A Sad Day

Today I attended the funeral services for my friend, Peggy, who died last Thursday after battling breast cancer for nearly 3 years. I met Peggy at OSU in the winter of 1995- we were in the same Child Development class and sat next to one another and became friends that quarter.

She had this same radiant smile every single day that I saw her. Seriously, she could light up a room, and she did. She was so happy all the time. I remember hanging out with her, and complaining about this and that or whatever I wanted to complain about, and never once hearing her complain about her stuff. That was her...she was not a complainer! A friend spoke today at the funeral about beauty. She said, and I echo these thoughts: beauty is not only on your face, but through your face. As a side effect of the disease, she suffered facial paralysis, yet her smile still filled her entire face. She was beautiful inside and out, and beauty so comes from within.

She had a tremendous passion for children and I knew that she would make an amazing mother someday. We often worked together in group assignments, and she would completely immerse herself in the work and produce amazing results- I loved working with her.

I graduated a quarter before her, and she finished in the summer of 97. I remember how happy I was to be done with school, but Peggy missed the coursework and the children in the pre-school- while I was dying to work with grown-ups. Her heart was always with children. After she graduated, she moved to Kansas City, MO, and would send me postcards of the RLDS Temple there that she passed by on her way to work. It was so thoughtful, that I didn't have the heart to tell her that wasn't our temple, she was just thinking of me. I did later tell her, and she just laughed. She was always smiling and laughing- through whatever, she was always like that- and always thinking of others. She went on to be a Director of a very successful pre-school, an NAEYC accredited one- that she helped develop. She was an amazing teacher and director- she had so many people that loved her. I don't believe that anyone who ever met her did not instantly like her. That was just her.

She married Jeff, the love of her life in 1999, and I remember standing next to her as a beautiful bride, with me very pregnant with Alex. I will find that picture and post it, but for now, I can't find it! She made sure that day to go and thank every single person that came to her wedding- I could see how much it meant to her to have so many loved ones around her. She later had her first son in 2001, and I remember telling her how much fun boys were--I only had Alex at the time! She was so in love with him, and I knew that her family meant the world to her. She was an amazing mother- and in 2005, she gave birth to her 2nd son, who was born with a few difficulties that required much attention. As I listened to her tell me of this, I nearly broke down- it was extensive, and required her to be at the hospital for weeks after his birth. She never complained, just rejoiced in the new life her family was just blessed with. I could see the light of Christ in her from many experiences, but truly through this one.

Six weeks after that son was born, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In February of the next year, she had a double mastectomy. She continued chemotherapy, and had reconstructive surgery. At a routine checkup, the doctors found that the cancer had returned, and was now in her blood. She started an aggresive treatment plan, and continued to stay positive. Her heart is amazing- her courage, her will to live, indescribable. I have so much to learn from her. Each day when she woke up, she would say, "today is a good day". Why? "Because I am waking up with Jeff beside me and my sons with me." She lived a year and a half later. She left behind those two sweet boys, and a wonderful husband. My heart breaks for them, and I can't seem to make sense of it all. I believe in Heavenly Father's plan for each of us, and all I can think about is that she must be so important to Him, that he needed her more than we do here. It is all so fresh, and so surreal. I really feel sorrow for those she left here. At the funeral today, her husband spoke about their life together and how she touched so many people here- I am one of those lucky ones, and I will forever be grateful for the friendship we had and the example she was to me.

Alex's Big Baptism Day!

Alex was baptized today!! I can hardly believe that he is 8 already- I so remember the moment he was born as if it was today! Not yesterday, but today! I think I just had him...I must be experiencing some sort of dementia and I am living in 2000, but I am not ready to accept that he is 8! Really it's because I am 8 years older now, and that is bothersome! The sun is shining unbelievably gorgeous today, and it was the perfect day for a baptism! I have to admit that the day started out a bit frazzled, (for one, a good friend of mine passed away from breast cancer, leaving behind a husband, a 5 year old son and a 2/5 year old son)-(more on that later), and two, things just weren't going as easily as I expected to get ready....BUT all went well, and we pulled it off just perfectly.

Here are Alex and Dana in white preparing for the baptism...
I am crying all over again already...
We had so many friends and family come that I could hardly contain myself during the opening prayer, which Alex had asked me to give. It was overwhelming, the Spirit was so strong, and I was simply overcome with joy. That began the floodgates, and I am happy that no close up pictures of me show my eyes! My parents came, Dana's dad, Aunt Liza, Aunt Stephanie, and my nieces, Dana's Granny, so many friends from our last ward, like Tina, Greg & Kathy, Mike & Linda, Peggy & Rick, Todd and his boys, our old Bishop Scott, and tons of people from our current ward- we are so blessed to have so many friends. We even had friends come who have never been to our church before, like Rick and Sam, and Gert, Renee and Kiana. I have to say that it was so wonderful to have them all there- I don't think they know how much it meant to us to have everyone there to witness this step for Alex. He is such a sweet boy, and was so happy to have the many friends and family there with him. We are so immensely blessed!

Here are some more pictures and smiles of those we love so much!

Alex and his best buddy Sam cheese it up for me!

Peggy, Rick and Tina, (the best chorister ever!!)

Dana and Granny - a really great picture!

Sam, Leah, Kiana and Alex- all Forever Friends

Aunt Liza, who gave an amazing talk on Baptism for Alex!

Alex so loves Grandma and Grandpa!

Rick teaches Leah some piano- she is loving it!

Gert, me and Renee- see I told you they never miss any important things!

Celeste after 20 or so of Grandma's cookies- this is what makes her happy!

I didn't get any pictures of our family together, or ones of Poppy with Alex, but I know others took some, so I will post them when I get them...it was kind of chaotic, but thankfully Liza and my dad had their cameras out when I didn't! A huge thank you to my mom and dad for their work and to Stephanie for help with the food. Also, to Rick for staying to the end and helping clean up- see I told you we were blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in our lives- we love you all so much!

Oh, and Alex got nearly $100 in gifts- a tad too much, if you ask me, but ALL of it is going in the bank for later...ie,. Mission! Is that next already? No, I have 11 more years, thank goodness!

Chapter 36

Well, today I thought I would post about an experience I had recently that was horrible, to say the least. The store involved is Lifeway Christian Bookstore- and me, a Christian shopper. Does there appear to be a problem? I didn't think so, but, there was, and here are the gorey details....
Okay, so we bought Alex a set of scriptures for his birthday from the Distribution Center in Utah, and we wanted to imprint them with his name. Sound odd? No, not to me, since I had the same delimna when I bought my set a few years ago. I took mine to the Christian Armory store and they did a great job imprinting my name. I love them! Well, they are closed, and Lifeway has taken their place, so I call Lifeway. Here's the conversation:

Me: "Hi, I was wondering if you imprint books?"
Nice girl:, "Yes, yes we do!"
Me: "I didn't buy it there."
Nice girl: "That's okay, it will be $6.00".
Me: "Great, thanks and I will be in soon!"

So, the next day, Leah and I head there to get Alex's name done. We wait in line, and when it is our turn, I say,

"Hi, I called about having this imprinted and they said it was fine."
Nice girl: "Yes, no problem, what would you like it to say? It will be $6.00"

Great, I pay, and begin to wait the few minutes while they get it done. As we are wandering the store, another employee, I am assuming a manager of sort, an older young girl (still younger than me), approaches me and asks me if this is my book, (she is holding the book as if it is about to burn off her hand).

I say, "Yes."
She says, "I can't imprint this book!"
I give her a huh? look.
She says, "I don't stock this book."
I say, "That isn't what I was told on the phone, or when I just paid for it."

(Keep in mind, I am being very nice for two reasons: 1) Leah is with me 2) She knows I am a Mormon and I don't want to be a jerk.)

Mad girl: "Well, that is our policy."
Me: "Why wasn't I told that before I drove all the way here, paid for it and am now waiting?"
Mad girl: "Well, that is our policy."
Me: "Okay."

So, I go and get the $6.41 refunded to my credit card, and while that is happening, in my nicest voice ask if I can please have the number to their corporate office.

New girl, not one that has checked me out, or the mad one, "Sure, here it is."

Off we go out the door, without a glance back by me, or a nasty tone, and we go home. Well, I am furious, as you can imagine, but I calm down, and wait until Monday to call their Corporate office in Nashville. I tell Richard the whole story, and he says I need to talk to the Customer Service Specialist, Melanie, who is out of the office today, but will return my call on Tuesday. I leave Melanie a nice message with the details, (leaving out that it was a B.O.M.) and ask her to return my call....
I wait, and wait and wait...
Monday the 24th, an entire week later, I receive a call from Melanie, who in her Southern accent, is very nice.

Melanie: "Hi, tell me again what happened to you."
Me: "Well, I called your store....
basically I tell her exactly what I just wrote about, again in a very nice tone.
Melanie, "I am so sorry. No, that is not our policy. I will contact the store manager, and set up to have your book imprinted for you. Let me make arrangements and I will call you back."
Me: "Thank you so much!"

3 hours later Melanie calls me back...

Melanie: "Hi again. Now which store was it that this happened at?"
Me: "The one on _ drive."
Melanie: "Oh, yes, that is our policy."
Me: "What?"
Melanie: "Yes, we changed a few years ago, we no longer imprint books not purchased at our store."
Me: "Oh, why did the employee not tell me that when I called, or when I went to the store and paid for the imprinting?"
Melanie: "I am not sure."
Me: "And you are the Regional Manager and you didn't know that?"
Melanie: "I am sorry about that, so for your inconvenience,

(I now think she is going to say that they will be imprinting my book for all my troubles...)

"I am going to send you a Customer Rewards Card completely punched out for a discount on your next purchase."
Me: "And you are going to imprint my book?"
Melanie, "No, ma'am, we can't do that."
Me: "Really, you can't do that? Well, (still nice voice), you can keep your card because I will never shop in your store and neither will many others after they hear of this experience."
Melanie :"I am sorry you feel that way, ma'am. If you ever need anything, please feel free to call me."
Me: "And what would I need you for?"
Melanie: "Well, again, sorry."
Me: "Goodbye."

My furious little fingers couldn't type fast enough on a letter to their corporate office. I immediately went to work filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau over this. I was so angry, though my letter was direct and to the point. The online form from the BBB took me a few minutes to complete, but I had to detail all that had transpired and put my biggest complaint and what was my desired outcome. I wrote that the complaint was "Religious Discrimination" and all I wanted was my book imprinted. That is not too much to ask for is it? Seriously, I would expect more from a "Christian Company", wouldn't you? Here's the kicker, I think, since I never told her it was a B.O.M., she called the 3 stores in this area and asked what happened. That is why the policy, immediately changed and they wouldn't imprint my set of scriptures.
Well, I need to let this go...now the complaint has been filed and Lifeway has received both my letter and the complaint from the BBB, it is in their hands. I doubt anything will ever come from it, but for the future, my complaint will be listed online at the BBB for anyone to read about. This makes the principle fighter in me happy and at peace. I may not win many battles or wars, but somethings are still worth fighting for....

LYLAS, Renee, My BFF! Happy Birthday!

Long before texting, we used these acronymns with such affection for your friends...LYLAS was reserved for those of us without sisters who love a friend like one, (Love you like a sis) and BFF is still, of course, Best Friend Forever. I met Renee when I started High School in 1990- do the math, we have been friends for 18 years!! WOW! I am still shocked that she could like me after all these years- we have been through a lot, and I can honestly say, that they are all good times- we have never not been friends throughout those years! She is amazing! I don't remember the first time we met, but I do remember that it didn't take long to instantly become friends. We were both cheerleaders and she was so much better than me, and she was always helping me to be better. I give her credit for helping me land on the Varsity squad those years. She could jump higher on every jump than I could ever hope to do...she in fact won honors for cheering and dancing, and got to compete as an individual- that was really great! She is probably the most generous friend I have...she gives unconditionally and so thoughtfully. She loves to shop (maybe that is what drew us together!), and is always thinking of others when she is shopping. We even vacationed with her and her mom and daughter last year in Myrtle Beach- they were so much fun to be with!

Here is a random list of things about my BFF...and this is not even a full list- I could go on and on...
-she is a great listener- you sort of have to be when you are my friend, right?!

-she like to talk-almost as much as me, which is perfect in our friendship!
-she loves my kids-even the one that is sometimes challenging-we love her, too!

-she has NEVER missed a birthday of mine or my kids in all these years!

-she was present at the births' of all 3 of my children- even stayed with me in the labor room for hours when I was having Alex! Now that is a true friend!

-she even went with me for my first female exam- that says something right there!

-she let me be her Maid of Honor for her wedding- such an honor!

-she is always cheerful and smiling!

-she tells great stories, and loves to laugh- her laugh is infectious- I love it!

-she never tells me its time to go home- even at 2 in the morning after our girls' night out!

-she gives and gives and gives some more!

-she is never judgemental and is a great sounding board (ie..I told her something no one else knows, and she was not only supportive, but will keep that secret).

-she has great taste-though others might not always agree, she has her own style and is a natural beauty. She doesn't even need makeup- I would love that!

-she is very funny, and I could hang out with her for days and not run out of things to talk and laugh about!

-she has an amazing mother that I love as my own- she has taken me in as a daughter and loved me and cared for me for these years too- I love Gert!

-she is a very talented hair stylist and has given me many hairdo's and color through the years- she even did my hair for both my receptions, and her own wedding too!

-she cares deeply about people, and people are instantly drawn to her- she has a huge heart and is an amazing mother to her daughter too. She puts her first in everything no matter what. I admire that more than I can say.

I love Renee and am profoundly grateful for these 18 years of friendship- she is a very special friend, one I hope to have for my entire life.

Happy Birthday- and many many more!!

An Egg Hunt to Remember...

Okay, one last set of Easter pictures for you...these are from my parent's house Sunday afternoon- the girls all did an egg hunt outside! Alex chose to forgo this year and let the girls have at it (actually he was pouting, but that's another story!). Anyway, they had fun, and since there was money in them this time, the race was on for the very best eggs! Adriana won the most in her eggs, with Leah in second with $1.60 and Celeste got $1.45- hey, this is big money to them!! They loved it! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!

Oh, and don't worry about Alex missing out...Grandma and Grandpa still made baskets for everyone and he got tons! These are some lucky kids! Oh, and the most gorgeous girls, too!

Happy Easter!

This is the second holiday this week!! WOW!!
This holiday is much better and much more sacred than the last one, and we enjoy it too! We take Easter pictures each year (this is a common theme for us), and these were from this morning on our way to church. Luckily we start at 11am, so we weren't just rolling out of bed!

Eggs Extraordinaire!

Oh what fun my kids had hunting for eggs this morning! This year I decided to hide the eggs for each child individually, so that it wouldn't be mass chaos as 3 kids ran around pillaging for eggs! I never get good shots when I am trying to run and snap pictures! So, we did 3 rounds, and it was so much nicer! Alex hid eggs for his sisters and Leah hid eggs for Alex- they were so cute! I loved it! Celeste saw us hide the eggs for Alex, so she "helped" him more than he needed! She would say, "here, Alex" and then pick them up for him- it was so adorable! They were very patient while everyone found their own eggs, and then they redeemed their individual "Prize Egg" for a real prize from mommy and daddy! Alex got some Hot Wheels cars for his new race track, Leah got a pink Barbie watch, and Celeste got a huge pink ball and bubble bath! All in all, they had fun, and can't wait for the egg hunt at Grandma's tomorrow, since Grandpa puts money in those eggs! Lucky kids.

Celeste went first, and was so happy to find the eggs within her reach! She'd say, "oh, there's one!" Too Cute!

Leah was happy to help others find their eggs, and got so giddy that Alex didn't find all that she hid without help!!

Can you see Celeste pointing to the spot for him? That is her helping!

Celeste's picture of the candy isn't staged, but Leah wanted to look surprised! She is great!

First Day of Spring!

The shining sun was the only sign of Spring that I saw this year! It was still cold outside! If you were in the sun, it was less cold, but once the wind hit you, well, you were cold again! I took Alex and Celeste to Rita's Italian Ice for FREE ICE- (why?!), on the first day of Spring, because it was FREE!! Yes, FREE!! I love FREE!! It was worth standing in line for 10 minutes to get our FREE, any flavor regular italian ice (a $2.10 value!) We each got one, so it was really worth it! I love Rita's! In college, we had one somewhat close to campus, and we would go all the time, because it is soooooooo good, and really not expensive! Great combo! They make shaved ice, gelato's, ice shakes, so many good things, and everything is good there! It is just a little shop, no seating inside, you just walk up and get your ice! This place is going to my new summer stop- bonus- it is about a block away from Kohl's!! Even better! Here are the pictures of us freezing while eating our ice in the sun on the first day of Spring 2008!!

We tried the "Birthday Cake", "Raspberry" and "Black Cherry"- all great!!

This is Celeste saying, "it's cold!"

Alex actually ordered the "Birthday Cake", but liked the "Raspberry"better, so he ate mine!

These are the Regular size, and they are big! They fill them to overflowing, and it is still a huge amount to eat! We saved some for today! Check out the line of people behind us- it was a non-stop line for the entire time we were there, and probably throughout the day!! Excellent!!

Apparently being 8 IS great!!

So, last night Alex participated in the annual Pinewood Derby Race for Cub Scouts! This was his first time ever going to Scouts, so it was a really neat experience for him and us! I don't really have any idea what Scouts entails, I was never a Brownie or a Girl Scout, and I haven't ever really had to serve over the Scouts in Primary, so again, no idea...this is a HUGE program!! Wow! I am truly impressed! My friend, Bonnie is one of Alex's leaders, so this is destined to be a fun program for him- he is more excited than I can begin to tell you. For 6 full weeks, he has talked about this upcoming race, knowing that since it was on his 8th birthday, he would be able to participate! He carefully chose his design for his car- KNIGHT RIDER! Dana and he worked on it for hours...I think Dana deep down really liked it and remembered the few years he spent in Cub Scouts. Here is the finished product...

The best is yet to come...his first race, he finished 2nd, and was thrilled!! Let me start over...Monday night, Dana spent 2 hours carving out the bottom to insert a 3oz weight...he even blistered his thumb (poor baby)...well, they duct taped the bottom closed, over the weight and it was done...well, when we got there last night, they had a scale, and so we weighed it, as per regulations, and it weighed 6.6oz!! We had no idea!! It is only allowed to weigh 5oz!! SO, thankfully, there were Pinewood weights there available for cars, so we took off the tape, and out came the weight, and we put official weights on the bottom till it weighed exactly 5oz! I am not sure if that was the key, but it worked!
Alex's Knight Rider won 1st place!! Yes, I am serious! There were 8 boys participating, all of them their 2nd or 3rd time, and we, the beginners, won 1st place!! Talk about exciting! I was so proud of my boys!! At times I think Dana was more ecstatic than Alex, but they both were over the moon proud and happy! Alex's car never lost or came in 2nd another race- he finished first every time. Now, I must say that he never raced against Ethan's car....which was super cool...it won all of it's first races....but, in a tragic crash, the wheel fell off, and it never performed well after that...so, somethings are just meant to be, right?!
Overall, it was a great 8th birthday for Alex! He got really fun gifts, and lots of money from his Aunts and Grandparents in California- talk about a happy kid! He is saving for additions to his new race car track.
So, now we can only hope that all birthdays from here on out are as fantastic and great as 8!
We can only hope!

That's his car in the 2nd lane right before the final race...Go Knight Rider!

These boys worked really hard on these cars...the yellow one was the one to beat! Go Ethan!

He really loves that trophy!

What a proud moment...Dana shares in Alex's spotlight!

Okay, Mommy was proud, too!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Alex!!

Today is Alex's 8th Birthday, and I have been tearing up all morning! I told him that him getting older just makes me older and that is sad, too! He is so excited for today, he said, "mom, I have waited 365 days for this!" He is too funny, quite the comedian. He must get it from his dad! Alex is such a great son- really, he is so sweet, and very affectionate. He loves to tell you that he loves you and is quick to forgive. I love that about him, and I love (sometimes) that he is a tad sensitive- he can cry very easily, especially if he feels his feelings have been hurt. I want him to be less of that as he gets older, since "boys don't cry", right?! Only at the right times, I think. He still kisses me each day before getting out of the van, and is not yet embarrassed by me! I love that- since I know the day will come when that will change. He has always been a really good kid, even when he was a toddler and pre-schooler- he would rather give in to something than fight it out. He is really into dragons and cars right now. He got a few new chapter books for his birthday, and has already read half of one! He is amazing in school (and I am not just saying that...his teacher say so too!). He is quite "popular" to the girls in his class, (can't imagine why!), but is friends to everyone. I often think he will be like my brother, Sean, who as a Senior in HS was voted "nicest guy". That is Alex- he likes everyone, and is not shy to talk to others.


Here are some pics from the past 8 years...

This was this morning, taking to school the March Madness treats I made for his class! They turned out pretty cute- we chose them because 8 years ago today, we were watching (Dana was watching) March Madness games while I was in labor- OSU lost in the 2nd round (Dana of course remembers!)

A sugar cookie, a mini cupcake, icing, and a foil basketball of chocolate...cute!

I was induced on Saturday, March 18th, 2000. I was already dialated to 3 and was 100% effaced, still it took neraly 9 1/2 hours for him to arrive! It was such an amazing day- all of my family came to the hospital and showered him with love. The funny thing about the top picture was that this was the first picture taken of him, and he made a funny scowel at the nurse! We all laughed and I love that picture! He was a darling infant, wasn't too fussy, thank goodness, and grew to become this 8 year old that we have adored since that very moment! We love you, Alex!

His 1st birthday- isn't he adorable?! I love that outfit!

This was when he and I went to California in 2001- I love his dimples in this picture...he is still a blonde, too! He has always been a little bit of a ham when it comes to the camera!

This was his 3rd birthday pictures, right before he had his top tooth bonded...he broke it 2 days before he turned 2, and I so don't have many pictures of him with that broken tooth, except this one...it was a dark year for me, when I realized I really am vain! He was still cute anyway!

This was the first cake, I attempted to create something out of...he was really into dinosaurs, so I found this cut out shape, and here we are...problem was...I was on the phone when I was assembling it, and didn't notice, until it was iced that the tail is going the wrong direction!! OOPS! Oh well, the first words out of his mouth were, "This is so great! I love it, mom!" That made me feel a little better, that is until I had to take it to the party and show all the other moms that I am not that great at cake decorating!

His 5th birthday with his friends, a fishing party! There is always a story behind whatever cake I have made for him, and this one was no exception...When I took the cooled cake out of the pan to cut, it literally fell apart...I had to heat the icing, and pour it on the cake to just hold it together. The icing was so gross- over 2 cans for this little cake! They loved it, though!

His 6th birthday, KING KONG! This cake took forever to ice! It was 2 1/2 cakes- the bottom layer was 13 x 9, then the top three were different sized pans, all to create a building so King Kong could stand on one and if you see to the right, a plane has crashed into it...I must say that this was my creation entirely, and I love the design, but seriously, icing it was terrrible- the gray icing was tough to make and there was so much of it...I couldn't eat it!

His 7th birthday- Rocky! He loved this one, too! It doesn't look too hard to make, but somehow, it was, and I spent way too much time trying to perfet the ropes on the sides, they still sloped downward!

The funny thing about all is cakes is that no matter how hideous they look, my kids, especially Alex just love them! Seriously, there are so many flaws, and I am no cake decorator, but I think because I make them myself, he appreciates them so much-see I told you he was a great kid!!