Don't you just hate it when people don't blog daily?

Okay, I am one of those people, but what can I say... I just don't get into the blog groove very easily. Needless to say at one of the busiest, most fun times of the year, I find myself in the groove. So instead of packing for our weekend in Midway or cleaning my house which in one day has gone from beauty to trash, I am sitting in bed officially calling it a "day of rest" I am exhausted. I also feel the need to tell you all that today is our Anniversary. 6 years ago today I took the trip of a life time and haven't returned yet. It has been 6 fabulous years! I have such an amazing husband that I am so greatful for him. I couldn't imagine being married to anyone else - Brock is exactly the person I needed to marry and I am a better person because of him. Thanks for the past 6 years babe - sure love ya, you are a superstar.
I am also taking a photography class from a cute girl in our ward whom most of you probably know... Emily Brown Wallace. She is amazing and I feel so blessed to learn from her. Look her up on the web and check out her pics. she is great and I really love her style. So here are a couple recent pics.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I am not very good about posting for every ones birthday, but I just happened to have a few minutes and wanted to tell you all how fabulous these two October babies are.

First, my friend Anne. I have known her since... well, forever. We have been through a lot together. We used to live right next door to each other and made up a lot fun(ny) games, dances, songs etc... And as you may have guessed as our hormones started to emerge so did our moods and we had our fair share of fights, but I believe those just made us closer. I have probably been on more trips with her and her family than anyone else I know. I am grateful they took great pity on the poor girl and let me tag along, I always had a blast and learned a lot. Because of those trips I actually new of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Snoop and learned to understand boys a lot better. She has a lot of brothers. Anne is also one of the strongest people I know and is never afraid to say what she thinks and stand up for what is right. I love this about her. She is one in a million and I am happy to say that we are still friends. Hope you had a great day Annie!
Love ya.

The next lovely lady is my sister-in-law Teddy. I have actually known Teddy for almost as long as I have known Anne. Except that instead of playing with Teddy I used to babysit her. I am sure I even babysat Brock once or twice. Teddy is the sweetest, kindest, most loving people I know. I am also so grateful to know her and be a part of her family. She will be moving to Nebraska with her cute hubby Scott in about 6 months and we are going to really miss them. I love having her as my sister-in-law and actually tired to make her my sister-in-law twice just because I love her so much. Thank goodness it didn't work out or we wouldn't have Scott. She is also so strong like Anne, maybe it is something in there horoscopes. They just both know how to stick to there guns when it comes to doing what is best. Thanks for being a great example Teds. Sure love ya.

Husband tag
1.What is his name? Brock
2.Who eats more? That depends but usually me. He always gets the salad and get the hamburger!
3.Who said I love you first? I think he did.
4.Who's taller? He is by about 3 or 4 inches.
5.Who is smarter? That depends on the conversation at hand. Brock is a great self-learner. I need more of a school atmosphere.
6.Who is more sensitive? ME!
7.Who does the laundry? I do, but Brock will help if I needed and he always does his own if he needs something and I haven't done the wash yet.
8.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Brock, for now.
9.Who does the bills? ME, me and me.
10.Who cooks more? I usually do, but now that I work nights, Brock takes over and makes dinner for him and the girls.
11.What meals do you cook together? I guess whenever one of us needs help, mostly just on Sunday.
12.Who is more stubborn? That would be me too. However, Brock has his moments if it has anything to do with Cycling or Xango.
13.Who is the first to admit they're wrong? I think we both do this pretty well, our fights don't last very long at all.
14.Who has more sibling? I guess Brock does including step and half brothers and sisters, all together he has 9. I have 4.
15.Who wears the pants in the relationship? I guess I do on most things, but I don't mind letting him take over when he wants.
16.What do you like to do together? Eat Sushi - travel - ski (can't wait-Brock took up tele skiing last year!) go on walks and anything outside.
17.Who eats more sweets? I don't know. Brock loves ice cream and I love chocolate and cookies.
18.Guilty pleasures? Ummmmm..... anything having to do with traveling. Should we feel guilty about that? Probably because we can't really afford it right now.
19.How did you meet? Brock's Grandma set us up, shortly after his mission.
20.Who asked who out first? Brock's Grandma just dialed my number and handed the phone to him, so technically he did.
21.Who kissed who first? I kissed him.
22.Who proposed? Brock, up at Alta early in the morning. It was perfect.
23.His best features? What isn't there to love? I Always tease him about wanting him to have a little belly and be balding, but the truth is I love him just the way he is.
24.What is his greatest quality? His undying optimism. He can see the good in any situation.
25.Tag? Emily, Teddy, Keri, Alta, and all ya'll.

To my children

"When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father in law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door. . . . I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property."He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind--not in my own voice--these words: 'I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.'"I went inside. I didn't go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn't have to do what he was doing for us. . . . But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it."Henry B. Eyring, "O Remember, Remember," Ensign, Nov. 2007

My dad sent this to me today. What great reminder. Hopefully we can all strive to be a little bit better in this category. I know that I need to improve.

So to my children...
I want you to know how blessed we are to have such great family surrounding us. Aunts who watch you when you are sick and love you almost as much as I do, Grandmas who bring us dinner, clean our house, make Halloween cookies with you, read and play with you and who constantly offer up prayers for you. You are blessed to have Grandpas that give you goodies, hugs, and make you laugh - and whose generosity is more than we could ever repay. You are blessed to have Uncles who tease you to make you stronger and ready for the "real-world", and who would do anything for you. Let's not forget the cousins who will always be your best-friends no matter what. And to all our great friends we are so blessed to have you in our lives - you have all made a significant impact on us and we are better to have known you.
So Savannah and Lucy if you are ever wondering if you are loved or can't seem to think of any blessings just remember that you don't have to go any further than your family and friends. Thanks ya'll.

When it rains...

This is how it panned out. Phone dies - a week and a half later finally get it back with a plethera of messages that I hadn't returned, shortly after the computer went on the fritz, requiring three hours at the apple store and too many phone calls to tech support before I had it up and running. During the computer fiasco it was just starting to get cold enough to turn the furnace on... no such luck. Needless to say my fingers are blue as I type this and for the first time Lucy slept with us last night. After listening to her scream for an hour I finally realized that she might be suffering from hypothermia and a small case of frost bite. Poor little girl.
Todays status... new phone, new computer and working internet, furnace being repaired. I do have to say after all that I do think we could survive without all the "necessities" of life. A simple life isn't so bad, except I am sorry for all of you who called and didn't hear back from me. I will be calling you soon.
I did get to take some fun pictures so here are some of the latest. There is a lot more to taking good pictures than I ever thought. So bare with me and what I feel is a huge learning curve.

Fabulous weekend in Midway.

Thanks for all the support everyone. I spent the weekend in Midway, one of my favorite places in the world and had a blast taking tons and tons of pictures. I learned a lot and realized how much I still need to learn, but that's the fun of it - right? So, those of you who posted I will be in touch with you shortly. Here are a couple pics from the weekend.
Also, I just have to add that getting away for the weekend was the best therapy. We had no plans and because poor Lucy was sick we just took it slow. It rained off and on which made the fall leaves pop with color - oh man, it is paradise up there right now. I just can't wait to go again. Thanks family for all the fun times and especially to all my "guinea pigs" who were all very patient with me.

My lifelong dream

As long as I can remember - okay not that long, but for a long time I have wanted to be a photographer. Yeah, I know among all the other things... but its true and thanks to my lovely parents I actually have a camera that will work for me and so far I love it. Since I am just starting out I am looking for a few brave souls that would stand in as models... I know this is a dream for many of you so here is your chance to let the world know what you really want. Seriously I need some people - anyone who can be patient with me and let me shoot and experiment. If you want some free pics. and have a free evening let me know. I hope to actually make some money doing this someday, but for the first 5 takers its a freebie. Here are some candid shots I just took of my family... like I said I need some practice. Reply to this blog if you are interested. Thanks ya'll. I will catch up with real life later.

So, they finally tied the knot and now I am sure they are happily enjoying the Bahamas . It was a fun and beautiful ceremony and reception. Congrats to Tom and Abby, sure love you guys.

Why am I so emotional?

Okay, so I know that I haven't posted forever. I guess I could probably make a list of excuses, but I think I would rather just start a new, fresh, like I never missed a day - life is too short for regrets and excuses anyway.
DISCLAIMER:
If you don't like blogs were people get personal, or if you really don't know me and found this blog through your cousins, boyfriends, neighbors - best friend than you probably don't care anyway so stop reading because its about to get personal.

So on with the purpose of this blog. Lately, as in probably the last month or so, I have found myself on the verge of tears at least once a day (no, I am not pregnant). Although, I have only actually allowed them to surface once, while reading a book, which by the way I never do. I am constantly finding myself fighting tears that I never thought I had. I am just not a very emotional person. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have cried since I have been married, which all occurred during times of frustration. Not this time around. No sir-ee I am not frustrated - I think after much deliberation - I am just sad. I have been reading a lot lately at my job and I think the books I have been reading are all very motivational, but they always contain a lot of human suffering and I think it's getting to me. For some reason right now life seems so fragile to me, the fact that our lives could end at any minute seems so real. I just finished "Three cups of tea," which is a fabulous book, but it was so sad to read about all those innocent civilians in Afghanistan that lost so many people they loved, not to mention there land and in many ways there freedom. I can't imagine how they feel, but as sad as it has made me it has also made me really want to enjoy life, each moment, every second I have with people. I find myself just wanting to hug Savannah and Lucy and never let them go. The other night as I was closing down the pool there was a beautiful sunset and just looking at the beauty of this world made my eyes water. K, I think I am a total cry-baby. What the heck?
I have always looked at certain people in my life with awe, in the way that they wear their emotions on there sleeves. The fact that Becky can cry about pretty much anything and laugh at the drop of a dime. To see Grace cry while reading a book, and watch the way Kristine can express herself so true to what she feels. I love that about these people. I want to be one of them. Because, I think that being able to show emotion is very endearing and it allows others the freedom to do the same. Not that we have to be cry-babies all the time, but to know that its okay to feel and express emotion is something that I am starting to understand and appreciate a lot more.

I am a blog slacker. I just can't seem to keep up with this thing. For those of you who care and for posterity sake here is the latest.

- Back in Utah. Missing Arizona, but enjoying the luxury of being close to family and old friends.

- Brock is enjoying his new job. Jenny has a job.

- Lucy took her first step, a week ago. Nothing since.

- Savannah is suddenly shy and doesn't like going to primary. My motherly instincts tell me it's the move.

- River trip with the family. It was bigger than it looks (pics below) and we nearly died several times. Who would have thought the Snake River was so dangerous?

- My recent dreams include... wanting to live on a ranch, hoping to run the Park City 1/2 marathon, looking forward to moving into our own home soon, waiting for some extra mula so I can purchase a road bike, taking my kiddos on another camping trip (Savannah loves sleeping in a tent and being covered in dirt from head to toe).... and as always just enjoying each little moment.

-Happy be-lated Birthday to my eldest sister Ginger - who is always teaching me so much through her example and to my Mom - I couldn't ask or hope for a better mother. She is one in a million. I love everything about her. And to my nephew Will (its his b-day today) he is so darn cute and I just love the little things he says. I can't wait until Lucy starts to talk. And to everyone else I forgot Happy - Happy B-day.

- Congrats to all my friends and family who ran in the Wasatch Back. They all did fantastico.

I can't complain - life is pretty grand!

Four wonderful years of motherhood.

I am happy to announce that I have officially been a mom for 4 years! I know that doesn't seem like a long time for many of you - but I I have to admit I am pretty proud of myself for sticking it out for so long. Crazy as it sounds, the longer I do it the more I love it. Especially because my kids are so darn cute and fun. I just love them.
Sometimes I just stop and watch and I get to experience a "moment" when everything around me seems to stop and I get to take it all in and wait for my heart to explode with so much love and gratitude for my kids. Savannah's birthday and the events leading up to it gave me lots of those moments. We had so much fun being back in SLC to celebrate with all the cousins and aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Thanks to everyone for making it so special and to all the friends who called to wish her a happy birthday.
So this year I wasn't as organized as I had hoped and ended buying Savannah's presents with her at my side. I told her she could pick one toy. We carefully strolled down each isle of our neighborhood Target examining each possibility, but nothing seemed to catch Savannah's attention. Nothing, that is until we reached the princess isle. (surprise, surprise!) She had a huge smile on her face as she had me pull down the perfect pink princess dress-up. That girl knows what she wants. After that nothing else was even an option. The best part about it was that she was just as surprised opening it as she would have been if I had picked it out. So from now on - she is doing her own birthday shopping.
I have to send a verbal award to my Dad for the most unique gift - a water snake that Savannah named Charlie. However, I am sad to say that after much deliberation we had to let him go. Hopefully he is much happier now. It was a hit with all the cousins.
If you are still reading great - I know the mom logs can drag on. So I just want to end with my top four reasons Why I love my little Savannah.
1. Her huge personality that adds so much to my life
2. Her energy that I hope will keep me young.
3. Her new found love of bugs. A trip to the park mostly consists of walking to the park looking for bugs and walking back.
4. Her innate desire to do good
Wow, there is so much more I love about her... I will have to add later.

I will have to post pics from the party later... I lost my adapter in the move. (oh, how I love moving.)




These are a couple pictures I had from a fun day we had watching my friend Kelly's kitten. Savannah couldn't put it down.
Love you bugs!

This one is for Anne.

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

The Cake in no particular order!

Lucy is 1!!!

I can't believe my baby is a year old. That went by way too fast. What a crazy but fabulous year. It always amazes me to see how much a child grows in just a year. When Lucy was born I thought that for some reason with Savannah having such a huge personality Lucy would be calm and more of an introvert. However, this was not the case. Lucy is just as full of life as Savannah, yet so different. She knows what she wants and if she doesn't get it she will let you know how she feels about it. In other words she is as stubborn as they come. I love this about her. She is so full of laughter and loves to play in pillows and blankets, copy her sister, have yelling wars with Savannah, taking tubs, and swimming. Yesterday I took the girls swimming and Lucy was fearless. She would throw herself off the step into the water. Trying to let her gain some fear of the water I would let her stay in for a little bit, pick her up, and after a few nervous breaths would plunge in once again. I suppose I will be watching her a little more closely. There is so much about this girl that I love- I am so grateful to be her mom!

"I looked on child-rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best that I could bring it." - Rose Kennedy