Heather CLASS OF 2010

She made it!

I am the shortest one in the family............ by about 1 foot!

Ode to Mom

I was reading back through some old posts, and I realized that though I mention my dad a lot, I hardly ever talk about my mom. She has made just as much of an impreesion in my life, but while my dad chooses crazy antics and sound advice, my mom's support comes from strong hugs and whispered "I love you"s.

I remember standing in the kitchen while she taught me to make gravy (stir, stir, stir so the flour does not clump) and being there to wrap me in a warm towel after a bath. She would drop anything when I needed a hug and hold me untill it was all better. She still does. Even though I am far away, she is there when I call her, there to listen when parenting teenagers gets to be too much. She puts everything into perspective and tells me that my kids are wonderful people; that I am doing a good job, that I don't need to worry.

I have often thought about the mother-daughter relationship. For a long time, I was not sure how I fit in as a "step mother". When the girls came to live with us I was not sure how to make the transition from "week end mom" to "full time mom". Admitedly, I made mistakes. But, I only wanted what was best for them. I always had their best interest at heart. I had my own mom to serve as a role model when I was unsure. Now the girls are young women and though our relationships are not perfect, I love them. They are my girls, and I am proud of them. When they make mitakes, I will always be there with a hug.

I am also lucky to have a good relationship with my mother-in-law. Though we are still getting to know each other, she makes me feel like one heck of a lady for putting up with her son (it's my pleasure, believe me!). She helps me feel confidant that I am doing right by my kids and offers support when I am having a hard time. She spoils my children, and I appreciate all she has to offer as a mom and grandma. Here is a heartfelt thanks and I love you.

I made some bad choices as a young adult, I am sure it was hard for my mom to watch. Even though she did not agree, she was there no matter how bad I screwed up. She held my hand through the worst of it. Strong, silent support. When she watched her teenage daughter become a mother she was there, holding my hand. When I finally ending things with Jeremy, she was there. When I moved back home, she was there. When I learned the hard lessons that a young woman must learn, she was there. And, when Dave proposed she held my hand as her eyes filled with happy tears.

Mom, I would not be the woman, wife and mother I am today without you. I love you!

Love what you do

My dad always told me you can rent out your mind, or you can rent out your back-it's up to you. I am lucky to have a job that I love (where I rent my mind). And, because I love my job I think I am able to do it better. The docs I work with are like older brothers to me. The girls are some of my best friends. We laugh and joke with each other, we are there to support each other---oh and we take care of our patients as well.

The patient care is challenging, rewarding and inspiring. I love interacting with them, watching their children grow up, supporting them through their pregnancies. My job is really like a second home to me. I can't imagine working any where else. I really feel the impact that we make in the lives of our patients.

I realize that I am blessed to have this great place to work. I appreciate CRFM. I think it is important to do something you love, and to do it with all your heart.

SPRING

I think I can officially switch the thermostat to the "cool" setting. Spring is here to stay; no more snow, I hope. The Mack house is getting ready for the end of the school year. Heather's graduation will be on Friday the 28th at 4 pm in the SUU Centrum. We are planning to have drinks and refreshments at our place after the ceremony. Heahter is having her senoir pictures done soon. She is at the state track finals this weekend--we will find out tonight how she did (Go Cedar Redman!) Theresa got all of her AP art turned in, now her portfolio is being reviewed to see if she will get the AP credit. Her pieces were wonderful; so full of talent! She drew a great elephant picture for me for Mother's day. Drew got 100% on his geography test, his grades keep getting better and better. He kicks Dave's butt on the XBOX--funny to watch. We are excited for Summer to begin. I am trying to plan a few family hikes. We have been waiting for warm weather to go on the Kanarraville Falls trail, as it is mostly through the stream that goes up the canyon. I can't wait. Hopefully we will get up to Bruce Canyon this year, too. I am also hoping to get up to SLC this summer to see everyone. I will keep you all posted.

I heart cheap produce

About a month ago, Dave and I ordered a basket of fruits and veggies from Bountiful Baskets.org. One of my co workers told me about it. Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op that buys produce in bulk and then sells it at a very discounted rate. You need to register on their website, order your basket on Monday evening, and pick up the basket at various locations on Saturday morning, but you get a laundry basket (literally) full of fruit and veggies; all for $15.00 I think there is a pick up site in most communities around Utah. All they ask is that you volunteer for them 4-5 times a year to help keep costs down.

We have recived tons of apples, pineapple, clementines, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and carrots. We also get some exotic items such as mangoes, swiss chard and eggplant. Every week is a little different. We liked it so much, we started ordering 2 baskets every week. We have never bought this much produce because it gets so expensive. Now I am begging the kids to eat more apples and bananas. I have fresh fruit in our freezer for smoothies, as well as in our fruit bowl for snacks. We always have a fresh veggie for dinner. We had never tried swiss chard, but Dave and I both like it (kind of likes beets mixed with spinach). We also have broccoli, carrots, celery and onions chopped and stored in our frezer to add to whatever Dave is cooking.
We feel better, meals are more exciting and we are saving a ton of money on our groceries. We have just had to by a few cuts of meat, dairy, a few pantry items and a few side dishes. It is great for me, I have found it easier to maker better food choices with fresh produce always around. (I am down a total of 32 pounds as of today). You have gotta try it!

Lessons from Geese

SO my weekly blog post has bee bi-weekly as of late, but I have been busy. I ran across this article in a text book and I liked it so much I thought I would share. Enjoy!










Lessons From Geese

Fact #1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than could be achieved if they flew alone.

Fact #2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It immediately moves back in formation.

Fact #3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies into the front position.

Fact #4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those in front to keep up their speed.

Fact #5: When a goose gets sick or is shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it untill it can fly again or it dies. The 2 geese then launch out with a new flock or catch up with their old flock.


Amazing what we can learn from a few birds.

Rose-colored glasses

I have been guilty of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. I have even called myself a hopeless romantic on occasion. When I married Dave, I had a pretty good idea what it would take to have a happy marriage (only a few of my theories on "What marriage should be" needed to be adjusted). It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

The reason for this rant is that I keep hearing about people, right here in Cedar City, having affairs on their spouses. I don't get it. I try to understand why people feel that they need to do this. If you are so unhappy, get a divorce. Divorce--that also make me sad. When I hear about couple who have decided to end their marriage, my heart sinks.

As for me, when I stood before my family and friends with our kids at my side and promised to love Dave (through thick and thin, for rich or for poor, etc) it was a promise that I took very seriously. I admit that I had told Dave before we got married that the only thing I would not forgive him for is adultery. And, I don't mean to say that I think divorce is the wrong thing to do in all situations. I just feel that people take the easy way out too often.

I think that couples get married too young. They have an unrealistic, media-fueled idea of what marriage should be. They have no idea what the reality of it is. It is hard work. It is even harder when there are kids that depend on you. It takes a commitment, every day. It takes time and affection, communication.

I have a happy marriage. Dave is my soul-mate. I love him and our family more than anything. Nothing is worth giving that up. I work on our relationship. Dave works on our relationship. Together we try to raise our children and make our way in this world. We laugh every day. We support each other. We argue about some things but we always find a way to compromise. We spend time just talking, even if it is for only 15 mins.

The good times far out weigh the bad times. I can't imagine finding comfort in another mans arms. I don't see how I could ever give up on the life we have together. We have been through the hardest of times (custody battles, college, job loss, teenage kids). The fact that we made it through only makes me more committed to our marriage.

We both brought in the lessons we learned from past relationships. I knew what I wanted out of a relationship and I made sure that I could get that from Dave before I married him. He learned from his first marriage what he valued in a spouse, and he made darn sure that we were compatible before he popped the question. We lived together for 5 months before we got engaged, but I knew that when I moved in that I was going to marry him. We just wanted to make sure that it was all going to work out before we made that promise to each other. I have no regrets.

Cheating on your spouse is not an option for me. Getting divorced is something I can't imagine. I am in this for life, through thick and thin. My family is more important then the temporary solution of infidelity. If I am not getting what I need from my spouse, I tell him so. If I am unhappy about something, I take steps to fix it. This is what is right for me. Maybe I am being too judgmental of these people that feel that adultery is an option.

I know that I have to take my rose-colored glasses off sometimes. I still like what I see without them.