Two Wonderful Mothers

I have been a Mom now for many years. I never really appreciated all my Mom did for me or my brother and sister until I had my own children. I guess I was a lot like many teenagers and often didn't see beyond myself and what I needed or wanted. Yet even as a teenager I always remember wanting to be around my Mom. I remember many adults who admired or looked up to my Mom. She was a leader in our small town and I count myself lucky and blessed that she is my Mom. Someone who I have been able to go to with simple questions and complex ones as well. Even when I told her that I wanted to change religions and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and no longer be Catholic. ( I was 13 at the time). I remember her concern and yet her love for me. She eventually allowed me to attend and she was the first to tell me that the LDS Church was making me a better person. I trusted and valued her opinion. She has always been a great model of what a Mom should be and I am always thankful for her endless and unconditional love that she has had for all of her kids and grandkids. I count myself lucky and blessed that Mom is still on this earth. Her own Mom died at a very young age and she has missed having her Mother in her life. Mom, I love you...thank you so much for your influence in my life.

The other Mom I would like to talk about is my Mother in law. Emma Whitnah is an amazing woman. Is there anything she can't do? I don't think so. She can cook anything and make it taste delicious. She plays piano, fiddle, accordian. She loves to dance and sing. She knows how to do floral arranging as well as decorate cakes. When I first married Wes I felt overwhelmed by her. She could do just about anything and I felt so inadequate around her. Over the years I have realized that I shouldn't have worried at all. She loves all her sons and grandkids. This past nine months have been hard for her..she lost the love of her life in August of 08 and once again I saw her strength come through. I am sure she has had countless hours of hidden sorrow since then. Yet Emma keeps on doing so much for so many. I am not surprised. She is truly a great woman and I am thankful to have her as my Mother in law.

Happy Birthday Wes

I'm a bit behind on posting this but on Thursday Wes celebrated his birthday. I can't believe I'm married to such an old man! Just kidding :) Wes and I have been together now since 1983 and I wouldn't have it any other way. He is great husband,a great dad and a great friend. Happy Birthday Wes...I love you :)

Special Ed. Field Day 2009

I just returned from the annual field day for special ed. kids throughout the district. I prayed that it wouldn't rain...it has been so nice but suddenly became cold last night and the skies looked abit unsure but finally the sun came out and all involved were able to enjoy field day. This year field day was held at Aloha HS..the school along with the volunteer student were AMAZING! I must say, I am bias as I have already had 3 kids graduate from Aloha with a fourth one attending there now. Seriously though, they did a great job. There were games on the field such as soccor, ball toss, crochet, bean bag toss, bowling as well as track and other events.
I don't know why but each year Bryan HATES to run the 100m! He absolutely despises it! Bryan is really fast at running and usually beats most scouts when they practice the mile. His PE teacher at school has even told us that he should take up cross country and that he would be great at running. Well...whether it's his autism and he gets overwhelmed with the crowds of people or something I just can't figure.
Bryan loved seeing his former aides, Kathleen and Michelle. We were lucky to have Kathleen be Bryan's aide in grade school for 3 years and then Michelle was his aide for 2 years. Bryan is now in a self-contained classroom setting with only 6 boys and his teacher Aki Mori. Field Day was a nice break from the norm of school. All kids, volunteers, teachers, aides and parents had a great time and we were thankful that the rain didn't let loose until everything was over!

Robbie and Mikal: Good Buddies

On Saturday I had the chance to help out a friend with her son's wedding reception. My son Robbie was there to stand in as the best man to his friend Mikal. Robbie and Mike have been friends since the day the Healey family moved into our Ward when Robbie was 8 almost 9. They were instant friends and many times got into some "sticky" situations" but overall they always had some good clean fun. Some have said that the 2 of them were a bit wild, others have confused their love of life with immaturity..and at times they were a bit immature :) I remember many times when both Mike and Robbie would have this "evil eye" look and I just had to think..."okay what are they up to now?" In the end I usually found myself laughing about things they would do. I have always loved their spark and energy for life! It's great!
Friends are those who stand by you through thick and thin and that is how Mike and Robbie are. I am thankful for their friendship and I really believe people are placed in others lives so they can both learn from, strengthen, help and grow together. On Saturday Robbie did just that...he stood by his friend Mike as Mike married Katie, his girlfriend of 3+ years. Good buddies are one of life's greatest gifts

Susan Boyle: A wake up call on judging

A few days ago I saw a video clip of a woman from the UK. I am sure you have all heard of her by now. Susan Boyle. She is 47 years of age, nearly 48. For all of us who saw this woman prior to her singing perhaps we made judgements about how she looked, how she acted or how she dressed. When she began to sing "I dreamed a dream" from Les Miserables she blew me away as I am sure she blew most everyone away who heard her sing.
One of the judges who listened to her told her it was a privilege for her to be able to here Susan sing. I felt that same way. This same judge went on to say that it was a "wake up call".
Since hearing this woman sing I have thought about the times I have made a judgement or opinion of someone or something prior to knowing all I could know about someone. Susan Boyle represents a reminder to me that we should not rush to judge, but rather sit back, listen and understand. She is a wake up call to all of us in a world that has become obsessed with beauty, perfect figures, acceptance and so forth. I must admit prior to hearing this woman sing I thought "boy does that woman need to wax her eyebrows and she needs to do something with her hair"...I hadn't even got to her clothing! I wanted to simply share my feelings on this woman with the angelic voice and hope that from now on I will make a better effort each day to keep an open mind, to not judge on looks alone, to really understand the meaning of "beauty is more than skin deep". That I might look upon the hearts of those I meet and get to know them and love them.
If for some reason you have not seen Susan Boyle sing yet bet sure and check it out on youtube. She's simply amazing

The Atonement