SHAN'S BUCKET LIST

For Shan's 40th birthday he wanted to do something on his bucket list so he went parasailing.  

He said it was pretty fun but just not long enough:)

4th of July in Nephi!!!

My Niece Scotty and I looked like little twins:)

Pretty funny when it wasn't even planned!

Daddy never forgets to remind all of us to "SUNSCREEN"!

Speaking of twins…

Look at these two faces!

Korbin and Reggie came to stay with us for a couple weeks.  

We are so happy to live close so we can do this in the summer.

This is a family tradition of ours to celebrate in the little town of Nephi Utah. We stay at Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's Nephi house. It is so fun to experience the fourth in these small towns who still have craft fairs, quilt auctions, baked goods, and old town games for the kids.  I love that my children will be able to have memories of this as they get older.  

We truly are so blessed to have eternal families and have great grandparents still living among us. 

It has been a real treat to be HOME… close to our loved ones!

This was so sweet when Korbin had to say goodbye to his dad.  

They have a very cute little bond!

Makes me still cry just seeing these pictures.

Brighton Camp and Girls Camp

The girls left for Brighton Camp the week of July 4th so we would be celebrating without them.

I knew they would have more fun at camp. Especially after hearing they would be in a parade:)

From Brighton camp they were off to Bear Lake, a couple weeks later.  

They were so exhausted by the time they got home.  

They were ready to RELAX!

Happy Farty Continues...

So my awesome friends helped me pull off another little surprise get away for Shan.  Rosie stayed over night with my kids and Alissa and I went up to Heber and decorated a cabin that they had access too through some friends.  She was so amazing and did all the extra's from decorations to the food preparations. She even got him cheesecake and Dr. Pepper since that is what he always says he will want if he gets a terminal illness.  It was so fun.  Her and I went up early on a Friday and got everything ready and then Shan met up with Brad and they came up after work.

Dinner was AMAZING!!!

Alissa made Mexican Rice 

that was to die for, along with Fajitas.

So YUMMY!

She cut out circles and wrote funny things about Shan's personality on them.

We had some good laughs over them.

I can't believe we are 40!

Sunday was his actual day of his birthday so me and the kids gave him a 

FARTY PARTY…

We made funny sayings and put them on the walls, 

on the table cloth, 

and the kids took breakfast to him in his bed.

You know your getting old when you blow out your candles

 and the fire alarm goes off.

Sydney had her first Sunday in Young Women's 

on the day of dad's birthday.

She looked so beautiful.  She was so ready for this. 

 I am so proud of her and the 

beautiful daughter she is becoming.

I am excited for these two girls to share in their experiences as they grow up.

How LUCKY they are to have each other.

It was fun to have Rosie with us during all the fun celebrations.  

She truly is just part of our family.

Holy crap your OLD!!!

I have never been able to pull off a surprise for my husband but this time I DID IT!!!

I asked everyone at his work to dress in black or white in honor of Shannon's big 40!

The kids and I snuck into his office while he was in there.  We went in and he looked confused.  Usually if I was going to his office he would know about it.  But this time he was looking a bit shocked.  Especially when I wrapped a boa around his neck and put him in a chair with wheels and started singing loudly "Happy Birthday" as we took him for a ride to a room filled with all his co-workers and some cake and ice cream.  He was so embarrassed and I was loving every minute of it:)

Preston wore a bald head to honor his dad on his special day.

Forever in our HEARTS!

Picked up this CUTE little lady at the airport.  We had to take a picture in the parking lot because we are weird like that.  I was so happy to have her with us.  I didn't tell any of my kids she was coming so we wanted to surprise them.

SURPRISE!!!

look at those happy faces...

The kids reaction was so cute.  They were at piano and when they came around the corner and saw her they were so happy.  Rose was like a grandma to my kids but especially to Preston and Sofie.  They were so excited for Grandma Rose to visit!

My mom will forever be thankful for Rosie.  She knew that even though her daughter was far away she was in good hands.  Rose was there to watch our kids so Shannon and I could go to the Temple which was 3 hours away.  She was there to make me laugh and ease my load when I was stressing out with being a momma.  She was there to read stories to my kids, take them for ice cream, and cuddle them.  She even had gum and paper in her Sunday bag to keep them quiet. She LOVED our family when we needed it most.  As a mother I know that I will want someone to be there for my kids when I can't be there myself. 

 Rosie will forever be in our hearts!!!

Happier days ahead...

CONFESSIONS…
happier days are ahead!!!

      So it has been 7 months since I last posted anything. I would like to think that I had a great reason of why this has happened.  I could think of a million reasons, but if I had to choose one that I think may be a confession or a reason it would be this.  During the month of April and May my heart started to have moments of racing. I would mostly notice it around the time of picking up my kids around 2:30 and then again around 4:00.  It wasn't always at the same time, but maybe because of being in the car I was more aware of it.  I mentioned this to my mom and she advised me to go get it checked out. Of course it took me a few months before I finally decided I better take her advice.
 During those few months before finally going to see a Dr. I noticed that I was more nervous around crowds, especially at church. I have never really had a problem with this as I have served in many callings that required me to be out of my comfort zone at times, but it was getting so bad that I wanted to find reasons to stay home.   I was also struggling to be able to retain or remember names easy. My communication was beginning to feel awkward. I was so self conscious.
 I felt like I wasn't my happy go lucky self anymore.
 As I visited with the Dr. he asked me to feel out a questionnaire for depression and anxiety.  At first my pride set in and I thought what does this have to do with my heart racing?  But I soon realized as I began to answer those questions truthfully that this may be the cause of my heart.  The Dr. then visited with me and asked me about my life.  He felt that I was having some anxiety and wanted to put me on a medication called Lexapro.
    After a few weeks my heart was not racing and I felt much better but still not as good as I was hoping for.  I switched to a female Dr in the same office and it was the best thing I could have done.  She is so great to listen and to give the encouragement that I needed. She expressed that some of my motivation was lost and that this could be a cause of depression.  She explained that with all the moves our family has had and the changes that I have made, I was probably a little lost in all of it. She put me on another prescription called Welbutrin.
   I now admit that being on medication has been a life saver for me personally.  I am so thankful for being able to feel rescued when I was drowning.  I honestly can say that I was one that never really understood those who struggled with depression or anxiety. I was always a very positive, optimistic person.  I love to be around people and I love to serve others.  But this was all starting to change and I was feeling a loss of desire for everything and everyone.
     I am so thankful for being able to understand that depression and anxiety is an illness just like asthma or any other symptom that needs treatment.  I am not ashamed. I am thankful for Preisthood blessings and for the power of fasting and prayer that has helped get me through this trial.  I was so touched by this statement from our prophet Thomas S Monson @ the General RS Meeting. 
(see www.lds.org) 
I know that happier days are ahead!!!

“That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.