Only got one!

It's been a rough few weeks around our household.  Lets see we have had sinus infections, ear infections, high temps, lots and lots of coughing, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.  Sometimes you just wonder when it's all going to end.  When you start to see a little bit of the end you are just so grateful!

This past Saturday I got a phone call from one of my favorite people.  She said she was coming by to give me my Christmas present early.  This person is my one and only.  She is my only Sister.  I have been blessed with many "sisters" through marriage who I love so very much.  This one however is the only one that grew up with me, fought with me, loved me and spoiled me from time to time.  Money is very tight for us these days(even though the miracles keep coming).  And there are certain things I would never buy for myself.  So I wondered what my "rich" little sis couldn't of waited until Christmas to give to me...

A REAL COACH PURSE!!!  I know it seems very materialistic and it is.  But sometimes it's just a designer bag(after being sick for 29 weeks) that just does the trick.  I instantly fell in love.  I was so grateful.  My one and only Sister got me probably my one and only Coach bag.  She just knew even if we had the money I would never spend it on myself.  In her words I would always buy something for the kids or for Moroni before I would ever buy something like this for myself.

So even though I only got one...she is pretty great ONE to have!

LOVE YOU MONK!

 

FALLing and Thrill seekers

We have had a very fun filled week.  For those who have been to our home, you know that we have beautiful trees that surround it.  We enjoy them very much especially in the Fall.  Raking has become our past time and our entertainment.

Stop and pose...please:)

She really is starting to look older.  I'm not ready!!!

Beautiful BLUE eyes!

I am still cleaning up leaves after all this leaf fun.

Next part of the fun was our first trip to an indoor amusement park called Knuckleheads.  It was so much fun and I have come to find out that our oldest is quite a THRILL seeker.  Ellie just loved all the rides and wanted to do them over and over.  Poor Moroni was saddled with a 7 month prego wife that couldn't ride with the kids on anything.  So he had to go on everything at least 3 times and I do mean at least:.

Ellie's first real ride.  It went forwards, backwards and I'm pretty sure Moroni is still sore.

Savannah got her turn.

Daddy and Madelyn flying a plane.

Choo CHOO.

This is the ride...the one I looked at and thought "there is NO WAY I will let the girls ride this one."  Well, I was chatting with some other Mom's when another sweet friend came up to me and said that the girls were riding the "big" one.  I ran(well waddled) over and couldn't believe me eyes.  I saw three of my favorite people strapped in and being prepared to be dropped and picked back up, over and over.  I pulled out my camera because the look on Savannah's face said it all.  This would be her first and ONLY time riding this one.  She didn't scream or yell.  She just looked freaked.  Ellie however was having the time of her life.  So something in that moment was made perfectly clear Ellie was just like her Daddy and Savannah was just like me.

Lucky girl!

Pictures....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2010!

Just us Ballerina's. 

I know...they really are so PRETTY!

Madelyn looking so cute.

Savannah and one of her famous poses.

Do you like Ellie's butterfly on her forehead?

Trunk or Treating...

Kids waiting on Daddy's at the Marathon.  They enjoyed a little sucker break.

$ $ $ $

$ Tree!

Moroni warming up before the big race.

The girls enjoying a treat from Daddy.

Life is great and we have the pictures to prove it!!!

Have you ever had a goal?

Have you ever had a goal that you wanted to complete so badly?  Have you ever made a wish and prayed with all  your heart that it would come true?  Well, my hubby made a HUGE goal a few months back and I wished more than anything that it would happen.  This is our story...

Almost ten years ago I met a man named Moroni.  He was sweet, kind, good looking and so much fun to be around.  He was the life of the party and a killer on the dance floor.  Over time we fell in love and I knew that my life would be forever changed.  At that time Moroni had never spoken a word about this thing called "running."  He didn't do it or ever had a goal to start.  Take us now to about nine years later where a good friend of his had an idea..."I wonder if Moroni would want to train for a half Marathon with me?"  This friend thought it might be silly but why not ask.  6 months later they ran Moroni's first half Marathon.  It was exciting and exhausting all at the same time.  I was so proud of him.  He set a goal.  A goal that not many of us set and he completed that goal.  This goal was not over however.  They then set their sights on a full Marathon.  26.2 miles of non-stop running.  As the time approached and the training increased we had a few draw backs.  Moroni broke his foot.  He broke his foot a little over a month before he was suppose to run his first Marathon.  The doctors told him that he shouldn't plan to run, that he should find another one and that he should let this goal go at this time.  But he didn't.  He wouldn't.  He worked three times as hard biking hours everyday to keep up his endurance.  He never gave up.  About two weeks before the race the doctor gave the all clear that he could start running a few miles three times a week.  So he ran 5 miles one day and biked for three hours the next.  Then the week came of the big race  and draw back number 999 came.  Moroni(who NEVER gets sick) started to get a cold.  Everyday I would pray that it would go away, and everyday brought a new symptom and more worry.  The night before the race Moroni was up all night coughing.  I didn't sleep a wink.  That morning we got up early and I asked him "Are you sure?"  He looked at me with a confidence that I had never before seen in our almost 10 years and said "Deb, I can do this!" 

So over four hours later, I got to watch with tears streaming down my face, as my husband crossed the finish line and completed a goal that he NEVER gave up on. No broken foot or (what turned out to be) a sinus infection could stop him. The pride I felt was something I will never be able to describe. I am grateful everyday for his example that if you truly put your heart and mind to something you can and will do it.

We love you  more every day Moroni/Daddy!

All our love and pride,

Deb, Ellie, Savannah, Madelyn and Violet