My Celeb Look-alikes

CHEERS!

I'm ringing in the New Year early tonight with a fizzy glass of Pink Grapefruit Airborne! Best flavor there is, I'm told, so this morning I purchased 4 packages.

My little family celebrated the Christmas season fully for the first time in 4 years, though it was not without cost. In the last 5 days, Logan has been to the ER twice with fever, plus nausea, cough and cold symtoms and ear infections. We found out today that Jarid probably has a bleeding ulcer. Ouch! We hope to have it cauterized by the end of the month. Julian has a severe cold and cough, high fever and nausea tonight.

So far I remain untouched. I probably owe it to the pack of Airborne I almost finished over the weekend and a HUGE blessing from above. I'm holding down the fort like every good wife and mother does whether they are well or ill.

This season has been full of fun, family and friends for all four of us! It was more than a choice experience to share it all with Logan! Thank you for all your love and support. We have the best friends and family in the 'verse!

Special note: Some have asked how to post a comment and I LOVE hearing from you. Just click on the post comment link at the end of the entry. I've made it so that anyone who can view this blog can also post comments.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all! It's going to be a GREAT one!!!

THE JOURNEY

Recently, the pastime that lifts me most on a down day is noticing the beauty of God's creations. Fortunately, and not by accident, I've had my camera with me on these occasions. What a high it is to digitally capture the majesty of the sky!

On my way home from work one day, I needed to relax a bit, so I took a "long-cut" home. I was on my way to a road I'd imagined would be great for pictures. The snow-trimmed trees that had been frozen in place for a few days were sure to melt soon, so I jumped at the opportunity. (Thanks, Mom, for watching my kids an extra 20 minutes or so that day! You are a great blessing to me. I love you very much.)

As I wound around the icy roads to my destination, I was compelled to stop several times because the clouds in the sky became facsinating.

Stillness

At the top of the hill, I stopped at the temple. It struck me that the grounds appeared pure and white.

Dressed in White

Across the road, the valley of frosted housetops appealed to me, but the westward view toward the lake was stunning.

Ripples from the West

To the east the vast and majestic mountain-valley view caught my eye.

Spacious

A few days later, as the kids and I left the orthodontist's office, color in the sky attracted me. We walked behind the building to witness a breath-taking sunset. The longer we stood in the chill of winter, the warmer and brighter the sky became.

Glowing Sunset

I did finally reach my planned destination after school that day, but it wasn't near what I'd thought it might be. I guess sometimes it's the journey, what we see along the way, that brings us the most happiness.

Santa is Alive and Well!

Guess what we got in the mail yesterday? The kids were SUPER excited. Can you see the Postmark?Inside was this note...And this gift card!

THANK YOU, SANTA!!!
From: Jarid, Cecilia, Julian and Logan

P.S. The kids are wondering if you are still going to bring them presents on Christmas eve. :-)

Our Neigborhood Today

I absolutely love the first day after a snowstorm! The air is crisp and clear. A blanket of freshly fallen snow veils the shriveled grass and dirty streets. Even the scraggly, bare-branched trees are made over into beautifully sculpted stanchions to display the bright, crystalized vapor. The world seems clean again.

Today was a day like that, except it kept lightly snowing all day, so the sky wasn't blue yet. While I scooped and tamed the powder on the sidewalks and driveway, the kids re-discovered the childhood joy of snow. Tomorrow the sky will be bright blue and the snow will melt off the trees as sparkling droplets of ice cold water.

Dream Kids

It was 5:30 on a Saturday morning. She was awoken by the sound of playful children in the room above her bedroom. This had been a frequent occurance during the past week. She was getting used to it, but on this particular morning she was exhausted. She'd worked well past midnight helping a good friend. She enjoyed helping this friend very much because...well...it was enjoyable. Although she knew it was probably a futile attempt, she sighed, took a deep breath and cleared her mind in an attempt to drift back to sleep. She dosed in and out, mostly out.

During a moment of peaceful slumber she was again awoken, this time by movement on the bed. Two children had crept into her room wondering if she was almost ready to fix their breakfast. Moments later they left, somewhat disappointed that they'd be on their own this morning.

After several hours of fitful sleep and having finally succumbed to the fact that she'd be tired today, she got out of bed, slipped on some clothes and went upstairs. The rooms were quiet. Maybe the children are hiding, she thought. It was a favorite game of theirs. She discreetly avoided the places where they would be hiding and walked around pretending to look for them.

Suddenly she heard whispers in her daugther's room. She gently tried to open the door so she could peek in on the children's game only to find that the doorway was blocked. Then came a whisper, "Look on the table first."

She turned and went to the diningroom table. On it had been placed a bowl of her regular fiber cereal with milk and a plate with a hard boiled egg and salt sprinkled on the side. Near the dishes were two well-designed heart-shaped cards. On them were written simple words of adoration and gratitude.

She hugged her beautiful children, thanked them and ate the healthful breakfast. Then, she thanked them again. They reponded with, "We love you SO much! You do SO much for us!"

4 Year Anniversary

Click to Play

The host remembers 11/11/03.

Though I did not include in this podcast the spiritual experience we had on Thursday in the doctor's office before Dr. Whiting ordered the first blood test or my experience with my good friend, Linda, on Saturday morning during a training meeting at school, I remember them as if they were yesterday.  I will be eternally grateful for Dr. Whiting's expertise and 'prompting' and Linda's unfailing support.

This Time Last Year: Unrase The Picture!

At one point during the hospital stay, Logan's IV line was "un-hooked" so he was somewhat mobile. I had taken a picture of his infected area. It was the kind of sight that is painful to look at it, but at the same time you can't stop yourself from looking. He wanted me to erase it. You can see what a tough kid he is to walk and laugh through the the pain. This is by far my all-time favorite video of Logan! When I need to cheer up it always does the trick.

This Time Last Year: Hair Loss

While in the hospital with the infection, Logan was barely able to walk due to the pain "down there." When you spend 24-7 in a small room with a child you are bound to have some very special conversations. One of them was just after Halloween.

Logan and I were discussing how his hair was falling out again. I asked him what he thought about it and he told me he would sing a song about it. He had such a positive attitude and it was such a great song that I pulled out my camera and asked him to sing it again. It was even better the second time. Some of you may remember me sending the lyrics by email, but it's much better coming straight from Logan. (Sorry it's side-ways. I don't have a program that can fix it.)

THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW!

Some of you might remember that last Halloween Logan was in the hopsital with a very painful and serious infection. The people up there are great, though. Jarid and I were able to wheel Logan's bed and IV pole around the halls of the cancer unit and Trick-or-Treat to volunteers who were set up with loads of candy in the hallways.
This year he was a ball of energy! He excitedly went to school to participate in the school Halloween parade and class party. Then Grandpa and Grandma Patty drove him up to Primary's for some IV chemotherapy. Almost as soon as he got home we left for the ward Halloween party and Trunk-or-Treat(from the backs of cars in the parking lot.)
While there we heard there was a care center all ready for trick-or-treaters, but not many were going. So, we went over and visited them. Julian gave a grandma with Alzheimers a huge hug. I'm sure the woman thought she was her grandaughter and that I was her daughter. We left not only with candy, but with a warm feeling in our hearts.
Last year, Julian spent Halloween with her cousins. I didn't get to see her until the next day. This year I did her make-up on three occasions and took her trick-or-treating in the park after school. FUN!!
My photographer friend took a picture of me (dressed as a biker in Jarid's gear) with a real live biker who was handing out candy at the park. I'm pretty sure he was safe. I'll get the picture from her and load it later.


BTW, Jarid went to work dressed as a Sheriff's Deputy. Hehehe!