Legally a family

On September 11, 2010 we were made a family legally. We have had these three beautiful kids for just over a year now. But this was the day that we could now officially say we were the Craguns. Shortly after we brought the kids home Mark started to get really sick again, so he was not able to pass his physical exam, and the Doctors wanted to wait till he was a little better. Well my lawyer finally called and said lets just do it. We would see what the judge said. Well the day finally came and I was so glad that it was one of Marks good days. His Mom and sister Tammy came, my Mom and Dad and also Jessica came and watched. The Judge was so cute with the kids and so was Mark. The Judge ordered that we take the kids for ice cream right after the hearing. Mark was smiling like I hadn't seen him smile in a long time. I don't know if these kids will ever know how much Mark loves them. They truly changed both of our lives for the better.

Niyah turned 8

Well on August 23, 2010 Niyah turned 8. She was so excited to be eight. The year before Montana and Miyuki were both baptized and she just couldn't wait. She wanted to go swimming at surf and swim but I wanted to do something a little more simple so I arranged to have a family party and Uncle Danny's House and it was a blast. I was just really glad it was good weather. It seemed like the weather was terrible the day before and the day after.
Amanda Cragun

Miyuki

Jake and Josh with a basketball game of course.

Mark there with his Jacket on. He was so cold and couldn't even get in the water. But we were blessed that he was able to be there.

Miyuki

Niyah grew out of her bike that she had already so that is what she got for her birthday. She was so excited. Then the tire was flat the next day, and I don't think we have fixed it yet.

Niyah the Birthday girl

Mark eating what he could chatting with my Mom.

Colleen, Addy and Connor. Once you got out of the pool it was pretty cold.

Miyuki after Josh threw her.

Kayden

Josh and Jessica throwing the kids (Kayden)

Sydney doing a back flip.

Sydney, Josh and Jessica

Happy Birthday Niyah Sweaty!! (We forgot a candle so My dad fixed that)

Pics from Lake Powell 2010

Connor, Addy,and Niyah

Trying to Cool down

Niyah is in the red on a boat ride

Me, Addy and Niyah

Me, Addy and Connor

Me and Addy

Enough Jess, with the camera

The Remote control boat a real one isn't enough

Montana Man

Miyuki swimming

Miyuki

Montana trying to get his way without a life jacket

The duck family

This was the kids first year at the Annual Lake Powell Cragun Adventure!!

Lake Powell 2010

As a Cragun family we go to Lake Powell every year. Mark and I were not able to go last year and it being the first year that we had the kids we really wanted to be there. So we did everything we could to get there. Mark was feeling really sick and had some doctor appointments that he couldn't miss. I went up at the beginning of the week with the kids and Mark met us up there latter in the week. We left on Monday and drove most of the day to Lake Powell. When we arrived I received a call from Mark saying that his test had came back positive for a brain tumor. I was devastated to say the least. I was glad that we had received at least some type of answer but at the same time it was heart breaking. Mark was very sick that week but he really wanted to be there with the kids. We had talked about him not coming but he insisted. He was really weak and the heat really go to him but he was a trooper. I think it was hard on everyone to see him this way. But at the same time I think it was an eyeopener for the rest of the family to see how sick he really was. The kids had a blast and they were really able to bond with their cousins. Here are some pictures of the kids.

Sorry there may be pictures to come. I have lost my Lake Powell pictures from this year and I am really upset about it. The girls knee boarded and Montana man even got up on ski's this year!!!!

Montana's Birthday April 4, 2010

On April 4th Montana turned 9 years old. We had spent the week with the Winstons and so we didn't get to have to much of a party for Montana. So we had some friends and my Mom and Dad over to open presents. Mark had arranged for Montana to get this really cool bike that he just loves. It was Lincoln Jarmans bike. Montana's favorite thing is to ride bikes so we wanted to get him one that he could use for a while.

updates are coming I promise!!

I will be updating my blog here in the near future I promise. :) There is a lot to update so it may take me a little while.

Being a working Mom

Over the past 4 months I have started working full time. I really enjoy my job and have loved getting back into the hospitality industry. I think it is just my nitch. However, I am starting to get a little jealous of Mark. When we first got the kids I was home in plenty of time to see them come home from school and we spent a lot of time together. I was their favorite :). But now I am feeling like it is starting to change. Since Mark has had his surgery he has not been able to work so he is home with the kids and gets to spend all of the time with them. He is the one helping them with their homework, feeding them and spending the time with them. I am feeling a little left out. Yesterday I had to work all day and I mean all day I was there for 12 hours. I came home to them playing in the yard and having a lot of fun and it made me sad. Is that crazy that it made me sad? I should be happy right? They are playing with their Dad what more could I ask for? Well, I didn't like not being able to be a part of that. It was really hard for me. I want to be able to spend the fun times with them. By the time I get home I have to fix dinner, finish cleaning the house and get them ready for bed. This isn't fair!!!!!

Niyah and Miyuki's 1st Competition

Videos of the kids

This is more for our family in Saipan. I wanted to post some video's of what the kids have been doing. Some of them are older but still cute. You can see with the different video's how much the girls have improved.

Niyah is on the right and Miyuki is on the left they are on oppisite sides. Sorry you can't see Miyuki very well. I was so proud of them. This was their first performance.

My Life!!!

Okay this post may not be very positive but I want to turn this blog into more of a journal for myself. You are all more then welcome to read but please don't judge me. I have had a very overwhelming year with both good and bad and it doesn't seem to be changing any. With that said I do want to say this. I know that when we are suffering we may be nearer to God then ever before, I do know this to be true and have felt Gods hands in many things.
Mark has been very sick for most of our marriage and this has been really hard especially the last few years and even more so in the last few months. I love him more then anyone will ever know. We have had our share and more of rough times together. However I am very grateful for the time we have had together. These last months we have been closer to each other then ever. We have had to endure a lot together, trying to learn how to raise three beautiful children and how to lean on each other when there is no one else there. That is truly how I feel right now, that we only have each other and our Savior.
I have learned in the last few weeks that even those you respect the most can let you down. I may not be the most spiritual person but I do feel that I can feel what is wrong and what is right. (and by the way don't you think I would know my spouse better then anyone else?) Sorry just had to throw that in.
I have been very grateful for all of the help that we have received over time. This has been a long struggle and I know it is not over. I will have good days and bad and so will Mark. I have to just hope that we don't both have a bad day on the same day. :) I am trying so hard to be strong for both the kids and Mark but it is hard someday. I have to say though I have the best kids to be around they are always so kind and caring when I am having a bad day. I don't know how I ever did it without them here. I love them so much! They have brought many smiles to both Mark and myself. While Mark was in the hospital he didn't ever want visitors but he did want to see those kids.
Well I know that my Savior is here and is helping us along the way. I know that some bad things have to happen to maybe push us in the right direction. Good things always come out in the end. I have seen that today.

Their 1st Clogging Competition

Well, you all know me so you know that I had to put my girls in clogging. They had their first competition in March and they had a blast. I was so proud of them. Their team took first and also got an overall (which is a high score). They were so dang cute. It was really fun to watch how much they have improved over the last few months. As most of you know Miyuki doesn't stop clogging. She clogs everywhere she goes. But I can't say much, I did the same thing when I was her age. Niyah was so cute. At practice she would just move her feet not really doing much clogging. Boy did she have us all fooled, she was amazing. I didn't think she could do it. Mark was even amazed. She got up there and did the dance perfect!!! She always told me that she didn't really like to clog, but now she loves it. It is so fun to get up on stage and perform and they did so well. I love you girls!! Good Job!!