Scottsdale Hilton

I just completed a wonderful 2 day class given by Dr. Paul Homoly. I have the CD's. And after many hours of trying to filter all that I learned.... What I learned is "I wish I had learned this in kindergarten". Just to listen. What a concept.

I get scriptures, quotes, and what happened on this day... from a church website. Today I got this quote from President Hinckley:

"I would that the healing power of Christ might spread over the earth and be diffused through our society and into our homes, that it might cure men's hearts of the evil and adverse elements of greed and hate and conflict. I believe it could happen. I believe it must happen. If the lamb is to lie down with the lion, then peace must overcome conflict, healing must mend injury" (The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 424-425).

From our country to our homes we should practice this a little harder. Greed and jealousy can destroy so much.

The negative list,and its my opinion :)

You know when you read things about people when they are their own author how everyone always is so positive and happy and skinny and rich and in love and tall and thankful and..........

Well I have another list, it is one that tells the truth about my life.

I have adverse feelings about the economy.

After years of sacrifice and saving and planning, it was all for not. The money I have worked so hard for is gone. The promises made by the current administration, when they were campaigning are much harder to produce than it was for them to promise. We hear how so many people have lost their homes. Well, what about the millions of us who worked hard, and saved and were financially smart with a practical plan to care for ourselves. We had 401K's and bonds and a nest egg savings account and no expectation to have the government take care of us. Our homes are still over our heads, and no one did it for us. No one gave a hand out and said "here, this is your future funds you will need, and I am putting it in a 401K just for you". Why does everyone expect a hand out. When people make their choice to go out on a limb to buy something they can't afford, and still have all the extra luxuries and don't make changes in their life style to pay for the thing they can't afford, they expect help. These are real people and real situations.

But last night I watched the news, and saw video of people who had invested millions and lost it all. The man who took the money is off to jail for being dishonest, a thief, a crook. And when all is said and done the cameras and the microphone was on the people who had lost millions. And do you know what they said: "I still have my wife/husband. We have a family and that is what is the most important".

Those people said it with tears running down their cheeks, or looking into the eyes of their spouses. They are still grateful. And they weren't asking the government to give them the money they had lost in poor investments. They took responsibility. They will go after their money from the person who took it from them. Time will tell if they hold to that path.

It is refreshing to see people, in all walks of life, under trying times, find gratitude for what they have. Losses of huge amounts of money, family, homes, and jobs is the normal condition today in our society. I am happy to see someone show gratitude for the "really important and irreplaceable things".

Money is not the foundation of our character. Our actions are. Opening our homes to family and friends is better than any resort where we could meet. Sharing our food, our time, our love is what really matters. There is not a price tag that can be put on that. Whether we are renting, buying, or own our homes, it is still our haven of love and comfort for us and our families.

So as I turn my head from side to side and see all that is surrounding me, I am so grateful. I have a family, and the rest just is not all that important. Lamps, sofas, wall art, dishes, rugs, and all the rest. I could live with much less of it all.

To each of my family, friends, and those who I share my life with..... I love you. You are the things money can't buy, and can't take away. I am so glad I don't have to be greedy and expect others to pay my way, or give me anything. I am thankful I can provide for myself and my family. It may not be the glamorous way I wanted to, but it is more from my heart than my wallet. I love my family, even with all our quirky ways, I wouldn't trade any of you. I love you.

Madison and her lovely smile

After going a year with no jerky, no gum, and lots of other "no's" Madison finally got to eat whatever she wanted to last week. Her Orthodontist even supplied her with a "Congratulations" bag of the "no's" to help her celebrate. It was full of sticky, chewy, sugary things! And what they didn't give her, her faithful and thoughtful mom supplied the rest. A quick trip to Sam's Club to get Madison her favorite treat.

Dr. Feldman also included some very thoughtful things besides just "goodies". Such as a thank you card for Madi to write in, and they mailed it to her parents. It expressed her thanks to her parents for sacrificing all that they had in money and time and support in giving her such a beautiful smile. What a touch of class from Dr. Feldmans's office!

And isn't Madison and her beautiful smile worth every bit of it! Yes! Yes! Yes!

I love love love you Madi!

Wasting away in Arizonaville

How many hours can one waste while following everyone elses's blog friends. I went to the blog of my dear friend Kathy. There I recognize a few names on her list, Becky's Blog, and more, so I check them out. (Kathy, your friends take the most fabulous photography). Then I recognize faces in some of the photos, so I look up their blog, and then there is another one... and suddenly I realize the sun is setting and I don't think I have moved for hours.....I read about honeymoons, cruises, sick daughters, snow in Utah, Photo shots of little girls who need to use the bathroom, little children pretending to be a fireman with a vacuum hose.......... and all the while it is getting darker and darker outside.

I guess I am glad I don't have a demanding family of little children who think they need dinner, or supervised. Just dogs who are tired of waiting to go on their walk..... so off I go.

Syngenesophobia

Phobia: syngenesophobia
Fear of: relatives

I stole this from my friend Bob McCoy. He is helping us with financial planning and trying to get Varce and I to retirement. He says the first thing we need to do is get rid of our kids who still live at home. He suggests we get this diesease. Well, he didn't really suggest it straight out, but his thoughts were made very clear some time ago. (I find it quite funny since he still has kids at home as well. Hang in there Bob).

A busy week

Oliver loves to play sports. Basketball has not been very good to him. Shortly after he returned from his mission he was playing, and ended up having surgery on his knee. . . . . . Well, somethings don't change. A couple of weeks he did a repeat performance. Surgery is being scheduled AGAIN.

Sometimes I wonder why my family can't seem to "keep it together". They would rather "fall apart" by letting lots of bad or unhealthy things happen to them... I say this with "tongue in cheek".

Jackson spent a day in Phoenix Children's Hospital. He will be returning there once a week for a 6 to 8 weeks for additional IV treatment for his Crones Disease. Once again his iron is very low and that indicates there is bleeding inside his little body. So, treatment begins.

Then my little Zoey developed an ear ache. She just kept shaking her head over and over, and so I knew. But then she added chewing on the top of her tail near her bottom. I was a bit more alarmed and then she started coughing. So off top the Vet we went. Kennel cough, ear ache, and some kind of "bug a boo" (Dr. Day's way of discribing it) on her tail. So 3 prescriptions later we headed for home. And praying she won't need a little surgery on her tail.. which is a possibility.

And then Madison didn't want to be left out of the "drama", because she will be the first one to tell you that "it is all about her". And we love love love her for being her!!

She was playing basketball (she and Oliver should get a clue) and she broke her ankle. She is in a temporary cast until the swelling goes down, then she will have a real cast. Her bootie is a slipper from her Aunt Liz!

Last night we girls were hanging out in my bedroom, (big girls working on Saving Dinner) and Madison was decorating her crutches. Tyia had taken her to get pink duct tape but they only had red, so that is what she used. And electrical tape added the black stripes. She has the craft gene for sure! A girl after my own heart!

So Oliver, Jackson, Zoey and Madison.... please try to be more careful! And all of the rest of you..... don't do anything to be a part of this blog!

I love all of you!