The Return of #13

Lacrosse...

Um, I have no idea.. I know nothing about Lacrosse, other than it's boys beating each other with sticks.. It looks like it would be pretty fun to play, and Cody seems to be pretty good at it and Jon seems to love coaching it.. (No surprise there) When I agreed to Lacrosse it was under the condition that Kellie and I not be left alone on the sideline, and that there would be someone there to help explain this sport to me! But, as always Jon was more than happy to step in as a coach and Kelz and I left to fend for ourselves.. Oh well, it's getting to be nice weather, the games don't last too long, and it is no where near the pressure of football.. so this too I shall endure! The things I do for that boy!

Rad Kids!

So I think I'm going to start current and move backward...

Today Kellie had her graduation from Rad Kids at school. It is a new program at her school and until today I wasn't too familiar with it, but the basic idea is to teach kids empowerment and self protection. Kind of like a practical lesson in stranger danger. The basics of being a Rad Kid is that no one has the right to hurt anyone else, you don't have the right to hurt anyone, including yourself, and if you can't get out of the situation, it's okay to protect yourself. I have to say I was shocked.

They have a deputy from Utah County sheriff dress in a "Red Man" padded outfit and he simulates an attack on each kid, and they have to physically fight back. Watching this man touch my daughter and her try and fight him off, was for some reason very emotional for me. I'm not sure if it was because he was coming after my baby girl, or because she has learned to fend for herself a little, or if it was because I know first hand how real this situation can be and how easy it is for someone to trick or take your kids.. Having endured two child abductions at work it was terrifying to me just how real this situation can be. Anything can happen and our kids, especially our girls, should be prepared!

Overall, Kellie and her classmates were awesome and the deputy was quite a trooper with all the hits he took.. I don't know if every school has this program, but I'm thinking they all should.. I'm just not sure I want to be witness to it again! Great Job Kelz!

I would have been terrified!

Away For Too Long!

So I can't believe how long it's been since I updated my blog! I haven't read anyone else's in forever either. I think it was Facebook or Blogging and I chose Facebook.. So much quicker. Plus we were blocked from this site at work forever and that is where I choose to update everything, because that is when I have the time! Not for long though..soon I think I will have a job where I will actually have to work! Well, work more than I do now anyway. But more on that later... I have lots to share since January but I think I'm gonna pace myself and wait until I have my camera available to post some pics too! So stay tuned for SBO info, Lacrosse, new health updates and hopefully soon to be official this my new job!

Reflections

The theme for Reflections this year was "Wow". Kellie wrote a short story and entered it in the Literature. She advanced to the 2nd round, and we went to the awards ceremony last night. At Eastlake she won a cute necklace/dog tag award with her name on it and last night they handed out pins that said Wow on it and participation awards to all those not moving on. We were a bit disappointed that out of about 70-80 winners in 6-7 schools that not one winner came from Eastlake, very few from Monte Vista also. But it was fun to see how excited all the winners were and see what categories she can enter next year. This is Kellie's story.

Fly

By Kellie Elmen

I never knew my brother could fly, but when he puts on his cleats, shoulder pads and helmet and they give him a football, anything is possible. I'm one of his cheerleaders and it's my job to help him fly. When you believe in him, he can succeed. When we cheer him on he gets proud of himself and believes he can do anything if he sets his mind to it. So I believe he can do anything, no matter what.

We all have something that makes us believe we can do anything like my brother.

Mine is cheer, what is yours??

(Inspired by this photo)

Catching Up!

You asked.. I answered.. Here are several new posts for your reading pleasure! Make sure you read them all. Feel free to comment on them, since sometimes I feel I'm just blogging for me! Love ya!

New Years

This is where I wanted to be New Years Eve 2008.. but sadly..I wasn't. I had said for weeks, maybe even months.. (maybe even years!) that I wanted to spend New Years in Las Vegas but for a multitude of reasons it just didn't happen. Instead we stayed home in our PJ's and and ended the year playing games and trying out our new Wii Fit.. (Which I love by the way!) We ate too much, stayed up too late, and partied too hard! :) I don't have a specific resolution because I never seem to stick with them for long, but overall I would like to see the new year bring an improved desire to get fit and healthy to my family. Something I think needs to start with me! I'm determined to make being healthy and active a daily part of our lives. Wish me luck! I wish you all the best on your resolutions, hopefully they haven't fallen by the wayside already! May 2009 bring you all the best!

Sugar Bowl

My name is Sara, and I am an Alabama football fan.

Well, sort of, I'm an Alabama fan by association. And while it hurts a little to say it right now, I proudly wore my Crimson Tide apparel out in public on Friday, knowing without a doubt that the Tide would rise above the Utes. I learned a little lesson about humility that day, as did my son and brother. (The same brother that had to have his appendix removed shortly following the game!) But honestly, what choice did we have?? I've had Bama football bred into me since I was 12 and Cody is a die-hard fan to say the least. I would have gone with Utah had they played anyone else, but really how could I have turned on our team for the Sugar Bowl??

How could I hold my head up if I went against them?? I couldn't..

but I obviously live with someone who could!
I'm married to the lone Utah fan in a sea of Tide loving Carters. And I'm honestly amazed he made it out alive. Turning his nose up at all his Alabama gear, he sported a Utah hat and the smile of a traitor! Careful not to gloat too much he kept his cheering to a minimum, which I'm sure was difficult for him. What he doesn't know is that I did FedEx that lock of hair to my aunt in Alabama and his voodoo doll should be done any day. Don't think we will forget this, Jon! We're Carters, we remember everything!

Slave Labor

Growing up Jon says he always thought his parents had kids to do the things that they didn't want to do. I'm pretty sure my kids are starting to feel the same. Slowly I have decided that they are old enough to help out around the house a little more. Sadly, the kids don't feel the same. So they are now taking turns with doing dishes and folding towels and taking the garbage out. Sometimes I've found it's just easier to do it myself than to ask them to do it, but I think they really need to learn to help out more, and know that things around the house don't just do themselves! So here is my dilemma.. They think they need to be paid. Up until now I haven't paid for doing things like cleaning their room or feeding the dogs but now that they have a few more chores I'm wondering which way to lean. I personally wasn't paid for helping around the house, it was just expected and I'm pretty sure it was the same for Jon.

So I'm taking a poll.. To pay or not to pay, and what is a reasonable amount?? (Keeping in mind that I already pay for each of their cell phones!)

(I'm certain that one day his wife will thank me!)

"The Dress"

I had so many pictures of Kellie in this dress that I felt it deserved it's own separate post! Every year my mom buys Kellie a special dress for Christmas that she looks absolutely gorgeous in! This year was no exception, other than this years dress needed it's own special boots to go with it! Although next year I'm not allowed to shop for the boots! She always looks great and we are hoping we have atleast a few more years of dresses left with her!

I love how close my kids are to my parents. My grandma and I were always really close when I was little and had a special bond that no one else shared. I watch that now with both my kids, and I couldn't ask for better parents! I hope Cody and Kellie know how very lucky they are! There is no one more special to Hunny and Papa than the two of you!

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year just isn't what it usually is.. I don't know that I found many people that were really feeling the spirit. I'm not sure what the difference for me was but it's just not as fun when your kids are older and half your family lives in another state. We usually have a family party and we didn't do that this year. We didn't get half the Christmas cards we usually do, and from what I've heard very few people sent them out. So I vow to not let that happen again next year! It's all about what you make of it and I'm gonna start some new traditions for next year! So to my family.. Beware!!
All in all it turned out to be a good day, and despite all the stress the kids loved their gifts and Christmas did have a little magic to it after all..

Santa forgot to put the fireplace back together.. He must have been in a hurry!

Two American Girls?? Kelz must have been extra good this year!

All the boys got camouflage Alabama hats from my mom. They looked so cute in them! Too bad it didn't help us out any in the Sugar Bowl. Probably because not everyone wore theirs! Traitors!Aren't they so cute??

Hope you all had a great day and here's to a better season next year!

Choir by Cody

Cody's first class of the day is choir. I don't think he loved the idea at first but it's an easy A with no homework and a good way to wake up in the morning! They are required to perform and here is a small video of him at Christmas for all those unable to make it! I loved listening to the boys choir since it's not often you get to hear boys sing. I do however feel very sorry for the teacher to have a large group of 13 year old boys singing when I'm sure all of their voices are changing!