Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Bliss in opportunities...

Many years ago, in Hawaii after I gave birth to my first child, I attempted to realize a high school dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.  It failed because of finances and life went on.  A few years later, after the birth of my second child in Alaska, I tried again.  At that time I was living in low income housing (the nicest apt I had ever had!!) and receiving State aid because of pregnancy issues and being on bed rest and having to quit my job.  I was extremely grateful that I got the assistance at that time!!  When my daughter was a few months old I started looking into school and everything was falling into place.  However, the issue of money came up again and I wasn't going to put schooling on hold again!  So, I applied for financial aid through the University and a loan to get me going.  I called the State offices to see what I would still qualify for with getting any aid or loans from the University...I was mainly concerned about food and medical.  To my surprise they told me I wouldn't qualify for anything at all if I went to school and received ANY aid.  NOTHING!  I was totally blown away and I remember saying to the lady on the phone, "you mean if I do nothing to better myself and just sit home and do nothing you will continue to help us?"  To which she replied, "I know it doesn't seem right but that's how it is."  So, I dropped from the system, because I wanted more.

As grateful as I was to receive State aid at that time I remember feeling awful every time I went to their offices.  I met and spoke with people there who were also getting aid but many had no intentions of doing anything else.  People actually told me they had the system worked out and knew they'd only qualify until their kid reached a certain age.  Their solution...to have another baby at just the right time so they could live indefinitely on Welfare. Kid after kid to just get the government aid.

I think the idea of helping people in need, as I was for those few months, is great.  But, I think that the system is broken, as is, and people unfortunately aren't honest and abuse the system.  I was fortunate. After dropping from the system, I survived on very minimal, as I went to college for the first time in my life, as a single parent with two young children.  In some countries your early choices determine just how much success or opportunity you'll have in your adult life.  My choices were as they were and I realized that it was up to me to turn things around if I didn't want to be idle for the rest of my life.  Thank heavens I  live in a country where I can still progress and change the direction I was headed so early on!!

The government was there to help me when I needed it, and I'm thankful.  But, when I wanted more to better myself, I felt at that time, the government bailed on me.  But, I didn't give up.  I realized my dreams eventually, and I worked hard to get where I am.  I know I'm blessed and I know a lot of what I have is because of a loving Father in heaven who has watched over me and allowed me more opportunity to improve myself.  I'm not anti-government.  I just think the way some "aid" programs are set up don't allow people who want to progress, to do so.

I'm grateful I live in America where each of us can still realize our childhood dreams for opportunity and growth.  It really is smarter to teach a man to fish rather than to just give him fish.  I find my bliss in opportunity to grow and prosper.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Such Good Bliss


I have been so bad at keeping up with all the exciting new things that have been happening!!
IAN IS HOME!!  That was very exciting!  This pic is of al those who came out to greet Ian home after being gone for two long years!  He's adjusting to life back in the Banks and waiting on work to start saving up for college in the Fall!  BYU Idaho here he comes!

Fresh from Dominican Republic and on our way to the temple!  That was one of the first things Ian wanted to do once he got home.
Miss Abigail graduated from Chinook Montessori Charter School after attending there for 9 years!!

My Mallory has graduated from West Valley High School.  She graduated with Honors and Magna Cum Laude.  I couldn't be more proud!  She too will be off to BYU Idaho with Ian!  Oh, Mallory also graduated from early morning Seminary.  That is four years of getting up extra early every morning to make it to Seminary at 6:30AM before high school classes!  WOW!

Monday, April 9, 2012

This blissful life

Wow...I read in our Sunday paper's Parade this weekend about a family who really really suffered.  They've endured though and they keep going.  So, I've thinking that one just never knows what the future holds.  We get very comfortable in our lives and are blessed with family, good health and more than we could ever want for.  And, while we may be thankful, I want to be even more thankful and not take what I have for granted at all.  It gets all too easy to just enjoy everything we have and the thought of losing much of what we have just doesn't even cross our minds.  I don't think we need to  live in fear that we could possibly lose everything at any minute.  But, I want to truly be grateful each and every day and express my gratitude more often.  The excuse of living on auto pilot, which is really easy to do, isn't a good enough excuse.  I drive a lot, back and forth, taking kids here and there.  I shop for food, I make the lunches and dinners...I clean the house and do the laundry...and sometimes I find myself growing tired.  Well...I need to snap out of it because heaven forbid is something ever happened...I would find myself wishing I could just drive a kid somewhere, or make their lunch and dinner.  I don't always enjoy what I'm doing at the moment, but I love doing what I'm doing.  I love being a mom.  I love knowing that I'm a daughter of God.  I love that God has been forgiving and patient and I can do the same.  I really do love my family and they do bring me my greatest bliss.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

My missionary son!

Here's the latest of my boy!
In less than a month we'll be able to hug him!  Cannot wait!!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Changes coming...

This is a big year with lots of changes.  For one...my missionary boy, who's no longer a boy, will be coming home a man in just 43 days.  I am so grateful that he humbled himself and decided to give of himself for two years.  I've seen his growth and the blessings have come to not only those he's serving in Dominican Republic, but to all of us here at home.  Can't wait to squeeze him!!

Mallory turned 18...wow!  She registered to vote right away and got to take part in the Republican Presidential Preference Poll.  Very exciting!  After much prayerful consideration she decided to go to BYU-Idaho.  It was hard because BYU Provo accepted her application to begin in the Fall.  Idaho didn't accept her to start until January.  She decided the smaller campus, and being close to two brothers was more important.  She still plans on leaving in the Fall with Ian, and will take evening classes until her track begins in Jan.



Abigail turned 14!  Big changes with this birthday!  She took her written drivers test and passed on the first try.  She's been out driving several times and so far, she's doing pretty good.  I'll feel better, as a teacher, when the roads are clear of snow and ice.  Also, she gets to go to church dances!  Her first one is this Saturday and she's pretty excited!!

Friday, January 20, 2012

92 Days!

I cannot believe we're in the homestretch with Ian serving his mission!  He finally broke the 100 day mark and tomorrow we'll be able to say "three more months and Ian will be home!!"

Ian is doing awesome!  He just registered for school so we'll be waiting to hear about when he'll start.  Mallory has actually heard that she was accepted into the Winter/Spring tract at BYU-Idaho so she is very excited!  Mallory turns 18 next month and will re-certify for Lifeguard 1.  Once she's a level 1 she can be on deck alone, make more money and hopefully get a lot more hours.  Until you're 18 and a lifeguard 1 you're not supposed to be on deck alone...but, Mallory has been as she's proved her capabilities.  At one pool she's always worked alone but the borough pools are a bit more strict.  I believe she's now saved three people!!  Abigail is swimming...Annie is swimming.  As a matter of fact this coming summer Abigail will start training for the high school swim team!  So weird to think of her going into high school!!

Jezzie is about finished with her allergy de-sensitization.  I believe I have to give her two more injections and then hopefully she'll be done and healed!!  We shall see!  But, I think she's doing better!  She doesn't seem to be gnawing on her feet as much!

We've had some really cold days up here in Fairbanks!  -45 for days!  Yep!  That's a negative 45...below zero!  We've skipped school a couple days and seminary has been cancelled several days as they cancel when it gets to -30.  We've had a couple warmer days but it's supposed to get down to the -40's again this week.  This is life in Fairbanks!  It's not that bad.  We stock up on the essentials so I don't have to run to the store for anything and we just hibernate.  I actually enjoy the days off from running!

That's the excitement for now!  We've got to start getting ready for Ian's return and prepare a room for him.  With the renovations we've been doing in the girls bedrooms all their stuff is everywhere!  The piano room is full, the upstairs rec/guest area is full and the guest bathroom is full!  It's time for the de-crapification process to begin!!!

Spring is coming!!  Maybe just two more cold spells and then it will come!!