Ben's Nicholes

Photography by Ferlayna Hunt

2011-03-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Lunch time turns into McDonalds add!!

2010-02-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

Micky being a great big sister!
Davy showing how he is so spoiled he can do whatever he wants!! Even put his feet on the table!
And here is the McDonald's money shot!

Davy's first b-day!!

2010-01-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

Davy's first b-day is tomorrow but we celebrated today as a family!! It was great! He tore into his cake without ever realizing that he should try to eat it!! Good thing Micky was there to guide him and let him know what he was missing! These are pictures of the shirt Micky got from Grandma and the doll she got from us. We thought this way she would have something to open to and she would not get jealous. WRONG!

Here is where Micky shows Davy that cake is for eating!!

So classic toys that every little kid should have!!

Here is a picture of the monsters vs. aliens cake and the little Davy cakes that we got from Safeway and the gifts ready to go!! We also only had food that Davy could eat with his hands for dinner: shells and white cheddar, spam, olives, corn and juice. Happy Birthday tomorrow my little man!

Makayla and Davy's new set up! I like!

2010-01-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

Their room has its own bathroom which is fantastic!

Their dresser with the picture frames that Daelyn made and the doll blanket that Grandma Stokes made!

Her purple and pink bed set! (Go mommy!)

Davy's matching crib set from Verdawn with the crib from Lisa from years ago, and the kid table from Grandma and Grandpa Stokes!

Family Love

2010-01-10T23:04:00.000-08:00

This is sometimes how I feel about my Las Vegas life!

Sometimes just out of physical reach!

So close yet so far!!

LOVE

2009-12-15T13:17:00.000-08:00

Something to ponder!

Retrieved from: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Love

Sad Day

2009-12-01T14:22:00.002-08:00

Do you ever just have a sad day where you don't want to smile? Where you are just frustrated at the world and their choices?When you just want to be left alone because that is how you feel inside anyway? I know that is not the reality of my world but some days I forget and just feel sad!! Today is one of those days for me!

Mom in Portland 2009

2009-11-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

Hold it together Teira!

What a pair! Back together again!

And another dynamic duo!

I miss this!

Fall in Oregon

2009-11-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

Haloween 2009

2009-11-18T10:49:00.000-08:00

Micky and Daddy trick-or-treating!

Daddy and Davy being angry together about life!

Basking in her cowness!

Yeah Blanket!

2009-11-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you Layna!

Wahoo!

Flowers for Grandma

2009-10-12T17:58:00.001-07:00

45 years of marriage!!

2009-10-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Pursuing Happiness

2009-10-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

This is not my own work. I got it from a text used for one of the classes in my last block. I just thought it was really neat and wanted to share! Enjoy!

Current happiness research points to a number of recommendations. Here’s a quick
summary:

1. Don’t confuse well-being with being well-off.
2. Make wise comparisons.
3. Keep a gratitude journal.
4. Discover your flow.
5. Finish what you start and wholly experience it along the way.
6. Find a hobby
7. Cultivate family ties.
8. Know your neighbors.
9. Volunteer.
10. Practice spirituality.

Further Detail:
1. Don’t confuse well-being with being well-off. Don’t equate stuff with success. Remember: A growing income, along with all it can purchase, is not associated with an iota of increased well-being. We quickly adapt to our changing circumstances, including income increases, and only notice momentary variations from it. Rather, acknowledge the joy of non-material experiences. “When you’re outside at night with your kids,” counsels Jane Hammerslough, “say ‘I love it when the stars are out and the snow looks so beautiful.’ Put emphasis on things that aren’t stuff—on the nonpurchasable” (cited in Hamilton, 2001). People report their most satisfying experiences to be the times when they felt worthy, competent, related to others, and free of external pressure. Aspirations of fame, fortune, and image are linked with a lowered sense of well-being. A state of consciousness called flow occurs when our concentration is so focused that we are completely absorbed in an activity. It is most likely to happen when we have clear goals, when the challenge matches our level of skill, and when we receive immediate feedback. People’s perceptions of their lives are more important to their well-being than objective circumstances. The desire to maximize all of our outcomes is often associated with feelings of regret and decreases our life satisfaction. Savoring life’s best moments fosters joy. Those who have a grateful outlook on life and see themselves as the recipients of others’ generosity report greater positive feelings.

2. Make wise comparisons. Research suggests that as we climb the ladder of success we tend to compare ourselves with those a rung or two above. Choose not to. Instead, compare yourself with those who have less. Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1972, p. 108) suggested, “All you have to do is to go to a hospital and hear all the simple blessings that people never before realized were blessings—being able to urinate, to sleep on your side, to be able to swallow, to scratch an itch, etc. Could exercises in deprivation educate us faster about all our blessings?” Even imagining others’ misfortune produces renewed life satisfaction (Dermer, 1979). College women who merely viewed vivid depictions of how grim life was in 1900 or who imagined and then wrote about various personal tragedies such as being burned or disfigured expressed greater life satisfaction.

3. Keep a gratitude journal. Savor the present moment and say thank you often. When you say thank you, argues Hammerslough, “you’re reminding yourself that something good has come to you” (Hamilton, 2001). In her book Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach (1995) suggests that each night you write down five things that happened that day for which you are thankful. These need not be major surprises or achievements but simple gifts such as finding a good parking space, enjoying a sunny day, meeting a work deadline, tasting a delicious dessert, or watching a child laugh. Robert Emmons found that those who did this in daily or even weekly journals were not only more joyful; they were healthier, less stressed, more optimistic, and more likely to help others (Morris, 2001).

4. Discover your flow. Keep a diary of the high points and low points of each day. Notice patterns. We all experience life differently. An important step in improving the quality of our lives is to pay close attention to what we do every day and to notice how we feel doing different things, in different places, at different times, and with different people (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997). It may be helpful to experiment with one’s surroundings, activities, and companions. There may be surprises. It may be that you really like being alone, that you like work more than you thought, that grocery shopping is really not so bad, that reading makes you feel better than watching television, that socializing with friends is actually more satisfying than going to the movies. When it becomes clear which activities produce the high points for you, increase their frequency.

5. Finish what you start and wholly experience it along the way. Be conscientious and accomplish something every day. Strive for excellence, not necessarily perfection. Heed Father Laurence’s sage advice (Monks of New Skete, 1999, p. 311): Being happy means entering wholeheartedly into everything—no matter what kind of challenge it presents, no matter what the possible difficulties involved—entering into it body, soul, mind, and spirit. We have to enter into it in such a way that we’re no longer separate from what we’re doing. We forget ourselves at the same time that we give ourselves completely. And when we do enter into life totally and completely, then, if we stop and reflect for just a moment, we’ll notice that somehow we’re beginning to experience happiness. This is what we’re made for. David Niven (2001) relates how a Chicago Transit Authority motorman has made his work a true expression of himself. Victor loves his job. “Thank you for riding with me this evening on Electric Avenue. Don’t lean against the doors, I don’t want to lose you,” he tells his passengers as the train departs. He points out all the interesting sites and identifies the connecting buses in the street below. “Our equipment may be junky,” the veteran motorman admits, “but for a dollar-fifty, I want to give a Lincoln Town Car ride.” Victor’s commitment has deep roots: “My father is a retired motorman, and one day he took me to work with him and I was so impressed looking out that window. Ever since I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to run the trains” (p. 98).

6. Find a hobby. Turn off the TV. It fosters our hunger for possessions while reducing our personal contentment (Wu, 1988). Most important, television steals time from engagement in more mindful leisure challenges. Researchers of flow found that only 3 percent of those watching TV reported flow, while 39 percent felt apathetic. In contrast, of those engaged in arts and hobbies, 47 percent reported flow and 4 percent experienced apathy. The less expensive and more involving a leisure activity, the happier people tend to be while pursuing it. Most people are happier gardening than power boating, conversing than watching TV (Myers, 1992).

7. Cultivate family ties. Remember your roots. “The sun looks down on nothing half as good,” observed C.S. Lewis (1949, p. 32), “as a household laughing together over a meal.” As we grow older and typically more distant from our origins, this is easy to forget. We do better when bonds are maintained. “Call your mother,” is the final word of advice from “Life’s Little Instructions,” a poster on my office wall.

8. Know your neighbors. Join a group. Build friendships. Aristotle labeled us the “social animal.” Research concurs: we have a fundamental need to belong. Relative to more communal societies, those in individualist societies who learn independence at an early age often end up experiencing greater loneliness, alienation, and stess-related diseases. Those who enjoy close relationships cope better with life’s challenges.

9. Volunteer. Do something that turns attention from yourself. As we have seen, researchers of altruism have uncovered a “feel-good, do-good effect,” that is, happy people are helpful people. However, the link goes both ways. Kind acts lead one to think more kindly about oneself. Service to others contributes to well-being by decreasing boredom and increasing a sense of meaning in life.

10. Practice spirituality. “Don’t let your religious beliefs fade,” suggests author David Niven (2001). “Take care of the soul,” advises psychologist David Myers (1992). A wealth of research has found that religious people are happier. They cope better with life’s challenges. For many, faith provides a supportive community, a sense of meaning, the experience of acceptance, and a focus beyond self.

Reference
Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2008). The Supreme Good. Retrieved August 28, 2009, from Axia College, Week Six reading, aXcess, PSY220-Possitive Psychology Course Web site.

Interview Flowers - Ah well...

2009-10-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Corsage
Basket
Vase

Hair Cut

2009-10-05T16:42:00.001-07:00

Pictures by Makayla (the back seat perspective)

2009-10-05T16:00:00.001-07:00

Vista House Day!

2009-10-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

Gardening

2009-10-05T15:04:00.001-07:00

A pic Micky took of the wild strawberries growing in the yard!
The bulbs after being planted!
One of our many worm friends! This guy was the biggest for sure!
My cute girl!

Dance Class

2009-10-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

An e-mail I was forwarded!

2009-10-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER

This one is a little different... Two Different Versions! ................. Two Different Morals!

OLD VERSION: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!

MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010

My Tough Girl

2009-09-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Children's Museum 2009

2009-09-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Fred who tried to take over my car!

2009-09-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ren Fair 2009

2009-09-30T14:48:00.001-07:00

Swimming Class-Starfish-2009

2009-09-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

We make cute babies!

2009-09-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Trouble

2009-08-21T15:16:00.001-07:00

Visit From my Las Vegas Life

2009-08-21T15:10:00.001-07:00

Other Fun

2009-08-07T15:23:00.001-07:00

Makayla's Birthday x 2

2009-08-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

Makayla's 3rd Birthday

2009-08-07T15:15:00.001-07:00

Makayla's School

2009-08-07T15:13:00.001-07:00

Davy's food adventures

2009-08-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

4th of July in Spokane

2009-07-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Makayla Crafting
Cold Stone after seeing UP
Everyone loves ice cream!
The car ride
Did you know you can't pump your own gas in Oregon?
My handsome!
Micky and the Elephant
Aaron and Davy at Coldstone!

Fun with the Family

2009-05-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

2009-02-17T21:08:00.000-08:00

2009-02-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

Family Photos!

2009-02-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

2009-02-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

I'm not tired!

2008-12-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

....

2008-11-16T23:46:00.001-08:00

SALT LAKE CITY 14 November 2008 Five months ago, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a letter to members of the Church in California, encouraging them to join the millions of other Californians from many religious denominations, ethnic groups and political persuasions in a broad coalition to defend marriage as it has been defined for millennia.

During the election campaign, both sides of the argument on Proposition 8 had ample opportunities to express their viewpoint. The result was conclusively in favor of traditional marriage. More than 40 states in the United States have now voted to protect traditional marriage, either directly or through their elected representatives.

Today the First Presidency issued this statement about the democratic process:

Since the people of California voted to reaffirm the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman on November 4, 2008, places of worship have been targeted by opponents of Proposition 8 with demonstrations and, in some cases, vandalism. People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America.
The Church is keenly aware of the differences of opinion on this difficult and sensitive matter. The reasons for this principled stand in defense of marriage have already been articulated elsewhere. However, some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing.

Attacks on churches and intimidation of people of faith have no place in civil discourse over controversial issues. People of faith have a democratic right to express their views in the public square without fear of reprisal. Efforts to force citizens out of public discussion should be deplored by people of goodwill everywhere.

We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other.

Halloween

2008-11-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

That's right Jade!!! Dr. Laura

2008-10-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Baby Boomer Women Are Committing Suicide..Why?

October 28, 2008 on 12:39 pm | In Depression, Feminism, Marriage, Motherhood, Women Email This Post

I was at first stunned - then not - to read that research from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health points toward white, middle aged women as being particularly prone to depression leading to suicides. I’m a middle aged, white, female baby-boomer, so this caught my attention, especially since the researchers seemed clueless as to what would be behind this spike.

Having talked to women for over thirty years on the radio, I think I know. We middle-aged, white females from the sixties were sold a bill of goods by the originally well-meaning women’s movement. The bits about equal pay for equal experience and competence were kind of a no-brainer. The bits about men, marriage, sex, babies, and home-making being negatives in our lives - because, of course, they were oppressive and demeaning - also seemed obvious at the time. So, with the introduction of consciousness raising (that is, learning to mistrust, not need, and even loathe men) and women’s studies programs (which conceived of elevating women by making them perpetually angry victims), we were on our way to a collision course to today: depression and suicide.

Women who dared to buck the feminista trend and actually marry and make babies, kept close to the sisterhood by not being very sexual, loving, or sensitive to their husbands - or just kept them as shack-up studs - and put their babies in day-care. They did all of that so they could work at their careers full-time and have financial power. The thinking was, what if “he” took off with some bimbo or died on them? Money is power and safety! They also did all of that so they could feel like “somebody.” I still have women tell me today that they only allow themselves to feel good when they have a successful career; the loving appreciation of a husband and children are swept aside like so much emotional dandruff.

These white, middle-aged, female baby-boomers starved themselves of the fulfilling emotional meal of actually being a hands-on mom in addition to being their husband’s girlfriend. Many of them are now divorced, and their adult children hardly spend time any time with them. The kids learned how to spend time without Mom because she was so “busy, busy, busy” while they were growing up.

I’m not surprised that so many of these women are depressed and suicidal. Feministas lied to them that they could and would “have it all:” they only had to sacrifice the loveliest parts of their womanhood.

I’m not among them, because I caught myself entering that depressive state. I’ve been there…done that. Saved by a marriage and a child!

(Dr. Laura)

Stolen from Jades blog!! Ha Ha

2008-10-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Republican / Democrat
A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a bass boat below. She shouted to him, 'Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.'

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, 'You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.'

She rolled her eyes and said, 'You must be a Republican.'

'I am,' replied the bass fisherman. 'How did you know?'

'Well,' answered the balloonist, 'everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me.'

The man smiled and responded, 'You must be a Democrat.'

'I am,' replied the balloonist. 'How did you know?'

'Well,' said the bass fisherman, 'You don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it's my fault.

Cup Cakes

2008-10-28T00:38:00.000-07:00

This site belongs to my visiting teacher! I did not even know she could do this stuff!! How cool is that! I know where to go the next time I need sweets!!

http://web.mac.com/mycupcakes/iWeb/Site/HOME/HOME.html

Can you believe this?

2008-10-13T09:19:00.001-07:00

http://daily.freecapitalist.com/2008/09/08/rogue-agency-arrests-stay-at-home-utah-mom/354

Baby Nicholes #2 Boy or Girl?

2008-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't already know! Have a look and venture a guess!! What do you think? Boy or girl?

My amazing husband made this bed!!

2008-09-30T23:52:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have a facebook this is old news to you but I am very proud and need to advertise to the world every chance I get!
Makayla totally diggin her new bed!
You can't see but she is actually standing in one of the drawers! That's right! It can support her wait! Not only that but it is big enough that she could hide in it if she wanted too! I love this bed! It holds most all her toys and all of her books!

Election Year

2008-09-30T23:30:00.001-07:00

I have decided that I hate elections! Not for any other reason then the lies that get passed around about everyone, by everyone, in order to push their agendas! In my talking to people over the last few weeks I have heard all kinds of things about Obama that just did not make sense. If even one of them were true how could he possible have any chance at president? I have spent the last 45 minutes looking up info on all of the things that I have heard! Not one of them was true! It doesn't change the fact that I DO NOT plan on voting for Obama, it just makes me angry. Instead of doing research on the issues I am searching to find out if he is a US citizen or why he took the flag of his campaign jet! For those who are interested, here are your answers! BUT PLEASE, research the issues and vote based on the candidate that most surely supports your beliefs and values! I.E. Abortion, Gay Marriage, War

http://snopes.com/politics/obama/airplane.asp - The deal with the flag on the plane!
http://snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp - The flag thing - not about the pledge but the anthem
http://snopes.com/politics/obama/citizen.asp - The citizen thing
http://snopes.com/politics/obama/birthcertificate.asp - The birth certificate thing
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/09/30/youdecide_0930/ - Obama kids video

Mustang Stalker

2008-09-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ok... So for the last 9 months or so I have been haunted by the Ford Mustang. Not just any mustang but the newer model that has a muscle car feel to it! I see it everywhere I go. Not just every day but every time I go out of my house. There are 4 in my complex alone. All colors... Racing striped or not... They are just everywhere. Anyway... Today I was visiting Sis. Jex blog and took a quiz that she had taken to find out what kind I sports car I was. I broke out in hysterics when the picture that popped up was the Ford Mustang! Apparently it is my spirit car or something of that nature! Soul Mates maybe!!!! Who knew!!

I'm a Ford Mustang!

You're an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. You're not snobby or pretentious, but you have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.