David and Goliath

Lessons from Life Storms

      During the last couple of weeks, we have weathered one of our "life storms."  Everyday I ask my husband what am I learning from this trial?  I am growing weary and I'm not quite sure yet what the lesson is that I am learning.  Perhaps I am learning more patience, compassion for others, and gratitude for what we have.

      One of my heroes was a young boy, I first learned about him from the Oprah Show.  His name is Mattie Stepanek.  He passed away on June 22, 2004 but my memory of him and his beautiful poetry has not been forgotten.   He taught me so many lessons through his courage and unbelievable optimism despite suffering from a very rare form of muscular dystrophy.  The following paragraphs tell a little bit about him:

  11 year old Mattie Stepanek is living through a difficult storm. His mom, Jeni, also has the disease, which she didn't discover until after she had four children. Mattie's three siblings all died from the disease—but remarkably, Mattie recovered from a near-fatal sickness this past year. Though he still struggles with his illness, he is achieving great feats: earning a junior black belt in martial arts, homeschooling at the 11th grade level, and having his poetry published.
Three Wishes
Mattie has always had three wishes: to have his poems published, to meet his hero Jimmy Carter and to share his message of peace on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Now all three of his wishes have been granted. When Oprah asked Mattie why he chose those three things, he explained, "Because they were things that would last forever. Going to Disney World ends in a week. But being able to talk with Jimmy Carter, being able to have my books published, being able to talk to you here today, lasts forever."
What is a Heartsong?
Mattie has been writing poetry since he was three years old. "I write to express my thoughts and feelings," he explains. You hear the word "heartsongs" a lot in his work. "Your heartsong is your inner beauty," says Mattie. "It's the song in your heart that wants you to help make yourself a better person, and to help other people do the same. Everybody has one."

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     We all have life storms. Times in our lives that are extremely sad, scary, angry. And instead of just suffering through them, and then afterwards just sitting, crying and waiting to be wiped out by the next one, we should celebrate together that we got through. And when the next one comes along, work through and pull through and celebrate again."

    Mattie reminds all of that after every life storm that we need to play.

      A quick update on our electrical problems is as follows.  Not much is working in our house still.  However, we did find out the problem a week ago Thursday.  Our house and the Children's Justice Center were the only two homes affected by an open neutral line that was on a transformer owned by Rocky Mountain Power.  I am certainly not an electrician but as it was explained to me by our electrician; he told us that Thomas Edison was a brilliant man.  There are two lines of power that come into our homes.  Each line carries 120 volts making a total of 240.  Then there is a neutral line that runs in the middle.  Anyway, the lines that come into our house were measured at 30 volts on one and 233 on the other. thus basically frying anything that required a motor in our house.  Things that you wouldn't even think need a motor like the sprinkler system and doorbell were destroyed.  All of our electronics were sent off in an attempt to have them repaired.  Some things like the dishwasher, freezer, and downstairs fridge are not repairable.  We did buy one television and have reestablished our cable service as of yesterday.  My computer was in the shop for 4 days, and when I got it back and tried to use it I found that I could not load any programs because the computer would keep freezing.  So I am "computerless" except for Sundays.  My husband has been using my laptop for his work because his laptop got stolen a year ago.  So, on Sunday's I'm able to use my own laptop . LOL!  Our Internet box has been replaced so I do have the Internet when I have the laptop.  It is a long process trying to get everything back to normal.  We have workmen in our house daily.  The garage door is still not working, nor the pond pump and inverter, nor the Jacuzzi.  Half of the lights need to be rewired and repaired.  We have been eating alot of fast food and been eating out.  It is amazing how dependent upon electricity we have become.

    One funny thing I have to say is that we are able to warm up food now.  My husband salvaged an old Amana Microwave from a cabin he was remodeling.  It is the same exact microwave we had when we were first married.  I remember it was a big "deal" getting this expensive appliance at a cost of over $500 dollars.  That was more than 33 years ago.  I am most grateful to  be able to use that $500 Amama Microwave.

     I would like to say that I am handling the stress of our life storms with as much optimism as Mattie Stepanek did.  I guess I am still here on this earth because I still have so much to learn.  I know that Mattie is no longer suffering any pain due to his imperfect body.  He is enjoying a pain free body and I'm sure he is still writing his beautiful poetry to cheer us all on.  Mattie, thanks for sharing the song you had in your heart.

    

 At Mattie's funeral nearly 1,350 people attended, including Oprah Winfrey and country singer Billy Gilman. A eulogy was delivered by former President Jimmy Carter, who said, "We have known kings and queens, and we've known presidents and prime ministers, but the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known in my life is Mattie Stepanek. His life philosophy was

'Remember to play after every storm!' and his motto was: "Think Gently, Speak Gently, Live Gently."

  In a talk given In February 2001 by Thomas S. Monson he counseled us to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. It calls, “This way to safety; this way to home.” The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals readily recognized and never failing.

   So, I have my eye on the lighthouse of the Lord, so I too can weather the storm.

 

When I was a elementary school teacher one of my favorite things to do was have the children gather around me and we would have story time.  One of my favorite stories is about a boy named Alexander and the terrible day he has.

The Worst Day

Author
Judith Viorst

Publication date
June 1972

Alexander wakes to hair full of gum

trips on his skateboard,

and drops a sweater in a sink full of water.

At breakfast, his brothers are having a far better day — having found prizes in their breakfast cereal — which makes Alexander feel worse.  No prize in Alexander's cereal

School offers him no respite from his horrible day: he gets reprimanded by a teacher

he gets demoted to third best friend, and at lunch,

finds himself dessertless. Could the day get worse?

After school, the dentist discovers a cavity,

the elevator door closes on his foot

and at the shoe store, he has to buy plain white shoes (while both brothers get shoes with stripes!).

Later, he gets lima beans for dinner

and there's kissing on TV — Alexander can't wait for this day to end.

Later Alexander finds out that we all have "Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days!' ......even in Australia.

Sometimes we all have bad days., even in Australia, and since we can't escape them we might as well muddle through them and maybe even try (at some point) to laugh about them.

If you click on this link and then the story time teller link, you can listen to the book for yourself and let me know what you think.

Terrible No Good Very Bad Day

 

    Well, it was a  "Terrible, Horrible, no good, very bad WEEK!" for us at our home.

      On Tuesday, there was a wind storm, rain, and even hail and snow.  Yes is really is May here in Utah.  Anyway, I was in the family room and I could smell something burning.  I ran into the kitchen and there was smoke and a toxic smell pouring from the dishwasher.  I couldn't breathe and I could hardly open my eyes because of the toxic smells.  I opened the dishwasher and flames were coming from the bottom.  The dishwasher was not even on, the flames were not from the heating element, but from what I would later learn is the celluloid, which I'm told is the brains of the operation. {Can you tell I'm not mechanical?}  I quickly doused the flames and the dogs and I ran outside to get away from the fumes.  The power began surging, the lights went on and off and we discovered that the oven and microwave no longer worked.  There is power to them but the motors were burned out.  As the day and later days went on we kept discovering more things that were destroyed.   The power continued to ark and to this day we have no:

heating or air conditioning, the pond pump quit but I think we have it restored until we can get it checked, the Jacuzzi is ruined, 3 televisions were destroyed, my computer and hard drive with all my pictures, etc.  one fridge, one freezer, many lights, ipod speakers, radios, clocks, etc., etc., etc.,  Well, not to whine but the heating guys can't come until Thursday, it is a holiday weekend so no one wants to come and do repairs.  We finally paid overtime to get an electrician to come and make sure the house wasn't going to burn down.  He "greased" the power lines that come into the house and said that should keep anymore power surges from occurring.  Oh, the joy of living in a house that was built in the 1940's. 

     Oh well, my husband has been promising me a new kitchen for a very long time.  I guess the TIME is here NOW!  As soon as we can get the insurance adjuster to give us a check we can start replacing the wiring and electronics.  It is hard to believe how dependent upon electrical devices we have become.  As we went to bed last night we thought of the pioneers and how grateful they would have been to sleep in our bed and enjoy the few electrical lights, etc. that we still have.  My heart goes out to those who are suffering from the earthquakes through out the world.  My heart goes out to those people suffering from the tornados in Oklahoma.  Our insurance rep. said there were 1,500 claims in Oklahoma alone last week.  As the book states, we all have "Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Days or Weeks," at some point in our lives.  Yes, even in AUSTRALIA!

So, I am going to choose to look upon the positive.  One of my favorite quotes is from our late prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, "Things will be okay!"

  "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.  It all works out.  Don't worry, I say that to myself every morning.  It will all work out.  If you do your best, it will all work out.  Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.  The Lord will not forsake us.  He will not forsake us,...if we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessing, He will hear our prayers."  (Gordon B. Hinckley, Church News, 10/04/97)

 

 

Here's to a better week for all of us and yes, even in Australia!

David Beckham, Favorite Garden Store, Blaze Game, & Studio 5 KSL TV

These pictures are for Carrissa, one of my students and friends from All My Memories.  She made a comment that she hoped we saw the 2 goals made by David Beckham.  Yes, we did see the 2 goals that he scored.  The first picture shows a dead ball penalty kick in which resulted in his first goal of the evening.

The REAL and Galaxy tied with a 2 to 2 score.  David is a class act.  He took off his jersey and gave it to a fan in the crowd.  He applauded the audience and then took time to interview with the press.  He is a superstar and he takes time to please his fans.  We were really impressed with him.

 

My new favorite garden store is J & J Garden in Layton.  I have been there 3 times in the last couple of weeks.  I have never seen such a wonderful selection of plants and garden supplies.  I heard on the radio that they have over a million, yes I said a million, bedding plants.  It is so crowded at the garden center that you can hardly get down the aisles and you often have to park out on the street because the parking lot is full.  Here a few photos from the garden center.

We went to our first Blaze game a couple of Saturday's ago.  The Blaze actually won which has been a hard task for the team.  It is really a fast paced action packed sporting event.  They had stunt bikers for the half time entertainment.  Ty and Andrea treated us to the game.  It was fun to spend time with them.

         

     And finally I was able to go to Studio 5  for a special celebration of prominent Utah mothers.  My dear friend, Lisa Bearnson was able to bring her daughters to the television show to celebrate Mother's Day.  They made delicious smoothies that their family has for a healthy breakfast.  Lisa talked about her family and the things they do to keep a tight-knit family group.  She also demonstrated special projects she had made with a youth group and decorating ideas using scrapbook projects to enhance home decor.  I love Lisa and her family. They are wonderful examples to all of us.  They have daily prayer and scripture study as a family and do many activities together including a family evening night each week.  Friends are always welcome at the house and they have an "open pantry policy" at their house.  I think those simple acts have really united them as a family.  Lisa also brought her neighbor to help her and the girls.  We enjoyed a wonderful morning at the television station and had a delicious lunch at one of my favorite restaurants.  Thank you Lisa and friends for such a wonderful day!

      I hope you have a wonderful week and a special hi to my family who live away from us. Hello to  my Mom & Dad, and my sisters and their families, and my aunt Nancy.  Have a great week!

 

Happy Mother's Day 2008

My mother and me with my baby sister.

 

     I would like to write a special tribute to my mother for Mother's Day 2008.  My mother is a very strong woman.  When I graduated from High School, my mother graduated from college.  My mother always worked while we were growing up.  She would go to school in the evenings.  When my mother graduated from college she began teaching elementary school and continued her education pursuits in the evenings.  She got her master's degree in Special Education while she continued to teach.  Later, she got her PhD. in Special Education.

     My father was in the Air Force for twenty years.  When I was born my father was stationed in Korea.  He did not see me until I was 6 months old.  Later in his career, my mother would take care of us in the states while my father served in Turkey without his family.  We moved many times while my father served his country.  We lived in Kansas, Minnesota, Japan, Nevada, Italy, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, and back to Kansas.

      As a young girl my mother helped her mother raise a large family.  She was smart and athletic.  She played basketball in High School.  Today my mother continues to run and walk, lift weights, and does cardio exercises.  She is short in stature but strong in spirit and heart.

     In high school, I remember my mother driving me one hour each way to ballet twice a week.  She also sewed all of my prom dresses because I was "sewing illiterate."  She taught me how to work by teaching me skills I would need later on in my life.  She has strong moral values and taught me to be a hard worker and a righteous and law abiding citizen.

    My mother raised three daughters who all graduated from college and are good mothers and citizens themselves.  My mother worked for many years as a Special Education teacher and recently retired.  She still works a few side jobs to keep her mind and body active and strong.  She loves to travel, shop for clothes, shoes, antiques, and spend time with her children and grandchildren.  She is an excellent wallpaper hanger, painter, and even does plumbing.  She is not afraid to tackle any job around the house.  I call her the "Energizer Bunny."  She has more energy than me and she always has.  I would like to send a very special Mother's Day greeting to my mother and my two sisters.

   Mom thank you for all of the life lessons I learned from you.  I love you and I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Tomatoes Are Still Waiting For Spring!

 

My tomatoes are still inside waiting, not so patiently for Spring to come.  We woke up to snow on May 1st.  I do not ever recall having snow on May Day.  My tulips do not know what to think of this crazy weather.

              

 

   I took a walk around the neighborhood this morning.  It was about 39 degrees this morning but at least there wasn't any snow.  The spring blossoms and bulbs are out.  It is so beautiful that I had to take pictures before the heat of summer arrives.  Right now, it seems impossible that it will be 100 degrees in a few short months.  Utah has such extremes in temperature.  It is amazing that the plants bloom in spite of our state's extreme weather.

 

 

   If you have not taken the opportunity to pick up Lisa Bearnson's latest book, you must do so.  It is a wonderful book full of the most inspiring quotes and layouts.  I have a layout about my daughter, Nichole in the book.  Nichole had a minor surgery that turned into a very major ordeal.  The layout tells about the kindness that a complete stranger showed to me and my daughter during this very difficult time.  I later found out that the girl's name was Kim.  "No act of kindness , no matter how small is ever wasted." Aesop.  So, I would like to thank Kim for her small act of kindness that meant so much to me and my family.

 

 

I hope you have a great weekend.  We are going to the REAL soccer game this evening.  "THE DAVID BECKHAM" will be playing this evening.  I hope I can get some good photos of him for all of you David Beckham fans.  Also, way to go JAZZ last evening.  The team will be playing in Los Angeles on Sunday.  The win moves the JAZZ to the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs.  Way to go JAZZ!

Thanksgiving Point, Engagement Photo Shoot, Jazz Playoff Game

 

    I am heading out the door but I wanted to post a few pictures from beautiful Thanksgiving Point.             

It is the tulip festival at the Point.  It has been a really cold spring.  There were beautiful flowers but I don't think it was as spectacular as in years past when the weather was much more cooperative.

 

There were brides and future brides enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

 

 

     Nichelle's sister-in-law, Lori is getting married in June.  Lori asked me to photograph their engagement pictures, bridals, and wedding.  I am not a professional photographer but I do love photography.  I have only had my SLR camera for 3 years.  Before that time I always loved photography but was strictly a point and shoot camera photographer.  When I went to look at buying my first SLR camera I remember the salesman was almost laughing at the way I was holding the camera.  I had never held a SLR camera before.  They are heavy and very technical.  Photography is very similar to Photoshop in the fact they both have very high learning curves.  So, I am constantly learning and trying to improve my skills at both.  Here are some photos from the engagement photo shoot from our back yard.  Matt and Lori did a great job of being patient so I could get photos I thought they would be happy with.

   

 

                 

 

      We had the chance to go to the Jazz versus Houston Rockets 1st round of the Playoff Games.  It had a late start for television purposes.  The game was Saturday evening and the start time was 8:30pm.  It was a very exciting game.  The Jazz always step up everything for playoff games.  Clowns to entertain, the bear does more stunts, the Jazz stunt team performed, their were high jumping trampoline enthusiasts, fireworks, and much more.  Playoff games are the creme de la creme as far as basketball goes.  We saw Orin Hatch there as well as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  from the LDS 1st Presidency.

                          

 

     And yes, the Jazz did win.  They had about a 10 point lead that disappeared.  So the Jazz had to really step it up.  They did finally when with a much smaller margin.  The Jazz lead the series 3 to 1.  They play in Houston tonight.  If the Jazz win they will go to the next round.  If not, they will play a game Friday evening.  Go Jazz!

She Loves Her Green Beans

It has been such a joy to have Kaylin in our lives.  Her mother often has games to coach in the evening so I get to tend her quite often.  She is a very happy baby.  She has barely started to eat solids.  She just loves her green beans.  When I tend her I get absolutely nothing done.  I am content to feed her, change her, play with her, love her, and just hold her for hour after hour.

  Kaylin loves to get butterfly kisses from all of us.  In this picture, her Uncle Patrick is giving her butterfly kisses which brings a squeal of delight from Kaylin.  The last couple of days Kaylin has just started to crawl.  She puts her little "booty" in the air and rocks back and forth. I'll have to get a few pictures to document her unique crawling style.

        Last week, we celebrated Kaylin's Daddy's birthday and this past week we celebrated Andrea's birthday.  Ty and Andrea went to Cucina Toscana for a delicious birthday dinner celebration and then came over to our house for cake and ice cream.

 

On Saturday, my husband called me while he was listening to the radio on his drive to Timberlakes.  The garden show was at J & J Garden in Layton.  I had never been to that particular nursery before.  Wow!  For a flower and garden lover like me, it was sensory overload.  Very much like when you go into a scrapbooking store, this garden center was greenhouse after greenhouse of beautiful plants.  I spent a couple of hours there enjoying the site.  The Garden Center had brought in 40,000 tomato plants for their tomato extravaganza.  I bought the tomato varieties:  champion, celebrity, beefmaster, roma, and sun sugar cherry tomatoes.  The gallon size tomato plants were $1.49.  What a great price!  I was particularly pleased to find out that they had a pond department.  When my daughter, Nichole got married she wanted the reception in our backyard.  Our backyard has a very steep hillside that was totally covered in Pyracantha bushes.  If you are not familiar with that bush it has very sharp thorns and it grows like a weed.  We put in a beautiful waterfall and pond in place of the hillside of the Pyracantha bushes.  We have enjoyed our backyard so much.  We put Koi fish in the pond.  Every winter we lose some fish due to raccoons and other natural predators that live in the nearby canyon. 

     J & J had some Koi fish for sale.  We lost about 12 of our favorite fish a couple of winters ago.  They were beautiful butterfly fish that we had gotten from a vendor from Arkansas at a local Koi Show.  My 2 favorite were about 24 inches long and were scaleless and had a beautiful light blue coloring.  J & J Garden had some butterfly fish for sale.  They were only about 6 inches long but some of them were the blue color that I love.  Koi fish are not very colorful when they are young fish.  As the fish mature, the color intensifies.  So, we look forward to enjoying a summer watching our new fish grow and mature.  I love spring and summer.  I'm not fond of the heat but I love the beautiful flowers that thrive in the yard. 

    Now in Utah, you cannot plant tomatoes until after May 15th.  However, for the last few years we have planted our tomatoes with walls of water.  The walls of water insulate the tomatoes from the cold and you can get tomatoes about a month earlier than if we waited until after the danger of frost.  So this week we have a lot of planting to do so we can enjoy the harvest.

Have a great week and think SPRING!

 

 

       

My husband's favorite dinner, date, granddaughter, and game!

 

 

My husband's favorite meal that I make is homemade spaghetti.  We always try to eat whole wheat pasta and whole wheat garlic bread because it has more fiber and is better for you.  The first time we served the whole wheat pasta, my son who had been away for 5 years in the military, asked why the pasta was dirty.  He was sure that I was serving him "old, stale pasta."

I also served an artichoke and grape tomato salad with garlic and angel food cake with fresh strawberries and blackberries.

 

 

       

    On Friday my husband took the day off to spend with me.  We went to Timberlakes.  Here is Mt. Timpanogos enshrouded with clouds.  We were going to go snowmobiling but the snow was melting too quickly.   Then he took me to Daniel's Summit Lodge for lunch.  They have delicious food.  We had the hamburger with mushrooms and a diet coke in a frosted mug.  They also have homemade onion rings.  They have a beautiful lodge and they also rent snowmobiles.  After lunch we caught an afternoon movie at Jordan Commons.  We saw "Emma Smith, My Story."  It is told from the view of Emma Smith.  I think many people have misjudged her.  The movie shows what she had to endure and her great love for her family and her husband, Joseph Smith. It was very touching and moving.

 

        My husband's favorite and only grandchild is beautiful, Kaylin.  She is such a sweet, happy, spirit who brings so much joy to our family.  Her Daddy is holding her in the first picture.  It was Craig's birthday last Thursday.  This is Kaylin's first time to celebrate her Daddy's birthday.  She did get a small taste of ice cream but no cake for her.  The next pictures shows her "serious face" while she plays with her toys.

 

        

And finally, my husband's favorite sport is soccer.  His love for soccer began while he served an LDS mission in Central England.  On his P-day, he would play soccer with the neighborhood kids.  When Tyler turned 4 years old, Milt became his soccer coach for Little League Soccer.  He was a soccer coach for Tyler, the girls, and even an assistant soccer coach for West High School when the girls were on the soccer team.  Can I say, Milt loves soccer!  He has had season tickets for Real Soccer since it started here in Utah.  We even went to the World Cup Soccer game when it was in San Francisco many years ago.  I did concede to go to the soccer game with him Saturday night.  Can I tell you that it was freezing!  If you know anything about me, I am not a sports fan.  If I do go, I mostly watch the people, take pictures, or have kettle corn to keep myself entertained.  Just don't ask me the score.  Anyway, it was a really good game.  The Real actually won by scoring 4 goals against DC United which is a really good team.  I was pretty happy with the photographs I got of the goalie making a great save.  So, in honor of my husband and his zeal for soccer here are the photos.

 

          

 

And to close this post, I want to give a big thank you to my husband.  On Monday the Hall of Fame calls went out.  I was really nervous and really wanted to win.  I have entered for 3 straight years and still have not won.  My husband knew I was really anxious so he took the day off.  We went to the movie, Leatherheads, with George Clooney.  It wasn't my favorite movie but it did keep my mind off of the HOF calls.  Then we went to California Pizza Kitchen for lunch.  I did not get a HOF call last Monday.  I was really sad but I was so touched that my husband would take time off to spend the day with me, so I would feel better.   Now scrapbooking is not important to my husband but he knows that it is important to me.  I really appreciate his kindness in spending the day with me so that I would feel better.

I love you, Milt!

Conference Traditions

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  has General Conference twice a year.  We love General Conference because the talks are so spiritual and uplifting.  This is the first time for the new prophet, Thomas S. Monson to preside as President of the Church since the passing of President Hinckley in late January.  We stay home from church and watch the proceedings on television often in our pajamas.  We always have a big breakfast for this special occasion.  When we have 9:00 am church we don't have time to cook a big breakfast but for conference there is plenty of time.

 

    This last year, my husband's family compiled all of their family's favorite recipes and put them in a beautiful cookbook.  Milt's family has outstanding cooks and recipes that have been passed down through the generations.  We usually have pancakes, waffles, or crepes for conference breakfast but always with strawberries and whipped cream.   This year my husband ground wheat kernels with our new wheat grinder so we could make whole wheat blender pancakes from the family cookbook.  The pancakes are very light, almost like a crepe even though they are made from whole wheat.

 

           

                           

 

 

 

 

Even the dogs get a special Conference breakfast.  They get their fire hydrants filled with peanut butter.  If we keep them occupied then we can eat in peace.  Good thinking on our part, right?

 

       Nichelle, Craig, and the baby came over in the afternoon to enjoy a relaxing Sunday with us.  Our other family members are both out of town.  My husband's favorite meal that I cook is  homemade spaghetti.  I will post pictures of that meal later.  Sunday seems to be our cooking day.  During the week we don't always have time to make a great meal.  Sundays are the best day of the week and General Conference Sundays are like the cherry on top of a delicious ice cream sundae.

{Get it???.......Sunday and sundae....I know, I'm so clever}

Have a great week.....and can you believe it is snowing again here in Utah?  Happy Spring???