Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Super Daddy
I just have to say that Darrell is such a great Daddy to Tyler. Darrell's eyes light up and his smile gets so big every day when he comes home from work and sees "Cutie," a.k.a. "Wee One," a.k.a. Tyler. I love that Darrell isn't afraid to change Tyler's diaper. And it's super nice when Darrell will go get Tyler on weekend mornings so I can stay in bed just a little longer. Darrell has been especially helpful by watching Tyler when I'm busy at church. I have to visit other wards for my calling in the Stake Primary Presidency, and Darrell will take Tyler to church and watch him the whole time. Sometimes Darrell even comes home from work early so he can watch Tyler while I attend Scouting meetings as part of my calling. (He's such a keeper, I tell you!) But probably my favorite thing is that Darrell loves giving Tyler his baths, and I love letting them have that time together.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Today is Darrell's Dad's birthday! We sent this picture in a card earlier this week, but I thought I'd post it here too.
Darrell's dad is such a great guy. I'm so blessed to have him for my father-in-law. He has a great sense of humor and he loves to tease and have fun with words. I am so impressed that he quit smoking back in November all on his own. And I admire his great outlook and courage at this time as he tackles cancer. Wayne is such a great husband, dad, son, father-in-law and especially grandpa. We love him!
Darrell's dad is such a great guy. I'm so blessed to have him for my father-in-law. He has a great sense of humor and he loves to tease and have fun with words. I am so impressed that he quit smoking back in November all on his own. And I admire his great outlook and courage at this time as he tackles cancer. Wayne is such a great husband, dad, son, father-in-law and especially grandpa. We love him!
Friday, September 19, 2008
A Thumb, Some Socks, A High Chair and Baby Cereal
This past week Tyler has become a recreational thumb sucker. In the past he's chewed and sucked on his fingers, but he has never favored one until now.
I have to admit it's dang cute to see him with his thumb in his mouth, but I really don't want to have to break a thumb sucking habit down the line. (I doubt it would ever get to the point of one of my former fourth graders, a boy, who unashamedly sucked his thumb the whole year. I have to hand it to the other kids who never made fun of him.) So, anyway, I've tried putting socks on his right hand (he's not interested in equal opportunity thumb sucking for the left thumb) at night and it seems to help. Here he has discovered how to suck his thumb through the sock.
I put Tyler's high chair together this week and I can't believe how grown up he looks in it.
Tyler got to start eating baby cereal this week. He thinks it's pretty good stuff.
I have to admit it's dang cute to see him with his thumb in his mouth, but I really don't want to have to break a thumb sucking habit down the line. (I doubt it would ever get to the point of one of my former fourth graders, a boy, who unashamedly sucked his thumb the whole year. I have to hand it to the other kids who never made fun of him.) So, anyway, I've tried putting socks on his right hand (he's not interested in equal opportunity thumb sucking for the left thumb) at night and it seems to help. Here he has discovered how to suck his thumb through the sock.
I put Tyler's high chair together this week and I can't believe how grown up he looks in it.
Tyler got to start eating baby cereal this week. He thinks it's pretty good stuff.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Mystery Plant Still a Mystery
Well, our mystery plant never really did much besides grow bigger. It didn't produce anything at all. I'd post a picture, but Darrell dug up the plants before I could snap a photo. Oh well. My mom said the plant looked like a cross between a broccoli plant and a cauliflower plant. So, I guess maybe the plant was confused also.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Game Day!
Because the company Darrell works for is a corporate sponsor of BYU (and U of U) sports, we were able to get tickets for the BYU/UCLA game on Saturday. It was a great day for a game, and what a game it was! We couldn't have asked for a better score--59 to 0!!!!
We loaded Tyler up in the baby back pack with his BYU onesie and socks.
Once we got to the stadium Tyler wasn't impressed with our seats 10 rows up on the 40 yard line. It was hot and the very LOUD! He started crying the first time the crowd cheered. So he and I spent some time under the stadium where there was a cool breeze.
At half-time we got to go to the corporate sponsor tent for a not-so-typical-football-game meal. The Chef's Table catered the following things: roasted tomatoes and artichokes, bruschetta, meatballs and shrimp with cocktail sauce. The served it all on nice "China" with linen napkins and real silverware. For dessert there was a chocolate fountain with all kinds of goodies.
The corporate sponsor tent had two flat screen TVs that showed Versus broadcasting the game. I decided to stay in the tent and watch the game with Tyler. The one draw back was that the broadcast was 5 seconds delayed from the live action. So I'd listen to the crowd and then watch what they were cheering about 5 seconds later. It was like having instant replay the whole time. Oh well, I didn't mind. Tyler was able to take a nap and then stretch out on the table.
My brother Derek found Darrell in the stands and me in the tent thanks to cell phones.
Here we all are with the view of the stadium from the tent.
We loaded Tyler up in the baby back pack with his BYU onesie and socks.
Once we got to the stadium Tyler wasn't impressed with our seats 10 rows up on the 40 yard line. It was hot and the very LOUD! He started crying the first time the crowd cheered. So he and I spent some time under the stadium where there was a cool breeze.
At half-time we got to go to the corporate sponsor tent for a not-so-typical-football-game meal. The Chef's Table catered the following things: roasted tomatoes and artichokes, bruschetta, meatballs and shrimp with cocktail sauce. The served it all on nice "China" with linen napkins and real silverware. For dessert there was a chocolate fountain with all kinds of goodies.
The corporate sponsor tent had two flat screen TVs that showed Versus broadcasting the game. I decided to stay in the tent and watch the game with Tyler. The one draw back was that the broadcast was 5 seconds delayed from the live action. So I'd listen to the crowd and then watch what they were cheering about 5 seconds later. It was like having instant replay the whole time. Oh well, I didn't mind. Tyler was able to take a nap and then stretch out on the table.
My brother Derek found Darrell in the stands and me in the tent thanks to cell phones.
Here we all are with the view of the stadium from the tent.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Words
The "C" Word
I recall hearing several years ago that everyone is affected at some point by cancer. At the time I could gratefully and honestly say that it hadn't affected my life yet. But I wasn't naive enough to think that it never would affect my life, it was just a matter of when. Two of my dad's cousins had died of cancer, but I didn't really know them, so it was a distant reality.
Since then, cancer has slowly become a "closer reality." My old roommate Alex died of lung cancer before she even reached the age of 30. One of the Elders from my mission, Rob Epperson, died of cancer in March, leaving behind a wife and 5 young children. My friend Patricia lost her mom to cancer in April. My aunt Katie who is only 3 years older than me was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2007 after giving birth to her sixth child. Thankfully she has just finished treatment. My dad had a tumor removed from his colon this past March. Darrell's mom is a breast cancer survivor and Darrell has had skin cancer removed a few times.
The closest reality yet is that Darrell's dad, Wayne, was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. During the surgery to see if they could remove any amount of cancer, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes--not a great diagnosis. But we remain hopeful and optimistic. We're so excited to be able to be with Darrell's family again in 2 months for Thanksgiving. Every moment together is just that much more precious now.
The "MS" word
My sweet aunt Carol has been dealing with Multiple Sclerosis for several years now. She has been such a great example of enduring cheerfully and with faith.
The "T" word
My fabulous cousin Janell is currently facing the reality of a brain tumor and will go in to have it removed on Monday. We pray that everything will go well.
My awesome sister Kimberly has also been diagnosed with a brain tumor, but it seems to be "OK" at the moment--if a brain tumor ever can be OK.
My dear friend Rose had a brain tumor that was removed several years ago in Barcelona, Spain. It was because of that tumor that a girl from the US and a girl from the Philippines were able to meet up in Spain and share such a special bond.
The "A" and "D" words
Some of my very dearest loved ones are going through anxiety and/or depression right now. These are such frustrating words because it's so hard to pinpoint how to treat these things.
Other words that I know people are dealing with are: shingles (not the roofing kind), infertility, unemployment, being single, the housing market, death, disappointment, separation from loved ones, etc.
So, with so many "words" out there that give us trouble, I think it is only fitting that the way to make it through these words is to look to "The Word." (John, Chapter 1) We just can't do this on our own.
I love the scripture in the Bible where Jesus Christ is speaking to us and says,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-30)
It is hard work to deal with any challenge that is before us. It wears us out and weighs us down. What I love about this scripture is that the Lord knows how heavy and hard life is, so he asks us to yoke ourselves to Him. This didn't make much sense to me until someone explained about yokes and oxen. Each yoke used to be made and fitted exactly to the oxen that were going to share it, otherwise the oxen wouldn't have been able to pull the load together. If we are yoked to the Lord, it will always be a perfect fit. He knows exactly how much of the load we are capable of pulling and then He does all of the rest of the work. And in His words, the yoke is easy and the burden is light.
Another scripture that I love is
And he (Jesus) shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12)
Jesus suffered EVERYTHING--all the pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities that there ever was or ever will be. And He did it so that He would know how to succor us. The word succor means "run to." Isn't it wonderful that He will RUN to us? He also overcame death so that when the "d" word is a reality for us or a loved one, we know we will see them again.
We just never know what "word" will be our reality from day to day, but I'm so thankful that THE WORD is as close as a prayer. We will make it through with Him.
I recall hearing several years ago that everyone is affected at some point by cancer. At the time I could gratefully and honestly say that it hadn't affected my life yet. But I wasn't naive enough to think that it never would affect my life, it was just a matter of when. Two of my dad's cousins had died of cancer, but I didn't really know them, so it was a distant reality.
Since then, cancer has slowly become a "closer reality." My old roommate Alex died of lung cancer before she even reached the age of 30. One of the Elders from my mission, Rob Epperson, died of cancer in March, leaving behind a wife and 5 young children. My friend Patricia lost her mom to cancer in April. My aunt Katie who is only 3 years older than me was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2007 after giving birth to her sixth child. Thankfully she has just finished treatment. My dad had a tumor removed from his colon this past March. Darrell's mom is a breast cancer survivor and Darrell has had skin cancer removed a few times.
The closest reality yet is that Darrell's dad, Wayne, was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. During the surgery to see if they could remove any amount of cancer, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes--not a great diagnosis. But we remain hopeful and optimistic. We're so excited to be able to be with Darrell's family again in 2 months for Thanksgiving. Every moment together is just that much more precious now.
The "MS" word
My sweet aunt Carol has been dealing with Multiple Sclerosis for several years now. She has been such a great example of enduring cheerfully and with faith.
The "T" word
My fabulous cousin Janell is currently facing the reality of a brain tumor and will go in to have it removed on Monday. We pray that everything will go well.
My awesome sister Kimberly has also been diagnosed with a brain tumor, but it seems to be "OK" at the moment--if a brain tumor ever can be OK.
My dear friend Rose had a brain tumor that was removed several years ago in Barcelona, Spain. It was because of that tumor that a girl from the US and a girl from the Philippines were able to meet up in Spain and share such a special bond.
The "A" and "D" words
Some of my very dearest loved ones are going through anxiety and/or depression right now. These are such frustrating words because it's so hard to pinpoint how to treat these things.
Other words that I know people are dealing with are: shingles (not the roofing kind), infertility, unemployment, being single, the housing market, death, disappointment, separation from loved ones, etc.
So, with so many "words" out there that give us trouble, I think it is only fitting that the way to make it through these words is to look to "The Word." (John, Chapter 1) We just can't do this on our own.
I love the scripture in the Bible where Jesus Christ is speaking to us and says,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-30)
It is hard work to deal with any challenge that is before us. It wears us out and weighs us down. What I love about this scripture is that the Lord knows how heavy and hard life is, so he asks us to yoke ourselves to Him. This didn't make much sense to me until someone explained about yokes and oxen. Each yoke used to be made and fitted exactly to the oxen that were going to share it, otherwise the oxen wouldn't have been able to pull the load together. If we are yoked to the Lord, it will always be a perfect fit. He knows exactly how much of the load we are capable of pulling and then He does all of the rest of the work. And in His words, the yoke is easy and the burden is light.
Another scripture that I love is
And he (Jesus) shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12)
Jesus suffered EVERYTHING--all the pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities that there ever was or ever will be. And He did it so that He would know how to succor us. The word succor means "run to." Isn't it wonderful that He will RUN to us? He also overcame death so that when the "d" word is a reality for us or a loved one, we know we will see them again.
We just never know what "word" will be our reality from day to day, but I'm so thankful that THE WORD is as close as a prayer. We will make it through with Him.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Grandpa and Grandma's House
Tyler and I are visiting my parents this week. It's so fun for Tyler to be around his cousins. He loves the noise and action. (It sure beats just hanging out with Mom in a quiet house all day.)
Kyle, Aubrey, Laura and Tyler
Tyler and Olivia
Tyler and Aubrey
Tyler and Kyle
The cousins
Tyler and Grandpa
Kyle, Aubrey, Laura and Tyler
Tyler and Olivia
Tyler and Aubrey
Tyler and Kyle
The cousins
Tyler and Grandpa
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