Where in the USA?!

We are settled (98 and 3/4 percent) to quote Dr. Suess's "Oh, the places you'll go!"  I can't belive it's been so long since I posted.  SNAP!  Now that I've scolded myself, on to other news... Our new address is

1302 N Constellation Ct.
Gilbert AZ 85234.

 Our cell phone numbers and emails are the same. 

We love our new ward (old ward  really, It's 6th ward, Tim grew up in this ward).  Everyone is amazingly friendly and outgoing and we feel so welcome.  The girls love it too.  Primary is wonderful.

Emma's last day at Haley Elementary was emotional for her. She ran in the school fundraiser Jingle Jog and placed 11th in the whole school!  Way to go EMMA!!  She was also awarded for "Character Counts" and she was so pleased.  It is a very special award.  She is going to miss her wonderful teacher Mrs. Cummard and all her sweet classmates.  She cried for a few hours after school when the realization hit that she isn't going back to Haley.  She is a tender kid.  She is really sensitive to the needs and feelings of those around her and I'm so proud of her for that.

Audrey will stay in her amazing preschool at Ms. Becky's.  She loves it.  She loves to play rock star and cowgirl.  She thinks she's an official cow girl now because we are surrounded by horses and chickens and dogs.  She spends hours with Kennedy riding bikes and playing in the dirt.  Tim couldn''t be happier.

Kenndy is amazing.  She speaks so well.  She loves her sisters.  She told me today with all the enthusiasm of a 2 1/2 year old, "Mom!! My friends are here playing with me!!"  I asked who are her friends? She says," Audrey and Emma!!  I'm so happy her friends are her sisters, even if only for a few moments during the day. 

Tim enrolled in his Masters program.  Phew!! The school marathon continues.  I'm so proud of him.  He is my BEST friend.  I'm so glad we've been together through this challenging year.  My family makes it all worth it.  I do it all for them.  They are amazing. 

I am so grateful for this Christmas Season.  We are appreciating everything so much more because we are so much less cluttered with worldy things.  I wouldn't have said this 6 months ago,  but I'm so thankful to be out of the burden of our house.  It was preventing us from dreaming and moving on in so many ways.  We are so  blessed to have sold it.  We miss our dear friends and neighbors terribly, but we know this is part of the plan for our family at this time.  It is wonderful to have that sweet assurance through tough times, and also to have the love and support of family to get us through.  It makes me realize that with family we can get through anything. 

Last but most, I'm so grateful for the healing balm of the Savior and his amazing gift of life and the Atonement. I feel it's healing powers each day, especially through trials and challenges.  I am so grateful to celebrate His birth and life with those I love and care for.  May we all find room for him in our hearts this Christmas season and keep him in the center of our lives.  It is unlikely I'll post again before Christmas, so Merry Christmas to all, and Happy New Year as well.

My list of lists

I've been having a lot of thoughts lately, to-do lists running through my head, (what-if lists too) but unbelievably, no "I'd rather be" lists.   I've had a quote running thruogh my head from the Disney movie "Up" when Mr. Fredrickson and Russell are watching "Ellie" the house float away. 
Russel: "Sorry about your house Mr. Fredrickson."
Mr. Fredrickson: "Ya know, it's just a house."

Words to live by right now.

We close on the short-sale of our on Friday.  Baby steps (moving boxes) until Friday.  We are so blessed to be released from our house, mortgages, stress, and the chains that would have otherwise dragged us down to where I know not.  We are SOOO blessed to sell, even short sale and we've been released from all remaining deficiencies on the house, another miracle.  Thats been it in a nutshell.  How do you nutshell this experience? It has been a series of miracles from A to Z and there is no denying it.  I'm so grateful for the spirit of peace we've had through this experience.  Because of that peace all the other 'things' that have come up have been easier to handle.  I'm thankful for my ever faithful husband who, when my faith is lacking, supports me and I'm so thankful for the strengh to support him when he needs it. 

It seems the only time I have to post anything here, I don't have time to grab pictures, or I'm not on my computer with the pictures.  Ugh.  I do want to share some details of my birthday/Halloween weekend. 

Everything came back great from the buyer's lender's appraisal, so that cleared, then we had the home inspector come on Saturday morning at 8.  We found this out on Friday night, so I went to trunk or treat with the girls and left Tim to clean in his usual amazing way without kids to blaze a path of destruction behind him.  The girls had fun at trunk or treat, or candy fest as I call it, and their costumes were great. 

Saturday morning I ran 11 miles faster than I have ever run (yay me!) because I had to be back to shower and get the kids out of the house by 8 for Tim to tidy and go through the house with the inspector.  That all went great (the inspector even said it's one of the nicest houses he's seen in a long time).  We came home and ate lunch and got in costume for the Hocus Pocus Pops at the Phoenix Symphony with the kids.  It was a hoot!  We had a good time with the kids and they quite liked it too.  Yay music!! 

Sunday was a mellow day, and rather than trick or treating, we went to show off costumes at the grandparent's houses.  The girls had plenty of candy and had a good time.  I'll eventually get pictures up, but for now we're packing and getting out of the house by Nov 24.  We have a lot coming up, so I'll do my best to keep updated...
Thanks for reading.

House update

We are cautiously excited that we have an offer to buy our home.  More info will come later, but we are feeling really blessed right now with this possible opportunity to sell.  Just wanted to share this with y'all.

Happy Anniversary

Here we are Tim, 11 years down, ??? to go.  We had a great day yesterday. I ran about 11 miles and came home to a beautiful clean kitchen in which I promptly messed it up making my favorite chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for Tim.  We went to dinner and had a nice evening together.  I'm so happy I married my best friend for all eternity.

Congraduations!!!

Not a mispelling. Tim is done with his degree!! YAY for TIM!! CHEERS YIPPEE WAHOO!!  He's still in the throws of getting the formalities of the "diploma/degree" taken care of, but I want to brag about his accomplishments.  He is truly amazing to do what he's done all online, all with 3 kids to shuffle, and a house to maintain  and a high maintenance wife top please.  All done with flying colors and a 3.98 GPA to BOOT!!!!  Way to go Tim!! I am so proud of you!

That's what she said...

A few weeks ago, we were getting ready for church, Tim and I were in our closet putting on finishing touches, and Audrey comes in.

Audrey, looking thoughtfully at Tim, "Dad, you look handsome."
Audrey, turns to me with raised eyebrows, "You should kiss him."
We lean and quick kiss on the lips.
Audrey, with a look of disappointment in me on her face, "You should hug him when you kiss him."
We hug and kiss.
Audrey, "That's gooood."

We're still laughing about it.

a sample

some pictures of our lovely home in all of it's pristine cleanliness.  Fresh cookies just out of the oven too...

Granite countertops, tumbled stone backsplash

16" porcelain tile flooring

Tim finished the tumbled stone detail on the backsplash...beautiful work.

Fresh clean carpets

Fresh paint in the bedroom

Finished tile in master bath

Travertine flooring and wanescotting and tumbled stone tile shower detail

master tub with travertine wanescotting

playroom with built-in shelves for toy/book storage

Girls room

front room with pool table and finally finished the paint in the hall.  Yup. It's beautiful.  Tell everyone, we need a buyer. soon. Thanks.

Preschool for Audrey

She is so excited to go to Miss Becky's.  Yay Preschool!  Kennedy cried, she is sad and lonely for 4 hours a week now.  Soon enough for her though.

This has been a .... week.  You name it. I've been feeling it.  Mostly I decided I need to put in writing all the amazing blessings in my life.  Number one is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  If I didn't have that compass, then this would be so much worse.  My next in line is my sweetheart Tim. He has rocked this week. He's supported me as well as turned in all of his school asignments on top of preparing the house for cleaners, carpet cleaners, landscapers and moving out 3 truckloads of our stuff to "stage" the house for potential buyers.  To say the least, he's exhausted.  I am so thankful for his support and enthusiasm for the future.  I've come to the realization that wondering what I could have done differently or if there is anything we could do to save the house so we don't have to move is fruitless.  We are at a point in our lives we need to move on.  So much of  life is comparing ourselves to others or waiting for others to go first.  I'm one of the worst at that.  I know I need to change that.  This is a great opportunity for us to really let go and put our faith into action.  I have so many things running through my head, and I am getting better at filtering out the "poor me"stuff and lingering on the hopeful stuff, like a poster I had in my room for a long time of Christ with the words, " I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it" and "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" and "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spirit beings having a human experience."  All of these things are in my head, and I'm so grateful for the support of the Spirit and my family.  All this hopefulness doesn't make the pain and the grief any less evident, but it does mend the sting and heals my heart and grants me hope for our future. 
Audrey put it best yesterday, she said, "C'mon mom, Let's get goin'!!" as she's swinging her arm like she's ready to go conquer the world.  She was talking about leaving Sacrament meeting and going to primary, but still, she makes me smile with her positivity.  No looking back, only bright futures.

lllets get ready to ramblllle...

Okay, so it's been a little bit. And we have been crazy busy.  Now that my excuses are out of the way, lets get to the reasons.  Kennedy has been potty training.  That speaks for itself.  I thought we had it down, but then after 3 weeks she just decided to go back to wetting where and when she wants.  Okay fine, under any other circumstances she would be disciplined and watched and corrected right away.  I got out the 5 leftover pullups and told her they had to last through the weekend till we can buy more, so I can not have to worry about the carpets getting anymore soiled than they already are.  Why do I care so much about the carpets you wonder? Well, we'll get to that. 
I titled my post with the intro to wrestling, get ready to rumble. So we've taken some blows in the last year.  It's been a year this week since I was let go from the dental office I had loved in Gilbert.  I had been praying for healing in my heart for a long time.  It was really hard for me to get over, for reasons known only to me.  So, I started running in January to take care of me and my body because I had so much residual anxiety from that and other life stresses combined, that I felt I was gonna have a heart attack.  So, now I've been feeling the positive effects of training for my half marathon in November, and feeling really strong.  Underneath it all, I still was having difficulty with that event.  Then, a few weeks ago I had some sweet release from the burden I'd been carrying from that experience.  I feel like I'm able to smile from the inside again, and I'd found myself again, a bit different from the experience, but better having gone through it.  Now having shared that, lets get back to the carpets. 
We need them cleaned, not for us, but for the sale.  We are selling our lovely home.  We are sad to sell it, but if we don't sell it and try to pay the bank they'll take it from us.  I know this is a pond many people are in, but we feel like we were totally blindsided by this.  The bank with our 2nd called the loan due.  No arguing, swaying, negotiating about it.  So, here we are with Tim 5 weeks and 18 credits (yes all at once and all online) away from his Bachelors degree, we get to finish all the projects on our house we have been putting off, we are getting a cleaning crew, a landscaping crew and a moving crew and getting the house ready to sell.  We have been honest with our finances our whole lives, and for this to happen is the worst slap in the face at the same time as a boot in the backside.  We figured here we are, we can't change the situation, and we know that the Lord will provide all the things we need.  Now, our opinion of what we need and the Lord's opinion of what we need will likely need to be collaborated, but we have faith and know that He is in charge.  We hope to sell the house without having to foreclose, because that will X Tim from all the jobs he's worked so hard in school to get.  Foreclosures block security clearances for Federal law enforcement.  SO, if we sell, great, if not, then we know we need to go another direction.  I am thankful for the dark tunnel I have been through since this time last year, and am so thankful for the short period of sunshine I felt before being asked to enter another one.  The kids are so excited for a new adventure.  They are faithfully resillient.  We don't know where or when or how we'll go, but we do ask for the Lords blessing to help us sell our house.  But it's  not what we want, but what the Lord wants and we are at peace with that. 
Obviously it's been a little bit since we found out this news, that's why I'm hopeful, but I won't deny myself lots of tears to feel better.  I absolutely love our ward, our neighbors, and our home.  But, it is just a house, our Home will come with us wherever we go. 
And you are all welcome there. Wherever it may be.
Thanks for reading.

Movies

So my attempt at picasa web toys...

2nd Grade

 

School started!! Yay for Emma! She has the same teacher as last year, Mrs. Cummard, whom she loves.  She is such a good student, and very excited to get back to school and routine and mostly friends!

Candy rocks a la summer...

Each time we leave Papa's house, the girls have a handful of "candy rocks" on the way out the door.  They are chocolate candies that look just like rocks. Well, Kennedy was engrossed in the movie and forgot about her rocks she held tight in her fist, for only a few minutes. Too bad they don't tout the phrase, "melts in your mouth, not in your hand."  But, I guess they are safer in Alaska, where they're from, but yummy none the less!!

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership. Jeffery R. Holland

I love this. Very validating. Watch this and feel good... But first pause the music...

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership

commitment

So, I've been meaning to post this, but the whole blogger dilemma deterred me. Excuses excuses... Well No more for me!!  I have signed and sealed, just need to deliver my first official half marathon!!  First of many I'm sure. It is on Saturday, November 13 in Mesa, AZ. shunthesun.org is the website.

I always used my "bad" knees as a lame excuse.  I've been running for the last few months and my knees have never felt better.  I have also started trying other indoor training due to the heat warnings and ozone and well, our Arizona "hibernation" weather.  It has been really encouraging.  Tim has even picked up road cycling.  He plans on doing a race in October, on our 11th wedding anniversary actually, and then I'll run my race a month later.  I'm sure training will be a challenge as we fight for time away from the kids early in the mornings, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.  I'm excited, and wanted to share.  I needed to think about something great because I just cleaned up a really thick "potty training accident" and since progress is slow in that arena, I was thinking about something that is working!! Wahoo!

Pictures

I found these on my phone. My favorite is the sunrise and sunset from last week during the start of monsoon.  It's really Really hot, but this is the beauty of it...  Not bad for my camera on my milk phone (lol)

Sunrise at 5:20 when I was running last week.  Nickel Creek was playing on my MP3. Nothin' like good banjo pickin' and fiddlin' to a beautiful sunrise over the corn field.

 Sunset last Friday over the mountains, and the sky was amazing.

Submission

I've given up on cute blog.  I will just post. No frills. Oh well. Some day when my devices work properly and don't suck hours and hours of my time fruitlessly, then I may try this again. Until then, we had a good 4th of July. I had 2 days off work and it was nice to not be at work, but awkward at home because I don't know what to do with myself at home. I am so weird. It is me. Someday soon when Tim is working more and in school less, I'll be at home more, and worried about work less and the free space in my brain may increase. Until then, I feel like I'm still in survival mode, which is good for functioning, but not for fun. Someday may be here sooner than I realize. Tim should be done with school in September. Yup. That is the month after next. Unfortunately there won't be a job offer with the diploma, but it will be a mile stone for sure.  We will be open to offers, and even exploring the cars hobby, who knows. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.  Now I'm rambling.  I've spent at least 10 hours this week trying to make my external hard drive work (and it still won't) and my MP3 player is locked because the dang computer sees it as a camera (seriously?!) so I want my life back from my digital time vacuums and now I will not allow blogger to take more of my precious time.  By the way, I'm coming down with a case of July-itis wherein I am feeling self pity about being at work and not on vacation with my family.  I know it is unrealistic and unhealthy but it comes every July despite my best efforts to avoid it.  Better luck next year.  I am done ranting. Thanks if you read this. Have a good week.

But, but, but....ARGGGGHHH!

What happened to blogger? have I seriously been out of it for so long, that I can't figure out how to change the pictures on my blog? I need some validation!! Is it me or blogger? I really want to change and add pictures, but I can't figure it out, and I don't have another hour (conservatively) to spend figuring it out. If anyone can help, please do. Thanks.

Happy Birthday Emma!!

Emma is now 7 years old. We celebrated with some of her friends from school at our house on the most beautiful June day I've ever witnessed.  Perfect 89 degree weather and sunshine breezes.  Perfect to match our awesome Emma!

Some things I love about Emma right now:

She reads. a lot. Just like me. I love that she loves to read.

She is a good peacemaker.

She's a tenderheart with her sisters, cousins, parents, family, friends, animals, anyone really

She loves animals, like me again, and she would do anything for any animal. 

She loves to play the piano. She'll just sit down and play. It is so nice.

She is very responsible and has attention to detail. She planned her whole birthday party herself!

She has Disney princess eyes and consequently, canNOT go outside wthout sunglasses. EVER

and last, that she's asleep right now.

Happy Birthday Emma. My best first daughter. I'm so thankful you are in our family.

 

My first attempt at Fondant decorating... I could get into this!! All the girls taking turns at the boot pinata. Emma's theme was Cow Girls.  It was great.

Just discovered...

the store is opening only 2 miles from my house on june 14. not that i go there ever, but it is so hopeful that the empty mervyns will be replaced by hobby lobby. it shows that people are spending frivolously again. well, some people, and someday me too. (I'm still nursing my creative brain back to health...)

http://www.hobbylobby.com/stores/store_locations_search_results.cfm

Perspectives

This week has been full of life.  I decided today that journaling is critical.  I have lots of reasons, but the most important one is for record for myself, for my children and for records.  I am going to be doing more journaling, like thoughts, feelings, that sort of stuff, that is appropriate, here and I am setting a goal for myself to do it weekly, if not more often.  I am feeling like rambling, so if it sounds like it, it is.  I have been thinking about my goals, and how at the new year for last year, not only was I so glad 2009 was done and in the books, but I was feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of setting some new goals for 2010.  So, now that we're in May, I have a few goals, and their reason for coming to be goals.

First, I am going to run a 1/2 marathon.  I didn't think I could ever do this. I have genetically weak knees.  I didn't think I had time.  After I ran Pat's run, I realized I can do it.  I trained for that on the treadmill, and I just ran 6 miles yesterday and felt great!  I was still hopping and going strong when I got home ( I was outside).  I can do it, because I've been babystepping my distance and I feel strong in my mind which is more than half the battle or training.  So, who knows, maybe I'll actually go for a full marathon, but I am feeling confident about setting the goal for the1/2 and excited about the strength and energy I am feeling in my body as a result of my training.

I am going to spend more time with each of my kids individually.  Yesterday I listened to Kennedy singing twinkle twinkle little star to a little baby in the sweetest way!  She said every word and even did hand actions. Audrey is saying her "R" sounds better, and that shows she's growing up.  Emma's going to be a 2nd grader. Where has the time gone?  Another reason for this is because I have had an increased value of family in perspective or relationship to daily demands of family.  My to-do list will really never go away, and I will be sad when the kiddo maintenance items on that list fade, but I'll be even more sad if I let my kids fade and grow while I worry about the silly to-do list.  I have a wonderful family heritage to pass on to my children and I need to get on that.  I am so thankful for my knowledge and belief in eternal families.  I know that the relationships we form here on earth can and will be maintained beyond this life.

I am going to date my sweetheart Tim more often.  He is the best thing in my life.  The best.  He is my best friend, my confidant, my sense of humor, my personal chef (dang good one too!) and my strength.  I appreciate him so much and I aim to be better at showing my appreciation for him better.

I have had some real struggles in the past year and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  I knew life would be better or more rewarding on the other side of the "dark tunnel" I have been through.  I am so thankful for Tim for his strength through it all.  I know there are still challenges ahead, but I can handle them better now because I feel I have the tools to get through it.

I am so thankful for the light I have in my life.  Jesus Christ is Real.  He is my best cheerleader, and my strength and my coach.  He wants us to be happy but we have to turn to Him.  It is amazing the peace that comes during turmoil when we allow Christ to carry our burden.  I don't share my testimony often enough, and that is the last goal of this list.  To do that.  To bear my witness of Jesus Christ as my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.

Thanks for reading.

This week in the life of us

So, this week has been... different.  In a good way.  I have been on a health/wellness kick of late, and last Monday Tim and I have been doing a health cleanse.  It has been good for so many reasons.  First off, I was really nervous about it because I'm a snacky munchie person.  I am always eating.  Mostly sugar.  This cleanse has been about slashing our diet of sugar.  Added sugar, simple sugar, and even complex carbohydrates.  It has been a challenge, like I said, but I feel great.  Who knows, maybe it's placebo effect, but I've been feeling really good.  We have really had to think about what we are eating, and veggies are expensive! Especially when you eat so much.  No wonder so many people are unhealthy and overweight, it is super cheap and easy to eat poorly.  So, I want to brag about what Tim has been doing for us as far as cooking this week.  He really could open a restaurant.  Monday we ate grilled chicken with vegetables, no bbq sauce ( I know, Tim grilling without his sauce? CRAZY) but it was amazing.  Grilled veggies are awesome.  Breakfasts have been yummy omlettes packed with spinach and other veggies.  Lunch has been salads and lemon/olive oil dressing.  Tuesday grilled steak with grilled peppers, zuccini, eggplant, onions.  Wednesday grilled shrimp and asparagus. Thursday we had tuna lettuce wraps and huge cobb salad.  Friday was slow baked salmon with smashed cauliflower and green beans.  Saturday lettuce wrap tacos.  Sunday lunch was awesome chicken salad lettuce wraps and for dinner we had grilled chicken with bell peppers and green beans.  We have had some amazing food this week.  The kids have had all the same as us, only with rice added for filler.  I am so proud of Tim for doing so well with this, but he does everything so well.  I aspire to be as good a cook as him.  I acutally enjoyed cooking so much yesterday and today.  We planted some tomatoes in our garden (hopefully it's not too late) and we have harvested some peppers and eaten those this week.
   This diet has done wonders for my awareness of what I eat and what we feed our kids.  There is so much sugar and even added sugar in everything we eat.  Even peanut butter!  Added sugar. Seriously, peanuts are sweet ,don't add more. Also, this diet disallows carbohydrates over 50 per day.  That is a challenge.  I'm amazed though, how much reading labels makes a difference.  I have done research online for stuff too, and if nothing else from this cleanse, I have been reawakened to awareness about what I put in my body.  It has been a good lesson for my kids too.  We've been feeling pretty good, and I'm excited for this next week on the diet.  It is 2 full weeks then slowly start to add fruits and other complex carbs.  I have to admit, I am really excited to enjoy some homemade bread after next week, and some good chocolate chip oatmeal cookies!

On a spiritual note, I have been feeling aware of my spiritual wellness too.  Last week I had an opportunity to fast for my family and I did.  It felt good to put my temporal needs aside as I seek for spiritual strength.  That was a good kickoff for my cleanse.  This has been a spiritually uplifting experience this far too.  I am not very connected to the food I eat because Tim is so great about cooking and I thought I had so little time between coming home from work and bedtime.  I feel like I've been shaken awake.  I do enjoy cooking, as long as we have planned what to eat, and I feel so much healthier physically and spiritually.  I feel like it's helped me to remember what matters most and what's most important when it comes to how I spend my time and energy.

I have set some goals for myself and I am going to give it a few weeks for them to be set in place and be realized, so I'll keep updated here.

Pat's Run

On April 17th I ran Pat's run. It's a 4.2 mile run/walk for Pat Tillman Foundation.  I set the goal back in February and registered and made myself get ready for it on the treadmill.  I went and ran it in 44:14 which is about 11 min mile, and I ran the whole way.  I felt great the whole day until about 4 pm when all my muscles seized up.  I hadn't run outside for years.  I have only run on a treadmill, and only up to 4 miles.  After the race was said and done, I had to account for travel to and from the race start and my silliness getting off the light rail a mile early, and deciding to just run the mile to the truck.  In all I ran about 6 miles by 10 am, which I wasn't prepared for.  Now I'm running outside and I am ready for a 10K or two on my way to running a 1/2 marathon.  I never knew my knees could do this, but my heart and mind are so glad they can! 

Happy Birthday Audrey!!

Today Audrey is 4 years old. She is growing so much. She is just perfectly 4.  Some things I love about Audrey today is her spunky attitude.  She is fiercely loyal, fiercely distracted, fiercely in trouble, and fiercely sweet and caring.  She is so strong physically, she is like a little spider monkey; she'll crawl up on my back and I can barely tell she's there she's so light and strong.  I love the way she says "girl" it sounds like "doyle."  I love how she smiles by putting her fingers in her cheeks and pulling her mouth as wide as she can.  I love how you can't be upset with her long because she'll make you laugh or change the subject.  Her hair sweeps across her face like a movie star, and she makes me smile just thinking about her.  We had  a super fun luau yesterday for their double "two-fur" party.  Audrey has been wanting a scooter, not because she ever asked for one, but anytime we were anywhere and she saw one, she would ask if she could borrow it.  She isn't very shy, and it is fun. We love you Audrey, and are so glad you are part of our family.

Luau Birthday Party Pictures

Butterflies

For Christmas we got butterfly larvae we watched grow, chrysalis, and turn into butterflies. We let them go on Easter Sunday at Gaga Harper's house. They were pretty happy. So were our girls. The sound in the background is the dog Bruiser breathing. Thanks for watching.

Happy Birthday Kennedy!

Now she's 2.  My baby is 2!  I can't believe it.  Things I love about Kennedy today are that she can talk pretty well, well enough to have a conversation.  Mostly she says "Audrey" and she just started pronouncing the "r" in her name and it is so cute!  I ask her who her sisters are and she says, "Memma and Audgree."  Then I ask her what her name is, and she says, "me".  She's smart.  I love that she gives love and kisses and hugs whenever you ask for them.  She loves to dress up in her princess dress and sing in princess fashion.  She has to do everything on her own.  No help.  If we help her, it's an all out tantrum, then start over to do it herself.  She picks out her clothes everyday.  She asks for "doke peez" (milk please) and when I come in the door whether I've been gone 8 hours or 8 seconds, she comes running  to kiss and hug me like she missed me more than anything.  She gives great zerberts/raspberries kisses.  When her sisters are sad, she will give them toys, blankies, sippees, kisses, hugs or whatever it takes to get them happy.  She is so sensitive, yet she knows mischief like a pro.  On Easter, she got a little Tootsie Roll bank, and she came into our room with it and said, "no nandy (candy), no nandy, no nandy."  She knew she wasn't allowed to eat them yet.  Then she walked out.  Tim and I followed her where she slowly went into her bedroom, slowly closed the door so it wouldn't click, then we peeked in on her about 20 seconds later,  She was sitting on the floor between the beds with 5 tootsies in her mouth.  Busted.  She is a smart tootsie.  I could go on and on, but I will stop there.  I have lots of other things to write about this week. Here's the short list: General Conference, Easter, Butterflies, Botanical garden, Birthday presents, barbies, Pats Run, and Audrey's birthday (next week). Stay tuned!

I don't usually do forwards...

But this was worth it...

Love, Kellie

 

 

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says ~~ "Oh Crap, She's up!"   (I love this!!)

Sister Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason.   If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it. Today is sister's day, send this to all your sisters, mothers, daughters, girlfriends even me if I am like one. you are loved. Happy Sister's Day! I LOVE YA SISTA'!!! :-) Girlfriend and Sister's Week I am only as strong as the chocolate I eat, the hair spray I use and the friends I have. To the cool women that have touched my life. Here's to you! National Girlfriends Day What would most of us do without our sisters, confidants and shopping, lunching, and traveling girls? Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake! TO MY GIRLFRIENDS! If you get this twice you know you have more than one girlfriend... Be Happy! It is good to be a woman!!

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Kellie

So amazed...

On Saturday during General Conference, my sweet Aunt Rosemary was made Primary General President.  Just as exciting is the fact that 2nd counselor is an "Asay" which is Tim's family from Lovell, Wyoming.  Yay! Good roots!

Primary General Presidency

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom was raised in Salt Lake City and attended Utah State University where she graduated in elementary education. She and her husband, B. Jackson Wixom, are the parents of six children and have six grandchildren.

She has served on the Primary General Board, the Young Women General Board and with her husband as he served as president of the Washington, D.C. South Mission. She loves her grandchildren and considers Sunday family dinners the highlight of her week.

Sister Jean A. Stevens

Sister Jean A. Stevens was born and raised in Salt Lake City where she graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a teaching certificate. She has served as a member of the Primary General Board and as a ward Relief Society president, counselor in a ward Primary presidency and as a gospel doctrine teacher. Sister Stevens and her husband, Mark, are the parents of five children and have seven grandchildren.

Sister Cheryl A. Esplin

Sister Cheryl A. Esplin was born and raised in Lovell, Wyoming. She graduated fromBrigham YoungUniversity in elementary education. She and her husband, Max Esplin, are the parents of four sons and one daughter and the grandparents of 19 grandchildren.

She has served in Relief Society, Young Women and Primary, most recently having served on the Primary General Board. Sister Esplin served with her husband when he was president of the North Carolina Raleigh Mission.

The rest of it.. Spring break that is

So, with all three kids at home for two weeks, our house has turned upside down.  I don't handle clutter and messes very well, especially when I need to find something, and can't find anything because nothing is in its proper place or anywhere near it.  (Breathe..) With that said, it has been beautiful here, and the biggest event of our Spring break has been the butterflies.  For Christmas our friends the Roussels gave us a butterfly hatching kit.  We sent for the caterpillars, watched them grow for about 3 weeks and when we returned from Heber they began to make their chrysalis.  It was cool, the kids loved it.  Then about 7 days later they started to break out of their chrysalis and the girls have been checking on them throughout the days to make sure they have sugar and  count them again.  It has been fun for them.

Yesterday we turned in our DVR.  We have had it for a long time.  We also dropped our home telephone line.  We decided to do this in January, and we've weaned ourselves off and prepared ourselves.  For what?  Really? I feel like "Lot's wife" looking at what I'm missing rather than looking forward to all I'm gaining with this decision.  It's just TV for crying out loud!!  I am spending way too much time thinking about what I'm giving up (Discovery, NatGeo, Nick, Disney, Food, Music Choice channels) rather than spending more quality time with my kiddos, which I complain I never have enough of.  I will hopefully have more time to do the little projects with and without the kids that I've been wanting to do.  I know all the stuff I want to watch is online, and really, I only watch it because it's there.  Now, this is the first day of the rest of our TV free life.  It's gonna be great.  I have my cell phone which I've been much better about keeping with me so I can answer it, unless I'm at work with my hands in someone's mouth, and Tim has a cell phone too, which he's really good about answering unless he's got his hand's full with kids.

Anywhoo, I need to post some update stuff.  I have a lot in my head, so it will probably be scattered.

Kennedy: she is talking up a storm.  She can communicate very patiently and effectively what she wants and I am so impressed with her.  She is so sweet with her sisters.  When they are sad, she'll run, not walk, to get them their blankies or cuddle toy to help them feel better.  She wants them to be happy.  She also doesn't want to be the baby anymore.  She wants to do things "myself" all the time.  She dresses herself, does shoes, and feeds and everything.  Now we don't have a baby anymore.  I've been telling Tim this and that I want another baby, and he asks, "why?"  I say because I don't feel like I'm done, but I don't want a big gap between kids and I'm aware that I'm getting older too.  TMI I'm sure, but it's nagging at me.

Audrey: She is so ready for preschool.  Any suggestions?  She wants to do everything Emma does.  She wants to read and write and have her own books and teacher and backpack.  She loves barbies and ponies and asks to go to Disneyland every chance she gets.  I'm getting close to summer "wanderlust" and I want to go somewhere too, but I get/have to work.  She said to me the other day, "Want to know some interesting information about me?" I said I'd love to, and she said, " I can draw my letters."  The fact that she said the words Interesting and information in the same sentence reminded me that she's growing up, despite her petiteness and her difficulty with articulating some sounds.

Emma: She is smart.  I'm so thankful she's smart.  She's exactly like me and I am so grateful to my mother and sisters who put up with my...eccentricities.  Emma is just sweet.  I hope I am a good mom for her.  Because she is so smart, I feel like I can barely keep up with her, and that plays into my "should we have another baby?" debate because I feel like I need to be more available for her.  She's doing great in school and she is so responsible.  She knows what we expect of her and she holds herself to such a high standard.  She loves peanut butter, but not jelly.  She discovered she likes Subway, and she likes to wear really cute clothes.  She is a great first child because her personality is helpful, thoughtful, and smart.

I'm working at 2 offices.  One in Mesa and one in Fountain Hills.  It is 40 hours of work and about 5 hours of driving.  I make the most of my time in the car by listening to my MP3 on my phone of the Ensign and other LDS church magazines.  It is nice to have the quiet time to listen and then have the sweet spirit that comes from those messages with me when I get to work and then when I come home.  I have been running about 8-9 miles per week in preparation for April 17 race Pat Tillman Run.  I'm excited for that.  I've had lots more energy during the day (or after work I should say) to take care of the house and kids.  Hopefully combine that with the TV off, and I'll be unstoppable!  We're having some struggles in the Mix family and it is giving me some good perspective on myself.  Last year at this time when Ben Harper passed away we had to dig deep as a family and our family ties were so strengthened.  I am so grateful for that strength and perspective now.  It doesn't make it less difficult, but I feel like I'm in better spiritual shape to handle this challenge.  I have a long way to go, but that is what these challenges are for.

Tim's still in school and has about 5 classes left.  We hope to be done this summer, but we also know graduation doesn't automatically bring a job, so if that is the case (no job) then he'll continue in school for his masters in education.  He made his first sale on eBay and I thought it was not worth the hassle, but we'll probably do it again.  He's great with the kids, and me and he puts up with a lot of "girlie-smirlie" around here.  He's started a garden again, we'll see how it goes this year.

If anyone made it this far in reading this good job. I've had a lot on my mind and wanted to get it off.  This is the easiest way.  Thanks.

Spring Break... so far.

We had a wonderful time up in Heber, AZ for a few days break during Emma's spring break last week.  It was just relaxing. We stayed at the Bison Ranch and it was just great.  It is more of a summer resort, but there was a hot tub, ping pong, air hockey, horses in the pasture, and cutie oranges.  I really am a desert rat. Even having grown up in Rexburg, ID, I don't like the cold. I actually really really don't like the cold.  I even felt prepared for it, and I was still uncomfortable.  We went up on Saturday and we stayed until Tuesday afternoon.  It was so nice just to spend time with Tim and the kids. I actually was able to have conversations with Tim rather than just, "what do we need to do now?" sort of stuff.  It was good to get away and take a couple of days off.  I also can't help but think, when I'm away from all my stuff, do I really need all the "stuff" we have at home.  I feel like my "stuff" at home nags at me and makes me grumpy and edgy.  I realized I gotta change that.  I am so grateful for all I have and for healthy kids.  I am really thankful.  I am so blessed.  Here are pictures of our trip. More words later.

she peeled the orange all by herself!!

smiley Audrey.

Coloring by the fireplace.

Audrey picked it up quick.

Emma doesn't mess around!

Air hockey tournament.

Kennedy with horses.

Audrey watching horses.

Emma watching horses.

Running the "Luge"

Kennedy throwing snow fists fulls.

Belated picture, Happy Birthday Tim.