Survival of the Fittest

The kids learned a nature lesson while feeding the swans. Fish also inhabit this pond and they all want a piece of the action when they see free food. I think that if I were eating pond scum, crusty old bread would look pretty delicious to me too.

Here you see a large fish who has an obvious advantage over the swan who is just over a foot away from this piece of bread. You may notice that little drip coming from his mouth, he's hungry and this means war!


A closer look..... Can't you just see the excitement in its eyes?


It seems the fish has just attempted to bite off more than it could chew, the swan makes a grab for it....


And the swan wins this round! Watch it reach into the fish's mouth just to be sure it has all of it.

Diagnosis

Yesterday I took Jared to Spokane for a 2nd opinion on a diagnosis he was given early this year. In January, he was visiting the eye doctor for a routine exam when she noticed a few things which didn't seem normal. She wanted him to do VIP testing (I'm pretty sure that stands for Visual Information Processing). After about an hour of this test, the doctor went over everything and gave us a list of different diagnosis's (Convergence Insufficiency, Defective Stereopsis, Saccadic Deficiencies, Pursuit Movement Deficiencies, Suppression of Binocular Vision and other vision related learning difficulties). We wanted a 2nd opinion before spending nearly $2500 out of pocket for his Vision Therapy. Do you remember when Chiropractic was not covered by most insurance companies 20 years ago? Well Vision Therapy is not well-accepted yet, I think we're about 10 years away from it becoming a more accepted way to treat a person. Now, a specialist might recommend surgery to snip a couple of things behind the eyes.

This 2nd doctor in Spokane had very similar findings. He said Jared scored a 0% on Complete Binocularity which means he is not capable of using both eyes equally. His left eye will read and the brain will become overloaded so it will switch to his right eye, this goes back and forth, back and forth until Jared becomes frustrated. No wonder he has so much trouble with reading and doing other school work. Kids who have visual sensory difficulties also exhibit ADHD-like behavior. I find it very interesting to have learned that because I wonder how many kids are mis-diagnosed and treated the wrong way? This doctor told me that Jared would greatly benefit from Vision Therapy.

Someone from Jared's school told me that he either had ADHD or brain damage. I didn't like either of those options!! I just knew (when I say "knew," I mean strong mother's intuition) that it was something else. After watching Jared with his tests and seeing how clear it is that he has a visual problem, I felt like crying. I was relieved, I felt vindicated and excited that there is a natural treatment. He will do Vision Therapy in our hometown twice per week for 16 weeks. I am confident that he will be ready for school in the fall.

After his appointment, we went to Manito Park which was within 2 miles of the doctors office in Spokane. Jared got to run off some steam before riding for a couple of hours in the van. He enjoyed watching these colorful fish in the pond.

Never Forget

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. ~Daniel Webster

We drove to the cemetery today to teach the kids about sacrifice, honor and what Memorial Day is all about. I don't know if any of it sunk in, but Jared was very concerned with the subject of death. Larry was in the Air Force and we always appreciated Memorial Days in a military town. There were flags everywhere, on homes, in shopping areas, all over the base and there was a parade. That is one thing we miss about the military, the patriotism.

7 Years Ago

Jared was born. He is my miracle baby, he tried really hard to make an early appearance twice (at 28 weeks gestation and again at 34), but I was able to hold him in until 38 weeks. He is as full of life and as eager to live now as he was when I was pregnant with him.

Jared then.....


Jared now.....



7 things I love about Jared:

He is full of life and energy

He is genuinely concerned when someone is sick (he made me a get-well card when I was sick more than a week ago).

Jared is willing to try many new things.

He loves to travel.

He loves his family and lets us know it.

He is a hard worker and eager for jobs with his Grandpa.

I can still get him to cuddle with me when he is calm (usually at night or before school).

Jared + Cat + Sprinkler = Fun for the whole family!

Well it was a lesson learned, Jared and David were having fun in the sprinkler and they heard Amigo (David's stray cat) meowing in the distance. Jared had the bright idea to share the fun with Amigo because cats love water right? I was lucky enough to catch it all on video along with a little collision the two of them had. Having 2 boys is like watching a comedy, plenty of fun for the whole family!


He earned this red badge of honor for his valor and bravery.


This is just a random photo I took of a crop duster, we live across the street from a wheat field and the plane was right there, I couldn't resist.

Another house update

The siding is finished and this week we are expecting the electrical work to be done as well as some duct work. Pretty soon, I will post before/after pictures of the inside as it comes together. This is just too exciting!


Larry and David are having a birthday next month so I'm compiling a list of things you probably don't know about Larry (just in case you think I'm ignoring my dear husband).

And a couple of you asked for the story of the 3 other proposals, it's really not that exciting, but ......
1st one was from a guy who went to another high school, his name was Quinton. He asked me to prom and we danced the night away. He said he wanted me to wait for him (to go on his mission) and marry him when he got home. I told him I was WAY too young to be thinking about that so I turned him down :( Poor guy.
2nd proposal was from a guy I met at Ricks College. He was a real charmer! However, I got the feeling that he only said what he thought I wanted to hear. I couldn't see a sincere bone in his body. He told me he had a dream that we got married and thought it was a sign. I told him I didn't have the same dream. :( Poor guy.
3rd guy was also a real charmer and very tough to get away from. During the summer between college semesters, I dated him. I didn't have a good feeling about him so I broke it off when he asked me to consider marrying him. Unfortunately, I didn't learn my lesson quickly enough so the relationship was an on again, off again sort of thing. Finally, I saw the light. :( Poor guy.

4th time was a charm

29 things you may not know about me

I thought I'd create a list for my birthday, it was an idea I got from Terra (she made a list of 100 for her 100th post). I just picked a random number of things..... of course I'm only 21 years old and always will be :)

1. I was a cesarean birth and came out butt first – yay!
2. The doctor actually knicked my little bottom when he was cutting into my mom
3. She said I have a scar, but I refuse to allow her to show me.
4. I’ve lived in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Washington and Idaho
5. I used to go rattle snake hunting with my dad and brought a dead frozen one to school for show-n-tell
6. I’ve been skydiving 8 times
7. 2 of those times were nearly freak accidents; First time, my parachute wouldn't open right, second time the parachute opened too early inside of the airplane - if the pilot hadn't noticed and pulled us back in, then my tandom partner and I would probably be dead or mangled.... oh yeah and a 3rd time, the engine in the airplane blew and we had to make an emergency landing - fun times!
8. I was a trouble maker in high school, one of a few things I would actually change
9. Strangest job – Chiropractic assistant to a very strange person
10. I intensely dislike seafood (to hate it means I wouldn’t eat it to save my life, but I think that I probably would)
11. My youngest sibling passed away, I named my oldest son after him
12. I could live in Ashton, Idaho for the rest of my life
13. Yellowstone is like Disneyland for me
14. Disneyland is one of my fondest memories, I’ve been 5 times
15. 2 of those times were with Larry
16. 1 of those times it was raining and we agree it was more fun – no lines or crowds
17. Favorite movies: Lord of the Rings, The Chorus, Life is Beautiful
18. I had 3 marriage proposals before Larry
19. I was the Lt. Governor, vice president and president of Key Club in high school
20. The Kiwanis club paid for part of my trip to Miami and Key West, Florida for the international Key Club convention
21. I went from a size 16 to a size 4 in three years – exercise, vitamins and improved eating habits, no fancy diets.
22. Crazy things I’ve eaten: octopus, frog and some sort of sea slug
23. Crazy things I’ve done: train bridge jumping and cliff jumping
24. I love pranks, I nearly gave Larry a heart attack before we were married.... ask him about it sometime (mention the Finley ghost)
25. President Bush kissed my mom and I on the cheek (when he was campaigning in 2000)
26. My mom wouldn’t let me get my ears pierced until I was 14 because she was once told people who pierce their ears are bald in heaven.
27. I once came face to face with a small shark while snorkeling around the Dry Tortugas; thankfully it was more afraid of me than I was of it.
28. I spent 2 weeks in Japan after I graduated from high school
29. My dream job (if I were single with no kids) – a photographer for Life Magazine, traveling the world for the most compelling images. I feel like I get the best of both worlds - I have my husband, kids and I get to do photography.

Here's a trip down memory lane.....

Interview with Jared

While I'm in the mood for kiddie answers, Jared has plenty of those up his sleeve.

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Jared: a doctor
Me: What is your favorite movie?
Jared: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Me: If you could go anywhere in the whole world, where would you go?
Jared: the park
Me: What happens when mommy is really mad?
Jared: "she doesn't let me outside"
Me: If someone gave you $100, what would you do with it?
Jared: spend it on a house
Me: What's your favorite food?
Jared: cake
Me: What is your favorite thing to do with David?
Jared: play with the sleds outside (snow is optional)
Me: When will you be all grown up?
Jared: "in 5 years I think"
Me: Who do you want to marry?
Jared: Calley (looks like he and David will have to fight for her)
Me: How did mommy and daddy get Jared?
Jared: daddy kissed mommy and planted a seed
Me: What are you going to do when we move into our new house?
Jared: play tag outside

Interview with David

Because I am curious about the things which come out of David's mouth, I thought I'd interview him. I'll have to do one on Jared when he gets home from school.

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
David: a teacher
Me: What is your favorite movie?
David: The Polar Express
Me: If you could go anywhere in the whole world, where would you go?
David: to the movie store (to rent a movie)
Me: How much do you love your family?
David: Super much how long the road is
Me: If someone gave you $100, what would you do with it?
David: a big giant choo choo train toy
Me: What's your favorite food?
David: pizza
Me: What is your favorite thing to do with Jared?
David: play life guard
Me: When will you be big like daddy?
David: 3 years old (note: he's 4 right now)
Me: Who do you want to marry?
David: Calley (a girl he knew in Tacoma)
Me: How did mommy and daddy get David?
David: "you bought me at the store"
Me: What are you going to do when we move into our new house?
David: jump on the bunk bed

Life is but a dream

My beautiful friend, Merrily, is having her first baby this summer and she let me practice taking maternity photos for her. We've been friends since high school and I'm lucky enough to live in the same area. There's this tree at Howard Amon Park, it has a natural heart in it and if you know me, then you'll know I have a thing for trees with a little personality.

Happy Mothers Day

A friend shared this Mothers Day message, it's so true!

The Images of Mother......
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

We had some unofficial family photos before church, it's been awhile since we did these. Although, I am tempted to get the kids all dressed up to redo them in front of my dad's large beautiful lilac bush. Hopefully the blooms last through next Sunday.

Daydreaming

The roof is finished and the windows are in, here is the latest....

Larry and I both daydream on a daily basis about life in our new house. We went to check on things tonight and saw that they had put the tubs and showers in. Of course we couldn't resist the opportunity to check it out.


The last couple of days, I've had my nose in a new book. It's called 'The Host' by Stephenie Meyer (author of the Twilight series). So far, it has kept my interest. I admit that I was pretty neglectful of just about everything when the Twilight books came out one at a time, but I've been better this time and I'm pacing myself. If you want to see more, click here to visit the author's site. She gives a better description than I would.

Funny thing... I absolutely hated reading when I was in high school. Maybe it was immaturity or maybe I was bored out of my mind by the regular English literature. At the time, nothing could be more torturous than being forced to read some of the books of which my grade depended on. I became best friends with Cliffs Notes and scooted by. When I was about 17, I heard Michael Ballam talk about Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and he painted the picture of that beautiful story in my head with his words and music. I was in love before I ever picked up the book and devoured every page of the unabridged version. From then on, I was convinced that I just needed to find books that interested me. I have loved reading ever since and have even played with the idea of reading some of those English literature books over again from an adult perspective. Who knows, maybe I will like them this time around.

A Getaway

Larry had a business trip in Spokane and invited me along for an overnighter. I had to decline at first because I had some things planned, but I cleared my schedule and surprised him. We visited a Japanese garden (which is like a playground for me when I have my camera).



This was a lucky shot, I meant to get a nice photo of this vibrantly colored fish when it decided to flip it's tail and splash.





I went to visit my dear friend, Michelle and her son. We've been friends since I was about 13.


I also went to Tacoma a few days ago and took some photos for the family I was staying with. This little girl is adorable! She has the most expressive face and she's hilarious! I added more photos of her to my photo blog.

My Monday Temptation

Many of you don't know that I used to sky dive. I went 8 times and actually have a couple of my jumps on video (something I will bring myself to watch and put on the web someday). I miss it! Every time I drive by the little airport where I had my adventures, this little adventurous/crazy part of me squeals in agony - just a little bit. Never mind the 2 near-death incidents. There's nothing like free falling, the view, the excitement and the rush. I still have my log book, seamless leather gloves and goggles.

I fully realize that because I now have young kids and life insurance, that it wouldn't be very responsible to be taking these kinds of risks. But kids grow up and I don't have to inform the insurance agency, right?

It's looking more like a house!

We go out to the house each week to check on the progress and were excited to see how quickly things seem to be moving.