Letter to My Husband!!!

I was helping clean our room when I came across a letter that I written when I was 12.  As a young women's project I was asked to write a letter to my future husband.  Today I found it.  Can I tell you how amazing it was to see that the things that I had written would finally come true.

"To My Future Husband,
I don't care about your looks. You have a pure heart and a love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Your kind to all around you and caring to all who need care for. Your loving to me and your children. You have a need to take care of me and the needs of our family. I love you for your love, kindness, friendship and for the caring you do for others and how you care so much about me"

Now not only is it amazing that I just described Ryan, but also that even though I was married before I never found that letter until now.  When I found it I started laughing and handed it to Ryan and said "here I guess this is for you!"

I am so grateful for the wonderful man that I have.

Sara's Big Day!!!

When I was a little girl about to become a Young Women my father gave me a gift, a ring, a Purity Ring. It was a promise between my father and I that I would keep myself pure until I found a worthy man who could take me to the temple to get married. Now we all know how that turned out and even though it took a long time I was able to fulfill a part of that promise.  To this day I ware the ring on my pinkie and look at it with great fondness. Sara asked me one day where I got the ring and I was able to share with her the meaning, and even let her try it on.  With Sara's birthday coming up and it being her turn to become a Young Women, Ryan and I decided that we wanted to keep the tradition going.  We wanted to make sure that it was a surprise so we had to be extra sneaky.  One day while looking at rings Sara came in and asked what I was doing.  I told her that I was looking for a ring (not letting her know who it was for) and asked "Out of all of these rings, if YOU had a choice which one would you get?"  She went back and forth and finally picked one that she said she loved.

I shut down the computer and she asked why I was not getting it. I told her that maybe one day I would but for now it was not going to happen.  Later that night I showed Ryan the ring and we went back on and bought it.  Since it was a special order it took longer than we expected and was a couple of days late in giving her the gift.  Luckily it came today!!!

We called Sara into our room and and had her come sit with us.  I asked her if she remembered the story I told her about the special gift that my father had given me.  She said that she did and got a big smile on her face.  Ryan then told her how special she was to us and how important it is to be pure. I asked her if she was willing to make a promise not only to us but most importantly with herself and Heavenly Father. She said yes!!! I told her it is easier to keep a promise when you have something to remind you of the promise.  So we then let her open the box.  As soon as she saw the ring tears started streaming down her face.  With wide eyes she looked at me and said "It's the Ring, the one I wanted" and started to cry.  I took out the ring and told her that the silver represented cleanliness, and when you look at this ring I want you to remember you should always keep your self as clean. The Amethyst was her birthstone and was put there to let her know that February was a very precious month, since she was born in it.  By this time all of our emotions were so strong that we all just sat there crying and hugging.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter.  Now it will be her turn to one day continue the tradition with her daughter.  Thank you Dad!! Happy Birthday Sara!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

I know that it has been awhile since I have updated my blog. Between my surgery, the kids in school, Ryan's new job/old job (new company) and getting back to work it has been a mad house.

Last week I got to enjoy spending time with my sister Jennifer. It has been so long since I have seen her and we had so much fun just being together.  If it was playing cards or just talking it was so worth it!

Tonight I had the great joy of having my sister Lisa, her husband Keith and their 1 year old little man, Alex, join us in trick-or-treating.  Sara and Alex were the only ones that dressed up.  Sara was a Zombie Princess and Alex was a football player (Sean Alexander).

Sara choosing her meal!!

Sara and Mr. Alexander

First house for Trick-or-Treating

Waiting for the next house!

I know, just shake your head, it's Ryan being Ryan!

My favorite picture of the night!!



 I am so glad to be home!! I am also so glad to have spent this time with my family!!!

First Day of School!!!

I can not believe that it is the kids first day of school!!  Last night we set all of the alarms, put the timers back on the TVs, got all the school things ready and made sure we were all in bed early.  Sam got up at 5:30 to get ready (even though his bus does not come until 7:00).  David's alarm goes off at 7:00 but Sam was great and made sure he was up before he left. Sara has the joy of still being on vacation in Wisconsin and will not start school until her new little brother Brody is born (hopefully soon).  When she does her and David will be leaving the house at the same time and just walking in different directions.  Sara will walk to school and David to his bus. 

Sam had two classes he does not like, Ballroom and Drawing! I think they are great classes but he is not looking forward to them.  Our schools are A days and B days so they only have 4 periods a day.  I think it is nice since they get over an hour in each class. Hopefully he will take the time to do all his homework in there instead of waiting.

David's only class that he is not looking forward to is Drama.  I think it would be great for him, he is scared.

Sara has the best teacher ever!!! At least that is what she said.  Her name is Mrs. Patin.  When I went to her school yesterday her teacher had former students from 2 or 3 years ago come and visit her.  Even though Sara will not be in school right now I will be meeting with her teacher next week to get all of her assignments. So she may be missing school but not her work! 

I am now going to enjoy the silence of having no one at home.  Hoping to take it easy but we need food and I am going to try to find all food under 10 pounds (since I can not lift anything more than that)!!  Ryan started his new schedule with DOD (Department of Defence) and is now working Tuesday - Friday.  So I get the house to myself for the rest of the week. 

The Wind!!

Yesterday after getting home from church we got a frantic knock on our front door. Next thing I know David come running into our room and tells us to look out on the balcony.  I get up and look to see that our 15 foot Trampoline had decided to visit our neighbors.  Yesterday we were having very strong winds with gusts over 50 mph.  I could hear the house as it shook and never thought that the trampoline could take off.  The trampoline went thru our backyard, took out their fence, thru their backyard and took out a tree and landed in their front yard/street.  Luckily everything was fixable, thanks to my amazing husband and we didn't have to make our first Homeowner Insurance call.  After they had gotten the trampoline back in our yard (with the help of our other neighbors) they collected some pretty big rocks and put them on the legs of the trampoline. It was then that I thought I should of taken a picture. We then went back upstairs and opened the balcony door and watched the storm. Ryan and I got to see a grocery bag go on an adventure, up and over the mountain.  We called the boys in and as we were watching the storm we told Sam he better be careful or we may see his Elmo PJ (that he just so happen to have on) flying away.  He looked up and said "you mean like those" and low and behold a pair of pants were flying in the air dying to get back to school.  At least that is where we some them land. 

When we were outside I was paying attention to the boys and not where I was going and tripped over our patio.  As I was falling I caught myself and I felt a sharp pain.  I now believe that I maybe ripped some stitches and am now back to day 3 where I could get up but it still hurts.  I had a really hard time getting to sleep because of the pain.  I am now really taking it easy and updating my blog. Ha Ha!!!

I wonder what else this time off will bring!!!! Now... I am going to check to see if the kids are ready for their first day of school. This will be the first year that all the kids are in different schools.  Sam is going to Westlake High School and is not looking forward to being a Freshman.   I am not looking forward to him getting a permit.  He has it down to the days., I believe it is 1 month and 24 days (just ask him)!!  He is looking forward to Seminary (yes I said looking forward to). He believes it will be one of his classes that he will excel in since he already reads his scriptures every night.  David is going to a brand new school Vista Heights Middle (Jr. High) School. This year they are only doing 7th and 8th graders and next year they will add 9th grade. 7th grade starts tomorrow (with no 8th graders) and Wednesday only the 8ht graders will be there and then on Thursday it will be all.  David will be the top dog for two years in a row (I think he needs that).  Sara is going to be top dog this year and is 6th grade at her Hidden Hollows Elementary.  She is so looking forward to all of the fun things that they plan for them.  I of course can not believe that they are so old to be facing all of the challenges of school.  Why can't we keep them safe from all of the unknown.  But knowing my kids they are ready to face it all!!!

Seven Peaks Resort

The kids have had so much going on lately that I have felt that we have not done anything as a family. So Ryan and I planned a day trip to Seven Peaks Resort.  Sam, David and Ryan each got to bring a friend.  Most of my friends I work with and could not get off the same day so I kept company with a great book!!! Knowing that I will be out of commission for 4 weeks I wanted to do something fun with the boys before they start school. We had so much fun!!!

Tired and Content!!!!

I am finally home after a long day and am so tired but very happy.  Tonight I got to meet my mom's friend. A friend who was able to get me some insight to her that I never have had before. I have always been told that I look like her but I didn't know that I had her humor.  It was great to meet her and her family.  I am looking forward to seeing her and her family and learning more. Now I am going to bed and wait for my husband to come home!