Back To The Palace

For anyone who didn't think that our Grandpa was going to be able to get through this latest obstacle....check out this note. Hooked up to a respirator and a feeding tube he decides that he is going back to the "Huntsman tomorrow"! (Yeah right) He's way too sick...right?? The next morning his breathing tube was removed and later that night his feeding tube. He ate some yummy orange jello with no problem.....and today HUNTSMAN HERE WE COME!!! Yay! We are so thrilled...and truly feel like our family has been blessed with a miracle! I mentioned to the nurse that when he had that breathing tube removed he was going to give her a piece of his mind....and really he should because apparently every time he pushed the nurses button someone would come on the intercom and ask, "do you need something?" SERIOUSLY!?? I wonder if they could see him nod his head yes!?? Duh!! We are SO excited to be returning to our "palace on the hill" today! Thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers...we know that they helped us get through this! Go Team!!

Grandpa...I'll bring you a Diet Caffeine Free Mountain Dew a.s.a.p.!!

Update On Our Papa

For those of you who check the blog to hear what's going on with Mike....I thought I'd give an update. Yesterday morning Mike was doing his laps at the Huntsman Center when he nearly passed out. His blood pressure was really low and he was having a hard time breathing. They transported him from the Huntsman to the University of Utah ICU. They originally thought he may have had a mild heart attack, but now are saying it wasn't his heart but septic shock. I guess his lungs were filled with fluid. They have him heavily sedated. He is on a respirator to help him breathe. His hands are strapped down, so that he can't pull of his breathing tube. (there was a note on the chair when we got there that he had written...it took us a while to decipher it...but when we did we chuckled. It said 'take it out' (tough guy). He has a massive infection that they still aren't sure about. His white blood cell count is very low...or possibly even zero because of the intense chemo he was on to prepare him for the bone marrow transplant. They are taking all precautions for germs. There are only 2 family members allowed to see him at a time. No kids. (that would make him sad) Hand sanitizers and masks are a must. Bonnie and I were telling him goodbye last night...he opened his eyes a little bit and nodded. We were thinking he probably thought we looked like a couple of aliens with our teary eyes and our pink masks on. Your prayers on behalf of our Grandpa would be much appreciated! We love him so much and are not ready to give him up!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

My Grandpa is one of the most handsome men I know! Today is his birthday. I just had to take a moment to brag about him. I compiled a list of things that he excels at:

• He is the best genealogist that I know. He works long hours at the genealogy center in St. George, has written a book, and teaches classes on it. He has some of the most amazing stories and photos of relatives!
• He is an artist. He paints brilliant pictures! I am proud to have 2 of them in my home!
• He is loving and patient. I've never heard my Grandpa raise his voice at another person.
• He is always right! (no really...he is!)
• He tells the best stories of anyone I know!
• His Grand kids and Great Grand kids adore him...and I'm pretty sure every one of them thinks that they are his favorite!
• He is an athlete. He played college basketball, was a high school coach, and still plays tennis and golf regularly.
• He NEVER complains!
• He is a blogger! What Granddaughter out there can say that about their Grandfather? I can! ...and I love it!

I could go on! Thank you Grandpa for all you have taught me and all you do for my family! You are absolutely Easton's hero...and I love you for making him feel so special! Have a great day!

Our Last Preschool Graduation

I have to admit...it's a little sad. My baby just graduated from preschool. I can't believe he is going to be in Kindergarten next year! Time just seems to be going by so fast...I can still vividly remember Camry going to the same preschool so many years ago! We sure are going to miss Teacher Geanna and Miss Carrie....they have given all 3 of my kids 2 years of love and devotion! Jace and Mom before his performance
Jace and Garet loved being in the same class
Miss Carrie, Jace, and Teacher Geanna
Best buds!
I know I say this a lot...but I am so thankful that my kids have cousins that live nearby and go to school with them. They are always going to have a buddy and best friend...no matter what they do!

The Pinewood Derby

Last night was Easton's first Pinewood Derby. He and his Dad worked hard on his car to get it just the way he wanted it. Funny thing...Bryan kept telling me that he was worried because he wasn't sure it was easy to tell which was the front and which was the back of the car. The very first race, Easton's scout leader actually put his car on the track backward. It came in second place. The next time Bryan told Easton to turn it around the right way...this time he came in 3rd place. So, for the rest of the night our little purple car raced backward!

Easton and Dad cutting the design
Sanding...and sanding some more!
Painting. Easton chose purple.
The finished product
His first race. He took second in this heat.
Easton and his ribbon. He won a blue ribbon for the "strangest shape"

Our Papa

Last Wednesday we got some bad news....Bryan's dad's cancer is back. (It happened to be his 59th birthday...not a very nice birthday gift!) Today Mike starts another round of intense chemotherapy. After this next round of chemo Grandpa will undergo a bone marrow transplant...courtesy of Aunt DeAnn. We feel very blessed to have had a good six months of Grandpa feeling well enough to enjoy 2 awesome vacations with all of us! We are so grateful that we have the bravest, strongest, happiest Grandpa out there! He NEVER complains! Whenever we call or visit his first question is, "How is everybody?". We look forward to "kicking this next round in the butt AGAIN"! We love you Grandpa! Go Team Halliday!

Am I Living On Another Planet?

Lately I feel like I am seriously living on another planet! My son is speaking a foreign language! Today I found out that "we are like the only people on the entire planet who do not own a Palkia!" Can you believe that?! I am in a constant state of confusion..."so and so traded me for Rapidash, and I beat him with my energy ball"..."Bulbasaur can defeat so and so with his awesome fire energy." ..."Pikachu is good but so and so is evil" (by the way I'm sure none of that was correct which really shows you I'm not following along) ....Help! I'm so lost! How in the world does the kid remember all of this and keep everybody's special powers and energies straight? Really...I'm amazed at his brain power! Oh and have any of you ever tried to read a Pokemon book for a bedtime story?? I would not recommend it!! How the heck do you even pronounce the names of these ...what are they anyway?

Our Hope Of America

The American Flag made out of hundreds of children!

Camry's choir group participated in 'The Hope of America' this year. It was held at BYU and hundreds of students from different schools were involved. Her choir group practiced for many months...long and hard...and it was worth every minute of it! This program was AMAZING! If any of you have children who are ever invited to participate...you should not miss this opportunity! Truly an inspiring program! After seeing this program you will be PROUD to be an American! Way to go Cams!

A little blurry...but this is Camry's choir group in yellow

Emilee, Lexi, Emily, and Camry after spending 5 hours at the Marriott Center!

The Best Job!

Mother's Day has to be the best day of the year! I love being spoiled by my family...but even more I love how excited my kids get when they give me their homemade gifts! Today I got pens, pencils, bookmarks, cards, and breakfast in bed from my cute kids (and husband)! I am so blessed to be able to be the mother of these 3 kids! They are a constant joy in my life! Even though I think motherhood is possibly one of the hardest jobs out there...it is also the most rewarding! Thank you guys for a great day...and a wonderful life! I love you!

My Favorite Mommies:

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to thank all of you who are examples to me of what a mother should be! Thank you to all of my friends who support me and have great stories to tell of their kids...so that I never feel like I'm alone! Thank you to my 5 beautiful sister in laws who are wonderful mothers to my nieces and nephews...and who love my kids like they were their own! Thank you to my Grandmas for being wonderful mothers to my parents and for being even better Grandparents! I can't forget my Aunts! Thank you for loving me and being wonderful examples to me in my most impressionable years! ...and most especially thank you to my mother in law and my mom for being the absolute best moms that ever were! I hope that I can be half the mother that you two were! I love you all and hope you all had a great day!

A Mothers Day Photo

Pause my music before playing. Happy laughing! I LOVED this!

Choose The Right????

Jace and I went to Deseret Book today to pick up a gift for my nieces' baptism this weekend. As I'm shopping, Jace is wandering around looking at the rings. A couple minutes later I'm ready to check out. I call to Jace and he comes skipping down the aisle with his hand in his pocket. Hmmm...''Jace what's in your pocket?" He assures me there is nothing in his pocket. My 'Mommy ESP' kicked in about now and I told him to turn his pockets inside out. He looked quite startled at the suggestion! He proceeds to turn his pockets inside out and sure enough there is a brand new (in the package) CTR ring. Seriously?! ...now I know that just about every child does something like this in their lifetime. I remember stealing a peanut at the grocery store once...I still feel guilty! But seriously...my children DO NOT steal! Do they? This has completely thrown me for a loop today! Jace is currently sitting on his bed reflecting on what he did and I'm wallowing in self pity wondering where I went wrong as a mother!

The only thing that is making this situation somewhat humorous for me is the fact that my child stole a CTR ring! Choose the right?? I don't think so!

I've Got The Feeva!

I think Spring may actually be here! I had major Spring Fever today! I'm so excited that it is warming up outside....I couldn't help but do some spring cleaning. I washed windows, I cleaned my silk plants, I dusted my disgustingly dusty plant shelves....I had a long day! I'm so excited with all that I accomplished I think that I'll reward myself by laying in my bed all day tomorrow reading my book!!

I hope to not see the top of this shelf again until next year!

Spoiled Rotten

Hair Cut/Color/Style: Surprise from Mom

MAC Makeup: Birthday gift from Mom

Ridiculously Expensive/Ridiculously Cute Shirt: Surprise from Mom

Pink Toy Watch: Christmas gift from Mom and Oprah

Gap Jeans That Fit Like A Glove: Hand me downs from Mom
Money In My Pocket To Pay For The Movie: Mom again

Having a Mom who always thinks of you: PRICELESS

Love you Mom! You're the best!

I Totally Deserved This...

Jace: 'Mom, can I have a snack?'
Me: (laying in my bed reading a really good book) 'Sure.'
Jace: 'What can I have?'
Me: 'You're a big boy, just go find something...'

Hmmmmmm......