Counting Blessings instead of....Cows

Today I took Sydney on a Bike ride to Salem Pond. The ride is almost 7 miles one way. We usually ride out there and have a picnic lunch and Syd plays on the swings, etc at the park, then we come home. Today we saw several animals on our route. As we passed each set of livestock Sydney would yell out "Hi Cows, Hi Llamas, etc"

We got to the park and ate our lunches. I pushed Sydney on the swing and told her that we had about 10 minutes to play before we needed to head home to be here in time for Ryan to come home from school. Right about the time I said that a group of handicapped children arrived at the park. There were about 6 of them and they each had a leader with them. I think they ranged in age from 5-6 years old. One child was blind and they were teaching him to walk with a stick. They others had pretty severe handicaps and they were getting some physical therapy by trying to lift their legs to climb the stairs. I was standing near a slide that has a wooden bridge connected by chains that spans from the steps to the actual slide. Each leader helped the children across the bridge and I told them I would catch them as they came down. The kids squealed with delight as they slid down the very short slide. They all had smiles on their faces and I marveled at what could put a smile on a face of a child.

As we left the park I silently thanked God for my many blessings. I have two healthy happy children. They can walk, they can talk, they can see, they can hear. There are so many things that I take for granted every day. I tend to get discouraged over my imperfections, and then I have an experience like I had today and it all gets put back into perspective.

7 Years ago today

Seven years ago today, I realized how important the sense of touch was. Ryan was 3 weeks post transplant and Brett and I were allowed to remove our gowns, masks and gloves. I'll never forget the feeling of having skin contact with our son again. We went over a month without it. I know that many others have it much worse, but I am so grateful for the miracle of that day. Here are some pictures to commemorate the day.

The Things I like to do - The perspective of a 4-year-old named Sydney

After being chastised by Sydney about not writing things down, I promised her that I would go home and let her tell me the things she likes to do at age 4. This is what she said:

• I like to play with my brother.
• I like to play with my mom and dad
• I like to play with my friends
• I like to ride my bike
• My favorite food is Pizza
• My favorite movie is "High School Musical I and II"
• My favorite song is anything High School Musical and I love "Stupid ol Pickup Truck" by Taylor Swift
• My favorite shoes are my princess shoes (she wears her brown knee-high boots with EVERYTHING though)

So, there you have it. A couple of years from now when she wants to know what she did when she was 4, I will turn back to this handy blog entry.

Didn't you write it down?

Today Sydney and I took the Camry to get the oil changed. As we were driving, Syd was asking me questions about what Ryan did when he was 4. I was only half way paying attention and I said "I don't know," to which she promptly replied "Well, didn't you write it down?" I think I have been called to repentance by my 4-year-old.

ABC's of ME

A - Attached or single: Uhh, Attached. I don't ever want to be single again.
B - Best friend: Brett
C - Cake or pie: Pie...I guess. Don't really like either.
D - Day of choice: Any day that I finish a triathlon. It makes the training seem much more worth it.
E - Essential item: Anything that helps in the kitchen. I'm a sucker for kitchen gadgets.
F - Favorite color: Purple, However, right now I think my favorite color combination is pink and brown.
G - Gummy bears or worms: Worms.
H - Hometown: Heber, AZ - aka - the middle of NOWHERE
I - Indulgence(s): hot bath, time for myself
J - January or July: Both - I love the seasons. I love the reflection of January, but also love having warm weather once July rolls around.
K - Kids: Two - the greatest kids a mom could ask for. Thanks Ryan and Sydney
L - Life is incomplete without: My family, the gospel, and a good pair of running shoes
M - Marriage date: April 24, 1997
N - Number of siblings: 5
O - Oranges or apples: How can you choose one? I love apples fresh from the orchard, and oranges too. Too bad we don't have an 'Orange Patch' in UT.
P - Phobias or fears: Losing Brett or my kids. Having to have knee replacement surgery.
Q - Quotes: The grass is not greener on the other side - The grass is greener where it is watered!
R - Reason to smile: A clean house, funny things the kids say, a healthy body
S - Season of choice: Spring/Fall - Not too hot/Not too cold
T - Tag three (or four) friends: Hmm, I'll pass on this one. I have no idea who even reads this thing
U - Unknown fact about me: If I told you, it wouldn't be unknown now would it?
V - Very favorite store: Cafe Rio - Is that a store? It sells food...
W - Worst habit: beating myself up....I'm bad at it
X - X-ray or ultrasound: Ultrasound
Y - Your favorite food: Ooohh, that's a hard one. I love Mexican food and Chinese

Z - Zodiac sign - Libra

Hobblecreek Canyon

I had forgotten how good it felt to run Hobblecreek Canyon. On Saturday, Ron and I drove up the canyon 6 miles and ran home to Terry and Annette's house. I absolutely love that run. Ron was gracious and followed my pace. I was sore for the rest of the week. I usually worry about my knees, ok, so I did worry about my knees, but they were fine during and after the run. By Sunday the rest of my body was so sore I could hardly walk. I will just have to run more often so that doesn't happen.

Catching UP

Last week Shane and Ron visited us from Texas. We took Ron ice fishing on Thursday and I think we are the wrong group of people to go fishing together. We didn't catch a thing. Well, Ron "caught" a couple, courtesy of some other groups out on the lake. It's a running joke around our house because every time we go fishing Terry, Brett's dad goes to Sportsman's Warehouse to buy bait. EVERY trip he ends up talking to some "old boy" (Terry's words) and they tell him the 'bait' to use. EVERY trip he spends 15-20 bucks on this 'miracle bait' and we never catch a thing on it. We usually catch fish with a trusty ol' worm, which I HATE to touch, but I'm getting better.

As we were getting ready to go out on the lake Terry befriended a 'professional' fisherman. Smart guys I think. They tout their stuff and get a free ride across the lake to their 'special' spot. I keep thinking that I'd love to mock them until my throat is sore, but they caught fish, and I didn't so they must be doing something right. We spent the day watching our poles very carefully only to leave empty handed. Ron proved that he would be a great candle maker as he lowered his pole and raised it several times only to have ice build up on his line. I've never seen so much ice buildup on a line.

When we got bored, we would go out on the snowmobiles. I no longer enjoy riding the dang things. There's something about flipping one that makes a person not want to get back on. At about 1pm we started packing up to go home. Terry and Ron were out on the snowmobiles so Brett and I put everything up and just laid by the sled that Terry has made to put all of the gear in. When they returned we hooked it on to the snowmobile. Terry asked me to go to the 'professionals' tent and let them know we were leaving.

As I approached their tent I said "knock, knock". They opened up the little zippered door and I let them know we were leaving. The guy said, "Well, are you going to pull us back with your sled?" I told him he needed to get ready because we were leaving right then. I wanted to tell him - It's not a sled - it's a S-N-O-W-M-O-B-I-L-E! Oh well! We took our stuff back to the truck and Terry and Brett went back to take them closer to shore. They didn't take their tent down! I wish I would have been watching as these men were trying to hold on to their tent as they moved their way back across the lake. I was too busy taking off my snow pants, boots, etc.

All in all we had a pretty fun day, even though we didn't catch a fish.

Sydney's new room

Today while Brett is out snowmobiling, I thought I would put Sydney's room back together. I have been painting it for a while and now it is finally back to where she can sleep in it again. Here are a few pictures of the before and after

Before:

After:

Next project: The front room aka Brett's office

"Mom, I pee like a boy!"

Tonight after Family Home Evening we were getting the kids ready for bed when I heard Ryan screaming - "She did it! She did it!" I went into the hallway and I asked him what Sydney did. He said "She peed standing up." Shortly behind Ryan came Sydney - She was so proud. She said she just spread her legs a little bit more and she peed standing up. Now that's a proud mommy moment.

Happy Birthday Bone Marrow

Today we celebrated Ryan's 7th Bone Marrow Birthday. We sent him on a scavenger hunt for a Nintendo game that we had purchased several months ago. He was really excited and played for a while. He complained of a stomach ache so we gave him some breakfast and I think he felt better. I am forever in awe that we have traveled the rocky road of a bone marrow transplant and that Ryan is a healthy, happy boy. He is very special to us.

So, to Ryan - Happy Bone Marrow Birthday, Happy Birthday!

Wedding Bells

On Sunday Ginger, my brother-in-law's fiancee' called to tell me that they received their letter from the First Presidency. her previous sealing was canceled, but she has not been cleared to be sealed for a year. So, she and Brian have decided to get married. She said she knew it would be short notice, but she would love to have us there. She handed the phone to Brian and he said they are getting married on Thursday. I said - uh, as in THIS Thursday? He said, yes as in the 28th of February. Well, unfortunately, we are busy all weekend and we will not be able to make the trek to AZ for the wedding. I am very sad about that, but we just can't swing it this time. I wish all the best to Brian and Ginger for the many years to come.

Hinckley Challenge

A few weeks ago my sister Kati sent me a link to a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days in honor of President Hinckley's life. I was very close to finishing the book, so I was a few days late in starting the challenge that started on February 4th. So far I have done well in keeping up. Whomever put the site together has a cool little link that charts your progress. Hopefully I can get it to work on here...

Peanut Butter and Jelly and Plastic

For years now I have given Brett a little "surprise" from time to time in his lunch. This is not a normal occurrence, I've only surprised him three times in 11 years, although I think if I did it more often, he might get irritated and stop begging me to make him a sandwich in the mornings before he leaves for work. Well, today Brett was teasing me before he left for work and I decided it was a "surprise" day.

Wonder what the surprise is? Well, it is simple boys and girls. It is just a small piece of saran wrap that fits quite nicely in between a couple pieces of bread. It's large enough that he doesn't choke, but small enough not to be seen. I was very kind today, much more so than in the past and I put a paper towel in his bag so he could wipe off his hands. This works much better with ham or turkey, because once you take a bite, the lunch meat just slips right out.

I e-mailed Brett after lunch to see how his "swim" was and he caught right on. He told me he didn't swim, but rather he went to lunch with his boss. I told him he was lying... he tried that trick last time he was plasticized. He said I could e-mail his boss if I didn't believe him. So, I logged into his work e-mail and to get his boss' e-mail address and I saw that his boss had gone home early because he was sick. HA! Now I knew he was lying. I called his bluff and he told me that his coworkers were laughing at me. Ahh, that will teach him not to give me crap in the mornings.

Everyday Miracles

Recently I re-read the talk that President Henry B. Eyring gave at the October 2007 General Conference. He stressed the importance of writing in our journals. He recommended posing the question "Have I seen the hand of God in my life today?" I have pondered that question so much in the past couple of weeks. Sometimes stress seems to run high and I find myself wondering that very thing - Have I noticed, or even recognized God's hand in my life? Well, today as we traveled to Strawberry Reservoir to ice fish as a family, I thought to myself that I should watch a little better and recognize His hand in my life.

Around noon Ryan and I needed to use the restroom. Brett told me that if I followed lake around quite a ways to the right, I would see the boat dock and then the Marina and there should be a restroom that we could use. As I circled around the lake I saw the boat dock and a few trailers up near them. I assume that the trailers were the buildings that Brett was talking about. I drove the snowmobile near the fence and figured I would have to go around back to get to the buildings. I headed around the fence and got to a very deep part of snow.

The snowmobile I was riding did not go in reverse, so I figured I was at a point of no return and I would need to make it down the side of the mountain to get to where I needed to go. We were on a slant and we just kept getting closer and closer to a fence that had barbed wire at the top. The snow was so deep that the fence was almost completely covered, so it was mostly barbed wire that you could see. I just kept praying that we would be safe. We got about 2 feet away from the fence and I had Ryan get off the snowmobile. I kept the gas on and tried to steer the machine to a safe distance where we could get back on and make it down the hill. I got to a point where I thought it was safe to get back on and had Ryan get on, then I started to move again. Just as we started moving the snowmobile flipped on its side and Ryan and I both flew off. Ryan was scared, but acting very brave. He was worried that I was hurt, but thankfully, I wasn't. A little 11 year old girl came over to help me. Her family lives up there in the trailers and she and her brothers were sledding down the hill on the other side of the fence. She was such a sweetheart. She kept offering to call for help, but I just wanted to get the snowmobile back on its belly.

After rocking it several times and trying different positions with her pushing from one side and me pulling from the other, I suggested we have a prayer that we might get the snowmobile back in working position. We tried again and were so close, so I suggested that we try one last time. At last, we got it back up.

I tried starting the machine and it wouldn't start. By that time her cousin had come back to the house and she ran for help. While she was gone I said another prayer and asked that we could please get the snowmobile started and get safely off the mountain hill. A few pulls later, I got the machine started and sent her brother to tell her we were safe and off the mountain.

When we got home we were getting ready for bed and Ryan said "Mom, we experienced two miracles today." I said, "Yes, son we did." He said, "I could have been hurt really badly when the snowmobile flipped on its side."

He was right. We were so blessed that the snowmobile didn't roll and trap him underneath. I get teary just thinking about it. We could have easily been hurt or even killed. So, today as we traveled home, I thank my Heavenly Father for giving me strength and another every day miracle.

Valentine's Day

Each year for Valentine's Day, the tension can be cut like a knife around here. Brett has always felt like he shouldn't have to show me he loves me on that day because he shows me year round. While the latter is true, I have always been a little bit disappointed, ok a lot bit disappointed by the end of the evening. Well, this year Brett decided to surprise me. I fixed dinner and during dinner Ryan said something about not telling me what my Valentine's Day present was. I kind of looked at Brett and he scolded Ryan for saying anything. I guess he had spilled the beans to Ryan on the way to school. He figured that since it was the big day and the package was set to be delivered that he was safe. Ryan didn't tell me "what", but at that point I knew there "might" be something. Brett kept checking the computer throughout the afternoon, and I just figured he was checking e-mail etc. After 6pm, we realized that the package was not coming...whatever the package was. Brett was so frustrated. I was razzing him because nothing had come and it was just like every other year. He called me over to the computer and showed me the tracking number of the flowers that he purchased on JANUARY 22nd! He told me he loved me and that for Valentine's Day he got me a tracking number - HA - Poor Brett. I was excited on Friday when the flowers came. I think it has been over 4 years since I have received flowers from Brett. I had forgotten how good it felt. - Thanks Brett!

The card war

Last year Brett bought a great card for me for our anniversary

Then, on Mother's Day, he bought another great card

So, for Brett's birthday I found this card. If you don't find the humor in it, just ask Brett what happened when he tried to lick the beaters when he was a teenager and forgot to unplug the mixer....

Here is the card I got him for Valentine's Day. I have to have proof of what the card really says just in case he decides to blog about it himself. (I Want to FLY!!!)

While I don't think anything can beat the first card, I'm pretty impressed with myself and my card picking this year. We'll see what Brett is able to pull of in the future...

Girls Night Out

Last Friday I was invited to watch Pride and Prejudice with Emily and her mom Susan and sister Amy. It was a great night had by all. While the movie itself is a mere six hours, I think it was a must to set up all of the characters and the plot of the story. I think I need to read the book now. Sister Breinholt (Susan) bought Cafe Rio for all of us and Emily bought some pastries from Kneaders. As I ate the delicious food, I wondered how much I would have to work out so that I didn't have to lose a pound or two. Ahh, oh well. It was worth being able to get away from the kids for a night and enjoy some good company.

Thanks Brett for being such a great guy and watching the kids so I could go...

33 Years and counting

Today Brett celebrated his 33rd birthday. I did what any good wife would do and I e-mailed the guy who sits next to him at work and his manager giving them a heads up. They sang Happy Birthday to Brett and he was pretty embarrassed. I think I did my job :).

We didn't do too much for Brett's birthday. We had purchased a copy of Rayman Raving Rabbids for the Wii back in October and just saved it for the big day.


I also purchased some nutrition bars and some shampoo that takes chlorine out of your hair.
Brett is swimming three times a week and it takes about 3 showers to get the chlorine out, so I thought I'd buy some shampoo and see how that works. He informed me that he was going to buzz his head, so maybe I'll just take the shampoo and use it myself. We made a basket full of his gifts and sent him on a treasure hunt throughout the house to find it. I had him stumped a little bit and he kept asking the kids where the clues were. He must think I'm really stupid. I didn't tell the kids where the clues were. Sydney did do a great job of keeping a secret as to where the treasure actually was hidden though. I was proud of her.

We sure appreciate having Brett in our home. He is a great dad and a great husband. I appreciate his friendship and the hard work he puts in for our family. Happy Birthday Brett!!

Date Night

Saturday was our date night with the kids. It was my turn to have Ryan and he wanted to go bowling. So, we went to BYU and put our name on the list for a lane. The wait was about 25 minutes so we just watched others bowl.

Ryan felt like he knew quite a bit about bowling because he attended the Young Men's activity where they had a member of our ward talk about the basics of bowling for the bowling merit badge. He candidly talked about what the bowlers should be doing to get a strike. I was very entertained by his antics.
We were sitting behind a couple that was obviously dating. She couldn't roll the ball without shrugging her shoulders and smiling like a fool. Even Ryan noticed as he said "Wow Mom, a lot of people are dating around here." I got a good laugh out of that because after all we were on a college campus.

We finally got our chance to bowl. Ryan started out using their ramp, but soon figured he was grown up enough to do it on his own. I think he did a pretty good job.


Here are some pictures of the night:



After bowling we went to the grocery store. It always feels good to go shopping and come out with tons of stuff for not so much money. I had some rainchecks from Albertson's and got a few things from Smith's. I haven't used my coupons in a while, but I did Saturday and came out quite nicely. We even had a little bit of money left over from our date, so I let Ryan buy two packs of gum because I had a B1G1 coupon. He was thrilled that we had money left over.

I enjoy going out with the kids. On our way to BYU, Ryan talked to me about wanting to go on a mission. He made the comment that he hoped he could always make good decisions so he could serve a mission. I think that is pretty impressive for a 7 year old.

Evan's Baptism

On Saturday our family went to our little friend Evan's baptism. It is amazing how quickly time flies by. It seems that it wasn't all that long ago that we were all praying for Emily and Evan while they were in the hospital shortly after Evan's birth. I remember so clearly, Ben coming over to our house because Emily was in the ICU. It was a scary time. I also remember feeling so blessed that Emily's mom was able to come to UT from her mission in New York to be with Emily at such a critical time. At one point we were all invited to pray at a certain time of day. The spirit was so strong during that moment of prayer and thankfully 8 years later Ben and Emily have 4 beautiful children. It was great to see all of Ben and Emily's family members who attended the baptismal service. There is a lot of talent there, and a lot of love for each other between families.

After the baptism, we went to the Williams' home and watched President Hinckley's funeral. Then home to relax.