Life

Had to post and share this. I found it today on my cousin Patti's Facebook and felt the need to share it. Now yes, I could have hit that wonderful "share" button but then I would have wanted to give my own two cents and decided what better place to do that than here!

Seriously - I am so over the drama, the ups and downs, highs and lows. It has been a rough year... maybe it's been a rough couple of years. The point is that I have been here before. I have hit rock bottom and built myself, my children and our lives back up from the ashes that they were. Sometimes I fall, get back up, walk into a wall and repeat.... but the point is that I always get back up!

Not spending my daughter's senior year of high school with her absolutely breaks my heart. I feel like I am missing out on all of the important milestones that are mine to share. Often I hear about what is going on in her life on Facebook rather than from her and it hurts, but it hurts because I feel like I am missing out on one of the most important years of her life. This is the year that she gets to struggle and excel, where she gets to dip her toes into being an adult and making decision on where she really wants to go to college, where she wants to work when she grows up, where and who she will be with for life after high school. I am blessed that when we moved to Oregon her and her boyfriend of 2 years connected and have been together sense. Which leads me to share these photos.

Just over a week ago they shared their two year anniversary and I have to say hands down that my daughter has the most amazing, kind and thoughtful man by her side. I can't count how many times we have had car troubles and Jordan and his dad are always there to rescue. The countless family adventures they have shared with Chandler and I and with Jordan's family too. The lunches he's taken her to school or the dinners he drops by the gym because her work, school, cheer schedule can be tight and hectic. The moments when she is sick and he does something cute to brighten her day. On their anniversary he gave her the princess ring she has been begging for, just because and he gave her a promise ring engraved with both of their names. I am grateful I was there to see the start of their cute relationship, long talks, fights and all as every single moment is a treasured moment to me that my daughter opened up and shared the stresses, ups and downs of her own life, that piece that I didn't have to be a part of but she chose to invite me in and share. As hard as this year is for me I am grateful for the relationship that she and I built over the past few years and the strength and encouragements that we shared. These moments to me are all priceless which is why I struggle and at times simply am hurt and feeling left out. Reality is she's grown up and moved on and made choices I hoped I was there for and she's done it without me. I am so incredibly proud of the young woman that she has become, I am so blessed.

So with that, I have to remember to enjoy the moments I am let in but also need to remember that I am also blessed to have totally different moments with my son. Lucky kid almost gets me all to himself. I say almost because we don't yet have our own place and well don't get to stay under the same roof at night but I am blessed to have the opportunity to go and pick him up every morning, to have absolutely random chats with him that sometimes just come out of the middle of no where. I am been working on teaching him to drive and on weekends we either go on hikes or cuddle and watch movies.

Seriously, how luck am I to have this amazing kid? This past week my health wasn't well and he was always there to pick me up and remind me that it's going to get better. He insisted on going with to my doctors and is REALLY GREAT at taking care of his mom. Now is his time to shine, now life is all about him; his wants, dreams and goals. I am so proud of how well he has adjusted to being back in Utah, a new high school, crazy living situations, and he always has a smile. Every single Sunday he's up and ready for church, he's as involved (as much as out schedule allows) in an amazing youth group and is so committed to helping others and following a path that he finds pleasing. Sunday's after church we chat on and on about our services and what we took from them, we share Bible verses and have some of the most meaningful conversations on our drives home, these moments too are priceless.  I really am the luckiest mom ever.

We've fallen down and some days I am not sure how we are going to get back up or what we are going to do or really where our future is but I know that everything happens for a reason and well maybe we had to fall to build up a new and different life designed for the two of us. Often I have to remind myself that I can only have the life of the attitude I chose... and honestly I have to chose to be positive, to surround myself with positive people and pray for a positive outcome.

Life is far to short to be unhappy, I simply pray for a life of positively, love, and laughter, sure I am going to have my moments, I'll have a rough day but what matter is what I do with it! This is my life and I want to live it the best way possible. :)

On that note, Chandler and I are excited to be looking for a new place. Come hell or high water or finances to be we've talked about it, prayed about it and we are determined that over the next 2-3 weeks if there is a will there is a way. We are going to be under one roof and a family everyday, we are going to of course find a place that accommodates Chandler's high school boundaries, move, get settled and work on our list of important things to accomplish to make us happy. What better way to live life? I'm not doing any of this life or adult stuff perfectly but last time I checked I must have and be doing something right cause I have some pretty awesome kids!

Night All

Tasha

2013 - 2014

Where in the world did 2014 go?

Life has been crazy, busy and wonderful all at the same time.

Usually at the end of every year I reflect on the past and post my goals for the future..... guess what? I started that post.... and just deleted it because we are already in the middle of January and I just barely reopened my Blogger. Time flies when you're having fun! Sometimes even when your not.

2013 Holidays - They were hectic but good.

Thanksgiving 2013 I spent alone at home and working a second job at Macy's to pay towards Alexys' cheer fees. The kiddos were the lucky ones and went with Paul to see Grandma and Grandpa Brooks in Eastern Oregon. They both had a great time and were blessed to have lots of with their grandparents.
Chandler, Paul and Grandpa Steve went camping on the Summit Creek Property the day after Thanksgiving. They spent the night in the new cabin, made huge fires, and Chandler even got to drive Paul and Grandpa Steve around in Grandpa's new UTV. He said he really had a great time and it was special to have one-on-one time with family. Alexys on the other hand got spoiled by Grandpa Gerri doing Black Friday Shopping in Baker for the first time. Grandma Gerri took her to pick out her birthday gifts and just have a wonderful girls day! I am so blessed that the Brooks Family really spent some extra time with the kiddo's over Thanksgiving break and made it extra special for them. It was hard for me to have the holiday without the kids but it was for a good cause.

Christmas 2013 was wonderful. The kids and I really missed all of our family in Utah but it was nice for us to have a Christmas at home with no where to go this year.

Our 2013 Christmas Tree

Christmas Eve we all took the train to downtown Portland and the kids passed out hats to the homeless and each had a set amount that they were given to bless the homeless. It was a really neat experience to watch the kids try to find the people that they felt needed their blessings the most. As a mom, I had plenty of tear filled moments as I saw the kids reaching outside of their comfort zones and really trying to make connections with people. I do have to say this was the highlight of Christmas for me. It was everything I hoped it could be.

Christmas Eve Dinner Table Setting



Paul and the kids sorting out gifts!



The stockings were hung...

After blessing the homeless in Portland we went home and made Christmas Eve Dinner together as a family, opened up our presents and watched Christmas movies until we were all ready for sleep.

Christmas morning we all slept in.... woke up and went through our stockings to see what great surprises Santa Clause left us.... and spent the entire day as a family in our jammies watching movies. It was the best ever!!!

New Year's Eve...... I was sick and in bed early. Alexys went with Jordan to a family party and Paul and Chandler slept through the new year with me. See how fun our family is? LOL

So now on to 2014. We are simply blessed. Alexys had a brief set back with cheer because of a MCL Strain but by the first of the year she was back and working hard. Her Competition Season has officially started and is going to be crazy and exciting. We are really excited for all of the trips we get to take and places we will have the opportunity to see throughout the season. Here are a few pictures from this month so far.

Alexys!

Alexys and Jordan. So glad he came to support her doing what she loves!

Waiting for awards.

P4 Team

Alexys, Coach AmyLynn and Coach Heather. Best coaches ever!

Alexys and her Coaches having fun!

Competition Floor

Thankfully I am done working at Macy's since it was only a seasonal position and was blessed to be offered extra hours for a couple months at my day time job. I plan to enjoy my children, be thankful, be happy and be positive. When one door closes another one opens and we really have gotten off to a great start this year.

Who knows when I will be able to update next - from now till mid April I will be busy working, working, working, being a Mom and a Cheer Mom. Every weekend has something to do with cheer so if you don't hear from me.... I am okay, Just enjoying my children. :) Much Love

Fun Weekend

It amazes me how quickly time flies by. It really seems like just yesterday the kids were starting preschool and kindergarten and now they are in seventh and ninth grade. I am so bless to have two wonderful and amazing children, their quirks brighten my days.

Saturday, Chandler decided he wanted to stay home and play XBox with his Arizona friends online while Alexys and I went to a craft boutique; poor kiddo doesn't like to do the girly things with his mom and sister. So Alexys and I went to Heartfelt Wall Hangings in West Jordan; we lucked out and there was enough space in the classroom that we were both able to pick out a craft project and each of us were able to do the cute free project. We had lots of fun picking out the colors we would paint our blocks and deciding which ribbon to add and how much glitter was enough or borderline too much. Really it was great! Of course I had a highlight moment - the gals that were coming in to do a project as we were leaving were talking and Alexys made a "MOM" comment and one gal looked over and said "She isn't your daughter? You look way too young to have a daughter her age." I just smiled and said, yep she sure is mine, she's fifteen and yes I am too young to have a teenage daughter. Totally made my day, the group of gals went on how they thought we were friends or sisters, so of course I had a "I'm feeling young" moment.

Alexys' Be Mine Craft

Her Cute Heart Project with a HUGE Bow!

Anyhow we finished off our afternoon by picking up her friend Kiana for a sleepover. Since went home and were all bored out of our minds we decided to do a family Walmart trip. Most people who know Alexys also know that it doesn't matter how big or small the shopping cart is or how tall Alexys is she is going to totally fit into that cart and have me push her around. (I just look at it as an extra weight to the cart I am pushing around helps with exercise, right? LOL) Anyhow here is a picture of Alexys and Kiana both fitting into the cart. - Oh and Chandler went with but took off and left us girls to go look at the magazines and games.Lil Booger!

After our Walmart adventure, the girls took off to do facials and paint nails while Chandler and I had some Mom and Son time watching movies together. We totally both fell asleep on the couch - ICK! But it was a great time.

Sunday we took Kiana home and on our way back home since we live in the boonies I decided it was time to teach Alexys to drive "Red" which is our name for the Ford. Now, Alexys went driving three or four times with me in Arizona but we went in the Chevy which was diesel and bigger and well it just didn't have as much pick up and go - and we drove around the dry school parking lot when no one was there. She has always been super responsible and cautious when it comes to driving, it actually is kind of cute how she gets nervous and freaks out just a little big. Anyhow, so we were about two miles from our house when I pulled off the road and told her it was her turn to drive. She was totally nervous because she had never driven the Ford or on wet roads, or half circles or roundabouts, LOL. But she has really been studying for her permit and constantly reminds me when I am making an illegal traffic violation, so I decided it was time to give her a try. She did AMAZING, I am so proud of her! She drove slightly under the 35 mph speed limit, was perfect around the roundabout, hugged the right side of the road but all in all did really well. I totally had to tease her about her left hand turns though.... both times she nearly stopped in the middle of the road to make her left hand turn but in her defense she had never really driven with other cars on the road so making a left with a car sitting there watching on wet road, she did great! Scary to think she will be driving by the end of the year. Growing up so fast.

The rest of our Sunday was peaceful and quiet. We all were good and completed our weekend homework assignments (Alexys had a research paper and I had several assignments I postponed for fun) then treated ourselves to watching a couple of family movies. I love Sunday afternoons when we all just spend time hanging out together, no arguing for fighting, just good old fashion bonding time. Bliss.

This morning, I was sad our weekend was over.... I love the quality bonding time with the kids, I love window shopping at Walmart pushing the girls around, dancing and having fun. I really do love being a mom, my children are the two most amazing blessings ever. I am so grateful that I get to watch them learn and grow and I can totally admit that even they are able to teach me a thing or two.

Simply Blessed

Amazing Day

Today I had the most amazing day with the kids. We went to Bella's Birthday party; I totally rocked bowling with lots of gutter balls. 

We finished our day with a retirement party. My friend Claire's husband David Santiago retired from the military after 20 years of service in the Marines and Army. 

Claire planned an amazing retirement party with amazing food, entertainment and dancing. It was really great to be able to simply enjoy the company of great friends, Thanks Denise and Johnny for keeping me company. I do have to say as I saw all of the couples dancing together or father's dancing with their daughter's it did really make me miss my married life. It's hard when you feel like someone is missing. With that said, I do have to say this is the first time in months that I have seen both of my children absolutely carefree and happy. Alexys and Chandler were both amazing on the dance floor, Alexys helped with all of the younger girls while Chandler was having a blast showing off his moves and making sure the younger girls always had someone out there on the dance floor with them. 

 Chandler busting a move.

 Alexys dancing with the younger girls.

A bunch of the kids dancing.

Evenings like this make me a proud and happy mother. David thank you for your 20 years of service. Claire thank you for your friendship and for supporting your husband in protecting our nation. I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and even more amazing children. 

~Everything So Happens For A Reason~