This last weekend we went to Moab with my sister Janean and her family, my mom, and my brother Matt. We had fun; we had never been to Moab. We decided to leave Kimball behind with Dave's mom while we were gone. I cried the first few days before we even left and of course when we left him. It was the first time I left him for more than four hours, however; by the time we went to bed I was glad we didn't bring him. We went camping and it was freezing. He would have been miserable. I missed him tons and was sad not to have him with us. But I was however glad he was warm and cozy. Dave's mom said he was good, but didn't let her get anything done. I am very grateful she was willing to subject herself to this.
Janean and the rest of the gang left Wednesday and we met them on Thursday. When we arrived we set up camp and then all of us drove up to Dead Horse Point. I guess they call it that because back in the day there was a small watering hole that they would take a bunch of horses to, pick the best ones out, and then leave the rest to die :( After that we all went to dinner at Pizza Hut. After dinner, my mom, Matt, his friend, Dustin, Kevin, and his mom Cammio, Dave and I went to a fun center and rode race cars, played air hockey and played pool. It was lots of fun.
The next day we all met up at Janean's hotel and rode up to the start of the trail to Gemini Bridges. Janean and L.D. and their friends had Old Broncos, Jeeps and Four Wheelers. We climbed up the hills and trails with these. It was lots of fun. My mom got to ride and drive a four wheeler for the first time. She had a blast doing it. It was pretty hilarious at times I must say so myself. Once we got to the bridges it was amazing. It was high up and just looking over the edge gave you the willies. There were a few stories we heard up there. There was some memorial of a guy who used to go jeeping all of the time and one day he went out there with his son. He had too much to drink and rolled off the cliff. The boy jumped out, but the dad couldn't undo his seat belt. Dustin, a friend of ours, also told us that his grandpa came up there with a girlfriend and she got too close to the edge, fell and died. Apparently the edge gave way from under her. That just made me even more dizzy looking over the edge. We did a few different things in our pictures that made it look like we were falling. Don't worry we had ground under us folks. My mom got mad at Me when she first saw the picture and was telling me how dumb I was. I calmed her down and told her that there was ground under us. Anyway it was great fun and a beautiful sight to behold.
After Gemini we dropped the kids off to the hotel with some of the moms and they went swimming. Dave, my mom, Matt, and I went with L.D. L.D.'s dad and some of their friends wanted to do some rock crawling at a place they called Fins 'N' Things. That is where you ride in a jeep or Bronco and climb up, down, and sideways on rocks. It sounds kind of dumb, but it is actually quite a rush. Larry (LD'a dad) rented a nice Jeep and he was the only one that could make it up this really steep hill. My mom and I were riding with him. I thought we were going to die. It was like a slow motion roller coaster. What a rush. He had me and my mom squealing. After that we got out and others took turns taking the hill with Larry.
Sat Morning we met up with a friend of Janean and L.D's that had been to Moab several times. He was going to take us on several tours, but we had some jeep/bronco troubles that detained us. Since we got a late start he just took us to what they call 7 Mile. It was torturous terrain. It was hot and windy but it was fun and beautiful. It took us a great while to make it through. In fact Dave and I had to leave when we were done. There were some pretty tricky hills we had to take and at times the kids and women got out to walk up or down the hill just in case a vehicle would roll. It was fun though. There was so much more that we wanted to do and so we would like to go back. In fact L.D. invited us to go with them in the Fall. We were sad that some of the family couldn't come. Mike had to work and Hollie had plans. Joe couldn't come cause too many people were already off from work, and Sheri and Steve couldn't come cause they had to work. We missed them and hopefully we can all plan a trip together. Anyway we all had a great time. I am especially glad my mom could come. She needed a break and she had a great time.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Kimball Tag
My sister-in-law Hollie Tagged Kimball. This was a fun tag to do. This is a really long slide show, but Kimball is so much fun to show off. Kimball from day one has had a set of pipes on him. Whenever we would go places he would hurt every one's ears with his screams. Today he jabbers and jabbers and it is so much fun to hear him. He has always been active and curious. Anything within his reach he will get to it and usually break it. He just keeps getting taller and taller just like his daddy. He has loved to climb on things ever since he could crawl. He does what ever he can to get into something you have put out of his reach. He climbs on tables, desks, coffee tables, couches and he loves, loves, loves, to climb stairs. He is getting really good at crawling down them too. He loves food and is always curious about what everyone else is eating. He will beg if you make him. Just like his dad he gets incredibly ornery when not fed.
He like his dad has a love for cars. He sees a car door open and he jets to climb in. He loves David's VW bug. That is probably his favorite toy. He is definitely a daddy's boy. He runs to Dave when Dave gets home from work. He will even push me away when I reach for him when his daddy has got him. :( He and his dad will have lots of fun at future car shows.
Kimball loves to be naked (what baby doesn't)When he is ornery Dave will strip him down and let him run around in his diaper for a while. He loves water, taking baths, and showers. He has always loved to read. Books make him curious and we can sometimes read for 5-10 min (which is a long time for a baby to sit still). His favorite thing ever is to play outside. When he sees the door open nothing and I mean nothing can stop him from running out it. No matter how tired, cold or hot he is he want to stay out there always. He always cries when we bring him in. He loves to play with other kids. He gets excited when his cousins come over or anyone I babysit. He has so many fun expressions sounds and actions. We can't imagine our life without him. he is the best things that has happened to us and we love him dearly.
I tag Spencer Walker, Olivia Parker,"Lub Lub"(as my husband likes to call him) Anson, and Kanoba Andersen
He like his dad has a love for cars. He sees a car door open and he jets to climb in. He loves David's VW bug. That is probably his favorite toy. He is definitely a daddy's boy. He runs to Dave when Dave gets home from work. He will even push me away when I reach for him when his daddy has got him. :( He and his dad will have lots of fun at future car shows.
Kimball loves to be naked (what baby doesn't)When he is ornery Dave will strip him down and let him run around in his diaper for a while. He loves water, taking baths, and showers. He has always loved to read. Books make him curious and we can sometimes read for 5-10 min (which is a long time for a baby to sit still). His favorite thing ever is to play outside. When he sees the door open nothing and I mean nothing can stop him from running out it. No matter how tired, cold or hot he is he want to stay out there always. He always cries when we bring him in. He loves to play with other kids. He gets excited when his cousins come over or anyone I babysit. He has so many fun expressions sounds and actions. We can't imagine our life without him. he is the best things that has happened to us and we love him dearly.
I tag Spencer Walker, Olivia Parker,"Lub Lub"(as my husband likes to call him) Anson, and Kanoba Andersen
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Flash Game
Dave's Work gave him 6 tickets to the Utah Flash Game on Sat. We took Sheri and Steve and Tammy and Eric. We never did fin people for the other tickets. Can I just say that we had a blast. I did anyway. I do, however, tend to get a little out of control at such things. St least I have myself a good time. Sheri and Tammy had fun too, but I think they had more fun making fun of me. I love dancing to the music and getting into everything. I do hate to watch sports on TV, but I can really get crazy at a live one.
Anytime I go to anything with a group I tend to be the focus of teasing. My sister teased me for copying Steve when he would yell something out. Can I help it if I miss something, but still want to get into it? I got made fun of for yelling defense out of unison with everyone else (I thought it would be nice to hear it all of the time). During the second half I got made fun of because I had forgotten that they switched sides for one second and yelled out defense when they were playing offense (Ooops!).
We were sitting behind the grandma of the manager of the flash team. I got a little out of control and hit her with my cheer sticks. I apologized, she laughed, took my stick away and hit me back. LOL. She said it was fine and then visited with me for a second. That is how I found out she was the managers grandma.
While we were talking the mascot Flash came and sat by her. I took a picture of the back of them and he stole my camera and took a picture of the front of them. Don't they look cute.
I will say that I was not the only one that got out of control. During the second half the boys all sat together. They had lots of fun heckling the opposing team (Los Angelas). They picked on two particular players (McCoy and Karl). They called them names and all sorts. The two players heard them and gave them death looks. I was starting to be afraid that they would find us after the game and beat us up. Oh, that is another thing they made fun of me for cause I thought they were being mean. I Was worried they would hurt their feelings (I know they are the opposing team, but I still felt bad). They are still teasing me about that one. In fact La was ahead and once the boys started teasing them they started getting way behind. it was a really fun and exciting game. I kept warning them they were going to get punched and their response was, "this is the NBS if they punch I will get over a million dollars! I want to get punched!). Now that is mature. even though I got out of control a bit they really did it. In fact the guy behind me asked me how many beers they have had. I told him they had nothing to drink and he just couldn't believe it.
Anyway we had lots of fun and I am glad that we went. I am sure after reading this no one will want to go to a game with us except those who already came. LOL Oh well. You've got to have a little fun.
Anytime I go to anything with a group I tend to be the focus of teasing. My sister teased me for copying Steve when he would yell something out. Can I help it if I miss something, but still want to get into it? I got made fun of for yelling defense out of unison with everyone else (I thought it would be nice to hear it all of the time). During the second half I got made fun of because I had forgotten that they switched sides for one second and yelled out defense when they were playing offense (Ooops!).
We were sitting behind the grandma of the manager of the flash team. I got a little out of control and hit her with my cheer sticks. I apologized, she laughed, took my stick away and hit me back. LOL. She said it was fine and then visited with me for a second. That is how I found out she was the managers grandma.
While we were talking the mascot Flash came and sat by her. I took a picture of the back of them and he stole my camera and took a picture of the front of them. Don't they look cute.
I will say that I was not the only one that got out of control. During the second half the boys all sat together. They had lots of fun heckling the opposing team (Los Angelas). They picked on two particular players (McCoy and Karl). They called them names and all sorts. The two players heard them and gave them death looks. I was starting to be afraid that they would find us after the game and beat us up. Oh, that is another thing they made fun of me for cause I thought they were being mean. I Was worried they would hurt their feelings (I know they are the opposing team, but I still felt bad). They are still teasing me about that one. In fact La was ahead and once the boys started teasing them they started getting way behind. it was a really fun and exciting game. I kept warning them they were going to get punched and their response was, "this is the NBS if they punch I will get over a million dollars! I want to get punched!). Now that is mature. even though I got out of control a bit they really did it. In fact the guy behind me asked me how many beers they have had. I told him they had nothing to drink and he just couldn't believe it.
Anyway we had lots of fun and I am glad that we went. I am sure after reading this no one will want to go to a game with us except those who already came. LOL Oh well. You've got to have a little fun.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Ageing Sometimes Scares Me!
At the risk of sounding shallow I must say that growing old scares me. Don't get me wrong...aging can be a beautiful thing, but also a terrifying thing. When working in the hospital I came across some amazing elderly people. I also have happened upon some very sad and lonely elderly people. I love the stories that they have to tell about growing up and things that they have learned along the way. I love how wise they are.
What scares me are things like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, being confined to a wheel chair, or just living in a once active body that now falls apart, or dieing lonely cause no one will visit you.
I have for some time been wanting to go to my grandparents and some elderly people in our ward and do recordings of oral histories. I decided to start with my grandma and grandpa Andrus, cause my grandma has Dementia and my grandpa has Alzheimer's. So yesterday I decided I can't put it off any longer and called them to see if I could come down. My sweet grandma couldn't remember who I was and I tried very hard not to cry. I am not by any means offended, but I am sad especially because she gets upset, cause she still realizes that she has a bad memory problem. It is very interesting what she can and can't remember. A month or so ago my niece Megan had to get tested at Primary children's cause she had a Seizure. My grandma remembered that when my mom went to visit and she wanted to know how she was doing. Happily Megan turned out just fine. Now around the same time my brother Mike was in the hospital. My grandma remembered someone being in the hospital and then she said, "oh yes Mike is in the hospital Denille. Did you know that?" My mom said yes, momma he is my son. My grandma spat back at her saying no he's not! It took some convincing before my grandma remembered he was Denille's son.
here are my sweet grandparents
Once I got there I was relieved that they remembered me. When I told them what I wanted to do they were very excited. That made me even more excited. my little sister was there with me and my uncle John and mom showed up as well. It was nice to have John and my mom there, cause they had grandma tell some stories that they remembered hearing as kids. Grandma couldn't remember all her stories unless reminded so it was nice.
It is kinda funny when she will tell the same story five different times, but sad too. It was kinda funny when we asked about their wedding day and my grandma said she couldn't remember, but they went to the temple. My uncle John asked what she was doing the night before her wedding day and She thought he said the night of and looked at him in disgust and said, "That is none of your business!" We all had a good laugh at that one. The fun really came when she would all of the sudden just remember and started telling stories. I just started and I am already having lots of fun learning about their childhood.
I love learning about history of the elderly. However I am afraid of getting old and forgetting my family and life. My cousin Tammy was telling me that her Grandpa, one of the most active men you will ever meet, is now confined to a wheel chair, sick and just waiting to die. I guess it is stuff like that, that scares me. Is that shallow, me just being pitiful or normal?
What scares me are things like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, being confined to a wheel chair, or just living in a once active body that now falls apart, or dieing lonely cause no one will visit you.
I have for some time been wanting to go to my grandparents and some elderly people in our ward and do recordings of oral histories. I decided to start with my grandma and grandpa Andrus, cause my grandma has Dementia and my grandpa has Alzheimer's. So yesterday I decided I can't put it off any longer and called them to see if I could come down. My sweet grandma couldn't remember who I was and I tried very hard not to cry. I am not by any means offended, but I am sad especially because she gets upset, cause she still realizes that she has a bad memory problem. It is very interesting what she can and can't remember. A month or so ago my niece Megan had to get tested at Primary children's cause she had a Seizure. My grandma remembered that when my mom went to visit and she wanted to know how she was doing. Happily Megan turned out just fine. Now around the same time my brother Mike was in the hospital. My grandma remembered someone being in the hospital and then she said, "oh yes Mike is in the hospital Denille. Did you know that?" My mom said yes, momma he is my son. My grandma spat back at her saying no he's not! It took some convincing before my grandma remembered he was Denille's son.
here are my sweet grandparents
Once I got there I was relieved that they remembered me. When I told them what I wanted to do they were very excited. That made me even more excited. my little sister was there with me and my uncle John and mom showed up as well. It was nice to have John and my mom there, cause they had grandma tell some stories that they remembered hearing as kids. Grandma couldn't remember all her stories unless reminded so it was nice.
It is kinda funny when she will tell the same story five different times, but sad too. It was kinda funny when we asked about their wedding day and my grandma said she couldn't remember, but they went to the temple. My uncle John asked what she was doing the night before her wedding day and She thought he said the night of and looked at him in disgust and said, "That is none of your business!" We all had a good laugh at that one. The fun really came when she would all of the sudden just remember and started telling stories. I just started and I am already having lots of fun learning about their childhood.
I love learning about history of the elderly. However I am afraid of getting old and forgetting my family and life. My cousin Tammy was telling me that her Grandpa, one of the most active men you will ever meet, is now confined to a wheel chair, sick and just waiting to die. I guess it is stuff like that, that scares me. Is that shallow, me just being pitiful or normal?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What is FLDS?
OK I was listening to the news tonight about the FLDS church. At first I thought to myself, "what is the FLDS church? I know about the RLDS but I can't remember who the FLDS are" My sister and I goggled it and the following read on Wikipedia
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS Church) is one of the largest Mormon fundamentalist denominations[1][2] and one of America's largest practitioners of plural marriage.[3] The FLDS Church emerged in the 1930s when its founding members left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church); the split occurred largely because of the LDS Church's continued renunciation of polygamy and its decision to excommunicate practitioners of plural marriage in southern Utah and northern Arizona. There is no official connection between the FLDS Church and the LDS Church; they are distinct and separate denominations.
Since its inception, the headquarters of the FLDS Church have been in Hildale, Utah, which is a twin city with Colorado City, Arizona. However, news reports since 2004 have suggested a possible shift of the church's headquarters to Eldorado, Texas, where a temple has been built by FLDS Church members.[4] As of 2007, the church was being led by Warren Jeffs, who succeeded his father Rulon Jeffs in 2002. For nearly two years, Warren Jeffs had been wanted on sex-crimes charges; and from May 2006 until his arrest in August 2006 he was on the FBI's Ten Most-Wanted List.[5] On September 25, 2007, Jeffs was found guilty of two counts of being an accomplice to rape[6][7] and was sentenced to ten years to life in prison.[8]
Although news reports have circulated that Warren Jeffs had formally resigned as the president of the FLDS Church, the statement released by his attorneys reads as follows: "Mr. Jeffs resigned as President of the Corporation of the President of The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Inc., on November 20, 2007."[9] It is possible that Warren Jeffs is still heading the FLDS church, as the carefully worded statement by his attorneys does not state that he stepped down as prophet of the church. William E. Jessop, Jeffs' first counselor in the FLDS church presidency, was named by Jeffs as his successor - even going as far as stating that Jeffs never was the leader of the FLDS,[citation needed] but this has not necessarily been accepted by Jeffs' followers, many of which claim Jeffs is still leading the church.
OK I kinda remember now. Anyway the news was talking about a raid that was done on their community in Texas. They were looking for a 15 year old pregnant girl that claimed to be raped. The cops raided the temple and took out several teenage girls. It was said that one room was used in the temple for men to have sex with girls as young as 14. This information came from some sort of informant within the religion that chooses to rename nameless. Anyway now the FLDS church is suing saying that the raid was unconstitutional. That is all they had at that time.
How can any organization call themselves Christian when they are having sex with children?! I am really getting sick of the rap that LDS people get from other religions. I think that is why many people think that Mormons still practice polygamy. OK I know I can't completely say that all of this is true,casue you know the knews can tend to exagerate. Breath just breath.... OK I think I will be OK now. What are your thoughts on such things?
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS Church) is one of the largest Mormon fundamentalist denominations[1][2] and one of America's largest practitioners of plural marriage.[3] The FLDS Church emerged in the 1930s when its founding members left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church); the split occurred largely because of the LDS Church's continued renunciation of polygamy and its decision to excommunicate practitioners of plural marriage in southern Utah and northern Arizona. There is no official connection between the FLDS Church and the LDS Church; they are distinct and separate denominations.
Since its inception, the headquarters of the FLDS Church have been in Hildale, Utah, which is a twin city with Colorado City, Arizona. However, news reports since 2004 have suggested a possible shift of the church's headquarters to Eldorado, Texas, where a temple has been built by FLDS Church members.[4] As of 2007, the church was being led by Warren Jeffs, who succeeded his father Rulon Jeffs in 2002. For nearly two years, Warren Jeffs had been wanted on sex-crimes charges; and from May 2006 until his arrest in August 2006 he was on the FBI's Ten Most-Wanted List.[5] On September 25, 2007, Jeffs was found guilty of two counts of being an accomplice to rape[6][7] and was sentenced to ten years to life in prison.[8]
Although news reports have circulated that Warren Jeffs had formally resigned as the president of the FLDS Church, the statement released by his attorneys reads as follows: "Mr. Jeffs resigned as President of the Corporation of the President of The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Inc., on November 20, 2007."[9] It is possible that Warren Jeffs is still heading the FLDS church, as the carefully worded statement by his attorneys does not state that he stepped down as prophet of the church. William E. Jessop, Jeffs' first counselor in the FLDS church presidency, was named by Jeffs as his successor - even going as far as stating that Jeffs never was the leader of the FLDS,[citation needed] but this has not necessarily been accepted by Jeffs' followers, many of which claim Jeffs is still leading the church.
OK I kinda remember now. Anyway the news was talking about a raid that was done on their community in Texas. They were looking for a 15 year old pregnant girl that claimed to be raped. The cops raided the temple and took out several teenage girls. It was said that one room was used in the temple for men to have sex with girls as young as 14. This information came from some sort of informant within the religion that chooses to rename nameless. Anyway now the FLDS church is suing saying that the raid was unconstitutional. That is all they had at that time.
How can any organization call themselves Christian when they are having sex with children?! I am really getting sick of the rap that LDS people get from other religions. I think that is why many people think that Mormons still practice polygamy. OK I know I can't completely say that all of this is true,casue you know the knews can tend to exagerate. Breath just breath.... OK I think I will be OK now. What are your thoughts on such things?
Nothing Cuter!
You know there is nothing cuter than a little kid playing with something bigger than they are. Kimball loves anything that is big...from food to balls to cars.
On Conference Sunday we took Kimball outside for a bit after the second session. One of the neighbor boys had a big ball out there and let Kimball play with it. He looked so cute trying to run around with this ball that was clearly too big for him. He then wanted to play with his favorite toy in the world...Dave's bug. Kimball loves that car. Anytime we take him outside 9 times out of 10 he runs to that car and wants to get in and pretend to drive. He can be in the most foul mood and playing with that car will get him so excited.
The other day I was making dinner and got some mini bread bowl to go with our corn chowder. Kimball was fussy and Dave gave him one of the mini bread bowls. Kimball couldn't have been happier. The roll was half the size of his head and he loved that it was big and it was all his. We just couldn't resist taking pictures of him with it. I absolutely love little kids playing with things that are too big for them!
On Conference Sunday we took Kimball outside for a bit after the second session. One of the neighbor boys had a big ball out there and let Kimball play with it. He looked so cute trying to run around with this ball that was clearly too big for him. He then wanted to play with his favorite toy in the world...Dave's bug. Kimball loves that car. Anytime we take him outside 9 times out of 10 he runs to that car and wants to get in and pretend to drive. He can be in the most foul mood and playing with that car will get him so excited.
The other day I was making dinner and got some mini bread bowl to go with our corn chowder. Kimball was fussy and Dave gave him one of the mini bread bowls. Kimball couldn't have been happier. The roll was half the size of his head and he loved that it was big and it was all his. We just couldn't resist taking pictures of him with it. I absolutely love little kids playing with things that are too big for them!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Books on tape or Reading?
Which do you prefer, Book son tape or Reading it Yourself? I only ask, because before my St. George trip my husband talked me into getting a book on CD for the trip. me and my sister went and picked two from the library. The Partner and the Summons by john Grisham. My sister said she liked his books. So we started listening to the Partner and I would get distracted really easy. Here and there we had to shut it off and then go back. I am now listening to it at home. We didn't finish one, because I loaned Twilight to my sister and we read that instead. I am finally getting into The Partner, but I think I would rather read a book than listen to it.
I am one of those readers that take a little longer, because I have to keep going back so I can understand better. Being the woman that I am my mind gets so sidetracked. I start thinking of 3-5 different things while I am reading and before I know it I have to go back a page or two and start again. For me it is easier to go back a page and figure out where I was than it is to rewind. I feel I get more out of reading too and I also fall asleep a lot easier not having to look at anything. there are several times I have fallen asleep while listening to this book and then I have to try and find where I last left off. I guess I should be doing something while I listen to the tape, but reading a book is separating myself from everything else. I enjoy sending myself into another world for just a minute.
Don't get me wrong the books on tape have their purpose for those always on the run, but I like looking at it better. I probably would get a lot more reading done if I had a book on tape while I was cleaning. May be I will try it a few more times. So which do you prefer?
I am one of those readers that take a little longer, because I have to keep going back so I can understand better. Being the woman that I am my mind gets so sidetracked. I start thinking of 3-5 different things while I am reading and before I know it I have to go back a page or two and start again. For me it is easier to go back a page and figure out where I was than it is to rewind. I feel I get more out of reading too and I also fall asleep a lot easier not having to look at anything. there are several times I have fallen asleep while listening to this book and then I have to try and find where I last left off. I guess I should be doing something while I listen to the tape, but reading a book is separating myself from everything else. I enjoy sending myself into another world for just a minute.
Don't get me wrong the books on tape have their purpose for those always on the run, but I like looking at it better. I probably would get a lot more reading done if I had a book on tape while I was cleaning. May be I will try it a few more times. So which do you prefer?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tribute
In our lives we run into many people that make some sort of difference. There are those that enter our lives that make up a big part of what we are and who we become. Of course parents and family usually play a huge part in that and I would never take away from them. I, however; am talking about people who are at first strangers and then go the extra mile to make a difference in our lives. These strangers can often play a vital mentor role; frequently these mentors get taken from us before we feel we are ready.
Dave and I have met many people that have made a huge difference in our lives, but I would like to pay tribute to a dear friend of ours that has passed away a year ago last week...Mr. Terry Tucker. Mr Tucker was Dave's choir teacher in high school. (Many of you who read this quite possibly had him for your choir teacher as well) He also approached David and asked him to be apart of Cloggers West. It was a dance group at his high school.
Dave came from a school in California where teachers told him he wasn't good enough, smart enough, or didn't try hard enough. Mr. Tucker, having many personal trial of his own, took David under his wing and brought some confidence back into his life.
Below is an entry to a tribute site for Terry written by David during Terry's last few months of life:
I moved to Utah from California attending Pleasant Grove High for my Junior and Senior year. I was having a hard time adjusting. In California I was nothing special and often felt second class. I struggled with learning disabilities and many teachers made me feel as though I were dumb and couldn't’t amount to much. I met Mr. Tucker a week before school started and auditioned for the A Capella choir. He then talked me into joining Chamber Choir and Cloggers West. Terry and I spent a lot of one-on-one time getting me up to speed with the rest of the Cloggers. I struggled at first but soon found myself enjoying something I have never even heard of… clogging. He made me feel like I was really appreciated in there, and helped me feel comfortable with being who I was. I had three classes with him a day for two years solid. Terry became not only a teacher that finally believed in me, but became a friend. We have kept in touch all of these years. After my mission he would call me on various occasions to help clog for events. I was there in 2003 when he dissolved Cloggers West. It was truly a sad day for many!!! Terry still however found an excuse to work with me. I participated with Terry in his yearly entertainment commitment to the State Hospital NAMI for the fundraising program. I was the comic relief between Bluegrass Thunder and Rocky Mountain Express doing Elvis impersonations and the infamous skit called “P for Pleasure.” Whenever I expressed my personal frustration or anxiety he would share his struggles and triumphs and encourage me that I could do anything. Terry would always let me know how proud he was of me. I particularly struggled with college and felt as though I might not make it. Most teachers told me, while growing up, I should stick with a trade and that I really wouldn’t make it as much else. I majored in Psychology and Terry told me that I could do it. I eventually graduated after 6 long years. Many times, because of his disabilities with Tourettes Disorder, he was told he could not become a teacher. He kept working and he became one of the most inspiring teachers at Pleasant Grove High. He has inspired not only my life, but the lives of many others.
Mr Tucker and his lovely wife would also put on countless fundraisers with Cloggers West. They were and are amazing people. They provided opportunities for
high School students to travel. Tuck would always push them far and beyond their limits knowing they could always do better. Dave was sad to graduate and leave behind Cloggers West, and Mr. Tucker behind. Lucky for him he didn't have to.
I met Mr. Tucker when he had asked Dave to help with a clogging performance to raise money for the Cloggers. I still remember what he first said to me, "Oh, my are you gorgeous. What are you doing with an ugly guy like him?" LOL. He always had a way of making the girls blush and giggle. There were several times he asked Dave and many others to help out with clogging. Dave ate it up.
Tucker was a good friend to Dave and I. We were fortunate enough to have done some more fundraisers with him before he got sick. He was later diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. Dave and I were just heart broken. Lucky for me I worked in the hospital and was able to visit him and then take Dave to visit him. Tuck fought hard and would say that the only thing that makes him sad is knowing all of the stuff he will miss with his kids and grand kids. He was a trooper and his family said he never complained.
Dave and I were also lucky to go visit him at his home a few weeks before he died. We were able to show him our son Kimball. Dave was so happy to visit and didn't want to leave. We finally had to because Tuck was getting quite tired. Dave doesn't cry all that often, but as soon as we got into our car the tears started to come.
He died March 26th of last year. His funeral was amazing. There was no parking. It was lined up for blocks. The seating stretched all the way back to the cultural hall stage. There was plenty of laughter and tears. One of the most uplifting and inspiring funerals we have ever gone to. There are so many people's lives that were touched by Mr. Tucker. I am indeed grateful he came into Dave's life and I was lucky enough to be apart of that.
It is funny...Dave and I every once in a great while will go to McDonald's to eat a hamburger and get a Coke in Honor of Tuck. Mr Tucker loved McDonald's and he loved Coke. David has many fond memories of going to McDonald's on tours, trips, and even in Europe. Here's to you Tuck...Thanks for everything.
Dave and I have met many people that have made a huge difference in our lives, but I would like to pay tribute to a dear friend of ours that has passed away a year ago last week...Mr. Terry Tucker. Mr Tucker was Dave's choir teacher in high school. (Many of you who read this quite possibly had him for your choir teacher as well) He also approached David and asked him to be apart of Cloggers West. It was a dance group at his high school.
Dave came from a school in California where teachers told him he wasn't good enough, smart enough, or didn't try hard enough. Mr. Tucker, having many personal trial of his own, took David under his wing and brought some confidence back into his life.
Below is an entry to a tribute site for Terry written by David during Terry's last few months of life:
I moved to Utah from California attending Pleasant Grove High for my Junior and Senior year. I was having a hard time adjusting. In California I was nothing special and often felt second class. I struggled with learning disabilities and many teachers made me feel as though I were dumb and couldn't’t amount to much. I met Mr. Tucker a week before school started and auditioned for the A Capella choir. He then talked me into joining Chamber Choir and Cloggers West. Terry and I spent a lot of one-on-one time getting me up to speed with the rest of the Cloggers. I struggled at first but soon found myself enjoying something I have never even heard of… clogging. He made me feel like I was really appreciated in there, and helped me feel comfortable with being who I was. I had three classes with him a day for two years solid. Terry became not only a teacher that finally believed in me, but became a friend. We have kept in touch all of these years. After my mission he would call me on various occasions to help clog for events. I was there in 2003 when he dissolved Cloggers West. It was truly a sad day for many!!! Terry still however found an excuse to work with me. I participated with Terry in his yearly entertainment commitment to the State Hospital NAMI for the fundraising program. I was the comic relief between Bluegrass Thunder and Rocky Mountain Express doing Elvis impersonations and the infamous skit called “P for Pleasure.” Whenever I expressed my personal frustration or anxiety he would share his struggles and triumphs and encourage me that I could do anything. Terry would always let me know how proud he was of me. I particularly struggled with college and felt as though I might not make it. Most teachers told me, while growing up, I should stick with a trade and that I really wouldn’t make it as much else. I majored in Psychology and Terry told me that I could do it. I eventually graduated after 6 long years. Many times, because of his disabilities with Tourettes Disorder, he was told he could not become a teacher. He kept working and he became one of the most inspiring teachers at Pleasant Grove High. He has inspired not only my life, but the lives of many others.
Mr Tucker and his lovely wife would also put on countless fundraisers with Cloggers West. They were and are amazing people. They provided opportunities for
high School students to travel. Tuck would always push them far and beyond their limits knowing they could always do better. Dave was sad to graduate and leave behind Cloggers West, and Mr. Tucker behind. Lucky for him he didn't have to.
I met Mr. Tucker when he had asked Dave to help with a clogging performance to raise money for the Cloggers. I still remember what he first said to me, "Oh, my are you gorgeous. What are you doing with an ugly guy like him?" LOL. He always had a way of making the girls blush and giggle. There were several times he asked Dave and many others to help out with clogging. Dave ate it up.
Tucker was a good friend to Dave and I. We were fortunate enough to have done some more fundraisers with him before he got sick. He was later diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. Dave and I were just heart broken. Lucky for me I worked in the hospital and was able to visit him and then take Dave to visit him. Tuck fought hard and would say that the only thing that makes him sad is knowing all of the stuff he will miss with his kids and grand kids. He was a trooper and his family said he never complained.
Dave and I were also lucky to go visit him at his home a few weeks before he died. We were able to show him our son Kimball. Dave was so happy to visit and didn't want to leave. We finally had to because Tuck was getting quite tired. Dave doesn't cry all that often, but as soon as we got into our car the tears started to come.
He died March 26th of last year. His funeral was amazing. There was no parking. It was lined up for blocks. The seating stretched all the way back to the cultural hall stage. There was plenty of laughter and tears. One of the most uplifting and inspiring funerals we have ever gone to. There are so many people's lives that were touched by Mr. Tucker. I am indeed grateful he came into Dave's life and I was lucky enough to be apart of that.
It is funny...Dave and I every once in a great while will go to McDonald's to eat a hamburger and get a Coke in Honor of Tuck. Mr Tucker loved McDonald's and he loved Coke. David has many fond memories of going to McDonald's on tours, trips, and even in Europe. Here's to you Tuck...Thanks for everything.
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