Say What??

I'm having knee surgery today.....PRAY FOR ME!!!

Retail Therapy

I just got back from Las Vegas with my mom. After 30 years I finally talked her into taking a vacation with me. There's nothing like a little retail therapy to cheer a girl up.

We stayed at the Mirage which is our most favorite hotel, and we had a great view of the pool and the strip from our room

It was nice to hang out with my mom for 6 days. 6 days in Vegas to some is a lot but it went by really fast. We like to shop, eat, shop, sleep in, shop,take in the sights, oh and did I say Shop!! If not for Mat and Riley I could have easily stayed another 6 days......money might have become a problem as well come to think of it.

No one shops like my mom shops and much to Mats dismay I whole heartedly inherited that trait. Here is how our days went:

Get up, lay in bed for a while and eat croissants from the bakery downstairs or head to our favorite breakfast place The Peppermill, shop the afternoon away, go eat somewhere fabulous, go back to the room and gown up for the evening, lay in bed and watch TV or a movie, eat our dessert, go to bed around 11 or 12 and then get up and do it all again. It was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention that the weather was gorgeous.

I found lots of treasures while shopping, and I could have brought home a lot more if my money supply would have been endless. We ate at some great restaurants, The Grand Lux, China Grill, BLT Burger just to name a few

I just want to tell my mom thanks. It really was nice to spend some time just the two of us. You are a wonderful mom and I know I turned out as good as I did thanks to you (and a lot of other people) Until next time...Love you up to the moon and back ever.........

Looking up

I am sure this will not be a week the Beck's/Norths will soon forget. It has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least, but somehow we have managed to get through it all. Between the passing of my sweet Grandpa Richard, my precious niece Kinley being in the hospital with RSV and my brother Colby heading into the MTC today, I am ready for a LARGE box of wine and a funnel. Somehow I am not sure that will help either.
But even after all the rough things that have transpired this week, I am forced to once again take note of all the wonderful things I do have. Watching my family this last week, I am amazed at the strength some people carry. My grandma Colene is a perfect example of this. What an amazing woman. And my step mom Teri, I can't even begin to imagine all that she must be carrying in her heart. I hope she knows how much we all love her. And my uncle Tad has been a rock for all of us even if he doesn't know it.
I know I have said before how lucky my brother and I have been with the wonderful way we are connected with our step parents, but whats more amazing is the way in which we fit in with those families. I know I wasn't Richards biological granddaughter, but he never treated me like I wasn't. and more important I have great memories of him with Riley that will always make me smile.
It was hard to say goodbye to Colby today, but I am so glad he was here with us for the Funeral. We are going to miss him so much. But we know he is going to do something that is important to him, and we offer our love and encouragement on this new adventure.
As for me I am going to try to leave the tears behind and have a fun time in Vegas with my mom on a much needed vacation....hopefully for all of us things will start looking up.

Papa Richard

As some of you know my Grandpa Beck passed away early Monday morning. He got sick pretty fast and his death came kind of suddenly. In the end we all knew it was a blessing, but somehow that doesn't seem to make it any easier.

It has been a reflective few days for me. Thinking about grandpa and all the ways he touched my life, and touched the lives of all of us. He had a quiet way about him, and he had a soft spot for Riley. He would humor him by taking out his hearing aids and pretend to put them in Riley's ears. He never let us leave the house without telling us what a "Genius" Riley was and that he wished he could be around in 20 years to see what he would become. Riley has been lucky enough to spend his Wednesdays there since he was 2 months old and I know he will miss having grandpa there.

Grandpa was the first person to attempt to teach me how to drive a stick. He took me up the road behind the house at the ranch and let me drive around the flats and back down the hill. To this day I still can't drive a stick but Grandpa was patient and I'm sure no matter how many times I stalled that truck, he'd just calmly tell me to push the clutch to the floor and try again.

There are many things I will miss about grandpa. I feel lucky to have known him and grateful for the things he taught me and for the love he showed to my family. We love you Papa Richard.

Richard Vernon Beck, age 75 of Springville, passed away Monday, March 30, 2009 at Mountain View Hospital. He was born September 3, 1933 in Springville, Utah to Wayne A and Rachel Marsh Beck. He married Colene Child December 7, 1956 in Springville, Utah and later solemnized in the Manti Temple.
Richard was raised and attended schools in Springville and attended one year of college on an art scholarship. He worked as an operating engineer for the local construction companies, W. W. Clyde, Thorns, Gibbons & Reed and Granite Construction.
Richard enjoyed spending time with his family in Wanrhodes; whether fixing fence, riding horses, snowmobiling, or turkey hunting. He never outgrew his love of riding horses and riding his four-wheeler.
Richard had many friends. He had many memorable memories as an honorary guest member of the Rotary Club. His favorite place to sit and visit with friends was at the local coffee shop. The family extends a special thanks to David, Mike and the guys at M&R.
He had many dogs during his life, but he was very fond of his dog Bo, that passed away last year.
He is survived by his brothers Alton Beck, Tom Beck and Milton Beck. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Beck, a sister, Flora Dudley, his parents and father and mother in-law, Hardy and Norma Child. He is also survived by his wife, Colene; daughter, Teri (Bill) North; son, Tad (Tammy) Beck; and grandchildren: Amy (Mat) Taylor, Justin (Mandi) North, Chelsey Beck, Colby North, Zack Beck and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel at 55 North Main Street in Springville. There will be a viewing held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville and Friday at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Blessed

I don't really know why I am writing, I suppose I just needed an outlet for all that has been going on. The past few weeks have been trying to say the least. And yet when I look at all that isn't going my way, (sick kiddo, brother leaving, sick grandparents, roof blowing away...blah blah blah) I force myself to remember how blessed I truly am. I have never viewed myself as a pessimist, but I guess like everyone I have my good and bad days. But I want to leave the negative behind and focus on the positive.

I have a great family. A husband who always supports and loves me even when I drive him nuts. A son who is the light of my life and brings me more happiness than he will ever know. Great parents, in-laws, Grandparents and siblings who are always willing to help out when I need it. The best set of friends ever, who would drop everything, even if it was just to bring me a Pepsi. I can't tell you how nice it is to have all these fantastic people to lean on for support when I need it.

I have a job. And not only that but I have a job I enjoy going to everyday. I am surrounded with great people who probably don't even realize all the ways they inspire me.

And most importantly I have God who I know is always looking out for me. I know He has brought all of you into my life, and that He has and will continue to take care me and for that I am grateful.

What I want to say, is thanks to all of you for making my life a little brighter. Sometimes I feel a sadness pulling at my heart for all the things I can not change but then I will get a text from a friend, or a call from my mom, or an email from someone I haven't talked to in a while and things don't seem to be quite as dark as they did before. You all mean so much to me, and I hope I get wiser with age and quit worrying about all the little things, and find happiness in all the wonderful people and friendships I do have.

Anyways thanks for reading, I feel better already.

Jumpin Jacks

We thought it would be fun to let Riley have a "friend" party this year for his Birthday. He wanted to go to Jumpin Jacks.

We had a great time and I wanted to share some of the pictures. Riley was so excited to get presents. He got a cool monster truck, bubbles, a spider man coloring book, some glow in the dark stars for his room and an Elephant book. Thank you to Sadie and Justin, Cassidy and Lacy, Kayden, Lindsey and Kayle, Carson and Natalie, Uncle Colby and Grandma Teri and Papa Bill for coming.

Enjoy Ü

Three, Three, Three

Today we celebrated Riley's 3rd Birthday. I know some of you are thinking, but he turned three in December. He did but between Christmas and the loss of my job we delayed it by a few months. I want to thank everyone who came to the party. Riley got so many wonderful presents and it was so nice to spend an evening with our family and friends.

My super cute niece Kinley. I just want to eat her

Diana made Riley the cutest Dinosaur cake. He just loved it

Lock up your daughter is right....we have a lady killer on the loose

Some new shoes...new Crocs to be exact. Riley loves his Crocs. Luckily Grandma Sherry keeps him supplied and has since birth

Chelsey stopped by for a visit before the party to bring him a new Bob the Builder video. He also had a visit, From Tad, Tammy, Zach, Grandma Colene and Papa Richard, but I forgot to get the camera out.

Grandpa Dale, Grandma Diana and Aunt Kim

Me and Sadie. This kid has more spunk than she knows what to do with.

Uncle Colby, Grandma Teri and Papa Bill

Kelly, Braden and Braden's friend. Riley is Braden's biggest fan.

The proud parents of Riley Joe Taylor Beck North

Grandma Sherry and Papa Tim

Uh OH...I'm not sure who is going to win this fight...my money is on Riley

Great Grandpa Dean and Great Grandma Jean

Uncle Colby scored big point by giving Riley his very own Golf Putter. By the time Colby gets home from his mission he will be a pro.

We had so much fun watching Riley open all his presents and sing happy Birthday to him while he blew out his candles. What a big boy he is getting to be. He amazes me everyday with how smart he is. I am finding that he is not a baby at all anymore but a cute little boy who seems to be changing daily right before our eyes. I feel so very blessed to be his mother, and I am so grateful to all of you for helping us raise such a wonderful boy. He is a light in all our lives. We love you all and thank you for helping make this a special day for him.

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward
{The Rules}

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me~something crafty or yummy, who knows?!

2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will 'Pay It Forward,' creating a handmade gift~anything, for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item.
♥ ♥ ♥

A new Blog

I have officially started a blog for Colby to track his mission. If you would like to add it to your list it's http://bigcheesenews.blogspot.com/

Random Thought

Forget world peace!! If I was in charge I would say to HELL with daylight savings. Or at least pick a time and leave it. 4 months of an hours difference just really isn't worth it.