Mountains to Climb

I'm a mormon!

Life is not for Sissy's

It's amazing how quickly life passes by if you're not paying attention. That's how i feel about 2014. It came and went, just like that! I can't say I'll miss it, but I can say I've learned from it's ups and downs more than i deemed possible.

Life has a funny way of tossing and tumbling the best of the best by throwing extreme curve balls and then sitting back and watching the destruction and then hopefully rebirth take place.

I feel like I'm in the rebirth stage of life and it is FREAKING ME OUT! I don't remember signing up for this crazy life of mine, nor do I feel capable of finding happiness again. Do I even deserve happiness?

Did I get thrown around a little too much? Am I too broken to recover? I'm not sure. Of anything anymore.

All I really know is LIFE IS NOT FOR SISSY'S!!!! Not even a little.

My goal in blogging again is to try and find myself, find meaning in my life again. I know I'm here somewhere, but buried deep under the ruble and pain of life.

First step... Do something that makes me happy. Well, blogging used to make me happy. It was my documented journal of the beautiful life I once lived.

Day ONE of my rebirth begins TODAY!

One thing I know for sure is the love I feel for these kids of mine. They are truly a blessing in my life and the only thing that kept me going during my darkest hours. I feel more and more love for them daily.

Then, there's this guy. We've been thru SOOOOOO much together and it's an absolute miracle we are still together. Period. I'm thankful for him. Very thankful indeed.

Welcome Fall...

Oh how I love fall. The changing leaves, crisp morning air and cozy nighttime snuggles with kiddos.

So long 2013

What a year. What a crazy hard year it's been. If I had known it would be this challenging, I might've opted for hibernation and tried to avoid life's painful ups and downs all together. 

So... As I lay in bed reflecting back, what can I possibly take away from 2013? Hmmm.... I may need to squeeze and release my brain a few times in order to come up with something remotely positive. 

One thing that always keeps me pressing forward are these four precious kiddos. I'm grateful every day for their sweet spirits and wise souls. They keep me busy and hopping, but I wouldn't want it any other way. They are so unique and special to me. They are good kids, full of life and full of beans. I can't imagine life without them and I'm very thankful to be their mama. 

So long 2013. 
Don't let the door hit you on your way out!

2013 Highlights

Happy New Year's! 

Best way to get rid of the dead Christmas tree.

Dinner date with my bud after his basketball game

Happy Birthday to Mason. 11 years old

The girls had a great dance season this year

Berkley's dance friends call her Barbie Berkley. Can't imagine why???

Crazy dance moms!!!!

Go Brighton Fury

Trip to St. Barth's

Mother/Daughter photo shoot for Good Things Utah. 

Albion fit

Welcome to the family

This is Moki. She's a pain in the butt, but we love her!!!

Cub Scout camp out in our backyard

Turned unused guest room into craft room

Time for a change... Cut off 12" of my hair. 

Bryn turned 8 and got baptized

Berkley's 14th Birthday Party

Chan and Taylor headed to PROM

Happy Father's Day at Snowbird

Mason received his Arrow of Light

We truly miss our dear friend, Rob! 

Mother's Day with the kiddos

Poor Brynerz fell out of our tree and had to have 6 stitches in her chinny chin chin

Trip to Bear Lake with the Spence crew

Saying good-bye to my good friend Tracy

Trip to Seaside, Oregon

Cute CC is Cancer Free. Yay!!!!

Happy 19th Birthday Chan Chan

Happy Graduation Day!

Summer hiking

Trip to Costa Rica with 52 Pias

Cousins everywhere

....And the braces are OFF!!!

Joe's 20th Highschool Reunion

Girl's trip to Bear Lake with Grandma and Grandpa Spence

Back to School

Mas 6th Grade - Butler Middle School

Berks 9th Grade - Brighton Highschool 

Brynerz 3rd Grade - Butler Elementary School

Chan Chan Freshman - University of Utah

Dance season is underway for Berkley. She dances for Brighton and she's loving every minute of it.

Time is racing by faster than I have time to keep up, but luckily, the kids seem to be happy and healthy and loving school, friends, social lives and sports. 

Letting Chan go to college has been extremely difficult for me. He's still and always will be my baby. 

Love this quote by Emmanuel Teney:

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit."

I love this. Things will flow as they will. Hard for a mom to wrap her head around, but I guess I can't complain.