While I have today...

September 2. 2009...The text message from Tyler "911". The moment that changed our lives. the moment that brought our family together. The moment that I KNEW that prayers were answered.

(This will be a busy week. I have my parent teacher conferences on Thursday, Sept 2, 2010. I know that I will not find the time to document my feelings on that day so I am going to do it right now.)

I often think about those frightful moments. I try to remember that those moments are not the times that I should relive. Someone told me once that it was Satan that was trying to "upset" me by vividly recreating those moments. She reminded me that I should be living in the present instead of the past. I know how blessed we are. I know without a doubt that we were given a second chance to "parent" this wonderful boy. I always want to remember the power of personal prayer and of Priesthood blessings. I want to have that "comforting" feeling wrapped around our family.

A few days after Nate's accident I listened to the song "If I only had today" by Hillary Weeks. The lyrics brought me to my knees. I cried...I thanked Heavenly Father for the miracle that He had given us. I reminded myself that it only takes a second...our lives could have been so much different. I reminded myself that I was given a second chance!

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets and stared at a thousand full moons.

Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever. Sometimes it all feels brand new.

I could never count the heart beats, from the day I was born until now.

But not a single one goes unnoticed, by him who breathes life in me somehow.

But, if there were no more tomorrows. If I knew that I could not stay.

I know how I'd spend every minute. If I only had today...

I'd hold you and listen. I'd let the dishes sit in the sink. I'd tell you I loved you over and over. For once I'd just let the phone ring. And I'd remind you of forever and how our love would never change. If I only had today...

I'd wake up before the sun did. And I'd watch as you quietly sleep. I'd pray for time to move slowly knowing the moment won't keep. All the gifts that heaven has given, every blessing that has come my way, wouldn't mean anything without you. So, If I only had today...

I'd hold you and listen. I'd memorize every detail of your face. I'd tell you I loved you over and over. I wouldn't let excuses get in the way. And I'd remind you of forever and how our love would never change. If I only had today.

There is no time like the present. Life doesn't come with any guarantees. The sun will set and time won't wait. So while I have today...

I'll hold you and listen. I'll let the dishes sit in the sink. I'll tell you I love you over and over. For once I'll just let the phone ring. And I'll remind you of forever. And how our love will never change. Because I have today. Because I have today.

Happy Birthday Grandma Brown!

I spent Saturday in Cedar City with my family celebrating my Grandma's 79th Birthday! The majority of the day was spent seeing my cousin, Melinda and her husband, Brian, at the Utah Shakespearean Festival. We enjoyed the play, Pride and Prejudice. It was a FANTASTIC show. I am excited to have Mel and Brian living so close. Mainly so I can see this beauty grow up....

We missed having Addie at our celebration. But here is a picture of all of us girls with the exception of Addie. She had the pleasure of working at the Bar 10 Ranch;)

Yes, that is a Real Cake! Well, actually cupcakes. Such a fun idea. It was white chocolate and a lemon flavor. It looked so real that my mom wouldnt eat the "yolk". Grandma Brown was the Chick that started this whole family.

All of us enjoying dinner at Rusty's steakhouse in Cedar City. Yummy food but even better company.

I love you, Grandma! You have always had a way of making me feel like I am the "favorite" grandchild. (I know the truth...I wont tell...I am!)

First Day Of School 2010

Here I am! First Day of School! I LOVE my new class. I LOVE my new teaching assignment (second grade).

Nate is in First Grade and is doing SO good. He is enjoying every minute of it. He loves his teacher and has some friends in his class. He was the student of the day and he told his class that his favorite thing to do is "Go to Wal-Mart"

Austin is in 5th grade. He was nervous about his teacher. But now he seems to love him. He has been reading a fun series of books called "great and terrible" It is an LDS author and we recommend it to Grandma and Grandpa Christian;)

Luke is in Third Grade this year. His teacher is Mrs. Nancy Stevens. She has been a friend of the Christian Family since Steve was young. He has his very best friend in his class. He decided that he would join the school Choir this year. He said he would rather do that than play the piano.

Tyler seems to be adjusting just fine to the middle school. He is playing tackle football this year! It is his first experience with team tackle. He keeps complaining about how sore he is. He has been taking good care of our elderly neighbors that have recently had some health problems.

New School Year

I'm sitting home, alone, about 6:30 and its the night before school starts. Steve and the Boys are at their various scouting activities. I am pondering what I should wear on the first day of school. I just got nails done and I have a new hair cut. The boys are also prepared for the first day of school with their school supplies, new clothes, shoes, SOCKS and haircuts. Tyler is unusually ornery about school starting. I cant decide if it is scary for him, being in the middle school for the first time, or if he just doesn't plain want to go. Nathan is really the only one that is so excited. I'm sure that tomorrow he will rethink his excitement when he realizes that a first graders day is MUCH longer than a Kindergartners. I have spent the past month planning and preparing for this upcoming school year. I have spent countless hours cleaning, throwing away, packing, moving, unpacking, organizing and decorating my new classroom. I have spent the past few weeks really delving into our new "Core" reading program. I'm excited about it. I'm excited about teaching Second Grade. I feel very confident. I think that I will have a really great class this year. I have about 5 of my first graders and a few kids that I know from church or the fire department. I am confident it will be better than last year. But, in the back of my mind I keep wondering, "What am I forgetting?" and "Why am I so confident?" I really am looking forward to teaching kids that can actually function in a classroom, from day 1. I had a tough time with first grade up until January. Then, I enjoyed it. So, I keep thinking to myself that these kids really are just the same kids that I saw just a few months ago. We will start where we left off. I realize that I will need to teach expectations and procedures but the second graders will get it. I feel to over confident in this philosophy. I'm wondering if I'm in for a big shock come 9 am. Really, kids are kids! 6,7 or 8 they still need to be taught to behave and need to be taught how to learn.

Now, I have to get back into a real routine. Bed at a reasonable time. Wake up at a not so reasonable time, 6:30 :} get the boys up, fed, clean and happy for each new day. Now the homework and piano practice begins again. I guess I should begin cooking dinner again. Man, having the summer off has been a dream! I really do love my job. I love teaching and seeing kid "get it" Building trust and a relationship with each child is my favorite part. I try to see the good in each of them. Yesterday I had a teacher ask me about a child that I taught last year. He was an especially difficult child. I had a hard time explaining to her exactly WHY he was so tough. I wanted to tell her all the great things about him. They all really do have potential. I hope that my own kids teachers feel this way about Tyler, Austin, Luke and Nate. I want to love each kid just like their parents love them. I am a part of a bigger plan. I want to help my "team" win and my team succeed. Not only succeed in second grade but find success in their lives.

Well, that's all for my rambling. The boys still are not home. They really need to be because they need to shower---I'm sure they haven't really gotten very clean since May 25th ;)