BiG BOy BEd!!

Yep.............about 2 weeks ago, Tucker decided that he wanted to get out of his crib. Well, he was trying to get out of his crib and fell forward, flipping and landing on the base of his neck and top of his shoulders. I heard him scream like I have never heard before so I ran to his room. I found him opening the door as I was opening the door. My heart sank. I grabbed him to see if he was okay and he started throwing up all over. I was really freaking out by this point. I called my neighbor and they rushed over. *thank you* He ended up fine. I couldn't let him go to sleep which was really hard because he never got that nap I was trying to give him.
SO......................this is his new big boy bed. I never had to lay with him, he has never gotten out, not even once he wakes up. It is the cutest thing, he sits there and calls my name until I come and get him out. WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD!!!

Happy B'day Melissa!!!

Happy B'day Melissa........I won't tell how OLD you are!hahahaha I am so eternally grateful that you are my best friend. You mean the world to me and my family. You brighten my days when they seem gloomy, laugh with me, watch me cry because you have never cried WITH me because you used up all your tears as a kid....LOL!!! and you are my bestest friend in the WORLD!!! I love you so much. Thank you for "getting" me and loving me back when I am not the smartest friend.

Here are a few pictures on her b'day!

Travis & Melissa.....ahhhhh little love birds

nothin' like good old ice-cream in a cup!

Tucker---------->

Lexsey downing' a cupcake

here is little Jake. I want to eat him up!

<------------Delaney

Lexsey wishing she could go out with the big kids. ------->

Look at those eyes........I love her! This is Melissa's baby Lexsey.

Happy Birthday!! we love you

My Mother's Day

Today is always a bitter-sweet day for me. I love being a Mother and having a day to be recognized for all our hard work we do daily. But, on the other hand I hate and dread this day. Today was the anniversary of the death of my sister Becky I mentioned a few Sunday's ago. I also miss my Mom terribly. She is serving a mission in Quito, Ecuador. I always find myself more tense on this day and needed lots of pampering and that is just what I got.

It all started with a wonderful breakfast from the Gray's and my kids. Egg whites & ham on a bagel sandwich. Brandon came home with a beautiful card that meant the world!! After church, we all sat out by the pool and just relaxed in the sun. It was so nice to just sit there. We laughed at the kids as they BEGGED to go swimming. Then Brandon and the kids, Tucker included, made dinner and did ALL the dishes!!! YIPEE!!! And it all ended with a nice warm bubble bath and Brandon took the kids on a nice Sunday walk with the Gray's. Couldn't have been better!

This is one of the last pictures I have of my Mom & I!

This is one of the last photos taken of my sister Becky before she passed. I am so thankful to know that I will see her again and be able to feel her arms wrapped tightly around me. I miss her so much.

Being respectful of others feeling

Madee received an award for being respectful of others feeling. She is always striving to help others feel loved. Ahhhhhh

To "Phat Camp" we go.....

Kathrynne (my neighbor) & I were able to go to Jen Hendershott's (Mrs. Olympia) Phat Camp. It it a fitness based camp that is to motivate, inspire, & get those ready for Fitness & Figure competitions. We just went for the motivation & inspiration!! It started Friday night at 6 till 10pm. We were introduced to the staff................and away we went working out butts off for the next 2 days. I personally really enjoyed it. I learned a lot, somethings I already knew, but it is always nice to see different points of view. There were girls from Alaska, Canada, Nebraska, Georgia, Idaho, etc. I really had a wonderful time. Can't wait to do it again!!!

This was from the nutritional session. I learned tons here!!! My body hates me! I love sodium! LOL

This was Saturday morning in a shoulder/back session.

This was one of the other trainers.......Latisha Wilder who took 11th in the Mrs. Olympia. She is also a Figure Champion. She is soooooo tiny!

Our last day at Phat Camp with Jen. She truly was a fun, energetic woman. She inspired me to be "ME" and to LOVE what I have accomplished.

This was the Figure posing class. They taught them so many neat ways of showing different muscles by changing your pose. Very interesting.

Just a fun shot


A girls night out. (sorry the picture turned out blurry.....not happy!!)

Is it Summer Yet?????

My kids are DYING to use the pool. It has been a LONG wait for them. They watched it getting started last July. Now.......it just needs to warm up.

Step one: chase your child till she gives up.

Step 2: Run and throw her in.......a 70 degree pool!!!!

Step 3: watch her come up laughing!!

Animal lovers.....

My kids are the animal lover kind.........................................................here is what I found Tucker doing one day.

Admiring the beauty of a butterfly

Lovin' on the "neighborhood" kitty cat! (I was just about gagging here LOL)

Is any one home??

I just fell in love with Tucker trying to see if anyone was in there!!

Jenna's new love.........at least we hope!! She was so excited to be able to play softball on a team with some of her really good friends. Tyler & Hunter. They have so much fun.

Jenna's first recital

Jenna has been taking piano lessons since Jan 8th of this year and has been working REALLY hard to excell in it. She loves to come home and practice and make up her own songs. This picture was of her introducing her song selection. We all thought for sure she would back out!! She did it and did and amazing job.

Jenna played a song that her teacher taught to her after about the 2nd month. She taught it to Jenna without Jenna having to see it in a book so that she would memorize it. It worked. The song was for a student that had been playing for a year and Jenna mastered it. Good Job Jenna!!! I was so proud of her. She did more than just play a song, she overcame her fear of the "Spotlight"!!! YEAH!!!!

An emotional day

I am emotionally exhausted!!! Yesterday was quite the day for me. Sundays are usually hard for me especially when Brandon is not home. Trying to get the family ready without fighting and out the door is an exhausting task on its own. I had been anticipating this sacrament meeting for 2weeks now. I was told that we were going to be having a "Testimony of Music" sacrament meeting. I was so excited. For those of you who don't know already.....I LOVE music. It really is my life calling. Oh' speaking of....I got my 3rd calling 2 weeks ago as the Ward Choir President. What that entails I am still learning, but I am over the choir, how it functions, getting members, choosing the songs, the special performances....etc. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, til Sunday. I already had 2 callings, Sunday school teacher for the 12-13yr olds and Stake Young Women's Music Director. Well, sacrament meeting was a hit. I always feel the spirit with music. Lots of different music brings the spirit, not just church music. So, people got up and bore their testimony about a song and then we would sing it. The Bishop had warned me that as Choir Pres. I had to choose my favorite hymn and sing it on the 20th of this month as a choir, only thing is I would NEVER get through it. SO, I opted to sing it as a congregation.

16yrs ago on May 10th, my sister was killed in a one car rollover. Her car rolled off the road at mile marker 219 in northern Utah. That happened to be her favorite hymn. #219 Because I Have Been Given Much. I have been given so many blessings in my life and in turn this too is now my favorite hymn to sing***well, cry through*** LOL. The knowledge and testimony of the Plan of Salvation gained through that trial is a blessing in itself. I have a testimony that through our trials and tests in this life, we gain knowledge and wisdom.

In Relief Society, our lesson was on Baptism. This too, is a sensitive topic for me. It made me reflect on a lot of baptisms that are so special to me. First and foremost, MY baptism day is always so special to me. To remember my Dad standing with arms outstretched in the water beckoning me to come and take his hand, is very vivid in my mind. I remember my Mom being in the dressing room waiting there with a towel in hand. She wrapped me up like a tight little burrito and squeezed me. I remember the whisper in my ear...."I am so proud of you, Jamie" I will never forget. That moment in time frozen in my mind. The next one I remember is Brandon's baptism day. So many of his family members where in attendance. He had just turned 18. I can remember the spirit that was there was incredibly strong. What an example he was to them all. His dear friend Billy Brewer was there, who is now our neighbor in Utah. I can remember Jenna's who's was just this last August. What a sweet little spirit she has. I know that she was so excited for this day, as many of us are growing up in the gospel. She looked so pure, so precious, so clean. There was only one other boy baptized with her that day, Tyler Young. She had lots of family there to support her. I often think of many other baptisms that I have attended throughout my life. Like Kim Haddix. A friend of mine in High School that came from a very dysfunctional family filled with abuse, drugs and violence. After just 2 weeks of knowing her, she came and lived with us, was introduced to a whole new life, and accepted the gospel. Just a few days after the death of Becky, she moved back to Missouri with her Mother (by then she had left her husband). We lost contact for a few years and I missed her. I had a longing to see where she was in her life. I had an urge to find her. I dreamt one night that I found her and we hugged. The itch was on to find her. I felt it was soooo important. When all my attempt failed I called my brother-in-law, who is in law enforcement and asked if he could do anything to help. A few hours later I got a call a very sober voice on the other end. I still remember the conversation. It was about Feb. 8th a few years back. He said "Jamie, why do you want to find Kim so bad." I said "I don't know what it is, but I feel like I need to find her." Silence filled the phone. He spoke and the words haunted me. He said, "Jamie, Kim was killed in a pedestrian accident last year on Feb. 11th. It has almost been a year now. I am so sorry." I just cried. I then knew WHY I HAD to find her. The spirit prompted me to find out this news. I needed to now do her temple work. It was almost one year to the day. Just a few years ago, I had the opportunity to do Kim's temple work. I know she is happy and sharing the gospel to those on the other side.
SO..........I had a very emotional Sunday to say the least!!!! But, sometimes we need those days. Days to help us reflect on the blessings we sometimes forget about or often take for granted.

t-ball

Madee started t-ball at the end of March and boy was she ever excited to play. She got a new glove, ball, bat and tee set. She practices lots and is a pretty good player. Here are some pictures that Julia took at her first game. She is definitely going to be a ball player. ****Just a little excited******* She already has the stance down and everything.

Kansas 75 at Memphis 68

WOW!!!!!! We FINALLY did it. I personally have waited 12 yrs to see this day. We are HUGE Jayhawks fans, even the kids now!!!! What a game. Talk about nail bitting. Jenna had her hands over her face from the nose down for about 1/2 the game. I should have taken a picture of that. We yelled, screamed and jumped up & down during this game. OT!!!! We finally showed the Nation!!!! Great job Jayhawks!!!!!!

JAYHAWKS BABY!!!!!!

Go Jayhawks!!!!!!

What a night?!?!?!?! I don't think that my kids have EVER watched Brandon during March Madness. I was playing with Madee's hair and she looked at me chuckling, and said "Mom, I don't like watching the game, I like watching Daddy!!! (then giggled)" We laughed so hard at him last night while watching Kansas destroy UNC 40-12 in the first 18min. Then watched as they were being pummeled over and then got the game back. Man, we were exhausted after the roller coaster ride they had us on. I can't wait for Monday's Championship game. Kansas / Memphis.

FUNNY STORY!!!!

So the month of March is Black History Month in the schools. Jenna learned all about Dr. Martin Luther King and found it very interesting. One morning when Brandon was at work, Jenna woke up especially early and came to ask if she could lay with me. I said that was fine, but it is still time to sleep!! I could tell that she was not asleep and rolled over to tell her what time it was. She said, "Mom..........(pause) have you ever met a REAL African American?" TOTALLY SERIOUS!!!! I told her that I went to school with TONS of them. She said "REEAAAAALLLY?" I almost died. My poor kids. They are sooooo sheltered. I tried to make my voice audible and clear so she didn't think I was almost crying from laughter!!! Is that not soooo funny?!??!!

Holy Moley

So.....each year I have all my moles checked to make sure none have turned into cancer. (my fear!) Low and behold........this year I went in to get two checked out because they had been bothering me for some time. The doctor took a look at the two that I was concerned about and decided to take two "other" moles off that looks suspicious! That sucked!! A few days later I get a message on my machine that I have to go in for SURGERY in the morning to remove the area around one of the moles. The area had abnormal growing cells. WHAT?!?!?! After Brandon calmed me down.........this is what I have to show for it now!! Yeah me. Nice wound. I watched the whole thing too. It was pretty nasty. They took about the size of a silver dollar out! snip, snip. What ever right, they got everything and it wasn't pre-cancerous. Yippee~ ***the small circular red spot above my stitches is the other mole they removed.**

My 12 week challenge!!

week 12 week 1

On January 7th I made a commitment to myself to finish a Body for Life challenge. For some of you who don't know what this entails, it is an eating and exercising plan that lasts 12 intense weeks. Eating 6 meals a day and exercising 6 days a week didn't come easy at times. I found that I would want to make excuses to eat something not on the plan or just not want to work out that day. I did have a few setbacks. 9 weeks into this, I had minor surgery and had two moles removed. One then needed extra "attention" and that laid me off working out for two days. I was DYING inside. I FINALLY got the bug and then I was being forced to hold off. I am so proud of myself for finishing my challenge on March 31st. 84 days of discipline. I have NEVER started something and finished!! I have this trait that has followed me through everything I ever start! But........I broke the chain. I am so excited about my new and improved attitude. I love my self more then ever before. I have so much more self confidence and love. I know that I can do anything. You are probably laughing at me right about now!! Well, I am telling you.......this really changed me. I do love my body and I am excited for this summer!! Watch out ladies!!!! just kidding! But, seriously, this really did change my self image. I AM beautiful. I AM a good person and I know that I am a good wife and mom! I am excited to keep this going!!

Family party for Madee

This year we did a family birthday party for Madee with the cousins. She got to go to Fiesta Fun and play arcades, mini golf and best of all get SOAKED on the bumper boats!
Madee got some fun things this year including her own baseball bat!! She loves it.

Madee's 6th B'day

How bless I am to have this sweet, tender girl in my home. She makes me smile when I am not in the mood, she keeps me on my toes with her bigger than life attitude! I love this little girl more than words can even express. She is my sunshine. Happy Birthday Madee....I LOVE you to the stars and back!

Community Helper day in Kindergarten

Today was Community Helper day. Madee asked Brandon to come and talk to her class about how he gets to help the community; more or less he got to tell all about his job. She was so cute, she introduced him as her daddy and said "He is a fighter fighter". I never really listened to her say it until then......oops! He told the kids about his job and then ........................

Got all suited up and sounded really funny with his mask on!

The kids always love to see their Daddy in his fire clothes because it is a rare occasion. Actually, this was the first time that Madee got to see him in all of his gear. Tucker came with us and just kept saying......"WWWWOOOOOWWWW"

Sky Diving!!

Yep, that's right. I met Brandon and all the guys from his station in Mesquite, NV to watch some of them skydive. I wanted to do it soooo bad. I actually told Brandon that I was going to do it. We changed some plans around and I ended up bringing the kids with me. One of the guys from Brandon's station was turning 50 and this is what they wanted to do for his birthday. Brandon wanted NO part of it. I have told him on SEVERAL occations that I would LOVE to skydive. He has always called me CRAZY. Well......who do you think is in the picture??? Well, it wasn't me!! I was soooo mad. I wanted to go so bad, but I really didn't want to do it with the kids there. SO, Brandon watched a few of the guys go and couldn't resist. He said it was the coolest thing he has ever done. He actually wants to do it again. Only, I WILL be there too!!

I can't wait to do it!!!