Greatness.....

"Whatever you do will be insignificant,

but it is very important that you do it."

Mahatma Gandhi
Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)

As I start a new year, I usually look at my goals from the last one and realize how many I didn't accomplish. I often think what is the purpose of this life? Not in a depressing, I want to die sort of way, just in a "what am I suppose to be doing here way?" I know I have my kids, and my family. I get, and appreciate what I have been given. I definitely feel as though I have been given more than I deserve.
However, I don't feel Great. I don't know that anyone besides my family will remember me. I don't know that I have done things that would make others think, I am a better person for associating with her. I honestly don't write this for "oh but you are so nice" comments. I really want to know what your thoughts are on this subject. I have been reading a few books lately that have made me ponder whether or not we get too choose if we are great or if it is assigned. I wonder if people are great because they don't know that they are, and that is what makes them great? Or if they know they need to be, and that is what makes them great? Have you ever read a book, and been tired just from reading about their lives and all they accomplished? Not in a way of they had everything, and did everything the right way, and always made the best choices, but in a great influential kind of way. One of the book's I read was about Emma Smith. In an effort to be honest this year, I will tell you I got a little down reading this book because she was amazing. She went through so much, had incredible faith, I think easily one of the strongest women I have read about, and still made dinner and hosted people at her home, constantly. I barely made it through the holidays, and took 3 days off after to do nothing (but read about how great other people are.) Obviously, as it was a biography of her life, everyone said nice complimentary things about her, but she was indeed Great. Everyone in and out of the church alike, think she was an amazing lady. The second book I am now reading is about a leader in India who was amazing, he worked and lived his life with such conviction. He was obviously Great. He will be remembered by millions. I am sure he didn't do the things in his life so that he will be remembered as this great man. I know he did things because he believed in them. So my question I pose to all 5 of you that might be reading this blog: What does it mean to you to be great? And do you truly believe that each of us have the potential to be great? And if you want/need to answer one more question have you found the thing that is important for you to do in your life to be great? (That one you can answer in your head if you want)...

Oh and P.S. Happy New Year...... :)

Nine Blissfully Insane Beautifully Crazy Years....

Today is our 9th anniversary, and boy it really has gone fast. Not to say that it was easy or forgetful, it just went by fast...I wanted to share a glimpse of how it all began....

Boy asks girl out on date. They date.

Girl makes boy go to high school dances even though he is graduated (what losers go to dances after they graduate? jk I forced him) because she had to go because it was part of her grade for being an officer.

Girl and boy walk down aisle.....

at her sister, and his brother's wedding.

Boy saves money buys fancy sports car.

Girl graduates from highschool.

Boy sells fancy sports car, and buys ring. Asks Girl to marry him.

Boy and Girl get married at 12...no kidding I was 18, and he was 21.

Boy and Girl buy jeep, go four wheeling, spend every dime on eating out, playing and having what seems to be fun.

Boy gets girl pregnant. They have their first kid.

2 years 9 months later they do it again.

9 years, 2 kids, 5 moves, 7 jobs, 1 degree (you decide who got it), 7 cars, 4,025 fights, 975 hugs, 2500 kisses (we aren't pda people) later. We are still together....


If you have time to spare and want to read this little story my Dad wrote it is very dear to my heart.

Jason...This year in pictures....

So, Jason turned 30 on Wednesday of last week. When we met he set a whole bunch of goals that he would reach by the time he was 30 such as: being a millionaire, owning a ferrari, being his own boss, traveling all around the world, being involved in politics....Needless to say he failed. Miserably. The only million he sees is the millions in other peoples accounts, the ferrari is not a ferrari but a very cool Black Acura 3.5RL, he is as far from being his own boss as you could possibly imagine (like he has to ask to go to the bathroom), and although he has gone many places since we've married: China, Mexico, Boston..... I wouldn't really call him a world traveler. Last but not least...He isn't a politician, but.....


So here's to Jason for almost hitting all of his goals by 30! We love you....You have accomplished so many things so far. So here is to 30 more years...
*a special thanks to Landon for photographing all these amazing events....

My Sister...

Dani, did a post on a poem that I made her when I was younger. I pretty much worshipped her, and she usually threw everything away I ever gave her. So she wanted me to see that she had saved it. Well do I have a surprise for you...She is just as talented of a poem writer, and she knows I save everything so here goes...(So maybe that is where Livy gets it from: I call her pack rat because she wants to keep everything)

Jason's BIG 30th....

My Heroes....

In these crazy times of war, economic collapse, sickness, heartache, deceit, and anything else that might be going on in mine and your lives. I wanted to make this post for all of you who inspire me everyday, and influence my life in a wonderful way. So this is for:
1. The woman in my life who gets down on her hands and knees to be a mom, plays pretend, and anything else her kids and their friends might want her to do...
2. The man in my life who is excited to be home and play with his kids everyday...
3. The woman in my life who over thinks every scenario so she won't hurt feelings....
4. The woman in my life who I can spout off to, and she never seems to judge me (if you know who you are and you do judge me at least I don't know you do :) ), who reminds me that being yourself is awesome and you don't need to change who you are for anyone...
5. The woman and man in my life who would do anything for my family. Are always thinking and doing things that help me in more ways than they will ever know......
6. The boy in my life who reminds me every time I am around him that it is okay to have confidence, and know that you are great....
7. The woman in my life who serves constantly, and is always thanking me for insignificant things that I do....
8. The man in my life who went to the very bottom and didn't give up, but persevered and is steadily climbing his way back up....
9. The woman in my life who is fighting for everything I take for granted, but yet is so positive, and even laughs about it....
10. The man in my life who even though he is brash and blunt, calls to make sure I know he still loves me and my family....
My point is I know I have so much abundance in my life, and through all the doom and gloom I keeping joking about, I am so happy to have you in my life. You might not know how or when you are influencing and even that you helped lift me a little higher, but you did. I could have kept going on and on...You are my heroes. Thank you.

The Fun Run...

Olivia's school did a fun run to raise money for the school this year. Which I prefer, over the lame selling of over-priced candy and wrapping paper. My "good buddy" Liz volunteered me to do the slide show so I didn't run with Olivia, but I ended up with over 1000 pictures of all the kids at the fun run, and after going through them I ended up with 2 of Liv's. Which are pretty cute so I forgive you Liz. jk Thanks to Angie for letting Liv's run with your family. I heard Liv's took 1st place in her age, and they are looking at her for the olympics....