CLIMB YOUR MOUNTAIN-A TRUE STORY OF DAVID BOLDA

When David Bolda found out he had Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer, he set a goal for himself to climb Mt. Timpanogos (11,750 ft.) This was no easy task for anyone but it would be especially challenging for someone who was fighting for every breath. It would take incredible determination, strength, and stamina...pure will power, heart and faith.

On the day of the hike David (my dad) was prepared to push his body to the limit and in his own words, "It is my way of thumbing my nose at the disease." He was prepared, armed with his two hiking poles to lean on and several family members and close friends by his side. With each step they climbed slowly but surely, stopping every so often for my dad to catch his breath. The higher they climbed the thinner the air became and the tougher it was on my dad's already strained lungs. But he would not quit, he had a mountain to conquer, he had cancer to beat, he had a goal to pursue and an underlying example to set for his family.

The backpack he was carrying began to weigh 1,000 pounds, threatening to steal the little energy he had left. My brother David, knowing that my dad needed every ounce of strength to continue on, quickly grabbed my dad's backpack and carried it along with his own. Slower and slower they climbed. My dad so weary, breathing heavier and heavier, but forging ahead toward his goal. The support of his loved ones lifting his spirits and encouraging him every step of the way. He was on a mission, an unstoppable, unquenchable desire to prove that the heart is bigger than the cancer and pain.

After several long, grueling hours, my dad's dream and goal was achieved. This mission was accomplished with faith to reach above limits, to trust and rely on the close family and friends that Heavenly Father had placed in his life; helping him through struggles, trials, illness and sometimes incredibly difficult mountains.

STANDING AT THE TOP OF MT TIMPANOGOS~THUMBING HIS NOSE AT CANCER!

My dad survived 5 years after that devastating inoperable lung cancer diagnosis which initially gave him less than a year to live. He made the most of everyday saying, "I've been given another day to live so I'm going to find someone to help each and everyday." These were not just words...he lived it and in doing so, left a legacy, an example and a goal for each one of us to strive for.

The day after my dad's amazing accomplishment he said, "It was a great challenge but I needed to prove to myself that I could do it and to teach my family that they can accomplish much in the face of adversity."

Today on this one year anniversary of my dad's passing, I want to tell him, "Dad, you've climbed your final and greatest mountain....this life. You've reached your crowning glory...Heaven. I'm so grateful to have been given such an incredible example! I'll continue to climb my mountains with the knowledge you've instilled in me...knowing without a doubt: "I can accomplish much in the face of adversity!"

I LOVE AND MISS YOU DAD...TILL WE MEET AGAIN!

CHIEF/CAPTAIN DAVID BOLDA

My Sister's Coming!

I'm so excited...my lil' sister, April is coming down, along with her four little ones to stay with us for two weeks. The plan is for her to drive straight through from Utah to Huntington Beach. I definitely don't envy her, trying to handle all four of her kids + drive 11 hours (and they are a wild bunch!)

When I was a single mom of three, back in the day, I made an annual Utah trip every 4th of July to visit my family. I saved myself a bit of a headache by leaving at about 9:00 pm (kids bedtime.) Then I drove the 5 hours to Mesquite, NV to sleep (1/2 way point.) I saved myself only half a trip of listening to my boys, argue, fight, complain & making tons of bathroom stops. 

Last time she came down we did a beach photo shoot (here's some shots.) I'm sure there'll be tons more this time. Wish I was off work to be able to spend more time with them. Oh well, no complaining right...enjoy whatever we can. Besides, there's nothing better than being with family for the 4th of July!

  This pelican attacked a little boy's hat              

 

then looked to be laughing about it after!

 

 baby Tyce

 

 Zoey, Dylan & Brayden

 

Just Because

photo taken: Bridge at Bridal Veil Falls, UT

simply joy

Have you ever done something for someone, just because...something that could make a difference in their life?

I had just such a situation yesterday after church. A single mom needed help. I know the feeling of being alone, sad and not knowing where to turn. Having gone through a time in my life as a single mom raising and supporting three boys on my own has given me the tools to relate to hurting people in a non-judgmental way.

This mom needed that kind of unconditional love. She made some bad choices in her life, lost her children and home because of it and now was seeking to pick her life back up again. I had the knowledge and ability to seek out information that could help change her situation.

The problem is, I can only do so much, the rest will be up to her. Just knowing that I was able to find a reliable, willing contact to guide her towards a change, made my day, my night, my week.

Isn't it strange how doing things for others brings you more fulfillment and joy than anything you could ever receive? It changes things not only for the person, but for ourselves as well.

I don't know if she is taking the steps or not, but I do know that I did. In doing so, I felt different. The difficult things going on in my life didn't matter, for a moment, I was able to show the unconditional love of Christ to someone in need.

I'm going to look for more....JUST BECAUSE situations and so can you.

Facebook-I Found Her

Can you tell they are from Utah? I was freezing & they're in bathing suits & sundresses!

I sometimes think of Facebook as my own detective service. I have found so many long lost, but not forgotten friends on there.

I lived in Utah in the 90's for 2 years and worked at a bank with an awesome lady! She was my manager & we just hit it off right away. We became fast friends and when I moved back to California, we vowed to stay in touch. But as the years, my divorce, moves & re-marriage happened, we lost touch.

A few weeks ago I decided to look her up on Facebook. There she was...looking exactly the same! It was too easy!

We "talked" exchanged numbers & she called me this weekend while visiting CA with her daughter & granddaughter who was performing at Disneyland.

We met for dinner on Friday, talked about the old days, laughed & hung out. It was like no time had passed at all since our last conversation, 15 years ago! It's weird how certain friendships can just pick up right where they left off. This was definitely one of them.

Saturday, my husband & I rode our bikes down to the beach and met up with them again before they had to head back to UT.

Vicki & her family are AWESOME people! So glad we were able to meet up. Thanks Facebook!

Stacey (daughter) & Vicki~Can you believe she's a grandma?

Family Leaving & Arriving

LEAVING: This morning I had to take my son Jullien, to the airport at 5:00 a.m. He was supposed to be back in New York last week to go on several castings for New York Fashion Week, but wanted to take care of some things before he left.

So his awesome agent, George Brown at Red Model Management~Click Here & also see Models.Com~Click Here is cramming in tons of castings in the short amount of time leading up to the shows. He had to go to two of them right from the airport...lugging his bags and all.

I've really enjoyed getting to have him home for so long. It made it hard to say goodbye again...but he is so fortunate to be able to travel & see the world at the age of 18.

ARRIVING: My parents arrived yesterday from Utah. I'm so thankful for everyone's prayers for my dad. He is doing incredibly well since his 4th stage, inoperable lung cancer diagnosis a year ago. Check out his "Father of the Year Video on You Tube" CLICK HERE. He continues to work full time at the police dept. as a captain & also works a side job.

I really feel that the prayers and his incredibly positive attitude have stabilized the cancer. It has stopped growing & is completely at a stand still. What a blessing!

My dad and hubby played golf today, while I worked until 1:00 p.m.

I'm fortunate to be an independent contractor and have a flexible schedule.

After I got off, I headed out to Glendora, the small little town I grew up in, where my sister still lives, to hang out with my mom & sister.

We headed back down to Newport Beach to meet up with everyone & eat at my dad's favorite restaurant...The Crab Cooker. We piled nine of us into my Lincoln Navigator, (nothing quite like family togetherness), and had so much fun.

Gotta love all the old family memories!

There's absolutely nothing better than spending time with the people you love the most!

I'm Back

I had such a great time! I didn't do a whole lot, but I guess that's exactly what I needed. We took a drive up to Bridal Veil Falls (just below Robert Redford's Sundance Resort). Then we headed up to my sister's cabin in Heber...we took tons of pictures.

Brayden, Zoey, Tyce, Me & Dylan


SISTERS...Me, Stace & April

April & the kids

Bridal Veil Falls


Lake @ Heber

 Bridal Veil
My chubby lil' nephew Tyce~lovin his ice cream!


My nieces~Chloe & Zoey~wearing their Hannah Montana outfits.
On Friday we all took a drive up to Park City the kids went down the toboggans (I wanted to but hung out and took pics...only the kids went.) They also have a new zip line, which I will definitely do next visit (I was short on cash, darn!)

Park City, Utah

Nephew Jarod on the toboggan
Little Brayden went up on the lift to ride down with Jarod, but they wouldn't let him once he got up there. They said he had to ride with an 18 year old and sent Jarod down alone. After stressing out about where he was and who had him...they finally had him ride down with an employee. We were pretty mad that they wouldn't let my sister go up and get him, but it all worked out.



Zoey, my dad & me
On the way back me and my sis stayed the night in Vegas and went out to an AWESOME dinner at Hugo's Cellar and then dancing. We chose a mellow club because it was late and we were tired. We had tons of fun dancing...man I'm out of shape though!


My Awesome Sister Stacy!

Heading out....

We Made It!

We arrived in Utah tonight and I'm ready to have a RELAXING time. We don't have any set plans which makes it nice because you can just decide each day without feeling rushed from a schedule. Which is why I needed a vacation in the first place, to escape the fast pace schedule that is MY LIFE!

We didn't get to go dancing last night in Vegas, but we probably will next week on our way back home. We just hung out in our hotel and gambled a little bit, then sat back and listened to music & Karaoke singers in the Lounge. It's so nice to get sister time!

We took our time driving to Utah this a.m. Which is very good since me and my sister are both in a hurry even when we don't have to be. It was a nice drive. Except for the head of a coyote that was sitting in the middle of the freeway...no body or anything, just a head...WEIRD! Not to mention the stomach problems me and my sister both had, which forced us to make frequent stops. I guess that's one way to slow us down. Why does that always happen on trips? There's nothing worse than having to use gross restrooms.

I'm looking forward to getting to spend time with my family, writing my book and taking tons of pics (which I can't post till I get back) AND LOTS OF SLEEP. Stay tuned for the always crazy happenings that seem to surround me and my family!

Decisions and Bargains

I drove to work today, thinking about whether I should go to Utah or not. Still feeling a tinge of guilt. I needed to let my sister know so she could book the room in Vegas. We usually break the trip up by staying there. I read all of your posts, urging me to go (THANK YOU!) and that was all I needed. Just a final nudge telling me I deserved & needed it.

I doubled checked with my boss and she was fine with it. I was worried because it was so last minute. Called my sister (Stacy) when I got home...she was super excited. She was going to book a room in OLD Vegas (The Golden Nugget) because it was really cheap. I told her wait & I will work my bargain shopping magic and find a better one.

I ended up going on my secret little site and booked a room at Treasure Island for $59.00. I've learned to be a great price shopper, but still need to work on my personal budget and using coupons at the grocery store (UGH!).

Now, just because you guys are my close friends, I'm going to reveal my secret site to you...CLICK HERE. I thought a few of you may need a little getaway too and with the economy, my secret site will save you TONS!

I'm so excited! I hope when I come back my insomnia will be gone & my book will be finished, oops...must remember to RELAX too! Thanks again for the push!

SOME OLD VEGAS MEMORIES

Me & My younger sister (April) at Club TAO in 2006...I love going dancing!

My Best Friend Christie (the blonde) Bachelorette party in 2005.


I Always Do Everyone's Hair & Makeup.
Family (Girls Only) Vegas Trip.
Me, Amy, April, Mom, Baby Zoey & Stacy
Me & My Mom (Bet ya couldn't tell...LOL)

Man Cleavage

Random....
Me & my husband were walking at the beach tonight. A man & woman were walking towards us. The man had a flesh colored baby pouch on the front, carrying a new born. From a distance, my husband only sees the top of the bald baby’s head (giving the appearance of cleavage peeking out of a tight top). Before they reached us he looks at me shocked, “That man has boobs!”…LOL! I couldn’t stop laughing! Just thought I’d share!

VISUAL:
Kind of like this but with a smaller baby and tighter pouch.



More Random...
My sister is heading to Utah on Monday to visit our family for a week. She wants me to go and I immediately said, "YES!" Then I thought, "How can I miss a whole week of work?" I'm an independent contractor and never receive vacation pay. One week without pay will really put us behind. Now I need to decide...I'm torn, I want to go so bad, I feel like I need to get away and re-group! Help!! What to do? Am I selfish because I want some time to myself?

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Family Fun Holiday

What a great trip we had! It was amazing getting to be with my family during the holidays. We hung out, teased and made fun of each other, just like when we were growing up. We went down to Thanksgiving Point and drove through the Christmas lights display. My dad and a bunch of the kids sat in the back of the pick up truck with blankets in 18 degree weather! I couldn't take that kind of cold so me and Anthony squeezed into the cab...no we are not babies, just Californians!

We all went to the movies and saw Valkyrie . My sisters took me shopping (did I tell you that I HATE to shop) they said it would be a short trip...it was only 5 hours!LOL! My dad and all of the older boys went snowboarding. I love to snowboard but Anthony was sick and I didn't want to leave him at home alone, so I stayed home with him. I got bored so I suggested that we go to see the new Brad Pitt movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, we went to see the matinee since it's almost three hours long. I LOVED THIS MOVIE! It touched on all the emotions...definitely must see!

The last couple of nights, we went out to dinner, had an anniversary getaway and then it was time to go. We decided to break up the drive and stayed the night in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand.

We finally got home yesterday, exhausted and needing to rest from all the fun. Then today it was back to the normal schedule...two basketball games for Elijah, Jullien and Dillon. Tomorrow it's back to work, why does vacation only happen once a year...I need to win the lottery...I'm ready for another one!!

Dad Shoveling the Day We Arrived

The Siblings...missing Stacy (couldn't make it) and John

Girls with Dad

The Cousins

Icicle Tree



Tyler's Cabin

Elijah & Josh

April & Tyler

Amy & Ava

Snowball Fight

Scenic Drive Home