Trunk-or-Treat!

Happy Halloween from Harry Potter Quiditch(Garrett), Harry Potter(Alec), Hedwig the Owl(Ashlyn), Ninphadora Tonks(Victoria), Luna Lovegood (Rachel)

I think I can see his patronus!

Too much!

So much has happened since my last post. I don't even know where to start. I guess April is the best place. I found out I was in menopause. Then went to visit my friend Tiffani in South Carolina that first week. It was amazing to get away and spend time with her and her family. While I was there I found out that the pap smear I had the week before came back abnormal and they wanted to do a biopsy when I got back. That seemed the first of several things that went bad that month. It seems when it rains in my life it tends to pour. I went in for the biopsy when I got back to Utah. Darren moved out the next week. The biopsy wasn't conclusive so I had surgery (D&C) the last week in April. Darren and his Mom took the kids to Disneyland that Easter weekend. It was for the best, but it broke my heart. The surgery went well, other than it took me all that day and night to really wake up. I didn't feel better til the next day. Everything turned out ok. No cancer or pre-cancerous cells. Just have to watch and be aware of any signs, etc.

Since then we've just been plugging away trying to stay busy and not dwell too much on the changes in our lives. The kids and I are doing as well as can be expected. Since school got out we have been playing quite a bit.  We have a family membership to the Dinosaur park in Odgen, thanks to Groupon.com  and been bowling a few times, thanks to kidsbowlfree.com  I love summer deals!  Garrett finished his soccer season.  Rachel had a piano recital.  Alec has been off his ADD meds since school got out and has put on quite a bit of weight!  Yay!  The medication tends to suppress the appetite so the kids take the summer off to bulk up.  I'm trying to read some books about how diet effects them and maybe make some changes that will help him not have to have the meds.  We'll see.  I have goon back to school. I'm doing the cosmetology program at The DATC. I'm loving it.  I can't believe summer came and went so quickly.
We went to Yellowstone for my family reunion in July. We stayed at a cabin in Island Park, it was great! On the 4th the kids were able to go to the Clearfield city parade with Darren and his family and then we drove up to Island Park and were able to see a great firework show.  We spent 2 days in Yellowstone Park. Then we all came to Utah. Toured temple square, conference center and saw the new Joseph Smith the prophet movie. We were able to go to cow appreciation day again at Chick-fil-a.  It was great!  We love chick-fil-a! We spent one day at Lagoon.  Then Saturday everyone headed for their homes. It was a whirlwind of fun!

We celebrated my Birthday also!  It was a good one.  Melissa's family came and made dinner: bacon wrapped fillets with mushrooms, loaded baked potatoes, sweet carrots, salad and rolls, with mini cheesecakes (made by Jane), YUM.  It was great!
In August Ashlyn turned 3!  She is close now to being potty trained and she has started Pre-school.  She loves being in school like everyone else.  Then we celebrated Alec's 9th Birthday at Layton Surf-n-Swim.  He is going to school at Syracuse Arts Academy, and is wearing glasses now.  He is doing really well at his new school.  He also started piano lessons this fall.
Rachel and Garrett are still going to North Davis Prep Academy.  Garrett is loving being in school all day this year now that he is in 1st grade.  Rachel who is in 5th grade is at the Junior High building and has a locker and feeling all grown-up.
As far as Darren and I...I am in the process of filing for divorce.  Darren has been accepted to The OCD Center at Roger's Memorial Hospital and will be going to their inpatient program soon.  We are so grateful that he has the opportunity to get the help he needs.  We appreciate all your support and prayers and can't thank you enough.