So, so sorry to keep you all waiting!

I know I'm so popular you all have been dying to know what we've been up too! (said sarcastically!)

In June, I worked hard in training for Ragnar and then ran it. I think I did well. M.C.'s cast came off which he absolutely loved! I gave a talk in sacrament meeting, went to girls camp, ran Ragnar, and camped out all in one week. Starr and Dimples started participating in a Library Mentor Reading program. They love to read and are doing very well. The three oldest started playing piano again. Love to hear them.

In July, We hiked Adams Canyon in Davis County. We had fun and I know we have pics but I'll have to post them later. I ran in the Riverdale "Old Glory Days" 5k with My S.I.L. Net. It was her first race and she was amazing! So proud of her. I ran a 6 mile trail run with my pals then went for a hike with the family up Waterfall Canyon. I must've twisted my knee or something sometime because I limped down the trail once we got out of tree cover. Ugh! I really need my knee back! I have a 10k in Sept. I'm training for! Starr got to go to Lagoon with two of my brothers and their kids. She had so much fun with them! Thanks guys! We've gone: swimming lots, to see fireworks, and to lots of bbq's and parties. The kids all have swim lessons and they are doing so well! Starr also got to attend a Babysitting class at McKay-Dee Hospital, which she enjoyed and learned a few things to help out with others.

There's more to come I'm sure, so for now, See ya!

Days 10 and 11

Day 10. I kinda just realized that I don't need to put the stinkin' date on the 30 days of gratitude posts. You all know what day I'm talkin' about. Silly me. I'm thankful for Books! I can escape from the world with my imagination and reading. Sometimes, that's not the best thing if the book is somewhat scary, but even still, I get to escape from things. It's one of the few things I get to do as a break from my kids, as much as I love them. I love books that end happy. I'm okay with other things happening during the book, but it needs to end happy. The reason for this is, it affects my mood with my hubby and kids. He knows when there is a scary or unhappy part in a book because of my mood. I know it's strange and hopefully I'm not some psychotic who later in life believes all the things I've read to be true, but I'm glad he knows. He teases me saying that our life with each other and the kids isn't the life of the character in the book I'm currently reading and it kinda takes me back a bit. I realize how silly I've been, apologize and we go on with reality. Thank goodness for books and for my hubby who doesn't enjoy reading, but lets me.
Day 11 My kids' Piano Teacher, Lisa. She has been playing since she was 5! She is so amazing. She works well with the kids. She has more patience than I could ever imagine. and unfortunately for us, she's going to stop teaching. I'm incredibly sad about it. I will probably shed tears before this is post is done. She has been teaching my kids for so long, I'm not sure what I'll do. She is a great friend of mine. She'll run with me, help me train, and she spots all the mountain lions out before I do. She helps me to understand my own kids a bit better. She can see which child o'mine is the one we have the hardest time getting to practice, and she offers advice of how to help her.
I understand that things get difficult for those that teach out of their home and I'm all for her happiness and well being. But, I want to be so selfish at this point and beg her to keep my three kids for lessons. I'll make it easy for her, I'll figure something out on how to help her with her own kids.
Okay, selfishness is done.
She is an awesome person and wonderful teacher, I only pray that we'll be able to find someone that I'll like and the kids will too. I don't think it happens very often, but I'm hoping for the best.
Thank You so much Lisa for all the hard work you've done with my kids!!!! I can't express it enough. Thank Trevor and the kiddos for me as well. They have given up their Mom/Wife for so long. Maybe in my dreams she'll say-I'll still teach your kids, because they are awesome and practice hard. Yeah, maybe I can keep on dreamin' it.

Green Eggs and Ham

Last night was Boy #1's first literacy and math night at school. It was a lot of fun! He colored a Dr. Seuss hat red and white, cut it out, then we stapled a strip of paper to fit his head to the hat. He also showed me how to tell time and they made a game with a clock. It was fun. There was a program. A teacher read parts of "Green Eggs and Ham" while the students recited the not-Sam-I-am parts. I didn't have my camera with me, of course, but we enjoyed having Green Eggs, Ham, a roll and hashbrown for dinner. I didn't know if I could stomach it.

The reason being? Stephen and Girl #1 made green eggs and ham once. While I was in my first trimester of pregnancy with both Girl #2 and Boy #1. I couldn't do it. Stephen has even made green and red eggs for Christmas. I still have a hard time seeing them.

I ate my Green Eggs and Ham meal with my son. It wasn't bad if you can seperate your eyes from your fork as your bringing it to your mouth. They tasted okay too. with ketchup. One more way to make them look gross right? Yeah, that's how it goes. After dinner, Stephen and I took Boy #1 for an ice cream cone. It was fun to have a little us and him time.

Our Christmas

It's never too late for Christmas!

Our Christmas season was a wonderful one. We celebrated with wonderful family members and friends. On Christmas Eve, we visited with Stephen's side of the family in Morgan. It was great. We had our traditional clam chowder and chili and a new soup- Hot dog soup. His aunt made it and it tasted yummy! This year for the gift exchange, only the great-grand kids who were there exchanged gifts. The rest of the adults donated the money they would've spent to cousin Baylen's charitable account. He is the one going through the medulla-blastoma treatments. What a great way to give back to our Lord (after all he has given and done for us) by donating to them so they can make it through this. The road to recovery is very long, but we believe that Baylen will make it. He is, by the way, done with radiation treatments and will start chemo soon. And he's doing very well for a 3 year old (soon to be 4.)

On Christmas day, we spent the morning opening presents from each other. The kids all loved what they received and loved to give gifts even more! We visited with our only-ever landlady for breakfast, then went to Stephen's parents for a late lunch. We then went to my parents for an even later dinner and pies.

We were late to almost everything we did, but, I was okay with it. Usually, I'm running around, not happy, screaming at everyone to get going. It is very, very, unpleasant. This year, I did a better job of trying to relax. I knew we'd be late to everything, therefore, I didn't have to worry about what my mom thought or my mother-in-law thought. We showed up when we could. And do you know what? everything worked out just fine. Nobody died because we were late. Nobody was crying, screaming, or unhappy. It just was a great and wonderful day. Like it is supposed to be.

I'm happy to say I finally got all 7 Harry Potter books, a yoga mat (from girl #1,) new pants and Pride and Prejudice the movie! Yay! I love this movie. It's my Favorite! It fills me with happy thoughts warm fuzzies, and what I loved more, was my husband FINALLY watched it with me. He laughed at the right times and was quiet when he needed to be. I do believe he enjoyed watching it with me and now understands a little bit more why I love to read the book. Happy feelings all the way around! Stephen was happy with what he got, a laptop, socks, legos, shoes, blah, blah, blah. The kids received what they wanted: Girl #1 a new bike, Girl #2 Art items, lots of them! Boy #1 a guitar (which hubby wants to teach him,) and Boy #2 Thomas sheets and blankets for a new bed, among other things for each of them.

We hope all you had a great Christmas, whether it was with extended family or just your own little one. We are thankful for wonderful family and friends to be around during the Christmas season and love that we can be involved with your lives. Thank You!

Book Club 11-17-2009

I joined a book club with my friends Amanda and Mel about 6 months ago, and I really like it. We have read some wonderful and great books, also a couple I wouldn't read again. I very grateful for the friends I have made in Book Club as well. They are wonderful women who think and act amazingly. They are very kind women, who don't judge you or a book by its cover. I love it!
I love to read, I like it. It is my escape from everything else in my life. Stephen's not too keen on my reading all the time, but he'll deal with it. I can spend hours upon hours on a good book. I re-read many of the books I own. There is one set of books I really want to get: Hard cover Harry Potter series. I found the cheapest place is Barnes and Noble.com and, ironically, buying all seven in a box set is cheaper than buying them individually. Stephen's not too excited about that, but I want my children to read them. I want them to learn to love reading as much as I do and I want it to be fun for them. I know some of them won't like it as much as I do, but I want them to read very well and to be able to succeed in life. Reading will help them do that. Anything you've ever wanted to know is written down somewhere.