Count your many blessings.....

I learned on my mission forever ago the difference between being thankful and being grateful. I learned that being grateful is deeper, more intense, more meaningful and longer lasting. Today I'm feeling very grateful.

(NOT MY HOUSE)

I'm so grateful for home. I'm learning thru the experience of others and thru the quarkiness of this home, how important home is. We almost had the house go up in flames a few days ago when we heard pops and 'arcing' with smoke and sparks coming from within the wall next to an outlet in the kitchen. Of course we quickly flipped our breaker and put a small hole in the dry wall to find that there was an old wire, (that didn't really go anywhere,) that looked like a mouse had chewing thru it, and it smelt 'charred'. So Jeff cut the bad part off, taped it off and stuck it back in the hole. We still have our house. We live in a great neighborhood, off of the main highway where we used to live (its much quieter!) and we now pay a mortgage instead of rent. Never thought I'd be so grateful for a mortgage. Its great for the kids to play, make new friendships and hang out with all the neighborhood pets.

I'm so grateful for good health and great kids. Dylans MRI was good, we don't know the results from his blood work yet. Taylor is wonderful and healthy and never misses a beat. Jared is great and is making good progress with speech therapy. He is also making good headway with developmental therapy and always make us laugh. We also have learned the importance of not just good physical health, but also of good mental health. Of course we have our struggles and our bad days, but it only helps us enjoy the good days more.



I'm so grateful for my parents. I think they did a great job with they're one daughter and five sons, but perhaps I'm a little biased. My mother continues to teach me the importance of service to others and not just 'how', but the 'why' to back it up. My father instilled an excellent work ethic in all of us, to be productive in society and importance of education. I love to hear my parents stories of them growing up and the heritage from which we have come from.



I'm exteremely grateful for the knowledge that I have. Academically, with the gospel, what I learn all the time at work, and what I'm learning all the time in so many different repects. I went to Education Week at BYU-I. I learned so much. It was so interesting because I went to classes that I had been to before but learned new things that I don't remember learning last time. There were fantastic presenters and the opportunity to feel the spirit like I did was so needed!!! I tried to take good notes. I remember one morning on of the teachers asked if we had had enough yet, because we were probably overflowing in the knowledge we had taken in. I thought "No way, buddy, I don't think I could ever get enough!!!" I'm grateful for temples, the restoration of the true gospel upon the earth, and the restoration of the priesthood.


I'm grateful for a good job that I love and usually enjoy going to (hey, no one is perfect). I'm so grateful for excellent co-workers. If you can't trust them, your in for a rough ride!!! I'm grateful for the vehicles we have that still run even after the miles that are on them (knock on wood). I'm grateful for a washer and dryer (that's still pulling thru), for a dishwasher (that works now...YEAH!!!), for a stove and microwave, (what did we do before the microwave!?!) for indoor plumbing and electricity (even if it does threaten the house). I'm so grateful for Dr. Pepper and peanut M&M's, for misquito spray and for benadryl, for a heater in the winter and A/C in the summer. I'm grateful for medicines to help us thru life, modern advaces in medicine that puts us in the best place (medically) that we've ever been in time, doctors who treat you like you know what you're talking about and exteremly grateful that we know one of the best pediatric neurosurgeons in the world (NO JOKE!!!)
Our hero

I'm so grateful for good friends, Puffs tissues, and movies that help you cry after you've gone numb. I'm grateful for the time we are alotted, the endless possibilites of what we can accomplish and those who cheer us on along our way.

I have a friend who has a theory, that life is NOT a competition, that we are all trying to get to the same place. It doesen't matter who crosses the line first or second or 50th. All that matters is that we make it. We shouldn't be stepping on one another to get ahead, because in the whole picture, it dosen't matter. It reminds me of a favorite poem, which I will leave you with this evening. I'm grateful for a great deal more, but am limited by time and lack of ability for my brain to adequatley express it all. Till later.....

The Race
"Quit, give up, you're beaten!"They shout at me and plead.
"There's just too much against you now.This time you can't succeed."
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene,
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A child's race, young boys, young men how I remember well,
Excitement sure! But also fear.It wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope each thought to win the race,
Or tie for 1st or if not that at least take 2nd place.
And fathers watched from off the sides each cheering for his son,
And each boy hoped to show his Dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went young hearts and hopes afire
to win to be the hero there was each young boys desire.
And one boy in particular whose Dad was in the crowd
was running near the lead and thought,"My Dad will be so proud!"
But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself his hands flew out to brace and
mid the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell and with him hope, he couldn't win it now...
Embarrassed, sad he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his Dad stood up and showed his anxious face
which to the boy so clearly said:"Get up and win the race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done,Behind a bit, that's all
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself to catch up and to win.
His mind went faster than his legs he slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace,
"I'm hopeless as a runner now.I shouldn't try to race."
But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his Father's face,
That steady look that said again,"Get up and win the race!"
So up he jumped to try again ten yards behind the last,
"If I'm going to gain those yards," he thought"I've got to move real fast!"
Exerting everything he had he regained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead he slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently A tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore Three strikes; I'm out; why try!"
The will to rise had disappeared all hope had fled away;
So far behind, so error-prone:A loser all the way.
"I've lost so what's the use?" He thought"I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his Dad who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up" an echo sounded low "Get up and take your place,
You were not meant for failure here,Get up and win the race!"
"With borrowed will, Get up" It said,"You haven't lost at all,
For winning is no more than this to rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to run once more and with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now the most he'd ever been,
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling three times he rose again,
Too far behind to hope to win he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed the line 1st place,
Head high, and proud and happy No falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to the crowd.
And to his Dad he sadly said,"I didn't do so well,"
"To me you won!" his Father said "You rose each time you fell."
And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy helps me in my race.
For all of life is like that race with ups and downs and all,
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit, Give up, You're beaten."They still shout in my face,
But another voice within me says,
"Get up and win the race."

By Dee Groberg

More Taylorisms

We went to the elementary school today to register the kids and find out who their teachers were going to be. Afterwards, we came home and I started to help Taylor clean her room. In no time at all she was talking about how "everyone is going to want to be my friend." I asked why everyone was going to want to be her friend. She looks at me with her hands on her hips and states (as though it were blatantly obvious) "Because I'm so generous!!!" I didn't even know that she knew the word generous. She's never used it before. (Sorry, I wanted to journal that one!)

A couple of weeks ago we were in Wal-Mart and I was looking for permanent markers. Taylor kept asking "Mom, can I have this?" And I would say no. "Well, mom can I have that?" And I would say no. "Maybe, can I have something else?" And I said no. Then she got really upset.

She folded her arms, put out her bottom lip and said (rather loudly) "Well then I'm never going to ask for anything ever again!!!" (Inside, I'm thinking "Yes, VICTORY!!) When I hear the lady down the aisle looking at dry erase markers, begin laughing. This was no small chuckle, this was full out from the bottom of your toes, I need a tissue, laughing. When she had composed herself a little, she walked up to me and said, "You're a good mom." That really made me feel good. A complete stranger thought I was a good mom. I don't think I will forget that for a long time.

I've got trouble, hey hey hey hey.....

Where did I leave off...? Oh yes, venting on the computers at the University Guest House Inn, just a block from Primary Children's. We got up Tuesday morning and went to have our complimentary breakfast. While we were doing that, the hotel maintenance man luckily retrieved my keys from them falling down the elevator shaft the night before (no worries mom, it worked out alright!!!) By the end of breakfast, I was already tired. Dylan was on a tirade and it was only a small glimpse of coming attractions. We loaded the van, checked out and went up to Primary Children's to check on our friend and neighbor who had checked in the night before. Jared and developed a cough the night before and Dylan was still all over the place so my mom took Taylor in to check on them. After that, we quickly ran down to West Jordan and found the office to Dr. Joseph Humphrey's at the Pediatric Solutions Center. He is a natruopath with his MD. I've heard great things about him and so while we were down there anyway we decided to give him a try. He was very thorough and went thru pretty much everything. During the exam, Dylan 'escaped' and locked himself in anothers office. He eventually let us in although it was not easy. If nothing else, this new doctor got to see Dylan in all glory and mischievousness. So initially we are trying Vitamin C to increase a protein in his brain, melatonin to help Dylan sleep at night (YEAH!!!), and diflucan to decrease some of the excessive yeast in Dylan's system. He also ordered an extensive blood work-up (we drew 7 tubes of blood today). We'll have the results in about a week or two. I'll let you know.

After Dr. Humphrey's, we got back on I-15 and went to Layton. We first stopped at the Super Target to start our back to school shopping. We really got a lot done there!!! Taylor had the summer long anticipated moment of picking out her backpack. I explained that if she chose one there that she could not get another one somewhere else. She chose a blue Tinkerbell backpack(probably just because it came with a wand) which easily beat out the Dora Explorer on wheels. Well we went to get in line to pay for our new treasures. Dylan begins singing, which by itself is not all that unusual. But he starts singing, "I've got trouble, I've got trouble, I've got trouble, hey hey hey hey....." It took me a minute and then I realized that the kids had been watching "The Little Rascals" in the van during our travels. There is a cute little part in there where Buckwheat was singing.."I've got a dollar, I've got a dollar, I've got a dollar, hey hey hey hey.."

I looked at my mom, explained what he was singing, where it came from, then we both started laughing. The cashier couldn't help herself either. We all had a good laugh and Dylan was more than pleased to be able to make us laugh. We then continued to the Layton Hills Mall to look around some, find more treasures, before we could grab a bite to eat and jump in the van and head for home. I really wished I had a pair of handcuffs for Dylan. It became a game all day for him to see how far away he could get from mom, how fast he could run and whether or not mom would come for him. He was ruthless to Taylor and so loud in the stores. He would pull from me, and pull from me until I just let go, he'd fall and then howl and scream like I was beating him. I got the look that I just loathe so many times as I felt judgement being passed upon me, while other moms looked at me, wondering why I wouldn't discipline my child. Of course they didn't know what we've been thru in the last 3 years, let a lone the previous 36 hours. I just hate that look.

We got home about 9PM and I was so thankful when they all went to bed so easily. I woke up this morning (Wed.) with a headache and with that, began the day by dreading it. I let the kids go out and play in hopes of them expending some of the cabin fever we may have obtained during our travel time. It didn't take long before the neighbor came over to explain that Dylan had pushed their 3 yr. old into the ditch and that he was not welcome any more. So I kept him in the house all day as 'punishment' for what he had done. I felt so bad and was quite embarrassed, very much on the verge of tears, but held it in because Dylan had people coming over for some of his appointments. Although it was meant to be his punishment, I feel that he was not the only who paid the price....

We did lunch, quiet time, then took him up to the hospital for the before mentioned blood work. Three people and 20 minutes later, we were done there.

Anyway, today is done and for some reason I'm finding it difficult to go to bed, tomorrow will be here soon enough.

Today

Sorry that it's taken so long to get to my long promised post. I hope that NO ONE misconstrues this as a vacation. Granted that's what I try to make this for the kids but by no means is this stuff relaxing!!!

We came down to SLC yesterday and was fortunate enough to stop in and see our dear friend and neighbor Pamela Lynn. She is on the Bone Marrow Transplant Floor and has a beautiful view from her room. She and her husband seemed really tired and so we stayed for just a moment. I was so good and uplifting to see her. She is truly an inspiration and we are so thankful we could stop and say hi!!!

Dylan and I were up at Primary Children's at 6:30AM. We got in, in good time and he really handled the whole thing a lot better than I was expecting or for what he has done before. He did have a harder time coming out of sedation, (he couldn't quit throwing up) and even Zofran didn't seem to help much. So we went and saw his neurosurgeon. Dr. Kestle said that he thought the scan looked pretty good. He saw fluid in Dylan's surgical space but that it wasn't abnormal. I was so relieved to hear that because Dylan has been regressing some and it's great to know that it is not a physical brain problem. The tough part is is that we still have to figure out what the problem is. (He can't remember words like cracker or eggs, calls people he knows really well by the wrong name and although we had our colors down at 98% before Christmas, we are only getting 50% correct now.) Perhaps that is what tomorrow is for. Another doctors appointment to see if we can't get a new take on things. I feel as if I have put this off way too long and am doing Dylan an injustice by not working on his behalf to get every possible bit of help for him. 

Anyway after the neurosurgeon, we came back to the hotel to pick up my mom and the other kids, then we took off in adventure. We went to Provo and found my great-uncles headstone so that we could take pictures to bring back and show the rest of the fam. We went to the Provo Temple and took pictures with the kids (except Dylan who was asleep) went to the MTC and took pictures of the kids(except Dylan who was asleep) went to Deseret Book, went to the Mount Timpanogos Temple and took pictures with the kids (except Dylan who was getting crabby) found our way to Cabela's which the kids loved, went to Cafe Rio (which the kids hated) for dinner, went to visit another neighbor friend who just came down here on an adventure of their own before we finally made our way back to our hotel. We lost the van keys down the elevator shaft (which we really hope to recover in the morning), fought with Dylan who was becoming increasingly more combative, bathed the kids, had milk and cookies (yes....even after the bath), fought with Jared for 45 minutes for him to fall asleep and now I'm venting on the computer in hopes that I can sleep past 3:30 (which I couldn't do this morning). Tomorrows activities include but are not limited to the Dr's. appointment, making sure that MRI reports and initial evals are all faxed to correct destinations, and somewhere in there, back to school shopping. Taylor told me that I could pick out her clothes if she could pick out the backpack. So that's our agreement. We'll see how that goes. Sorry to all who have tagged me. I will get to them!!!

Thank you to all who have prayed or thought of us. On trips like this, you really need all the help you can get. 

And we're off.....

We are taking off to SLC today. Dylan has his MRI in the morning and has to be at Primary Childrens Medical Center for sedation at 6:30AM. His MRI is at 7AM then we have an appointment with his neurosurgeon after he wakes up (probably around11AM). The hotel we are staying at does have a computer so I'll put another post on my blog tomorrow when we know the results. We love you all and hope you have a great Sunday.