We may not be Irish. . .

but we sure are LUCKY!!

Almost every year on St Patty's day the Leprechaun pays a visit to our house. When the kids were younger the Leprechaun left them a kiss on their noses. (When they entered Junior High that was the end of it they were tired of being made fun of at school) As well as the kisses he left behind he also left a trail of green candy to the treasure (which was the outfit for the day until Cole quit wearing PJ's and now it is just to a pile of candy, now they have to be dressed first) anyhow they would race and see who could pick up their candy the fastest. Always a fun tradition for our family.

Well I figured the kids were getting to old to keep doing this until yesterday when Cole asked me if the Leprechaun was coming. I said no and he got all sad and told me that this is his favorite holiday. So I told him I would go get him some green candy but I was not going to do the trail. What? He says the trail is his FAVORITE thing! So off the store I go to find green candy. Just so you know it is a very difficult task. It was easier when the bulk candy had more of a selection. I love doing fun things for my kids but I had no idea this simple tradition meant so much to the kids. So bright and early this morning they came running up stairs to collect their treasure and had a blast doing it. What they really don't know is that THEY are the Treasure!

Cole was not able to wear "visible" green today he had his first JV baseball game and had to be dressed up.

St Patty's day through the years!

Since doing this I have only missed one year of doing the trail and that was the year my dad died. I had four of my nieces sleep over the Leprechaun still came and left them a surprise.

PeeWee's "FIRST" Big Adventure

Cole made the High School baseball team last week. We are so happy for him. He loves the game of baseball!

He is on his first road trip with the high school this weekend. I am worried because what if he needs his mom? (which I am sure he will) I kept telling him not to leave his cell phone charger there and make sure he puts his elastics in. No one there is going to check on him. Brett says we have to let him go and see if he will be able to spread his wings and fly on his own. Easier said than done. Cole was so excited about this coat he would not even take it off. (or the uniform)

He felt pretty lucky to get "his" number
He has been #17 for the last few years

I about had a heart attack when we bought his cleats. . . size 10.5
My kids have huge feet, maybe they would be taller if they didn't have such big feet?
getting his gear ready to go. . . like I said he loves being in his uniform

Happy Birthday Cole!

Last week we celebrated Cole's 15th birthday. Where does the time go? He is growing up to be such a TEENAGER!

I am just going to take a trip down memory lane. So many pictures so little blogging space ;) I could go on and on and on!

The night before his birthday we took him out to dinner at Chilli's with his grandma and grandpa and then we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with the family. We sure do like to eat :)

He is at that age where he can now get his learners permit to drive. What? That is insane. The roads will be safe for now but I can not guarantee the parking lots are :)

Think Positive

Today was one of those days I could have been down in the dumps all day. I lost my dad 2 years ago. . . the most influential person in my life. I wouldn't of had a problem feeling sorry for myself BUT, I knew my dad would not be happy with me. I'm sure he understands our grief and knows how we feel but would also not want us to wallow in our sorrow. He is happy where he is and wants us to make the most of what we have here.

Sometimes the memories from that day are so vivid in my mind it is almost crippling. I could get lost in the emotions of the day and from time to time I allow myself time to grieve. I really have to think positive and try not to dwell on all of the intimate details I remember. I miss my dad so much and it is hard to see my mom lonely and missing him also! this picture is from when my dad was bishop. . . I am the same age right now he was when he became bishop
As my family will attend the temple this weekend in my dad's honor, I will look around I know this is where we should be. Together! I am so thankful for the wonderful family I have! I have been truly blessed thank goodness we have eternity with them. I love spending time with my siblings, we are ALWAYS laughing!

They say you marry someone like your father. . . I never thought it would be true but, It is, in many ways! Brett always says his emotions are just like my dad's and that's why I love him. My dad was my rock.

"1982"

I always teased my dad I was the "favorite" daughter but I know my sisters felt the same way I do and then there are the boys who we had to contend with . . . to my dad they are perfect in every way and he could not have been more proud (actually of all of us). We are lucky. . . we didn't have to wait until we did something spectacular for praise from our parents we were told how proud they were of us all the time! My dad told me one time many moons ago "Jane I expect great things from you" I am not sure what great things, but I do hope I will be able to accomplish what he thinks I am capable of! I do not want to disappoint!

One thing I admired of my parents is how much they love each other! One of my nephews was getting ready to go on his mission so we were all in the temple, Brett and I were behind my parents and Brett nudged me and said "look, they are still holding hands". They always did too. That is one memory I am grateful for! When we are at the temple I can always invision them walking down the hallway hand in hand which is how it will be in the eternities!

One of our last conversations I can vividly remember with my dad, we were on the phone talking and as we were about to hang up he said "Jane, I love you" I replied "I know dad, I love you to" and he said "No Jane, I REALLY LOVE YOU" to which I replied and always will "I LOVE YOU TOO DAD!"

My first day BACK to Junior High

We had warned Cole that if he was not meeting our expectations we would attend class with him. We have not ever followed through with the threat until we went to parent teacher conferences last week and decided maybe we should sit in on classes with him. What an adventure!

I have to say he was not happy about me attending school with him. He told me all morning how I was ruining his life. I would shrug my shoulders and continue getting ready to go to school. (I always thought it would be fun to go back to school but NOT to Junior High). On the way to the school he kept telling me I was not going and that I was just being a nice mom taking him to school, Not- I marched myself right to the office and got me a visitor pass. So as I sat there and observed all the students I came to the conclusion that Cole is just fine! I realize he may have been on "better" behavior than normal days but, I was able to witness students far more out of control. I did not tell any of the teachers who I was there to observe so I was able to see then treat him normally. I only told 2 of his teachers after class who I was. Those I spoke with told me how much they like Cole and what a good kid he is. He just tends to be WAY too social!

Now, I must say how surprised I was at how disrespectful ALL the students are. Every teacher had to get after their classes several times. The students would not even stop talking when asked. As a teacher I would be completely frustrated with constantly asking the kids to stop talking just to teach. It would completely disrupt the class no wonder they are not learning like they should the teacher is always having to shh someone before they can continue on. I was in the office and watched a girl (who had been caught texting) tell the office ladies she would not give up her cell phone. They then called the officer of the school to come in and get it from her and she still would not give it up. I don't know how it ended up they took her away into another room but I was blown away at how she first lied, second how disrespectful she was to adults. My kids have both had their phones taken away so I know it isn't fun for the parent to get it back! I do feel for the teachers, however I do feel there are too many students per teacher and they are not getting the attention they need. I'm sad our kids have to grow up in this environment. When I was in school it was bad but not this bad!!

Kathy's Krew

Dear Friends and Family,

I recently decided to participate in Walk MS and I'm inviting you to join our team! My sister was diagnosed with MS about 9 years ago and we would like to show her our love and support by walking and donating to help find a cure. I would be happy to have any one that would like to join our team, You can also make a donation to our team through a link below. All donations go to reasearch for MS to help cure the disease. Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. That's why I registered for Walk MS and that's why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax-deductible donation. By joining our team, you will be signing up not just for a day of fun, but also for a celebration of the great things we can achieve when working together for a common cause. Each step we take brings us one step closer to a cure - and closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis. So what are you waiting for? Join our team today or make a donation on our behalf.

P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from Walk MS are used, or the other ways you can get involved to create a world free of MS, please visit www.curemsutah.org

Click here to view the team page for Kathy's Krew

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/UTUWalkEvents?team_id=158582&pg=team&fr_id=10742&s_tafId=104870

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).

Our postal address is:National Multiple Sclerosis Society733 Third AvenueNew York, New York 10017

MS Awareness Week

Well this week is MS awareness week, some of you may already know my sister has MS. It is a very weird disease and effects everyone differently. Every case is different and doctors can't really tell you exactly what your symptoms will be because it's so different in every person. Every year the MS society has a theme this year it is "Move it" a movement to end Multiple Sclerosis. Some of my family are putting a team together to help donate funds to help end MS, there is a walk on April 11th at Gateway that we will be participating in. So this week being MS Awareness week their are different things you can do each day, one that everyone can do to help support is on Friday wear orange. Also, if anyone would like to help with our team or donate any money please let me know and I would be happy to get you information. My niece is working on our team, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Here is the website if anyone would like to check it out or learn more.
www.nationalmssociety.orgThanks!