Not only am I so pleased to have a day off in the middle of the week, I also recognized the importance of this holiday.
My dad is a retired Naval Intelligence Officer.
My uncle was in the Air Force.
My cousin was a sniper in the Marine Corp.
My mother and aunt worked as civilians on base in Saigon, Viet Nam.
I come from a military family. I was taught to respect the flag and those who served in wars. I have taught these same principles to my kids. I was raised to love the United States for the safety and freedom it provided us when we left Viet Nam. I follow the laws of the land and really hate those who don't. There is no better place in all the world.
Family
Photographer: Brandi Thomas
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
High School Reunions
I've come to the conclusion after organizing my 3rd high school reunion (the 10th, 20th, 25th), that you are either a reunion goer or a non goer.
Greg is a non-goer. He wouldn't go to his reunion if he was paid to. He has no interest, he could careless.
I am a reunion go-er. I used to think that I went because I was the organizer. Now, I just plain realize that I really like going to my reunions. The 3 most popular comments that I've heard about high school reunions throughout the years have included:
1. Going to a reunion is like going back to high school.
Response: You can't go back to high school, but you can spend one evening with some old friends and reconnect.
2. Only the popular kids go to reunions.
Response: Maybe so.. but not for my class. One cheerleader was there. That's it. No homecoming king or queen, no prom king or queen, no cheer squad, no dance troop, etc. Those who attended were just small groups of friends who were there to see other small groups of friends.
3. I am self conscious about how I look now.
Response: Get over it! After the 10th reunion, we are all old. By the 25th and from this point on.. we celebrate still being alive.
I am a reunion planner and goer, and proud of it. I graduated with a great group of people who have done wonderful things with their lives. I look forward as the years go by to seeing them again. Next stop, the 30th..
Greg is a non-goer. He wouldn't go to his reunion if he was paid to. He has no interest, he could careless.
I am a reunion go-er. I used to think that I went because I was the organizer. Now, I just plain realize that I really like going to my reunions. The 3 most popular comments that I've heard about high school reunions throughout the years have included:
1. Going to a reunion is like going back to high school.
Response: You can't go back to high school, but you can spend one evening with some old friends and reconnect.
2. Only the popular kids go to reunions.
Response: Maybe so.. but not for my class. One cheerleader was there. That's it. No homecoming king or queen, no prom king or queen, no cheer squad, no dance troop, etc. Those who attended were just small groups of friends who were there to see other small groups of friends.
3. I am self conscious about how I look now.
Response: Get over it! After the 10th reunion, we are all old. By the 25th and from this point on.. we celebrate still being alive.
I am a reunion planner and goer, and proud of it. I graduated with a great group of people who have done wonderful things with their lives. I look forward as the years go by to seeing them again. Next stop, the 30th..
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Conference Sunday
Conference for me is just not Sunday, but the sessions on Saturday as well. We consider it Conference Weekend and plan for nothing else to interfere. It's become a mental, physical, and spiritual retreat for me every 6 months to spend the weekend at home and watch conference. This year has been no different and I am grateful for this established tradition in our home.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
How do you know?
This week Greg and I began meeting with our running team to practice. I injured my foot June 8th and this was my first week running since then. I love running. I love the rhythm of my breathing, the pattern of my stride, the freedom, and the huge feeling of accomplishment when I finish each run. One student at the end of practice said, "Running is so boring."To her I replied, "If you are bored, go faster."
I wish that I could take credit for that statement. I heard it the first time I was at the CSN track jogging with Greg after Kel was born. I was slowly bouncing along and noticed a man who was running sprints on the inside tracks. After I finished, he did too. We struck up a conversation about Jesse who had been riding his tricycle on the sidelines while I ran. I told him I thought running was boring to which he gave the same reply. I followed with, "I can't run fast." His reply, "How do you know? Have you tried often enough?"
Isn't funny that so many of your memories are erased, yet we remember moments that helped changed us. I thought about what he said for days after and even at times years later. I began to push myself harder always striving to do my best. I still don't think I run fast, but I know I run faster than I used to, and faster than other women my age.
I use his statement for other things that have come up in my life. When Greg and friend Aida Brown told me I should pursue a Masters. My immediately reply was, "I can't get a Masters" to which later I would think, "How do you know? Have you tried often enough?" I thought that again when I pursued and obtained a second Masters degree. (Yes, thoughts of a Doctorate still float through my head. Stay tuned.)
When I was called to be Primary President, Nursery Leader, Camp Director, Compassionate Service Leader, etc. I thought the same, and rebuked myself the same.
I wonder if this man who I knew for 5 minutes realizes how important his words were to me as the years have proven.
I wish that I could take credit for that statement. I heard it the first time I was at the CSN track jogging with Greg after Kel was born. I was slowly bouncing along and noticed a man who was running sprints on the inside tracks. After I finished, he did too. We struck up a conversation about Jesse who had been riding his tricycle on the sidelines while I ran. I told him I thought running was boring to which he gave the same reply. I followed with, "I can't run fast." His reply, "How do you know? Have you tried often enough?"
Isn't funny that so many of your memories are erased, yet we remember moments that helped changed us. I thought about what he said for days after and even at times years later. I began to push myself harder always striving to do my best. I still don't think I run fast, but I know I run faster than I used to, and faster than other women my age.
I use his statement for other things that have come up in my life. When Greg and friend Aida Brown told me I should pursue a Masters. My immediately reply was, "I can't get a Masters" to which later I would think, "How do you know? Have you tried often enough?" I thought that again when I pursued and obtained a second Masters degree. (Yes, thoughts of a Doctorate still float through my head. Stay tuned.)
When I was called to be Primary President, Nursery Leader, Camp Director, Compassionate Service Leader, etc. I thought the same, and rebuked myself the same.
I wonder if this man who I knew for 5 minutes realizes how important his words were to me as the years have proven.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Happy Birthday Michael!
Life has certainly been busy with school starting. September is a great month for it's "getting back into a routine" characteristic, but mostly, for it being the month Michael was born.
I tell everyone as I tell you now that Michael is Greg's and my grandma's baby. I was pretty certain that 3 kids was all I wanted, but they knew better. For a year, I was ping ponged between Grandma and Greg gentle prodding to have one more. (My grandma died a month after Michael was born. I always felt that she stayed long enough to help me through the pregnancy and to meet him.)
Michael is 13 years old now. He is the joy factor in our family and all his older brother's favorite buddy. Greg and I love everything about Michael and I have been so glad that he came to join our family. For his birthday, Michael wanted to go ride go-carts at LV Mini Gran Prix, go birthday shopping at Best Buys, out to lunch at Red Brick Pizza and dessert at U-Swirl! What a fun day we had.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Influences of Cheryl
It has come to my attention that my posts hold are somewhat impersonal, more like a calendar of our lives.. so here's my attempt at emotions...
When my sons were little, they had this uncanny ability to wake up every day before 7am. I used to dream of days when they wer older and I could sleep in. At the time, I had become friends with Cheryl Viet Barney who had kids that were about 4 years older. She stayed up late to wait for them to come home from dates, and got up early to make their breakfast before the left for seminary and school. I never forgot how she laughed when I shared that wishful thinking.. because she knew....
I always admired her for her tenacity, and I liked how she got up early to make sure her own kids always had a good breakfast. Little did I know, in her own ways, she was rubbing this motherly value to me that never left.
It is 4:55 am, and I have been up for an hour. I get up that early because Kel, in his new job, leaves for work at 4:15am. I wake up to make him breakfast and see him before he leaves. Once up, I make breakfast and lunches for the rest of us. (Take it easy, breakfast can sometimes mean toaster strudels, today, I made chocolate chip cookies... I have my weaknesses) Then, at 5:15am, I check to see if Jesse is up (he always is), and then wake Luke for seminary. Jesse leaves for work at 5:30 am, Luke for seminary at 5:50 am.
After Luke eats breakfast, I can quickly sneak in 40 minutes of yoga, shower, eat, and get ready for work. (By now, Greg is up to take Luke to seminary and Michael is waking up too)
You see, Cheryl knew that my sleeping in days were over. Cheryl and I have been friends for about 20 years. I admire and love her, as well as her husband Brent, her mother (Penny Wray), her sister & crew (the Workmans), her own kids (Cecils, Johnsons, Rachel, Merrick) and grandkids. I thought of her this morning while making cookies. I remember her making these delicious turnovers with phyllo dough for her kids in the morning.
So this morning, I am grateful for Cheryl and the influence she's been in my life. She taught me to be self-reliant, learn new things, study, endure trials with a smile (even if that smile hurt), to never give up on your kids, and finally, no matter what mistakes you make as a mother, at least no one can say your kids left the house hungry in the morning.
When my sons were little, they had this uncanny ability to wake up every day before 7am. I used to dream of days when they wer older and I could sleep in. At the time, I had become friends with Cheryl Viet Barney who had kids that were about 4 years older. She stayed up late to wait for them to come home from dates, and got up early to make their breakfast before the left for seminary and school. I never forgot how she laughed when I shared that wishful thinking.. because she knew....
I always admired her for her tenacity, and I liked how she got up early to make sure her own kids always had a good breakfast. Little did I know, in her own ways, she was rubbing this motherly value to me that never left.
It is 4:55 am, and I have been up for an hour. I get up that early because Kel, in his new job, leaves for work at 4:15am. I wake up to make him breakfast and see him before he leaves. Once up, I make breakfast and lunches for the rest of us. (Take it easy, breakfast can sometimes mean toaster strudels, today, I made chocolate chip cookies... I have my weaknesses) Then, at 5:15am, I check to see if Jesse is up (he always is), and then wake Luke for seminary. Jesse leaves for work at 5:30 am, Luke for seminary at 5:50 am.
After Luke eats breakfast, I can quickly sneak in 40 minutes of yoga, shower, eat, and get ready for work. (By now, Greg is up to take Luke to seminary and Michael is waking up too)
You see, Cheryl knew that my sleeping in days were over. Cheryl and I have been friends for about 20 years. I admire and love her, as well as her husband Brent, her mother (Penny Wray), her sister & crew (the Workmans), her own kids (Cecils, Johnsons, Rachel, Merrick) and grandkids. I thought of her this morning while making cookies. I remember her making these delicious turnovers with phyllo dough for her kids in the morning.
So this morning, I am grateful for Cheryl and the influence she's been in my life. She taught me to be self-reliant, learn new things, study, endure trials with a smile (even if that smile hurt), to never give up on your kids, and finally, no matter what mistakes you make as a mother, at least no one can say your kids left the house hungry in the morning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)