I'm Back... with news!

    Hey there! It has been quite awhile. Wow. Didn't think I would be gone this long. But man it was nice. I don't think I was on the computer for more than 30 minutes a week! Crazy, right? Just checked email then checked off. It was kind of refreshing. Although I did miss everything I love about the Internet... blogging, blog stalking, my blog reader... Well, anything blog related really. It makes me feel connected to the world. But I have to admit that it was nice to disconnect for a couple of months. Take a deep breath and come back feeling so happy to be here.

    I thought I would wait until I had something really great for you to read. And well, this is the best that I can come up with... We are expecting baby #4 in June! We just found out that it is a little GIRL and we couldn't be more excited. I have been sure that it is a girl. I've been telling people that we weren't going in for the ultrasound to find out what it was, we were just going for confirmation. But I will admit that as we sat in the waiting room waiting for my name to be called the panic started to hit me. What if I was wrong and it was a boy? So I told Steve that if it was a boy he wasn't coming out. He had to stay in there. Steve of course just laughed and told me I would love this little baby just as much as if it were a girl. He said how could I not want another little boy like Cache who is so happy to see you when you get him out of bed and is so anxious to give you a kiss? Or a little Crew who wants you to cuddle with him before he goes to sleep? I knew he was right. Who wouldn't? But it wasn't that part that I was dreading. It was dealing with another Hemophiliac. Three in a row is more than my mind can even imagine. I just knew I couldn't do it right now. Luckily, someone else agreed with me and has sent us a healthy little girl. I am so grateful. 

    So this blessing is being greatly celebrated at our house! I almost want to have a party! (but I'm too tired) Wahooo! We'll shout for joy instead! But this little lady isn't all sunny sky's and rainbows. She has really thrown me through a loop! I have been so very sick this time around. It has been a new experience for me having to deal with this nausea and dry heaving all throughout the day for weeks on end. It was so hard trying to keep this a secret when I wanted to die most of the time. Let's not forget that I gained more weight in my first trimester than I care to divulge. Want to die kind of weight. Amounts of weight that had me asking, If I'm already this big at 10 weeks whats going to happen in the next 30??? Seriously nervous about it. Although both the sickness and the crazy weight gain has subsided in the last few weeks. Thank heavens. I am starting to feel good. Like really good. Today is even better. Most of my worry is gone and I haven't felt sick in a long while. So the happy days are ahead. Heck, we are living them!

  As for the rest of our lives we have been playing hard. Doing so many things I can't begin to list them. But I have been taking pictures of most of it so I plan to blog about it. Stay tuned. It feels good to be back! I hope there are still a few people out there who care what we are doing, if not... no big deal, it feels good to write it all down. See you soon!

Ps. Any girl name suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We are at a standstill. Unless Repunzel sounds good to everyone out there. Reagan has given her this name and I am trying to come up with something she might like better. Please help!

Signing out for a bit...

I keep thinking I am going to update this blog, I mean really update it, but it's just not happening. Each day I think today I'm going to post on the blog. But then it doesn't happen because all of my computer time is currently going to my clients.

This is always my busiest time of year with picture taking, but this year is out of the water. I have 2 to 3 sessions a week. And although that doesn't seem like much when you just think about taking their pictures, it is craziness when you realize the amount of hours I have to put in for each session behind the scenes.

I've been getting questions and hints from those who love us wanting to know what we are up to and wanting us to post on here. I know! I want to post things too! But time is not willing. The goal is to get everything updated after this busy season ends. Focus on the fam's pictures, give them my computer time. So, I hope you will all understand as you see this little blog of mine go quiet for a bit. Don't give up on me! I'll be back before you know it!

Love you all!

"Tiffany" Bridal shower for the best!

I have been waiting to throw this shower for way too long! But boy did I have a great time planning it when the time finally came along! Erin got married! It's true. And I think it was worth the wait! She found a fantastic guy who is living out their dreams with her. I am so happy to see Erin so happy. She truly deserves it and I wish them both all the best!

Here is the happy girl...

I've known Erin for a long time. We met our Sophomore year in college and it must have been meant to be because we were instant friends. In the weirdest of situations, we just clicked and have been great friends every since. Knowing Erin so well, I know that she loves things that sparkle. Erin truly has a taste for the finer things in life. So the theme of the shower was "Breakfast at Tiffany's" All things diamonds and all things sparkle! Let's not forget waffles, bacon, sausage, fruit, whipped cream, homemade syrup, milk and orange juice. It really was so much fun to put together. I had so many ideas and had to narrow it down. Luckily I thought it turned out pretty cute! Plus I think Erin liked it, which was a bonus.

We opened presents, which is always fun, especially when you have a bunch of girls who have been around the block before.

Each guest went home with their very own Tiffany Box and ring. We also enjoyed a few cake pops and cupcakes cause what is a shower without treats?

Here are the original 4! We were roommates back in the day for about 3 years. If we weren't in the same apartment we lived across the hall. Love them all. Me (please ignore my crazy pale skin), Erin, Janelle, Jessica.

I'm so happy for you Erin! Your wedding was a dream and I hope your future is too! Love you!

Bedroom Redo

This is something else we've been spending a lot of time on this summer. This is the only room in our house that we haven't touched since we moved in 6 years ago. There are rooms that I've painted 2 times, but my poor room was left alone. I think it was because I didn't know what I wanted to do there and therefore didn't do anything.

Then, for Christmas, my parents gave me this beautiful chair and I really wanted to put it in my room. My room isn't very big so the chair was a tight fit, but I love the chair and that was a place I could look at it every day without worrying if my kids were going to get it dirty. So I started plans for the bedroom redo.

I found that the colors of the chair were a really hard color pallet. I couldn't find a bedspread that I loved so time continued to pass without any changes. Then we decided to put in a new window because I knew I was done with the storm window. The chair had to be moved downstairs while the window was put in.

Well... while the chair was in my living room I found that I sat in it a lot more. I also found that my kids didn't really care about it and pretty much left it alone. I also realized that it matched my living room! I wouldn't have to change a thing! So I decided that the chair would stay there. I have loved this choice. But that left my bedroom still not finished and completely back to square one.

Steve and I looked and looked at pictures of bedrooms to decide what we wanted to do. He found a picture of the wall paneling and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he liked it and thought we should do it! We lucked out and were able to have Steve's brother, John put up the panelling and all I had to do was the caulk and paint. The process was forever because I never seemed to have the chunk of time required to get it done. But finally I did and I love it!

I'm thinking it might be fun to try and build a padded/fabric headboard... What do you think?

A little something

Just a little something to brighten your day!

Happy Birthday Baba

Today we are celebrating the birth of who I believe to be the best husband, who Reagan, Crew and Cache believe to be the best dad, who Hugo and Anina believe to be the best baby boy, who Bryant and Lana believe to be the best son-in-law, and who everyone else who know him believe to be the best all around friend.

Happy Birthday to my best friend. A person who cares so much about others that it makes me tired sometimes, but better for it. Someone who is fully invested in doing what is right no matter the challenge. A man who is good, honest, loving and happy. You are the first person I want to see and talk to in the morning and the person I keep up at night listening to my ramblings. Thank you for being you...

And thank you for being born!

We love you!

Music Man

I thought it was probably time to post about my experience with the Music Man play I participated in along with some amazing people in my stake. I really don't know where to begin. I said a lot about our crazy rehearsals and what seemed like endless hours preparing for this show. What else is there to say?

Well, I can tell you that I was exhausted by the day we started the actual performances. I was also extremely excited and nervous. I couldn't wait for them to be over and at the same time I didn't want it to end. I don't know how else to explain it. I was a ball of confusion. So many rehearsals had led to that weekend in March, we were so ready, I was so ready, but at the same time I didn't know what I was going to do with myself when it ended. What would happen to these wonderful relationships I had been growing over the last few months? What will I do with the time that once was taken by Music Man? Is all of this work even going to be worth it in the end?

Well, the performance came and it was all I was hoping it would be. It was real, it was fun, people were actually laughing at the jokes I had forgotten were funny. And that's another thing... people actually came! It was amazing to look out into this amazing and really big theater and see so many people. People who took the time away from so many other things I'm sure they could have been doing to support me and all of the other cast members. That was so great. I can't tell you how grateful I am to those who came to the show. Thank you again, if I haven't done it enough already. It meant the world to me to have you there. I hope you all know that.

As for the worries I had about it coming to an end, well I did make some incredible friends during this experience. Friendships that I am sure wouldn't have even happened if it weren't for the play. I was so worried that these would somehow disappear without Music Man holding us together, but I am so happy to say that we have been able to go on with out it. I have received the sweetest notes, thoughtful little gifts, and much appreciated phone calls saying hello or touching base. I have run into some at stores and have felt such excitement at getting to stop for a minute and hear how they are doing. I feel like there is this whole group of people out there who I love and who love me. I may not get to talk to or see them every day but they are there and that is enough. (I can't wait for the next reunion in May. Yep, we're having a reunion already! Love it!). And all that time I thought I would have on my hands? Who am I kidding? I didn't have time before the play and I don't have time after. It seems my life was just put on hold for 3 months while I was in the play and the minute it was over my life started right up again. Didn't miss a step. I'm grateful and sad for that. Wish I could have breathed for at least one second, but glad not to feel sorry for myself with no friends or things to do. And I will say IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT IN THE END! So glad I did this. Good and bad, I am better for it, Steve and I are better for it. The end.

Steve brought our camera on the last day, I just kept forgetting it. He was our official picture taker. We don't have a lot and none of me and all of the pick-a-little ladies which makes me sad. I was hoping to get some of those pictures from the other ladies but I don't want to wait any more. I'll post them if I get them.

My very purple Pick-A-Little Lady costume

Julie and I. The other "young one"

Ashlee, Justin and one of the traveling salesman. Gotta love the make-up

This is the only picture I have of Steve and I. Sad, I know. We did the best we could. I think I should let you in on a little secret, Steve learned how to put on his own make-up during this whole production. That isn't something every guy can say. I think he should be proud, he doesn't agree.

Nancy (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn) and I. One of my absolute most favorite people. Love that I got to know her.

Lots of pictures of me. Thanks Steve.

Having a little too much fun with the camera. Steve and Brandon.

Joan and I. Another amazing woman who I wish I could be more like.

Me, me, me

My two selves...

Sometimes I feel like I am two different people. I am a mother and caretaker of my family. I cherish this role and feel the weight of the responsibility of being a mother weighing on my shoulders each and every day. I feel like I am trying so hard to make my children always act a certain way, or do just the right things. I want them to only use the most polite, kind and reverent tones when they speak. I want them to always think of others before themselves, to give what they have to those who don't. Basically I want them to be perfect. Obviously they are not perfect. Far from it, really. They are learning and growing and testing the water. They push and pull and play and yell. They are children and they act as such. I find myself trying so hard to make them who I want them to be and I'm failing, getting frustrated and angry. I am mad and sad and worried.

Then there is this other person. A girl who doesn't show her face very often. I got a glimpse of her yesterday and it was so nice to see her. My mom had the kids as I had a photo session. I was doing something I love that is just for me and it felt good. After the session I drove around town, music blasting, singing at the top of my lungs, thinking this feels really good! I went home and cleaned up the house to more good music then sat in my favorite chair and read a few chapters of a good book, the house more quiet than I can remember. It felt so good! I felt so good! This part of me seems hide far away when the other part comes out to run the house. I thought to myself as I drove back to get my kids from my moms house, why can't I be this person more often with my kids? I decided I really want to be the me that feels good, has fun and sings out loud with my kids. I still want them to be their very best selves. I want them to be kind and thoughtful. But I also want me to have a happier experience with them while they are young and still mine.

So, this is for you, self that hides away unless I am alone. COME OUT AND PLAY! I want you here, and I really think my kids do too!

I am grateful...

I just wanted to take a minute and write down a few things that I am grateful for today...

~ My husband. For always trying to make our marriage better. For never pointing fingers and making me feel special and beautiful and totally worthwhile. For supporting me in the millions of things that I aspire to do and create. For all that he does around the house and with our family to help and aid in my many ambitions. For seeing all of my faults, flaws and weaknesses and loving me anyway.

~ My mom. For always being willing to help me out with my kids when I need to get something done. For taking the time to walk with me almost everyday so I that I can actually get some exercise (I really couldn't do it without her). For listening to me talk and ramble. It's nice to have an adult hear what I am thinking and not just children under the age of 4.

~ Chips and Salsa. Silly you say? I think not! So many diverse choices an endless pursuit to find the perfect mix! They make my mouth happy.

~ My photography. For having an outlet for my creativity. For having a way to create a small supplement to our household income. For finding something that I truly love and finding that I'm not too bad at it. For feeling that yearning to learn and grow and become better. For getting the opportunity to meet so many new people and make them smile for a little while.

~ For my Heavenly Father. For knowing that he is watching and understanding all that I am going through. For being able to pray to him and feel his comfort all around me. For the encouragement and hope that his teachings bring. For not expecting me to be perfect but hoping that I will try to be and do my best.

I am truly a lucky girl and I hope I always remember that.

Thank you

Last week I went out on a limb and posted about my New Year's Resolutions that I made for myself in 2010. I really debated whether or not I wanted to put that kind of personal information out there for the world to see, but I decided I wanted to do it for me. I wanted to remember how hard it was and how close I came. I didn't want to forget.

What I didn't expect was the most thoughtful and caring comments from my wonderful friends. So I wanted to take a minute and say "Thank you". Thank you for taking the time to make me feel special and loved. Thank you for encouraging me to keep at it and try to be better this year. Mostly, thank you for thinking of me. It is wonderful to know that there are people out there who are trying to make it through this big world just like me and I don't have to do it alone. I love you all!

Thank you!

Resolutions

2010 was the first year that I actually made and wrote down New Year Resolutions. I have always said in my head things that I would like to do or change for the New Year, but never have I made it so permanent. Last year I went all out. I think Steve was a little worried that I was becoming a bit obsessed about it, but I needed to do that to make it stick for me. To make it real. I needed to mean it and really want it. I made a list of 10 things that I wanted to better in myself, I made a folder with a calendar to document my success, and really went for it.

So here we are, one year later, and I need to account for my resolutions. Did I do it? Did I succeed? Well, yes and no. I am pretty guarded about the things that I want. I don't know why. Maybe I'm afraid that if I don't achieve these things you will look at me differently. Or maybe you'll think less of me. Or maybe it will paint a different picture than you already have of me. I don't know. But what do I have to hide? I really want to write these things down, here, where it stays, and I print it. So try not to think badly of me. I'm going to write all of my resolutions from 2010 and give you an update of where I am today. Don't judge me;)!

2010 Goals

1 - Go on a vacation with just Steve and I. Minus the kiddo's.

- we totally did this! Steve and I went on a cruise in September. It was so fun and did exactly what I was hoping it would for us. I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband.

2 - Get a new Nikon D700 Camera and try to schedule 3 sessions a month for Sarah D Photography

- I did get this awesome camera! I LOVE it! Best purchase of the year. As for the 3 sessions a month, well, I had 37 sessions this year. They weren't all evenly dispersed throughout the year, but I would say that is pretty good none-the-less.

3 - Do something fun with my children every day

- this turned out to be more tricky than I thought it would be. I have to be honest and tell you that we didn't do something super fun every day. My thought behind this was that I would spend some quality time with them every day, plan an activity or something, and invest in our relationship. Although we didn't do something fun every day, I do feel like I have a fun relationship with my kids. We also did a lot of fun things that we probably wouldn't have done if it weren't for this goal.

4 - Stabilize my schedule - balance family, kids, photography & myself

- I really hoped I would have this down by the end of the year. That scheduling and time management would be second nature. Unfortunately that isn't the case. There were times when everything went just as I had planned and times when things were completely forgotten. I did get myself a planner and that has made a world of difference. Thank you planner.

5 - Be a size 8!

- that may seem like a silly goal to some of you. Who wants to be a size 8? I know that most of you would never dream of even getting that big, let alone try and lose weight to become that size, but that is not the case for me. I'm really putting myself out there, but I'll give it to you straight. Weight is not easy for me. Duh. Who is it easy for? In February of 2010 I had a baby. I gained more during this pregnancy than either of my other two. My doctor warned me that it gets harder and harder to lose with each baby, but I couldn't seem to keep it under control. So, I made this goal. I really wanted to reach this goal. It was probably my #1 resolution this year. At my six week mark after I had Cache, I stepped on the scale to see the damage.  I weighed 184 pounds and was a size 16. I can't believe I just wrote that down. It's true. I was not happy with myself. I was so distraught with the number on the scale that for a couple of months I couldn't get myself motivated to do anything about it. I thought my goal was out the window. How could I drop 8 sizes? Couldn't be done. But a friend of mine started to make changes in herself and started losing weight. She really went after it and you could see the difference. I was so happy for her. And I realized that I really wanted it for myself. So I recommitted myself and went for it. For 3 months I was rigid. I wanted to look good for the cruise and for myself. My hard work paid off! I was able to fit into a size 11 by the cruise and weighed 154 pounds. That was HUGE for me! I lost 30 pounds! I honestly couldn't believe it. Since the cruise I haven't been so dedicated. I wish I would have been. Today I am a size 10 and I weigh 151 pounds. Pretty good for me. I am sad to say that I am not a size 8 but so happy with what I have accomplished. I have been thinking about this goal a lot over the last couple of weeks and I think it may be on my 2011 resolution list, we'll see!

6 - Feel the Spirit regularly

- in 2009 I felt like I wasn't getting opening myself up to the Spirit like I wished I would have. So I was determined to make the Spirit a part of my very being. I wanted to feel it with me all the time. I know that might be impossible, but it is what I was striving for. I can't say that I feel the Spirit all of the time, but I can say that this year was incredibly better than 2009. Just thinking about this past year I can name a lot of times that I know the Lord touched my life. I love my Heavenly Father and hope that this is something I will work on every day for the rest of my life.

7 - Add $10,000 to our savings

- I didn't reach this goal. This is something that I really wanted but didn't take the necessary steps to make happen. I can say that we have more in our savings that we did last year, but we didn't hit the $10,000 mark.

8 - Craft all birthday gifts for family and friends

- Oh, I had ambitions to be crafty this year! I am so sad to say that I didn't craft all of my gifts. I did with some, but not all. The downside, I learned, is that it can cost a lot more to home make a gift than to buy one sometimes. That realization made me sad. I think I need to revisit this resolution and tweak and mold it into a more realistic and viable goal.

9 - Do 1 act of service every week.

-  this was a great goal for me. I find that I am happiest when I am thinking of others and this goal helped me to be more happy. I had a hard time coming up with something different to do every week, so when I couldn't think of something creative or didn't know anyone in particular that needed something I purchased little personal Simply Raspberry Lemonade's and delivered them to people. I would pray and ask who might need a pick me up or who I needed to focus on and I would take the lemonade to them. Sometimes I gave it to someone I had just seen or talked to, other times it would be someone I hardly knew. I don't know if anyone even cared about the lemonade's but I can tell you that it was fun and exciting for me and it forced me to open my ears and my heart to those around me and I was better for it.

10 - Have a clean home

- I had this vision in my mind of our home staying clean and fresh. With no toys in sight and nothing on the floor. Everything would have a place and nothing would ever be left out. I thought I would take control of this issue and make it happen. This is my saddest report of all. I just couldn't do it. There were days that were good but I am sure that was because my wonderful husband did the dirty work. Right now my desk is a mess. Stacks of paper everywhere. The room behind me has toys strewn about. This is something I wish I were better at. I somehow let life always get in the way of my perfect home. I hope to one day create this quality of great cleanliness in myself.

So this was my 2010. I wasn't perfect with my resolutions, but I am better than I was a year ago and I consider that an accomplishment. I am working on 2011 resolutions and plan on posting them here so I can hold myself to them. Goodbye 2010 hello 2011! Here's to a New Year!

Happy SIX years, Baba!

Today marks 6 years since the day my best friend and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple. Our time together has been filled with so many things. Happy, sad, funny, embarrassing, joyous, heartbreaking, shocking and exciting. Things I never could have dreamed we would go through together and things I always dreamed we would.

I have said this a lot of times before, but today I am reminded again of how lucky I am to have found such a great guy, find out that he loves me and wants to spend his life and more with me, and then actually get to live this life with him. We have 3 beautiful children, a wonderful home and more than we could ever need. Together we have built this life. It's not always perfect, actually it rarely is, but somehow through all the craziness, the lack of time, the busy schedules and many commitments, we find a way to come together. To support each other. To lift and listen and care.

So thank you, Baba. Thank you for hearing me when I don't say anything at all. Thank you for knowing just what I need and helping me get it. Thank you for making me better than I ever could be alone. Thank you for showing me the best way to be happy. I love you more today than ever before. For the person you were when you took me to the Temple, and for the person you have become as we have been together. I admire and love you. Happy #6.

As I looked for a picture of Steve and I alone, I couldn't find one. Then I realized that Steve and I aren't ever Steve and I. We are a family of 5. Attached to our limbs are 3 little ones who cling to our livelihood and need every ounce of time and attention we have. We have been given a gift that we talked and dreamed of having together. I felt it only appropriate to have a picture of all of us on this special day. This is Steve and I on our Sixth Anniversary. How very lucky we are!

Swap Party

Think back... way back... to February. I had just had a little baby and was spending every minute at home caring for this little one and getting used to the life of a mother of 3. One highlight of my day was watching Studio 5. Some of you may be rolling your eyes, and some of you  may be relieved your not the only one, but I will admit that Studio 5 was a much anticipated quiet time during the day.

The reason I tell you this is because one of these days way back in February Studio 5 did a segment on something I had never heard of before, a Swap Party. I had no idea what this was but was really interested. A bunch of women got together had a fabulous party and didn't spend any money! I wanted in. I kept thinking about this party as time went by and I was staying in with my baby bundle and wondering what people in the outside world were doing. I thought how fun that would be for ladies that I know to get together and swap our hearts out.

I knew this wasn't something I could do on my own. I had three little ones and although I enjoy throwing a party, the last time I had to do one myself I was completely stressed out and didn't want to feel that kind of pressure again in my life. So I mentioned the idea to my fabulously creative neighbor Ashlee, hoping she would think it was a fun idea too, and she agreed to throw one with me! Wahoo!

Months went by and nothing ever came of our Party. I remember switching my calendar to September and realizing that if we were really going to do this we had to set a date. I called Ashlee and she agreed. The soonest we were able to agree on was November. We wanted to make the party fun, one that the girls would want to be a part of so we set off to make the invitations one of a kind. I think we succeeded...

Since we were pretty sure that no one had heard of this party before, we had to include a lot of information in the invitations. Ashlee did such a great job getting the information looking fabulous and I tried to package it to match.

After a lot of anticipation and worries that it may not go as well as we had hoped, the day finally came and so did the ladies. Only 3 of 20 weren't able to come so we were so happy with the turnout. We served yummy cupcakes and delicious juice. Mmmmm...

A party is only as good as the people who come. At least that is my opinion. And this party was awesome! The girls brought some fabulous gifts and I think everyone had a really great time! Thank you all for coming and making this night so much fun!

I think we'll do this again next year. Start looking for something to swap now...

November ~ A Season of Gratitude

(I wrote this post for my journal blog but thought you might enjoy it or relate so I thought I would share...)

My life feels like this picture.

Everything in it is beautiful and in its perfect place. I just want to sit and stare at all of the little things that come together to make it as beautiful as it is. I find myself stopping and staring at it all in complete wonder. How can something be so amazing? How did it all come to be? And how did I get so lucky to be a part of it?

But at the same time it is very crowded. There are a lot of things blocking the view to what lies beyond. There are small little things that together create big walls hiding what is past them. There are big things that stand tall and in the way. But they are all pretty and are there because God put them there and that is where he wants them. Every once in awhile I can find a little window that allows me to glimpse what lies beyond all of the clutter that is directly in front of me. I see more beauty. But I also see more small and tall things all around. It seems to go on forever.

My life feels like this picture.

I have a beautifully wonderful life. It is full of people whom I love and who love me. It is busy with lots of distractions and then there are moments that make me stop and stare and remember that I am one of the luckiest people in the world because I have this amazing life. Everything is in my life for a reason. God has led me down this path and is constantly placing opportunities around me to help me grow and succeed. He is opening doors to help and lift those around me all the while he is leading others to help and lift me.

It is easy to get lost in the endless tree's, leaves and branches that surround my everyday life. And sometimes when I get a glimpse of what lies ahead for me I realized that the trees, leaves and branches are endless, and will always be there to distract and steal my attention. But they are also the things that make my life so beautiful. They mark where I've been and how I have become who I am. They are waiting for me to get to them, to challenge me and show me something new. I am so grateful that I am me! That I know Heavenly Father has held my hand throughout my life and guided me where he knows I need to be. I am thankful for the big tree's and the small leaves that have glittered my path. I am thankful for a Savior who has picked me up when I have tripped.

November is a season of gratitude and I hope I can remember all the things that I have to be thankful for.

Cruisin

About 6 weeks ago Steve and I embarked on a trip we had been planning for about 8 months. And by planning I mean talking about and scouring the internet for cheap prices. We finally found what we felt like was the best deal out there and seized it! We begged everyone we knew to join us on this fabulous vacation, but there just weren't any takers. So, as sad as we were to be doing this trip alone, we were so excited to go!

We decided to go on a cruise. We talked about doing a lot of different things. There are a lot of places back east that we have wanted to visit and we had saved up our frequent flyer miles to be able to go anywhere we wanted, but ultimately we wanted to go somewhere where just about everything was prepaid. That way we could go and enjoy ourselves without having to worry about money. I'm so glad we did it that way. The cruise was perfect! We relaxed, ate, took naps, wandered the boat, ate, laughed at other people making fools of themselves on the boat, ate, watched movies, ate. It was so great! Here are some pics from the trip...

Steve and I on the deck

Our first stop was Key West. We had never been there before and I loved it! It was so clean! It had all of the cheap shops that you expect on the islands but as you walked further inland you found all the same kinds of shops that we find here at home, only they will barter with you! It was crazy! We saw a lot of interesting fun things...

The Green Parrot Bar is a local favorite. They regularly have big name bands or singers come and preform.

I was in love with the feel of this island. It was so charming and quaint. The houses were beautiful and so was the property. Everywhere I looked the homes were well taken care of and just beautiful!

LOVED Key West. I hope we can go there again someday.

The next day we stopped at Cozumel. I have been here before on a previous cruise, but it had been a long time and when we were there we visited the Mayan Ruins. We didn't do that this time. Instead Steve and I rented a scooter and drove around the outskirts of the island stopping at beaches along the way. We found one that we really liked and stayed for awhile. It was so beautiful. We were worried because a hurricane had hit this island only about 4 days before we had arrived, but the weather was perfect and so was the water!

I don't know if any of you have been on a cruise. But one thing about cruises is you eat. Even if you haven't been on a cruise, you probably knew that. There is food ALL of the time. There are about 3 or 4 different eating areas that are serving food at various times throughout the day. Steve grows a third stomach in preperation for the cruise, and I am not kidding. On a normal day Steve has 2 stomachs. The man eats like a monster and still has the body of an 18 year old body builder. Lucky him, and lucky me ;). When we go on a cruise his eating is like nothing you have ever seen before. He generally orders 2 appatizers, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. Not only does finish all of this food, but he usually finishes everything I don't eat as well. It is amazing! I encourage everyone to witness this amazing feet. Seriously, he deserves some kind of award.

Dinner on the cruise is a special event. Everyone has assigned seating and dining rooms. Because it was just Steve and I we were sat at a table with another couple. No seat remains empty in the dining room. We were kind of nervous about this. Who were we going to be sat with? We were completely lucky! The first night we went to dinner we sat waiting nervously for the other people at our table to show up. We secretly hoped no one would so we could have the table to ourselves. Or if they did show up and it didn't go well, we knew we could just go to one of the other 3 buffet areas for the remainder of the cruise for dinner. Well, neither of the above two options happened. The couple assigned to sit with us DID show up, and they were awesome! We couldn't have had a better time! We were lucky to be paired with Stacey and Justin. They were just about our age, from North Carolina, and were so much fun to be with. We laughed through our first dinner and knew we would be back the next day for another fun night. We had such a great time with them that we ended up spending the rest of the evening with them going to the show, the dance club, and wandering the boat. It was great! Each day was the same. Steve and I did our own thing during the day, met Stacey and Justin for dinner, and went to the evening activities with them. It couldn't have worked out better. I feel like we now have these new friends across the continent. Pretty cool.

As I have explained, dinner is a very big deal. You sit in the same seat every night and you have the same waiters and waitresses. They serve you everynight and it is fun to get to know them. We had a great group of people helping us. They would bring us things that they knew we would want even if we didn't order it. They were awesome! Another fun thing about the cruise.

The cruise was just what we needed. We took a nap everyday. We layed by the pool, we ate a lot of yummy food, we saw some beautiful islands and beaches, we relaxed, Steve people watched, I read books, we met some great people, we slept. It was perfect. I can't wait for the next one! Can it be next month??? Maybe???

Steve and I in our little room

Reasons I love Steve...

I was cleaning out some things this afternoon and came across an old scripture tote I used to use when I was in college. It is pretty worn so I decided it was time to chuck it. No one would want this anymore and I have moved on to other church bags. So before I gave it the big heave-ho I started looking through the different compartments to take out any pens or other things that might be important to me. To my pleasant surprise I found a sheet of paper titled "Reasons I Love Steve"

Years ago, when Steve and I were dating, or were we engaged? I'm not quite sure. Either way, the summer we fell in love I remember sitting in church making a list of things that I loved about Steve. I don't know if it was boredom that brought me to make the list, or simply that I didn't want to forget, maybe I wanted confirm all these flooding emotions that I had and validate all I was feeling. I remember adding to the list each Sunday, I was always finding new things that I loved about him. That still continues today. Wow. How long would the list be now? I should start another one!

 

 

I wanted to write down all the reason's I had on this paper so I didn't forget and could refer to it often. So, reasons I love Steve...

His thoughtfulness and consideration

He is a hard worker

His huge heart

He is good with kids

The way he treats other people

He is a fix-it guy

His cute butt!

He is good with computers

His humble attitude

Relationships are important to him

He is always happy

He is so fun

He loves me

He introduced me to Bear Lake

He honors his priesthood

He makes me feel beautiful

He respects me

He eats the food I cook

He always tries to do what is right

He has an amazing quiet dignity

He lets me wear his sweatshirts

His beautiful eyes

He holds me when I am sad

His knowledge of the gospel

He knows my favorite candy bar

His strong testimony

He loves his family

He makes my stomach flip

He can take me to the temple

His patience

He fulfills his calling

He is giving

His priorities are right and good

He opens the door for me

I feel his love for the lord by how he loves others

He is outgoing and upbeat

He wants me to be happy

He calls me Baba

He plays with my hair and tickles my back

He accepts all that I am

He is always doing for others

He is smart

He has everything going for him

And... he loves me! (did I say that already?)

Reading through this list makes me smile. I still love all of these things about Steve and so many more.

LOVE YOU BABA!

The Lion King

(photo curtesy of Gene)

Last night Steve and I took my parents to see The Lion King at the Capitol Theatre. Well, technically they were driving, but we gave my dad tickets for his birthday back in March. So we have been waiting what seems like FOREVER to actually get to see the musical.

The Lion King has a special place in my heart. Not because it is amazing, and it is, or because it is a favorite childhood movie, which it also is, but because Steve and I saw this musical on our honeymoon in New York just shy of 6 years ago.

As we were sitting there watching this amazing production, I couldn't help but think back to when we saw it the last time. I remembered all those feelings of being newly married. Sitting next to the man I loved. And being in NYC! It was completely amazing and unbelievable.

Steve had surprised me with our honeymoon. I had thought that we were going to Jackson Hole. Then, as we approached the counter to check in our bags the gal at the desk asked us where we were traveling today. I quickly answered Jackson Hole and Steve quickly corrected me with New York. I looked at him in utter shock! What? We are going where??? I was beyond excited. This man knew me. I think I fell in love all over again in that second. (If there was any more love to have felt, that is. I was already pretty in love).

Our honeymoon couldn't have been more perfect. Hotel in Times Square. Walks in Central Park. Visiting all the sights. Sacs Fifth Avenue at Christmas time. The lights, the snow. It was perfect. The Lion King was one of the major highlights of the trip. We had fabulous seats and the show was of course amazing. I loved sharing that with him.

Last night was no different. The production was so fun. I think I was even more entranced this time than I was last time. Such beautiful backdrops and costumes. Such great acting. And I got to share it with my baba.

A fun night. A night to remember.

Quotology

Thank you Primary Children's...

Back in May we were up at Primary Children's Hospital, I can't remember exactly why... was it for Cache? Crew? Both? I can't remember. Anyway, at this particular visit we visited with the social worker that deals with all things emotional. Every once in awhile she pops in to our room to see how we're doing and how we are handling all of the chaos that is Hemophilia. She is a nice woman and always concerned about our family. We like visiting with her. I am always amazed at how well she remembers us and the things going on in our family. We see her about every six months and I can't imagine all of the families she must meet every day.

Anyway, she asked us if we would be interested in going to the Zoo for a special night just for patients at Primary Children's. We were so excited. Of course we would! We received four tickets with information about the event and we couldn't wait!

When the day finally came, I picked Steve up from work and we headed over to the Hogle Zoo for a night of fun. Chick-fil-a catered the event, so we had a yummy dinner and each of the kids were given a bag of goodies. They had all kinds of mascots around the entrance of the park to greet the kids and to say Crew loved them would be an understatement. He was fearless. He wanted to meet them all. Reagan, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with them. Would you ever dream that Reagan would be the shy one and Crew Fearless? I don't know that I would have. Weird. Then it was off to look at the animals.

 I have to say that going to the Zoo in the evening was the best! The weather was perfect. The downside was that a lot of the animals were sleeping and not out for our viewing pleasure. The upside was that other animals were out playing! The giraffe's were running around their area, and I mean RUNNING! I had never really seen a giraffe run and it was awesome! I could have watched them all night. So cool. We caught the bird show which I had never seen and that was pretty neat too. Those birds are smart and they fly LOW. I swear one was an inch from my head. Freaked me out! But in a good way... is that possible? I really liked it.

Cache was a stud. When isn't he? I don't know where this kid came from, but I'm sure glad he came to me. He is the best baby and I can't believe he is mine. Love him. So happy to have him in our family. I mean, look at that face! Too sweet.

If this is really how little my kids would be sitting in the arms of a gorilla, I don't think I would like to be next to one in real life... huge! I have seen them in their space at the zoo, but they don't look that large. But what do I know?

Crew was fascinated by everything. He has to touch everything as well. Is that a little boy thing, or a Crew thing? I don't know. We'll see with Cache I guess. He is also the messiest thing I have ever laid eyes on. Even the most simple thing, that I think there is no way that will make a mess, it does with Crew. That's my boy. Crew. Messy face.

Then there's Reagan. She hates being messy. If she has something on her hands she quickly comes to me to clean it up. So pretty all the time. At least from the neck down. Anything she can see with her eyes, has to be clean. If it is not seen than anything goes. Her face can stay messy, her hair... free, wild. That is my Reagan. Wild and free.

At the end of our adventure we stopped by the face painting booth that was provided for the visitors. And these were no ordinary face painters. They were artists! I was amazed at all of the different animals that they painted on the children's faces! It was great! Reagan and Crew each got to choose what animal they would like to be. Reagan chose a butterfly. Isn't she a beautiful butterfly? I thought it was awesome.

Crew chose to be a tiger. And he was a scary, growly tiger too. Such a great looking Tiger if you ask me. But I am just his mother. So my oppinion may not count. He loved to scrunch up his face and growl. He was a little hestant to let the lady paint his face but when he saw it in the mirror all he could do was smile!

My butterfly and my tiger. What a perfect match.

When we got home the kids were brushing their teeth and they really got to see what their faces looked like. They loved it! I don't think they have ever brushed their teeth so well before that night. It was fun to watch them look at themselves in the mirror. They were mesmorized by all the faces they could make and the way it would change the animal on their face. Lost in their own imagination.

We had a great time and are so grateful to Primary Children's Hospital for letting us participate in this fun event.