Happy Halloween

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Cleaning Today

Today the house is a mess and I would rather sew. The kids gave me some major stress this morning and I think they should clean while I relax. As I was looking on the internet for some messy house pictures (I don't have the energy to take a picture of my messy house, upload it on the computer, and then on to blogger.) I found this picture. Well, it is giving me a panic attack, so I am going to be cleaning my little house today and hopefully I will have time to sew tomorrow. Oh wait, the kids are out of school. We will be thinking of something fun to do out of the house so it doesn't get messed up again.

Camden is a New Man!

Yeah! Camden's surgery was successful and all the worry is behind us! I can't believe the difference having his tonsils and adenoids out has made. He looked sick all the time and the dark circles under his eyes ( that I thought would never go away) have disappeared. He feels so much better. Looking at this picture, I can't believe how grown up he is. He was so brave and was actually excited to go with the doc. Congrats Camden it's all over.

Pics

Our Summer

It has been awhile since my last update and everyone has been wondering what I have been up to. This summer has definately not have gone the way I would have chosen. The summer started out with my nephew Garrett leaving this life in a very confusing way. His death has caused a deep reflection in our families life and has turned our anticipated summer into something that is hard to explain. It has helped to have family in town and spend time with one another. The only thing I have been able to do is keep going, taking it day by day, and keeping myself and the kids involved in summer activities. We have been swimming a lot. The kids did really well in their swimming lessons and all learned to dive. Camden went to football camp and Riley tried swim team and has decided she does not like to swim. I think she just needs a break and hopefully next year she will enjoy swimming again. Cooper has been doing what he does best-Making us laugh hysterically. Mark has been working hard. Poor guy, I wish he could take some more time off work. A couple of weeks ago Mark found 2 road bikes for a really good deal, so he has been riding a lot. I went on my first ride a week ago and had a blast all except flying downhill. That scares me just a little bit :) I have been training for a Marathon since the end of April. I like to run but maybe not this much. I will be glad to have the marathon over, but am thankful for the training because it has kept me exercising which helps out with every facet of my life. My niece Grace came into town and while she was here we had a photo shoot with all the girl cousins. I will post pictures soon. I am so thankful for all our friends and family who have kept us in their prayers and supported us through this summer. I know I have been a little withdrawn so I wanted to update all of you who we have not seen for a little while. Now it is time to start getting ready for Back to School.

MOAB!!

A couple of weeks ago our family along with with Larsen family went to Moab to watch the boys run the Moab half. This trip was so unexpected. You usually put your name in the lottery for the half and hope you get in, but it usually doesn't happen for a few years or 5 years in Cathy's (mark's sister) case. Well Mark had some pretty good luck and got in his first try. This was a much needed vacation and couldn't have come at a better time. I needed the warm sunshine. We had a lot of fun hiking in the Arches National Park, watching Mark and Luke run in the finish line, and eating the best mac and cheese . OH, and the KOA kampground was the best. Thanks April for catching those. Here are a few pics I wanted to share.

I can't say that I loved this book, but maybe by far one of the best I've read this year. It is about Jeannette Walls life being raised by parents who didn't want to live the normal life, and in doing so went in the very opposite direction. The kids would go days without eating food and they lived in homes without plumbing, heating, or anything else that we take for granted every day. This book has given me a new understanding of the homeless and a new strength. It was very interesting to see how she made it out of that life and the strength and courage she gave to her siblings. Definately a must read