A special day for a special boy! Kayden has taught us so much in his four wonderful years. What fun to see him so excited about his birthday present! He was literally jumping with joy, so excited and smiling from ear to ear over a crazy green power ranger. Do you know how hard those are to find?
Kayden has gone through so much in his short life. His mother has written his story many times on her blog. You can read the latest here. It was so hard to see him with all those tubes and hear him cry when the tube had to be replaced. I remember the day Koy was born and Tammy had an IV in her hand. Kayden was so upset about his mother having an "ouwee". He is so tender hearted. He is certainly his grandpa's little buddy. Forget about anyone else. When he has Grandpa he doesn't need anyone. He will even eat when Grandpa asks him to
Kayden, we love you so much! Happy birthday. Good luck at kidney clinic today. Hope you ate lots of chocolate cake so you can gain weight. (I wish I had the problem of trying to gain weight!)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday
I love Sundays. I love going to church and knowing I enjoy being there. Even though some Sundays I feel ignored or un-needed, I love knowing that is where I should be and I am doing what I should do. I love coming home to a warm house and spending time with my husband. I love the comfort I feel at home. I love how church lessons get me to think about what I need to improve myself, or that I am doing okay in some areas. I like the comfort I feel knowing that I can look at myself and decide what areas I need to work on, not needing to depend on someone else to tell me what they think I should do.
I am thankful for the Lord helping me get through some tough feelings today, helping me to see what I need to do to get over these feelings.
I have always suffered from low self-esteem and have craved acceptance from others and never felt that people I valued valued me. In the past when I allowed the actions or words of others to hurt me, I would want them to hurt as badly as I did. The past day I have been struggling with those old feelings again and I didn't want them. I wanted some people to know that their inability to forgive and forget was hurting me again, or should I say "still". And then I realized that it doesn't matter. That is something they will need to work on. At church I was taught that my tials are to help me and that perhaps the lessons I learn will enable me to be there to help them. I read back through my posts on Agency in the Balance and Judgement or Opinion and remembered all those feelings of the past years. I am sorry if you don't like me, or my children, or my family, or whatever. I am sorry for whatever has been said that offended you. I don't want you to hurt the way I am and I don't want anything to come between our friendship and family. I would hope and pray that we can get over things in the past, recognizing the difficult times we have all gone through and realizing that some things are more important than past words or actions.
One way I get out of my pity-party is to make a list of SOME of the things I am thankful for. So here goes:
1. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who loves me and my family, even in our weakest times.
2. I am thankful for free agency that allows us to make wrong choices because without this agency we can't make right choices.
3. I am thankful for trials because without trials we wouldn't recognize blessings.
4. I am thankful for weaknesses so I can appreciate strengths.
5. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who stands near during our joyous times, allowing me to be thankful for everything I have.
6. I am thankful for my children who keep me strong, who allow me to make mistakes so I can grow.
7. I am thankful for a husband who honors his priesthood and uses it to bless his family.
8. I am thankful for parents who taught me to think for myself and speak up for what I believe, for my dad who would try to get me to debate him each morning on our ride to school. He wanted me to make valid arguments so I would be strong and be able to speak my own mind, even if he didn't agree with me.
9. I am thankful for a mother who didn't pass judgement when I didn't keep my room as clean as she thought I should, and who still invited all my friends over for fun around the piano.
10. I am thankful for my sisters who have been such good examples to me. They have each had such great trials of their own, and I am sure we will all have more. But they keep on going, doing what is needed for the time.
11. I am thankful for my husband's extended family, my wonderful in-laws. They are such strong and loving people. I love the hugs they give. They have shown me it is okay to show you care about people by putting your arms around them. I didn't have that growing up and I am glad my children can see that other people besides mom and dad can show that public love.
12. I am thankful for hugs and kisses on the check. I love giving and getting hugs with my children and grandchildren. And of course my husband.
13. I love hugs from my school children. I love walking down the halls at church and having them come up for a hug. Today one of my students from last year came to me and threw his arms around me. Walking behind him was an older former student who did the same thing. Right behind him was an "older" former students (28-29) who said he wanted a hug, too! We laughed together about how special people are in our lives.
14. I love hugs from my neices and nephews. I love how Scott (42) and Devon (43) still give us hugs. And Traci (17) and Aubrey (12?). And all the others inbetween. And I even get hugs from Landon still, that I enjoy so much! And Chelsie who hugs my head because she is so much taller than me.
15. I love living in my small town. I love the comfort of knowing my neighbors.
16. I love my job and the people I work with.
17. I love coming home at night and spending time with my husband. I love the comfort I feel with him, that he is my best friend.
18. I love reading to my husband when we travel. I love that he lets me take a break and sleep for a few minutes!
19. I love the squeal of my grandsons when they open their birthday presents!
20. I love my family.
I am thankful for the Lord helping me get through some tough feelings today, helping me to see what I need to do to get over these feelings.
I have always suffered from low self-esteem and have craved acceptance from others and never felt that people I valued valued me. In the past when I allowed the actions or words of others to hurt me, I would want them to hurt as badly as I did. The past day I have been struggling with those old feelings again and I didn't want them. I wanted some people to know that their inability to forgive and forget was hurting me again, or should I say "still". And then I realized that it doesn't matter. That is something they will need to work on. At church I was taught that my tials are to help me and that perhaps the lessons I learn will enable me to be there to help them. I read back through my posts on Agency in the Balance and Judgement or Opinion and remembered all those feelings of the past years. I am sorry if you don't like me, or my children, or my family, or whatever. I am sorry for whatever has been said that offended you. I don't want you to hurt the way I am and I don't want anything to come between our friendship and family. I would hope and pray that we can get over things in the past, recognizing the difficult times we have all gone through and realizing that some things are more important than past words or actions.
One way I get out of my pity-party is to make a list of SOME of the things I am thankful for. So here goes:
1. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who loves me and my family, even in our weakest times.
2. I am thankful for free agency that allows us to make wrong choices because without this agency we can't make right choices.
3. I am thankful for trials because without trials we wouldn't recognize blessings.
4. I am thankful for weaknesses so I can appreciate strengths.
5. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who stands near during our joyous times, allowing me to be thankful for everything I have.
6. I am thankful for my children who keep me strong, who allow me to make mistakes so I can grow.
7. I am thankful for a husband who honors his priesthood and uses it to bless his family.
8. I am thankful for parents who taught me to think for myself and speak up for what I believe, for my dad who would try to get me to debate him each morning on our ride to school. He wanted me to make valid arguments so I would be strong and be able to speak my own mind, even if he didn't agree with me.
9. I am thankful for a mother who didn't pass judgement when I didn't keep my room as clean as she thought I should, and who still invited all my friends over for fun around the piano.
10. I am thankful for my sisters who have been such good examples to me. They have each had such great trials of their own, and I am sure we will all have more. But they keep on going, doing what is needed for the time.
11. I am thankful for my husband's extended family, my wonderful in-laws. They are such strong and loving people. I love the hugs they give. They have shown me it is okay to show you care about people by putting your arms around them. I didn't have that growing up and I am glad my children can see that other people besides mom and dad can show that public love.
12. I am thankful for hugs and kisses on the check. I love giving and getting hugs with my children and grandchildren. And of course my husband.
13. I love hugs from my school children. I love walking down the halls at church and having them come up for a hug. Today one of my students from last year came to me and threw his arms around me. Walking behind him was an older former student who did the same thing. Right behind him was an "older" former students (28-29) who said he wanted a hug, too! We laughed together about how special people are in our lives.
14. I love hugs from my neices and nephews. I love how Scott (42) and Devon (43) still give us hugs. And Traci (17) and Aubrey (12?). And all the others inbetween. And I even get hugs from Landon still, that I enjoy so much! And Chelsie who hugs my head because she is so much taller than me.
15. I love living in my small town. I love the comfort of knowing my neighbors.
16. I love my job and the people I work with.
17. I love coming home at night and spending time with my husband. I love the comfort I feel with him, that he is my best friend.
18. I love reading to my husband when we travel. I love that he lets me take a break and sleep for a few minutes!
19. I love the squeal of my grandsons when they open their birthday presents!
20. I love my family.
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Strange Day
I was a bit late getting to school this morning. I didn't make it until about 7:25, just too lazy to get going I guess. I noticed the lights were on, so thought Cory or Mavorene had already been in to check the heaters or something, not unusual when I am late. I went straight to my desk and noticed my set of cheap reading glasses on top of the papers on my desk. They were snapped in half and just sitting on the papers. I haven't used them for a while, and my first thought was that Cory had found them under the heater or desk and had picked them up, just some random thought. Maybe they were on the floor and I had rolled my chair over them without knowing. Very likely. Then Cory came in and said to check everything very closely because we had a break-in last night.
The first one to notice was Edna, the lunch lady. She got here around 6:30 and found glass all over the kitchen floor. The window had been broken in. She found Mavorene and they started looking through the building and found every teachers' desk had all the drawers pulled out. Of course the cops were called. They were here in just a few minutes, taking pictures and doing cop stuff.
So far we haven't found a thing missing; no money gone, no electronics, calculators or anything. Just every room having little strange things done. In my room there were my glasses sitting there broken, the monitor on the student computer was turned off, and the speaker box for my microphone was unplugged. But my candy was in my desk, my palm pilot sitting on the shelf plugged in, my pills still in the same drawer where the glasses were.
We noticed a footprint on top of the copy machine. It looks like someone climbed through the faculty room window to the copy room, then out into the office. The door from the faculty room to the office is always locked so the only way to get to the office is through the window (or with a key!). No one is missing anything. Just really strange. It feels like someone is spying on you, watching every move.
Just a strange day.
The first one to notice was Edna, the lunch lady. She got here around 6:30 and found glass all over the kitchen floor. The window had been broken in. She found Mavorene and they started looking through the building and found every teachers' desk had all the drawers pulled out. Of course the cops were called. They were here in just a few minutes, taking pictures and doing cop stuff.
So far we haven't found a thing missing; no money gone, no electronics, calculators or anything. Just every room having little strange things done. In my room there were my glasses sitting there broken, the monitor on the student computer was turned off, and the speaker box for my microphone was unplugged. But my candy was in my desk, my palm pilot sitting on the shelf plugged in, my pills still in the same drawer where the glasses were.
We noticed a footprint on top of the copy machine. It looks like someone climbed through the faculty room window to the copy room, then out into the office. The door from the faculty room to the office is always locked so the only way to get to the office is through the window (or with a key!). No one is missing anything. Just really strange. It feels like someone is spying on you, watching every move.
Just a strange day.
Happy Birthday, Koy
Happy birthday, big boy. Who would have thought your special day would bring cold and snow? Well, we haven't seen the snow yet, but I hear it is coming soon.
Our Koy is such a cutie! A big teddy-bear of a boy. He is so busy he just can't stop. He gets into mischief because he wants to experience everything he can. Why slow down when there is so much to do? He has the sweetest grin and touble-making eyes. You just melt into them. He is a tease and will giggle at the simplest things. He loves his grandpa, tickles from grandma, playing with Kayden, and running. Happy birthday, Koy Boy!
Our Koy is such a cutie! A big teddy-bear of a boy. He is so busy he just can't stop. He gets into mischief because he wants to experience everything he can. Why slow down when there is so much to do? He has the sweetest grin and touble-making eyes. You just melt into them. He is a tease and will giggle at the simplest things. He loves his grandpa, tickles from grandma, playing with Kayden, and running. Happy birthday, Koy Boy!
Friday, October 3, 2008
It Was a Great Day
We just got back home from Logan where we went to Kandis's wedding. As all temple wedding are, it was beautiful. She was a beautiful bride and he is very handsome. They looked so happy together. It was beautiful weather for pictures afterward. I could have sat around the temple grounds all morning. The flowers were still blooming, the water running, the grass green, with clear blue sky. It was very nice. It was nice to see all the family again. It seems like we usually miss one or the other each time we have family events. We did miss seeing Lee and his family and hope that we will soon be able to meet up with them again. But we really enjoyed visiting and see all the others. Of course Mary and Cleve were busy with their position as parents of the bride, so it is understandable that we didn't get to visit too much with them. However, we did talk with them while we were waiting for the dinner and we had a nice visit. Did I was it was a beautiful, nice day?
We had a few hours to fill between the temple and the dinner and we put them to good use. We went to Deseret Book! Nicky had given me a gift certificate for Christmas and I haven't had time to go to the bookstore yet, and I was dying to go and pick up my next book. Chris Stewart came out with the last volumn of The Great and Terrible series. I had no idea it was coming out so quickly after the previous volumn! Dad and I listened to all the tapes for the 5 books on our way to Missouri and back in June, so he was also anxious to get the book. (Not really. He is waiting for the CDs.) I couldn't wait to get started so when we left the dinner I started reading it outloud to him. I figured he could listen to me as well as the CDs. After all, I read aloud all the time and kind of know what I am doing. Well, it was a big mistake! I can't read through a choked up voice and tears in eyes kind of make it difficult to see the words. I never cried in the other books, but boy this one hit some tender spots. I won't give away any "secrets" but when Bono talked with his little girl and she didn't want him to go back to the war, I teared up. No, I wept. And when Sam and the family realized it was a Sunday and they wanted the sacrament, so he found some bread and water and they had a Sunday service I cried again. And when........and then.......So far it is very touching how the Spirit touches each of them. And so scary how much like today's world the evil part plays out. Tomorrow I will post about how this book is influencing me to think about my vote come November. I don't think the author intended to influence anyone, but he said a few things that got me thinking. But that will be another post. We read 120 pages but had to stop near Price because of darkness. Maybe I will become a professional book reader! If I can just control my emotions.
In all, it was a great day: nice wedding, nice weather, nice family, nice ride home, great book. What more could we ask for? Oh yeah, BYU football at USU. BYU beat. Emery football....Emery lost. Oh, well. It was a nice day.
We had a few hours to fill between the temple and the dinner and we put them to good use. We went to Deseret Book! Nicky had given me a gift certificate for Christmas and I haven't had time to go to the bookstore yet, and I was dying to go and pick up my next book. Chris Stewart came out with the last volumn of The Great and Terrible series. I had no idea it was coming out so quickly after the previous volumn! Dad and I listened to all the tapes for the 5 books on our way to Missouri and back in June, so he was also anxious to get the book. (Not really. He is waiting for the CDs.) I couldn't wait to get started so when we left the dinner I started reading it outloud to him. I figured he could listen to me as well as the CDs. After all, I read aloud all the time and kind of know what I am doing. Well, it was a big mistake! I can't read through a choked up voice and tears in eyes kind of make it difficult to see the words. I never cried in the other books, but boy this one hit some tender spots. I won't give away any "secrets" but when Bono talked with his little girl and she didn't want him to go back to the war, I teared up. No, I wept. And when Sam and the family realized it was a Sunday and they wanted the sacrament, so he found some bread and water and they had a Sunday service I cried again. And when........and then.......So far it is very touching how the Spirit touches each of them. And so scary how much like today's world the evil part plays out. Tomorrow I will post about how this book is influencing me to think about my vote come November. I don't think the author intended to influence anyone, but he said a few things that got me thinking. But that will be another post. We read 120 pages but had to stop near Price because of darkness. Maybe I will become a professional book reader! If I can just control my emotions.
In all, it was a great day: nice wedding, nice weather, nice family, nice ride home, great book. What more could we ask for? Oh yeah, BYU football at USU. BYU beat. Emery football....Emery lost. Oh, well. It was a nice day.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Busy Weekend
I spent Saturday getting my supply of chili sauce for the year all bottled and ready for winter. Nicky was here and helped me by putting the tomatoes into the hot water and fishing them out and into the cold water. I peeled tomatoes, and peeled tomatoes, cut them and measured. Yes, I got all the salt and sugar in this year. It should be a good patch. All that cooking and stirring got us 11 1/2 pints of chili sauce. And Nicky got a good laugh at me trying to fish out the hot lids from the water. It was a quiet day because we didn't even have a BYU football game to watch.
Sunday morning I was very slow getting ready for church. The time just passed away and before I knew it, it was already 8:10 and I didn't have make-up or hair done, and was still in my robe. I hurried to get a sice of toast so I could take my medicine, then rushed to get thrown together and out the door. And we were still the first ones there! It was my turn to play the organ this month so I had to start by 8:45 (My rules, no one else's.) I just can't handle it when I walk into a meeting and there is no prelude music. It really sets the mood of the meeting IF someone is playing and someone else is listening. Lately, no one but Dad listens.
We were planning on rushing on up to SLC to listen to Lexi in her Primary program. She called Saturday night and really wanted us to come see her. I said we might not be able to get there, and I could hear the tears in her voice and it just broke my heart. I can't stand to hear my little ones cry! Big kids, cry all you want, but little one's can't. So, after a LONG meeting (overtime, no 'practice song'), we made it to their church just before it started. Man were Koy and Kayden excited to see Grandpa! Lexie was so good with her part and sang all the songs so well. We were glad to be able to be there.
We went to IHOP for lunch so Josh didn't need to cook dinner. Not that he isn't a good cook, but we were rushed to get back and wanted to have time to visit with the kids and.....just an excuse. I know Lexi loves IHOP, even if she didn't have a really great experience there. The one good thing was that Kayden at a whole pancake and 1/2 of another one! He was so proud of himself! He had to show us his empty mouth. He can stuff as much in his mouth as Barrett could at that age. But he chewed it and swallowed it all. We were so proud of him!
Dad and I got home in time for The Amazing Race and time to rest a little bit. It as a very busy weekend after a busy week.
This morning I finished Maxwell's name on his Christmas stocking! Now all I have to do is get the fabric for the back and get it sewn together and sent off. Making any bets about getting it all done by Christmas?
Now I am going to bed. I wrote two three page papers and I am tired.
Sunday morning I was very slow getting ready for church. The time just passed away and before I knew it, it was already 8:10 and I didn't have make-up or hair done, and was still in my robe. I hurried to get a sice of toast so I could take my medicine, then rushed to get thrown together and out the door. And we were still the first ones there! It was my turn to play the organ this month so I had to start by 8:45 (My rules, no one else's.) I just can't handle it when I walk into a meeting and there is no prelude music. It really sets the mood of the meeting IF someone is playing and someone else is listening. Lately, no one but Dad listens.
We were planning on rushing on up to SLC to listen to Lexi in her Primary program. She called Saturday night and really wanted us to come see her. I said we might not be able to get there, and I could hear the tears in her voice and it just broke my heart. I can't stand to hear my little ones cry! Big kids, cry all you want, but little one's can't. So, after a LONG meeting (overtime, no 'practice song'), we made it to their church just before it started. Man were Koy and Kayden excited to see Grandpa! Lexie was so good with her part and sang all the songs so well. We were glad to be able to be there.
We went to IHOP for lunch so Josh didn't need to cook dinner. Not that he isn't a good cook, but we were rushed to get back and wanted to have time to visit with the kids and.....just an excuse. I know Lexi loves IHOP, even if she didn't have a really great experience there. The one good thing was that Kayden at a whole pancake and 1/2 of another one! He was so proud of himself! He had to show us his empty mouth. He can stuff as much in his mouth as Barrett could at that age. But he chewed it and swallowed it all. We were so proud of him!
Dad and I got home in time for The Amazing Race and time to rest a little bit. It as a very busy weekend after a busy week.
This morning I finished Maxwell's name on his Christmas stocking! Now all I have to do is get the fabric for the back and get it sewn together and sent off. Making any bets about getting it all done by Christmas?
Now I am going to bed. I wrote two three page papers and I am tired.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fun in Mesa
We had a very good time visiting with Tyler, and it was nice to see Dallas and Nancy as well. We loved seeing how Tyler has grown and what great giant steps he has taken this past year. He even started to warm up to us some. He sure loves his basketball and giving Grandpa five's. He claps and squeals everytime he shots the ball. I love seeing him look at the puzzle pieces so intensely. I wish my students would look at things that closely. He is so memorized by simple thinge. He sure gets the beat of the music. What a cutie! Here are a few pictures we took. I'm not too thrilled with the focus. Guess I need to quit messing around with the camera.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
School Work
I was working on something for school and I need to try it out. Follow this link and see what happens. My placespotting.com quiz
Monday, September 22, 2008
Back Home
I just have a minute to make a quick post. Hope to do more later today.
We had a great time in Arizona with Tyler on his birthday. The travel was fine and the days were great. We had fun playing with Tyler. He even got so he would let me hold him and kiss him, and gave Grandpa so many high-fives. It was so fun watching him get so excited about playing basketball. What a cutie and a tease. And it was okay to see Dallas and Nancy, too. Hope I have time to post a few pictures tonight. No promises because the day looks really busy.
Now I have a full day ahead. I have to give the IOWA test this week, which cuts into instruction time. I need to see just where the substitute was able to leave off, where we are and how much was done on Friday, and pick up from there.
We had a great time in Arizona with Tyler on his birthday. The travel was fine and the days were great. We had fun playing with Tyler. He even got so he would let me hold him and kiss him, and gave Grandpa so many high-fives. It was so fun watching him get so excited about playing basketball. What a cutie and a tease. And it was okay to see Dallas and Nancy, too. Hope I have time to post a few pictures tonight. No promises because the day looks really busy.
Now I have a full day ahead. I have to give the IOWA test this week, which cuts into instruction time. I need to see just where the substitute was able to leave off, where we are and how much was done on Friday, and pick up from there.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Getting Ready
This week has been so busy at school. I was put on another committee which just means more things to do with my little bit of time. I went to a training on Tuesday afternoon. I am getting ready for a substitute for Friday. We are so looking forward to flying to Arizona. It has been eleven months since we saw Tyler! (okay, Nancy and Dallas as well.) We are so excited to see him (them) again. I will take lots of pictures for myself and maybe share them with you.
For some reason it just seems like we don't have the energy to do what needs to be done any more. We get home so tired at the end of the day. Dad leaves at 4:45am and gets home at 6:20pm. Last night he was mowing the lawn and looked so tired and sore from being on his feet all day. Well, really he mowed all day but that really jars his knee. And mowing our lawn afterward wasn't a help. He was just "plum tuckered out" as Grandma Olsen would say.
I am up at 4:30 and try to get to school by 7:00am. (It takes me longer to get beautiful.) And I never leave until 6:00, or when Dad comes knocking on my door. Then dinner and all that stuff, including checking and recording more assignments. I don't even seem to get to my handwork. All I need to do on Maxwell's Christmas stocking is sew on his name, but it is taking me forever to get to that! I will get it done in the next few weeks, then add the backing and send it off! I had so much time until school started. I must be doing something wrong. I just can't get it all done. Could it be this new math program is taking so long to prepare each night? Thank heavens for Sara who helps me with reading, and Cindy who comes in for math. Suzette Roberts also comes in and volunteers during math. I am so blessed to have such wonderful helpers.
As for now, I think I will go home and cry myself to sleep, I am so tired!
For some reason it just seems like we don't have the energy to do what needs to be done any more. We get home so tired at the end of the day. Dad leaves at 4:45am and gets home at 6:20pm. Last night he was mowing the lawn and looked so tired and sore from being on his feet all day. Well, really he mowed all day but that really jars his knee. And mowing our lawn afterward wasn't a help. He was just "plum tuckered out" as Grandma Olsen would say.
I am up at 4:30 and try to get to school by 7:00am. (It takes me longer to get beautiful.) And I never leave until 6:00, or when Dad comes knocking on my door. Then dinner and all that stuff, including checking and recording more assignments. I don't even seem to get to my handwork. All I need to do on Maxwell's Christmas stocking is sew on his name, but it is taking me forever to get to that! I will get it done in the next few weeks, then add the backing and send it off! I had so much time until school started. I must be doing something wrong. I just can't get it all done. Could it be this new math program is taking so long to prepare each night? Thank heavens for Sara who helps me with reading, and Cindy who comes in for math. Suzette Roberts also comes in and volunteers during math. I am so blessed to have such wonderful helpers.
As for now, I think I will go home and cry myself to sleep, I am so tired!