Hope

OK, it's over. The fake tree is in the box, the presents are worn out or broken (except for the one, Christy, you know the one). I was playing with the dog and his Christmas toy, and I was thinking about which of Santa's list he was on. And then I started analyzing the song and reflecting on Scott's pre-Christmas entry about the nature of the jolly old elf. And so we begin: He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake. Why is this info necessary for Santa to have? Why is he watching us sleep? He knows when we are awake, but he actually sees us sleep. Ok, moving on. He's making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice. What is he doing with these lists? Selling them to telemarketers I guess. Especially the naughty list. This is how the credit card companies know where to send all those pre-approved offers, how do you think you got pre-approved? I cry and pout every year, maybe that's why Santa never comes around my place.


I have to say good riddance to 2008. Not the best year of my life. By far not the worst, but for sure not the best. Obama got elected and everyone is putting very high expectations on him. Sean Hannity is hoping that he will do well for the sake of the country, but will try to undermine him by any and all means necessary to discredit our commander-in-chief. Prop 8 passed, and civil rights took a huge step back.


















We remember Michael Phelps' domination at the summer Olympics, and the incredible play of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor in what is arguably the most fun Olympic event to watch. Welcome to Rachel Maddow. I would like to bid farewell to Joe the plumber, Ted Stevens, the “b” girl, OJ, Dick Cheney, and hopefully, Sarah Palin, “You Betcha.”

We always get the lists of the celebrities that have passed during the last year, here is my list of those who touched my world, and who I think made the world a better place while they were here:

Bernie Mac, loved him in Ocean’s 11

Paul Newman, knew how to use his celebrity to make life better for others

Heath Ledger, just getting started

Sydney Pollack, knew how to entertain

Tim Russert, truly fair and balanced

George Carlin, I wonder if he was surprised by what is on the other side

Tony Snow, family man

Estelle Getty, made me laugh

Gordon B Hinckley, everyone’s grandpa

Christy is starting off 2009 with the same ailment she started off 2007 with, she has again lost the use of her right arm. It has been frustrating as doctors can’t figure out what is wrong, so they dismiss her, or pawn her off to someone else, and mark it up as mental illness or that she is faking it. This is very frustrating to us as it causes a great burden on our lives, both financially and emotionally. She was prescribed something that gave her temporary, limited use of her arm, but put her body in great pain. The medical profession is somewhat of a joke to me. If you have and ailment, they just want to give you a chemical to put in your body and send you on your way. Doctors seem not to be interested in the core problem, but just getting you out of there office and sending the bill to the insurance. Maybe the healthcare reform of the next administration can help with that.

I start off the new year enthusiastic. We as a family are beaten down, but not dead. I hope for good things. I hope that social security kicks it soon enough to save our house. I hope that Kyler gets the help and understanding he needs to be successful in school and in life. I hope that I can spend more time helping around the house and taking a bit of that burden off Christy. I hope that I can make a good impression on those that hold my future in their hands. I hope that as a nation, we come together and support the new administration, and give him a little time to make thing better for all of us. I hope that this nation has not been destroyed by greed. I hope that Iraq can find peace. I hope that I can spend more time in the outdoors, with my kids in tow. I hope Megan learns how to play her new guitar. I hope that Aubree does not stop caring about others as she learns how much it hurts when they do not give back the same amount of caring. I hope that Jake continues to love the game of football as he moves up to tackle. I hope that Christy does not give up hope. I hope that people continue to blog about their lives, and that they don't hold back. I hope that everyone who takes the time to read this is a little entertained or enlightened and does not feel that this blog is a waste of their time to read. I hope that my ramblings give you chuckle or just a little insight into our lives. I hope that you will take the time to comment of the posts that you like, or dislike, or don't agree with, I love the feedback. I hope you all have a very productive and happy new year.

More Whining

Ryan Shupe came to the McKay Center this year without his Wasatch Christmas contingent, which was ok, but I missed Peter Brienholt. I am never able to get into the holiday spirit until I hear the Brienholt version of “Angels We Have Heard on High.” I put the cd last night and I think that I am closer to getting in the holiday mood. Not there yet, another 32 hours and it is all over. It cannot come quick enough.

Traffic

Let me set the stage. I was driving to work last week, going down the middle lane of the freeway, cruising about 70 mph, a little faster than the cars to my right, a little slower than the cars to my left. A car from the right lane pulls over in front of me. Not sure why, there were no cars in front of him, I guess he just felt like changing lanes. Here’s the crazy part: HE SLOWED DOWN! I know! Why would anyone do that? I know that I spend a lot of my time on this blog complaining, but in this case I think that I have a legitimate excuse. I gotta keep going on this subject a minute. We have a parking garage at work that is semi-compact for passing. It is almost impossible to pass on the corners at the end of the garage. When I pull into the garage, people ride right on my bumper when I am trying to find a space. I like to back in, and these people make it impossible. Really people, take a chill pill. You can back off just a little bit. And don’t get me started on those people who feel that their cars deserve two parking spots.

PS, I have it on good authority that Santa is bringing a new camera to replace the one we wore out on the cruise, so more pictures will be forthcoming.

A bit of Understanding

I won't be heard saying that the last 3 or 4 years have been easy. Especially the last 2. Life has dealt us A LOT of blows as of late. It is interesting that through all of these things I am finally able to see a few reasons for why we have had some of these trials. I won't say that I am totally at peace with things and that my attitude is adjusted, because that would be a lie, but I am seeing a few things in a different light.

Three years ago, Dan and I felt strongly that we were needed by someone. We weren't sure what we could do, but we were very intently trying to figure out what we needed to do. We finally, through some very interesting experiences, agreed that the people that needed us were not ones that had been through a tragedy or natural disaster or something. These people were right under our nose. While still not understanding all of the reasons we called Dan's parents and told them that we felt that they should move back here to Utah and that we would help them get settled and they could stay with us until then. There weren't at the time any circumstances that we knew of, just a strong feeling. They felt it as well and moved here. Again I won't say that everything was wonderful and perfect during this time, two sets of adults and 4 young children trying to mesh two households is never easy, but we made it. It was during this time that I experienced strokes and just plain health issues, but I am thankful that my Mother In Law was here to help us through. She had been wondering the reasons why they had come here as well, but I think this helped her to understand.

My Mother In Law has suffered with bad knees for many years and has never had a way to get them taken care of. Since they have been here, we have been able to get them set up with the ability to get some of these things taken care of. She recently had her knee replaced and I got to and am still helping her through this process. Dan and I have finally received some understanding of why we were prompted to find who needed us. Dan has the experience and knowledge of how to make this possible that they did not have before, and I am one who has the ability to at least try to do what I need to to help and use the things which Dan was able to set up. It is a very peaceful feeling to finally see the "Fruits of Our Labors" in that my Mother In Law is doing better and my Father In Law has a job he enjoys. It has been a wonderful experience to go through this with her and see her feeling better.

I hope that things continue to improve for all of us, as we are all striving to do our best and help each other. After all, this is what life is all about isn't it?

-Christy

Snow

It has arrived. Winter has finally made its appearance in Utah valley. There are many reasons why I do not like living here, but the picture above says the thousand words about why I do. I love a Sunday morning when a blanket of fresh snow has fallen and no plows or shovelers have been out yet. I can sit on a chair with a warm beverage in hand and just enjoy the sight and gentle feeling of the stillness and silence of the world at peace. I enjoy watching the snow fall silently adding another layer to the soft blanket that encompasses the earth. Then the kids get up and the peace is shattered. I grab my shovel and head out the door, wearing a coat and a nice beard to keep me warm. I do not miss the days of working construction where the snow meant suffering the cold or starving the family. I like the view out the window, not the feel of the snow melting off the roof and down my neck. I would have been fine though, if the snow had arrived on a day that I did not have to go into the office.

Bragging

OK, so I know these pics are hard to see, but it is the front and back of the wrestling medal that Kyler received at the overnight 2 day duel he just returned from tonight. He took 4th place at the 4A JV duels in Roy this weekend. Not to forget that MOUNTAIN VIEW beat Timpanogos handily on Wednesday. Kyler also pinned his opponent in that duel. GO BRUINS!!!!

Just thought I would brag a little. He is tired but feeling pretty good about himself, which is a very good thing considering his mood lately. There is no such thing as too much positive reinforcement with him.

- Christy

Some Thoughts and Feelings

The past few weeks have given me cause to think A LOT ! I will just give you a run down of some of the happenings as of late.

Around the middle of November Dan finally got word that he could start telecommuting. This had been in the works for several months. They would say, "probably next week" every week, until I think Dan had finally given up, at which point they said he could do it. This has been nice. While I know he is just downstairs, I also know that he is working. I just feel a sort of security in having him there. Just in case he is needed, he would be able to be right here. Not to mention that it has cut our gas usage in half. The only downfall, as you can see from the previous post, is that he hasn't shaved in weeks, and doesn't feel it necessary to get a haircut. While I understand this, I really don't like the beard, and he says no, but he really doesn't look good. That said, I love him, even if he has a beard and unkept hair. I just wish he wasn't so scratchy and he didn't make my face itch. Obviously I am no longer alone in this beard hating. At least I have Carl.

Another thing I have been pondering a lot lately. I am told all of the time that I have some special ability that makes it so I get the challenges I do. While deep down I know that this is true, and that I will never be given more than I can handle, remembering it has become particularly hard lately. I really do feel priviledged that God would entrust me with caring for a child with special needs, it is hard to watch that child try to learn to deal with things themself. It becomes very hard to see that you are a good mother when things you never thought your child would do happen, and they don't mean it and can't fix it. There has not been anything horrible happen, but it is hard when it looks like they are losing their dignity and all I can do it watch and try to get them help to fix it. This is very close to the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I love my children, all of them, but for one of them it is not easy to understand what that means.

I AM SICK OF BEING SICK !! I know, I say this all of the time. Really, it is so overwhelming sometimes that I could just give up. I try to not be stressed, but then I am stressed because I'm trying not to be. Although I know that stress plays a part in this entire problem, I wish that the docs and others would quit focusing on the stress and fix the underlying problem. They keep finding bits and pieces of things and I am obviously really messed up physically, but I need some concrete answers instead of band aids. I can't get better until I can be setteled that the docs have done something to help me. I know, sounds bad, but that is how I feel.

OK, that is enough whining for now. Hopefully I can post something nice next time.

-Christy

The Beard

Christy hates it. I like it. It’s winter time and getting colder so it is a built in scarf to keep my face warm. I may shave it around April. I am now telecommuting and don’t need to shave everyday. I think that I now have the look of a guy that works out of my basement. I have been told that the guys who get the tattoos on their face do it to keep people at a distance due to their anti-social tendencies. Maybe my beard is like a face tattoo, only quickly removable. I know that Christy hates the beard, but I wonder how she would feel about a face tattoo. Maybe a face tattoo of a beard. Hey, it wouldn’t itch.

The Gym

Last Saturday I went with Christy, her niece, Tracie, and my friend from work, Paula, to the Gold’s Gym in South Orem. Paula came up with the idea that a kickboxing class would be fun. It was, at least up to the point that the instructor went up to the front and started jumping, kicking, and punching. At that point, it became work. Christy went to the pool and joined a class that was already started there. Tracie has been a dancer since birth, and she picked up the moves very quickly, and she is in very good shape so she was able to keep up well. Paula goes to the gym often, and has been to the class a few times, she did just fine. I think that I just embarrassed myself and stayed at the back of the studio. As people came to the class, I moved further back to try to stay behind everyone. I have been to a yoga class, and employed this same strategy for that class. I try not to stand out, but being the only guy in the class, and being the size of any three of the others kind of gives me away. I have been sore this whole week. On Sunday, I could not get down the stairs, and only one of my knees worked to help get me up them. I try to get to the gym 3 times a week, and I often meet that goal, but only in the summer, and only when Paula makes me go. My goal is to gain no weight over the holidays, and the gym has to be a major part of that. I have not been at all this week, and I use the excuse that I am just too busy, with my second job putting on some event almost every night, but in reality, my body may take months to recover from the kickboxing.

-Dan