It's funny how inspiration hits, and how you use it. Yesterday was the Sunbeams class turn for sharing time, the theme was about Listening to the Prophet during Conferance will help my eternal family. My idea was to have one President Monson's talks playing quietly in the background and let the kids know that The Prophet tells us what the Lord wants us to know through revelation and that if they listen they will be protected from the ways of the world. As I talked about protection from things, I asked the kids what they needed to be protected from.
One little girl (about 6) states "from mountain lions."
I laugh and then say "Yes, how do we protect ourselves from them?"
"With a gun!" She states, her family has many guns and camps alot! lol
"Your right!" All of a sudden an idea hits, "How else do we protect ourselves when we are camping or hiking?" Now I had a whole other plan, written down practiced, and prepared. I love when things take on a whole new plan. "Do we wear sandals when we hike?"
"No, you need boots to protect your feet from stickers and things" Came the response
"A tent!" Was another.
"That's right, if you go camping without a tent, you get cold, wet if it rains or animals might attack in the middle of the night." I reply. We talked about wearing long sleeves and pants so your arms and legs are protected. These kids are so smart. So then I ask if they can hear anything else besides me talking in the room.
They notice that the talk has been playing in the background. One little girls yells "That's President Monson!"
"That's right!" I say completely amazed that she knows him by voice. "How do you know that?"
"Because I have heard him before and I know his voice!" She says, good for her and her parents for teaching her this!
I tell them that listening the Prophet and his Apostles is like being protected when you are camping. That if you listen to the words they say at conferance, you will know what the Lord wants you to do and that he will help you stay away from temptations and bad situations. I then ask the same little girl, "You're in school, right? What if when you are at school another kid says a bad word and tells you to say one too? What you say that word?"
"No!" she says, so I ask why,"because my mom and dad told me not to say those words."
"Who told them those words were bad?" I ask
"Jesus." she replies
"How did Jesus tell them that?"
"Prayer."
"Right! That is what a prophet does, he prays and then the Lord tells him what we need to do. Then the Prophet tells us what the Lord wants. That is what conferance is, when the Prophet tells us what Jesus and Heavenly Father want of us. The Lord has promised if we listen and follow the commandments than we will be protected from the world."
A light comes on in all the kids eyes, now this is in Jr Primary, all the kids are ages 3-6. Inspiration then strikes again and I tell them that,"The Prophet is like our tent. Protecting us from the weather and elements, he's our boots and long sleeve shirt, our gun(my little hunter kept pointing out that you need a gun for protection.) The best part was they all understood, the whole camping idea had not been on my paper, I had a whole different direction I was going to go in. I love teaching the younger kids sometimes, they look at things differently than we do and I love that I was able to listen to them and realize that my idea wouldn't work. Thanks to the Holy Ghost I knew to go in an entirely different direction and had all the knowledge I needed to do that. So, next I had looked up some fun facts on the First Presidency and all 12 Apostles, then borrowed pics of all them at the library. We went through each one, holding up the pic and telling the kids the fun fact. Did you know that President Monson can wiggle his ears?
I then mixed up the facts and pictures, let each kid pick one fact than look at the pictures to tell us who it was. Out of 9 kids all but 2 got the right person on the first try, the other 2 got it on the second try. These kids actually listened, I am so thankful for true inspiration and being able to hold these childrens attention, I hope they remembered what was said. I ended with telling them that they should try to watch conferance with their parents next weekend and try to listen to each talk, I gave them a fun conferance packet that I put together from some past packets and encouraged them to color and watch with thier families. Sometimes just being in the room where the spirit is teaches us. We will at least feel the warmth from our Heavenly Father even if we sleep, or color, or clean house while conferance is on. Something will get through, I hope these kids encourage thier families to watch and listen to general conferance this weekend.
By the way, are your tents up and in good condition? Are there any holes inyour hiking boots?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Boogity Boogity Boogity Boys, Let's Go Racing!
Saturday we held the 2nd annual Territorial 500. What is that you ask? Well let me tell you it is one of the funnest ward activities we have. Each family makes a "boxcar" to race. You take a plain cardboard box and decorate it to look like a race car, complete with a number and sponser.
Now your sponser needs to be from the scriptures. For example: Lehi's Iron, Adam's Apple Orchard, Ammon's Arms Dealer, etc. Then we split into age groups and RACE!
We started with our "Dwarf car" class, which is anyone under 5, than went to our "Modifieds" which were the rest of the primary, next was the "Pro-Modified", the YM/YW and ended with our "Stock cars" the adults.
The number 15 car gave up during the stock car race, he had been roofing most of the day and couldn't complete the 5 laps. He did do a great job lining up the races and announcing the whole activity!
The cars are my favorite, they all sooooo different! From the basics where you know the kids had a great time making them, to more difficult where the parents get involved. You see the Territorial 500 is more than just a 2 hour activity, you have to plan ahead and work as a family to make your car or cars, depending on the amount of racers you have!
Each car was different and you could tell everyone was very proud of their creation! I have to admit that the "Dwarf" races were my fave!! These little guys were too cute running with their big cars. None of them gave up!
Danielle won the "Pro-Modified" race, we just recycled our car from last year! Sometimes it pays to be a "keeper". lol However, Lolo and Kody each made their own cars this year.
Sammy borrowed a car from one of the older kids and ran a good race, since all of our cars were too big for him. He had a great time, but got tired of carrying the car.
Kody gave it a good try but it's hard when you're racing your older sis, you know how those "oldest sibs" have to win every time and never cut anyone else a break!
One of the "Stock" racers snuck into the race, but was no match for kids! hhahaahaa
Here is our first place "Dwarf" racer! Hailey Lowry not only had one of the cutest cars, but it flew just like the butterfly it looked like!
Here we are trying to line up the "Dwarf's" that a feat all by itself! They had a great time though once they figured out what to do and the "pit crews" got out of the way.
Madison Dey had a great car, her smart pit boss attached her backpack to the car so it was much easier to carry, and idea we may have to remember for next year!
This is Morgan Eddy getting last minute adjustments from her pit boss.
Of course Keegan is always ready and he had the easiest car to carry. Keegan never gives up and always runs a good race!
Here is Hailey with her beautiful butterfly racer! Her little sis had the other cute car, earlier in the post!
This is the Shumate car, they always have one of the funnest cars. Last year they sported the 666 car, all we said was that the sponsers had to be from the scriptures. This year they made a bus, for the King Herod's Daycare, They take care of your first born! Also the bus had a night route for the Sodom and Gommorah night club! hahahaha
As you can see we have a great time. The ward seems to be enjoy it. I love seeing the sponsers and car designs. We also have a true NASCAR tailgate dinner of BBQ'd hot dogs and side dishes. MMMMMM We then give out prizes for all the first place winners, last year we did best car, all the "Dwarf" racers got a trophy. I can't wait for next year, more ideas are brewing in my head already! Plus we will pick a better day so the rest of the ward can make it and we can run more "Stock" races!
We end the night with popcicles and everyone goes home happy! Including Miss Daphne who Sammy snuck a popcicle to, when her parents weren't looking. He already has an eye for the ladies!
Now your sponser needs to be from the scriptures. For example: Lehi's Iron, Adam's Apple Orchard, Ammon's Arms Dealer, etc. Then we split into age groups and RACE!
We started with our "Dwarf car" class, which is anyone under 5, than went to our "Modifieds" which were the rest of the primary, next was the "Pro-Modified", the YM/YW and ended with our "Stock cars" the adults.
The number 15 car gave up during the stock car race, he had been roofing most of the day and couldn't complete the 5 laps. He did do a great job lining up the races and announcing the whole activity!
The cars are my favorite, they all sooooo different! From the basics where you know the kids had a great time making them, to more difficult where the parents get involved. You see the Territorial 500 is more than just a 2 hour activity, you have to plan ahead and work as a family to make your car or cars, depending on the amount of racers you have!
Each car was different and you could tell everyone was very proud of their creation! I have to admit that the "Dwarf" races were my fave!! These little guys were too cute running with their big cars. None of them gave up!
Danielle won the "Pro-Modified" race, we just recycled our car from last year! Sometimes it pays to be a "keeper". lol However, Lolo and Kody each made their own cars this year.
Sammy borrowed a car from one of the older kids and ran a good race, since all of our cars were too big for him. He had a great time, but got tired of carrying the car. 
Kody gave it a good try but it's hard when you're racing your older sis, you know how those "oldest sibs" have to win every time and never cut anyone else a break!
One of the "Stock" racers snuck into the race, but was no match for kids! hhahaahaa
Here is our first place "Dwarf" racer! Hailey Lowry not only had one of the cutest cars, but it flew just like the butterfly it looked like!
Here we are trying to line up the "Dwarf's" that a feat all by itself! They had a great time though once they figured out what to do and the "pit crews" got out of the way.
Madison Dey had a great car, her smart pit boss attached her backpack to the car so it was much easier to carry, and idea we may have to remember for next year!
This is Morgan Eddy getting last minute adjustments from her pit boss.
Of course Keegan is always ready and he had the easiest car to carry. Keegan never gives up and always runs a good race!
Here is Hailey with her beautiful butterfly racer! Her little sis had the other cute car, earlier in the post!
This is the Shumate car, they always have one of the funnest cars. Last year they sported the 666 car, all we said was that the sponsers had to be from the scriptures. This year they made a bus, for the King Herod's Daycare, They take care of your first born! Also the bus had a night route for the Sodom and Gommorah night club! hahahaha
As you can see we have a great time. The ward seems to be enjoy it. I love seeing the sponsers and car designs. We also have a true NASCAR tailgate dinner of BBQ'd hot dogs and side dishes. MMMMMM We then give out prizes for all the first place winners, last year we did best car, all the "Dwarf" racers got a trophy. I can't wait for next year, more ideas are brewing in my head already! Plus we will pick a better day so the rest of the ward can make it and we can run more "Stock" races!
We end the night with popcicles and everyone goes home happy! Including Miss Daphne who Sammy snuck a popcicle to, when her parents weren't looking. He already has an eye for the ladies!Friday, September 18, 2009
Nothing beats a little Father-Son bonding.
What is there to say, these pics say it all!!
Caught the boys chillin one Sunday after church. Just shows that one day you will become your parents!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Why Christ did what He did
I got the inspiration for this talk when one of my best friends who's extremely atheist asked me: "Why would a loving Father be willing to sacrifice one of His Sons for the world knowing that it all wouldn't work and why would that Son be willing to do it?"
I thought about it for a little bit and my Nana popped into my head. With similar situations, like with activities or talks, she says "As long as atleast one person is inspired or helped it wasn't a waste." And where do we get this thought from? It's charity in its simplist form. Charity is the pure love of Christ that inspires all of us to do good. I started to think, Where does this come from? I found a quote by Bruce R. McConkie that reads: "There is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal, an everlasting, glorified, exalted Being. He has a tabernacle of flesh and bones. He is ressurected and holy and perfected man, and we are His offspring. We are His spirit children. He lives in the family unit. We are members of His family. We lived in this premortal life with Him for an infinite period of time." So we are His family and in a perfect family, you're willing to do anything for them. Just like Lilo and Stitch teach us: "Ohana means family, and family means noone gets left behind." Also John 15:13 which says: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Then I thought about everyone that Heavenly Father knew wouldn't return. This led me to John 3:17. It says "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." So basically the reason Christ was sent wasn't to tell us everything we're doing wrong, but rather to help us change through love and sacrifice. This made me think of two hymns: How Great Thou Art and I Stand All Amazed. How Great Thou Art verse 3 reads: "And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin, Then sings my soul my Savior God to thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great Thou art! How great Thou art!" I Stand All Amazed further says: "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died. Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own to redeem and to justify. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! Such mercy, such love. and devotion can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat, Until at that glorified throne I kneel at his feet. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!"
So how does this affect us? Well, John 11:25 reads: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." and D&C 110:4 also says: "I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father." So that's part of it. Christ had to bridge that gap between us and the Father. Only He could do that. That's found in the Bible Dictionary under Atonement. It reads: "The word describes the setting "at one" of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconcilliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of the atonement is to correct of overcome the consequences of sin... Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and the only sinless person to live on this earth, was the only one capable of making an antonement for mankind. By his selection and foreordination in the Grand Council before the world was formed, his divine Sonship, his sinless life, the shedding of his blood in Gethsemane, his death upon the cross and subsequent bodily ressurection from the grave, he made a perfect atonement for all mankind. All are covered unconditionally as pertaining to the fall of Adam. Hence, all shall rise from the dead with immortal bodies because of Jesus' atonement...The atonement of Jesus Christ redeems all mankind from the fall of Adam and causes all to be answerable for their own manner of life. This means of atonement is provided by the Father and is offfered in the life and person of His Son." President Joseph Fielding Smith further says: "Here we have the Son of God carrying the burden of my transgressions and your transgressions and the transgressions of every soul that recieves the gospel of Jesus Christ...He carried the burden-our burden. I added something to it; so did you. So did everyone else. He took it upon himself to pay the price that I might escape-that you might escape-the punishment on the conditions that we will recieve his gospel and be true and faithful in it."
So what about those that aren't quite getting it and are still falling away. This answer's very simple. It's found in 2 Nephi. 2 Nephi 15:25, 19:17 and 21 say "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still". He's not always happy with us but he's always willing to help us come back.
I'd like to close with the third verse of Be Still, My Soul "Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When dissapointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past All safe and blessed we shall meet at last." That's why Christ did what he did. He knew that there would be some of us that would remain faithful and that some of us wouldn't. He wanted to make sure that no matter what we did we would ALWAYS have a choice and somewhere to turn for peace.
I know that my Savior and Heavenly Father loves me and all of you. I know that they live and want us to live with them forever. I know that He did what he did for us and that he is always waiting for us to accept him and his Atonement. He's waiting with open arms, will we run to Him? I say these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
I had Danielle type her talk for me. This morning when she asked me to listen to her as she said it out loud, I couldn't help but think what a wonderful daughter I have somehow manged to raise. I have to wonder how she could turn out like this, when she is the oldest and has been the one to witness all my mistakes as a parent. When I have gone through my rebellious times, drinking and partying, cussing and not always being very Christlike. Did I really do this? Am I really worthy of having her as my daughter? She wrote this talk all on her own, with no help from Danny or I. No one even gave her a topic, she was able to listen to the spirit and know what she should say tomorrow without any guidance. I am truely amazed by her and know that she has a great head on her shoulders and how much she listens to the Spirit and follows the commandments. I truely love this beautiful Daughter of God, and am so lucky to have her as a moral guidepost in my life. I wish I could've been a better example for her, instead of her being my example. I love you Danielle, thank you for choosing to be my daughter. I'm sorry for not being a better mother.
I thought about it for a little bit and my Nana popped into my head. With similar situations, like with activities or talks, she says "As long as atleast one person is inspired or helped it wasn't a waste." And where do we get this thought from? It's charity in its simplist form. Charity is the pure love of Christ that inspires all of us to do good. I started to think, Where does this come from? I found a quote by Bruce R. McConkie that reads: "There is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal, an everlasting, glorified, exalted Being. He has a tabernacle of flesh and bones. He is ressurected and holy and perfected man, and we are His offspring. We are His spirit children. He lives in the family unit. We are members of His family. We lived in this premortal life with Him for an infinite period of time." So we are His family and in a perfect family, you're willing to do anything for them. Just like Lilo and Stitch teach us: "Ohana means family, and family means noone gets left behind." Also John 15:13 which says: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Then I thought about everyone that Heavenly Father knew wouldn't return. This led me to John 3:17. It says "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." So basically the reason Christ was sent wasn't to tell us everything we're doing wrong, but rather to help us change through love and sacrifice. This made me think of two hymns: How Great Thou Art and I Stand All Amazed. How Great Thou Art verse 3 reads: "And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin, Then sings my soul my Savior God to thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great Thou art! How great Thou art!" I Stand All Amazed further says: "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died. Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own to redeem and to justify. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! Such mercy, such love. and devotion can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat, Until at that glorified throne I kneel at his feet. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!"
So how does this affect us? Well, John 11:25 reads: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." and D&C 110:4 also says: "I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father." So that's part of it. Christ had to bridge that gap between us and the Father. Only He could do that. That's found in the Bible Dictionary under Atonement. It reads: "The word describes the setting "at one" of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconcilliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of the atonement is to correct of overcome the consequences of sin... Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and the only sinless person to live on this earth, was the only one capable of making an antonement for mankind. By his selection and foreordination in the Grand Council before the world was formed, his divine Sonship, his sinless life, the shedding of his blood in Gethsemane, his death upon the cross and subsequent bodily ressurection from the grave, he made a perfect atonement for all mankind. All are covered unconditionally as pertaining to the fall of Adam. Hence, all shall rise from the dead with immortal bodies because of Jesus' atonement...The atonement of Jesus Christ redeems all mankind from the fall of Adam and causes all to be answerable for their own manner of life. This means of atonement is provided by the Father and is offfered in the life and person of His Son." President Joseph Fielding Smith further says: "Here we have the Son of God carrying the burden of my transgressions and your transgressions and the transgressions of every soul that recieves the gospel of Jesus Christ...He carried the burden-our burden. I added something to it; so did you. So did everyone else. He took it upon himself to pay the price that I might escape-that you might escape-the punishment on the conditions that we will recieve his gospel and be true and faithful in it."
So what about those that aren't quite getting it and are still falling away. This answer's very simple. It's found in 2 Nephi. 2 Nephi 15:25, 19:17 and 21 say "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still". He's not always happy with us but he's always willing to help us come back.
I'd like to close with the third verse of Be Still, My Soul "Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When dissapointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past All safe and blessed we shall meet at last." That's why Christ did what he did. He knew that there would be some of us that would remain faithful and that some of us wouldn't. He wanted to make sure that no matter what we did we would ALWAYS have a choice and somewhere to turn for peace.
I know that my Savior and Heavenly Father loves me and all of you. I know that they live and want us to live with them forever. I know that He did what he did for us and that he is always waiting for us to accept him and his Atonement. He's waiting with open arms, will we run to Him? I say these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
I had Danielle type her talk for me. This morning when she asked me to listen to her as she said it out loud, I couldn't help but think what a wonderful daughter I have somehow manged to raise. I have to wonder how she could turn out like this, when she is the oldest and has been the one to witness all my mistakes as a parent. When I have gone through my rebellious times, drinking and partying, cussing and not always being very Christlike. Did I really do this? Am I really worthy of having her as my daughter? She wrote this talk all on her own, with no help from Danny or I. No one even gave her a topic, she was able to listen to the spirit and know what she should say tomorrow without any guidance. I am truely amazed by her and know that she has a great head on her shoulders and how much she listens to the Spirit and follows the commandments. I truely love this beautiful Daughter of God, and am so lucky to have her as a moral guidepost in my life. I wish I could've been a better example for her, instead of her being my example. I love you Danielle, thank you for choosing to be my daughter. I'm sorry for not being a better mother.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
First Soccer Game of the Year!
Friday Sept. 4 was the first soccer game of the year for the Tri-City Panthers! Danielle played her heart out! They played hard. I love this time of year, actually, I love any time that my kids are playing something. That is when I can cheer and yell and be a true "Soccer-mom"!
The boys had a great time watching and playing with each other. We all like to sit and cheer Danielle on! We also give alot of "help" from the sidelines.
Since they are a charter school, they play alot of other lesser known schools, this one was Grand Canyon HS from the Flagstaff area. GCHS had alot of good players. There is only one soccer team at Tri-City Prep, so it is considered the boy's Varsity team. There are quite a few girls on the team this year though, 2 of which were in alot. Danielle is not a starter but she still got alot of play time!
That is until #14 on the other team cleated her ankle and "tried to take her cleat off" as Danielley put in. She hobbled off the field and sat with some ice and her shoe and shin guard off for a while. Then went back in during the 4th quarter. I am so proud of her and how serious she takes the game. However, she was looking for an opportunity to take out #14, but never got the chance. They do play this team again though, later in the season. They ended up tying the game at 3, both teams played hard and it was a great first game! Danny is volunteering to help with fund raising and soon we hope to have some pimp shirts to wear to show our support! 
GO PANTHERS!!!!!!!
Dancin Machine!
Sammy LOVES music! Just about all genres too! Lately he has discovered a new Nick Jr show, it is jammin. All I have to say is that it's time for the Fresh Beats and he goes running into the living room singing, "lalalalalalalaa", this is part of their opening and ending song. The show is about 4 friends who have a band, only they "hip, hop and pop" not sing nursery rhymes or repetitive songs. They play, a keyboard, techno-drums, an electric guitar and a turntable, then they dance, but actually break dance, pop n' lock and use up to date moves. Sammy tries to copy some of them and kicks his legs in the air. His favorite song is their ending song, "It was a great day!" In the dance they do they cross they're arms over thier body in true Run DMC style, Sammy thinks this is fantastic! He will mimmick it as soon as he sees the move.
Here he is shaking his groove thang with the show. Needless to say this isn't Barney! It's a whole lotta fun. I even have figured out the choreography to the end song and Sammy and I bust a move together! He is hillarious! I have a TON of videos of him cutting a rug, but can't get them to load on blogger or facebook. Not sure why, if someone would like to give some advice I would appreciate the help. Everyone needs to see his moves!
Here he is doing the Laaaalalalaa, at the end of the show. If he sees a pic or you mention The Freshbeats, he immediately launches into the lalalalas. I love this kid, he is definately mine. His other all time favorite is the Zac Brown Band.
You know them they sing, "Chicken Fried" which is Danny's favorite song these days. Yes peeps, he is going country. Danny treated himself to the CD not long after the song came out, however he tells me that a "regular" at the shop bought it for him. While, Sammy loves the whole CD, his favorite is track #6-Mary. It is an old time country sounding, blue-grass twanger of a song. I actually love it. Even, though I am not a huge fan of newer country music (it's not really country anymore) I do have a deep love for old school country, when they played the steel guitar and fiddle, now thats country! The Zac Brown band definately sounds like some good ole Oak Ridge Boys, or Alabama if you ask me. Sammy recognizes the music as soon as we turn the CD on in the car, his face lights up and he bobbs his head in his carseat. Now, if he happens to be out of his carseat when track 6 starts, it's on! He twirls and kicks and waves his hands in the air, his bottom starts to bounce! It's hillarious. Danielle and I turned it on this morning on the way to school and he could barely contain himself! Trent, we carpool with for school, thought this was fantastic and even found himself bobbing his head to keep Sammy moving. When the song is over Sammy actually sings, Mary Mary! To get us to play it again.So next time you see this little shaggadelic redhead just ask, "Are the Fresh Beats on?" Hopefully he'll give you some lalalalalas!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Be Prepared
It looks like changes for Danny and I are always coming. I wonder if we are the poster children for being prepared, as we most of the time are not. So if you never learn anything else from me, please take the example that it is better to be prepared for the unknown, than to let the unknown happen and not know what to do. (Please trust me on this! It is not a fun lesson to keep learning)
Yesterday, out of no where, I lost my job. In December of 2008 one of the Doctors that I worked for announced he was leaving the practice to join another one. As I was unhappy about a few of the same things he was, I took this opportunity to go with him into a new adventure. He happily told me where to apply and even talked to the manager about me and I was hired. I even got to keep my part-time status, got a raise in pay and met a ton of new people and a learn new part of the medical field. Dr. B joined Northern Az Orthopaedics, he was to be thier general practice doc, but got to keep his patients too. Along with me came his MA, Larry. The 3 of us have a great relationship, we work well together and I believe it got passed onto the patients, who seemed to enjoy things once we got settled.
It has now been 9 months and we thought all was going well. There have been afew bumps, since an Orthopaedic practice does not know how to run a Family Practice. Dr B was thankful to have Larry and I around to get things rolling, as the company did order half of the things needed for his practice. As it turns out, this is what killed Larry and I. NAO has a it's "mother company" in Flagstaff, they quickly fired the local manager in January, not long after we started. This brought two of the higher managers commuting to Prescott Valley, on and off. They wanted us to understand that we were not a "lesser" sub-form of the Flag office, although that is how we felt half the time. One manager, even though, she was the one I thought was on my side, did not appreciate that Larry and I knew as much as we did, and she was upset that she could not break the bond between the Doctor and us. Apparently in this company they want the Doctors to only interact with supervisors and not talk directly to the employees. Dr B constantly stood up for Larry and I and would not give in to the "let the bosses handle the problem" mentatlity.
In April the practice hired a PR company to come in and revamp our logo and customer service skills. Yesterday they came to unveil all the changes to be made, and give the tools to be ranked with The Ritz Carlton in our customer service. I actually enjoyed what they had to say. I believe the theory they were protraying. The inner motto is now "Every patient is a friend". Larry and I treated all our patients that way already. Not only was I working front desk for Dr B, but we also had our physical therapy dept, in my building and a couple of the Flag Docs used my bldg as a satellite office. Especially with PT I get to see these people 2-3 times a wk for about 6 wks, you get to know these people. As they came in I would joke and kid them, so many would smile and laugh when I would tease them about the "torture" about to be inflicted upon them in PT. Sonce, most of Dr B's patients came from the old office, I knew them well also. I could do the same thing with them. I truely enjoyed all the people I worked with directly every day. However, this PR CO. felt that Larry and I still saw ourselves as being employed by Dr B, and not NAO. They told the higher ups and the CEO that they felt we would not "buy" onto this new philosphy of making everyone feel comfortable. So, mid day I was "let go" along with Larry.
Now Thursday is Dr B's day off, and he left shortly after the early morning presentation, since he did not have clinic. Larry immediately called him to let him know. (Since we both have his cell phone number) He was furious, although I'm not sure that is the right word for how angry he was. However, since he does not run the office he has no say. He told both of us that he feels they were really after him, since he was not "bowing down" to thier way. He would not give up the relationship with either one of us, he felt it added to the overall patient experience. He ended up hanging up on the CEO if the company. He aplogized for the way we were treated and felt that it was really the one supervisor who felt intimidated because Larry and I would speak up with the running of our bldg. As far as me not believing I worked for NAO, I asked to go to Flag for further training on the systems and to see how they operate. I was one of the only PV employee to go to Flag last weekend for the company picnic. Meanwhile, I was trying to hype all of the local peeps to go with me, this was actually a suggestion from the one superviser. I actually convinced Larry to go and then one of the other girls in my bldg to go too. The other employees who have been with the company longer did not want to go since they did not feel that they were a part of the "whole company." I am not sure how much more I could do to protray that I was member of NAO. I helped with the other bldgs when I needed to, covered for others when tragedy would strike and someone would need to leave for the day. I guess that Dr B was right and they had this planned from the get go. Keep the new doc happy give him whatever he wants, then when they feel that they have him, pull the mats out from under him.
I don't know what we will do, Danny's money -job situation is not real sound either since we have found out a few things as to how the bike shop is paying him. I guess this is when we trust in the Lord and wish we were better at preparing for the unknown. Like always when something happens. I know that something will work, I hope we stay here, I do NOT want to move again, Danielle is in a great school and has some opportunities for her future, I love my ward and the friends I have made. But one thing Danny and I know is that when the Lord reveals what to do next you better do it, or things will get worse. We have tried to fight the Lord's will before and it is just not worth it. Even though I am greatly upset about what was said to me yesterday, that I know I worked hard and that the patients enjoyed thier time in my bldg, no matter what they were there for. I look forward to whatever may come next for me. Maybe I'll finally take some classes and write the books I have always wanted to.
Yesterday, out of no where, I lost my job. In December of 2008 one of the Doctors that I worked for announced he was leaving the practice to join another one. As I was unhappy about a few of the same things he was, I took this opportunity to go with him into a new adventure. He happily told me where to apply and even talked to the manager about me and I was hired. I even got to keep my part-time status, got a raise in pay and met a ton of new people and a learn new part of the medical field. Dr. B joined Northern Az Orthopaedics, he was to be thier general practice doc, but got to keep his patients too. Along with me came his MA, Larry. The 3 of us have a great relationship, we work well together and I believe it got passed onto the patients, who seemed to enjoy things once we got settled.
It has now been 9 months and we thought all was going well. There have been afew bumps, since an Orthopaedic practice does not know how to run a Family Practice. Dr B was thankful to have Larry and I around to get things rolling, as the company did order half of the things needed for his practice. As it turns out, this is what killed Larry and I. NAO has a it's "mother company" in Flagstaff, they quickly fired the local manager in January, not long after we started. This brought two of the higher managers commuting to Prescott Valley, on and off. They wanted us to understand that we were not a "lesser" sub-form of the Flag office, although that is how we felt half the time. One manager, even though, she was the one I thought was on my side, did not appreciate that Larry and I knew as much as we did, and she was upset that she could not break the bond between the Doctor and us. Apparently in this company they want the Doctors to only interact with supervisors and not talk directly to the employees. Dr B constantly stood up for Larry and I and would not give in to the "let the bosses handle the problem" mentatlity.
In April the practice hired a PR company to come in and revamp our logo and customer service skills. Yesterday they came to unveil all the changes to be made, and give the tools to be ranked with The Ritz Carlton in our customer service. I actually enjoyed what they had to say. I believe the theory they were protraying. The inner motto is now "Every patient is a friend". Larry and I treated all our patients that way already. Not only was I working front desk for Dr B, but we also had our physical therapy dept, in my building and a couple of the Flag Docs used my bldg as a satellite office. Especially with PT I get to see these people 2-3 times a wk for about 6 wks, you get to know these people. As they came in I would joke and kid them, so many would smile and laugh when I would tease them about the "torture" about to be inflicted upon them in PT. Sonce, most of Dr B's patients came from the old office, I knew them well also. I could do the same thing with them. I truely enjoyed all the people I worked with directly every day. However, this PR CO. felt that Larry and I still saw ourselves as being employed by Dr B, and not NAO. They told the higher ups and the CEO that they felt we would not "buy" onto this new philosphy of making everyone feel comfortable. So, mid day I was "let go" along with Larry.
Now Thursday is Dr B's day off, and he left shortly after the early morning presentation, since he did not have clinic. Larry immediately called him to let him know. (Since we both have his cell phone number) He was furious, although I'm not sure that is the right word for how angry he was. However, since he does not run the office he has no say. He told both of us that he feels they were really after him, since he was not "bowing down" to thier way. He would not give up the relationship with either one of us, he felt it added to the overall patient experience. He ended up hanging up on the CEO if the company. He aplogized for the way we were treated and felt that it was really the one supervisor who felt intimidated because Larry and I would speak up with the running of our bldg. As far as me not believing I worked for NAO, I asked to go to Flag for further training on the systems and to see how they operate. I was one of the only PV employee to go to Flag last weekend for the company picnic. Meanwhile, I was trying to hype all of the local peeps to go with me, this was actually a suggestion from the one superviser. I actually convinced Larry to go and then one of the other girls in my bldg to go too. The other employees who have been with the company longer did not want to go since they did not feel that they were a part of the "whole company." I am not sure how much more I could do to protray that I was member of NAO. I helped with the other bldgs when I needed to, covered for others when tragedy would strike and someone would need to leave for the day. I guess that Dr B was right and they had this planned from the get go. Keep the new doc happy give him whatever he wants, then when they feel that they have him, pull the mats out from under him.
I don't know what we will do, Danny's money -job situation is not real sound either since we have found out a few things as to how the bike shop is paying him. I guess this is when we trust in the Lord and wish we were better at preparing for the unknown. Like always when something happens. I know that something will work, I hope we stay here, I do NOT want to move again, Danielle is in a great school and has some opportunities for her future, I love my ward and the friends I have made. But one thing Danny and I know is that when the Lord reveals what to do next you better do it, or things will get worse. We have tried to fight the Lord's will before and it is just not worth it. Even though I am greatly upset about what was said to me yesterday, that I know I worked hard and that the patients enjoyed thier time in my bldg, no matter what they were there for. I look forward to whatever may come next for me. Maybe I'll finally take some classes and write the books I have always wanted to.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
UNO!
Who doesn't love a game of Uno!? Tonight Lolo really wanted to play a game and spent the evening, since before dinner, carrying around three different games. UNO!, Phase 10 and the Phase 10 dice game. (Which if you love to play Phase 10, but the card game takes too long then get the dice game, same idea only with dice and much faster!) After dinner the kids got into some season premiers of their fave shows and I played on the computer, Danny went straight to James' XBox, and Lolo went from room to room asking to play a game. Finally I told her we would and to gather everyone to the living room. We all went in and decided to play the easiest and quickest out of the bunch. UNO! It was my family plus Chandler, we have a friend of Danny's staying with us and his son is here til next week) we pushed the nice oversized ottoman out to the middle of the living room, turned off the TV and sat on the floor around the ottoman to play UNO!
And boy did we play. Chandler asked how to play, because he had not played in along time and couldn't remember, Danny looked at him and said it's UNO! just play. "Oh ok, if that is all you have to do!" I remarked and then quickly explained the rules. Kody went after Danny the majority of the time and all Danny tried to do was get the draw 2 or 4 cards to stuff Kody's hand. Needless to say Kody had about half of the deck I think. We had a blast, every time Chandler would pause, Danny would yell, just play a card! Which ended up causing Chandler to reply, "I'm going to punch you in your retina!" This is one of Danny's sayings and Chandler just likes to repeat funny things people say over and over and over again. So this went on for a while. We then figured out how to hold on to our skips and reverses till they served a great purpose, at one time I was feeling like helping Kody out since Dan had been merciless with his skips and draw cards. I reversed the order, Danny then says, "No! I have a draw 2 for Kody all ready to go, looks like mom gets it now!" Which I did, after that move I decided Kody could fend for himself, he is 12 after all, I then got the brunt of Danny's card tricks.
Just after the reverse was played Kody was able to "smack" down a draw 2 for Dan, this then led to a sweet dance and Kody singing "My lumps my lumps my lovely lasdy lumps, check it out!" Why he picked that song, I'll never know but it was hillarious! After a few more rounds I tire of Danny ruthless onslaught of card choices and start to whine in my best whiner voice,"I wanna play!!!" Danielle quickly tires of this, as she is on the other side of me and reverses the play as soon as she can. To which I immediately quit whining. Kody somehow manages to get through his card down to 1, before he has even set down his 2nd to last card Danny is yelling UNO! and telling him to draw 2 for not yelling UNO! first. This happens twice before I tell Dan he has to give the person the chance to say it themselves! While this is going on no one notices that Chandler has made it down to one card, he quicky puts it down and announces he wins. We try to decide if that is ok, since he did not yell UNO!, but if we were too busy being rowdy to notice then it is our own fault.
Lolo then trys to start a whole new game. We talk her in to playing UNO! again. This game goes much the same. Only this time Danny is telling Chandler, "It's not chess you either have a card to play or you draw! GO!" To which Chandler replies, "I'm going to beat the fire out of you!" (Another one of Dan's sayings) Meanwhile Lolo is just laughing and happily playing. Danielle and I are leaning against the couch and each time she laughs or says something she pushes the couch back. I then yell, "Quit moving the couch!" To which she pushes on purpose just to see me jump. Meanwhile Sammy has been sitting either in my lap or Danny's and reaches up to push the draw pile into the discard pile or try to take off with everyone's cards. We give him about 3 and he just trys to put them in our hand or push them into both the draw and discard piles. As this game starts to wind down, I suddenly realize I have only one card...It is the third person's turn after mine and I suddenly yell, "UNO!" Chandler makes up a rule that I have to draw, because I keep my cards in lap instead of up on the ottoman where everyone can see. I argue that only adults can make up rules, since earlier in the first game Danny had tried to say I didn't yell UNO! when I was supposed to, but I really had 2 cards left, so I said he had to draw 2 for yelling at me when I didn't really have UNO!. Chandler asked if that was a rule, and I said now it is!
That was the end, because Danny had said something to the Chandler again and so Chandler leaps over Kody and tackles Dan, then Kody piles on and all out wrestling match begins. Lolo is pouting, because she want s to keep playing, so Danielle and I try to play the dice game with her. Sammy climbs onto the ottoman and catches the dice as we roll em. Then when you ask for them back, he chucks his handful of dice at your face. Meanwhile the boys have inflicted some pain on Danny, to which you hear, "Thats it I'm done!" Then he sits on the couch, like the kids who is always it and then quits when he can't catch anyone. Since our dice game has been foiled by Sam-man, we decide to give a rest. Lolo is not neccessarily happy with this, but decides it's best. We end our fun-filled evening with high's and lows and prayer.
Game night anyone???
And boy did we play. Chandler asked how to play, because he had not played in along time and couldn't remember, Danny looked at him and said it's UNO! just play. "Oh ok, if that is all you have to do!" I remarked and then quickly explained the rules. Kody went after Danny the majority of the time and all Danny tried to do was get the draw 2 or 4 cards to stuff Kody's hand. Needless to say Kody had about half of the deck I think. We had a blast, every time Chandler would pause, Danny would yell, just play a card! Which ended up causing Chandler to reply, "I'm going to punch you in your retina!" This is one of Danny's sayings and Chandler just likes to repeat funny things people say over and over and over again. So this went on for a while. We then figured out how to hold on to our skips and reverses till they served a great purpose, at one time I was feeling like helping Kody out since Dan had been merciless with his skips and draw cards. I reversed the order, Danny then says, "No! I have a draw 2 for Kody all ready to go, looks like mom gets it now!" Which I did, after that move I decided Kody could fend for himself, he is 12 after all, I then got the brunt of Danny's card tricks.
Just after the reverse was played Kody was able to "smack" down a draw 2 for Dan, this then led to a sweet dance and Kody singing "My lumps my lumps my lovely lasdy lumps, check it out!" Why he picked that song, I'll never know but it was hillarious! After a few more rounds I tire of Danny ruthless onslaught of card choices and start to whine in my best whiner voice,"I wanna play!!!" Danielle quickly tires of this, as she is on the other side of me and reverses the play as soon as she can. To which I immediately quit whining. Kody somehow manages to get through his card down to 1, before he has even set down his 2nd to last card Danny is yelling UNO! and telling him to draw 2 for not yelling UNO! first. This happens twice before I tell Dan he has to give the person the chance to say it themselves! While this is going on no one notices that Chandler has made it down to one card, he quicky puts it down and announces he wins. We try to decide if that is ok, since he did not yell UNO!, but if we were too busy being rowdy to notice then it is our own fault.
Lolo then trys to start a whole new game. We talk her in to playing UNO! again. This game goes much the same. Only this time Danny is telling Chandler, "It's not chess you either have a card to play or you draw! GO!" To which Chandler replies, "I'm going to beat the fire out of you!" (Another one of Dan's sayings) Meanwhile Lolo is just laughing and happily playing. Danielle and I are leaning against the couch and each time she laughs or says something she pushes the couch back. I then yell, "Quit moving the couch!" To which she pushes on purpose just to see me jump. Meanwhile Sammy has been sitting either in my lap or Danny's and reaches up to push the draw pile into the discard pile or try to take off with everyone's cards. We give him about 3 and he just trys to put them in our hand or push them into both the draw and discard piles. As this game starts to wind down, I suddenly realize I have only one card...It is the third person's turn after mine and I suddenly yell, "UNO!" Chandler makes up a rule that I have to draw, because I keep my cards in lap instead of up on the ottoman where everyone can see. I argue that only adults can make up rules, since earlier in the first game Danny had tried to say I didn't yell UNO! when I was supposed to, but I really had 2 cards left, so I said he had to draw 2 for yelling at me when I didn't really have UNO!. Chandler asked if that was a rule, and I said now it is!
That was the end, because Danny had said something to the Chandler again and so Chandler leaps over Kody and tackles Dan, then Kody piles on and all out wrestling match begins. Lolo is pouting, because she want s to keep playing, so Danielle and I try to play the dice game with her. Sammy climbs onto the ottoman and catches the dice as we roll em. Then when you ask for them back, he chucks his handful of dice at your face. Meanwhile the boys have inflicted some pain on Danny, to which you hear, "Thats it I'm done!" Then he sits on the couch, like the kids who is always it and then quits when he can't catch anyone. Since our dice game has been foiled by Sam-man, we decide to give a rest. Lolo is not neccessarily happy with this, but decides it's best. We end our fun-filled evening with high's and lows and prayer.
Game night anyone???
Peanut, peanut butter...
Peanut, peanut butter and Jelly! Peanut, peanut butter and jelly. First you take the peanuts and you smash 'em...Sammy loves peanut butter! He is not real fond of the bread that you put it on, but he loves the butter! On this day he kept trying to get my attention and I was in the middle of something, when I finally came out of the bedroom this is what I found.
He had gotten in the silverware drawer and grabbed a knife, then went right to the cupboard and found the peanut butter. He proceeded to come out of the kitchen and sit on the carpet right outside of the kitchen to eat. Apparently the las person to make a sandwich didn't get the lid on tight and he was able to open it all by himself. Sammy was so happy just sitting and diping the knife into the jar and then licking it clean.
However, this was not good for the carpet, so after I snapped these pics, I moved him and cleaned up the carpet. If you give him a peanut butter sandwich, he will open it up, much like an oreo and lick the peanut butter off. Then give back the soggy bread. What a smart little boy. He pays attention to everything that goes on, and knows exactly what he wants! If you don't move fast enough, he will get it himself. Lately he has been clapping when you figure out what he wants.
When I am getting him something to drink, I ask what he wants. He runs to the fridge and trys to pull it open, then one liquid by one liquid I ask. If he doesn't want it he shakes his head vehemetly to say no. This is repeated til you find what he really wants, lately it is Sunny D, then his face lights up with a smile and he claps like you just won an Oscar! What a little star. He knows he is the center of attention and that he has this whole fam wrappedaround his sticky, peanut buttered, little finger.Monday, August 24, 2009
Hugging the weiner!
Guess what happpened to roll into town while we were visiting mom in Laveen? The weinermobile!! Danielle and Kody were so excited! During our usual Saturday night cardfest, Aunt Shelley informed us that Oscar Mayer would be at Safeway on Sunday from 10-6, well who could pass that up? Not the Oquists!! We went directly after church
Just to discover that my camera and phone were at mom's house, so we went home to change and grab the camera. Then while we were headed to the Temple we ran back by, Lolo chose to ride with Uncle Jason and Aunt Christine, so she missed out on the fun. We knew it was meant to be, when we discovered that is was the #15 Weinermobile, I believe it was made just the 5teen fam!!!
Kody tried to take a bite out of it.
Danielle got ran over by it.
And Sammy was just amazed by the huge hot dog. It played music and he had more fun dancing and twirling than trying to pose with it!
The kids were so proud of the weinermobile! Who would have thought that a giant weiner would make a 12 and a 15 year old so happy? What I have I done to deserve this?
Sammy on the other hand wasn't completely impressed. Danielle tried to put him on it and he really wanted nothing to do with it. Oh I know it won't belong til they corrupt him and he acts like a goofy kid. But at least I can take comfort in the fact that at least Danielle should be out on her own before she can do too much damage. hahahaha
Thier faces say it all. Who doesn't love a giant weiner?Monday, August 17, 2009
Back to school!
School time school time, I forgot how the old song went. Oops. It's that time again! Danielle started her sophomore year, yes sophomore year, one week ago today. August 10,2009. Hard to believe, but it's true.
She was not as excited as she has been in years passed but, I harassed her by taking a few pics in the car on the way to Tri-City College Preporatory. Yes she goes to the "Geek school" as I so lovingly call it. She loves that school and has had many wonderful opportunities there. I love this next pic of her, her hair has gotten soooo long and she is now wearing make up and straightening her hair. What beautiful young woman she is becoming.
She was just about done with me by this time, but when has that ever bothered me? Now that I'm the mom instead of the sis there is no one to tell me to quit being a pain in the butt! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. She had a great first week and enjoyed not having early morning seminary for the first week of school. That all ended today as the Chino Valley school district went back. 
Kody and Lolo started today! August 17, 2009. They were both sooooo excited. Lolo was up at 4 30 and ready to go when I got up to take Danielle to seminary. Oh how I wish she would do that all year long, but by next Monday, I'm sure it will be back to dragging her out of bed kicking and screaming from both of us! 
Lolo is in 4th grade this year. She is getting so old so fast. I wish there was a stop button or a pause, just for a year or 2. She has a cute new hair do and style this year. I know she will go far!
They changed the times of school this year and the middle school started first. So we started there, however, the traffic was so bad it took us 25 min to get to Kody's school and then back to Lolo's school. she was a few minutes late, this was us hurrying through the parking lot to get to her room. I love the outfits she picked out. I had a ton of fun shopping with Lolo this year. We went to Rue 21 and tryed on clothes for a long time. She loves the leggings and longer shirts. She is rocking a little bit of Hannah Montana look this year!
Since time was short, I just grabbed a photo of Kody in the parking lot. The bell was ringing when we got there, he is too cute this year, with a sassy short hair do too. hehehehehee He is getting too old, doesn't want his pic taken at school any more. I did get a hug and kiss from him though. He is still my little boy after all! He is in the 7th grade this year. Where does the time go?
Here are the rockin new kicks. Kody went old school with some sweet Vans and Lolo has quit the 80's look too in her bright colored checked ones!
One quick pic before we jumped in the car to go. Aren't they the most cutest kids you've ever seen? I am so grateful for my kids and our life. I love that Danny is able to give blessings the night before and that they are all protected and ready to face whatever may come our way! Watch out teachers, here they come!
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