This Is My Town

Saturday, June 11 was Herriman Days. We were up bright and early so we could get to the parade. This time we weren't watching the parade, we were in it. We had shirts made with our name and logo. Even the kids had their own CopperWell Chiropractic shirts. They were so excited!
This was the early crowd. Teran, Chant, Margi, the kiddos, Jen and myself behind the camera.
Brinn was ready to go!
Porter needed a little more sleep!
The whole group was Teran, her boyfriend Jack, Frances, Kerry, myself, Porter, Hannah (Jack's daughter), Ainsley, Brinnley, and Jen, and Margi and Chant were behind the camera.

Jen and I were in the trailer with the kids throwing candy and waving while everyone else walked and passed out flyers. This was such an awesome experience. People were clapping and yelling "Yay CopperWell Chiropractic!" Then towards the end of the parade someone yelled, "Welcome to Herriman CopperWell Chiropractic!" In that moment I truly felt like a part of this community in a way that I haven't felt since Ashton. I felt like I was a part of something bigger than just my group of friends and my ward family. I felt like my circle of involvement and influence was larger. While we were waiting for the parade to start, I was looking around at all the people that we interact with and have gotten to know. There was our insurance guy, the dentist and his staff from next door, people from the Chamber that we have met. I felt this was home on a different level than I have in a long time. I knew that this is where we belong.

After the parade and lunch, we went back up to wander through booths and listen to music. We had a lot of fun. I even got in a dance with Porter. And the kids enjoyed the bounce house.

A little after 8:00 in the evening we met up with some friends to go to the fireworks. They didn't start till 10:00 but we wanted to get a spot to sit. Even that early the parking lot was full and we ended up on the street. (I was grateful for that because one of our friends did get a spot in the lot and they didn't even get out until I had been in bed for 15 minutes.)

We went with the Ingleby's and the Benson's (Cameron had to work, but he was missed). While we waited for the show to start, the kids played and ran around. We had a pretty good spot and there was room for them to be a little crazy.
Miss Jean Bean.
Olivia
Brinn
Bruce and Chant
Getting in some snacks
Caleb
LillyAuna and Ava in the back
Tanyon

We had a fantastic day with amazing people all around! We were all exhausted and I was hoping the kids would sleep in Sunday. They did...till 6:45!

Porter's Party

Here is the video of singing Happy Birthday to Porter. And this video is of Porter serenading the adults while we ate dinner. Just in case you can't tell, he is singing I am a Child of God.

He's Free!

Monday, June 6 my little man turned three, or as he says free! I cannot believe my baby is three! He is such a fun little boy and we were so excited to help him celebrate his big day. Saturday we took a family adventure to the Kennnecott Mines in Herriman. We live so close and we thought it would fun for him to see the big trucks. While we were driving up the mountain Porter kept saying "Wow! Big mountain!" When we got there the very first thing we saw was this massive tire. It costs $35,000 per tire and each truck has six tires. The tires only last 9 months. It costs 3 million dollars a day to run their fleet of dump trucks!
There is a visitors center that we wandered through with lots of interesting displays. The kids had fun looking at all of them. Then we watched an 18 minute video. Chant and I were a little nervous if they would get bored with it, but they were fascinated and sat still watching the whole thing. It was very interesting.
The massive dump trucks are the size of an average two-story home. "Wow! Big truck!"
A shot of the mine.
On the way down the mountain I asked Porter if he had fun. He said, "Not fun, it's amazing!" He was so cute!
Sunday evening we had Porter's party with Jen and Gran. They came over about 4:30 and we had dinner, presents, and cake. We had a special seat with snowflake decorations for the birthday boy.
Porter was so excited about his Spiderman cake! (Thanks for the idea Tracy!)
This year the girls each picked out a present for the birthday boy. They wrapped the gifts too. The first present he opened was from Brinnley.
She chose a light saber for him, which she called a life saver. Porter just calls it his sword. He was super excited!
Ainsley chose a tow truck. She saw it and that had to be the gift. She was so excited for him to get it she couldn't help but be right then when he was opening it.
And Porter didn't seem to mind at all.
Gran got him a fun kit with words that have cut outs to put the letters in. All the kids were excited about this one. (Ainsley has played with it every day.)
Last the big surprise from Jen. She had hidden behind her own guitar one for Porter. He was so excited!
He got right on the couch and started his concert. So cute! He continued to play for us while the adults were eating dinner. He gives a good show!
I think this little boy had a pretty good party. I love him so much and I am so grateful he is in our family. I cannot imagine our home without his warm smile and the screeches of the girls when he bugs them. Happy birthday Porter Boy!

Up on the Roof

Friday, June 3 was the second concert in the Rooftop Concert Series. It is a series of concerts that goes the first Friday of each month from May to October in Provo on the top of Provo Town Square Parking Terrace. It is sponsored by the lovely C Jane. And I can say that she is lovely because I can now also say that I have met her and talked with her.

So, backing up. I have been looking forward to attending this concert since it was first announced. I immediately told my wonderful sister-in-law Jen that she had to come with me! Jen picked me up Friday and we drove to Provo. We met with a few of Jen's friends and got a fantastic dinner at Gandolfo's. We took our sandwiches up to the rooftop so we could get our seats. When we got to the top of the stairs there standing in front of me was the lovely C Jane. I couldn't believe it! I wanted to talk to her but she was busy so I went with the group to get a seat. A few minutes later she was walking in our direction. I grabbed my camera and walked over to her. I asked if I could take a picture but first we had a chat. I told her I read her blog every day and she is a part of my day I look forward to. She said, "Bless you." I asked her how she was feeling with her pregnancy. She said "not very good today." I told her I can relate because mine were rough too. She told me she couldn't believe I had three children and it's people like me that make her feel bad for complaining. I told her it that I feel bad for her. Then a lady graciously offered to take our picture. I have to say that it's not very good of me, but I will take it. That moment with C Jane made me feel so special. She took the time to talk to me! She truly is charming, gracious, and beautiful. I was very impressed with her!

This is the beautiful view from the rooftop. The lanterns were the perfect touch!
Jen!
The show started with Ryan Innes. He was amazing. I loved his smooth as butter voice.
When we got to the rooftop to claim our seats, there was an entire section of blankets. Perfect, because that's what we had. We set up shop and were watching Ryan when three girls carrying camping chairs came right in front of us and put the chairs on top of the blanket. So, this was my view for a majority of the show. The amazing pictures were taken by Jen when she leaned far to the side so she could see around Miss Blue Chair.
The opening act was Mindy Gledhill. She is AMAZING! She is my favorite. I own all her albums, have every song memorized, and I am waiting for what she will come out with next. This is her last show for a while because she is due with her third child in a few months. And she looked radiant. That dress is gorgeous! And she sounded as good as ever. Maybe even better. There is something about the lanterns swaying in the breeze and the view of the mountains in the back that add to the ambiance of it all.
If you look closely, that's Mindy, far away. Every once in a while when Miss Blue Chair sat up straight I could get a glimpse.
She wore the wings for all the fans who are familiar with her music videos. It made me happy. I love them!

Her encore song, C Jane joined Mindy on stage for an awesome number. There was dancing, singing, it was magic!

The main act was Meaghan Smith. Some of you may recognize her song "Here Comes Your Man" from the movie 500 Days of Summer. I love her voice! Her sound is so unique and I love that at the beginning of each song she gave the background on it. Now I understand the songs and the meaning behind them. It was pure bliss listening to her.
She is charming, adorable, and has great taste in clothes.

That night was a dream! Thanks Jen for sharing it with me!

School's Out

August 16, 2010 was Brinnley's first day of Kindergarten. This little girl was so excited! She held still so I could do fancy braids. Then we walked to the bus stop and waited. She was a little nervous and a lot excited. Then she got on the bus and I watched my baby go for the first time.
These 9 1/2 months have flown by. Brinnley has gone through a lot of change in that time and she always amazes me. She has done great with change, making friends quickly and settling right into the new routine at her new school. She loves her teacher and we are so grateful for all she did to make Brinnley feel welcomed. June 1, 2011 was her last day of Kindergarten. Brinnley has mixed feelings about it, but the first thing she said when asked if she was excited about summer vacation was, "I will miss my friends." My social butterfly! I am looking forward to having so more time with Brinnley. I have some fun things planned for us and I am excited for our first summer in Utah!

I cannot believe that in a few short months I will have a Kindergartener and a first grader! Ainsley is ready! She is excited to learn and do the things that Brinnley has done. She practices daily with her writing and reads books with me. She will love school! Time is going so quickly! I love my girls with all my heart to the moon and back and I am so proud of them!

Farewell

Daytime TV to me means Sesame Street and Super Why and most days Tangled. But last week I made sure to watch the Oprah show. I haven't watched the Oprah show on a regular basis since high school. But when I did I loved it. I loved the guests she had on and the interviews with them, the fun side of the show, but I loved the episodes that touched on deeper things. Oprah has a way about her that I cannot describe, but she always seems to say the right thing.

By some miracle all three kids were upstairs for the entire 4:00 hour last Wednesday. I was able to watch the farewell episode in its entirety and in quiet. And I was moved to tears. Seriously, I felt like I was at a Women's Conference or the Relief Society Broadcast. She spoke powerful words that touched my heart. Oprah often talks about "Aha moments." Even though what she said may not have been new, it was a message that I needed reminding of. "Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does anything I say matter to you?" She said that everyone has a need to be seen and heard, to know that what they are saying matters. Validate them! Let others know we see them, we hear them, and they do matter! I think it is easy to forget to do this, especially with children. In my case, my children talk all the time and so sometimes I tend to tune them out. I need to sit with them and really listen to what they are saying.

Oprah in all her wisdom also said, "You are responsible for your own life." Simple but powerful. If I want something to change then I am the only one who can make it change. I've got to take control and make it happen.

"What are the whispers in your life and will you listen to them?"

"Be a safe harbor for somebody. Make them feel they matter."

Thank you Oprah for making a difference in my life and the lives of people worldwide! You went out with a bang! And you will be missed!

A Dream Come True

Thursday, May 19th was a day that we have waited for and dreamed about for a long time. That was the Grand Opening for CopperWell Chiropractic. Today was an emotional day for me. I have watched my husband work his heart out. There were many late nights at school studying and learning. There were many late nights at home. He spent 7 years going to school to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. I was with him for 6 of those years. I have seen the excitement as he learned new techniques and then as he began working on his fellow students and eventually the public. I have seen the sparkle in his eye whenever he talks about helping people. He has gone through notebooks doodling floor plans and layouts for his office, coming up with logos, and thinking about color schemes. He has prepared and planned for this day for years. And now finally it is here! Everything he worked for! And it was amazing!

Jen came to spend the night Wednesday so she would be here for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00. She helped me get the kids ready to look their best in support of Daddy and Teran. And I have to say they were a good looking bunch. I am so glad Jen was there! She was my camera woman and my kid wrangler!

Just as we were getting ready to go out the door, there was a knock at the door. My mom and dad had surprised us. They told us that work was just too busy and they wouldn't be able to get away. So when I saw them there I almost cried. I was so touched and grateful that they came to celebrate this special day with us. Especially since they got up at 4:00 in the morning to make it on time and then turned around to go home at 3:30 in the afternoon. Such a lot of driving! Thank you for doing that. It meant so much!

When we got to the office, Chant's dad and stepmom (Kerry and Frances) were there. Kerry had taken the day off work to be there to support us. They stayed the entire day! Thank you so much for doing that! We are so grateful for your love and support and so glad that we live close to you!
I had to snap some pictures before the ribbon cutting. This is Chant and Teran, our business partner.
And us. I promise my smile was a lot bigger!
Grandpa's job was to keep the kids occupied. He did the ultimate at that when he ran next door and got Little Caesar's pizza. They were quiet for a long time!
Grandma and Porter were having quite the talk. Too bad Grandma didn't know what he was saying :)
Members of the Chamber of Commerce gathering. I was so grateful for the amount of people that showed up.
For those who don't know Teran, this is a standard gesture. I love her! She is so fun and she cracks me up! We are lucky to have her!
Everyone gathered for the ribbon cutting. Say Cheese!
And cut!
It's official!
We are so pleased and excited to welcome Gabby to the team! Gabby is a licensed massage therapist. She is so excited to be part of the group and we are glad to have her! (Gabby was hired the day before!)

We are ready to go and continue to make our dreams come true! Thank you to family and friends for all your love and support. We couldn't have done it without amazing people encouraging us and standing behind us!