Ballet!

We have a Ballerina in our midst. Little Miss started her very first day of Ballet today. She is absolutely thrilled. All morning she asked if it was time to go. Finally I told her it was time to get ready.. off she went shrieking and squealing in pure Little Miss fashion. She shrieked in a shrill noise, Ballet, Ballet, I am so excited, Ballet! I love that she is this excited to go. I love her zest for life and new things, it is contagious. She did a great job today at Ballet and cannot wait to go back next week. Little Man went today and was excited to watch her and tell me all about the great things Little Miss was doing. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from today. She is my Diva. Enjoy!

Kindergarten!!

Today was Little Man's first day of school, and not pre-school, real school. Kindergarten. He was so excited and a little nervous to go. It was a short day just introducing him the class room and stuff. And then he will go for a full day. I am not sure what to feel, excitement, or sadness? A little of both I suspect.

He has two teachers one for English and one for Spanish... he is going to a dual language Kindergarten. He is so excited to learn Spanish. I signed up to volunteer in his classroom every week, and I am so excited to have a chance to be involved in what is going on. He is excited that Mom is going to come once a week.. I won't be cool forever might as well enjoy it now! I signed up to be the classroom photographer also.. that was a no brainer for me. And I even signed up for the PTA! I remember my Mom coming into my class when I was a kid, it was one of my favorite things. We have a few days of rest and then Friday we start in full swing. I don't feel old enough to have a Kindergartner. I thought I would be wise by now. Instead I feel like I have many questions about what I am doing.

I can't believe my Little Man has grown so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with him. The days keep getting faster. Enjoy the pictures of Little Man doing his crazy Ninja moves.. being a goof, and being Little Man.

And I Will Cherish You.

For the rest of my life.. I will be your Wife!! Eight years ago I married Prince Charming. The Man of my Dreams. I am the luckiest girl alive. Married to the best man in the UNIVERSE! I was thinking about it and realizing how quickly the time has passed. I still remember the first time I laid eyes on him. I was at a fireside with another guy.. and I met him. I thought he was pretty smokin' hot. And that next week I went to institute and I wasn't sure which class to go to. He showed up and said come with me to D&C and I said sure. And I went. A month later we went to a fireside together and he kissed me that night. And let me tell you.. I went in didn't say a word and thought I could kiss him for the rest of my life. Two months later we were engaged, and 4 months after that we were married. Just seven months after first laying eyes on this man I was his wife. Head over feet in love and thrilled with every minute! And guess what? I still am! We exchanged gifts a couple of weeks ago.. we were both too giddy to show the other one what we bought for them. I sold his old GPS unit and bought him a newer, better GPS unit for all of his geocaching. He has been positively thrilled with it.. or so he says. And he.. well he rocked it. Seriously rocked it. I got a blue bag.. with a blue box inside that was tied with a pretty white ribbon. I opened it and found the most beautiful necklace to go with my beautiful birthday bracelet. You remember that right? Just one more piece of the set.. the earrings and my set will be complete. Any guesses what Christmas might bring! He totally spoiled me. We celebrated on Friday going out and having time to ourselves. He is out of town for business until Wednesday. I miss him. But we get to celebrate everyday all year long.

Okay.. if you don't want to hear me gush anymore.. stop reading now! But if you want to know how I really feel.. continue on.

I love you Randy.. more than yesterday less than tomorrow. You are my world. You make me complete. I am better because of you. I enjoy each day with you.. the laughter and joy you feel my life with. The broken brownie pan we can laugh about, the silly things you do. The help that you are. The compassion you have for me and your willingness to help whenever you see I need it.. and even before I know I need it. The way you have made me laugh more.. even when I don't want to. You have lightened my heart, made my life complete. I love the father you are to our children, and the example you are. The way you know how to make me laugh when I try my hardest not to. You have shown me how to truly love and to give my full self. I am better because I know you, because you are in my life. You support me in all my crazy hair brained ideas, and in my crazy jump in two feet and over commit because I believe I can do it all. You are there when I can't sleep because I realize I am complete overwhelmed and you help me to see the picture and that I can do it.. to step back and look at one thing at a time. I love the way you love me.. the way you show it, and the joy bring into my life. I love you, you are my eternal sweetheart. Happy 8th Anniversary.

Photography.. it makes me better.

One of the many reasons I am a better Mother, and Wife because of my camera.

This was supposed to be dessert. Yummy gooey brownies fresh out of the oven.. and dropped on my floor. My freshly clean floor that you could eat off of.. and I would if glass wasn't through out it. I grabbed my camera asked Randy to jump in, but he kindly declined. He burned his hand and dropped them.. it is okay. It happens. No one was hurt.. and well I don't have to run tonight. So it is all good.

Nice Matters Award!

Angela has awarded me the Nice Matters Award! Thanks for such a sweet, kind and well NICE award! Angela has such a nice upbeat blog and it is always full of encouragement. You need to check it out!

I appreciate all of my MOF's and IRL friends that stop by my blog and check out what is going on. Leave a comment when you are here so I know you stopped by!

Here are my Choices for the Nice Matters Award.

Display this on your blog and sidebar with honor!

Emily- EmLousia

Alicia- Growing Spuds---No Small Potatoes

Shelah- Hitting the Ground Running

Sara- Sara is always right

Alli- Raising Boys

Marianne- The Bloxham Bunch

Randy- Random Rantings of Randy

Misty- My Inner Aria

Now go pick some people you think deserve it!

Home!

I had a quick and very fun trip to Las Vegas this week.. and I went all by myself. I was able to see some great friends, and had some terrific photo shoots... the reason behind the trip. I will get pictures up in the next week on the other blog.



I hung out with Charlotte and her fiance and sweet little boy. We visited caught up and just had a great time! And I got to meet Elizabeth and she was just so much fun! Nothing like getting to visit with good girlfriends and catch up on life. It was just great!



I was able to shop.. and eat good food. I went with my friend Jenni to the Luxor.. I wanted to go up the Inclinator.. (Elevator that goes at an angle). But you had to have a room key. I kindly asked someone to hole the elevator and jumped on with them. Jenni and I went up the Inclinator.. and got off at the top. And neither one wanted to get back on. We were sick. Motion sick. The view was awesome... but then we had to get back on... I wasn't looking forward to it at all. We went down and I decided I am content to never stay there because I never want to go on the Inclinator again.



I was able to relax and enjoy great company and just have a nice time. I was excited to get back home to see my kids.. and go to their Soccer Game just in time. I missed Randy and was so excited to be with him again. I did enjoy my trip and look forward to going back to Vegas in November for the wedding!

4th Of July.. the Camping Trip

For the 4th of July my siblings and their families flew in.. drove and we all got together for a week of camping. For some it was a not as nice hotel.. for others a lodge, motorhome, and for the brave a tent. We were amongst the brave.. we camped for 5 nights at the gorgeous Wallowa Lake. I would highly recommend this to anyone. I have been meaning to blog this because it was truly a wonderful family reunion/vacation. We were able to do things together as a family, and also have time for each family to have their own time.

We played in the lake daily. We took our labs, Sage and Izzy and they were wonderful! They loved swimming in the lake and the kids all had fun getting to play with them. We rode the Tram to the top of Mt. Howard and hiked up there. We rode horses, go-carts, bumper boats. We ate ice-cream and yummy snacks. We played games. We petted deer, and chipmunks, and other friendly rodents. We rented peddle boats, and motor boats. The kids rode bikes and enjoyed being covered in dirt 24/7. I enjoyed getting to see my brothers who I don't get to see that often. I enjoyed the time with my wonderful Sister-in-Laws, who are wonderful talented women. We didn't have cell phone, TV, computers, or anything that normally distracts us from our family. It was wonderful to have time to just spend as a family. To enjoy one another's company without all of the distractions of everyday life. Randy and I decided this is something we should do more often. It was one of my most favorite family vacations I have ever had. We were able to spend time together and have a wonderful time!

Here are a few of my favorite of hundreds of pictures. For some reason it starts in the middle.. I have no clue why. Scroll to the top to see all of the pictures. You don't want to miss one! lol.

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

4:45 AM

For the last 3 years we have not had a next door neighbor on both sides of us. We have consistently had a vacant lot next door, in the previous house and in this one. We actually really like it. Last week though.. that all began to change. The broke ground on the lot next door. And construction has begun. We were under the impression that you couldn't start being noisy doing it all until 7:00 AM.. early but manageable. 4:45 AM we heard noise. I thought it was a bad dream.. but then realized it was the workers on the house next door. The concrete truck pouring cement for the foundation. What is wrong with people? Seriously. Do they not get that we need to sleep. They were off to a new job by 7:15 AM. I know they are busy.. but we need our sleep. My kids don't need to be woke up at that insane time. They need there sleep even more than I do. I need them to have their sleep. There has got to be a law against this. It just seems wrong.

My advice for the day.. if you are going to do noisy projects in the AM, do it after 7.. mowing your lawn before then will certainly tick your neighbors off.. along with hammering anything. Hopefully this was a great error on their part.. It was dark.. maybe they couldn't tell what time it really was.

4 for a Month...

And I am just now blogging her birthday. I am so slow.. I know.

Randy took the day off to help Little Miss truly celebrate her birthday.. and to help me with her party. She had a great day.. waking up and getting some new clothes. And then anxiously passing the time swinging as she waited for her party to begin.

Her friends arrived and the played outside for a while, and Randy went to the garage to put together the secret surprise for her! We made fun crafts, visors and door hangers. We used glitter glue and foam pieces and the kids had a great time. They ate pizza and giggled like crazy. Little Man decided the garage was a better spot for him rather than hang around with a bunch of GIRLS. Little Miss however was loving having so many little girls around..and finally not all of Little Man's friends around.

We had cake.. Delicious Cherry Chip cupcakes with Pink Cherry Frosting.. she was in HEAVEN! They devoured every morsel.

And then off to the gifts. She received many wonderful girly gifts much to her delight. And then she received a package of dishes from her brother. She looked around and said I don't have a kitchen I don't need dishes. (All she had asked for for her birthday was a kitchen.) We could see the disappointment in her face. So we led the kids outside and into the garage where she found a great present waiting for her. Just what she had asked for a kitchen, with a BBQ on the other side so her big cool brother would play with her. Because it wasn't just girly... Boys can BBQ it is cool. She was so thrilled! And so were we. Especially her Daddy who had worked so hard on getting it put together. Her birthday was wonderful! We enjoyed every minute and I still can't believe my Princess is 4.

State Special Olympics 2007.. The Swim Meet

Sadly this happened the first weekend in June.. and it is almost July and I am just now blogging about it. Life has been busy busy.

We arrived for opening ceremonies at Mc Chord Air Force Base. Walking in there and seeing all of the athletes there was an amazing Spirit. It was overwhelming.

I loved seeing the soldiers standing their with the flags and so still. I asked if I could take their picture and it was fun to see them make sure everything was just so. And then there was the Flag.. which represents our freedom. I was truly overwhelmed with emotion. I meant to blog about this on the 4th of July, but I was gone and didn't. Since September 11th, 2001.. I have a new found appreciation for this great country I live in. How grateful I am to live in the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave. I am grateful for the men and women who serve in our military. Who lay down their lives to protect our country. I cannot hear the Star Spangled Banner and not have tears in my eyes. I am truly grateful to live in the USA. To have these great freedoms bestowed upon us. Being on the Air Force Base and seeing all of the many soldiers my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. And then seeing the great kids in Special Olympics the tears came. And I had such an overwhelming feeling of love. Love that our Heavenly Father has for us. And Love that He has for each of those there with a disability of some sort. They are such great Children of His. And for those that raise them and were entrusted with their sweet spirits... and for the love He has for each of us. What a true blessing.

The evening continued with Opening Ceremonies.. each team was announced as they walked in. They were positively thrilled to be there. It was a great event to watch.

The next morning we went to watch the swim meet. My sister was among the younger of the athletes. She did a great job in her first race. Then the second and third I think she got scared.. no one is really sure. She swam part way on the 2nd and on the 3rd decided it really wasn't for her and didn't get in. Oh well.. she will do more another year. It is great to go and watch everyone cheering one another on. With excitement and vigor. To see them uplifting one another and the true joy. They are truly excited for one another and for the successes. I think a great lesson can be learned watching the athletes. It was a feeling I won't forget. A feeling of love and gratitude. And I really think if you ever have the chance to attend a Special Olympics event of any kind you should. You will be a better person because of it.

Occupied...

It's not that I don't want to blog more.. update more. It's that I have things occupying my time. From my photo shoots which keep me busy.. Reading Harry Potter 7. My wonderful delightful kids.. soccer games, swimming, being Mom.. and running around on fun little trips.


And waiting no patiently for UPS. I LOVE it when I get a call from them saying I need to sign for a package and they tell me it will arrive between 8AM-7PM. I gee.. all day. Thanks dude.


But I waited not-so-patiently and finally my flash for my camera came. Yeah I am so excited.. And then the next day my new lens came. So I am busy playing with those.

And then there is the Lupus Walk... I am working on it. And just not really sure how this is going to all pull together.. but hopefully it will. I am crossing my fingers and everything else I can possibly cross that it will go smoothly. I think I like the chaos and the spreading myself thin or something.. because I am certainly good at it. I will get updates up soon.. I promise.

ER X 2

ER visits.. they always happen in the wee hours of the night. When you really should be sleeping but instead you are driving to the Hospital and signing your kids in. Hoping that it won't be an eternal visit and that you will be "lucky" and quickly out of the ER and back home to catch a few Zzz's... But that rarely happens. We went to the ER early early Monday morning.. and if that wasn't lucky enough we went back 12 hours later. Yes that is right two ER visits in 12 hours. For the same kid. Jealous? Everyone should be.

Poor Little Miss has croup. Not fun. She started with the horrible breathing and coughing and she couldn't catch her breath. After hours there they sent us home. As the day progressed she got worse again. I finally called the Dr, who told me to go back to the ER. Seriously in the day? Who does that? Apparently very few people. I got there and no one else was in the waiting room. Apparently night time is the hot time. A lot of people were that in the middle of the night, but we skipped ahead of them all because of her breathing. (Side note if you must go to the ER, breathing issues get you a proceed to GO pass.) She had her treatments and he sent us home with the strict orders if she is worse bring her back. Night time came and I really thought I would be making yet another trek down there in less than 24 hours. But she slept through the wheezing and her breathing was not nearly as labored as it had been. I got more sleep than the night before.. but I woke often to check on my sleeping princess. She is hoarse and has a cute little raspy voice, but I think she is on the mend... finally.

On a side note.. I realize I have neglected to blog about a few neat events from the past two months.. that will be quickly rectified in the next week. I know people are DYING to see all of the pictures and the fun things that we have been doing. So don't put too much on hold.. but check back soon.

Woman to Woman: Keeping you marriage alive

"Whether you've been married for 38 years, 8 years or are a newlywed, you've probably picked up a few of the keys to a happy marriage, one which is nurturing and continues to grow. Maybe your marriage has struggled, but you've found a road back to each other and have insights for those in similar situations. What would you say are the three most key elements in your marriage that keep the romance alive and the heart aflutter? "

In just a few weeks we will celebrate our 8th Anniversary. I can hardly believe that I have been married to this wonderful man for 8 years. It has flown by so quickly but somethings seem like ages ago. I feel as if I have known him forever. I gush about Randy a lot. I am head over feet in love with him. I never knew I would love someone this much. I never knew that marriage would be so joyful day in and day out.

Rule number 1 in our marriage if you are going to fight, fight naked. This rule is harder as our kids our older and no quite to the age to really be unsupervised, but it does work well. Who can be that mad when you are naked?

This rule also applies to keeping the "romance alive" in our marriage. For obvious reasons.

Another thing we do is get away at least once a year for a few nights away. Last year it was Las Vegas, this year it is Las Vegas again. Cheap flights and lots of fun! I book our tickets then my stomach churns.. and goes into knots. Do I really want to leave the kids for 4 night? Can I handle it? What if the plane crashes and I die? What if, what if, what if????? Thankful my wonderful husband kindly says dear, book the kids tickets they can come. And I come to my senses before any such thing happens, and we go enjoy our time and remember life before kids. And remember how much joy they bring to us. And the unity they bring to us. And yeah it keeps the romance alive, and it just keeps us closer and connected.

We don't go to bed angry, we talk about it. Sometimes we talk until 2AM, but we get on the same page and are 100% okay. It is important to talk about what is wrong rather than just ignoring it. And the small things really don't matter. We are both learning still to let things roll off. If it doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things it really doesn't matter. This is something I really try to live by.. but there are those moments that well.. I don't. But each day I try to do better.

We laugh.. a lot. We joke we have fun. We know how much fun it is to laugh together. To love together, to be together. We try not to be too serious.. light heartedness and laughter keep us going and more and more in love.

Join in! Leave a comment and leave link at Mr. Linky at Morning Glory's and Lei's blogs.

THROUGH THEIR EYES AFRICA

Go to the through their eyes africa blog at: Through Their Eyes Africa Be a part of history! Today I am participating in the first ever“blogathon” to raise funds for the Through Their Eyes Africa project. Please go to their blog and give generously today. You can make a difference to some of the neediest people on earth in a very unique way, and we need your help. This project will be sending a group of well known photographers into a remote part of Africa that has not received any help yet. The photographers will be mentoring young adults on how to take pictures so that we can get a look at their society “through their eyes”. The funds raised from this project will go right back to the needs of these people. So, please go now and give at www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com . They need your donations to make this happen. Remember, what you give will make a difference in the lives of some of the neediest people on earth. Be a part of history. Be part of the solution. Thank you for your generosity.

This is a great way to make a difference.. to help those in need. I hope that we can all unite together for a great cause.

Thanks Jessica Claire for putting this out there for so many people and helping to bring awareness.

Attack of the Stamps

Need I say more?

Woman To Woman: "Share an important quote and what it means to you."

One of my favorite quotes is "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." -Gordon B. Hinckley

I have this quote above my pantry. I love it. It applies to many things in my life. I apply to raising my children. I shouldn't just endure everyday with them, I should enjoy them. Enjoy my kids in each of the fun busy stages they are in. Not quickly wish it away and count down until each week is over and the weekend is here. We should have joy in our posterirty. We should enjoy our kids. Take a minute to enjoy the simple things.. pretend we are in hot lava.. be silly. That is what being a kid is about. Looking back my best memories are when my Mom was a kid with us playing and having fun. She enjoyed us!

A big reason it is above my pantry is to remind me to enjoy my food. I have had issues which I have talked about in the past. The Lord wants us to enjoy our food, savor it. Not be obsessed with every bite making it a chore. It reminds me to enjoy a good meal, not to count the calories of everything. Life is not meant to be so focused on all of the details, and in our society it is and it honestly makes me sick anymore. People cutting, stuffing, dieting, doing all these things to look happy, and not enjoying who they are, and the great people that Heavenly Father has made them to be. A friend of mine once said will you really be happy if you lose those 5lbs. I thought about it.. a lot. Probably not. I am happy being me. I am who the Lord created, I enjoy my body now. Not just endure it. I am stretched and squished in all sorts of new ways, and I am freaking hot. I enjoy the way I look. I am uniquely me.

We need to enjoy the times with our spouse, the quiet moments where we can just be together. Not endure the years of marriage. Marriage is a wonderful and beautiful thing. The Lord didn't give us marriage to torture us for years. He gave it to us so we could enjoy it. Enjoy the companionship and to be blessed throughout the eternities. I enjoy each day with Randy. The fun and laughter he brings into our home. He helps me to not be serious and to realize it if it doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things it really doesn't matter. I don't have to endure any day with him! I am blessed to enjoy each and every day with him.

I truly believe that Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. It is my motto, my mantra if you will. Enjoy it. It goes so quickly and is a great gift.

Join in and read others! Leave your link at Lei and Morning Glory's blogs!

Goodbye 3...

Today is Little Miss is 3. The last day she is 3. She will never be 3 again. She is my last 3 year old. Tomorrow she will be 4. I can hardly believe that she is almost 4! How did that happen? Where has the time went? Truthfully, I am a little sad.. a little excited.. a little bit of everything.

I realized the other night in the middle of the night when I do my deep really random totally me thinking, that she has 14 months until she starts Kindergarten. Now I know some people would be jumping up and down. But I am not. I have even contemplated no preschool, which my husband quickly vetoed because he says it will be good for her... (it will right?) I have one year left of having her home and then my kids will both be in school everyday. How did this happen so quickly? I still remember four years ago going the the hospital with my head hurting and having them tell me to lay on my left side, lights off and to not move. My blood pressure was sky rocketing higher and higher and my kidneys were failing slowly. I had gained 15lbs in one week.. I was no a pretty sight. I even had one friend tell me Lee, you look fatter every day. Gee.. thanks. I had no idea what my future would behold.

Little Miss year of 3.. let's look at the highlights.. or read about them.

She finished speech therapy. What a huge accomplishment, and something that I am so incredibly proud of. Seriously proud.

She attended preschool for three months, then because her speech was SO GOOD she got "kicked out" okay she didn't qualify anymore, but the kicked out makes me giggle. What a great accomplishment.

She learned to pump on her swing. All by herself. I am jumping for joy on this one! It just happened a couple of weeks ago, but she will now go outside and swing for HOURS. And she loves it, as long as it is the yellow one!

She can ride a bike.. with training wheels. But I think with some practice those will be off this summer. She doesn't need them too much and seems to balance quite well on the two wheels.

She is now a Sunbeam in Church.. she loves it!

She is my faithful reminder to make sure we have scriptures as a family every night. It is a great example.

She knows her ABC's and 123's! Hooray! What a great feat!

She can spell her name.

These are some of the great things she has learned this year. We are so proud of our Little Miss. She is such a joy, to all she meets. I am excited to see what four brings for her. But I am praying that times slows down. That this year will feel like the last four. That four will be just as great as three.

GO Look!

The pictures are up.
Go to the other blog to check them out! I am thrilled with them.. and hope they are too.

A Daughter's First Love, a Son's First Hero.

The title sums up my post.

I married the most awesome guy in the world. I wanted to marry him after the first kiss way back in 1999. I knew he would be an amazing husband and Dad. Little did I know what a tremendous Dad he would be. Randy is the LOVE OF MY LIFE. In case you haven't gotten that from my previous posts.

My kids adore their Dad. He adores them as much as they do him. Randy is the Dad to get down and play and wrestle with them. He is the rock of our home. When the kids are scared Daddy is their to comfort them. I am so proud of the great Dad that he is. The kindness he shows and the gentleness with our little princess when she is having a 'day'.

He is an example of a righteous priesthood holder for little man. Showing him the way to be a great father and husband.

Randy I love you, not only for who you are but for who you help me to become. You make our family complete.

It's My Blog.

I can brag if I want to. Because this blog is about me. It is MY blog. You know how I was so excited to go take the pictures, now I cannot wait to edit all of them. I have previewed a couple quickly, and I must say. I rocked it. Seriously rocked it. I am quite proud of myself. Yeah I could be modest, and say they are just okay, but I really believe they are better than okay. I think they are freaking rad! Yeah, I said rad on my blog. That is how much I rocked it.
Now you can go back to your lives.. I will quit bragging.. for now. Just wait until the pictures are up though... on the other blog though. Then.. I might just brag again.