I can't believe it's almost July! Once again, time is flying by...and I can't seem to keep up on anything. House gets cleaned, house is dirty. Laundry gets washed, hampers filled up. I know this is nothing that is new to ANYONE, so I will not complain. In all honesty...I have nothing to complain about. Not one thing! So with that being said...I will update.
In May, we were lucky to be apart of Dan's best friends wedding. Dan was asked to be best man. So, we decided to make it a road trip. I'll be honest, I was nervous. Stick a 2 year old, overly active/obstinate toddler in a car for hours on end...what should happen?? She did wonderful! Better than us at times! After the wedding, we drove up to Whidbey Island to see Dan's parents. It was so nice, everything and everyone were wonderful. We met some super nice new people/friends on this trip.
10 days, 6 stops, and over 2500 miles. It was a good time!
Monday, June 27, 2011
10 days, 6 stops, and over 2500 miles...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
...blathering...
Do I feel robbed? Well, I would be lying if I said no. I do! I feel my siblings were, my husband and brother in law were (who never got to meet him), my nephew, my nieces, my own little monkey, my parents, most of all...his son. Robbed of years of knowing him, laughing at him and with him. There are days, though they are fewer and far between, where I find it a little hard to take a deep breath when I think of him. Today is one of those days.
My brother was awesome! He was funny beyond belief. I miss that laugh! He LOVED his nieces and nephews. I miss seeing that interaction! He was generous, protective, funny, smart, talented, did I mention funny?? We grew up close, 17 months apart. There are days where I panic and think that I've forgotten his laugh...then it comes back to me, and I smile. Everyone should be so lucky to have known someone like him in their lifetime...I was not only lucky, but honored to not only have KNOWN him, but be his big sister.
In saying all of this, I hope that it doesn't come across as angry or bitter...nothing could be further from the truth. Although there were times, I admit. To say that I am where I am today, that I live the life that I do, to have the things that I have, the family that I have, I attribute a large part to him, to knowing him. I am so blessed! To have what I have...and to have had 28 years with him, to know him, to love him.
I am at peace knowing that I have, that we all have him as our guardian angel. To watch over, to protect, to guide us. He's definately had his work cut out for him...good thing he was never afraid of working hard! I love and miss you my dear sweet brother!
Jai guru deva. Om.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Maddy turns 2!
Yes, it's true. My baby, my last baby, is 2. It's the last 2nd birthday I'll throw for a child of mine. A little bittersweet, so much fun! She is entertained by simple things. She is so fun, so funny, so sweet, so spicy, so yummy...every day I squish her dozens of times. Sometimes she loves it, other times, she does not. She is 2, and she is 2 in every sense of the term, the age. She's learned to slam doors, then hugs her monkeys and penguins so tightly telling them 'I've missed you so much Acito'. We're not sure what or who Acito is, I'm sure it's from Dora since she is borderline obsessed, but they are all Acito and she loves and misses them multiple times per day. She makes me laugh, she makes me smile, she makes me sigh (both good and bad), but she makes me LOVE being her momma! Every day, every minutes of every day, I am so grateful that I have her, that we have her. She is just nothing more than a tremendous, wonderful, beautiful blessing that we were given. She's changed our lives, our days, and I wouldn't trade it for anything or everything! I love you Miss Maddy Jane! I'm so proud to be your mommy!
Brief update...
This one is about me, or more importantly (is that even a word?), me and my dear friends. My cute hubby decided I needed a girl's trip. He called my friends and set up a weekend that worked for everyone. Now in saying that, Dan has never been really good at keeping a secret/surprise, so that night, he woke me up to tell me. I won't lie, anxiety set in at the thought of leaving my baby for the first time for more than one night! The next day Dan booked all of our flights, some of us leaving California a month from the rest...but his intentions were good. We were all going to Kim's in Southern Cal.
I met Kimba in 1998, at the tail end of my 1st marriage. (Was I even married before? Because it doesn't seem so...) She was my next door neighbor. Single mom with the most beautiful daughter. We hit it off immediately! I met Ter-Bear and her then boyfriend, now hubby, in line at the airport on our way to Cancun in June 1999 to celebrate being newly single. Carma came next... These 3 ladies have been my dearest friends for over a decade. Through more kids, marriages, etc, etc, they have been there. I love them all! They are beautiful, they are sweet, they are fun! They have hearts of gold! Ladies...so glad you are part of my life, I love you all!
Our trip was perfect! It was awesome! No anxiety, just pure relaxation, and even though we hadn't done this in years, it was like no time had lapsed! We hung out, we ate out, we shopped, stayed in Old Towne San Diego, watched an 80's play (hence a lot of the laughter)...the weather was cooler than anticipated, but the trip was awesome!
Newport Beach!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!???
Is it just me, or did 2010 go by REALLY fast?? Wow, I swear we just celebrated New Years a few months ago...
This Christmas, like all Christmas' past, was perfect! The anticipation, the buildup, and of course having the whole Santa thing NEW in our house again has brought more fun into the whole thing. For those who don't know...EVERY single year (minus maybe a few during teenage years) my mom does matching pj's for everyone. When we were kids, she made them, and still does from time to time...when she HAS the time. I still LOVE this part, combined with Christmas Eve stockings, presents, good food, etc, etc... Christmas Eve is probably STILL my favorite night of the year. 
Mad's got a new trike from Santa...still learning the whole 'pedal' thing!
I heart this kid!! Am had his name for a gift this year...a sweatshirt and fingerless gloves! Here Mr. Cartman shows his unique sense of humor when he walked in with his homemade sign! That kid makes me laugh!!
Mad's in her tutu from Mimi!
The whole familia! Clad in our matching jammies! Dan looks SUPER excited!
Am and Savvy!
My darling parents...love them!
Am giving Maddy a hand..
On the Christmas train at the mall...
...and...relaxing in a box!! Not sure why we buy presents, boxes are usually a huge hit!Friday, November 19, 2010
Update??
So, yes, it's been awhile. I'm struggling with a laptop that is so close to crashing...therefore I can't load pictures onto the hard drive knowing that that may be the one thing that pushes it over the edge. So here is a small verbal update...slideshow to follow. (Just need to hijack hubby's for a bit...) Favorite, for me, events that took place...
July...Trips to the zoo, Tracy Aviary, Thanksgiving Point, an all day BBQ with the family up American Fork canyon.
Let's see...Silver Lake, BBQ's with friends, a camping trip with friends (which included complimentary bullets whizzing between mine and Dan's heads...
Night time trips to A.F. canyon with s'mores and tinfoil dinners! (Is there anything better?)
August...Anniversary trip to Deer Valley complete with Randy Travis concert (brrrr...), Ambree turned 19 (still trying to wrap my head around that...although I'm not sure why. I have the wrinkles to prove I do have a 19 year old!)
Lots of pool days, either here or at Sissa's place with the kiddo's, Liberty Park picnics, and more Tracy Aviary.
September... Labor Day at the cabin with a girl's day at Swiss Days, State Fair (I'm still craving the fried pickles and funnel cakes...
Dan's parents came to visit, which was extremely wonderful! We drove up and over the Alpine Loop with a stop at Sundance (one of my favorite places!) Lots and lots of preparations for October... Looking forward to skiing with my hubby up there this winter.
October... Threw my parents a 'surprise' 40th wedding anniversary party, complete with their original wedding colors, awesome treats, a bouquet for the bride, and lots of happy tears...Turned out perfectly. Thank you to all those who helped make it that way. They were surprised to say the least!
Lots of birthdays...Ryan... Addison and Emerie both turned 3, Carter, Christian, and little Lukie! Maddy was invited to her first birthday party...
A surprise visit with Christian! Well, it was a surprise for my parents! So for the first time...they all got to celebrate their birthday's together! Our annual pumpkin carving contest was also included in this celebration. We tried to mush together as much stuff with Christian as possible. Miss seeing him more often!
Halloween...another in the long line of first's, Maddy's first Halloween party! Savvy and Luke (and Robyn) did such a good job and it was so cute!
Pumpkin patches and mini corn mazes...
Maddy started a tumbling class...
November...Dan's good friend came down for a 4 day fishing trip to 6 Lakes...the next weekend, Dan flew up to Seattle to meet his sister's to surprise their dad for his 75th birthday...I know that it meant the world to my husband, let alone for his parents. I'm so glad he was able to get up there. It was the first time since 1984, that all 3 siblings and parents had shared the same table...at Herm and Mary's home. The memories of that weekend will be cherished forever, I'm sure! A busy and stressful past week full of ER and hospital trips...which brings me to this final part...
Thanksgiving is only days away...and I am sooo thankful for my life!
For my husband, who through his own stresses, continues to take care of me and do wonderful, thoughtful things for me and someone who I am more in love with today than ever before...
For my girls, who keep me smiling and laughing day in and day out. I am so grateful for both of them, their personalities, their presence in my life. There is nothing better!
For my parents...gosh...where would I be without them? Besides the fact that they gave me life, they gave me many other qualities to. They taught me generosity, and unconditional love, patience and kindness. They continually teach us on a day to day basis, by their actions, how to live, love, accept, and enjoy!
For my siblings, Jeremy and Melissa...they've made me laugh continually, sometimes uncontrollably. We have shared a life full of trials, full of joy and laughter, and we are closer now than ever before! ...and Ryan, who I miss every minute of every day. I'm so grateful for the 28 years that he was in my life!
For Dan's family...who are sweet and caring. Herm and Mary who have raised 3 wonderful, sweet, compassionate, loving children...and I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be married to one of them.
This year has gone by fast, almost too fast. My girls are growing up...Ambree starts college (sniff, sniff) in January. Maddy will be 2 in March. Huge difference in their ages, yes, but I wouldn't change one thing, one moment, one trial, one relationship, one (or more) mistakes...because I am who I am because of all of these.
Life is good!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
More catchup...
So we took our poor little child to Chuck E. Cheese...it used to be fun and exciting! Am had her 4th birthday party there and the kids were jacked about going. Now it's another story...our baby that has NO FEAR of anything. She head dives into her swimming pool and the bathtub and comes up laughing, she climbs ladders (by herself) to the tallest curly slide and goes down by herself (usually ending up backwards) but immediately wants to do it again, she says 'hi' to everyone we see...grocery store, park, walks, etc., and tries to kiss anyone who will pucker up! Not this time...there is something about a giant singing rat and his friends, and a clown pushing down on the other end of a see-saw that made her freeze and shake! Here, below, she is keeping a close eye on the clown that pushed on her see-saw...mind you, it's fiberglass.
Then she saw the pink horse following her and slowly melted down into a stiff, screaming mess.
Yet here she is, with her own pool that she dives in and out of, trying to put her little push toy in. She's out little She-ra!
She is also 'queen of the fits'. Here she is telling me 'no, no, no' and trying to escape up the stairs.
Here is our poor dog. Don't get me wrong, he loves being outside and basking in the sun. The poor guy has had such a hard transition with Maddy. He just doesn't like her, she stole his spotlight, his thunder, and being the main attraction in the family room. He whines, and shakes, and is a complete mess. He's gotten himself kicked out of 'Puppy Lounge'. If Dogmode every stopped letting him come stay, we would forever be stuck at home, or at least until we decide to find him another home. Most days I don't have the heart...then there are the times when you pick him up, because he doesn't obey well, to take him in, and he screaches like he's being tortured! Our neighbors prolly think he's being abused...and let me be honest...there are days when a swift kick in his hiney doesn't sound half bad...but, for now, he's the deranged, mentally unstable, toddler in our family.
This is one of those days when I am too tired to finish the day...oh wait, that's every day! Almost! Thank heavens for Unisom, Crystal Light energy and Amp!
Sort of out of place... On our way home from St George, we drove through Richfield where my grandma is buried. None of us had seen her headstone yet, and it was right before Memorial Day. Perfect timing... Not a day goes by when I don't think about her or miss her. She was the most angelic, most sweetest, most caring, most giving, most loving person I have ever known. I will never forget the weekend I stayed with her when grandpa had his hip surgery. She tried so hard to stay awake with me, she made her homemade custard, and we talked and laughed a whole lot. Then in the morning, she had to get to her hair appt (across the street), and she slowly got into her pathfinder and tore across that street and into their driveway like a NASCAR driver! That always makes me laugh. Love and miss you grandma!
Every day, well every day when it wasn't raining or cold, Dan takes her over to our very sweet neighbors house to use their swing, slide, and trampoline. She LOVES them. Here they are stomping back. I missed it with the camera, but she bent over to smell the purple flowers, then kissed them.
Yes, I do have another child. :) Ambree is busy with 2 jobs... Famous Footwear and Gymboree. Yes her working there has been a little hard on the wallet, but with the discount's, how could I NOT?? She's gearing up for Fall Semester at SLCC and getting used to having a car, and the added responsibilities and funds. Mom's purse strings are (almost) cut off, trying to get her used to the 'pay your bills first, then play...' rule. Almost set in...almost! Love you AM!!
