His Wishes

This past week has been a very difficult week! My step-father was brought to the hospital on Monday morning and was put on life support to help him fight two infections that were throughout his body. After meeting with doctors and family, my mom had to make the hard decision on Thursday, to remove the breathing tube and other forms of life support. I can only imagine how hard that must have been for my mom. We all knew Carl's wishes, there was no way he would want to spend the rest of his life on a breathing and feeding tube. So surrounded by his family, Carl took his last breaths in this mortal life and, in what I believe would be his words, "joined the party in the sky."

Carl had been in end stage renal failure (due to diabetes and a really bad fall) for the past 3 years and spent much time in and out of the hospital. There were several other factors that contributed to his passing, but I do have to say, he lived his life how he wanted! 

I am so grateful that I was able to be there this week for my family. I am sad that my mom's best friend has passed. I am so impressed with my mom's endurance for the last three years as she cared for him, pleaded with him to take care of himself, went to numerous doctor's appointments, helped him get to dialysis appointments, all while she was working full time. They had a unique relationship and I know that they loved each other very much.

Here is a link to the obituary that I was able to write for my mom.

There are a few things that I have taken from this experience: 1. it has further solidified my testimony that our spirit's are absolutely eternal in nature and that death is not the end; and 2. everyone, EVERYONE, should have an advanced health care directive completed and signed so that our loved ones won't have to make these tough choices in our behalf.

So I encourage you to speak with your loved ones about your desires in the event that you can't make them for yourself and fill out an advanced directive (each state may have different forms) and a DNR (Do Not Resesitate) directive! This way your wishes will be kept in the event that you can't speak or make them for yourself. Go here to find out more about Advanced Directives - they vary from state to state. You may order the CA Advanced Health Care Directive here and the DNR forms here.

Swinging

Since we are still dealing with illness here in our house, let me reflect on something that happened a few weeks ago, before this flu bug took over our house!

C-man loves to play on our swingset and has had one of those swing "seats" - where he sits in it and then I strap him in. He has always loved that!

In a lovely show of brotherly kindness, Big D lowered the "big kid" swing and then patiently showed his little brother how to swing. He helped Peanut #2 get on the swing, he stood behind C-man to make sure he wouldn't fall off, and he then slowly pushed him. My heart sang with joy and love for the interaction between two brothers who sometimes fight and bicker and sometimes enjoy being around each other!

Environmentally Sound

Here is what my husband has been doing in Las Vegas at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show). 

Nice job honey! You sounded great and you got the message out about the cool things HP is doing to help the environment! I wish I was there to see it first hand!

Viva Las Vegas

So my bags are packed, everything is ready on the home front, the boys bags are packed for a fun weekend with the grandparents, I am excited to spend a weekend away with my husband in Vegas (he is there for work and I was going to join him for the weekend), and wouldn't you know.....

...this week I have been thrown -up on; done about 10 loads of laundry in 3 days (that's alot for our small family); had to cancel a haircutting appointment; washed my hands a gazillion times; washed and sanitized the bathroom toilet, couch and other surfaces that have been used for target practice; been woken up several times each night; did I mention my husband is out of town; baked cookies and banana bread for a neighbor who's husband just passed away (yes, I washed my hands. Those who know me know that I am a bit of a germaphobe); given many hugs and kisses; barely eaten myself - I am just soooo tired; and the kicker of it all - I had to cancel my plane flight and am about to unpack my bag.

I'm not gonna lie - I am in tears and very frustrated! Everytime my dear husband leaves town - someone in the house gets sick. EVERYTIME! I'm not exaggerating! It is just an annoying coincidence. So while I clean up throw up and do loads upon loads of laundry and try not to cry about not being able to step on that plane and meet my husband in Vegas for a weekend getaway, I will try to remember my new year's resolution to serve and count this experience as a lot of service.

Thank's for letting me vent!

Welcome 2009

I welcome this new year with my arms wide open! I can feel, all the way to my core, that this year will be one of growth and fine tuning and I relish the idea of getting started. 

A few years ago I heard a comment by a friend, during a lesson at church, that has stuck with me. It was near the beginning of a new year and the teacher was talking about resolutions and how most people don't keep them. The teacher's point was that some of our desires for change are unrealistic, that we should make them simpler and focus on a few instead of a lot. My friend spoke up and shared a scripture that her family used to help them create their resolutions. She said that at the first FHE of the new year they would read Luke 2:52 and then use that as their guide to create their resolutions. [ "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Luke 2:52]. So they focused on intellectual (wisdom), physical (stature), spiritual (favour with God), and social (favour with man).

I had been using those basic categories for goals each new year without realizing that they correlated with a scripture, but since her comment, my resolutions have been more focused on picking one thing in each area and using that as my goal for self improvement.

The last few weeks have offered me the opportunity to reflect on those things that I would most like to make better and it has all come down to the word "service." After talking to my sweetheart about this word that has been whispered to me in quiet moments he wondered what I meant. I wasn't quiet sure, but after a trip to the temple and some scripture study, I came up with the following plan - we will pick a scripture that will be our theme for the year and once a month we will focus a family home evening on that topic.  We will also offer a random act of service (as a family) for a neighbor or family member once a month, in secret!

 I can prepare a meal for someone who is sick or even realize that the meals I provide my family qualify for feeding the hungry!

I can help those who are sick (again, taking care of my little ones when they are sick or need special comfort definitly counts for administering to the sick).


Cleaning and doing chores without being asked helps to create a place of order! (You might be able to count it as physical growth, depending on what task you may be doing. It would also qualify in the area of social growth).


Sharing with those around us is a nice thing to do and helps us grow socially 

So as the new year begins, I hope that the desire to become more physically active by taking a yoga class and running, spend more quality time with the boys, take a photography class, and to read the Book of Mormon (and a few others) will nicely accompany the desire to reach outside of myself and to serve! 

So what are some of your goals for the new year?

Christmas Memories

The Christmas decorations are coming down and I am finally in the mood to post again. We have had a great Christmas and our New Year is off to a good start! Here is a slide show of our Christmas celebrations!