The Dana Diaries

New Stake Center

2009-10-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a short post and another Spiritual Experience one to boot. We were able to go to the dedication of our new stake center tonight. Two years ago after a youth fireside on Sunday night where I acutally got to be one of the final speakers in the building (I guess that's my claim to fame), our stake center was set afire by arsonists. I don't know who did it, and I guess to me it really doesn't matter. I was just very sad that someone would do something like that on purpose. Anyway, 2 years later we have a beautiful new building and me and my family were able to attend one of those completely amazingly spiritual meetings.

Our stake president told about some of the things that came about with the fire and after the fire and bore his testimony then we had Elder LeSueur from the quorum of the 70 speak for a short minute and then read the dedicatory prayer. I've been to a rededication of temples, but the only church building dedication I remember was the Main Street Chapel in Snowflake. I was in High School and don't remember much about it except that my Dad was conducting the meeting as the 1st Counselor in the Stake presidency. He had been called as the new Stake President, but that would not take place until the Stake Conference meeting later that day. Elder Dallin H. Oaks was presiding at the meeting that day and was there to set apart the new Stake Presidency. My dad must have been quite nervous, because as he was conducting and announcing the speakers, he drew a blank and had to turn to Elder Oaks and say "What's your name again?"

Anyway, I digress - back to present day. The prayer was so amazing. The buiding was dedicated almost room by room to perform the proper functions in each important area of the building. The primary room, the Relief Society room, the YM and YW rooms, the chapel, the cultural hall, the Priesthood rooms, the Bishop's offices, the stake offices. He even mentioned the artwork and that people will be inspired by the stories and the meaning that go along with the artwork chosen for the building. This was especially poignant for me because I got to choose artwork for the YW room at the very last minute. In fact, it's not even hung yet, but when I was thinking about how to choose artwork that will have special meaning and will accompany the YW theme, I really feel like I was directed what to do and how to do it.

After the amazing prayer, we sang "The Spirit of God" and on the last verse, the choir sang the Halleluiah anthem that was written for temple dedications. As Jeff said, you could cut the Spirit with a knife. We walked around the building for awhile afterward and spoke with friends and we were leaving as President Ahlstrom and President Clouse were coming back in the building. We spoke to them and told them what an amazing meeting it was. Even Cooper was saying how neat it was. So when we got home and I was saying goodnight to him, I asked him how he felt about the Spirit that was there tonight. When I asked if he had felt it like that before, his response was, "No, not like that." He hadn't really wanted to go, mostly because he didn't want to put his church clothes back on after dinner, but he chose to go. What at great lesson for him and for me to take every opportunity possible to expose yourself and your children to the Spirit. I'm sure that will be a meeting that he'll remember for the rest of his life.

Sharing the Gospel

2009-10-11T23:52:00.001-07:00

So, I'm not the best at opening my mouth and sharing the gospel. I know that I should do more, but I get a bit intimidated and worry about offending anyone by being too pushy. Our ward and stake have challenged us to share the gospel and to invite friends to have gospel experiences. With the work I do now, I actually have more opportunites to share the gospel, but need to be careful also.

Tonight I was reading the Ensign and I found a good solution to my problem. There is a great article on how blogging can be a great forum for sharing my testimony in a very un-pushy way. I can do that. I can express some the the feelings I have when I hear a great talk or listen to a great lesson. I felt such wonderful things as I listened to General Conference. There were wonderful talks on recognizing the Spirit, having the Holy Ghost with you all the time, on giving service, and on the importance of having a testimony of the Book of Mormon.

But what I really wanted to tell about today on my blog is the wonderful lesson we had in Relief Society today. I had time this morning to read the lesson before our church time. It was a great lesson from the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith. It was on "Family: the sweetest union for Time and for Eternity". It was a great lesson to read. But I certainly got the most out of it by the lesson given by our sweet teacher, Sister Dixon.

First she talked about how many times we hear a lesson and we think of what a great lesson this would be for so and so. I think I do that often. I wish someone there was with me to hear the lesson - not acknowledging how much I need the lesson for myself. (That was my first great lesson of the day!)

Next, she handed out paper and pencils and had us divide the paper into four sections or Applications we would be able to use for ourselves of things we learned from the lesson. The lesson of course was about the way to make family a sweet union for this time on earth as well as for eternity. We completely skipped the part where he talked to the men - because that is not applicable to us. Our section headings were "Me - as a Wife", "Me - as a Mother", "Me - as a Daughter", and "Me - as a Sister". There were sections in the lesson that then spoke to me in all of those different applications.

One of the things that really hit me hard both when I read the lesson this morning, again in Relief Society, and then at the dinner table when I was talking to my family about it, was the beautiful relationship that was had in Joseph Smith's family. He spoke so lovingly of his parents and of his siblings. The example was given of how at age 17, Joseph would sit with his parents and siblings and teach them about what he was learning to be prepared for what he had been called to do. I wondered what I would have done as a sibling had I been in that situation. Would I have listened to any of my brothers or sisters tell about a strange spiritual experience and been receptive to what they had to say, or would I have dismissed them because I knew they had too many short-comings to be able to know what they were talking about?

Then I wondered what I would have done as a parent in the same situation. Would I take the time to listen and learn or would I feel the need to question and correct as I often do? The answer is that I don't know, but I hope that as I've learned this lesson I'll be better at being a Sister and a Mother because I can better apply the lesson taught and example given by Joseph Smith and his family.

First Day of School

2009-10-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

So I got the kids off to school on the first day. I drove the carpool to Mountain View for Shelby's first day and then I dropped Cooper off at Franklin for his first day of 5th grade. I get to the school and see all of the parents taking the traditional 1st day of school pictures in front of the bell and in front of the school sign and realize that I completely forgot about 1st day of school pictures. What kind of mother am I? I was so concerned about getting them off to school and then getting home in time to get to work that I forgot a very important part of our 1st day ritual. I was literally sick for the rest of the day. I had so much guilt about my hours of work anyway that this was some really gross icing on the cake for me. Anyway, I picked the kids up from school and brought them home to take their 1st day of school pictures AFTER they got home.

San Diego Pictures

2009-10-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've been reading other people's blogs and I seem to be the only one not including pictures. It's been awhile and I don't want anyone to forget what a great looking family I have. It just seems to take forever to upload photos and I haven't been spending that much time on my computer lately (at least not for fun!).

Here are some of the pictures from our annual San Diego vacation that happened August 1-8th. We always have a great time. Some years with more pictures than others.

Cooper and Jackson Beach Buddies!

Jackson, Megan Hunsaker and Cooper were Boogie Boarding fiends!

Shelby got into a bit of a pickle after hiking the jedi.

Not a great family picture at the end of the jedi (but look at the view!)

Jeff and Cooper loved playing catch with a football in the waves

Cousins: Jackson, Cooper, Megan and Ellen Hunsaker

This is a girl who knows what a day at the beach is all about!

How did I allow a family picture when I didn't even do my hair or makeup?

The boyz!

The Girls

Mom and Cooper

We had to hit the Fish Market on the way home for a crab sandwich. Who cares that it was 10am? Cooper, Megan and Haley McClaws

Some Hunsakers, Danas and McLaws'

September WHAT??????

2009-09-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many entries in my journal start with "It's been a long time since I've written." Unfortunately, a busy summer with a LOT of time spent at work and a few great trips and the fact that I waste time on Facebook lead me to know making a blog entry with the same salutation.

We had a great summer. My kids were troopers as Shelby's job this year was to hang out at home with Cooper while I worked. When we had to make a decision about whether or not she could get a job we decided that either she could work or I could work, so we compromised. She earned some spending money (her school wardrobe reflects that this year) and I was able to help things move along at the Mesa location of Vital Solutions.

We had a great trip to Snowflake for the Pioneer Day's celebration. The weekend before I turned 40 I participated in my first Keg Race (winning by the way - at the expense of Mindy breaking her neck and leg). It was probably the slowest Keg Race on record in Snowflake. The next morning I participated in my 1st 10k race. I actually won second in my age group of 30 - 39 year old women. I tried to claim 40 (my birthday was 2 days later) thinking it would be better for me, but I would have actually placed 3rd in that group. As the girl told me when I confessed, "honesty is always best."

Jeff arranged for a party at my parents house that night and invited my family and Lynae and Heidi and Keith. Shelby had the house all decorated when we got home from the rodeo. It was a really nice weekend.

Girl's camp was the next weekend with at wonderful theme of "I Still Believe". It was very Christ Centered and our stakes' first Sunday at camp provided an amazing spiritual atmosphere. We returned on a Monday and promptly packed our bags to head to San Diego.
We had another great week there with Jeff's family.

We came home from San Diego and had a couple of days to get the kids ready to begin school the next Wednesday. They are enjoying their year. Shelby started High School at Mountain View. She's amazingly busy with CP Chemistry, Symphony Orchestra, Algebra II, Block English and Social Studies and Seminary. Jeff and I were totally impressed with the quality of her classes when we went to the Parent night, but they are tough and keep her very busy with homework. Trying to fit in friends, boys, driving (ya, she's got her permit), texting, and facebook leave her just a little time for her Viola (she's named it Joyce). She's getting really good and has been going back and forth between 1st and 2nd chair.

Cooper is in 5th grade and is really enjoying his year. His teacher is Mrs. Peterson. She's new to the school, but seems to be doing well with her class. She enjoys Cooper. I think the fact that he doesn't have as many of his friends in his class as he did last year are going to be great for his grades. When I mentioned at PT conference that he seemed to have trouble with talking in the past his teacher was actually surprised. A great report card earned him a Sonic Blast on the way home that day.

Jeff and I were able to go on an amazing trip to Alaska with the majority of my siblings and their spouses (Doug and Jenn, Mindy and Chad weren't able to go). My goal is to make a cool DVD with our pictures, but that hasn't happened yet. I'm so grateful to my Mom for that great Christmas gift to celebrate my parent's 50th anniversary.

Speaking of my parents, I guess I should write about a dream I had when we were in San Diego. I was thinking about him because his birthday always falls during our San Diego week. I dreamed that I was in the kitchen in my Mom's house in Snowflake and I heard him walk into the front room. He was talking to those in the room, so I went in to see him. He gave me a big hug and I literally felt it in my sleep. It felt just like his hugs. I told Jeff about the experience later when I remembered it. Then a few weeks later Mindy wrote of a dream where he gave her a hug and that it felt so real. I feel like that was a great blessing and proof of a thin veil at times.

Anyway, the rest of my life seems to consist of trying to keep up with housework and dishes while spending a lot of time at work. Fortunately, the business seems to be moving along well. We've hired a great marketing person who is aleviating my load greatly and making it possible for me to be home when the kids get home from school. So, aside from having to get up at 5:45am to exercise so I can leave to work right after the kids go to school - things are looking up!

I've got tons of pictures to post, but I'll have to do some sort of collage to save time and space.

Six Minutes 52 Seconds

2009-06-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

I went to the same gym for over 10 years. Fitness Works was just down the street and I loved how close it was. When the one down the street closed a few years ago I tried going to the one farther away, but didn't like it, so I moved to Mountainside Fitness and loved the classes there, but hated the extra 30 to 40 minutes the drive added to my morning. So, when I began working at Vital Solutions MD quite a bit and changed my workouts up, I cancelled my membership and have been working out at home. We have a nice treadmill, so I've been doing a lot of running lately for my cardio portion. I usually keep it at a nice steady pace, but have been working on "spiking" my heart rate to keep in the fat burning zone the majority of the time, but raising it every 4 or 5 minutes for just a minute.

A few weeks ago I had been walking for a few miles and was going to run a quick mile, and decided to see if I could run it really quickly. I was able to do it in about 7 and a half minutes and was kind of surprised. In Freshman PE in high school if we could run a mile in under 7:30 for 6 weeks of the term, we didn't have to run the last 3, so I was able to do that most of the time, but I was never able to get it under 7 minutes. I thought that might be a good goal for me before I turn 40 next month, so I've timed myself a couple of times since then. A couple of weeks ago I tried it and after 8/10 of a mile I had to stop because I had been pushing too hard, so I didn't quite meet my goal. So last Thursday I decided to time it again. Now granted, I was on a treadmill, so it's not quite the same as running outside, but I was able to run the first 1/2 mile at 9mph, and the last 1/2 mile at 8.8mph and finished at 6 minutes and 52 seconds. Not too bad for a 39 year and 10 1/2 month old girl.

It's funny how competitive I can get - even with myself. I was doing a consult with someone at our office the other day and I was telling her about our different weight loss plans. We have 3 different plans and our best seller is our expensive program - mostly because people want to have regular follow up and accountabilty to support them in their program. This woman I spoke with said that if she decided she was going to do it - she didn't need the follow up - she was pretty self motivated. I could relate to her. I'm not one who likes to have a regular workout partner, because I want to work out on my own time - and I'm usually disciplined about doing it.

My big motivation problem comes in deciding to challenge myself, not usually in carrying through once the challenge has been made.

I can see that with setting spiritual and family goals. I don't want to make a goal and not be able to carry it through, so I sometimes get complacent in not setting those goals for myself. What if I were to push myself as much for things that are important to my eternal progression as much as I like to push myself (sometimes) for my physical progression. Maybe it's because my goals for physical progress are quite easily measured and recognized. I can lose a certain number of pounds, or have a certain percentage of body fat, or run so many miles, or lift so much weight, but how do you measure your spirituality or your patience, or your kindness? How do you measure or count the number of times you follow or recognize a prompting?

I think I've learned that I have to DECIDE what is important for myself spiritually and push myself harder to accomplish that. I have so many things vying for my time and attention. I'm finding it very easy make time for the things I can see or where the need is apparent. I work out, I try to make sure I spend a certain amount of time keeping up with my house, I try to spend time with my children, I kind of have to spend time at work, and I even spend time each night reading my scriptures and saying my prayers, but the thing that I think is lacking is the decision to progress. I can either just keep running my steady pace spiritually, moving slowly ahead, or I can push myself harder by setting tough short term goals for myself that get me out of my comfort zone and help me find out that I can go further and faster than I thought I could go.

Trials and Blessings

2009-05-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

We're friends with a wonderful family in our ward, the Mortensens. They moved in a couple of years after we did and never missed a beat. Parties were had at their house - everyone was invited over to play games or eat or visit. They became family immediately. Jeff got to work with Joey in the Young Men's program and learned to really love him as a great scouter and an amazing advocate of the boys in Teacher's quorum.

Joey home from the Mountain Man Rendezvous feeling sick. He went in only to find that he had Pancreatic Cancer. This was around the 20th of March. Well, Joey passed away on Friday morning. Less than 2 months after his diagnosis. Jeff and I were able to visit Joey and Vanessa a couple of times during the whirlwind sickness and both were gracious and strong in what they were facing, even though I can't imagine going through anything harder. I can relate a bit to Joey's kids as I lost my dad almost a year ago, but I have a hard time imagining Vanessa's pain right now.

We were talking in Relief Society today about gifts of the Spirit - healing, tongues, prophecy, and discernment. The focus was on discernment and the gift of tongues, but a scripture came to my mind that was a comfort to me about the gift of healing. My dad had shared this scripture with my cousin Ron when my Uncle Jed passed away a few years ago. It is in D&C section 42 (I don't have the verse right now) and talks about how if we have faith to be healed it will happen unless it is our appointed time to die. I don't remember it being super important to me when Uncle Jed died, and I didn't even think of it when my Dad died, but today in Relief Society I remembered it and looked it up and felt great comfort from that scripture.

We've been having a lot of health issues in our ward lately. I just sang at our back door neighbor's funeral last Saturday and now Joey's gone. My next door neighbor has been in the hospital for at least 6 weeks fighting leukemia and we have 2 other ward members fighting cancer right now, and that scripture helps me remember it's all in Heavenly Father's hands. As Elder Bednar reminded us when he came to our stake conference - sometimes we need to have the faith not to be healed.

I know I felt the comforting power of the Holy Ghost so much through good friends, neighbors and family members after my dad passed away, and I hope I can be an instrument in His hands to bring blessings of peace and comfort to those around me who are struggling.

This is what we get for trying to be Spontaneous

2009-05-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not an X-men fan. In fact, I saw the first movie and didn't like it much, so I don't think I ever even saw the 2nd one. It was kind of exciting that the premier of Wolverine was going to be just down the street however. There was a lot of hoopla about it on all of the radio stations, so Monday afternoon, I decided "what the heck". It was showing on all 16 theatres at Tempe Marketplace, so I thought we might have a chance. Besides, Hugh Jackman was going to be there and he ain't bad to look at, so we packed up in the car and even found a good parking spot, only to find out that all of the tickets (3000 of them) had been given out days earlier. We thought we might just catch a glimpse of some of the stars, but were sorely disappointed there too. Anyway, we joined the throngs and here are the pictures we have to show for it. It was a new adventure for Family Home Evening though.

What a Wonderful Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

We didn't do anything big this year. The Easter Bunny was told that Shelby and Cooper watched him hide the eggs last year, so it was unneccessary for this year. So this year the baskets were filled with eggs and a few fun prizes and there was no hunt involved in our Easter festivities. Sadly I didn't even make the Easter cake that I usually make (green cream cheese frosting with green grass (food colored coconut) with jelly bean eggs. With our lower sugar lifestyle, I just didn't do it. I did make a concession for Cooper's benefit and made his favorite dessert which is a cake mix cheese cake with blueberry pie filling - a little lower sugar, but still dangerous!

We started the day out nicely by Shelby and I going to the Easter Morningside held on the temple grounds. I don't know how our stake is lucky enough to be able to do this every year, but it's a long standing tradition in the Lehi Stake. Our youth gather on the south side of the visitor's center with chairs set up facing the temple just over the reflecting pool. Then we have an hour long testimony meeting. The first time I was told about this in our stake I resented them taking me away from getting my then 3 year old Shelby up and ready for Easter Sunday 8:30 am meetings. Now I'm so grateful to be able to go to a wonderful testimony meeting with my 15 year old Shelby and to hear testimonies of the youth of our stake who are strong in what they know and steadfast in what they do. Our stake presidency all bore their testimonies and it was a wonderful meeting. It's amazing how my perspective and priorities have changed. We always have a Big group of youth there even at 7am. And there is rarely any periods of silence during the meeting.

During the meeting I had a thought that I shared with my family at the dinner table this afternoon that relates to the beauty of the resurrection and this Easter season. I heard something said - I don't even remember what it was or who said it during the meeting - that got me thinking about my dad. This time my thoughts went to how he died. Every once in awhile I imagine how it was for him and for those who were there and I replay in my mind the details I heard about that morning. I was just starting to get teary eyed with these thoughts when I was able to replace that yucky scene with my imagination of where he is now and what he might be doing on the other side. In speaking with a friend of mine who lost a 2 year old child a few years ago - she expressed it well by saying that when she puts her daughter in situations on this earth - it's hard for her to bear - thinking of what she would look like now, how old she would be, etc., but when she thinks of her daughter in the spirit world she feels peace.

(I hope I'll be able to put this in writing clearly) I feel like this is part of the beauty of what we know about the atonement and the whole process of the crucifixtion and the resurrection. As a church we don't honor the symbol of the cross because that puts the focus on Christ's earthly, physical death. We put steeples on our church buildings that point to the heavens - the place where Christ still reigns. Whenever I start to feel despair about my dad's death or any other earthly trial - I just need to change my perspective to an eternal one and remember that Jesus Christ made it possible for us to return to immortality and Eternal Life.

I'm so grateful for that knowledge on this Easter Day! I'm going to put a link to the http://www.lds.org/ website so you can go and see the amazing video that's been put together with part of Elder Holland's general conference talk last week about our Savior. President Ahlstrom, our Stake President challenged all of the youth of our stake to watch this today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

What did happen this week anyway?

2009-04-05T22:09:00.001-07:00

Why is it that when I go to review my week to contemplate the great and exciting things that have happened, it seems like I didn't do anything, yet, I can guarantee you I didn't have any free time on my hands?

It's a busy time for us. We've added a couple of baseball games and at least one practice each week and there you go! Our Family Home Evening was spent at the ball field - unfortunately, Shelby stayed home so she could practice for her chair auditions for MYS and to do homework, so I don't know if it can really be counted as a Family Home Evening.

Tuesday I didn't go into work, but instead spent the day paying bills and taking care of some YW stuff. I then made lettuce wrap fixings for Enrichment night and for Amy and David (that's a tough thing to make for so many people - very time intensive), but instead of eating any for us we went to dinner at Manuels with Jeff's family to be able to see John and Kathy and their family before they went home and we completely missed them.

Wednesday the kids started the Aims testing - really a more important test for the teachers than for the students as far as I can tell (unless they're in high school).

Thursday Cooper had a game and we had YW softball. Friday Cooper had a friend come home form school with him, Shelby had a rehearsal for the Junior High Festival Orchestra (she's 1st chair violist by the way), and Jeff and I went to dinner/meeting with John and Jacqueline to nail down some ideas about Vital Solutions. After our meeting we picked Shelby up and went to visit with Joey and Vanessa Mortensen. Joey is having some serious health problems and we went so they could cheer us up:)

Now that I'm working so often I hate to go anywhere on Saturdays if I don't have to, so I took Shelby to her orchestra practice, fully enjoyed watching conference (you stay awake much better if you watch if from a treadmill!), took Cooper and his friend to practice, picked Shelby up, took her to get a salad at Subway, and dropped her off at Leslies to watch the 2nd session. Jeff was helping John and Jacqueline hang pictures at the new Mesa office of Vital Solutions, picked Cooper and Scotty up, took them to see Tim Hightower at the new Sports Authority (very exciting for Cooper - Time Hightower plays for the Arizona Cardinals).

Jeff then got ready and went to the Priesthood session. I had to take a big priveledge away from Cooper after he and his friend decided to walk to Chevron after I told them not to. The funny part was they both tried to deny it with BLUE MOUTHS from the candy they had been eating or icee they had been drinking. For awhile I was the meanest mom in the world, but felt better after Jeff and I came home from dinner and Cooper apologized. Sometimes concequences can be a good thing I guess. Besides, now the playroom is all picked up and the toys are organized in bins.

Today we had another great session of General conference. This time to stay awake I did a puzzle. I almost finished the whole thing, and have threatened my kids that they don't get to finish it for me after I've done the majority of the work!

We also fasted today for Joey Mortensen and for Kent Jones and Kristi Crum. All three of these are people who are very close to us who have serious cancer issues. They'll need some miracles in their lives!

I thouroughly enjoyed the conference talks this time around. I think the older I get the more I see their value and the how appropriate all of the talks are for me at this time. I was listeneing with the idea of our leadership meeting and was so happy to hear a talk that pushed me in the direction I think we should take our leadership meeting. I had some ideas during the YW general broadcase, but nothing that stuck out like the idea of letting the YW presidencies have real leadership experience in their classes rather than having the leaders do the majority of the planning and carrying out. I really feel like the girls will be able to feel how the Spirit can direct their classes if they rely on the Lord for direction - rather than relying on leaders to take care of everything.

I'm excited to talk about this with my counselors and see where we can take this.

Well, this has been more of a journal entry than a blog entry, but you can see that without really doing anything - my life has been full this week.

Spring Break at Disneyland Pictures

2009-03-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

We had two spots at the Play Bonita in Rocky Point reserved for Spring Break this year, but I was pretty freaked out about all of the stuff going on between the Federales and the Drug Lords, so we did a pretty quick change of plans and decided that we needed to take the kids to Disneyland. We left at 5am Saturday morning to head to Valencia to go to Magic Mountain. We met the Hunsakers, the McClaws's and the Hornes there. We had a great time, but waited in some very long lines. the rides were very exciting and I was happy to be able to ride without hurting my back. The kids had a great time. They didn't think they wanted to go to Disneyland, but were in for a great suprise in that they really loved it.

We stayed really late at Magic Mountain, then stayed in a Motel that night. We slept in the next morning then went to Sacrament meeting with a ward in Valencia (the claim to fame is that it happened to be Kerby Hayborne's ward). We packed up and headed to Anaheim that afternoon.

Here are a few pictures of us in the Motel in Anaheim. It was nice to have a full kitchen to base out of, but the sofa bed wasn't very comfortable for Shelby. She was wishing we had brought 2 air mattresses instead of just the one for Cooper. (Cooper is always the master at posing for pictures).

Shelby had to make sure to keep track of what all of her friends were doing on facebook and via text while we were gone.

Cooper and Jeff just chillin'.

Our hotel was about a 15 minute wald from Disneyland, so we definitely got our walking in while we were gone. Monday morning we were waiting at the gates when California Adventure opened. We've got Haley and Trevor McClaws, Christian and Kenzie Freeman (Katie's neice and nephew), Conner and Megan Hunsaker and Shelby and Cooper in this picture.

Same kids minus the McClaws'

We finally made it into the park.

Haley, Megan and Cooper in their 3-D glasses for Bug's Life

Here's the kids waiting for Soaring over California. That is the most amazing ride I've been on. Not for the thrill factor, but because it feels so real. I called my mom and told her I think she should go to California Adventure just to see that ride.

Soaring over California actually opened a little bit early, so afterwards the kids literally ran to be the first on the California Screamin' roller coaster. They made it. Jeff and I were a couple of rides back, but liked it so much we did it again. With that it was pretty much the kids on their own keeping us updated on what they were doing through text messaging.

Cooper wanted to take a picture of the beautiful water fall there, so Jeff and I posed for him.

Shelby wasn't crazy about the fact that I made the kids pose for a few pictures.

Cooper's always up for a picture though.

Here are both of my great kids!

We did go to Disneyland for a bit Monday night. In time to ride Indiana Jones and Pirates, but here's are official entrance pictures.

Here's the hooligans again.

Here's the Danas in the traditional Flower Mickey Pose.

Wednesday it was just the Dana family together - everyone else left early (they had been to Disneyland several times previously) so we tried to make sure we hit all of the classic rides.

I don't know if the Buzz Lightyear ride is a classic, but Cooper enjoyed it.

Now, Star Tours is a classic and a couple of years ago Cooper would have given his right arm to see all of the cool Star Wars stuff.

Here we go to It's a Small World.

Shelby thougth it was a bit creepy, but how can you go to Disneyland without a trip around the world (I still love it)

Jeff and I did the Pirates of the Carribbean ride 3 times this trip. Cooper loved that one too.

By this time Shelby thought that she'd had enough family time.

Cooper was still ready to do some more posing though.

We thougth it was a great vacation. The kids had a great time with their friends and together. We were all completely exhausted from miles and miles of walking every day, but I'm still thinking that Disneyland might just be the happiest place on earth.

Jeff and his Sister Jenny on TV

2009-03-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Check out Jeff and his sister Jenny on Arizona Midday yesterday talking about our company. I thought they did a GREAT job.

Fast Paced Living

2009-02-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

Cooper playing football (he's the center)

Shelby right after her Regional Orchestra Concert I feel like everyday these past couple of months has been on fast forward. I hope that I'm not working so hard at getting things done that I'm forgetting to enjoy. I don't think I am, because there have been some great things happening, but it is all going by awfully fast!

Vital Solutions is going well. We're working hard. We've got several clients through with their 1st 6 week part of the program and for the most part they've done really well. It's so rewarding to see them happy with what has happened with their weight loss. One lady in particular said that she would love to give us a glowing testimonial because this is the first weight loss program that has actually worked for her. I was so happy about that - I almost teared up in the office. I'm enjoying what I'm doing at the office, but feeling guilty about what I'm not doing at home. How did it work out that I had a cleaning lady at home when I was home most of the time and now that I'm rarely here, I have to clean it myself? My goal is to make enough money to be able to hire them back - and to get myself home more often.

My kids have been great for the most part. They're usually understanding about my being gone, but I'm finding that I'm trying to make better use of my time spent with them.

I did something I didn't think I would ever do though. Cooper decided about a year or two ago that he HATES playing the piano. He's actually quite talented, but whenever he had any sort of grievance with me - the fact that I made him play the piano would surface and add fuel to the fire. Well a couple of weeks ago in church, the closing hymn for him was "I hate piano, I hate piano ..." He came home and continued with the theme and I gave in with some stipulations. I told him that if he would have a happy attitude about life I would let him stop playing the piano, but if he was going to have a bad attitude anyway, he might as well be playing the piano too.

I'm amazed at how much better my relationship has been with him. Anytime he starts complaining about how hard his life is I just remind him that he could be playing the piano again and he stops. I'm not harping at him about it anymore and both of our lives are much more pleasant. I still think that he'll regret it when he's older. I hope he won't come back and wonder why I didn't push harder, but I think he'll be smarter than that. I guess there are some lessons that I just have to let my children learn for themselves.

Shelby jumped on the band wagon about wanting to quit too. After all, she's very busy with school and Viola. She's old enough that I was able to use a different approach though. I told her that I know she would be denying herself tons of blessings of service throughout her life if she stopped. I told her that if she prayed about it and felt that Heavenly Father told her it was okay to quit that I'd be good with it. She didn't really like that approach, I don't think she even took it to the Lord. She already knew the answer.

Cooper had his last football game yesterday. He really did well this year and enjoyed playing. He loves football! Baseball tryouts were not long ago and we'll find out soon what team he'll be playing on. I love watching my kids perform and play sports.

Shelby had tried out for Regional orchestra earlier this month and found out that she was the 1st alternate viola for the region. That was really amazing for her as a freshman when there were 49 people trying out for 14 positions. I was proud of her. Well the night before the rehearsals started we got a call from her orchestra teacher that one of the violist was sick and so Shelby would be able to go. The problem was that she had come home from school sick that day. She was feeling a bit better that night so she went ahead and went. Well, 8 hours of hard playing is a lot harder when you're not feeling well. She had completely lost her voice that night and felt horrible. She didn't really want to go back the next day, but we talked her into it. The concert was amazing. I was so proud of her. Most of the kids had been able to work on the music for the two weeks leading up to the festival, but she practically sight read some really tough music on Friday. I could see her during the concert and she looked like she was doing really well.

She was able to go to bed early last night - Jeff decided she couldn't get all of the attention and so he joined her in the sickness. After we came home from Cooper's football game he climbed in bed and spend the rest of the day yesterday and all day today in bed. I'm really hoping Cooper and I will be able to avoid this one. I'm popping pro-biotics like they're candy. I hope that helps!

We've finished 7 of our 8 ward conferences now. Today was 1st wards and it went well. I'm always amazed that I feel directed at what I should say to each ward. I think I've said something different to each of the wards. Unfortunately I feel like what I said to our ward last week was the least inspired of all of them so far. I'm not sure why that is, but it didn't seem to flow.

We did have an amazing Stake New Beginnings on the 11th. It went so well. Our theme was "Return to Virtue" taken from Sister Elaine Dalton's conference address in October. I used words from a campaign the church put on when my mom was a young woman that said "Virtue is its own Reward". I felt great about the program. We had each ward do a short video explaining a part of the YW program and it turned out really cute. I'm so grateful for people who stepped in and helped make the whole thing work - I have an amazing presidency, and Bro. Duane Burt from my ward spent hours helping with the video. I still owe him a plate of brownies or something.

Childhood Memories

2009-02-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

I had a great time last night. I was really lucky in the way I grew up in Snowflake. My best friends were and still are my cousins. My dad has 7 siblings and every one of them had a child within a year of when I was born. So not only do I have a LOT of cousins, I have lots of 1st cousins just my age.

Well January 26th Lynae Taylor turned 40. She's not the 1st to turn 40 of those within a year of me, but Bob's a boy and he was a grade ahead of me, so he doesn't count. Heidi and I decided that I'd take Lynae and meet Heidi in Payson and we'd go to dinner and a movie, but then we learned that Snowflake was playing basketball against Payson last night, so we went to dinner at Chilli's (along with 1/2 of Snowflake) and then went to the game. It was really fun. Crystal's son Ray is on the team and Darin and Jennifer's Louis is the stat guy, then Heidi's nephew played as well as my Uncle Jim and Aunt Dixie's grandson James Denhalter. It was a fun game and good to be cheering for the Lobo's again. Unfortunatley, they lost the game, but I had a great time catching up with Lynae and Heidi and thinking back on how blessed I was for the way I grew up.

Lynae lived just up the hill from me. I don't know how many sleepovers we had (in fact she found a picture of me at a very young age that will not be posted on a blog EVER!), Julie wasn't able to come with us, but she lived next door to Lynae. Cindy lived up the hill the other direction and in High School, Heidi moved into the same neighborhood. The four of us spent a lot of time together. We had lots of other cousins around, LeAnne isn't my 1st cousin, but our HS softball coach called us a blizzard when we were together because we were Flakes and 2 Flakes made a blizzard.

I look back now and think of how I had it so great! We had camp outs in the cedars (okay - Alligator Junipers), spent hours and hours swimming at Taylor's tank, rode 3 wheelers all over the place, and always had some friend/cousin available for hanging out. I also had aunts and uncles and cousins who looked out for me and fed me just as my parents looked out for and fed any kids who were over at our house. It's funny to think that I could do my chores on a summer morning and leave around 10 or 11 am and not come home until time for dinner and my parents never worried about what I was doing or who I was with. What a great way to grow up.

Anyway, here's a picture of Lynae and Heidi and I after the game last night. Ahhhh, the memories!

Converted GA Groupies

2009-01-18T15:18:00.000-08:00

We've had a very busy week this past week. But we're doing well and enjoying our new business. I think it will all come together soon and we'll be able to hire someone for our front desk and I won't need to spend as much time there. I actually love what I've been able to do at the office. The organizing is really fun, the talking to clients is really fun. The part I don't like is the guilty feeling of not being home when my kids come home from school. That part is going to change!!! I need to be there until we hire someone so that when Jeff is in a consult, I can answer the phone and schedule appointments, but I'm going to make an extra effort this week to be home at least a couple of days before my kids get here. I really want to be a stay at home mother, but I can certainly see the draw to go to work. It will be nice when I can just go in when I want to.

A couple of weeks ago our Stake Presidency announced an impromptu Stake Conference for our stake. Elder Bednar was coming to town and had called a stake conference for the Lehi stake. That was kind of shocking. Elder Bednar spoke to that today and he said "Wo Wo Wo" unto all those who speculated and spread rumors about why he was here. He was actually very personable and wonderful to listen to. I'll just write about what I felt about what he said, not try to tell you what he said. He actually commented that we should let the general authorities distribute what they want to distribute and that we should listen and learn from the Spirit.

Elder Bednar told us that the reason he was here speaking to our stake was because he was coming to do leadership training with the stake presidencies and Bishops in 12 stakes in our area yesterday, and as he was going to be here, he asked if there was a stake that hadn't had a member of the quorum of the 12 in awhile and they found that Lehi stake hadn't had anyone from the 12 since 1979. I'm so glad he came. As our family left our house at 8am for a 10am meeting so we would have a seat up close (we still had to sit in the hard seats by the way), Jeff and I were talking about being General Authority groupies getting there so early.

First off President Ahlstrom spoke to us about the importance of the Atonement. He gave a great talk. Then his wife Amy bore her testimony. They actually called on two of our stake's youth to bear their testimonies - they hadn't had any advanced notice. The Laurel was Lydia Jarman from Mesa Vista ward and the Priest was Jakob Shill from 2nd ward. He's on the youth committee. They both did a great job. Elder Bednar commented on where else would you find 16 and 17 year olds that could speak with no advanced notice in front of 2000 people and do such a great job bearing their testimonies. Then Elder Bednar's wife spoke. She bore her testimony about the gospel and about her husbands calling. I thought that was neat that she would tell that she knew he had been called of God and had the apostolic authority.

Elder Bednar actually spoke for an hour. First he spoke to those who were not members who were there. He bore testimony of Joseph Smith and talked about how it made complete sense that God would appear to to a young man who would be able to be molded and shaped into what he was meant to be. He spoke of the prophecies from the old and new testament that spoke of the apostacy and restoration. Then he said that if this story was true - that it was the most important thing they've heard in their lives. Then he bore testimony that it was true. I loved the way he spoke to the truth and spoke of how it made sense.

He spoke to members who had come to the meeting who had been away from the church for awhile. He welcomed them back and asked them not to leave again. He talked about reasons they might have left. If it was sin - he invited them to speak to their Bishops and take care of it. He spoke about how the atonement was there for them. Another reason was taking offense. He didn't repeat his talk from General Conference, but he did say that if they were offended before they might be offended again and he talked about the choice they had to not take offence.

Then he spoke to the general members of the stake about the difference between testimony and conversion. It was so beautiful. I understood him to say that a testimony is not enough to save us. A testimony is just a starting point that should lead to conversion, but we can't just say that we have a testimony and leave it at that. As I've been preparing for what I talk about at our Ward Conferences to the youth, I thougth that really applied to the theme for the youth for this year from Timothy of being an example of the believers. It doesn't just work to say that we believe the church is true (testimony) if we don't live what we believe, we haven't truly been converted.

I loved what he said about how the atonement wasn't just for healing, it was for giving us strength to improve our conversion, or committment to living the gospel. Then the most amazing part was when he left us with an apostolic blessing, but he quoted a scripture from Heleman that speaks about building our foundations on the rock of our Redeemer and that if we build our foundations on that rock we will not fail. He talked about how we are in the midst of the storm right now, but we don't need to be afraid and fearful. We should say a prayer of gratitude for the fact that we are being given the opportunity to return to provident living. He talked about how the Nephite pride cycle worked and how in the space of not many years they learned to be humble. I liked the part about not many years. Anyway, I had a really good feeling that if we are trying to do what we're supposed to be doing. If we're prepared with our year supply, if we're living within our means and don't have a lot of debt we're okay. I'm so glad to know that Heavenly Father is merciful and wants to give us every opportunity to come to Him. I don't see this as being a punishment - I see it as an opportunity to become stronger as we're given strength to bear our burdens.

Anyway, I know this is a serious blog, but I was really touched by what was said and what I felt at our meeting today.

Sorry - no pics - my camera's gone!

2009-01-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

I would post pictures of our time at the sand dunes over New Years, but I don't have them anymore. I went to Notations this morning and came out to find my driver's door window bashed in and my camera gone. What a pain. The theif caused me several hours of trouble including working with the police, the insurance and the glass company and lots and lots of vacuuming to get all of the pieces out. They might be able to pawn in for $30 or $40. Maybe next time they'll let me know they're going to rob me and break a window - I'll offer them $50 just to save myself the trouble - we'll both come out ahead!

I had a cooolllllddd and windy drive afterward to Scottsdale to our Vital Solutions office. Things are up and running. We've signed up 3 clients in our first 2 days. I'm really excited about seeing them progress. We need to get our marketing going to bring us more clients, but it's nice to be able to get the flow of the office down right now.

I must say - I don't think I'm cut out for the working mother bit. I'm exhausted when I come home. Thankfully today my kids helped out with some chores so my house doesn't go completely dirty. We do still have our Christmas tree up. All of the decorations are off of it and down from the house and put away, but the tree is still up and the lights are still up on the house. Jeff and I have hardly had a chance to breath. (Don't mind the 3 posts today - I'm sitting down for awhile). Anyway as soon as we get enough clients to warrant it - I'm staying home way more often and we'll hire someone to answer phones and run the front desk. It's fun and challenging, but I've got so much going with Young Women's and my kids that I don't want to fall by the wayside. It will be really nice when I can go to the office only when I want to.

I'm so grateful that we've been able to put this together though. We've been very blessed and are lucky to have good partners in the business.

Christmas Day Pictures

2009-01-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

Shelby and Cooper finding out what Santa brought. He was way to generous again this year, but we love to see how much fun the kids have seeing what they got.
It's even more fun seeing how excited they are about what they gave each other. Shelby went to great lengths to make Cooper a personalized Sun Devils shirt. He loved it!!Jeff loves to take his time and savor every moment of his gift opening time. This year he got lots of new clothes to go with his svelt new body :)Shelby became the queen of tie-dye this year. Besides this shirt she got some tie-dying kits and has already created 7 shirts.

Celeste and Shelby modeling their new dresses.

Cooper checks opens up is laser battling air hogs
The he shows off the new Guitar Hero full band edition. We are now a rockin family!

Here's Shelby setting up the drum set.

This is Jeff's idea of an enjoyable Christmas morning. He thought the kids getting us up at 6:30 was way too early, but I'm a softy. I remember 4 and 5 am Christmas morning. Our poor milk cows didn't know what hit them on Christmas day, but the cows had to be milked before we opened gifts. My brothers got it done faster on Christmas day that any other day of the year. I was very lucky to be born a girl between 6 boys. It's cold in Snowflake on Christmas day!
Here's my beautiful daughter in her new Christmas clothes. This is in John and Sandy's front yard.

Jeff with 2 of his beautiful sisters Jacque and Jenny.

Jeff with Jenny

Jeff and his dad.Our neice and nephew, Ryan Sheedy and James McCormack.

Jeff's Birthday

2009-01-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

We had our annual Jeff's Birthday/Christmas Eve family gathering at Jeff's parents house on Christmas Eve/Jeff's birthday. We had a great time and a great meal and lots of fun being together.

Unfortunately, I didn't make Jeff blow out all 41 candles. What a great guy I married. I'm a very lucky girl!

We would love to have you Link to our Website

2008-12-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

Our Vital Solutions MD website is up and running (can you tell what has been on my mind for this Christmas break?). I'm going to ask as many people as will feel comfortable to put our http://www.vitalsolutionsmd.com/ link on your sites. I've got the link button on my site, but don't know how to give instructions to have you put that on your site. If anyone has ideas - I'm all ears!

By having people do this, Google will rank our site higher so that when people do a Google search ours will come up without having to pay for it to come up all of the time. By the way, I don't know if you realize that every time you click on a link that is under the heading "Sponsored Links", that company pays for it. We have sponsored links, but don't want to pay for people to come up on our site if we can help it. So.... by adding our link to your site, we will automatically be ranked higher without the extra $$$$.

By the way, anyone who does this and wants to use any part of our services, let us know - we'll give you a great deal for helping us advertise!!!

Stay tuned ... I will post something about Christmas later. I've got to make dinner now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-23T07:20:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

A New Chapter in our Lives

2008-12-14T20:54:00.000-08:00

We're going full bore trying to get ready to open up Vital Solutions MD, our new wellness clinic business. So far things are going quite well, but it just seems that everything takes a couple of days longer than we planned for. We had planned to be in the office this month to get things really moving for January, but it looks like we'll be starting up in January. We're getting our office furniture made right now and hopefully it will be in by the end of this week. Our iDXA machine will be here on December 22 and we'll do a training on the 23rd. Then Christmas and New Year's comes and we're opening up. We're finishing up our Website (you can check out what's done so far at http://www.vitalsolutionsmd.com/ ). I'm excited about that and really grateful to my brother-in-law Paul for helping out - okay he's really doing almost all of it - we just fill in the text. I'm going to be asking all of you to put a link to this site on your blogs. It seems that you get higher ratings with Google the more places you're linked, and then you don't have to pay as much for the advertising through them. I'll wait until we've got it all together though. That will help us out. My sister-in-law is doing our marketing and she's going to help set up a big hoopla Grand Opening - she's even looking to book some local celebrities. We'll see what we can come up with.

We've got our Doctor hired and we've interviewed a couple of people for our Physiologist/nutritionist position. I think we'll do another couple of interviews tomorrow and then hire someone. Luckliy we've already got a great prospect. She really knows her stuff and I think she'll fit really well. I just feel like we've got to at least check out a few of the other applicants - we'll probably pass on the body builder that told us he'd send his resume upon request, but he made sure to include his muscle - bound picture in his e-mail. I'd post it, but I think I could get in trouble for that one.

I guess I'll tell you what we'll be doing at our clinic. We're going to be doing the weight loss plan that has helped our family lose over 140 lbs (Jeff's down 80, Celeste 30 and Shelby 30). We'll also be doing a program of Bio-identical hormone replacement, and then we'll be doing body composition scans on our iDXA machine. This is a scary time to be starting a new business, but we're very excited about what we are going to be providing for people.

We would appreciate those links when I let you know we're ready and prayers on our behalf are always welcome :)

Is it Really Possible for me to have a 15 year old?

2008-11-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

That means that in 6 months we'll be looking at a Learner's Permit and she could legally drive around this city! Aughhhh!

I've gotta say though, I am so lucky to have Shelby as my daughter. She is such a wonderful girl. She's got a lot of common sense (most of the time) and a really sweet disposition. She's also very motivated to succeed in school and on her viola. She's so responsible that I usually wonder where it all comes from. I am so glad she has great friends she hangs around with. I know that makes a huge difference in her attitude and behavior.

Saturday night Shelby and her friend Alex Adair (far right) had a combined birthday party with their friends. The played Dance Dance Revolution in the basement, ate Pizza and cake and icecream, sat around the fire pit on the back porch and played Capture the Flag on our street. They seemed to have a great time. Like I said we're so lucky she hangs out with such a great group of girls.

Shelby and Cooper sat nicely with Dicey. Notice Shelby holding her much anticipated gift for this birthday. She's had a countdown on her school binder for around 3 1/2 months now.

She didn't even have to look at the instruction manual on her cell phone. She knew right what to do. She felt like we were the last parents in the world to allow their teenager to have a phone. We're being a bit mean though and making her pay for her texting time. Jeff and I both thought (and still kind of do) that it was ridiculous for her to think she needs a phone. We still don't think she needs it, but I guess we gave in. Now at least we have a great external motivator for following all the rules.

Tonight after dinner our Dana cousins came over to help her celebrate. She got to blow out the candles again with the little ones looking on excitedly.

Happy Birthday Shelby. We love you!!!

Marathon Week

2008-11-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that lots a people are busier than I am every week, but this week seemed especially busy for me. As I said before, Jeff and I are starting a new business and things are definitely busy there. We've been trying to nail down a location for our office in North Scottsdale. We've now narrowed it down to 2 and are waiting to see which one give us the best deal. We also started advertising for a NMD to work in our office and spent time looking at resumes and interviewing. We opened up a bank account for the business as well, so we've got the ball rolling on a lot of the stuff. We need to pick our Doctor and our location so we can get moving and be up and running (if a little slowly) in December.

On Monday night we went out with Jeff's siblings for Sandy's birthday dinner. We had a great time. I'm so lucky that I really enjoy being with my in-laws. It's great to have people I love on both sides of our family. We brought Jackson home afterwards to spend the night since there was no school for Veteran's Day on Tuesday. Tuesday morning I still had Notations as we are trying to get our Christmas show ready. I left the kids with house cleaning assignments and instructions to gather everything they wanted to sell at our Garage Sale (am I crazy? - I think so) on Saturday. Shelby had a Viola lesson (during which I wisely used the time in my car for a catnap), then Jeff and I ran around North Scottsdale. The day had been set aside for cleaning and getting ready for the garage sale, but that was put on hold.

Wednesday night I attended Harris Park's Young Women in Excellence Program, then on Thursday I spent the day preparing for our Stake YW Leadership meeting that night. I must give huge thanks to my Heavenly Father for the inspiration for that meeting. It's been so amazing for me to see how clearly I've been directed in this calling. I was talking about it with my mother this evening. I wish that in all aspects of my life I could sense the direction of the Lord as much as I've been able to in this calling. I'm writing this down because Jeff gave a Sunday School lesson that talked about the importance of recording our spiritual promptings and answers. I've found that my best inspiration for this calling comes as I'm on my treadmill with the mp3 of General Conference addresses playing in my headphones. I have ideas come to me that just seem to develop easily and I'm always amazed that I get to be the instrument for those ideas. One of the ideas that came for the leadership meeting was to ask a young woman from each ward to share an experience they've had in Young Womens that has strengthened their faith. I felt that this was the highlight of our leadership meeting. Those girls brought the Spirit with them as they let the young women leaders see that the little things they do can make such a big impact on the testimony of a young woman.

I got to speak at the end about making sure that all of the interactions with these young women are experiences that can be counted as building blocks of their faith. I fully believe that the youth today are going to have to be rock solid in their convictions and willing to stand strong for their beliefs in the gospel. I was able to talk about how surprising it is that in the state next to ours we have protestors marching against our temples and missionaries and members of church being threatened because we stood up for our beliefs regarding the marriage amendment. I don't think that youth who are waivering in faith will be able to make it. Anyway, the Spirit was great at the whole meeting. We finished in exactly an hour (which is always my goal because YW leaders are so busy). We had most members of the presidencies from every ward attending. What a great night!!!

Friday was our next big business day, but I spent the morning in the playroom going through all of the toys and deciding which ones were junk (a couple of big garbage bags proved that there were many), which ones were still playable, and which ones we should sell. What a great feeling to get that done!!! We were up late that night after all the business stuff was done finishing up with garage sale prep.

Early Saturday morning came fast, but we were ready for our first customers, unfortunately our profit wasn't as big as I would have liked it to be, but the kids made some Christmas spending money and now I've de-junked my house -so it was worth it in the end. Cooper had a football game that I had to miss because of the Garage sale. I had the truck loaded and dropped off at DI before Jeff and Cooper got home. I had a good nap that afternoon before heading off to another YW in Excellence program for Hillside ward. Jeff and Cooper watched the Sun Devils win their game and Shelby had a nap over at Leslie's house. I came home and wrote my talk for Harris Park Ward's sacrament meeting today. I spoke on the importances of being fully committed to the Standards found in the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet.

Tonight we had our Stake Standards night. It was wonderful. We have a woman in our stake, April Price, who is an amazing speaker. She spoke on following the standards fully and being "tight like unto a dish" in our resolve ot follow them. The youth loved her and I wish I could speak like her. She followed three of our youth committee members who gave great personal examples of the importance of the standards, then President Ahlstrom spoke about the protection that comes with following the standards. It was a great evening!!

I got to come home and visit with my mom for awhile who came back from watching Doug's kids in Utah this past weekend. I don't think she's utilizing her nice Granny Flat near enough, she thinks she'll go home tomorrow to get her bills paid there.

Now I'm looking forward to a low key week, but I'm sure that won't happen. Next week is Shelby's 15th birthday, and we've still got a lot to do to get this business up and running. Wish me luck!

No Pics - Just Words

2008-11-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd catch up a bit on what's been happening. The Dana household has been hopping lately, I guess so much so that I haven't had much time (or remembered well enough) to take pictures.

Halloween was pretty low key this year. Our week before Halloween was so busy we never even carved the pumpkins I bought. I promised Cooper we'd make a fun Thanksgiving display with them. Now I've got to get going on that. Cooper went as a Sun Devil's Football player (big surprise), Shelby was a witch. We went to our ward's Trunk or Treat and then Shelby and her friends took Cooper around the neighborhood (you have to do a lot of walking around here so you work off the candy quite well). Jeff and I held back some candy at the trunck or treat so that we'd have something for those who came to our house, but we didn't get one knock at our door until the kids came home.

Cooper counted his loot and fell asleep on our bed watching Ironman. Shelby and her friends watched a movie in the basement (I think they did more hanging out than watching the movie) and stayed up late. Friday night is a good night for Halloween I guess.

Cooper played some football the next day - I guess I did actually video some of his game, I'll have to post some of that later. Then he and Jeff went to the ASU game that night. They've been extrememely disappointed in their Sun Devils this year.

Sunday we had our Arizona wide Stake Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City. It was really nice, and we enjoyed hearing about Arizona's part in the early church history. My favorite talk was from Bruce C. Hafen about the need for us to be "Consecrated" to the church. Our stake president told us the night before that we can't be cafeteria Mormons anymore, we can't pick and choose which parts of the gospel to live, we need to dedicate ourselves to living it all. I really enjoyed the conference and all of the "warnings" to live faithfully through the perils that will come in the days and years ahead.

Speaking of perils, Jeff had his last day of work on Friday. He's quitting (maybe we could say that Real Estate quit him) and we're getting ready to start a new business partnering with some friends of ours, John and Jacqueline Olson, opening a Wellness clinic called "Vital Solutions MD". We'll focus on weight loss (our family is now 130lbs lighter) and Bio-identical hormone replacement. We're very excited. Jeff feels like what he's done has changed his whole outlook on weight and how he can feel. I think he'll be terrific at helping others. We've got a lot of things to do to open our doors (like finding an office with doors) in December so we'll be ready for a huge January push. It's a scary and exciting time in our family.

This was a busy week. Monday for FHE we hung some pictures in Grandma's Granny flat for her. Tuesday night Shelby and I had Mother Daughter enrichment night. Wednesday Shelby had dress rehearsal for her MYS concert and I had the Harvest Dance for our stake. Thursday night was Shelby's concert. She was the principal violist in the Division II. She'll get to move up to Division I for her next big concert. She's very excited about that because many of her friends are in that group. Friday we packed up our quads and our trailer and headed to the sand dunes for a much anticipated weekend at the dunes. We had a great time with the Hunsakers and the McClaws'. Cooper and Shelby rode so hard that they can barely move today. I only took one big ride and did the rest of my riding in the Rhino's with Katie and Stephanie, so I'm not too sore. A nice jacuzzi bath felt really good last night though.

We had our big election day for 2008 on Tuesday, November 4th. I was disappointed that John McCain didn't run a better campaign. I worry about many of the policies Barack Obama has in mind. I worry that he leans toward the socialist side in too many of his beliefs and I hate that the conservative party has leaned so far toward the center to placate people that they've lost site of their values.

I was so pleased that the marriage ammendments passed in Arizona, California and Florida. I think that speaks well for conservative values and the importance of family and the institution of marriage. I'm sad that so many people think the church should not have voiced it's opinion in this matter. The church always stands for moral issues and encourages it's members to do the same. I know that in Massachussettes the Catholic church stopped it's Catholic Social Services adoption program because they were being pushed to allow same sex couples to adopt through them because same sex marriage is legal in that state. I feel like that is a huge infringement on freedom of religion. It seems that the LDS people in California are really being persecuted for these beliefs even though they were only about 4% of those who voted in favor of this amendment. They had to close the LA temple for awhile because protestors were so disruptive and the members felt threatened as they tried to go to the temple. I sometimes feel that maybe the economy isn't the worst of what is going to happen to us as a people. I think we might have to have our mettle tested by those who disagree with our beliefs and want to make us reject them. I guess now is really the time to hold to the rod and stay on that path to eternal life.

Okay, enough of my soap box.

Today was our fast and testimony meeting. It was a nice meeting. We had our faithful home teachers come, Jeff and I took a much needed nap, then after dinner I went to a presidency meeting and then to our Youth Committee meeting. We've got another really busy week coming up.

Cooper's 10!!!

2008-10-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

10 Year Old Cooper

I can't believe my youngest (I won't call him my baby because he would HATE that) is 10 years old. Cooper turned 10 on Thursday after what must have been the lonnngggeessstttt week of his life. We woke him singing happy birthday to his birthday breakfast of buttermilk pancakes (none of the homemade stuff for him - boxed is better) with buttermilk syrup. He opened up one of his presents before school, then at lunch time I picked him up and took him to In and Out Burger (that's just torture for someone who can't eat anything there - diet time again). He had to go back to school, much to his dismay.

He came home and Patiently waited for Jeff to come home so he could open some more presents. He got lots of football cards, a flag football set and some football action heroes (that broke as soon as we took them out of the box - can you say REFUND??) We went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse - his favorite restaurant. He's definitely our kid - most of the birthday was about eating!!

His Mima and Papa came over after we got home and brought him some more great gifts. It was nice to visit with them.

On Friday after school we had a birthday party with his friends. This must have been the all time roughest birthday party ever!! Have we mentioned that Cooper likes football? He plays flag football because we don't want him playing tackle football this young, so for his birthday party he has several boys from school, from the neighborhood and cousins come over (along with the lone girl, Hallie - she was very brave) and they played TACKLE football, TACKLE town, and capture the flag - TACKLING. They had some burgers then played some more football, opened gifts and had cake and then finished off the party with some SMEAR the quear. I'm ALMOST wondering if tackle football would be safer - just because there are pads.

Cooper had a great time and had some fun friends who joined him. I'm so happy we have this great little boy as part of our family. He keeps things hopping around the house, and seeing his smile always makes me smile!! Here are some pictures for all to enjoy.

Cooper posing with his (now returned) Football Guys

They don't look near as rough eating burgers, chips and soda

Bring on the Gifts!

Dana Look-alike Meter

2008-10-21T22:32:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Dana Look-alike Meter

2008-10-21T22:26:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2008-10-21T22:06:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Roots

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2008-10-21T22:02:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2008-10-21T21:56:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Blank family tree - Roots

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2008-10-21T21:50:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

How Fast Are You???

2008-10-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

I read about this as I was blog jumping (you know going from blog to blog). I think I'd better not spend too much time competeing with myself though. I can get pretty competitive.

65 words

Typingtest

Fall Break in Greer

2008-10-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Beautiful View from the top of Green's Peak

Jeff and the kids stopped at Carneiro Lake
Celeste and Cooper at the lake
Really bad picture of Celeste with Shelby
Jeff and Celeste
Carneiro Lake

We had a great time last weekend at Jeff's Uncle Ralph and Aunt Martha Jo's cabin in Greer. We went up Thursday night and travelled with Mark and Katie Hunsaker. We were all pulling our quads (and their Rhino) up there.

We got up there late that night. Friday we went on a ride up to Green's Peak. We met the McLaws family. It got really cold that week and the wind was blowing like crazy. Hard enough that when I got off the quad at the top of Greens Peak, I was almost blown over. It was a fun ride though, and the kids had a blast.

We planned an all day ride on Saturday, but the weather changed our plans. It rained and hailed for much of the day and it was very cold. Luckily Mark and Katie brought their Wii game and Rock Band and the kids (and the adults for a bit) spent the day playing that and pool and having fun hanging out together. That night the dads and the kids went for a short - very cold - very muddy ride, and the moms got to be smart and stay home where it was warm.

It was a nice weekend of playing games, eating a ton and relaxing. I love it when we go to Greer.

Sunday morning we went to church in Eager and then went back to the cabin to eat and pack up and help clean up the cabin before heading for home.

Uncle Ralph and Aunt Jo are so generous with their cabin and we have a great time taking advantage of it. Here are some fun pictures of our time there. You can see a bit of how beautiful it was this time of year, but Sunday (after it had frozen that night) it was even more spectacular to look at the changing leaves on our way home. Sorry I didn't take pictures from the moving car.

Another view from the top of Greens Peak

Quad Riders on the peak

Shelby with Trevor McClaws and Conner Hunsaker being Rock Stars

The Fabulous Flying Danas

2008-10-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

General Conference Week

2008-10-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

We are watching General Conference as I type. I'm getting ready to leave for Snowflake with my Mom so we can attend Glen Flake's funeral tomorrow. Shelby has end of quarter tests tomorrow so she can't come with us as she really wanted to. Glen is my Dad's first cousin - his daughter Margo is in our ward and Shelby and Leslie (Margo's daughter) have been best friends since they were 3. I love Glen. What a fun person. When we first moved to Mesa we moved into Keith and Margo Clouses ward and Leslie was 2 and Tanner was about 5. Shelby was always called Shelby Lynn Dana by these two, so now still 12 years later - the last time I saw Glen (which I think was at my Dad's funeral) he asked me how Shelby Lynn Dana's mother was. To me - Glen will always be the Sheriff, always fun and interested in how I was doing. He's been suffering with congestive heart failure for the last couple of years, and commented that he'd rather be "sick in Snowflake that feel well in Mesa". He's a Flake from Snowflake through and through.

I'm honored to be able to play a violin duet with my cousin Tawna at his funeral tomorrow. We'll play La Golandrina, which I hadn't heard before, but my mom said it was one of her dad's favorites. Mom will be accompanying us. A few years ago when Aunt Nerita had asked me to play at a Heritage Foundation fundraiser in Snowflake called "Stars over Snowflake", I played "Meditation" from "Thais". After the program was over Glen came up to me and gave me probably one of my best compliments I've had for playing the violin. He told me that he'd heard "Uncle Melvin" (Mr. DeWitt as I know him - he was my orchestra teacher from the time I started through my freshman year when he retired) play that song many different times and that I played it just like he did. That was the ultimate compliment for me.

Now for the rest of the week. I had my first substitute teaching job on Thursday (also the first day I was able to sub). I subbed in Shelby's orchestra class and then the next class at Stapley. It turned out good. I've always known that orchestra kids are the best in the schools. That is propbably the only reason I would be willing to sub for Jr. Highs.

Jeff and I went out to dinner with John and Jacqueline Olson on Friday night to discuss a possible business partnership. I'll write more about that when we get things set.

Saturday morning we watched conference, but we had to miss the 2nd session that day to go to Cooper's football games. He played well and had a lot of fun annnddd they won both games.

Mom's been down here this weekend to pick up a new bed for her house in Snowflake, and she stayed to watch conference. I'll go up to Snowflake with her and then come home with the Clouses after the funeral.

Today conference has been really good. I especially loved Elaine Dalton's talk about Returning to Virtue. I think that could be a great theme for the Stake New Beginnings we are discussing for February.

Cooper made a fort to watch conference from (really it was more about the process of building than about the fort itself, but we figured this was his way of copying the people of King Benjamin when he addressed them in Book of Mormon times. I took a few pictures I'll post here.

Cooper watches conference from his tent

Snowflake Cousins and Horses

2008-09-29T22:15:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of hangin' out in Snowflake. I love it when my kids get to go there and hang out with their cousins.

Mindy's son Briant rides Thunnnnnnnder Bolt with Uncle Travis helping

Doug helps Ryan ride Dana - it's only right, they have the same color hair

Cooper loves to ride Business - he was a bit sore after going riding for a couple of hours with his Uncles Doug, Wynn, And Travis and his cousins Jake and Tori. He got to ride Grandpa's horse Chester on the ride.

Trav and Teresa's son Trevan poses
Josh and Trevan 2 cute cousins

Shelby relaxes on the floor

Cooper's trying to strike a Heisman pose

Kari and Alden's Wedding Reception

2008-09-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

Kari and Alden show up at the luncheon
Kari and Crystal at the Luncheon
Kari Sings to Alden "I cross my Heart"

I took a few pictures of Kari's wedding reception. Most of my time was spent in the kitchen serving refreshments and Jeff mixed about 20 batches of Frappe. All of the girls in the family were working to keep the chocolate fountain flowing, the cake served, and the frappe cups filled. Darrell and Crystal had to make an executive decision about 2 1/2 hours before the reception to move it to the Pioneeer Park chapel from the lawn by the James M. Flake home because it started blowing and raining as we were setting up. I've got to say, the kitchen help was pretty relieved about that because it would have been tough to keep up with the fountain and the frappe without a kitchen.

Kari looked like a Princess in her wedding dress and the kids had a great time dancing at the reception. I wish I had my camera when Kari danced with her Dad. They did a great swing and Kari's dress flowed just beautifully. I did get some good cutting the cake pictures and the throwing of rice when they left.

Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake Again

Posing at the cake table

Cutting the cake

Delicately feeding each other cake

A messy kiss

Nice wedding MakeupHappy couple Kari and Alden Whipple

This is what happens when you have a bunch of brothers

Kari and Crystal

Darrell - the proud Dad

Mannaseh clears out before Kari throws the bouquet

Daliah Scores

Alright already Alden - get the Garter

There it goes

Getting ready to leave

Rend and Crystal

I had to get a least one of my kids in here

Daliah and her prize

Avoiding little missles of rice

They play the ole swithcheroo and take Kari's truck instead of Alden's ha ha brothers

Cooper and Shelby Perform

2008-09-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

On Friday night our kids had their piano recital. My cousin Rob Solomon is their teacher and had scheduled a recital, and I really wanted the kids to participate even though we were planning a trip to Snowflake for Kari's wedding. The recital was at 6pm so I asked Rob if my kids could be at the first of the program so we could sneak out after they played. He obliged. They both played really well and I have video of them playing, but they've both refused to let me post it on the blog, so I'll comply with their wishes. Cooper played "Cossack Ride" and played it great. Shelby played the accompaniment for "Only Hope" from the movie "A Walk to Remember". Since it is an accompaniment part, she asked a neighbor girl to sing it while she played. They both did really well, and I'm proud of Shelby for all of the work she put into learning that song. She's worked on it for about 6 months now.

Cooper Got His Bear Badge on Thursday Night

2008-09-22T21:02:00.001-07:00

Kari's Shower Slide show

2008-09-21T23:08:00.001-07:00

Nephew and Niece

2008-09-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

This week I guess you could say I put some focus on my Nephew and my Niece. I babysat Josh -Amy's son on Monday while she went to the dentist. He loved hangin out in Dicey's cage and he really loved wandering around the backyard.

Kari went through the temple Saturday morning and we had several family members there with her. Jeff took Cooper to his first Flag football game. It was a looooonnnnggg game as they had to be there an hour early and then the game didn't start until 45 minutes late. After I got back from the temple I got the house ready for the shower and put together my fruit salad.

There was a nice turnout for the shower and Kari got a lot of nice gifts. We had lots of food and I ate way too much of it. If the pictures will ever finish uploading I'll add a slide show of the pics from the shower.

Last night I crashed on the couch and finished reading a book called "Killing Sacred Cows". I'll recommend it as a good financial book with a lot of ideas that I want to implement. Alden (Kari's fiance) hung out here with me while Kari went to a "bachelorette party" with her friends. Shelby and her friends went around the neighborhood playing bigger and better and somehow ended up with a tube of chapstick (after starting with a clown doll). I'm still trying to figure out how that's bigger or better than nearly anything, but they had a great time. Jeff took Jackson and Cooper to the football game and watched ASU get beat by Georgia.

Today Shelby got to play a viola obilgato part while the choir sang in sacrament meeting. I got to substitute the Sunbeam/CTR 5 class and had a few laughs there. I'd say I'm glad I don't have that calling, but then I'd probably get it - but it does make me really grateful for all of my kids primary teachers. This afternoon we had home teachers, got a nap, I made rolls, then fixed dinner and we fed the missionaries. It's been a full week.

Big Brother

2008-09-17T16:13:00.001-07:00

I had a story about getting stopped last week and asking if I could not get written up if I mentioned one of the members of the force. I am deliberately using ambiguous language because after posting that story I got a call from my husband telling me that someone had called and said that the powers that be in his city called him and told him that the story was posted on my blog and that he could get into trouble if his superiors found out that his name was used to get out of a citation. If you read the story before I had to take it off, you know that it was very mild and not really interesting at all, but apperantly there is a Big Brother who watches what is posted on the internet.

I was so surprised that my little blog with a total of 52 hits as of yesterday, caught the attention of big city authorities. So - Watch what you post on the WEB - Big Brother is Watching!!!

This Exciting Week

2008-09-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

Our stake Young Women played Volleyball on Tuesday night. It was really fun except for the fact that the Inter Stake center was a complete sauna. I don't remember ever being that hot in there. Luckily each group of girls is only there for an hour, but I certainly didn't want to stay and play with the RS women after staying through both hours with the girls.

Saturday we had a good work morning for our family. We got Shelby and Cooper out by the pool and trimmed up all of the plants in the landscaping. My hands and arms are scratched and poked all over and I felt like I had arthritis in my right hand from the pruning shears yesterday, but after a few hours our weeds are all cleared out and the plants are trimmed up so they can flourish this winter. Cooper and Shelby worked hard. I know that it doesn't seem fun for them, but it's such a great feeling when you're done with a project like that.

Last night Jeff and Cooper went to the ASU game and came home very disappointed that the Sun Devils lost to UNLV. Shelby and I hung out and watched "A Knight's Tale".

Today I left during Jeff's Sunday School lesson to go to Mindy's ward. This evening after dinner I oriented Ridge ward's new YW presidency, then we had our second Youth Committee meeting. I'm really excited to work with this group of kids this year. I think they'll be a lot of fun!!

We Caught The Mouse

2008-09-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

This hasn't been my most event filled week. Last Sunday I started getting a sore throat, and was worried that I was going to feel badly for our Labor Day ride. Luckily - I got a break that day and my throat wasn't bad at all. But - Tuesday it came back full bore. I don't think I've had one that bad in years. I didn't go to Notations, but stayed home and rested (I did still walk on the treadmill). Wednesday it was still kind of bad, so I stayed home and cleaned out my linen closet. Exciting - I know, but it feels great to have it clean and organized (at least util the kids get a towel out).

Well I was reminded that my cleaning ladies had pointed out some mouse "tracks" in my window and in Shelby's window when they were last here when I found them on the floor of the linen closet as well. I just don't like knowing that mice are running around my house at night! Well I got some mouse traps and set one in my window and one in Shelby's window. I woke up the next morning to find that the mouse had stolen the graham cracker spread with peanut butter from the trap and left a few tracks to taunt me.

Then I got sneaky. I pushed cheese farther onto the trap and spread peaunut butter on top of the cheese. Then I pulled out my garbage from under my kitchen sink to find that there had been some Mouse extravaganza going on under there. So - I put one trap under sink, one in Cooper's window (yes he'd been there too) one in the linen closet, one in Shelby's room and one in my room.

Friday morning showed success - the nasty little rodent was caught under my sink and will no longer be taunting me with his poop all over the house.

We have another trap under the sink now - both Jeff and I are just sure that one mouse couldn't have left such a mess - but nothing since then. Hopefully we've taught them all a lesson. You don't mess with the Danas.

The rest of the week was not near as glamorous as catching a mouse. Friday I went to the temple. Cooper spent the night at Jackson's house, Shelby was embarrassed by going out to dinner on a Friday night with her parents (according to her she "has no life"). We watched a movie downstairs that night. Saturday was quite busy. I went to a baby shower for one of my former Young Women Camie Brown (I don't remember her married name), then Jeff and I shlepped over to West Phoenix for a lunch for his former roommate - Hudson Johnston's 40th birthday. It was good to see he and his wife Leilani and Tom and Susan Allen. We stopped by Jeff's parents afterward to pick up the tickets to the Sun Devils game then picked up Cooper and Jackson so they could go to the game with Jeff.

I'm still fighting a bit of this sore throat, but I think it's improving. I hope I won't have to take an antibiotic.

Labor Day ATV Ride

2008-09-03T20:45:00.001-07:00

Isn't that a georgeous view behind us? This Monday instead of Laboring for Labor Day, we went on an ATV ride with a couple of other families, the Hunsakers and the McClaws. We had a great ride on the Roger's Trough loop just North East of Florence Junction off Highway 60. It was a beautiful ride. The Desert is so green and the rivers were running - that made riding through them a lot more fun. We came home flecked with mud, and worn out from the 32 miles we rode.

Shelby, Conner Hunsaker, Trevor McClaws, Megan Hunsaker, Haley McClaws, and Cooper

Shelby and Cooper by Cooper's quad

Every time we ride Cooper is the Die Hard of the group. When the rest of us were sore from the 3 1/2 hour ride and ready to load up the ATVs Cooper wanted to ride around the parking area first. Then after we came home he was asking to ride his motor bike. We're sure that his ATVs will always have the most miles on them, but he loves every minute of it. He's been a natural since his first ride.

After we got home Jeff went to work cleaning the quads and mowing the lawns while I took a great nap. Then for FHE that night the Hunsakers and McClaws came over and the kids swam and we made homemade pizza and icecream. It was a nice break from school for the kids.

OLYMPICS

2008-08-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

I've really enjoyed watching the olympics this year. I've spent what seems like way too much time day and night watching them, and have really enjoyed it. One of the stories that really touched me was the U.S. Men's Volleyball team. The coache's in-laws were attacked in Beijing and his Father -in-law was killed. His team went on to win the gold medal. He had to get away from the cameras for a few seconds after the game to compose himself. I'll put a link to the article about it here. I wish I could post some pictures, but I can't get them off the web-site.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/volleyball/news/newsid=253178.html#from+tragedy+triumph+u+s+wins+gold

All the Things We've Repaired or Replaced this Summer

2008-08-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

I know these pictures aren't very exciting, but together it can be quite impressive/sad that we've had to replace or repair (or still need to replace or repair) all of them this summer. Not good for our very light pocketbooks!!! I thought if I document it this time, maybe we won't ever have to repeat it.

It all started with the Dryer being repaired - not the biggest deal - except it was a bit difficult for Jeff to have to climb up in the attic and clean out the dryer vent. The repairman only charged us for one service call and the price to replace the sensor.

Next we replaced our Salt System in the pool so we wouldn't have to spend so much time and money keeping our chlorine levels right. We found out after about a year with our first one that it was pretty much the worst system out there.

While Jeff was replacing the Salt System he found out that one of the pool pumps was broken - we didn't have to replace the whole pump - just the motor.

The same day Jeff was working on the pool systems I was checking on parts to fix the water heater for our bathroom - but the cheap fix wouldn't work - we had to replace that too.

Somewhere right around the same time our Garage door opener belt snapped -Jeff took a trip to the Home Depot and replaced it.

Then - this last Tuesday I came into the house after a washload had been run and smelled something burning - I searched the house and found the smell came from the washer. The call to the repairman said that it would be cheaper to replace the washer than to repair it. We think we've found what we want, but still haven't purchased it yet. Thank goodness Mom has a washer in her place so I don't have to head to the laundramat tomorrow.

After our weightloss program, we've been pretty tied to the scale making sure we don't ever gain more than 2 pounds. Now our nice scale won't work and we just hope we haven't ballooned without even knowing it! (I'm sure the cake for Sunday night dessert won't help matters at all.)

My cell phone now seems to be dropping calls constantly even though it still holds a charge. It's a good thing that can be a free replacement - it only requires another 2 year contract with Alltel.

And last but not least we got Dicey "Fixed". She wasn't broken - but easily could have been had some of the neighborhood dogs gotten hold of her!

I'm so lucky that Jeff is such a great Handyman. I don't know where we would be had he not been able to be the labor portion of the majority of these repairs.

SCHOOL'S BACK

2008-08-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen cuter kids?

1st day of school pictures

Shelby and Cooper had to get back into a grueling schedule after a great San Diego vacation. School's back in with early hours and homework and both of the favorite part - practicing the piano regularly again.

Shelby's in 9th grade - thank heavens she doesn't have to jump in that big pond called High School yet. She's busy with classes, likes most of her teachers, loves orchestra and seminary - and will have new experiences with a biology teacher telling her about evolution vs. creationism. Isn't it a good thing that she has that seminary to counter-balance un-proven science.

Cooper is in 4th grade. His teacher is Debbie Freestone - who is a friend of ours from our last ward. I already had to get after her because Cooper used what she told the class against me. I was telling him about how piano was so good for him and that I made him play because I love him so much - when he came back telling me that Mrs. Freestone says that grandparents (she is a grandmother)love grandkids more than parents do. She responded that she knew when she said that that she might get called on that one sometime. I signed him up to play flag football through the YMCA again this year. He loved that last year.

How are my kids growing up so fast?

They both had a good week at school. Friday after school we went to Pine and Camp Lo Mia for a ward campout. We had a great time with our ward family. There was lots of visiting - a talent show finished off by a member of our ward who is a comedian/juggler on cruise ships, great food and the kids had a great time exploring the camp and visiting Mona's bridge. I only got a couple of pictures taken before my batteries died in my camera.

Cooper and the other kids in the ward are awaiting instructions for the egg toss.

Monday and Tuesday at the Beach

2008-08-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

San Diego Vacation

2008-08-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Final night at Fillippi's

Mark, Katie, and Conner Hunsaker

Shelby with Megan Hunsaker

Conner H. brought his friend Trevor McClaws on this vacation

Jeff and Cooper

4 pieces of Fillippi's is something to brag about (You usually feel like crying later)

Doesn't he look GOOD?!

Shelby, Lily, Annie Cate, Conner and Trevor

Star Fish out on the Jetty

Jetty hiker group

View from the end of the Jetty

Cooper with Jackson Young

Shelby with her cousins Annie Cate and Lily Sheedy

Jeff and Celeste Bathing Beauties

We love heading over to San Diego with many other Phoenicians for the 1st week of August. The sticky monsoon weather gets to be just about unbearable at that point, and San Diego seems to be the perfect escape.

We don't usually add any extras to our trip. Last year we spent two weeks, so we snuck in a day at Sea World, but this year our trip consisted of eating, heading out to the beach, eating, riding some waves, eating some more, heading in at sunset, eating dinner, hanging out with Jeff's family, the kids hanging out on the boardwalk (I swore when my kids were young that would not happen - but we do look out the window at them often to make sure there's no mischeif), sleeping, and waking up to do it all over again. Talk about a wonderful vacation!!!

We make sure to hit the best eating spots. Usually Sarah's mexican food and Fillippi's pizza make a couple of appearances.

It's great to be there with so many members of Jeff's family. His parents were both there. We shared a condo on the beach with Tim and Jenny and their four girls. Two of Julie's kids stayed with us while she and her younger boys slept at the condo with John and Sandy. John and Kathy came for a couple of days and stayed at a hotel.

2008-07-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

Cooper with Jackson Young Beating the Summer Heat

Cooper Takes a Dive

Dicey Hates the water, but fell in barking at the boys.

Here is how Cooper and his cousin Jackson cool off after a hot July 31st afternoon riding the motorcycle up and down the street.

2008-07-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

I like to think of myself as being a person more interested in substance that in symbolism. I think I'll have to be disappointed in myself today. I've been trying to make my blog cuter and more interesting and it seems like I've spent hours on the look of the blog and no time at all adding anything substantive.

Shelby is at Especially for Youth in Provo at the BYU campus right now. She is rooming with Leslie Clouse and it sounds like they are having a great time. I'm so glad she is enjoying the classes as well as the social atmosphere there. She's so busy that she usually calls around 11pm and I don't get near the details that I would likt to hear. I'm sure she'll fill us in on all of the details when we see her Saturday in San Diego. It's so weird for me to think that I can just turn my daughter over to the care of other people for a whole week. She even gets to fly to San Diego by herself. I hope she'll bring lots of fun pictures and I'll post them.

We've had a low key week. Cooper's been an only child and though I don't think he'll admit it, he misses his sister. He's made sure to invite friends over often. It's so hot out that we're definitely ready to head to San Diego on Saturday. Beach, here we come!!

Parade

2008-07-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Since my sister-in-law, Teresa is such an expert at putting together campaign floats for my Dad's million parade appearances while he was campaign, we thought we'd give her another chance to shine this year in the Pioneer Day's parade. Actually when we were home for the weekend after Dad's funeral Wynn thought it would be a good way to tell the MANY people in the town who helped pay tribute to Dad thank you in the parade this year. Mom loved the idea and a new float was born.

The theme of the parade was Women of Faith, and members of the town council realized what a great example of that my mom is of that principle. Therefor, they asked her to be the Grand Marshall of the parade and to speak at the program following. It worked out just right. She was right at the beginning of the parade, following the stake presidency, etc. We followed behind en masse, wearing Thanks from Jake shirts, riding bikes, waveboards, scooters, Cooper on the Green machine, horses and a big float with a sign very similar to Dad's election posters, but this time it said Jake Flake's family Thanks You.

The 24th Celebration a.k.a. Pioneer Days

2008-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

When you grow up in Snowflake - at least for the majority of my extended family, the 24th celebration is right up there with Christmas on the excitement meter. I don't really know why we call it the 24th. It is rarely held on the 24th of July, but since we celebrate that day as the day the Mormon Pioneers first entered the Salt Lake Valley, it's always been the 24th celebration to me. Growing up, the celebration usually fell on the weekend closest to the date, but this year Snowflake decided they would hold it on the 3rd weekend in July every year.

For a small Mormon town with a big Pioneer heritage, such celebrations mean a lot of preparation, parades, barbeques, family reunions, rodeos and a huge load on the town sewer system, or in my families case, the septic tank.

I always felt lucky growing up that my birthday fell so close to the town celebration. My birthday is on July 20th and more often than not, it seemed to fall on one of the celebration days. I always liked to claim that all the family members of all of the town liked to show up to celebrate my birthday. I guess the time I felt really jipped was when my Mom and Dad decided that they would take each child out to eat for their birthday. This was a big deal for someone growing up in a family of 13 kids in a small town. Going out to eat was a big deal (ask me about the famous "MacDonalds" can someday), so that was a great birthday treat. Well, it seemed like with all of the busyness of the celebration, my going "out to eat" ended up being the town barbeque. I think I let it be known that that wasn't really fair once - seeing as the whole family went to that function, and my parents took me out a few weeks after my birthday. Who says that being squeaky wheel doesn't get you anywhere?

This year we had taken our trailer up to Snowflake for my Dad's funeral and left it there for our stay during the celebration (we don't like to push the limits of the septic tank any more than it's already pushed). I thoughtthat maybe we would get up there for a bit, but life happened and we didn't. I knew Jeff wouldn't be able take off anymore time from work to go early and I didn't want to have 2 cars up there (gas is too expensive), so I convinced Amy that we should go up earlier together and have our husbands come up with our truck later that evening after work.

I was able to go to lunch with my former roommate, Amy Larson, my cousin Cindy and Marnie Scott McCauley. Heidi was supposed to join us, but the antibiotics she's been on made her sick.

Jeff and David came up Thursday night and Friday morning the Festivities began. Our Flake rodeo was at 9am. That was always a highlight for me, but my kids don't like to participate yet. Cooper was thinking about barrel racing, but he was a bit unsure about himself on Business, my parent's horse. I think he's competitive enough to think that he doesn't have a good chance of winning he doesn't want to compete also. The other horses were to slow for his liking. He did ride Joy around a bit outside the rodeo grounds.

It was disappointing that the rodeo grounds have fallen into such disrepair. Theycondemned the old "grand stands" that were there for years, so we had to sit on our tailgates to enjoy the rodeo. It made for a lot less visiting and being able to see who was there and not participating. I wish our Flake family would be able to raise funds to help build some more stands for day rodeos.

After the rodeo we had a good potluck dinner and then a program. I always love all the parts of the Flake reunion.

Will I ever figure this out?

2008-06-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

I like to think of myself as being pretty tech savy. I'm finding as I try to figure out this blog that I really don't know how much time I want to spend making this thing look good, but that I really do want it to look good. This can all be evidenced by the fact that I began the blog months ago and have yet to send a memo out saying that I have a blog. So - until I figure it out, this will be a work in progress. Now I'll work on posting a video and a picture with this blog.

Busy Summer Time

2008-06-23T23:00:00.000-07:00

We've had a very busy summer so far. Some of the busy has been fun, but some has been a bit tough. Shelby and I went to Girl's Camp at Camp Lo Mia June 4th - 7th. We had a great time and enjoyed being Super Heroes and standing Steadfast and Immoveable. It's a different experience being a Stake leader at camp. I love being able to watch the girls enjoy themselves and see how much their leaders care for them.

It's also great to be able to watch Shelby in the camp atmosphere. She has a great time with her friends and I appreciate our ward leaders who take so much time with her. We both had to avoid some of the wonderful food prepared by our "Souper" hero cooks so that we didn't blow all of the hard work we had done losing weight before camp started.

We came home and I helped get our hygiene kits for Pauline Lewis in Phoenix who delivers them to homeless every Sunday. That was a rewarding experience. I got a nap that afternoon, went to church the next morning and heard a wonderful report from Isaac Button who had just returned from a mission in England. Was feeling so wonderful after all of the camp experiences, etc. Then was pulled out of Sunday School by my brother-in-law, Dean telling me that Dad had collapsed and they had rushed him to the hospital and were helping him breathe, but that it didn't look good. What a horrible feeling! I remember having a hard time standing up and breathing. Jeff had been getting ready to teach the Gospel Doctrine lesson, and Dean went and got him, people from our ward stepped in and took over. We went home and threw some things in bags that hadn't been emptied from camp and were gassing up when I talked to Penny on the phone after she hung up with Wynn and found out that he hadn't made it.

I heard awhile ago that we don't have to refer to people who have passed to the other side in the past tense. Elder Scott said that these people are still who they were when they were on earth, so that it's okay to describe them still in the present tense. So ... I won't say that my Dad WAS a great dad! I'll say that my Dad IS a great dad!! I'd been reading a book about Near Death Experiences before Dad passed away and I've been so blessed to be able to picture my dad in the Spirit World. I think of him working with Jed and Darin and Grandma and Grandpa Flake - preaching the gospel and enjoy all the fellowships there.

We had a whirlwind of a week following Dad's death. We stayed in Snowflake until Monday evening. The first few nights after he passed away I had a hard time falling asleep, then I would wake up very early and start thinking, so I would just get up and get going so I didn't lay in bed and cry. The next part of the week I was so exhaused that I was able to fall asleep okay, but mornings were still really tough. I had some good walks in the morning.

I went to work finding pictures for my brother in law David to put in a slideshow and working on putting a Love at Home arrangement by Lenn Shumway into violin and viola parts. I recruited my cousin and my kids piano teacher Rob Solomon to put together a medly of Danny Boy (which Dad had always requested we play at his funeral), Love at Home, Come Thou Fount (which we played at Darin's funeral) and a little tag of "Home on the Range" at the end. Rob did an amazing job. I'm so grateful for his talent and his willingness to do that for my dad and for us. I think it turned out really well.

2008-05-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

We've had a busy week. School is finishing up. Shelby's finished her MYS and Cooper begins his last week of baseball this week. Celeste taught the last Art Masterpiece for Cooper's 3rd grade class. May is always a busy month.

2008-04-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

2008-04-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

We are the Dana family. Jeff, Celeste, Shelby (14) and Cooper (9). We are trying to figure out this blogging business, so I'm sure it will take awhile before we come up with something really good, but hopefully we'll get there.

Jeff works in Real Estate Development. Celeste is a stay at home mom who spends time working with the Young Women in our church. Shelby is a talented student and violinist who is just switching over to Viola. She also plays the piano and loves to read. Cooper is a quad rider extrordinaire, an ASU Sun Devil fan, a football fanatic, and a really good basketball and baseball player.

Welcome to The Dana Diaries

2008-04-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

We decided that it would be a great Sunday activity for our family to document all of the Exciting things that happen in our lives on a Blog.

The Dana Diaries

New Stake Center

Sharing the Gospel

First Day of School

San Diego Pictures

September WHAT??????

Six Minutes 52 Seconds

Trials and Blessings

This is what we get for trying to be Spontaneous

What a Wonderful Easter Sunday

What did happen this week anyway?

Spring Break at Disneyland Pictures

Jeff and his Sister Jenny on TV

Fast Paced Living

Childhood Memories

Converted GA Groupies

Sorry - no pics - my camera's gone!

Christmas Day Pictures

Jeff's Birthday

We would love to have you Link to our Website

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A New Chapter in our Lives

Is it Really Possible for me to have a 15 year old?

Marathon Week

No Pics - Just Words

Cooper's 10!!!

Dana Look-alike Meter

Dana Look-alike Meter

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

How Fast Are You???

Fall Break in Greer

The Fabulous Flying Danas

General Conference Week

Snowflake Cousins and Horses

Kari and Alden's Wedding Reception

Cooper and Shelby Perform

Cooper Got His Bear Badge on Thursday Night

Kari's Shower Slide show

Nephew and Niece

Big Brother

This Exciting Week

We Caught The Mouse

Labor Day ATV Ride

OLYMPICS

All the Things We've Repaired or Replaced this Summer

SCHOOL'S BACK

More Slides from the Beach

Monday and Tuesday at the Beach

San Diego Vacation

Parade

The 24th Celebration a.k.a. Pioneer Days

Will I ever figure this out?

Busy Summer Time

Welcome to The Dana Diaries