The Gough Gang

Let's be honest here...

2011-08-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

I am about to do one of those updates where it looks like I've been keeping up on my blog. I haven't. And I'm okay with that. So don't think I'm a fraud when I start posting where I left off and talk like it's in real time. :)

Yoga Retreat

2011-05-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

As part of my training I went to a 5 day yoga retreat with my yoga family. It was lead by D'ana and it was perhaps one of the most life changing experiences ever. I gained such a firm belief in my own strength to deal with trials. I also came away with a more narrow view of what I want to do with this yoga certification. I've decided that not only do I look forward to owning a studio, it would be an amazing thing to work towards leading retreats as well.

The food was amazing, it was made by a holistic chef, Patti, who had a firm grip on my eating needs and make food I could eat every day! It was so delicious I just wanted to never stop eating!

I roomed with Summer, Jules, Emily, and Allison, we had a blast! It was the perfect group of friends to spend the week with.

Here are some photos of some of the yoga...

Another year older, and a whole lot taller!

2011-04-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, those are Wii remotes! They are about 13x5. My first experience with fondant and it went really well I thought. I had a little trouble with the corners, but otherwise they looked great.

This year Tyler just wanted to have friends over for cake, no big party because we went to see African cats with his two buddies Eric and Phoenix (Brian, Jake and I came too). We thought cake for a few kids on the block no big deal. He invited 9 kids over. Then two of the parents sent younger siblings, although I'm not sure why and it was wild crazy chaos for about an hour and a half. They all agreed that the cakes looked cool but the fondant was gross.

For African cats we splurged and let the kids get those giant pixi sticks they sell at the movie theater that you fill yourself. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but as we were forking out $20 for Pixi sticks, it was bittersweet ;) The movie was awesome and we loved every minute of those cute little Cheetah cats.

April fools!

2011-04-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

So this year april fools wasn't as fooling as the others years I've done. The "spaghetti sauce" looked a little too much like strawberry jam, the "meatballs" a little too much like truffles...but oh well! It looked cool anyways!

Another trouble spot was that this was one of those meals you could smell that something was amiss "in the yummy way" before the prayer was said, so they were not fooled one bit. Next year I'm going to start planning in January!

Is February almost over?!

2011-02-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

The month of February has found me looking at myself in the mirror and thinking the words..."What were you thinking?!" way too often. To give you a little hint of why this is, let me list off what I've foolishly put on my plate this month:

I am the room mom for both my kids classes. No I don't think I'm amazing, but no one else would do it and I didn't want their year to be awful because no one wanted to plan their parties.

Both of these classes have a Valentines celebration that I am in charge of. Tyler's in done and it went fabulous, I'm hoping Jake's will be the same, it's tomorrow.

I am 1 month into my 500 hour yoga certification and in order to be done before we move, I've had to hit the ground running. I take 4 hours of classes a week. This doesn't sound like much until....

I also attend one class per week to "audit" the teacher and see how they do things, and I assist one INTRO to yoga class on Saturdays, which starting in two weeks, I will then be teaching.

Continuing on the crazy yoga life line, I've started my volunteer yoga hours out with a bang by teaching 6 PE classes every week during February at Daybreak Elementary. This wouldn't be too crazy but some of the teachers doubled up their PE time so any given Monday finds me teaching yoga to 47 3rd graders in the gym. While I have grown to love it, I was mentally un-glued when I first started this.

I have also started a "ward Yoga" group on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings for the ladies in my ward and this I'm looking forward to like nobody's business! I taught these lovely girls once before and it was probably the coolest thing I've done, so I'm excited for that experience.

Jake's sick, again. I just don't know what is up with that kid!

It's all just crazy-ness and after tomorrow with the last class party, and after I'm done with the kid yoga in 2 weeks, things will be much easier. It has all led to speculation by yours truly if it's worth it. And here's what I've come up with:

My time is truly the most valuable thing I own. I get very territorial over my time and feel very put out if I don't get to use it as I see fit. This usually includes a fair amount of time to read a good book (Currently working on "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle, if you haven't read it, oh man are you missing out!), plenty of time for lunch, breakfast, and dinner dates with Brian, lots of time with the kids playing Monopoly and reading together (we are currently on book 5 of The Chronicles of Narnia), and time for things I love like sewing, yoga, shopping....basically I like my time and I use for mostly pleasurable purposes. This month I have learned the "joy" of sacrifice and it hasn't been easy but I can say that it has been rewarding in a way that nothing else is.

I can honestly say I will never after this month, teach children yoga again. They love doing it, and it's good for them, but their level of energy is one I have yet to keep up with. I also love the quiet, Yin side of yoga, not the crazy, wobbly, laughing side of kid yoga. I can also honestly say that I will never find an experience to equal what teaching children has taught me. The honestly on a child's face while lying in Savasana and picturing "feeling loved, feeling happy, and feeling safe" was humbling. The energy that swirls around them when you ask them to picture any color they love covering them like a blanket was stunning to the point of knocking me off my feet figuratively. They have their own little sets of worries that seem like the world to them, but when I ask them to visualize letting go of their trouble as they breathe out while lying on their backs with their little eyes closed, you can see them visibly relax. When they come up and hug me after class and tell me that was the best class they've ever had. When a little kid waits until his class in walking out the door to come over and cry on my shoulder as he says thank you, yes, it's worth it.

If I'm going to be completely honest here, I do like class parties. I love the noise and the organized chaos. I dig hearing that chorus of "Thank you Mrs. Gough" at the end of the day. I like the bright colors and smell of frosting, combined with the sounds of kid music and shouts of BINGO! It's just fun. It's the planning I hate!

So while this month is one I would hope never to repeat, it's been a learning experience, a lesson in sacrifice, and time management. I wore my pj's to pick up my Bountiful Basket and go to the grocery store yesterday and I didn't for one minute feel bad about it! (not that I would normally) I don't usually head out in fuzzy socks and crazy looks but I seriously didn't have time to do otherwise. It was liberating! So I suppose I've also learned that some things are more important to spend you time on than others. And if you're wondering, yes I skipped Valentines wall paper on the blog because:

1. We all know I don't change the paper enough to hit every holiday, so I got a head start!

2. I have learned a lot, but it's time for February to be over!

Happy Valentines day everyone!

Christmas Morning

2010-12-30T09:48:00.000-08:00

This year was just fun, and nice, and relaxing! I love Christmas more and more as the kids get older, they are so laid back about the whole thing. We got up at 5 ish and opened stockings and Santa stuff. Then we went back to bed and they played with that stuff. We got back up around 7:30 and opened their presents from us and Brian's parents while we opened our presents. Then we made breakfast and ate and after that opened presents from my parents.

It was really nice spreading things out. I think it made the kids feel more grateful for what they got since they weren't bored of opening presents by the last few gifts. Everyone got pretty much what they wanted and I got...wait for it.....tickets to Sarah Mclachlan!!!! My sneaky Brian got the very things I would have wanted the most in the whole world without me even telling him I wanted them!!! (I really don't have enough space for all the exclamation points I would like to add there so three should help you get the drift).

Not leaving out of course my second most wanted/least asked for thing in the whole world, my boy chipped in their spending money(since they had already both chosen a gift for me with their allotted Christmas budget) and bought their mommy an electric blanket. I use this blanket at LEAST once a day, usually twice since I have started to bring it out to the couch for movies and reading. It was the sweetest, most thoughtful gift two little kids could have gotten me, and with their hard earned spending money! I cried over that one.

Brian's gift of the year was a beautiful pair of snowshoes, made by his dad. I think he knew I was giving him a watch, but our given budget wouldn't allow for both and I could tell he was a little disappointed I had chosen the watch instead of a pair of snowshoes. Well my wonderful father-in-law makes snowshoes and when I called to ask for advice on how to pick Brian a pair, he offered to send a pair he had made. I was thrilled! I had a devil of a time hiding them from Brian, but on Christmas morning when he was opening a Thermos and little hand warmer packets, I think he started to suspect. It was a great surprise for him so I felt like we were even on the cool gifts list this year!

Christmas Eve disaster...averted!

2010-12-28T21:14:00.000-08:00

It was really a wonderful Christmas. My brother and his kids came and it was just nice. We prepared a really great spread of food and just as the conversation started to get going over dinner my dear sweet Tyler comes over and whispers in my ear those dreaded words..."mom, have you heard of the mom and dad Santa trick?" Well, since I am just a dumb mom I said in a very shocked voice "No?! What in the world is the mom and dad Santa trick?" Yes, you can guess what comes next, the truth. On Christmas Eve. During dinner. I'd like to thank the stars for aligning with such bad timing for this moment to occur. So Tyler and I went for a little walk and had a very big talk.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm actually pretty thrilled to have this chat done with. Honestly the Santa chat was harder than the where do babies come from chat. It meant the death of his little imagination and believe in magic. I asked what he thought. If he though it was real and you know what my little man said? "I'm 50/50 mom, but just for tonight, I'd like to believe in Santa" and I felt a little humbled. For all the hours I spend in meditation, I don't think I've ever been able to be so easy with the idea of just listening to my heart, despite what reality might be and just rolling with it. Tonight, just over a week later he told Brian that it was ok now, he knew Santa wasn't real and that was ok. I asked if he was sad, he said not anymore. I can only imagine what's been running through his head the last week or so.

In hindsight, I'm not sure I would have even brought Santa into Christmas. I've gone back and forth, it's sweet for kids to believe in something so crazy, but it has been a great challenge to remind them, this holiday isn't for their monetary gain but their spiritual gain. I have to admit though, I did threaten Ty with his life if he told his brother. He is actually pretty excited to help Jake believe and I think Jake will go on believing in magic for a long time to come.

So here's my two cuties in their Christmas eve pj's goofing around. Tyler has been wanting a robe for a couple years now and I just didn't see why in the world he would want one so I never got him one. This year I figured, what the heck? I don't want to go down in history as having given my child a complex because he never got a robe. So when I saw this robe I knew it was the year for it. He loved it! He has worn it every minute (literally) of the last few days. I have no doubt it will continue to be worn for the next few years until I make him give it up. Who said big kids don't have security blankies? They obviously never gave their kid a soft robe for Christmas!

Just dang cute

2010-12-22T10:03:00.000-08:00

I went in to make sure everyone had a blanket on before I went to bed and Jake just looked so dang cute I couldn't help but take a photo!

That cozy little penguin you see is named ice cap. Brian and the kids love to garage sale in the summer and Jake just fell in love with Ice cap at a yard sale. A Teenage girl that was so cute with Jake, she told him the penguin's name was Ice cap, but he could call him whatever he wanted. So Jake continued to call him Ice cap and now we can't live without him! It has started a love for penguins that even after a year hasn't slowed down at all. If you look close at Jake's Christmas PJ's picture this year, you will see, they are penguin pajamas!

Santa Visit

2010-12-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

I've had all these Christmas blogs written, but was too lazy to find the camera and add the pictures!

This years trip to Santa went about like usual, although I didn't make them wear co-ordinating clothes, and I didn't stress about the photos. And of course, Tyler changed what he wanted from Santa when he actually got up to the big guy.

Brian and I went out on Thanksgiving night to the 10pm Toys R Us sale and got everything. Everything. We were done, we were proud, we were relieved. We were stupid. Tyler as par usual tradition hops up on Santa's lap and says "The Lego World racer command base with the red and green cars that come with it." Houston, we have a problem. What is the Lego world racer thingamajingy?! This little scenario dates back to age 3 when all year all we heard about was..well, I can't even remember now. But what Santa got asked for was a rocket. A rocket folks. Before rockets were even in toy stores, they weren't cool yet. And that time, Houston really did have a problem! We took little Ty straight to the toy store and said, "show us a rocket" He couldn't find one but had perfect faith that Santa would. Every year since that moment, this has been Tyler's signature. It just isn't a trip to Santa without completely throwing your parents off track in mid stride.

1987

2010-12-16T15:50:00.000-08:00

That was a good year. At least if I could remember it, I'm sure I would think so. I was 7. The car Brian calls his was just coming off the assembly line. Which leads me to this post. That blasted Blazer is the car I love and hate all at once. I love the junky look, the bold and unwavering way it drives, the red fake velvet seats with red leather. I hate that it is now requiring a large sum of money to keep it running safely and legally. We are today replacing the blower so that the heater will work. Next week we will be adding a new muffler and exhaust system then registering it. As this has started to become a burr in my boot I realized something. This car is younger than I am, would I begrudge something the chance to keep on going a few more years? Would I be very happy if someone told me I was too expensive to keep running? I know this is silly comparing my life to a cars, but let's take a moment and think of all the silly things we do in a day.

Did you have a freak out moment today because you were too generous this Christmas? I did. Did you stress out about making a nice dinner for you family even though they would have been just fine with peanut butter and soup? Basically what I'm getting at here is, let's try to have a little more perspective this holiday season and if we can swing it, for the rest of our lives. What do I care that the car we're about to plug $500 into is 23 years old? At least it runs! I wouldn't blink an eye putting that into my explorer. Our families will not only survive, but be very happy to have a casual, very "kid friendly" dinner tonight! So whip out the Lucky Charms baby, mom's taking a night off! Christmas will be here in 10 days, does it matter if you bought the perfect thing for each person you know? NO! Everyone will survive without everything they want, and probably be the better for it. I did not make Christmas cards this year, I figure those of you who know me read my blog. If you don't read my blog, then you didn't need a Christmas card anyways! And frankly, our 2010 sounds a little depressing if you don't personally know us and have the joy of partaking of our sense of humor over the whole thing.

What can you do for you tonight to keep you running? I bet it won't cost $500. I bet it's simpler than a muffler and ever better than a blower. Let go and keep yourself running smoothly. You're worth it even if my 1987 Blazer isn't.

What does chocolate mean to you?

2010-12-14T12:31:00.001-08:00

I would really like to know. I knew I liked chocolate, maybe a little more than the average Joe, especially given my family history with amazing chocolate makers. I didn't realize it, or the lack thereof, could leave me completely befuddled, confused, and un-motivated to even go to yoga, which BTW is the only non-human thing I love more than chocolate to give you perspective.

Yesterday I went to the sunflower market to get my supply of grain sweetened chocolate. You read that right, it's raw chocolate made sweeter by malted barely. It's pretty dang good, or was, until I discovered they stopped selling it in that store. I tell you what, I've never felt the urge to throw a tantrum like that moment! I wanted to seriously pick up all those normal, sugar filled chocolate chips and pour them all over the floor and jump up and down on them. Since I'm a grown up, I just left quietly and came home, wrapped myself in a big furry blankey and sat on Brian's lap for an hour.

Then I hopped online and paid $65.47 to have a case of these chocolate chips shipped to me. I changed my clothes and went to yoga, where sweet Abbey provided me with a class that was not only healing, but inspiring and by the end of the class I found myself sending out very positive energy to those I love instead of just trying to receive some positive. So that's how much chocolate means to me. I would pay $65.47 to have some in time for Christmas. Sad isn't it? Oh well, if I can't eat potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, yeast, sugar, fruit, etc. etc. etc. I should get my little indulgence. Next time you stop by the gas station or the grocery store, look at all those little bars and send out some gratitude for the abundance of chocolate!

BABFF

2010-11-30T14:50:00.000-08:00

Brothers And Best Friends Forever...The other night we realized that there could possibly be a point in time that Jake and Tyler will go 4 years without seeing each other and that was a really sad thought. For two boys, spaced two years apart means things like college and missions and never seeing your brother. I don't know how they will handle that moment in their lives, but fortunatly it's a while yet to come. For now they are just the perfect pair. They have just enough fights to keep them friends with other people and enough love to keep them more than happy when other friends aren't available.

Good or bad, I love how at the end of the day they are always best friends, co-conspirators, and a loving set of brothers. Only a brother would play games like webkins, Ben 10, and GI Joe that all your friends think you're too old to play. I love the sound of my little Jake saying Tyler's name. I remember when instead of a clear "Tyler" it was "Tyder" and I miss that. Jake doesn't seem to be into using nicknames with other people although he loves his own (bowbow, like bow wow, but not) but the other day he was laughing so hard he could barely talk and he called Tyler Ty. It was adorable, Tyler was a little confused by it for a moment, then they moved on with playing. I just can't imagine a life without the terrific two teaming up together. There's the nights when Jake can't sleep because his brother isn't right next to him, and the fact that Tyler won't go into a dark room or downstairs without Jake. There are too many moments to list, so here are some photos to honor this relationship.

An un-traditional Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

We broke the mold this year and went to Madeline's steak house for Thanksgiving. It was absolutly delicious and more importantly, provided some of the most delicious asparagus I've ever had. This is important when everyone around you is eating pie, cookies, brownies and cream puffs you can't eat. Having something like delicious asparagus makes it all ok. Well, not quite, but I felt a little better. Brian and I decided that with how crazy the year has been and how much he's been working lately, that we just wanted a really relaxing day, with no driving, cooking, cleaning and stress. So about a week ago we made a reservation for my whole family at Madelines for their buffet. It was amazing food and we loved that it was 5 minutes from home and we didn't have to do any dishes!

My parents and grandpa decided to join us, my brother and his family decided to not and we missed them. I don't think this will be a long standing tradition but it was a nice mix up for a year. Brian and I didn't really do the black friday thing this year, we did the 10pm toys r us sale and called it good. We got everything on our list and a few things we didn't know were on sale when we went. It was nice to sleep in on Friday morning.

Family Pictures

2010-11-27T09:36:00.001-08:00

Well some of them anyways! Our photographer was wonderful! If you're looking for a good one, www.photographybybree.blogspot.com. Here's a few of the favorites!

She also took some really amazing ones of the boys, I'll stick those up later.

Somebody's hero

2010-11-22T07:30:00.000-08:00

If I was asked by the astute thinkers of the world a good title for a darn good dad, that's what I'd pick. "Somebody's Hero". This opinion of mine has formed over countless days, nights and everything in between on the lovely occasions I've gotten to hear my husband come home from work and be greeted like he is a king. Don't get me wrong, they like me, and most importantly, love me. Someday when they grow up and fly the coop they will call home and after a quick greeting will give my husband a "so...is mom there?" However, when I walk through the door I'm pretty lucky if anyone notices, unless of course it's meal time. When Brian walks in the door, the world stops spinning and little people shout his name and run to him and hug him like a soldier returning from battle.

The motivation for them to do that comes from something I like to call hero worship. Because he is their hero, in so many ways. From the moment he first looked at a little toddler who was barely eating solid foods and gave them a bite of his ice cream to that adorable day on the golf course last summer when he taught an eight year old about visualization. That eight year old hit that golf ball over a very large lake, landing it in the perfect position for his next shot. Daddy is the guy who made up games like "Mr. Tickle guy" and spends his only night off taking two wiggly dudes swimming and for ice cream at Arctic Circle. And Dad is the man who, when after repeated warnings about some form of rule breaking, will still with complete gentleness, reprimand a child in the most loving way I've ever seen done. Letting them know that their feelings are more important than any rule.

Someday he will be the guy they go to for advice, and yes, I'm sure there will be days when he is no longer the hero, but the person taking away all their fun and freedom and "ruining their social lives". What it will all come around to at the end of it all, he will be their hero. Immortalized in their little minds like a modern day Hercules (without the muscles of course). So in honor of the greatest hero Tyler and Jake Gough will ever know, here is a portrait of this wonderful man.

Did I forget Halloween?!

2010-11-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

I think I did! I was so busy trying to get the blog caught up, I've forgotten to remember the moment!

This was a fun year. We don't have to worry about little toddlers getting cold or dirty. Or kids who don't want to wear the hats or masks that make their costumes awesome. We went all out!

Behold: Jack Sparrow and Indiana Jones

Does it get any better?!

2010-11-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, tribute to mommy-hood time. I had the pleasure of spending an evening recently lying next to a 6 year old while holding the hand of an eight year old that was dangling down from the bunk above me. And no, there was no feeling in my fingers by the time I let go in case that was on your mind.

My kids wanted me to sing to them before bed. It has been years since anyone has wanted me to sing to them. I forgot how much I loved doing it. They had forgotten how much they loved hearing it. I sang a few songs and Tyler asked if I knew any more songs. If that doesn't make a mommy who is now known strictly as "mom" cry, I don't know what would. Tyler my dear, I know a million songs more if you'll lay in your bed, hold my hand and listen to me sing.

They fell asleep that way. One tangled up in my left arm all cozy next to me, the other one dangling his arm over the side of the bunk holding my hand. I pulled myself away and found myself just wanting to stare at them. These are the kids who barely have time for a snack after school before they play. The same kids who look at me like I'm an idiot when I tell them to wear a coat because it's cold outside. The kids who every morning without fail remind me to sign their planners and pack them a snack...because I've forgotten ...oh wait, I've never forgotten! In the 4 years I've been sending children to school, I've never forgotten!! But just in case, they remind me. Because we are approaching that fabulous stage of "I know more than you mom!" and I dread it and am slightly amused by the idea of it.

So as I look at these little faces who begged for more songs before bed I just wished for a minute that if there is a big camera or video recorder in Heaven that documents all the "big" moments in our lives, that this one would qualify. Maybe not as a big moment, but the kind that if you were to review the whole dang thing with it's ups and downs and sideways, that this moment would show something to whoever was watching. That the story of my life was a fabulous, crazy, messy, silly, love filled story. That little children wanted to hear me sing as the last sound in their ears before they slept. That has to mean a lot more than all the money I didn't make in my lifetime. Or all the degrees I didn't finish. Or the toilets I didn't scrub....no toilet has ever wanted to hear me sing. Mommyhood, it ain't for sissys, but it's also not for the hard of heart is it?

Would you marry me...again?

2010-11-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

Last night was a very special night. It has no significance in our world (and believe me, I would know with all those journals from when Brian and I met) but it felt significant. Last year about this time Brian sold his wedding ring. He had never liked it much and kept threatening to do it. I kept saying "wait until we have a replacement". I think just doing it was his way of motivating me. For this whole year he's missed having a ring and I've missed the world knowing he's taken. ;)

So about a week ago I found the perfect ring for more than the perfect price and ordered it. It arrived yesterday! It was just as perfect as it looked! So I asked him on a date, we dressed up and headed to Madeline's, our favorite steakhouse. (Which BTW carries a wide selection of "Kelly friendly" sides). I wrote the prettiest little love letter you've ever read, and presented him with a beautiful box, containing a brand-spakin' new wedding ring. So in honor of this occasion, the occasion being Brian deciding he does still want to be married to me by wearing a wedding ring I gave him, I've decided to post a few gems from our recent family pictures. Let's consider them 10 year milestone photos!

Stripped down to Gratitude

2010-11-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

I think it's funny how this post, and the moments attached to it just happened to be during the month of Thanksgiving. Usually for me, for whatever reason, I find myself struggling to be grateful at Thanksgiving. I think it has something to do with the fact that I've never understood why we continue to celebrate this holiday by making some poor woman slave in a kitchen to provide a meal that really is no different than the others and which will be devoured in 20 minutes.

All the eaters of this meal will proceed to forget all about it, except for everyone complaining all night about how full they feel and how much time it will take to work off the calories. Why do we do this? I still have no answer. I think our ancestors would laugh at our sillyness if they could give some input and say to us...how about doing something that reflects what YOU are grateful for, not what WE were grateful for.

So in that spirit, and after the day I've had, I'd like to offer up my own corn for the feast of gratitude. Where do I start....

Let's start with 3 years ago. Flashback to Brian standing up 8 hours after a major and life changing surgery that would forever alter his back, and walking, pain free for the first time in months. At the time, I was grateful for that surgery. Grateful to have my husband working, functioning, and on the road to "normal". Months and years later I would come to curse that surgery. It has been the bane of my existence for as long as it's been part of our lives because of the long reaching affects a $55,000 surgery has on folks.

Flash forward. I now live in my parents basement, which although nicer and larger than my entire house was, still my parents basement. There are so many reasons for this change but if we wanted to get down to the brass tacks of it, the back surgery would be the biggest tack. Yes, Brian is in a masters program. Yes, we are moving to Kansas in 8 months. Yes, we wanted a new "UT" experience in a different area, with new faces. But the driving factor in this move is the need to be out from under owing ANYONE ANYTHING. In 16 months we will be done paying off a back surgery and we will have paid for a masters program, and a 500 hour yoga certification in cash. Does knowing all the "good reasons" for this move make me feel positive about it? Not until today.

I don't know what changed my outlook, the everyday factors are all the same. My morning looked like this:

7:23am-Shoot the alarm didn't go off...."KIDS!!!"

8:01am-Ahh...they are out the door

8:52am-Hey there's a yoga class at Soda row at 9...I'll ride my bike

......Wait! This is where it started. I got into my yoga clothes, grabbed a bag of carrots and pecans and rode my bike to yoga in the crisp, beautiful fall day. Unless you've been part of my everyday life for the last 6 months, you don't have any idea what that means to me, so here comes the gratitude.

Until 1 month ago I spent every morning of the last 8 months of my life feeling nauseous, dizzy, vertigo, and in mass amounts of pain. With no answers from anyone as to why. A few speculations...gallbladder needs to come out, too much acid....blah blah blah. After a couple thousand dollars worth of tests, the answer was, let's try taking the gallbladder out. Easy for them to say, they don't have to pay for it or go through it! I decided to avoid surgery as long as possible. I began to starve myself because every bite of food I took was a pain I hope to someday forget. Around the time I was down to about 500 calories a day a remarkable woman named D'ana suggested I see her doctor. At this point I had lost a large part of my muscle, eliciting a look of horror from my trainer during body mass testing, accompanied by "what have you done to yourself?!" I was barely finding the energy to shower everyday, much less do anything else like resistance training. Enter my hero.

I'll shorten this up, since it's getting long, honestly it's mostly for me and posterity, but don't let that stop you ;). Dr. Remington had the answers and they didn't have anything to do with surgery. I eat only meat, veggies, whole grains, milk, and cottage cheese. And I am healed. I take Probiotics, and an antigen everyday three times a day, and hopefully in my lifetime I will never experience this again. The problem boiled down to a Candida overgrowth whose bi-products produced a toxin that fried the inside of my large intestine. This all was a big deal for someone who is supposed to be prepping her body for an intensive training program that she will have paid A LOT of money for in January. It's also a big deal for a mommy, who keeps having to tell her kids, not today, mommy hurts too bad.

Today I rode my bike to yoga. Read that again. Then I sweat, and pushed my self to the limits of my breath and posture and found my heels so close to touching the ground at the same time my head brushed my mat in a downward dog. I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this beautiful, strong, soon to be totally healthy body I have a second opportunity to take care of. I have re-built most of the muscle I lost, I have gained ground faster than I could have hoped for. I feel GOOD. I rode my bike to yoga.

I then ran errands, mostly grocery shopping. I went to the sunflower market where I find most of the foods I can eat. Every time I go there it's exciting as I find some new treasure. Last time it was dill dip and grain sweetened cocoa chips. Today it was chicken noodle soup. Not from a can, but the kind in those big vats they keep by the salad bar. I bought all they had. It was delicious. You see, I have been nursing a cold for a week now and the deepest desire of my heart was some chicken noodle soup, but finding a yeast free, sugar/sweetener free, whole grain soup is nigh impossible. When I read and re-read the ingredients I cried. Before you laugh, think about what you eat everyday, and tell me if you wouldn't cry too if you found something that tasted good that fit into this "lifestyle".

As I sat in my car crying, eating my soup and looking at the beautiful day and the trees I realized every little thing has brought me to where I am, and I wouldn't change where I am for anything. I became grateful for Brian's back surgery and all the struggle it's brought us. I am stronger for the struggle. Just to say that again, I am grateful for the struggle. All of it. The back surgery, the job losses, giving up our house, living in a basement, the moments I lay in bed wondering if I would ever eat without pain again and on and on....

I am grateful to be alive and to have my husband who brings me a bouquet of beets in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. I am grateful for my little Jake who for no apparent reason in a very Jake-like way, wrapped his arms around my neck tonight and gave me the fiercest hug I've ever received and wouldn't let go. I could feel his little energy flowing out to say "I love you" in the sweetest way he knows how. I'm grateful for Tyler who always has an arm to put around my waist(or shoulder if he's having an extra tall day) and the way he makes sure I have all my pills and drops by my dinner plate every night and a glass of water to take them with. Because I know that is his most special way of showing me I'm front on his mind when he walks in from playing.

I'm grateful for my parents, who allowed us to clog up their empty nest with noise, dirt, tears, and basic chaos and the love they have shown us. I'm grateful for my in-laws and all they did to raise such a wonderful man, there are no words for how I feel about him.

Most importantly, I'm grateful for a God that loves us enough to make this beautiful world and who loves me enough to keep loving me through all my stupidity and ingratitude. I would like to promise I will never be ungrateful again, but let's not muss it up with a lie.

I will have my moments, but I wanted to write down this moment, so that the record shows, there was a Thanksgiving season that I was filled with gratitude for all I have been given.

Gough Family Pictures

2010-10-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

A cute picture of the grandkids heading to the boat and the deer we saw everyday eating grandma's flowers.

With everyone together we took a bunch of pictures. Here's a few of the good ones....

More Reunion pictures

2010-10-26T08:38:00.001-07:00

Water seemed to be the theme of this reunion! We spent a lot of time at the lake and playing with these really fun water guns grandpa got. That picture of Ty was during an all out assault on grandpa after he snuck up and stole the hose from Blake and proceeded to drench the boys!

Jake is an amazing wake-boarder. Those buff little shoulders sure come in handy when you're kneeling on a little board being pulled behind a boat going 25mph! He was so cute out there, he would just sing to himself as we went around the lake with the huge smile on his face.

The only downside of it all is that it was still Washington, which means you get cold pretty fast in that water, so about when his lips started to turn blue, we'd pull him out and wrap him up.

An impromptu decision on my part, the three of us hopped into the inter-tube for a spin around the lake, I was still in my clothes! Lucky for me Grandpa was nice and didn't tip us over!

The Gough Family Reunion 2010

2010-10-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

Three weeks after our trip to Washington was the Gough family reunion. So we packed up our bags and headed northwest...again. We had a great trip up and a ton of fun while we were there! Everyone of Brian's siblings came which was really nice and we had visits from both Grandma Marge and Grandpa and Syble. We stayed in a tent trailer on their property, while others bunked up in the house, the garage, a 5th wheeler, tents and even cars. We boated, tubed, swam, played, ate...a lot... and just had a darn good time.

On the way there we stopped at Snoqualmie falls. The boys were less impressed with it than we thought they would be.

We had a good time getting out of the car and playing a little football, getting cocoa, and picking up a postcard for Jake's class, which was his homework. The last part of the drive went quicker than usual, probably because we had just made the same drive barely a few weeks ago.

The boys had a great time playing with their cousins. I spent most of the time in pain and sick from what I thought was my gallbladder (more on that later). Brian had a great time seeing everyone in his family. The weather was really great for all but two of the days so we were thrilled!

We went on the intertube, knee boarded, swam, played on the fun island, ate, played track ball, water fights, and a lot of hanging out. It was really fun. I'll post some more pictures in the next one.

And he's off and riding!

2010-10-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

With the older kids riding their bikes to school, Jake was on a bit of a deadline to learn to ride a two wheeler. From the day school started, there was only 2 weeks until Claire got her cast off and then Jake would be expected to ride his bike with the big kids. So, we went to the old house and performed that age old rite of passage of learning to ride a bike.

Jake was amazing! After we got past the initial fear of falling, he was a champ about trying it himself. We didn't have to do any of the run along beside the bike for hours stuff, which is good since I don't think Brian's back could have handled that!

He picked it up quick and soon enough was racing Tyler around the cul-de-sac. Just look at that big smile!

Walking to school study

2010-10-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

So my neighbor works for the land developer that build Daybreak and they wanted a photo shoot of kids walking to school, so a camera man followed us all to school one day and this is the cover photo of the article that was published in the Daybreak Paper and the website. I included the study they were trying to illustrate below. Tyler's arms are behind Eric's head.

August 11, 2010 – SALT LAKE CITY – Walking to school is as natural as gravity, right?

An individual’s decision to walk to school is actually quite complex. It is influenced—perhaps—by distance and an attractive walkable environment, but also by intertwined social, psychological and environmental perceptions that sometimes differ between parent and child.

Because walking has important health consequences, researchers at the University of Utah set out to learn how the interplay of factors can help reclaim the walk to school and promote a healthy physical and environmental lifestyle.

“In the last 50 years, the prevalence of youth obesity nationwide has tripled,” says Melissa Napier, the study’s lead author. “Coincidentally, the number of kids walking to school declined 68 percent from 1969 to 2001. We wanted to explore the confluence of psychology and design that keeps kids from engaging in an easy, social and healthy form of physical activity.”

What they learned from the study, to be published this fall in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, is that walkable design results in a vastly higher number of walks by students living in Daybreak which was designed to be walkable, than in a community with a peripherally-sited school, a street system of cul-de-sacs and larger lots.

In the planned community, 88 percent of students reported walking to school in a week, compared to 17 percent in a similar, less walkable neighborhood.

In addition, the study shows how other factors also influence the decision to walk or ride, which led researchers to conclude that understanding perceptions can be as important as designing walkable communities.

Researchers found that parents living in the less walkable community agreed that more barriers to walking existed than their own children did. These barriers included perceptions of unsafe traffic, street crossing danger and crime.

“Parents’ perceptions are key because it is they who decide how to get their kids to school,” says Napier. “Changing their perceptions—by mapping out walking routes, adding crosswalks and walking school buses for example—can go a long way in creating a supportive walking environment in any community.”

“Further, get children actively involved in making changes to their satisfaction. Children who perceive fewer barriers to walking—regardless of what their parents think—were more likely to walk to school in my study. Both children and parents have to agree that the environment supports walking in order to maximize the number of children who will walk to school,” Napier continues.

Researchers polled 193 fifth-graders in two schools in South Jordan, Utah. The study was designed to compare Daybreak, a neighborhood designed along “new urbanist” principles, with a standard suburban school. Daybreak’s design places the school in the heart of the community with well-connected streets, walking paths, sidewalks on both sides, small lots and multiple front porches, all of which have shown to support greater pedestrian activity.

“This is an early indicator of success of the design goals at Daybreak,” says Stephen James, manager of planning and community design for Daybreak’s developer, Kennecott Land. “Daybreak villages are scaled to the human pace and provide a diverse set of every day destinations such as parks, schools, churches, shops, offices and community centers interwoven with the homes. The routes must be safe and direct, conveniently connecting everything via paths, trails and sidewalks that are buffered from traffic and shaded from the hot summer sun. At Daybreak the car is not central to experiencing life. It is just one of the many ways to get around,” James concludes.

The students in the study were divided into three groups. Students in the “walkable community” group lived within Daybreak and within a mile of school. The “mixed community” group attended the same school, but lived in an area with larger lots and cul-de-sacs. Three-quarters of the students still lived within a mile of school. The third, “less walkable community” group attended a different school in a nearby area. That school is on a busy street with a single sidewalk. The area, a more typical suburb, has homes on larger lots, many circuitous cul-de-sacs, and fewer walkable features. Over two-thirds of students lived farther than a mile from school.

The study was conducted by Melissa Napier for her master’s degree in the Department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah with funding from a University of Utah Synergy seed grant for interdisciplinary urban systems research.

Digging our way out

2010-10-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

So in an effort to get ready for all this moving we've got coming up in the future, which I probably should talk about a little more, I decided that it was time for a huge purge of all our worldly possesions. When I say all, think big scale. We kept a few pieces of furniture that we love, our clothes, toys, holiday decorations, books, and computer and that's all folks. I didn't want to store stuff and we didn't want to move it every year for three years.

Here's our plan:

Move in with mom and dad, sell our house, save money, and Brian start a Master's program in Coucneling

In August 2011 move to Ft. Leavenworth, KS to live with Jim's kids while he deploys to Afghanistan. Jim will be gone a year so we'll be there for about a year so the kids don't have to have their lives too shifted in the process. Our kids get an adventure out of it so everyone wins.

Around August 2012 move back to UT to continue the Masters program at which point I might start a Yoga therapy training course, we'll see how the 500 hour certification goes.

Back to the post...I cleaned out the garage and here's what 10 years of stuff looks like.

1st Day of a New school

2010-10-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

The boys have transferred to Daybreak Elementary this year. Jake will be in 1st grade and Tyler will be in 3rd. I'm mixed emotions about Jake being gone all day. I'm really gonna miss that little dude but at the same time, I recognize this for what it is and know this is prime "me" time. Time to get my stuff done, explore myself a little, and re-take up hobbies I'd long since abandoned when Tyler popped into our lives.

This is their group of friends they go to school with, play with, pretty much spend all their non-at-home-time with. Jake and Claire had to walk the first few weeks because of Claire's cast, but you can bet, the day she got it off, they were on those bikes and independent of me!

Freedom run!!!

2010-10-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

LET FREEDOM RUN!

That was the theme for the Provo, UT 10k/5k freedom run. Jim and Lindi were registered to run the 10 k and Tyler, being the amazing runner that he is wanted to run it too. We trained for 3 months, he was up to running 4.75 miles without much of a rest so I figured he'd be OK. Then I guess I got nervous about having an 8 year old run that much and the day before the race, told him we needed to just do the 5k. He was reluctant, but agreed. Morning of the race it was COLD!!! We had layer of clothes on as we drove to Provo at 5:30am shivering. We got there and the excitement and adrenalin took over and we were able to shed some jackets. We re-registered for the 5k, met up with Jim and Lindi for some pre-race photos. My parents came down with the other kids to watch and take pictures.

Tyler was so nervous at the starting line, he really didn't like all the crowd of people around him. We were a little late getting there so the posts for lining up with people in your time rank were down. We ended up with a bunch of walkers and strollers which was super frustrating.

We spent the first mile dodging people and trying to catch up with our time group. I finally just told him to run first, fast and around anyone he could squeeze by, I'd catch up. He amazed me! I was working it to try and catch up. Ty ran like a champ! He only walked two times for about 10 steps each time, one of which was to drink a cup of water. He busted out his speed at the last 1/2 mile and finished with a time of 37:37 which is 11 minuets faster than he's ever run this far. This being his first competitive race over 1 mile, I was so proud of him! First thing he says to me after finishing was: "We should have done the 10k, that was weak!" Well son, don't you worry, the world of racing is far from through with you!

4th of July

2010-10-18T07:57:00.000-07:00

This year was a little bitter sweet. There are so many changes in our family right now that this 4th of July was the best ever, and the worst ever. This was the last year we will host the annual Young family celebration due to moving. Jim will potentially not be with us next year due to deployment and it was just sad. So we decided to go out with a bang....literally.

We did the usual, way too much amazing food, a fire in the fire pit, pictures, rockin soundtrack created by yours truly and fireworks. Not just any fireworks though. Jim and the kids took a little field trip to Wyoming a couple days before the 4th and bought an arsenal of really amazing fireworks. We waited for dusk and mixed in one or two illegals with the little legal fountains and hoped for the best. The neighbors all came out to watch, or maybe to just watch their roofs for fire, and they were worth the money. Preston still doesn't like fireworks, so he spent the evening inside watching from a window. One of the teenagers from down the street came running over to tell us the fire marshal was in the neighborhood so we all went inside which Jim stayed outside to clean up. Two minutes later Jim sets off this grand finale-amazing display of all he had left. It was really really beautiful. And one minute after that a pretty red truck pulled up to talk to him.

Jim pulled the I'm from out of state thing and the guy let him off with a warning and gave all the kids

stickers. I thought that was pretty nice of the guy. I was a really great celebration and a good way to finish out a tradition that's been around since we bought that house.

Hey should we go to Seattle tomorrow?

2010-10-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

....Uh sure, let's do it!

Yes, I know, we say those words way too often, but when you come from somewhere so beautiful, it really doesn't phase you at all to pack up your whole family and drive 17 hours with 4 hours notice. This was the conversation we had at about 11:49pm Sometime in June. We wanted to leave the next morning at 5:00am. So I sent everyone to bed and got to work. Fortunatly we've got road tripping down to a science so it was just finding everything we needed which actually was easier than I thought and we didn't forget a thing! We left at 7am after a quick trip to Walmart for socks and ice and headed up. We stayed in my Grandpa's house in Bellevue for the first couple days since he was living with my parents in UT. Then we went to Shelton to see Grandma and Grandpa Gough. We had a really good trip. Very relaxing and VERY fun!

We went to the waterfront for Steamers and candy....

Dics for the best burgers and fries in the world!!

To see the troll under the bridge which the boys loved the best! Tyler even thought it might be fun to see if the troll had any buggers in his nose, EW!

And to the ocean, as you can see, it was not a warm sunny ocean experience, but the kids survived without any frostbite so I consider it a success!

This about sums it up, they were all funned out!

Jake's Birthday

2010-10-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Jake's birthday was pretty cut and dried. Spiderman cake. Spiderman webslinger. Birthday party at the Nickel-caid. As long as those three elements were part of the party, it didn't matter what else happened. Well I like easy and it doesn't get easier than this! Here's how it all turned out...

The webslinger was a serious hit! I was pretty impressed with it's ability to spray silly string at such a crazy distance!

Here's the cake, not my finest writing but the spiderman turned out great I thought.

Here's some of the nickelcaid pictures.

April Fools

2010-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

As is tradition, I just couldn't help myself from tricking the family with dinner. This one turned out amazing except for when you bow you head for dinner prayer, you can smell what you are eating, which got people giggling before the "Amen".

This is definitely not tomato soup and grilled cheese! You're looking at Vanilla pudding dyed red and Angel food cake sprayed with light oil and pan toasted for the grilled look with orange frosting in between. Yeah, it only takes about a bite and even Tyler was asking for real food. Super sweet overload!!

I grew a garden!

2010-10-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

Actually, that is inaccurate...I planted a garden. All I really grew from it was tomatoes, corn (which died before it could be harvested), Bell peppers and Dahlias. What I planted was corn, bell peppers, strawberries, carrots, onions, green onions, Beans, Sugar snap peas, tomatoes, Cilantro and Dahlias.

My dad made me these beautiful planter boxes for Mother's day, Brian bought me the dirt for mother's day (yes, my husband gave me dirt for mothers day) and I planted everything. Things were growing and looking beautiful until...something. I still have no idea what happened, but something did. Oh well, The tomatoes were amazing and the Dahlias were the size of Jake's head. So that's something!

Brothers

2010-10-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Just a few moments caught on camera to prove that brothers aren't always in the classification of worst enemy, they can also be a best friend.

Where have we been?!

2010-10-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

...Everywhere! I'm a little behind, which might be the understatement of the year! Let's do a quick re-cap for informational purposes.

Since Memorial day we've been to Washington twice, once was for the heck of it and very last minute, but worth it and fun! The second was for The Gough family reunion, which was an absolute blast! After the reunion my family returned home without me and I was joined one of my absolute favorite people in the world, Ryley. Who was kind enough to spend a week letting me drag her all over Washington in an effort to show her everything since it was her first time there. And she put up with going to a DMB concert at the Gorge which was the original purpose of the trip. That was July and I'll post some pictures soon.

Oh, also in July I helped my dad move my 90 year old grandpa and his house full of stuff of 40 years down to UT where he could be closer to those who could care for him. That was an adventure. Between July and August Brian and I said goodbye :) to our old ward and our first home :( and moved to Daybreak with my parents. Knowing that we would be moving to Kansas in less than a year, we decided it would be prudent to save some money and live in mom and dad's basement for a bit. Also relieving the stress of trying to sell the house last minute. The move went smoothly, and the boys have never been happier. Where as before Jake was the only one with friends in our ward and immediate area, we now live on a street with 13 boys ages 6,7,8,9. It's wild and noisy, but heaven! The kid's new school seems nice. They are really un-organized compared to the last school, but I guess the principal is pretty new, so I'm sure that will come with experience.

We are really really happy in our new ward. Everyone is so nice and so normal, it's truly changed our bad opinion of UT. It's been nice living with my parents during this crazy time as well. Which brings me to about current since everything now has been the main events for the last few months.

Brian has started a masters program in counseling at the University of Phoenix. In addition to working full time, this has been a big undertaking. In January I will be starting a 500 hour yoga certification program that will be very intense but amazing. It will take me 6 months to complete.

Well, I think that's good for now, I'll catch up more later.

Memorial Day Hike

2010-06-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

For memorial day we went for a hike up Butterfield canyon. For myself who hasn't spent much time in the Utah "wilderness" This was a bit of a rude awakening. I guess I expected more trees. And maybe not a large road that people walk ("hike") up. And maybe a little more natural beauty. Don't get me wrong, once I started thinking of Butterfield canyon as a uphill walk in a barren desert I found some things to appreciate and it didn't end poorly.I think I just need to lower my expectations of hiking here.

We did get a couple of cute pictures and it was these very photos that encouraged me that it was time to cut my hair, ASAP!

Barren, that's just the only word for this landscape. And BTW, we just went around a fence and found a horse trail. :) I don't "hike" on roads.

Tyler found more cool looking sticks that I've ever seen! That doesn't really justify carrying around 5 of them and hitting people with them (on accident of course) but it gave him something to do beside pick up paintballs.

A little recap

2010-06-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Jake turned 6. That was a big number for me. I don't know why, since it really is just like 5. Maybe because he is starting 1st grade in 2 months and that means gone are the days of a little buddy to run errands with me. I'm a little concerned I'm going to forget how to talk without Jake around to constantly badger me with questions about the most random things. The highlight of his life right now is he got a "web slinger" (Spiderman) you see in the left picture. Thank you Hasbro for the opportunity to clean silly string off my yard.

Tyler and Abbey have formed a bond I never would have expected. The problem is that Ty asked Brian for a dog for Christmas. Brian said, "sure, if you can manage to be nice to the cat for a year". Well, It's June, you look at the picture and tell me if you think we're going puppy shopping this December....

This one belonged with the Jake turning 6 but I'm too lazy to drag and drop it. :)

Tyler earned his Bobcat award. He LOVES scouts like nobody's business. He was pretty proud of himself that day.

A bunch of other random little fun fam facts:

1. I have attempted to grow a garden this year thanks to my wonderful parents who gifted me with 2 very Large planter boxes for mothers day that my dad made for me. I'll let you know if anything grows!

2. Jake has started realizing that uncomfortable feeling in your tummy actually goes away if you sit down and eat some real food besides cereal and water. I'm already dreading the grocery bill for the teenage years.

Actually, we're pretty boring...We'll have to work on that!

Tyler's birthday

2010-05-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Turning 8 is a big deal around here so we went all crazy and took all of Tyler's friends to Classic skating...again...to celebrate. The really crazy part of this was that I bombed out on the cake. I just couldn't manage a Snake eye and Storm shadow cake with them both fighting. They are really detailed people and, well yeah, I just wanted to buy a cake like all the other smart moms out there.

So here's the story. Brian, being the fabulous savior that he is in situations like this called everywhere. When I say everywhere, I really mean EVERYWHERE. After several failed attempts at going to cake places that said they had what we were looking for and didn't he finally struck gold...sort of.

What you are seeing is a Winnie the Pooh cake, turned GI Joe cake. They had the plastic characters for a GI Joe cake, but everything else was really girly. So they took off the winnie, scraped some frosting off and made it into a "forest fight". If you look close...closer...see that little bee happily buzzing on the side there? We left that for laughs. We didn't tell Tyler until the party was over, he never knew the difference!

Tyler's Baptism

2010-05-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Years of preparation finally came to a close and now we begin a whole new chapter in raising our oldest. Tyler was baptized April 10, 2010. After fasting and prayer he made the decision that this was the right choice for him. I'm so proud of the choices he's made and his decision to be baptized. We were lucky enough to have all grandparents there for it as Brian's parents were in town attending a BYU dance team reunion. Brian's mom, Diane danced with the BYU traveling dance team performing in all sorts of competitions including Blackpool. I was lucky enough to get to join her in the friday night performance of the current BYU dance teams. It was amazing and I'm so grateful for my mother-in-laws willingness to share the evening with me instead of Doug!

We had a great turnout for the baptism with family and friends. The room was so filled with love and our wonderful bishop was so great in his talk, pointing out to Tyler that everyone was there because they love and care about him. It was really special.

Here we are with our dude. Tyler just looked so grown up that day!

Ok so the hug from Jake was a little forced, but he didn't argue about it, maybe we are on the road to making better choices already!

I might point out that I was wearing 3 inch heels and Tyler was slouching. That's why he looks shorter than I am. Those of you who see us in real life know this picture isn't quite accurate......

My handsome boys. We clean up pretty good. You'd never know these were the three guys that putter around my home in ratty jeans and baseball hats.

Mothers day

2010-05-08T22:38:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is mothers day and it lends me time to reflect tonight. I know what my breakfast is going to be. It's a classic burrito with potatoes, no pico and a side of ranch from Eggs in the City.

Brian and the kids drove to Sugarhouse today to get it for me. It's in the fridge. My gift was dirt. Seriously, 2 cubic yards of really beautiful dirt to go in my freshly made planter boxes. In which I plan to provide myself with lots of healthy cooking additions to our meals this summer.

Although I know these things and I'm excited about tomorrow for how cute the boys are trying to do nice things for me, tonight I'm really realizing that I've got my gift, it's love. And the best start to my day comes not from a tray with a newspaper, eggs and cocoa but a little almost-six-year-old-my-birthday-is-in-three-weeks warm person climbing into bed and knowing with every piece of his soul that this is the place to be if you want to be cozy. Then the day gets better as his older I'm-too-cool-for-hugs-in-public-but-there-better-be-a-spot-for-me-in-this-bed brother comes in to join the party. This is what my life is made of.

Now it also is made of not so Hallmark moments. For example when Jake made Tyler laugh so hard today he threw up all over the freshly cleaned carpets. I was not amused. Or that moment when you realize your kids really don't care about helping you out at the moment, they just want to play with their stuff and you have to beg for help with the groceries. You don't see that on a greeting card. As I stood in the card section perusing for the perfect card for my mama, I did however see a lot of "I know I didn't appreciate how wonderful you were then mom" and "All your suffering has made me into such a successful person" and I felt gratified. At least someday those moments will have some happy light shed on them and they will then officially be a Hallmark moment. For now they are the beats on a drum that marks the rhythm of my life and I"m happy to report, it doesn't sound like a funeral march.

It's one of those crazy African drum beats that you just want to swing your arms and dance to even thought the tempo and cadence will change at any given moment and then you look like a moron jumping around. Would I change it and stop dancing? Nope. Mommy hood has been the single most wild, crazy, silly, funny, sad, unpredictable adventure I've ever been on. Those of you who know me the best, that's saying a lot. I love this. Let me say that one more time and this time say it with me.....I LOVE THIS!!!

As Jake was laying on me the other day I could feel his heart beating and I realized it's been beating next to mine for 5 years 9 months and 15 days. That's something. He said he could hear my heart. I asked what it was saying. "I love you" he said. Brilliant.

Happy mothers day. To everyone who is a mother, and everyone who wants to be and everyone in between. What a gift.

Just a few of my favorite photos from this section of my life. And no, it doesn't get any better than this :) I don't think my heart could handle that much love and happiness.

Turning Eight

2010-05-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

It's happened, I've reached one of those big mommy milestones, My oldest turned eight. I may be a little partial, but doesn't he look handsome in his scout uniform?

Tyler lucked out for scouts, the space derby (pinewood derby with rockets instead of cars) landed on the day before his birthday so he got to participate. He was so excited! The rocket got painted red with a lot of help from grandpa in his workshop. Tyler won 2nd place! His rocket was super fast.

He's been looking forward to scouts for a really long time. It doesn't help the anxious waiting when his mom and dad are the scout leaders for the 8 year olds. We're excited to have Tyler officially joining our group!

Catching up! Let's start with Vegas Baby!

2010-04-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

So I got one of my wild hairs a few weeks ago and in a two day period Brian and I decided it was time for a trip so we picked close by; Vegas. Now we've only spent time there once and it was really really hot, so we didn't LOVE our experience. We packed up, dropped the kids at our best friend's house, (thank you Glenn and Kecia!!) and hit the road. We just took our time driving and really enjoyed our time together. The trip itself was relaxing and fun, a little colder than we thought ( we just can't win with the weather there). We rode a gondola which was fun, ate at Maggianos where I stuffed myself silly but it was so worth it! We basically enjoyed each others company. With that being said, I'm not sure we're Vegas fans. It really wasn't our favorite atmosphere so we probably wont be doing that again. And blogger is having serious struggles getting my pictures on for me, so I'll have to add those later! We were able to totally fool the kids that Brian really stood by Indiana Jones at the wax museum!

Grateful for UT?!

2010-04-07T10:53:00.001-07:00

I've just spent a lot of the day reflecting and whether anyone sees this or not, because it's probably been 6 months since I wrote last, no one even knows this blog still exists! Part of the reflection comes from a large up coming event. Tomorrow is the 8 year anniversary of when I became a mommy. Which also happens to be a big birthday for Tyler. My darling little Tyler is getting baptized Saturday. I'm so excited for him! I don't know if it's all the growing up going on around me but I just feel a little like life is just beating me today. Like I'm trying to run with it, but I just can't run fast enough. Those of you who know my competitive side, this is not a recipe for inner peace. I walked out my front door today to get Jake from school and felt the sun mixed with extreme cold and wind and something about the air made me miss Washington so bad it hurt. Which lead to a what am I doing here? Which lead to where have the years gone? And suddenly I'm in this melancholy state, which doesn't bode well since my amazing in-laws are due to arrive in 2 hours and I haven't showered yet. (It's 12:01 pm) And then by the time I got home from getting Jake I had moved to grateful, which I thought was a quick and nice turnaround. I don't usually admit this, but there are some things about UT I'm grateful for. Listen up, this is the only time this list will appear in public. ;)
1. I do love the mountains, they are majestic and at any given moment can turn you gaze upward, which automatically changes your life.
2. I love the lack of mold. As beautiful as the rain forest look in Washington is, I do not miss the 40 days of straight rain which then make your yard smell like last years fridge science project.
3. Family. Although we are all from Washington, somehow we are all here. Why is that? Until we can answer that, there's no where I'd rather be than near the people who have to love me no matter what!
4. Glenn and Kecia. they live here, so for that reason, we need to live here! Life just wouldn't be as much fun and filled with as much love if we didn't live by our best friends and their darling little Emma
5. I love my gym. I'm sure I would have a gym in B'ham I loved, but I LOVE this gym. They have amazing instructors that have changed my life, literally.
6. Along with the gym, I'm grateful for a new found love of Eastern arts. I've spent at least 40 hours in the last year practicing yoga and although Brian teases me that he never thought I'd be able to be still long enough to even remember how to breath much less meditate, this has brought a peace to my life that I never realized could exist. This is because of my amazing yoga instructor Abbey, whom I absolutely adore. She makes it real and personal even in a class full of 30 people. Washington doesn't have Abbey, so she goes on the UT list.
7. The running trails. They don't have many hills here, not like home anyways, so running seems a little more lazy, although the altitude just kills....still....
8. Jake and Tyler's friends. I love the kids they hang with. I've heard more moving, sweet, funny things come out of the mouths of these children I've grown to love and respect than I've heard from most adults.
9. The opportunity UT provides to make me really reflect on who I am and who I want to be. I find a lot of cookie cutter people here...uh a lot....and it just makes me have a profound gratitude for my ability to be myself. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't just be comfy in my own skin, I would hate to have to dance to someone Else's tune, I'm glad to live in a place that reminds me that being yourself is one of the most important things you can learn.
10. I love the sunshine. Even the word looks beautiful, let me say that word again..SUNSHINE!!!! You can't write that word in Seattle. (well you can, but it just looks funny)

So there you go, silly sappiness from me. I guess a day of reflection is what it take to get me back to the blog. Maybe I'll go all out and change my blog decor from Autumn to spring!

Edited at 1:17 to add:
I must be having a grateful day! I keep thinking of things I love!
11. Eggs in the city. Although finding places to eat that fit our strict requirments are hard here, this place fits the bill !!! There is nothing like a basic burrito with side of ranch..oh man, I'm hungry!
12. My chili's chillins...I've made some friendships that will last a lifetime! Ry, Stogs, this one's for you :)
13. Coffee connection. This is the only place that has it right. An avid hot cocoa drinker, this place suits me to a "T"! Comfy couches, good tables, unique service....yes I do drive 36 minutes for a hot chocolate.
14. The radio stations. I love that there is more variety than hip hop and Neil diamond.

I might have to just keep this list going.... it's probably good for me :)

Christmas

2009-12-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

Here is Christmas eve in their new jammies and Christmas morning, waiting for dad to get the video camera.

this was the year of Ben 10, G.I. Joe and legos. (of course which year isn't the year of legos?!)

We had a really nice morning, really relaxing and awesome snow!

Wordfull Wednesday...

2009-10-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

So a blog I follow showed a post today called wordfull wednesday. Where in six words you are to describe your life right now. Everyone kept saying how hard it is to do. I scoffed at them. However, after wracking my brain, I've grown new respect for these women. I have nothing. Sure I can think of six words, even more that describe my life right now, but which six do I choose? Tonight isn't a good night for this, I'm cranky, due to naughty little children doing their best to see mom become a meanie pants. So if I'm going off tonight, my six words are:
cranky tired and done, Just done.

If I'm looking at the big picture I have a wider range. I've thought of things like happy, strong, running, peaceful, silly...yada yada yada.

So...still thinking. I think I'm going to name this post thoughtful thursday. Let's see if anyone reads this blog, it's ok if you don't, it's really for posterity anyways :) But if you do, leave me your life in six words. I'll even go till next thursday, heaven knows I probably wont have this figured out by tomorrow!

Jake's first soccer season

2009-09-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well we started out rocky with soccer this year. Jake didn't seem to understand the concept and spent his first practice crying that no one passed him the ball. Tell you what, it was a major feat for me, miss competition, to be nice about that one. My instinct is to say, "get the heck on that field, wipe off those tears and do you dang job!!" I resisted. Instead what came out was something more like "I understand that you're upset but your team is counting on you to be out there trying to help. Here's a hug, wipe off your tears and get out there until practice is over."

I felt that was major improvement.

When we got home Tyler took him out in the back and taught him different ways to steal the ball. As the first game approached I was more nervous than him! Turns out practice with Ty paid off...

We didn't have a single tear at the game and he left saying that was the funnest thing he'd ever done in his life! Victory!!

Curiosity could kill the cat....

2009-09-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

I decorated for Halloween. Actually I did it three weeks ago. The light changed coming thru my windows one morning and I knew it was time. I tried putting up those fake spider webs with some spiders in them. They haven't worked out so well for one member of our family.....I heard a meowing and went to see what she'd done now. Honestly it looked like a scene from Lord of the Rings with Frodo and the big spider. I think she was trying to get one of the fake spiders out.
That stuff was pretty sticky and the more she struggled, the worse it got. I couldn't resist a picture or two!

Where's the beat?

2009-09-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

Uh, is it just my computer, or are none of our playlists working?! Are they working for any of you? I miss the music! Blogs aren't as much fun without a soundtrack!

Peaches, tomatoes and jars oh my!

2009-09-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

I have checked a few things off my life to-do list this year! I have always wanted to can peaches and to make home made salsa. I did both this summer with help of my fabulous Kecia!

While wandering the farmers market a month ago, at the end of an amazing girls day out, we met a peach farmer who put our names on a pre-order list for amazing peaches for canning. I went a few weeks later and picked up our 3 boxes of peaches and she drove up from Provo to spend the day canning while Jake and Tyler "watched" her daughter Emma. We had a blast and it went so quick with two of us.

I was thrilled with how easy the skins came off these peaches and they looked so pretty when they were canned I decided to use them as decoration!

Salsa was a different matter. I've never made it before, so it was kind of an adventure. I bought the basic ingrediants at the farmers market, to get the "really fresh" taste. (My tomatoes went in late, so they are not ready yet)

I don't have a food processor, so I hand chopped everything. I made 4 jars. We really are not big salsa people, I figured that would be plenty. Brian and the kids thought it was so good that we are down to 2 jars! I guess I'll get to use my tomatoes after all!

First day of freedom.... I mean school....

2009-09-22T08:23:00.001-07:00

It's a little late in coming, but I've finally gotten around to posting my life again!! After all, who can resist the first day of school pictures?

Jake started Kindergarden this year, he was so excited!! Although a little bummed when he found out he won't eat lunch at school until next year.

There he was, off on his own. He didn't have any seperation problems. I think he learned that from brother, who didn't even want me to walk him to his door. (I snuck behind him, just to make sure he made it). I did really well right about to halfway thru the parking lot, then the gates opened and I couldn't make it to my car fast enough. Although I know every other mom is doing the same thing, I'm not a crier, so this was tres embarrasing!

The next day, just so you all know, I woke up, sent the kids to school and smiled my whole way to Eggs in the City with my darling husband for our first "kids at school date".

Did I really just do that?

2009-09-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

This week has been one of milestones. Brian called from the highway the other night and asked if I was busy. Uh, am I ever at 9:30pm? He then asked me to come outside for a moment. In true Hallmark style, as I'm freezing my tush off in the midst of an early cold front on my porch, my hub pulls around the corner in a car. Not just any car, my car. Well, hopefully soon to be my car...A 2000 white Ford Mustang GT. In amazing condition, just humming along.

Now for those of you who have been blessed to never be present when I get going on Mustangs, let me explain to you why this was one of those moments. The 2000 is one of two Mustangs ever built to posses the "tail end" body style that seriously makes my heart stop. I am in no position to purchase a 2008 in cash, so that leaves option number two, the 2000.

Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot, but I'm ok with it, and I assume you all are too, or we wouldn't still be friends right? :)

Well, upon driving this baby around for a couple hours, I started getting this little wild hair. Thoughts started running thru my head. Things like; "maybe it's time to REALLY clean the garage" "Maybe we should finally let go of all that baby stuff" Next thing you know, I've listed my crib, changing table, jogging stroller, toddler bed and baby clothes on KSL. Not that I've written off additional rug rats...only that just maybe, this could be a fun, care free new time for our little family. We have no immediate plans to enlarge our family, so why not? Why not have room to actually park a CAR in our garage?! (I know, what a thought right?) Why not drive a car that would be absolutly impossible with kids younger than mine. Why not wear my nice shirts around the house, no ones spitting up on them anymore... So I think I'm selling the Explorer too. Saying goodbye for a bit to the era I love, of babies and toddlers and bottles and blankies. And welcoming with open arms, and a few tissues an era I'm learning to love more, with soccer games, rock climbing, mustangs, Harry Potter, and kids who make their own chocolate milk.

3 handsome boys, 1 grey hair, and a crab

2009-07-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

Gas to Seattle: $212
4 greasy Dicks Cheeseburgers, 3 Fries, 4 Shakes: $22.64
2.5 pounds of Coconut Taffy you can only buy in Seattle: $12.57
Waterfront parking: $2.95
Spending my birthday in my favorite place in the world with my favorite people: Priceless!

We drove to Seattle Wednesday morning on the way home, even though technically it wasn't anywhere near the way home. (Although after checking map quest it is only the longer way by 45 minutes, so I think it's justified!) All I wanted for my birthday this year was to be in Seattle, eating either fish and chips from Steamers or cheeseburgers from Dicks. Well Brian and I had amazing fish and chips the night before so we went for Dicks. It was everything I'd longed for! the kids loved it, we have always loved it, so it really was the perfect way to start the drive home. We spent some time on the waterfront, just hanging out.

And yes, you read that right. Fate had the gall to bestow me with a grey hair on my birthday, MY 29th BIRTHDAY no less! Not cool. And no, I don't want to talk about it.

There was a crabber on the wharf who had a good catch he let us inspect. Notice Jake's hands behind his back? He was the first to reach out for a crab and he tried to grab the wrong side. Let's just say we're all really glad he has Brian's reflexes! After that he was less than enthusiastic about trying again, photo opp or not. Tyler Braved up and so did Brian. I personally don't believe in playing with my food :) so I refrained from holding the crab. All in all, it was the best birthday I've had in years!

RoAd TRiP!!

2009-07-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

We took a last minute trip to Washington to see Brian's parents. We planned to leave around 4am on July 5th. That was our first mistake. Never plan to leave for a 12 hour drive the morning after you have a huge party at your house. I spent the 4th getting ready for the party and doing minimal packing, figuring I would get around to it. After my family went home. That was the second mistake. We had so much fun on the fourth we didn't even think about getting ready for our trip until 11pm as the last remnants of party goers drove off. Then I looked around and made the command decision that we would be leaving a little later. I sent Brian and the kids to bed and I packed. And packed. And packed. We ended up not too far off schedule, we left at 5:45am which I thought no small miracle. An even greater miracle was that upon completion of the trip, we realized I FORGOT NOTHING!! Yes, I'm feeling rather prideful at pulling of a trip of this magnitude in 4 hours. Not to shabby!

The trip there was awesome! We had so much fun with the boys and they were so good. We only turned on the DVD player for one movie and they didn't really even watch the whole thing. Tyler was the real entertainment, asking every question that would come up watching scenery pass from Utah to Washington. Things like, "mom, why do people want to live in Idaho, it smells here" to "How does a tug boat push that huge ship all the way to the ocean?" as we were passing thru The Dalles. Not to mention the crazy rest stop shenanigans, like climbing on the roof of the car when Brian and I try to steal a kiss, thinking our kids are safely in their seats...

In Shelton grandma and grandpa provided hours of fun with their new boat and innertubes. The kids spent more time on that lake then they spent with me! It rained most of the trip, but that didn't stop anyone, proving they are true Washingtonians!

One of the innertubes was a 4 man, which means to little boys can ride, fully clothed all around a lake and not even get wet. This is a priceless feature when it's 58 degrees outside and they just have to go for one last ride!

I just loved this scream! They were so cute on that tube!

We also got to see Brian's sister Karen and her 4 kids. The boys loved spending time together and Jake got a long really well with Kalena, even if she is a girl. :) Tyler and Jake both loved helping in Grandma's garden, including Picking Huckleberries for a pie, which wasn't quite as fabulous as we thought it would be...digging potatoes, picking raspberries, strawberries, lettuce and sweet peas.

We took some long breaks during the drive, stopping for lunch and some football and Frisbee tossing.

All in all it was an amazing trip, we were so proud of the kids and how great they were. We feel like we've finally gotten the road trip thing down to a science without having to rely on a TV to keep everyone happy.

4th of July

2009-07-12T20:48:00.001-07:00

4th of July was a blast at out house! We had an amazing BBQ complete with a fire and smores afterwards in my new fire pit. We had great fireworks, with I might add, a fabulous soundtrack with everything from Jimi Hendrix to Bruce Springstein. We took the opportunity to take some family pictures since all the grandkids were in one place!

Here's just the grandkids with my parents.

This one kind of weirded me out! It looks just like last year, I think I might actually find last years and stick it on here for comparisons...

Here's Jake in girl-cousin heaven. He loved all the attention!

We also had cake as an early birthday celebration for me, it was really, really nice to have my family all with me and celebrating my birthday. I love you guys! Thank you!

A Shout out!

2009-07-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Alright everyone, I know I have been amazingly absent from your posts, and amazingly absent from mine too come to think about it.... but I need a little help!

4th of July is my families official holiday. From my dad down to the youngest grandkid (who currently resides in my sister in laws belly) we are patriots and we love to party this holiday up. However, in years past we have had trouble finding the perfect music for the occasion. An Occasion with BBQ's, slip n' slides and firewords needs just the right sort of thing, and I'm determined to have it this year.

So what I'm asking you, is for your best, all-american, good ol' boy music. I'm riding on the lines of Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce and Sweet home Alabama, so anything similar is welcome. Heck, anything is welcome, I have no problem trying new stuff!

Thank you to all who contribute!

Chuckie Cheese Birthday

2009-06-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

I Just couldn't help myself this year. I was all about the parties at other places! We picked up Jake's friends and brought them to Chuckie cheese for his birthday party. We had a blast! My favorite was the monster truck, that thing was cool! And as you notice, Jake choose power ranger helmet for his birthday cake theme....?!?!? No idea where that came from, Jake's never even seen power rangers. And the helmet?!?! Seriously? Yes, very seriously..."mom I want the red power ranger helmet for my birthday cake".

Now you might be thinking to yourself, did that say red? Is there something wrong with my monitor? That looks blue. Don't call the computer repair man just yet, that is a blue helmet you see. As seems to be the norm for my cakes this year, the red helmet met with disaster 1 hour before the party. I really thought I would be ok waiting until the last minute on that, until the frosting wouldn't go any redder than hot pink. Now I can often fool my kids by turning the clocks foward a few hours and convincing them it's really bedtime, but even I know that trying to convince a 5 year-old that his cake is really just a cheerful red instead of the hot pink it looks like is a no no. So I went to consult the birthday boy, whom I found dead asleep on my bed. I used common sense and the only other food coloring I had and made it a blue helmet. He was ok with it. Maybe we'll buy cakes next year....

Jakey's Birthday

2009-06-02T19:49:00.001-07:00

What do you get the kid that shows no interest in toys but has a vivid imagination. That's right, nothing. Until two days before his birthday you have a most awesome idea. For Jake's birthday this year I made a costume box. (We thought it sounded girly to call it a dress up box) I made several costumes and bought props to go in it. Exhibit A: Pirate costume. This vest reverses to become a knight tunic.

I also made a superman cape that is also reversable to Batman on the other side.

Cowboy, YEE HAW!!!

These fabulous pop out batman wings and mask came from Utah Grandma and Grandpa. The box really didn't make it clear that they extend to a wingspan of 4 ft. Thank you toys r us.

This is a spring action-glowing-realistic-noise making light saber. Yes, I know we already have 6 light sabers. According to Brian this was a totally necessary addition to them all. This one is from Swingset Grandma and Grandpa. It was a hit!

Passion for pink

2009-05-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, you all know me. You know how I am. For many months now I've just had this wild hair that my neighbor's (and dear friends) yard would look stunning accentuated with pink flamingos. I think the marketers for target agreed with me.

I was strolling thru the dollar section of target about 2 weeks ago and lo and behold, there they were, in their pink, smiling glory. I couldn't help myself. I bought 6. Two days later I decided 6 wasn't enough. We'll just say I bought a "few" more. Last week my neighbor awoke to a flock of flamingos grazing on her lawn. Brian was a really good sport about this and even admitted to having a blast thru the whole migration effort of flamingos traveling from our living room to their yard. They looked stunning there in the morning light. :-)

Precious moments

2009-04-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is one of those moments that are rare these days. Upon growing as tall as his mom, reaching first grade and becoming "cool" I don't find Tyler looking to cuddle with me much. Part is of this is due to logistics, how do you hold a child that is the same length as you? Whose arms can circle your waist one and a half times if arms did that sort of thing?

The answer is, just like this. I was sitting on the couch, minding my own business and here comes my to-cool-for-this-nonsense kid. And he just climbs up and chills with me for a record 30 minutes. Best 30 minutes I've had with this kid in a long time. I started thinking about how I would have given anything to have 30 minutes without having to hold Ty when he was a baby. My how time changes things.

Manipua/Pork Bao

2009-04-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

As strange as this post seems, it is necessary. This is the end of a 9 year long search for a little something we call manipua. (Right around now, I'd like to send a little holla to Christie, I know you know what I'm talkin about!) Between Guava bread and Manipua, I think I trace the beginning of my marriage weight gain. It all started on a sunny lunchtime in Laie, HI. Brian is showing me around the island and all his favorite places, which include the corner market that sells this fabulous creation called Manipua. I fall in love. Every day of that blissful week finds us at the corner market searching out a fresh little pork pouch.

Flash forward about a year. Finds us in San Fransisco on our way to Disneyland in China town. Searching from bakery to bakery looking for Manipua/Pork Bao. No one has it! No one!! Disappointment is mine, yet still dreaming about it.

Flash to present, 10:32 am on Saturday morning, April 25, 2009. Finds us driving thru Salt lake city, post haircuts and donuts at Banbury and we pass an Asian market. My thought is "hmm, lanterns for the patio, let's stop" My second thought, yes, you guessed it! " I wonder if they have Pork bao?" We search, none fresh. I get this crazy idea that maybe Asian would enjoy their favorites frozen the way we enjoy a frozen pizza. I wander the frozen isle, hopeful and longing like a child looking for the toy they have coveted on the shelves of a toy store. When, like a beacon, from down the isle I see it, in the distance, my long lost love. A bag of frozen manipua. I run, arms outstretched to recover it (ok not really, but my excitement did make a few of my fellow shoppers turn and stare for a minute). Five dollars! Five dollars for a whole bag of this deliciousness.

When we got home I just couldn't wait to see, so we tried one and it was EXACTLY the same! I am finally at peace with my food needs! Well, almost. I still haven't found a Nanaimo bar that stands up to the one from that little bakery in Surrey Canada..........

Ty's birthday

2009-04-25T12:59:00.001-07:00

I'm finally getting around to blogging! After that whole cake fiasco I was very "over" Tyler's birthday. I'm finally having happy feelings about it all again, so here is the final cake result. Now mind you, this was not the cake I had designed and planned for. The cake I had designed and planned for was the uber cool creation of cake, frosting and fondant that was going to take me a few hours to put together. About 1 1/2 hours into THAT cake some friends stopped by, as we were talking in the kitchen I hear Bethany let out a slight gasp. I turn, to find Jake has reached up and grabbed a huge chunk out of the giant lego cake I had just painstakingly smoothed fondant over. (Mind you, I still had several hours worth left to do, so I was already pretty exhausted) I simply removed the cake from his hand, washed it, removed his glasses and escorted him to bed. At 7. In silence. Mommy done. I think the only reason I restrained the tears was because there were other people in the house.

So after all that ra-ra, I sat down in the toy room and devised a new plan. Toys on the cake. I hate toys on cakes, I think it's a cop-out. And frankly, I'm okay with that this year. I think it turned out to be a pretty dang cool cop-out if you ask me.

I went for Indiana Jones theme; and yes, I built those props all by myself. We've got a tent, a picnic table with lantern, map, walkie and cocoa cup. We've got Indie himselft and dear old dad, who is holding a shovel next to recently dug up buried treasure. I had a much better picture, but for some reason blogger won't let me stick it up.

The party was at Classic skating this year. We picked up 7 little boys and escorted them to a night of bouncing, laser tag and pizza. It was wild to say the least. I have to say this, Tyler has some awesome friends. I love each of these kids like family, so it was really fun. This picture has a couple of strangers in it, but for the most part you get the idea.

This picture disturbed me. Ty looks really handsome in it. And a little older. :.(

There they all are! Top row we've got Josh A., Tyler M. Hayden P. Bottom row: Gabe C. Our Tyler, Eric, and Jakey. The boys had a blast! All in all, it was a terrific birthday.

Update on us

2009-04-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Since I've been lazy, here's an update on us. Tyler had a tooth pulled on the 7th. One of his front baby teeth was jammed into his gums after a sledding accident. At a friends house. Sledding down the staircase. Uh yeah, 'nough said. It jammed behind the permenant tooth so we had it out. That wasn't his finest moment. Tyler also turned 7 this week. I'm feeling a little old after that. We celebrated by going to classic skating with friends, I'm sure that will be a post all it's own.

Jake's eye is greatly improving. I mentioned it in the bedroom remodel post. And he is showing his true capacity for naughtiness lately. I've never seen a more opinionated child before. He has the art of the silent treatment down and I'd like to say I handle this well, but I just can't help but laugh. Eventually I'll learn to keep a straight face.

Brian broke the cardinal law of eating in the living room and for some reason thought it would be smart to let the boys take bowls of raw brownie mix in to watch a movie. I'm sure I don't have to explain what happened next. Yeah. So Brian tried to clean it. With dish soap. Now I have a very large, conspicuous bleachy red stain in the middle of my living room. We are carpet shopping. When I'm less frosted about it, maybe I'll post a picture.

April fools!

2009-04-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

What are the Gough's eating for dinner this April? You got it, Meatloaf, Peas and mash potatoes with gravy.......or is it?

I let the kids lull themselves into a false sense of security this year by not even mentioning April fools to them. They were innocently going about their day, thinking they were safe, until I served up some dinner. Jake was not impressed. He hates potatoes and green veggies, I offered to pay him to eat, he said ok. One bite later he says, wow mom, these potatoes taste like ice cream, I like mashed potatoes. Oops. Not where I was going with that! It took Tyler explaining they weren't real potatoes and finally the light bulbs appeared above their heads shining brilliantly!

We enjoyed our "dinner" of cocoa krispie treats, ice cream with caramel sauce and airheads rolled into peas. Then went to Chili's for real food. It was really fun and I have to say, I got them good this year. I'm already thinking what next year will bring....

Finished!

2009-04-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

After such a long time, the bedroom is finally done! This wasn't really one of the pictures I was going to use, but there were two important things in it I wanted to display. Number one, This is the first and only time Abby has been nice to Jake. I thought that was worth mentioning. Number two, notice Jake's uncovered eye, it has red eye! At his last visit to the Optometrist we were informed that since patching every day for for hours for the last month, Jake's eye has not only stopped degenerating, it has reversed and now with glasses on, his vision is equal in both eyes! We would like to thank all of you for the prayers you have sent up in his behalf. We feel so blessed to have this kind of recovery happen so fast.

Okay, view number one, and yes, I do color co-ordinate my cat to my room! ;) The duvet cover courtesy of IKEA and Susan's (Kecia's mama) awesome suggestion.

Okay, not quite done with this wall. I'm planning on changing the frames to black. I was toying with the idea of making a couple of them red for affect. Any suggestions on that?

The dresser. If you knew how hard I worked for this stupid piece of furniture, you'd think I was nuts. I fell in crazy love with it the minute I saw it and had to have it.

I have to say, re-decorating the room has definitely made me a little more inclined to keep it tidy! I'm just loving it. The style, colors, everything has made it feel like Kelly and Brian space, instead of mom and dad space/dumping ground for toys, laundry, stuff......

Emma dear

2009-03-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

We were blessed to watch Emma dear, who is the daughter of our best friends, Glenn and Kecia for a night and two days. She was an absolute joy to have around! Tyler especially took to playing games and reading to her. This was their favorite, Tyler would build a tower of blocks and Emma would knock it down and laugh like crazy! Tyler just looked so big next to her!

Here's the three kids, Jake's doing the pirate thing with his eye patch. The patch is a new addition to the treatment of his lazy eye. We do this every day. He hates it but he's really good about doing it.

I just loved that finally there was a child in the house that was color co-ordinated with my living room! The pictures looked so fabulous! It was so fun to have a little person around again. She was such a good girl too, she went to sleep at 8:30 and I had to wake her up at 9:15 am to take Jake to preschool! Why didn't my kids ever do that?!

Little Green Men

2009-03-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Well it's that time of year again....time for Leprechaun traps and silly pranks being done to us! This year those funny little men have been kinder than others, only dying the milk green once and leaving green rice krispie treats, unlike last year when they dumped all the toys out in the middle of the toy room. These are the traps set last night by the boys in a last ditch effort to trap the little buggers and collect on our three wishes.

Well, we didn't get three wishes, but when we woke this morning we did find a little gold under each of the traps. I was the most thrilled that not only did he provide breakfast, but he set the table and remembered to include a healthy supply of chocoalte. (For those of us morning impared diners)

Nothing like a good old box of lucky charms! The boys were a little disappointed with no three wishes, even though they couldn't even figure out what they would have wished for anyways. Maybe next year....!

Caught the reading bug

2009-02-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

This week I introduced Tyler to the idea of reading chapter books without me around. There hasn't been any problem with him reading picture books to Jake or himself, but for some reason he doesn't want to read chapter books without someone next to him.

I brought a "beginner" chapter book home for him to try out. Not being sure what to expect, I thought it would probably take a couple of days for him to finish it. Not so.

Tyler got right to work reading, first out loud to me while I did the dishes. Then he wandered away and I found him curled up on my bed reading to himself. Once Jake got wind of a book being read, he wanted in on the action. Fortunatly Tyler was in a "be nice to my brother" mood and invited Jake to chill with him while he read out loud. I couldn't resist a few pictures. (Which also gives you a sneak preview of the bedroom which I will add more to when it's closer to finished!)

This book was done in roughly an hour. We've decided to move on to chapter books with no pictures, since Tyler thought this was kind of easy and a "little kid book". I'm not sure what he means by that, but I'm willing to look for something a little harder, maybe we'll move straight to War and Peace......just kidding, For Whom the Bell tolls will be hard enough! ;)

Tyler's first Jazz game

2009-02-25T23:45:00.000-08:00

So I've finally taken Tyler to his first Jazz game. He loved every minute of it! I thought it was pretty funny that the first time a basket was made he didn't realize it was worth more than 1 point.

I had the pleasure of explaining all the ins and outs of basketball. I think he loves the sport even more now that he knows it's not just running around and trying to make a shot.

It was especially fun, since the tickets came from his junior jazz program, that he was there with all his team which included his best friend Tyler.

We were in the nosebleed seats, which was slightly frustrating for me, but he didn't know any different. He enjoyed it so much I think a game in the good seats is probably not out of the question, we'll see.

Here's us in our Jazz shirts. He really wanted to wear his white side out because it was a home game. Very cute I thought. We pigged out on Pizza, Cotton Candy and Ice cream and the jazz one, so it was a perfect night.

A little reflection

2009-02-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

So this morning I had the pleasure of reading a letter sent to the Washington Post in response to a childless woman wondering if motherhood is all about relaxing. It lead me to reflection, which, as you know, often makes me sappy. Sorry. Those of you who visit here regularly and find my sappy side a little exhausting, feel free to skip this post. :)

This morning I curled my hair in this new way that I love. And hate. Because it takes a good 15 minutes just for the curling iron, which is in addition to the 12 1/2 minutes it takes to dry this curly mop in some semblance of straight and normal. This makes for a large chunk of my morning. And as I'm looking at my hair and loving the way it looks, I'm thinking to myself..."can this possibly be worth it? What a selfish expenditure of 15 minutes! It will be ruined the minute I walk out in this mushy snow fall, etc, etc..." I reflected on the amount of times in a day I do something just because I want to. Today is not a good example, I had cocoa puffs for breakfast instead of the usual protein shake and toast, because I wanted to. I curled my hair, I'm writing on my blog....you get the idea. And I realized how fabulous this thing called mommyhood is.

I wake each morning because someone wants cinnamon toast, or someone can't find glasses, or "oh no!! I had homework last night and I 'forgot'!" My feet hit the ground a shade under running and still grumbly and unfocused I've got toast going, a pencil dug out of the drawer for homework, glasses in the other hand, one child on my leg for a hug and a husband leaning in for a kiss. The phone is ringing and in addition to all this, I'm thinking to myself; "don't forget to add shortening to the grocery list, I'm watching the neighbor's kid today, got to change the blog wallpaper, did I answer my brother's last email?, my mom is sick so I should do something for her?, where am I going to park for the Jazz game I'm taking Tyler to tonight? Are the Jazz shirts clean?......."

This, mind you, is all before 7:46. Something about this does not say relaxing. Which leads me to what is does say, to me anyways.

It says I've become much better at multi-tasking. I still remember the first night home with Tyler. The first midnight scream fest, trying to figure out what's wrong and barely being able to change a diaper because I couldn't focus from the loud crying emitting from this child that is now all mine.
It says I have people that think I have all the answers, or at least the important ones, like pencils and glasses and toast.
It says that it matters if I disappeared all of a sudden. Brian certainly isn't going to change the wallpaper on the blog, nor would he know what to do with shortening, much less that it should go on the grocery list.
It says I have a full life, where people love and need me. Where I am depended upon to bring miniature versions of adults thru life safely, teaching them things that they will learn no where else. This morning Jake learned it's not the smartest idea to wipe your face when you have soap on your hands by his own experience, but I was the one who taught him how to fix the arm on the transformer, perhaps making him as good a fix-it guy as his mom is fix-it girl.

So, although I will freely admit, during quiet time each day, I get a good 30 minutes of un-interrupted "me" time. I've not found this mommy thing to be about relaxing, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I do (a lot of) important stuff everyday, and someday, when my little dudes are all grown up, hopefully who they become will be a reflection and reward for how little I relaxed everyday.

A fire, seeing a little red and other great tales of our week....

2009-02-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

So I've been working on a little project lately. Those of you who read my post about Jakey remember that I spent the evening before his doctors appointment cleaning under my bed and re-arranging the furniture. Well it inspired me to re-decorate the bedroom. I'm leaving behind the barely pulled together look of Dan River Florals, white frames and basically a very un-inspired look that my room used to sport, to the new fabulous look of black and red.

A few things remain the same. The walls are still beige. (Baslam beige for those of you who need to know). I will be keeping the wall with "All because two people fell in love" surrounded by black and whites I"ve done of the family. The frames however will be changed to black. I've re-stained the bed black, a smelly yet satisfying task. Thanks to Susan I've found the perfect duvet cover at IKEA, red with white funky flowers. The furniture basically is all black, and I"ll be changing the light fixture to a hanging light. We're going for a more romantic look. It's coming together fabulously! I'll post some pictures soon.

Along with home improvement projects, we have recently ended the "used washing machine" era of our lives after a brain numbing encounter with the manager at USA appliance. Just a word on USA Appliance...think to yourself a dirty warehouse that at any moment you expect to see a three legged dog chasing a rat...you are thinking of USA Appliance! We, in the spirit of being frugal (aka cheap) decided upon the death of our old washer (also from USA Appliance) that we would give them another shot. This decision was also based on our cash only theories as well. Needless to say, when that washer died after 3 months, I looked Brian squarely in the eye and told him very firmly that "our" next decision on where to buy a washer was Lowes. He looked right back and said meekly..."ok honey, let's go look today". We are now the proud owners of a beautiful, working, quiet, large NEW washing machine. We were soothed from the sting of paying cash for such a purchase by telling ourselves our faithful dryer would probably last another 6 months or so. And we went on our merry way.

Two weeks later (last week) a certain smell was emitting from our dryer. "Shucks!" I thought, "we've probably only got 2 months". I kept on dryin. The next morning I had clothes in the dryer, and was reading to Jake when he looks at me and says"mommy, that smell is getting worse". I head down to the laundry room to see what's up. The first clue was that our basement was very warm. This doesn't happen when some idiot puts marble flooring in a sub-terrain hallway. the second clue was definatly the smell......burning electrical things. The laundry room to my best guess was about 350 degrees, since the warmth was about that of opening the oven when baking cookies. I open the dryer and to my great surprise find yellow and orange flames visible thru the vents in the back. I run upstairs while yelling for Brian (who was getting in the shower) the dryer is on fire! I grab the extinguisher and head down stairs. The fire alarm is going off and here comes my husband in his birthday suit wrapping up in a towel to come be my own personal fire fighter. As unhappy as I am to replace my dryer so soon after replacing the washer, the amusement I got out of the situation was well worth it!

The world's best Hubby

2009-01-31T08:58:00.000-08:00

This morning I awoke to pure bliss..... (and no, this isn't going to get x-rated). Sitting on my side of the bed was my fully dressed husband, including coat holding true love in his hands. How can someone hold true love you ask? Let me tell you.

This morning, at who-knows-what-hour, my amazing specimen of a husband snuck out of my house, fully dressed and ready to brave 30 degrees to bring me breakfast. He drove to SALT LAKE CITY to my favorite coffee shop, where they serve the best hot cocoa I've ever had in my life. Unfortunately upon arrival he found this fine establishment closed until 8am. So back he drives to my second favorite coffee shop and arrives home, probably an hour later with Cocoa and blueberry muffin in hand.

I can only imagine how incredibly not fun it was for him to get up early on his day to sleep in, and drive to the city to be foiled in his attempt, but the fact that he tried means the world to me. I truly feel so loved today. I'm not made of the kind of stuffing that would provoke me to leave my warm house for someone else. Heck, I can barely leave my warm bed in the morning, remaining in my warm house to get my kids breakfast! So this really meant a lot to me! I love you honey! Thanks for the amazing start to my day!!

A new look

2009-01-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Jake has finally gotten his glasses! He was so excited to go in and get them, but a little wary too. I kept trying to explain that they would help him see better and fix his eye. I kept getting the response, "nothing is going to fix my eye".

Well folks, we now have a believer. After putting on the glasses, he got the cutest look on his face and said, these are like binoculars!

Then I asked if he could see things better and he says, "mommy, everything has pieces, I can see pieces" Meaning details.

Some other noteworthy changes in Jake:

For the first time ever yesterday, Jake sat on the couch to watch a movie instead of laying right in front of the T.V.

When Jake came home from school, he had much more to talk about when I asked what they learned today.

When Jake is looking for something that is right in front of him, he sees it instead of me having to tell him where it is, walk over and point to it, and eventually pick it up for him.

His coloring has improved as well. I just thought he was a lazy colorer, but nope, he just couldn't get the lines to focus enough to know where they were.

He's been so great about keeping them on all day, I guess it shows how much better his sight is now, because we have to remind him to take them off before bed!

Cuties from Kecia

2009-01-15T07:45:00.001-08:00

Well just last week our besties, Glenn and Kecia, took the boys for us while Brian and I enjoyed two days kid free!! Here are some of the darling pictures she took while we were out painting the town red.

Our darling Emma! So pretty in pink. The boys just adore her, she's the sister they don't have.

King of the mountain!
This huge mound of snow in front of their house was perfect for a little pushing around!
Okay, let me explain this picture. I am holding a travel magazine. Yes, that's right, I just spent a glorious night on the 17th floor of the Little America, beautiful room, room service, fabulous everything, including the Jazz game the night before with the fabulous tickets Brian got me for my birthday (they won by the way, awesome game) and the next day, I say to myself, and then to Brian, time to plan our next vacation.

We have a nasty little habit of planning these elaborate vacations and then dragging Glenn and Kecia along with us. So Brian and I drive to Bountiful to a travel agent we've been wanting to try and came out an hour later all smiles. This travel book is for Mexico. We know we've already been there but we keep wanting to go back for longer. So we are playing with the idea of Yelapa for a couple of days and Puerto Vallarta for a week. We brought along the travel brochure for convincing power, even though they remember all our good times in Yelapa and no convincing was needed. Of course Glenn has never been to Hawaii, so we are starting to consider more and more the option of doing Maui for a week or so instead of Mexico. I also wouldn't mind Southern Caribbean.....too many choices.....so little time! We'll keep you updated on the destination!

The three cuties! The boys didn't even bring snow clothes, I didn't think Kecia would want to go to the trouble of getting them all dressed. Shows just what a fabulous mommy she is! The boys had a great time and I have to thank Glenn and Kecia again for how worry free they make leaving the kids for a night.

HELP!!!!

2009-01-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, this might sound a little dramatic, but I'm needing some serious help here. I just spent a day, yes a day, (I told you I need help) looking for the perfect duvet cover for the "new look" I'm going for in my bedroom. I've looked at.....

Target
Macy's
Dillards
Kmart (yes you read that right, I'm desparate ok?)
Smith's marketplace
Bed, Bath and Beyond
JC Pennys
And I tried Linens and things, but they're out of business
and no, I'm not trying Walmart.

What other stores are there in Utah? Where do I look online? Those of you who have been to my house, you'll understand why I found nothing here. I need a pattern. I'm going with keeping the beige walls. I'm switching to all black furniture, black mirrors. The lamps are staying, white accents and keeping the black and white pictures of the family. I need a red based duvet cover with preferably white accents. Stripes, paisly, and some flowers ok. If you have any information on the whereabouts of such a duvet cover.....you know where to reach me. I can't do a dang thing about my window treatments until I get the bed figured out. Thanks!

Christmas!

2009-01-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve, the boys always get new pjs. I used to match them when Tyler was too little to complain, but now I just go for what they like!

They are getting into character here! We've got Spider man shooting a web and army guy with his gun.

One of the great things about living in Utah, snow on Christmas!! We woke up to this......

After opening presents we let the boys go play in the snow, here was a drift surrounding my car...it comes up to Tyler's elbow. For those of you who haven't seen Tyler in a while, he comes up to my chin, so that gives you a perspective of how tall the drift was. (And yes, I know my chin isn't that tall, but it's tall for a 6 year old!!)

The wind was blowing like crazy! They didn't stay out long, too cold!

Our Jakey discovery

2009-01-02T08:53:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to update you all on what's been going on around our house lately. I am by no means a helicopter mom. I don't think worrying is necessary in any situation and I prefer to just roll with things. This is all a good theory, until something potentially large shows up on the "life radar". A few months ago I read an article on msnbc about two women who had met in a chat room for pregnant women. They lived across the Atlantic from each other, but became friends. After the birth of one of the daughters, the mom posted a picture for her friend to see. The picture showed a cute little girl with one white eye. To me, it looked like a glare from a lamp or something.

The mom who received the picture saw the glare and remembered an article SHE had read about retinoblastoma. A cancer that forms on the retina of small children, usually under 5. She emailed her friend right away and told her about this. The daughter was taken to the doctors where they found her eye consumed by this cancer. She lost her eye, but will live and remains cancer free. The email saved her baby's life. To me, the article was interesting, but that was about it. I filed it in my brain and moved on with my life.

You probably recognize this pic, it was recently posted on the blog. I don't know it you can zoom it, but if you can, you will see that Jake has one white eye. I didn't notice at first, but when I looked at every low-light picture of Jake from Christmas, I found the same thing. One completely white eye.

It is much more visible in this one of the boys on Christmas eve. I re-read the article and did some research. The first testing is done with photography. The subject must be in low light and not looking directly at the camera. And no flash red eye reduction must be used. Now to clarify, when I put these pictures on my computer, they had red eye on Tyler, and a little on Jake, so I used the edit and when the red eye was gone, the white remained.
This is about the point that I freaked. Quietly, but I still freaked. I called Brian, showed him the article and the photos and he suggested calling Mitzi, our amazing pediatrician. I did and took Jake in on Monday morning. She did some basic tests and found that he is lacking blood vessels behind his right eye. She said it was probably no big deal but she would do a vision screening. Last may Jake was 20/20 in each eye. Last Monday he could barely see from his right eye when she tested him. Imagine the top letter on the eye chart, that was what Jake could see.

She recommended an eye doctor and I left. I called and the soonest they could see him was the 15th. Later Mitzi called and told me she got us in to the eye doctor the next morning at 8. They would open early for us because she was concerned about this. At this point I really freaked, again quietly and to myself, but I freaked. I came home and cleaned out my whole room, re-arranged the furniture....anything to keep from worrying.

I took him in the next morning and after testing (including dilating his eyes, which is sick especially since Jake's eyes are so big) they found that in the last 9 months Jake has developed a severe lazy eye. His brain has decided to let that eye go, killing all the blood vessels in the retina, producing the white glare. Probably within the next year he would be completely blind in his right eye and be unable to regain his vision. Fortunately we caught it. He will be the cutest 4 year old in glasses ever! Although I will say, having to special order this crazy prescription for glasses right after Christmas was a little painful!

So, to all you moms and aunts and whatever else you all are, look at your kids pictures! And I've decided a little bit of hovering and worrying isn't a bad thing. Imagine how I would feel if I hadn't taken him in and he had lost his sight. When I asked Jake why he didn't tell me he couldn't see, he just smiles and said in a "duh mom" voice......"I just keep the other eye open and I can see."

If you are interested, the original article is found on msnbc.com, just search for baby's eye cancer should bring it up. I'm having trouble with the link.

Our Real Gingerbread Houses...

2009-01-01T23:15:00.000-08:00

Okay! Here are the REAL Gough family gingerbread houses. Not as beautiful as the previous entry, but certainly made with just as much love!

Let me give you a little back history on this little undertaking of Brian's. For years I really enjoyed making a gingerbread house for decoration. Which was fine, until we had children who wanted to eat the candy and a mom who would feel really sad when my house was destroyed by little fingers. So for a couple of years, Brian has been asking for us to make "edible" houses with the kids. So, trying to be accommodating, I get up one morning, bust out the graham crackers and whip up some frosting, which, along the lines of edible gingerbread houses, I make with no Meringue powder.

Now, to clue in those of you who don't cook, Meringue powder is what makes the frosting like building cement. Hence why gingerbread houses are very sturdy. Now, although this makes the houses more edible to 86 the meringue powder, it also makes them near impossible to build. After a few modifications of the roofing pieces, and a lot of frustration on the walls, we were in business.

And I will say, it was a lot easier for the kids to squeeze out the frosting when it's all soft!

This one to the right is Jakey and Brian's. They put gummy orange wedges as roof supports. I will admit, it was much smarter than what I came up with for Tyler's.

Below is Tyler and Mine. Uh, yeah, I was going for the two story affect.

We had some problems. 'nough said there.

So for those of you looking to shop the market for prime gingerbread real estate, let me walk you through the houses and let the amenities speak for themselves.

Here we see a fish pond, complete with 1 fish, imported all the way from Sweden. And yes, the water is that beautiful natural blue color all year round.

Another fabulous feature of this house is the built in security system.

Notice along the roof, the red lasers, designed to keep little gingerbread boys and girls safe
at night.

That little point on the top, front of the roof is the build in security camera, a feature I'm told by the builder is the highlight of this lovely property.

Here we have house number two. The main attraction of this house we see in the front, full
grown green bushes lining the walk, accenting the
mirror. ( I don't know, ask Jake, apparently this
yellow sucker is the mirror and it's very important!)

Also a fine feature of this property is the exotic worms lining the roof and sides of the house. This builder tells me they are for fishing in the neighbors pond.

Also features a security guard, posted at the front

for you safety. He doesn't say much, but he's
tough!

Temple square lights

2008-12-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well we did our annual trip to temple square, actually the same day we saw Santa. Instead of taking the train all the way down we drove to Chili's downtown and had dinner. We then hopped the train and rode to temple square from their. My pictures weren't the best, it was too cold to worry about it!

We did get a couple nice ones, but really we didn't even get over to the visitors center, it was just too cold! We had already seen the manger scene a week before when we went down during the day on a Sunday, so we didn't really miss much.

After about 30 minutes we hopped back on the train and rode to our car. We then decided to go to my favorite coffee shop, Coffee Connection, for hot cocoa (best I've found in Utah). Well, on the way to that is Banbury Cross. The most fabulous donuts in Salt lake city. We actually call it the haircut donuts place, being that it's across the street from our $5 hair cut place and we usually get donuts after hair cuts.

Well, they were closed, but when they saw us drive thru and turn around, the owner came out the side door and offered us this huge box of fresh donuts for free! It was more that we could eat! So when we got home we invited the Kofeds to come over for a donut party. The kids were in bed, so Ryan and Bethany came over, we put out kids to bed and sat around the table, adding to the holiday pounds and chatting. It was one of those really perfect nights!

A visit to Santa....

2008-12-17T11:24:00.001-08:00

As many of you are aware, our visits to Santa are always an event all their own. Take for example the year Tyler asked, every day for a month for a train set. When the time came to see Santa (and I might add this was about 1 week before Christmas because we were idiots and didn't know any better) he jumped right up and we, as stupid first time parents of a talking child at Christmas, waited for the magic words that would in fact re-enforce the notion that we were, in fact, the perfect parents for already having gotten what he was about to say...."I want a train for Christmas".

In stead of that blessed phrase the words we heard tumbling from out child's mouth were....."I really want a rocket!" Uh....excuse us??! A ROCKET?! When have you ever seen or heard of a rocket? so the moment finished off like this...
Mom: "um, Ty honey, don't you mean a train track? Remember??!! With the train that goes by itself?"
Santa: "Oh, did you want a train?"
Tyler: "yeah, but I really want a rocket that goes (and makes a motion with his hand in the looks of a rocket taking off)"
Santa: "ok, well, I'll see what I can do!"
Mom to Dad: "What the, where the, uh, rocket? Where do you get a rocket?"

This was followed by a trip to the toy store to figure out what the heck he was talking about. It turns out that rocket started a good two years of rescue hero toys being shuffled around our house. We should have known. This was a sign of the future. It was our future.

Flash forward to Black Friday, 2008 precisely 4:47am. Alarm rings, Kelly rolls out of bed to get to Target to stand in line for the Lego Mars Mission rock climber thing Jake is dying for. Oh yeah, and the Lego coast guard tower that Tyler is dreaming of. I leave, get to Target at 5am, right on schedule, get in line, wait for 1 hour in 33 degrees because Target is the only store to carry that stupid coast guard tower and they are sold out online. I run, pushing other well meaning parents out of my way, I grab, I go, triumphant to the line, I pay and I sing.....all the way home! I have done it! I have conquered! I have gotten my children exactly what they.....AREN'T GOING TO ASK SANTA FOR!
Suspect number 1. Tyler. Sitting innocently on Santa's lap looking like a doll, telling Santa all the nice things he's done this year. And what does he say, yes you guessed it! The Lego Fire station! Of course! Because they only have it at Toys r us and they are sold out online and everywhere in the valley and out (yes I called Provo too). Except for 1 store. Toys r us in sugarhouse, 30 minutes away on a nice night with no traffic. However, it is 1 hour and 23 minutes away on a snowy night at 6pm. I would know, or rather Brian would know. :)

Suspect number 2. Now that one has innocent to a science. Look at that face. That I've been really good face. That Santa please the only thing I really want this year is....."an R2D2 watch that has the thing that does this (motions with hands) and looks like this and does that thing and you can only get it online, is that okay?"

Santa: "oh, it has the thing that does this (motions with hands)? We'll see what we can do.

Fortunately this is not sold out online. And I will say, at least we've learned. The Santa visit happened 1 1/2 weeks ago, so we had plenty of time for this sort of thing. But I do regret the hours of sleep I will never get back that fateful Friday after Thanksgiving!

A little Christmas Cheer

2008-12-11T07:47:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Junior Jazz

2008-12-10T17:24:00.000-08:00

Tyler has started playing basketball with the Junior Jazz this year. This is right before their first game, I think the common thought here was..."man, they look tough" in regards to the opposing team!
Tyler is number 31 this year. He's the tallest on the team, let's hope it counts for something!

Here we have Tyler and Tyler. And Tyler's dad. Yep, this is the same Tyler that appears frequently on our blog. These two are attatched at the hip during the sport season, we just sign them up together so we don't have to bribe people to put them on the same team!

Tyler is all set with his Kyle Korver socks.

Get it! He almost looks like he's thinking to himself, "Now let's see, do it kick it? No, that's soccer....guess I'd better pick it up!"

All in all it was a fun and fairly successful first game. Although they got taken for a ride by the other team, the final score was 6-4. I loved this more than soccer! More action, more yelling parents for me to blend in with. People love soccer here, but they take their basketball seriously!

Our Gingerbread House

2008-12-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

Well we decided to go all out on our gingerbread house this year. Here it is! This masterpiece took us close to 23 hours all together. And yes those are stairs going up to the door!

This is the view from the back. Not to shabby for amateurs huh?

Yeah right! Just kidding! This is one of the beautiful houses we saw at the annual Gingerbread house festival this year! We had a blast seeing the creativity of people with too much time on their hands and no small animals and people around their house to destroy things!

I really liked these bird houses. We didn't get too many pictures of the houses because Tyler wanted to be the photographer and he doesn't take pictures like Jake does so they turned out less than useable.

They had gingerbread cookies with frosting and candy for kids to decorate, here's Ty. I think he had more candy in his cheeks than on his cookie!

Jake didn't even want to eat his, he just liked making it!

Me and my buddy.

Tall and small.

Abby update

2008-12-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

I realized I haven't written anything about our kitten Abby. Who actually is now more of a cat. She has been tons of fun to have around. At least for me she is because she likes me!

When we first put up the tree with no lights she loved it! She was laying under it all day all the time and just being near it. Then came the day I put on the lights. She was so mad at me! She would hide in the tree so that when my hand came near to where she was she would pounce out, thru the branches and bite me. Then she went on strike and wouldn't have a thing to do with the tree for a couple of days. She finally accepted the lights and was back to sleeping under the tree the day this was taken.

This one was a weird angle, but we loved the "I ain't doin nothin" look she gave us! She was less that thrilled with the ornaments, which I was thrilled about! I was very worried she would see them all as small mouses that needed to be put in their places! She actually just ignores them all.

I'm sure she'll be less than happy when presents start showing up in her nap spot!

I liked the stretching one because it shows her assult weapons sticking out of her paws. Brian is not her favorite person, so when she's feeling fiesty or just a little cranky, she usually pops those claws out and goes looking for Brian's lap.

I think she purposely gets near him and makes him think she wants to be near him, then when he least expects it, claws in the legs!

Grateful

2008-12-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

So today I find myself in one of those sappy, reflective moods. Not my favorite mood, too girly. But here I am, so I'm going to drag the poor, unsuspecting readers of this blog with me. I would like to take a moment and think of some of the things I'm grateful for. We'll consider this the Thanksgiving blog since I, once again, forgot to take pictures of my family on Thanksgiving.

I am grateful for.....

Brian. Every moment of every day and all the days to come. What could I possibly say to define the depth of love and friendship we share. After all these years, to still look at him in the morning, or over dinner of cereal because I just don't want to cook, or when I see him after a long day and feel like we're the only two people who have what we have, I still feel desperately worried that forever isn't going to be long enough with him.
Tyler and Jake. Although grateful isn't the word at 4:30am when Jake comes in all chipper wanting breakfast, I am profoundly grateful for these two little dudes. Nothing feels sweeter than two little arms when they wrap around your neck. Or soft little checks pressed against mine. I'm grateful for the laughs, for the tears, and all the mess of emotions and life in between.
Abby the cat. What can I say? I get deep satisfaction when I'm not so thrilled with Brian and somehow my cat seems to sense the need to avenge my crankiness by clawing his legs. Abby is always there to keep us safe from flys and the occasional pipe cleaner that gets out of hand.
My home. although small and old and cold and messy and.....oh wait, I'm being grateful here...I never realized how much a stupid piece of land would mean to me until faced with the need to leave it. And the day we reversed that decision and took it off the market was truly one of the happier "material" memories I will ever have.
My job. Everyone should have the opportunity to serve food to complete strangers at some point in their lives. Nothing else can teach you the value of please and thank you like that can. I am grateful to relieve Brian of some of the burden of supporting a family while he continues to recover.
My parents. I'm grateful for the best example of unconditional love and sacrifice a person could have. And for the wonderful grandparents they are.
I'm grateful for my "corn warming bag". Little people with poor circulation should never live in places with cold winters. But if they are silly enough to do it, I hope they have a creation I like to call the corn warming bag to pop in the microwave before bed to heat up their toes and blankies before they get in.
I'm grateful for the way a Christmas tree can make you smile and cry at once. Why is that? Is it the way the lights look heavenly? Is it the ornaments that reflect the meaning and years of our lives? Whatever the reason, I look at my tree and it moves me in a way most objects can't. I'm grateful for the chance every year to find tears in my eyes because of a fake tree.
Friends. I've had to re-define my idea of friends over the years as time gets more crunched with kids and jobs and committees, but no matter what, they are the people that love us no matter what. I'm grateful for those people.
I'm grateful for people everywhere who give their time, money, talents and occasionally their lives for the good of others.
Lastly, but not least. I am deeply, eternally grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. So many moments in my life are what they are because of their love. Everything I have is a result of His grace. I don't know where I would be without my Savior and His Sacrifice for me but I do know, most of the things I'm most grateful for would not be mine.

I feel better. To tell you the truth, I honestly was in the middle of a little pity party. I have to work tonight. On FHE. On Monday. when I usually don't work. The irony is my boss probably thought he was doing me a favor giving me an extra shift. And a dinner shift too. I spent a good hour trying to find someone to pick it up, to no avail.

So I hop on my blog ( you know the drill, see if an entry has magically appeared) and I scrolled down to my slide show and "my soundtrack" was playing. Now I hate to admit this, because now you'll know I'm sappy underneath, but I started watching my slide show and listening to my music and I just cried and cried....and cried. I have so much to be grateful for. what a crybaby! So I have to work one day this week that I normally don't! What am I whining about?! So now you know. This is what provoked the list. And the list is what provoked the smile on my face that was not there an hour ago. I'm grateful for my life and everything that includes, good, bad, and ugly. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Halloween

2008-11-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

Here's Batman! I think he's a better looking Batman than Val Kilmer, and that's tough!

Doesn't this Ninja just make you want to hum the mortal combat theme?

Ready for trick or treating at grandma's and grandpa's.

Carved Pumpkins

2008-11-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

Okay it took me long enough! I finally have the finished product from the pumpkin patch to show you! Jake's was a quick, 10 minute clean and carve job. Tyler's was an REALLY easy clean, due to the size and fact that he's old enough to help. And suprisingly, my green pumpkin was the hardest to clean and carve! Who would have thought the skin would be 5 inches thick!

Jakey didn't like the "guts" he was willing to scoop, but the minute a drop of guts got on him, he was done!

Tyler on the other hand was running around the house singing about pumpkin guts way before we even started the process! Talk about thrilled when his large pumpkin didn't let him down and provided enough guts for ample scooping!

Look at the joy on that face.

here we are. I"m a little ragged looking. The green pumpkin was a beast to clean!

Here are the boys pumpkins. Jake just wanted a nice easy face. Tyler went for, suprise suprise...a pirate.

I decided with a green pumpkin, I'd better go Martha Stewart on that, so I carved leaves.

A word of explanation...

2008-10-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have noticed I have added the song "Baby Mine" to my playlist at the bottom of this blog. And yes, you are right, that song doesn't really fit with the rest of my music on there. Let my tell you it's story, and you will get it.

When Jakey was a baby, Baby Mine was the only song I could consisitantly sing that would instantly relieve his stress and make him stop crying. I have no clue why this is. To this day, Jake just has to hear the first two words of Baby mine to get him to stop crying when he's hurt and smile when he's sad. He sings this song to his stuffed animals, his friends, and his brother. I have to say, he is way cuter when he sings it that Alison Kraus is, but I don't have the technology to get Jake's voice on here. So this song has become a regular in our household, sung at least 4-5 times a week. It only seems right that it go on the blog that is the record of our family's life.

Pumpkin Pickers!

2008-10-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

We went to get our pumpkins yesterday at Maybe's pumpkin patch! We love, LOVE this place! It's owned by a family that lives right off the field and every year they set up the cutest places to take pictures. This year we didn't actually get too many posed pictures because it was about 49 degrees and windy. We didn't dress well for the weather, so it was a quick trip! Jake fell asleep in the car on the way there, so I got to have a little heater attatched to me for the first few minutes while I carried sleepy Jake around.

Those of you who know what kind of pumpkins are usually sitting on our porch will know that something is a little different this year! Instead of "the great pumpkin" Brian always wanders the patch looking for we have a cluster of little pumpkins. The rule in our family is, when you find the pumpkin you want, no matter what the size, if you can pick it up, you can have it. Need I say more about the picture of Brian and his pumpkin this year?!

This is how strong my Tyler is getting! He pulled me and our pumpkins in a wagon all the way down the road! We were about to hit a pumpkin so I told him to watch out and not hit the pumpkin. Jake, who had already gotten a ride from Tyler said, "Don't bother mommy, he's not very good at watching out for those!"

This was Jake's pick of a pumpkin. I love this picture! It's such a Jake face! This look pops up frequently when Jake is getting ready to say something profound!

This was Tyler's love at first sight pumpkin! He wandered the whole patch after seeing this one trying to find one he liked better. He couldn't, so we came back for the can-you-pick-it-up test. I had to give a 4 fingered assistance but he did it!

Then it took two of us to get it in the wagon! That was one big pumpkin! I think we're going to have to draw straws to figure who has to gut and carve this one!

Victory! We all found pumpkins! This little one was Brian's! We'll just have to look forward to next year for him to lift a big one for himself!

Mommy and Jakey with the pumpkins.
Yep, we still like each other!

Can anyone guess who's pumpkin this is? Doesn't it just look like something I would fall in love with?! You should see how "Kelly" this pumpkin is! If I could find a way I would preserve it and decorate all year with it! And no, I'm not going to carve it!

Here's one of the few posed pictures in the "cute" area we got.

My cuties! Jake was in the process of telling us how cold he was. It's really too bad it wasn't warmer, they have the cutest spots to take pictures!

5 things you may not know about me...

2008-10-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

This was a tag from Christie and I love it!

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago

Attending college at Western Washington University
Planning a wedding to someone I hated (obviously not Brian!)
Starting an addiction to coffee that was murder to break
Eating 6 bowls of Rice Krispies for every meal, 8 if I was really hungry
Buying a Golden Retriever puppy named Emily

5 Things on my to do list

Go to the grocery store
Take Jake to Preschool
Go Visiting teaching
Find my warming bag made with corn, my toes are freezing at night!
Make Dinner, something with Chicken maybe...

5 Things I would do if I was a millionaire

Pay off house
Buy a 2008 black mustang, with leather seats, seat warmers and color changing cup holders
Donate to the heifer fund
Invest half of it
Go to Buckle and buy everything I want!!

5 Places I've lived

Bellevue Washington
Bellingham Washington
Midvale Utah
West Jordan Utah
Still here....hmm, maybe I should move!!

5 Jobs I've had

Mommy (by far the best and hardest!)
Proud Chili's waitress (second favorite)
Trader Joe's
Nanny (Worst job in the world!!! I bet that kid is a delinquent teenager now)
Bellingham Grocery Outlet

5 People tagged

Kecia
Carrie Coleman
Tanya
Casey Vreeken
Ashley Jameson

Halloween cookies

2008-10-13T17:30:00.001-07:00

Tonight for Family Home Evening the boys and I made and decorated Pumpkin sugar cookies. This also doubled as a birthday treat for grandpa!

Jake was into the 3-D frosting effect as shown. That glob there was about 1 inch high. Yummy!
I just love watching little hands try to pick up individual sprinkles and place them on cookies. Like every one has a certain place to be.
Tyler was mister speedy froster tonight. Hence the fast knife on the left of the picture!
Tyler wanted his cookies to be Halloween sneaky, so he hid the sprinkles, so as to provide a surprise for the eater!

Airing my dirty laundry....

2008-10-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

Actually the laundry featured in this post is clean, but whatever. This morning a lot of strange things have occurred to me, which prompt me to show you all pictures of my dirty house. This morning as I was reading through blogs I noticed some thoughts running around in my head. I started thinking, "Wow! their house is a lot cleaner than mine!" and "Oh look, they co-ordinate their kid's clothes" Until I realized, wait a minute, these are BLOG PICTURES... Of course they look good!
Then I read a blog of an old college friend, Bridgette, who recently had her youngest son pass away. She mentioned how grateful she was for how she treated him. She talks about the night before his death, how she and her husband were able to spend extra time with their son, without worrying about sending him to bed. I was so grateful for these tender insights into their life. It reminded me that it really doesn't matter what my house looks like. The reason it looks like this is because I have a sick child right now, and to me holding him while he feels terrible is more important than seeing my living room floor. Life really is so short and in the end of it all, when my children are gone, I will have a clean house, folded clothes, updated blogs, and a weeded garden. Right now, I'm going to enjoy the moments I have with these precious little boys. They are growing so fast!
This doesn't give me permission to live in a pig stye, but I think it gives me ample permission to let it go. I would rather have happy, loved children then a show house. So to the moms everywhere, let's let it go a little more. Just choose to put down the cleaner and build a lego house, watch scooby doo, play barbies (okay that was excessive, I wouldn't play barbies if my life depended on it), we can clean tomorrow, the mess is kind enough to wait for us.

The tigers

2008-09-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

It's soccer season again!! Tyler is spending this season in heaven. He made it on the same team as his best friend in the whole world, Tyler Mauchley. And to his great surprise, the love of his life, meagan also is on the team. This is the two Tyler's kicking it around before a game.
Tyler played defender this last game. He was AWESOME!! He saved the ball 5 times with his amazing shoelace kicks! We were so proud of him and how hard he worked to protect that goal!
Running hard! This team is predominantly girls, so I think sometimes the boys feel like there's something to prove. Nothing gets a boy running faster than a girl trying to beat him!
Although he does have some scruples in that he doesn't like to kick the ball away from a girl. Especially when he thinks he might kick her in the shins. We keep trying to tell him, they signed up for soccer, they expect to get kicked!
And it wouldn't be complete without mentioning Tom. Who is the best soccer coach I've ever seen. He has done wonders with these kids and always remembers the point of the game while still helping motivate them to do their best.

Jake's First Day of School

2008-09-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, This one actually happened a couple of weeks ago, but I'm a blog slacker. Jake started his second year of preschool! Instead of Sunshine square, he is going to a friend's house, whom he just LOVES! Miss Beckie is his new teacher and she is doing an incredible job! We are shocked at how much Jake is retaining this year in regards to letters and sounding out words. He is loving his new friends and his new school. In the picture are blue bunny and puppy. He loves those two things. On the first day they got to bring a little bag with three things that mean the most to them. Jake brought a picture of his family and these two animals.

BFF's!

2008-09-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Finally! We have peace and Best Friendship! I think the boys have finally realized it doesn't need to be a love/hate relationship! We have found ourselves dealing with co-conspiratos lately. Including this morning when we woke to two cute kids, dressed like twins and attatched at the hip. They have been the funniest pair! Ty's been teaching Jake all his soccer moves and showing him how to throw a football. Jake has been helping Tyler learn how to be a party animal and stay up until midnight!
It's been so cute to watch these two. The other day Jake fell out of a chair ( I still haven't figured out why yet) and he only wanted Tyler to hold him. So Tyler picked up Jake, carried him to the couch and held him while telling him, "It's okay baby, I'm here". So cute!

Confessions of a Blog slacker.

2008-09-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

So this morning, as I was going thru the drill of checking emails, family websites, facebook, etc...I did what I always do. I checked my blog. Now, why am I checking my own blog you ask? Let me tell you what I just realized. I check my own blog because subconsciously I wonder if a posting wrote itself. I check a blog everyday, that I run, in hopes that somehow there will be new information. The miracle of the blog I guess. So, upon realizing that is what I'm doing, I have come to the realization that I should probably stop waiting for the miracle and just write something. So this week I will attempt to be a faithful blogger. We'll see!

8 Things....from Tanya

2008-08-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

8 things I am passionate about

My Husband
My children
My feelings for the Savior
Food, cooking eat, eating it, sharing it....
The need to laugh my way thru life
My favorite pillow
Helping others
My church calling

8 books I've read & enjoyed

The Book of Mormon
The twilight series
Pride and Prejudice
The five love languages
No Doubt about it
Being the Mom---AWESOME!!!!
If you give a moose a muffin
All relationship books!

8 words/phrases I say often

Maybe later
Right
That is what I'm talking about
Um no
Sure
That's what I thought
Love you more
You. Are. Awesome

8 things I want to do before I die

Go on a mission
Send the boys on missions
Cooking school in Italy
Own a sailboat (30' sloop for those who care)
Visit Jerusalem
Nursing degree (bachelors)
Become a grandma
Watch the sunrise every morning for 1 year

8 things I've learned over the past

People are more important than things
Debt is not a necessary evil, it is just evil
Happiness cannot be bought from money
Everyone needs vacation
No one cares if your house is clean, you shouldn't either
My relationship with Brian is more important than anything
The Lord never stops loving us, just gets disappointed in us sometimes
It is more important to be who you are than who everyone else thinks you should be

8 places I want to see.

Italy
Jerusalem
Yelapa-again for longer this time
Fiji
Egypt
Oahu-again
Southern Caribbean
New York

8 things I need

My house to sell
A vacation with just Brian
A new nail polish color
To loose 8 lbs.
To go back to Washington with my family
Some Seattle fish and chips-Steamers to be exact
A real baseball team in UT
Another vacation with just Brian

I TAG:

Kecia
Jessica
Carmen
Ashley

Have fun with this! It's nice to just reflect on life a bit!

Brian Update...

2008-08-13T06:19:00.001-07:00

I would have posted a picture with this...but I think my days would be numbered if I did!

Brian had his surgery on Monday. It took the healthy side of 5 hours. The doctor was very pleased with the results. They were able to remove the disc, scar tissue and a little bone, which they used in a graft with donor bone and a compound to create a cage and support system for his vertabre. He had a really long night on Monday night and at 4am Tuesday morning he decided he just wanted to walk. Amazingly enough, he was able to stand, with the help of a nurse, and walk about 10 steps down the hall, and 10 back.

From my perspective, I haven't seen Brian walk so well in months. He was not leaning to one side anymore, he was straight up and down. He didn't need to lift his right leg for each step. From his perspective, it was the easiest time he's had walking in months. The most pain free.

Funny thing, when Brian came out of surgery and the pain meds had worn off, he said it was the least pain he'd been in for months. It kinda made me feel a little bad about griping about him laying on my new couches for a month and a half! Poor guy.

The doctors are hoping to send him home Thursday morning. I would love that! It would be nice to have him home. Thank you all for your prayers and calls. We love you all!

My 10 YEAR Reunion!!

2008-08-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

This last week I was lucky enough to go to Washington for my 10 year reunion! I had a blast! I stayed with Grandpa Joe, who was very patient with my late hours and made the best breakfast I've had in a long while. I was able to see so many friends and visit so many special places, I will be smiling over these memories for a long time to come!
Above is Katie, my longest-term friend, we had a blast together. This is Kristen, and we had some good laughs and good times catching up on all we've been thru the last 10.
Here is Brianna, Me and Tiffany. I was able to drive into Seattle the day before the reunion and have lunch with Brianna. I was also able to have breakfast with Tiffany the monday after the reunion. It was so nice to see her new baby, Blake.
This is Matt, me, looking a little more than tired and Kristen. I think the best part of the reunion was everyone falling back into our old jokes and friendships, it was as if the 10 years were just a week or two.

All in all, the reunion was a blast! I was really terrible about taking pictures, so there weren't much, I"m waiting for someone else to stick theirs up and I'll add them.

Pizza....for a hundred?!

2008-08-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Jake has become the line chef of the family. I was making pizza for us and the Kofeds, our good neighbors and dear friends. The recipe makes 5-6 large pizzas, so we had dough to spare! Jake was nice enough to help me knead the dough!
Besides I think he liked making such a big, "okay" mess!
What a pro!
That is one happy kid! Think play-doh, but bigger!

We ended up with 6 large pizzas and a large tray of cinnamon sticks.

First Day of School

2008-08-10T14:02:00.001-07:00

Finally! I've found the cord for the camera to get some pictures on here! This is Tyler on his first day of school. He was so excited to wear his Indiana Jones shirt. Not to mention the pride in taking his lunch to school in his Camo lunch box!

His teacher is Miss Neilson. She is just incredible! We went and met her two days before the first day, and he just adored her. I think it's going to be a good start!

A Real mommy.....again

2008-07-29T06:03:00.000-07:00

So this morning I had a "real mommy" moment. Those moments when you think to yourself, "wow, I guess I'm a real mom now."

This morning I packed my first school lunch. Yes, thanks to year round school, I have sent my oldest child into the world until 3:30. As I was putting mayo on bread, I was reflecting over the many "mommy" moments I've had in the last 6 years. So because this is the only record I keep of our family, I am going to record them here. For those of you adverse to sappy, this might not be the post for you to read.

My first mommy moment came when I had my face peed on by a newborn. I distinctly remember thinking, "wow, this is really my baby". At the time, I'm sure I thought that would be the last and most important time of experiencing that feeling. It was official, I was a mom. However, as the years fly by, I am realizing that not only have I had many of those moments, but I will have many more. So, without further adieu, the mommy moments.

1. Getting peed on
2. The first night I had to stay up all night, worrying about a sick child and wondering when exactly you call the doctor on call.
3. The first time little arms wrapped around my neck out of sadness.
4. When they switched from calling me mama or mommy, for the slightly more demanding, MOM.
5. The first peanut butter sandwich I cut the crusts off. (Which I have never done since, seriously, if they don't want the dang crust, then can tear it off themselves!)
6. The first soccer Saturday, which lawn chairs, snacks, and a parka, because it was snowing.
7. Crying in the car on the way home from dropping my first off at Kindergarten.
8. Going downstairs, at midnight, to warn those kids, AGAIN, that if they didn't turn off those lights and go to bed, there would be serious trouble.
9. Going downstairs at 12:03 and taking the light bulbs out of their lights so they had no choice but to go to sleep.
10. The first time I realized, why in the world would I clean the house everyday? It's just going to get messy again tomorrow. A good clean twice a week is plenty.
11. And today, which, as always, feels like the pinnacle of mom-ness, I made a school lunch. I packed it in a lunch box and sent it into the world with my once very small baby.

I know there will be many more mom moments to come, but each one feels like a milestone that is a crowning victory for making it through baby-hood, or toddler-hood, or whatever stage we have just come out of. They are some small way to measure the days and years of my life right now. Although trivial to some, to me it signifies a life worth living. That a couple of cookies and a juice box can indicate to me that we are moving forward is a wonderful thing. The mommy moments help me focus on the little things in life, and all those little things make up a big thing, happiness.