WAY TO GO GREG & KRISTI

Saturday morning, Greg and Kristi both ran the SLC marathon. Kristi did the 1/2 and Greg did the full!!! WOW!!! I am inspired by both!!! I'm sure I could not run down the block but I do want to learn to run - I've pulled up a "how to run" off the Internet and am going to give it a try . My kids thought I was nuts having to read about how to run - they promptly showed me how you do it.

We went to several locations and watched Greg (pretty pathetic that we got tired just going from location to location and he'd almost beat us there - we were driving). We were not able to go see Kristi because we had all of their kids and not enough space in our van - wish we would have been able to see her as well.

Anyway, way to go guys!!!!

Trip to Las Vegas

Thursday Scott and I drove to Las Vegas with my parents, Nate & Heidi and Leslie. We made it as far as Mesquite. We had a good time visiting and went to the movies and watched "The Bucket List" (can't remember if that is the exact title) - it was good. Friday morning we got up early to head to Vegas for the dreaded Coroner's Inquest. It went better than expected. We had been dreading it for so long. They had 3 witnesses speak - a medical examiner (from the coroners office), an eye witness and the police officer. It was difficult to hear what happened but was something that had to happen. Ryan's toxicology came back CLEAN - which was what the detectives and coroners were sure would not because of the way he reacted when tasered. Way to go Ryan!!! The medical examiner said that he was tasered at least 6 times and the police officer said 5 times... we did not ever get an exact number from the taser gun. They said that Ryan did not speak at all during the altercation and appeared to be dazed the entire time and tried to get away.

After we left the inquest we went to lunch and then we went to one of Ryan's favorite spots in Vegas. Ryan took me there when we visited him and my mom said he'd call her a lot while he was there. It is by a McDonalds (he'd get his favorite m&m McFlurry with extra m&m's on top and 2 apple pies) and he'd watch the airplanes fly over head. It is quite amazing to watch because they are so close. I tried to get a good picture but was not successful... much harder to do than I thought. It was very therapeutic for me to be there - I laid on the grass and shed a few tears.

After, we headed back to SLC so we could watch Greg's kids - see next post. It was a long day but one I am so glad to have over. I love Ryan and am so proud how he acted during this most scary and traumatic event ever!

Peace, xoxox

House for Sale.?.?.?.?

Roman and Patrice (our friends from Olympia) came to visit last night. We went to our ward auction and bought some cool things... lots of yummy Carmel chocolate apples, apple pie, strawberry pie, chocolate cake (my kids kept going around signing their names on dessert), a fly fishing trip for Scott, carpet cleaning for my whole house, afghans, tutoring, carmel suckers, a huge porcelain doll, snow shoveling, necklaces, etc... wow!!!
Today, I helped with he school lottery while Scott worked. Then Roman and Scott went golfing and Patrice and I loaded up bikes, scooters, and roller blades and took the kids to the college to play. They had a great time playing together!
THEN...
We came home. Roman and Patrice ran to Costco while the kids all played in the backyard. I was making pizza for the kids when my neighbor from behind came into my house through the garage. She said that she had been ringing the doorbell but I did not answer. I apologized and told her that the doorbell needs batteries....
She was very, very angry at me. She told me that my kids are awful and that she is tired of them shouting in the backyard. She said that all of the other neighbors are tired of us as well and can't use their backyards because the kids are too noisy... she told me that I am a "shi#y (crappy) mom" (while Reese and some of the girls were watching and listening) and she threw the sh word out again. She told me that all I do is pump my kids out and then don't take care of them... she told me a few times that I'm just "pumping more kids out than I can take care of".... She gave me a list of things that the kids had thrown over the fence and told me that her lawn care guy said we are useless... she told me that I needed to be outside with the kids when they are outside and watch them... Oh, she kept telling me I needed to teach my children to Love thy Neighbor and that I was failing miserably at this...
Anyway, I was completely blown away. She moved in a year or so ago from California... we have lived here over 8 years... the swing set and large house should have been a give away that we have children... Anyway, I have visited with her a couple of times before - we have taken cookies to her and I thought we were all okay...I am bugged that she would swear at me in front of my kids - I do also have to say that the kids were not yelling in the backyard - they were playing (and enjoying the first warm day of spring) but we all had commented a few times how wonderful they had all gotten along today... I am amazed that she said that we are just pumping our kids out and then I don't take care of them - - - - - very, very bizarre!!! I cried for a while after she left then headed over the the neighbor next door to apologize. She had no idea what I was talking about and told me that she has not ever met that neighbor. She loves having us as neighbors and told me not to let her get to me. I feel bad that my kids have thrown things in her yard and would have gladly made them go pick the stuff up and am gladly going to talk to them about it - she listed an "uneaten carrot" not sure what an eaten carrot would look like, a watermelon rind, green tomato.... apparently she had been making the list for a while since we have not had a garden or watermelon for a little over a year.
So, anyone know of a house for sale???? We have been looking at a house (in our ward boundaries) and I'm sure after this I would have moved forward with it but they took it off the market two days ago... grr...
Any suggestions? Maybe, we'll have to take a treat to her tomorrow.

shhh... it's a secret...

Today, just for fun :).... , Aunt Pinch cut all 5 of my kid's hair. They all look darling... of course. She does the best cuts!!! Luckily, they were pretty well behaved... I'd had visions of them all completely loosing it. Anyway, isn't Mckenzie's new style cute!!! She is a bit bugged that I'm posting a picture of her on the blog because she wants to surprise her friends on Monday... I had to reassure her that none of her friends spend time looking at our blog :)

Weeks journaling

On Monday, we received the most amazing packet from http://www.halfthesky.org/ . They paid for Lili's care at the orphanage during her first year and a half of life (an amazing organization!!!). The packet contained 8 or so photos and journaling that was done every three months. It was so fun to see her as a little girl. The hemagioma on her cheek was flat and not raised like it is now...was very interesting to see.
Also, we have made flight arrangements for Lili's surgery. This sounds so odd... but... I'm really going to miss snuggling up to her little face and getting warm by her hemangioma. The hemangioma is a bunch of blood vessels so it is warm... I love it!!! but, we know that life will be easier for her without it.
My brother, Nathan, posted a blog on his site last night that made us all sad... but it was good to see. He took pictures of Ryan's room when he and my parents went to pack up Ryan's belongings after he died. It was really hard to see (I appreciate Nate and my parent's for doing this... I don't know if I could have). Ryan took me to his very, very humble apt in November when we went to visit him. It was spotless and very homie.... anyway... here is the link to Nate's blog... http://therichfam.blogspot.com/
I must add...
even though we are so so sad over Ryan's death we are still able to find peace. We are able to smile - there are just moments. Sometimes there are lots more moments than at other times. We love him, we remember him, we miss him. but at the same time we are seeing miracles through Ryan's death. These are all very personal to our family but they are happening. These don't take away the missing times but do make the missing times more do-able.
Please pray for us next week as we go to Vegas to attend the coroner's inquest... it may be the most difficult thing we ever have to go through (listening to the police officer's reasoning's for taking such drastic actions) but we feel it important to go and show support for Ryan. Hope we feel that peace that he always prayed for. Peace xoxo

Great Sunday

I'm posting lots of pictures for the grandmas.

We had a wonderful day today with Scott home all day. We haven't been able to just hang out all day without work, church, chores or school mixed in for a long time. I am glad that the tax deadline is quickly approaching so we can have Scott around more often.

After completely enjoying Conference we headed to the college to let the kids roller blade and run around. We had a great time - lots of laughing and giggling. I love the picture of the boys kissing little Lili - you can see her little piggy tail in the picture. The little girls laughed so hard at each other while swinging, Scott enjoyed being pulled around in the wagon, and I drove all of them nuts because I took so many pictures - all I wanted was one good picture of them all looking at the camera... guess there are too many of us... good luck Tavis and Leslie (can't wait for you to do our pictures... maybe next weekend when you are here)

I have spent lots of time trying to get tickets this weekend to this year's Stadium of Fire in Provo but have been unsuccessful. I keep checking ebay but am not willing to pay what they are going for... Miley Cyrus, the Blue Man Group and Glenn Beck will be the entertainment - we love, love Glenn Beck and the kids of course love Miley and I've always wanted to watch the Blue Man Group but oh, well.

Friday, I was doing laundry and lost my breath, looked at my watch and noticed it was around 2... It is bizarre how sadness hits me each week at the time Ryan died without me even trying. It was 3 months on Friday, April 4th, and 14 weeks. I keep wondering when I'll stop counting but don't know if I ever will. I miss him so much and am so glad to know that he is living with peace now (but, unfortunately, it does not take away the sadness and emptiness). Love you so much, Ryan. Peace xoxo

Reflections of Christ

Everyone should take a few minutes to watch this beautiful video! Enjoy (thanks Kristin) (click on link below, then click on play arrow, and then at the bottom of the screen there is a little box - click on it to enlarge)
http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Peace and lots of love to my mom today xoxox

Xavier's 1st Musical

The Music Man was a huge success! The actor's did an amazing job! Mckenzie was a traveling salesman (she is the one on the right playing cards) and a teenage townsperson. She has enjoyed practicing for the past several months and has not complained once.... in fact, she is already excited about next years play. Way to go Mckenzie!!! We love you!!! The play continues tonight and twice tomorrow. (Mckenzie is wearing a light blue dress)