Thankful on purpose

Last week we traveled to Reno again and spent Thanksgiving and some time with family and friends. Life seems to be speeding up more and more every day. I feel like I just blogged about Thanksgiving but it's already been a year. Where is this time going? Why do I spend most of it worrying about fixing my mistakes and scared of making more mistakes? I have heard so many quotes that include "life is too short". It really is. What is the most important? Is it my health? Is it my finances? Is it the difference of owning or renting a home? Is it a career? Getting my laundry done? Training my children up to know the Lord and love and serve people? Being an example to the little eyes that watch me in my habits and behaviors? Being the wife that God intended me to be and honor my husband? Our lives can be so overwhelming sometimes that it is hard to breathe. I am so very thankful that I have a God who loves me and has put so many wonderful people in my life to help guide, advise, encourage and hold me accountable. I wish I could push the pause button on life sometimes and just get it all "fixed" before i push play again but that's not our design. We were meant to live every day on purpose. My prayer is that I can embrace the amazing people around me, take a deep breath and press on through the blessings as well as the troubles with a smile on my face. Not quite sure where that came from... so now for some great pics:


Mo and Matt came to Vegas for a quick visit before we headed to Reno!


Auntie Mo is the BEST!!! she plays on ALL the park equipment!


This is Matt pushing the girls on their weird wheel ride.


Cutie kids ready for a Thanksgiving feast!!


Everything looked so beautiful! My dad and Beccy are wonderful hosts!


Beauty girls Sarah, Chelsea, and Jillian Jigs


My brother swept up his daughter Ireland for a dance with her daddy... I love this picture of the back of their heads. so cute.


precious.


What a good looking group!!


Those big girls were such good sports about having to STILL participate in the "kid table" routine.



My most favorite pic of the trip. Marissa and Ireland after a busy day.


WARNING >>>>bowling pictures ahead.


One of the hosts, my big brother Brian (i am so afraid)


the other host...my little brother Paddy (putting out the vibe)






Ireland liked to take her fans with her when it was her turn to bowl...





Bec and Dad


don't ask


The cutest partners in crime.

Harrison Holiday Disco

Make sure you pause the music in my bloggin' tunes for this one!

OUCH!!!

It was a nice Monday evening this past week when I decided to take the dogs on a walk down a walking trail in our neighborhood. The kids got their bikes and we were off. About ten minutes into the walk I heard a torturing scream coming from Molly who was about 30 yards ahead who had fallen off of her bike. Apparently she was looking backwards at the dogs while riding and rode into some gravel and couldn't get control of her bike. I hurried up ahead not too worried because I hear these dramatic screams come from my children on a regular basis. When I reached her she was sitting by the lamp post still screaming in pain. Because we live in Vegas and still can't seem to get any winter weather, she was wearing a tank top. She had some pretty good road rash on her shoulder and chest and scrapes on her hand. She was positive that her arm was broken. As we walked back to the house; Jeffrey now riding his bike with both dogs in tow, me walking Molly's bike with one arm and my other wrapped around her; Molly started to feel dizzy (red flag #1). We got home and I cleaned her up and started feeling different parts of her arm and it was very tender; the screaming had stopped but she was still crying 20 min. after the accident. I decided to take her into the emergency room. On the way to the hospital she started chattering her teeth and her legs started shaking (red flag#2). Her body had obviously had some sort of trauma inside and it was in a small state of shock. We were checked in pretty quickly and she had her vitals taken and her hospital bracelet on. 2 hours and 3 x-rays later we got the verdict: she had broken a bone and cracked a bone in her arm near her wrist. She was going to need a cast. Here are the photos of our adventure:


sad Molly getting her blood pressure taken

This is a moment I will never forget: Molly looked at her wristband and as she read it she saw DOB 9-22-00...which to most of us would mean date of birth 9-22-00...but Molly's mind processed it differently and she said (in a VERY loud devestated voice) "I'M ADOPTED"???!!!
After turning red and scanning the room to see how many eyes were on me I replied, "No, Molly, you weren't adopted..DOB means date of birth". About ten seconds later I almost choked from laughter as I replayed the moment it in my mind.

I love this sad, red eyed face. Especially when she looked at me and shaking her head she said, "If I have to get a cast everything will be okay, but I just can't risk losing my arm". AHHHHHHAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ...where did she come from?


time for her temporary splint!


In her sling and ready to go home!


This is "cast day" and these are my children after spending an hour and a half in the waiting room and another 45min in the exam room....WAITING.

I don't know if these pictures do justice to the amount of energy pent up inside of my son trying to get out



The break is "right here"

splint off and ready to cast





RED!!!

SPENT

A couple of weeks ago I went to do a massage for a client and didn't get home until after ten p.m.. Ellie had been waiting patiently for me to get home so that I could pray with her and tuck her in and I was taking wayyy too long. When I came in from the garage this is how I found her. Completely out like a light in a laundry basket. I chose this picture to update my blog and show how I am feeling lately. The kids have been on track break for the entire month of October and we have had so much going on, including a swim meet, Ellie's birthday, a trip to Reno, an amazing marriage conference, time with family, time with friends, a new addition to our family (with four legs and a long tongue), ups, downs, and everything in between. I am emotionally, mentally and physically spent. I will be updating with more pictures and happenings....but just for today... I want to be spent.

TRACK BREAK

It's that time again...track break for the kids. They are out of school for the entire month of October. I haven't completely gone crazy yet but the laundry is piling up, the house is a disaster, and I can't seem to be alone...ever. Last week to kick off track break we met Jessica and her kids at Tulle Springs for a picnic and some nature fun.


Another boy that was at the park had crafted
himself a fishing pole and caught a crayfish.


there was a debate over it being male or female...
Then as Jessica came up to take the pictures, Violet
announced to everyone, "you guys!!! move...my mom
is a photographer"!!!



this is the beast that almost attacked me. I ended up
on top of the picnic table. Jessica mocked.


and then Ellie chased them


then Jessica and I spread out a big blanket, got on our backs and
chatted while looking at these beautiful trees.



then decided to put all of our kids in one...


So fun!!

Why I love my Molly Dolly Doodle

Molly turned 8 this week! I can't believe how fast time is going and what a nerd I feel like when I say that because it's always what the "old" people said when I was growing up. Molly is such a blessing to our family. She has a sweet heart and a deep sense of integrity that I admire about her. She is such a worrier; she worries so often about so many things. She is constantly considering the worst case scenario in all circumstances. Over the weekend she had a roller skating birthday party, a family barbecue, lots of cake and presents. I love my Molly so very much, I love watching her grow into the beautiful and amazing young girl that God created her to be. Here are some photos from her birthday,...and I couldn't resist...I had to share the card that she made for me at school yesterday.
Costco cake is the happiest. ever.


Ellie doing the limbo!!!


Super Skater J.T. Harrison


This is Molly showing off her guitar necklace



The gift of dangle earrings.....gasp!



And Barbie!! from her cute friend Bobbi



I loved Molly's face when she opened this box!!!



And the rest of the girls' reactions when they all saw that it was...MAKEUP!!!!!



AHAHAHAHAHAHAH

AND NOW.....the card that Miss Molly made me at school this week.


The front

and the inside...

just in case you can't read it: Dear Mom, I love you and I hope you are so young so
you don't die. Love Molly to: you

Does it get any better?