My big, fat, swollen ankle

So, on Thursday the 6th while playing basketball I rolled my right ankle. I have rolled my left ankle about 4 times, but nothing like this. I have just now started to walk without a limp, but still have a hard time getting up the stairs and balancing on that foot. When it happened it hurt, but I seriously thought no biggie I've done this before, but I obviously really trashed it. I did have it x-rayed and thank goodness it was not broken and I actually have been going to a chiropractor for rehab.(side note, if you live in the Raleigh area, Hahn Family Chiropractic is AWESOME!!). Anywho, thank goodness for my amazing husband who for the first few days, pretty much carried me everywhere! He is so wonderful:) And a big thanks to my parents for helping out so much. I think what bugs me the most and that I can't play basketball for about a month, maybe longer:( I just have to wear ankle braces on both feet now. I have posted some pictures for you to see my big, fat, swollen ankle!

ankle the night of the sprain and the ankle the next morning

big, fat, and swollen and the lovely bruise that only got worse

Time to Catch Up!!!

WOW! I have been so lazy with the blog. It just seemed like every time I wanted to blog, something else came up or I just didn't want to do it. So, now you can just sit back and enjoy the update. OK, lets see.... mission, baby, birthday, beach, fair, and Halloween. Here I go!

Mission- Well, my little brother Kyle left for his mission early on Oct. 15th. We had a family dinner at Outback the night before, and then went to the Stake President where he was set apart. It was really neat because the kids were there to see him get set apart and then after say goodbye. All the kids gave him hugs and told him they would miss him, but Hailey would not let go. She just kept holding on, and Kyle started crying which made me cry. It was such a sweet moment. The next morning, my parents came to get me at 5am and we left for the airport. Since it was so early, my 2 older brothers, my parents, and I were the ones to go see him off. We gave our hugs, shed a few more tears and said goodbye. Kyle is doing great and is now in Colorado. I am so proud of him and I love him tons!

Baby- Hmmm, what could baby mean?? Oh yeah, I am pregnant....again:) Yes, that is right baby #4 is on the way. I had my first doc. appt. on Oct.15th and everything is going great. My due date is May 23rd. I have to say that this pregnancy was a surprise, but I guess Heavenly Father knew this little spirit needed to come. I haven't been feeling to great, but that is slowly fading as I am now approaching 12wks. The kids are super excited and cannot wait for their new baby to come.

Birthday- So, Oct. 15th was a busy day, b/c that was also my birthday!! I am now 25 yrs. old! My birthday was fantastic, thanks to my wonderful husband who totally spoils me. He stayed up late and decorated the house for me, made me strawberry pancakes for breakfast, scheduled me for a haircut at the salon, took me out to dinner, and got me my favorite dessert... cookie cake:) oh, he also got me flowers and took care of the kids and I didn't have to lift a finger!! Yea, sorry ladies he is all mine! And, he bought me the Harry Potter movies, and some new work out pants. Seriously, he is the greatest!! My family also spoiled me, the gave me some more movies that I had wanted and my parents bought me some new camp chairs. It was a fantastic birthday!!

Beach- My family had a free weekend at a beach house, so we went Oct. 16th -19th. It was wonderful. That Friday the weather was great and we sat on the beach all morning. The adults played football (Stephen, my dad and I won) and the kids played in the sand. Stephen and my brother Brent went in the ocean and Hailey soon followed. It was too cold for me! That night, we celebrated my birthday, my mom and my nephew Sean's birthday. Saturday, the temperature dropped and it was rainy, but we still had fun. We went to the aquarium, and a boat museum, and then out to dinner. Sunday we went to the point of Emerald Isle and the kids flew kites. It was such a fun, relaxing trip!

Fair- Oh how I love the NC State Fair!!! It is seriously one of my favorite things to do in October. We got there at noon and left at 10:30pm. It was a blast. The kids rode rides, played with the animals, got loaded up with stickers, and we all ate lots of delicious foods! My favorites this year were the ham biscuits (as usual) and the ribbon fries, which were a mix between potato chips and fries, YUM! Of course I have craved them ever since and can't get them anywhere! The highlight for me is the FIREWORKS!! This is why we stay all day. I would love to drive out to fair grounds every night just to see them! It was a fabulous day and I can't wait for next year!

Halloween-This was good Halloween. The kids had decided what they wanted to be and actually didn't change their minds. Kaleb was Harry Potter, Hailey was Hermione, and Karly was crookshanks(Hermione's cat). They looked awesome!!! We went to my parents neighborhood first and took the kids around, and then headed to our ward party. Kaleb won the costume contest and was so happy. I think he was more happy to get the trophy. The kids played some games, Hailey won a 2liter soda for the ring toss, they went through the spook alley, which Kaleb did not like, and then did Trunk-or-Treat, where they got loads more candy! Karly was so cute she would hold out her bucket, smile when she got candy, and then did the sign language for thank you. Oh, and Stephen was a basketball player and I was a referee, I know very original for us:) Overall it was a great Halloween!

Oh my goodness, that was a lot of typing. I have just put together a slide show of everything so I hope you enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We love to dance!!!

OK, As I said yesterday I have some silly videos. Our family loves music and we love to dance, so while Stephen was rockin out, I decided to film him:) I wish we had sound on our camera, but the song he is dancing too is "Teenage Wasteland" by The Who (which my kids love and sing it) and the second video, Stephen knew I was recording , but still wanted to bust it out with Hailey anyway. Karly also wanted to join the fun. Kaleb was dancing, but didn't want to be on camera. The song on that video is "Girlfriend" by Avril Levine. Oh, Stephen is wearing a bike helmet, and yes he still is smokin hot!

Again, I wish there was sound, but they are still fun anyway!

Slacker!

So, I have totally slacked on my blogging!! I have just been so blah lately. Things are stressful,I haven't been feeling great, and I have just been a tad lazy. OK, there are my excuses:) I actually can't do a long post right now, b/c I leaving to go to basketball in like 2 min. But, I wanted to post something and let everyone know, I am still here. I should be able to post tomorrow and I have some silly videos...

A few firsts, and maybe some seconds!

Well, I have slacked on my blogging, so now I need to catch up. These have been some fun couple of weeks. Let see, where to start....

Karly- she loves to play with Hailey, especially baby dolls. However, about a week ago they decided to dress up and Karly put on one of Hailey's old dress up outfits. She was so cute, walking around as Cinderella and wearing a crown. So, that would be her First time playing dress-up. Another First for Karly was that she got her hair cut!!! Her hair pretty much grew straight in her face and then down the back, she sort of had a mini-mullet. She did so great and the stylist said, and I quote "she does better than most adults." I was so proud of my girl! The cut is perfect for her and I love it. I love my little peanut!

Kaleb- My sweet, handsome, totally awesome little boy started his First day of preschool last week!!! I just can't believe how he is growing up. Preschool is a little easier to let him go, since it is only half a day and he goes twice a week. But, I still got a little emotional when he said goodbye and hopped right out. He loves it, and has made some friends. Kaleb is great and I love him.

Hailey- She had a fantastic First week of school, and loves going. She has made a lot of new friends and is learning so much already. She has also started her Second season of soccer and last Saturday she scored her First goal!!! Not only did she score, but she played goalie and stopped 3 goals!! It was so HOT, but she didn't seem to mind. Hailey is funny to watch, b/c sometimes she is really into the game and the next she is off in "la la" land. Oh, I love her.

Stephen and I- Lets see, whats new with us.... Stephen has been working at home doing contract work for his old job, while still looking for a more permanent job. It is nice having him home during day. He still umpires at night for the city and occasionally delivers pizza for Domino's. He works so hard and I appreciate him so much, and I love him like crazy!!!! Last Saturday we had some coed volleyball at church and that was a blast. I forget how much I enjoy playing, and Stephen did awesome! I have also started my fall basketball league and I love it! It is so fun to go out and play some competitive basketball. I still play pick up ball at church as well. Life is good and we may have some stresses, but I couldn't be happier!!!

That about wraps up this post...enjoy the slide show!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I love being a parent!!

Seriously, being a parent is so AWESOME! Yes, yes I know sometimes it can be a little stressful, but the good totally out weighs the bad. To be honest, I believe my kids are the best, I may be a little biast, but really they are. Sunday was just one of those fantastic days to be a parent. So, each one of my kids did something to make the day even more wonderful.


Karly- As we are driving are to church, we(Stephen, me, and Hailey) were practicing a song that we might sing for sacrament, after a little bit it was just me and Stephen. As we were singing Karly was helping us by leading the song. Then after we finished she just smiled and clapped her hands. It made Stephen and I feel so great!


Kaleb- Well, as stated above we are learning a song to sing. Kaleb has pretty much refused to sing with us, but I was hoping that he might still be learning the song. Before we were going to say closing prayer at my parents we decided to sing, and guess what...Kaleb was singing the words!! We were so proud of him and he was so happy that we were happy.


Hailey-As we were driving home from church, Stephen and I asked the kids what they learned. They each told us and then Hailey asked us what we learned in our class. We told her that we are taking a class about families and how to be better parents. She says "why are you taking that, you are already the greatest parents." Stephen and I both were just overcome and told her thank you so much. The thing that made it even more wonderful was she said it so matter of fact, like we should already know this. She is such a sweetie!


Again, I state, that I have the bestest kids in the world and I love them like crazy!

Fishing and Shooting, Beach trip,Soccer,Birthday, and School...Whew!

So, I know you all have been waiting to see what is going on in the life of the Beckstrand family. Well, wait no more... here goes!
Fishing and Shooting- a few weeks back Stephen took the kids out to do some fishing in a pond and then shoot some guns. My dad, brother Kyle, and other brother Derek and his family all went. I wanted to go, but I already had plans to take a friend out to lunch for a baby shower. The kids had a blast!! Both Hailey and Kaleb caught a fish (Karly just walked around and watched), and both shot a pistol and a rifle! Stephen, said they did really well and Kaleb especially loved the "shoot guns". I can't wait to go with them next time
Beach Trip- My fabulous mother and I took our annual mother/daughter trip down to Myrtle Beach and had so much fun!!! My mom wanted to go before she had to get back to school, so we took off and left the husbands and kids at home!! We had two beautiful days at the beach and enjoyed every minute of it. We went out to dinner, watched a baseball game and went to the movies. I think the highlight for me (next to the beach, of course) was staying up till 2am watching the Olympics together and laughing because we couldn't get to sleep. Oh, good times. I love my mom so much, she is the BEST!
Soccer- Hailey started soccer last Saturday and she did great! It was so HOT!! Her team has a little practice before they scrimmage each other. They rotated positions, and she got to be goalie. She did so well and stopped the other team from scoring. I was very proud of her. I forgot to get some pictures up, but I will get more later.
Birthday- My little brother Kyle turned 19 this past Sunday. I can't believe it!!! We had a fun celebration on Saturday with the family. We all went bowling and then went back to my parents house for ribs and cake. YUM YUM! Bowling was so fun. The kids were hilarious getting their bowling balls down the lane. It seemed to take forever for them to hit the pins. And then they were going so slow, I was afraid they wouldn't knock any down. No worries though, they did great! I still can't believe he is 19 and leaving for his mission in October!! love ya Kyle.
Ah, last but not least School- my baby, my Hailey started Kindergarten!! I think that it finally hit me that she is growing up. She didn't want me to walk to her in, she wanted to do the carpool. So, I pulled up, said goodbye and off she went, and me... I pulled off crying. Hailey is such wonderful girl and I am so proud of her.
Well, that about wraps it up, hopefully I won't wait so long to post next time. Enjoy the slide show.

Make a Smilebox slideshow