Makin' Ginger Bread Houses

This year I decided rather than buy all the stuff to make the Ginger bread house, I would try one of those ginger bread house kits that I always see at the store. Wow! It was 10 times easier to make a Ginger bread house with the kit! It came with everything we needed including icing and all for only $10...I couldn't even buy all the stuff for that price and the house was already put together...we just decorated it and wha laa...it was done! Definitely the way to go.

Snow Day

What fun Jonathan had playing in the snow for what seemed like days on end. Jonathan made this snowman at 11:30pm one night when it was really coming down. As you can see, we have NO snow clothes so in the few days that the snow was around, we went through more socks, pants and gloves than I care to count. It was beautiful and fun while it lasted.

Snow Day

It's official...School is cancelled tomorrow due to snow! Who would have thought St George & Las Vegas would cancel school because of snow...? It's the first snow day that Kasey can remember in his 33 years here in good ole St George. Jonathan and his friends had a BLAST playing in the snow for several hours tonight. When he finally came in, I got him in a warm bath to thaw out and the news came that all Washington County schools were closed tomorrow. I went into the bathroom and let Jonathan know there was no school tomorrow and he says through a HUGE smile..."Mom, you just gave me the best news of the day! I can't wait until morning...awesome!" I could see the wheels turning in his head...thinking about all that he could do with his day off! It was too cute! I will have to post some pics tomorrow....when it's light out! Definitely feels like Christmas is coming!

A time for remembering....

As the holidays approach every year Kasey and I have A LOT to reflect on and be thankful for...it seems like just yesterday we were celebrating thanksgiving weekend with Kasey's family, I was 5 months pregnant, still sick with morning sickness, but looking forward to Christmas. December 1, 1998 was the day our life would change forever...

The day before I was diagnosed...I think I look pretty healthy (that's our niece Audra on my lap)

Round 1 - 1998

Who could have known that our greatest challenge would become our greatest strength...it is through our trials that our truest character shines through...who will you be?

Round 2 - 2001

One more bone marrow biopsy before getting to go home...yeah!

Dr. Scott, Dr. Kushner, Me and nurse Jane...the day I got to come home to St George...what a good day!

It's crazy to think back over the past 10 years at what we have come through...so many memories, some are too painful to share, others we hold close to our heart and still others we look forward to the day that we can forget them...but in the end...

Life has dropped more than a few trials in our path...at times they have seemed far too heavy to carry......and all I can say is thank you.....thank you for allowing us the opportunity to learn how love deeper, laugh more often and live life to the fullest...Happy Holidays!

Soccer....Real style

For our 11th anniversary (back on the 15th of November) Kasey and I went to the Western Conference Finals - Soccer - to watch Real Salt Lake take on the New York Red Bulls. It was so much fun!! It was freezing, but we had a great time in the sell out crowd. It was a great weekend away and fantastic anniversary! I can't believe it's already been 11 years...can't wait for the next 11! Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!!!

A Season Come and Gone...

One of Jonathan's many throw-in's


Coach Cottam in deep thought...

Running back for kick off..our boys had just scored a goal

Jonathan subbing out after getting hit in the head

So, I have been meaning to post soccer photos for the past month and a half! Soccer is actually almost over for this season. Next weekend is the last game of the regular season. I can't believe the season is almost over...seems like it just started! We are looking forward to the Dixie Invitational Tournament over Thanksgiving weekend and then we will take a few months off and start all over again in February! It will be nice to have my Saturdays (and my boys) back for a few months anyway. Good thing I love soccer almost a much as they do! :-)

Your life could depend on this...

I thought I would share this post with everyone since it is SOOO important...

Yesterday morning I woke up with sort of weird headache, not like any I have had before. Anyway, I went about getting myself ready to head off for work...in a rush as usual. While I was standing in front of the mirror brushing my hair, the right half of my face, neck and right arm, INSTANTLY went numb causing me to drop my hairbrush. (Not to worry I could still smile, blink and I was talking coherently) It felt like my boss - Matt had given me a few shots of Lidocaine, as if I were having a cavity filled. It came on Instantly and it was a little freaky. I wasn't sure what to do. All I did know was I WAS NOT going to call 911, so I called Kasey & my sister and they both recommended I go immediately to the ER, which I did - despite feeling like it was silly reason to be in the ER. (don't worry I didn't drive myself)

To make a long story short, all is well and I DID NOT have a stroke, a mini stroke or Multiple Sclerosis, which is what they were really worried about. Turns out it was just a "Complex Migraine" that will leave a lingering headache for a few days, nothing too serious! WHOOOHOOO.

I share this with everyone though, because when this happened my first thought was, "Okay, I'm only 30 and I am way too young to be worrying about a stroke. It will probably go away on it's own!" I was WAY WRONG!! We had a great nurse who told us, NO AGE IS TOO YOUNG TO HAVE A STROKE! And way too many people ignore the symptoms of a stroke because they think they are too young or too healthy. 30ish is also the age that women start showing signs of Multiple Sclerosis. I thought I would post the warning signs for everyone to see. You never know when this info might come in handy!

The symptoms of stroke are:
Weakness in an arm, hand, or leg
Numbness on one side of the body
Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
Sudden difficulty speaking
Inability to understand what someone is saying
Dizziness or loss of balance
Sudden, excruciating headache

Not to worry though, I am back on my feet...I still have that funny headache but nothing a little Excedrin can't take care of! (Best drug EVER!) I have to say a HUGE thank you Matt, Brittany and Stacy for running the show while I have been out these past 2 days! You guys are AWESOME!!!