Ok, to keep in alignment with my previous posts, it’s probably time for an update. J
I am trying to remember all the events that have gone on this year, so far. Most good but a few sad.. Please forgive me if I forget something important.
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT!!!! Our dear friend ZAC and his buddies returned home from Iraq just in time for Christmas. We were so excited and happy, not only for him but for his wife Brylee and the entire Nixon family. We really missed him and it was a tear filled reunion as Shane and I waited with family and friends at the airport here in Cedar City. It has been so awesome to have him back home safe and sound!!!!
Shane’s family had another lose in early February with his Mom’s Sister passing of cancer. It really has been a hard few years for the family. I was thankful I was able to meet her several times over the last few years and she is missed by the entire family!!!
My Dad and Step Mom came for a visit in late February. It was so awesome! He was here for his birthday and we just loved every minute of it. Shane took time off for his visit. We went to the parade of homes in St George, snowmobiling and a trip out to The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to find a Dog to rescue. It was so wonderful for both of them to be here as we found our dog Copper. I have to say it’s one of the best visits I have ever had with my Dad and Sue and I can’t wait for them to come back soon!
We went back a few days after their visit and picked up our newest family member, Copper. I was torn about getting a Dog. I was worried we would not have enough time to take care of him and that our schedules would leave him home alone too much. BUT, something else shifted this year for us… Shane’s work Schedule. If you read the last post I put up, you can be reminded how much I was struggling with it. Shane has since been shifted to a set schedule that runs Thursday morning to Monday afternoons. He has off on Tuesday’s and Wednesdays. No more shifting back and forth. He is home every night and I couldn’t be happier about it. The only drawback has been that Shane has to get up at 3am on the days he works but it is still better than before and he no longer has overnight runs. I tend to work from home on Tuesday’s which has been so nice! (I work for a pretty awesome company!). I also tend to work a lot on Saturdays so it makes up for any time off I take with Shane during the week. It’s been a blessing and we are not complaining.
In April we took a trip back to Wisconsin for my Niece Addie’s 1st birthday party and also to meet my Sister’s newest addition Jason Jr. along with my good friend Laura’s new baby boy Jude. We were so happy to get back to see as many as we could. There is never enough time on those trips and although I LOVE them, I always feel a little sad that I can’t get everyone in. I wish more than anything I could invent a teleport! J
Shane and I are plugging away at giving our back yard a much
needed facelift. Most follow us on Facebook
and have seen my constant pictures. (Yes, I know between Copper and our Yard, I
post a little too often. BUT don’t judge
too hard, our biggest Facebook fans are my parents who wish we lived
closer. I like to give them a taste of
our everyday life. So until my Dad
starts texting and upgrades his phone to get pictures… Facebook will have to
do! LOL)
Our friends Aaron and Jessi have come to stay with us a few
times now this year. The second visit
came in June and Aaron so kindly helped Shane install a sprinkler system into
our dirt pile. By then, we already had
our patio poured and our block wall was in the process of being put up. Since then, we have brought in 4 loads of
dirt and have maybe 2 more to go? It
will all depend on if we decide to get the garden area filled this year or
next. We are hoping to lay the Grass no
later than September. The yard projects
we have decided to put on hold are the decorative concrete path leading to the
fire pit and the fire pit area itself. I
am getting A LOT of ideas on Pinterest so it should be fun to see what we
actually go with in the end. We purchased some patio furniture and have been
enjoying it A LOT! I love coming home and
sitting on the back porch and enjoying our mountain view.
In May I made my first attempt at the Insanity program sold
by Beachbody. I made it 30 days and I am
pretty proud of myself. I have found
since I started that program I have been more active and have really started to
enjoy working out. I plan to go back to
the Insanity program and finish out the remaining 30 days this winter sometime.
Like most things I jumped in head first without realizing how difficult the 2nd
half of the program would be. I have
also purchased p90x which I have been excited to get back into as well. Regardless of what program I am doing at any
given time, it has been fun to stay active.
Most recently I have been training for a ½ marathon in November. Some coworkers got me motivated and it has
grown into a group of more than 20 people who have committed to either running
or walking the Snow Canyon 5K or Half Marathon.
We are hoping in the process to raise a few dollars for the TurningLeaf
Foundation. If you are feeling so inclined
to help us get a jump start on the fundraising, please follow the link and donate
a few dollars for the cause. I would get on my knees and beg but I am
trying to keep them healthy for the run. LOL.
We won’t hit the fundraising hard for a few more months but would love
to get a start on it now. J Here is the link, just click on this… share the love!
I am planning to write a blog down the road about how
TurningLeaf has changed my life and why I am such a big supporter of it,
especially now that it has a Foundation side to help those who have financial issues. I will keep that post for another time, since
this is already getting long. J
June marked the one year anniversary of HTC Trucking which
is a trucking company Shane’s parents have started after Shane’s grandfather
past away. It has been a dream of Shane’s
to see his parents do this and we have been blessed to be a part of it. It has meant A LOT of extra hours by both is
parents and Shane but it will be worth every minute, as it will be setting up a
great future for the family. Currently
they have 3 trucks and are looking to add a 4th truck this
fall. Eventually Shane is planning to
shift over to HTC full time but it will be a few years down the road. For now, it has been fulfilling to be working
on it part time and to see it grow so much in just this 1st year.
We just returned Tuesday from Shane’s family reunion in
Yellowstone Park… which also happens to be held the same weekend as my family
reunion every year. (I was so sad to have missed it) BUT, this year was extra
special for Shane’s parents because it was their turn to plan all the food and
the location of the reunion. We didn’t feel it was even an option to not go,
since it only happens every 9 years.
There are 9 siblings in his Dad’s family and they all take turns putting
on the “party” each year. We spent a lot
of time cooking but JUST as much time visiting and enjoying everyone. I personally really enjoyed it, and especially
the time we got to spend with Shane’s Sister and Brother in law. We don’t get to see them nearly as often as
we would like and it was so fun to laugh and share stories! Aaron, Jessi and the Girls also came along
and it seriously feels like they are a part of the family. We are so happy they
came and enjoyed the time everyone had together!
Shane and I took a few days after the reunion to drive
through the park and head down to Jackson Hole.
We had lots of fun while we toured the town and stayed at the Ski
Resort. Who knew a ski resort could be
so much fun in the “off” season! We
spent our last night relaxing at a beautiful lodge in Bear Lake, UT. I loved every minute!!
The next adventure is a trip back to Wisconsin this next
week. I am running in the Dirty Girl Mud
Run with my Sister-In-Law while also visiting family. I have been pretty excited for this run
because it will be the first official event of many (I hope). Seems to me, these types of events keep things
fun for staying in shape. Staying active
is a new life goal of mine… I haven’t been perfect at it, but progress for
sure!
Well, like always this has gotten really long. Wish I was better about keeping it updated
but I guess, as Shane has said, we are too busy living life. LOL. Love you all and hope all is well with all
our family and friends!
