WAAHHOOO! WHaT a THrIlL!

Wow...what an awesome day! A beautiful November, fall day.
I started the day working :(...but that's okay..kept me occupied for the morning. I told my supervisor for the morning to please schedule me an hour off early this afternoon...just felt like I was needed to jump off something...he emailed me back and wondered if everything was okay!!!
As the day got closer and closer..a part of me kind of hoped the weather wouldn't hold out...I was getting nervous. But this morning...I wasn't. I was excited. Couldn't wait for it. Mickie and Brandyn picked up Rick to meet me up there cause there was no need for me to come back home and Shawn & Ang were coming from a baptism in Mid way! They really thought I would back out. Honestly, the more Shawn said that....the more I wanted to do it! I had posted the activity online on facebook so there was no backing out without looking like a fool. Driving up there by myself...I was so excited. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. I arrived about 2:15 and our appointment was at 3...Rick, Mick, Brandyn,and the kids had been there for a few before me! I didn't really get nervous until I got off the freeway, driving toward the airport. But not the nervous that you want to run and hide...more anxious than anything. We just waited out front, took a few stops to the bathroom with the boys..and me! and before we knew it, it was time to walk through the hanger door. We walked into a playground for these jumping junkies. They were all gathered, busy doing whatever it is they do...get the chutes ready...shoot the bull...they have quite the set up out there. Something I would see on tv!
They had us sign the consent form...having to write out and not just initial the part that we understand the death is a possibility. This is the part where Shawn thought for sure I would back out. I just told him..I signed one of those papers each time I gave birth...it's going to take more than that to scare me!
Pretty soon..they were dressing us in the "Lovely" jump suits and fitting our helmets and such. The only training we had was to lay on this auto mechanics cart thing to show us how to lay in the air...CRAZY. the tandum dudes had hard helmets, we just had these leather things...Sam asked why and Derek just said it was better that they were consicious when we hit the ground..funny!
As we flew to 12,000 ft above ground we just enjoyed the scenic view. We could see pineview, all of ogden, into Cache county and the Mantua lake as well of the great salt lake of course. WOWSERS ! unreal. It all went WAY TOO FAST! we received some instructions on board as our tandum dudes cinched us to them. He described to me the feeling would be something I've never felt before..not like a roller coaster ride..just something of it's own. How right he was. It was surreal! IT was amazing! I don't even remember being upside down as in one of the first pictures..jumping out was a little over the top...sccoting to the door..almost like I wasn't even there...and then we were going down and I had to remember to breath. The pictures look like I'm puckering up for a kiss or something...nope...just trying to remember to breath...the cold air was the cause of that says Derek...or the fact that I just jumped from a plane! I knew we would free fall for about 60 seconds...we spum a little but it didn't make me feel sick...just trying to soak up what I was doing...SO FUN! then the shoot came up...like the biggest swing ride you have ever had! Higher Daddy...higher...please...the funnest thing ever! Have I said that yet???
My tandum dude was so fun. Kind of a smarty pants, but loving his job and helping me to have a fun time as well. We did a big swoop do doop....and I said..hey...lets add some excitement in our lives...head for the freeway...but he wasn't game! J/K...honestly...it was so cool. and as I watch the video and the pictures...just can't stop smiling! WAY WAY FUN! I want to Go again! Thanks Sam for joining me...to all you chicken's that wouldn't go....BLAH! You missed out on the funnest thing EVER!

Footprints in our heart

Last night we had such a treat! Toni Keate Norton graced us with a visit while she was in town visiting the many loved ones who want to embrace her! How lucky and blessed we felt to have her over for a few!
Toni is a dear sweet friend who touched a part of Rick's heart years ago while they were in high school. She was such a dear friend to him, during such a turmuluous time in his life. What a life line she was! What a support, a kind hand, word and sometimes a shoulder when things were more than they should have EVER been! She is one of the angels sent from heaven to help my Rick stay strong, so that when we met, he was ready to embrace the gospel they had showed him was true through their living! I wish I had the words to describe the love that I have always seen Rick behold for her. He says, "that their are few people in this life that have a corner of his heart besides me and she is one...not in any romantic way, but in the truest sense of a forever friend! How fun it was to reconnect with her. She is AMAZING! She is a rock! She doesn't see herself that way right now....but wow..if she could see the vision we see from our view! Toni recently lost her sweetheart to a cruel disease ALS! What a hell she has been through! And he! Bryan was a sweet man and they were so in love. Her heart in broken and we pray she will find a way to mend it! She is part of the miracles that protected my Rick! How does one thank someone for that? I'm sad that she lives in a far away land called Oregon. She and Bryan have always invited us to come....and that thing called life never opened the door to do so. We hope to this summer. She has a beach house outside of Beaverton Oregon...oh what a dreamy thing to have! How I love the beach. So does she! We look forward to seeing her there!

Happy Birthday Stacey, Mom & Gramma!

singing happy birthday and Ang and Talan playing "going on a treasure hunt!"...seee, we kind of suck at taking pictures...kids I need help! All the kids were here to celebrate..just didn't manage getting us all in a picture! URRR!
More excitement to come to embrace this "old age" Rick & the kids are paying my way to go...sky diving! It's scheduled for this Saturday...hope the weather holds out. Shawn...I promise...I'm gonna do it! You are just making me want to more!



Mick & her family brought me this cute candy bar card...
Poster says..."HERSHEY'S 50! Do you hear SNICKERS from those around you? That's good your hearing hasn't gone yet. They are jealous you still look like a JUNIOR MINT at 50! But soon you'll have BUTTERFINGER feel your bones CRUNCH and say where's my WHATCHAMACALLIT! I had a hard time finding a gift. I thought i would TAKE 5 in NEW YORK, but it wasn't PAYDAY! I couldn't find tickets to the MILKY WAY so I made you this card before your too old to read or chew it! Please don't ROLO over sick, eating your M&M's or REESES.

What does 50 years LOOK like???

Soooo turning 50...not such a big deal~~right? I don't feel any different. In fact..the picture with the fluffy hair in the brown shirt...still feel like that young woman...time has just changed the look in the mirror!
I've been so reflective lately...not sure why? Maybe because I have reached this mile stone, and ya know, it's not all that bad. I thought about this silly little blog, thinking it would be fun! It became TOO BIG..wondering what pictures and had all photo albums out. Really, how do you blog the last 50 years? Especially when we stunk at taking pictures...we need to do better! Very seldom do Rick & I end up in a picture together, if at all...anyways..
I've had a wonderful life. I have a great family that I came from. Good parents that made me feel loved and safe! Taught me how to be who I am! I met Rick when I was a young senior in high school..thinking I had the world by the tail! Didn't we all! We were married almost 3 years before we had kids. We had some grand ol times, just picking up and heading up the mountains or wherever we wanted before the journey of raising a family began! Now we're back to just us...and ya know what...I'm excited. The silence and quiet at the house...not a fan! Not at all. But we have many years ahead to celebrate US! Can't wait! Happy Birthday me! We're headed for another 5 decades of an exciting ride...!

AND OUR BONUS OF THE 4th Decade~



We've watched our children marry and become their own families...in my 4th Decade...



Raised our family together..watching them turn into their own self and enjoying every second! And at times...almost giving anything for them to grab my leg again!






2nd to 3rd decade...filled with having our babies..What a blessing each one of our children are to us! At times...wonderin' if they would EVER let go of my legs..




FIRST TWO DECADES.....





Born of goodly parents...had a happy life!

"lovs ya!"

What more can I say to this...true, everlasting LOVE!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The kids generally try to make it to our house for a quick trick or treat all together...it's hard when they all have so many directions to go. Kallie came first and was about done when Mick and the kids got here. We took some pictures and she was off with her family. It was good to see them for a few minutes! Kallie looked so cute with her bumble bee costume with stinger and all. She LOVED the dogs and wanted to play with each and every one of them calling them "Mugsy!". She was even giving this dog here wide open mouth kisses..YUMMY!
The boys were so excited to get going. Talan was all about itthis year, wanting to hit every house! He saw the spot lights for the haunted house streaming across the sky as we headed down our street...he said..."Hey Jesus, we are right here!" Crazy what that boy comes up with! We had most of our street done when Shawn & Ang joined us before going to dinner with their friends. They wanted to walk with the boys a bit, but it was 830, almost 9 and the porch lights were all turned off. They still had a pretty good load, the houses that were handing out candy still were dropping handfuls in because no one wanted to be left with all those sweets! Next year I HAVE to remember, 4 bags of candy is PLENTY!

Families CAN be together FoREVER~

You may ask why I post this...I'll just say that this is a reminder to me and my family that we are sealed for eternity. We may be broken and hurt...but we are eternal and have work to do! So do it! Each of us! Individually and as a whole!
I'm so grateful for each one of you! How blessed we are! Dad & I have existed for each of you for the past 30 some odd years and would walk through fire for any one of you...do you get it? Do you understand our full desire and wish for each of you as a whole and individually? Do you know what's in our hearts? Do you care enough to act on it? I pray that you do. If your wonderin what's in our hearts...just ask. Love each of you to the moon & back a trillion, billion times!