Family

This week has been an interesting one, not the best but one that got me thinking. The events of this week have made me ponder family, who they are and what they mean. Family are the ones you call when there is an emergency. Family is who comes to your rescue. Family should not judge but accept. Family should have compassion. Family listens. Family loves unconditionally no matter what has happened. Family rejoice in the good times and grieve in the bad. Families laugh together and cry together. Family knows when to leave you alone yet knows when you need them most. Family will help you soar to new heights. Family will help talk you thru your darkest hours.

It is not a coincidence that Heavenly Father made family the center of his plan. He knew that we would need people close to us to help us thru our trials. Family is essential to our eternal growth even when we think we can't grow. I don't think it is any coincidence that the events of this week happend so close to Easter. This is a time of reflection of the sacrifices Christ made for us. A time to forgive and have compassion. Afterall, Christ died so that we may ask for forgivenss and repent for our wrong doings. The most difficult part is forgiving ourselves.

Tuesday's Thought

I received this today in my email and thought how I really need to apply this quote to my life.

"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them." Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

One of these days I will figure out the kind of person I want to be and create those goals.

4's

So in elementary school there are no letter grades, just numbers. 4 exceeds grade level, 3 at grade level, 2 not at grade level, 1 not a grade level not progressing. Today we received our girl's report card. She is an exceptional student, mostly 4's on her report card. For her grade level she should be reading between a 51-55 level, she is at a 69. Amazing! She loves to read and write. She is learning so much this year, every night at dinner she is telling us some exciting fact she learned that day. We are so proud of her! She is growing up into such a beautiful young lady. We are so blessed to have her as our daughter.

Security

Security of blogs has been a topic of discussion in our house lately. I have an increased awareness of what I am posting. So that is why you won't see my kids' names posted any longer and my posts somewhat censored. Those of you who know us know our kids' names those of you who are blog stalking, you won't know their names. My family and kids are to precious to me to do anything to jepordize their security and safety.

3.53

I am one proud mom today. I received "the boy's" report card in the mail today. I was nervous to open it cause school is not easy for him. He had fallen behind in Science, but stayed 3 different days after school to get caught up. He struggles with math (hmm wonder where he gets that from). What a wonderful suprise to see his g.p.a. is 3.53. He didn't get below a B- in any of his classes. I am so proud of him! A few of his teachers wrote wonderful comments like, effort is commendable, encourages respect with empathy and caring for all, pleasure to have in class. What wonderful comments! I just love him so much and am so blessed and proud to have him as my son.

Tuesday's Thought

I received this via email today and thought it was a good thought for a Tuesday.

"As we look into the future, we are going to need to be stronger and more responsible for our choices in a world where people “call evil good, and good evil.” We do not choose wisely if we use our agency in opposition to God’s will or to priesthood counsel. Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today." James E. Faust

Monday Memory - The Teague Family

In an effort to make this easier, my friend Kari has given me some starters for blogging. Monday is Monday Memory. I have been pondering this all day trying to come up with a memory to blog about. For some reason I have struggled with this, not sure why. Then I went and read Kari's blog and really felt like anything I had to say would not mean much. Then I had an "ahaaa" moment. The Teagues, they will be my Monday Memory.

Kari Teague lived in Bellingham oh so many years ago. I don't even remember how we even met, it must have been at church. When she lived here she had one little girl, Kiersten and was expecting her second little girl, Madison. Wade and I immediately fell in love with these little girls. Wade was Kiersten's Sunbeam teacher and I just loved Madison because, well she was a baby. Kari was and still is married to a wonderful guy Scott, who has the greatest sense of humor. His nickname for me then and now is Jan. I just told Wade the other day that Scott is the only person who can get away with calling me Jan. Wade and I became close friends with Kari and Scott. I hung out with Kari a ton, we would walk in Sudden Valley, I think we canned peaches once, we would work on Kari's hair bow business and oh so many other things. I think I enjoyed hanging out over there so much because at the time we were struggling to have kids. We wanted a family so badly and it just wasn't happening. I think I enjoyed hanging out with Kari because she was and still is the crazy, loving, wonderful mom I wanted to be someday. Then the dreaded day came when Scott was transferred back to CA. I remember being so upset when I found out my good friend would be moving away. What was I going to do? Well as time has it, I got over them moving and I moved on. Regretably I lost touch with Kari for awhile. We finally had a baby, built a house, had another baby and then life just got busy. Whenever Scott and Kari would come to Bellingham for a visit we would get together for dinner. I did give her a call out of the blue one spring right before Andrew's birthday and asked a huge favor. Andrew was obsessed, I am not even sure obsessed is the right word, with Buzz Lightyear. I had searched and searched with no luck for one for his birthday. I called Kari and asked if she could go to Disneyland, get a Buzz Lightyear and send it to me. She didn't question it at all, she came through like wonder woman for me. Andrew was so thrilled, it made is birthday that year. This reminded me again what a wonderful friend she was and is.

I would get a Christmas card from Kari every year with beautiful pictures of her girls. One year I received a letter that made my heart stop. Kari was expecting or had just had their fourth daughter Sadie, sorry I can't remember the exact timing. Sadie was born with Down Syndrome. The letter Kari wrote that year was the most inspiring letter and made me admire her even more as a mom.

So that is my Monday Memory for this Monday. My good friend Kari who I love dearly, miss often and will see this year. I guess I what I have taken away from this Monday Memory is friendship is timeless. Time will pass but friendships last forever. Love and hugs to my great friend Kar!

Blogging Again.......

A close friend of mine has encouraged me to start blogging again. I figure if she can do it being a mom of 4 wonderful girls, an awesome wife and Primary President then I can do it. So here I go! Instead of spending so much time on Facebook I will spend time blogging.

I lurk around a lot of peoples blogs. I enjoy reading about their lives, especially their kids. That may sound weird but I like to see how other people are raising their kids and compare to what we are doing. It makes me feel like I am somewhat normal.

Stay tuned for more posts. I am not too sure how exciting they will be, probably just rambling but maybe something I say will touch someones life.

1st Day of School

I know I am a little slow getting these up but hey better late than never. I can't believe Andrew is in 6th grade (middle school) and Natalie is in 5th grade. They are growing up so fast, I wish I could slow time a little.

Natalie's 1st Day of 5th Grade

Andrew's 1st Day of 6th Grade

Recovering Going Well

7 Days After Surgery


Things seem to be going well. I spent two full nights in the hospital, was ready to come home after that. The pain hasn't been too bad, I have noticed improvement in the numbness in my hand and arm. My right foot seems to be working better so I think the surgery was a success as of today. I am getting movement back in my neck which is nice. Wade is taking good care of me, being pretty strict on my activity which is good. I did get a day pass today to go to Costco which was nice. It feels good to get out and walk short distances.

Thank you for everyone's prayers, love and support. We are truly blessed to have such great family and friends.

Surgery scheduled for 9/16

I thought I would update our blog (yes, I know it has been since February since I have posted anything) with a link to the Mayo clinic. It has a good description of what I have been diagnosed with and what will happen during surgery.

http://mayoclinic.com/health/chiari-malformation/DS00839

I hope to add posts occaisionally during my recovery so people will know how my recovery is going. I will be in the hospital 2-3 days, won't be able to drive for two weeks and then hopefully after 6 weeks feeling somewhat normal again. We have been truley blessed by the number of offers for help. We greatly appreciate all of them and may take you up on them. My mom and Wade's parents will be coming in next week and will be here for at least a week. We know this is something that has to be done and are looking forward to getting it behind us.

Valentines - Cookies, Cards and Campout

How we spent our Valentines Day Weekend:

I made cookies, sugar heart cookies and red sugar cookies Friday night.

We exchanged cards with each other and the kids received cards from Grandma and Grandpa Draper and Grandma Sandy. Thanks for the great cards.
Wade went on his annual snow campout at Mt Baker with the young men from church. This is the cave he slept in part of the night.
This is the actual cave with all his sleeping gear.
His self portrait showing us he made it to Mt. Baker.

Overall we have had a great weekend. We are looking forward to having tomorrow off to hang out as a family and enjoy the remainder of our 3 day weekend.

Lynn's Wedding December 2008

We went to Richland, WA in December for our niece Lynn's wedding. It was challenge getting there because we left during one of the big snow storms but we made it safe in sound. We are glad we went, we had a great time and are very happy for Lynn and Blake.

Lynn, Andrew and Natalie

I wanted Wade to take a picture of just the kids and I. He took like six and I think this was the best out of all of them.

Wade and Lynn, can't believe she is all grown up and married.

There was dancing at the reception and Andrew was cuttin' it up. He dragged his Aunt Tiffy out on the dance floor. She was laughing so hard, but I think she enjoyed it.

I couldn't be out down by my sister in law so I got out there on the floor with Andrew and we did the twist. If you want to realize how out of shape you are do the twist, but I loved every minute with my dance partner.

Gotta Love Our Kids

I have been going thru some our pictures and found of these pictures of Andrew and Natalie. It is amazing how you forget how little they were at one time. They are going up so fast, but I still think of them as little.
Andrew and Natalie in the Tulips in April of 2002. This one of my favorite pictures of the two of them.

This was Easter 2002. The only way we could get them to smile was to say "cheez", they got to the point where they would smile but they would be "cheezy" smiles.

This was at Silverwood a couple of years ago. We rode the train around the park and Andrew was in heaven because he was really into trains at the time.

Silly girl in a tire. I can't remember when this was taken but I just love the smile. I can't believe how long Nat's hair was.

This was at Moses Lake last summer. We found a campground there that we loved, it had a pool with a couple small slides that the kids loved. We would spend all day at the pool, needless to say Andrew got a little sunburned on his face. He is still a handsome boy even with a sunburn.

My Grandma

As my post below says I have had my grandma on my mind a lot lately. She was an amazing woman for her time. I have the greatest memories of her and I miss her greatly. Being the only granddaughter she had I will admit that she spoiled me rotten. I am not sure how long she was married to my dad's father but they divorced when my dad was in high school. Back in the 50's (I am guessing here) getting divorced was not the popular thing to do. She worked very hard and did a great job raising my dad. She later re-married my step-grandpa who was hilarious and would tease me horribly. My mom would get upset at my grandpa because he would get me giggling so hard when I was little I would have an asthma attack. My grandma was very fashionable back in her day. I look back at pictures of her when she was young and she was beautiful. When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school she admitted to me that she had always wanted to do that. She would have been great at it but that wasn't a way for her to support her family. When I was little she would lay on the couch and let me put her "make up" on. She would get out her make up and let me go to town. I remember the smell of the loose powder she would use. She was so patient and loving to let me do that. She loved to grow her fingernails long. She always had them painted and looking beautiful. I have tried and tried to get mine to look like hers but I have been unsuccessful. I think the closest I got was when I went thru my acrylic nail phase.
She is a true inspiration to me; she worked in the GM plant in Michigan running a rivet gun on the buses. She would work a long day on the line at the plant and then go bowling. She and my grandpa loved to bowl and they were pretty good. She would send cards to me for every holiday and every one of them would be addressed either "pretty girl" or "brown eyes." I knew she loved me very much. She was not judgmental of me. When I told her I was going to be baptized in the church she was very supportive. Then when I told her I was getting married at 20 she was very supportive once again. She welcomed Wade with open arms. She showed me how to be nurturing and how to have fun. I remember one Christmas after my parents had divorced I was home from college staying with my dad. We got a package from my grandma and it was filled with baked goodies. I remember thinking; she must have been baking for days. But the fact that she wanted to make sure we had homemade treats for Christmas was amazing. She loved to play games; we would play UNO and Aggravation (a marble game) for hours. She was so happy when Wade and I finally got pregnant with Andrew. My mom and I took Andrew to Arizona to see my grandma and my grandpa when Andrew was just a baby. I remember walking into the guest bedroom where Andrew was napping and her and my grandpa were standing there looking over him just watching him. They could hardly wait for him to wake up so they could play with him. My grandma got to spend a little time with Natalie but not as much as I would have liked.

My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but ultimately I think she died of a broken heart. My dad died of cancer in 1993 and it devasted my grandma. Then in 2000 she lost my grandpa suddenly to a heart attack. Her heart was never able to mend from these two deaths and all she wanted to do was to be with these two men she loved so dearly. So as hard as it is not to have her here with me I know she is truly happier being where she is now. I hope my grandma is looking down on me smiling upon me. I hope she is proud of the wife I am and the job I am doing raising her great-grandchildren. For those of you who read this and your grandma's are still alive I hope you take time to let them know how much you care about them. That is one regret I have I never told my grandma face to face how much she meant to me and what an impact she had on my life.

Comfort Food

For the past while I have thinking about my grandma Vida Arlene Barger Wagner. She passed away about 6 years ago from Alzheimer’s. She didn't suffer long from the Alzheimer’s which I grateful for. My family on her side was from southern Illinois so cooking was an important part of life. My grandma was an awesome cook. One of the things she made for breakfast was biscuits and gravy. In today’s health conscience world biscuits and gravy are not considered healthy in the least bit. She would fry sausage or bacon and then use the fat from the bacon or sausage as the base. She would put flour and milk in and then let it boil. She would always add a lot of pepper to give it spice.

I can't remember how she made her biscuits, from scratch or from a can. She didn't have a recipe and as I got older I asked her several times how she made it. She would just rattle off a little of this and that and then you had it. I craved her biscuits and gravy for years and was never brave enough to make it on my own. Finally about a year ago I thought I would give it a try. Believe it or not it turned out. I have been making it now for awhile but it is one of those breakfasts we only have once in awhile. Every time I make it I think of my grandma and how happy it makes me to make biscuits and gravy, plus it is really yummy!

Happy New Year

Our New Years eve was a quiet one. We continued our tradition of going bowling and having dinner at the bowling alley. We were down one bowler, Natalie was invited to a birthday, slumber party for one of her friends. Her friends parents rented a room at the Lakeway Best Western, so she staying at a hotel tonight. She was pretty excited, swimming, pizza and fun with her girlfriends. So I had a great evening bowling and enjoying burgers and fries with my man and "near" man. We had hoped that our practice on the Wii would have improved our games but it didn't. Neither Wade or I bowled nearly as well as we do on the Wii. We decided we will stick with the Wii.

I am very grateful to have had a wonderful 2008. I have a wonderful husband, two awesome kids, a testimony of the gospel, a good job, a warm home and an overall blessed life. I am looking forward to a great 2009, of course there are things I want to accomplish that didn't get done in 2008. Hopefully in 2009 I will take one at a time and check them off my list.

With only 11 minutes to go before 2009 officially starts I better log off. Time for Andrew's favorite part of the evening, watching the Space Needle fireworks show on tv.

Wishing all our family and friends a happy, healthy 2009!

Christmas Eve 2008

Family of 4 Tale of Desperaux movie tickets, $27.50, homemade seafood fetuccini dinner, $30.00, Wade power sliding our Tribute into the garage door PRICELESS!

This is what happens when all four wheels lock up and our driveway is covered with ice. I guess a new garage door will be on next years Christmas list and Wade will be added to the naught list.

Merry Christmas to us!

Happy 40th Birthday!!!

This is a special posting to my wonderful husband of 18 years on his 40th birthday. I have been thinking over the past weeks what I could do to let him know how much he means to me. I came up with a complilation of 40 characteristics I love about him. They are in no paticular order because it would be impossible for me to put any more importance on one than another. I guess it is also a way for those who read our blog to see what a truely wonderful man I am married to.

40 Things I Love About You

1. Your unconditional love for me.

2. You are my best friend.

3. You are an awesome father.

4. You honor your priesthood authority.

5. Your wonderful sense of humor.

6. Your patience with me.

7. Your creativity, the Harley Davidson logo on my laundry room wall.

8. Your ability to fix almost anything I have broken (i.e. the recent house alarm incident)

9. Your membership in the church because without that you would have never sent me a Book of Mormon.

10. The wonderful family you come from; without them I wouldn't have some of my favorite memories.

11. Your enthusiasm to learn, all the Discovery, TLC and Speed channel shows you TIVO.

12. Your worthiness to serve a mission and take me to the temple to be sealed forever.

13. Your patience and understanding of my family.

14. Your tender heart.

15. Your love of dogs.

16. Your sense of adventure.

17. Your dislike of spiders.

18. Your ability to work in a profession that provides a good lifestyle for your family, even though at times it can be frustrating.

19. Your trust in me.

20. Your love of diverse music, Beastie Boys, ELO, Butthole Surfers, ABBA and the list goes on.

21. Your dislike of country music.

22. Your ear for listening to me when I have to purge all the crazy thoughts in my head.

23. Your testimony of the gospel.

24. The example you set for our kids.

25. Your ability to constantly dream and dream big, such as winning LOTTO.

26. Your willingness to fulfill some of my crazy dreams like riding a Harley for my 30th birthday.

27. Your desire to give me the very best.

28. Your support when it comes to our kids; we are a united force not to be rekoned with.

29. Your acceptance of who I am and not trying to change the way I am.

30. Your interest you take in our kids lives; taking Andrew to the movies he wants to see, listening to Natalie talk about American Girls and Webkinz.

31. Your love and patience with our kids and trying not to change who they are.

32. Your grey hair.

33. Your hands, because I love to hold them.

34. Your ability to come up with great nicknames for just about anyone.

35. Your quick wit, you have taught me how to hold my own in just about any conversation.

36. Your wealth of knowledge on just about any subject.

37. Your willingness to help anyone.

38. Your love of landscaping.

39. Your love of cars.

40. Most of all I love the fact that you are my best friend and my husband for eternity.

Happy 40th Birthday!

Halloween 2008