Wow, another two years has passed since I posted an entry. Things have been so busy that I haven't even thought about this blog until a friend of mine mentioned it. Let me update on the happenings in my life.
Since my last post, things have happened. Some good, some bad. Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first.
On October 22, 2015, my best friend lost her 17 year old son in a tragic car accident. This boy was kind and gentle, he was sweet, and he never walked around without a smile on his face. He was a friend to all who knew him. The last time I saw him was four days before he passed away. We had breakfast at a local cafe. At first, he didn't want to come with his mother, but when he found out that I was coming, he told his mom that he loved me and was going to come. I will forever cherish that breakfast with him. I miss him terribly.
Then, a few weeks later on November 10, 2015, my world was shattered when my precious mom was called home to heaven. Although I was told the Sunday before she passed that she was not going to survive the pneumonia that she was inflicted with, one is never truly prepared for the loss of their mother. That was literally the hardest day of my life! I miss her every day, and I can't look at sunflowers without getting a little teary. But, I know that she is no longer confined with the health issues that she had. She is free, she is happy, she is healthy, and she is busy. I love her so much and I miss her so much and I can't wait for the day when I see my Mombo again.
If that isn't enough loss, my dear friend Karen was called home in early June. I had not had the chance to see her for six months. I saw her at a luncheon in December, a few days before she headed to Salt Lake for a surgery. She was supposed to be able to come home within six weeks, but she kept getting infections, and finally, suffered a heart attack. I miss my dear Karen every day, but I know that she is now in heaven befriending my sweet mama. Oh the stories they could tell each other.
The final and most devastating loss came on August 10, 2016 when my sweet daddy was found dead in his house. For this daddy's girl, the grief is still so strong that it is very hard for me to talk about it. He had a massive heart attack and the doctor said that it was quick and he didn't suffer. I miss my daddy every day. He and I were planning to move to Tennessee to start a new life. But, I find comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his beloved sweetheart of 54 years. He was never the same when she passed and he told me that he was lost without her. I find solace knowing that they are together again and that I have two very special guardian angels watching over me.
I found out a few days ago that my gall bladder needs to come out. The way the doctor put it, "You have so many stones in there that you can make a necklace." Alrighty then! One stone is blocking the duct, so she said that I needed to get in with my PCP right away to discuss surgery. Oh joy!
Now, for the good news.
I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Special Education and Teaching English as a Second Language. I began my second year teaching at one of the local elementary schools. Last year, it was kindergarten, this year it is 1st grade. So, I have 11 of my same kiddos from last year and all 11 were parent requests. I feel so honored to be entrusted with the education of these precious children.
I have been accepted in to UNLV. I have begun my Masters program in Special Education. This is an area that is very near and dear to my heart.
I have reconnected with a very dear soul. This person was a large part of my young adulthood and I always grieved over our drifting apart. I have often wondered about him and have missed him. I just happened to notice that he had a Facebook account, and I sent a friend request to him, and he accepted. We've been chatting a lot and catching up. Facebook when used positively can be a very good thing.
We have also decided to host a foreign exchange student this year. My "son" is 15 years old and he is from Hamburg, Germany. He is the sweetest kid and he totally loves his new sisters, brother, and niece. It gives me the chance to practice my German. We look forward to having him here in our home for the next nine months.
I also decided to make some big changes in my life that I am not quite ready to announce as of yet. But, these are things that have been needing to happen for 20 years.
I have been staying busy with kids, grand kid, fur kids, friends, work, school in no particular order. LOL
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Wow! Two years really?
I can't believe it's been two years since my last post. Things have gotten SO busy! I started working in the local school district here and then was hired full time as a teacher's aide. Now, I'm in the education program finishing up my Special Education degree. It's very time consuming, but it is the realization of a dream started long ago.
This summer, I am busy reading. I am currently reading four books with others on the list. I want to use this summer to read since the school year is incredibly busy for me. Here is a list of books that I intend to read this summer:
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers
Custard Crime by Jessica Beck
Deep Fried Homicide by Jessica Beck
Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler
Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
The Paris Wife by Paula McClain
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
The Secret's in the Sauce by Linda Evans Shephard
Sugar and Iced by Jenn McKinlay
This Girl by Colleen Hoover
Top Secret Twenty-one by Janet Evanovich
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
I am also working on some afghans for my Helping Hands group. I am loving it and have missed being creative.
My family has also been expanding. On October 31, 2013, my son married his sweetheart. Her name is Cheyenne and she is the perfect match for him. They seem very happy and I am very proud of them. Then, on May 16, 2014, my life changed forever when my first grandchild was born. Miss Emma Marlee Moore was born in St. George, Utah and she is just the most precious baby ever.
So, life has been all about work, school, and family for me and I wouldn't have it any other way!!
This summer, I am busy reading. I am currently reading four books with others on the list. I want to use this summer to read since the school year is incredibly busy for me. Here is a list of books that I intend to read this summer:
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers
Custard Crime by Jessica Beck
Deep Fried Homicide by Jessica Beck
Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler
Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
The Paris Wife by Paula McClain
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
The Secret's in the Sauce by Linda Evans Shephard
Sugar and Iced by Jenn McKinlay
This Girl by Colleen Hoover
Top Secret Twenty-one by Janet Evanovich
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
I am also working on some afghans for my Helping Hands group. I am loving it and have missed being creative.
My family has also been expanding. On October 31, 2013, my son married his sweetheart. Her name is Cheyenne and she is the perfect match for him. They seem very happy and I am very proud of them. Then, on May 16, 2014, my life changed forever when my first grandchild was born. Miss Emma Marlee Moore was born in St. George, Utah and she is just the most precious baby ever.
So, life has been all about work, school, and family for me and I wouldn't have it any other way!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's already December?
Wow, I can't believe it's December already!! I've been reading and crocheting more as well as cooking.
The news:
I am now down 228 lbs. I can't believe it! I am feeling so much better and have been doing so much more! I am so grateful to my surgeon for giving me my life back! Here's a recent photo of me, but this was at 313, I am now 280.
The crocheting:
I've been busy finished WIPs (works in progress) and it feels great! Here's the latest off my hook!
I made this one for my father and mother-in-law for Christmas. My father-in-law was a professor at BYU and this is their colors.
I made this one for a friend who is expecting her first baby girl in four months!
I made this afghan for my dear friend Karen for Christmas.
I'm still trying to decide who gets this one!! Haha But, I love how it turned out!
This one was a kit that came from Herrschners. I love the colors. I just need to wash it to get rid of the puffiness.
The reading:
I've also been busy reading! I still have six books to read to make my 2012 reading goal so I've been reading a lot at night instead of sleeping. I know, not wise. LOL
Catching Moondrops by Jennifer Erin Valent. What can I say about this book? The final one of the trilogy, was absolutely the best one. This book touched me in so many ways and I learned some really valuable lessons from reading it. I feel blessed to have read this book.
Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman. This book was recommended to me by a friend. From page one, I was totally engulfed in it. I loved the story and the characters and I love how Miss Wiseman painted the scene of Amish living. This is a good book that was a quick read for me and one that has made me feel like a better person for having read it.
Lost In Your Time by Elle Amberley. This book is something that I could totally relate to. It's about lost love, regret, and new love. I love how it developed and found myself wanting for more when it was over.
Kansas Troubles by Earlene Fowler. At first, Benni's immaturity was a little annoying, but as the story progressed, those impressions went away. I love this series, and the spark that Benni and Gabe have.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeannette Winterson. I really didn't get this book. I understand it was an autobiographical novel about a gay woman's upbringing and coming out, but I just didn't care for it. The interspersed fairy tales made no sense to the story, and at times it seemed like it was jumping around like random thoughts that pop into your mind.
The Remarkable Soul of a Woman by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This was exactly what I needed to read today. This is an inspirational book about women and what we do to make the world a more beautiful place.
Created for Greater Things by Jeffrey R. Holland. This is a wonderful little book with inspirational quotes and beautiful photos.
Real Food, Real Frugal by Susan Godfrey. This is a comprehensive book about food. It is divided into three parts, the first part defines what food is. This section is awesome and discusses some of the preservatives and additives in food and what some of those factors their consumptions can mean to the body. The second part discusses how to make the most of your food budget. It's the largest section of the book and the most informative. The last part is the recipes section that contains many recipes that I plan on trying.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I love this series and this one was just as funny and suspenseful as the rest. When does 20 come out?
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. I wanted to read the books versus watching the movies. This one started the series and how enchanting it was. I can't wait to read the next one.
The baking:
I have been busy baking as well. I won't post photos here because I didn't take any. LOL But, I made pumpkin spice cupcakes, apple pie cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, Reese's peanut butter cup cupcakes, poppy seed bread, and banana bread for a young lady for a bake sale. She sold everything and managed to raise the funds she needed to go to a medical camp next summer.
I plan on posting again, but if I don't manage to before the holidays, I want to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a very happy new year!! Let's hope 2013 is a fantastic one for us all!
The news:
I am now down 228 lbs. I can't believe it! I am feeling so much better and have been doing so much more! I am so grateful to my surgeon for giving me my life back! Here's a recent photo of me, but this was at 313, I am now 280.
The crocheting:
I've been busy finished WIPs (works in progress) and it feels great! Here's the latest off my hook!
I made this one for my father and mother-in-law for Christmas. My father-in-law was a professor at BYU and this is their colors.
I made this one for a friend who is expecting her first baby girl in four months!
I made this afghan for my dear friend Karen for Christmas.
I'm still trying to decide who gets this one!! Haha But, I love how it turned out!
This one was a kit that came from Herrschners. I love the colors. I just need to wash it to get rid of the puffiness.
The reading:
I've also been busy reading! I still have six books to read to make my 2012 reading goal so I've been reading a lot at night instead of sleeping. I know, not wise. LOL
Catching Moondrops by Jennifer Erin Valent. What can I say about this book? The final one of the trilogy, was absolutely the best one. This book touched me in so many ways and I learned some really valuable lessons from reading it. I feel blessed to have read this book.
Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman. This book was recommended to me by a friend. From page one, I was totally engulfed in it. I loved the story and the characters and I love how Miss Wiseman painted the scene of Amish living. This is a good book that was a quick read for me and one that has made me feel like a better person for having read it.
Lost In Your Time by Elle Amberley. This book is something that I could totally relate to. It's about lost love, regret, and new love. I love how it developed and found myself wanting for more when it was over.
Kansas Troubles by Earlene Fowler. At first, Benni's immaturity was a little annoying, but as the story progressed, those impressions went away. I love this series, and the spark that Benni and Gabe have.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeannette Winterson. I really didn't get this book. I understand it was an autobiographical novel about a gay woman's upbringing and coming out, but I just didn't care for it. The interspersed fairy tales made no sense to the story, and at times it seemed like it was jumping around like random thoughts that pop into your mind.
The Remarkable Soul of a Woman by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This was exactly what I needed to read today. This is an inspirational book about women and what we do to make the world a more beautiful place.
Created for Greater Things by Jeffrey R. Holland. This is a wonderful little book with inspirational quotes and beautiful photos.
Real Food, Real Frugal by Susan Godfrey. This is a comprehensive book about food. It is divided into three parts, the first part defines what food is. This section is awesome and discusses some of the preservatives and additives in food and what some of those factors their consumptions can mean to the body. The second part discusses how to make the most of your food budget. It's the largest section of the book and the most informative. The last part is the recipes section that contains many recipes that I plan on trying.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I love this series and this one was just as funny and suspenseful as the rest. When does 20 come out?
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. I wanted to read the books versus watching the movies. This one started the series and how enchanting it was. I can't wait to read the next one.
The baking:
I have been busy baking as well. I won't post photos here because I didn't take any. LOL But, I made pumpkin spice cupcakes, apple pie cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, Reese's peanut butter cup cupcakes, poppy seed bread, and banana bread for a young lady for a bake sale. She sold everything and managed to raise the funds she needed to go to a medical camp next summer.
I plan on posting again, but if I don't manage to before the holidays, I want to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a very happy new year!! Let's hope 2013 is a fantastic one for us all!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Crocheting and reading!
It's been four months since I last blogged. I plan on blogging more often now that I've gotten rid of some commitments that have kept me busy. So, I'm going to update with some news, then show you all what I've been working on.
The news
First off, I was asked to join the Relay for Life committee and I am loving it. This is a cause that's near and dear to my heart since cancer has claimed many lives from my paternal side of the family. I am the chairman over the registration committee and my co-chair is my friend Christine. It's going to be a great year.
Secondly, I am now down 200 lbs. I never thought that I could feel so great in my life. I am more active and happier than I've been in a long time.
Thirdly, I started a weight loss surgery support group in my town and have had a great response. It's something that we needed here and I am glad to be a part of it.
The reading
I've been blowing up my Kindle in the reading department. Here's some reviews of the books that I've recently read.
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. This is a wonderful historical fiction book. I totally loved this book!! The characters, the story, the format in which it is written. Very well done!
"Fireflies in December" by Jennifer Erin Valent. Another historical fiction book that I truly enjoyed. It truly paints a good picture of what prejudice existed in southern Virginia. It was full of intrigue and was laced with historical accuracy. I look forward to it's sequel.
"A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly. I remember seeing the story of Grace Brown on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, and was intrigued by her story. Then Ms. Donnelly writes this story based on that event. I loved this book. I loved the fiction mixed in with the non-fiction. It was well done and by the end, I was loving Mattie. I love the ending. Awesome read.
"Powdered Peril" by Jessica Beck. This one is considered a cozy mystery. I really love this series. This time Grace finds herself in a pickle when her boyfriend ends up dead. I totally was going a different direction than the way it resolved, but it was still a surprise and kept me in suspense. I can't wait for the next one.
"Revelation" by MJ Mancini. At first, when I read the description of this book, I thought it was going to be a Da Vinci Code knockoff. I was pleasantly surprised. This book is filled to the brim with murder, intrigue, and mystery. The characters were wonderfully developed, and the plot was full of the right mixture of action and mystery. I was completely pulled into this story to the point that I could not put it down. The entire time I was reading, I kept thinking, "this would be an amazing movie." I loved it and I can't wait for the next installment.
"Cottonwood Whispers" by Jennifer Erin Valent. In this second installment of the Jessalyn Lassiter series, we learn a hard lesson about justice and how it sometimes isn't blind. I loved this story, it had a great story with wonderfully developed characters. I highly recommend this to anyone.
"Irish Chain" by Earlene Fowler. I really liked this one better than the first. I loved the character development and I loved the way she interspersed some of the history in there too. I totally did not see it resolving the way it did, which is an aspect of reading mysteries that I love.
"Murder Has a Sweet Tooth" by Miranda Bliss. This series is a quick and fun read. This time, Annie has to solve a murder (or two) before her wedding. Why? So that Jim's cousin Alex (who is accused of the murder) can attend the wedding. What I didn't bargain for was the intricacy of the plot and the final outcome! Wow!
The crocheting
Now I've been busy crocheting too! I had two nieces have baby girls within 20 days of each other and I've been working on other projects. I'm trying to get my WIPs (works in progress) finished so that I can move onto other projects and not feel so guilty about it. LOL
Harper Rose's baby afghan
I bought this pattern on Etsy and I love how it turned out.
McKinley's baby afghan
I wanted to make different afghans for my nieces (they are sisters). And this one turned out SO pretty!
Mom's afghan
I made these squares six years ago and they just sat in a bag waiting to be sewed together. So, I dug them out and sewed them. Then gave my mom her afghan. She loved it.
Dieter Cale's baby afghan
I made this for my friend Darlye who is having her first baby boy. I love giving homemade gifts to my friends and family.
Grammy's afghan
My grammy and I made this afghan together. When she passed away, my mom and I found it and I felt that I needed to finish it and use it. She loved how it turned out and I do too.
The genealogy
I've also been working on my genealogy. I've been working on collateral lines that family members asked me to work on and have been having some success.
I also started to make copies of all the 1940 census that relatives are on for my files. It's been daunting and I've been burning through the bucks buying ink, but my proof binders are almost ALL updated! Woot!!
So, as you can see, it's been a busy four months for me. I still have seven WIPs to work on, more censuses to print, and of course more reading to do!
The news
First off, I was asked to join the Relay for Life committee and I am loving it. This is a cause that's near and dear to my heart since cancer has claimed many lives from my paternal side of the family. I am the chairman over the registration committee and my co-chair is my friend Christine. It's going to be a great year.
Secondly, I am now down 200 lbs. I never thought that I could feel so great in my life. I am more active and happier than I've been in a long time.
Thirdly, I started a weight loss surgery support group in my town and have had a great response. It's something that we needed here and I am glad to be a part of it.
The reading
I've been blowing up my Kindle in the reading department. Here's some reviews of the books that I've recently read.
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. This is a wonderful historical fiction book. I totally loved this book!! The characters, the story, the format in which it is written. Very well done!
"Fireflies in December" by Jennifer Erin Valent. Another historical fiction book that I truly enjoyed. It truly paints a good picture of what prejudice existed in southern Virginia. It was full of intrigue and was laced with historical accuracy. I look forward to it's sequel.
"A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly. I remember seeing the story of Grace Brown on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, and was intrigued by her story. Then Ms. Donnelly writes this story based on that event. I loved this book. I loved the fiction mixed in with the non-fiction. It was well done and by the end, I was loving Mattie. I love the ending. Awesome read.
"Powdered Peril" by Jessica Beck. This one is considered a cozy mystery. I really love this series. This time Grace finds herself in a pickle when her boyfriend ends up dead. I totally was going a different direction than the way it resolved, but it was still a surprise and kept me in suspense. I can't wait for the next one.
"Revelation" by MJ Mancini. At first, when I read the description of this book, I thought it was going to be a Da Vinci Code knockoff. I was pleasantly surprised. This book is filled to the brim with murder, intrigue, and mystery. The characters were wonderfully developed, and the plot was full of the right mixture of action and mystery. I was completely pulled into this story to the point that I could not put it down. The entire time I was reading, I kept thinking, "this would be an amazing movie." I loved it and I can't wait for the next installment.
"Cottonwood Whispers" by Jennifer Erin Valent. In this second installment of the Jessalyn Lassiter series, we learn a hard lesson about justice and how it sometimes isn't blind. I loved this story, it had a great story with wonderfully developed characters. I highly recommend this to anyone.
"Irish Chain" by Earlene Fowler. I really liked this one better than the first. I loved the character development and I loved the way she interspersed some of the history in there too. I totally did not see it resolving the way it did, which is an aspect of reading mysteries that I love.
"Murder Has a Sweet Tooth" by Miranda Bliss. This series is a quick and fun read. This time, Annie has to solve a murder (or two) before her wedding. Why? So that Jim's cousin Alex (who is accused of the murder) can attend the wedding. What I didn't bargain for was the intricacy of the plot and the final outcome! Wow!
The crocheting
Now I've been busy crocheting too! I had two nieces have baby girls within 20 days of each other and I've been working on other projects. I'm trying to get my WIPs (works in progress) finished so that I can move onto other projects and not feel so guilty about it. LOL
Harper Rose's baby afghan
I bought this pattern on Etsy and I love how it turned out.
McKinley's baby afghan
I wanted to make different afghans for my nieces (they are sisters). And this one turned out SO pretty!
Mom's afghan
I made these squares six years ago and they just sat in a bag waiting to be sewed together. So, I dug them out and sewed them. Then gave my mom her afghan. She loved it.
Dieter Cale's baby afghan
I made this for my friend Darlye who is having her first baby boy. I love giving homemade gifts to my friends and family.
Grammy's afghan
My grammy and I made this afghan together. When she passed away, my mom and I found it and I felt that I needed to finish it and use it. She loved how it turned out and I do too.
The genealogy
I've also been working on my genealogy. I've been working on collateral lines that family members asked me to work on and have been having some success.
I also started to make copies of all the 1940 census that relatives are on for my files. It's been daunting and I've been burning through the bucks buying ink, but my proof binders are almost ALL updated! Woot!!
So, as you can see, it's been a busy four months for me. I still have seven WIPs to work on, more censuses to print, and of course more reading to do!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Been a long time
So it's been a long time since I posted here. Wow! Lots of things have happened. On October 13, I met with a surgeon in Reno to discuss weight loss surgery. My initial weigh in was 482.2. Yikes! After talking to him, I decided to go ahead and do it. So, I spent six months getting ready for it.
On January 9, I started my pre-op diet. I weighed in at 508 lbs. Yikes! So, I started the pre-op diet and started losing weight. I was able to get all my pre-op requirements completed, and my surgery was scheduled for April 9, 2012. Woo too!!
I went in and had my surgery on April 9, at 1:00 pm. with Dr. Kent Sasse as my surgeon. The surgery took about an hour and all I can tell you is that it is the best decision I have ever made. So far, I have lost 130 lbs. I am walking on the treadmill every day and doing toning exercises. Here's some photos of the process:
I am so happy so far with my progress. I am more mobile and I am feeling great. Now a lot of people would and have said that I took the easy way out. Let me tell everyone here that this is NOT the easy way. There is nothing easy about this process, but I will say that it is worth it.
I am so happy so far with my progress. I am more mobile and I am feeling great. Now a lot of people would and have said that I took the easy way out. Let me tell everyone here that this is NOT the easy way. There is nothing easy about this process, but I will say that it is worth it.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
To genealogists everywhere: We are the chosen
I saw this on the Jones Genealogist and wanted to share it.
We are the chosen. In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve.
Doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead, breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the story tellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called, as it were, by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out to us, "Tell our story!" So, we do.
In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood before? How many times have I told the ancestors, "You have a wonderful family; you would be proud of us." How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was love for me? I cannot say.
It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why do I do the things I do. The bones here are bones of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes to pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish, how they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family.
It goes to deep pride that the fathers fought and some died to make and keep us a Nation. It goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for us. It is of equal pride and love that our mothers struggled to give us birth. Without them we could not exist, and so we love each one, as far back as we can reach. That we might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we do.
With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we are they and they are the sum of who we are. So, as a scribe called, I tell the story of my family. It is up to the one called in the next generation to answer the call and take my place in the long line of family storytellers.
This is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those young and old to step up and restore the memory or greet those whom we have never known before. So we do.
Author Unknown
This is my sentiments exactly!!
We are the chosen. In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve.
Doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead, breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the story tellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called, as it were, by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out to us, "Tell our story!" So, we do.
In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood before? How many times have I told the ancestors, "You have a wonderful family; you would be proud of us." How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was love for me? I cannot say.
It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why do I do the things I do. The bones here are bones of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes to pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish, how they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family.
It goes to deep pride that the fathers fought and some died to make and keep us a Nation. It goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for us. It is of equal pride and love that our mothers struggled to give us birth. Without them we could not exist, and so we love each one, as far back as we can reach. That we might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we do.
With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we are they and they are the sum of who we are. So, as a scribe called, I tell the story of my family. It is up to the one called in the next generation to answer the call and take my place in the long line of family storytellers.
This is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those young and old to step up and restore the memory or greet those whom we have never known before. So we do.
Author Unknown
This is my sentiments exactly!!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Very eventful trip
Ok, so when you're planning on taking your first child to college, it is an emotional time. You don't want to see him leave the nest, but you're excited to see him start his life's journey. But, if I was granted a do over with taking Zakk to college yesterday, I would have gladly taken it!!
To start this wonderful odyssey, we need to begin in Ely on the morning of August 18. We're packing the car with Zakk's stuff, and he realizes his TV won't fit. He starts freaking out, until I remind him that his buddy Dylan is coming up the next day and can bring it. Ok, first crisis averted.
Then, we're all packed up and ready to go. Zakk decides that he's gonna drive which is ok by me. We start on the trip and we come to a mountain pass that we have to climb. This pass is called Conner's Pass and it's pretty steep. But, our car is just creeping up the hill. We lose so much speed, that we decide to turn around and go the other way without the mountain passes. Zakk is so frustrated that he decides to let Steve drive. We drive towards Wendover, the car overheats a little on the passes, but we keep pushing on. We stopped in Wendover to eat and gas up - which we normally NEVER have to do on this trip. After we eat, Zakk decides to drive again. So, we start driving. And guess what?
We get about five miles outside of Tooele, Utah and the car loses power. Zakk is even more frustrated and gets out to take a small walk to calm down. I don't blame him - he just wants to get to school and settled before the semester starts on Monday. Steve gets in the driver's seat and tries to start the car and there is this horrendous squealing sound. He just wants to get the car off the interstate, so we creep the five miles to the Flying J truckstop. Our max speed on this little five mile trip - 10 mph. Ugh!
We try to call my sister, and she isn't there. So, Steve called his sister. She tells us that she'll come and get us and take us to Steve's parents house. They have an extra car that we can use. So, we creep into the travel lodge and await her arrival which is an hour later. No big deal, it gives everyone the chance to calm down, go potty, get drinks and snacks etc.
Steve's sister and husband arrive and we get safely to Spanish Fork. We all crash from the ordeal. The next morning, we get up, do a few things and load up the car. Oh, did I mention that Steve's parents are on vacation? LOL We get on the road and go to see my sister. We spend about an hour there visiting with her and her children and then we get on the road.
This part of the trip is minimal. Zakk makes the comment that he hopes Grandma and Grandpa's car won't break down and I laugh. I told him that if he needed to know anything about Grandpa Moore it's that he was VERY good about keeping up on the maintenance of his cars. We get to Weber State University and pull in to park so that we can get Zakk settled into his dorm and voila - we see the red and blue lights flash us. Oh man!
The WSU campus cop walks up and informs Steve that he pulled us over because the registration is expired on the car! WTH! So, we look through the glove compartment and guess what? No current registration AND the proof of insurance was two years old! WTH. Steve tells the officer that it wasn't his car, it was his dad's and that we had car trouble and we borrowed his parents car to get our son to school. He lets us off with a warning. Another crisis averted, for a few minutes.
Ok, we get Zakk registered in the dorm and get his keys, so we drive around to the back to start to unload when guess what happens next? Smoke starts coming out from under the hood of the car. Steve pops the hood and sees that a tube from the reservoir to the radiator has exploded and that the smoke was actually the coolant leaking onto the engine. Geez! As luck would have it, a friend from where we live was dropping her daughter off at the dorms, and she offered to take us to the parts store to get the part we needed to fix the car.
Steve gets the part fixed, and puts more coolant in the car, and Zakk gets settled into his dorm. Well, then Zakk comes down pretty upset. I ask him what was the problem? He informed me that he left his keyboard to his computer at home. Well, this was an easy fix! We took him to Staples to get a replacement and to Target to get some incidental stuff like shampoo, soap, razors, etc. After the small little shopping spree, we take him back to the dorms.
Now, this is the sad part. I had to leave my baby boy there. That was SO hard for me. I just held onto him crying and he's telling me not to embarrass him. LOL But, after all the drama, hugs, and tears of this trip - I watched my little boy, who was always my shadow when he was little, walk into his college dorm. I was filled with sadness because I realized at that moment that he was no longer my little boy. He was a man heading off to start his adult life as a college student. Never again would I wake up in the mornings and have him come into my room and snuggle with me and ask me if we can get donuts for breakfast. I will miss those cherished days of having him in our home.
It hasn't even been 24 hours, and I feel like it's been longer. I miss him like crazy, but that will make future trips to Utah even sweeter.
To start this wonderful odyssey, we need to begin in Ely on the morning of August 18. We're packing the car with Zakk's stuff, and he realizes his TV won't fit. He starts freaking out, until I remind him that his buddy Dylan is coming up the next day and can bring it. Ok, first crisis averted.
Then, we're all packed up and ready to go. Zakk decides that he's gonna drive which is ok by me. We start on the trip and we come to a mountain pass that we have to climb. This pass is called Conner's Pass and it's pretty steep. But, our car is just creeping up the hill. We lose so much speed, that we decide to turn around and go the other way without the mountain passes. Zakk is so frustrated that he decides to let Steve drive. We drive towards Wendover, the car overheats a little on the passes, but we keep pushing on. We stopped in Wendover to eat and gas up - which we normally NEVER have to do on this trip. After we eat, Zakk decides to drive again. So, we start driving. And guess what?
We get about five miles outside of Tooele, Utah and the car loses power. Zakk is even more frustrated and gets out to take a small walk to calm down. I don't blame him - he just wants to get to school and settled before the semester starts on Monday. Steve gets in the driver's seat and tries to start the car and there is this horrendous squealing sound. He just wants to get the car off the interstate, so we creep the five miles to the Flying J truckstop. Our max speed on this little five mile trip - 10 mph. Ugh!
We try to call my sister, and she isn't there. So, Steve called his sister. She tells us that she'll come and get us and take us to Steve's parents house. They have an extra car that we can use. So, we creep into the travel lodge and await her arrival which is an hour later. No big deal, it gives everyone the chance to calm down, go potty, get drinks and snacks etc.
Steve's sister and husband arrive and we get safely to Spanish Fork. We all crash from the ordeal. The next morning, we get up, do a few things and load up the car. Oh, did I mention that Steve's parents are on vacation? LOL We get on the road and go to see my sister. We spend about an hour there visiting with her and her children and then we get on the road.
This part of the trip is minimal. Zakk makes the comment that he hopes Grandma and Grandpa's car won't break down and I laugh. I told him that if he needed to know anything about Grandpa Moore it's that he was VERY good about keeping up on the maintenance of his cars. We get to Weber State University and pull in to park so that we can get Zakk settled into his dorm and voila - we see the red and blue lights flash us. Oh man!
The WSU campus cop walks up and informs Steve that he pulled us over because the registration is expired on the car! WTH! So, we look through the glove compartment and guess what? No current registration AND the proof of insurance was two years old! WTH. Steve tells the officer that it wasn't his car, it was his dad's and that we had car trouble and we borrowed his parents car to get our son to school. He lets us off with a warning. Another crisis averted, for a few minutes.
Ok, we get Zakk registered in the dorm and get his keys, so we drive around to the back to start to unload when guess what happens next? Smoke starts coming out from under the hood of the car. Steve pops the hood and sees that a tube from the reservoir to the radiator has exploded and that the smoke was actually the coolant leaking onto the engine. Geez! As luck would have it, a friend from where we live was dropping her daughter off at the dorms, and she offered to take us to the parts store to get the part we needed to fix the car.
Steve gets the part fixed, and puts more coolant in the car, and Zakk gets settled into his dorm. Well, then Zakk comes down pretty upset. I ask him what was the problem? He informed me that he left his keyboard to his computer at home. Well, this was an easy fix! We took him to Staples to get a replacement and to Target to get some incidental stuff like shampoo, soap, razors, etc. After the small little shopping spree, we take him back to the dorms.
Now, this is the sad part. I had to leave my baby boy there. That was SO hard for me. I just held onto him crying and he's telling me not to embarrass him. LOL But, after all the drama, hugs, and tears of this trip - I watched my little boy, who was always my shadow when he was little, walk into his college dorm. I was filled with sadness because I realized at that moment that he was no longer my little boy. He was a man heading off to start his adult life as a college student. Never again would I wake up in the mornings and have him come into my room and snuggle with me and ask me if we can get donuts for breakfast. I will miss those cherished days of having him in our home.
It hasn't even been 24 hours, and I feel like it's been longer. I miss him like crazy, but that will make future trips to Utah even sweeter.
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