I just want Pat to know how proud I am of him. What I told the judge is absolutely correct. He has grown in leaps and bounds in the last few years. When I first met him, I saw a glimmer of the man he could and would become and it is so wonderful to see that man all of the time now. I can't wait to see how he surpasses both his and my expectations. Soon the world will see what I have known all along, that he is the leader and I just have to scramble to keep up.
I also want our friends and family to know how much I love them all. While Friday was terrifying and nerve wracking, all we had to do was to think of all of the friendly faces behind us to realize that those that are with those greatly outnumbered those who were with them. I only wish that Pat's family would have been willing to be on our side instead of against us. I hope that in time, there won't be any sides anymore.
We truly felt the presence of angels, those seen and unseen on Friday and throughout this whole process. We never could have accomplished it on our own. To Emily, Devin, Alanna, Bonnie, Brian, and Melissa's family, we can never tell you how grateful we are and how much we love you. We must have been awfully good in the premortal existance to earn family like you.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Order for Termination of Guardianship Adult
We thought you might want to share in our good news. I will try to get Pat to blog about it also. Right now he is just too happy to concentrate on anything for long. Sorry to those of you who didn't know we were finally doing this, but we wanted to keep it as quiet as we could to minimize the negative reaction from Pat's family. We hope that eventually they will come to understand why he had to do this.
Upon consideration of the petition for termination of guardianship, the Court finds and orders that this guardianship is terminated because: The ward no longer meets the standard for continuing the guardianship. The court has considered the information provided at the hearing held on September 16, 2011 and concludes that Mr. Ferguson no longer requires a guardian's assistance. Ms. M, Mr. Ferguson's conselor, wrote a letter to the court opining that Mr. Ferguson is able to make any and all decisions in his life. Additionally, Mr. Ferguson has been married for almost four years and during that period of time the guardians have not been making decisions for Mr. Ferguson. His wife, Melissa, informed the court that she has observed a tremendous amount of personal growth by her husband over the past few years and that he is able to make decisions on his own behalf. The court was also informed that Mr. Ferguson served on a district court felony criminal trial as a juror in 2010.
Upon consideration of the petition for termination of guardianship, the Court finds and orders that this guardianship is terminated because: The ward no longer meets the standard for continuing the guardianship. The court has considered the information provided at the hearing held on September 16, 2011 and concludes that Mr. Ferguson no longer requires a guardian's assistance. Ms. M, Mr. Ferguson's conselor, wrote a letter to the court opining that Mr. Ferguson is able to make any and all decisions in his life. Additionally, Mr. Ferguson has been married for almost four years and during that period of time the guardians have not been making decisions for Mr. Ferguson. His wife, Melissa, informed the court that she has observed a tremendous amount of personal growth by her husband over the past few years and that he is able to make decisions on his own behalf. The court was also informed that Mr. Ferguson served on a district court felony criminal trial as a juror in 2010.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
A fresh start?
Well it is day two of the double or nothing challenge and the Ferguson family is needing a little motivation. Hence the updated blog background. In case you can't tell, it is a big fat juicy hamburger.
So what are our goals?
SuperPat:
So what are our goals?
SuperPat:
- Read 20 minutes a day
- Wake up by 7 on weekdays, 8 on weekends
- Brush teeth 2x for at least 2 minutes a day
- Meaningful daily scripture study
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Blood, sweat, tears, and prayers
My wife has a great idea for the next step in my journey to walk. She says that if I am able to succeed with the walker independantly, then we will schedule a meeting with my conservator to discuss preparing to move to Idaho. To be independant with the walker means that I will be able to get up in the morning and just use the walker to get ready for the day and in everything I do during the day. The only thing that I will not use the walker for is to walk the dogs. Once we put my wheelchairs in the garage for a full week, I will have met the goal for this step.
To accomplish this goal will take a lot of prayer, asking the Lord to be my backbone. I will also need support from all those that love me and want the best for me. I believe that it will take me two months to reach this goal. This will take me being the man Heavenly Father wants me to be, the husband my wife needs me to be, the pet owner that my dogs need, and the future Daddy that my children deserve.
A while back Elder McCannon gave me a priesthood blessing and in the blessing he told me that I will walk again without the walker, that I will not need any assistance if I give it my full effort of body and soul that the Lord will hep me to do this. A long time ago Sister Mullins promised me that if I kept the Word of Wisdom that I would walk again. At the time, I had not been walking at all. I am ready to cash in on these promises, but I need your help to not get discouraged. I AM GOING TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS TIME THAT I STEP UP AND NOT FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF ANYMORE. With the Lord's help I will accomplish this goal that I have had for the longest time.
To accomplish this goal will take a lot of prayer, asking the Lord to be my backbone. I will also need support from all those that love me and want the best for me. I believe that it will take me two months to reach this goal. This will take me being the man Heavenly Father wants me to be, the husband my wife needs me to be, the pet owner that my dogs need, and the future Daddy that my children deserve.
A while back Elder McCannon gave me a priesthood blessing and in the blessing he told me that I will walk again without the walker, that I will not need any assistance if I give it my full effort of body and soul that the Lord will hep me to do this. A long time ago Sister Mullins promised me that if I kept the Word of Wisdom that I would walk again. At the time, I had not been walking at all. I am ready to cash in on these promises, but I need your help to not get discouraged. I AM GOING TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS TIME THAT I STEP UP AND NOT FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF ANYMORE. With the Lord's help I will accomplish this goal that I have had for the longest time.
Pat and Melissa's goals for the Big Jud Double or Nothing
Pat:
- Get up in time to have family scripture study each day (6:30 weekdays and 8 on weekends and holidays)
- Read 20 minutes every day
- Effective scripture study every day
- 15 minutes of exercise every day.
Double or Nothing
It's a Big Jud's Double or Nothing Challenge. Here are the rules:
*Each participant must choose two items to work on daily.
*Each participant should choose one item that requires a duration of time (i.e. 20 minutes, 15 minutes of something.) and one task that does not (i.e. getting up at a certain time). This will allow for make up days.
*Each participant must let me know that they want to do the challenge by August 20th. I will provide a list of participants on the blog.
*Each participant must let me know which two items they are working on by August 20th so that I may also list this on the blog.
*Each participant must choose some method of tracking and reporting progress to the rest of the group. I think that charts are a great tracking mechanism, Pat and I will probably do a chart with routine blog updates. (I would also suggest having a buddy to provide encouragement.)
*Once the challenge is underway, no modifications can be made to an individual's goal without express consent of the group.
*Each participant agrees to work together to constructively help each other meet goals. I.e. no putdowns
*No dropping out if you start to hit a slump. Instead, let us know so that we can help you.
*Contest length will be one year. For the Atwood family, this will allow us to have our celebration when the family is visiting for Loren's homecoming.
*You don't have to be a family member or live in the Emmett area, if you want to participate, let me know and we can work something out.
*Periodic extra credit challenges may crop up to help even the playing field. :)
The payoff:
*For those who will be in the Emmett area, dinner at Big Jud's. If Pat and/or Melissa have the most days, the other participants can buy our lunch/dinner. If anyone beats us, we will pay for their dinner (including the Big Jud's challenge if you wish to do so).
***Pat and Melissa are having an internal buddy challenge, whoever looses has to do the dishes the whole next month.
How the winner(s) is determined:
*Since we will be doing two tasks for 365 days, the winner will be the person who has the highest number of days out of the possible 730.
*To prevent discouragement and to allow flexibility for tight schedules, for the time specific tasks, make up days are allowed by doubleing up the time on the next day. (i.e. instead of reading 20 minutes each day, Pat may choose to read 40 minutes every other day).
*To prevent procrastination, make up days are only allowed within the same calendar week that the item was missed. So you can never do more than 7 days catch up.
We hope you all want to participate, let us know by August 20th if you do.
*Each participant must choose two items to work on daily.
*Each participant should choose one item that requires a duration of time (i.e. 20 minutes, 15 minutes of something.) and one task that does not (i.e. getting up at a certain time). This will allow for make up days.
*Each participant must let me know that they want to do the challenge by August 20th. I will provide a list of participants on the blog.
*Each participant must let me know which two items they are working on by August 20th so that I may also list this on the blog.
*Each participant must choose some method of tracking and reporting progress to the rest of the group. I think that charts are a great tracking mechanism, Pat and I will probably do a chart with routine blog updates. (I would also suggest having a buddy to provide encouragement.)
*Once the challenge is underway, no modifications can be made to an individual's goal without express consent of the group.
*Each participant agrees to work together to constructively help each other meet goals. I.e. no putdowns
*No dropping out if you start to hit a slump. Instead, let us know so that we can help you.
*Contest length will be one year. For the Atwood family, this will allow us to have our celebration when the family is visiting for Loren's homecoming.
*You don't have to be a family member or live in the Emmett area, if you want to participate, let me know and we can work something out.
*Periodic extra credit challenges may crop up to help even the playing field. :)
The payoff:
*For those who will be in the Emmett area, dinner at Big Jud's. If Pat and/or Melissa have the most days, the other participants can buy our lunch/dinner. If anyone beats us, we will pay for their dinner (including the Big Jud's challenge if you wish to do so).
***Pat and Melissa are having an internal buddy challenge, whoever looses has to do the dishes the whole next month.
How the winner(s) is determined:
*Since we will be doing two tasks for 365 days, the winner will be the person who has the highest number of days out of the possible 730.
*To prevent discouragement and to allow flexibility for tight schedules, for the time specific tasks, make up days are allowed by doubleing up the time on the next day. (i.e. instead of reading 20 minutes each day, Pat may choose to read 40 minutes every other day).
*To prevent procrastination, make up days are only allowed within the same calendar week that the item was missed. So you can never do more than 7 days catch up.
We hope you all want to participate, let us know by August 20th if you do.
Big Juds
Pat tried the one pound burger challenge but was only able to eat about 2/3 of the burger, 1/3 of the fries, and 2/3 of the soda. Yeah for him, it was a very heroic effort.
For those who don't know, the challenge is to eat a 1 pound burger with all the fixings, 1 lb of home cut fries, and 32 ounces of soda. You only have 30 minutes and if you can do it, you can by a Big Jud's Tshirt for a discounted price. There is a double challenge which involves twice as much food but you get a free meal and Tshirt. Very few have succeeded.
As a consulation prize we got Pat a tshirt that says "People say I'm amazing" because that's how we all feel about him.
For those who don't know, the challenge is to eat a 1 pound burger with all the fixings, 1 lb of home cut fries, and 32 ounces of soda. You only have 30 minutes and if you can do it, you can by a Big Jud's Tshirt for a discounted price. There is a double challenge which involves twice as much food but you get a free meal and Tshirt. Very few have succeeded.
As a consulation prize we got Pat a tshirt that says "People say I'm amazing" because that's how we all feel about him.
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