics and teach at a Jr. College or Community College. I wonder how he decided to marry me since he really wanted me to stay home with our children but we were young and in love, I guess.
When I graduated high school my friends predicted I would be the first one married. Since I hate to be predictable I decided I would NOT be the first one married. So off to college, Georgia and the world I went secretly and not so secretly determined to stay unmarried until I was 25. I really didn't like children - I am sure I was one of the worlds worst babysitters (all children were returned safe but they ALL went to bed early!) During my 2nd year at Ricks (3rd year of college - I college hopped like crazy, but that is another post) I was attending a devotional with one of my good guy friends (Hi Troy) and it was on families and looking for your future and I felt impressed that I would have 7 children (laugh now Jenny).
Speed up a few years and I am married to Ken (at 21, and not first by any means) and I get that itch. You know the one that makes you want a baby. I was shocked and it took a few months for me to even admit it to myself let alone tell Ken. We had been married about 18 months went it hit and Ken was starting his last year in school. I am pretty sure it was a surprise for Ken since I had told him from day one that I did not want to be a stay at home mom and I wanted a career. I wanted to get my Masters in Economics and teach at a Jr. College or Community College. I wonder how he decided to marry me since he really wanted me to stay home with our children but we were young and in love, I guess.
So we decided we would stop birth control and go from there - we decided since we had good insurance (the good old days) that either we would have a baby before we left school or we would have to wait until he got a job and the insurance started, but that seemed too long. Towards the end of November I had missed a period and since we lived in good old Provo, you could drop off a sample to the hospital and they would test it for free. Success. We were due the following August. When I told Ken the color drained out of his face and he was a little weak in the knees but he recovered. Then we told everyone. What fun that was. On Dec 7, 1989, my birthday, I started to bleed really heavily. As we rushed to the Doctor I kept my legs squeezed together and prayed. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and I had miscarried. We decided that maybe it would be better to wait a bit and we went home for Christmas. Ken's oldest brother and his wife just had their first baby and they were there as well. It was a hard Christmas. Sonja and I had the flu for the family picture and it shows.
I was sick the entire Christmas. After going back to Provo I missed the next period and wondered but chalked it up to the miscarriage, but by February I was flummoxed and went to the Doctor. Guess what? I was expecting again. Ken and I have often wondered when that happened. I was grieving and then had the flu, not to mention we were staying at his parents house with is little brother Scott who didn't understand a closed door. Still not sure where she came from!
September 13, 1990 out lovely Brenn came, she was so tiny and so perfect. When I had to go back to work after six weeks it was hard. Much harder than I anticipated. After about a month I quit my job because I couldn't stand it anymore. I felt like half of me was missing. The Lord knew what I needed to do and He has a way of humbling you with a loving touch. That is how I felt. I was privileged to have this perfect little person depending on me for EVERYTHING! I felt the tremendous responsibility to teach her what she needed to know and that I would do the teaching. What a change of heart. I never would have expected it. I was not the maternal type, I did not want to be the maternal type, I did not want to bake bread (cinnamon rolls do not count). But lots of that changed, not everything, but lots of things.
Ken graduated a month later, we moved and started our life in Arizona. After our new insurance kicked in we discussed when we wanted another child. No sooner than our discussion I found out I was expecting again. Brenn was 6 months old.
A few months later Brenn was diagnosed with cancer, hereditary cancer. Much transpired and all was well. Dallin was born in 1992 and I struggled with having any more children. As we had Dallin screened for cancer every few months, along with Brenn, it was stressful. I knew my chances were good to have another child with cancer and I was worrying. We attended stake conference (usually with 2 small children I didn't go because ya know but...) the speaker was a preacher from another church. He spoke about a baby who was born with problems, who the Doctor did not expect to live and would not do anything to save and yet the baby grew in to the speaker. He spoke about how the Lord sends us here to do His work and it wasn't up to us who could come or what problems we would have. We just needed to trust in Him. This speaker (whose church now persecutes the Mormon church in our area) changed my perspective. I knew it wasn't up to me to choose the problems my children would have, just to help them navigate them. I knew I would give life to the children I was supposed to bring into my family.
Funny it was just one more. Logan joined our family in 1995 and I felt like I could deal with more children but I was done having them myself.
The years 2000-2001 were tough years. I am glad I didn't have really small children to deal with since I was pretty much comatose with migraines. After gaining control of that, I kept having dreams of little girls wanting to come to our family. I am sure I never prayed as hard to understand as I did then. I knew my health and the medication I was taking would not be good for a fetus. I was praying for direction.
I was visiting my parents when my sister and my niece Kirsten came and told us Kirsten was pregnant with twin girls. Kirsten was 16. I felt like I had been hit with a bolt of lightning. It felt so right. I offered to give them a good home. What followed was one of the hardest times in my life. I physically yearned for those babies. Kirsten and my sister waffled back and forth on adoption. I finally prayed my heart out for Heavenly Father to take the yearning away. It was destroying my relationship with Kirsten and taking over my life. This was a lesson I needed to learn. Heavenly Father cannot make someone choose the right thing. He gave us free agency. After lots of babysitting, CPS, and other awful things the twins were taken from Kirsten and given to her Dad and Step mom. A couple of times it looked like we would be getting these precious girls but it did not happen. I mourned. I still babysit (she now has 5 kids) but I have a hard time with the girls because I wanted them to be part of my family. They will turn 8 in December, I have no idea if they will be baptized and it breaks my heart. I have to say the Kirsten straightened up and is a better mother than I ever thought she would be and I a proud of how far she has come.
As I look over this really long, boring post I echo Jenny in saying that the Lord knew that my heart would change (so did Ken, I guess). I wouldn't trade my stay at home status for a career. When I was younger and went to social functions for Ken's work I was slightly embarrassed to say I didn't work. As I got a little older I decided to change my perspective and I would say "I get to stay home" and that made a big difference. I am the biggest influence on my children and that is the way it should be.
As I have gotten older and I was given the opportunity to quit having a period to help my migraines it meant no more children EVER. I was a little sad, to have that time in my life over. But I look forward to mothering as a GRANDMOTHER! I am a little jealous of Jen who gets to go first but I truly look forward to being a Grandma and enjoying those little ones again.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Things that make you go hhmmmm....
I had a wonderful time in Ohio and Tennessee - Big thanks to my mom for taking me and making time to go to Tennessee to see the Stockingers!!
On the plane ride home - big plane and only 3 bathrooms :( - this gentleman and I were patiently waiting for the restroom. About 15 minutes later (no kidding) this man comes out of the airplane bathroom with his laptop and a movie on pause! Seriously, the other guy and I looked at each other and shrugged. I guess to each his own. Guess he isn't bothered by claustrophobia or the smell!
Makes you go hhmmmmm!
On the plane ride home - big plane and only 3 bathrooms :( - this gentleman and I were patiently waiting for the restroom. About 15 minutes later (no kidding) this man comes out of the airplane bathroom with his laptop and a movie on pause! Seriously, the other guy and I looked at each other and shrugged. I guess to each his own. Guess he isn't bothered by claustrophobia or the smell!
Makes you go hhmmmmm!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween in Ohio....
It's a good thing my mother knows me well. She needed a travel (wanted really) to go visit my Brother Ryan in Ohio for his youngest 2nd birthday and Halloween. My dad came down with shingles (I hear there is a shot for that) and couldn't go so she called me up a few days before to see if I wanted to go. Really there is no question. I love to go. Ryan has 4 of the cutest kids and it's fun to get away for a little bit. Ken was excited for me to leave (should I be suspicious? or have I just been that grumpy?) so arrangements for Gma and off I go for a week.
Then we celebrated the birthday on Saturday! Garrison has a Naughton mouth for sure!
Cutie Abbey is Minnie Mouse thanks to Grandma Judy
Makenna is Princess Leia
Notice the the buns on her head.
Garrison the Ninja
Alison is Alice in Wonderland
And what a fun week!! Athens, Ohio celebrates Halloween for 4 days. The sororities and frats have trick or treating on wed night and a little carnival at one of the bigger houses. What a blast that was. Then trick or treating is ALWAYS the last Thursday in Oct from 5:30 to 6:30pm - the cannon goes off to start and to stop. Friday is reserved the school parties which start with a parade at 1:30 and then the parties in the classes. Garrisons class made a lot of pumpkin things they then ate - pumpkin pie, bread, muffins, etc. On Saturday it the big city Halloween party with everyone attends and families leave by 10 to avoid the college type of partying (OU was voted the best party school). The branch had a trunk or treat and then a fun party planned and excuted by the young women. Sunday was church and movies. Fun, Fun Fun!!!!
This is what it is all about!
Then we celebrated the birthday on Saturday! Garrison has a Naughton mouth for sure!
I know the cake looks a little dodgy but it IS chocolate frosting not......
Tomorrow I leave to go see SONYA!!!! I am so excited!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)