LIFE IN GENERAL

Well as we seem to get busier and busier, I seem to feel like I am falling farther and farther behind. I just wish that things would slow down, just a little bit. I need to catch my breath.... Well we have had a wonderful Fall and now starting into Winter. We spent several weeks camping and hunting on the mountain. It was so much fun and so nice to get away and be surrounded by the Fall beauty. our only complaint is that the BLM and USFS is at it again, shutting down everything!!! We don't even know if our traditional camping spot will be open next year. It is very sad that government organizations are taking this to extremes. It is also sad that they are being driven to do it by those who abuse the land and environmentalist whose voices are to big and being heard too often. Now off my soap box......

Halloween was wonderful as always. We spent the Saturday of Halloween weekend at Lagoon. It was fun and surprisingly not crowded. Justyn was the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland (pictures to come later) and Jayson was Buzz Lightyear. This was the first year that Justyn went trick-or-treating with friends. He decided that going with his little brother and mom and dad just wasn't cool anymore. I cried all the way home from dropping him off at his friends. It was such a rainy night that we only took Jayson to 3 houses. It is a good thing that we went trick-or-treating to my work the day before.

Thanksgiving was spent here at home with Allen parents, his sister Janae and her family, and his brother Craig. We had a yummy meal and the kids had a lot of fun playing. My family came up and spent a few days too. It was nice to see them.

I am now sitting here typing, watching the snow fall. I LOVE this! I don't like to be cold, but there is nothing more beautiful than fully falling snowflakes and the peaceful, still, quietness that comes with it.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, filled with peace, safety, love, and the feel the true spirit of the season!

BONES, SWIMMING, AND A NEW SEASON

August and the first part of September have been pretty eventful. The end of July, while we were in Schofield with Allen's family, Justyn broke his arm. He was riding his motorcycle, following his cousin who was on a 4-wheeler. His cousin stopped a bit ahead of Justyn to talk to grandpa, grandpa continued past his cousin and came to Justyn, justyn turned to wave at grandpa and didn't see the 4-wheeler. He ran into the back of it. He didn't fall off, which was good news, but the impact of the collision caused a buckle fracture in his right arm. He was pretty devastated as he sis this the first day of our trip and wasn't able to go boating or really play in the water, not to mention no more riding his bike. He got his cast off the first of September, but the bone wasn't healed all the way. So he is now in another cast and will get that one off the end of this month just in time for the hunts.

We had the wonderful opportunity of having one of our friends from India with us for a few days. Vimlesh has been in the US for the past month looking for a job and finally got one in L.A. He was able to come and stay over Labor Day. We took him camping to Joe's Valley. We also took him to his first US football game. It was the home opener for the Cougars. I was so fun to have him with us. He even made us dinner Monday night, true Indian food. It was spicy, but SO yummy.

Yes football season is in full swing. We went to the home opener for the Cougs. It was HOT, but fun!! So glad for the win. I LOVE FALL!!!

The pictures may not be that great, as they were taken with my phone.

OUR SUMMER

Okay..... So 3 months is a little long. So here is a little run down of some of the things we have done this summer.......
Memorial Day Camping at Lola's Place
Justyn's 4th grade program
Week in Provo for June Workshops
The Homestead Retreat
Justyn made the All-Star Baseball team and they went to the State Tournament!!!!
Justyn turned 10 years old
Jayson learned to ride a bike
LOTS of baseball games
Cedar City for a week
Sitterud Family Reunion
Days of 47 Rodeo
Hogle Zoo
Handcart Days
Homemade waterslide
Bees Game
FIREWORKS, FIREWORKS, and MORE FIREWORKS
Swimming Lessons
DeFriez Family Reunion
Justyn broke his arm
Week in Provo for August workshops

And we are still going!!!!!

FLOORING

So it feels like we are finally moving. A few weekends ago, my family came and helped lay all the laminate flooring in the basement. This weekend, they returned and we tore out the subfloor in the living room, replaced it and layed the Hickory Hardwood. We also had the carpet layers here putting the carpet in downstairs----that is a story unto itself. We were able to put beds in bedrooms and clean some stuff up. I will be very excited when I can do nice before and afters and post, that will be my stamp of completion! Here are the the latest pictures, there are quite a few, but it tells a story. We are down to 1 week my friends to have this done!!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING...

I saw this on my cousins blog and thought it would be interesting, especially in light of the fact that I am not posting about the house as I have lost my camera----hmmmm can't imagine why!!!


TWENTY years ago (1990) I...
1. I was a Freshman (9th grade)
2. Went to Washington D.C. with my parents
3. Was obsessed with New Kids On the Block too.

TEN years ago (2000) I...
1. Had Justyn, my first child
2. Finished my first year of teaching school
3. Became the family bread winner so Allen could finish school

FIVE years ago I...
1. Began my Masters degree program
2. Moved into my inlaws house, to save money for college and a baby
3. Went to India and saw the Taj Mahal!

THREE years ago I...
1. Graduated with my Masters Degree and bought a new house
2. Starting working at the State Office of Education
3. Had Jayson, my second child

ONE year ago I...
1. Started looking to buy a foreclosed home
2. Continued the remodel on the current home
3. Bought a camp trailer

So far THIS YEAR I have...
1. Realized there is more to life than Assessment
2. Set some new goals, including taking a REAL vacation from work
3. Becoming very tired and overwhelmed remodeling the foreclosed home that we bought

YESTERDAY I...
1. Worked
2. Bought lighting and vent covers for the house
3. Took Justyn to baseball practice

TODAY I
1. Made it to work
2. Created calendars for scouts
3. Worked with Justyn on his homework

TOMORROW I will...
1. Hopefully make it to work
2. Work on more baseboards in the basement
3. Go to the Orthopedist

In the NEXT YEAR I hope to...
1. Finish this *#%* house
2. Do ALOT of camping
3. Really focus on my wellness

EVERYDAY I..
1. Try to set a good example for my children
2. Be grateful to others for their service and for my blessings
3. Breathe.