Thankful Tuesday : Vacation

I think it is time I talk to you about the family's vacation to Orlando Florida and let me tell you we all had so much fun, even though it rained here and there, but hey that is Florida for you.  On June 28, we went to Riverton Utah to spend the night with some good friends and it was great to talk with them and catch up.  Then on June 29, we ate breakfast there, before we left and then around 7:30 am, we packed up the car and left for the Salt Lake City Airport.  We took Bangerter Highway all the way down and that was the best thing, I have never done that before.  We parked the car, took a shuttle to the terminal, checked in our bags and went through security, which went okay.  Then got on the plane and we left around 9:30 am.  Ethan sat next to Zach and Connor on one side of the plane and Will and I sat on the other, with someone we didn't know by the window.  The plane ride was about 4 1/2 hours or so and yes it was long, but we made it to Orlando around 4:30 pm.  We got off the plane and headed for baggage claim and we had to take one of those trains to get there.  We noticed a girl from Give Kids the World Village ( the place where all Make a Wish Families stay) with a sign with Zach's name on it and we went to her.  She helped with our bags and took us to the car rental place, where we got a van and we had Zach pick out the color and it was a grey Dodge Grand Caravan.  The girl gave us directions of how to get to Give Kids the World Village and we were on are way and it was raining a little bit too.  We had to pass through 2 toll booths to get to Kissimmee Florida, that is where Give the Kids World is.  We parked the car and went to check in.  They checked us in and they gave Zach a stuffed Mickey Mouse.  We got to the villa where we were staying at, unpacked the car and then went to go eat dinner at the Gingerbread house (we didn't have to pay anything, everything at Give Kids the World was free) and the food was so good.  Then Will went to an orientation to get all the tickets and to get information about our stay for the week (they only would let 1 adult go to the orientation)  I waited for Will and then he explained everything to me, well the best he could and then back to our villa, where the boys were.
The next day was Sunday June 30 and we decided to go to Walt Disney World because that is where Zach wanted to go.  We ate breakfast at the Gingerbread house before we left and then we were off.  It was pretty easy to get to and we parked.  Then we had to take a ferry to get to the park and that was fun.  It was pretty crowd, but that is okay because we had fun.  We also ate lunch there and we also got rained on too, but it wasn't that bad.  Well, it rained a couple of different times throughout the day.  We had lots of fun on the rides, but we didn't do everything that I wanted to do (teacups), but we were there for Zach and he didn't want to go on the teacups.We also ate dinner there and we also saw some fireworks, so we were there all day and it was a long day, but a fun one.  Then took the ferry to the car and back to Kissimmee,  where it was time for bed.
Monday July 1 we went to Universal Studios: Island of Adventures and that was a fun day for the most part, but this was the day that it rained a lot, but we did manage to go on some rides.  We also ate lunch there and we also got to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and let me tell you that was so much fun.  There was only 1 roller coaster that Zach could go on and he loved that one.  We did have a pass that either Will, Ethan or I had to wear around our necks, it was like a fast pass and even with out Zach present, we could still use it.  During one of the rides that Will and I were on, it was raining the whole time and me screaming and let me tell you I did lose my voice some of the time that day.  We left around 6:20 pm and then we got stuck in traffic and it was raining more.  We got back to the village, changed and then went to eat dinner.  Then we did a few things at the village and then went to Walmart, to buy some things for when it rains the rest of the week.
Tuesday July 2, we got up later than we planned, but we were all tired and then off to eat breakfast.  Then to take pictures with Dora the Explorer, which Ethan didn't want to do, but Zach did.  Then off to Universal Studios, where we did some rides and then we ate lunch around 2 pm and it was raining again.  We ate and then went to a animal show and before it started, I noticed that my mom and dad were trying to get a hold of me and I found out that my grandma died and it made me real sad, but the animal show we saw made me happy.  After the show was over, we got to meet a dog from the show and it was fun, but Connor didn't think so.  He was staying far away from that dog and we took some pictures.  Then called my mom and talked to her about grandma.  Then did a few more rides and then we left just in time because it started to rain again.   Then we found an Applebee's and ate dinner there.  Then back to the village and relaxed some and then it was time for bed.
Wednesday July 3, they had some horseback riding at the village and we did that first thing.  Connor even got on a horse and I thought that would never happen and Zach also got on a horse with someone riding with him.  Then we ate breakfast and off to Hollywood Studios and this was a really fun place.  We did Toy Story Mania and then a ride that we went on as a family, which I never thought we would do, Tower of Terror and let's just say Connor hated it, but Zach loved it.  Will and Ethan loved it too and as far as me goes I don't know.  Then Ethan, Connor and I did Rock n' Roller coaster starring Aerosmith and that was fun and it was an indoor roller coaster and it also went upside down and fast of course.  That was lots of fun, but Connor didn't like it.  Then we saw Muppet Vision 3D and that was fun because it is the Muppets, but man they had so much 3D there and it got to be a little too much for me.  Then we ate some lunch and then we saw Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and that was super fun, we all loved it.  Then we got to take pictures with Phineas and Ferb and that was fun.  It turned out to be another fun day and then we left at 6:30 pm, so we could eat dinner at the village.  We ate dinner there and then it started to rain really hard. After dinner, we ate ice cream at the village and that was really good.
Thursday July 4, we got up early and we ate breakfast and then we were off.  We parked at Walt Disney World and then we took a bus to get back to Hollywood Studios because we didn't see 2 shows that we wanted too.  First, we saw Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show and that was so much fun and we even got to meet the stars of the show, Indiana Jones and Marion and we also took pictures with them.  Then we went to Beauty and the Beast and that was a fun show, I am glad we came back for it.  Then we took a bus to Animal Kingdom and it started to rain, but not that much.  Then we ate lunch there, then saw some animals and then went on this ride called Everest and that was such a fun ride.  Then took a bus to Epcot and we went on a few rides there and we didn't get to see everything at Epcot that we wanted, but oh well.  Then we ate dinner and then we did some shopping.  Then it was time to see Fireworks and let me tell you, those were some Awesome Fireworks and it was great to see them on the 4th of July.  Then we waited for the crowd to leave and then we did a little bit more shopping and then we took the monorail back to Walt Disney World because that is where the car was parked.  Then got out of the park and we got stuck in traffic and lots of it.  Then got off the exit to head back to Kissimmee, but we got lost and then we turned around and made it back to the village and it was almost 1:30 am, by the time we got back.  It was a very long day.
Friday July 5, we got up and going because this was the day we were heading back to Utah.  We started packing some, then we ate breakfast and then packed some more.  We had to check out by 11:00 am and we did, but we still could hang out at the village, which we did.  We took some pictures, ate ice cream there and then we left for the airport.  We dropped the car rental off and then we found someone to help with our bags, that was a relief and we paid him and we checked our bags in.  Then went through security and then got something to eat and then on the plane we went.  The plane ride was long and let me tell you there was so much turbulence, that I hated it.  It scared me so much, but thank goodness we made it back to Salt Lake City in one piece.  We got are luggage and then took a bus to get to our car.  Then loaded up the car, paid to get out of the parking lot and then off to find a place to eat.  We ate at IHOP at Jordan's Landing and that was good food.  Then off to Spanish Fork in a thunder and lightning storm  to spend a few days with my sister and her family.

Thankful Tuesday: My new calling in my ward

Sorry that I haven't done a Thankful Tuesday for a few weeks, but I was on vacation, but I am back now.  I have worked in the primary, I have worked in the nursery, I have worked in the library and right now I am a visiting teaching supervisor.   Well, the Bishop wanted to see me, so I knew it was probably for a calling and he asked me if I knew what calling it was for and I said no.  So, he told me that he has wanted to fill this calling for quite some time and he told me he wanted me to be the Family History Consultant for the ward.  I didn't know what to say, he just told me that the first thing that I need to do is learn how to do the job.  I think I can do this job, but I am a little scared to do the job.  I did accept the calling, I have never turned down a calling before.  I have never done Family History before and I have said on a few occasions that I wish I knew how to do it.  I think it is kind of funny because last month the visiting teaching message was on family history and it was my turn to give the lesson.  I did say I wish I did family history and well now is my chance to do it for the ward.  I want to thank Natalie, who I visit teach and who is now one of my new visiting teachers and who brought that up Sunday, when she came to my house to visit.  She said I will do a good job and that now is my chance.  I guess you can say that I do some family history for myself and that is I keep a Journal.  I started one when I was 11 years and I love having one.  Sometimes I like going back and reading them and my handwriting was terrible back then and I wasn't the greatest of spellers and sometimes I still can't spell very well.  I know I can do this job and I will do my very best, but first like the bishop said I need to learn how do it, so then I can help other people in the ward do family history.

Thankful Tuesday: My Mom

With writing about my dad for Thankful Tuesday last week, I thought it would be great to talk about my mom this week.  Well what can I say about my mom, she's the best and I love her so very much. Even though she doesn't live close to me (I sometimes wish she did), she lives in Texas and I am here in Utah I want to thank her for everything she has done for me in my 40 years of life, almost 41 years of my life. I remember somethings with her when I was younger, like going shopping, seeing some movies, going on vacations, being there for me when I was sick, for taking me to get my driver's license, and well I can't think of any more things right now.  I do remember her taking care of my brother Tyler (he has Muscular Dystrophy), when I was still living at home she was so good to him, she knew how to take care of him and she still does so much for him and I want to thank her for all that she does for my brother.  I hope I can take care of my son Zach (he also has Muscular Dystrophy) like she takes care of my brother.  I do remember more things when I have been an adult, like the time she came when each one of my children was born, coming to see The Music Man at The Utah Shakespeare Festival, for sending me some Tinkerbell figurines (I love Tinkerbell), for sending me birthday cards every year, for calling me on the phone, for letting us come home for Christmas, for doing some cross stitch for me (I have 4 things in my house that she has done) and for just loving me.
Like I said I love my mom with all my heart, I just wanted to let all of my readers know that I have the best mom in the world and I am so glad she is my mom.

My mom with Zach and Ethan in 2002

My mom with Ethan in 1996

My mom with me, my sisters and sister in law in 2008

My parents, brother Tyler, my husband and kids in 2012

                                                    

My mom holding Connor in the background in 2004

Thankful Tuesday : My Dad

With Father's Day this past Sunday, I thought it would be good to write about my dad.  I am not a writer at all, so please bare with me as I write about him.  What can I say about my dad,  I love him with all of my heart and he means the world to me.  He is an awesome dad and I will tell you why.  He has been there for me my whole life, even though we live so far away from each other.  I live in Utah and my dad now lives in Texas.  He moved from California and that will always be my home, even though I haven't lived there for several years.  I just want to thank him for all that he has done for me, when I was still living at home and now that I am married.  He has helped him through the years and I just want to say Your The Best Dad and Thank You For Everything That You Have Done For Me Through The Years.  I am 40 years old and well you are never to old to still need your dad.  I know I don't talk to him often about what is going on in my life, but I just want him to know that I Love Him With All Of My Heart and I hope that I can visit him in Texas sometime this year, but I don't know when.  I want to thank him for coming to Ethan's blessing when he was a baby, for helping us move to Arizona in 2004, for coming to Utah to see Ethan become a Teacher at age 14 and a Priest at the age of 16 in my ward, for seeing Zach and Connor when they were baptized at the age of 8, for helping Ethan go to BYU Soccer Camp and for coming to see The Music Man at The Utah Shakespeare Festival with us.  There are many more things that I can mention about what he has done, but that would be a very long list.  Thank You Dad for just being there for me, You Rock Dad.

Nate,(Will's brother) Will and Dad

My parents and I at my wedding Dec. 17, 1994

                                             4

My Dad reading at his new house in TX in Dec. 2010

My parents and my brother in TX Dec. 2010

Taken after Connor was Baptized in Dec. 2012 with my dad and one of my aunt and uncles

This was taken in Kanab years ago and I know my dad is asleep, but I love the shirt he is wearing.

My Dad with Connor, when he was a baby.

Thankful Tuesday : Angels Among Us

If you are on facebook, you already know some of this, but I am going to write more about it.  Okay, so I took my boys to Spanish Fork on Thursday to spend a few days with my sister and her family and because Zach had an appointment at Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake on Friday.  My husband couldn't come with me, he had to work Thursday and Friday.  Anyway, we all had a good time and it was nice to get away from Cedar City for a few days.  On Friday Connor and Ethan stayed at their cousin's house, while Zach and I went to Salt Lake for Zach's appt.  All they did was check his wheelchair and made sure everything was working properly and the wheelchair guy did fix everything.  He said we have kept it in pretty good condition and we also talked about getting Zach a power chair, so we will see on that.  Then we ate lunch at the hospital and then we left and went to go look at a few places that I used to live at when I was younger.  We found 1 in the Salt Lake area, with no problems and it was nice to drive around that place, even though I only remember a few things about that place, well it was back in the 1970's after all.  My dad went to the University of Utah and so we lived in married housing, called The University Village.  I also walked to preschool and I found that preschool.  I got a little emotional about seeing it and I don't know why.  I wanted to take pictures of the preschool up close, but there were kids playing on the playground and so I didn't think it would be good of me to take pictures.  Then off to Sandy to find the other 2 places I used to live on Dimple Dell Road.  One was my grandparents house, we lived there while they were on their mission and the other one was right next door.  Well I couldn't find the houses and I did forget that the homes were back from the street, so that is why I couldn't find the homes.  Maybe I will try again soon, when I am up there again.

So on to Saturday, where I took the 2 younger ones with me to Riverton to see some friends that used to live in Cedar and they have kids Zach and Connor's age.  Ethan didn't want to come because he wanted to spend time with his cousins and I understood that.  We had a wonderful visit with them and then Zach was getting hungry, so we left and went to Wendy's for lunch.  Then on to Lehi to meet my best friend at the gas station and then we followed her to the Children's Discovery Garden at Thanksgiving Point and that was fun, well I have never been there.  We visited some and the kids liked it okay, but not as well as we had hoped.  Then we followed her to her house, since I have never been there before and it was nice to finally see where she lives.  The kids enjoyed that and then I had to get back to my sister's because Ethan wanted to go shopping.  We got to my sister's house and he changed his mind he didn't want to come with us and so we stayed a few minutes and then left for The University Mall in Orem.  We decided to eat dinner first because it was 7 pm and we were all hungry.  So here comes my title of my blog Angels Among Us and so most of you have heard some of this if you are on facebook that is.

Connor wanted pizza, so he ate at the table with Zach, while I got Zach and my dinner at Chick-fil-a.It took a little while because for some reason there was a problem, but I won't get into that.  We finally got the food and started eating and at this point Connor was already done eating.  We were just eating and then this guy  walked up to us and I would guess he was probably in his 50's wearing a red shirt.  He was asking me how I was doing and I said okay and he said it like he knew me and I was trying to see if I could place his face, but I couldn't.  He then slipped me something in my hand and just left.  I opened my hand and there I saw the $40 and well I looked up to see if I could see where he went, but I guess I looked up to late.  Well, I was speechless and my eyes started tearing up and I just couldn't believe someone would do this for me.  Maybe someday I can do this for someone else, but I don't know when I will be able to.  After we ate, we looked around a few stores in the mall and then off to Kohls, so I could get a few shirts.  I will always remember the guy in the red shirt doing this for me because he will always be an Angel to me.  I am so Thankful right now, so thank-you to whoever you are.

Thankful Tuesday : The Gold Nugget

On Sept. 11, 1972, when I was about 6 weeks old my Grandma and Grandpa Gold wanted to try something with their daughter and 4 sons.  My grandma and grandpa wanted to try a family newsletter because everyone was scattered and they just wanted to keep everyone up to date of what was going on with everyone.  My grandparents wanted to try this experiment for about a month and see how it would work with everyone, well it is June 4, 2013 and so I would say it has worked very well.  Everyone that is married, going to college(it was great to get the newsletter, when I was away at college) or been on a mission, has gotten a newsletter.  I have been going through old newsletters lately, well the ones that were from my family and it has been great to see what I did when I was a child, where we lived ,what kind of things we were doing and where we went on vacation.  My sister(the one who does the newsletter) gave all of us siblings a big book back in 1994 for Christmas and it has all of my families letters that we sent in for the newsletters from 1972-1994, plus if we were mentioned in my grandparents or aunts and uncles letters, those letters are in there too.  It has been great to find out when babies are born, who was having a birthday, when everyone's anniversary is, when someone moved, when cousins went to college and when cousins got married.  We did do The Gold Nugget weekly for quite awhile and now we do it once a month.  One of my sisters does the newsletter and all of my aunts/uncles receive it, my grandma receives it,  my parents receive it, my siblings receive it, all of my cousins that are married and go to college receive it.  My sister is so good at this, even though I haven't put a letter in for awhile.  I just want to thank my wonderful Grandma Gold (my Grandpa died in 2003) for starting this newsletter back in 1972, it is so wonderful to read what we did back then and just to be more connected with my aunts/uncles and cousins and my cousins children that have been on a mission or gotten married or that have been away at college.  It has been the greatest thing to have in this family and knowing what has been going on with relatives.  I feel like I know them a lot more, then I would have if we didn't do The Gold Nugget.

The first year of The Gold Nugget.

The book, my sister did for us for Christmas 1994.  This is the book  that I have been reading

These are all of the newsletters from everyone, since Sept. 1993.  That is when I was away at college.

Thankful Tuesday : For Everyone That Has Served Our Country

With Memorial Day yesterday, I thought I would thank every man and woman that has served our country.  What they do is the greatest thing I think any person can do.  They do it for their country and they make this country free.  They make so many sacrifices, they leave their families for months at a time and I don't know what that would be like, my dad and husband have never served in the military.  I want to say Thank You again for what they do for me and for everyone else.  I found these on Pinterest and I thought they were perfect for my blog post.  Enjoy.