Hawaii Days 1 and 2

We were so lucky to be able to go to Hawaii for a week with the WHOLE Stoddart clan! There were a total of 37 of us. This is just a little post of what we did. I combined days 1 and 2 together because we didn't get into Maui until after 8 and by the time we got our car, drove to the other side of the island and checked in it was after 10:00 Hawaii time (2:00 am in Utah). So, now you know what day one was like lets get to the good stuff... day 2!

We started out walking on the beach. We weren't sure if we were going to the grocery store first or not, so we wore our clothes.
The beach is GORGEOUS!


We walked along the beach and let them put their feet in the water.



Bad idea! Abby fell in. We were there about 5 minutes and she was all wet!!

So we decided to go back and change into swimming suits and go out and play!

And play we did!!

Judging Others

We have been struggling a lot lately with Cameron, as many of you already know. We have taken some steps to get us and him the help he needs, and things are going much more smoothly. The other day while I was out and about I heard a child screaming and throwing quite the temper tantrum. I was very tempted to be annoyed at this child and family. Then I had a thought hit me. I don't have a clue what that child and/or family is going through. When Cameron has a melt down, I can tell you I feel lost, overwhelmed, helpless. I know he shouldn't act like that, but there wasn't a darn thing that I could do to stop it. A scripture came to mind at that moment when I almost judged those people. Matthew 7:1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. And then as I was searching for that scripture I found another one that goes a little bit deeper. It is Luke 6:37. Judge not and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive and ye shall be forgiven. I am so far from perfect. I really don't know what people are going through, and I have no place to judge. As easy as it is to judge people (first impressions and all that), I am really trying harder to not judge a person by what I see and really try to understand what a person is going through. And most of all to forgive them of whatever they do. Because I really need that promise from the Lord that if I forgive others I will be forgiven

Nick Rimando

This year in school the 3rd graders did a biography fair. They got to choose one famous person (anyone they wanted), research all they could about that person, write a 5 paragraph essay, make a poster all about that person, and then dress up as their person and answer any questions people had about them. And SURPRISE SURPRISE!!! Cameron chose Nick Rimando. He did a great job!!

The Birthday Girl

Okay, so I am little behind in posting this, but better late than never right? THe Saturday before McKenzie's birthday she was able to chose one friend to go and do whatever she wanted to do. This time around she chose Anneka to come with her and she chose to go swimming at the Herriman Rec Center and out to Olive Garden for dinner.

I thought this was so cute of the two of them together. McKenzie really has some of the best friends, it was a hard decision on who she was going to bring.

Here they are waiting to be able to get back into the water.


Then on her actual birthday we woke her up early and had her open her presents. She was surprised to find that all her stuff was packed in her new suitcase (just in time for Hawaii. And of course all she wanted was stuff for the trip.

Blowing out her candles that night.

Happy Birthday Kenz! We love you :)

11 years old

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that my little girl is 11 already! What can I say about McKenzie? She is wonderful. There is so much I can learn from her. I know I can always count on her when I need to. If I need her to babysit while I run some errands or have a meeting or whatever, she is there. She is the one the teachers always say that they can count on to be a friend to the sad or friendless. Even when things aren't exactly what she wants, she is so good to put on a happy face and go with it. She has such an amazing knowledge of the scriptures. She knows and understands stories that I just recently am starting to understand. I look at her and wonder how I was chosen to be her mother. She is way better than I am, what could I possibly teach her? She is mild tempered for the most part, and rarely do I have to get after her. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing my life by letting her come and be a part of our family. I love you McKenzie! Happy Birthday.

Tom

What have we been up to the past few weeks? Well, maybe it would be easier to ask what we have been up to. It has been a whirlwind month so far. It all started on the 1st...
My Mom flew in that day. It wasn't a planned trip. In fact she had bought her tickets less than 24 hours before she was in Utah. My Mom's brother, my uncle Tom, decided life was too hard here. Now grated he was dealing with alot of demons in his life- some self inflicted others not so much- but it was just not what anyone wants to hear. So, needless to say we spent all day Wednesday at the hospital (the paramedics were able to revive him), and then I went back to the hospital again on Thursday. When my Aunt Meltche and my Grandparents realized he wasn't going to make it they were able to start figuring out organ donations. So, through this awful tragedy we were able to bless the lives of three other. I was actually able to be there when he left this earthly life. I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I was really quiet and peaceful. They did warn us that it could take awhile, but it was very quick. It really makes you reflect on your own life and just how precious it is.
The funeral was a week later. It was really good to see all of the photos of him growing up. I was able to remember him how he was, how he was when I was growing up (he is only 10 years older than me). It was good to hear all the good stories and all the good things he had done in his life.
It was good to see my family pull together and support one another during this very difficult time. I am so grateful for each one of them. And even more so for the knowledge that I have about eternal families. That this life isn't it. There is more... an eternity of more.
Here is his obituary:
Tom returned home to out Heavenly Father on February 2, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born October 27, 1969 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Edwin (Ted) and Miriam Smith Skeen.

Tom attended Dixie State College and was a natural and outstanding athlete. He had a sharp mind and knew the scriptures inside and out. Tom served as a missionary in Denver, CO. He was also an influential missionary in the Philippines. He met and converted Meltche, from the Philippines, whom he married January 20, 2009.

Tom had a special connection with nature, he also loved children and they loved him. Tom enjoyed tennis and was a professional umpire for the USPTA for many years. During that time he received the Junior McGovern Award for Umpire Excellence at the U.S. Open.

Tom had a big heart and compassionate personality; he was not materialistic and continually thought of the needs of family and friends. He liked to express his love to his wife and made a special effort to remember family and friends through cards, gifts and calls. Tom will be greatly missed by his family and those whose lives he touched over the years.

Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Jed. He is survived by his wife, Meltche Skeen; his parents, Ted and Miriam Skeen; grandparents Patriarch Eldred G. Smith and Hortense Smith; sisters, Cindy (Bob) McCullough and Teri (Tim) Sullivan; brothers, Bob (Sue) Skeen, Jim (Desiré) Skeen, Joe (Paula) Skeen, Gary (Sylvia) Skeen and Scott (Gwen) Skeen; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Mueller Park 8th Ward, 1320 East 1975 South, Bountiful, Ut., where a viewing will be held prior to services from 10:00 -11:30 a.m. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery.

Sunrise

Beautiful sunrise this morning. Thought I would share the pictures I took. Isn't our Heavenly Father the most amazing artist? Unfortunately the pictures really don't do it justice.