Time sure flies!

Time sure flies when you have a houseful of sickies! Sad thing is, only half of us have gotten the bug so that means we're still in the thick of it! Just the cons of having a large family, I guess.

I've had a lot of time lately to contemplate what my role is here. I've kind of felt lost over the last three years, since my dream job of assisting with adoption has ended. It was my passion, my life, and to have it end the way it did has left me in a sea of questions. I felt fulfilled because I was doing something to help others and watching the whole process of families being united was awe-inspiring. So many times I would feel distraught and discouraged because it didn't seem like the things I was doing was making a difference, and then blam! it would all fall into place and the children that were meant for the right families would find their way. I was humbled time and time again by the process and felt so blessed to be a part of it. And then it was over.

My journey ended in ways I never anticipated and now there's a hole that I can't figure out how to fill. I have an incredible family that I love with all my heart, but a part of me is missing, that part that makes me feel fulfilled. I can't seem to find my way and now it feels like I'm just treading water, going from one day to the next. In fact, many days I never even step out of my house except to take the kids to school. Pathetic, huh? I keep racking my brain, trying to find something, anything, that will bring me back but it eludes me. Every time I think I've hit on something, it just doesn't feel like the right thing or the right time. I guess I just need to be still for awhile and listen to that inner voice. Maybe someday I'll find what I'm looking for.

Attention Legacy families!

Party time! Any Legacy families reading this? Hope you can make it to the party tonight!

Time: 6:00 pm
Place: 3070 Nila Way (3070 E. 4100 S.)
Salt Lake City, UT

Bring a potluck dish and pop to share. Can't wait to see you all!!!!

Where's my mojo?

It's almost 9:30 and I have so much to do today and yet...here I sit, in my jammies, playing on the computer and postponing the inevitable. Toilets to scrub (might have to take dynamite to them!), floors to mop, dishes to do, laundry to fold, and the list goes on. I'm having a really tough time motivating myself to do much at all.

In fact, I can't motivate myself to do anything lately. Is it the fall blahs? I love the fall, the cool, crisp air, baking all the wonderful fall goodies, stew on the stove, bread in the oven....and yet I can't find the energy to do any of it. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM?! I sat around all day yesterday eating my kids Halloween candy and feeling sorry for myself. I can't put my finger on it, but then again I'm too drained to concentrate long enough to figure it out.

Speaking of Halloween, can I just say I'm glad that holiday is over? Not one of my faves. In fact, we could just skip it as far as I'm concerned. The only good thing about Halloween is sneaking into the kids candy, but then again I feel guilty after snarfing it all down, so I guess I can't even count that as a good thing.

I need a hobby, or something I can sink my teeth into and feel some sort of satisfaction and success. When I was helping with adoptions, I had a passion and goals. Now, I just have my beautiful family, but I need something for me. Something to validate my existence. What is it? Can you help me find my mojo?

Badger football

Our son is a coach. A football coach! Not just any football coach, but a football coach for SNOW COLLEGE! We love our Badgers!!!




Because we have "connections" we get to go to all the Badger football games we want to. Here's a countdown of why I love Badger football~

- I get to spend time with my football lovin' family!
- The Badgers are AWESOME!
- I love to watch my son in action
- Fall is football, football is family, family is fun!
- Gotta get my kettle corn fix!
- Did I mention how much I love football?!





We don't always take the whole crew with us, but since last weekend was Homecoming, we thought it appropriate. It's a long 3 hour drive and little man screamed the last 20 minutes of the trip down, but it was still a fun road trip. And, of course, the Badgers WON!!!!







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Small town, big hearts

So, I live in this quaint little town that I dearly love. There was a time when I didn't love it so much. In fact, I hated it. You see, I grew up in a bigger city where everyone kept to themselves and your life was private. In a small town, there is no such thing as private! I resented the fact that everyone knew me and knew everything about my life. I had just moved here as a newlywed and I hated going anywhere because inevitably I would get stopped by someone (stranger to me) and given the 20 questions quiz. Because J was a homegrown boy, everyone knew him and therefore, they knew me.

It took some time for me to get used to the idea that most people here were genuinely concerned and interested in us. I'm sure there were some that were just plain nosey, but for the most part, this little town was more like one big family. I finally came to the point that I enjoyed seeing my "friends" out and about and I no longer ducked for cover whenever I saw a familiar face. My heart is cemented here now and it would take a major disaster to get me to leave!

I've been reminded again of the small town/big family we have here. We received incredibly sad news on Saturday that a beautiful young wife was tragically killed in a car accident the night before. She was someone who had gone to school with Cecy, married a guy who was friends with Jayson and we have a close relationship to both her family and his. The heartbreaking part is that this young couple had only been married a little more than a year and were expecting their first child. As the news was spread, our little town grieved right along with the families. So many people have been touched by this couple and the loss is devastating. The outpouring of love and support has been amazing.

I love my little town. I love that I can walk down the street and pass by people I know. I love knowing that if there was a need in my family, people would come to our aid. I love that this little village is helping me to raise my kids. There is a sense of safety and security in living here that I never had in my "bigger city" years. I'm lucky to be here!

Another week come and gone and here we are back to Monday. The weekend was hectic and crazy, like always. I just seem to get further and further behind! Maybe someday I'll catch up to myself? I spend so much of my time lately simply following little man around. He's become a destructive ping pong ball, going from one mess to another. I took my camera and followed him around for just a few minutes one day last week until I finally had to put it down and try to save my house. Here's the proof!



This was the first mess. And in the time it took me to grab my camera and snap this shot, I turned around to find this-



By the time the pans were put back, he was on to this-





And then-



And back to this-




All within 15 minutes! Now you can see why I don't get much accomplished during the day. This too shall pass, right? Please?!

Monday, Monday...

It's a Monday kind of day...wait, it IS MOnday! Oh well.



We had an incredible weekend and it was really hard to get up this morning. General Conference was wonderful! I'm always a bit sad to see it end. This conference was especially incredible with the announcement of a temple to be built in our little Brigham. When the prophet made the announcement, our house errupted. Truth be told, I didn't hear much of the next talk given because we were all abuzz about the temple. I cried. I never thought it would be a possibility where we have two temples so close and I'm humbled to think that we will be blessed to have one literally just blocks away. I can't wait!!!!

I'm so honored to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is my life! Growing up a member can sometimes make it seem insignificant, but I was reminded, once again, what a blessing it is. I hope that I can be the kind of example to the world that I need to be.