Thursday, September 23, 2010


Words of Wisdom - Glenn Beck
The Perfect advice from a parent to a child



* You’re never alone, and there is never trouble that is beyond help.
* Your Father loves you, and your Heavenly Father loves you.
* Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come, but as long as we have today it is never too late.
* Question with boldness. Read what they tell you not to. Challenge everything; the educated of this time are growing arrogant, and arrogance leads to darkness.
* Sunlight is the best disinfectant, however, sanitizer is a must. Especially in NY City.
* Look for the exits; they may save your life.
* Respect others; know that they are most likely afraid, just like you. In fact I have found that the more arrogant and forceful they become, the more afraid they are.
* The worst thing in life you can do is to dishonor yourself and your family, and then go living a life without setting it right.
* Marry for love, marry for laughs, but most importantly, marry with God. For without God, life’s storms are too strong to withstand.
* Wealth and fame are an illusion. We’ve been rich we’ve been poor we’ve been happy both times, but when you are truly miserable is when you lie to yourself and others.
* Alcohol and drugs make life easier, for a very short time, and then they destroy.
* There is no experience that is bad. Experience just is, it’s what you do with that experience, how you use it. Will it shape your life for the better and help you to be a stronger person, or will you allow those experiences to smother and destroy you?
* Call 911 first, and then call your Dad.
* Always have a picture on your desk of someone you admire.
* Don’t let life wash over you, wave after wave. You are not a rock. Learn from the waves; learn from the currents. Choose to sail.
* "I AM THAT I AM" is the most powerful phrase in any language. As it is, the name of God. Never use it in vain. Use it to create who you want to be. “I am ______. But know that if you don’t fill that blank in, someone else will. You can ignore it, but if you do, it will be filled in by others or just life. There will always be many who will try to fill that blank in, but only you can fill it in, and be happy.
* The Lord lives and he is personal. He loves you and is always there to help. But we have to train ourselves to hear him. We have to use our faith and exercise it like a muscle. The more we use faith, the louder he becomes.
* Serve him in all things. Stand where he asks you to stand. Stand, for you do, have a purpose.
* Your job is to remember who you are. Remember what you agreed upon.
* We are meant to be happy. But remember, “no pain, no gain.”
* Life is hard, and then, it gets harder. And then you die, but every single second of life is worth it.
* Always say what you mean and mean what you say.
* Always turn the other cheek and always forgive. But don’t forget so much that you put yourself in the same situation.
* Question authority. Including everything you have just read.
* Make these things true, because you know them to be true.
* You have everything you need to be happy. I hope you figure that out before I did.
* Freedom, Rights are given to Man, by God. They are his; protect them. You are the guardian.
* Private Jet travel is the only material thing that can actually change your life. However, refined manner, gentleness, meekness, kindness will be the only currency of any true value.
* Stuff doesn’t matter.
* Forgiveness is divine.
* The Atonement is real.
* You are worthy.
* Hell is an eternity of regret, not being able to forgive yourself.
* Cabs smell worse in the summer.
* Walk a lot. And never stop noticing things around you. When you do, change your way, or change your address.
* People are good. They want to do the right thing. Give them the opportunity.
* Shadows are darkest at noon. And it always gets colder before sunrise.
* It’s never wrong to do the right thing.
* Learn to love others that you know, or you really don’t like.
* Read the scriptures everyday. They are alive and He speaks to you through them.
* There are no coincidences in life.
* Learn, laugh, love.
* Sleep hard, and sleep less.
* Pray on your knees.
* To whom much is given, much is required. (You’ve been given the world and beyond.)
* Only date those who love you as much as I do. Only date those who’ll treat you, as I have tried.
* Never want something too much. You will always end up paying too high of a price, one way or another.
* If you must shoot, shoot to kill.
* Labels are meaningless.
* Someone you meet today is afraid, or suffering, find them, comfort them.
* Never let the sun go down without saying you’re sorry for your wrongs.
* Your parents miss you. Call them. Call them now.
* Life goes by far to fast.
* Keep a journal. Write what you think. Write what you question. Write what you know.
* There is order in all things. Stay in that order, stay in the flow.
* You will find very few real friends in life. Cherish them. Things will change, and you will fall in and out of each others lives, but when you do come back together, it will be as if you never left.
* The hardest thing to do is to admit is failure. To admit weakness. Only the very strong do. The weak never ask for help.
* Fasting is prayer.
* Fasting without prayer is a diet.



Sunday, September 19, 2010

Missionary Mom


It always seems that Sundays are the hardest days to get through. Right now especially. Everything that is said and done reminds me of Tyler. I walk down the halls at church and see his picture hanging there and miss him terribly. Him going to college was hard but this mission thing is so much harder than I ever imagined. He has only been out 1/5 of the time. I hate not talking with him daily. It's hard when I see photos, when I come across his things and when I have to update his blog. I find myself reading his letters several time a week.
It surprises me really. I never thought of myself as one of "those" kind of moms. I was the kind of mom that would be like, "See you Son. Do well and be a good example of your family." But in actuality, I am one of "those" moms. I get teary when I think about him. I look forward with anticipation to getting his weekly letters and I can't wait to send him a package, knowing he is going to be excited to get something from home.
I don't know, maybe it's because we are so similar in the way we are. Our personalities are so close I know how he will react to things and I understand him better than just about anyone (I think).
I was watching home videos the other day and I fell in love with that little boy all over again. He had the sweetest little voice on the planet, and he could speak so well for a two year old. He had such a sweet nature about him.
By the time he was five, I would cry when he got off the bus, because he was such a little snot. He could push my buttons and hurt my feelings easier than anyone (and still can).
I think there is just something special between a  mother and a first child. Something about the experience of learning the roll of motherhood and figuring it out with that first child that bonds you to them. I feel like even though he is not here I spend a lot of my time thinking about him. Wondering what he's doing, how he's doing, where he's going. I have to make myself not think about him when all the kids are at school and the house is quiet. Sometimes I think he will be on the couch playing the guitar when I walk in. Or I turn on music he likes just so I can feel closer to him.
Although I miss the heck out of him, I know that he is doing what he needs to be doing. I know that he is gaining life experiences he would never get the opportunity to receive, if not for this mission. And I know that he will be a much better father, husband, brother, son and man for having gone and served the Lord. I am prouder of him, than I thought I ever could be. And although it hurts at times, I wouldn't have him be anywhere else in the World.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

It's Been A Really Long Time - SORRY!


So yes, I know, it's been way long since I last posted anything. So here goes. I will try to catch you up on all that has taken place this summer. I have to go back and look at pictures to try to remember what we did.
So we started the summer off with Coach Pitch. Brady had an awesome year. He hit amazingly well. I think he only struck out once. Then somewhere in the middle of the season he decided he wanted to play catcher. At first he wasn't sure, then he really got into it. He stayed in front of all the balls and rarely let anything get past him. At the end of the season party, he was awarded the "Down and Dirty" award. The coach said he was the only kid that could play catcher like a real man and still have pink fingernails. Boy did he get razzed about the pink fingernails that he got at the school class party.



Brady's team went on to the city tournament and took 1st place. Unfortunately, we were out of town for the tournament but, Yea Team!
At the end of June Dominika (our Slovakian exchange student) came to stay with us. She also brought along her sister Frederika. They are the cutest girls and we had a great time with them. The girls helped me with the float for the IFCTA (Idaho Falls Community Tennis Association) and they spent tons of time just helping with the ball. It took a lot of time to put all the tissue paper on that thing.

Dominika

Frederika



(See the tissue paper ball)



Then on July fourth we went to California to spend a few days with my sister. Since Idaho Falls celebrates on the 3rd, (if the 4th falls on a Sunday) we left on the 4th. We got there just in time to go watch the Roseville fireworks (it was rather pitiful really, but a good attempt on their part). It was a lot of fun. On Monday we went rafting down the river. It was a day long trip. It was great fun.  Then later in the week we went to San Francisco. On Friday we drove to Oregon - Exhausting. My girls went to EFY in Forest Grove. So I just had Domi and Freddi and the boys. We went to the beach during the week.

Dominika and Freddie
Landon and Brady at Seaside and riding the bumper cars

We went and looked for arrowheads in the fields next to my nieces house. We celebrated Elizabeth's birthday. We went and visited with Doug (Andrews brother). It was a busy week.  We also went to the Portland Zoo with my sister and her daughter Kaitlyn and my Great Nephew Lucas.  I was definitely ready to go home.



We left for home on Saturday morning. Then Tuesday morning we (Mckenzie, Freddi and myself) left for girls camp. I was so tired I could barely function. We had a great time though (WHOOT-WHOOT). I had a great time with the leaders, and the girls were a kick in the pants. "Donna" was a special treat (inside joke).


Kenzie - Sexy camper

Camp cook

Frederika


The day we came home from girls camp we took off to go camping for the weekend in Lava.

Phew! Slow down and let me off this carnival ride.

The next weekend Andrew and his tennis team were going to Districts in Boise. So I went down with him. He played really well and had a great time.



I came home on Saturday so that I could see Dominika and Freddi leave to go home. :-(  But, before they were gone we had an arrival student come, his name was Daniel. Daniel was from Spain. I have been an arrival home several times in the past. What that means is.....The exchange students have to have a physical address to come to, so if they haven't been permenantly placed they will give them a temporary address, hoping to place them before they even get here. Well, he hadn't been placed when he came so we had to put him up. I was hoping to have a few days to recover from Domi and Freddi before getting another student. Didn't happen. Daniel was here up until two days before our new exchange student, Mirelle came. Wow, talk about crazy!
Par for the course here in the Porter home.

Daniel
Mirelle Ylimaula


The day after Mirelle came we headed down to Salt Lake to enjoy the Jack Johnson concert. It was amazing and we had a really great time. I love Jack more than ever now. He is as good live (or better) than he is on his CD's.
 

After that life settled down a bit and we were able to just relax for a week before the kids started school.




Saturday, May 29, 2010

SIXTEEN - REALLY?

Wow, Kenzie is sixteen. Can you believe it? I was dreading this day. I thought for sure that she would be on a date the night of her birthday. But, thankfully she hasn't been on a date yet. She has been the kid in the family so ready to grow up. But a little slow to want to take on responsibilities. Hmmm, how does that work?
These are sixteen amazing qualities McKenzie has that make us all love her so very much.
1. She is the best nick-namer in the family. Let's see.....there's (Mom) Modge, Terg, tergie, tergula, modgula (Dad) Popsie. (Ty) ty-pie (Syd) Skidmore, Skiddle, Sydlee, Skidnee. (Brit) Britone, Britonia, Britney. (Landon) Landone (Brady) Brader-Rader.
2. She can come up with the best reasons to have to be driven to school.
3. She can avoid doing chores better than anyone in the family.
4. Her teachers always give her extensions on her homework, (they feel sorry for her) I'm sure that she looks so forlorn and neglected.
5. She has a good voice and doesn't know it.
6. Her sarcasm is at an advanced level.
7. She can spend longer in a shower, than anyone I know.
8. She has an infectious laugh. You can't help but laugh when you hear it.
9. She can go from a failing grade all semester to passing faster than anyone I know.
10. She loves her sister very much (no sarcasm). I love that my girls really like each other.
11. She can sleep the day away (actually that drives me crazy).
12. She can make the most boring things fun.
13. She's real. She has a real sense of reality and never "blows smoke".
14. She is very determined when she want something.
15. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out.
16. She is all girl. Always has been, always will be. PINK, should have been her middle name.We love McKenzie

Friday, May 28, 2010

The Artist




Bob Marley- She drew this for Ty.

Wow! School is out! I am sooo looking forward to summer. It's going to be busy, crazy, but fun. But, the best part is I don't have to nag about homework. Or get up at 7:00 every morning. I can sleep in.
I wanted to put up these pictures that Sydney did this year in art. They are really good. I just can't get over why some people get lots of talent and some people get no talent (like me).

Thursday, May 6, 2010




So the boy is on his way. I woke up this morning and checked my email and low and behold, he had already sent a letter. I will keep his letters posted on his website. @ tylerdouglasporter.com Check it out.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

AAAAHHHHH!

So my boy is leaving in 10 days. Sad? Yes. Happy? Yes. Worried? Yes. Blessed YES!
He started this weird forum where you can ask him any question you want (http://www.formspring.me/tylerdporter) and he will answer it. So people were asking things about his mission and other strange questions like.....Who would you rather date? Queen Latifa or Oprah. He answered Queen Latifa (did I tell you I raised that boy right?) One of the questions was.....

Who inspires you the most? His answer was-------

my parents have definitely been the biggest inspiration in my life. They have made me the person I am today, and I love them so much for that.


See I did raise him right....

Monday, April 19, 2010

Tyler Funny Video




Check out the video clip on the side, it's a little better than this one. Make sure you turn off my music first, so that you can hear it.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Hawaii Trip 2010 (start from the bottom and work your way up)


If you click on this picture, you can get a better view of the surfer trying to catch a wave.

I loved they way the waves rolled in. Right next to our resort was this rock wall, and as the tide came in, the waves crashed along it. It was so peaceful to just sit there and watch and listen to the ocean.


As you can see, it was pretty high winds for a few days.

After snorkeling we went to the North Shore and Ty and Andrew got surf lessons from Ash the good looking surf instructor. Tyler was hoping for a girl instructor.

On the last day we went snorkeling in Waikiki off of a katamaran. The ocean was still pretty rough from the high winds so.....I got sick. But, not until after I snorkeled with the turtles. We went to what they call the turtle wash station. They come to this specific part of the reef and the fish come every morning and clean the turtles shells. Pretty amazing how nature works.


My friend Susan is the biggest Dog the Bounty Hunter fan. I had to go and try to get an autograph. Unfortunately he was away on a book tour and wouldn't return until later in the month. Here is his place of business.

Diamond Head

Hanauma Bay. Look at my earlier post and see the same picture.

I swam with a sea turtle for about ten minutes. It was so incredible. He just kept swimming around and looking back to see if I was keeping up with him.
Hanauma Bay

Polynesian Culture Center
What a way to spend the day. Our day was full from start to finish. Great entertainment, good food and lots of laughs. I have grown to love the Polynesian culture.



Kolohe Kai. They are really hot on the Island. We heard their song "Ehu Girl", over and over. Ty had some of their music on his ipod and we noticed they were performing at the Honolulu Festival, so we went and watched. They were really good. If you don't like Raggae you won't care for them though.

Beautiful Hula dancer. I want to learn to Hula like that.

Mufi Hanneman. The Mayor of Honolulu. He sang for us.

Taiko drummers. They were amazing.


As of 2009, 68 years after the explosion that destroyed Arizona, oil leaks from the hull still rise to the surface of the water. Arizona continues to leak about a quart (0.95 L) of oil per day into the harbor. Survivors from the crew say that the oil will continue to leak until the last survivor dies.

These are the names of the men that survived the bombing of the Arizona. Many of the survivors have arranged for their ashes to be placed in the ship, among their fallen comrades, upon their death and cremation. The Navy, in conjunction with the National Park Service, has recently overseen a comprehensive computerized mapping of the hull, being careful to honor its role as a war grave. The Navy is considering non-intrusive means of abating the continued leakage of oil to avoid the further environmental degradation of the harbor.



On Monday we went to Pearl Harbor. There is such a reverent feeling there. It is such a huge piece of American History. It really makes you reflect upon the many people who have given their lives to give us the freedoms that we so quickly take for granted.

Tyler showing us what a "conniving thief" looks like.

Andrew being a "conniving theif".
At the Dole Plantation. This is the "Worlds Largest Maze".
On the way to the Temple to check it out.
The country-side is beautiful there.
Syd in her future car.
This is our first day at the Ko'Olina Resort.
Pool at the Resort.

One of the 3 Lagoons at the Resort.

About Me

My photo
I am a stay at home mom of 6 kids. My oldest has just left for college and my youngest started kindergarten this year. Life couldn't be sweeter. My husband and I have been married for 20 years...wow did I really say that...ok I'm old.