Wednesday, 30 November 2011

07:27 - No comments

Strong Wind

Well we have had a very interesting few days. As most of you know there has been some very strong wind in Southern Alberta this weekend. This is not new, and I felt like I was actually used to the wind by now. But Sunday was bad. I was begining to feel agitated every time there was a wind gust. It felt like my whole body was being blown about. If only that was all. Doug would go around the house checking to see if anything blew off, and so far we were unharmed (or so we thought). Monday came, and we were walking back home from my moms, when we noticed the SW corned of our roof had the shingles blown right off right to the wood. We didn't know what to do. Doug was flying back to work Tuesday morning. Normally someone in this situation would climb a ladder to the roof, and patch the job, and be done, no more worried. But have you seen our house. I haven't seen a ladder long enought to get to the roof. It was already Monday night, and we were starting to panic.

Well just as we got home, our Home teacher came over to visit. He saw us looking at our roof, and calmly told us that he will notify the Elders Quarum to get this fixed for us. He visted with us, and gave us a good message, and off he went. We are not the type of people to sit back and wait for service so Doug ran out, and got all the supplies we would need.

The next morning we called a guy named Ray Stanford who had a lift in town. We got his voice mail, and left a message. Then the time came when we had to take Doug to the airport. After I got home, I tried calling the guy again, and got his wife. She gave me his work number. I talked to him, and found out that Wednesday was forecasted for snow. He told me he would stop by after work to do the job for me, and if there is anyone else who can join him the job would go faster. It was then that that Elders Quarum contacted me, and we got it worked out to have Clayton Foster come by to help after work. But there was still a big problem. After work the wind was too strong to go on my roof. I was beginging to panic again. At this time, my visiting teacher came by to see me. We talked for a bit, and then one of my visiters shared an experience about wind, and prayer. So after they left I sat down with my kids, and we had a family prayer. We prayed that the wind would die down so that our roof can get fixed before the snow, so that there would be no water damage to our house. After the prayer my daughter Taylor asked if Heavenly Father said yes or no. I told her I didn't know yet, but everything will be okay if we put our faith in him.

The wind did die down about 7:30pm. And with it being Winter I figured it was too late to work on our roof. So I told myself that aslong as the roof was fixed with the next day or too, even with snow it should still be enough time before water damage. But then the phone rang. It was Ray Stanford. He told me he was on his way to come fix my roof. I was amazed. So I contacted Clayton Foster, and he told me he would get someone here.

By 8:00 Ray, and Clayton were on my roof with lights, and the shingles do the job. My home teacher was on the ground with his son, helping with my kids, and supervising the job. I was so amazed that people in this community would bend over backwards to help someone in need. I am so incrediably thankful to Ray, and Clayton for coming in the dark to help, and for our home teacher Kevin for the support he gave to our family. For my visiting teacher who brought comfort, and the reminder to pray. I am thankful for a community that strives to provide service, and I am thankful to be a part of that community. I remember having family scripture and prayer with the kids, and hearing the hammering. Donald asked what that I was, and I said it was the answer to our prayer, and Heavenly Father had said yes.

Monday, 14 November 2011

06:46 - No comments

Whisper/Cubs/Concert

Last week I got very sick. First I got the flu, and then when I started to feel a little better I completely lost my voice. I notice my voice going Friday morning. By Saturday all I could do was whisper. I couldn't even squeak. Well It made parenting very interesting. I was worried taking care of my kids without talking above a whisper. Something amazing happened. The softer I spoke the more my kids heard me. They listened more, and were more obedient. I was amazed. Children really do respond better to a softer voice, then a harder one. Now that my voice is slowing coming back I am noticing similar struggles coming back. Hmmm are the kids the problem or is it me? So I have made the goal to try this out longer. I am going to talk softer to my kids, and see how that goes. It’s harder now, because I can talk louder. My hope is that my children listen better, and look back at their childhood and remember a happy soft spoken mother.

Some family news. Donald was invested as a Wolf Cub on Tuesday. Here is a video of the event. He is such an excited boy about cubs. I can see the excitement he has about being apart of the cub group. I look forward to seeing the badges he earns. His grade 3 teacher Mrs. Rowe is the lady who invested him. He was pretty excited about that too. He really likes his teacher this year.




To go back in time a little bit, On Saturday October 29 was my first concert with the Lethbridge Community Gold Band. I think it went very well. The hall wasn't packed but the applause was very encouraging. I had a couple friends attend. Thanks Lindy and Corrine for making it out. I was nice looking into the audience to see familiar faces. The concert was based on literature. We played some Wind in the Willows, Romeo and Juliet, Man of La Mancha, and my favourite piece The Witch and The Saint. I can't seem to get a sample uploaded for you. I will post one as soon as I can



Wednesday, 26 October 2011

12:29 - 1 comment

Taylor's Big Step


Today is a big day for Taylor. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I get together with a couple of my friends at the church. We let our kids run around the gym while we exercise. The church was occupied this morning for the 5th ward Halloween Carnival. So we decided to let the kids ride their bikes in the Church parking lot. I was watching Taylor ride her bike, when I noticed Taylor leaning to one side of her training wheel, and then to the other side to her other training wheel. The first thought I had was she can control where she goes, she doesn’t need training wheels. Then the thought came to me, I had better get these off before she become too dependent on them. Whatever the reason, I decided to go for it. We got the training wheels off, and at first she kept leaning to the left. She was getting frustrated, and I was getting frustrated. I knew she could do it, she just had to know that too. So I stopped, went to the front of the bike, and gave Taylor a big hug. I told her that I know she can go this. I knew she was scared of falling, and if she could only get past this fear. So we said a prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to bless Taylor to know she can do this, and that she can be brave. She got back on her bike, I held onto her jacket and off we went. Then I let go, and she was off, for about 10 seconds. When she realized what she was doing she stopped in a panic. But she had done it, and she knew it. After that she just kept going.
This also got me thinking about life. How often do we do something and stop suddenly because we are scared. How many times have we put the brakes on just as we got going? I know I have, and this experience has taught me to be brave, to do what I know to be right without fear. This experience also taught me to be patient and rely on pray when I am teaching my children.
She is really close to starting herself, but she is not quite there yet. She can ride her bike without training wheels, and that’s another big step for my growing little girl. Congrats Taylor, I am so proud of you.

Thursday, 13 October 2011

09:13 - 1 comment

Nine Years In Eternity

Nine years ago yesterday, Doug and I were married in the Cardston Temple. I can’t help but reflect on our time together, and our marriage. I can’t believe it’s been that long. Where did the time go? We sure have seen a lot over the years. We have seen happiness, and pain. She have struggled, and stood by each other.
One of our anniversary traditions is to look at our marriage. What are we doing right, and what can we work on. We make new promises to each other, or reconfirm old ones.
As I look back I can see why we still love each other so fiercely. We both still have strong testimonies of the Church. Because of that we are constantly striving to remain close to the spirit. Love is stronger when the spirit is there. We are completely devoted to each other, and are each other’s most important best friend.  There is no one I would confide in first. He is there for me to rant my troubles, and to share my excitements. We also have fun. We make time to have fun with each other. It isn’t just work, we are still dating. We are always trying new things together, and sharing our hobbies with each other. Yes that means that I have sat at the shooting range watching Doug shoot his bow, and he has watched me swim, and listened to me play.
We have survived many things, and are still ticking. We have survived cancer together. I don’t know how I could have survived having cancer without the love and support of Doug. I remember when I first got diagnosed, we were scared. But we made a decision to be happy, and to have fun. I was walking down the stairs one afternoon, when Doug jumped out from a corner, and screamed.  I jumped back and screamed as well, I was scared out my mind. Irritated I asked why he did that.  He said he was trying to scare the cancer out of me. I couldn’t help but laugh. I survived because of Doug, and the love we have together.
Here’s to us Doug, and for many, many, many more anniversaries to come.
Heather

Monday, 10 October 2011

14:57 - No comments

Music For My Soul


Playing my French horn has always brought me joy. I remember being in grade 9, and sitting in my first band room, and the teacher playing all the instruments for us. He wanted us to get an idea of what each instruments sounded like. When I was 12 I briefly learned the piano, but I was foolish enough not to stick with it, and to this day I regret that decision. I remember when I started grade 7 being really disappointed because the school had just closed down the music program, and I couldn’t learn something other than the recorder. So when I started a new school, and was hearing all those instruments for the first time, I was on cloud 9. I remember falling in love with the sound of the French Horn. I decided then, that I was going to play the Horn. I was the only one who wanted to, so I got my first pick for the instrument.
After that it was a love/hate relationship. I remember loving the sound, and having a blast learning how to play it. Then for a brief moment, I became jealous of the Saxophone players. I got over that, and discovered that I was meant to play brass. I started high school, and soon learned to play the Trumpet as well. I remember struggling to play after graduation. I didn’t have the money to buy a Horn, and I didn’t know about any community bands. Knowing what I know now, I should have fought more. I keep thinking that if I kept it up better, where would I be now?
I am now currently playing regularly, and the skill is slowing coming back. I still have a ways to go to get to where I was. I made into the Gold Band for the Lethbridge Community Band Society. I am in a full Horn section with amazing players (one is a band teacher). My goal is to play in both community bands. I want to be in the silver band next year with my Trumpet.
Playing music is hard, and it takes a lot of my time, and energy, but I find that I think better. I am happier when I play, and I feel that I am using a gift that Heavenly Father gave me. Whenever I play, I notice that my children want to be a part of it (sometimes it makes practicing harder) but it’s still special. I hear Taylor humming the music that I was playing throughout the week. Daniel keeps trying to buzz into my mouth piece. Donald can ever play a few notes on my Trumpet. He is also currently learning to play the piano. I was listening to him this morning, and he was sound pretty good.
So on this Thanksgiving Monday, I am grateful for music.
Heather

Sunday, 9 October 2011

16:01 - 3 comments

Chrismas Family Pictures

Lost weekend I had some family over, and we took some pictures. It was a lot of fun. My youngest Daniel sure was a hand full. I was pretty Happy to see everyone. My sister and her family couldn't make it, and I missed my niece Tina, and and sister in law Trina, as well as my oldest brother Tony, and his wife. But the rest of us were in Cardston, in front of the Court House Museum, and took some pictures.

here are my parents.

We all got dressed up, and had some fun ( and yes a little wrestling). At one point my brother was tackled to the ground, and pinned to the ground by the kids. The element of surpice really works


I was nice seeing the cousins play, and develop relationships. I know my kids had a blast. 


The downside is that my husband couldn't make it either. He was away at work. I got a few nice pictures of me and the kids.


It was mostly overcast, but the sky came out for us a little bit. We do like to goof off, I am surpriced that we even got some serious pictures taken.



I would like to thanks our friends Karma, and Caitlin (I hope I spelled your name right) for taking the pictures. 


Heather

15:28 - No comments

First Blog October 9, 2011

I was at home, watching some conference video's with my kids, and I started thinking about a way to keep a record of my family. I have thought about starting a blog, but I wanted to be very careful of what I posted on the internet. I have read a few blogs myself, and I thought it was about time I gave it a try. Lets see how this goes.

With this being thanksgiving, I thought it would be great if I centered my thoughts to that. What am I grateful for. First and foremost I am grateful for my Heavenly Father. He knows and loves me, and always does what is best for me. I am grateful for my parents who I care for, and who love me. I am blessed to have a great relationship with my parents. It is because of that relationship that I have the great marriage that I have. I am grateful for a husband who loves me unconditionally, and who works hard so that I can be at home with our 3 beautiful children. I am grateful for my husband that has support me in all my endeavors. I am grateful for my children, and how they are each unique. I am also grateful for my health. I am happy to be healthy body, and mind.

Heather

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