Monday Morning Choices

I received a book today from a friend of mine. The timing is good, for I want and need to make changes in my life. [Even an old dog can learn a new trick-- I hope] After reading the first chapter, I see value in what is said and feel that it could help our family as well. I really am selfish and want to use the book and our blog as a self help forum for myself. If any of you want to join in, please do so. I know that I could benefit from your comments.

Monday Morning Choices: 12 powerful ways to go from everyday to extraordinary.
by David Cottrell

Each of us has a different idea of success. Whether you strive for money, power, happiness, love or anything else, your choices will determine whether you reach you goals. How to make the right choices, even when they are hard, is what Monday Morning Choices is all about.

#1 "The No-Victim Choice.... Don't let your past eat your future"

Three things you can do to make the No-Victim Choice:
1. Expect the unexpected. Things beyond your control will happen. How you respond to the unexpected events that come your way is how you regain control.
2. Look for alternatives. There are always alternatives if you choose to look for them. Don’t become paralyzed by falling into the victim trap.
3. Spend your energy searching for solutions, not excuses. No matter what happens, keep moving-one foot in front of the other-toward your personal and professional goal.

Words of wisdom:
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
-John Wooden

We are free up to the point of choice, and then the choice controls the chooser.
-Mary Crowley

I used to say, “I hope things will change.” Then I learned that the only way things are going to change for me, is when I change.
-Jim Rohn

Life will be to a large extent what we ourselves make of it.
-Samuel Smiles

Ask yourself these questions;

1. Why is it so easy to fall into the victim mentality?
2. When have we been victimized in the past, and how did we respond?
3. Is it really possible to accept total responsibility for things that happen to us? Does the buck really stop with us?

Thanks for listening,

Keith, Dad, Grandpa....

REAL fun

Slater Stratford "#1 Real Soccer Fan"

Thank you all for the REAL game tickets. We loved being with each of you and seeing a great second half game. [Real 4: FC Dallas 2] We need to do this more often [the game that is and not the birthdays....]

Grandpa wisdom

Grandpa say: "MMMMmmmm! 1 marshmallow good (especially when it gets on your face!)... 2 marshmallows even better!!!

Thanks for always making us laugh!

Shane Update

Update on Shane. He is doing better, he is at home, but still struggling. The bruising has changed into some interesting colors and spreading out. The biggest issue is the constant pain. He is still weak and very limited on what he can do.

Please continue to pray for him. We all know that it helps.

Love
Keith and Janelle.

Proud and Thankful

As a parent you go through many highs and lows. It is hard to express these feelings, you just have to experience them yourself to understand. The events of last night with Shane's accident and brush with disaster, brings out all of these feelings.

For those who have not heard. Shane suffered a skull fracture, bruised brain and experienced a full seizure, which resulted in an AirMed helicopter ride to the McKay-Dee Hospital. He spent the night at the hospital and has been released. He is on a 3 week medical leave from work. We do not know the extent of his injury, but the prognosis is good. Please include him in your prayers.

My emotions have run the full spectrum of high and lows. What I do know is how proud I am of my family and in laws. From the moment of the accident, Brian was there for Shane. He saw him go up for a header at the soccer game and collide with another player mid air. When Shane hit the ground, he went into a full seizure and had to be constrained by five other players to protect him. Brian took control, directing the care of his brother. He immediately gave him a priesthood blessing right on the soccer field. From that moment on Shane calmed down and started to recover.

Kenzie, Shane's wonderful wife was there to see her true love in trouble. She keep her cool giving Shane the love and support he needed. She gave support to others and helped to organize Shane's care. We are so very proud of her.

Dr. Greg and Karla Ferguson, along with Dr.Cory Ferguson, Kenzies parents and brother, were with Shane all the way. From a fast drive, from Kaysvile, to the University of Ut hospital ER,[midnight] only to find out that they took Shane to the McKay ER, to providing support and getting answers from the ER docs. All of the Ferguson family was there to give support and prayers.

Brian, Britt, Deanne, Melanie, Mom and I, were all at the hospital until 3 am with him, showing him the love and support he needed. All members of our families were praying for him and it paid off. Shane is now home, under Kenzie's loving care.

We are very proud of our family and all of Shane's friends that have expressed their love and support.

Thank you all very much.

Love Keith and Janelle

GRASS...

We just wanted to show you our cute grass that Shane and Kenzie gave us! We love having a little patch to put our feet on! Ha Ha! Thanks for such a cute gift!

Ty wants to know when you're going to come and plant the rest of our yard so it looks as good as our pot? J/K

4th FUN of July

Movie Time

Flag Time

Thanks family for making our 3rd and 4th of July FUN. We love having y'all at the cabin. Congrats to Brian and Brit for winning the race.

How about that movie screen? Was that cool or what??

Thanks again.

Love

Grandma and Grandpa Stratford

Friday Flashback!

4th of July 2007 The Annual sleep-out! Grandpa Keith singing us all awake. Good Times!!!

See you all soon!

Pineview

Look at that AMAZING MAN! HE'S DEFINITELY STILL GOT IT! :)Pretty impressive huh!The water was too cold for Madi... it was a quick swim.

Ty wake boarding with Kevin

The joker!

The real driver of the boat!Thanks Dad for taking us boating! Let's all go!