The Lamberts

LIFE

2012-01-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

I have far too much to catch up on so.... instead of doing any Holiday posts let just skip all of that and come back to it on a day that I have WAY more time. Like maybe in a few years :)

I wake up to these cute, wonderful, energetic, balls of fire every morning and I have come to wonder will I ever get use to the idea that I HAVE TWINS!!!! How did this happen???? I love it, but really it is quite an adjustment. Everyday is a day of learning.... It is a great thing that we don't remember the first few years of our lives. Hopefully by the time they start to remember life I will have a grip on this whole, mom of twins thing. But until then I will continue on my path of trying to be a decent mom. But don't ask Jack about what happens between the walls of this home or you might get a taste of all the craziness that goes on inside.

Four Month Check Up

2011-11-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

Luke and Sam have changed so much in the past four months, sometimes it is hard to believe. I cleared out all of the preemie clothes today and it was amazing to me that Sam was that small. It is funny to say but it made me a bit sad that he has grown out of those cute little clothes. They are both such miracles, they have put my whole life into perspective.

This morning I came into the twins room and Jack had brought in a chair to look into Luke's crib and he was just smiling the biggest smile he could at Jack. It was a great moment. Luke (12lbs. 9 oz.) loves to find me in the room, it makes my day when he cranes his head to see me. He is gaining a lot of strength in his neck. He enjoys his tummy time. And is working on sitting in this bumbo chair. He makes the most darling cooing sounds. He is a very peaceful, happy baby. He is doing great at sleeping through the night, which makes my life so... much easier. Luke you are a beautiful ray of sunshine in my life. Love ya Lukey!

Sam(8lbs. 9oz.) is a darling bundle who loves to snuggle and eat. He is gaining amazingly.
He has figured it all out now. Every time I turn my head he changes. He reminds me everyday how blessed we are to have him in our family. He has started to smile and coo which makes me very happy. Every mile stone he hits makes me excited. He is also gaining strength in his neck. He is not a big fan of tummy time, but is working hard at lifting his head and chest. He can also sit in his bumbo chair, which is so darling because he is so small. He is so darling in every way. He is also doing great at night. About every other night he wakes up for a 3 o'clock feeding. Which I am okay with. It is a lot easier to feed one in the middle of the night, than two. Love ya Sammer!

There have been so many times in the past few weeks that I have had to look twice to see which one is which. They are close enough in size now that they can wear some of the same clothes. I love to match them! These past four months have been a ride. We are so... blessed.

From the Mouth of Jack

2011-11-13T16:08:00.000-08:00

I have got to be better at writing down all the funny things Jack says. He can get me laughing so hard! We had 2 really funny things happen this past week.

If you know Jack, you know that he has a very sensitive gag reflex and a very strong sense of smell. Jack and I went to the grocery store. While we were there he got a lunchable. He was getting into the car and opening his lunchable while I finished up loading the groceries and putting the cart away. When I got back to the car Jack was gagging and handing me his lunchable. He said something was stinky in it. I took it and smelled it and smelt nothing stinky. Then I asked him if it smelled like smoke? (I noticed the lady getting into her car next to us smelled strong of smoke) He said,"ya!" Then I said oh it's not your lunchable it was the lady next to us. And he replied,"oh she must be a chimney sweep" ( he got the word from Busy Town) He didn't understand why that was so funny to me!!!!

Second Jack story....

We (the whole fam. 6 counting Scout, Yikes!) were on a Saturday morning walk and we passed a cactus that I was telling Shawn that I wanted to plant one like that in our yard one day Blah Blah Blah. and Jack was in on the converation too. Shawn yelled at Jack not to touch it. The neighbor, across the street thought that Shawn was telling him not to touch the tractor he had parked on the side of the street. So being nice he said, "he can sit on it if he would like to." Jack missed the whole tracker part and thought that he was saying he could sit on the cactus if he would like to. So Jack's classic reply was, "I sat on one of those when I was two and had to get stitches in my butt." ( which is totally made up in the first place) The guy didn't know what to say and Shawn and I were laughing so hard we couldn't explain what he meant. Funny little boy!

He keeps life fun, exciting, interesting, and crazy!!!

The Little Man has Arrived (this never got posted, better late than never. Sam came home on Sept 14th))

2011-11-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, Sam at a whopping 3lbs 9oz, was released from the NICU and sent home to be with the fam! It feels so great to all be under one roof again. It is funny, bringing home twins should be hard, but it it ten times easier than running back and forth for feedings and finding babysitters for Jack. So all in all it has been great having them both home. I have to admit the lack of sleep at night is getting a bit old, but that's not going to change for awhile so we might as well get use to it :)

What blessing these boys have been in our lives, I can't imagine life without them. Jack has also fallen in love with his new baby brothers and enjoys getting right in their faces and also squeezing the top of their heads! We have too keep a close eye on him, but he has been much better with them than I expected.

A Beautiful Blessing

2011-10-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

We blessed out sweet Luke and Sam on Oct. 2nd. Ironically that was their actual due date. So we thought it would be fitting. We did it at home because of fear of them getting sick. It was a simple, sweet day. Shawn gave them both beautiful blessing. We are lucky to have the priesthood in our home. Thank you for the Family support. Oh one last thing, Shawn's Mom, aka Grandma Lambert made the twins darling blessing outfits, cute tiny linen suits with matching shoes.

Highlights

2011-10-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Not much time to write theses days but here are a few highlights in our crazy life.....

Took Luke and Sam in today for weekly weight checks. Luke came in at 9lbs15oz and Sam finally hit 5lbs to be exact 5lbs5oz. For starting out at 3lbs12oz and 1lbs14oz that is amazing to me. They are both great eaters can both breast and bottle feed. They are both very patient calm babies, most of the time. They have very sweet spirits about them. When I breast feed them they love to hold hands, which makes me smile every time. They are our little miracles that I am more and more thankful for every day.

Jack is hanging in there. We have good and bad days. He is 100% boy through and through. He loves to play with his cute friends. He is very into potion making, which is taking over my back yard. I will go to get some kitchen gadget and end up hunting for it in the back yard. His explanation in normally, " Mom I just needed it for my potion" He is full of life and imagination. Most the time he likes us to refer to him as Clumsy Smurf! He is still in love with the Smurfs. He looks forward to per-school on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Where he learns so much. He can say the pledge of allegiance, knows the days of the week, all of the months, can spell a few words, and comes home with the funniest stories. He makes my life crazy but I love him that way. Couldn't ask for a cuter 4 year old boy.

Shawn is staying busy at work, which is a blessing and also a trial. But he does a pretty good job balancing his time. He is great with the twins. People always ask, when I am out by myself, who has the twins. They are always amazed to know that Shawn can handle both of them quite well. He is a great Dad, who loves his boys.

I am surviving, some days are easier than I expected and others are harder. I just feel so blessed to have everyone home and healthy that I have a hard time complaining much. Thank you for all of the many helping hands that I have, you are all greatly appreciated.

Luke is Home

2011-09-08T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Dr.s found no reason to keep Luke in the NICU any longer. At a whooping 5.4lbs, on no major meds.( I have to give him sodium and iron, which both taste horrible, pour little man.), maintaining his temperature in an open crib, and no longer bradying, we are headed home after 37 day in the NICU. We are so excited to have him home but feel a bit sad that we had to leave Sam behind. Luckily the Dr. okayed it for me to bring Luke back in for feedings with Sam, what a blessing. Hopefully a few more weeks for Sam and we can all be under one roof. That will be a great day. Love ya Luke, glad you are home.

Another One Down, But Who's Counting?

2011-08-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

I can't believe another week has passed. I can honestly say it went by really fast. We are happy to say we have hit very few bumps in the road this week either. Luke is now in clothing and in an open crib. Which makes it really nice and easy to hold him! He is so cute and cuddly. He is really close to 4lbs. And is eating just over an oz. every 3 hours. His one set back this week was he was put back on low flow oxygen. Which has help a lot with his saturation levels, it is a bummer to go back, but I am grateful that he is getting what he needs and glad the Dr.s are playing it safe.

As for Sam he is holding his own. He now weighs close to 2lbs2oz. Growing ever day. He is still in an isolate bed. They have stopped humidity in the bed though and he is working on keeping his temperature up so he can too be moved to an open crib. But I think we have some time before we get there. He has had a bit of reflux in the past few days. If he lays on his left side or on his tummy he does much better. He is now eating just over an 1/2 oz. every 3 hours. They have made the feeding last an hour compared to a half an hour to also help with the reflux.

Another new thing both boys are working on is non-nutritional breast feeding. It is just introducing breast feeding to them with out actually feeding them. They both did really well the first two days but have not been overly interested the past few days. It has opened my eyes to see how long it might take to get them nursing. But I am sure it will come. For now I'll just keep pumping and pumping and pumping.

I had a good Twin moment this week. I was holding Luke and he pooped in his diaper so I got up to change him. The nurse asked me if he got any on his clothes and I said,"no." Just as I was switching to a new diaper he pooped again and this time yes it got on his clothes and his blankets and on me. Yikes! Then just as I was done there I turned over to check on Sam and he had puked. Oh boy it is only a glimpses of life with twins.

I feel so blessed to have these twin boys. They make me so happy. It has been hard to leave Jack so much but he has been very patient and understanding. I look at these tiny little boys and wonder what will they become. I feel like they had all odds against them but they have made it out on top. They are slowly showing a bit of personality. I am so grateful we get to hold them and love them it is great bonding time for all of us. It is hard every time I leave them in that sterile room, but I am grateful for the NICU. It is an amazing facility, everyone in there is great. I always feel like my boys are being taken care of.

One Week Ago

2011-08-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

A flood of emotions come to me when I think back to one week ago. Instantly my life was changed forever. I was scared, excited and left with a loss of emotion. Many times throughout the twins pregnancy I had felt that way. Something inside me turns off when I am faced with an emotional issue. Often times people would ask me "how are you doing?", "are you really okay?" And truthfully most of the time I was. I would break down to Shawn at night sometimes but most the time I had a lack of emotion. I knew The Lord was there for me. I prayed a lot. I also know that a lot of prayers were said in our behalf. Thanks.

I was admitted into the hospital on Tuesday the 26th. Because Twin A (that is what he went by at that point. Also another way to unattach me emotionally from the situation) had gained 800 grams in the past 3 weeks. Where Twin B had only gained 60 grams. Of course throwing up a red flag. Dr.s watched closely and monitored heart rates daily. But something inside me just wanted to be done. Not for myself but in fear that if we waited much longer our outcome might not be.... But we kept plugging along trying to find a firm reason for them to be out not in. Friday afternoon I went in for an ultrasound to check the cord doppler. Long story short the blood flow to Baby B was not good. That was the signal we had been waiting for. The next question to arise was vaginal delivery or c-section. We had talked a lot to my Dr. about it but never had a firm answer. Looking at the positive and negatives we chose c-section. They wanted to wait until 6:30 so my lunch would digest. But after putting the babies on the heart monitors they quickly deiced this needs to happen now. Again at that point I was numb to any emotions. At least from the outside I was. Inside I kept thinking what if.... There were so many unknowns and scary maybes that I wasn't sure if I could handle. The operating room was scary and that was when at least some emotions came through. I was alone and afraid of the pain, but most of all I just wanted to skip the next hour and know the end result.

They prepped me, everything went really fast and looking back it was really foggy and cold! I remember the room was freezing. I wanted Shawn there so bad. Finally they let him in and fate was knocking at our door. Tears rolled down my eyes and for the first time in this pregnancy I let my emotions come through. When I heard the first cry, Baby A, I felt a bit of relief especially once they held him up for me to see him. But I knew the scary part was coming next. To my surprise Baby B also cried, not a loud cry but there was noise. But they didn't show him to me. Which scared me. Shawn ran out with the babies and there I laid afraid of what was next.

Luckily a really nice guy sensed my fear and went out and came back and said all is well with Baby B also. It was over, well... kind of. The next few hours were blurry. Luckily Shawn took lot of pictures. Shawn kept me updated. What a relief it was to hear they were breathing room air and not on a ventilator. He kept telling me everything is fine, they are doing great. I tried in the middle of the night to go and see them but I was to weak and sick to my stomach. A think around 6 I had the strength to get down to the NICU. I have to admit I had very little emotion the first time I saw Luke and Sam. It was like I was looking at someone elses babies. Not really being able to hold them and nurse them or have any form of bonding is hard. And also to have a nurse hovering over you, it is just a weird experience. (I don't feel that way now though, they are mine and I can't get enough of them.)

The past week has been challenging with recovery. But these babies are amazing. I am sure there will be bumps in the road. But so far our prayers have been answered. They have there Cpaps off. Which makes them so much more comfortable and cuter. They are on high flow and close to being moved to low flow. They have the umbilical lines out now, they are only being fed through a tube from their mouths to their tummies. Nearly all of their nutrition is mothers milk (which in now my milk, there is a lot of pumping going on at this house. Jack thinks it is sweet that his Mom knows how to make babies and milk :)) Speaking of Jack, he was able to come and see his little brothers for the first time on Sunday. He was very sweet and loved holding Sam's hand. He was also was so interested in which baby was A and B and loves that there is a small one and a big one!They have lost weight for most of the week but on Thursday Luke was up 65 grams and Sam 55 grams. Which is amazing. My favorite part is that we get to hold them. I love that it is the one thing that pulls us apart from the nurses. I feel like it is the best bonding thing we can do right now. We hold them skin to skin, bare chest to bare chest. On Thursday I was able to hold them together. I think all three of us loved it.

The care that Luke and Sam get is amazing. Every nurse has been outstanding. I love to watch them take care of my babies they are all great and loving. They are also great at helping us heal and feel at peace. The Dr.s are so confident in everything they do. Everyone makes us feel special and loved there. Everyday at "rounds" (where they tell us the updates on both babies in the past 24 hours) they all praise the boys. They think that Sam is a "champ" for his size he is making improvements in leaps and bounds. It has been a hard, yet an amazing experience. I wouldn't change it for anything. I feel the love of my Heavenly Father everyday. I know that these two boy were supposed to come to our family. I know they will be strong, brave little boys who will teach me more than I will ever be able to teach them. They make me realize the importance of being a mother. I feel overwhelmed sometimes at the role I have been given. My boys mean everything to me. Last thing is I have to give a lot of credit to Shawn for being an amazing Dad and husband. He has kept us all moving forward. He has been my anchor this past week and the love he has for all three boys is amazing. I am aware that the road ahead is long but I look forward to it.

Fourth of JULY

2011-07-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Even though the Holiday was suppose to be spent on bed rest we did our best to have fun. Thanks to good Friends, Neighbors, and Family it was a great Fourth Of July.

Family Night = Bat House

2011-07-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

Shawn couldn't be more proud of his little son hard at work building a bat house!!!! I love simple moments like this. If only it wouldn't have been 110 degrees and I wasn't way fat, pregnant. That made it not so fun :)

It's a Birthday Bash

2011-05-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

Jacks Fourth Birthday celebrations lasted for over a week. Starting with a pirate party with cousins Boston and Jocelyn and friend Sadie (who couldn't make it to the "Mario Party") Jack won a pirate cake at Lin's earlier that day so we went with the theme.

Shawn got to pick out Jack"s birthday gift from us. It has been quite the hit. Watch out!!! The flower pot is not the only thing he has run into. I have a pretty good bruise on my leg and we have a few added dents here and there. I have to say he improves daily and has managed to only roll it once, luckily it was on the grass and there was a little girl on the back to break his fall, so no permanent harm done.

Jack still needs a nap nearly everyday, or he falls asleep during dinner. As you can see he didn't get one on his Birthday. Silly Jack.

The Mario party was a blast. The favorite level/game was Bowser's Throw Down. Thanks to our surprise guests Mario, Luigi, Bowser1 and 2 and Princess Peach.


Thanks to the help of my creative Mother-in-Law and Mom the cake was darling and hats were classic.

Here are some of the cute little guests that came to the party!

Happy Fourth Birthday to my favorite 4 year old in the world. You make everyday an adventure. I love being your Mom and am so grateful we get to spend everyday with each other. Thanks for being the person you are, I hope you never ever ever change. Never forget how much we love you.

Thank Heavens for this Man

2011-05-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was just one of those days!!!! A super embarrassing/painful thing happened to me. I won't explain (because it is too embarrassing) but there is a huge gash on my leg/knee/foot, and it kills to walk. But that is not what my post is about. What I wanted to post about was how awesome Shawn is. You know you have a good husband when he repaints your skinned up toe nail polish and buys you flowers to make you feel better. Maybe he is just making up for not answering his phone when I needed more than ever. But in our every days lives Shawn does not get the credit for all he does for Jack and me. He is an amazing husband and father who puts us first in every way, shape, and form. And even if I am a nag often, I love him and couldn't live one day without him.

April Celebrations

2011-04-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

April has been one busy month. I have had to schedule in time to sit down and relax. I know I am suppose to take it easy, with carrying the twins, but really how is that possible.

We had a fun week with the Taylor Families visit. We had fun doing activities around St. George for a few days. Playing Games at night was the highlight. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time.

Then we headed to Las Vegas for a small get away together. We came home sun burnt, which means it was a success.

We returned home just in time for Jack and I to hop in the car and drive to SLC to celebrate Aunt Carly's 30th Birthday. We had a fun day of shopping and manicures. With fun dinner celebrations that night.

Family night Easter Egg Hunt at the park. Jack and his cute little buddies.

Coloring Easter eggs for the second time. Dad got to join in the fun this time! Got to love all of Jack's silly faces.

Yes there was another egg hunt. This was with the neighbors. We are so lucky to live in a great neighborhood. Too bad every one is moving :(

Don't ask what Jack is wearing, lets just say Shawn was in charge of bed time the night before. The final Easter egg hunt, Easter morning. All Jack wanted for Easter was an "under water mask" So that is what the Easter Bunny hid along with a few eggs and candy.

Of course like every holiday that should be centered around our Savior it gets nearly skipped over. But I tried to keep reminding Jack why we celebrate Easter. I am so grateful for My Savior. I am blessed to know that there is life after death. I am grateful for the resurrection and the love of Our Savoir Jesus Christ.

A Few Updates and Changes in the Lambert Household

2011-03-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard we are adding to our family. Baby number two's due date is Oct. 2nd 2011. First appointment went fine. I asked a STUPID question to the nurse practitioner. When she was checking "everything" I simply said "Is there anyway I could be pregnant with twins. I just feel so much bigger at this point than I did with my first pregnancy." She laughed and said "No, everyone feels like that the second time around " She quickly found the heart beat and said " That's rare to find it that easy :)" And the appointment was over. As I was walking out the door she asked if I could come back on Tuesday and have a "quick ultrasound" She said she looked closer at my chart and saw that I had some growth restrictions with my first pregnancy and wanted to get some starting measurements. I said, "Sure." It was scheduled for Tuesday and that was that.

On Tuesday I had my mom grab Jack from preschool on her lunch break, because I just had a quick ultrasound and I would be done in less than an hour, or so I thought. I didn't bring Shawn because I didn't think he cared to see a silly ultrasound measuring my cervix :) Everything was great when I got in the ultrasound specialist measured what she was suppose to and all went well. At the end she said, "well lets get a peek at the baby" We (the ultrasound tech and I) could clearly see the baby and then there was something else. She said are you seeing what I am seeing?????? And as clear as day there was not one but TWO babies on the screen!!!! I said, "I new it. I told them at my last appointment that I thought I was having twins. I have even had dreams about it." We both stared at the two babies bouncing around on the screen for a second. I shed a few tears and then she said, "Can your husband leave work?" I jumped on the phone and told him to drop everything and come over to the Dr.s office now." He asked why, but I couldn't tell him. I knew he knew what it was (because I had said so many times that I swear we are having twins) but it was fun to leave him hanging for a bit. By the time Shawn got there the Dr. had made it in the room and was checking everything out. He asked if I did this all by myself and then laughed, well you and your husband ;) Because so many twins are conceived through fertility now a days. And I said, " It was all on our own" and No, Twins don't really run in our family. I have a great Grandpa that is a twin and some second cousins twice removed or something but that is all. So there you have it Lambert Baby number Two and Three are headed our way.

But it is not going to be an easy road. At that appointment they thought that both babies were in the same sack. Which is very rare and scary. But as of last Wed. we have found out that is not the case and that they each have there own sacks! Which is great news, but they do share a placenta. Which comes with it's own trials. One thing we learn from that is that they are identical twins, because only identical twins share a placenta (couldn't tell boys or girls yet). This type of twins are called MonoDi twins Mono meaning one placenta and Di meaning two sacks. Enough nutrients for both babies is a concern and then there is a problem called TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) It is were twins share arteries and veins (which I guess is normal) as long as a vein matches up with a vein and an artery matches up with artery it will be fine but if they match up incorrectly (happening in 10% of MonoDi twins) than there can be a stronger and weaker twin. The ending can be bad :( We are hoping to not be that 10% and there is a cure for it if we are. Which really reassures my mind. But we hope we don't have to go down that road at all.

This whole experience has made me realize how special it is to hold a new born healthy infant in your arms. I hope I get to do that with my twins. I am scared and still a bit shell shocked. But I know I have a lot of people on my side and great Dr.'s to help along the way. Shawn just beams when anyone brings the twins up and so does Big Bro. Jack. We have had some very awkward occasions where Jack has told complete strangers that his Mommy has two babies in her tummy :) I love that they are both so proud. Please keep the three of us in your Prayers. I know the Lord has a hand in it all.

Jack's First Try at Soccer

2011-03-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

Let just say he wasn't the best, but not the worst either. And most important, he had fun and got a squeeze-it and oranges at the end. Way to go Jack!

CTR

2011-02-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

I had to jot down a few of my favorite Jack stories so I wouldn't forget how precious and innocent my darling boy is.

Jack came running into my room one morning, just as he had woke up and said, "Mom you know how I am in primary now, not nursery? Well I am suppose to bring this book with me now and if you don't have one you won't get an M&M and I don't have one of those books. Could you get one for me?" I asked him if he meant The Book of Mormon? And he said maybe. Then I said do they call it your scriptures? "Yeah that is what it is called"

You better believe that we went to buy Jack his own scriptures, right after preschool. While we were there he saw the jewelry and wanted something of course. So we found a $.95 CTR ring. And I thought what a great thing to teach him, since he is to the age where he gets to start making a lot of decisions. So we went over what CTR stands for and the whole spill... He stopped wearing the ring after about an hour but he has brought up choosing the bad or good a few times since. Well today we were at a birthday party and Jack started to wonder away from the group and everyone was yelling his name but he didn't respond. So I ran after him and he was still acting like he can't hear anything. When I get up to him I said " you better listen or you are going home." And his classic reply was.. "I am doing what is wrong because I don't have my ring on to tell me to do what is right." WOW

The things this kid comes up with. We just can't help but love his free little spirit.

The Holidays

2011-01-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

Some how in our busy life The Blog has been put on the back burner. Which makes me sad, and Shawn has to rub it in all the time by asking about it. So I decided to sit down and catch up as one of my new years resolutions.... So lets start with Thanksgiving. One of the best Holidays that so often gets over looked. This year was petty simple. Which we all loved. We spent it with my side of the family. At Great Grandma and Grandpa Cash's house. My parents were there along with one of my Dads brothers and family that came down to be with us. The food was great but the highlight was jumping in the pile of leaves and climbing the big tree.

Play Group Christmas Party was a blast. They learned Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and made reindeer cup cakes. They even did a gift exchange. Of course that was a hit.

Jack's cousin's were in town and Grandma Cash asked for one decent picture of the kids. Doesn't sound impossible, but it was.

Jack counted down the days until Santa would come, by watching Disney Prep in Landing at least 2 times a day. Fitting that we found an elf that looked just like Jack. When he grows up he wants to be on the Prep and Landing team. We still hear "This is so... tinsel" around the house a bit. (only funny if you have seen the movie)

Jack waiting so... patiently for Dad to bring home his gift.

So excited....

When he opened the box he said, "This is the best Christmas Present Ever"

Meet UNO

One of Jack's Christmas presents showed up a few days early. These pictures are so blurry, I feel so bad.

Christmas morning is so exciting having Jack around. Just seeing his eyes light up is the best present ever.

Now that all of the shopping and "stuff" is over and I get to just reflect on it all, I am so grateful for the season and the spirit that warms my heart. I am so blessed with a great husband, darling son, wonderful parents, thoughtful grandparents, fun family, awesome friends and neighbors. I couldn't ask for more. Thank you Christ for coming to this earth, for teaching us the way to live and the way to return.

God please give us another BLESSED year!

Well At Least Something is Done!!!

2010-12-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

Jack has been so excited to make our gingerbread house for the past month. I'm not sure if he had more fun making it or destroying it. Yes it is already destroyed. It never looked too cute so I wasn't devastated when I caught him sawing at it with a plastic knife.

Man Jack has been a load of fun and trouble this Holiday Season. I have tried to help Jack understand that Christmas is not only about getting but also about giving. I'm not too sure that the concept has hit home. I have tried to bring him to the stores to have him pick out the gifts that would be given by him, but most the time he just would add to his list of things he wanted Santa to bring him. But last week Shawn had his work Christmas party. There was one other child at the party, but he was 6 plus years older than Jack. That didn't bother Jack though, he instantly made best friends with Skyler. At the end of the party Shawn handed out everyone's work bonus and a gift. Well since Jack's little friend was not an employee he didn't get a gift. Of course the little boy understood, but Jack kept saying Skyler didn't get a present. All the sudden Jack was gone so I went looking for him. When I found him he had collected a pile of "things" and was trying to wrap them so Skyler would have a gift. After a little bit of help it was wrapped and ready to deliver. Though Skyler wasn't too exited about a night light and some weird odds and ends Jack was beaming. I then realized that Jack might have a small idea of the true meaning of Christmas.

In Loving Memory of Grandma Munk

2010-11-11T14:19:00.000-08:00

Shawn's Sweet Grandma passed away on Tuesday night. She had suffered for the past few years from Alzheimer's disease and it was a blessing to see her not struggle anymore.

We were so grateful that we spent some time up on the farm last month and got to be with her. She was the kind of Grandma that spent most of her time cooking up something good in the kitchen. She was tough and a hard worker. She made everyone around her feel special and loved. They live in Logan, UT and often times they would travel all the way down to St. George to cheer on Shawn in a baseball game. Shawn always knew Grandma was in the stands when he heard "Give him the dark one." (classic) Her house was always clean and organized. She grew a wonderful vegetable and flower garden. Shawn insisted, when we got married, that I learned how to make milk toast just like Grandma Munk. I have the recipe but it never tastes as good as it ever does when she makes it. She had a wonderful marriage. She took care of Grandpa everyday they were together, until this past year when Grandpa has had to return the favor. When we were up there the last time I was so impressed with the love they had for one another. The song long line of love, by Micheal Marten Murphy kept coming to mind.

Bought a beautiful diamond ring,
Offered it to the sweetest thing I know
And she said she would take it
Started makin? some wedding plans
She looked at me and she took my hand and said
Are you sure we can make it
I said my granddad's still in love with my grandma
I said my Dad still thinks my Mom's the
Sweetest thing he ever saw

I come from a long line of love
When the times get hard, we don't give up
Forever's in my heart and in my blood
You see I come from a long line of love

Years went by and we had a son
Now he thinks that he's found someone for him
And they're planning a wedding
He called me up on the phone today
Just to see what I had to say to him
Did I think he was ready?
I said what his grandfather used to say to me
It's been handed down for ages, it runs in the family....

Grandma you will be sorely missed down here on earth, but we know you will continue to brighten lives on the other side. Until we meet again, we love you Grandma.

Fall Happenings

2010-11-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well it seems as though I have gotten a bit behind on my blogging. So to catch up we will sum it up as fall happenings. Because even though I haven't posted, it doesn't mean we haven't had a very eventful past few weeks.

OUR TRIP TO THE MUNK FAMILY FARM

We ran away for a few days and relaxed on Shawn's Grandpa's farm. We had so much fun just tinkering around, riding the 4-wheeler, visiting with family, and stopping by a few of Shawn's favorite spots in Cache Valley. We had a hard time coming back to reality. It was a great get away.

Feeding the calf's

Playing in the cotton seed

Hiding in the corn

Grandpa and Grandma Munk are such great people. Thanks for letting us stay.

A picture of the old barn


Jack got to help plow the corn with cousin Cam. He loved every minute of it.

OKTOBER FEST

Shawn organized a great concert in the backyard with a few of our local best singer/guitarist. It was fun and entertaining. Shawn was the opening act, Josh (my Brother) followed, Lyndi (A high school friend, picture below) closed it up. They were all amazing. Since I wasn't blessed with any sort of musical talent I will have to enjoy others! I loved to hear them play, I could have listened for hours.

COUSINS CAME TO TOWN

Shawn's sister Krista was in town from Oregon. We got the kids together for a quick snap shot. We needed a new photo with the new additions Jude and Ali.

THE HALLOWEEN BASH

Every year this party gets bigger and bigger. There were still people we felt bad not inviting, but our house could only hold so many. We had a costume contest, chili cook off, kid games and pumpkin carving. It was crazy fun!

FIRST YEAR OF TRUCK-OR-TREATING

Cousin's Boston and Jocelyn were in town and got to join in the fun.

Silly jack the dragon

Scary Jack skeleton and Sally

Grandpa and Bat Girl Jocey


We dressed up as the characters from HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. Shawn was Hiccup (with a sweet hat, that he made all by himself. You never would have guessed) I was Astrid and Jack was a the Gronkle Dragon, missing the wings and mask. He liked the costume just like that.

HALLOWEEN

We spent most of Halloween night in my parents neighborhood. They go all out my mom rented a cotton candy maker and they had homemade doughnuts across the street, other houses had games, root beer, hot dogs... bounce houses. It was a party, Jack had a ball. They ended the night with The Nightmare Before Christmas on the front lawn. Jack has enough candy to sustain the three sweet tooth's that live in our house for about a month.

Blurry, I know, but it was classic. Shawn was in his element.

Okay where did I get this man. I doubt any of you can top this photo. He is wearing tights and chatting with the ladies. He is the best. I think I will keep him.

Another classic, the three grand kids sucking down root beer, in their costumes while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. Boston you are great, love it!


The loot

Well there you have it. Fall is my favorite time of the year. When we were going to bed last night I told Jack that Halloween was over we will have to wait until next year and do it all over again and he just burst out crying "I don't want it to be over" :( I love my little man, he makes life so much fun.

St. George Marathon 2010

2010-10-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

My five months of training paid off. I had a great run and finished the marathon in 4 hours and 6 min. I felt great and enjoyed most of it. The last 5 miles were long and I was glad when it all came to an end. I learned a lot from training for this marathon. I didn't think I would ever have the mental strength to complete such a task, but I learned that if you want something bad enough you can make your body do it. I learned to have self discipline. There were many mornings that my alarm would go off at 4:00 and I wanted so badly to shut it off but I knew Sue would be there waiting, so I got up anyway. I learned that if you turn up your music loud enough or get into a conversation long enough you can push though pain and boredom from running. I learned what an awesome friend I have made through all of this, Sue never missed a run and pushed me when I needed it. I also learned what a supportive husband and son I have. Jack got use to me not being there when he woke up most mornings and Shawn didn't complain too much about putting up with a tired wife 24/7. I got teary eyed both times when I saw them on the marathon trail cheering for me. I loved their support, along with my parents, brother,Shawn's parents, sister-in-law, neighbors and friends, thanks for coming out to cheer me on.

PRESCHOOL

2010-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

This is a classic first day of school picture.

So there you have it Jack started preschool. I think he liked it but it was also a bit overwhelming. I have been prepping him that Mom's don't get to go to preschool, he has to do it by himself. He was really brave and hung his back pack up and headed in with no tears, yeah!

When I showed up to pick him up he looked so cute waiting for me. He was so excited to tell me about everything and made sure I knew he missed me. The best part was when he got in the car and said, " Mom I feel like I'm going to cry." Then he just let it all out, sobbing and sobbing. Man he is too much like me! After he got all of his crying out he said, "I was so... nervous." You got to love this kid.

He has since told me that he had fun at recess and got to play duck, duck, goose. The real test will be if he will go back on Thursday :) Wish us luck.

Adding Them to The List

2010-09-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have always been a big fan of children books. It is my favorite time of the day when Jack and I can snuggle on the reading chair and devour book after book (Shawn and I fight over who gets to read the bedtime stories.) Most the time I get more out of them than he does. I remember when he was too young to hold his head up I would still read him books before he went to bed. Just yesterday we ran across these two books and I fell in love with them. They are a must reads, especially since Jack is starting school in the next week and his character will have a chance to bloom.

I have seen this book many times but never sat down to read it. The rainbow fish teaches sharing and the way we feel when we share with others.

Second is " It's Okay to Be Different" it nearly brought tears to my eyes. It touches on all the ways we are different and teaches that it's okay, and good to not all be the same. Jack got out of the book that when skunks are mad they spray stinky stray, go figure.

The House that Built Me

2010-08-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

(These are the only pictures I have of the house)

I can still vividly remember the feeling of shutting the door to the house on 1196 No. Trinnaman Ln. 13 years ago this month, there wasn't a dry eye around. We were excited to move to a new town and a new house, especially to a house that actually had more than one bathroom. But when that door shut it closed a chapter of my life. That is where my childhood stayed.

What got me thinking about this was the song by Maranda Lambert, "The House that Built Me." It brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it. I would give anything to knock on that door and walk inside my old house. Go play in my old room, that wasn't even a real room. I honestly lived in a hole in the attic. But I loved it, The door was no more that 4 feet tall and 2 1/2 feet wide. It was a cluttery mess but a lot of memories happened there. I would love to eat dinner in our little kitchen, and watch my mom cut hair out in "the shop." I would go and hide in the blankets in the closet under the stairs. And last I would go out back and climb in the trees. If I was lucky it would be cherry season.

I could tell you everything about that house, I know every nook and cranny. I remember riding Carly's Purple banana seat bike in the garage, in circle for hours. Sitting on the fence watching my Dad rope, having races in the front yard with our dog Dingy, swinging from the barn rope swing, getting my fingers pinched in the fence, hitting tennis balls against the side of the garage, letting parachute men off the balcony of Dad's shop. I miss playing night games with the Colledge Boy's (our neighbors. Not really college boys, come on we were 10), I miss riding our bikes to Harts and stopping at grandma's, then trying to ride while holding a drink, that was tricky. It is amazing the memories that come flooding back.

In the song she talks about the dog the was buried under the oak tree. Our dog daisy was buried in the back corner along with at least 20 cat, a few rabbits, and a Turkey. I made sure that my Dad buried everyone of them, back by Daisy.

The freedom we had was crazy. It's not like living in a neighborhood, you can roam and climb and build. We had tree forts in trees all over the place. I had such great childhood.

The song talks about Mom cutting up pictures from Better Homes and Garden Magazine and Daddy giving life to Mama's dreams. We all want bigger and better, which is a good thing, we have to have dreams and work for things, that is what makes us grow. But I miss that simple life, I honestly believe life runs a little bit slower on 1196 No. Trinnaman Ln. and I am glad I grew up there.

Back Tracking the Fun

2010-08-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

For the 24th of JULY our family had a bitty reunion. Just the siblings, the parents, the kiddos and my Dads brother and his Fam. We have been doing this for the past few years. Every year we meet in a new place. This year it was at The Little America in down town SLC. We enjoyed the 24th celebrations and relaxed at the pool side. We ate at a lot of yummy places and slept in until 8:00 both mornings. It was great. There was a great baby pool that Jack nearly lived in. He practiced up on his cannon ball and dunking his head under the water. As long as the pool is no deeper than 2 feet he has no fear. Anything deeper he is the biggest chicken. He is one silly boy. We had fun staying up late chatting with cousins and reminiscing the good ol' days. My parents were super generous and paid for nearly everything, Thanks Mom and Dad. We had a ball!

Who is that kid?

2010-08-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I am putting together a book from when Jack was a baby and I got a kick out of him having such dark hair. I just took this photo last week and I was trying to darken the picture enough to show that he even has hair. We will see where it ends up in 20 years. Probably balding and Red like his dad. -Shawn

Slipin' and Sliding

2010-07-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

Pictures say more than words....

Running Partners......

2010-07-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hayley is up in Bryce right now running the Half Marathon, and it brought back some good memories. So I thought I would share the story of how Hayley got to this point.

6 years ago: Hayley and I rode home from Provo together. She had just bought a pair of running shoes, and she was telling me that she was going to get "back into shape". Me, being fresh back from Germany, where I enjoyed amazing chocolate, bakeries, and gelato pretty much every day, thought it would be a good idea to lose about 40 pounds. So I told her that I would run with her. So we started running.

That Monday I was at her house at 5am, and we ran about a mile. We were just about back to Hay's house and she puked. This happened a couple more times, so I really did believe her that she was out of shape. One of those mornings she even got dillusional and tried to introduce me to her grandparents, which turned out not to be her grandparents..... long story, but funny, ask her about it. She finally did ger up to a couple miles, and we did that for a few months.

5 years ago: Our first real run was the Bryce Canyon 5k. It was also the first time our parents met. for about a year I always refered to myself as "the running partner", of course it was all part of my plan, but I was good with that for the time being. She was still a little young and immature.

2 years ago: I could never get her to go more than 3 miles. No matter how much we ran, she just had it in her head that she could only do 3 miles. Thanks to Rakel, and Sue, she finally got over her fear, and now 3 is the easy day. They have been running faithfully for 2 years now, 3 days a week, and are gearing up for the marathon. I, on the other hand am back at square one, looking for someone to run with that I can keep up with. Steve, you in?

Good job Hay and good luck tomorrow. Jack and I are so proud.
-Your Running Partner

A Weekend Apart

2010-07-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Jack got to have such a fun weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Cash. Shawn and I got to relax and not worry about much. Who am I kidding, we both had to work all day Friday, but we did go on a super fun date that night. Saturday we woke up at 4:30am so I could run 14 miles (I think they were straight up hill, thanks Kim for mapping out the hardest run in STG) and Shawn could go to work, then we headed straight to Vegas for a wedding. On top of that I worried about, and missed My Little Jack the whole time. But he arrived back all in one piece and had a ball. He even called me Grandma all Sunday and told me he didn't like me any more. I will blame that on a long, busy weekend with not enough sleep, lets hope! Thanks Mom and Dad Jack can't stop talking about all the fun he had and it really was nice to have a break from chasing Jack around.

AMERICA The BEAUTIFUL

2010-07-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN!

Thank you to those who fight for Our FREEDOM! May we never forget the many sacrifices that bring us safety and peace. GOD BLESS AMERICA

The BOSS

2010-07-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Throughout my life, as I am sure we all have, I have had good bosses and some, to put it nicely, not so good bosses. For the past 3+ years I have been bless with the most awesome boss. He most definitely rules the roost, makes me jump at his beckon call, and I have to admit I have been spit on, screamed at, kicked....... We can stop there, but the list could go on and on and on. The pay is pretty shabby, not anywhere around minimum wage and I work over time every week, without a doubt. If my Boss needs something at three in the morning, guess who he calls on, ME! My Boss is very good at telling me what the "rooz" (rules) are and makes it clear that I understand them. Today in the car I got a very harsh warning if I took a bite of the fruit roll-up I was opening for him I would be in trouble, big trouble. If I forget to let him do the things he likes to do "BY HIMSELF" it is likely he will start crying and might end up on the floor kicking and screaming. I guess that's what makes a good boss a "good boss" is that he gets what he wants done, done, and done the right way. My boss has mastered this. When he says jump, I leap, when he says run, I sprint, you get the point. Normally I would be critical about a boss like this, but not this one, most the time it is just praise coming from my mouth. On the up side he gives great rewards and most the time makes you feel like the only thing important on this planet, the one thing he wants the most. So it makes it worth all of the "other stuff." I am positive this is the job I want forever. Thanks BOSS for providing me with this great job and making my life exciting.

My Old Man

2010-06-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

(What a classic picture of My Dad)

Being that it was Fathers Day this past weekend, it got me thinking how lucky I am to have a DAD! He's not the,"run of the mill" Dad either, he is one of those GREAT Dads. He would be there at a moments notice to give a helping hand, even if it was way inconvenient. He makes you feel like you are the best no matter if you're not. He is a wonderful teacher, very patient. Kids, especially his grand kids, are just drawn to him. He love us kids no matter what. He has always been a great example of hard work. He has always respected My Mom and been a great example of what a husband should be.

More times than I can count I have had people tell me, "You have such a cool Dad, he is a great man." I have, and always will feel LUCKY to call him MY DAD.

FOOD

2010-06-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'm not really a summer girl, don't get me wrong there are lots of things I like about summer but I just carve Fall, it is my favorite. But since I'm not Mother Nature why not enjoy the summer fun. My favorite part of summer is fresh produce. I love it! We purchased a Bountiful Basket last week and this week, for that matter. So every meal has been pumped with fruits and veggies. Shawn and Jack might be sick of it but I can't get enough.

Just Call Him A Seahorse

2010-06-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Jack just completed level one (SEAHORSE) swimming lessons. Which means Jack can

1. Enter and exit the water alone
2. Blow Bubbles
3. Keep his face in the water for 3 sec.
4. Front float with support
5. Front kicking with support
6. Bounce ten times on bottom stair
7. Alternating Arms Action
8. Back float with support
9. Back kicking
10. Jump from the side

Lets just say Jack made quit the improvident from day one, screaming so hard that he nearly puked in the pool, to the final day, being absolutely crazy, daring, and annoying in the pool. That is Jack for ya. Way to go man!

On a side note... I love that Kash and Jack do everything together( gymnastics, swimming, play group, nearly everyday we spend it with Kash). These pictures are classic. I hope some day they get married, they would have quit the wedding movie of photos. I couldn't ask for a cuter friend for Jack, we love you Kash good job on swimming lessons too!

A Perfect Day

2010-06-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

Monday was one of those perfect days.... Started the day off with a good morning run. Being that it was a Holiday Shawn got (most) of the day off. We went for a fun hike with the whole fam. including Scout. Jack and Scout had fun looking for lizards and I screamed every time I saw a hole. I'm not afraid of lizard but I hate snakes!!! We were starving so we went to the wagon wheel for breakfast. Nothing like some country cookin! We were on a Dixie Direct kick so we used our two free passes to the Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum. If you haven't been there you should, it is unbelievable, and a bit creepy. There are so many animal, it's crazy. I would not recommend it to my Brother the vegetarian, animal rights activist, but the rest of you it's pretty sweet. The fun didn't stop there, even though Shawn and Jack both begged to lay down on the couch and relax. We pack up a lunch and went to meet my High School friend, Jessica and her family. We got to play at Jessica's Grandma fun house. They have a life size doll house,with all of the fixings, even air conditioning. Jack fell in love with it. He thought it was great that he could reach the faucet and get his own drink and turn his own movie on. Someday when we are rich that will be on the top of the list, a play house you could really live in!!! I finally gave in and we headed home for a nap! Poor Shawn went to work instead, what a hard worker. We ended the night with a delicious BBQ at my parents house. Jack got to play water toys in the back yard and had a ball. I love fun days like this!

Memorial Day

2010-06-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

My Dad shared this great clip with us last night at our Memorial Day BBQ. Thanks Dad for reminding me of what I have been blessed with because of other Men and Women sacrifices.

I never got to know my Grandma Cash's Brother, Robyn Willey. He was killed in the Vietnam War when he was 20ish. But I have heard many stories about him, how he was brave and fought for our freedom. I am grateful for his willingness to give His life so that I can be free, so I don't have to live in fear. I am proud to be an American. I am sure I don't understand the sacrifices these Men and Women and their families make and have made, but I hope I never forget what they have done and still are doing to keep us free. THANK YOU

I HAVE FALLEN AND I CAN'T PICK MYSELF UP AGAIN

2010-05-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

I have never gone this long with out a post. I have even had a few complaints, yikes! I was also told I must be pregnant, that was why I wasn't blogging. Well.... that's not the truth either, sorry to let you all down. I guess it is just pure laziness. When you get this far behind it takes so much time to catch up and I guess I just haven't had it in me. So I feel less overwhelmed with catching up this might just be a whole bunch of pictures with very little text!

Jack totally had pink eye, I'm a bad Mom and still took him to the Zoo. Sorry if I infected anyone.

Classic family photo

Cute little Jocey Bug

We went up North to spend our second annual week with the Young's. Luckily we had most of the fun stuff planned at the first of the trip because by Tues. Jack was as sick as a dog. He started out with pink eye, it turned into puking, then a fever of 103 with Tylenol in his system. He was so.... miserable. So we trapped ourselves in the house and didn't get to see any of our friends or family, so sad. We will make it back up there soon and hope for better luck next time.

Jack got spoiled and got a tramp from his Mom and Dad and Gonga and Bompa for his Birthday. He has spent most of the days since on there bouncing around. He is trying to master a flip, it's really just a no handed summer sault, but he thinks he is hot stuff and I scream every time he does it.

Jack sure loves his Grandpa, this picture makes me smile. He thinks his grandpa is so funny!

Practicing his gymnastics

Jocey you make me laugh

We got in our first splash at Main Street Park. It was fun to have our "up north" fam. and friends with us. Boston and Jocey and cute friends Payton and Cole.

And Finally,

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY!

MY BIRTHDAY BOY

2010-05-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

In some ways it seems like yesterday that my little Jack entered the world, and in other ways it seems like he has been a part of our life forever. I can't imagine my life without him. I have more fun being a mom than I thought possible. He is the joy of my life, I love every second I get to spend with my Jack. Happy 3rd Birthday Jack, We love you!

The Sand Incident

2010-04-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

Honestly Jack has become quite the trouble maker these days. But this one took the cake, I got the 24 hour flu bug on Sunday, yuck! I was just relaxing on the couch and Jack came over to me and said I'm going to dump sand on your head. I told him he better not or he would be in big trouble, I thought he was kidding! Well I was wrong a few minutes later this is how I looked and this is how Jack looked. Man where did this stinker come from? Hopefully it is just the age because I am getting really really sick of it!

On a much more positive note HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLY!!!

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. ~ Amy Li

I am so glad I have a sister, you are the best, love ya .

Bake Sale Success!

2010-04-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

The Bake Sale was a Success and very fun also! Thanks to everyone that came out and supported. B.A.C.A. came and were very generous and we even had a man going to a funeral that was supposed to bring dessert and forgot, so he bought two dozen. Thanks to our friends and family that made a special effort to come by, and donate, and those that helped us make all the cookies and cinnamon rolls. I thought we had way too many, and we pretty much sold out. I can't believe how many people were so giving, It makes me want to be more like that.

IT'S A BAKE SALE

2010-04-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Come and support AUTISM SPEAKS by buying some MILK AND COOKIES. Jack cousin Boston was diagnosed with high functioning autism when he was two! Jack thinks the world of Boston, as do I. He is an amazing little boy that has over come many challenges in his young age. He is smart, funny, lovable and Jacks best friend. Having Boston in our family has really opened our eyes to the autism world, and made us want to help. Jack and I are going to participate in an autism walk on May 1st. To raise money for it we are putting on a Bake Sale Tomorrow APRIL 10th. It will be located at the Shadow Mountain Chapel on the grass facing 100 North. We would love to see ya there!

Celebrating Life

2010-04-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

The celebration of Easter is so special, I love to reminisce of life and especially life eternal. The Best gift I have been and ever will be given is eternal life, and too often I forget how lucky I have been to be taught about eternal life. Lately I have had some Jehovah's Witnesses that I have been trying to kindly get rid of but to no avail they show up every Friday morning and they are relentless. (I need some good tips for getting rid of them, so far, nothing has worked) Last Friday they caught me so I let them share their message with me, and I am glad I did! They told me that they believe that we are all going to "HELL." Let me explain, they say that in the bible when they talk of "hell" it is the grave. And when we die (our bodies) that they are buried and that is the end until the Resurrection. I was really thrown back at that and mad. My whole life I had just thought that it was common knowledge that we have a body and inside a spirit. ( I have been raised in Utah, can't you tell) But I honestly started to question my thought process for a bit. What they told me was quite convincing and they backed it up with impressive scriptures. So in tears that night I came to Shawn and said, do you truly believe that we have a spirit inside us. Of course he had great answers and eased my mind, I love his faith. But I was just in fear that if for some reason they were right and I lost someone that I loved dearly that they would just be resting there in their grave, rotting..... No spirit leaving there body and living on, drawing near to us and continuing their work as spirits. I hated the thought! Death has always haunted me, I worry everyday that something is going to happen to Jack. And I think that is why I was so appalled at the theory they had of death, it just seemed so final. I'm not one of those people that can say, " I know the church is true" I don't know, but I sure hope it is. I have invested a lot of time and faith into it. I loved the talk that Pres. Monson gave about the resurrection, it was beautiful. It really eased my mind. I guess what I have come to realize is that what I have been taught about death and eternal life is beautiful and peaceful, and I am going to trust and have faith that is is right, because I believe that God is in charge and I trust him, and that puts me at peace.

On top of all of that we had a great weekend with family, I love them. I am so glad that we get together so often, and make holidays so special.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

2010-03-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

PAST WEEK OR SO...

Hiking with with Steve, Kim, Kash, and Harley. Pinewood derby, 3 BBQ's in the back yard, enjoying the WARM weather, Book Club (The Shack), play groups, Making Popcorn trees, Making Easter suckers with Gonga, Swimming at Grandpa Munks indoor POOL, Jack jumped off the edge and loved it, SHAWN moved his Shop, Shawn has worked double over time, Last IMMUNIZATION for Jack, Jack weighted in at 34 lbs. and 3 1/2 feet tall, Jack THOUGHT it was weird she said he was 3 1/2 feet when he only has two feet, the nurse loved his COMMENT, family outing to "How To Train a Dragon", Loved it and was scared out of his shorts, and family night consisted of a cute EASTER EGG Hunt, Jack got skittles in his egg and loved it!

LUCK OF THE IRISH

2010-03-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Now I might be partial but that is one cute LEPRECHAUN!

(Jack made this hat at a play group. The first time he put it on I burst out laughing, I love it!)

Jack the Leprechaun eating green waffles, lucky charms and green milk, along with his gold nuggets the Irish Leprechaun left! Happy St. Patty's Day

The "D" Word

2010-03-10T21:27:00.000-08:00

Maybe I am alone in saying this, but does anyone else feel like Marriage is getting more and more disposable everyday? I feel like every direction I turn I am faced with a new marriage falling apart. Honestly it scares me and it has made me really analyze my marriage. Many of the people that are in this situation I have looked up to and thought their marriages "seemed" okay. The bad thing is most the time the excuse is, I'm not happy, I feel like I settled for this marriage, and the best one, I'm addicted to sex... Lame Lame Lame. Honestly the real problem is that all three of those statements start with I and there is where the problem lies. I love this quote “Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have. In my judgment, the real essence of happiness in marriage lies not so much in romance as in an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one's companion. Thinking of self alone and of the gratification of personal desires will build neither trust, love, nor happiness. Only when there is unselfishness will love, with its concomitant qualities, flourish and blossom.” -President Gordon B. Hinckley

After I read that quote a few couples popped into my mind, and I am thankful I have them to look up to...

I don't personally know these two, but I feel like I do. Most of you know this story, but for the ones who don't here is why I look up to these two. Stephanie and Christen, a darling married couple with five kids, were in a horrible plane wreck over a year ago. They were both on the brink of death, Stephanie burned from head to toe. Long and great story short, no matter what they look like or what their disabilities are now they are in love. They keep each other alive and look to each other for support. A great example of true love!

Anyone that has made it 60+ years of marriage belongs in my book of good examples of a successful marriage. I am lucky to call these two my grandparents. They always have smiles on their faces and my grandpa ALWAYS gives my grandma a kiss good bye. I love that. They do everything together, and don't ever act like they are sick of each other.

I can't remember a time that I have heard my parents yell at each other. I love that they still take time to go on dates and love to watch old boring westerns together. I doubt very few days have gone by that my Mom hasn't had a full meal ready for my Dad when he got home, his laundry folded washed and put away and the house spotless. I doubt a day has gone by that my Dad hasn't worked his fingers to the bone, provided everything that a family could need and honored his priesthood. I love that my Mom waited for my Dad while he was on his mission, it just adds to there great love story.

I have had numerous conversations with Shawn's Mom about how much pain Shawn's Dad is in all the time and still he wakes up each day and pushes through. She always has a tear in her eye at the end. Corey loves motorcycles, and even though it might not ever happen they always talk about having matcing Harleys and riding together. I hope someday they do.

Shawn's Grandparents have too been married for 60 + years. I love to watch these two. Even though I have never seen them kiss each other or say I love you it is through their actions that I see their love. Grandma Munk has Alzheimer and Grandpa Munk has now had to take on the many roles she had, like cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping, he had some big shoes to fill. And in return Grandpa Munk can hardly walk and without a doubt Grandma is by his side keeping him balanced, I guess you could say one couldn't live without the other.

If you weren't on this list don't be offended, after I started listing a few I realized that there are a lot of you out there that I look up to, thanks. This has made me realize that Shawn and I are in it for the long haul, and there is NO giving up. There may be a lot of divorce happening around us, and my heart hurts for the victims of selfishness, but there are also a lot of great examples around us too. Someone once said that they have a swear word in their house they call the "D" word. Not to be mistaken with the other "D" word :) and it is not aloud in any way shape or form in their house...I think they meant divorce. I too will add that to the list of DO NOT SAY in our house words too. I love you all and I know sometime divorce doesn't always go both ways, sadly. There are many people out there that are divorced and don't want to be, that makes me want to cry. I know that there is a soul mate out there for each of us and I am so grateful I have mine!

Little conversations...

2010-03-03T13:01:00.000-08:00

Jack and I were at our Tuesday play group when I overheard two cute little Jack conversations, they went something like this...

(we had been there for a few min)
Jack- Hi Austin I haven't said hi to you yet today. (with a lot of animation)
Austin- Umm.. Mom why did Jack say that...
(Jack has spent way to many hours observing what his Mom says, yikes)

( After a slight accident, Jack was spending some time in the bathroom, but after sitting in there for 10 min. I gave up, Haily and Jack had this potty talk together.)
Haily- Jack you go potty.
Jack- Nah, I just did a little poop in my undies, Moms mad...
Haily- oh

I've always wondered what little boys conversations were like, well there you have it!!!

I have to add one more also.

Jack - When I grow up I am going to be a dad, like you. I am going to have a big head like you. A really big head!!

Look Again

2010-02-28T15:14:00.000-08:00

It's another book review... Apparently we have been doing a bit of reading around the house! I just finish a book titled, "Look Again" by Lisa Scottoline. It is a great book, I loved it because it taught me about being a Mother. The best line in the book comes at the end when she writes, " I have learned that the love a mother has for her child is unique among human emotions... And though, as his Mother, I certainly felt tired at times, I never tired of looking at him. I never tired of watching him eat. I never tired hearing the sounds of his voice or the word he made up... I never tired of seeing him play with legos... Here is how a Mother's love is different: You may fall out of love with Man. But you will never fall out of love with your child....

This past Friday was one of those "Challenging Mom Days." I changed Jacks paints four time, before it was 12 o'clock. He got into everything he could possible find in the house that would make me upset, he popped the top of his orange juice and shook it all over the back of my car.... If you happened to have run into me that day you probably heard some not so nice things! Needless to say I am giving up on the potty training, after 9 months, and my car got a much needed overhaul. But thank heavens I had just finished this book the day before, and I realized that I love Jack more than I will ever be able to show. And no matter if I have to clean up poop and orange juice mess everyday, I wouldn't give up one second I get to be with JACK. It is like she said my love for Jack is,"unique among human emotions." It's not really something that is explainable, just something felt deep down inside. I am so lucky to be a mom, especially Jacks mom.

If You Give A Cat a Cupcake

2010-02-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

Jack and I just finished reading "If You Give A Cat A Cupcake" and I realized how similar my days are to the girls in the book...

If you give Jack a chocolate milk.
He will want a bagel with white cheese to go with it.
While eating his bagel he will get it all over his face and he will decide he needs to take a bath.
He can't take a bath alone,
He will want all of his cars in the tub so he can do a car wash.
When he gets out of the bath he will be cold and he will ask to wear his sweat pants,
He won't want you to help put anything on so it will take double the time it should,
By then he will be bored and he will want to play a game,
Not just one game, but his 3 favorite, The Ice Game, Toy Story Game, then The Bee Game.
Then he will notice it is day time and want to go outside to play.
He won't let you sit down he will want you to watch everything and say, "way to go Jack" the whole time,
And he might make you go down the little slide and play in the sand box too.
Then he will remember that he has a dog named Scout and he will want him to come out and play,
Then they might get the great idea to run away from you,
You will have to go grab your shoes and chase them around the neighborhood.
By that time jack will remember that he is thirsty and he will ask for a chocolate milk...

LOVE

2010-02-15T22:34:00.000-08:00

We have had a crazy, busy, past week...

SHAWN turned 28!

I wanted to make his day so great, he really deserved it. He is such an amazing person, he is such a talented, hard working, funny, generous, kind, caring person. We are so lucky to have him in our lives! Just to brag a bit for him because he never would, I will... As we all know being in the building industry right now is full of challenges, I'm not going to lie this past year/ year and a half has been tough, and at any point I would have fully backed up Shawn in quitting and changing his occupation. But Shawn is NOT a quitter, he has worked his fingers to the bone and has gone without a lot of sleep. And finally it has started to pay off. He is so busy, Thank Heavens. I am so impressed with his business skills and determination. He still is lacking in sleep waking up way too early and staying up late, to keep up. But I am so proud of his hard work and I know he does it all for Jack and Me. Thanks Shawn WE ( Jack and I) LOVE YOU!!!

Celebrating Valentines Day

Giving loves to the ones we care about the most!

Decorating cookies!

Being with friends and family that we love!

And sending Jack's love to all!

I love Valentines day, actually it was more like Valentines weekend. I love to realize how blessed I am to be loved by a wonderful husband,a darling son, caring parents, thoughtful siblings and everyone else.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

I Have Been BLESSED

2010-02-05T14:49:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls (thanks Josh for the Christmas gift.) You should all read it. I would put it on my top ten list. It is frustrating, funny, sad, and inspiring.

I finished the book and then started to look at my life and realized how blessed I am...

New Wall Decore

2010-02-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

Another one of Shawn's masterpieces... If you look closely, you're right, super man is lacking a head. They aren't 100% done yet, but Jack and I loved them so... much we couldn't wait any longer to hang them up.

California Highlights

2010-01-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

DISNEY LAND

THE BEACH

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

And Jesus....

2010-01-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

Jack and I were discussing who we would be seeing at Disney Land (we are making a quick trip with Shawn's parents to California, yippy) this morning, the list included McQueen, Mater, Mickey, Tinker Bell, and JESUS! Well, I said, " Jesus isn't at Disney Land, but that would be really cool if He was huh, but He is in Heaven, right" "NO, Jesus is at Disney Land" He said. Humm..

I Cry The Day We Take the Tree Down...

2010-01-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

I do wish this Season could last all year long!

We had such a fun Christmas season this year. Jack made it all so fun and magical. We are so blessed to be loved and thought of by so many people during this Christmas season. Thank you to all of you who showed there love to us. Especially our sweet families that spoil us rotten, you know we love it!

FIVE YEARS

2009-12-31T12:08:00.000-08:00

The best decision I have ever made!!!

Christmas Season Highlights

2009-12-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas cards have been sent,

Neighbor gifts delivered,

Gingerbread houses made,

Jack managed to stick a nickle in an outlet and a m&m up his nose and survived it, all in one night,

I turned 25 and we celebrated, we also celebrated 75% of our extended families birthdays (nearly everyone in our family has a birthday in Dec.)

We've played in the snow (Jack keeps begging the sun to bring it back),

Shawn and my prayers have been answered and he is busier than he has been in the past few years, which stinks because he has been going in early and staying late, yuck. But we feel VERY bless, we will deal with the crappy hours, well he will.

Jack has learned his own version of a few Christmas carols and has made up a few of his own including... Jingle bells (jingle bell jingle bell all the way home, one more neigh neigh), All I want for Christmas is my two front tires (mater style), Oh timing belt oh timing belt how lovely is your rubber (Mater style too), Frosty the snow plow(yeah you guessed it, mater style) and last but not least, Merry Merry Ka-chow (McQueen style) Not the sweetest Christmas songs but he loves singing them!

And the shopping is 99.9% of the way done.

No wonder the season goes by so fast!!!

New Family Photos

2009-12-16T13:04:00.000-08:00

My darling and very talented friend errin took these great pictures of our little family. They are so beautiful, apparently I had a lot of favorites, thanks Errin!

For Jack

2009-12-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

Paul Harvey Writes:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car..
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it… And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hannukah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen… Sealed with a kiss.

To the One I Owe My Life To

2009-12-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

I love that my Mom and I have birthdays right next to each other. Mine is on the 8th followed by hers, today, on the 10th. The day before my birthday I was thinking about where my Mom was 25 years ago. I remember so vividly Jacks birth and how hard and special it was and the sacrifices and blessing that have come from that day. But rarely have I thought about the day I was born and the sacrifices that my Mom made that day and every day after that. She has always put us children and My Dad first before any of her needs. She is incredibly thoughtful.

This is such a small thing in perspective to all the things she has done for me, but she knows how much I love peppermint ice cream and I can't remember a birthday ever going by without her buying special peppermint ice cream for my birthday. That is so... my Mom, she knows how to put a magic touch on everything and make us feel so special. That is my favorite thing about her.

I also started to wonder, as my Mom, how many diapers she has changed, how many bedtime stories she has read, how many times she has layed by the side of my bed waiting for me to fall asleep, how many times I woke her up in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep. How many messes she has cleaned up because of me, how many sack lunches she's made, how many hours she spent doing my hair and making sure I always looked nice. I wonder how many time she cried because I hurt her feelings, how much money she has spent on Christmas, birthday gifts, and school clothes. How many nights she stayed up way too late to make sure I got home safe, how many ride she has given me. This list could go on and on and on, I am sure I haven't even touched the surface. But the point is I have the best mom in the world and she probably doesn't even care that she has spent every second of her life providing for her children. She has truly taught me what being selfless is and I owe her the world for that. I couldn't ask for a better Mom. I have had such an easy, happy life because I was blessed to have her as my Mom. Happy Birthday Mom I love you with all of my heart, Thank you for being My Mom.

SANTA

2009-12-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

"I want a Boost and a New Mater, because Austin broke the tow cables off mine."
- Jack Christmas 2009

Giving Thanks

2009-11-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed this fall/Thanksgiving season more this year than I remember in the past! I love the weather, the smells, fall decorations, the colors, and remembering what I am blessed with in my life.

So here is a list of the things I am Thankful for, both big and small...

I am grateful for this big cheesy grin that I get to spend my days with. This little man keeps me going even when I am tired or worn out, or frustrated. I passed down the trait to Jack of being a pleaser, not always the best trait, but hey there could be worse. Jack makes sure if he sees that I am sad or mad that he says, "Mom's Happy" or "Mom you are my best friend ever" it seems to work most of the time, he gets out of a lot of trouble by saying it too. I am glad I get to hangout with my best buddy everyday.

I am grateful more than I can say for this man! He is the light of my life, he lifts me up and makes me feel like a super model. He is the most creative, fun, lovable, hard working, giving, easy going, talented Husband and Dad I know! Jack and I are so lucky to be loved by him.

I am grateful for my parents. Jack lights up every time he sees them. They have so many wonderful traits that I wish to have one day. I look up to them in many ways. They have and always will be my guiding hand. I am grateful for their selfless examples and willingness to give and help when ever needed. I have, and ALWAYS will be proud to call them my Parents.

I am grateful for my mother-in-law that takes the time out of her busy schedule to watch Jack on Tuesdays while I work. She has for years and it means a lot to me. Jack loves to play at her house with all of the old toys. I am also grateful that she and my Father-in-law raised such a great young man. Don't they say behind every great man is an even better Mother.

I am grateful to have a sister. There is just a bond given at birth between sisters. I love to call and chat with her about nothing. She can always relate or at least does a great job at making me believe she does. On top of that Jack wouldn't be dressed cute if it wasn't for Aunt Carly. She is very giving and thoughtful.

I am grateful for my little brother. He always makes me feel like my cooking is amazing and even asks for my recipes! That makes me feel so special :) coming from a family of amazing cooks, and me not being much of one, if someone asks me for one of my recipes or calls me for tips on cooking they are top on my list.

I am grateful for my friend Rakel. She makes me get out of bed three times a week to work my butt off, literally! She pushes me to complete things I would say were impossible. I love running with her, she is so fun to have "girl talk" with, every girl needs that. She gives great advice and is a great listener.

I am grateful for a healthy strong body. In this past year I have found this inner strength that I didn't know I had. I have pushed my body harder than I ever have. It has been hard work but it feels great. I find myself so often giving up on myself if it doesn't come naturally to me. Running or anything athletic is one of the many things that I am not naturally good at, but I feel grateful for the strength and will I have to be healthy!

I am grateful for DVR. We just recently got it and I love that I get to watch Studio Five, Rachal Ray, Ellen and Oprah. Shawn loves it too, there has been a few times that I have made Shawn watch some crazy Oprah or some craft I want to make from Studio Five. It is so fun!

I am grateful for St. George and the beautiful clean place that it is. I feel lucky to have it as my home.

I am grateful for the fun play groups I have to take Jack to. We look forward to them every week.

I am grateful for Shawn's amazing talent of wood working. I have a beautiful home to show for it. Just wait to see what he has in store for Christmas!!!

I am grateful for the all around belief of God, what a blessing it is to me. I wouldn't make it through one day without His light and the faith of his existence.

I guess this quote sums this super long gratitude post up.

"If you want to feel rich, count all the blessings money can't buy!"

Photography Class

2009-11-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

For the past 8 weeks I have been taking a photography class. It has been so informative and fun. For the final week we were asked to present a project. I chose to take pictures of my sister and her family. I picked them as my subject, I then quickly realized that I am not a good photographer and that families with small children are nearly impossible to get a good shot. Kudos to all of you that are photographers, it may look easy, but it isn't. I took over 300 pictures and maybe 10 are keepers, maybe!

So back to the class, I worked hard on getting these photos all put together and when I got to my class my usb drive wouldn't work! I was so bummed, so I thought I would put them on my blog and get your feed back. I am fully aware that they are beginner looking and I have a lot of practicing in both photography and editing!

Halloween

2009-11-04T15:35:00.001-08:00

Possibly the cutest BUZZ LIGHTYEAR ever!
Buzz got quite tuckered out from all of the trick-or-treating. It's hard work! Just a quick rest and he was back at it!

NO shhhhshuuing

2009-11-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

We have had a hard time getting Jack to go to sleep in the last week, so I started a bad routine were I lay on the floor and hold his hand through the crib, only for a bit because he won't fall asleep if I am in there. So I was just in there with him laying on the floor holding his hand and he was telling me that there are no stinkin' white cats or owies in our house (that's another story in and of it's self) so I said Jack Shhhh... and Jack pipped in,"there's no shhhshuing down there!" He had me rolling on the ground laughing!

Carving Pumpkins and Swine Flu

2009-10-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

What do these two subjects have in common??? They both have the possibly of making Jack DEATHLY SICK!!!! Let me explain...

We carved pumpkins last night Jack was up on the chair helping Shawn pull out the guts... The second his hand touched the slim and his nose smelt the smell he was dry heaving so hard I thought he was going to loose his dinner! I guess he is more like his Mom than we thought. When I was young I was at a friends birthday party and they opened up the pizzas and they smelled stinky to me... and the older brother had to say something along the lines of barf pizza and you can guess what happen... I ruined the birthday party, classic! So Jack opted out of the first part of the pumpkin carving, but he did enjoy the end, especially when he got to put the light in the pumpkin! Fun Halloween memories.

Second reason for this post is I want to know what to do... do I give the Swine Flu Vaccine to Jack or not!!! I am so torn, I would hate for him to get sick but I am questioning the vaccine too! I am going to call my Dr. this afternoon and see what he thinks. The one thing that really scares me is Jack has had respiratory problem in the past when he has been sick! If anyone of you out there has an answer to my concern I would love to hear it!

Well, peace out and Happy Halloween!

Another Lambert Halloween Party!

2009-10-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Halloween Season would not be the same without the annual Lambert Family Halloween Party! We had some classic costumes this year with The Frei's coming as "Fries", Steve and Kim scared the pants off all of the kids with their freaky, not so sure what to call them, costumes! Mindy nailed the polygamist costume and Woody, Jessie and Buzz were cute!Creepy decor, yummy apples,

and pumpkin carving!

Is he not the cutest COWBOY ever? Oh how I love Halloween/Fall. Isn't it the best time of the year?

Funny Faces

2009-10-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Jack and Shawn were bored last night.....
This makes me Happy!

Filling You in On All That has Been Happening

2009-10-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

We have been busy, maybe busier than we have ever been, but we made it! We are pretty much settled in our new home, Shawn completed the marathon and the wedding was a success! Watch out this is going to be a long, full post... because we not only have those 3 big things happened in the past few weeks but we have also had a million other things... so here is the run down of what has been happening at the Lambert Residence.

I am so... sick of moving!!! I think I can say that for myself, Shawn, My Parents & Shawn's Parents. We are all happy to be settled. The moving started with Grandma Lambert moving into an "assisted living area" I'm making sure I say it like that or I might offend "someone". Then that left us with a house full of junk, I mean all of Grandma's stuff, and she strictly told us not to throw anything away, don't keep it in the house, and don't get a storage unit! Well that made it fun. We spent at least 3 weeks packing her stuff and filling the garage. My parents were life savers keeping Jack nearly every night until it was done. Shawn did talk her into a storage unit finally thank heavens. Then we began to pack up our house and move to the "new" house. I always tell myself we have moved so often we have it down and it will only take one night, well that's not true, after two weeks of moving us out I started to think we either need to have a yard sale or take a lot of stuff to the D.I. Now all we have left to do is move my Grandparent's stuff back into their house once it is repainted and carpeted. Yeah I can hardly wait.

So now that that drama is out of the way, here are some of the fun things that fall time brings to our lives.

We spent some much needed relaxing time at Staheli's farm. Jack was dirty from head to toe, I was picking dirt out of his ears for days. I love the fall and the crisp night, it was a great night on the Farm.

I always know it is fall when I see runners up and down the streets preparing for the marathon. Shawn and I sat there last year watching the runners come in and he said he wanted to do it again the following year (he ran it 5 years ago). I thought it sounded crazy but when sign up time came around he paid his $70.00 bucks and he was locked in. Of course it ended up being at such a crazy time in our lives but, I should never doubt him, he was amazing, without nearly the amount of training he should of had he finished. Sometimes I wish there was one thing that he couldn't do... but I haven't found it yet. YOU ARE SIMPLY AMAZING! I am so proud of you!

We had a fun afternoon in the theater watching the DOUBLE feature of TOY STORY it was long but Jack never took his eyes off the screen, he loved it!
The much anticipated wedding of Chad and Eryn came and went! It was of course beautiful in every way. Eryn looked absolutely perfect. And everything else was picturesque! Jacks classic line of the day came when I was putting on his white shirt and tie for the 3rd time that day he said,"Mom I hate this shirt." It was a long, but fun day, we are so happy for the both of them!

Moving Again

2009-09-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

4 Moves in the almost 5 years of our marriage!!!! As we were pack everything up I might have sighed once or twice and been slightly complaining, slightly that is... But I think I was making Shawn feel bad about moving the family AGAIN! But I started to think moving hasn't been all that bad a lot of good things have come from our moves, best of all are all the different friends we have made. We have had several opportunities to meet many awesome friends. So, even though I have and will be living in boxes for the next week it is worth it... I have met so many great friends in this area, in the past areas and I am sure in the area to come, so here we go....

I had to post this picture because my friends from Hidden Valley, the second house we lived in, invited me to dessert last week and it was so much fun we laughed ourselves sick. And that is when I realized it has been a blessing to move and meet such fun people!

I Won't Not Bite You Anymore

2009-09-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

As I was putting Jack down tonight for bed he was touching my face and he ran across a zit! He kept feeling it and saying, "Mom has an owie go get a band aid." As he started to get more tired he said, still touching my zit, "Sorry Mom that I bite you I won't not do it anymore, I be a nice boy." I couldn't help but burst out laughing! I love to hear his explanations for things, they crack me up!

Too... Full

2009-09-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

My little brother, Josh coined some of the best phrases as a child. One of my favorites was when he was asked to clean up his mess he would say, "Mom but my hands are too little." It always worked for him, and never for me. I still tell Shawn that sometimes but to no avail I end up cleaning my mess up. Funny thing is Josh's hands are about two times the size of mine now, but I'm sure if he said it in his cute little voice, my Mom would fall for his tricks and do it for him, I guess that is one of the perks of being the youngest...

So today Jack dropped his cup on the floor and I said to Jack, "Pick that up or it will spill." And his reply was, " Mom I'm too full, I can't" Oh Boy, Josh look what you have taught him!!! I guess if he follows if your foot steps he will turn out to be a pretty cool guy! Even if he gets away with way more than he should.

Yes, I Really Did It!!!

2009-09-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I ran a 1/2 marathon. It was one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished. The group that I run with have been planning on running this race, but I didn't think I could do it... but the night before Raquel and Shawn talked me into doing it.

The first few miles were hard, then I got into my rhythm and felt okay, not great, but okay. Then mile 10 hit and my knees killed.... I tried to stop and walk but it made it worse, so Raquel and Sue went on and I ran the last 3 miles alone (I told them to go on, they didn't just leave me)... There were times I thought I might not make it but my determined little mind pushed me through it. I paid for it for the rest of that day and the next, though.

I love doing things that seemed impossible to me! I never thought in my life that I would have the strength to complete a 1/2 marathon, but I did! 2 hours and 12 mins.

Breakfast Time

2009-09-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

Buzz wings on, Check
Transformers P.J. top on, Check
Woody undies on, Check
Bagel with "white" cheese, not the "pink" cheese, Check
A chocolate milk, shaken, Check
Sitting on the counter top, Check
Super Why on, Check

Mornings are the best!!!

A Classic Jack Moment

2009-08-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

My Mom and Dad brought back a little souvenir for Jack from their recent trip and I had to write down what he said. (This is my favorite thing he has said thus far.)

My Mom, aka Gonga handed Jack this little box and as he was opening it my mom nonchalantly said, " he's probably like what the heck is this" of course Jack heard her and said, " yeah Mom what the HECK is this..." He kept saying it over and over, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

Oh Jack you keep life fun...

Shawn Talked Me Into It!!!

2009-08-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Against my will, Shawn got us to go to the Washington County Fair last weekend. Luckily we had some great friends come into town that were troopers to come with us. I have to admit Jack had a ball on the rides so it made it worth it. But I still hate that kind of atmosphere, YUCK! Jack and Mason were so daring! Yikes... At the end I asked Jack "Was that scary or fun?" He said, "scary and fun!" He felt like such a big boy.

Mason and Jack flying high!Ending the night with a ride on a motorcycle, just like Uncle Chad! Jack loved it.

Okay so it was fun, I'm glad Shawn made me go!

I Like it Just JACK

2009-08-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

I know I should be getting baby hungry. Most of my friends that have children Jack's age already have a second or at least the second one is on the way. But I am so crazy in love with Jack that I feel like I couldn't love another, is that normal? I just love our time together. I even watched two babies last week and nothing. I know I want him to have siblings, but I just can't get myself to seriously consider baby number two....

Reaching For the Stars!!!

2009-08-04T05:28:00.000-07:00

Last night as we were walking back to our car Jack started to jump up with his hands out stretched saying "a catch a star" There weren't any stars out yet, and rarely has he been up past 9:00 to even see stars in the sky. What a silly little kid... I always wonder where he gets his phrases from. So the whole drive home he was reaching out the car window to catch a star, he wanted Shawn and I to do the same.

This got me thinking I hope he always reaches for the stars... He is at the age were he soaks in everything. He has such a desire to learn and know. It is amazing to watch as he tries new things. I love it lately if we don't understand what he is saying he repeats it back slowly to me until I fully understand what he is trying to tell me, it is great. It's especially great when it takes him ten tries and he and myself are frustrated, but what a relief it is when he finally gets across what is so... important.

So to you Jack REACH, actually reach and reach some more until you reached so far that there can't be any more reaching. Reach high and low and right and left. Follow your dreams and don't let anyone tell you to stop reaching, because it will be that person who didn't dare reach that will tell you to stop reaching.

I was told by some one that I love dearly to stop teaching Jack so much because he would be bored and get into trouble in school. I started to think about that and yes I can see their point but I hope I never take that advice. Jack don't stop learning! It is at that point that you and life will get dull. Everyday I learn something new from Jack and I hope he does the same with me.

Weekend Fun

2009-07-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun past weekend...

We enjoyed the Ivins 24th of July parade with our cute new neighbors! Jack thought it was the greatest thing in the world when the people started to throw candy to him. Man, but it made me realize how grown up he is getting.

Then the rest of the weekend was spent with my family in Brian Head. It was nice to get out of the heat and relax. (Thanks Dad and Mom for the really fun getaway.) I am so lucky to have such a great family. Jack loved being around his cute little cousins. Last night while we were eating dinner he said "Boston is my best friend ever" so.... cute. I love the special bond we naturally have with cousins.

Catchin' up with Summer Fun

2009-07-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we went back up to the "BIT" cooler weather of Pine Valley! We celebrated Uncle Chads 22nd Birthday. Jack was covered from head to toe in dirt, and he loved it! It was nice to relax and spend time with Shawn's family.
Shawn and I have both been working really hard to get back into running! I have now found a group of girls that I can run with in the morning. It's a good thing because I couldn't get over the 3 mile hump, but I can proudly say we ran 4 mile this morning and I felt great.

(I didn't have a good running photo, I don't look my finest at 6 in the morning)
Shawn and I went on a date to the Lady Antebellum concert last night. It was so much fun just being together and laughing and enjoying life.

And we are so excited for these two, yeah they are getting married! They have been together for so long we already consider Eryn as part of the family and have for years, but we are glad they are going to make it official. I can't wait for the wedding. I am sure it will be beautiful!

Even though the summer is REALLY hot it is such a fun time of the year!

Jack and Dad

2009-07-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine wrote a song that says,

"Ain't this livin, Ain't this grand, some poor people just don't understand. Livin' ain't money, or fancy cars, livin' is like this, right where we are."

I am so glad that Hayley takes so many pictures, cause so often I don't realize how great I have it, until the moment is captured in a picture and I look at it later.

It makes me want do at least one thing every day worthy of a picture.

Sometimes when we are doing things I think "This would make a great picture." I have the feeling I am getting the most out of what little time we have between work, and sleep and all the other mundane things in life.

Jack you make me so Happy.

I have a great life, and I think no matter where life is going to take us in the next couple years, as long as I have Jack and Hayley with me there will be many more "picture moments" that will remind me of this.

"Mommy Be NICE"

2009-07-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

You know you've lost your cool when your 2 year old tells you to be nice, ooops.... But some of you may understand my frustration when I explain why I wasn't being NICE. Potty training week two has been a lot easier than week one. I dare say he has the "Number One" down! Congrats Jack!!!! But lets just say "Number Two" we are struggling with. Any advice out there, I would love to hear it. The weird thing is he will tell me that he needs to go but when I get him there he won't do it, ahhhh.... He has learned to strategically plan to "poop" when I put a diaper on him, like at nap time.... So today he came to me telling me he needed to go, about 2 hours ago. Me being the determined person I am wasn't going to put him down until the job was done. By 2:30 he was in dire need of a nap and I was at my wits ends. Hence the "mommy be nice" phrase from Jack. So he won and now he will wake up from his nap with, yes a stinky diaper. Okay so help... I can't give up now he has done so well.... Someone out there has to have an answer!

MICHAEL JACKSON

2009-07-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching the tribute to Michael Jackson, what an inspiring life he lived! I have always been a big fan of his music, especially when I was young. Growing up I can remember dancing around in the family room with my siblings to blaring Michael Jackson music. What a talented and giving man. You know when your a kid and you hear music you just like it because it sounds cool, rarely do we listen and understand the words. I had heard the words to "Man In the Mirror" plenty of times but didn't really catch the meaning. A few years ago ( I can vividly remember this) I was driving in my car and that song came on and I really listen to those words and I remember sitting there thinking what a great message that was. It starts here inside with us. One of the best lines to me is when he says " I've been a victim of this selfish kind of love it is time that I realize there are some with no homes not a nickle to love... Thanks for your life and inspiring music Michael Jackson, you have made this world a better place for you and for me!!!!

FAREWELL!

Freedom^2

2009-07-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

I love the 4th of July and the time we have to reflect on our freedoms. We are grateful for the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. We are so lucky to live in America.

This week we not only got to celebrate the freedom of our country, but we are also celebrating the FREEDOM FROM DIAPERS!!! I don't want to count the chickens before they hatch, but we are now on day five of potty training and so far so good. I am amazed how fast he has picked it up. I am one proud mom. Way to go Jack!

CAMPING

2009-06-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

After a 3+ hour nap I can now say I/we had a great time camping for the last 4 days! I have been privileged to have been called to be in Young Womens for the past 5 years that I have been out of Young Womens. ( did that all make sense?) I love being in with the girls, but each year when Girls Camp rolls around I try to think up some excuse to get out of it! This year I failed! I will admit that I am not a big fan of full out camping. But I put on my happy face and it wasn't too bad. Luckily we have a great group of girls and the fun leaders too! ( there weren't any pictures of girls camp worth posting)

The camping didn't end there! Luckily I got a shower in between but that was about all! I was not raised camping at all!!! I do remember camping one time as a family and leaving at about 11:00 pm heading home, we just weren't meant to camp! So I am not too sure why all the sudden My Parents have had this itch to camp lately. We had my Dads older Brother John, his wife Debbie and my cousins Angiee and Chelsea and my Bro. Josh meet us up at Pine Valley. And again I have to admit it was more fun than I planned on having! Jack loved being out in the open and just being dirty! I feel bad that we live this close to Pine Valley and don't go up there often, it is so beautiful. Everything went great until night came! Lets just say that we need to practice sleeping in the tent with Jack a bit more before we attempt the next camping trip! I dare say all three of us had the worst night of sleep we have EVER had! At 5:30am we packed up and headed home!!!! So back to the 3 hour nap, it was greatly needed by all of us!!!