The Ruthful Truth

Meet Dorothy Roene Hathaway

2010-12-24T00:35:00.005-07:00

Dorothy Roene Hathaway

Born: October 22, 2010 01:35 am

Weight: 4 lb 13 oz Length: 17.5 in

Salt Lake City, UT

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T22:11:00.004-07:00

Today has been a great Thanksgiving. The only thing that would have made it better would to have been with more of my family. Alas, we are scattered to the four corners. I spent the morning making pies for the dinner at my sister-in-law's. Unfortunately it seems when we get together that few of us actually eat dessert. I'm not sure what that's all about. Fortunately, having made the pies myself this year I brought plenty home to eat later.

Today was wonderful because my in-laws put a deep hurt aside to try to help someone who had injured them who is now in need of compassion and healing. It is never easy to forgive hurt and betrayal to the ones we love by someone to whom we've extended trust. But today's experience reminded me of my deepest gratitute - for the Atonement of Christ. I am most thankful that regardless of what we've done that we can gain forgiveness. I am thankful that regardless of what has been done to us that there is a Power that can help us to forgive. And there is healing available for all of us. If we seek it.

I've thought alot this past month about how thankful I am for the rich abundance of blessings in my life. Thanksgiving is rich with memories of my childhood, of places, people, and of course food. I am as thankful for these memories as anything else and hope that my children are treasuring up their own memories as well. For all of my friends and family who read this blog - I am thankful for you and your being a part of my life. I hope that each of you find much to be thankful for today and every day.

I'm Still Here!

2009-06-27T22:08:00.003-06:00

Don't despair, I'm still living ... just not blogging lately.

Life is good. I got my mortgage paid. I got a new job. Aaron made dinner tonight.

Took a trip with Elijah to Idaho last week. We stayed two nights with Meredith. We had a great time listening to music, hanging out with Meredith's friend, basking in the time we had together with Meredith. Eli mostly followed Lisa, Meredith's roommate, around. It was great because it enabled us to really spend more time visiting. It was definitely some premium time. I'm banking that time up to get me through the next month+ of working overtime while I train for my new job.

Gotta love the simple things. I worked out in the garden tonight. Massacred the snails and pulled many weeds. We had broccoli from the garden for dinner. It was so good. I can't even tell you - broccoli fresh from the garden - completely different even from fresh in the produce aisle. If you have an opportunity to try some - don't let it pass. I'll try to write more soon.

Meredith, Elijah and Lisa

So Grown Up

2009-05-06T23:41:00.004-06:00

Kiersten had this picture taken for Mother's Day. I have it already because she's going to her Mom's this weekend and they were only able to provide her with one copy (from Achievement Days at church) and she wants her Mom and me to both have a copy. So I've scanned it for myself. She's so grown up. I took her to the salon right before she went to get the picture taken and she wouldn't let me look at her until they were done cutting and styling her hair. It might seem like a silly thing, but taking her to the salon for her first grown-up haircut makes me feel like she's gone through some right of passage. She is such a wonderful girl and I'm so thankful to get to be her mom so much of the time. I love you Kiersten!

Guilty Pleasures

2009-03-11T22:49:00.016-06:00

The economy is bad and we've been hit pretty hard. We've done a lot of cutting back. So when I indulge, my indulgences are filling not only wants but also fulfilling needs. I'd like to give thanks for the life savers that these products are. Could I do without them? Of course. But after a hard day at work, dealing with my often crazy kids (and sometimes husband), or stressing over trying to make ends meet - having one of these great products at home to indulge in is a slice of heaven. Some of these are recent great finds and others I've been using for years.

Growing up in Seattle I was spoiled by a climate where it didn't matter if I used lotion very often. After moving to Utah with its extreme seasons I've found that often lubricating my skin twice a day is not enough. To complicate the matter I have relatively sensitive skin. This Alba Very Emolient Body Lotion -Dry Skin Formula is pricey but has saved my skin. I absolutely love it!

I'm not shy about sharing the fact that in times of stress I literally pull my hair out. This compulsion first manifest itself when I was 8 or 9 and my parents had separated. I didn't seriously struggle with it again until I was fired from my job and found out I was pregnant - within a week! Since that time I've struggled off and on pretty regularly with the issue. My best tactic in the road back to a healthy head of hair (other than chopping it all off) is to pamper my hair and scalp. This usually involves purchasing a higher end product of one brand or another. My recent favorite is the Shampure Shampoo and Conditioner by Aveda. I had a friend in Flagstaff, AZ on my mission who owned her own Aveda Salon and used to give the missionaries free haircuts. I used to use their Madder root products (especially to for red hair) and more recently have also used their Rosemary products. The Shampure line has a great herbal fragrance and it leaves my hair feeling clean. As soon as I began using Aveda my hair felt stronger and healthier.

Most of my life I've struggled with weight issues. In the past few years those issues have been compounded into chronic health issues of high blood pressure and type II diabetes. One of the best allies I've found in my struggle with all three of these issues has been Yoga. I first discovered it on my mission and have practiced it off and on now for over ten years. I've been buying Yoga Journal, sometimes by subscription and other times just month by month, for at least 5 years now. I've found that it's articles inspire me to strive for a healthier me - emotionally, spiritually, physically, and as a citizen of our planet. I feel like it speaks to me and encourages me like a friend who unwittingly calls you on the phone and answers that question you've been struggling over but had never really voiced. Yoga journal is a friend. When I see it in my mailbox or in the grocery store line and I realize we haven't visited for a while (and I really need a pep talk) - I invite it home and catch up.

A few years ago I was reading an article in Better Homes and Gardens about "Green Cleaning" I had also just seen a blurb on some morning show

about it as well and I decided it was time for me

to try to find a "greener" alternative to the harsh chemicals I was using at home. I stumbled on to Mrs. Meyers Clean Day at the Wild Oat's that I frequented. I picked up the Lemon Verbena All Purpose cleaner and haven't looked back. I love this stuff. It cleans off that greasy, grimy dust that so nasty and ughh and is hard to get off. The product is fabulous. When I'm using it I want to clean my whole house. And the smell is invigorating. I've also used the air freshener, carpet cleaner, counter spray, and toilet cleaner. My other favorite though is Mrs. Meyers hand soaps. I actually buy the big refills so that I can stay stocked . While I love the Lemon Verbena hand soap (I've been using it for two or three years now) I fell in love last fall with their Basil scent.

Last summer I fell in love with some basil that I bought from the farmers market. I ended up buying a bunch of it, drying it and using it up way too soon. Now I'm stuck for another 3+ months waiting for the Salt Lake City farmers market to open up again. I will be very disappointed if that particular vendor is not participating this year. But I digress...that newfound love of Basil was the impetus for trying and discovering my new favorite handsoap scent. I have it at the kitchen sink and its made it such a pleasure to wash my hands. I'm only sad because it's almost gone. I guess I'll just have to get the refill. :) Hence Guilty pleasure.

Lastly and my most recent discovery are these great aromatherapy bath salts by EO. I have tried a few different brands and types of bath salts over the past few years. I had run out and had taken to soaking at the end of work days. I wasn't set on any particular brand and these appealed to me because of the Rose Geranium and Citrus fragrance. I'd had an essential oil that I really loved and used to use in the bath that also used that combination. This product was a great price for the quantity and I ended up adoring it. My job has me sitting for 10 hours a day at the computer. Needless to say by the end of the day I'm a little tense.

A hot bath with soothing salts and calming essential oils is the perfect end to a long day.

A Dream Remembered

2009-01-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

As a little girl growing up in the midst of inner-city Seattle I had a thorough education in the history of the civil rights movement. I don't know how that education would differ or compare to that which I may have received growing up elsewhere. I was only 7 years old when I learned who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was, what he lived and gave his life for, and that he had left his small children to grow up with out their father. It has been many years since I could think of him without deep emotion - maybe since I first learned who he was. Since that time he has been one of my greatest heroes. A voice reaching through time - calling upon all who have ears to hear - to right the wrongs of those who came before us and to stay the hands of those who would continue their oppressive and evil ways.

I have not always lifted my voice, reached out my hand, walked forward, or lead out in such a way as to reflect this deep affinity. But my heart is full today. In November when our nation elected the first African American President my heart was full. I cried tears of joy. Barack Obama doesn't begin to represent all that I believe in. He does represent a powerful movement toward the fulfilling of Dr. King's Dream...."So I say to you, my friends, that even though we must face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." I believe that President Obama brings us new hope and will lead us into a new day - even as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brought this nation hope and led us to this day. This is my tribute to both men - the hero of my childhood and a new hero for me - and maybe for my children.

I Dream

This night I ponder
Eyes and heart open
Anxious - but hopeful
As I wander
through a Dream
of one Man
Gone these many years
A Dream still alive
Today in the hearts
of a Nation.

Today, tomorrow
We move forward
No longer in a dream
- but in each waking moment
Here and now.
Hope.
A Dream
Fulfilled -
A Man's,
A Nation's.

A new Dream
Uniting hearts
which Hope again.

All Freaked out for the Big 10

2008-10-27T21:45:00.000-06:00

Some creepy party-ghouls. That's Kiersten in the middle if you couldn't tell.

Kiersten turned 10 yesterday. As she likes to say, she's finally a "double digit". To celebrate we had a costume party for her on Friday night. It was a big success. We had a total of about a dozen kids there. Friends from church, school, and elsewhere.

We partied in recently added dungeon.

We'll use this as the family game room after Halloween.

The best suprise of the night came in the un-auspicious form of a shoe box. One of Kiersten's friend's brought her a kitten (which she had the thoughtfulness to ask us if Kiersten could keep - even though she didn't have the foresight to call ahead). Aaron and I decided before Kiersten had any awareness of its being present (no pun intended), that we'd let her keep the cat.

Shadow and the doting new mother.

Aaron wanted to call the cat Fuzz-bucket - thankfully the she has been saved from that fate. I insisted that since it was given to Kiersten, she be allowed the priveledge of naming the cat (and didn't need to consider anyone else's input unless she wanted to). So our new addition is "Shadow". We've been pretty short on funds of late and have been wondering how to foot the bill for essential kitty items such as a litter box, litter, and food. The answer came in the guise of pennies from heaven. Ok, actually birthday mail. We realize that Kiersten is actually vested with the funds to take care of her cat (at least in the immediate future) herself. Thank you grandparents. Don't worry we'll pick up the slack as soon as we can, and Kiersten will still have money left over for the usual 10 year old fare.

Elijah (on the left) and a few of his friends -

a doctor, race care driver, and cowboy - of course.

Beating Back the Birthday Blues and More Mountain Man-ia

2008-09-29T12:24:00.000-06:00

I think that it generally goes without saying that people belong to one of two categories. Those who like their birthdays and those who don't. I fall somewhere in between. I really want to like my birthday - but never really do. The bottom line - I have expectations but fail to communicate them effectively. So this year I decided to take things into my own hands. Aaron's grandma has been wanting to cook a turkey dinner for us. I asked her to do it the evening of my birthday. It was wonderful to be surrounded by family and also to not have to worry about fixing dinner after working all day. The other thing that I did was I bought a ticket to go see the touring Broadway production of CATS. I went with a friend who also bought a ticket. This is something that I wouldn't normally do for myself (but that I would love to do). I am starting a tradition for my birthday that I will do something for myself that I wouldn't normally do. My friend Sam and I went together and had a nice dinner and really enjoyed the show. It was great to have a girls night out and doing something fun that we don't normally get to do! It's not a bad thing to have expectations so long as I'm going to meet them myself and not pin them on anyone else. A funny sidebar to this is that my husband never remembers exactly when my birthday is. I woke up this year and decided that rather than stewing about it all day this year I'd just clue the poor guy in. His response: "I know why I always think that your birthday is on the 22nd - it's because that's Frodo and Bilbo's birthday!" A word to the wise - if your mixing your spouse's birthday up with a fictional character's - keep it to yourself.

Aaron did get me a great present this year, though. Although he doesn't remember the date of my birthday he does know that it's coming and usually gets me a nice gift. This year we've been doing the "Rendezvous" aka Mountain Man stuff and we really enjoyed the black powder rifle shooting. We decided to do the black powder Elk hunt at the end of October. Aaron already had a rifle and wanted to get one for me so I started looking to see what was out there. I decided that I wanted a Lyman Plains rifle - which didn't seem likely because they were anywhere from $500-$600 starting. But Aaron (being the great hunter that he is) was able to pick one up at a pawn shop for a great bargain (Aaron's great at talking people down with price and knows how to get a deal). We've been out to shoot a few times now and I'm getting my barrings with the gun though it's got a few hangups. The first problem is the the part of the gun you put the cap on (the cap holds the primer which when struck by the hammer causes a spark which lights the gun powder in your barrel) which is called the nipple has mushroomed out and is causing the gun to mis-fire 3 out of 4 times I pull the trigger. What this means is that by the time I get the gun to fire, I'm flinching and it's really affecting the accuracy of my shooting. We may also be having some issues with the hammer - it's action seems to be slower than it should be. But we'll take it one problem at a time. We went to the last rendezvous of the year on Saturday. We didn't get any pictures of the rendezvous itself but here are a few of us that we took afterwards. I'll definitely get some more photos posted next year.

Back to Work

2008-09-15T22:34:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry that I haven't gotten much posted for a while. I am going back to work in less than 12 hours though, so I thought I'd better post something. The last 7 days have been pretty good. I've got quite a bit done. I went to the gun range and shot my new rifle (I finally feel ok - I can still hit the target even with a muzzle loader) and came away fairly happy with my shooting. Went to the gym and worked out a few times. Went to a concert (by myself) and got to listen to classical music (it was heavenly - the time alone as much as the music). Got to read, play with my children, spend quality time with my husband, do homework, pay bills, make appointments. It was a good week off. One of the best things was it didn't fly by too quickly. I felt like I got to enjoy it. But now we're back to work. It should fly by.

We Reap What We Sow

2008-08-26T08:41:00.001-06:00

Summer is finally winding down here - although the temperatures are still hot. As I drive to work in the mornings it is getting darker and darker - a telling sign that fall and then winter are on their way. It's been a fast summer. I think that working every other week and then trying to cram the rest of my life into the weeks that I'm off - has a way of speeding everything by. Although I look forward to the change of season I will miss my garden. We planted it in late April and early May and have really enjoyed the fruits of our labor. I would have to say that most of that labor has been Aaron's - but I've still enjoyed the fruits. I decided to chronicle some of it in pictures. I'm just a little proud of what we've been able to grow. It's been wonderful to be able to share our harvest with many of our family and friends. I think that we're looking forward to next year. Aaron would like to expand to include a few other plants. We'd also like to do some fruit and I would like to do some flowers and herbs. I think that our planting may also branch out into some of the beds that we have both in the back yard and also in the front.

This is our lovely Swiss Chard. I discovered how wonderful it was just after Eli was born. When you spend $2 a bunch at the grocery store - growing your own is definitely worth it. This and the lettuce (which you can see going to seed in the background were the first harvest of our garden. We started eating it back in May.

Our Lettuces. We had two varieties - one green and one red. I'm not sure about the species. Very good. Once lettuce goes to seed you can still eat it but it becomes bitter. We just don't eat nearly enough salad (try as we may)!

Our green beans have a tendency to get too big and to be more than a little fibrous. The beans have been delicious though and have added visually to the appeal of the garden.

We'd planted two different varieties of cucumber. The smaller domestic variety was destroyed either by a smallish black dog or by a smallish blond boy. Either way we were left with our Japanese cucumber which we were all a little hesitant to try but turned out to have a wonderful flavor and to be quite delicious!

Our tomatoes have been on the vine for over a month but it's only been the last few weeks that we've been getting red ones. I'm not sure why this is. I've heard speculation that it's the hot summer. That may account for why the ones that are ripening are nearer to the ground. I love fresh chopped tomatoes w/ fresh basil (or mint). Delicious!

Anyone who grows zucchini or any other kind of squash knows there's more than enough of this to go around. We have both green and yellow varieties. We've been sauteing it, grilling it, frying it, grating it and mixing it in to just about anything that we can. It's been a great one to share with friends and family. This is one of my favorite pictures. I love the shapes of the stalks and leaves.

I have never been very fond of eggplant but as you can see we've got not one but two varieties growing in our garden. We had thought this one was a pepper (it isn't). A little over a year ago I was visiting my mother and she fixed it in such a way that the acrid taste (which is my big turn off towards eggplant) was eliminated. Once I realized that it was possible to prepare it in an appealing manner I began to experiment. So far I have that initial recipe from my mom, an eggplant casserole (one of our all-time favorite recipes), lasagna, and tomorrow I will be experimenting w/ eggplant Parmesan. I also want to try baba ganoush. If you love veggies and have a little earth - I'd recommend growing a garden to anyone. It's been good for us on so many levels. We eat better. We have something great to do together as a family. We're saving money and doing something good w/ our property.

Breaking Dawn

2008-08-04T19:10:00.000-06:00

Aaron and I have fallen hard for Stefenie Meyer's Twilight series. The latest book Breaking Dawn came out midnight on Friday. Naturally, I was standing in line to get the book the minute that it went on sale. My friend Rosee and I stood in line reading our precious copies and after I'd dropped her off at her house I didn't put my copy down until 5am. When I got up at 9 Aaron questioned me as to how much I'd gotten down. "I only made it to chapter 14". Aaron spent the rest of the day catching up to me after which we started reading out loud together. There have been a few other times that we've done this. I think except for this occasion they've all been Harry Potter books.

The Twilight series is like literary crack. At least that's how I describe it to people. Meyers is a good writer with an amazing story. The writing is good enough and easily digestible that the books appeal to just about anyone that picks them up. Although I've enjoyed the occasional vampire novel in the past I'm not a huge fan of the genre - but I've definitely been swept up. When I started reading the books ( I think that it was back in May) I had such a hard time putting them down, that after Aaron had convinced me to (finally) turn of the light, I'd lay there until I finally heard him asleep. Then I'd grab the book, a blanket, and I'd sneak out to the couch to read more. Aaron accused me of reading porn and I finally had to give him a download of the plot to get him to realize that I wasn't. He still didn't believe me and it was only when he picked up the books himself (and was instantly addicted himself) the he understood what was happening.

Twilight definitely feels like a guilty pleasure. Once I finished the series (at least the first 3 books - all there was at the time) I instantly started them again. I've managed to control myself with the Fourth and final book in the series. Aaron and I finished reading it together last night. It was unexpected and totally worth the wait. I'll be starting school in a few weeks and am actually part of a book club so I won't be reading any of the Twilight books again anytime soon. I'll be looking forward to my break at the end of December. I'm sure there will be a list of other books waiting to be read then too. The books all in order are Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. I've been surprised by the diversity of readers who've enjoyed the series. I would recommend the books for anyone - a delightful and fun read.

I'm getting ready to start my week back at work. I actually worked two days of my week off so I feel like I was robbed. I guess I won't so much when I see my paycheck. I got registered for school today. I will be starting classes on August 20th. I'm taking a personal finance class, music appreciation, and American economics. I'm excited I think that it will be a good quarter. I'm planning on applying to the Physical Therapy Assistant program for fall of 2009. With the classes that I'm taking this quarter and a few more in the spring I should graduate in December 2009 with an associates degree (an AA) and a certificate for the PTA program. I plan to spend approximately 16 hours a month this next year also volunteering for a Physical therapist that I worked with previously. I hope that this will give me experience in the field and keep me motivated and on track with my goals. Yeah me!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

2008-07-19T13:59:00.000-06:00

So...Last night I composed a fabulous post and when I was previewing it, prior to publishing, I accidentally clicked on the "back" tab and goodbye post. As heartbreaking as that was (and I've done it more than just the once - yep, kind of a dork) I'm back to try again.

July is a great time to get together with family. To just enjoy the simple things. Eating good food, playing, and spending time with the people that you love. Although it's been a while since my last post I have been snapping lots of pictures with the intent of posting them here.

I was thinking about doing a photo essay-type thing for the 4th. This is about as far as I got. Our little piece of Americana.

Aaron worked on the 4th and Kiersten was with her Mom for the weekend. So it was just Elijah and me. We stopped and had an early dinner with Aaron's Grandparents and took a few pictures of him with them. I love this shot. You can tell they love their great-grandson.

Then we headed over and saw Aaron's sister and her kids. Here's Eli with his cousins Kelsie, Riley, and Claire.

I love to see Mahana's husband Ammoni w/ the kids - he's like a big teddy bear.

This is a great picture of Heidi Tuita and her youngest, Josie; Margaret and Maleha, and Mahana. This was taken at the Vehikite/Tuita family reunion.

I love this picture of Margaret and Mahana. I get so caught up in my own little rat race - it's been nice to reconnect with my brothers and sisters lately. Mahana has been really busy organizing family reunions this month. I think that she's going to get a break from it in August. She is such an amazing woman.

Margaret and her girls stopped by on Wednesday night. They're home from Germany this month. It was great to see them. The girls had a great time with both Rex and the kids.

Kasiah is adorable. Don't let the big brown eyes fool you though - Margaret says that Dustin calls her Osama-siah or "the terrorist" because of the way that she goes after other kids. She definitely has her moments as a sweetheart though. She won me over.

Eli and Maleha both looking a little pensive.

Thursday morning we met at the park for lunch and were pleasantly surprised to see Martin and Mark there as well. I couldn't resist taking this picture of them with Margaret and her girls.

Martin's boys were both at the park too. Here's Martin Jr. (aka: Tini or Tino - depending on what mood he's in). I love these two - they both have the sweetest dispositions. I don't see them nearly enough and just want to eat them up when I do.

This little sweetheart is Michael, Martin's youngest. The picture doesn't begin to show how adorable he really is.

I was amazed at children's instinct for self preservation. 90% of all the kids at the park were playing under the playground equipment and not on it. No coaching from protective moms needed. Eli enjoys playing in the dirt and would probably swim naked in it if he could. Thank goodness he hasn't tried - yet. Utah is so hot!

And last but not least - Kiersten swinging it up! She was noticeably absent from most of the events photographed here because of the trip to her Mom's. We're having a great summer though. Look for more pics here soon.

Mountain Man-ia!

2008-06-09T10:18:00.000-06:00

This post is a little late coming - but better late than never. I had actually considered just skipping the subject altogether, but realizing its likely staying power I had to put something. Not to mention I have such a great title for the post.

So Memorial Day weekend we went to Lagoon for my company's summer picnic. Lagoon is a big amusement park in Farmington, Utah about 30 minutes north of us. Aaron practically grew up there (he had summer passes as a kid), but I had never been in the eight years I've lived here (amusement parks have never been high on the priority list for me), and neither of the kids had ever been. Needless to say we had a great time. We had a nice (though too short) visit with Meredith and her roommate, Lisa. They stayed at the house for the weekend and came up to Lagoon as well. After nearly six hours of running around, standing in line, and screaming our heads off - we packed up and headed further north to the Cache Valley. Destination: Old Ephraim Mountain Man Rendezvous.

Everything went pretty smoothly - the biggest ordeal - Mom's attitude. It's true, for some reason when there's something that Aaron really wants I am resistant (I have my theories about why that is but that's a whole other topic) and I knew that Aaron really wanted to do the "Mountain Man" thing - so although I was resistant I wasn't murmuring. I also wasn't doing much to make things go smoothly. Needless to say, when the water cooler spilled 5 gallons of water on the hardwood floor Aaron had recently installed in our "new-to-us" camper, he was ready to go home. I ate the humble pie and told Aaron that we new there would be bumps and that we just needed to stick it out. So with my attitude adjusted we set out to have a good time. Seriously sometimes I feel like I'm still a teenager - cranky for no good reason. Yeah, and totally selfish too. I have no excuse. But at least I can admit the problem. That's a start.

We had a great time. While I was in Seattle (see last post) Aaron had ordered some leather and made his own leather pants (they were done within 24 hours of receiving the leather - if that's not mania I don't know what is), he made shirts for both himself and Elijah. He's made a capote (a wool coat constructed from wool blankets), multiple leather bags, and purchased a wooden canteen, and a black powder rifle with accouterments - among various other items. I think we're in this for the long haul. For those of you who know Aaron even a little bit you probably are aware of his need for occupation. Aaron is a doer - to say the least. It's one of my most and least favorite things about him (isn't that how it is with the ones we love). But at least having a hobby like the mountain man stuff he has some object in that compulsion.

Kiersten and Elijah both had a great time. There were lots of people there all in various capacities. Some obviously more into it than others. The mountain man rendezvous are a re-enactment type of activity. They have a trader's row (where you can purchase just about anything you want for the period - 1800 - 1845 approximately), there's a tent camp with canvas tents and tee pees, a tin tee pee camp (for those with campers, trailers, or modern tents), there's a gun and archery range, and areas for knife and tomahawk throwing. They also have activities for the whole family. We met a lot of great people and had a lot of fun. Dad, Kiersten, and Mom learned to throw a tomahawk. Elijah got his own bow and arrows and learned to shoot them (don't worry they have soft rubber tips). Aaron and Ruth got to learn to shoot the black powder rifle (though the ability to hit the target has eluded us). All in all we had a great time and look forward to more mountain man activities. Since we've been home Aaron has been scheming on how to make the next event even better. He's making himself a new leather bag (shocking, I know) which I first dubbed his girly-man purse. The name has been improved upon to be his burly-man purse (and we're considering marketing that). Hopefully in the not-too-distant future we'll have some photos to share so you can see how ridiculously into this we are. But we enjoy it - and if you're ever curious you're welcome to join us at an event (full participation - aka: dressing up - is generally not required).

It's Spring!!

2008-05-12T11:58:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago now, Elijah and I headed up to Washington with some friends. We stopped on the way to Seattle where we stayed with Katie and Jim. We got in late but we had a good visit in the morning before we headed out. Elijah and his cousin Jimmy really hit it off. It was really fun to get to see Jimmy and witness his astute personality first hand. He's darling. I was able to meet Audrey for the first time and she's such a doll. She was going through a clinging phase and didn't really want to be held by anyone but Mom or Dad. I persisted though and when Katie stepped away for a few minutes she warmed up to her aunt Ruth. I miss Katie and it's hard to be so far away from her. We didn't give her and Jim to much notice and I appreciate their accommodating us. When you are separated by time and distance even a few hours visit is worth while. And of course Katie and I stretched it out into the wee hours of the night until the call of the baby cut us short.

Jimmy trying to evade the camera.

At mom's house I was able to connect with Ramona and Aiden. The Mom and the "mini-me" are always fun to see. I'm sorry I didn't get any picture's of the two on the film that I've recently had developed. I have another camera I need to use up and hopefully I'll have some more pics in the near future. Ramona was so wonderful and provided transportation for both Dorothy and I. She's also been a huge source of support for Mom and Mark, which with her schooling has been a big juggling act for her. This is my call for applause. She's doing an outstanding job. Congratulations by the way on your acceptance to the University of Washington. Well done! I also got to see Jason who I haven't seen in a few years. It was great to see him. He is a great daddy and a wonderful companion to Ramona. Thank you.

Dorothy and I had a good visit while trying to organize and clean Mom's house. We basically staged things to be loaded up and moved into storage. We had great help from the Elders Quorum at their church and were able to move a truck full of boxes and furniture into storage. This has opened up some room at the house and will hopefully enable Mom and Dad to be able to be ready to go when the times comes for them to move. It was a good visit. Elijah and Gavin really enjoyed each other. In spite of the difference in age. Eli doted on Gavin, and Gavin looked up to Eli. It was great to connect and re-establish these family bonds. Such as The bond of Swiss Chocolate ice cream shared between cousins.

As Mark was in the hospital during this time we really didn't get to spend any quality time visiting him. I did spend several hours at the hospital with him and appreciated the care that he was receiving from the skilled nurses there at Swedish. Mom was able to rest easy (in a manner of speaking) knowing that they were working around the clock giving him the best care.

I'm sorry that I didn't have more time to spend with Mom. In spite of the brevity of our interaction together - it was a quality visit. I felt like I was able to provide valuable service to her. It's hard to be so far away because I'm limited in being able to do those kinds of things. I love my Mom and Mark so much. I know that they're are being blessed (in spite of the appearance of things). I hope that we won't always be separated by so many miles.

Yesterday was Mother's day. Usually this comes in the midst of spring - however Utah has had a difficult time deciding if spring has arrived this year. Yesterday my kids put on their swimsuits, put the sprinkler under the trampoline and decided that spring had arrived. Today the weather is hemming and hawing again. But we at least had some fun outside.

Later we went to Aaron's grandparent's to have a family Mother's day celebration. These pictures are from that time. Unfortunately before I had a chance to really take any variety of pictures, the new digital camera that Aaron and the kids got me for Mothers day, went kaput. So here's what I have. The guilty camera will be returned to Wal-Mart and hopefully replaced by a fully operational model. I hope this means that there will be regular posting of photos here. Only time will tell.

On this Mother's day I'd like to shout out to the special Mothers in my life. To my Mom who is the glue right now - you're amazing! Thanks for keeping it all together. She's been doing a great job taking care of her family for longer than I can remember. Most recently she's be keeping it together for Mark who has been struggling with major health problems. I love you and am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments!

For Lo, I am so glad that you have pulled dad down to the Southwest. I am grateful that the two of you have your Utopia to build together along with a beautiful array of friends, interests, and activities. Although you're not much (or any) closer than you were before it's nice to be able to head in a different direction to come and see you both. You have added great dimension to my life and given my a bold standard to measure myself by. I thank you for all of your love and support.

I also want to mention Aaron's mother Dani. She always has said that she picked me out from the first moment that I extended my hand to her (she was my co-worker) and said, "hi, I'm Ruth Roberts". She has been a great support to me and loves my in spite (and sometimes because) of my contrary-ness. And finally Aaron's grandmother Roene who has been a great example of love, loyalty, and hard work. I know that his family opened their hearts to me at a time where they were extremely vulnerable and I appreciate their trust and their love. I have grown to love them as my own family.

Motherhood is a curse and a blessing. A curse because once you're in you're hooked for life and beyond. A blessing because it's a bond to your children, other children, and other mothers. I believe that motherhood binds the world together - for the most part. I've got a long way to go with becoming the best mother I can. But the more I try the better I do. Thanks to all the mother's in my life for their great examples. I'm learning!

Snow Day

2008-02-22T19:39:00.001-07:00

We went snowshoe-ing and cross-country skiing on Saturday. My friend Francesca took these great pictures. I have wanted to try the cross-country skiing for years but Aaron bought a pair of snow shoes last year so he and Kiersten snow-shoed.
My company sponsored an outing for employees and their families. We had alot of fun. I seemed to spend alot of time falling down and getting up (I thought that just happened with the downhill skiing!). At one point Francesca tells me -"you actually look like you're having fun" - to which I responded, "I actually am having fun". I've always known that when the day came that I finally got the chance to ski that I would probably fall down alot - and I would have a ton of fun doing it. I was right, I did!

Literarily Challenged

2008-02-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

My sister Katie challenged me to write ten stanzas describing myself. Since I was supposed to be doing homework today I gladly took the challenge. The following are ten stanzas comprized of words A-Z which some how describe me. I tried to also craft the overall meaning to describe me as well but ran out of steam toward the end. I hope you enjoy this little diversion as much as I did.

The Vocabulary of Me

Zealously aspiring toward
more than what I've known how
A backward downward dog am I
Yogini present in the now

Controlling freak-ish nature
my introspect derivative
A xanthippe I have realized -
not too late to change and live

Dychotomy a function of my
needs and wants, dislikes and loves
Wife of both joy and sadness -
these - to strength give birth of

Though sometimes I am quietness
mine's a vocal nature true
and lazy though I wish to be
that torpid way do I rue

Unassuming other's motives
I forget Life's treacheries
Grateful for my doppelganger,
Twin of guileless tendancies

Sarcastic though at times I am
these parts make up a sum of me
I'm working hard to work it in
I'll demonstrate and you'll see

Rambling through my means toward end,
please read between all the lines
Swiss Chocolate Orange ice cream love,
that dearness of harder times

Procrastinating English work -
poetry's a bit of fun
A kind-hearted one thought of me,
to get me writing - that's the pun

Obstinate madness of my ways
I jay-walk through convention
But though I balk the laureate
I meet all my intentions

This mother's birthed a masterpiece
in a life of diverse ways
I nose through business - yours and mine
seeking meaning in my days

Not What You've Been Waiting For

2007-12-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

So this may not be the great blog that you've been hoping for - but if you're like me I snatch at any tidbit from the blogs that I frequent (and by frequent I mean that I read but don't ever comment). The year is quickly passing and the new year upon us. I like so many am pondering the chaos that surrounds me and considering how I might make improvements to diminish said chaos and enrich that which is enriching about my life. Though many goals and "resolutions" are beginning to take formation they are by no means at this time solidified.
I will say that I am looking at the areas of personal health, general organization and preparedness, education, spirituality, and family harmony. I have signed up for a half marathon April 19th which will require a lot of preparation and commitment to - great start on the personal health. Aaron and I have been discussing some changes in our household and I'm considering alterations in my personal habits to streamline our life-style (this starts in the organization area and branches into family harmony). I believe that I had previously indicated my intention to start the PTA program in the fall - but being the paramount flip-flopper that I am I have changed my plans. I am now changing my work schedule to accommodate helping to care for Aaron's grandfather and also to enable me to spend some concentrated time on my studies (I will keep taking 2-3 courses online working toward my AA and eventually BS). My new schedule will also enable me to volunteer at Kiersten's school and to spend some more quality time with Elijah. There are some draw-backs like not being able to attend church weekly - but I am going to try to temper that with beginning a personal study of the scriptures and trying to do family home evening.
Obviously right now these are more thoughts than goals. This is a bit of what's been on my mind though. It's hard to decide what is the most important and will make the greatest impact. I don't feel like the things I'm considering are unattainable and believe that implementing them will be so beneficial. I will work on cementing the goals and check back.
Did I mention that I also want to try to blog on regular basis? It could happen.

Infinite Procrastination

2007-10-07T23:15:00.000-06:00

If I am supposed to be revisiting the issues that I have been dealing with since my adolescence - I will be stuck in this place forever. I seem to procrastinate everything to such an extent I don't think that I will ever really get to dealing with my issues. Such is the state of my blog. And for those who are vigilant in checking in to see if there's anything new in my life - thank you. I guess there really isn't much. OK. That would be the easy way out.

I am back in school again. Yeah. So I really am revisiting things that I've been dealing with since adolescence. School is always fun - but even more so when you're trying to juggle it with a full time job and a family. I've decided that I can't stomach the idea (or the reality) of working in a high-stress, low-paying job, doing something other than what I really want to do. There's also a part of me (I really discovered this after my 10 year high school reunion) that really just wants the satisfaction of being able to say I've put in the work to earn a degree and I did it! So I'm back at it. I fluctuate in exactly how I want to obtain my long-term goal but here's what things look like right now:

Immediate Goal: Higher paying job, more flexibility (IE: shorter hours), job satisfaction.
Means to achieving (smaller goals):
a) Continue working to utilize tuition benefits from current employer.
b) Continue taking classes at SLCC so I can get qualify for AA upon completion of PTA program.
c)) Fall 2008 enter PTA (Physical Therapy Assistant) program at SLCC (Salt Lake Community College). Graduate program Fall 2009.

5 Year Goal: Earn Bachelor's Degree in Exercise and Health Science from U of Utah
Means to achieving:
a) Work as a PTA part-time or full time.
b) Continue taking classes at U of Utah until Bachelor's is obtained.

Long Term Goal: Earn DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy) from the U of Utah
This is a 3 year program. The degree in Exercise and Health Science will satisfy the pre-requisites for this program. The DPT is the standard degree for Physical Therapists in the future. It will be great to work as a PTA and get into the field I want to work in but ultimately I want to work as a Physical Therapist.

One of the classes that I am taking right now is a Physical Therapy class. It has helped me to be very introspective about my motives for wanting to go into this work, my commitment to my education, and my beliefs and decisions about what kind of a practitioner I want to be. I hope that some of the things that I am thinking about will show through in my blog. It was actually taking this same class last summer that helped me realize that I was not in a position with my health to fully commit to the PTA program at that time. I think that one of life's greatest challenges is being honest with oneself. Often this means having to go back on what one has said one wants to, or intends to do. I am glad I have found the strength to do what is best for myself. I hope that means that I can do so again - should I ever need to.

So I am trying to be present and to live my life as fully as possible. One of my favorite movies is Strictly Ballroom - and a great quote from the movie is, "a life lived in fear is a life half-lived". I think one of the things about fairy tales that we forget is the the hero and heroine are never sitting on their butts waiting for good things to happen to them. They're living life fully and usually making the best of where ever they're at and what ever is going on! So I'll keep you all as up to date as possible on my progress. Here's to meeting procrastination head on! Oh wait - that's what I've been doing. Here's to kicking it to the curb!

The Trek

2007-06-23T22:47:00.001-06:00

Aaron and I are getting ready to spend what we have of a summer vacation on a Trek. What this means is that we are going to get on school buses with over a hundred youth (14-18 year old) from our church, and ride 5-6 hours to Wyoming. We will stop at Martin's Cove, WY where we'll be assigned handcart's to load with our possessions and trek with across several windy miles. We'll do this repeatedly for 3 days, then get on the school buses to come home. But this is more than just an intensive reality-based vacation. This is an opportunity for us to experience - a very dilute bit of what Early Mormon Pioneers went through to live the things they believed. I think that there is great power in living a life with such integrity that you would walk away from all that you've known to pursue what you have found to be true. We live in a world if pioneers - I think that we often leer at those who pursue paths that differ than our own. Perhaps some are lost and take the paths that open to them - but many follow a light that has revealed itself to them. I think that we each have gifts, talents, temperaments that open certain paths to us. I stand in awe of the passion and faith of many who I know. While I admire these great people and grow from their strengths my own path is unique. I look forward to this Trek and the insight which I hope to glean from my own thoughts and experience. I anticipate that it will be a very worthwhile use of my summer's vacation.

Fundamental Truth

2007-06-04T00:12:00.000-06:00

I've been reading my sister's blog for a while and each time I've felt that I ought to create my own. I have been experiencing a personal renaissance for several months now. A great part of which is being present. In other words - I am striving to be with the feelings I feel and act on the impulses that arise. So I am sending a bit of myself into cyber space. I stand each moment at the gate of the eternities, arms raised and open to embrace what lay before me. I look foward to sharing the experience and my thoughts thereon.

The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithlessand therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

- by Oriah Mountain Dreamercopyright © 1999 by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.