My Gradution Speech



First Day of Kindergarten



The Lunch Bunch

I don't remember much of my Graduation.

No, I was not under the influence.

My High School "Sweetheart"

broke up with me 3 days before.

I am not bitter about this now.

Then I was devastated.

Well, until the All night party

And his BFF became my rebound guy. SCORE!

Both of these guys were poor choices, but I learned from the relationships

 (well as much as you can at the age of 18-20 and you already know everything)

You know the song by Rascal Flats: God Blessed the Broken Road?

That is how I feel about them. I needed to learn little about my self from each

to make me who I am today.

Now if I was to pick a graduation song that I would want to be remembered by:

Vitamin C Graduation (Friends Forever)

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives

Where we're gonna be when we turn 25

I keep thinking times will never change

Keep on thinking things will always be the same

But when we leave this year we won't be coming back

No more hanging out cause we're on a different track

And if you got something that you need to say

You better say it right now cause you don't have another day

Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down

These memories are playing like a film without sound

And I keep thinking of that night in June

I didn't know much of love

But it came too soon

And there was me and you

And then we got real blue

Stay at home talking on the telephone

And we would get so excited and we'd get so scared

Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair

And this is how it feels

As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

From whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever

So if we get the big jobs

And we make the big money

When we look back now

Will our jokes still be funny?

Will we still remember everything we learned in school?

Still be trying to break every single rule

Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?

Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?

I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye

Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

And this is how it feels

As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

From whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever

La, la, la, la:

Yeah, yeah, yeah

La, la, la, la:

We will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?

Can we survive it out there?

Can we make it somehow?

I guess I thought that this would never end

And suddenly it's like we're women and men

Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?

Will these memories fade when I leave this town

I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye

Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

From whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever

As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

From whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever

As we go onSo my speech would be to go on and remember all the times we spent together. Because each day we are given is a precious gift and we should look back fondly our time spent with Family and with friends. Because one day all we will have is memories.

We remember
All the times we
Had together

And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

On another note. I love Harry Potter! If you do too, take a minute to view the video below to Vitamin C

 

The Maze Game

Have you ever played the maze game? If not you definitely should on YouTube.

This is a video of Alex laughing at just the thought of showing it to Lydia.

This is the video of her watching it.



Definitely not the reaction he hoped for

but I think it is still funny.

What book(s) are you reading right now?

What book(s) are you reading right now?

Right now I am reading Black Beauty from the Great Illustrated Classics with my kids.

My kids love to read, especially Lydia. Together we have read:

The Ramona Series

Charlotte's Web

100 Dresses

She has just started kindergarten and has caught right on to reading.

It makes me so excited to see her love for reading because it is one

of my favorite things to do, I have shelves full of books.

I can't wait until she is old enough to read them with me:

The Work and The Glory series

The Harry Potter series

The Babysitters club

and many other books by mostly LDS authors.

My Grandpa Greer helped create my love for reading.

We had our own little book club, he would read a book

and then give it to me to borrow and we would

discuss the book when I was finished.

I would get so excited when he got a new book

because I knew that I would get to read it next.

Eventually I wanted the books at the same time so we

could discuss them as we went along.

He passed away, then grandma did.

As a family going through their things when asked what

I wanted: I asked for his Work and the Glory Series.

That was all I wanted, so I now have 2 complete copies .

But only one has special memories.

I was able to take a few other books too.

I miss him.

"Do you make time for hobbies and interests outside of being a mom and how do you do it?"

This post is part of Wednesday's Lunch Brunch at Blossoming Bloggers.

I make time for my hobbies and interests outside of being a mom by scrapbooking after they are asleep and by attending the Scrapbook Expo in Sandy with my Sister in Law. I also find that cooking or baking help me relax, so sometimes after a very difficult day I will make cookies or bread. The downside to this hobby is the extra dishes. Most recently though I have discovered blogging and Picnik picture editing and have spent alot of time doing that after the kids are sleeping, but my two all time favorites was to relax and just "reconnect" with being me is:

1) Shopping. Growing up I was not a teen you would find at the mall shopping. HATED IT. I would have rather been reading. Get me in and out and I was good. But now being able to go shopping by myself is Heaven. The quiet drive, browsing each isle at my own pace and just imagining what I would buy if I had enough money to splurge. No kids asking for this or that and hubby timing how long we are there. I can head to Walmart for just a few items and spend a good 3 hours just wandering and thinking. To me it is so relaxing. I know weird, but I love it!

2) A Long HOT Shower. No little bodies to wash or fingers poking me. Just sitting at the bottom of the shower letting the water wash away the days stresses. Nothing better! Enough said.

9/11 Fallen Firefighter tribute.

Pictures of the Fallen Firefighter bike ride.
Alex and I took these and I edited them.

Yesterday approximately 3,000 bikers, and a few firetrucks participated in a Fallen Firefighter Tribute ride from Sandy to South Ogden. Our wonderful South Weber Fire, along with Layton and Uintah hung this huge American Flag across the overpass of the highway they would be riding under towards the end of the ride. It was an amazing site to see, even people not in the ride were honking and waving and many would get off the exit to come take pictures. And when they found out about the ride stayed to watch.

 One elderly woman pulled off and with tears in her eyes took many pictures. She spoke with my husband and one of his Lieutenants, her son is currently serving in Afghanistan and she was so touched to see this tribute and wanted to share it with him. She asked if she could take their picture in front of the flag to send to him. I offered to take the picture for her so she could be in it with them but she told me: No this is not about me. This is about them and the men who serve and all who have died serving our country.

It took a little over 8 minutes for all of the bikes to pass. Below is the video Alex took from his place below the flag, and the one I took (which is shorter) from my view point. Thanks to everyone who came out to support this event. I hope you enjoy the videos.

We have not forgotten. We won't forget. God Bless the USA!

Funny things the kids say........

 I am the oldest of 5 children and the only daughter. I grew up playing tackle football with my brothers, cousins, and neighbor kids. I love to play football. I love to watch football. Especially the Green Bay Packers. Tonight they played the Saints and I was trying to get my kids into it (mainly so I didn't have to watch another episode of Barney) by having them cheer with me.

Me: Okay kids, yell "Go Green Bay Packers!"

Lydia: Mom, why do you like green peckers?

I laughed so hard, she started to cry thinking I was making fun of her.

I was able to talk her into coming back out to watch and tried to explain that sometimes kids say funny things without  meaning to and that I wasn't making fun of her.

Me: All right now, they are also called cheese heads so yell "Go Cheese heads!"!

Children: Go Jesus!

Well I guess that works too......

Gotta love it!

Sometimes when the kids (especially the twins) have their backs to me and I want there attention I will say to them. "Hey you, with the face!" They will turn and look at me and laugh. Well tonight I was texting Alex to bring some milk home and Austin wanted my attention.

Austin: Hey you! With the face!   

 Me: What?

Austin: I like your eyeballs.

Me (trying not to laugh): What?!?

Austin: I like you eyeballs.

One of my Bridal pictures.
In Focus Photography

And then he runs off to play.

Kids are so funny.

Have You Forgotten?

We Shall Never Forget (9-11 Tribute)

Let the world always remember,

That fateful day in September,

And the ones who answered duties call,

Should be remembered by us all.

Who left the comfort of their home,

To face perils as yet unknown,

An embodiment of goodness on a day,

When men's hearts had gone astray.

Sons and daughters like me and you,

Who never questioned what they had to do,

Who by example, were a source of hope,

And strength to others who could not cope.

Heroes that would not turn their back,

With determination that would not crack,

Who bound together in their ranks,

And asking not a word of thanks.

Men who bravely gave their lives,

Whose orphaned kids and widowed wives,

Can proudly look back on their dad,

Who gave this country all they had.

Actions taken without regret,

Heroisms we shall never forget,

The ones who paid the ultimate price,

Let's never forget their sacrifice.

And never forget the ones no longer here,

Who fought for the freedoms we all hold dear,

And may their memory never wane,

Lest their sacrifices be in vain.

Alan W. Jankowski


Please view the links below the picture box.
The first is news footage of a local Fire Hero's funeral.
Isn't it amazing the love and brotherhood they have?

The second is a news article about the 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary Ceremony.
This makes me so sad, they answered the call
 and ran in when others ran out.
And now there is no room for them?
God Bless All who serve our country.
And All who die serving.
I will not forget.
I hope you won't either.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=960&sid=17084395

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/08/13/report-911-first-responders-not-invited-to-10th-anniversary-ceremony-at-ground-zero/

A Firefighters's Wife

A special kind of woman; a cut above the rest,

 that's A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE,

 rating her among the best.

How many good byes are shouted,

 without a fond embrace,

 as duty steals her man,

 for the danger he must face.

How many meals are ruined...

 or tender moments disturbed,

 by the wail of a distant signal,

 sparking loyalty answered.

It's a devil of a job,

 for an angel like this,

 who... for the love of her man,

 must forsake that kiss.

She can run a garden tractor;

 even paint a room in need,

 how she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.

She is mother, lover, chauffer and nurse,

 a living symbol of: "for better for worse."

Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life,

 who chose to be the other half of

A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE.

~Unknown Author~

I shared this poem not to lighten the mood of this post but it is so true!

Alex first told me he loved me as he was running out the door

to answer the call of a car fire on the highway.
I spent 6 hours in December waiting in his car
at the Firestation in the middle of the night,
after our date was interrupted
so he could help with a land slide.

I can't tell you how many movies and TV shows  that

we have never finished or I finish alone

so he can answer the call.

He has missed family barbeque's, holiday's, birthday parties,

 and half of the luncheon for Taylie's baby blessing.

I finished cementing our mail box alone, finish bathing the kids alone,

and keep his dinner warm, even the special anniversary one.

So he could help with that house fire, or save a life.

But I am so blessed to be called A Firefighters Wife.

I wouldn't have it any other way.