Happy Birthday Sondra!

Just want to wish our dear Sondra a very special birthday! We love you so much and want you to know just how special you are. You have such a big heart and are always giving of yourself, time, love and sacrifice for everyone and we ask that you be blessed beyond measure!

Thank you for all you do and hope you have a wonderful day and get better soon. Also know that Jared is in our prayers as well.

Thank you and maybe a little too negative?

I just want to say thank you for all who replied on my previous post about challenges. That is not what I expected at all. Everyone was so kind and caring and I haven't been worthy enough to deserve it.

I feel that I should have been more positive and not so focused on what is going wrong in my life, but I am thankful that I can share that with my family and close friends, each of you have been a blessing in my life and I love you all very much and know you are special. Thank you for helping to bear my burdens even though you are carrying your own.

And they all came tumbling down...

This is what happens when you are on the computer talking to your friends and also on some really good pain medications... your other two are in the other room playing the wii and all of a sudden you realize that your 3 year old is very quiet. You here a "Oh no.. dadgumit.." come from your 3 year old and you know that that means something that cannot be good!
So, you turn and see your little guy almost to the top shelf of the book case and it is falling down with him on it. All the books go flying every direction they possibly can and you go rescue your little daredevil from his high climbing, dare diving adventure!


So naturally he is the first one to jump in and try to clean up his mess. So what do you do as a mother in this situation?
A. run and spank him for climbing up there
B. just ignore what happened
C. hurry and get the camera because it is just too funny not to
D. try not to laugh while helping him clean it up and tell him we don't do that and scold him in a Christ-like way.

I opted for C and D.. as you can plainly see. What would you have done in my place?


As soon as I get the results from the above poll, I will post them and see if I was on the right track...LOL

Our challenges strengthen us...

For a person who likes to consider herself as pretty healthy, nothing could be further from the truth...at least lately.

I know that our challenges are supposed to make us stronger..if that were in physical terms I will end up being pretty buffed! I guess we can't have perfect health all the time but that sure would be nice!

It all started with a check-up at the dentist office to get an exam. I had a big cavity under a big filling. I had the cavity drilled out and he said that it was right on top of my nerve. We were in hopes that I wouldn't need a root canal, however, after a week and a half of intense pain we went ahead and started the process. We uncovered an infection which had spread down to my jaw line. He couldn't finish it because it was too painful. He put me on antibiotics to help clear up the infection. OF course I get the all time favorite yeast infection, then sinus infection, the next week was in a lot of pain due to a kidney infection and then a bacterial infection in my lungs which I was hacking up bloody mucus. I was unable to go visiting teaching last month because I was quite sick and now this month am quite sick again... I am sure my sisters wonder if I want to come! Now I am enduring a very, very painful gall bladder infection that sent me to a place that I don't like to go.. but they needed to make sure it wasn't filled with stones. They think it might not be emptying correctly. Pain meds have been my best friend the past two days and I detest being on them! I have only slept 4 -5 hours in 2 days so I am very tired. Haven't been able to eat or drink anything without it causing severe pain and making me sick.. have already lost 10 pounds in a month from not knowing how or changing anything...

I will get through this..always do! I will come out the better person from this. I very rarely talk about how I am feeling...most people are consumed with their own challenges, they don't need mine to add to theirs!

So maybe the next time you see me I might be emotionally, spiritually and physically toned.. ok maybe not the physical part..LOL!

I want to say a special thank you to my sweet friends who have been there with me through all of this. And to those family members I have shared this with... You just don't know what you have done for me... I love you all dearly! You know I don't like to talk about the negative in my life, but like a family member once told me.. if Idon't share some of my struggles and write them down, my descendants won't be able to relate with me.. so I said it and now on to positive things in my life!

Read me a story Daddy...

I couldn't help but smile when I watched Ross read to Brayden. Things like this definately does a Mother's heart good!


I thought that this was cute they way they were both reading a book.


I am so grateful to have a husband that loves to be involved with his children and takes the time to build relationships and create memories with them. I love them dearly.

An organized freezer makes life easier

I had read this in a magazine a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a try. I absolutely love it! Although I had to make some minor alterations and take out the containers on the top shelf to fit the roasts, it is still neat and you know right where everything is. No more digging thru your meat to find that long wanted pork roast!

I hope this helps some and those that are already organized in their freezer...well you are ahead of me! At least I can now feel like I have something in my life that is in its place...

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! Today you are 3!! Just 3 short years ago you came into this world such a little guy, 5 lbs 10 oz. You spent 8 days in the NICU in Boise, but you took yourself off of everything! You have always been a fighter! We are so blessed to have you in our home!

This was a kiss from your Grandma Stevens... I just love this one!

And now here you are, our big boy who brings so much joy to our family. We love you so much and are blessed to be your parents!! Everyone loves you and you bring a smile to all who are blessed to know you!!