Worst Nightmare

I don't know about any of you, buy one of my worst nightmares is having something bad happen to my children or if I hurt anyone else. Last night I faced this nightmare. As I pulled into the parking lot at my gym I saw a flash of white out of the corner of my eye and I heard two women screaming stop. Surprised I slammed on the brake and stopped the car. Honestly, I had no idea what had happened. I jumped out of my car to see what was the concern. As I got to the right side of the car I saw a little girl (maybe 3yr) on the ground near my tire. The little girl had ran away from her mother and darted in front of my car (can we not all relate). The girl's leg was scratched up from my tire, but other than that she was fine. I was not! The mother was calm....me, not so much. When I saw the girl I started to cry. The mom even asked if I was alright.....not really (i wasn't sobbing but i could not stop...i felt bad that the mom even had to ask about me....i tried to get a grip, but really i still cry when i think about it). It freaked me out!!!! I do not know what I would have done if the girl was really hurt. I know that we were being watched over and helped because I was driving at a crawling pace (thankfully) because a car had just pulled out in front of me. If I was going any faster the tire could have been on top of her. Yikes! Last night I was reminded how precious life is. I have a renewed sense of gratitude for my beautiful kids and family. I also know that I will be a little more strict in parking lots with the kids....maybe a leash.

new names

I keep seeing so many people going private with their blogs. For me, it is just too much of an inconvenience. Instead I am going to stop using our real names. I am Double D or DD(yes it has double meaning....although in a few months sadly it will not apply). My husband will be the Fly Guy, because he is obsessed with fly fishing. My oldest son, E, the middle boy, K, my girl, S, and the baby, E2. Please use these names when making comments. This makes me feel a little better about sharing our lives and will hopefully not confuse anyone too much.

Rediscovering our Hometown

Our family decided that this year we are going to rediscover the fun and exciting things in our area. We find that we get into our daily routine and don't always take the time to see the wonderful sights in our area. In fact, it usually takes someone visiting for us to get out and enjoy some of our local options. We are going to be better!!
This weekend we started by going to see the Monarchs! This is the time when they return to where they were born to mate. This area has the perfect temperature, humidity and sunshine for them to thrive. It truly was great to see that many butterflies.

At first glance you can't see them...then you realize that the branches are covered with the monarchs. It really is an amazing sight. We were told that it is rare to see so many monarchs in one location.

Fly Guy & the boys watching the monarchs on the ground. They were so excited to see them so close.

A couple of butterflies having a good time!

The kids loved climbing on the big trees.

We ended the day with a trip to one of our favorite Ice Cream places. E2, surprised us by lunging forward to catch a big bite of Fly Guy's ice cream....oops! He love it!

my latest distraction

We got a new laptop....except I really consider it mine because, well I love it and use it the most. Fly Guy needed another computer at his office and took our home computer. Then we decided to replace our home computer with a laptop. I love, love, love being able to work on the computer anywhere in the house. The funny thing is I really consider myself technologically challenged, but this laptop and this blog have been helping me to learn more. Who knew their was a world of addicted bloggers and internet junkies out there. Fly Guy & I are lucky to have his brother Stephen who is an absolute genius when it comes to computers. He keeps us on track and informed, well as much as we can understand!! I look forward to many great adventures with my latest distraction!! Maybe, I'll stop long enough to get some laundry done this week...

2009

Things I am grateful to have had in 2008:

-E2 fun, lovable and easy going - love him!
- good friends who made me laugh a lot
- a sister & friend who got my butt to the gym
- first trip to a "Time Out for Women" - must do again
- a 7-year-old son who is finally getting my jokes & can keep up!
- better family relationships
- wonderful grandparents
- kids that push me to learn more
- a husband that understands me and still loves me!

A New Year - 2009: a few goals

- play & laugh more with my kids
- enjoy the moment
- cook new things, read more (without the guilt)
- get in better shape
- Fly Guy & I have a deal: I will read the Book of Mormon all the way through (I tend to skip parts!!!) and he will do his Home Teaching....This one will be interesting
-Keep striving for Balance!
- patience, patience and more patience....
- laugh more often!!

snow...snow...and more snow

For Christmas vacation we spent time with my parents in Utah. Unfortunately, I got sick and spent most of the vacation in bed. I really feel like I missed out on the entire vacation. Gratefully, my husband, parents and sister stepped up and saved the day. My kids loved the trip and we loved seeing the family. The other high point was visiting one of my favorite places...SONIC. My friend Kelly got me hooked on the Diet Coke with real cherries. I loved having this treat....honestly a little too much!

Oh how I miss the mountains...but the snow, not so much!

While sledding, E2 fell asleep and enjoyed being dragged everywhere.

Grandpa made sure to get the kids a super fast ride!
The boys did not want to stop playing in the snow...the first thing they asked for when they woke up is if they could play outside. Burr...I could not handle the cold and they didn't ever notice it.

On the way home I was feeling better and we stopped in St. George to visit my sister and her family for New Years. It was really, fun even if I only made it to 11pm on New Year's Eve. Sleep is just too precious these days!!
The weather was so nice in St. George that Fly Guy was able to go rock climbing with my brother & brother-in-law and then they all played paint ball with the nephews. My sister & I took the kids to a really cool park and then we ditched the kids and shopped for jeans. My sister has lost a ton of weight and looks fabulous and it was fun seeing her in tiny jeans!!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning 2008-E woke bright and early to see if Santa had come! He started at 1:00 a.m. and woke up pretty much every hour after that. E has always been our early riser, which can be difficult at times, but in this case it was really fun to see his excitement. You are only a kid once!!
Favorite Things: Sephora....I love this place! Fly Guy went to Sephora and bought me a package of ten mascaras that were tested by Sephora and were picked as the top favorites. I have to admit I LOVE mascara. If I was deserted I would want my mascara. Fly Guy got lots of points for this one!!

E2 was thrilled to play with the ribbon and paper.

S's favorite things: little pets, doll house and dolls & first lip gloss

K's favorite things: legos, pokemon and cars

E's favorite things: legos, pokemon & games

Christmas morning we do a brunch with our family & friends. This year Fly Guy's brother came and our really good friends the Kerrs, Nielsons & Harrison. Later our cousins Mike, Tauschsa & family were also able to come & visit. This year we ate quiche, homemade muffins & scones...yummy! We all ate way too much and laughed a lot!!

Harrison our son/friend home for Christmas!

Kevin showing K how to set up his star wars.

The Kerrs...Clark, Tiff, Cam, Beth, Amanda & Kevin

The Nielsons, Grant, Terri & Hanna

For Christmas Eve every year we are fortunate to join my Aunt & Uncle and their kids/grandkids for dinner and a Christmas program. I always feel like when we arrive at their home, Christmas has finally begun. My aunt has put together an amazing program outlining the nativity with scripture verses and songs that correlate. Participating in this tradition is a great experience that always fills me with the spirit and gratitude for the family that I am part of.

Cookies & Yummy Treats...What Could Be Better

The whole month of December we enjoyed making our favorite goodies. We loved making sugar cookies (my friends recipe), which are soooo good. Our family also spent a day making carmels, russian tea cookies, toffee, turtles and shortbread cookies. We really enjoyed having the kids so involved this year. It was also fun to box up our treats and bring them to our friends.

K decorating his cookies.

E...so proud!

Our Gingerbread House play date!!