Raising the Star

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the most amazing organization. I'm convinced!! Courtney was able to go with her family to an all expense paid trip to Disney World. They all deserved a break and had the most amazing experience.

As part of the Make-A-Wish program, Courtney was able to raise her very own star in the Make-A-Wish house. Every one who is a part of the program gets their very own start (see pic below). She decorated it and lifted it up to the ceiling, where it will stay forever. It was such a great little ceremony to celebrate Courtney.

I sure do love this little girl! 

Ohio

In October I had the opportunity to fly out to Columbus, Ohio to visit my sister in law's family. They recently moved out there so a few of us planned a trip to visit them. It was fun to see where they live and to experience things they do and are able to see in the midwest.

Scotty happened to be out in Ohio on business so he was able to spend an evening with us before he flew back to Utah.

We sure packed it in. Went to the American Girl Doll store, shopped at many a Antique Stores, visited the Columbus Zoo and even spent an entire day in Amish Country and even got a tour of an amish home and school house.

 We had the most AMAZING visit with the Troyer Family. They have recently converted from the Amish faith to the LDS faith and have been shunned from the Amish community. This is their family bakery. Their strength and resolve is like no other I have ever seen. Meeting them and talking with them is an experience I will never forget. Read/Listen more about them here.

 In the middle of Amish Country.

 Amish Cheese is so yummy. Who knew?!

 The Columbus Zoo.

Thanks for the fun times, Fackrells! 

thirty, flirty and thriving

I can't believe it. I am no longer in my twenties. Thirty. That's old, right?! I am glad that besides the huge wrinkle that has popped up in the middle of my forehead, I don't really feel old.

It might sound funny, but I am kinda excited to leave my twenties. Don't get me wrong. I liked my twenties. My twenties were fine. There were some fun times for sure. 

But my twenties was a time that I had to find myself and with that came a lot of struggles (more than I'd like to admit), lessons learned (and re-learned), loneliness and heartache. I am more than ready to wipe my hands clean of that. I'm excited to see what my 30s have in store for me. I have a feeling it's going to be a good decade.

For my actual birthday, it was pretty low key. But I sure am a spoiled girl. Scotty made me breakfast and then we headed to the BYU Football game. It was super hot! Almost uncomfortably so. But it was a good time. We then headed to Cheesecake Factory with my sister Stephanie and Gillian. Steph thought it would be so funny to embarrass me with party glasses, a balloon and a sucker that says "30 sucks." Don't you worry. They are safely tucked away for future use. We were seated outside and were able to chat for a few hours. It was a good good evening! 

Here's to a good 20s ... but even better 30s!! 

Jumpin' Jumpin'

A few Sundays ago I was up at my sister's house for family dinner. Somehow we found ourselves at the neighborhood trampoline and had way too much fun!

I thought it'd be fun to dig up some of the ol' cheerleading skills...

 After seeing this photo, I think I'm better off keeping them buried. Oh well, at least I had fun.

But I think we have a future cheerleader on our hands.

9/11

September 11th will be one of those days you will always remember what you were doing when you found out.

For me, I was a junior in high school. I was attending early morning seminary for my church and I had heard rumblings about some sort of bad thing that happened in New York City. Confession: I didn't know what the World Trade Centers were at the time. I thought that was too bad something happened in NYC and proceeded to walk over to our high school. It wasn't until I walked into my World Studies class and saw the look on my teacher's face that I new something was HORRIBLY wrong. He was watching the news. I don't even remember my teacher's name now, but will never forget the look on his face. We watch the news for the entire 90 minute period and actually saw the second plane crash into the World Trade Center.

Thirteen years later I am more than happy to honor the people who died that day and the military people who serve our country. On 9/11 this year we attended a football game. You can't get much more American that that!!! I loved all the tributes they had. I am so proud to be an American.

We will NEVER forget!

Birthday Boy

Look who is 32? Scott had a birthday this past week. We celebrated by meeting up for lunch (love being able to see him during the day) and later going to dinner with the McKells and having birthday scotcharoos and ice cream later ... oh and presents too!

 ^^ The birthday boy requested sushi for his birthday dinner. This non-fish-eating guy sure has come a long way the past couple years. I am more than ok with it!

^^ He also requested NO cake. He hates cake, which is funny cause I LOVE CAKE. 

He wanted scotcharoos, so he got scotcharoos.

Happy Birthday Scott! I love you so much and am so grateful you are mine. 

Sorry you're stuck with me :)

What Have I Been Up To?

I am not going to lie. It is a little weird not working full time. It is a weird transition to what I have become so accustomed to. I am so used to running around ragged, barely having time (and energy) to keep up on the necessities of life like grocery shopping (Cooking? What's that?) and laundry. Luckily Scott was so good at helping with all that while I was working.

I have been determined not to be lazy while I had some time off! I made a list of things I wanted to get done and I have finished a lot of it.

It has been awesome to do things during the day that I usually had to give up or not be a part of.

For example ...

 ^^ The Tour of Utah bike race went right by my house one day. I was able to meet up with Scott and his co-workers (he works right near our house) and watch them go by.

 ^^ My mom was in town for a week or so (we love matching. ha.). It was so nice getting to spend time with my mom that I normally don't get. We were able to help Stephanie set up her classroom for the upcoming school year. 

 ^^ This past weekend I went to Swiss Days with my in-laws. It was so fun to go to all the shops and see what all the hype was about!

Did I mention that I have been productive too? I have cleaned an organized closets and areas of my house that I have put off for 2 years. Oh, I have also got re-acquainted with grocery shopping and laundry. ... And I made freezer another set of freezer meals and freezer jam. Who am I now?!?

^^ We will get 14 meals out of these, plus jam to last us for a year!

The break hasn't been all fun though. I got my second round of gum grafts done and I have had lots of doctors and dental appointments.

^^ I pretty much iced for 3 days straight. 

Despite the adjustment, overall, I have been so grateful for this month off. I am so grateful for a supportive husband who says I "deserve" this. I don't know about that, but it has been so nice being able to remember that life doesn't have to be stressful and to get the projects done that I've been wanting to do for years.