Back to School

I can't believe summer is over already!! We had a great time and did some fun things as a family! BBQ's, Movies in the park, trips to the library, Pool parties, Visits from relatives from out of state, etc. We spent the last Saturday before school started at the pool. The whole day and the kids loved it! They love school and are so excited to see their friends and continue learning! I am excited to get back into a schedule.

Ashley and Ethan started on Monday!! I can't believe Ashley is in 6th grade and Ethan is in 3rd. They are such good kids and LOVE learning. They were pretty excited to start school this year. Ashley was up bright and early asking me to do her hair, she had all the accessories on! Love that girl. Ethan was looking forward to seeing who was in his class, he is very excited to learn multiplication and division this year!! :)

Carly started today and she was very happy. She met her teacher yesterday and got a tour of the classroom. She was a little apprehensive when she learn that she would be sitting with a table full of boys, but her teacher guaranteed her that she would fix that. I can't believe she is in 1st grade and going to school all day! She is looking forward to meeting new friends and learning Spanish this year! :)

The little caboose is the only one left at home. He is such a sweet little boy. We are looking forward to learning all of our colors, alphabet (he knows most of it), shapes, and numbers, but most of all we will be going to potty school. Time for no diapers. We are ready!! :)

Here's to a good year!! :)

The Dirty Dash "Mud Run" 2011

In my efforts to improve my health, I thought I would take a chance and do something I had never done before. I signed up to do the Dirty Dash 5k mud run with my friends! It takes place at Soldier Hollow and it is a 5k obstacle course/race in the mud. There were hay bales to climb over, tunnels to go through, walls to climb. There was a slide, and a pool of mud. It was such a good time, and although my body was tired I was so glad I did it.

Group Photo. There were over 60 participants in our group! It was such a beautiful day, and so fun. Thank you Dulci, Brian, Melissa and Brock for the great pictures. A very special thank you to Brock for putting this all together!!

Got Mud Girls

After the slide

Dirty Got Mud Girls :)

Yep, that is yucky mud on my face....and I am still smiling!!

Group in the pool

Falling in the pool...it was so gross.

Group on the muddy hill! What a great bunch of people!

Muddy Group Photo

I am so glad that I didn't put limitations on myself and think I could not do this. I love my friends, they are so awesome. I am grateful for friends who encouraged and had faith in me. I am enjoying the journey. I showed my kids the picture of "Mommy in the Mud", and they looked at me like I was crazy!! I want them to see a strong and beautiful woman. I want them to know they can do anything if they are determined. :)

Beyond risk....I discovered freedom! A great feeling!!

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Thanksgiving this year in Eagle Mountain. We had such a great time with family. My parents, brother and sister and their families were there. Although, we did miss our family not present, they were definitely in our thoughts. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Mommy and Ashley

Mommy and Ethan

Mommy and Carly

Mommy and Greyson

My loving Father

My sweet parents

Big Brother Jason

My Sister Carole

My sweet little Family

As I look back on this year I am grateful for so many changes. For growth and healing. The kids and I are doing well. They love school and are thriving. Their teachers are always giving great compliments about them. We are so grateful for all we have been blessed with. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and is so mindful of our needs. I am so thankful for my little family!!

Weightloss Update...

50 lbs lost and 25 inches!!! I look at the pictures and I can't believe how much better I feel about myself. I feel a little taller, more confident, and I carry myself so differently. I am so glad that I finally decided to break this barrier.

For so long I didn't worry about it. I made excuses, I told myself that fat girls were so much happier than skinny girls. I then realized that I wanted to be healthy. I wanted to run after my kids and play with them. I don't get winded anymore. I can chase them around and it is such a great feeling. I don't carry that distended feeling in my stomach anymore. I don't have swelling in my ankles. I can move and dance, and play football.....and most of all I am happy with myself.

I am a work in progress...I have 30 more pounds to lose and a few more goals that I am setting for myself. This package may not be perfect, but it's pretty darn good. :)

Kindergarten

Finally!! Carly started kindergarten today. She was hoping to start last year but she missed the cut off by 8 days (lame). She was so ready to go. She is getting to be such a big girl. :)

Mommy and my princess.

The kids' school is really cool. They have giant pencils as columns.

Beautiful girl. :)

She was really so excited for school.

Here she is at her desk. It will be weird not having her at home. She is my little mess maker though, so it will be really nice to have a clean house for a few hours. Carly, we LOVE you!!

Joy in the Journey

It's little moments like these that I treasure the most. This morning we heard the rain pounding outside, and when we looked we saw a huge puddle. I had an idea!! When I told the kids we were going outside to play and jump in the rain, they look at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. They couldn't believe that I would be suggesting that they go and get wet and dirty...even more so that I would be joining them.

Three Musketeers

I love kissies!!

Love this face.

Wet faces!!

Pure Joy!

So fun.

We got soaked!

What a great morning.

It is nice when these moments come along. I love these kids so much, they are MY everything!! To take a step back from the world and see what is truly important. I love watching the laughter and joy in my childrens' faces today! Sometimes, we are present but not there. Be there.... :)