10 Years...

Today is a milestone for me and my family. I still remember with great detail the events that took place on this very day 10 years ago. My brother Jared lost his battle with cancer. My heart still aches to hear him, or see him, even if for just one second. I can't believe how the time has gone by so quickly.
I didn't think it would ever be possible to fill the void in my heart that Jared left when he died. I couldn't believe that someone could leave such a void simply by not being there. I never thought it possible to think about Jared and not break down into tears. How can it be that I haven't seen my brother in 10 years? Is it possible that time REALLY does heal all wounds? NO, it isn't possible!! Although time helps, it is not the cure. KNOWING I will see Jared again...that's the cure! I can't deny what I felt and how I felt the night Jared passed away. I was so heart broken, yet I was also comforted. I knew the Lord would never give me more than I could bare, even though at the time it seemed as though I couldn't go on. As the days passed I realized that I wasn't the only one to have lost a loved one. I became very aware of the Atonement, and suddenly more grateful for the Atonement.
I am so grateful for the time that I had with Jared. I am thankful for the memories that I have and that the Lord has allowed me to hold onto them.
Loosing my brother, to date, has been the most difficult thing that I have had to endure. It changed my life. But it changed me for the better. How could anything good ever come out of loosing someone I love so much? I have asked myself this question so many times. I even feel a little guilty at times for being so happy. But then again, isn't that what the Lord wants? For us to be happy? Even through heart ache and pain, it is possible to be happy!!! The Lord will provide a way if you let him!

So, here I am. 10 years later...and HAPPY! Who knew?!?

I miss you always Jared, and I love you forever!!!

Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We cut our Christmas tree down this year. We went to Ashely National Forest and found the perfect tree, then chopped the sucker down. Now it sits beautifully in my living room. I love looking at it knowing that we found and cut it down. It was a fun adventure for our family. We thought it would be more cold than it was, to our surprise it was just right.

Our friends Susan and Walter and their dog Frankie came with us and cut their tree down too. Afterwards we went to the Flaming Gorge Lodge for hot chocolate and fries.

As far as perfect days go, this day is in my top 10!

Thanksgiving...

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We saw both our families and were able to play and have fun. The food was great, and the fun, well I wish it wouldn't ever end. But sadly it did. We did play hard though, and I loved every second of it. I can't wait to do it all again!

Our family visited Temple Square before we left. It was so nice to see all the lights and the beautiful surroundings at Temple Square. The boys loved it, Grant hated it! But he hates big crowds, so I can't blame him, he did it with a smile on his face and even pretended to enjoy himself from time to time. It really was fun, and we were able to teach our boys and bare testimony to them of the Christmas spirit and what Christmas was really all about! I loved it!

Sisters...

I have four sisters and I love them all to death. On Thanksgiving we were so lucky to be all together. When we get together we always laugh and giggle. Then when it comes time to leave we all boob and cry.

I can't wait to see them all again! Until then I have this picture to remind me what a bunch of goobers we are.

We were all making (or trying to make) beaver faces. Marissa had a hard time with this. Bless her little heart! We still love her!

New Moon...

I know many of you think I am crazy, so I won't bore you with the details! I just wanted to post some pictures of all the fun we had, which is why I enjoy it so much!

We shocked you all, didn't we?

I can't believe it's been 15 years. Wow!!! Here's to many more just a fabulous as the past 15!

I love you Grant!!!

Every girl needs a big brother...

I only have one big brother. His name is Chris, and I don't get to see him as much as I would like. I miss him, and think of him often.
I was looking at family pictures today and realized how lucky I am to have a big brother. Especially MY big brother. Chris is a hard worker, and determined to suceed. He is a kind, patient, loving, and spiritual man. He would do anything for anyone, and would never complain. Chris reminds me of my mom, so loving and kind to everyone he meets, and always willing to share his time. I love him and I am glad that I have him to look up to. I wish we were able to see each other more, and I wish I was able to tell him more often how much I love him.

Good bye Showalter Ford...Hello B.H. Inc.

Many of you may or may not know that Grant got a new job. Though we are excited, we are also very sad. Showalter Ford has been a wonderful place for Grant to work. He has made many friends and has grown as a mechanic. Unfortunatley with the current state of the economy we felt that it would be best to obtain new employment. So, with that being said, Grant will be starting his new job on Oct 26, 2009 at B.H. Inc. (I couldn't find a logo) He will still be a mechanic even though the company does electrical design, and construction. He will be working on their fleet vehicles, and lucky for him, they are ALL Fords. B.H. Inc. has been after Grant for sometime now, we struggled to make the decision because Grant has enjoyed working at Showalter Ford. After many prayers and many visits to the temple it just felt right. And to our amazment many blessings have already come our way, and it has been made known to us that Grant is where he supposed to be. Grant is still very nervous to make the change, but he knows he will be blessed because he is doing what he KNOWS the Lord wants him to do. Working for B.H. Inc. will also be nice for Grant's new calling in the Stake Young Men's presidency because he will now be getting off at 5:00 p.m., and also because the owner of the company is the 1st counselor in our Stake Presidency. What more can we ask?

Life as I know it...

Is about to change!

Grant was just called as the 2ND counselor in our stakes young men's presidency. I'm not entirely sure what this new calling entails but, I know he is excited, and I know he will do a great job. Our family will defiantly have some adjusting to do, and we will miss him in our ward on the Sunday's he is gone. Not to mention all the meetings and other responsibilities he will now have, but we are sure proud of him, and we are happy to support him in this new adventure. I am also excited because we got to buy Grant a new suit. Something I have been trying to convince him to do for about 15 years now. I knew I would get my way eventually!
I love my man, and I love that he is a worthy priesthood holder, and that he teaches our boys by example and love. He is a great husband, my best friend, and the best dad any child could hope to have.
I love you Grant, and good luck!

This is Rachel...

So, it came to my attention that when I wrote my last post about my "bee" Rachel, that most of you don't know who she is. Or why I call her my "bee" for that matter.

Well, let me tell you!

I met Rachel 2 years ago while I was working for a property management company. I had only been living in Vernal for a short time and hadn't really met a lot of people. She and I were both managing for the same company and naturally we worked together a lot. As time went on we just kind of started hanging out and doing more together outside of work. Now, we hang out daily. We are either together or on the phone during the light hours of the day. She is my best friend and the person I tell all to. She knows everything about me and my family and can name them all one by one and hasn't really ever met any of them. She can read my mind and make me feel better when I am having a bad day. We laugh together, and we laugh at each other. I am totally blessed to have a person like Rachel in my life. She has made my transition into Vernal easy and enjoyable.

Now, why do I call her my "bee"? Well, it's kind of dumb but funny to me and Rachel. One day while I was chatting with Jerrica on facebook Rachel came over. I told Jerrica I had to go because my bff was at my house. Later that evening when I got back to my facebook my conversation with Jerrica was still up. I looked at it and realized that I didn't type "bff" I had typed "bee". So now I call Rachel my "bee". I often wonder how confused Jerrica was when I told her my bee was at my house!?! Sorry Jerrica!

There it is. Now you know Rachel, and why I call her my "bee". Don't you all feel better now?

Rachel ROCKS!!!!!

So as many of you know, I love making all sorts of bread and I have become pretty good at it (not to toot my horn).

Today my "Bee" (Rachel) was over at my house while I was making bread for dinner, and she taught me how to braid bread. I thought I knew how to braid bread, but her way of braiding was way different and looks so cool.

These cool little braids have cheese stuffed inside of them. I can't wait to eat them!

I am totally excited that I learned something new.

Thank you Rachel, you are the best "bee" ever!

Football, Football....

AND MORE FOOTBALL!!!!

Need I say more?!?!?!?

Our lives consist right now of waking up, going to school, get home from school, have a snack, do home work, go to football, come home eat dinner, take a shower, go to bed, then repeat!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE FOOTBALL, but I am ready for it to be done. Jayce and Alek have done a great job, I have enjoyed cheering them on and being a proud parent of football players, and all that comes with football, and I will be sad EVENTUALLY that they aren't doing once we are done, but for now...I am ready to hang the helmets up!

Only in Vernal...

Grant has always wanted a fire pit in our back yard. Saturday while at Wal-mart we saw a deal we couldn't pass up. So now we have a fire pit, just as Grant has always wanted.

It has been fun so far. We spent Saturday and Sunday nights outside as a family talking and laughing around the fire while Grant taught the boys fires safety and scouting tips. I am not so sure the boys listened as much as they played, and I think we may have worried our neighbors, but it was still fun. We are anxious to roast marshmellows and hot dogs this weekend.

My Peeps...

As I was sitting here today contemplating the things I could do, I had a sudden urge to call one (or all) of my sisters to hang out for the day, then I started thinking of my family and how much I missed each one of them. I began looking at pictures of them so I wouldn't miss them as much. Wouldn't you know it made it worse.

I love my family so much. I hate being so far away from them, but I know I am where the Lord wants me, that gives me peace, and somehow makes it easier to be away. I am blessed to have each one of these people as a part of my family. I can't imagine a better way to spend eternity than with this bunch of dorks! I love you all!

P.S. Nick, Ryan, Isabell, Jacey, and Keaton, you need to stand if front of a camera from time to time. I couldn't find ONE picture of you five. And I couldn't find a picture of Jared! Oh well, I love you all just the same!

1st and 10...do it again!!!

Football...love it or leave it!?

The boys are having a blast playing for the Cowboys this year. They are becoming quite the little players.

However, I am not so sure how much I like it. Practices everyday, sometimes twice, games twice a week, not to mention the change in beverages and diet we have had to make. Wow, it's a lot of work!

I know, I complain a lot about football, but in reality, I love it. There isn't anything more fun than watching my boys run up and down the field playing and having a good time. GO COWBOYS!!!!

Bitter sweet...

Today was the first day of school. Jayce and Alek couldn't hardly wait to get out the door. We were at the bus stop about 20 minutes early! I am glad they are so excited about another year of school. This is sure to be their best year yet.
I am having a hard time adjusting. I am all sorts of confused. One minute I am so relieved that the dishes stay clean and the living room straightened up that I could laugh, and then the next minute I am crying waiting in anticipation for me playmates to get home. I worry that I didn't do enough with them during the summer, yet I am exauhsted from all the running around and playing we have done. So now you see my dilema. I can't decide how I feel! Getting used to school is going to be an adjustment, but I am excited to see them learn and grow.

Ready or not...

Well, here we are, another school year.
Jayce and Alek are going in to the 5Th grade. I can't believe it. This is their last year of elementary.

When we registered them they were in different classes (per last years teacher's recommendation), but we had to make some adjustments that put them in the same class with their best friend Aaron. Sorry Mr. Hunting!
This is sure to be a great year. It's been a little emotional for me. My boys are growing up way to fast. By this time next year they will be passing the sacrament and preparing to enter into middle school.

I guess when I had kids I didn't prepare myself for them to grow up. I never imagined myself as a mother of pre-teens, let alone teenagers. I just expected them to be babies forever. Of course they have a different agenda. Alek reminds me on a daily basis that he is no longer a baby, and that he can do things on his own. More often than not you can hear Alek saying "I'm not a baby anymore mom I can do it myself!" It breaks my heart that thhe don't need their mom to do things for them anymore, but at the same time I love watching them grow into independent young men.

My boys make me smile and make my heart happy. They constantly amaze me at how grown up they are becoming. I worry all the time that they will make good choices and friends, and they always do. I am so proud of them.

They are becoming quite the comedians too. Just last night I heard them whispering to each other "no, no, don't tell mom, we can tell her in the morning", of course that sparked my interest. I asked them "what do you want to tell me!" Alek quickly responded "how awesome you are mom!" What a smart "Alek". I was laughing to hard to ask them what they really wanted to tell me. I guess I will never know. I think that was the plan.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable school year. Don't forget to kiss your kids, and tell them how much you love them every morning as they walk out the door.

Eclipse and Eclipse Movie News

97 days and counting...

New Moon is almost here, and it's time to get our sweatshirt orders in. We have a couple different options this year. You can get a regular hoodie sweatshirt, a zip up a hoodie, or a 1/4 zip up with a collar.

The slogan we have decided to have sewn on the sweatshirts is "Real men sparkle" in silver (Thanks mom). We have choosen black sweatshirts, but you can do whatever you would like.

We have to have the orders in by September 1st, and the cost depends on the sweatshirt type that you choose, but no more than $30.00 (that's on the high side. Last year they were only $20.00).

If you want one please email me at lizzanne.schiess@gmail.com, or leave a comment on my blog. I will need the size you want, what kind of sweatshirt you prefer, and color if you choose to do something other than black. They should be done around October 20th. (I will post a picture of the sweatshirt so you can see what they will look like as soon as my sample is done, it should be anyday now)

Also, if you want to attend the premiere with us let me know so I can get a ticket count. There will be quite a few of us so be prepared for a big group. I will need the money for the tickets and the sweatshirts around October 1st. Tickets are usually $8.50

I can't wait!!!

Happy Birthday Jayce and Alek...

11 years ago I was 7 months pregnant and excited for the arrival of mine and Grant's twin boys! On the evening of August 9, 1998 I went to bed just like every night. I woke up at mid-night when I thought I wet the bed, then quickly realized that my water had broken. Shocked, excited, and scared, we called the hospital to let them know we would be arriving. I was admitted to the hospital shortly after 12:30 a.m. and Dr. Larsen came to asses the situation. He was a little nervous at how early they were, but assured me that with current technology the boys had a good chance. So with that being said, we impatiently waited for them to come into this world.
On August 10, 1998 at 2:33 p.m. Jayce was born. He was 3 lbs 11 oz, 17 1/2 inches. He didn't make a noise, but he was very curious about his new surroundings. Jayce was little but healthy. He stayed in the hospital for the next few weeks in an incubator with IV's and a feeding tube to help him stay warm and gain weight. He was so cute, he very rarely cried (boy how things have changed) and loved to just look around.

Alek was born just five minutes later at 2:38 p.m. he was 5 lbs 3 oz, 18 1/2 inches. Alek was a slightly different story than Jayce. First he was born breach and was all beat up from his birth. His collar bone was broken because he didn't want to be born and fought Dr. Larsen, and he wasn't breathing. After what seemed like an eternity Alek finally took his first breath. I didn't get to see him because he was rushed to the NICU, where they discovered he had Hyaline Membrance Disease. Hyaline Membrane Disease is the under development of the lungs. It is very common of the second born of premature twins. Alek was put on a respirator and life flighted to Primary Childrens Hospital. His first five days were touch and go, but Alek was stubborn and fought back(not much has changed). Everyone was shocked when he was taken off the respirator after only five days. The next few weeks he worked on getting bigger, eating, and getting rid of his jaundice.

A few LONG weeks in the hospital and nearly $300,000 later we we got to bring them home. Our lives were turned upside down, and we still haven't recovered.

I love you Jayce and Alek! You are the light of my life. I am so lucky to have two sensitive, loving boys who tell me everyday that they love me. How I got so lucky is beyond me.

Happy Birthday Boys!

Odette...

This is my sweet niece Odette. She was just diagnosed with leukemia in June. She has a long road ahead of her, but she has an amazing mom and dad that are helping her.

When I saw her at the hospital she was talking and smiling. She seems to be a happy baby, despite of it all!

It doesn't seem fair for someone so sweet and so small to have to go through this trial.

My heart and prayers are with her and her family.

Now that's how you make snickerdoodles!!!

kathleen and I spent the day together making cookies while the boys went shopping with Grandma (weird, I know)

While we were making the cookies Kathleen made me take pictures of every step. When we were done she asked if I would make her a scrapbook and title it "Now that's how you make snickerdoodles". I laughed and told her I would.

She makes me laugh and I loved spending time with her. It was great bonding time for us.

I nick named her Lucy because she reminds me of Lucy from Narnia.