Helping Dad

Braxten "helping" dad dig up the sprinkler system and planting grass.  Our grass if finally coming up in our backyard which we are very excited about.  It will be so fun to have green grass to play in.

3 years together!

Kyler and I have now been married for 3 years as of Monday.  Just in our 3 years of marriage we have accomplished and learned so much. 

• We have moved 5 times
• Went to school
• Had many different jobs.
• Bought a new {to us} car on craigslist
• Had a handsome baby boy
• Bought our first home
• Bought a camp trailer

I think what we have accomplished is pretty great for only being married 3 years.  Life is not always perfect but it's just the way I like it and it's perfect to me.  I love having Kyler as a companion and I couldn't picture life without him. 
{Things that keep our 3 year spark going}

• Our date night's once a week
• Enjoy getting away going to our co-ed softball games once a week.
• Working out in the yard together
• Netflix or Redbox Movie Nights
• Going to happy hour to get a slush or drink.
• Playing raquetball
• Dancing in the Kitchen
• Talking about everything until late
• Being goofy and trying to make one another laugh
• Little notes
• Going to the Temple
• Companion Scripture study
• Home Projects

Enjoying the little things above really helps our marriage. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so excited to be married to Kyler for eternity. Even after 3 years I still get butterflies and I love him more then ever!  3 years down the rest is a piece of cake!  Happy Anniversary! 

Wallow Fire

        Escudilla lookout (I took this from Allen and Holly Browning)

You can't tell but the sun was blood red from all the smoke.

 Right when we were getting evacuated.
The Wallow Fire has been going on about a month now and has burned about 538,049 acres and is 95% contained.   A few weeks ago we had to evacuate our home.  It was hard leaving and not knowing what was going to happen.  It really puts things into perspective on how family is really the most important thing.  I really didn't care about my furniture, computer, decorations, etc. I was just thankful I had my family and that we were safe. I look back now though and it was a huge learning experience. We do need to be prepared in any situation.  Luckily we had been working on our 72 hour kits and we felt prepared.  Our community has really come together helping each other. Out of the bad situation we were in, it has become a good experience and I've learned alot.  We are thankful for all the firefighters, officers, forest service, and everyone who has helped with this fire.  We are very thankful we got to come back to a home, and we are loving that we have clean air now. Now we are making the transition for preparing for potential flooding when the monsoons come.

A fun get away weekend.

So back in May we headed to the valley to attend Special Olympics.  Kyler's sister Terra was in some events.  So we made it into a little family vacation.  We stayed in a hotel and went to the zoo.  Braxten loved the zoo and loves to make the sounds of the animals.  His favorite part at the zoo was the carousel and the train.  It was a fun get away weekend full of swimming, eating yummy food, family time, enjoying the nice warm weather, and being able to watch Terra.    

Mother's Day.

This Mother's day was a little different this year. 
Here's how it all started out.
I had a feeling I was pregnant.
I was late.
Monday I took a pregnancy test, and sure enough....Pregnant!
Kyler and I were both so excited.
This pregnancy I felt a little different about telling people.
Maybe I just knew something deep down, something was going to happen.
We waited a few days.
We were so excited and we both thought it would be ok to tell close family.
Friday I felt fine, finished up some spring cleaning and yard work.
Saturday morning I woke up and felt different.
An hour later I started spotting.  I was so sad, I knew something was wrong.
I had passed some tissue, but didn't want to think anything of it.
The bleeding continued and didn't get any better, but worse.
I was having a really hard time, tears just kept coming.
I was hoping that everything would be ok and that maybe just maybe this might be normal.
(Even though I knew deep down inside, something was really wrong)
I took it easy the rest of the day and later that night Kyler took me on a date to subway.
The next morning (Sunday) I woke up to roses and a card.
Still bleeding, and even worse, and more tissue being passed.
I felt so sick, and so emotional.
All we could do is wait it out.
We waited until today to go to the doctor.
I got some blood drawn and an ultrasound done.
The ultrasound didn't show anything, which means I had passed everything.
It did prove there was a baby inside before I had miscarried (some wall was thick, don't remember the name)
We are blessed everything is ok.

I realized something though....that we really don't know what is going on in people's lives.  Something could be going on in their lives that is really hurting them or they are going through a hard time.  That is why we always need to treat people with kindness. I want to do better and go out of my way to make sure I do.  Everyone goes through trials in their lives whether big or small.  Trials shape us and form us into the people we are today.  I know many people who are going through harder trials then me. I know many people have gone through what I have gone through.  I'm just thankful for everything I do have and am blessed with.  It just really made me think about things.  Yes we are sad, but there are many more opportunities waiting for us.  Heavenly Father is in control and he knows what is best for us and what we can handle.

Even though my mothers day wasn't the way I had expected it to be.   I'm still very thankful for the chance I have to be a mom to Braxten. (and the 2 children we will get to raise in heaven)  It's not the easiest job, and sometimes I question myself, but its something I would not trade. It's worth every minute.  I might not know all the answers, and still have lots of questions but I'm doing my best.  I love everything Braxten teaches me.  I love having a little buddy all day to hang out with.  I love being a mom, it brings me the greatest joy! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Easter

Braxten on Easter Sunday all ready for his first day of nursery.  That's right our little boy is finally old enough to go to nursery, he had a little bit of a hard time, but for the most part he enjoyed it.

Spring has brought...

                          Lots of home projects and spring cleaning. (Our big helper)

 

                            Special Olympics in the dome and playing in the sand while watching

                                Weddings, and spending time in Thatcher with family.

                                           Our cherry tree is blossoming!

                                               Our rose buds blooming.
I have never really experienced Spring like I have here.  It is one of my favorite seasons (besides the wind) Everything is turning green and everything is coming alive. I'm just amazed as we drive down the road or look out our front window.  Everything is so beautiful, Heavenly Father really did create a beautiful world.  We have had warmer weather as well, which has been great. Spring also means that summer is just around the corner!   Bring on the yard work, garden, spring cleaning, and home projects!   Happy Spring everyone!!