I'm preparing for my dissertation defense on Nov. 9th. I find myself waking up in the night worrying about whether the dissertation is good enough, whether I'm really ready, wondering what kind of questions they will ask me, worrying that there will be some blatant error in the manuscript that I will not see until after it's published and forever there for all to see. It's weird. The bulk of the work is done; the issues that remain are not about the research and the content -- they are about formatting and editing. It's crazy!!
No one but my committee and a few people will ever read this. Some poor college student looking for research about National Board Teacher Certification or someone researching about effective professional development will read parts of it -- maybe! But truthfully, most dissertations are unread.
I will be so glad when it's over!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
October Visit
We just returned from Eastern Washington (Pasco) to visit with Abby, Jeremy, and Lorena. Of course Lorena is the little star of the show. She is small but she is strong! You look at her and think she's just a little peanut (she doesn't weigh more than about 20 lbs. and she's short for her age) but she's solid and strong and so healthy. Her hair is a beautiful chocolate brown and her eyes are deep brown. She always has a tan that I totally envy.
We planned to go to the pumpkin patch. Did you know that it now costs anywhere from $6-9 to get into the pumpkin patch, plus the cost of the pumpkins, by the pound? I was shocked. What happened to the days when you went to the pumkin patch, picked out your pumkin, paid for it and took it home? Maybe a hay ride would be thrown in (even for a few dollars)? We decided to forego the pumpkin patch this year. I'm not sure Lorena would have gotten much out of it. But, we had a beautiful ride around Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland) as we looked for a reasonably priced pumpkin patch.
We enjoyed dinner at Sterlings (a delicious restaurant in Kennewick). We read stories which she loves. We went to sacrament meeting on Sunday morning. Lorena is so good in church. Abby and Jeremy are doing a great job teaching her about how to behave in sacrament meeting. In fact, they are just great parents. She adores her Daddy and she adores her Mommy. They are so busy and they have made her needs the priority in their lives (as good parents do). I'm so proud of their family and their focus on the important things.
We took Great Grandma with us this time. She had never been to Pasco since Abby and Jeremy had moved there because Dad was too sick to travel for so long. We had lots of fun. The drive over the mountains was beautiful. The air is crisp and cool in the mornings and evenings and pleasantly warm in the day time. The leaves are changing, the signs of fall are everywhere. I was a little concerned about how Mom would do but she was fine. She and Lorena love each other and have so much fun! She loves Uncle John and when she saw him she just giggled. She loves to play the tickle monster game!
We planned to go to the pumpkin patch. Did you know that it now costs anywhere from $6-9 to get into the pumpkin patch, plus the cost of the pumpkins, by the pound? I was shocked. What happened to the days when you went to the pumkin patch, picked out your pumkin, paid for it and took it home? Maybe a hay ride would be thrown in (even for a few dollars)? We decided to forego the pumpkin patch this year. I'm not sure Lorena would have gotten much out of it. But, we had a beautiful ride around Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland) as we looked for a reasonably priced pumpkin patch.
We enjoyed dinner at Sterlings (a delicious restaurant in Kennewick). We read stories which she loves. We went to sacrament meeting on Sunday morning. Lorena is so good in church. Abby and Jeremy are doing a great job teaching her about how to behave in sacrament meeting. In fact, they are just great parents. She adores her Daddy and she adores her Mommy. They are so busy and they have made her needs the priority in their lives (as good parents do). I'm so proud of their family and their focus on the important things.
We took Great Grandma with us this time. She had never been to Pasco since Abby and Jeremy had moved there because Dad was too sick to travel for so long. We had lots of fun. The drive over the mountains was beautiful. The air is crisp and cool in the mornings and evenings and pleasantly warm in the day time. The leaves are changing, the signs of fall are everywhere. I was a little concerned about how Mom would do but she was fine. She and Lorena love each other and have so much fun! She loves Uncle John and when she saw him she just giggled. She loves to play the tickle monster game!
 | ||
| Playing Tickle Monster! |
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Happy Birthday #1 Son!
Tom's birthday is today. I can't believe he's already 31 years old. In some ways I feel like it was long ago and in other ways I remember it so vividly that I can't believe he's 31 already! What a beautiful baby boy he was. (And a handsome man he is.) He was born on a warm, sunny day in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah Medical Center. He was such a strong, healthy baby and he absolutely wore me out. Feeding him was like wrestling a little bear cub! He developed a delightful personality (which he still has). He was funny and so smart and enthusiastic about life. I feel like he's a wonderful blessing in my life. Happy Birthday Tom and thank you for 31 wonderful years!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Our Baby, My Dad, and a Paper
I've been extremely busy this past year. Lorena is continuing to grow and become more of a personality than ever. Christmas was so fun (it will be even better this year as she is able to understand what is going on). We had a great time at the beach in July. She is such a little comic and knows just how to capture your attention. When she see family members she lights up and reaches for us. When she sees me she reaches for me and wants to play. She knows I'm good for a cookie, a story, and some fun. She already knows where Gr. Grandma keeps cookies at her house and she checks out anyone who goes near the cookies to see if they are bringing one for her.
New Glittery Shoes!
Dad passed away on Aug. 23, 2010. I knew he wasn't going to be with us forever because he was so ill but I dreaded the parting. Dad was a wonderful man. He was a spectacular father and he understood the order of the priesthood and the calling of husband and father. He fulfilled those responsibilities so well. He was very intentional about what he did for us and how he did it. Just prior to the birth of my first child, Tom, he reminded me that being a parent was the one calling I would never be released from -- now or in the eternities. Dad set the premier example for following the Savior. John said it, "Grandpa knew how to follow the Savior." Dad was real. What you saw was what you got. He loved our mother with complete faithfulness and fidelity. He was fun and funny. He was kind about people yet he was real. He recognized a person who was a problem but he never treated them badly. In his passing I've found myself reflecting on how I can be more like him in the way of being kinder. (Not losing my sense of reality and calling it like I see it but doing with it with greater kindness and patience.)
I have also marveled during this time at the comfort I've received from the Holy Ghost. It's been interesting to observe what it's like to go through the grief process and to see how the Atonement blesses us and provides the peace that I've needed during this time. My faith has deepened and been strengthened about the Plan of Happiness and I now understand why it's referred to as the Plan of Happiness in the Book of Mormon.
I will never quit missing Dad in this mortal life. He did so much for me all through my entire life. The world was always safer when he was in charge. I found I needed him as much as an adult as I did when I was a little girl -- just in different ways. He has always been a source of advice and counsel. I could talk to him about important decisions and ask his opinion about how to handle difficult situations and he always supported and guided me in a loving and respectful way.
I look forward to greeting him when I walk through the veil some day. That will be a joyful day.
Now, for wonderful things of lesser importance: I am almost finished with my doctorate degree. During this past year I finished my research and data collection. I received approval from my committee to move ahead last March and I wrote my dissertation through the spring and summer. The month of July was devoted to the majority of the writing. Writing this has been a great experience. I experienced the tender mercies of the Lord during this time. My mind was enlightened. I found that information I needed would come to my mind and I was reminded through the promptings of the Spirit about pieces of research and data I had collected that I needed to include. For example, I had forgotten about a staff survey I had given to my staff a year before. I couldn't recall immediately where I had put the data. Just when I needed it-- I remembered where it was! That is just one little example of the help I received. I found the words, I recalled information, I was guided to check things, and I was able to do the difficult writing much more quickly and more ably than I would normally be able to do. It was a witness to me of how we are helped when we invite Heavenly Father to help us.
Dad passed away on Aug. 23, 2010. I knew he wasn't going to be with us forever because he was so ill but I dreaded the parting. Dad was a wonderful man. He was a spectacular father and he understood the order of the priesthood and the calling of husband and father. He fulfilled those responsibilities so well. He was very intentional about what he did for us and how he did it. Just prior to the birth of my first child, Tom, he reminded me that being a parent was the one calling I would never be released from -- now or in the eternities. Dad set the premier example for following the Savior. John said it, "Grandpa knew how to follow the Savior." Dad was real. What you saw was what you got. He loved our mother with complete faithfulness and fidelity. He was fun and funny. He was kind about people yet he was real. He recognized a person who was a problem but he never treated them badly. In his passing I've found myself reflecting on how I can be more like him in the way of being kinder. (Not losing my sense of reality and calling it like I see it but doing with it with greater kindness and patience.)
I will never quit missing Dad in this mortal life. He did so much for me all through my entire life. The world was always safer when he was in charge. I found I needed him as much as an adult as I did when I was a little girl -- just in different ways. He has always been a source of advice and counsel. I could talk to him about important decisions and ask his opinion about how to handle difficult situations and he always supported and guided me in a loving and respectful way.
I look forward to greeting him when I walk through the veil some day. That will be a joyful day.
Now, for wonderful things of lesser importance: I am almost finished with my doctorate degree. During this past year I finished my research and data collection. I received approval from my committee to move ahead last March and I wrote my dissertation through the spring and summer. The month of July was devoted to the majority of the writing. Writing this has been a great experience. I experienced the tender mercies of the Lord during this time. My mind was enlightened. I found that information I needed would come to my mind and I was reminded through the promptings of the Spirit about pieces of research and data I had collected that I needed to include. For example, I had forgotten about a staff survey I had given to my staff a year before. I couldn't recall immediately where I had put the data. Just when I needed it-- I remembered where it was! That is just one little example of the help I received. I found the words, I recalled information, I was guided to check things, and I was able to do the difficult writing much more quickly and more ably than I would normally be able to do. It was a witness to me of how we are helped when we invite Heavenly Father to help us.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Contemplation
I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted on this blog. Time flies when you're having fun!! What an eventful summer and fall we've had. The culmination of the events came on Oct. 17th in the Columbia River Temple in Richland, WA when Lorena was sealed to her parents for time and all eternity. She looked like a little angel in her white dress. She was so peaceful as I held her at the altar and placed her hand on her parents hands. She was so peaceful and just looked around -- leaving her little tiny hand where I laid it. Her mother and father were so joyful and I was reminded of the beautiful day they were married in the Salt Lake Temple 5 and a half years ago. They've waited for this little princess for so long!
I love each one of my sons and daughters (including in-law children) so much. I am so happy to have each of them in our family. I take great joy as each has come into our family -- whether I've given birth to them (as in the original 3) or through marriage and now adoption. There is so much happiness as I get to know their personalities and develop an appreciation for their talents and gifts. I want every single one of them and I don't know what we would do without each of them. I can't believe how blessed I am.
Lorena is a beautiful little girl with dark brown eyes, dark hair, and golden brown skin. She is half Mexican. Her biological father is a very dark Mexican man -- probably with a lot of Lamanite or Indian blood. Knowing this about her genetic heritage has caused me to think and ponder about the fact that I know she was intended to be in our family. I received personal revelation about this and I know that she was prepared in the Spirit World to be in this family. I've thought about the prophecies in the Book of Mormon about the dispersed House of Israel, including the Lamanites -- that kings and queens would be their (referring to the dispersed house of Israel) nursing mothers and fathers. I have to believe that this is literally being fulfilled in this adoption -- because Abby and Jeremy have entered the House of the Lord and made a covenant and have been anointed to become a King and a Queen to the Most High God through the order of the Priesthood. They are literally the nursing mother and father to this precious little Lamanite daughter - and she has become part of their royal priesthood line and restored to the Household of God.
Ok, maybe I'm waxing eloquent -- oh well... but I have pondered these thoughts repeatedly and I cannot ignore the actuality and fulfillment of these ancient prophecies in our own family.
Nevertheless -- gratitude continues to fill my heart. My prayers each day are that my sons and daughters will always turn to the Lord and follow the Savior. I know they each have challenges and problems but I also know that they can be faithful and true if they are obedient and determined to honor and keep their covenants and focus on the Savior.
I love each one of my sons and daughters (including in-law children) so much. I am so happy to have each of them in our family. I take great joy as each has come into our family -- whether I've given birth to them (as in the original 3) or through marriage and now adoption. There is so much happiness as I get to know their personalities and develop an appreciation for their talents and gifts. I want every single one of them and I don't know what we would do without each of them. I can't believe how blessed I am.
Lorena is a beautiful little girl with dark brown eyes, dark hair, and golden brown skin. She is half Mexican. Her biological father is a very dark Mexican man -- probably with a lot of Lamanite or Indian blood. Knowing this about her genetic heritage has caused me to think and ponder about the fact that I know she was intended to be in our family. I received personal revelation about this and I know that she was prepared in the Spirit World to be in this family. I've thought about the prophecies in the Book of Mormon about the dispersed House of Israel, including the Lamanites -- that kings and queens would be their (referring to the dispersed house of Israel) nursing mothers and fathers. I have to believe that this is literally being fulfilled in this adoption -- because Abby and Jeremy have entered the House of the Lord and made a covenant and have been anointed to become a King and a Queen to the Most High God through the order of the Priesthood. They are literally the nursing mother and father to this precious little Lamanite daughter - and she has become part of their royal priesthood line and restored to the Household of God.
Ok, maybe I'm waxing eloquent -- oh well... but I have pondered these thoughts repeatedly and I cannot ignore the actuality and fulfillment of these ancient prophecies in our own family.
Nevertheless -- gratitude continues to fill my heart. My prayers each day are that my sons and daughters will always turn to the Lord and follow the Savior. I know they each have challenges and problems but I also know that they can be faithful and true if they are obedient and determined to honor and keep their covenants and focus on the Savior.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Whole New World!
Becoming a grandmother is wonderful! My daughter and son-in-law have a brand new baby daughter. She is absolutely amazing. What has surprised me is how deeply moved I am by this experience. We've waited a long time and they became eligible for adoption last winter. We had no idea that it would happen this soon. I think we were all thinking it might take several years before they found a baby.
Anyway, I was not prepared for how emotionally and spiritually this would impact me. As I've pondered this wonderful experience, I find myself thinking about my own grandparents. I find myself feeling joyful that our family is continuing into the next generation. I am in awe of the wonderful Plan of Happiness that our Heavenly Father has put into place to exalt and bless families. What a wonderful and glorious plan!
I can only imagine that this is just a little tiny taste of what it means to have eternal increase and to experience a fullness of joy. I have a sense that my grandparents and other ancestors are nearby and that Lorena was prepared in the Spirit World to come to our family.
I am filled with gratitude that this wonderful, long awaited blessing has finally come to Abby and Jeremy. Oh, how their lives are changing. I know they are ready and I'm excited to watch them grow and develop as parents.
This is what life is about!
Anyway, I was not prepared for how emotionally and spiritually this would impact me. As I've pondered this wonderful experience, I find myself thinking about my own grandparents. I find myself feeling joyful that our family is continuing into the next generation. I am in awe of the wonderful Plan of Happiness that our Heavenly Father has put into place to exalt and bless families. What a wonderful and glorious plan!
I can only imagine that this is just a little tiny taste of what it means to have eternal increase and to experience a fullness of joy. I have a sense that my grandparents and other ancestors are nearby and that Lorena was prepared in the Spirit World to come to our family.
I am filled with gratitude that this wonderful, long awaited blessing has finally come to Abby and Jeremy. Oh, how their lives are changing. I know they are ready and I'm excited to watch them grow and develop as parents.
This is what life is about!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)