The Bachelor Junkie in Me!

I have to admit I am a "Bachelor/Bachelorette" junkie! The other reality shows I can't do, but ever since Trista and Ryan, this one I admit I dig! Melissa was left holding a ring with empty promises, but Molly was given another chance!...Wow, what an interesting twist this season...I sometimes wonder how much of it was actually planned. Anyway, what do you think? I think Jason did show his emotional maturity, integrity and strength of character in his decision. Even though it looked bad to America and was hard, he said he was doing the honest thing. I admire that. I do feel bad for Melissa though, but she said she is taking the positive approach and is learning from the experience. Molly loves him and just had all her dreams come true at once! I know...she is "Cindersickenrella!" (HaaHaa) She sounded so happy on tonights episode and has a true appreciation for their relationship. She knows how much he must love her, considering what he did, and sacrificed, and what he risked just to be with her. Another ABC couple is formed...wish them the best!

Property of ABC

Appreciate the Simple Things...

We noticed the breathtaking beauty of Summerlin's snow capped mountains, red rock, and cloudy skies, with multi-colored mountains. The sun and clouds were moving fast so we all jumped in the car fast, grabbed the camera, and drove as fast as possible up Charleston. I pulled over and the kids were in awe of the beauty that Heavenly Father created. Each of them took turns out of the sunroof of the truck taking pics..here are some the kids took!

Love Notes and Valentines Day

 Woke up to this cute licorce love note from Chambray...she is so amazing...she wrote me this sweet note thanking me for helping her with homework and with so much she goes through. Then she reminds me that Heavenly Father will take care of me..(in this note on the right). She is wise beyond her years and is my anchor in life. I thank my Heavenly Father for her spiritual strength and faith that inspires me daily! Love You Cham!

Red Day Run in Logan!

I've so needed this recent trip to see my best friend Kaci, and of course I was also able to visit my brother Brandon's grave. I hardly get the chance to get up there, its been a couple of years. When Kaci moved to Logan I was so sad, but also excited because this is where alot of my family is from. Without me even mentioning it, she made me a promise that if they moved there, she would visit Brandon and take care of him for me. She has kept this promise diligently! Kac will call out of the blue just to say, "Hey, I am here with Brandon, the sky is blue, the trees are green and blooming, and the sprinklers keep hitting right over Brandon!...." I love her...for calling me to describe the exact conditions of that moment there in the cemetery, so that I might "feel as though I am there" she says. Kaci's daughter Alyssa is such a sweet princess, she has a special bond with Brandon and has always taken care of him for me she tells me! Kaci is an amazing person, friend, and mom. I love her!
She has also taken up running, she says Matt, her husband, and I, have inspired her. Well, we ran 5 miles outside when it was only 16 degrees! I thought I was going to die! There was a thick fog that day that was all around us, the cold air came into my lungs and I couldn't breathe, my snot froze to my face immediately, and I couldn't feel anything below my hips!! We found out later, that it was a "RED DAY", meaning the pollution and inversion was so bad that you shouldn't be outside! And yes...we went running in it!! Matt said we might as well have stuck our head in a smog exhaust pipe or smoked 10 packs of cigarettes at once! Ironically enough, I went there for a get-away, to clear my head, and to chill. At the end of our run she says, "oh I forgot to tell you the last 1/2 mile is straight uphill!" "Agghhh" She pushed me to the end...even through the "RED DAY" fog, bitter cold, and numbing pain! She is my true inspiration, and her friendship means everything to me. Through my fog I found clarity...because of my "RED DAY" run in Logan, I found my renewed inner strength to push through the fog, cold, and pain.




Kaci and Matt and their kids

Marissa's Baptism Announcement

Just thought I would put this pic I found of 1 year ago tonight...Christmas Eve 2007 at Grandma Suzi's house in St. George. What a year, the Lord has blessed our CLAN! Wow, it has been a long hard year, but we have all grown...spiritually, physically, and emotionally! I am so grateful for my Savior, the Atonement, and my knowledge that He has a plan for me!

Make a Smilebox postcard

A mother's prayer

This song is to my daughter today. Things have been kinda crazy for our family lately. My heart has been softened and turned to my 11 year old Chambray as she is facing a difficult time in life. Middle school has brought many challenges academically and in terms of time management with homework and gymnastics. Chambray has been faced with a tough decision. She plays the flute in 6th grade and has her Christmas concert on the 16th of December. Attendance and participation in the performance is 1/3 of her grade in the class! She also has her dance recital that same night where she has been asked to lead a 3 and 4 yr. old ballet class as well as perform several numbers with her teammates. The numbers have already been coreographed and rehearsed! I know she has a committment and responsibility to her team and to her sport, but she also has a committment to put her education above anything outside of it, and to earn her best grades. She can however choose to write a 5 page essay on a classical composer if she does not play in the concert. As a mom, I want to make the decision for her, to make it all better and to relieve her stress, uncomfortableness, and pressure from teachers, coaches, and peers. At the same time, I know she has to practice self-reliance and to learn to make difficult decisions on her own. I told her that she needed to pray and to consult with her Father in Heaven. "You decide what you think is best, and then ask Him", I told her. I know she is only 11, but it seems as though the kids today are dealing with so much more, more adult issues, than we ever had to! I prayed night and day for her, and came to the conclusion that this was something that needed to be used as a testimony builder for her. She would have to deal with the decision and its consequences. I am so scared to watch this! Anyway, Tuesday night we prayed together before bed. She said "mom, I want to pray about it tomorrow too, and then we can talk after school." When she got home, I was so nervous for her I remember my hands were sweaty! I asked her on the way to gymnastics, do you have an answer? She said, "yes, I think so, but how do I know for sure?" We talked about how the Holy Ghost speaks to each of us differently, and then she shuffled off to gym. Last night driving home from her workout, she proceeded to tell me about how the coreographer and head dance coach just chewed her out and yelled at her in front of all the teams, when she told them she was not going to be performing. Normally, I think she would have been in tears about it, but it was almost as though their opposition to her decision (which she knew would come) had strengthened her in her decision. Almost as if she was unsure, but knew for sure now, that what she wanted was to play her flute in the band concert. There were many recitals to come, and many had passed.....this opportunity to play her flute was a newfound talent she wanted to display. I am so proud of my Bray Bear. I love her more than life itself, she is my gift from God, SHE is the reason I am here. Even though she drives me crazy most days, she is the what gives my soul breath! I thank my Heavenly Father for gifting her to me in this life. My mother's prayer is always to keep her safe and warm, but today I saw her stretch and fly!

Attitude of Gratitude! Thanksgiving Memories

Grateful This Week For:
- positive power of prayer
- family and friends
- my Savior Jesus Christ
- little Munk noses that have dripped all week
- penicillin shots! (best thing for strep throat)
- protection from harm (discovered garage door had been opened all night long)
- my little man "mom, I'm the man of the house when dad is gone"
- the big beautiful fire and ice pink rose outside my kitchen window!
- our country and our freedoms
- humor
- the policeman only giving me 2 tickets instead of 3!
- our home, food, education, and ability to earn a living
- Attitude of Gratitude!


They got me! "One, two, three"....then I got the bird!

Check out our growing bunch of handsome kids!

We even got to visit with Ya Ya in St. George

Soccer Season Ends

 

The JDRF Diabetes Walk at Janson's School

Thanks to all who helped with Friday's big walk! Helen, the school nurse, and I have been planning this walk for quite a while. We were so pleased to see the gracious response of kids and parents from both schools! November is "Diabetes Month" so we decided to devote the whole month to educating the kids about the signs and risks associated with Type I diabetes, and the prevention of Type II. Both Bonner Elementary (where Janson attends kindergarten) and Givens Elementary, where Janson's Type I buddies Conner and Conner attend, did the WALK! School administrators, teachers, PTA members, parent volunteers, and kids were all amazing! The the walk went totally smooth! It was cool to see commorodity- teachers had their kids all wear matching shirts! Also, JDRF gives 10% of funds raised back to the school!

I am so overwhelmed by the whole experience! The kids were encouraged to bring in their change ("dimes for diabetes") during the week. One boy, a 1st grader, pulled a handful of pennies and nickels from both jean pockets and said to me, "Here, take this from my piggy bank to help the kids with diabetes." AAHHHH!!! I know, I couldn't hold back the tears that day! There are over 940 kids in the Clark County school district alone living with this disease. Type I kids would not live more than a few days without their insulin injections. This disease which used to be rare, is fast becoming the most expensive health epidemic and crisis in our country. 218 Billion dollars was spent on diabetes health care last year alone!

Janson went with us into classes to help teach about diabetes. I was so impressed with how Janson answered the kids' questions. "Does your diabetes hurt, how did you get it, can I get it?" Janson replied..."Sometimes, but not really, and I don't know how I got it....that's why we need to find a cure...and no, I can't give you diabetes, I'm just a normal kid like you." What was even more impressive, was the way these kids caught on and how much they already knew about diabetes. One kid said to me, "isn't it when your pancreas doesn't make insulin anymore?" YES! These kids are amazing. I was very emotional when watching every class K-5 walking around the field chanting, "Let's find a cure, Let's find a cure!"

I hope and pray for the day when needles pricks every 3 hours, site shots every 2 days, high and low symptoms, long term damage to the organs, and the constant worry about blood glucose stability can be lifted! The cure comes through science, research, and money! I pray for the CURE sometime in Janson's life. Wouldn't be awesome if it was here before he is old enough to serve a mission! Thanks to all who donated! Every $ counts...were now $11,000 closer to the cure.

Scroll over to 5:00 minutes. This is the noon news coverage of the Givens Elementary walk. Mitch Truswell the news anchor, has been very involved with diabetes in our community. He sits on JDRF's board of directors and is a great proponent in advocating the CURE! Thanks to ALL!
If you are interested in donating to JDRF, its not too late! There is a link for "Team Bonner" on JDRF's website at http://walk.jdrf.org/support.cfm?id=87286686 Just follow the prompts!




 

Orlando Trip

We just returned from a fun trip in Orlando. We had planned to take a family vacation back in March of last year. When we found out that we could take off for almost 9 days and the kids would only miss 3 1/2 days of school, we couldn't pass up Disney in November! It was absolutely beautiful weather, and even better- no lines at Disney! Even though it was not ideal, due to our employment situation, to leave town for over a week (Jason left his job back in September and he is back at his start-up company on 100% commission), we were still very grateful and blessed to have this time to cultivate our family relationship and to spend time together. My mom and dad meet us there, and we all stayed in one of their time share condos. We had a blast- and pretty much covered it all, from NASA's space center, to Disney World, swimming and water sliding, Gatorland, tennis, movies, shopping, and late night games while eating popcorn! Dad even dropped us off and picked us up at the theme parks so we didn't have to wait for the shuttle! The kids loved seeing Grandma "Villa" and "Papa Wink"! This year my kids have not really seen their grandparents other than a few days in July, so they were in grandparent heaven! Poor Missy sobbed when we said goodbye at the airport, and was still crying for them when we landed in Vegas! At Disney's Blizzard Beach water park we loved our favorite ride where we rode the "ski lift" to the top and all five of us came screaming down the slide on one huge inner tube!

This was one of Janson's highlights of the trip. While at Kennedy Space Center, we got to sit in a simulation machine to see what it is like to shoot up into space. Marissa saw this all too real! She kept crying ..."please Mommy please, I'm scared, please don't send me to outer space today, I want to stay on earth!"Janson got picked to meet and ask John (a real live astronaut!)about his adventures in space.