A Hike Up American Fork Canyon...

Sliding Down Greenwood Park...

i still can't believe that i have a son in the scouting program. i have NO idea what i am doing! no really. passing things off? sewing on badges? pack meetings? oh my....
can you say OVERWHELMED!?!

one good thing about a quiet city lifestyle, is that traditions don't die. people have been sliding down this hill for years...both with a snow sled and using a billboard vinyl...supplied by me on this night. lol...

the kids had so much fun....

the best part about the location of this activity was the sound of the high school band practicing in the background. of course we can't forget about the "little cavemen" football team who were also at the park practicing....

What I Take For Granted...

Wow. Wow. I just finished watching Oprah and can I say Wow again?

If you have not watched your tivo'd afternoon yet and Oprah is one of them? Get your tissues handy and your ears ready cause what you'll hear will be something that you'll want to remember!

If not, then go over and CHECK HER OUT!!!

Thanks Stephanie for letting us in just a bit more....

Another Day Exploring...

After one of our water adventures over to Thomas's pool, I promised the kids that we could go play around a bit at "The Secret Garden". Go over and check out my first post about one of our special spots!

...looking for some treasures....

I would give anything to know what is going through their minds right here...

...rock collecting...

To Learn or To Teach

This is my friend Becky Anderson, Chairman and Founder of "For Every Body". She is one of the most positive and full of energy people that I know. We met randomly through our mutual friend Tara via email and then decided to meet for lunch. We shared our stories and experiences and had a great time. She is also extremely busy so our blogs and our emails were our only source of contact until she told me that she had a great idea and to call her immediately.

What she invited me to do was a dream come true experience. I sound so cheesy and cliche but it's true. The company was launching a new candle/product entitled "Every Day Hero's" and she wanted me to come and speak at their annual awards banquet and be her every day hero! Wow. A very humbling experience. I honestly do not feel like a hero but I also don't realize the impact that "stories" like mine have on others. I have said it from day one. We go through "things" to learn something ourselves or to teach someone else something. We forget that our examples are impacting others every day...how big or little it may be...we are!

So yes! I was pumped! I love talking and sharing some of the things I've learned and if it can help even one person than it makes me feel like what I am going through matters. But still. Like I said. I don't feel like a hero. I just do what I do and what I have to do. Anyway...

People were in tears after I shared my experience and not that I love making people cry, but it gives me such a positive boost and a mental pat on the back, knowing that what I've said has actually touched someone!

I met some awesome people and heard some other wonderful stories and it was a great night!

The Payback...

You know what they say "Paybacks" are right? Yep. HeHeHe Remember this?
My poor kids had no idea what their garden project would turn into but sorry. When there is an excuse for a yard project to be done, you better be ready for the mother load! I can only imagine what the neighbors are saying about my lesson teaching techniques.....

Off we went to Home Depot and my kids were loving it. They were actually excited for what we were about to do. If I can keep the attitude that my kids have right now forever, then I will be the happiest and luckiest Mom ever! Seriously....

My attempt at showing them how to do it...LOL!

Look how good...great...they did! And yes. I will admit that I had to calm myself a bit because I can be quite the Nazi when it comes to things like this because I want it to be and to look perfect. I had to remind myself that the point of THEM doing this job was for THEM to learn.

And yes. I connived them to do alot more work than just the garden! HeHeHe

I am so lucky to have my 2 little ming-rats. I love them so much! I know that there is a reason that they were sent to me. They balance each other out and I can not imagine having one without the other! After nights like these, I realize once again how perfect for me they are.

I love you guys.....