Forever Families - Play "My Destiny" by Jim Brickman & Michelle Wright

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~Desmond Tutu

The other day I had a patient come in for a cleaning. In my effort to make small talk, I asked her what she was doing for the holidays. She told me that she really had no plans, that she may hang out with friends. I asked her if her family lived out of state and she said "no." She stated that she just isn't close to her family. She doesn't get along with her siblings or her mother, her father had passed away. I talk to people every day and every time I hear a story like this it makes me so sad for the people who aren't close to their families. I know I have said this before but I really don't know where I would be today without the family that I have. I can't imagine not having a close relationship with every single person in my family.

Growing up with a disability, I could have learned to feel sorry for myself. I could have developed low self-esteem and not completely understood my potential. My parents never treated me differently from the other kids and always told me that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. We all have strengths and we all have weaknesses. We cannot possibly know what our strengths are if we don't embrace our weaknesses, both make us who we are. This is what my family has taught me. I have always felt so much love and acceptance from my family and I know they love me as much as I love them. I love the LDS Primary song Families Can Be Together Forever, the words "I always want to be with my own family" says it all for me. I am so blessed to have been born to the parents that I have. I love every one of my 7 brothers and sisters, and their families. I love the entire Fisher family, they are such loving people and I am so blessed they are my family, and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for my loving husband and my beautiful children.


I feel sad for those who do not know the blessing of family. Family is the most important thing in my life. I could never want more than to be a good daughter, a great sister, a compassionate daughter-in-law, a loving wife and mother. I want my family to know how much I love you all and thank my Heavenly Father every day for my little place in the world, surrounded by those I love.

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Unhappy Babies!

Max had been miserable for about 4 days, when he finally cut his first tooth on my birthday.   He was really unhappy and continues to be as he has 4 teeth coming in at once.  One down, three to go!  To add insult to injury, he had his well child visit at the pediatrician on the 6th.   Good news--he is healthy as a horse!  He weighs 21 pounds and is 29 1/2 inches long.  This puts him in the 90% of his height, the 50% of his weight and the 85% of his head circumference.  I asked the doctor what this meant and he responded that he just has a big brain!  Good to know!  He is just a big boy.  He does have potential, my dad for those who didn't know him, was 6' 5" tall.  People called him the "gentle giant."  Apparently I didn't take after him, however, Max could take after Grandpa Ken and be a basketball player, or football player, either way a "gentle giant."  

Anyway, back to the story, so not only is he cutting teeth but he had to have 3 shots on Thursday, including the flu shot.  I had Sydney and Bella with me so I thought I would get them for all of them.  Silly me, I have had 3 sick kids for the last week!  Bella and Max were running temperatures of around 104 so it was a little scary for me.  I was up round the clock alternating Tylenol with Motrin, just trying to keep them comfortable.   Luckily Sydney was sick on Monday so she stayed home with the babies so they didn't have to go to daycare.

It is funny how we don't appreciate having good health until we don't have it.  The kids just had the flu and it was so hard to watch them be so miserable.  We are so blessed that this is the only illnesses we have had in our family.  I am so thankful for the beautiful, healthy children that Troy and I have been blessed with.  Life is truly a miracle and we should appreciate it everyday instead of realizing it only when we see others suffering.  There are not too many things more important in this life than good health.  Other stresses never seem as important when someone around us is suffering. 

The Denver Broncos Game!

A patient of mine gave me two tickets for the Denver Broncos/Miami Dolphins game on November 2nd.  I was so excited, I knew Troy would be in "heaven."  He loves any opportunity to see a live football game.  We tried every way we could think of to make it work but we just couldn't make it to the game.  Troy and I decided to give the tickets to Chelsey and Kasey as a gift.  They have been stressed out because of Kasey's accident, and Chelsey is just working so hard that we thought a diversion would be great!  Troy made all the arrangements for them and they took off for a road trip to Denver.  Neither of them are football fans, but they were really excited to go.  They left on Saturday morning and got there that evening, having stopped a few times along the way.  They were great about checking in with us so we didn't worry.

On Sunday, they got to the game early so they could watch everything (plus they aren't too familiar with Denver).  They were on the phone about every 15 minutes, relaying details to Troy.  He was very jealous, but happy for them to have this experience.  They really had fun at the game, especially watching all the crazy fans!  They said they had a great time, even though Denver lost.  I am so glad they had the opportunity to go, and thank you Ric for the tickets!  You really are my favorite! 

November Birthday Shoutout!!! (Play "Thankful" by Josh Groban)

Sharon Tidwell (friend) - November 4th
Lisa (me) - November 5th
Shar Oskins (friend/co-worker) - November 5th
Karen Chambers (cousin) Need picture - November 6th
Carol Rice (forever friend) Need picture! - November 7th
Jill Hansen (friend/co-worker) - November 9th
Jenn Dastrup (friend) - November 9th
Ayden Derr (nephew) - November 13th
Karen Derr (sister-in-law) - November 16th
Kristen Gibson (sister) - November 25th
Patricia Isabella Fisher "Bella" (our baby girl!) - November 28th


Happy Birthday Everyone!!!

November is one of my favorite months, not only because it is my birthday month but because it is a month in which most people are celebrating the things they are thankful for. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, it is a day we share with family and friends and reflect upon the blessings in our lives. I feel so blessed to have the family that I do. My Mother is the most amazing woman I know. She is always such an example to me in all she does. My brothers and sisters are truly my best friends, I would rather spend time with them than anyone else in the world. I am also blessed with the most incredible in-laws, they are my family as well. I am so blessed to have such amazing children. They bring me such joy and happiness and last but not least, I am so blessed to be married to my best friend.

Even though it is such a great month, November is also a sad time for me. My father passed away November 16, 1985--23 years ago. There isn't one day that I don't think about him and miss him. He was a brilliant man, he was very well educated, but more than he was an educated man, he was a wise man. He was also a great Dad. I remember one day when I was having a hard time in my life he sat me down and told me this quote:

"Happiness is a butterfly which when pursued is just out of grasp... but if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."
--Nathaniel Hawthorne

I never forgot these words, my Dad helped me to see that happiness is found within yourself, not from outside sources. I have always been able to find my own happiness, no matter what the circumstances. I love you Dad! I wish I could have had more time with you. I wish I could see you with my children, you would be such a great Grandpa! Thank you for all you taught me.

Halloween Night!!!

We spent Halloween night at my Mom's house with all of my family.  Mom and Kris made a yummy dinner of chili, grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit salad. The kids were so excited to see their cousins! We haven't been able to see them for awhile so they were happy to celebrate Halloween together. We are so lucky that all of our kids love to be together, it makes family parties so much fun! All the kids got dressed up and we all set out on a beautiful October night. The temperature was about 60 degrees which made it so pleasant! Utah Halloween's can be cold, wet or even snowy! I was so happy that is was so nice outside. We did get a little bit of rain, there is a storm coming in a few days so it had to tease us a little. We just went around the block, Bella was getting tired. Max had the "luxury wagon" so he was fine whatever we did. We also didn't want Bella to get too much candy (sugar high, no thanks)! After we walked around the block, we decided to go and see my old boss, Dr. Marty Bingham and his wife, Linda. I hadn't seen him for so long and we wanted to show off the babies. It was so good to see them! Troy and I both love them to pieces. They absolutely loved the babies and were so cute with them.  After we visited with the Bingham's for awhile we went back to Mom's for donuts and warm carmel apple cider.  What a fun evening, the babies slept good that night!

While we were at the Bingham's, Bella climbed up on Linda's grand piano.  Her piano is so beautiful and in pristine condition.   I was quick to stop her, but Linda wanted to see what she would do.  Linda is a pianist and is also a retired kindergarten teacher so she is amazingly patient. Bella climbed up on the bench and started playing with her fingers. Linda was in awe!  She explained that children usually bang on the piano but she pointed out how Bella was actually playing with her fingers.  It wasn't anything spectacular but it wasn't noise.  She encouraged us to buy a cheap piano and get her into a Suzuki teacher/program. We are always amazed in Bella. I don't know what this child's future will be, but it is definitely promising. 

Halloween Party at Olympus View Dental

Since we had to work on Halloween, we decided to have all the kids come in for a costume party.  Chelsey didn't have to work on Friday so she and Kasey brought Sydney, Bella and Max in with their costumes on.  Everyone else brought in their kids dressed in their Halloween attire.  They were all so cute!  We made nachos and homemade rootbeer and had lots of treats for the kiddies!   I am so lucky to work with such fun people!  I love them like they are my own family.  If I have to spend 8 hours a day away from my babies, I am glad it is with my girls from OVD! 

October Fest at Porcupine Grill!

One of our favorite traditions is to go to Porcupine Grill for October Fest.  We have done this every year for I don't know how long!  We met some of our friends there.  Jeremy, Janelle and Taggert, Laurie and Jr., and Shar and Jack.  We had so much fun sharing nachos and hot wings and just laughing and catching up!  We never get to see Jeremy, Janelle and Tag so it was especially fun!  October Fest is over now but we have next year to look forward to!

Bella's First Haircut

Last weekend we took Bella to "Cookie Cutters" for her first haircut. I had attempted to cut her hair a few times, but I was unsuccessful (she has the wiggles). We were nervous about this as Bella is going through an "I'm scared" phase. She is pretty much scared of everything. When we got there, they had Bella pick out a movie to watch. She chose Baby Einstein and then she chose a pink car to sit in.  They gave Bella some bubbles so she was having fun with those until she got the blower too close to her lips, Yuk!  Teresa did a great job cutting her hair even though Bella was a moving target for almost all of the procedure, thus the short bangs.  Bella had so much fun, she didn't want to leave.  Thank you "Cookie Cutters" for making her experience so enjoyable (for all of us)!