Pieces of My Heart........

A new year

2012-01-22T18:26:00.000-08:00

Well.... here I am. I am alive and we are all well. Life in Utah is still fun. Life is fun. I have been blessed with such an amazing family and the days don't seem long enough to soak everyone in. Taylor will be turning 14 next week. 14!!!!! I swear just a blink ago she was 3. It seems the older she gets, the faster time flies. She is such a beautiful young woman. She is still playing basketball and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE going to her games. I am so proud of her. Next year she will be in 9th grade...yikes! So I am soaking up every second I can get with her. Her and I went home to Michigan this summer to visit my parents and it was so fun to do a girls trip with her. I think it's something her and I need to do every year. I love her with all my heart.
Bryce is 9 1/2 and keeps me on my toes daily. He has become such a fun and LOVING boy. He loves me like no other. When we go anywhere he wants to always open my car door for me than will ask "Are you all the way in sweetheart?" He is the first to run to me to kiss me and loves date night.... I love the joy that he brings to our family. And the laughter!
Marc has started a new job. He is now a sales rep for the company who he used to purchase his pavers from. The job sort of dropped in his lap. I know he will do a great job. People are drawn to him and know he is a good guy. He has been blessed with a certain way with others. And the timing of all was perfect. We knew it was meant to be. The Lord is always looking out for us.
Well, that's about it for the recap. I have sopme pic's to download and I will post a few recent ones. Love to all... And my goal is to stay current on this blog! :)

2011-04-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

Qiuck re~cap

2011-04-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well alot has gone on.... We got a new puppy named Ally. She looks alot like Roxy. Very sweet puppy. Helped to ease the sadness of losing Roxy. Taylor turned 13 this past January. I have an official teenager. She is such an amazing daughter. It is fun to watch her becoming a young woman. VERY bitter sweet. Bryce is well..... Bryce. He brings much joy to this family. ALWAYS keeps us laughing. He will be moving up in Scouts next month. He LOVES Scouts and works really hard. Marc was blessed to have work thru this winter (usually everything shuts down) and now that Spring is here, work is starting to line up. We are hoping for a good year. I am still doing the mom thing and enjoying every moment of it. School will be out in about a month and a half so I am counting down the days!!!! I love having the kids home and the laziness of summer and no schedule! It is Spring break this week and we head out to Vegas for a few days.... where it will be upper 80's. This year Taylor gets to bring her best friend Tralee. We are excited to have her.... She is such a sweet girl.....

2011-04-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

I am still alive..... new post and pic's to follow in the next few days.

A sad, sad day....

2010-12-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

Today is a very sad day in the Larsen home. Our beloved dog Roxy died. She was a Boxer and was only 3 1/2 years old. She had surgery today and never woke up. The vet thought she had a blockage in her intestines. But when they got in there there was nothing blocking. They found a major infection in her tummy. About 8 months ago she was sick and we took her in and they put her on antibiotics and she was good to go. Then a little over a month ago she had the same symptoms. So we took her back in and did the antibiotics again. She felt better but never back to normanl. Then on Christmas Eve she was bad. Wouldn't eat, move or anything. Rapid breathing and fever. So we took her in and they kept her on fluids and steroids and did surgery today... The vet said usually when they see an infection like that it's from trauma. But she hasn't had anything happen to her at all. So since that is the case, it could have been a genetic thing. Whatever it is, she will be missed beyond words. We took her home to live with us when she was just 6 weeks old. But we saw her everyday from the day she was born because she was a puppy of one of our friends (and neighbor)so we would go and visit her every single day. She was such a good dog. Bryce and her had a special relationship from the beginning. For awhile he would be the bigger of the two, but then when she was grown they would wrestle and play soccer and sleep together. There will never be another Roxy for sure. We have all been a non~stop bucket of tears today. It is a very, very sad day indeed. I will always love you Roxy.

Fitness photos.....

2010-10-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Ok.... after reading my dearest friends blog (which I check daily and can't wait to read updated posts) I have decided to try to post every 1 or 2 days. Something. For some reason I always thought I could only update when I had pic's to post. WHERE this idea came from I have NO clue! Daily my kids say and do funny things and I need to be more diligent at putting them on here. Especially for my parents to see who are so far away. So that is my new goal. And I also need to post my fitness pic's for my parents, so sorry mom and dad for taking so long.... Love you!

2010-09-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well let's see. I FINALLY posted some pic's of Bryce on his first day of 3rd grade. He has another really good teacher named Ms. Udy. We have really been lucky with the teachers Bryce as had. He can be a handful at times and we have been blessed with ones who instinctivly know how to handle him. And that results in him loving school. Complete opposite of his sister! Ha ha. Taylor is actually loving Jr. High. We hadparent teacher conferences and she has 7 A's and 1 B. (she has A and B days. 4 classes on A day and 4 different classes on B day) All of her teachers say what a sweet girl she is and they all seemed to really like her. COMPLETELY different from ME!!! I had horrible grades, and was there for social reasons ONLY!!! Hee hee She is on the 7th grade basketball team and is coached by the girls high school bball coach. So they will play together and in high school they will be ready to go. Her P.E. teacher calls the girls on the team "The Chosen Ones". The girls get a kick out of that. She is playing with the same girls she played with last year. They are such an amazing group of girls. I went on the 7th grade science trip to the State Fair (I road the bus and everything) and I got to hang out with Tay and 3 girls from the team and WE HAD FUN!!!!! They are definatly girls you want around your own children.
Marc is in Denver this weekend with one of his brothers for a fun get away. I am proud of him for going. He never goes out unless with me. They will be going to a Rockies game (I miss those) and I think a Bronco's game. So we have been hangin without him. :-( Today I went to a Michigan (Livonia Ward) reunion and it was so fun.... I love seeing people years later and catching up. It's funny that the older I get the more sentimenal I become. I saw Sister Balls today and wanted to hug her FOREVER!!! The Stringhams were there. Kristi Freeman, Alison kolojasniak (she is remarried now) one of her daughters, Amy Snow (CUTE as ever!!) Darren Balls.... it went by to fast!
So now we are back in the swing of school schedules, Bball practice (3 times a week), Scouts (Bryce loves that) and just enjoying our life. I am very blessed.....

2010-09-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

Tay and I at the Zoo
Bryce at the Zoo..
First day of 3rd grade.
Bryce home from school...
Bryce (8)

Jr. High....... (sigh)

2010-08-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

Today my world changed a little. More than I would like it to actually. My baby (shhhhh.....don't tell Bryce because HE thinks he's my baby)has entered the world of Jr. High. My first born. My beautiful 12 year old who fights me about make~up (I want her to wear mascara), who has the best boys in our ward wanting to hang out with her, who made the 7th grade basketball team (her new gym teacher asked if she was one of the "chosen 12" and I had to keep from bursting when I said "yes!")and who now wears a shoe size bigger than mine. She has begun a new journey. It will be a fun and exciting one. Also mixed in will be tears and heartache. I PRAY she has good friends and the not so good ones from last year will go a different way. She has ALWAYS been such a good girl her entire life. I don't think she has ever even been grounded. NOW.... let me say she is a COMPLETE opposite of me!!!!!!!!!!! By 12 I was a BRAT!!!! I LOVED boys, make~up (fighting with MY mom to LET me wear it.. haha)and was ALWAYS getting grounded. So HOW did I get such a great kid? Well either the Lord REALLY loves me alot.... OR I am in for it with Bryce!! Ha ha So today as I watched her walk up the street (we live about a block away from the Jr. High)I was filled with joy and love and a bit of saddness for me. Time is slipping away and my children are becoming young adults WAY too fast. Then I think.... WHEN did I get to be alost 42????? And I remember when I was her age 42 was SOOOOOOOOO OLD!!!!! Lol (Sorry mom and dad). So I am going to sit back and enjoy this new ride with her. Let her know I am ALWAYS here and love her little guts out!!!!!

2010-08-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

My baby is growing up too fast!
She is a bit nervous...

There goes my baby......

2010-08-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

Manti Temle
Driving down south in Utah....
I LOVE fluffy clouds!
Bryce fell asleep...
Another cute one of my niece..

2010-08-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

We had a great time camping at Cherry Hills. Swimming, Putt Putt, good food and family..... S'up hottie....
Grandma cooking breakfast...
Bryce
Sweet Kari Ann

Catch up again.... random pic's

2010-08-24T10:52:00.001-07:00

Marc and Grandpa camping..
Bryce and Kari Ann camping....
Doing stickers
The fort made by Taylor and Bryce from boxes and duct tape....
Bryce ready to sleep out front

2010-07-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

So pretty.... The Great Salt Lake....

2010-07-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sunday Drive

2010-07-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

We took our Sunday drive today out thru Eagle Mountain to Tooele (too-will-a)stopping at Saltair on The Great Salt Lake..... the water was warm and STINKY!!!!! It was funny to walk out to the water. The ground had so much salt on it, it was crunchy when we walked. It sounded like broken glass. I love our Sunday drives. I look forward all week to them! And we never know where we will end up. That's the part I like!
Last night we went and watched fireworks outside the BYU stadium. Carrie Underwood performed and we could hear her from time to time. I LOVE her. But not enough to sit for hours in that stadium. I did it years ago when Tay was a baby and it was the LONGEST time EVER!!!!! So I am more than happy to just watch the fireworks at the end of Stadium of Fire. The kids love going. Last night they kicked the soccer ball around and Taylor and Marc threw the football. I love to sit and people watch. It is a tradition we do every year. And I love July because the 24th is Pioneer Day and we always head to SLC and watch the parade. We go to the same spot every year.
I can't believe we are already into July. June flew by! Bryce did a great job at reading camp. He LOVED Scout Camp. Taylor went to girls camp (first year) and had so much fun. We missed her but knew she would have an amazing time.... and she did.
Other than that we are still plugging along with day to day summer stuff. I am still hitting the gym Mon. thru Fri. Tay babysits her brother and makes a little extra cash in the mornings. We bought a summer pass to the rec pool and have gone a few times. That is always fun. We are going camping in a few weeks with some of our in~laws and we can't wait. I am still trying to make it back home to Michigan with Taylor before she starts school... Looks like Aug. will be the month. I am teaching the 12 year olds Sunday School and absolutly adore my kids! Marc is in young mens and the boys LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him!!! He is also staying busy with work. And again, with so many out of work we are truely greatful and feel so blessed. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are!!!!

Basketball......

2010-07-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh Bryce.
Taylor listening to the coach after the game...
Shire, Taylor and Alexi
Taylor

Taylor played in a basketball tournament Thurs., Fri. and Sat. They won their first game and FOUGHT hard for the rest. I LOVE the girls on her team and they are becoming great friends as time goes on. They are playing so well together and it is so fun to see how far they have come from when they started. Next yer in Jr. High they will be all going to the same school so that will be fun. I am SOOO proud of Taylor.....

2010-06-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

I love seeing the sprinklers on when you drive by farms....

Park City....

2010-06-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

Bryce.....
Tay is PASSED OUT!!!!
Still asleep....
This can't be comfortable!!!!
I love these kids!!!

Well a day trip to Park City was had by our family. I love it there. Going thru the canyon to get there, windows down, county (yes I DID say country) music playing.... just being with my family. For me I love to look out the window and just think.... I think of when I was a single mom with just Taylor and how we struggled but had such an amazing bond that has gotten stronger over the years. I look back and am SO thankful for the few years I had with just her and I. Then I think about dating Marc and how exciting that time was. Staying up late every night and NOT being tired the next day (WHY is that soooo different when you are married??) the little moments that are so new and exciting and yes I will say it..... MAKING OUT FOR HOURS!!!!!!! Then I think of when Bryce joined our little family and how I LOVE that whole newborn baby phase. Nursing in parking lot's, women's lounges and even discretely in booths in resturants. Oh how I miss those times. Now my children are older and time seems to fly by. But new experiences.... and the bitter sweet that comes with watching them gain their independance from me.....warms my heart. I never knew I could love another human being SO much until I had children. There is just something different when it is your child.... I think I love Prove Canyon so much because I do so much thinking everytime we are in it. There is something about the beauty of that canyon that touches my soul EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!!! It never ceases to amaze me of the gift that beauty.....

Bryce's big day...

2010-06-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

So today is a special day for our family. Our youngest son was Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a big and important event in our lives. I can't believe my little boy is 8. WHERE has the time gone. We had family and good friends there to support Bryce. It was a really sweet day and you could feel the Spirit. I held my breath at times because I swear I NEVER know WHAT will pop out of his mouth at any given moment. After we had light refreshments and Bryce opened cards and gifts. His dad and I got him Scriptures (quad) with his name engraved. He also got a Journal, and a great Baptism book from our sweet neighbors. It was an awesome day!!! Now we have cousins over to play and are hanging out and just enjoying today.... I love my family SO much and am thankful we can be a family forever.

Memorial Day.....

2010-06-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

My new bike and I will be hanging out alot this summer....
Memorial Day was also my husbands birthday. So what else to do than go to the ZOO!!!! With 2 extra 12 year olds. And we had a BLAST!!!!!! Of course I forgot my camera, dang it. But the new pic on here was taken via cell phone. Gotta love modern technology. We then went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse for dinner and ate and ate and ate! It was yummy for sure.
The kids are out of school and we are just waiting for some summer weather. I am not going to complain because before I know it.... it will be 97 degrees. But I AM ready. Summer pool pass is bought, sunblock is waiting and I hear my bikini begging to come out and play... I MUST have patience. Bryce is taking a reading camp for the month of June and he will also be going to Scout Camp AND get Baptized June 12th. I am so proud of him. Tonight we walked around the neighborhood picking up trash and he was telling us how it is important to respect our planet. (for Scouts) It was really cute to hear him explain. Taylor will also be going to girls camp this year in June (her first girls camp in YW). Time is moving WAY too fast! So June is going to be a busy moth for us! I am trying to make a trip home this summer..girls trip with Tay and I. So we are aiming for July. I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

2010-05-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

How cute are they???
Ready for Field Day.
Today is Field Day at school for the kids. Bryce's grade will be doing a dance to Monster Mash and Taylor's will be doing We Go Together from Grease. I may shed a tear because the words to that song are perfect for my little 6th grader moving into Jr. High next year. And sad because I think little things like next year they won't be in the same school building any more, or they won't ride bikes to school together anymore... What can I say??? I am a BIG mushy ball of sap when it comes to my kids!!!!

Better late than never, right?

2010-05-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Last May we all flew out to Michigan to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. My brother and his family were able to come from Chicago and we had such a fun trip. The BIG highlight for Bryce (he STILL talks about it) was going to 12 Oaks Mall and playing on the play place. He said the other day "Remember 12 Oaks Mall in Detroit, Mom? THAT is the best mall EVER... I wish we could go back there forever." Ha ha We are always sad to leave. We are spoiled by my parents every trip and my kids just love and adore them! I loved going to the zoo and going downtown. I forget I have been gone 17 years until I go home and see all the changes. It seems like yesterday I was eating at Senate Coney Island (My FAV.) for my 3 hour lunches from the Endodontist office. I have so many good memories of growing up in Michigan. The trees, the amazing thunderstorms (they are WEAK here), Frankenmuth, hearing the locust in the evenings and the lightening bugs. I often wonder if I had stayed what my life would have turned out as. Many of you know my past of an abusive marriage and that is why I came to Utah so many years ago. To start over. If I had stayed I would have ALWAYS been looking over my shoulder in fear and that is NOT a good feeling or a way to live your life. I KNOW without a doubt my ex would have made my life hell if I had stayed. When I moved here he came out and landed his butt in jail for beating me in my apartment. I remember I had these sweet, innocent sisters as roommates at the time and I think they were more shaken up than I was because they had come from a small town in Idaho and had never seen anything like that before. And I got prank calls up until 2 years ago and I called him out on it and I never got another one again... (it had gone on for months at that point). Now I have not always made the best choices in my life over the years, but I am so thankful for EVERY trial. It has made me stronger and I love the person I have become today. My life is full of joy and peace. And I am married to the most amazing man who is so completely in love with me and our life that I sometimes need to pinch myself to make sure it is real. OR he is so competely insane to put up with my madness!!!!! Ha ha ha ha Either way I am so thankful EVERY single day for the guts Marc had to walk over to my house in the middle of mowing his lawn (he lived accross the street from me) to find out my story. Funny thing about that is 3 hours earlier I was talking to my mom on the phone and she said "I keep praying the right man will knock on your door". And sure enough knock, knock and there is Marc standing on my porch....
Now... many years later every trip to Michgan I still go and see my ex's father and brother. My mom does not understand why I do it.... but growing into the woman I am now I have learned to forgive. And I have forgiven my ex... do I see him? Nope. HOWEVER if I did run into him there is no more fear there. He has no impact on me. And his brother Thomas I will love forever. He gives the best hugs in this world (other than my kids) and never ceases to crack me up!!!! And he still calls me his "dister~in~law" (can't say s) and calls my daughter his neice. He has a heart that is pure. A love that is unjudging and never ending when the family ties are severed. I think if more were like him this world would be a better place.... And that is why I go see him every trip. It will be a sad day in my life when Tom is no longer here to visit.
So this sounds more like a journal entry today! Going thru these pic's made me nostelgic and a little homesick!!!!! So Tay and I are going to try to visit ASAP!!!!

2010-05-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

My parents and my kids at Rotery Park...
My biological grandparents Bill and Shirley
My dear friend Paula and I. LOVE this girl!!!!! We go WAY back!
Marc and I... True love!!!
Bryce and Taylor at the Detroit Zoo.. My fav. fountain..

2010-05-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Thomas (Coleman) will ALWAYS be my brother. Rick, Thomas, Tay and I at the Coleman's.
After all these years I STILL love this man... Rick Coleman
Bryce
Taylor and I
My family all together last May in Michigan

Catch up again!!!!

2010-04-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

Okay.. many pic's to follow of Vegas...

2010-04-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

Wathcing the fountain show at The Bellagio
The Johnson's and The Larsen's
Taylor.... this is the life
Ready to go to the pool
I only got into the pool 1 time!!! TOO COLD!!!!!

2010-04-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

FREEZING at the pool
Bryce LOVES the lights on the strip
Me and Bryce being silly at the Rainforest Cafe
Me and Taylor at the M&M store
Marc being a goof with Taylor

Spring break...

2010-04-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

Spring break has come and gone too fast! We were able to go to Vegas for 3 days and stay at The Mandalay Bay again (we went 2 years ago and stayed there and my kids LOVED it). It has such a fun pool for the kids. This year we rented chairs right in front of the pool so the kids could play and we stayed and lounged and watched. The weather was chilly but when the wind died down it warmed up a bit. Marc and Taylor got a little, um... burnt and Bryce and I got a pretty good tan. It was a fast trip (we wanted to stay longer but there were no open rooms later in that week)and we had a BLAST!!! And we ended up seeing people from our ward there too. Such a small world when you are Mormon!! So yummy food was eaten, miles were walked on the strip, and I was spoiled because my husband bought me a Louis Vuitton purse (I have wanted one for many years). He is soooo good to me! My kids love going to Vegas and are asking when we can go back again.
School will be out in about 24 days, and I will be the mother of a 3rd grader and a (gulp) 7th grade Jr. High girl. I am not going to lie... my heart is breaking a tiny bit! Taylor has changed so fast since turning 12. Contacts have replaced her cute, innocent looking glasses, she now wears a shoe size bigger than I do and I actually put on a pair of her jeans that fit (tightly) me. She is still playing basketball and makes me so proud daily.
Bryce is a TOTAL crack up still. He has been blessed with the gift of making friends everywhere! He LOVES our neighbors (Brent and Sonya) that live next to us and sits with them every Sunday in church (we have adopted them as grandparents)and colors and practices writing with Sonya. He will be taking a reading camp for the month of June at his school and is really excited to do it! He will be turning 8 in about 2 weeks and will be getting Baptized June 12th. Then Cub Scouts! Life is fun for a soon to be 8 year old boy!
I am still hitting the gym hard and daily and just loving being a mom. We are trying to have another baby so if it is meant to be it will happen. I am truely blessed in my life with all that I have been given and I LOVE my family SOOOOOOOOO much!!!!! I also teach the 12 year olds in Sunday School and am soooo humbled by their strength and how GOOD they are. THEY are such strong exmples to me.
Marc is BUSY with the work season starting up. He has already landed a few big jobs and is almost daily landing more work. We feel so blessed and I am so proud of what a hard worker Marc is. We know how lucky we are to be so busy when others are are struggling to find work.
I hope you all are well and life is good for you also... Love, Sarah

2010-04-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Okay... I FINALLY downloaded pic's to my new computer so this week I will update with a SLEW of pic's..... hang in there Dad and Mom! Xoxo

2010-02-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Well, Taylor turned 12 a week ago. Oh WHERE did the time go? She has been such a joy in my life. She was the CUTEST baby when she was born with an AMAZING amount of hair! And such fair skin that people used to stop us and say she looked like a china doll. She has always had the best little personality. When she was little she was VERY somber and quiet but soooooo good! I can still remember how she smelled as a baby. I was a single mom with her when she was 18 months to 3. It was a hard, hard time. But I look back and have so many wonderful memories of just Taylor and I. I would take her running everyday rain, snow or shine (except Sunday's). I would just bundle her up in the Baby Jogger and off we would go. Then in the summer we would hit the trail in Provo Canyon, her in the jogger and me with my roller blades. When she met Marc, she loved him the second she met him. He was so good with her (made me fall for him even faster) and loved spending time with us both. When we got married he NEVER treated her any differently than if she were his flesh and blood.She never went to preschool (she was soooooo smart.) And I am so glad she didn't because I was able to spend all my time with her. When I was pregnant with Bryce, she was so excited to come to all my appointments with me. And her and I would go to Red Robin after every appointment. She would always slid in the booth and we would both sit side by side and eat lunch. As she has grown, she has become an amazing athlete. Basketball is her talent for sure. She loves to play football, played baseball (on an all boys league) and she is a snowboarder. I tried dance when she was 3 but her heart was not in it. I was not sure what to do with the little tomboy I had because I was and still am a girlie girl! Lol BUT, Tay and I have very simular personalities and sometimes it is like looking in a mirror. She has brought such joy and love into my life and into our family. So now begins a new phase of Young Womans, Jr. High (next year) and boys! Ha ha She has her first boyfriend and the puppy love is so cute. And I would normally be a little put off because, after all, she is ONLY 12. But Justus is a really good kid. Respectful and kind and will hang out with our family, not too cool to do that! She has picked a good group of friends and I love them all. I am so blessed to have Taylor as my daughter....

Christmas...

2009-12-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone. But it was a good year for us here. The kids made out! And we did too!!! It was all started off with a fun family party hosted by Tonya and Jason. We had a great time and lots of yummy food! We were soooo lucky to have Marc's grandma with us this year (she is 87!!). Everyone LOVES Dora!!!! She is sooooo sweet!!
We went home and opened our Christmas Eve presents sent out by grandma and papa. New PJ's, which is something we did growing up in my home and I love that my parents still do it even tho we are far away now. Christmas morning the kids woke up at 5:51 am and snuck out to peek. They had made a fort in Bryce's room to sleep in on Christmas Eve and they actually went back in and played Go Fish and came and got us at 7. Taylor's big gift this year was a PSP (Play Station hand held) and some games. Bryce got a Razor Spark Scooter (he calls it a sparkle scooter) that he has been DYING for and was soooo excited to get a guitar from my parents. I was excited to get a waffle maker as our family present (wink-wink) from Santa (think William Sonoma). And we also got a keyboard as a family gift. My husband took very good care of me as well... But for me this year 2 things were what made it Christmas. The first was being able to get gifts from an angel tree at the mall. What touched me about it was there were requests for a case of Mac and Cheese, Case of veggies, case of soup. So we took the kids to Costco and loaded up! I think it really hit me then how much we take things for granted. AND how truly blessed we are in our family. The second was we decided to do Christmas for a family that we knew was struggling. It was fun to go out as a family over a few weeks and buy presents for a family that would never know who it came from. I remember one year when Taylor was almost 2 and I was semi-seperated from my ex and there was a knock on my door and a group of young women I had never seen before were standing there with gifts for us. And they pressed something in my hand and left before I even realized they had done it. I walked back in my house and looked and saw I was holding a 100 dollar bill. That was SOOOOOO much money to me at that time because I needed food for Taylor and I. It had been an answer to my prayers. I will NEVER EVER forget that experience. So for me doing Christmas for someone else... made my Christmas. I have been richly blessed in my life and I am so greatful for my family. I never knew you could love like this. Or be loved like this. I am proof that The Lord truly does love us... I was stubborn and made some lame choices and STILL I have been blessed beyond measure. I am hoping and praying that this year will give me many, many opportunities to be of service to others and less focused on me.... Love to you ALL!!!!!!

2009-12-27T19:35:00.000-08:00

The women...
Taylor was SO excited to get a BYU sweatshirt from grandma!!
We look so mad!!

Happy Halloweenie......

2009-11-01T20:34:00.001-08:00

My least favorite holiday has past!!! I have no will power for all the candy! And being an ex-dental assistant and the thought of all the sugar on the kids teeth...blah!!!! BUT the kids had a great day. Friday was class parties at school and then a family party with all the cousins!! Good food and fun games with family is always a good time. Then Sat. trick ot treating and Taylor had a Halloween party with some of her friends. It is bittersweet to see her growing up...Today we took our family drive into American Fork Canyon and took a drive up to Tibble Creek. I love out Sunday drives and they really are a highlight of my week.
We also had a fun Halloween church party on Wed. Marc and I were called to Activities Commitee and it was really fun for me to be serving food and cleaning up and just getting to know new people in our ward. Marc was able to get about 30 pumpkins for decoration and the girls in the ward (YW) dressed up like zombies and did a really good dance to Thriller. The kids trick or treated to rooms that were decorated and they had a costume contest where Bryce won for funniest costume (he was a "biker dude"). He was SOOOOO excited! He got a ribbon and some yummy Stephens Hot Chocolate. So, really our Halloween celebration started on Wednesday.
Now it is time to get ready for Thanksgiving, my favorite time of the year. I love the time that starts now and goes thru Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year!!
I hope you are all well and will enjoy the holiday's as much as we will!!
Love you all!!

2009-11-01T20:32:00.000-08:00

The kids heading off to school

2009-11-01T20:27:00.000-08:00

Yup... I LOVE the 80's
Marc makes a disturbing Richard Simmons...
I am thinking of bringing this look back!!!!

Fall, fall... I love fall!

2009-10-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

This was taken about 3 weeks ago.
Okay... So I am now in my 8th week with my trainer. Here is pretty much where I am. I have dropped about 4 1/2% body fat. I am currently at 16.1 and I have lost about 6-7 lbs of actual body fat and gained about 3-4 lbs of lean muscle. I have been working really hard and doing cardio daily(and for those who know me know I would rather give birth with NO drugs than do any cardio). The first month was Core and Stability, the second was Strength and Endurance and yesterday I started Hypertrophy (sp) phase. I think this will be my fav phase. I have an AMAZING trainer who really knows his stuff. I never really thought I needed a trainer, but he has taught me soooooo much! And I never thought I would hire a male, but he is so Peter Priesthood and honestly such a NICE guy with the sweetest wife ever! And he is young and has all female clients my age! Lol And we have ALL had amazing results! Eating has been a big part of it also, eating clean foods (but still having treats once in awhile)... but I find myself craving oatmeal and veggies fruits and I could eat chicken every day!!!!
I had a birthday last week (41) and had a super fun day! Marc took the day off work (he does every year) and we went to Good Things Utah and to lunch and we went and took archery lessons. Sounds funny BUT I have ALWAYS wanted to do it and so he scheduled private lessons for us and it was SOOOOOOOOO FUN!!!!! We will for sure go back! And even with the food and treats I stayed in my calorie range so I had no eating remorse! (I really don't have that ever cuz I never really go over or eat horrible) It was such a fun day. Bryce got me a watch that he was soooooo excited to give me, Taylor gave me one of my fav perfumes (Chloe), and I got 2 wooden rocking chairs for our front patio. I also got and adorable Juicy charm bracelet and cupcake charm (thanks mom and dad and n-laws) and a few other things.
Taylor will be starting basketball on a competitive league in SLC on Sat. The coach of the American Fork High School wants a team put together that learns legit plays and rules that will play together over the next few years so when they get to high school they will know each other well. So she got a call asking her to join! She is soooooo excited! I am too. I LOVE going to her games.
Bryce is Bryce. He is a boy that has me wrapped around his little finger. Listening to Journey the other night in the truck he says (after being quiet for half of the song) "Mom, this song makes me want to gaze into your eyes." Really, can he be any more precious? He LOVES school....loves math, and reading. Gets so excited for it all. Loves eating school lunch (last year there was no kitchen so they brought home lunch everyday while construction was going on at the school).
Marc is still busy at work and has a big job in Springville that hopefully will put us thru the winter.... We have been so blessed to have had work this year. Many have not. We have been blessed in many ways. I am married to an amazing man who loves us all so much. I am so blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom and love the time of day when my kids come home from school. They burst thru the door and Bryce ALWAYS runs to hug me and Tay does too, but in her own cool pre-teenage way! Lol She is growing up tooooo fast. Then it is homework and play. Being a mom is such a rewarding honor and I love my little family so much! I am still baby hungry and with a dear friend expecting (shock to her, hahahaha) I am not ruling it completely out. I so love pregnancy and all that goes with it. So I have decided to put my trust in The Lord and see what happens. If it is meant to be it will happen and if not then that's fine too. But Marc is for sure crossing his fingers or a yes!!! LOL
Well that's about it for here... still have pic's to get up. Don't give up on me...they will appear (Kim, I PROMISE) soon... and there will be a lot!
Love you all!!!!

2009-08-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

Bryce had to have a tooth pulled...
Mom and Taylor....

2009-08-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

Ready for School
They really were excited!

2009-08-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hangin in Manti
It was soooo hot....

Alive and Kicking!!!

2009-08-30T14:24:00.002-07:00

Yes..I am quite possibly the WORST blogger in the history of blogging. I have a TON of pic's to download on here. So right now I will do an update before the pic's that will SHORTLY follow!
School is in session!
Bryce-2nd grade......
Oh the time has flown by. My son (who truely melts may heart daily) is growing all too fast! He is a wiz at math and loves to read before bed. And always wants a turn at reading scriptures. He loves to say All the prayers, has a split personality (Hmmmm can you say bi-polar), loves his mom (calls me his wife), loves sprinkler heads and will tell you all about them and is obsessed with "Dodge Duelie" trucks. He makes me laugh til it hurts and in the very next sec can get vinegar for being naughty!!!! He brings such joy to this family and to EVERYONE he meets. All the teachers and janitor and principal know him (not because he gets in trouble) because he just spreads joy everywhere. We were in Costco and a lady was so happy to see him and he was chatting her up and she told us she was a teacher who was in the classroom next to his class last year. And she said she absolutly loves him! I am doing something right! He loves school and loves his 1st grade teacher from last year (Miss T. he talks about you everyday and how he sees you daily...it really is the high light of his day!) Thank you for making such an impact in his life!!!

Taylor-6th grade.....
My baby! She will soon be 12. She has the same adorable boyfriend from last year although she was sad they are not in the same class this year. However, they dine at lunch and hit the playground after together (really a group of friends)and all hang out on the weekends. She is now to the age where she goes to the movies with friends on the weekends (we have joined the world of dropping off and picking up) and the pool and hanging out. She has a curfew now (gulp) and although it kills me to give her more freedom, it is that time... when we do things on the weekend aometimes she in not with us and it makes my heart ache just a little that she is off doing her own thing. She is a good kid and independant which I am greatful for. But still, she would climb up into my lap and cuddle everyday if she could. She also has begun hair removing from her legs. She wanted to shave til her friend told her how it "hurts so bad when you cut yourself" so Marc went and hit Walgreens for Smooth Away so remove that hair (works really good btw).
Me.....
Well let's see. I will be turning 41 this year and that is so crazy to me! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time in my life. I hired a personal trainer (who is AMAZING) to see what my body can do at this age. I will post pic's (maybe) at the end of my 3 months. I would really love to hire a photograper and take real pic's because it will be a real acomplishment for me. Marc says do it...so we shall see! I so enjoy being a mom and the older my kids get (although it makes me sad they are growing) I have more and more fun with them. We still do our Sunday drives every week, and it is something I look forward too!!

I tried wakeboarding (and made it up 1st try, briefly) this summer..big for me because I am terrified of water, I rode a mechanical bull and hung on for a long time (I was surprized and proud of myself)..2 things I have always wanted to try. I guess 40 was the year I grew some balls and pushed fear away. I still have a few more things I want to try..rock climbing may be my next thing, and snowboarding for sure! Most of my life I have been a chicken to try new things because of having to go out of my comfort zone. And caring what other people will think. I think my fav thing of this age is that I NO LONGER care what others think and it is an AMAZING feeling!!!
I was watching Reba on CMT one day and she said something that hit me..."With age comes confidence". The hang-ups and insecurities that I had at 32, even 36 are gone. So as Oprah has talked about I guess I found my "ah-ha" moment. Life is fun and exciting and wonderful! And I truely, truely LOVE mine!!
Marc.....
I have been blessed with the most supportive, kind, loving affectionate husband ever. He is so good to us all and is the best father and husband I could ever dream for. We have been in our home for a year (1 year yesterday) and it has been so fun working together making it our home together. Our kitchen is 80% done (needs backsplash and floor still) and our front yard is almost finished too. Marc's company put a patio and porch on the front of our house and he landscaped the front. New trees and sod are in and plants and mulch soon to finish it up! Marc has done such an amazing job and is really good at what he does. He works so hard for this family and we have also been blessed that thru the bad economy he has had steady work this season. He will be starting a big job soon that should put us thru winter. That is a big relief for us because quite a few companies are going under this year in his line of work. But he is honest, and his word means everything and I am so proud of him and proud to stand beside him as his wife.
Well...I promise pic's to come and there will be many! So be prepared!!!

Our Michigan trip..

2009-06-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

We are back from our trip to Michigan. My parents had their 50th wedding anniversary and my mom's 75th birthday so we all flew out to be with them. My brother came in from Chicago with his family, also. It was a super fun trip. While we were there we went to the Detriot Zoo, saw a Detroit Tiger's baseball game and ate all sorts of YUMMY food!!!! It was fun to hang out with my parents every night and have dinner with one of my dearest friend and her family. We were there for 8 days but it flew by. I also visited one of my most favoritest (I know, not a real word) people EVER!!!! My ex-brother in law Thomas Coleman. He is 43 now, and after all these years still calls me his "dister-in-law". Thomas has downs syndrom, you see and 20 years later I still love him with ALL my heart! He has never forgotten me and this time said he will marry me. He also says Taylor will be his daughter....I bet there has not been 1 day that has gone by where I haven't thought of him. Even as I type this I cannot help but to have a big ole grin on my face!!!! We also did a short visit with my biological grandparents. The kids had a blast staying at a hotel the whole time and were VERY spoiled by Grandma and Papa. We all were spoiled by them! I was very sad to leave and come back to Utah. I will post pic's soon of our trip. We are in the middle of re-doing our kitchen right now so in a few days when that settles I will download pic's. And before and after pic's of our kitchen, too!
The kids are out of school for summer (May 29th last day) and Taylor is at Clear Creek camp with her school until Fri. She left on Monday. It is so strange to hae her gone and I really miss her. But I will say that there has not been any fighting between Bryce and her! LOL But Bryce says he misses his sister and can't wait for her to come home!
Marc is still staying busy with work and we are thankful everyday for that! Well I am being called to help get the dishwasher back in so must run for now. Check soon for pic's and I love you ALL!!!!!! Xo xo

And so it begins....

2009-05-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

Taylor came home today and told me she has a date tomorrow with Justice at lunch time! Her friends told her to dress cute and put her hair in braids (THIS part is HILARIOUS to me because I am ALWAYS trying to get her to wear her hair in braids and she always says NO!!!!). So I am curious to see what happens on "the date"...LOL And they have held hands at school and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Now you may wonder if I am freaking out.... (part of me is relieved because my wondering if she was going to "like" girls has been put to rest). I have met his family and he seems to be a good kid...and he is stinkin cute!! And no I am not freaking out. I am so thankful she feels she can come and share this all with me. I remember being in 5th grade and what it is like....except I was the one chasing boys trying to kiss THEM! Ha ha But she is such a good kid and very responsable and has never done anything to loose our trust. So time will tell on where this little relationship goes....I will keep you posted!

Happy Mother's Day...

2009-05-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

I absolutly LOVE Mother's Day!! It is my favorite holiday followed by my birthday. This year was filled with many surprizes. Beginning on Thursday with a text message from Marc that read "it's for Mother's Day early". My reply was "Huh?" (I am not very clever at 8 a.m.) and the reply was "you'll see". So I got in the car to take the kids to school and there was a new charger/cord to play my I-Pod in the car (I recently upgraded to the 4th Generation and my old one doesn't charge it). I was SO excited because I would pick my I-Pod as something I would need on a deserted island (sooooo practical, I know). Then on Friday Bryce came home and made me open my present he made in school for me....a bracelet made with beads. He was SO excited to have me open it! And he made me a card with his best hand writting and a huge green heart inside. He told me the heart meant that he and I were in love with each other. Ahhh...I just love that kid!! Then on Sat. I got a bouquet of fruit....the BEST gift for me!!!! It was so delicious and FRESH!!!! A few dark chocolate dipped strawberries and apples and tons of undipped fruit. Then my husband needed to go to Home Depot and wanted me to come with him and when we got there he told me to pick out some patio furniture for my Mother's Day gift! So I tried out many and found the most comfortable set EVER and we brought home a couch, 2 chairs and foot rests and a table. (I took the best nap on it today!!!!!) I was in heaven... Then on Mother's Day Taylor gave me her gift she made...a letter nominating me for mom of the year and an essay of why I deserved it. And an award on paper for me! I so love the gifts my kids have made over the years. They are priceless and mean the world to me! I LOVE that my daughter loves me so much!!!! We had Marc's parents over for a bar-b-q and cake because Mother's Day was also Bryce's 7th birthday! It was such a fun day...ending with our weekly Sunday drive! Bryce got a Slip N Slide and Super Soaker, and new scripture bag with CTR on the front (he looks like a mini missionary with it in his suit) and he FINALLY got Heeley's! Which may be the cause of his first broken bone!! Ha ha He has been bugging for those for like 6 months!!!! I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful day!!!!

Many, many pictures!!!!

2009-04-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Okay...finally some pictures!!!! They range from Dec. til April...hopefully I will have learned my lesson and stay up on it better!! So there are a few from Christmas and just random things....I am out the door to finally get my roots done but have put pictures off LONG ENOUGH!!!!!! Enjoy!

2009-04-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Kids eating out back
Up at Sundance
Bryce and his best friend Lainy
Sundance
April...REALLY????
New garage door...
Old garage door
Bryce colored this...
Christian the trouble-maker ex boyfriend
New boyfriend Justice looking at the camera..the "tow head"
Taylor makes the shot..and her mama proud!!
Mel...looks just like my daughter
Best friends EVER!!!!
Always laughing....
Robin's baby shower.
Bryce and Roxy
Snow!!!
Our yard.... Bryce in his Christmas program..
So cute!!

Quick re-cap..

2009-04-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sarah at Abbie's 3rd b-day party..this is her shirt
The Larsen's at Thanksgiving
Final result
One spot really hurt!

Okay..The problem is that I load our computer downstairs with all pic's from our camera. And usually I am on the laptop upstairs...So it really all just comes down to my laziness...and lazy I am!!! So I will put one or 2 on here and get to our camera soon! Maybe that should be our FHE activity??
My kids have about a month left of school! Where has this year gone? Marc has work lined up and is about 6 weeks out, maybe even more...We are waiting for our kitchen cabinets to be finished. He said today by the end of next weekend they should be done. We decided on knotty cherry and granite counter tops. We have an L shape now with a bar but we are planning to tear down part of the wall between kitchen and living room and we will have an island instead and in the island we are putting in a small sink for washing veggies and drinking (reverse osmosis will be in that sink) and we are puttin in a farm sink for the main sink. And I am most excited about having the dishwasher on the LEFT!!!!! Every kitchen I have ever had was for a right handed person and I am a lefty!!! Once the kitchen is in I will cook!!!! That was my promise to my husband. Although my family may not love it at first because it will be alot of "clean" meals!!
Mom and Dad you may not to read this next part, but I got another tattoo...I wanted one to represent my family so I did stars with everyones birth stone colors. I ABSOLUTLY love it!! That is about it for here...I will post pic of the new garage door (as well as a before) and the pic's of our house in the winter....Love to you all!!!

2009-04-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

Okay....tomorrow.....pic's!!!!

2009-03-29T23:51:00.001-07:00

Okay..so my goal it to get pic's up here tomorrow!!!! We are getting a new garage door so I will have to sit here while it is being installed. I am hoping that is the time I can update!!!! So until tomorrow...then be prepared for pic OVERLOAD!!!!!

Taylor at 2....

2009-03-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

My friend had this picture on his computer and sent it to me...This is Taylor at 2. Oh how I miss those days!!!!!! She was so very serious (still is...sort of) and just sooooo sweet! I was a single mom for awhile with her and even though it was a tough time in my life it is also one of the VERY best!!!! I really learned what I was made of...I loved that little girl sooo much (still do soooo freakin much) and she was glued to my side..ha ha and if she had her way she still would be! I remember how I would put her in her bed at night and when I went back up to go to my bed later, there she would be...asleep! This little girl in my big bed tucked herself in and there she would sleep..And what do ya know..she askes me at least 4 times a week when she can sleep with me! I have such wonderful memories of my daughter over the years...end even though she is 11 (and we had maturation day at her school today) in my mind she will always be this small, sweet, innocent 2 year old...I love you soooooo much Tay!!!!!

Taylor and Bryce after school...

2009-03-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

M kids made the paper coming home from school...Our cute neighbor came over and brought us the article...My kids were so excited to see themselves in the paper...

Tag...

2009-03-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Okay this is the 4th picture in my photo's...I thought it was pretty funny! So everbody go to your 4th pic and post with an explanation. I am from Michigan so whenever I see this kind of stuff about Detroit I get a kick out of it!

2009-03-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

Here I am....

2009-02-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

Yes! We are still alive!!!! Not much has gone on around here! Bryce was named "student of the day"last week. He was soooooo excited about it! He has the best teacher EVER!!! She called me to tell me how it was announced over the P.A. and he was so proud! Then she put him on the phone and he couldn't wait to tell me! Taylor has one last game of basketball for the season. She is such an amazing player and we have been approached by other coaches to get her on a league team. She is so good...not because I am her mom either! lol She sinks 3 pointers 4 out of 5 times. And handles the ball like no other!!!! Marc is getting ready for the season...getting some bids going. It was a tight winter but the light can be seen at the end of the tunnel! I have loved winter but the sun has been out and I hear birds outside my window...I am ready for Spring! I have been busy at the gym (no surprize I know) and loving spending the winter with Marc...I will be in charge of books this year for our company...is this good or bad?!?! ha ha
I did a ride along with a police officer friend of mine last weekend up in Rose Park and West side. Think past fair grounds and homeless shelter areas for those of you who know Salt Lake. It was an amazing experience...I stuck out like a sore thumb in that area. I saw a man in Pioneer park who was homeless who had smoked some bad crack and died. They couldn't bring him back...it was sad to me because here this man died and who would miss him? He was just some homeless man to most...but one time he was a son and maybe a brother or husband. Another call there were 2 small children there and it broke my heart because they didn't stand a chance. And all their mom could say to me was how she really liked my hair. It was sooooo sad because I could tell she was embarassed to have me see her situation...she was maybe 24. Then by the homeless shelter another woman walked by with her husband and I could see how broken her spirit was....I am so thankful for my life and all I have been blessed with...I am also so thankful that those situations still touch my soul. I hope I can pass that onto my children so that they never look away from those that have nothing.....

I have been tagged...

2009-02-02T16:42:00.000-08:00

I also did this on my Facebook page so I will come up with different facts on here...

25 Things about me....

1.I HATE being cold, but the older I become the more I LOVE winter!
2. I am absolutly, perfectly fine with 2 children but can see and OPPS! in like 4 years...lol
3. My husband is 8 1/2 years younger than I am....Yes you read that right! I SOOOOO robbed the cradle!!!!
4.I was a security guard for a department store (ZCMI) and busted shoplifters....funnest job EVER!!
5.I absolutly love getting my back scratched and Marc does it almost every night for me.
6.I LOVE the taste of beer!!!!!!! And even though I haven't tasted it in over 20 years I STILL crave it!
7.When I moved to Utah I was 22 and weighed 94 lbs.... sick I know!
8.I have had 3 boob jobs
9.My motto on boob jobs is go big or go home!
10.My passion is lifting weights... not to "look good" but for the strength I get from it..
11.I want to own 1 pair of Christian Louboutox (murdered the spelling)shoes before I turn 50.
12.If I were rich I would own a working ranch and would be out there working on it!
13.My favorite car I owned was my 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser....but my Land Rover is a close second!
14.I refuse to take pain med's stronger that Advil..The first time I have had stronger was after my lung surgery and HATED it!!!!!! That was 6 months ago...(Yup..not even after boob surgeries!!)
15.I HATE working and am thankful EVERYDAY I don't have to have a job outside the home!
16.I absolutly LOVE the place I am in right now in my life.
17. I have been hit on by women a few times and was flattered because I am comfortable with who I am, and in my own skin!
18.I feel sad everyday that I am so far from my parents but thankful that my brother is closer and Janet Gardner is a few doors down!
19.I have my nose pierced and I wear it into the Temple..The workers never look twice..I am worthy to be there..
20.I smoked for 10 years..how do you think I got down to 94 Lbs???? ha ha
21.When I got pregnant with Taylor I weighed 102 and the day I left the hospital with her I weighed 106...NOT NORMAL I KNOW!!!!!
22.I use to be a "pleaser" in my relationships...now I say this is who I am..you can take it or leave it...
23.I like that I am friends now with most of my ex's...life is too short to hate!
24.I have made the most AMAZING friends in the last 1 1/2 year and I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!!!
25.I am a SURVIVOR of an abusive marriage. I am PROUD of this and will always be open with anyone who asks! Someday I will work in a shelter volunteering (sp) and if I can help change one womens life it will ALL be worth it....

I tag: Robin,Chelsea,Krista,Heidi,Jaimy,Erin,Carol, and any else who would like too...I love to learn more about others. And I have some pic's to post in the next few days...

Playing catch-up again...

2009-01-06T22:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!!!! I hope you all had a WONDERFUL holiday season. I am sad it has come and gone so quickly. I apologize for being a HUGE slacker (Mom and Dad)...but I seem to be spending a ton of time on Facebook finding so many people from high school. It has been a blast to reconnect with so many after 20+ years! Anyway we are all healthy and happy here. It has been snowing for 2 days and it is so beautiful outside. I love driving in my car all toasty warm with the snow falling all around me. My husband plowed snow yesterday and then got up at 3 this morning and plowed til 7p.m. tonight. And he will be up again at 3 to do it all over again. And boy was he slap-happy tonight at dinner. I was laughing soooo hard!!!! The kids are back in school and I miss having them around. We had a fun 2 weeks..didn't do a ton but were all together hanging...so fun! I went to lunch with my sis-in-law and I was reflecting in my mind and was struck again at how blessed I am to be married to Marc. Now try not to be too shocked but I have had a pretty wild past (Shocking I know!!!! ha ha ha ha) and you can ask my parents and they will tell you I have ALWAYS had to learn things the hard way...lol But I the reason I am so blessed with Marc is he knows EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING about my past. And I LOVE that!!!! Now, I will never say I made mistakes...bit I will say I made poor choices. I don't believe much in mistakes..I knew what I was doing. But what is so amazing is that I have this wonderful man and I can tell him ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!!!!! What a wonderful feeling to know I have this relationship and never have to keep secrets or hide things. And we can laugh about it.. and we do! Everything I have done has made me who I am today and guess what??? I absolutly LOVE who I am today!!!! Now 10 or even 5 years ago I could not say I love me....I didn't love my thighs, or my nose,(you know what I mean) but I didn't get it then! And I still don't LOVE my thighs (ha ha who loves their thighs??) but I love that I am a true loyal friend. I love that when I can see a total stranger hurting I want to make her feel good about who she is and want to become her friend. I love that I can see beauty in every single woman I meet. And I am thankful for every single hardship and heartache I went thru for many years to become who I am today. I would not change one single thing from my past....(well except the bi-level hair cut with a duck tail in the back when I was 14....) and I am sooo greatful I have eternity to be with a kind, loving, non-judging, goofy, good smellin, Tim McGraw lovin man!!!! I love you Marc!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone....

2008-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today I pulled Taylor out of school for a few hours(shhh, Bryce does NOT know) to head up to SLC to see none other than "Bobby" from Law and Order CI.....What a treat it was for us both. Taylor and I love to watch Law and Order together so it was fun to meet him. He was such a nice,nice man.(And in my mind he fell in love with me the moment he laid eyes on me!!!!) There is a really good rib joint out here called Rib City and his sister is the owner and they were doing a fundraiser for Fallen Policemen up in Sandy so I surprized Tay and off we went...sadly for her she did have to be checked back in after we ate and headed back....We are getting ready for Christmas as I am sure you all are. I have been DYING for snow...tomorrow is the day the storms are suppost to start. We shall see! So there are pic's below of a few things...we made gingerbread houses with good friends Chelsea and the Adam's (Krista we wish you could have stayed) and that was soooo fun! I am so thankful Robin,Chelsea and Krista for your friendships...more than you will ever know! I really truely love you all...(sniff,sniff..)
There is also a pic right after Turbokick with my friends Julie who is not only the MOST amazing teacher...HELLO LOOK AT THOSE ABS!!!! and does my hair but she is a great friend! And Leslie had the BEST arms ever!!!! She says it's from growing up bailing hay...I need to work on a farm! (FYI..this class is a total body workout and I burn about 650 cal. in the class. That is why we all look so lovely!!) I love you girls too...We finally had my brother-in-law take a pic of ALL of us...usually Marc or I are missing from the pictures. Our tree is up and all of our decorations,finally! Thanksgiving was spent with family and delicious food...Fall came and went too quickly. But the kids had fun with Marc raking up all the leaves! I am still hitting the gym daily and have not lost my passion for lifting. I went 4 weeks no sugar and had a week of treats...(not very many tho) and am back off for the most part. But enjoy now and then. Now alot of people ask my how and why I would want to do that...let me say that by week 3 that little layer of fat that everybody has over their abs is about gone. And all of a sudden it ain't so hard anymore!!!! lol And I know it isn't for everybody..but once you see those results.....well it is ALL worth it!!! (and all my fellow gym friends KNOW!!!)
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas....XOXOXO

2008-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this man!!!!
Starting the tree...
The dog is finished...
Chelsea rocks it!!
Sweet little Abby..
Good firends...good times!!!
Sarah,Julie and Leslie after turbo kick..Julie is the teacher and my good friend..
The Larsen family...
Taylor
Hiding in the leaves
Bryce

A few Santa pic's...

2008-12-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

Taylor and Santa...she still believes..
We had a fun Saturday with good friends...starting with making gingerbread houses that I will post pic's of later. We then crashed our last wards Christmas party where we had delicious food and saw lots of good friends. It was really fun and the kids got to see Santa..where Bryce again asked for a 4 wheeler that the engine gets hot.....meaning a REAL 4 wheeler! Ha what 6 year old gets that?? Especially not my son...that is death waiting to happen..since the kid gets a near concussion just runnung! Ha ha

2008-12-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

Bryce and Santa

The Festival of Trees

2008-12-07T20:56:00.000-08:00

Having fun trying on hats..

2008-12-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

The other night I was able to go to The Festival Trees in Salt Lake. We started out with dinner which was THE most delicious chili I have EVER had!!! Then we headed up and it was a fun night had by all. Taylor had fun hanging with the big girls..and so did I!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Len

2008-11-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

Today was Marc's dad's birthday so some of the family went out to Eagle Mtn. for cake and ice cream (I had none but decided I WILL have a treat at my bro-in-laws wedding reception next week)....I so love all my niece's and nephews... They are ALL such good kids and have so much fun when they are together. After Halloween Bryce said to me..."Mom,I love Karianne. She makes me want to marry her." It was so sweet. We always have fun when the family gets together. Jason never ceases to crack me up and Greg tells funny stories that kill me! I have been blessed to have married into such a great family. My mother-in-law is such a kind,loving and non-judging woman and she had raised a fine man in my husband...ha ha It is funny to think of Marc as a man. We were driving the other day and I asked him at what age am I considered a woman...I don't feel like a "woman". I still feel like I am 22 inside (but much wiser)...until that bag boy asks me if I need help out "MA'AM"....ugggg then it sinks in!
Can I just say how excited I am for this time of year! I am already listening to Christmas music on the radio and this weather...I am loving the cold! Bring on the snow..beautiful and white. Nothing beats a winter night when it is snowing...the quiet when you just stop to listen is amazing. The crunch of your boots in the snow and to see your breath. We are so excited to have a yard for the kids to build snowmen and forts and hills up the street to sled down. I am always sad this time of year to not be in Michigan with my parents. I know they would love to be in on all the fun with their grandkids. But I am thankful that my brother and his cute family are only a few hours away from them in Chicago. Time goes by so fast. It seems like yesterday I was sneaking/crawling up the hallway to see what Santa left for Jimmy and I. Now I laugh at my kids doing the same. Thinking they are being so quiet when I can hear every word they are whispering. Thanks mom and dad for all the wonderful memories and the many sacrafices you have endured for us. I truly "get it" now..... I love you both!!!!

The cousins....

2008-11-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Len and some of his grandkids
Bryce and sweet Karianne

She Rox....

2008-11-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

My friend has started a line of shirts and tanks called She Rox and we sort of "modeled" a few so here are a few pic's...the shirts are super cute!

My friends new shirt line

2008-11-02T20:35:00.001-08:00

Jenn
LuAnn is rockin it..
Pink Thermal

Black tee...
This is my fav...
Brown Tank

Quick recap of pic's..

2008-11-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well apparently the "next" day was a few days later to get pic's posted...sorry! Today we took a "vacation" day and headed south on back roads. We stopped at a job Marc is doing in Mona and got out to see their horses. It was a wonderful fall windy gray day! And it rained so I was extra happy! I am so excited that fall is FINALLY here!!!! Then we had a delicious dinner at my in-laws and sat and chatted for a few hours. It was a great day!!!
So in the pictures to follow there are a few of Halloween. Marc was Kid Rock (sexy!!! I do have a major crush on him much to a few of my friends disgust!!! (R&K you know who you are..)) and I was Pam Anderson...or I also could have been Beth...Dog the Bounty Hunters wife my husband pointed out....hmmmmm don't know how I feel about that! Maybe if I had a pack of Marb's rolled up in my shirt sleeve...it was fun..kids got lot's of candy which I have been partaking of because tomorrow is the start of NO sugar til Thanksgiving! Can I get a Whoo woo!!!!!
There are also pic's of our family Halloween party that we didn't get dressed up for because my husband literally got home from Arizonia 20 min. before it started. But we had fun and good food!
Oh and there are a few of my 40th birthday...another great day! Thanks again to ALL who made it an amazing birthday!!!!!

Brace yourselves....lots of pictures ahead!

2008-11-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

My fav kind of day!!!!!
Bryce and the farm dog..
Taylor made a new friend
Please can I keep her???
I love horses
Today on our Sunday drive
Does anybody else have a kid that does this??
My pirate and bloody doctor
Happy Halloween!!!!!
I love Kid Rock!!!!
Going trick or treating
My brother-in-law Jason (I am cracking up in the back ground)
My mother-in-law
My bro and sis-in-law..those are his real muscles!!
My sister-in-laws and I
My best "ninja" move..for a game
Good-bye front teeth..
Sexy!!!
Sharla and Ben
Oh the goodness!!!
Good friends and good food!
I love my friends!
Surprized at Cheesecake Factory on my birthday
Good Things Utah
A few days after
Ouch!
The "pole" accident

A sincere cry for help....

2008-10-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

P.S. Will someone PLEASE come over to my house and show me how to change my page pattern and how to add whatever it is that shows when others have updated their blog?? The first person here I will buy lunch!!!! NO JOKE!!!!!!

I know, I know.....

2008-10-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

Okay...I have become lazy with adding to my blog. So tonight I will update and tomorrow will add pictures. See the problem is that I am on Marc's laptop right now upstairs and the computer with all our pic's are downstairs. So I just need to get my lazy "a" downstairs.....But right now I am watching "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and cannot pull myself away....this show is crazy addicting! WHO lives like that?!?!?!? Now, it isn't as good as "The Real Housewives of Orange County" but these women KILL me! So much cleavage in one show!!!! It's almost like going to the gym in Utah County!!!!!!hahahaha
Hmmmmm let me start with a phone call I get about 2 weeks ago from Bryce's teacher...he is hurt and I need to come get him. For those of you who know him have seen his skill of riding/running in one direction all the while looking in another direction. Yes, he did this while running to get in line from recess (a very important part of his day)and at the last minute turned his head into......a metal pole! When I get to school he has a bump smack in the middle of his forehead and he seriously looks like the elephant man!!!! (and I am guessing only those over the age of 32 have seen this movie and know what I mean) The nurse tells me he is probably fine and to just watch him. She then proceeds to tell me that he may throw up and that is normal. At this point my mind is freaking out thinking "throw up!!!! he can't!!!!!Marc is working 2 hours away in the mountains..who is going to hold his head or clean it up!!!!!!!" And this is when I begin to break into a cold sweat....all the while NEVER batting an eye for the nurse to see my panic...of course!!!!Well we go home and get him into sweats and settled on the couch and I am SOOOOO happy to report...NO VOMIT!!!!! When he requested candy corn I knew we were in the clear.(For those of you who don't know.... I would rather give birth to 4 babies naturally in a row WHILE getting root canals on all my molars before I have to deal with ANY vomit!!!!) The next day he woke up with 2 black eyes that are almost gone now. And last Thursday he came home from a friends house with his 2 front teeth gone. Knocked out with a ball. They were already loose so no biggie...he did loose one in the grass but the other was left for the Tooth Fairy with a note explaining that there were 2 teeth. Yeah, she felt pretty sympathatic...he got $7.00. It is a good thing the pole incident happened at school...because if he showed up one day with 2 black eyes and 2 weeks later his front teeth are gone someone for sure would be calling child welfare!!!! All I can say is I am shocked he has made it this far with no major cuts and bruises...he is always jumping and running and falling..wears me out!
I had my big 40 birthday on the 14th! It was a great day! My hubby took the day off and we went to Good Things Utah to be in the audience.(TOTAL a.m. chick show) Yes Marc was the only male in the audience and if any of you need to know how to pick your perfect shade of lipstick he is your go-to man! hahahahaha It was so fun! Then lunch and for dinner it was a surprize party at Cheesecake Factory with a bunch of good friends...where I did recieve a black over the hill sash,RIP gravestone,black flowers and a granny nightdress (that is actually comfy and Marc about pee's his pants laughing when I wear it). My kids were so excited to give me their gifts which were (from Bryce) new Ugg boots and (Taylor) I had seen a necklace months ago in the Sundance catalog that I loved and Tay was sooooooo excited to get for me! I thought it was so sweet that she remembered and that made it mean even more to me. She really is a sweet girl...loves her mom so much. It was the best day! It really began the night before when Jaime and Banning took us out to dinner and then we carved pumpkins for Family Night....(we miss you guys)I have been blessed with such great friends and I love you all!!!!!!!!!
Well Marc just got home from basketball so I am off to get my back scratched....

What we've been up too...

2008-10-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Okay...my camera is finally unpacked so I took some pic's this weekend. So it was a great fall weekend with lots of rain and a chill in the air. On Sunday we loaded into the truck and headed over the Alpine Loop to check out the colors. I think every other Mormon decided to do the same during conference break! ha ha The colors were so beautiful! The sun was out and then in other areas it would be gray (my absolute favorite) and cloudy. I am so excited for the fall. It is my favorite time of the year..the crispness in the air and all the leaves on the ground and on the days when it rains I am in heaven! I especially love to listen to country music (and Paula... I am still straight) and snuggle with my husband. The house is coming along..those will be the next pic's I post...slowly. It is alot of work but has been really fun! Poor Marc..works all day then has to tackle his "honey-do" list. He loves having a yard to mow and is excited to landscape next spring. The kids love to play soccer out back with the dog and Taylor likes to mow the yard too. Until it becomes her job that is..lol Bryce rides his gator out back and Roxy tries to get him. The kids are making new friends in the neighborhood and we are just enjoying being home in the evenings puttering around. And it is good for me because it is farther from the mall so I don't go as often! ha ha
I have also darkened my hair a bit...(I was totally all blonde) for the fall...so feel free to add comments and let me know what you think...it is so strange to walk past a mirror and catch a glimpse of brown...ha ha

P.S. If any of you are wondering about the "straight" comment..I once told one of my really good girlfriends (back when I lived in Michigan) that I would become a lesbian before I would EVER listen to country music!!!!!!!

I miss you still Paula!!!!xoxoxoxo

Hurray for Fall!!!!

2008-10-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

I see the "sneaky" in that look..
Chillin on the ski lift..
Taylor and I
Byrce and I
Bryce loves his daddy.
My favorite kind of day..
So beautiful...
Taylor and Bryce
Marc and Bryce...my 2 fav. men...

We finally have our computer!!!!

2008-09-16T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hello all! We are moved into our house finally! It has been super fun but oh so much work......lots of painting and cleaning and more painting. We didn't have internet until today so I haven't been able to blog. I will take pic's (mom and dad) and post them when I can. I should have taken before pic's but my camera was packed too. The kids started a new school and have adjusted well. Taylor was not happy at first because her new school (Shelly) is way harder than Mount Mahogany. But Bryce has learned so much in the 2 weeks he has been here..I am amazed!!!! And oh by day 2 Taylor has boys liking her already.....what am I going to do? Because for the first time she is totally interested back. But this is a relief because I was worried she may grow up to be a girls softball coach!!!!! ha ha I am totally joking. We have wonderful neighbors and everyone has been so unbelieveably kind! It feels really good here and we love the big yard and huge trees....So there is an open invitation to visit for all who are near by! Well It is 3:34 a.m. and I love Lucy just came on...It's time for me to hit the hay...good night all....or should I say good morning!

First Day of School.....And a moose

2008-08-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

A moose we saw in the canyon
Big 5th grader
They are growing fast..
Bryce ready for first grade..

So my kids started school August 18th which is strange to me....so early! I remember we went back the Thurs. after Labor Day. Well the first day I took the kids and showed Taylor where to pick up Bryce to grab the bus.....and as I walked out of the building I almost burst into tears! lol Which is HILARIOUS because I am NOT an emotional person! But it hit me that for the first time in almost 11 years I will not have at least a child with me.... Now let's be honest. Pre-school and kindergarten, well it's just a tease of 3 hours....and DOES NOT prepare you for all day...so the first week I spent in a bit of a fog....feeling like I was constantly forgetting something. Today I was at Home Depot (for an hour) and when the salesman was helping me for that full hour it was a whole new experience!!!!!! I was not saying thru gritted teeth "get off that, NOW" or "please stop hitting your brother/sister" and it hit me that I am really going to enjoy this new freedom. Now I have been entertaining the idea of another baby..but I think that was in the "fog" of the first week! And I look forward to when they get home because I have missed them all day...I think I may become a much better mom! ha ha
As for news with us......We are now officially homeowners!!!!!!! We move in this Sat. I am so excited! We will have a big back yard for the kids and the dog. We have some painting and need to replace the carpets in the bedrooms but it is OURS!!!!! We have seriously looked at 30 homes...and this was not what we were expecting our first house to be like but as soon as we walked thru I knew it was for us. I am not the person who wants the huge house and I don't like vaulted ceilings and I love that this house feels like the house I grew up in.....perfect! So I will Take pictures as we get the moving going and post them on here soon....Love to you all!

I am a slacker, I know!!!

2008-08-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

It seems we have been so busy so lots of pic's to follow! We have gone camping, taken day trips here and there and are at soccer games! Gotta love summer.... School starts this Mon. (it's Tues. night right now) and I am hoping to know this week if we are moving! lol I always did things spur of the moment. So my kids may be going to a new school...or maybe not! (long story..) but I will update on that when we know for sure. Marc has been steady with work..it's been an odd year for all contractor's I think. I can't believe summer is almost over. I use to worship the sun and lay out all the time..(baby oil and all) I can tell I am getting older because I am sick of the heat! I want fall and I want it now! Fall is my absolute fav. time of year. I love the crispness of it and the crunch of the leaves. I love wearing jeans and boots and how beautiful the mountains are with the changing colors. I miss Michigan in the fall especially. The colors there are so rich and trees everywhere! I never realized how many trees there were until I moved out west. But the mountains are a good trade.
This will be a fun year for us I think. We will finally be in our own home, both my kids will be in school all day and I will be turning the BIG 40!!!!! I am so excited! 30's by far beat out 20's..especially 36 and up! So I anticipate 40's even better!! I love my life, I love my family and I love my friends. I have the best of it all!!!

Catch up again...

2008-08-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

I love the feel of these houses
Cool houses..Marc did work out here
My star player
Tay in action
I love this pic...
The kids..
He can be so stinkin cute..
Bryce and I chillin..
Even playing soccer Bryce is making faces!
Taking a break from hiking..
Cascade Springs
A friendly snake at Cascade Springs
Roxy
My kids did not want to wear socks with Teva's..we aren't nerds they said..
The view from the campfire
Setting up camp
Taylor and Bryce at the Samak Smokehouse

Happy Anniversary!

2008-07-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well we had our 7 year anniversary on Saturday.....WOW time has flown by! My husband went from being a bachlor to instant family (Taylor was 3) when we got married and then getting pregnant 3 weeks later! Now Taylor is 10 1/2 and Bryce is 6 and here we are! Did my husband know what he was getting into? lol I doubt it! But we both decided that this was a match made in Heaven. Marc is truely the best husband I could ever have hoped for...and the best dad! He has blessed my life in so many ways and always makes me laugh. So I thoughI would list 10 things that endear him to me all the more.....
1. He scratches my back almost every night before he goes to sleep....
2. He let's me put my cold feet on his legs in bed to warm them up....
3. If I can't make it to the gym in the morning because of conflict he will always take Bryce to work with him so I can go later in the day...
4. He loves to be outside playing catch and other fun things with the kids...
5. He will stay home on a Sat. night with the kids so I can "shake my bootie" with the girls once a month....
6. He loves to take me on dates and will totally be the one to line up a sitter so we can go out...
7. He always drives when we are all together and always puts the gas in my car (makes me feel girly)
8. He does not bat an eye (anymore) when I come home with $250.00 jeans and has even bought them for me on several occasions...(HUGE step for him..5 years ago he would have probably had a heart attack)
9. He would work 3 jobs if he needed to so I could stay at home with the kids...but would be totally supportive if I wanted to have a career...
10. He thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world and makes me feel that way when I am with him.....
He is good to me beyond words....
We had a fun day...Breakfast at Magelby's Fresh with the kids..and then he surprized me with a new camera and all the goodies to go with it....extra lens and case. I have always wanted to take pictures and see if I was any good so he got me a great present....then it was dinner at PF Chang's (the ginger chicken with brown rice is to die for!!) and a little shopping after. The kids came home and we all went to the movie in the park at our condo's and watched Enchanted...it was the end to a perfect day!
Thanks Marc for being the best hubby ever!!!!!

A super fun day on the lake!!

2008-07-10T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today we got to go hang out on the lake with great friends! It was so fun! Bryce surprized us all by swimming in the lake and he absolutly loved tubing! Taylor worked on her wakeboarding skills (gotten rusty since we left Denver 4 years ago)and she was amazing! Our friend Andy was my tubing partner since my husband was still working while we all played! I am pretty chicken when it comes to water but tubing was so fun! lol Thanks to Krista for being my picture taker because... great mom that I am...I forgot my camera! I am hoping to maybe "grow a set" and "try" to wakeboard next time. A little scary for me since I don't really know how to swim...but I gotta start somewhere right??? Thanks Amy and Nora for inviting us! It was super fun and was fun getting to know you guys better!!!

2008-07-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

Taylor and Chelsea....chillin
I am sooo embarrassed to put this on...but it is funny!
Bryce had a blast
Amy was a great coach!!
Taylor rocked it!!
A great day!

2008-07-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

My computer wouldn't let me download everything so I had to do it in two batches...Lot's of pic's to come...be prepared. :) Explanation is in the middle of all the pictures....Sorry.

The rest of our pic's from below...

2008-07-08T19:39:00.001-07:00

Water balloon fight on the 4th of July..
Bryce and his cousins
My son...
This one's for you Heidi....almost better!!lol
Silly girls....
BFF!!!!
Taylor and Hallie
The girls..
Bryce in his own little world..
1/2 way up
At the bottom of the falls
Taking a break
Can't...feel...my...feet!!!
The water was cold!!!
Act like you love one another..
Bryce and I chillin in the stage coach
Bryce in an old wagon

What Have We Been Doing?

2008-07-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

Well let's see... We hit Lavender Days in Mona and it was soooo fun! We ate yummy food..the kids played..I shopped and got a refreshing foot massage. It was really a fun day. We have been at the pool and just hangin for summer. I can't believe it's already July. On the 4th we had my niece over and swam and went to the fire works. The next day it was breakfast at Magelby's Fresh, hiked up Bridalvale Falls and oh...the pool again. It was a fun weekend for us all....

Let's Play Catch Up!

2008-07-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

I was SHOCKED that Bryce would even get on..
Giddy up!!
Waiting in the heat...
I just like how my arm looks in this pic!! hahaha Heidi you know what I mean!!
Yes the rim is broken!!
Who doesn't love a sweaty dirty boy???
Part of the group of Mon. night basketball

Playing catch up....

2008-06-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Okay..let me recap a few weeks...Bryce had his 6th birthday and wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese (germ-o-rama for moms!!!)and bring his buddy Max. I lucked out yet again and did not have to do a party!! The kids got out of school on May 30th..so Taylor will be starting 5th grade and Bryce 1st in August...I cannot begin to say how excited I am for all day school for both of my kids!!!! We hit the Strawberry Days parade with my bro and sis in-law and my nephews and had a great time hangin with family. We took the kids to the carnival that afternoon and they had fun on the rides. I enjoyed the people watching...where do these people all come from that go to carnivals and amusement parks...and where are all their teeth??
I am healed about 98% back to normal...still sore in my muscles from where they cut but have healed up well. We are hangin by the pool, kids are riding bikes and enjoying walks in the evenings...Marc is busy and working hard and we love when he comes home after work to just hang out and relax. Life is good.....

2008-06-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Gotta love bath time!
Hard at work
Ready to work
Bryce and Max
This is how Marc found him...
After a hard day of play..
I love this pic of Jack..
Our group at the parade
Taylor chillin..
Best of friends....
Bryce and Jack are so sweet together
Will this kid ever take a normal pic??
Taylor and Jack

The haunting in my life that is High School Musical 3

2008-06-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well the other day I get 3 e-mails and 4 text messages to my phone that extras are needed for High School Musical 3 for 3 days....Due to my recovery last week I didn't get the e-mail's soon enough to reply....But by the wicked smirk I got from Taylor when I told her about it I could tell she thought it was the coolest thing ever!! So then I got one last text on Fri.(yesterday) saying they still needed people and to show up at East High and she was like "Mom go!!!" but we had lunch plans with my good girlfriends at Pizza Factory in like 20 min. and I was looking forward to that more! Plus I guess I am still in denile about age...I was asked to dress like I was attending a high school graduation....So even though I am old enough to have a child old enough to graduate in real life (there was even 1 girl that was a grandma at my 20 year H.S. reunion)I still refuse to accept it!!!!!!!!! But seeing in my daughters eyes how cool it was that I could be there..well that was so funny and worth it!
I am feeling good..the only discomfort I have from my surgery is my ribs are a little tender but I can't complain! I went back to the gym yesterday and felt good to be back! It is amazing how 4 days can make such a big difference. Thanks again to all of you for the treats and meals and kind words...And a big I owe you forever to Lisa and Brent for giving Bryce his first non-family sleep over! After hearing the story that is Bryce "at his best" I owe you guys for the rest of my life!!!!!! So Lisa if ya ever need a kidney...I got ya covered sista!!!!!

Who needs a Lung??? Apparently I do!!

2008-06-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well let me tell you all of my newest adventure! As many of you know I had a collapsed lung last May and was in ICU for 4 days witha chest tube. Well Sunday I went to have a chest x-ray done because I was having similar symptoms...but also sypmtoms that could be hyper-thyroidism as well. So we decided to rule out the lung. Guess what??? Rule it right back in! Yup..you guessed it...collapsed again. So I ended up in ER and they went over and did another x-ray and scheduled me with a cardiovasular surgeon first thing next morning and I was out of there for the night. I meet with Dr. Thorn and he says that since this has happened already once the chances are it will keep happening again. So he suggests surgery and let's Marc and I have a few min. to talk. So I ask the Dr. what he would do if it were his wife and he says surgery. But I already knew in my heart this needed to be done. This whole past year I have felt something off in my body and alot with my breathing.. At this point I am crying..but not because I am scared of the pain...but because I DO NOT want to throw up after surgery! So I get scheduled for 6 a.m. the next day. I get the okay to hit the gym one more time (bi's,tri's,shoulders and ab's and calves cuz I will be out of commission for a while)paint my toe nails (I figured I am going to be looking at them for awhile so they better look good)and pack a bag. Well surgery the next day comes and my good husband is by my side taking care of me. I am glad to say there was NO vomiting but a few close calls. I have never taken pain med's other that Motrin 800's for any "elective surgery" in the past so I have no experience with them. And they are what made me nausiated...but Zofram was my wonder drug that took the sick feeling away. So they went in with a scope and collapsed my lung completly (it was 30% down)and looked around and found the problem and stapled it and then added a talc type powder to scar up my lung and hopefully fixed the problem. I came out with 2 chest tubes and 3 incisions...15 years ago they would have opened my chest up. Ouch! So I was out of the hospital 2 days later...all the while Marc by my side. He slept in a recliner each night..Grandma took Bryce and Taylor was at her friends...We have had yummy dinners brought in each night and I had friends visit me in the hospital. So the worst part now is I cough.. which is normal but hurts like a MoFo!!!! I am bruised and swollen on my right side but I have been living out my inner fluzy wearing a tank top with no bra(and I will say it..is fun with fake big boobs!) because of being so swollen! So to all of you with your calls and flowers and text messages and visits and meals....Thank you SOOOOOOO much! I will be forever greatful for all your love...and I love you all!!!!

2008-06-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Lookin good...
My war wounds

High School Musical 3....Oh my!

2008-05-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Okay...Try not to be too envious that we spent 5 yes I did say 5 hours outside East High School on Saturday. Why??? Well it was day one one of filming High School Musical 3 and apparently THAT is a big deal to most girls my daughters age!! There were moms there that were willing to throw their own kids under the bus to get a good picture! And really I am not joking. So here are the highlights...The Director stopped and got out to talk to the kids and told them how he was so greatful to them because with out them these movies couldn't be so successful. He was so nice and really took time with the girls. I was very impressed. Then Ashley Tisdale came and drove thru and I gotta say she was a bit snotty....oh well. Then the guy who plays Zack's dad walked up (up he just parked his car on the side of the road and walked up) and was so sweet and took lots of pictures with anyone who wanted one....now I am kickin myself because I should have taken one with him...he was so nice and so stinkin cute in person!!! lol So after about 4 1/2 hours a cute old man drove out and whispered to me "their coming" and in about 2 min. the rest came in..Corbin, Zack, Vanessa and the other main people. Now here is where I have to admitt that I have never seen either 1 or 2 of these movies nor do I know who these kids are...but my sweet, quiet, tomboy daughter was all ga ga when these people showed up. Marc and Bryce took off to grab dinner and while they were gone I did use my womenly ways to get us inside the high school because Taylor had to use the restroom so bad. So we went in and had to cut thru where all the extras were hanging out waiting to shoot. Taylor thought that was soooo cool! Hey, I am not too good to flaunt what I got for my daughter! ha ha Marc thought it hilarious that as soon as the boys were gone I got us in.....What can I say!! But the highlight of my day is that friends/neighbors that moved to SLC showed up and we got to catch up! We miss Sara and Rob Robinson!!! So while my daughter was wanting to scream her head off (her words not mine) I got to have a good conversation with a good friend who was sane and not willing to sacrifice her daughter for some bragging rights!!! ha ha A good day was had by all.....

2008-05-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Taking a food break...
He plays Zack's dad..(he was VERY cute)
Someone's coming!!!!
It's the director!!
Trying to get a peek to see anyone..
Taylor in front of East High in SLC

2008-05-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

So here are a few pic's from the Kennecott (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) Mine that we visited on Sat. It was really cool and today I learned that this mine can be seen from outerspace (thanks for that info Brent..) It was fun to go thru their visitor's center and lean about the mine and all that is done there..

2008-05-04T19:09:00.000-07:00

Bryce being Bryce..
Checking things out..
A true man of steel..
That's one big tire..

Tag again girls!!!

2008-04-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

Getting to know me

Answer 3 things to each section :)

20 years ago I...
1) I was 19 and knew it all!!!
2) Living in Michigan and hanging with friends
3) I weighed 94 LBS (gross I know)

10 years ago I...
1) Was the mom of a 3 month old baby
2) Lived in Provo
3) Had dark hair

5 years ago I..
1) Lived in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2) Got bigger boobs (well I did...)
3) Taught 5 year olds in Primary

3 years ago I..
1) Was back in Utah
2) Was driving my old Land Cruiser (so fun)
3) Was missing all my cousins in Colorado

1 year ago I...
1) In the hospital (ICU with collapsed lung)
2) Going to Turbokick 3 times a week (I so miss it!!)
3) Laying out waiting for the pool to open!!

So far this year I have...
1) Totally changed my eating
2) Have lost body fat and leaned out (yay for me!!!)
3) Have made a great new friend!! (you know who you are...hee hee)

Yesterday I...
1) Had a chest x-ray
2) Lifted at the gym
3) Detailed my house

Today I....
1)Lifted at the gym (hmmm..surprize)
2)Bought Bryce a bike (early birthday present)
3)Kissed my husband..... :)

Tomorrow I will...
1)Oh...Lift at the gym (ha ha)
2)Visit with my friend coming in from Colorado
3)Eat a yummy breakfast

In the next year I may...
1) Go to California with my family
2) Have Christmas shopping done Way early (well I can dream)
3) Go to The Temple more...but that is #1 not #3!

I tag:
Lisa R.,Julie my sister,Heidi,Jaime,Erin,Robin,Kensie,and anyone else!!!

What did you do for FHE???

2008-04-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

Yes..family night. We decided to do a little bonding over some waxing. And I'm sorry but there is nothing worse than back hair..(well except nose and ear hair). So my brother in laws (girl)friend came over and well...wax on..hair off! It was so funny to see Marc squirm. The kids got a huge kick out of it! He is a good sport..and a waxed chest??? SEXY!!!!!!

2008-04-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Yup! He knows what's coming!!
I love the look on his face!
Can't forget the back!!!
Fun Stuff...
I don't want to be mistaken for a dude!!!!
A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!!

Viva Las Vegas!!

2008-04-21T11:28:00.001-07:00

Well we took a 3 day trip to Vegas and had a blast!!! So be prepared to view lots of pic's. The weather was perfect and the food was great. We stayed at The Mandalay Bay Hotel, which had an awesome pool. There was a wave pool, lazy river and kiddie pool and best of all...sand! We also went to The Shark Reef Aquarium and got to touch live stingrays! We ate at a Cafe called The Rain Forest that would have random thunder storms and the animals would come to life. We also ate at Cheesecake Factory in Ceaser's Forum...had lunch with my sister in law and neices who live in Vegas. Our friends were there and happened to be at the same hotel with their kids so we hung out with them and probably walked 4 miles each night. The kids loved all the lights on the strip and were excited to be out til midnight..they were so good! No fighting til we got home! So it was a real vacation for me!!!! We did some shopping and the kids LOVED FAO Schwartz and all the toys...On our way out of town we stopped at the Las Vegas Temple and I was amazed at how beautiful and green the grounds were! It was so peaceful and a great way to end the trip. So now back to the real world. We were all so sad to leave..but in less than a month and a half the kids will be out for summer...so more fun will be had!! Enjoy the pic's..

p.s. Mom and dad if you double click on the pictures it should pull it up large so you can see it better...love you

2008-04-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Oh sweet Bryce...
For time and all eternity!!!
Las Vegas Temple
My baby is growing wa too fast..
Las Vegas Temple grounds
Yes that's my son in his sister's flip flops and no pants..
Bryce and Taylor
The Larsen's
Outside Ceaser's I think..
So happy to be eating here! My fav. food!!!
Taylor and Marley..so serious
Marc and Bryce at Cheesecake Factory
The Larsen clan
Say cheese...
Yup...82 degree's here..
Chillin with Taylor
Bryce and mom chatting by the pool
Bryce loved to look out at the strip
Eating at The Rain Forest Cafe

Tagged...

2008-04-16T12:44:00.001-07:00

Here we go!
1.What time did you get up this morning? 6:30 a.m. to go to the gym.....dang spring break!
2. What do you usually have for breakfast? Oatmeal with blueberries, egg whites with spinach and water....and turkey bacon..
3.What is your favorite CD at the moment? hmmm..maybe Faith Hill's Fireflies
4.What kind of car do you drive? Land Rover Discovery...my fav. car yet!
5.Favorite Sandwich? I am diggin tuna these days...but I don't do sandwiches alot.
6.Favorite Item of Clothing? Oh for sure my True Religion jeans..anything that makes my bootie look good gets the favorite title!!!
7.If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would it be? Scottland, Ireland, England.
8. What color is your bathroom? Taupe and white....boring but a good canvas to work with.
9. Where would you retire? Oregon! I love, love, love the rain and the coast is absolutly beautiful!
10. Most memorable Birthday? It will be my next in October. I am excited to turn 40!!!
11.Favorite Sport to Watch? Hockey (and any my kids are doing)
12. Are you a morning or night person? Night!!! But it isn't so easy anymore!!! ha ha
13. What is your shoe size? 7 unless a pointy one then it's 7 1/2
14. Pets? A boxer named Roxy
15. What did you want to be when you were little? a mom...(and Marie Osmond)
16. What are you today? A mom, and wife.
17. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate covered cinnamin bears.....oh makes my mouth water just typing the words...c'mon treat day!!!
18.What is your favorite flower? I love wild flowers and I am digging Daisies too.
19.What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? I love Mother's Day..
20.What are you listening to right now? What Not to Wear on the tv in the other room
21.What is the last thing you ate? A delicious veggie (and healthy) pizza from Kashi...sooo freakin yummy!
22.Do you wish on stars? WHen I'm with my kids I do...Sadly that's the only time I notice them is when they point em out.
23.What faith are you? LDS.....forever..
24.Who is the last person you spoke with on the phone? Marc
25. Hair Color? Well..naturally dark brown but blond these days...and blonds do have more fun!! ha ha ha ha
26.Name of your favorite school teacher? Mrs. Kostegian my 6th grade teacher.
27.Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!!
28.When was the last time you cried? watching the news a few weeks ago when they found a missing girl and the outcome was not good...
29.What is under your bed? HA, a boppie pillow that has become our dogs
30.What did you do last night? Went and visited family and hung out with them for awhile :) (P.S. We love you guys Kim..)
31.Favorite Smell? sugar cookies baking, a fruity candle and my kids out of the bath...but my fav. is rain
32. What are you afraid of? Getting sick and leaving my kids or something happening to them
33.How many towns have you lived in? Provo, Orem, Cedar Hills, Thornton(Co.) Highlands Ranch(Co.), Livonia(Mi.), Redford(Mi.), and now Pleasant Grove..8
34.Do you make friends easily? I think so...

Okay....Liz F., Liz W., Jill, Jonelle (ha), Jaime, Julie Mac, Jessie, Erin, Lisa R., Lisa C.,

The Zoo....and a good reminder..

2008-04-14T13:08:00.001-07:00

Well it is Spring! We took our first trip to the zoo on Saturday. The weather was perfect and we had fun, fun, fun!!! Ice cream and kettle corn completed the trip. Taylor brought one of her friends from school named Cynthia. She is from Mexico and is so sweet. She was telling us how her family went back home for 2 months and planted on their land. I asked her what it was like and where she liked living better. She said Mexico because most of her family still lives there. I was struck by how at such a young age she was so humble. She lives in a trailer type home with 10 of her family members. Her parents and brothers and a sister in law and 2 babies. It is crazy for her to see all the big houses and she couldn't understand how families with 1 or 2 kids had these huge houses. In Mexico if they want hot water it gets heated by the sun. We have so much here that we take for granted everyday. I am so grateful to my husband for all his hard work. I never want to be one of "those people" who want more and more...no matter how much money we have. I don't want to keep up with my neighbors..competing. And I am grateful to a 10 year old girl who reminded me of how much we really have......

2008-04-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Bryce waiting for ice cream
In the summer this shoots water
Best of friends
Taylor and Cynthia deep in conversation
The girls checking out the monkeys
Bryce by the white alligator
Best dog in the world!