Please Help our Friends

Please help our friend Nash and His Dad win this contest and help bring more awareness about all of Victoria's friends.

Taken from their blog, www.onestepclosertohome.blogspot.com,

"I mentioned in my last post that we had some exciting news to be announced this week. First, a little background.

As you may already know, I am training for Ironman St. George on May 5th (only 16 more days!!!). My purpose in doing so is to raise awareness and funding for orphans with Down syndrome, and in particular Maggie.

About a month ago I received an email from Ironman announcing a competition they put together called Kona Inspired. They have given anyone the opportunity to submit a 90 second video into this competition telling their story of how Ironman has helped them believe that "Anything is Possible". Winners will be given the opportunity to race in the Ironman World Championship in Kona in October and most importantly, they will get to tell their story on NBC's nationally televised broadcast of the Ironman World Championship!

When I first learned about this opportunity I knew that this truly could be an opportunity to tell the world about these children and most importantly, create the awareness that is needed to truly make a difference for them!!

So Nash and I made a video! Before I show it to you, I want to explain how this competition works and HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOO! Between now and May 31st, all videos can be viewed. Based on total VIEWS and total VOTES, 15 will be chosen to compete against each other in the finals in June. The top 2 will go to Kona! So, back to how you can help. Your view and vote can be counted once each day. However, it is perfectly OK to vote more than once a day if you view the video from a different computer, laptop or phone and then vote from that device. To vote, just look in the lower left hand corner of the screen while watching the video. We have plenty of days left between now and May 31st! You're vote is much appreciated, each and every day :) !!"

Here is the link to the video.  Please share with others and vote along with us EVERY DAY!

http://apps.facebook.com/konainspired?x=us_facebookapp_202_4

Rejection

Rejection is hard. I've always had a fear of rejection that has held me back from doing a lot of things in life. Even something as simple as returning a defective product or saying hi to someone for fear that they won't remember me. But wow, as bad as rejection is in my own life, seeing your child be rejected in one form or another is heart wrenching. From a dirty look from a little girl or a insensitive comment by someone on the internet, it hurts so much more when its directed toward your child.

Last night we got a letter in the mail informing us that Kaelyn was not accepted to the school we have been hoping to send her to since she was a newborn. The school that we were willing to drive her 45 minutes to and from, four days a week because it seemed that good, like it would be such a great fit for her and the needs she has. The school that we were willing to sacrifice and pay a significant amount of money for her tuition because it would help her reach her full potential. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I cried and I cried hard. My heart hurts, it hurts for my little girl. I'm her mom, its my job to fight for her, to get her the best this life has to offer. I would walk across fire for her, I would give up everything for her, but I can't change this. I can't march in there and demand that they accept her. So what now, what do we do?

We move forward. We trust that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of us and our situation. That He wants the best for Kaelyn and He will make it happen. This isn't the first time that my plans didn't come to fruition, and in every situation things worked out far better than I could have ever imagined. I'm hopeful that I will read this post sometime in the future, look back on how things turn out and see my Saviors hand in it all. That I see once again that His plan was far greater than my own. Mid breakdown last night my little girl crawled over to me and gave me a big kiss on the forehead. Though she doesn't speak I heard her say in her own little way, "Don't cry mama, its going to be okay"

But tonight it still hurts...

Spring Fever

We have had a wonderful couple of weeks. We have been so blessed to have the girls stay healthy, here's to hoping it continues. A few weeks ago Grandma LaJean came out and stayed with us. The girls had a great time playing dress up and going on adventures with her. She brought out a big box of costume jewelry that was my Grandma Lois's and dolled both the girls up.

"Mom help! I'm not so sure about this"

"Grandma, I already have earrings on"

"Tada! How do I look? Watch out little sis, your next"

"Hey whats going on? You're messing up my jumping"

"I think this earring is bigger than my ear"

We went to City Creek on Friday of the opening week. It was packed, but it was fun to be part of the excitement

Grandma kept asking Carson how he got to come on the girls day out. He was sure to tell us many times it was NOT a girls day. Boys too.

Kaelyn and her cousin Natalie riding in the double stroller together. The girls were such great sports and were completely exhausted by the end of the day, along with their mamma's.

Grandma trying on a $4,000 ring in Tiffany's. Don't worry Grandpa, she didn't buy it :)

Enjoying her first swing of the season. There will be plenty more of these to come!

Kaelyn's art project from school. She came home and rolled all around on it. She loves paper, and this thing was larger than life.

Heading out on our first family walk of the year. "Where's Bryn?"

"There she is!!!"

Sliding it up with Daddy

Bryn wearing her dad's favorite outfit!

Dancing to Sesame Street, I'm sure thats a good physical therapy exercise too, just not the one she was suppose to be working on :)

Hanging out in the chinese splits.

After a fun day at Grandma Amy's Kaelyn came home and crashed on the floor just like this.

The girls taking a bath together. This way Bryn could hangout a little longer. They loved it, they kept splashing each other. We might need to bring her tub with us to the pool this year.

We celebrated Easter in Neola with our cousins. Cousin Grant got baptized on Saturday so it worked out just perfectly.

Grandma and Papa have a great yard for an egg hunt.

Bryn with Papa Paul watching the crazy kids chase after Easter Eggs.

Bryn working on her "Sits Ups". I can't believe how fast she is growing up.

I keep telling her to slow down.