From the heart...

This last couple of weeks has been kinda crazy in my family. A couple of weeks ago, my dad was having these shock things happen in his chest and thought it was his pacemaker. They went to the ER and NOTHING was found to be the problem!?! It was not his pacemaker. He got into his cardiologist and this week had an angiogram. During the angiogram, they found 2 arteries that were blocked. Thank goodness they were able to do stints on both of them. While in there, the doctors found that one of the arteries was "well over 90% blocked". They still can not explain the shocking thing that was happening to him, but it got him going to the doctor and found those blockages. The one blockage would have catastrophic effects if they wouldn't have found it when they did. THANK YOU to the Holy Ghost that did all He could to get my dad into the doctors to find this problem. I'm not ready to lose my parents yet.

Then my mom has been having weird health issues. She went to her GP thinking she had pneumonia and instead, he diagnosed her with congestive heart failure. Kinda freaked us all out. She has been through a battery of tests and is still being tested, but they can't figure out her health problems. It's pretty scary when my mom doesn't feel right but no one knows why. But they are still trying.

This is hard for me. I don't like thinking of my parents as getting older. I know it's better than the alternative, but still, I HATE IT!!!! My parents have always been "go get hers", so for them to be slowing down is just part of the reality that they are getting older. We are really close to my parents, physically and otherwise. We only live 4 minutes apart, and I LOVE that!!!

I guess I will just enjoy ever second I get and not live with regrets. That's my plan!!! I love my parents with all my heart and I am grateful for the time I get with them!!!

BTW, check out the song. It's one of my favorites. Don't You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.
I always coordinate the songs on my blog with my latest blog post.
It's one of my favorites BIG TIME right now!!!

Mmmm..... delicious!!!!

Sometimes, it's the little things in life that make me the happiest!!!!!!! Yep, like this girl!!! Boy, do I love my Cambelle!!!!



She's sick today and she said to me,

"mom, why do we have to have sickness? It doesn't help anyone.".

I couldn't agree more!!!! She's feeling a lot better tonight, but it's sure been a bad day. Hopefully tomorrow she will be all better!!!

Randy's bracelets

Randy doesn't like to have idle hands. When he's not busy, he's not happy. He plays around with different craft kits that the kids get and when he saw these paracord survival bracelets, he knew it was something he would love. They are made out of parachute cord. He started out by making one for him and then it has turned into this.....




Yes, that is 100 paracord bracelets!!! That doesn't count the ones he has made for me, the kids, his brothers, his nieces, and other people!!! He taught his scouts last week how to make them and it was a total hit!!!




He makes them in solid colors....


2 solid colors.....



3 colors......



Black ones....


Camo ones.....




And white ones.......




He has had a great time making these bracelets. He plans on selling them at his mom's booth at the Peach Days celebration in Hurricane over Labor Day weekend, but seeing how popular they are, maybe we will make an ETSY store or something like that!!!

He really does it for fun and loves making them for people he loves. The kids wear them with pride and when he sees other family members with them on, it just makes him happy!!!! What a crafty dude!!!! HOT!!!

Never again!!!

On the list of "things that suck", I would put getting an MRI at the very top!!! That was TERRIBLE!!!! The doctor gave me Valium to take before I went because I'm so claustrophobic, well, I could have taken a whole bottle and it wouldn't have been enough for me to be comfortable in that torture chamber. I've never denied that I'm a sissy, but this was just too much. If I never have to do another one in my life again, it will be too soon!!!!

Anyhow, the tech said that my doctor would have the report on Monday at 10am, so hopefully I get word pretty early next week. I was in so much pain yesterday before the MRI that I think it was Heavenly Father's way of getting me to follow through with it!!! He knew that I wanted to back out, but gave me the reminder of why I'm doing it!!!!

Today was not any better. It was a pretty bad day as far as pain goes. I'm hoping tomorrow is better. This is getting harder and harder everyday. So, here's to hoping things get figured out, and FAST!!!!!

Tata!!!

FINALLY!!!!

Since I had Harper, I have had horrible headaches. When I say "horrible", I really mean it!!! I am not usually a headache girl, but something has changed and it's kicking my butt!!! I talked to my doctor, he thought at first it was hormones and that it would even out. 2 weeks later, I was still struggling so he ordered a CT scan to check it all out.

I was confirmed, I DO have a brain!!! And nothing showed up on the scan that could be the problem. Next step is an MRI. I had to wait for the insurance company to pre-authorize it. 8 days later and lots of pain, we finally got the go ahead!!!

So, tomorrow I will get the MRI to get an even better picture of my amazing brain. I have done blood work and all of it came back within "normal" range on everything. If the MRI is clean, then the next step is to go to the anesthesiologist to see if it has something to do with my spinal when I had the baby. Sometimes they have to do a "blood patch" (pretty much a spinal tap) to fix the headaches. I can't imagine having another one. I'm such a baby, but if it takes the headaches away, I'm all for it!!!

The pain is all day, everyday :( It's really starting to get to me, so I hope we can find something.... and soon!!!! It's been pretty miserable, so I'm pretty happy that we're a step closer to finding out what's going on!!! WAHOO!!!!!

Now, if I could only not be claustrophobic for the day!?! Wish me luck!!!

Time for Summer!!!

These are the kid's spring school pictures!!!! Next week the kid's school is officially over!!!

WELCOME SUMMER!!!!

I love summer break because there is no schedule to follow. We are either swimming, eating Popsicles, having a lazy day, sleepovers or going to Vegas. It's so great to get to spend time with our kids without interruption!!! They all love school, they love being with their friends and the challenges that come with being in school, but they also dig summer break too!!! One more week!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Girls rock!!!!

Music has always been a big part of my life. I love how it can effect my mood and help make memories and bring people together. In general, I think that the world is so hard on women and girls. It's so unfair and it only brings us and our girls down. We're never pretty enough, thin enough, smart enough, spiritual enough, make enough money, have a clean enough house, ect... You get my point, right? Well, there has been a few songs lately that I have come across that have made a huge impact on me.

Who Says by Salena Gomez is one of those songs. She talks about being perfect and who says you're not? Who's standards are so important that we put ourselves down according to them? She sends a message of just loving who you are. Don't worry about what other people say. It's uplifting and just pure and clean. I love it!!!

Not Like the Movies by Katy Perry is one of my favorites lately also. She sings about how if you're in a relationship and it's not perfect, it's not worth it. If it doesn't feel right, it's not. Get out!!! I love that it sends the message to girls and women that they are worth the finer things in life!!!

Perfect by P!nk sends such a strong message to girls that you are beautiful the way you are. No one can tell you different. You are important and perfect. The lyrics have the "F" word in it, so I found the edited version of the lyrics, but if you listen to it, you will get the point of the whole song.

These songs are ones that I want my girls to learn and love. I want them to get the messages to all these songs and live them. I also want my son to know that this is how he should treat women and girls. He is quite the tender boy, so I don't think I will ever have a problem with that, but we all need to remember how important to our Heavenly Father and he would never want us to feel bad about ourselves.

Anyhow, that's our music time for the week!!! Enjoy!!!

What a big day!!!!

Today is a day for DOUBLE celebration!!! It's Mother's Day AND Randy's birthday!!!!

Mother's Day is such a fun reason to celebrate!!! My mom is absolutely the best mom for me that I could imagine!!! I always knew that my mom would kick any one's ass if they messed with any of us girls!!! I LOVE THAT!!! She was never in it for popularity, only to protect her daughters. That means so much more to me everyday. She is such a toughie, she never gives up and yet, one of the most sensitive people I know. I am so blessed to have her as my mom!!!

Then we have Randy's mom. Really, the best mother-in-law in the world. Believe me, I did a survey!!! She is so supportive. She tries her best to be fair and is successful. She shows love with all of her heart. I feel that she would do anything for her family. She would go without, she would be uncomfortable if it made her family happy. What an example to me!!! She was a great mom, but she's turning out to be even a better grandma!!! How lucky am I to have her? I count my blessings regularly.

Other than the moms, there are so many other "mothers" that have shaped who I am. From my grandmas, to my aunts, drill team adviser, Young Women leaders, sisters, my daughters and the list goes on. I have always thought that women have a very special place in this world and all the women that surround me in my life only confirm that!!!!


Now, without my mother-in-law, we wouldn't be able to celebrate for another reason today....

RANDY'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

I love this man so much. When I met him over 15 years ago, I would never have known what an absolute treasure I was going to have as a husband.

He loves his children.

From shooting a gun, to drawing, to decorating a cake and more, he teaches our children.

And don't forget the one on one time that he takes with all of us to make us feel so important.


He takes his priesthood responsibilities very serious.
(And look how unbelievable gorgeous he is!!!)

He loves this nut job unconditionally!!!

Look at those BEAUTIFUL BLUES!!!

I knew right away that there was going to be a lot of fun being with him!!!

And not a lot of seriousness!!!!

I didn't know, though, how fashionable he could be.... I'm still waiting :) hehe!!!

I love Randy for everything that he is with everything that I am. He lifts everyone up that he's around, especially me. My heart still races every time I see him and every time he calls. I love him so absolutely. I hope I can make him feel as special on his birthday as he makes me feel everyday!!!!

Happy 37th Birthday, Randy!!!
I love you more every, single day!!!!
Thank you for being you and making so many people happy!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Harper's blessing day!!!

Today was a big day for our family.
It's the day that Harper got to receive a name and a blessing from Randy.

In our religion, when babies are born,
they get to have their names put on the records of the church.

The way it is done, typically, is the dad gets to give them a name and blessing in church, surrounded by other men that hold the priesthood.
There were 11 of our loved ones in Harper's blessing circle today!!!
It's kind of a big deal. She's kind of a big deal!!!
We get to dress the baby up in her white dress,
pretty white bow and if she's our baby girl,
she gets a pretty bracelet for the occasion too!!!

Harper didn't cry a bit and Randy gave her a beautiful blessing!!!

After the blessing, it was testimony meeting, where church members get up and share what they believe in and experiences that have lead them to believe the way they do.
We got to hear some sweet testimonies today.

Then we all went to our house for a luncheon!!!!
Here are Hadley and Harper!!!
Since Anna and I are best friends, it's only fair that we insist that our kids are also besties!!!! :)
Chatting with family and friends is always a good way to spend the day!!!


And don't forget who this day is all about!!!! I guess she didn't want to burp right then!!!


And at the end of the festivities, these beautiful people are the ones that matter the most to me!!! I am so blessed to have my family.
I can't believe that our Heavenly Father has trusted me with His children!!!
I hope I don't mess them up too bad!!!

Happy blessing day, Harper!!!! I love you, my sweet baby!!!