Sweet 7

So, today was a long run in preparation for the half marathon I am training for. I made the 7 mile mark today. I still can't believe that I ran that far.

The race is February 14, 2009. It is the Surf side marathon/half marathon. My friend Rishelle convinced me to go for it. She will be running the full marathon and I will be doing the half. Thank you so much Rishelle for pushing me every week, and running with me for so long before we go our different directions.

It feels so good to have accomplished 7 miles something I never thought I was capable of. This has also been a great outlet for me and a way to let my emotions subside. Now I am tired and need a nap.

Halloween Festivities

So, we have been scrambling the last week and especially the last couple of days to get costumes ready for Halloween. Finally the first festivities were kicked off this morning at a little party for the kiddos. It was fun to build haunted houses, and for Summer to eat the haunted house. We always love getting together with our friends, and this is even more fun to see them all dressed up.

This is Summer's Haunted House that she ate immediately after the picture.


If you can't tell Summer is Pocahontas, and I am her friend.

Just a few of the costumes.

Having fun.

Anything For a Nap!!

So, in desperation and also just for fun Summer and I built a tent out of her toys and blankets. She needed a nap so badly, but I had to be creative. It still took her a while, but she finally fell asleep in her blanket tent.

It was fun to build with her and of course fun to relax while she slept. Now I just need to keep thinking of these creative things to keep her entertained.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This is Summer singing to Scott's picture on my cell phone. It seems like an American Idol tryout. She loves to sing as we can tell.

Hospital Room

So lately I have been keeping myself very busy making crafts. I have allowed myself to get so busy with them that I can go a several days before I take step back and give myself a break.

We decided to clean the carpets on Saturday, and I was forced to put all my junk away for the weekend. Now that I have had a few days break from crafting my thoughts have turned again to my life. I know most of my post include my family and especially experiences with my son. I just can't help it, so please bare with me.

Since our experience with Scott back in June I have had this weird desire. On several occasions I have wanted to go back and sit in room 365 of the Texas Women's Hospital. It is an interesting desire, but every time I think of it I get a little emotional and think it would help. Maybe someday I will actually go and sit there to ponder or something.

For me it is interesting that I can be so busy that I keep from really getting emotional, and then as soon as I stop for a couple of days it is back. I suppose this is the roller coaster that I am told I will probably have. I am grateful for it though, because it helps me not to forget those special moments and feelings I had with Scott and my family during that time.

It is nice to have Summer around to keep me entertained and happy with her sweet spirit. I love both of my children so much. What a blessing.

A Tribute to Scott

Yesterday was the three month mark since we had Scott with us. It seems like time goes fast yet at the same time it is still so long before I get to hold him and see him again. I often wonder what he would be like and look like.
Since I am always making random items for my etsy shop I find that every now and then I need a baby to pose for the pictures. Sometimes it is frustrating that I can't have my own baby to try my creations out for me. Then I think he probably would be really chubby and big and may not fit them.
It is very interesting to wonder what he would be like or what milestones he would be achieving. I think he would be a good calm baby. At least that is what most moms wish for. I also know he would probably have to defend himself from Summer as she would think his eyes are buttons to poke at.
This is a picture that Philip's mom gave to me when Scott died. Since it was three months yesterday I thought I would post pictures of them both wearing the same outfit. Philip was blessed in it, and Scott wore it when he was born for a bit as well as for his burial. It is very special that we still even had it.
We all love him and think of him all the time. Time can only heal a broken heart, but still the feelings of loss remain deep within. It is the comfort of family and friends, and of course the gospel that keeps us feeling more upbeat.

Hurricane Ike Part 2: After

So, we prepared as much as we could for Hurricane Ike to come. We lost power at 12:20am Saturday morning. The night was long and loud. When we woke up after a bad nights sleep, there was only a little water from the windows and doors downstairs to mop up, and a loss of one screen. The power of course did not come on again through the night.

Saturday morning we headed outside to see the damage around the complex. Mostly debris all over the place. We made our way over to the neighbor's to check on them. All the kiddos ended up playing in the rain and small pieces of roof that had blown off.
Conner, Jace, and Ellie loving the water and no power.

Summer in her rain clothes. Ready to play in Hurricane Ike aftermath.

A stop light hanging a few feet from the ground. I thought it was an interesting picture.

This is Highway 288 just below our townhouse complex. We are just to the right up the green grassy hill.

The other side of the bridge looking at Highway 288 headed downtown.

Our complex to the right.Ward efforts to help people near the church clean up their yards.
The roots of the huge tree our bishop is cutting down above. I think there were five trees like this just in one yard.The missionaries admiring the cut tree. This is as much as it could be cut by us. We did not have a chainsaw large enough for the rest.
Apparently Philip loves to climb trees.
Just a bit of the debris we cleaned up and placed along the side of the road.

We are so lucky to have little damage and to have only lost power and water for a few days. Our power finally turned on Monday night around 10:00pm. We are super thankful for power and air conditioning. Many others have sustained far more damage, and it will take the effort of so many of us to get things back together. I really can't complain because losing power for a few days is nothing compared to the devastation that others are facing. I am very blessed.