The Crazy Craguns

Private

2011-03-31T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am going Private!! in one day so if you want to still read my blog just leave me your email and I will invite you!!

Journal post from October 1, 2010

2011-03-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

It has been three weeks since Mark left us to go do work for our Father in Heaven. This week has been really hard. I feel like I have cried more this week then I have since he first left.
Monday I just couldn't get out of bed. I think by the time I could get out it was almost noon. then I just sat around till the kids came home from school. Speaking of school, it is just killing me. The kids have so much homework. We have 3 hours worth each every night. That is ridicules, but what do we do?
Back on track. Tuesday again I had a really hard time getting up. I finally did and then I decided to go to the temple. I felt really good like I usually do when I go. I was a little nervous to go because everyone would tell me that it is where I would fell Mark the most. I was scared that I wouldn't feel anything. Well when I first got there I asked if I could go sit in the Celestial Room. I didn't know if they would let me with our going through a session, but they did. So I went and sat in there for awhile. I prayed and it felt good but there was no big manifestation that Mark was there. So I went down and did some initiatory. As I was in the first area the Sister there was Sister Smith from Morgan, she noticed my last name and asked me if I was related to the young man that had just passed away. I started to cry and told her. She hugged me and told me that I was in the right place. As I went on I remembered the promises that I was given to rein with my husband forever. As we got to the second name as I read the name I couldn't help but feel that Mark was helping her. She was from Mexico and Mark just loved the Mexican people. At first I thought it was silly but then a good friend of mine told me that I have to remember that the Lord speaks first and silent then Satan speaks second and loud, so you always have to go with your first soft feeling.
Wed, and Thursday went a lot like Monday, not much happened and I just felt really sad and alone. I just really was overwhelmed with even the thought of work and homework with the kids. My friends from Bunco brought over a freezer along with some dinners. People have been very supportive and kind. There have been so many angels all around.
Thursday night after reading my scriptures I prayed extra hard for help and strength to just be able to get up and get going throughout the day. I had a special experience that next morning that is very sacred to me. I know that prayers are answered and that our loved ones that have gone on are so much closer then we can ever imagine, and I am so great full for that knowledge.

Journal post Sept 25, 2010

2011-03-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

It has been two weeks today since Mark passed away. This has been a really hard week. I just have not been able to figure out how to get back into the routine of everyday life. I just don't know how to do it without Marks help. I look at my life and wonder what I am going to do. Grieving has been hard for me. I just don't know how to do it? I feel sad all of the time and just can't even laugh or have fun. I have found comfort and really enjoyed reading Mark's scriptures. He has written so much in them so I am able to learn so much from him. I do feel him close, I just hope and pray that it doesn't go away. I look forward to the day I can see him again and talk to him and give him a BIG HUG!! LoVE YOU Marky!!!!

Journal post from Sept 17, 2010

2011-03-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well, the funeral is over and I guess life is supposed to begin. But I feel lost, lonely and scared. I don't know where to start or how to go on. I miss Mark so much and there is just an emptiness I don't even know how to explain, yet a feeling of love and comfort that I can't deny. I felt so blessed and comforted over the past week. On Sunday morning the day after Mark passed away, Montana was sleeping with Marks pillow and he said, "Mom, there is something in the pillow," as he pulled it out there was a link. It was Marks Link. Earlier in the summer we had gone to Lake Powell as a family. Marks Mom gave a family home evening on the importance of each family member and how each one of us was like a link to a chain. I think Mark was showing Montana that he was still here and is still a link in our Family. It amazes me that it was still in that pillow. I swear I had washed that pillow case probably 3 or 4 times since then. (Journal entry from Sept 17th)

Marks Funeral

2011-03-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Marks Funeral was beautiful. His family did sucha a good job. They had everyone laughing and crying. Thank you so much for making it such huge success

I can't even describe the feeling that I had that day. I definately wasn't alone. I know that Mark was right there by me trying to wipe every tear before it fell. He did a pretty good job but I think he missed a few.

I don't think we could have asked for a more beautiful day.

We let balloons off with messages writen to Mark. A few days after the funeral Mark's brothers family was at church and they looked up to Marks grave and there was one just sitting in the air over Marks grave. The kids said look Mom it is like Mark sent us back a message!!! Love it!!!

Journal post from the night after Mark passed away.

2011-03-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

On September 11,2010 I lost the love of my life. Mark Earl Cragun left this earth at about 11:00am. He left nothing undone though. Saturday night our house was completed from a flood that had happened a month before. Thursday we adopted the three beautiful children that were sent hear to us. The people that loved him were able to serve him the last few months of his life. I think he also wanted everyone to remember him so he chose September 11th, when there would be flags out for the rest of us to always remember. I had something small and maybe just silly happen. One of Marks last days was spent going to the Temple with one of his favorite young men, Chris Jarman in preparation for his mission. After going to the Temple Mark insisted that we go to get a cheesecake knowing that he would not be able to eat it. The Jarmans had chosen Sally's, a small Diner in Ogden. When we got there Mark saw a peach tart pie (his favorite) that h just had to have. Again knowing that he would not really be able to eat much more then a small bight he had to have it. Well, that night that Mark passed away a sweat sister in our ward brought me a peach tart pie from that small diner in Ogden Utah. Maybe it was just a coincidence or maybe it was Mark telling me he was okay. I can't even express my love for this wonderful man, or the hurt and loneliness that is in my heart. I miss him so much already. I want so badly to call him or just to see him sitting in his chair watching some stupid Spanish sports station. Now I just have to live my life so that he will be proud of me I have to serve because I know that he loved to serve. I have to be strong because he was alway strong. One think that I know he would be telling me right now would be to get up, and get myself together, be strong and stop crying. Oh how I will miss him, oh how I hope I can make him proud of me. I love you Mark and I will show you. ( This was taken from my journal on September 12th)

Trip to New Jersey and the week of no end.

2011-01-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

I took a training class in New Jersey for work and spent a few days in New York here are some pictures from my trip. While I was there Mark had a really bad week. They had switched his pain meds and had him start taking them threw his feeding tube. So naturally he was finally getting them. Well in the passed we was perscribed such a high dosage because they were not helping him. Well because he was taking them threw his feeding tube he was getting them and way to much of them. I was gone and the kids were at different family members houses so it kind of went unnoticed. Good thing we have such great friends and neighbors that stepped in to help him. He ended up flooding the house more then once. There were a few times I almost came home early but those that were watching him told me to stay. Devin Pettit stepped up and with the help of the Elders in our ward made sure that there was someone at our house or at least checking on him at all times. But they didn't know the circumstances and weren't sure what was going on with him, so naturally they were pretty concerned. I didn't really understand what was going on till I got home.

When I came home I ended up having to call the insurance company to come in and help us with the house. We ended up having to replace all of the flooring in our house. Wow, what a project it ended up being. Mark and I were both so overwhelmed with the help that we received. Our ward family and extended family helped us so much, especially my Dad. I think he spent every minute that he could at our home for a few weeks. You could say it was almost like extreme make over. With in a week we replaced all of the flooring in our home, some walls and painted almost every room in my house.

Well to add to the drama I figured out what had happened with Marks medication and was able to get him back to normal or at least some what. He was feeling a lot better. One day I was so overwhelmed with work, the house and trying to get Mark to his doctor appointments. Mark had a doctors appointment and I had a ton to do at work. I came home and he seemed like he was doing really good. He told me he felt good and so I let him drive to his own doctors appointment. Well, I was at work for about 10 min when I got a call. Yep, he had been in a car accident and it was his fault. He couldn't remember what had happened. I felt terrible. I should have just taken him. The truck was totalled but he was okay.

During this long few weeks Mark started to have seizures again. The doctors just put him back on his seizure medication and told me it might take awhile for it to kick in. We had some pretty scary experiences and again we had so many people that were willing to help me and stay with him while I was at work and the kids were at school. There was one that really stood out it was one of his young men. He was getting ready to go on his mission so he was not working and spent a lot of time with Mark. I think they both loved it though.

Legally a family

2010-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-13T20:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

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!!

2010-10-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T04:56:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

Videos of the kids

2010-05-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-05-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-21T00:51:00.000-07:00

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!!

Just some fun Pictures

2010-03-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

Okay so my neighbor had these cute pictures of my kids from the fall and I wanted to post them. I really did get the cutest kids. They are such a blessing in my life. They make me smile everyday. I love you so much, Miyuki, Montana, and Niyah!!!!
Making leaf angels! and Playing!!!

Miyuki's Birthday

2010-03-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Miyuki turned 10 on January 20th. She was so excited. We had cake and Ice cream with just the family and then later in the week we went swimming at Surf and Swim.
An Ipod. What a spoiled little girl.
Miyuki loves to write. This is just a small Diary.
Smile for the Camera DAD.
Lip gloss!!! my favorite.
Sparkles, I love sparkles. ( She looks so cute in this outfit too)

Happy Birthday Miyuki we all love you!!!

Sunday Afternoons!!!

2010-02-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoons are the best!!! I just love spending sundays with the kids. It is fun to see them play together and grow closer. These are pictures that Montana took of the girls playing the Wii.

Christmas at the Cragun's

2010-02-10T21:25:00.001-08:00

Our first Christmas was a lot of fun and hard work. Since it was our first it was hard trying to decide what traditions we were going to keep and what we were going to do different. We started out Christmas Eve with a movie with Grandma and Grandpa Rock we watched the Chipmunks and the kids loved it. I thought it was pretty good too. Then we came home and had dinner with just our family. We then cleaned the house and cooked cookies for Santa and his elves. We read then watched an old Christmas show that was on TV, this is where is got a little hard. Montana and Miyuki said it was a show that there dad used to watch and this started the sadness. The kids then began to really miss their family. Miyuki had a hard night and just couldn't keep the tears in. She really was having a hard time. But who can blame them? They are so sweet and really tried to not let me see that they were hurting inside. We then read the Christmas Story from the Bible and then it was off to bed. Mrs Claus was very busy that night for Santa was pretty tired. These Craguns have the most craziest stockings ever and Mrs Claus had to put them together all by herself. Doing them before for just Mark and Hillari wasn't so bad but now there were three more with a lot more stuff to put in them. Each took about an hour to put together ( oh and by the way Mrs Claus is getting old and her elves latter informed her to do them ahead of time well that didn't help this Christmas but she will definitely remember that for the next). Well the kids slept very well that night and with a busy schedule Christmas day I had to wake them up at 8:00 so we could stay on track and be at Grandma Craguns for breakfast at 9:30 (that was not a tradition we were about to break). So at 8:00 the kids finally woke to these stockings. (yes I braided the girls hair the night before so they would have cute hair on Christmas) Rough night? Miyuki looks a little tired and this is 8:00 am she slept in!!

Wow what a stocking and look I got a picture of my Family in Saipan just what I wanted!!! Oh and a cool letter from Santa!

Hot wheels!!!! I love hot wheels.

After the stockings, we got ready for the day and cleaned the rest of the house. Then it was off to Grandma Craguns for a wonderful Christmas breakfast!!! After breakfast we came home to see what Santa had brought us this was about 12:00 by the time we got home. Grandma and Grandpa Rock met us here so they could watch the kids open their presents. And they loved all of them!!!!

What do we open next?

Niyah and her remote control Car!! (it is a pretty cool one I have to say)

Yeah!!! Teck Decks, Just what I wanted!! How does Santa know?

Look at this doll house!! It is awesome!!!

I guess I was good enough to get something.

More close? What does Santa think I am a girl?

Grandpa had enough.

This is as close as Niyah wanted to a baby. A bear that moves.

A Wii, this must really be for mom. :)

They were all very spoiled and got exactly what they wanted. After we opened presents Mom and Dad took a nap and the kids played with their toys. Then later we went to Grandma and Grandpa Rocks were all the cousins were there and we opened more presents and had dinner. What a fun day and I have to admit I didn't want to make the kids wait to open their presents from Santa but it sure did make the day last a little longer and it was a lot of fun.

Christmas Sing Along

2010-02-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

Well now that I have kids I have to find cheap things to do, and when they are free it is even better. I took my family along with my sisters, mom, and brother and their families down to Salt Lake to the Christmas Sing along at the Energy Solution Center. We had a blast! We took the Front Runner do Salt Lake and then the tracks to the Energy Solution Center. This was the kids first time on a train and they loved it. It was a little difficult for us to get the kids on and off of the tracks but Brady saved the day everytime. I don't know what we would have done with out him. Thanks Brady!!! Here are some pictures of the fun!!!

Christmas Sing Along Pictures

2010-02-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

Little Ryler with a messy face from the free hot dogs and drinks. (may I add that they had to cook a lot of hot dogs so you could definitely tell they were a few hours old.)

Montana and Jarett with Uncle Dustin in the background. Were on about the tenth row on the floor so we were pretty close. FUN FUN FUN!!!!

Grandma and Kayden waiting for the show to begin. Ryler warming up his singing voice.

Fat momma and the Brady's showing off for the camera, oh and Miyuki too!!! Big Brady was memorizing the words to the songs.

Courtney and Mikkel listening to music on the front runner.

Mr. Montana loving the ride on the train!!

Miss Amanda thinking is this baby ready to come out or what?

Fun on the train. We had a whole car to ourselves.

The Jorgensons posing for a picture.

This really was a fun night. I think this will definitely be a new family tradition at least for me and my family anyway.

Updates to come!!!! Sorry Wendy

2010-02-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

2009-12-22T21:23:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I think it was my first true joy of being a mom.

2009-12-03T23:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know all my posts lately have been about Montana and no he is not my favorite but he says the best things. I had to go to Colorado for a seminar for my training. Montana got home from school and came in the door and said "Mom I'm home". Well grandma was there instead. He told her he needed to call me so she let him.
Montana- Mom I'm home
me- okay, did you have
Montana- mom, mom
me- what
Montana- I am going to miss you a little.
me- I am going to miss you too. How was
Montana- Bye mom.
Then the phone hangs up. Then about 4 hours later. Grandma had took them to clogging practice and Montana says. "Grandma I need to call my mom." So he calls me.
Montana- mom are you there yet
me- no, not yet I will be in a few more hours
Montana- Mom I'm worried
me- what are you worried about
Montana- I am afraid you are going to get in a crash and die
me- I think I will be okay and I will call you when I get there
Montana- okay bye
So when I arrived to my destination I called him and told him that I made it and that I was fine and he said, Okay I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

It felt pretty good to have someone care so much about you. I think I have myself a mama's boy. The girls were just excited to have me gone, but Montana will miss me a little. :) I think this was my first true joy of being a mom. I have enjoyed having them and they are great kids. But now to know that they just may love me as much as I love them, really makes the struggles worth it.

Thanksgiving!!! Goble Goble

2009-11-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

Wow what a year. There is so much that I am thankful for I don't even know were I would begin. Okay yes I do, I am thankful for Mark. He is amazing, we really have been through a lot together and I now have really realized that I don't know what I would do without him. Next I am thankful for 3 beautiful children, I don't think I could have asked for better kids to come and live with us. They really are great, especially with what they have been through. They are loving, happy and so energetic and excited about everything. I am thankful for both mine and Mark's families. They are always so willing to help when we need it and they always seem to just know, and great friends. Friends are a very special part of our life's, we really have over the years found wonderful friends. Last of all I am thankful for the gospel and the atonement of Jesus Christ, and my testimony of it and also Mark's testimony of it. I know that I would not be the person that I am today with out the gospel. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Do you need new Holiday Hair?

2009-11-24T16:30:00.001-08:00

Okay I know this sounds desperate, well I am a little desperate. Just kidding I am not desperate, just trying to figure things out. I need to earn a little more money for the Holidays now that I have 3 kids to buy Christmas for. I am home for the Holidays so I have a lot of time on my hands. So I am looking for people who need their hair done. Let them know I can do it if you know anyone. I don't want anyone to feel like we need help because we don't I just want to earn a little more just to make it easier. Thanks so much.

Montana's Testimony

2009-11-08T16:41:00.001-08:00

I like to bear my testimony, I am adopted by Mark and Hillari I miss my family in Guam and I make sure they miss me too. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

He always makes me smile. :)

A Childs Prayer

2009-10-28T11:11:00.001-07:00

Prayers can be so simple if only we could all remember that. This is Montana's prayer the other night.

" Are dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this day.

Please bless are family that we can be safe.

Thanks that Mark and Hillari can now have kids and are happy.

Thanks that we could come and live with them.

Please bless that we can have a good new life and that we can be happy.

Please bless that are family in Saipan will miss us.

Thank you for the roof over our head.

Please bless the missionaries in the name of Jesus Christ oh and sorry for everything I have done wrong in Utah. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

By the way he has came a long ways and gives the best prayers he always makes us smile.

Being a Mom

2009-09-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

See wasn't he just meant to be a Dad! I love you Mark!

Okay so I thought I would share some of my thoughts. For those of you that read what I write know that I am not a very good writer. I just wanted to get some of my feelings out there and I am not a very good journal writer so I thought I would do it here. This new adventure in our life has been very interesting. It was funny how it all started. I was talking to some of the girls that were in Colorado with me this summer and we were telling each other a little bit about one another. They had asked if I had kids and of course I had to go through the spill of how we didn't have any and all of that stuff. I told them how it would really be bad if I was to get a call while I was in Colorado saying that someone had a child for me. Well the next day I got the call that there was a family in Saipan that had 3 kids for me. It is really weird how life works. While I was in Colorado it was all just a blurr. I didn't know really what to think and wondered if it was really happening. I was not home to prepare anything so it didn't quit seem real. Was I really going to get three kids? and how was I going to be able to do it? I still ask myself these same questions. Do I really have 3 kids and can I really do this? Everyday is a new day and I just have to remember that. Some days are really hard, okay I can't lie everyday is really hard. I am just now after almost 2 months feeling okay about this. I knew that being a mom was not going to be easy and so many people say to me, " See you always wanted to be a mom and it is not like it is on TV" It kind of makes me a little mad. I never thought it would be like it is on TV and I did always want to be a mom and still do. I don't regret any of the decisions that we have made. I am now getting to the point that I could imagine our life with out these three kids. Okay some days I can imagine it with out one of them. :) Just kidding. They are very fun kids and for the most part are pretty good. I share experiences with friends and family and come to find out they are just like any other kid. Yeah they do have extra emotional issues that we are dealing with but just like any other kid, they don't want to do their homework or their chores. They fight amongst each other and argue with what I say. I do love being a mom and I think it was worth the wait for these three kids. I can honestly say they were meant to be in our family. They have brought Mark and I closer together as a couple. They have filled an empty place in our Home. We do love them and everyday gets a little bit better. For the first month I was feeling like I may have had a little bit of a depression I don't know what you would call it but it was similar to post pardom, but I am now starting to figure it out. Thanks to all those out there that have let me cry or vent to them and thanks for not saying anything but just listening. I love being a Mom and am glad I have these three beautiful kids.

Baptisms for Miyuki and Montana

2009-09-28T19:25:00.001-07:00

This is Niyah taking a picture of herself I guess she may have felt a little left out.
Miyuki and Montana were baptized on the 19th. Mark baptized both of them. It ended up being a great day. The Missionaries forgot to get Montana's white cloths so we were scrambling the last minute to get him something to wear to be baptized in.

Montana thought that being baptized was a lot of fun. He thought it was a great day when he was baptized.

Miyuki wanted Elder Merrill to baptize her but I had to do some talking to her so that she would have Mark baptize her. Montana said that he wanted Uncle Brady to and that it would be better if Uncle Brady baptized him so that Mark didn't have to try and say their names. Montana Kini Funkagub Muna and Miyuki Denise Funkagub Muna. You can only imagine what Mark was afraid of saying.

Niyah's Birthday Cake

2009-09-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

These are just some pictures of Niyahs Birthday.

Niyah had her Birthday on August 23rd. She turned 7.

Update!!

2009-08-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well, We had a lot of fun in Guam with the kids. We really tried to keep them busy most of the time to take their minds off of the family which seemed to work for the most part. I really started to feel a lot better once we were in Guam. I didn't feel so guilty for taking them. They loved sleeping in the hotel they thought that was pretty neat. We tried to go to the beach but could only get them to swim one of the days in the ocean. They were scared because it was high tide. They said that it was to dangerous. That made us laugh because there were tons of people swimming but if you looked around you could tell that none of them were locals. They would have much rathered swim in the pool at the hotel. It has been fun to listen to them talk they have such a cute way of speaking I don't want it to change but I know that it will. They speak English very well but it is almost like a translated English. They also will through in words from chomoro every once in awhile and I don't know what they are talking about. The first time they did this we were in Guam and Niyah told me to umboe her. I had know idea what that meant and then we figured it out she wanted a piggy back ride. Another funny time was when we were swimming in the ocean and they kept telling us to watch out for the babaloty. We Mark was swimming around and touched one and it scared him because it started to move when we picked it up. We all laughed and so they started to tease Mark and I with this babaloty which was a sea cucumber. They also talk about their zorries which is their flip flops and slippers so they will call them slippers instead of flip flops. Well these are just a few of the funny things that they say. Guam was really pretty but rained the hole time we were there so that was no fun. But we just did things anyway. However, there when it rains it doesn't just rain, you are literally soaked from just running into a building, and you don't dry off because it is so humid there. Well we were glad to be headed home when it was time but I was dreading the plane ride home. We were lucky enough though to be put on business class for the two longer flights. Yeah for us. We have some really cute pictures of the kids on the plane that I will post.

Niyah sleeping on the plane. This is my favorite.

2009-08-25T14:56:00.001-07:00

Little bit of an update

2009-08-21T16:49:00.001-07:00

Well here is the story just a little at a time because I seem to not have much time. When I got home from Colorado I only had one day to prepare for a new family. This is when I thank my Heavenly Father for family. Mark and my families and friends did so much for us to help us get ready or at least the house ready. We flew out on a Thursday morning and arrived in Guam on Friday night. The total trip was about 23 hours. We did luck out though and on the long flight from LA to Japan we were put in business class. That was sweet!!! Mark and I spent a day in Guam before we went to Saipan to pick up the kids. We just hung out. We went to the beach and it started to poor and I mean poor. We later found out that we were there during their winter so naturally it rained a lot. It was still very warm though. We took a hike on a trail that said enter at your own risk and of course we had to enter. It was beautiful in Guam. We took a trolley around the area that we were in so that we could scope out things we wanted to do with the kids when we got them. We found out quick that it was very expensive to have a family. Sunday morning we flew to Saipan. On that flight we learned that we would be very lucky to make it off of the island with these three kids. I was talking to a lady who asked why we were coming to Saipan so being as excited that I was I told her that we were adopting three children. She then asked if they were Chommoro of course I told her yes. Wow was that a mistake. She was just about in tears and couldn't believe that I was taking 3 Chommoro's off of the island. When we landed Del Benson picked us up and took us to church he instructed us not to tell people why we were there. We noticed that he would tell some people why we were there, however the villagers or Chommoro people he did not tell. After church we drove around the island a little and then met Del at his house and he took us over to the children's home. It was amazing to see what they lived in. I can't even describe it. It was a very small home with just a few windows and some rooms just had dirt floors. This was probably the hardest experience that I ever had. When we got to the home there were seven children there and we were only taking 3. So not only did these children have to say goodbye to their parents they had to leave 4 of their brothers and sisters. There mother was an amazing lady you could just see how much she loved her children and how badly she wanted a better life for them. I can only hope and pray that I can make her proud of her children. After leaving the house we went back to Del's home for awhile and then back to the hotel. This was a hard night. These three beautiful children would just look out the balcony and tell me where their friends lived and what house was their aunties and that they weren't even able to say goodbye to them. Well to say the least I didn't sleep that night. I tossed and turned all night hoping that taking these children from their family was the right thing to do. I instantly loved them but I wasn't totally sure it was right. At about 3 in the morning I could hold my emotions in anymore, I had lost it. I called my mom just sobbing, I couldn't do it! I could take these kids from their family and if I did I wanted all 7 kids. I couldn't just take 3. What kind of a person was I to think this was even okay? All these thoughts were going through my head. Well morning came and it was time to go to the airport. The kids were hoping that their mom would be there to see them one last time but of course she wasn't and they were heart broken. They new so many people who worked in the airport and were asking them where they were going? Kyle the lawyer couldn't waite to get them off this island, he was very worried that we were going to run in to problems. Not anything legal but just with other Chommorow people. Well we made it to Guam and I started to feel better. To be continued.....

2009-08-21T16:45:00.001-07:00

2009-08-20T21:05:00.001-07:00

2009-08-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

Okay are you ready for an update? As you can see we have added 3 children to our family. They have been a great joy. I am not saying that we don't have our days but for the most part it is great. Miyuki is 9, Montana is 8, and Niyah is 6, but will be turning 7 on the Sunday. We love them very much. They miss their family in Guam but they are adjusting pretty will. Oh Montana says no he is not adjusting very well. Montana is excited for his first football game tomorrow with Mark. Are you ready for a picture overload?

It was a good day!!!

2009-07-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

This was a much needed visit! :)

Friday with Mark

2009-07-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

Well Friday we went to the Rockies game. It was a sold out game so we had to by tickets from a scalper. I did the most embarrassing thing too. We finally found someone that would sell us tickets for less then $50 dollars a piece and I just heard $30 dollars so when Mark handed him $60 I tried to take the money out of the guys hand because I thought Mark had given him to much money. But stupid me it was $30 a ticket. So to say the least I felt pretty dumb, but we laughed about it latter. It was a fun game, funner then I thought it would be.
This is at the Rockies game!!

Mark eating his hot dog!! We had to get a hot dog at the baseball game.

This makes us look like we had good seats.

This was the storm we hit as we drove into Denver. Mark was frustrated with me because I stopped the car and made him drive. I don't understand, I didn't want to drive in a foot of water and a gallon of water coming down every second. It was a crazy storm that lasted about 15min is all.

This was one of the street performers at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. It was a lot of fun.

Mark and I had a lot of fun this weekend. I didn't realize how homesick I was until Mark got here and then had to go home. I wanted to go home too. Only 3 more weeks though I can do it!!! But then Life REally Begins :) That is a whole different story in its self soon to come!!

Update from Colorado!!

2009-06-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well I have been here for 2 weeks, only 41/2 left. It is going by faster then I thought. I am so excited for Mark to come out here on Thursday for a few days. So my day consistes of 8hrs of training and then about 4 to 5 hours of reading and paper writing almost every night. I have learned so much though I am not complaining. I sit in the classroom everyday looking at how nice it is outside and then I come home to this. It seems like every night it storms.

Here is my first paper for the training. Let me know what you think

2009-06-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Absorbent Mind and Sensitive Periods

When a child is in the womb of its mother they are an embryo. The embryo is developing into a physical being. For this time the child’s needs are all taken care of by the mother. He is safe, warm, fed and always protected in the womb. Maria Montessori describes that from birth to nine months the child is like a “spiritual embryo”. While he needs to be fed, bathed, clothed, kept warm, and protected, spiritually the infant is developing who he is just like he developed his physical body in the womb. As an adult caring for the infants, understanding the needs of the child and how he is developing is important so that we do not become obstacles in the child’s life. To understand this process of development we learn about the “absorbent mind” and the “sensitive periods”.
“The ‘absorbent mind’ welcomes everything, puts its hopes in everything, accepts poverty equally with wealth, adopts any religion and the prejudices and habits of its countrymen, incarnating all in itself. This is a child!” (Maria Montessori) Maria Montessori uses the term “absorbent mind” to describe the child from birth to six years of age. At this time in a child’s life they are taking in, or absorbing, every element around them.
From birth to three years of age the child is in an unconscious absorbent mind. From three to six years of age the mind is in a conscious absorbent state. In the unconscious absorbent mind the child is truly like a sponge. Like a sponge a child at this age can not control what they are taking in. They are taking in their whole environment, it becomes who he is. “Before three the functions are being created: after three they develop.” (Montessori, the Absorbent Mind 166). In the conscious absorbent mind these children are refining the skills that he has previously been acquiring. I think of this as a child of two years of age, using their index finger and thumb to bead a string, a five year old is then refining this skill by holding a pencil and writing. The child is perfecting the skills that he has taken in, becoming more familiar and comfortable with his self.
During the stages of development Maria Montessori describes “sensitive periods” that the children have. If these sensitive periods are missed it is harder for the child to develop those skills. “A Sensitive Period is a special time in a young child’s life when he easily incorporates a particular ability into his schema if allowed to practice it exhaustively. The period is of short duration and intense in its focus. The apex of a sensitive period is usually for one acquisition at a time. Sensitive Periods are referred to by some as Critical Periods or Windows of Opportunity”.(P. Donohue Shortridge) From birth to six years of age there are three sensitive periods, movement, language and order.
From birth to three years the child is developing basic skills of movement. First he moves randomly and then as he discovers more he moves purposefully. He discovers the hand, that it can reach and touch things. He also discovers walking, an adult walks to reach a particular goal, and an infant walks to explore his surroundings. From the ages of three to six they are refining these skills of gross motor, fine motor, and elaborate movements. As a newborn a child is not able to reach for an object and obtain that object. However, a five year old can reach for an object under the chair, in the dark or even if that object is moving. The five year old has developed and perfected the skill of movement.
The sensitive period of order includes external order and internal order. External order is what happens outside of the child. External order includes: Spatial, which is the order of things in space (how the furniture is arranged around the child), Temporal, which is the order of events ( such as we have snack and then we go outside), Sensory, which is the order of qualities of the objects (the color and texture of objects around them), Social and moral which is the order of relationships and peoples role in their lives (what mom does, what dad does, and what the teacher does), Natural or cosmic: which is light verses dark, cold verses warm, night verses day, weather, and seasons. The internal order is what is inside the child. This is the connection of the body to outer order and the connection of the body parts to each other. From three to six the sense of order is refined. You will begin to see more complex activities that have more intense truth and reality. They refine the senses of perceptual discrimination and social grace.
In the sensitive period of language the child from birth to three goes from silence to speaking. From his environment he observes many elements of language; auditory: listening to speech, visual: watching speakers, motor: movements that go with words, music: musical aspect of language. The child from the ages of three to six move from speaking to thinking. He has the complete use of language, and now is able to use language as a tool for socialization. The child is now more susceptible to adult influences and enriched vocabulary. He begins the process of writing, drawing and reading. He is trying to increase his vocabulary and loves music. I have seen this take place as I watch newborns watch every little move of those around them. They study the way we move our mouths while we speak and the sounds coming out. Then they grow to be that three and four year old that you can not keep quite. (Melody Patton, “The Sensitive Periods” lecture 6/19/09)
The child has gone from the womb of the mother, being totally dependent on the mother for every need, to jumping, running, reading, writing, and singing. They are in total control of their own body. They are happy and free to move about in their own way.

Colorado

2009-06-18T20:11:00.001-07:00

Ride with Mark on the Harley

2009-06-18T20:06:00.001-07:00

Western Nationals at Lagoon 2009

2009-06-18T20:03:00.001-07:00

Double Date with Karlie and Chris

2009-06-18T19:41:00.001-07:00

a month has passed

2009-06-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Okay so it's been almost a month. Where does life go? School is out and my crazy summer is about to begin. I am done teaching for the school year, however I think I have the craziest summer ever. I leave on Sunday for 6 weeks to Boulder Colorado for a training to be the lead teacher at the school I work for. I will be teaching the toddler class I am really excited and scared all at the same time. I will be missing a lot this summer,(my best friends wedding :(, swimming with my nieces and nephews, 4-h shows and motorcycle rides) but I think I will really grow as a person. I don't know anyone there and I am staying with complete strangers. So wish me luck. I will try to keep everyone updated on my blog but I don't know how much time I will have. They say that this training is pretty intense.

Saterday Night Dinner

2009-05-11T19:43:00.001-07:00

We went to eat at Tagerts with Marks friends on Saterday night. We waited for over an hour for a seat but with the company that we were with it wasn't too bad. Thanks everyone for the great night.

Mom, Genie, Grandma Rock and Grandma Zimmerman I love you!!!!

2009-05-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

Mom You've given me so much,

Love from your heartand the warmth of your touch.

The gift of life and you're a friend to me.

We have a very Special Bondwhich only comes from God... I'm sure you agree.

As a child I would say Mommy I Love You,

Now you're my Mother so dearI

love you even morewith each and every new year.

If I could had chosen, I would have picked no other.

Than for you...to be my lifelong friend

and Precious Mother.

Update!!! Were did last month go?

2009-05-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile sense I have posted. I have had an interesting month. I am now filling like things are back to normal. Mark and I had a fun weekend. On Friday, we finished our bathrooms that we have been remodeling. We both took one to finish and for some reason all of my accessories ended up down in Marks bathroom, so we had to buy new ones for mine. Saturday, we went to a sale at the Harley store. Mark was in heaven and took up some really good deals. Later that night we went and watched Wolverine, I loved it.

On Sunday after church, we went up to Dustin's Graduation Party. Of course we road the Motorcycle. Knowing that it looked like rain we were only going to stay for a little while. Well Mark thinking he was taking an allergy pill took a benedrill that totally knocked him out. So we stayed for several hours. Well, as we were driving home Mark decided to take the back road instead of the freeway, which ended up being a good thing. As we hit about the Mt Green church it started to hail ( and boy did that hurt). So we pulled over and waited out the storm for about 40 min. Lets just say by the time we got home we were soaked but laughing pretty hard. We had a fun day. What an adventure!!!

One Bad Day

2009-04-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

okay so have you ever had one of those days? Well today was mine. I woke up with a great attitude I even posted the quote on face book "The day is new we should all be happy. lets see what we can do for someone today. Even if it is just share a smile." Well I have to say i shared a lot of smiles that was for sure. I was at hinds quick stop filling up on gas. I put the gas nozzle in my gas tank and went inside to by me a sandwich. Well I got back in my car and drove off. Yes, I forgot that the gas nozzle was still in my car. Everyone just laughed at me and Sandy just told me to make sure I put my gas cap back on. Needless to say I was quite embarrassed. Well that was not the end of it. Latter I was some hair appointments at my house so I had been cutting hair. Well my little niece Kaylee wanted her hair cut too. I told her she needed to call her mom. Well, when I was on the phone with Jessica I was playing with Kaylee's hair and this is what I found. I am a terrible aunt. So just a warning "Don't send your kids to my house, bad things happen. (Just ask Trey Cragun, that is a story in its self) So here is my bad day!

I am the coolest wife ever. Look at Marks new toy!

2009-04-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

okay so I think I am the coolest wife ever. Look at Marks new toy. I just talked my husband into buying this Harley. We scored big, practically stole it from the guy. I am so excited. Open road here we come. See I really am the coolest wife. He almost let this one go.

Yes I am a little behind the times :)

2009-03-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday we met some friends in Salt Lake to go to dinner. Mark and I had to go to Park City to pick up his car ( that is another story in it's self) so on our way back we were going to go to dinner with some friends of ours. They had gone to see the Joseph Smith movie, so Mark and I had some time to kill. We went to the Gate way in Salt Lake. Yes, this was my first time and I loved it. We just walked around looking at different stores but we really had a lot of fun. There were some live bands so we stopped and listened to them. As our friends arrived we ate dinner at a Thai restaurant there and it was really good. I was pleasantly surprised, I am not big on trying new food but I really liked it. Later that evening we stayed at the Alaskan Inn. We gave our friends a night stay there for Christmas. They have done so much for us and they needed a night out so we went and stayed there. It was a fun night. Thanks Janean and Devin for being such good friends. You are the best.

What a fun day!!!

2009-03-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well this week I had finals for 3 of my classes so it was a little hecktic, but we made it through. My hecktic week was followed by a great Saterday. Some of our friends got together and pulled the kids behind the snowmobiles. Clint Jones did a great job! This was so fun. Thanks guys for the fun day!

Thoughts that I liked this week.

2009-02-22T20:25:00.000-08:00

Well, as I was trying to think of something to post for the past week, I was reflecting back and realized that I really learned somethings this week. So I am going to share with you what I learned and thoughts that I was reminded of.
1. At work I work in the toddler class and I realized how much they really do take in everything that we do. Children from when they are born until the age 3 absorb everything around them including the actions of others.
2. I learned that it is hard to explain some things to a 3 yr old. My niece Kaylee stayed the weekend with me and was wondering why we can say "God" in church and not use the word in everyday language. I wasn't sure how to explain that to her, but Mark taught me a good and simple way that she understood. He explained that God is very special to us and Church is a very special place. That we should only use that word when we are saying special things about him. I just loved that.
3. That when we do more thanking in our prayers are burdens seem to not be so hard. We seem to realize that we don't have it so bad when we realize how blessed we truly hard. This is a hard one for me right now because I don't seem to be getting the blessings that I really want. However I am really going to try this. My challenge is to pray once a week without asking for anything, just to thank my Heavenly Father for what I have.
4. And lastly, I learned that when it comes to where we live we make it what we want it to be. We are in charge of the Who, What and When in our lives. The Who is who we surround ourselves with. The What is what we choose to make of each situation. The Now is right now, what we choose to do right now.

Well this is what I learned and some thoughts that I heard. Oh and PS I redecorated my bathroom and it looks great. I forgot to take before and after pictures so the after pictures wouldn't do it justice but I will still get some soon.

Thanks for the Great weekend!!!

2009-02-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

I just want to thank so many of you for a great weekend. We had so much fun.
On Thursday night I went to Tammy’s house for a girl’s night. Wendy, Marks sister was in town and we were able to get together with the girls. We played a little Bunco and ate really good food. Jessica had brought some of her clothes that she sales and we had a little bit of a fashion show. It was a lot of fun.
On Friday night we went to Lisa Carters house. Mark and his friends had made a book about their memories of John to give to his kids. It turned out so good. We had a lot of fun just hanging out and talking to one another. It is sad to have John not with us but it really had brought the friends back together.
On Saturday Mark and I went to the Hawks house for a candle lit dinner with their family. We really have great friends. We love being with the Hawks, their family had such a sweet spirit about them.
Then on Sunday we went to dinner at Tammy’s with his family. It is always fun to have dinner with the Cragun family. Brent gave all of the girl’s valentine’s gifts. He loves his girls and we all love him. I always look forward to Brent’s valentine’s gifts.
Thank you everyone for such a great weekend.

Yeah my life is back!!!

2009-02-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

I finally have my computer back. I can get my homework done and waste a lot of time on face book. Okay so I hate that place. I spend way to much time on that stupid site. But I will probably keep on doing it. Well I am looking forward to seeing Wendy. Yeah I can't wait.

How Sweet!!

2009-02-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

Okay so my Grandpa wanted to get my Grandma something for Valentines Day but he just didn't know what to get. She had gotten a rose for her birthday from a neighbor and loved it. She would tell us thank you everyday for the beautiful rose. So my Grandpa went to town today and bought some roses. When he came home I said those are beautiful, are they real? He said yes. I got closer and they weren't. He just started to laugh as he told me how he asked the clerk how much water he needed and she laughed and told him they didn't need water. I could just see my Grandpa in confusion as he left the store. We laughed pretty hard over that one. It is funny some of the things they do. I can only hope that as I get old and don't remember anything Mark will still want to get me something for Valentines day even if I wouldn't even remember.

Crazy Lady

2009-02-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

Okay so this is how I feel lately. My computer is getting worked on it has been gone for two weeks and now it is going to be another week. I am going crazy. I am having a hard time getting my homework done. I have to go to my sisters and then I just want to play with her kids. It is really hard. I don't realize how much time I spend on my homework at home. My days just keep getting crazier and crazier. I don't know how I will do it if I ever have children. I try to work out in the mornings at 5:00am then I work at 8:00am till 1:30 then I go to my Grandmas till 6:00pm then depending on the day of the week I have something at nights weather it be scouts, clogging or doing hair. There is always something and then I have to try and go to my sisters to get homework done. CRAZY I tell you I am going CRAZY!!!. I know that everyone else can probably beat my craziness but I still fill it. Sorry there has not been any updates but give me a week or so and I will get back on track.

Reality

2009-01-13T17:48:00.001-08:00

Okay, so today reality hit me. I received a call today that my Grandma Rock, who I have been seeing everyday now, had a minor stroke this morning. I have been okay with watching her and have really enjoyed being there. ( By the way I am getting paid so I am not as great of a person as you think, I just wanted to make that clear) Anyway, I realized today that one day it is going to be really hard because I am going to get the call that my Grandma has died or I will be there when she does. I am not sure if I am okay with that. I love her so much it is really hard to see her the way she is. Today I had to feed her, the stroke effected her right side so she couldn't stedy her hand to make it to her mouth. She just slept most of the time I was there. I had to wake her up to eat and to go to the bathroom. It really is sad. Now I can see why it is so hard on my Aunts to be there everyday. Well on a funny note, she didn't say much all day other then she needed her coffee, (which is hot coco) and as I was leaving she told me to drive safely. I didn't even think she really knew I was there today.

The Harmonica in the Little Black Box

2009-01-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

This is a paper that I wrote about my Grandma and Grandpa I thought I would share.

The Harmonica in the Little Black Box
I always liked to go to Grandma and Grandpa Rock’s house. Like most grandparents houses, there was always lots of candy and ice cream. This is not why I loved Grandma and Grandpa’s house. While at their house I would sit and wait for Grandpa to get his harmonica out of the small black box sitting on the shelf. Oh how I loved what happened when Grandpa would open that box.
There were always so many things that I loved to do at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I would watch the humming birds get the pollen from the flowers, while sitting on the porch with Grandma. We would watch the trains and the big semi-trucks go by. My brother and I would ride the trikes down the hill, to see who could go the fastest. I loved to play on the swing set and eat apples off of the apple tree. I loved to eat the vegetables out of the garden or pick the flowers out of the flower bed for grandma (I don’t think Grandpa liked that to much). My sisters and I would pose for pictures by the flowers, or my favorite, by the old brass stool. We would crochet
hot pads with Grandma, or see what we could find with out grandpa knowing or catching us. I would walk with Grandma down the hill to get the paper and mail, or go visit that grey haired couple that lived at the bottom. There were always cats we could play with, that was always fun, but there was nothing like what would happen when Grandpa would get out his harmonica in the little black box.
Grandpa would sit on his chair, with Grandma next to him, and we would gather around anxious for him to open the box. He would start with “oh were, oh were is my little grey kitty,” that was are favorite, and end with,” how much is that doggy in the window”, maybe that was our favorite. We would sing for hours with grandpa playing is harmonica. No matter how bad of a day I was having or how much I would have rather been playing at a friend’s house; I would always smile when I would hear Grandma and Grandpa sing. We would sing for Christmas, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and every other day of the year. It didn’t matter the day we could always sing.
Still to this day I remember how much I loved that harmonica in that little black box. I will always remember the smile and how happy they were with the children gathered round their knees singing while Grandpa played his harmonica. I will forever remember the love that they showed us and I will always remember them by the songs I learned. Oh how I loved what happened when Grandpa would get his harmonica out of the little black box.

Grandma and Grandpa Rock

2009-01-11T20:50:00.000-08:00

I have not been on my blog for a while. I have started watching my Grandma Rock during the week after work from 1:30 to 6pm. I didn't think this would be that hard but it sure does take a lot out of my day. I have loved doing it though. My Grandma has alstimers pretty bad and it is just getting to hard for my Grandpa to move around, so I am there just to help out. I have been spending a lot of time cleaning and those that know my Grandparents know that it is much needed. My Grandpa doesn't let me through anything out but I am at least able to clean. I want to share some funny things that have happened while I have been there.
One day when I went in my Aunt Deane asked my Grandma if she knew who I was and she said in her sweet little voice," of course I do she's my relative". I thought that was clever she is pretty safe saying that. She really doesn't know who I am. I think that she knows that she knows me but she doesn't know how she knows me. I just love her!!
My Grandpa had went to Ogden and did some grocery shopping. He brought home a lot of grocery's ( which wasn't needed, he has ROOMS full of food). I was putting them away and he had bought some vegetables that needed to go in the fridge. Well the bottom of the fringe had some OLD apples in it. I told my Grandpa that I needed to through out the rotten apples so that I could fit the vegetables in the fridge. He told me that they weren't rotten they were just wilted. Well I finally convinced him I needed to through them out. So we were throwing them over the deck because there had been some deer out there, and I look over and my Grandpa is putting them in his pocket. I told him that they were bad and he just said that I didn't understand what it was like to not have any food so I don't appreciate those kind of things. I just told him that he has food now and he doesn't have to eat the bad apples. But he didn't listen so I will have to through those out when he isn't home. Hee Hee. It has been fun visiting with my Grandpa and learning all about his life. I will keep you updated on funny things they do. They are funny people, but you just have to love them.

Sledding

2008-12-29T16:32:00.001-08:00

Today we had a party with my family because on Christmas not everyone could come because of the snow. We had a blast!!! We went sledding and here are the pictures. You just have to love these kids!!! This is my favorite picture. There is a slide show on the side of the rest of the pictures.

Christmas Day

2008-12-26T18:29:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was great. Mark and I really felt the true meaning of Christmas. We were able to help a family in need and it was fun to see them happy on Christmas. Mark and I have been trying to start some of our own traditions, so on Christmas Eve I got the Cragun stockings put together there is a picture of them. I don't know of any other family that does stockings like this but they sure are fun. We latter took gifts around to some neighbors. We stopped at one of our friends house in the ward and ended up staying there and helping them with Christmas for their kids. It sounds weird but we had a blast. We latter went home and went to bed. I woke up early and put our presents out. We didn't get much but that was okay. I cleaned the house and we got ready for the day. We opened presents and then had hot chocolate together. We then went to Marks Moms house for breakfast. It was kind of funny because when I had talked to her at the family party earlier that week we were to only ones coming and she had said that it will be nice to just make breakfast for just four. Then when I showed up there were tables up and there were about 18 people there for breakfast. Everyone Loves Genies Christmas morning breakfast. Then latter that day we went to my parents and just hung out all day. It was wonderful. Jessica's kids played in the snow, so they were in and out all day. Everyone just seemed to be having a lot of fun. We really had a great day. Here are some pictures of the day. Oh, Mark surprised me with an Ipod. Yea, just what I wanted. I even got Sam some Christmas presents.

6 lbs yea!!!!!

2008-12-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Well, the weight is starting to come off. Yea for me. I have lost 6 lbs since I have started working out and I feel better already. I love going to the gym. I have to admit some days it is hard getting up at 4:30 in the morning but I always feel better when I do. Some of the things that I have been doing that I think is really working is: I have been making better choices in my food. I have been trying to eat more protein then carbs (this is hard for me I love those carbs) and eating smaller portions more often. I can't say that I really have been dieting because I still will eat my favorite things just less of them. I truly think that is the key. If you diet and don't let yourself eat what you love then you truly will fail. I am not in a smaller size pants yet but my pants sure do fit a lot better.

It's funny how life works.

2008-12-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's funny how life works. You can pray and pray and keep praying for something and be told no over and over again, and then one day it seems right. I love the power of prayer and how it can strengthen our lives. I have to admit I hate it when the answer is no, but God seems to know just what he is doing. We just always need to remember that he does things on his time not ours. This is a hard lesson that I am still trying to learn. I have to trust in our Heavenly Father. I have been really trying to put my life into his hands. It's really hard for me to have someone else lead the way. I like to know exactly where I am going. So my thought for today is to let life take us by the hand and lead us. Trust in our Heavenly Father, he really does know the bigger picture.

It came and now it is gone and Christmas is here.

2008-11-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

Well black Friday came and went and oh how much fun it was. I went with my sister-in-law Tammy and her daughter Karly. While through phone calls we were communicating with my mom and Jessica. Okay so it was a little crazy, Jessica was at the first of the line for the leapsters and when they opened the pallet she was trampled. They pushed her down so she grabbed some at the very bottom and huddled over them like they were a football. She came up with her hat off and a scrape across the face. The excitement it so great. Tammy ended up with two big screen TVs just cause it was such a great deal. We shopped till about 2 or 3pm and then I called Tammy later and she was still shopping at 6pm. CRAZY but oh so much fun. I have some pictures they will come later. I have to figure out how to get them off my phone. So you are probably wondering how much money I spent, well I did pretty good I only spent about $200, (okay so $150 just on movies but they were a great deal). Tammy on the other hand I am sworn to secrecy. FUN FUN FUN!!!!!

Black Friday

2008-11-23T21:27:00.000-08:00

Okay so the Day after Thanksgiving sale is just around the corner. I am so excited. I don't even have anything that I need to buy but here I am looking at the adds and counting down. 4:00am here we come. I can't wait!!! LOVE IT!!!

Loosing Weight

2008-11-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

Okay it is official. I am going to loose weight. I have finally decided this is enough. I am going to loose 20lbs. This is my goal. I have joined the gym and have been working out every morning at 5:00am. Okay so it has only been twice so far but man am I feeling it. Yesterday I finished and was driving home and my arms were just like jello, I could hardly turn the steering wheel. I am working out with tow of my sister-in-laws and am having a lot of fun. I defiantly think that this is what will make the difference it seems to be more fun with them then work. We laugh a lot but seem to be sweating like crazy. So wish me luck in this new adventure and I will keep you updated on my successes and failures ( I know I will probably have both). I am 160 lbs now and want to be 140lbs for now. I may want to loose more when I reach that goal but that is what I am reaching for now. I know I am crazy posting my weight but I want to encourage others to get healthier. If I can do it anyone can.

Two down two to go!

2008-11-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

Okay so I know that I am a little crazy, but Christmas is just around the corner and I love it. I have 4 Christmas trees and I have finished 2. I love to decorate for Christmas and it takes so long that I can't see why I should only have it up for a few short weeks, so I have already started. Merry Christmas to everyone. (my outside lights will be up this week).

My thoughts

2008-11-09T11:30:00.001-08:00

Well I got in trouble, so I need to update my blog. We haven't really had anything real exciting happen in our lives the last few weeks so I have been trying to think of something to put on my blog. I thought I would just share some thoughts that I have had. As you all know Mark has been a leader in the young men's program for several years now. He loves his calling and many times his calling will come first. I have had a problem with this and at times it gets very frustrating. But on Halloween my eyes were finally opened to his view on this. We had two of his young men over at our house ( this happens almost nightly) and they were talking with me about some of their struggles and struggles of the other boys in our ward. I realized that night that I want my home to be somewhere they can come and enjoy themselves. I thought that if they are at my house that is one more night that they are not tempted with the way of the world. I also realized that the weekends that they are camping with my husband is one weekend that they aren't being offered drugs. This may sound silly that I am just now realizing this but for me it took listening to the boys themselves for me to realize how important Marks calling is in these boys lives. I am proud of Mark and the example that he is to me. So here is my idea, I want to knock down the wall in between the two bedrooms down stairs and make a big game room that they can come and enjoy. What do you think? It may decrease the value in our home but it could really make our home more enjoyable.

Man Tag

2008-10-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

What is your husband's name? Mark Earl Cragun
How long have you been married? 6 years and 11 months
How long did you date? A long time between 5 and 6 years I had finally quite counting
How old is he? 34
Who eats more sweets? It depends on the day and what you call sweets. Mark loves candy, but I love my Pepsi ( although I am quiting )
Who said I love you first? I think he did but I don't really remember.
Who is taller? Mark
Who can sing best? Well nether one of us can sing I think I sing better and he thinks he sings better.
Who is smarter? Mark for sure!
Who does the laundry? Me, but for some reason the one load a week that Mark does and taking the cloths out of the drier and putting them on the bed makes him think that he does it. hmmm I wonder how the rest of the laundry gets done.
Who pays the bills? We both do it just depends on who gets to them first, but Mark is definitely in charge of the money. (SO I LIKE TO MAKE HIM THINK).
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Mark
Who mows the lawn? I Mow and Mark does the edging.
Who cooks dinner? umm whats dinner. J/K I really do try but I just don't really like to cook actually cooking isn't the problem its grocery shopping. So if someone wants to start a new business and do my grocery shopping I will pay them. Mark is a better cook though.
Who drives? Mark unless we are driving a long distance them I usually end up driving.
Who kissed who first? It was a joint effort.
Who asked who out first? Mark asked me out
Who wears the pants? Mark Does.

I tag Nichole Compton, and Wendy Chard

Happy Birthday Mark

2008-10-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

Mark turned 34 on Wednesday. Here are 34 things I love about Mark

1. He is always thinking of how to help someone else.
2. He is a great cook

3. He is very clean

4. His blue eyes

5. His love for the Gospel

6. His love for his calling as young men's President

7. His love for adventure

8. He loves to make any outing fun

9. He likes to get things done and not wait

10. His love for the outdoors

11. His willingness to try anything

12. His help in making me a better person

13. He never gives up on us

14. His love for motorcycles

15. His love to work

16. His love for working in the yard

17. His love for books

18. He knows what to say to make me happy

19. He knows when to let me be

20. He knows when to give me attention

21. He makes me laugh

22. He knows how to make me feel good when I am trying to do things for him

23. His messages in a bottle

24. His love for his nieces and nephews

25. His family can count on him

26. His neighbors can count on him

27. His ability to do everything he commits to at 110%

28. He love to look nice

29. His love for the youth in our ward

30. His love for his brothers it is greater then I think they will ever know

31. His patience for me

32. His love for Sam

33. He can hold a conversation with anyone

34. Most of all I love the way that he loves me.

Believe it or not I could go on. This was easier then I thought. I do love Mark and don't know what my life would be like with out him. We have definitely had are struggles but we have also had are good times. He is the love of my life and I can only hope that I am lucky enough to be able to spend the next 34 years with him.

I Love you Mark

snow before Halloween

2008-10-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

There's a mean old witch with a hat, she rides on her snow shovel with her cat!!

Who would have thought we would have snow before Halloween. Mark was suppose to go ski diving yesterday and it was canceled due to a storm. Well we woke up this morning to about 5 inches of snow on our front lawn. It was snowing at my moms yesterday but I really didn't believe that we would get snow. When i called my mom to tell her it had snowed she said that she only had a few inches. I thought for shore she would have more then we did but she didn't. So today I sit next to the fire eating my tomatoes picked out of the garden on Thursday. CRAZY!!!

October Yea!

2008-10-02T21:40:00.001-07:00

October has to be one of my favorite months.

Why I love October:

Fall

Mountains

General Conference

Halloween

I love the fall. The mountains are so pretty, especially the ones by my moms house. I also love the drive up Ogden canyon. I am looking forward to General Conference. I love to just sit and listen to the speakers, to know that there is nothing else I have to do this weekend is great. Well, life has been pretty boring with Mark and I, there just isn't much going on. We are both going to school and working so we don't see much of each other but we have been enjoying our time together. We have started what is called a fourteen day walk with Christ. We have challenges to do each day and scriptures and quotes to read and ponder. It has really helped the spirit in our home. I love the way that I feel when I am really striving to better myself as a person, and I find the one way to do this is not so much to focus on my self but to focus on helping others. Last but not least Halloween. Halloween has to be one of the most fun holidays to decorate for. I love it. and just think after Halloween is over I can start decorating for Christmas!!!!! I hope all is well with all of you.

Look at me being a homemaker!

2008-09-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

I quite my job with the Hampton Inn in September and started as a teachers aid at Evergreen Montessori Academy. I really enjoy my job however I make about half of what I was making and have a lot more time on my hands. So I have been able to do a lot of things that I have been wanting to do. I feel like I am busier now then I was before. I have doubled up on my classes at school and finished projects around the house that I have been needing to finish. I also have found new loves. I have really enjoyed cooking, yes I said it I have enjoyed cooking. Although I still hate with a passion grocery shopping. I would literally pay someone to do that for me. I also have been bottling things. I did salsa a few weeks ago with my Mom and sister Jessica and this week I bottled peaches and did it all by myself and they are really good. I have to say it was pretty easy. we will be doing apple sauce shortly. I have really enjoyed being home more and doing things around the house.

Happy Birthday MOM!!!

2008-09-18T18:44:00.001-07:00

Mom, your 53 today. I just wanted to know what a great mom you are. You were first my mom but you became my Best Friend. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Thanks for always listening and not always giving your opinion even though I know you wanted to. We are so lucky to have you as a mother. I hope you had a great Birthday.

Marks Adventure to the top of Kings Peak!

2008-09-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

My neighbor Mike Bouy has hiked King's Peak the last 2 years and invited me along to conquer the peak again this year. Anyway, Mike is 6'2" and 250 pounds which is 50 pounds more than he was last year. We left Friday morning and arrived to a 40 degree, cloud covered, snow and muddy trail in the Uintah mountain range at 10 AM. And I do not enjoy the cold but I could just feel Mike's child like enthuisasm for the 3 day 2 night excursion. With our 40 pound back packs we headed to base camp which some maps say is in 7.5 miles and others say that it is in 10 miles from the trail head (I will decidely say it was atleast 10 miles in.)

We arrived to base camp in about 4 hours and set up camp, hung our food packs in the trees away from the bears and took our 20 minute power naps before dinner. This was truly a new experience,camping with only what you can carry on your back, I had not camped in this fashion since my dad would take us to high adventure camps when I was a young man (My camps I do for the high adventures are pretty lush and we eat well and play hard.) Anyhow, the sun set at 7 pm so we entered the tent when the tempatures dropped to 20 degrees, played cards for 45 minutes (Which I won both nights) We slept very little that night, not that we were cold but our pads were only an inch thick and very unconfrontable.

The next morning we waited until 8 am so that the sun would come over the mountain so it could start de-icing our tent. Then we started the hike to heaven, the terrain was ok at 1st, then tough, then tougher (Boulder Hopping for 2 miles), then tougher than tough hiking up the shark tooth in 1 foot to 1.5 feet of snow to the summit up 8/12 to 10/12 grade.

Mike led at a fast pace for the 1st half of the hike until we reached the boulders and my slighter build gave me a huge edge as I skipped from rock to rock. Having to pack around 250 pounds to my 140 pounds Mike slowly made his way from rock to rock. Then we arrived to the last climb (the hardest and steepest). At this point I was just hitting my second wind and was excited and energized to summit the peak, meanwhile, Mike was exausted from his long trek over the boulder field and had little energy to push onward. He'd been suffering from a stomach bug and it caught up to him during the 1st 200 yards of the final climb, with determition and a stalwart effort he climbed on until he was within 200 yards of the summit.

I had been waiting for him for about a half an hour to climb the 50 yards to meet me for the final push. As soon as he arrived he said, "I can't do it." I've never seen Mike exhausted to the point of quitting (2 weeks ago we did a 50 mile bike ride and he pushed the pace the whole entire time we went around Bear Lake.) he looked like someone that had no more to give. He then told me to summit and return to him, I asked if he wanted me to forego the summit and help him down the mountain. He said, "You do it, I will wait for you here, you are here and you see King's Peak its only 200 yards."

So with my excitement at a high, I scrambled with a pure flush of adrenaline passing another hiker who also could not finish the summit. He explained that what had happened to Mike and himself was they had hit an altitude at which their bodies would not allow them to go higher and it would be extremely dangerous and maybe even life threatening if the countinued onward. I finished the climb and with a feeling of being on the top of the world. I then asked two young men to take my picture, I then proceeded to take a small video of the surrounding terrain to show those back home the beauty of the sights. Then not taking the time most take to eat a light meal and enjoy the sights I started back down the trail at a jogging pace skipping from rock ledge to ledge to again be with Mike to help him with his descent. When I arrived he had cried out his frustrations and humiliations for not finishing a climb he had accomplished the previous 2 years, he looked like death warmed over with tears in his eyes. I grabbed his day pack and as we descended at a slow pace he began to shiver and shake (he never gets cold, he loves it.) I was very concerned for his health, yet, when we had gone no more than a half mile color returned to his face and his pace quickened and his voice was stronger.

He had picked out an easier return route that skipping across the bolder field, it was a little longer but much better for him at this time. I could not help but wonder how I would feel if the roles were reversed and I had not been able to finish the climb due to the altitude sickness. I don't think I would want anyone to know and would be very disappointed in myself for not fulfilling a goal that I want to mark off my bucket list.

Well we made it back safely to camp and we were spent. Mike was still to ill to eat his dinner and he never goes without food. So we used the cooking pot to try and catch squirrels in our home made trap, if the pan was any heavier we could've added squirrel to add to our dinner menu. After I had dinner we climbed into the tent and began to play that night's game of GOLF (I won). Mike was very sensitive to smell being sick and I had the acidy burps I get due to the stomach surgery's I've had, this did happen to play to my advantage as throughout the night I had a bad case the Monte zuma revenge. Mike snores like my dad and it's awfully loud and I could not sleep. I remember feeling bad that he probably doesn't recieve much oxygen so he probably gets little sleep. However, I wasn't getting any sleep and the only way out've the tent was over Mike and the only way to wake Mike up was to breath my nasty burps into his sleeping bags 2 inch hole he used for his fresh air. I would then get the biggest kick watching him sputter awake with a choke and yelling: "I'd kick you out've this tent if you didn't need to get out every hour." Then he would laugh and be a good sport. About 2:30 AM still could not sleep, I layed curled up in the fetal position when Mike shifted and cuddled to my back as if I where his wife. Well, I didn't waste any time in turning around and blowing into his fresh air intake to wake him the heck up. He sputtered and shouted but I told him what had happened and he gave me the old adenum that: 'What happens in the tent stays in the Tent!

The next morning we broke camp and walked withing 30 feet of a bull moose, a spike, and a cow. Wow it was an epic sight and it finaly put a smile back on Mike's down trodden face. We then ran into a 77 year old Morgan man that had finally drawn a bull moose tag and with his 2 sons and 2 friends we pointed the way to the 1 we had seen off the path 1.5 miles up the trail. He was happy and promised us a dinner when he got back home for he knew both my parents and Hillari's.

It was a beautiful day in the mid 50's that we returned to my wonderful Truck at the trail head to take us home to a hot shower and a warm bed.

I would love to make this hike again for the pure fact that it will always be a memory held close to my heart. Mike planned this trip and I was lucky enough to be invited to watch the high's and the low's of an adventure of a life time.

Mark and Mike climbed Kings Peak this weekend Yea! He made it!

2008-09-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

Great Thoughts

2008-09-07T21:17:00.001-07:00

Well, we have had a very humbling and spiritual few weeks. Yesterday we went to the funeral of our good friend John Carter. We were able to here from some great speakers. I just want to quote some of the things that were said, ( ideas that they had). Lisa's father spoke about angles and how he doesn't think the angles in the pictures are quit right. He says that angles were wranglers, boots, and cowboy hats, they come with tractors and backhoes, bringing rocks and flowers. I totally agree. I think that we have angles all around us and they seem to look just like our family, friends, neighbors, and even sometimes their those strangers that just have a smile. The stake President spoke about how when we were in the preexistence we feared birth and not death. That death was what would bring us back to our Heavenly Father and what we knew. I just found that very comforting to know that John is now with our Heavenly Father and that he is not afraid and that we will be able to be with him again. I just wanted to share some of these thoughts with you. They really touched me and I probably didn't do them justice but I hope maybe they can touch you.

Moab

2008-09-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

This week end we went down to Moab with the Zimmermans ( my moms family). Mark usually isn't to excited to do things with my family but this time we really had a lot of fun. We drove down early Saturday morning. ( 4am early). We all were staying in a town house so for peace and quite Mark and I pitched a tent out back it was pretty nice. Mark took my cousin Hayden biking with him. I think they had fun because they wanted to go the next day too. Once everyone found out that Mark was biking everyone else wanted to also so we rented bikes for some of the kids. So they could go biking on Sunday. Well Saturday night we left the guys home with the kids and the Girls all went and saw Momma Mia (great show ) we all had only are ccd and they only took cash, so we all looked really stupid and Aunt Jamie had to pay for everyone. Ha Ha tricks on her j/k we all paid her back. This started the movie out just right laughing our heads off.
Sunday Mark took some of the older kids and myself on a bike trail it was pretty fun long but fun. Here are some pictures of our bike ride.
So here we are on our way. Mark is really good with the kids even though he thinks they are brats. He does love to help them. Mark always seems to find an adventure not matter were we go. I think that is why everyone loves to be were and do what he does.

Here are some more pictures of us coming down the hills they are pretty funny. Some of use were pretty scared.

Yea this is me showing kayden that even
the best can walk if they are scared!

After the bike ride we met up with the rest of the family at the arches. It was so neet to see. I had never been their and could have stayed all day but it rained.

More adventure with Mark ( what trouble can I get in on these rocks he is thinking. )

Mark and Hayden riding on the back of Jamies Convertible

Well here is hillari with the kids because all the parent wanted to to down because it was really starting to rain.

Here is where we found mark under the rock as it was raining ( wimp or smart ) I know what I think.

Then I have a picture of mark and hayden with the delicate arch in the back ground. If you notice you can see water running down from in.
Here is a picture of the stream as we were walking down it was not there when we were walking up.

Later that night we went and watched some jeeps climb what they call potato salad. It was pretty fun.

New next day was Monday and kind of a free day for everyone. Mark took Hayden and road slick rock and I went four wheeling with my uncles. We both had a lot of fun. Thanks Aunt Jamie for the trip to Moab.
Here's a picture in Moab. I had to add it just because my RYRY is so cute

Our Friend John Carter

2008-08-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well as many of you know yesterday one of Marks best friends passed away. He was on his way to Guatemala for a humanitarian service to build a school or homes ( I am not quite sure). His plain went down and there was only two or three survivors( I am not sure because the stories in the media keep changing). It has been a very sad last few days to remember the great friend that John was for Mark. It is hard to understand that some one so neat was taken from this earth so early. We were able to go to the home of his parents and visit with them and also his wife. Lisa his wife is such a wonderful lady, I have always loved being around her, but today I heard stories of her and the things that she does for those around her. She is a very giving person. I can only hope that one day Mark and I can be like them. I am so glad that I have the gospel in my life to help me understand and know that they are a forever family. John lived a great life and I know that he is were our Heavenly Father needs him most. Our Heavenly Father must also know what a neat lady Lisa is. I know that it is going to be hard for her and her family. As friends of John I think that we can only show our friendship and how much we loved him by helping taking care of his family and always sharing his memory with his children. He was a wonderful friend and I can only pray that we can all be more like him. We love you and will miss you.

Ryan Shupe Concert

2008-08-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

On Monday the 18Th, Amanda and I took our husbands along with a friend Douglas Webberly to the Ryan Shupe Concert at the Layton ampha theater. We had so much fun. Mark has known Ryan for a long time. We would hang out when we were dating, so it was fun to see him again. If you have not ever seen him in concert or even if you haven't seen him recently you need to go. It was so entertaining. We have been to a few concerts but it has been years ago. I didn't remember it being this fun. We talked to him after and it was fun to catch up with him. So if you want a good night out go to one of his concerts. His music is fun but he is even better in concert.

Tragedy at the Cragun home

2008-08-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

Tammy Rupe had brought her family over to get all their haircuts for school. I cut the boys and Don took them home so I colored Carly's. As I started on Tammy's hair Kristen Cragun brought her kids over as well to have their hair done. I was still doing Tammy's so Kris was going to go to Walmart and leave her kids at my house so I could get started on them. Well Tammy started to tell Kris a story so she didn't leave right away. Well about 10 or 15 minutes passed and we hear screaming coming down the hall.We all run out and Trey has this huge and I mean huge gash out of the back of his arm, and the other arm was scraped. So to give you a visual of the gashed arm, you could see the muscle and the tendons. It was so sick!! Kris yells call 911, we told her to just take him. Oh and the weird thing was it wasn't bleeding so you could literally see it all. Tammy says she is going with her and I told her no her hair would fry off, so I would go. We got Trey to the car and Kris yells that she needs her purse. I ran to get her purse told Tammy to wash out her hair and Carley's. So as we were driving Trey was going in and out of nearly passing out. He was doing really well though. I was in the back seat telling Trey to breath and Kristen not to change lanes. She was driving like a maniac if you can imagine. We called Mike to meet us at the hospital. We also as we were driving trying to find out what happened. Trey couldn't remember, so I was going through my head what could have happened. Did he climb the fence to go after a ball? No that wouldn't have done this. Then I thought he probably was up on top of the shed and fell some how. So we called Tammy to try and get it out of the kids what had happened. We also asked her,( now this is going to be gross) to look for the skin. She said she had been looking. She figured out what had happened or at least narrowed to down. The ski light on the shed was scattered so we figured he fell through, with his arms up and that is how he cut his arms. Well she had also looked for skin, because we knew there had to be a chunk some were. She couldn't find any and figured( are you ready for this) that Sam my dog ate it. GROSS!!. Well we finally made it to the hospital, they took Trey in and I called Mark to come and assist Mike in giving Trey a blessing. He was there shortly. As I waited for Mark several different people were asking me what had happened and that they had never seen anything like that, even the security guy that sits at the entrance. Well Mark went in and they gave Trey a blessing. He seemed to calm down a little bit after. We left because there was nothing more we could do and they only wanted 2 people in the room.

It did turn out just fine. There was not a chunk taken out so Sam didn't eat it. They were able to get him stitched up ( they did have to call another doctor in the ER doctor couldn't do it). When I talked to him yesterday he was doing very well, he didn't seem to be in much pain.

I have had a real hard time with this. The story finally came out of what happened. He fell through but caught himself with his arms and had to pull himself up out of it. He said he stepped on a lawn mower to get himself up but there is only a vacuum under were he had fell. I look out my kitchen window and think of how much worse it could have been or think why didn't it cut him anywhere else it is such a small hole. We did find out also he was only a centimeter from hitting an artery and they don't know why it didn't bleed. It is amazing to me what the body will do when it needs to.

So here are a list of things that are amazing.
Kris was still at my house and not at Walmart.
Mike was at Walmart so he was really close.
Mark didn't work that day so he also was really close.
The cut didn't bleed.
It was only a centimeter from an artery
It only cut his arms
He was able to pull himself back up over the deck and into the house.

If the Lord didn't have a hand in this I don't know who did.
Oh by the way Trey also cut his head open at my house and Mark broke his wrist. So note to Trey stay away form us. Just Kidding. I think it is funny thought he rides motorcycles, they have steep stairs at there house. There is a big swing set at Grandma Craguns. Tammy has a big rock wall, and a tramp at her house. We have a church parking lot and a shed and were does he get hurt? Our house. We love you Trey and hope you are feeling better.

Lake Powell

2008-08-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

This week end we went to lake Powell and like always it was a blast! We go every year with Marks family. This year was extra fun. We didn't get to go up for the hole week so we missed out on a lot of things. We arrived early Thursday morning. Mark is always so much fun with the kids, he took everyone on a hike. He had scoped it out earlier and found a big hole in the mountain that looked like a crater and found a small cliff for everyone to jump off of. Then we had to swim to what he called Cragun's Island. Everyone loved it. He is a lot like his dad when it comes to things like that. His dad set up an obstacle coarse in the water, that was a lot of fun. They all canued around the coarse to see who was the fastest. I believe Ryan won with Kristen in second and Mark in third.

Mark and I decided to stay an extra night just the two of us. Ryan had told us that we should go see Goblin Valley. So on Saterday everyone went home and we had the afternoon to pass. So we decided to drive up around lake powell to the natural bridges state monument. This was about an 1 1/2 hours. So when we were done we decided to go to the other side of lake power to halls crossing and ride the fairy across with the car. This would be a lot faster. So we got to the turn off the Halls Crossing at about 6:15 and the sign said that the fairy went during day light every even hour. We still had plenty of time right? Well we arrived at Halls Crossing at 7:00, the last fairy was 6:00. So here we were just right across the lake from Bull Frog were we were going to eat and sleep, with no way to get there. So we knew that we would not make it back to bull frog in time to get anything to eat and there was nothing on the way there or even close. So we had to drive 80 miles to Blanding just to eat, and the only thing open was Subway, but hey that was good enough to us. So we started driving back at around 10:00pm. Keep in mind we thought we were staying in the house boat so all we had with us was 2 blankets and 2 pillows. Well we arrived to the natural bridge monument and saw that there were camping spots so we pulled into one and spent the night with Mark curled up in the back seat of our Jetta and I was in the front, not able to put the seat back. Well we woke up at 5:30am and drove to Goblin Valley. This ended up being quite the adventure, but it was fun and Goblin valley was pretty cool.

Here we go.

2008-07-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well this is our first blog, so here we go. Just a few things that Mark and I have been doing. Mark is young men's president in our ward and he loves it. The boys also love him. They are always at are house. It is a lot of fun to have them around. Mark just got back from Jackson Hole with the boys they had a lot of fun. We also both went to youth conference. That was fun and I also gained a different respect for mark and the rest of the young men leaders. It was very interesting. We both are enjoying our calling in the church.

We have been working hard in our house. This is a love that I have figured out that I have. I enjoy redoing things in my house. We spent all day Saturday hanging lights, working on the counter tops in our kitchen, and yes we did it without a fight. We have really been enjoying each others company.

Well there it is for our first blog. I will work on pictures and continue to try this.