Thanks for Health

Ever been sick? I am so thankful for my health, and even more thankful for the health of my children, my family, and friends. We really are in a wonderful time to be alive. We have so many conveniences that make life easier and modern medicine ranks right up there as one of our greatest blessings.

I've heard it said that our trials in these last days are more of the spiritual nature; we don't have to quite endure what our ancestors did. I know Matthew and I probably would've died in childbirth if it weren't for doctors' abilities to perform C-sections and administer antibiotics. My mom and little sister would've been in the same situation, and were a lot closer than I ever came to death. But, nobody is immune to sickness, spiritual or physical.

Sam's cousin, Jeff Andrus, has spent this last week going through chemotherapy at the U of U Hospital. He is supposed to get a bone marrow transplant, from his brother, in the next day or so. The chemotherapy, though, has caused some unexpected damage and he can't have any pain meds because of the upcoming transplant (I hope I'm getting all this info. right!) The family is having a special fast for him tomorrow. I realize that most you who read my blog probably don't know Jeff, but maybe just keep him in your prayers. He's such a nice guy. He and his wife, Kathryn, have two little kids. Jeff was actually the first person I met at Dixie College (other than roommates) when I first came to St. George. We were in Bro. Judd's institute class together. He's just such a nice, outgoing guy. Please pray for him and his family.

I'm just thankful there are ways to treat, and even diagnose, what ails us. The world has come so far the last 150 years in treating anything. I know it's because of the restored gospel on the Earth, and the diligence of doctors to learn and the faithfulness of people who truly believe that Heavenly Father can heal that leads to so many miracles.

Thanks for TV

I like TV. I admit it. I spend my days with a three little boys ages 4, 2, and 1. I really do look forward to bedtime. I mean, it's not always the highlight of my day, but when I finally get to lay my sweet angels down at the end of sometimes a long, hard, long day, the TV and I can once again reconnect.

I do love my children; they are the most important people in my life, but sometimes I read other people's blogs and it gets me down. Do these other bloggers who have kid(s) not get worn down? Because, I swear, it sounds like these mothers (and fathers) have all the energy, patience, and love in the world and they're almost disappointed when the day is over. OK, not me. About half the time, I do a naked dance, eat some chocolate, lovingly kiss my DVR, and settle in for a few hours.

I need some me time at the end of the day. Sam doesn't understand why I stay up so late most nights. "Just go to sleep. Why do you gotta stay up?" the man says to me. He doesn't understand. I need alone time! My TV is overtaken by a combination of "Tom and Jerry" and "Thomas" sporadically during the day. So, I don't even try anymore (and there's always something I should be doing instead of TV, as much as I hate to admit it).

Thank the heavens for the advent of DVR! What a sublime, wonderful creation! I was against getting it at first: only TV junkies would tape shows, and I was not a TV junkie. That was the old me. I now have 68 episodes of "The Office," the last few episodes of "Lost" (which I can't watch yet because I have to see the first few of that season), "87 Kids and Counting" (I think that's it), "Unwrapped," "The Biggest Loser," and a few others here and there that catch my fancy.

Anyway, I love TV and people really shouldn't put it down. All things in moderation, and only "good" programming, of course, but I can always count on my TV to help me unwind at the end of the day.

Thanks for Ellen

I'm so thankful for my Aunt Ellen. Today is her birthday, and she would've been 46. Wow, that's hard to believe. She died in August 1999, but it feels like she's been gone forever. I wish I had a picture at my house that I could post of her, but I've searched forever and can't find the one I know I had. All the other pictures in the photo book are right there and that one is missing. She must have come and stole it.

Ellen is my mom's next youngest sister and the closest aunt and one of the best friends I ever had. I have so many good memories of her. When she'd stay at our house, she'd sleep in my bed and then leave a candy bar under the pillow when she left. I always looked forward to coming home from school to find it. My cousins and I would have sleepover at my Grandma's up in Ellen's room. We slept on the floor and Ellen would always tell us she had to go downstairs and would be right back. She'd never come back and we'd fall asleep waiting for her to return. And that memory reminds me of the "Hibernation Game." We'd "hibernate" (hide) and she'd come find us. She'd never come to find us. Also, we'd play the "Quiet Game." I'm sure you can guess how that one worked. It's really funny now that I look back. I'm going to try those games with my kids.

Ellen was my biggest supporter. She was right there with me bad mouthing my volleyball coaches and threatening to take them out. She defended me against anyone, including her own sisters. And she was always there to talk to. She was such a night owl and I could find her any time I needed to talk. She didn't have much money, but she bought me a graduation dress and a swimsuit when I went to France.

She is the greatest example of enduring to the end. When she was 18 she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that caused lumps on her skin. She was in and out of the hospital until the end, often spending weeks at a time at the University of Utah hospital. Sure, she had her bad days and wasn't a saint, but that just makes her human and even more of an example. The countless operations, medications, and stress eventually took its toll and she died in her sleep at home, in her own bed....with the TV on. If there was any way to go for her, I'm so glad it was that way.

Ellen loved writing in her journal and she had literally dozens and dozens of journals. I know she had such a testimony and faith of what lie ahead of her. I'm sad for myself that she never got to see any of my own kids and I often think what she would think of them. She never married, but I'm sure she's found her Civil War hunk in heaven that she often mentioned.

I know Ellen would've gotten a kick out of this whole blogging phenom and probably would've had her own. I'm not so good at the journal thing, but blogging does help a little. I just wanted to share a little about my favorite aunt and how often I think of her.

Thanks for the Rain

I am thankful for the rain. Living in the desert (or anywhere in the Southwest) rain is hard to come by. So, any day it rains, or is even cloudy, is a welcome day. It poured yesterday and while in Nursery at church, the kids went outside and watched, listened, and smelled the rain. It seems like no matter how old you are, you can always stop and watch the rain come down and still be awed by it. I love it.

My favorite smell?

The smell of wet earth, especially in the desert, after a rainstorm.

These pictures were taken from our backyard.

Thanks for the Simple Things

Remember when a balloon could just make your day?

Thanks for the Husband

I am thankful for The Husband. Sam and I were married March 2002. We met in a roundabout way. I was roommates at Dixie with Sam's first cousin, Necia. Sam had a boat. Necia had roommates who wanted to go to the lake. Hence, this is how we all met Sam. I wasn't living in St. George the summer they all started going, but once school started again we went on a boating trip. Sam had a fiancee at the time (she wasn't cute). So, we used him for some boat action and he really intimidated me. Never said one word to me the whole time I was on his boat, and to this day he still doesn't remember me being there that first time.

Skip ahead about a year and a half and I was living in SG again. My roommates and some old friends went out to dinner with Sam and his friends. I sat across the table from him and he introduced himself. I told him I knew who he was and you could tell he thought he was quite the man. He had a girlfriend at the time, but no fiancee. Some time later we went "jeepin' " and I was stuck in his Jeep because there wasn't room in the other one. I had, up to this point, tried to avoid Sam because I always thought he thought we were annoying and he was doing us a favor taking us on the Jeep or the boat. He just didn't talk - which can be very uncomfortable. We played paintball tag between the two Jeeps and it was so much fun! He actually spoke to me on the way home and old me goodbye. Could the Sam actually be paying me attention?

Well, we went on some dates, broke up once, got back together, I threatened to move to Cedar City to finish school at the end of the semester (because I'd been commuting from SG for a semester) if we weren't engaged, and lo and behold! we were engaged a couple weeks after my ultimatum.

Sam's pretty simple in some ways and really mysterious in others. A good word for him is "abrupt." For example, if we were watching a movie at my apartment with a group of people, he'd just get up and leave without saying anything at the end of the movie. Movie's over - time to leave. No words necessary.

1. Where did you meet your husband?
On his boat.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
11 months

3. How long have you been married?
It will be seven years in March.

4. What does he do to surprise you?
Buys something - like a broken down truck. Oh, is this supposed to be a good surprise?

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
Height, bigness - makes me feel smaller.

6.What is your favorite quality?
He's the hardest worker ever. He can't sit still and he detests laziness.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Jack

8. What is his favorite food?
Meat, corn, pomegranate salad, and rolls with jam. He has to have jam on any bread and he was once going to ask for it at Red Lobster to put on his cheddar bay biscuits. Jam does not go on those type of rolls! I had to beg him not to embarrass me that way.

9. What is his favorite sport?
Basketball, dirt bikes, wake boarding

10. When and where did you first kiss?
In my mom's minivan after I dropped him off at his truck when he came through Grand Junction.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Eat, go to the lake, drive in peace (no kids screaming) and just talk

12.Do you have children?
Three boys. Matt has Sam's energy. Milo has Sam's looks. Cooper had Sam's underlying mischievousness.

13. Does he have any hidden talents?
He gives really good foot massages.

14. How old is he?
31 on Nov. 3 - this birthday wasn't as dramatic as last years when he turned 30.

15. Who said I love you first?
He did.

16. What is his favorite music?
Alternative, rock, little bit of country, and Michael McLean's "Forgotten Carols"

17. What do you admire most about him?
I've always felt safe around Sam. He knows a lot more than he lets on. He's definitely not one to brag about his capabilities. He's such a good dad and will play ball and take the kids on the 4-wheeler. His ability to stick to his principles even though he's in a business surrounded by those who have little. His initiative - he wants to work for himself and so far as done a good job of making a go of his ventures.

18. What is his favorite color?
Blue

19. Will he read this?
Hmm...depends on how bored he is.

Did you know that Sam....

Can ride a dirt bike and 3 and 4-wheelers like a pro?

He's actually competed in some desert races.
Can wakeboard and jump the wake, and he can slalom ski?

Was on an award-winning racing team?

Is not so great at dressing sometimes?

Even on our wedding day he had holes in his socks.

Has never said anything negative to me about my appearance?

Even when I'm fat and just feel gross, he still makes me feel all nice and purty.

Is the best driver ever? Semis, four-wheelers, boats, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and even my minivan when I let him drive it.

Has a real strong sense of country?He listens to conservative talk radio and has some strong opinions on welfare, the economy, and Obama.

He couldn't resist me because he told me I was one of the few girls he ever dated who had a backbone and stood up for myself?

Thanks for the tag Nancy Nina. I now tag Kara, Lainee, Crystal, Tara, Jeana, and Brittney (who never updates her blog!).

Happy Halloween

Well, Halloween was quite productive this year - we made a good haul. Sam was out of town, so I loaded the troops up and went around the neighborhood. Most kids in Winchester hitch rides in the back of a pickup or a 4-wheeler. We didn't have Dad, so we did it the old-fashioned way. Cooper and Milo got to ride in the stroller; Matt had to walk. Matt did pretty good though - we walked for an hour and a half and he didn't complain.
And I kept true to my vow I made five years ago and did not leave any candy in a bowl on my front porch while I was gone. I did that one year while living in Santa Clara. We never got any trick-or-treaters but for some reason, I came home to find all the candy gone - stinkin' candy thieves!

These pictures were taken at the

neighborhood Halloween Carnival the week before.

Matt the Athlete

Matt with his friend, Dawson
Cooper went as a Pea-in-the-Pod (minus the peas) I love having all boys and recycling costumes. Can you guess what Cooper will be next year?