Sunday, December 7, 2008

Happy birthday Natalie....my older sister.



Having fun watching Jacinda roller skating.


Jacinda striking a pose while dancing.

I am having too much fun. I love being a mom and a wife…shoot I just love being alive. I am approaching my 1 year mark of being diagnosed with cancer. I read a little story about a fellow who has experienced cancer 3 times in his life (something I wish never to have). He said that you need to look at cancer as a “detour” not a death sentence. That is a great perspective. Since going through the whole ordeal with cancer, chemo, and radiation I have definitely changed. I am a bit more daring in areas that were once lacking in self-confidence. Just this past week I auditioned for a print ad. It was exhilarating standing there trying to put the camera man’s words into a pose. I didn’t do great, but the experience was priceless. I left the building just giggling knowing that I did something I would never have done in a thousand years if I was the same person from a year ago.


A current picture of Sasha

Thanksgiving was really fun and a cold learning lesson. We spent it with Tim’s dad and fiancée in Vancouver. We decided to go to the zoo before eating the feast. After all the zoo was nearby and has free admission on Thanksgiving. I did not think that there would be a lot of people there after all it was thanksgiving and people should be with their families eating turkey. Oh I was so wrong. The parking lot was full. We drove around for minutes looking for a parking spot. Finally we found one. The kids were so excited until McCabe had to sit in the stroller….then he threw a fit (hence the picture). We decided to let him walk….yikes!! Tim and I spent 2 hours chasing after a 2 year old and constantly saying, “excuse me, I’m sorry” to the people around us. McCabe sure is fast for a little guy. After our few hours at the zoo I was frozen. I could barely move my fingers to snap my seatbelt. I almost had to take Tim’s offer to help me buckle up. Oh it was sure nice thawing on the way to Steve and Jo’s place…I am so grateful for heat.
A very unhappy McCabe at the zoo


Yeehaw...the kids riding a wood pony at the zoo.


McCabe's favorite thanksgiving food....olives on the fingers of course.

So Tim and I spent last night watching the classic eighties movie “Mr. Mom” with Michael Keaton. After being with Tim for 10 years you pick up some things from him. For instance, I notice the “oops” moments in movies (something I never noticed before). We were laughing because there are 2 moments where the editing was overlooked. One part is when Jack (Michael Keaton) just got done wrestling with the washing machine. He then comes upstairs soaking wet only to face the vacuum with a mind of its own. As he is running away from the vacuum the next shot shows him turning a corner and instantly his shirt is dry and tucked into his waistline. We were laughing at that “oops” moment. And then to add to that, just moments later the baby in the walker has chili on her forehead. Next shot no chili on her forehead and then the next shot the chili is back on her forehead. This occurs all in a matter of seconds. We were rolling with laughter. I tell ya, it is the moments like these that make these movies classics.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

I saw Twilight this past weekend with some ladies. It was a fun flick. Some of the scenes were filmed 30 minutes from the town where I live. Now that the sequel has the green light for production I think it would be a blast to be an extra in it. Unfortunately I do not look like I am in high school.....bummer.

I love that gas is just under $2.00 a gallon. Talk about making my day. Gas prices are more fickel than a woman. I should know since I am one.....a woman not a gas price.

I gave the lesson today in relifef society. It was about Pres. Monson's talk this past conference on "Finding Joy in the Journey." I loved teaching every minute of this talk because I was able to reflect on my life and see where I needed improving. I also loved hearing the comments from the other women. They have such good advice and lessons of life. The main message of the lesson is to show gratitude in word and deed for what you have and acknowledge God in everything. You have one life don't waste it lusting after things. Realize what you have and be grateful. I shared a story about my cancer. There were some positive things about having it (believe it or not). The part I shared went something like this: though I was stricken with a life threatning illness I still felt very blessed that I had hodgkins cancer....the one with the highest cure rate.

It is funny how we as mortals get stuck in thinking that life is miserable and that it would be better if I only had this or I only had that. I loved Pres. Monson's remarks and how he tells us to make the best of today by focusing on what is and not on an illusive wasteland. When we show thanks for the blessings we have, we are acknowleging the Lord's hand in our lives. I cannot add much more to that. He summed it up quite nicely.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What can I say…..these are the days I love!! I feel very fortunate that I can stay home and raise my children. They bring much joy into mine and Tim’s lives. I am grateful that Tim is a great dad who loves to wrestle and be with the children. I am also grateful that the children have a willingness to help with the chores and are not afraid to show their silly side every once in a while.


Jacinda and McCabe clowning around.



Silly misters.....that is not a hat.



Jacinda helping with the dishes.

An incredibly precious moment that I had to snap.

To the Jones family.....here is what you requested. Smartslenderweight@yahoo.com

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Well not too much has happened this past week besides the motherly duties of loading and unloading the dishwasher 2 to 3 times a day, taking Jacinda to and from pre-school, and changing a lot of diapers. I did learn this past week that I am not very good with oil based paint. I tried painting our front door which proved to be a disastrous deed. Not only was the texture rough but the wind blew the painter’s paper on the wet paint as it was drying. Needles to say we spent our Saturday stripping off the paint and prepping it as next week’s project. Oh! I just remembered something I did that was pretty amazing, I put away the Halloween decorations and help build more shelves in the storage room. Yeah!!!! Now I have a reason to buy more stuff. Isn’t life grand?

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Well it is time to get caught up. Beware there are a lot of pictures in this post, but a lot has happened in the past 3 weeks. Let me start with halloween. I love this holiday next to the 4th of July. It is the one time of the year you can dress up and not feel like a total dweeb....anything goes. Also the kids look sooooooo adorable in their outfits.


Jacinda and McCabe just before the ward party. McCabe is a lion and Jacinda is a princess (of course).


It is a family affair. Mom and dad joined in the fun. I am a nurse and Tim is a couch potato.

Now comes the pictures from our Las Vegas Trip. My side of the family was there because my dad was getting re-married and since Tim's side lives only 3 hours away, they came for a few days. It was like a family renunion with both sides of the family.


Tarra with a glamorous pucker pose.

Richard and Roxanne having a great time playing games at Excalibur.

The Johnsons having a friendly game of horse racing. Mimi was the winner and got a big stuffed shark.

Most of the grandkids on the Nalder's side of the family.

Dad and Gigi dancing at their reception.

Dad and Gigi during their wedding ceremony. It was fun to watch them. It took me back about 10 years when I got married. They were acting like young kids in love. At the end of the night dad and Gigi drove off riding a moped with pop cans tied on the back. It was a really fun night. Lots of yummy french cuisine. (Gigi is french.)

These next pictures are the Fisher's side of the family. We did a lot of walking and got a lot of funny looks. People would try to be discrete as they pointed and said, "look at all those kids." I guess people are not use to seeing parents with more than 1 child.

Taking it to the street.

Having a good time at the pool.

Grandma Fisher with McCabe and Jacinda.

Most of the Fisher grandkids in front of the fountain at the Paris hotel.

The Fisher gang. (Whoa!!! there are a lot of kids.)

Amy, Ethan, Soli, Lance, and Cade Stubbs.

Chris, Tricia, Ben, Jake, Lizzie, Caleb, and Aiden Fisher.

This trip was a blast. Thanks to everyone for making it so memorable.

For more photos of the Fisher side go to:

http://sprintindirectsales.com/Fisher_Vegas_Trip_08.wmv

For more photos of the Nalder side go to:

http://sprintindirectsales.com/Nalder_Vegas_Trip_2008.wmv

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Growing up birthdays were never exciting or special. I lived vicariously through my friends and what their parents did for them on their birthdays. As I got older, I carried this boring birthday attitude with me. However, that all changed this year. I was so happy to get a year older and to celebrate another year on this earth.

I had a great birthday. I was really looking forward to this one considering that at one moment I thought cancer (and now the chemo) might have taken my life. Tim surprised me with a 90 minute hot stone therapy massage (yesssssss!). It was fabulous. For any of you who really want to relax that is the way to go. It is so much better than a regular massage. He also took me to the cheesecake factory for a birthday dinner and did not embarrass me by having the serving staff sing. I swear each year with him gets better and better. I got lots of phone calls, e-mails, and cards. Thanks to all of you. It is nice to be remembered and recognized.

I saw the oncologist this past week. He is very excited about my progress and good health. I had a few minor complaints about pain but he said that it is normal and that even healthy people have aches and pains (one point for Dr. Nichols). I guess I am super cautious about my body. I am learning not to be such a hypochondriac.

McCabe is learning to pray. He does such a good job at folding his arms, however, if there is a yummy piece of food he will fold one arm and eat with the other. Oh he makes me laugh. When he repeats a prayer everything is, “ma.” “Thanks for daddy,” “ma..” “Thanks for the food,” “ma..” You get the picture. One of these days I am going to record it.

Can you say “viva Las Vegas?” My dad is getting married October 26. We will be there and make that trip into a family vacation. Vegas is not my favorite place, however, I found a bunch of kid friendly activities to do there. I just hope we don’t see any smut while walking on the strip. If so, I guess it is a good time to make it into a learning experience.

Conference was great!!! The older I get the more I enjoy it. I was really touched when the children were singing during the Saturday afternoon session. I lost it as they sang “I Am a Child of God.” It made me think about my infancy state in the sight of God. Yes I think I know so much, but I am just a child when it comes to God’s knowledge. The words really touched me. I need moments like that. I also enjoyed the talk about angels sent to help us whether they be mortal or spiritual. This talk made me reflect on the moment where Christ was suffering for all the sins of the world. He was in agonizing pain and our loving Heavenly Father sends an angel to comfort him. I am grateful that God really loves us and will send us help when we need it. I am so glad that God is in charge.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Mom!!! We love you.