FHE on Squaw

Sweet J

Yesterday J had his baptismal interview. Beforehand we were preparing him telling what questions/why the bishop may ask him.

A few minutes before he came into my room and said, "Remind me of the questions again.". I told him not to worry that he shouldn't be nervous. That there where no wrong answers, but he just needed to tell the Bishop what he felt inside.

Then I told him that if he was nervous he could go in his room and say a prayer to help him.

Then he replied, "I already did."

I'm so grateful that he knows he can ask his Heavenly Father for help and that he's comfortable doing it all on his own:)

He's been preparing a lot to get baptized. So excited for this next week.

Sundance Hike

Yesterday we cheered on Amy and Gabe at 12 Hours of Sundance, then we rode the chair up, then we hiked a loop around Mandan.

I think we may have hit a milestone in our family. Faith and Wyatt hiked on their own the whole time! And we hiked for at least, if not more than a mile.

Leaves and the mountains were gorgeous and Faith declared it, "the best hike ever!!!"

We are enjoying the Saturdays when the kids still like to play as a family:). I hope we can make it last forever.

Fall

Fall is for sure my favorite season! Something magical about the leaves changing. I love the cool air, the crunch of leaves, the smells...everything.

I am thankful for the beautiful earth that God has created for us:)

Love Him

Tonight, Wy said, "Mom, I love you to heaven and back, then to the ranch, then to the sky, then to Donner!"

Then I said I'm going to take a picture of you cuz you're so cute. Then he said, "that's good, so when you're at the gym tomorrow and you're missing me, you can look at that picture."

I love that he never ceases to tell me how much he loves me:)

Furniture for Sale!!!!

We are remodeling a few rooms in our home and need to sell a few things.  If you're interested in anything call, comment, or email me.  Also contact me to make an offer or if you'd like more info and pictures.

801-310-1018

chelseahoopes@mac.com

Family room sofa, two chairs and ottoman.  Buy one piece or all.  ****These pieces have some sun damage.****But all pieces are made with slipcovers, so if you could replace all fabric.  All of the pillows don't have much sun damage.  Other than the sun bleaching furniture is basically new.  Hardly ever sat on, so with new covers it would be like new.

Chair seat cushions have two fabrics.  Striped or the floral and all of the pillows have different fabrics on each side.  Front of these chairs look good, but sides that are in the sun of a lot of bleaching.

Cabinet.  Black.  Perfect condition.

Side cabinet and mirror.  Both are in perfect condition

Cabinet.  Black.  Perfect condition.

Dining Hutch

Tall dresser--has some dings throughout.  

Purlple Velour!!! Super cool

 Circular desk.  Love this piece, but won't go anymore:(

Computer Hutch and Chair.  Good condition

On President's day we finally got enough snow to sled.  Thanks Amos and Gabe for the motivation to get the kids out in the snow.  They loved the sleds and they're cousins.

Hip Update

All pretty much good news!  I'm at day 23 and feeling good.  Every day that passes I feel more normal, and I'm remembering what normal even is.  I no longer have to wear a brace--but I'll be honest, I never really did.  I no longer have long, catchy stitches--which means no more waterproof bandaids.  I no longer have to wear the calf pumps if I'm sitting or laying down for mar than 20 min.  And I only have to CPM for 2 hours.  Hallelujah!

So 5 more days of crutches--which I'm nervous to be off.  I don't know why but I'm a little scared to do it on my own.

5 more days of CPM/2 hours per days

Then life will basically be normal, except for PT twice a day and water therapy.  But that's basically like a daily workout.  Otherwise I can clean, cook, pick up Hannah, run errands, carry in the mail, etc...which will be so nice.  All the mundane things of life will be so nice now.  I'm so thankful to all who have been filling in--especially Diane who was here for a week!--but I'm anxious to be "mom" again.

Then hopefully by the end of March I can start running, biking, you name it, to my hearts content.  I know it will be awhile before I'm strong again, but at least I can start the process.  I'm hoping that I can enjoy this summer before I feel like I have to do my right side.  Feb was a good month too be laid out.  I don't know how I could finagle another Feb. surgery, but it'd be nice.

Right now I'm able to put more and more weight on my surgical side and I'm feeling like I'm getting stronger.  I had a little hiccup my first few days of more weight bearing, but now I feel like I'm managing it well.  I still look pretty lopsided, but I hope it's just swelling and not a new shaped hip.  I'll stick with symmetry please! 

So far so good.  I think it worked.  Cross your fingers for me and pray for continued success.

Sunday morning I came out of my parent's house to this pretty view.  Made me feel thankful for such a beautiful earth we have.  I love frosted trees.

Stitches out!  Getting them out made me so nauseous.  I get so woozy with the smallest things.  Somehow watching strings coming out of my body sent me over the edge.

My PT buddy.  I go to my parents house twice a day to ride their stationary bike and to swim.  Which is so nice to have a close place to do all my PT.  Thanks mom and dad!  Faith will often come for companionship.  Love her.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all the Hoopes!

Disneyland!!!

The first week of December I surprised the kiddos with a trip to Disneyland!  I love Disneyland and I especially love taking my kids.  I've been dying to go for about a year, but things never seemed to  work out with finances or Ben's work schedule.  But at the beginning of the month I saw a deal on flights to Long Beach so I just went for it and decided to leave Ben with Hannah.

We had the time of our lives!  I kept it a secret all the way to the Hotel. That morning I sent the kids to school as usual so they would not suspect anything.  Then I went and picked them up from school and told them that Dad called me and told me he had a special surprise for us and that the only thing I knew was that I was supposed to pick up the kids then have them read a note that Ben left in the car.---When I picked J up he was really nervous.  Wondering where we were going and how long we'd be gone, because he had perfect attendance and he really didn't want to mess that up! haha.  So Jesse---.  Once we had all the kids in the car Jesse opened the note and it told us that we had to call Ben and he'd give us clues to where we needed to go.  First he said get on the Freeway and head up towards Salt Lake, then we called and he told us to look for signs for the airport.  Then we parked and he told us to look in the glove box and there was a piece of paper that we needed to give the lady at the counter,... etc all the way till when we pulled up to the Disneyland gates.  It was perfect, Mickey and Minnie called us right as we were pulling up to welcome us to our vacation!

It really couldn't have been a better trip.  The weather was perfect, the lines were small ( I don't think that we had to wait for more than 15 min anywhere!), we got to do all that we wanted and more, and all the Christmas decor was the perfect beginning for the holiday.  I think we might have to make it a tradition!

Right when we arrived we had lunch at Ariels grotto and got to see all the best princesses--Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderlla and Snow White.  I think Belle had a little Crush on Wy.  ps. This is such a great way to see the princesses so you don't have to wait in that ridiculous line.

Cinderella and Cinderlla

Buzz.  Wyatt was so excited he couldn't even take his eyes off him for the picture.

Small World lights.  Small World is my favorite.  Especially the Christmas Edition

Splash Mountain was Faith and Jesse's favorite.  I love this picture.  Right as we were getting on Faith panicked and said she wanted to sit by me, so without thinking Wyatt got in front then Faith and I slipped in behind her so I could hold on to her.  Then I panicked because little Wy was in front all by himself!  I kept yelling at him to hold on so tight.  I was so scared he was going to fall or jump out.  You can see me reaching for his shoulder to hold him back.  It was true terror for all of us and I loved it!

The Castle was so pretty and magical

Each night we lost one while walking back into the hotel.  Too bad we partied too hard during the day to stay awake for any of the late shows.

Breakfast with Characters.  I think we saw just about every character there was over the course of the trip.  Only disappointment was no Rapunzel.  Mom wasn't will to wait for 90 min.

The Grand Californian Christmas tree

Dumbo

We can't wait for Cars Land to open.  We'll have to go back.

Small world boat all to ourselves.  I'm telling you Dec. is a great time to go.

Natalie and our favorite cousin Kristen came to play with us too!  The kids had so much fun with Kristen showing us all the  insider secrets.  It's always a party with Kristen around!

Faith got to visit the fairy godmothers at the Bibbity Boppity Boo Boutique.  She loved every second of it!  Definitely a must!

After 3 days at Disneyland we went and played with cousins for a night.  I think Faith loved showing up like a princess.  I don't think Truman minded it either:)

Playing at the beach in Emerald Bay.   Such a dream.  We are thoroughly jealous and loved taking advantage of it for a morning.

It was such a fun memory to make with my kids.  They loved it and were really appreciative.  It was so fun to just get to play with them for 3 days without having to deal with the rest of life.   It's crazy the days of having tiny kids are almost gone.  I've got to soak it up while I can.