Alternate Universe

For Christmas this year, my sweet daughter Sierra told me that she had arranged for us to get new carpeting!! I was confused and not really believing her at first. I kept asking her what she meant. She told me her dad's friend is a professional carpet layer. He had a bunch of extra carpet from a job where they had ordered the wrong carpet. So he was going to come and put that carpet in our home...for free?? Still not really believing anything would really come of it, I was very surprised to get a phone call from Chris last night. He asked if James could come by and measure the rooms. After measuring everything, we talked about the carpet and James said I owed him dinner. I told him I would supply the beer as well, during the installation. A small price to pay for such generosity. He seemed happy with that arrangement. Chris said that he, Sierra, and his sister Niki have been trying to organize this for several months. I still don't understand really why they would want to help me out like this...but it is very humbling, and tears fill my eyes every time I think about it. Come to find out most of the family has known about this for a while...and no one said anything. Such a wonderful surprise! So we are working out a schedule for the installation. I feel like I am living in an alternate universe. For whatever reason, I am blessed by the people who know me. My neighbors, my ex-in laws, my kids, my parents, my ward. It just never ends. I am so thankful for the people in my life. I have been wanting new carpet for about a decade...so it will be a fantastic change for our humble little shanty! Wahoo!

They're baaaack!

Finally my babies have come home. Well two of them anyway. For Christmas break they all went to stay with their dads for a week. It literally felt like forever. I tried to enjoy my time alone, got lots of sleep for a change, spent lots of time with Jim, and tried to get caught up on housework...to no avail. It just is weird without them around. So things are happily back to normal...almost. Sierra wont be home for another week, and then Justice and Montana will be going to Hawaii for a week with Eric. I'm soooo jealous. They will have the time of their lives. It will be their first airplane ride. They are so excited, and I can't blame them.

Also during this last week, the fridge went out again. So I had all the food out in the snow to keep it cold. Which was quite handy, and I was thankful it wasn't 100 degrees in July when this happened. But it made access to the food tricky for a couple of days. But the repairman came and fixed the whatchawhozit that was broken, and we are back in business. It was a pricey repair, but definitely less than the cost of a new fridge- thank goodness.

I took Justice & Montana ice skating today at the Kearns Olympic Oval. I forgot my camera...so you will have to use your imagination. They are naturals at this. It took about 20 seconds for them to get the hang of it, and then they were off like rockets. I made several laps, but they did not want me slowing them down. It was a great workout. We were all pretty tuckered out when we decided to hauls our hineys home. So happy to have them home again!

December Madness

I am so far behind...let's see if I can catch up on the last 10 days. It's been crazy busy in our home.

Mom asked me several times what I would like for Christmas. So I decided to have her give me paint for the house. So for a solid week the house was turned upside down & I was scaling up and down a ladder painting. I painted the living room, family room & part of the kitchen that hadn't been done earlier in the year. It still needs touch ups but I am loving it! It makes such a big difference. My friend Diane has been so good to come and help me with this process...she is a master painter & absolutely loves it. Without her it never would have gotten done before Christmas. Thanks girl!

Sierra's drill team had a Semi-Formal Christmas Dinner. The moms made the food & dressed up like waitresses in black and white. We donned the tables in fine china, tablecloths, real silverware, and fancy glasses. It was a lot of fun doting on the girls and they loved it. We had Santa come & the girls had the funnest time. Singing at the top of their lungs and being silly with Santa. I made 4 pans of peach cobbler for the event and it was a hit.

Sierra also had another drill team competition, this time at Jordan High. It was a huge competition and a lot of fun seeing all the other teams from pretty much the whole state. They placed 4th in their dance routine. It's amazing to me that they can look soooo good and still not place. But it is brutally competitive. They have a couple more competitions in January so they are trying to revamp things, keep working hard, and hope to place better at the next two. The injuries and illnesses keep plaguing them so hopefully they will be rested up & good to go after the holidays. Sierra is totally loving drill team!! Go get 'em hon!

I took Justice & Montana sledding a couple of days ago. They were in hog-heaven. Justice is quite the dare devil. He was going head first down the steepest hill, with a giant smile on his face!! Lots of wipe-outs, snow in the face, cold toes and hands. But all in all a good time! We came home and had some hot chocolate & snuggled on the couch to watch Christmas Story! Our favorite family holiday movie. Good times!







I've been dating a really fantastic guy for the past few months. Jim has been spoiling me like crazy. It's weird, and fun, and I'm enjoying it. I'm just now introducing him to the kids and things are going really well so far. We have fun together and he makes me laugh & feel special. Everyone has been asking about him but he has requested that I keep him out of my blog writings. haha. So there is the brief skinny.

This past week has been a whirlwind of shopping, gift wrapping, getting the house ready for Christmas, more shopping, more wrapping, parties, and spending time with friends. It's been totally crazy but when the big day comes...it is always worth it. The kids loved their gifts and seemed to get all the things they wanted. I love seeing the smiles on their faces and in their eyes as they open their gifts! Such a fun time. I had to hold back the tears because it has been such a crazy year...but things have seemed to work themselves out despite all of it. We are so blessed & I am so thankful for everyday I get to spend with my kids, my amazingly supportive & loving parents, and my sweet man. Merry Christmas everyone!

A wild morning

While preparing to paint another room of the house today I was preoccupied while the kids were getting ready for school. Justice came out of the bathroom and had decided to cut his own hair. A big old chunk right out of the front of his bangs. It looks terrible so we will have to cut it all off to get it to look decent again. Montana was doing an art project and decided it needed some glitter- BANG- it's everywhere! Then Justice went out to the car before everyone else. I had turned it on to warm up a bit- and he thought it would be fun to put it in neutral. Montana started screaming so I came running to see what was going on...the Durango is rolling down the driveway and out into the street. Because our driveway is steep and the road behind it goes up in the opposite direction, once the car reached that point it started rolling forward again and up the driveway, then back down again. I was chasing the car trying to get inside and put it in park. Meanwhile Justice is screaming and crying, scared out of his mind. Luckily I was able to get in before it rolled back out into the street. Justi and I held each other and cried. It's hard to be mad when you are just glad they are alive. We took a minute to settle down and collect ourselves. Then I took the kids to school and was happy they were safe. I can only hope the rest of the day is uneventful. My heart is still racing. KIDS!!! The funny thing is Justice did the exact same thing when he was 2 or 3 and Sierra & I both were chasing the car down and Sierra actually got dragged a bit as she tried getting in the car. So it brought back a lot of old memories. Dude- you can't drive for 8 more years!!! He's a bit impatient I guess.

Now I can get back to my nice boring painting.

1st Drill Team Competition

Sierra had her first drill team competition. They looked absolutely fantastic. The trouble is...so did just about every other team. It comes down to near perfection. One mistake made and you know you are out of the running. The girls have worked so hard. Every morning for months. Pulled muscles, broken bones, headaches, sore bodies, working til you puke some days. They are an amazing group of kids. Now that it is down to the wire...there have been some girls put on probation for various reasons, one with pnemonia, one sprained her ankle...so there have been a lot of last minute formation changes and alternate girls put in the routine. They are stressing out!!! I feel bad for them, because honestly, how much more prepared can you be!! So the competition went well and they placed in several of their routines...but they walked away feeling a little defeated. They have been working even harder this week because there is another competition this Saturday. I know they have learned so much more than dances. Teamwork, dedication, organization, and how to have fun and still work hard. I am so thankful Sierra has had this opportunity. I know I complain a lot about how busy she is and how overwhelming drill can be, but I know she is learning and experiencing so many positive things. Good Luck this week. I am sooooo proud of you!
MILITARY

DANCE DANCE

Justice's Baptism

What a special day. It was snowing lightly outside, like a gentle reminder of how new and clean things can be! Great-Uncle Steve did the Baptism & Confirmation. He was not feeling his best, but we were so glad he was able to be there with us. Sierra gave the talk on Baptism, and Montana gave a talk about the Holy Ghost. Eric & I did the prayers. Montana & Maddy sang "I am a child of God". Mom played the piano for us & it was beautiful. Lots of friends and family showed up to help us celebrate. We are so proud of Justy's decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has been doing his best to listen to the Holy Ghost and do what is right. I can see a new light in his eyes that radiates into everything he does. It is a wonderful thing. Congrats buddy.

Sierra's Dance Marathon

Sierra was to perform with her Dance Studio & for the High School BBall Half-time with the Drill Team. We knew it would be tight...but luckily both events were at the same school so it should be doable right?
So first up, Jazz on the stage with the studio--fantastic!! Seems like such a long time since I have seen her dance with these girls--but it was at the jazz game just a couple of weeks ago. They are great together! (my pics did not turn out)

Then cousin Alexa did such a cute job in her routine..had to throw these pics in


Then we rushed down to the gym to watch Sierra do the half-time with the Chirons. They did their Military routine. INTENSE and so awesome. They do this 1 minute long headstand where they move their arms and legs into all these different positions...I hold my breath the whole time. These girls are true athletes and so much fun to watch perform. I tried downloading the video but I can't get it to work on this stupid blogspot format. If anyone has tips for me please help!! I have so many I would like to post!


Then it was quick costume change and run back to the auditorium for her lyrical routine with the studio. She barely missed it, if they would have waited another 30 seconds she would have made it. Oh well. She was exhausted and so were we from running. She was upset & shed some tears, but everyone understood. She needs a clone apparently to be in two places at once. I could use one of those as well! So a fun night. Now on to drill competitions. This is new for me so we will keep you filled in. Hopefully my pics will improve or I will learn to post videos! Ciao for now.