You've probably already seen these on Ksenia's blog... but, here are some pictures SO far.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
We wish u a merry Christmas!
It's almost christmas 4 days away! Rememeber dinner/lunch @ our house on christmas we dont have an exact time yet!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
bushies
Can the bushies do anything right?? Now a report says that in Iran they might not be making A bombs like the bushies said. The bushies are real good using WMD; weapons of mass distractions.
And the pitiful little man has vetoed another bill providing health care for kids; because he can't afford it; because he has spent far too much $$ on his ill founded and ill fated Iraq invasion.
"02/08/2009 the end of an error".
And the pitiful little man has vetoed another bill providing health care for kids; because he can't afford it; because he has spent far too much $$ on his ill founded and ill fated Iraq invasion.
"02/08/2009 the end of an error".
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Laws
Benford's Law of Controversy: Passion in any argument is inversely proportional to amount of real information advanced.
Portolez's Law: The people in the back of the elevator are the first ones to want off.
Godwin's law: The longer an argument drags on, the liklier someone will stooop to a Hitler or Nazi analogy.
Bunga
Portolez's Law: The people in the back of the elevator are the first ones to want off.
Godwin's law: The longer an argument drags on, the liklier someone will stooop to a Hitler or Nazi analogy.
Bunga
Sunday, December 9, 2007
I've been tagged by Val for 6 things people may not know about me.
1. I am angry or upset about getting old. So many of lifes options begin to close at my age. Time limits and health are two of the worst. Now I know I'll never do all the things I wanted to do in life. I can get around some health limits if I continue to lose weight.
I can't see nearly as well as I used to. My hearing hasn't been real good for years, but last week I may have damaged it more by shooting a pistol without ear protection as I had been warned. Now my ears ring more. Loud voices and noises are painful and have a rattling sound. Even music has lost some of its beauty. Hope it is not permanent, but it well could be.
I envy youth. Don't waste it.
2. My favorite part of the Sunday paper is Prince Valiant. But I wish his author would let him return to the castle to see his beloved wife, Aleta, but he continues on his adventures righting wrongs and battling forces of evil. I enjoy the "Doonsberry" cartoon every day; good social commentary.
3. I don't like Sunday evenings. I feel restless and uneasy on Sunday evenings. Don't know why. It helps to visit family. Maybe it is missing the kids. It was so nice (most of the time) having a house full of kids, teenagers and friends.
4. I enjoy reading economics for new ideas, but don't like reading it to prepare for class lectures. One of my fantasies would be to have six months at a great university (maybe British)associating with and talking with brilliant social scientists.
5. I am enthralled with/by female beauty. I enjoy looking at beautiful women.
6. I'd like to learn to play chess, but doubt if I'd be bright enough to be a good player. I can't remember which moves the pieces can make.
Bunga, I think.
I can't see nearly as well as I used to. My hearing hasn't been real good for years, but last week I may have damaged it more by shooting a pistol without ear protection as I had been warned. Now my ears ring more. Loud voices and noises are painful and have a rattling sound. Even music has lost some of its beauty. Hope it is not permanent, but it well could be.
I envy youth. Don't waste it.
2. My favorite part of the Sunday paper is Prince Valiant. But I wish his author would let him return to the castle to see his beloved wife, Aleta, but he continues on his adventures righting wrongs and battling forces of evil. I enjoy the "Doonsberry" cartoon every day; good social commentary.
3. I don't like Sunday evenings. I feel restless and uneasy on Sunday evenings. Don't know why. It helps to visit family. Maybe it is missing the kids. It was so nice (most of the time) having a house full of kids, teenagers and friends.
4. I enjoy reading economics for new ideas, but don't like reading it to prepare for class lectures. One of my fantasies would be to have six months at a great university (maybe British)associating with and talking with brilliant social scientists.
5. I am enthralled with/by female beauty. I enjoy looking at beautiful women.
6. I'd like to learn to play chess, but doubt if I'd be bright enough to be a good player. I can't remember which moves the pieces can make.
Bunga, I think.
Friday, December 7, 2007
ski bums and snowboard bums
All the family but Will and I are headed up to the mountain tomorrow.It is Jon's second Saturday in a row up there.Will and I will have a date day together.Anyone wanting to go with them anytime-just let us know.Will was told he could try to ski this year-but he is a bit hesitant for some reason.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Rain Rain go away come again another day!
Will it ever stop?The rain just keeps coming and coming!Be careful as you risk going out in the rain.I dont know about you but these two days have been the longest 2 days of my life!
I was tagged by val
i think you guys know pretty much evrything about me so here are some things that you probaly already know.
1.I love music!Some of my favorite artists are:micheal Buble,John Mayer,carrie underwood,kellie pickler,wicked,And hope partlow.usually i like to just turn music on in my room and sing and dance to it.I love blaring the music and cleaning my room.
2.I love cleaning i dont know what it is but i love cleaning!I usually can't stand a messy room unless i'm sick of course.i've started giving up on cleaning the house though beacause my brothers seem to not care what me and my mom do.One minute are kitchen will be neat and organized the next minute it's a pigsty.
3.I love to plan things.I love planning my birthday parties.I'm always planning something.
4.I love dancing.When i was little i always loved to dance.i still do.last year a taught some neighbor girls a dance and we performed it.
5.I love to cook whenever i'm bored i always ask my mom if i can cook something one of my favorite things to cook is homade mac and cheese.Also pork chops,banna bread,oatmeal chocolate chip cookies,and so much more!
6.One last thing is i love baysitting it may soung weird but i do,no not because of the money it's just so fun to play with all the kids.
I tag courtney and laura
1.I love music!Some of my favorite artists are:micheal Buble,John Mayer,carrie underwood,kellie pickler,wicked,And hope partlow.usually i like to just turn music on in my room and sing and dance to it.I love blaring the music and cleaning my room.
2.I love cleaning i dont know what it is but i love cleaning!I usually can't stand a messy room unless i'm sick of course.i've started giving up on cleaning the house though beacause my brothers seem to not care what me and my mom do.One minute are kitchen will be neat and organized the next minute it's a pigsty.
3.I love to plan things.I love planning my birthday parties.I'm always planning something.
4.I love dancing.When i was little i always loved to dance.i still do.last year a taught some neighbor girls a dance and we performed it.
5.I love to cook whenever i'm bored i always ask my mom if i can cook something one of my favorite things to cook is homade mac and cheese.Also pork chops,banna bread,oatmeal chocolate chip cookies,and so much more!
6.One last thing is i love baysitting it may soung weird but i do,no not because of the money it's just so fun to play with all the kids.
I tag courtney and laura
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Valerie Tagged Me
WOW!! Six things uncommonly known about me ~
My family knows everything about me but for the world at large, here goes:
1. I love to drive. My mother in law tells me I should get a job driving a Greyhound bus. I love driving so much that I never get sleepy. My husband tells me he's going to bury me in my car.
2. I love to watch game shows on television ~ The Price Is Right; Deal or No Deal; Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?; Jeopardy; Crosswords. It's good we don't have cable or I would be glued to Gameshow Network.
3. A somewhat secret desire of mine is to buy a motor home and drive all over the USA and interview people about their life stories. I love people and I'm interested in their day to day activities and their dreams.
4. I love animals and I wish my husband and I could move out in the country where we could have all kinds of animals ~ goats, dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, horses, cows and the list goes on. I would feel like I had died and gone to heaven.
5. When I was younger I loved riding my bicycle for miles and miles. I used to ride from Beaverton to Scholls, Tualatin, Lake Oswego. Once I tried to ride from Salem to Corvallis but it got too scary along Hwy. 99 with the big trucks whizzing by so I only made it to Monmouth. I loved riding up the hills and then the thrill of going fast downhill. My heart longs for those days. Maybe in my next life I can do it again.
6. Before I was married I worked as Assistant City Clerk in my home town of Blackfoot, Idaho. I loved the variety, the required multitasking, working with the public and using the clunky posting/billing machine which we used to print the monthly water bills; balancing the various accounts such as local improvement districts, parking meter collections, etc.
When my husband and I were first married I needed to work to help him through college. I was hired at Thiokol Chemical Corporation which required a 100 mile round trip drive daily. Since I love to drive that was no problem. I had two job titles. One was Editorial Assistant on the company magazine (Impulse). I was responsible for publishing a daily employee newsheet and I also had a byline in the magazine. I went around to the various departments and interviewed people and then published it in the magazine. My other job title was Clerk Typist A which required my working with Tech writers who were working on Air Force contracts for the Minuteman Missile. I loved these jobs and hated to have to leave when my husband finished his degree.
I tag Jennifer, Jonathan and Amber.
My family knows everything about me but for the world at large, here goes:
1. I love to drive. My mother in law tells me I should get a job driving a Greyhound bus. I love driving so much that I never get sleepy. My husband tells me he's going to bury me in my car.
2. I love to watch game shows on television ~ The Price Is Right; Deal or No Deal; Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?; Jeopardy; Crosswords. It's good we don't have cable or I would be glued to Gameshow Network.
3. A somewhat secret desire of mine is to buy a motor home and drive all over the USA and interview people about their life stories. I love people and I'm interested in their day to day activities and their dreams.
4. I love animals and I wish my husband and I could move out in the country where we could have all kinds of animals ~ goats, dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, horses, cows and the list goes on. I would feel like I had died and gone to heaven.
5. When I was younger I loved riding my bicycle for miles and miles. I used to ride from Beaverton to Scholls, Tualatin, Lake Oswego. Once I tried to ride from Salem to Corvallis but it got too scary along Hwy. 99 with the big trucks whizzing by so I only made it to Monmouth. I loved riding up the hills and then the thrill of going fast downhill. My heart longs for those days. Maybe in my next life I can do it again.
6. Before I was married I worked as Assistant City Clerk in my home town of Blackfoot, Idaho. I loved the variety, the required multitasking, working with the public and using the clunky posting/billing machine which we used to print the monthly water bills; balancing the various accounts such as local improvement districts, parking meter collections, etc.
When my husband and I were first married I needed to work to help him through college. I was hired at Thiokol Chemical Corporation which required a 100 mile round trip drive daily. Since I love to drive that was no problem. I had two job titles. One was Editorial Assistant on the company magazine (Impulse). I was responsible for publishing a daily employee newsheet and I also had a byline in the magazine. I went around to the various departments and interviewed people and then published it in the magazine. My other job title was Clerk Typist A which required my working with Tech writers who were working on Air Force contracts for the Minuteman Missile. I loved these jobs and hated to have to leave when my husband finished his degree.
I tag Jennifer, Jonathan and Amber.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
My List of Six
So, Courtney tagged me and so I am supposed to write 6 little known things about me. I think Courntey is like me, as far as being an open book. I don't really have secrets......but here goes!
1. I can't wait for "Horton Hears a Who" movie to be released. I have a secret love of the story. When I was a kid I was just SURE that we (our world as we know it) was a microscopic piece of dust in another bigger world, so whenever the wind blew hard I would imagine what in that larger world might have made it happen. Like....an earthquake in our world was just us being 'dropped' or 'kicked' by something giant in the bigger world. So, when I first heard Dr. Suess' book "Horton Hears a Who", it was like someone had written a story about this little part of my head trip.....I was in love!
2. I LOVE to hang upside down. When I was a kid I would do it for hours. I would lay there and try to figure out what it would be like to live upside down and walk on ceilings. For some weird reason it was an escape for me to imagine an upside down world.
3. I was addicted to the reality show "Rock of Love". Why? Don't have a clue....but I actually looked forward to the coming episodes. I don't really watch any others on purpose, but I've seen a couple of "Keeping up with the Cardashians" and I will watch it if I see it's on. They fascinate me, I think because they are rich, but also very close as a family....and I was trying to figure out what made them famous and rich and why their dad is Bruce Jenner, but their name was Cardashian. I finally got sick of not being able to figure it out from the show, so I had to google it.
4. I would love to travel to a 3rd world country and do humanitarian work for a year....bring a fresh water well to a village or care for orphans or anything that would benefit the community.
5. Someday when the kids are grown I may sell everything I own and move to Breitenbush to work for a year, then go travel around the world with only a backpack staying in hostels and campgrounds until I'm ready to settle down again, in a tiny little cottage at the beach or in the woods.
6. I won't kill bugs (on purpose). In keeping with the Horton theme, when I was a kid I always imagined all creatures as having homes and families who cared about them (I know they don't, but I have a tender, naive heart), so I thought if they died their family would be wondering where they went. I also don't like it when a fly or other insect gets in my car and I inadvertantly drive somewhere with them inside because I think that when they escape outside when I get to my destination they will be 'lost' and not know how to get home.....I know, WEIRD, huh? So I will take them outside rather than kill them when they are inside my house....unless they are seriously trying to bite me, then I show no mercy.
I tag........Grandpa John, Grandma Sharon and Maddy
1. I can't wait for "Horton Hears a Who" movie to be released. I have a secret love of the story. When I was a kid I was just SURE that we (our world as we know it) was a microscopic piece of dust in another bigger world, so whenever the wind blew hard I would imagine what in that larger world might have made it happen. Like....an earthquake in our world was just us being 'dropped' or 'kicked' by something giant in the bigger world. So, when I first heard Dr. Suess' book "Horton Hears a Who", it was like someone had written a story about this little part of my head trip.....I was in love!
2. I LOVE to hang upside down. When I was a kid I would do it for hours. I would lay there and try to figure out what it would be like to live upside down and walk on ceilings. For some weird reason it was an escape for me to imagine an upside down world.
3. I was addicted to the reality show "Rock of Love". Why? Don't have a clue....but I actually looked forward to the coming episodes. I don't really watch any others on purpose, but I've seen a couple of "Keeping up with the Cardashians" and I will watch it if I see it's on. They fascinate me, I think because they are rich, but also very close as a family....and I was trying to figure out what made them famous and rich and why their dad is Bruce Jenner, but their name was Cardashian. I finally got sick of not being able to figure it out from the show, so I had to google it.
4. I would love to travel to a 3rd world country and do humanitarian work for a year....bring a fresh water well to a village or care for orphans or anything that would benefit the community.
5. Someday when the kids are grown I may sell everything I own and move to Breitenbush to work for a year, then go travel around the world with only a backpack staying in hostels and campgrounds until I'm ready to settle down again, in a tiny little cottage at the beach or in the woods.
6. I won't kill bugs (on purpose). In keeping with the Horton theme, when I was a kid I always imagined all creatures as having homes and families who cared about them (I know they don't, but I have a tender, naive heart), so I thought if they died their family would be wondering where they went. I also don't like it when a fly or other insect gets in my car and I inadvertantly drive somewhere with them inside because I think that when they escape outside when I get to my destination they will be 'lost' and not know how to get home.....I know, WEIRD, huh? So I will take them outside rather than kill them when they are inside my house....unless they are seriously trying to bite me, then I show no mercy.
I tag........Grandpa John, Grandma Sharon and Maddy
Monday, November 26, 2007
parenting
I heard this senetnce on Masterpiece Theatre last night; "If you can control your children you have been a poor parent". Might be true. Kids should be raised to be themselves within gospel and societal bounds and to develop thier potential and interests.
bunga
bunga
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
wills christmas pictures
Today Will and I had some fun taking pictures of him and here are a few of them.
Christmas list
Nice to see everyone at T'giving dinner, especially Amber, who we seldom see. Thanks to Jenn & family for thier hard work.
Here is my Christmas wish list: (sorry for the crassness)
Croc's size 10. (Yes I know they are ugly) Sports Authority on Cedar Hills blvd has some. Earth tones. Dried cranberries, Martinelli's, a morsel of quality chocolate, a book about Burt Munro, the New Zealand motorcycle speed record setter, a Porsche or a MiniCooper for a few days, round the world airline ticket, world peace, lucidity for Melanie, sun, heat, trip to Argentina to ski during our summer, and I guess thats about it. It would be nice to see little g. bush and his playmates running for the border, never to bees seen or heard from again.
I'm looking forward to the music and trees and kids of Christmas and to a good life for Courtney & Dan.
Munga; or is it bunga, I can't remember.
Here is my Christmas wish list: (sorry for the crassness)
Croc's size 10. (Yes I know they are ugly) Sports Authority on Cedar Hills blvd has some. Earth tones. Dried cranberries, Martinelli's, a morsel of quality chocolate, a book about Burt Munro, the New Zealand motorcycle speed record setter, a Porsche or a MiniCooper for a few days, round the world airline ticket, world peace, lucidity for Melanie, sun, heat, trip to Argentina to ski during our summer, and I guess thats about it. It would be nice to see little g. bush and his playmates running for the border, never to bees seen or heard from again.
I'm looking forward to the music and trees and kids of Christmas and to a good life for Courtney & Dan.
Munga; or is it bunga, I can't remember.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Will-gymnastics class performance
Will has his last boy's gymnastics class on Monday,December 3rd, 4:45 pm at Cedar Hills Rec center.The teachers allow guests in for this last class.Come if you want.They do uneven parallel bars,beam,vault and horse.Will climbs the rope up to the top of the ceiling faster than I ever could.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Go Cats!!!
Well-The Wildcats did it again.They beat Clackamas 28 to 14!! This Friday the y will play Tualatin at Westview.Come join us for the game!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Thanks to Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer for hosting the shower for Courtney!! It was wonderful and Courtney received lots of very nice gifts. You, Susan and Madeleine really made it special. A few of the gifts were a little racy and it was so much fun to watch Courtney blush as she opened them.
I can't believe there are only 28 days left until Courtney and Dan tie the knot. What a cute couple!! They have a bright future ahead of them.
I can't believe there are only 28 days left until Courtney and Dan tie the knot. What a cute couple!! They have a bright future ahead of them.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
A time of giving thanks!
It's turkey time! Remember Thanksgiving @ our house @ around 2:oo. I have some fun things planned!!!!
Grandkid/cousin photo
What do you think of trying to get a photo while Andrea and her family is here for Court and Dan's Wedding? Of course our dear Justin is not here and Court may be too busy to be in the photo. Or we could do some less formal ones with our own cameras?
busy mom
Jon's football team creamed South Salem last Friday.51 to 0-final score.Westview will play Clackamas this friday @ Clackamas.Jon finally got to play!!!
Soccer season ended for Maddy.
We had the missionaries over for dinner last nite.As we were eating-Jonathan asked the Tongan elder what his favorite food was to eat back in Tonga.He hesitated quite a bit.He did fially tell us that his favorite food was dog!!. Our dog Buddy was in the house at the time-in his kennel.We will have to tell you the rest of the conversation at Thanksgiving.(while not at the table,eating)
Kim and I mentioned that we knew a Tongan member named Uloki soni Kalamafoni and his caucasian wifeMarie Claire and they lived in North portland.Elder T (name is too hard to remember) said that he knows Rocky from where he had previoisly served and that Rocky is the Stake President out there.
Will had a Baptismal seminar last nite since he will be baptized in May.Wow! my baby is getting too old.
Soccer season ended for Maddy.
We had the missionaries over for dinner last nite.As we were eating-Jonathan asked the Tongan elder what his favorite food was to eat back in Tonga.He hesitated quite a bit.He did fially tell us that his favorite food was dog!!. Our dog Buddy was in the house at the time-in his kennel.We will have to tell you the rest of the conversation at Thanksgiving.(while not at the table,eating)
Kim and I mentioned that we knew a Tongan member named Uloki soni Kalamafoni and his caucasian wifeMarie Claire and they lived in North portland.Elder T (name is too hard to remember) said that he knows Rocky from where he had previoisly served and that Rocky is the Stake President out there.
Will had a Baptismal seminar last nite since he will be baptized in May.Wow! my baby is getting too old.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
First rant from "bunga"
Grandpa the grump is now going by bunga, one of Amber's baby names for me; munga for g'ma. Last Saturday I went to a talk by Paul Krugman, a NYT columnist and Princeton econ professor. He fits my biases. He said we are now in a second "gilded age" (the first was just before the great depression where there were a few very very rich and the rest were fairly poor). We now have the same skewed income distribution where a few financial managers are vulgarly rich and the middle class and poor have seen no real income growth in decades. This stems from the "compassionate" Christian takeover of the republican party who see the unbridled free market as the panacea for all our problems and that to provide a safety net to the poor and "have nots" is "weakness". "Toughness" on the part of the gov't is an attribute. An example of this toughness is the conservative opposition to universal health care. 15% of Americans don't have health coverage and 24% have inadequate health insurance. Yet it would cost a family of four $14,000 to buy health care coverage. Average income is about $55,000. After paying rent and food, who could afford it? We are the only industrial nation who does not provide universal health care. (My thought; health care coverage is complicated by several things. First 50% of our U.S. health care costs are due to treating our poor lifestyle; obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and drugs. )
Krugman also said that if g. bush said that the world is flat, it would be reported in the press as, "disagreement on shape of the world". Krugman said that there are nevertheless some hopeful signs of the future. For one, the republicans will soon be out of power. I'm reading his book."Conscience of a Liberal".
Me talking now: I think Hillary is gonna be the next Pres. She's not all bad, but she is beholding to big money like the r's and I think she has a lot of dirt in her past. Given 8 years in power, the d's will end up as corrupt as the present regime. But at least they can't do anything as stupid as invade another country based on lies and deceit - or can they?
I've enjoyed a couple of good rides on my motor bike in the hills and curves before the rain came back.
More rants will follow. I'd like to hear from Amber, Laura, Jonathan and Maddog.
Krugman also said that if g. bush said that the world is flat, it would be reported in the press as, "disagreement on shape of the world". Krugman said that there are nevertheless some hopeful signs of the future. For one, the republicans will soon be out of power. I'm reading his book."Conscience of a Liberal".
Me talking now: I think Hillary is gonna be the next Pres. She's not all bad, but she is beholding to big money like the r's and I think she has a lot of dirt in her past. Given 8 years in power, the d's will end up as corrupt as the present regime. But at least they can't do anything as stupid as invade another country based on lies and deceit - or can they?
I've enjoyed a couple of good rides on my motor bike in the hills and curves before the rain came back.
More rants will follow. I'd like to hear from Amber, Laura, Jonathan and Maddog.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
LAST soccer game of the season!
just to let evrybody know my last soccer game is this satrday @ water district park @ 9:00 AM.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
You shouldn't have...
Let me have control like this. Sorry I changed the colors, but the dark just bothers my eyes to read. If there are huge problems, let me know. I didn't ask first....
Monday, November 5, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Calling all Authors
I went into admin tonight on the blog and granted admin priviledges to everyone over 18. That means you can play with the format. I specifically want you to be able to add to the monthly happenings section, so we know when games and activities are for different family members. Also things like anniversaries, birthdays, other celebrations.
To add to the happenings for the month log into the blog and go to 'customize' on the upper right. Then go to 'template'. On that page you will see where it says "Nov. happenings'.....let us know so we can celebrate and participate with you. Val
To add to the happenings for the month log into the blog and go to 'customize' on the upper right. Then go to 'template'. On that page you will see where it says "Nov. happenings'.....let us know so we can celebrate and participate with you. Val
update
Just an update--
Jonathan's Football team won their game against Sunset last Friday-So Westview is in the State playoffs.They play Friday night against South Salem.
Jonathan's Football team won their game against Sunset last Friday-So Westview is in the State playoffs.They play Friday night against South Salem.
I Changed My Display Name to Munga
Guess it's time I posted directly to the blog instead of just posting to comments.
I'm so glad Valerie started this blog. It's a GREAT way to stay in touch with each other.
This has been such an exciting year ~ Justin graduating from Century High School (2006) and leaving on his mission to Russia; a beautiful new grandson; Mark finishing residency requirements and receiving his degree; Andrea able to discontinue medical transcription so she can catch up on much needed sleep and devote the time to family. Now that she is the mother of four children, 8 and under, she continues to amaze us with her excellent parenting skills and gourmet cooking to name just a couple. Ryser family moving nearer to us and building a beautiful new home in Draper; Courtney showing what she's made of by graduating from Pacific University and Army Basic Training with all its rigors; Courtney and Dan getting engaged and soon to be married; Brooke being baptized and Garrett being blessed; all of our grandchildren committed to getting good grades in school; Amber taking the initiative to find a new job entirely on her own; Jonathan choosing to play football and LaCross and giving it his all; Madeleine and Laura choosing to play soccer and doing their very best; Will choosing to take piano lessons and practicing so he could do well at his recitial which we enjoyed very much; Brooke, Anna and Lainie choosing to take dance lessons and drama ~ the list goes on and on. We are so blessed in so many ways.
I wish Valerie's life could be easier but I admire the way she has perservered in spite of the obstacles which have been placed in her path.
I wish Jennifer could be relieved of the pain she has to endure on a daily basis but she continues to be a good wife and mother and is so loving and caring about everyone around her. I hope I haven't left out any milestones, but if I have, chalk it up to old age.
We are so thankful for Kim, Mark and Dan who are so good to our daughters and Courtney and grandchildren.
I am so thankful to my good husband who has always been such a good provider and helpmate.
Thanks to Jennifer, Melanie is seeing a new psychiatrist and has started on a new medication. We hope and pray that she will begin to have a better quality of life.
Know that I love all of you and am so blessed to be your wife, mother and grandmother.
I'm so glad Valerie started this blog. It's a GREAT way to stay in touch with each other.
This has been such an exciting year ~ Justin graduating from Century High School (2006) and leaving on his mission to Russia; a beautiful new grandson; Mark finishing residency requirements and receiving his degree; Andrea able to discontinue medical transcription so she can catch up on much needed sleep and devote the time to family. Now that she is the mother of four children, 8 and under, she continues to amaze us with her excellent parenting skills and gourmet cooking to name just a couple. Ryser family moving nearer to us and building a beautiful new home in Draper; Courtney showing what she's made of by graduating from Pacific University and Army Basic Training with all its rigors; Courtney and Dan getting engaged and soon to be married; Brooke being baptized and Garrett being blessed; all of our grandchildren committed to getting good grades in school; Amber taking the initiative to find a new job entirely on her own; Jonathan choosing to play football and LaCross and giving it his all; Madeleine and Laura choosing to play soccer and doing their very best; Will choosing to take piano lessons and practicing so he could do well at his recitial which we enjoyed very much; Brooke, Anna and Lainie choosing to take dance lessons and drama ~ the list goes on and on. We are so blessed in so many ways.
I wish Valerie's life could be easier but I admire the way she has perservered in spite of the obstacles which have been placed in her path.
I wish Jennifer could be relieved of the pain she has to endure on a daily basis but she continues to be a good wife and mother and is so loving and caring about everyone around her. I hope I haven't left out any milestones, but if I have, chalk it up to old age.
We are so thankful for Kim, Mark and Dan who are so good to our daughters and Courtney and grandchildren.
I am so thankful to my good husband who has always been such a good provider and helpmate.
Thanks to Jennifer, Melanie is seeing a new psychiatrist and has started on a new medication. We hope and pray that she will begin to have a better quality of life.
Know that I love all of you and am so blessed to be your wife, mother and grandmother.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Yeah!
I'm so glad everyone is posting!
I've been busy this month and have had the kids all month up until this weekend. I spent 3 days at Breitenbush Hot Springs a few weeks ago. I took a workshop called "Qi Dancing". It was a combination of Qi Gong and Ecstatic Dance. The first night when we were dancing I remembered when we were little and mom would turn on music in the house (I think in Concord), and we would just move and dance and I remembered how good it felt. It is that same kind of 'dance'....just free dancing.....movement as free expression. It was like being a kid again. I shared a cabin with 2 women from Washington. I just ate healthy food and rested and soaked. It filled me with new energy. Sometimes it gets tiring and I feel so sad that I can't be the kind of mom I want to be; at home full time and to have my kids with me all the time; where I didn't have to worry about earning a living. I want my focus to be where it was before, on being a mom and cooking and cleaning and nurturing, however, life has put me on a different path and I accept it as God's will and do the best I can with what this life has offered me. And there are gifts in this path as well. I have been truly blessed with great children and continued good health. I use to think life would be easier when the kids got older, but what I find is that those baby and toddler years were the BEST! Andrea........SOAK IN EVERY MOMENT OF THOSE KIDS IN YOUR FULL CARE! Being a mom to young adults is a lot more mental stress as you watch them make life choices that will effect their entire course, and to have them on the other side of the world and not be able to talk to them. They grow up so fast. There is no part of me that wants to have more babies, but I find recently that as I watch babies I feel a new excitement at sharing my life with grandbabies. My goal is that I can have a work schedule so that I can be available to spend time with them regularly, and not be too tired to do so. I want to have my house paid off in no more than 10 years.
Laura and I took a day last week and played hookie and went to Cannon Beach to enjoy the sunshine. It was PERFECT. I especially enjoyed that we didn't have a time frame and could wander through the galleries at leisure and share our discoveries with eachother. We went to the beach in the late afternoon and watched the sun set behind Haystack Rock. Nature continues to be such a good teacher for me. I noticed as the sun drops in the sky, right before it completely disappears, it seems to move many times faster than before. It brought up the feeling that I wanted it to slow down. It occurred to me that is what life is like in so many ways. Right at the end of certain phases, time seems to speed up so fast and leave us with this feeling that it's going too fast. I thought about how natural it is for us to experience daytime and nighttime. We don't fight the sunset, or curse it or panic that it will not rise again or ask God to let the sun stay in the sky....because we KNOW that it is not gone, just out of our sight and a time for rest and regeneration for us. It is God's perfect rythm and balance. And yet, when it comes to birth and death, we struggle with that rythm, and yet death is like the sunset, and right before we die I wondered, and imagined if it may be like that too.....like all of a sudden it's all going too fast. And whether it is us, or a loved one, do we rail against it, and ask God to not let it happen, and yet, it is the most natural part of life. And if we truly have faith in God, then we understand that even though we cannot see it, the timing is perfect, and that person is not gone, we just can't see them, and our relationship has entered the other side, or the darkness, but they live on still. But just as they have moved on, so will we, and we will see them again. Our work is within our own hearts and minds, to live within the time of grief and darkness in their absence and keep open to life and all the emotions that this grants us the opportunity to experience and to trust in God and seek out the messages and lessons this new phase has for us. I want to live each day so that at the sunset of my life I know I soaked in every moment so that I have no regrets. Ever since spending time on my quest this summer I have come away with a new ability to relax in the moment and play more readily. I can meandor and relax like no one's business and it doesn't cause me the stress it did in the past. I know (from my own experience) that enjoying the moments is what it's all about. I had an online class this morning, but no other commitments in stone today, so I did what sounded fun and went to Saturday Market by myself and that was new and good, because I could spend as much time as I wanted at each area. I have been wanting to get a Native American Flute for months now, and so I did that and got some ice cream. I stayed until I had seen it all and then came home and spent more time outside taking the dogs to the dog park. Amber and I love to do that. I think it's because watching the dogs run and play is so enlivening. They are truly in the moment and when they run it is pure freedom in motion, and I think I soak in the joy. I heard one man call it "Disneyland for Dogs". Then I came home and sat in the back in the swing and played the flute. The dogs even like the sound, although I need to work on my skill. Namaste..........Val
I've been busy this month and have had the kids all month up until this weekend. I spent 3 days at Breitenbush Hot Springs a few weeks ago. I took a workshop called "Qi Dancing". It was a combination of Qi Gong and Ecstatic Dance. The first night when we were dancing I remembered when we were little and mom would turn on music in the house (I think in Concord), and we would just move and dance and I remembered how good it felt. It is that same kind of 'dance'....just free dancing.....movement as free expression. It was like being a kid again. I shared a cabin with 2 women from Washington. I just ate healthy food and rested and soaked. It filled me with new energy. Sometimes it gets tiring and I feel so sad that I can't be the kind of mom I want to be; at home full time and to have my kids with me all the time; where I didn't have to worry about earning a living. I want my focus to be where it was before, on being a mom and cooking and cleaning and nurturing, however, life has put me on a different path and I accept it as God's will and do the best I can with what this life has offered me. And there are gifts in this path as well. I have been truly blessed with great children and continued good health. I use to think life would be easier when the kids got older, but what I find is that those baby and toddler years were the BEST! Andrea........SOAK IN EVERY MOMENT OF THOSE KIDS IN YOUR FULL CARE! Being a mom to young adults is a lot more mental stress as you watch them make life choices that will effect their entire course, and to have them on the other side of the world and not be able to talk to them. They grow up so fast. There is no part of me that wants to have more babies, but I find recently that as I watch babies I feel a new excitement at sharing my life with grandbabies. My goal is that I can have a work schedule so that I can be available to spend time with them regularly, and not be too tired to do so. I want to have my house paid off in no more than 10 years.
Laura and I took a day last week and played hookie and went to Cannon Beach to enjoy the sunshine. It was PERFECT. I especially enjoyed that we didn't have a time frame and could wander through the galleries at leisure and share our discoveries with eachother. We went to the beach in the late afternoon and watched the sun set behind Haystack Rock. Nature continues to be such a good teacher for me. I noticed as the sun drops in the sky, right before it completely disappears, it seems to move many times faster than before. It brought up the feeling that I wanted it to slow down. It occurred to me that is what life is like in so many ways. Right at the end of certain phases, time seems to speed up so fast and leave us with this feeling that it's going too fast. I thought about how natural it is for us to experience daytime and nighttime. We don't fight the sunset, or curse it or panic that it will not rise again or ask God to let the sun stay in the sky....because we KNOW that it is not gone, just out of our sight and a time for rest and regeneration for us. It is God's perfect rythm and balance. And yet, when it comes to birth and death, we struggle with that rythm, and yet death is like the sunset, and right before we die I wondered, and imagined if it may be like that too.....like all of a sudden it's all going too fast. And whether it is us, or a loved one, do we rail against it, and ask God to not let it happen, and yet, it is the most natural part of life. And if we truly have faith in God, then we understand that even though we cannot see it, the timing is perfect, and that person is not gone, we just can't see them, and our relationship has entered the other side, or the darkness, but they live on still. But just as they have moved on, so will we, and we will see them again. Our work is within our own hearts and minds, to live within the time of grief and darkness in their absence and keep open to life and all the emotions that this grants us the opportunity to experience and to trust in God and seek out the messages and lessons this new phase has for us. I want to live each day so that at the sunset of my life I know I soaked in every moment so that I have no regrets. Ever since spending time on my quest this summer I have come away with a new ability to relax in the moment and play more readily. I can meandor and relax like no one's business and it doesn't cause me the stress it did in the past. I know (from my own experience) that enjoying the moments is what it's all about. I had an online class this morning, but no other commitments in stone today, so I did what sounded fun and went to Saturday Market by myself and that was new and good, because I could spend as much time as I wanted at each area. I have been wanting to get a Native American Flute for months now, and so I did that and got some ice cream. I stayed until I had seen it all and then came home and spent more time outside taking the dogs to the dog park. Amber and I love to do that. I think it's because watching the dogs run and play is so enlivening. They are truly in the moment and when they run it is pure freedom in motion, and I think I soak in the joy. I heard one man call it "Disneyland for Dogs". Then I came home and sat in the back in the swing and played the flute. The dogs even like the sound, although I need to work on my skill. Namaste..........Val
Happy Hawaiian Baby
I love this picture of Garrett in his Hawaiian shirt at Hanauma Bay. Mark and I tag teamed watching Garrett on the beach and snorkeling. It was beautiful. Mark was hoping to see a sea turtle near the reef and he DID!!
Our house is coming along. . . . .
This is what our house looked like last week. The only difference now on the exterior is that the stucco is up, but it is not painted, just dark grey. Nothing exciting. They have textured the drywall and laid all the tile. They made some big mistakes on the master bathroom tile. It looks really bad. Hopefully they will be happy and willing to fix it.
First Day of Preschool
Lainie was so excited to start preschool this year. I am going back in time a little bit here, but I thought this picture of her was so cute! She was waiting for her carpool to come get her that day.
Lainie reminds me a little of me when I was small in that she has a tomboy streak in her. She has no fear of bugs, dead or alive, or snakes for that matter. She sees a bug and automatically picks it up. It's so funny because on the flip side, she is quite a girly girl, second only to Anna.
My Darling Little Boy
I am officially ga-ga over this little angel named Garrett. He is quite demanding of my time, so he better be cute!! He has three teeth on the bottom and he is cutting his second tooth on the top. He has a cold this weekend and isn't sleeping so well with that and the teeth coming in. Lainie just had to get in the picture with her brother! 
We went to Lagoon last Saturday, since it closed for the year last week. The weather was sunny and not too cold. We had a great time and stayed until after dark.
Trick or Treat
Wow! I am actually posting to a blog--something I thought I might never do, as I sometimes look at friends' and acquaintances' blogs and feel embarassed for how much of their personal life they are disclosing for who knows who. This is a great forum to pass on some pics of my kids, something I have not been good at for various reasons. I am sort of guessing how to do this as I go, so hopefully this will work. . . . . .
My kids had a blast trick or treating. Mark's mom made Anna's fairy costume. It came out so cute. Brooke was excited to be Hermione as she has been devouring the Harry Potter books this last year or so, although she is taking her time with the fifth one. She has gotten a little bored with it. Lainie is obviously our little super girl. Garrett was a giraffe, and I am sad to say he didn't end up in the pictures! We got him on video, but it was like pulling teeth to get them to stand still for a couple of pics because they were dying to start trick or treating. I just had to do it as complication-free and as quick as possible.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
MORE!
More engagement photos up on the same link that I posted before!
Also, Dan and I signed the papers for the offer on the townhome and we should hear back from the seller by tomorrow, but at the latest Wednesday by noon. Also, I picked up some more of the paper for our invitations (after much tribulation... I went to the paperzone and they couldn't find my order! But they just put it on the shelf and so they had what I needed), AND we went and picked out wedding bands and put them on lay away since we are putting ernest money on the house and what not. But, we got a pretty good deal, I feel like, on the bands. Dan got a plain comfort fit white gold band, and I got a white gold band with a 1/4 kt. of little diamonds on it about the same width as the little diamonds on my engagement ring. They don't sell just plain small bands for females that are boxy shaped, to match the flat sides of my ring (that we could find) and so we opted for diamonds. My finger will look more sparkly than I ever hoped/thought I wanted. But, it is very beautiful. But we managed to get both rings for under $400 plus lifetime care/warranty on them. Maybe too much information, but I feel like we did good.
Also, I wanted to apologize for being so emotional and worked up at the dinner, I know that things really aren't that bad. You are all so helpful and supportive and I love you all!
Courtney
Also, Dan and I signed the papers for the offer on the townhome and we should hear back from the seller by tomorrow, but at the latest Wednesday by noon. Also, I picked up some more of the paper for our invitations (after much tribulation... I went to the paperzone and they couldn't find my order! But they just put it on the shelf and so they had what I needed), AND we went and picked out wedding bands and put them on lay away since we are putting ernest money on the house and what not. But, we got a pretty good deal, I feel like, on the bands. Dan got a plain comfort fit white gold band, and I got a white gold band with a 1/4 kt. of little diamonds on it about the same width as the little diamonds on my engagement ring. They don't sell just plain small bands for females that are boxy shaped, to match the flat sides of my ring (that we could find) and so we opted for diamonds. My finger will look more sparkly than I ever hoped/thought I wanted. But, it is very beautiful. But we managed to get both rings for under $400 plus lifetime care/warranty on them. Maybe too much information, but I feel like we did good.
Also, I wanted to apologize for being so emotional and worked up at the dinner, I know that things really aren't that bad. You are all so helpful and supportive and I love you all!
Courtney
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Busy Mom 1
Westview lost to Jesuit last nite-27 to 13.Bummer.Next Friday nite is against Sunset,7:30 pm.Come cheer on the Wildcats and Jonathan with us.
Madeleine has 3 more soccer games this season.She is not enjoying soccer much this year.Her coach of 5 years has gotten kind of crusty,too intense.Her nickname on her team and at home is Maddog.She is taking French for the first time in school now.She finally had the first verb conjugation click this week.All of her teachers love her and appreciate her helpfulness.
Will is taking boys gymnastics this Fall.He is pretty flexible and loves to climb.He is making good progress with reading.We are enjoying reading the "Junie B. Jones " book series.He lives for playing with his friends! He love art and going to be learning how to knit soon.
Madeleine has 3 more soccer games this season.She is not enjoying soccer much this year.Her coach of 5 years has gotten kind of crusty,too intense.Her nickname on her team and at home is Maddog.She is taking French for the first time in school now.She finally had the first verb conjugation click this week.All of her teachers love her and appreciate her helpfulness.
Will is taking boys gymnastics this Fall.He is pretty flexible and loves to climb.He is making good progress with reading.We are enjoying reading the "Junie B. Jones " book series.He lives for playing with his friends! He love art and going to be learning how to knit soon.
Friday, October 26, 2007
busy Mom
This is a great idea! Jonathan has a varsity game tonite @Jesuit,7:30pm.Soi far Westview is undefeated inFootball.Jon plays center on his team(he hikes the ball) They do not play him much cause he is a Junior this year.Next year will be fun for him.Jon went to Homecoming last month.He and his friends got all dressed up and went to dinner.I will send the photos as soon as I figure out how to post them.
I will get back to blog on Maddy and Will later.
Jenn & Kim
I will get back to blog on Maddy and Will later.
Jenn & Kim
engagement photos
Yesterday afternoon Dan and I had our very talented friend Ksenia take some engagement photos for us. So far what I've seen have turned out GREAT. If you want to look at some she's posted on her photo blog, she has put about 7 photos up!
http://ishotthat.blogspot.com
They are pretty neat.
http://ishotthat.blogspot.com
They are pretty neat.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
don't ever bring your purple belt to work
If you don't watch the office, you should. I don't laugh harder to any other TV show. Either does Dan.
HALLOWEEN!
Don't forget halloween eveyone!6 days!!!!!! whats everyone going to be? It's going to be chilly this halloween!get dreesed warm for the waether expectied
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Court and Dan have a blog too!
Hello family! I, Courtney... and Dan have a blog also! So you can check up on us there too!
http://danieledwinandcourtneylou.blogspot.com/
check it out!!!
http://danieledwinandcourtneylou.blogspot.com/
check it out!!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A Blog is Born
Hello Family,
This will be a place that you can come to catch up and/or catch us up on what's new with you and your household. You have all been sent an invitation to join and by creating an account, you will be able to post to the blog as well.
Hoping Justin can use it to keep us updated as well. Have a need? News? Let us all know! Val
This will be a place that you can come to catch up and/or catch us up on what's new with you and your household. You have all been sent an invitation to join and by creating an account, you will be able to post to the blog as well.
Hoping Justin can use it to keep us updated as well. Have a need? News? Let us all know! Val
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