The Highlights of 2012!!!

In chronological order...

Owen played baseball, well technically T-ball but who cares!!! (Apparently he does...according to him, hitting the ball off the tee is not nearly as much fun as having the ball pitched to him!)

Jeff and I celebrated 10 years of marriage!!! Hard to believe its been that long but it has! But because of my courses and getting ready to go to Utah we only had time for dinner but it was fun! Did a double date with Martin and Dianna to Black Angus, followed by dessert at The Melting Pot! Mmmmm!!!

I graduated from college!!! Yup, sure did...got my Associate's Degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix. I even walked across the stage and everything!

We took a trip to Utah over Spring Break!!! Had tons of fun hanging out with family and friends, ate lots of good food that we have been missing, and did a little sight-seeing (Hogle Zoo, Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum, and Ogden Nature Center).

Matthew is so stinking smart he got accepted in to the Challenge program through school!!!

My grandmother on my father's side passed away after she fell down a flight of stairs, resulting in a trip to Montana over 4th of July. It was nice to see the rest of my family but I certainly wish it was under different circumstances.

My cousin Clay moved here from Montana!!! It only 3+ years and a lot of convincing but I finally got him here! It only took him a few months to find a job and make a few friends. Plus he was a great help during the big move!

We bought a house!!! A beautiful 4 bedroom in a gated gated community! We found it in March but it took us almost 5 months to close, but on August 7th we closed and just a few days later (after painting the kids bedrooms) we moved in.

Because of the above mentioned move, the kids transferred from Thompson Elementary to Frederickson Elementary!!! They settled in pretty quickly and have even managed to make a few new friends.

Leah picked up a new hobby...playing the electric guitar!!!

We took a mini-vacation to Great Wolf Lodge!!! Indoor water park, MagiQuest, and an arcade...who could ask for more! We all had a blast and cannot wait to go back.

Things I Am Thankful For - Day 1

Generous people

My husband was given 4 tickets to Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream so we bought one more and surprised the kids! They all had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, even Owen who usually gets bored about halfway through everything was mesmerized the whole night and clapped or woohoo'd after every song/performance!

But without the generosity of my husband's co-worker, we never would have even considered going. That is why today I am thankful for people who generous.

Thank You!!!

For 32 years you have been my Mom and during that time I know I have said Thank You! here and there, for this and that, but I want to say it just one more time so you know how grateful I am that you are my Mom!

First of all…thank you for not giving up when your life was hard!

Thank you for showing me the difference between right and wrong by taking us back to the gas station to pay for that $0.05 Atomic Fireball!

Thank you for always telling me the truth when I had questions but never trying to “sway” my thinking!

Thank you for always trying to guide me in the right direction but also allowing me to learn from my mistakes!

Thank you for showing me how to be strong even when I am scared!

Thank you for encouraging me to never settle in my relationships!

Thank you for encouraging me and supporting me in everything that I do!

Thank you for being a wonderful “Gamma” to my kids!

I am sure there are a hundred or more things I could and should say Thank You for but really I want say…

Thank you for always being there –

in person,

on the phone,

in my head,

and in my heart!

I am not sure where I would be in life, if not for you!