Christmas Dances

The girls have been busy with dance recitals lately. R & P danced at the Festival of Trees and AJ danced at the grocery store, and they all have their big recital on Friday. Here are some pics of the big girls and the video from AJ's. So Cute!!!

My Crazy Rockstar!

This is video of us messing around a couple of months ago. Pause my music on the right to hear this... The shoulder moves are part of her 'stretching' routine at dance. It's her favorite dance move lately.

My Grandparents

Sometimes everything just fits together. I was watching some recorded John Edward Cross Country's today and using my blanket my Grandma made me when I was three, which is my FAVORITE. Then, I had to list my favorite pie on a funny email I got today, and it is my Grandma's Rhubarb Pie, and so today I was just thinking about and missing my Grandma. She's been gone just over 3 years and I can't believe it's already been that long. Then, my poor Grandpa had surgery on his hip today. He is 84 (I think), and has cancer, and it's bad. He was also in a really bad car accident less than a year ago.. he just keeps trucking. So then I was looking at pictures and came across this one, so with Christmas coming and all of this, I decided to post it. Aren't they cute?!

I won them!

So, I wrote about New Kids on the Block awhile ago.. I said that my friend and I wanted to go for old times sake, but the tickets were too much money... Well, about a week ago I won tickets! It is so silly, but I get a girls night, so I am excited!!! Just thought I'd share.

OK, so I just got home, and it was such a good concert! My expectations weren't real high to begin with, but it was awesome! I also have to give much kudos to Natasha Bedingfield. I was already a big fan of hers, but she is just amazing.. what a talent!!!

It was Kristi drooling over Joey and Me screaming for Jordan. Just like 18, 19, 20 years ago when we were doing the same thing! Some things never change. Except I don't have New Kids posters all over my bedroom anymore. I don't think that Jeff would appreciate that.. :)

Our Victorious Night!

Tonight was a rare Thursday in our house. Both Denver and Utah had big games. We had Jeff in the family room, me in the bedroom, and (for a first) a movie in the kids' room (so they would stay out of our way).

Both games were close, both teams were behind most of the game(s), and both teams had great 4th quarters!!! There was a lot of yelling, but I am SOOOO Happy to say that in the end it was..

Denver Broncos 34

Cleveland Browns 30... poor Joe :(

and...

Utah Utes 13

TCU 10

that ought to help their national ranking, hu?

Here we are, happy :)

HALLOWEEN

It was Halloween.. Hip Hip Hooray!
It's not my favorite, but that's OK.
Kids dress up, say trick or treat,
People give them lots of sugar to eat.
Snickers for mom, Butterfinger for dad,
If the kids see us sneak it, they will be mad.
Lots of bubblegum, nerds and suckers still there,
It doesn't hurt them one bit to share.
We saw goblins and fairies and Minnie Mouse.
Even Hannah Montana came to our house.
'Twas a night filled with lots of noise and fun.
I am so glad to say that it is all done!
Another holiday down, time for a pause....
What?! Suddenly I am seeing Santa Claus!
Now when you go to the store, all you can see
Is red and green lights for the CHRISTMAS tree!

Blessed

I don't usually get too mushy or religious on my blog, but I'm going to take a minute to do just that. The past few weeks/years ??? so much bad stuff has happened to people I care about. I see my friends dealing with hard things and they seem to handle it so well.. they see the big picture, learn, and move on. I see other's stress out, feel guilty, get angry, dwell on it, try to get over it, and not do a great job. The one thing I see differently about these people is that some have the gospel in their lives, while the others don't. Guess who has it and who doesn't?
Having the gospel is the difference between living in darkness and living in light. If you know that there is a bigger purpose to all this crap we deal with, if you know that there is someone who loves you no matter what, and will gladly forgive you your faults, if you know you have people here on earth to help you through your struggles... these things can make such a difference when you are dealing with earthly things.
I can see how smart and cunning Satan is.. things like drugs and pornography are so addictive, yet seem manageable and somewhat harmless at first... He has a way to get you and hook you.
I am SOOO thankful that I know better than to even test the waters of things that could drag me down! I once told someone that having the Word of Wisdom and other 'rules' the church encourages felt like it gave me more freedom. I think it has made my life easier. I don't have to decide at a party with peers if I'm going to drink a beer, I didn't have to think about how far things would go with a boyfriend in the heat of the moment. And I NEVER felt like I missed out on anything! I feel like my life is so blessed. I am truly happy, even with everything going on around me. This month's primary theme is "I am thankful to know that we are all children of God". I am so thankful to know it! I wish everyone I loved would know it, too!