Another WIN for our UTES!

Utah: 30
Air Force: 23
I have the worlds BEST husband. You see, I got him a set of season tickets to the Utes for Christmas and he was in heaven. In February we started planning our Disney World vacation and when we got his tickets in the mail a month ago we realized that he was going miss not 1 but 2 home games! I am going to have to figure out some way of making it up to him. The real tragedy in this story is that he doesn't even like Disney World. He is a true family man. Thanks for taking one for the fam honey.

Book Club Virgin

Yep, that's right. I joined my first book club. I think the last time I opened a book and read it was probably in high school. Okay okay, I did read a few baby books when I was pregnant but I don't think that really counts. I have never enjoyed reading. EVER. I get bored reading the newspaper if I have to search for the rest of the story on another page. I like to read to my daughter and we do so every night. I want to her to have what I don't, a love for the written word. I know I would have done better in school if I had enjoyed reading. The funny things is is that I always scored rather high on reading and reading comprehension tests in school. I just didn't like to pick up a book and sit down and read. I guess I never found a book I really loved. But last week I was invited to join a book club at church and I said to myself, "self, I think it is time we challenged ourself. Step out of our norm and try something new." I didn't think I would have time to read but I was surprised to find how many times I could squeeze in a few pages: waiting in line to pick Grace up from school, sitting at her gymnastics practices ( I can't really see her anyway), in bed instead of watching TV and most often when I was nursing Kohen. I think he enjoyed me reading out loud to him. It was such a proud moment for me when I completed the book. For some of you who are major readers you are probably laughing but I really am proud of my self. I realized that I could read a book and actually enjoy it. I also think it helped knowing that I had to have it read by a certain date and that I would have to discuss it as well. I had so much fun getting to know some of the girls from church better. Of course we talked about much more than just the book. We swapped stories about our children, I learned that Grace is not any more difficult than any other 5 year old. Thanks again for the invite Jen. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the book.
It's called The Dream Giver. By Bruce Wilkinson. It talks about how God has given each of us a dream. Not just any dream but His dream for us. Some have forgotten the dream, others don't think they can accomplish it, some are working towards their dream while others are living it. It reminded me of my dream, to become an interpreter for the deaf. I have always felt that I was called to do something within the deaf community. I realized that I have let fear and other roadblocks keep me from pursuing it. The book deals with our fears and the obstacles that enter our path that try to derail us in our pursuit of accomplishing our dream. If you have forgotten your dream or need encouragement I suggest reading this book.
I can't wait for our next book. I think I might really enjoy this.

First Day of School

Grace started school this month. Actually the first day was her birthday. She missed the deadline for kindergarten so she started preschool. I drove up to the door and the teacher came to car, unbuckled her and she hoped out turned back at me and with a big smile on her face she said "bye mom, I love." I think it was more traumatic for me than her. She loves her teacher Miss Robin. I hope that she will stayed challenged seeing how she is a little older than the rest of her class. Everyone I know who have children that were in the same situation as Grace all have told me that it is better to let her be the oldest. I hope so. At her preschool orientation her teacher was listing things they were going to be learning, for example, the Pledge of Allegiance, days of the week, months of the year. I thought to my self, hmm, Grace already knows this stuff. Her class is divided into 3 skill levels so I am confident that she will do fine. I did opt for the 5 day class so that she could get a little more out of it. So far she has really enjoyed it. She is so proud to show us what she worked on each day in school. I still can't believe my little baby girl is in school. Ok I need to stop now, my eyes are tearing up and I can't see the screen.

Frank's Birthday part 2

So as you know I surprised Frank for his 30th birthday. On Friday the 29th I gave him a gift bag with a dozen skeletons. He looked a little confused, like many of you I am sure. Frank has wanted to see

Bodies The Exhibition for about 2 years now. I told him I was taking him to Vegas for the weekend. Of course I got the usual response, "cool." Frank is a man a few words or emotions. But I knew he was excited. We stayed in St. George at a friends condo (thanks Betty). We spent Saturday in Vegas at the exhibit, I must say that if you ever get the chance to see it, do. It will give you a different appreciation for the body that God has given us. It is one thing to see pictures in a book, but to see a real human body like that is amazing. I know that a similar show is coming to Salt Lake this month. Grace really wants to go see it. She was mad that we went without her. After we were done we wandered the strip for a while. I tried to gamble but they don't let you just drop a coin or two in anymore. You have put in at least a dollar bill or more. I did find one of the huge slot machines and dropped a quarter and I won $6.00! That just brought me even for what I lost on Keno at breakfast. Oh well, gambling is not for me.

Frank enjoyed a 44 oz daquiri which left him a bit tipsy. But he does remember watching the Utes beat Michigan. Go Utes! (Thanks Lenzi for watching Kohen for us. Sorry about the mishap with the booby milk) I also surprised him by taking us to see David Copperfield. Oh my heck! It was awesome. I'll be honest, he was a bit goofy but anyone who can make a car appear on stage out of thin air, or make 15 random audience member disappear from stage and then reappear in the back of the auditorium is just plain amazing. I hope that Frank had a great 30th birthday, I know I enjoyed it.

(I'm hoping for New York, maybe a broadway show for my 30th birthday. Hint Hint)

Happy Birthday Gracie

  Grace celebrated her 5th birthday on September 2nd. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. It feels just like yesterday that I woke up at 2 am to find that my water broke. knibzsreml OPSFDg  (that would be Kohen helping my type) I have very few pictures since it was pre digital camera for us in 2003. I don't know how I ever survived.  Grace had a difficult time deciding what she wanted to do for her birthday.  Here is a short list of a few ideas she had for her birthday. 

1. Blues Clues (again, we already did that when she turned 3)

2. The Brady Bunch. (I wasn't sure how to do that one?)

3. Curious George (she loves that silly monkey)

4. High School Musical ( she is obsessed) 

She finally chose HSM. We went to Jungle Jim's Playland with a few friends and family. I am so glad that birthdays only come once a year. 

The Big 3-O!

hApPy BiRthDay dAdDy!

Well Frank is officially old. At least he thinks he is. I used to think that 30 was old, but not so much anymore. I can't really tease him too much because I will be thirty in six short months.
30 reasons why we are so blessed to have Frank.

1. He is such a wonderful husband

2. He is a loving dad
3. He gave me two of the most beautiful and wonderful children
4. He can help with the laundry when needed.
5. He loves his children.
6. He works so hard to make sure that we are taken care of
7. He makes me laugh
8. He can finish my sentences
9. We can be together without saying a word and know what each other is thinking
10. He looks sexy on his motorcycle
11. He loves my mom
12. He gets along with my brother and dad
13. He always put the needs of his family come before his
14. He lets me sleep in on the weekends
15. He can change a dirty diaper without complaining
16. He makes me feel beautiful even though I haven't lost all the baby weight
17. He bathes our dogs Schatzi & Maggie
18. He will watch chick flicks with me
19. He doesn't make fun of me for crying at sappy chick flicks
20. He doesn't mind cooking, he actually cooks better than I do
21. He loves my hair short and long. I always win
22. He always lets me win the fight
23. He is taking us to Disney World even though he hates the place
24. He likes to grocery shop with me
25. He doesn't make me watch sports
26. He still opens my door
27. He will hold my purse, by that I mean diaper bag, when I am trying on clothes
28. He will get on the floor and give "horsey" rides for Grace
29. He doesn't mind that I hog the covers at night
30. Because through all the trials of marriage and parenthood, he is still right here by my side.
I Love You
I can't say enough wonderful things about him. I can't say what we are doing for his birthday. It's a surprise and he hasn't guessed it yet. He always figures things like this out.

Thanks IHC

Saturday was Franks company party. They threw a Hawaiian luau complete with food, games, prizes and entertainment including a fire dance. Grace was invited to go on stage with other kids to learn a dance. We had a blast. Frank even won a huge 7 day cooler. Not sure what we'll do with it? But hey, we never win anything so we'll take it. Big Buddah from Fox 13 news was the emcee for the party. What a character.

Grace taking a swing at the Shamu pinata. She didn't break it but she had a pretty mean swing.

Grace doing the Haka. What a fearless warrior she makes.

Kohen just relaxing and enjoying the island music.

Hanging with Big Buddah

To mommy's little man

Your not my newborn any more. You are growing up too fast. Sunday you turned 4 months old. You are now 13 lbs and 1 oz and 24" long. You are laughing and babbling all the time. Your sister loves you so much. She and I can't get enough of you. I love that when I come into your room in the morning you smile when I call your name, even before you turn your head and look at me. I love that you giggle and get excited when it is time to nurse. I love when you look up at me and smile. I can see the awesomeness of God in you. You are a gift of perfect design. I pray that you will be strong in your faith, gentle with your words, steadfast in your convictions and sincere in your actions. I am blessed to be your mother. I want you to know that I may not have all the answers but I promise to do my best to raise you the way the Lord would want me to. I hope you know how much you are loved. I love you my little Bubbers.

Preview Party

Ginger and I took the kids to Sandy Expo Center on Tuesday to get an up close look at the floats for the Days of '47 Parade. In Utah we don't celebrate our statehood day, we celebrate when the pioneers entered the Salt Lake valley. Every year on the 24th of July there are parades and festivities. We thought about camping out and watching the parade on Thursday but we figured this would be easier and not so hot. The kids had fun getting their faces painted and voting on their favorite float. Of course Grace chose the U of U.

Fun with rollers

The other night Grace and I played around with with sponge curlers. Grace doesn't really need them since she already has curly hair, but I thought it would be fun to see what she would look like with hair curled with curlers. Of course she wanted to put some in my hair. We ended up taking them out because she said they hurt her head when she tried to lay down on the pillow.

Bathing Beauties

Last Friday my friend Eliza and I took our girls to the Magna pool.  I have not been in a swimsuit for, uh, well, I can't remember the last time I wore a swimsuit.  There is a reason for this. Luckily Eliza didn't get any pictures of me. The girls had a blast. I had a lot of fun too. I can't wait for next summer.  I think it will be more fun with Kohen. He is a little too small to swim this year. 

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Three Months Old

I can't believe that Kohen is 3 months old (okay 13 weeks, I am a week late at this post) He is such a funny baby. It is amazing the bond that siblings have. Whenever Grace enters the room and starts talking he immediately starts looking around for her. As soon as he finds her he smiles. She was the first to get him to LAUGH (June 14th to be exact). He is such a happy baby always smiling. I wake up every morning to him talking and babbling. He is only fussy for about an hour between 7 and 8 pm during which one of us must stand up with him or else he cries nonstop. What little manipulators they are. But oh so cute. He is holding toys in his little hands now and every once in a while he will put it in his mouth. He is starting to put a little weight on his legs when you hold him up to stand. He has the longest tounge that I have ever seen. He is always sticking it out, it is adorable. He isn't too fond of the binki instead he likes to suck on his fists and occasionally he finds his fingers His fists are so raw so I have started to put socks over his hands at night to curb the fist sucking, so far his socks are soaked every morning. I am still in awe of how someone so small can make such a big impact on our lives. Mommy loves you Kohen.

you've gotta be kindin' me

So for the past few days my throat has been a little sore but I didn't really think much of it until yesterday afternoon when I started feeling achy all over. I layed down on my bed and sure enough I started getting the chills. Nope, it's not the flu, I have mastitis, AGAIN. This makes my third time. (Kohen is only 3 months old) I slept most of the day. Good thing Grace didn't mind lying in bed all day watching movies. Kohen slept most of the day too which was a blessing. This morning when I woke up I pumped my milk instead of nursing Kohen. Sure enough I had blood in my milk. I called my doctor and he said that sometimes in some women it will comeback. He called me in prescription for an antibiotic. I'm not sure what to do. I can't keep getting this but I don't want to stop nursing.

Happy 4th of July

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th. I want to thank all our service men and woman who have or are still fighting for our freedom. I'm so grateful for the sacrifice that each one has made to ensure I have the liberties that I have grown so accustomed to. To the families of those who are serving I pray the Lord comforts you.

We took Grace to feed the ducks. Apparently we haven't been eating enough bread because we had quite a bit that was stale. Grace said the cutest thing when I was doing her hair. I had just dressed her in a red white and blue outfit.
The conversation went a little something like this:
Grace: "Mom, do you think the ducks will like my outfit?"
Me: "Well,a,I guess they will,sure."
Grace: "Do they know it's the Forth of July?"
Me: "I don't think they celebrate the Fourth of July sweetie"
Grace: "Maybe they are afraid of the fireworks."
Me: "Probably"
I love kids. I am always humored by what she thinks up.
I love the 4th of July. It is such a fun time. This year, well like every year, we had a barbecue at my parent's house. This year was a blast! Not only did we have family but we had friends, friends of family and family of friends. My mother loves to entertain and she is good at making any event a fun one. We just finished cleaning up after this years extravaganza and she is already planning next years party. We had great food, a pinata and a watermelon eating contest. Jason took home a $25.00 gift certificate for the Texas Roadhouse. By the way Jason, your in charge of the prize for next years eating contest. We had enough fireworks to rival the Stadium of Fire. Okay none of them really left the ground but we had lot. Frank and my brother were lighting 3 at time and it still took forever to finish. I was a little nervous how Kohen would react to the fireworks. I kept his ears covered the entire time but he talked and laughed. I think I watched him more than the fireworks. Afterwards we headed over to West Jordan High's parking lot to watch the big ones that the Western Stampede let off. It was a great day.