Aiming to be a well rounded Woman

Finding Incredible: What Cancer—and Trials—Can Teach Us

2012-02-19T20:57:00.000Z

I read this story from the LDS Newnews room and was so touched and encouraged by thier faith that it really has motivated me to try to keep strong. thought I would share....

Finding Incredible: What Cancer—and Trials—Can Teach Us

In September 2011, Daniel Hedlund, a seminary teacher in Layton, Utah, USA, wrote the above words and submitted them to an online competition called “In Search of Incredible.”
Singer and filmmaker Jason Mraz was in search of incredible stories from around the world, and he invited people to share theirs. And in December, people from around the world voted.
They chose Daniel’s story, which was made into a short film and presented at the largest independent cinema festival in the United States—the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, USA—on January 19, 2012.
Daniel’s experience is incredible, but he is quick to point out that he doesn’t think his story is much different from that of anyone else who has been through something difficult.
“I think the lesson to be learned is that our Heavenly Father loves us, and He wants what’s best for us, like any father would,” Daniel said. “If we can trust that simple fact . . . then all of a sudden there’s this paradigm shift because we look at our trials and challenges and obstacles as a means to an end. It all of a sudden became for me something that would grow me as a person, would grow my testimony, would grow my faith in the Savior, would help me to rely on somebody other than my own capabilities.”
Since he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) four years ago, Daniel has undergone 20 rounds of chemotherapy and 10 surgeries. The cancer has returned twice, but Daniel is currently in remission. Through these experiences, he said, his understanding of the Atonement has deepened.
“[Christ’s] ability to be there for us when we need Him, His ability to give us the peace and comfort that we seek when we most need it, and the reality of His atoning sacrifice and how far-reaching that is. . . . To me, that’s incredible,” Daniel said. “It is an infinite Atonement. And its effects are much more far-reaching than my living room.”

Living with Cancer

The Friday morning leading up to a new scan is one of the most difficult for Daniel and his wife, Melanie. It’s January, and it’s been three months since Daniel has been scanned for any new cancer growth. The last two scans, taken at three-month intervals, have come up clean.
The time between when Daniel is scanned and when he receives the results the following Monday is “nerve-wracking,” he said. “Luckily, one of those days is Sunday, so we get to go to church and receive that spiritual charge.”
This time, the scan comes up clean for the third time in a row. As the Hedlunds leave, they stop at the desk and set the next appointment for three months from now.
Daniel’s first scan occurred in December 2007. Newlywed in November 2007, Daniel and Melanie, 23 and 20 years old respectively, were eager to begin their life together.
But three weeks after their wedding, during a checkup for a sore leg, doctors saw that something on the x-ray didn’t look quite right and recommended an MRI immediately.
In the waiting room of the imaging center, Melanie wrote out wedding thank-you notes as they waited for a phone call that would tell them the results. Finally, it came. Daniel said he remembers everything about that phone call.
“I remember how the doctor sounded. I remember the words he said. But most of all I think I remember how it felt to hear those words, ‘You have cancer,’ for the first time,” he said. “He told me . . . I would have to do chemotherapy, and I might lose my leg.”
He dropped his head and began to cry. As he hung up and turned around, he realized Melanie hadn’t heard any of it, but could tell from his expression something was very wrong.
“I had to sit next to her and tell my bride of three weeks that her new husband had cancer,” Daniel recalled.
Osteosarcoma is generally a pediatric cancer that occurs in younger patients and teenagers. Daniel had no history of cancer in his family, and he said the unknown was terrifying.
In his case, the cancer had metastasized, or spread, to his lungs, making it a stage-four cancer with a 20–50 percent survival rate.
Rounds of chemotherapy involved Daniel being administered a series of drugs in various cycles. Some treatments required that he return to the hospital every day for several days, while others required that he stay at the hospital for an extended period of time.
Chemotherapy often left him feeling nauseous and exhausted. Within two months of his diagnosis Daniel had lost 30 pounds and his hair had begun falling out.
Because of his faith in the plan of salvation, Daniel said he was never afraid to die, but he did fear not being able to experience much of what life has to offer—having children, playing with grandchildren, serving missions with his wife.
“I was afraid, especially at the beginning, that I was failing at being a husband,” he said. “I felt like it was my job to prevent things like this from happening, and here I was the cause of this happening.”
Since his initial diagnosis and during each recurrence of cancer in his lungs—for five months in February 2010 and for another five months in February 2011—Daniel said he and Melanie have learned specific lessons that have application to any trial or challenge life may present.

After the Rain Comes the Rainbow

When Daniel was diagnosed with cancer the first time, he said he believed Heavenly Father wanted him to learn something before he could move on. When he was declared in remission the first time, he thought he had “passed the test.”
But then it came back again, and then again. For a long time, Daniel said, he wondered if there was something he wasn’t learning that God wanted him to. It was during the cancer’s second recurrence that he reached a turning point.
He was reading in the New Testament:
“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
“And [Christ] was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:37–38).
“I thought to myself, ‘That is exactly the way I feel right now,’” Daniel said. “’Master, carest thou not that I perish? Carest thou not, Heavenly Father, that I have cancer? Carest thou not that my wife and I want to start a family? Carest thou not that I’m tired of doing this? Carest thou not that we want to continue our lives?’”
When Daniel continued reading, he said, he found the answer to all of his questions.
“The Savior’s response to His disciples was, ‘O ye of little faith,’ and He stretched forth His hand and He calmed the tempest,” Daniel said, quoting Matthew 8:26. “I had to ask myself in that moment, ‘Do I believe that this actually happened? Do I believe that Christ calmed the waters that day?’ And I do. And because I believe that, I know that He can calm the tempest going on inside my body. . . . And it’s not my job to ask why or to wonder why this is happening to me again. My job is just to have the faith that Heavenly Father is in charge and that He knows what’s best for me.”
On March 25, 2008, just three months after Daniel’s initial diagnosis, Melanie wrote on their CaringBridge blog, “Although I don’t believe God GAVE Daniel cancer, I do believe He ALLOWED the cancer to come into our lives at this time for a purpose that we do not yet know. But I know there is a purpose that He has in mind.”
Melanie said she continues to learn what that purpose is.
“I hope I never fully figure it out, because trying to figure out the purpose behind Daniel’s illness helps me to learn what I think my Heavenly Father would want me to learn,” she said.
When, on March 11, 2011, doctors found cancer in Daniel’s lungs for a third time, he wrote that he knew that not only had he and his wife been blessed during the previous three years, but that they had come out ahead of where they would have otherwise been.
The past four years have helped Daniel and Melanie to be more aware of the blessings of family and friends, they said. In 2008, during Daniel’s first bout with cancer, supporters put on a benefit concert themed “After the Rain Comes the Rainbow,” alluding to the story of Noah.
Funds went to help with the Hedlunds’ medical costs—costs for treating for this type of cancer can run from $500,000 to $800,000 USD.
Over the past four years, the Hedlunds have spent more than 100 days in the hospital. Regular visits from friends and family, coupled with the support of compassionate doctors and nurses, were a great source of comfort and support to them during those hospital stays, the couple said. Daniel’s mother even moved to Utah for four months to be near her son and to allow Melanie to continue to attend school.
Daniel and Melanie also found a greater appreciation for temple covenants because of their trials.
“The doctors can give me a 30 percent chance to live, but I have a 100 percent chance to be with my wife forever,” Daniel said. “And that knowledge keeps us sane and gives us peace and gives us comfort in those otherwise stressful times in our lives.”
Perhaps most importantly, the past four years have taught Daniel and Melanie that the gospel is the ultimate source of comfort and hope.
“I wanted that newlywed life—and not only that, I wanted a full life with my husband. And all of those things were up in the air and questionable,” she said. “And I learned that the gospel . . . is the only thing that can help you overcome that sorrow of that loss. And it’s because we’ve been promised all of those things that are most important. We’ve been promised eternal life if we’re faithful. We’ve been promised eternal families if we keep our covenants.”
Daniel recalled how prayer comforted him during late nights when chemotherapy treatments kept him up and he felt alone.
“Those were the times that the Atonement was most real to me because it was almost as if the Savior were there in the room with me and telling me, ‘It’s OK. I know what you’re going through because I’ve gone through it, because I’ve been there,’” he said. “That was the single source of comfort on so many occasions for me—knowing that I had a Savior who loved me enough to suffer what I was suffering.”

Conclusion

As of January 2012, Daniel Hedlund is cancer-free. The eight-inch donor bone that replaced the cancerous part of his femur has yet to incorporate fully, so he continues to walk with the aid of a cane. Every three months for the rest of his life, Daniel will undergo scanning to check for new cancer growth throughout his body.
Daniel continues to hold the same perspective he’s developed through his experience with cancer, which he wrote about last March when he was diagnosed with cancer for a third time:

I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me. . . . What lessons He’ll teach me. How He’ll stretch me and school me. And most of all, what He will turn me into. Where I see myself going and who I see myself becoming are very different from where God sees me going and who He sees me becoming. But each step of the way, I can see that where He has taken me is a much better place than I ever thought of for myself.

HEART ATTACKS!

2012-02-14T19:14:00.000Z

For the children we made rolo dynamite we got the idea from HERE
and for the next 12 days we will give the children one of these wee cards in thier lunch to remind them about Love

Hanna & Sean got busy and creative in the kitchen

making a very big MESS and some Lovely Valentine Treats

Traditional we deliver secret Valentines for people we love and appreciate This year we gave out 8 to pink pressies to members of the church.

and 8 to other people we wish to share our love with We attached a balloon to wee parcels of sweets and hearts with messages on them We based the idea from HERE

We decided to put the goodies at the end of the string to use as a weight . we were going to deliver by knocking the doors and running.

NOTE: 1. DO NOT HAVE A DOZEN BALLOONS ON RIBBON WITH PARCELS AT THE END AND PUT IN THE BOOT OF THE CAR = SPAGETTI JUNCTION WHICH RESULTS IN SERIOUS SURGERY AND FRAID (mum and dads) TEMPER.

Its fun not getting caught....

and even more when we DO get caught

However it was eventually all worth it...

What is Valentines Day

2012-02-13T19:23:00.000Z

Valentine's Day

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.

The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines")

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards

For more info click here

Fresh Start for Scripture Study

2012-02-13T19:19:00.000Z

This year I decided to really consentrate on my scripture study so I made a consious effort to abandon my expensive copys of the scriptures which I have marked over the last 10 years and got a new set of cheap soft cover scriptures. I protected the covers with laminated drawings I did (used adult colouring in sheets using a Paisley Pattern - I come from Paisley Stake) and decided on a scripture marking theme. I'm using a marking system from The Red Headed Hostess. She has a really good journal system as well which I am using. I mark things which are very pertainant to our situation now and I have found the scriptures to be a true shining light in dark times.

Introducing Two New Family Members......

2012-02-13T19:17:00.000Z

Mikey the Monkey and Daisy the Cow

We have been trying to prepare the children for dad being away from home and having a hospital stay. We asked the children what would bring them comfort and came up with the idea of a cuddly toy however we felt it would be best for the children to have their own cuddly toys to give THEM comfort when dads not there, so we all went shopping and found Mikey and Daisy.

Mikey is a hot water bottle cover for mum to keep her warm and bring her comfort when dads not there and Daisy (Named after a local cow) is a pajama holder in which we can put love letters and pictures to chear dad up when he gets lonely or scared and to bring comfort with a big squish cuddle.

Thallium Test Results

2012-02-10T16:55:00.000Z

We had a call from our surgeon today, apparently the thallium spect results didn't come through in time for the multi disciplinary meeting last Wednesday so it had to be cancelled. Dr Mathison has now got the results and has rescheduled the multi disciplinary team meeting for next Wednesday. He says the test showed "No Increased uptake" so he thinks its a low grade Glioma however to find out exactly will require a biopsy and he's going to push for one when he meets with the other team members with a look to getting it in 2-3 weeks time.

Gliomas
Most tumours develop from the supporting cells of the brain known as the glial cells. They may be named after the type of cell that they are made up of, or after the part of the brain in which they are found, such as a brain stem glioma. More than half of all primary brain tumours are gliomas.

Grading of gliomas

Grading is a term that refers to how the tumour cells look under the microscope. A pathologist will examine the cells and look at whether there are signs they are dividing, how abnormal they look and if there are any abnormal blood vessels.
The grade gives an idea of how quickly the tumour may develop. There are four grades: grade 1 tumours are benign and grow very slowly, whereas grade 4 tumours are malignant (cancerous) and grow faster. Sometimes grade 1 and 2 gliomas are called low-grade gliomas and grades 3 and 4 are called high-grade gliomas. Knowing the type and grade of your tumour will help your doctors plan the best treatment.

Biopsy

In some cases, if a diagnosis                   cannot be made clearly from the scans, a biopsy                   may be performed to determine what type of tumour                   is present. Biopsy is a procedure to remove                   a small amount of tumour to be examined by a                   pathologist under a microscope. A biopsy can                   be taken as part of an open surgical procedure                   to remove the tumour or as a separate diagnostic                   procedure, known as a needle biopsy via a small                   hole drilled in the skull . A hollow needle is                   guided into the tumour and a tissue sample is                   removed ). A stereotactic biopsy is like a needle                   biopsy but is performed with the use of a stereotactic                   head frame and a computer to precisely locate                   the tumour and direct the needle. This more complex                   procedure is used for deep tumours in critical                 locations.

 During a needle biopsy, a hollow cannula is inserted into the tumour. 
Small biting instruments remove bits of tumour for the pathologist
to examine and determine the exact tumour cell type.

Information leaflet for patients having a brain biopsy (this is not from our hospital its the only information that I can find that will tell us about being in hospital for a biopsy.

That's it. All there is to report, we are carrying on with life as normal as we can, Sean goes to work and winds up the patients and workmates and I do alot of cleaning (OK so that's not normal) The children go to school and clubs and we pray every night and Thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings we have so abundantly in our lives.

Some things that have been helping me through this week are :

SPECT Scan

2012-02-02T17:33:00.000Z

On Wed 1st of Feb Sean went for a Thalliun 201 SPECT Scan at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.

Overview

A Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scan is a type of nuclear imaging test that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs.

How does a SPECT scan work?

A SPECT scan integrates two technologies to view your body: computed tomography (CT) and a radioactive material (tracer). The tracer is what allows doctors to see how blood flows to tissues and organs.

Before the SPECT scan, you are injected with a chemical that is radiolabled, meaning it emits gamma rays that can be detected by the scanner. The computer collects the information emitted by the gamma rays and translates them into two-dimensional cross-sections. These cross-sections can be added back together to form a 3D image of your brain.

The radioisotopes typically used in SPECT to label tracers are iodine-123, technetium-99m, xenon-133, thallium-201, and  fluorine-18. These  radioactive forms of natural elements will  pass safely through your body and be detected by the scanner. Various drugs and other chemicals can be labeled with these isotopes.

The type of tracer used depends on what your doctor wants to measure. For example, if your doctor is looking at a tumour, he or she might use radiolabled glucose (FDG) and watch how it is metabolized by the tumour.

The test differs from a PET scan in that the tracer stays in your blood stream rather than being absorbed by surrounding tissues, thereby limiting the images to areas where blood flows. SPECT scans are cheaper and more readily available than higher resolution PET scans.

What does a SPECT scan show?

A SPECT scan is primarily used to view how blood flows through arteries and veins in the brain. Tests have shown that it might be more sensitive to brain injury than either MRI or CT scanning because it can detect reduced blood flow to injured sites.

SPECT scanning is also useful for presurgical evaluation of medically uncontrolled seizures (Fig. 1). The test can be performed between seizures (interictal) or during a seizure (ictal) to determine blood flow to areas where the seizures originate.

 Figure 1. A SPECT scan of a patient with  uncontrolled complex partial seizures. The temporal lobe on the left side of the brain shows less blood flow than the right, confirming for the surgeon the nonfunctioning area of the brain causing seizures.

This type of scanning is also useful in diagnosing stress fractures in the spine (spondylolysis), blood deprived (ischemic) areas of brain following a stroke, and tumours.

Who performs the test?

A specially trained nuclear medicine technologist will perform the test in the Nuclear Medicine department of the hospital, or at an outpatient imaging centre.

How should I prepare for the test?

Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to stay for 1 to 2 hours.

What happens during the test?

First, you will receive an injection of a small amount of radioactive tracer. You'll be asked to rest for about 10-20 minutes until the tracer reaches your brain. Next, you'll lie comfortably on a scanner table while a special camera rotates around your head. Be sure to remain as still as possible so that the machine can take accurate pictures.

Once the scan is complete, you can leave. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to flush out any tracer left in your body.

What are the risks?

The amount of radiation your body is exposed to is less than you receive during a chest X-ray or CT scan. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not undergo a SPECT scan.

How do I get the test results?

The nuclear medicine doctor will promptly review your images and communicate directly with your referring doctor, who in turn will discuss the results with you.

Glossary

gamma rays: electromagnetic radiation emitted during radioactive decay and having an extremely short wavelength.

positron emission tomography (PET): a nuclear medicine test in which tissue function can be imaged. Damaged tissues have reduced metabolic activity; therefore, gamma radiation from these areas is reduced or absent.

photon:  a particle that travels at the speed of light.

positron: an electrically charged particle that has the opposite charge as an electron. It reacts with an electron to produce gamma rays.

radiolabel: the technique of attaching, or "tagging", a radioactive molecule to another molecule (such as a protein) so that it can be identified in the body. The radiolabeled substance emits positrons that can be picked up by a special scanner.

tomography:  the technique of using rotating X-rays to capture an image at a particular depth in the body, bringing those structures into sharp focus while blurring structures at other depths.

tracer: a substance, usually radioactively labelled, which is injected into your body and can be followed to gain information about metabolic processes.

Introduction to Brain Tumors

2012-02-02T17:09:00.000Z

We found this information on a website and found it quite useful in understanding what Sean was going through.

Overview

A tumour (also called a neoplasm                   or lesion) is abnormal tissue that grows by                   uncontrolled cell division. Normal cells grow                   in a controlled manner as new cells replace                   old or damaged ones. For reasons not fully understood,  tumour cells reproduce uncontrollably. 

Brain tumours are named after the cell type from                   which they grow. They may be primary (starting                   in the brain) or secondary (spreading to the                   brain from another area). Treatment options                   vary depending on the tumour type, size and location;                   whether the tumour has spread; and the age and                   medical health of the person. Treatment options                   may be curative or focus on relieving symptoms.                   Of the more than 120 types of brain tumour's,                   many can be successfully treated. New therapies                   are improving the life span and quality of life             for many people.

What is a brain tumour?

 A primary brain tumour is an abnormal growth that starts in the brain                   and usually does not spread to other parts of                   the body. Primary brain tumour's may be benign               or malignant.

A benign brain tumour grows slowly, has distinct boundaries, and rarely spreads. Although its cells are not malignant, this tumour composed of benign cells and located in vital areas can be considered life-threatening. A malignant brain tumour grows quickly, has irregular boundaries, and spreads to nearby brain areas. Although they are sometimes called brain cancer, malignant brain tumour's do not fit the definition of cancer because they do not spread to organs outside the brain and spinal cord.

 Metastatic (secondary)                   brain tumour's begin as cancer elsewhere                   in the body and spread to the brain. They form                   when cancer cells are carried in the blood stream                   to the brain. The most common cancers that spread                   to the brain are lung and breast.

Whether a brain tumour is benign,                   malignant, or metastatic, all are potentially                   life-threatening. Enclosed within the bony skull,                   the brain cannot expand to make room for a growing                   mass. As a result, the tumour compresses and                   displaces normal brain tissue (Fig. 1). Some brain tumour's                   cause a blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)                   that flows around and through the brain. This                   blockage increases intracranial pressure and                   can enlarge the ventricles (hydrocephalus).                   Some brain tumours cause swelling (oedema). Size,                   pressure, and swelling all create "mass                   effect," which cause many of the symptoms.

Figure 1. Brain tumour's compress and displace normal brain tissue.
Increasing size, pressure and swelling  cause neurologic symptoms.

Types of brain tumour's

There are over 120 different types of brain tumours. Common brain tumours include:Gliomas

Astrocytoma
Pilocytic Astrocytoma (grade I)
Diffuse Astrocytoma (grade II)
Anaplastic Astrocytoma (grade III)
Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV)
Oligodendroglioma (grade II)
Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma (grade III)
Ependymoma (grade II)
Anaplastic Ependymoma (grade III)

Craniopharyngioma
Epidermoid
Lymphoma
Meningioma
Schwannoma     (neuroma)
Pituitary                                   adenoma 
Pinealoma (pineocytoma, pineoblastoma)
Medulloblastoma

 The World Health Organization (WHO) developed                   a classification and grading system to standardise                   communication, treatment planning, and predict                   outcomes for brain tumour's. Tumours are classified                   by their cell type and grade by viewing the                   cells, usually taken during a biopsy, under                   a microscope.

Cell type. Refers to the cell of origin of the tumour. For example, nerve cells (neurons) and support cells (glial and schwann cells) give rise to tumour's. About half of all primary brain tumour's grow from glial cells (gliomas). There are many types of gliomas because there are different kinds of glial cells.Grade. Refers to the way tumour cells look under the microscope and is an indication of aggressiveness (e.g., low grade means least aggressive and high grade means most aggressive) (Table 1). Tumour's often have a mix of cell grades and can change as they grow. Differentiated and anaplastic are terms used to describe how similar or abnormal the tumour cells appear compared to normal cells.Table 1. Glioma Grading Scale
Grade
Characteristics
I
Slow growing cells Almost normal appearance Least malignant Usually associated with long-term survival
II
Relatively slow growing cells Slightly abnormal appearance Can invade nearby tissue Sometimes recur as a higher grade
III
Actively reproducing abnormal cells Abnormal appearance Infiltrate normal tissue Tend to recur, often as a higher grade
IV
Rapidly reproducing abnormal cells Very abnormal appearance Area of dead cells (necrosis) in centre Form new blood vessels to maintain growth

What causes brain tumour's?

 Medical science neither knows what causes                   brain tumours nor how to prevent primary tumours                   that start in the brain. People most at risk                   for brain tumours include those who have:

cancer elsewhere in the body
prolonged exposure to pesticides, industrial solvents, and other chemicals
inherited diseases, such as neurofibromatosis

What are the symptoms?

Tumours can affect the brain by                   destroying normal tissue, compressing normal                   tissue, or increasing intracranial pressure.                   Symptoms vary depending on the tumor’s                   type, size, and location in the brain (Fig.                   2). General symptoms include:

headaches that tend to worsen in the morning
seizures
stumbling, dizziness, difficulty walking
speech problems (e.g., difficulty finding the right word)
vision problems, abnormal eye movements
weakness on one side of the body
increased intracranial pressure, which causes drowsiness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, sluggish responses
Figure 2. Brain tumour symptoms are related to the functional areas of the brain, giving doctors clues as to the tumour location.

Specific symptoms include:

Frontal lobe tumours may cause behavioral and emotional changes, impaired judgment, impaired sense of smell, memory loss, paralysis on one side of the body, reduced mental abilities, and vision loss.
tumours may cause impaired speech, inability to write, lack of recognition, and spatial disorders.
Occipital lobe tumours may cause vision loss in one or both eyes.
Temporal lobe tumours may cause impaired speech and memory difficulty.
Brainstem tumours may cause behavioral and emotional changes, difficulty speaking and swallowing, drowsiness, hearing loss, muscle weakness on one side of the face (e.g., head tilt, crooked smile), muscle weakness on one side of the body, uncoordinated gait, drooping eyelid or double vision, and vomiting.
Pituitary gland tumours may cause increased secretion of hormones (Cushing’s Disease, acromegaly), a stop in menstruation, abnormal secretion of milk, and decreased libido.

Who is affected?

The American Brain Tumour Association estimates                   that about 40,900 people will be diagnosed with                   a primary brain tumour in the US this year (rate                   of 14 per 100,000 people). Metastatic (secondary)                   brain tumours are more common than primary brain                   tumours by at least 10 to 1, and they occur in                   20% to 40% of cancer patients. The exact number                   of brain metastases is unknown, but it has been                   estimated that 98,000 to 170,000 new cases are                   diagnosed in the US each year. Unfortunately,                   each year about 12,690 people die of brain tumours                   in the US. Although brain tumours can occur at                   any age, they are most common in children 3                   to 12 years old and in adults 40 to 70 years                   old.

How is a diagnosis made?

First, the doctor will obtain your personal                   and family medical history and perform a complete                   physical examination. In addition to checking                   your general health, the doctor performs a neurological                   exam to check mental status and memory, cranial                   nerve function (sight, hearing, smell, tongue                   and facial movement), muscle strength, coordination,                   reflexes, and response to pain. Additional tests                 may include:

Audiometry, a hearing test performed by an audiologist, detects hearing loss due to tumors near the cochlear nerve (e.g., acoustic neuroma).
An endocrine evaluation measures hormone levels in your blood or urine to detect abnormal levels caused by pituitary tumours (e.g., Cushing’s Disease).
A visual field acuity test is performed by a neuro-ophthalmologist to detect vision loss and missing areas in your field of view.
A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may be performed to examine cerebrospinal fluid for tumour cells, proteins, infection, and blood.

Imaging tests

Computed Tomography (CT) scan is a safe, noninvasive test that uses an X-ray beam and a computer to make 2-dimensional images of the brain. Similar to an MRI, it views the brain in slices, layer-by-layer, taking a picture of each slice. A dye (contrast agent) may be injected into your bloodstream. CT is especially useful for viewing changes in bony structures.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan is a noninvasive test that uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to give a detailed view of the soft tissues of the brain. It views the brain 3-dimensionally in slices that can be taken from the side or from the top as a cross-section. A dye (contrast agent) may be injected into your bloodstream. MRI is very useful to evaluate brain lesions and their effects on surrounding brain (Fig. 3).
Figure 3. MRI scans of a benign and malignant brain tumour. Benign tumours have well defined edges and are more easily removed surgically. Malignant tumours have an irregular border that invades normal tissue with finger-like projections making surgical removal more difficult.

Biopsy

In some cases, if a diagnosis                   cannot be made clearly from the scans, a biopsy                   may be performed to determine what type of tumour                   is present. Biopsy is a procedure to remove                   a small amount of tumour to be examined by a                   pathologist under a microscope. A biopsy can                   be taken as part of an open surgical procedure                   to remove the tumour or as a separate diagnostic                   procedure, known as a needle biopsy via a small                   hole drilled in the skull . A hollow needle is                   guided into the tumour and a tissue sample is                   removed (Fig. 4). A stereotactic biopsy is like a needle                   biopsy but is performed with the use of a stereotactic                   head frame and a computer to precisely locate                   the tumour and direct the needle. This more complex                   procedure is used for deep tumours in critical                 locations.

Figure 4. During a needle biopsy, a hollow cannula is inserted into the tumour. 
Small biting instruments remove bits of tumour for the pathologist
to examine and determine the exact tumour cell type.

Who treats brain tumours?

Because there are so many kinds of brain tumours                   and some are complex to treat, many doctors                   may be involved in your care. Your team may                   include a neurosurgeon, oncologist, radiation             oncologist, radiologist, neurologist, and neuro-ophthalmologist.

What treatments are available?

Treatment options vary depending on the type,                   grade, size and location of the tumour; whether                   it has spread; and your age and general health.                   The goal of treatment may be curative or focus                   on relieving symptoms (palliative care). Treatments                   are often used in combination with one another.                   The goal is to remove all or as much of the                   tumour as possible through surgery to minimise                   the chance of recurrence. Radiation therapy                   and chemotherapy are used to treat tumours that                   cannot be removed by surgery alone. For example,                   surgery may remove the bulk of the tumour and                   a small amount of residual tumour near a critical                   structure can later be treated with radiation.

Observation

Sometimes the best treatment is observation.                   For example, benign, slow growing tumours that                   are small and have few symptoms may be observed                   with routine MRI scans every year until their                   growth or symptoms necessitate surgery. Observation                   may be the best option for older patients with                   other health conditions.

MedicationMedications are used to control some of the common side effects of brain tumours.

Corticosteroid medications, such as dexamethasone (Decadron), are prescribed to reduce swelling and inflammation around the tumor. Because steroid medications can cause stomach ulcers and gastric reflux, famotidine (Pepcid) or pantoprazole (Protonix) are prescribed to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Furosemide (Lasix) or mannitol (Osmitrol) may be used to control oedema and intracranial pressure.
Anticonvulsant medications are used to prevent or control seizures. The most common ones include phenytoin (Dilantin), valproic acid (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and levetiracetam (Keppra).

Surgery

Surgery is the treatment of choice for brain                   tumours that can be reached without causing significant                   injury to vital parts of the brain (eloquent                   tissue). Surgery can help to refine the diagnosis,                   remove as much of the tumour as possible, and                   release pressure within the skull caused by                   the tumour. A neurosurgeon performs a craniotomy to open the skull and remove the tumour. Sometimes                   only part of the tumour is removed if it is near                   critical areas of the brain. A partial removal                   can still relieve symptoms. Radiation or chemotherapy                   may be used on the remaining tumour cells.

Improvements in  techniques, particularly                   image-guided surgery, intraoperative MRI/CT,                   and functional brain mapping have improved                   the surgeon’s ability to precisely locate                   the tumour, define the tumor’s borders,                   avoid injury to vital brain areas, and confirm                   the amount of tumour removal while in the operating                   room.

Radiation

Radiation                   therapy uses controlled high-energy rays                   to treat brain tumours. Radiation works by damaging                   the DNA inside cells making them unable to divide                   and reproduce. The goal of radiation therapy                   is to maximise the dose to abnormal cells and                   minimise exposure to normal cells (Fig. 5). The benefits                   of radiation are not immediate but occur over                   time. Aggressive tumours, whose cells divide                   rapidly, typically respond more quickly to radiation.                   There are two ways to deliver radiation, external                   and internal beams.

Figure 5. The radiation beam is shaped to match the tumour and minimise exposure to normal brain tissue. The coloured rings represent the radiation dose level.

External beam radiation is delivered from outside                   the body by a machine that aims high-energy                   rays (x-rays, gamma rays) at the tumour.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) delivers a high dose of radiation during a single session. Although it is called surgery, no incision is made.
Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSR) delivers lower doses of radiation over many visits. Patients return daily over several weeks to receive the complete radiation dose.
Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) delivers the radiation dose to the entire brain. It is often used to treat multiple brain tumors and metastases.

Internal radiation (brachytherapy)                   is delivered from inside the body by surgically                   placing radioactive material (sealed in catheters,                   seeds, or balloons) directly into the                   tumour. After the patient undergoes a craniotomy                   to remove the tumour, the radioactive material                   is placed inside the tumour cavity. The radiation                   dose is delivered to the first few millimetres                   of tissue that surrounded the tumour cavity where                   malignant cells may still remain. Patients have                   no risk of radiation injury to other parts of                   their own body or to others around them because                   the radiation dose is precisely delivered and                   short lived.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs work by interrupting cell                                     division. However, it affects not only tumour                   cells but normal cells, thus causing side effects,                   especially in fast growing cells (e.g., hair,                   digestive, blood). Treatment is delivered in                   cycles with rest periods in between to allow                 the body to rebuild healthy cells.

 Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally                   as a pill, intravenously (IV), or as a wafer                   placed surgically into the tumour. The drugs                   most commonly used to treat brain tumours are                   carmustine (BCNU), lomustine (CCNU), and temozolomide                   (Temodar). Chemotherapy is also used as a radio-sensitizing                   agent that increases tumour cell death during                   radiation therapy. Agents that often work in                   high-grade gliomas include procarbazine, platinum                   analogs (cisplatin, carboplatin), the nitrosureas                   (BCNU, CCNU), and alkylating agents (temozolomide,                   vincristine). BCNU has been proven effective                   when applied locally to the tumour bed after                   the tumour has been removed. By applying it directly                   to the diseased area of the brain, side effects                   are limited and the drug has a more beneficial                   effect. Chemotherapy is not routinely used for                   benign tumours.

Adjunct therapies

Immunotherapy or biotherapy activates the immune system (T-cells and antibodies) to destroy cancer cells. Experimental research is exploring ways to prevent or treat cancer through vaccines.
Gene therapy uses viruses or other vectors to introduce new genetic material into tumour cells. This experimental therapy can cause tumour cells to die or increase their susceptibility to other cancer therapies.
Hyperbaric oxygen uses oxygen at higher than normal levels to promote wound healing and help fight infection. It may also improve the tumor’s responsiveness to radiation and is being studied experimentally. Currently it is being used to help the body naturally remove dead tumour cells and treat radiation necrosis.

Recovery & prevention

Self care

Your primary care doctor and oncologist should                   discuss any home care needs with you and your                   family. Supportive measures vary according to                   your symptoms. For example, canes or walkers                   can help those having trouble walking. A plan                   of care to address changes in mental status                   should be adapted to each patient’s needs.

Driving privileges may be suspended while taking                   anticonvulsant medication. As each state has                   different rules about driving and seizures,                   discuss this issue with your doctor.

It may also be appropriate to discuss advance                   medical directives (e.g., living will, health                   care proxy, durable power of attorney) with                   your family to ensure your medical care and                   wishes are followed.

Rehabilitation

Because brain tumours develop in parts of the                   brain that control movement, speech, vision                   and thinking, rehabilitation may be a necessary                   part of recovery. Although the brain can sometimes                   heal itself after the trauma of treatment, it                   will take time and patience. A neuropsychologist                   can help patients evaluate changes caused by                   their brain tumour and develop a plan for rehabilitation.                   A neuropsychological evaluation assesses the                   patent's emotional state, daily behaviour, cognitive                   (mental) abilities, and personality.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and                   speech therapy may be helpful to improve or                   correct lost functions.

Recurrence

How well a tumour will respond to treatment,                   remain in remission, or recur after treatment                   depends on the specific tumour type and location.                   A recurrent tumour may be a tumour that still                   persists after treatment, one that grows back                   some time after treatment destroyed it, or a                   new tumour that grows in the same place as the                   original one.

When a brain tumour is in remission, the tumour                   cells have stopped growing or multiplying. Periods                   of remission vary. In general, benign tumours                   recur less often than malignant ones.

Since it is impossible to predict whether or                   when a particular tumour may recur, lifelong                   monitoring with MRI or CT scans is essential                   for people treated for a brain tumour, even a                   benign lesion. Follow-up scans may be performed                   every 3 to 6 months or annually, depending on                   the type of tumour you had.

Glossary

anaplastic: when cells divide                   rapidly and bear little or no resemblance to                   normal cells in appearance or function.

astrocytoma: a tumour arising                   in the supportive cells (astrocytes) of the                   brain or spinal cord; most often in the cerebrum.

benign: does not invade nearby                   tissues or spread; noncancerous.

biopsy: a sample of tissue                   cells for examination under a microscope to                   determine the existence or cause of a disease.

brachytherapy: a type of radiation                   therapy where capsules containing radioactive                   substances are surgically implanted into the                   tumour to deliver radiation; also called internal                   radiotherapy.

cancer: generic term for more than                   100 different diseases caused by uncontrolled,                   abnormal growth of cells. Cancer cells can invade                   and destroy normal tissue, and can travel through                   the bloodstream and lymphatic system to reach                   other parts of the body.

chemotherapy: treatment with                   toxic chemicals (e.g., anticancer drugs).
chondrosarcoma: a rare, malignant bone tumour                 arising from primitive notochord cells and composed                 of cartilage.

chordoma: a rare, bone tumour                   arising from primitive notochord cells; usually                   occurs at the base of the spine (sacrum) or                   at the skull base (clivus).
craniopharyngioma: a benign tumour arising from                 cells located near the pituitary stalk.

differentiation: refers to how developed                   cancer cells are in a tumour. Well-differentiated                   tumour cells resemble normal cells and tend to                   grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated,                   which lack the structure and function of normal                   cells and grow uncontrollably.

oedema: tissue swelling caused                   by the accumulation of fluid.

ependymoma: a tumour arising                   from the ependyma cells lining the ventricles                   of the brain and central canal of the spinal                   cord.

epidermoid: a benign, congenital tumour                   arising from ectodermal cells; also called pearly             tumour.

glioma: any tumour arising                   from glial tissue of the brain, which provides                   energy, nutrients, and other support for nerve                   cells in the brain.

hydrocephalus: an abnormal                   build-up of cerebrospinal fluid usually caused                   by a blockage of the ventricular system of the                   brain; also called “water on the brain.”

immunotherapy: treatment designed                   to improve or restore the immune system’s                   ability to fight infection and disease.

intracranial pressure (ICP): pressure within the skull. Normal ICP is 20 mm HG.

lesion: a general term that                   refers to any change in tissue, such as tumour,                   blood, malformation, infection, or scar tissue.

lymphoma: a rare tumour arising                   from lymph cells; may metastasise to the brain                   from lymphoma tumour elsewhere in the body.

malignant: having the properties                   of invasive growth and ability to spread to                   other areas.

mass effect: damage to the brain due                   to the bulk of a tumour, the blockage of fluid,                   and/or excess accumulation of fluid within the                   skull.

medulloblastoma: a tumour arising                   from primitive nerve cells; most often in the                   cerebellum.

meningioma: a tumour arising                   from the meninges, the membrane that surrounds                   the brain and spinal cord.

metastasis: the spreading of                   malignant cells.

metastatic: cancerous tumour                   that has spread from its original source through                   the blood or lymph systems.

oligodendroglioma: a tumour                   arising from the support cells (oligodendroglia)                   that produce myelin, the fatty covering around                   nerve cells.

pituitary adenoma: a tumour                   arising from cells in the pituitary gland; tumour                   may be hormone-secreting (prolactin, adrenocorticotropic,                   growth hormone) or not.

radiation: high-energy rays                   or particle streams used to treat disease.

schwannoma (also called neuroma): a tumour arising from Schwann cells that produce                   myelin.

stereotactic: a precise method                   for locating deep brain structures by the use                   of 3-dimensional coordinates.

tumour: an abnormal growth of                   tissue resulting from uncontrolled multiplication                   of cells and serving no physiological function;             can be benign or malignant.

More visiting teaching Message ideas for February 2012

2012-02-02T16:44:00.000Z

available from MMCommunity

idea comes from Infinity x 12

idea comes from My happy tribe

idea comes from polkadotcreations

idea comes from sugartodesigns

Can be bought for $3.75 at Pioneer Party

Hold On Tight its going to be a Bumpy Ride

2012-01-26T22:54:00.000Z

Some things that have been helping me through the last few weeks :

My Husband & Kids

Prayer

Scriptures

Bishop

Home Teachers

Blessings

Friends and Family

Humour

Temple Visit

Family Home Evening

February 2012 Home Teaching Message

2012-01-26T22:32:00.001Z

This months Home Teaching Message is Exhort Them To Pray

This idea comes from The Idea Door

This idea comes from The idea door

This idea comes from The idea Door

more ideas when I find them

February 2012 Visiting Teaching

2012-01-26T22:07:00.000Z

This months Visiting teaching Message is Guardians of the Hearth.

Can be purchased from Jack n Jill

this idea comes from The Idea door

This idea comes from The Idea door

this idea comes from Didi@Relief society

this idea comes from Thankful Me

this idea comes from ...and spiritually speaking

this idea comes from .... and spiritually speaking

this idea comes from ....and spiritually speaking

This idea comes from inkablinka

This idea can be purchased from just because

more ideas as I find them

Scottish Night in the Pedens Home

2012-01-26T20:25:00.000Z

modelling with tunnocks tea cakes

Traditionally in Scotland 25th of January is Burns Night. Despite living just 10 miles from deepest burns country we canny understand a wird o wit the bard wiz talken aboot so we hiv changed it to scottish night. Wi Tattie soup, Haggis Tatties and Neeps and tunnocks tea cakes fir pudden wi red cola for drinks (irn bru sends the kids nuts) we had a great night singing ah flower of scotland reciting scottish poety and singing the proclamers

Hanna reading a poem she wrote with her gran (below)

1. Twa auld baffies belangin tae ma grannie were lyen
beside the fireside beside a smoken pan
2. The pan was ful o porridge ready fur her auld man
who likes to sup it afore bed oot an auld tin can
3. He cowped the porridge oot the pan, it landed an grannies baffies
oh naw said she ya wee idjit they'll huv tae go tae the scaffies!

rough translation

1. two old slippers belonging to my grandmother were lying

beside the fireside beside a smoking pan

2. The pan was full of porridge ready for her old man

who likes to eat supper with it before bed out of an old tin can

3. He spilled the porridge out of the pan, it landed on grandmothers slippers

"Oh No" said she, "You small idiot, they will have to go to the binmen"

Adam recited Address to the Toothache by Robert Burns

1.
My curse upon your venom'd stang,
That shoots my tortur'd gooms alang,
An' thro' my lug gies monie a twang
Wh' gnawing vengeance,
Tearing my nerves wi' bitter pang,
Like racking engines!
2.
A' down my beard the slavers trickle,
I throw the wee stools o'er the mickle,
While round the fire the giglets keckle
To see me loup,
An' raving mad, I wish a heckle
Were i' their doup!
3.
When fevers burn, or ague freezes,
Rheumatics gnaw, or colic squeezes,
Our neebors sympathize to ease us
Wi' pitying moan;
But thee! - thou hell o' a' diseases,
They mock our groan!
4.
Of a' the num'rous human dools --
Ill-hairsts, daft bargains, cutty-stools,
Or worthy frien's laid i' the mools,
Sad sight to see!
The tricks o' knaves, or fash o' fools --
Thou bear'st the gree!
5.
Whare'er that place be priests ca' Hell,
Whare a' the tones o' misery yell,
An' ranked plagues their numbers tell
In dreadfu' raw,
Thou, Toothache, surely bear'st the bell
Amang them a'!
6.
O thou grim, mischief-making chiel,
That gars the notes o' discord squeal,
Till humankind aft dance a reel
In gore a shoe-thick,
Gie a' the faes o' Scotland's weal
A towmond's toothache.

rough translation

My curse upon your venomed sting, That shoots my tortured gums along, And through my ear gives many a twinge With gnawing vengeance, Tearing my nerves with bitter pang, Like racking engines! All down my beard the drools trickle, I throw the little stools over the mickle, While round the fire the children cackle To see me leap, And raving mad, I wish a Heckling comb Were in their backside! When fevers burn, or ague freezes, Rheumatics gnaw, or colic squeezes, Our neighbours sympathize to ease us With pitying moan; But you! - you hell of all diseases, They mocks our groan! Of all the numerous human woes - Bad harvests, stupid bargains, cutty-stools, Or worthy friends laid in the crumbling earth, Sad sight to see! The tricks of knaves, or annoyance of fools - You bears the prize! Where ever that place be priests call Hell, Where all the tones of misery yell, And ranked plagues their numbers tell In dreadful row, You, Toothache, surely bears the bell Among them all! O you grim, mischief-making chap, That makes the notes of discord squeal, Till humankind often dance a reel In gore a shoe-thick, Give all the foes of Scotland's well A twelve months toothache.

singing O flower of scotland at full volume

2012 and our lives change forever

2012-01-26T19:57:00.000Z

Its amazing how one day can change your entire life

On the 4th of January my husband had an MRI 5 days later we knew he had a brain tumour.

Its strange how in the matter of a few hours things you used to think were important..... are not..... and things you will get round to eventually become more pressing and things you want to avoid completely become necessary to address immediately.

On the 25th we found out that it would be inadvisable to have surgery due to high risk of brain damage.

large dark circle to the right is the tumour

January 2012 Home Teaching Message ideas

2011-12-27T23:45:00.000Z

This months message is Living the Abundant Life by President monson

This idea comes from didi @ Relief Society

This idea comes from The Idea Door

January 2012 Visiting Teaching Message Ideas

2011-12-27T23:30:00.000Z

This month's Visiting Teaching Message is Watching and Ministering through Visiting Teaching

This idea comes from Inkablinka.com

This idea comes from the Idea Door

This idea comes from The idea door

This idea comes from The idea Door

This idea comes from The Idea Door

This idea comes from The idea door

This idea comes from The Idea Door

This idea comes from The Idea door

This idea comes from Didi @ Relief Society

December 2011 Home teaching Handouts

2011-11-30T19:15:00.000Z

This months Home teaching Message is The choice to be Grateful by Henry B Eyring.

this idea comes from The idea Door

Sean reaches 40

2011-11-27T20:00:00.000Z

Sean was instructed to stop blinking during his photos which left him with a slightly crazed expression.

(below) Sean and Adam getting into the presents and party spirit.

and even Hanna getting in on the act (although I still couldn't get her to look at the camera)

(below) Penny (me) and Sean at the restaurant giving it smoochy.

Ruth trying to look sophisticated while eying up the waiter in the restaurant (teenagers)

(below) Ruth and Adam giving it all with their latest craze for Hats.

Hanna came up with the idea of a memory album and we collected photos and letters from everyone and put them in an album. Sean had great fun reminiscing with the children.

(below) Dad getting a birthday kiss from his boy

Some homemade decorations especially for Sean.

Wishing you a wonderful Birthday my wonderful Husband, Love you.

Dec 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

2011-11-27T19:44:00.000Z

This months visiting teaching message is An Extensive Sphere of Action.

this idea comes from Didi@reliefsociety

this idea comes from .... and spiritually speaking

This idea comes from....and spiritually speaking

this idea comes from .... spiritually speaking

this idea comes from ...and spiritually speaking

This idea can be purchased from Jack and Jill of many trades

this idea comes from infinityx12

this idea can be purchased at justbecause

this idea comes from ...and spiritually speaking

more ideas I find them. Thank you to all those talented sisters out there so willing to share their talents.

Duke of Edinburgh Iron Age Service

2011-11-24T23:04:00.000Z

Ruth and her fellow mates in Duke of Edinburgh Scheme from the Irvine DofE Group completed a service project this week at Marthrown of Mabie They were to assist in making an authentic replica of a Celtic Iron Age Roundhouse- what they didn't realise was that authentic ment fresh cow dung which they would have to mix with hay with thier feet and then they plastered it on the outside walls of the roundhouse with thier hands.

In November... In Scotland... very very wet and smelly.

As part of the fun they got to sleep in the outhouse for a true iron age experience. complete with a dry composting loo and urinal

A Secret Nativity Gift

2011-11-24T22:39:00.000Z

This year we have decided to share the story of the nativity with 2 families. We purchased 2 small nativity sets. We printed out this printable which we found at www.lds.org.

We cut out the lables and laminated them we then put each lable and picture with the character of the nativity set and wrapped and those without a character on that day we just gave the card. I wrote a letter of explaination. (Below)

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas, as a special treat to you and your family we have given you this special gift from our family to yours. On the 16th of December open number one and continue each day until all gifts/cards are open - keep the cards because at the end they can be used as a special memory game to remind you of the true meaning of Christmas

This matching game offers some interesting ideas about the figures of the Nativity. Most of the information is found in the scriptures. You can learn something new while you have fun playing this game with your friends or friends.

Begin the game with the rectangles spread out facedown. The first player turns over two rectangles. If the figure and the fact do not match, the rectangles are turned facedown again, and the next player takes a turn. If the figure and the fact match, the player reads the fact aloud, keeps the pair, and takes another turn. Play until all the rectangles are matched. The player with the most matches wins.

Have a wonderful Christmas

We wrapped the whole lot up and will deliver to the families (secretly) the day before the advent starts.

Gospel Doctrine Lesson Handouts 45, 46, and 47

2011-11-05T20:16:00.000Z

Lesson 45

The Millenium

This idea comes from The Idea Door

Lesson 46

The Final Judgement

This idea comes from The idea door

Lesson 47

Exaltations

This idea comes from The idea door

More Ideas for November Home & Visiting Teaching

2011-11-01T22:03:00.000Z

The following handouts were taken from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk from the General Relief Society Meeting held September 24, 2011.

idea csame from sugar doodle

this idea comes from It works For Bobbi

This idea came from ...and Spiritually speaking

Theres loads more HERE

This idea comes from... Spiritually speaking

This idea can be found fron.... Spiritually speaking

This idea comes from It Works For Bobbi

This idea comes from ...Spiritually Speaking

The Privilege of Prayer talk - Elder Devn B. Cornish

Doing the right Thing at the Right Time, without Delay talk - Elder Jose L. Alonso

this idea comes from infinity x 12

It is Better to Look Up talk - Elder Carl B. Cook

This idea comes from Infinity x 12

Halloween Horror and Safety

2011-10-29T17:39:00.000+01:00

I don't know about you but I get very stressed by children (especially ones I don't know) coming to my door demanding treats and I absolutely don't let my children inflict that same horror on others. However Halloween is still a fun time in our household and here's how we do it.

1. No Trick or Treat Posters.

I just googled no trick or treat posters and a whole load come up Just choose one and print. I laminate because of the bad weather we have here in October. Place it in a prominent Light place either your front door, gate or garage.

this is the one I'm using this year

2. BOO your family and friends.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Halloween BOO-ing!
Sometimes called "Ghosting" or "the Phantom", the Halloween BOO is an Autumn take on "Secret Santa" or May baskets.
Usually seen in neighborhoods--but sometimes in the workplace--BOO-ing is a friendly tradition for Halloween fun.

To start a Halloween BOO, we secretly leave a small gift- this year a Bat mars bar/ Ghost lollipop, a BOO poem, BOO instructions and a BOO sign at a neighbour's doorstep.
The lucky BOO-ee is asked to post the sign near the door, alerting others that "We've Been BOO-ed!" That way, new BOO recruits won't leave a duplicate BOO on the doorstep.
In turn, the neighbour is asked to BOO two other households, leading to a chain reaction--and Halloween fun.

I love doing the booing as it teaches the children to give not Take. we use different posters and gifts every year and give to different people and even a few unsuspecting people who serve in the community.

This year the girl who served us in tesco, the security guard in Tesco, The community Wardens all got booed as well as family, friends and neighbours. Brilliant fun.

Boo Poems

I found these poems around the web. None were credited with authors. Of course you can be creative and make up your own!

Poem #1
The air is cool, the season fall,
Soon Halloween will come to all.
Ghosts and goblins, spooks galore...
Tricky witches at your door.
The spooks are after things to do,
In fact a spook brought this "Boo" to you!
The excitement comes when friends like you,
Copy this note and make it two.
We'll all have smiles upon our faces,
No one will know who "BOO"ed who's places!
Just two short days to work your spell,
Keep it secret, hide it well.
Please join the fun, the seasons here .
Just spread these "BOO's" and Halloween cheer.

Poem #2

The air is cool the season fall
Soon Halloween will come to all
The spooks are after things to do
In fact, a spook brought this to you
"BOO" is a shield from witching hour
Just hang it up and watch its power
On your front door is where it works
It wards off spooks and scary jerks
The treats that came with crypted note
Are yours to keep, enjoy them both
The power comes when friends like you
Will copy this and make it TWO
Then others here among our friends
Will give warm fuzzies that do not end
We'll all have smiles upon our faces
No one will know who "BOO"ed whose places
Just one short day to work your spell
Or a big ZAP will strike your tail
And don't forget a nifty treat,
Like something cute or something sweet
Please join fun, let's really hear it
And spread some "BOO"s and Halloween spirit

Poem #3
This treat is for you, we hope you enjoy.
The idea is simple, one we hope you employ.
You pass "BOO" along to two other neighbors.
Along with any kind of Halloween favors.
If we all do our part, and spread the good cheer,
By Halloween night it will be very clear,
We're a friendly bunch, we like to share fun
So please do your part to keep "BOO" on the run!

Poem #4
Since this is the time for goblins and bats
Halloween spirits and ghosts and cats
Happenings are weird and witches make brew
The following are the things I wish for you.
May the only spirit you chance to meet
Be thee spirit of love and friends that are sweet.
May the only goblin that comes your way
Be the neighborhood phantom, the breeze takes away.
So by tomorrow, pick a friend down the street
And give to them a Halloween treat.
Fill this cone with goodies galore,
Then hang it on their front door.
You only have one day to do this, so hurry
Leave treats on their door and run in a flurry
As this cone moves along from friend to friend,
All good wishes go on and never end
HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween Safety Advice

Halloween can be a lot of fun for children and young people, but it can also be distressing and intimidating for some residents. If you are going 'trick or treating' please respect and consider others and follow these top tips to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time:

DON'T

Go alone - 'trick or treating' is more fun and safer if you go in a small group with friends and family.

Go into houses - stay on the doorstep where the responsible adult can see you.

Play pranks that may damage property - this could result in arrest and a criminal record.

Demand money or intimidate people - Halloween can be a night that some residents dread, so be respectful and polite.

Don't throw eggs or flour - it's classed as a criminal offence and you will be arrested!

DO

Look out for posters - These will let you know whether 'trick or treaters' are welcome at a house or aren't.

Take extra care crossing roads

Go with an adult - get a responsible adult to go with your group to help in case you have any problems.

Dress to be seen - wear light, reflective clothes or carry a lamp or torch so that drivers and your responsible adult can see you.

Respect people's rights - be polite, don't go out too late, ring or knock only once, and be prepared to take 'no' for an answer.

Halloween Tutankhamun

2011-10-27T23:37:00.001+01:00

Adam just one 1st prize for Fancy dress at his Halloween School Disco dressed at Tutankhamun.

Its amazing what you can do with an old sheet a tee bag (pinched from my father) and a pringles tube and a paper plate.

Simply print the headdress make a band measuring the childs head and if your really flash add some gold material using double sided sticky tape to secure.

For the main costume Adam found an old pair of cream/beige trousers and a white T shirt I took an old white sheet cut into strips and put the whole lot into a basin for 12 hours with some T bags. Dryed them out then got Adam to put them on. I wrapped him up in the bandages securing with a needle and tread or safety pins. Cost next to nothing.

How to make the jewellary can be found HERE for the Egyptian Collar

and the Egyptian Bracelets can be found HERE

Nov 2011 Visiting & Home Teaching Message Ideas

2011-10-24T08:19:00.000+01:00

Ideas come from Emma's Place

The talk can be found HERE

Idea comes from Emma's Place
The talk can be found HERE

Idea comes from Emma's Place
talk can be found HERE

idea comes from Emma's Place
Talk can be found HERE

idea comes from Didi@Relief Society

talk can be found HERE

idea comes from Didi@Relief society

Talk can be found HERE

idea comes from Didi @Relief Society

Talk can be found HERE

this idea comes from Didi@relief society
the talk can be found HERE

this idea comes from Didi @ relief society

talk can be found HERE

this idea comes from Didi @ Relief Society

Talk can be found from HERE

This idea comes from Didi@Relief Society

Talk available HERE

This idea came from Didi@relief Society
talk available from HERE

This idea comes from Didi@relief Society
Talk Available from HERE

Hanna's 13th Birthday part 1,2,3 & 4

2011-10-23T20:51:00.000+01:00

Part 1 An Aberdeen Adventure

Our Hanna has finally turned 13 she has been desperate to be a teenager since her big sister turned 13 and for her birthday we were 200 miles away from home in Aberdeenshire, Scotland visiting with Gran & Granpa Peden

Hanna was making great use of her birthday present - a new camera

Gran & Papa Bringing in the Birthday Cake

Hanna with Birthday cake number 1

An Aberdeen Adventure Part 2

We hit the bowling alley for birthday treat number 2 with Auntie Michelle, Uncle Eric, cousins Jamie and Stuart and finally Auntie Denise all the way from England

We had a special birthday cake for all our birthdays Hanna's 13th, Adam's 10th, Ruth's 16th and Sean's 40th

Back Home Birthday Spa Part 3

When we got back home Hanna had a spa Sleep Over which also included a surprise torture session for her bad (the best part of the party)

We decorated simply with pink and white balloons and used lips, hats, moustaches, and glasses on sticks for added photo fun.

We had a hair station with hair dryers, tongs, straighteners, sprays , mouses etc

Facial station with face masks, cleansers, toners, moisturisers, cucumber for the eyes cotton pads and cue tips and A Nail Bar with nail varnishes, files, nail varnish removers and hand cream.

They had a selection of schloer in nice wine glasses or refreshing water to drink. The party favours were party shows with homemade chocolates.

Hanna made her own pinata during the summer using a large balloon wallpaper paste and a roll of wallpaper and took great satisfaction in beating it to a pulp we filled it with sweets, lip glosses, pens, sticky post it pads and oddments of make up

Food was a chocolate fountain with grapes, strawberries, mini donut and waffle and a KFC (well you can't be good all the time.

But the highlight for the girls was dad tied upand them painting his toes and nails with nail varnish, putting on a peel mask with cucumber and giving him a wee treat by waxing his feet.

he didn't go down easily

and I'm afraid I took great pleasure in adding to his misery

poor soul!

some of the printable I used for Hanna's Party (these are not my designs I'm not that talented however I also don't remember exactly no were I got them from so if you can tell me I would like to give recognition to very talented individuals)

I printed this A4 and put it on my door to welcome the girls

I used these on water bottles, as face cloth rings, cup cake toppers, general decorations

And Finally........Spa Party Part 4

Certainly a birthday to remember

Ruth's 16th Oscar Party

2011-10-18T00:02:00.000+01:00

The Invitations

Party Printables:
{click links to download printables in high-res PDF format}

• Hollywood Glam “Envelope” Napkin Wraps

• Hollywood Glam Labels – BLANK

• Hollywood Glam Patterns (sized at 11×17)
I used these patterns to design my own labels for bottles, party poppers, decorations, etc

• Hollywood Glam Place Cards

• Hollywood Glam Round Tags (for drink charms)

some of the decor

some of our photo props

Nominee Napkin

Turn paper napkins into Oscar envelopes with a gold seal, red ribbon and some clever folding: Open the napkin and lay it flat; fold in the top two corners to form a triangle. Fold the bottom edge of the napkin up until it meets the base of the triangle, then fold the top triangle down and seal.

party favours simply alittle gold bling aka ferrero rouche with a wee note from ruth thanking the girls for coming to her party

We started by getting the girls to dress up for the occasion with a dress up box to get that hollywood feeling.

Each of the girls then walked down the red carpet!

Purchase red fabric or a red table cover . The perfect to place for the red carpet is on the path leading up to your home however we ended up doing it in our hall a little cramped however still good fun.

We used these fill-in-the- blank questions "Red Carpet Walk" form (below) to ask each guest. Call your guests ahead of time and ask the questions . I didn't and it was a little confusing so highly recommend doing this ahead of time.

This form was used to announce each "diva" or "movie star" as she arrives on the red carpet. We also passed out printable sunglasses, lips mostaches and hats to add a little more variey and fun.

As each girl came down the red carpet the paparazzi (aka dad) took lots of photos with all the papparatzi speek you know the thing..........strike a pose, say movie star, say glamour girl, etc...

Walk of Fame stars. Explain to the guests about the real walk of Fame in Hollywood and how famous movie stars, etc. have their own star! We printed up the star below for each girl and got them to sign in thier most diva way either thier own name or thier Film star name

The girls were all animae freaks so of course as they sat down to thier meal (chinese their favourite) and watched 2 movies. The girls each voted for different Oscar categories. Here are a few ideas for some of the categories -

Best Animation

Best Costume Design

Best Music

Best Story

Best Romance

Best Baddie

Actor –Leading

Actor –Supporting

Actress –Leading

Actress –Supporting

I made up a booklet where they put thier votes and collected them all in ofter the movies

after the birthday cake it was time for the oscar awards presentation.

I placed the winning nominations in envelopes complete with seals using the form below. The girls each took turns in Presenting the awards and accepting the awards in the most diva way.

The rest of the night was down to them just having fun without mum hanging around.

Drum Practice

2011-10-17T22:45:00.000+01:00

My boys have started a new hobby together. They have joined the local Pipe Band - Irvine District Pipe Band playing the drums.

October 2011 Home Teaching Handouts

2011-10-06T01:29:00.000+01:00

This months message is Precious Promises of the Book of Mormon

Printable available from The idea door

Printable available from the idea door

October 2011 Visiting Teaching Handout ideas

2011-09-24T19:35:00.028+01:00

available from In Need of Comfort

available for purchase at pioneer party for $3.89

available from VT with Me

available from MMC

available from Emma's Place

Idea from A Little Tipsy

available from Mish Mash Mom

available from Hand Picked Daisy for $5.50

This month's visiting teaching message is If we do Not Doubt

this idea came from The Idea door

this idea comes from The Idea door

this idea comes from The idea door

this great idea can be purchased from Just Because

this idea comes from Didi @relief society

this idea comes from inkablinka

available for purchase from Jack and Jill of many trades for $2

General conference reminder for visiting teachers

2011-09-20T23:13:00.000+01:00

I used this fab idea for my ladies. It came from Jolley Family Blog. Just add a pair of sock and you have a really cute reminder.

LDS General Conference Oct 2011

2011-09-20T23:04:00.000+01:00

181st Semiannual General Conference

Conference Center Auditorium
Saturday and Sunday, October 1-2, 2011

Event Description

The 181st Semiannual General Conference of the Church will convene in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday and Sunday, October 1-2, 2011. The Saturday general sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Sunday sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m., which includes Music and the Spoken Word, and 2:00 p.m. The general priesthood meeting will be held in the Conference Center on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. All times listed are mountain daylight time.

UK times for internet conference on www.lds.org

Saturday 1st of Oct

Relief society Meeting 3-4.30pm

Saturday Morning Session 5-7pm

Sunday 2nd Oct

Saturday Afternoon session 1-3pm

Sunday Morning session 5-7pm

Sunday Afternoon session 9-11pm

we are going to be attending in our local stake centre in Paisley, were packing our tent just like king benjamin did in the book of mormon and going to listen to our prophets voice with 2 teenagers mmmm, the challenge is to keep it interesting inbetween conferences as well as during so here are a few ideas I have found while browsing the internet.

Nursery conference kit from Sugardoodle

Junior Primary General conference kit from sugar doodle

senior primary general conference kit from sugardoodle

youth general conference kit from sugardoodle and the one we are going to be using

Adams Star Wars Party

2011-09-18T23:34:00.002+01:00

Star Wars Party

Starts with the invitation

printables came from Catch my party

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Welcome table was a great place to put pressies and cards and we had a sign in sheet for mums and dads to leave contact numbers

I used black card printed the print on a white piece of paper and cut out the letters and tape to the black card use tipex to make stars.

I made jedi training robes from old brown sheets and used left over material to braid a belt or washing rope when I ran out. Id badges were made with space from very small stickers after each activity

face masks were origionally found on starwars.com however they no longer have them however if you search for star wars printable face masks you should still be able to get them.

all the sound boards in the hall where covered with black bags tipexed stars and printed of colouring in pictures and facemasks

we covered tables with the same black bags and highlighted with red napkins (which we also used as napkin lightsabers)

some of the food I used was value cookies for wookie cookies, cheese and ham sandwiches. fruit skewers we called fruit sabers

We had carrot and cucumber sticks as Vaders veggies and a dip we called sarlac dip

Annikan skywalkers mechanical hand were gloves filled with popcorn and sealed of with a flat bottomed wafer cone

Leah buns was jam doughnuts

grapes and strawberries went down a bomb

the table setting was black bags and typex plain paper plates with the star wars logo taped to it.

We used party poppers and added the star wars logo to it to.

napkin light sabers printable also from Catch my Party

r2d2 cups printable also from catch my party

sweet treats we used for prizes idea came from Meckmom

sweet treat gift tags from Meckmom

Small stickers we used for the completed activity on the id badges from Meck Mom

Prizes were medals and troupies from the party supply shop with star wars log taped onto them also some sweet treats . I used gift tag printable available from Meckmom (above) and adjusted it slightly to suit my needs. Star Wars music available from Amazon really added atmosphere.

One of the games we played was pin the lightsaber on to yoda

we separated the eating area using stage parts and covered with black bags again it really added to the atmosphere

for destroying the death star we made our own pinyta

we all got into the action here is my mum as Princess Leah

and dad as darth vader

The training robes where a great hit and so simple to do as were the lightsabers which were a swimming noodle halved and I used a printable from Disney family.com

One of the light saber training games was to keep the balloon up as long as they could

Agility training included hoops, bean bags, rockets, stilts, bridges, and astroid belts It was alot of fun watching

It was really difficult getting a star wars cake however the triple layer chocolate cake with white chocolate stars went into the background after adam saw one of his candles

certificate was from Jessica G

Everyone left with thier jedi robes, light sabers training card, medal, trophy, sweet treat and graduation certificate. Very tired and very happy.

September 2011 visiting teaching message ideas

2011-08-27T21:24:00.000+01:00

This month's visiting teaching message is Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality Some handout ideas are:

from See Me VT

source temp. misplaced will post asap

from Chasing Molly

from The idea door

from the idea door

from infinity x 12

E.F.Y. - Especially for Youth 2011

2011-07-31T18:38:00.000+01:00

Our ruth is heading to EFY this week for those not familliar with the abbreviation it stands for Especially for youth and is a five-day, overnight program which begins on Monday morning and concludes early Saturday morning. Youth have the opportunity to learn and grow together while attending classes, devotionals and firesides together. Highlights of the week include Family Home Evening, dances, a musical program, a games night, service projects, a variety show, good food, and a testimony meeting. The main benefits are new friendships, strengthened testimonies, and lasting memories.

EFY is a youth program with the objectives to encourage, assist, and guide youth participants (ages 14–18) as they strive to “come unto Christ.” EFY creates a setting where youth have the opportunity to develop spiritually, physically, intellectually and socially. EFY programs are held throughout the world every summer and are attended by more than 50,000 youth. Sessions are primarily supervised by young-adult counsellors between the ages of 20-30 and who are positive role models for the youth. All sessions are directed by adult instructors. Activities include Scripture Study, devotionals and firesides, family home evenings, dance, testimony meetings, variety shows and so much more....

I'm so excited for her.... she came back last time so full of the spirit and excited to live and learn the gospel. This time she will be going to Nottingham University.

Have a great time ruth we'll miss you and love you.

Ideas for survival kits for christmas gifts

2011-07-31T18:27:00.000+01:00

I recently purchased print ables from Sunflower Friends. Here are some of the things I've purchased.

They printed up lovely and are going to be a lovely addition to gifts at Christmas. Highly recommend. Will show you some of my finished gifts when I have finished assembling them

Gospel Principle Lesson38, 39, 40 & 41 Handout ideas

2011-07-31T18:18:00.000+01:00

Sean, My Hubby, teaches the gospel principle lesson in Priesthood and as the same lessons are being used in Relief Society there are always ideas for handouts so I thought we would share what we find.

Click on the picture to be taken to original site or on the lesson title to be taken to a copy of the lesson.

Chapter 38 - Eternal Marriage

this hand out came from The idea Door

this handout came from LDS Handouts

this handout came from Didi@Relief society

Chapter 39 - The Law of Chastity

this idea came from the idea door

this came from didi@relief society

Chapter 40 - Temple work and Family History

the idea came from the idea door

Chapter 41 - The post mortal Spirit World

this idea came from the idea door

August 2011 Home Teaching Message

2011-07-31T17:12:00.000+01:00

This months message is

Love at Home—Counsel from Our Prophet

and can be found HERE

Handout ideas......click picture and you should go to the original web site.

This idea comes from The Idea Door

ideas comes from Didi @ Relief Society

holiday fun while visiting gran and papa peden in aberdeenshire

2011-07-27T21:13:00.000+01:00

Gran & Papa Peden

Hanna with her little cousin James

August 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

2011-07-27T20:58:00.001+01:00

Visiting Teaching Message

A Society of Holy Women

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

A Society of Holy Women

Faith • Family • Relief

Eliza R. Snow, second Relief Society general president, taught: “Paul the Apostle anciently spoke of holy women. It is the duty of each one of us to be a holy woman. We shall have elevated aims, if we are holy women. We shall feel that we are called to perform important duties. No one is exempt from them. There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth.”¹

Sisters, we are not isolated nor is our sphere narrow. By accepting the gift of activity in Relief Society, we become part of what the Prophet Joseph described as a society “separate from all the evils of the world—choice, virtuous, and holy.”²

This society helps us strengthen our faith and grow spiritually by giving us leadership, service, and teaching opportunities. In our service a new dimension is added to our lives. We progress spiritually, and our sense of belonging, identity, and self-worth increases. We realize that the whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for us to reach our fullest potential.

Relief Society helps prepare us to receive the blessings of the temple, to honor the covenants we make, and to be engaged in the cause of Zion. Relief Society helps us increase our faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families, and seek out and help those in need.

The work of Relief Society is holy, and doing holy work creates holiness in us.

Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.

From the Scriptures

Exodus 19:5; Psalm 24:3–4; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Titus 2:3–4; Doctrine and Covenants 38:24; 46:33; 82:14; 87:8; Moses 7:18

From Our History

Speaking to the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph emphasized holiness, explaining that as sisters became pure and holy, they would have a marked influence upon the world. He explained: “Meekness, love, purity—these are the things that should magnify you. … This Society … shall have power to command queens in their midst. … The kings and queens of the earth will come unto Zion, and pay their respects.” Relief Society sisters living their covenants command the respect not only of noble people, but “if you live up to your privileges,” Joseph promised the sisters, “the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”³

As the sisters participated in the work of serving and saving others, they became personally sanctified. Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet’s mother, shared the good Relief Society could accomplish: “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.”⁴

What Can I Do?

How am I helping the sisters I watch over to cultivate and achieve “elevated aims”?

What am I doing to make my life “choice, virtuous, and holy”?

Ideas

this idea came from Latter Day Chatter

this idea came from Chasing Molly

idea comes from See Me VT

this idea came from In Need of Comfort

This hand out can be purchased from Jack and Jill of *many* trades for $1.00

this idea came from The Idea Door

This pack can be purchased for $4.95 from Just because

Lovely idea cames from Mish Mash Mom

Christmas Fayre ideas

2011-07-21T00:24:00.000+01:00

I'm preparing for christmas early this year or should I say I'm preparing for a christmas fayre to help pay for christmas this year so I'd like to share with you some ideas I have found to make and sell.

directions from Serving Pink Lemonade

I halved the size of the sicks and added a loop at the back

Holiday Clothes Pins

directions from Blue cricket design

directions from Homemade Parade

directions from Creative Try als

directions from Todays Fabulous finds

Our Family Day at the Beach

2011-07-20T23:33:00.000+01:00

In Scotland, especially in Ayrshire, a nice day to go to the beach isn't always possible however we decided today we were going the the beach and we would go prepared, so emergency tent (for downpours), camp table and chairs (cause mum can't stand the sand and likes to sit in comfort) a picnic set for a king and loving prepared by Hanna our little cook in the making, and mums secret tools we were on our way.

We tried setting up the tent on the sand and it kept flying away so we decided to set it up on the grass on the other side of the promenade. Once the tent was up and frayed tempers were cooled (Dad thought he knew better how to set up the tent as it turns out Ruth does) we had time out with some art work on the wall with children's pavement chalks (mums secret tool #1) after taking appropriate time to admire the art work the next fun was to feel it off. Running up and down with sea water kept them busy for another wee while and gave them time to cool down.

we enjoyed our picnic (sand free :))

especially Hanna's wonderful trifle which didn't travel as well as we would of liked but tasted fabulous!

Time for Sand Games

Sand sculptures

Team Mermaid (Dad, Ruth & Hanna) sculpted a wonderful mermaid complete with seaweed hair and shell bra and tail.

Team turtle (Mum & Adam) made a great job adding detail of feet, head and tail and stripy shell. we still can't agree who made the most wonderful sand sculpture.

but the best part is destroying their creations

A game of sand darts in the rain (Adam wiped the floor with us by over 100 points)

we soon had the beach to our selves but even we had to leave when the sky fell on our heads...... but only to our tent where the fun continued

with a wicked game of cludo....

We finished of our day with fish and chips and mum & Dad with an extreme case of sunburn - I know I can't believe it myself I blinked and miss the sun but it didn't miss me :( ).

Some summer pinta crafting fun

2011-07-15T16:44:00.000+01:00

We have some bithdays coming up in a month or two so as part of our summer crafts I thought we'd make our birthday pinta Adam is making a death star for his star wars themed party, Hanna a disco ball for her spa themed sleep over and Ruth is making a glitzy ball for her oscar night themed party. Stay tuned to see all our preparations.

Suprise Birthday Party for Ruth's best friend Sheryl

2011-07-15T16:38:00.000+01:00

The boys bonding and building a bird table

2011-07-15T16:35:00.000+01:00

Hanna & Gran at the Beehive camp 2011

2011-07-15T15:53:00.000+01:00

gran happily singing away on the way to camp

Hanna looking a little weather worn

getting ready for the next activity

meeting up with friends is one of the best parts of camp

the beehive camp was held on the grounds of Kelburn Castle

evening was infested with mosquitoes so everyone looked like thugs trying to get away from them

suppertime with gran

Operation Nice

2011-07-08T15:09:00.000+01:00

This was us heading out to ambush unsuspecting victims with tokens of our love and appreciation (Handgrown plants with lollipop sticks and notes check out below - last year we did lettuce and people thought we were giving them drugs so new plan this year) and just tokens to make them smile flowers with a little lable on them.

we knocked and ran leaving our little suprises behind and for every one we met we gave then a flower a big smile and have a great day!

we got the idea from Operation Nice and even got these fab labels we attached to flowers which we gave to people we met on our journeys

we also got these kind cards which we laminated and glued to lollipop sticks which we placed in the flower pot with the flower. click the picture for the printable.

Great Website for Scripture study tips

2011-07-06T12:44:00.000+01:00

Found a new site called The Red Headed Hostess which has a great section on scripture marking

Check out Marking my scriptures 1 nephi

Marking my scriptures 2 Nephi

Marking my scriptures Jacob - Mosiah

Marking my scriptures Alma

Marking My Scriptures Helaman - 4th Nephi

Marking My Scriptures Ether and Moroni

Monday, day 4 week 1

2011-07-04T23:42:00.000+01:00

Brochure states:

Monday, if the weather holds we will take a day trip to the local beach where we will be setting camp and indulging in the ancient sand craft games followed by an spa evening of pampering to remove the sand and sea salt.

OK so this one didn't go to plan we had to set up the tents to make sure they were fit for the beehive camp out which is happening at the end of the week so we had a tent building, pool party instead.

tent 1 (9man)

A wee break and a cool down before...

Tent 2 (4 man)

and finally another relaxing time by the pool

Day 3 Week 1 Sunday

2011-07-04T23:34:00.000+01:00

Brochure states:

Sunday, we will be touring a local historical site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints followed by a banquet at the table of Lord & Lady Soden. To finish up the day you will have the opportunity to research local cultures of Faith in God and Personal Progress and follow age old customs of Family council and ancient reading of patriatical blessings

Sean, Hanna, Ruth with ruth's friend sheryl and adam outside the LDS church in Irvine, Paisley Stake.

Day 2 Week1 Saturday - Kids Day

2011-07-04T23:31:00.000+01:00

Brochure states:

Saturday, is yours free to plan your own entertainment

This is new for me, to let some of the control go and give it over to the children to plan thier own activity and with a little help from granny they came up with QUIZMANIA.

We had to answer questions about how well we knew our children if we get it right the kids get it in the face and if we get it wrong well its our turn. It started off well....

but soon got a little more difficult

and it wasn't just me who was struggling!

Day 1 week 1

2011-07-04T23:23:00.001+01:00

Brochure description:

Today Friday, we will be having an excursion to our local world famous Dick institute followed by a picnic in the beautiful surroundings of dean castle country estate.

We started of our stay cation with a lovely cooked breakfast outside in the sunshine Yip that's what I said Sunshine in SCOTLAND!

We offered our complementary box full of goodies only to realise that the chocolate had melted but that didn't stop the kids no sir eeee.

We then headed to our local museum the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock were we spent a leisurely few hours admiring the exhibits.

but I have to say we had the most fun in the school corner because mum could tell the children all about her days with the same desks and blackboards that were in her class rooms when she was a girl. They spent some time in Burns corner as well where they made up poems especially for Mum and Dad.

penny's not perfect but perfect for me

but really how perfect can she be

you bring us great joy our hearts are in song

we just love to have you sing along

penny we love you come play with us

because your always making a fuss!

with our dad sean our bond is strong

he even lets us away when we,ve done wrong

our dad sean is always there to hug us when we have a scare

our dad sean is so kind he always has our best hope in mind

we love our dad sean

We then had a lovely picnic in Dean Castle country park

Where mum came up with a game where we tied wool round the trees and had to negotiate round the trees without touching the wool blindfolded.

we had a secret weapon to help us .....the fork. Fork hand no other hand no fork hand leg ...... it was a hoot.

summer staycation 2011

2011-07-04T22:56:00.000+01:00

Money is tight so we planned and planned to have a full exciting and restful summer spending as little money as possible We are having a Stay Cation at Mum & Dad's Bed and Breakfast (M&D B&B)

Our guests are welcomed to our humble abode with a complementary box of goodies which includes sponges summer soaps and shampoos a selection of sweets (available at our own little shop - will explain later) and a leaflet detailing all their entertainment choices for the up coming week. We also included some stay cation postcards with stamps door hanger breakfast menus and details on the prices for the entertainments ( a token system)

our stay cation brochure click the picture to see it more closely

complementary box of goodies (tip: don't leave box in sunshine the chocolate melts)

we printed this image up to A6 to make a postcard

we printed this image also to make our postcards

THE TOKEN SYSTEM

Please note that Mum & Dad Bed & Breakfast requires no payment of cash however does require payment in chores which will be rewarded with a token which can be cashed in for treats and activities from our own shop here on the premises.

Regular chores = 3 tokens

Additional chores = 1 token

Exceptional acts of Kindness = 2 tokens

Others negotiated as required

All tokens will be counted at the end of summer

We bought multi packs of crisps and favourite sweets the shop was opened only after all the chores were done and dinner was passed or before an activity for extra treats we also included fizzy juice - in the shop so they didn't over eat or drink with rubbish

for any activity payment is 3 tokens

for any sweet from the shop payment is one token

a bottle of fizzy juice is 3 tokens

and others negotiated as required

HERE COMES SUMMER

2011-06-30T22:04:00.000+01:00

We started our summer holidays with a bang this year. The children came home too posters and balloons on the garage which they removed and ran through like the tape at the end of a race. we then ripped the banners up to a million places and flung them all onto the air gathered them alland did it all again.

Adam's end of year assembly

2011-06-30T21:58:00.000+01:00

Primary 5 recorder recital

Ruth on her Duke of edinburgh Practice Hike

2011-06-30T21:51:00.001+01:00

Hanna's Award Ceremony at school

2011-06-30T21:48:00.000+01:00

Adam's Boys Brigade Parade

2011-06-30T21:46:00.000+01:00

Ruth at her Gold and Green Ball

2011-06-30T21:11:00.000+01:00

Once a year in our stake we hold a Gold and Green Ball for all 14+ in celebration of the youth graduating into adult hood. Ruth and her friend cheryl had a lovely time.

July 2011 Home Teaching Message ideas

2011-06-26T20:40:00.000+01:00

This month's Home teaching message is "Brother, I'm committed" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This handout idea came from The idea door

`Grade`	`Characteristics`
`I`	`Slow growing cells Almost normal appearance Least malignant Usually associated with long-term survival`
`II`	`Relatively slow growing cells Slightly abnormal appearance Can invade nearby tissue Sometimes recur as a higher grade`
`III`	`Actively reproducing abnormal cells Abnormal appearance Infiltrate normal tissue Tend to recur, often as a higher grade`
`IV`	`Rapidly reproducing abnormal cells Very abnormal appearance Area of dead cells (necrosis) in centre Form new blood vessels to maintain growth`

Aiming to be a well rounded Woman

Finding Incredible: What Cancer—and Trials—Can Teach Us

Living with Cancer

After the Rain Comes the Rainbow

Conclusion

HEART ATTACKS!

What is Valentines Day

Fresh Start for Scripture Study

Introducing Two New Family Members......

Thallium Test Results

Grading of gliomas

Biopsy

SPECT Scan

Overview

How does a SPECT scan work?

What does a SPECT scan show?

Who performs the test?

How should I prepare for the test?

What happens during the test?

What are the risks?

How do I get the test results?

Glossary

Introduction to Brain Tumors

We found this information on a website and found it quite useful in understanding what Sean was going through.

Overview

What is a brain tumour?

Types of brain tumour's

What causes brain tumour's?

What are the symptoms?

Who is affected?

How is a diagnosis made?

Imaging tests

Biopsy

Who treats brain tumours?

What treatments are available?

Recovery & prevention

Glossary

More visiting teaching Message ideas for February 2012

Hold On Tight its going to be a Bumpy Ride

February 2012 Home Teaching Message

February 2012 Visiting Teaching

Scottish Night in the Pedens Home

2012 and our lives change forever

January 2012 Home Teaching Message ideas

January 2012 Visiting Teaching Message Ideas

December 2011 Home teaching Handouts

Sean reaches 40

Dec 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

Duke of Edinburgh Iron Age Service

A Secret Nativity Gift

Gospel Doctrine Lesson Handouts 45, 46, and 47

More Ideas for November Home & Visiting Teaching

Halloween Horror and Safety

Poem #2

Halloween Safety Advice

DON'T

DO

Halloween Tutankhamun

Nov 2011 Visiting & Home Teaching Message Ideas

Hanna's 13th Birthday part 1,2,3 & 4

Ruth's 16th Oscar Party

Drum Practice

October 2011 Home Teaching Handouts

October 2011 Visiting Teaching Handout ideas

General conference reminder for visiting teachers

LDS General Conference Oct 2011

181st Semiannual General Conference

Conference Center AuditoriumSaturday and Sunday, October 1-2, 2011

Event Description

Adams Star Wars Party

September 2011 visiting teaching message ideas

E.F.Y. - Especially for Youth 2011

Ideas for survival kits for christmas gifts

Gospel Principle Lesson38, 39, 40 & 41 Handout ideas

August 2011 Home Teaching Message

Love at Home—Counsel from Our Prophet

and can be found HERE

holiday fun while visiting gran and papa peden in aberdeenshire

August 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching Message

Conference Center Auditorium
Saturday and Sunday, October 1-2, 2011