Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Ultimate Gift

On Sunday we had a wonderful experience. I made a turkey dinner for the family as it was Theresa's and Bryan's birthdays this week. After dinner Theresa, Rich, Tera, Tenlee and Tera's friend Brendon, all went with us up to the new house to watch a movie in the theater room.

The movie we watched was "The Ultimate Gift." It is a story about a wealthy young man's journey to receive his inheritance. After his grandfather's death he has to perform a series of tasks to receive the gifts that are his. "Life is how you live it... not how you spend it." The young man is challenged to with his gifts as they are gifts of life, not things. Life skills such as work and sharing. It's an inspiring movie that will have you laughing, crying, and most of all, wanting to be a better person.

I recommend that everyone watch this movie. It will remind you of the movie Pay it Forward. It would be a wonderful family home evening. I did a search about the movie after watching it and found that they have discussion guides, and many other motivational things to inspire people into action. Action to do better, action to help others, action to become involved.

"Good doesn't just happen. It grows person by person."

Monday, September 29, 2008

Jana made me do it...

I am: Opininated
I think: I need to excercise more
I know: That the Church is true.
I want: More energy!
I have: A pretty wonderful life.
I dislike: Liberals
I miss: Jana and Dave
I fear: Getting cancer...
I feel: Like gas is way too high!
I hear: Talk radio
I smell: My hand lotion
I crave: Diet Pepsi
I cry: Over just about everything.
I usually: Talk too much
I search: For good deals
I wonder: When we will sell our house
I regret: Not writing more to loved ones
I love: My family
I care: About my grandkids
I always: Make my bed!
I worry: About my kids
I am not: Shy
I remember: My mom
I believe: In doing a job right the first time
I dance: When I feel happy
I sing: In church
I dont always: Return phone calls
I argue: About politics
I write: On forums
I win: When I play checkers
I lose: My temper when people are lazy
I wish: We could go on a cruise every month
I listen: To talk radio
I dont understand: Why people want Obama for President
I can usually be found: At my desk
I am scared: Of bad roads
I need: A new sewing machine
I forget: How old I am (heh heh)
I am happy: To still be alive!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Small Miracles

On Sunday our Sacrament meeting was about miracles in our lives. How fitting considering the past week we have had.

Caleb's Tiffany, who is 7 months pregnant, became very sick and was in ICU in the hospital. It was a kidney infection and we were really concerned for her and the baby but after several days of care she is doing well. Caleb really showed that he has grown up by the way he handled the whole situation. I was really proud of him and the caring way he took care of Tiffany. He will be a good husband and father.

We then headed into the week knowing that a major hurricane was headed toward Jana and Dave. Hurricane Ike will go down as one of the costliest hurricanes in history due to the massive amount of destruction. Jana and Dave live in Sugar Land, just about 60 miles inland from Galveston Bay, which was pretty well destroyed. They were told to "hunker down" and not evacuate. So they took all the steps they had been taught about getting prepared and did just that! About 3:00 am on Saturday morning their power went out and according to Dave, Jana curled up with their little dog Max and went to sleep and slept through it all! They woke up to very little damage other than losing their mailbox. Twelve hours later they had power back on! There is just a small grid that got the power back on and they were lucky enough to be in it. Dave's sister and her family (5 kids) aren't so lucky and have been spending the nights with Jana and Dave even though they live about a mile away. They aren't sure when they will have power. They all have plenty of food and water and handling it well. It's a good thing because there is nothing left in the stores!

On Saturday night, my sister Sandy called and said that her daughter Britnee and her family were in an accident. A woman ran a stop sign and hit them and flipped their car. Brit is also 7 months pregnant and has been battling her diabetes's throughout this pregnancy. After a night in the hospital getting her contractions under control she was released. The rest of the family were all okay. Brit has a bad cut on her forearm but other than that all seems to be okay.

A week of small miracles. But are they really that small?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Floating the River

On Saturday, Aug 30 we wanted to do something fun with the family while Jana was here visiting for the week. We decided that we would try to float the river up by Ashton. Layne and Val had planned a camping trip with the Terry's and Tera couldn't get off that day as she was managing at Ruby River. So, it was Theresa and Rich, Bryan, Ali and Ryder, Caleb and Tiffany, Jana, Dad and I that braved the "rapids!"
Theresa and Rich lined up the tubes and boat and had everything ready for us. Thanks guys! When we got to the river Ryder couldn't wait to get in the water. But, he didn't like his life jacket. We all piled in and headed down for a two hour ride.
Yes, I did get dumped out of my tube a couple of times and poor Bryan thought I was going to drown. I wasn't worried about it near as much as everyone else. I do have to admit that I'm not as strong against the current as I used to be and the rocks can be killers but I still had a great time. My arm is really bruised - not from the rocks but from Bryan trying to pull me into the tube!
After our float we had lunch by the river. Everyone was tired but smiling after a fun day.
To top it off, Caleb bought a ring and asked Tiffany to marry him! She is a real sweetheart and we are happy they have decided to get married.

Floating the River