Where did the summer GO!!!

Oh how time flies, I have just finished a very difficult summer semester that I thought I would never make it through. So grateful for Shad and my kids who have to put up with me and all of my stressful school stuff. Looking forward to a week in Steamboat with no homework, I think I might actually read a book that isn't a textbook!!! Excited to see my family and spend time with them.

It's been a long week!

This past week has been a long sad week, Shad's grandpa passed away a week ago today and yesterday was his funeral. We have spent many days and nights crying and mourning the loss of Grandpa Swenson. He was the most generous, kind, loving man that I have ever known. He loved you no matter what!

Shad and I were able to make a video tribute to him which turned out very well everyone loved it. Shad did a wonderful job giving the family prayer and talking about his families favorite memories. We are all better for have knowing him and being able to have him in our lives. He will truly be missed and will never be forgotten.

Love you Grandpa Swenson!

Its already been almost a month!

Shad has almost been with us a month, he is really enjoying his job which makes me very happy. We are so blessed to be together again as a family. We have been looking for a home slowly but surely. We have decided to stay in Spanish Fork, the kids have really made alot of new friends and are really liking the schools. Also Shad's job is in Provo so we wouldn't end up going to far North if we did move.

I am still just plugging along with school, I can kind of see light at the end of the tunnel which is really giving me hope that I can finish what I started. The kids are doing great Austin's wrestling team took 1st in state so that was great. Sydney has been on a competitive swimming team for about a month and half and is really loving it. Ashtyn is just reading like crazy.

Our family is so thankful that we have been blest to be together and things are starting to fall into place which is great.

Best News Ever!!!

We are happy to report Shad has been offered a job!!! We are so excited and are very grateful to our Heavenly Father for answering our prayers. It has been a long, hard road but very thankful that we were able to endure this trial and we can start the next chapter in our lives.

Our Family Vacation!!

Over New Year's we went on a cruise to the caribbean and had one of the best family vacations to date. After we boarded the ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico we sailed to the Barbados where we went 170 feet underground to a limestone cavern it was really cool.

The next day we arrived in Antigua where we zip-lined through the Rain Forest it was an awesome experience.

Our next stop was the island of Tortola, where we were fortunate to swim with the dolphins it was an absolutely amazing experience.

We also spent some time at the beach which was alot of fun.

This trip would not have been possible if not for the great generosity of my brother who paid for my kids to go. Shad and I will be forever grateful and hope to be able to repay him someday by taking him and my nephew Jacob on a vacation.

Shad is still looking for a job and so it was bittersweet we had a wonderful 9 days together but it was very difficult to get on separate planes on Monday. We hope and pray everyday that he will find a job soon so that we can be reunited as a family.

Its been a long time!

Well its been quite a long time since I have been on this blog, we have had many changes in our life in the past 6 months. We have sold our home in Minnesota and moved back to Utah, I transferred to the University of Utah and will be starting classes in January. Our home sold very quickly (30 days), things were falling into place for our family we felt very blessed, we began packing our home and Shad continued to look for a job he had a few prospects and one that seemed a for sure thing. We left Minnesota on Oct. 21, with heavy hearts but happy to be making our way back home to Utah. We left many wonderful friends and a great ward family, Shad helped us move, but had to come back to Minnesota to continue working. Shad has been living with a family in our ward who have been so kind to give him a room to stay in for as long as he needs.

Shad has still not found a job and it has been a struggle for us, I thought I was a strong person but this past week was very hard for me and I begin to wonder how strong am I. As I was scrolling through some blog posts from other friends, I have a very good friend from my childhood who has had to overcome the worst kind of pain I can think of, losing a child Amy and Cameron lost their precious Annie last year after being born with a heart problem, little Annie lived to be 4 months old. Reading Amy's posts I think of how strong they had to be for their little Annie and their other kids, they are truly amazing people.

As I think about the trials that we all face big or small I know that I can get through this, the lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle and I can honestly say I am grateful for this small trial because there are so many other things that are so much harder. I know Shad will find a job soon and we will be reunited as a family.

Summertime!!!!

Well the summer is finally here even though the weather isn't cooperating. The kids finished out the school year and did very well. Austin finished 10th grade with a 3.5 GPA average, Ashtyn finished 8th grade with a 4.2 GPA average, and Sydney graduated 5th grade with exceptional grades also. Ashtyn is moving to the High School next year and is enrolled in all honors classes, Sydney is moving to the junior high.

Austin is working his first job this summer and is enjoying making money, he doesn't love paying for gas. :) Ashtyn is looking forward to the last Harry Potter movie coming out next month. Sydney started a competitive swimming club and is loving it she has her first meet in July.

Shad is taking the summer off from school and enjoying some extra free time although I seem to find plenty of projects around the house for him to do.

I am keeping busy with cleaning, my pool chemical job and taking 3 online classes this summer.

Our family is really looking forward to going camping and Lake Powell at the end of the summer.

Austin is 16!!!!!!!

Well this past week Austin turned 16, he hasn't got his license just yet so St. Cloud you are still safe for another couple of months. LOL Austin is a wonderful son, although he can be stubborn at times he has always done the things that we ask of him. This past Sunday he was ordained a priest and it was a very beautiful experience, that I wished more family could have been here to be a part of it. I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up another couple of years and Austin will be off to college and then a mission. I just want Austin to know that we love him very much and really are grateful he is our son.

School!!!

Well Shad and I are into our second week of the semester and things are going ok so far. I took four classes this semester which is more than I ever have so I hope that I will be able to keep up. As hard as going to school later in life has been I really feel like its what I am supposed to be doing. Sometimes Shad and I feel like we are being pulled in a million directions and really hope that we can look back on this experience and know that it was all worth it. We really want our kids to know how hard it is later in life and to not wait to go.

Christmas 2010

Every year in downtown Minneapolis they have an outdoor lighted parade, luckily they have indoor corridors that you can watch the parade without freezing to death. The younger kids really enjoyed it the older kids not so much.

Sydney, Nathan, and Adam had a front row seat to watch the parade.

Austin and Taylor can't wait for it to be over.

We had a fun Christmas this year, Shad's sister and her family came and up and spent the day with us, we did some last minute shopping and made dinner together. Christmas was very relaxing we made a big breakfast, played games and watched movies. Later in the afternoon we went over to a friends for dinner and had the missionaries over also they were able to call their families and give us a wonderful message.

Austin got a BYU Flag, headphones, and a CTR ring.

Sydney got clothes, new coat, and movies.

Ashtyn got a NOOK which she was really excited for.

Sydney loved decorating sugar cookies.

How fast the year has gone!!

Well I again I am not the best at updating my blog, I guess that should be a New Year's Resolution to post more on my blog. It has been a really crazy year for our family, I started school in January and Shad started in September and it has been a huge adjustment for our family, but will be worth it in the end. We are both officially done for the semester and very grateful for that! We have had many ups and downs this year but are grateful for family and friends that watch over us. Austin, Ashtyn, and Sydney are doing well working hard in school and other activities. Can only hope that next year will bring new opportunity for our family and we will continue to be blessed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Happy Birthday Ashtyn & Sydney

Well its official Ashtyn is a TEENAGER and Sydney is double digits. I don't know where the time has gone, it seems like they were just babies. Ashtyn had a friend party this year, she did a scavenger hunt at the mall with about 6 of her friends. They had a great time. My mom came out to visit for the girls birthday and we have had a wonderful weekend. I am so grateful to have Ashtyn and Sydney as daughters, they are wonderful girls who are always willing to help when I ask. Love, Mom

Earth Day Half Marathon

Well I ran my second half marathon I was really excited to run I really had trained hard this year. I had a goal of 2:00 hours so I decided to run with a pace team thinking that I would finish in the 2 hours. Well that was my first mistake, the pace team leader was supposed to be running a 9:15 pace she was running closer to 8:30 pace which I was able to keep up with until about mile 7 and then I was dying my legs ached which has never happened to me during a run plenty of aching after I finish running. :-) So I kept running but the pace team was getting farther and farther ahead of me but I was still feeling good. Then around mile 10 their was what seemed like the 50th hill of the day and I just felt like I wasn't going to make it. I kept going I had to walk a little and then start running again I was feeling a little dizzy so I knew that I was most likely getting somewhat dehydrated so on the next water stop I drank three cups of water and kept going. The last 3 miles were pretty tough but I finally crossed the line with a time of 2:10 which wasn't what I was hoping for, but I did better than last year. I am grateful to Shad for moving through the various mile markers and cheering me on I wouldn't have made it without him. So crazy me signed up for a Marathon in June up in Duluth I am really excited but really nervous too, 26.2 miles is alot but my goal is to just finish it running or walking.

Christmas 2009

Well we had a great Christmas we went to California with family and friends but first we suprised our kids and flew to Utah two days before Christmas and surprised our whole family. It was truly memorable and worth and all the secret keeping to see there faces when the kids rang their doorbells. We loved seeing all of Shad's grandparents as well. Then Christmas night it was onto San Diego which was wonderful because it was warm, which was nice since when we left Minnesota it was snowing like crazy and very cold. California was a ton of fun we went to the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, and the beach. We stayed in a condo in Oceanside it was two minute drive around the marina to get to the beach it was awesome.

Meridee, Laci, and Jen

Christmas Day at Grandma Armour's

Newport Temple

All of the kids in front of Newport Temple

Sydney, Ashtyn, and Austin had the beach

Universal Studios

Waiting in line for Tower of Terror

My brother Jason and newphew Jacob

Jingle Bell 5K Run!!!

Shad, Sydney and me completed a 5K race
yesterday. Austin was supposed to run it
with me but he hurt his ankle a week ago at
church activity, so Sydney took his place.
Shad and Sydney walked the course. I ran
my best 5K yet with a time of 28:05.

Our annual trip to Lake Powell!!!

We had another great year at Lake Powell we had great weather and wonderful friends and family to share it with. There is nothing better than spending a week on the lake.

Ashtyn enjoyed spending time with her dad on the boat.

Austin, Ashtyn and Sydney tried out the tube together.

I ran my first Half Marathon!!!!

Well after 5 months of training I ran my first Half-Marathon.

My friend Kim and I trained together. We drove out to Fargo, ND

and ran it today. I think I did pretty well I ran it in 2 hours 18 minutes. Shad and the kids were at various places along the race route cheering us on. It was an awesome experience and a great

accomplishment for me. I can't wait for the next one.

So I am a slacker!!!

I have been so busy with work and life that I haven't updated the blog lately. So sorry to all that read our blog I have been a slacker. Last week was Ashtyn and Sydney's birthdays Ashtyn turned 12 and is wearing makeup and going to Young Womens she is loving it. Sydney turned 9 and is growing up so fast. I can't beleive my baby is 9.

Last weekend was also State Greco and Freestyle Wrestling tournament Austin did quite well he took 5th in Greco and 5th in Freestyle we are very proud of him.

Summer is almost here and we can't wait!!!!!

A day at the Waterpark!

We went to an indoor waterpark last Saturday and

 had a blast. The kids had such a fun time. We went 

with my sister in law Shantel and her family and my

friend Kim and her family came. We spent a 

few hours going on the slides, lazy river, and sitting 

in the hot tub. We worked up such and appetite that 

we ended the day eating at Famous Daves.

            Ashtyn

               Sydney

                Austin

Eight

I guess I will give this a try since we haven't had much to blog about lately!

8 Favorite T.V. Shows

1. Lost
2. CSI all of them
3. Biggest Loser
4. NCIS
5. Survivor
6. American Idol
7. The Bachelor
8. Numb3rs


8 Favorite Dishes

1.Chicken Parmigiana (Olive Garden)
2. Salmon
3. Chicken
4. Steak and baked potato
5. Anything from PF Changs
6. Anything from Cheesecake Factory
7. Enchiladas
8. Lasagna


8 things that happened Yesterday

1. Went to church
2. Had class presidency meeting after church
3. Shad got set apart for his new calling after church
4. Worked on paperwork from my week long business trip
5. Made Meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner
6. Watched TV
7. Did some laundry
8. Went to bed at 9:00 pm


8 things I look forward to


1. Going skiing with my kids
2. Going to Florida next month for work
3. Going to the Black Hills on a motorcycle trip with 6 other couples
4. Going to Lake Powell in August
5. Seeing family in the summer
6. Going to Disneyland
7. School being done
8. Going back to work in a month


8 Things I love about Winter

1. Sledding with my kids
2. Making christmas cookies
3. Fresh white snow
4. Winter clothes
5. Thanksgiving
6. Christmas time
7. Hot Chocolate
8. Playing in the snow


8 Things on my wish list

1. Go back to Europe
2. My son to go on a mission
3. My girls marry missionaries
4. To move to my dream house
5. For all my kids to go to college
6. To come home to a spotless house
7. Have all the money that I ever wanted
8. To always have my family with me

This was fun thanks Shantel!!