Be Aware

So February is National Marfan awareness month and this holds a very special place in my heart. My only niece, my sisters daughter Tylar has Marfan Syndrome. I just want to help spread awareness, and bring more knowledge to this syndrome!
http://www.marfan.org/nmf/PreviewPressReleaseInfoRequestHandler.do?press_release_id=44
Check out this link for more info!

Ty, Auntie Apeyel, loves you!

Randomness

This is Zanders preferred mode of transportation lately! He loves being dragged around on a blanket!
I just thought this one was cute, a bit fuzzy...but still cute!
Again, random but cute!

My little project!

So I am applying for an educating job with the color company I use, and they wanted me to send some pictures of my work along with my resume...so I wrangled some of my young women from church and had a little make over night! It was so fun! Here are the results!Lexi before

Lexi After

Back of Lexi after!
Natalie Before

Back of Natalie Before

Natalie After!!!!!

Natalie After!

Kim Before

Kim After! Yes that is her natural curl!!

Almost a monumental day....almost

So it was 9:45am...sacrament was winding down, my heart started to race because we had made it through the entire meeting so far without one outburst..without having to take Zander out and put him on timeout in some dark classroom...without the eardrums of those around us being burst by his shrill screams...we were so close, and the minutes couldn't pass fast enough...I was thinking...could it be, could we actually make it through sacrament meeting...then...my ears perk, my heart sinks, the joy fades into pure disapointment, as I hear the sound I had been dreading through the whole meeting.....OTHER CHILDREN RUNNING IN THE BACK OF THE GYM...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! My son can not resist the temptation of following the herd. You know that scene from Man from Snowy River when the wild stallion hears the brumby's coming and he goes all crazy and breaks out of the corral...that was the same look in Zander's eyes as he darted past Mitch and joinded the pack. Of course there was a massive scream let out when he was wisked away into the hall....I felt the tears well up in my eyes...7 lousy minutes...so close, yet sooooo far. But a small victory anyhow...he would have made it, if it weren't for other people letting their kids run wild...I can't blame them, I know the pain of arguing with a toddler for 45 mins then deciding to cave. But, the point can't be lost that he WOULD have made it...that is a far cry from where we have been these last 14 months! Almost, almost, a monumental day! He did however STAY in Nursery, I guess we can't expect so much from such a young little guy all at once!

Budding Photographer!

So Zander got a hold of my camera yesterday and here are a few of the 24 pictures he took! He thought he was pretty funny!


My mom came and stayed with us for the weekend...it was so nice to have her here, I cried when she had to leave. Zander had fun with her too! He is such a ladies man! PS...isn't his new haircut soooooooo cute!?!?!?

Count your many blessings!

Today my little family was in a pretty bad car accident. We are all ok, but a bit shaken. I have been pretty emotional today...but in a good way! How thankful I am that we all walked away with nothing more that a few bruises and sore muscles! We were headed south on Middleton road when a large black truck went through a stop sign without seeing us. We hit him going the speed limit which is 50mph. Normally collisions at that speed do not end with all the passengers walking away. Our car is pretty trashed, but we are all safe. Today I am thankful for the kindness of strangers...for the family who invited us in from the cold and gave Zander a doughnut to help him calm down. I am thankful for the man who stayed till the scene was clear and then offered us a ride even though he had been headed home to his family. I am thankful most of all for a loving Heavenly Father who spared us from any real tragedy today. I can't stop kissing and hugging my two men today! How thankful I am for them. I am thankful for all of you, and once again, I am being reminded how precious life is! Mitch's dad said it pretty well today. " You can always buy new cars, you can't buy new people!"

Fun Day With Zander

Zander and me hugging! He is saying CHHHHHEEEEEESE! Man my son needs a hair cut!
We will call this the leaning tower of Zander!
Zander loves to put the little blocks on one...at....a...time!
Once again...CHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE!
I am not sure what this one was all about, but I thought it was funny! I especially love the left over lunch on his face!