Another Year Begins

Well once again I haven't blogged in a while but I seem to manage to blog the first day of school so I guess I need to keep the tradition going. Today was monumental in so many ways...One child takes on the new adventures of a new school and new expectations. Jordan started Jr. High today. I can still remember the day he was born so small and weak, and I can remember taking him to preschool so small and weak. This morning I looked at him and thought he is finally not so small and weak. It was so hard to let him go. I hope he loves school and has a blast. The other child who faces changes is Raegan, she started 1st grade meaning all day school. I loved my time with her while the others were at school. The bonding moments are so special to me and I think she will miss me too. Paige my niece was so sad today to see Raegan gone. She keeps looking for her. I have to admit I keep looking and calling for her too. She is going to be missed. Madison starts 5th grade and she is so ready and stoked. She was all smiles this morning, writing down her goals that she wants to accomplish and what she needs to do to get straight A's. I love her enthusiasm. She is going to go places in the near future. McKinley was just as excited to start 3rd grade, but for other reasons. She has been mapping out her wardrobe and hair choices for the week. I hope she will be as excited for school as she is for clothes and fashion. We shall see. James doesn't start till Wednesday so he was excited to make them French toast this morning and drive them to school. He also is starting his doctorate degree this year and so everyone in my house will be in school but me. However, I will have plenty of homework to do. As for me I babysit my adorable and irresistible niece, Paige. She fills my heart that has an empty spot. I love taking care of her and will enjoy the next wee one when he/she comes. My life is full and I am grateful for my heavenly father and all these wonderful blessings that I get to enjoy daily. Here's to a healthy, happy, and successful year.

Miracles never cease...

I can't believe that it has been 1+ years since I have blogged. I am just getting the blogging bug again and who knows maybe I will actually update it, but don't get your hopes up. It is going to be a work in progress. I wanted to start the new year with a journal and since it is so hard to keep one for me I figured this was the easiest and fun way to record our year. A lot has happened over the year, 2010 was great for us. We all got our tonsils out this year and a few surgeries, but we were pretty healthy and happy this past year. We added a new addition to our family, it was the easiest delivery ever. (Yes I actually helped deliver him)

Gunner. He is our new yorkie and Mandy's "boyfriend" so we are excited to have little puppies this coming year.

Jordan is getting ready to turn 12 this year AHH! I can't believe he is going to be a pre-teen. I am seriously not ready for that. He is in the 6th grade and has developed a love for running X Country, and has taken up the saxaphone ( I have invested in earplugs).

Madison

is turning 10 in a few weeks and she is in the 4th grade. She loves, loves, loves school and homework. Her passion right now is art (I have invested in a vacuum for her room). She is also loving piano. Her other interest is cooking. She got a cupcake maker for Christmas and has made us some yummy treats. I asked her if she wanted to be a chef and she said "no my goal is to cook good food for my family". I was a proud mom.

McKinley

is 7 going on 21. She is preparing to be baptized this year and wow, that is going to be a fun experience for her. She is in the 2nd grade and kind of likes school. She loves to sing and dance and perform on what ever she can climb on. ( again the ear plugs). McKinley was recently diagnosed with ADD. It has been quite a challenge to find what works for her. Mac has such a fun and zany spirit about her and we didn't want to alter that. She is doing great now that we have figured out what works. McKinley has started to teach herself how to play the piano. I think we may have a talented pianist in the future.

Raegan

My last and final baby is growing up so fast. I can't believe that she is going to be 6 this year. She is a ball of fire...she may seem shy but watch out she may bite. I love having my time with her in the mornings after the older kids go to school. I know this time is precious for us so I try to use my time with her wisely. She is a great student. She is already reading at a first grade level and excelling. She loves to learn new things, and try new things. Raegan loves to draw...on everything (I have a huge supply of magic erasers). She likes to leave her mark so to speak. Her favorite past time is dressing and playing with her doll, I mean dog. Mandy I think is her best friend. Wherever Raegan is Mandy is.

James Has been doing triple duty. He is currently teaching seminary at Rigby high school, teaching institute at BYUI, and teaching a religion course at BYUI. We hardly see him. He has discovered how to make awesome closets this winter which has been to my benefit. Keeps him busy and keeps me organized a win, win situation.

Me, well I am doing about the same. I have finally figured out that I have celiac disease and so that has been a challenge for me. I help my mother in law in her catering business and love being able to implement my college education while being a stay at home mom. I am also taking care of my cute niece Paige 2 days a week so she keeps me on my toes, and helps me with the last child going to school transition. Life here on the ranch in Idaho is awesome. James and I are going to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year. I can't believe how time has flown. Every year has had its ups and downs and we are still plugging along. I can't wait for the next 15 years.

First day of school, first day of a mother's vacation

First day of school, what can I say...we approach this day with bittersweet emotions. Bitter for Raegan (the baby) and sweet for me (the overworked mom). Jordan started 5th grade, Madison is in 3rd, and McKinley has the biggest transition, she is starting 1st grade. My kids were so excited for school that they went to bed at 7 p.m. the night before, however they were so anxious that they did not go to sleep till almost 10, it was pure torture for them. I can't believe how fast they are growing up. Raegan will start preschool next week, she cannot wait. Here is a little secret for you, I can't wait either. She misses her siblings too much during the day. Every 20 minutes she asks me when the other kids get home from school. I guess I am a little boring for her taste. James started school as well. He is in his 4th year at Sugar City seminary and loving it. He is also teaching institute at BYUI, he absolutely loves that too. What a lucky guy to love his job, you don't hear too much that these days. I am getting ready to have peace and quiet. This summer was overwhelmingly fun, notice the word OVER, yeah that's right. I need a vacation from summer vacation. I think this is why my favorite season is the fall. I love my kids and husband to death, but I need a break, and I welcome the first day of school. I may be singing a different tune when the homework begins.

Family Reunion on Both Sides

The 29th annual Passey Family Reunion and Rodeo was this past week. This event is SO much fun, but a lot of work. I was so happy to have my family in town this same week. My sister Layne and her family came and partook of the fabulous festivities. As usual the kids had a blast, and got a whole lot dirtier this year. We look forward to this time of year like Christmas. The kids anticipate it all summer long. Riding horses, riding sheep (if you are not too big, sorry Turner:(), face painting, cotton candy, soft serve ice cream and lots of other fun activities add to the fun. Thank you Jaime for all your time and efforts to make the kids feel like they are at a true carnival. Thank you Jim and Jolene, and all your kids for all your time and effort you into the Friday night mix and mingle. I am so grateful for this Rodeo. I remember the very first Rodeo I attended just weeks before James and I were married. It was kind of overwhelming, and intimidating, however I feel so blessed to be apart of such a wonderful family. Thank you all for making me feel like I belong. Passey Family ROCKS!!!

It Only took 33 Years to Figure This Out.

You think you know most of everything right. From the time you are old enough to understand certain concepts, like putting your shoes on the right feet, and then tying them. Being L.D.S, and born in an L.D.S, family (a long line of them). I just went along with the ride. I was very dependent on my parents and grandparents' testimonies. It was just assumed that what I was taught was true, not one question asked. Lately, I have had some experiences in my life that have been difficult. I remember feeling kind of bummed that I wasn't a convert, you probably think that is really silly, but I do. I was jealous of people who searched and prayed and found out on their own that they believed, and that they had thier own testimony. We all have certain events in our lives that strengthen our testimonies. I know that I have. But lately, I have faltered, even to the point of "do I have a true testimony"? I pondered this and the results were disturbing. I thought I was strong, I thought that I was stellar in the church. After 33 years of life it hit me. Have I ever asked my heavenly father if the church is true? I have I searched the scriptures as a investigator would? I fear my answer to those questions are no, I have not. I have just been living on a borrowed testimony. So I put myself to the challenge. I prayed, and I searched and I thought of all the trials I have been through, and I thought of all the blessings I have received, not only from those trials, but from day to day. Finally, I asked to know if it was true. I have said a gazillion of prayers in my time, and some have been from my bed just lying there, some have been in the girls' bathroom just before a major exam, and some have been on planes praying I wont die. I can honestly tell you, that kneeling makes a huge difference. We are teaching our children the proper way to pray in primary, and at home. I was forgetting this basic concept. Kneeling brings you closer to him. I have had 4 surgeries on my knee, so I always have an excuse to not kneel I am ashamed to say. When I wanted to find my testimony, I knew I had to kneel, so I did. After 33 years, my eyes have been opened. How many times have you born your testimony and felt that burning in your chest, a lot right. Well this was 10 times more powerful than that. I felt like I was seeing and feeling things for the first time. I know that this church it true. I know that my savior died for me. I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father. I remember repeating these basic facts in Young Womens every Sunday, but I never stopped to think, have I ever asked with a sincere heart if it was really true. I bet you all think I am crazy writing this, but I know that there are people out there who are like me, brought up in an L.D.S. household your whole life, being taught that it was true. Now I know for myself that yes, it is and I am forever changed, it only took 33 years. Thank you mom and dad for the foundation, I just needed to start building on my own. I challenge you all to examine your testimony, dig deep and ask for yourself, you will be surprised what you will find, it is never to late.

4th of July Festivities

I love the 4th of July, every year since we have been back in Idaho we get invited to the most awesome party ever. Jolene and Jim are awesome, their family is awesome, and the entertainment is awesome. We look forward to it every year. THIS year they added a new attraction to the party. It is called, DUNK EVERYONE IN THE POOL. Amy got it first, because of her new husband, then he got it, and they just had to take it all out on us innocent party goers. Christina, Ashlee, Anna, and even Jim got it. James and I as well. I am still trying to figure out how Dave Poulsen avoided the pool, maybe next year. ANYWAY...the kids had a blast in the pool, and the food was incredible. Thank you Passey's for a successful and fun party.

Later that night we held the annual "We don't go to the fireworks" party. Friends as well as family attended. We had so much fun. Who knew that our firework display was going to take 2 hours. The kids had tons of fun. Then we watched a movie on the wall of the house with the projector. Anyone out there who doesn't like to go to the infamous fireworks at the river is welcome next year. We have a riot. I am grateful for all my freedoms. I am very grateful for the troops, and what they have done for our country. God Bless them, and God Bless America!

359 Days Apart

July 3, 2003- I had been on bed rest for 6 weeks, and I was ready to have this baby. I remember having such awful pain and discomfort for weeks. July 2nd was the day I was going to have this little girl. My doctor had other plans. He was stuck in Lake Powell with a flat tire, no not a car tire, but a plane tire (oh the woes of being rich). ANYWAY...we waited and waited. James finally went home, they would not release me. SO July 2 came and went, July 3 was upon us. I was positive that my doctor, or some doctor would take pity on me. Not so much. My doctor finally arrives later that night, if I remember it was around 8 p.m. Hallelujah let's get the show on the road right, WRONG James really really wants a 4th of July Baby. So he won't let the doctor break my water until midnight. So after weeks and weeks of pure pain and discomfort, I waited and waited till midnight. McKinley Rae Williams was born July 4th at 5 a.m. James got his wish and I got a beautiful baby finally. McKinley has a smile to die for. She makes me laugh everyday. I love this little girl.

Fast forward to 359 days later, I once again am in Labor with our 3rd baby girl. July 4th is 6 days away. James wants another 4th baby, I won this one, I had been in the hospital for 1 week and during that fabulous stay I had a blood transfusion. This baby was not going to wait for the 4th, so on June 28, 2005 I delivered another beautiful baby girl. Raegan Dawn Williams is my last baby. I can't believe she is now 4 years old. Raegan is bright, and smart. She is such a pretty girl. Her personality is funny and unpredictable. Since these 2 babies have birthdays 6 days apart, we decided to celebrate their birthdays together. What a fun birthday this was. We had a bouncy house, a cotton candy machine, and deep fried onion rings (they were to die for), and french fries. I have been known to do cakes, so after 2 years of retirement, I made them castle cakes. Raegan had a purple one and McKinley had a pink one (of course). These princess are truly a blessing in my life. Even though it was extremely difficult to get them here, I know that everyday on bed rest was worth it. I thank my heavenly father for blessing me and trusting me with these two special princesses.