Simple pleasures

So we were getting ready to go out to eat and we couldn't find Gracie or Jaemon and when we came outside, there they were jumping around in rain puddles and having a great time!

I love the simple pleasures of childhood, like rain puddles! Life doesn't get any better than that! What if we all jumped around in puddles? Wouldn't that be fun?

Well, I just loved watching them laugh and play and get all wet!

When we were driving away we noticed the beautiful rainbow and Brennan explained to the little guys the significance of it. Jaemon promptly said "so Jesus IS watching us right mom?" All I could say was, "yeah buddy, he sure is!!!"

Sept 4 2008

Do you ever have a day where the world just seems right?

Today was one of those days!

Rachael, my youngest sister got married to a great guy.

If that was all, that would be enough, but there is so much more to the story!

Rach has been through a lot in the past few years and I have been fortunate enough to have been able to be there for her, (as big sisters should, right?) during some of the hard times.

In the temple, I was just so overwhelmed with happiness for her. I don't know why, but I think sometimes, sisters share a real physical bond and they can feel each others emotions. I felt hers today. I felt the loneliness, the sadness, the insecurities, the anxieties and the doubting melt away and in their place was peace, warmth, love, hope, security, and faith. I can't describe how happy I am for her, and I hope and pray with all my heart this marriage will last forever! She so deserves it!!!

We were honored to have their wedding dinner in our backyard. We worked hard to make it nice for them and I hope they enjoyed themselves. The food was delicious, the people were so sweet and everyone was happy. 

It was a beautiful day, congrats Germ and Jared, we love you!!!!!

My 1st 10k

Well, I never thought I'd say this, but I ran (and finished!!) my 1st 10k on labor day this year!

I have to say, it was very exhilerating! And also, pretty hard!! But hey, I didn't come in last, I came in 39th, and 9th for my age group!! Not too shabby!!!!!!

My friend, Marcia and I have been working towards it all summer, she is a very experienced runner and really helped me along! I am so glad she was there for me!!!

What an amazing feeling it is to set a goal like this and actually accomplish it! 

I have really tried this year to get and stay in shape with different work outs and activities and running was probably my least favorite, but after getting the hang of it and really commiting myself to it, I have to say that I really enjoy it now. I love getting up early when the sun is just coming out over the mountains and listening to the steady rhythm of my shoes on the pavement and trying to keep my breathing steady and even. It's amazing the way I've been able to clear my head and work out things while I've been running, it's become therapy for me! So, I did it and I am proud of myself!! I hope I can do it again....maybe a half marathon next time!!! :)

David and Allies wedding

My baby brother got married on Aug 20! He married a very sweet girl named Allie and she fits in perfectly!

They got married in the Bountiful temple, it was a beautiful day.

It is really neat to have such great examples for my kids. I hope they will follow in the footsteps of their aunts and uncles, who they admire and will get married at the right time and in the right place!!! I am thankful for my wonderful family, for amazing parents, and siblings. I couldn't ask for better!!

I 

have mixed feelings about the first day of school! Part of me loves it, the new backpacks, new shoes, new clothes, autumn on the way. But, also, I hate the end of summer! No

 more late nights, no more easy going days, and most of all, my big kids are gone! I miss them!!

I love having them home, 

not just to help me,  which they do, alot, but it's 

nice to have them to myself and enjoy their fun personalities!!

I remember when

 I was growing up

 my mom always said, "remember who you are" when I left the house and thin

king, What the heck is that supposed to mean?

Well, now I know and I say it to my kids too. It means not only, that you are my baby and I love you, and you have values to uphold....but also, you are a child of God, with hugely infinite worth. Don't ever forget that! Don't let others or things ever make you feel inferior. You have so much going for you, don't settle for anything that in any way takes away from your self worth.

It's a valuable lesson for everyone I think andI'm glad my mom taught it to me!

                                       

       I am utterly in shock that I have a child old enough to go to high school. Josh started as a Sophomore at the new Salem Hills High and I feel old, yet I remember so well those high school days. The pressure to fit in, the joy OF fitting in, the pain of not, and the freedom of becoming a young adult. I'm not sure that I'm ready for that for my baby boy. He is such a great kid, I am so spoiled, and I hope he stays like that! He is taking some tough classes and of course, can't wait for basketball to start!

Jenica is in 8th grade and I think she will love it! She is in show choir this year and is so excited to sing Wicked songs, and perform on stage. This year is a toughy for newly acquired "teenage-dom!" 

 She likes boys and wants them to like her, but we won't let her go to dances, still has limits on her cell phone, and we still have rules! What a bummer! She is an awesome, very responsible girl, I am so happy to see her grow into such  a sweetie!

                 

                 Brennan is almost 10 and in 4th grade. I am also blown away by that! He has Mrs Tuckett, who Jenica had and is getting to be quite independent! He is learning that he has a lot of friends that look 

up to him and watch him. I hope he will be a good example to them and not push all the limits, he tends to try to "get away"with whatever he can!!! I love his personality and his willingness to always 

help whenever he can. He is very sensetive to other people's needs, I hope he always stays like that!!

My little Ty-Bug is almost 8. I can't describe how I feel about his little life! He came so close to not having one, that every achievement and accomplishment is so amazing for him! I am so proud of him and how he's growing. He is learning so much and like most 2nd graders, has funny little fears and anxieties. He is convinced there is going to be a volcano or flood at any time! He has a great teacher this year, and I know he will just love it. I am so thankful for Ty, he always has a hug and kiss for me and his siblings and tries so hard at everything!

I will miss them while they are gone during the day, but I'm so thankful that they can go to school and learn and grow in so many ways. I have so many hopes and dreams for all of them and I hope they can fill their potential. I guess mom's always hope for better things then they had, I had a lot of opportunities, but I know they have more and I am banking on them going for it! Making great things out of their lives! I am so blessed to have them and even though I'm sad to not have them home with me, I know they are where they need to be!!

I love you guys!! Remember who you are!!

Rachael's and Jared's pics and s'mores!

I am so excited for my baby sister! She is marrying an amazing guy who treats her like a princess and will make her happy! She deserves it! I got to take some pictures for them in our backyard, they will be having their wedding dinner here and we are honored to celebrate that special day with them! After the pictures we had a great time pigging out on s'mores and playing outside! S'mores for FHE is the way to go!!!

A day at the lake!

We had a fun day playing at Deer Creek. We rented a boat for the day with Jared and Becky and their kids. We had so much fun on the tube and in the sand! What a fun summer day, it's nice to do an activity that makes EVERYONE happy!!!!