Gone...and I never even found it!

Christmas is over already!!!! I had been trying to get the "spirit" of Christmas, couldn't quite capture it with the time I had, and wha-la...over! I am truly shocked at how fast the holidays came this year, and even more shocked that they are over already. I don't know if I am the only one that feels it, but I swear Heavenly Father is speeding up time so all the wicked and bad things can happen before Jesus comes. I remember "old" people talking about how fast time flies, but this is just overkill! I actually hate it knowing that the time I have with my kids as "kids" is in super-ultra-mondo-quick-speed. I want to work harder at being a good Mom an not a crazy loon that doesn't have fun with them, or play and enjoy their childhood. That being said, I'm pretty sure God knows what he is doing, and little ol' me can't do a dang thing about it! I guess all I can do is try to be better and enjoy them when I can.

We had a fantastic Christmas as usual. I always go into panic mode that we won't be able to keep up with our past years gifts, or won't get them enough, then after they mayhem of opening and exchanging, I am a little disappointed in myself for going overboard. Our tree had so many gifts under it on Christmas morn, Geoff and myself were a little guilty looking at it when we went to bed that eve. He is such an amazing and thoughtful husband, especially at Christmas, he always knows what I want, but won't get it if I ask. He always surprises and pleases me! Love him! He got me painting classes and all the supplies, which really means one night a week of relaxing time for myself to relieve some stress. I am really pumped about this. I won't go on about all the presents I received, but I must admit I was SPOILED once again. The kids were also VERY blessed with an awesome Christmas this year. I am just disappointed I missed out on the feeling I was looking for, maybe next year I will look for it a little earlier!

Seeing the room FULL of gifts before coming down stairs (Ashtons face really says it all!)

Ash getting one of the guns he asked for (we had a serious arsenal at our house: Geoff- a very "war-like" assault rifle, Shae- a pink stock 10-22, Ashton- a rifle, 2 pistols, an army gun and 6 real pocket knives, Jourden- an army gun and a pistol...note Geoff and Shae's real, Ashton and Jourdens- not real)

Uh...can I start to open these now or what?!

THANKFUL, GRATEFUL, AND ABUNDANTLY BLESSED!

I am going to ramble here for a while because, well, I just feel like it! I have a facebook account, and some of my friend and relatives there are doing a "what I am thankful for" post each day. I pondered doing this challenge, but decided I didn't want to, not because it would get difficult towards the end (this is what people posted in their challenge, that is gets hard toward the end of the month after posting for 3 weeks) but because I knew I wouldn't be able to post ALL I am thankful for in just 30 days or less. I have never kept a gratitude journal, but have often thought how easy it would be for me to think of something everyday to be grateful for. Maybe if I was actually writing it down it we be more challenging than thinking it in my head, but it seems like a cake walk to do that everyday. I can't possibly post about EVERYTHING here, but I am going to consolidate into categories and see if I can keep this rather short!



My testimony and beliefs in what is important in life. I can't imagine going through the everyday tasks of life, and wondering what will happen to me or those I love when we pass on. I can't fathom life without prayer, I can't comprehend the thought of life without a loving Father who wants happiness for me and cares about me more than I could ever understand. I don't know if I would ever leave my home or let my children out a 10 foot radius of me, if I didn't know the plan of salvation...can't imagine I would.



My amazing and ever-loving family. From my "best-on-the-planet" parents, to my fantastic husband, I have THE absolute no if-and's-or-but's about it greatest family ever!!! I have been blessed with awesome children whom I love dearly and treasure as my greatest gift. Shae is an amazing daughter who is kind and smart and responsible. Ashton is adorable and hilarious and loving. Jourden is sweet and goofy and affectionate. I love them all SO very much, I couldn't imagine life without any one of them. Geoff is the greatest partner I could ever desire. He is an awesome Dad and my best friend. We are true "soul-mates" (for lack of a better word). My Mom and Dad are perfect parents and I owe them credit for any "good" attributes I may have, (I actually credit them for a lot more than that, cause that's not a whole lot to brag about!) I could go on about my sisters and brother, and my Grandparents and such, but just know I love them also and cherish my great relationships with all of them.

I am ever grateful for the United States of America. For those brave souls who have made it the greatest country ever, and those who still show their bravery daily to keep it that way. As scary as the future looks to me, and as many freedoms and liberties I see deteriorating, I know this country is still the greatest, and I love all it stands for and allows me in my everyday life. God bless the USA!

I am thankful to be me. I know that sounds weird because I am sure no one reading this would ever want to be me, and sometimes I am not to fond of the idea either, but I truly love being who I am, where I am, and how I am. I love being able to walk and talk and breath and smell and taste and touch and hear and see. I love my body (as hideous as it may be!!) I love doing all I can with it and having "it" each day is a gift. You never know when the time will come that your body is through. I am sure I could be much happier if I took better care of my body, but none the less, I love all the things this flesh and bone blob allows me to enjoy.

I think I will stop now, although my mind is just flowing with gratitude that I would love to share. I am SO eternally grateful, thankful and blessed to have such an abundant life. My cornucopia flows over with so much. Most of the time, I don't even deserve it!

Halloween

The cute Kiddos on Halloween.
Shae...beautiful as ever Alice in Wonderland
Ashton...killer clown did an amazing job in the clown shoes!
Jourden...vampire who scared himself when he looked in the mirror, started crying and jacked-up the make-up job, so funny! Even funnier, he was sportin' a ponytail!




Shae and Geoff went to a Daddy-Daughter-Dinner a few days before Halloween and looked really cute. I think they were both awesome considering they were seriously last minute costumes. They had a great time and had a lot of fun together.

I'm Alive!

I'm sure you all thought I was dead, but here I am still kickin! Life has been a whirlwind of crazy for us for the past three months or so, and blogging was not picked up in that twister. There have been really good, and not so great things in life, but through it all I have come to the conclusion, you make your own happiness. I find myself looking at others a lot and saying, Why are they so lucky? Why do they have everything managed so perfectly? Why are they blessed with it all? I very soon correct my thinking on those idiotic thoughts. And often times I find myself saying, Why do they have such a sad family life? Why is she given so many trials? Why were thay sent to that sad situation? Some things we are given as a challenge for our own good, others, a consequence of our actions, but it all boils down to, you make your own happiness. Wherever you are in life, down and out, or up on top of it all, it is my conclusion that you make yourself happy. Create what you will with what you have and you can have it ALL!
Enough of the sacrament meeting talk. I was actually hiding under a rock for over a month. We were without television (it has been a year now since we have been without that one-eyed monster and I am thriving- go figure!) without newspaper, without Internet and the only news source I had was 5 minutes here and there of FOX radio (conservative talk shows) in my car. I was pretty clueless about trivial things and worldly gossip and such, but I didn't really mind. My Mom would inform me here and there of death's and such, but I can say I was mostly in the dark. And guess what, I was Okay! I am grateful to have the Internet back, but we will stick with our boycott of trashy TV and just watch movies here and there. My kids are fine and haven't complained once about it. Maybe now that I think about it, I am reverting back to the good ol' days like it was when I was little. We played outside a lot more than kids do now. My kids are always asking to go play with friends outside, I love that! This next "thing" is pretty funny, but it does point back to the good ol' days too. We have chickens! Yes, we now have 14 hens in a coop in our back yard! My kids put on their rubber boots and go get the eggs everyday. I have wanted to have chickens for a long time and we finally have some. I feel like a farmer sometimes when I go out there and step in "it" but, guess what...that isn't that bad either! I am sure sounding weird aren't I ! Who would have thought, no TV, kids outside, and chickens in my yard! That twister I was in must have dropped me in 1952! I think I'll stay a while, I kind of like it here.

Us on the Oregon coast, a wonderful vacation in the middle of the CRAZINESS! (Please ingore the "humidity hair").... impossible!!!!

Love the Mountains

We finally had our first camping trip of the summer last weekend. YEAH!! We are definitely a family of campers. Only in our trailer, if we were still tent camping, that would be another story. I love nature, I am so appreciative of my surroundings here in SO Utah. How blessed we are to be in amazingly beautiful surroundings in 15 minutes or less. I also love camping because my awesome hubby is a pro. He loves it, cooking, planning, cleaning-up, he pretty much takes care of it all. That makes if fun in itself, I kind of take a break from the servant I feel like I am sometimes (not from him, but my kids). We didn't have the ATVs this trip, but Shae decided she was going to drive something anyway and had her first real driving experience...SCARY! She took the Dodge Dually for a spin around the campsite with Dad as the passenger, and crazy Uncle Greg on the back of the flat-bed! He isn't that bright apparently. She learned the sensitivity of the brakes and he learned he could do a backward somersault-awesome. She was actually on the road when a truck came up the road and had to pass her, good thing it wasn't a Forest Ranger! We dined on delectable dishes, played LOTS of hands of rummy while listening to rolling thunder, sat for hours around the mesmerizing fires, had good conversation with Geoff's great family, caught fish, slept in and loved every minute. Can't wait to go back next weekend. This time in our bigger better trailer that Geoff is on a trek to get as we speak. I made him go all the way to Denver to get it this morning, I am SO excited!!

11 Year old's first driving lesson...Greg on for the ride....what an idiot! Love him anyway.

My cute Shae learning the ropes like a farm girl.

Ashton, Geoff and Shae around the cozy fire (first night was a little chilly)

PLEASE don't report me to CPS, yes I let my 3 year old use a hatchet!

Geoff checking the coals for the YUMMY chicken.

Jourden trying to keep his hotdog safe from Rilo

Slack-a-lackin'

What a slacker am I!!!! I used to get mad at my fellow bloggers for not updating their blogs every week or so, now look, it has been almost three months! Loser!! Anywho, a lot has happened, I just haven't been inspired to post about it, so I will give you a brief rundown on the life of the Raftery's since Ashton's birthday. Shae had a birthday, Jourden had a birthday, went to Disneyland twice, Shae had a orchestra concert and played her cello beautifully, Ashton had his first pinewood derby, Ashton was baptized, Shae completed elementary school :( she was chosen as the Model Mustang, both kids finished school, visited Hoover Dam and had a mini va-cay in Vegas, Geoff's Dad had a liver transplant and is doing wonderful, celebrated a great Easter, Mothers Day and Memorial Day, Shae made her own quilt (sewing and all) for a great school project, and I had a baby....just kidding, I did pass some HELLacoius kidney stones and I would have rather had a baby! I'm sure I am forgetting some really great things, but it has been a long time and my kids are home fighting all day everyday, so my brain is like mush right now. I will try to keep up on things better from here on out, but don't hold me to it!

This always happens when Dad is around!

The Happiest place on earth!! Truly!! LOVE IT!!

Cutest kid, best looking car, slowest on the track!

Geoff grew out his hair (all of it!!!) slowly he's shaving it off again

Crazy hair day at school

Jourden's horse cake

His own tiny skateboard

Beautiful girl and her cello


Hoover Dam


Baptized by Dad

Who doesn't love a party?

It's Great to be 8!

A week later, and I am finally getting around to posting about my adorable Ashton. We have had a very difficult week around our house and poor Ashton had his very important 8th birthday right in the middle of it. He was lucky enough to pull off having 2 parties though. My family came over on his actual birthday, St Patty's day, for the tradition of corned beef and cabbage dinner, which I might add was fantastic! He then had a few of his friends over on Friday for a very out-of-control army party (which happens to be his 3rd army themed party in 8 years!) 7 and 8 year old boys are really obnoxious and super wild, I promise myself every year that I won't do that again, and every year I do. I did make him scale it down this year and we didn't have 28 kids here like last year, still the one kid I said I would never let come back, I nearly strangled-seriously! He had a great time and it is only one day a year, so I just suffer through it and do it for the sake of those I love. Shae turns 11 this Saturday, so I get to do it again with loud 10 and 11 year old girls, but again I do it for my kids. Ashton will be baptized this Saturday and he is very excited. He is so cute about the whole idea of being a "changed man." He said this to me a few days after he turned 8, "Mom, I just did what you told me to and I could feel the Holy Spirit." He is such a cute little guy. I really hope he does feel the Holy Spirit after he is confirmed a member of the Church. He has always been my "challenge" child, and I feel like he is getting better everyday, it will really help him (and me!) if he can keep that still small voice close by and let it guide him, I can't wait!

8 reasons I love Ashton:

He is our comic relief. Ashton has always been funny, before he could talk he was dancing so hilarious, then when he started talking we haven't stopped laughing.

Ashton is always smiling. Sometimes it's out of guilt, but most of the time, he's just happy.

He is a kisser and a hugger. I hope he never changes how affectionate he is to me, unfortunately I think this will carry on into other women in his life and I cringe at the thoughts of him dating!

He is a total man's man. I don't mean a boy's boy, I mean a real man's man. He told me yesterday that he wants to get married right now! What!!? He loves to hunt and shoot. He loves girls and claims to have a "hot" 13 year old girlfriend, honestly I don't know where he gets these things. He is all about guns, girls, and army guys.

Ash is a tender heart. He gets his feelings hurt very easily and cries when animals and babies are sad or hurt. It's good to know he has that soft side to go along with his killer instinct.

He has such a cute little face. I love his gorgeous blue eyes and his cute little freckle nose. His blond hair turns super light in the summer and he has such cute little kissable lips.

He is pretty good at doing what I ask. He is getting better everyday and helps me out when I ask him. I throw in a little guilt and he is happy to help out his "poor" Mom. He doesn't usually talk back to me and when he does, he really feels bad.

Last but not least, I love Ashton because he is my amazing first born son. No matter what my kids act like, or no matter what they put me through now or in years to come, I love them unconditionally. Ashton has raised my blood pressure on several occasions (that started before he was even born!) caused me to swear more than I would ever want to, and have some pretty doozy freak-outs, but no matter what, I love him more than I can describe and I wouldn't change a thing about him. Happy Birthday Ashton!

Tagged....5 Addictions

This tag is kind of hard to do. A: because my addictions change frequently, and B: because I have posted several times about my real addictions, so it might be boring and redundant. Oh well, I guess I will spill the beans and tell you what I can't live without.


1. Costco. Weird I know, but I find myself really craving a trip to St George to go to Costco. I have found some great things there and I usually feel pretty satisfied after I leave. I guess it is more of an addiction to shopping, but I really love finding a good deal, and Costco comes through for me a lot.


2. I won't really put my food addictions on here because I would be embarrassed to tell you all what kind of crap I eat, and I would need more than a list of 5 things. So I will only put this one guilty pleasure I indulge in as my food item. Red Cream Soda! So de-lish. I don't really drink it a lot, but recently I have been giving in to the need and drinking it almost daily. I know, I know, the 5K and the soda don't really mix, but leave me alone, like I said, my food addictions are pretty short lived and as soon as the 12-pack in my fridge is gone I will move on.


3. This one is obvious, if you know me even a little, you can guess this one. Disneyland. Love it, crave it, can't live without it. It makes me happy just thinking about being there. I think Walt is secretly my Grandpa and my Mom is keeping a family secret from me. I wish I could visit monthly. Love, love, love it!


4. This bleepity-bleepin (those are swear words) Internet. I really have a love hate relationship with this computer. I can't hardly go a day without it, but it takes up so much of my precious time that I have really bad guilt. On a good note, I find out all I need to know about my family and their happenings on Facebook, I know a lot of things about my friends that I may not know otherwise from their blogs, and I know who was arrested and for what, within minutes of their stupid move. So I guess it really is a good thing.


5. A clearance sale. I really never buy something unless it is a killer deal. But on that same note, I buy things that are a killer deal, just because they are a deal. I have become better at this and I really ponder if it is a true need or just a really bad want. Most often it isn't a need, so the percent off the original price, combined with the final amount, mixed with the who's birthday is coming up, and do I have any where to put it, determine my final answer, which is usually "it's too good to pass up" so I better buy it. That explanation I just gave is the precise reason I haven't been shopping in a LONG time; I don't have any money to spend on that 75% off silver platter!

So there ya go, a few of my many addictions. I decided to leave out the porn, marijuana, hard alcohol, and swinger parties, I pretty much have those under control, it's those other's that I mention above that are really damaging my relationships and ruining my life!

I tag: anyone who will blab their inner-most secrets and tell us your own addictions!

I'm going to do it!

I got a phone call today from a friend, this is our conversation for the first 20 seconds..(her)" Hey, what are you doing? (me)"Oh, I am making a double batch of cookies," "great! I am calling to see if you want to train for a marathon with me" "sure, count me in." The conversation continues with her explaining why she wants to, her explaining her motivation, why we should do it together, yadda yadda yadda. I already told her it was a go on my end. My sudden agreement to start to train for an actual race came as a real shock to myself since I haven't ran AT ALL since I was probably 14 and was "so blessed" with my more-than-necessary DD's. It is really quite painful to run, and I am always scared of the sag factor if I jostle them any more than necessary! So, when my excitement to jump on the running wagon came so freely from my lips, I was really surprised. I think it comes from my success with losing weight that I have had for the past year, and the desire to "get down" to where my goals will be finally met after years of letting pregnancy and the knowledge of having more kids, wreak havoc on my body and motivation to lose it. We obviously won't be running a marathon, but we would both like to do a half marathon and look at that as a goal for the future. I have a lot of "those" chicks that read my blog that I am looking for advice from. "Those" is referring to you skinny runner girls who look fantastic in spandex and train for a week and are ready for a 1/2. Give me your advice, tell me what not to do, let me know what races are good to start with and where to start. I know it will take a while to even get to the point that I am comfortable running, so I don't have to many expectations for a while, but I am excited to get back in shape. I would love to get to the point that I think running is "fun". Right now I look at it as absolute cruel and unusual punishment. I would love to like it. So ladies, pump me up, tell me I can do it-lie to me if needs be, I am going to start running! ( okay, I will start walking, then maybe a light jog, and then we'll see!) So I'm off to find a good bra, actually I'm off to find 3, I need all the "support" I can get~!

INSANE!! Boys are so WEIRD!

What do you get when you mix 2 crazy boys, a cozy hot tub, a VERY frigid night (10 degrees) and a 33 year old "boy/Dad" with a triple dog dare????



My crazy family. Geoff goes out to "check" on Ashton, Jourden, and my nephew Dominick, and this is what happens!! The hot tub is a cozy 103 degrees and the outside temp was too cold for me to go, fully dressed, and watch them, so Dad thinks it a great idea to hop out and make snow angels. What do you do if you are 7 and your WAY cool Dad dares you to do it? You do it. After a few times, Geoff came and got me to watch what they were doing. It really was pretty hilarious. Their screams were piercing when they jumped back in and had that great feeling of needles penetrating every pore on your body. They thought is was pretty funny and he eventually had them rolling around covering their entire bodies with snow before the mad dash back in. I snapped a few shots after they had done it several times and were getting burned out on the pain. Jourden didn't get involved other than the tidal wave they made jumping back in. I'm sure it was invigorating and didn't hurt them, but oh my, I'm sure my Grandma Alger is cursing me from above! This would have surely given them pneumonia back in the day, it's a good thing they "cured" that wives tale.