Sponsors!

I've already had a few people inquire on becoming a sponsor for my "Tri-4-Nie" efforts next Saturday, September 6th, 2008. (YAY!)

Thanks to you all. I'm sending out more letters on Tuesday in a last-minute attempt to acquire more, and will probably send an email as well. The whole thing is just so incredible. I am honored to be a part of it.

I failed to give detailed instructions on how to accomplish this. If you'd like to sponsor me in the TRI, simply click on the "donate to NieNie" button on the left, and submit your pledge. Then, if you'd be so kind... please send me your paypal receipt so I can keep track of the donations, add your name or company to my shirt, my list, and....

my heart.

I can't wait. Thanks again. This is a wonderful opportunity.

political post #001

I have YET to delve into politics on this blog.
Doug has enough political endurance for our ENTIRE suburban street, so I have always been kind of a (self-proclaimed) ignorant - yet determined, registered voter. Always voting for whomever I am told to by the aforementioned political enthusiast.

This presidential-election-year however, it's all been a little more intriguing to me. I find myself NOT changing the radio station in Doug's car, watching rallies and discussions I would have previously been yawning through, and then this morning...well...

Can I just say that this:

is just awesome.

Tri 4 Nie.

Today is NieNie Day, and I've witnessed so many wonderful things happening.

Auctions, auctions and more auctions, and all by wonderful people.
Some of which don't even know Stephanie and Christian.
It's amazing, really.

I've been trying to decide how to contribute, and couldn't decide what to do.
So, then...this morning, I came up with this:

For the past month, I've been debating as to whether or not I would do a repeat of the triathlon I did last summer. I've been nursing my left achilles and right knee (overuse, probably) and thought maybe I would skip it. However, after learning about Nie and her husband, as well as witnessing the vast support going out for them, this morning while running, and finding my thoughts returning to her as they have not stopped doing for the past two weeks, I decided I would do it.

For her.

Steph's a fellow runner, and has participated in various relays and races . I've actually even considered getting a group together to do the same one she did this year, and run alongside her if she did it again, next year.
So...
In nine days, on September 6th... Anthem, AZ hosts this triathlon that I have now committed to doing. I hope that in this seemingly small expression of my love for her, that her children, incredible family and thousands who check in daily for updates on her condition will know I join with them daily in prayer, faith and hope for her and Christian, as well as the Kinneard family.

Anyone in Arizona (or elsewhere) who would like to join me in this cause is welcome to. I'll send you the graphic if you want to add it to your attire, as I will be doing.
I'm hoping to acquire some sponsors for the race, myself, and will be donating the money to the Recovery Fund.
I'm certain there are many other races like it nation-wide, so if you're so inclined...

run. walk. bike.
or
Tri 4 Nie - with me.

the stuff I love...

So... as I presently sit in the quiet of the "post-gnashing-of-teeth" night, waiting for my husband to arrive home in the "Versa turned construction truck lined with wood pieces from front to back and toilet seats in the back window," I listen for him and hear the wind, slightly... as it nudges the Photinia against my partially-open window.
It's blissful.
My fingers curl up on the keyboard that now rests on my lap after a freak accident this morning wherein the tray it usually sits on under the desk broke off like a dried leaf in winter when I bumped it with my chair.

I find myself reflecting on our day. It wasn't unlike any other day (by any means) in regards to the CRAZINESS, but somehow it's been fulfilling in knowing we all seemed to enjoy it. Recent events have caused me to step a few extra feet back from my life and re-evaluate what is important, and however tragic the circumstances were and continue to be for my friends, as one awesome individual put it today, it's hard to describe the feelings being brought to the surface, not to mention the actions being taken from them...globally. I am in awe.

So, in no particular order
(because...let's face it - you can't do that with this stuff)
tonight I'm posting a portion of
the stuff I love.

A daughter as stubborn and independant as the one who gave her birth, yet thoughtful enough to comb your hair with the "scratchy" brush so you don't have to in the morning. (?)

Hobbies. And a place to escape with them.
(my own little organized chaos arena)

Liquid refreshment of the sugar-free (often-caffeinated) variety. And, yes...go ahead with the sch'peal about how Dr. Oz says I should stop. I have. Many times. I'm still working on that corner of my psyche.


Bub's need (and ability) to carry/travel with/dine with/dream with
at least 6 cars at all times.
What must he be saying to each of them?

The incessant independence of my eldest child.
Tonight he asked if he could "jump online for a sec, and then type up something in Word for his book report."
I hear that it's pretty much downhill from here.

Confession: I can't wait.

A daughter who thinks I'm invincible.
With fashion-sense I secretly envy.

A trustworthy, loyal, courteous and friendly
boy that makes me proud to be his mom.
I could make a list a mile long about this one.

And how adorable are my daughters?
As I finished up some nightly tasks before bed,
they set up (and requested) this photo shoot for their favorite baby.
Could I leave it out? Uh...no.


And now, I must end.
The foremost member of "the stuff I love" list
just arrived.

Teach Me to Walk...As Sisters in Zion

Tonight, with no Primary manual to fill up my church bag, I went to my first
Relief Society Presidency Meeting

in over four years.

And having done that, I can now say...that my new "shield"
for the time being has been switched

from this:

to this:

Haivng been there for four years, it makes it a little teary to leave my lil' primary army, but I know all of these calls are inspired, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve my sisters in Relief Society again.

Here's hoping they'll tolerate obnoxious singing and inappropriate (for Relief Society lessons) props for the first few months.

tears fall, balloons fly

My kids were coming and going, and I needed some alone time, so I went by myself to launch my balloons for Stephanie and Christian Nielson, as part of a nation-wide celebration of hope.

I chose orange for Christian, Green for Stephanie and white for Doug Kinneard. I had a few minutes to sit alone and think, pray and cry a little. I felt an immense amount of love, for all of them, and my Heavenly Father.

I waited until the appointed time, so I could join in the collective celebration, and then upon the stroke of 5:00, I couldn't let them go. I struggled for what seemed like another minute, and then released them, offering up my hope and love.

Appropriately, as you will see, Christian and Steph's balloons (not tied together) remained together, until I couldn't see them anymore.
This, of coure, caused more tears... and in me a peace that I can't describe. My thoughts trailed to my family also, my father, my faith, and my new conviction to be better.

This is the last picture I took of them, (which was zoomed in on significantly, so you can assume they're very high) just before the ensuing storm clouds silently enfolded them all. This - a tender sign to me that an all-knowing Father has and will continue to enfold them with His love.

Whit Turns Seven...she's in Heaven.

...and how fitting that all she wanted for her birthday was new clothes and lip gloss. That made it easy.

Her brothers got up early (setting their alarm for 5:30 am) and made the birthday pancakes.

As you can see, we snuck in a mini-shoot before she left for school. Don't ask me how we managed that...

And then I got a couple before she got on the bus. Somehow, now that she's turned seven, she looks like she's thirteen.

Doug met her at school with the traditional "Happy Meal Birthday Lunch" and she was, as expected, in heaven.

Happy 7th Whitney!

Here's hoping those seven tubes of lip gloss last longer than seven days.

They've been gone for several hours now, and I still haven't started the cleanup on this:

thoughts...

It's interesting, sometimes... or
Divinely apportioned...
perhaps seems a more suitable descriptor, how the Lord presents situations for us to learn, be grateful and then be better.

I continue to be amazed at the love and support being shown for my sweet friend Stephanie and her husband after their recent accident. I seem consumed with it, almost, and wish I could do more... although have recently learned how I can from her awesome family. My thoughts and prayers are constantly with them.

Bringing reality even closer to the forefront, Doug was in a car accident yesterday. It was not serious, but very well could have been had he made different choices. Reflecting on it last night with our kids, we tearfully realized that heavenly promptings are real, and for the ones he had yesterday, I am most grateful.

His truck (thank you, truck... for being a gas-guzzler, and in so doing were big and strong and healthy and thus able to safe-guard my husband from the equally large truck that hit him directly from behind without stopping. Even if we DID replace you with a smaller, more gas-efficient sedan. Had he been driving Don Versa, the outcome most likely would have been much worse) is a total loss.

We don't have a lot of car accident experience around here, but he (of course) is in a great deal of pain this morning, much moreso than yesterday. This is normal, I've learned. Somehow, all the little things I was supposed to do today don't seem as important as taking care of him, and making him more comfortable. If I know him, though, he will be out and about before noon, trudging through it.

I also can't stop thinking about my sister's friend and the tragedy her family recently witnessed. My heart sinks thinking about all of the suffering taking place, especially by children.

I then find myself asking the same question I did when my own father passed away when I was still a 'child' myself, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" No doubt, we all have our own answer to this question. Sometimes it's easier for me to let it go than others, but this week, my answer seems to be this:

Because He planned for so much more to come from it.

More than what we can see initially, more than we can really comprehend, more than this life, perhaps.

I've witnessed this with my own trials in the past, and wish for the same blessings to those who are enduring equally, if not more heart-wrenching tragedies in their own lives presently.

I suppose growth is proportional to experience. And experiences, good and bad, are critical elements of life itself. Somehow, the two go hand in hand in creating the person that we are.

I know some exceptional people. Some of those exceptional people are suffering greatly. Thank you for being exceptional. Because I know something so much more will oneday, someday come from what you are now going through. In your exceptional-ness, others around you are able to grow because they get to watch it take place.

Prayers for my friends...

I received some horrible news yesterday that my adorable friends were in a private plane crash on Saturday. You may have noticed my link to NieNie's blog on my sidebar. I've known her for several years and always admired and looked up to her joyous view of life and motherhood.

I know that prayer is powerful. Whatever your faith, if you'd like to join me as I join with their family and friends in prayer and fasting for them, I know they can use it. They're both in critical condition. Their four small children also, could benefit from our collective faith.

Her sister is posting updates on her blog.

Brazil comes to PV

Now that they're back from Brazil, we were lucky enough to have
Mary, Matt and their family
join us for part of the day yesterday.

The first day of school had NOTHING on a visit from this family.

And...who knew you could fill such a short amount of time with
so much fun...?
It was so great to see and play with them, and we're so glad they stopped in on their way to TEXAS.

While here, we (of course) took a myriad of pictures.

Enjoy!