Sunday, February 27, 2011

I don't have much to write about. We did spend the weekend in Ephriam with Rox and family. That was really fun. The kids played well together.

I was asked by a member in our Relief Society to share something I have learned in Relief Society. Ummm that opens up a slew of thoughts. What would you say? I was able to narrow it down to 2 things. The first is that I am surrounded by silent heroes and that gives me inspiration to move forward. One woman in particular is a mother of 6 kids, 2 girls and 4 boys. Three of her children are diabetic and one of them has downs syndrome. I never see her upset or angry. She is always happy and very pleasant. She is my hero that endures with happiness.

The other thing I learned in Relief Society (which was the hardest lesson ever) is how to be a gracious recipient. When I was first diagnosed with cancer and learned that I was going to have chemo treatments, the RS president confronted me and asked if she could have women come into the house and clean while I was receiving my infusions and bring meals for the next few days. I was extremely hesitant and embarassed that efforts were going to be focused on me. I told her no thanks. I thought I could do it myself. Needless to say she did not accept no and after each infusion I came home to a clean house and meals that would last for four days. This was such a relief and a nice surprise especially week after week as the chemicals built up in my system and I was barely able to stay awake for an hour at a time. I didn't like being the "welfare case," but I really needed the help. Later I realized that this is why the RS was established. In D&C I learned that the lord will call upon us and use us to help in ways that will serve others to further His work on earth. Literally these women were hands of Heaven on earth. I think it is always easier to be the giver, but being the recepient made me realize that people receive blessings by serving. It is not fair to deny them the blessings when you really need the help and support. The Lord knows me well and he sent his saints to help me. Somebody once said, "If you deny the gift, you deny the giver." I am so grateful for a loving and giving Heavenly Father.

Sunday, Feb 20, 2011

I am finally back in a routine of things. But before I show my pictures of Hawaii I have to share new inspirational quote. I have a few that I really love like....Don't let anything get you down unless it gets you down on your knees (anon). Or, it is nice to be important, but more important to be nice (mormon ad). Or, that which is beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful (author unknown). My new favorite inspirational quote is: "The Lord wants to guide your steps but he can't if you are not taking any." (Pres. Maybe) This is just so applicable to me at this stage in life. But what can I say, I always need the Lord so I guess it will be my
favorite for always.

This is Hananuma Bay. It is absolutely gorgeous and a fun place to snorkel. The fish treat you like another fish. They are not scared in the least bit. You could reach out and touch them....if you wanted to break the rules. Before snorkeling we had to watch a 15 minute video on not touching the marine life because it can result in damaging the habitat. Anyways it was a lot of fun but...take you own snorkeling gear. We rented and the equipment was very worn. I could not go 20 seconds without getting salt water in my mouth. Fortunately we snorkeled again at a different beach and the equipment was much better. We saw lots of sea cucumbers and a sea turtle (that was very cool). It made my trip. After snorkeling, we got in a kayak and paddled our way in the ocean to a bird sanctuary island. It was more like a giant. Unfortunately we only saw one bird because it was off season, however, walking on the rock was like walking on a giant trabecular bone.

The fish like the people. Here are a lot of fish begging for food from the visitors.

This is a statue of Duke Kahanamoku at Waikiki Beach, Oahu. This guy was pretty amazing. He was a Hawaiian swimmer, actor, lawman, beach volleyball early player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing.[1] He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. He even once saved 6 sailors from a cap-sized boat with his surf board. I love amazing people like this.

Here's something you don't see everyday....2 monkeys with a banana tree.

Behind us is Akaka falls. It was so beautiful to walk around and see the lush plant life near the falls. As I walked, I saw the beautiful red flower in the next picture. When I looked closer....I noticed a little gecko resting on top. Oh yes....Hawaii is fun.

Here is a pineapple growing at the Dole plantation. Really neat tour. Dole supplies 2/3 of the world's pineapple. I can't believe they crank out that much pineapple to the rest of the world....especially since pineapple takes like 16 months to become edible. It was great to see all the pineapple concoctions. However, I did not care for the chocolate covered pineapple. Some fruits do not go well with chocolate and this is one of them.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Just got back from Hawaii this morning. Tim and I had a blast. My sister, Mimi watched the kids. (She is a saint and I owe her big.) We went all over Oahu and island hopped to Hawaii where we visited the cities of Kona and Hilo. Our days were filled with snorkeling, visiting places (i.e. Dole plantation, Pearl Harbor, and the Polynesian Culture Center) kayaking, hiking, and going to shows. It was a lot of fun but I am super tired. The jet lag has gotten the best of me. Once my pictures are organized, I will post some.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Happy birthday dad (on 1/25) can't believe you hit the big 73!

I love the cute stuff my kids do. This past week we were all in the car when all of a sudden Jacinda starts singing, “the golden plates lay hidden deep in a mountain….” And then McCabe says, “side.” I got a huge smile on my face. I am so happy my kids are learning the primary songs. It is so fun to sing with them. In fact there is this movie Scooby-Doo Camp Scare that McCabe loves to watch. I really like the opening song on it. One time while the song was playing Mac said, “mom sing with it.” I sang two words….”summer time,” and then he tells me to stop singing. I laughed because he is just as fickle as me. But at least I got in my two words (he he!).

Tim and I got to go on a date this past week to the temple. I have to prepare my kids (mainly McCabe) hours if not days in advance for the parental separation. I told McCabe I am going to the temple. He asked why and I said, “because I am going on a date with daddy.” He looks at me in disgust and says, “that’s not a date,” “oh really….then what is a date?” “Well it is when you go to the swimming pool and you take us. That is a date.” Needless to say, we did not do Mac’s definition of a date.

Xadia is starting to understand more and more. Our little thing right now is to say, “put your hands up their playing our song….party in the USA,” and then she will lift up her arms and pump them. It is so cute. She spent the day in nursery and when I came to get her she put her arms up and ran to me. Gave me a big hug and then ran back to the teacher squealing because sister Chavez was blowing bubbles. There is just no way I could compete with the bubbles.

This past weekend Tim removed the vanity and toilet from the downstairs bathroom. We are updating it into the 2011 decade. I spent last week popping up tile. I know it sounds crazy but I love to tile. I am so excited. I already have the tile and vanity selected. Now we just need to remove the existing lath and before you know it we will have a new bathroom.

There is nothing more magical than spending time with the ones you love.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Rasmussen's visiting over christmas


Big smiles from McCabe and Jacinda.

It has only been a month since my last post and I finally have a handle on life. I am back into my normal routine. Christmas was fun. For the first time since mom died (6 years ago) the family was all together. Unfortunately I could not find my camera when it came time to take pictures (arrrgh!). Hopefully someone will send me a copy. I know a lot of the nieces were taking my camera and shooting pictures. At least I have the mental memories.

Christmas is always such a fun time. This year, I could not think of anything I really wanted or needed, however, Tim gave me the ultimate surprise…..a mini me of himself. It is called the perfect man. When you squeeze his hand it says things like….”can we spend the holidays with your family this year?” or “Gee honey you don’t need any make-up you look beautiful the way you are.” This doll gave me some good laughs. I think it is really great that Tim went to the extent of finding it for me. I sure love that man.

Our latest past time favorite is going swimming. We got a membership to the Recreation Center and the kids love to play in the water. Even Xadia has her favorite thing to do there. She likes to go down the kiddy slides feet first and on her tummy. It is perfectly designed for our type of family. However, the other day while at the pool I saw this girl with a scar on her chest. I knew immediately what it was from and went over and asked her if she had cancer. She looked at me puzzled and said, “yes, how did you know?” I could tell by the port catheter scar. As I talked to her, I found out that her name is Kelli Duran and she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma 1.5 years ago. It was really neat to talk with her. She is such a hero in my eyes. She is a young mother who battled cancer and won. That is pretty fantastic.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

I feel like there is not much to write about but I will find something. My kids are out of school for the Christmas break and I am very busy making goodie plates for the neighbors. Tim and the kids are eating the candy faster than I can make it. I guess I need to find a recipe that they don’t like.

McCabe had a school performance at a local care facility. He was a little shy and so I got to stand next to him and sing. Miss Staci helped him with his joke…”what does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas?” “Sandy Claus.” It was cute to see the older people laugh. Some enjoyed the performance others slept through it. I got to visit with a resident name Carol (I did not catch her last name). For the most part she was upbeat but said that she relies a lot on her memories to keep her company. I was a little sad with her reality. I keep thinking that it will be great to be old. I can see my grandchildren and reflect on life and share it with the younger generation. I guess it will be a reality check when I get there.

Xadia is starting to call me mom (I love that). She is at a cute stage. Tim likes to play “alligator and monkey” with the kids. This is a game where he chases the kids and they run away. Xadia likes to play. She does not stand a chance but Tim is really good with her and she giggles and tries to run as Tim makes animal noises behind her.

That is it for now. I am really tired. This holiday season has got me running and I need a rest.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Snowy sunset from our house


Thanksgiving with Gigi trying to give Papa bunny ears.



The Fisher Family

So much has happened since the last posting. We went to Vegas and California for Thanksgiving. It was really fun to see the relatives. I got a good smile out of my dad and Gigi (his wife). It was fun to watch them interact. I have to commend them. They are raising Gigi’s 10-year-old great nephew, Michael and taking foster parent to foster an additional child so Michael can have a sibling. Good for them. I don’t think I could do that at 72.

California was fun, fun, fun. We did a lot of baking (of course) for thanksgiving. I made my grandma Nalder’s jello rainbow salad with the green, white, and red layers. It was so yummy. It has always been a favorite of mine. I remember as a child always requesting that dish as part of my birthday meal. Ethan’s dad works at an orchard and we got to pick apples. I have never tasted a better granny smith apple in my life. I brought home a boxful and enjoying each one. We visited lots of relatives and had 2 movie nights where we got out the pillows and blankets and enjoyed lots of yummy treats. I finally saw “How to Train Your Dragon,” and the new “Christmas Carol” with Jim Carrey. I really liked the dragon movie it was super cute. The Christmas Carol was…well let me just say I enjoyed watching the making of the movie more than the actual movie.

The kids all played so well together. Lowen, Amy’s baby (16 months) was walking and Xadia decided she should try it full time. So now Xadia walks and when entering a room says, “hi.” It makes me laugh because she is so adorable. Lowen and Xadia liked to play the hugging game. Xadia would fuss, Lowen would run over and hug her. That would make Xadia stop. As soon as Lowen walked away, Xadia would start fussing again. So Lowen would run back over and hug her. It was so funny to watch them do this 4 different times.

McCabe, Lance, and Kade were one ball of wrestling boys. They would taunt and tease each other and then start wrestling then Uncle Tim would join and the house got loud and crazy. It was awesome.

Jacinda and Soli played dolls, did crafts, and colored. They were very busy doing their own activities. Whenever I go to the Stubbs, I rarely need to entertain my kids. They are so distracted with all the kids and activities….I love it. It gives Amy and I a time to catch up and talk.

As the week of Thanksgiving ended I was sick. Towards the end of the trip I lost my voice, had a terrible headache, and suffered from chills, most likely a result of a bad cold and bronchitis. I am doing much better now.

The month of December rocks! It has brought a bunch of snow and is very busy with church activities, weddings, and birthdays. This Sunday, Jacinda turns 6!!!! Whoa….when did all this happen? She is so big and such a pre-teen. She is telling me what she wants to do for her birthday party. McCabe is feeling the birthday spirit and started making his birthday invitations (by scribbling on paper and putting it in an envelope) even though he has 2.5 months before his special day. It is really fun being a mom and watching the magic emanate from my children. They give me a constant smile.