Friday, January 27, 2012
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Year
I know it has been quite a while since the last post. At least I know Kristi checks this blog once in a while. I just wanted to say how nice it was to have everyone at Mom and Dad's on the 23rd. It was especially great to see Kristi and Brian's family there. All we needed was Angie and Dave's family and we would have had 100%. Their moving to Chicago the same week was a pretty good excuse though.
Congratulations to Joe on his new Job. I know after I had been out of work for a long period of time, it was like a rejuvenation to finally get hired on at Progressive. Hopefully Joe will feel able to share some of his new experiences on this site so we can all enjoy his growth together.
Mom's chocolates were amazing as usual and we tore through them quickly. It's great to have Angie joining in on the dipping as well. Now we can have twice the supply!
The modifications to Dad's shower looks like they will work perfectly. Thanks to whoever came up with the ideas and got them implemented. I know anything we can do to help Dad preserve his independence and his dignity will go a long way.
Hope everyone is doing great, and enjoying getting back to school, work and all the rest.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Checking in
Just popping in to see wots up with the Utah clan. Not much I see. I know we are all busy people with out families and jobs but I find it so sad that we cannot even be "friendly" online with each other. I really miss that family feeling. :(
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Mom's Letter
I would like to talk about this letter mom emailed to everyone today. I am attaching it here in case you have not read it, but it concerns me greatly. I am extremely concerned about the negative environment she is in down there. The energy, anger and frustration in this letter seems very out of place from the discussions our family have had there the past several weeks. Where is she getting this negativity???
Here is what she said:
Life has a way of tripping up even the most patient
people, and it can come from the least expected place or person. Such is
the way we have to evaluate our lives and what we are doing to prepare ourselves
for the future experiences here on this
earth. There is no doubt in my
mind that the Lord has placed very intellegent people on the earth at this
time. There are so many things that are available to us that were truly
not even thought about when I was a little girl. I
think that life was much less complicated then than it is now, but this is our
time to be on earth and we each one have to make the best of it. The
one thing that is constant, is the family unit. The Lord
expects us to keep the family intact, but I really didn"t know just how
difficult this would be in my older years. The internet has opened
new ways to communicate with each other, but I'm not sure we are using it in a
good, positive way. Infact, it becomes too easy to tear down what it takes
a lifetime to build up. Your father and I tried to teach
you the basic principles of the Gospel...however, somewhere along the way the
simple teachings of love, forgiveness, charity etc. have escaped our adult
families interactions with each other. This is very hard to accept
on the part of parents. I do believe that our family is divided into
the haves and the have nots. Honest love for one another can be a
huge factor in having great family honesty and kindness to each other.
This element is lacking in our family. Talking about each other can be a
wonderful assest in a family, or it can be the bomb that destroys what should be
a happy, solid, trusting relationship with one another.
Believe me, life is too short to behave as though you are still siblings
fighting over who gets to sit by daddy in the motorhome. It is time to
accept each other as the brothers and sisters that you are.....children of our
Father in Heaven, sent here to prepare for an eternal life with
Him. God loves each of you, dad and mom loves each
of you...we love your families, but what you are doing to each other is
destroying our family. Satan is delighted to have you in his
pocket. It's time to truly think about the words and accusations that are
so easily thrown out to undeserving sibilings. Our time is short....do
something about it....be the men and women of God who can simply be the brother
or sister who is filled with love for each other. No unkind act or word
should escape your lips. Search your own heart to see how you can create
the family we must and can become!!!!! No one can say they are not
guilty of some of the things I have said in this letter. Seven sons and
daughters, with their spouses, can make a huge difference in the lives of 32
beautiful children. Remember, you are teaching them everyday by your
individual actions and words. Please let the Lord guide you and help
this family to be whole ..not the have and the have nots, but everyone accepting
each other as children of God who are here to make a difference in our eternal
salvation.
Written with love to each of you....Mom
Here is what she said:
Life has a way of tripping up even the most patient
people, and it can come from the least expected place or person. Such is
the way we have to evaluate our lives and what we are doing to prepare ourselves
for the future experiences here on this
earth. There is no doubt in my
mind that the Lord has placed very intellegent people on the earth at this
time. There are so many things that are available to us that were truly
not even thought about when I was a little girl. I
think that life was much less complicated then than it is now, but this is our
time to be on earth and we each one have to make the best of it. The
one thing that is constant, is the family unit. The Lord
expects us to keep the family intact, but I really didn"t know just how
difficult this would be in my older years. The internet has opened
new ways to communicate with each other, but I'm not sure we are using it in a
good, positive way. Infact, it becomes too easy to tear down what it takes
a lifetime to build up. Your father and I tried to teach
you the basic principles of the Gospel...however, somewhere along the way the
simple teachings of love, forgiveness, charity etc. have escaped our adult
families interactions with each other. This is very hard to accept
on the part of parents. I do believe that our family is divided into
the haves and the have nots. Honest love for one another can be a
huge factor in having great family honesty and kindness to each other.
This element is lacking in our family. Talking about each other can be a
wonderful assest in a family, or it can be the bomb that destroys what should be
a happy, solid, trusting relationship with one another.
Believe me, life is too short to behave as though you are still siblings
fighting over who gets to sit by daddy in the motorhome. It is time to
accept each other as the brothers and sisters that you are.....children of our
Father in Heaven, sent here to prepare for an eternal life with
Him. God loves each of you, dad and mom loves each
of you...we love your families, but what you are doing to each other is
destroying our family. Satan is delighted to have you in his
pocket. It's time to truly think about the words and accusations that are
so easily thrown out to undeserving sibilings. Our time is short....do
something about it....be the men and women of God who can simply be the brother
or sister who is filled with love for each other. No unkind act or word
should escape your lips. Search your own heart to see how you can create
the family we must and can become!!!!! No one can say they are not
guilty of some of the things I have said in this letter. Seven sons and
daughters, with their spouses, can make a huge difference in the lives of 32
beautiful children. Remember, you are teaching them everyday by your
individual actions and words. Please let the Lord guide you and help
this family to be whole ..not the have and the have nots, but everyone accepting
each other as children of God who are here to make a difference in our eternal
salvation.
Written with love to each of you....Mom
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Just an Update
Hi All,
I've been reading your posts but have been super busy so I haven't commented on them. It sounds like things are well for most everyone. We are good here and Clyde and Coco are doing well at being house broken (although I think it's me whose housebroken, I have to remember to take them out or they gently remind me with a smelly gift).
The kids are super well, Lauren just got here report card back and this is her third quarter to recieve all A's (three A's and four A+'s). Yes, they have A+'s but I don't know how that works in the GPA as they don't start computing that until 9th grade. Harrison recieved all M's and E's - yes I know your asking what's that, it's Meets and Excedes Expectations. It's suppose to be a more "sensitive" way to grade the kids (whatever, in life if you fail no ones going to give you an "N" for needs improvement).
BTW, Our travel is changing this summer, we were planning on coming out there towards the end of the summer but it looks like that may not happen. We are putting in a patio and it's blowing our budget so vacation dollars get hacked into. We are bummed not to be there but we may send Lauren...we are however very happy that we will be able to BBQ somewhere else besides the garage as everytime we do we set off the fire alarm. :)
We are hoping to see Dave and Julie in June and would welcome anyother visitors that would like to come - free room and board if you can make it here!
Hope all is well with you and I love hearing from you all!
I've been reading your posts but have been super busy so I haven't commented on them. It sounds like things are well for most everyone. We are good here and Clyde and Coco are doing well at being house broken (although I think it's me whose housebroken, I have to remember to take them out or they gently remind me with a smelly gift).
The kids are super well, Lauren just got here report card back and this is her third quarter to recieve all A's (three A's and four A+'s). Yes, they have A+'s but I don't know how that works in the GPA as they don't start computing that until 9th grade. Harrison recieved all M's and E's - yes I know your asking what's that, it's Meets and Excedes Expectations. It's suppose to be a more "sensitive" way to grade the kids (whatever, in life if you fail no ones going to give you an "N" for needs improvement).
BTW, Our travel is changing this summer, we were planning on coming out there towards the end of the summer but it looks like that may not happen. We are putting in a patio and it's blowing our budget so vacation dollars get hacked into. We are bummed not to be there but we may send Lauren...we are however very happy that we will be able to BBQ somewhere else besides the garage as everytime we do we set off the fire alarm. :)
We are hoping to see Dave and Julie in June and would welcome anyother visitors that would like to come - free room and board if you can make it here!
Hope all is well with you and I love hearing from you all!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Cade's Baptism
Hey everyone -
Cade is getting baptized on May 8th at 1:45. (you will get an invitation in the mail) He wants all of his cousins to sing "Baptism" at his baptism. If you get a minute will you ask them and maybe review the song once or twice before that day....thanks so much.
A little of what is going on in our lives.....Taylor went to prom on Saturday, he had a great time and his date was darling. He is running for Junior class officer and will find out on Tuesday if he makes it. He is studying quite a bit for his AP tests and throws golf in between the snow and studying. Madi is playing a ton of soccer 4 to 5 days a week and loves it. Cade is getting baptized and is playing baseball, between him and Madi , there is a lot of games to watch.
Dave is still traveling quite a bit, last week he was in Boise and Denver, and this week he is in Montana and Portland. Next week - back to North Carolina. The kids and I are going back in June and are excited to see what is like back there and to spend some time with Angie and her family. Hope is welll with all of you. Have a great week!!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Snow in April
Wow!!! What did you all think of that snow on Tuesday morning? We had just under 10" in our yard and with it snowing all day we just stayed inside. Fortunately we had just picked up all the materials for our tile floor in the laundry room, so we spent the day working on it and on spring cleaning. James took Jeremy and Ireland outside and they built a snowman. Pretty cool to build a snowman in April. Megan is spending this week in California with her choir group from school and she rubbed it in by texting us a picture of her at the ocean.
What did you all do?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Ireland's Birthday
Ireland had her 7th Birthday on Thursday and Mom and Dad made their way up to visit with her. It was great to see them up for a few minutes and the kids really enjoyed their company. Mom seems to be doing much better with her wrist even though it's in a brace and Dad was trying very hard. The kids even commented that he smiled a few times.
We had great news to tell them, that Megan is getting some competition now for near perfect grades. Jake pulled off an all A and 1 A- report card to match Megan's. You know it has been over 16 months now since we turned our TV off and I can say we don't miss it at all. Meg and I will catch The Office on Hulu.com, but that's the only show we see.
Plus, we just found a new boat motor for our fishing boat. The boys are looking forward to the ice coming off Strawberry so we can head out for a day of catching those big rainbows.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Just a thought
I guess this is the best format to suggest such a thing, and as usual, its unfortunate that it took an event like mom falling to initiate it...
We should either use this blog or create a blog for all of us to stay in touch with each other.
As I have been away so much, I have really enjoyed the chance to log on a see some comments...
Anyone up for managing the blog? I will tell you that I have to have my admin show me how to do anything tech related...so I'm not the guy...
Anyway, just a thought.
We should either use this blog or create a blog for all of us to stay in touch with each other.
As I have been away so much, I have really enjoyed the chance to log on a see some comments...
Anyone up for managing the blog? I will tell you that I have to have my admin show me how to do anything tech related...so I'm not the guy...
Anyway, just a thought.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Moms new development
Hi All,
Yesturday when I was at the airport I got a call from mom. She had just gotten home from the doctors office for her surgical checkup. Anyway, they re-exrayed her hand and discovered a hairline fracture. This is why she has had continued pain in her wrist. They wrapped it with an ace bandage (?) and told her it should continue to heal as it was doing so correctly on its own.
Anyway, I hope all is well - Joe was doing yard work the other day and the front and back yards both look great. I had a good trip but am happy to be back home.
Yesturday when I was at the airport I got a call from mom. She had just gotten home from the doctors office for her surgical checkup. Anyway, they re-exrayed her hand and discovered a hairline fracture. This is why she has had continued pain in her wrist. They wrapped it with an ace bandage (?) and told her it should continue to heal as it was doing so correctly on its own.
Anyway, I hope all is well - Joe was doing yard work the other day and the front and back yards both look great. I had a good trip but am happy to be back home.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thanks
I would just like to say I had a great time the other night at dinner. Karen so sorry you couldn't make it...I hope you are doing better. I know migraines can be almost impossible to deal with and I've only had two. It sounds like you get them more often and you've figured out some triggers so I hope they get fewer and further between.
Additionally Karen I appreciated your last post. I agree that Dad loves us and believes he would give up anything for our benefit. It is just so frustrating how he has almost no interpersonal skills. I also know...as do many of us... that Dad has always been this way. Michelle (cousin) said once that Aunt Barbara and Aunt Gerry tried to talk mom out of marrying dad; I don't know if that's true or not but he obviously displayed some unusal behavior that others observed so long ago. My point is that we cannot change who he is. That being said I can tell my kids he is a good person and then try to shelter them from the rude and hurtful comments dad says by limiting the time they spend with him. In all reality that's fairly easy for me since we live so far away.
Just as an FYI I've moved my flight up to Wednesday afternoon. I figured since the room was done and mom and dad were both very clear in telling me that Joe was sufficient help I should go home. This has been a very interesting trip for me - definately not what I had hoped for but it was really good to see you all.
I'll be stoping in to Mom and Dad's for a few minutes tomorrow to see if there is anything I can do but other than that I shall turn the "reins" over to Joe and Vicki.
Additionally Karen I appreciated your last post. I agree that Dad loves us and believes he would give up anything for our benefit. It is just so frustrating how he has almost no interpersonal skills. I also know...as do many of us... that Dad has always been this way. Michelle (cousin) said once that Aunt Barbara and Aunt Gerry tried to talk mom out of marrying dad; I don't know if that's true or not but he obviously displayed some unusal behavior that others observed so long ago. My point is that we cannot change who he is. That being said I can tell my kids he is a good person and then try to shelter them from the rude and hurtful comments dad says by limiting the time they spend with him. In all reality that's fairly easy for me since we live so far away.
Just as an FYI I've moved my flight up to Wednesday afternoon. I figured since the room was done and mom and dad were both very clear in telling me that Joe was sufficient help I should go home. This has been a very interesting trip for me - definately not what I had hoped for but it was really good to see you all.
I'll be stoping in to Mom and Dad's for a few minutes tomorrow to see if there is anything I can do but other than that I shall turn the "reins" over to Joe and Vicki.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Project Complete, FYI on Dad
Hello, Today was the most productive day for several reasons. We finished the laundry room and I say "we" because Joe was a huge help. After the carpet went down Joe cut and set the mop boards and calked them as well. They look great. Then he helped me finish up the cabinets and move all the stuff back in. The room looks great and I think it will be a nice room for mom to do all her stuff in. I was over at mom and dads from around noon till midnight tonight. Griffin was great since he played with Bryson the entire time and then Vicki feed him dinner so I could keep working. It was team work at it's best!
Dad had some tests run and it looks like he is dispelling blood threw his bowels (I know TMI). Anyway, the doctor called and wouldn't discuss it over the phone but he has an appointment next week. I told mom if it was real serious or something they needed to act on immediately they would have him in the office today but they are still a little worried.
Tomorrow I will be taking mom and dad into SL to have their taxes filed and then I will be "off duty" until further notice.
Dad had some tests run and it looks like he is dispelling blood threw his bowels (I know TMI). Anyway, the doctor called and wouldn't discuss it over the phone but he has an appointment next week. I told mom if it was real serious or something they needed to act on immediately they would have him in the office today but they are still a little worried.
Tomorrow I will be taking mom and dad into SL to have their taxes filed and then I will be "off duty" until further notice.
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