Zoo Trip

It's been beautiful fall weather, so on Friday I took the boys to the zoo (Jack had school off that day).  We went with their buddies and we had a great time.

There was one casualty:

What's you get when you let an unstable boy run all around the zoo.  Ouch.

Happy 30th Anniversary

Last Saturday, my parents celebrated their 30th anniversary.  With all holidays, my mom always out does my dad in the gift giving.  This year, I was incredibly impressed by my dad.  He wrote out the 30 reasons why he loves her and attached him to gift cards (which was quite clever because he decided...she spends money at those places any way, now it's just prepaid).  I asked my dad if I could write the 30 reasons down to document for future generations to see the love they had for each other.

Top 30 Reason’s I love you…
1. Because 30 ½ years ago you accepted a blind date and continued to date an often “weird” guy
2. You gave me an Easter basket in 1980 that showed to me what a thoughtful person you are
3. You were worthy to go to the temple. Your faith in the gospel is so strong
4. Because you looked so beautiful on our wedding day, and have only gotten better!
5. Because you found us our first home on valley street and fixed it up. Formed great friendships there
6. Because you gave me my first child though much suffering, our family “Patriarch”
7. Feeling like it was important to have a companion to our first daughter, you shortly there after gave me my second daughter, the “golden child”
8. Because you had us move to Parley’s area where we again formed great neighbors, tradtions, and friends.
9. Gave birth to our first beautiful son, the “doctor”
10. Because it was so nice to have a wonderful companion on business trips and vacations… the Disneyland family trips, Yellowstone, and so much more. The preparation and hard work it took to happen
11. Because through so much difficulty after delivery, you gave me our third ‘loopy, happy daughter”
12. Because you found us a new home in the old mill area, added your touches, designed and planted the yard to make it the most cherished material possession and a home for our family and posterity
13. Because through the waiting, the difficult pregnancy you gave me our final child “Q”
14. Because you supported me in my quest for excellence in my career at the rink
15. For your forgiving nature, exemplified by the boy that ran you over. You still suffer from this, but never have I heard a revengeful word
16. For your fight. You fought back from your accident and kept running, were most others would have quit
17. Because you were so good to my mom, visiting her and caring for her
18. As our children grew, you supported all their important events and made their birthdays special
19. Love of the holidays and the traditions (Halloween, superbowl, July 4th) YOU have established
20. You’ve ALWAYS kept yourself looking so good and help me (nose, ear, brow hairs) look not so homely
21. For your relentless pursuit of your goals, persisting through all kinds of setbacks… 50 by 50
22. For the tiddy way you’ve kept our house, yard, clothes, etc..
23. For accepting callings and doing your very best at them, and supporting me (bishopric, Hispanic)
24. For your sweet, thoughtful, tender (but sometimes long) prayers
25. For your honesty (sometimes to a fault)
26. Because you will never let us forget Q, our cherished memories of him you keep him alive, and what a wonderful mother you were and will always be for him
27. For our family dinners, the togetherness they bring, and your thoughtfulness and work ethic to invite others. Your truly selfless
28. Because I trust you completely, I have had never had a reason otherwise
29. Because you’re the best grandmother our grandkids could hope for!
30. Because you’ve MADE me a better man and I’ve loved you 30 years ago BUT I love you even more today! Happy 30th anniversary

Thanks dad for letting us listen in on these 30 reasons.  I am so grateful mom accepted that blind date and I am also glad to be your "golden child." Hah hah.  Hopefully I can live up to the name. :)

Our Quick Trip

We survived our 72 hour trip to Utah.  Sorry for all of you reading this and wondering....why didn't they stop by and say hi.  It was a very quick trip though.

Mitch and I left on Thursday afternoon and arrived to my parent's house about 4 a.m. our time.  Mitch left to participate in the 2nd Annual Que Henderson Classic Golf Tournament at 7:00 and I remained lazy until I went to get my dose of Cafe Rio at 11:30.  Hair cut and a trip over to see Mitch's folks and then my mom and I left to go up to Logan to get our good night's sleep before the torturous 26.2 miles in the morning.  Being exhausted after the little to no sleep the previous nights, I went to bed at 8 and was awake and ready at 4 a.m.

The marathon was great.  I felt great, the weather was great, and I was with great friends.  My sweet friend got an injury during the race so we weren't able to complete it as quickly as we had hoped, but it was fun chatting it up along the way.  

Brynn, Shauna & I before the race.
Dang camera phone...blurry!

2 & 52!  My 2nd, her 52nd.

Shauna and I after the race.

After the race, we went over and let the boys see their best buddy Ben.  They miss him so much!  Here are the Evers & Goates.  (Don't you think they should start a law firm?  Too bad Mitch doesn't have a B in his name because then they could be "B Evers & Goates, Attorneys at Law."  Professional, eh?  Well, maybe Mitch shouldn't have a B in his name.  Yeah, yeah, that wouldn't be good.)

Easton, Creighton, Jackson, Ben, Amelia, & Alex

The kids had so much fun seeing their cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and of course the dogs.  It was a fun, but quick trip.  Too bad 31 hours of it was spent in a car. :(  We pulled back into Omaha at 1:00  this morning.  

Being a Mom

Last week I wanted to throw in the towel.

I honestly can't tell you why it was so hard.  It's really not like my kids were exceptionally naughty.  I really think it was me, not them, but I felt like everything they were doing was magnified in my eyes.  I was so tired, mentally and physically, and I just felt done.  After venting to a friend, and she vented to me, I realized I was not the only one feeling like this and so we decided to up and leave and go out to dinner.  We sent around a text at 5:30 and we ended up getting 6 people wanting to come with us, feeling they same way we felt.  We vented, laughed, ate, and it was refreshing.

Still feeling overwhelmed, it was our enrichment activity last night.  It has been a lot of work and a lot of preparation, and although it didn't go completely according to plans, I left from there feeling refreshed and energized.  I am happy.

Months ago we decided on the idea of "Fond of You - Fondue."  We would focus on individual worth and eat lots of yummy fondue.  We knew we needed a speaker, and right away I had a name in mind.  He wasn't in our ward, and I knew he was a very busy man, but his name just kept coming to me.  I decided to email his wife (since she is our Stake Relief Society President) and ask her for ideas of speakers in hopes she would offer him up.  Unfortunately, she didn't.  I don't know why I was so afraid to ask him, but I went and talked to our Institute teacher for ideas and he suggested that same person.  That's when I knew, it had to be him.  I got up the guts, emailed him, got a response an hour later telling me yes.

I feel like my Heavenly Father knew that I needed to hear him speak.  Even months ago he knew that I would be feeling like this and I needed to hear what he had to say.  He talked about motherhood.  He told us that what we are doing is eternal.  We are important.  He then talked about how Satan attacks motherhood first and foremost because it is key to eternal life and families.  He reminded us that every bit of self doubt comes from Satan.  He wants us to think we aren't good enough.  That our neighbor across the street is perfect.  Our kids are rotten.  We aren't having family home even, scripture study, etc. so we aren't going to make it.  Satan puts these thoughts in our heads.

I sit here today writing this and even though Easton has pulled on me about 7 times to come help him, I am so much happier today.  I'm not perfect, but I am a mother, and today I am thankful for that role.  It's hard, but it's eternal.  I want to live with my family forever and I am beyond grateful for that chance.  I write this down so when another week like that happens again (which I know it will), I can come back and read this and be reminded that I'm ok.  I'm ok.

I found this ripped paper towel on the kitchen table this morning.
I love that Jackson doodles my name....and with a heart. :)

It's 8:00 a.m.

and my kids are still asleep.  I have ran, showered, wrote on my blog, done laundry, and more!  Yeah for today.  I hope it's a sign of a good week!

Goodbye Training Wheels....and the Neighborhood Bike Parade

Jackson learned to ride his bike last weekend.  I know he is over 5, and I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to teach him, but he is officially trained.  He picked it up really quick. He learned just in time for the Neighborhood Bike Parade.......

On Labor Day we had the Neighborhood Bike Parade.  I love the people in Village Green that make living here so fun.  I feel like I've lost all gusto to keep traditions going, and I was so glad someone still has it.  The boys had so much fun.  Easton especially had fun when Jack and Creigh were done riding their bikes, so he could ride them.  He loves the big boy bikes.  Enjoy the pics!

Tanner, Creigh, and Jack waiting at the start line for the parade to begin.
It was sad because when they started going Creighton couldn't get the strength to push the pedals.
A few minutes later one of us realized that everyone was going around him and I came to the rescue.
Poor kid.  He needs more observant parents.

Easton on the Diego Bike.

Easton was much happier riding Creighton's bike (even if you can't tell by the face).

P.S.  I told Jackson the whole time while learning to ride that all his cousins and family were going to call him and congratulate him.  He keeps asking me when they are going to call.  So....if you have time.  Give us a call. :)

Visiting Dad's Office

We went to Mitch's office to check things out last week.  It was fun to see his second home and to meet some of the people he works with.  Considering our boys aren't exactly the quietest people, we only lasted a few minutes, but it was still fun.

Easton working at Dad's Desk

View from Dad's Office.
Once the new baseball stadium is built, he'll have a great view.

Creigh-Jay working hard.

Creighton's First Day of School

Creighton's 1st Day of Preschool
at Miss Gina's

I can't believe Creigh-Jay has started Pre-School.  He has been looking forward to it and talking about it for about 18 months.  Today was finally the day.

He has been talking all about what he thought his school would be like.  For a long time, he would tell everyone that he picked out his school, and he picked out a "Baseball School."  Yeah, I don't think so.  Today, I recorded our conversation about what he thought the school would be like today. He talked about how he was going to learn about spaceships, aliens and transformers....not letters and numbers.  I wish I could get my video to upload but I have been trying for 2 days and can't get it to work.

I could record any conversation with Creighton and they are all so energetic.  I don't think I've ever heard him talk normal.  He always talks with so much inflection in his voice.  I love it.  He makes me laugh all the time.  I know he is going to love school and I can't wait to hear how it went, each and every day.

Eating

Is it bad if my child ate a box of Go-Gurts yesterday?

He may look sweet and innocent in the above picture, but lately all he does is cry for more food.

He stands at the fridge and pulls on it all day and whines.  Thank goodness for the fridge lock.

All he wants is go-gurt: well Go-gurt, Juice, and Snack (Fruit Snack).

Me, being the worn out mom gave into his wishes yesterday and it wasn't until the box was empty that I thought, "Mmmmm, maybe that wasn't such a good thing."

Well, it happened.  On to a new day.

Today, Easton came walking up the stairs with his sippy cup attached to his shirt.  He'll casually take a sip and then reattach.  Yeah dude, you are super cool.  

Oh, and here is Creighton's lunch.  He took his lunchable and made this ham, cheese, & oreo sandwich.
Evidence of what a healthy and great mother I am.