Great Hubby!

Ok, I have to brag for just a bit! My husband actually listened to me and got me what I wanted for my birthday and I didn't have to buy it for myself.

Also, he just passed all of the tests to be on the primary Acting Captains list. He will probably not get promoted from this list but now he can bump up and be a captain when people are out sick or on vacation. He had to study a ton and I am extremely proud of him!

30th Birthday!

Ok, so I am officially 30 now! I went out with family and some friends and it was a blast. Since my birthday is so close to Halloween I had people dress up. It was funny to see all of looks that poeple gave us. We went out to dinner and then went indoor golfing at a place called Monster Mini-Golf. It was really cool. Here is how Blake and I were dressed for the occasion!

Children

Ok, here is my dilema today. How do you help your children to reach their potential? I have a child who is behind in her school work and has definite power struggle issues. I found out today that she was trying to sign my name on a note that her teacher had sent home with her. It is not that she doesn't know how to do the work, it's just that she doesn't want to do it, and then lies to me and tells me that it is all done.

I struggle to be the best mom that I can be, but when you have a defiant child it seems like that harder I try to help her the worse it gets. I know that she had the capacity to accomplish anything but she won't do it.

I sometimes feel like I am failing with her and I don't know what to do. She is such a wonderful child and can be the sweetest person, but when she gets mad it is all downhill and it is a fast, steep hill and she can't stop herself.

I am going to try having a tutor work with her and maybe that way she might be able to get her work done and the friction between us can subside. Until then keep us in your prayers.

Jason Wright Contest

Hi friends! I'm participating in a contest to win free books for life. An author named Jason Wright has a new book in stores with a beautiful theme song by songwriter Cherie Call. It's about second verses in your life and I know you'll love it!

You can hear it for free right now at http://www.recoveringcharles.com

I hope you'll visit the site and join his email list. He won't SPAM you (I promise!) and you'll be the first to hear about events, contests, and even get sneak peeks at his manuscripts.

And be sure to check out his latest contest and enter MY name as your referrer when you sign up! That's how I hope to win his books for life :)

Kids Skater Video

Here is a video of the girls that Blake made. His cinematography skills are awesome. He took all of the video and edited it. Just a note, I was not present during most of the stunts and for that I am grateful. Watching my kids do tricks and stunts makes me extremely nervous! LOL

Indoor Skydiving

This is a video of when we went to iFly in Ogden, UT. It was a ton of fun and we hope to be able to do it again!

Grandma Dalton 6/29/31-9/7/08 I LOVE YOU!!! RIP

I found out that my grandmother passed away last night. She had be struggling with illness for a long time. She was talking to my mom about her parents and brother who had all passed on before her and she took my mothers hand in hers and just shut her eyes. I guess it was fitting for her to leave us on Grandparent's day. She had lived with our family since 1987 after both her parents passed away. She has been such a big part of my life. I know that she is no longer in pain and that makes me happy. But I am also extremely sad that she is no longer here. I am so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that we are an eternal family. I know that when I see her again it will be a joyous occasion. May she be exaulted in the heavens and be at peace with her family. I loved her dearly even though sometimes I didn't show it. She taught me how to bake and cook and for that I am extremely grateful. Being that it was Grandparent's day she was on my mind a lot yesterday. I know that the hurt I feel will pass and I have my whole life to make her proud of me and I intend to do just that. She was a strong woman with a love for the gospel. She had a hard life but she still let us know that she knew the gospel was true. For that I am grateful.

I have more updates about the summer but they will have to wait. I am heading out of town and I am not really in the right mood to post anything else. Just remember to let your loved ones know that you love them!

Ok, I have to add just a bit. I am reading this book called "The Wednesday Letters" written by Jason Wright and I just read a part that brought more tears to my eyes. This is part of one of the letters that are in the book. I know that they are fictional but it totally fits in with my situation right now. I am going to change the names though to fit with my grandma.

"I know death isn't usually a time of joy, but as I write these lines I cannot deny the peace in my heart. I cannot deny that Grandma is free now. I cannot deny that despite the emptiness my family feels, our hearts know the truth. Grandma is where she should be. I imagine she's already passed through the gate and is walking hand in hand with her family. Now I know why the Lord took his day off on Sunday. That must be the day he personally greets his favorites!"

I just knew that after I read that I needed to add it to my post. I really do love my grandma and know that she is rejoicing in the fact that she is with her family and that she doesn't have to feel pain any longer.