FOREVER STRONG

Last week we received a mailer from Deseret and an email from Mom regarding the new movie "Forever Strong." We looked into it and thought we would enjoy it while supporting a movie with a good moral. We love sports movies and this one did not disappoint. It had some great Rugby sequences (talk about one hard core sport) interspersed with the journey of a boy from a selfish single-minded rugby player to a young adult with conviction and a moral foundation. We enjoyed seeing the Highland rugby team perform their Maori dance and chants before matches. It reminded me of the BYU football pre-game routine, although I'm not sure if their presentation is Maori, Tongan, or Samoan in origin. Esther and I liked several of the quotes such as "Good choices don't make life easy, but they make life easier." One item not mentioned in the movie is that the head coach of the Highland team is a long time seminary teacher. The church is not mentioned in the film but much of the coach's direction will sound familiar to members. We believe this a movie worth supporting. You can always know if a movie is good and wholesome if it gets ridiculed and panned by the mainstream reviewers as this one has. We thoroughly enjoyed this film and would encourage all of you to go see it.

AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE

Although the rising inflation of food, gas, and a variety of other consumer goods (principally measured by the consumer price index) and the spiking costs of medical care and insurance garner a lot of the attention, their level of inflation pales in comparison to the Latin American like inflation of college tuition. See graph. I have read, and it makes sense to me, that the cost of tuition has skyrocketed in part due to the accessibility of low interest student loans. Whatever the cause, if the trends continue and the forecasts are accurate regarding future price increases, my kids are going to be mowing a lot of lawns in order to afford college without being saddled with an excessive debt load!

I must admit that sometimes I feel like the guy in this cartoon but thankfully I have a loving wife that points out three important keys:

1. We have been encouraged frequently by the prophet to get all the education we can.
2. Formal education pushes us to be more intelligent, well-rounded and disciplined.
3. It doesn't guarantee your dream job but it provides you with opportunities and options.

Perhaps Benjamin Franklin put it best, as he often did, when he said "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."

RANDOM RANT 2

GM, Ford and Chrysler are so dim-witted and self-serving they deserve to fail and witness other manufacturers take their market share. If you can't compete because of ridiculous union contracts, crappy quality and awful forecasting then too bad! They love to wrap themselves in the flag when looking for a handout at the same time they produce more and more of their vehicles in Mexico, Canada and China. In contrast Mercedes Benz, BMW, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, Toyota and Hyundai are rapidly expanding operations in America and many have been doing so for some time. They are literally investing billions of dollars and producing tens of thousand of jobs but you never hear about that. Toyota and Hyundai may have made the largest investments and led the way in job creation in recent years. To illustrate, Toyota built an $800 million plant in Indiana and a $1.6 billion plant in Texas in the last few years. They are paying the same wages but have avoided the union contracts and have built more efficient plants largely in the south. Unfortunately, both McCain and Obama support bailing out the "Shrinking 3" because they will do anything to buy the votes of Michigan and Ohio voters. In the end, the government should not reward bad behavior but should remind the automakers that they operate in a free market where you can succeed and you can fail...But I wont hold my breath since there is less and less "free" about our market and it is largely the fault of the government and their "everyone wins, no one can lose" mentality and policies. Finally, if we provide state sponsorship of industry by bailing out the “Pathetic 3” and ignore the concept of an international level playing field in the face of foreign competitors, who have we become? China.

RANDOM RANT 1

Surprise, surprise the “Shrinking 3” is asking the taxpayers to bail them out. How much you ask? Only $25 billion. Hey, their first request was $50 billion so I guess us angry poverty-stricken taxpayers should be grateful that they cut their request in half. How generous of them! But should the government…um the riffraff taxpayers….bail them out? I guess it comes down to 2 questions: 1. Do you reward bad behavior; shortsighted and idiotic tactical decisions and a non-existent diversified long-term strategy? 2. Do you throw billions at companies that may need another hand out next year or fail no matter what socialist anti-market politicians attempt to do? GM is losing the equivalent dollar amount of 2 Corvette convertibles a minute or $15.5 billion in the 2nd quarter of this year alone!! For you counting at home that is north of $100,000 every 60 seconds. By the time you finish reading this post GM will have lost….well you get the picture. Ford lost over $8 billion in the second quarter and Chrysler is losing money hand over fist as well. Chrysler has by far the worst performing vehicles with the lowest quality and the poorest product line to meet today’s consumer tastes. These once dominant automakers are now in junk bond status and with continued high gas prices, the tightening of financing restrictions, and their crimson colored balance sheets, it may not matter what the government does. It has been said, “If you die, die like men.” GM, Ford and Chrysler could have a dignified death with some of their manhood intact if they would simply leave the American taxpayer alone.

9/17/05 - 9/17/08

I can’t believe it has been three years! I feel very lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. With today being our third anniversary I have been thinking about when we met and how it all began. One day one of the girls in my ward asked me to go to the UCLA Institute Christmas Party and for some reason I said yes. Momoco and I attended Pasadena City College together so we knew each other but we did not normally hang out. Momoco was now going to UCLA and Ben and her had become friends. So Momoco and I went to the party and had a lot of fun. Later that week when I had my Home Teachers over I received a call from Ben calling to tell me how much fun it was meeting me at the Christmas Party. He went into detail about the conversation we had and what he was wearing but I just didn’t remember him. I felt so bad! However, in true Ben fashion, he was playing a joke on me. He never went to the party!! Apparently he was working that night.

Well, we finally met the next week at a New Years Eve Party in Redlands. Ben came with Momoco and I came with some of the singles in my ward. Ben was such a punk when we met. He told me that he was 18 and I could not tell if he was joking or not. Ben irritated me a lot when we first met but the worst was when he was laughing at me. I don’t remember why we went on the Ferris wheel but the four of us did. Ben went with Momoco and I went with my friend Ryan. I hate the Ferris wheel. I have always been scarred of them. I think it came from my parents thinking that they were death traps. So we were the only 4 people on the ride and then Ben and Momoco got off and I was happy because that meant that I would be getting off soon. But no, we kept going round and round. I later found out that Ben and Momoco had asked to be let off. I didn’t know you could do that so I had to go round and round until it stopped grabbing Ryan’s arm for dear life. I could see Ben and Momoco on the ground laughing so hard at me. I could not stand him. I was never so happy to be off a ride then I was that night. When we went on the roller coaster Ben sat behind me and kept on poking me. I felt like I was back in elementary school. For the first half of the night I could not stand Ben, he was either teasing me, laughing at me or poking me. I am not sure how Ben did it but somehow we became separated from our group. Ben became less of a punk when he finally stopped teasing me. After that we had a great time together.

We had our first date the very next day and it was the worst date that I had ever been on. At the end of our date Ben spent probably 30 minutes telling me why he could not see me again. I was fine with it but Ben did not think that I understood what he was saying so he would keep on explaining it. He could not understand why I was not getting upset at him. I never thought I would see him again. But, Ben started calling me and we really hit it off over the phone. Sometimes Ben would be on the phone with me driving to meet some other girls. Since Ben and I lived so far away from each other we would talk on the phone all the time. My parents had to change their phone plan because we would talk 5,000 minutes a month to each other. On one occasion Ben was at work and it was a slow night so he was talking to me on the phone. We got talking and for some reason I told him in so many words that I had a severe case of Crohn’s disease. I don’t know why I told him but I did. By this time I was really starting to like him and sadly I never expected to hear from him again. Guys had never been understanding of my health issues and I had witnessed many guys scared off by less serious matters. Ben later told me that he had never heard of Crohn’s disease and he actually thought I was referring to Huntington’s disease. After our conversation Ben went home and researched Crohn’s and learned all he could about it. He wanted to know how he could help me and perhaps what he could be getting himself into. Although, he didn’t yet know about my staff infections and other fun health issues. But, when something new has come up, thankfully he has always been there for me and unwavering in his support and love. He has never seen me as a girlfriend, fiancé, and now wife, who is sick with an incurable illness. He has always seen me as Esther and loved me for who I am. He has never put conditions on his love. In any case, soon after I told him about my health condition he asked me out on a second date. I later found out from him that it would be “the make or break it date.” Thankfully, we made it! It was funny because when Ben came to the door I answered but Ben didn’t quite recognize me because I had cut my hair and changed my hairstyle. My parents had the opportunity to meet him and we were off on our date. We went to Subway for a bite to eat and then went to see the first Work and The Glory movie. It was a fantastic movie and a better date. After that date we both knew we had something special. In just over two months from that date Ben proposed at the L.A. Temple and I happily and tearfully accepted. And after a 6-month engagement we were married for time and all eternity in the L.A. Temple in a beautiful ceremony performed by a wonderful and entertaining member of the Temple Presidency. I will always be grateful for the Lord’s hand enabling our paths to cross and most especially for the undeniable confirmation from the Spirit that marrying Ben was the right decision at the right time.

PAVING

Saturday, Esther and I along with Ethan and his neighbor, had the opportunity to pave the long driveway that leads to both homes. It was hot but it was actually kind of fun and very satisfying. It is always a rewarding experience any time you can provide service to those you love. As you can imagine the petroleum-based tar was extremely sticky and hard to get off your skin. This was only my second time tarring the driveway while Esther has done it a dozen times. I was handling the east side of the driveway which bordered on Kathy's tomato plants and flowers. The goal was to tar to the edge but not allow it to spill into the vegetation. For the most part I succeeded, but whoever said that tar and tomatoes don't mix? As you can see from the picture above, we left an unpaved path to allow us to walk while the paved sections dried. We will return and paved the other portions in the near future. Perhaps you may want to join us? If you come I just may promise not to throw tar at you!

ADORABLE ESTHER

I was going through some pictures on Esther's parent's computer and I found these. The top picture was Esther sitting on one of Uncle Earl's horses and was taken when she was 8. She loves horses and to this day still wants a horse...and two dogs. She was 3 in the left picture and a 5-year old on her way to Kindergarten in the other picture. Apparently they had a pajama day at school. Although I would prefer sons (primarily due to my concern for my daughter's safety in this crazy world) I can't help but think how wonderful it would be to have a little adorable Esther running around.

Hannah

Today is the two-year anniversary of my sister Hannah’s passing. It is hard to believe it has been two years since I have seen her. I still miss her so much. I remember it like it was yesterday when we got the call. It is a scary thing to be woken up with a call saying someone you care about was taken to the hospital. I remember telling Ben that I would go and for him to stay and go to work. I had no idea at the time how bad it was. I will forever be grateful that he did not listen to me. Rachel called me while we were on the freeway to tell me that Hannah had passed away. I did not believe her. Hannah was only 30 years old. She was too young to die!! I yelled at Rachel told her that it was not funny. I could not stop crying. I don’t know what would of happened if I had been driving alone. Walking into the hospital room and seeing Hannah lying there was one of the hardest things I have had to do. I remember her being so cold and thinking that I was not going to see her again in this life. I started thinking of all the things that I should of said but didn’t and all the things that I said out of anger and could not take back. I was so numb. I kept thinking that this was a bad dream and I was going to wake up and have her here with me. It was so hard going to my parent’s house after the hospital and seeing where she died. I am so thankful that I had Ben there to help me through that time. He took a lot of abuse from me during all of this. I would get so angry that I would just yell and scream at him for nothing. It took me a long time to start to deal with it.

When I turned 18 Hannah and I started being friends. Before I was always the little sister but now I was a friend. We loved to watch the corny/bad lifetime/family channel movies. Hannah could quote lines from the movies. Whenever I see one I think of her and the time we spent together. Hannah was the only person that I would sing in front of. We would put on a CD and turn it all the way up and sing along with it. Once Hannah and I were driving to the LA Fair in Pomona and we were sing along with a CD and we missed our exit and ended up at the Ontario Airport. We turned around but we missed the exit again due to the singing. After missing it again for the second time we decide to turn off the music and look more carefully. That day with her is a time that I will cherish forever.

Hannah was a great big sister always looking out for me. I always knew that she would be there for me no matter what. When we were little and I would get into trouble Hannah would take me and hide me or she would say that she did it because she did not want her sister to get in trouble. My mom liked to say that when I was a baby Hannah was the only one who could calm me down. I remember when I was probably 5 or 6 and I had my first crush. Hannah was so proud of me because my crush was Sebastian Bach from Skid Row. She told all of her friends about it. Hannah and I shared a love for 80’s metal bands.

Hannah would frequently copy me on whatever I was eating. Even after Ben and I were married she would call me up and ask me what I was having for dinner and then would make it for herself. Hannah loved to eat ice. She knew what stores had the best ice. She would get the biggest glass in the house then pour a can of soda in then pour the soda out. She just wanted to get the flavor on the ice. Hannah LOVED sushi. Her friend Jackie and her would go all over LA getting sushi at one restaurant then going to anther place for another roll.

Hannah was the one who set up Ben and my first date. It was really funny! Ben had called me on New Years Day since we had met and hit it off the night before. We were talking for a while and then he asked me what freeways would he have to take to get to Temple City. I had no idea so I went and asked Hannah how Ben would get here. Hannah took the phone and gave him very detailed directions. After providing him with the directions she asked him what time he would be here. Ben hesitated since he was not planning on coming out to see me that day. He had just gotten off work and only had a few hours sleep. But Hannah was persistent…apparently not just persistent but effective because he ended up coming out that night. It ended up being the worst date of our lives, but in the end everything turned out great. Hannah liked Ben from the start and I wonder where we would be if Hannah had not become involved. Would Ben and I have ever had a first date without Hannah? I don’t know, but the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Last year I was able to do Hannah’s temple work. That was such a special thing and I am so grateful that I was able to do it. Wendy came down to go to the temple with Ben and me. We went on a Tuesday so that Ben’s parents could be there with me. My family was not able to go. By this time my Mothers disease had progressed to the point that she was unable to travel to the temple to be there. It was difficult for her and for me because we both knew she would rather be at the Temple more than anywhere else on this most precious and important night. It meant a great deal to me that Wendy would drive down for me on that night. It helped having the support during that special but heart wrenching night. It was an extremely emotional night for me. Since losing Hannah I had never felt as close to her as I did that night.

I miss my sister. I don’t think I will ever stop missing her but I know she is in a better place. I loved her and will continue to love her. In remembrance and honor of her we are going to name our first daughter Hannah Syel Williams.

BACK TO SCHOOL

The fall semester is now in full swing for Esther and I. Esther is taking "Foundations of General, Organic and Biochemistry" and I am taking "Statistical Analysis for Managers" and "Negotiation in Conflict Management." In other words, it is going to be a long semester for the both of us! We will be having lots of study date nights. We also were not able to plan out are schedule as we would have liked – I have classes on Monday and Tuesday from 7-10 and Esther has classes on Wednesday and Friday from 6-10 and 6:30-9:30.

These will be classes #9 and #10 out of 15 for me. I am trying to accelerate my pace in order to reach my goal of graduation by next August. Unfortunately for me, I have some of the toughest classes ahead which means that my 4.0 GPA that I have worked so hard to maintain may not be around for much longer. This is Esther's second class after returning to school to pursue a nursing degree. She has 4 more classes before she can transfer and attend a 2-year nursing program. Due to the long semesters, her near full time employment, and the difficult nature of her classes, she will be taking one class per semester and should be ready to transfer in a year. After she graduates and lands a nursing job it will be smooth sailing for me as I will now have my "Sugar Mama"...haha

I am extremely proud of her ambition and dedication to achieving the lofty goal of becoming a nurse and overcoming her own health problems in order to lend a helping hand to others. I don't think anyone truly understands the breadth and depth of her various health issues. This is in part because she conceals it so well. She hides it behind a beautiful smile, a positive outlook and a charitable nature that always put others first. She is truly a shinning example of faith, persistence, and above all, toughness. Others in her shoes would not work let alone attend classes at night, take care of her helpless husband, (this is a big job as it entails seeing that I am fed and clothed and keeping the house in order) serving her wonderful Mother and Father, and being the world’s best Aunt to our favorite 16 “little people.”

Wedding Ring

Saturday I saw the head Dr. of the Dermatology department about all of my skin infections that I have had for years and the doctor was great. Ben even liked him and that is saying a lot. There I found out that I have developed an allergy to my wedding/engagement rings. I had no idea that this could happen. I have been wearing my rings for a few years now and then all of a sudden my finger has tiny blisters all over it. I thought that maybe it was from all the heat. I would let my finger heal and then I would put it back on and it would do it again. He said that it was most likely the nickel in the white gold bands that I am allergic to. I was devastated when I heard that. I love my rings and it has been killing me not being able to wear them. I feel like something is missing when I don't have it on. I can't even wear then on a chain around my neck. I broke out in a rash and my neck started to burn. (Sometimes I really feel like a freak). Ben and I are going to go to the jewelers to see if there is something that we can do. I do not want a new ring. I want my ring. These rings are my most precious possessions.

Labor Day!

We had a lot of fun on Labor Day. We went over to Scott and Tera's along with all of the family. It was great seeing Jason & Janna and Wendy & Tom and all of the kids. We do not get to see them very often since they don't live close to us. My favorite part was when Scott told all of the 16 kids that he would give whoever pushed "Uncle Ben" in the pool five dollars. Then they all started to chase Ben all around the backyard. Tera got some great pictures of Ben running away with the kids close behind. I love the one with Ben on the floor with the kids on top of him. It was the funniest thing to watch. In the end I was the one who pushed him into the pool. Ben loves playing with all of the nieces and nephews but he does come home with scratches and bruises from all of them. They are getting older and can hurt him but I don't think he will ever stop playing with them.

GO BRUINS BABY!!

I'm exhausted. What a wild game tonight! My goal entering the game was for a respectable showing. I didn’t hold out much hope for a victory nor did anyone else but that's why they play the games. The first half was difficult to watch. Our special teams came up with a blocked kick leading to a needed touch down and our defense was heroic in its efforts, but our offense was...less than stellar. Our 3rd string quarterback, Craft, threw 4 interceptions. Now 4 interceptions in a game would be a bad night for any quarterback, but 4 in one half is a nightmare! However, the team and coaching staff boosted his spirits and rallied behind him showing great trust and it paid off. He had a phenomenal second half leading the team on a dramatic drive capped off by a touch down with under a minute to play and an eventual overtime victory. This is an important victory for UCLA because it shows their grit and heart.
In the first quarter alone we lost our staring tight end, Logan Paulsen, our top running back, Kahlil Bell, and our top receiver, Marcus Everett. This would be difficult for any team to deal with but what makes UCLA's effort more remarkable is that they were playing with the 3rd string quarterback and a heavily depleted lineup to begin with. If Craft can build on his second half and play at that level for 4 quarters and UCLA can get their 3 key starters back, especially Bell, then we may have an opportunity at beating BYU and having a better year than anyone could have predicted. My goal was to go 6-6 entering the season but perhaps we are able to get 7 or 8 wins. We will see. It is clear that this is a rebuilding year but games like this make us proud to be Bruin fans!!!

Rook

We finally beat Scott and Tera at Rook!! In a nearly 3 hour marathon game that saw Scott set himself 5 times at the high bid of "65" we were able to win the 12 hand game. Since we have been married we have either been crushed or lost in heartbreaking fashion. Now that the monkey is off our backs we expect future wins using our unorthodox playing style.

Blogging

Ben and I have joined the world of blogging. It is something that we have talked about since seeing Tera's blog. I love going and seeing what all the kids are doing and reading the cute things that they say and do. Now ours is not going to be as cute since we don't have any kids but I do have Ben and he does act like a big kid sometimes.

We hope to update this weekly on our exciting lives. Ha Ha. One of our primary objectives for the blog is to maintain a better record of our life and keep in touch with our family and friends. We hope this blog will encourage us to take more pictures. We will try to keep this fun and lighthearted.