Shout Out!!!

As Tavan and I were driving to Grand Junction, CO yesterday, it hit me how blessed I am to know this guy.... ( i was driving...Tavan was napping and well...I was bawling too)

For those of you who don't recognize him (but do know of him) this is Dr. Kwak (Tavans pediatrician). seriously....if you live in the Vernal, UT area....you should set up your next pediatric appointment with him! It was this week last year that they didn't know what was wrong with my precious baby boy. They ran test after test (remember total of 9+ pokes in one day). I remember feeling so scared during that time and wondering how much longer Ricky and I would get to spend with Tavan. Never before has the diagnosis "FAILURE TO THRIVE" scared me so much in my life!!

It was after numerous tests and a hospital stay for 3days that we found out that it was "Lactose intolerance that had his enzymes and whatnot all screwed up"(Tavans enzymes showed that he was eating himself to stay alive so they thought it was an autoimmune disorder)....which at that moment all i heard was....its ok you get to keep Tavan for as long as you want him. :D I remember running to Tavan and cuddling with him as much as i could before Ricky stole him. I am so glad that Tavan is the healthy boy that he is now. He is so smart and full of love. I adore him so much and am glad I get to spend everyday with him :D

Tavan today....

Tavan a year ago today....

what a difference 1 year and some soy milk makes! While I do have to agree the skinnier bonier version of Tavan is still cute....I love the chunky version better!

THANK YOU DR. KWAK!

State

My weekend involved a lot of sitting right here......

and a lot of time right here.....(some kids had time to get out and build snowmen along I-70..pretty funny) (there was a semi and UPS truck accident that had us stopped for about an hour.....took us almost 2 hrs to go 5 miles....pretty awesome)
before we finally arrived at this building.....where we sat and watched a LOT of wrestling
Tavan and I drove to Denver with my fam to watch Jo D wrestle at the state tournament. Jo D ended up taking 9th! I am so proud of him...he is in the top 10 of the whole 2A division of wrestlers! I enjoyed being in Denver supporting him and getting out of this little town. While we were in Denver we got to see a lot of wrestling, interesting people and even had time to go to the Denver art museum....all in all not a bad weekend.

This is what Tavan thought of wrestling on the last day we were there......

so proud of you JoD

And we are headed to STATE!!!

This past weekend, Tavan and I, once again watched JoD wrestle! We went down with my family to Pallisade, Colorado for regionals! JoD won all his matches but the last one, placing him in 2nd place! The guy that we was up against had a 31-1 record so we kinda expected the outcome but I am so proud of JoD! The Rangely team took 3rd place and 8 of our guys are headed to State. and from the sounds of it, Tavan and I will be going to Denver to watch. Here are some pics...

Tavan likes to watch wrestling while eating animal crackers. He does awesome while being in the bleachers. I am so glad I don't have a wild child!

JoD listening to directions from the coach

Pin!!

Its a little blurry but this was the match that he won that meant he was going to state...He was so excited that he jumped up in his coaches arms...it was kinda funny

The Championship match up

Just messin' around waiting for the awards to begin

the 112lbs. bracket winners.

(Is it just me, or does the 1st place guy that JoD lost to, look like a skunk???)

(L to R 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd)

Random Things I Love

Since Valentines day is coming up quicker than I thought it would, I figured I would blog about some of the things that I love now rather than later (more-so because I happen to have time today). So here we go.....25 Random thoughts of things that I love...

#1 My family

I love both Ricky and Tavan so much, but I don't just love them, I love ALL of my family!

#2 Pepsi products

Oh how I love me some Dr. Pepper and Pepsi :D

#3 Seat Heaters

seriously.....This button makes me day. With a flick of the switch I am in heaven

#4 Coal

Thats right, I love coal. It is because of coal that my husband is employed. Along with the job comes awesome benefits and it allows me to stay at home with Tavan. The only downside is it is filthy and gets everywhere

#5 Bose I-pod dock

with a few clicks my house instantly is filled with good quality of music so I can bust out my best cleaning.....I love the music it puts out....

#6 Chocolate Caramel Cookies

I used to be a lover of just plain chocolate chip cookies, but then one of the blogs we followed shared this recipe, and well...it was an instant love..so divine

#7 My wedding ring

Easy explanation....I love it. it is simple...but with a twist... :D

#8 Modern Technology

After moving I found a new level of appreciation. With a few clicks of some buttons I am communicating with my loved ones far away, and honestly..how cool is that??

#9 Oregon

Oh how I love me some greenery and Oregon has an abundance of it. My favorite places to visit are mostly all in Oregon, like this one, out by my Gmas house

#10 Washer and Dryer

self explanatory, but i love my washer and dryer. not only does it clean my everyday clothes but Rickys work ones too (with steam) and it does an awesome job of it!

#11 Vacuum

I didn't want to take a picture of my used and abused vacuum so you get this one. I sleep a little better at night knowing that my carpet is clean

#12 Nook Color

We got this for Christmas for Ricky and I love it. Any book I want to read is at my fingertips. There are no pages to be torn or big bulky books to take on trips. The only downside....There is no "new book" smell :(

#13 Built in Entertainment

I never thought that these things would be something that I would own but since we got our new car we do. On our long trips Tavan now is entertained for awhile and there is no cords and plug ins running everywhere in the car and wrapping around things. Love it

#14 Clorox wipes

Seriously...these things are amazing. Again I can relax a little more knowing that things around my house are cleaned with these bad boys. and not only are they cleaned they are disinfected

#15 Lotion

I love lotion. some days I fill like I could shower then soak in a bathtub full of lotion (not necessarily this brand but I do like the way it smells)

#16 Flowers

Flowers are so breathtaking. They are so awesome and well, I just love them.

#17 Poems from Ricky

While he may not like the idea that I am telling you this, Ricky loves to write little poems for me and I treasure them. I love them because they are mine, and no one else's, no one before me has read them and I love that. :D

#18 My bed

while it may not look like it in this picture, it is a piece of Heaven and I could spend hours sleeping in it.

#19 Parks

Yes! (for those of you that are family) This is Bear Creek Park!!! I spent many a day here during my childhood. running, playing, bike riding, walking, picnics..etc..you name it we did it here.

#20 strollers

I love these things.I can walk and not have to carry everything, which for someone of my size, is awesome!

#21 Key Fob

It is so nice to be able to unlock and start my car without having to dig through pockets, diaper bags or a purse to find the keys

#22 popcorn

I LOVE popcorn, I could eat this whole bowl by myself and not even care because I love. it. that. much.

#23 Jamba Juice

I do miss these dearly since I moved to Colorado. Razmatazz with a vitamin boost please!

#24 Hair Stuff

I love shampoos, conditioners, hair brushes, hair spray, curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers and hair ties. They make my life so easy.

#25 Scentsy

Nothing says Welcome Home like a yummy smelling house. I love the majority of their smells for the home and cars.

and there ya have it 25 Random things that I love in no particular order.

Wrestling

Have no fear! I am still alive! My life has just been so busy lately! There have been numerous appointments, and family activities to go to. As of lately Tavan and I have been doing a lot of watching this....

yep, a lot and LOT of wrestling!!

Like I have mentioned before, I actually have found that I enjoy watching this! Though i will say a lot of the awkward positions the boys get in , make me hurt a little but more power to them for wrestling! We all know it is not something I would do!

Jo D is wrestling again this year and it is so fun to go watch and cheer for him! I may not know a whole lot about wrestling, but I know enough to know that he is pretty good at it! I love so much to be his cheerleader while he is down on the mat! Sometimes I feel bad for JoD because growing up we were required to go to activities that other siblings were in (ex. choir concerts, band concerts, baseball games, ballroom dancing track...ya get the picture). Jo D is the last one home so it usually is just mom and I there to be his cheerleaders. I try to make it anything that he is participating in (not just for support but because it is something to do during the day). Tavan doesn't mind it either. although he is pretty frightened of the panther (school mascot). Anyway, of the 2 main wrestling tournaments that have happened recently Jo D took 3rd in one and 2nd in another..so proud!!

and just because, here are some pictures of Tavan

Running around the house

watching Uncle Jo D wrestle....all day...what a trooper

Tavan is learning so much!!! His vocabulary is growing on a daily basis. He knows so many words and loves to try new things. He recently has been picking up pens and pencils, so one day I gave him some crayons and paper and he went to work. He drew pictures all day! I eventually got 3 pictures (one for each grandparent) and gave each one a picture. seems that they all have treasured them. I know that I treasure his little pictures! He is growing up so much. Every time I think about him I beam!!! I love him. :D

On another side note...yes it is true!! I have graduated from college (for now) The day after my birthday I got my diploma in the mail!!! I am so happy to be done and being able to spend the days at home with Tavan. I would love to go back to get my bachelors but for now I am happy I at least finished my associates! :D

Here are 2 more pictures from wrestling meets

JoD with a medal!

Pin! (of all the matches that I have personally watched, have been won by JoD with a pin except for one)