Either a Blessing or a Lesson?

One day you can be on top of the world with one child and the next day everything can come cashing down for another. I knew today I would need to rest and take it easy after everything that I was involved in these past few days. Last night was such a great moment for J'Dee and today another child was in need of my time and attention.

My youngest daughter was sick and had been all week. She was really struggling with her health today as well as relationships at school. Although high school relationships seem so small to us, to them it is their entire world. I text my daughter during the middle of the day to see how she was feeling. She told me she needed medicine and asked me if I would bring her some. I told her school was only a couple hours until it was over. She told me she could not wait. I figured something else might be up so I decided to hop into the car and run to the school. She came out and sat with me for about 30 minutes and poured her heart out to me. She almost forgot to take the medicine I brought for her until I reminded her. I knew at that moment she did not really need the medication as much as she needed her mom.

I was so thankful to be able to be there for her today at a crossroad in her life. I was glad I did not tell her I was too busy or in too much pain to help her today. Shaniah is the type of girl that likes to try and handle everything herself. I was glad she could open up to today and allow me to help her get through the drama at school. Shaniah told me that she was going to do what she needed to do and whatever happened will be what is supposed to happen. ( I was truly amazed at her maturity today)

After school Kaylee and I took Niah out to dinner and helped her pick out a break-up-outfit. This has been a tradition of ours since Kaylee was in high school. Since girls have such a difficult time and ares so emotional when they break up from a boy we found it very therapeutic to have a girls night out and just spend time together and talk. Plus we would have so much fun picking out a new "break-up-outfit" for them. So funny to think about something so silly that we do that really seems to help them get through a difficult time. It seems to take the focus off their pain and help them focus on what really matters as we spend time with one another. Plus wearing a new outfit the day after really helps them regain their confidence back again!

I love my girls and love the time we could spend together! I was so glad to be able to be there for my daughters during their difficult teenage years. I hope Shaniah will always remember that she always has a shoulder to cry on whenever she needs one! Love you girl! I know you can make it through this! Pray and stay strong and you will make it through!

This is for you Niah:

Shaniah's favorite quote that she shared with me today!

Cherish Your Children!

Today I got up around 4:30 am to try and find some uninterrupted time to work on the Senior DVD. I was so happy that by afternoon the video was finished and ready for burning. I was pretty worried it would be too big of a file to fit on the DVD since I had 4 other highlight videos from the season that were already on the DVD. I did not want to have to burn two dvd's per boy

I tried to add the Senior video to the disc and felt so extremely blessed when it fit!! In fact,  the DVD only had .26 seconds left before it was full. At that very moment I knew I was being blessed by the Lord. The thoughts of taking the time to serve my family when they needed me most yesterday raced through my mind. I knew the Lord was blessing me and enhancing my abilities to finish what needed to be done.  I am so grateful for the Lord and his hand in my life today! I could have never done it without him by my side today!

I was able to burn 26 copies for the team and even be to the banquet 45 minutes early to get set up. The banquet was awesome. The team loved the DVD, especially J'Dee. I did not let him see it before the banquet and after  the video played he came and put his arms around me and said "Thanks Mom". I loved it!

I know that I have not been able to do what many moms can do, nor can I do nearly what I used to. But tonight having him wrap his arms around me and thank me was the best thing I could ever ask for. He knew how hard taking  pictures and videos over the entire season has been for me. ( I could not have done it without the help of my hubby.) He also knew that making this DVD would be stressful on my body and cause me to flare.  He knew just what it would take out of me and I could tell he was sincerely thankful for my sacrifice for him. I love him from the bottom of my heart and I am so very proud of him. He knows I would do anything at anytime for him! I will always cherish every moment I have had these past 18 years of watching him grow up in to the amazing man he is today!

This was his shadow box we made him for Senior Night tonight!

It was so fun to remember so many great memories!

The Allstar Letter J'Dee received 

The Senior DVD that I finally finished

J'Dee received an award for making the 2nd team ALL-Region in Highschool 5A Baseball

WAY TO GO J'DEE we are so PROUD OF YOU!

We Find Ourselves When We Serve Others

Today the kids went back to school and I went to work on the DVD for the Riverton Baseball team. Last night I wanted to begin but my kids came over with the grand baby and they wanted to swim. I spent the night just enjoying them, but in the back of my mind loomed the fact that I needed to get the DVD done.

I really hoped and prayed that I would not be flaring today because of all I did yesterday. I knew that the team banquet is tomorrow night and I still had a great deal to do to complete the DVD. I trusted in the Lord and prayed for help that I would feel good enough to complete it and that my computer would work properly and not give me problems like the last one I made did.

I spent the entire day on it, trying to not worrying about anything else today. I tried to save every spoon I had in order to finish it by the team banquet.  But life happens and things need your help that you were not planning on. My oldest daughter needed help with the grand baby because the swim lessons began today. My extended family also needed my help, which I was thankful for the opportunity to help them. It was amazing to be able to be there for the people I truly love and cherish in my life.

Once I was done helping everyone else I knew I needed to put my trust in my Father in Heaven and everything would work out and I would be able to finish the DVD by tomorrow.

I stayed up until 11:30  and almost had it completed. It was the slideshow for the seniors. It was pictures and videos of them when they were playing ball as little boys until now. It was so fun to highlight these 7 boys. J'Dee has played with 5 of them for the past 10 years.  It was such a fun video to put together for these boys. Making this video helped me to focus on all the great memories we have had over the years and not on the fact that my little boy J'Dee is all grown up and will  graduating next week

I felt so blessed today that because I took the time to help and serve my family today the Lord gave me the strength I needed to complete what needed to get done.

Life is TOO Short to not Enjoy the Journey!

Today is Memorial Day and our son J'Dee played in a baseball tournament this weekend. It was a reunion team of  the Dirt Dogs. The Dirt Dogs baseball super league team began when J'Dee was 8 years old. When they became high school age they split up and went to their local high schools. Five of the Dirt Dogs, J'Dee included, stayed at Riverton. It was such a fun weekend watching these boys play ball together again.

These boys won every game and today they played for the championships which they also won. During the entire weekend and all the games these boys did not focus on winning. They really did not care if they won or lost. Their focus was on reuniting their friendships and having fun being together again. They had coaches but the coaches were only there to cheer them on. The boys coached themselves and would just call out each inning where they wanted to play in the field before the inning. These boys laughed when they would make a mistake and would heckle one another all in good fun during the games! These boys had all of us parents laughing the entire weekend! They really never took this tournament seriously but continued to play very well. I believe I have never seen the boys play so well as this weekend when they were just having fun!

This reminded me of life and how sometimes when we focus so hard on the win or put so much pressure on ourselves to become the best we end up so nervous that we fail to do what we set out to do. This weekend was such a great reminder to everyone to always stay positive, be happy, and most of all have fun in life. Life is way too short to be stressed about things and always worry about the small stuff. If we take the time to enjoy the journey in life we will find ourselves so much happier and more able to enjoy each and every day just like the boys did this weekend!

J'Dee just keep on smiling!

The last Dirt Dog Cheer

The boys just having fun after the win

 Such great memories these boys have made together. Their friendships will always be remembered!

DIRT DOGS THEN( 2006)

DIRT DOGS Today (2014) ALL GROWN UP!

Be Grateful in Any Circumstance

Today I woke up in a huge flare. Lung pain and migraine were very much present this morning. My son J'Dee took me to my chiropractor who is on-call whenever I get in these flares. She told me to text her and she would have me meet her at her house.

I was so grateful to go have her adjust my neck and upper back today. She told me it should help my breathing right away but would take a bit to calm the migraine down.

Friday night the lung pain started and kept increasing until I had trouble breathing which then led to my migraine. The adjustments really help me return my body where it needs to and after 12-24 hours the flare starts to calm down.

I came home and my hubby and kids made breakfast and I asked them to watch the conference talk entitled "Be Grateful in Your Circumstance" by Dieter F. Uctdorf while we ate.

For some reason while I was lying down on ice while by family made breakfast I had the strongest feeling that we needed to watch this together. I know that these past two weeks of playing in state tournaments have really been stressful and challenging for them. For Shaniah working so hard and making it to the championship game and then take 2nd has been really hard for her. For J'Dee it was hard losing his last state game of the season knowing this would be his last game of his high school baseball career.

Before we watched it, I shared with the kids just how difficult life can be. I told them it does not matter  whether we win or lose, have good or bad days,  lose someone we love, or struggle with our own challenges the key to to making it through anything is to stay grateful in our circumstances.  I reminded them to not just be grateful for the things we have, but for grateful for the opportunities that help us grow and develop into the person the Lord wants us to be.  When I stay grateful on even my most painful days I feel my heavy load lighten and find myself better able to bear this burden with a smile on my face!

Watching this conference talk this morning reminded me just how important it is to stay humble and thankful for every good and every bad day that I have. No matter what we are destined to go through while on this earth it is vital for our happiness and well begin that we remain grateful in any of our circumstances.

Secret to Finding Joy in the Journey

This video really touched my heart today. Jesus is the only one who can lift our burdens, heal our hearts, take away our sins, and help us live life to the fullest. When we come to him, cry to him,  and fully rely on him we will come to know and love him personally.  Our Savior Jesus Christ is THE only one that knows just what we need at exactly the time we need it most! My prayer is that my children will come to know this for themselves as they struggle in their own difficulties and challenges in this life. May they learn to fully rely on him and find that he is the only way to find joy in this journey here on earth!

Come To Jesus

Memories of Lacrosse 2014 Season Video

A storm rolled in today, and boy could I feel it. I have been so blessed lately with nice weather and have felt pretty good. But when you combine high pressure from storms with over-doing it equals flare-ups!

Tonight my daughter had all of her lacrosse team over for a end of season pool party! They had a great time eating pizza, and roasting hot dogs, making s'mores and swimming. They played for about 6 hours straight just being silly and having fun together!

Its like they did not want to leave because this was the final get-to-together for them, especially the senior girls, who will be graduating this year. This group of girls have been very close and have made some amazing friendships along the way.

I was able to finally finish and give them each a copy of the DVD I had made for them from pictures and videos we took of the games throughout the season. Since I was unable to do a team dinner, or do much to help with the team activities this year, I offered to do something I could do. My hubby and I took pictures and videos throughout the season and put them together in a movie format. It ended up being about 50 minutes long. The girls laughed, cried, and loved every minute of watching the dvd during the end of season banquet this past week.

I felt very blessed to have felt good enough to be able to reward them with such a tribute to their success! Such great memories they will have for a lifetime!

Sharing is Caring

This month has just flew by… We have been involved with two teens and their high school sports which season have played at the very same time! I have saved every bit of energy I have had to attend these games and take pictures and videos of them. I love preserving these memories for my kids. They love to watch the videos we create for them over and over again!

I have not been as diligent posting to my blog as I usually do, but life is starting to slow down and I will try and do better with my posts. This blog has really helped me more than anything focus on the blessings I have in my life. It helps me write down what helps me get through the many ups and downs you deal with when struggling with a chronic painful disease. I am so thankful for this avenue to be able to share my inner most thoughts, insights, testimony, and the many blessings I have in my life.

I am thankful for the inspiration I get on certain days that seemed to be exactly what I needed for that day! My hope is that my blog will help someone as much as it has helped me! I know that for now writing this blog  is one of the only ways I can serve others by sharing what has helped me both physically, emotionally, mentally, and most importantly spiritually to find peace in this process!

Best Part of LIfe

Today Landee is 8 months old. She played in the swimming pool for the first time and loved every minute of it.

I can't believe how fast time has flown by. These past 8 months has been so much fun. Being a grandma to the spunky, chunky. monkey has really been the key to what has helped me make it through some of my most painful days.

I am so grateful that our family has been blessed with this little angel! She is truly my happy pill and the best pain medicine I could ask for. Because of her  I don't take pain meds. I just need her!

Her personality shines through each and every time we are together. Ireland was truly sent to our family to lighten our load and keep us smiling through it all!

Thanks baby girl for reminding us of the best part of life!

Goodbye to RHS Baseball

Today was the last baseball game my son will play for Riverton High School. They lost today in the state tournament and are now finished for the year. There were may tears and he was so sad as he came off the field. My heart ached for him as he had to say goodbye to something that has been such a huge part of his life for so many years.

He rode the bus home with the team and he invited all the seniors over to our house to go fishing. I could tell they were all going to miss all the good times they have had over the years. Five of these seniors have been playing baseball together since they were 8 years old.

This next weekend these same 5 boys are having a reunion with a super league team they were on for four years from ages 8-11. This team was called the Dirt Dogs and they have found all the original boys, who currently play for different high schools, to come together and play in one last tournament as 18 year old Dirt Dogs. J'Dee is super excited to see all of his good friends back together again to play one last final baseball tournament.

Baseball has taught J'Dee not only about the game but also about life. Baseball is a game of ups and downs, hard times and good times, great plays and mistakes. Many times during his baseball career when he has had a bad game or made mistakes we would remind him of the fact that baseball is like life. You have good and bad days. You make mistakes. You have success and failures.

 I am thankful that J'Dee has been able to learn how to deal with many ups and downs through baseball. I believe it has prepared him for life and I think matured him to a point that when those hard times come…. and believe me they will come….. he will know how to handle them better because he learned how to bounce back when he played ball.

I will really miss this boy play baseball! I have loved being his #1 fan and recording every moment of it on video. I will forever cherish the many times we spent together watching him grow, mature, and become the amazing man he is today! I love you J'Dee!

PEP TALK TO MY FRIENDS!

Such a fun family day. We went to our nephew's baby blessing today and enjoyed spending time with my husband's side of the family. We then went to visit my husband's sister who just recently had her thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer. We have been so concerned for her and were so grateful that her surgery went well and she is recovering each day.

Until you go through your own health challenge you really don't understand what to do or say to people who are struggling with their own issues. I am so thankful to have been given a greater understanding of what it feels like to have a chronic illness. I now know how to reach out to others to help them because I can identify with what they are going through.

Before having this disease I really didn't know what to do to help others. I would do a meal here or there, but in all reality sometimes they just need someone to talk, vent, or cry to. Just knowing someone is thinking about you and really cares about what you are going through can make all the difference in the world. I have learned this lesson first hand over this past year and am extremely grateful that I can help others who might be struggling just as I did.

If anyone who reads my blog is going through their own health challenges at this time, just know I can identify with you and know exactly how hard just getting out of bed some days can be. Remember hang in there, don't give up, never surrender to the illness inside of you. You can conquer it, be bigger than the disease and don't ever let it get the best of you! Stay strong, be strong and you will win! Know that you are never alone. Our Savior Jesus Christ can carry you on your most difficult days! Remember there are many people who struggle like you and you can find strength in their own tragedies and triumphs. Remember to find 5 things each day that you are grateful for and that you can and will always be able to do HARD THINGS!  Keep positive and keep smiling through it all! :) :) :) :) :)

Saying Goodbye to Lacrosse Season

My daughter played in the State Championship Highschool Lacrosse game today. My heart ached as they lost to Park City by 3 goals. Her entire team was in tears as they had worked so hard this past season and set their sights on taking state! They played their very best and kept the game tied for almost the entire game. It wasn't until the end of the game that the other team broke away with  3 extra goals and then held the ball for the win.

Shaniah is only a sophomore but has had the opportunity to play on the Varsity team as as starter this year. She will forever remember the wonderful seniors who taught her about team bonding, leadership, and prayer. She will forever remember the temple visits before games that calmed her nerves and helped her play her very best. She gained such a testimony of prayer and going to the temple this past season. I was so grateful to watch her grow and develop this year physically, but most of all her growth spiritually was the most amazing part!  It was awesome to see just how sports could help my daughter gain a testimony of prayer and of going to the temple. She knows now that it can help calm her nerves and play at her very best. 

She has worked extremely hard to be able to be a starter for the team. She told me last week that you have to do your part in order for the Lord to do his! She is one of the youngest girls playing on the team and made a huge contribution defensively for them. In fact, her coach told her that he cried when he saw how hard she played to keep a girl from coming in to score in one of the semi-final games. 

Shaniah will forever remember the amazing memories she has made this past year. This team has really bonded and will always be very close friends. I think the tears at the end of the game were not really from taking second place but rather from the girls realizing that this was their last game together. 

 Shaniah crying in my arms after the game! I love you Niah!

Just remember Hard Times Make Us Stronger!

2nd Place state champions

A Mother's Day Tribute To Mom

Happy Mothers Day

Today I want to say a special thank you to my mother. She has always been there for me both in the best of times as well as in the worst of times! She has sacrificed so much for my well being and I love her dearly!

I never realized just what being a mother really meant until I became one myself. Being a mother means knowing how to love and serve unconditionally. It means sacrificing whatever it takes to make sure your children are happy! It means late nights, early mornings, and always having a shoulder to lean and cry on! I am so thankful to be a mother and have loved every minute I have spent with my children.

 Being a mother is the highest most noble calling we could ever have. Our time and energy is best spent serving this divine mission. Motherhood is the hardest but most rewarding job we will ever do! 

 I learned how to be a mother from my mother, my grandmother 's, and my mother-in-law. How grateful I am for these women in my life and how their influence has made me the mother I am today! 

This past year my own daughter became a mother for the first time. I am so thankful to now be a grandmother and to be able to help mentor my daughter like these great woman have done for me!

I could have never asked for a better mother, she is and will always be one of my
best friends!

I love you MOM!

This video is a tribute to my mom and all the moms' who have made such a difference in my life and in the life of children everywhere!

It Was Mom, A Tribute for Mother's Day

Best Birthday Ever!

Such a fun birthday I had today. My family was with me all day today. They even took me to shop for flowers for our yard. Each year around Mothers Day and my birthday my family lets me pick out flowers for my yard and all the pots. They then come home and together we all plant the flowers. Last year they didn't even let me help because of this disease,  but this year since I have been feeling better I was able to help plant them. It made me feel so good to be able to do something that I love to do again. Boy have I missed that!

 How grateful I am for a wonderful family who spent the entire day with me. I know this past year has been very difficult on them and I am so thankful they stuck by me through it all. I know I could not get through one day without all of their love and support.

Tonight they took me out to dinner and to Rita's my favorite gelati place. It is rare to have a Saturday night where both my teens and my married daughter and her hubby don't have plans. I am grateful for them for sacrificing there night to be altogether. It made my birthday the best ever!

Candida Levels Down….Celebration TIme!

Today I met with one of the specialists who has been treating me with many different supplements based upon blood tests that I have every 3 months. He treats my hormones, thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, and liver problems using natural supplements. Nine months ago when he tested my candida levels they were so high that the test couldn't even measure them. All it said was that is was greater than 100. Candida levels should be under 20 and with levels that high they can't  even be measured.

I went on a 3 months candida cleanse that was very difficult to be on. I was tested after that and I found my levels still greater than 100 and not even low enough to be measured. It wasn't until about a month ago that my daughter suggested I try Doterra oils supplements that are specifically for candida. GX and PB assist were the two supplements that I was to take orally 3 times each day. I took the GX assist 3 times a day for 10 days, the PB assist for 10 days and then I was to rest and take nothing for 10 days. These supplements are a  mixture of different oils in capsules specifically designed to get rid of candida (GX) and then build your gut back up again with a probiotic (PB) My appointment to be tested was at the first of the rest period, which was two weeks ago.

I was completely elated to learn today that my candida levels were now 46. He asked me what I was doing and told me to keep doing it. He also mentioned that another patient was using what I was and had found success also. I am so grateful my daughter started using and distributing Doterra oils and found this for me. I know that this is another reason I am starting to feel better.

I have found more energy, less pain, and better days lately and attribute our fasting and prayers to be able to uncover the many layers of finding healing for me.

Happy 16th Birthday Niah!

It's May 1st today! Shaniah's 16th birthday today! I am so thankful for this beautiful, sweet, amazing, daughter. I know it has been an extremely difficult year for her as our family has went through this challenge. But the growth that she has had through it all has simply amazed me.

Today she wanted to take the day off of school and go shopping and to lunch for her birthday. She wanted to sleep in and go have a fun day with mom. We had a great day together and made some really fun memories.

 The highlight and most funny part of the day was when we stopped at Walmart. She told me to go grab what we needed and she would go to the restroom. After I checked out, I went to the restroom to meet her. I went in and she was gone. So I called her phone to see if she had went out to the car. She told me no and that she was still in the restroom. I told her I was in the woman's restroom and had called her name and she did not answer. I went back in to check again. No one was in there. I called her again and asked her quite hesitantly, "Are you in the men's room?", She was so embarrassed and denied the question. She told me to come in the men's room and just check to see if she really was! I went in the men's restroom and sure enough there were her cute little feet peeking out under the stall. I laughed and quickly ran out. I called her again and we laughed so hard. She tried to get out of the stall but each time she did a different man would come in to use the urinals. She was laughing so hard it was hard to hold it inside. Finally after about 7 minutes she came out of the men's room, bright red and saying "That was the most embarrassing moment of my entire life!" We laughed all the way to the car and couldn't stop all day!

We will never forget the fun we had today! What a great memory to remember on her 16th birthday!
I made this little video for her to tell her how much I loved her today!

Niah's 16th B-day Video