A flash of red & white...throw in a little gray too.

After Nutcracker auditions follow weeks full of hard work, sore muscles, and building new friendships.

I am the lucky teacher for the energetic Candy Canes...and it may just be my biased opinion, but wouldn't you say they are simply the best part of the performance? :)

These 10 girls worked harder than I've ever seen young dancers work...and every minute of the blood, sweat and tears was completely worth it.

And who wouldn't be able to applaud for such cute girls?

I enjoyed every minute of every practice and performance with these dancers...

I have also missed those monday nights and saturday afternoons being crazy with them!

Until next year...have sweet dreams of sugar plum fairies, soldiers, and sweet candy cane hoops!

********************************************************

Isn't this just the cutest little ball of gray you have ever seen?

He and Shane are best buds...Duke loves to help him with his homework (really just searching for some way to entice Shane into rubbing his little belly...)
After which he can't help but fall right asleep...anywhere he may be.

We sure do love you Duke...

Thank you for being such a fun part of our family!

xoxo

Meet Duke

The newest member of our family!

Duke was born on 9.10.09

And had us captivated at first sight...

His quiet mischievousness,
And calm, lovable personality,
Make him the perfect kitty!

Shane and I are so glad we decided to adopt little Duke...
he has been nothing but a little angel for the past 12 hours!


lots of love baby Duke...xoxo

I love the man he is...

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR 2009

-SHANE STRATFORD-

My hubby holds many good qualities worth emulating...two of those qualities are his determination and love of hard work.

2009 has not been the easiest of years for Shane.

While working and going to school full time (which alone is hard enough) he took great care of me after my jaw surgery, feeding me, keeping track of all medications, and keeping me company while I couldn't talk or even give him one little kiss for over 8 weeks.

Soon after that tough time, Shane endured a much greater trial. During those 4 long weeks he never complained, and always kept his chin held high, looking forward to the day when he could return to work. Striving to keep his memory secure, he worked harder than ever to be the best surgical technologist he could. Despite all odds, Shane did just that. He exceeded the goal, just as he always has.

How blessed we both are Shane!

Thank you Moms and Dads for supporting and helping us through the thick and tear filled days...we owe many of our smiles to you.

Dad & Mom Stratford, Shane & Kenzie, Mom & Dad Ferguson

Shane sometimes I look at you and can't believe you are mine.

ALL MINE.

I love you to the stars and back...a million times!

all my love, xoxo

Just let it go...let it all go.

Have you ever taken the time to be a kid again? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to practice the activities you were involved in as an adolescent? Have you ever thought about how much you miss it?

Well, I have.

I taught a ballet class tonight in the very studio that always brings back a flood of memories with every smell, every lightswitch, and every beat of music. As the last dancer walked out the door I began my normal nightly routine of closing up the studio...I flipped the lightswitches off, I picked up extra messes, and pulled my keys out to lock up. I stood at the doorway, looking back into that large open space, seeing images of me with my friends working up a sweat, learning, falling, and DANCING together.

Soon I found myself with a few lights back on... I slipped on my ballet shoes, and I DANCED. I know I may have looked ridiculous to anyone who may have seen me, but it didn't matter. During those few minutes I let myself go, I embraced the past. It felt so good to engage myself in something that I love...I still have so much passion over such a challenging sport.

I realized how good it is to just let go.

Just let it all go.

I did...

Now it's your turn!

much love, xoxo

A picture unloads a thousand emotions...at least for me.

As I try to reflect back on the eventful night of July 7, I find it nearly impossible to control my heartfelt emotions.
After many sleepless nights filled with haunting scenes - flashbacks of living a complete nightmare, I am still struggling to overcome what I witnessed almost 3 months ago. Although these pictures don't seem to capture the emptiness and loneliness I felt that night and even weeks after, they are a reminder to me of the pain, the suffering, the lack of confidence, and most importantly, my feelings of love for Shane, no matter what happened or could have happened to him.

The moment Shane was hit an eggplant-sized subdural hematoma grew above his left eye. Because of the impact on his brain and the bleeding that occurred, he had no control over his body, his emotions, his words, thoughts, his memory...
everything.

All eight members of the soccer team had to hold his body as still as they could, attempting to overpower Shane's sudden excessive adrenaline. The image I have burned in my brain of this moment is too difficult for me to recall. Fearing for his life, the paramedics quickly contacted life-flight. I watched as my husband, not knowing who I was or why I was there, had his jersey cut off, IVs attached to him, became immobilized to a board and swiftly was shoved into a helicopter.
As I met up with him an hour later at the hospital he looked just like this...lifeless. He'd lay with his eyes half open, not focused on anything...not moving a muscle, not even a twitch. After a minute of this, he would burst into frustration, attempting to pull off every cord and every monitor as we struggled to keep him calm and explain, again, what had happened to him. Then again...lifeless. Completely terrified, lonely, and lost...this is how I felt that night in the hospital. By three in the morning all family members were asked to leave, and I was left in a cold, dark hospital room staring at the person I had given my life to...the seemingly lifeless person who couldn't remember who I was from one minute to the next. I cried, I waited, I prayed.
I wanted to kiss the sun as it awoke, and as it peaked over the east mountains Shane opened his eyes and said...
"KENZIE..." What a miracle.
Although it was still unknown what Shane's injuries would do to our lives, he was okay...WE were okay.
After leaving the hospital Shane was able to come home. He slept for about a week straight, and wasn't able to do anything on his own. This is how he looked most of the time! Some of the bleeding on his brain drained down into his eye making it look almost black.

How grateful we are, and how blessed we feel for Brian's blessing during the complete nightmare we lived the night of July 7th. We both know that it is because of that priesthood blessing that Shane is not only here today, but doing incredibly well!

Thank you for your love, your prayers and your faith.
Thank you for all those times that you took my hand or picked me up off my feet and walked with me along this journey...
I could never have done it without you.

xoxo

Mat and Brooke said...

What a beautiful post Kenzie!
You will always be so glad that you wrote down that experience in such fine detail. Because soon, the details will slip from your memory and it will all become a blur.
Our family has such a love for you and Shane and we're SO grateful that you're such a big, wonderful part of our lives!
I love you!

Sunday, October 04, 2009 

Karla said...

Hello Sweetheart, this is Mom. What a beautiful, heartfelt post. How grateful all of us are for the two of you. I'm so sorry that you still struggle with images of that dreadful night and I pray that that part of this whole ordeal will one day be only a strength to you. I love you, Mom.

p.s. It's so nice to see some new posts. I love it...

Sunday, October 04, 2009 

Nina Serene said...

Your post made me cry a little. I just can't even imagine what that would be like. You are such an amazing person. I can't believe all that you handle in your life. You are such an amazing example to me. I just love you, and I am so glad that Shane is doing well!

Monday, October 05, 2009 

Bryan and Allie said...

Kenz, I am so glad to hear that things are going better and Shane is safe. What a tragic accident. I cannot even imagine being in your shoes. We continue to pray for you guys. We love you both.

Monday, October 05, 2009 

meleah said...

What a post. I am sure it took a lot out of you to put all of those feelings down. I am glad that you would share them. Being far away I feel like I miss out on being around. I think you are amazing in many many ways, going through this as strongly as you have is just one of them.
Love ya Kenz!!!

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 

Just dandee said...

You express your emotions beautifully. I am so glad you wrote all this down. You will be glad you did. You are an amazing addition to our family, Kenz. Thank You for loving Shane so deeply. Thank You for caring for him. I am so grateful he is recovered. It really is a miracle. Love you both.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 

Luke&Megz said...

hey kenz! I found your blog through lauren's! Ok so your post my me cry...a lot. You are a beautiful writer and I'm so glad Shane is ok. You two are a wonderful couple and Heavenly Father knew that Shane needed to stick around so you two could be such a great example to other couples...to me. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever, but at least I got to see pics of you on your blog! lol. You're the greatest Kenz, thanks for being someone I can look up to and a friend I can depend on always helping me be better!

Sunday, October 11, 2009 

Summertime and Backpacking Trip

ReAL SALT LAKE SOCCER GAME

On July 24, Shane's dad took the family to the ReAL Salt Lake soccer game at the Rio Tinto Stadium. It was an awesome game! Little did Shane know at this time that the entire soccer team was aware of his soccer accident, and planning exactly what they wanted to do to lift my very own husband's spirits. Just a week after the game Shane got a surprise!

A ReAL Salt Lake Jersey!! The co chairman of the team heard about Shane's accident and brought it to the ReAL team. The team decided that this is what they wanted to give to Shane...
An All Star jersey signed by each member of the team...
A ReAL Salt Lake soccer ball signed by each member of the team...
And a few other collectable items.
Shane just about died! It was so neat to see him recieve these gifts! Thank you ReAL!

BACKPACK TRIP TO THE WIND RIVERS!

The waterfalls were so beautiful! Shane fished both days we camped, and was successful! It was my first time eating fish and actually enjoying it...he must have known which ones to catch :)

On the second day we ventured out on a long day hike discovering many crazy things!

1. It is possible for 9 people and 1 small dog to boulder hop rocks the size of large cars right on the edge of a cliff! Over...and over...and over again...

2. There is a massive jungle located right in the rocky dirt covered Wind Rivers! I mean check out the...

3. MASSIVE MUSHROOMS! There were only about a dozen of these mushrooms (or should we say pumpkin pies?) lying right in the moist, mossy covered ground. Compare that baby to my foot! It's huge!

This was my first time ever backpacking and I was astonished at how much I actually enjoyed it.

The food was VERY tasty...really.

I discovered beautiful parts of this earth that I never knew could exist

I accomplished something I have always wanted to do

And the best part was being able to spend 3 full days with my love...

Now who would complain about that?

...xoxo...

mmm...I just love him.

Through 10 long days we cried, we prayed, we waited, and prayed some more...

Through 10 long days we witnessed healing that was simply unheard of.

Missing the planned vacation with my brother and his wife was difficult, but during these 10 days it has been surprising how much I have enjoyed a much simpler vacation with my love! Eating simple things, playing simple games, taking simple walks...I have come to recognize yet again why I love Shane how much I do...it's because we can do nothing together and still know that we have EVERYTHING--each other.

After 10 days I can finally breathe, I can smile, laugh, and look at Shane with the confidence that everything is going to be okay. After 10 days, Shane is back to being the person I missed so much...himself.

After 10 long and simple days all I have to say is...

mmm...I just love him.

And how could I not? He is my everything, and life without him would be unlivable.

More pictures to come...my computer is having trouble downloading them :) xoxo

my thoughts...

The past few days have been a whirlwind of tears and prayers...and sometimes when I think I'm finally becoming strong again my emotions hit me like a baseball bat and bring me back to reality. My fear has not left me, but neither has my faith.

The moment I laid eyes on the ailing love of my life, I clung onto the small threads of life as he was. I was shocked, I was terrified. Not knowing what to feel or think my mind was open to the spirit which guided me and held me up. There is a scripture in Matthew that states: "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you." As the healing power of Brian's hands touched Shane's head I witnessed the power of the priesthood in abundance. How grateful I was for the purity and faith that I knew Shane possessed during that moment.

Life is fragile. Life can be terrifying. It can take you by the feet and drag you where it wishes...but in turn the Lord will pick you up by your hands and guide you where you belong. Through this trying time I won't let those words of the Lord leave my heart:

Kenzie,

"I will not leave you comfortless..."

I will turn to him.

keep Shane in your prayers...xoxo

The Lord's hand in ALL things...

During the last 6 minutes of Shane's indoor soccer game Tuesday night he was seriously injured. After much trauma to his brain and a quick priesthood blessing he was life flighted to the hospital and found that his skull was fractured in three places and his brain was bruised with blood pooling heavily underneath his skin above his left eye. He was kept at the hospital to try to regain his consciousness as well as keep an eye on the amount of blood...if it began seeping into his brain Shane would be rushed into emergency surgery to drill holes in his skull to release the pressure. After many tears, and faithful prayers Shane survived the night well. He is not in great shape but is still being watched over carefully, not only by doctors and family, but the Lord as well.

Shane will be out of work and only allowed tolerable activity for the next four weeks.

Please keep Shane in your prayers. We have felt the power in your faith and know that if we do this together, Shane will be healed.

WE LOVE YOU SHANE...

120 hours of practice = 3 minutes of pure delight

Who would have thought that these

CRAZY, RAMBUNCTIOUS & WILD

seven year old girls would turn out to be...

The most

BEAUTIFUL, GRACEFUL, & SWEET

seven year old ballerinas...

No matter how crazy they are, or how graceful they'll be,

they'll always be some of my favorite

SEVEN YEAR OLD BEST FRIENDS.

What a great experience it has been for me teaching these adorable girls in their pre-ballet classes at Clytie Adams' School of Ballet. I have learned so much about my LOVE OF DANCE and it has been so rewarding to share that with these young girls!

Can't wait for next year!

xoxo

Our neighbors may be having three babies, but WE'RE having...

THREE BABY BIRDS!

Wish us luck with our first parenting experience!

xoxo

Interesting Anniversaries

3 years ago today-Kenzie graduated from High School

1.5 years ago today-Kenzie was equipped with braces for the second time (Lucky gal!)

3 months ago today-Kenzie had surgery on her jaw

And what better way to celebrate than to spend the entire day with the man Kenzie loves SO much...and ending the evening perfectly by going to the temple together.

I love you Shane!

Welcome Eric Russell!

Sweet Eric was born on May 8, 2009 5:47 AM

weighing 5 pounds 14 ounces

19 inches long

My sister is now a wonderful mother to three beautiful children!

I love you Brooke...I couldn't have hand picked a better sister!

TARA'S WEDDING DAY

On May 21 Brooke, Mom and I were able to attend my cousin Tara's sealing. It was so fun to spend the day with just the three of us!

I don't think anyone would have guessed that Brookie had just had a baby less than two weeks earlier, do you? ;) You go sis!

FUN DAY, MEMORIAL DAY!

Shane and I along with our friends Mike and Rachel all went four wheeling...

Alright I guess it was a little more like MUDDING!

And it couldn't have been any more FUN!

See you next time! XOXO

Something that's on my mind...

The day Shane and I were married a temple worker said something to us that we will never forget:

"The man may wear the pants in the relationship, but the woman chooses what pants he puts on every morning."

At the time the three of us laughed, but over time I have realized that there is a much deeper meaning of what he said.

I have thought a lot about this saying and today I have made the commitment to help my wonderful husband in choosing the "right pants" to wear each day!

I challenge you to do the same!

Happy choosing...xoxo

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree! AND...
FIVE GOOD KIDS, JUST AS ADORABLE AS CAN BE!

My Mom and I, along with Holly and her kids (Bryce, Nyle, Lauryn) and Brooke with her kids (Savanna, Easton) all spent a fun day downtown. We headed to the JSMB to see the Joseph Smith movie which all five kids amazingly watched with harldy a peep! We then headed to walk the beautiful temple grounds. But no fun day in downtown would be complete without a splash in the gateway water fountains!