Summer

Wow, you'd think maybe we did something this summer - erm, not really - lol. Our summer has been spent almost typical - however we did add a few trips to the mold; 2 with kids, one without. We've been to Oregon and Washington (not unusual) for Dean's niece Mandy's wedding, to Minnesota for our friend Linda's wedding, and to my sister Susan's new cabin up above Park City. For the first time EVER, cousins have come to visit and stay a few days - this was VERY COOL according to my children. Truthfully, the cousins got along well enough that it wasn't a problem at all - just wish there was a cousin closer to Ben's age =[.

Can you believe that school starts in LESS than 30 DAYS!?!?! WAHOO! 0_0 oops did I say that outloud? he he - Yep, I love my kids but I HATE their argueing and they never fully realize that I work until they spend a full day here at home and mom is not as accessible as they would like or they can't play because I'm working. Yeah I know, something we are trying to rectify. We've adjusted my hours so that when they go back to school I can start work after they leave and end when they get back - cross your fingers it works that way =].

Our trips for the summer are over, now it's done to getting school supplies, school clothes and getting sleep schedules back in order - eww, that one's not fun. August starts our birthday run also, so Anthony will be ordained to a Teacher at the end of August, Olivia will be baptised 2nd week of October, and Ben will become a Deacon in November 0_0 oi I'm getting old.

It was VERY NICE

Okay, I must confess the humidity wasn't THAT bad in fact I was hotter here in Utah waiting at the airport to leave. That's a WHOLE other story with our plane not leaving for 2 hrs late and we missed the dinner not just the rehearsal. =D Nope I'm only in maybe 1 pic from my entire 130+ pictures - WAHOO! I will allow it every now and than (my pic to be taken that is) as I realize that I may never lose my extra 60 lbs BUT I will still TRY. This was the bride's 3 yr old niece Nina, she was such a trooper for such a long day and so adorable that I couldn't resist snapping pic's. Dean was a groomsman and I read the Unity Candle. This was a mixed marriage ceremony of Catholocism and Judeaism. It turned out very nice and they are very happy. Since neither is terribly active in their religion and they don't plan on having kids, its a nice blend and there shouldn't be any problems. Minnesota was green and lush and raining one day. We had a tornado watch but it was for another county thank goodness. We didn't get to go down to Walnut Grove like we wanted - it ended up being a 3 1/2 hr road trip one way and with the storm coming in we didn't want to chance getting stuck. Next time =]. Lin and Dave's families were very warm and welcoming to us and included us in all that they did. Her dad's a character and I think he's great - lol. We found other Stargate geeks and computer geeks so Dean was comfy and fit right in - he he - not that Dean ever has a problem fitting in. =D It was a nice relaxing trip, I actually feel kinda bad, ppl from Utah asked if I'd taken a "Happy" pill - truth be told - NO, I just didn't have to work! Pretty sad my kids don't always see that.

Congrats Dave & Lin!

It's a robotic ET!!!

LOL that's how I see Wall-E and yes, just like ET I fell in love with him. Course it helped that they had my favorite music through the parts where there was no talking =].
Yes I agree that there it has a definite environmentalist flavor to it but so did Ferngully and it was one of our favorites. Lol, it was fun entertainment and yes little motions of an animated object got to me again - lol- meh, must be the Terry genes.

My Good News Minute

Every week in Relief Society they ask if anyone has any "good news" this week. Well, I never share cuz my life is pretty dull and boring. HOWEVER, I have had WONDERFUL things happen this week to my family and my friends that I thought I would atleast share here.

First us... I received my inheritance check last week. So this week I am picking and paying bills so that we can climb a little more out of debt. What a TRUE blessing and gift from my mom. Also, I came home from work today with 4 great pieces of news. The University got a stay on their Medicaid funding so we DO get our Merit Increase raises this year! We were supposed to hit 60 AR days for the hospital and we hit 58!! So there will be a $750 BONUS in my next paycheck - sweeeeeet. Since being on FMLA and all my accrued hours now GONE - we talked to my boss about reducing my hours to be a 75% employee again which mean 6 hrs a day not 8 (9am-3pm) but still retaining FULL benefits. I was approved and start my 75% time on MONDAY! So with vacation hrs next week I will NOT be taking ALL my sick and vacation for the Minneapolis wedding and =0 will actually have some time left over! WOW... can you say everything at once?!?!

Friends..... My friend Heather, that I mentioned in my previous blog, is resting comfortably and described to me as "content". She took my advice and really prayed for the first time last night. She has many financial difficulties as well and today when took a leap of faith and turned her phone on... INSTEAD of creditors - she won a local contest and will receive $1000. By no means a end of trouble but a light at the end of tunnel is now appearing with faith and hope guiding her.
My friend Tyler, texted on Wednesday and said that one of his drawings was accepted by "Afflictions" T-shirt company! He is very excited - as he should be and will receive the "first" off the line as they are printed.

Our lives are so richly blessed - these are so OBVIOUS of good news minutes but I bet I could find even more in my day to day "dull" life that are just as rich and wonderful.

What a BLESSING we each are

I don't want this to come out morbid but I do need to say the reason I'm writing this.
Just spent an hour talking to a friend who tried to kill herself last night. I knew she was depressed but was fighting it and was actually getting really down myself by talking to her and trying to help her. However, I'm grateful that I was here tonight and able to talk to her and hopefully help her to see what she is doing and how it affects others not just herself - especially her 15 yr old son.

You always wonder why you go through the experiences and trials that you do and than the Lord puts you in the path of a friend who needs just that help and you realize why you've become friends and the Lord assisted you in finding each other. There are no accidents, there is no fate - just a loving Heavenly Father who knows all of us better than we do ourselves. He knows who we are, what we can become and we just need to allow him access to our lives so that he can assist and help. For that is all he truely wants and what we all so desperately need.

As I told her that I wanted to put here: We ARE all gifts of a loving Heavenly Father . What a blessing we each are and can be to each other and ourselves if we simply allow the Savior to assist us.

Tell me why..

I never thought of it as a curse unless it hurts =], but I know I shouldn't than either. I have been blessed with a wonderful gift that I sometimes second guess, think I misread, or whatever but it is beautiful nonetheless. Lately, I have really come to second guess its use or my ability I suppose and I've found myself hurt and confused and wanting to know why. Why does it hurt so much to care? Why do I wrap my heart around people that I know, those I don't, or those that I need to know and than allow myself to get hurt or trapped by that relationship?

I really hate to say it, it sounds very crass and mean of me and I don't mean it to, I just don't know how else to put it. I have always been what some would call "a geek magnet" - not in today's worlds term of geek I think today they are moron's or whatever. Those that might be less desirable to some, that close themselves off to others, or even those in dire straits - I guess I have lost puppy syndrome for and I gather them to me. After awhile I start to question myself, what did I do? Why did I do? How do I undo? Which isn't really Christlike at all and than I'm confused and I hurt. Just because the puppy got better doesn't mean that I shouldn't still care, that I shouldn't still befriend it and nurture it along the way. How did Jesus have unconditional love for ALL? How does he not get fed up with me sometimes and want me to just go away for a day or two? As a parent and a friend, I'm sure he does and I'm sure my friends & parents have felt that about me more than once.

We can't make it back without each other, none of us are perfect. Most times though, I really wish I could be perfect in just one thing... love.

Getting Ready..... I think

Well, it's gonna take me the week and a half before I go to get ready for our trip to Minneapolis I think. My carpal tunnel has kicked in, WORSE than last time so I need to make appts to see my Chiropractor and my massage therapist (this one I will enjoy =]). I also promised myself a perm for my birthday and haven't received one yet - my has not been curling as it dries but FRIZZING! No no no for the wedding in Minneapolis- icky pictures can't do that to Lin. I'm going to try a spiral this time and she promised me she could do BIG curls that look like body =D. AND I need to go get a DRESS that fits me decent for the wedding - I think we now have a TJ MAXX or ROSS up here so I'll hit those places before heading anywhere expensive like JCPENNY or such. Her colors are apple red,white and black so I think I should be able to get something nice and COOL - eww I hate humidity. (one of my biggest pet peeves is feeling wet and sweaty - ARGH!)
I will endure and have a great time. We are leaving Thursday the 17th, will arrive in time for the rehearsal dinner (Dean is a groomsman =]) and than we have most of the day Friday to play and go to Mall of America. The wedding is Fri evening at 6 with the reception right after and than Saturday we can sightsee and than go to her families home for a little bit. We leave on Sunday to come home and we are both looking forward to it - we think it will be great fun.

Happy 4th of July

I did post about July 4th

but it stuck it down on the 1st of July when i wrote it - grrr didn't know it would do that - so please feel free to scroll. =]

Happy BIrthday Sworder

Happy Birthday to my FIRST puzzle pirates Captain, my online game friend, my awesome artist and Dean and I's adopted into family son, Tyler (Sworder). You are an amazing person my friend and the more I learn the more amazed I grow each day. Happy #19 - wow, your old- LOL! We can't wait to see you in August =]!

Happy Birthday Sarahjane!

To one of my newest and dearest pirate friends, Happy Birthday this July 1st! She is from Canada so it's also- Happy Canada Day!

Though many hardships you have faced this past year, I am wishing you a wonderful, bright new year ahead. One that is filled with good friends, close family, miracles, and new beginnings. I'm grateful that Whoop introduced us and that we've gotten a chance to get to know each other and help each other along the way. Huggles my sweet Sarah - Have a Great Day!