Alek and a Migraine

My poor Alek has always had a problem with migraines.  They hit him hard and they hit him fast.  The poor kid doesn't stand a chance.  Once a headache starts, Alek almost immediately starts throwing up.  This morning when Alek woke up he mentioned that he didn't feel good and that his head hurt a little.  Of course I thought he was just trying to stay home from school.  You would think after years of this happening I would recognoze the signs. But I never do, and just like always I sent him to school, and, just like always, I got a call from the school before first hour was over that Alek had thrown up and he needed me to come pick me up.  I felt terrible! 
When I picked him up, I told him I was sorry that he wasn't feeling well.  He told me when he was on the bus he closed his eyes hoping that the headache would go away.  It didn't go away before he got to school.  So when he got to his locker he put his head inside and said a little prayer that he would be able to make it through the day.  He told me that he didn't know why his prayer wasn't answered.  I explained to him that only Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, and even though we may not get the answer we are hoping for we need to trust that He knows what we need.  He just looked at me and said, "hmm, Heavenly Father must have known I needed to spend a day with my mom."  I love that kid!!! 
It was fun to have him home even though he was sick.  I enjoyed being able to take care of him. 
Alek is a sweetheart and I love him so very much!!  I am glad he is feeling better, but sad that he won't be home tomorrow with me.  I will never get used to my boys not being home with me.  I cherish every moment that they are home, even if they are sick!

Vernal Derby...

This post is a bit late.  But better late than never.

On July 31 Grant and I took the boys to crash derby.  It was lame, but we had fun.  It was the first time for Jayce and Alek.  They thought it was awesome to see cars hit each other...ON PURPOSE!!!  They both want to do it now when they are old enough. 

Grant likes his cotton candy...

A new year, a new school

The day came and the day went.  And it wasn't near as bad as I expected!!! 

Jayce and Alek are officially middle school boys.  They are loving the change in pace and all the friends they are making.  Out here our middle school covers a tri-county area so they are getting to know people from all over. 

They love that they have lockers and that the lunch room has "McDonalds style" seating.  The homework hasn't been to bad YET!  But they seem to be ok with having homework (for now). 

I am very proud of how well we have all adjusted to middle school life.  It has been a fun change and not near as scary as I thought it would be. 

The Harvest

I am just so excited that our garden did as well as it did this year.  I had to take pictures of some of the fun things we picked. 

This is our prize tomato.  It was about 4 pounds.

Canning, canning, and more canning...

I remember as a little girl my mom canning vegetables and fruits we had grown through the year.  It seemed like such a process, but the end result was always so amazing to me.  Now it's my turn and I still have the same feelings.  It's a huge process, but I love the end result.

Over the weekend I canned 16 bottles of salsa, 18 bottles of zucchini relish, 19 bottles of corn, 7 bags of freezer corn, and 40 bottles of applesauce.  My feet hurt and my hands have a strange new tint and smell to them, but the end result was this...

corn and salsa

Applesauce

Zucchini relish

Some of the canned goods.  I am still trying to find a place for the rest.

Dear me...

F.Y.I. ...This post is a little bit long and mostly for me...sorry!!!
Lately it seems as though life has been throwing a lot of curve balls. I have been surprised at how well I have been able to keep up! Then tonight as I was sitting here watching TV, I realized that all I am doing is keeping up. I'm not doing anything extra, I'm not striving to do anything better, I'm not going above and beyond. I am simply sailing by. I don't want to just "get by". So I am re-committing myself to being a better wife, a better mom, a better sister, a better daughter, a better friend, and a better example, A BETTER ME.
So I asked myself, how can I achieve this? This is what I came up with.
1. Be more patient with my sweet, amazing husband and wonderful children.
2. Tell those I love that I love them more often.
3. Call my family more often just to see how they are doing.
4. Listen!!!
5. Be less judgmental
6. Be more forgiving
7. Be the kind of friend that I would want to have.
8. No more carrying grudges. (It's to exauhsting)
9. Be more thoughtful.
10. Read my scriptures more faithfully.
11. Remember my morning AND evening prayers.
12. Fulfill my church calling with a little more dedication.
13. Exercise a little bit more often.
14. Be a little more forgiving of myself.
15. Remeber that no matter what trials I have been handed, I will never be given more than I can handle. And if I am having a tough time handling it I can always turn to my Heavenly Father for help.
And that's pretty much it. The list seems a little bit long, but I think I can handle it. I like lists. I am a "to do list" kind of girl. It gives me a challenge and helps me to stay on track.
I hope to notice changes with in myself. I hope to feel like I am going above and beyond what life expects. I don't want to leave this life and be known for not going the distance. I want to be known for smiling when life gave me a challenge, and being thoughtful and kind. I have a lot of work to do, but I know I can do it. Life is good. I am blessed WAY beyond what I deserve. I have 2 of the most adorable children known to man, I have the most supportive, sweet, kind, loving husband a girl could ask for. I really have a great life. I love it and I am going to enjoy it.
The End...