Day 9: My Health, Talents, and Well Being

Being a girl and always finding flaws about myself, has pretty much been a part of me my whole life. Thinking about it and seeing how silly it is, has opened my eyes on things. I might not have the perfect body, hair, looks ect, but why should that matter when I have been blessed with the good health I have of being able to do a lot of the things that others may not. I am so grateful to be in the shape I'm in to do all of the races I participate in. I love every minute of it and feel so much joy in accomplishing them.

Recently, I just started to dance and perform again, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity at my age. It makes me so happy and I enjoy sharing my musical talents. I am also so blessed to be in Jenny Phillip's choir. It is a huge testimony builder for me as well as an awesome way to share the gospel.

I am so blessed to have had the experiences so far in my life that have made me stronger physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I went through quite a bit in my childhood and have suffered on and off with depression. What I am grateful for is the help I've had to understand myself and to accept the weaknesses in my life. It has motivated me to be a better person and to not focus so much on the bad, but the good that has come out of it. I am so much stronger as a person and know I wouldn't be if I didn't have those trials in my life!

Day 10: Family

So, I thought I'd start on one of the most important things I am grateful for, and that is my family! There are a ton of people in my life that have made a huge impact on me and about 90% of them would consist of family members.

First off, let's start off with my cute kiddos. Words cannot express the joy it is to be a mother, especially to 2 amazing, beautiful, smart, fun, children! Haiden and Mekenzie are the light of my life and I am SO blessed to be their mom! They bring me so much happiness and love each day! I pray that I can continue to be a good example for them and help them along their beautiful lives ahead of them.

My parents. I have to say that I was quite spoiled as a child. No matter how hard my mom and dad struggled financially, they did everything in their power to make sure I could do the things I wanted to like dancing, singing, swimming, school functions, ect. I can't even imagine what kind of money they put into all of it! It helped me during the hard times with family and myself to be involved in something that kept me out of trouble at a young age and to grow as a person. I will always be grateful for the things they did and still do for me! They are great Grandparents too :)

My In Laws. Bill and Susan are such great people and I am very blessed to have them in my life! I have learned so much from Susan and enjoy spending time with her. I look forward in being able to get together with them, especially at their home in Colorado! They have so much love for their family and Grandkids! I appreciate everything they have done for both Douglas and I!! Can't wait for Disneyland :) Douglas' siblings are also great people who I have enjoyed spending time with. Tylor, Robert, Steph, and Karee, I love you all so much and hope we can always be there for each other!

My siblings. I am so blessed to be the youngest of a big family! There are many things I have learned from each of my brothers and sisters. I look up to my brothers Jaren and Jeff so much! They have always worked so hard to provide for them and their families, plus they are just awesome guys! My sisters Amie, Taunie, Angela, and Trisha are all different, but alike in many ways too. Amie is the amazing big sister that I have always wanted to be like, Taunie through her struggles, has taught me a lot on how I've wanted to be as a person, Angela, is such a sweetheart, and Trisha is one of my dearest friends where we have gone through a lot of ups and downs, but I will always love her no matter what! I hope they all know how much I care for them!

My Grandpa and Grandma Holt. They are the most loving, giving people I know!! I am so grateful for the MANY things they have done for me as well as everyone else in the family. They are amazing people and I have so many wonderful memories with them! I Love them so much!!!

Extended family on both sides. Like I said, I have so many wonderful people in my family. I am so blessed to be close to so many of my cousins, uncles, aunts, ect. where we have had many traditions together to bring everyone together and I am so so blessed to have married into an amazing family as well with awesome cousins, aunts, uncles, too! I am one lucky girl to have such great realtionships with those on both sides and hope to continue and strengthen them :) Love you all!!!

Then of course to save for last, Douglas. With everything we have gone through in just our short 6 1/2 years of marriage, I am truly blessed we have gone through these trials, beacause it has brought us closer as a couple in understanding one another and relying on each other. I am so in love with him more than I could ever possibly imagine and I know it'll just keep on growing! He is my rock, my best friend, the one I can ALWAYS count on no matter what. He sees me for who I really am and loves me even though I can be a pain in the butt sometimes. I love him so much!!!

Wow, that was a lot of writing, but like I said, family is SO important to me. I love all of you so much and am grateful for your support, love, and friendship :)

10 Day Countdown to Thanksgiving

Starting today, there are 10 more days till Thanksgiving!! Since there is so much I could talk about on what I am grateful for, plus it'd take me forever to write them all in one post, I thought it'd be fun to do a countdown till the 24th and write a total of 10 things I am grateful for in my life. I'm sure I could do a whole lot more, but 10 is a good number I think, plus I can expand more each day on them! Enjoy!!

Great Grandma Wilson

On Sunday October 23, Douglas' sweet Great Grandma Wilson passed away. She was 102 years old. When we found out, I knew it was coming soon due to her age, but knowing that she was gone was difficult, but bittersweet to me. Having her return to her loved ones that have passed before and being united with her husband made it easier, but to not have her here is going to be hard getting used to. Ever since I have been a part of the family, she has always been there for family to support them whether it being a wedding, baby blessing, baptism, ect. Even at her age, she amazed me with how on the ball she was! I loved talking to her about her life and stories about the family visiting her in San Diego when she lived there. She did so much for others and still did even in her last days. I am so blessed to have known such an amazing lady who had such an unconditional love for her family! I am so glad that my children was able to know and spend time with her too!! Here are some pictures I was able to find over the last years of her life.

 Just after Haiden was born

January 2007

 Grandma's 99th Birthday

July 2008

 Mekenzie's Baby Blessing

November 2008

April 2009

                                         

Grandma's 100 Year Birthday Celebration

We celebrated her 102nd birthday in July, but I unfortunately don't have pictures of her then, except the one on top. That was the last time we saw her. 

Her funeral was this last Saturday. Everything about it was so nice! She looked so good. The talks were good and the music was beautiful. One of the Grandsons played 'Be Still My Soul' my favorite hymn, and I could not help but cry listening to the beautiful song. It was good to hear so many special stories about her and again celebrating 102 wonderful years of her life and the amazing things she experienced. Definitely a century of so many changes!!

We love you Grandma and know you are in heaven continuing your work and watching over us!! May we all learn from your example and strive to be the same to others around us. Until we meet again.

Much Love

Back In The Groove!!

So, about 3 weeks ago, I started dancing again!! My old dance teacher Nicole put together an all Women's Singing/Dancing cast for Christmas and Summer next year. The first week was fun, but HARD!! A lot of us haven't danced for years, and so we do an hour technique, half hour cardio, and an hour and a half learning stuff for our shows.  I consider myself quite athletic, but when it came to dancing again, it is such a different feel on your body with the kicks, leaps, movements, ect that the next 2 days, I literally could not move!!! I couldn't believe on how inflexible I was too! I was impressed though that I could still catch on to all of the choreography pretty fast. These last two times going, I have felt stronger every time and back to my old self!! I am loving every second of it!! It is just so fun to be a part of something again where I can perform and show my talents!! For Christmas, we will be doing a fun show, but I am really looking forward to our Summer show!! We will be doing a Las Vegas theme show consisting songs of Poker Face, Viva Las Vegas, My Last Name, Waking Up In Vegas, and many more! I can't wait to be on stage again!!

Busy Busy and More Busy!!

Wow! Where did the summer go?? It's gone by way too fast! August especially! With selling Paparazzi, The Nielsen family reunion, Colorado, going to Lagoon, and working tons at Jetblue, I guess that can make time fly by! It's sad in a way, but then exciting for what is coming our way! On the 6th of September, Haiden starts preschool which he is super excited about! He's been counting down the days to go learn and play with friends! His teacher I think will be lots of fun, plus his cousin Ethan will be going with him too, so that'll be awesome for the both of them!

For me, I am just starting my training on doing a half marathon in October. I'm really nervous since I hate running, but I'm doing it no matter what! We shall see how it plays out with training and such! You can check it out on my Training Blog with my progress if you'd like :) Another fun thing that I am stoked about is PERFORMING again!!!! Nicole from OnStage, where I danced at in High School, asked me if I wanted to join an all womens cast for this Christmas and next Summer. Of course I said yes, since I have been wanting to get back into that!!! I am SO dang excited! I hope I do as well as I did back then!

Paparazzi has been going very well for Trisha and I!! We just started doing home shows and love it!! If any of you are interested in doing a party, let me know! Everything is so cute and only $5.50 with tax! This fall/ winter is going to be busy busy with shows!!

And of course the biggest, most fun thing that us Belshes are looking forward to at the end of the year is DISNEYLAND this Christmas!! I can't believe it's almost here! We'll be staying a week with Douglas' family and I can't even explain just how excited I am in going!! It's been YEARS since I've been and to get to take my kids and see their faces will be unforgettable!!

So like I said, it's sad for summer to be at an end, but this fall and winter will be even more busy and exciting for us to look forward to!!

A weekend where I love most!!

This past weekend, we went and visited Douglas' parents in Colorado. Bill has an annual BBQ he puts together for family, and since we hadn't been there in over a year, we wanted to go! They live in Red Mesa on about 55 acres of land. Living in the city my whole life, it was definitely something getting used to at first, but now I am completely in love with the country! It is just so peaceful and simple out there. 

Bill and Susan have a cute little home as well as the barn which they recently added a cool loft and bathroom in it. We were lucky enough to stay in there! It reminded me a lot of the mountain hideaway room we stayed in at Anniversary Inn. So fun! The kids got to sleep on the top of the loft where you had to climb a ladder to get there. They thought it was the coolest thing ever! 

Uncle Lon and Aunt Josie came as well as Bill's brother Charles, his wife Joni, and Grandson Vaughn. We had a great time together! The guys helped Bill with the roof on the barn, we rode horses, played on the tire swing, had amazing food, watched movies, and played games. For the BBQ, Bill cooked different meats in the pit he has in the ground and it is SO dang good! We had pulled pork sandwiches and beef. The best stuff ever! 

I always tell Douglas that if I had a choice to move there, I'd be there in a heartbeat! I just LOVE it there!! It just makes you forget all the hustle and bustle of the craziness that goes on! 

 Thank You Bill and Susan for having us!! It was such a fun weekend! Hope to visit again soon!