So it has been a while

I was talking with my sister in law the other day and she mentioned that I hadn't updated my little blog in a while.  When she told me what my last post was (because I couldn't remember) I was surprised she had even kept checking. :) 

A lot has happened (that she already knows about) but to all the other faithful readers (HA HA HA) you might not know. (who am I kidding).  I use Facebook a lot. And what I mean by a lot is that I have a borderline addiction with that crazy website.  With all its negativity of constantly checking it, like I do the fridge to see if there is any new yummy food inside, It has been an amazing tool for us too.

So lets update the little bloggy world out there of my life in the past few years that I have  failed in contacting.

*David graduated from Respiratory Therapy school, May 2011.
*He got a job in Vernal, Utah and we had to move within 2 weeks.  Luckily our lease on our apartment was up.
*We bought our first house... a little home built in the 1950's. 
*We bought a trampoline for the kids because after living in AZ their entire lives, they didn't know how to play outside without melting.
*We had our first Christmas with David's side of the family in way too long.
*My mom was diagnosed with another type of cancer,(Multiple Myeloma) unrelated to the breast cancer she had years ago.
*Finally went to my parents house in Toquerville, UT. AND visited Zion's National Park.
*David's job didn't work out... that in itself would take too many posts to explain. But lets just say, that we have learned its a blessing in disguise.
*We had a fun little family reunion, camping and boating in Flaming Gorge with David's extended family.
*Cannon got baptized, and started Cub Scouts.
*We have a membership to Dinosaur National Monument.  There are some gorgeous places in that park.
*We have had lots of people come visit us and played tour guide to see the dinosaurs.
*My brother and his wife had their first baby, James Jackson Stone. (We call him Jacks)
*David started working with Service Team of Professionals (STOP). A disaster restoration company that was SUPPOSED to be temporary, but he LOVES it. And his boss is AMAZING.
*Zach started middle school.
*Elliot started Kindergarten (WHAT??)
*My mom passed away.  Yeah... that was heavy and one of the hardest things in my life I have ever experienced.
*We had Thanksgiving, just the 5 of us.  It was nice. We have always had some family around and have loved it. It was calm (well, calm for us!) and not hectic at all.
*My sweet nephew, Cody, was killed in a freak accident. He was 18.  It was 2 months since we buried mom.
*We spent Christmas at my dad's house... it was great to be together again (it had been a week since we had all seen each other.  It was a hard Christmas, missing Mom and Cody.  I really understand why holidays can be so difficult for people now.
*We've battled schools over absences for those 2 funerals.
*I guess kids aren't supposed to be with their family during such events that we have experienced.  According to schools, bereavement of any kind is not acceptable because they lose their funding if their attendance rates aren't high enough.
*Cannon is dealing with bullying and was punched at school. The school did nothing.
*We are contemplating home schooling the younger 2 kids.  I want to make sure I'm doing it for the right reasons, not just because the school here makes me angry. But that is hard, because lately, I'm angry at everything.
*I've learned that grieving sucks. I don't want to keep feeling the way that I do.  But I keep hearing it takes time...  UGH! Maybe that is selfish of me.  I don't know.
*Because of the 2 deaths in my family, Facebook, emails, phone calls, texts literally supported us, emotionally, spiritually, and even financially.  So many people sent love and support and helped raise funds for Cody's funeral.
*The Baltimore Raven's won the Superbowl.  Haloti Ngata, one of David's family's friends plays for the Ravens and he helped our family when Cody died by sending 3 SIGNED Jersey's. One from him, (#92), Ray Lewis (#52) who had just announced his retirement, and Ray Rice (#27). It was amazing. I had never been so excited, and emotional over a football in my life and LOVED watching the playoffs.  And yes, I bawled when they won the Superbowl.  (Stop laughing... I'm an emotional wreck! tee hee)
*We bought a new car... new to us. 1997 Toyota Camry LE, with 72,000 miles on it.  So now I'm not stranded at home everyday.  Now, to find things to do...
*Since we drive the 3 hours to Salt Lake City a lot, that little car will save us some money. Its been so fun to reconnect with long time friends and family in Utah.

I will try to add updated pictures of my kids and new life, soon.  (just remember that "soon" is relative)