We're winding up a fun family spring break. Last Saturday we flew into Jackson Hole, WY (I love flying in there, especially the steep descent!) We drove to Sugar City and spent the night with my parents and sister. They have quite a menagerie - - dog, cat, goats, guinea pigs and a tarantula. The goats are my favorite. I went out with my mom to help milk - - little did I know how hard it is! Well, not hard exactly, but you do have to get the technique right. I finally figured it out, but I was too slow, so my mom (who is a pro) took over. I also dared to drink the goat milk, and guess what, I couldn't even tell the difference between it and regular milk. Heidi made french toast with goat milk and fresh eggs from the chickens and it was fantastic!
Saturday night we had pizza and then the kids all had a music concert. Ethan played two piano pieces and also one on the guitar. He's learning the theme from "The Godfather," his first finger-picking song. He's very excited about it and has done a lot of practicing. Heidi announced that she would accompany Tallis and Beanie on the recorder on a song called, "To be a Master." I was expecting a churchy song. Imagine my surprise when I heard, "To be a master . . . Pokemon Master!"
Sunday we went to church - - Noah didn't make it through, but Ethan enjoyed meeting up with old friends in primary. The relief society lesson about eternal marriage was very well done. We came home and had a wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Uncle Dan and cousin Zazzy came too, and we had a fun dinner table conversation and another concert. Zazzy joined in - - she's a great singer!
Scott and I left Monday morning. I'm so grateful to Mom and Dad and Heidi and Devan for taking good care of the kids while we were gone. We very rarely get to go away on our own, partly because Noah is hard to leave with people. But apparently he did just fine, and Ethan was a good helper. Both the kids were so excited to see their cousins and play "sesames" with them. They also got the game Uno Attack and had a 3 hour long marathon game. I wish we'd had more time to spend with Heidi and Mom and Dad - - we always have so much fun talking and laughing together. I'm so impressed with the service that Mom and Dad do - - one day a week at the temple and one or two days doing humanitarian work. That plus all their household responsibilities equals a whole lot of busy-ness! They also help with OneHeart and are always on hand to help neighbors in need. What a great example they are - - they don't just talke about making a difference, they actually do it.
Heidi and the kids are coming to stay for a couple of weeks after Kyle's wedding in May and I'm really looking forward to it. Heidi always has fun ideas of things to do, especially with regards to teaching our children. She bought a spanish teaching program for her kids and I'm looking forward to using it with Ethan as well.
Well Scott and I had a great deal - - a friend he knew from Carnival Cruise lines arranged for us to go on a "Cruise to Nowhere" - - when they launch a new ship they take it on a couple of inaugural sailings to both work the bugs out and to spread positive buzz, so they invite travel agents to go for free. The ship just goes out into the ocean and back without stopping anywhere (it's 2 nights). So we flew to Orange County, CA, spent the night, and then boarded the ship the next morning. Our hotel had a deal that if you were driving a hybrid you got free parking, so we rented a Prius. We put quite a few miles on it, and it only cost about 46 cents to fill the tank back up.
The ship, the Splendor, was very nice. Our room was small, but fine (except for the fact that we were right above the bar and had to listen to very loud music until the wee hours.) The first night we ate in the specialty restaurant with 2 other travel agents from Chicago. I wasn't sure how fun that would be, but we had a great time, chatted away like old friends. The food was superlative - - I had lobster and filet mignon with bearnaise sauce. I think I put on a couple of pounds while we were away.
The second night our dinner table companions were quieter, but we still enjoyed the food. Mostly it was just so nice to have some alone time with Scott. I really got lucky when I married such a great guy. He's a wonderful dad to Ethan and Noah, and he's just so much fun to be with. And it would be hard to find anyone that gets better deals!
We left the ship Thursday morning, flew through San Francisco into SLC, and drove to Sugar City. We quickly gathered up all (most) of the kids' scattered belongings, said thank you and goodbye (and see you in 6 weeks) and drove to Pocatello to spend the night with Scott's sister Cindy and her husband Tony. They have a lovely new home which I hadn't yet seen. Their daughter Amy, her husband and little girl, and Scott's parents all came for a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Cindy is an amazing cook and we had the best pancakes with currant syrup. Yum!
We drove to SLC and spent the night at the Grand America, where we still are. The Phoenix Suns are staying here as well (they're playing the Jazz tonight) and Scott and Brittany both saw Shaq. I'm bummed I missed that, he's one of the few pro b-ball players I could identify! Beebs and her Scott and kids met us this morning and we went to Hogle Zoo. I'd forgotten what a nice zoo it is! The kids had a great time, it wasn't too crowded, and it was beautiful weather, chilly but sunny. We had lunch at a fun Polynesian place and then came back to the hotel and the older kids went swimming. Beebs and I stayed in the room and chatted and watched Noah and Brennan play. I love Beebs, she's always so fun to be with and is so patient (her kids spilled 3 drinks at lunch and she barely flinched).
We're going home tomorrow, but it has been a very nice trip, so good to see family and spend good quality time together.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Stiffnecked
I've gained a new appreciation for the term "stiffnecked" this week. I took Ethan and Noah bowling with my friend Amy and her son Adam last Friday. It was the first time I'd bowled since college, and I wasn't very good. The next day my neck was sore on one side, and the day after that I could barely turn my head. I've been popping ibuprofen, using ice and heat, and I had a somewhat painful massage yesterday. Still sore. Maybe I should try humbling myself a little . . .
Not Funny
I thought I'd post a comment sent me by a special needs advocacy group:
I am the very proud mother of a Special Olympic athlete. Anyone who knows me as a friend, family member or even acquaintance is aware of my daughter's recent participation in the Illinois Regional Special Olympic Swim Meet. The day was one of the most memorable of my life. For days on end, I gushed about it to anyone who would listen.
I will never forget the emotions of the day. The pride I felt was unlike anything I had ever experienced. As my daughter prepared to compete in her first event, I was overwhelmed with bittersweet thoughts and memories of her first ten years of life.
I remembered the day we saw her have her first of what would be many epileptic seizures.
I recalled the terror I initially felt in letting my daughter with epilepsy even enter a body of water, fearing she would have a seizure and drown.
I thought of the doctor who claimed that "based on the data," she would never be able to swim.
I thought of the countless hours my daughter spent in a pool, working to master freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly in spite of her learning disabilities.
I also recalled her subsequently having to re-learn each of those strokes, because a seizure episode "erased" the strokes from her memory.
I thought of the private Swim Club that - upon learning of her epilepsy - protested her participation and made me sign specially-drafted liability waivers in order to let her participate.
I thought of her little legs shaking on the starting block before her very first race.
I thought of her mouth filling with water as she swam, because of the bright, wide smile that spread across her face.
I thought of the neighborhood Swim Team teammate who told her she swam too slow.
And I thought of her friend who valiantly defended her!
I thought about how she has worked harder to learn simple things, than most people have to work to master the most complex things. I marveled at her strength, determination, and grit.
I felt honored to KNOW her, let alone be her mother.
Just participating in the events is a tremendous accomplishment. All of the athletes are winners. I spent the day awestruck at my good fortune to be a spectator at this very special event.
On that particular day, my daughter earned two gold medals. I wept, overwhelmed by the joy, pride and emotions involved.
That afternoon, I sent hundreds of emails to friends, neighbors, family members, colleagues and acquaintences, recounting the joy, excitement and pride of the day. I immediately posted a photo album on my Facebook page. I wore my Special Olympics t-shirt for several consecutive days! I have never bragged so much in my life, as I did in the days that followed that meet. I jokingly told my friends to refer to me from then on as "Mrs. Phelps."
That day was a day of validation for my daughter and her fellow athletes. In a world where people with disabilities often have to struggle daily, the Special Olympics provided the athletes with an opportunity to share their abilities proudly! And the athletes shined brighter than any gold medal.
My daughter and I are not alone. We are merely two among the countless people who believe that people who know just how hard people with disabilities - Special Olympics atheletes or not - work each and every day. And we are merely two among the countless people who believe that ALL people are worthy of respect and dignity.
The message I convey today is one of love and respect. Here it is:
We must discourage the use of comments, jokes and "insults" that mock or disparage people with disabilities. We must encourage others to value and respect individuals with special needs.
We all know that some individuals with disabilities are very effective advocates for themselves and their rights.
We also know that many individuals with disabilities - by virtue of those very disabilities - are unable to speak up for themselves.
When this is the case, I believe that it becomes OUR responsibility to do it for them. We - the parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors, and educators of people with disabilities - are the voice for the voiceless. Safeguarding their honor is our responsibility. More importantly, it is our PRIVILEGE.
Please - help me reach out to everyone who may think that it is "okay" to make fun of people with disabilities. While I certainly do not share Jay Leno's access to millions of viewers, I do have faith in humanity. I am a hopeful person. I believe that - through you - we can certainly make a positive impact upon the public perception and treatment of people with disabilities.
I sent out this request about a year ago, and I am repeating the request now.
First, please email everyone in your address book, asking them to refrain from using the "R" word and other disparaging comments and "jokes" about people with disabilities.
Second, if you overhear someone making a comment that criticizes people with disabilities, please educate them on the offensiveness of such language. It takes a few moments - and some guts - but you can make a positive impact upon the world. At the end of the day, you will know that you have been the voice for the voiceless.
Thank you very much for reading this message.
And thank you in advance for spreading this message.
Peace to you and those you love.
On the Same Team
Maureen Lowry-Fritz, J.D., M.A.
www.onthesameteam.org
That says it pretty well.
I am the very proud mother of a Special Olympic athlete. Anyone who knows me as a friend, family member or even acquaintance is aware of my daughter's recent participation in the Illinois Regional Special Olympic Swim Meet. The day was one of the most memorable of my life. For days on end, I gushed about it to anyone who would listen.
I will never forget the emotions of the day. The pride I felt was unlike anything I had ever experienced. As my daughter prepared to compete in her first event, I was overwhelmed with bittersweet thoughts and memories of her first ten years of life.
I remembered the day we saw her have her first of what would be many epileptic seizures.
I recalled the terror I initially felt in letting my daughter with epilepsy even enter a body of water, fearing she would have a seizure and drown.
I thought of the doctor who claimed that "based on the data," she would never be able to swim.
I thought of the countless hours my daughter spent in a pool, working to master freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly in spite of her learning disabilities.
I also recalled her subsequently having to re-learn each of those strokes, because a seizure episode "erased" the strokes from her memory.
I thought of the private Swim Club that - upon learning of her epilepsy - protested her participation and made me sign specially-drafted liability waivers in order to let her participate.
I thought of her little legs shaking on the starting block before her very first race.
I thought of her mouth filling with water as she swam, because of the bright, wide smile that spread across her face.
I thought of the neighborhood Swim Team teammate who told her she swam too slow.
And I thought of her friend who valiantly defended her!
I thought about how she has worked harder to learn simple things, than most people have to work to master the most complex things. I marveled at her strength, determination, and grit.
I felt honored to KNOW her, let alone be her mother.
Just participating in the events is a tremendous accomplishment. All of the athletes are winners. I spent the day awestruck at my good fortune to be a spectator at this very special event.
On that particular day, my daughter earned two gold medals. I wept, overwhelmed by the joy, pride and emotions involved.
That afternoon, I sent hundreds of emails to friends, neighbors, family members, colleagues and acquaintences, recounting the joy, excitement and pride of the day. I immediately posted a photo album on my Facebook page. I wore my Special Olympics t-shirt for several consecutive days! I have never bragged so much in my life, as I did in the days that followed that meet. I jokingly told my friends to refer to me from then on as "Mrs. Phelps."
That day was a day of validation for my daughter and her fellow athletes. In a world where people with disabilities often have to struggle daily, the Special Olympics provided the athletes with an opportunity to share their abilities proudly! And the athletes shined brighter than any gold medal.
My daughter and I are not alone. We are merely two among the countless people who believe that people who know just how hard people with disabilities - Special Olympics atheletes or not - work each and every day. And we are merely two among the countless people who believe that ALL people are worthy of respect and dignity.
The message I convey today is one of love and respect. Here it is:
We must discourage the use of comments, jokes and "insults" that mock or disparage people with disabilities. We must encourage others to value and respect individuals with special needs.
We all know that some individuals with disabilities are very effective advocates for themselves and their rights.
We also know that many individuals with disabilities - by virtue of those very disabilities - are unable to speak up for themselves.
When this is the case, I believe that it becomes OUR responsibility to do it for them. We - the parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors, and educators of people with disabilities - are the voice for the voiceless. Safeguarding their honor is our responsibility. More importantly, it is our PRIVILEGE.
Please - help me reach out to everyone who may think that it is "okay" to make fun of people with disabilities. While I certainly do not share Jay Leno's access to millions of viewers, I do have faith in humanity. I am a hopeful person. I believe that - through you - we can certainly make a positive impact upon the public perception and treatment of people with disabilities.
I sent out this request about a year ago, and I am repeating the request now.
First, please email everyone in your address book, asking them to refrain from using the "R" word and other disparaging comments and "jokes" about people with disabilities.
Second, if you overhear someone making a comment that criticizes people with disabilities, please educate them on the offensiveness of such language. It takes a few moments - and some guts - but you can make a positive impact upon the world. At the end of the day, you will know that you have been the voice for the voiceless.
Thank you very much for reading this message.
And thank you in advance for spreading this message.
Peace to you and those you love.
On the Same Team
Maureen Lowry-Fritz, J.D., M.A.
www.onthesameteam.org
That says it pretty well.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Standard of Truth
This morning I was a little down, thinking about all of the awful things that are happening in the world. I heard about the tv show "Big Love" belittling the temple ceremony and it just made me sick. Then I read the response of the church:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma
And I also thought of the "Standard of Truth," which we memorized on my mission, and it made me feel a lot better. Here it is:
The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
So as scary as things get, we just need to hold on tight to the iron rod, live worthily of the Holy Ghost, and pray always. We'll be ok!
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma
And I also thought of the "Standard of Truth," which we memorized on my mission, and it made me feel a lot better. Here it is:
The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
So as scary as things get, we just need to hold on tight to the iron rod, live worthily of the Holy Ghost, and pray always. We'll be ok!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dad and Noah Weekend
Last weekend Scott and Noah went to Idaho together. It was (I think) the first time they'd taken a trip, just the two of them. Noah was so excited! Scott had a water board meeting in Albion (we own a little bit of farmland there) and so this was a good excuse to go. They flew into Boise and visited Jeff and Marla, then spent time in Pocatello with Scott's sister Cindy and her family (including granddaughter Abby - - she's 3). Scott's parents were there as well and they went to church there. Scott's parents have been working in the Twin Falls temple since it opened, and Scott's dad is now a sealer. They keep very busy! Noah had a very fun time playing with Abby and took about a thousand pictures (Scott weeded through them and picked a few good ones, see www.gallery.mac.com/scottegarner) They finally got back Tuesday afternoon. Noah was so excited to be home and to see Ethan and me. We really missed him and Scott. Ethan and I just had a quiet weekend at home, doing some furniture rearranging and hanging out with friends.
Tuesday night I was in charge of homemade face masks for YW beauty night. We used up some of my food storage oatmeal. Recipe: 1/4 cup oatmeal, 2 tbsp egg white, 1 tbsp orange juice. The girls were so fun, we took fun of their leprous looking faces and had a great time. The scouts did a huge food drive for the pantry here in Crystal Lake. And Noah had a good time with the cubs, getting ready for this weekend's Blue & Gold Banquet.
Today Ethan and Noah had dental appointments. Arby's was the bribe, and it worked. Ethan went first and was a great example, and Noah followed and was wonderful. Whew! I was a real cheerleader through the whole process, glad that's over with for 6 months. Now I just have to keep up the nagging to brush and floss . . .
Tuesday night I was in charge of homemade face masks for YW beauty night. We used up some of my food storage oatmeal. Recipe: 1/4 cup oatmeal, 2 tbsp egg white, 1 tbsp orange juice. The girls were so fun, we took fun of their leprous looking faces and had a great time. The scouts did a huge food drive for the pantry here in Crystal Lake. And Noah had a good time with the cubs, getting ready for this weekend's Blue & Gold Banquet.
Today Ethan and Noah had dental appointments. Arby's was the bribe, and it worked. Ethan went first and was a great example, and Noah followed and was wonderful. Whew! I was a real cheerleader through the whole process, glad that's over with for 6 months. Now I just have to keep up the nagging to brush and floss . . .
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