Tuesday, August 20, 2013

2nd Grade


My beautiful girl started 2nd grade today. Where does the time go? She was so excited as I walked her to class. She'll be 8 soon, too. I'm so excited for her to learn and grow... I just wish it didn't happen so quickly.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

A Heartbreak


I can't think of many things in this world that are more frightening to me than cancer. It's a nasty disease that has plagued my family... my cousin Jessica beat it, both of my grandpas passed away from it, my grandma has had chunks of flesh removed because of it. The word seems to be plastered on billboards, in magazines, and we are constantly reminded to take precautions against it. But to me, it seems like if you're going to get it, you're going to get it.

I was in a sorority at Weber State back in my younger days and Laura was one of my sisters. I haven't seen her since our friend Tamsen's wedding but we have kept in touch through Facebook. Her family has had a rough go of it over the past year and a half. At just 15 months old her son Griffin was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. He has undergone multiple surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy treatments. The updates and pictures they posted would bring me to tears. The thought of such a tiny, innocent person having to go through that is inconceivable to me. Earlier this year they heard some fabulous news... he was in remission. He was finally able to go out and do the things a little boy should be able to do. I can't imagine the relief and joy they must have felt!

Recently Griffin began waking in the night with stomach pain and spiking a fever. Because of his medical history they decided not to take any chances and he went in for a series of scans this week. Yesterday they received the heartbreaking news... he had relapsed. The tumor had not grown in size, however, there is the presence of active cancer cells. I cannot imagine the fear of the possibility of what lies ahead. My heart goes out to Laura, Travis and little Griffin. His treatment will be more aggressive this time around which is crazy because I thought the treatment he just completed sounded pretty aggressive.

I pray for and think about that sweet little boy daily. I feel compelled to help yet I feel so helpless. I hate that feeling... helplessness.
I decided that the least I can do is to join the fundraising efforts and participate with Team Griffin in the CureSearch walk this October. I put a link to the donations page on my sidebar... I want to try and raise $500. If you are able to donate to this amazing cause please do not hesitate. I am thankful every day for my healthy children and pray that if something were to happen to them that others would reach out as well.

God bless Griffin and his family!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Goings On

I waited too long to blog because we have had a busy summer! Here is the rundown...

I have been trying to soak up as much of the summer as possible. I've been hiking and running like crazy. This is at the top of the Squaw Peak trail with dad and Paula. We completed this hike successfully in June. I hiked this again with Zac on Sunday and didn't make it to the top. We ran into a rattle snake and I got bit by a horsefly instead... good times.

We celebrated Jessie's 26th birthday at Red Iguana 2 and dessert at Gourmandise.

The kids finally got their own beds!! I am beyond ecstatic about this. The three of us have slept in the same queen sized bed for a year and a half. I have to admit, I miss how much the kids like to sleep with me and snuggle up to their mama. However, Reggie insisted on sleeping on top of me and Addie likes to spread out like a frog. This meant a lot of nearly getting pushed off the bed and sleepless nights.



The 4th of July consisted of sleeping in, a hike to the Grotto up Payson Canyon and the Bee's game with Davey and some fireworks after the show.

The baseball game went on until 11 o'clock so we actually left right when the fireworks started. At least the game ended with a walk off grand slam!


We finally made it to Seven Peaks. The kids love it there and get so excited to go on the big water slides.


We met up with  mom, Jake, Davis, Garrett, Tamsen, Jade and the kids for the fireworks at the Weber State duck pond. It is one of the longest running traditions in my family. We went every year when I was a kid and I love taking my kids now. It is so fun to get together with Tams and her family... the kids have so much fun together.

And yes, ladies and gentlemen... another year, another amazing Kenny Chesney concert. I love how he comes almost every July which makes a very convenient present from my mom for my birthday. We tried to count how many Kenny shows we have seen but it has become difficult... we are thinking around 9 times. I never thought anyone could beat out the 5 times I saw Nsync! :)



When I started working at Citywide in March I met this girl. Erin has become an amazing friend and since that makes two amazing people who needed a vacation, we decided to take an impromptu trip to Vegas. We had a blast staying at the Golden Nugget with the shark tank pool. We had a crazy night which involved hives and the ER with 100 other people who seemed to be having heroine overdoses, getting stranded in a sketchy part of town in a downpour and lightening storm, getting locked out of the CVS because of a power outage when Erin desperately needed some Benadryl and finally ending up at Frankie's Tiki Room looking for someone to call us a cab back to the hotel. We met some characters on Fremont Street, ate at Hash House and had a great night on the strip riding the bus known as The Deuce and then did some boot scootin' at Gilly's. It was a great trip.

The kids and I actually woke up in time to get ready for the Fiesta Days parade in Spanish Fork on the 24th. It was a fun parade with a lot of trucks, tractors and 2000 stripling warriors. We met up with mom, Davis, Jake, Anna, Steve and the kids, Genny, Steve and Jordan at Salem Pond in the afternoon. Reggie took it upon himself to drink two mouthfuls of nasty pond water and must have guts of steel because he walked away unscathed and Giardia free.

I guess I had a birthday, too. So far 33 doesn't seem much different than 32... how in the world did I get this old? The lovely ladies at work were so kind to decorate my office and bring me delicious cupcakes!

Erin was nice enough to get me a cake for my birthday... and then shoved it in my face! There's nothing like a grease facial. It did wonders for my skin!

Erin and I decided we wanted to take the kids fishing. Shane, Aly and Mike joined us for a day of unsuccessful fishing at Deer Creek. No one ever told us there were so many boats that come within 20 feet of the shore at all times. The kids still had fun so I declare that it was a good day. Never again Deer Creek, never again.

Since fishing was a bust, I decided to stop at Sundance on the way home. We love to go and wander around for a couple of hours. Addie has declared it one of her favorite places. Such a good girl!

Last week Addie lost her third tooth. She officially pulled this one out on her very own. The tooth fairy left her a dollar and drew her a picture. She was so proud and excited!

I went to my first concert at the Twilight Concert Series last week with Brad and Chelsey. The National played a great show. I hope to go to a few of the remaining shows this summer. There is nothing better than music on a warm, breezy summer night. It was gorgeous!

Addie starts school in two weeks, I can't believe it. I'm not ready for this fantastic summer to be over. I know a lot of parents like it when their kids go back to school. Not this parent. I love the freedom of the summer with late bedtimes and sleeping in. I love being able to take my kids into the mountains or swimming without worry of getting homework done or to bed on time. There's always next summer, right? May 2014 will be here in no time...