BARLOW FAMILY

My sweet friend of over 10-years, Heather Barlow, had her third baby the end of October. Heather and her husband Jake found out the day Alyssa was born that she had Trisomy 18. This is a fatal genetic disorder and most babies do not live beyond their first month. Baby Alyssa has been with her family now for 6-weeks and has proven to be a fighter, but each day is a struggle. This family is a true inspiration to me. They have so much faith and love. I am inspired each day by their strength. I have had the blessing of holding sweet Alyssa many times and as I hold her, I think of my own children and how I would handle what this family has and will have to go through. My desire for them is that they will be able to spend what time they have left with this precious spirit without the stress of medical bills hanging over their heads. I am asking all of my friends and family to donate to this family in their time of need.

Please click on this link and donate, no amount is too small.

http://www.alyssamareebarlow.blogspot.com

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you all!

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY JAKE

We not only celebrated Thanksgiving on November 25th, but also celebrated Jake's 14th Birthday! I can hardly believe Jake is 14! Time seems to going by so fast!! Soon he will be driving...ugh!! We love Jake, he is a wonderful big brother and such a helper!!

IT'S TIME FOR AN UPDATE

While Mark is touring (okay working) in Germany...I'm in Mapleton, Utah being a crazy working mom! I must say, things are going well. We seem to adjust to Mark leaving...not to say that we don't miss him like crazy! I miss being able to talk to him, he is a really good listener...and we have a great way of communicating. I like having a built-in friend. And I miss that the most!! He will miss Thanksgiving this year, but I've decided to host it at my house. I have invited his parents and sister...so we'll see how things go!! Wish me luck!

As far as what we need to update...first off...Riley turned 5!! I cannot believe my baby is 5. I feel so blessed to have this little guy in our home. He is amazing. Fun. Crazy like his parents. And is such a loving, sweet boy. We took him to Pirate Pizza for his birthday. He loved it!! We also had a family party. Riley received some fun gifts, but of those...Nicky, his aunt, gave him a trip to Disneyland!! She was so sweet and invited myself and my mother-in-law along! Mark was quite jealous and hopped a plane and joined us for the final two days of the trip.

Riley loved Disneyland...he especially loved all the water rides (Bear River Rapids & Splash Mountain). It was so strange going to Disneyland and leaving my other two kids at home! But, it was fun to just focus on one child!

Halloween came and went, it was so cold during trick-or-treating. But, my kids were troopers and had a blast. Jake dressed up at the last minute, Kaycie was a hippy, and Riley was Buzz Lightyear. Call me mother of the year, but I forgot to take pictures!

I am excited for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year! It will be interesting to see where my husband ends up next! Let's hope my schedule allows me to visit him!

HAPPY 18-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

I can't believe it...18-years since our wedding day! I am so lucky to have found such a great guy! He's my best friend, a great husband, wonderful father, and an all-around great guy. Here's to many more anniversaries...love you babe!

RILEY SOCCER

This is the first year Riley could play soccer. He is loving it. He spends a lot of his time jumping up and down, because he is so excited to play. He has made a couple of goals, which is fun to watch.

MAPLE MOUNTAIN HIKE

Our Labor Day weekend activities included hiking Maple Mountain. Wow...I've lived in Mapleton for 36 years and have seen Maple Mountain by horseback, but had never hiked it. It was quite the experience. So beautiful, but so tough! We took our kids, plus Kaycie's friend, Emily. We left at 8:30 a.m. and returned 6 p.m. Riley hiked the entire way with only being held a couple of times and not for long, because it was hard enough without carrying another 40 pounds. We had so much fun and had a great picnic at the Lake. I recommend this hike to anyone living in Utah...it is a must!!

Time for play or pain?

We made another trip to Sundance and brought Kaycie along to test out her new bike. We had a blast until I decided to take a nose dive over my handle bars! I have a nice fat bruised cheek to show for it! In the same run, Kaycie decided to play the same game. Luckily she hurt her leg only. She's such a trooper. After leaving Sundance, Mark dropped Jake and I off at the top of the Provo River Trail...we biked from there to Utah Lake! It was such a great ride, loved it! I love spending time with the family.

With Mark traveling more and more, our family time is limited. So it's fun to be able to do these types of activities together!

Jake and Kaycie have started school...so far so good! I am trying to stay on top of their homework and activities...it's like being in school myself. Riley starts pre-school next week and he can hardly wait.

Both Kaycie and Riley start soccer next week! Life is about to become chaotic!!