Blessing #36 My Sisters

I have 5 living sisters.  Joy, 10 years older than me, Rhonda 8 years, Jenna (Jennifer) 22 months older, Anny (Angela) 20 months younger, and Kass (Kathryn) 5 years younger.  They are all my best friends.   We may have our differences, and we may not all live near each other, but when we do get together whether it be for a wedding, reunion, or a sisters trip we have a BLAST!

Jenna, Becca, Anny

Rhonda would dress the three of us up often and take pictures

Those are nylons on our heads

I've lived with Joy and her family in Arizona, while going to school, Rhonda and her family in Indiana, while working for her husband Doug, Anny in Salt Lake, while working and trying to find out what we wanted to do in life, and Jenna in Salt Lake..... same as previous. 

Kass, Anny, Rhonda, Jenna, Becca at Rhonda's wedding 

It seems, whenever one of us is in trouble, or having a hard time, one, or all of us are there.

Kass, Rhonda, Jenna, Becca, Anny, Joy at first Weaver Family Reunion

floating the Salmon River

I had to throw the below picture in, because for a time, the three of us were living in Provo and Salt Lake and got together often.  We really liked the George Strait movie (Pure Country) and here, we are playing drums, singing, and playing guitar while listening to the song.... Song about the Heartland (don't know exact title) .

Becca, Kass, Anny

(I think this is the Summer before I got married)

My Wedding 1993

Kass, Anny, Rhonda, Becca, Joy, and Jenna

5 of us sisters just HAD to go pick up my mom from her mission in Jamaica, Nov. 1998.  Jenna wasn't able to come.  Anny was 8 months prego, Jackson was 2 months old, but left him at home.  To keep my milk, I pumped every 4 hours.  I felt bad dumping my milk, but I didn't lose it:)

Anny, Kass, Becca, Joy, and Rhonda and a banana tree.

Same trip, we all love pink snowballs, and a few of us brought them on the trip with us to share.

Rhonda, Joy, Anny, Becca, Kass

Kass, the youngest sister married, had all her sisters as her bridesmaids.  We had fun getting ready for the big day.

Becca, Anny, Kass, Rhonda, Joy, Jenna

1999

Whenever we get together we have to have a sisters picture taken.

This is at our niece's wedding in Salt lake in 2004.  We all went skiing the day before, Rhonda took a big spill and hurt her neck.  She isn't feeling very well in this picture.

Anny, Mom, Joy, Jenna, Becca, Kass, and Rhonda

Many times, when we get pictures, mom is with us.  She acts as a sister just as much.

At Aaron and Brocks wedding in San Diego, 2005.

Joy, Anny, Rhonda, Mom, Becca, Jenna, Kass

Last summer, we all got together and went to the Osmond and Tabernacle Choir concert.  We went to lunch, then downtown.  Jenna made it for lunch, but wasn't able to make it to the concert.

2008 Rhonda, Kass, Becca, Mom, Joy, and Anny

As I look through these pictures, I see how the styles have changed, but my sister's hearts haven't.  I am so BLESSED to have such wonderful sisters!!!

I love you All

Blessing #35 Our Health

A Norman Rockwell Photo.

I'm not one that gets sick very often, my kids have their moments, but it doesn't seem too bad.  I don't often think about my health, and what a blessing it is to have it, until I don't.

It all started four days before school started.  Aliza got sick with a fever, headache, and nauseous.  She got better two days before school.  Maren then got sick after getting home from the first day of school, and was out of school the rest of the week.  Sam got sick that weekend.  I mean SICK.  We tried to go on a boating date, and ended up with him vomiting most the time and me driving home.  Jackson was sick Sunday and Monday..... So far, Sammy and I had not gotten sick.  I was hoping I was out of the clear, until I started feeling a little feverish and achy. 

 It was our Anniversary weekend, and I wasn't feeling too bad, just a little soar throat, so Friday Sam and I went golfing, then to Red Lodge for a night get a way (thanks Amy for watching the kids).  Sam started to not feel well either that night, I was feeling worse.  We went out to eat, then went back to the hotel and we both had the worst night EVER.  Our bodies ached, my throat was burning, and the Advil was in the car.  Neither one of us wanted to go get it at 2:00 in the morning.  We both had the thought at 5:00 a.m. to just go home and sleep in our own bed, but we ended up leaving at 11:00.  We got home and went to bed for another three hours and still felt horrible.  We were planning on a LaRae Dinner that night with Clint and Amy, Tony and Dana, Kenny and Jodi and Mike and Kelli.  I called and told them we were sick, but they still wanted to do it.  They came over, I did nothing, just laid around.  I was hoping no one would catch what we had (I don't think anyone did get sick).  I don't know why we didn't think of going to the Dr. that day, but Sunday came and went, we were in bed all day.  Monday was Labor Day, Sam decided to go to the Dr.  He ended up having Strep.  I then got some meds called in for myself.  I started feeling better Tuesday, but Wednesday felt a lot better. 

Sammy never did get sick, I'm glad for that.  After about three weeks of at least one of us being sick, I am very blessed for the Health that we have.  

Bye Bye Tonsils!

6 years ago, Sammy (9) and Aliza (3) had there tonsils out.  Now it's time for Maren (6).  On September 10th, Maren went in for an out patient surgery of removing her tonsils and adenoid.  A couple of weeks before that, when we went to see the ENT Dr. to see if she even needed them out, she was already worried.  Before we went into his office, I told her that we didn't know for sure, but maybe they will be taken out.  When Dr. Butler told her YES, she would need them out, she started to cry.  She did not want her tonsils out.

She did get used to the idea, and the date was set.  We had to be at the surgery center at 7:00 a.m.  Here she is before going back.  Sam was there until she went back to the O.R.  They were able to push back his schedule and hour.

They gave a gift bag that had this hat and gloves, a disposable camera, and a coloring book that told what to expect.  

 We then went back to a little room, where the Dr. came in to talk to us, then the Anesthesiologist came back, then a nurse.  They each had to check and double check certain things.  They wanted to know if she had any loose teeth.  She did have one that wiggled a little, but not too much to where it would come out during surgery.  

They did get one thing wrong.  They had her birth date as 2005, which would put her at 4, they even had my birth date year wrong too, they had me born in 1988, which would put me very young to have a 4 year old :).  I wish I was that young, well, maybe not.  They did get it all straighted out before she went back, could you imagine them giving her sleepy medicine for a 4 year old?  

Once it was time, she wasn't thrilled about going back to the operating room without mom or dad, but she went.  The nurses were great to take pictures with her camera. 

 One of the first things she said when she woke up, was that she cried when they started to put the mask on her face.  She did choose the Cotton Candy smell :)

Well, here they are.  Gross!  After the surgery, Dr. Butler came out and said they were very huge for this little girl.

Here she is just waking up, before I was even back there.  Can you believe she is sporting a smile?

When they called me back to wait with her for a couple of hours, the nurse asked Maren if she wanted to stay in the bed, or sit on my lap.  I'm glad she decided to sit on my lap.  She has a smile on her face now, but I think it is for the camera.  She still wasn't very happy she got her tonsils out.

Her lips are all red because she chose a red Popsicle to eat before she could leave.  She didn't know that at first, but once the nurse told her she had to have the whole Popsicle, then she could go home, it was gone it 10 min.

Yeah!  Going Home! (I think that smile is for real this time)

She had a rough first couple of days, waking up in the middle of the night in great pain, not sleeping much, (I guess her pain medicine didn't make her sleepy, dang), and only wanting ice water and milk shakes.  She kept saying... "I wish I didn't get my tonsils out".

Monday, 4 days after her surgery, was no school, it was going to be 89 degrees outside, so Amy and I took the kids out on the boat.  Maren was a sport and tagged along, even though she couldn't swim.  She had her Big Horn sheep, which she named Tonsil, that the surgery center gave her before she left.  That has been a great comfort to her. (notice the frown on his face)

Well, today is Monday, almost a week and a half later.  Maren went to school for the first time since her surgery (I got to play Wii Princess with her a lot during the week).  She started feeling better, and didn't need any pain medicine on Saturday.  She is very excited to be eating normal foods again and see her friends at school..  She is still hard to understand when she talks, it's almost like she is afraid to talk and is trying to protect her throat a little, but I'm sure it will go away.

So, here's to no more snoring, no more blackened eyes from not enough sleep, and here's to happy mornings!  Love you Maren, you have been a trooper through this whole thing.

Blessing #34 Marriage

Sam and Rebecca /Hegban Lake July 25, 2009

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.  (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 1)

Sept. 3rd marked 16 years that Sam and I have been married.  I am so BLESSED to have Sam in my life and to be sealed to him for TIME and all ETERNITY!

Blessing #33 Good Friends

It is a wonderful BLESSING to have such great friends.  Sam and I have made friends through out our lives, while we were single and married.  Some we keep it touch with often, others through Christmas Cards.  Either way, I remember the great friendship we've developed and the experiences we have been through.  Each friend has left me with something that has made me a better person.

We had the opportunity to meet our GOOD FRIENDS, The Mays (Jason and Erin), at Jackson Hole, WY this August.  Erin found a great place for us all to stay in, and we had a wonderful time.

It was nice, because it was a truly relaxing trip.  There were no expectations, no set place we had to be at (except the covered wagon dinner), and lots of things to do.

We went on a small hike to an overlook above a beautiful lake,

We went on a cook out via a covered wagon.

Maren and Sicily got to hold the rains on the way back.

Maren and Aliza had to get a picture with the Indian that was on his horse on the way there.  On the way back, he had a cowboy outfit on, but still had on his makeup.  

The kids spent a lot of the time at the pool, even though it was a little chilly, and because of thunder had to be kicked out a few times.

We ended with going to Sacrament meeting on Sunday, then went our separate ways.

It was so nice to hang with the Mays again.  We so enjoy their company and friendship, much like our other friends.   I hope we will be able to do it again sometime.

Blessing #32+++ Automobile Insurance

August 9, 2009

Every month we pay a certain amount of money for insurance for our cars. Just in case we hit somebody, just in case they hit us, but don't have insurance, just in case......

Well, this "just in case" was a blessing we didn't think existed.

This story has a plethora of BLESSINGS

On our way back from the Oleson reunion on top of the Big Horn Mountains, our drive shaft snapped in half and tore up everything underneath the truck.

We were BLESSED to breakdown in a spot that we could pull off the road (most of the mountain is straight down).

We were BLESSED to have Clint's motorcycle in the back of the truck so Sam could ride 20 miles back to a lodge and make a phone call (of course no cell service).

We were BLESSED that Sam got a hold of Clint and Amy who were in Lovell by then so Amy could find a tow truck and Clint could turn around and pick the kids and I up and bring the camper down the mountain. It was a long day..... we were planning on being home around 4 or 5. We waited in Lovell for Sam to get down the mountain with the truck in tow.

We were BLESSED that Kenny, who had just gotten home from the reunion, turned around and drove another 3 hours to pick us up and take us home. Clint and Amy didn't have room in their car for all of us. We got home at midnight.

We were BLESSED that Sam had the week off so he could go back with Kenny's truck and a trailer to pick up the truck from Lovell and tow it to our auto repair place here in Laurel.

Our truck was in the auto shop for 3 1/2 weeks waiting for parts, transmission, etc. It was a $7000.00 repair. OUCH!! (we were 7,000 miles over or we would have had warranty). One of the workers told us that the insurance may pay for this because one thing broke down, and because of that, everything else was ruined (road hazard). We gave it a try. So, the biggest BLESSING of the story.............. After three weeks of working with the insurance, they ended up paying for EVERYTHING, minus the $250 deductible.

Now, if we could be blessed with our insurance NOT going up because of this........

Blessing #31 Family Reunions

I love attending family reunions.  This summer we had the privilege of participating it two.  What a BLESSING it is to get together with family we hardly see.  I'm so glad my kids get to know their aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, cousins, and second cousins better.

Oleson Reunion

August 7, 8, 9, 2009

Saturday we started off with a parade.  Jill and Jake are leading the way.

We then went right into the annual kids rodeo.  

I had my close up lens on so I had to get two shots to get all the kids in.

I love kids imagination.  This is the horse corral that the stick horses stayed in when not being used.  (Paige and Maren posing)

Sat. night we had a little talent show.  We are performing the Snowman song that we did last year at our ward talent show.

We heard some great music from Sam's bro. Steven.

The kids even got money from uncle Johnny's pockets when he did a hand stand :)

There were a couple of small motorcycles up there, and they were being used constantly.

Here are a few of the cousins and second cousins of Sam's side of the family.  I love that they get to see each other every year and get to know each other more and more.

Weaver Reunion

July 23-26, 2009

When all is good, we try to meet every other year.  This year, five out of nine siblings were able to make it.  Curt and his wife Diane, Gary and Christine and two of their six kids (plus a daughter in law),  my family, Anny and Jim and their family, Kass and Mick and their family, mom and my aunt and uncle Marge and Steve made it for a night.

We met at Hegben Lake near West Yellowstone.  Each family stayed in little cabins that were right next to each other.

Gary brought a cooking trailer, so we had two great breakfasts, made my Anny, Jim, Kass and Mick.

We took half a day, and went to Old Faithful.  It was hot, but worth the wait :)

Aliza and Brynn

We did have a minor injury..... Jackson, while casting a fishing line, got a hook stuck in the back of his head.

With Diane's awesome medical bag (she is a nurse), Sam was able to numb his head so he could pull out the fish hook with out hurting Jackson too much.

Another day, we went on a hike, then over to Quake Lake.  It was amazing to see and know the story.  I had never heard it before, and to think,  my mom was camping near by this place, felt the quake and had no idea a campsite full of campers got buried until she got home.  

In the picture below, we are standing on a huge mountain slide from an earthquake that happened 50 years ago and buried a campsite.  It was unbelievable.

Mom and I against Sam and Sammy..... I can't remember who won. :)

This is the picture of grandma (mom) and all her grandchildren that were there.  This is probably about half of them.  Arial is standing next to mom.  She is Anthony's wife, not quite married a year yet.  

While some of us were relaxing.....

myself, Gary (holding Callahan), Kass, Mom, and Anny

Curt was taking a group of kids out on the lake.  They had a blast!

It was awesome to see this bird flying off with this fish while we were playing horseshoes.  I love witnessing nature live. :)  

I am so grateful for those who make these reunions happen!  Life just wouldn't be the same without them.