"Broken"

"I believe that God loves broken things!"



Today I was asked a question that I wasn't quite sure how to answer. Luckily, I was with a couple of great friends. One of them quickly replied, "Don't ask. We don't want to have to carry her out of here!" The other friend said something like, "Let's not talk about that." My reply was simply, "I was broken!" My friends and I finished our business and left. I went about the day without giving it another thought.....

A few days ago my sister, Kate, invited me to her Christmas Enrichment. Brad Wilcox and Steven Kapp Perry were going to do the Program. (For those of you that grew up with me.....THAT'S RIGHT!) When I was growing up, these guys spoke at quite a few firesides and youth conferences. I can still remember songs that they sang and words that they spoke. I was so excited to get to hear them again. Somewhere,I have a picture exactly like the one posted above that was taken more than two decades ago. Appropriately, the theme of the night was the Atonement. Steven and his wife, Joanne started by singing a song called "Broken." One of the lines was, "I believe that God loves broken things." Suddenly, I was back in that little shop saying,"I was broken!" I forgot! I have tried what I thought was EVERYTHING to claw my way out of being broken. I forgot that I wasn't alone. A year and a half later, a voice that touched me 25 years ago, reminded me of a truth that I have known for years! I just needed to hear it from a familiar voice!

Brad then got up and in his fun, yet touching way, expressed that Christmas IS about getting. It is all about a gift that was given to us long ago. A gift that sometimes even in a season where reminders are all around me, I forget that it was given to me.

St George Again!

We messed around in St Gerogre for another weekend of fun. I have to admit that I did not love "Thriller." However, we had a great time laughing and playing and swimming and shopping??

Who could ask for anything more? Ruby has the "flirts" with Jaxson and is so funny to watch!Jax and his friend, Trek, joined us on our outing. Aside from a few teasing.....They got along great!

Hanna is into finding the coolest poises for pictures! She is always very creative!

Technical difficulty, it wont let me add the rest of the pics. Heres for now!

THRILLER!!!

Hanna desperately wanted to see Thriller. Obviously, I obliged. I am not going to lie, I didn't like Thriller at all. The Zombies were everywhere and Ryanne, Emmie and Haidyn were not very happy about it. However, it was a great group of travelers. We had so much fun together! Thank you to all!!!!

These two harassed Hanna and Sarah. They wouldn't leave them alone! When Thriller was over, they chased Hanna out of the Theater. Ryanne just might be scared for life, but watching Hanna run.....PRICELESS!!!

Morgan, Ruby and Carey!!

Hanna and Sarah made shirts to "celebrate" the event!

The gang! Pre show!!!! I just love them all!!!

UEA WEEKEND!!!!

We decided to spend UEA close to home. After hearing the idea from a friend, Joy and I decided to have a "Staycation" with the kids. Thursday we took the girls to Park City for the night.

My girls and I. (Hanna wasn't so excited about pictures!)

Joy and Haidyn

Emmie and Haidyn

We shopped at the outlets, swam, and ate the best pizza.

The little girls in Old Navy

Emmie and Haidyn in Claires

Ryanne in the swimming pool

Ry trying on hats at the Gap

Friday the girls swam some more and then we headed to Gardner Village.

Morgan and Ryanne got their hair colored for the day

The girls at Gardner Village

Hanna even got her hair sprayed

We walked around, ate lunch and then had sleep overs at home that night.
Saturday we had a "Spa Day" for the little girls. Actually, everyone was invited. Jaxson wanted nothing to do with it and Morgan and Hanna decided a day with friends was more their style. So.....

Joy,being the over achiever that she is, had a wonderful lunch prepared when the girls arrived.

We washed their feet and gave them manicures and pedicures!

Then we applied a facial mask and cucumber slices.
Emmie

Haidyn

Ryanne

The finished product

The day would not have been complete without a visit from Ruby!

Good times!!!!!

Morgan!

Morgan is 13! I honestly can't believe how fast time goes by. Her birthday was on September 30th, but we had our family celebration today! Don't get me wrong, we have been celebrating since Wednesday. Wednesday Tim took her lunch at school, , I took her to dinner, and Karla made her a cake.

Morgan is one popular girl. Many birthday wishes have been expressed along with treats and gifts. Thank you to all. Morgan is such a beautiful, fun, energetic and loving young woman. (How weird is that to say?) At dinner Tim had everyone say something nice about her. Morgan is.....
nice
a great big sister
funny
a helper

has the best lips
beautiful
loving
fun
has great hair
loved by all


and...
Tim loves that even though she acts so "old" and "grown up," she still asks him to lay with her a night!



Tonight we partied with Grandma, aunts and uncles and cousins! Morgan wanted lasagna for dinner and chocolate cake for dessert. Totally do able!!!!
We love our Morgan!!

St. George Vaca!

I took my older girls to St. George for the weekend. We were joined by Brooke and her girls and Karla and Sarah. What a blast! We went to "Aida" at the Tuacahn. I have wanted to see "Aida" for a long time. The soundtrack has been a favorite of ours! I absolutely loved it. I owe many thanks to Carey and Dave for keeping Jaxson and the "little" girls. We are truly blessed. We have so many great friends!


Everyone ready and waiting for "Aida" to start!

All the girls with the cast of "Aida"

I got the privilege of sitting in the back with Sarah and Hanna. We were bored so we played my favorite game. I say a word and then take a picture of the girls making the first face that the word brings to mind. I can't remember the word, but you gotta love these faces!


Goofin' around!
Shoppin'

Thanks to all for so much fun!

No More Braces!!!

My ever beautiful, Hanna, got her braces off!!!! I think she looks too grown up! What's a mom to do?????

Jaxson!

If any of you have ever been in my house, you know I love pictures. My girls are all over this! They pose for pictures all the time. Jaxson, however, rarely lets me take a good picture of him. Saturday he gave me an hour or two! Just Jax and I drove around and found cool places to get some pictures......

Jax....
always makes me laugh
loves me
good friend to his dad
great big brother

handsome
loves my friends

protector
organized
clean

helpful
strong
dependable

I love this kid! I had so much fun!

Crazy Days!

Yesterday I had to postpone lunch with good friends. Emmie had to stay home from school. She is so cute. She REALLY wanted to go to school. However, I was afraid that I would get that ever embarrassing call from the office, "Mrs. Hellbusch, did you know that you shouldn't send your kid to school when they are coughing up a lung?" I stood firm. Emmie stayed home.... Ryanne stayed home too. They are inseparable, and so fun. Last night, after my stint of "domesticness" I came in and heard the little girls giggling in their bed! I have to admit, I love that sound.



My attempt at being domestic...

Raspberry freezer jam

Tomato soup

Ok, the truth is Karla offered to help Carey, Joy and I use our crops and make tomato soup. I offered Joy's kitchen (I know, I'm nice). While they were busy making the food, I was doing this.....


I just love Ruby!!!!

Garanimals!

What ever happened to good ol' Garanimals? Does anyone remember those? I think the clothes had colored tags that indicated their compatability! I can't quite remember how they worked, but Emmalyne needs them. She will put 15 different colors together in one outfit. Admittedly, there was a time when I would have prefered death over one of my children leaving our house like this.....



Yep, she wore this to school today. Twelve different colors and all! I didn't even protest. My good friend, Carey, loves Emmalyne's style of dress. I believe she calls it, "creative." I just love Emmie and love that she thinks she wears the cutest outfits ever!!!

The Lindon Pool

We spent Saturday at the Lindon Swimming Pool. If you haven't been there, you are definitely missing out! They have so many fun things for all ages. It was so fun to spend the day playing in the sun. I love summer!!

Crazy kids!
Morgan and Ryanne
Emmalyne
Ryanne, Haidyn and Hanna