Happy 21st Birthday Dilly!

On February 15th my stepson Dillon turned 21. I'm so proud of him and need to share something that I've always found so amazing about Dillon. He has so many special qualities. One of the main things that I admire and hope to one day conquer in my life..is his incredible fearlessness. Dillon never lets an obstacle stand in his way...if he wants to achieve something, he goes after it!

When Dillon was younger he played sports- football, baseball, basketball and he wrestled. He was relentless. He would do whatever it took to get better. What I didn't realize was that intensity was applied to every area, goal and dream in his life. We had never considered Dillon a musical kid. But he had plans that we weren't aware of and when Dillon puts his mind to something there is no stopping him until he achieves his goal. In a short period of time he taught himself to play the guitar and practiced singing. He took singing lessons at church and worked and worked until he was good enough to lead worship for the church youth group and eventually the main Saturday night service.

He has wanted to be a Pastor ever since he graduated high school and now after faithfully serving the youth groups at church, he was just officially given the position as assistant Jr. High Pastor/Pastor in training.

He is an incredible example of faithfulness and perseverance. Dillon never lets an obstacle get in the way of the calling he has on his life. I know that the Lord will continue to use and lead him into new and exciting chapters in his life. I am so proud of the man he's become and to be given the opportunity to be his step-mom.

I love you Dillon...Happy 21st Birthday!!

I'm On a Mission!

Day 1 in "Operation Drop 7!"

I'm on a mission. It's not well thought out...but it's an attempt. I'll be leaving for New York in a short time, less than a month for my sister-in-laws wedding, (I've never been before.) I'm pretty excited to get the chance to be there for their special day...not to mention I'll get to spend time with my son, Jullien who's been living there since he was 17 modeling (21 now.)

So, what's my mission...drop 7lbs in a couple of weeks & get in shape. This is very typical of me, everything is always last minute (I tell myself, "That's when you do your best work, under the gun!") When I was younger (before 40) dropping weight was easy. I usually never carried too much extra lbs. and the little I did have just came off quickly with a little exercise. Well now at the age of 40+ things are a little harder. The first problem is my apparent lack of will power. I love my sweets and my midnight bowl of cereal. But in my mind, if I exercise and cut back on my dessert, I should lose it right?

Well, we shall see...I'm walking the dog and doing 30 minutes on the stair stepper each night & floor exercises (not enough will power, time or energy to go to the gym yet.) All this as opposed to the nothing I was doing before. Let's go weight...I need a miracle!lol!

Happy 65th Birthday in Heaven Dad

Today my dad would've turned 65. It's hard to believe he's been gone a year already. While we all miss him so much and wish we could be together today...I'll take comfort in knowing he's having the best celebration ever in Heaven. So I'll continue to cling to the special memories (there are so many) and let the joy of knowing that he is happier than ever before, no cancer, no pain, no struggle...just pure happiness. Happy Birthday Dad...until we meet again!

I love and miss you!

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

Powering Through It

First of all...thank you all for your comments and suggestions regarding my back issue! I decided my first course of action is going to be powering through it. I'm beginning a SLOW stretching routine every morning and night, followed by walking the dog with my husband again nightly. I've got to tell ya, some days are better than others and our walks may be a little slower than my hubby or dog would like...but I'm not going to let this back thing keep me down!

I also decided if it doesn't get better soon with the things I'm doing, I'm going to try the acupuncturist that cured my sons 3rd degree ankle sprain (a complete tear of the ligaments) in two days! Seriously...TWO DAYS of treatment! It was crazy, he was even able to play in the State Semi-Final football game without re-injuring it. He obviously wasn't able to run as fast and play both ways, but he played and made some key tackles. It was truly my first experience with going to one after a suggestion from a friend who's son plays linebacker for UCLA. This was after the Orthopedic Doctor told him it will take months of healing and rehabilitation and he absolutely wouldn't be able to play in that HUGE game...he wasn't even able to put weight on it!!

Pic on left taken at Orthopedic Dr's visit~Pic on right after Acupuncture & cupping (notice the marks)

Pic on left- Dec 5th leaving the Dr's office~Pic on right was game day~Dec 8th, 2012 (my Birthday;D)

So I figure, if it can work for a torn ligament, it should do wonders for scar tissue right?! Well it definitely can't make it worse...so if I go that route I'll let you know how it goes.

It's Back

Last week I started to feel that same low back pain that prompted me to go to the doctors 1 year ago. It then led to that TERRIBLE surgery that caused my intestines to become blocked, tube down my nose and unbearable pain as I laid throwing up in the hospital for a week. The cause of my severe back pain before was from an accumulation of scar tissue from previous surgeries I've had. The doctor cleaned it all out but warned me that it would probably come back.

Well...it's back and I'm really struggling, especially because I really want to start exercising again to get in shape before our first trip to New York in April for my sister-in-laws wedding. I can barely walk or move quickly because it kills me! It's SO frustrating...I feel like a little old lady or something. I absolutely refuse to go to the doctors again though so I think I'm just going to try to stretch (a lot), get a few massages and pray that it goes away.

We'll see.....

It

Hanging Out at the Inauguration

Elijah took this picture right when they arrived

My son Elijah has been in an International Business & Communications class (CIBACS) at his high school for the past four years. It's been an amazing class that's really helped prepare him for college and his future in the business world. Every year the CIBACS Senior class takes a trip...this year they went to Washington DC and attended the Inauguration. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and even though he was hoping to watch Romney get sworn in, he was excited to be there and of course see Beyonce perform live! They had to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to be there by 5:00. He said it was freezing...which of course 50 degrees to Californians is unbearable!lol!

Along with the Inauguration attendance he's been enjoying the whole DC experience. They've had a pretty packed schedule: (1/19-Arrived in DC , Visit Smithsonian Museum;   

Elijah, Steven & Derek-They had to wear their business attire on the overnight flight

1/20-Martin's Tavern Proposal booth (JFK proposed there) & Georgetown University tour;

Georgetown University

 1/21-Inauguration-Beyonce & Kelly Clarkson performances; 1/22-They have to take their finals (it's finals week back home so they're taking them on the trip) & then Arlington Changing of the Guards; 1/23-Tour of the White House (visit 8 different rooms), lunch at White House & then more final exams; 1/24-Tour of John Hopkins University; 1/25-Holocaust Museum, Vietnam War Museum and live performance of, "Our Town" at the Ford Theatre; 1/26-Fly home.) Luckily they always end up with extra time each day to explore.

The Three Musketeers...let loose to roam Washington DC!

Of course I looked up some cool things for him and his friends to go do and sent the list & links. I don't want him to miss anything! But so far he's still trying to adjust to DC time and said after the Inauguration, they went back to the hotel, fell asleep and woke up too late to do anything. I'm hoping that they'll be able to check out some cool places today.

So happy he gets to experience this! I told him to take tons of pics for me but so far the only pictures I've received are the ones I posted...which I stole from his Instagram and Facebook!;)

Elijah & Nicole

Elijah and his classmates at the White House