Turning 38

I had my 38th birthday about a week and half ago - I'm well on my way to 40. My 20-year class reunion is this summer. All I can say, is where did the time go? It seems like yesterday, I was living in Logan with Michelle and fast forward ten years and here I am. When we had our ten-year reunion, it seemed like we had just turned around and ten years went by. That's again how this past ten years has felt to me.

My life has changed tremendously in ten years - I live far away from my parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. I watch Dora and Sponge Bob (see previous post about missing earthquake) and laugh at the appropriate times. One of my favorite meals is chicken nuggets from McDonalds. I have to check each shirt before I wear it for stuff from dirty little 18 month old and 3 year old hands. Once I do get dressed for work, I try not to let my kids touch me. When they do, I NEVER CHANGE (unless it's blood or throw up)! I am a mother, what do people expect? I don't drive a cool car that a single person would drive any more. We only go to the cheap theater to see family/kid movies. I don't know what cool is anymore. I probably never did, but at least I could fool myself better. Now I don't even try. I don't get to go on fun scenic vacations. By the way, what is disposable income and who has it?

So in the spirit of reminiscing, I thought I'd share a few pics of me growing up.

Me and my dad - I'm 12 months old.

2 years old

I remember this picture well, we just had Family Home Evening and our treat were those suckers. We though we were pretty cool. Me and my sister, Michelle.

I was probably around 5 years old, she was three years old

I decided to skip my awkward pictures of pre-teen in favor of big hair.

It's a pretty fair trade off I think.

Me in 9th grade - don't you just love my mullet hair cut. Yes, I'm from Idaho.

My senior year - I can't believe I could get my hair that high or big.

My high school graduation, me and my mom!

My hair just got bigger and poofier (is that even a word?)

Here is a stupid funny thing I remember about graduation, after looking at my pictures after so many years. I had to HAVE white shoes for graduation. My mom tried to tell me I didn't need them, but I insisted. I probably only ever wore them that once, but I had to have them. I just remember making a big deal about them. How dumb is that? I have one picture of me in the white shoes - yeah they were worth it.

Our trip south and Scooby-Doo

Bryan's parents are here visiting us this week. It's been fun having them here and hopefully they have been able to see a few of the sites around the Springfield area. Yesterday we traveled to Southern Illinois and visited Garden of the Gods. We also visited Cave-in-Rock which Bryan's parents told us about and it turned out to be a really cool place to visit. Garden of the Gods is located at the southern tip of Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest. There are a few really small towns around it - Herod, Hartsville, Gross and Hicks. I'm not kidding about those names. It's also close to the Ohio Scenic Byway where Cave-in-Rock is located. And guess what? That's also the name of the town, Cave-in-Rock. It's zip code is 62919. Carson was a terror at Garden of the Gods, she DID NOT want to walk at all. Morgan was in a backpack and he did very well. We then went to Cave-in-Walk where she was an absolute delight. We had to climb up and down several sets of stairs which she did all by herself. When we walked into the cave, she again, did it all by herself. We walked to the back of the cave and then on our way out, she kept saying, "Mom, it's dangerous!" "Be careful, Mom". She was making me laugh. I thought it was so cute. It was a long drive down there - we left at 8 am in the morning and didn't return home last night until 11:30 pm. Needless to say, today hasn't been very productive. Bryan's parents went to the Lincoln Library and we are home.

Morgan wasn't feeling well last night, he threw up several times on the way home and again this morning. So he is taking a long nap. I gave him some Motrin and some Pedialyte and he finally fell asleep.

Yesterday, in anticipation of a long trip, we took our DVD player and lots of DVD's - Sponge Bob, Dora and a pup named Scooby Doo. Yes, I only took one Scooby Doo and wouldn't you know that is the ONLY one that Carson wanted to watch. We had several melt downs because not only did I only bring one, I brought the WRONG one! She does not like "A pup named Scooby Doo", just the original episodes that came out before I was even born! I had no idea.

Then when we were about 40 miles from home, Bryan was too tired to finish driving so I took over. AGAIN, the melt down began and lasted until we were about 7 miles from our home. Carson was so mad that I was driving. She kept crying, "Mommy, I want to drive," "Mommy, I can't sit by Daddy." "Mommy, please stop driving and come sit by me." And along with the crying was an occasional screaming fit, even high-pitched screams to go along with her fit. I remained calm, most of the time but that was so difficult to drive and not pull over and just get in the back with her and have someone else drive. Needless to say, she continued her whining/melt down state when we arrived home because I slept in Morgan's room since he was throwing up and I wanted to be close in case he was choking, so she had to sleep with her Dad. It was a very long evening.

Today, she is perfectly fine, although, she has just watched Scooby Doo most of the day. Do you think that she is addicted? Hmmm, maybe. Do you think we needed the break? Most definitely :)

Happy 3rd Anniversary

I have been awake since 3:45 am and busy since I woke up. I did the paper route and then went on my "Walk with Leslie" for 30 minutes. I did the 2 Mile Walk Brisk CD , it's from the Express Series. I love it! I always feel better when I take a walk with Leslie in the mornings. I just looked at her http://www.walkawaythepounds.com/ website and it shows her new product, the "Walkblaster". Going to have to get me one of those.

We took the kids to school this morning, then ran errands and ended up at Walmart. Carson and Morgan were so good for me. I love going shopping in the morning after I drop the older kids off because usually the store is pretty empty and I can get through there fast. That always helps too when I'm trying to limit how much money I spent. I ordered a cake for Carson's birthday. Yes, I'm a bad mom because I don't even attempt to make a cake for the kids. I tried the first year we were married and the only reason I was ever successful was because of Dana, she would come over and pretty much do it for me. So I decided that was one thing I wouldn't be good at and so now we get cakes from Walmart. And, I am not ashamed :) I have a busy day to day, I have to pick up the kids from school at 3:15 and won't be back until this evening after YM.

Today is our 3rd anniversary of being sealed in the Nauvoo Temple. I'm so lucky and blessed to be with my husband. I love him very much. We have a wonderful family. I remember that day well. I was very pregnant with Carson and we were in Nauvoo on what was one of the hottest Labor Day weekends ever. It might have been exasperated since I was pregnant, but I felt like it was pretty hot :) The kids were even flushed in some of the pictures, so I know that it was hot, plus the fact that I made them wear long sleeved shirts. Oh, they are so patient with me. It was a great weekend for sure. After we were sealed, Carson decided she could finally make her appearance and my water broke on Labor Day, ironic, eh? Well, it was a good time and the three years have past by tremendously fast.

On the steps of the Nauvoo Temple. Rylee (6), Cameron (3) and Jordan (9). They look so little.

September 4, 2004

Here is our family again. My face is really flushed :) We were trying to brave the heat and humidity.

September 4, 2004