Attempted Catch Up

Avery is napping; I just built a big tent in the living room for Jordyn, Ashtyn, and their cousin, Liz, to keep them busy; and I am sitting down with my Diet Dr. Pepper to play catch up on the last couple of weeks I've missed blogging. But wait-I just remember that Jim has taken the camera to Washington D.C. (yes his travels have started up again-WAHHHH) with him this week, and I haven't downloaded any pictures since my last few posts. Since I hate to post without pictures, I'll have to postpone this 'til next week. But I will give you a sneak peak as to what the topics will be:

• Swimming Lessons
• Horse's new home
• Ashtyn's first "lost tooth" and first "pulled tooth"
• Christine's Stomach Bug
• Christine's New Truck (bye, bye Yukon)
• House for Sale (WAHHHHHH)
• My Mom's Hawaiin Luau
• School Supply Shopping (Hannah Montana anyone?)
• Christine's New Job
• Jim's sister's Jackson Wedding Adventure

I'm sure several of these topics are making you think "what the h..."; they are making me think the same thing. We've had quite a few changes these last couple of weeks, and I've been in a somewhat humble, depressed mood (thus the no blogging). But after a good dose of self-pity and a few swallows of pride, I'm happy with the decisions we've made and have a good attitude as to what lies ahead. As for now, even though I hate doing this because I don't like pressuring people to comment, I'm going to leave you with the "memory game" you've probably seen floating around blogs recently. I need a little "pick-me-up" and think your memories are just what I need (since this Diet Dr. Pepper doesn't seem to be working!).

So come on everybody, share the good, the bad, and even the ugly. I've had three babies- what else can you expose that will leave me more "naked"?

1. Leave a memory that you and I had together, as a comment on my blog. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

My Treasures!

I absolutely love these pictures of my beautiful girls. A friend of ours (who use to baby-sit the girls while I worked) has kicked off her professional photography career. We got together a few weeks ago and she took some adorable pictures of the girls at Freeman Park. Unfortunately, she just moved to Tennessee so her husband can go to dental school. We are going to miss her so much but are so thankful she captured these special memories for us. She took a ton of shots, but these are some of my favorites.

Once Again.....

I think my family deserves a discount at the local funeral home as we've helped keep them in business. My aunt died on Saturday and the funeral home workers (who are great!!) even commented on how much they've seen us, especially with my Grandma dying only a month ago. We first worked with Wood's Funeral home several years ago when my Grandma died, and they have since helped us with my nephew, my sister, Bryan, my Grandpa, my Grandma, and now, my aunt. Just a warning: you might want to stay away from my family; death seems to quite like us.

My aunt has been struggling with her weight most of her life and had some heart complications the last two years. She's been on a rollercoaster ever since-in and out of the hospital, battling infections, complications with diabetes, breathing problems, and several smaller ailments. She's been suffering for quite awhile, and even though she recently lost close to 100lbs., she somehow got a bacteria through her body that I think was the final straw. We are all glad to know that she's in peace now, but we ache for her husband and teenage daughter who are going to feel her absence so greatly.

I've come to understand that death is just an inevitable part of life and seems to be my family's personal trial, but it is still hard and heartbreaking each time it happens. I'm thankful for a knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan for us. I'm thankful that there is hope in eternal life, and that we will be with our loved ones again someday. I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who sends his comforting spirit in times of sorrow. I pray that spirt will be with my Uncle and cousin in the hard times ahead.

Haircuts

All the girls needed their hair trimmed so we took the plunge and headed out a couple of weeks ago. Ashtyn wanted to go really short, and we kept having to "take of a couple more inches off", but this was as short as I could let her go. I love her long hair and it's so much easier to put it in a bun for ballet when it's long. She got almost 6 inches taken off, and now we can barely get it in a pony tail. But it is easy because I never have to do it and it still looks cute. Jordyn just got a trim, and Avery got a little a-line, which looks pretty cute when it's styled. I can just imagine the fun days my girls and I are going to have at the spa and salon in the future. "Sure you can go hunting, honey; just leave us the credit card!"

Gotta Love It!

I'm sure I'll have to break out this picture in a few years when the girls are all fighting and think having sisters is so awful. I'll have evidence to show them that they once loved each other. But for now, we savor these special moments, which still happen quite often. The girls are usually best friends and play together all day, but I heard it changes once the teenage years arrive. Please stay young...Please stay young....Please stay young!

Reflections

I decided to put a playlist on my blog so I can represent who I really am. I absolutely love music! I have music on usually everyday, and it always helps me have a better attitude. My kids have listened to CMT since they were babies and know most of the songs I do. So why not put one of my favorite things on my blog that I usually check everyday? Maybe because I thought it was harder to create a list than it actually was. So dang easy!!!

As I was putting together songs this morning, I got caught up in the memories that most of these songs evoked. So many events and moments of my life are surrounded with music that will always have special meaning to me. I got carried away and started looking for songs that brought back tender feelings to my heart. I cried listening to a lot of these songs. Most of the songs I chose for this first playlist hold memories that a lot of you have shared with me. I bet they'll even make you remember, too! I included songs that remind me of highschool, volleyball, friends, Josh, Bryan, my sister, my husband, and my daughters.

Listening to the songs that remind me of the people I've lost in my life helps keep their memories alive for me. Yes, they do make me sad and shed tears because of how much I miss them, but the songs also make me thankful that I can remember such special people everytime I hear their songs. But then I'll hear a song that reminds me of my life now and feel so blessed that I've got to experience so many incredible things so far. Some of these songs are for the amazing love I feel for my husband and family; some of them are for the times I've shared dancing and having fun with my girls.

It's been a fun morning reminiscing about special people and special memories. I hope all of you have a love for music like I do. My life is enhanced by music; my soul is rejuventated through music; my attitude is better with music; and my memories will never fade because of music.

Girls Getaway!!!

Britney has already beat me to this post and shared how much fun we had, but I had to give a shout out on my blog also to the girls that made this weekend so great. We had such a good time shopping, eating, laughing, swimming, and of course, talking, talking, talking. It was so good to catch up on eachother's lives and to reconnect with one another. We will definitely be doing this every year until we're old ladies stuck in our wheelchairs!

It was also so good to see them, and everyone else, the next weekend at our 10th year reunion. Everyone always says how they can't believe 10 years have gone by, but seriously "I can't believe it's already been 10 years since high school." I had such a good high school experience because of so many things: sports, student council, fun parents, hot guys, and most of all, amazing friends. I'm lucky to still see some of them pretty regularly, but I miss so many of them! It was fun to see that some people never change, and that a few people suprised us with how much they've changed. Of course I didn't take any pictures, but I'm so thankful to have graduated in the class of '98 with so many awesome people. GO BEES!!!!

In the arms of his love

My Grandma passed away one week ago today peacefully in her bed. My grandpa, the love of her life, died almost one year ago this August. Even though Grandma has been miserable since Grandpa died, her health has been pretty good, and we all expected her to live for several years. Although this came as a shock and suprise, we are all okay knowing that Grandma is with her love again-the only thing she's been wanting since he passed.

We all hear about elderly couples dying a short time from one another, and now I've witnessed this precious blessing from Heavenly Father. I guess it's true that one can will herself to die as I'm sure that's what my Grandma did. What a loving, caring Heavenly Father (who knew the pain and heartache my Grandma has been feeling this past year) to bring her back to her husband.

I'm happy for my grandparents to be reunited again; I'm happy for the love they must feel to once again be in eachother's arms. I'm sad that I won't see them in this life again; I'm sad that my children won't be able to continue the special, tender relationship that was beginning to develop with their great-grandparents; I'm sad for my father, who has now lost both of his parents-what an empty, lonely feeling that must be.

I was able to share some of my memories of Grandma at her graveside service, and it was so special to take some time to reflect on her. Even though my grandparents lived in California all of my childhood, I was able to realize through my memories what an impact she had on my life. I always felt love from her; I was always excited to visit her; I always felt special in her presence; and I will continue to love her and keep her memory alive.

Another Successful Trip!

Bear Lake was awesome this year! The weather was great; the beach day was perfect; the kids loved being outside; and the bugs stayed away. It was so nice not having a baby this year-the kids were old enough to play around the campsite without getting hurt or wandering off. Mom and Dad got to relax and have fun visiting, hiking, playing horseshoes, making crafts with the kids, playing volleyball on the beach, reading, eating (of course!), and staying up late at the campfire! We look forward to Bear Lake every year because it's such a fun, safe, relaxing getaway after a stressful spring. The only bad thing is the packing and the laundry when we get home. This picture doesn't give the real sense of how much laundry I had because a couple of hampers are still full and I hadn't sorted it into piles yet. I washed 16 loads by the time I was done including bedding, blankets, towels, swimsuits, shoes, and clothes.

By the way, we had a little scare when Ashtyn got a tick embedded in her belly button and when we saw a second tick the next day in our trailor. The ticks are out and Lyme disease is on the rise, so make sure and check your kids (and yourself) if you're in the great outdoors this summer!

Check out the slide show below for all the highlights of our trip this year. Sorry for including so many pictures-it is not even half of what I took!

Annual Bear Lake Reunion

Ashtyn's Adventures

Ashtyn danced in her annual spring ballet performance at the beginning of June. They did The Wizard of Oz for the first time and it was adorable. Ashtyn was a bumblebee who danced with a ladybug for Dorothy. I was really impressed with all the props, costumes, music, and narration this year. They also involved a lot of tap peformers, which made it very entertaining. Now Ashtyn says she wants to do tap and ballet. I don't think I could get my legs/feet to move so fast!Ashtyn turned 6 on June 8, and I feel so bad that I didn't wish her a Happy Birthday on my blog. Maybe it was because I ran around that day getting ready for her "dog/cat" birthday party for her friends and cousins.
It actually turned out to be quite a fun party! Everyone got whiskers and a nose painted on when they arrived, thought of their "dog" or "cat" name, and wrote it on their dog tags to wear around their necks. We also had dog races, played "I had a little doggy and he won't bite you", guessed who was barking and meowing, dug for mice in the kitty litter, and licked up ice cream out of their real dog and cat bowls. Even though it was a little crazy with all those kids, I think they all had a great time, and Ashtyn loved it! It's a good thing because she probably won't get to have a friend party for a few years!

Ashtyn has always been my angel child. She was such a good baby and toddler, and has only now begun to develop a slight attitude. For the most part, she is good-natured, a great helper, a good sister, and a beautiful girl both inside and out. We love her a ton and feel blessed to be able to raise such an amazing daughter.

Where Have the Lazy Days of Summer Gone?

Sorry I've taken a little hiatus from blogging. Last month as the last days of the school year ticked by, it seemed like we all took a sigh of relief for the summer to come. Summer means warmth; summer means relaxin'; summer means lazy days and no responsibilities-right? Heck no! I don't know about all of you, but we've been way busier since school ended. And Hallelujah-the warm weather finally decided to make an appearance. Our little family has had quite a busy summer thus far with t-ball games, ballet rehearsals and a production, family get togethers, Ashtyn's birthday, the circus, and a family reunion. I haven't turned the computer on much in the last couple of weeks, and when I have gotten to it, I spend all my time checking all of your blogs instead of updating my own (that always seems to be way more fun!). And to top it all off, Jim left yesterday for the next 9 days. I usually stay up late whenever Jim is gone because I start freaking myself out at every little noise during the night so I'll probably get some good blogging time in the next couple of days and update you all on our "lazy, relaxing" summer!


Oh, and by the way, that Biggest Loser competition I started a few weeks ago- just start laughing now because who has time to lose weight with all of these festivities going on. My weight loss total as of now is a whopping 3 1/2 lbs. Maybe at this rate, I'll be skinny by my 15th high school reunion instead of my 10th in 2 1/2 weeks!

Why can't everyday be like this?

I love it when my girls are lovey to eachother. It makes the day go so much better. They usually all pile together on our big chair and watch cartoons together. Tillie, our cat, took Ashtyn's spot so she had to sit on the other couch.

Ashtyn's 1st T-ball Game!

Ashtyn had her first t-ball game yesterday at 8:30 in the morning-it was freezing! This is her first year playing, and she loves it! She plays on a boy/girl team, and they chose the name Wild Dolphins(you know, since Dolphins are probably the friendliest fish around; not too wild!). The game was hilarious to watch as most of the kids have no idea what to do. They'll either stand in the field and watch the ball right by their feet, pick up the ball and hold it while the runner thinks he made a home-run, or hit the ball and forget to run. The other scenario is all the kids will go after one ball and wrestle on the ground to see who comes up victorious with the ball. This is mostly what Ashtyn was doing. She is very competitive and good at most things she does. T-ball was no different. While most of the kids were standing there, Ashtyn would run her fastest after every ball, even if that meant getting there and grabbing it off the ground before her teammate could get it. It got to the point where I had to yell at her to let the other kids get the ball. I love Ashtyn's confidence and "go-get-um" attitude, but sometimes it is a little too much. We've always taught her to try her best at everything she does (and she truly is really good at several things and extremely well-rounded: school, ballet, sports, singing, arts, etc.), but I'm afraid this has turned her into thinking she has to be the best! We've tried to have many talks with her that it doesn't matter who's the best, who's the winner, who's the first, etc. as long as you're working hard and having fun. How can we calm down her competiveness and attitude of having to be the best? Is this a typical first-child thing? Is is good for her to want to excel at everything? Do I need to stop this before she gets older? Or am I just overreacting?
By the way, don't you love how the t-ball shirts are always way too big. It's so cute seeing all these little kids on the field in their huge t-shirts!

One Word Tag!

(Sorry-I'm having bloggers block so I relied on a good 'ole tag.)

1. Where is your cell phone?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purse
2. Your significant other? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Understanding
3. Your hair? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dyed
4. Your mother? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christ-like
5. Your father? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Generous
6. Your favorite thing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Food
7. Your dream last night? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scary
8. Your favorite drink? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Pepper
9. Your dream/goal? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Author
10. The room you're in? . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .Office
11. Your hobby? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reading
12. Your fear? . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Break-in
13. Where do you want to be in six years? . . . . . . . . . . . .Post-babies
14. Where were you last night? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bike Ride
15. What you're not? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crafty
16. Muffins? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Yummy
17. One of your wish list items? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tummy-Tuck
18. Where you grew up? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lincoln
19. The last thing you did? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elliptical
20. What are you wearing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennis Shoes
21. Your tv? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dusty
22. Your pets? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sleeping
23. Your computer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Addicting
24. Your life? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fulfilling
25. Your mood? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tired
26. Missing someone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friend
27. Your car? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yukon
28. Something your not wearing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ring
29. Favorite store? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expensive
30. Your summer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Busy
31. Like someone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Love
32. Your favorite color? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blue
33. When was the last time you laughed?. . . . . . . . . . . . . Today
34. Last time you cried? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday
35. Who will do this? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anyone

Memorial Day!!!

The rain really put a damper on our Memorial Day festivities this year. I have always loved to visit the graves each year. I have been going with my mom for as long as I can remember. We have a lot of immediate family and friends that we always make it to, and some years we even visit my mom's extended relatives spanning many different cemetaries. I took Ashtyn this year because she seems to have gotten my love for this as well and understands the respect and honor of visiting someone's grave. We only made it to my sister's, nephew's, grandma's, grandpa's, best friend's, and fiance's on Saturday before the rain began pouring, but it was really nice to get out and take flowers to each of them.

Memorial Day seems to have become more of a vacation weekend then a remembrance weeked. I think it's sad that people would rather go camping then take a moment to pay respect to their loved ones that have passed on. I will always consider it a special holiday because I have several loved ones who are waiting on the other side that I think of constantly throughout the year, and I always look forward to visiting their graves and honoring them for touching my life. On Saturday, we had 4 generations together to visit our family members' graves: my grandpa, my mother, me, and my daughter. It is touching that my family keeps this as an important part of their lives each year, and I'm excited to carry on this tradition with my daughters.

I Will Be Victorious!

Some ladies in my ward started a Biggest Loser competition for the next 6 weeks. I totally joined in so I can finally lose those last 15 pounds. It started yesterday and we have weigh in every Monday at 6:30 am. The person who loses the most every week gets $10 and whoever loses the most in six weeks gets the pot, which will probably be around $220. Hey-that's a couple new summer outfits I could get! It was funny to see all the women running around the neighborhood (myself included) yesterday morning. I totally want to win but don't know because I was the second lightest person (I guess I'm not as bad as I thought!) to weigh in. I've heard that the farther you are from your goal weight, the easier it is to lose weight at first. But I'll give it all I got because my 10 year H.S. reunion is also in about six weeks and it would be great if I could be smokin' hot to make all the boys jealous (totally kiddin' but you know what I'm talking about Britney and Heidi!). Wish me luck; keep me motivated; and please no baked goods delivered on my doorstep (that's what I'll be doing to all the other contestants!!!).

Twins???

Jordyn and Avery recently had their 3rd and 2nd birthdays. It's been amazing to see these little girls grow up so close together (12 months, 2 weeks exactly!) and develop a bond with one another. They definitely have their "enemy" moments, but for the most part, they are great friends and play well together almost every day. Because they are so close in size and age, I get asked if they are twins about 3-4 times a week (pretty much whenever I go out with both of them). I don't think they look alike, but I guess strangers see something I don't. I guess it also doesn't help when I coordinate their clothes, but it's just too much fun! The girls pretty much wear the same size of clothes and shoes and like most of the same things (which doesn't help the sharing factor).

They both had their well-baby checkups today (a lady in the waiting room asked if they were twins) and the appointment just reaffirmed how close they are. Jordyn weighs 25 3/4 lbs., and Avery weighs 25 1/2 lbs. Jordyn is 36 1/2 inches, and Avery is 34 1/2 inches. I guess they really could pass for twins, and sometimes I really just want to answer yes when people ask me. Although these little girls keep me on my toes and sometimes give me headaches with the constant noise, I'm thankful they came to me when they did and have the unique personalities they do. I love them like crazy!

WHAT THE ?!?!?!?!?

My security level of protecting my daughters has just becomed heightened. Ashtyn came home from school yesterday and told me, "Mom, guess what? At school, Chandler told me I was SEXY and HOT." You would think I was talking about a teenage daughter, right? NO-Ashtyn is a Kindergartner! Come on-I didn't even know kids that age knew the word sexy. After freaking out in my mind for a minute thinking how the innocence of my precious daughter was being disturbed, I asked Ashtyn, "what did you do?"

She said, "I told him we weren't supposed to say that and if he did, he would have to go to the principal's office." Then she told her teacher! Yeah Ashtyn! I guess I have taught her a few things. I guess her innocence is still in tact (at least for another day)! Even though it was an eye-opening moment for me about what is yet to come with three daughters, it was also a proud moment for me that Ashtyn handled it the way she did.

(The hole in her sock is especially sexy, don't ya think? Time to go through her drawers and get rid of the"used".)

Just like kids!

Last week we all worked together to vaccinate our horses. It took quite the crew since the horses are still young and not used to people. They had to be roped and harnessed (quite the circus!!! Chance tried to jump the fence!) to get them to hold still so Trent could stick the needle in. Thanks Trent for doing most of the work and saving us a vet bill-the vaccinations were pricey enough! Thanks also to Brad and Cameron for helping hold the horses.

I held a lead rope for the first time with my horse and did better than I thought. I started freaking out when they would start to run, but Jim talked me through it and I held on. They calmed down enough for us to pet them and brush them a little. It was so great, and I'm starting to get pretty attached to these little guys! Ashtyn absolutely loves them and was able to brush them a little also last week. Jim thinks they are like our children and wants to work with them every day to raise (train) them in the particular way he wants. He is very specific with what they need to learn and how they'll learn it. He thinks he is the new horse whisperer from all the videos, books, and magazines he uses to learn the "proper techniques." I'm glad he is getting to do what he loves-I just wish he didn't have to travel so much so he could see them everyday.

Getting the horses was probably a good thing for us to postpone having more kids. I'm starting to get baby hungry (I promise nothing will happen for another year or two!!) but Jim won't even think about babies right now because he has two already. He says the horses need our time right now and would get neglected if we had a baby. He wants to focus on them and get them all trained before we even think about a baby. Maybe this is God's way of giving us the sons we'll never have! I know-a long stretch but at least they are male!