There's No Place Like Home

Peaches knows how to work her Daddy. When ever she gets ready for the day she has to go and show Daddy and have him tell her how cute she is. "You look like a princess" is the usual response, but "Beautiful" works too. She loves to dance with him and spin for him. He has really gotten into it too. After I got Peaches dressed today Gentry requested her "Dorothy" braids. Then he took her outside for pictures while they were waiting for me to finish getting ready for church. Peach made all the little faces she only makes for Daddy and he captured them on film. No wonder we love spending time together just here at home.

Twelve Year Anniversary

Today is my anniversary. I have been married for twelve years now. Twelve years! Teri (my sister in law and closest friend) asked me if it felt like twelve years and I said yes. Then she said, "Twelve years is 1st grade to 12th grade. That's how long you've been married." That is a little scary.
So here is a quick overview of events that took place these past twelve years together. As accurate as my memory serves.
1st year. We played house. It was such a fun time. We had a tiny apartment and no money living in Cedar City but we were so happy to be with each other day in and day out.
2nd year. In Salt Lake, going to the U. Worst apartment I have ever lived in for cheapest amount of money. This year was harder on me emotionally because we no longer were playing house. It was an adjustment trying to figure out how to be a couple and also an individual. I worked a ton of hours and we still struggled to make ends meet.
3rd year. Gentry graduated from the U. We were pregnant and the baby consumed our thoughts. When Courtland was born I thought my heart would bust with the out pouring of love I had for both of them. Gentry started working for Hewlett Packard.
4th year. We moved to New England. This was the hardest year of my life. I wasn’t sure if we would make it another year. So much stress and worry. We saved like mad to try and get as much together as we could to try and buy a house.
5th year. We bought a house that shortly thereafter got broken into. I started to realize how lucky I was to have a handy man. Those skills were put to good use on our house that we spent time and money fixing up.
6th year. This year was consumed with two things, Young Womens and the Fertility Clinic. We wanted another baby so bad and it wasn’t happening for us. I was so hopped up on hormones everyday that I know was I was not easy to live with. I was such an emotional wreck this year I can’t imagine how Gentry lived with me.
7th year. After having our house broken into a second time we moved back to Utah. Plus we were finally pregnant and wanted to be closer to family. We bought a house in Saratoga Springs and the very next month had Tate.
8th year. This was the year Gentry made a move from Hewlett Packard. After enjoying the benefit of a large company for so long we looked around and quickly found a job to move too. Within the same year they sold the company and laid off the entire team.
9th year. I worried about Tate. He was such a handful and his will was so strong. The boys got along great with each other but I had a hard time enjoying just being a mom.
10th year. This was the year we had Peaches. It brought so much joy to have a little girl in our family. It was so fun seeing Gentry with a daughter. She had him wrapped around her finger from day one.
11th year. A great year! We bought a piece of land and dreamed of the future. It seemed like our future was bright and everything would be smooth sailing. (I should have known better)
12th year. After another turbulent change in job, Gentry decided to go back to school. I guess we have student life to look forward to once again. We were blessed to have Isabel, making us a family of six. We moved across country again but just for the summer for a little adventure.
This next year? Who knows? Our journey has just begun.

(I know this picture isn't great, it is a picture of a picture)

Twelve years ago today I knelt across an alter from Gentry and promised forever. I had no idea what forever meant, but already I am grateful that he choose me to take the journey with.
Thank you Gentry for all of the good times. Thank you for helping to share the load for all the harder days. You have made me who I am. These past years have been amazing. You have helped me to understand the plan of salvation in a way I would not have been able to on my own. I have felt unconditional love and given and received true forgiveness from you. You are my best friend. I still think you are sexy and If I had to do it all again, I would still have chosen you. I hope and pray our lives will continue to get better and better.

Grandma the Great

My mother's mother was here yesterday. She hung out all day. She helped with the kids, she caught me up on the family, we ate together, played cards and I was glad she spent the day with me. My kids call her Grandma the Great. I have to agree. She is pretty great!

Brunette Bombshell

I finally went to a professional and got my hair fixed. I figured since it is (almost) autumn I might as well go dark. I have never been brunette. Why not now?

Obama for President?

I don’t know where you are politically, but let me fill you in on where I am. I don’t feel defined as Republican or Democrat. I have never party voted. I research candidates, where they stand on issues that are important to me and I vote for who I like the best. If I am unfamiliar with the candidates, I don’t vote either way. I just don’t feel good about party voting.

This upcoming presidential election I have become obsessed. It was complete entertainment for me to see the polls close and listen to the results. As of now, I am still undecided as to who I will be voting for.

With the Democratic National Convention being last night I thought today I would talk about Obama. I read Barrack’s book, Dreams From My Father a couple of months ago. I like who he is as a person. I like Michelle. She seems like what she wants the public to believe, like one of us. Some things I like about him are his stance on Technology. He has said: “Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in scientific research.”
I do not agree with him on Health Care and Tax Reform issues.
Barack Obama choose Joseph Biden to be his running mate announced last Saturday. Biden is from Delaware and is known for his familiarity with foreign policy and for saying some offensive things, even describing Obama as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” Going forward, Biden will probably take the roll of critic to McCain and do the “dirty politics” for Obama.
One thing I learned about Biden that made him more human was barely a month after he was elected to the Senate, his family was in a car accident while Christmas shopping with a drunken driver resulted in the death of his wife and daughter. His two sons survived. Biden remarried about five years later to a woman who I think can really help him.
If you are interested in politics and want to learn more, here http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ is a site to read where Obama stands. For now, I am going to continue to read and learn more.

American Fork Canyon

Chad and Teri arranged for us all to get together on Saturday and then made it happen. Around four o’clock we piled the kids in the car and headed into the mountains. It was a beautiful evening. We found a site fairly quickly and within the half hour the hotdogs were ready. Chad did a little fishing. The kids had contests to see whose boat (a twig found on the ground) could win the race after being flung from a bridge. I discovered my new favorite drink. Courtland made popcorn over the coals. We need to do this more often.

Where will you be at 3:53 TODAY?

3:53pm That is what time Gentry’s flight comes in. 3:53. I cannot wait. I didn’t think a week apart would be that big of a deal, but I really have missed him. So at 3:53 today you will know where I am at. The Delta baggage claim at Salt Lake City Airport.

I Believe in Miracles

Today in our neighborhood tragedy has struck. A little boy Tate’s age was riding his bike near the bus stop and was hit by a car. He was life flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital and is in surgery now. Our wonderful bishop has asked of our ward members to “fall to your knees and plead that our Heavenly Father will heal (this boy) and that a miracle will be performed.” He wants us to pray for the little boys’ parents and to pray for the teenager that hit him. I have done just that and will continue to do so.

When I was seven I saw Joanna, my younger sister by five years, get ran over. She threw up red Jello then went into shock and then unconscious. Just thinking back puts a knot in my stomach. Upon arriving at the emergency room at the hospital we learned of another two year old girl who was also run over that day and seeking medical attention. My mother was in the emergency room with her while my dad was in the car with us. He did just as our bishop is asking us to do now. He fell on his knees and pleaded to our Heavenly Father for a miracle. All of our family was kneeling in the parking lot crying and praying. My dad went in to check on Joanna and soon came out with the news that the other little girl didn’t make it. Soon after a neighbor showed up and took us to their house so that my dad could join my mom in the hospital. The days and weeks that passed by after that are not as strong of a memory for me. Joanna had surgery. She lived. She came home and had to learn again how to sit, stand and walk all over. She had a full recovery with minor issues to deal with for the rest of her life.

I believe in miracles. I believe that through the faith and prayers of flawed individuals like me God performs miracles. Please pray for these families too. Although you may not know these families, your prayer can make a difference.

While writing this I got a phone call… he passed away.

What is there to say? This boy was a beautiful child from an amazing family. He has three older brothers. One of which’s birthday is today. Please continue to pray for these families.

I still believe in miracles. For now, I am going to hurt.

Olympic Fever

I can’t help it. I love the Olympics. I caught the bug while living in Rhode Island and the Olympics came to Salt Lake. I fell in love with the back ground stories of so many athletes, I cheered, I prayed, I cried, I held my breath and rejoiced for so many. (On a side note I also fell in love with Utah. I have always been a Utah girl but until then I had never been as proud as I forever will be.) As I have watched this year, on TV and online, I find myself feeling a rush of emotions. Two individuals have been especially inspiring to me.

I have become a Michael Phelps fan. I love his story. From a kid diagnosed with ADHD that started swimming at seven to provide him with an outlet for his energy. His story is inspirational. He has done an amazing feat and not all on his own. The men’s swimming final 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay was awesome. I loved the team work and they reminded me how proud I am to be American.

I found a new hero in Dara Torres. Almost exactly ten years older than me. She is the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympics: 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2008. Torres has won twelve Olympic medals (four gold, four silver, four bronze). All of these things are impressive. But what makes her truly amazing in my eyes is her sportsmanship. Watching a qualifying heat she came in second she immediately turned to the first place winner and with true sincerity told her good job. In another heat she saw that a competitor from Sweden’s suit had ripped and held the race up in order for the girl to quickly change and compete on a fair level. Then in the final when Britta Steffen won by a fingernail she again congratulated with a hug and what looked like sincere joy. She is an example to me and I hope I am a little bit different because of who she is.

Go Go Gentry

A couple of weeks ago was a big week for Gentry at his job.
He hit a high goal and was rewarded by
the guys at the office throwing him in the pool.
Pretty funny.
Good Job Love!

Tree House Nights

We are back in Utah and already feeling adjusted. Thursday I unpacked and really nothing else.
Friday I wanted to get to my yard so much that I got the kids ready and we headed out to get some work done, and let me tell you, it needs a lot of work! Three large yard bags, a removed dead bush, some scrapes and bruises later and the yard looks only sightly better. The front is still not done, but that is something to look foreword to next week. I think we are lucky if we only loose the one bush.

Then Friday evening we went for a sleepover at Grandma's. Grandma and Grandpa can't just have a sleepover they do it up by having a sleepover in the tree house. Everyone was so excited. It ended up being Grandpa, Grandma, Emily, Court, Tate and Peaches all snuggled together. Only Isabel and I were left in the house.

As you can imagine, everyone had a good time. Court and Tate loved the setting up with bringing items up with the pulley system, Mom and Dad kept Emily up talking about how cool it was, Peach woke asking what the horses were doing. I am sure this is not the last time anyone will be sleeping there.

Then today we hung out and Emily and Peach had their hair done the same... so cute!It is great getting help with the kids. Em and Mom both changed poopy diapers. That always makes it a good day. I am glad to be back home.

Good Bye Charlotte

Four days after Courtland’s last day of school we took a plane to North Carolina to be with Gentry for the summer. And tomorrow, four days before fourth grade we will be flying back, leaving Gentry for only over a week before he joins us.
What can I say about the summer? I have loved it. Mostly because of the people I spent it with. Michelle is a good mother to Cale who is a “go with the flow” kind of kid. She is loyal and an example of a good friend. I have enjoyed getting to know her.Kara is the party. She has a positive attitude and always willing to do it all. She is creative in everything she does and I like her recipes too. Since the first time I met her she instantly jumped in to help with the kids before I even had an opportunity to ask. She has made the summer fun. Jennifer and I had an instant bond. We have had more hearts to hearts to count. I have enjoyed the time we have spent together and look forward to meeting her little one. I like how responsible Jennifer is and she seems mature for her age. Jacey is my sister-in-law and we are now close like sisters. Taydon and Kayson will probably not remember our time together but I love them more because of all we were able to do. She always wants to make everyone happy and goes out of her way to help us all feel that way. She is a peace maker. I have loved our time together and look forward having our relationship grow.I love you all. I am grateful for your friendship and support. Thank you for helping out with my kids and for being tolerant of their (and maybe my) fits. I hope that we can stay in touch and continue to build a friendship that can last our lifetimes. Thank you ladies it has been a fun summer.

Sisters

I was blessed to spend a little time with both sisters in the past couple hours. We rarely have time to just us, but luckily it worked out this way today. Emily flew in last night to help me pack and fly back to Utah, and Joanna stayed another day in order to see Emily. I'm glad she did.

I love you both!

Long Distance Family

Joanna, Ethan, Lorali, and Owen are here. We haven't done too much tourist things... really it is just about hanging out, enjoying each other’s company. I love to see the cousins learn how to interact and play certain games together.


Ethan LOVES playing Mario Kart. He rocks at it too. Today at the pool he was jumping from the side, putting his head under, and really figuring out how to swim.


Lorali and Peaches play like sisters. They carry around the babies and snuggle them, feed them bottles, and change their diapers. Then after three hours of being the best of friends they fight over the same baby until the head is ripped off.

Owen is a happy happy baby. He lights up when he is talked to and settles right down when he does get upset. He seems so much bigger than Isabel even though there is only two months difference. He isn't quite crawling, but I don't think it will be long.

Joanna is still Joanna. She is full of life and fun to be with. She is more than happy to just go with the flow even when we just sit around the house and stare at each other all day. :) I am glad that she was able to come up again before we left. Tonight Emily comes into town and I hope we get a chance to play card games and feel like sisters again.

Summertime

Oh, what do you do in the summertime,
when all the world is green?"
Do you play at the park,
or go to the pool,
or play with your cousins the Wii?
Is that what you do? So do we!"

Have Any Soap?

While packing and cleaning to move back to Utah I came across some journaling Court wrote.

He is just so cute, I have to share.

Sun. 6-29-08
Today I took a bath, in my clothes.
We went to the pool in our Sunday clothes to take pictures. I got my hair wet to play with it. All of a sudden I was pushed from behind (by mommy.) I had my watch on, and I fell in. “Have any soap?” I thought.

O.K. in my defense, he didn’t fall completely in. I didn’t want his shoes getting wet so I held on to the lower portion of his body. He was pretty wet, and surprised! He was a good sport about the whole thing. It was really fun.

Who I AM Today

I am: comfortable with whom I am
I think: about politics
I know: I am a child of God

I want: it all

I have: a blessed life

I wish: to always remember

I hate: putting my foot in my mouth

I miss: our “family” from RI

I fear: debt

I feel: like I am living the dream baby!
I hear: my children playing together
I smell: good

I crave: to travel

I search: blogs on the internet

I wonder: how come it hurts so much to change

I regret: my silly behavior in high school

I love: my life

I care: when others are unhappy
I always: kiss my children

I am not: a push over

I believe: in happily ever after

I dance: in the kitchen with G

I sing: off key

I don't always: get everything done that I would like to

I fight: about dumb stuff
I write: on my blog

I lose: my patience too quickly

I win: argument with my children

I never: thought I would live in an apartment again… never say never

I listen: to the still small voice

I can usually be found: with a child beside me

I am scared: of this darn recession

I need: a backrub

Hang Ten

Sometimes it is fun to do nothing. That is just what Jacey, Kara and I got together to do. We picked up some authentic Mexican food and hung out in our jammies at Kara’s watching Oprah and talking. I really like these girls.

Missed you Jennifer!

Vantage Point, it’s all about your view

Sunday morning I had this amazing plan in my mind of how the day would go.

Wake up early and get kids and myself ready for church. Arrive with plenty of time to spare. Enjoy. After church, change clothes, have a quick bite to eat, go uptown for the Charlotte Trolley, at 3:45 watch Greece at the IMAX, then go to the Pompeii exhibit.
Afterwards, home. Kids to bed, relax with a movie or play a few friendly games of Wii.
Nothing worked out as planned. Church was a rush, lunch was anything but quick, no trolley (ran out of time) IMAX was not as expected, Pompeii was $20.00 per adult, $16.00 per child (so we skipped that). Got ice cream at Coldstone. We did watch a movie but it was way intense so not relaxing. If you've seen Vantage Point with Dennis Quaid you know what I am talking about.

Even with all the changes, great day.

Everything was fabulous!

I love being with the hubby and offspring.

A couple good friends help too. :)

Supporting Local Farmers

Kevin and Robin have started the harvest for this year.

We want to support them how ever we can.

But being on the other side of the country makes it a bit hard.

Saturday we went to farmers market (again.)
I love it, we are supporting local farmers sharing their goods.

My list usually looks like this:
homemade salsa
peaches
some other kind of fruit, usually blueberries, apples, or watermelon
homemade granola
homemade ice cream
check out the crafts (there are some bracelets and earrings I love)

smell the flowers

and if we are all hungry we get hotdogs and lemon aide

Peaches

Peaches is our cute cute little girl. She has Gentry wrapped around her little finger, not to mention her older brothers. The only one in the family not affected by her charm is me. I guess that is not completely true. She does get her way with me way to often too.

She sings “How Do You Know” from the Disney’s movie Enchanted, but changes the line to “How do you know my daddy loves me? How do you know my daddy cares? My daddy wears my favorite color pink just to match my eyes. He brings me flowers just for me.” On and on. So cute.

Peach is a very good sister. She follows Tate around calling him “Tatey”. Mimicking everything both the boys do. She is constantly watching and learning. Everyday around three or four o’clock she finds her bink and night-night and has a really hard time of letting it go until it is finally time for bed.

Peach loves the pool but hates the ocean. Her favorite movies are Enchanted and Little Mermaid. She likes to play in her kitchen and is a good mother to her baby. This next school year she and Isabel will be my little companions most days and I look forward to spending time with her, playing with her hair, singing together, and teaching her how to listen (I hope) and potty-train (I pray). I love having her as my daughter.

Fishing Anyone?

Mommy bragging moment… Tate is becoming a little fish! Now at the pool he decided that he would rather swim by himself then with the noodle. The flotation device that was once his safety blanket is now hindering him. I thought I would post a video of him swimming. This was at the beginning of the day. By the end, he didn’t even think about it. He just knew that he could swim. I have to agree.

Events of the week

The week is almost over. I can’t believe it. We visited Charlotte’s Nature Museum, a Vietnam War Memorial Wall, and North Carolina Zoological Park.
The nature museum was fun for the kids, lots of exhibits, tons of hands on things. My favorite moment was when a butterfly landed on Jennifer’s stomach. She is pregnant and it was like the butterfly wanted to be close to her baby. She couldn’t get it to fly off her. An employee had to take it off her. The memorial wall was more for us adults. I have never been to a memorial like this before. (Actually I guess I did in Hawaii at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, but that was on a different scale) There was something reverent about touching the men’s names who have given their lives for our country. If I was a poet I might be able to express the emotion but…
The zoo was great. We meet with Melissa and kids (Gentry’s cousin). Fun that the kids all ready knew each other so no strangeness between them. It was such a hot day so we had to buy ice cream for $3 each and cool off by the fans but totally worth the hour and a half drive. I liked the laid out of the zoo. It seemed like the animals were living in more natural surroundings.


It's been a great week. I hope your was just as fun. Oh and in case you missed it, the picture of Tate being a bug... yes he had peed his pants.