Thankful for Family....

We had a good Thanksgiving. We were at my Mom's this year. My sister Angie, brother Chris and brother Tom and their families were there too. We were able to catch up on things.Both of my brothers live in the same town as me but we seldom get to sit down and chat. We sure missed my brother Jon and sister Robyne. My Dad and step Mom went to my sister Robyne's home for Thanksgiving. I hope they didn't freeze in brrrr cold Idaho.
For those that don't know... I have a Navajo foster sister named Sharon. She lives in Arizona. We get to see each other every now and then. We always have fun when she's with us and I miss her too!
I also got to see my good friend Angie and her cute kiddos this week. It has been hard having her live in a different town but we still keep in touch as much as we can.
The pictures are from Thanksgiving. We did a picture with all the girls but the guys weren't feeling as photogenic.

I'm Thankful

Well this is my thankful post. I am thankful for my neighbors. The reason I am saying this is because for the last 2 years I have complained about my home. I would love a brand new home but we opted to buy an older home that has been nothing but renovation after renovation.. Sometimes I think the only reason we are still in our home is because of our neighbors and our ward. They are awesome! I don't know if my kids could ever have better friends or better examples to be surrounded by. Everyone seems to be in the same economic standing. There really isn't any keeping up with the Jone's. I have really learned that there can be a lot of blessings by living more simply.
I am so grateful for the gospel and the priesthood. Lately that has been such a great comfort to me. I am so glad my husband lives worthy enough to hold that priesthood. I'm grateful that I have a testimony. I'm also grateful for the challenges I have. They are what shape me into the person I know I am supposed to be. Even though at times I wish I could give them away.
Of course I am thankful for my family. They are the greatest blessing in my life. Sometimes I wish we had more or could give or do more. I guess the saying, "we may not have it all together, but together we have it all" really fits our family.
I hope we all take the time to think about the things in our lives that we are grateful for. We really do live in a wonderful place and are surrounded by wonderful people. There is so much we can learn from one another.

So much to do!

I have been so busy lately. I have 3 performances for Dance all in the next 3 weeks.Along with trying to get everything going for school. I never really feel stressed or overwhelmed when we perform. There is a lot that goes into it like getting my own daughters ready, cutting the music, bringing extras of everything, taking all the phone calls from the girls who forgot or misplaced items. On recital days there is all the decorating and taking down making sure every class has a helper and so on. The biggest challenge has been making sure my daughters are taken care of when every other girl needs me.
Last year it really hit me when I was scrambling to get things done and all the dancers had there Mom's there to help them. My youngest kept trying to get my attention and I was telling her to have someone help her with what she needed. (At that time I had about 15 other little girls swarming me.) She grabbed my hand, started crying and said I don't want someone else. I want you!
I realized how much I neded to be more in tune with my own kids and there nerves or insecurities.
I'm always hoping that my groups perform there best. It is obvious that a lot of my dancers come from no or little experience but are more happy to have the chance to be there. That is why I have always charged such a low cost because I knew I would get a group of kids that probably would have never had this opportunity and don't take it for granted. I also don't feel that parents should have to brake the bank in order to have there kids participate in extracurricular activites. I only wish more people in my community would open there hearts and give more chances to those who may not otherwise have those doors opened for them.
I grew up in a very competitve dance group. I don't remember a time when I wasn't dancing and competing. Don't get me wrong. I am still a very competitve person but have felt more blessed and humbled by running my buisness the way I do. I can only hope that it is blessing the lives of those that come to me.

P.S. The pictures are from last year. I Haven't asked for permission to post class pics so I am only posting my girls.

University bound

As of the first week of Jan I will officially be a full time student at the University. Right now everything is so overwhelming. I keep asking myself how I can do it all (be a mom, wife, run a business, serve in a very busy young women's calling, exercise, and a student.)

I've just decided I have to look at this as life insurance. What if something happened to my husband? My mom was a single parent with 6 kids when she had to go back to school and work. I remember how hard it was for her. But, it was the right decision too. I feel very strongly about this. I guess you can say, almost "prompted" that this is what is best for our family.

Unfortunately, my husband hasn't picked the most financially rewarding career but he absolutely loves what he does. (just a side note, did you know that police officers make less than teachers? We all know that teachers definitely don't make what they deserve to make. Right Kami and Angie C.?) Its just a little irritating that those in law enforcement are asked to leave there family's for months at a time, go to and pass very difficult Academy's and push there bodies to physical meltdowns.Let alone, put on a bullet proof vest everyday and possibly give there life if needed. But, can hardly support there family's. Might I add that a lot of them do have college degrees too. (SORRY, THAT WAS JUST MY FRUSTRATION OF BEING A MOMMY WHO HAS ALWAYS WORKED FULL TIME WHEN I HAVE WANTED TO BE A STAY AT HOME MOMMY COMING OUT!)

Anyways, I will be majoring in sociology and minoring in dance or psychology. I'm really nervous. I'm am not book smart. I have told my sister all week that I was the one in High School who always felt like I just didn't get it. When everyone else did. Oh well, Thank goodness for tutors. I guess only time will tell if I am really the "super woman" that I am going to have to be to pull all this together. ( Don't check for any grammar errors, I'll be getting enough critique soon! J/K)

Almost 40, but not quite there

Happy, Happy Birthday Angie! Today is my sisters 39th birthday. She is ten years older than me. Angie and I always have a good time when we get together.We can laugh and laugh till one of us almost pees our pants. She always has good advice and can keep you laughing all the time.
When I was 17 I lived with her and her family. It was such a good time and I appreciate her giving me a place to just get away and really focus on my life. She is so caring and would drop anything to help anyone.
This year we ran a 5k together. I don't know if I would have done it without her. I have always looked up to her and have wanted to be the kind of mother and wife that she is. I love you Angie! Happy Birthday

Going Private

As of Dec 1st I will be going private . Because of my husbands job I feel like this is the right decision for our family. We don't have our phone number listed or our last name on our home. I have never mentioned the town or state we live in but still feel like it is the safest choice for us. I wish we lived in a more trusting and safe world. Unfortunately my husband gets to see the worst of it and its enough to make me want to be a little cautious.
If you would like to keep seeing my blog leave your email on the comments and I will send you an invitation.
Thanks for looking at our blog! I would love to keep in touch with all of you!
Remember, I won't make this change until Dec 1st.

Happy Birthday Tommy!

Today is my brother Tom's Birthday. We were always very close growing up. He is only 2 years older me. Where ever he was I was usually following closely behind. He was always getting me out of class in High School just so we could hang out. (sorry Mom. ) Also, when I was in High School and on the Drill team he was my escort for the "Mohey Review" it meant a lot to me to have him care enough to be there. I can call him anytime of day and he will be over to help me. He has a great wife that has always allowed me to stay good friends with him. I truly appreciate that. Tom has always been my friend even when I didn't know who my real friends were and still is. He never judges and always gives me good advice I don't know a harder worker than him. Happy Birthday Tommy boy I love you!

Tag! Seven weird things about me

1- I hate heights. I can hardly stand driving up the mountain. I get panicky and light headed looking over the edge.

2- I have broken my arms 3 times.

3- I don't like camping . I know, I know, I must not be from Utah. I would much rather be in a motel with a warm swimming pool. (I unlike my sisters love to swim.) I have asthma and camp fires are misery for me. I also hate the bugs and being dirty. No thanks!

4-I check my towel before I put it on me when I get out of the shower. My brother once had a scorpion on his towel when he got out of the shower.

5-I could still do the splits when I was ready to deliver both of my babies. And still can.

6-I am deathly allergic to animals. Luckily I have found out that I am not allergic to shi zu's. That's probably why I have 3. Going into a home with cats or a shedding dog is an instant ER visit for me. I'm also not allergic to cows. Hmm... Would a baby cow make a good pet?

7-I have served in the Young Women's in our ward 5 times. (personal progress leader, Beehive advisor, Beehive Advisor, Mia Maid Advisor, 1st counselor and currently 1st counselor.) Sheesh, maybe if I could get it right they'd give me a break J/K.

Bonus - I love Disco. I realize Micheal J. is a little odd but I will still get down to the Jackson 5 and funkytown any day. And big earrings were made for me! If you don't believe me ask my family. I was born in the wrong era.

There are so many more weird things about me but I will choose to embrace them and not share anymore.

Freedom to Vote!

As we come upon a new election I don't want to express who I am voting for. I really don't want a debate or any negative comments. All I want to say is that I am so grateful that we live in a country that we have the freedom to vote as we choose. Recently, I read a blog where this person was tearing her neighbors down for voting as they choose. I was really sad to see her make them feel inferior for using there right to vote . I have never believed that this was how our country was meant to be. And still don't.
All I want to say is that I am proud of our country for coming so far.... I never would have thought that we would have an African American running for President or a Woman running for Vice president let alone a Mormon in the beginning of the races.
I hope everyone does vote however they want and realizes what a blessing it is to have that freedom in our lives. I also hope we don't resort to mean and negative comments when voicing our choice. Treating our neighbors with respect as they make there choice this election is another way to set us apart from other countries. God bless America!

Rudolph for Hallowen?

Halloween was a little different this year. I just happened to look like Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. Not because of a costume but because I was sick. I was also sick on the 24Th of July this year. For some reason holidays haven't been kind to me lately.

But, my kids had fun. I managed to make it to our neighborhood trunk or treat. Although, I probably shouldn't have. I looked like the pathetic mom that needed to take some medicine and go back to bed. But I really wanted to see the kids all dressed up. After that I went home and Carlos took the kids in to see Grandparents and Family. Bless his heart.

Our Halloween pics. aren't that great but oh well.

We did manage to get our Dog's dressed up. Frankie was a clown, Chuy was a Devil and Cookie was a Ballerina. (Cookie and I were supposed to have the same costume.) There's always next year. I hope everyone else had a fun safe Halloween!

Victor dressed as a girl, Olivia was a Pirate, Emilio was "The Scream." and Alesia was Hannah Montana. Also in the picture is Emilio's best bud Bryce. He was Batman.