Mandy's Army

2 years ago I joined an 8 week boot camp with a friend of mine to lose some weight and tone some muscles and it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  I quickly became friends with the owner and my life was never the same again.  Jenn has done so much for me I could never ever possibly repay her.  

She put together an amazing fundraiser to help vet some of the lame medical expenses all these health problems have caused.  It was an awesome event and meant so much to me.  

The studio was packed full of people - most of whom I had never even met - all there just to support me.  She made up the cutest shirts and sold them on my behalf as well.  

It was so humbling and I was overwhelmed with emotion.  

This girl is one of the most amazing people I know.  

I am so glad I have her in my life.  

True Love

Don't let the fairy tales fool you.  True love doesn't mean romance and happiness and good things all the time.  It doesn't mean you get a long (or even like each other) all the time either.  True love isn't easy and doesn't just happen.  Like all the really good things in life it is hard and takes effort.  It is more than just words and takes an incredible amount of unselfishness.  

I've been undergoing a series of radiation shots to treat the brain AVM.  They are painful, make me nauseated, and make my head so sensitive I can't even lay on my pillow.  I have really tried my very best to endure this health crap the best I can and to not take my pain out on my family.  I don't always succeed at that, but they have loved me unconditionally through the whole thing.  They are incredible.  It is amazing the things you can do when you know you have people who truly love you by your side.  

I just had my 3rd (and hopefully final) shot this weekend and recovering from it has been brutal.  The first night was especially awful.  I sat on the couch with my head propped up hoping to get some rest but it was not happening.  My hair felt so heavy on my head and my head was so sore I just started bawling.  There was nothing more to do than cry. 

Then my hero came to the rescue.  He had worked a 12 hour shift that day and had another 12 hour shift a head of him early the next morning, but somehow he knew I needed him.  I'm not going to pretend for a second that our lives are perfect or that we don't struggle.  We have had our share of problems, but he is ALWAYS there when I need him most.  He held me and wiped my tears and then totally made me laugh.  He stayed up with me until the early hours of the morning, and went to work the next day.  He amazes me. 

I don't know what I would do without him.  I don't ever want to find out either.  

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH CURTIS DEE COSPER!!!

Cannon Lost a Tooth

My kids never cease to amaze me.  They are wise beyond their years and even though I miss having babies so very much, I really love the new stage of life we are in.  It just keeps getting better and better.  Tonight I was just in the kitchen making dinner when Cannon came in and said to me:

"Mom, I have something for you."

I turned around and saw he was holding his tooth in his hand.  The day before he had complained about his tooth hurting and I could tell it was a little loose, but I didn't expect him to just pull the thing out himself the very next day.  There wasn't a tear in his eye and hardly any blood in his mouth.  He pulled it right out like a champ.  

Although it does make me a little sad to see him growing so quickly, I also couldn't be any prouder of him.  He is such an awesome person.  

I love the toothless grin.  It won't be long before the other bottom tooth comes out.  He really likes the fact that he is losing teeth like his big sister.  

I sure love this kid!!!

Summer Concert Part 2

Before I talk about how incredibly awesome this concert was...I have to tell you about the people we went with.  Scott and I work together and we have been friends from the second we met.  He reminds me so much of my brother Fred.  He is always the person I go to when I'm having a bad day and always has the best advice for me.  He has helped me be a better wife, mom, and all around person.  Then I met his wife and it was like a hole in my heart had been filled.  These guys are family and I am so glad they are in my life.  We have a ton of fun things in store with these guys and you will be seeing them on the blog a lot.  

Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way, I loved every second of the Kiss and Def Leppard concert.  The music was awesome and the atmosphere so freaking fun.  We laughed and sang and danced all night.  I LOVED that Curtis was able to come with us.  

Seriously love this girl!!!

I'm so glad she is in my life.

Love my goofball, handsome husband.  He is so fun to be around. 

I just wish he was around more.  

Every song Def Leppard sang was FANTASTIC.  I knew them all and it was so much fun.  The guys may be older...but they still put on an amazing concert.  

Kiss was fun too, although they had a lot of hits they could have sang and didn't.  I was surprised how many songs I didn't know.  :(  It was still a great show and Curtis (who isn't a fan of concerts) told me it was the best concert he's ever been too.  

We had SO much fun.  I love when I can spend some time with him.  

Chicken Soup for the Soul

It happens every summer.  There is always that one cold day with freezing rain (and snow in the mountains) that makes you wonder what the heck is wrong with Mother Nature.  I came home completely freezing and exhausted and my head was pounding but Kylee was there to meet me at the door with a huge smile on her face.  I asked her what she was so happy about and she told me that the weather made her happy.  When I asked her why, she said: "It's perfect homemade chicken soup weather."  My mom taught me how to make homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles and my kids think it is the best thing ever.  She gave me her sweet face and asked if she could help me make dinner.  It was a very awesome mom moment and probably the best batch of soup I've ever made.    

My kids teach me so much more than I probably teach them.  It's the simple things in life that really matter.  Even on the freezing cold days when nothing has gone right and you feel like crap...there can be something great and special about the day.  Homemade chicken noodle soup was more than just our dinner that night.  I am so very thankful for these awesome moments in life.    

Summer Concert

I love summer concerts!!!  

Concerts at Usana Amplitheater are THE BEST!!!

I love being outside, love the view of the mountains behind the stage, love dancing on the grass and the people....and of course LOVE the music!!!

These girls and I went to a great concert that featured American Authors (AWESOME band who are going to be huge), The Script, and ONE REPUBLIC!!!  

We have actually seen American Authors many times, but in tiny, private venues.  It was way fun to see them on a big stage with a big crowd.  

It was such a fun time.  Totally worth the head ache I got afterwards.  

I even ran into my cute cousin Lacey at the concert.  

It was a great night full of dancing and laughing and singing.  

Hard Work

Sometimes...my job doesn't suck.  :)  

I got to spend the day in nature enjoying the beauty of the country and kicking everybody's butt at horseshoes.  :)  My job is stressful...but moments like these make it worth it.  The paycheck doesn't hurt either.  

Park City

I have been beyond blessed with absolutely awesome people in my life.  I have been able to endure the tough times because of these amazing people.  Actions really do speak louder than words and I am extremely grateful for the true friends I have been blessed with.  One of these dear friends ended up having a condo in Park City they weren't going to use and asked me if I wanted a quick get-a-way with my kids.  It was just what we needed.  

I still had to work but it was awesome working pool side watching my kids play.  

And as soon as work was done...we played.  

And played

And played

And played.

It was such a great time.  Kylee left these notes for the hotel staff.  She is such a cute kid.  

My kids have been so awesome through all my health issues.  They are seriously the best 6 and 7 year-old kids I have ever met.  They help out around the house and do so much more than they should have to at their ages.  Sometimes it really breaks my heart what they have to do because I can't.  I was so happy they got to play and have a great weekend.  They deserved it!

Summer

We couldn't be happier that it's SUMMER time.  I know I say this all the time, but my kids are most definitely my favorite people to hang out with.  I mean...seriously!  Look how fun they are!!!

We have a ton of fun things planned for the summer.  

As long as I can spend as much time as possible with these two...it will be awesome!