The Best One

I was flipping through all of our pictures from Christmas....This is the best one...I caught Abby just as she was falling off her skateboard...yes it was COLD that day and she's wearing flip flops and capris...sometimes I wonder about my children (later she DID put a scarf on that she got from her grandma, hmmmm, wonder if that really helped)

As Good As It's Gonna Get

Complete Randomness

• I ate a big fat cinnamon roll last night, and it was darn good...I was feeling a bit chubby afterwards
• I have fallen in love with baths...my husband started lighting candles for me and putting them by the bath tub, I can relax, clear my head, and do absolutely NOTHING for hours! or atleast until my water turns cold
• I am in the middle of filling out paperwork for financial aid...YES PEOPLE I am hoping to start taking a class or two of college, me???!!! Yippee!!! PE Teacher here we come!
• Are toy rooms ever NOT messy???!!!
• I'm nervous...I'm playing a piano solo in church on Sunday
• I miss running. I went for a run last night, the first in like a month and a half. It felt so GOOD!!!! I've been doing a new workout program and it takes up a lot of my time, so my running has fell to the wayside...but that will be changing.
• My boy is a busy body
• I need a new book to read
• High School Musical 2 wasn't as good as the first one
• It's power yoga day, guess I better get a move on!

Out of the Loop

Ok, I admit, I'm not your normal "mom". I don't dress up my girls everyday to match. I don't really even do their hair. Most the time it's a ponytail, although since there was '80s day at school a few months ago, Rebekkah wants a "side" ponytail almost everyday. Believe me, I have to put my foot down on that one. MAYBE once a week I'll give in. Everyday they are pretty much in jeans and a t-shirt....why? Because that's the easiest, simplest, thing to deal with.

At some point I thought I was a pretty "cool" mom...knew what was hip and jazzy and all that nonsense. But I was awakened a while back to the fact that I had no idea what was going on in the world, when Rebekkah started coming home talking about Hanna Montana and High School Musical. I have to admit, I had no clue what she was even talking about. Then I saw different peoples blogs and realized that not only was there a High School Musical 1 Movie, but there was a High School Musical 2!!! Where was I during the first one? And who are these people having High School Musical 2 Parties????!!!!! I was feeling VERY "uncool" at that point.

Well, we do the Netflix thing. And so I finally decided I better figure out what all the hype was about. So I told them to send me the movie and I'd see if it was worth it. After doing some digging, I soon realized that duh!!! It all came from the "Disney" channel! Gee, no wonder I have no idea what this is. We don't have the "Disney" channel, ANY cable channel for that matter. The only time the TV is on is during a basketball/football game, or Tuesday nights for "The Biggest Loser". Hence my uninteligence in the MUSICAL area.

The long awaited movie arrived...and it sat, and sat, and sat, next to our TV. I'm sure if the girls would have known that it was there, it wouldn't have SAT so long. But they didn't, so it continued to sit, and sit, and sit. Finally, last Friday, I told the girls that I had the movie and wondered if they might want to watch it. Joyous Cries and Screams were heard for miles!!!! I had NO idea what the movie entailed, so I told them that we could watch it, but if something was on there that I didn't like, it would promptly be turned OFF.

Well, the movie played, and played, and played. And to my complete "disgust", there was nothing bad in it. And of course the girls absolutely fell in love with it. AND want to see the 2nd one because "mom, there's a second one out too, and we HAVE to see that one now that we've seen the FIRST". My girls love pretty much anything that has music in it...so this movie, they just love. And now, I'm the cool mom once again because I let them watch High School Musical! And I might even think about letting them watch #2!

Christmas Fun

Growing up, Christmas time meant my mom doing lots of baking! She would take

her "goodie plates" to her neighbors and friends every year. She had quite

the reputation, especially for her one and only sugar cookies. In one word, yummo!!!

I have had some practice in making her sugar cookies, so I decided to start

getting out there and doing the baking thing myself. (Even though we'll be

heading into town this weekend to help my mom with hers! ha!)

It's a good feeling to take a recipe that was "handed" down to me, and have

it actually turn out good! After baking the cookies earlier today,

the girls and I sat down tonight, with our Christmas music in the background,

and went to decorating!!!!

It's frosting time! I'm amazed that there was any frosting left after the
girls did their five cookies! It won't stop getting on my fingers MOM!!!!

Enjoying a little treat!!!!

The finished product!!!!

After we were finished, I made up all the plates and me and the girls took

them to every neighbor in our cul-de-sac (mom, you would be proud, I even

took them to the new neighbors that I DIDN'T know and introduced ourselves!)

Then we drove around and gave them to friends and the few family members

who live out here! It was really fun and the girls loved it. It was raining and so

it was chilly and we got wet! After dropping cookies at a friends house, I said,

girls watch out for that huge puddle! As I proceeded to step right in it! Getting

my right leg, from the knee down, soaken wet! Sheesh! Anyway, it was

definitely a good time!!!! And mmmmmm, the cookies sure are good!!!!

My Boy

Since my munchkin is turning the big ONE tomorrow....here are some random things about him that I LOVE!!!!!

• He ABSOLUTELY loves his dad. He is a definite daddy's boy. As soon as dad comes home, mom is pretty much out of the picture. He'll go anywhere and everywhere with him, it's so cute.
• He pushes around cars and trucks all day. Even if its not a car, he will push it like its a car, wipey box, formula holder, you name it! And if it doesn't push like he wants it to, he gets VERY upset!!!
• He now refuses to eat baby food--its all normal food from here on out. His favorite things so far are bananas, apples, graham crackers, spaghetti (one of his very favorite), green beans, brocolli...and of course, good ol' mac and cheese
• He isn't afraid of anybody. Good thing and bad thing I guess. He doesn't ever shy away from anyone. Strangers can talk to him and he just smiles away. He likes everybody!!!
• He loves dogs! Or in his words, DeeDee's!! He loves looking out back at Lucy and watching her run around.
• He's a busy body. He doesn't sit still unless he's sleeping! He's not much of a cuddler at all :( I wish he was more cuddly but oh well. He just wants to go, go, go all the time.
• He loves BLANKETS!!! He doesn't go to sleep without a blanket. I guess that's one thing he will cuddle with is his blanket!!!
• Just like his sisters, he loves being outside. If he's upset and cranky about something, all I have to do is open the front door and sit out there with him and he's fine. He gets angry when I bring him back inside

It makes me a little sad to think that he's turning one...but it's so fun now seeing all the things he can do and how he is growing. I keep reminding myself to look at the new things he's doing, the little milestones here and there...because then I'm not focusing on him "not" being little anymore. But sometimes it's hard, especially when I realize that he is our last one, then it makes me want to hold on for a little bit longer. And when my husband looks at him and says, wow, he really is growing up too fast, then that makes me shed a little tear and be sad, because I'm not the only one who sees it.

It's funny how we can look back on our lives...and wish that we'd changed this, or changed that. Done something one way, instead of the way we did it. I was speaking with a good friend of mine earlier today and she was talking about how her and her husband had been watching their wedding video...and was thinking back to back then. They had their first daughter right away, just like us, and she was kind of wishing she hadn't done that. That she had spent more time just with her husband before having kids. She kind of felt like she regretted doing it so fast. It made me stop and think....and I told her that we had done the same thing. And there was a few times that I had looked back and thought, wow, what would our lives be like if we had waited? But I held no regrets and still don't wish that I had waited to have children. They really are my pride and joy, despite my faults as a mother, they love me for who I am. They don't care what size I am, or if I'm wearing makeup, or any of that. They love me because I'm their mom. I hold onto a piece of them everyday in my heart and can't imagine my life without them.

So Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy...I love you!

Rainy Days and Bday Parties

The storm here Friday was awesome! The kids were running around

outside for hours after school. I decided to be the "cool mom" and not worry about

what they were tracking back into the house...they were having so much fun!!!

Abby bringing me a flower....ahhhhhhhhh

Love this picture of them...(no Abby didn't pee her pants!)

Walker
Aka...Walker Boy
Aka...Bugs
Aka...Walker Texas Ranger
Aka...Tiej
Had his 1 year birthday party!!!

His favorite present, his Mickey Mouse "ride on" given by none other
then Grandma 'Lainey!

The Birthday Cake

He really had no problem digging into the cake...well, he did a lot
better after we took off the 5 inch layer of frosting! holy sheesh!!!
He dug right in and thoroughly enjoyed himself...however, Nathan didn't
enjoy the aftermath of that cake in the diaper the next morning! We haven't
given him anything that was sugary like that...I think it was a shock
to his little body!!!! After a while he just started to play in it and throw it around...
that's when the "uncool mom" stepped in and took it away! GASP!!!!

The Little Monster

I've talked about Walker and the "infamous" tree before....I thought he was doing

good NOT getting into it. I think he went like a whole week.

Apparently he remembered how fun it used to be.....

Dune Trip 2007

Last weekend the girls and I went with Nathan, my dad, my brother and

a BUNCH of other people to the dunes.

This was the girls first trip and they had a blast!

We didn't get there until around 11:30pm Friday night. The fire was already going...

so of course the girls were ready to make smores! Unfortunately, my brother FORGOT

the hangers to roast the marshmellows, but we improvised and used a few screw drivers! ha!

The girls took their "igloo" tent and slept in it all night by the camp fire!!!
Rebekkah riding the little 50...she got braver and braver as the day went on!!!

Abby LOVED the amount of dirt, sand and whatever else she could find to play with!

Abby did ride the little 50 a few times, but most of the day would find her in my brothers Rhino...she absolutely LOVED that thing and was in the passenger seat every time

someone took it out to ride it!!!!

School Pictures!

Rebekkah

(2nd Grade )

Abby

(preschool)

Any Takers???!!!!

I don't know what it is....but ever since I had my son...my house cleaning abilities have pretty much gone OUT the window!!! There is just NOT enough time in the day to get everything accomplished that I would like. Plus, when I do pick up after HIM, it's no use!

Kids, work, exercise, meals....all get priority before cleaning, AS YOU CAN TELL!!!!!

That is a brand new printer that my mom picked up at a garage sale for $20!

My old printer hasn't worked for the last 6 months...you'd think I'd have

THAT up and running by now?????

The infamous "toy room" where everything always has its place....

apparently the toys have forgotten where to go...

Hmmm, should I even mention the kitchen and dishes???
Every day my kitchen looks like this!!!

I clean it up in the afternoon, and then by the next afternoon, back to normal.

This whole eating healthier thing sure takes a lot more WORK!!! SHEESH!!!!

I think I'll go take a nap.....

My Inspiration

This picture is of my Aunt Charlotte.

She passed away 8 years ago of Breast Cancer. About 8 months ago, my mom came to me with an idea...to participate in the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk for the Cure. What would this entail? Lots of training, donating and fund raising. We would be walking for 3 days, 20 miles each day. When I first heard that we would have to each raise $2200, I was very skeptical. I didn't think that I could actually DO it. The walking seemed a WHOLE lot easier, then the fundraising! $2200 is a lot of money....but after talking it over, my mom, sister in law, and I...all decided we wanted to do it. To honor my sweet Aunt Charlotte and to hopefully, someday, find a cure for breast cancer. So, our journey began.....we sent out letters and emails to family and friends, hoping to receive donations. We held a garage sale, bake sale, and a car wash to raise funds. So many people have helped us along the way, in so many ways. We started training....walking almost every Saturday morning. I remember my mom starting with like 6 miles...by the end of our training, she was doing 10-12 miles. I fell behind in my fundraising, and started to get a little bit nervous....but in the end...we all did it. We all had a goal...and we all achieved it.

This past weekend, we were able to put our feet to the pavement...with around 2500 other participants...and continue our journey, continue our goal...to walk 60 miles in 3 days. My mom was nervous....would her body hold up and function the way she needed it to function? Would her feet stay strong and legs keep moving? I knew she could do it, but did SHE know she could do it? Opening ceremonies was held at Freestone Park in Gilbert, and that's where our walking began. We walked through Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and ended up in Tempe on our first day. One of the things that amazed me the most, was the people that came out to support the walk. Not only were people lined up at the designated "cheering stations"...but people would drive by and honk their horns, wave, and just let us know that they cared. The first day we walked by 2 schools. Both schools had signs up that they had made and the school children were lined up as we walked passed...telling us thank you, good job and to keep going. The first official cheering station we got to was so unbelievable. I couldn't believe how many people were lined up...telling us thank you, handing out water, ice, candy, whatever we needed....giving us high fives....The best moment of the first day, was walking down the street in the cheering station and seeing my 2 beautiful daughters, clapping their hands with HUGE smiles on their faces. Needless to say, I was bawling....then I noticed my cute sister in law, Kamee, standing on the sideline along with my mother in law. Tears rolling down her face. What a sweet moment that was. Day 2 of the walk proved to be a little more challenging, but well worth it.
This picture is our family cheering us on at mile 20 on the 2nd day.

My moms high school girlfriend, flew down from Idaho just for the walk...

to show her support.

My cute sister in law Becky...getting ready to finish the 2nd day...

My mom and I....at the end of day 3.

Words can not express the love I have for this woman. She pushed herself to the limit....she never gave up...she kept moving...and in the end...finished, with her head held high.
As we walked through the finish line...we held hands and bawled like babies.

We did it! We made it! And we did it TOGETHER.

I am so proud of this woman.

When we crossed over the finish line...I looked for our family and couldn't find them. And then, all of a sudden, I see 2 little girls....Running towards us....carrying roses and the biggest smiles I've ever seen.

This whole weekend has been filled with so many different feelings, so many emotions. At the closing ceremonies, we all got to make the "final" walk onto the stage area where they honored 8 breast cancer survivors that had participated in the event. What truly amazing women they are!!!!

I will hold these events very close to my heart. I will remember the feelings I have felt...and I will continue, each and every day, to be PROUD of my mother and of Becky for accomplishing something so great. I will remember at the end of the ceremony, when my little Rebekkah came up to me....looked at me and started to cry. When I asked her what was wrong, this was her reply...

"Mommy, I'm so proud of you"

Happy Halloween....er something...

I knew that if I didn't get these pictures on here PRONTO, I would NEVER do it...

As most know, Halloween is my LEAST favorite holiday of the year....in fact, I'd be fine with just NOT having it....I guess I'm just not the typical "mom" when it comes to enjoying dressing up your kids.....I HATE IT!!!! Your lucky I get my daughters hair done in the morning...(which is usually just a ponytail!) Anyway....we were brave this year! Normally, we go to my parents house and sit outside and hang out with them, my brothers family, and my hubbys boss (he lives next door to my parents) This year we decided to STAY HOME!!! oooooohhhhh....shocker, I know! We chose to go to our wards trunk or treat, which we have NEVER done...and it actually wasn't too bad! Nathan's brother and his family came with us...turned out to be a pretty good time.

Walker was Piglet this year...I borrowed his costume from my friend down the street...YESTERDAY! ha!!!! (apparently my hubby didn't REALLY want his cute wife in the picture....GOSH!!!)

Rebekkah, the bee...Preston (cousin), Mr Tigger...and Abby the ladybug

(notice the lack of ACTUAL costume on my kids! Black leotard and headbands! YES!!! Although Rebekkah did have a good stinger hanging off her BUTT and Abby had wings, you just can't tell in the picture)
Kamee and Tucker, the peacock! He was so adorable!

Mr Walker, hanging out with the kids!!!

Why the Frustrations???!!!!

Ok, I totally feel like I'm losing it today. SO many darn frustrations that are just driving me crazy. First, foremost, and MOST DAMN IMPORTANT is the fact that I am running a 1/2 marathon in February and feel no where NEAR being ready. The few months I was "out of comission" really SCREWED me up and it makes me so mad!!!! I was running atleast 5 miles everyday and now it's only around 2-3. Yeah, that's not going to get me ready for a 13.1 mile race! HELLO!!! So what the crap is going on???!!! Secondly, I've got ANOTHER yeast infection...yes, yes, I know it's gross...but it's definitely on the top part of my frustration list, seeing as how this is the 4th month in a row that I've gotten one. UGH!!!! KILL ME NOW!!!! Lastly, I'm TIRED OF MESSES!!!! My house is a constant disaster area because my cute, loving, sweet, innocent little boy won't leave ANYTHING alone....ESPECIALLY the fake tree in the living room...which I keep finding either tipped over, or the "fake" grass stuff ALL OVER THE STINKING FLOOR!!!!!

Yikes, so there's my sob story. Hmm....the BEST part about today so far is that My hubby is home EARLY!!!! Yay for me!!!!

The FARM

So this year we gave Abby the choice of either getting presents for her birthday, or going to Schnepf Farms....she chose the FARM!! (which i'm glad, more fun anyway!) Here's your "typical" farm picture by the pumpkins, of Bethany (cousin), Abby and Rebekkah

Kids and dad on the lightning FAST train!!!
Walker and I hanging out during the train ride.

And the Best picture of the night, which made the trip SO WORTH IT!!! The roller coaster! They went on it, not kidding you, ATLEAST 15 times!!! They thought it was a blast and I couldn't stop laughing because they were so funny!!!! I thought that Abby wouldn't like it after the first turn, but I was mistaken! Obviously!!!!

Good Times Kids!!!!

Love It!!!

This is my amazingly beautiful, cute sister in law, with her amazingly beautiful, cute DAUGHTER!!!! This "gal" is one of my most favorite people to talk to. I called her today, see how things were going in Moab Country and just to chat.

I was telling her about this "gal"...my soon to be five year old (starting next week).
(Is she not the cutest??!!! ) Anyway, my sis gave me some GREAT advice today. I was telling her about my anxieties and sadness that is coming along with her turning five. I've always thought of her as "baby Abby" because she was exactly that for SO LONG!!! And the other day as I was doing her hair, I just looked at her... and realized that she was NO longer a baby. She was growing up and there was NOTHING I could do about it. (sniff, sniff)
My sis told me this, not to dwell in the sadness of her growing up, but to look at what a great stage of life that she is in! She's Five! Look at what she can do now!!! And so on and so on. I know that growing up is just a part of life!! And I can be happy for her and what she is experiencing now! So THANKS Jenny! Thanks for making me open my eyes a little bit!

Now that the weather has turned cooler (FINALLY!) Walker and I stroll down and pick Abby up from preschool. Usually she wants to ride her scooter home, but for some reason, today she just "wants to walk Mom"
So we're just walking...and I'm just watching her. Walking with such confidence, with her cool Pink backpack on her back. After a while I just blurted out...I love you Abby. She looks at me and gives me her smile of dimples...and says, I love you too. (Pauses for a minute) Then adds, and I love Rebekkah, Walker, Daddy...AND I love myself! It's good to love myself mom. It sure is Abby!! (let's hope she goes through her WHOLE life w/that attitude!)

Sock Fetish

Ummm, Yeah, so I know I just posted pictures about my son, but I was laughing too hard to not post these!! He's been carrying around a pair of my daughters socks for like 1/2 an hour!!! He's crawling all over with them, one in each hand!! SOMEONE has a definite problem!! HA!!!!

I Know, I Know

It has been a few weeks since I blogged, I Know!!! Everyone is just chomping at the bit as to what I will post next! (yeah right mm-hmm!) I guess I haven't been in the "blogging" mood, that or there just isn't anything EXCITING going on!!! So, When in doubt, post a picture of my cutey-patooty BOY!!!

Anniversary Date!!!!

So, I made arrangements for my dear mom and dad to watch our kids for us this weekend. So my husband and I could have a REAL date night for our anniversary!!!! I got all dressed up and EVERYTHING!!!! (which means, I actually wore makeup and NO hat! woohoo!!) We had a reservation at a resort over in Scottsdale, so we checked in and headed over to Carraba's (One of my fav's!! they have the BEST ceasar salad!) After dinner, we thought about catching a movie, but couldn't really decide. Where do you think we ended up at???!!!! (See next picture)

Can you believe it?!!! Sports Authority!! I laughed throughout the WHOLE store! Nathan thought I was crazy. I just couldn't help it! Here I am, all dressed up, and we end up at Sports Authority!! That's just totally us, oh well.
But the trip was WELL worth it! Because I got this watch, which I've been DYING to get for running. It keeps track of how far I've ran, what my speed is, my time...all that good stuff!! I'm so stoked!!!! (Oh and my chiro gave me the "thumbs up" to start running again!! YAY!!!!)

After the excitement of Sports Authority we dared to be adventurous AGAIN and eat Gelato for the first time. It was so good! I couldn't believe how rich it was...I got the smallest size (thinking why didn't I get the BIG one??) And I was barely able to finish the smallest one! It was definitely very yummy!

"Normal" people would sleep in Saturday morning and lounge around in their hotel room....Hmmm, but we aren't quite "normal" (obviously!) We love the outdoors and wanted to go hiking, So, we checked out of our room about 8:30 am and headed over to hike up Camelback Mountain...it was awesome and so much fun. It even rained on us a bit on the way up! This squirrel came and found us at the top, he was so funny, he kept coming back for bites of our granola bar!

Us at the top of Camelback (Notice the HAT is back! ha!!!)

Thanks for a GREAT weekend babe! I love ya!