Here I go again :(

Just when I thought I was in the clear, it happened again. Yes, I still think (HOPE) that my asthma will go away one day. Then, this morning, while volunteering at the school my asthma flared back up again. Luckily I have an amazing support system in place that helps me through my attacks. Once my rescue inhaler and my nebulizer failed me, I called my sister and as always she was amazing. She was already in her car so she just turned toward Roy and came right over. After I got off the phone with her, I walked over to my neighbors house, Julie, who knows to just set with me on the porch until Susie gets there. Julie is awesome at not panicking which is exactly what I need.

Then Dr. Ammon at the Roy Clinic stepped up and saved my life once again. Since the time that Dr. Ammon had to call 911 and sent me by ambulance to the hospital, him and his staff at great at just letting me walk in without an appointment. So, here I go again - another round of steroids :( It is the WORST! I feel like a completely different person when I'm on it, it's kinda scary.

This was the first asthma attack I've had since Joel started at KSL. At his old job he was able to drop everything and come home, but now that he rides frontrunner, everything is taken care of by the time he could get home. I am pretty proud of myself for not panicking that he wasn't there. Yes, I do that. I can have a panick attack and hyperventilate while having an asthma attack. I'm told it's quite a talent, not many people do it.

Sometimes I think asthma is my bodies way of telling me to slow down. It definitely keeps me from being on the constant go, go, go, that I try to maintain :) I told Joel that I would stay home today and tomorrow and take it easy, but....we'll see.

Let me catch you up...

Thursday while I was volunteering at the school, they had a fun assembly that the entire school attended. The Weber State University cheerleaders and a few of the football players came to help kick off our new reading program. The kids loved it! I was setting against the wall, by Ry's class, when the cheerleaders came over to watch the end of the assembly. I grabbed Ry and a few of his friends for a picture with them. Then as it was ending Ry also got his picture taken with Michael Toone, one of the wide receivers on the football team.

Last Sunday, in sacrament, they announced that our bishopric was being released and our ward boundaries would be changing :( During the week the rumors flew. Now it's being said that the Midland 1st Ward is being eliminated and split into two other wards to make them bigger. That makes me sad. I am in a comfort zone and LOVE my ward how it is. So, Sunday Night, tomorrow, at 6:30 pm we meet at our stake center and find out where they are moving us to...

Last night we met at our church and had our last adult date night as the Midland 1st Ward. It was SO much fun. I laughed SO hard. The night started with Subway and chips, and then moved on to the games. Tamara, our activities director, asked me earlier in the week to come with my hair and make-up not done. She said one of the games would include husbands doing hair and make-up. So, Jennifer, Julie, Shawna, Brandi, Shelly and myself came ready to be done up by our men. It was hilarious :) Most of the husbands went crazy adding mustaches, hearts on cheeks, and wild hair do's. Joel did alright, not how I do it, but he did pretty good. Julie, however, looked just like she did it herself. Will, her husband, did fabulous! When that was over we moved onto the newlywed game. Six couples, who's names were drawn out of a basket, were called up to participate. I laughed so hard. Mike, dressed in a suit and all, was the announcer and was so funny. By the time the game was over, I was relieved that Joel and I had already participated and weren't able to be called up :) The night ended with brownies and ice cream. Thanks Tamara, and crew, for a fantastic night!

Today was the last season game for Ry's football team. They went undefeated all season, 7-0! Today's final score against Clinton Blue was 7-41. Ry played good on both starting defense and offense, I love to watch him play! Now we head into the playoffs :) Our first playoff game will be next Saturday on our home field, North Park, against Coleville. Playoffs make me nervous - it's win or go home, which is bittersweet. I want our boys to go all the way, another 4 weeks to finals, but I'm also ready to go back to our normal evening routine.

This week, while Ry is at football practice, Ky will be learning a dance routine with the Roy High Royaliars. Her and her cousin, Jenna, will be performing with them during half-time at the Roy High game this Friday Night. Roy High will be playing Bonneville High. Joel went to Roy and I went to Bonneville - I am hoping for bragging rights... Don't let me down Lakers :)

Oh...what a day!

The day started out fabulously...but isn't ending that way. First thing this morning I met my dad and my sister at Village Inn, in South Ogden, for breakfast. As we were setting there waiting for our order, Thurl Bailey- played for the Utah Jazz - walked in and was seated right in front of us. It was totally awesome. I remember watching him play for the Jazz while I was growing up. He is an amazing man. Follow this link to an article about his life, it's very interesting.

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,460030429,00.html

I wish I would have had the guts to ask for a autograph, or take his picture with my phone, something.... but no, all I did was text Joel. I sent: Thurl Bailey is setting right in front of me! He sent back: Cool, throw something at him :)

After leaving breakfast, I headed home to meet Kim, PTA President, to do the taxes. YUCK! It took us three and a half hours and left me with a huge headache. That is the one part of being the PTA Treasurer that stresses me out. So the day started of great with yummy breakfast and seeing someone famous...and is ending with a major headache, bummer.

And I thought only girls were drama...

Ry #75 and his friend, Chance #29

Men (boys) + Football = DRAMA!

So, now "they" are calling Ry's Roy A team, Roy S for Roy "stacked", because they are the only undefeated Roy team. It got so bad this weekend that we, players, parents, and coaches, were not allowed to walked down the sidelines until the two teams that played before us totally cleared the sidelines. Officials were concerned that the other teams and coaches would make comments to us parents and cause problems, which knowing some of our parents...it could have :)

Here is where I stand: Troy Dixon and his coaching staff are AMAZING. Period.

This year Ry is on the starting defense line and black (2) offense line. Ry LOVES defense, him and the other boys have only let 2 teams score points on us this year. So... as we head into the playoffs, I expect a lot of drama, but I also expect to be very proud of our boys!

Final score this weekend: Roy 26 - West Point 0

I love these old people!

This is a recent picture of my grandparents. I totally adore them both. It's hard to watch the ones I love age and grow old, especially my grandma - my grandpa is going to out live us all, he is healthier than me! During the past couple of months my grandma's dementia has gotten worse and she has bad days, and really bad nights. I admire the way my grandpa takes such good care of her. Some days I can tell he would like to pull all of his hair out, but who wouldn't, it's not easy taking care of a crazy old lady ;) especially when your older than her yourself. It's a blessing that my grandpa, who is eighty-one, can take care of my grandma with dementia, who is seventy-three. Otherwise, DAD - I know you get this in your email - she'd be all yours :)

I went to lunch with them today. My grandpa called while I was over volunteering at the school, and asked if I would like to meet them at The Oaks for lunch. It was fabulous, I loved it. It is so beautiful up Ogden Canyon in the early fall when all of leaves are changing. And to top it off, my grandma was having a pretty good day. She knew who everyone was and was also able to carry on a lengthy conversation. It was, of course, fabulous!

Beginning in high school, I have made a point to go have lunch with them at least once a week. Granted, in high school I was sluffing seminary - they lived a block away from Bonneville High :) - but it became a habit that has continued. Both of my kids have great memories of going out to eat with great grandpa and grandma, I hope they treasure them. Yes, they have paid for me...then me and Ry... and then me, Ry and Ky to go to lunch almost weekly. I thought for sure they would be thrilled to go back to it just being me when both of my kids started school, but they miss them terribly, and enjoy seeing them on school breaks.

What a difference 3 months can make...

During the summer, when I wasn't looking, I lost my shy little girl. Last school year, when she was in the first grade, she wouldn't look at you when, and IF, she talked to you. I even went as far to request a teacher at school that is more quite and easy going, and that I knew would work well with her shyness.

Boy, was I WRONG!

After just a few weeks of school, my little chatter box has had to be moved 3 times already. The first sign I had of it was when we were starting reading time in her room one night. She said, "Mom, I had to stay inside during recess today because I didn't get my math done". I started to worry thinking that she was struggling with addition. But, after a few questions, she said, "I didn't miss hardly any recess! I got it done before most of them got outside!". Which tells this mom she was too busy talking to worry about her math until threaten with her recess.

The next morning I stopped in and talked to her teacher, Mrs. Chugg. I asked her about Ky missing, or should I say being late for recess. She laughed and confirmed my theory that Ky and Isiah were talking, but she breezed through it when told to stay in and finish it. So, as any good mom would do, I asked Mrs. Chugg to move her away from Isiah. KY WAS NOT HAPPY WITH ME! I stopped in later that morning to see she had been moved two rows back, and if looks could kill - I wouldn't be here typing today. By the time she got home from school that day she said she had forgiven me, "because any way, the new kids talk to me too!". Fabulous....

Well, it is now going on the 4th week of school, and I just found out that Ky has been moved for the 3rd time and has finally landed right in front of Mrs. Chugg's desk. Which, by the way, Ky seemed fine with saying, "it makes it easier to talk to Mrs. Chugg". I guess she has a little bit of me in her after all :)

They DO still like each other!

I wouldn't have believed it I did hear it and see it for myself....Last night as Joel and I were laying in bed talking, we heard the kids start walking up the stairs talking to each other, not yelling, but actually talking to each other. So Joel and I paused to listen to what they are talking about. Ry is going on and on about how much he likes this jeweled butterfly picture that Ky made earlier that day.

When they got to our room, Ry asked Joel where the $5 was that he had gotten from great grandpa for his birthday. Joel told him were it was and Ry preceded to get it out. Once he had it, he asked Ky if he could buy the butterfly that she had made for $5. She starting glowing, nothing could have made her happier at that moment. Of course she gave it to him and he gave her the $5. He then went and hung it up in his room, right above his headboard and below his football posters, and it still there as I type. She was thrilled.

Later after she had gone back downstairs, I asked Ry why he did that. He said, "I feel sad that I have gotten all of this birthday money and presents and she has gotten nothing. So, I want her to be able to have some money also, but I knew if I told her that she wouldn't take my money. This way she thinks I brought it and the money really is hers to spend". My heart melted on the spot. With tears in my eyes, I gave him big hug and told him how much I love him. He gave me his "whatever" look, told me that he loves me too, and went back down to watch TV.

Back when they are around the age of the picture posted here, they were best friends. Ry instantly fell in love with his sister from the moment he meet her. Once she began walking and talking they were glued together. ALWAYS holding hands (especially in the car), hugging each other, and making sure the other one was always included in what they were doing. Joel and I new it was to good to be true, but enjoyed the few years it lasted.

Then one day, not sure when it happened, they stopped being best friends and started being brother and sister. The yelling, screaming, and fighting that has started seldom stops. So as their mom, I want to cherish this memory as proof that they DO love each other :) I hear them say it to each other every once in a while, but actions speak louder than words.

He makes me smile :)

Tonight was another one of my busy nights. I had a PTA Meeting and then had to go straight down to my brother's to work. (I work a couple of hours a week for my brother's plumbing company doing his billing) Joel got home at 6:10 as I was walking out the door and left him to: take care of Julie's girls - so she could go to the meeting with me -, make sure Ry got home from football practice, dinner, homework, reading time and bedtime all by himself. Since I wasn't going to see much of Joel before I left, I wrote a note on our white board that's on the fridge saying: I spent ALL day fixing you a fabulous dinner and left it in the pretty red box next to the stove, all you have to do is heat it up and enjoy! Love, Mom..... I left them a box of Beef Top Roman :)

When I got home around ten tonight, to a dark quite house, I found this message on our white board: Your dinner was the BEST EVER! To thank you we cleaned up after ourselves - put all the dirty dishes in the magic white box over there -------> (arrow pointing to the kitchen sink) As usual, I'm sure they will clean and put themselves away!

He makes me smile!

Thanks for all you do Joel, I wouldn't be able to be "Super Mom" without you. I Love you!

p.s. Sometimes I honestly think that HE does think they clean and put themselves way :)

Ry's QB Sack!

In this video clip you will see Ry, #75 in black & white, make one of the Quaterback sacks that he made on Saturdays game. If you look closely you can see the yellow arrow at the begining of the clip that Joel put on to help see him. The final score of the game was Roy 37 - Clearfield 0. Ryan had a ton of playing time as usual, he played on defense, offense, and both the kicking line and the receiving line. He also spent a lot of time underneath Clearfield player #76 (you can see him in the video). The kid is big, almost twice the size of Ry, and his way of stopping Ry was to lay on top of him :) Finally after Ry told the referee what was going on, they started getting penalized for it. But overall it was a fantastic game and I am very proud of Ry and his team.

Later that evening we took Ry and his friend Riley to dinner and then to SpeedStreet for Ry's birthday. The boys had a ball racing go-karts and I know Ry is looking forward to when he can go back and beat his high speed of 16.7 miles per hour. He thought for sure that he was going faster than that. Ky stayed home with a neighbor girl, Morgan, and they had pizza and watched girly movies and was bummed we got home so soon. On Sunday night we finished off Ry's birthday season with dinner at Joel's parents house. As always, the kid got spoiled. I think his favorite is a toss up between all the fishing stuff or Madden 09, of course it depends on the day and if anyone is willing to take him fishing :)

Ry leaves single digits forever!

Today Ry turns 10 today! I can't believe my first born baby is that old, where does the time go? First thing this morning my mom called and sang to him :) Chance was here listening with Ry and they really got a kick out of that. Now I am headed to go pick up 6 dozen glazed donuts. I am taking half to school for his birthday treat to share and the other half to football practice tonight. I can't believe he has 30 kids in his class this year. That's a lot of 4th graders for one teacher. Anyway, Joel is coming home a little early tonight and we will be going to dinner and then over to Joel's parents house (they want to give him his present today, even though we will be having his birthday dinner on Sunday) and then to practice before 6:00. He is SO excited for Saturday - he loves going to Speed Street and is excited to take Riley, who has never been. I'll post pictures after all of the exciting events are over this weekend!

- UPDATE -

Tonight at football practice, before anyone could have a donut, his coaches had everyone sing happy birthday to him. It was the cutest thing ever seeing all of the boys and the 4 coaches singing to him. I wish I would have brought my camera :)

Labor Day Weekend

We started this weekend, the same as every weekend lately, with a football game. This was a tense one. Not only was it the first regional game, but we happened to be playing another team that had been undefeated so far this season - and also went completely undefeated last year. The first quarter of the game we tied at 14, from there we finally got our game together. Ry and the other defensive players held them at 14 for the rest of the game, and our amazing offensive players took the final score to Roy 48 Syracuse 14.

After the game, Ry went over to his Grandpa Dare's house and spent the night and we took Ky and met up with the Newbold family at lagoon. It ended up being a perfect night for lagoon, it wasn't busy and the weather was perfect. With the lines being short, Joel and Ky experienced the Samurai for the first time (usually the line is to long). I am not quite sure what she thought of it, and once again I chicken out :) Twisty-turney rides just aren't my thing.

Sunday, after church, we went down to Bountiful to my parents house to kick off Ry's birthday season. Yes, we have "birthday seasons" at our house. By the time we get in a party with each side of the family and a friend party, the celebrating ends up lasting about a week. After spaghetti dinner, cupcakes and ice cream, Ry walked away with a lot of new fishing stuff and $50 in cash. The next party will be on Saturday - He has chosen one Friend, Riley (at $45 per person he only gets to take one!), to go to Speed Street in Layton. Then Sunday night we will be having dinner with Joel's side of the family.

Today is Monday, Labor Day. This is the first labor day in 10 years that Joel has the day off. Hurdman only gave paid holidays for Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and New Years Day. KSL gives not only ALL holidays off, but also half of the working day before, so he got half of Friday off also, PAID :) It's FABULOUS! However, today it is not only raining, but it's POURING. So, today will be a rainy day spent inside reading a book, hopefully....