30 Years . . . and Counting

A long time ago, in a land far, far away a handsome prince married a lovely princess.





In a beautiful castle.





30 years later they awoke and realized that all of their dreams had come true!





To add enchantment to the day the heavens opened and covered the earth in sparkling white. For the first time in those 30 years of marriage church was cancelled due to weather conditions.





So, instead of spending her 30th anniversary at home alone, the princess was able to enjoy a warm and cozy day snuggled up in this beautiful home with her handsome prince.





Most certainly NOT . . . THE END.

Christmas Day 2009

Christmas is an interesting holiday. It evokes so many emotions and memories and has to stand up to so many expectations. The holiday changes over the course of our lives and comes to mean different things depending on our age and the roles we occupy in our various life stages.

Of course, as a child it is all about the presents.





Nothing compares to the excitement of Christmas morning for a child. At least that's how it was for me. My parents created such magic for us. I think my older siblings had something to do with it as well.

Waiting back in the bedroom area of our house until everyone was awake and in some semblance of dress. Usually it was my dad who came out last, dragging himself up at 6 a.m. We children had already been awake for at least an hour. (Most years Dad had delivered a few babies during the night. Every year he had been up late writing poetry to hide in our stockings to make Christmas morning fun for us.) We didn't have much patience for his desire to sleep just a little longer when a multitude of presents awaited us out in the family room.





We also had to wait until we had family prayer. That was a ritual in our house on Christmas morning. We would kneel together on the hard, cold linoleum floor. Though as a child I could hardly wait for the prayer to end, in looking back I remember great feelings of love, peace and tranquility at that moment of prayer. Those feelings I treasure above all others.





Santa always delivered! Christmas was BIG at my house. Lots of presents for each one of us. Skis. Winter wear. Sleds. Bikes. TVs. Radios. You name it. We got it. My sister even got a horse for Christmas one year!

To top it all off, Santa would stick a little poem in our stocking . . . usually a rhyming stanza or two, hinting us to find one last little present that Santa had tucked away in a special spot. This was the favorite! We would all help each other search the house for the hidden gift.

And for the rest of the day we played with our presents and thought about ourselves and whether or not we had received all that we had hoped for.

Then you find out that Santa doesn't come at all and everything changes. For us, my Dad didn't enjoy Christmas as much any more. He was fond of saying "Bah Humbug" during this season of the year as he felt the magic change to greed. As he felt the pressure to provide more and more expensive gifts to a less and less grateful audience. My desire to GET remained just as significant through these years!

And then . . . I remember the year it changed. One of my siblings suggested we pool our money and get something really amazing for our Mother. We bought my mother a brand new, cutting edge microwave oven. It could bake a potato in 4 minutes! No one that we knew had one of these new fangled devices. It cost us around $400, so it took a little sacrifice to purchase it for Mom. But, it made her . . . and us . . . so happy that Christmas morning.




Yes, that was it. The year that I discovered the joy of giving rather than receiving.

Even so, the first few years after leaving home were a period of discomfort. Suddenly you discover that christmas has changed and you are no longer the object of anyone's Christmas generosity. There is no Santa to provide surprises for you.

During these years its a little hard to figure out what Christmas will be for you as an adult.

Then children are born and the tradition of Christmas comes into focus fast. These are some of the greatest years . . . the years of being Santa Claus and fulfilling the dreams and wishes of a whole new generation. The magic returns and the celebration continues.

And then they grow up . . . and move away . . . and you're back to wondering what Christmas is really all about. To those of us who live Christmas all year long by trying to live Christlike lives Christmas is a strange phenomenon. It can seem all fabricated and commercial. It can seem contrived. So, what is it or what should it be?

For me, Christmas Day is a let down. It's the END of a wonderful season. I LOVE December. I LOVE the build-up to the holiday. I LOVE the excuse to spend 24-7 thinking of, planning for, buying for, cooking for, wrapping for, mailing for and scheming for everyone else. Its a season of thinking about others. What do they like? What do they want? What do they lack? What kind of food? What kind of decorations? Will they like the Christmas card? Will they like the gift? What are they doing right now? Are they happy? Are they busy? What will add to their joy this Christmas? I've come to realize that that is the reason that I love the holiday. It is in all the busyness and the fussing that I show my love for others. Do they know that? I don't know. But I know that my love is what I am trying to communicate in all the fussing I do during the Christmas season.

Here's a link to a short video that expresses my feelings quite nicely. Take a minute to watch it if you would like. I think it will bring a feeling of Christmas to your heart.

What-Shall-We-Give?

So, all year through we can have that spirit of Christ as we seek opportunities to give . . . and also to receive gifts with grace.

Bluer Than Blue

Do you ever have days where the sky is bluer than usual? When all the birds seem to be singing? When every song on the radio is your favorite? When all the deals at work go your way? Or when your spouse seems more beautiful than ever before?


You know the kind of day I mean.

What makes that happen for you?


Today is that kind of day at our house.


Why? You might wonder. What possibly could have happened at the Weed house to bring that level of happiness, joy and contentment?

If you know us well you won't have to think too long. . .



These were this morning's headlines in the Deseret News Sports Section


BYU football: BYU 44, Oregon State 20

BYU basketball: Cougars break the century mark in victory


What a day to be a Cougar!?!

This has been a particularly pleasant football season for the Weed clan. Beginning with the nail-biting, come-from-behind win over Oklahoma in the ginormous Cowboys stadium. . .




To last night's convincing win in the Las Vegas Bowl.















Satisfying for sure.

Only to be added upon by our basketball team's victory over Nevada the same day!














Yes, Dec. 22, 2009 will go down in Weed family history as one to be remembered. Ahh, the sweet savor of victory. Christmas has come early!

The Codester Turns Three

Three year olds are pretty special. They've passed the terrible twos and are on to thriving in their threes. They aren't demanding. They are rather independent. They're WAY beyond tantrums and the most mature among them are already potty trained!



Every once in a while you meet one that is particularly compelling.


That would be my grandson, Cody!





There isn't anything about Cody you wouldn't like.

He loves BYU! And his favorite color is BLUE!

He's happy and fun. Always on the run!

He'll go anywhere and do just about anything with a smile on his face.

He has the most luscious lips and hardly takes up any space.




He makes every day especially fun. Guess you can tell that with me he's #1.

Today is his 3rd birthday. I'm a little envious of his other grandma because he gets to celebrate his birthday at her house. She's a party girl, so Cody's in for a great time! Get out the party hats! Cody's turning 3!

Who You Don't Know

Do you ever stop to think about the people that you know and the blessing it is to know them?

It is interesting to consider the choices that we make in life to live here or there. To work here or there. To go to this school or that one. To move across the country or the world. These seemingly small choices put us in a place and time to meet certain people. If our choices were different then there are people that are dear to us that we would never have met.

By the same token, there are people all over the world who we would love if we only had a chance and reason to meet them. I like to think about that. When we were anticipating our move to Kansas last year that thought spurred me on and kept me going . . . kept me positive.

So, here I have a photo of just a few of those people whom I have met since moving here to Kansas. These four represent many warm and wonderful people we have met here.

Janell, Judy, Susan and Pam have all become great friends of mine. They are exceptional women who individually and collectively do so much good its unbelievable. They are talented, creative, hard working, strong, sensitive and caring women. I'm so glad to have them as friends.

So, if you're in the moving mode (Ryan and Bethany, Chase and Amberlyn, Leah and Landon) or in the deciding mode (Trevor and Liz), take heart . . . wonderful friends, opportunities and experiences await you on the other end!

Dr. Ryan

Have you ever been to a chiropractor?

Do you understand the chiropractic philosophy?

I just attended graduation at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas. I was educated in the philosophy of Chiropractic in a way that I had never been before. Dr. Mancini, the President of the college, reminded us that if we take care of our body, it will take care of us. Our body has a natural ability to heal itself, as evidenced by the way cuts and bruises heal on their own. That same impetus for healing exists in every system of these amazing, miraculous, God-given bodies that we inhabit. Chiropractic exists to encourage that natural healing by aiming to KEEP the body healthy, rather than treat it after is has become sick.

Traditional medicine in the US should be called a "Sick care" system rather than a "Health Care" system, because we don't participate in it until we are sick and symptomatic. We need to start thinking differently, by doing the things we ought to do to KEEP our bodies healthy rather than waiting until they are sick to treat them.

This is a philosophy that I can support. This is a philisophy that rings true to me.

All that being said . . . I'd like to introduce you to my #1 favorite administrator of the philosophy . . . Dr. Ryan Weed.



OK, so that was him a few years ago.

But the real Ryan Weed, the today Ryan Weed, is now a Doctor of Chiropractic!
Yep! He did it! He graduated! Check out the cool robe!



Can I take a minute here to recap Ryan's experience from my perspective? Of course I can. This is my blog!



3 1/2 years ago he moved his family, consisting of Bethany and 2 1/2 year old Nathan to Lewisville, TX to begin the Chiropractic journey.



The school schedule is demanding and relentless. They take about 28 credit hours a trimester. Those credits are not made up of basket-weaving, either. They are fully engaged in anatomy, biology, organic chemistry, physiology, etc. They take tests at a rate of about 5 a week. The pace is overwhelming. Many students fall by the wayside. Chiropractic school is not for lightweights!

At first, Ryan was in shock and the pace of the program was a common topic of our conversations. Before six months had passed the grueling demands became second nature, no longer even a consideration.

However, while other guys and gals in the program were off in Las Vegas attending conferences, or home studying in the quiet of their studio apartment, Ryan was home babysitting children or serving in his church calling.

Throughout this process he and Bethany added two adorable children to the family, Cody and Leah. They have moved twice. They have been in at least 3 different ward arrangements with numerous changes in church assignment. Nathan has started school. Bethany has started her own business. It is remarkable how these two have thrived! No time outs! No "we'll serve later". No hesitation to jump right in and live life!



While a student at Parker, Ryan re-established an LDS Institute program on campus. He invited other students of all faiths to attend with him. He also attended their Bible study clubs and engaged in positive religious discussions with many students. He gave a Book of Mormon to several of his classmates and invited them on multiple occasions to read and study. He has been an unwavering missionary throughout his time in Texas.

I am so proud of Ryan and Bethany on so many levels it is impossible to express. They have grown and stretched and thrived under very challenging circumstances and in ways I cannot imagine. What a blessing it is to be equally yoked and completely focused on a common goal. They are proof that two people (now 5 people) are better than one!



Can I now state without hesitation how delighted I am that they have chosen to go to Boise to begin their professional lives together? I wasn't going to meddle. I wasn't going to tell them what to do. But, now that they've decided I will admit that Boise was my hope. I know they will be happy there. Their chances of early success are much greater there than anywhere else. And the nicest people on the planet earth live in that town. So, yippee! I couldn't be happier!

I love you, Ryan and Bethany, and I couldn't be prouder!

I Hope the Cake is Pink

Never does a December 10th roll around without producing a panic. Do I have a present? Am I prepared?

A present for what? A present for whom?

My sister, Susan, of course. This is her birthday. She would have been 55 today. She was always insistent, as most December birthday people are, that we honor her birthday appropriately, rather than let her birthday slide by unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

Truthfully, it wouldn't have been much of a loss to not recieve a gift from me. I have always been a lousy gift giver . . . and that was never more apparent than in Susan's case. One year for her birthday, knowing that she loved horses, I purchased a prepackaged set of 2 plastic horses and 2 plastic cows. Before wrapping the gift I opened the package and took out the horses for myself, leaving the cows for her!

May I tell you a little bit about my sister? She was the second oldest child in my family of seven children.

She loved animals, mostly dogs and horses.

She loved music and was quite accomplished on the piano and organ.

She loved camping and fishing and hiking.

She loved pink.

She loved church and the scriptures.

She loved everything to be clean and orderly, always keeping her room immaculate.

She loved good movies.

She loved swimming.

She LOVED Christmas.

She drove a little yellow volkswagon bug.

She loved saving money and spending it very carefully.

She loved learning.

She was brilliant! She read books constantly, at the rate of a book a day. She graduated from Boise High School a year early with only one B on her report card for the four years. That was in sophomore PE because she had a sprained back that semester. She went directly on to Brigham Young University, where she double majored in Biology and Chemistry and graduated in 3 years with a 4.0 GPA. After graduation from BYU at age 20 she applied for medical school . . . she wanted to be a doctor like our dad. She was not accepted at the U of U, the only school she applied to, since, from their point of view she was too young. So, the next year she applied to 10 schools and was accepted by all 10. She appeared to sail through medical school without cracking a book . . . probably only a perception. She graduated near the top of her class, specialized in Internal Medicine and set up shop in Jerome, Idaho.

She's an amazing woman.

She was a great sister.

I miss her.

I hope that she got to celebrate her birthday today and that no one forgot to get her a present. I hope they're eating birthday cake with pink frosting! That would make her happy!

I love you Susan. See you soon!

Welcome Wednesdays

I find myself looking forward to Wednesdays. My friends, Pam and Susan and I get together to study the Book of Mormon. We decided early this year that we needed a refresher course to help us understand the Book of Mormon better. The thing that is so exciting and fun about these get togethers is that each of us is learning at the level we are prepared to learn. Some of us have read the Book of Mormon several times, some of us just a few. We all felt like we had forgotten most of what we had learned in the past and we knew that we would all enjoy learning it all over again. So we read together, word for word, and then we discuss the difficult passages or clarify the historical context or straighten out the things we may not understand. We've met characters who were brushed over in our last reading and made sense of people and places that we didn't know before. Some weeks we do more talking than reading. Some weeks we mostly read and talk just a little bit. Each of us has experienced great growth. Each of us has gained a renewed love for the Book of Mormon. I love Wednesdays.

To a Boy Named Parker

Today is a significant day in the life of the Weed family. A great friend of ours, Parker Mangum, is getting married in the Salt Lake City Temple. Leah and Landon are there. Chase and Amberlyn are there. They are representing our family at this momentous occasion.

Parker . . . Sparky, as we prefer to call him, has been a friend and a fixture in our home and with our family for the past 20 years. He is the Ying for Chase's Yang.



Parker and Chase have played together an awful lot. Let's review!

Parker and Chase meet in the first grade at White Pine Elementary School.

Parker and Chase "play the field" together. Chase develops a crush on Julia Robison. Parker "goes out" with Julia Robison. Chase develops a crush on Carly Henneman. Parker goes out with Carly Henneman. (Parker always got the girls!)

Parker and Chase play Optimist football together. Parker plays running back. Chase plays line.

Parker and Chase play in the school band together. Parker plays the trumpet. Chase plays the trombone.

Chase and Parker play basketball together.



Once playing days are over they still stick together!

Parker and Chase go to early morning seminary together.

Parker and Chase recieve awards together. They are both named Student of the Year at LBJunior High School.

Chase and Parker do scouting together. They share their Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

Parker is Student Body President at Timberline HS. Chase is Student Body Vice-President.

They sing in the choir together.

They graduate HS together and go on missions together. Parker to Italy. Chase to Japan.

They both end up at BYU.

And now they are both married (No, not to each other) and will live happily ever after!



Congratulations Parker! We're happy for you!

Hot Cocoa Hype

So, what is it with this romantic notion of sitting near the warm fire and sipping hot cocoa? Have you ever noticed how often that idea is referenced during the holidays?





Think back for a minute . . . when's the last time you had a fire burning in the fireplace and settled in with a cup of cocoa? If you've done that in the last week raise your hand! If you are raising your hand right now, then I know what the problem is. You are very susceptible to the power of suggestion. So, when you heard Delilah mention hot cocoa by the warm fire last night, you ran right home and stoked the fire, didn't you!

For the rest of us . . . what's wrong? If happiness, contentment, peace, goodwill to all men, etc, comes in a steamy mug of Stephen's Hot Chocolate then what are we waiting for?

To The Birthday Girls!

I want to dedicate today's post to two of the most significant women in my life.

The first is a woman who has changed my life dramatically.

She made me a MOTHER-IN-LAW!

Doesn't that word just strike fear and loathing into your soul?! The way mother-in-laws are depicted I wasn't sure that I ever wanted to be one. In fact, just days before I became one I was sitting in a hair salon listening to the girl in the next chair rant about her horrible M-I-L. Fortunately, this darling girl came along and helped me transition seamlessly into a role that I completely enjoy, thanks to her love and acceptance.

Within a couple of years she made me the happiest grandma ever! She is one of the most talented, pleasant, conversational, gaminest, jewelriest, cleverest people that I know. I love you Beth. So glad we're family. Have a happy birthday!



The other woman, who has influenced my life most profoundly, is my own darling Leah! These two incredible women share the same birthday! Isn't that just perfect?!



No words can describe the blessing that this beautiful girl has been to me. My BFF. My darling daughter. My pride and joy. Up until the day you were born I thought that I would be completely content with a family of boys. You changed all of that. How grateful I am that Heavenly Father saw fit to bless me to be your mommy. I love you. Have a wonderful birthday!

The Plight of the Grandparents

This is what I woke up to this morning . . .




No baby Leah where a baby Leah ought to be.



No Cody to wield this terrible, swift sword. (Yeah, it might look like a Lincoln Log to the untrained eye . . . )



No Nathan to play another game with his grandma.



And nothing but the remains of Benny's last encounter with the brick fireplace.

That's it! That's all I have left in my quiet little house


except the wonderful memories of Thanksgiving 2009.



I love you all. Thanks for making the trip!

Inauguration

My sweet daughter-in-law, Bethany patiently sat next to me as I established this blog. For those of you who have ever attempted such a thing you will apprectiate the patience required to walk someone of my generation through such an arduous technological journey. She puts the keyboard in front of me and tells me to "just log on". I give her a blank stare. Bethany: "That means you put in your email address and your password". Heidi: "What's a password"? At that point she was regretting her offer to help. However, being the well established and entertaining blogger that she is, she pressed forward . . . and wha-la! Here you have it. The Heidi(and Steve)Weed blog!

I cannot make any promises regarding the future content of this blog. Many things have run through my mind . . . most of them are hilarious! None of them . . . not one. . . will be funny once it goes from my brain onto this computer screen. Sometimes my musings are brilliant. That too will be lost in translation. Then there are the well researched and well written opinions, the political commentary, the literary criticisms and satire that roll consistently about in my mind. Don't expect much of those either. So, the question remains, what will you get? We'll all have to find out together!