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!

I'll always love you...

Two years ago today

Two young lovers made a pact.

They said, "I'll love you forever, not only just this day...

And promise to only be yours if you'll also love me along the way..."

.

How gentle was the man,

Smiles filled the young girl's face...

Dreaming of a home, & someday raising a clan...

They prayed the Lord would help them with their plan.

.

Two years have gone by, side by side

And the two lovers keep their pact to this day;

They say, "I'll love you forever, I'll always be kind...

And promise to be only yours if you'll always stay mine."

.

Thank you Shane for allowing me the chance to be with you for eternity...

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift on that beautiful, cool spring morning when you held your heart in your hands and I gave you mine...

I love you.

Getting better and getting out!

Hello! I'm sure you realize Shane and I still aren't up to much, but I thought I'd post a few pictures to try to give an idea of the changes that have taken place in my looks and in our lives the past two weeks! Enjoy!

Here I am about a week after my surgery. We all decided that it looked like I had received a botox injection of my upper lip... what do you think?!

Here I am at my first appointment since my surgery. My Doctor is cutting off the bands that were keeping my mouth held shut...HOORAY!

Shane and I are on our way up to his families annual vacation at the cabin...it was so nice to get out and be with the family for a day! (Botox slowly going away...)

I was lucky enough to have two of my friends come visit me! Rachel, Me, Shar

They even brought me a basket of "Happy Easter Goodies" to bring a smile to my insides ;) Thanks gals...you're the best!

The past two weeks I have made phenomenal progress. No more botox lip, and my chipmunk cheeks are diminishing quickly! I'm continuing to work on my smile :) Thank you again for all of those who have kept my spirits alive during this recovery...visitors, family, and friends have greatly made a difference!

Come visit again soon!

Never take smiling for granted!

One thing I truly have missed...smiling and laughing hard. It's been interesting to try to find ways to express my happy emotions, and I hope that from now on, I'll never take smiling and laughing for granted!

JAW SURGERY PHOTOS

Because my mouth is now banded shut, Shane has to feed me only liquids through syringes and IV tubing. After 6 days of this, I'm hungry!

I am still swollen and bruised, but I'm slowly working on those things ;)

I love you Shane and mom for taking such great care of me...I know it's so much work but it never goes unnoticed!

Thanks for visiting!

Kenzie's surgery update

WOW, it has been quite exciting the last few days. This is Shane, and I thought I would just give all ya'll an update on how Kenzie is doing. She went into surgery on the 4th for her upper jaw that we have so patiently awaited. Everything went as planned. It was difficult for Kenz at times, but she is such a trooper. She stayed in the hospital for the night and came home the next day. She is so exhausted. Everything she eats is fed to her through a syringe, therefore she has been very weak from the medicines without a lot of food. I love her, and I know everything will work out great. She will have to fill you on the details when she is able to. Until then, thanks to everyone who has helped, you are angels working miracles. May God bless you, and please keep Kenzie in your prayers.

Snowmobiling...Wahoo!

The past few days have been kinda crazy...mostly because we're preparing for my surgery. Although I'm very excited to get this over with, my nerves and anxiety are beginning to really set in! Luckily, I've already taken care of most everything...Marquessa is going to be subbing all of my ballet classes, and I feel so lucky to have her! Yesterday we were able to make up all of the recital dances so she can teach them to the girls, then after that Shane and I headed up to the hospital to get all my blood work and labs done to prepare for surgery. The rest of the day was spent finishing miscellaneous tasks...needless to say, it was a long, nerve-racking, and stressful day! So we were pretty darn excited to enjoy a nice beautiful day snowmobiling with the Stratford family today!

SUPERWOMAN STORY: Hello, I am Shane, the lucky one married to Kenzie. Now, this picture isn't just showing that Kenzie can sit and look dazzling on a snowmobile, she actually rides it on her own. All the girls went out riding and came back with a fantastic story of Kenzie's superhuman abilities. The story went like this: Kenz and Melanie (my sister) were riding fairly close as they approached a large hill. Eagerly they started to climb, Melanie going first, when they both realized there was a cornice at the top. Being too late to turn around, Melanie slowed a bit just before she crested the cornice. The machine was thrown a little sideways making a very difficult landing. She stuck it out and glanced back, praying Kenzie had not followed her. Nevertheless, Kenzie came flying up over the cornice, the machine leaped into the air and began to corkscrew. Fearing the worst, Kenzie jumped from the snowmobile midair landing on the snow and began to slide down the backside of the hill. After a quick ten or more feet, she popped up and jumped onto the snowmobile while it was moving, just in time to steer clear of some rocks. Melanie, soon after that, said it was like a scene from the Warren Miller Movie. So, I just wanted to take this opportunity to say, wow... what a WOMAN!!! That a girl Kenz! I love you!!

WE DID IT!

Shane and I are now officially home owners!! We closed this afternoon and we couldn't be feeling better about our decision. I'll post pictures of our cute apartment that we'll miss, and of our new home that we absolutely love!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANER!!

February 11th was Shane's 24th Birthday!! He still had to wake up at 5:30 AM for work at the hospital, but luckily he got off early at 5:30 PM so we could go out to dinner with the family.

I am so grateful that I married such a patient, respectful, fun, hard working, dedicated and handsome man that I have the opportunity of spending my life with...

I LOVE YOU SHANE--I look forward to celebrating an eternity of birthdays with you!

The unexpected is SIMPLY FABULOUS...

Two days ago I met with my oral surgeon so he could check on my progress. I opened wide, the doc took one look and said, "Whoa, you're ready!" He said that everything looks more than perfect and I could go into surgery any day. My appointment turned from a simple check up to a 1-1/2 hour visit taking x-rays, digital photographs, and planning for the surgery. My mom was with me and the two of us were about jumping out of our chairs we were so excited! I think it caught my dad a little off guard that it came up so quickly (he's VERY nervous) but both of my parents have been more than supportive...I couldn't ask for anything more. I am so grateful that I am able to get my jaw fixed and actually be able to keep the middle of the sandwich in my mouth once and for all.
I'M GOING INTO SURGERY MARCH 4TH!!!

Skiing at Powder

What a GORGEOUS ski day!

Shane, Jeff and I went up to Powder Mountain to go skiing and we had a blast! Keith (Shane's Dad) was able to meet up with us part way through the day too and it was so fun to have him with us. The boys took me on a small "back country" run with tons of powder...it was my first time skiing through an ungroomed run! It was definitely a lot harder but I loved it...there's just something so magnificent about skiing through fresh powder-I couldn't even see my skis! I want to thank not only Shane, but Jeff and Keith for helping me keep up with their amazing ski skills and for continuing to teach me how to become a good skier. You guys are GREAT!

Snowshoeing

After Christmas (which was very MaGiCaL by the way...) Shane took me out for a snow play weekend. We first drove up through Ogden Canyon to go snowshoeing. It was beautiful walking through the fresh blanket of snow and underneath the snow covered trees. We wished we could have gone farther into the canyon but I had to go to the bathroom so bad and we decided that the trees weren't quite big enough to conceal me from public's view...plus the fact that I'd FREEZE! So we enjoyed a nice short jaunt up, then down the canyon and headed to the condo for a blissful bathroom retreat...

That evening we were pleased to go out to eat with May, Ty, Madi, Kevin, Bri, Britt, Mav, and baby Slater at Eat's of Eden, the family's favorite pizza place. Then a few of us enjoyed the hot tub later that night.

What a fun way to make the best of the season...Thank you Shane!