When happiness falls onto our laps

Today was one of those days! It was just perfect! Heavenly Father had blessed us so much and today was a day that everything just kept getting better!

We started out the day at the dentist.  We hear to Utah and see my cousins husband.  He is amazing with the kids! And it is fun to catch up on family and share hunting stories! Well the verdict was... NO CAVITIES!!!! Amazing!

We then went to my grandma Wilson's house and she was friendly! We just talked outside and enjoyed the weather!

We also stopped by Macey's and saw my aunt Annette real quick.  Just for a quick hug and Hello! We also stopped by Natalie Larsen's for the same reason! Hugs and Hello have become so special for me!

We then went to Carolyn's house and Robyn came over and all their wonderful kids! Hyrum and Paul ran over and grabbed Kendra and Abby and off we went to the park! Walking my old streets, seeing so many friends giving hugs and saying hello every few houses.  Andrea, Hailey, Devin, Nikki, Paige... And later Brian, Tanya, Michael, Leudys and Paul.  I am so blessed that so many neighbors and friends welcome me back into their arms and make me feel so much a part of their hearts!

My kids were so happy to be with friends! They played just like old times! Never a dull moment, lots of laughing and imagination! There was a space of time when we dominated the street we used to live on.  Carolyn lived in the house next door, Robinsons were across the street and Robyn would bring her kids and sit on my front step while we watched the kids go up and down the dead end Street, bouncing from yard to yard. Exploring. Imagining. Balancing. Giggling. Chasing.  Rescuing. Learning. Biking.  Sliding. You name it.  They really lived it up! I, too, loved every minute with Robyn, Carolyn, and sometimes Tanya. It was some of the best, carefree, enjoyable moments of my life!

We went to Maegan's home after dinner at the Smith's. The kids had an absolute blast there while Paul had some fun at Rivka's! What a FUN DAY!

Spring Break part dos

When it comes to raising boys, nothing compares to teaching them how to work! I am overjoyed that we get this opportunity to help great grandpa with the cows! It is so fun! And it is so important!

A happy family is but an earlier heaven.

- Bernard Shaw

Happy birthday to my handsome smandsome Daddy-o!

We went up to his house in the beautiful mountain valley I was raised in and had a wonderful dinner with him, Paula and (surprise!) Dave and Britt's family!

And since dad and Paula love our kids so much, before we ate, Dave, Britt and I went for a run around the lake! The kids had a blast together with grandpa and grandma and I had a seriously great run with Dave and Britt!!!! The bugs were... tasty. .. And thick... And made me dry heave. .. And Dave...  haha, we'll let what happened on the run stay on the run ;) just kidding Dave! 

 I love being with my family! I wish Jess and her family could have been with us and it sure would be great to see Michelle again!

I do have to brag that I did get the best dad.  He taught me how to think.  How to think things through, figure things out, and find solutions. He taught me patience and how and when to stand up for myself. My dad loves his family.  He is playful and adventurous, but knows how to relax as well. He cares about me and how I am doing, not just on the surface, but in my heart. He has encouraged and taught me to set goals and to strive to accomplish them.  He believes in having dreams and making them happen.  He is full of logic.  In other words, my dad has roots and wings and he and my mom gave their kids that same gift! I am so grateful for him and all he has helped me become!

As for Dave- poor guy is my only brother! The Great thing about him is that he is a "do"er. He doesn't look for excuses, he looks for a way to make things work.  And he is pretty Dang creative in doing so.  He lives his life efficiently and effectively.  Except for the fact that he lives life with very very little sleep.  I look up to him!

And Britt, she's one heck of an example: as a wife, as a mom, as a friend and as a person.  She's kindhearted, tolerant, patient, non judgemental, hard working and just plain awesome. I have a pretty cool sister, so I am so lucky to have a sister in law like her! I guess Heavenly Father blessed me with both of them since he needed my mom. Anyway, today my son Bryan said Britt's voice is his favorite sound :) he wanted to marry her but said that he can't because Dave married her first! Britt treats my kids great and she was so much fun to run with!

Spring Break part uno

Laughter is the best medicine.

Monday we set to work cleaning the house.  It was wonderful having me and all four boys home! I can't wait till summer break! But, back to my story, we did take a fun break from cleaning to each prepare and cook an artichoke! We had a blast! Hyrum and I are the only ones that liked it.  After cleaning our entire home, we took off to The Mav to get Krispy Kreme Donuts! I didn't realize how hungry I was! Those artichokes didn't last long in mine or Hyrum's tummy! Arby's is right there so we swung over and ordered three Jr Arby sandwiches.  We pulled up to the window and the worker said, "Three Jr. Arby's sandwiches? That will be $3.35."
Bryan pipes up from the middle of the car and says loudly, "WOW! YOU'RE A GOOD GUESSER!!!!!"

We then went to the ice ponds to enjoy the wind and birds! And heck, why not start a crawdad claw collection? There were so many of them! The boys had their pockets FULL! It smelled terrible! But man those boys were impressed with themselves!

 We took a nice walk around the pond.

 Paul is trying to blend in in his daddy's bright orange jacket :)

Ya. .. I forgot jackets.  It looked like such a beautiful day! The wind is so tricky here! Luckily Brad had two in the back :)

Bear Lake!

We had so much fun!

 We loved our condo and the grass to play on outside! We loved swimming in the pool! We love the views! We just love Bear Lake!

 This was funny! We went for a drive one evening and Brad and I both shout "Moose!" The kids didn't know where to look because Brad was looking one way and I was looking another.  We saw TWO MOOSE on different sides of the road at the exact same time!

I don't swim on Sunday, so instead we went to a city park to play and relax in the wind and scattered sun light.  There was a sign that said boardwalk with an arrow.  We let the kids play for a minute before we went to check it out. 

  

 We found a gem! The boardwalk was beautiful and led to a free Beach!

 The trip ended too soon, as they always do! But this beautiful eagle was sure amazing. The whole drove home was beautiful in fact! It lengthened or vacation just a tad, which I sure do appreciate!

The Jacket

I am happy when I run.

A couple days after I got hit by the truck while running, Brad and I went to Costco.  I found myself hobbling over to clothing, in particular the exercise clothing.  I love the Costco running jackets.  I am very picky about them.  They have to have a full zipper front, zipper pockets, reflectors, thumb holes, hand covers, collar, inside pockets, the length has to be just right, and it has to be bright.  There I was, crippled in spirit and physically unable to run, and I found the perfect running jacket.  On top of that, they had one that actually fit me AND it was on SALE.  I tried it on, it was perfect and so cute and it fit like a glove around me.  I loved it! And then I took it off and neatly folded it, I sighed and put it back. I started to walk away, knowing that if I bought that perfect jacket, it may never go on a perfect run,  like it rightly deserved.  Brad questioned it.  I told him that it was a stupid time to get a jacket to run in.  He said, "Go ahead and get it.  Besides when you are running again, you will be easier to spot in this." He handed me the jacket and went on shopping.  I walked around the store, fidgeting with that jacket the whole time.  Mad I got hit.  Battling inside whether I would ever run again.  Would I heal? Can I face the streets after something so traumatic? I look at every truck to this day and think, "If I got hit by that truck, where would I grab to keep me from going under?" Brad confidently grabbed the jacket from me at check out and bought it.  I wore it the rest of the day, hoping the day would come that I could run in it!
  Well today I did just that.  I went for a 3 mile run at an 8 1/2 minute mile.  I ran on a trail, I saw all sorts of birds, and enjoyed every minute of it! It was one of those emotionally feel-good runs.  The mallard duck couples lazily gliding on the water. Flocks of seagulls flying and landing in the water.  My favorite was the Canadian geese that spook so easily away as I approach. They are so big and beautiful! I soaked in the single track trail, overgrown in grasses and stray branches.  It was just what I needed mentally.  Physically, on the other hand, it didn't go as well.  But I am so grateful for the fresh air, the freedom, the soul run! And I am thankful I got to wear the jacket Brad confidently bought me, confident I would be able to run again!

“When the Spirit of God burns in your soul, you cannot be otherwise than happy.”

– George Albert Smith

It's spring! We are so glad! There are lots of parks here to explore! And, thanks to my bro, we can ride our bikes to them! Dave tuned up our bikes for us! We are so grateful and we went on a fun ride tonight!

This week Paul did a choir concert that was super cute! I love how Paul is. .. he always has such good behavior and puts forth effort! I love who he is becoming!

 Bryan, Jared and I went on a walk to see the baby sheep.  They loved it and it was so fun to listen to the babies talk to their mama's! It was a windy bugger though! I guess spring time is just that way all spring!

Another wonderful thing: Jared is over his sickness! We ended up going to an instacare.  He had enterovirus. He had a mouth full of sores.  I forgot how big his eyes are and how mischievous he is :) I have been chasing him ever since!

We loved conference! I love my Heavenly Father, my Savior, the church leaders,  the Spirit and the messages shared!!!!

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

Helen Keller

Its been an interesting day.  Jared needed snuggles all day.  I decided to make the best of it.  Poor Bryan was needing more attention. He really surprises me at times.  He LOVES books.  He is my active, free spirited child.  So I am always amazed when he calms down when I open a novel.  Even after an hour and I'm falling asleep reading out loud and I have no idea what I have been reading, Bryan is begging me to read more.

We read the entire book while Jared slept in my arms.  I love this about Bryan and I love that Jared is comforted by me. It is such a privilege to be a stay at home mom to these wonderful boys!

Last night Jared had me and Brad laughing! Jared came in our bed, wanting to sleep in between us.  He laid there for a second then noticed this:

His eyes were glued.  Frozen with fear.  He pointed at the curtain silhouette and cried about a buck.  He was scared the curtain was a buck and it was going to get him.  Lol! He then went to his own bed and fell asleep :) it was funny!

Other great things today:

• I went to the store with Hyrum and Paul to get an armful of groceries.  I loved that without asking, after paying for the groceries, they each grabbed the grocery bags and off we went.  It felt so weird not having to haul my own groceries! I am so grateful for that great moment!
•  Hyrum and I had the best left overs for dinner.  I LOVE QUINOA! I have never had it until yesterday and I am in love!

• I talked to Carolyn today! I miss that girl and her family! She had been such a great friend for so long!
• I drove to the rec center and was completely awe struck by how beautiful the world is.  The sun had set and the shades of the sky faded from dark blue and sapphire and turquoise to greens and a hint of orange on the black horizon. The stars were coming out in the east and the sliver of the moon was bright. The sky is so much bigger here. It made me realize how small we are, how small our problems really are.  And how amazing it is that God still watches over each and every one of us. 
• I tried to swim today for the first time since the accident.  I loved being in the water! It felt good! But I did get dizzy, so I decided to just stick with kick boards. I am grateful I still can do that!