Valentines Day 2011

We didn't do anything exciting for Valentines day...we hung out with the kids.  That's what you do when you have 4 kids.  My dad received the "Firefighter Of The Year" award, so Nate was kind enough to stay home with the kids while I went up to Salt Lake to see him.  I ran to the store and bought the kids a balloon each, came home, had a really random dinner, and some strawberry shortcake.  All in all...it was a nice day spent together as a family.  I love my family! :)

Brylee Turns 9!

Brylee couldn't wait a few days to get her present from Grandma Teresa, so she gave it to her to open on her birthday.  She loves her new dress!  Brylee picked out her own shirt to wear to school on her birthday.  It was actually given to her 2 years ago from her grandma Dorothy, at which time she did not want to wear it because it was too embarrassing. :)

The night of her birthday she decided she wanted to go bowling, which we haven't done in a LONG time.  We had a great time.

Oh...look who won the game...ME! :)  I beat Nate by 10 points.  Tyson and Karston tied.

She got her first pair of dangly earrings.

We had Brylee's b-day party a few days later with both sides of our family.  I made this cake which I sort of just made up....and I loved it.  Lemon and raspberries with homemade whipped cream.  

Thanks everyone for a fun night!  

Tyson's Therapy at Now I Can

Here is a video of Tyson that one of the therapists, Nacole, made for Tyson of his journey at Now I Can. It's a tear jerker!

This little kid amazes me. :)

Tyson's Therapy at Now I Can

Let's Make It Real

This link here is what I am posting about...so you might want to read it first if you haven't. I got it off one of my friend's blogs, and I thought I would do a post about it to.

http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/disease-called-perfection.html

"Perfectionism" is a disease.  I absolutely hate it.  The last little while I have been thinking about the way people are.  Why can't we be honest with each other?  Why can't we really lean on and rely on each other during hard times.  We always put on a show and make sure everybody else knows everything is great in our life....when in reality, nothing is perfect.  Nate and I had this talk last night...about "perfectionism".  I loved the points he made about it.  The only person that was perfect on this earth was Jesus Christ.  He suffered for our sins and he died for us...which he didn't have to do.  He could have given up the last minute, but instead, he loved US so much that he wanted to go through with it.  He knew that was the only way we could return to live with our Father in heaven...by the choices we make and by the way we live.  The reason this plan is so special is because we are all unique.  None of us are the same.  None of us have the same issues.  We are all special.  We all have challenges we deal with on a daily basis and we need each other, to comfort each other...to lift each other up.

I'm going to be real for a minute...the things in my life that aren't perfect, that maybe you don't see behind closed doors.  Mind you, these are only a portion of my issues :)

My laundry.  I have probably 5 baskets of CLEAN laundry, 2 or 3 in my bedroom, and 2 in the hall across from the laundry room.  Why?  Because I don't have time to fold them.  So, when it's time to find clothes...we can never find what we need (especially socks).  I still have piles of laundry to wash, but nowhere to put the clean laundry when I do wash them.  I have sheets and comforters that have throwup on them from Tyson...because he likes to throw up in the middle of the night.

My dishes.  I have done more dishes the last week, and my sink is still overflowing with dirty dishes.  I can't keep up.

My bathrooms...I probably go months without cleaning my bathrooms.  Honestly.  I know, gross.

I say "no", "maybe later", and "wait a minute", to my kids WAY more than I probably should.

I am very selfish.  I love to do things on my own time and my own way and when I don't get my way, I get really frustrated and upset.

I have a lack of organization.  I have 2 or 3 junk cupboards and at least 2 junk drawers.  My husband LOVES this one about me :)

I work 24 hours a week, and sometimes my kids sit in front of the TV for hours (especially Tyson), because I am working.  Talk about GUILT!

That is a portion of ME...that is who I am.  I am glad I am me.  I am not perfect...far from it.  But I am trying to be a better person, a better wife, and a better mom.  I am grateful for the challenges I have been blessed with...yes, I said BLESSED with.  They have made me a better person, and continue to make me see the real reason I am here.

So...let's make it real.

Now I Can Therapy

These are some picture of Tyson the last 3 weeks going to Now I Can.  This is Nacole and Joe...I haven't got a picture of Sergio yet, but I will :)  I simply LOVE this place. I just want to do a little comparison here.  Tyson has been going to pediatric rehab for 3 years now...and in 3 weeks he has made more progress than he has in 3 years...drastic progress obviously because he is walking!  I am absolutely thrilled about it.  I am sad we only have 4 visits left.  I am hoping insurance will add them as one of their providers....squeaky wheel gets the grease right? :)

Now I Can UVU Basketball Game

We were invited by Now I Can to attend the women's UVU basketball game on the 9th.  It was so much fun.   They invited us to dinner up in one of the suites as well...catered by Rumbi! (Love that place!).  It was so yummy.  Tracey had shirts made for all the kids.  They absolutely loved them and they even wore them the next day to school.  All the Now I Can kids were able to go down onto the court before the game started to be recognized and even to welcome the team onto the floor.  Tyson loved it!  We had so much fun...thanks Tracey and Joel for such a fun night!

Tyson loved the BB game.  He could scream and be as loud as he want...and he did for 2 whole hours!

Jarrett Burns...oh how I love his music.  He sang the "Now I Can" song that he wrote for Now I Can...pretty amazing.

Tyson Walking

So...we have been going to Now I Can for about 2 weeks now, practically everyday, 4 hours a day.  I just needed to post the latest and greatest.  I'm a little behind on everything else... :)