Finally...I Made the Sign!

Quite awhile ago, I joined Four Pillar Fitness.  It is a gym where you have a personal trainer that helps you with your workout.  He will give you the rotations of cardio and strength training and you go day after day and become a better you.  I have been going faithfully for over 18 months.  I get weighed and measured almost monthly and I see results, mostly in inches of measurement and BMI or body fat percentages, just not weight going down.  Sure.  I've lost several pounds, just there's this dumb number in my head that I have wanted to get below and since July I have been within eight, yes 8 away from.  And, I just could not get there.  I have lost several inches, and sizes and so many have commented on how I look and I must have lost so much, and NOPE, I haven't.  I have been so frustrated.  Even Ryan says I frustrate him.  I have given up soda, although diet is what I drank this is huge.  And still nothing, until finally on December 6, I stepped on the scale and the number that I have wanted to see was there.  I wanted to scream, shout, jump up and down or do something.  To be honest I was scared to get off and get back on thinking it was not going to be real.  But, it was.  Ryan was as thrilled as I was and then he measured and the inches saw progress, too.  I had always said my goal was to have my name on the sign outside and when it was never going to happen I asked if he could just put my name out there that said, "Tammy Clayton comes here"  So, I never thought he would really do it, and to be honest it was all a joke.  I really didn't want to be there, I don't like that sort of attention.  But, then the texts and messages started coming and it had happened.  They did put it up there.  And, to be honest, I am grateful.  It has been a lot of hard work.  I go every morning at 5:15/30.  It's dark, cold and very early most days, but I am determined to finish.  And that I will.  I am so grateful for Ryan who is my trainer.  He has become a good friend.  He is good at what he does, but he has an interest and he cares.  I will finish and be in the best shape of my life and which to be honest is weird because this year I will be 49.  Now is when it is most important.  Thanks to all for the support and encouragement.  It means so much to me.  See you at the finish line...

Soaring with the Eagles, Third Time Around

Caleb has earned his Eagle.  There is a program called Angel Flight that takes sick children to their doctor appointment's around the United States with no charge to the families involved.  At Christmas time, these same pilots donate their planes, fuel and time to take items collected to Title One schools that have been donated.  This year our ward was able to have the opportunity to participate.  Caleb only had a project left for him to earn his Eagle and so he was on board.  He was able to have his project approved quite quickly and then get flyers printed to have his troop pass out through our ward, and a couple of surrounding neighborhoods to collect donations of school supplies.  He also put his uniform on and asked a few business to place wrapped boxes that looked like presents that would remain in their places for about two weeks and allow people to donate.  He rallied his troop as well as a few from the neighboring troop to help him pass out flyers.  After about 10 days of allowing people to gather items.  Caleb organized a gathering of scouts his own troop and neighboring one to meet on a Saturday morning, he had three drivers and eight scouts meet to get the items from the porches of all who donated.  Each home that had a donation was also left with a "thank you" note attached to their front door.  Caleb also had wrapped packages at the Stake Center for two weeks that allowed people to drop things of there, as well as our front door.  Any that donated and we knew who they were were delivered the same "thank you" note on their door.  He also had a "thank you" written in the ward bulletin of each of the newsletters.  I was so proud of him. He worked hard.  They collected a truck load of items, and then he organized another night of fun where we went and delivered the items to the airport that would be loaded to take to the children of East Elementary in Cedar City.  The other boys in our area waited a little too long and kind of didn't put as much effort as Caleb did and although I am sure they will get theirs, they were surprised at all the things Caleb collected.  But, Caleb worked hard.  He did it the right way, and we were/are so proud oh him. He will be able to stand tall at the court of Honor as he receives his reward to fly to the Eagles Nest.

He will now need to write up his paperwork and the have his board of review and then he will be done. 

 Organizing all the items collected from the neighborhoods

Such great friends to come and help out.

A Bump in the Road, Wayne's Diagnosis

It's been a little while since I have updated this little blog.  Not sure why I let it get away from me.  Perhaps, it's that I have a little much going on at the present time.  A few weeks back Wayne was experiencing a weird thing where he was having a slight lisp in his speaking.  At first we thought it might be an allergic reaction to something he was eating and he went to see my brother who gave him some medication.  As this did not seem to get any better and then actually developed into an additional symptoms of harder times of swallowing and choking at various times.  An appointment was set up at an ENT, which diagnosed it as acid reflux, something that he had not even has as little as heartburn ever in his life and a barium swallow test ordered at the hospital.  This was done and came back normal.  Still frustration as this was not giving us the answers we were seeking.  All this time, which was a little over 3/4 weeks his voice or speech would have difficult but not on a consistent basis.  Then on one particular Thursday it didn't go away.  He started sounding as if he had an hair lip, or cleft palate.  It was awful.  He called himself "Special Wayne"  We would laugh and make light jokes, but to be honest it was rather scary.  What in the world was happening.  Had he had a stroke, a tumor, we were confused.  He called his primary care physician who had him come in the following day, Friday, who told him he did not know what in the world was wrong with him and ordered an MRI that evening at ST. Mark Hospital of his brain and throat area and follow up with another ENT.  The MRI came back completely normal, which was good/great news, but still disturbing and the next ENT was still just as stumped.  In fact, he said he had seen lots of things, but in his many years this was right at the top of strange and unusual.  Terrific.  Before he went to have the MRI done, Bridger gave him a Priesthood blessing, which was awesome that he could do this for his dad.  In this blessing he told his dad, that this would just be a "bump in the road" that he would have angels round about him and that those who had gone before him would be by his side.  Interesting for sure.  And on we went.  With no news to say otherwise, Wayne, Bridger, Caleb and Dave (Wayne's dad) all decided why not go hunting.  It wasn't life threatening and perhaps this was something that was going to have to just work it self out.  When they returned on Saturday, Wayne's lip had swollen up quite large, and he still sounded so bad.  It was then that I called Ted, (my brother, Physician) again.  I think then he was concerned as well.  I put Wayne on the phone and he talked with him.  It was then that Ted could tell something was not right.  He could tell by his speech that is was not something that was just a virus and perhaps he needed to do something more.  Ted was on his way to San Diego, but would have his nurse call some residents at the UofU Neurology Dept. in the morning and get him in asap.  And that she did.  That was on Monday, and on Wednesday we had an appointment to see a Dr. Marshall at the Neurological Voice Disorder Clinic.  Never even knew they had one of those.  After seeing a speech pathologist and having many different tests done and seeing three other doctors and interns, they diagnosed him with Myasthenia Gravis.  But, blood work would have to be done before it was confirmed.  Off to the UofU Hospital to have that done, and on Friday, it was confirmed.  An auto immune disease that is actually very treatable.  Not something you would want, but the best of the worst if you will.  He will have to be on steroids for  several months until they get the medicine figured out.  But, it's amazing.  When taken, within 30 minutes he sounds completely normal. No more "Special Wayne" It has some side affects that he is working through, but he will get past that, hopefully.  He has his own Neurologist, which he jokes about.  He never thought he'd have one of those.  But he is a great guy, Dr. Nicholas Johnson.  We have been truly blessed and have seen the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father in all of this as it was a miracle that he was seen so quickly.  Most appointments take 6-8 weeks to be able to get in.  As his job is mostly verbal communication this was devastating to him to not be able to speak to these people he has been talking to for several years.  I am certain it is due to having a faithful son on a mission dutifully serving and doing his part.  As well as us trying our best to serve and do our best here at home.  But, we are grateful that things are at this point.  The medicine seems to be working well and so far the side affects are manageable.  Through this all we have found that we have wonderful family and friends that have come to text, stop by with treats, and checked up on him to make certain all is well. For that we are forever grateful.

A New Calling & Catching Up, Lots of Catchin UP

Hardly seems possibly that I have let so much time go by and have not posted an update So, this may be a bit long, but I will try and and catch all who are interested or follow or lives up on what's been going on.

Many know that I was serving as the Stake Primary President.  A calling that was one I learned to love and grow into if you will.  In late August I was released after three and one half years.  It was longer than most and I believe it was time for someone else to have the blessings of serving in such a wonderful organization.  I enjoyed one week of no calling and then was called into the Young Women's.  I have lived in this ward for just nine years and for 7.5 years of it I served in the Primary in leadership positions.  I am so excited to be in Young Women's.  It was always my dream to be put into this program when the girls that were in Primary would be in there and this is exactly what has happened.  I love these girls already.  They were little girls when I served as Primary President and now I can be with them as they are becoming lovely young women.  It is a dream come true and I am having a blast.  One of the fun activities that is a yearly tradition is Where's Waldo at the Gateway Mall.  It is where members of our ward are dressed up and you have to find them hiding in the mall and then take a picture of them.  It is fun activity, I have never gone.  My boys always tell me about it but I have never gone.  Here are some fun pictures of the night.

 These are the Haacke's.  They are a blast and we love having them in the ward. 

 Caleb and his posse, and a classic photobomb, awesome!!!

Stetson's first trainer that he met in Monterrey was Elder Erwin from Provo.  It would be his last transfer before completing his mission.  When he reported his mission we headed down to meet him.  We were so excited that Stetson sent packages home for everyone with handwritten letters to all of us.  Those are things you can not wait to get.  We loved meeting him and hearing stories of their adventures and knowing that he had just been with our brother and son.  He told us that Stetson was doing very well and his Spanish was great.  He was adjusting and the people love him.  We were not surprised at all.  Thank you so much Elder Erwin for taking such great care of our missionary and training him on how to be a great missionary just like you were.

Elder Erwin with all of us and the handwritten letter he sent me, I couldn't have been happier to know that it had been written by his hands not too long ago.  He sent notes and key chains with coins from Monterrey for everyone.  Even Abby got surprises.

Me and a few of the ladies from the ward were able to attend the Women's Broadcast at the Conference Center downtown.  It was a beautiful night and as we had given our tickets to the sister missionaries we had to go to the standby line we were able to go in and sit to the very front.  They were awesome seats.  So actually, we didn't too bad.  Afterwards we went to dinner at Olive Garden for dinner, but on the way back to our car I stopped and took a picture of the temple.  It was such a pretty night and the temple against the blue sky was an awesome site.  I loved being in the conference center and hearing about keeping our covenants.  Especially after I had needed to quit my fun BUNCO night that I have been doing for several years with my girlfriends due to my new calling in Young Women's.  I have always tried to be obedient and knew that I could not show up on that one Wednesday.  Made me grateful that I had made that decision.  I love being a member of our faith.  It was a wonderful evening.

My dad is once again running for the sewer board for Davis County.  With him not on Facebook or Instagram I told him I would take his picture and one of one of his signs and post on my timeline and let my friends know just who he was. So, you might say I'm his self appointed Campaign Manager. He is such a great guy.  He has been on the board for 15 years and done a fabulous job but this year there is another man contesting and so he will once again be on the ballot.  He used to be the first name on the list and now this time will be last.  Here's hoping no one will do the thing they say is common of picking the first two names.  So, vote for Burningham, vote for experience.  He is a great guy and if you know him, then you'll vote for him, guaranteed!

Well, that's the last of it.  We are all caught up.  Head to Elder Clayton's blog and see how's doing.  He is a great missionary and doing remarkably well.  We are so proud of him.

www.elderclaytoninmexico.blogspot.com

First Day of School & New Chairs with a Splash of Color

Well, it's back to school for only Caleb.  And thank heavens he still doesn't mind the annual first day of school picture.  This year I had him take one with me.  You will see that it is not easy to get one without some kind of funny face.  Love him.  He is so much fun, and a great kid.  It is hard being the youngest sometimes, he is home alone a lot with me at work.  But, he handles it well.  He tries to make me feel bad, but seriously, when I'm home he does the exact same thing if I wasn't here.  Hopefully, he will be getting a little job here soon, which would give him a little more to do with some of his "down" time.  There is never a dull moment with him around, that's for sure.

 Never serious...

 9th Grade, a Freshman...Holy Cow, where does the time go?

  Maybe this time...nope,

Finally...one to keep.  What a great kid!

These are the chairs I picked up at the Labor Day Sale at Pier 1.  I have seriously watched them since going there about three months ago.  But, the price was a little too steep.  Now, they were reasonable and we had a staff appreciation day last week where we given a bonus that the stipulation was we had to only spend it on ourselves.  So, that I did.  I love my house.  And I think these chairs say, Come on over, sit down, visit and stay awhile."  I hope so.  I'm keeping them...I've cut the tags off.

 I just love them!!!

Go Team Gavin - JDRK

Yesterday we walked for a cause.  My nephew Brandon's boy Gavin was diagnosed last year with Type 1 diabetes.  And what a year it has been for them.  Who would have thought that a healthy, active little guy would have been given such a challenge.  This little family has done so well however.  It is not without it's ups and downs.  But, I have never seen them complain and I think from my perspective have seen them handle it so well.  Brandon sent out an email asking for any who wanted to join in a walk for the cause to join, "Team Gavin" on Saturday, August 24 at Liberty Park.  Donations were made and as many as 6000 walkers.  It will now be something we will hope to join each year and become a tradition.  We gladly are members of Gav's team.  He's such a cute boy.  And he marched at the head of our team the entire way.  Love you pal.  Hopefully, they will find a cure!  He raised at last calculations $600.  Next year we will hope to double that.  Go Team Gavin!

 

 We will make this a yearly tradition.  Proud to be a part of Team Gavin!

 This is Gavin, we are walking for him:  Go Team GAVIN!

My cute grand niece Ali Jo...love this little gal!

Quest Reunion, Neighborhood Campout, 30 Year WX Class Reunion & Just Life in General

I guess it's time to catch up on what's been happening in our lives in the past few weeks.  Crazy busy, that's what.  Not complaining mind you.  If I was to choose, this is what I would pick.  I like things to be this way.  I find I'm happy when I'm doing things, serving others, doing things and having a good time makes time go by and life worthwhile.  So that is just what we have been doing.  We had our first Quest reunion with our tribe as Julia will be headed back to Virginia soon and we really wanted to let them know how much we loved being a part of their lives and just how much they touched ours, too.  We had nine of the twelve that were able to be there.  Each were given a picture of our tribe and we had SpankyS six foot sandwich, always a favorite, watermelon, chips, and cookies.  Our good friends the Berven's let us have it at their home where they have an awesome pool.  It took awhile for the kids to want to get them in the pool, which once they got in they, didn't want to get out.  The boys, that is.  The girls, just sat on the side.  Typical really.  But, we had such a good time.  We will have a holiday get together when Julia returns, but a fireside will be held in September where we will once again gather and see the results of a wonderful time at Camp Zarahemla. What a wonderful experience.  Here's the pictures from that fun night.

 Aren't they the best!!!

 Chloe & I taking a selfie...

 Babes on the side...

 Cameron & Luis, little blurry, but such good looking young men

Cute Chloe on the diving board!  Love her!!!

Didn't think I could lift her! Seriously?  

theBoM.com...they seriously are exactly that!

On to the NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPOUT...

Each year for the past eight Wayne & I have put together a campout and invited any who want to attend to come with us.  For about $100 or less all meals are provided, as well as, treats, desserts, good company, tubing down the river and all and all the best 2.5 days any one could ask for.  It seriously is so much fun.  We live in the best neighborhood.  Many ask why we do it.  And all I can say is Why not?  I love doing it.  I love to serve, I love the happiness on these peoples faces and I can and am able to do it.  It's really not that much work.  We travel with the STP's which many ask what the heck is that.  Well the STP's are the same ten people.  They are the doers.  The people that help.  They are the ones who do things.  They help take down chairs after the ward functions, or school functions, or clean up, or show up or, you get my point.  So that being said, we collect the $$$ and all our friends show up and help.  We eat good, we laugh, we have a good time and when it's all over we clean up and go home.  Friendships are stronger, and we plan to come back the next year and do it all over again.  And, here you go more pictures to prove just how much fun it is.  This year was fun and sad.  Bridger was back with us, but Stetson was not here.  But, it's not ending anytime soon.  As long as Wayne and I can do, it will continue.  So, mark your calendars, July 31-August 2, 2014; Perception Park.  You won't want to miss it...

 This is the real reason we go...to relax, and enjoy each others company!

Quest 2013 Stand Firm in Christ

This past week Wayne and I had the wonderful opportunity to go with the youth of our stake and be Tribal Leaders for our Youth Conference.  This year it was called Quest, Stand Firm in Christ.  The Book of Mormon was brought to life through reenactments which the youth of our stake did and it was amazing.  They have been practicing it for months and the costumes, props and recordings were spectacular. This was a life changing event, not just for the youth, but for everyone.  Including myself.  We have had monthly meetings to prepare us for this and we were asked at the first of the year to read the Book of Mormon to get ready.  The last couple of weeks I have been listening to the audio version of the reenactments that would be happening so I would be spiritually ready as well.  As I started to listen and get the wristbands, journals, and headbands prepared I started to get a little anxious that maybe we weren't what these kids needed and I prayed earnestly that we would be ready for what was to take place. I had asked how many to prepare for and with the uncommitted kids they kept getting ones who were going then not and such they kept telling us to prepare for 8-10.  So, I made 12 of everything.  Which would be enough for 8-10 kids and give Wayne and I each one, too.

When we arrived at Camp Zarahemla we were given our list of 10 kids and then they had a couple of kids that could we possibly add to our list...and yes we would be happy to.  Coincidence that I had prepared 12, I would say no, meant to be.  We lovingly called our tribe, "the Breakfast Club" as we had such a unique group.  And as we soon learned, there is not a one of them we could not have been without.  Our tribe name was theBoM.com.  For the Book of Mormon.  We loved our tribe from the minute we met them.

We watched as Lehi led his family from their home into the wilderness and how Nephi's brothers mocked and taunted him and how he loved the Lord and never doubted.  How the Nephites laid down their weapons and promised to not fight and how the Lamanites were off to battle them, I at that time was a Lamanite and how touched I was to have to fight them, and I couldn't.  As tears filled my eyes,  it was so sad.  It mad it seem so much more real and brought so much more meaning of how much their commitment and religion and love of God meant to them and the Stripling Warriors as they had a choir sing to the army as they did not doubt as their mother's knew.  So touching.  And off they marched as Helaman told them to go off to battle we went and off to the battle field and they all survived.  But, the most touching was the faith walk as we blindfolded each tribe member and took them all around the camp stopping to read scriptures of the destruction before the coming of the Savior and then putting at the base of a hill and having them remove the blindfold.  The song, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" being sung as the Savior appears.  Then the words been read of his coming and His Father from above being heard of this is my beloved Son.  Then He came into the crowd to touch and let the kids feel Him.  It was the most amazing and so real thing,  Our group was on the back row, which was unfortunate, but it made us all realize that is not were we want to be when he comes again.  We want to be closer to Him.  And that even though he had to go.  He never leaves us.  He lives and is with us. Always if we choose.  It was such a special event.  Our tribe all gave us such wonderful hugs after it was over and then went off to their individual wards to have testimony meetings.  Oh, if only we could have been there to witness what they felt.  But, I know that we did not need to be there to see what was felt.  We all felt it.  This is an experience I will cherish forever and am so grateful to be apart of.  Thank you, Luis, Courtney, Cameron, Chloe, Austin, Kayla, Mykena, Nicole, Adam, Josh, Julia, Kyra, you are now a part of our family.  We love you as our own!

I hope that we might have been a little beneficial in changing or bettering your life in someway, but I sure hope that they know that they for sure changed mine!

theBoM.com

Guiding the ship with Lehi and his family

Likenings 

Burning of Abinidi who would not deny his testimony of Christ

Waters of Mormon

Stripling Warriors

Army of Helaman

Playing in the River

 Mykena

 Courtney

 Josh

 Adam

Luis, Austin, Adam

Kayla

Nicole

Julia

Cameron

Last gathering - our tribe front row and a couple behind us

This is how we all felt when we got home, but it was such a wonderful feeling.  I am hopeful he is dreaming of Nephi, Helaman, Ammon, Moroni and of our Savior.  It was an amazing and awesome experience.