SPT

"Home Sweet Home"

When my husband and I got married we were pretty poor. I had stopped working after I had my first daughter so we were trying to live on one income that at the time was not very much. We lived in Salt Lake City in an old, run-down apartment complex next to a refinery. I remember my Dad saying that sometime soon he thought we would be getting a house, and I thought he was crazy. Not too long after, my husband got a job offer in Las Vegas and we decided to move. A few months later we moved into our home, and we are still in it 6 years later. At the time we had one child and plenty of room. As more children have come, our house has seemed to shrink, but I truly could not be more grateful for it. As a child, we moved around a lot. Mostly within the same town, but from apartment to apartment. I did not mind it much, but now having lived in one place for a few years, I realize how nice it is. But looking back to the early years of our marriage I find that I was truly just as happy then as I am now. Granted, I prefer where I am living now, but my heart was just as full.

Father's Day

Before I met Eric I hadn't really given much thought to having kids. To me, children were an abstract concept that I wasn't sure would be a part of my life. That all changed when I met Eric. I instantly knew he would be an amazing Dad, because he was a truly amazing man. I remember thinking, I can't believe there are men out there like this. I knew he would be an amazing father, and I was right. He takes care of our family in every possible aspect. I would like to share a few of my favorite things about Eric as a father.

• He can answer all of the kids questions, no matter what they may be. I often say the words, "I'm not sure. Let's ask Dad when he gets home."
• He will walk Sadie (and Megan and Jackson when they were babies) around the house for hours, if needed, until she falls asleep.
• He has the patience to listen to 48 jokes in a row concerning bunnies. I am not exaggerating. Megan brought a book of bunny riddles home last week and Eric listened to each and every one.

• He cleans up bodily fluids. He knows I hate this, so if he is home he takes on bathroom duties.
• Kid noise (yelling, roughhousing, whining) do not seem to bother him. He lets our kids be kids.
• He takes the time to explain things to them, and to teach them the things they need or want to know. He always has time for them.

• He will play cars, build tracks, read books, and play games endlessly with the kids.
• When he comes home from work, he is always so happy and excited to see them. When he is home, his time is our time.
• And lastly, and what makes my heart the happiest, is that my kids will grow up knowing their Dad loves everything about them. Really, what could be better.

Eric, we love you and thank you for being everything a father can be.

Jackson Said

Jackson (talking to Sadie in a high-pitched voice): "You are the sweetest boy in the whole world."
Me: "Jackson, silly, you know Sadie is a girl."
Jackson: "I know Mom. That was Sadie talking to me."

Three For Thursday

There's not much to say about these pictures, they are just my 3 favorites from the last week.

SPT

"The Twilight's Last Gleaming"

Twilight is truly my favorite time of day. I love to be at home watching my kids play after the hot Las Vegas sun has gone down, but my favorite place to be during the twilight hour, is driving in the car. I love to be able to lean back, with my sunglasses off, and watch the scenery (mostly buildings, dirt, and desert) as we pass by. Everything always looks so clean and calm to me. What I think I will remember most about twilight from now on is taking this picture. I am sticking my head out of our sun roof, and trying to take a picture of myself while my husband drives as fast as he can down a fairly short road. We didn't just drive down this road once, we had to do it multiple times until I could get the picture I wanted. Not only did my kids keep asking me what I was doing, but there were also a good number of strangers around who probably thought I was crazy. It was worth it for the good laugh my husband and I were able to get. Doing SPT is really helping me get over any embarrassment issues I may have.

200

Today in her newsletter, Neighbor Jane Payne posted a list of 200 things in honor of her 200th newsletter. She invited anyone to re-post them on their blogs as a way of journaling. Just cut, paste, and bold the items you have done.

200 Have and Have Nots!

1. Touched an iceberg

2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
(When I visited the Statue of Liberty we were not allowed to)
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
(funerals, Dr.'s offices)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken a cold bath
(no-way-the hotter the better)
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster

(That's me in the front)

31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking

(mostly with my kids at home)

33. Adopted an accent just for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
(Wonder-Woman)
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
(No, but I was in Megan's yearbook last year, which excited me greatly)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest

Eric and I won for our Pilgrim and Indian costumes

63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Read and understood your credit report
68. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
(Chinese Jump Rope)
69. Bounced a check
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city just to start over
(Salt Lake, Las Vegas)
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
(120.00 in Mesquite last November)
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle

79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read the Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train

(On a train in Spain (I was 16))

123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
(Driver's License Anyone?)
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
(Thanks to my 6th grade gym teacher (Oh were going to a hookey-lau))
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
(In Mexico, when both Megan and I had the flu. Megan threw-up twice)
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Jackson The Gymnast

Today Jackson finished up the gymnastics classes he has been taking, so I thought I would share a few pictures. He was so well behaved in class. He listened so well and followed all directions. Why isn't he so perfectly behaved at home?

At the end of class all of the kids got to show their favorite activity. Jackson's favorite the first day was the handstand.

He also loved swinging on the rings. Really, who wouldn't?

Jackson had no fear, which enabled him to catch some major air while jumping.

It was such a fun class. I had such a blast being able to watch him do something he truly enjoyed.

Lastly, here is a video of Jackson doing his favorite activity from last week. He starts soccer on Monday, so hopefully he will enjoy it just as much.

SPT

Today starts a new month of challenges.

Tuesday June 3rd: The Emblem Of The Land I Love
Tuesday June 10th: The Twilight's Last Gleaming
Tuesday June 17th: My Home Sweet Home
Tuesday June 24th: Stars And/Or Stripes Forever

"The Emblem Of The Land I Love"

As a child I have very vivid memories of watching people on T.V. from Russia (or the U.S.S.R. as we called it back then), or any other number of foreign country coming to the United States and marveling that we could walk right into a grocery store and buy any item we wanted. I know things have changed in the last 25 years, but I think being able to walk into a giant warehouse store, past a sea of SUV's is pretty uniquely American. We like our food and cars to come in bulk size. Within a few miles of my home, we have a Costco, Sam's Club, 3 Wal-Mart's, a Vons, 2 Smith's, and one Lucky Grocery Store.

Suck - n - Slide

I think I may officially have a thumb sucker. I have never had one before, so I am not sure what I should do. She doesn't seem to do it to sooth herself, she just seems to like to chew on it. Should I just let her suck it? Or should I pull it out of her mouth?

Sadie doesn't eat solid food yet, but whenever we go to Zaba's to eat, she loves to chew on their cheese quesadillas. Luckily I had my camera with us this weekend, so I could document her love for Zaba's. She must take after me.

We also broke out the slip-n-slide this weekend. I loved it when I was a kid, and my kids do too. Eric and I were cleaning out the garage, or you can bet there would be pictures of us on it also. I know you all are upset that there aren't.

Flashback Friday

Recently I was going through some old postcards and letters I have received and came across two that reminded me of who I was was as a pre-teen.
Both postcards were sent by Marty. The first depicts a girl sitting in an extremely messy room. As a child I could not keep my room clean. I had no motivation, willingness or drive to live in a clean room. It was truly overwhelming for me. I didn't know where to start and it was so messy that I would get burned out way before I could finish.

If you read the back of the card you will see that it talks about when he saw this card he thought of me, and how my room was actually much worse. He was right. We won't go into the psychological reasons why my room was so messy, we will just be grateful that I grew out of it.
As a pre-teen I was also obsessed with professional wrestling. I watched it on T.V. and saw all of the greats wrestle in person (Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Macho Man Randy Savage, Brutus the Barber Beefcake). I loved it. Marty also sent me this postcard about the same time as the last one.

We can also be grateful I grew out of this stage.

Say Uncle

This weekend Eric' s brother Todd came to visit, which thrilled the kids (and Eric and I too, of course). Jackson has always loved playing with cars. Recently he has been playing on HotWheels.com every chance he gets. He also will spends hours in his room building tracks like the ones he has seen on Hot Wheels. So you can imagine how excited he was to have someone build a cool track with him. Here is some video of the track Todd built. I am sorry about the camera work, once it started filming it refused to zoom out, but you get the idea.

The Randall's also came over this weekend to make smores with us.

Who says you have to go camping to have smores? All you need is a kitchen table and some Sterno fuel.

Megan was actually pretending to eat a smore in this picture. Both Megan and Jackson dislike smores, but they do enjoy making them for Eric to eat.

SPT

Our final challenge for "wedding month" was to photograph something blue.

This is a necklace that I wear every day. I don't wear much jewelry but I rarely leave the house without this on.
And of course I couldn't forget about my all blue-eyed family. This picture was taken right before bed, so Sadie was mad and Jackson was being crazy. Nothing too unusual.

It's Here!!

A few weeks ago I won the "Pay It Forward" sweepstakes on my friend Amy's blog. I have been so excited to receive my gift because I know how talented and creative she is. I have been secretly hoping for an apron, and to my delight she sent me one. I love aprons! I wear one every time I clean and every time I cook. Could this one possibly be even cuter? I can't wait to break it in. Thank you Amy.



I will be having my own "Pay It Forward" contest soon, but due to the fact that I am not as talented as Amy and have very few crafting skills, I am still trying to think of something to send to my winners. I will keep you posted.

Wordless Wednesday

SPT

The "wedding month" challenges continue. This week it is time for something borrowed. I immediately knew what I was going to do for this challenge because I borrow something every night of my life. I go into my closet, to my husbands side, and pull out one of his t-shirts. They are my favorite things to sleep in. I always choose his oldest ones, because they are the softest. Don't you love a t-shirt that has been washed hundreds of times? He actually wore one the other day that I generally wear to bed, and my little boy asked him why he was wearing one of my shirts.


I also borrow almost every book I read. Either from the library or from friends. Here are the last 3 books I borrowed. For the record I enjoyed all of them. I had put off reading "Eat, Pray, Love" for quite a while, because for some reason I didn't think I would like it. I was wrong. I thought it was great.

For more information on SPT, click here.

Boys Night Out

Eric and Jackson headed out to Hidden Valley this weekend for the annual Father & Sons campout. Jackson has been so excited to go all week and has been counting down the days. Every morning he would tell me, "Only 7 more days until me and my Dad go camping." He had so much fun last year when they went to Mt. Charleston. This year he had fun too, but as you can see by this picture it wasn't exactly Mt. Charleston.

They were surrounded by dirt, and it was pretty hot. Luckily Jacksons good friend Eli came, so they had a lot of fun playing together. Look at their red cheeks. They weren't sunburned, they were just red from the heat.

As I said before Jackson was really excited to go. However, that sweet little part of him was concerned all week that Megan wasn't going. Whenever we would talk about the campout he would always tell me in a sad voice that Megan really wanted to go camping too. We explained that it was just for boys, and we could all go camping sometime as a family. He said okay, but I still know he felt bad for Megan that she couldn't go. He is such a loving boy. By the way, Megan didn't really want to go. She would never willingly hang out with so many boys.

WHY??

Sadie has been plagued with numerous colds in her short life. I blame it on her being born in January. So for the first 4 months of her life I had her sleeping in her car seat, since when she slept flat in her crib she would get so stuffed up she could barely breathe.


She has been cold free for a couple of weeks, so I finally decided she needed to learn to sleep in her crib. I have been dreading it, because I anticipated many sleepless nights ahead of me. So we tried it, and to my surprise she seemed to have no problems. I was so excited. I could hardly believe my luck. Fast forward 2 days later when she decided to switch up her night time routine. You may have heard me brag about her sleeping through the night at a young age, but those days seem to be over. She is now waking up every 2 to 3 hours, and I am not enjoying it. I fear it is becoming a habit. Any advice?

SPT

We are continuing on with the "wedding month" challenges.

Last week was something old, and this week is something new. This challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to do something that I have wanted to do for a very long time. Practically everyone I know gets their eyebrows waxed. In the 30 years I have been alive, I have never touched mine. That's right, not even with a tweezer. When I went to get it done, the lady kept asking me who did mine before (because as she said, "They didn't do a very good job"). She also told me I had to stop plucking my right one more than my left. I explained to her that I had never had my eyebrows waxed, nor had I ever plucked them, but she looked at me like she didn't believe me. I would also like to say that my friend, Rachael, told me that it didn't hurt, but that is completely untrue. It did hurt.

Before

After

Now that I am comparing the two photos I think I look better in the before photo. However, I think it is probably because my eyes look swollen from the waxing, and they had been watering quite a bit. Now that it has been a few days I am happy with the results. Only time will tell if I decide to keep it up.

Flashback Friday-Mother's Day Edition

For this Flashback Friday I am celebrating my Mom. She is not only a kind-hearted, loving, and supportive Mom, but she is also incredibly funny. We obviously have a shared history, and with that comes stories and experiences that are uniquely ours. By saying one word or phrase, I can be reduced to hysterical laughing. I am surprised by how many pictures I have where I am laughing uncontrollably while sitting next to my mom. So for this Flashback Friday I am going to share three of me laughing, that were all taken at different Christmas's.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!! I Love You!!