Possibly the Best Quote I've Ever Heard

Personal Radiation
"There is one responsibility which no man can evade: that responsibility is his personal influence. Man’s unconscious influence is the silent, subtle radiation of personality–the effect of his words and his actions on others. This radiation is tremendous. Every moment of life man is changing, to a degree, the life of the whole world.

Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other man. He cannot escape for one moment from this radiation of his character, this constant weakening or strengthening of others. Man cannot evade the responsibility by merely saying that it is an unconscious influence.

Man can select the qualities he would permit to be radiated. He can cultivate sweetness, calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility, and make them vitally active in his character. And by these qualities he will constantly affect the world.

This radiation, to which I refer, comes from what a person really is, not from what he pretends to be. Every man by his mere living is radiating either sympathy, sorrow, morbidness, cynicism, or happiness and hope or any one of a hundred other qualities.

Life is a state of radiation and absorption. To exist is to radiate: to exist is to be the recipient of radiation."

–David O. McKay, BYU, 27 April, 1948


(I think the majority of us highly underestimate ourselves-for good or bad....Just something to think about....Tanya)

Dried Up Markers Anyone???

I just wanted to share something cool I discovered the other day. I recently bought a package of brand new Crayola markers and every one of them was dried up...completely. I was going to throw them away or return them to the store when I had the thought to check the internet for a solution. I found a few websites that offered the same advice. They said to take a few drops of white vinegar and drop them into the cap of the marker and replace the cap on the marker. I waited a few minutes for the vinegar to absorb into the marker and...whalah!!! PERFECTLY restored color in all of the markers!!!

One more thing...this only works on 'magic markers' or Crayola type markers. Permanent markers are made from an alcohol base instead of a vinegar base like the Crayola markers.

Just thought I would share. Besides, who doesn't have a dried up marker at home?

A Cursed 2009? What do you think?

We will save you the wait for the annual family newsletter we usually share in December. Here is our 2009 so far:

January: Everyone in the family gets sick. (This was the easy trial)

February: All appliances break down at the same time = very expensive repairs!!! Water leak in kitchen destroys new flooring.

March: Ben gets car totaled by a woman running a red light. We end up buying a lemon to replace it and it sucks up all our money.

April: Ben almost loses his job and we lose our baby after 3 months of pregnancy. (Not to mention a few other personal issues we can't list here.)

May: (you probably won't believe this one...) Tanya discovers a man dressed in black hiding in our garage at 11pm. Tanya screams at him to "Get OUT!" and then Ben chases the man down the street (with barefeet) into the darkness and returns 15 minutes later empty handed. Police show up 2 hours later to investigate and search the neighborhood hoping to still find the mystery man dressed in black. (a little late guys!...but thanks anyway!)

So... is this a cursed 2009 or a rather especially exciting one??? Should I be scared for June?

Just Thought You Should Know...

Our Sweet Baby

Today was the day
we were going to meet you.
The ultrasound appointment was set.
For 12 weeks I was the only one to cradle you
now no one else can.
Our families and friends didn't even know you were there.
We had planned to wait and surprise them.
Instead of announcing the day of your coming
they will hear of our loss instead.
I cried all night at the thought
of losing a little one so dear.
I loved you already and didn't want you to go.
Now miscarriage is another word for fear.
Such pain and such anguish!
I didn't want to believe it!
We will never forget you or stop loving you.
Somedays there is deep peace and comfort.
Other days nothing but pain and sorrow.
Your 12 week existence will never be in vain,
you have united our family in ways we can't explain.
Losing you in springtime will always remind me
of a promise told long ago.
Just like the trees and flowers
who shine with all their glory after a long winter's nap,
someday we will see those arms wiggle
and your eyes will bear witness of an eternal plan
made possible by our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.
Goodbye our sweet baby, enjoy your heavenly home
for we shall meet again.

--With Love, Your Mother & Father
4/23/09

Ashlynn is a Pop Star

I haven't taken any photos lately and I haven't posted anything for a long time. I forgot I had taken these pics back in February and they made me laugh when I saw them again. Here is Princess Ashberry eating some fruit and whip cream. I love her crazy hair. If we even TRY to come near her with a comb, she says, "NO, I already have 'bew-ful' primpiss hair".

If I straighten MY hair, she stares at me for a while and then says...."Me hate yur hair. You no have bew-ful primpiss hair."

Evidence that Ashlynn was here. Daddy is being taken care of extremely well. He has every blanket tucked around him that she could find. Ashlynn even managed to tuck a few of her babydolls in with Daddy.
Have you been to the doctor's office lately? Well, we went there several times in January and February and noticed that the basket of suckers had Ashlynn's name on the wrappers!!!! The spelling is even the same as our Ashlynn. I looked it up online and I guess the Dum Dum's Co. has a contest for kids and if you are the winner, you get your name put on your favorite flavor for 6 months to 1 year. A little girl back East won and her name happened to be Ashlynn. Our little Ashlynn was loving having her name on the suckers!

When it rains it pours...

I haven't felt like blogging lately. I have so many things on my mind right now. Ben was in a car accident on Wednesday and totalled his car. He is okay. Just a few burns from the airbags and body soreness of course. A lady ran a red light and they collided. I am thankful he is okay. His accident could have been so much worse.

Things just seem to be getting more difficult for us lately and sometimes it feels confusing and disheartening. I know the sun needs to come out soon...it always does.

Dental Hygienist???

I am strongly considering going back to school to become a Dental Hygienist in the very near future. Does anyone know someone who has had a good experience with this profession? Please share info and/or insights with me. I would love to hear it.