2008 Jr. Golf Tournament

Today was Rebecca and Sara's Jr. Golf Tournament.  They have been taking golf lessons in the summer for three years now.  As part of a Scramble, each student is paired with an adult to complete 9 holes.  The team with the best score (lowest) for each age division wins a trophy.  Rebecca figured out last year that having a really great partner works to your favor and so she politely volunteered to let Sara golf with her dad and she would golf with her instructor (who happens to be one of the most experienced golfers in the area).  

Rebecca ended up taking 1st place in her age division with a score of 33 on 9 holes.  They both had a lot of fun.  Sara actually made it through all 9 holes for the first time, and so that was a mile stone.  In the past she would quit at about the fifth hole.  All in all it was a fun day they got to spend with their dad.  And in Chad's words, "Rebecca plays better then I do."  Give it a few more years and she may be able to give him private lessons.  

You'd think I would have learned

For those of you who read my post a few months back, you would know that we don't have the best luck when it comes to Joey and fish.  Well, we had some friends move to Washington and rather then flush their beautiful Betta, we inherited it.  Of course you can't just inherit one fish in the prior house, noooooo. . . we had to go out and buy more.  

Of the six new fish that were purchased at good old Walmart, only 3 survived the first two weeks.  Now we are left with one Betta and 3 other fish that live in a rather large fish tank.  

Joey, being Joey, decided one day that it was his turn to feed the fish.  Mom (me) was in the back room, unaware of his decision and came out a few minutes later to find Joey on the kitchen table, the entire container of Betta food in the fish tank and half of the extra large fish food container's contents in the other tank.  I am posting pictures so you can see.  I am also posting pictures of the tanks after they were cleaned.  

*Note the wall is white behind the fish tank, just to give you a better visual.  

The Betta Tank (the brown circular things on the bottom are not rocks it's Beta food)

Our other fish tank (Jake picked out the pirate theme)

The Betta tank after it was cleaned

Our other fish tank after it was cleaned. 

Your Political Profile

I don't think all of the questions truly reflect my opinion, but I thought they were interesting.  You should try it.  You might be surprised when you get your results.  

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 45% Conservative, 55% Liberal Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Fiscal Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Defense and Crime: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Saying Goodbye

My good friend Rachel Whitmore passed away today after battling a fast growing terminal cancer.  Last September she went into the eye doctor because she was having vision issues only to find out that there was a mass growing behind her eye.  Little did she know, the mass was only the beginning of her challenges.  They later found cancer in her brain, lungs, stomach, kidneys, liver, pancreas, back, etc. . .  She asked the doctor how long she may have had this cancer undetected and he said maybe a year.  (the cells in her body were multiplying so quickly.)  

Rachel just turned 39 in June.  Last Tuesday Chad went over to her home with the bishop to give her a blessing.  I went by in the afternoon and had a chance to talk with her for a bit.  The cancer was growing in her trachea and so she has been struggling to breath let alone talk.  Rachel used to always tell me that if she didn't laugh about things, she'd cry, so we joked about the irony of her cancer and about life and family.  I asked her that day how we had both gotten to this point.  (Her knowing she had only a few days to live and me sitting by her bed, wondering if this was one of the last conversations we would ever have.)  She said, "I don't know, but I wish I could go back."  

It's amazing how cancer seems to age a person in only a matter of months.  I thank her husband Ross for allowing me a half hour alone with Rachel that day.  I was able to see her again on Thursday with Chad, but her coherency was in and out.  We left that night with her still smiling that cute crooked smile and asking us if there was anything she could do for us, as she struggled again for air.  Saturday was the last day that I was able to see Rachel alive.  She was sleeping at the time, but still fighting.  

I wish I could tell the world the things I learned from Rachel in just the past year.  I learned that life is a gift, and we need to make the most of every day.  If Clovis was the last place I ever lived, would I have made the most of my time here.  Rachel loved people unconditionally, and even more so in her trials.  She strengthened the people around her with her smile, and optimistic attitude.  Her faith in the Lord was unshaken, even as her body continued to deteriorate.  Chad (who was also her doctor) said that the feeling of peace she constantly radiated, helped him to deal with her disease.  It's difficult to watch someone you care about suffer.  I hope that no one ever has to watch a loved one die from cancer.  It's such a horrible disease.  For those of you who have, I am truly sorry. 

 To Rachel, I hope that heaven is everything you knew it would be and more.   I'll miss you.  Until forever,  Goodbye for now.  

Times they are a changin

I was thinking back to the day when I used to get excited to wake up and watch Felix the friendly cat and Smurfs.  Looking around you can easily see what my kids like to do when they first wake up.  Jake is playing Super Smash Bros on the Wii (See the earnest look on his face.) and Sara is playing Webkinz on the computer.  For those of you who don't know what Webkinz are, they're basically Beanie Babies meets the internet.  I can't believe how well these things are doing but my kids love them.  I remember seeing my first working mouse for a computer at a Math competition in 5th grade.  (Yes I was a nerd)  Times they sure are a changin.  (How's that for midwestern hick)

Book Review

For lack of a book group,  I thought I would comment on some of the books that I have read lately.  Please feel free to add your own comments.  I would love to hear why you may have loved or hated the books that I have read lately.  

Twilight (by Stephenie Meyer)  Okay, so this one has me baffled.  I have heard a lot of people tell me how much they love this series, and so I thought I would try this one out.  All I can say is that whoever thought that she was the next JK Rowling, must have never read a Harry Potter book.  I must admit, the first half of the book was both entertaining and somewhat captivating, but then it becomes ridiculously obsessive.  The female character (Bella) begins as an independent, intelligent, teenager who lacks self confidence and becomes an obsessive teenager who has totally lost her identity and likes the fact that her boyfriend is both dangerous, disturbed, and has to know what she is doing every second of the day.  (Sounds abusive to me. . . and this book is written for teenagers).  Oh and did I mention that it's okay to sleep with your vampire boyfriend as long as you don't have sex.  I guess I was just a little disappointed that this book was written by an LDS author.  

Fablehaven "Grip of the Shadow Plague" (Book 3 in Brandon Mull's series)  By far the best book in the series.  His first book was a little long at times, but the second and third books have really begun to impress me.  I almost grabbed a highlighter and started to mark sections that really were inspiring.  I started reading these books with my girls and they love them.  The second and third books are a little scary at times, so you may not want to read it with smaller children.  If you are looking for a fun read, you might want to consider the Fablehaven series.  

The Uses of Adversity (by Carlfred Broderick) A small book that was adapted from a talk given on Adversity at BYU.  It's both practical and inspirational, however I would be careful recommending this book to someone going through a difficult time in their life.  It is incredibly blunt and realistic and may not be as appreciated by someone who is struggling.  

Life Expectancy (by Dean Koontz)  This book will keep you on your toes all the way to the end.  I am not an avid Dean Koontz fan, but my husband recommended this book and I really liked it.  Basically you've got a kid who's grandfather predicts 5 terrible days that this boy will experience just before the grandfather dies.  You will come to see that each day is truly an adventure and your view of clowns may be altered forever after reading this.  I never really liked clowns to begin with, so I guess I wasn't to disturbed by their psychotic tendencies.  Enjoy.  

The Last Lecture (by Randy Pausch)  and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (by Alexander McCall Smith)  These are the two books I am working on now.  I will let you know what I think later.  

Hope you are all enjoying your summer.  Let me know if you have read any great books lately.  I am thinking I may have to hit up Jane Austin next.  Hasta. . . 

Gardening In Clovis 2008

Zucchini Plant Rosemary & Basil Strawberry Plant

Bell Peppers Tomatoes 

So for those of you who don't know, one of my favorite things to do is work on our garden.  Now if you would have told me 10 years ago (when I couldn't get anything to grow ever) that I would one day like to work on a garden, I would have probably said "yahhh right."  When we moved to St. Louis, MO  in Aug. of 2000 and I discovered Eckert's Farm, (and peach season)  I decided I might enjoy gardening if I could actually figure out how to do it.  Now, eight years and 3 different planting zones later, I am still experimenting and finally learning what grows in windy, dry, Clovis, NM.  Things have really started going to town lately so I thought I would share my successes with you.  Hope you enjoy.  (The aphids ate my broccoli and the heat got to my lettuce, but other then that it's been a fairly productive season.)

Designing a Blog

Okay, so if you haven't noticed, I'm not the most creative person when it comes to Blog design (mostly because I don't know a lot about html).  I finally figured out the incredibly basic instructions on thecutestblogontheblock.com website, thus the new background, but a lot of you guys have great sidebars, etc. . . If you have any free tips on how to improve my blog let me know.  Thanks.  

4th of July Fun in Utah

Okay, so we disappeared for awhile, but we are back in Clovis now and I am trying to get caught up.  We decided about 3 weeks ago to visit Chad's family for the fourth of July.  Chad's vacation time has been limited this summer because he is one of the only physicians not being transfered, but because we are military he had a half day on the 3rd, and all day on the 4th off, so we thought we would take advantage of the time.  

On the 2nd I drove with the kids up to Sandy Utah.  After a 13 1/2 hour drive we arrived in time for dinner and bed.  On the 3rd we went to the zoo (found out our admission was free because it was military appreciation day) and ran into my grandpa.  Of all the places I could have run into him, I didn't think it would be the zoo in Salt Lake City.  What a pleasant surprise.  Chad came in on the 3rd and so did Chad's brother Frank and his wife Holli. 

On the 4th we went up into the mountains, hiked, had a snowball fight (which I totally lost thanks to Frank) and ended up in Provo at the Stadium of Fire staring the Blue Man Group and Miley Cyrus.  My girls were soooooo excited to see Miley (aka Hannah Montana).  Unfortunately they weren't all that impressed when the concert got going.  I have to admit, it was a big stadium and the sound wasn't all that great, but my girls only knew 2 of the songs she sang and so they got a little bored.  Oh well, so much for being star struck. 

Well, I thought I would include some fun pictures.  Hope you all had a great 4th.  We sure did.  Thanks again to Grandma and Grandpa Prior for letting us come spend a whirlwind weekend at their home.  (And to the Lott family who came to visit us. . . . It was so good to see you guys again.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Orem)

Stadium of Fire Pictures.  Collapsing after a busy weekend, and playing in the mountains.  

Fireworks

For the past two years, we have spent the 4th of July letting off fireworks at our friend's (The Heath's) house.  Usually we end up inviting ourselves over because you can't let off fireworks at the military base.  So this year, because we are planning to visit Chad's family in Utah for the 4th, we celebrated early and let off fireworks at the Heath's home for family night. 

In New Mexico you can buy just about any kind of firework out there.  I assume they think that people aren't idiots and will use them safely, which is all well and fine, but when the wind kicks up fireworks take on a whole new dimension.  Now, I can't claim to be firework literate and usually I go to the stands, pick out ones that look cool and buy them.  Well this year we bought something called a Desert Bloom (or something to that effect).  Apparently it begins like your standard fountain, pretty sparks, changing colors, etc. . . , but then it launches 5 different rockets up in the air and they explode, like the fireworks you see on the fourth of July.   I bought two of these bad boys and the first one went off just fine; the second however, had issues.  The wind had kicked up in the area that we were lighting fireworks and so it knocked the second desert bloom on it's side.  It took about five seconds for the dads to react and immediately run over to the firework and kick it a different direction.  Me not thinking had assumed that by knocking it over, the firework would go out, but then all of a sudden the rockets started firing in every direction.  (At ground level) Luckily no one was hurt and we had a hose nearby, but I learned why it is that most places don't sell these things.  

So for those of you who can't buy fireworks, I included a link that should allow you to at least experience some virtual ones.  www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html 

I hope you all have a happy safe fourth.