The Gift of a Day

Yesterday was quite the day. A girl in our ward had surgery so I watched her two youngest kids from 8am-6pm. It was a long day. Lexi had a really hard time sharing ANYthing, so I heard whining from both she and the other 4-year old girl ALL day. I was constantly being the referee for the two of them which wore me out in itself. I also told the mom that I would make dinner for them and send it with her husband when he came to pick up the kids. When he came he had no idea and started walking out the door with the kids while I was trying to follow him to the car carrying 4 pans full of food and dessert. He was like, "Oh, wow, good thing we have family close to come help us eat this." What? It made me wonder if they forgot and someone else had also made them dinner. Sigh. It's just frustrating to spend all that time and effort cooking, especially trying to juggle extra kids besides your own, and then it's not fully appreciated. I just felt sorry for myself after they went home. And my feet hurt. But I got sympathy from Dave and he gave me a foot massage for a minute, which is one of my favorite things ever, and helped me feel a little better.

We've started a new family tradition, so if we're home on Friday nights we do Family Movie Night after dinner. We pop popcorn and sit together on the couch with blankets and let the kids pick a movie. It is something they get really excited about.

After the kids were in bed Dave and I watched "The Ultimate Gift." We got it from Netflix over a month ago and finally had a chance to sit down together and watch it. I'm so glad we did. I really needed it. I thought all the gifts were wonderful but the one that hit me the most was 'The Gift of a Day'.

It helped me to remember what a treasure each day is, even when it's a hard day like yesterday. It helped me remember that I need to treasure my children and show them that they are the most important things in the world to me. Sometimes when I have a lot going on I get impatient with them. I needed that reminder to treasure each day with them and make it count. To make sure they know that I love them. And just to try to enjoy each moment of every day, to take time to stop and breathe and be happy. Because I have so much to enjoy and so much to be grateful for.

Autumn Walk

The kids and I walked up a road right down from our house on Wednesday evening. Having it snow last Monday helps us remember to enjoy these next few weeks before the snow is here to stay. Lexi was a little worried about bears because there have been so many bear sightings around town so I told them not to wander too far away from me. A bear is something I sure wouldn't want them to stumble into! I love the aspen trees and this old fence we found. (Please excuse Lexi's bad-hair-day. She is really into pony-tails lately and it drives me crazy! I have to try and choose my battles with her because she is so stubborn.)

Underwear Lines

Lexi had dance yesterday. I love going to watch her dance class, maybe it's because I remember taking tap and ballet starting when I was five. I just had to share these pictures because Lexi's underwear lines made me laugh. I think I'll write 'darker tights' on my shopping list.

Family Pictures

My brother, Jason, and his wife, Cortney, opened a photography studio in Seattle as a side-business and it has kept them super busy. They do wedding, engagement, graduation, company, and family pictures. Cortney took these pictures for us at the BYU-I Gardens when they were visiting a couple weeks ago. (Try to still be surprised when you get one in your Christmas card!) Thank you a million Cortney and Jace!

First Snowman

This morning we woke up and what did we see? Snow! I guess it comes as no surprise as it's snowed the last few years in September. Then it melts and we have a couple more weeks of Fall. But the kids were estatic! As soon as they were done with breakfast they couldn't wait to bundle up in their snow clothes and head outside. They each rolled a snowball and we stacked them up to make a little snowman. The snow is so wet and heavy that while we were gathering rocks and bark for the face it tipped over. The kids were so sad. We tried to salvage it and pile it back together, and this is what we ended up with. I told them we'll have lots more chances to build snowmen. They had cold fingers so we came in for hot chocolate. It was an invigorating early morning adventure.

Walking in the Rain

The kids went on a walk in the rain last night. Dave was home-teaching across the street so they went on a journey over to see him. I stood on the porch and enjoyed the fresh rain smell while I watched them walk. Dave got done just as they were walking down the neighbor's driveway and gave them a ride home. Lexi got that umbrella for her birthday and this was the first time they used it where it was supposed to be used, and not in the shower.

Lexi's Haircut

Lexi finally agreed to let me cut her hair this morning. It was just getting too long, and would be a battle every morning to brush it out. We only cut a few inches and it seems alot more curly and bouncy. I think it makes her look older too, my grown up 4-year-old girl.

Concentration

Kyler worked the whole sacrament meeting today trying to tie his shoes. He has never been that quiet or occupied during church! It was cute seeing his tongue stick out in concentration. He still hasn't quite got the hang of it, but he's close! I took this picture at home when he was trying again this evening. Practice makes perfect!

Dave and Me

"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale of all." -Hans Christian Anderson

Heather, thanks for the idea to write about how we met our husbands. I've loved reading everyone's fun stories! Sorry for this super long one. Hope you can all endure through it. Once I started typing I just couldn't stop!

Okay, when we answer the question of, "How did you two meet?" and we say we went to high school together everyone always says, "Oh, high-school sweethearts." And we say, "Well, actually, No." I was scared of Dave in high school. He can't believe that now. And I know it's because I didn't know him well. We never went on a date in high school. I thought he was sarcastic. And I'm sure he thought I was cheesy, because I was, although he never says it.

Oh, and I can't leave out that he was my first kiss. (Whether it was forced or not, it still counts in my book.) It was when we were the Freshman Homecoming Attendents and he had to escort me onto the gym floor, put a crown on my head, and then kiss me. He says he got my teeth, because I was smiling at the crowd and had no idea he was coming down for the kiss, and never having had any kissing experience I didn't really know what to expect anyway. I had to include this horrendous picture. Who knew what a fabulous couple we would finally turn out to be with such a becoming beginning as this? Yikes!

After graduation Dave went on his mission to Brazil, and I wrote him a couple times, like I wrote to most of the guys our age a couple times to give support. The thing is I never mailed Dave's. I'm not sure why?

Dave got home from his mission, and although he was going to Ricks and I was done with Ricks and going to BYU we ran into each other a few times. He asked why I never wrote to him and I told him I did, and I still had the letters to prove it. He teased me about that and later when we were dating I found them and let him read them.

At BYU I was almost engaged to another guy (we were planning on getting married in the summer but hadn't officially gotten engaged with a ring yet). But I just couldn't marry him (although at the time I thought he was perfect), and so we broke up and I went to BYU-Jerusalem for a summer term.

I saw Dave at a high-school-friends-get-together before I went to BYU-Jerusalem and he told me to send him a postcard, so he was the first person I thought of and mailed a postcard to when I got to Israel. While there I had such amazing experiences and decided I really wanted to go on a mission. So when I got home I deferred my enrollment at BYU to fill out my mission papers and get ready to go.

I went to my old high-school boyfriend's wedding reception (many of you will remember Ike) and Dave was there so we went through the line together. I was happy to see him and we had a great time chatting in line. The only thing is that I went with my parents and he was there alone. He sat at a table with us to eat refreshments and my parents invited him over to look at my scrapbook of Israel. (I was mortified.) So he tells me it was my parents who got us together. We spent 3 hours looking at all my pictures and he listened to all my stories and experiences. I remember thinking he was such a great listener and it was really fun to tell him everything. He remembers how bored he was (although he didn't tell me that for years after!)

But he invited me to go to dinner the next night. And the day after that we watched General Conference together. The next day we went hiking and he had to hold my hand for a minute to help me up and it shot electricity through my arm. (cheesy I know, I know...) We had such a great time that we started seeing each other every day. At first it was just as good friends. Then I realized that I really loved him. After 18 dates he finally kissed me during an electrical storm. There was all these lights reflecting in the sky. I decided not to go on a mission and I told him I loved him. He loved me too. But we didn't talk about getting married. As January rolled around I didn't really know what to do, so I went back to BYU. We talked every night on the phone for 2 hours. I still love to hear his voice on the phone because it reminds me of all those great talks we had during our long-distance dating.

I am terrible about making decisions and marriage is such a huge one. I wish I hadn't let my head get in the way and followed my heart a little better so we would have gotten married sooner. I went home for the summer to be with him, and when it came time to go back to BYU I didn't want to leave him again. We got engaged in September and married in December 1998. Our wedding day was one of the most wonderful days of my life.

The first year was an adjustment for me. I realized what a selfish and immature person I was, and I didn't like knowing it! Of course it was wonderful and fun, and I sometimes think back to those days and long for them, when life was simpler and we had more time to be together. But I have loved the last almost-9 years, being married to my best friend. I'm so thankful for him and all he does for me. He is the most unselfish person I know. I admire him for his uprightness and strength - he never even has to think if something is wrong or right, he just always does the right. He never says anything bad about anything or anyone. He is such a wonderful example to me and I feel like if I could just keep working to someday be as good as he is then I'll have it made. He is my pillar. I so enjoy just being with him. His hugs are the best at the end of a hard day with the kids. What an adventure marriage is, always learning, always growing, always worth it and wonderful. I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING! I'm so thankful to be where I am in life with this wonderful man and our three kids. I treasure it!

Stuff You've Always Wanted to Know

1) What was I doing ten years ago- In September of 1997 - I had just gotten home from a summer term at BYU-Jerusalem and was contemplating going on a mission. I met Dave again and we started dating. I never got my mission papers filled out!

2) Five years ago was September 2002 - Kyler was one month old. I was loving the joys of being a mother after such a long time in trying. And I found out that I was pregnant with Lexi. All my dreams had come true!


3) One year ago was September 2006 - Kyler just started preschool. Dave and I took the kids to an amusement park on Labor Day. It was also the last time the kids and I made sugar cookies.

4) Yesterday September 17, 2007 -

5) Snacks I enjoy: Potato chips (I was just munching on some while I type). Apples and carrots the most. And almonds. I try to stay away from chocolate, but of course that ranks high on my list!

6) Things I would do if suddenly I had a $100 million dollars: I would love all the worldly things that I probably shouldn't... I would love new clothes, new furniture for every room in my house, and to do lots of traveling all over the world. I would also get my whole years supply of food... How great to have that all at once. But wouldn't it be fun to anonymously donate a lot to all of the missionaries in your ward, or donate huge amounts to the temple fund, and do Secret-Santa stuff for people who are in need. I would love to serve others with it and have them never know.

7) Locations I would run away to: Dave says our next place to go is Italy. I would love to go somewhere warm... Hawaii? Yes, I would love that.

8) Bad Habits I have: Yikes, too many to count. Putting things off is one I've had my whole life. My other worst one is being late, and then rushing to get out of the house. Oh, this isn't really a bad habit, but it sure is easy to get addicted to blogging! I'm trying to limit myself on computer use to spend more of that time with my kids.

9) Things I like doing: Exercising. Enjoying the house at the end of cleaning day. Being outside with my kids. Watching my kids when they're playing. Visiting family and friends. Turning the music up loud when no one is home and dancing (this doesn't happen real often.) Scrapbooking. Having a few minutes of quiet-me-time.

10) T.V. shows I like: We haven't watched TV for awhile, but we did watch "So You Think You Can Dance" this summer. I love that show. We like "American Idol" too. And "Biggest Loser". All those great reality shows. :)

11) Things I don't like doing: Mopping the floor. Rushing places, because I'm always impatient.

12) Biggest joys of the moment: The stage of life I'm in right now, being a wife and mom!

Kindergarten Field-Trip

Kyler's Kindergarten class went on a field trip yesterday and moms and siblings were invited to come along. We went on a nature walk in a beautiful canyon and collected colorful leaves and rocks in sandwich-baggies. They all had little magnifying glasses that made them feel like real explorers. It was very fun and very cute.

Kyler got assigned to be a in a group with 2 other girls. He didn't seem to mind. I overheard him tell his friend that Josie (the girl next to him the brown flower sweater) is his girlfriend. What?! Where did he hear about things like that?! Josie's family is in our ward and a couple weeks ago during sacrament meeting Josie kept turning around and giggling and waving to Kyler. Dave and I would look at Kyler and he had the funniest dazed smile on his face. It was too funny and was pretty entertaining.

Lexi and Porter felt grown up to be on the field trip with the Kindergartners. It was nice to be out in nature and enjoy it before it gets cold!

Mini Bazaar

Sometimes it is so good to get away and go with friends somewhere and just talk and talk and talk. Some friends and I went to the Mini Bazaar on Wednesday night and then to Olive Garden. It was so fun to TALK and LAUGH and SHOP and EAT. It was such a great time and helped me feel better, because...

...the last few days I've had PMS and when I saw this picture it exactly sums up how I've been feeling. Lately my bearishness has been dragging on for a week or more and it is hard to endure. My poor, poor family. What a happy day when that time of the month is over. (Sorry, that is probably way too much information!)

Diego Underwear

I couldn't find Porter and looked around the house, finally finding him in the laundry room sitting on a basketful of dirty laundry watching the spin cycle. His "Diego" underwear was in that batch and he just wasn't happy without them. He sat and watched for about 10 minutes, then gave up and came out to play.

An hour later I found him back in the laundry room, watching again, cowboy boots and all. I asked if he wanted to come have a snack and he said, as if it was a heavy burden, "No, I just have to watch my underwear."

After the 2-hour sanitary cycle, they still had to go through the dryer. Poor kid, I remember when hours used to seem like years. Everything seems to take forever when you're young. Now the hours and days go by way too fast. It was like Christmas morning for him when the dryer buzzer finally rang. My little faithful Diego-underwear fan.

Singing, Singing All the Day

Porter woke up first this morning, came and snuggled by me in bed, and sang these 3 songs over and over. I love it when he sings because he tries so hard, and I can see the concentration in his sparkly eyes. I tried not to laugh at the mixed-up words because he sang so sincerely. He must not get the rhyming thing yet.

"Weencie, weencie spider went up the water spout,
Down came the rain and washed out the spider.
Down came the sun and dried the rain all up,
And the weencie weencie spider went up the spout again."

"No one likes a frowny face,
Change it for a smile,
Make the world a better place,
And smile the frown away."

And his shortened-condensed version of the ABC's.

"A-B-C-D, Q-R-S, T-VU-E, W-X, Now you can sing it too."

Happy Birthday Tyson!

Today is my brother Tyson's birthday! (September is a big birthday month for our family.) I love Tyson. I am so proud of him! He and his wonderful wife, Natalie, have 3 beautiful children. He graduated in Dentistry from Harvard, and was one of 2 in America to get into the Mayo Clinic. He's specializing in Oro-Maxillary Facial Surgery and will be there for the next 6 years. He is so awesome to balance all of that with family time and Church service. I have such fun memories with him, late-night talks, staying up 1/2 the night one night to watch all the Star Wars movies, his funny sense of humor that always keeps us laughing. I hope you have a wonderful day, Ty!

(This picture is Tyson and me, ages almost 4 and almost 2.)

For My Angel of a Mom

My mom's birthday was last week. We went over and celebrated with her. Jason's wife, Cortney, was there with their little girl, Sophia (by Lexi), and made the most delicious chocolate cake! My mom is one of the kindest people on earth. She helps us all so much with no thoughts for herself. Thanks, Mom, for everything you do for us. Hope you had a very Happy Birthday!"Some moms are really special kinds of angels who chose to come to earth without their wings... They nurture miracles within their children and put deep love in ordinary things."

Our Trip to New York City

I love New York! We had such a great time. It went by so fast and I can't believe we're home again. But it was perfect. New York City is quite the place. So busy! We went with Dave's sister, Katie and her husband, Doug. It was alot of fun to see everything with them.

Dave and I stayed with my cousin, John, his wife, Ashley, and their baby, Brooke. They live in New Jersey and were so nice to pick us up from the airport and drive us to and from the bus-stops. It was fun to see them and we owe them a lot for all they did for us!

The first thing we did on Friday morning was take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. A million Japanese tourists were on our ferry. It cracked me up. They took a ton of pictures. Dave always teases me about taking too many pictures. He saw how many they were taking and told me I was born in the wrong country - I fit right in with the Japanese! I had to take a picture because I loved watching them.We had a short tour inside the base of the Statue of Liberty. It was really interesting to see pictures and read about the history of it. This is a picture of us by a model of how big the face is. A Japanese girl took this picture and said in her best English, "One, Two, Threeeee, Cheeeeeese." It was cute. This is a picture of Dave and I by the original torch.
The Statue of Liberty's true title is "The Statue of Liberty and Enlightenment."

"Cries she with silent lips, 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.' (Emma Lazarus)"

I loved seeing the Statue of Liberty and imaging what she meant to the millions of immigrants who had spent weeks on the ocean, coming to a new land with hopes of freedom and a better life.This is the immigration building on Ellis Island where all the immigrants got off the boats and waited to gain entry into the country. It was really interesting to look around. All of us have ancestors that came to America at some point, and it made me really thankful to them in their search for better opportunities to learn and grow and raise their children. They made our America what it is, and we owe our way of life to their courage.After walking around the immigration building we took the ferry to New York City and walked up the streets.

This is Dave on Wall Street:We also saw the New York Stock Exchange and the place where George Washington took the oath as the first President of the United States in 1789.

Next we walked to Ground Zero. It astounded us that they are still removing debris from six years ago. Such horrific images come to mind when we thought back to that day in 2001. It is hard to imagine that it really happened and our hearts ached for those who lost their lives or loved ones as we looked and remembered. Next we took a Subway to Time Square. Every building in Time Square is required to have neon signs on it somewhere. It was so fun to see. It's what you always see on T.V.Then we went to Madame Tusseaud's Wax Museum. It was so fun! All these wax statues are exact life-size replicas of famous people. They look so real when you stand next to them. There were 5 floors in the museum and hundreds of wax models of famous Hollywood people, American Presidents, world leaders, music groups and singers, sports people, etc. Some of my favorites were Lucille Ball, Oprah, Princess Di, Martin Luther King Jr, and Benjamin Franklin. Here is me and Albert Einstein.Dave and Michael Jordon:Next we ate dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on 41st Street. Then it was time to see 'Les Mis' on Broadway. So good! It always makes me cry (this is my 3rd time to see it). I love Jean Val Jean. It's one of my favorite things ever! On Saturday we went to the Empire State Building and rode the fastest elevator I've ever been in to the 86th floor, where we got out to view the city. The city is so BIG!Then we went on a double-decker bus tour of the city that took way longer than we thought, so that was our afternoon, but it was very fun! Very interesting to hear tidbits about different things that we otherwise wouldn't have known. We saw things like the United Nations Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Carnegie Hall, Trump Tower, City Hall, China Town, Macy's, etc. We also saw where Katherine Hepburn used to live. I like seeing things like that.
Next we ate fabulous New York pizza and shopped around a bit in the shops on Time Square as we meandered to the Gershwin theater where we saw "Wicked" on Broadway. It was so fun! It is such a fun story about the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz. I loved it. It's always so fun to hear their amazing talent as they sing all the awesome songs. It was a great way to end our New York experience. We flew home yesterday and it was wonderful to see our kids. They seemed to have a fun time with friends and family while we were gone, but their hugs when we get back are always the best!

As the plane flew out of New York yesterday and we watched the city get smaller and farther away, Dave said, "Well, we'll probably never be back." There's other places we would like to go. I would really love to see the Sacred Grove, Washington D.C. and Nauvoo... maybe someday!