Soccer Games!

The kids played soccer this year! It was so much fun to watch them. I felt a real soccer mom sitting through heat, rain, and even snow! Taiya's team won a few games, but Ethan's didn't win any. Haha. This was the first time playing for both of them and I am really hoping that they will keep it up next year! We got to know a few people in our ward a lot better seeing them at all the games and the few practices they had. I am just hoping that next year the weather cooperates better!

I could not believe that they did not cancel the games! I felt so bad for these poor kids having to play in weather like that! They really seemed to like it though! I hope this weather gets better soon... we haven't even been able to plant our garden yet because it has been raining too much and it keeps freezing at night!

May 1, 2010- SUPERCROSS!!

Today we went to Supercross at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. We paid a local riders fees so that he could race, so we were able to park in the pits where all of the "huge pros" race! It was fantastic! We got there at 9 a.m. and it was freezing and lightly raining. We learned our lesson from last year and wore thermals, lots of layers, coats, hoodies, ponchos, and blankets! When we got there, we went and walked around the pits... we were hoping to see some of the big dawgs! Hehe. We did see a kid who does Arenacross. It wasn't until later that we started to see people. Here is a picture from when we had a brief break from the rain. It was still FREEZING!!

We were walking around and I saw Jeff Emig! He won a few championships quite a few years back and now he is the announcer for all of the Supercross races. He was with Ralph Sheheen who is his announcing sidekick. I was too embarrassed to ask for a picture so Brandon's friend did it for me! I was in 7th heaven when he said yes! Haha. I wanted to get one with Ralph too, but after the picture with Jeff I was a little excited and didn't. I ended up seeing Ralph around 2 more times during the morning but I never had the camera with me and he smiled at me every time I saw him... so needless to say I went through the rest of the day feeling SO guilty! When we were watching the race on t.v. when we came home I had horrible guilt... so Ralph if you are reading this... next year I am getting a picture with you... no matter what! Haha. Here is Jeff Emig and me!

We were walking around and saw that they were having a rider's meeting, so we stood in the back and listened! They were having some guy give a motivational thought... oh my... it was SO weird! I was trying so hard not to laugh. The prayer he gave was crazy! After the meeting we were able to meet Kevin Windham and Tray Canard! We got pictures with both of them! IT was awesome because Kevin won the race tonight! He was so sweet. He was talking to someone when we walked up to him and he stopped talking and came up to us and let us get pictures with him. He is darling in person! Tray hung out with Brandon in 2006 or 2007 at the Amatuer Opens in Phoenix! Brandon had Ballz Racing down there and Trae was hanging out in his booth! Tray remembered Brandon so that was pretty cool. He is a great kid and we were so excited to meet him too. I was really sad though because when we put our pictures on the computer my picture with Tray was all messed up. Oh well. At least I have the memories. Haha. (I added the messed up picture just so everyone could feel my pain. lol)

Pink's husband Carey Hart does Supercross stuff so sometimes Pink will come with him and Taiya knows this from watching Supercross with us. Taiya found Hart's semi and was parked out there waiting for Pink! Unfortunately, Pink was not there this time. Taiya was really bummed about that. Hopefully next year she will get to meet her. After all the fun of meeting everyone it was time to go and watch the races. It had stopped raining for a good portion of the afternoon but as soon as they started the races it started pouring!! We got rained on, it snowed, sleeted, and hailed! We had our ponchos on with blankets underneath... but everytime Brandon or Ethan would move, the rain would run off and land right on me. By the time we left my pants were soaked and I had so much water in my boots that you could just feel the sloshing! That made it so hard because it was freezing! Ethan fell asleep during the races because it had been a long day for the kids! Here are some pictures from the track. I didn't take any during the race because it was raining way too hard! I felt so bad for the poor riders because they were soaked and covered in mud!

When we got back to the truck we saw Cowboy Kenny and his gang. They are freestyle riders. They weren't able to perform because of the rain, but we were able to meet them because they were parked right next to us! The picture didn't turn out too well because it was still pouring! Here are the pictures of them and some pictures of what our riders bike looked like after he raced in the mud.




We went to IHOP for dinner close to midnight. We had to pull over around 1:30 and sleep for 40 minutes because we were exhausted. It was so much fun! I love going to Supercross every year! It has been so much fun and it is always so exciting! I can't wait for next year!

The Retiring Carpenter Story

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss his paycheck, but he needed to retire. He would get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." the carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently, but we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitude and the choices you make today build the "house" you live in tomorrow.

Build wisely.

I read this and think it is so beautiful and true. Sometimes I am too tired after working all day to put my best with my family, which of course should be most important. A lot of times I feel like my home is chaotic, loud, and full of contention. I really want a home where people walk in and feel peace, love, and happiness... especially my kids. This is my new goal "to build my dream home." I know that it is going to take a lot of work on my part, but it is something that I am more than willing to do!

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the "home and all those in it" that He has blessed me with. I truly feel so blessed. I am also grateful for the Atonement and to know that I can go back and fix the mistakes in my home that I have made.

Easter

Every year for Easter we go up to Grandma Ball's house. She has a pasture on the family homestead and we do a massive Easter egg hunt... but this year it snowed... so we could not go. We were all really bummed. We ended up going swimming at Green Canyon. That was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast jumping off the diving board into Dad's arms! They have a fireplace there so we roasted hot dogs.

Sunday we woke up and the kids enjoyed their Easter baskets! Taiya and Ethan each got a new spring outfit. We tried to get as much conference in... but there were a lot of people... a lot of little kids... and a lot of noise. Haha. Everyone came over and had lunch. Mom is so amazing to have everyone over and feed us all! (There are a lot of us!) We were over visiting Brandon's dad and step mom when I got a call saying Ethan was throwing up... I hurry home and sure enough he was! He came downstairs and told Grandma that his head hurt and that he felt like he was going to throw up... then it came! I am figuring that he ate too much candy. Poor little guy. He was out for the rest of the night.

Sunday we played again and just hung out. We were going to leave Sunday night, but with Ethan throwing up and how late it was we decided to stay another night. (Plus our sister-in-law was begging us to stay!) We really had so much fun there. I enjoy spending time with all my sweet nieces and nephews (I only get to see them every once in a while).

As it is Easter, I love to reflect on how grateful I am for the Savior and for everything he has blessed me with. I have the most amazing husband, children, father, mother, step mom, Mother-in-law, brother, and sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, soon to be stepbrothers & sisters-in-law, Grandparents, cousins, nieces, and nephews. I have a beautiful house in an amazing area. You could not find a more beautiful place to live. Our Ward is spectacular and I have never felt so much love and kindness. Most important, I am grateful for the Atonement and the knowledge that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to send his Only Son to die for us so that we may return to live with Him again. I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life and to know of all the blessings that come with it.

I hope that you all had an amazing Easter as well. (Pictures to come soon!)

Last year in my 20's

On Friday I turned 29! Most people hate to think about turning 30, but I am actually excited. I made some really dumb decisions in my 20's and I am hoping that I will make amazing choices the whole time I am 30! Lol.

We had a really fun time for my birthday. My sweet sister-in-law Didgette came to babysit the kids while Brandon & I went on a date! It was so much fun to have alone time with my husband! First we went and saw Clash of the Titans! (I really liked this movie!) After dinner we went to the Buckle and got me a new pair of jeans! Then we went to Firehouse and had dinner. It was a great night and I am happy that I got to celebrate with my sweet little family! Thank you again Didge for watching the rascals! We sure do love you!

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! You are all fantastic.

We know we're getting old when the only thing we want for our birthday is not to be reminded of it. ~Author Unknown (I was really excited about mine... so I must not be getting old yet!) :)

My baby is 7!

My baby is 7 today! I have been pondering the day I had him and all the years in between. I can't believe that it has been 7 years already! Let me tell you what I love about Ethan... Ethan is SO sweet! He loves to give me loves and kisses and tell me he loves me. He is still cuddly. He LOVES Star Wars and Legos! He can tell you anything about Star Wars and he makes the most creative inventions with his Legos. He could spend days playing the Wii... especially his Star Wars Lego game. He always remembers to say his prayers and he is usually the one to remind us to have them at dinner. He loves to ride his motorcycle and is getting so good at it! (He got a brand new one for his birthday this morning!) He has silly dreams just like his mommy!! (He dreamt he heard a xylaphone!) Haha. He hates his pants to be high... so you can ALWAYS see his bum crack! Haha... I am thinking he will be a plumber when he grows up!

This year Eth will be playing soccer and racing motocross! It will be so much fun to watch him do both!

I truly feel so blessed to have Taiya and Ethan as my children. They are my life. They are my joy and my happiness! They have kept me going through some of the hard times! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to raise them and I hope that I do not disappoint him with how I raise them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EAZY PEAZY LEMON SQUEEZY!! I love you SO much!! Thanks for being the sweet boy that you are. Your smile always brightens my day.

Body Rebellion!

I have started a new workout program with Body Rebellion!! I love it! I go every Tues. and Thurs. for an hour. It is a blast. A handful of gals from my ward go and they are the greatest girls... so much fun! I am really hoping to see a difference in my body tone and I would like to slim down a little in certain areas.... not to mention get some of my energy back. Sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day, really takes a toll on my body. I will try and post some before and after pictures. Tuesday we did a lot of kickboxing... boy I am still feeling it! Wish me luck for the next 6 weeks...