HORRIFIRED!

So last week at work we had one of our regular clients come in and she was going on about how she just found out that they are living next to a sex offender. It was terrible, I couldn't imagine what that would feel like. Well, we had been slow this week at work so we decided to check our address's and see what came up. I knew there would probably be one or two close to my area since I don't live in the best part of Midvale. Come to find out there are 9 in a half mile radius! Two are really old, two live together down the street, one is a rapist, and one lives RIGHT BEHIND US!!!! I was horrified, I felt so sick to my stomach. We have said the casual hello, they have a little boy of their own Roxy's age, they are constantly having people over with small children, and they have befriended my dog! I am so disgusted, and feel like throwing up whenever I look out my window, pull into the driveway, or when I think about it. We have talked to our kids before about stranger danger, and about their private areas being very special to only them and it's not for anyone else to see or touch, and nobody is allowed to show them their private areas, especially adults and big kids like teenagers. The only people allowed see those special areas are mom and dad, and the doctor but only when mom or dad is in the room. Stranger danger needs to apply to people we know as well, like neighbors! I had to tell the kids that Garrett's daddy behind us is a very bad and dangerous man, he is not allowed to talk to you or hand you anything through the fence, if he does you run away and come get mom or dad. We have never let the kids play outside by themselves, but the danger is still there. When Jay asked why he was dangerous I told him that he hurts little kids in a very bad way. I said they (jay and roxy) are not to talk to him or say anything to him because it might make him mad or upset and it's not good to make bad people mad, so just run away and come get mom or dad. I don't know what else to do I just want scream! Christmas is going to be weird because I have always exchanged a neighbor gift with his wife. I don't even want to now, I just want to be like you husband sickens me don't ever talk to me or my kids again! OMG, What am I going to do. I told my husband we are finishing off the basement this winter and then we should try to sell the house again in the spring/summer. I need a big mean dog that will bite his (the neighbor's) hand off if he sticks it over the fence, I am also considering taking a consealed weapons class. Joe has been trying to get me take one for awhile now, and then get my own hand gun that I know how to use comfortably because if that ass hole tried anything with my kids I wouldn't hesitate to use it on him!!! Everyone just please be aware and teach you kids that not only strangers are dangerous but also people we know can be, and that only certain people can see their private areas and if anyone else try's to look, touch or even show them their private areas that it is not o.k. and they need to tell a trusted adult.

Remembering 9/11

We were on our way to the mall to get the kids some new shoes and came upon the 9/11 Memorial. We had to stop and get out. It was so amazing to see all those flags and yet sad because of what they represent. What a great history lesson for the kids.
Here they are walking hand in hand through the flags. I love this picture just looking at it I can't even put into words all the emotion I feel. We all were in awe, such a humbling experience.
Jay listened so intently as Joe explained to him what had happened and why the flags were out. Jay didn't say much after that, he just walked slowly through the flags looking at them. I know he knew just exactly what Joe was talking about and understood a little bit.

I hope this will be one of those memories that the kids will remember always. I also hope that when ever they look up and see our flag waving it's colors proudly they will remember those who risk everything, make sacrifices, and even gave their lives for our country and freedom. It was and incredible experience I will always remember.

My little boy is becoming a little man

Ah Kindergarten! Friends, recess, reading ,and learning new things. Jay has been so excited to start kindergarten, he can't wait to start reading on his own. We had so much fun getting ready for school, the new clothes, and the backpack. Jay never took it off once he made it back to the daycare his first day!
When I asked Jay if he would rather ride the bus to school or have me come and take him he exclaimed "The bus, the bus, ooh I want to ride the bus!!!" So my feelings were only bruised. Then when I told him he wasn't allowed to take his blanket to daycare anymore since he is a school-ager now, he didn't even care. I thought for sure it would have been hard to go without it for the day, oh no, it was "Yes, no blanket just my backpack!" It tugged on my heart a little. What no blanket! The one thing you can't go to bed without, I have had to make trips back to daycare because it was forgotten! What is happening, my little boy is growing up and turning into a little man. I am not so sure if I am ready for this.
Jay loved riding the bus to and from daycare. He almost went home on one of the big yellow busses! There was a little confusion, no one is to blame. He was following is teacher Mrs. Stepan and instead of waiting where he was supposed to wait, he followed her right onto the big yellow bus. They saw him in time and took him back to where his bus was waiting. Jay didn't care, all he knew was that he was going on a bus!
After I dropped Jay off at the daycare he looked a little sad and I thought "oh no, here we go." Jay looks up at me and say's "I thought I was going to my new school today?" So I had to explain that he has to hang out here for a while until it is time to go. He was like o.k. bye mom. I did get little sad as I walked out of the daycare, but I DID NOT CRY! I am so proud on myself and my little man. So my little kindergartner has homework after the first day. He has to tell us the rules of Mrs. Stepans class and we have to sign the paper so he can turn it in tomorrow. Now all I have to do is remember to take him to school and pick him up on my day's off work.

Fun at Mulligans

We went to Mulligans with the kids to hit some range balls.  Jay and Roxy had to share a bucket of balls and the kiddie sized club. They did so well taking turns, there was no fighting!  What good kids.

The golf  balls the kids were hitting even made it on to the grass!!

Joe had fun teaching Roxy proper form. She looked so cute hitting those balls.

Yes, even my golf balls made it onto the grass........ Maybe not as far as Joe was hitting them, but they did go farther than the kids!LOL

After range balls we decided to take our talents over to some mini golf.  It was a bit heated between Joe and I.  The game was tied for the first half then Joe was ahead by 4 strokes. I wasn't about to let him win so I made my move and took over the lead by 3.  Now tensions are high, the kids are starting to get bored and we only have a few holes left. Joe is unable to regain his lead and at the final hole I make the one and only hole-in-one of he game.  I won by 6 strokes!

Roxy is in love! At least it is with my dog, she say's Merlin is her best friend. I LOVE IT! It is the sweetest thing ever.
Roxy loves to work in the yard. She knows what the weeds look like and will put on her little gardening gloves and set to work. She also will go around and pick up any sticks and put them in the bucket before Joe mows the lawn. 
Watering the flowers and bushes is a new favorite. Jay will also work in the yard picking up sticks as well, his job is shoveling up the dog poop! 
I decided to take my workout outside this day. I had to jump rope in between my sets and the kids had to get in some exercise as well. Jay LOVES to jump rope!
Roxy had a hard time trying to pick up my weight ball, but she did do some lunges and then danced around on my exercise mat.

ROXY IS 3!!!!!!

 We just had a party for Roxy's 3rd birthday. We had invited family and close friends to join us for some fun in the sun at Seven Peaks Water Park in Provo. The kids all had so much fun, as well as the adults. We did some floating down the lazy river and some tube slides. Jay and Joe flipped as they came out one of the slides and Jay said he was never doing that one again! Roxy and I had a blast on our tube slide and she couldn't wait to do it again.  I did get Jay to go with me on a slide, but not on the same one he went on with Joe. We also had pizza, cake, and a goodie bag for all of the kiddies. Needless to say we were all pooped when it was all said and done.
We still had to open presents when we got home, Roxy got some really fun stuff. A few dress ups, a new barbie with her own cherry convertible, a standing microphone just to name a few.
Roxy did want some help to open her presents, I think she was just tired and wanted to be a little lazy. Can you blame her we were all tired! Joe's parents also came over with a present for Roxy, but she was being stubborn and we had to coax her to open it. At first she wanted nothing to do with it, but then when she saw what was in the bag she got excited again.
I had Leslie from work make Roxy's birthday cake. Roxy wanted a princess cake and it was PERFECT! Everyone loved it! Roxy had to wear the shoes right away. The cake was so yummy there wasn't a crumb left uneaten.

Happy Birthday Roxy! You are a big 3 year old now, we love you!

The big day! There were 800+ triathletes up at Echo Lake. The water really wasn't cold or maybe I was too nervous to really notice. My wave started 5 minutes before my dad's. Once in the water It was hard to move my arms I think I may have gotten the wrong kind of wet suit. I had to get onto the rescue boat by the time I finally made it to the first bouy and take it off, then continue on to the second which seemed too be getting further and further away from me. I was so tired and the only other swim stroke I knew how to do was doggy paddle so I did. Finally I made it and then it was pretty quick from there to the third and final bouy. All I wanted to do was get out of the water and on the bike! I was not the very last one out of the water but I was in the final 10, So it is on between me and the lake now!

The kids had fun too. There was a craft area set up and they got to make puppets, blow bubbles and make colorful bracelets. They were even given cow bells to ring and cheer the athletes on! They were such good troopers since they had to get up at 5:15 a.m.!
Transition area, only athletes allowed in here. This is were you keep your bike, towel, shoes, helmet, etc. after each event you pass through here and get ready for the next. The goal is to not take too much time in the transition area. I went without socks. Have you ever tried to out socks on wet feet? It's not that easy.
The weather was perfect. It was a little over cast so it wasn't hot which was so nice.  The bike was a little hard I am not good at hill climbing on it yet and went slow on those parts of the race, but the rest was pretty easy. The run was on dirt instead of road which was fun, and it's not as hard on your knees. 

Here comes my dad. He did AWESOME! He totally beat me. Joe had a hard time getting pictures and couldn't ever see me because of the kids 20 trips to the bathroom.  So after a 750 meter swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 5k run I felt pretty good the next day. I was a little tired but not sore at all. I will do this again and I am training for the Daybreak Triathlon  on Sept. 19. I am going to try and get some practice swims in at the lake there and see if I can exchange my wet suit.