Another Rollar Coaster Ride

Well, we thought that our Cancer Rollar Coaster Ride was basically over. Turns out we rode a mini-coaster today. Many of you know that we were scheduled to return to Houston this coming Sunday thru Wednesday for my tests, CT scans and Dr. appointment. It's been about 9 months since my last test and we were preparing to go. Already have the flights, the hotel etc.
Thursday afternoon, we get a call saying that our Insurance Coverage has been denied. Huh?? After many calls and waiting "on hold" for quite a while, we found out that the Insurance has a big brother, a 3rd party, that makes these big decisions as to how many tests patients are allowed to have. My limit has run out. According to the Oncology Guidelines of this 3rd Party, I'm to be tested yearly after my 3 year remission. So, I can't be tested again until July, 2009.
What a rollarcoaster!!!
I'm already stressed as we prepared to go
Stress increases as the date to depart loooms
NOW....
Stress is released knowing that I don't have to go get poked and prodded
Stress returns wondering if anything is going wrong inside this crazy body of mine

The next challenge is to just relax and not dwell on the what ifs. Faith will replace fear. They cannot exist together. Someone very smart told me that! Besides, maybe by July, I'll have lost 10 pounds! Then I won't be so scared to step on that darn scale!!!

My Amazing husband

Here's a family story, a long-held tradition in the Weech family:
It started years ago, I mean YEARS ago, when we were traveling home as a family from Pima. Somewhere along the l-o-n-g road, one of the kids would ask "are we almost home?" Brad would look at the clock and give a time....2:15 or whenever it was. Then it was a game. At first, we would give him a 5 minute window either way....so, between 2:10 and 2:20 (as our example) he would be cheered. As the years progressed, we knew we needed to make it a bit more difficult because each time we came home....Brad was right on the money. So, it became a 2-minute window either way. He had to guess from anywhere along the road we picked and only had a 4-minute window to be wrong. This included traffic, stops, and the driving of whomever was at the wheel. Sometimes, it would be right as we left Grandma's house, sometimes on the reservation and sometimes closer to Globe. Wherever it was, his estimate was uncannily exact. It was the best game we played.
Still, today, he has this brilliant gift of estimating when we will arrive IN Pima or TO our garage. In all our years, I don't think I could count on one hand his "misses".
It's brilliant.
It's uncanny.
It gives him something to do.
It makes me laugh.
It makes him smile.
What a great game!

Soccer Continues

We are in the last weeks of Highland's Soccer season. I wish you could see me do the happy dance. It's been a hard season, with a coach who hasn't made any "brownie Points" with the team OR the parents. We were given an opportunity to "evaluate" her performance. I sure hope she has a good self-image. As I talked to many parents, we all have the same concerns, opinions.....they are not very positive.

Anyways...

For the first part of the season, the coach had Aly playing offense, forward, etc. WHAT?? She really struggled, I don't know...maybe because that is NOT what she is used to, can't read her teammates and was totally out of her comfort zone. Then, the light bulb went on inside the coach's head, she asked if Aly would "mind" playing defense and the rest is history. Aly has the best side throw-in ever. Almost always, it is right down the line, and if played right, the opposite team goes for the jump and hits it out of bounds again, allowing Aly to push the ball down the sideline. It's beautiful. Here it is in slo-motion.

Beautiful, huh?

Her big game is against Gilbert this Friday at 4:00 at Gilbert. Again, Highland's team is the very large underdog, but it should be a great game. Remember, that her best friend, Dani, is the goalie for Gilbert. We have got to figure out a way to bribe that girl and distract her from all her great goal blocking! (hahahaha)

Aly is ready for a break. We are not doing spring soccer. A first in...oh..about 6 years. Don't worry about us....I'm sure we will find something to do with all that SPARE time :)

Am I Ready?

Today marked my first day back to school in over 26 years. My, have things changed. And yes, I am the oldest in both of my classes...but I have to start somewhere. What brought me to this point?
I have always wanted to further my education. I love books. I love learning. Not so much on the writing, but willing to learn. But it's a way I can contribute to the future. At some point, our constitution will be hanging by a thread, our families will be the only safeguard against Satan's fury. So, my thought process is that I can be a teacher. Emphasizing music. It's a start. Even in some of the conference talks, we are encouraged to get all the education we can. I'm starting small. 1 class at the the college and one class online. My #1 priority is still my family. Juggling that very important priority, my callings in the church and my pursuit of more education will be a fun adventure.
Bring it on!

Texting is OUT of CONTROL!!

In my morning ritual of blog surfing while eating breakfast, I came across this article about a father who received a 440 page phone bill because his daughter was texting...over 14,000 of them in one month. His response? "That's insane, that's impossible".

So,

Of course, I have to go to my phone bill to see how our resident fanatic phone texter compares. Guess what?? It's NOT Jacque. She is below the average at around 700. (The national average is 1700 per month for teenagers)

Our daughter...the OTHER one??? I can't even write the number.



12,100

Yes, you read that right.

That means....about 403 per day or 23 per hour (allowing her 7 hours of sleep...which is RARE). WHO does that??? Well, besides a girl in the paper and our daughter? Aly should go into speech and debate with those numbers!
And if that is per day...she has to be doing more because she does NOT take her phone to church. Yes, I check and she is very good about that.

Something is wrong. I'm VERY glad that we have unlimited, but I'm thinking we are going to have a nice little talk later on about using our voices to communicate as opposed as our fingers!
I know that there are many good reasons to have texting. I enjoy the small messages of communication thru-out the day with our children and those who do not live close by. I think it's amazing how a mass text can let the teenagers know when someone has died (Pres. Hinckley) or the idea to dress in Sunday clothes the following day to show respect. But as I have talked to both of our daughters, there is a definite lack of communication skills when trying to develop friendships or lasting relationships. I guess it's like everything else....
There is good and bad....opposition is all things. Our responsibility is to use things wisely, for good.

BUT....403 per day.....SHEEEESH!!!!!

NET

Jacque gave me permission to share her good news!
Jacque took the NET (Nurse Entrance Test) for the 2nd time this past week. On the first try, she got a 93 on the Math part and a 70 on the Reading part. (60 is failing!) A little discouraging. She missed the cut-off for the spring and had to reapply. So she studied and took a few "sample" tests. On these, her reading score was still VERY low!! She took it the night before and got a 68!!! What to do?? This is some serious reading and answering questions outside the box of reasoning!!
So, after some much needed encouragement, a blessing from her dad and some time on her knees, she was ready to take the test.
Results??
A 97 on the Math and.....a 91 on the Reading!! YEAH!!! Now, the waiting game begins. We don't find out if she made it into the Nursing School at ASU until the end of March.
Keep a prayer in your heart!!

Jacque's Great Adventure

Jacque has a wonderful friend, Melina. She is a year younger, but graduated from college going into medicine. She is also very VERY active and athletic. OK....so she invites Jacque to go on a "hike". They are going to hike up to Flat Iron, in the Superstition Mountains, stay overnight and hike down. Jacque gets her handy-dandy backpack all filled and she is ready to go on a "hike"

However, this isn't really a hike.

It's an uphill rock climb. This becomes the hardest thing Jacque has ever done, physically, in her life. There are places they have to take the packs off, squirm in between rocks, and throw their packs UP to the person ahead!

(Notice her hair is NOW curly.....from exertion....gross!!)

After they reach their destination and set up camp, they are ready for a wonderful night under the stars. Peaceful and beautiful....in their tent, of course. Except, the wind is blowing ferociously and keeps them up most of the night. 4 girls were in the tent, with Jacque on the end. The wind is so strong, it lifts Jacque up and over on top of the next girl. OUCH!!

Coming down is a little easier! See that middle rock jutting out...that looks like Pride Rock in Lion King? That is where they were!
AND...this is how they felt after their "hike".
Today she can hardly walk! Melina is going again next week. Jacque is opting out!
NICE!!

New Year, New thoughts, New Goals

Why is it that we are obsessed with setting goals in January?? By December, we are saddened by our lack of commitment and cannot enjoy the holidays. I keep thinking...next year will be different. In the last conference, Bro. Worthlin counseled:
I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be.

So, in my self analysis, I realize I need to change a few of my priorities. What IS important to me?? Do I ACT like those things are important to me. Like most of you, I am trying to make some goals that will change some of the things I do or don't do that I always wish were different. I always record these goals in my sporadic journal and they are mostly the same. So, this year, in a new attempt to actually accomplish some goals, I am setting MONTHLY goals. I've have 5 for the month of January. I'll let you know if this works for me.


On a "OH-WOW" moment..

Some of you know that the 7-step club started today. One of the steps is to get a canning jar and empty out your coins each week.

So, after a year of doing this (I started this last January, when each Monday I empty out my purse/wallet into this jar), I took it to the bank.....

I was AMAZED!!

I am now $195.68 richer!!!!!

SO, now....do I spend that on food storage?? Pay off my Macy's bill?? Or keep it for a rainy day? HMMMMM.......
PS: I've started a new jar today!!

Nativities.....

OK...this is one of those things I am posting randomly about. Taking down all of the Christmas nativities is one of the hardest things I do each Christmas. I absolutely love, LOVE all the nativities I have collected thru-out the years. There is a story for each set...a certain year, a certain time in our lives, and for some...certain countries. I have one from China, one from Africa and hopefully, one coming from Italy. I have some that are as old as my boys, some that are for playing with and some that are for looking. But, of course, they all have the same meaning and each of them holds a place in my heart. For a month, our front room is a constant reminder of WHY we celebrate this season and where our hearts are.
But, there is one set that I have actually "coveted" for about 3 years. I found it in a store, looked at the price and would put it off until "next" year. I should have just bought each piece and could have easily rationalized the purchase. I always tell the girls about it and "someday" I'll add that to my collection.

THIS YEAR......

I opened one of the best presents EVER!!! Yep, you guessed! My family surprised me with the complete set to this nativity!! Then I asked our resident pro to take some pictures. I can't wait to add this next year. It doesn't even go in the attic. It has a special place in my closet!!

My Christmas

"So, what did you do for Christmas?" seems to be the common questions amongst friends these days. We spent Christmas as a family. It couldn't have been better....well, if Aaron and Savannah had been here, THAT would have been perfect, but alas the darn economy nixed that!
But, being the computer geeks...I mean geniuses that we are...we had a skyped Christmas with Aaron and Savannah. It was a lot of fun to watch them open their presents...even tho we weren't there in person. We missed them a whole lot!!

But watching the faces of our family was absolutely priceless. I wish I had all the pictures to tell my story, but these will have to do:

Christmas Eve we celebrate the birth of our Savior with a Nativity made up of all the grandkids (who are not married!) This year, the Weech's present to Grammy and Grampy was new "costumes" for this nativity. Yes, I actually sewed them all! Watching Grammy and Grampy open this was wonderful and the kids were all excited to wear them.

Later that night, when all were asleep, is another favorite time of mine. Everything is in place, all the surprises are ready and the house is quiet. I took a picture of our tree right before I went to sleep. Look at the reflection of our windows!! Beautiful!!!

Surprises....I think these are the best. Not that I am very good at keeping a surprise a secret, but this year I amazed myself. (remember, I pulled off the 50th birthday surprise!). Pictures are worth a thousand words...so enjoy some of my favorite "wordless" memories!!

And then, to end this wonderful day....or just this fabulous memory....here are some more "faces" that made our Christmas just about perfect!

Merry Christmas to YOU!!

I have a funny story to share:

I'm driving north on Gilbert Road, headed to Fry's, close to Baseline. I'm in the outer lane and at the last moment (or maybe I already had thought about it...I don't know) I decided to get a Sonic drink before I started my errands.

So, I quickly look to my right, and switch over 2 lanes of traffic and quickly drive into this most wonderful place when a little stressed. (don't even ask what I ordered!!). As I'm placing my order, a car screeches behind me, a lady rolls down her window and she yells:
"Nice driving there lady!! Maybe you should watch what you are doing!"
I almost cracked up. She was really mad and I knew that I hadn't cut anyone off during my lane changes. So I said:
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention and quickly made a decision to get a drink". I'm so sorry if I cut you off. I hope you have a great day, tho".

You should have SEEN HER FACE!!!!!

It was priceless. I don't think she was expecting that. She couldn't argue with a cheerful, repentant soul. I chuckled to myself as she sat there exasperated, but not knowing what to do. I paid for my drink and as I drove off, I thought....I should have paid for her order! That would have really put her in a better mood! HAHAHAHAHA

I've got to try this kindness more often. It brings the most hilarious and rewarding responses!

Take a Moment

I started off my day watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxKas2Mcjg4

I'm going to have a wonderful day!
Hope you do too!

LOVE to all......

The Christmas Season

This season, I've been trying so hard to be a little bit more calm, a little less hurried...taking the time to read a few books about the Savior, my scriptures...

HOWEVER

It seems no matter how hard I try, I get pulled into the bustle of the "other" Christmas season. With Finals for the girls and the pressures of grades, packages, trying to get everything done, goodies made, crafts created, it's so easy to lose my focus on the true meaning and celebration of this special season.

Why is that?

It's the middle of the month and my Christmas decorations aren't even all up! The Scrooge in me says to forget the rest, but decorating helps me to remember why we take such great efforts to celebrate. I put my Christmas music on this morning and came across this song by Amy Grant: I Need a Silent Night.....this is how I'm feeling about now!

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying
while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night,
a holy night
To hear an angel voice
through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear,
a little peace right here
To end this crazy day
with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home
wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night,
a holy night
To hear an angel voice
through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear,
a little peace right here
To end this crazy day
with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?
Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid
And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

It's a crazy world we live in....

Democracy...government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.....

but not in Gilbert.

Tonight, Brad and I attended a Gilbert Public Board meeting. The discussion was about increasing the Gilbert school mandated credits to graduate from 22 to 24. (Az State only required 22). For 3 hours, we heard people give 3-minute speeches on how this would affect their choices, their family time, their motivation and the kids' desire to succeed. Wonderful speeches (Brad spoke too). Not one person was IN FAVOR of this change. Not one!! After all these speeches, the board had a "discussion". It was futile. They had already made up their minds and after pontificating their thought process, the vote was 3-2. We booed them! It was amazing to see the voice of the people say one thing, and then see "OUR" elected officials vote another way. As the President was making her remarks, she said:

"I can agree to give ONE FREEDOM BACK"

I'm hoping this becomes a big snow-ball. It really doesn't even affect Aly. It affects all those coming into the Gilbert School system. Students do not have the choice. They are now required to take electives. This does NOT include seminary. So, for the LDS, the seminary classes have now become impossible unless there is summer school. I hope all those who read this understand how important it is to be heard. Tonight, there was standing room only. Many people are mad, upset and ready to take action. We were absolutely shocked with the outcome. It shows me that the last days are coming and even our government can become corrupted in minor or major ways. Our voice was NOT heard tonight. It was amazing!

Winter Formal 2008

Winter Formal was over 2 days. Why, you ask? Usually there is a day date, which turns into a night dinner and then to the Semi-Formal Dance. But because of a few conflicts, Aly's group decided to have their "day" date at night along with the dinner the night BEFORE the formal. The dinner was at our house, where the menu included pizza strips for appetizers, salad, breadsticks and spaghetti and meatballs. Each couple dressed up as their night date was a picture scavenger hunt. So, the dinner was served "fancy", but the attire was casual.

Here is Aly and Treston before the dinner.

(notice the wonderful picture taken by our resident photographer)
((you will see where dear mom takes over the picture taking!!))

This is me watching the professional chef (yes, he looks alot like my dad!) at his best. The bread sticks were amazing and the pizza dough was done to perfection!

A dinner table for 9 couples. This was suppose to be for 5 couples, and then at the last moment, 4 more couples joined the group. I have learned that many of the youth are still very rude. I know they have been taught by goodly parents ( I know most of them), but some are still rude, and very un-appreciative. I really thought that the original group was courteous and nice. That is why I continue to let Aly's friends come over and use our home. They are nice, they say "thank-you" and "we sure appreciate all you do". Simple things, that make it all worthwhile.
(picture by mom....see the difference!!! aahhh!!)

This is Aly, Treston, Ashley and Jordan the 2nd night....the night of the Formal. Beee-u-ti-ful!! We had a tiny "tender mercy" as Aly's zipper to her dress about broke. One of the teeth was crooked in the zipper and it wouldn't go up. After about 15 minutes of really working with it, I quickly said a prayer. Wa-la, the zipper went up. Come to find out, both Aly and Ashley were also praying for a tiny miracle. Simple answers! They all came over afterwards for chocolate fountain and goodies. About 20 came. It was a good evening! Aly looked beautiful...even with her flu-like symptoms and being sick more than 1/2 of the previous week. Hopefully, this week is better for all!!

The day after....

Sometimes, I have a foreboding when I think of Thanksgiving. Well, just in the smallest degree. Not because I don't enjoy the day. But, I know that the very next day, we will start the process of decorating for the Christmas Season. Now mind you, this isn't an unpleasant task, just a LONG day, usually spilling into the weekend, the next week and ....well, you get the picture. We crank up the radio playing the Christmas tunes of the season, and we start pulling down our decorations from the attic, going thru the lights and figuring out which ones we have to replace, running to the store to replace the lights. (That is my job!) Usually, this is the icicles which are hung from the gutters on our roof. Now, you must be wondering what brave soul gets up on our roof, and does this dangerous job. We always laugh at the process, I do some praying that all will end well, pictures are taken and we have a good laugh. And our lights looks amazing!!

ENJOY....

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Things I am Thankful for: (as they happened today... and everyday!)
(photos courtesy of our amazing photographer - Jacque)

My thoughtful husband, Brad, who lets me sleep in on the holidays and of course who loves me unconditionally.

Aly, who makes our favorite breakfast for our family on a day she could be sleeping in.

Aaron, who called a little early to wish his family a Happy Thanksgiving. But it is he who brings fond memories to his mother of a particular Thanksgiving when he ran from room to room to make sure the Macy's Parade was being recorded!

My health - need I say more? 4 years ago, I had just had my first round of chemotherapy. I thank my Heavenly Father each day for the miracle of my health!

Jacque, and her desire to be healthy and happy. She ran her first 10K this morning with Yvette (we won't mention who was faster.....but Yvette, we ARE impressed!!)

Tyler - for taking the time to help us put up our tree. For some reason, he can always make us laugh. (In a tag-team effort with Dad) Ask Jacque how her how her leg works in correlation to the tree lights!

For Daughters who try hard to make their Mom look hip and "cute". This takes some effort on their part as they patiently try to teach me how to apply small amounts of make-up. Today was a good day....I felt pretty.

For Parents - they work all day to make our Thanksgiving Dinner wonderful, special and a family experience. They are wonderful and we love them dearly!! We love Grandma, even tho we don't spend our Thanksgiving with her....we are always thinking of her.

For Sisters - who share their lives with us. Whether it is thru Texting (like in snow pictures), or blogging or just in calling and sharing daily experiences....family IS everything!!

At dinner today, we had 5 sets of sisters! So I had Jacque take pictures of sisters...you know, that best friend you can't get rid of. The one that will be there no matter what you do. The sister you are the most competitive with in your younger years, but now, have the strongest relationship with. Yes....sisters are the best! (Even the ones NOT in the pictures!!)

Ashley & Faye

Aly & Jacque


Nicki & Jenny


Me and Stephanie


Mom and her sis, Aunt Sue

It was a wonderful day. We started the process of getting down our Christmas decorations and put on the music as we "fluffed" our tree this evening. Basically, my Thanksgiving was spent just how I wanted....with family around me, family relations strengthened and family in our thoughts.

Family IS Everything!

PS: We sure missed Aaron and Savannah and hope they had a wonderful day too!

Happy Birthday JENNY!!

Yeah! Another birthday for the Weech family! Today is Jenny's birthday and I thought I would post some pictures just sharing why we love her so much. The pictures say much more than I can, so enjoy!

Things we Love about Jenny:

Her infectious laugh and her beautiful smile

Her willingness to be a "big sister" for advice in all those important areas in life that matter to teenagers, most importantly, teenagers who are dating!!

We love how she has just fit in...being serious at all the parties....she and Tyler make QUITE the pair! Who would have thought there would be a twin for Tyler!!??!!

And lastly and most importantly....she is the perfect fit for Tyler and for our family. She brings love and laughter into our home, and has made their home beautiful as well. What a great way to start! We hope she has a wonderful day!!

LOVE YOU JENNY!