Blessings and Miracles

While the last few weeks of our lives have been some of the hardest of our married lives, they have also been a few of the most spiritual. I've been on my knee's praying for a lot of things lately. Everything from Josh's speedy recovery to patience and love for my family. It's hard when your all trapped in a house together with nowhere to go!!

We went to the specialist on Tuesday and he is amazing. If you live in Southern Utah and ever need a spine doctor, go see Ryan Church, he is amazing! He wanted to run a CT scan to get a better look at Josh's back. He told us that this was such an unusual injury for a healthy, 29-year-old, that he wanted to look a little deeper into things. He asked us a huge variety of questions, and told us that an injury of this manner in a healthy guy could indicate a variety of other problems, worse case scenario being bone cancer. Well, we came home and we weren't intending for him to get the testing, because we weren't sure how we were going to afford it. But Thursday morning, I woke up and told him that I wanted him to schedule it and that somehow, I knew Heavenly Father would let us be okay financially.

So we had the test and all this time Josh has been improving a little bit every day. Wednesday was the first day I could tell he was feeling much better. He got up and moved around a bit. Austin came down and I think that was like balm to the soul. He's not a guy who sits much and I could tell he was starting to have a bit of depression. He was outside and drove us into town. Thursday, he had his tests and then ran errands with me. We got the tests back on Friday, but the doctor still hasn't seen them. It says there is no fracture visible. I told Josh that it is amazing, that one week ago on an x-ray, a fracture was visible and now there is no indication of a fracture? Prayers and Priesthood blessings work, of that I have no doubt.

It also looks as though, for now we are going to be financially stable too. Heavenly Father answered our prayers in that way too. I am so grateful for those who are in tune with the spirit and have been an answer to our prayers. A million thank you and hugs are going your direction.

This has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Josh and I have helped others on different occasions. We know what it's like to be on the giving end of things, and we've had times that we have been on the receiving end, but never to this extent. It's a humbling thing, but also one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had. I've had people walk into my life, some who were completely unexpected, and be answers to my own personal prayers. Walking, talking, breathing angels helping to bring a miracle into our lives. It's been an amazing experience.

And yet, I do realize, that we aren't finished with this experience. Josh has a way's to go, before he will be back to his active and crazy life. I may or may not end up going back to work. That is looming in front of me and it scares me. But I have been offered a job and that makes that decision, when it comes a little easier.

I've learned that you never take for granted the blessings you do have, and there are many. I think that sometimes we just get to busy and involved in our lives, that sometimes we forget to do the things we should. Life is a gift!! We need to make the most of it and do amazing things with it. I pray that I can always be in tune with the spirit and that I will be able to do amazing things for me and for my family. We are so blessed, so we need to share those blessings with others. I am truly grateful for all that I have been blessed with.

Thank you to those who have helped in any way. By bringing food, by lending a listening ear, for the many prayers in our behalf. For being friends, for being in tune and being an answer to a prayer. For those who have helped us stay afloat amidst the medical bills and medical costs, to those who have called and stopped by and to anyone who has blessed us in any way, I want to say THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart. We love you all!!!

Tyson Loves Addie

This kid is pretty serious about Addie. He's going to be heartbroke when they grow up and go their separate ways. Here he is holding some flower he picked for her. He was insistent on going to her house to give them to her. I finally got him to settle for taking a picture and sending it to her.

Tyson drew this on the board today at school. If you can't see it, it says Addison and underneath it, Tyson. Then he drew pink hearts around it, because Addie likes the color pink. It's awesome.

Roller Coaster of Emotions

I am an emotional mess. I've cried, laughed, felt discouraged, been annoyed, hopeful, happy, sad and so much more in the past 5 day's. Poor Josh is in to much pain to care. We did go to the doctor yesterday and they want to send us to specialist. But atleast they were able to give him some medication to help with the pain. It's silly really that I have so much on my mind, other than Josh getting well.

I know he will get well. I have faith that he will. He had a blessing that said he will. He is strong and healthy and so many other things let me know that he will be okay. But what do we do in the meantime?? The thought of sitting at our house constantly for the next 4 to 6 weeks, makes me want cry! None of us are really homebodies, so it shall be interesting. What do we do about finances, what do we do about lot's of things???

I do have faith that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. Heavenly Father loves us and knows what our family needs. We have already been blessed with an abundance of love and concern from friends and family. Oh and lot's if yummy food :). So much for the HCG I just finished!!

I have really been an emotional wreck. You know how you can just hear a voice on the phone, calling with concern and you can't control it? Yeah, it's been that way every time I talk to my mom, sometimes my sister, Mandee, my mother-in-law and a few others. I had to pull the car over yesterday and cry myself out on the side of Lava Flow Drive. It's just been extremely emotional for me. I want Josh to hold me and tell me it will all be okay, but I can't even sit next to him or hug him, or do anything. That's hard. It hurts me to see him hurt and know that only time will heal and there is not much I can do.

Mandee and Maggie kidnapped me last night and took me to dinner. They got Meagan to watch my kids and we went to Pancho and Lefty's. It was just what I needed. Just to be able to breathe for the first time in day's.

But all is well. God is good. He loves us and so do so many others. We will survive this. We have our family and that is all that matters right now.

Josh is banned from Church Ball

I've played basketball my whole life. I've had a few good injuries and seen team mates get their fair share, but I never imagined you could break you back playing basketball. Only Joshua could do that, I guess.

Tuesday night Josh came home and I told him I wanted to go to Zumba. He said that they were having a Elder's Quorum basketball practice at 9:00 that night. So I told him to go ahead and go, I would stay home and work on the apron I was making. Although Josh is not good at basketball, he really enjoys getting to hang out with his friends in the ward. About 9:45 I heard Josh come in and I thought it was kinda early for him to be home. He came hobbling into the kitchen, barely able to walk and said he thought he had pulled a muscle and was going to go soak in the tub.

So fast-forward to the next morning. He goes to get out of bed and hits the floor. His feet are completely numb and he can't stand to put any pressure on his legs. So off to the ER we go. And I get the feeling right off the bat that the doctor thinks we are drug seeking. So they do an x-ray, give us some pain meds and send us on our way. He has a really bad sprain, it will take a few weeks to heal. Josh kept telling him that this wasn't just muscle pain, and something else is not right.

So this morning the ER doctor calls me and say's, "I had the radiologist take a look at that x-ray and there does appear to be a fracture in his Transverse Process at L3 on the right side." Okay, so we really weren't drug seeking and now the ER doc feels bad. So tomorrow we have an appointment with Dr. Hardin and really there isn't much we can do. They said Josh just needs to take it easy for the next 4 to 6 weeks and it will heal on it's own.

I have no words for what I think of 4 to 6 weeks of having Josh home. He's going to go crazy, I am going to go crazy and my poor kids are going to think we are all lunatics. Needless to say, the past few days have not been the greatest of our lives. He is seriously hurting and I am seriously cried out. Now the fun begins.

Remeber the Blessings

This picture has nothing to do with this post, it's just cute. She is shooting her guns.


Life at our house has been crazy. But whose house isn't?? I have nothing good to say about alot of the things that have been happening. Big teardrops on my cheeks. Sometimes life is like that, but you carry on.

However, we are all fairly well, we love each other fiercely and my kids are beautiful, healthy and happy. We are blessed. We have a home, we have our families, we have an income and we have food on our table. We have great neighbors and great friends. We have health (well mostly) and we have lot's to be thankful for.

65 Degree's and Sunny

I am sorry for all of you who live in the Northern region of Utah! I truly am! Today it was 65 glorious degree's and sunny!! We spent a few hours at the park soaking up the Vitamin D!

Piper and Tyson had a blast playing together. I didn't get one picture of J.D. because he was to busy being too cool and playing with his friends.

Ahh, pretending we are in California at the beach! A pitstop on our way to Disneyland :). I wish :(. Not this year sis!

It was perfect weather for climbing a tree!

My kids love to play in the tunnels. I can get claustrophobicand start to hyperventilate.It also gives me static hair!

Too cute!

LOVE

Here are just a few of the reasons, I celebrate Love!

I am so blessed. Hope you had a beautiful Valentine's day with those you love.

So You Think You Can Dance?

You should see these grooving kids. This is the same day as our puppet show. We also had a dance party in our living room.
Mia, Piper and Addie, doing their thing. Little girls are so cute when they dance. Piper loves to shake her booty! This kid was stealin' the show. He was break dancing all over the floor and the girls just loved to watch him.

Tyson has the moves.

Addie doing her thing. She's so darling! Mia was dancing with the baby. It was adorable!

Puppet Show

This puppet theater has been the best $2.00 ever spent! It's one of those things I don't break out often, but they sure do love it when I do. We had Mia, Addie, Tyson and Piper playing together for the afternoon. It was a lot of fun!

Josh's Birthday

Josh wanted to spend his birthday on the mountain. No surprise! So Josh and his dad went up the mountain and spent the day snow mobiling. They had a blast. Of course, they got stuck and had one of the sleds break down, but that is all normal for an outing with Josh and Scott :). I can't believe how much snow is on Kolob. The cabin looks like it is seriously buried! It sure is beautiful. Although, it looks a bit to cold for my taste. I don't like to be cold. But Josh and his dad had a great time and I am so happy he got to do something he enjoys because he does work so hard and rarely takes a day off. I mean, he works 6 day's a week, just because he wants us to have a good life. I love him!

Happy Birthday Josh

Happy Birthday to my sweetie!!

Only 1 more year until the big 30!!

Some of the reasons I love you are:

We can be silly together.

Kym and Aaron introduced us! Aaron knew we liked each other

long before we knew it.

He loves his kids.

Piper and Josh have a special bond.

She is his Trollie.

He makes me laugh!

New Year's Eve

Today me and my honey are the same age. At least for the next 2 months. I'm a cradle robber. I married a younger guy! And what a guy he is! I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD! I am seriously blessed, because he is such an awesome guy!

Here are some of the reason's he's my #1 guy.

Josh is Josh and he's not afraid to be himself. Our first date was going rabbit hunting with Aaron. Not by ourselves, but with Aaron, his joined at the hip best-friend. It was awesome! That is one of those things that only Josh could do and get away with. He's bluntly honest, sometimes to honest and he says things before he thinks. I don't know if that is just Josh or a just a guy thing!

He is my best-friend. He loves me unconditionally and puts up with all my many ideas and allows me to be myself. He is a good dad. He loves his kids and would do anything for them. He works so hard to provide for our family and does everything possible to allow me to stay home with our kids. He knows that is important. He is one of the hardest working guys I know. He is one of the most caring guys I know too. He is always gone and if he's not at work, he is usually out helping someone. Whether it is working on a neighbors car, helping someone do yard work or just helping them with a project, he is always giving service to others. He likes to have a good time and for him that means being on the mountain, hunting, shooting, or playing in the mud. He has some great friends in his Carter's family and loves to spend time with the guys. He has a great relationship with his sisters and his parents. Especially his dad and that means a lot to him.

He is all around, just an awesome guy! I am so blessed and I want him to know that I love him!! 5 lbs, babe! Forever and for always!

Tuckered Out

We were eating dinner tonight and I looked across the table and this was what I saw. Piper was so tired, she just laid her head down and went to sleep. J.D. tried to steal some of her french fries and she popped up and said "No, mine!" Grabbed the french fry and laid her head back down!! It's like she has a 6th sense! I felt bad because I had to wake her up to go to Zumba night.

Zumba Night at Red Mountain

It's no secret, I LOVE Zumba. I think it is an awesome way to work out and have fun! Our awesome school has a Zumba program for the kids after school. It's free and the kids love it. Tonight was Zumba night for the kids and parents. It was a blast.
J.D. is one one of the main guys. Only a few boys do it, but they got right up in front and helped to lead everyone.

J.D. and this little blond guy seem to be the two who are leading it.

Piper loved it! I have got to get her into dance.

She was right under Christy and Julie's feet of course.

The Roof is on fire!!!

This is J.D. doing the Roman candle.

It was so much fun to see the kids do some of the same dances we do!! What an awesome school!! There are no pictures of Tyson because he wanted no part of the dancing. He's so his fathers child!

Kids Say Funny Things

Tyson was in fixing his hair in the bathroom. Making it all spiky. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "Fixing my hair for my girlfriend. I wanna go show Addie how cute I am." Too funny! He is pretty cute.

We went and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks tonight. Piper was killing me!! Every time the chipmunks would sing she would jump off her chair and dance in the aisle. Soo cute! Then I took her to the bathroom and she was singing for me. La, la, la, do, do, do!

As we were driving home, J.D. asked me why their were camera's on the stoplights. So I told it was for wrecks or to see if people run the lights and he say's, "Or for like people who stick guns out of their windows? You know, like gangsters. They say their friends and then they shoot each other. And they rob and steal from people. And every time they see a security camera they shoot it out." INTERESTING! What has my kid been watching????

Suprise

So, this morning I tried to call Sherry. I do that every morning and the phone rang and rang. I thought that was odd, but maybe she had went to Richfield. About an hour later she called me back and we talked for about 10 minutes. I was out working in the yard, so I told her, I'll call you later I've got to go and get a few things done.

Well about 5 minutes go by and I see this jeep pull up in my yard and I see Austin. Weird, I just talked to Sherry and she hadn't mentioned he was in town and then the whole family piles out! YEAH! They totally surprised us. It was freakin' awesome! It's been about six weeks since we saw each other last. That may not seem like a long time, but for us it is. They just spent the day with us, playing basketball, shopping, and crafting. It was so much fun.
My kid's seriously love their Uncle Austin.

Tyson especially loves him. It's a love/hate relationship. Depends on the day.

This is what happens when you pout.

I went and checked J.D. out of school and I told him I had a surprise for him. He thought it was dove!!! Weird, but he really wants on, but only because Baylee has one. Anyway, I took Brannigan and Ashton with me and they hid in the car. They popped up and J.D. said, "Cousin" and then he leaped over the seat and tackled him. They really are the best of friends.

Thanks Winckel's for giving us an awesome surprise and fun day!

The Piper Chronicles

I'm seriously considering changing the name of our blog to The Piper Chronicles. The girl is hilarious and really the only one of us, who does interesting things.
For example, here she is being a dead princess so that Cason will kiss her. She played this game all night. Sometimes he would die too and she would kiss him!

That is the shattered Pyrex dish she knocked off the counter yesterday.

Piper being a bucket head.

The girl LOVES to get muddy! Annoying, really! We change our clothes several times a day.

Today we were painting with water colors and she decided to paint on some make up!

She makes me tired and we've only just begun.