I've been busy doing this!

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I'm back

Yes, I have been away for a while now. I just didn't quite know what to say after my dad died. It's been over a month now, but I still think about him every day. If you had told me in high school that I wouldn't have a father 10 years from now, I wouldn't have believed it. It's funny how in high school you think your parents are complete nerds who don't know much of anything. I wish I would have cherished the time a little more...but, I'm not going to talk about this depressing topic anymore for now.

Our latest adventures include:
1) a move--first to Idaho Falls to live with my mom for a few months (this will hopefully happen when our house sells!)
2) a second move--to North Carolina where Rocky is currently working for a company based in Durham. They would rather not skype or conference call daily with him.
3) Chase and Ryder...where do I begin? Ryder is tormenting Chase, and Chase is screaming. They haven't quite learned to share, and I'm really getting great with my "selective hearing." They really are good overall, though. :)
4) I've been...cleaning, packing, organizing, dejunking, selling things, sweating, and feeling like a crazy person in the midst of it all (I'm sure many of you empathize with this).
5) Rocky is working, working, WORKING!! He has been working 2 jobs. One that goes 8-5 (with a lunch break), The other that works 9-12 (most nights).

So, that's my life in a nutshell. Not quite cover story stuff, but at least you know that I've had some reasons for my absence.

Heartbreaking

I've been avoiding writing anything about my dad up to this point for a few reasons: 1) I didn't want to have a "poor me" attitude, 2) It's difficult to talk about, 3) I've been in denial.
So, here is the situation...
My dad has bone cancer. He was diagnosed in 2004. The doctor told him then that he would live 3-5 years, and if he had a stem cell transplant he would live up to 7 years.
My dad experienced the excruciating pain of chemo and a stem cell transplant. He's gone through periods of good health and very poor health. He's never complained about this roller coaster. He's always had his feet firmly planted in the gospel. He'll wake up early to read his scriptures and write in his journal. He's an amazing person, and he's always seemed larger than life, heroic, and invincible.
But, he is going to die soon. He's been in the hospital 2 times in the past 3 weeks and each time the nurses and doctor were convinced he wouldn't make it out alive. But, my dad is a fighter--the hardest worker I've ever known--yet, you can only cheat death for so long.
Knowing someone is going to die never makes it easier, and being able to say goodbye doesn't make it easier either. How do you look at someone who has influenced your whole life and tell them what they mean to you? Words can't describe.
I'm so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know my dad will be a missionary (a great one!) in the next life. And I know that I will see him again...but that doesn't erase the sadness and loss I know I will feel because I feel the pain now.
Why do I write this? Because I know to talk about it after he dies will be even harder. But, when I look at him, I don't see fear. I'm not trying to be pessimistic or wish his life away. My point is...he's lived a great life, and I will miss him.

This reminds me of a poem my dad has quoted:
"I love life, and I want to live
To drink of life's fullness, take all it can give.
I love life, every moment must count.
To glory in it's sunshine and revel in it's fount.
I love life.
I want to live.
I love life."

I shouldn't brag...but I will anyway! :)

Doesn't it feel great when you set a goal and accomplish it?! I feel so friggin' good right now!!!
For the past few months I have been training to run a 1/2 marathon in Springville. Saturday was the big race day! So, before the race I was talking to Rocky about my goal for the race. I told him that I wanted to run it in under 2 hours. He is a very smart guy, and he told me that it always helps him to imagine accomplishing your goals. So, he had me close my eyes and visualize the race. He took me through the race step by step, and finished with "and you'll even complete the race faster than you thought. You will finish in 1 hour and 45 minutes." I felt a huge weight on my shoulders when he said that! At the time I really wished he wouldn't have said that!
But...I kept that visualization in my mind. I didn't want to set myself up for failure so I made a plan A,B, and C (as suggested by my amazing marathoner sister Lynette). What do ya know--I finished in 1:44:50! :) That's an 8 minute mile, baby! :) Am I sore? OH YEAH! But, do I feel awesome? HECK YES!!
Now, I've gotta go repent for being prideful and bragging! haha













Little Lynette and me after the race. P.S. She finished in 1:34--What a rock star! :)

Paradise

My parents took all their children and their spouses on a week long vacation. There were 25 adults and 3 babies on the trip. We vacationed in beautiful Destin, Florida. It's rumored to be one of the finest beaches in Florida. Did we run into any oil on the beach? No, but we did run into these beautiful sights!



































































































































































But the REAL paradise was this...











and this...




















































I love my family SO much. I had the best time of my life! And I was SO grateful that I wasn't worried about my kids at home because they were in very safe hands with my in-laws.
I wish I could write all the things that happened, but I think I'll save that for my journal so as not to bore anyone reading this! :)
P.S. My mom is almost 70 and driving a wave runner...she ROCKS!!

The Pack Rat

When I opened the door to Ryder's room after his nap, I found this. I don't know if you've seen the show Hoarders, but if they plan a junior addition I may have a candidate.














Side-note: this is just one of the many piles he's been making lately. What can I say? He's just like his dad!

MY little LADY

Chase is officially 1! Her birthday was Wednesday, and these are her stats from her well check: 51% for head, 18% for length, and 8.6% for weight. She's just itty bitty! However, she can hold her own. She tackled a baby twice her size the other day. It was classic! I just sat and watched it happen. I wanted to see if she could take "the tank" down. :) That's my girl!


















Here are a few pics from her b-day:


We went to McDonald's for lunch. Happiest place on Earth, right, er...that might be somewhere else.














Not quite sure what this face means. Evidence may be on the face.















She loved her birthday balloons!


















A few of her presents.

















Loving her b-day cupcake.















A cry/laugh when the cupcake was almost gone. :)















Spaghetti (this was pre b-day dinner)















Little buddies! I love this little lady. She makes my life complete!