Merry Christmas to All....

It's December 10th and I haven't posted any kind of Christmas blog. So, here I go...... I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope this holiday season you take the time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Through the hustle and bustle of the season remember what we are celebrating and instill in the hearts of your children the true meaning of Christmas. I hope you create memories with your loved ones that will carry you through the year and especially through the tough times.

We had a fabulous time cutting down our tree on Saturday and then going to Big Jud's restaurant. It's a tiny little place that serves hamburgers the size of a dinner plate. We had a blast. We laughed and joked and created memories. It was wonderful! It's what Christmas is all about.

Happy Holidays everyone. May you enjoy peace, joy, and love this Christmas season!

Thanksgiving break....

Wow, what a much needed break from routine. We had a great visit to Utah and enjoyed lots of quality time with my family. I am the luckiest person in the world. My family is the best! We had a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at Dave and Tammy's with 39 out of the 40 family members present. Then friday shopping with Mom, Janna, Jennifer, Cassie, Cassidy, Sam and Cole. We had lots of fun and lots of laughing. Saturday night we all went to Twilight and out to dinner. Then onto Trevors house to meet his awesome parents. Cass and Trev are getting a bit serious! I wonder what the next few months will bring! :) It was a wonderful few days and so nice to get out of the rut of life! I love you family. Thanks for being the best!!!

Go Hillcrest!!!

Sam and her friend Chante all dressed up for the big football game on friday night. Friday night was the state 4A championship football game. Hillcrest had an 0 and 23 record coming into this 2008 season. They made it all the way to the state championship game and then beat Jerome 55-35!!! Yeah! We are so happy for the team. It has been such an exciting year!! GO KNIGHTS! WE BELIEVE!!

Friends......

I just read this today and it really is true...

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart."

I have been blessed in my life with some very wonderful, true friends. I know the Lord knew how much friends would mean to me and so he sent me friends who have immensely blessed my life. Thank you to all those who have touched my life in so many ways and been true friends to me through the years. You know who you are...... I am lucky to include in my list of friends my sisters, sisters-in-law, daughters and my mom. Thanks for being my guardian angels and making my life so good.

Creepy, I know......

Are these guys straight from Twilight or what. My nephew Cameron is on the left and reminds me of what a "newborn" vampire would look like and my brother Dave, on the right, looks like the Volturi!!!! Try looking at them in real life. They actually have contacts that make their eyes look so freaky. Great costumes guys! Maybe you should dress up for the Twilight premiere!!

Halloween in Utah

We had a great time in Utah with my family for Halloween. It's been a long time since we've celebrated Halloween with my family. The top picture is of Cole and his cousin Spencer being Thing 1 and Thing 2, the next is Brady and his cousin, Hayden, then it's cute Sammie and my nephew, Cooper. Bottom pic is of Cooper and his brother Fisher. Isn't being with family the best. I am so blessed to have the greatest family in the world.

Reality Check....

Cassidy just let me know that one of her good friends father just passed away this morning from a heart attack. I just feel sick inside. This is a reminder that we need to live our lives to the fullest knowing only that we have today. We need to love more and laugh more and try to enjoy every moment. I know this isn't possible every minute of every day because we know "there must needs be opposition in all things" but...... we can all improve. Today, tell those around you how much you love them. Hug someone you haven't hugged in a long time. Put aside bad feelings and forgive someone who has hurt you. Just enjoy today not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Thanks Camille for posting this on your blog. I hope you don't mind I stole it and have placed it on my blog for all those Twilight lovers I know will read my blog!!!

Be Of Good Cheer.....

So, do you wake up every morning wondering what the day will bring? As I listen to the radio, television, news, etc. it would seem easy to be overwhelmed. Right now, I just take it one day at a time. If I think too much about the future, it feel somewhat nervous. But how grateful I am that we just had conference where we were instructed so well on the benefits of being optimistic and cheerful. So, amongst the strife in the world, my challenge to myself and each of you is to remember who is in charge. Remember that faith and fear cannot co-exist and that "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.' Let's all go forward with faith and be positive, happy people. Really, anything else is letting Satan win. We are all too competitive to let that happen, right? Keep a smile on your face and a prayer in your heart and you can accomplish anything!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIDY ELIZABETH

My oldest child, Cassidy Elizabeth Kiser, is 20 years old today. How can that be? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were having tea parties, singing songs and telling bedtime stories? I honestly can't believe how fast time flies. I must say it has been a fabulous 20 years. Not that it has been a perfect 20 years but being Cassidy's mom has been a treat. She is such a fun-loving, creative, amazing daughter. She brings fun and laughter to any room and makes those around her feel happy. Heavenly Father knew Cassidy needed to be my daughter because of the joy and happiness she would bring to our home. On this your 20th birthday may you know how truly much you are loved!!! I wish I could be there with you today but know that my heart is with you always. I LOVE YOU SUNDANCE!!! XOXOXOXO

My Birthday

I just want to thank everyone who made my birthday so great. As you get older, birthdays are different. Not like as a child when gifts and parties were the most important. For me, on my birthday it's knowing special people took a minute out of their busy lives and remembered me. I know it may sound selfish but I really appreciate all of you who made the effort and made my day happy. Cassidy, thanks for all your kind words you posted on your blog. As I said I am humbled and feel so blessed to be your mom. I am very lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. Larry, thanks for breakfast in bed!! You're the best!

My weekend in Utah.....

Last weekend was so wonderful! I went to Utah to visit my Cassidy and of course my other family members. I also went to meet Cassidy's new beau. We had a great time at dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Wow! Good food! I had an energy drink on my way down to SLC because I was quite sleepy and Sam wanted me to drive. So, needless to say, once I met up with Trevor and Cass I was a bit hyper. I am not a pop drinker so caffeine in my system is magnified! It made for a very fun evening! I loved Trevor, though. He is so sweet and handsome and kind and he tolerated the silliness that Sam, Cass and I dished out at dinner. I am looking forward to getting to know him better when he and Cassidy come to visit next weekend. Saturday night was a very fun girls night out with 4 of Cassidy's friends, my mom, sisters, sisters-in-law and my girls. We had lots of fun and took some pictures. When I get a minute I will add them to my post. By the way, Cassidy, thanks for making my blog look so "Fallish." I love it. Fall is wonderful. I love the sights and smells that fall brings. I hope everyone reading this blog has a pumpkin candle burning in their home. It is a must!! Have a great day!!

Proud to be an American.....

Yesterday was September 11th. And I don't know about you but every year when this date rolls around, I am surprised at the emotion it brings. Watching the morning news and hearing the names read and the sights of that horrible day being shown, I find tears filling my eyes as I remember back to 2001. I do feel hope and optimism that it has been 7 years since that event and we have managed to keep the terrorists at bay. Is the war making a difference? Are we sending a message? It's a sobering thought. I felt a lot of patriotism for my country yesterday and I am proud to say I am an American.

I did it! I put some more pictures on my blog. I think I am getting addicted to this blogging thing. I especially love blogging with Cassidy's friends. They are so darling and creative and fun! Thanks for taking such good care of Cassidy and being there when she needs a hug or a shoulder to lean on since I am far away. I hope today is great for everyone. Just remember to keep smiling, be positive and above all remember to express gratitude in all things. How can you not be happy if you are focusing on all the good that is in your life?

Some Pictures of My Family

Life is spledid!!

Okay, so I keep waiting to be able to add pictures to my blog because I know Cass Liz will shoot me if I don't get some pictures pronto. But last night as Sam and I tried and oh how we tried, it was being so gay that we gave up. So, instead of not blogging at all, I am posting without pictures yet again. Sorry Cass!! I just have to say how beautiful the weather is today. It is absolutely gorgeous and suppose to be in the 80's. I could enjoy this for at least another couple of months. I'm happy because: Cassidy's happy, Sam is sweet, Cole is funny, Brady is an awesome football player, Quinn is ditto to Brady, Larry is amazing and my life is great. I know it's not perfect and there are stresses daily but overall life is good. I have clothes to wear, food to eat, a beautiful house to live in, incredible kids, a wonderful husband, supportive family and friends and really what more could I want. I get to go to Utah in a week and a half and spend sometime with my beautiful daughter and meet this "Trevor boy" :) I can't wait!!! We are having a girls night on Saturday evening so anyone that falls into that category is invited. We are celebrating mine and Cassidy's birthdays. So come have fun with us!! I hope each one of you that read this blog will take a minute to ponder all the great things in your life and realize how blessed you are. I am blessed just to know you and have you in my life. Love to all. Celebrate the day!!!

Okay, I know I am lame with very little pictures on my blog, but I am working on it. I need assistance from my oh so savvy techie girls. So, patience..... But today I want to take a minute and brag about my youngest, darling son. He was incredible on the football field last night. He made 3 out of the 4 touchdowns, one of the extra points and on defense, he made a tackle that caused a fumble. Yeah Quinners!! He is awesome and so fun to watch. Okay enough bragging. It really is indescribable to watch your sons play ball and excel. Cass, where are you? I need you here with me to cheer loudly. Just kidding! I know you are where you should be so no worries here. I'll work on getting some pics soon!

Today is my first day as a working woman after 17 years of being a full-time mom at home. I must admit this morning I felt some anxiety but now that I am at work I feel great. What better opportunity than to be my husband's admin. assistant? I get to see him all day, go to lunch on occassion and have some spending money to myself. Plus, I will only work while the kids are in school. Sounds just about perfect, right? I really am excited and I think it will be a good thing for me and for the family. Today is a great day and I feel very blessed to be alive and to have such a great life. I am excited to watch Quinn play football tonight. I know he will do so well. Brady's team won their game last night 33-6. Unfortunately, Brady didn't get to play because of the concussion he got on Sat. but he will start playing again on Monday. I hope his season is as good as last years. I think he had 24 touchdowns!! He is so fast and so slick, if he sees a hole he's through it before anyone can catch him!! Anyway, life is good and I am a very lucky person!

Today is the first day of school...... mixed emotions. Excited for the kids to have something new to do and to get back with friends. Not excited about how fast time flies when school is in session. It will be Christmas next week and then spring and summer in a month :) Not really but time does speed by when my kids are in school. I just want to freeze time sometimes. I don't want the day when they are grown and gone and there aren't anymore baseball, football or basketball games, etc. Oh well.... carpe diem! Sieze the day! And that is what I shall do. Enjoy every moment. Today is going to be a great day!!

I Am......

Cassidy tagged me to do an "I am" so here we go!!

I am happy

I am friendly

I am red-headed

I am an American

I am religious

I am faithful

I am cooking

I am cleaning

I am baking

I am reading

I am hot chocolate

I am cozy

I am weekend getaways

I am dates with Larry

I am a shoulder to cry on

I am loyal

I am a good friend

I am 5th Avenue candy bar

I am cinnamon rolls

I am chicken pot pie

I am trustworthy

I am fun

I am girls night

I am autumn

I am holidays

I am snow falling

I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, child of God, cook, maid, chauffeur but most of all I am me!!!

I have to admit I drug my feet about blogging. I thought it must certainly be a waste of time. But upon reading my dear friend Aimee Ferre's blog, I realized it was a great way to journal. So, after much coaxing from my darling girls, I am now an official blogger. I am excited about the opportunity to share thoughts, feelings, pictures, etc. to all of you that are so dear to me. Thanks Cass and Sam for encouraging me to do this. I love you, you know!!