The Family Rules :)

I've been asked to repost this older deleted post - so here it is again! Good luck! I was NOT the perfect parent, so please don't hold me to any high standard what-so-ever. I made lots of mistakes and probably still continue to make a lot of them. This worked for me. You'll have to ask my kids if it worked for them. They would be the best judge of it. I didn't add my wonderful son in law to this picture, because he didn't have to abide by these rules. It's an old picture, but we love him dearly. I hope to add a really awesome pic of him soon. Go Trav!

The administration of the rules are as follows, to ensure maximum success.One minute for each year of age of the child for each rule broken. The rules must be posted opposite where the "offender" of the rules will be sitting for time out (mine was always in the bathroom, with rules posted just opposite the toilet. (It also helped to reinforce the rules when they went potty, because it was "there" in plain sight to remind them.)Put the offender in time out (on the closed toilet). After time out is served, as them the following question:"What rule did you break?" then..."How did you break it?" then...Maybe ask (if they are older) ...."what can you do differently next time?"Then the most important question "Why do we have these family rules?"Their answer must be WORD FOR WORD correct and with good attitude "Because you love me and want me to be happy". I answer "yes, that's right (I also hug them at that point) ....because I love you, and want you to be happy.Sometimes I would add.... "and Heavenly Father gives us rules, because he wants us to be happy too."Ok - here are the rules. (very important...... #7 is an automatic double time out - ALWAYS)

1. We respect ourselves.
2. We respect our parents and others.
3. We respect property.
4. We do not manipulate.
5. We supervise ourselves and clean up our own messes.
6. We follow directions.
7. We are always honest.
8. We ask permission before doing things.
9. We do our jobs.
10. We have good dress and grooming habits.
11. We have a good attitude.
12. We go to bed on time and happily.

Tribute to my Father in Law......

This is a quick tribute to a very special man. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful Father-in-Law. I'm sure there is a special spot for him reserved in Heaven and in history as a supreme good example of a Father-in-Law . I'm sure he and I were good friends before this mortal life, because we have a very special relationship. I know I'm not his only daughter in law that feels that way and that's the wonderful part - we each feel like we're "the favorite". Happy Birthday to a wonderful man and mentor. He's set the bar very high and we're all trying to measure up. Thanks for watching over us, praying over us, and making sure we keep in touch. The first year I got married, I had to leave my honeymoon early for Thanksgiving. I was broken-hearted. He sensed it, and had me sit by him at the table. He's held a special place in my heart ever since then.... and I love him for his sensitivity and spirit.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes.....

Ray Anderson married Rita Fay today at 10:30am for time. They were married by President Whitlock and they move to Portland tommorrow morning. He's looking forward to a new beginning and companionship with Rita. I wish them all the best of luck in their new adventure. Thanks to President Don Mortensen for insisting on this picture and sending me copies of the wedding pictures. Don Mortensen, what a nice man. Guess he's known me since I was about 6 years old. He explained a lot about my life as a child, that I didn't understand, and I'll sleep a lot better tonight. That's two nights of good sleep...two nights in a row. The only thing constant is change. I'm getting a lot better at handling it too....feels good. Glad Lizzie went with me today.

A New World for My Future Grandchildren?

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAG

I guess I'm just bugged because my kids' school in California didn't have enough money for fieldtrips to the museum for Spencer, ballet or opera or culinary academy for Lizzie or even enough money to take Kat to the Fremont School for the Deaf, Galluadet or anything else to help her with her interests. Money ran short for science programs, science faires, and music programs..... but there's money and time for this? Honestly! Spencer was reading Beowulf, Cantebury Tales and Shakespeare in the second grade and they couldn't "afford" to bump him up into a 6th grade class. They said it was a social issue, or a maturity issue. It's ok that I'm bugged today. At least I'm doing something about it.

My Ultimate Hero....

Dave, I love you. One of my favorite seminary students has become my life's greatest hero! Remember when...

1) Remember when.... our seminary class all cleaned our "souls/soles" and yours was white and mine was black?

2) Remember when...I had a seizure outside with you waiting for your bus, and you took care of me and comforted me? and then laughed with me? (and at me....that was hilarious)

3) Remember when you took the time to show me the bus routes and how to get home?

Dave, you're my hero. I'll make sure to stand by you in Heaven and tell them how much you affected my life for good. Have you ever heard this song? Well, it's my theme song for you...."Because I knew you, I have been changed....for GOOD". Dave, you ROCK!

FALL COLORS TOUR with Spencer

Spencer took me on a special date to commemorate my October 17th "Glad to be Alive Day!" Only once have I gone up to the canyon behind my house, but I have been watching the news and seeing the pictures for weeks. I'm so glad he took the time to do this, even though he wasn't feeling well. We hiked all over and was able to see up to Cascade Springs. Perhaps others who live here have done this, and he's done it plenty of times, but it was a huge treat for me! This special time with my son was so precious, and we had some great talks. He was so accomodating, and showed me all about the geological wonders!
Spencer even took the time to show me the spectacular falls, and took the long way around so we could really take in all the colors and take some special pictures too. We took pictures for other people, saw some really cute families taking Fall Color family pictures. We even went around the Provo way and I got to go to Sundance and it was beautiful. I've never really walked all the way around, and I was so grateful for this special time with Spencer. Awesome tour guide and perfect gentlemen. I also love his music, so we're good roadies together!
Thanks, Spence, for the great day!!!

2 NEW Additions to the Family!

Welcome to the family! Lizzie came home with 2 new little additions to our family! Welcome to our new little baby fishes. They've had lots of new names, and the fish are actually really cute and they're growing fat and happy. They aren't quite goldfish, yet they look similar but with a black tail. Ok - help us name our goldfish! The adorable children next door named the fishy babies WANDA and COSMO, the fish fairies. Guess it's from a Nickelodeon movie series, called "The Fairly Odd Parents". That suits me just fine. . . :)

I love "Bold and Stupid Men"

This time of year, I really get homesick for California, wait, scratch that.... I always get homesick for California! This is the time of the NorCalifornia Fall Harvest RenFaire, and I miss the Bold and Stupid Men! Here we are with Jeff and his side kick, "Bolt U". We miss you at harvest time and missed being chased about by the Puritans, the town criers, the washer-women, Moonie & Broon, Sir Francis Drake and the Glover's Son, Sir William Shakespeare.... Huzzah! The faire is over, but the memories last a lifetime.

I GOT TAGGED!

Four Random things about me:
1. I recently learned how to cook, just in the last 4 months!
2. I've also become a RachelRay fan! (Learning the cooking tips!)
3. I really love to garden (both weeding and planting!)
4. My favorite colors are Basil and Tomato (year round!)

Four Movies I could watch more than once:
1. Phenomenon
2. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (I love it too, Christine!)
3. Skit of Dentist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9T8i4FkNVo
4. Disney's "Brother Bear"

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Rachel Ray (the cooking part only)
2. Starfish Television Network - the Charity Channel
3. Family Expo on BYU channel - (I'm still learning!)
4. SVU (I used to work with SVU years ago)

Four places I have been:
1. Japan (Tokyo, Okayama, Kyoto)
2. French Polynesia - Tahiti (all islands)
3. Great Britan - England & Ireland
4. Carribean - St. Kitts, Nevis, Virgin Gorda

Who emails me regularly:
1. Misty
2. Gloria
3. Sheila
4. Sabrina

Four foods I like to eat:
1. Olives (all kinds! stuffed, etc!, especially California ones!)
2. Anything creamy (My downfall! I AM the dairy queen!)
3. Shooms (well, actually mushrooms in ANYTHING)
4. Onions (I add them to everything! - almost)

Four places I'd like to visit:
1. Santa Cruz (I just wanna go home to the beach!)
2. Yellowstone, to the "It'll Do"
3. Church History sites
4. India.....

Four things I am looking forward to, a year from now:
1. Christmas!
2. Tulips in the Spring that I've planted.
3. New additions to the family. (Still have YSA's here)
4. Better health and medication control. :) WooHoo!

So glad to be alive....

What more can I say? One year ago, I was fighting for my life. Today, I lived one year ago to tell about it. Life is beautiful and precious. My husband took me out for a little treat tonight. We split an appetizer at 9:30pm at night, but I was so touched that he said "It's just the beginning of celebrating..." I was so glad he remembered. So, I baked a bunch of cookies tonight (snickerdoodles) and I'm so excited to take them around to the neighbors that helped me so much this last year. I think I'll sleep well for the first time in weeks. I'm going to bed tonight, not dizzy, not seizurey, and not stressed. Everything is starting to take a turn for the better, and it probably helps a lot that my meds are straightening out too. Ok - that's probably a lot of it.
It's 12:17am and I'm a really happy camper. It's October 17th, 2008, and I lived to tell about it. Thank you to everyone who took off work to spend that day with me last year. Kat, thank you so much for coming up and being with the family. I appreciate you so much, and I love all you kids for helping me get through this last year. Thank you also to my special neighbor angels.

These Are Few of My Favorite Things (Music)

PART ONE: Favorite Music:

Dolly Parton's "When it's Family"
Cat Steven's "Peace Train'
Elvis Presley's version "How Great Thou Art"
From Pete's Dragon "I'll be Your Candle on the Water"
Sophie Hawkins' "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
and... the laughter of little children.

The Faces of Unconditional Love

I want to take a moment to thank the many people, especially the two people in this picture who have supported me through some difficult years. This blog entry does not exclude all the others who have been supportive. I just wanted give a tribute to my folks.

I learned recently in church (conference) that we can be angels on earth to each other. I've been to far too many funerals this year and had to say goodbye or "until then" to too many people I truly cared about. I've learned that our sojourn together on earth can be very short, and we must cherish every minute of it. Thank you, both of you, for caring to remember special days, testing days, interview days, doctor appointments and remembering the details. Thank you for giving us the best gifts: your time, concern, phone calls, belief in us, and expecially your prayers. Thank you for being our angels. I love you for giving us what we needed beyond the bare necessities, and that was your love. I am learning more from you every day. You have both traveled difficult paths to become the people you are today, and I appreciate the things you've said and done and by your example. I have a lot to learn from you still. I just wanted you to know that I notice what you say, what you don't say and how you conduct your life. I think I'm finally beginning to grow up and see things more clearly. Thank you for being a part of my life and for never ever giving up. I love you very much. I can't wait to see you again.

October 17th - Survivor's Day

October 17, 1987 - Survived massive California Earthquake

October 17, 1993 - Survived 1st Cholesteatoma Ear and Brain surgery, 1 encephalocele

October 17, 2008 - Survived 2nd Cholesteatoma Ear/Brain surgery, 2 encephaloceles

We all have bad days, and some have bad years. This has been a difficult year, but also our greatest blessing. Losing one’s equilibrium is a great symbolic lesson, and it teaches me “to be still and know that He is God, and that he is in control.” My constant concern over balance and equilibrium causes me to move slower and more deliberate in every decision and every movement of my life. What once was viewed a curse is slowing being recognized as a great blessing. By the way, please don't let anyone tell you "The Lord won't give you anything you can't handle". It's not in Holy Writ, at all. He gives us plenty we can't handle. He wants us to give it back to him. He'll handle it. We need to reach out, and give it back. It's the only "Way". He is truly the Way.