he must love me

Jason truly loves me. He is so patient and willing to do things for me to make me happy. We moved here 1 year and 3 months ago.

Our laundry room is very small. The two machines barely fit in the space provided.

Aren't they lovely machines? Gotta love the gold.
(Hey they work, and they were free. Thanks again Ronda!)


If you notice, the hookups in the back are opposite of what you see here. When we moved in, we put them where they are 'supposed' to be according to the water faucets and plug-ins. But the dryer door could only open halfway because of the sink/counter. It was very annoying.

On Monday, we had to move them out of the room to put on the baseboards. So on Tuesday I decided to paint the room as well. Since they were already out and unhooked, I asked Jason if we could switch them so I could open the dryer door all the way. We bought a longer dryer vent hose thing, and moved the washing machine into place.

Then came the dryer. Since there is no room for a person on either side, we had to hook up the tube and then push it back. That was so not easy!

I could tell he was about ready to throw everything out the window, if there was a window in that room, luckily, there is not. So it all remained intact. After breaking a serious sweat with it all, it was done!

He is so sweet, it would have been much easier to put it back the way it had been. I love you Jason! You're so great and sweet and thoughtful and good-looking and funny and strong and kind and patient and great and sweet and stuff. Yeah, I really love you.

rockin' robin

My MTC companion, Robin, was in town yesterday. So I finally got to meet her darling little Eliza. Livia and Eliza are only 3 weeks apart. We're hoping they get to be MTC companions too.

Robin lives in DC with her husband, so we don't get to see each other very often, so it was a nice treat to see her last night. Too bad Sam turned into a little boy-beast right at the end.

Robin has always been such a good and positive example to me. I am blessed to have served with her on the mission. We were companions the 9 weeks in the MTC, and then we were also companions for our last week in Argentina. We were happy to start and end our missions together. She was a fantastic missionary, and remains a true friend to me since we met 7 years ago. It was also nice to talk with her husband, Charlie, a little more. It's always fun to chat with a fellow Brian Regan fan. They are a great couple, and I can see what great parents they are too.
The visit was brief, but it was still great to see her and her awesome family. I just love those Jolleys and Manns!

to-do list... check, check.

Every time my pantry gets a little messy, I think I need to completely re-organize it. So I do. (Plus, Sam has been waking up before us and getting into the cereal which can create a huge mess when he sneaks the box up to his room and dumps it out.)

Before:
After:

Also...
Before:
After:

Can you tell me what is different about those two pictures?

the life of a trike

Once upon a time, there was a handsome little prince named Sam.

He loved his green and yellow bike that Aunt Queen Ronda gave him.


Prince Sam loved to ride his bike.



Then one tragic day, an accident did befall the beloved bike.

Sam desperately wanted to help his dear bike. But he could not.

Thus, the sad day came.

Goodbye little friend. You have served us well.

up for a great read?

I am not much of a reader. And I am not much of a book-buyer.
But I loved these books.

The series includes five books. They tell the story of an Amish family beginning around the time of World War II or so. Beverly Lewis (the author) is a Christian writer, so the books are very clean and uplifting.

I won't give away the story, but they are seriously really good. I've been watching for a good deal on Ebay... very strange for me to be wanting to buy books! But that's how good they are and how much I enjoyed them! I strongly recommend them... even for people who aren't big into reading, like myself. I also learned a lot about the Amish life-style... so they're educational too!

Just know, they come highly recommended by a person who does not normally pick out a book first in her spare time. (But did with these books!)

the makings of our memorial day

Babies grow so fast. As of yesterday, Livia is 8 months old.


After Jason completed about 47 little projects around the house and yard, he played with Sam in the sandbox for about 30-45 minutes. Sam loves it when his daddy plays with him, especially in the sandbox, since daddy gets out the hose and adds an extra fun element to the whole sandbox play idea.


This is Sammy's birthday gift from Uncle Ron and Aunt Ronda.



Nothing like a good game of cow bowling!
Thanks Ronda! He loves it!

a ver?

So we rented this movie this last weekend. Wow. What a mistake! For anyone who has been wanting to see it, and hasn't had the chance yet... I am posting this to save you from what feels like 7 hours of your life just.... gone... just like that. Ok, it's really just under 3 hours... but it feels like it NEVER ends. There are like 6 plots and just when you think, ok, it's GOT to be almost over, they start another plot! AAUGGHHH! After the first 2 hours, we were feeling pretty anxious for it to be over and Jason just wanted to shut it off. I have this thing where as long as the movie isn't creepy or really dirty.... I HAVE to see how it ends. I kept telling Jason that it has to be coming to an end soon.... and he didn't believe it.... and he was right! The last 45 minutes or so, we watched on fast forward, and even with that I was getting annoyed about the continuing... and the continuing of yet another plot! Not to mention, I was a bit confused about several details from the very beginning. Pretty much the only redeeming quality was that the kid was cute. But that was it! I dare say this movie was not even worth the $1 we spent to rent it! It wasted 3 hours of my life that I can never get back! Please do not make this same mistake! It is for your own benefit!
Ok, I'm done, and I'm now breathing ok again....

uno, dos, TRES

Sam turned 3!! To celebrate we had a little birthday party for him and invited several of his little friends and close-in-age cousins. (There were a lot of little boys running around.)

While we waited for all the guests to arrive we had lots of fun kicking and hitting all the balloons around the house. (I forgot to pull out my camera for that.) Kids can be so easily entertained when balloons are available.

Then, because of the rain, we couldn't go outside, so we moved out to the garage to beat up a horse.


Sam has seen pinatas before, but is still learning the principle of it. (I hope he doesn't carry that into other aspects of his life... hitting to get a prize is not something most parents want their kid to learn...)



My favorite part is how his cousin Andrew is cheering him on. He is the little cutie in red off to the left side of the video.


Who said pinatas are just for kids?



He might try to tell you he was just 'helping out' but I think we all know better than that.


You should have seen how many 3 year-olds he beat off to get those pieces of candy.


After gathering all the toys and candy, we went back inside to sing Happy Birthday and eat some cake. All the boys were excited for the cake and presents.



Jason gave me a hard time all day because of all the time I spent on his cake. Pretty much the only thing I remember about birthdays when I was little was that my mom always made us awesome cakes. I've been wanting to take a cake decorating class for a couple of years for this very reason. I want my kids to have fun birthday cakes... and I want to be the one to make them for them. So this was my first attempt. For the most part it turned out the way I wanted, except for the engine, but from a distance it looks ok. So, I'm happy about the result, but I still want to take a class. (I WILL TAKE A CLASS. Someday.... anyone interested in joining me?)


The important thing is that Sam loved his cake, but since he loves choo-choos, I am not surprised.


I guess he was a little anxious to get on with it...



Maybe he'll stay involved with the singing for his 4th birthday....

We let him blow out the candles a few more times.


It's fun now that he understands a little more about opening presents. He actually looks forward to it. He hasn't completely got down the idea of showing his excitement once it's opened though... we're still working on that. Afterward, he always shows a bit more enthusiasm. He loved all his gifts. (Thanks everyone, you're all very nice.)





Here is the after-party. It looks more like a mini date, but whatever.



And this has nothing to do with Sam or his birthday, but it is just way too cute to not post. (Plus I actually got permission from Justin and Megan to put this on my blog.)



What a doll.

a night at the pool. or maybe it was about 20 minutes.

In honor of Sammy's last day as a 2 year old, we went to the Springville Pool to celebrate.


Ok, we went because it was the last day he could get in free.
Dangit I'm so cheap.




He had fun, but he was a little afraid of the water... if he wasn't clinging to an adult. And he got a little cold at the end.



He says he didn't like it, but he mostly did. We're not mean parents.

This little one enjoyed bouncing up and down in the water.


This is right before we left, when Sam was trying to forget how cold he really was.

a lil' 'bout livi

Babies grow so fast.

We decided it was time to get Livi a real seat. We've been just using a bumbo seat, but her reach has been increasing so much, that she has been taking over more than half of the table when we eat dinner.

Now she just looks so little again!


I haven't been the most eager mother to get her moving too much on her own. At her 6 month check up, the doctor told me to work on her gross motor skills a little more. That was a month and a half ago. I decided I should help her before her 9 month appointment... I don't want to get in trouble! I have finally accepted that my baby needs to get bigger... and start moving around a little more. So we worked on rolling last week.




It's funny how babies' emotions change so often and so fast. She's a little tired, but still such a sweetie!

zoo-bee-do-dah

In honor of Sam's 3rd birthday in a week, we went to the Hogle Zoo... before he turned 3 so he was free instead of $7!



She was awake most of the time...


Sam did pretty good... until I tried to get a very specific picture of him.
Maybe next year.


The bird show was really neat. I couldn't believe how low the birds would swoop to the audience.
Here is a clip of Poco:



This is a clever way to earn a little extra money....



Sam loves choo-choos. And this little ride was only $1/person!


Ok, so mommy was probably more excited to go on it than anyone else.


But Sammy loved it! He actually threw a tantrum when I physically had to remove him from this seat. He kept telling me he wasn't done yet.
(Can you tell what color his snow cone was?)

It was a fun day and Sam loved to see the animals. Hooray for the zoo!

mommies are so special

Mothers Day is not only to celebrate women and mothers. It is a day for women and mothers to look around them and see those special spirits in their lives that make life worth living.

Here are 2 of my many reasons that I know I truly have meaning in life:


Thanks to this guy for helping me get them here:



And of course, what would Mothers Day be without me recognizing my own amazing mother and mother-in-law!

My mom is so awesome! I was lucky enough to have her all to myself for my last 2 years of high school. During that time, she truly became my best friend. I don't get to see her very often but I always look forward to when she visits here, or I get to go to North Dakota to see her. (I'm planning a trip next month and I'm VERY excited!)
She taught me not only how to be a loving mother, but also a loving and caring wife. Her testimony of the Gospel is an example to me and was the strength behind mine while I was young.



I could not have asked or expected a better mother-in-law. I always hoped I would get along with my husband's mom, but I never knew I could love a mother-in-law like I love mine! I love her as if she actually did raise me! I truly consider her my mother. She raised the love of my life and for that I am eternally grateful.


I am so blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life. All my sisters and sisters-in-law are such a blessing to me. Happy Mothers Day!!


And look what my adorable husband and kids got me for this special day:


I've been wanting to get one... and Jason found me the perfect one! Now I just need to go get a plant... and then figure out what to do with it from there....