Something To Be Grateful For

This past week was a hard one for me. Maybe it had something to do with turning a year older, I don't know. What I do know is, negative thoughts can multiply like rabbits. Has this ever happened to you?

There are just times in my life where I get completely stressed out and worry about things which I have absolutely NO CONTROL over!! What amazes me is how fast I can find 10 other things to stress me out.

I have learned, however, I need to grateful for what I have in my life. My life is good!!!!!! When I really stop to think about it, my life is great!!! I have wonderful kids who are doing so well in school and the other activities they are involved in. I have a husband who loves me, even if I may be stressed out and having a bad day. I have parents who love and support me. I have a home with nice comfortable beds for my family to sleep in each night. My list can go on and on.....

Each morning I get up and immediately start trying to think of all the blessings I have in my life. My blessings definitely out way the trials :)

Birthday Time Again

I celebrated another birthday on Friday. I can hardly believe another year has already come and gone. Why is it, the older I get the faster these birthdays come? I remember as a kid it took forever before your birthday came around again. Why I ask...does it come faster now when I don't necessarily look forward to getting older?

It was a great day!! I have wonderful friends who took me to lunch. Despite the fact, Michelle and I got our lunch as everyone else was finishing theirs it was fun to sit and laugh. Thank you to everyone for coming and celebrating with me.

For dinner, Marc took us all to CPK. I love the Jamaica Jerk Chicken Pizza. If you haven't been to CPK and wish to go please call me!! I will be happy to introduce you to the Jamaican Jerk they have on the menu.

It was a great day, despite the fact I am one year older.

Seems Like A Lifetime

16 years ago today Marc and I were in the Arizona Temple being sealed for time and all eternity. We have had a great adventure together while leaning on each other for support through the hard times.

We got married as kids and have grown into adults over years.

Sadly, we are not doing anything super exciting. For the past 8 years Cameron has been in football with some of our girls cheering. We find ourselves celebrating at the football field sometimes not even at the same field. Luckily, we will be able to meet for lunch today.

Happy Anniversary Marc!!!!

Then There Was Rain

(This is an old photo of Cameron at football)

We are currently in the middle of Monsoon Season. Most days we see the clouds building up out by the mountains and wonder if they will make it into the valley and bring us rain. Well, like most days since June, it was the same thing... we saw the clouds building up, but there hasn't been that much rain that I forgot what power the Monsoon can bring.

By 5:30 the wind was blowing along with a little sprinkle. I gathered Cameron and Ellie together and headed to football practice. The drive to the field I had to be careful with all the dust blowing around I could hardly see in front of me. By the time we reach the field for practice it was raining. Not too hard, but definitely raining. I dropped the kids off and went to park. By the time I got out of the car with my chair and book in hand. (I was really hoping to get some good reading time in) the rain was really coming down. Well, in AZ you never know how long it's going to last.

Not far from the practice field I found an area of picnic tables with a roof overhead. Perfect place to wait for the rain to stop. Or so I thought...... I might as well have been standing out on the field with nothing overhead. I was drenched, Ellie was drenched, Cameron was drenched (although they were starting practice and not hiding under cover) Finally, they called practice and we made the walk back to the car. Cameron never made it through warm ups. I don't think Ellie even really started practicing. As a matter of fact, all the cheerleaders were acting as if they had never seen rain before; running around all the while screaming.

It was a fun night for all!!! Cameron got a break from practice, Ellie got to act like a crazy woman in the rain, and I got to come home and enjoy a night in.

Elementary Back to School

So, Ellie and Emersyn witnessed Cameron and Kaelyn taking their pictures inside. They wanted theirs taken inside as well. What cute girls they both are. We took a few pictures, called Marc (he was in Florida the entire week) and then headed off to school for the first day. Emersyn did a great job. She had smiles and seemed a lot more relaxed about going then she has in years past. Ellie, as usual, was excited to see who all was in her class. Ellie doesn't really show her nervousness much.

We have now completed our first 3 days of school. Emersyn did a great job. She had a few tears the first day but after that she was good when I left them at the crosswalk. I promised when dad got home and football was finished Friday night we would go for a little "you did a great job" treat. Cold Stone was what they wanted and I believe they all enjoyed :)

Back to School

Apparently when you are in Jr High it is no longer "cool" to take pictures outside. For years, on the first day of school we would have the kids stand out front in front of the big green bush. When I happened to mention I was ready to take their pictures Cameron and Kaelyn said they would rather take them inside. They were too embarrassed to stand outside in front of the big green bush.

The first few days seem have gone pretty well for my Jr High children. Kaelyn was so afraid she was going to get lost. She did get a little lost but that was due to the mistake the school made on her schedule. Other than that, she was just fine. She came home announcing she has made a new friend already!!!! We love our Kaelyn, she is always so kind. Who wouldn't want her as a friend..?

Cameron, being the boy that he is didn't have a whole lot to say. Everything was good according to him. All he could talk about was Mr. White. Mr White is his math teacher and from the looks I would say he is maybe late 20's early 30's.... I guess when he let the class start working on their homework he turned some music on back at his desk. I think Cameron was a little shocked a teacher would do such a thing. However, math is where Cameron struggled last year, so hopefully the fun atmosphere will help him want to be in that class and learn. I know this is thinking a little too far into the future BUT next year Cameron will be in HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!!

Great Job Emersyn

Emersyn has always been my little shadow. She is such a good girl and easy to take anywhere. We would go get our toes painted at Trina's and occasionally go to lunch with friends.

When she started school both of us had a hard time. She didn't want to go and I didn't want her to go! How hard was that watching her walk away with her class all the while tears dripping down her face.

This year (so far) everything has changed. She was a little sad when we got her line at school yesterday morning. She was trying her best to not cry and be strong. Who are we kidding, I was trying hard to not cry and be strong. Marc wasn't here this year to help me be strong, so I was on my own. I could show her how excited I was for her to start school, right? See, I really don't mind my kids being home for summer. Sure there are days they drive me crazy, but overall we have a pretty good time. Anyway, we saw her teachers, Mrs. Alvin and Mrs. Maldonado, arrive. If you know Emersyn, she has this cute little smile when she is nervous (I have a picture, but need Marc to come home and download them for me). She turned and looked at me with her cute, nervous smile she has and tears in her eyes. I was afraid that was it.

I promised I would come and meet her for lunch and check to see how her day was going. When it was time for her class to go in, she followed!!!!!! No clinging to my leg and crying just a teary smile and hug. I am so proud of her. She did a good job. We did a good job together. Now, how many days unitl fall break....?

POST UPDATE: This is the picture I wanted to use originally!! Emersyn is smiling hoping everything will be ok all the while if you look closely she has tears in her eyes. She is the sweetest thing :)

Cameron's Luck

Marc and I can't believe the luck Cameron has. We laugh that if we ever want to win something in a drawing we need to put Cameron's name on the entry form. This luck carries over to meeting famous people as well.

This last month we flew to Marc's family reunion in Idaho. While waiting to go through security Cameron turns around and sees Stoudemire. From then on all Cameron could concentrate on was Stoudemire.

Like the stalking fans that we are, we parked our suitcases in an area where he HAD to walk right by us. Marc even had time to get his camera out and ready for the shot (yes, that does mean Stoudemire took a long time going through security. He didn't get stopped just took his time. Wait do you think maybe he was waiting for us to leave...?) Anyway, Stoudemire was a great sport and took a minute to shake Cameron's hand and pose for a picture.

Here We Go Again

What have we been up to..? Well, it is that time again where our lives are centered around football. Practice started Monday night for both Ellie and Cameron. So far, we have had a good week. Although, it has been very crazy at times. The kids are still out of school for a few more days, which makes life a little easier.
The Storm football team is holding another car wash next Sat (Aug 14th) location hasn't been decided.