Oh Cambree

This post is totally dedicated to my beautiful daughter Cambree and the craziness that is her. Everyday is something new with her. Here are a few things that she has said and or done over the past little while. The cutting her hair incident. Ben and I just recently talked about how Cambree has never cut her hair and that she is probably past that point. We were sorely mistaken. The night before we were going to Cancun Cambree was making pictures and got the scissors out which she often does. Cambree: mom, my hair is getting long. Mom: yeah it is getting long (without looking) Cambree: Look mom Cambree is holding a big chunk of hair in her hands Mom: (trying not to laugh) oh that's good I didnt even raise my voice to her and she begins sobbing hysterically. I think she realized what she had done. I had Ben call his cousin to see if she could fix it before we left but she didnt have her scissors with her so my dad was going to take her the next day. Ben explained what we wanted done with it, but I think its hard to explain over the phone and not being there to tell someone. Needless to say there was miscommunication and Cambree's hair is now very short. When I talked to her on the phone she said "it looks like a boy" I think we have told her how cute it is that she is okay with it now, but I am pretty sure she will never be cutting her own hair again. I made her hold her hair for a pic, this was after all the tears were shed. Isnt she stinkin adorable? I look at these pics and really miss her beautiful hair. Here is another funny from her: while in the tub rubbing a loofa on her arm Cambree: "mom, this smooth away is amazing. I dont have any hair on my arms anymore." If any of you have seen the infomercial for smooth away you know what this is. I was shocked that she was so aware. I really need to be careful about commercials and everything with her. She is so observant. Just yesterday Cambree was with my mom and some lady asked her what her name was Cambree: "my name is Cambree, but I wish it were Gabriella." Cambree is obsessed with High School Musical these days. I refuse to ever call her Gabriella. A few months ago our friends Karole and KC were out here with their 2 little boys Braxton and Isaac. We went over to visit with them and let the kids play. When we left Cambree kissed Braxton on the cheek. I reminded her of our no kissing until 20 rule and she laughed. When we got out in the car I said, "Cambree you know you arent supposed to kiss, right?" Cambree: "Well mom you know when Braxton and I are 20 I am sure we will be kissing." Oh boy what do I have to look forward to with this one? And last but certainly not least while learning about the letter X teacher: the letter x doesnt start with very many words, x-ray, xylophone, but it is at the end of a lot of words like box and fox. Cambree turns to my cousins kids, "and the word sex, (turning to mrs. king) right? the word sex ends with x" teacher: yes Cambree that does end with x but we arent going to talk about that right now. When I heard this story I was horrified. I have no idea where she heard it although I am sure it came from tv, not that I let her watch what I watch but I am sure it has been said when I thought she wasnt around, who knows. I felt like the worst mom. Its one of those stories or jokes that you hear that you really never actually hear happen first hand.

I've seen better days...

I often think of that song when I am having a bad day or something, but in this case, I am currently in the hospital. There is a whole back story to it, but on a positive note I just wanted to share some pictures from my amazing vacation. Ben and I very last minute, within two weeks went to Cancun with my brother Spencer and his wife. I am so glad we did. It was such an amazing experience. I am actually counting this for my list of things to do before I am 30 I didnt get to Italy, but Cancun was the next best thing and I left the country which I have never done before. I got a Visa in 12 days, thank goodness. I was so nervous that it wouldnt be here in time but thankfully it was. We headed to Cancun on Friday Feb. 27th. We got a call at 5 that morning telling us our flight was delayed 1 1/2 hrs and that we would miss our connecting flight in Arizona but that they were working on figuring it out. This of course made me a bit nervous so I got on line and called the 800 number to the airline and sure enough all things said the same thing. We headed to the airport about 2 hrs later than we were going to and thought all was well. When we went to check in the man at the desk said "oh, your flight is delayed and you are going to miss your connecting flight" Us: " yes we had a call telling us our flight was delayed." Man: "you never listen to those things" Us: "then why do you even call?" Man: "well if you would have been here on time we could have got you on a different flight." this proceeded to go on for about 30 min with the man telling us we werent going to get to Cancun until Saturday, my husband was irrate to say the least. Fortunately after much searching they were able to get us on a contintental flight and then a connecting flight with Delta. We were only a few hours later than we should have been so that was good. It was a long day however. When we got to our hotel my awesome brother (spencer) and sis in law (abby) were there to greet us. It was so good to see familiar faces in a foreign land. You could tell you werent in America anymore as soon as you got off the plane. The smell is just different. I dont mean that in a rude way, its just different. Spencer had booked us a trip to chitzanitza for that next morning. At this point I was so exhausted I was a little nervous because we had to leave so early. We got up to our room and got to bed around 12:30 around 3:30 I woke up and was coughing up a little bit of blood. I couldnt believe it. I was a little nervous. I mean really, what do you do in Mexico when you cough up blood? Luckily, we were able to get our tour changed until Monday and I was still able to do everything that we wanted to do without any further complications. The Lord truly blessed me to be able to go and do what we wanted to do and I am grateful for that. Chitzanitza After dinner at Chitzanetza Ben modeling

All of us on our sail boat, this could have been my most favorite thing. Cruising the ocean in a sail boat, what is better than that?

After snorkling

Ben and I on our way back from the island of women where we went snorkeling, that was quite an event in and of itself.

The Sunset

Not all its cracked up to be

Well I did it, I went skiing. Lets just say it may be the first and last time. Has anyone ever heard of a bunny hill? Yeah, well, that would have been nice to start off on. However, we go up some large ski lift, which by the way I am terrified of. I am scared of the skyride over lagoon. Let alone having five pound weights dangling off each foot. So during my terrified moments I am not even thinking that I have to ski down this long terrain that has taken at least 10 minutes to get to the top of. We get to the top and I start to go. I am doing pretty good. I then start to pick up speed and my mind goes completely crazy. I forget everything that Ben has told me. I lean back and start to go like a rocket. Then I fall on my back, which has a backpack filled with a 5 lb tank of 02 strapped to me. Not a great feeling. I ski some more doing pretty good and then we come to the point where the circles meet the squares. Those that are familiar with skiing will understand that circles mean beginner and squares mean intermediate. Are you kidding me? You want me to ski down that? Ben tells me to ski across the mountain, yeah easy for you to say you have been skiing more than one time. In my mind gravity and skiing sideways dont really mesh well. There came a point where I started going out of control and Ben literally tackled me to stop me. Needless to say almost 200 lbs landing right on your thigh doesnt feel too good. So after nearly 2 hours of this joyful run down the mountain, yes 2 hrs on one run, we made it back to a part that was nearly flat. I had one more ginormous spill where I thought I popped my hip out of socket and tore something in my knee. Luckily I did not. I then began to ski at a proper speed without any traumatic repercussions. Then came the tow rope. Oh the tow rope, what a fascinating device. Tell me how does one walk up to the tow rope with 3 foot slides on your feet. You cant really expect me to go upwards. I just continued to glide back and forth as if on the nordic track. So Bens cousins friend (Chip) who was thankfully there to help our daughter down this dreadful mountain pushed me up to the tow rope while others pulled. It was a hideous sight. Chip headed up and I was to follow close behind. They kept telling me to get on the red mark. I kept sliding down and was so worried about my positioning that I missed the first tow, so then I'm continuing to get situated whilst the second tow comes and scoops me up from behind taking my legs up over my head. I am sure it was a beautiful sight. It was definitely something Ben wishes he had the camera out for. Some generous guy then offered to hold my poles for me. They stopped the tow rope and let me grab hold. Wow, what a ride that was. So it nearly took 3 hrs to do one run, what a great day. Cambree and I were spent by this time so Ben went to go ski with the guys. All in all it was very eventful. I went home and by the end of the night had such severe arthritis that night and the next day that I am thinking maybe skiing isnt for me. Thanks Chip for all your help with Cambree and myself and thanks Shane and Kacey for the tickets. The good news is I did it and I could do it. This to me is such an amazing thing to be able to say that I was able to do. I would have never guessed that I could do this even a year ago so it is a major accomplishment in my eyes. So although skiing wasnt the greatest experience the lord has truly blessed me. Me at the end of the run What a trip that was. When we were all finished.

Christmas, Chaos, and a Bit of Magic!

Our Christmas tree, I just love all of our decorations. It is a mix between nice and fun and I love it! And all but a few of those presents were for other people:) This is the nativity that Ben gave me for my birthday last year. I was so excited to be able to put it out this year. I think it is beautiful. Ben got just what he wanted. A watch that can tell him the altitude when he is flying or something like that. He just liked the way it looked.

Ben not too thrilled that I woke him up at 6:00 a.m. What can I say I had been awake since 4:45. I am such a kid

Cambree being woke up at 6:00 a.m. too. Her mama is crazy. Every year we have had to wake her up. Is that bad?

Cambree with all of her fun stuff from Santa. She didnt quite know what to do.

Just what I wanted. My Le Creuset pot and I absolutely love it!

The morning of the 27th at 3:30 a.m. we left Fairview to head to Florida. My dad and Lesa gave us all a trip to Walt Disney World. This was the bus that took us to the hotel. There were 29 of us in all. It was crazy, but sooo much fun.

This is us celebrating my birthday. We had spent the day at the Animal Kingdom. What better way to spend your birthday than at the happiest place on earth? Not everyone in my family share these sentiments.

Some crazy kids. 4 of my beautiful nephews and my darling daughter.

This time Cambree finally got to see the princesses. I think that Sleeping beauty was her favorite. When we got done though she said, "Mom, those princesses were kind of scary looking." I have to say that fake smiling is a bit creepy.

Cambree winking with her mickey ears on. I thought they were so cute.

Aw.... Goofy, we love that guy.

Our final night there. The castle was lit up so beautifully, it isnt captured in the picture but it was amazing. If you look closely you might be able to count 1000 people just in the pic alone. It was the craziest thing I had ever seen. I had never seen so many people.

We had such an amazing Christmas. We are so blessed and also spoiled. I am so grateful for all of our family and friends that make life so enjoyable. We truly are happy. What an amazing thing to be able to say? In spite of the trials and tribulations we are blessed beyond beleif and those blessings involve the trials.

When I was in the hospital I said to Ben, "you know how many spouses get little vacations from each other to really regain that appreciation all over again and have our love strengthened each time?" I would definitley rather not have to go in the hospital, but it certainly helps us to regain our perspective and what is important.

Lets try this again

So, I have been a terrible blogger since I got out of the hospital. I am doing really well and have just been crazy busy with life. I have decided that I will try to post about Christmas and pics since it never worked out. Okay so can anyone help me. It will not let me add pics adn I am getting so frustrated, this is the first time I have tried since December. But the same thing keeps happening. It says the webpage cannot be found. HELP

Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Miracles

I cannot express the gratitude that I feel in my heart at this exact moment. It is overwhelming and bursting from every part of me. This past year has been met with some fierce trials and some heartache. Now come the rewards. I do not know what lies ahead but I pray that I will never forget how I feel at this moment. Miracles Happen! There is so much that I want to share but only so much that I can share. Last Feb. when i was in the hospital was a turning point in my life. I was able to do a lot of soul searching as I expressed in posts during that time. I figured out things in my life and have been working on those things ever since. Some of you know that after that hospital stay I began an extreme exercise program called P90X. For any of you that know this program, no I am not going to be ripped in 90 days. I found DVDs from it that I enjoy and have done them on a weekly routinely basis. I have gained muscle that I never knew existed. When I went in the hospital last August and was there for a month I nearly lost all that I had worked for. I began to question all that I had been told thinking it was all in my head. The Lord then reminded me of His love and gentle mercies and I began to gain the motivation that I once had. I continued with this program even when I had no motivation. After about 2 months of being out of the hospital the motivation and muscles began to come back. I was feeling strong again. I felt good for about a month and then boom I was back in the hospital. I cant tell you the struggles that I went through emotionally. Thankfully they only last about a day and then I get my head on straight again mostly due to an amazing husband that listens and then tells me how it is. Thank you Ben you will never know the deep impact you have on my very soul. In a blessing that I had before I came in the hospital I was told that my body was preparing for change. I had no idea what this meant but began to be excited about what it could mean. I did my lung tests yesterday and after one week of being in the hospital my tests are better than when I left the hospital after one month last time. My overall lung capacity is higher than it has been in years. It is truly amazing. As I am typing this I just finished doing my P90X cardio video. I did the first half of the workout with no oxygen at all. For those that dont know I have needed oxygen to exercise nearly everyday of my dear sweet daughters life. Then after doing half of the video my oxygen started to drop. I then only required 1/2 of a litre. That is literally nothing. I know that for most of you this may not seem incredible but to me this is truly the miracle that I have been working and waiting for. I know that the Lord answers prayers and I know that He keeps his promises as we keep ours. I cant tell you how many times I have done this exercise with tears streaming down my face because of the difficulty and strain. Today I had tears streaming down my face due to the gratitude that I have for such a loving Heavenly Father that knows me personally and helps me every step of the way.

Things to do before I turn 30!

So I have been thinking about my 30th birthday coming up, yes nearly 365 days away, but still a girl needs to plan. I have decided to come up with a list of things to do before I turn 30. It may be a list I keep adding to as I come up with new ideas. I am definitely going to make them obtainable since money is a factor. 1. GO SKIING, I have never been skiing in my life and have always wanted to try. I actually have brand new skis in our basement wrapped in the cellophane from 6 years ago. Ben bought them for me to teach me and then went ahead and dislocated his shoulder. The next winter I was pregnant and ever since my health has not been good enough. I have decided to throw caution to the wind, strap on some oxygen and ride the slopes. We will see how it goes. I think with our Afflac money we are going to get Cambree some skis as well. Her daddy loves to ski and hasnt been able to with his broken leg so this is really going to be an adventure. We are planning it for when I get out of the hospital. 2. SEE THE MUSICAL WICKED: I am not sure where I will have to go to see it, but I am definitely going to see it. 3. TREAT MYSELF TO A PEDICURE: I know that sounds so dumb, but I have never had a pedicure and have always wanted one. I have had a manicure before and a facial but am just too cheap to get myself one. Ben gave me one once to JCPenney and they brought out one of those clairol foot baths that you can buy at the store so i dont count that. 4. GO TO THE ST. GEORGE TEMPLE: I have always said I would go and never have so I am going to put it on the list so I make myself. 5. There is one other thing I would really like to do, but it all comes with the Lords time and answers to prayers so I am not going to put it on the list but I will know in my heart what it is. 6. GO ON A CRUISE OR GO TO ITALY: this I am not sure is feasible this coming year but it is definitely on my bucket list for sure. Italy is my dream vacation and I would love to do a cruise, doing them as one would be fantastic. 7. SEND MY DAUGHTER OFF TO KINDERGARTEN: I can't believe that this is happening this coming year but I am so excited for her. She just keeps telling me that when she is 5 she gets to go to Kindergarten and when you are in kindergarten you get to paint. I love this little girl. 8. COME UP WITH A MOMMY AND ME GETAWAY TO DO EVERY YEAR JUST THE TWO OF US: I want to come up with something for just Cambree and I to enjoy together. I know that her dad and her will have skiing and I want to have something that we can enjoy. It may just be Disney on ice or something since her dad doesnt love it and it would save on buying him a ticket. Cambree and I love everything Disney! Okay so kind of a lame list for now, but like I said this just entered my mind and it is still a work in progress. If anyone has great ideas they think I would like I would love to hear them .