The Hale Family Book of Life

Dimond Update

2009-04-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

Cute Jamie. Funny, too. Danny just told us tonight that he thinks we should have a baby. We won't if it's going to look like that monkey! Ha, ha! Do any of you read Scott and I's (sp?) blog? We update it...sort of regularly....

So here are our updates:

Surgery was a success! I only have about a one inch cut on the side of my you know what. No results yet to know if the lump was cancerous. I'll let everyone know. I'm also proud to say I didn't take any pain medication after it was all over. We've been trying to cut back.
I'll say it again...Scott and I are ALMOST finished with college. It's going to feel like a long haul to the finish line with a week and a half more of hard practicing, the recital, one last paper, one more presentation and one more final to officially graduate from college.
We are one week shy of being married for one whole year!! Congratulations us!
We still don't know what we are going to do when college is officially over except fly to Kauai. At this point it is the closest place to go...and the cheapest!
This is a secret: Scott is one excellent cook!!

Love you all. Check our blog for updates every once in awhile. Hope to hear from everyone soon!

Petition

2009-04-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

News ....

Ok, its a joke, but 10 Months is TOO long!! Adrienne could have had a baby by now!! and NO ONE would have known because no one ever posts!!! Think of the horror ....

Not that it wouldn't be cute ...

So - here is my post:

Jamie Updates:

I start school in one week. My classes will be: weight training, ballroom dancing, health, choir. A perfect Spring schedule.
I can't wait to move in to my new house for many reasons: it will be clean; I will be able to do a cartwheel in my bedroom; it will be clean; I will meet new girls (and guys cough*); it will be clean; there is a flower garden; it will be clean; I will have my very own laundry room that I can use any day of the week; it will be clean; there will be a TV so I can watch LOST!!; and .... IT WILL BE CLEAN!!!!
Still looking for a car, although Ad saved my life by letting me borrow hers. Thank you!
I'm actually starting to miss the Winter weather.

Alright you guys are all tagged ... or smacked ... or pinched ... or nudged ... or poked ... whatever term works for you in order to get you to POST!!!

..... please?

I love you all to death.

List of Supplements

2008-07-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

Many of you have asked me to give you a list of the supplements I am taking. I buy these online at emersonecologics.com. My doctor has given me access to her discount because she trusts the brand and manufacturer. The entire list costs $350.00 a month. Insurance will not cover them. Many of these are available at Wal-Mart or a health food store and may be less expensive. Some of the supplements are common and good for the general public. A few are specific to my personal needs for amino acids; so if you don't recognize the name, it's probably a chemical I am missing (based on my genetic testing). I have added the brand name next to the supplement.

I have also listed the names of the two tests I had done to analyze my biochemistry. The first test was saliva, urine and blood and involved taking several medications and determining how the body detoxifies the substances. The second test was blood only and analyzed my body's genetic variations that affect its ability to detoxify specific toxins, medications, and foods. Both tests produced interesting and valuable information about why my body reacts the way it does. The genetic test showed that I have four genetic "weaknesses" from both sides of the family that impair the detoxification process and can have an adverse effect on the nervous system.

Please e-mail me or call me if you have any specific questions. I have lots of information -- too much to put on the blog. I will do my best to explain anything you want to know about my tests and the results. The most important thing is that I am getting better!

Please talk to your doctor about recommended dosages.

1. B-Complex (Vital Nutrients)
2. Magnesium (Glycinate) 120 mg. (Vital Nutrients)
3. Omega-3 Fish Oil ~ ProEPA Concentrated Pharmaceutical Grade Molecularly Distilled ~ 1000 mg. (Nordic Naturals)
4. NAC N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine ~ 600 mg. (Verified Quality Natural Products)
5. DeTox Formula (Vital Nutrients)
6. SAME ~ 200 mg. (Integrative Therapeutics, Inc. Vitaline)
7. Reduced Glutathione (Pure Encapsulations)
8. Liquid Iron w/Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 (Integrative Therapeutics, Inc.)
9. CoEnzyme Q10 Powder ~ 20 grams (Vital Nutrients)
10. Glycine Powder ~ 250 grams (Vital Nutrients)

Lab Test #1 ION Profile (Individual Optimal Nutrition) ~ Metametrix Clinical Laboratory
Lab Test #2 DetoxiGenomic Profile (Genovations)

Sleeping Giant

2008-07-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

We live on the east side of Kauai about a mile and a half from the ocean. Every day I drive home and turn inland at the only navigable river on the island, past the old Coco Palms hotel (the one where Elvis stayed....it never reopened after the 1992 hurricane), and along a narrow volcanic ridge that leads up to an overlook with the stone foundation remnants of an old Hawaiian palace. The elevation is about 200 feet and the old settlement looks over the Pacific ocean. Just past the foundation walls, I look left and below to the Wailua River and to the right at Opaka'a falls (you've seen these falls if you've been to the temple) that drop a hundred feet to a pool. Past the falls, I drive around the shoulder of the Sleeping Giant--a high ridge (probably 500 feet high) with Norfolk pines and albesia trees. Our home is nestled on the back side of the Sleeping Giant next to a small stream.

A short distance from our home, a trail moves into the forest, along the north shoulder of the Giant. The trail leads sharply up to the pinnacle of the Giant's head. A very narrow rock escarpment forms the chin of the Giant. Near the top, a head-high opening leads from the back side of the Giant to the ocean side in just ten steps. Above the opening is the top of the chin with a few rocks conveniently located for seating. On many occasions, we walk to the top, scale the cliff and settle into the rock seats to watch this:

this.....

or this:

Poli'hale

2008-07-06T02:39:00.000-07:00

Poli'hale is on the West side of Kauai. This beach is probably ten miles long, all sand, dunes, and the Pacific Ocean. The last strands of sand end where the Na'pali (cliffs) begin to rise hundreds of feet into the sky rendering a round-the-island car ride impossible. On some weekends it has a lonely, end-of-the-world, feel. Not so on the 4th of July!

We arrived Thursday evening just before sunset. A pacific sunset often includes a bank of soft clouds, ringing the horizon like a protective net softening the fall of the sun into the ocean. The sun's descent fires the clouds with an orange glow marking our downed star. On this night, once the sunset's glow faded into a black blanket laced with star light, we saw the sharp crescent of the new moon just above the horizon following the sun into the void. Then, we turned down our lanterns, stood on the dunes with a soft breeze cooling our skin and gazed into the night at a million, million suns, and a million, million galaxies. I wonder about all those people who question whether there is any life up there. I can't see it, but I know they are there...millions of worlds enjoying their own sunsets and watching our star winkle at them.

The next morning I attacked the Sun Shade! This is a blue, spring bar design purchased at Kirkham's many years ago. No floor, open sides at the end and I couldn't remember how to put it up! To many springs and bars that didn't spring! After several collapses I am beginning to feel a bit self-consicous with Sarah and our friends laughing at me on the knoll (seriously, I know they were cheering for me!). Nonetheless, I soon remembered the technique and sprung a shade to shield the shinning sun. Yeah!

The location, however, proved to be a bit of a problem.

With my shade standing ever ready, we swam in the ocean, threw the feezbee, played a family game of football (Sarah threw two straight touchdown passes!), rescued two stranded "quads" (you know, the four wheel motorcycles) and soon found ourselves standing just beyond the reach of the waves with the sun beginning its drop back into the clouds. As this happens, there is an undefineable point when one no longer feels the strength of the sun ray. It is as if the sun gathers all of its strength within itself preparing for the night to come. A visitor, as we were, is left with a feeling of perfect temperature and only the soft caress of a breeze slipping down from the rock walls at our back. The thickness of the atmosphere allows our eyes to look easily in the direction of the sun. We sit, visit, share stories, and watch the sun mark the end of a wonderful day.

And then the night!. You see, in my focus to raise the sun shade, I placed the two open ends parallel with the beach and close to the dune where we parked our cars. A few vehicles drove on the beach near our sun shade during the day. Certainly, they would stop after midnight or so. But no...not tonight! And, with each passing vehicle, I realize there is an unmarked freeway with traffic moving on both sides of our sun shade! A large party a mile or so to the north enticed a steady stream of quads, trucks, and other 4x4s gunning their engines through the sand first to the party, and then back to check their fishing lines, back to the party, and then back for a beer, and then back to the party....all.....night.....long. Oh no...this is not all...the party includes very loud music (at least that is what they called it) that blares long into the night leaving my mind a jumble of thoughts pushing sleep far from me.

As you may have guessed, and as is very common, we slept under and around the sun shade. Kaylee and her friend in the open and Sarah and I under the sun shade. As each truck's lights blazed through our little open bedroom, I was startled from whatever thoughts of sleep I had, and worried the trucks wouldn't see us. Sometime during the night, however, I learned something very important. You see...Sarah was still asleep and, not only asleep, but she slept through the night and did not hear the music or see the lights or hear the engines! Now...and I write this for her brothers and sisters and all who have every dared to wake Sarah...how is this possible!

I will end this post, leaving for another time, a description of our trek home, the thorns in the bushes, the local Hawaiians at the watering hole, the call to the police and our game of scrabble; but, please somebody help explain how Sarah slept through the night on the beach at Poli'hale!

Father's Day

2008-06-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

During the years I lived at home there was a time when dating and other high school activities often resulted in coming home late at night. My parents did not give me a curfew. But, when I came home I became aware that my father, who slept on the side of the bed nearest the door, was not able to sleep deeply and restfully until I carefully opened the door and said, "Dad, I'm home." Often, a few questions were exchanged about the evening while I sat on the edge of the bed. Usually, Dad would say, "I'm glad you're safe and that you had a good time." Sometimes, he would say, "It's a little late isn't it?"

I often remembered, if the night was lasting too long, that if I didn't come home soon Dad would not get a good night's sleep. I also became accustomed to inquiries about my activities and, consequently, I know I chose not to do certain things that would have been uncomfortable to discuss with my Dad.

Almost thirty years have passed since those middle-of-the-night discussions ended. Sometimes, I yearn for those days when I was expected to let you know that I was safe and that my activities were proper. Even so, you have had reason to sleep deeply and restfully most of those thirty-odd years since I last creaked open the door and whispered that I was home. I hope to always so live.

Thanks Dad

2008-06-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

In a recent post on our site, you will find several photos of Mushu, the CAT: He owns everthing! Today I found that, not only does he own everything, "heee haaas (twirlling his tail!) a schedule!

My schedule--that I did not clear with Mushu--involved bombing our house since Sarah was in Oahu and Dan was on the river. Bombing our house is necessary, from time to time, when the ratio of fleas is six times the number of cockroaches discovered in the pantry in the first week of June. BUT! only when it is cleared with Mushu's schedule.

Well....today I had everything ready. The doors closed, cupboards open, bombs prepped and windows closed. And, then I remembered! MUSHU!! He won't like being bombed, I thought and, not wanting Sarah to come home to a wooszy putty cat, I decided I needed to find Mushu and move him somewhere safe. Where's the cat, where's the cat?....where's that da..Oh excuse me....m cat!

Oh...I remembered...he sleeps during the afternoon....hmmmm....where? Upstairs? I pulled boxes from the loft and looked behind them where, I am told, Mushu has a hide-a-way. I thought, after many boxes moved, sweat running down my face and no CAT, that it was pretty hot.

Downstairs to find a flashlight and I started looking under the beds. Our bed...Dan's bed...Kaylee's bed (under the giant bean bag? Nah he wouldn't do that) No CAT!

Not much time left. I have to pull the pins on the bombs soon or there won't be enough time before Sarah's home (and, you all know how Sarah and chemicals mix!) Where is the CAT! There's no where left to look! Back under the beds...I must have missed something....wait...what is that lump hanging down from inside the box springs? It feels like a body, but it doesn't move. My schedule needs this BODY to move. I pushed and pushed, prodded and jabbed...not a sound, not one indication of life. Is he DEAD!! (maybe :) just kidding Sarah!) Well...I need to bomb this house and that CAT is going to move! So, off with the sheets, off with the top mattress (I missed the fan...but only barely...)and then, up with the box spring. What? nothing? that lump is still in the same place...only now upside down. I still can't reach him with my hand. Shake the box spring...tip it one way and then the other....then I looked inside a small hole in the underside of the box springs and I saw the EYES staring back at me: "You are messing up my schedule!" But...I stammer...I have to bomb the house.

Finally, I pull Mushu out of the mattress and take him outside. Outside you say? Mushu has never been outside--at least with permission. I decide the safest place is in the cab of our truck (window down and its not too hot outside).

Two hours later, I opened the door and Mushu's eyes glared at me from under the seat. "YOU disrupted my schedule!!" But, I try to explain, "the house is nice and clean, I'll give you water with ice in it....even some canned gravy that you like."

Then, Sarah came home. You would think Mushu might run to Sarah and tell her that his schedule was disrupted. No! All night, Mushu sits under the piano. Sarah's tried to coax him out...I pulled him out and set him in Sarah's lap. The only response is the glare of those large saucer shapped eyes staring up at you and then he stalks back to the piano having shared this thought: "My schedule...DON'T ever mess with my schedule!!"

Okay......remember Mushu "owns everything!"

Home Again, Home Again, Riggedy Jig

2008-06-02T12:09:00.001-07:00

Well, I made it home after an eight hour flight from Minneapolis!? I feel like I've been through a time-warp or wormhole a la "Lost." No more manicured mansions, no more air-conditioned condos or glitzy strip malls. Just hot, wild, overgrown Kauai.

Adrienne put some great photos of the wedding on her blog. I want to add a special thank you to several people.

Scott's parents, Craig and Lana Dimond, did all of the work for the reception and took care of all of the photography. You name it -- it was there! Tablecloths, vases, picture frames, plants, electrical cords, strawberries, cheesecake, mints, and nuts. Set-up was actually fun! Thank you, thank you -- I think it was exactly what Adrienne and Scott envisioned.

Laura took over kitchen duty and, with the help of Pili and Synthia, turned a plain cheesecake into a masterpiece. That gave me time to visit with all of our guests. What a huge help! Thank you!

Danny made the wedding video and fire-danced at the Turtle Bay the night before the wedding. Thanks for your perseverance, Dan! In the end, the video is for the bride and groom -- it was exactly what they wanted.

Jamie, thanks for flying all the way to Utah from Boston! And thanks, girls for helping with the set-up and shopping. It was great to all be together. (A small brag: Aren't my daughters beautiful?)

And my biggest THANK YOU goes to Glen. He was calm, helpful, patient, and forgiving during the whole thing! I think his favorite part was the week before the wedding when Adrienne came home. Thank you, Adrienne, for giving that gift to him (I enjoyed it, too, by the way.) This is my favorite wedding picture!

Red Sox Game

2008-05-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

For all you secret, die-hard Red Sox fans, here I am at the Royals (sp?) game on Thursday May 22, 2008.

Apparently it was a pretty cool game including two grand slams!! Don't get me wrong, it was great ... and exciting ... but being an absolute novice at baseball, I was expecting magnificent plays (i.e. homeruns) more as the rule rather than the exception. I blame the movies for glorifying everything.

So, although it was fun, my favorite part was singing Sweet Caroline with the crowd during the 8th inning. Incidentally, Neil Diamond is playing in Boston on August 23. Dad, here's where "twinkling" would come in handy. I can't think of anything I'd like more than to take you to one of his concerts. I'm thinking about going, so you can experience it vicariously through me. I'll take pictures.

Reception

2008-05-14T13:11:00.001-07:00

Scott is going to see the title of this and refuse to read it. I bet Ad and he are both thrilled to be alone, together, and in Jackson and to have the wedding festivities over.

This is my favorite family picture. We all look so happy!

My flight home was AWFUL. My first flight got delayed for two hours when we finally landed in Dallas they made us wait on the tarmac (sp?) for another 45 minutes, then my second flight got CANCELLED completely, so I was scheduled to leave on a different one - 3 hours later. I finally got to Boston and had to wait 2 hours for my ride. I've decided the two "corporations" I detest the most are the Airport and the Mechanic. Their entire purpose is to make our lives harder. Transportation should NOT be an all day event. Even though its only been about 150 years since we were stuck with boats it seems like we have progressed enough technologically (they just released a robotic car!!) to fly around the country without so many incidents. First the bag is too heavy, then you have too many bags, then the special drink you bought on the way to the airport and just opened unquestionably holds some power to destroy hundreds of lives ... so it goes in the trash along with the tubes and bottles and containers of lipstick and blush and powder that are over 3.4 oz. (Anything with a Rx though, is absolutely fine ... like the crazy people aren't smart enough to put the "mysterious, evil, powerful liquid" into a Rx bottle that gets waved on through!) Its extortion, I bet the women who work for the airport wear the finest makeup made for man -- woman. "Let's auction off all the goods we stole from our customers under the pretense of safety and make money!!"

I won't even get into the reasons I hate the mechanic "corporation".

Sorry for the ramblings - I wanted continue talking with you all, and is this not what I am supposed to do? Rant and rave?

Dad - I think your idea of "twinkling" is genius. Imagine how different life would be without the pesty 'location' factor. No gas issues, no pollution issues, no being homesick, no not seeing each other for months at a time, no horslering going to the store for ice cream... and on and on. Heaven is going to be awesome.

I love you guys.

Vacation From Hawaii

2008-05-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

People ask me, "When you live in Hawaii, where do you go on vacation?" To see my family, of course! But I have to admit, it is hard to leave the island and Mushu. For those of you who haven't met my cat, this is Mushu:

He owns everything.

Our friend, Isaac Stennett, is going to stay with him while we're gone. Mushu doesn't go outside -- ever -- unless he sneaks out. That's why Isaac has to stay here. If Mushu goes outside, he won't know how to be a cat. Isaac will feed him twice a day, but Mushu will still be mad. He likes ice water when he wakes up in the afternoon and wet food before he goes to bed in the morning. He doesn't like the meat part, just the gravy. Someone needs to make vegetarian "cat gravy!" He won't sit with you, but he'll sneak into your bed at night and walk on your chest until you wake up. Then he'll run off and hide behind the piano. So why do I miss him so much?

It's also hard to leave the beach and Kipu Falls.

I feel sorry for everyone who has to live in the snow!

Getting Ready for Utah

2008-05-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

We have five days between the wedding and our flight to Utah for the reception. During that time, Glen has to squeeze in his law office billing, a Stake Visiting Teaching fireside and conference, and another trip to Oahu for Stake Presidency training. Kaylee and I have to finish her US Government & Economics and Keyboarding courses, go to the salon, get supplies for Mushu & Koko, clean the house, take flowers to Sister Wheatley and sneak in one last trip to the beach. It feels like an eternity until we can board the plane and see everybody we love!

For those of you who love the details (my sisters and nieces), here's a more thorough run-down of the wedding trip. For those who don't, skip this and read my post on May 1st called "Wedding Day." (It is the Reader's Digest version.)

Landed in Honolulu at 7:45 am, went to Home Depot to buy a dowell for Dan's fire stick, picked up Adrienne's bouquet and Scott's maile lei at Watanabe's floral (kept it cold by blasting the air conditioner on it all the way to Laie so it wouldn't wilt), drove one hour to the North Shore and met Scott's parents at the Turtle Bay Condos, checked into the Turtle Bay Hotel, picked Adrienne up in Laie with all of her stuff (about a 15 minute drive), saw her wedding dress for the first time, went to Ace Hardware to buy tiki torch fuel for the fire stick, bought Subway, and drove back to the condos to meet Scott (who was packing and picking up a xylophone at the BYU music room with his Dad). Waited for Scott. Waited for Scott. Visited with Lana, Emily, and Hailey Dimond (Scott's mother and sisters) and waited for Scott.

Scott finally came. Adrienne was happy. Drove to Waimea Beach and met Scott's brothers and their wives. Visited with Lana while the kids (and Glen) jumped off the cliffs and snorkeled in the Bay. Went to Foodland and picked up BBQ stuff. Went back to the condo and cooked steak, chicken and hot dogs at the pool . . .

(This is where I "died." I had to explain to Lana and Emily that sometimes I shut down. I sat limply by the pool for about an hour, but then Danny took me back to the hotel room when I very calmly looked over at him and said, "I'm going to drop this, you know." This was in reference to my full plate of food. I couldn't walk very well, so I staggered like a drunk lady through the lobby of the Turtle Bay, laughing because I looked drunk and wasn't, certain that the valets and concierges had seen many drunk adults before and knowing I had never touched the stuff -- and was heading to the temple the next day!)

Don't remember anything until 4:30 am the next morning. Found out that the family went to the hot tubs and then down to the beach at the Turtle Bay to watch Danny's fire dancing. I got up and steamed Adrienne's temple dress and her wedding dress. Glen and I drove back to the condos and picked up Adrienne. Scott's sister, Emily, is a hairdresser and had done Adrienne's hair in a natural, curly "down" style. We drove to the temple (Scott went with his parents) and were met in the lobby by the temple President and Sister Workman. (He used to serve as the Hawaii Mission President when we first moved here and has since served in Africa as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.)

Adrienne was just beautiful in her temple dress. Scott was mighty impressed! The wedding ceremony lasted about fifteen minutes. Scott's two brothers and their wives were there, as well as his best friend and wife, two roommates, and his next door neighbors from Layton. Adrienne's roommate, Sarah, came from Tahoe and her previous boss, Brother Crowell, was there. Lots of hugs and tears!

Adrienne changed into her wedding dress, put on her veil and red high heels, and went out to meet Scott. He whispered she was, "Smokin' Hot!" They came out of the temple to find Danny and Kaylee and the rest of Scott's family. We took pictures and took pictures and took pictures and took pictures. Then we drove back to the condo, got all of our stuff, and headed back to the airport with Scott and Adrienne. Everyone was hungry, so we stopped at Costco and got hot dogs for lunch. (Someone's favorite!?) Then we dropped the kids off and sent them on their way to Maui. Glen, Danny, Kaylee, and I went to the Ward Center near Ala Moana and watched a movie, then caught our flight back to Kauai at 8:00 p.m.

I loved every minute of it.

Wedding Day

2008-05-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Adrienne and Scott's wedding day was perfect! The whole world just melted away and we had a magical morning. President Workman married them in a short, personal ceremony and then we greeted family and friends outside the temple. There was a light breeze, no rain or piercing sun. We missed Jamie so much -- but she will be at the reception in Utah. So excited! Scott's family is large, friendly, and full of love. Lana and Craig Dimond welcomed Adrienne with open arms. And now Danny officially has a brother -- one who loves the outdoors as much as he does! Adrienne and Scott flew off to Maui on their honeymoon; we'll all meet up in Salt Lake City next week. A big thanks to everyone for your help and best wishes. We love our family so much and can't wait to see you next week!

Wedding Eve

2008-04-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

Its April 29, 2008 and Adrienne is getting married in less than 24 hours. I feel like something needs to happen! We need to go eat icecream together or something (I know!! One last garage-sale-Saturday) to commemorate the end of her single life. I'm sure you guys are doing something, and I'll have to be satisfied with that since the distance between us poses a bit of a problem.

I am so excited for you Adrienne! Marriage has always been something that happens to other people. We've seen all our cousins get married and it has yet to sink in that you are joining that club. I guess it feels like you're opening the gate to actual adult-hood and are permanently moving on from your childhood. Having tried to follow your footsteps it is ... weird (I can't think of another word for it) to now imagine this step in my life.

I wish I could be there tomorrow! I want to see you in your hot red heels, and I want to be there when you drive to the temple, and when you walk out holding Scott's hand ... a married woman. I want to see your smile, and share your joy. I'm glad I've been taught to view life with an eternal perspective. I'm glad I know that we are an eternal family, and we have the blessing to be a family forever and ever.

I can not wait to see you all. I just want to sit in Grandma's house and talk and be with each other. Make a puzzle? Watch Lost? Clean books? =) I know we probably won't have a second to breathe, but I hope you all know that I love you.

Here's a random, funny story. Hopefully its not one of the "you had to be there" stories ...

Stephen, the four-year old I take care of, got into the car the other day after school and was sitting in his car seat when all of a sudden I hear ... " I Chinee! I Chinee! Stop laughing at me!" I turn around and he's squinting his eyes, and holding his hands up in the air like "what?!" saying over and over "I Chinee! What?! Stop laughing at me!! I Chinee!" I have NO idea where it came from - how does he even know what a Chinese person is?! It was hysterical.

Wedding Week

2008-04-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, we'll be flying to Oahu for Adrienne's wedding. Scott's family flew in yesterday for their first trip to Hawaii. We'll meet and have a beach day on Tuesday with a BBque in the evening. The wedding is at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning and then Scott and Adrienne will fly to Maui for their honeymoon. We're all going to meet up again in Utah on May 9th for the reception in Layton.

We're excited to have Scott join our family. Danny already broke him in at Kipu Falls and the whole family had a great day in January hiking to a point above the Na Pali coast in Koke'e. Glen was convinced that Scott was the right one for Adrienne when he found out that Scott's grandfather owns a ranch and that Scott has castrated sheep. I was convinced when I found out that Scott was reading Les Miserables and then got Adrienne to read The Grapes of Wrath with him! Other than that, he is a hard-working, intelligent man who loves God and loves Adrienne. It will be a wonderful week!

A New Start

2008-04-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Grandma Veda asked me to send her the link to our blog. When I went there, I realized it had been a year since Dad took the time to set all of this up. Thank you, Dad! And so much has happened during that year. First of all, God answered a lot of people's prayers and helped us find a fabulous doctor who has given me a new start. I am working, biking, and talking. Thanks to everyone for your help and prayers. We've had a great learning experience!

Adrienne is getting married to Scott Dimond in the Laie Temple in one week. I can't wait! We had a great bridal shower on Saturday, but we missed our family. We are excited to come to Utah and celebrate. And Scott, we are glad you will be part of our family.

Danny took the National Geographic photographers down the Na Pali Coast. Their pictures were published in the April 2008 magazine. Gorgeous! He works for Captain Andy's Sailing Adventure.

Jamie moved to Boston to work as a nanny. She lives about an hour's drive from downtown Boston and goes to church on the Harvard University campus. Grandma and Grandpa Bradford used to live there. In fact, Natalie and Marcia were both born in Massachusetts. I'm excited to hear about life on the east coast.

Kaylee got her driver's license -- independence for me and her! She is going to stay with Brent and Kris' family in Utah until the end of June. Then she'll come back to Kauai for her senior year of homeschool. She deserves a special thank you for taking care of me every day. She has been my nurse, driver, and constant companion.

Glen just finished another Stake Conference last weekend. He has been in the Stake Presidency for eight years now, so we are anticipating his release in the next few years. For a man with two full time jobs, he is always calm! He has taken very good care of me.

We had a beautiful family picture taken in December at the Panguitch Ranch cabin. I hung it in my entryway and love looking at all of my beautiful adult children. Wow, Glen! We did good!

Life Challenges

2007-04-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

My Dear Family,

Most of us are in the middle of some very big choices. Those choices will have future results that only God knows. I have faith that, as we keep the commandments and do what is right, those results will be for the best. I hope all of you will maintain that stance of faith in the future.

I know Mom has been in your prayers. She has had good days and bad days. Sometimes I am optimistic. Sometimes she does very well. Sometimes she can manage most things quite well even though she is affected with speach or gate issues. Sometimes she is completely normal. Sometimes not.

Yesterday and today were very difficult days. She was not able to speak or stand very well. We could not go to church and she had tremors most of the day. Kaylee and I help her...we do a pretty good job. It just seems this has been a very difficult few days and we do not know why. We have an appointment on April 13th during which we hope to have some answers. And, Mom's been taking her supplements and other medication adjustments. I hope it will help.

I think you know that we have been to four neurologists (two of whom are specialists in epilepsy). None of those doctors were able to discern a "probable" diagnosis. Dr. Jordan (the one on the north shore) has some hopeful leads, but she doesn't know either. I suppose I am wondering if any of you feel we have left anything out. I cannot think of any other direction to obtain medical help that will heal Mom. If you have a suggestion please let me know.

I would like you to read the definition of prayer that is found in the Bible Dictionary. I love the part that talks about prayer being work and that it should, essentially, be our job to figure out those things with which God is already willing to bless us with. "Blessings require some work or effort...." on our part before we can obtain them. I know that God knows what is best for our family and that he wants us to ask him for those things. So....I am asking that for the next several weeks that we make an extra effort, an extra effort of work....to pray from Mom's health. Ask God to help us know how he is willing to bless Mom....ask God if it be his will to either heal Mom or to help Mom or to help us know what we can do to heal her or where we can go to get the help she needs. And, ask God to give us all faith that what will happen will be for the best. Please prayer hard....several times a day...as often as you can.

I love you....I hope all is well with you and I trust that you will know that all will be well. We must endure that which we have been called upon to bear.

Adrienne's 1st Contribution

2007-03-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

All right, Dad, here is my first post on this eternal bonding blog thing. They should send an email every time you add a new post. Did you teach mom and Kaylee how to blog?

I really need to go to bed. I'm tired.

Love you
ad

An Educated Conscience

2007-03-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

Hi family,

OK I heard a really good talk today. Probably the best talk I have ever heard on the subject of the spirit. It is called "An Educated Conscience" by Steven R. Covey. You can download it at BYU Broadcasting. I highly recommend it. Why? Because it answers the question of how to distinguish between our own emotional feelings and the feelings of the Holy Ghost. What I remember is this: Pause and ask yourself the question: "What do I need to do to improve my life?" Now, list whatever comes to your mind. Now instead of wondering whether the ideas are your ideas or the Spirits, just simply start doing what comes to your mind. If you do, then the excuse to not do what you think might be your ideas is eliminated. As you continue to do what came to your mind, then you will learn what the Spirit is. Well...that is not such a good summary....but, please find it and read it because it is very good.

I love you guys.

Dad

Family Home Evening

2007-03-05T21:59:00.000-08:00

Sarah, Kaylee and I are having FHE. We wish you were all here. I am showing them our new blog site. And, we hope to share something of value with you tonight. Kaylee learned one thing in school today: Biology is the study of life. Oh...I listened to a BYU devotional talk (did you guys go??) by a Dr. Pope who talked about whether we should inhale the air we breathe. Seriously, he talked about the effects of pollution for those who live in Utah Valley. He said that if you don't leave and move back to Kauai within two years you will die from high exposure to particulate pollution events :)

Mom wrote Danny's resume tonight. Dad edittttteeeeeddddd iittttttt and Mom reeditttttteeeedddd it. But since it should only be one page it didn't take too long.

Mushu slept through it all.

We read Mathew Chapter 20 and learned that it is not Jesus' right to give us a place in the kingdom. It is the Father's right to give us a place in the kingdom so we must live and follow the Savior's plan so that, when we are judged, the Father will be ready to give us a place in his kingdom.

Right Dad, and THIS was me this weekend.

2007-03-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Check out this wave Kaylee and I rode!!

2007-03-05T01:57:00.000-08:00

Stake Conference

2007-03-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

This was my 13th Stake Conference. I was still scared...well...maybe "nervous" is the right word. I know most of you are scared to speak in public. It's alright....I think it is normal.

This quote was the focus of the message I wanted to share:

Brigham Young taught that, while we are on this earth, “We are trying to be the image of those who live in heaven, we are trying to pattern after them, to look like them, to walk and talk like them, to deal like them, and build up the kingdom of heaven as they have done.” (Journal of Discourses 9 – 170)

And, this scripture seemed to suggest that we ought to focus on not just keeping commandments, but in doing things that will help us feel at home with those who live in the Celestial world:

D&C 78:7 - For if you will that I give unto you a place in the acelestial world, you must prepare yourselves by cdoing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.

I love you. We pray for you. We wish you all the best. We hope you will be successful. We hope we can help you achieve that which will bring you happiness.