Living for Each Moment

News of Liz Sherwood, our former Stake YW president's (late 40's) death today reminds me again to make each moment count. 

She fought a short battle with adrenal cancer. When I served in YW's, she was such an inspiration and shared an incredible testimony during Stake Leadership meetings. 

Her daughter Shadow, will marry a dear friend of our family's, Trevor Hansen in 2 weeks. During the summer, Liz and her daughter spent precious time planning the wedding and reception, hoping that she would live to see her daughter marry. The Lord must of needed her and knows that Shadow will be in the careful and guided hand of her family during this happy time in her life.

I am reminded of a quote by the late Randy Pausch, "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

If you have a good hand right now, go and bless someone else's life with your good fortune.

Brandon Eagle Court of Honor

Sunday, Brandon was awarded the Eagle Scout Award. 

During the week, Hunter received his LIFE and only has a few Merit Badges to complete until he begins his project! 

The pictures don't include Brad because he was rushing home to get the LAPTOP that I forgot for the video presentation for the night. Way to go MOM!

Jessie chose her feet-attire. It was NOT raining, but at least they are RED.

Thank you so much for all who helped Brandon in receiving this award and for the wonderful Court of Honor attended by so many friends and family. We love you and cherish sweet memories with you.

Brandon, Chris Davis, Luke Thompson, Matt Bayer, Daniel Baylor

--GO BVN MUSTANGS!

Things I LOVE about summer

1.  Brandon spontaneously playing the piano. He quit lessons about 1 1/2 years ago and did not play for a year. He learns a popular song off U-Tube and then practices it over and over.

2. Carson and I have time to work on BEAR requirements for Cub Scouts. Yesterday, he made a list of things to do in a day and the last item was, "I will NOT pick something from the Chore box!" I wish I could have that on my daily list!

3.  Seeing my boys read new books.

4.  Watching the boys play with their 3-year-old sister. Even though you would think they don't have much in common, I caught them with Jessie's doll house--donated by Patti Ward. Their green, plastic army men moved in and set up base camp! Jessie was happy to have a ball-gown dressed Cinderella cook and clean for the crew!

5.  Meeting friends and children at the public pool. Our community has a GREAT pool system-we can visit 7 pools as often as we would like as a family for only $95 a year! DEAL!

6.  With 12 sandal-covered feet in the house, the SOCK WAR has been suspended until fall.

7.  Making sand castles with Jessie

8.  After 16 years of trying to keep a "clutter" free house, we now adopt a 3 room policy. The kitchen--living room--dining room remain free of possible hazardous waste and all other rooms get picked up ONLY if  someone is visiting. 

Thoughts on friendship

"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends."--Cindy Lew

Days upon this earth are traveling faster and I reflect on the friendships that I so deeply enjoy and carry me through each experience. 

--My monthly Book Group pals     --lunch bunch foursome    --phone pals who offer deep insights  --children's friend's mothers ---a whole new list of blogger friends and ward friends   --my BEST sister friend

How could we survive this thing called life if not for our friends? 

Calhoun, Georgia: Summer trip to visit my brother

Video of our Georgia trip this summer.

1. Jessie screaming to get out of car seat. NEVER in our family-pediatrician rules!

2.  Childhood memories of carelessly dancing in the rain flooded my mind as I witnessed the children at a Georgian amusement park. A rainstorm pelted our bodies, however, did not stop the children from "puddling" it up. Jessie's small red rain boots, worn at her brother's Ct. of Honor, would have surely kept her feet dry.

3.  Lilly and Jessie loved to ride the FROG HOPPER. There was NO line so they went again and again and again and again. Brandon even joined in on the fun.

4.  Carson loved to play with his cousin Marianna-9 month old.

5. An Atlanta Water Park was fun for EVERYONE!

6.  Visiting Carter lake and playing in the warm water was refreshing.

Yesterday, while getting gas outside of Nashville, Tenn., we encountered a potentially frightening situation. I was just starting to pump gas and directly in front of me an African American man and woman began a fist fight. The man pushed the woman down and began hitting her.

The kids were in the car and Brandon was inside. I told the kids to stay in the car and I got myself in the car while the couple continued to go at it. I quickly backed up and hit a pole. Brandon walked directly past the angry couple and jumped into the car. The woman got into a car and started to drive away, but the man blocked her with his car. We sped across the street to another gas station, away from any potential danger. 

A motorcyclist, also pumping gas, screamed at the couple to stop, however, did not intervene at all. I wasn't about to put myself in harms way when I had my children to consider. I suppose we'll never know how the situation ended. Never good.

MAMA Piano Festival--Omaha Nebraska

Yesterday, we traveled a total of 6 hours round trip to Omaha, NB where Hunter and Carson each played 2 songs for a piano Festival. Summer is filled with many activities and I'm thrilled that they learned their pieces (although Hunter learned only one and "reinvented" another), it works for me! 

We enjoyed the flavors of Brad's pick for lunch--Bohemian Cafe-slavic food where a sign read, "Checks (Not Czech) are accepted" Both boys made it back in time for friend birthday parties that they could not live without missing.

Hunter got braces this summer!

Heavy Heart

Because of several health crisis in families of those I hold dear, I've had a heavy heart this week. Decision making is challenging and thought processes don't stay connected. (I've also been preparing for Brandon's Court of Honor Sunday night which adds to the stress level!)

3 dear families are struggling with on-going cancer battles and face unknown futures. Indeed, modern medicine have advanced many treatments and cures for some cancers, however, patients and families continue to struggle with daily therapies and pain management.

Another dear college friend, who I have connected with once again since I became a BLOG STALKER, has been caring for a 14-year-old son who remains in the hospital after 2-weeks of hip  infection and 5 surgeries to drain the fluid. She is a clever and witty writer and has gained access to a hospital computer while waiting for nurses, doctors to see to the care of her son. It is her therapy as one who has experienced long-term hospital stays knows the days drag on and on and on.

I am including her latest hilarious blog entry for your Saturday Pick Me Up!

Faith in a God who protects us and sends an army of support who believe as we do can carry  burdens too heavy to bare on our own. The compassionate gifts that are instilled in each of us allow us to put aside our own challenges to quickly aid those who face more than they are. 

My unique perspective as the wife of a physician who cares for patients 24/7, allows me to see the doctors viewpoint and know how deeply they care. Often this role places a heavy burden on me to care for the needs of my own family alone. However, the viewpoint that health challenges, which most often are not caused because of the choices one makes, are greater than laundry being done, a house needing to be tended to or the grass being mowed or arguing teenagers thinking they own the world. I am proud that I am married to a man who cares for children and supports their families in time of crisis and will continue my role as mother to 4 healthy children!

My beliefs, and those of these dear friends, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the service that I have participated in give me the strength I need to get up each day and "STICK TO THE TASK". Here is their official website.  

And another helpful source of information:

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?

Georgia TRIP in the summer is so much fun. Click here!

Cousins always share ALL their STUFF!

Calhoun, Georgia was our destination for a one-week road trip. Although Brad did not go along, we did manage to have some great moments with by brother Greg and Tori, my parents and all the kids. Because of work schedules, time was split between Greg and Tori, however, we got to enjoy their sweet and adorable daughters, Lilly and Mauri!

Notice the over-sized TODDLER in the center of the ride!

A trip to Carter's Lake cooled us down, even grandma and grandpa kept cool in the shade.

A Georgian rain storm made for some fond memories! Thank goodness their was no lightning to close the old Amusement Park

An Atlanta Six Flags water park, even though crazy summer busy, had something for everyone.

The WORLD"S largest Aquarium in Atlanta was home to some fantastics sightings of ocean life! The girls managed to "swim" in the tank!

9-month-old Marianna and her Daddy!

Cousins are the BEST of FRIENDS.

Where's Jessie?

Aunt Tori guides the toddlers!

20 times on this ride made for some serious entertainment!

Carson loved helping with his baby cousin!

The race is never finished until the goggles BREAK!

"A young person, to achieve, must first get out of his mind any notion either of the ease or rapidity of success. Nothing ever just happens in this world."  Edward William Bok

Hunter and Carson swam in their LAST swim meet of the 2008 season last night. Five weeks ago, waking up at 6:30 AM on warm summer days to take the boys to practice seemed impossible. However, here it is the end and I am ALMOST enjoying the early morning start to the day! 

Today, I had those panic feelings that one gets that life is moving much too fast. In your teens, you can't wait to be in your 20's; in your 20-30's, you want your kids to grow up and be able to do things on their own and you can't wait to have a home, family, money, life; in your  40's, life is going at break-neck speed as you try to keep up with all the stuff you THOUGHT you wanted in your 20-30's and you'd give anything to SLOW down and stop time! 

Can't wait for the 50's and what is in store?!!!!!!

Swim Team'08 SlideShow

Memories

 My sister-in-law sent me this and it was fun to remember good times. I don't have a lot of people who leave comments as my "age-group" isn't so much into blogging!

Here are the directions:

1.  As a comment on my blog (or e-mail if you don't leave comments) leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume your're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Happy Fourth of July

The holiday was a busy one this year. We spent the morning out of the house attending Deanna Rose Farm, the pool, and Brandon at his FIREWORKS job. We bought some small fireworks even though they are illegal in our city.

 One of Brandon's first customers asked him if Brandon could recommend some fireworks and his reply was, "The cheapest ones are the best as they are all illegal and dangerous." Great salesman. He has never enjoyed fireworks.

I made one of my favorite desserts-layered chocolate pudding dessert!  Crust/Cream Cheese/pudding/coolwhip------CALORIES!  After taking 2 lactose tablets, I ate HALF the pan and was quite proud (and sick)! It has been too long since I indulged in this dessert!

Enjoy this slideshow of our fun-filled day!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!!! (slide-show)

Joys, Fears, etc

I was "tagged" and believe me, I feel so "in with the crowd" now.

Joys

1.  Read-ins with my children in bed! The teenagers REFUSE to read in bed so I'll enjoy my 9-year-old for a little while longer.

2.  Watching my children nurture and perform their talents for others.

3.  Hearing Jessie talk the first thing in the morning and talk non-stop all day! 

4.  Good conversations with close friends who have fabulous ideas on raising children.

5.  Sunday afternoon when ALL FOUR children are together and spend hours wrestling on the floor!

Fears-

1.  Losing a child! We lost a three-year-old Carson at DisneyWorld for 1 hour and I went into hyper panic mode where logical thinking is impossible. Jessie nearly puts me into this mode on a daily basis as she has NO FEAR of wandering away from me to explore mysteries around her! 

2.  A sleep-deprived husband will fall asleep at the wheel as he travels home from work and leave me to raise these CHILDREN!

3.  Watching my children nurture and perform their talents for others.

4. In 2 years my first son will be going to college and I fear that I have not taught him all there is to survive on his own.  I hope he can survive on chocolate chip cookies as he makes a MEAN cookie!

Goals

1.  Transferring 15 years of 8-mm video tape onto digital format and having FUN doing it! 

2.  Walk 5 times a week.

3.  Survive mothering with little injury to my physical and emotional well-being! RIGHT!

4.  Organize my Christmas village collection. It has been DISPLAYED on the mantle for 2 years now and I'm becoming quite used to it! How Embarrassing!

Obsessions

1.  Blogging

2.  American Idol

3. Diet  Coke

4. Talking to sister Tanya on the phone!!!!!!!!

Collections

1.  My SECRET stash of dove chocolate

2.  GIRL clothes. I have some that are size 6!!!!!!!!!!  (that's not adult size 6, but a kid size 6) I'm not that OBSESSED!

3.  Friends 

Hope to Hear from you!!!!!!!!!

Go KARTS--Climbing WAll--Fun Fun Fun

A fun-filled day was spent at an indoor/outdoor playland for kids of ALL ages, including my good friend Radawn and myself. Peter and Carson were the first to try the Go Karts.

The ball pit area has many machines that shoot foam balls into the air and across the room! It is a BOYS HEAVEN--and sisters of brothers!!!!!

Peter Bagley uses the suction machine to quicken the recovery of foam balls for the FOAM BALL WAR

Anna Bagley posing for the camera!

Peter attempts to climb the rock wall and gets all the way to the top!

The Moms had fun too!!!!!!!!

Jessie rides her FIRST Go Kart (with MOM)

Ben makes it to the top QUICKLY--just like his Dad!

The loaded GUNS in the FOAM Factory

Nathan EATS the balls!

Science City

Last week was particularly hectic as Brad worked 5 nights. It works out much better to leave the house quiet for him than try to fight the natural energy of four children. Our outings after the early morning swim team included the science center, indoor water fountain and a visit to Fritz's where the food is served via a moving TRAIN.

I even enjoyed the bike ride across "space"!

This helicopter had a LIVE video camera that moved to see much of the science center. Flight sounds were simulated as well. Jessie was amazed!

This INDOOR fountain appears in a hotel. Carson tried to "fall" in!

"Moneyville" had many kid friendly exhibits for all ages that taught money principles.

Dinosaur digging was a must stop for the entire family!

What a FACE!