Diary of a Fly-fisherman's wife: July 2009

Sunday, July 26, 2009

White Trash Wonders

You know, we are what we are. What can I say? My mom and dad tried to raise me right. They took me cultural events. I saw Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast in Hollywood. They dressed me in designer fashions for the age. They provided me with an excellent education- BYU GRAD. I had cool cars as a teen, a VW bug decked out with the rims and mirrors, graphic equalizer, and fuzzy dice. Then a little Nissan truck that was great for taking everyone at CHS off-campus for lunch. My parents did all they could to bring me up in perfect conditions. I write all of this, because in no way do I want this next post to reflect on my parents. They are classy people. However,

Here are the Hyde's- in true form. The White Trash Wonders...

I told Gracie not to go outside, not with "the Waster" awaiting her arrival. But does she ever listen to mom? NO! She lasted 4.6 seconds before she was back in the house, sopping wet and in tears. "I wasted her, mom"- was all Grant had to say for himself.

Yes, we played a little golf. However, the highlights of the evening were drinking water from the water coolers and "snow cone cups" provided by the golf course, seeing who could get the closest to the green in 5 strokes (they are getting better), and washing the golf balls at the start of every hole. At the end of the night there is one thing we know for sure... the Hyde boys got clean balls.

We bowl. You would too if it were 112 degrees outside all summer and the local bowling alley allowed your children to bowl a free game everyday of summer. Man we stink when we are through, but it is cool in there. Now, if the object of the game was to see who's ball took the longest to go the length of the alley and hit no pins- WITH THE BUMPERS UP- Gracie would be the champion. It is painful to observe. The boys are pretty good. They are awkward and fall often, but they knock down pins. I need to learn how to post my videos. They are too funny.

We can make anything into entertainment. Here are our Mario and Luigi photos. We think we are so clever.

This was Grant's introduction to uncle Raleigh's dog, Skip. Let's just say that Skip REALLY liked Grant. Everywhere Grant went, there was ol' Skippy. When everyone began yelling at the dog to get away from Grant, my innocent little boy replied, "It's OK, I like it". Oh Skip, you really need to GET A GRIP.

Russ and Kaci... expecting about the same time. I think Kaci felt better after this picture was taken. Russ on the other hand... went home and worked out for two hours.

Well, this sums up more of our summer fun. We might be a little WT, but we sure have fun.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Seeing STARS

This year Garrett was selected for the 11 year old All-Star baseball team. We are so excited for him. As I have said in a previous post he really worked hard this season to prove himself. He practiced with his team and then practiced an hour longer with Russ or I everyday... by his request, not ours. He wanted to get better. And that he did. His coach called us the day after the championship game and told us that he had received phone calls all day long from other coaches regarding Garrett and how they hoped to get him on the All-Star team. He also talked about Garrett's work ethic and what a pleasure it was to have a kid on his team that listened to him and wanted to learn the game better. Those are the type of phone calls I like to receive.

Anyway, the boys won their first All-Star game 20 - 3. Garrett had two great hits (one to get on base and then a fly-out to deep center) and a walk. The mercy rule was enforced after the 4th inning. Thank heavens- I can't even enjoy those types of games, even if we are winning (Unless it is a BYU vs. Utah game and the Cougs are ahead). The following games were not as great. We played the Cedar American team who beat us 12-4. We were not playing well that day and could NOT hit the ball. Garrett played third base that game, which was a new position for him. He usually plays second. He had a fabulous game. He threw at least 5 kids out at first. Got a kid out that was stealing t

hird. And caught a kid in a pickle between third and home and got him out. It was fun to watch him field that day. The following day we lost to Hurricane, a team we should have beat. Again, we had a couple of mistakes that the boys let get the best of them and couldn't get over them. It was too bad because we really had a good team.

Anyway, baseball is officially over. We are now preparing for football season. I think we have a 3 week break. Won't that be nice!

I love my job...

Last night I had a really cool experience. One of my neighbors called me around 10:00 pm. When I answered he said, "This is Gene. I am having a health problem. I felt inspired to call you. I know you work at the hospital, are you a nurse?" I explained that I wasn't a nurse, and that I worked in cardiac rehab as an exercise physiologist. I asked him what was wrong and that maybe I could get him in touch with the right person. He explained to me that he had been in the hospital this last week with rapid atrial fibrillation (A-fib)- a heart condition that I deal with on a daily basis at work. He said that he was just looking for someone that could check his pulse. Again, something that I do EVERYDAY. I told him that I would come right over and check his pulse. I was able to go over to his home and spend about an hour answering questions and putting his mind at ease. I could tell he just felt better when I was leaving. He told Russ today how much better he felt and how comforted he was just knowing I was close by. Now, I am not sure what more I could do other than just answer some questions... but I am glad that he feels better and that Heavenly Father put me in a position where I was able to help him.

I have the opportunity to help people on a daily basis. My job is truly one of the most rewarding jobs there is. We work with patients who were so close to death (some even having been brought back to life thanks to CPR and AEDs) and I get to help them return to functional levels much higher than they have been in years. Now, the wonderful part of my job is that the patients do all the work. They get themselves stronger. They are the ones to heal themselves (with the help of doctors and our Heavenly Father). I just get to point them in the right direction and watch it all happen.

I am so grateful for the education I have that has allowed me to find this kind of work. I am grateful for parents that encouraged me to go to college AND THEN PAID FOR IT so I could have this opportunity. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father that has given me so many blessings regarding my career. And I am grateful He inspired Gene to call me last night and remind me what a great job I have.