Loving each other

This weekend the trips stayed at Dad's on Saturday night. When it came time to pull out the hide-a-bed, I went to move the small table out of the way. Colin said, "I'll do it!", and hunkered down and began to push, slowly sliding it out of the way.
Ben looked over and saw Colin hard at work and said, "Wow! You're Superman!"
It's wonderful when your kids love each other and pull for each other.

She said YES!

It's official... I'm getting married!
My sweetheart Marissa and I are engaged!
I'm completely giddy and excited about it and I've never been happier.
We'll probably set the date for late spring next year.
Thanks to family and friends for all of your love and support!

Back seat driving

The trips and I were driving around the other day. Colin said something I didn't quite understand, so I reached my right arm back to the back seat and put my hand on his and asked him to repeat himself. He was about halfway through his sentence when he stopped cold and said rather forcefully, "Dad! Use both hands to drive the car!"
He might look like me, but he gets THAT from his mother. ;)
Kids rock.

Back from the dead... almost...

How time flies! The trips are nearly FIVE years old! (And Trips' Dad just turned 32... as if the way the kids are growing up didn't make me feel old enough!) They're healthy, happy and sweet. They take good care of each other... most of the time... and they are without a doubt the three most beautiful jewels in the crown of my life. And, I'm still very happily dating a lovely young lady named Marissa. What a revelation she has been. She's a real sweetheart. She loves the kiddos, cooks like a champion, has a great singing voice and is a fantastic actress. Not to mention, she never fails to make me laugh - at life AND at myself. I'm a very lucky guy. I'm currently rehearsing for TWO shows at the Hale Centre Theatre in Salt Lake City. "A Christmas Carol" opens on December 2, and "See How They Run" opens on December 30, I think. I'm playing Jacob Marley in "Carol" and Clive in SHTR. Both casts are VERY talented and I can't wait to get going. Things at ABC 4 are busier than ever... we're in the heart of sweeps right now, the quarterly ratings period, and everyone's running around with their hair on fire... which is a convenient reason not to blog so much, sooooo... back to work!

Abby-isms of the Day

While watching the Sesame Street movie "Follow That Bird":
Dad: Ooohhh, there's Oscar the Grouch.
Abby: Oscar the Grouch? Why?
Dad: That's his name.
Abby: Why?
Dad: He's always grouchy, he doesn't like anything, just yucky stuff.
Abby: He doesn't?
Dad: Nope. He hates everything.
Abby: Oh.

(Later.)

Ben tickles my armpit.
Dad: Don't, Ben! I HATE that ticklin'!
Abby: Dad! You're a grouch, too!

(And later.)

Big Bird is stolen by the bad guys.
Abby: I'm not very happy about this.

Jungle Jim's!

Grandma Debbie took us all to Jungle Jim's to play. Good times!
Lots of pics from the fun-filled evening on my Flickr site.

Rock Star: Supernova

I was completely, totally and otherwise freakishly addicted to this show.
And now that I step back and attempt to analyze it with an objective eye (which, as we all know, is the real purpose of a blog... self-psychoanalysis), I see that I'm not as in love with it as I thought I was.
Sure, the performances were entertaining, and everyone from the final six or so had real talent, but this "band" Supernova is a super joke.
Former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and fired Guns 'N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke are, in large part, just plain lame. After each performance, while Gilby and Jason attempted some cerebral advice (why we're giving them any credit, I don't really know), Tommy would say how much he wished that the girls were wearing less clothing. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for that: it's just that his blathering makes for really bad TV. And you just know they'll pick that loser Lukas instead of the fun & charismatic Toby or the intensely engaging Magni. Dilana - love ya, but ya got no shot.
Point being, Supernova sucks. I'd rather hear their "House Band" over Supernova. Sure, those washed-up has-beens can play and all, but they're boring and just formulaic at best. Toby or Magni could infuse some real heart or soul, respectively, into an otherwise crap-sounding piece of rubbish... but I just KNOW they'll pick Lukas.
I hate summer TV.
Boston Legal, save us! (Season premiere next week!)

Sugar...

I've heard some people say they have a sweet tooth.
They don't know the meaning of the phrase.
If I had MY way, Pepsi would flow like Moses' water from the rock in the desert. Washington growers would harvest candied apples. Peeps would come not only on Easter, but on EVERY Sunday morning. Movie theaters in my world would have little shelves in front of each seat with the entire concession collection on tap (and a little freezer for the Haagen-Daz and Junior Mints). Bars and clubs would add taps for soft-serve, hot fudge and caramel. The food groups would break down thus: chocolate (subcategories: with or without nuts, with or without peanut butter), nougat, marshmallow, caramel, ice cream, licorice, soda, little candies with fruit flavors, straight sugar (Bottle Caps, Pixie Sticks, etc.), and liquid gold (Pepsi).
I know, Pepsi is a soda.
But to me, it's a way of life.

P.S. - about 80 new photos up on my Flickr site. Enjoy!

"A hit! A very palpable hit!"

First of all, a happy 29th birthday to my little brother Dave. Many more, dude!
So, Marissa and her family took me to the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City this weekend. What a great time. Good company, good food and GREAT theater. Brian Vaughn's Hamlet is one of the best I've ever seen. The curtain call in Room Service WAS the best I've ever seen. I found myself telling myself, "Ah, so THAT'S what it's supposed to look like." Fred Adams and Co. deserve every accolade they receive.
I want to be Brian Vaughn.

Tiger vs. Phil... um... er... J/K!

So, TNT bought the rights to early-round coverage of this year's PGA Championship, golf's fourth major tournament. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are paired together for the first two days of the four-day event. The ideal pairing. A marketer's and advertiser's dream. The top two in the world. Huge fan bases. Endorsement megastars. An intense and often icy rivalry. The biggest draw in golf, arguably in sports. TNT will cover the entire afternoon.
Only, Tiger vs. Phil tees off at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.
Now, I know I only work at ABC 4 TV in Salt Lake City, and we're only the 35th largest TV market in the nation, so perhaps I'm speaking out of turn here, but WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING, TNT?! Which TNT executive's grandmother needed to see her reruns of ER instead of the best major tournament pairing of all time (and one that may never be repeated, ever)? Golf on TV has enough marketing and survival issues without this travesty of exclusion.
So come on, Ted Turner. Pony up the extra several million that the PGA is undoubtedly asking for to buy the first few hours of the round. Earn my loyalty as a viewer. Make millions of TiVo owners happy. Do the right thing.
And Phil, to ensure a competitive round... please leave that damn driver in the bag.

Weekend fun

Spent this past Sunday playing with the kiddos and introducing my girlfriend Marissa to the family. We've been dating for a few months and it was high time to meet the kinfolk. I was so glad we all got to hang out and spend some quality time. My brother Dave, sister Jaime & her husband Nick were also there, along with their little doggie Gage, so they all got to know Marissa a bit better, too. One of the things I love about her is that she gets along so well with anyone and everyone she meets. She's so sweet. Anyway, I think we all had a lot of fun together. We had a great dinner and played in the backyard with the trips, trying to teach them baseball. What a hoot. Wish I'd had my camera.
I sometimes wonder if, in my rush to put every little thing they do on film (or memory card), I miss being a dad. I turn into this photo-megalo-manic shooter guy who's watching light, colors and angles instead of noticing that Colin already has a strong throwing arm, or that Ben just swished that basket, or that Abby just smacked that ball into the upper deck. I'm trying to learn to savor those things "in the moment," as well as on camera. Dueling Dads in my head.
Or it could just be that imaginary friend that I never acknowledge.

'Til we meet again

For Sally Hale Rice

Thank you Sally, for sharing your love of theatre with me. The "bug" couldn't help but bite with you around! Thank you for your wry and gentle humor, that contagious laugh, your timeless class, your serene dignity, and especially for your living testament to God's love for all of his children (even actors). Your life is an example for the ages; I'm sure your sweet mother and father have already told you how proud they are of the way you've continued the wonderful legacy of your extraordinary family. I'll miss you 'til we all meet again.

Sally Hale Rice

Sally Hale Rice
10/1/42 ~ 7/25/06
"An interesting journey, this knowing you will die soon. I was born October 1, 1942 in Murray, Utah to James Nathan Hale and Ruth Hudson Hale and raised in the golden era days of the Glendale West Ward, Glendale, CA. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of acting with my mother and father on their Glendale Centre Theatre stage. After graduating high school, I went to BYU where I received a degree in education and was then privileged to teach school. My former husband, Robert Lee Swenson, and I had four children. I leave behind with such poignancy my fine children: Cody Swenson (Anne), Will Swenson (Amy), Leea Sorensen (Shawn) and Bobby Swenson. I also leave my eight dear grandchildren: Christian, Brenner, Fiona, Rose, Bridger, Sawyer, Sage and Taj. And I so reluctantly part for a time with my beautiful husband of six years, Clint Rice. Much of my life has been filled with the joy of theater - from actress, to janitor, to prop master, to director, to producer. In 1985 I helped found the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City, UT with my incredible parents and my so very capable partners, Mark and Sally Dietlein. One of my greatest delights has been to hear the laughter of our thousands of wonderful patrons. I thank them. I will greatly miss my accomplished siblings: Sandra Dietlein (Allan), Phillip Nathan Hale (Barbara), Sherry Brian (Pat), Tanya Radebaugh (Lee), and James Cody Hale (Linda) and my stepchildren: DeeAnn Hilkhuijsen (Dennis), Terri K. Hughes (Ian) and Tyler Rice. Goodbye to my 'salt of the earth' Taylorsville friends whom I lived among for 20 years and fond goodbyes to my theatre fold. The funeral will be held Saturday, 11:30 a.m. at my new ward, full of caring people, the Mount Olympus 4th Ward, 4176 South Adonis Dr. (3930 East). A viewing will be held Friday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Saturday at the church, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Interment will follow in the Taylorsville Cemetery. If my theatre folks sing, it should be worth coming. In lieu of flowers go see a play at any Hale Centre Theatre. Laugh and cry and understand how valuable theatre is. I love you all . . . till we meet again." Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 7/26/2006 - 7/27/2006.

Destiny Norton

Police found her body last night.

This is just horrible.

Thoughts and prayers to their family.

Perspective...

I spent the weekend teaching the kids to swim, wondering what I'd gotten myself into, taking three four-and-a-half-year-olds to the pool at once. I think I grew eyes INSIDE the eyes in the back of my head. At the end of the day, they could paddle and kick a little, learned that their special suits would let them float around, that water noodles are magic, and that you shouldn't run along the deck of the pool if you value your unskinned knees and unbruised hips. Got home exhausted. Spent a laid-back Sunday with them and the folks & family. Woke up this morning lamenting how out-of-shape I am, wondering again, was it worth it to chase the kids around the pool, with me in constant fear for their lives...
Then I got to work today and saw an amber alert about a missing five-year-old girl.
I had a spectacular weekend.
Destiny, you're in my prayers.

Viva Italia!

Props to my Mediterranean brothers in Italy on their World Cup win. Zidane of France (once played professionally for Real Madrid in my adopted home country) marred his otherwise fantastic pro career by head-butting an opponent near the end of the match. Idiotic. They missed him in penalty-kick time, too, the guy's a master with the PKs.
Man, in spite of me not caring so much about soccer, it sure comes up a lot.

The London Bombings: One Year Later

9/11 in America. 3/11 in Spain. 7/7 in Britain.

And today, another terror plot was apparently foiled in NY.

Signs of the times...

Thoughts and prayers to my British brothers and their families -- our allies against complete and total evil.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Does this make 33 or 34 years? Awesome!
Love you guys! Have a great day!

Quote of the Day

"If you please to plant yourself on the side of Fate, and say, Fate is all; then we say, a part of Fate is the freedom of man. Forever wells up the impulse of choosing and acting in the soul. Intellect annuls Fate. So far as a man thinks, he is free."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Viva Espana!

Key World Cup match today. I hope Spain crushes France like the scaredy-frogs they are. That said... I still enjoy the NFL, NBA, tennis & golf more than the World Cup. :)

UPDATE:
Spain lost to France, 3-1... and I'm officially done with soccer for four more years... or at least until the trips start playing. Actually, I'll start training them up now... the photo ops are priceless.

World Cup soccer... whatever.

Does anyone in this country care? I'm casually rooting for my adopted home country of Spain, but now that the U.S. is out, maybe we won't have to hear so much about the "beautiful game" that is the last, best hope for the international recognition that so many third-world countries crave. Looks like the Euros, Argentina and Brazil will rule this thing YET AGAIN.

Yeah, I played soccer as a kid. Big deal. It was fun. It's a suburban sport in the U.S., and kids enjoy it, but it's far from mainstream, and that lack of professional interest (and MONEY) keeps America in the back of the pack in the World Cup, and it probably always will.

America's best athletes play football, basketball & baseball. Some few folks play hockey, run track, ski, or play extreme sports. The simple fact is, America is a "big kid" now. We grew up. We play sports with our hands now. Come on, Rest Of The World, join us. Really, it's OK, and it's WAY more fun.

When the best athlete on the U.S. soccer team is 5'8", 145 lbs, you know it's gonna be a LOOOOONG tournament (or at least, it will SEEM that way, since we're always assured an early exit). Soccer players are obviously not the best we have to offer on the international sports scene.

So get over it, American Soccer Fan. It's over. Breathe.

Besides... college football is just weeks away!
(GO UTES!)

My fading memory

Last night, as I calmly informed my fellow castmates of "Once Upon A Mattress" that there was no show tonight, they mocked me as a tease. I was shocked. I couldn't believe that the same people I'd spent the last several weeks with, spilling our blood, sweat & various other bodily fluids together, were these same people acting so incredulous. I passionately defended my claim, even in the face of all of the doubters... and as I made my way around the backstage seeking support, everyone seemed to be "in on the joke." Nobody, I mean NOBODY believed me. So finally, feeling unjustly defeated, I checked with the director. Why, yes, said he, of course we had a show tomorrow. Of course? OF COURSE?! What about what you said, about us having Wednesday off? Uh, I never said that.

So much for my "steel-trap" memory.

The show must go on!

Jaime & Nick Snow

Yesterday my little sister Jaime married her true love, Nick Snow, at the beautiful Hidden Falls at Thanksgiving Point, just south of SLC. Congrats guys! (You can babysit the trips anytime!)

"The Lady Abigail"

Abby came to see the play on Saturday, with dozens of other princesses, knights and parents. This show isn't really a kids' show, but they seemed to enjoy the costumes, sets and dancing... and meeting Sir Harry, the King, the Jester (or, the Joker), the Prince and the Princess. Thanks and props to Grandma Debbie for sitting with her and filling her full of sugar... AND keeping her under control during the show! Another theater fan in the making!

Abby with her new ring that she got from "The Joker."

After the show

Dad & Her Royal Highness

"Are we home yet?"

"We have an opening for a princess..."

The show has opened! I've been in rehearsal for the past several weeks for "Once Upon A Mattress" at the Sugar Factory Playhouse. I'm playing Sir Harry. LOADS of fun.

Click here to find out how to see it!(That's me on the right.)

Happy Birthday Celina!

My cousin Burris has a daughter named Celina, and she just turned SEVEN! Everyone seemed to have a lovely time... except maybe Grandpa Roger, who tried without much success to teach the triplets to close the back door when they go in and out of the house. :) Please send the energy bill this month to Trips' Mom! (tee hee)

Celina got some beach stuff for her birthday, checking it all out with Grandpa Brad.

The trips took immediate charge of blowing out the candles.

Grandma Christine introduces Blake to BTS Chocolate Cake.

Celina can't wait to open presents!

Now a second-time dad, Burris soaks in the moment with Baby Blake.

More photos will be uploaded soon to my Flickr account. There's a link on the right side of the homepage. Enjoy!

School's out for the summer

Another Utah sunset

why I love "Boston Legal"

Has anyone ever seen this show? This should be on every night. ABC should ride this horse like Zorro until it dies, just like they did to Millionaire. (Ugh.) Well, not until it dies. ABC will kill it if they move it to another stinking night. So do the right thing, ABC. Don't touch "Boston Legal."

David E. Kelley is the show’s creator and head writer. I know, he uses “Boston” for a political platform and routinely abuses his fantastic characters by making them take some heroic stand against this cause or that right-wing rich boy – and the Republican foil is merely a caricature at best (Denny Crane), but the guy makes some interesting points. Plus, Alan and Denny get away with everything, and it's an absolute RIOT to watch.

Ah, the consequence-free life of Alan Shore and Denny Crane. Unrealistic, you say? You would be right.

But come on, it’s a TV show. That’s why I watch – to escape reality for just a little while. I’m sure Hugh Laurie is a great guy, probably quite a good conversationalist, and he’s British to boot, so the accent alone would be cool. But, if Dr. House showed up at my door, I’d kick him in his bad leg and laugh my arse off, because House is the consummate JERK.

People, IT’S A FREAKING TV SHOW. It’s entertaining to watch these guys and their jerky habits. I’m not imitating them. I’m just inspired by them, that’s all.

(DISCLAIMER – Abby, Ben & Colin – Don’t ever be mean to people.)

OK, moving on…

First, Alan Shore (James Spader). The guy’s morally bankrupt (or is he?), he plays by his own rules, he’s not afraid to chase the hot woman, the big client, the big cause. He bends the law to work for him. Women want him because he’s verbose. Lives in a hotel. Admits his fears (night terrors, clowns) to his friend. NEVER plays completely by the rules.

Denny Crane (William Shatner). DENNY CRANE. ‘Nuff said.

Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen). Hot, vulnerable blonde. Also, ‘nuff said.

Shirley Schmidt (Candace Bergen). She had been out of TV for way too long. Beautiful, talented senior partner, takes BS from no one, has clever and meaningful retort for everyone.

Brad Chase (Mark Valley). As he puts it, “Lawyer, Marine… I’m the whole package.”

Guest stars Michael J. Fox, Parker Posey and Jeri Ryan made the last few episodes particularly memorable. But the show is nothing without Spader and Shatner. The two-time Emmy award winners are OWNING it, and I hope ABC doesn’t screw this up and move them to yet another night and time.

Dear ABC... LEAVE “BOSTON LEGAL” ALONE!

Abby-ism of the Week

Mom knows it best, but it went something like this:

Abby: "Mom, we need a new boy."

Mom: "What?"

Abby: "Ben. He doesn't talk. We need a new one."

Mom: "You want a new brother?"

Abby: "Yeah."

Mom: "Well, we're not trading him in."

Abby: "Oh, Mother..."

My precocious daughter

I was getting Abby dressed this morning, and she stopped me and said quite matter-of-factly, “Dad, you have a big huge belly.” I said, “WHAT?!” and began tickling her mercilessly. When she caught her breath, she said, “You have a big huge belly, just like Grandpa.”

Yeah, I've gotta get that gym membership.

The Man Who Aged Me

Click here for a fine piece of writing from today's editorial section of the New York Times by Tom Hanks, reflecting on the relationship with his long-time personal makeup artist, Dan Striepeke. Tom's charm and "everyman" wit certainly make this a fun read for any Hanks fan.

Wesley Swain Cowan

My dear friend D. Reed Cowan lost his young son over the weekend in a tragic accident. Wesley was born three months to the day after the triplets. I was on the floor crew when Reed started hosting the station's morning show, and we became fast friends. I've always felt close to Reed because we have the same big hair... just one of many other things we have in common.

I'm sick at heart.

Below is Wesley's obituary. Thoughts and prayers to Reed and his family. Love you, man.

* * * * * * *

Wesley Swain Cowan

March 16, 2002 - April 23, 2006

BE HAPPY EVERY DAY

Our golden-locked, curly-headed, ice-blue-eyed baby boy, Wesley Swain Cowan, found himself in angels' arms on the evening of April 23, 2006, after a tragic accident.

This beautiful boy was the hope and dream of his mother, Stephanie Swain Martinsen, and his father, Darrin Reed Cowan. On March 16, 2002, their dream came true and in the middle of a blinding snow storm, our Olympic baby took his first breath. His sister Jade cut the cord as this little miracle boy cried for the first time, filling our souls with a music, a laughter and a joy beyond all measure these last four years.

Even as an infant, on Sunday mornings, his mommy and daddy and sissy taught him to dance in a little cottage on Imperial Street. In the years he traversed this earth, he continued to dance with a rhythm in his steps and a song in his heart.

He loved to sing "I Am A Child Of God" and "You Are My Sunshine." He changed the lyrics to say: "You make me happy, when skies are great."

He had a motto: BE HAPPY EVERY DAY. Because of his example in our lives, he made it so.

He loved his cousins - Samantha, James, Matt, Kaden, Weston, Tyler, Lola and Lela - celebrating Easter with each of them just last week. He loved his sissy who was a dedicated and loving protector.

Wesley went to Disneyland for the first time in his life this past Christmas, where he waved at Santa Claus and napped on his dad's lap in the ice cream parlor in-between fun. It was on this vacation where Wesley first placed his little toes in the ocean near Diver's Cove in Laguna Beach. He said: "Dad, CAN-I-FORNIA is the best trip I've ever been on." Wesley was also introduced to skiing for the first time this year. He loved every minute on the snow with his mom, sissy and very special friends.

Wesley was a student at the Jewish Community Center's early child development program and was loved by his teachers.

This little boy bore the names of three of his great grandfathers: J. Wesley Jenson, Hank Swain and Reed Cowan. We send prayers to the divine that these grandpas will find our baby boy and make him their new fishing buddy, and Grandmas Donna and Jewell can make them a sack lunch complete with strawberries before they catch a whale.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to the men and women who worked so hard to bring life back into this little boy's body. Also the social workers at Primary Children's who were so kind.

Wesley is survived by his mother & sister, Stephanie S. Martinsen & Jadrianne Martinsen (Salt Lake City), his father D. Reed Cowan and his partner Gregory Abplanalp (Holladay).

Grandparents Dan Swain (Weiser, Idaho), Joseph and Teddie Evans (Vernal), Russell and Judy Cowan (Roosevelt) and a very large group of loving uncles, aunts and cousins.

We ask that all who read this hold your children a little tighter tonight. Give them their dreams. Look them in the eyes every day and tell them you love them.

Two separate celebrations of Wesley's life will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 South Highland Drive.

FATHER'S SERVICE 10 AM Friday the 28th of April. Friends of Reed Cowan may call one hour prior to the father's services.

MOTHER'S SERVICE 2 PM Friday the 28th of April. Friends of Stephanie Martinsen may call one hour prior to the mother's services.

Elementary Musings

Elementary school was wonderful. I wasn’t so much popular as I was, well, shy. I was always good at school, but didn’t have many friends. But the ones I had, I grappled them to my soul with hoops of steel (Hamlet). One in particular, Danny Davis, really kept me honest. He was also a smart kid, with a fair jump shot and a very brilliant mind. Anyway, I remember one of the first sleepovers I had was at Danny’s house. I remember we watched Bill Cosby’s “Himself” and laughed till we cried, and then I couldn’t sleep through the night because the stupid fish tank in the living room stayed lit up all night and I was used to having a room entirely dark.

My first acting “gig” was in the 6th grade, when I played “the Fonz” in the school’s production of “Happy Days.” I got to ride a motorcycle into the room and park it in front of the stage for my first big entrance, then hop on and ride out the same way.

Not sure if you’ve ever been to or remember having attended your classic Utah elementary school “assembly,” where the kindergarteners line up near the front of the gym and sit Indian style, then the first graders, seconds, and so on until the whole school had assembled to take in the theatrical spectacular.

I had never ridden a motorcycle before. If I recall, this little bike was a 150-cc dirt bike, green and white, and belonged to another 6th grader named Travis Madsen. No, not that one, the rocker one with the lazy eye. Anyway, he gave me the rundown early in the day on how to start it up and ease the throttle to get going and how to park and all of that stuff. Boy, was I ever excited to prove to DeeAnn Linge and her hot friends just how manly my 12-year-old self could be.

I dyed my hair black for the day, had the white T with the black leather jacket, and was all set for my big show. When my cue began to draw near, I jumped on the bike amidst three teachers and their various admonitions of caution. I started it up and revved it a few times, then let the throttle go.

I mean, really let it go.

I squealed out on the gym floor, tore into the middle of the space and nearly ran over the first row of kindergarteners.

“Ehhhhhh…”

The show was really quite good, though, and my debut was a total success.

Easter @ Grandma Debbie's

Ah, April

Yes, today is April 6. Spring has sprung. Nature's getting green. Chicks and kitties are born. Depression begins to subside. Jesus' birthday. Snow melts, hope abounds, the Masters kicks off in Augusta, Israelis and Palestinians hold hands and sing Kumbaya... and it's snowing in Salt Lake City.

"Que sorpresa."

Future Bloggers of America

"No, no... that's Colin, with a C..."


"Mm hmmm... I like what you've done here..."

Ben's all blogged out

Quote of the Day

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend, and inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

-- Groucho Marx

Get ready for 30 minutes of AWESOME

Click here for "Heat Vision and Jack."

Wow.

Just... OK... wow.

New photos of kiddos

Colin

Abby

Ben

Gratitude...

Today I took the kiddos to a playground next door. There were three kids already there, probably somewhere between six and ten years old. The girl (and the oldest) noticed the boys and asked if they were deaf. When I replied that they were, she said her brother was deaf, too.

The little boy was named Joshua, and although he wasn’t wearing it at the time, he had a cochlear implant, just like Ben. It was sitting on a table right next to where he was fumbling with a kite string. Joshua’s implant equipment looked to be an older model, so I can only assume that he’s had it for longer than Ben’s had his.

Joshua couldn’t have been older than six, and it was obvious that the other two kids didn’t really know how to play with him. Joshua was out doing his own thing, away from the others, trying to get a kite to fly. His sister was riding her bike around, and kept asking the other boy to keep an eye on her brother.

When I heard Joshua was deaf, I signed to him, “Hello, how are you?” His eyes widened a little, and he signed hello back. He was playing with his kite, and I signed to him that I liked it. He signed that it was his. I signed, “Cool, I like the colors!” He smiled an adorable, great big smile.

Interesting thing for a kid with a cochlear implant to not speak at all and revert to signing, especially when his sister had already told me earlier that he was “lazy” with his signing. Now, maybe this is just how those particular siblings play, each doing their own thing. Maybe Joshua only plays by himself because that’s the way he likes it. Felt to me like he may not be used to so much personal attention from someone who speaks his language (albeit slowly and not very well).

As I was watching the triplets play on the slide, I noticed that Joshua was kicking his foot out. His shoe had come untied and he was trying to figure something out. He looked up at me and caught my eye. I signed to him, “Can I help you out?” He ran right over to me and stuck out his shoe. I quickly tied it for him and signed, “OK, all finished,” and his signed “thank you” with the biggest smile yet.

Shortly thereafter the wind turned quite cold and I gathered the rugrats to take them inside. I signed “see you later” to Joshua, and he signed “bye” back. Cute boy. I can’t say how Joshua’s family treats him, because of course I haven’t any idea, but I hope his family gets him.

While I’m sure Ben’s implant, Colin’s aids and Abby’s mere presence will guarantee that my boys have an easier time in a hearing world, I can’t help but be grateful that my kids have parents who care to learn and love how their kids live, parents that know that not speaking isn’t the same as not communicating. I’m grateful that my kids have resources around them at school and at home that “get” them. (Granted, I’m a slow signer and could use a lot more practice, but I’m trying every day.) I am in awe of the Deaf culture and am honored that I get to try to understand and be a part of it through my children.

Kids and coloring

Ben loves to color. He hasn’t learned to stay in the lines, and I don’t care if he ever does. I don’t want them to perform the mundane and be overly praised for mediocrity. I hope the kids learn to “color outside the lines” in lots of ways. The world lacks original thinking. Having a great idea can be a very real way to contribute to society in an outstanding way.

Abby loves to color. She’s the only one of the kids that uses different colors on a page. She already appreciates that although she has a couple of favorites (pink and yellow), every color can have a place in a beautiful drawing. I hope she’ll come to understand the same about people, regardless of where they come from, how they speak or what they believe.

Colin loves to color. He’ll pick one color that he’s in the mood for and color everything on the page with it. His confidence in his selection is obvious, and whatever the others are doing doesn’t influence or bother him in the slightest. I hope he’ll continue to do what he feels to be right, and what looks good to him, regardless of what others around him may do.

Mom's wisdom... at least the ones I remember...

Don't sweat the small stuff... and by the way, most of it is.

Kill 'em with kindness.

(Sing-song) There is beauty all around, when there's love at home.

Use soap.

Clean that pig sty.

Just unload the dishwasher... is that too much to ask?

Not in your school clothes!

Forgive and forget.

Before you try and change someone, change yourself.

Look both ways.

Do your best.

Tuck that shirt in.

Stay by the cart.

Get a haircut.

Eat your beets. (NEVER!!!)

Kiss the babies for me. (Always.)

C'mere, you've got something on your face...

Go to sleep.

Get up already.

Don't make me start charging you for laundry.

Love one another.

1776

I'm currently trying to finish 1776. I got it for Christmas. And it's not that it's a tough read or anything... I just can't find time. Anyway, it's brilliant, and I must recommend it. Highly.

I just read about Washington's crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night. The way they made the crossing and the circumstances under which they retook Trenton on December 26 make their victory all the more impressive, and elevated "His Excellency" General Washington's status to the near-divine. The fact that the Americans lost only TWO men in the campaign is downright miraculous... and those two died of exposure on the march from the Delaware River to Trenton. They retook the town in all of 45 minutes and had only four men wounded while killing about 100 Hessians, taking about 900 prisoner, chasing off the rest, and changing the course of the war. Now, the British retook Trenton soon thereafter, but Washington's retreat was masterly and instead of taking refuge, he swung around and marched the colonials to Princeton and won another stunning victory there before the end of the year.

God blessed America. Seems like the only way to look at it. The way they won at Trenton is much like the English beat the French at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. Shakespeare may have glorified things a bit in Henry V (the Olivier and Branagh films are both quite good, personally I prefer Branagh), but by all accounts the English victory was a miracle.

One of the most amazing facts about the battle was the extraordinary lopsidedness of the casualties. Shakespeare tells of ten thousand French dead versus 29 English dead (Act 4, Scene 8). More modern estimates put the number of French dead at between 4000 and 11000, with best estimates about 7000 (including the murdered prisoners), plus another 2000 prisoners. Estimates of English dead range from Shakespeare's 29 to a high of 1600. (The high number probably represents all deaths for the entire chevauchée [the 15th-century equivalent of a strategic bombing, or in this case, the destruction of everything in Henry's path on his way to Calais] including deaths from dysentary.) The best estimate is about 400.

Thanks to aginc.net for the above info.

U - S - A ... U - S - A ... U - S - A ...

Don't you just love an underdog?

Quote of the Day

"What we do in life echoes in eternity."

Cochlear update...

Ben is doing GREAT! In just FOUR DAYS since having his cochlear implant activated, he no longer fights against wearing the device, he wears it over six hours a day, he's upped his electrical impulse level, and he's beginning to distinguish vowel sounds! According to one of Ben's therapists, this sort of progress in such a short time is practically unprecedented - she's never seen anything like it. Some adults have such a hard time adapting to an implant that it takes months just to get to where they can use it for ONE hour per day, and Ben's up to SIX! That's my boy! I am SO PROUD of him. (As if you couldn't tell.) He's an extraordinary soul, to have had these sorts of trials laid out for him, and to be not only coping, but excelling in the way he handles them.

Told ya he's a fighter.

March Madness

For anyone who's ever filled out a bracket... my sympathies.

I, however, am doing great so far, with 13 of the 16 games yesterday called correctly... and I've only lost two of my Sweet 16 teams so far.

For anyone who has no idea what I'm talking about... also, my sympathies.

You see, March Madness is the greatest athletic event in North America. Maybe the world. Soccer fan can just go and die. Only the Olympics come close for me. That, and whenever my kiddos play Memory, which becomes an athletic event in very short order.

Now, if we could just get the Utes back in it...