Getting along
7 hours ago
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Hmmmm....
So, it's been a while... So long in fact that I have no idea what to post right now. To be continued....
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Update
Oh boy...
I wasn't too worried about things Tuesday afternoon right before Superman went into surgery. Because Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) via laparoscopy is such a routine procedure, we decided I would just stay home with the kids and then come back to pick him up after Rhiaman got out of school. I just couldn't take it though... while I couldn't find anyone last minute who could take all three kids at once, I scrambled to find three different friends (thank you, thank you, thank you) who could each watch one child each, reassuring all involved that it would only be a couple of hours. I happened to get to the surgical area right before he went in, and got to kiss him and wish him luck. They told me my wait would be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. So, 30 minutes in they called my name and I walked up to the volunteer excited to go meet him. She whispered sympathetically, "They've run into some problems, it will probably be at least another hour, possibly longer."
Wow... so I started to get worried. I called his parents to let them know, sat down to watch t.v. and thankfully fell asleep. I woke up an hour later to my father-in-law waking me. He had come to wait with me and see what was happening. As timed ticked slowly on, I really did try to calm my nerves but just couldn't. I was making nervous conversation, eating my candy-coated peanuts and Symphony bar like it was going out of style looking for some sort of comfort.
Another hour went by and I realized that I was now past the "couple of hours" mark for my babysitters and called my mom hoping she was in town. Thankfully, she wasn't flying and was able to come up and be with the kids. Finally, they called my name and I about jumped out of my seat and sprinted to the desk... my father-in-law even kind of chuckled at it. Trying to appear calm when you've played every possible scenario in your head (no matter how minor the surgery) is hard to do!
**SURGICAL CONTENT WARNING***The surgeon sat down with us and told us all the nitty gritty goodness of Superman's very sickly gall bladder. Apparently Superman had had that kryptonite in his pocket longer than we had thought. He was REALLY sick. They had attempted laparoscopy a couple of different ways, tried all sorts of things to get to the gall bladder, but it was SO enflamed there was nothing left to do but open him up. Apparently, the gall bladder was about four times the size it should be, the lining in some of the areas was close to half-inch thick, and there were so many large gall stones that even the large 8-in incision wasn't big enough to get the stupid thing out. They finally had to dissect the gall bladder and pull it out in pieces!!! After irrigating his gut out to clear out all the sludge, they then sewed in a drain to let the gunk find its way safely out. They finished the patch job with 23 stunning staples across his belly!
After a 15-minute discussion with the surgeon, they told us which room he would be assigned to. Dad and I walked there and waited another two hours for him to get out of recovery. We called the worried family members and waited some more. Starving, we both shared another of the chocolate bars I had stashed in my purse while we watched "Dirty Jobs" as a very good distraction.
When they finally brought him in (5-1/2 hours after he went in for surgery), he was beyond groggy. The first thing he says as he realizes he is hooked up to machines and laying flat on his back in a hospital bed and room feeling like crap is, "Well, I guess I won't be going home tonight, eh?" Ummm, no.
The very next day, they wanted him to be up and walking. I completely understand the mechanics of it and reasons for it, but I cringed every time he had to move, let alone stand and walk! After three days of constant antibiotics to get his infection taken care of, two more days of pain control coupled with painful walking up and down hospital halls, he was finally able to be miserable at home not just the hospital.
The next day, Sunday was truly a day of "rest" because Monday was the "Opening Ceremonies" per se of the 2009 Legislative Session. And Superman, being the super man he is, was going to be there, no matter what. So with a wheelchair packed in the back of the car, kids strapped in their seatbelts, pain medication in our pockets, a doctor's blessing (so long as Superman was pushed all day in the wheelchair for a couple of weeks) and prayers in our hearts and on our lips, we braved the ice-covered roads running late (big surprise) to get there just in time to wheel him to his seat on the House floor as the meeting began.
When they swore in the Legislators, they did it in two groups: the re-elected Represensatives and then the newly elected Representatives. They asked the new group to come up front to be sworn in. After the prolonged moving of chairs and people was finished, a fellow-Legislator wheeled Superman up front. Speaker of the House then thankfully excused my hubby from standing... and it became ceremonially official! He is a Utah State Legislator for real! The camera was one of the things that was forgotten as we ran out the door, so I am awaiting pictures from the other newby Legislator's wives that graciously took pictures for us! As soon as I have them, I'll post them.
My mother-in-law was a saint to take off work to be there for support, and then take my kids for the day so I could be there to help Superman. No matter what I said, he just wouldn't go home. I tried to give him all sorts of good and sound reasons that going home would be a really good idea, but he always had a reason to stay just a few minutes longer. I hope he doesn't pay for it later. Mom had dinner waiting for us when we finally got to her house to pick up the kidlets. By time we got him home in bed, exhausted, it was 10:00.
All so he could wake up and do it again the next day... this time without us... so far so good.
Well, there you have it. The update. THE END.
p.s. Oh yeah, and for those who might not know, wheelchairs are heavy and awkward things to heft in and out of a car all by my girly self! There is probably an easier way to do it, I just haven't found it yet. Wish me luck!
I wasn't too worried about things Tuesday afternoon right before Superman went into surgery. Because Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) via laparoscopy is such a routine procedure, we decided I would just stay home with the kids and then come back to pick him up after Rhiaman got out of school. I just couldn't take it though... while I couldn't find anyone last minute who could take all three kids at once, I scrambled to find three different friends (thank you, thank you, thank you) who could each watch one child each, reassuring all involved that it would only be a couple of hours. I happened to get to the surgical area right before he went in, and got to kiss him and wish him luck. They told me my wait would be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. So, 30 minutes in they called my name and I walked up to the volunteer excited to go meet him. She whispered sympathetically, "They've run into some problems, it will probably be at least another hour, possibly longer."
Wow... so I started to get worried. I called his parents to let them know, sat down to watch t.v. and thankfully fell asleep. I woke up an hour later to my father-in-law waking me. He had come to wait with me and see what was happening. As timed ticked slowly on, I really did try to calm my nerves but just couldn't. I was making nervous conversation, eating my candy-coated peanuts and Symphony bar like it was going out of style looking for some sort of comfort.
Another hour went by and I realized that I was now past the "couple of hours" mark for my babysitters and called my mom hoping she was in town. Thankfully, she wasn't flying and was able to come up and be with the kids. Finally, they called my name and I about jumped out of my seat and sprinted to the desk... my father-in-law even kind of chuckled at it. Trying to appear calm when you've played every possible scenario in your head (no matter how minor the surgery) is hard to do!
**SURGICAL CONTENT WARNING***The surgeon sat down with us and told us all the nitty gritty goodness of Superman's very sickly gall bladder. Apparently Superman had had that kryptonite in his pocket longer than we had thought. He was REALLY sick. They had attempted laparoscopy a couple of different ways, tried all sorts of things to get to the gall bladder, but it was SO enflamed there was nothing left to do but open him up. Apparently, the gall bladder was about four times the size it should be, the lining in some of the areas was close to half-inch thick, and there were so many large gall stones that even the large 8-in incision wasn't big enough to get the stupid thing out. They finally had to dissect the gall bladder and pull it out in pieces!!! After irrigating his gut out to clear out all the sludge, they then sewed in a drain to let the gunk find its way safely out. They finished the patch job with 23 stunning staples across his belly!
After a 15-minute discussion with the surgeon, they told us which room he would be assigned to. Dad and I walked there and waited another two hours for him to get out of recovery. We called the worried family members and waited some more. Starving, we both shared another of the chocolate bars I had stashed in my purse while we watched "Dirty Jobs" as a very good distraction.
When they finally brought him in (5-1/2 hours after he went in for surgery), he was beyond groggy. The first thing he says as he realizes he is hooked up to machines and laying flat on his back in a hospital bed and room feeling like crap is, "Well, I guess I won't be going home tonight, eh?" Ummm, no.
The very next day, they wanted him to be up and walking. I completely understand the mechanics of it and reasons for it, but I cringed every time he had to move, let alone stand and walk! After three days of constant antibiotics to get his infection taken care of, two more days of pain control coupled with painful walking up and down hospital halls, he was finally able to be miserable at home not just the hospital.
The next day, Sunday was truly a day of "rest" because Monday was the "Opening Ceremonies" per se of the 2009 Legislative Session. And Superman, being the super man he is, was going to be there, no matter what. So with a wheelchair packed in the back of the car, kids strapped in their seatbelts, pain medication in our pockets, a doctor's blessing (so long as Superman was pushed all day in the wheelchair for a couple of weeks) and prayers in our hearts and on our lips, we braved the ice-covered roads running late (big surprise) to get there just in time to wheel him to his seat on the House floor as the meeting began.
When they swore in the Legislators, they did it in two groups: the re-elected Represensatives and then the newly elected Representatives. They asked the new group to come up front to be sworn in. After the prolonged moving of chairs and people was finished, a fellow-Legislator wheeled Superman up front. Speaker of the House then thankfully excused my hubby from standing... and it became ceremonially official! He is a Utah State Legislator for real! The camera was one of the things that was forgotten as we ran out the door, so I am awaiting pictures from the other newby Legislator's wives that graciously took pictures for us! As soon as I have them, I'll post them.
My mother-in-law was a saint to take off work to be there for support, and then take my kids for the day so I could be there to help Superman. No matter what I said, he just wouldn't go home. I tried to give him all sorts of good and sound reasons that going home would be a really good idea, but he always had a reason to stay just a few minutes longer. I hope he doesn't pay for it later. Mom had dinner waiting for us when we finally got to her house to pick up the kidlets. By time we got him home in bed, exhausted, it was 10:00.
All so he could wake up and do it again the next day... this time without us... so far so good.
Well, there you have it. The update. THE END.
p.s. Oh yeah, and for those who might not know, wheelchairs are heavy and awkward things to heft in and out of a car all by my girly self! There is probably an easier way to do it, I just haven't found it yet. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Surgery
So here I sit in an empty house. My children have been graciously cared for my friends and family while I spent the better part of yesterday in doctor's appointments and the E.R. with Superman. (apparently he has had some cryptonite in his pocket)!
Finally at 10:30 last night it was concluded that he would be having his gall bladder removed today on an urgent basis.
Wow... nothing like a healthy (or rather unhealthy) slap in the face to bring it all into perspective!
There are several things I learned yesterday. I will only hit on the highlights:
1) I love my Superman and hate to see him so weak, pale, and in pain.
2) It empowers me to care for him. He is so strong and capable that many times I back away from doing that knowing he is amply able and more than willing to care for himself. Being in a position where I feel he needs me is invigorating!
3) While I am grateful for the care my husband is receiving, the healthcare system is messed up! Just ask the E.R. nurses who kept reminding Superman what he needs to change while in the Legislature!
4) Our friends and family are willing to drop everything to care for us! We interrupted two FHEs and a 55th birthday celebration with all this and yet these wonderful people were willing to rescue us with time and care! Even Gma K helped by running over and locking up the house after we ran out in all the madness forgetting to do so.
5) Not eating for 15 hours, juggling the kids, dropping off kids, farming out kids, caring for hubby, calling doctors, running all over the hospital, checking back and forth with doctors and radiologists and back again, sitting in an uncomfortable E.R. for three hours, etc. etc. etc. results in a mightly powerful headache by the end of the day. Boy am I grateful for Extra-Strength Tylenol and sleep!
6) I, once again, appreciate priesthood blessings and those worthy to give them.
7) I CAN DO HARD THINGS (that one's for you Heather)!
Thanks to everyone who has helped us! I know there are many, much harder health problems that other families have to deal with, and I am thankful this particular problem is easily resolved (now that we know what the problem really is)!
What a day we live in with this modern medicine and procedures. Though seemingly archaic and frustrating at times, we are truly blessed to live in this day and age! I'll keep you updated on his status...
Finally at 10:30 last night it was concluded that he would be having his gall bladder removed today on an urgent basis.
Wow... nothing like a healthy (or rather unhealthy) slap in the face to bring it all into perspective!
There are several things I learned yesterday. I will only hit on the highlights:
1) I love my Superman and hate to see him so weak, pale, and in pain.
2) It empowers me to care for him. He is so strong and capable that many times I back away from doing that knowing he is amply able and more than willing to care for himself. Being in a position where I feel he needs me is invigorating!
3) While I am grateful for the care my husband is receiving, the healthcare system is messed up! Just ask the E.R. nurses who kept reminding Superman what he needs to change while in the Legislature!
4) Our friends and family are willing to drop everything to care for us! We interrupted two FHEs and a 55th birthday celebration with all this and yet these wonderful people were willing to rescue us with time and care! Even Gma K helped by running over and locking up the house after we ran out in all the madness forgetting to do so.
5) Not eating for 15 hours, juggling the kids, dropping off kids, farming out kids, caring for hubby, calling doctors, running all over the hospital, checking back and forth with doctors and radiologists and back again, sitting in an uncomfortable E.R. for three hours, etc. etc. etc. results in a mightly powerful headache by the end of the day. Boy am I grateful for Extra-Strength Tylenol and sleep!
6) I, once again, appreciate priesthood blessings and those worthy to give them.
7) I CAN DO HARD THINGS (that one's for you Heather)!
Thanks to everyone who has helped us! I know there are many, much harder health problems that other families have to deal with, and I am thankful this particular problem is easily resolved (now that we know what the problem really is)!
What a day we live in with this modern medicine and procedures. Though seemingly archaic and frustrating at times, we are truly blessed to live in this day and age! I'll keep you updated on his status...
Hope
Those who do not know my heart may not know my progress, but I have watched it begin to change and it is truly liberating...
One of my tethers this year has been (and always is) music. Music has the power to move us, lead us, inspire us... and I have found one song in particular that does that recently for me (a so called recovering "despair-addict" per se).
The song is called, "C.S. Lewis Song" by Brooke Fraser, an amazing artist out of New Zealand(?). It was inspired by a quote by C.S. Lewis (go figure):
"If I find in myself a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
Here is the link to the youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHpuTGGRCbY
And here are the lyrics to the song (you will want to pull up both lyrics and video side-by-side in that her words may be difficult to understand on first hearing it):
"If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here.
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary
Then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared.
Chorus:
Speak to me in the light of the dawn. Mercy comes with the morning.
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me.
Am I lost or just less found on the straight or on the round-about of the wrong way.
Is this a soul that stirs in me? Is it breaking free wanting to come alive?
'Cuz my comfort would prefer for me to be numb,
and avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become.
Chorus
For we, we are not long here.
Our time is but a breath,
So we'd better breathe it!
And I ... I was made to live!
I was made to love!
I was made to know You...
Hope is coming for me.
Hope is coming for me.
Hope is coming for me.
Hope, He's coming...
Chorus...
Dedicated to my friends and fellow-learners ... and especially Sayyadina who has taught me volumes about myself! Special thanks to Kelli for introducing me to Brooke's music!
One of my tethers this year has been (and always is) music. Music has the power to move us, lead us, inspire us... and I have found one song in particular that does that recently for me (a so called recovering "despair-addict" per se).
The song is called, "C.S. Lewis Song" by Brooke Fraser, an amazing artist out of New Zealand(?). It was inspired by a quote by C.S. Lewis (go figure):
"If I find in myself a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
Here is the link to the youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHpuTGGRCbY
And here are the lyrics to the song (you will want to pull up both lyrics and video side-by-side in that her words may be difficult to understand on first hearing it):
"If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here.
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary
Then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared.
Chorus:
Speak to me in the light of the dawn. Mercy comes with the morning.
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me.
Am I lost or just less found on the straight or on the round-about of the wrong way.
Is this a soul that stirs in me? Is it breaking free wanting to come alive?
'Cuz my comfort would prefer for me to be numb,
and avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become.
Chorus
For we, we are not long here.
Our time is but a breath,
So we'd better breathe it!
And I ... I was made to live!
I was made to love!
I was made to know You...
Hope is coming for me.
Hope is coming for me.
Hope is coming for me.
Hope, He's coming...
Chorus...
**************************
Dedicated to my friends and fellow-learners ... and especially Sayyadina who has taught me volumes about myself! Special thanks to Kelli for introducing me to Brooke's music!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Random
Rhiaman and his cute-as-can-be red-headed female cousin (any guesses who that is for those who know the cousins) got to sing a duet with Gma in her ward on Sunday. Me, being the ball-baby I am, cried through the whole thing. I am so proud of him! They did such a beautiful job. And to top it all off, Rhiaman learned the song only 30 minutes before he performed it! He amazes me all the time!!!
Do you ever have those days where you feel like every talk, conversation, song, testimony, etc is God reaching out to your heart and saying, "I haven't forgotten you... I want you to be happy and I want to heal you."
(I know I'm not the only one or testimony meeting would consist ONLY of travel logs...)
Anyways, that's what yesterday was for me... but only after I had a meltdown and yelled at everything in site! What a temper I have! (I grew up with a red-head for a mother, and I swear that most of the time I am more of a hot-head than she ever was)! :)
It started out with a talk on Forgiveness and how we tend to punish people when they've hurt us... we want them to hurt just as deeply as they hurt us. Forgiveness is better. Then a talk on self-esteem and how important it is that we realize who we really are. Then Rhiaman's duet with Gma about showing our Love for the Savior by serving others and sharing the gospel. Then a missionary report focusing mainly on praying: praying in faith and focusing our prayers and thoughts on others (instead of ourselves). Yeah, my whole day was one long loving and effective sermon...Good thing He's so patient with me (especially when I'm not)!
On a side note, I mention the following because 1) I'm excited to see what happens, 2) I need ideas, and 3) I hope to track the progress of "our project" here. I introduced a new functional/interactive Enrichment poster yesterday. There are 10 categories of "smaller activities" that each have a pocket on the poster. Let's see if I can remember them all: Mom&Me, Exercise club, temple club, family history, service, scrapbooking, craft club, dinner club, book club, and preparedness. Periodically we will have small activities in those categories and will put the announcement in the pocket! I'm so excited!!! Now I just have to get to planning a "small" activity in each category to get it off the ground. I only had a minute to explain how it worked in R.S., but everyone seemed so excited. I almost felt bad for the sweet teacher because everyone was so chatty all through her lesson after I presented it.
So, if you have any ideas for any of these said categories for things we could do I would LOVE your input!
Do you ever have those days where you feel like every talk, conversation, song, testimony, etc is God reaching out to your heart and saying, "I haven't forgotten you... I want you to be happy and I want to heal you."
(I know I'm not the only one or testimony meeting would consist ONLY of travel logs...)
Anyways, that's what yesterday was for me... but only after I had a meltdown and yelled at everything in site! What a temper I have! (I grew up with a red-head for a mother, and I swear that most of the time I am more of a hot-head than she ever was)! :)
It started out with a talk on Forgiveness and how we tend to punish people when they've hurt us... we want them to hurt just as deeply as they hurt us. Forgiveness is better. Then a talk on self-esteem and how important it is that we realize who we really are. Then Rhiaman's duet with Gma about showing our Love for the Savior by serving others and sharing the gospel. Then a missionary report focusing mainly on praying: praying in faith and focusing our prayers and thoughts on others (instead of ourselves). Yeah, my whole day was one long loving and effective sermon...Good thing He's so patient with me (especially when I'm not)!
On a side note, I mention the following because 1) I'm excited to see what happens, 2) I need ideas, and 3) I hope to track the progress of "our project" here. I introduced a new functional/interactive Enrichment poster yesterday. There are 10 categories of "smaller activities" that each have a pocket on the poster. Let's see if I can remember them all: Mom&Me, Exercise club, temple club, family history, service, scrapbooking, craft club, dinner club, book club, and preparedness. Periodically we will have small activities in those categories and will put the announcement in the pocket! I'm so excited!!! Now I just have to get to planning a "small" activity in each category to get it off the ground. I only had a minute to explain how it worked in R.S., but everyone seemed so excited. I almost felt bad for the sweet teacher because everyone was so chatty all through her lesson after I presented it.
So, if you have any ideas for any of these said categories for things we could do I would LOVE your input!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Some short term goals this year
1) Inventory and update food storage, and 72-hour kits.
2) Planting and maintaining a garden...bottling and storing food (thank you Teisha in advance)!
3) New paint will touch every room
4) Order and functionality will reign in every room, drawer and cupboard
(even if I have to ask for help... thank you Heather in advance)!
5) Beauty will begin to show its face in every room (thank you Marilyn in advance)!
6) Precious time will be willingly spent in the service of others on a consistent basis...
2) Planting and maintaining a garden...bottling and storing food (thank you Teisha in advance)!
3) New paint will touch every room
4) Order and functionality will reign in every room, drawer and cupboard
(even if I have to ask for help... thank you Heather in advance)!
5) Beauty will begin to show its face in every room (thank you Marilyn in advance)!
6) Precious time will be willingly spent in the service of others on a consistent basis...
My turn at 2008 in retrospect
Wow... saw my friend do this and thought it was a good idea... Count Your Blessings kind of thing...
First of all, before I even begin, you must be warned that this will be sappy and dramatic... just like me... While I do like to think people come to this page to see updates of my family, I also consider this a journal of sorts... and I am VERY long-winded. Consider yourself warned.
Second, this has truly been one of the hardest years I've ever experienced... mostly due to my own decision to wallow in my sorrow/trials/pain instead of remembering my blessings... I've spent many wasted hours distracted, crying, venting, and being just plain angry at the hand life has dealt me instead of truly rejoicing in what the Lord has been trying to teach me. That, unfortunately, has been the theme for me this year and I need to profusely thank my dear friends and family for sticking with me as I am learning to "get over myself..." as well as my Heavenly Father and Savior for waiting oh so patiently. Acknowleding this fact is acknowledging to myself and all who read this that I am closing that chapter and moving on to the happy adventures of 2009.
Despite that sad introduction, 2008 really did hold some marvelous things which I hope to list here (leaving out most of the garbage):
"Superman" interned at the Utah Legislature (for FREE) while working full-time for Sprint and writing 10 different papers as well as pages and pages of journal entries for said internship, all the while still Elder's Quorum President and full-time Logan manager (what a commute)! To add to the stack of stress and after much fasting and prayer, deep introspection and many late nights/early mornings, we decide to run for the State Legislature all while Superman is trying to finish the last semester at Weber State. He really and truly does graduate (YAY!!!!!) while running a primary election campaign. "Rhiaman" also finished out his last year of preschool, and graduated within weeks of Dad. He can't wait for Kindergarten to begin!!! Princess Sunshine is beginning to realize her best friend is about to have life experiences that she won't be able to tag along for. "Beautiful Baby" is happy and content in every situation and is definitely a blessing and calming influence amid all the stress and motion.
Yours truly and Superman spend out ninth anniversary at Campaign School in Salt Lake City after Superman didn't sleep one wink the night before trying to finish up some project I can't remember right now. We do have an awesome dinner that evening at a restaurant I can't remember the name of and spend quality time reminicing about all the good times from the last nine years together.
Despite being an exhausting three months of intense door-to-door campaigning with three kids in tow, endless campaign strategy meetings, and hours and hours of typing letters & invitations, April, May and June finds Yours Truly and the kids actually spending more time with busy hubby than we have for years/months. My kids lived with their Grandma for the last two weeks of June during crunch time for primary election. (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa). We win the primary election! Superman just didn't win... WE ALL DID!!! YAY US!!!!
Mixed in with the sweet is the bitter as Ryan's family experiences family tragedy whose backlash will be felt for years among the old and young. In the space of three days, we mourn, we celebrate and then leave for a well-deserved vacation in Island Park with my siblings and mom where "Beautiful Baby" celebrates her first birthday and the kids see Yellowstone for the first time! Go Old Faithful (with my crazy brothers... good times...they always know how to make me laugh) and Dragon's Mouth! One week later we venture to Mantua for Superman's family vacation where we experience an eye-opening almost-loss of Superman and Rhiaman as the four-wheeler they are riding flips over on top of them... Can we say road rash?! Thankfully we don't even have to venture to the hospital... though we probably should have. Fireworks, emergency trip to Walmart for a usable air mattress and home to be in 4th of July parades for Uncle K.
"Beautiful Baby" gets teeth, "Rhiaman" starts losing his. "Princess Sunshine" really learns to use her lungs as her screaming when upset escalates to an all-time ear-piercing decibel. We take the month of July off from just about everything, even helping in-laws with home renovations, as we recuperate. We all take turns getting strep throat and spend the 24th in bed! Summer brings more piano students and more transcription. We have a fun outside/backyard recital with ensuing water fight! Ryan's dear cousin Josh and his beautiful wife (another new friend) get married and Josh is ordained an Elder and takes out his temple endowments. We sincerely look forward to future sealing in 2009.
The kids learn to swim and Rhiaman excels at city league baseball. Princess Sunshine can't wait for her turn. She spends a lot of time her with new best friend, McKinley, whose mommy has incidentally become one of Mommy's best friends, home decorators and fashion consultants!
Fall time: Rhiaman begins KINDERGARTEN and can't wait to be a big kid. Begins to read and reads everything in site. Corrects Mommy when she skips sentences of long bedtime stories. Princess Sunshine officially begins preschool and life without big brother. Makes friends easily, loves to learn and is so happy to be an independent thinker and mover! Is truly a Princess!
Fall campaigning finds Yours Truly less than anxious to do anything campaign-oriented but ends up making friends-for-life with campaign opponent and his wife (it doesn't hurt that they also live in our ward and their daughter is a dear friend of mine and piano student)! Superman gets promotion to closer store and actually spends less time driving to and from all his responsibilities! I am released as choir director and called as the "Family, Home and Personal Enrichment" Leader... I trust that the Lord knows what He is doing!
I not only begin Twilight series but immerse myself in it. I am a friend of fantasy anyways and find a genre that speaks to me at this point in my life. I obsess over Twilight with another new dear friend, my sister Becky... We spend hours online searching for movie clips, book reviews, interviews, and the countdown to the movie emailing each other about our latest finds as well as spending hours reading FanFiction. I go the midnight movie premiere with her and love that I am also an independent thinker and mover! Beginnings of celebrating me... not just being what I do... (or don't do)...
Superman wins general election and the mailbox heist and time-with-family heist begins. So many pieces of mail for Representative "Superman" that it piles up on the kitchen table until we can get a system in place... Good luck finding anything there! So much time away with meetings, people and causes. Limited money in the State of Utah bank account due to the state of the economy equals "fun" future Leg sessions without money in upcoming 2009.
December brings new Leg. orientation (wow, eye-opening... I stand in awe of Superman), family tragedy and baggage with my family, but plans for a happy Memphis wedding with Superman's family that provide a much-needed distraction. Life stress reaches an all-time high, tears are shed, egos are severely bruised, and priorities are necessarily reshuffled. Superman leaves for wedding in Memphis with siblings and parents (nothing like dropping $700 for a plane ticket right before Christmas, thus reason why Superman went alone) and I paint a living wall room red, rearrange the basement, cut eight inches off my newly "blonde" hair, and begin the much-needed process of "digging-out" physically and emotionally (thank you Marilyn, Heather, Andrea and Denise, and of course, Superman)!
Christmas comes and goes in a flash while we revel in the magic of these fleeting Christmases with our young family. I also got to spend much-needed time with my siblings...and realize just how much more I need them in my life! Good times!
The renovation of Superman's parents house finds us spending many hours helping putting their home "back together" before wedding party arrives and scrambling to put an Open House together at the same time. Thank goodness for a friendly plumber willing to make house calls on New Year's Eve! We get things "functional" just in time to ring in the New Year sleeping on a chair in my in-laws house. A significant thought crosses my mind as I reflect on that position... not home in my comfortable bed and probably not appreciating it, but exhausted serving someone else resting in an easy-chair, completely happy that I've spent precious time doing something good for someone who needed me... just like my dear friends have done for me this year!
I had an interesting but enlightening conversation about hope this past year... knowing that is what I needed most. Hope is a state of mind... Hope is a choice. Despite all the garbage, we choose to hope, not in ignorant bliss, but in informed and knowing eyes-wide-open joy, acknowleding with every breath all that the Lord has truly given us.
Hope shows it's face around here again and upward and outward is where we are headed in 2009...
First of all, before I even begin, you must be warned that this will be sappy and dramatic... just like me... While I do like to think people come to this page to see updates of my family, I also consider this a journal of sorts... and I am VERY long-winded. Consider yourself warned.
Second, this has truly been one of the hardest years I've ever experienced... mostly due to my own decision to wallow in my sorrow/trials/pain instead of remembering my blessings... I've spent many wasted hours distracted, crying, venting, and being just plain angry at the hand life has dealt me instead of truly rejoicing in what the Lord has been trying to teach me. That, unfortunately, has been the theme for me this year and I need to profusely thank my dear friends and family for sticking with me as I am learning to "get over myself..." as well as my Heavenly Father and Savior for waiting oh so patiently. Acknowleding this fact is acknowledging to myself and all who read this that I am closing that chapter and moving on to the happy adventures of 2009.
Despite that sad introduction, 2008 really did hold some marvelous things which I hope to list here (leaving out most of the garbage):
"Superman" interned at the Utah Legislature (for FREE) while working full-time for Sprint and writing 10 different papers as well as pages and pages of journal entries for said internship, all the while still Elder's Quorum President and full-time Logan manager (what a commute)! To add to the stack of stress and after much fasting and prayer, deep introspection and many late nights/early mornings, we decide to run for the State Legislature all while Superman is trying to finish the last semester at Weber State. He really and truly does graduate (YAY!!!!!) while running a primary election campaign. "Rhiaman" also finished out his last year of preschool, and graduated within weeks of Dad. He can't wait for Kindergarten to begin!!! Princess Sunshine is beginning to realize her best friend is about to have life experiences that she won't be able to tag along for. "Beautiful Baby" is happy and content in every situation and is definitely a blessing and calming influence amid all the stress and motion.
Yours truly and Superman spend out ninth anniversary at Campaign School in Salt Lake City after Superman didn't sleep one wink the night before trying to finish up some project I can't remember right now. We do have an awesome dinner that evening at a restaurant I can't remember the name of and spend quality time reminicing about all the good times from the last nine years together.
Despite being an exhausting three months of intense door-to-door campaigning with three kids in tow, endless campaign strategy meetings, and hours and hours of typing letters & invitations, April, May and June finds Yours Truly and the kids actually spending more time with busy hubby than we have for years/months. My kids lived with their Grandma for the last two weeks of June during crunch time for primary election. (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa). We win the primary election! Superman just didn't win... WE ALL DID!!! YAY US!!!!
Mixed in with the sweet is the bitter as Ryan's family experiences family tragedy whose backlash will be felt for years among the old and young. In the space of three days, we mourn, we celebrate and then leave for a well-deserved vacation in Island Park with my siblings and mom where "Beautiful Baby" celebrates her first birthday and the kids see Yellowstone for the first time! Go Old Faithful (with my crazy brothers... good times...they always know how to make me laugh) and Dragon's Mouth! One week later we venture to Mantua for Superman's family vacation where we experience an eye-opening almost-loss of Superman and Rhiaman as the four-wheeler they are riding flips over on top of them... Can we say road rash?! Thankfully we don't even have to venture to the hospital... though we probably should have. Fireworks, emergency trip to Walmart for a usable air mattress and home to be in 4th of July parades for Uncle K.
"Beautiful Baby" gets teeth, "Rhiaman" starts losing his. "Princess Sunshine" really learns to use her lungs as her screaming when upset escalates to an all-time ear-piercing decibel. We take the month of July off from just about everything, even helping in-laws with home renovations, as we recuperate. We all take turns getting strep throat and spend the 24th in bed! Summer brings more piano students and more transcription. We have a fun outside/backyard recital with ensuing water fight! Ryan's dear cousin Josh and his beautiful wife (another new friend) get married and Josh is ordained an Elder and takes out his temple endowments. We sincerely look forward to future sealing in 2009.
The kids learn to swim and Rhiaman excels at city league baseball. Princess Sunshine can't wait for her turn. She spends a lot of time her with new best friend, McKinley, whose mommy has incidentally become one of Mommy's best friends, home decorators and fashion consultants!
Fall time: Rhiaman begins KINDERGARTEN and can't wait to be a big kid. Begins to read and reads everything in site. Corrects Mommy when she skips sentences of long bedtime stories. Princess Sunshine officially begins preschool and life without big brother. Makes friends easily, loves to learn and is so happy to be an independent thinker and mover! Is truly a Princess!
Fall campaigning finds Yours Truly less than anxious to do anything campaign-oriented but ends up making friends-for-life with campaign opponent and his wife (it doesn't hurt that they also live in our ward and their daughter is a dear friend of mine and piano student)! Superman gets promotion to closer store and actually spends less time driving to and from all his responsibilities! I am released as choir director and called as the "Family, Home and Personal Enrichment" Leader... I trust that the Lord knows what He is doing!
I not only begin Twilight series but immerse myself in it. I am a friend of fantasy anyways and find a genre that speaks to me at this point in my life. I obsess over Twilight with another new dear friend, my sister Becky... We spend hours online searching for movie clips, book reviews, interviews, and the countdown to the movie emailing each other about our latest finds as well as spending hours reading FanFiction. I go the midnight movie premiere with her and love that I am also an independent thinker and mover! Beginnings of celebrating me... not just being what I do... (or don't do)...
Superman wins general election and the mailbox heist and time-with-family heist begins. So many pieces of mail for Representative "Superman" that it piles up on the kitchen table until we can get a system in place... Good luck finding anything there! So much time away with meetings, people and causes. Limited money in the State of Utah bank account due to the state of the economy equals "fun" future Leg sessions without money in upcoming 2009.
December brings new Leg. orientation (wow, eye-opening... I stand in awe of Superman), family tragedy and baggage with my family, but plans for a happy Memphis wedding with Superman's family that provide a much-needed distraction. Life stress reaches an all-time high, tears are shed, egos are severely bruised, and priorities are necessarily reshuffled. Superman leaves for wedding in Memphis with siblings and parents (nothing like dropping $700 for a plane ticket right before Christmas, thus reason why Superman went alone) and I paint a living wall room red, rearrange the basement, cut eight inches off my newly "blonde" hair, and begin the much-needed process of "digging-out" physically and emotionally (thank you Marilyn, Heather, Andrea and Denise, and of course, Superman)!
Christmas comes and goes in a flash while we revel in the magic of these fleeting Christmases with our young family. I also got to spend much-needed time with my siblings...and realize just how much more I need them in my life! Good times!
The renovation of Superman's parents house finds us spending many hours helping putting their home "back together" before wedding party arrives and scrambling to put an Open House together at the same time. Thank goodness for a friendly plumber willing to make house calls on New Year's Eve! We get things "functional" just in time to ring in the New Year sleeping on a chair in my in-laws house. A significant thought crosses my mind as I reflect on that position... not home in my comfortable bed and probably not appreciating it, but exhausted serving someone else resting in an easy-chair, completely happy that I've spent precious time doing something good for someone who needed me... just like my dear friends have done for me this year!
I had an interesting but enlightening conversation about hope this past year... knowing that is what I needed most. Hope is a state of mind... Hope is a choice. Despite all the garbage, we choose to hope, not in ignorant bliss, but in informed and knowing eyes-wide-open joy, acknowleding with every breath all that the Lord has truly given us.
Hope shows it's face around here again and upward and outward is where we are headed in 2009...
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