Catching up

I have been neglecting my blog and that it was time to give an update on what has happened since my last post.

Josh and I discovered a new love for racing. We have been going to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at almost every chance we have gotten. It is very exhilerating and loads of fun.

In March, I took the boys to the Shiloh Horse Sanctuary. It was such a nice experience and we made a friend while there: a beautiful horse that kept following us. Beautiful!

In April, we took the boys to the Clark County Fair. The boys really loved seeing the animals.

I celebrated my 30th Birthday on May 9th. It was a very scary time to hit 30, but I know more exciting things are to come in my next 30 years.

The most important thing: Kolsen celebrated his 1st birthday. It was a small party but he had a blast. He is now walking and keeping up on our toes.

In June, we took the boys to Venice Beach, CA and to the LA Zoo.

Lastly, Josh and I celebrated our 12th anniversary. We have been through a lot together these last 12 years. Through the many ups and downs, we have pushed through. We went mini golfing and had a nice dinner.

I will try to be more diligent on keeping my blog current and with more details.

I Need a Hobby...

I have come to the realization that I need a hobby. Some people like gardening, scrapbooking or even cooking. I will be turning 30 this year and realize there is nothing that I am truly passionate about. Sure, I love to Facebook, blog and spend hours on Pinterest but as far as something outside of the web, my hobbies are, well, none. Spending time with my family is certainly fulfilling but I need to find something for myself, something that I can put my spare time into (that is, when I have spare time without the munchkins). I would love to get into scrapbooking but find that it's too expensive. Besides, I would much rather make my photo books using Shutterfly. I have been checking out a lot of crafting ideas through Pinterest and have found so many neat ideas. Still, I need a passion, something that I love to do and that I can be proud of.

Perhaps a hobby will present itself in time. For now, I will continue to blog, Facebook and utilize Pinterest.

An Angry Birds Birthday

Noah turned 4 on January 31st. On February 4th, we had a birthday party for him at our house with an Angry Bird theme. The turn out for his party was great and Noah had a blast. After the ER visit the morning of his birthday, this party is just what he needed. Check out photos of Noah's Angry Bird bash!

Birthday Bummer

January 31st is Noah's 4th Birthday. Our plan was to take Noah out for a fun dinner somewhere as he is having his birthday party this Saturday. After midnight on the 31st, Noah woke up crying, gasping and coughing. It was evident from the sound of his cough that he had croup again. After a breathing treatment and trying to calm him down, I ended up taking him to the emergency room. Thankfully he was not admitted and the doctor was able to get his croup under control. After several hours in the ER, we finally made it home at 4:30 a.m.

While this is not at all how I planned to celebrate Noah's 4th Birthday, I am thankful he is okay and hopeful he will be well in time for his party on Saturday.

The Transition: From Nursery to Primary

This year, Noah began Primary at church. It has been a rough transition from him coming from nursery where he plays all day to going to a classroom setting.

Today was the worst of the last few weeks. I dropped him off in Primary class and a mere 5 minutes later, one of the teachers came to find me, so I had to go sit in class with Noah.  Noah's birthday is coming up. All started out great in Primary as they gave each child a birthday goodie back for their upcoming birthdays. After the birthday celebration, it was time for a game/music activity. From that point, it was all down hill. Noah FLIPPED out because he wasn't getting a turn at the game. Keep in mind that they were drawing names so they could be fair. Noah's name wasn't getting called so he begins whining, talking out of turn and getting out of his seat....a lot! THEN, Noah's name gets called. I think to myself, "Finally, he'll get his turn and calm down". He took his turn and then got upset because he had to stop, thus he gave his loudest, high pitch scream. AHHH!!!!!! I immediately took him out in the hallway and had a stern talk with him about his behavior. When Noah calmed down, we went back in class. My child continued to get up and down, whine and cry. I have to stay it was rather embarrassing.

FINALLY the class was over and it was time for Noah to go to his Sunbeam class. He went with his teacher to class and I thought I was free to go to my class...WRONG! Five minutes later, Noah and his teacher came to find me. I gave up at that point and grabbed my stuff and came home.

I am not sure if Noah was just having a bad day or if he was just being especially whiny today but his behavior was less than desirable. I certainly hope his behavior is better next week and that he warms up to the classroom setting more. I understand change can be difficult for a child so I pray that we can work together to make his transition smoother every week.

Finding the Right in a World Full of Wrong

I know I have talked a lot over the last few months about the many trials that myself and my family have faced. I know after all I have endured, I need to stand tall and stand strong, come what may.

As I reflect on what I need to do in my life to be a better woman, wife, mother, friend, sister and daughter, I first understand that I need to find peace with myself. I feel at times that my life is lacking and I know why. Not going to church will certainly make one feel that way. I neglected going for the last few months for what I thought was a good reason, that being because of my heart and the surgery. There is no good reason. What I should have done was get my butt up and ask for help in order to get me there. I don't want to be misleading but since we moved to Vegas, being active was not always on the top of our list. I, at most times, feel that moving to Vegas was the biggest mistake of my life. If we had not have moved to Vegas, we more than likely would have not gone inactive, nor would we have had the trials we have had for letting the world overcome us. I very much dislike Vegas and all of the wrong that it has brought to us, however I know the place is not entirely to blame. I found the wrong in the world and let it overtake my life and my family. I did this and now I have to fix it.

I know what the right is. I have never doubted it since I first came to know the truth and to gain a testimony. Instead of doubting it, I forgot it. I am not sure which is worse, but I imagine that both will produce the same end result: regret. I have a lot of regret and I have a lot of time to make up for.

I missed the first 2 Sundays this year but have gone the last two weeks. I can't say that it has been easy to go at it alone but I know if I stay on the path that God has laid out for me, I will be better for it. My boys need me to teach them the way and I cannot do it if all I do is wrong.

Noah is a sunbeam now and he is learning so fast. It was a hard transition for him to go from the nursery to a classroom setting but he is trying hard. His example of trying inspires me. He loves to say bedtime prayer with me and he loves to tell me after church what he learned in his class. Today he learned about choosing the right. He told me today that choosing the right meant that he needs to make good choices. WOW...WHAT A REVELATION! My soon to be 4 year old son has opened my eyes. CHOOSE THE RIGHT.....I need to find the right in this world full of wrong.

"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes,' Decisions do determine destiny. The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be." -Thomas S. Monson

A Year in Review

2011 brought a lot of ups and downs, tears and triumphs, hope and healing, love and challenges.


The year started off with me being pregnant and looking forward to and preparing for Baby #2 to arrive. Noah turned 3 years old on January 31st. Noah has grown so much and is so very smart.


Several months before having Baby #2, we starting looking at purchasing our first house in Las Vegas. We finally found a home we loved and put in an offer. Kolsen Briggs Collis was born on May 22nd. What a treat he became to our family! We actually closed on our home the day after I had Kolsen and signed our closing papers while still in the hospital. 


On July 11th, Josh and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary. So hard to believe it has been that long. After 11 years and 2 kids later, we are still keeping on!


Several months later I found out I need to have heart surgery yet again...for the 4th time! I got through it with the help of my hubby and mother-in-law, and with my boys giving me the will to get through it.


Some relationships grew, faltered and grew some more, leaving open wounds and lots of scars, but all the while bringing insight to the core of those relationships.


2011 brought several new journeys, taught valuable lessons and gave me so much to appreciate. I am hoping 2012 does the same.