~old fashioned photos~

We went to the Hopekids (www.hopekids.org) old fashioned family picnic! It was out at Antelope Island. We had a lot of fun! It was soooooo windy though, it was nuts! So on our drive out there, we told the kids to watch for Bison. Evidently Lily missed that part of our conversation, because as we approached one of these mangy animals, Lily shouted out in pure excitement "WHAT THE! A MOOSE!!" We all laughed so hard! :)

Since we were already up North, we swung by the Hill Airforce Museum. DJ LOVES airplanes, so we couldn't pass it up. :) Ever since Hopekids provided us the opportunity to see the Air show up there, DJ has been obsessed with airplanes, helicopters and jets.
We Love Hopekids!!!
Besides the awesome opportunities they have provided us, we have met many wonderful people/friends. Hopekids sends out a daily inspirational message that I so often need. I find myself quoting them saying "Hope is a powerful medicine".... I truly believe that!
Recently I read an article about T-cell ALL and the 'very high' rate of relapse, of which is not treatable/curable. It got me so sad and scared. But I wont give up hope.

~My pity party~

I officially declare myself to be a "lemon" (comparable to an item you buy that just doesn't work like it should). Some people are prone to buying lemons. I feel like I AM a lemon.
It all started a couple of days ago when I got an invitation to my 15 year high school reunion. They want updates on everyone, and sent out a questionaire that asked for the highlights of my life for the past 5 years. I didn't know what to write because my life has just been crazy. Then this afternoon it went into a spiral. I headed up to Primary Children's Hospital with 4 kids in tow for Toby's appointment. On the way home, I stopped at Costco to get some milk. Lily had to use the bathroom, so she and I went in the store. I left Kyle in charge in the car, as DJ was taking a much needed nap. When I came back out to the car, it was surrounded by police officers and Costco employees. Now keep in mind, I have done this before, and Kyle knows all the rules. I left him my cell phone. The car was running with the AC on. Kyle locked the doors after I went in. So my thought is (Oh noooo something bad happened!!) But no, it was just a grandma and bunch of Costco employees who decided I had abandoned my children and they were in grave danger (despite Kyle telling them I would be right back and they were fine). I was so embarrassed (still am) and felt horrible. Come to find out, it's a law that I can't leave my children in a running car until Kyle is 12 (he will be soon, but that doesn't matter ugh). But not knowing this law doesn't matter, because despite the crowds and gossip and drama of it all, I got myself a nice ticket! Ok so that goes on my list for my highlights along with....

*My son nearly died and was diagnosed with Leukemia

*My husband left me

*I had to move from AZ to Utah because I couldn't take care of my ill son and my other children alone

*I moved into my parents basement

*I met a wonderful man and married him, gaining 3 more children, and sending 2/3 of our income off to his x-wife. Hospital bills and mouths to feed (thank heavens for his savings....and thank heavens she'll marry soon so we wont lose our home).

*My best friend since the 3rd grade writes me off completely because 'we are on different paths'

* I got pregnant and threw up every day for 5 months..... DJ was born making "Yours Mine and Ours" and uniting our family (what a blessing he truly is)

*My daughter got kidney reflux and spent a year on antibiotics

*I broke my right ankle

*My son finished chemotherapy treatment! YAY! (with 5 years left of monthly blood draws before he's considered in remission)

*My daughter lost 2/3 of her kidney, and had to have invasive surgery to correct the problem

*My son had surgery to remove his port-a-cath

*My sister got upset with me and wont speak to me

*I got a ticket and watched people gossip and imply that I am bad mother :(

Now, I know that there are more pleasant hightlights and of course many blessings, but out the big things that have happened in my life, the traumatic/bad outnumber the good. And it seems neverending now. :(
I know I shouldn't be so negative, and I really do know that I have been blessed even through the crappiest days of it all, but I just want a normal life without all the drama. Ok enough whining.


Happy Birthday to my amazingly wonderful husband last month!!!!

Don't you just LOVE DJ in this picture.... I think it's hilarious!!!

Dave, thank you for being one of the positive highlights in my life!!! You are such a blessing. You are a wonderful husband and father!!! You are talented and smart and occasionally funny ;) I love you!!!!!

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!!!!!!

Brandon got a 'super pickle' cake (design by Kyle lol) Brandon, you are 1 of 3 of the best children to have entered my life. You are growing up so quickly and becoming such a handsome young man (mushy cheesy, but nice to hear nonetheless right?) You are a great brother and a great son. I love you.

Now here are some pictures that we took on our trip to AZ last week. We didn't take many, but the ones we got were cute. I sure do miss AZ and my friends there. Everytime I go back I feel like it's my home and I cry. Maybe someday we'll be able to move back.Duck Pond (or something like that lol)
Trees in Kanab when we stopped to stretch

DJ napping in the car
Red Rock Canyon


Arizona Science Center.... Knight DJ

~Fun, Education and Religion~

What is it with kids and their parents' bed?!?! Seriously?! I don't even remember why, but me and all the kids ended up in my bedroom and then they were all having SO much fun climbing in and out of the covers. I guess it's true with almost anything "If it's not yours, it must be better (or more fun) than yours"(this is my proverb for the day lol) . :)




Kyle received an award from school, which, to me, is quite impressive. :) He ranked in the top 10% in the nation in reading, math, core total and total composite!! Woohoo! Way to go Kyle!!! :)


Our family went to the Oquirrh Temple open house last Thursday night. The kids were SO excited to go. I of course knew it would be a cool experience, but I had no idea how much it meant to them and how badly they wanted to go through the temple. We got all dressed up and then went out to dinner first. I was really hoping to make it a night that they would always remember. As we were leaving the restaraunt, we saw a rainbow! It was so vivid and beautiful!



It was a sweet experience. The kids were very reverent (except at one point when DJ tried to dodge through a crowded doorway and Dave stooped down to his level and Lily took that as an invite to jump on Dave's back..... momentary chaos :) DJ loved all the lights, and said "hi" and waved to pretty much every usher.... it was so blasted cute! The kids really were good, and Kyle was learning as much as he could as he went through. He asked on the way out how old one had to be to go to the temple. We told him that he would go through before his mission. He asked how often he'd be able to attend at that time. We explained he could go as often as he wanted. His 'make your mother proud' reply was, "Wow I am going to go to the temple ALL the time!". He really loved it... loves it...it's awesome.

*Graduation Day*

Toby Graduated from Kindergarten last Friday! I had nooo idea how big of a deal Kindergarten graduation was out here ( a bit over the top if you ask me! ) but it was fun. :) He knew all of the songs perfectly and did a fantastic job!


I was all smiles throughout the program, until they got to the song 'Take Care of Your Body' (I added a short video clip of it --I can't get the vid to upload so I'll post it on youtube -- link at right). It brought tears to my eyes. Anyone who doesn't know our story probably thought I was weird. :) To watch and hear Toby sing ' I WANT TO BE STRONG. I WANT TO LIVE LONG. I WANT TO BE WELL' was emotional. There were so many times when he wasn't strong. He was too weak to walk, or even sit up. I had to carry him and hold him, no matter how much he wanted to do it himself. And there was a time when we were told he wouldn't live long. Most people don't have a second thought about that song (not that I blame them). But once you've dealt with an unhealthy body, the song has new meaning. The lyrics are " Take care of my body. It's my body, healthy I want to be. Take care of my body, and everybody will take care of me. Day-O. I'm gonna feel OK. I want to be strong! I want to live long! I want to be well, and take care of myself!". So anyway, I am so grateful for Toby's strength today. I am grateful that he is here with us, able to stand and sing. Man, he's tough! And I believe him when he says he's going to live long! :)
So now that I'm all emotional, I look at the pic of Toby with his arms around his friends and I can envision him graduating from high school. It'll be fun to compare the two pictures when he does. :)



We had a great memorial weekend! We went up to visit Dave's parents and some of his siblings in Vernal on Saturday and Sunday. It was great to see them. Then we came home and met up with my family on Monday for a yummy BBQ and then went fishing (thank goodness for uncle Kirk when it comes time to fish). Kyle caught 2 fish within minutes of each other! He then caught another, but invited my nephew Ethan to come and have a turn :) Kirk and Cherrie both graciously gave up their catches and let Toby and Lily have a turn fishing. So everyone caught a fish! :) It was a lot of fun!

We stopped by the Rennessaince Festival on our way to Logan for Mother's Day weekend. We wanted to see jousting, but they didn't have any going on while we were there. It was interesting. The kids came home sporting foam swords and fairy wings, so it was well worth it to them :) We paid a dollar for Lily to ride a horse (good deal! you're thinking, right?) haha well they went in a circle about as big as our dining room table..... haha! At least Lily enjoyed it :)






Then we stayed with my dearest friend Courtney in Logan. We went to a crash derby..... the kids loved it! (I didn't get any pics there dang it.....and we even saw a car flip all the way over -- next time maybe ;) We also went to a little park/zoo that was a lot of fun. The kids made these cutes masks there. We spent Sunday with Chris (I just made and typo... typed Christ instead of Chris lol ironic.....suppose I spent Sunday with Christ as well) and Courtney and attended their church. I had so much fun! I was so glad we went. I swear we don't get out, unless it's to a Dr. appointment! Chris and Court..... thank you SO much for your hospitality and taking such great care of us! And for taking us fun places! It's your turn to come visit us now :)
Lily and her friend Cate

Lily and Toby watching a peacock (showing off feathers) and a big turtle!

So DJ was carrying a baby doll today and I told him to give it a kiss and he totally licked its' face ewwwww! Toby, Lily and I were laughing and then Lily said "DJ! That is NOT an ice cream cone!!!!!!" haha

Here is a cute video of Lily singing........again haha She just was making me laugh when she would try and sing the fast part :) C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E S-O-N-G song from Spongebob :)