July Fun!!!!

So we've had a very interesting month so far to say the least. With Spencer getting sick and then graciously passing to mom and dad and even Grandma Hale but we've had our highs also. We went around to a lot of the town days events that happen every year around us and went to a bunch of the fireworks that they lit off in every town on different weekends. It was so fun to see Spencer's face. He loved it!!! After every one he would put his hand up and say "Boom". I had more fun watching him then I did watching the fireworks. He was mesmerized. It was really fun.

Then on the 4th we got Spencer a little frog pool at Jason's work and he LOVED it. He had a blast in that little pool. We had to add cold water in it just to get him out. We figured it's better if he comes to the realization that he wants out or else we've got a fight on our hands. So with some cold water and asking if he wanted out. He quickly agreed and we went in to sent Jason on his way to work. I know, we are horrible parents, but it worked. And since Jason had to work the graveyard shift over the 4th, Spencer and I stayed home and went for a walk around the neighborhood and watched others light theirs. It was really fun. And the best part was that it was free for us. We didn't have to pay anything for having them in our front yard practically. And a lot of neighbors paid for the illegal kinds that went high in the air. It was fun.

Then on the 5th we drove to Pine Valley (near St George) and spent the next 4 days at Jason's Grandma's cabin. It was really fun. We caught the very tail end of one of Jason's family reunions and then just relaxed at the cabin. Well, I relaxed, Jason on the other hand was helping his dad put on a new roof for their RV trailer. So for them it wasn't so much relaxin' but HOT work. It was good to be with his parents and just visit for those few days. We went into town (St George) for about three hours to celebrate our niece, Tessa, turning 1. We had a little get together with cake and dinner and it was fun. She is so adorable. I can't believe she's one already. WOW!! Time flies. It was really good to see all the family. Our nieces and nephew are getting so big. We miss them terribly. Spencer had a blast with his cousins. He didn't calm down that whole night. He was enjoying himself too much. (The cake and ice cream he had didn't help much)

But overall it was a great time. Way too short, though. Spencer is having major withdrawals form the playing outside all day at the cabin to the missing Papa and Grandma and all his cousins. He constantly points to the pictures of the fam and names off all his Aunts and Uncles and cousins. He loves you all.

But now we are back to everyday life and the day we came home Spencer decided he wanted to get sick again. SOOOOO now we are fighting strep throat. Sooo fun!!!! The night we came home he had a high fever (105.7) and that has lasted the rest of the week and then he complained his mouth hurts. So we decided to take him in last night to the ER and (drum roll, please) it's strep throat with a possibility it can also be foot/mouth disease. He has some sores on the inside of his mouth that looks like it, but the doctor wasn't sure. So here we are, back on antibiotics and poor Spencer. This little kid can't catch a break lately.

And to top it all off, after a long night in the ER, it was 2am when we got home and I was walking down the stairs and tripped and fell with one leg going up the stairs and one going down. I'm fine but I think I broke my big toe. But thankfully that's it!! I can live with some pain when I walk versus what could've happened. But thems are the breaks.

Oh well, this too shall pass. But isn't it funny how life can just kick ya a little when you're already down.

Perspective!!!

So lately we have had a lot of things thrown at us all at once as a family. We have had many weddings on both sides of the family (which have been so great and we are sorry if we couldn't make all of them, though you were in our hearts and thoughts on your special day) and we've had many deaths also. Jason had many close relatives pass away just recently. It really makes you think. Man, life is so precious!! Then just this last Sunday, Jason had a fellow employee that he works really close with pass away from a sudden car accident. He had just worked with her on the Friday before and he was talking with her about what type of bike she should get for her 7 yr old son. It's crazy!!! Then when he went in on Monday night, he found out that she was gone. That fast!!! The son was in the car with her and he was fine but she didn't make it. It's heartbreaking how fast it could slip away from you. He told me when he got home that morning when he got home and he was just stunned. I feel for that little boy. Luckily her brother will take care of him, but man, that really makes me think........

• Do I tell Jason just how much he means to me before I kiss him goodbye before he leaves for work everyday?
• Does he really know that he means the world to me and I don't know what I'd do without him?
• Have I given all the love I have to him and my little boy that I can give in one day?
• What kind of person have I become? Would Spencer grow up knowing his mom tried her hardest to be the best mom she could be? And does he know how much I adored him?
• Does my family and friends know how important they were to me in my life?
• Did I say thank you and I love you enough?

Because just like that it can be taken away from me and I don't want any regrets. I just can't tell you how much all this has impacted me. Yeah, I am on A LOT of hormones lately, but I don't think that's it.

I really do want all my loved ones to know how important they are to me in my life and how much they have impacted me and even inspired me to become a better me. I can never thank you all enough for your examples and kindness you have shown towards me and my family. I can never repay you for it all. I have the best family from both sides, friends both new and old, and just anybody who has helped me along the way. Even with just a kind word or an encouraging nudge. I really love you all and hope you know I appreciate each and every one of you. I wish I could name you all off one by one but I don't think you'd keep reading. It would be a very long list. Just know that I do mean YOU when you are reading this. Each one of you have done something in my life to make me who I am today. So thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I didn't want another day to go by without letting you all know how I feel. I give all my love and kisses to all who are reading this. You are truely special to me!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Help, I'm being attacked!!

So there I was, laying on the floor minding my own business and
my little stinker decided I looked a little too still. So he thought I
needed a little Spencer lovin'. And you know, I did!!
Gotta love him!!

Father's day!!

So I thought I'd take this time to tell everyone how much I adore my husband and father-in-law. It was hard not being able to spend the time down in St. George with the only dad I have in my life. And can I just say, he's top notch.

First off, I need to say how much I LOVE my hubby. He is the greatest husband to me and father to Spencer. They are the bestest of buddies. I know it will be like this forever. Spencer just adores his dad. It melts my heart watching them interact. Jason is a kid at heart himself so it's really fun to see them together. I knew when I first met Jason that he was going to be an awesome dad and he has proven that to me time and time again. When we first started dating, I was amazed at the way he was with children. They just flocked to him. He is the greatest dad and best friend a gal could ever ask for. I have a great guy by my side and the best thing of it is that I know he will be by my side forever and ever. I am so lucky!!!!

Now I need to get to the other man who I just love dearly. This is my father-in-law. He is just the man I know my husband is trying to be like. He is truly one of a kind. I just admire this man so much. He has been the kind of example any man would try to emulate. I can't say enough about him. He loves his family unconditionally and tries with all his might to help out in any way he can. He just ADORES his grandchildren and they ADORE him just as much. "Papa" is what they call him and they just flock to him whenever they are around. Spencer idolizes his Papa and is his little puppy dog when we visit. Wherever Papa is, Spencer is right behind. We love him so much and we can't tell him enough how thankful we are that he is in our lives. I especially am thankful that I lucked into such an awesome father-in-law that knows exactly what to say when you need a pick-me-up. He is just the sweetest guy ever. So Happy Father's Day, Dad. You deserve a great one.

I heard a quote over the radio on Father's Day that I thought fit perfectly. It's from Douglas MacArthur-
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee ~ and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself to seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the weakness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."

This pretty much sums it up. I just want to let my husband know how much I love him for everything he does for me and to my father-in-law, thank you for building a son that is so good in every way. He learned everything from you and I have to say "Good Job"!!!!! I know he looks up to you everyday and hopes that one day he can be just a good of father to his kids as you are to yours. And so far he's doing a great job. So thanks again and we wish we would've been there with you for your day. We thought about you all day long and hope you had a great Father's day.

Spencer's day!!

So today we decided to make it Spencer's day. Spencer was given a book at Christmas time that was about Thomas the train. He reads it every time we're in the car. He loves it!!! So when a commercial came on about how Heber RR is transforming their train over to Thomas over Memorial weekend, Spencer flipped every time. He would shout "choo choo" to the TV. So we decided to take him. He loved it so much that when we got home he wanted to look at the camera over and over and over again to see the pictures we took today. (Below are some of the many pictures that were taken today). Grandma Hale came with us and she got him a hat and a bandanna and a whistle. He LOVED them!!! He loved them so much that when I put him to bed tonight he wouldn't let go of the whistle and so I let him have it. While I was putting on my pj's I heard him in his room saying "choo choo mom, choo choo dad, choo choo grrrrma". It was so cute. We had a great time today and after prayers I asked Spencer if he had fun today and he nodded his head fervently and then said "Tank too". Now how cool is that. It melted my heart for sure. It made the whole day of running around, totally worth it.

Pictures of our day out with Thomas the train

I was so proud of Spencer today. He was so good here. It took us an hour and a half to get here and it rained on and off the whole day. And there was a lot of unhappy campers at this thing. Spencer was just as happy as ever.
The stack of hay that we were sitting on was soooo tall. You can't tell from the picture but Jason had to hoist me up to get me on top. Spencer wouldn't let go of the whistle that Grandma Hale gave him. It also came with the hat and bandana. It looked so cute on him. (I think anyway, I'm not biased or anything)
This is the front of the train that we went on. It was so cute. Everything was just so fun that day. Spencer had a blast.