Livin' Life with a Smile

My own personal avalanche

2009-01-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is kind of a funny story. The roof on my house is metal so the snow tends to slide off the roof a little bit at a time. It's really a pain sometimes. I really dislike where it falls in front of my garage. Last year I moved into this house in February and there was a icy speed bump formed right outside my garage. I really couldn't do much at that point. This year I've tried really hard to keep it cleaned up so it doesn't have time to freeze and create the same problem. It sucks because as it slides off the roof and hits the ground it packs down the snow. As you can imagine , it's pretty heavy at this point. So Monday night I hear a bunch of snow slide off the garage (it makes quite a noise, sometimes it's a little scary). It was a warmer day and the night was still warm so I figured I'd go out in a little bit and clean it up. A little later another loud crashing sound but this time from off the roof of the house. Now as it slides off the roof of the house it has to slide off the awnings over the windows and the porch. Well there was so much snow up there (see previous post) and because it was warm, all the snow came down at once. As my kids were looking out the window to see what happened I noticed the snow had ripped the awning off the big front window. When I got outside and was looking at what happened with the landlord we saw that the awning also hit the window and cracked it. Fortunately, the front window is double paned so it's not allowing cold air to enter the house. My landlord has taken care of everything so we're OK. It was a pretty crazy night!

These aren't great pictures, but you can get the idea.

I hope everyone had a great New Years! Love you all!

Snow days!

2008-12-29T19:53:00.000-08:00

So after so long...I'm back. My camera works OK outside...no need for the flash. So here are some pictures of the kids playing on their new sleds they got for Christmas and one in their new clothes. They are getting so big...

These are from the day after Christmas...

I wasn't going anywhere today!

Love you all! Hope you are having a wonerful Holiday Season!

BLOG, BLOG, BLOG...

2008-10-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

I know already. Blog something! It feels like there is nothing to blog about. Yet, there is always a million things going on. My camera's flash broke so I don't have a camera right now, so I don't have pictures to post. I guess that doesn't mean I can't blog. The kids are doing great. Cali is getting way to big...I can't believe she is going to be 11 soon. Cole tests my last nerve most days, but it is better than it's been. I love them both so much! I am looking into getting my teaching certificate, so back to school I will go. I'm still researching some things so I don't know when the schooling will begin, but that is looking like the plan. I love all of you and hope you are all doing well! I will try to post some pictures from Halloween (camera allowing).
P.S. I have no idea why I'm still up!

Politically Speaking...

2008-08-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say Hi and to share with you a little story that happened to me and Cole today. Some of you may have already heard this but I thought you would all enjoy this:
Cole and I went to the farmers market today while Cali was at Cheer practice (it's our new saturday morning tradition). After I got my tomatoes and cantaloupe we went over to the playground to use up some of our waiting time. Cole always makes friends really fast. This little girl, about 5 or 6, started playing with Cole. They were running and playing all over the place. I didn't see anyone with her but I think her mom was working at the market. Anyway, after playing for a minute the little girl turns to Cole and asks "Are you voting for Barack Obama?" and Cole says "Yeah" (he just likes to be agreeable). The little girl continues "I'm voting for him, well, I was voting for Hillary Clinton, but she isn't running any more so now I'm voting for Barack Obama."
Dead serious! It was unreal, yet happening right in front of my face. It reminded me of those commercials where they have little kids act like adults. It was so funny!
So that's what's going on at the playground!
Love you all!

24th of July

2008-07-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

For the 24th, the kids and I went up to my parents cabin. Lorie and her kids went up as well. We had a really good time! We played on the beach and even rented a jet ski for a couple hours one of the days. I forget how much I enjoy the beach! I think the kids had a great time as well. I hope we'll make it up there a couple more times before school starts! Love you all!

Grayson buried in sand.

Kenzie, Grayson and Lorie on the jet ski!

Coleman, me and Cali after our ride!

Cali and Kenz...bathing beauties!

Me, Cali and Kenzie.

Cole on one of the cabin swings.

Cole and Annie at the beach.

Cali and Kenzie chillin' out at the beach.

Lorie, Kenz and Belle enjoying the sun.

A weekend of fun!

2008-07-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well, this weekend my kids and I had a lot of fun! We started it off by going to the Hogle Zoo on Friday. I had told Cole we would go to the zoo this summer. He kept asking when we were going to the animal's homes. He had been looking forward to this for awhile. Oh the drive down Cole was very excited to see the elephants

and the alligators.

While there he got excited about the rhinoceros

and the giraffe. Cali was just excited to be somewhere else than home. I really enjoyed the day for the most part. It was kind of sad to see all these animals in closed areas by themselves. Seemed a little lonely. By the end of our day we were all tired and hot...and ready to get home. Cole crashed as soon as we were in the car. Thank goodness! We stayed the night at my friend Angie's so we didn't have to drive all the way home to drive back the next day for a day at Seven Peaks with the cousins!

Seven Peaks was a blast! I'm so glad we got to go! Cali took off from the start and rode slides all day (I couldn't keep track of her, which freaked me out a little)and Cole played to his hearts content in the kiddie pool. Aunt Kim watched Cole for me at times so I could go play with the BIG kids. That was really nice! Thanks Kim!
It was a day of fun in the sun...ALOT of sun. I have the proof on my back in bright pink!
I really enjoyed being with my family and I hope you all know how much I love you!!! I hope this becomes a tradition!

I suck at this...

2008-07-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't been so good at this for a long time. I plan on giving an over view of the last 5 months. We have had some fun events this year. I always think about posting something, I just run out of time. Not really a good excuse, but an excuse none the less. I will start updating one event at a time and I'll post things as they happen. I'll get back on this blogging horse!
Love you all!!!

Cali is an ALL Star

2008-01-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

Cali had a basketball game today. It's like her forth one of the season but I always forget the camera. It's hard to take pictures and yell at the same time so there aren't a whole lot of pictures. Mostly, I just wanted to get on here and brag about my little super star. Previous years of basketball I couldn't really tell if Cali liked playing. She always asked to play though, so we sign up. She always acted like it was so tiring, which it is but she's young. And she was too nice...she wouldn't take the ball even if it was right in her face, she wouldn't put her hands up to block a shot even though she's the tallest on the team. Little things like that, just not aggressive.

Well, this year she has completely kicked it up a few notches. I can't believe the difference! She pushes herself to keep going. She's still a little too nice but we're working on that. ;) She shoots a lot and rebounds like a maniac. She can dribble with both hands, although she favors the left hand and she takes it to the hole. She tries to pass it, but you got to have a receiver for that. The coaches are depending on her a lot. She played almost the whole game today. I know, I know...I'm the mom, I've got a little bias going on.

It's just so great to see her growing. She has a long way to go, some fine tuning, but I think she is going to really enjoy this game after all! It's fun to see her have fun as well. Her team loses every week by a land slide and she is just happy to be playing. The best part is that she is very modest about it all. She thinks her teammates are the stars! I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter...basketball or not! She is such a light to my world. Her and Cole make my everyday! Love you guys!

Winter Fun

2008-01-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

SO... this year I have decided to learn how to snow board! I really enjoy it, but it kicks my butt every time. I'm always sore the next couple of days. Cali learned at the end of last year and she is awesome. We went up a couple of weekends ago with a friend so I could learn and so Cali could refresh. My friend gave me a few pointers and told me to practice on this little hill. The hill was covered in knee deep snow...when I finally got both my feet strapped to the board and my butt out of the deep snow, I had to hop down the hill. My friend looks at me and says you got it, lets go up. WHAT? OK, I guess. Cali and I get on the lift. Mind you, I have no idea how to get off the lift (I was given a little instruction) and Cali has no confidence in herself to get off the lift. Needless to say, we fell off the lift. But we are off and at the top of the slope. Now to get back down.
My friend has her two kids, 5 and 7, and I have Cali, 10. After we all get strapped in...the kids take off down the hill, so does my friend to stay with the kids. While I struggle to get up, a friendly guy gives me some words of encouragement. Now to start my way down. I was kind of glad that everyone didn't have to wait for me cause I knew it was going to take me awhile. I started telling myself all the things my friend had told me and gave it my best shot. I was on my butt again. And again, and again. During the short moments of being on my feet, I was getting the idea of how this worked, but I was sure getting worn out by having to get up so many times! That's the hardest part! I could see Cali sitting at the bottom waiting for me. I tried to wave to her and signal to keep doing her own thing, but that was just wearing me out too.
Eventually, I made it down the mountain. It only took me about a....HOUR. Poor Cali! She wasn't going back up because she didn't want to have to get off the lift because she can't do it without falling. So we headed to get something to eat and tried again after lunch. My second time was much more successfull! Although, I wasn't feeling too bad about my first time, it just took a long time. It took some convincing to get Cali back on the lift but we did it! Again Cali and friends zip down the mountain, but this time it only took me 15 minutes and four falls to get down! Yippy! Sadly, Cali and I had to leave after our second run. I left feeling great about the whole thing!
I went again last Monday! This time I went alone so I didn't feel any pressure or have to worry about Cali freezing her butt off waiting at the bottom of the hill for me. I got five runs in and I figured out what works best for me right now. I still have a lot to learn (still can't get off the lift without falling). It's fun to challenge yourself and beat the "it's just too hard" thoughts that try to defeat you. I can't wait until the next time! Cali and I will get up there a bunch more this year and next year I'm going to try to get Cole up there at the end of the season. It will be great to have something we can all do together!
Enjoy the weather!

Old Friends, Good Times

2007-12-30T13:43:00.000-08:00

This last weekend I got together with a bunch of old friends from high school. My friend Angie planned it all out. She is the best! It's something I have been wanting to do for awhile, but just haven't! I don't really have a good reason. Anyway, Angie being the great friend that she is, did some investigating and found everyone. It was exciting for me! One person couldn't make it, but we'll round her up the next time! Hopefully not as much time will lapse between now and then. It was funny to see us all fall back into our old roles as friends. We talked about old times, laughed a lot, and updated each other on life as it is now. It was a great evening! I love you guys! Can't wait to do it again! Thanks again Angie!
Here are a few pics form the night!

Temple Lights 2007

2007-12-19T15:34:00.000-08:00

I've Been Tagged...

2007-11-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by my cousin Lindsay...

Here are the rules that you must follow if you are tagged:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).

4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

7 facts about myself:

1. I'm a single mom of two beautiful kids. I have a nine (almost 10, holy crap) year old daughter and a 2 & 1/2 year old son. While it might be a trial at times doing it all on my own (with help from some amazing friends), I know that I also have the greatest prizes! There is nothing like seeing your daughter confidently stop a soccer ball from going into the goal or dancing front row center in her dance competion or to see your son hit a ball with a bat for the first time or run to you with those happy eyes knowing you've finally come to pick him up, even if it's only been an hour. Being a mom, no matter the situation comes with it's hardships and rewards! There is no place in life I would rather be, although sometimes a beach does sound better, than a mom at this time for these two special children.

2. I LOVE MY JOB! After so many jobs and so long fighting the teaching idea I finally gave in! I can't believe how happy I am in my job! I don't know what took me so long, but now that I'm here I can't imagine changing careers.

3. I have to load the dish washer a certain way. There is an art to it. It drives me crazy to watch my roommate or the children load it. I have had to learn to not correct others when I feel like they are doing it wrong...everybody has a right to load the dish washer the way they want.

4. I fear I will never meet my soul mate or that I met him and I didn't recognize him and I have lost my chance. Sad but a true concern. I really don't want to do this on my own, but I don't want just anyone, I want the one! The one that compliments who I am and vice versa. The one who will love my children. I don't think I should just wait, or just search...so then what should I do? PRAY! I'll keep you updated! Hopefully there will be a happy ending!

5. I throw myself into the books I'm reading. I get personally involved. The characters are my friends. When I'm not reading or I have finished the book I find myself wondering what they are doing or what could be next. It's a little scary (and maybe an answer to the "no soul mate" question), but I enjoy leaving reality if just for a little while!

6. I'm finding that you never stop finding out new things about yourself! New ideas, new likes, new dislikes, new theories... The list can go on and on. Sometimes it's the same old thing just now you understand why. It's nice to know that it really doesn't get boring as you get older.

7. I'm happy! It's that simple!

Okay...now it's your turn...I tag:

Tori

Maggie

I guess that's it. Everyone else has already been tagged.

Catch up...September in a blink!

2007-09-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone? I guess when you're so busy doing stuff to blog about you don't have time to blog. So I'm going to try to hit everything really quick: First, Labor Day...we (my roommate and her kids & me and my kids) went up to Wolf Creek resort up Ogden Canyon. There was a pool (that Cole couldn't get in because of the parasite problem in Utah), sand volleyball courts, tennis courts and some fun trails to walk. There was also this small pond with a huge goldfish that we couldn't pull the kids away from. It was pretty cool and the kids loved playing down by it trying to catch guppies. I had planned to give so much description about everything we did but seeing that I have a lot to cover I'm not going to. Sorry!

Then, I was off to Seattle the next weekend for Sarah and John's Wedding. It was so great to see the extended family (missing a few though...tear). My kids didn't make it on this trip! I missed them and probably talked everybody's ear off about them, but it was kind of nice not to haqve to be running around after someone and yelling, "Don't touch that," " Cali get your brother please," "Say your sorry, Cole," or something like that. It was a nice rest, but I was excited to get back to them. I missed them terribly! Anyway, the wedding was beautiful and they are a very cute couple! I hope the best for them! Hey, now doesn't this mean they have to start blog too! Sarah, you better get started!

And finally, last weekend our household went down to Thanksgiving Point to walk in the Wasatch Woman's 2nd Annual 5k. Our friend Barbara Vineyard is the owner and editor of the local magazine Wasatch Woman. So we all packed up to support our friend and fellow women of the Wasatch. We had a really good time! The walk was great and the view while walking was spectacular. I had to talk Cali through the last mile...I tried not to be my dad...I did really well for the first half of that last mile...but then genetics set in. I still think I did pretty well but I didn't want her to give up. And she didn't!...and she ended up getting 1st place in her age group! See what hard work and not giving up can get you! Either way the day was good, the kids enjoyed themselves for the most part and we got back home with plenty of time to actually get rest on the weekend!

So that's September at a glance! Love you all!

First Day of School

2007-08-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

I know I am a little late posting this but better late than never! Last Thursday (Aug. 23rd) was the first day of school in our house. Cali started 4th grade this year. I can't believe it! I mean by the attitude I get about most things, I can believe it, but time just flies! You really have to remember to value the times with your kids because they grow up so fast and you could look back and wonder where all that time you were going to spend with them went! I try to take time with each of them but life can get so busy. I do catch myself and remember that I can do somethings later so I can go play or sit with my kids. So much of the time they just want you to be there! I have to remember times like these and let the world pass by! They'll always be something to do, but there won't always be the first day of 4th grade.

There she goes!

P.S. I also started my first day of teaching P.E. at Cali's school. It was a little scary at first but I really enjoyed it. So far I have had a great experience. I am really tired when I come home though! Yesterday we played outside and I got fried! Oh well! Also another great perk about teaching at Cali's school...I get all the dish on how she's doing in school! I kept in good contact with her teacher last year, just think how much better this year will be! Honestly, Cali wouldn't have it any other way!

A Little Game of Dress Up!

2007-08-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'm staying at a friends house and watching her kids, Quinten; 6 and Meliah; 4. It's been pretty fun! We mostly have been watching TV and playing outside. The other day Cole and Meliah were playing quietly in her room. After a little while I was wondering what was keeping their attention so well. As I walked in the room I saw Cole dressed up in a yellow dress and matching heels (he walks pretty well in them too...maybe too good). It's his Belle (from Beauty and the Beast)outfit! I had to take pictures and share!

What do you think...in need of a male role model or what?
One day we'll all look back and laugh (well...maybe not all of us)!

Tomato Garden

2007-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

I think I mentioned before that I was gardening this summer. I have never "gardened" before by myself. Well, it is a lot of hard work and takes a lot of time. Being that "time" is not my best friend, some of the garden was lost. First lesson, start small so that success is more easily reached. I tried to start small, but got excited by the possible outcome! With the operas and watching kids I didn't have as much time to spend in the garden as I would have liked. But that's OK! All is not lost! I did keep up on the peas and tomatoes! I know peas aren't that hard to keep going but with the heat this year it was a bit of a challenge (let me think what I want). My tomatoes, on the other hand, did need nuturing. The plants got huge! I am very proud of them! And the tomatoes are sooo good! There is nothing better than tomatoes right out of the garden. I picked these cherry tomatoes today. Enjoy!

P.S. Notice the tomato seed on Coles forehead (he really gets into his food)!

Summer Livin' and Opera Days

2007-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Well, this summer has been non-stop! I stayed home with the kids thinking I would be able to get alot done, but that has not been the case. What I mean by this is I get alot done but it's not all the things had planned on getting done. I guess it's because I tend to think I have more time so I take on more things to do!

First thing I did was to start a garden. I have always wanted to do this. It takes alot of work and time. I have slacked a little so the crop won't be great, but it has been a great experience! The greatest accomplishment of this project will be the tomatoes. I'm good with that. Each year I will get a little better!

Cali has been performing with the Opera Company. She is in Porgy and Bess and Showboat. It has been a very exciting thing to be a part of. She has enjoyed it tremendously. It has been a bit time consuming and Cali has had to sacrifice some fun things to be involved but I think overall it has been a fun and memorable experience!

As for Cole, he went to visit his Dad for the first time in Denver. I think it was a great thing for him! It was a heart wrenching thing for me! I talked to him everyday (twice, most days). He always sounded so good! He had a great time but I think he was ready to come home when it was time!

2007-07-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Making a fresh start

2007-07-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

Everyday can be a fresh start...that's how I'm going to start looking at things. You can't sit and worry about the past. It's done and needs to be gone! New beginnings are always exciting! So why not think of everyday that way! I've started this blog to help me on my journey. It's something new that I have wanted to do for awhile but always put off. If anyone sees me going off the path of new beginnings and on to the path of past regrets, drop me a comment and kick my butt back to the beginning! Here it goes...(wish me luck)