Paying it Forward!!!

I loved this movie so much. It was a great motivation for me. I have been trying to come up with ways to Pay it Forward for all of those who have helped us so much over the last crazy year. Well I came up with an idea and I need all of you to help me.
I want to take people's pictures for them. I can do family, babies, engagement pics whatever you want. I love doing this and I know people love having them. So if you want to schedule a "session" with me let me know. There will be no charge for me to take the pics and I will just email them to you when I am done with them. I am willing to come to your home or do them on location. You can either call me if you are in the area, email me or post a comment.

Yummy Pancakes

These are delicious and nutrious. Enjoy.
Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes
4 cups cooking oats
2 cups flour
2 cups whole wheat flour (If you don't have whole wheat you can do all white or even some oat flour)
1 cup non-fat dry milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 T cinnamom
2 t. salt
5 T Baking powder
1/2 t cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda.

Combine ingredients and stir to mix well. Put in a large airtight container. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 6 months

Mixing directions:
In a large bowl, beat 2 eggs. Beat in 3 T oil gradually. Alternately stir in 2 cups of pancake mix and 1 cup of water. Drop by spoonfuls onto a lightly greased skillet. When the batter shows broken bubbles, turn the pancakes over. Cook about 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy Angie and anyone else who wants to try these.

7 years ago my life turned upside down!!!

I know I posted the whole crazy story of Alex last year so I will not repeat it. You can read about it here and here I did want to acknowledge the day my life got turned upside down. It was on Wednesday Jan 16th that we were told Alex had what they thought was "an enlarged liver" but they could not see anything on the scans at the hospital so we had to go to PCMC. We were scheduled for an ultrasound on the 22nd. We only lived a few minutes from the hospital so we packed a regular ol diaper bag and headed up that day. (Quick sidenote: It was on the way to this appt. that I heard the song I hope you Dance for the first time. Those words still stir feeling in my heart.)
Well let's just say that we were there literally forever for every possible radiological test you can imagine. Imagine trying to convince a starving baby that contrast is just as good as milk. Then a short 10 minutes later being covered in it as he puked it up all over you. Then finally having the radiologist coming in at about 7:30 that night, after being there 6 hours, and not giving you any results but that we had an appointment for an oncologist the next day. An oncologist? What the h**@@@@?
The next day with my parents and Andy's parents by our side the oncologist telling us that our baby had cancer. Our tiny not even 6 pound baby who was 9 days old. I can't even put into words the reeling anger, heartache and fear that rushed through my body at that moment. I have never been so scared in my entire life.

Fast forward now 7 years later I look at my amazing 7 year old and my heart is so full of love, joy and gratitude it is again undescribable. That experience was a big part of who I am today. I am a live it up kind of gal that does not let any moment past. I know how quickly life can be turned upside down so I want to make every moment count. I am grateful for the chance to raise my son. He has an important work to do in this life that I need to prepare him for. He has an amazing amount of faith for such a young child. I can't beleive I am the lucky one he calls his mom. Alex, thank you for the lessons you taught me over those 5 weeks of Hell. I am a better mommy because of it. I will NEVER forget that horrible hospital experience nor will I ever forget the joy I experienced when we were told that the miracle we had been praying for had happened. Alex is 7, 7 years ago I was afraid I would never see this day.

PS Thanks Aimee for teaching me to hyperlink:)

Grateful for:

After typing that last post and sitting on FB for a few minutes I decided to rewrite my post. I have a lot of things to be grateful for and I need to focus on that instead of the negative. So here goes:
1. My boys
2. The gospel
2. My food storage that I never thought was possible and now we don't have room for
3. My nice warm house
4. My job
5. A free country
6. My friends and family
7. My bath tub- this is where I go to get away from it all.
8. Books

I am sure there is a lot more I could write but I will stop there. February has always been a month of remembrance and gratitude. So that is now my goal. Accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, don't give in to mister in between.:)

Frozen Funk

I really need to update my blog with Alex's birthday extravaganze pics but I have not felt like doing it yet. Half of the pics are on the camera the other on the camcorder. I am not sure I want to see what the ones on the camcorder look like.
Here is the story: While Alex was opening his presents Logan got a hold of the camera and threw it on the floor. Yep it is officially busted. I am a very sad momma and am having a hard time dealing with it. I am hoping that the camcorder takes ok pics until the time Uncle Sam gives us a little extra $$$. But even then we can't afford anything fantastic so I am pouting about it.
I am also sad that Alex got an awesome telescope for Christmas and we can't figure out how to use it. I can get it to work during the day but can't do a thing with it at night. UGH!!!!
I need to pull myself out of my funk but I am not sure where to start. I am sorry this is such a depressing post. I am hoping that by expressing my funk that it will slowly decipate. Bring on the sun!!!!!

Family Birthday Parties

After Alex's friends party we headed down to SLC for more partying. We had a party with my mom and my brother that afternoon. We ate pizza and cupcakes and played with Uncle Tyson. It was great fun. Grandma surprised Alex with a trip to Walking with Dinosaurs so off they went for a date. He loved it!!








On Sunday we had dinner with the Ras side of the family. It was fun to spend time with Aunt Al who we missed while she was in London.


Thanks to everyone for all of the fun parties and presents!!!

Alex's Friends Party

We had all agreed that Alex was not getting a friends birthday party this year. Well apparently everyone but me forgot about it. So the Monday before Alex's birthday I scrambled to come up with an idea. We decided to take them to the Anthropology Museum on campus. I know it sounds a little over the top for 6 and 7 year olds but they loved it. Check out the slide show!!!

PS Parents if you want copies of any of these pics please let me know.

Alex's Birthday In Pieces

Alex is one spoiled kiddo. He was able to have 4 birthday parties. The one with just us lasted a few days. I let my kids pick out whatever they want for their birthday for dinner. We can either go out or I will make something. Alex decided he wanted to eat at Angie's. He LOVES their scones, as do I. I knew that it would not be possible to go on his birthday so we went the Saturday before. He loved it!!!!





Then on his actual birthday we just did cake and ice cream with us. He loved his new microscope and game. Funny story: We got him a microscope for his birthday. While he was using it it started on fire. A small fire mind you but a fire. I immediately was on the phone with the manufacturer. Just a few days later and he had a super deluxe microscope. I guess the fear of lawsuit can do great things. No I did not mention that but I am sure they thought it.







Alex designed this all by himself. It was his shrine.
Then at 7:30 Alex reminded me that I told him we could go to the Fun Park on his birthday. I had forgotten so we stretched the birthday one more day.

New Bedroom arrangements

After walking into the boys room and seeing Logan standing in their window (on the second floor) I knew it was time for drastic measures. That day the room was cleared, the crib taken down and new sleeping arrangements made. Only one problem, the brilliant people who built our house did not make the bedrooms big enough for two beds:( So we had to be creative until we can get a bunk bed in there for them. I am placing bets on how fast Logan has a broken appendage from jumping of the top bunk. That kid I swear is related to Evil Keneavel(sp?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!

It is crazy to think that I have a seven year old. He is such a great kid and a perfect fit in our family.
Since Alex is 7 I am going to list seven things I love about my Alex.
1) His laugh. He has the most contagious laugh of anyone I know.
2)His thirst for knowledege. This kid is a sponge when it comes to learning. He LOVES school. He is always wondering about how things work and why. He is going to be our scientist in the family.
3)He is so loving and caring. He knows when someone needs a hug or just some cuddling.
4)Alex has the sweetest spirit ever. He is very sensitive to the workings of the spirit. I am amazed at how much he knows about the Gospel already.
5)The way he adores his brother. They love to play together and Alex hardly complains about it. He is always watching out for his brother. I am grateful they love each other so much.
6)His creativity. He can make up stories with the best of them. He also is an amazing artist.
7)He loves to read. We never have to beg this kid to read books. He is also very good at reading to his brother.
We have a tradition in our family that the birthday person gets a picture wall dedicated to them for the day. So here it is in blog form.

One month (blessing pic)

6 months

One year

18 months

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old
Happy birthday Bugs, we love you!!!

Winter Photography

There are a few things I love about winter. The way the world looks after a new snow storm, the taste of hot chocolate as you sit in your warm and cozy house and the way the tress look after a night of fog. I was driving somewhere with my boys in the car when I was pointing out the cool phenomenon that fog creates to Alex. I realized I had my camera with me so we pulled over and took some pics. I must say they turned out so cool. I am trying to think where I can put them in my house.

#2 Baby

Way to go AP folks!!! Utes show as #2 with 16 first place votes. WAHOOOOOOOO!
Also I have discovered a talent. I have been blessed with the ability to predict scores of football games. So if you are looking to go to Vegas you can take me with and I will charge 10% of your winnings.:) My score prediction for the Utah game was 34-17 and for the title game last night I said 27-17. When you've got it, you've got it I guess.

Alex's Accomplishment

I am not sure why we did not push this before but today I decided it was time. Alex came home from school, we logged on to Youtube and Alex learned to tie his shoes. He is so excited about it. Here is the video for your enjoyment. (I am sure this will not be viewed by everyone, I will not be offended.)

Posts

I have posted all about Christmas but changed the dates on them so you need to scroll down to find them. We hope you all had a great holiday season!!!

Party Crashers

If you want to crash a party, you should do it in style. Do it in a way that 90% of those who are attending think would never be possible.
Last night the University of Utah decimated the BCS party. National media were tripping on their tongues after the game because it was so unexpected. It was the best football game I have watched in my lifetime.
Alex and I ventured down to my family's house so I could be in a house full of screaming, raging fans like myself. It was a night of food, fun and lots of screaming and yelling. With phrases like the New Orleans shuffle when the ball was spotted in the oh so wrong spot and listening to a story of how Alabama made shirts that said SEC Alabama vs. WAC Utah we had a blast. Utah is for real folks and we deserve a chance to play for the National Championship. 13-0 baby you can't beat it.