My Bucket List/ or Things I want to do before I die!

1. Read "War and Peace" (I started once and only got halfway!!)
2. Go to my dream place, Australia (and while I'm so close- New Zealand!)
3. Run a marathon (or at least a half marathon! Ok, maybe even a 5K to start!!)
4. Go on a mission (or 2 or ??) with Sam
5. Learn to speak spanish (through # 4 maybe!!) fluentlly
6. Travel to Russia with Tanner or to pick him up!
7. Travel to England, (my ancestral beginnings) Scotland, and Ireland
8. Oh, heck let's just include all of Europe!
9. Well, might as well say to visit every continent!
10. Visit all 50 states
11. Go to New York and go to a Broadway show
12. Get a tatoo. . . . . . . (j/k! got your attention though!!)
13. See all my children get married in the temple
14. Be a fun, spoiling grandma to all my grandkids (not just to the first ones!!! HOpefully be healthy enough to do this!)
15. See all my children be successful in all aspects of life-- but especially spiritually!
*16. skydive (This was on my list years ago - been there done it!! Twice! can cross it off now!)
17. Go on at least one more cruise (farther than Baja Cali!) but would never limit it to just one more!!!
18. Wear a size 4 again!!
19. Write a children's book

Another episode in the life and times!

(*not Taylor's knee! [Aaron's when he got staph in his "burst bursa"])
Ok, So I seem to talk a lot about Tanner and missions. But I do have other children!!
So to get updated: Taylor is a walking (not even great walking right now!!) football injury!!!
He just healed pretty much from breaking his foot two weeks ago. And has been starting as an offensive guard (that's one of the guys just to the left or right of the center -hiker guy to those who aren't sure!)
Well, yesterday, when I went to pick him up, he came limping up with his left knee wrapped with an ice bag on it! He had burst his "bursa" and it was killing him!!!
Well, having two other boys who both "burst their bursa" (that's fun to say!)doing an assortment of sportsy things, we are pretty familiar with it. Aaron even ended up with a staph infection in it one of the times he got it, and it was quite a crazy time for him to get over it.
So anyway, back to Taylor. He has a Dr's appointment with the orthopedic dr. this afternoon to see what they can do for it. We are almost on a first name basis with Dr. Sharp, since he treated his broken foot by surgerically inserting a srew in his foot.
Now if we can just get him up and running again. He is an awesome player when he's well!!! Sheeeeezzz!!

PS. Burst Bursa - little sac around the knee cap for lubricating it and keeping it kind of protected, breaks (from extreme stress to the knee area) and then fills with fluid after it breaks. (my most technical explanation I can come up with!!!)

To all you Missionary Moms and future ones!

I just opened my email and this is what I found. This is a very tender mercy for this missionary mom.
What a sweet, wonderful, thoughtful, and in-tune with the spirit mission president's wife Sister Harrison is! I have to say that this little note touched me so much and I, of course, have to admit brought (I should say, is still bringing!!) tears to my eyes!! If you haven't ever had a child on a mission, I don't know how to explain the bag full of so many emotions and feelings that go with it. But in an attempt to try, these are some of the feelings and emotions, I, at least had and do have when Aaron and Ashley were serving, and now Tanner. It is an interesting ride:
Feelings and Emotions:
1) Excitement!!! (When they send papers in, when they get their calls!!!!, when you get to shop and plan and spend a lot of time with them before getting ready for it!! (They really do need you for this, honestly!!) Then when you take them to the MTC.
And hereafter, every Tuesday night (MOndays-8:30am or so with Aaron, and various times with Ashley)at about 10-10:30 pm when Tanner will be getting on and sending his email!!! And at the end -- indescribable excitement when you see them walking down the airport gate, and you're not supposed to go past a certain point and you can't help yourself and meet him/her halfway!!
2) Sadness. When you drop them off at the MTC and give them your last hug. All the way home (driving from AZ it is about 11 hrs.!) At times when you least expect it. And sometimes when you do!! (Sometimes you just need a good cry!)
3) Pride! I mean the good kind!!! So so proud of your child who made such a man size decision at such a young age and even though you know they are scared to death and nervous and anxious, they still go through with it because they know it is the right thing at the right time and they have a testimony of Jesus Christ and HIS mission here on earth!!
4) Concern (more to the point-worry). Concern that they are not eating right, are healthy, are happy, aren't too overwhelmed, too stressed, too shy, not prepared enough (this is a reflection on myself of course!!), too homesick, etc etc. The list never ends on this one!!
5) Guilt. This goes hand in hand with the last one. Guilt that you only sent one package in the past 6 weeks, guilt that you may have not put exactly what he needs and wants to help him be happy and not so homesick. Guilty that you may have not taught him to cook, iron, sew on a button, manage his money, wash his clothes, etc etc. Again this list is never ending!!
6) Homesickness. Or maybe better described as a "melancholy feeling" or just downright missing your boy 0r girl!! The intensity of this feeling lessens the longer they are out. But still comes and goes throughout the mission, and a letter in the mail (especially) and those wonderful emails help this!!
7) Humbleness. That feeling that you are the mother of one awesome young man or woman and maybe just maybe you had a part in creating and influencing him/her.
8) Faith. Believe me, as a missionary mom, your faith is greatly increased!!! First of all, if I didn't have a testimony of this gospel, why would I allow my child to be sent to Peru, or Nebraska, or Russia!!! of all places without any control or say of anything they do?? Secondly, because I have absolutely no control over what, when, where,or how they are doing, I HAVE to put my whole trust into, of course and foremost, Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, but also trust the mission president, the church authorities etc. My faith has definitely increased many times over!!!

Now that doesn't seem so hard does it???
Well, let me tell you-- it is one, if not THE hardest things I've had to do ever. They don't really tell the moms this. They tell the missionaries, that it'll be one of the hardest things they'll ever do in their lives, but not the moms.
I am here to tell you-- it is!!
But, it is also, the coolest, exciting-est, joyous, craziest, and most blessed time too!!
And so-- here is the message that started this whole ramble!!


From: Michael A. Harrison (Tanner's Mission President)

Date: Monday, September 15, 2008 11:52 PM

To:

Subject: zc

Size: 3 KB

I just wanted to write a quick note to all the moms of my missionaries. Last
zone conference, when I was giving my talk, I asked the missionaries to write
down what they expected to get out of their missions. After a few minutes, I
then asked them to write down what their moms expected for themto get out of
their missions. And it was so cute - because, without fail, every missionary
smiled when I asked about their moms. I told them the things that I expected
from my children when they served their missions and that's exactly what I
expect of my Russian missionary sons and daughters too.

I thought it was so tender when I saw your missionary smile at the thought of
his mom and wanted to share that with you.
I love your missionary too.
Sister Harrison

Which would you choose???

Well another week gone by!!!
Just heard from Tanner last night. We get his emails Tuesday nights around 10 or 10:30-- which is 9 or 9:30 AM the next day in Russia.
All is well for him. He seems to be happy and teaching away! Has a baptism coming up.
Funny thing!!
We haven't gotten any pictures from him since he got there to Russia back at the end of June. We happen to run into his "girlfriend" Sunday night at the family and friends get together (formerly known as an open house!) for Tanner's good friend Cale Flaherty. I am talking to her and telling her how we haven't received any pics from Tanner since he got to Russia. She then somewhat reluctantly tells me that she has gotten one from him. (Now, I really like Kelsey, but what does he see in her that he doesn't in his loving mama??? How in this world does she rate--ABOVE his own dear, sweet, adoring, carried him miserably for 9 stinking months, suffered through his birth, and raised and loved him through thick and thin, through sarcasm and teasing continually for the past 19 years, mama!!!!).
Well, to add insult to injury, last night I was on the email at the same time as he and we were going back and forth a bit (a great way for mom's to make it through missions better. Got questions? ask me) I told him again (as I do every week!) that we wanted pictures. He then tries in his Tanner way to break it to me gently that he sent a package of pics to --- me, you say???---OH NO!!! but to none other than our darling Kelsey, again!!! He tries to explain it away by saying it isn't because he loves her better at all, it's because it would make us get together and that was part of his plan!!!
Well just take a stick and jab it in my eye!!! That kid has nerve!! If he wants us to get together just tell me to invite her over or something!

So-- just so you have this right-- Kelsey if you ever read this I love ya!! - but the odds are not with you!!! Just promise me that if anything happens that I have to write words of comfort and love to my son sometime in the next 19 months, that you will please bring me the pictures and not get rid of them!!! Because, and this is the point I am trying to make here, no matter what, I will definitely be here waiting so very impatiently, excitedly, expectantly, and uncontrollably happy when he walks off that plane!!!!
And dang it all, I want those pictures!!!!!!
(I would post a picture of Tanner - in Russia-- right here, if I could. But you know that dang russian mail!!! ).

PS. And Kelsey if you end up someday as my daughter in law; No hard feelings, k??? The frustration voiced here is not toward you but to one crazy, nutty Elder we both seem to care about very much!!!

Aha moment!

Well, this is about right.
Once a week update! My life is not that exciting to update daily!! But weekly!! Well, we all have some kind of "something" to add!!
So let's see. Hmmm. Well there is the wicked storm we all lived through on last Thursday!! Wow! What craziness! I thought the end was here!!
I was emailing Tanner last night telling him about it-- and it came to me like a light bulb moment: That as the natural disasters continue to happen and to come more and more, the world as a whole, are putting the cause of them on "Global Warming"! It reminded me of in Book of Mormon times when signs would happen and the people would always have an explanation not related to God, or the signs of the times for them! We are now living that, again. As you know all the problems of the earth are all man made and are because we aren't taking care of it. It has nothing to do with the signs of the times. It is not fulfilling prophecy or any some such "nonsense"!!! Because as we all know--- Global warming is a major issue and because Al Gore says so, it is a real issue and actuality!! If you disagree, you are an ignoramous!
Just a light bulb moment for me as I realized that no matter what has happened, or what will happen humankind will always choose to believe their own "expertness"!!!
Boy, am I smart or what?/!!!

On a lighter note: Tanner responded to my brilliance, that he wishes that Russia would have a "few" natural disasters to get them to turn to God more. Wait, was that all that much lighter??

So I am sitting here trying to watch the Republican National Convention. I don't know what to think. So, yea, I'm Republican and all, but what a bunch of blah, blah, blah. Not of anything that I disagree with, but that there will be anything new to hear!!! Seems like a waste of TV time just like the Democratic National Con. I say lets get the show on the road!! And start up "The Office" And American Idol again!!!
Should be interesting!!!

Ramblings of the Week!

1. Ok, I finally feel as though I have maybe succeeded just a tiny bit as a mom! Why you ask??? Well let me tell you!!
Yesterday I happen to use what has been referred to as the "boys" bathroom, or "other" or "guest" bathroom that is upstairs and NOT my bathroom. (No that is not what makes me proud -stay with me!!). But as I'm doing my "bid'ness" I look around and notice that the shower curtain is closed!! And not only that the one towel (we only have one "boy" left at home) he uses to shower is hanging on the towel hook !!!
So my first thought was, "Taylor must not have showered before going to church, cuz the shower curtain is closed and the towel is in it's place, rather than on his bed, or his floor or the ironing board or any other some such place!!" But the more I thought I was pretty sure he had!
Could it be???? Do miracles still exist? After 25 years, 4 kids and millions, no zillions of times asking, nagging, begging, threatening, even trying bribing my kids to close the shower curtain and hanging up their wet towel after showering could I have finally gotten through to at least one of them???
I had to go ask Taylor if he had indeed showered that morning, which he confirmed, and then hugged and squeezed his head (he was sitting at the computer!) and telling him it was a miracle!! The are indeed real!!!
Well, I got the standard "cut it out" look and comment but you know what? There was a smile on his face when he said it!!! (I think he had that wonderful sense of accomplishment feeling!!!). I know I did!!

2. I am reading a very interesting book called "A Train to Potevka" by Mike Ramsdell. He is LDS and was an intelligence agent during the time that the USSR was crumbling and he had a very specific dangerous assignment that goes bad and he has to get back from Siberia to the embassy in Moscow without getting killed!! Anyway, it is very interesting and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is interesting to learn a little more about the russian people, even if the events happened like almost 20 years ago.

3. Ok, I'm working on going off my "meds" right now, which is a very interesting phenomenon. Some of you may be shocked and maybe even dismayed to learn that I take meds for depression. NO big deal. I just like to feel normal, happy and non-anxiety-ed like the rest of you! So you may ask why am I going off them? Well I have learned of a natural pill or supplement that I really want to try and see if it works as well, and without the side effects of anti-depressants. It's called 5-HTP. At least two people I am close to take it and say it is great and so I am doing that.
Well, let me tell you! The last several days as I am weaning myself off, I have been the biggest boo-boo baby there is!! I mean in the crying sense!!! When I am on them it affects me so that I am almost the extreme opposite. (YOu know you want to cry but you can't???) I can almost slice off the anxiety I feel and the irritability and all the other fun things that can come along with or be a part of depression. Can't wait to start the new stuff!!! So if you see me red eyed and crying or screaming like a banchee (what is a banchee anyway??) just either ignore me or humor me. But whatever you do, don't ask me "What's wrong?" You really don't want to hear an answer!!!

4. So my Ashley is 12 weeks along today!!! yea, yea!! I sure am noticing all the little babies lately!!! I just can not wait to be Dahly-gramma!!

5. Sam is my love and my hero!! He works so hard at work, and then in his church calling. And then when he IS home the unlimited list of things for him to do are always right there in front of his face!!! So if you see him dozing up on the stand during church--give him a break will you? He's just trying to catch up on his lost sleep!!

6. Yesterday at church, Taylor was asked to sing in a youth group choir for our Sunday school teacher (who happens to be amazing with music and singing! She's the only person I know personally that has won a grammy. As part of a choir too!) Anyway, she had them sing the medley of "We are as the Army of Helaman/As Sisters in Zion". Have to say-- it made me cry a river!! (of course I AM going off my meds though too!!). It was so very powerful to see these 4 boys and 5 girls singing it. The youth of the church truly are the royal army of today!!! The lesson was on the army of Helaman or the two thousand stripling warriors!! I tell you, we have the stripling warriors of today!! I just love the young women (yea you go Laurels!!! you know who you are!!) and the young men of today!!! Especially 4 awesome, studly young men and 2 beautiful, gloriously wonderful young women of my own !!! Love youMark,Aaron, Tanner and Taylor, and Ashley and Allie!!


Well, I think my rambling mind has rambled enough for the day!! Life is good!!!

Tanner gets transferred!

We got an email today from the office couple from Tanner's mission (The Camerons), letting us know that the missionaries closest to Georgia (which happens to be Stavropol) on the advice of the US embassy in Russia and area authority, are being moved a little further away from the conflict. So Tanner and the other missionaries there are being transferred to Volgograd (used to be Stalingrad!). She said that there has been no problems or anything but to be safe and on the cautious side they decided to do it!!
So that's the update on Tanner. It's a little unsettling to think how far away he is and who knows what is going on over there!!! I know the Lord is watching over him and all his missionaries, so I don't need to worry. That's what I am trying to rely on! But my mama bear-ness kind of can't help being a little concerned!!!
I just have to keep the faith!!!