Richard Sherman...

Ok... this post is basically me venting because I don't have the time and energy to read all 800 + hater comments and comment back individually.

You might have heard about or witnessed the Richard Sherman interview after the Seahawks beat the 49ers. Honestly people are being ignorant, racist, and judgmental.

People have been saying things like, "What a thug." "If we didn't pay him to be in the NFL he would be on the streets. Wait until he is retired and see what he does for society." "He has no class." "What did Crabtree do to deserve that?" The list goes on.

I am not saying Sherman should have acted the way he did. And I am not saying 2 wrongs make a right but come on people. Lets look at the facts here.

Fact: After the play Sherman went and tried to shake Crabtrees hand and Crabtree went and hit him in his face twice.

Fact: Sherman was pumped. He just made not only arguable the biggest play in the game but also in his career. With the help of Smith won the game that took their team to the Super Bowl. The biggest game to play in. Then you put a microphone in his face expecting him to be calm?

Fact: Sherman is from Compton. But does that make him a thug? No.

Fact: In high school he played football and got a 4.0. He wasn't allowed to play football unless he got good grades. He graduated 2nd in his class.

Fact: His mom wouldn't let him and his brothers go out with the gangs. And the gang members respected his mom and wouldn't let him go out with them.

Fact: He is a Stanford graduate. While at Stanford he got a 4.0 and played football. He graduated in communications.

Fact: In his interview that people are so mad about he did not cuss once. Not once. The whole time looking right in the camera.

Fact: He donates and gives to lots of different charitys. He is actually known for his charity work.

I'm sorry but just because he plays football and is black does not mean he is a dumb thug. He is a whole lot smarter than me. And a whole lot smarter than most of if not all these people posting rude things about him. Someone said, "There is no way he went to Stanford." Why? Because he got mad? Jim Harbaugh the 49 coach is always mad and a big cry baby and he coached at Stanford. Like I said before he was caught up in the heat of the moment. I have said things I shouldn't have in the heat of the moment. Maybe he shouldn't have said those things. But he did. People make mistakes.  Honestly if I had kids I would want them to look up to someone as awesome as Richard Sherman. He is not only athletic, but smart, and giving.

Miracles

What is a miracle? Dallin H. Oaks says a miracle is,“A beneficial event brought about through divine power that mortals do not understand and of themselves cannot duplicate.” So do miracles really exist? "Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles" Mike Greenberg. 

I have always believed in miracles. I have heard friends and family tell me about the miracles they have witnessed or experienced or have been blessed with. And I have been blessed with small miracles in my life as well. Sometimes we need miracles and trails in our lives to wake us up and to gain better perspective.

My family recently experienced a miracle. My dads family has a history of diabetes and heart problems. My dad has had diabetes for years. And has been taking blood pressure medication for a while as well. He went in to the doctor because he was getting shortness of breath when walking around. The doctor ran tests etc. And he ordered a EKG and stress test. The tests showed a blockage in my dads heart. So the doctor thought they should be able to fix it with a stent. Which is minor procedure they do all the time. The doctor told our family if for some reason they couldn't fix it they would have to do a open heart surgery. But he wasn't worried.

I was stressed to say the least. I had a feeling that my dad was going to have to have surgery. But I also deep down felt comfort and knew he was going to be ok. Well.... the procedure didn't go as they planned. The block in my dads heart was bad.... very bad. So bad in fact that the doctors are calling my dad a miracle. Science tells the doctors that my dad should have had a massive heart attack and my dad should be dead. But somehow he didn't and they don't know why he is alive. They are assuming there is a tiny little vessel pumping just enough blood into my dads heart. 

Anyway.... they made my dad stay over night worried because like I said he should have had a heart attack. Then the next morning he had an emergency open heart surgery and had a triple bypass. At St. Marks Nick worked on the heart unit. So he kept reassuring me that everything would be ok. He was a great comfort to me. And I needed it... trust me. I was a mess. I already am a basket case. But just thinking about anything happening to my dad just made me crazy. The surgery went great! The doctor was so impressed on how well my dad was doing right after his surgery. He kept on saying how he couldn't believe it and how it was a miracle etc. My dad left the ICU quick. And he is now at home recovering. 

I am so grateful for my family and friends and their thoughts and prayers. It really amazed me how much love and support my family received in their time of need. I had friends texting me asking if I needed anything. Nicks family texting us to see how we were doing. I felt so much love when I really needed it. 

This experience has really woke me up. It reminded me that you cannot take anyone or anything for granted. Because life can change in a blink of an eye. It has taught me that no good deed, no small little comment goes unnoticed. So I made a goal for myself. I am not good with expressing myself. I do not like to show emotions or tell people my "feelings". I am very guarded and private and I tend to keep to myself. I am going to try and express myself better. And let my guard down and let people know how I feel about them. Life is way to short not to live it. I don't want to regret anything. I want my family and friends to know how much they mean to me. I want to be a better wife, daughter, sister and friend. 

I am so grateful for the thousands of tiny miracles in my life. 

Happy New Year!

 This year for New Years Nick and I hung out at home. Played games and watched movies. Oh and of course had sparkling cider. It was perfect. It was a good way to end 2013 and a great way to start 2014.

2013 was a great year for me and Nick. If I could pick a theme song for this year it would be "Alive" by Empire Of The Sun (Check it out.. I recommend just listening to it and not watching the video... its weird). We love it!!

January &  February:

Kiersten left on her mission

Surgery 

March & April:

Family Time

More Family Time

Nick Graduated!

May:

Europe trip

June & July: 

The Zoo

Lagoon

Macie Joe

August & September:

3 years of marriage!

Yellow Stone

Celebrating 

October:

Disney World

Universal Studios 

November & December:

 Easton

Family & Thanksgiving 

Traditions

Christmas

Honestly there were so many good memories in 2013 its hard to represent them all... thats a good thing right?  But I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me and Nicky.

Christmas 2013

*Warning this post is all over place. *

This Christmas was pretty amazing I must say. The whole season was so much fun. I love this time of year.  This year I actually got to spend Christmas with my family. Nick and I haven't had a Christmas with my family since we got married. Either we worked or we had other plans etc. So this was the first Christmas in 4 years? Anyway the Cragun/ Christmas fun began the 21st.

Nick and I headed down to Ephraim the afternoon of the 21st. The next few days were filled with cheesy Christmas movies, puzzle, Sip Its, races, games, food, traditions and fun.

Story Time:
William and Nick may or may not have the cutest relationship ever. Will adores Nick. In fact because of Will my family all calls Nick...  Nicky. Wherever Nick is around Will is right there with him. Anything Nick thinks is cool so does Will. Except on thing.... Will is a BYU fan and Nick is a UTE fan. So Will decided they needed to settle this once and for all. So they made a bet (All Wills idea). A race from Snow College to the park.  The loser had to say the other team was better etc. Well Nick was not about to let Will win even if he is only... 7? After two races Will accepted defeat. And did the U sign. Matt wanted a turn too. After two races... Matt was upset that he lost but accepted defeat as well.

Anyway... Then there was Christmas Eve.
We woke up and cooked our traditional brunch. I love brunch. Matthew got the almond. But my dad rigged it so my mom got it too. She wasn't very happy about that. But she was grateful for the gift. After Brunch we had the Christmas Program. The kids all did so good!! Then we played games. And I killed it at Apples to Apples. Then off to our Christmas party. It is getting so big we have it at church now. This Christmas party has been going on now for 26 years. We ate and then played BINGO. That was delighful. Then sadly Nick had to leave for home. Me and my parents went and watched The Santa Claus 1 and 2. Then Went to bed.... well I actually had a Modern Family Marathon.

Christmas.
I woke up to Nick calling me on his way to work. We chatted. Then me and my parents went to look at what Santa brought us. I got Dr. Pepper... mugs.... TONS of candy and more. Then me and my parents went to the Cox house to see what they got. They were so funny. I love that family. Then home we went. Me and mom played a new game she got from Santa. And my dad just relaxed. Soon the madness began. Steves family soon showed up. Followed by Stacies. Then the Cox family came over. Then Elder Cragun skyped us. I hadn't seen or talked to Levi in over a year! I didn't get to talk to him last year or Mothers day. It was so good to see him. One more year!! We got to talk to him for a little over a hour. Then we had lunch... sort of. Some of us ate some didn't. Then we opened gifts. I got some clothes, necklace, and more. But Nick spoiled me again. He got me the camera I have been wanting. Not only the camera but the extra lens as well. With a carrying case too. I love it! I have been wanting one since Europe. Our friends there got much better pictures then we did with their camera. So I wanted it for out trips and special events and such. I have been begging Nick. And he got it. The lens alone was over $200. I'm so lucky! Now I'm learning all about it. Searching for tips and tricks on Pinterest etc. I'm loving it so far. Anyway... after presents Andy and his family came and Sister Cragun called or Skyped. Whatever. It was so good seeing her. It has been almost a year since I saw or talked to her. We got to talk to her for about a hour. Then she had to say bye.... and it sucked. Pretty soon after that me and my parents headed to Provo to meet Nick. Once we meet up with Nick me and Nick went to his moms. We just had a small dinner/breakfast. Opened gifts and hungout. Then went home to bed since we had to work the next morning.

Will giving Nicky a piggy back ride

The Race

Go Utes

Lonely Ridder Bucket 5

BINGO

Opening "Kierstens" gift to Nick

Watching the Christmas Program

BINGO Winner!!