I know it has been a while, but a lot has kept me busy.
My biggest reason for not keeping up is that I have injured my wrist somehow. At first the doctor thought it was Carpal Tunnel, now they are not so sure. Either way, I figured I should not be typing very much. It has been almost four months since it first started hurting, and it does not seem to be getting better.
Josie started Kindergarten. She did not like it at first, but she has warmed up to the fact that there are no toys to play with. She loves her teacher. Her favorite thing to do is go to gym.
Jakob is know in 4th grade. I can not believe how big he is getting. He will be 10 in one week!! I am the "room mom" for his class and am currently planning the big Halloween party for Friday.
United just merged with Continental and there have been many changes for Jeff because of it. We haven't found out the status of his position yet, but Jeff says that he isn't worried. He had a major move two weeks ago. He moved into the Willis Tower (better known as the Sear's Tower).
I am currently taking an English class at school. I absolutely hate it. My teacher is an idiot. But, I guess I can't like all my classes!
Ruby just had surgery on her leg. We hope that it is finally fixed (it better be for $3,000!, we could have bought 3 dogs for that money!)
October 25, 2010
May 13, 2010
Articles of a would-be reporter. Interview paper...
I have decided to post the articles that I wrote for my Journalism class. PLEASE remember that these are written for a class and the information MAY be wrong. While I tried to make these as truthful as possible, remember, to err is human.
My first paper was an interview of a fellow class member. Enjoy...
Interview Paper:
An instant friendship was formed as I sat across the table from Craig Munson. Conversation flowed and was easily maintained. We even had a few laughs at the "high school" feel that is Harper College.
Born and raised in Vermont, Craig lived an isolated life. When he was only 2, his father died of Leukemia. Left with a young toddler to care for, Craig's mother remarried and later had two other children. As describing his family life, Craig says, "I never felt like I was part of the second family."
Craig was raised in a small community that was predominantly Catholic. Because of the environment, Craig never felt that he could share his most intimate feelings with anyone. When he turned 18, Craig found the courage to approach his mother. "Coming out of the closet was hard. I knew I wouldn't be accepted." Unfortunately, he was right. To this day, Craig has little to no contact with his mother and her new family.
When Craig was in high school he had a job as a cook. When asked by people what he wanted to do when he grew up, he couldn't decide. "I didn't know what I wanted to do. Everyone else had a plan, but not me. I was already a cook, so, why not go to culinary school." Craig received his culinary degree, only to find that he hated to cook.
After realizing that his dream was not his dream after all, Craig decided to go back to school. Now, the 26 year old has almost completed his Associates degree and has applied to medical school. His most sought after school is in Florida so he can get away from the Chicago weather. "I hate Chicago," Craig says when referring to said weather.
Craig's ultimate goal, after receiving his medical degree, is to work with AIDS victims in Africa. He has already participated in fundraising and informational AIDS events here in the United States and hopes to be able to educate the people of Africa and to truly make a difference to their health.
When asked if he could sum up what he thinks of his life, Craig says, "People tell me I'm on the highway to hell, I like to think of it as the stairway to heaven." With an outlook like that, there is nothing standing in the way of Craig's dreams.
My first paper was an interview of a fellow class member. Enjoy...
Interview Paper:
An instant friendship was formed as I sat across the table from Craig Munson. Conversation flowed and was easily maintained. We even had a few laughs at the "high school" feel that is Harper College.
Born and raised in Vermont, Craig lived an isolated life. When he was only 2, his father died of Leukemia. Left with a young toddler to care for, Craig's mother remarried and later had two other children. As describing his family life, Craig says, "I never felt like I was part of the second family."
Craig was raised in a small community that was predominantly Catholic. Because of the environment, Craig never felt that he could share his most intimate feelings with anyone. When he turned 18, Craig found the courage to approach his mother. "Coming out of the closet was hard. I knew I wouldn't be accepted." Unfortunately, he was right. To this day, Craig has little to no contact with his mother and her new family.
When Craig was in high school he had a job as a cook. When asked by people what he wanted to do when he grew up, he couldn't decide. "I didn't know what I wanted to do. Everyone else had a plan, but not me. I was already a cook, so, why not go to culinary school." Craig received his culinary degree, only to find that he hated to cook.
After realizing that his dream was not his dream after all, Craig decided to go back to school. Now, the 26 year old has almost completed his Associates degree and has applied to medical school. His most sought after school is in Florida so he can get away from the Chicago weather. "I hate Chicago," Craig says when referring to said weather.
Craig's ultimate goal, after receiving his medical degree, is to work with AIDS victims in Africa. He has already participated in fundraising and informational AIDS events here in the United States and hopes to be able to educate the people of Africa and to truly make a difference to their health.
When asked if he could sum up what he thinks of his life, Craig says, "People tell me I'm on the highway to hell, I like to think of it as the stairway to heaven." With an outlook like that, there is nothing standing in the way of Craig's dreams.
March 3, 2010
The only kid who hates Disneyland...
We ruined her!
Josie's first time to Disneyland was two weeks ago. She was so excited! As we walked to the "happiest place on earth" she was skipping and singing with an ear to ear smile on her cherub face. We bought our tickets and entered the park; her eyes were huge with awe. Then, we took her on her first rides. Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, Nemo's Submarine Adventure; she seemed to be doing fine, only slightly scared.
Then, we took her on the ride that she was most excited about. Excited because her big brother was talking about it non-stop; about how much he loved it, how fun it was. As we made our way through the "fast pass" line, Josie started to get a little nervous. You can't really hide the giant waterfall on Splash Mountain, can you?
The ride. We made our way in our "log" boat, Jeff in the front, followed by Jakob, my nephew Kade, my sister, and finally Josie and I sharing the seat in the back. During the entire ride through "zip-a-die-do-da" magic, Josie huddled next to me with her tiny fingers gripping the seat in front of us so tight that they were ghostly white.
The plummet. As we ascended the "vulture-talking" end, I whispered to Josie, "It's just a little tummy tickle." Then, over the edge, straight down, free fall. Josie screamed. I don't mean the we're having fun on a roller coaster scream, I am talking about an ear curdling, "I'm going to die" scream. After the horrific event (how dare I try to call it "fun"), I tried to pry Josie's fingers from the now indented seat and watched as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her whole body was shaking like a scared puppy, and continued to shake for the fifteen minutes after we exited the ride.
We decided that in order to get our Josie to find joy in this "happiest of all places", that we needed a new strategy. I got Jeff to bite the bullet, and we took her on "It's A Small World". As we made our way in our new boat, the light in Josie's eyes started to return. Towards the end (to Jeff's dismay) she started singing the song that gets on nerves everywhere. She was our Josie again. We did not make anymore mistakes, we took her to only rides with a mellow, kid-like atmosphere. She was cured!
Two weeks later... "Mom, can I go to Disney World for my birthday." Who knows, maybe "World" will be different.
Josie's first time to Disneyland was two weeks ago. She was so excited! As we walked to the "happiest place on earth" she was skipping and singing with an ear to ear smile on her cherub face. We bought our tickets and entered the park; her eyes were huge with awe. Then, we took her on her first rides. Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, Nemo's Submarine Adventure; she seemed to be doing fine, only slightly scared.
Then, we took her on the ride that she was most excited about. Excited because her big brother was talking about it non-stop; about how much he loved it, how fun it was. As we made our way through the "fast pass" line, Josie started to get a little nervous. You can't really hide the giant waterfall on Splash Mountain, can you?
The ride. We made our way in our "log" boat, Jeff in the front, followed by Jakob, my nephew Kade, my sister, and finally Josie and I sharing the seat in the back. During the entire ride through "zip-a-die-do-da" magic, Josie huddled next to me with her tiny fingers gripping the seat in front of us so tight that they were ghostly white.
The plummet. As we ascended the "vulture-talking" end, I whispered to Josie, "It's just a little tummy tickle." Then, over the edge, straight down, free fall. Josie screamed. I don't mean the we're having fun on a roller coaster scream, I am talking about an ear curdling, "I'm going to die" scream. After the horrific event (how dare I try to call it "fun"), I tried to pry Josie's fingers from the now indented seat and watched as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her whole body was shaking like a scared puppy, and continued to shake for the fifteen minutes after we exited the ride.
We decided that in order to get our Josie to find joy in this "happiest of all places", that we needed a new strategy. I got Jeff to bite the bullet, and we took her on "It's A Small World". As we made our way in our new boat, the light in Josie's eyes started to return. Towards the end (to Jeff's dismay) she started singing the song that gets on nerves everywhere. She was our Josie again. We did not make anymore mistakes, we took her to only rides with a mellow, kid-like atmosphere. She was cured!
Two weeks later... "Mom, can I go to Disney World for my birthday." Who knows, maybe "World" will be different.
January 6, 2010
New Year Resolutions...
I love watching all of the "what happened in '09" shows. It's good to remember the good and the bad.
For the first time ever, my New Year's Resolution is to lose weight. Okay, I know I'm not "over" weight, but I am starting to get some rolls that I would love to stop in their tracks. I plan to go to the gym 3 times a week. We'll see how that goes.
I am also going back to school. I have been enrolled in Harper Community College since August. I am, however, scared out of my mind to start taking classes. But, I am enrolled in one Internet course; starting small. I don't know why starting this time is harder than when I started 6 years ago, but, it is. I hope the transition won't be as bad as I am fearing it will be.
For the first time ever, my New Year's Resolution is to lose weight. Okay, I know I'm not "over" weight, but I am starting to get some rolls that I would love to stop in their tracks. I plan to go to the gym 3 times a week. We'll see how that goes.
I am also going back to school. I have been enrolled in Harper Community College since August. I am, however, scared out of my mind to start taking classes. But, I am enrolled in one Internet course; starting small. I don't know why starting this time is harder than when I started 6 years ago, but, it is. I hope the transition won't be as bad as I am fearing it will be.
December 3, 2009
Spiritual thought...
This is the talk that I gave in Sacrament Meeting this last Sunday:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", timeless words written by Charles Dickens. Theses words note the significance of "opposition in all things."
Elder Neal A Maxwell said, "The sharp, side-by-side contrast of the sweet and the bitter is essential until the very end of this brief, mortal experience."
I am reminded of a prank played on me as a child by one of my uncles. At a restaurant, waiting for our food, I suppose trying to pass the time, my uncle would have me first try the white sugar packet, then the blue "sugar" packet. The clear contrast of the bitter and the sweet was apparent by the pucker on my face!
Today, I'm going to talk about the "bitter" part of life. There are four types of trials: 1-Trials of our faith given by a loving Heavenly Father to teach us. 2-Trials that are a natural part of life and come even when one is righteous. 3-Trials that come as a result of ones own sin. 4-Trials
put upon the innocent as a result of another's sin.
There is not a single person who has ever walked the Earth that has not had trials. It is how we react to, and learn from our trials that set us apart.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh taught, "I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness, and the willingness to remain vulnerable"
Our trials teach us; they shape us.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, ... knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty."
One of the most important things that we can learn from our trials is empathy.
A year after my Mom died of cancer, one of the younger girls in my Young Women's class lost her mother to cancer. Because of what I had gone through, I was able to help her through her pain. Similarly, a few weeks ago when I visited family in Utah, my aunt sat my sister and me down for a serious conversation. She is in charge of Activity Days in her ward and one of her girl's mother had just died of cancer. My aunt wanted to know the best way to handle the situation. My sister and I were able to give her some advice. While my pain is not the same as these other girls', I have immense empathy for them because of the trial I had gone through at that age.
We often hear people ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I'd like to put this question into perspective by asking this, "Why did the worst things happen to the best person?"
The Savior suffered everything for us. "Though sinless Himself, He bore the sins of billions." (unknown quote) He bore the pains, heartache and grief of all of us. If we ever find ourselves thinking we are alone, remember there is one whose empathy is infinite because He went through it, too.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", timeless words written by Charles Dickens. Theses words note the significance of "opposition in all things."
Elder Neal A Maxwell said, "The sharp, side-by-side contrast of the sweet and the bitter is essential until the very end of this brief, mortal experience."
I am reminded of a prank played on me as a child by one of my uncles. At a restaurant, waiting for our food, I suppose trying to pass the time, my uncle would have me first try the white sugar packet, then the blue "sugar" packet. The clear contrast of the bitter and the sweet was apparent by the pucker on my face!
Today, I'm going to talk about the "bitter" part of life. There are four types of trials: 1-Trials of our faith given by a loving Heavenly Father to teach us. 2-Trials that are a natural part of life and come even when one is righteous. 3-Trials that come as a result of ones own sin. 4-Trials
put upon the innocent as a result of another's sin.
There is not a single person who has ever walked the Earth that has not had trials. It is how we react to, and learn from our trials that set us apart.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh taught, "I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness, and the willingness to remain vulnerable"
Our trials teach us; they shape us.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, ... knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty."
One of the most important things that we can learn from our trials is empathy.
A year after my Mom died of cancer, one of the younger girls in my Young Women's class lost her mother to cancer. Because of what I had gone through, I was able to help her through her pain. Similarly, a few weeks ago when I visited family in Utah, my aunt sat my sister and me down for a serious conversation. She is in charge of Activity Days in her ward and one of her girl's mother had just died of cancer. My aunt wanted to know the best way to handle the situation. My sister and I were able to give her some advice. While my pain is not the same as these other girls', I have immense empathy for them because of the trial I had gone through at that age.
We often hear people ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I'd like to put this question into perspective by asking this, "Why did the worst things happen to the best person?"
The Savior suffered everything for us. "Though sinless Himself, He bore the sins of billions." (unknown quote) He bore the pains, heartache and grief of all of us. If we ever find ourselves thinking we are alone, remember there is one whose empathy is infinite because He went through it, too.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
My cute girl...
I am sitting at the computer watching Josie. She is watching the "Hanna Montana Movie". She is on stage (the coffee table) singing into her microphone (a marker) that rests in the microphone stand (my music stand) when she isn't singing. Her dance moves match those she sees Hanna dance. Oh, and she has her costume on (Jeff's underwear on her head!). It is so cute.
On another note, Josie came home from school very excited about the "missing" gingerbread men that they made. Apparently, the gingerbread men ran away, leaving notes in their wake! The kids had to "catch" them by following the clues. She keeps saying that she wants to make some at home so that she can show us that they can run away. I love this age!
On another note, Josie came home from school very excited about the "missing" gingerbread men that they made. Apparently, the gingerbread men ran away, leaving notes in their wake! The kids had to "catch" them by following the clues. She keeps saying that she wants to make some at home so that she can show us that they can run away. I love this age!
October 26, 2009
A Spirit filled vacation...
A couple of weeks ago the kids and I jetted to Utah. Our purpose, to attend two blessed events; the baptism of Stockton Nelson and the wedding of Richelle Nelson.
We arrived to a bustle of activity and no ride from the airport. But, being the seasoned travelers that we are, we managed just fine. My brother Josh took it upon himself to chauffeur us to our first destination, my sister's house. This required some shuffling on my brothers part because of his two angels that he was watching that day. We greatly appreciate him.
The next day was the first BIG event on our to do list. We were pleased to attend the baptism of Stockton Nelson, Jeff's nephew. I was asked to lead the music and the kids shared their beautiful innocent sounding voices by singing "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus". The baptism of Stockton was wonderfully accented by the baptism of the Nelsons previous foreign exchange-student, Victoria. Victoria had lived with the Nelsons while she attended BYU. (She wanted to be baptized but her mother, Cecilia, a devote Catholic, would not give her blessing. With much persuasion and the help of the Spirit, Victoria was able to convince her mother of the true desire that she had to become a member of the Church.) It turned out that Victoria and Cecilia were planning a visit from their home in Venezuela at the exact time that Stockton was to be baptized. It worked out so wonderfully that they were able to have both baptisms at the same service.
The day after the baptisms was Fast and Testimony Meeting at the Nelsons ward. It so happened that an Area Authority was visiting the meeting that day and the Stake had just announced a redoing of boundaries that would be detailed that evening. Jim Nelson, as bishop, began the meeting with a wonderful testimony of not only the changed in the ward, but in the changes in his family; Stockton's baptism and his daughter, Richelle, future nuptials. Jim was followed by Lauri, Richelle and Stockton, each giving spirit filled testimonies.
My little Jakob got up next; his first time bearing his testimony. It was a shock to me because he never showed an interest before. Jakob's testimony almost did me in! He did a marvelous job and was very eloquent.
Finally, as the time was diminishing, Cecilia got up to bear her testimony. It was wonderful to hear her version of her and Victoria's story. Cecilia expressed her gratitude in the choice her daughter had made in being baptized. This was followed by the Area Authority getting up to speak. The first thing he said was that he didn't believe in coincidences. He went on to say that he had served as Mission President in Venezuela. Wow! He was able to talk with Cecilia and Victoria after the service in Spanish, with Norma and Jim listening in. Cecilia later commented that where she is from they don't call it Coincidences, but God-incidences. (It sounds better in Spanish!)
As our week progressed the kids and I were able to help with wedding errands, play with cousins and relax. And, despite both kids getting sick, we had a good time.
Thursday night I attended the wedding dinner in Highland. It was a beautiful evening and we were able to eat outdoors under the color-changing trees. After the dinner (and a considerable amount of time wasting) I picked Jeff up from the airport.
On Friday we were to be at the Salt Lake Temple at 9:30. While the kids waited in the lobby, Jeff and I attended the Sealing of Richelle to Brian. (Brian, by the way, is Josie's new love interest. I told Richelle to watch out or she would steal him right out from under her!) The best part was when L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walked in to perform the sealing. It was truly the most spiritual sealing I have ever attended.
The rest of the day and evening went on without a hitch. It was a beautiful fun-filled reception (with lots of blister making things to do, but it was well worth the double socks and band aids!) Our family had a wonderful week, but we were happy to return home to get back to normal, at least until our next trip!
We arrived to a bustle of activity and no ride from the airport. But, being the seasoned travelers that we are, we managed just fine. My brother Josh took it upon himself to chauffeur us to our first destination, my sister's house. This required some shuffling on my brothers part because of his two angels that he was watching that day. We greatly appreciate him.
The next day was the first BIG event on our to do list. We were pleased to attend the baptism of Stockton Nelson, Jeff's nephew. I was asked to lead the music and the kids shared their beautiful innocent sounding voices by singing "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus". The baptism of Stockton was wonderfully accented by the baptism of the Nelsons previous foreign exchange-student, Victoria. Victoria had lived with the Nelsons while she attended BYU. (She wanted to be baptized but her mother, Cecilia, a devote Catholic, would not give her blessing. With much persuasion and the help of the Spirit, Victoria was able to convince her mother of the true desire that she had to become a member of the Church.) It turned out that Victoria and Cecilia were planning a visit from their home in Venezuela at the exact time that Stockton was to be baptized. It worked out so wonderfully that they were able to have both baptisms at the same service.
The day after the baptisms was Fast and Testimony Meeting at the Nelsons ward. It so happened that an Area Authority was visiting the meeting that day and the Stake had just announced a redoing of boundaries that would be detailed that evening. Jim Nelson, as bishop, began the meeting with a wonderful testimony of not only the changed in the ward, but in the changes in his family; Stockton's baptism and his daughter, Richelle, future nuptials. Jim was followed by Lauri, Richelle and Stockton, each giving spirit filled testimonies.
My little Jakob got up next; his first time bearing his testimony. It was a shock to me because he never showed an interest before. Jakob's testimony almost did me in! He did a marvelous job and was very eloquent.
Finally, as the time was diminishing, Cecilia got up to bear her testimony. It was wonderful to hear her version of her and Victoria's story. Cecilia expressed her gratitude in the choice her daughter had made in being baptized. This was followed by the Area Authority getting up to speak. The first thing he said was that he didn't believe in coincidences. He went on to say that he had served as Mission President in Venezuela. Wow! He was able to talk with Cecilia and Victoria after the service in Spanish, with Norma and Jim listening in. Cecilia later commented that where she is from they don't call it Coincidences, but God-incidences. (It sounds better in Spanish!)
As our week progressed the kids and I were able to help with wedding errands, play with cousins and relax. And, despite both kids getting sick, we had a good time.
Thursday night I attended the wedding dinner in Highland. It was a beautiful evening and we were able to eat outdoors under the color-changing trees. After the dinner (and a considerable amount of time wasting) I picked Jeff up from the airport.
On Friday we were to be at the Salt Lake Temple at 9:30. While the kids waited in the lobby, Jeff and I attended the Sealing of Richelle to Brian. (Brian, by the way, is Josie's new love interest. I told Richelle to watch out or she would steal him right out from under her!) The best part was when L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walked in to perform the sealing. It was truly the most spiritual sealing I have ever attended.
The rest of the day and evening went on without a hitch. It was a beautiful fun-filled reception (with lots of blister making things to do, but it was well worth the double socks and band aids!) Our family had a wonderful week, but we were happy to return home to get back to normal, at least until our next trip!
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