Arizona Trip

Went to Arizona for my niece's wedding.  While we were there we decided to take a detour and go see the Grand Canyon.  It was beautiful, although I would not recommend taking small children!  I  think my blood pressure went up and stayed there during the whole trip!  I am a natural worrier, but this was crazy!  There are guard rails, but not everywhere and it's very easy to walk right up to the edge.  One missed step, even near guard rails and you could go right over!  My kids kept telling me how mean I was because they could only go where there were rails.  Ya, I think I'm ok with that!  Looking into the vastness of the Grand Canyon was very humbling and scary all at the same time.  I am in awe at the beauty of it.  But very aware of how dangerous it can be.  The kids had a good time and all of them said seeing this was the highlight of their trip, so I guess it was worth it!  Just wish we had done it when they were a little older!

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 This is us at the end of the day.  The weather went from clear blue skies and cold to grey, cloudy skies and freezing!  Funny how fast those storms roll in!  One thing I thought was interesting was that it was cold!  I thought with it being Arizona that it would be nice and warm like Scottsdale was.  Nope.  It was more like Utah weather. I was told by one of the guides, that it is 110 degrees on the bottom, but very cold on the top.  Wow.  You would think it would be the other way around.  I didn't understand that.  Hmmm.  Really makes you think.

My boys thought it would be fun to climb these rocks.  Luckily it was not close to the edge.  I love these kids so much!  They are the light of my life and I don't know what I would do without them!  I pray I never have to find out!  I thank my Heavenly Father every day for trusting me to be their mother!  

Care for Cade

As some of you know my little brother Cade has been diagnosed with brain tumor. He has already undergone 2 extensive surgerys and just started radiation. He is the best guy you'll ever meet and is such a sweet heart! He and his wife of 2 years Aly just found out a few months ago that they are expecting a little one! We are so excited for them but the reality is that the medical bills are huge and having a baby is also expensive :). So we have set up a 5k to help with this. Its $20 per person and if you pre-register you are guarenteed a shirt! Its on July 30th in Brigham City. If you want more info and to particiapte the registration forms are on careforcade.blogspot.com. I am also selling "Cade Breaks Cancer" braclets for $2.00 each! Every little bit helps! :) I love him so much and would do anything for him.  I hope you will help and join us in supporting him!  Love you all and thank you for your support so far!

Rough week

Thor's brother passed away a week ago today.  He was only 54 and it was so sad.  We have all been dealing with the loss in our own way.  I think of all the times he helped us when we were first married, and all the fun we had with him over the years and I cry.  It's such a sad thing when someone we love's life is cut short!  I am so thankful for my religious beliefs when it comes to these things.  It's the only thing that gets me through.
And then, once we thought the chaos was all behind us, my brother started radiation and had to go back into the hospital.  He need another shunt put in his brain. Too much pressure and fluid is creating headaches.  So worried and just want him to know how much I love him.  In the midst of all of this bad news, he and Aly found out that they are going to be having a boy!  I am so happy for them and hope that soon all of this bad stuff will be behind them and they can enjoy being a cute little family!

Where I'd like to be right now!

This is where I'd like to be right now.  Somewhere far away in the middle of South Pacific just hangin out on the beach away from the stress and struggle of every day life! (This is actually Samoa). Ah.  If only!  This crappy weather is really taking it's toll on me.  I need sunshine!!!!  

My brother Cade

In February of this year, my youngest brother, Cade, was diagnosed with a Primary Glioma Brain Tumor.  He has had brain surgery and is in the process of  getting ready for radiation.  I love my brother so much and it's very hard for me to see him hurting like this and having the stress of all his financial burdens that are piling up.  He  is a wonderful person and does not deserve to have had this happen!  Anyway,. On May 16th, there will be a fundraiser at Chili's in Logan to help with the astronomical amount of medical bills.  All day from open to close, just go and eat there and tell them you are there for Cade Wyatt and they will donate the money to him.  Even if you don't normally go to Logan, please come if you possibly can..... Thank you so much for being my friends!   Love you all.

Spring Break

Well, Spring Break was this weekend for my kids!  And what do ya know?  It snowed!  It just keeps coming!  Just when you think it's really spring, we get a nice snow storm to prove us wrong!  I really enjoyed having my kids home.  I'm not saying they didn't fight!  All boys do when cooped up in the house all day, but it was nice to have them there.  And after that teaser, I can't wait till school is out.  I really miss them when they're gone, even with all the chaos!  I am very lucky to have them.

Change, blah!

I hate change!  Hate, hate, hate it!  I just wish everything could stay the same, but ironically it is the only thing that is sure.  My Dad was laid off from his job last year, and just got a job out of state.  And not a neighboring state, far away!  So he and my mom are moving in a few weeks.  I wish so much I had spent more time at their house.  I just always assumed they would always be where they've always been!  Having a hard time with this and feeling kind of displaced though they are still keeping their house in my hometown.  I can't stop crying.  Every time I think about it, I get all weepy.  Oh well, life goes on, whether I cry or not.  Just hope they know how much I love them!

Maturation Clinic

I can't believe I'm here already!  I hate that my son is growing up!  I had to attend a lovely little thing called the maturation clinic for the 6th grade with Jake today.  WOW!  I had a hard time not giggling with all the boys.  Don't get me wrong, the presentation was informative, but the music they choose to put with the "movie" ends up adding more comedic value than is really needed!  I mean really??  Who puts these things together??  I really think their goal is to see how many straight faced adults they can crack by the end of the hour!  Me.....I didn't hold up well.  Regardless, I think the boys all learned what they needed to know.  Which is good.  But it's not over for me yet!  I have 3 more boys to go!  Oh heaven help me!

I took my son to Supercuts the other day to get his hair trimmed.  The girl was really nice with my 3 year old son, who most days is a challenge in situations like this.  I thought it was going well, until I heard her say, "Since you have been so good I have a surprise for you!"  I thought they must have a toy bin of prizes for little ones to pick from so I thought nothing of it.  Till I glanced up and my son's hair was blue!!!  Although I was kind of annoyed at her for not asking me first, the absolute joy on my toddler's face made me forget my annoyance instantly!  "My hair is blue!"  he yelled!  In spite of the odd looks from a couple elderly women that  we got when I took him to lunch, I must say he ROCKED that blue hair do!  

My hubby started his day shift today. It was great! So why do I hate it? I had him here all day when he was on swing shift and now....I don't quite know what to do with myself! I need to make myself a schedule or I'm going to go completely crazy! It's just me and Sawyer. Kind of fun, but we both get bored. I am guessing this is my time to really work on my home. I have been very spoiled, I'll admit! My husband usually helps with everything. Laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc., etc., etc. Now there is no time for him to do that. So it's my turn to take it over. I have never been the Susie homemaker type, but I'm going to do my best! I have a saying on my kitchen wall that fits me so well! It says: "I understand the concepts of cooking and cleaning, just not how they apply to me!" Haha! I also think I am going to attempt some home improvement projects and see how well I can do it on my own! Wish me luck.....

This family is going through a new phase in life and I hope we're ready for it. My husband has been on swing shift now for about 4 years and more.... He is finally being transferred to day shift. Although we have been waiting for this for a long time, I have some mixed feelings about it. The kids and I have a system at night that really works, and I hope the transition will be smooth. Also, I am having to give up all my time with my hubby during the day so that the kids can have their dad at night and for the sports activities that he needs to be at. I really don't mind sacrificing for them, it's just going to be hard!! Jake is about to turn 12 and the teenage years just seem to be coming faster and faster! It really freaks me out! He is still a very mild mannered kid, even with his ADHD. 6th grade really has been good for him. He likes to hang out with me a lot and never goes to bed or anywhere without telling me how much he loves me. Connor is in 3rd, and although he has always been my snugglebug, is really needing to be around me more. Not sure what that's about but I'm not going to complain! Garrett is doing amazing in 1st grade and I wonder why I ever worried about him. He is still struggling with ADHD and has a little bit of a hard time socially, but he is a wonderful boy. Sawyer......oh what can I say? He went from this amazingly mild tempered 2 year old to a demanding and grouchy 3 year old. I am trying to help him, but he is constantly giving one of us the "death look". We are still working on potty training with him. We were done for about a week. Now we are back to accidents in his undies all the time. I feel like we have taken 3 steps back! Ah....the joys of motherhood! I'm sure we will get it all figured out eventually! I am so thankful for my family and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the blessing of being a wife and mom!