A tribute

Dear Life,

Two weeks ago, my beloved grandmother passed away.  My grandma was amazing.  She wasn't raised to be the lovey dovey, sweet as pie grandma that one might think makes an amazing grandma.  She was a no- nonsense, speak her mind grandma.  She was frugal, and you knew when you went to her house you better not put your hands on the wall.  But she was always there.  ALWAYS. 

 She taught me to love God.  She taught me about Jesus.  Not in words, but in actions.  She was a servant of God until the day she died. She served her church every single day.  Literally until she went into the hospital.  And even then, she tried to leave the hospital to finish what she was doing.

  She taught me about unconditional love.  She was a presence in our lives always.  When I was little, she took us to church every Sunday.  She gave us a dollar to put in the offering basket.  After church, we would always go to breakfast.  Such favorite memories.  Once a year, her and my grandpa took my sister and I to Disneyland.  We never got souvenirs, we ate at the burger places not the sit down restaurants, and she sure did love the Country Bear Jamboree (which I HATED as a kid), but it was a place that we went to with them.  It was so fun.  As we grew up, got married, had kids, she was always there for them.  She went to promotions, graduations, soccer games, choir performances, baptisms, baby blessings, birthday parties, and anything else that was important to us.  

She has been constant in our lives.  Over the last few years, she has been sick, and she has missed my grandpa terribly.  He passed away before he could meet Kumaka, in October 2006.  She had been alone a long time.  I knew that one day, she would have to leave our world, and go to the next, happy to see her husband and her family.  We are all so sad that she is gone.  There is a gaping hole where she used to be.  But I am so very thankful for the gospel, for knowing that we can be together as a family again.  I am thankful she is no longer suffering.  And I am so thankful for every single thing she taught me while she was here.  I asked my boys what they remember about grandma, and the first thing Kekoa said was she was always there. That is her legacy.  

Not trying to get political...

Dear Life,


I don't like talking politics.  
We all have our own ideas, agenda's and goals in life.
But I hope you can take the time to read this post.  
For my family, it will be the difference between life and death.
Okay maybe not quite life or death,
But the difference between Kumaka having the CHANCE to walk...
or being FORCED to wheel.
This petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/SaveCCS-therapy/ 


is to help ALL families receive much needed physical and occupational therapy.
Without it, the state is trying to cut the budget for therapy so that only income qualified families will receive it. 
The income threshold is VERY low.
We won't qualify.
Insurance does not cover physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Watch these videos of Kumaka to see what therapy has done for him.


First they taught him to crawl.

Without them, he wouldn't be able to crawl.


Then they started teaching him to walk.

We take these things for granted.  Remember when you taught your kids to crawl, and then walk?  You didn't need any extra devices, any trained therapist to teach them. 


Without therapy, Kumaka would be stuck in a chair.  He would have no options.  Kids like him deserve a chance.  Please take the one minute it takes to sign this petition.  Even if it doesn't affect you.  It affects more people than you know.  We appreciate it!

Back to the number

Dear Life,

I decided to start

I need to be able to handle SOMETHING in my life...why not that. I blogged awhile back about my weight. here.

It was an ugly number. Yesterday when I weighed in it was 299. At least it's less than my original number, right? I'm really tired of not feeling pretty, of not fitting in my clothes right, of looking in the mirror and being shocked at what I see.

I really like the new program. I REALLY REALLY like that there is an app for that. You heard me right...there is an app for Weight Watchers. AWESOME, right? Makes it soooo easy! This morning I didn't eat right away because I needed to figure out what to eat first. And that was okay. I need to take a step back and think before I shovel food in my mouth!

So I've decided on a sweet goal for myself. I have to tell you all I am a little jealous of you girls that can fit into Shabby Apple dresses. THEY ARE TO DIE FOR!!!!

Red Dress with Four Ruffles and Cap Sleeves

I want one.  Maybe two.  In any case I need to lower that number to get one.  And maybe just maybe my sweet husband will let me get one if I get low enough!

So....here goes....and I really want to thank my friend Georgina and my sister who have both lost weight on Weight Watchers....and have inspired me to take the plunge (again).

PS:  I've been featured for the first time by Sarah at Little Penelope Lane!  Check her out...she's adorable and SO talented!

The couch and a haircut

Dear Life,

The boy in the Giant Green Cast has been spending a LOT of time on our couch.  Sleeping, eating, reading, playing, gaming.....it's become his second home.  Today my dear friend Kristie came over and gave my shaggy headed boy a haircut.  While he was laying down.  On my couch.  One more thing I can say happened on my couch while Kumaka was in the Giant Green Cast.  I have to say that I am so grateful to Kristie for coming over, giving him an  awesome haircut, giving me a small window of time to go to the bank and take care of some errands, basically serving our family.  It's great to have friends.  And it's great to have such an amazing couch.  I too have spent more time here...as we don't let him sleep alone.  It's a hand me down from my brother and sister in law.  I am so grateful for this couch.  And my friend.  And this boy...who smiles through it all.