What fun Home Teachers have! Today Bob and his friend Ralph Mabee adventured over to Virginia Atwood's home for a little Home Teaching. Well, actually they went to cut down one of her hundreds of trees. This one was clearly dead and threatened to take down her house if it was to fall. I had a few minutes before getting Derek so I grabbed my camera to watch. Ralph has it down to a science. Bob was just there to do as Ralph asked. Bob said he was in charge of the "pull along" cable. When Ralph had the tree secure, and he sawed it just right, Bob took over. It was really quite fun to watch the process. I took a video of part of it. Which tree will be next?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Mother Nature can't decide
I was doing a little blogging this evening and had just written about the warm weather we are having and how I enjoy hanging my clothes out to dry.
I had to stop to go turn on the irrigation wheel line.
It was kind of raining, and it smelled so good, I enjoyed "singing in the rain" as I was out there. By the time I climbed the ladder over the fence I was afraid the lightning and thunder was going to get me (metal ladder and metal wheel line and main line). Then on the way back to the house the hail started.
Thank goodness I had a sweat shirt on. I was pretty much soaked by the time I got in the house. Then I remembered I had left the camera out in the car from Derek's Top Soccer practice. That is when I got injured (not really, but each hail that hit me kind of stung).
The hail and the thunder kept coming. I couldn't even have a conversation on the phone it was so loud. But for the blog (thanks Alisha) I got some pictures. Wow, how the weather does change here in Bend, Oregon!
Tomorrow will be another day of Mother Nature tricks I'm sure!
Just "Hanging" Around!!!
I complained enough during our extra long winter on how cold it was and how I wished the weather would warm up. Well, I think it finally did and I need to acknowledge the fact that now I can hang my clothes up to dry. And today, the clothes line worked faster than the dryer (and I certainly didn't want the heat from the dryer to heat up the house). So here's to you Mother Nature... thanks for the warmth!
Dee & Alta trek on over to Bend Oregon
My Uncle Dee and Aunt Alta have never been to Bend, Oregon. Now, what's that all about? We hope it won't be the last either. Who could not return to this beautiful place? The pictures Alta took with her beautiful (very expensive, Dee added) camera were incredible, but that is just what our scenery is.. incredible. We drove up Pilot Butte, downtown Bend, and the Old Mill district. Next time we will do Mt. Bachelor, and some of the amazing other sites. Now, why would they want to go back to Crappy Concord California.. Oh, did I say that, oh, sorry. If I were them I'd pack up and move to "Beautiful by far, Bend Oregon" Thanks for the visit, do it again!
Why is it...?
Why is it that I grow weeds in my flower bed, and look where this flower is growing.. Can you see it is in the crack of my porch? How does that happen? No, I am not going to pick it either... I will let it grow wherever it wants to grow (I may just do the same with the weeds that are growing in the flower bed!).
Elder Vanleeuwen is back in Bend
What a pleasant surprise. I got a call from one of our past, awesome missionaries... Elder Vanleeuwen. What a great missionary he is! Now I know why, his family is so sweet, kind and trained him right. His sisters are so adorably cute!!!It was a pleasure to have his family in my home.
Many of you remember him as Superman, and the missionary that had the fun games for the children (Hannah Clawson even sent him a Valentine's card). He is a successful missionary and our family was honored to have him in our home and in the High Desert Ward. Best wishes to you Elder (Brant, Bryant??) Vanleeuwen. Love to you!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day to my 2 Favorite Mothers
(Kari, you are my next favorite mother... but since you aren't my MOM, nor my grandchilren's mom... I'll just say "Happy Mothers"Day to My very best sister! Love you)
I know some women don't like Mother's Day. I love it.
I love it because I love my mother.
My mother is and will always be the best example to me.
We were blessed to have my mom and dad here for several months. Every day my mom would ask me what she could do to help me with my list of "to do's".
She would work on stimuli for Derek's program, she would sweep, do the dishes, do our dinner, do the laundry, windows, sinks.. everything but the vacuum. (If she could push the beast she would have done that too!)
Mom, you are the best. I love you so much!!!
Rebecca, the mother of my grandchildren. Like I've said before, I gave birth to my very best friend. Justin is a lucky guy to have you as the mother of his children.
Trey and Tian are the luckiest children ever to be able to call you their mom.
You are such a good mom. You are happy, organized, playful, sweet, lovable and all around a FABULOUS, MOST AWESOME mother there is! Love to you on this Mothers day!!!
Derek is an All-Star
A few past posts I bragged about Derek being a Soccer Super Star.
Well, this week he was an "All-Star"... well at least that is what the nurse who drew his blood said.
Many years in the passed when I had to take Derek in to draw blood it would be a harrowing experience. I remember taking tutors Michel and Jenny with me... maybe even Mindy(or was that to have them check out his ears.. remember Mindy how horrible that was)to help hold his arms and feet still. Seriously, it took 3 of us.
Now, you can't believe how good he is. He just climbs up on the chair, he sticks out his arm and lets the lady get to her business. The worst part is he watches it happen... (I'm squirming in my shoes) After he is done he gets off the chair and says "Barqs Root beer, the big kind at Safeway." And sure enough, 8:30a.m. we head to Safeway for a root beer. Wow, have things changed!
They are growing like weeds!!!
Yes, the snow has melted and now we have a wonderful lawn of dandelions.
But those are not the weeds I'm talking about.
Many of you have asked about our 3 baby calves (Yes, 8 more were suppose to join the herd, but the vet is still puzzled at the fact that they were all pregnant in September, but now rechecking... they aren't).
They are as cute as can be.. or I should say as cute as baby calves can be.
So today I had my camera in hand (taking pictures of the coop) and thought I'd got take a few pictures of them. They were all sitting together, but when they saw me coming they got up and moved, but I got pretty close anyway.
We call one Annabelle (the largest one) the second one Anne Frank (for reasons only my dad and I want to think about) and the third one is Cinnamon (my dad and I came up with the name, and then come to find out our neighbor Deborah thought of the same name). Enjoy
This one's for you DAD!!!
Part of our day was spent in getting our old, not been used for years chicken coop up to speed. While my dad was here he kept talking about coops and chickens and eggs. So we decided to get things back into running order.
Our chickens won't be disturbed by the cows rubbing on their fence.. we have the panels to keep them away. We extended the run so they will have plenty of room to run!
We have a nice skylight and plenty of roosting perches.
Now all we need dad is for you to hurry back, pick out your chickens and get this thing started!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Super Star Derek!!!
I had a nice phone call today from Ovey (a big fan of Derek's) telling us that he saw Derek in the Sports section of the newspaper.
The Bulletin reporter came to visit Top Soccer last week. She did a great article.
Thought you'd all like to see something else Derek is into (Derek has the red sweatshirt and orange penny on)!
(I cut and pasted this from the newspaper, and I am highlighting Bob's comments)
Roll out the fun
TOPSoccer program levels the playing field
By Katie Brauns / The BulletinPublished: May 05. 2009 4:00AM PST
Knowing which goal is the opponents’ goal is arbitrary. What matters is getting the ball into one of them.
TOPSoccer is not about winning or optimizing soccer skills. It is about opportunity and working up to potential. It provides an even playing field for children with disabilities.
“It helps them with hand-eye coordination,” says Bob Sauter, whose 16-year-old son Derek is a TOPSoccer player. “It gives them some exercise. It teaches them to follow instructions, be focused and pay attention. … And when they do play a game, everyone gets to score.”
TOPSoccer, which stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a community-based training program for youngsters ages 4 to 19 who have physical or mental disabilities. The program, organized by U.S. Youth Soccer, is offered nationwide. Here in Central Oregon the Oregon Rush Soccer Club, a competitive youth soccer organization based in Bend, provides TOPSoccer to local boys and girls.
“The idea behind TOPSoccer is physical and mental and emotional growth through soccer,” says John O’Sullivan, who heads up TOPSoccer in Central Oregon and is the coordinator for Oregon Rush. “Our (Oregon Rush) soccer club provides opportunities to play soccer regardless of age or ability and this (TOPSoccer) is part of it … to place these kids in an environment where they can have success and have fun, and they can learn at their own pace.”
Originated in 2002 in Central Oregon by soccer enthusiasts Ric Secor and Mike Kennedy, the local TOPSoccer program was taken over two years ago by O’Sullivan when he joined Rush.
Clad in colored bibs for team identification — some red, some orange, some yellow — about 15 soccer players of all ages take part in skills drills on the damp fields at Bend’s Buckingham Elementary School. They throw soccer balls high into the air and shuffle around in attempts to catch them. When they are successful, the young players break into smiles.
“It’s great for the kids to come out and have a coach that’s really patient and understanding with them,” says Bend’s Terri O’Connor, a mom whose autistic son Colin is participating in the TOPSoccer program. “He (O’Sullivan) makes it fun. … I mean, you look at him right now and he’s down on the ground with the kids doing a crab walk. That’s great.”
The group quickly moves to another activity. They kick soccer balls around, changing directions: left, right, forward, back and in a circular pattern on the field.
O’Sullivan, 38, holds the attention of all the participants. He is jovial and animated on the field and, as he says, is having a blast.
“It’s my favorite program,” says O’Sullivan, comparing TOPSoccer with some of the competitive Oregon Rush programs. “It’s awesome. It’s so much fun to work with the kids. They have the best spirit and joy of life and joy of soccer.”
These TOPSoccer players are faced with a range of disabilities and issues, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, partial blindness, partial paralysis and minor behavior problems.
“Different disabilities require different needs. You work for a smile. That’s what I’m out here for,” notes Chris Gilliland, of Bend, a TOPSoccer volunteer for three years. “My belief is that everybody has a disability. Mine may be paying attention, whereas some other people may have physical disabilities. Everybody has a disability of some sort, and you turn their disability into another ability.”
Locally, the free program is staffed by volunteers, mostly from Oregon Rush.
Some of the parents believe that the program would not be possible without the volunteers.
“One thing that I really like is the teenagers that come and help out,” says Sheryl Dodge, of Bend, whose autistic son Curtis, 10, is a TOPSoccer player. “They are providing a service and having fun with the kids. … It wouldn’t work without them. The kids need more than just a coach. They need somebody running alongside them and showing them where to go.”
To end each hourlong TOPSoccer session, the players scrimmage. Every player is given a chance to shoot on goal. The volunteers, called buddies, are paired with each participant, and their mission is to help their player score.
“The program is tailored for what each child can do, and we try to do it better each time,” says O’Sullivan.
“Soccer is really fun. It’s really amazing,” says Colin O’Connor, 8, who looks forward to TOPSoccer every Friday.
“They know Friday is soccer day,” says Terri (the mom) O’Connor, who introduced Colin to TOPSoccer three years ago.
Longtime soccer parents Jill and Bob Sauter say that the first thing their son Derek does on Friday morning is get his soccer shirt and ball ready for the afternoon practice.
“A lot of the parents say that their kid wakes up Friday morning and puts his uniform on because he can’t wait to go to TOPSoccer,” says O’Sullivan. “And for me, that’s the best thing in the world. That’s the ultimate compliment.”
Derek Sauter, who is autistic, does not fully express his joy for soccer through words. It’s his actions and facial expressions that say it all. When the word “soccer” is uttered, Derek’s lips part into a big, toothy smile. Derek has been with the program for 10 years.
TOPSoccer offers sessions in fall and spring, usually lasting six weeks with a big celebration at the end.
“We got trophies last year,” says Terri O’Connor. “That was a really big deal. And it was for every child.”
“They feel like,” adds Sheryl Dodge, “like champions.”
That’s the goal of TOPSoccer: Every player puts his or her best foot forward. And their efforts are rewarded.
TOPSoccer program levels the playing field
By Katie Brauns / The BulletinPublished: May 05. 2009 4:00AM PST
Knowing which goal is the opponents’ goal is arbitrary. What matters is getting the ball into one of them.
TOPSoccer is not about winning or optimizing soccer skills. It is about opportunity and working up to potential. It provides an even playing field for children with disabilities.
“It helps them with hand-eye coordination,” says Bob Sauter, whose 16-year-old son Derek is a TOPSoccer player. “It gives them some exercise. It teaches them to follow instructions, be focused and pay attention. … And when they do play a game, everyone gets to score.”
TOPSoccer, which stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a community-based training program for youngsters ages 4 to 19 who have physical or mental disabilities. The program, organized by U.S. Youth Soccer, is offered nationwide. Here in Central Oregon the Oregon Rush Soccer Club, a competitive youth soccer organization based in Bend, provides TOPSoccer to local boys and girls.
“The idea behind TOPSoccer is physical and mental and emotional growth through soccer,” says John O’Sullivan, who heads up TOPSoccer in Central Oregon and is the coordinator for Oregon Rush. “Our (Oregon Rush) soccer club provides opportunities to play soccer regardless of age or ability and this (TOPSoccer) is part of it … to place these kids in an environment where they can have success and have fun, and they can learn at their own pace.”
Originated in 2002 in Central Oregon by soccer enthusiasts Ric Secor and Mike Kennedy, the local TOPSoccer program was taken over two years ago by O’Sullivan when he joined Rush.
Clad in colored bibs for team identification — some red, some orange, some yellow — about 15 soccer players of all ages take part in skills drills on the damp fields at Bend’s Buckingham Elementary School. They throw soccer balls high into the air and shuffle around in attempts to catch them. When they are successful, the young players break into smiles.
“It’s great for the kids to come out and have a coach that’s really patient and understanding with them,” says Bend’s Terri O’Connor, a mom whose autistic son Colin is participating in the TOPSoccer program. “He (O’Sullivan) makes it fun. … I mean, you look at him right now and he’s down on the ground with the kids doing a crab walk. That’s great.”
The group quickly moves to another activity. They kick soccer balls around, changing directions: left, right, forward, back and in a circular pattern on the field.
O’Sullivan, 38, holds the attention of all the participants. He is jovial and animated on the field and, as he says, is having a blast.
“It’s my favorite program,” says O’Sullivan, comparing TOPSoccer with some of the competitive Oregon Rush programs. “It’s awesome. It’s so much fun to work with the kids. They have the best spirit and joy of life and joy of soccer.”
These TOPSoccer players are faced with a range of disabilities and issues, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, partial blindness, partial paralysis and minor behavior problems.
“Different disabilities require different needs. You work for a smile. That’s what I’m out here for,” notes Chris Gilliland, of Bend, a TOPSoccer volunteer for three years. “My belief is that everybody has a disability. Mine may be paying attention, whereas some other people may have physical disabilities. Everybody has a disability of some sort, and you turn their disability into another ability.”
Locally, the free program is staffed by volunteers, mostly from Oregon Rush.
Some of the parents believe that the program would not be possible without the volunteers.
“One thing that I really like is the teenagers that come and help out,” says Sheryl Dodge, of Bend, whose autistic son Curtis, 10, is a TOPSoccer player. “They are providing a service and having fun with the kids. … It wouldn’t work without them. The kids need more than just a coach. They need somebody running alongside them and showing them where to go.”
To end each hourlong TOPSoccer session, the players scrimmage. Every player is given a chance to shoot on goal. The volunteers, called buddies, are paired with each participant, and their mission is to help their player score.
“The program is tailored for what each child can do, and we try to do it better each time,” says O’Sullivan.
“Soccer is really fun. It’s really amazing,” says Colin O’Connor, 8, who looks forward to TOPSoccer every Friday.
“They know Friday is soccer day,” says Terri (the mom) O’Connor, who introduced Colin to TOPSoccer three years ago.
Longtime soccer parents Jill and Bob Sauter say that the first thing their son Derek does on Friday morning is get his soccer shirt and ball ready for the afternoon practice.
“A lot of the parents say that their kid wakes up Friday morning and puts his uniform on because he can’t wait to go to TOPSoccer,” says O’Sullivan. “And for me, that’s the best thing in the world. That’s the ultimate compliment.”
Derek Sauter, who is autistic, does not fully express his joy for soccer through words. It’s his actions and facial expressions that say it all. When the word “soccer” is uttered, Derek’s lips part into a big, toothy smile. Derek has been with the program for 10 years.
TOPSoccer offers sessions in fall and spring, usually lasting six weeks with a big celebration at the end.
“We got trophies last year,” says Terri O’Connor. “That was a really big deal. And it was for every child.”
“They feel like,” adds Sheryl Dodge, “like champions.”
That’s the goal of TOPSoccer: Every player puts his or her best foot forward. And their efforts are rewarded.
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