Halloween Fun!

It has been an insanely busy day...but a great one! The whole family had a blast! Happy Halloween to everyone!

Carving Pumpkins

Blogging has been delayed to a broken camera, but we found the charger for our old one...and we are back to being digital! This week for Family Home Evening, we carved pumpkins, ate dinner to the candlelight of our Jack-o-lanters, and had pumpkin spice cake. We love fall!!

Goodbye Beautiful Weather...

I swear that we had NO fall here. I guess it could have been when I was sick or in the hospital, but it went from HOT to freezing. My tomatoes have frozen over...the fireplace has become an eternal flame...and Aana's teacher is requiring mittens for the kids to play at recess.

Today it warmed up a bit, so we were actually able to go out and snap few last pics of outdoor fun! (with no coats!) As much as I was ready for the heat to end...I wasn't read for freezing! Oh beloved Fall..where are you?

Eating to Live vs. Living to Eat

I have thought about this alot...and I know they often say, we are what we eat, but I am just in this delimma where I can't commit to either side. For example...I start the day with an amazing green smootie power packed with amazing fresh fruits, flax, wheat germ, and tons of KALE, but

I can't even wait until lunch before I am scooping out Nutella by the spoonful. Notice this container is gone. This isnt' my everyday habit, but if it isn't that...it is something else. (My dearest Nutella...you are gone, but will not be forgotten!)

Training for a Marathon...

Don't be too impressed...

Aana is the one training, not Larry or myself. But that doesn't diminish her hard work! She did it last year and is training again this year. It is a fun kids marathon program where kids run at least a mile 5 times a week for to total at least 25 miles...and next weekend they finish the last 1.2 miles to complete their "marathon." They get to run across a nice timed finish line, get a big medal, and a t-shirt. Aana is devout in her training...and will even run the treadmill if the weather isn't nice, or we forget to run with her. (And addie likes to take a few steps with her "running" shoes on when Aana is done...)

I am sorry....this has been a BORING month!

I must apologize...I have NOTHING to post, because I have done nothing this month! I am feeling better and getting stronger...so we will be back to doing fun things as a family that I can report. Thanks for your patience!

Aana's First Grade Open House

While I was sick, my parents took Aana to her First Grade open house. I felt bad missing out on something that was so important to Aana, so they took pictures for me.

I LOVE the phoenetic spellings on Aana's poster that she made about herself. That is one of my absolute favorite parts of when children learn to read! She was also asked what she wanted to be when she grows up...and she said "A MOM!" I adore motherhood and am glad that she sees that as something to look forward to!

Aana and Grandma

FYI: Misdiagnosed and hospitalized...but I'm still alive!

Well, the ER had it wrong...REALLY wrong!!
Yes, you heard it right....the WHOLE time I was in excrutiating pain, it was actually because they didn't notice I had appendicitis when I went to the ER. DUH!! My doctor actually told me he "was better with gun shot wounds and trauma and that he was trying to remember about this from boards." I went in with severe abdominal pain and they didn't even run the tests to eliminate appendicitis. He sent me home with 32 hours worth of pain medicine on Labor day weekend and told me to rest.

So, I went to two other doctors after the ER trying to get some answers. They were still following the diagnosis of ovarian cysts and were to a point where they took me in the hospital for surgery on my ovaries and I was told there was a strong chance that the doctor would have to take one out and possibly my uteris. He sent me in for one last CT scan before they wheeled me in for surgery and they discovered that my appendix had ruptured (yes...9 days after my ER visit where this should have been noticed!!!) and my abdomen was completely covered in infection and toxins. I have been told time and time again that I am so lucky to be alive. They immediately checked me into the hospital where I stayed almost a week until I begged to get out so that I could get a good nights rest without buzzers, beeps, nurses, blood draws at 4 am, and more. I came home on Tuesday and the next few days I tanked to a point where I think I was worse than when I was in the hospital. (oh and...did I mention that Larry had left for a seminar in Oregon when we thought it was just cysts...and I was hospitalized while he was gone for 4 days...BAD TIMING!)

Many prayers were answered when I finally started improving on Saturday. Now I am slowly recovering...I am weak, but determined to be grateful for my overall good health. My heart breaks for those who have to live with family members so ill or in the hospital. It was quite a trail, but I was also immensely blessed and my life was preserved. I wish I had a picture of all the cards, flowers, and kind thoughts that were brought into my hospital room. People taught me novels about sincere "charity" and warmed my heart. I will be eternally grateful for the charity and kindness of others. I have been better taught how to give of myself while others are in need and I promise to grow from the experience.

I must also take a moment to thank my amazing parents...especially my mother, who stood tirelessly cared for me, my illness, my children, home, plants, and family for the last three weeks. She is a woman of great love and exemplifies charity...and does it with a smile. Thank you, Mom... I have always known how lucky I am to have you, but the Lord has reminded me yet again!!

To the dreadful ER and beyond...

Last Thursday I ended up spending ALL night at the ER. I was having a normal day when after dinner, I found myself doubled over in pain...covered in sweat..and unable to breathe or more. I tried to lay down for a while...got a blessing, and saw no improvement so I decided to go into the ER. That place is a disgusting mess of bizarre people...and is actually the last place a germaphob like me wants to be when I am in excrutiating pain...but I survived.

They quickly noticed that I wasn't faking it and doped me up pretty well and surprisingly fast with an iv full of something that definitely put me out. They ran test after test...and found nothing more than abnormal ovarian cysts. They sent me home later with pain medicine and told me to stay in bed for at least a week. Today is day three...and I finally wondered down to the computer. I am barely able to roll over and am still in completely horrific pain...some dull and constant, but the worst being a sharp, shooting pain that grips my body and takes away my breath for a while.

Last night I blacked out and fell down the stairs and later blacked out and fell on the floor in my room while trying to get back in bed. I really don't feel well, and I would give anything to just return to my daily routine...kids, dishes, laundry, errands. This is miserable. Please keep me in your prayers. (And hopefully my next post will be that I am so grateful to be mobile again and to be feeling better!) Overall, I am very healthy and I am so grateful for that. I can see that this would be very trying for families...and I know so many people have to endure it. I am hurting now and this is all I can handle of sitting in a chair...I going back to bed.

Mommy spider...and the confused child

Last night we went on a family walk and we came across this spider. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was HUGE. I have seen tarantulas at zoos and exibits, but this was in the street right beside my house. It was bigger than a 50 cent piece and was disgusting. It as covered with hundreds of babies on its back...and was really neat to watch.

I tried to send Larry back to kill it, since it was so near my house and meant they would likely end up in my yard. Aana had a full melt down...and started quoting my teachings to her, but took them a BIT out of context. "Jesus made everyone and we are ALL special...It has a life and is special too...it is just a Mom trying to take care of her babies just like you..."

1st day of First Grade

We have been counting down the days for school to start...and it finally has! Aana is thrilled...

Addie and I put her on the bus this morning, but we miss her already. I am sure she is in heaven!

Official end of a great decade...beginning of another!

I am sorry to all readers that you have to hear more about my birthday...but it is my blog, so I guess it is okay. But this is the last post on that topic for this year...

But yesterday was a wondeful day. I started the day by going to a massage with my Mom at a great spa nearby. It was my first real massage and it was AMAZING!! Thank you Mom!! I think I am in love... (with you and massages!)

After that, a friend took me to lunch at Olive Garden and it was great. Kidless lunch, great company...good food! Later, we went to my parents house for a the big celebration. I loved it...because it was very personalized to ME. We had a great grilled cilantro-lime chicken salad with southwest dressing. After that we had some games going out in the lawn and my parents had it all set up to mine for gems in their backyard. They had bags of rocks/dirt from an emerald/ruby mine and it was all set up so we could rinse, sift, and look for gems. Larry and Aana found the best treasures so far, but it is still set up so we are going back to look for more. Dessert was a sinful chocolate cake . And anyone that knows me knows I LOVE CHOCOLATE! The company was great and the gifts were very thoughtful, but I think my favorite was a beautiful poem my dad had written me and framed. When you come to my house, you will have to read it... I will cherish it forever! Thanks Mom, Dad, and Larry for a great celebration...Thanks John, Melanie, Mark, Bree, Mom, Dad, Larry, and kids for coming! It was perfect! Now enough of the birthday stuff!

Aana and Wyatt

The serving dish Bree made for my birthday.

My AWESOME wife has turned the big 30!!!!!!

Believe it or not, this is my first post on our family blog, I know, I'm lame. It took me awhile to just figure out how to post, but hear I am. I just wanted to recognize Shanda's birthday and give her 30 reasons why I love her.

1. Lets just get this one out of the way... She is HOT!!!!!!!!!!
2. She is a awesome cook
3. The best mother in the world (sorry other moms, but it is true, live with it)
4. Wonderful, caring wife
5. great tennis player (she can whip me)
6. always thinks about others before herself
7. always fulfills her church callings above and beyond
8. wonderful testimony
9. very smart (if anything ever happen to me, she could support our family day one)
10. loves me for who I am (i have some issues)
11. makes me laugh
12. incredibly thoughtful
13. supports my byu football addiction
14. she is very outgoing
15. can talk to complete strangers (that might sound weird, but it is a good quality, trust me)
16. great example for my girls ( i want my girls to be just like her)
17. calls to check on me at work (i love that)
18. looks great in a bathing suit (i know that is similar to #1, but it has to be said)
19. works hard
20. she always smells good
21. never had a cavity
22. she makes me want to be a better person
23. good speller
24. always has dinner ready for me when I get home
25. laughs at my stupid jokes
26. always interested in what I think about her hair
27. always remembers the little things that make me happy
28. makes me look good (she does this in a lot of ways)
29. always knows what I am thinking
30. She is my best friend

I love you Shanda, Happy Birthday

Larry

30 Things TO DO before I turn 30...

About six months ago, I sat down and wrote out a list of 30 things that I wanted to do before I turned 30. My time is winding down and I am still working on my list, but I am pretty happy with my progess. (deadlines help...and I couldn't procrastinate my birthday!)

My list included things of all types...silly, serious, spiritual, goal oriented, personal, and just things that I wanted to do to say that I did.

There were things I wanted to try...including rock climbing, ice skating, and snorkeling. I took a spontaneous trip, I started learning Memorized the articles of faith (go ahead...test me!), I started writing a personal history, got all the closets in the house organized (that was quite the task!!), I tried dying my hair darker (because I have always been blonde), I grew veggies, how to cook with wheat instead of white flour (for better health), I learned a new hobby (and that was tennis..I had never played in my life until recently), I wanted to win a game playing a sport (also tennis...but, to my credit, that is the only sport I have tried), I took dance lessons (... and I am dying to take more!). There were several other things on my list... and probably the more important ones that were personal goals I set for myself. I would feel strange reporting those a public blog, but I have challenged myself...and I have grown.

This last decade has brought a lot of change in my life and a ton of blessings. In the last ten years, I have: fallen in love, been married, graduated from college moved cross country a few different times, had children, worked many jobs, adjusted to being a stay at home mom, made many friends, learned millions of things, had many trails...and learned to seek the Lord and find the silver lining in trials.

For those number people, in the last 10 years, I have lived in 15 houses/apartments, had 4 different cars, gone through 6 digital cameras, worn out 5 computers, given birth to 2 girls , went 1 day without chocolate and so much more.

I loved my 20s, but look to my 30s with a lot of excitement...

BRING IT ON!!

Kids and their Imaginative play...

I am just not sure how they think of this first thing after they wake up. I am thinking about crawling back into to bed..or breakfast.

They are trying to figure out what imaginary world to explore today!

Bye, Bye Binkie...

I know this is incredibly cheezy, but I am learning that you need to use different methods for different children. For our dear Addie...we procrastinated giving up the pacifier during bed time until now. We have tried talking her out of it several times (which worked well with Aana...) so we finally had to step it up to make her comply.

We got a Dairy Queen blizzard cake and had a few friends come over for her Bye, Bye Binkie celebration. We ate and played for a minute...and put her binkie collection under her pillow for the Fairy to come get. She woke up this morning to a couple of prizes under her pillow and she was very excited. Finally, we are binkie free at our house!

Bear Lake...17 bedrooms...and the stomach flu

Last week we drove to Bear Lake to stay with my in-laws and the Payne branch of the family. We had around 55 people staying in one house. It was a LARGE 12,000 sq ft house with over 17 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms, a pool, hot tub, park, theater room, volleyball and more. (like the stomach flu...yes, you read that right!)

We had a great time catching up, playing games, enjoying the beach, exploring caves, visiting pioneer museums, and more. Aana and Addie just disappeared with all of the cousins and we hardly saw them the whole weekend. They were in heaven! Some funny things happened...like accidentally heating the outdoor pool to above 104 degrees, but those are great memories.

We also got to see some of my family, since we staying about 30 mins from where I was born. We loved seeing everyone and wish we could have the best of BOTH worlds and be near each of our families. We were reminded of how blessed we are to have such supportive, amazing people in our lives.

Sugar and Spice...and everything NICE... (or PINK and FLUFFY)

That's what little GIRLS are made of!