Happy Birthday M-A-X

What an eventful December I've had. I am posting this a day early because I want to make sure it is up for his birthday.

Barrett and his family were able to fly in for Grandpa's funeral last week and they flew back to Kansas City today. When me and Dad picked them up from the airport, Max told us how he had his birthday at Miss Kaffee's. Chantel said that Max has said he's already had his birthday.

I was on the ball and sent his birthday present early so they got it before they came out here to Utah. When I asked him what his favorite animal was, he said "hippopotamus" in his cute little voice with the lisp. I said, "well out of a dog and a bear, what is it" he said a BLUE DOG. Well Build-A-Bear didn't have a BLUE DOG, so he got a dog that I conveniently name Blue.

On Christmas Day, we met at Nancy's and had a little family Christmas party and a little birthday party for Max. I had asked Max what he wanted on a birthday cake and he said he wanted a "DINO CAKE" so I went to Smith's and ordered a cake. It turned out so cute! Except it had these little brown spots on the cake, I'm not sure if they were supposed to be rocks.. But once Max saw them, he started singing "every dinosaur poops" and that is exactly what I thought!

Max looked so handsome at Grandpa's funeral, flash back to when Barrett was little. In his cute little suit. I just love him! He is so cute with his big blue eyes.. Just another little Labrum who got Grandpa's eyes! :)

I hope he has had MANY fun birthdays this year. Not many people get to have about 15 parties! :) I love you Max!

Christmas Season

As the Christmas season is here, I look back and think of everything that has happened this year. Especially over the past month and the events that have happened.

This past Friday, my Grandpa Rue passed away. I got the phone call at work and it totally took me by surprise. I was soon surrounded by my coworkers showing their love and support. I knew I had to be with my family at that time. I left work and talked to my cousin Mitch and met right off the freeway in Salt Lake and traveled to Orangeville. The family was at Grandpa's house making plans. Saturday we went to the funeral home and talked about memories of grandpa and then to the floral and made floral arrangements. The arrangements were PERFECT for Grandpa.

The viewing was Monday and the funeral was Tuesday. The family met before the viewing and shared memories of Grandpa. All the grandchildren had the memories of Grandpa of Christmas. It just seems that it was the perfect time for Grandpa, he loved Christmas!

The funeral was PERFECT! Everything turned out just right. The burial was cold and snowy but couldn't have been better. Since Grandpa had been in the Air Force, he had the American Legion there. It was so cold, the little old men seemed to be frozen there. But it was beautiful having the snow fall all around.

As I sit here on Christmas Eve day, I just think about the memories I have of how it was growing up. Every Christmas Eve night, we would go to Grandpa's house and have dinner and we would get our pajamas. We would know what we were getting but that was okay! Grandpa would have us listen to the books "The Gift of the Magi" and "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before we could open up our presents from him and Grandma. I don't remember what "The Gift of the Magi" was about, I just remember sitting there wanting to open up that present. Once we opened it, we all had to go put them on. We would walk out in the living room and once everyone was there, we had pictures. So many years of pictures of our pajamas!

I love my Grandpa and I will miss him so much! He has taught me so much. He taught the grandkids to show respect. Be PROUD of where you are from! I hold my head proud because I am from Orangeville! He will be missed.

Thanksgiving Weekend

What a GREAT weekend!! It started out by not having to work Thursday and Friday! YAY!

I was invited to eat Thanksgiving with Barrett and Chantel and the kids at Little America. Mom and Dad decided to come up and eat with us. Barrett and Chantel flew in Wednesday. The Little America buffet was excellent. We had to get in line around 9:30. Mom and Dad picked me up at 9 and we got in line (we were right towards the front). Dad stood in line for tickets and me and mom were in the food line. At about 10:30 or so, the Labrums came! When the kids saw Grandpa, they were SO excited! Max made everyone laugh with his comment how he LOVES porkchops! Morgan said that on thanksgiving she HAS to have chocolate! After we ate, we had a nice visit then The Labrums headed back up to Brigham City. I think I ate too much, I needed a nap!

The next day, I got woke up by little tapping on my door. It was the Gale kids! We were having a family get together at Nancy's. It was the first time in 3 years the family has been together. We had some pictures taken at a little railroad museum in Lehi and then went back to Nancy's for some turkey sandwiches. Later on, we went up to Salt Lake and went swimming at Mom and Dads hotel. The kids all loved it! Tyler laughed and laughed at Morgan jumping in the pool. He loves when people splash. At the end of the night, we all said our goodbyes. It was so hard to say goodbye to the little Labrum kids. Morgan just hugged me. The few days we were together, she was by my side. I told her that we can talk on the phone. She is so sweet! Max started leaving before I got to say bye to him. I called him back and told him he forgot to say bye, he said "oh yeah, i forgot!" with his little lisp.

Thanks to Nancy for the pictures. Tyler had a breakdown so the pictures he is in, he is crying, but that is ok. Morgan LOVES pictures. She told me when we were heading to Nancy's that she loves pictures because she is so cute. I love the picture of me and the Gales and Kayden laying on my shoulder. I am so grateful to have such a loving family and to have been able to have them here this weekend. When you see those kids, how could you not love them!?!?! :)

And then, to top of the Holiday Weekend, BYU WON! How could it have been any better! :)

It's MY birthday

Well, it's finally MY birthday. I had a good day today for my birthday, thanks to my family.

I thought I was going to be sick because I came down with laryngitis but thank goodness I got over that just in time. My voice came back Sunday! But I took Friday off of work for a long weekend to recover.

I was hoping that I would have a nice birthday weekend and be able to celebrate it with my friends but it didn't turn out the way it was planned. Like I said, Friday I took off work to get extra rest because of the laryngitis. I wouldn't have been any help at work since I do customer service and talk on the phone for my job. I couldn't even get a squeak out and I deal with Medicare patients so that was pretty useless. I woke up Friday to pounding and scratching on the walls and floors from the neighbor, they were putting carpet so that lasted all day. I had a hard time sleeping because of the coughing but I was able to get in to the dr to get cough medicine and just to make sure it WAS just laryngitis since you never know with all the different sicknesses going around now.

Saturday I got up and cleaned the house because I was supposed to have a bunch of friends over that night for a party. I got cute homemade cards from 2 little kids in Missouri who I miss SOO much! My friends Abdul and Ahmed were also going to take me out to dinner that night for my birthday so I had to have the house cleaned before I left. I went and treated myself to a new outfit for my birthday and a new digital camera since my broke. Ahmed fell asleep so Abdul took me to dinner at a Sushi restaurant (YUM!) just down the road from our house (he lives really close to me). I got home right about the time people were supposed to be showing up for the party. It wasn't long that I soon realized that nobody was coming. I then sat there alone and cried. I felt pretty sad for myself (I know, I shouldn't have but I did).


Sunday I got the cutest call from Morgan and Max. I couldn't help but cry when they got on the phone and started singing happy birthday to me. They are getting so big. Then I had to laugh when Morgan told me "Nicky, you are getting OLD!" and when Max got on and he was so excited for me to have a birthday and REALLY wanted me to have an ELMO cake and for me to be with Kayden for my birthday. Those kids are growing up so much, they talk so well. Makes me miss them so much, I wish they lived closer so I could spend more time with them.

Today we had a potato bar at my work for my birthday. It was SOO good! Yes family, I ate a potato! Around 2, I got a nice delivery from the receptionist. Mom and Dad sent me flowers. It was 2 yellow roses! BEAUTIFUL! I was able to leave work early to spend the rest of the afternoon with Tammy and Nancy and the kids. We went to Nancy's and carved pumpkins and did crafts. I just wanted to tell my family that I love them so much. Thanks for letting me cry to you when my weekend didn't go as planned. I know that it hurt you guys as much as it hurt me because I could hear it in your voice when you said you were sorry. I could see it in Tammy's eyes when I told her because she had nothing to say but sat there saying "i'm sorry" Nancy said that you guys wanted to show me how much you guys love me and that YOU guys care. You guys DID show me! I know no matter what my family will always be there. I also want to tell my friend Abdul thank you. Out of all my friends, he was the only one that did follow through with his words. He even came up Sunday to check on me to make sure I was ok. He even brought me a gift (new sunglasses, a necklace that says BFF and a card.. that's big for a guy)

I just want to end saying that for 14 years my birthday always hasn't been the greatest. Grandma Labrum died 14 years ago and that is always the first thing I think about when I wake up on my birthday. It really makes me miss her more and more.

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes!

He is 5!

Kayden is turning 5! I remember getting the call from Tammy saying she drove herself to the hospital and she was in labor. I just sit back and think that it has only been 5 years but then also I think wow, it has been 5 years. So many things have gone on in the 5 years of this little boys life. When he was 2 weeks old they diagnosed him with Hypoplastic kidneys (small kidneys). His kidneys stopped growing in ureto. He was in renal failure. I remember staying 1 night at PCMC with this little tiny 2 week old so my sister could spend some time with her husband and their 4 year old daughter (the nurses were a little upset because they wanted to hold the baby all night). Kayden was able to undergo a kidney transplant 1 month after his 2nd birthday. We will always be grateful for that donor!

I love having Kayden close by now. Everytime I talk to him on the phone is always asking me if he can come to my house. Last week he asked if I would come "hangout with him" at him house. He is so happy to be 5! (unless you tell him he is a big boy now and he can do things by himself because he is 5. Then he'll tell you "I'm ONLY 4!")

A few things I have learned about Kayden:
1)He LOVES green, if there is anything green, he HAS to have it
2)Loves his "pink milk"
3)Lately he is obsessed with "army guys"
4)Loves to be with his grandpa
5)He is so tender-hearted
6)You know if you have Kayden around, you will have Koy following him. And you KNOW that means T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!


Happy Birthday "little man"

Happy Birthday.... Nuggle Muffin

Ever since Koy was little, he would always lay down by me and take a nap. We would cuddle up together. That's how he got his nickname from me as my little "NUGGLE MUFFIN" If you ask him, he will tell you that he is Nicky's Nuggle muffin. well, it is his birthday tomorrow. I am leaving early to go to mom and dads for Ted Thomas' funeral so I thought I would write this tonight (Koy won't know the difference). I took Kayden and Koy to get their birthday presents yesterday. They loved it!

I have loved having Koy closer to me. He is always asking me "Nicky can i come to you house?" Because I let him run free in the house. I can't believe he turns 3! 3 years ago, Tammy was in labor for like a month and the dr kept sending her home saying take it easy, it's not time. Finally after her dr appointment, he admitted her to the hospital and not long after that she had Koy. It was a fast delivery and Koy came out black and blue! Kayden was so scared of him! Now they are best of friends. Koy is always giving us entertainment with the things that come out of his mouth! He asked me yesterday where I work, if I worked at Walmart or Old McDonalds.

I love you Koy Boy! You will always be my Nuggle Muffin! I'm glad you like your Batman Army Bear! Happy Birthday!

The joys of life....

This year, seeing my neices and nephews love the gift that I get them for their birthday makes me so happy! This is the picture I got of Tyler with his teddy bear that I made from Build-A-Bear. Nancy was singing "me and my teddy getting all ready" and Tyler started making his bear dance. It was so cute! He would sit there and give his bear loves. Seeing them love their bear makes it so worth it. I wanted to get them something that I thought was worth the money and they will remember who gave it to them. So parents, Please don't throw the bears away or give them away. Lexi gave me a good idea as to what to do for christmas and it does involve the bears. Max will get his bear around the same time. So maybe a little early so he won't just get this christmas present and wonder what to do with it. :)I hope my brother and sisters realize that doing this for their kids, is helping build a bond with them. I love to make them happy. I wish I could take all the kids for their birthday and have them have some alone time with Aunt Nicky but I know that can't happen. So I hope knowing that Aunt Nicky has put thought into it as to what kind of bear that child would like means something. When I saw Tyler dancing and hugging the bear I almost started crying because I know that it meant something and seeing his face. I love making my family happy.

Thanks for the BBQ party, Nancy and Dallas. the food was great and the cake was so adorable! I hope Ty gets feeling better! I got lots of loves from Ty, so it made my day! :)

Happy Birthday Big Boy Ty! :) I love you!

4 years ago....

Happy Birthday to my Bubba! I can't believe it has been 4 years! You have defied all odds and you are truly a miracle. I am so glad that you live closer now!

I remember getting the call late Sept 20,2005. It was my dad telling me that Nancy was having a baby! I didn't believe it, it wasn't December yet. I even had to ask him what day it was. He kept telling me that the baby was coming early and for me to get up to SLC. I had taken a sleeping pill so I talked to my roommates at the time, and they drove me up to SLC. Not only did they drive me up there, they sat there in the waiting room being my support. My parents and Tammy were coming up. Nancy and Dallas asked me to go to UofU hospital because they were told Tyler was going to be taken there. At the time, they also thought Nancy was going to be taken there. Me and my roommates sat in the waiting room. I got the call from Lori Brown saying that I was a new aunt. I couldn't believe he had come. I wasn't there at the hospital with my sister. The dr's finally decided to just fly Tyler. But, I was at the wrong hospital. My roommates took me up to LDS hospital, it was really late at this time. I told my roommates that they could just leave and I would be ok. I wasn't sure where the ER was. When I finally found it, they told me that the helicopter should be there soon. Nancy and Dallas were still down at Alta View, so I was the only family member there when tiny Tyler got there. The life flight nurses would only let me see a quick glance of him (I just got to see how little he was) and then they had to rush him in to the NICU to stabalize him. He is our little miracle!

I love you Tyler! I hope you had a good birthday.

Just more birthdays.....

That's right... Growing up, the first week of school always meant more family birthdays. We always had a family birthday party for Nancy, Todd, Grandma Olsen and we never forgot to remember Grandma Nell. This year, the Olsen family is having their family reunion this weekend but I am not able to go down. I am going on a much needed vacation down to Nancy's. Not sure if helping them move is what you call a vacation :) but getting away from the stress up here is going to be a vacation for me! :) I did call Nancy this morning and tell her Happy Birthday and to enjoy her last year in her 20's, man she is getting OLD! But I told her to always remember, Tammy and Barrett are always a year older and that makes mom and dad ANCIENT! :)


First, Happy Birthday to my older sister Nancy. You have been there for me a lot lately and I know you have nothing better to do then to talk to me on the phone! :) I can't wait to come down and see you guys in a few days. I know this a bad picture of you, but I just love how you are with Ty. He's my little Bubba!

I hope that Todd had a great birthday too. I was thinking of him on his birthday and how him and Grandma Nell always share a birthday. And whenever I think about Grandma Olsen, a few memories always come to mind. Either her sitting in her little rocking chair looking out the window waiting for someone to come say hi or her in her little hat. And now, Aunt Barbara looks just like her when she wears her hat.


Happy Birthday Todd! Now don't everyone be jealous of how cute we are! This is me, Chelsie and Todd.. (who knows how old we are, but boy.. we are CUTE!)

This is my dear sweet Grandma Olsen. Happy Birthday to her on the 28th!

And last but not forgotten, my beautiful Grandma Nell! Happy birthday to her on the 25th.

Trust no one!

That is the hard lesson I have had to learn this week. It all happened when I put my guard down and thought "friends" can be trusted, well that isn't true. Once again, I now have anxiety issues and trust issues. This past Tuesday night, I had friends over helping me move my broken tv downstairs and this friend of a friend (who I welcomed into my home) went into my purse and got my bank information. I didn't realize that people would actually have the nerve to do that. I guess maybe that is where I am naive being from a small town and all, but I also think if it's not yours DON'T TOUCH IT! I have now found out who my real friends are and I am so thankful for them.

Elder David B Haight of the Quorom of the 12 Apostles said in the Ensign back in November of 1987 said:"The devastation that comes to the families and loved ones of those convicted of crimes such as stealing, fraud, misrepresentation, child abuse, sexual transgression, or other serious crimes is immeasurable. So many sorrows, heartaches, and even broken homes result from a false belief that people can set their own rules and do what they want to do as long as they don’t get caught.

Individuals may deceive and even go undetected or unpunished, but they will not escape the judgments of a just God. No man can disobey the word of God and not suffer for so doing. No sin, however secret, can escape retribution and the judgment that follows such transgression."


The past few days since the incident, friends of this person have talked to me and told me to just be careful with what decision I make because it will determine the future of this person. And they tell me that this person could go to jail and I need to really think about that. Do they not think that this has affected me in any way? Nobody MADE them take my stuff. That was his choice! Everybody has their free agency and he made that choice to steal my stuff and now he needs to be accountable for his choice.

I didn't forget!

I know this is late but I want to tell my parents Happy Anniversary. I called them on their anniversary and told them so I didn't forget. They have been married for 32 years! They are such a good example of what a marriage should be. They are best friends and such a good support to each other. I don't know how they have put up with each other for that long :) I'm glad you guys were able to go out to dinner, sorry I had to interrupt with the phone calls but I'm glad you guys are such a support to me. I love you guys so much!

Happy Anniversary!

I stole that picture off of Chantel's post from last year (hope you don't mind). I can't believe it has been 8 years! I look at what has happened over the last 8 years and you guys have accomplished so much (and I have done nothing hehe) Barrett has graduated med school, you guys have moved back and forth across the country (3 times!) and you have 2 AMAZING kids! I hope you guys have an amazing anniversary. I know you already went out for your date and the kids went out with grandma and papa to Chuck-E-Cheese! :) Chantel you make my brother so happy and I am so glad you are part of the family. Barrett, you have found a wonderful wife and mother to your kids! By the way, it's not as hot today as it was 8 years ago.. :) PLUS, I'm inside not outside so it's even better! Being married on Friday the 13th you guys have had 8 years of good luck! :) so congrats and Happy Anniversary! Can't wait to see you Chantel and the kids!

Happy Birthday Barrett

Happy Birthday Barrett! Nancy posted some memories that she has of you. But that's not the memory that I have of you. I remember sharing a room with you with our AWESOME wallpaper! Or fighting every Sunday of what show we were going to watch and we almost always had golf going on 1 tv in the house. We could watch tv after church but we had to change our clothes first. You would start undressing in the car so you were halfway there by the time we hit the house. And you would stick your feet in those orange bags that the newspaper would come in and then you would eat them! :)

You are such a great big brother and such a good example! I couldn't understand why you got all the smarts in the family. It wasn't fair! I have always admired how you have done so well in school and how you have accomplished your dream of being a doctor. Just no more playing statue of liberty and getting ashes in your eyes! :)

I hope you have a great birthday Barrett! Don't have too much fun!

Happy Fathers Day

I hope everyone had a good Fathers Day! It has been a while since I wrote, I can't believe it's been THAT long! I called dad first thing this morning. My dad is such a great guy! I hope that everyone knows that! :) My dad would give up anything for his kids and people know that. My parents brought up the blue truck for me on Friday because we had to take my car back in to the shop yesterday. Thank you for letting me borrow the truck! You guys didn't have to bring it up for me, you could have said TOUGH but being the great parents you are, you did. I also got to spend time with them Friday and we went out to Tooele for a wedding reception (my cousins sons wedding reception).

I also called Grandpa Rue this morning and talked to him and told him Happy Fathers Day. I am so glad that he is doing so much better. He was so excited to tell me that he is walking by himself and he does so much by himself.

I hope my brother and brother in law had a good Fathers Day! They do such much!

I am so glad I got to spend time with Nancy and Ty when they were here. I was able to get time off work to pick them up at the airport with my parents. Then we had dinner at the Braza Grill. And then the little water baby that Tyler is, spent hours at the pool. My gosh, he LOVES the water! He got to the point where he would jump in the pool to Nancy but Grandpa had to count to 3. He had us laughing so hard. Then the next day we met up with Tammy and the kids and went to The Living Aquarium. That place is pretty cool to see all the fish. I love my nieces and nephews but wow, they can wear me out! Then that next Wednesday we were able to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. That is a very pretty temple. Ty walked the entire temple! Then Friday night after work I met Nancy down at the Browns and spent a few hours with her and Tyler. It really makes me miss them a lot! I really wish they live closer!

Last week I had to take my car in to the shop because it was having a problem when I would put it in drive, it's like it wouldn't detect the gear. I guess the Suzuki's have been having this problem. So they got it in and had it fixed in a few hours. It was just a sensor problem. Well, this past week I started having the same problem but this time it was when I would put it in reverse. I called West Valley Suzuki and they said I could bring it back in and they would run codes and see what was going on. So my fabulous friend Papa picked me up from WVS yesterday morning. No codes were pulling up this time and the check engine light wasn't on so now they have to get Suzuki involved. I say fix it and write it off since it's never happened before! :)

I hope everyone had a good Fathers Day. It's now officially Summer! So let's stop with the rain and bring on the SUN!! :)

Memorial Day Weekend

The plans of Memorial Day Weekend didn't end up going like they were planned. I worked Friday night and traffic going south Friday night is always A-W-F-U-L! So, I decided to just get some sleep and get up Saturday morning and head home. Traffic down the canyon wasn't bad at all. I made it down to OV around 10:30, stopped at mom and dads to make the potty break then headed up to Joe's Valley. We just sat around the fire and talked. It was really relaxing.. Then it started to rain and so we went into the trailer. Dad bought a new TV with a DVD player and we watched Karate Kid. Mom made the famous puppy chow (YUM!) Me and dad were on the bed watching the movie and I fell asleep. Mom was at the table and she read her book. She was so excited because she read a book in 24 hours. After the movie, we drove down to OV to call Morgan for her birthday. But nobody answered. So we got some gas for the generator and then headed back up to the mountains. When we got up to camp, it was nice weather so we decided to start making the tin foil dinner. Mom and Dad made them PERFECT! Right when we got done eating, it starting raining again. So we loaded everything up and went back into the trailer. We stuck in another movie and mom started yet another book. I of course, fell asleep so they got my bed ready and all 3 of us were to bed by about 8-9. We were so exhausted. About 10 there came a pounding at the trailer door. I yelled "DAD! Someone is at the door" I was having a dream that another camper was coming after us so I needed my dad to open the door, lol. he jumped up and shook the trailer. He got to the door and it was Officer Gail Jensen. He was told to come up and tell us that Grandpa was taken over to Castleview Hospital. Mom asked him if he knew why, he said that all he knew is he was taken by ambulance. We knew it was something serious if they sent the police to come and get us. So we all jumped up and got the bags packed and jumped in the truck and headed home. We got to the house, took a quick shower so we wouldn't smell like campfire then we were on our way. Grandpa was on his way to Provo for kidney and liver failure. We made it up to UVRMC around 3. We all got some sleep in the ICU waiting room and took turns going in the room to spend time with grandpa. Me and my parents left Provo yesterday around 2 or 2:30 to head back down to OV so we could get the trailer and my car off the mountain. It was raining so much up there. Lowry Creek was pretty full! We got it down just fine but we were all pretty exhausted. I came home to Salt Lake today. I stopped at the hospital to see Grandpa. He looked at me and said that he knows that I am someone he should know. I said he's right. I'm his granddaughter, I'm Lori's daughter Nicky. After that, Kristi and Mitch came in and they asked him if he knew who they were. He said of course I do.. You're Nicky Vicky and Nicky Micky. There were a few times he even called out for Grandma Nell saying that he was ready and "let's go Nell"

So this memorial day weekend wasn't what was planned. I had camping and fishing planned and it turned into camping and rushing to the hospital to be with grandpa. Is there anyway I can turn back time? Oh well, the weather wasn't all that great to go camping and fishing anyway.. I do know that I am tired of being so emotional. I started crying at the hospital when Grandpa looked at me in the eyes and said "Nicky, you have such beautiful eyes" my mom was there and I just couldn't hold back the tears. I just started crying. He had even gone back in time to where he wanted to go to talk to the students. He wanted to talk to Nicky and Nancy's teachers at the elementary. And he needed to talk to a member of the school board and even the principal. I asked him well what about talking to Barrett and Tammy and he said he can't talk to Barrett because he is 2000 miles away and he could talk to Tammy. He said the teachers needed to be on one end of the table and him on the other. The nurses were laughing. They asked what he taught. He said "I taught for 19 years and you don't remember!" He has a sense of humor for sure! But he sure did keep telling me that he loves me.

Well, I'm off to bed. I took a nap when I got home from traveling from EC. It's just been an exhausting weekend. Keep Grandpa Rue in your prayers!

She's 5!

Happy Birthday to my little Morgan! I can't believe she is 5 today! She is growing up so much. Morgan, you make me so happy when I am able to talk to you on the phone. Your sweet little voice is so cute. I miss you so much! I hope you like your birthday present. It is in the mail! I made it just for you! 5 years ago you were born and you made your mom and dad so happy because they wanted a baby so bad. And now you are growing up so fast! You are such a big help! You love your Maxwell brother friend so much! I hope you know how much Aunt Nicky loves you! I hope you have a good birthday! I love you!

Happy Mothers Day

First I want to start out by saying Happy Mothers Day to my own Mother. There aren't words to express how much I love her and how much she means to me. You have always been there for me. Here are somethings about my mom on why I love her so much:
*Always there for me, even when I thought I didn't need her
*Takes care of when I've had my surgeries.
*She is a great listener and a great mom.
*Her and dad pray for all the kids daily and they are very specific in their prayers.
*She understands me when others don't.
*I love sitting on the floor in front of her and having her play with my hair. Or I will lay my head in her lap (the small lap she has hehe) and have her run her fingers through my hair.
*Most of all, I love her so much because she is my mom! If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be half the person I was today!
*And MANY MANY MORE!
Happy Mothers Day MOM!! I love you!


Tammy~ You are my oldest sister. Again, no words can express how much I love and appreciate her and everything she does for me. Here are things I love about her:
*You have taught me so much
*Have 3 kids who I totally adore. I love when Koy lays down by me, he says "Icky lay down on me" and he pats his belly. I call him my snuggle muffin and he tells me he's my shadow.
*Tammy is such an unselfish mother and very grateful for her children!
*Hard worker for her family.
*Loves to do crafts when she is able to. One year she made me a scrapbook for my birthday of my nieces and nephews (which by the way you need to add Max, Tyler, and Koy)
*I know you are going through a rough time right now, just remember we're your family and we love you. Do what's best for your kids.
*I love you Tammy, you're one of my best friends. I'm glad you live only 5 minutes away!
*AND MANY MANY MORE!
Happy Mothers Tammy! I love you!


Chantel~ You are my sister in law but I don't look at you like that... You are part of the family like everyone else.. whether you like it or not.. TOUGH! :) Here are some things that I love about Chantel (and there are MANY more):
*You married my brother!
*You have stuck by him through med school and been a big support to him.
*2 adorable little kids (I HEAR they can be a little sassy, I don't believe it!:))
*You are VERY crafty and you own your business of making hair bows.
*You are a great listener. You always tell me that if I need to talk that I can call you. That really means a lot to me.
*You are very supportive to me. The time I was admitted to the hospital, I remember you and Barrett drove down from Logan to be with me. That really meant a lot.
*AND MANY MANY MORE
*I want you to know that you are part of the Labrum family... You are my sister... Not JUST my sister-in-law.
Happy Mother Day Chantel. I love you!



Nancy~ You are my older sister. I know we have had many fights throughout the years. Some are over little petty things that big sis/little sis fight over. But I think that we can both say that we have grown up. There are so many things why I love you, here are a few:
*You endeavor many trials every day with our little man Tyler
*You have 1 very special little boy name.... BUBBA! aka TYLER
*You and Dallas are doing so well down in the hot AZ sun.
*You are a great listener and from what I hear, you understand everyone! :)
*I love our daily talks and being able to talk to Tyler.
*I know we butt heads a lot, I just want people to accept me for me. And I can tell you're learning how I am.
*You try to understand my feelings but I don't think anyone truly will. And you know what I'm talking about when I say that.
*I love your support. You and Dallas are always so supportive of me and my choices.
*And MANY MANY MORE
Happy Mothers Day Nancy! I love you!

Happy Birthday Tammy

Yes I took the picture from your family picture and cropped it so it is JUST YOU! I had no pictures of you without a child! :) I have a good one of you after you just had Kayden, be glad I didn't post that one! :) I hope you have a good birthday. I want you to know that I think you doing the best you can for the kids. You are my oldest sister, I have to give you crap! You're a 2nd mom to me! :) Sometimes I don't like things you tell me because you're being a mom to me but I know you guys are just looking out for me. I'm glad you just live 5 minutes away from me (literally) and those kids make me so happy! I love hearing little Koy say "ICKY!" or Kayden pointing his little finger at me and saying "go away Nicky" and then Koy has to copy him. Lexi is growing up to be a beautiful young lady. Just keep doing what you're doing and you will make the right decisions. Remember what I told you the other day on the phone. I didn't say any of it to make anyone feel bad.. Just know I love you and I always will. We're family, that's what we do!

I found this quote and I liked it and thought it might fit well in our situation:

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.

-- George Burns

Happy Birthday....

I am going to DOUBLE POST... :)

Happy Birthday DAD tomorrow (May 4) You have always been there for me no matter what. you are such a good example of everything that I want in a husband. You do so much for mom. You are such a great dad, husband, friend and grandpa. I look at what you have done for the family over the years and I don't know how you do it! I know that if I ever need anything, I can always call you up and get you on your phone. Sometimes I just like to call you just to talk. You have taught me so much. I am so glad that you are my dad! I couldn't ask for anyone better. I hope you had a good weekend in St.George! The award couldn't have gone to anyone better! I love you dad!

Happy Birthday MOM on Tuesday (May 5). I look at everything you have had to go through the past few months and I don't know how you do it. But then I look at the person you are, and you are one strong person. I really admire that about you. You and Dad have always been by my side with the decisions I have made. You are a great mother, wife, friend and grandma. I have looked up to you as a mother and I know the kind of wife and mother I want to be when my time comes. I love you mom!

Happy Birthday! You guys make it so easy not to forget your birthdays! :) And I don't want to hear how Mom kept Dad up since day 1 in the hospital or vice versa :) Because when I go home, you BOTH keep me up. Now that summer is coming up, I am glad that you can go camping and fishing together and now Mom has broke out of her shell and learned the new found glory of four-wheeling or as Kayden says "FOUR-RIDING" As I was looking through my pictures, the ONLY picture I have of just you guys is when I went fishing with just the 3 of us last year. That weekend meant a lot to me. It was so much fun! Even though we almost slid off the mountain. But we were doing something we all enjoy..

I love you!

Happy Birthday Lexi

Happy Birthday Lexi! I know this is REALLY late (you are already in bed) but I just wanted to post and tell you Happy Birthday! I am so glad that I have had the chance to spend so much time with you lately. You are such a big help to me! I hope you had a good day. You were so happy because you didn't have testing today. I love watching you play with your brothers, Kayden and Koy LOVE spending time with you. You have such a special bond with them. You can get them to do ANYTHING! You are so special! You are growing up so much, I hope you know how much you are loved by so many people. I am glad I got to have a special day with you on Saturday and take you to get your birthday present.

I love you Lexi!

Happy Birthday!
Love,
Aunt Nicky

Please Say a Prayer! I Love you Grandpa

If you can't tell who he is, he's the one with the kids sitting on his lap with the bald head! :)

"PaPa Rue" was taken to UVRMC by ambulance early this morning for Congestive Heart Failure My dad said he hasn't been out of been for a few days. I am guessing he might be going to the ICU, but I don't know. My Grandpa Rue is well known in Emery County. He grew up in Orangeville and he married Nellie Ann Olsen (yes, just like the name from Little House on the Prairie) He was a woodshop teacher and he taught drivers ed. In the summers he was always in the mountains. He LOVED showing the grandsons the mountains. He eventually got the opportunity to work in the District Office, that's where I remember him always working. He LOVED working with his wood. He made a nice woodshop out back and he had a special craft that not many people have! My grandma Nell died in Sept 1979 and Grandpa married Grandma Carol in the 80's (not sure of the date) I just know all the grandkids were there sitting on the fireplace. :) After Grandpa retired from the district office he got the chance to work on the school board.

When I got the phone call from my dad about grandpa about 3:30, it was something I was not expecting! So whoever is reading this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE say a prayer for my grandma tha teverything will work out the way tthat it needs to work out.

Happy Birthday Chantel

I know this is late, but I've been busy all day!

I was able to call Chantel bright and early this morning (my time) and wish her Happy Birthday! (then got to talk to my little Morgan) I hope you got to enjoy the day with Barrett and Max and Morgan! :)

Changes

All I can say is I love my new job!!! It is different, but it is a good different. It has been a big change to actually get my full 40 hours in a week. I am so glad that this opportunity was given to me, I don't think I would have ever done it if it wasn't presented to me.


I found this quote and I wanted to share it..

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.
-- Amy Li

I know the past few weeks has been hard for the family and I hope that my sister knows that I will always be there for her. I know I have probably said some things that has got her upset at me and I am sorry about that. I know you are making the choices that are going to be best for you. I don't know everything that is going on (I actually don't know much at all) and you know, I am ok with that. I just hope that you know that I will be here for you whenever you need me. I am just a phone call away and I don't care if it's 1 am or 6 pm. I will always be there for you. That's why we're family :)

Other then the changes at work, that's been the most changes for me. It's nice having a new perspective of things at my work. I just love working for Myriad though. It is such a good company to work for (even if they do have us do mandatory overtime lol). Overall, you know you are doing a good deed! :) Now that I'm out of training, it's REALLY nice not to have to be at work at 7:30 in the morning and I'm back to my "normal" shift.

When one door closes, the next one opens...

I know it has a been awhile since I wrote last. What a rollercoaster I have been on! Just last week, I went from being REALLY REALLY high one day to REALLY REALLY low the next. I did a lot of crying, but I took care of it. If it wasn't for a lot of great friends (and wonderful family to talk to), it would've been a lot harder!

I did get a great experience that I never thought would come... I got a promotion at my job!! The best thing is that the door just opened up for me, I just took the opportunity when it was given. I walked into work one day and got an interview for Customer Service (no, I will not be on the phones). I am really really excited about it. It didn't take them long to make the decision and I started some training today and I will officially start next Monday. I don't think it could've come at a better time in my life. I look back at everything and I really needed this. I have been at this company for 2 1/2 years, and I really needed this. It was hard to accept the position because I am so comfortable in Data Entry but I really needed to move on. I am so grateful for being given the chance to do this.

With the low I had, it was probably the lowest low I've had in a really long time. I got some pretty harsh news that I wasn't expecting and it really took me by surprise. I am so thankful for the wonderful friends I have that helped me get through that. I am also SOO grateful for my family for being there for me. I got the news at work, as soon as I got off work I called my mom and I just cried to her. She helped me realize that I deserve so much better. I also talked to Nancy and she helped me out a lot. She knows how I feel about somethings and how hard it is to have to go through what did and what I still go through. I did realize that my friends and family will always be there for me no matter what. They are my strength when I need them.

I know I don't tell them enough but I am soo thankful for everything that my friends and family do for me. This past week, I really depended on them for so much! I have the best friends/family anyone could ever ask for! :)

I hope that you know that because I haven't kept up to date on this, isn't because I don't mean to.. I really had to deal with a lot last week. If I could express what that rollercoaster was I would. Some people just won't understand. I know if some knew what it was, their response would be "get over it" or "move on" but for me, it's not that easy. It just takes time (and sometimes a lot of crying)

Taking Chances

The day FINALLY came! Me and Tammy got to go see Celine Dion at the EnergySolutions Arena on Sunday. The concert was originally set back in November but they had to postpone it because Celine Dion got sick. Our seats were WAAAAY up in the nosebleed section but it was worth it! She puts on an AMAZING concert! I am so glad I got to go with Tammy. She is such a huge Celine Dion fan.

I went and picked Tammy up at her house and we got pictures together so when Tammy downloads those, I will try and get a picture of that. We rode Trax into downtown so we wouldn't have to worry about parking, so we went to the 3900 S station. Trax was already packed so we ended up standing on the train. When we got to the ESA, we got some food and went and found our seats. The opening act was Gordie Brown. I would recommend seeing him. He had the whole arena laughing! Then the big Celine Dion came out. She did some new songs and some of her old hits. The show was not complete until she did the Titanic Song!

I just want to say thank you to Tammy for letting me come. It was amazing!

Tyler

This handsome lil man needed to go into emergency surgery last night. His shunt had broke off and needed to be replaced... again... Surgery went well but please keep him in your prayers! Too many brain surgeries for him, but they are so grateful to have good neurosurgeons who take care of him! If you want to read more about what happened, you can check out Nancy's blog here! Tyler is such a special lil boy! I hope he has a fast recovery. I love you Bubba

Rollercoaster of Life

What a week of emotion! I am not going to get into details about it because everyone that needs to know already knows. But I have learned a lot! I have learned that I am not going to be a doormat to step on anymore and that is EXACTLY how I feel at the moment and I know that is not how it was meant to make me feel. I was put under a lot of stress and it caused me to have my bad migraines again and it took MANY days to get rid of it. I know that all the crying didn't help any! :) I just don't need anymore stressers in my life!

I am SOO glad that my lil buddy Maxwell is doing better! He was taken into surgery yesterday. That little stinker decided that money goes into his belly and he swallowed a quarter. The quarter got stuck in his throat and stopped his breathing. My brave sister-in-law ended up having to call the ambulance to come and he had to go to surgery to remove the quarter. This will be a trip to Connecticut that they will never forget! :) Dr. Barrett was still in Missouri because he was working, so his daddy was not able to be there. But there were a lot of prayers being said for Maxwell by his family! We love you Maxwell and we are so glad you are doing better and we are so glad that you have a fast acting Mommy that knew what to do! You surely are a daddy's boy! :)

Well, I better get back to work!

Happy Birthday Dallas

Happy Birthday Dallas! You are an amazing father to Tyler and you make my sister so happy! Hope you enjoy your day!

Ok, I'm a slacker!

I'm getting slack from the family.. I know I haven't wrote on the blog in 2 weeks.. Man, my life isn't THAT exciting I promise! I will post everyday if you want to know I went to work! :)

Last weekend was wonderful! I did get to spend time with Nancy and Tyler. Mom and Dad picked me up Friday morning (no I didn't go to work that day) and we headed to the airport to pick them up. We were pulling in when Nancy called asking where we were. I know, SHOCKER! Dad was late, or.. Nancy's plane landed early. Dad is NEVER late, we were thinking Dad would want to be there an hour early just so he wouldn't miss them coming in. But the pilot took a shortcut and got here early (yes, a shortcut in the air). When we got them from the baggage claim, Tyler was walking around pushing the stroller, such a big boy! We then went to breakfast and did some shopping before heading to visit Tammy before heading to EC. It was so fun to see Tyler get to experience snow for the first time. At first we weren't sure his thermometer worked. He loved to throw the snow and he would sign "ball" whenever he wanted to play in it. We headed down to EC and visited some of the teachers at Cottonwood Elementary so mom could get some schoolwork to check. Tyler loved playing with the alphabet magnets and the big ball from Lynda Nelson. That night, Tyler went to his first Emery High basketball game! He went right down on the floor and was able to see the game. He loved it! Not to mention the popcorn that grandpa gave him! :) By the end of the night, he was ready to go to bed!

Saturday we went and visited Grandpa and Grandma Ware. It's been a long time since I have seen them. Tammy and Josh brought the kids down and we all went swimming at the new swimming pool in Castle Dale. It was a lot of fun. There are a few things that were a downfall like no dressing rooms that were DRY.. But overall, it was a lot of fun. The kids loved it and Tyler sure is a water-baby! We had a lot of fun. I missed Max and Morgan!

Sunday we went to Sacrament at OV2 ward. Me and Nancy then headed up to SLC to get Dallas from the airport. Tyler was SO happy to see his dad! He helped Dallas pull his luggage, it was so cute!

I had so much with Tyler! I'm glad that his dr appointment went well!

This week, I've just been busy with work! It's been hectic up here in SLC, school is back in session so all the students are back so driving to work takes MUCH longer and leaving work.. Yeah.. :) it isn't much fun!

I love the picture of me and Tyler swimming that Nancy took!

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had a good new year! It's now 2009 and time to have new goals and to have a fresh start.

I have made some new years resolutions but I don't know if I want to put them up on here yet because I just think.. "what if I fail at them?" ... :)

I do want to tell my friends and family how much they mean to me! You guys have always been there for me. I really needed you guys A LOT last year and of course, you were always there!

The other day I was thinking of what all has happened this past year. Dad had surgery on his knee twice and on his shoulder. Mom actually didn't have surgery this year but her asthma wasn't all this great. Tammy and Josh moved up here to SLC and they just live right around the corner from me so I am lucky enough to be able to see them a lot. Barrett graduated from KCOM and him and Chantel moved from Logan to Kansas City. Nancy and Dallas are still in AZ but lil TY went to Preschool and is progressing so much. I had gallbladder surgery and many other personal issues that I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for my family.

Well, I'm off to clean my room.. It's a MESS!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!