homebody

we stayed home for thanksgiving this year.

our plans to spend it with chris' parents in st. george changed when the weather turned ugly and i decided to remodel the van "total" style.  as much as i love to socialize and spend time with family and friends, i actually find myself becoming more and more of a homebody, which is all fine and dandy as long as i don't turn into edie beale... although i wouldn't mind dressing like her.

***

my sister sadie and her hubs jeff also had to change their travel plans so they joined us and brought uuuhhhmazing homemade pies and uuuhhhdorable baby reagan... it was a hard choice deciding which to have for dessert... i settled on a little of everything:)

crunch

on monday november 22nd i found myself in a skaters glide across an icy road just a mere block from our home. in that flashing moment as i realized that i wouldn't make the halt at my stop sign i was faced with a choice... same as the choice where i decided not to bring any kids with me on my errand to bring turkey and pies to the episcopal church, same as the choice when i decided not to fasten my seatbelt, same as the choice i made to go to fred meyer instead of walmart or albertsons, same as the choice to wear a hat and no coat... but with this choice that allowed me only seconds to decide, i had to determine what would save my life and the life of the driver of the red one ton dulley headed at high speed straight in my direction.  i made the choice to gun it through the crossroad in hopes that he would miss me altogether.  i braced myself in a tight grip around my steering wheel almost relieved in that breathe where i thought i had made it unscathed, until in an instant came the turbulent jarring crunch.  my body flung around inside the van like contained glitter in a snow globe, my head taking the worst of it as it hit the rear view mirror.  when all settled and became still, i started crying out into the white loneliness of the road, my first thoughts turning to my children and husband realizing i was okay... and then i looked behind me and my stomach sunk.  the truck overturned was also still... running through my head- who is in there, are they okay, are they alive?  i felt desperation and confusion.  shaking and sore i made it out into the windy coldness and connected the man swearing on the side of the road to be the driver of the truck.  my heart ached to think i had done this to him... i worried that he was hurt and mad... i was angry at myself for slipping past the sign and now our cars were sitting on the side of the road like useless wrinkled gum wrappers.  people so kind stopped to help and i stubbornly resisted when the police, firemen, and tow-trucks buzzed around us, until defeated when my husband finally arrived i withered into his arms and cried like a child.  that day i was out of my mind and felt under water, but the next day i finally broke through to the miracle and blessing that things had turned out the way they did.  cars can be replaced, but people cannot.  i let go of the guilt that i felt for causing such a wreck and i embraced the grace that my children were not with me, that the man escaped his overturned truck and walked away, that all i had were bruises and soreness... especially considering that my seatbelt wasn't there to catch me... i think angels were.  this experience, like all of life's experiences will affect the choices i make in the future.  never again will i drive without my seatbelt.  i will slow down further in advance when driving on ice and coming up to a stop.  i will listen closely to the quiet whispers to do this, or do that, when even at the time i may not know why that is the right thing to do.  i am so good at the art of worry.  but i don't want to waste my life on it.  it's situations like these that teach me that when i am face to face with a compromising situation i can choose whether to wallow, or whether to rise above and move along looking at any possible bright side there may be... and there is always a bright side.  some choices we make for ourselves, some choices come after we are handed something and then it is sitting in our lap waiting for a reply... how will you react to me, how will you carry me into the future, how will you survive this, what will you feel, what will your future attitude be?  thanksgiving meant more to me this year after the recent funeral and reflection over the life of chris' grandmother and this once horrific car accident. life, so fleeting, should be spent in progression from one roll of the dice to the next, lived in fullness and joy.  our families are our most precious possession,  nothing else matters. 

Grace

Grace Catherine Buckwell Bryner

June 25, 1921- November 15, 2010

"Nana G"

grandmother. helped raise chris from age 3-8. made you feel center of the universe. chris' tunnel. hot cinnamon rolls and cherry sprite. bowling. hikes to the "h" rock. puzzles. card games. card houses in the living room. playing pool. racing berries down the sidewalk. walks in the neighborhood. slugs. cheese bread and tomato soup. getting cans from the dungeon. picnics in the cemetary. zoo and aviary. bubble baths in the pink tub. bowl of cereal before bed. monkey bars and swing set. family baseball games. slippin' slide. sprinklers. contest picking the flower that would open at sunset. making apricot jam and fruit rollups on the roof. bbq's. bonfires and weenie roasts. "don't eat the seeds". 4th of july fireworks at sugarhouse park. bear lake with huge trailor and hobie cat. capistrano beach. love of the ocean. collecting sand and seashells. boogie boarding. drip sandcastles. tide pools at dana point. shopping. stylish fashion. matching purse and shoes. clicking her tongue. full social calendar. sizzler and wendy's. reading books. hugs.

***

"I feel so blessed to have had Grace Bryner as my Nana. 

Blessed to have loved her, and blessed to have been loved by her.  I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we will be with Nana again."  -Chris Schofield, grandson

Sister Wives Club- Caramels Conquest

it's been a while since the ladies got together to learn another homemaking skill, so i was thrilled when my mom asked our family friend jennifer, who is all things domestically inclined, to teach us how to make caramels.  is there really anything better than unwrapping the wax paper off a soft creamy homemade caramel? pretty sure that this act can almost be tied with kissing baby cheeks... almost.  caramels take a lot of patience and sugar... both resulting in perfection... and double chins.

New BaBy Nephew

Enoch

born to Trent and Charisa

on November 7, 2010

ConGRAtuLAtioNS!!

I remember being pregnant this time last year, and babies make the holidays so special and chill... can't wait to see you guys at christmas time and hold that sweet new bundle! 

halloween

batman

 napoleon dynamite

 yoda

 cave woman

 pirate

 mini dynamite

Ragnar Relay Las Vegas

october 22, 23

once upon a time chris and sara were not runners,

but chris and sara are now.

it all began with a goal,

a committment,

and discipline.

team captain rachel lit a fire under our tushies,

and for months we either

thought about running

or did run.

the actual doing was a bit more productive.

fabulous babysitters made it possible,

family support cheered us on,

and those who originally wanted to be a part

but had present pregnancy engagements

were alongside us in spirit.

add some serious prayers for the injured and sick,

great outfits and vans,

super food and a creepy motel,

wings on my shoes and some killer tunes,

and with mind over matter,

we conquered the relay called

RAGNAR.

195 miles

2 days running straight

through

wind and rain

rocks and hills

sunlight and darkness

12 teammates...

van one- rachel, devin, sadie, jeff, chris, sara

van two- mom, dad, jason, eliza, emily, jessie

we are the CIRCUS PEANUTS...

i know.

the name is blowing you away right now...

but trust me, it fit us just fine.

***

 word to the wise... if you are about to run sixteen miles, be sure to get some good sleep at a fine establishment that perhaps does not need an ultra violet light for scanning purposes so as you feel secure laying on the sheets... don't worry, we heard our snoring neighbor all night... don't worry, there were sketchy things amiss all around us... don't worry, we had glow in the dark constellation stickers on our ceiling... don't worry, we didn't get any sleep... but oh the laughs and memories... and diseases... just kidding mom.

 jess is gearing up

 devin modeling the fine team design

 still all smiles before we begin

 early morning check-in

 the girls are channeling their inner diva's

 the circus.

 i sacrafice my self respect for a demonstration of "the caleb lunge" because heaven knows the internet does not need to see my girthy thigh... and now i have just drawn attention to my girthy thigh.

 sassy sadie starts us off

 we are having so much fun, probably because we're not running yet, and yes dad we know to take the welcome sign off the front of the van so it doesn't overheat.

 chris looks as though he's about to do a magic trick... with his legs. 

speaking of legs, i would just like to interject here how proud i am of my dear husband and his little carved out tumored and radiated leg.  it is quite a miracle that with all the years and things he has been through that he was so capable and strong enough to run like he did!

i was so proud of you babe... you go girl!

 my wings that drew just enough attention from the fact that my face was bright red and every surface of my body was shaking.

1st exchange from sadie to me

 i'm so thrilled... maybe i got passed... a "few" times

 2nd exchange from me to devin (look laurie that's you!)

 3rd exchange from devin to chris

 i don't know how he had the coordination to do a jig while running

 rachel stopping traffic

 4th exchange from chris to rachel

 5th exchange from rachel to jeff

 dad was so cute to stretch me out after my first run,

so i returned the favor

 feeling strong

 our vans done with the night run, but van 2 is about to finish up

emily had a doozey up a rocky hill where many were injured

she wasn't feeling well and did amazing!!

 tender moments brought to you by the frankster and bel

 these guys were everywhere...

i wish we could have brought one back for the kids

chris on his last run with one mile left!

 awww, we're so precious... and sweaty

 the finish line

 barely making it in time those medals felt so good

 WE DID IT!!!

 jason and eliza

 jessie and emily

 i'm pretty sure our bodies were in shock by now

 the finishers at nights glow

 i would just like to express to the world that anything is possible.

sure i like to shake my booty to music,

and in the past long ago i did some leaps and pirhouettes,

but i never thought myself to be an athlete or runner,

and if you are determined and put in the work,

not only can YOU run,

but you CAN DO ANYTHING!

it was hard,

i wanted to quit,

and my body told me no way,

but i prayed to baby jesus,

and now i'm catholic.

just kidding,

but i did it,

and i'm still mormon,

and yes i do believe in jesus.

amen.