Guitar Girl

Today Addy added yet another instrument to our home. She spent her Christmas money from Nana & Papa & Uncle Jack to purchase a new guitar, case, and guitar lessons. Actually, she only had enough money for part of the guitar and she suckered her dad into paying for the rest!

A normal looking girl!

A crazed "rock-n-roll" looking girl!

*%#@ Happens!

I have always liked the phrase “*%#@ happens”. I have had my fair share of “*%#@” over the years, just as many other people have. However, I am a person who is always waiting for the “*%#@” to happen, and for the “bottom to fall out” of everything I hold dear. I am often pessimistic about what is to come, and I worry about the “what ifs” in life that I have no control over. Well, during 2008 the “bottom fell out” of just about everything in my life.

Now, looking back, some of the things that happened seem so insignificant, like the month of July in which just about everything in our house fell apart-the van broke down, the brakes in the car went out, the central air went out (might I add on the hottest day in July), the T.V. quit working, and Addy blew up the microwave by cooking popcorn for way too long! Most of these things have been repaired and/or replaced, although I am very tired of watching a 19 inch T.V. that requires me to wear my glasses in order for me to see anything! July was rough, financially. Today, in the economy that we are facing, I am just thankful to have a job. As I see neighbors, friends, and family members dealing with the realties and/or possibilities of losing jobs, the month of July seems like no big deal.

The “bottom” did fall out in some pretty significant areas of my life. In July our beloved dog (for non-dog people this may seem like not a big deal) had a cancerous tumor removed from her leg. We were told that there was a 95% possibility that the tumor would reappear within 2-3 months, much larger and deeper into the tissue of her leg.

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of September. This shouldn’t have been a huge shock to me, considering that my dad has smoked since he was 13. But it was a shock. I spent two weeks at the beginning of October at a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska by my dad’s bedside, as many life & death decisions had to be made concerning his health.

At the end of October Addy complained about her neck hurting. You have to understand that Addy often complains about things hurting, and being the good mother that I am, I often dismiss these things! This hurting, however, turned out to be something real. After two days of testing we were told that Addy had two tumors in her neck, and the doctors were calling it neoplastic lymphoma.

As of today, the dog’s tumors haven’t returned. My dad recently received treatment for his cancer at an alternative cancer clinic in Mexico and is planning on returning to work at the first of January. Addy’s “lumps” disappeared on their own without any type of treatment almost as fast as they appeared.

After these experiences I think I can change my “*%#@ happens” to “life happens”. Yes, some bad things have taken place over the course of the past year, but good things have also happened. My relationship and faith in my Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ, have been strengthened. My relationship with my earthly father has been strengthened. My love for my children has been strengthened. My outlook on life has been strengthened. Life changing events have occurred in my family over the past couple of months, but life has not stopped! I have endured the “bottom falling out”, but I am still standing. My goal for the new year is to not be afraid of “*%#@ happening” or the “bottom falling out”. LIFE will happen and I am going to enjoy the good and do my best to endure the bad!

More "Mexifornia" Pictures

I recently saw my brother write the word "Mexifornia" on my dad's cancer blog (http://caringbridge.org/visit/jerrybradford), and I really liked the word! So, I am stealing it for this blog entry. It is appropriate, considering that about 1/2 of each of our days was spent in Tijuana and the other 1/2 was spent in California.

I love this picture of Addy and my dad. Dad has always had a deep love for Addy, but I think the cancer thing has brought the two of them a little closer together.

I know this is a "cheesy" picture and that I could possibly have the PETA people after me for posting it, but I really like it! We thought we had found such a unique way to remember our day of shopping in Tijuana, only to discover that there were about 15 other zebra striped donkey stations within 1-2 blocks of each other.

Thankful for the USA

We spent the week of Thanksgiving in San Diego with my parents, my brother Dave & his wife Christy, and my Uncle Jack. Each day of the week started with us crossing the border into Tijuana, where my dad has been receiving treatments for lung cancer. Crossing into Mexico each day made me recognize things that I am thankful for that I generally take for granted. Here are a few of them:

-traffic laws & people who follow them (for the most part)

-working city sewage systems that don't drain along sidewalks and city streets

-friendly officers of the law who don't wear face masks and carry assault rifles

-using the dollar without having to figure out its relationship to the peso

-

Lump Girl

Many of you are aware that Addy was recently diagnosed with something called neoplastic lymphoma. Many of you are also aware that when we took Addy to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City to have these two "lumps" in her neck removed, they were less than half of the original size, and the pediatric surgeon decided not to remove them. She couldn't explain why the lumps were decreasing in size instead of growing. We will meet with our pediatrician this week to determine what course of action, if any, to take now.

We believe that our Heavenly Father played a huge role in what we are calling our "miracle". We believe that through a priesthood blessing & through prayer & fasting among many family & friends, our "Lump Girl" is going to be okay.

Going to Mexico

We will be traveling to Mexico over Thanksgiving to see my parents. My dad will be at a clinic in Tijuana for about a month, where he is opting to do some alternative treatments (instead of chemo) for his lung cancer. I will keep you updated as to how things are going.

Happy Halloween!

We recently celebrated Halloween with our 6th Annual Pre-Trick-or-Treating Bash. We served hot dogs & chili to over 140 people.

The girls then had plans of their own. Delaney went to a Halloween party with some of her friends from school. She dressed as a "fancy lady". I am not sure what that is, seeing as how I am pretty much a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal.

Addy was a princess. She designed her own dress, which a lady from Darren's school was kind enough to sew for her. Darren applied her "eyelashes" and she was off to trick-or-treat the neighborhood with friends. They went out on their own until it got dark and started to rain. We then hauled them up the hill where the houses are bigger and apparently the candy is better (I don't see the connection, but to Addy there is one).

My Dad

I love my dad! During the past few weeks my love for him has grown deeper and has reached new meaning after unfortunate circumstances found us spending 2 weeks together in Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of September. He had his entire left lung removed on October 1st. He is now home recuperating. Doctors are recommending that he start chemo in about a month (after his body heals from surgery).

Although the time we spent together was spent under duress, there were also some very tender & spiritual moments that we shared. I won't go into these on this blog, as they are private & very special to me. However, I do want to share with you this message-do not let a day go by without telling (and showing) the people you love that YOU DO LOVE THEM. Life is short, and can change very quickly!

My message to my dad---I love you and am proud of you for the way in which you handled yourself during the past few weeks. You are a strong, patient, kind, loving man. God loves you and is proud of you. He knows of your struggles and is helping you get through this time. Keep praying and know that he is listening. I LOVE YOU! My dad and I in Soldotna, Alaska probably in 1970! Notice the red hair (actually a little orange).

My dad and I in Anchorage, Alaska on October 9th, 2008, one week after having his left lung removed.

18 Years & Still Looking the Same (Yeah, Right!)

Today is our 18th wedding anniversary. Man, are we getting old! I don't feel like I have been married for 18 years, and in my mind I don't think that I look like I have been married for 18 years, but the pictures don't lie!

We are off to a really exciting celebration! Darren is looking through the Happenings Book as I type, searching for the perfect 2 for 1 coupon to celebrate our 18 years together. Will we ever get to the point where we aren't basing our dinners out on whether or not we have a coupon!

Darren-I love you and am always grateful to spend time with you (and spending time with you at a bargain price is even better). Happy Anniversary, Buddy!

The Fire Pit

I have been pestering Darren for the past couple of summers to make me a fire pit. My dad has a fire pit that he made out of an old washing machine tub, and I have always loved "hanging out" around it. With the help of our friend Terry (who donated an old 50 gallon barrel) and the expertise of Roy (our peach friend), Darren and the girls made a great fire pit. We christened it last week with smores, good friends, and family.

The pit cracked a little with the first fire. Darren thinks this happened because I didn't let him "cure" the cement long enough, as I was anxious to get a fire going!

Addy can't eat smores without getting something on her face!

Delaney and her friends, Kai & Shelby, had a great time roasting marshmallows.

Darren and his "masterpiece"!

Roy & Irene

Our friends, Roy & Irene, visited us at the end of August. We met them many years ago in Alaska when Delaney was a baby and Addy was yet to be! They like to come to see us (probably more to see the girls instead of Darren and I) and bottle peaches while they are here. This year their visit was cut short due to Irene's health. They didn't get to bottle any peaches, so in their honor I am making Irene's "Peach Dump Cake" for dessert today! Irene & Roy-We love you and are happy we were able to visit with you once again this year!

Back to School

Here we go again-early mornings, backpacks, homework, French Horn practice, carpools, and more! Is it just me, or did this summer go by too fast???

Delaney's first day of 8th grade-Ask her about her new French teacher!

Addy's first day of 6th grade-Ask her what her teacher is going to do with her class that I will never do with my class!

If You Prepare the Corn He (Uncle Jack) Will Come

My Uncle Jack loves corn. I remember as a kid living in Alaska how my Grandma would make Jack and my Grandpa "Hungry Man" dinners in the oven. Jack's favorite parts were always the corn and mashed potatoes. On his previous trips to visit us in Utah, he has always wanted me to cook a good steak dinner with corn on the cob. Well, finding good, fresh corn on the cob in October is not an easy thing to do!

We also love love corn. Especially the yummy, sweet corn that comes on during the month of August. We love to eat it fresh from the fields, and we also love to freeze it for use during the remainder of the year when we can't get fresh corn. So---This past week found us putting up corn a few different times. If you have ever done any type of canning or freezing of vegetables, corn is quite easy. The most time consuming part is shucking all of the corn. Since we have kids, and the kids have friends who are always over, this corn process has been quite easy as we just use the girls and their friends as child laborers!

Well, Jack, the corn is in the freezer. It is waiting for you, just as two young ladies are waiting for you to come and visit. They want to play basketball with you, learn more card tricks from you, and hang out with you on the deck.

"Please come for the corn, Jack!"

Off to Camp

Delaney and her friend Shelby-off to camp!

Delaney went to Girls Camp yesterday. The camp leaders asked parents to write letters to their girls telling them how much they love them. Here are some of the things that I love about Delaney:

• She is a reading maniac. She devours every book-some books over and over again.
• She is patient and playful with little kids. Her cousins Jonah, Mason, and Jack are in love with her.
• She is incredibly musical. She plays the piano, French horn, and cello. She can teach herself to play just about any instrument.
• She is super smart. We are not quite sure where these brains come from!
• She is beautiful on the inside. There are no grey areas-she sees either "black or white" and usually chooses the right.
• She is beautiful on the outside. Having red hair and being 5"10' (when you are only 13) doesn't seem like such a great thing to her now, but I keep telling her that these things will be to her advantage in a few years!
• She is an animal lover. She is kind and gentle with animals, and all animals that we encounter seem to flock to her.

I don't want to paint a perfect picture of Delaney----she is a teen-ager! Like the rest of us, she does have her flaws. However, the good outweighs the bad and I love her very much!

Pioneer Day Celebrations

Yesterday was Pioneer's Day. It also marked the day 8 years ago when we left Anchorage, Alaska in what we now call the "ghetto van" and drove with the girls and very little of our belongings to start a new life in Utah. This "new life" was only supposed to be for a couple of years-long enough for Darren to get through graduate school. It is now 2008 and we are still in Utah! My feelings about this are mixed and much bigger than this blog space.

We celebrated Pioneer's Day with hamburgers and hot dogs at Darren's parents house. After dinner we retired to the front lawn to watch fireworks, which I have always been deathly afraid of. I have no reason for this fear other than a recent experience my brother told me about when he was 10 and "maybe" blew off his pants pocket with fireworks. So, my firework fears are really unfounded, but they are very real to me! So, to make a long story short, I endured the fireworks while Delaney, Addy, and the cousins lit the smaller fireworks. I endured the fireworks when Darren and his brothers started lighting the bigger fireworks-some of which were homemade. I yelled and quickly drove home when Darren nearly caught on fire when trying to light too many explosives at once.

Happier times before the singeing of the leg flesh and yelling of the wife!

The "mother-lode" of fireworks!

Delaney looks a little unsure about the situation-smart girl!

Addy looks mischievous. I think she loves fireworks!

Fun Things We Want to Do This Summer (Since we aren't going to Alaska)

A few weeks ago we each wrote down things things we wanted to do this summer. Here is our compiled family list:

• Miniature golfing/go-carting at Lagoon


• Tubing down the Portneuf River at Lava Hot Springs


• Seven Peaks water park


• Bear Lake


• Pineview Reservoir


• Buy a "labradoodle" (This is a mix between a lab and a poodle. I will let you guess who wanted this to be their summer activity!)

Since Darren has the month of July off we are trying to squeeze in as many of these activities as we can in between the huge "honey-do" list I have for Darren and the girls. Yesterday we took the day off from the "honey-do" list, packed the cooler and beach stuff, and headed off to Pineview Reservoir. The girls and Darren spent 4 hours playing in the water and sand. I spent 4 hours with 50 SPF sunscreen under a canopy reading a book! In May I had a bit of a scare with several moles that were a bit "funky", so I am now a little paranoid about being in the sun. Although Darren and the girls applied sunscreen a couple of times they all ended up a little crispy. Addy probably got the worst of it. Delaney said that Addy looked like she had on red tights. You can see from the pictures below that a good time was had (despite the sunburns). Notice there are no pictures of me! Delaney and Darren took a couple, but since I have the password to my blog I get to choose what is posted. Addy asked me why I didn't want pictures of me in a swimsuit. I said it was because I didn't want people to see that I was a little fat. She looked at me as if to say, "Mom, I think they already know that!" Aren't kids great??!!

Hot & Sweaty

Our air conditioner finally gave up yesterday-it literally blew up! It shot oil and other stuff (we're not quite sure what it is) out of the air conditioning unit and all over the ground. We had hoped to not have to replace it until September, but something kept telling me to schedule an appointment with the air guy anyway. So, a few weeks ago I made an appointment for July 10th but still kept thinking that maybe I would cancel and wait until the fall. Boy, I am glad I didn't cancel!

Temperatures are expected to be at all time highs during the next couple of days, with a little reprieve over the week-end (low 90's). So...for almost the next week we will be living in the basement where it is much cooler, eating lots of popsicles, sitting in front of fans, and being very thankful for the fact that we can have central air conditioning again very soon-for the mere price of $5,400!

Missing Alaska :(

This is the week that we usually head to Alaska. However, due to the outrageous cost of airline flights and an ailing heating/air conditioning system that needs to be replaced, we are not able to make our beloved trip this year. Here are some of the things I will miss about our AK trip:

1. Seeing the MacDaddy (TD) in action with his own little family.

2. Having my dad ask, "Hu are you going to be seeing today?" After 20 years it is still funny (but a little annoying).

3. Rafting down the Kenai with Dave & Christy without losing Darren on the Naptown Rapids.

4. Halibut fishing with Uncle Jack.

5. Shrimping with Mom and Dad.

6. Going to town with Jeannie to do "whatever".

7. Seeing my Nana.

8. Going to the cabin and stopping for ice cream at the little store in Ninilchik.

9. Watching Mom and Dad treat Harley and Duffy much better than they ever treated David, Jeannie, and I!

10. Watching my girls spend quality time at the bar with their grandparents!

I love all of you and hope to be able to make a trip next summer!

Water Fight

We had Darren's family over last night to party one last time before his brother Doug & his family returned to Minnesota. We grilled burgers, the kids ran the lawnmower course in the backyard (Darren can explain this to you), and then a huge water fight broke out. I think Darren is the one who started things with his "water weenie"! Notice Donnie in the background-He looks naked, but really does have pants on! He got a little too wet!

Family Pictures

I think the last "official" family pictures taken on my side of the family were done when my brother got married. Everybody looked pretty good (especially the bride and groom), but my dad looked particulary handsome-like somebody who had just stepped out of "Gunsmoke". The only other family pictures I remember (other than those at Dave & Christy's wedding) were done by a family friend, Donna Truesdell, who had a love for photography and a cool little darkroom in the basement of her house!

This week we had family pictures taken with Darren's ENTIRE family since all the siblings were in town. There were lots of discussions about what to wear, who would take the picture, where it would be taken, etc. I was very pleased with the decision to go with "casual" dress-white shirts and jeans! We ended up having a friend of the family take the pictures at North Canyon Park. It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, although it was somewhat tricky to get all the little kids paying attention to the photographer (and not the butterflies that seemed much more interesting).

Grandma & Grandpa with all of the grandkids!

Smith-Morehouse Reservoir

This past week we spent two nights at the Smith-Morehouse Reservoir with Darren's family. Although I have fond memories of the many camping trips my family made in Alaska (Deep Creek being my favorite), camping is not on my list of "fun" things to do as an adult. I think it has something to do with sleeping on the ground with a back that has arthritis issues, using an outhouse (the smell never improves), not to mention all of the clean-up upon arriving home (especially the pine sap that somehow made its way onto the butt of my dog). Despite my lack of love and joy for the great outdoors, the kids had fun. Well, at least one kid. As you can see from the pictures below Addy had a great time. Delaney spent most of her time reading and wishing she had cell phone service to text her friends. She did manage to have some fun when her cousin, Nicole, taught her how to roast StarBursts.

We rented a kayak, which everybody loved.

Addy and her cousin Josh both caught Rainbow Trout.

The Best Dad Ever

Addy's poster (click to read) pretty much sums up how we feel about the dad at our house.
I am grateful for the type of dad Darren is-kind, funny, and loving.

I love this picture of Addy & Darren.

This would have been a great picture if Darren's eyes were open!

Summer Begins

Summer is finally here! Today was our first day of 90+ temps, and the girls were ready with their "water weenies". I am thankful they have a dad who can teach them about such cultured things!

Addy had way too much water in her "weenie" and ended up with a "weenie whiplash"!

The "weenie warrior"!

Sunday Snack

Sunday afternoon seems to be baking day around our house. If something doesn't get baked here then we go up to Grandpa & Grandma's to see what kind of treat Uncle David has made (usually something involving peanut butter). Today Addy made the best chocolate chip cookies we have ever had using her Aunt Catherine's recipe. They were really yummy-better than the Mrs. Field's recipe that I usually use. The differences between the two recipes is slight, but Catherine's recipe makes fluffier & tastier cookies (this according to Addy).

Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie

Cream together:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

Add:

2 Tsp. vanilla

1 egg

In a separate bowl mix:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 Tsp. baking soda

1/2 Tsp. salt

1 package chocolate chips (we like milk chocolate)

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Cook at 375 degrees for 9-12 minutes.

Very yummy!!

Check out the chocolate chip on Addy's lips!

The BIG 40

I can't believe I'm married to an old man! We recently celebrated Darren's 40th with a dinner out to Robintino's with his parents. Afterwards we went to their house where we had a yummy chocolate mousse cake from Parson's Bakery. (This is Jan's favorite bakery. We think she spends a large chunk of her retirement money on this place. She buys enough cookies and sweets to feed an army. Unfortunately her army consists of only herself and Don. This means a lot of leftover goodies for the grandkids and the adult kids!)

Viewmont Elementary also celebrated Darren's milestone. All the staff members dressed in black. They decorated his door with a picture of the teachers on one side of a hill and Darren dropping over the other side (He is "Over the Hill"---In case you didn't get it!). The cook made a coffin cake. Darren estimates that over 200 kids sang Happy Birthday to him! You can't beat that.

As far as Darren thought, that was it for celebrations. However, I had a secret birthday party in the works. With the help of the girls and a couple of neighborhood friends, I was able to pull it off without Darren even having a clue.

The theme was the 60's. We were all supposed to dress in 60's attire, but at the last minute decided to dress in black as finding 60's outfits was too difficult to do! My friend Lisa prepared chocolate and cheese fondue with lots of yummy dipping things. Our friend Brian provided the entertainment with the use of his Wii and Guitar Hero game. I made all of the guests a top 20 hits of 1968 CD.

To get Darren out of the house, Addy told him that he needed to take her on a daddy-daughter date to the bowling alley. As soon as they left Delaney and I frantically prepared the house, Lisa made the food, and the guests started to arrive. I have to say that when Darren walked in and we yelled "Surprise!" I felt quite proud of the fact that I had kept the whole thing secret. (For those of you that know me----keeping secrets is hard!)

We had a great night celebrating the birth of a great guy!

Surprise! A look of astonishment!

Darren rocking with Guitar Hero!

Donnie was "on fire" with his guitar solo!

Happy New Year!

In early December we learned that Uncle Dave & Aunt Christy were going to squeeze in a Utah visit between trips to Las Vegas (where they watched ultimate fighting) and California (where Dave went crazy riding roller coasters and they boarded a cruise ship to Mexico). Our time together was short-less than 48 hours, but we had a great time. We played Apples to Apples, during which time Dave learned that lemons are bad-lemon drops are good (thanks Addy), and Addy learned that Michael Jackson IS really a black man. We played Twister, darts, and the new Wii at Grandpa & Grandma Dean's house. We soaked in hot springs. We visited Cabela's. We cried (okay-Sheri is the only one who cried) when we said good-bye at the airport. We love Dave & Christy!

Dave & his super models at Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, Utah-It was a great day, other than the fact that Delaney lost her retainer and Dave left his swim trunks in the dressing room (AFTER soaking in the hot tubs-not before!!).

Twister Time-Addy & Darren!

Christy & the girls playing Twister!

Dave & Addy battling it out to the end!

Good-bye!! We love you Dave & Christy!