We made it down.

We made it.  I am so sore from carrying Coren some of the way, the was really dumb of me, but it was fun.  

The Ranger gave the kids some activity books to do before, during, and after the hike so that they could become Jr. Rangers.  They took it so seriously. 

They made sure to do all of the work in order to get their badges.  I was surprised by all of the work that they had to do, but they loved it!

Coren was very into it.  He has never been to school or anything, so I think that this made him feel really old.  He looked so cute and so intense.

When they went in to get the badge, someone cheered for them, and Makenna thought that was great. 

Kenna's Game

Makenna has come a long way this year.  This was her first softball season ever, and honestly she was just as good as the girls that have played forever.  She loved it, and looked so cute in her catcher gear.  Good job Kenna!

I think that I speak for everyone when I say that the "Babes in Blue" are a great team!  It was so much fun to hear their little chants and songs, these girls are creative... and loud.

 

I am looking forward to next year and to many more years of softball.  I cannot say that I will miss the cold games, the snowy games, the soft bleachers, or the wind blowing in my eyes, but I will defiantly miss going to her games and seeing her have so much fun and do so well.

Here she is in action!  NICE HIT!

Me?

It is so crazy how we as people adapt to change.  Changes happen throughout our lives that at the time seem so different and unreal, but with time they become our new normal, and the past becomes so far away, and who we once were is just that... who we once were.  As we look back on the things that we have done in life, or things that have been done to change us, we wonder if that was really ME and remember the path that we have traveled to get to where we are today.

I now live in a city that until a few years ago I had never really even heard of.  I grew up in Centerville Utah, the place that was my home for about 20 years, and it was all I knew.  I was Brandi Ellis (who is that?) the name that was mine for so long that now sounds familiar, but would I answer to that name if I heard it on the street?  I have adapted myself to the city of Riverton, and the name of Brandi Johns, and to the husband and three kids that I cannot remember life without.

In my 30 years, I have done many things, I have known many people, and I have changed ME time and time again into the person that I now am, living the life that is all I know... for now.  While I have not forgotten the things of the past, the I cannot help but wonder what the future holds and how yesterday and today will effect tomorrow.  If only we knew what the future holds I wonder what we would do differently, I wonder who that ME would be.  There is still so much that I will do and experience in my life, I am very interested to see what ME looks like in 30 years. I am hoping for the best :)!

My kids!

Two scary thing were said this weekend.  I seriously hear the words come from these crazy kids mouths, but it takes a while to actually process what they are saying.  I laugh a lot.  The first came from Coren.  Let me just start by saying this... I know that this will make me look bad, but honestly, I don't care! So yes, like most people I own an iron.  Why?  Because I guess everyone needs to own one.  Have I ever used it?  Ummm... I can't say that I have.  Well, it sits nicely in the cubbord above my dryer, kind of in the back, you know, for a day that I might actually use it.  So we have our friend Gilda staying with us right now and she irons her stuff.  I guess that she cares how she looks.  :)  She asked me if she could use my iron. Sure!  Let me dust if off for you!  I went and got the iron and started to walk it over to her when I hear a very confused Coren say, "What is that flat thing???"  

Later that day at dinner Makenna got all excited and announced, "Guess what guys!!! Emily M. got a first period today.  I guess that it means she can have kids now.  And...  her parents said that she could have it.  I just looked at Steve trying so hard not to laugh.  

He whispered under his breath..." no, you can't have it", and we both started to laugh.  I quickly explained that every girl gets a first period and told her what it was.  She told us that Emily's Mom got a first period when she was 14 (good to know) but that Emily got hers early.  I guess it is time for the talk.

The bikers...

At last, the weather was warm enough for us to get out into the mountains and take the kids on 
an adventure in the mountains.  We decided that Makenna and Dad would get out the bikes so that Makenna could experience her first real mountain bike ride.  She was very excited to go.  She put on her helmet, strapped on a camel back, and took off like a real pro.

She rode strong for a full hour, and only had 3 wipe outs.  From the looks of her at the end of the ride, she rode head on into several mud puddles and streams, so much that I had to buy her new shoes the next day.

Makenna has always loved to ride her bike.  She takes it everywhere she goes.  If she is going to hang out with the neighbor across the street, she jumps on her bike.  Every day she rides her bike to and from school.  I think that Steve was that same way when he was a kid, and if Makenna is anything like him, I am sure that they will have many more of these mountain biking adventures in the years to come.

Mom and the boys were watching and waiting for them to get back from their ride.  We saw them coming and grabbed the camera to catch a picture of them.

Makenna got to the stream at the end, and instead of taking my advice to cross where it was most narrow, she just plowed through it right where she was.

I am glad that they had such a fun time and that no-one came back with any serious injuries!

The hikers...

The boys took the lead and lead Mom on a great and adventurous hike.  Once we made it over the first stream, we were off, and the boys began charging their way up the trail.  It had been a rainy day, so our path was a bit muddy at times.  I saw the mud as a nuisance, but the boys saw it as a way to look at all of the hoof prints the horses had left.  I think they asked me at least 20 times how the horses left their prints.  Each time I explained it, and they said how cool it was, just to ask again the next time they came across another marking.

The entire hike we searched for lizards and deer

which got me to thinking about all of the crazy wild animals that might actually be out there.  I kept thinking about what I would do if we came across a rattle snake or something.  My conclusion... we would RUN!

We hiked, threw rocks into the water, and of course ate some snacks.  Coren filled his pockets with animal cookies and every few minutes he would yell, "STOP!  I am hungry!"  Then he would reach into his pocket and grab out a snack, do a little dance, and put it in his mouth.  Each time Carson would laugh hysterically.  

After our snack we made our way back down 

the mountain.  The boys were both full of energy and ran most of the way down.  We had a really fun time and they are already asking when we will get to go on our next hike. 

This weekend we might go again, but on something a little steeper.  I can't wait to see what they think of that!

A happy Mom!

Tonight while looking through some photos, I saw so many pictures of happy times and wonderful memories that I just could not believe how lucky I am to have had so much joy in my life.  I saw some pictures of the day that Coren was born.  I remember that it was such a weird moment for me because on the way to the birthing center, I was in full labor and already pushing.  By the time we got there his head was out, and they threw me onto a bed and out he came.  It all happened so fast that I just layed there in shock.  I think it took at least 10 minutes before I even realized that I was holding my new baby and actually looked at him and came to.  I think that I was in shock and therefore didn't really get to enjoy the moment like I would have wanted to.

Then I came across the pictures of when he was in the hospital.  I remember how hard it was to just see him laying there, and to not even be able to hold him.  We had this great nurse named Ruby.  She knew how bad I wanted to hold him, and called in a whole team of people to make it possible.  We had to have several nurses, and his life support tech, and then a lot of cooperation on our parts just to get him into my arms.

I had a pillow on my lap to hold him on so that he would not bend too much.  I remember holding him and just kissing and smelling him all over.  It was probably one of the most wonderful moments of my life.  I remember thinking that it was 100 times better than the day he was born.  He was lifeless laying there, but I was so happy and I am sure that he was too.  Next the team moved him to Steve and he was able to experience that joy as well.  

One day Coren needed a medication change.  That day is another that I will never forget.  When I came home I made note of what had happened:

After 12 days of sedation and paralization, Coren finally showed some life tonight and it was VERY cute!  They are in the process of changing his medication and so he was waking up and getting very sad, mad, and agitated.  Tonight after dinner, he woke up and was calm.  Then he spotted some balloons and pointed to them (even though his hands were strapped down).  We brought him the balloons and he just started kicking them as hard as he could and trying to smile.  Then he would reach for them and play with them for a second and then hit them away.  He was having so much fun.  It was so nice to see that he still was so playful and energetic after seeing him just lay there lifeless for so long!  I am sure after seeing him tonight that he will be back to his old self soon.

We hardly ever got to hold him.  Maybe two or three times.  However the day that he was taken off life support I was able to hold him awake and with a little less tubing attached to him.  It was amazing to see him somewhat alert, and to me it meant that we were through the worst of it.  This is the moment in my life that I was most relieved.  We had Coren back.  

Another time that I remember is the first time he got to drink (after a month).  It was a miracle that he was even drinking after they told us to expect at least a year without food and water by mouth (he had a feeding tube) and that it was very possible that he would never eat or drink again.  Coren was truly a miracle.  He fought so hard to stay alive and was such a good sport.  I couldn't believe that it was happening, especially since we just had tests done and I saw a small hole in his esophagus.  Apparently, it was too small for concern.  

It is nice to know that those times that seem so impossible and hard in the moment can become good memories in their own way.

What to do, what to do!

So many times I find my self wondering WHAT WOULD A GOOD MOTHER DO??  Today was one of those times.  I went to pick Carson up from school and he was all excited because he had made a pirate hat.  I looked at it and noticed that it had decorative confetti on it, similar to what had caused Coren to be so sick.  Generally when I see this type of confetti, I move it as far away from my kids as possible as soon as possible.  I made a mental note to get rid of the hat ASAP!

Carson and Coren are very close, and Carson knows that Coren feels bad when he sees all of the fun stuff that he gets to do at school.  What happened next was so BAD!  Carson opens his hand and says, "Look Coren, I got you one!"  I look over and see Coren smiling from ear to ear and holding a piece of confetti.  My heart sunk, and I almost ripped it from his hand.  Then I saw that they were both so happy, and I didn't know what to do.  "What would a good mother do right now?"  I asked myself.  I told the kids to freeze and I thought for a minute.  I decided that maybe it was time to get rid of this fear, and that Coren was really smart.  I told them both the story once again of Coren and how it was THIS SAME confetti that caused our nightmare.  He said, "I know, and I won't eat it!"

We got in the car and drove home.  I then took a picture so that we would remember the hat (because it would soon be long gone) and then gathered the loose confetti and hat and put them in the trash.  I still cannot decide if I was a good Mom or a bad one, nor do I know what I will do next time I see them with confetti, but I am glad that I did not spoil their moment, and I am proud of myself for not freaking out.

Kids say the funniest things!

I know of so many Mom's who write down every cute thing their kids say so that they have it to look at and laugh at later in life.  So many people told me to do that, but of course, I didn't.  Now that they are getting older I regret it.  Every time they say something cute, I think that I will remember it and write it down later.  Then I forget.

I thought I would start to do better at this and Coren has given me two great things to start out my list with.  His new thing to say is that 'It is in the under ground!'  If he loses something, he tells me that it is lost in the under ground.  The other day I asked him to pull a rock out of the sandbox, and after digging for a few minutes he stopped and said that it was in the underground.  Then he lost a key, and when I asked where it was at he said, "I think that it is in the under ground."  I keep asking what the under ground is, but he just points down.  It is really funny.  I guess it is his definition of buried.

Next, on our way home from Vegas yesterday, Coren said with all seriousness, "Mom!  If you let me take off my shirt I will do whatever you say!"  I asked how long he would be willing to do whatever I say and he responded, "FOREVER!"  I told him that he had made me a great offer, one that I wasn't going to pass up, and he took off his shirt.

The dating game!

These two fine looking men have been lookin for love in all the wrong places.  They are both very handsome and obviously have a great sense of humor.  They need your help to find them the woman of their dreams. 

Bachelor #1 is a successful man who has a smile that will light up the room.  He is very kind and loving, and is always doing sweet things for

 others.  He has great style that you could compare to Abe Lincoln gone rock and roll.  Get him while you can... he is not getting any younger!  This firecracker can be reached on his email pre-womanizer@coolkid.com.

Bachelor #2 appears to have a possible drug problem, but do not 

let that scare you away.  He may look a little womanly under all of that thick facial hair, but this guy is 100% man.  Sports... you
 name it, he can play it like a PRO!  You may have seen him at your local gym buffing up, that's right ladies his stomach looks like a 24 pack!  This guy is ready to move that special lady into his bachelor pad tonight!  Grab a beer, get your pool stick ready, and call this hunk at 446-STUD today!  It is amazing this one is still available, call before it is too late!!

Easily excited.

Today I decided that I am a big loser!  

           Here is why...

-  Whenever I talk to someone about a movie that I want to see they say, "Oh, that movie sucks, don't waste your time!"  Then I watch it, and I always love it.  I find pretty much any movie entertaining.

-  I get really excited about reality t.v.  It is pretty sad when your life is so boring that you get all wrapped up in the lives of complete strangers and find yourself really liking these people and getting attached to them.  They are like the friends I never had. (Ha ha ha)

-  And here is what put me over the edge of loserville.  We just had a new WalMart open and I was SO excited about it.  I went there for the big grand opening, and I found myself smiling when I drove into the parking lot.  I realized I was smiling, so I tried to stop smiling and I couldn't.  Then, they were giving out free hot dogs.  I waited in this big old line to get me and Coren a free hot dog (that ended up being cold) but I was so excited because the hot dog was free.  When we left me and Coren were talking about how it is the nicest WalMart we have ever been to... and that was my light bulb moment.  LOSER!!!  

Speaking of WalMart, I think that it is a problem.  There are so many things at that place that make me crazy.  First, they make me shop there.  I do not want to shop there, but I have no choice.  They put their prices so low that I cannot afford to go anywhere else.  Everytime I go, I swear that it will be the last time.  But, I always go back.  Second, it makes me have to go to the bathroom.  Every time I go to WalMart I have to go so bad.  Not only is it cheap, but apparently, it really gets the bowels moving.  My theory is that the pressure in that place is messed up.  Coren goes at least twice each visit.  We seriously spend a lot of time in their NASTY bathrooms.  Third, the people there are wacky!  If you look around at the people shopping there you will see a wide variety of weirdo's including, child abusers (usually abusing their children right in the store) and my all time favorite, the people buying their new flat screen t.v. with food stamps! 

Just today at WalMart I had the following strange experiences.  First, the girl that was checking me out (not like I was hot checking me out, but scanning my groceries) who was a lovely young girl with her throat tattooed, asked me if I was speaking in English or Bosnian.  I replied that I only know English and she said, "Oh, my husband is from Bosnia and you sounded like you said 'will you get that' in Bosnian."  I reminded her that I only speak English, and she then asked what other languages I speak!?!!??  She also said that she was quitting (today was the first day that they were open) but that is probably a good thing for WalMart.  It was a great conversation, confusing, but funny all at the same time.

Then, I glanced over and noticed two ladies dressed as Disney Princess's greeting the kids.  One was Belle, and one was Cinderella.  This is going to sound rude, but they were the not the cutest girls you have ever seen.  They looked like the Polygamist girls that pass out the samples.   I kept thinking...weird...that just doesn't look right.

Have you ever noticed the kids that are playing 'guitar hero' back in electronics?  They are always SO GOOD.  You know that they have the game at home and play it all day long, and then they come to WalMart and play it too.  Why?  

Then, I am walking to my car and the cart boy (well, OK he was like a 70 year old man) was taking a big stack of carts back into the store.  Next thing you know 4 of the carts break away.  They start to roll towards a car.  He looks at them rolling away, thinks for a second, and then continues walking into the store.  I went to grab the carts, and then realized that Coren would roll away, so I just kept walking.  I didn't even look to see what happened.  At that point I just wanted to leave.

There were many other things that happened, those were just the highlights.  I think I will go back tomorrow.

Beach Day!

Makenna had a school beach day.  She was so excited, and got fancied up in her coolest beach attire.  I thought that she looked really cute with her friend Ashlee, and had to capture the moment.

If you are unfamiliar with a beach day, you will be surprised to learn what it is, and even more surprised that they were so excited.  Here is the description of what you do at beach day in Makenna's words:  You get to get all dressed up and sit on the lunchroom floor and eat trout!  

Crashing the Cannery!

No, this is not some weird Laverne and Shirley re-run, this is Mandy and Brandi and the story of how we crashed the church cannery.

Anyone who knows me well, is probably surprised that I went to the church cannery to stock up on wheat, rice, and other food storage.  It is not my style.  However, lately with the gas prices and food prices going up, as well as all of the natural disasters in the world, I have felt the need to stock pile food.  We will not go hungry!

Our friend Tawnee suggested that Mandy and I go and can us some food, and she would watch all of the kids.  We thought that she was the crazy one and agreed.  Let me first say that neither of us had been to a food cannery and were kind of nervous.  What made us even more uneasy was the fact that you are supposed to have an appointment and we didn't, so we decided to just act like we were supposed to be there.  

We showed up and the first thing they asked is basically if we were supposed to be there.  We acted like blonde's, and next thing we knew we were in!  We got the quick tour and got to canning.  It seemed easy at first, and then we were moving at the speed of light and those bags were HEAVY.  We were on a roll, until we got kicked out... the first time.

They came and made us leave because we were not supposed to be there, and someone that was supposed to be there needed our table.  We were a little sad because we were doing so well, but we started to clean up anyways.

The next thing we knew, there was another empty table, so we though, hey let's go.  We made a huge mistake and decided to can dry milk.  It was horrible.  It got into the air, into our mouths, and all over us.  That smell...  YUCK!  I will never do that again.  Then they came up and were like, "I thought you guys already left."  So, at that point we were kicked out for good.

We gathered the food we had canned and left.  We were tired, hot, hungry, dirty, and needless to say, glad that we do not work in a factory for a living.  It was fun, but I think next time, we will be the ones watching the kids!

And Dad too...

As if we don't already have a ton of games, Steve called on his way home from work and said that he was going to be a sub for his friends team that night.  By some miracle, we were game free, so the whole family went out to watch.  Steve always tells me that he sucks at softball, so I wasn't really sure what to expect.  However, he is VERY good, and it was so much fun to watch him play and have some fun.

Makenna was very impressed and was the team cheerleader.  She let everyone know how great they did, especially Dad.

As a side note, I would like to thank my friend Mandy for saving my life when there were so many other lives to be saved.  She heard someone yell "BALL" and covered my head and not the heads of her children, my children, or even herself.  Now that is love.  Thanks Mandy!  If that ball would have hit me I would have become even more brain dead then I already am.  That could have been a tragedy!  I owe you one!

Girls night.

I love it when I have a night out with the girls.  While it doesn't happen as often as I would like it to, I usually get to go out at least once a month if not more.  This past week a few friends got together and went out to dinner.  It is amazing how long dinner lasts when there are so many chatty women, but there is always plenty to say and lots to laugh about.

This time, one of my friends Hilarie, who is just really funny anyways, made the greatest comment.  I couldn't stop laughing and had to share it.  

I was telling everyone that the country singer Collin Ray had just moved into a house near ours.  Of course they didn't believe me at first.  After a few minutes Hilarie yells, "Milus Ray's Dad????!!!!"  We all started to bust up when we realized that she meant Milee Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus.  It was pretty funny.  So for anyone out there looking for a girls name... have you considered Milus?