Too long.....

I have so much to catch up on but I am not going to. That just overwhelms me. So I will start with today.

Today Mady is in the 4th grade and is loving it! It is very refreshing because we had a really hard year last year. Lots and Lots of girl drama. She has an amazing teacher that she just adores. They have been learning the dance to "Thriller" and Mady is so excited. She is a busy little bee with dance, piano, achievement days, homework and just being an awesome big sister.

Miss Ellie started the 1st grade. I can't believe how grown up she is. It makes me so sad/happy. She also loves her teacher Mrs. Shallenberger and just thinks she is the funniest person in the world. Ellie is taking dance but does not love it as much. She cries almost every Friday when I take her. Poor thing. We tried piano this last month. She did great at her lesson but then when it came to practicing she would NOT do it. I decided I would rather have one less thing to fight her on so we will wait until next year and try again. Her birthday is on Sunday and we are going to have a fun celebration tomorrow. I love that her birthday is in October, so many fun things to do.

My Dax Man is growing, growing and growing. We celebrated his 4th anniversary since Transplant on Sept 10th. He amazes me everyday. He is going to preschool Mon-Thurs. That is really hard for me, I wish it was just two or three days a week but I know that he needs the extra help so I am grateful for that. He is communicating so much better and even other people can understand him. He is eating better and loves pancakes. He wants pancakes for every meal. I still tube him a few times a day depending on what and how much he has eaten. Last clinic visit he was down in weight so cardiology was on me for that. I have to say that is one of the most frustrating things. I try not to tube him so he can feel hungry and eat but then he goes down in weight, etc, etc. It will get better, eventually.

Ryan had a big year. He finally graduated from College!!! I am so proud of him. It took a lot of perseverance and dedication. Now he is the job search mode, which is just another barrel of laughs. It is a weird transition. Neither of us are quite sure how to handle it but we are working on it. Ryan also got called as Assistant Scout Master. I think it is the perfect calling for him. He was an awesome Boy Scout and will help the boys in our ward succeed. And he gets to go on lots of fun camping trips.

I have joined a choir and am having fun with that. We have a concert this weekend at Libby Gardner Hall. This has been a really hard couple of weeks. My sweet heart mom Mimi lost her little girl who received her angel heart when she was 4 months old. They were on Mia's Make a Wish trip to Disney World when she got sick and didn't recover. My heart is literally breaking for Mimi. I know that she will get to continue raising her in the next life and I know that she is perfect. I know all this just like I know the sky is blue but my heart and soul still ache for her. That has completely consumed me these last few weeks. I am ever so grateful for my Savior and that he knows all of our pains, fear, sorrow, joys, and heartaches and he is there to comfort. I am so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that Families ARE Eternal!!

I am going to do much better documenting life. I will have pictures soon. Our hard drive is on the fritz.

Thoughts on 2011

Last year around New Years I had the thought/impression that 2011 would be a very good year. In my mind I was thinking that meant lots of vacations, so much money we wouldn't know what to do with it all, and just lots and lots of fun.

As it turns out none of that happened, expect for the fun. We only went on one vacation and that was a family reunion. We went to Cedar City to celebrate my Grandparents 70th wedding anniversary. We did not have loads and loads of money to do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. It was a hard year in that department and one of this years resolutions is to try and not be so not smart with money. But as I look back at 2011 and think "why did I think it would be such a great year", I am able to count my many blessings.

This past year was a very special one for my little Mady. She turned 8. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints turning 8 means you are now accountable for your choices and you get to be baptized and recieve the Holy Ghost. Mady was so excited and ready. The spirit was strong and there was lots of love on that special day.

There are moments in life that you know you will always remember and cherish forever. For me this year that was "The Music Man". It was so much fun to be in this play with my Mady and to take a leap WAY out of my comfort zone. I met so many amazing people and made friendships that will last forever. It is awesome that a silly little play can bring so many wonderful things. I'm so grateful that I was able to do this and I am grateful that Ryan was a super trooper taking care of the other kids while we had this awesome experience.

In February I was able to do the hair for our local high schools production of "Les Miserables". It was a remarkable experience. My little sister Mallory and my little Mady were in the show. Mady played little Eponine. She just loves acting and being on the stage. It was so humbling to watch these kids grow and strengthen and watch their amazing talent. Normally when I help with a show I am soooo done with it by the end of the run but this one was different. It was life changing and I am grateful to have been apart of it.

In September we took Daxton in for his annual Heart Cath so the doctors could test his beautiful angel heart for rejection. We are humbled and grateful that there is no rejection and we are going strong 3 years post transplant.

Ryan and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. Some years I feel like we deserve a medal for getting through the year together. Marriage is amazing and awesome but it is also dang hard and frustrating at times. So I am grateful for a man that I love more now than on the day we were married forever. He is my Eternal Boyfriend!

And last but most defiantly not least is my weight loss journey. This year has been one of "getting healthy". Ryan and I joined a gym that literally kicks our butts. It is hard work and emotionally taxing but it has been so worth it. I am down 30lbs with a lot more to go but I have seen that it takes hard work and that it really is all about what I put in my pie whole. So I am grateful that I feel better and have more energy.

So even with no cruises or trips to Disneyland, new house, sprinkler system, perfect yard, perfect house, perfect anything 2011 was a great year.

Happy New Year Everyone!!