To the Rescue . .

Yes, it has happened for tax season 2010! I had my usual January melt down on Sunday, Jan 24, 2010. I was very sleep deprived, buried in work, frustrated with a messy house, ready to throw the computer out the window, tried of always have a mountain of laundry to do, wishing that I wasn't spending every Saturday at Mtn Crest watching Tyler and Kody play basketball -- or at least that it didn't take all day long to play ball. Sunday morning I just really was at my wits end -- I knew I was ready to explode but hoped that I could keep it together. All the hoping in the world didn't help.

By the time church arrived I was a mess. I made it through Primary but during Sunday School the tears just started to flow. I finally decided that I was better off having a really good cry at home than trying to not cry during church. This is my typical pattern, a really good cry helps me get things back into perspective and then I can function again.

April called after church to see how I was. I tried really hard to say I was fine but thankfully she knows me better than that and knows I won't ask for help. A few hours later, she come over with her calendar in hand and was going to be my personal assistant and family chef for the week. I tried to fight it and tell her that I was fine and Todd and I had things under control. She was very persistent and I finally gave in to having her cook dinner for our family for the entire week! What a HUGE relief!! I could work until about 5, come home and do home stuff without having to fix dinner. I was very embarrassed the first night but as the week went on both families really enjoyed getting together and spending a few minutes together. April will never know how much of a blessing that was to me. They are just the absolute best friends!

As the week came to an end, we were all a little sad and decided that we'd like to eat together once a week, if our schedules work out. We've called it Neighbor Night and it has been a lot of fun. April and I take turns each week, all the kids have been really good to eat whatever was fixed, and we've had some great laughs.

Thanks Godderidge's for coming to our rescue! We Love You!

Happy Halloween!!

For Family Home Evening last Monday night, April invited us over to carve pumpkins with their family. Tyler and Kody love to carve pumpkins -- and it's not one of my favorite holiday tradition! I was so glad when she offered to let us tag along with them.

Brooklyn, Kody, Kade and Jennica putting the final touches on their pumpkins.

Tyler has finished his pumpkin.

Kody's just about finished with his pumpkin.

Braxton, Kody, Brooklyn, and Tyler sitting on Godderidge's porch with their pumpkins lit.

Where did September go?

Boy - I'm way behind! Where has the month gone? As I look back through my calendar, I realize two things: 1)Life goes by way too fast. 2)If today isn't going your way, tomorrow will be here shortly. Sunday in church our bishop was talking about how quickly the days go by and said "it will be Christmas in two weeks." That's exactly how our September has gone -- I swear it was just Labor Day!

Tyler's football is going well. He has played some really good games. He has had several behind the line sacks. He's also had a few games that have been frustrating for him but it's all part of learning the game. Football season could rapidly be ending - depending on the outcome of this weekends games. I hate to see it end for Tyler. He absolutely loves this sport and probably could play it longer than the little league season goes. Thankfully, his basketball season starts the middle of October so he won't be idle too long.

Seventh grade is also going well for Tyler. He loves school (always has). He is a good student and happy most of the time. Tyler is all about the social life. He has attended a few parties in the last year and when he comes home and tells us about it, I just shake my head and wonder where the parents are. Fortunately, nothing law breaking has happened but I still am amazed that some parents are so completely blind (or choose to be) to what is happening in their own home. Because of these experiences, Todd and I have decided to host a Halloween Party for Tyler and a few of his friends. Now keep in mind -- Halloween is my least favorite holiday so this is a huge step for me. But I feel like if we don't provide those opportunities for Tyler, he will be invited elsewhere and who knows what will go on. So if anyone has Halloween party ideas, send them my way, please!

Kody will be 10 on Thursday! WOW - that's my baby turning 10! I'm excited for him but again it just reminds me how quickly life moves forward! Kody is loving 4th grade. It's fun to watch him get excited about different things they learn about. He came home a few weeks ago and said that Mr. Smith had selected him to be the class representative for Youth 2000 (kinda like the exec council - they plan activities for the school). Kody was so happy and I was thrilled for him. He went to his first meeting last week. All he could talk about was the donut they got after their meeting! Typical boy! Kody has been practicing basketball for about a month and his games start next week. He is ready to play games instead of only practicing.

Tomorrow (9/30), Todd and I will celebrate the 15th anniversary of him asking me to marry him. Really -- 15 years? It's been a great 15! Just thinking about it brings back all the memories, emotions, thoughts and feelings I had on that night. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for such a great husband and friend. It took us a long time to get together but it's been all worth the many, many days I thought I'd never get married!

Last week, Kade got his mission call. He is going to the California San Bernadino Mission. I tell my boys all the time - if they need an example to look to - look at Kade. Todd and I have watched him grow and develop into a great young man! He certainly has had his teenage moments but he always ended up doing what he knew was right. He -- and his friends have always given Tyler and Kody the time of day and acknowledged them. I know that seems like a small thing, but it has really impressed me that these young men, who really could be annoyed by these little boys, have taken the time to say hi. We have been blessed with awesome neighbors! They feel more like family than neighbors. Our lives would so different without them. I know that Tyler and Kody are well taken care of while at their house or with them. I know that I can call on them day or night for anything and they would drop whatever they were doing to help us out.