Giving Thanks!

Today as I was driving around and running errands....I found myself thinking about Thanksgiving and all the many things I am thankful for. I love this time of year, the changing of seasons (even though I am hoping to skip over winter, or at least the snow!), the holiday cheer that's in the air, and the time to reflect on our lives once again as we get ready for a new year! Time just goes by too quickly. I find myself stopping occasionally and just looking at my kids, my husband, our lives....what we want to achieve.....what we need to do better at.....and if there is a way to just "stop" time. My kids are growing up to quickly and even though it's exciting to enter new changes in our lives....it scares me to think they'll just keep growing.....and eventually leave. Oh No!!!!
Today has been one of those "stopping to think" days and I just wanted to list the things that I am thankful for:
*My Savior and his atoning sacrifice! And a Heavenly Father who knows me!
*My husband who brings so much light to my life. He is one of the hardest workers I know. He is one of the most giving men out there. He is such an example to me and makes me a better person. And he does nice stuff for me all the time! (brownie points)
*My kids. They are my life. They bring more happiness to my life than I thought possible. Even after bad days with them....I go to bed happy and having a desire to be a better Mom to them. They are all so unique and beautiful and I am so grateful for them.
*My extended family. For the relationships and love that we have with one another. The blessing of having others care about you and be there for you thru good and bad. The memories that we make and can take with us when we're apart.
*My health. I have often taken my health for granted, but watching others go through trials and pain....I am thankful for each and every day that I have to be active and free of sickness.
*Good friends. I find myself blessed with those that we call our friends. They are a big part in our lives. It's nice to have friends close to share time, stories, football games, movies, dinner, etc....with! I am also thankful for those friends back home who I have been able to keep in touch with and those I have recently been reaquainted with.
*A home that provides warmth, shelter, love, memories and that holds our family close and tight.
*And then all the big "small" things we take for granted each and every day. The sun rising, food that fills our bellies, cars that get us places, work that we have, air that we breathe, teachers who teach my children, neighbors who watch out for us, running water, DISHWASHERS, electricity, beautiful mountains, money to pay for all our material possesions and banks to keep the money safe (most of the time :-). I could go on and on but neither you or I have that time.

I challenge each of you that reads this....to stop....and think about all the blessings in your life and the things that make you happy....and take a minute to just be thankful!

Full of Football Weekend!

Darrick and his Counselors planned a "Turkey Bowl" Flag Football Game for this past weekend. They hoped for more men to show up but the ones who did had a great time! The two 18 year olds that showed up gave all these "old" men a good workout. I used the word "Old", but the oldest one there was my husband who's 36, and we really don't count that age old right? Come Sunday these men were all a little bit sore and only 2 of them had broken fingers.....OUCH! :-)

We actually thought at this moment that BYU had a chance to win! Whoops! We're still mourning! :-)


We had some friends of ours (The Boardmans) that moved away several months ago come and visit this past weekend. It was really fun to watch the game with them and have them stay at our house on Sat. night. The kids had a great time playing outside, inside, outside & inside again and watching movies. Too bad that BYU lost but the food was good and the company even better.

Injury update!

Naomi visited a sports medicine doctor today who we thought did an awesome and thorough job examining her. After twisting....lifting....and prodding several areas around her hips and legs they decided to take 2 more x-rays after examining her other x-rays and seeing something in them they wanted to get a closer look at. I have a hard time seeing anything but the bone in x-rays....so I trusted their judgement. After the others were taken and the doctor brought them up on the screen....I couldn't believe the things we were able to see. So cool!! Anyways, she said that Naomi had stretched her secondary growth plate (?) and with another week off dance and some stretching exercises done at home, she should be able to perform at her next dance performance on the 6th of Dec. We were so relieved it wasn't anything more serious and anything that would have kept her out of dance. She's still really sore but that is improving slowly! We're crossing out fingers and hoping for the best in the next coming weeks.

Fall Leaves

Each Fall we have to rake and pick up so many leaves. I tried to stay on top of them this year by using the "blower" and piling them onto the lawn where I could then mow over them with the lawn mower. I did this 3 times and then we got a pretty good wind storm that blew the leaves off most of the trees in our yard and our neighbors yard. After holding off a week, (and having leaves dragged thru the house each time the kids would come inside from playing)Dad and the boys got to work. I am so glad to have the fall leaves cleaned up once again. I do have to mention how beautiful our "Fall" has been this year. We have enjoyed the cool mornings but warmer afternoons. Most years we go from Hot to Snow. We will enjoy this weather while it lasts.

Dance Recital & E.R. Visit.....All in just a few hours!

Naomi was excited, nervous, excited, sick to her stomach, excited, and so on for her upcoming Christmas Dance Recital on Fri. night. Rehearsal had gone well the night before and she had practiced her solo over and over and over again. She was excited to perform her solo for her Dad who hasn't seen it yet. All seemed the same as performances before.....the hair and make-up, the packing of costumes, and all the extra's to pack for the "just in case" moments. Friends and Family were going to be there to watch and Naomi seemed fired up and ready to go.
Her first dance with her team was fun to watch and she did awesome! The 2nd dance started off great but as the dance progressed we saw her smile fade and tears fill her eyes. She kept dancing but everyone around us noticed the limp she now danced with. My first thought was that she hit her heel (which has been bruised) a little too hard and that all would be fine. I went backstage to find Naomi (with one of her teachers) crying and trying to walk around. She wasn't able to walk, and all she could say is "I have let my team down.....why did this happen to me......I have to get back on stage (yeah right!)......I have disappointed all of you and my teachers." It's hard as a Mom to see your kids hurt and upset in this way. After carrying her to her dressing room and having her dance teacher Alexis look her over, we came to the conclusion that Naomi would not be dancing any more that night. She had heard a pop when she went down in her splits and her leg filled with pain that would'nt go away. Tears still flowed and off we headed to the E.R. down the street. We weren't sure what happened. Was it a pulled muscle? A torn muscle? Pulled ligaments? Hip flexor? We didn't know. They x-rayed her at the hospital only to tell us that the bone was not fractured. Yeah....we kind of knew that one. We were hoping they would at least be able to tell us what happened to the muscle if anything. They said that would take an MRI to figure out and couldn't get her in last night. They recommended a sports therapist to see on Mon. We are now icing the leg...20 min. on and 20 min. off and doing the ibuprofen fun. We are hoping and praying it is nothing but a hurt muscle that will allow her to be back to dance soon. What a night! Thanks to all those who called or text messages with concern for Naomi. I think she's going to live. :-) Her Dad will have to see the Solo at competition! We are so sorry Naomi!

Christmas Recital

Naomi's big performance is tonight. She works so hard in dance and loves every part of it. Naomi is her own critic. She is a perfectionist.....and is the hardest on herself. I know that she will perfom beautifully again tonight along with her dance team. GO NAOMI!

What I have learned from Running

Susan tagged me on this one and I thought I would explore my thoughts on Running. So here it goes.......


* I learned 5 years ago that I could push my body in running
* Side cramps do go away with training and thru breathing
* Having a small snack before a run helps with the energy levels
* Drinking water is a must for all runs over 8 miles
* I can run a marathon......or two!
* The best thing I can do for my body is train for a marathon & the worst thing I can do is run it.....so the studies say! ( I decided to run)
* I have at least an hour to think about problems and how to solve them.
* I love having a running partner to break up the miles
* Deep conversations and thoughts come up during a run
* It's a time to reflect on God's creations
* I can run in sun or snow, and still love the high of it
* I release stress
* I love the sound of feet hitting the pavement
* I love the freedom I feel while running
* I reflect on the blessing of having two legs to run on and a strong heart
* It's a time to reflect on my life and what goals I need to achieve
* I get to burn lots of calories
* It makes me feel good about myself
* I want to help others thru exercise
* I have learned to just "wave and smile" at honks that come our way
* I have learned that running in the dark is frightening and calming at the same time. (It would take too long to explain!)
* I carry pepperspray on solo runs and early morning "dark" runs
* Plastic bags don't bite (inside joke)
* It's become a BIG part of who I am
* It makes me a better Mom & Wife
* I love to run!

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween! Naomi stayed home and passed out candy with a friend while Darrick and I took the boys out trick or treating. One more halloween come and gone!