We are so proud of this girl! Jessa has worked hard to get good grades and be involved in school. She graduated this week with a 3.9 GPA from Pleasant Grove High School. She also got her CNA certificate. May 27th was all about Jessa!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
On Gretchin Rubin's blog there was an article that said "Things that go wrong often make the best memories." So when I think of Mother's Day this is the first memory that comes to mind. In 1999 we moved to Denver. Kevin was about 11 years old. Kenny stayed in Salt Lake to finish his senior year in high school. Kevin decided to make me breakfast in bed. This was the first time he ever had done it alone. The only thing I heard was him walking in my room and tripping. The entire breakfast he had made went all over the floor. He was devastated! I was so touched! We picked it up and at what we could. It was awesome!
Today, Kenny, Kevin and Harold made me brunch. There were flowers, gifts and a lot of pampering. But the most meaningful things were the notes and time I enjoyed with my guys. I am the luckiest woman to have such wonderful men in my life. I love being a Mother.
Queen Mother ~
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A Perfect Sunday
It's been years since I've seen the healthy Jason. He's working out every day, involved in community service, doing chores, laundry and cooking. He has a group friends and counselors who have taken him under his wing. I haven't seen him this happy in years.
This past week Jason has become "The Sushi King" at the center. One of the doctor's treated them to all you can stuff down your throat sushi. This was surprising, since Jason doesn't eat seafood. He also experienced walking through hot coals - a mind over matter exercise and has the battle scares to show for it!
We shot some hoops and threw the baseball. After, Harold treated us to Market Street. What a perfect Sunday!
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Love Box
IT COULDN'T BE DONE
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't" but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting and quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done.
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it:
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.
Edgar A. Guest-
My sister Michelle and her family put together a box for Jason. When it arrived, I must admit I was humbled. I was expecting a few treats and notes. What he is receiving is a "Love Box." It's filled it treats, small toys and quotes of encouragement. So much love and thoughtfulness was put in to this box. The box actually lifted my spirits, too!
The above poem was so appropriate for what Jason is going through. A big thanks to the Jones family! You made a tough week a little brighter!
Queen Mother
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't" but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting and quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done.
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it:
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.
Edgar A. Guest-
My sister Michelle and her family put together a box for Jason. When it arrived, I must admit I was humbled. I was expecting a few treats and notes. What he is receiving is a "Love Box." It's filled it treats, small toys and quotes of encouragement. So much love and thoughtfulness was put in to this box. The box actually lifted my spirits, too!
The above poem was so appropriate for what Jason is going through. A big thanks to the Jones family! You made a tough week a little brighter!
Queen Mother
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Multiply by 50
I remember when my kids were young, people would tell me horror stories about their kids. I remember thinking "My boys would never do that." I thought if I raised them right, got them involved in sports, lived in good neighborhoods, had a close relationship, I would get through it. I was so wrong.
A nice man recently told me "If your kids are messing around with drugs, take what you know and multiply it by 10." He was being nice. Take what they admit to then multiply it by 50.
The signs were there. His appearance changed, stomach aches, missed school, scratchy throat, mood swings, missing money, missing clothes (that's a new one to me), theft and strange odors in the basement. I thought it was just pot and I could steer him in the right direction. We saw counselors, changed schools, started hobbies, hockey, you name it. For 2 years I was fooled.
Thank God for tough love. I finally managed to toughen up. But I was not prepared for what I was about to experience. My son is addicted to drugs. Take what they admit to and multiply it by 50.
Detox- don't think LDS Hospital or Psychiatrists are there to help. They took a kid who went in for detox and loaded him up on legal drugs. After 7 days in detox, I was given back a zombie. The staff informed him on a regular basis, that he was an adult and didn't need to have me involved in his care. So he left with 7 prescriptions. 1 of them was very addictive. He also met several new "good" friends. Thank goodness a pharmacist gave us the "OHMYHELL" look and confirmed our concerns about his drugs.
Select Med thinks 4-5 hours, 4 days a week of out-patient rehab will do the trick. He must fail twice at out-patient care before they will pay for in-patient help. After several days of research we found a rehab we were comfortable with. I'm trusting that the professionals will do their job. My son's problems are much bigger than me.
I saw a text message from one of his friends that said "If you give me a ride, I'll give you a Xanax." Ahhhh it's nice to have good friends.
Stay in touch...this should be a fun ride!
Queen Mother
A nice man recently told me "If your kids are messing around with drugs, take what you know and multiply it by 10." He was being nice. Take what they admit to then multiply it by 50.
The signs were there. His appearance changed, stomach aches, missed school, scratchy throat, mood swings, missing money, missing clothes (that's a new one to me), theft and strange odors in the basement. I thought it was just pot and I could steer him in the right direction. We saw counselors, changed schools, started hobbies, hockey, you name it. For 2 years I was fooled.
Thank God for tough love. I finally managed to toughen up. But I was not prepared for what I was about to experience. My son is addicted to drugs. Take what they admit to and multiply it by 50.
Detox- don't think LDS Hospital or Psychiatrists are there to help. They took a kid who went in for detox and loaded him up on legal drugs. After 7 days in detox, I was given back a zombie. The staff informed him on a regular basis, that he was an adult and didn't need to have me involved in his care. So he left with 7 prescriptions. 1 of them was very addictive. He also met several new "good" friends. Thank goodness a pharmacist gave us the "OHMYHELL" look and confirmed our concerns about his drugs.
Select Med thinks 4-5 hours, 4 days a week of out-patient rehab will do the trick. He must fail twice at out-patient care before they will pay for in-patient help. After several days of research we found a rehab we were comfortable with. I'm trusting that the professionals will do their job. My son's problems are much bigger than me.
I saw a text message from one of his friends that said "If you give me a ride, I'll give you a Xanax." Ahhhh it's nice to have good friends.
Stay in touch...this should be a fun ride!
Queen Mother
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Bumps in the Road
As soon as I started my "Happiness Project," I was hit with some family issues that made it really hard to stay positive and cheerful. It seems I can't escape all the little bumps in the road that drain my energy.
One thing that has been brought to my attention (once again) is - I'm quite the enabler. This momma chick doesn't know how to cut the apron strings. This past week, I decided to let the little chick get out of his own shell. Easter Sunday, I was blessed with the news that our little chick had decided it was time for a change. We dropped all the Easter plans and headed for another IHC Hotel.
I'm sure we will have many more bumpy roads ahead. But today, I'm celebrating victory. I'm so blessed to have family that rally together when things get tough. I'm proud of our little chick who decided family bonds are worth the fight.
Happy Easter!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
#12 There Is Only Love
The Happiness Project's 12th commandment is "There is Only Love." This topic is what I've decided to work on in March. Gretchin points out the research that shows happiness is marriage dramatically drops after the first child arrives. Children and teenagers put so much pressure on marriages. Although Harold and I haven't had children together, lately our children have required a lot of energy.
Chapter Topics:
Quit nagging
Don't expect praise or appreciation
Fight right
No dumping
Give proofs of love
Harold and I never fight. Obviously, I'll should work on my nagging. The topic that did catch my attention was "Give proofs of love." When I read the quote by Pierre Reverdy: "There is no love; there are only proofs of love" I appreciated Gretchin's comments "Whatever I might feel in my heart, others will see only in my actions."
It may sound corny, but there is nothing Harold and I can't tackle together. 9 children - no problem! I don't ever want to take for granted that Harold knows how much I love him. I'm going to work harder to give proofs of my love. So it's time to stop typing and take my sweetie some coffee!
Queen Mother
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