Poor Mike...

So, just for an update to our wonderful friends who are always asking about Mike. He is still the same - physical therapy did not work this time much and so he goes back to see the surgeon on Thursday of this week to find out if he will be having surgery or what the next step might be.

We just pray that whatever he needs to do, he can get some relief soon. He pretty much lives in the recliner because he cannot even lay flat. Not fun for him at all. He might kill me for posting this picture but this is pretty much his life right now so...what is blogging for, right???? Sorry honey...

My favorite boys!!!

So, usually they destroy stuffed animals within minutes but I have been working with them on giving loves and not destroying and so now Joey has his puppy and Hank has his "cow". This is nighty night time...I couldn't resist.

Family Birthday Celebration/Birthday Party with Friends

MADDY'S BIRTHDAY CELELBRATIONS!!!

Maddy's Aunt Britney made her the sweetest candy bar poster! She was so creative and Maddy just loves it!!

Avry is modeling one of her mommies new wigs - such a cutie!!

Maddy loves her cousins so much. She is so glad that the Lomu's are back in Arizona, she has really loved spending more time with them!

On Friday, Maddy got to take a few friends to see The Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience. The girls had such a great time. Then we came back home and they played the Wii, sang on the karaoke machine and we BBQ'd burgers and hotdogs and had ice cream sundaes. It was a really fun night.

Mike and I were freaking out a bit though because this was the first time really that we have experienced conversations about liking boys in school and girlie things that we are just not ready to hear. She is growing up so fast. Mike is mourning because his little girl no longer thinks boys are "gross". Where does the time go????




Maddy's Birthday guests were. Madison Willden, Macckenzi Moncur, Ashlee Davis and Dylann Eberhard. One of her very Best Friends lives a little farther away and so Maddy got to spend time with her on Saturday. She and Lexi are the very best of friends and we wish they still lived closer to us.

Madyson's 11th Birthday

Wednesday March 4th was Maddy's 11th birthday. We wanted to make this a year of appreciation, letting her know of her great worth in our family, helping her to know she is a beautiful daughter of our Heavenly Father and turning into a wonderful young girl. So, we started off the week with Family Home Evening - we (Mike and I) spotlighted her - our 10 favorite things about Madyson. She was glowing she was so happy - you could tell it made her feel so special.

Mike's 10 Favorite Things about Maddy!

1. I love when she fakes she is in trouble and pretend cries to trick me.

2. I love her cute little grin when she's happy.

3. I loved when she was younger, when she made out bed and put little candies on our pillows.

4. I love her cuddles.

5. I love how she says "I love You" at least 100 times a day!

6. I love when she helps around the house without being asked.

7. I love her independence.

8. I love how she's becomming more like her Daddy.

9. I love her giggle laugh.

10. I love her morning hugs.

Deb's 10 Favorite Things about Maddy!

1. I love her beautiful red hair.

2. I love her smile and her real laugh when she doesn't know anyone is listening.

3. I love how she always asks if there is anything I need help with.

4. She is good to always include everyone when she plays.

5. I love how everytime she leaves the room she says, "I love You!"

6. I love the way she looks at herself in the mirror when she feels pretty.

7. I love seeing her in the morning. She is always happy when she gets up and gives the best snuggles.

8. I love that she likes to try new things - except food. :-)

9. I love that she is a leader.

10. I love how much she loves me all the time, even when I have had a grouchy day.

Recipes...Please

So, fellow blogging friends, I am so incredibly bored with cooking the same old things for my family. I was wondering if any of you are intersted in trading some recipes? I am on a healthy journey trying to find yummy healthy recipes that kids and a picky husband will eat. Anyway, if any of you want to join in with me, I'd love to share and compare. I wish you were all close enough that we could even get together and try new recipes in person so this is the next best thing.

Have a good week!

Pay It Forward Love Notes!!

I've never seen this before but it looks like it could be fun and this is a fun time to be leaving sweet notes to friends and family so here goes!!


"Here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. (Or you can cut and paste from this one like I did) Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and wait to receive your fun gift!! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so hurry, hurry, hurry!


Please remember to either put your address on here or email it to me. (Thanks)

Crazy Week...Monday was just here.

So, this has been a crazy week! We have been so blessed, when I came back to work after my surgery and recovery, I had like two people a week one week and then maybe like 10 people the next week, it was so crazy, I was so slow. But this week and last week have been amazing with business. I am loving what Ido too! It was kind of good to have a month off so that I could have a chacne to come back with fresh excitement and healthy energy to do what I do.

Mike is struggling with his neck still/again. He is back in physical therapy and we are hoping that it will be as successful and last time. Either way, I am just glad that i am doing so much better so that I can take care of him this time. If he ends up having to have surgery, at least I will be able to be there for him.

Maddy is doing wonderfully in school right now. She is really working hard to overcome her obstacles with learning and has basically surrendered to the fact that we will sit down with her every night if that is what it takes so that she has the help she needs. So, she is now bringing her stuff home from school more regularly and we are working hard together. She is going to start a theater class next week and she is really excited for that. She is also in math club now and made it into a class call "uniquely Me" I think, which is an after school program for girls where they just get together and learn more about being a girl and doing what girls do. It is a lottery system to get in and she made it so she is really excited about that. She still loves volleyball and has an interest in softball as well so we told her next year she could decide what she wants to do and play in team sports. I secretly hope she does volleyball but we'll see what she decides.

I can't believe she is turning 11 next month. She is growing up so fast and she really is an inciteful little girl. We love her so much!!

Several of our family members are struggling right now and I wish so much that I could do more to help alleviate their pain, but we pray for you all everyday and hope you know we are here if/when you need us.