Lake Powell

Jensen, Monique catching some air,and little Izzy

For the fourth of July my side of the family always goes down to Lake Powell.  This year Jared had to work, so I was a single parent!  It was pretty tough till my niece Monique and  her friend Kiley got there!  They were great!  We had so much fun, and Jensen LOVED being with his cousins.   He was so brave, I think he would have tried wakeboarding if I let him. He rode on the tube, and the water weenie and spent every second he could building things in the sand.  When we had a skier out he would yell instructions to them  everytime the boat came back around.  Israel was very patient, and liked to swim, but mostly he liked all the loves and snuggles he got 

Triathalons!

  Finish Line in Sandy
    Jensen up early to watch daddy
    Jared, Ben, Jeanie(go girls!), Phil and Chris
   Chris, Ben, Jared and Phil
In the spring Jared's brother Ben told him that he was doing a triathalon, and asked if he wanted to too.  Jared told me he was doing it... and I have to admit I thought that he would probably back out, or his enthusiasm would fizzle out or if he did it, it might not end well.  That is a pretty intense work out!  I am so proud of him!  He ran, biked or swam almost every day during the spring and summer!   He did the Logan triathalon, and did so great!  (I would have made it about 100 ft. running, and drowned swimming.)    Then he did the Sandy triathalon too!  He lost about thirty pounds and feels so much better now!  He doesn't feel right about his day now if he doesn't get a workout.  Way to go Jared and the triathalon-ing Casey's!

Grandpa, Jensen and Tanner

Counting Blessings

I feel like in the last six months or so, my eyes have been opened for the first time. I have never been so aware of the beauty of the world, and the people around me.  I have never really thought much about the great things that happen to me everyday.   Lately  I have realized that the ordinary things, are some of the most beautiful things.  I am so thankful for my wonderful husband,and the example he is to me everyday.   I am thankful that I am able to stay home with our great kids and watch and help them grow.  Having them in our home is like being able to see right into Heaven.  I have said before that some people said that they were sorry when Israel was born.  Some people might look  at a child with special needs as a hardship.  It is different than having a baby that doesn't need the extra attention.  It might even be harder. However, every second of hardship is outweighed by an hour of pleasure.  I am so thankful we were given the opportunity to raise him.  I am thankful for my family and Jared's family, and the unconditional supportive love they give us.  I am thankful that my sons have a grandpa on both sides. and the amazing men they both are. (Their grandmas are pretty amazing too.)   Now for the surprise.  I was talking to a friend the other day about my MS, and I realized that I was thankful for it.  It is a blessing in disguise.   I think it is the reason that I am becoming aware of all my blessings.  I never know when I won't feel good.   I never know if the next day will bring a relapse with new symptoms, or what will be happening, and so I see the world for the joy it holds  now.  That has been an amazing change in my life. I am so thankful for the sun that shines, the chance that I have to wipe a dirty face, change a diaper, or deal with a temper tantrum.   It is crazy to think that being able to do those things means so much to me, but it is amazing how wonderful even the most mundane task can seem when you don't know what your tomorrow holds.  Another blessing that has come from my MS is how many amazing people have been there for me.  There are nurses that have spent much longer than would seem normal talking to me, and actually caring about me.  One nurse  told me she would pray for me while I was getting an MRI because I was so afraid (claustrophobia).  Another one worked for the whole time I was there to try to get my insurance figured out so I wouldn't have to do it myself  or pay out of pocket.  I am amazed by my niece and my mom and the willingness that they show, even with their busy lives  to help me, and tend and love our kids.   Sometimes in this crazy world and all the news I think it is easy to see the bad.  Let me just tell you as someone who sees the world in a different light.  The world is so beautiful, and it is full of beautiful people, who are being an example to me and I am thankful I get to stay here for a while and learn from them. 

Woo Hoo!

I know there are some of you who have been waiting for an update on my health.   I randomly  lost conciseness one day while I was on the phone with my sister, and cut my lip open.  While allot of people knew that, no one knew why.  Including my neurologist.  I was referred to a cardiologist, and had to wear a heart monitor for the last month, and get an echo cardiogram.   I had no idea what the results were going to be for the past month, and it had me a little worried that my time was up and I had something terribly wrong with my heart.   I had the appointment with the cardiologist today... And he gave me a "clean bill of health as far as my heart is concerned."   I am so so thankful!  I think the whole thing might of had something to do with my MS, and have talked to a couple other people with MS who have had the same thing happen.  It's a crazy disease... who knows.  As for now I am just thankful to be able to stay and live with my wonderful family, and I am not going to worry anymore  about what happened.   Thank you to everyone for all your help and prayers! 

brothers

Our little boys are the best.  When I was pregnant with Israel, even in the very beginning Jensen would always fall asleep cuddling my tummy.  Now that Israel is here, Jensen has to be holding  Israel's hand to fall asleep, even for his naps, or when  they are riding in thier car seats next to eachother.  Izzy looks at Jensen different than anyone else.  I love it!   I love the  special bond that they have!    I  think when they were up in Heaven waiting to come down they were the best of friends, and they decided they wanted to be brothers.    Jensen knew that Israel would be special, and wanted to be the one to be his friend and brother and help him through his struggles.   In turn the spirit Izzy has to offer will help Jensen through his struggles.   I know as they grow up there will be times when Jensen has a hard time accepting that his brother is different than other kids, but  I love how it is right now.   Their souls are still so pure while they are so little, that feel like we have a window to how it was before they came here.     I am so thankful for my sweet little boys!

The Good Life

Izzy getting loved by his cousin, Monica Casey

We just came home from Jared's parent's for the day, and  I am overwhelmed by the blessings that we have!  I have been blessed with such a great family for in-laws.  I am truly thankful for  all of them, and I count them as one of my greatest blessings.   I think lately I have been faced with the idea of my mortality, and it has had us counting our blessings.  We wake up every day in one of the most beautiful places in  the world, surrounded by great people who are striving to be their best.  We have great families and beautiful children. The biggest blessing of all, and the one that I have been  struck by lately, is that we have a Father who loves us.   I think that is so amazing!  It has been a constant thought in my head...   No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets, no matter where  we are, He loves us.   Not just me and my family, but everyone!  It makes you think differently about someone (the crazy neighbor or the person who is annoying or whoever) when you think about how much they are loved by our Father in Heaven!      I am so glad that I know this.  It makes every day better.  Life is Easier when I know that life might be really hard, but Heavenly Father loves us and will help us through.    We also just wanted to say.....Thank you so much to each of our family and friends for being such a great blessing in our lives!  We love you, and are so thankful for the people that you are!