Just getting going....

Well....here goes nothing. After years of feeling guilty about not writing in my journal enough, not writing individual journals for each of my children as they grew up, not scrap booking as my family grew up, not keeping in close enough contact with my brother's family to feel like my kids and their kids are as close as I was to my own cousins growing up, etc., etc...... I have fallen in love with reading my niece's and sister-in-law's blogs, as well as various friends' blogs and decided that it is either going to be a guilt reliever for me or one more item of guilt to add to my growing list. There is no choice where guilt is not involved in any way, shape or form. (Thanks Michelle, Alisha, Beth, Carly, Lacey, etc. for introducing me to what will either be a blessing or a curse in my life!)
Now that the ice is broken, I am not sure where to begin! I suppose I will just do random things....whatever is currently on my mind. (What a random thing this will turn out to be!) I suppose that on occasions when I am feeling nostalgic, history might get filled in a little, who knows? Here is a little bit about me and mine anyway...


Me:
I am a semi-single mom of 4 grown/nearly-grown kids. I am a nursing student with what seems like an eternity of school behind me and almost as much ahead of me. I am randomly artistic, creative, funny, boring, energetic, lethargic, cheerful, spent.... Random. I enjoy an eclectic mix of things. I like swimming, taking pictures, singing, camping, reading, sewing, cooking, painting, visiting zoos, dancing if no one is watching, going on road trips, learning, ice skating, playing World of Warcraft, eating out, baking, yoga, sleeping, etc. I have to be in the mood to do whatever I do, or I don't enjoy it. I love people vastly and trust too easily. When I am lied to I hurt deeply and struggle to forgive. I find great joy in seeing other people achieve their dreams and hope I help somehow without causing them to be hindered in their growth by doing too much or not enough. I struggle enough with my own progress to meddle too much in other people's lives. That is probably more information than anyone reading this wants to know, so I guess I will move on.



Brian:
Brian is 25 and my oldest son. He was born 3 weeks past his due date and seems to be on the same time schedule since then. He is very creative and is a talented musician. He developed a love of making movies as he was growing up, and now works restoring old home movies for people and putting them on DVD's. On May 25th, 2008, Brian asked his girlfriend, Valissa, to marry him. She said yes and they have set the date for August 30th. I am delighted to have Valissa join our family and hope she never regrets it.




Tom:
We sometimes refer to Tom as "the other Tom Hanks". Tom is 22 years old and works at our local movie theater. He loves going to movies and taking us to see them when they come out. He would like to be an actor, but isn't terribly interested in doing all the boring stuff to get to that designation. He had an accident a few years ago and has been working hard to get his health and life sorted out. One example is that he had to breathe through a tracheotomy for nearly 6 years, but spent most of the month of August 2007 in the hospital and had his airway reconstructed. He has weekly therapy to help him overcome some of the problems he has from traumatic brain injury. Everyday is an adventure with Tom around.



Anjuli:
Anjuli just completed her freshman year at the University of New Mexico, and did so with flying colors. She spent many hours in tutoring for Physics and was still worried she wouldn't be able to pass the final test. She did get the worst grade of all her grades this semester in her Physics class, but it was a B+. She had A's in everything else. Her major is languages with her main being French and her secondary being German. She has considered doing court reporting when she is done getting her bachelor's degree at UNM. She works part time for a place called "Super Suppers" where customers can come and fix about 12 family dinners to take home and freeze in about 2 hours. Two of her best friends went to BYU Idaho and BYU Provo. I was worried that Anjuli would have a terrible time adjusting to their absence, but has been too busy to mope. She is always on the go.




Luke:
Luke is 17 and will be a senior this year. He is a bundle of energy and talent and brains. He taught himself to juggle and founded a juggling club at his HS with another young man who also juggles. He is also the president of the science club and of the philosophical society for this coming school year. He tried out for the HS comedy troupe and was invited to participate in it. As busy as he is during the school year, I think this summer may be busier still. He is kicking it off by taking the ACT, then going out of town to Youth Harmony Barbershopping camp, then a family reunion in Utah, his Eagle project, his first job, getting his learner's permit and 100 hours of supervised driving time in, Valissa and Brian's wedding in Mesa, AZ, etc. I am not sure how I am ever going to keep up with him!

Our Pets:

Yes, they are family too! Our oldest pets are Frizzy and Miles at 10 years old each. Frizzy is Anjuli's kitty. She is opinionated and full of normal kitty attitude. She is adorable until Anjuli goes out for the evening...or even worse -out of town for a few days. Frizzy misses her girl and wants everyone to know it! The meowing never ends. Miles is a shepherd mix and quite the old coot. He snores as loud as anyone in the family and can melt the eyeballs right out of their sockets when he cuts loose.

Our youngest pet is Joujou la Fou. We thought she was a poodle when my sister gave her to us last Christmas, but we have been told that she looks more like a Bichon Frise. Our vet said she could be anything we want her to be, to which Tom replied, "Ok, then. She is a Great Dane". -So, she is a fluffy white 9 pound Great Dane of unknown age....

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That's all of us in a nut-shell!!!!