Family - I know Thanksgiving Day is a few months away but some of you may need to request time off or begin planning travel sooner than others. We are going to have dinner on Friday instead of Thursday because of travel plans for some. We are so excited to have so many family members here!! Also, for those who will not be flying, will you please bring your air mattress if you have one. We have two queen and one single. Mom and dad will need one and if Les and Alex come they will need the other. If only we had a real bed for everyone. Just some things to think about. Love you all!!
The Croshaw's in Cleveland
Monday, August 27, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
To the Happy Couple, 60 years and still holding hands
You are our inspiration. We hope you have a happy day, and many, many more years togther--on this earth, that is. We love you. Debby and David
Road Rage
While we’re on the subject of how twisted the world is, here’s another example. I read a little clip in the newspaper today about a man who stabbed another man repeatedly with a screwdriver - over a parking spot. (Don’t worry, it’s nowhere near where I live or work.) Apparently, one dude was taking too long to pull out of the spot, and the other dude snapped. Honestly, now. We’ve all had our fair share of road rage, and I’ve seen some pretty extreme cases out here. But this takes it to a whole new level.
How do people lose control of themselves like that? It reminds me of that talk mom sent out to everyone, the BYU-Hawaii devotional that talks about how we are free to act for ourselves. We have all been given the ability and responsibility to choose what we think about, which is a major part of our agency. Just being aware of where our thoughts are leading us, and taking control of them, is extremely empowering.
In this day and age, people are constantly trying to pin responsibility on anyone or anything but themselves. They want to live life their way – yet they shy away from any consequences. I would venture a guess that the perpetrator in this case would say it was the other guy’s fault that he went to such extremes. But we know better. We are responsible for and in control of our own actions, and this begins with our thoughts. Everyone think about this, next time you feel like yelling at that jerk who cut you off.
Love you all.
Abby
How do people lose control of themselves like that? It reminds me of that talk mom sent out to everyone, the BYU-Hawaii devotional that talks about how we are free to act for ourselves. We have all been given the ability and responsibility to choose what we think about, which is a major part of our agency. Just being aware of where our thoughts are leading us, and taking control of them, is extremely empowering.
In this day and age, people are constantly trying to pin responsibility on anyone or anything but themselves. They want to live life their way – yet they shy away from any consequences. I would venture a guess that the perpetrator in this case would say it was the other guy’s fault that he went to such extremes. But we know better. We are responsible for and in control of our own actions, and this begins with our thoughts. Everyone think about this, next time you feel like yelling at that jerk who cut you off.
Love you all.
Abby
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Maybe it's the Hokie in me....
Am I the only one who finds it horribly ironic that the 50 dogs that were recovered at Michael Vick's house in Virginia are going to be euthanized if they are not claimed or adopted? What is PETA protesting about again? I think that PETA like to wear the sandwich boards and hold signs but don't like to do any work. It's easy to point fingers and pass judgement from the background. They don't like the "unethical" treatment of animals, but they won't actually go in there and care for them.
I guess now would be the time that I should say how terrible I think it is the Mike Vick did this (allegedly.) I think he deserves everything he has coming to him. If he's guilty of this crime then he deserves the punishment. I guess his momma didn't love him or something. Now we get to listen to the media, who of course know everything there is to know, debate the psychology behind a millionaire pro football player from the ghetto being a dog fighting ringleader. I bet he's into cat juggling too, that sick freak!
Crasy world. Someone ought to sell tickets.
I just think it's ironic, that's all.
Colin
I guess now would be the time that I should say how terrible I think it is the Mike Vick did this (allegedly.) I think he deserves everything he has coming to him. If he's guilty of this crime then he deserves the punishment. I guess his momma didn't love him or something. Now we get to listen to the media, who of course know everything there is to know, debate the psychology behind a millionaire pro football player from the ghetto being a dog fighting ringleader. I bet he's into cat juggling too, that sick freak!
Crasy world. Someone ought to sell tickets.
I just think it's ironic, that's all.
Colin
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Another Fabulous August Birthday Girl!!! Crystal Michelle Croshaw
Crystal sent some pictures of when she was younger. I'm sure you'll all enjoy them!
Crystal!!! Welcome to the family and Happy Birthday to you. We hope you have a happy day. Thanks for being such a wonderful wife to Matt, and for adding another beautiful granddaughter to the mix, and on top of all that, for being an incredible, caring, loving woman. If you happen to have a couple of baby/youth photos you would like to add, we would all love to see you then.
"It is lovely, when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find that somebody remembers me." - Ellen Glasgow
We all love and remember you. Happy Birthday.
Love,
David and Debby
Crystal!!! Welcome to the family and Happy Birthday to you. We hope you have a happy day. Thanks for being such a wonderful wife to Matt, and for adding another beautiful granddaughter to the mix, and on top of all that, for being an incredible, caring, loving woman. If you happen to have a couple of baby/youth photos you would like to add, we would all love to see you then.
"It is lovely, when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find that somebody remembers me." - Ellen Glasgow
We all love and remember you. Happy Birthday.
Love,
David and Debby
A little lesson on communism, right here in the US of A.....
So, Grace starts preschool this week. She is so excited and it is so nice that Oklahoma offers free preschool to all 4 year olds, (well, if you call paying an 8.5% sales tax, among others, free). Anyway, I had to go out and get all of her school supplies and at the bottom of the list there is a note that says, "do not put your child's name on any of the school supplies because they will be shared by everyone in the class". Now, I don't have a problem with sharing tissues and clorox wipes, but crayons and watercolors? And it isn't even really sharing because sharing implies ownership. The kids have to give their supplies to the governing body, teachers, and the teachers dispense the supplies to everyone at their own discretion. Um...that is a little creepy and a little too socialistic for me. This is the very first lesson we teach our extremely impressoinable children the minute they start school. Can you say "indoctrination"?! Hillary must be so proud. It is ironic that this happens in schools run by the United States government.
Now, I know that I may be overreacting a tad bit, but when I was shopping for the supplies I didn't buy anything expensive or with personal touches, everything was generic and basic, which is what I imagine would happen in a socialistic society. I say we need to give our children some ownership in their education by allowing them to have their own supplies, kept in a little cubby or something at school. Teach them about sharing what is truly theirs, now forcing them to share something that isn't really theirs because it was given to the teachers to dispense at will. I understand that there may be some kids who cannot afford all of their supplies, and I would have absoloutly no problem donating a few dollars to a fund that could pay for their supplies. I can understand why some people choose to homeschool.
I really don't want to have this adversarial feeling toward my children's schools, and I can say that that feeling was gone the minute I met Grace's teachers, they seem amazing, but I think we have to be ever vigilant and aware of what our children are learing at school, even the not so obvious stuff, so that we can counter anything negative at home.
Now, I know that I may be overreacting a tad bit, but when I was shopping for the supplies I didn't buy anything expensive or with personal touches, everything was generic and basic, which is what I imagine would happen in a socialistic society. I say we need to give our children some ownership in their education by allowing them to have their own supplies, kept in a little cubby or something at school. Teach them about sharing what is truly theirs, now forcing them to share something that isn't really theirs because it was given to the teachers to dispense at will. I understand that there may be some kids who cannot afford all of their supplies, and I would have absoloutly no problem donating a few dollars to a fund that could pay for their supplies. I can understand why some people choose to homeschool.
I really don't want to have this adversarial feeling toward my children's schools, and I can say that that feeling was gone the minute I met Grace's teachers, they seem amazing, but I think we have to be ever vigilant and aware of what our children are learing at school, even the not so obvious stuff, so that we can counter anything negative at home.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Picture request from Grandma
Hi everybody, Grandma wanted me (Dana) to post on here that she needs a picture of Valerie and Maggie for her grandchildren wall and updated pictures of the rest of the kids. Muchas gracias! Love you all!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Get it Through Your Thick Skull
Next time you are tempted to ignore advice given us by the Lord's annointed, consider this quaint quote from Joseph Smith, expressing his frustration with the Saints of his day:
"There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand.
"I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to recieve the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide the celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen" (HC, 6:184-85.)
OK, having been a homeowner in the 80's, the era of wood-burning stoves, I fully understand splitting logs with a wedge and sledge hammer, and I know that hemlock is very hard wood and hemlock knots are even harder, but I would appreciate some comments on the definitions of "corn-dodger", and "beetle".
Whatever the case, I think Joseph Smith would be (is) pleased with the stature of the Church he restored today. We just have to keep listening and trying to understand, so that we can be chosen.
Dad
"There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand.
"I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to recieve the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide the celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen" (HC, 6:184-85.)
OK, having been a homeowner in the 80's, the era of wood-burning stoves, I fully understand splitting logs with a wedge and sledge hammer, and I know that hemlock is very hard wood and hemlock knots are even harder, but I would appreciate some comments on the definitions of "corn-dodger", and "beetle".
Whatever the case, I think Joseph Smith would be (is) pleased with the stature of the Church he restored today. We just have to keep listening and trying to understand, so that we can be chosen.
Dad
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Happy, Happy Birthday Lori, Dear...(for you Primary fans out there)
We were so blessed the day you came into our lives. You are a wonderful person, wife and mother. We hope your day is happy, and that Colin does not have to work 24 hours during your birthday. For those of you who don't know them, Lori has a terrific familiy, especially wonderful parents who raised her well. Happy Birthday, Lori!!! We love you.
David and Debby
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Thoughts...
I have been thinking much about life and the way things inevitably end up... with the demise of our mortal into the immortal and while this is a glorious Gospel, the loss of life- while we remain on this earth- is pretty tough.
I was truly saddened by the passing of President Faust because he was such a good man and in particular, the last talk he gave, seated during its delivery, touched me so. Forgiveness and the example of the Pennsylvanian amish and the example we should all take from that continues to prick my intellect and cause me to look within my own soul and at the things in my life I consider wrong-doings at my expense.
As I thought of this, suddenly there came another sadness to my experience. My phone beeped Saturday afternoon with the alert of a text message, voice mail and a missed call. All from my grandfather- with the simple request for me to call him back. He found out last week he has kidney and lung cancer and today, he has the biopsy to determine the exact nature of the cells that are infesting him internally. Isnt it wierd that cancer simply originates as one person's own cell getting all messed up with the cell cycle and dividing uncontrollably and this division can be deadly... it is mind-boggling really. The more sinister of these cells upregulate genes that destroy other cells, the more kind however, just are content to make a mass that is removable with surgery.
IT is my prayer that my grandfather has more years on this earth. He has had a really rough past 10 years or so in terms of family for reasons partially of his own transgressions, partly because of haughtiness of others... but he was the one person in my family that believed in me, supported me, and built me up.
I was adopted by my grandparents when I was 14 after being in foster care for years, and after totally imploding and keeping to myself, within a year, I was flourishing- mostly thanks to the support and love of my grandpa- Gerald Hart. He was at every track meet, basketball game, geek competition, pageant, marine corps event... and he truly believed I could do anything I wanted and his faith was enough for me to persue it- without it, I would have not had enough faith in myself to even try many of the things I have done in my life.
Please keep him in your prayers...
Time to listen to the funeral of President Faust...
Love,
Crystal
I was truly saddened by the passing of President Faust because he was such a good man and in particular, the last talk he gave, seated during its delivery, touched me so. Forgiveness and the example of the Pennsylvanian amish and the example we should all take from that continues to prick my intellect and cause me to look within my own soul and at the things in my life I consider wrong-doings at my expense.
As I thought of this, suddenly there came another sadness to my experience. My phone beeped Saturday afternoon with the alert of a text message, voice mail and a missed call. All from my grandfather- with the simple request for me to call him back. He found out last week he has kidney and lung cancer and today, he has the biopsy to determine the exact nature of the cells that are infesting him internally. Isnt it wierd that cancer simply originates as one person's own cell getting all messed up with the cell cycle and dividing uncontrollably and this division can be deadly... it is mind-boggling really. The more sinister of these cells upregulate genes that destroy other cells, the more kind however, just are content to make a mass that is removable with surgery.
IT is my prayer that my grandfather has more years on this earth. He has had a really rough past 10 years or so in terms of family for reasons partially of his own transgressions, partly because of haughtiness of others... but he was the one person in my family that believed in me, supported me, and built me up.
I was adopted by my grandparents when I was 14 after being in foster care for years, and after totally imploding and keeping to myself, within a year, I was flourishing- mostly thanks to the support and love of my grandpa- Gerald Hart. He was at every track meet, basketball game, geek competition, pageant, marine corps event... and he truly believed I could do anything I wanted and his faith was enough for me to persue it- without it, I would have not had enough faith in myself to even try many of the things I have done in my life.
Please keep him in your prayers...
Time to listen to the funeral of President Faust...
Love,
Crystal
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