My Dad surprised me with WONDERFUL news this morning. I opened my inbox and there glowed amongst the slew of emails, my Dad’s email that said:

“What did you name the twins? Mom & I are going to have them sealed to us…”

I couldn’t be more thrilled! Here’s why:

My Mother’s first pregnancy were two identical boy twins born at 23 weeks of age. My Mother could feel them, and LOVED them but had a hard pregnancy. She complained of back pain & at that time in life they didn’t have ultrasound or a lot of technology ( my mom was 24 years old and this was 1964). The Doctors assured her that everything should be fine, but just to take it easy. Well needless to say not too long after she was told that she started to get labor pains and had to be rushed to the hospital. My Dad was away on a business trip at the time but his Dad (my grandpa) was with her. My Dad soon thereafter made it (I think just in time). They were still-born and they never let my Mom hold them. My Mom said that they were absolutely perfect. They were just big enough to fill your entire hand - but they had every part, hair on their heads - just perfect little boys.

My Mom thinks they used them for science or put them in bottles, who knows. She has NO idea what they did with her babies. In so many words, the Doctor and staff told her that it was her fault. This could be guilt she holds for knowledge she knows now that she wishes she had known then (i.e. “maybe I moved around too much?, etc). With what they know now, that they didn’t know then (in regards to the spirit life, that yes - just because they were still-born doesn’t mean they didn’t have life, they were moving around in your stomach) - she always thought that she wouldn’t see them after this life. That those babies she carried for 23 weeks that she felt alive in her belly were gone forever. Every single time that the topic of the twins comes up, she cannot hold back the tears and just breaks down crying.

When I first heard about the twins at a very young age, an overwhelming feeling always came over me. I wasn’t a ‘planned’ child, as my parents had me 5 years after their 6th child at the ripe ‘ol age of 43 almost 44. My Mom has always told me I’m an old soul & that I started  talking about grown-up topics from a very young age. After I first heard of the twins I could not put them aside. I KNEW they were up there with me before I came down to earth. I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that I have 2 brothers (twins) up there waiting for our family. I know it.

So, for quite a while I have been pushing my parent’s to have my brothers sealed to them for Time & all Eternity - they have been waiting so long to have this done.

THANK YOU Mom & Dad for bringing our family together! We’re now complete!

Presenting, my twin brothers: Joshua & Stephen Bornemeier (they would be 43 now)

Waiting in Heaven

Artwork by Rebecca

This painting is of my oldest twin brothers Joshua & Stephen who passed away at birth. I painted this for both my Parents, my family and I in remembrance and to symbolize that they are ‘waiting in Heaven’ for us.

The past few years as I’ve studied relationship books I’ve been more aware of how couples speak to each other. When I learned that the use of the words, even simple phrases can have a LARGE impact down the road in communication and relationship dynamic - I’ve made an extra effort to observe examples of the uses of these words. For example:

W: Will you take out the trash?

(Husband hears a demand rather than a question with the use of ‘Will you…’)

vs.

W: Could you take out the trash?

(Husband hears a question where he feels free to say ‘No, I’m sorry I can’t right now’. The more he feels ‘free’ to choose, the more willing he’ll be to please you by saying yes.)

Even more than that, I have been more sensitive and aware of how couples speak to each other in groups/ in public. I’ve noticed that there is a trend of putting the other spouse down as a joke. Almost like the label of “Just playfully joking around ” makes it OK to say:

H: Yeah, she’d never let me do that.

or

W: Well, if I can get his lazy butt off the couch from watching football!

or

H: Oh man, I could never be with my wife 24/7 she’d drive me crazy.

or

W: I can’t get my husband to do anything…

Ok, so you get the idea. Just little subtle remarks of putting the other spouse down has become so irritating to me. I realize that it’s part of a relationship dynamic to have ups and downs and disagreements - but why bring them into public? I think some spouses have become so blinded by the remarks that they don’t even realize that they are affecting them self and how they see their spouse. For instance, the remarks above in “She’d never let me do that” or “I can’t get my husband to do anything” over time becomes a truth and a fact. He doesn’t do anything because he’s been told that that is who he is. She believes over time that he won’t do ____ because she has told herself that over and over again as “a joke”. Then, when that task needs to be done, there is resentment and then contention comes around the corner.

When Clark and I got married, we made a pact that we would never put the other down in front of others. Clark already knows that I’m extra sensitive/ more sensitive than most and I wouldn’t like that anyways. I really appreciate his commitment to our agreement and he has even come to notice these subtle remarks from others to their spouses as “a joke” and now see’s what I meant by how it can be hurtful.

I feel that the more respect you show and commitment you put forth to be Best Friends, the stronger your love & relationship will grow. People are amazed by how Clark and I can be with each other nearly everyday - all day - and actually enjoy it. I think to myself when I hear these types of remarks, “Well, wouldn’t you want to be with the one you love every second of every day?” I find it surprising that people wouldn’t. Clark and I like a break every once in awhile, but when Clark is gone for a long period of time my heart just aches. He feels the same way.

I suppose the question to ask yourself is this:

How far are you willing to go to show your significant other respect in and outside of public?

• Are you willing to pay closer attention to the words you use to ask questions to your spouse?
• Are you willing to give up the subtle “jokes” and replace them with compliments or praises?

Little things bad or good make a HUGE difference. Spouses who are verbally abused often times don’t even realize that they are because they just get so used to the way they are spoken to until someone else brings it to their attention. Try in just small steps to be more aware of how you speak to your spouse outside of public and in public. Listen to yourself and as you hold back the “jokes” to ‘break the ice’ or make people laugh (when you might in fact be making them laugh because they feel ackward that you just said that) notice how much more aware you become. You may be surprised what words you are using and start noticing others and how they are speaking about their spouse.

I know for me, the more Clark praises me and compliments me - just by nature I want to do MORE for him. When he says “The Kitchen looks BEAUTIFUL Becky!” I have more of a desire to always keep it clean. I have MORE love for him because he notices the little things that I do and acknowledges how big a difference it makes to have a clean environment. He has also brought to my attention that the little things I do - make HIM feel loved. The fact that I go the extra mile to do more, in response not only makes me feel loved because he notices, but also makes him feel loved because I do those things to show him how much I love him.

If your child went missing, wouldn’t you pray that this information would be passed on? Pray that people would register the image of your child in their mind and keep an eye out for her?

This Amber Alert has been verified by Snopes and isn’t a joke:

VERIFIED @
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/missing/reachelle.asp

Please re-post this same information on your blog or email and help these parents find their missing child.

Please spread this picture far and wide.. .. You just never know.

I find it hilarious that when you’re married you still date. I’m not talking about each other - I’m talking about other couples, haha!!!!

Do you ever feel that when you make friends with other couples you have the same joy & concerns as when you were dating back in high-school/college? Do these thoughts pass through your mind?

Do you think they’ll call us back?

Do you think they like us?

Ah, man! I shouldn’t have said that! They’ll think we’re weird!

On top of all that, when you have a fun night with them, you want to rush and call them again because you had so much fun… but wait! That’s too needy right? Don’t want to come across as obsessive so you wait by the phone eagerly awaiting another invitation. Then you rationalize in your mind, “What if they’re doing the same thing? Who should make the next move?” When you do get together again… jealousy rises to the surface as there’s another couple there, not just you two… dun dun DUN!!!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!

Clark and I crack ourselves up whenever we hang out with other couples because all of the above passes through our minds at one point or another. We’re such hermits that when we do make it outside of the house and ‘double up’ for an evening with another couple or two - it’s so out of our realm. We want to stay friends with them (sometimes not, just like dating you always run across incompatibility, hopefully understood by both parties… sometimes not :::shudder:::) but sometimes maintaing that friendship is hard. I have this one friend I’ve made here that all of a sudden she’s so busy, so how do you approach that issue (she really is busy, I’m not just saying that to make myself feel better, lol) without sounding dramatic, i.e. “I never see you anymore! I feel like our relationship is falling apart!

The other way around when you have to say no or take back a “Yes I can____” how do you prevent damage to the relationship. It’s so much work! *Sigh*

Having friends individually once married and as a couple is HILARIOUS! It’s so much fun.

In the tradition of Grandpa B. and just as you told me - I came down with Blue Eyes because Grandpa made sure of it up in Heaven. Just as he ‘requested blue eyes’ he must have given me tips on writing poetry. So, for Fathers Day - I am writing you a poem:

Why I Love You

Here is the man

who took me by the hand

as I toddled along

bopping to my own song

Seeing the ducks

as we fed them each

I felt safe with you

you were always within reach

You married a woman

who would raise us with love

You took careful consideration

and even prayed to God above

We watch you care for her & protect her

without question she is your Queen

You work together & love each other

not letting anything come in between

You gave up a lot to provide

You picked yourself up along the way

you never gave up the fight

you never turned away

By doing so you showed us what it meant to have faith

to be humble and submissive to God above

A sacrifice - it was always worth it

You showed us that much love

I’m proud to call you My Dad

You work so hard everyday

You’ve taught us love, faith, & charity

the Gospel along the way

God gave me someone very special

to be my protector & father for eternity in Heaven

I write this poem from my heart to yours

from your baby girl - lucky number seven

I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!

(9 - I love you more than you will ever know)

–Rebecca

(aka: “Peanut”, “Chicken”)

One of Clark’s and my FAVORITE things to do is drive around our ‘extended neighborhood’ and dream of where we’re going to buy our new home. Our favorite areas are the hills in Sherman Oaks, Bel Air, & towns near by those areas. BEAUTIFUL homes!

We found our ultimate neighborhood in these hills of Bel Air:

The pictures don’t do the scenery any justice but at least it gives you an idea. There was the PERFECT street with a market that sold organic produce (that always sells me) - very quaint and not flashy at all. The type of street where you’d feel 100% safe to just ride your bicycle to the market and back home. Everyone was walking their dog and hanging out outside. LOVED the area!

Also, speaking of markets. I LOVE purchasing from Asian Produce Markets. LOVE it! Because the prices and the quality of produce is always a great deal and great quality. Clark surprised me on this drive by taking me to my favorite Frozen Yogurt shop where this cute old Asian couple looked SO happy to see us! Very humble and a great spirit about the place. I always love going to ‘mom & pop’ type places because giving them our money always feels good. The Frozen Yogurt was SO GOOD and the great thing was they had fresh cut fruit to top off the low-fat, low-cal frozen yogurt!

Off the topic completely but since this posts theme is partially about markets, Clark (as he put it) ‘took a homeless woman on a date to the grocery store’ (lol) and bought her some food for her kid who couldn’t chew very well. She was very humble and as he put it - was seeking out the best bargain on prices and wouldn’t let me buy her more than 2 things: Cheese & Squirt Soda-Pop. She also mentioned to him that Hillary Clinton was seeking the vote of anybody and everybody and has been supplying the homeless drugs to influence them to vote for her. WOAH… true? She said to Clark “I may be homeless, but I’m not crazy - that’s the truth. Just because I’m homeless doesn’t mean I’m crazy!” You never know - but if that’s the case, looks like Karma came back and bit Hillary and kept her from winning the Democratic Nomination.

Also, speaking of Markets and fresh produce - I want to start a small garden on my balcony. I need to save up some money - but I thought it would be a good investment and a good idea to have some fresh Tomatoes, Peppers & Cucumbers to eat, even if it’s just a couple times a year. Any suggestions and tips? Our balcony isn’t very big - but big enough that I can step out on the ledge and attend to a box or two of growing plants. We went to a garden center today and I saw some small starts, and some bigger starts that looked like they already had some buds of tomatoes growing on them. Do I start small or bigger? Also, can you combine more than one type of plant in the same box? Any tips and advise would be much appreciated!

It was a GREAT day today!

My brother emailed me the other day informing the family that he just scheduled for all our names to orbit the moon. I was like, “What?! My name is going to be around the moon?” Well, I was happy that he included links so I could get the bigger picture on what he just did with my name, lol.

Send Your Name to the Moon Aboard LRO!

NASA invites people of all ages to join the lunar exploration journey with an opportunity to send their names to the moon aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, spacecraft.

The Send Your Name to the Moon Web site enables everyone to participate in the lunar adventure and place their names in orbit around the moon for years to come. Participants can submit their information at http://lro.jhuapl.edu/NameToMoon/, print a certificate and have their name entered into a database. The database will be placed on a microchip that will be integrated onto the spacecraft. The deadline for submitting names is June 27, 2008.

Read more information…

Watch this video, it’s about 10 seconds long & pretty funny!

Ok, I’m wrapping up my Birthday Week with the closing report:

The week was awesome and is now a permanent tradition in Clark’s & My Little Family. We have decided since this week was so fun, we’d make every birthday and holiday a week long celebration instead of just 1 day.

We didn’t do anything major, just little things like: I received at least 1 gift a day. I thought that was much more fun and I was able to appreciate each gift more appropriately I thought. We also just made it a point to ‘have fun’ because it was my Birthday It also helped to have my Oldest Brother & Sister visit me during my Birthday week THANK YOU Chip & Maren!!!

What I received for My Birthday:

• A New Vacuum - YESSSSSSS!!!!! This baby is AMAZING! We seriously have new carpet now. I don’t even want to know what was in our carpet that made it mash to the floor. We now walk on fluffy carpet that actually looks brand new. WOW.
• Clark repaired my computer with new parts - it is SO much faster and works GREAT! Thanks Love!!!
• Blue-tooth - Clark gave me a blue-tooth so that I don’t get pulled over [because I look 16] and receive a ticket for talking on my cell phone while driving. California has a new law that if you’re talking while driving on your cell phone w/o an ear-piece - you’re in BIG trouble!
• A Basket of Goodies!!! I received in this basket a Weight-Loss Book: “Perfect Weight“, Juice Plus Complete, Juice Plus Vineyard Blend, Juice Plus Thins, Organic Raw Meal Bars, 2 Mango’s, Dish Towels, Socks & Stress Relieving Tips! AWESOME Gift Basket!
• A Gift Card
• New Organic T-Shirts
• FURminator (I am SO excited to use this on the Cats!)

All - in - All, AWESOME Birthday this year!

Thank you for the gifts: Clark, Mom & Dad, Chip & Sarah, Maren & Chad, Erik & Sonni, Brad & Jillana, Amy & Mike, David & Becky Kay, Howard & Lavonne, Spencer & Steph!!!! THANK YOU!!!

Well, I’ve slacked in posting the past couple days and haven’t been able to be as active as I usually am. Reason is - Clark has been programming away, building me a new computer out of our old one. What an AMAZING husband he is! I love him SO MUCH and he has created such a wonderful Birthday Week for me. Giving me surprises all through the day - each day - this entire week!

I should be up and running normal no later than Monday. I am nearly complete tweaking the “behind the scenes” of my blog and that will free up A LOT of my time! That will be VERY nice!

Also, one of the surprises Clark gave me today was a Mini SD card to go with my baby video camera so I can start posting more pictures and videos on my blog! HURRAY! Clark asked me if I noticed a theme to my Birthday Week. I thought for a bit and shot out a few guesses… then I got it on the 3rd guess. “MY BLOG”! And he said “YES!!!”

If I haven’t told you already - I have the BEST husband a girl could ask for!

This video of “Becky’s Life” AKA “Becky’s Dream” is the Dream of my life. Everything that has happened in my life since birth has been a Dream Come True - from being born into the best family I could ever ask for - being born into an amazing Church - to going to the best High School - to meeting The President of the United States in the White House, to marrying the Love of My Life! I couldn’t have asked for a better life where I have learned so much that has molded me to the person I am today.

I am so excited for the next 24 years of my life and I can’t imagine what life has in store for me next!

*Note: This slideshow is in HD. By default it plays the video with ‘HD off’, click on the HD icon as you hover over the video to turn it on and it will redirect you to Vimeo’s site to view it in HD. You may have to click the HD icon again when you’re there. For best quality playback make sure that you’re viewing this slideshow on the newest computer in your house to ensure your graphics card can play it without interruptions. You can always turn off the HD on the slideshow menu if it still is ‘jittery’ as it plays. But the HD gives AWESOME clarity. For even better playback - view this slideshow full screen (icon on the bottom right hand corner of the slideshow window next to the volume).