Sometimes we need a reminder

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are special !

Sledding

McKenzie and I

Devin

Malory and I trying to get one more run on the broken pieces. I think we each caught a rock on this ride, and are limping some from it today!

Malory. No description needed.

Yesterday, my mom convinced Cris, McKenzie and myself to go sledding with her, Malory, Devin and Bob. When we got out, there wasnt much snow, though. (seems like we were a day early) We found an open road, tied the tubes to the back of the Trailblazer and had fun! We had some slow rides for McKenzie, but I think the rest of us have a decent amount of bruises from the "normal" rides. Turns out snow is a good thing when tubing, because we ended up popping two tubes and cracking one plastic saucer. Whoops! And, although she tried, my mom wasnt quite able to dump Bob and Devin off of the mini-cliff. It was a fun afternoon!

Christmas Pics

Here are a few picture from Christmas Day. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. Enjoy the slideshow!

A little fun

I saw this on a few peoples blogs and it looked fun and made me curious what I would come up with, so here I am giving a shot at it!

Rules: type the answer to the question into google, and pic an image from the first page of results.

The age you will be at your next birthday:

A place you would like to visit:

Favorite place to be: (our family cabin)

Favorite Food: (home made bread)

Favorite Animal: (I'll call him 'Boots' for Amy) ;)

Favorite Color:

Town you were born in: (Herriman, UT)

The name of a past pet: (Scuzzy the cat - yes, its true)

The name of a past love:

My first name: (this was the only non-naughty picture that came up)

A bad habit: (I'm very impatient)

My first job:

Grandmothers name: (Dona)

College Major:

A Very Merry Day

I sat back today and kept thinking how incredibly blessed we are. Of course we were spoiled with gifts and presents, but more than that, we have so many people who love and care about us. It makes me tear up a little as I sit back and reflect on what a busy, but wonderful day we had.

We enjoyed some quiet family time this morning, where Cris and I melted at the joy and sparkle in McKenzies eyes. My husband is wonderful: he is patient, caring and supportive. I love him! We also visited his family, who has been so incredibly wonderful to me. They have taken me in and treat me as if I were their own daughter. And of course there is my family, who is nothing short of amazing. I dont get to see my fathers parents often, but when I saw them today, I felt a strong love when they gave me a big hug goodbye. It was a longer hug than a normal 'see ya later' and it made me feel special and cared for; the love was a tangible feeling today. And on my mothers side, there are so many great examples for me to look up to. It's a family of strong women, enterprising minds and caring hearts. We saw friends who took time to spend this special day with us, and my immediate family who is always there for me. So many people shape my life and influence me for the better, this blog is a thank you to you. Thanks for picking me up, inspiring me and loving me through my mistakes. I love ya!

Temple Lights

On the train
McKenzie and Cris in front of the temple
Me and my baby
Our family, and a big snowflake right in the middle! :)
Snow bunny

Here's a few photos from last night. We rode trax train for McKenzie to Temple Square and had fun looking at all the lights. It was snowing, but it kinda added more magic to the night. Lots of fun!

The Train

We took McKenzie into Salt Lake for some Christmas spirit. While we waited for Santa to finish his cookie and milk break (darn whoever posted Santas hours incorrectly on the website!) we wasted some time at the mall. McKenzie found a train ride. We paid for her to go and she instantly started to cry. We thought she was just nervous, but when she came around the bend, this is what we saw: (yeah, thats blood and drool)

I guess she had bit her tongue when the train started. So, we stopped the ride, cleaned her up, and this time mommy went too. Here's a pic from the happier loops around the track. Poor baby! She's a little bruised and broken this week. I promise we dont beat her!

Christmas Candy

Yesterday my Aunt Jan invited my mom, sister, McKenzie and I to her house to make Christmas candy with her, Grandma Dona, Jessica and Kaitlyn. It was fun getting all the girls together, and Grandma Dona even shared her secrets to better english toffee (which does involve burning your fingers just a bit!) We all had a great time, and I hope we can do it again next year. New tradition perhaps?

Here's the whole crew


Part way through the day we had a little scare. McKenzie fell off of the couch and bonked her cheek pretty good. She knocked the wind out of herself and had a hard time getting that first breath back. She passed out from not breathing for just a second, and I freaked out a little bit. What a helpless feeling to be holding your baby and watch her eyes roll back in her head and go limp! BAH! Not something I want to experience again. But after some cuddle time, and close observation, she's just fine. I thought she was going to have a pretty good bruise on her cheek, but its not bad at all - in fact, I dont think she can feel it. I ask her to show me her owie and she points to a little scratch on her hand or to the wrong cheek. Kids are so resiliant!

Bowling!

This year Cris' moms side of the family decided to get together and Buddy's for bowling and a little Christmas pizza. It was a fun day and was good to see all of our relatives!

McKenzie opening a present from Uncle Rick and Colin

Playing baskeball at the arcade


Of course she loved Dance Dance Revolution

Helping me add all the players names in the computer for bowling

Alex bowled awesome and kicked our butts!

Cris, annoyed that I asked him to stop bowling for a silly picture. It's a serious game, ya know!

Ashli and Cody

Dance Pictures

Just before heading out the door

She's the one on the left bawling. The teacher was trying SO hard to get her to dance, but this picture is about the extent of the dancing during the actual performance.

All happy and content once she got the candy and the coveted trophy

A picture of her with her teachers, Ashli and Susan Trujillo

Dancing on stage after the recital

The Dance Recital

Yesterday was McKenzie's first dance recital. She was soooo excited to dance on the stage. Well, at first. She kept telling me how she was going to do her "boogie up, down, star!" We waited backstage for her performance, but as the time got closer, she got anxious. She started to cry a little and told me she was all done. The teacher tried to cheer her up with a candy and said she would get her on stage. I made it to my seat just in time for her group to start. McKenzie bawled through the entire song. She had pink drool from the candy running down her chin. She looked soooo sad. When it was over I tried to calm her down in the hall, but she was still so upset. Her face was red and blotchy and she kept saying she was scared. I told her she was all done and she instantly stopped crying and was happy again. As I waited in the hall I thought maybe she was too young to dance and that I should wait a while. It was so sad.

After the other groups danced, the girls all got trophies. McKenzie was so proud of hers and was excited to go on stage to get it. They were giving out the awards in the center of the stage, and McKenzie went to the side and did her dance then. It was adorable! After the whole shindig was done, she did her dance on the stage again with Ashli at least three times and had a ball. I guess she does love it, but had a little stage fright!

Cris got the whole thing on video. I'll see if he has time to upload it tonight so I can post a clip. He also has my camera, so the pics will have to come a little later, too. Stay tuned...

Cute Pics

Grandpa Randy reading to McKenzie

This is one of my favorites. Maybe not because the picture is that great, but what it represents. McKenzie doenst like to play with kid toys - she wants to do what mom does. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so of course I am honored. Anyway, she's recently figured out how to push a chair to the counter to get what she wants. While I was putting away laundry I heard the chair slide across the tile floor, and peeked in to see what kind of mess I was in for. It was the first time I had seen her try to scrub the sink. I couldnt help but laugh! Luckily I ducked out and grabbed the camera before she noticed and got one shot off. Oh, and as you can see, she's wearing her tutu - she refused to take it off all day. Maybe it makes the housework see more glamorous? So cute!

Jazz Dancer

For those of you who dont know, my daughter is a Jazz nut! She can pick out their logo anywhere, and anytime she sees a basketball she launches into a narrative about the Jazz, playing basketball and that her Aunt Ashli dances for them. Its pretty cute, and I know it makes her daddy very proud. Cris' parents bought McKenzie a Jazz uniform dress hoping to get some pictures taken with Ashli in hers. They couldnt wait to show McKenzie so they brought it out the other day for a sneak peak. She loved it, but threw and absolute fit when it was time to put it away. Here are a few pics from the unveiling. Unfortunately they didnt turn out very well because she was dancing and spinning around with excitement!

Ballerina

McKenzie has a dance rehearsal Monday. Today while we were getting ready for her last practice, she was being so adorable I couldnt resist taking her picture. We had just finished her hair and she climbed on my bed and started jumping around. Luckily the camera was handy!

McKenzie waiting in the auditorium for dance class to start.

If anyone wants to come to the recital, it will be at 6:30 Monday at the THS auditorium. McKenzies group will be the first to preform. It should be interesting to see how she behaves! :)