Friday, March 16, 2012
"Hanging in Hawaii" Springbreak 2012
This is just a teaser of our incredible week in Hawaii. We have had so much fun and done so many things. I will have a lot to blog later but for now here are a few teasers:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
A Splendid Spencer & Me Day!
I just couldn't go to bed tonight until I jotted a quick post about my day today. Both Spencer and I had doctor appointments in Scottsdale today. I picked him up from school and we headed to Scottsdale. We ate Subway on the way. Spencer's doctor visit was first with the ENT. Spencer was given the news that he needs a Septal Deviation Septoplasty, Sub Mucous Resection Turbinates and he needs to have his Maxillary Sinuses Opened. It sounds much more complicated then it really is. Spencer has had sinus issues for years so we are hoping this is the fix-all for them. This procedure will be done sometime in April. I had it done in December and it was a piece of cake, well sorta.
From the ENT we had time to waste so we decided to go shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Spencer thought he died and went to heaven as we were driving through the parking lot. His eyes kept popping out at all the awesome cars he saw. Spencer loves nice cars and knows all the ins and outs of them. He continued to name each and every sweet car and tell me why it was so great. We went to his favorite store which is Pac Sun and got him a few t-shirts and then found a few other things at another store. It was a good shopping day for Spencer. He got some very needed clothes. He keeps growing out of the ones he has.
Still needing to waste time we decided we needed a treat. What better than an ice cream cone from the famous Sugar Bowl in downtown Scottsdale. What a fun little ice cream shop. Reminds me of the 1950's little ice cream shops I saw on Happy Days. We both enjoyed a scoop of ice cream and then headed to my doctor's appointment around the corner.
My appointment was quick and then we were on our way back home. It was a really fun afternoon with Spencer. He will be graduating this May so it made me think that my times with him are going to soon be coming to an end when he leaves for college this fall. Then after his year at college he will be off on his mission. I sure hope I can get a few more of these kind of days with him before he leaves. I love spending time with my kids. Sometimes it is nice to just spent time with them one on one. Today was that day with Spencer and me. To top off a great day I saw a post that Spencer put on Facebook and thought to myself, "I think Spencer enjoyed the afternoon too!"
Such a handsome young man if I say so myself! But then I am his Mother. For that I am so grateful!! And yes, I too approve this message!
From the ENT we had time to waste so we decided to go shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Spencer thought he died and went to heaven as we were driving through the parking lot. His eyes kept popping out at all the awesome cars he saw. Spencer loves nice cars and knows all the ins and outs of them. He continued to name each and every sweet car and tell me why it was so great. We went to his favorite store which is Pac Sun and got him a few t-shirts and then found a few other things at another store. It was a good shopping day for Spencer. He got some very needed clothes. He keeps growing out of the ones he has.
Still needing to waste time we decided we needed a treat. What better than an ice cream cone from the famous Sugar Bowl in downtown Scottsdale. What a fun little ice cream shop. Reminds me of the 1950's little ice cream shops I saw on Happy Days. We both enjoyed a scoop of ice cream and then headed to my doctor's appointment around the corner.
My appointment was quick and then we were on our way back home. It was a really fun afternoon with Spencer. He will be graduating this May so it made me think that my times with him are going to soon be coming to an end when he leaves for college this fall. Then after his year at college he will be off on his mission. I sure hope I can get a few more of these kind of days with him before he leaves. I love spending time with my kids. Sometimes it is nice to just spent time with them one on one. Today was that day with Spencer and me. To top off a great day I saw a post that Spencer put on Facebook and thought to myself, "I think Spencer enjoyed the afternoon too!"
Amidst all the political turmoil, I firmly believe that a vote for moms is still the best way to secure a better future! I'm Spencer Tippetts and I approve this message! — with Tonya Thieme Tippetts.
Here are few senior pictures of Spencer!
The Stress of Family Vacations
Our family has had the opportunity to go on some really great vacations throughout our lives. I am always amazed how stressful things get just before we are to go on a family vacation. Aren't vacations meant for relaxing, having fun and making memories? Why then is it so stressful getting ready for it?
A few days before we are to leave we get all the suitcases down from the closets and start the packing process. Thank goodness my kids are old enough now that they can pack for themselves. I do always have to go over all the necessities that they need to pack. Do you have your swim suit? Did you pack your church clothes? Did you remember your sandals? Don't forget your headphones. Remember your toothbrush. Pack enough underwear. The list goes on and on.
It is a lot of work to get a family ready to leave on vacation. Don't get me wrong I am so grateful we get to go on vacation. But seriously does it have to be so stressful? You have to make sure the dogs are cared for. You have to have the mail and the newspaper stopped. You inform the neighbors to watch your house. You have to get people to cover for you at church. You have to confirm flights. Arrange transportation. Send in a vacation watch request to the police. Unplug all the appliances. Throw out perishables in the fridge. Empty the garbage. Turn some lights on. Turn the heat down. Make sure the dogs have enough dog food and water. Turn some music on in the house. I am sure I have left a few things out but I think you get the just of what I am saying.
Vacations are the best and I would not trade the time I am going to get to spend with my family for anything. I just wish it could be a little easier the few days before we leave. So here is to family vacations:
"A family vacation is one where you arrive with five bags, three
kids and seven I-thought-you-packed-its."
By the way did I happen to mention where we are going? We are heading to Hawaii for eight days. We are going to the island of Oahu. We are staying at a beach house on Hukilau Beach in Laie.
So get me through this week of stress so I can actually relax and enjoy the fun we as a family are going to have. And if we forget something then oh well we must have not needed it anyway! Aloha!
"Yes we are going to a Hukilau, a Huki Huki Huki Huki Hukilau!"
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Spencer's Senior Morp 2012
It's hard to believe that Spencer is really graduating this year. We are talking in less than three months. I guess it had not set in till I started thinking of all these last things he will be doing while in high school. This activity falls into that category. Morp 2012. Spencer had the opportunity to go with Maddie Riggs. They were in a very large group with lots of friends. It was a great group of kids that all had so much fun together. For their day date they went to Octane Speedway and drove real race cars around a super fun track. Spencer was in heaven because he loves cars. Then they went and had Crepe's. The actual day of the date they went to Lolo's Chicken & Waffles for dinner. Then they were off to the dance. The theme of the dance was Super Hero's. Spencer & Maddie went as Captain America. They had a great time.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Modern Wonders of Medicine
I am feeling grateful today and thought I would share just
why I feel so grateful. I have been meaning to write about this but kept
putting it off. So today I am going to write about it. The modern
wonders of medicine will never cease to amaze me. About 6 weeks ago I
had a nasal procedure done by my doctor who is an ENT/Plastic Surgeon. I
had had some moderate nasal issues and was having it corrected.
Well prior to this I had a little skin tag that was growing
under my eye. Over the last few months it seemed as if it was growing and
becoming more of a nuisance. I had had them before on my neck and they were
easily removed with no issue. So just before I went in for my nasal
procedure I asked my doctor since he was also a plastic surgeon if he could
shave it off. He said no problem. When I returned for my follow-up
on my sinus procedure he immediately told me I had another problem and that was
I had basal cell carcinoma. That little skin tag he took off was skin
cancer. My heart sunk and I immediately became worried. I know it
is the most treatable cancer but any cancer is too much cancer to me.
So my next procedure was having this skin cancer removed. I had to wait three weeks. It seemed like an eternity. Because it was so close to my eye I had to have a dermatologist surgeon
do the Mohs Procedure and then my plastic surgeon stitch it up. Mohs
surgery is the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer. So
on February 7th I had the procedure done in the morning and then went and had
it stitched up in the afternoon. Both doctors did an amazing job.
Dr. Linder did the Mohs Procedure and had to do it 3 times. Then
when I went to Dr. Hobgood to have it stitched up he put in 22 stitches as tiny
of a stitch as possible. It was awesome. I shared some of the
gruesome pictures but am so grateful for what it is shaping up to look like.
I am grateful for the wonders of medicine. That we can take care
of something that can have such a terrible ending if not properly treated.
I am grateful that something prompted me that day to ask the doctor to
take that little skin tag off. I will be forever grateful that I
listened!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Mitt Romney Rally!
You can say that we are a very political minded family. Most all of us enjoy keeping up to date on anything in the political world. With the big GOP election coming up and all the debates the candidates are having we have been glued to our TV. We are constantly talking about each of the candidates, our likes and are many dislikes.
There is one candidate though that we are partial to and that is Mitt Romney. Well this past Monday evening our dream of seeing him in person became a reality. Mitt Romney was having a real live rally right here in Mesa, Arizona at the Mesa Amphitheater. We were so excited we could hardly stand it. Ike, Spencer, Cameron & I headed down to the rally nice and early to make sure we made it into the venue he was going to be at. The kids also brought two friends. The doors opened and we hurried inside and went directly to the front. We got positioned in the very front row right next to the stage.
A band played for about an hour before Mitt Romney came to the stage. He gave a wonderful speech and got everyone so excited. There was at least 5000 people in attendance. We were so close to the stage that we got the best pictures ever. The best part of the whole night though was after he finished his speech he made his way down to the front row where we were and we all got to shake his hand. Yes, I shook hands with possibly the next President of the United States. It was so cool. Here are a few pictures from the rally.
http://www.mittromney.com/
There is one candidate though that we are partial to and that is Mitt Romney. Well this past Monday evening our dream of seeing him in person became a reality. Mitt Romney was having a real live rally right here in Mesa, Arizona at the Mesa Amphitheater. We were so excited we could hardly stand it. Ike, Spencer, Cameron & I headed down to the rally nice and early to make sure we made it into the venue he was going to be at. The kids also brought two friends. The doors opened and we hurried inside and went directly to the front. We got positioned in the very front row right next to the stage.
A band played for about an hour before Mitt Romney came to the stage. He gave a wonderful speech and got everyone so excited. There was at least 5000 people in attendance. We were so close to the stage that we got the best pictures ever. The best part of the whole night though was after he finished his speech he made his way down to the front row where we were and we all got to shake his hand. Yes, I shook hands with possibly the next President of the United States. It was so cool. Here are a few pictures from the rally.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Happy "100" Years Arizona w/ the MoTab
Tonight we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the concert of "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra" at the US Airways. The choir is made up of over a 300 member choir and about 60 member orchestra. It was absolutely fabulous. We sat in in Section 212, Row 14. Right in the center of the stage. Oh did I mention in was the very last row in the place. We are talking as nosebleed seats as you can get. It actually was not that bad.
We thoroughly enjoyed it. Me, Ike, Taylor, Cameron, Tom (AKA Dad), Tamye & Zack all went. It was a concert to celebrate 100 years of statehood for Arizona. Governor Brewer invited the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to come to Arizona for this special concert. It had been 46 years since the last time that had come to Arizona. They performed a wonderful selection of songs. Mostly secular music with a few hymns and a few patriotic ones. a highlight was when Alex Boye sang a solo which was absolutely superb.
The best part of the concert for me was at the very end when they invited a special guest from the audience to come up and conduct the final song. Up came Ex-Superior Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor. She did such a great job. It was so cute seeing her up there conducting. They did an encore of 5 songs. What an awesome evening it was. So glad we went.
We thoroughly enjoyed it. Me, Ike, Taylor, Cameron, Tom (AKA Dad), Tamye & Zack all went. It was a concert to celebrate 100 years of statehood for Arizona. Governor Brewer invited the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to come to Arizona for this special concert. It had been 46 years since the last time that had come to Arizona. They performed a wonderful selection of songs. Mostly secular music with a few hymns and a few patriotic ones. a highlight was when Alex Boye sang a solo which was absolutely superb.
The best part of the concert for me was at the very end when they invited a special guest from the audience to come up and conduct the final song. Up came Ex-Superior Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor. She did such a great job. It was so cute seeing her up there conducting. They did an encore of 5 songs. What an awesome evening it was. So glad we went.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Just A New Car!
Last week was an interesting week that started out kinda fun. Ike had been studying cars for weeks if not months trying to decide exactly the car he was to get next. He wanted a smaller car to drive back and forth from the office. It is 25 miles one way. His big diesel truck was just using too much gas and putting too many miles on it.
Ike finally came to the conclusion that he was going to get a black 2 door coupe convertible Mercedes. He had found the most awesome deal on this particular one. It had everything he wanted plus more. He was so excited. He got to pick it up on Tuesday afternoon. He was having a great time and enjoying his new car.
Fast forward 3 days to Friday. Ike and I had just attended a funeral of some dear friends of ours who had lost their precious grandson days before. The funeral was in Queen Creek. I had rode to the funeral with my friend Marilyn and met Ike there at the church. After the funeral we left and were going to go meet Marilyn and Mike at YC's which happens to be one of our favorite restaurants. We decided to go a different way home and took Power road. We had just stopped at the stop light that had turned red at the intersection of Rittenhouse, Power and Pecos Rd. Ike stopped a little hard because the light turned quickly. As I watched in my side view mirror a white AC van come barreling out of no where slamming into the back of our car. It hit us so hard it sent us about 25 feet out in to this huge intersection.
We found out later the AC van was going about 50 miles an hour when he hit us. The airbags behind our head deployed and the seat belts sucked us in like a sardine. As we sat there contemplating what just happen and if we both were really still on earth I quickly began trying to get this seatbelt unlatched because it was so tight I couldn't even breath. I unlatched it and opened my door to get out so I could stand up to breath again. My chest and head were in immense pain. Airbag deployed caused the head pain and the seatbelt caused the chest pain. Not too mention the incredible jolt tweaking my whole body.
Several people came running to help us get out of the road and to safety. Ike lingered in the car a few more minutes trying to decide if he should move out of the intersection or not. He chose to do so and brought the car to rest on the side of the road where he was safe. Paramedics and police were called and quickly responded to our accident. I was checked out by the paramedics. They tried to get me to go in the ambulance to the hospital to get checked out but we decided that we would head over to the hospital to get checked out afterwards. Ike had so much adrenaline that I don't think he felt the pain he had until a while later. Marilyn and Mike came and sat with us and then drove us to our home after.
We got home and then headed over to Banner Gateway Hospital to both get looked at and evaluated. My sternum was really hurting. It was determined that I had a severely bruised sternum and that we both suffered terrible whiplashes. Both vehicles were towed away. Oh by the way did I mention it was my first real ride in the new car? We both were very sad to see the car go but at the same time so very grateful we were in that car. The safety features are what saved our life.
The damage to the car seems minimal but trust me it was like that van hit a tank. It will be interesting to see what damage was caused under the car due to the incredible impact of the other vehicle. Mercedes's are one of the strongest and safest cars made. I feel very grateful that Ike and I walked away with such minor injuries compared to what we could have had. I did have to return to see an orthopedic doctor today and found out I have two fractured ribs. Nothing I can do but at least I know where the pain is coming from now. Ike's back continues to be sore as does mine but again we are both so grateful we survived a very scary ordeal.
Another funny twist to this crazy accident is just a few days before this accident Ike had been asked to speak in church. Guess what his topic was? Adversity! He had a great real life experience to tell. Ike did a fantastic job on his talk! Here are just a few pictures of the accident.
Ike finally came to the conclusion that he was going to get a black 2 door coupe convertible Mercedes. He had found the most awesome deal on this particular one. It had everything he wanted plus more. He was so excited. He got to pick it up on Tuesday afternoon. He was having a great time and enjoying his new car.
Fast forward 3 days to Friday. Ike and I had just attended a funeral of some dear friends of ours who had lost their precious grandson days before. The funeral was in Queen Creek. I had rode to the funeral with my friend Marilyn and met Ike there at the church. After the funeral we left and were going to go meet Marilyn and Mike at YC's which happens to be one of our favorite restaurants. We decided to go a different way home and took Power road. We had just stopped at the stop light that had turned red at the intersection of Rittenhouse, Power and Pecos Rd. Ike stopped a little hard because the light turned quickly. As I watched in my side view mirror a white AC van come barreling out of no where slamming into the back of our car. It hit us so hard it sent us about 25 feet out in to this huge intersection.
We found out later the AC van was going about 50 miles an hour when he hit us. The airbags behind our head deployed and the seat belts sucked us in like a sardine. As we sat there contemplating what just happen and if we both were really still on earth I quickly began trying to get this seatbelt unlatched because it was so tight I couldn't even breath. I unlatched it and opened my door to get out so I could stand up to breath again. My chest and head were in immense pain. Airbag deployed caused the head pain and the seatbelt caused the chest pain. Not too mention the incredible jolt tweaking my whole body.
Several people came running to help us get out of the road and to safety. Ike lingered in the car a few more minutes trying to decide if he should move out of the intersection or not. He chose to do so and brought the car to rest on the side of the road where he was safe. Paramedics and police were called and quickly responded to our accident. I was checked out by the paramedics. They tried to get me to go in the ambulance to the hospital to get checked out but we decided that we would head over to the hospital to get checked out afterwards. Ike had so much adrenaline that I don't think he felt the pain he had until a while later. Marilyn and Mike came and sat with us and then drove us to our home after.
We got home and then headed over to Banner Gateway Hospital to both get looked at and evaluated. My sternum was really hurting. It was determined that I had a severely bruised sternum and that we both suffered terrible whiplashes. Both vehicles were towed away. Oh by the way did I mention it was my first real ride in the new car? We both were very sad to see the car go but at the same time so very grateful we were in that car. The safety features are what saved our life.
The damage to the car seems minimal but trust me it was like that van hit a tank. It will be interesting to see what damage was caused under the car due to the incredible impact of the other vehicle. Mercedes's are one of the strongest and safest cars made. I feel very grateful that Ike and I walked away with such minor injuries compared to what we could have had. I did have to return to see an orthopedic doctor today and found out I have two fractured ribs. Nothing I can do but at least I know where the pain is coming from now. Ike's back continues to be sore as does mine but again we are both so grateful we survived a very scary ordeal.
Another funny twist to this crazy accident is just a few days before this accident Ike had been asked to speak in church. Guess what his topic was? Adversity! He had a great real life experience to tell. Ike did a fantastic job on his talk! Here are just a few pictures of the accident.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Last Eagle Has Landed!
We had a very special event occur this last week. Cameron received his Eagle Scout Award. With Cameron only being 13 years old that was quite the feat. Last summer right after Cameron turned 13 he was bound and determined to get his project done. After looking over many possible projects Cameron selected a really great one. He chose to help a homeless shelter in Phoenix called the Phoenix Rescue Mission.
Because of the intense heat during the summer water seems to be by far their greatest need. So Cameron made a goal of collecting 10,000 bottles of water for this shelter. He began by securing several cooperate donations and ended up with about $800. He was able to purchase 7 pallets of water from Costco with that money. He then passed out over 500 flyers to our neighborhood as well as the surrounding ones.
On the designated Saturday him and about 30 scouts, friends and family collected the remaining cases of water from the neighborhoods. By the end Cameron had 6 vehicles with trailers carrying over 22,000 bottles of water. He more than doubled his goal of 10,000. Here are a few pictures from that day.
Because of the intense heat during the summer water seems to be by far their greatest need. So Cameron made a goal of collecting 10,000 bottles of water for this shelter. He began by securing several cooperate donations and ended up with about $800. He was able to purchase 7 pallets of water from Costco with that money. He then passed out over 500 flyers to our neighborhood as well as the surrounding ones.
On the designated Saturday him and about 30 scouts, friends and family collected the remaining cases of water from the neighborhoods. By the end Cameron had 6 vehicles with trailers carrying over 22,000 bottles of water. He more than doubled his goal of 10,000. Here are a few pictures from that day.
This last Wednesday Cameron received his award and became an official Eagle Scout! We are so proud of you Cameron. Way to go!
So I now am the proud mother of 3 sons that are all Eagle Scouts. Not to mention the great example of their dad which is also an Eagle Scout.
Cameron 2012
My other two Eagle Scout sons: Spencer & Dallin
Spencer got his in 2010
Dallin got his in 2002
Monday, January 16, 2012
Long Over Due Family Gathering
Well I decided we needed a family get together while he was here so I planned a dinner at my house. They all were able to make it but Laurie and her family. We had not all been together in over 5 or 6 years so it was a very long over due gathering. I can not tell you how wonderful it was to have us all under the same roof. I have missed them all so much.
It is times like this that really make you appreciate your family be it big or small. We had a wonderful dinner and then shared some pictures, stories and even some musical talents. It was a fun evening for all of us. I sure hope it does not take another 6 years to get us all together again. So to my small but every so precious family I love you! Thank you for being part of life.
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