Monday, November 1, 2010

For my peeps who never give up on checking my blog...this ones for you!

I am finally finding a spare moment to update my blog. No guarantee when this will happen again - so I better make this one BIG! I am covering the entire summer, and most of the fall in one swoop.



Following is the number one reason why I haven't been blogging lately...Ira's new office building. It has been quite the adventure. I became an interior designer/decorator. Who knows the difference between facia and soffit, and if you do know the difference - did you know they come in like 50 colors???? And then the problem of shingles - who cares???? Just put some up! As it turned out, I did care. I thought the shingles we got (which weren't the ones we thought we were getting) were hideous at first. But I've grown to like them. I had no idea what we were getting into when we started this project, but once it was all said and done - I actually had fun with it. However, I also gained a stronger understanding and conviction of why I need to be home with my kids, and not on another job.

See all the curved, dropped ceilings? That was a midnight drawing Ira and I came up with. If we were drinkers, I'd say we would have been drunk when we did it. No worries, we're not drinkers...and we WEREN'T drunk!!! :) But you know...I really love it!




The finished product. If you want the grand tour - then I guess you'll have to come for a visit and we'll give you the grand tour!

waiting room
reception area (we were just moving in, so ignore the boxes and lack of decorations).



still working on the landscaping, but this is the outside. I think I need to retake this picture on a better day - but I think the building turned out nicely. Ira and the other Chiropractor use half of the building, and we have a physical therapist and nurse practitioner who rent out the other half. We couldn't have asked for a better situation.






This has been our other big project which we started within a matter of weeks after the building was complete. You know what they say...no rest for the weary.


Brayden and his cousin, Nathan, both did eagle projects that is a humanitarian efort to help the people on the Marshall Islands where their grandparents are serving a mission. Brayden had a garage sale to collect money to help with shipping and purchasing needed items, and they took donations of fabric (to make clothing), white shirts, spices, and flashlights. When he started this project, we weren't sure how this would all turn out. But with the Lords help - it has been a greater success than we had dared hope. I will post a blog later to tell details of how this all turned out. Ira and I are going on a trip to see my parents, and we are bringing the stuff with us. So I will take lots of pictures, and tell you how it all turned out in the end.












This has also taken a lot of time this summer - training for our 1/2 marathon.







And of course...these guys take lots of time too (good time of course)!


We are at my parents farm here. We've been helping take care of their yard while they are away, and the kids love to get the farm boots on and go see the cows.






We've spent a little time doing this - but not nearly as much time as I think is necessary to keep my sanity. I love, love, love 4-wheeling with my family!




A little time was spent at Bear Lake - but again, not nearly enough time doing the things we love. I love it here almost as much as 4-wheeling.









I took my first airplane trip alone. I went to California to my nieces wedding. I met up with two of my brothers when I got there - so I was only alone on the flight. But it was still a bit scary for me. I'm venturing out!! We spent a couple hours at the beach at my request. Another one of my favorite places to be.


The few in my family who were able to make it.




5 of the 8 kids in my parents family.




We had 3 of these this summer (birthdays). Jarin turned 5, Kamden 2, and Emilie 10. Braydens is next week - guess I better go shopping.










Poor Emilie - yes, that's icecream, and no cake! I got sick that day, without having made her a cake. So Ira grabbed a pie at the store (cuz she wanted peach pie). By the time the thing cooked, it was really late, and we were all really tired. So we had icecream with candles in it. Good thing Emilie is so laid back and flexible!




This is Kamdens and his "friends". He loves his friends, and wants them to be with him all the time. When we get him out of his crib, he hands me his friends first. When my arms are full, then he wants me to hold him too. Kinda tricky, but there is a technique to it - and when you've got it down, you really can hold ALL of them at the same time!






You think I'm exaggerating about his friends. Check out the next two pictures.










We did a little bit of camping this year too - but again...not as much as we'd like! This camp was with my side of the family. These three boys all have birthdays within a couple months of each other.




Ira and I both took couple hour long naps every single day of this camping trip. Kids were busy playing with cousins, and I think we had major catching up to do with our building still in the making.



Before we knew it, summer was over, and school was starting. These are the first day of school pictures.


Emilie is now in 4th grade.





Brayden is in 8th grade. Check out those "must-have" shoes. If you are my generation, you'll think they look pretty familiar. The brighter florescent, the better.




Jarin is in his 2nd year of preschool. He technically could have gone to kindergarten, but he would have been one of the youngest in his grade. So we decided to keep him back. I hope and pray it was the right decision.









Just cuz the kids went back to school, doesn't mean our fun had to end. We brought Brayden to the theatre in SLC to see Broadways "Lion King". He really likes that kind of stuff, and it was fun to spend that time with him.






We even managed to make it to the swimming pool a couple times.




My sister-in-law Mandi, yours truly, and my sister, Kelli.





Can't let our favorite time of year (fall) go without getting a few more 4-wheeler rides in. Especially since our building was finally done in August. In theory, we were supposed to have more time to play now, right? Not all theories are fact!




One more Bear Lake trip.



Those same three cousins that are all the same age (Des, Ryan, and Kam)




What would we have done without Brayden and Emilie who took over the parenting this summer? Not that that's a good thing, but they were troopers. Emilie even taught Jarin how to ride his bike without training wheels.






Now it doesn't get any sweeter than this! I wish they were always this peaceful with each other, there's usually quite a lot of arguing. But once in awhile, I will come across something that is just so sweet - and this is one of those times. (no - don't take up donations to get our kids their own beds - they do have their own beds. They just all fell asleep together this night).

Our last big adventure before the snow flies. We went camping and 4-wheeling for a long weekend. This is a special place for my dads family. It is the "Moser rock" where they have gone hunting for years and years. I can't give away the secret of where it is at - but we had to go here to "kiss the rock" (don't ask, cuz I really don't know - except that there is a certain spot on the rock that we have to kiss when we go there. Whatever goes on when men go hunting - I'm not sure, but somehow kissing the rock became part of it!)










I LOVE FALL!!!!




Ira and I with our helmet heads. We rode to Bloomington Lake.




So there you have it. Sure, this was a lot of pictures. But think if I had been keeping up on my blog all year, all the pictures you'd have had to endure, not mention my attempt at trying to explain what was going on in our lives. So really, I did you all a favor. (you can thank me with taking me to lunch! ;) ).
Now if you'll excuse me...I think I'll go sleep for a couple months. I think they call that hybernating, or a vacation. I think I'll take the vacation - to the Marshall Islands! (less than 3 weeks away...woot woot!)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Humanitarian Eagle Project

Brayden is doing his Eagle project to help the people of the Marshall Islands. Please check out his blog with more information.

www.humanitarianeagleproject.blogspot.com

THANKS!

Monday, August 30, 2010

MO Inspiring!



I have not blogged for a VERY long time - but today is a new day! when I get started on my catch up blogging - you'll see why I haven't been blogging till now. But instead of starting where I left off and catching up - I want to post about about this last weekend first. I, along with 5 of my family members, ran the Top of Utah half marathon. I wish I could tell you how much fun it was - but really?...it's not fun - just H.A.R.D!!! So why did we come back for more?...cuz it is totally INSPIRING to see all these people from all walks of life, including my own family - come and accomplish something that is so difficult to do. And to do this as a family is the icing on the cake (and in my opinion, the icing is the best part of the cake! - next to the sprinkles.)




My sweety brought our kids and came to support me at the finish line. They are the sprinkles on the top of the icing. So Ira took this picture when I saw them cheering me on. That's the only reason I have a smile on my face - cuz of my cute family being there at that point.




We got matching shirts for our run. We wanted to make sure our family could see us coming, and we could find each other. And yes...it worked! It was really hard to lose each other, even in a sea of over 2000 runners! Our families last name is Moser. so we took a part of our name (MO), and added whatever described us best. The results:





Shawn: MO Alive
Me: MO Determined
Kelli: MO Strong
Mandi: MO Mighty
Robin: MO Sassy
Brittany: MO Smokin


This is my running partner Shawn. We stuck with each other for the first 11 miles of the race. It was really helpful to have each other to work through the tough times. People thought we were a couple, since we matched and ran together. When we got separated, they started asking me, "Where's Mo Husband?" I laughed and said, "You mean Mo Brotha!" Our shirts were a source of conversation with other runners through the whole race. Thanks Shawn for the "good" time!


(this is my sister Kelli, bringing him across the finish line)



My "OLD"est sister ;) Robin. I can say that, cuz she beat almost all of us - so it's more of an inspiration that she is older than the rest of us and still leads the way - even in a race. She's even a grandma to 5! She is truly Inspiring to me.






My sister Kelli, who ran an amazing race. This was a first time for her, and she's got a smile at the finish line - what does that tell ya?





My niece Brittany - also her first race. She's also smiling. Way to go Britt!






My "sprinkles". I love them all, and it was so wonderful to have their support.





The only one I don't have a picture of was Mandi. She crossed the finish line, I think before any of the family was even there yet. She is who started this all for me. She is the one I came to cheer on last year at the Top of Utah, and knew that I wanted to be like her next year. Well...I am like her that I ran it. But I will never be like her that I run it so fast. She is also totally Inspiring...they all are. Every one of my family has had their set of trials that would have made it very easy to quit before they ever got to this point. But they didn't, and look at us now Baby!

So now that we've ran two halfs - doesn't that mean we've ran a full marathon?! ;)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend

Yes, she will crawl through that little passage to get to the next great opening.

We were able to get away for part of Memorial Day weekend. We spent it with my sister Kelli in Pocatello, and her family. We decided to go on a day trip to Craters of the Moon. It is in the middle of nowhere in Idaho - (by Arco), but definently worth the effort to get there. It was created by hot lava which has cooled. There were lots of caves to explore, rocks to climb, and sights to see.

My sisters cute family.


Brayden popping his head out of one of the caves he had been exploring.



Brayden, Emilie & Zac

Ira with Kamden and Jarin




Some of our group rode their bikes through the park (oops...we forgot our helmets!)



Jarin, Tannon, Emilie and Myah.


Only a couple of owies. This was one of them (not a big deal, except Jarin thought it was the end of the world until we got a bandade.) The other mishap was Zacary needing stitches, which he didn't think was a big deal - but the adults did. What a trooper!




Derrick holding Kam and Des.



Jarin and Myah climbing down through one of the many tunnels created by flowing hot lava.




Our cute little family!


Kelli and I. We used to not get along so great (when we were kids). I'm grateful everyday that things have changed!

Debbie Moser Thompkin

Unfortunantly the Moser family (my Maiden name) has a family reunion of sorts for the last 3 years in a row on the same weekend (or close to it). We come together to remember and honor one of our family members as we lay them to rest. Two years ago was my cousin Amanda, who passed away from cancer. Last year was my Uncle Dennis who passed away from cancer. And this year was my cousin Debbie (Dennis' daughter), who also passed away from... cancer. It is wonderful seeing my relatives, but I really wish it was under better circumstances. Debbie's passing came as a shock to all of us - it appears to be more of a complication from the surgery to remove the cancer then it was the cancer itself which took her life. My relationship with Debbie has been a fairly new one. She has always been my cousin, but it hasn't been until recently that I have gotten to know her better. And for that, I am grateful. My heart breaks for her family that is left behind. I hope and pray that next memorial day weekend can be spent in a much different way! And maybe...just maybe...sometime between now and then a cure for cancer will be discovered!


This is a picture of Debbie's husband Tom, and her sister Diane and my Aunt Della (Dennis' wife, and Debbie's mom)- she is such a sweet lady, who has been through so much. She, along with her 3 surviving children are all battling thyroid cancer as well.


This is one of the strongest families I have ever met. They are going through a lot together, and look at those smiles still. You know the saying, "fake it till you make it". I have a hard time believing that they are smiling on the inside, but they continue to move on. I love these people, and pray for them every day!

Dione's son, Dione, Debbie, David and Tom




These are Debbie's sons.
Me with some of my brothers and sisters after the funeral.I really wish I had a picture of Debbie - but those pictures are on my laptop that is currently not working. She is going to be so missed!