Time flies....

Time flies whether you are having fun or not.

Wow is all I can say for the last 4 months. Summer consisted of movies, Drive Inn's, Milk Shakes, Snow cones, Swimming, lots of playing with friends and cousins, Bar-B-Que's, Boon Docks, Scout day camps, Water parties, Chukars games, lots of sleep overs and I am sure more.

We cannot forget more hospital visits for my husband. This last time he went in September they gave him a botox shot into his Pyloric (spelling?) valve and he has felt so much better, thank goodness. He has been doing things around the house. Has been out to football games and out with the kids. It is great to have this change. Instead of him just lying in bed, sick.

In June my children asked if they could try living a year with their dad. It was a very difficult decision, and I had lots of tears, but I went ahead and told them yes. So I only have 3 children in my household right now. They seem to be doing pretty good except for my Tate. He really wants to come home. He cries when I talk to him on the phone. I miss my kids and things are just not the same without them here. I am hoping I can make it a whole school year without them.

Our neice Chris's sister's daughter was dignosed with cancer. She is only 7 months old. So that has been hard. For awhile there we kept getting bad news and more bad news and quite honestly I did not think she was going to make it. Since then she has been able to come home. She is not out of the woods yet. I know things have changed alot for Stephanie and her family. Stephanie has to give Brynlee her medications and flush her central line. They seem to be taking it all in stride.

We had a nephew born into the family. Brandon and Ashley welcomed their new baby boy. Walker Wendell McBride. He was born 9 lbs 14 oz and he was three weeks early. Big boy!! But oh so cute. There was a little scare during the delivery but all is well and we are so grateful. You see Walker's older brothers so proud.

This fall has brought us lots of fresh fruits and veggies to our home. Lots of wonderful neighbors have shared with us from their gardens. Fresh corn on the cob, Squash, apricots, cucumbers, tomatoes, red potatoes, etc. Yum Yum. So grateful for wonderful neighbors. Not only do they share with us in their harvest. They have mowed our lawn several times, fixed kids bikes, helped with kids, helped with our electricity. I am sure much more. Always coming to our rescue. I couldn't ask for better neighbors and ward members.

Also with fall comes FOOTBALL! Teague made the A team in Lehi. I have been to a couple of his games. They play so well. Teague just loves football, it is so fun to see his enthusiasm.
Chris took the kids to a high school football game and then of course anytime football is on T.V. Chris is watching it. I know this weekend it was very hard for him to watch General Conference he had to keep flipping to football to see the score.

Towards the end of August we had a friend move in with us. Her name is Becca. She was having some struggles and needed a place to live for awhile, until she can get her life back on track. We are glad to have her. The kids love her and she helps me alot with keeping the house clean and helping kids with homework. We have had lots of laughs with her. The missionaries have been coming every week and there is such a good feeling in our home.

Things really seem to be looking up for our family. Chris has been working really hard with getting his life back on track and we are getting much closer to be able to be sealed in the Temple. Something I have been waiting patiently (hum or not so patiently at times) for. I am very proud for how far he has come. He has had some very difficult and rough years. Love you babe.

May at a glance

May the last month of school. It has been busy.
Sydney had her 4th grade Idaho History program.
Teague had his 5th grade US history program.
Tate had a program/play on what they learned throughout the year.
Taya had a kindergarten graduation.
ISAT'S for Sydney, Tate, and Teague
Teague tied for the highest score in his class for Math and Reading.
In his Math test he tested at a post high school level. I am very proud.
Sayla tested well above in her reading. The high in her class was 53 words per minute read. She read 85 wpm.
Tate also tied for highest score in his class for reading.
Ethan who is in 2nd is reading on a 6th grade level.
Man I have some smarty pants kids.
Chris was in the hospital with pnemonia.
Chris had knee surgery.
Teague had a birthday.
Teague arrow of light ceremony.
Several birthday parties.
Ethan basketball games.
Memorial weekend Island Park with the "Former" family.
Memorial day took the kids to a movie and dinner.
Game night with the family. We had an uneven number cause chris was icing his knee. I told the kids go get Dad and we will do boys against girls. Sayla says "no dad is too smart" I said "are you calling me dumb" Sayla says "No, he is just smarter than you." It is the truth but come on Sayla.
Lots of Tears.
7 missing teeth.
2 cavities filled
21 A's
3 B's
3 5's
9 2's
lots and lots of E's and S's
Tate won me a $10 gift card to Orange Leaf for his essay on Why my mom deserves to be pampered. Sponsered by our orthodontist Dr. Mooso
His essay said this:
She has to take care of 6 kids and a sick husband. She works ful time and does moast of the chors. We have a knoty dog that she mostly takes care of. We are very pour.
So we went out and had frozen yogart together.
Tate also won a $10.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble for his reading minutes.

It's not a tumor... (said in an Arnold Swartznagger voice)

Another scary thing happened to us these last few weeks. Chris went into the Dr. and they ran a bunch of panels to try and get some answers for his illnesses and everything going on in is body. Well the Dr. called us and said his body was secreting some fluid that is secreting when you have a brain tumor and he wanted him to go in for an MRI. When I got the news I was very scared Chris and I both cried. He went in for the MRI. When we got the results back it came back negative for a Tumor what a relief. The Dr. did say he was baffled to what is going on and Why his body is doing/not doing what it is suppose to, so we have more Dr.'s to see. I would just like some answers. I would love to have a healthy husband again. We don't always get what we want now do we. Again thankful for the blessing that it was not a tumor. That was a very scary thing.

My grandparents are gone

Within two weeks of each other I lost both my grandma and grandpa McBride.
Grandpa McBride got sick in Jan 2009 and just could not seem to get better after that. He suffered several strokes and infection after infection. On April 18th he passed just 38 minutes shy of his 86 birthday. He died on his and my grandma's 62nd anniversary.
since the funeral was on Easter weekend and it happened to be on Angelia's holiday she would let us take the kids. She is such a beast. I know it was just because it was me and she did it to spite me cause she hates me so bad, for being a mother to her children when she wasn't. So if you cannot tell I was and am upset about that. The funeral was great, lots of tears. It was great to see so many people I had not seen in a long time. At the cemetery, the VFW (veterans of Foreign War) came and played "Taps" and presented the flag to my grandmother. It was a special ceremony. Of course once they started playing the flood gates opened up and everyone was crying. It was raining hard and the wind was blowing but we got through it.
On Sunday May 1st my father text and said Grandma is in a Coma and is not expected to make it through the week. On monday May 2nd around 6:45 she passed peacefully in her sleep.
Her and my grandpa just could not stand to be away from each other. I am glad they are together pain free, and happy again. Walking and dancing like they have not done in a long time. I love them and miss them. I am so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that I will see them again and that they are whole again. Then again of course since the funeral is this weekend and it is Mother's day weekend so it is Angelia's weekend she will not let us have the kids again. You know there are going to be lots of Mother's day's but only one funeral. She will answer for all this and what she puts her children through, but for now we deal with it and try to go forward with a smile on our face.

Ice Princess

Our little Sayla did 4 weeks of Ice skating lessons. The week before the performance they practiced everyday for 1-3 hours. Sayla Chris and I were glad when those long practices were done. I know she is going to miss Ice Skating. They melted the ice after the performance so no more until next year. They did a performance on Saturday the 2nd. It was a Disney theme. She was in the little mermaid a little fish. She did so good, she was so cute. She did not fall and did everything right. She was even helping the other girls get into their spots and helping them with what was next. She of course kept waving to us. She is so cute. Grandma and Grandpa McBride came, with Mackay. Then her Dad and Jordie came from Utah. Great Grandma Mercer came. Then us Me, Chris, Teague, Tate, Sydney and Taya.

Have you ever....

Have you ever sat back and watched someone you love suffer and be in so much pain they cannot get out of bed. Have you ever sat and begged Heavenly Father to take someone you love so much to take them from you so they could be out of pain and suffering. This is how it has been for me for the last couple of weeks. Just when you think he is doing better he falls further down. Why is he still alive and suffering? What does Heavenly Father have in store for him/us? It is very hard to keep the faith and think there is something some reason behind all of this. Will we ever know?
Tonight was a very hard night for the kids and I. Chris was so sick today and it hit the kids very hard. It was Sydney who started it all and all the other kids started to cry. I had a hard time calming them down. Sydney just sobbing saying "is dad going to die? will he ever be better? I hate to see him in so much pain?"
I try to stay strong but I get tired of being "so Strong" I want to give up sometimes. I feel weak at times and just don't think I can do it anymore. Of course after I start feeling that way I dig down deep inside myself and find the strength and keep going. That strength comes from only one place My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am glad he has helped me along this trying hard road.
I will keep going as long as I have to. I will keep finding that strength to carry on.

Not so good at this

I am not so good at this blogging thing. I never have time and when I do have time I don't know what to say.

I do want to say thank you for anyone and everyone who has kept us in your prayers. We have had some good news/blessings in the last month. It has relieved alot of stress in mine and Chris's life. Chris is slowly feeling better. He was able to go to Sacrament with me a couple weekends ago. The ward members were so happy to see him even though he did not stay, we will take the little baby steps of his improvement.

Brother Olsen our neighbor has been a life saver this winter. Everytime it rained he was out in our driveway shoveling our walks and drive way. Thank you Brother Olsen for your kind service.



There are so many others in our ward I have to thank also. So many meals and treats have been brought to our home over the last several months. It is much appreciated and very thoughtful.



Chris and 4 of the Children were in a wreck a few days ago. They were in a rush to get to the Dentist. It was very scary. I got a call at work. The man on the other line introduced himself as Officer Casper. He proceeds to tell me my husband and children have been in an accident and he needed to come and get me from work to take me to where they were. I was in a panic. My heart dropped down to my toes. The worst things go through your head when you recieve a call like that.

I ran to the office told them I was leaving I grabbed my things and went outside to meet the officer.

Everything ended up being okay but they wanted me to drive the car just as a precaution. Chris's medications were affecting him differently.



I do have to say for once in the last 3 years of my life I feel like I have had a break and the blessing are being poored out to me. I have always known I was blessed and I saw the little blessings in my life but recently it has hit me very hard and strong.

I am very grateful to a loving father in heaven who will let me see and experince these things.



So moving on to the next blessings. A while back I had given some homemade hair bows and clippies to some girls that were have babies. Then Kyle who I work with came up to me and said my girlfriend would like to buy some of your bows you make will you bring them in. So I did and wow all the ladies went crazy. I made over $100 in a week. I only make the hairbows for neices and for gifts but now it has got me thinking maybe I could make some money off of this. It could not have come at a better time.
Then someone put a $20 in my locker with a note that said "just because"
If anyone knew how much we needed it. Wow!
This is how bad we need it. It was a tuesday evening I was on my way to work at 10:00 p.m. I knew I was out of gas but we did not even have $10 in our bank account. I was just hoping and praying i could make it to work and back. well when I got off of work at 6 am and was heading home in the freezing cold. I ran out of gas. Even if someone came to help me I had no money to buy gas to put in my car. I was debating on walking home. I called Chris and he said let me see if I can make some calls. He called his parents no answer. He called his cousin Jack. Well Jack came and saved the day. I did have to wait an hour for him to show so I was freezing.
Later that day when we went to the mailbox there was a check for $200 from Sonny. It could not have come on a better day. Yeah we can put gas in our car.
Then a few weeks later a check for $100 came in the mail from a dear friend of mine.
On the not it said. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a feeling you needed this. This feeling would not go away until I did something about it. I cried and cried when I recieved that.
Just so you know whoever is reading this and does not know Chris has been so sick and has not worked since September. Times have been very tough. These tender mercies from the lord and from all his faithful servants, are just what my family has needed. Thank you everyone for listening when the lord has prompted you and being his agents in answering prayers.
We will pay it forward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

2011 Starts off with Bitter Sweet.

So 2011 was not off to a good start. My aunt Roxie passed away. She was diagnosed with cancer three weeks prior to her passing. Roxie is my Dad's older brother Randy's wife.
On Sunday January 9 my parents, Kecia and I headed to Utah. Our first stop was in Bountiful to see my Grandparents whose health is failing miserable and quickly. While we were there my Aunt and Uncle Kara and Dave showed up. Their Daughter Shannon and her new baby boy Wyette was with them. We do not see them very often they live in St.George. Then my uncle Paul and his daughter Tayler showed up. It was good to see everyone. Even though it is hard to see my grandparents the way they are. My grandfather usually has lots to say and we don't have to think of things to carry on a conversation, but things are different now and we all were trying to find things to talk with them about.
Next stop was to see my sister. We stayed about an hour. It was nice to see my niece Aleah in her own Enviroment. Whenever I have seen her it has been at my parents house and all she does is hide behind Brooke. Well she was playing and talking.
Then off the Bryce and Cassidy's house. We visited for a few hours then started getting ready for the viewing.
Upon arrival at the viewing we saw lots of family and friends we have not seen in 20 years or so. although it was a sad situation it was also like a reunion seeing and reconnecting with everyone. I know Roxie would have liked it that way. She was a very good woman, very kind and loving. We went to dinner afterwards with my Aunt Shantel and Uncle Paul and their two children Tanner and Tayler. Good times lots of laughs. Tanner had some great stories to tell. He has not changed a bit. Still the same story telling kid.

The 10th was the Funeral. It was a nice service again lots of family to visit with and see. We headed home around 2:30. As soon as we returned home we headed to Leo's for Cambria's birthday party. Man my life is busy and crazy. No wonder I am so exsausted all the time.

Lots to catch up on since November 16. Well Lets see Chris was in the hospital again he was diagnosed with Gastroparasis. Which has been a struggle. He still struggles with his health, he is doing a little better and has been up and moving around more than before.

We had Thanksgiving-all my family came into town, we had the thanksgiving celebration at the church since we have so much family. It was fun to have the family around. I love my family so much and love holidays that bring us together.

Dec- The kids had there Christmas program at school. Someone did the 12 days of Christmas to our family. The kids loved getting a gift every night. What sweet people for thinking of us, with all the hardships we have gone through.

Of course, Christmas. All of the children were with their other parents for Christmas it was very different. It was just Chris and I. Chris was not feeling very well so I was the only one that went to my parents on Christmas Day. When the children came home on December 30 we had our own Christmas it was crazy paper, presents, candy it was so good to have the children back.

All of the family came into town, Brynn was blessing her baby so they were all here. It was so fun. On New Year's Eve we got together at my Mom and Dads for food and games and visiting. Some of the conversations we have are quite interesting, but very funny.

New Years Day was a very busy day we took the kids to the movie Mega Mind so cute. We went to Chris's parents for a New Year's dinner. At 6 we (meaning my brothers and sisters and spouses and my parents) met at Stockman's resturant for dinner. It was Ashley's birthday so we were celebrating and my parents paid. AWESOME So fun to be with family we have the best time laughing and enjoying each others company. WE went back to Chris's parents visited for a little bit then took the kids home. They were so tired. A whole week of staying up late.

Sunday morning we got up got ready and went to Brynn's sacrament meeting for Jagger's baby blessing. Again another day with lots of family. We had a celebration at Dana and Darla Miller's. They have a big enough house to host everyone. Thanks to them for their hospitality and generosity. My kids loved it there. They kept saying I WANT to live here. They have a gym down stairs. Then it was say goodbye to family. They had to return home to their lives. So sad wish they lived closer. I miss them so much all the time. Now my Brother Brandon is moving them to Arizona so now I will see them even less. What a meanie taking my Nephew's away.
I will miss them so much.