4th of JULY!

We started off at the Kaysville parade, what other parade could there be? I love going to it every year and watching all the people show up with their water gear. We had fun and then we went to Layton Park and had lunch and walked around. Later that afternoon we went to my parent's for the BBQ and fireworks. We had so much fun. The fourth is really one of my top two holidays. I love the atmosphere and I love that for one day everyone really appreciates the sacrifices of the soldiers and veterans. I got a little carried away with the camera, but I will try to limit the number I put on here.

First things first Parade pics:






BBQ pics next:

Disneyland

We had a good time at Disneyland. The kids absolutely loved it! I totally forgot that I hadn't done a post on it yet. So here are some pics.

Help Wanted!!

So remember that adorable dollhouse that I bought for Enza for her birthday? Oh well the help wanted is because there are a million pieces and I have two glued together. I can't figure out where piece 3 fits. I usually can handle anything crafty, but alas I have been majorly stumped. Just a little vent here, because although there have been fleeting thoughts missing the man around here. This is truly the first time that it actually is a need. I need a leftminded man to help me make logical sense of these building plans. So if any of you ladies out there want to come join me for a GNO to build a 3 1/2 foot tall dollhouse please let me know. I will provide plenty of caffiene and treats. HHHHHEEEEELLLLPPPP!!!!!

New Pictures

These are the headbands for my friend's cute little girlie.

Here is one of the skirts for another friend.

The next few are from Cruze's Preschool Graduation. He was so cute. He knew every word of every song. You could tell by the weird look on his face in some of these that he was embarassed to be up in front of everyone. I loved watching him sing the songs that I had been hearing for months.


These last two are my cute kiddos in their Easter clothes. They just make my heart melt. I am the luckiest mom in the world. Don't ask me what Gauge is doing with his left hand in one of them, I couldn't tell you.


So some of these aren't so new because they are from Easter but hey my SD Port has been broken so I couldn't import my pictures.

SMU - Single Mom Update

So what is new around here? Well I am looking for a house to buy. When I had looked around, renting a 3 bedroom anything was around $1000-$1400. So I decided that it would be a lot smarter to buy instead. My budget is meager to say the least, but if I can find something in my price range I will only have a mortgage of $600-$700, because the rates are so low. I am really excited and so are the kiddos.
What else is new? I am cleaning people's houses for extra money, not my favorite but I really appreciate the opportunity to earn extra $.
I have some projects that I am working on one being a huge ridiculous dollhouse that I found for $35 for Enza for her birthday. It will not be done in time because there are around 3000 pieces. Clearly in over my head on that one. I have also been making some headbands for a friend's baby. I have another friend who has asked me to help her paint her bedroom furniture. All of these things are great as I am such a project person. It is a major stress relief for me. Thanks guys!

**The best part of all of this is that although I have my really hard-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed-days. There are days that I still wake up, glue on my smile and tune up my laugh, but there are fewer of those days now then at the beginning. I AM GOOD!!! I feel better and better about life all the time and have really found my strength. I am absolutely amazed at my courage, strength, and optimism. Apparently I am lacking my humility but hopefully I will get it back soon. I never thought I could handle anything like this. When my sister was going through her divorce I secretly thought I was glad it was her and not me, because I wasn't as strong as her. I guess when you are faced with crappy, then you figure out you can sink or swim and I choose to SWIM. How amazing to have so many people come out of the woodwork that "Have my Back". It has been such a blessing and help for me. Heavenly Father has shown me in so many ways that he thinks I am worth it. And after a lot of prayer I feel that I am too.
So here is a Toast to New Beginnings! Cheers!

Update

SO here is an update on the general stuff:
We had Cruze's kindergarten orientation. He is so excited to go to the big school, me I am torn. It is fun for me to see him so excited about going, but I am scared of what he will learn and also the fact that he is growing up way too fast. He is so funny and is starting to be able to read words while he sounds them out. He is signed up for soccer again and we will see if he will actually play this season because last fall he wouldn't play at all. He is quickly becoming a little man, and making his momma proud. Cruze's smile and beautiful blue eyes are so catchy.

Gauge is getting so tall so fast. I think he will pass Cruze by before too long, how hard for Cruze. He is tough as nails too. He loves tv and would sit there all day if I would let him, but he is also very smart and creative. He is a deep thinker and the things that he puts together shock me. He is athletic and talks so well. He is goofy and funny most of the time. His eyelashes and dimples are so charming.

Enza is so talkative. I have heard that girls generally are, but it is so funny because it is nonstop and rarely do I understand what she wants. She is sassy but funny, and definately my snuggler which I love. She is definately not a baby anymore, and she reminds me of that everyday. It is sad to have your baby grow up so fast. She is very underweight but her loud screams and personality make up for it. Oh yeah, we are finally able to start letting her hair grow back. I can't wait for her cute hair to come back. The curls are gone with the buzz cut, and her hair is already thicker than it was before which is good. I love having a daughter!

I am camp director and secretary in the R.S. I love being able to serve and learn from the women I serve with. I am hoping to open a business refinishing and antiquing furniture, which is really one of my passions. I am also thinking of starting an etsy store. There are a lot of things that I have had people tell me to sell on etsy, so I am thinking that may not be a bad idea either. Bon Jovi was so much fun, I didn't think I could love it more than the last time, but I did. It was the absolute best concert I have ever been to, the seats were amazing. This last week I had to go to the dr.s because I thought I had a blood clot. I turns out that I do and that is goes from my calf to my groin. I have been on bedrest and it is killing me. I hate being down. I have had a ton of people who have been around to help make this easier. To all of you, THANKS so much I have really felt loved and appreciated.

My mom had surgery last Tuesday because they did a scan before they started her radiation and found that she had some tumors that had grown and were cancerous. The surgery went well, it will be a long recovery but at least it is over. They said that they feel like it went well and that they got everything. They will still do radiation after she has healed and get anything that they missed. We are praying that this is the last of the surgeries and that she can have radiation and be done with this. She has been through so much in the last almost year. I love you momma, hang in there.

Cruze Birthday

Cruze turned 5 on the 6th, which was the Superbowl. I wanted Cruze to be able to have his birthday not be forgotten because of the game. So we just told him his birthday was on Saturday, because that is when we celebrated it. I cannot believe that he is already 5 and this year he will be going into kindergarten. I am so happy, but really sad at the same time. For his birthday we decided to combine with the other 3 of us that have birthdays all within about a week of eachother. So we went to Boondock's and opened presents, ate cake and ice cream, and then we let the little kiddos bowl for a while. Then Cruze wanted to go get pizza for dinner so we went to Pizza Factory and loved it. That is one of my favorite pizza restaurants. We love you Cruze, and we are so glad that you are your very special personality are in our home. You keep us on our toes, but you equally keep us laughing. We gave him a bike, and a semi-trailer that stores his matchbox cars. He also got leapster games, rc car, disc shooter, some adorable chaps and a couple other toys. Thank you to everyone who gave him gifts and participated in us celebrating his day.

Cruze's Cake made with the help of my friend.

Cruze and Preslie with their cakes. It was also Tanelle and my birthdays. IT was a fun night.

Here are some Christmas Pics

I need to get these on here, so I can move on through December and get to Februaruy where we currently are getting more and more behind. Here is goes,

Gaugey opening his new toothbrush. I know it sounds boring, but her really wanted an electric toothbrush so that is what Santa brought him.

Enza was so confused about her new doll having a pacifier. She kept trying to put it in her own mouth for days.

Ethan opening his PJ pants that I made. I loved the fleece and knew he would too.

Cruze's cute surprise face. He loved opening the gifts.
Enza trying to pur on her PJ pants. She clearly had no idea how, but I loved this picture of her attempts.

This is the best picture I got of all of them Christmas eve after opening their pjs. The ones where all three were smiling, were blurry of course. Anyways here they are.

Christmas Eve FHE

On Christmas Eve we all normally go over to my parents house and reenact the nativity. This year my mom was supposed to have Chemo on the 23rd, so she decided to have it on the Monday before. We had a nice night my mom got Olive Garden takeout, soup, salad and breadsticks, and I offered to make dessert. We did a chocolate fondue, and a cream cheese chocolate chip dip. It was so much fun and it really makes you think about the different perspectives of the people who are a part of the nativity. Thanks mom and dad for the nice night.

The rest of December!

We were invited to Pace Mannion's house for the Land Rover 4th quarter event. In case you don't know who Pace Mannion is, he was a professional basketball player,and then he was one of the announcers for the Jazz. His wife is a professional Chef and is from Italy. So she makes the real italian food. It is so simple but so yummy. She put on a cooking demo for us, and I learned a few tricks that I didn't know before that night. We had such a great time and really appreciated being invited, because there were only 10 couples there. Now for those of you that know my husband probably know that yes Ethan did ask Pace to let him give him a quote and Pace said yes. Hopefully he is competitively priced and he can get the account. They talked for quite a while and even went out and drove Pace's new Range Rover. The picture we got was not very clear, so maybe next time.

Forgotten Carols!

For part of our Christmas from my parents, we were taken to Ruby River Steakhouse, and then The Forgotten Carols. We have gone almost every year. IT is such a great way to bring the Christmas spirit into your heart. The music is amazing and very thought provoking. We had such a wonderful night, thank you so much mom and dad we love you. After it was over I bought the new kids version of this story, and then they all autographed it for me. If you haven't gone, then you need to go next year.
Oh yeah and Merry Christmas!

We are Thankful For...

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year and then drive up to Star Valley and have a second Thanksgiving Dinner with Ethan's family on Saturday. It was fun to be able to see both families this year because usually we trade off.
As we were driving we were talking about things that we were grateful for and as with everyone there were a lot of things, but here are some of them;
*I am thankful for my health and my little familiy's health. After having Cancer hit so close to home you realize how quickly you can lose someone you love.
*I am so thankful for my family both extended and my own little energetic family. I can't imagine not having family close by to see, talk to, and interact with.
*I am so thankful for the gospel and how it extends itself into every aspect of our lives. How although we are not exempt from trials we are handed some tools that help make them so much easier. Watching family that is not active or not members struggle and seeing an easier way out has made me appreciate the gospel and the peace that it brings so much more.
*I am thankful for good books to get lost in, even though my husband can't fathom how I can sit and dissapear into a book for hours and love it.
*I am thankful for crafting and the stress relief that it brings, and the satisfaction of making cute things instead of buying them.
*I am thankful for the people in my life who love me and who are my best friends. Thank you for letting me be myself, a little crazy and silly at times, but myself.
*I am thankful for Dr. Pepper! It is my nemesis, but I love it.
*I am thankful for my calling. I am so greatful that is makes me step outside of myself and my comfort zone and makes me talk to people I don't know yet. I have always really loved interacting with people, but haven't as much as I get to now. I also love the sisters that I work with in our presidency. I learn so much from them all of the time, and appreciate their friendship and wisdom too.
*I am thankful for service and the happiness that it can bring if we will only do it.
*I am thankful for cooking! I love it and I love new recipes.
*I am thankful for cute shoes and chunky jewelry.
*I am thankful for my relationships with my grandparents, the things that I have learned from them, and their legacy they left behind.
*Along with the last one, I am thankful that I am sentimental. I know that not everyone is, and even in my family most of my siblings are not as sentimental as I am. But I was made this way and I am glad. Silly things mean something to me that don't mean anything to other people.
*We are thankful for people supporting Ethan's business. You will never know how much that means to us, having the love and support of those that we care about is such a blessing in our lives. It is the true show of love and kindness to us. So thank you, and we love you!
*I am thankful for the snow. I love the snow! I actually love any kind of weather:rain, wind, snow, sleet, hail, rainbows and sun. I just love the seasons and the way that you never know what to expect with the weather.
*I am thankful for living in a place where most people are mormon, and even if they are not they respect that you are.
*I am thankful for adoption. My mom was adopted, Ashlynn was placed for adoption, I have 1 nephew, and 2 nieces that were adopted. It is something that I will forever be greatful for the effects of it in my life, and something that unless you have experienced it in some manner you will never fully appreciate it. It is truly a sacred process.
*I am thankful for holidays giving us an excuse to get together. I love to celebrate things. My mom has always been one that celebrates things big. Even for Valentines, and St. Patrick's Day she would give us little things. I love birthdays too, even if they are mine and I am getting older.
*Last but not least, I am thankful for Ethan. He is so wonderful and sweet. He is a great dad, provider, priesthood holder, and spouse. He does so many little and big things that make my life easier. Half of which I probably don't say thank you for. Ethan I love you and thank you for loving me and my quirkiness (if that is even a word), you are the best, and "I love you just the way you are".
There are so many other little things that come to mind that I am thankful for, but that will do for now.
Thank you Heavenly Father for all of the many blessings in my life, I know that they come from Thee!

October Fest

So this month has flown by as usual. We have had so much going on, and most of it was so much fun. We went to a pumpkin patch earlier in the month with Gauge's preschool. There was a mini corn maze for the kiddos, and then they got to go pick out their pumpkin.











Then we had our Halloween Costume Party with my family. We made our own pizzas, and had a few different activities. We decorated cupcakes, and there were two versions of don't eat pete. One for the kids, and one for the adults which included; vienna sausages, artichoke hearts, and beets. There was candy involved, but it was way funnier to watch someone eat the other things. The kids colored pumpkins, and my dad made his famous Homemade Rootbeer. We had a blast.

Then there was preschool party's and Trick or Treating. What a fun time of year.

Hats Hats Everywhere!

So a few weeks ago we threw a hat party for my mom. We wanted to kick off her chemo with a positive twist. So we had an open house with good food, and fun hats! We told everyone to bring a hat or scarf of some kind so that when my mom loses her hair from chemo she will have choices. There were some really great hats and she will be able to use them sooner than we hoped. They told her that within 2 weeks of her first chemo treatment she would start to lose her hair. We were trying to give her friends and our family a chance to show how much we love her, and to show our support for her at this hard time in her life. It was so nice to get together and everyone including my mom seemed to enjoy themselves.
Since then my mom has had her first chemo treatment, and the first day things seemed to be going okay. Then the second, third, and fourth day hit and I have never seen someone in so much pain. She said that it felt like someone stabbing knives in all of her joints, and then were twisting them back and forth. She moaned and groaned and clearly was in excruciating pain. How hard it is to have to sit by and watch not being able to do anything to ease the pain. I have always known that my mom was strong, but I had no idea the amount of strength that she posseses. I love you mom and you will be in our prayers.

Hair or No Hair? That is the Question.

Ever since Enza was 9 months old she has pulled her hair out. Strange? Yes, but it gets worse after she pulls it out she eats it. I think part of that is because she is young enough not to know that it is really sick, and that everything goes into her mouth. IT has been sporatic until the last couple weeks and then it has gotten alot worse. I finally called her pediatrician and he was concerned. So we had to buzz Enza's beautiful long, thick and curly hair. She had a bald spot that made her look like Friar Tuck before we even cut it from all of the hair that she pulled out. IT was so sad to see her hair getting cut off. I cried. I know that it is just hair and that it will grow back, but it was hard that my little girl no longer looks like a girl. Her hair is shorter than our boys hair. We did go get her ears pierced and it helps, but only a little. We had to get a blood test to see what the levels of iron, and lead were. There was one other test, I'm sure what it was. IF all goes well which we are hoping it does then she will be fine but we may end up having to do a scope or scan to see how much hair is in there and if there is a good amount then they will have to go in and surgically remove it. The body won't digest it and it can be really dangerous, and can get tangeled up in her intestines.
I know that in the grand scheme of things this is small but right now with everything else that is going on it feels big and scary.





Here she is with no hair, but adorable flower earings. It is starting to grow on me. I find if I put a head band and big flower she looks like she just hasn't grown and hair yet.

Soccer!

As most of you know I love, love, love soccer. So Cruze was old enough to sign up this year and I was so excited to get him into soccer. AYSO called and asked if Ethan or I could coach and I said sure. I was so excited to coach and be around soccer. Well our little team is cute as can be and I love it. It is so cute to watch the kids run around like chickens with their heads cut off all the while they are tackeling eachother. We have one slight problem and that is that Cruze absolutely will not play. He cries and melts down when I try to get him to play. He is really good at it when we play at home and when we practice but his anxiety is enough that he will not play for the game. I am frusterated and a little angry with him, because he wanted to play too. Ethan has informed me that I just can't be his coach. I still have all of next season to coach this same group, but then I think I will give it a rest and retire.

Bear Lake

We went to Bear Lake for Labor Day, and yes I do know that this post is a month late. I just wanted to do the post because we have some really great pictures.

This is the cake that I made for Ethan and Gauge's birthdays, it was pretty good.

Ethan opening his birthday cards and hitting the jackpot with some money.

Gauge absolutely loves the toys that he got from everyone. Thanks guys you are the best.

Our manly men, need we say more.

Cruze and Gauge in the ice cave. It is a cave that is open on top but it stays so cold that there is ice year around. The pioneers used to come up here to get ice for their ice boxes.

These were some really pretty berries that I saw and just had to snap a pic.

On the morning that I was in charge of breakfast I couldn't get Ethan out of bed. So Chase and I thought that is would be hilarious to have Chase climb in bed and put his arm around Ethan like it was me. So this is a picture of that and let me just tell you, it was as funny as I thought it would be. Ethan thought it was me and was rolling over to kiss or snuggle me. Hee Hee Hee! Thanks Chase and thanks Ethan for being a good sport.

This is a custom welcome-home-we-think-we-are-funny-so-we-are-going-to-draw-on-your-face and chest picture. We love you Chase and are so happy you are home.

This was a ping pong game called around the world. IT was so much fun.

These next two pictures are of our bracket for our ping ping tournament. Now I know that none of you realized what a force to be reckoned with I am at ping pong, but hey a girls just got to win sometimes. Okay so actually I am surprised as you are. It was fun I hope it is something we can do again.

I don't know if any of you have ever played the card game golf, but it is a family favorite. So this picture is of the losers of the rounds we played. We drew on eachothers faces. The next night, we did it a little different and the winners from each table got to draw on the losers from the opposite table.

The next group of pictures is from the minute to win it games that Danielle and Alan came up with for us to play. It was boys against girls and it was such a blast. I don't think that was the last of that.



The next pictures are from the beach, our favorite part of the lake. IT is so nice, because our kids are at such great ages to just play and not need us walking right by them the whole time.