 |
 |
| Create your own digital scrapbooking design |
Trips to Aiken
8 years ago
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A Time of Reflection
It's a beautiful Sunday morning. There are huge fluffy flakes of snow falling outside.
It's peaceful. It's quiet.
My family has gone to church and I am laying in bed, recovering from my most recent round of chemo -- which is supposed to be my last.
The last seven months have been more humbling than perhaps any other time that I have experienced, and in my opinion I have experienced a few difficult times. There is something about potentially facing the end of this life that makes you focus and examine what is truly important. There are some things that you don't take nearly as serious as you did previously. There are others things that you realize that a vitally important. You realize that you aren't really in control, but you have choices in how you react to your situations.
I know that fighting cancer is not something that I would CHOOSE to go through. However, I am grateful for the lessons that I have learned. Despite the many unpleasant and unattractive things that go along with this trial I know that there are many blessings that I have received and will yet receive if I have faith and endure to the end.
It's peaceful. It's quiet.
My family has gone to church and I am laying in bed, recovering from my most recent round of chemo -- which is supposed to be my last.
The last seven months have been more humbling than perhaps any other time that I have experienced, and in my opinion I have experienced a few difficult times. There is something about potentially facing the end of this life that makes you focus and examine what is truly important. There are some things that you don't take nearly as serious as you did previously. There are others things that you realize that a vitally important. You realize that you aren't really in control, but you have choices in how you react to your situations.
I know that fighting cancer is not something that I would CHOOSE to go through. However, I am grateful for the lessons that I have learned. Despite the many unpleasant and unattractive things that go along with this trial I know that there are many blessings that I have received and will yet receive if I have faith and endure to the end.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Driveway Sledding
After being in the valley for my latest surgery we returned home to 12 inches of snow in our yard, driveway, and unfortunately our front porch and steps. With the cold temperatures the snow has been slow to leave.
Chloe has taken to needing sled in the driveway several times a day. She likes to make a couple runs in the morning before preschool. Then she gets in as many as she can when the kids get home from school until the sun drops behind the hill and the temperature plummets.
Chloe has taken to needing sled in the driveway several times a day. She likes to make a couple runs in the morning before preschool. Then she gets in as many as she can when the kids get home from school until the sun drops behind the hill and the temperature plummets.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Stuck!
An essay, by Braden Hancock.
Heading down the runway, gaining speed. Liftoff, altitude higher, higher, stuck! I was flying a 22in. wing span radio control airplane in a parking lot and got my plane stuck in a tree. Should I climb the 30foot tall tree? Maybe I can shake the branch just enough to get the plane down? How much would the fire department make me pay if they came and got the plane down?
My first idea to get the plane down was to climb the tree to get the plane down. After much difficulty I was able to get into the tree. That’s when I realized that there were no excess branches to climb up. My dad, who was there with me went off and found a ladder. The ladder he found was way to short. Next option, can I try to shake the plane loose?
After our first attempt to get the plane down failed, it was time for a trip to ACE Hardware to brainstorm. Ding, new idea, we could shake the tree using a large hook attached to a rope. When we got back to the parking lot I started throwing the hook into the tree trying to catch it on a branch. Failure. Our last chance was to ask the fire department to come get it down for us.
When we got to the fire department I went in and talked to a couple people. One of them said we might as well buy a new plane because it would cost so much for them to get it down. After a little while the chief came down and talked to me for a minute. He said he had an engineer who had not used the ladder truck before. So they decided to come and get the plane down for me. When they got there they put out the stabilizers, and got everything ready on the truck. After about ten to fifteen minutes they were up next to the plane. In about another five to ten minutes they were back on the ground with my airplane.
Through this experience I have learned I need to be more careful about flying into trees. Also another thing I learned was that sometimes firefighters are really busy and other times they have nothing to do. Also sometimes little things like this can help so when the time comes the firefighters will be ready to do their job. A simple little thing like this helped that specific engineer so when the time comes he will be able to operate the ladder properly. Since that day I have not gotten my airplane stuck in a tree.
Heading down the runway, gaining speed. Liftoff, altitude higher, higher, stuck! I was flying a 22in. wing span radio control airplane in a parking lot and got my plane stuck in a tree. Should I climb the 30foot tall tree? Maybe I can shake the branch just enough to get the plane down? How much would the fire department make me pay if they came and got the plane down?My first idea to get the plane down was to climb the tree to get the plane down. After much difficulty I was able to get into the tree. That’s when I realized that there were no excess branches to climb up. My dad, who was there with me went off and found a ladder. The ladder he found was way to short. Next option, can I try to shake the plane loose?
After our first attempt to get the plane down failed, it was time for a trip to ACE Hardware to brainstorm. Ding, new idea, we could shake the tree using a large hook attached to a rope. When we got back to the parking lot I started throwing the hook into the tree trying to catch it on a branch. Failure. Our last chance was to ask the fire department to come get it down for us.
When we got to the fire department I went in and talked to a couple people. One of them said we might as well buy a new plane because it would cost so much for them to get it down. After a little while the chief came down and talked to me for a minute. He said he had an engineer who had not used the ladder truck before. So they decided to come and get the plane down for me. When they got there they put out the stabilizers, and got everything ready on the truck. After about ten to fifteen minutes they were up next to the plane. In about another five to ten minutes they were back on the ground with my airplane.
Through this experience I have learned I need to be more careful about flying into trees. Also another thing I learned was that sometimes firefighters are really busy and other times they have nothing to do. Also sometimes little things like this can help so when the time comes the firefighters will be ready to do their job. A simple little thing like this helped that specific engineer so when the time comes he will be able to operate the ladder properly. Since that day I have not gotten my airplane stuck in a tree.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Back to School
Oh how I love the first day of school. The paper, pencils, pens, fresh crayons, and...
AAAHHHH... the QUIET!
Our school year started on July 28th.
I forgot to get a picture of Ian before he left to early morning Seminary and start his Senior year.
Braden was excited to start his eighth grade year. He sure looked like a BIG kid waiting at the bus stop.
Chloe made sure that everyone got hugs before they left for school.
Claire was much more excited for the first day of school than she was last year. We took her to school to make sure she made it to her first day of first grade without any drama. 
We were excited to meet her teacher, Mrs. Proudfoot. She has a large class of 26 students.
AAAHHHH... the QUIET!
Our school year started on July 28th.
I forgot to get a picture of Ian before he left to early morning Seminary and start his Senior year.
Braden was excited to start his eighth grade year. He sure looked like a BIG kid waiting at the bus stop.Chloe made sure that everyone got hugs before they left for school.
Claire was much more excited for the first day of school than she was last year. We took her to school to make sure she made it to her first day of first grade without any drama. We were excited to meet her teacher, Mrs. Proudfoot. She has a large class of 26 students. Did I say how much I love the first day of school?
Monday, July 19, 2010
You Don't Say!
The following commentary is from a skit performed at our Hunt Family Campout last month. It fit this series of pictures so well that I couldn't resist.
"Hello?"
"You don't say."
"You don't say!"
"OH MY GOODNESS! YOU DON'T SAY!" (Hangs up phone.)
Other person: "Who was that?"
"They didn't say."
If Claire can make so much of an imaginary conversation on a play phone, I can only imagine the animated phone conversations from this girl in the years to come.
"Hello?" "You don't say." "You don't say!" "OH MY GOODNESS! YOU DON'T SAY!" (Hangs up phone.)Other person: "Who was that?"
"They didn't say."
If Claire can make so much of an imaginary conversation on a play phone, I can only imagine the animated phone conversations from this girl in the years to come.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Celebrate USA
We have come to enjoy hosting 4th of July parties at our house since we have such a good view of the fireworks without having to endure the mayhem of people we don't care to be around. This year we went fancy and sent out invitations. The girls were very excited to help make the invitations during my lunch hour one day.
Chloe decided she liked being in charge of the glue dots. Her little nimble fingers did a great job with that.
Claire was very pleased with the finished product.
I LOVE having my family together. Since my Grandpa Payne's birthday is on the 4th we decided to call him and sing "Happy Birthday". Apparently my mom, who was there visiting, didn't tell him who was on the phone. We all got a good laugh when after a very jolly version of the song he asked "Who is this?"
We also enjoyed having some of our friends join us.
The kids enjoyed playing in the yard as we waited for the firework show to begin. Here Stacey is mixing up something good in the mud mixer.
We got a kick out of Chloe and her friend Parker cruising around the yard.
I wish I knew what Parker was looking for under the car.
There was plenty of food for non-stop indulgence.
The weather was perfect for hanging out and enjoying the day and each other.
As it finally got dark enough for the show to get started the kids loved playing with their glow sticks and necklaces.
We are so fortunate to be able to celebrate freedom, family and fun.
Chloe decided she liked being in charge of the glue dots. Her little nimble fingers did a great job with that.
Claire was very pleased with the finished product.I LOVE having my family together. Since my Grandpa Payne's birthday is on the 4th we decided to call him and sing "Happy Birthday". Apparently my mom, who was there visiting, didn't tell him who was on the phone. We all got a good laugh when after a very jolly version of the song he asked "Who is this?"
We also enjoyed having some of our friends join us.
The kids enjoyed playing in the yard as we waited for the firework show to begin. Here Stacey is mixing up something good in the mud mixer.We got a kick out of Chloe and her friend Parker cruising around the yard. I wish I knew what Parker was looking for under the car.There was plenty of food for non-stop indulgence. The weather was perfect for hanging out and enjoying the day and each other.As it finally got dark enough for the show to get started the kids loved playing with their glow sticks and necklaces.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
