Tribute to Grandma Pearl

Thelma Pearl Kaster
David's Grandma turned 90 years this year. At the party we surprised her with we all had to stand and say something about her. I felt a bit awkward doing so but as I stood to speak my heart was full of emotion. This is a woman who, when she welcomes you into her heart, holds you close forever. Everyone who knows her, knows all about her 2 girls and her grand kids. When I married into this family I automatically became a grandchild and have been treated as one ever since. Ultimately she is an example of loyalty, love, and compassion. Her love for her departed companion Wally will forever be etched in my heart and mind as an example of the friendship that should be between husband and wife. They were loving, forgiving, kind, accepting and oh so much more. They could joke without guile, they accepted without strings attached and most of all they lived what they taught. I love this woman and long to live the same life as she, so that in the end when it is my time...I will leave this life having lived it fully and being surrounded by the ones I love. Here's to many more years Grandma!

I feel better already!

I got this on my email and had to share it with everyone- it is so me!

By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the
things you have started and have never finished.'

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished
off a bottle of Dr. Pepper, a carton of Ice Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the
cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.

A priceless gift!

Parenthood! (Putting someone else's needs before your own) It’s got to be the most amazing gift a person can experience. Granted there are those who don’t see it as a gift and well…it’s all in your attitude. But for me as I get deeper and deeper into my role as a mom, as I watch my friends and family do the same I am constantly amazed at how it changes you; how being a mom (or dad) allows you to become someone you could never be without having children of your own, however it comes to pass. I know I talk about my kids and what I learn from them all the time-- I have too; its my job. But can I tell you what I learn from others who are moms and dads. Shoot! I think I have plagiarized everyone else’s parenting skills and made them my own. For instance, “M” feeds her children oatmeal every day, she’s even blogged about it. When I first met her I thought, wow! I need variety. Well, I now see the genius in that (healthy, filling, low cost, no thinking about what to eat in the morning, no fighting over which cereal each kids wants…the list goes on and on). So now, since school has started…the kids get oatmeal every day (except on the weekends…then I might spice it up with French toast). As I was talking to my mom today (and my sister) I was reminded that is what we ate every day, which I now realize is the reason I was against oatmeal for breakfast in the first place. Another instance, “Ali” discussed options for me when it comes to the humongous tantrums Alex throws when he doesn’t want to do homework (which is really just 15 minutes of reading and about 5 minutes of math). I couldn’t have done it on my own and with the brainstorming session I have now found something that works (at least for the time being). “L” and “M” teach me about making the most of our time that we have with our kids now (it’s only a few years and they won’t want me around). I have learned organization (I am getting better), preparedness, selflessness, patience, kindness, tone of voice, love and oh-so much more. I couldn’t do all this on my own. ( I am still perfecting most of these, but truly, I wouldn’t care about doing any of this- if it wasn’t for my kids). I wouldn’t be able to see my life through someone else’s eyes without my kids. Having them to take my eyes off myself and focus my heart on them is a gift… a priceless gift. As with any gift sometimes I need to be reminded of how I felt when I received it… I need to be reminded that I am better with this gift then without it…I need to not take this gift for granted. Everyone who is a parent or will be a parent has their own parenting styles and I am so grateful to be able to learn something from each of them. As I think about the last almost 8 years since becoming a parent I wouldn’t take back anything. Now is my time to be a mom and I am going to make the most of it…so my kids will know how much I cherish them, respect them, and most of all unconditionally love them.

I have issues!

It has been a week of school now…and for the most part I have stuck to my goals; I may not be up at the same time everyday but I am up by 7am and that is progress for me. It is against everything I have ever done-unless I had to work. But I must admit I get more done and I feel like I have accomplished something every day. The sun shining every day for the last week has helped quite a bit with this and I hope I can make this a habit before the clouds and rain appear. Another thing that I have done pretty well with is getting back to better eating habits…I can’t say I don’t jump off the wagon at full speed every once in a while but I would 80% of the time I am eating properly and watching portions. What a difference it makes in my attitude and self esteem. I don’t know why I am so caught up in my weight- I can’t think of a time in my life where I wasn’t concerned about it…I maybe didn’t do anything about it but it was always on my mind. It is kind of a consuming thing but not nearly as bad when I am eating the way I should. It’s all about moderation and self control as with everything in this life is. I wish those two things came naturally to me but they don’t so I continue to try over and over again. So why I am I writing this…well the kids going to school has brought back so many memories and well I realize I have had these same problems well…since I can remember. Does it ever go away? I guess they just make me who I am and these are issues I am always going to have to battle. I can either go into the battle with a good attitude or a bad one… the latter will make it more bearable.
Another issue that I have been constantly thinking about is that of “relationships.” I must admit, and those who know me know this, I am fiercely loyal. As a youth I realize loyalty in my eyes, was more of obsession in others’ eyes. Yikes! How embarrassing. Now don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t stalkerish-or was I?? But I have to say I had a hard time moving on, dealing with change, giving my time to other activities and why? Because I was afraid if I wasn’t available at the drop of a hat for my friends they wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore. Pathetic…isn’t it! I didn’t realize this of course at the time. In fact I am just realizing it. Some friends knew this about me, even before me, and yet they were still my friends. Well maturity and self esteem has grown with me and these things are learning tools for the rest of my life and yet I know my children will have to learn them on their own. I only hope I can let them experience without the heartache that I experienced. But still I am loyal- it’s a loyalty that is now healthy. My friends that I had back then, for the most part, are still my friends. I don’t have to be around them constantly. I don’t have to talk to them daily. I don’t have to know what they are doing at all times but I do have to know they are loved, cared for, and healthy. The same goes with the friends I have now! Once you are my friend, you are always my friend. You have captured a part of my heart that never goes away. While you may take different roads, you may find different friends, but no matter what “I will always love you!” You know who you are—don’t forget it. Life may allow us to be in each other’s lives at another time or maybe memories will be all we have. I am happy with my life and wouldn’t want it any other way- I have learned, I have grown. I will continue to be fiercely loyal to all who come into my life and make it better. Thanks to you for “having patience with me” and allowing me to grow and learn in your presence. We make each other strong and we will meet in the eternities knowing we each had a purpose in the others life. Until then…you are always in my heart. Thanks for the memories-past, present, and future.

ohanepecosh 2008

Tradition!

Every year for the past 12 years (except when we were away at school) we have gone to Mt. Rainier (ohanepecosh) to camp over Labor Day. the kids count down days until we get to go. It is a great time for all and every year we can't wait to do it again. Here's to another 12 years.

2 down - 1 to go!

School started yesterday and well...we're off! Alex and Natalee were so excited they couldn't think straight. I made a resolution that if I can't be in school then I would put the same amount of effort into being a mom as I did being a student- so every day (I am on day 2) I have made a list of what needs to be done. First off...NO TV in the morning. I can't believe how much more we get done and how much less bickering is taking place. Oh...its music to my ears. Anyway, I get up at 6.45a with Alex and we read scriptures... then he goes to clean his room and I make breakfast...we actually eat breakfast as a family. After breakfast everyone gets dressed, brushes their teeth and tidies rooms... I make lunches and we listen to Disney Channel music, read books and hang out until its time to go to the bus. It makes for a nice morning. So far, so good! I hope I can keep it up...the atmosphere in the morning is so much more pleasant. Here are some pics of the first day of school. So much fun!