I added a few pics to some previous posts

Go check them out!

Moments by Riley

My cousin Riley is trying to get a photography business of the ground. I thought I'd give her a plug

http://www.momentsbyriley.blogspot.com

Whata weekend...

This was one of those weekends that made me lose myself in thought.

Friday my cousin April was married. I couldn't help but think of the last thirteen years of my life being spent with my best friend and husband. April and I are the same age and I guess I am lucky to have found my love early in my life. We were nineteen and crazy in love when we married. Nineteen. I look at my nieces at 18 and can't even imagine them married in the next year. What were we thinking? But, I can't complain. We survived growing up together and here we are 13 years and 4 kids later, still crazy in love.

Saturday we attended the temple to do sealings. It was kind of a crazy session but so peaceful and fulfilling at the same time. I couldn't help but think of families anxiously awaiting their names to be read and reuniting as they were sealed. Sadly, after leaving the temple on a spiritual high I received the news of my brothers mom's passing (my half brothers...we share a dad). I was in no way close to her and in actuality I kinda had to roll my eyes at lifestyle but she is the mother to my brothers. I was and am so hurt for them. I'm under the impression that maybe they weren't all on the best of terms at her passing. I can't imagine having to say goodbye to someone and not being able to say I'm sorry. Or, even I love you. That is why it is so important to say it everyday. It made me think of my grandma's passing 9 years ago. My cousin and her were in a tiff of some sort and not speaking to each other. I don't think my cousin ever really got over the fact that the last time see saw my grandma alive she was horrible to her. This life is so short there is no reason to treat those we love as horrible as we do sometimes. And, it's too short to hold a grudge. I personally am going to try harder to get over any ill feelings I might have toward the people in my life.

Welcome Kaylin Alexandra Loy!

I am an auntie again! I will spare you all the drama and just let you know she was born July 6 around 11:30 weighing in at 7lbs 5oz and 19 inches long. She has lots of brown hair and is so sweet and cute!

Happy fourth of July! A few days late

Our weekend was fun. We had a great time in Price and spent some time with my grandparents. We went to a parade, went swimming, saw fireworks and went to a dinosaur museum. Ian was difficult as usual. I'm really not sure what to do anymore. I am so overwhelmed and I'm starting to suspect that we are purposely not being invited places because of him. I think it was good for us to get away as a family because I was feeling really bad before we left for this very reason. Spending time with my family made me realize that in the end only one thing matter's and that is the fact that we are family. No matter what...he is my son. He is Hard! He is annoying! He is out of control but he is my son! We've been trying very hard to stress this with our kids lately trying to help them understand that sometimes it sucks to be part of this family but ya better get used to it because as buzz lightyear would say...to infinity and beyond! yep...we are stuck to each other forever!

My first ever and only first place run

Well, I did it! I placed first in my age division, third in the women's division and seventh over all in my recent half-marathon! I took 13 minutes off my last half-marathon time and finished in 2:07:44. It was a very interesting race. Beautiful, but interesting. For one thing...not a single potty the whole run. Another thing...no bibs. I wore my number proudly on my hand which was written with a permanant marker. Oh...and did I mention? Only seven runners. Yep. seven. Hence the seventh place victory! But I did it even though I almost ran the 10k to avoid the humiliation. But... I sucked it up and ran knowing very well I would finish dead last and several minutes after the closest competitor. The support truck drove down the canyon yards behind me and made me very intimidated but I think it was good for me mentally. I think it made me stronger. And hey, I shaved 13 minutes off my time. I think that is worth celebrating!

Blogging rut

I was shocked to get on the computer this morning and saw that I haven't blogged since last Thursday. This is my "journal" after all and there has been so much to share! Like my fight with the insurance company to replace a spilt bottle of seizure medication. And my horrible trip to the farm where I lost Ian with a raging river just feet away. There was also the break down of my van a mile from home with four kids in the 95 degree heat. How about the three inch slash on the bottom of Matthais's foot (done before the farm and the break down so he was MISERABLE on Friday)? Then there was Monday where I spent the majority of the day crying. These are all things that one day I might look back and laugh...but not if I don't remember them. I am so grateful for this outlet for preserving my personal history. I can't wait to look back on these days and smile.