Big Springs Park...

This past Saturday my sisters and I took the kids up Provo Canyon to Big Springs Park (which is just past South Fork) and had a picnic. It was perfect weather and so so beautiful... the leaves are changing colors and are so vivid. I just love it! The beautiful picture above is one of the ones my nephew Dallin (7) took, he is going to be entering one of them into the Reflections contest.

We were pretty surprised when the ice cream truck showed up... who knew, I've never seen one in the mountains? The kids were super excited to get some ice cream and talked about it for the rest of the day...

The kids found these hairy caterpillars and loved playing with them!

There were also a ton of pesky bees that about drove us crazy!

On our way back down we stopped at Vivian Park so the kids could play on the playground (or take a little snooze)...

... Good times!

Seriously... doesn't get much more beautiful then that!

We all had a great time catching up, we are adjusting to not getting together as often now that Summer is over...

Saturday 9/24/11

The Worst Post Ever.

There isn't an easy way to say this and I've been dreading doing so. After 15+ years of marriage Steve and I are divorced. He moved out almost 2 months ago and it was a really quick process and everything is done, filed and finalized. I'm sure most of you are probably shocked. I know I wasn't expecting it and still sometimes feel like it's all just a bad dream that I'm eventually going to wake up from. It's not what I wanted and the last 4 months have been the hardest of my entire life. Divorce is something I never ever imagined I would go through and I still can't really wrap my head around the fact that I have become part of that dreaded statistic. For me divorce was never an option, when I promised forever, on that beautiful sunny June day in the Manti Temple, I meant it. It's been hard accepting the fact that sometimes things just aren't in our control. My heart goes out to anyone that has gone through this... it is truly devastating.

I know that we are given trials to strengthen us and bring us closer to God. I also believe that we aren't given more than we can handle, although at times it sure doesn't feel that way. In the last 9 months I have lost my 7th pregnancy at nearly 16 weeks gestation (my 5th and 6th-both at nearly 11 weeks-in the 16 months prior), had reconstructive surgery on my uterus (to hopefully be able to carry a pregnancy full term) and now I've lost my marriage. I know I will come out of this a stronger person, I just wish God didn't have so much faith in me. Steve loves our kids more than anything and is a wonderful father. He is very involved and comes to the house nearly every day to see the kids and so I can still work part time. He is still providing for us and I'm so so grateful for this. We both want what's best for the kids and we are both 100% on board to make sure the transition and their futures are the best they can be given the circumstances. We will always be a part of each others lives and I still care a great deal for him.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those of you that have known and have been there for me in any and every way possible. It is very comforting knowing so many people genuinely care about me and would do anything to help out. I am truly blessed and am surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family members. I would be eternally grateful for any and all prayers, especially on behalf of our children. They are so tender-hearted and innocent and mean the world to me. It breaks my heart that they are the ones that will suffer the most as a result of this. They truly bring such joy into my life and I'm so very grateful and humbled that I was chosen to be their mother. I do feel like I'm through the worst part of the grieving process and am looking forward to what the future has in store for me.

Camping Out...

The kids and I have been wanting to go camping and so we are taking baby steps. My sister Stacy and I decided to try it in her backyard first so her sweet husband Justin set up the tent for us. I brought a pizza and she made us a yummy salad and then some homemade ice cream. We had a fun time but it was so so cold, I didn't sleep well at all and then when we all woke up Avery informed me she had peed her pants! I think we'll be waiting to do the real deal until next Summer when it's warmer at night.

We set up a movie for the kids to watch...

Being sandwiched between both my kids helped me stay a little warmer :)

Thursday 9/22/11

American Fork Canyon...

Tuesday my sister Stacy and her hubby Justin invited the kids and I to go up American Fork Canyon with them. We left as soon as Maddy got out of school. We built us a fire and roasted up some hot dogs (with all the fixin's), had some chips and fruit and of course smores for dessert. The kids loved watching Justin do some fly fishing (and he caught several including a pretty big one) and exploring everything around them. We stayed until it was getting dark and all came home smelling like campfire...

Maddy wanted nothing to do with the fish but Jace and Avery wanted to touch it before Justin threw it back in.

The whole time we were there Maddy, Avery and Jace all wanted to push Cole in the stroller. We had to enforce them taking turns to keep them from fighting over it.

The kids making them some smores.

These two monkeys climbed to the top of this huge rock...

I was a bit worried they would fall but luckily they didn't.

They even made it back down nice and safe.

Maddy on the other hand just wanted me to hold and snuggle with him...

... and I'm quite alright with that!

Thanks for the invite Stacy and Justin! We had a great time!

Tuesday 9/20/11

School Carnival...

Monday was the carnival at Maddy's school. He had been looking forward to it and was excited to go after his soccer class. My sister Stacy and nephew Jace were able come with us (Jamie has been sick with strep throat.) Steve was also able to come for a little while so of course the kids were excited about that.

The kids loved launching their paper rockets and then chasing after them...

Maddy wasn't too happy about the prize he got at the Fish Pond (one of those popper things) and so I asked the girl working behind the curtain if he could trade. Of course she said yes and actually asked if we could take her spot for a few minutes while she ran and took care of something. Maddy wanted to do it and thought it was pretty cool that he got to pick the prizes for the kids...

There were a bunch of carnival games, blow-up bouncy houses, face painting, hair coloring, dunk tank (how did I not take any pics???) and a big BBQ. They kids also loved playing on the playground (Maddy was so excited to finally show me the "crooked monkey bars" he loves playing on every day at recess.) The kids had a blast and we were there until they were taking everything down.

Monday 9/19/11

Vivian Park...

Saturday the kids and I headed up Provo Canyon with my sister Stacy and my friend Brittney (and their kids of course.) We had planned on going to South Fork, but Britt headed up early and checked it out for us and said it was pretty crowded. So we decided to just hang out at Vivian Park. We had a picnic and the kids spent most of the time playing on the playground...

Beautiful Britt (and sweet baby Axeton.)

Cole kept trying to sneak off and the kids were pretty good to help go get him. Doesn't Avery look like an upset mother?

The weather was crazy and would be hot one minute and then raining the next. Some of the grass was super wet (like puddles of water) and of course if there is water the kids will find it and play in it...

Maddy took this picture of me while he was on the slide (he even used the zoom feature lol!) He also took the one of the mountains at the very top of the post, on our way out. It's always so beautiful and peaceful in the mountains, I just love it! Can't wait for all of the leaves to change colors!

Saturday 9/17/11