Crazy Fun

This picture was taken by a cousin of mine that came through the buffet line where we were all singing, serving food and dancing. We had alot of people tell us that was the funnest buffet line they had ever been through. I'm not quite sure what was in my punch, but it was YUMMY!!! We had a blast at my brother's wedding reception. Congrats to the perfect couple, Adam & Becca AhQuin

We love you both!!

Pictured is Cambria, Me, Tia, Kiana, and Cecilee

My KIDS

Here is the most recent picture of all of my kids. I have 5 all together now. Cambria (16), Paula (17), Cecilee (15), Trevor (12) and Sydnee (10)

Hands & Arms are FULL

My sister Tia and her little family.

My little sister asked me to take some pictures for her husband's family. Her husband's sister had a set of Quads in July, three beautiful boys and a gorgeous little girl. They are so cute and amazing to see in person. I have been to her blog quite a bit because that totally intrigues me, but to see them in person, I was star struck. They are adorable. Tia's mother in law had 5 grandbabies in 3 months. Cute family, I felt honored to be able to take this family picture. Their hands and arms are most definately FULL.

A new member of our family

Cambria, Cecilee and Paula helping mom make goodies to take to friends and neighbors. Teaching Paula all about baking during the holidays.

Paula made her very first Gingerbread house. She had so much fun decorating and picking out all of her candy for her house.

We took Paula Christmas Caroling with my family. She thought we were a little weird and she most definately didn't know the song we sang, "Mele Kalikimaka" our Hawaiian Christmas song that we sing every year.

We have a new member to our family till the end of the school year. Her name is Paula and she is a foreign exchange student from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has been here in the states for 5 months, she was living with another family, but they moved to LaVerkin and she wanted to stay at Snow Canyon High School so she asked our family if she could live with us. We were so excited to have her here with us. There are so many things that she has never experienced and we are very excited to help her experience life here in the United States and learn all about her culture. She is a very sweet girl and fits right into our family. Our family is a little wild for her but she will catch on, I'm sure.

My Halliburton Man

My husband came home just in time for the wedding and is able to stay until Jan. 4th. I have loved having him home and of course savor every minute with him. Here are some pictures of his new work clothes for Halliburton. They have supplied everything from boots, red suit, green hat (which means rookie until 6 months then he gets a red hat), goggles of all sorts, etc. For Christmas Bryan got every kind of thermal-polypropolene undergarments, gloves, ear muffs, wool socks, etc. to hopefully keep him kind of warm in the freezing cold Wyoming. It's been so cold here in St. George - I can't even imagine how cold it is in Wyoming. Bryan said the last day he was there it was -10 below. OH MY HECK!!!!!!! Well he leaves again on Sunday and we don't know when he will be back - oh well, I enjoyed the holidays with him-I can't have everything!!!

Adam & Becca's Big Day!!!!

Me and my two beautiful sisters.

All seven of us kids with our spouses and my mom and dad with Adam and Becca. Awesome Day!!!

Some of the boys waiting outside the temple for the Bride and Groom.

My children all ready to go to the temple and wait for the Bride and Groom. (Love Trevor's smile)

Today was a great day!!! Adam and Becca were sealed in the St. George Temple. There were alot of family and friends there to shared in their special day.

It's Snowing!!!!

Trevor and his friend and Sydnee made a snowman out in front of our house.

Trevor and his friend eating the head of their snowman. I don't know why, they are boys!!! We had to remind them, "Don't eat Yellow Snow!!"

This was on the night it was snowing in the front yard. Beautiful

Our Family Pictures

Our Cecilee - LOUD, funny, attitude, BIG heart, sensitive, fun to be around, beautiful smile, beautiful hair, intimidating, loves soccer, strong leg (KICK), mean on the soccer field, loves to joke around, LOVES her DADDY and still calls him Daddy.
Cecilee will do anything for anyone, she will do Cambria's hair even when she's mad at her, she will sleep with Sydnee when Sydnee is afraid of the dark and will film Trevor's football games in the rain, because she knows he likes to study his film. She is such a sweetheart and loves her family with all of her heart. But we love her MORE!!!

Our Eternal Family!!! We love being together and hanging out, even as old as my children are getting they still seem to enjoy being around the family. As least they do a good job fooling mom. They are my everything!!!

My Little Sydnee (the baby of our family):

Cute, Fun, full of LOVE, loves her DAD so much, loves her Big Brother alot, idolizes her Big sisters, is mom's bed partner when dad is away, loves having so many friends, enjoys playing soccer, dancing, and being silly.

Cambria our OLDEST: Is the ideal oldest child. She sets a great example for all of her sisters and brother.

She loves life, cheerleading, soccer, hanging out with friends, especially one in particular (BRODY). Is a stress case when it comes to school and her grades. Loves the gospel, fashion, cleaning the house in high heels, dreaming of different outfits and putting them together.

I can't believe she is getting so old.

Our Stud Trevor: Trevor is our only boy and All the boy we can handle. He loves sports: Football, Soccer, Basketball and anything else that has a ball. He loves dirt, animals, being outdoors, hiking, GIRLS, hanging out with friends (when there are certain GIRLS there), food, eating, chocolate pie, riding his bike everywhere, the social aspect of school, scouts and his friends and facebook and msn.

His sister all love him ALOT!!! They love to smother him with kisses and hugs and embarrass him. He has learned to love it, since all of his friends always say, " they wish his sisters would do that to them and at least your sisters are HOT." They love to keep Trevor humble and wrestle and tickle him to death. One of these days, he IS going to be bigger than them, I give it about a year.

I love this boy so much, he has been a good man of the house while Bryan has been away. He tries not to show any kind of fear when I ask him to check on things outside. He will do anything for me.

My four children:Sydnee, Cecilee, Trevor and Cambria. I love my children with all of my heart, life seems to be going way tooo fast!!! I want this ride to slow down, I am getting sick!!! haha

When the photographer took this picture, I just stood back and was shocked at how big they all were and how close in age and size they really are. That made me sad, because realistically I only have 3 more years with ALL of my children living in my home under one roof. That saddens me. So I won't even go there and think about it again, till it's here. I love my LIFE!!!!!

Temple Blessings

This morning was the second Saturday of the month and our family sets it aside as our family temple day. We usually try for the 6:00am session so that it doesn't interfer with the kids sports. This morning I met my parents, Sunshine, Adam, Clay and Julee all for the session. It was such a wonderful session. I love the way I feel when I go to the temple. I haven't gone to the temple very often without my husband, but I did today and it wasn't too bad. I love being with my family. I can't wait for next Friday to be in the temple with everyone to witness Adam and Becca's sealing. Great day to be alive.

Happy Birthday to my Sweetheart!!!!

Bryan LOVES coaching football more than most anything!!! He really loves these boys and all of the kids that he has coached throughout the years. I think it also makes him feel young.

40 years ago in Cedar City, Utah my wonderful husband was born. He is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I love him so much and appreciate all that he does for me and my children. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband. I wanted to have as many people as will do it, text him (435)229-2452 and wish him happy birthday. It's a good thing that I didn't plan a big 40th birthday party for him, huh. I am counting down the days when he will be home again.

There are so many things that I took for granted that Bryan did while he was home, like: make breakfast for the family every morning & he was a short order cook (everyone wanted something different) he's too good, I just say NO. No matter how tired he is he will get up out of bed and get me ANYTHING-my inhaler, tylenol, another blanket, lotion for my feet, turn the light off, etc. (Yes I am spoiled). He locks up the house and turns off all of the lights, including the christmas lights. As my neighbors can see, I forget all the time to turn off the christmas lights. He cooks dinner every night and now we eat alot of cereal. My girls are starting to take turns making dinner. My life has truly been blessed by having Bryan as my husband. I am so glad that we met when we were 13 and continued to be friends throughout the years. I am really going to miss him on Sunday at church. I am strong, I will be fine!!!!

Bryan called at lunchtime today, and he said that his phone kept going off in his pocket in class and someone finally said to him, "Dang is it your birthday or something?" He said, "yea it's my birthday and I'm 40". I could totally see the smile on his face when he was telling me about all the texts & messages that he received. He said that it was like getting a bunch of birthday cards. Thank you to everyone for texting him and wishing him Happy Birthday. I just wanted him to feel of all of our love for him and not feel so lonely. Thanks again. I believe that he had a great birthday, but when he gets home we will have a better birthday for him.

It's a Wonderful LIFE!!!

I am doing wonderful!! Monday night we had carolers come and sing and invite us to come to the neighbors house for hot chocolate and goodies. I felt that I needed to get out and mingle, so I did and dragged all of my kids with. It was so good to be with the neighborhood and talk, everyone was concerned about Bryan and asking about him. I have a great great neighborhood and ward. Everyone is so supportive and willing to help. I feel so safe and secure with my neighborhood. I know that I can call upon any of my neighbors at anytime and they would be there for me and my children.

It's been kind of funny since Bryan has gone, of course now everything is going to start braking down. Cambria told me that her car was smoking & making a funny noise. So I call Bryan and he said was kind of noise? She said, it sounds like pressure. So Bryan said, that's not smoking its steam. So he walked me through opening the hood and checking the water in the radiator and refilling it. Wow, I had the phone to my ear, the flashlight in one hand, trying to open the hood and the lid to the radiator and trying to pour water in the hole. Then a HUGE dog appeared and I dropped everything and screamed. Bryan was on the other end wondering what in the world. I fixed the car and now you can call me "mechanic mama".

Then I get a call at work and the kids tell me that there's water all over the kitchen and the hose to the pull out faucett is busted. OF COURSE it is. I get home and just start laughing and figure I wanted to clean out under the sink anyways. I call my plumber and he said, call the 1 800 number and they have a lifetime warranty on your fixtures, so they should replace them for free. And they are, but meanwhile, I can't use my faucett, so we bring gallons of hot water from the bathroom to the sink and make due. Wow, I really appreciate my kitchen faucett. I take simple things for granted until they are broken or not there.

Then of course everything happens in 3's. I am doing laundry and I ask Cecilee to switch the laundry to the dryer and she yell's , mom the dryer isn't working. I just start laughing and almost crying, but what would crying do? It won't fix the problem, right- so I go in the laundry room and clean out the lint catcher, read the wording around the door of the dryer, turn the knob to every setting on the dryer and then I kneel down in the laundry room and pray to my Heavenly Father. I don't know what to do, I get up from praying and turn off the light and think maybe it needs to rest a bit. I go in the kitchen to clean up the water mess in there and I hear the dryer go on. I walk in there and the dryer is working. I just start crying because I know that my Heavenely Father heard my prayer and he is watching out for me and my family. I love him so much, of course I had to get on my knees again and thank him.

My testimony has grown so much within the last few days. I am starting to feel like I am becoming a bother to my Heavenly Father and always gettign on my knees and asking him for help. But I know that's what he would want, he always tells us to come to him, and how is he supposed to help us if we don't ask him. I am loving my life and grateful for all that he continues to bless our family with. I look forward to having couple prayer with Bryan over the phone at night and I look forward to his phonecalls in the morning to wake everyone up for scripture study. I love you all and thank you also for your support.

DO NOT DESPAIR!!!

Every morning before scripture study we always read the thought out of Gordon B. Hinkley's book, "Stand a Little Taller", this morning on December 8th it read: DO NOT DESPAIR "All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good" D&C 122:7
"We are in a period of stress across the world. There are occasionally hard days for each of us. Do not despair. Do NOT give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you. Do not let the prophets of gloom endanger your possibilities."

You can bet that I started crying. I love my HEavenly Father and I know that he knows me and hears my prayers and is aware of my family and what we are going through, as well as everyone else. He is Almighty and incredible. I know that with his help I am going to only get stronger and be able to get through these long days without my husband.

Family is WONDERFUL!!!!

Cecilee and Major. He has gotten sooo big.
All of the family, my mom wanted a picture for her Christmas card.

My parents with the grandkids.

My mom and dad with the in-laws.

My mom and dad with the original fabulous 7.

I truly couldn't survive this whole adventure with my husband being gone without my family. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I can call anyone in my family and they will be there quicker than anything. I love being with my family and the joy that we all feel when we are all together. There is NO greater joy than being with FAMILY!!! Thank you to my family who are keeping me grounded and sane.

I am surviving!!!

My husband is gone and today was the longest day ever!!! I dont' remember crying so much in my whole life. Early this morning while in bed I was tossing and turning trying to get comfortable and I remembered that this is the day that my husband is leaving for Wyoming. So instead of get up like I usually do when I can't sleep. I cuddled into my hubby and savored every moment that I had left with him. But of course, I start crying and end up waking him up with my tears. I enjoyed every moment I had cuddling and crying. We didn't do much talking because we were both crying so much. But I stayed in bed longer than I usually do.

I know the more he goes and comes home it will be alot easier, the first time is always the hardest. My eyes feel like there is sand in them, from crying so much. We went to Sacrament meeting and then came home so that Bryan could give all of us blessings before he left. It was a very touching moment for our whole family. We just all had a good cry and Bryan poured out his heart to the kids and let them know that he didn't want to leave them, but with the economy the way it is, we have to do something or we will loose our home. I know that our family has something to learn from this experience and that it will only make us stronger and closer. Sydnee is having the hardest time of all, she came home tonight and curled up on the couch and cried, "I just want my Daddy back!!! I don't care if we are poor." She is such a sweet little girl. In my blessing I told Bryan to please bless me with strength to be able to go through this and care for our family. I didn't realize how dependant I am on him. I took him for granted and all he did and continues to do for me. I love him so much, I am not looking forward to trying to go to sleep tonight, we will see how it goes. But my children are being so wonderful and giving me tons of hugs when they see me sitting there and just crying. I know that it will get easier as time goes by.

Cambria took pictures of me saying goodbye to him, but I am not posting them. Have you heard of the "UGLY CRY" from Oprah? Well that would've taken the cake.

I am soooo sad!!!

My crazy, fun husband after Trevor's playoff game, holding Trevor's balloons.
Bryan and his one and only son. Don't they look like Father and Son?

Me and my sweetheart. Gosh I love this man.

Bryan and two of his girls, Cambria and Cecilee. They love hanging out with their dad, and they love his stupid jokes and funny voices.

Here are some of the signs that Sydnee made and posted around the house.

My heart is so full of sorrow at this time in my life, but I know that it's for the welfare of our family. My husband is leaving tomorrow to Rock Springs, Wyoming to work for Halliburton. It is a very good job, but the downfall is that he will be away from our family for 2 weeks at a time and home for a week. Bryan and I have NEVER been seperated from each other more than a couple days. I am just falling apart, everytime I think about it I just cry and cry and can't seem to gain my composure. I have to be strong for my children and I don't want them to see me a mess.

Last Sunday we all took a nap and when we woke up Sydnee had plastered the house with these signs. I had to go into the bathroom and just cry!!! She is the baby of the family and is such a "Daddy's Girl" she just takes every opportunity to snuggle to her Daddy. Bryan is such a hands on dad that he is going to have a hard time also. He spends alot of time with each one of the kids interviewing them and talking about life with them. He loves to be involved in their sports activities and their school activities. Our whole family is not going to be the same without him. I will be counting down the days for his return to us each time he leaves.

So many people have told me that it shouldn't be that big of a deal. But to me and our family it is a huge deal!!! I look forward to coming home from work and having our whole family just lay around in the family room and talk about the day, reading scriptures, etc. I am going to miss the stupid things that get on my nerves that he does. I know that there are alot of dad's out there that have had to go away for work, but I always thought that that would be sooo hard for the family and now we are experiencing it. I love my husband so much and am so thankful for his sacrifice for our family. I don't know how both of us are going to sleep, whenever he's not home I just lay in bed and try to pile up pillows so that I can put my leg on it, like it's him. But it's not the same. And I know with him when I'm not home he paces and walks around the house or wherever he is. We will just have to get used to being apart.

Family is everything and thank goodness that we know that "Families are Forever" and that this joy that we feel here on earth will be multiplied in the eternities. I know that this job is a blessing for our family, but I just have to be strong and thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings that he blesses us with.