Family | Monica Buckles

Category Archives: Family

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.

Halloween fun

October 31, 2007 – 12:23 pm

Halloween is in full swing at our house, and I’m feeling baa-humbug about the whole thing. It’s not that I don’t love Halloween, or any other holiday for that matter, but I hate the busyness of it. Of course since procrastination is my middle name I waited until last night to buy candy, and find a costume.

Every year my kids ask me what I’m going to be, and I tell them “a grumpy old mommy”. They don’t think that’s very funny, so this year I did go out and get a costume, well sort of. I’ll post pictures later. Since I’m joining in the Halloween ~~crap~~ fun I thought Ash should to, so I made him go out last night and get himself a costume to.

Halloween just isn’t fair to us Weight Watchers girls. I am totally over my candy addiction except when Halloween rolls around. Wish me luck tonight.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Hubby, Kids, Weight Loss | Comments (1)

Does being a blogger automatically mean your a geek?

October 29, 2007 – 7:44 am

Yesterday my little sis was over, (watching our kids while we went to Park City for the night) and we got into a discussion about how geeky I am becoming because I blog and enjoy reading blogs. Does blogging automatically equal geek?

Her evidence to prove what a geek I am was that within 3 hours of cutting my hair I had posted a pic of the new do. To my defense though Ash was out of town and I posted that picture totally for his benefit. I know excuses excuses.

On a more exciting topic (at least for us anyway) today is the big move in day for LDS hospital. This means Ben along with about a hundred others will be shipped over to their new rooms via 85 ambulances. I can’t imagine the undertaking in moving that many sick and injured patience. The new place is great, and he will have a gorgeous mountain view along with a huge flat screen TV and pull out sleeper sofa. Yeah!Â I watched a bit of the move on the news this morning, and all was going well. We can’t wait to visit him in his new place.

Even more good news, my theory about ignoring my symptoms worked and I’m feeling much better.

On a more sad and pathetic note, Ash fractured a bone in his foot. How you ask? He has no idea, he just woke up that way. He’s the only person I know who can get hurt doing nothing. He swears I must beat him in his sleep. I say he needs to at least come up with a good storyÂ like he hurt himself while skydiving or something.Â I hope he gets better soon, I hate seeing him hurt so much.

Here is a few of my favorite posts for the week.

Johnny Suede Slept Here by Hola Isabel
Old People Central by Azucar
Lois Gets Dragged Kicking and Screaming into the 21st Century by Lois

And I think Adria looks adorable in this.

By Monica | Also posted in Hubby, Random Thoughts | Comments (1)

Donate to Ben

October 23, 2007 – 11:53 am

We have got a lot of phone calls, and emails from people asking where they can donate money if they can’t make it tonight. Ash has set up an account to take donations, just go to www.ashbuckles.com, and click on the donate button.

Thank you to everyone for your support, we really do have the greatest friends!!! Hope to see a bunch of you their tonight.

By Monica | Also posted in Friends, Hubby, Utah | Comments (0)

Benefit Dinner

October 21, 2007 – 4:05 pm

OK I’m finally able to let everyone know about the benefit dinner for Ben and his wife Megan. On Tuesday the 23rd (sorry about the late notice) at Biaggi’s Restaurant in Salt Lake city we will be having a benefit dinner. It will be from 4 until 10 o’clock, and the cost is only $10 a person. All proceeds will be going to Ben and his family to help cover medical expenses. If any of you have been to Biaggi’s before you know it is a fabulous restaurant and this price is a real steal. They will be serving Spaghetti Pomodoro, and a salad. Biaggi’s is located at the south east corner of the Gateway mall, and the address is 194 South 400 West.

We really appreciate every ones support, and hope so see a lot of people Tuesday night. Children are welcome, and this would be a great family night out or a date night for a worthy cause.

PS we just got a phone call from a friend who won’t be able to make it but wanted to know how to send money. That is incredibly sweet. We have the most loving and generous friends around!

By Monica | Also posted in Friends, Utah | Comments (0)

Not for the squeamish

October 17, 2007 – 8:23 am

OK so we just got back from St. George, and we had a great time all except the first night their. Now comes the disclaimer. If you have a weak stomach click away now.

Really

I mean it!

OK anybody still with me?

So my youngest son woke me up at 4 o’clock in the morning our first night in St George telling me that I needed to change his shirt. In my dazed stupor I asked him why what happened and then I smelt it, and didn’t need to wait for the answer. I staggered out of bed, and ushered him into the bathroom where I flipped on the light to discover that my fear was correct. My son was covered from his chin to his toes (no exaggerating) in POO! Not puke like you might have guessed POO. Really. and he’s almost 5! All I can guess is that he was REALLY REALLY asleep. Don’t worry, this is one thing I didn’t take pictures of.

It took me an hour and a half to get him, the bathroom, and his bed cleaned up, and then two more days to completely get rid of the smell. By the way, sorry to the owner of the condo who probably would never rent to us again if he finds out what happened. I’m sure I cleaned and bleached away all the evidence.

So what is the sickest thing your kids have ever done?

By Monica | Also posted in Kids, Utah | Comments (0)

“Faith precedes the miracle”

October 16, 2007 – 5:42 pm

With recent tragedy hitting so close to home, and spending a considerable amount of time at LDS hospital, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and reflecting on life. Looking at what really matters, and how your reality can be changed in an instant. As time goes by we realized more and more how this event is going to impact not only Ben’s life, but the people around him. I can’t begin to wrap my head around the heart ache he must feel, knowing he will never walk again. We take so much for granted. He doesn’t have much use of his hands, so he can’t even feed himself.

I’ve been thinking a lot about faith, and I came across this blog at Segullah that I really enjoyed. I have never had a problem with faith, I have never struggled to know that the church is true, and for this I am very grateful. I have struggled withÂ obedience. Although I have never doubted the church I have had a hard time from time to time doing what I knew was right.

Last week I watched Ben ask for a blessing while he struggled with pneumonia. (He is not a member of the church, but knows that we are) He honestly thought at one point that he wasn’t going to make it. We were able to get him a blessing, by tracking down someone in the hospital who was able to assist. The next day when I came to see him the pneumonia was all but gone. I pointed out to him that the blessing worked, and then someone pointed out to me that Ben’s faith was what made the blessings a success. For some reason that hit me hard. It wasn’t anything that I didn’t already know, but being born and raised in the church I forget that we don’t have exclusive rights to faith, and that others not of our faith can and are blessed by Heavenly Fathers priesthood based on there faith.

I’m grateful he had the faith to be healed, and that I was taught a lesson in the process. Right now I’m finding a lot to be grateful for.

Stay tuned for an announcement about a benefit that will hopefully be happening soon for Ben and his family. If it is pulled off as planned it should be a fun night for a worthy cause.

By Monica | Also posted in Churchy stuff, Friends | Comments (0)

UEA Vacation

October 12, 2007 – 8:23 am

We are off on a much needed vaca to St George. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I’ll post pics when we get back.

By Monica | Also posted in Hubby, Kids, Utah | Comments (0)

Writers Block

September 18, 2007 – 10:03 am

I have total writers block right now. It’s not for a lack of stuff to talk about, it’sÂ a total lack of what to say about it. I’ve got lists of stuff I could tell you all, like my kids first day back at school, my husband traveling for work again and won’t be back for yet another week, my parents plan to move out of “T-town” and into the country of Idaho, the stuff going on in Iraq with my brother in law, taking care of my mother in law while she is now doing radiation and her hubby is out of town to.Â I just can’t seem to get the motivation to write any of it. (plus I have a new camera, and the photos are stuck on it until the technical one in the family gets home).

I can usually write some crappy article for work that will do, but this time I can’t even do that. I’m just staring at the cursor willing it to write itself. All of this is leading me to eat ridiculous amounts of candy that won’t look good on Friday when I go to weigh in for Weight Watchers.

I guess I do have something to write after all, to bad its all whining.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Hubby, Kids, My Work, Weight Loss | Comments (1)

Hawaii part III

September 10, 2007 – 7:17 pm

Here is Dallin Boogie boarding. This is right before a rip tide got a hold of him and swept him out. Ash had to swim after him and help him back in. Quit a scare.

This is a picture from the top of the Pali looking down on Kailua.

Another photo from the Pali Highway looking towards Kaneohe bay.

This is Blow hole just east of Hanamua Bay.

This is the house that Ash grew up in while living in Hawaii.

Hawaii Temple

Hanamua Bay

They view from our condo.

By Monica | Also posted in Hubby, Kids | Comments (1)

Hawaii Part II

September 5, 2007 – 6:58 pm

Here is a little more of our wonderful vacay. Sorry it has taken so long, I’ve been busy getting the kids back to school.

Kuhio Beach park. This is a statue of “Duke” the inventor of modern surfing.

Fun on Waikiki. Cole is just hoping the parrot doesn’t think his ear is a tasty worm to eat.

Sadie having fun at Kailua Beach

Cole liked the sand much more than the ruff surf.

To be continued…

By Monica | Also posted in Hubby, Kids | Comments (0)

Back from Paradise

August 28, 2007 – 11:02 am

We are home finally (2 weeks is a long time to be away from home), and it’s back to reality. We had a great time on our trip, but I’m glad to be home in my own bed. We did and saw so much I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just post some pictures with a little commentary.

Our first stop was Seattle where we hung out with family and friends

This is my nephew, and my best buddy. He calls me everyday, and tells on his mom when she’s being mean ;0)

We had dinner at the most white trash restaurant ever, but the food was good.

Notice the onion rings that you order by the foot. Seriously by the foot. My dad ordered 2 FEET, who can eat 2 feet of onion rings. Come on people.

Then it was on to Hawaii. Of course no trip of ours would be complete without a major disaster. This time it happened to be a natural disaster.
We arrived at the airport to find that not only was their a category 4 hurricane headed for Hawaii, but they had a earthquake earlier that morning.

Our first stop was the USS Arizona

Cole was obviously impressed.

The quit reverence, and calming spirit were amazing.

This is part of the ship that is still sticking out of the water, and oil bubbles out every few minutes.

This is the original anchor for the USS Arizona.

Cole woke up long enough to shoot the guns.

Well this is turning into a novel so I’ll post more later.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Friends, Kids | Comments (1)

This is the post in which I try to impart my simple minded wisdom

August 10, 2007 – 7:39 pm

I’ve had something weighing heavy on my mind and heart for the last year. My daughter turned 12 years old in the spring and leading up to her birthday I started feeling a sense of dread. It’s the same feeling I got when she was baptised. She went in for her bishop’s interview and all of a sudden I was panicked. Did I teach her enough? Does she really know what she needs to know? Have I completely failed her?

While in with the bishop I was amazed at the answers she gave. I attribute her very mature answers about the gospel to wonderful primary teachers who loved her and taught her well. I am eternally grateful to all those who teach my children and set good examples for them every day.

I’ve spent the last 8 months worried about the reality of raising a teenage daughter in the world today. While contemplating this I attended Women’s conference a few months ago looking and praying for some inspiration on how I might do this. A little voice whispered to me “teach her, her divine nature and the rest will come.” As I thought about this answer I realized that knowing that you are a daughter of God is the key to everything. If we truly knew who we were I’m convinced we wouldn’t make some of the choices that we do.

I know that this has been a problem for me my whole life. In theory I know that I am a daughter of God.Â I feel his love and influence in my life, but my self esteem keeps me from really believing that he worries about little old me. In theory I believe it all, but I struggle to feel it. I know that if I truly felt my divine nature I wouldn’t have made the mistakes that I have.Â I think that knowing you are a daughter of God is a gift and a talent that some are born with and others have to work at.

I was reading a blog yesterday, and it was about this very topic. It really hit home to me that I’m on the right track with teaching my daughter. I’m focusing on divine nature, and self esteem and praying that the rest will fall into place. Of course this isn’t an excuse to not teach the other basics, I’m just setting my focus in this direction and living on faith.

Go check out Segullah, and hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do. It is not only inspirational, it’s inspired.

By Monica | Also posted in Kids | Comments (0)

Happy Birthday to ME

August 9, 2007 – 8:30 am

The last thing I said to Ash before falling asleep last night was “I’m going to sleep in tomorrow for my birthday.”

I woke up at the crack of dawn to my 4 year old saying he is going to throw up.

Happy Birthday to me.

By Monica | Also posted in Hubby, Kids | Comments (1)

Week in review…

August 7, 2007 – 2:19 pm

…Photo style, curtosy of my early Birthday present a digital camera. (my b-day is Thursday)

Cub scout Pack meeting rocket race. Big fun!

Cub scout Day camp with 16 boys!

This is supposed to be rafting, but it looks like a dock to me.

My boys painting with daddy.

Working hard.

The finished product.

Oh and by the way 2.7lbs. until I hit my first goal. I can’t believe how good this feels. I’m still not even close to being done, but it’s a start.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Hubby, Kids, Weight Loss | Comments (1)

Trauma and Drama

August 3, 2007 – 1:45 pm

Yesterday I got the pleasure of spending the whole day up at Cub scout day camp (I know me at day camp with the Cub scouts is pretty funny, but you can stop laughing now). Despite my fear, we had a great time and the camp is run really well. The boys seemed to enjoy themselves and were well behaved. I don’t know if having 16 young boys with fully loaded BB guns is the best idea, but we made it through with no bodily injuries.

With two hours left to go in our wonderful adventure I get a phone call from my sister-in-law. This really puzzles me since she knows I’m in the mountains all day with 16 boys. I know she didn’t forget because I’ve got her son. So of course there isn’t enough reception up their to answer the phone so I went out to the parking lot (for better reception) and called my messages.

Her message is a little frantic, and she is saying something about my mother-in-law (who is in the middle of chemo for breast cancer) and something about calling 911. Well now I’m totally panicking. I ran to the office and asked to use the emergency phone to call home.

To make a long story a little shorter I find out that she had a seizure, hit her head pretty hard on the night stand, and bit through her lip requiring 4 stitches. She also had a second seizure on the way to the hospital but after a CAT scan she was cleared and headed home to rest.

I was pretty worn out when I got home so I took a brief nap. Then had to run to my kids school for a back to school picnic in the middle of the worst storm I’ve seen in Utah since I moved here. We all got really soaked but they had fun so that’s all that matters.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Kids, Utah | Comments (1)

Monica Buckles