No Empty Chairs

President Ezra Taft Benson said "God intended the family to be eternal. With all my soul, I testify to the truth of that declaration. May he bless us to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family member so that in due time we can report to our Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all there--father, mother, sister, brother, all who hold each other dear. Each chair is filled. We are all back home."

Today, Kat and Travis came for BBQ Luncheon, and we were able to talk to our son, Spencer on the phone and our missionary daughter in London England Mission! Today, there were no empty chairs, and that felt so good. It was a perfect Mother's Day. Thanks everyone!

The GRADUATE! MAGNA CUM LAUDE!

Kat wanted Red Lobster for her Graduation Luncheon! Grandpa Dave and Grandma Nelda, and Carolene Cook and Mom (me) and Dad (Mark) and Travis all came to celebrate the graduation!

We're all seated and excited for Graduation to start! Cousin Melissa joined us and so did Paul (Kat's father in law!)

The Deaf Studies Students before graduating, in the tunnel waiting to walk down the aisle!

We're so proud of her to be going after her life-long dream of graduating with her Bachelor's with HONORS. She's also Nationally Certified at ADVANCED level. WooHoo!

The Cooks (in laws) were also there to congratulate the graduate! So glad they could join us too!

Cousin Melissa came for the graduation.

Yeah, we got a picture with all of us with Dad. Whew! :)

Just look at her! Beauty & Brains, she has it all. She got it from her Dad! We love you Kathryn! We are so very happy for you!

All Graduated! They are DONE! Awesome group of friends!

Tulip Festival!!!!

My wonderful visiting teachers (my friends) and Melissa and I went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. I had NO idea how huge it was and really rivals anything in California. It's tons of beautiful wide walking trails and amazing flowers. I hear it's beautiful ANY time of year! Wow, is all I can say!

The wind was blowing and I couldn't get my hair to stay still! Oh, and is that lipstick on my teeth? Yikes.... ha ha

There you go. One single moment of time that my hair will calm down.
Oops, time for a color touch up. Yes, I earned every one of those gray hairs! :)

"Pimp my Ride" Happy Independence Day

I think today was the first time I went to the grocery store all by myself in over 16 years without needing a ride. I could carry 4 grocery bags, and a bag of pharmaceuticals, and my purse! WooHoo! UTA told me that I need to get out more, and the electric wheelchair would help me not get so tired and dizzy especially with carrying stuff. They took the time to show me how to attach groceries and let me tell ya, I was soooo happy (although embarassed to be in a wheelchair) but I didn't inconvenience anyone. So that made it all worth it.

Front View, I put that stuff on my lap.

Side View

Check out the Mother-Lode. I was cruising! I love my new "car"!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ME! (yeah, winters are always harder...

Coming out of the Closet...

YES, I AM A HIPPIE.

I'll be your Candle On The Water

Aunt Linda Cooking with Kaitlyn!

Visiting with our Hollister Friends!

This...is...Hollister, California!

Annie's Bridal Shower Fun!

Bridal Gown out of toilet paper contest models!

The winning dress, the team and Annie!





Aunt Donna, Grandma Nelda, Annie, and Aunt Linda! Welcome to the family!

Annie and her wonderful family!

I love this time of year!

Popcorn Popping on the Elderberry Tree!

Scotch Broom (not in Scotland!) but in Utah

My tulips are busting out! WooHoo!

I love these little Grape Hyacinth! My favorites!

Rug Surfing!

Now doesn't that look like fun?

Living it UP!

Ok, at least that got your attention. I covered the couch with a plain brown fabric and moved the furniture around. The cardboard table isnt' cutting it, but i like how it's shaping up and I have a definite plan. :) Its not "quite" there yet, but moving furniture is kinda fun.... :)

Bring it ON!

In this war between good and evil, I will never give up. I will never back down, and I will continue to fight for what I believe is right. I will not apologize for what I believe in and I will not retreat. For anyone who believes that 'playing well with others' will further the cause is sorely mistaken. Battle lines are being drawn and I for one will not back away, back down or back off. If you cross into my territory or try to harm my family, I will protect them to the best of my ability. This is no longer the "work of men" but also of fearless, strong and tireless mothers, strong wives and strong women. There is a time to fight for what you believe in, and it's time the banner is unfurled once again. I can only speak for myself, and I believe these FAMILY VALUES are worth fighting for, and again, I will NOT retreat! (photo attributed to www.latterdaybanners.com)

Miss Pepper and the Flying Nun

I think my daugher and son in law would agree. Their little puppy (my Grandogger) looks just like Sally Fields the Flying Nun. :) Same flappy cute ears! Like she's flying!!!! I miss that little puppy.

OUR FAMILY RULES

OUR FAMILY RULES

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 happily and on time

Instructions: If a child breaks a rule, they go to time out for 1 minute for every year they are old. 3 years = 3 minutes in time out. Sadly, most children will break several rules, so add it up, but make sure you're calm. The area of time out needs to have the rules posted in front of them, even if they can't read. Once they serve their time out, the following Parent Script should be followed for optimal results.

Parent: "What rule did you break?" Child Answers (example) "We respect property"
Parent: "How did you break it?" Child Answers (exmaple) "I broke Spencer's toy firetruck"
Parent: "How will you not break this rule next time?" Child Answers (example) "I will walk away when I'm mad"
Parent: " That is good!"
Parent: "Do you know why we have these Family Rules?" Child Answers (example) "I don't know" (or have them repeat after you.. the following statement)
Parent: "...because we love you and want you to be happy" Child Answers (example) "Because you love me and want me to be happy.."
Parent: "That's right" (then you MUST hug that child).

Parent: (if Christian/LDS) "Heavenly Father also has rules because he loves us and wants us to be happy, that's why we have rules too." :) extra hug.

NOTE: Breaking rule #7 is always a DOUBLE TIME OUT <--that is manditory.
Time outs help parents and children to calm down.

I cleared out my downstairs bathroom of anything that could harm/hurt a child. Remove all cleansers and medications, etc. Sit the child on a closed toilet seat. Post the rules so that if they are sitting on the toilet, they can see the rules clearly. Make sure you have a family meeting ahead of time to explain clearly the rules to the kids.Give them a treat if they remember each one, in the family meeting. Even if they can't read, they will be happy to learn these rules for a small treat. If they can't remember which rule they broke, remind them, then ask them to repeat it before moving on with the script. Note: Number 4 is the only one with the word "not" that appears negative. Every other rule is stated positively. #4 is important stated that way because it is the one that hurts them and others as they grow up, and it's UNACCEPTABLE.

I'm reposting this, because I don't remember who asked this from me who had little kids..... My missionary also asked me for this.

Another good set of family rules comes from: http://www.passportacademy.com/2008/09/our-family-rules.html

8:00pm - Back in A-Fib, back to the Hospital

Our THIRD hospital in 2 weeks. Mark went to American Fork IHC tonight for severe chest pains and A-Fib at 8:00pm. Thank goodness for the skilled hands and priesthood blessings! It's 1:26am and we're home, finally. Thank you Dave and our Wonderful Bishop! They made a "convert" out of Mark (converted him back to sinus rythum). Sometimes, this gets downright scary. I can't even sleep. I just want to watch him breathe all night.....

BEFORE AND AFTER photos

What a rough month for our little family, but we're all back in business for the most part! Here's some crazy pictures to shed light on the issues. First, here's Kat in the hospital for a few days with C-diff after many trips to Doctor, Urgent Care and ER wouldn't get rid of it.
This is in the URGENT CARE, before she was diagnosed with Colostridium Dificile. C-Diff She was in so much pain and the IV wasn't working at all!!!

AFTER photo, after diagnosis and after proper medication (Flagyl) She's home now and doing a LOT better, still has some rough days though (actually rough mornings).

This is the EKG - BEFORE surgery, totally irregular all the time.

This is the EKG AFTER surgery, isn't that BEAUTIFUL?

This is Mark 2 minutes after heart surgery. Before waking up from surgery - He's super COZY.

And this is just 9 hours AFTER surgery (ablation, is actually the technical word for it! He's fantastic! ALL BETTER NOW!!! WooHoo!!!