This photo was taken about 14 years ago. It was Thanksgiving, I think. My mom, Ruth Christensen, is in the back, with someone I don't even recognize. Then it is me, my sister Lorie, my niece Audrey Jenkins and Daris, my youngest son. Several of my nieces and nephews came to Ricks College, which gave us the opportunity to get to know them better. Apparently Erik was taking the photo, so I'm guessing the guy is his roommate. I wish time could stand still. . . on my body. The rest of life I enjoy, just not aging.

Reflective Learning

Yesterday I was doing some reading to try and get ideas to help a client that is dealing with depression. I turned to a book that I have previously read by William Glasser. He was discussing our "total behavior" and how when we are not in effective control of our lives, many of us immediately think about using the total behavior we were born with, that of angering.

Anger is built in our genes to help us survive. But as young children, most of us learn that anger doesn't get us what we want, especially when we try to use it against adults that are also angering.

Although we are not aware of it, depressing is one of the most powerful ways that humans have discovered to restrain angering and many of us use it a lot. Depressing is a very strong controlling behavior.

It takes a lot of energy to block angering completely, that is why we are so tired when we are depressing. As long as we depress, we have little energy to do anything else. Depressing prevents huge amount of marital and family violence, therefore it is good that we are able to depress quickly and effectively. Some people dedicate their lives to this behavior, thus needing to be cared for. If they can figure out another choice to give them control over their lives, they might stop choosing to depress.

Depressing is a way we ask for help without begging. In fact it is the most powerful "help-me" information we can give to another person. The suffering others see, legitimizes our asking for help. Often times, depressing people will tell us how crippling their depression is, so others will know their suffering.

We all have a choice in what our behaviors will be. We need to either stop our behavior (depressing, angering etc.) or change what we want (Our Quality World).

Often times someone who is experiencing depression may think they would not choose to be this depressed. I would like them to take a challenge. Force yourself to do something physical for at least one hour. Something you enjoy. Notice that for a short time you are not depressing, you are not thinking about your unhappiness, in fact you may feel much better. When you are finished, you may start thinking about all the unhappy things in your life. To keep depressing you have to keep thinking the unhappy thoughts.


Taken from Choice Theory by William Glasser.

Gift Giving

This year I made quilts for the three little girls that were too young a few years ago to get theirs. They were mostly pink with yellow and blue. I ragged them. The other grandchildren were given nice sweatshirts with hoods. even the two babies got one. Sophia's was too small and needed to be returned. Corbin's matched Grant and Clay's.

Each year we rotate names with the brothers and sisters. Natalie is included with the brother and sister exchange.

The Christmas Nativity

Every year when my own children were young we would read the Christmas story found in Luke and act out the various parts. This year Tracie graciously invited the Christensen family to meet at her and Derek's home for the annual nativity. We have Mary, Joseph,and the baby Jesus being awed by angels and shepherds. There was a star that shone brightly.

We stop between the scripture verses and sing an appropriate song. Not shown are the three kings.

Christmas Parties

Friday, December 19, the Howard sisters held their annual party at LuJean's new home. It was a perfect place for the party. LuJean taught us how to make crocheted hats. So here we are all busy with our project. We talked and laughed, ate snacks, laughed some more, fixed dinner and laughed some more. It was just what I needed to release some tension from working hard.

My Fancy Boot

Last April I went to the doctor complaining about my foot hurting and discovered that I had indeed, broken my foot. When he saw both of my feet, he informed me that my right foot was in worse shape than my left (the broken one) and that I would someday need to have surgery on it.
Well, about a month ago I had that surgery. Later that day I wondered what I had done. During surgery the doctor cleaned up some spurs and while doing so discovered that I had a chunk of bone, in a horse-shoe shape, wedged in between my big joint. Once he removed the bone, I had much more mobility in the joint. I have been wearing this fancy boot for 4 weeks and still another 2 weeks to go. the question is, how nuts do I have to be to have my left foot operated on at the end of the year now I have met my deductible?

Carving Pumpkins

Last night I sat down for a while ans started to carve pumpkins with some of my family. I haven't carved one for many years, and now I understand why. I don't have much patience for the detail work. I started one and Courtney had to finish it for me. It was an interesting picture of a vampire getting ready to suck the blood of an innocent victim. With help form Courtney, it turned out pretty nicely.

Finally! I was notified

After about 8 weeks of waiting, I finally received my letter of notification that I passed the National Certified Counseling Exam. It's a big deal, about $245 re-examination fee, big deal. I even did a little better than I figured I would. So...now I can breath again. How long can you hold your breath? I held mine for 8 long weeks.

I've Been Tagged...

Things about me

Four Movies I could watch over and over:
1. Sandlot
2. Princess Bride
3. Tristan and Isolde
4. Naploean Dynomite

Four Jobs I've had:
1. Carhop at Dairy Queen, without the rollar skates
2. Nail Technician at Tangles
3. Potato picker, made about $20 in two weeks
4. Potato Planter Rider, never got paid, so, was it really a job?

Four Places I've lived: (boring)
1. Rexburg, Idaho
2. Pocatello, Idaho
3. Newdale, Idaho
4. Island Park, Idaho

Four of my Favorite dishes:
1. Does Florence's Chocolate count as a dish?
2. Swiss Chicken with Funeral Potatoes
3. Dutch Oven Potatoes with Chicken
4. Crepes by Jared

Four TV shows I love:
1. Law and Order
2. Seinfeld
3. I Love Lucy
4. Carol Burnette Show

Four sites I visit daily:
1. Family and Friends blogs


Four places I have Vacationed:
1. Mexico
2. Florida
3. Hawaii
4. California

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. On a beach snorkling
2. Sun Valley skiing (in the winter only)
3. Disneyland with my grandchildren
4. Golfing with family

I Love the Beatles

Last Saturday evening, I went to a concert at BYU-I with Danial, Holly and their girls. It was great. It took me back to my younger days and all the fantastic music from the Beatles. I remember the Ed Sullivan Show when they first appeared on television in the U.S. The group is known as "1964 The Tribute". They sound and look like the Beatles. Most of the songs they played were early songs of the Beatles.

There were people, mostly students, dressed up in Beatles era attire. I will definitely go when they come back and may even dress up! The music fits all age groups. There were young children, college aged students, young married and grandparents.

A Month of Blessings

This month we have sure been blessed with not just one, but two baby blessings. I am grateful to both my daughters for choosing such exemplary husbands that are worthy to bless their children. Both the fathers gave beautiful blessings. And I might add, the mothers are wonderful moms! They must have had a great example!

Finally! I Mastered Graduation

Well, after three years, I finally made it to graduation. It was bitter-sweet. Our cohort all found each other and marched together along with the day students that we shared a few classes with. My children, my mother and Vernon all came to support me. It was a great day filled with emotion for finally accomplishing this great task as well as some sadness for ending the same great task. You probably all understand or remember how when you work on something so hard and for so long, you aren't sure what you will do with your time.