Happy belated Birthday!

I have been a little busy lately and have forgotten to post some Happy Birthday wishes so here they are....

The first one goes to my cute sister in law Marcey! She is suchan amazing woman. She has raised 6 boys (well 7 if you count Dutch too). She si such supportive mom and attends ALL of the boys games (football and baseball) She works hard in the home and out. She always makes you feel welcome and loved. She always seems to have a positive spirit and is very outgoing. We love her very much and we want to thank her for everything she has done for us (even if it was just not being judgemental)

We love you Wice!

Next, I want to wish my cute little niece Megan, Happy Birthday (a day late) She is just a little bit older than Brekyn and they have grown up together. She is such a sweety and we love her very much!! We hope you had a wonderful day and we will see you soon!

Last, we need to wish our cute little nephew Wyatt a Happy Birthday also. He is getting so big now. We love him very much!

Happy Birthday to all of you! XOXOXO

Girl Scouts!

GO Dragons and Blue Monkeys!!!!

Brekyn played her first soccer game for the season. She did such an awesome job. Her team is called the Dragons. She got to play goalie and she rocked! A couple slipped past her but it wasn't all on her. I was very proud of her! It is nice to have her play and actually get into it. The first time she ever played, she was young and didn't really pay attention. So this year she was really excited to play because she understood the game a little better. I can't wait to see her grow this season.



Sydnie played her first fast pitch softball game tonight. She did awesome! Her whole team did awesome. They are called the
Blue Monkey's. This is the first year that our city has had girls softball and it is really exciting. We didn't have too many girls sign up (poor advertising) so there are only two teams. It is still a lot of fun though. The age span is pretty wide. We have girls from age 8 to 12. All the girls have showed good sportsmanship and they all help each other. I am really excited to see how the season goes. (and Yes that is Jon in there playing catcher. Somehow the catchers mask got misplaced, so not only did Jon play umpire, he had to catch too)
I have really gotten into Sydnie playing. I can actually help her out. I played for a couple of years so I kinda know the basics. Not that I am the best person to get coaching from, but I have helped out a little.

~Memory Tuesday~

I have really been thinking a lot lately about my life and how I really want to live it. My children have been setting such a good example for me lately. I have really been thinking of what the word Friendship means. There was an incident where Sydnie was faced with one of the hardest situations she has had to deal with and she handled it with such grace and maturity. She had a friend humiliate her in front of everyone around and Syd didn't let it get to her. She turned around with a smile and went about her day. Now, my mom was there to witness this situation and she wanted more than anything to run and protect her from this so called friend, but she knew that Sydnie would make the right choice in how to act and she did. She amazed me. She chose to be the bigger person and I am so proud of her for that. She is learning what true friendship means and how to really be a good friend. Not one of convenience. That is what she has been facing during her first week of Junior High.
We all try and teach our children right from wrong and hope that they take what we have taught them and put it to good use, but to actually witness this happening is amazing. I have taught my kids to not be judgemental and sometimes when someone is mean to you.... you have to take it with a grain of salt because you don't know what is going on in their life right now. Maybe they are having a bad day and you are just the person that they can take it out on.

So my question is-- what does it mean to you to be a real friend? Have you ever been betrayed by a friend?

I have been betrayed by people who I thought were my friends. I have been hurt, backstabbed and flat out lied about. I have met some people in my life who, even though they weren't the best of people, taught me a lesson. Even if it was how NOT to be a friend. My idea of a true friend has changed back and forth over the years. It used to be that a true friend was someone who didn't try and steal my boyfriend (yes I have had some "friends" like that). Now my idea of a true friend is someone who will always be there for you in good times and in bad. A true friend is some one who loves you unconditionally and will NEVER judge you. A true friend also knows that you love them. They are the kind of people who can tell you the truth (either good or bad), but not in the any kind of way that will destroy your self worth. They are people who believe in you and are genuinely happy when you succeed in life.
I have learned what is means to be a true friend. Sometimes I don't talk to my friends as often as I would like, but I hope they realize that life gets in the way sometimes.
I am going to try my hardest to be a "true friend". Someone that my friends can trust in and confide in. Someone that always "there" for my friends for anything, even if it just to give a hug. Someone who deserves this kind of friendship in return.

Happy Anniversary!!

We want to wish some of our dearest friends, Dave and Amy Horlacher, Happy Anniversary! I can't believe it has been 11 years for ya'll and YOU MADE IT!! We love both of you so much. Wow! We really have all been through a lot together and I am so glad that we are friends. I swear we are going to be those old awnry farts together. Do you remember this pic?? It was right before you two were married. So young and so in love!!

Look at you two now-- Still so in love! We have all come a long way baby!!

Congrats to ya'll!! We loveya!

Catchin back up!

Just letting you know that I am back on my other blog also. Trying to get back in to routine! So check it out!! http://scrappinbarefoot.blogspot.com/

It's Official

So it's official. I am getting LASIK surgery. No more wearing my glasses that have a slight tweak to them after Tukar got his little hands on them and they wont lay straight, and no more fishing contacts out when they flipped and went on a scavenger hunt inside my eye (ya know how they end up behind your actual eyeball and it feels like it is bellowing into your brain?). I have been wanting to do this for a long time but I have this thing about eyes that even held me back from even wearing contacts for a long time. Well there is always a right time for things to happen. I was at my friend Lisa's house and I was looking through her little coupon pages (ya know the ones we get every month) Well inside was an advertisement for Hoopes Vision and an awesome deal that they were offering. I have heard some really good things about them. I got really excited but I knew I had to talk to Jon about it first. It was a too good to be true deal. He said it would be a good thing and it would actually save him $$$ in the long run becasue he wouldn't have to keep buying my contacts. So I called and scheduled an appointment for testing to see if I was even a good candidate. I was so nervous but so excited at the same time. Well I passed the tests with flying colors. They said I was the "perfect candidate". So I scheduled my surgery day for Thursday, September 4th. Now I really am nervous. It comes down to that eye thing again. I don't know how I am going to stay awake while they are poking something into my eye. I can do it though. I have too.

If any of you have done this or know someone who has, please send me some advise. Is there anything I should or shouldn't do?

~Memory Tuesday~ (well Thursday)

Sorry a bit late, I have really been slacking on this lately. Trying to organize life. Now thats kids are in school, I can get back to my schedule. So here is this weeks memory...

"Who was your childhood best friend and are you still in contact?
Well I had 3 really good best friends when I was a kid. They were all in different stages in my life.
My first one was Sandy Hancock. We lived 3 houses away from each other and were always together. We would go on vacations with the others families, we would ALWAYS have sleep overs and we got into some trouble together. We were pretty inseparable. She moved to Clearfield when I was in 5th grade (she was in 4th) I think and even after she moved, we still spent a couple of summers together. Her uncle lived in the house so we would see each other when she came down to visit. I remember us getting in to little spats because we were both so stubborn that we both anted OUR way. It seemed to keep us friends though. We still keep in contact (mostly through our blogs) but I would love to go to lunch and really catch up! She is married now with 3 kids and living in Spanish Fork. Her mom still lives in the house 3 doors down from my mom.

My next best friend was Michelle Waycasy. We moved down by the junior high and she lived just a couple of houses away. It was a pretty instant friendship. She was a couple of years older than me but we got along very well. We were ALWAYS together. When I got in to 7th grade, she was in 9th. I remember being scared that she would ignore me, but just the opposite. We even shared a locker. Her grandma owned Regals Bowling alley so we would go there ALL the time. I remember making little houses in the playroom, sleeping in the van, toilet papering, playing prison with her brothers, and just hanging out ALL the time. I haven't seen her for a couple of years but we still send xmas cards to each other. She married her high school sweetheart Eric and they have 4 or 5 kids now. Last I heard, they lived in Santaquin.

Next was my friend Candy Gregg. She was my best friend when I lived in Nashville. She was my first friend that I met when I moved there and I was so grateful to have met someone where I knew no one. We instantly clicked. We lived in the same condo complex and we were also inseparable. We played softball together and her family was my family and vise versa. Our parents were also best friends. Her dad took me in like I was one of his own. She was always there for me especially through those "formative" years. At first we went to different High schools, but she shortly transferred over to good ole John Overton High School. She was a year older than me and could drive. We were always together. I would even go stay with her when her and her little sister (and mine) Andi would go to their moms for their visits. The last time I got to see Candy was hen I took my family (including my mom) back to Nashville for her wedding (to Kevin) when Tukar was just 2 weeks old. I was excited to still be a part of her life. Our families always spent Thanksgivings and Christmas' together and we still make sure we talk to each other on those days. I get email from Dad and Renee (his wife) every week. They are my family and I miss them so much. I wish we could see each other more.
I still talk to these girls. Not as much as I would like to though. When I think of my childhood, these girls instantly come into a lot of the memories that I have.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday and I just want to tell her how much I love her and how proud I am to be her daughter. She has accomplished so much in her life and she has always been an inspiration to me.

Mom, you are a wonderful mother and Nana. My kids are so blessed to have you and we all love you very much. You have always been there for us and supported us. When I was a child, you always loved me and supported me even when I made stupid choices. You taught me to always see the best in people and to not judge. You showed me that anything is possible and to always strive to do my best. You taught me to be creative. You made me who I am and I Thank You for that.

You are such a loving person and so accepting. You are strong willed and strong minded and I have learned to be the kind of person that doesn't let people walk on me. You also taught me to be a good friend, wife and mother.

I thank you for taking care of my grandparents, my kids, my husband and me. You really did a good job with me. Even with all of the trials and tribulations that came along with that. I understand now what it took to raise me and everything you had to give up for me so that I could have the best life you could give me. I wouldn't change anything. I cherish all of the memories that we have together. Good times and bad.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday and always remember that you are loved.
Here are some things that happened the year you were born........Good ole 1955

• Dwight Eisenhower is president of the US


• Hurricane "Diane" claims 184 lives form North Carolina to New England


• Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat, which leads to bus segregation being declared unconstitutional
  
• Dr. Jonas Salk discovers a vaccine for polio


• The Scrabble board game debuts


• Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California


• Kevin Costner, John Grisham, Arsenio Hall, Steve Jobs, and Billy Bob Thornton are born


• Charlie Parker, Albert Einstein, and James Dean die


• Brooklyn Dodgers win the World SeriesCleveland Browns win the NFL champion ship


• Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup


• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is published

Some good news!!!

This was posted on Stphanie Meyers blog and I am now even more excited. I was a little bugged when I heard that Harry Potter was being postponed because I ma huge fan, but here is a bit of good news that makes up for it!!!

Movie News Flash!
So, many of you have heard that the release of the sixth Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, has been moved from this Thanksgiving to next summer. First and foremost, please know that this schedule change has absolutely nothing to do with Twilight, me, or Summit Films (so enough with the imdb death wishes, okay?). This is Warner Bros. decision, and it was not motivated by anything Twilight-related.
Now for the good news! Though we're all sad to have to wait for Harry Potter, this open spot at the theater creates a cool opportunity. The good people at Summit were thrilled to let me know that now Twilight fans are going to get their movie three weeks earlier than scheduled. That's right—Twilight will be released in theaters November 21st! Let the merry-making commence!
--Stephenie

Such a bittersweet day!

Today is the day! The first day of school. It is such a bittersweet day for me. I am so excited for my girls to go to school, but at the same time I am going to miss them. The first day of school means that I have to accept that they are getting older. And it is even harder when your oldest is going into JUNIOR HIGH!! AAAHHHH I really am getting old.

Sydnie was so excited this morning. She is starting a whole new chapter in her life and she was a bit scared. To tell you the truth, I was to. She is not only starting a new year, but she is starting in a new school with new kids. She is going to the Rockwell Charter Junior High and High school. They have 7th through 12 grade all at the same school but it is separated. I know she will be ok. She has so much more potential at this school. She has been showing a very mature side to her lately. She is growing up right before our eyes. I

Brekyn is going into 3rd grade at Pony Express Elementary. Her teacher is Mrs. Spencer. It is kinda funny because Jon golfs with her husband all the time and we didn't even know it. She is also having a new experience. They built a new elementary and split the boundaries so some of the friends that she has had will not be there but there are a lot of new kids that she will get to meet and make new friends. She has also been very excited. She is also growing up way too quick.

I am very proud of both of both of them . I think they are both so smart and nice and they should have no problems making new friends. I wish the best for both of them. It is kind of weird with them in different schools. But this gives them both an opportunity to become their own selves and develop their individuality.

Have a good day girls!

Being a good friend and lookin good!

So it was recently my friend Leslie's birthday and she has been dealing with so much lately. The day after her birthday, she took her nursing state boards and passed with flying colors. She is now an RN. This means a new beginning for her and her family. I am so proud of her. She has been working her butt off for this.

She has been going to school so much, working a full time job, and managing her family. This left very little time for herself. (no offense Lester!!) She had been talking about getting a new hair style once she passed, so for her birthday, I did just that for her. I took her and got her a new look! She has always had long hair. Well she took that big leap of faith today and CHOPPED it all off. She looks so good. She even said it was like a huge weight off of her shoulders (literally because this girl has a TON of hair!)

Here are some before and after pics! Personally I think it works so good on her! I think she lost 10 pounds and at least 5 years! You go Girl!! Totally love you!

Such a HOTTIE!!!

What a cute couple!

I just want to tell this cute couple congrats on their wedding. My sweet cousin Calvin FINALLY married the girl of his dreams. Her name is Andrea and she is such a sweety. We are glad that she is a part of our family now.

They are both so lucky to have found each other.

Aren't they cute together???

Suckered in!

Dang you Kelly and Boden. You got us suckered into the Wii so we had to go get one. We went over to our cousins house between the wedding and the reception and bowled a couple of games. I had never played before. Can I just tell you nice folks out there how stinkin FUN this thing is. I know some of you have one and know what I am talking about. And WOW!! What a work out!!! My arms are KILLING ME!!

Jon went looking for one on Sunday, and NO LUCK!! He was kinda bummed. So we started looking on EBAY and found an awesome deal. After a bidding war, we won. A few days later it arrived in the mail and we hooked that sucker up on the spot! The girls kick butt at it too. Tukar even tries to play. The boxing is so my fave. And like I said, what a work out. Jon and I battled it out and I totally came at him with a TKO!!

I would seriously recommend one of these maybe for under the tree this year if you don't have one. I want to get the Wii Fit now-- does anyone have it and what do you think about it?? I need some more info. Let me know!

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

I want to wish my sweet friend Lester a Happy Birthday! I totally love you girl! We have been through so much and I cherish our friendship!!

Good luck tomarrow and I will see you Saturday!!!

~Memory Tuesday~

What are some events that are happening in the world right now?

There is so much going on in this world right now. It is getting to be a very scary place to be. I don't ever watch the news anymore because I get so depressed about the things that some people do. There are some really DUMB people out there. Some of the highlights from the news from today are....

• The 2008 Olympics start this Friday in China.
• Brett Favre is reinstated from retirement (YEAH!!!)
• Obama vs. McCain for the presidency (AAARRRGGGHHH)
• Gas is $4.10 a gallon right now (and thats not the all time high)
• Still fighting the war against terrorism
• "The Dark Knight" smashed Hollywood records as it cleared the $400 million box office mark in 18 days

Some of the dumb people in the world...

• Man calls 911 to say that a slot machine stole his money
• Woman clones her dead dog and gets 5 puppies
• Farmer sends message to neighbors with car fence (wow this happened in Utah and made National news (Really????)
• Policewomen in Berlin get "bullet-proof bras"

There is plenty more but it's not even worth my time. So the question is.... What is happening in the world that really bothers you??

Another CRAZY BUSY Weekend!

Does life ever slow down? I sure am hoping so! We had such an amazing weekend but it was a busy one for sure!
It all started Friday night with one of the funnest nights EVER!! Amy took me out for my birthday and we went to Chili's. (my fave BTW) Anywho... When we got there I was surprised by some familiar faces! MY FRIENDS!! They were all there for the party! And for me. I guess I do have people that love me! It really made me feel good that I have friends that I can count on no matter what!
Wow Chili's. We had a BLAST!!!!! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. I was serenaded by one of the best singers EVER!! We even had horns. I think the patrons of the establishment probably thought we had all lost our minds! Everyone kept staring at us and we didn't care. We were all amongst friends.


So after all the awesome presents (thanks to all of you btw) and some delish WHITE CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKE, way too many laughs and some awesome singing, we took off for the rest of our night! We all went to Borders in Provo for the "Breaking Dawn" release at midnight! It was a blastin party down there! They had neck painting (instead of Face painting) live music (Oh no you didnt't) and they were even taking blood. How stinkin appropriate for the occasion! I couldn't give blood but thanks to Midge and Madge to represent all of us!! Then it was time to FINALLY get our books. I was so excited for this one. I could have shot some people though. We ended up like #895 and there were a couple of BOZOS before us that came out reading the last page and then were commenting about it! I could have shot them! Luckily we didn't listen too hard so it is still a surprise. We all got our books and set off for home. It was a late night!

The next day, we had a wedding to attend. My cousin Calvin married this amazing girl named Andrea. It was a fun wedding. We all love her so much. He totally lucked out with her and he knows it! It was good to see family and friends. It was a long day, so we went home and hit the sack. We had to be up early in the morning to go to worship in Provo for my newest cousin Braxton's blessing. Hayden and Brent were up here for the wedding and decided it was a good time to bless the baby too so we could all be there! Brent did a really good job. Braxton looked so cute. I hate not being around him all of the time. The next time I will get to see him he will probably be running around and talking. Hope fully not. I hope to see him soon.

All in all it was a good weekend with fmaily and friends. Now I have to go so I can go READ!!!