Thanksgiving and Birthday

Thanksgiving this year was our family's off year where the kids all go to there in-laws. So as November hit this year I started thinking how different this year was going to be, with Sharise not even going to be here. I was thinking of all kinds of different things that Ron and I could do. Of coarse a Thanksgiving Cruise would be awesome right? Wrong, there would be no family at all. I thought maybe we could go help out at a homeless shelter, which would have been fun. But Thanksgiving is family time in my book. So heading up to SLC was the only option. We have lots of family up there, even though Des and her family ate dinner at the in-laws this year we were still with family. We had a quiet little dinner with Ron' parents and our niece Andrea came a little later. Can I just say how nice the clean up was, didn't take us long at all. But I would give up having the quiet and quick clean up for having all of my kids around and having it a little chaotic with grandkids running all over the place and yelling and screaming. That to me is Thanksgiving. Des and her family came over to Grandma and Grandpa Greats house when they were done at the Ogdens, the kids played some cards with Grandma. And then we headed to Des' house.




Friday is our after Thanksgiving movie day where it has been tradition to go see a new movie out. This year the movie was the Muppet Movie which we enjoyed Ron and I went and picked up my mom, she enjoys going to movies. It was fun keeping the tradition going.

After the movie we needed to drive my moms car on the freeway because she never drives it enough to pass the emission test. So I decided to call my brother in Boston to see if we could take a look at his home in Bountiful, he will be moving there soon. So off to Bountiful it was, took Ron through his home which is Gynormous. Then took mom to lunch at Kneaders, it was very tasty as always. Then on to Sat. which was the day for traveling home.

Sunday we celebrated Chantelle birthday that was on Friday I asked her what dessert she wanted and she said brownies or Oreo Pie. I told her it would be safer if I did brownies because I have not tried Oreo Pie so brownies it was, also wished Chad a happy birthday that was on Sunday. He is part of our TX family. They both had great birthdays. I love my wonderful family. I love the technology today, we can talk with and even see them over skype.



Along with thetechnology have to mention how grateful I am for the wonderful medical advancements that are so available today. So grateful that we are in a time that Desirae can be treated for her cancer and have the medications that will help her get through the effects of the chemo, she has been able to function, don't get me wrong it has not been an easy thing but she has not been throwing up like people I have known in the past has done on chemo. So grateful that her last scan showed that the little buggers are leaving her body. I am so grateful that I am going to be a grandma two more times next year, what a great number 12 grandchildren in the year 2012.
I am excited for Christmas, we will have most of our cute family here but so bummed that Danette and Chad will not be able to be here, with a cute little one joining their family they have to put the money elsewhere, than paying the airlines. Sharise will be coming in on the 21st, excited to see her. As always looking forward to see what the new year brings for us. (besides two new cuties to our family)

Back from TOFW

Friday night and Saturday

Laurel, Jenny, Karen, Desirae, Brittany Me, and Chantelle

I am ready to conquer the world now. Back from TOFW, was so so good, I have been spiritually fed, and have some great suggestion on how to help ME help others and how to help ME. I truly could not say who my favorite speaker was because they all were very edifying. I loved the theme this year, "Choose to Become" in general we could choose to become what ever we wanted to become. It is up to us!
There was great music provided by Hilary Weeks and Jericho Road. Very inspiring in their own way.
Hilary Weeks related her Clicker story I have thought alot about her story and have been trying really hard to incorporate that into my life of thinking uplifting thoughts rather than the alternative. Not perfect at it yet but I continue to try.
Brad Wilcox a couple things that I jotted down from him were, "HIS (Christ) ultimate goal at the end is to be able to see HIMSELF in us. Second thing was that "Gods delays are not His denials" in other words when we are fervently praying for something and the answer is not coming maybe as fast as we would like it to come, it is not that He denies us of answers, just may not be the time yet. Remember He can see our story, we can't.
Sheri Dew "If we want to see the view we have to make the climb, we need to tether ourselves to Jesus Christ.
Stephanie Nielson go here Quick story of her, she and her Husband were in a small plane crash in 2008. Her and her husband survived, the pilot did not. You can read her wonderful story on her blog. She is such and inspiration to me.
Emily Watts was wonderful gave us 5 tips on helping us to be a better daughter, wife, mom which ever hat we wear her tips were great.
Micheal Wilcox said "the secret of becoming is Knowledge."
Wendy Ulrich Wendy added 7 things to Emily's 5 these 7 things were how we can be happy. and last was;
Laurel Christensen she talked about some of her struggles and trials, one thing that she said was "Don't be the one that gets in your way!" She said that "Faith is wanting what God wants for you" She talked about ;
Pray with Faith
Think with Faith
Live with Faith.

TOFW

I am so excited for THIS I am always excited to attend this event each year. It always inspires me to try to be a better person. I love the music, the speakers and the atmosphere in general. We are going to Salt Lake this year, last year we attened the Las Vegas one and the year before the St. George one. I have also been to Logan. One year we hope to be able to attend the one in TX so that we can attend with Danette. (and possible Sharise where ever she ends up)
The music this year will be by Hilary Weeks and Jericho Road, love their music.
Speakers:
Sheri Dew
Brad Wilcox
Emily Watts
Wendy Ulrich
S. Micheal Wilcox
Laruel Christensen
Ann Osborn Poelman

Each year you get a new one of these





This was last years bag...............LOVE IT!

SO EXCITED FOR MY NEW BAG!!!!!!

Sunday thoughts

We just had a wonderful regional conference, learned much about the Priesthood, family's and marriage. What it takes to have a wonderful marriage, it is both people working together as one, over looking each others weaknesses. Also having the Lord at the center of the marriage and including Him in your marriage. Leaving conference feeling very edified.
I am so thankful for a good husband that puts up with my imperfection, all I can promise him is that I am working towards perfection. And who puts up with my tears, he has seen more than his share lately. I am thankful that he goes to work every morning because that way he doesn't really see all the tears shed. Having our oldest beautiful daughter going through this really stinky trial in her life. Sometimes all I feel like I can do is cry. I know that really does not do her any good, but it releases the pain I feel as a mom and then I can go on and do what I need to do. Along with this trial that has entered our family we have also received a few tender mercy's from our Heavenly Father, His way of telling us He knows us He knows what we are going through and feeling and that He loves us.
I feel so blessed as a mom to have such wonderful children, who loves this gospel the way I do. Who teach me more than I feel that I have taught them. Who care for each other even though we don't all live close they stay in contact with each other. Love it
My FAMILY is awesome.
For those of you that might not have Desiraes' blog address go HERE if you would like to read her cancer journey.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!

Thinking of my cute Dad today, as time goes on, birthdays, holidays come and go it seems to get easier not seeing his busy hands and hearing his gruff voice playing with the grandkids and giving them knuckle sandwiches. The wonderful memories are there and that is what I miss is those memory building experiences with him. There are days that are really hard such as today. He loved seeing and teasing the grandkids. This is dad holding little Ellie this is a typical picture of him when the new babies would come to see grandpa and grandma Holt, he would hold them and smile and talk to them. I know that I will see him again one day and that reunion will be so sweet. I am sure that he has those gardens in Heaven looking beautiful. I love you Dad!!!!!

More fun and great news!!!!!!!!

After having the two cute girls spend time with us in Leeds, we took of Monday morning (Oct. 2oth) we made it safe and sound and the girls were excited to see mom. I think mom was as or more excited to see them. She was all alone during the days and wasn't so sure she liked it so much. Emma had written a story and won and was able to read it that night at Murray park where they had the Haunted Woods going on. She did a great job. Then on Wed. night Josh had his first concert. He plays the Cello and plays it very well I might add. He is the Roman Soldier playing the Cello.

Friday the kids were out of school for some reason, so we made some sugar cookies. The kids took 3 plates to some of their neighbors. The rest were for us to eat. Not to many left. :)

Then to Saturday we carved pumpkins, they all had fun creating there own little faces on their pumpkins.

Then we come to Sunday and some more changes taking place in the Ogden home. Meet Bishop Ogden and his wife, my beautiful daughter Desirae. Mark was put in and sustained today as Bishop of their ward. Was a wonderful meeting and there were many tears shed.

Desirae called us on the 9th of Oct and told us that would be taking place on the 30th. What a great birthday present that was for me. I don't know any other way to get through this trial in their life's than to have the mantel of the Bishop in their home and receiving so many blessing from their service. I know that the Lord will bless this sweet family with all they need at this time.

Des does not only have her family, but she has the ward family now that will be and already has been taking care of her.

The ward family is such a blessing to have, our family has been blessed by our ward family at times in our lives when we have needed help. When my Dad past away my moms ward family was there to take care of her. Living in St. George and not able to be there all the time for my mom I was comforted to know that she had her ward family around her to help her. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is such a blessing in my life and my families lives.

A busy fun week.

I started off this week with a quick trip to SLC with Ron to pick up fence materials and of course spend some time with Des.
We hit the jackpot and brought Ellie and Abbie home with us since they were having UEA the end of the week. So we got home quite late Tues. night the girls where very ready to be at our house. We have had a fun week here with girls and the girls have had fun with their cousins.
Went to some Parks ate out a few times. Thurs. night the girls spent the night at Brittany' house. Friday was a fun day at grandma' Raylie spent the day here and Haiven came to play as well while mommy and daddy worked
We played with Haiven then put her down for a nap and while Haiven slept, we frosted cookies.
When Haiven woke up we feed her lunch.
THEN Then Friday night Grandma and Grandpa played at Brittany' house while She and Josh, Dan and Chantelle went to the Temple. Below is a pic of how the night was spent.

Watching Kung Fu Panda 2 and eating popcorn. Grandpa had to make a popcorn run to the Dollar Store, we ran out of popcorn not a good thing when at the movies. :) (he also brought home some licorice, shhhhhh).

Then Saturday morning, up early for the Save a Sister breast cancer 5k run. It was awesome. I don't know why I don't get up early more often. It was very exhilarating and of course it was for a very good cause.
This is a picture of us all bright and cheery before the race.

This is the cute little face that went for a stroll as we ran/walked.I was feeling pretty good, my emotions were all in tack. Then........we hear the announcement that we could go to the table and get labels to write the persons name on that we were running for. So still all was good, we walk up to the table and at that point it was as if the flood gate had busted. I picked up a label and pen and wrote my daughters name on it, at that point I was so thankful I had my sun glasses on. I could hide behind them. Brittany did catch a glimpse. (sorry Brit) It is still so hard for me to believe this is really happening to her. I have been with her, I have seen the changes, but for a mom it is so so very hard to watch your daughter go through something like this. As I have said before I would take it from her at anytime. (I am sure there are days that she would happily turn it over) But I know that this is her trial, as it is strengthing her it is also strengthing our family in many ways. We love you DES!!!

This pic is us just after coming across the finish line.
This is a pic of us and 3 of Brits co-workers that also ran in the race.

Face lift for our bedroom

Decided to give our bedroom a face lift and didn't want to spend a whole lot of money. So I turned my bedspread over and used the plain side ,added the buttons to match the headboard. Recovered the pillow shames with the flowered material. Made the picture blocks on the quilt shelf. The quilt is the one the ward made for Ron when he was released as Bishop. Thanks to Des added the vinyl lettering on my wall. The whole project did not cost alot and it was fun redoing everything. You can see that I recovered the chair, which was my grandma Hansen' chair. It was just enough change that it feels like a whole new room.
This is the process I used for my headboard, didn't have a headboard before. I was looking on line to see if I could find a homemade headboard that I liked and this one popped up. What better thing to use than a chainlink fence gate when your husband owns and operates his own chainlink fence company. I really like it, it was fun having Ron help me make it.

WHO'S OLD?

So yes today is one of my many birthdays that I have had. It was a great day I always love having my birthday on Sunday. Not sure why but I do. I guess because we celebrate for 2 days instead of just one. Saturday is the going out day and Sunday is the getting together with family day. Didn't get to many pictures but I will post the two that was taken.

Brittany made Chicken Enchiladas, which where very YUMMY thank you Brit. I made some Yummy Schaum Torte's for dessert. You will see what they are in the pic. It is a German treat. It is basically egg white sugar and a touch of cream of tarter and you bake them. They have a crunchy top that you peel off and the inside is soft and you put a topping of your liking on it such as strawberries, Lemon filling (my favorite) and then top with whip cream and then put the crunchy part on top and eat away. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Is mom watching? Yes grandma was sneaking a little taste of that sweet treat to Haiven and can I just say she LOVED it as well. :0)

My stay in SLC

This is the morning of THE day,the first of her Chemo session. A wonderful friend brought this wonderful PINK blanket over the Monday before I left for SLC. She told me to take this and wrap my baby in it, and that is just what I did. Thank you so much Toiya!!!!!!

Sept. 30th was a big day for Desirae. Friday morning there was a Cancer awareness and survivor meeting at the IMHC, Sheri Dew was to talk at this meeting. It was a wonderful meeting, I had to take the opportunity to get pictures with Sheri Dew. So we did just that!! Sheri' Dr. was the last speaker and he presented his oldest and youngest Breast Cancer survivors. His oldest was 99 when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she was standing before us that day at 101. His youngest was 24 who now was married and has a family. She is also the Pres. of the Young Survivors Group who has been in contact with Desirae. It was wonderful hearing about the survivors of today. When just a few years ago women were dying because it was not detected soon enough. Stats are that 1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Self examination is very important before the age of 40.
Friday night, Murray High was having a PINK OUT game and Desirae was chosen as one to be honored at half time. It was a very PINK Football Stadium. She was exhausted Friday night.

FUN, FUN Saturday night when all the boys went to the Priesthood Session The girls had a pink party. The Ogden girls know how to party, Mom Ogden brought dinner from Macaroni Grill and the pink hair dye was brought out and the Fowlks girls had our PINK party.
I would like to thank all those wonderful people who have supported Des in anyway, she has many awesome friends and family who have worn pink on PINK Wednesday and sent pictures to her. I know that she has felt the many many prayers in her behalf. I have felt the comfort from our Savior, through the beginning of this journey, I know she has as well.

And to end this post I just have to put this picture up of this cute little face. This is Haiven' face she loves making at people. She is just so stinkin cute.

Ice Skating, Fall Colors, ice skating and port a cathe

Emma skated in the Oktoberfest Thurs night and Sat afternoon. The first 4 pictures were taken Thurs. night. It was her showcase she skated to Lollipop. She skated so good. She had the facial expression and all. Great Job Emma.

This is the girl that she tied 3rd place with.

This is the group that competed

Saturday morning we got up and drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon. I love the cloud formation, the colors that appear this time of year. Being up there just reminded me of how much God loves us. To give us our seasons and the changing colors in the Fall. It was fun walking on the path in nature with family.

The picture really does not do it justice the picture below was a gorgeous site, one I would really like to paint one day.

I love the four cute face poking out of the trees.So this next picture, we were all walking along the path and the kids decided to climb the rock on the side of the path. Des and I were busy taking picture of them we heard Mark say good morning. But kept taking pictures. A few minutes later Mark said "did you see who that was" It was Pres. Uchtdor and his wife. I sometimes am oblivious to my surroundings. So the best I could do is zoom up on them, on the path.

And here is Emma' next session, skating to music from Willow. She really had a very tough group that she was competing against. Again she took 3rd place. We were very proud of her.

Grandma and Grandpa Great came to see watch Emma sat. My mom was there Thurs night and I didn't get a picture, dang it. It was a great weekend.

Then Monday morning Des had to be in to have her port a cathe in. She did very well through the surgery. Poor thing just 2 1/2 weeks ago she was under the knife so to say with the lumpectomy, and then again Monday. It is a device that is placed under the skin and a tube into a vein, that is where the chemo will be administered. It is Tues night as I am posting this blog, anticipating what tomorrow will bring, with her first session of chemo. I know how I am feeling I am a bundle of nerves. I can't even imagine what she is feeling right now. I just pray that the chemo will do what it is meant to do, get rid of the cancer, with no other side effects or damage. She has had many prayers on her behalf, I know that the Lord is with her and her cute family.