MARCH UPDATES

With Mark out of town and me trying to work and be a good single mom for the last month, I haven't had a chance to post.

Things are going well, Mark is ready to come home. I think he is tired of Appleton, Wisconsin and the cold weather. He says the work is different (hard physical labor), but fun. I am glad he is enjoying the work...because he is on to the next job in April...Tulsa, Oklahoma! This one should be a shorter time frame., which is nice!

I was lucky enough to be able to take my kids on a much needed vacation this past weekend. I know crazy right! I packed them up all by my lonesome and took them down to St. George. Luckily, I had a friend, who's husband is with Mark, down there with me. She stayed in a different condo, but we did hang out everyday! The kids had fun and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. My friend, Natalie, and I took off Saturday night and went to Mesquite...for much needed adult time! We played Bingo and I won $25, a two night stay, and a $50 dinner. She then went to play cards and I decided to play the penny slots. I sat down at the only open slot machine and won $100!!! We had so much fun!!

WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH...MOVE TO WISCONSIN...

So today's the day, Mark left this morning for Wisconsin! I was suprised my kids took it so well, they were up eating breakfast and talking and then when Mark left, each one of them hugged him...and there were no tears.

I think Mark is kind of in shock, but we are all taking it as a huge blessing. I am crossing my fingers construction picks up here in Utah. But, it is nice to know that my husband is willing to sacrifice for his family and travel to find work.

I also look at it as an adventure and am a bit jealous of Mark's side of the adventure. If you know me, you know I "LOVE" to travel. Mark has bid some jobs that will come after this one, in places I have never been, so it makes me a bit jealous! However a brief visit to these places for me is better than his one month stay, which will possibly be his life for a while!

So, I have made a list of projects in my house, to pass the time. I have plans to take the kids on a trip and I have a few ideas of how to keep them entertained. I am fully confident that I can be a good single mom for this month and possibly several months to come.

I am extremely thankful for this opportunity. I will miss Mark a lot, but am thankful for technology...e-mail, text messaging, and talking on the phone will be nice!

Wish us all luck!

Here's my Jake! He's such a boarder...he wishes he were pro! I wish I could help him get there! I really have a hard time telling him he can't go snowboarding everyday...even on school days, but so far this year he's only missed one! He has such talent for the sport! It is fun to see him enjoy something so much!

DAM 2 DAM RUN

Mark and his friends ran the Dam 2 Dam run at the Sand Hollow Resevoir just outside of Hurricane, Utah. It was a 5 mile run, with around 300 people running the race. Mark and all of his friends made it in the top 100! Mark's time was 40 min 38 sec. He did a great job!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, SO I CAN CRY IF I WANT TO!

I won't be crying...even though I've turned 35 and know that I only have 5 years until the big 40. I am excited for my birthday each year! And plan on celebrating every year, I never want to be "one of those people" who like to ignore my big day! Bring it on...presents, lunches, vacations, nights out with the girls...I am all over it for the entire month of February!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes...I have enjoyed this day and have 10 more days in February to enjoy! Curses to the month of March...it always ruins my extended birthday!!

APPLETON, WISCONSIN

So why is the title "Appleton, Wisconsin" you ask? Well it will be Mark's new home starting in March!! He should be there for almost a month. I am a bit freaked out, but so excited for him. This is a great opportunity and if things work out, he could be traveling around the United States working on different projects! I am kind of jealous, because I love traveling and it would fun to see new places! But, I am happy that we don't have to pick up our family and move!

Life will definitely change for me, I will be somewhat of a single mom. But, it is worth the sacrifice!

As for everything else in life, things are going great. Jake continues to snowboard every weekend! Kaycie started gymnastics...well I should say...I signed her up for gymnastics without her knowledge. She was so mad, the day she started, she kept glaring at me during class, I could tell she was flipping me off in her heart. But, by the end, she was loving it. She said, "Mom, the teachers kept asking me if my mom or dad was a gymnast and they said that I was born to be a gymnast." So now she thinks its her calling in life. I am excited that she is loving it and she defintely has a talent for it! Riley is still keeping us busy. He is in pre-school 4 days a week. He does not allow any of us to walk him to the bus, he has to do it all himself. He loves school and runs around the house singing songs, talking about colors and shapes, and drawing. He has made a lot of progress, which I thank pre-school for!!

Oh and did I mention...it's birthday month! Oh yes, February is my month! I keep wondering where the last 35 years went! I also keep thinking it's time to grow up...and then in the next breath, I think why!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

So sorry...it's been a while. Christmas tends to be a busy time of year, but in all reality...I basically stayed home from December 23 to January 5, with a weekend trip to St. George! So it wasn't really busy as much as it was relaxing. I read two books, enjoyed time with my kids, and celebrated the New Year with Riley...while Jake went with friends and Mark and Kaycie took off a day early to St. George! We did have a ton of fun over the Christmas Break. Jake did a ton of snowboarding with his friends, Kaycie and Riley hung out with friends and family! And Mark started up a new venture called Exfuse, its a health drink called Seven. I have started drinking it just recently, so I'll have to report back on how I feel. It has 7 wonder fruits that help with a lot of different issues. As you may know, Mark has been really into his health. He has lost over 16 pounds and he has made it to 5 miles on his running. Go Mark! He has one more month to go before the final weigh in...so keep your fingers crossed!

It was really hard for me to go back to work, which is odd because I am a work-a-holic. But since being back for a week, I am now in the swing of things!

My only thing now is the hope for an early Spring and maybe some trip to look forward to, but since neither of those are definites...I am going to live in the moment and enjoy life! That's my New Year's Resolution!

Happy New Year's to you all...here are a few fun pics of the family!