10 Year Anniversary celebration

Steve ad I have been married for over 10 years now.  We wanted to make it a very special and memorable occasion...so we did, well, my dear Steve did.  We were engaged in Utah...courted there....and then moved on to Pennsylvania to begin our life together.  For a short time after Connor was born, we spent another year in Utah.  We loved the scenery, the comfort and beauty, but it wasn't quite right for us at the time...so back to PA we went.  

So...for our 10 year celebration...back to Utah we went.  Steve planned and saved for the most perfect and special occasion we could have there....and it was just that...

perfect

sacred

and it made me feel like a queen. 

We drove through the beautiful canyons leading to Park City Utah...admired the beauty and reminisced on our Honeymoon experiences in Tennessee up in the mountains as well. 

And when we arrived at our destination, we were surprised to hear that we had been upgraded to a top story suite with vaulted ceilings for free.  It was heavenly!

These pics were on both sides of our balcony, in towards the room and out towards the scenery! 

Our full kitchen with dishwasher, stove, washer and dryer! 

Our dining room!

Living room with leather sofas 

 The master bedroom with another fire place!

And the master bedroom suite balcony looking towards the dining room balcony! 

Yep, that's me relaxing by a fire on an early morning....before my anniversary gift surprise! 

And our delicious cuisine that night! 

We walked the outdoor malls, smelled every perfume in Bath and Body works, The Body Shop, and Victoria's Secret...settled on a few wonderful scents, both got new cases for our phones that totally describe our personality....

shared a few kisses....

toured the Olympic sites (pics to come), and retired to bed for one last night by a cozy fire

We shared one last kiss in the hotel before leaving to seal the wonderful, peaceful and beautiful time we spent together.

I love this boy....he knows me well....loves me deeply....and I am honored to be his wife!

Thank you boy....for all that you do give me in pure sweet love!

My Return to Blogging (I was inspired tonight)!!!

So, it has been awhile since I have contributed to our family blog and have been looking for an excuse to start blogging again. Well, I felt like tonight was worth noting for our final printout, when we make a scrapbook/family history out of all of these stories. This could officially be my return to blogging. I was inspired tonight by the normal experiences of life that are not necessarily expected or desired. So, here it goes:

Worked my second day shift in a row because there was no coverage on the unit after being on for three straight nights, making it five in a row at the hospital.
Wife worked tonight, so kids were at the in-laws.
Asked a coworker to come in 30 minutes early.
She said yes.
She showed up about 10 minutes early. (wow....thank you!)
Got a new admission right at 7pm (shift change).
Helped other nurse settle patient.
Other nurse is incompetent so I ended up doing everything for her.
Told other nurse I was leaving and she needed to enter orders and take over.
Other nurse complained. (so sad....TOO BAD!)
Caught the end of a rare solar eclipse. (pseudo impressive)
Sunglasses didn't really provide protection for my eyes. (oops!)
Drove to trade cars in the parking lot of hospital where Crystal works.
Really need the bathroom after a long day at work, but ran off the unit to avoid any more questions.
Called ahead of time for picking up kids so they would be ready.
Talked for awhile......really need the bathroom now!
Kids packed in the car......not sure if they were all buckled.
Contemplate pulling over and doing my guy thing.
Make it home without any speeding tickets. (a rare occasion these days)
Rush the kids into the house.
Let them roam while I use the bathroom and get a shower.
Get dressed and go to get the girls to put them in bed.
Maya's butt is wet.
Maya's butt is really wet!!!
I check her diaper....
OH CRAP!!! (literally)
I now have to deal with perhaps the worst diaper ever seen and this is child #5.
Get her wiped up and into the shower.
Go to throw away diaper and trash can is overflowing.
Take out trash!
Give Maya and myself, again, a shower.
Quick get the Maya and myself dressed.
Put girls in bed.
Put the boys in bed, not really knowing whether they have brushed their teeth, said their prayers or any of that. (too bad....I'm exhausted and feeling defeated)
The clock strikes 10 pm.
What a day!
What a week!!!


I am grateful for life's many rare moments but it has been a hard week with work and now at home, and I made it through all of this tonight without voicing any frustration or raising my voice. That doesn't sound like much, but when running on empty like I am, is a big accomplishment I believe. I have the most wonderful children who have an innate gift of love, patience, innocence, forgiveness, purity, and doing what's right. I owe a lot of their amazing character that is not innate to my precious wife. She is an amazing woman. I love my Princesa! I hope her night is going better at work than mine did here. She sounded busy though, so I am doubtful. Some days; some weeks; some years are just like that. We have been through thick and thin together and moments like these pale in comparison. I am grateful for all experience as it benefits me and it benefits my family. If nothing else, I hope my misery, if you will, brings you a little laughter. I often feel like Moses, that perhaps I am not so good with words. I do hope, however, that it is worth your time.....for those of your who still read the goings on of our little speck of life in this big old world.

AIden at seven

Aiden Obadiah...you turned 7 this year!!!

And look how much everyone showed their love for YOU!!!

Mimi was gracious enough to have your Birthday at her house because of Mommy's and Daddy's crazy work schedules! 

I still remember the moment in the hospital where Daddy and I held you just like this between the two of us.  You were curled in my arms, and we tried so hard to take a self portrait of you with us...it was hard, but worth it.  Seven years later, you still feel perfect cased between the two of us! 

You enjoyed the presence of your cousins, who all LOVE you so much! 

And I totally enjoyed the FOOD!!! 

Yes, our sweet Maya did too! 

The girls did girl things, like pose for pictures! 

And you focused on the great adventure it would be to blow out seven candles and open a load of presents! 

 You are full of expression, dear Aiden, both inside and out!  We love that about you!

It took many deep breaths to blow those tricky seven candles out! 

Thank you Mimi...for hosting Aiden's Birthday!  We love you so much! 

At seven:

You are still full of so much energy, there are still days when you are the first riser in the home.

You have a heart full of love for your Mommy and Daddy.

You are the first to say sorry when you hurt someone,

But you are often shocked at how rude others can be in their bullying state.

You have a little bit of a temper, but when we show you unconditional love, that temper simmers very quickly.

You do NOT like to brush your teeth.

But...you LOVE playing with LEGOS.

You love Ninjago.

And you LOVE LIFE!

And...We LOVE YOU!!!

Faith Like a Child

I have a sweet son.

I have three amazing, and sweet sons, but the one I choose to speak of tonight is Connor, my first born.

Last night, the weather changed on us in an instant.  We went from hot 87 degree days to 60 degree daytime temps, howling winds, and threats for thunder storms.

The boys were in bed at a decent hour...7:30 ish, it did their tired eyes well.

Lydia was in bed shortly after.  As I layed with her for her nightly routine, she begged me to allow her to sleep in my bed, and we went through the normal conversation that is memorized with each inflection of my voice.  I told her that if she would not cry when I left, and would sleep in her bed for a little while first, she would be allowed to come to bed with me later. (This usually means she crawls into my bed anywhere from 3-5am, and I can deal with a few hours of her piercing toes in my side!)

Last night was a bit different.

Routines were done, the kids were in bed, and around 9pm, I heard Lydia outside of my bedroom door, whimpering.  I walked out, hugged her, and let her know that she would need to go back to bed in her room for awhile still.

She sweetly said, "But Mom, I already slept in my bed for an hour!"

I don't know how her little 3 year old mind grasped time so accurately, but I told her, "Yes Lydia, it was literally only an hour!  You need to sleep a few more hours in your bed!"

I then took her to bed, without a fight.

On my way out of her room, I noticed the boys light was on in their bedroom.  Furious that they had disobeyed bed time routine and started playing, I opened the door quickly, ready to discipline my mothering lips away.  To my surprise, Aiden was curled up in a ball, blankets pulled up over his head, and he was sleeping peacefully.  I looked up at the top bunk where Connor sleeps, and his eyes were red, swollen, and full of fear as tears poured down his face.  In desperation, he explained the events which led to his desperate state:

"Aiden just woke up, was running around the room, turned the lights and fans on, ran around again and then just went back to bed.  Then the door opened and closed right away, but no one was there."

I thought of every way I could gently acknowledge his fears but explain them away as well, "Connor, I know you are scared.   Aiden doesn't know what he's doing when he gets up and runs around like this.  We need to get his surgery scheduled and pray that it helps him, but he doesn't do it to hurt or scare us.  The door that opened was Lydia.  She woke up and was looking for me.  Would you like to say a prayer to ask Heavenly Father to comfort you?" (He was still hyperventilating with endless tears.)

He innocently said, "Mom, I already said a couple of prayers to Heavenly Father, and I asked him to send you to me...and He did!"

Indeed, He did.  I was supposed to be working last night, but fate had planned that I would be placed on stand-by for a low patient census, and in that state, I was able to be an answer to my sweet son's prayer.  It takes the faith of a child to believe Heavenly Father was calculated in performing that little miracle...and both Connor and I have the faith of a child to acknowledge His hand!  I am ever so grateful for my children and the great lessons they teach me daily!

As for Lydia, she walked into my room at 4:15 am...as I was on my second hour of restless insomniac eyes...and she whispered, "Mom, I slept for a few more hours already!"

"Yes dear, you did!  Come here," I whispered, and we both drifted off to sleep for a "few more hours"...literally!

Couponing and Memory Lane!

Lest you think I am about to give you a run down on how to be the extreme couponer....

think again...

I am about to inform you of MY first "extreme" couponing experience!

Last night was NOT like any other night.  Steve has been on 5 nights this week....that's 5 twelve (13 really, but the hospital won't admit that) shifts.  Last night he was lucky enough to go in for 1/3 of the shift and come home.  Since I haven't seen him, well, since last Saturday....I decided to hit the sack at 8pm and have him wake me at 12:30 when he got home.

He came home with a midnight treat...Burger King...and we caught up on all our favorite shows.

We finally got to sleep at 3:30am...and the kids woke me at 6:45!  YAY!!!

I was groggy....and spent half of my day looking at the mess I needed to clean.

Well, the first part of that mess happened to be a good hundred coupons my husband has recently clipped from the Sunday papers which he bought not too long ago so we could become the EXTREME COUPONERS!  

Holy cow, I thought, as I stumbled across a coupon that said $3 off a man's razor and cartridges, and then another that was $2 off a females....the holy cow was caught with excitement when I saw that at Target (ending today), you could get those exact same razors combined and get a $5 Target gift card in return!

So, I organized more "to-be expired" coupons and peeked my head in on my sleeping husband to proclaim, "I'm going to Target!  The deals I need end TODAY!"

He rolled out of bed a decided to come along with me!

Our cart was packed to the brim with all our couponing purchases and 75% more items as well...mostly lean cuisine meals...because we're both desperate to lose weight!  I scratched each item off the list proudly, and started to panic when I saw that the cartridges that you had to buy with the razor combo were $18....EEEKK!!!  But hey, when I bought both, I got that Target gift card!  

I got to the register knowing that my couponing adventure was more like a large expenditure....

I bargained with the woman over ALL the $5 gift cards I was due, and then she asked, "Is that all?"

"No," I said, "I have a ton of coupons!"

She had long grey hair and glasses, and she sure did use those glasses as she read every....single....coupon...while asking with each one, "Now, did you actually buy 2 Sun Chips?  And did you buy 2 lysols?"

I was specific, "Yes, I bought 2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaners!"

And then I thought...with a sweet smile across my face, "The computer is way smarter than you think it is lady, just scan it...if it doesn't work...it doesn't work!"

I was the typical couponer, at the register, tapping my fingers, anxiously watching the total drop....

$303

$302

$299.50

It dropped ever so slowly!

The people behind us must've been thinking, "Oh my gosh, we're stuck behind one of 'them'!"

I wanted to say, "Look away for a moment, I am embarrassed to say, we aren't one of them...but we put a lot of time into trying to be one of them....you know, the one that gets $300 bills for FREE!"

We finished checking out, stoped 2 feet from the register, and both Steve and I examined out receipt to make sure we got all the deals we came for!  Sure enough...we did!  And we saved a grand total of $54.92....but we spent  $272.14...

When we got to the car, I rolled my eyes and said, "I think I woulda rather worked a few more hours over doing this!"  And then we both got a good laugh out of the "I HAVE to go to Target TODAY" experience!

Now, onto memory lane....

Do you remember school field trips?

Being so excited the morning of, and (if you are Connor), thrilled that your Mom is coming along?

 And then when she gets there, she's just alright...

And there to verify that you really do have the skylanders stuff at home?

But there was a moment in the middle of the movie when he reached over to hold my hand....and he did for about a half hour....even across the empty seat that should have been occupied by Maya! 

Do you remember eating at the parks afterwards?

And asking your friends, "What did your Mom pack for you?  What's your drink?"

I witnessed it the other day...memories flooded back! 

Lydia really did love the field trip...it's hard to see here! 

And Maya LOVES life...so she loved it too! 

Another memory....

I just organized the boys rooms for them...washed all their quilts I've made them over the years, and placed them on their beds.  I love seeing this quilt in the house.

This was Aiden's "Big Brother Quilt" when Shane was born....Shane had a matching baby quilt which we buried him in.  What a sweet reminder to me every time I see it. 

More Pennsylvania Fun!

Lest I forget, we did have MORE fun times in PA...and if I don't record them now, I never will!

I spent a lot of time lounging around with the kiddos....who couldn't resist cuddling these cuties? 

And watching the cousins LOVE being together again.  Yes, it was a mad house with 12 children from 22 months-10 years old!  I was amazed at the change I have seen in the girls...which are most of the older cousins; they nurture, love, and protect...I love seeing their innate qualities come out so perfectly!  The boys will be boys....and they LOVE playing and acting tough!

This was one rare quiet moment with three of the boys! 

And this is one of those nurturing moments with Lydia and my dear little Ashley...she is the oldest cousin! 

 I had to throw this pic in because I love Hannah's face!  Often, when I came around I saw her smile a big happy grin of surprise!  She is one sweet and FUN girl!

And then on another day.... we enjoyed the Dansko outlet.  AS a nurse, I have never owned a pair of Danskos....

I do now...

I own TWO pair...

And they are my staple footwear!

Those are my two pair... 

 And Miss Maya was caught often...trying all the shoes on as well!  Naturally, she was born with my fashion loving blood!

Steve captured a few moments with little Lucy (Luc) and Maya...and he had to get Hyrum to "pose" for a picture by the pond.  Never mind the wink on his left eye...he is much like his older cousin Connor, a natural born pirate!

Liddy and I modeled my Danskos at days end! 

 And then, yes...we visited some dear friends....

Rasheed...

The Poplis Family...

And the Henrichsen's.  We could have spent endless days visiting old friends, but time was too short, 

I made a new best friend that day too...Miss Piper had me running up and down their sidewalk just to get one last walk and chat in before we left! 

Later that night, we went to the movies to see The Hunger Games. 

I guzzled our soda... 

And got terribly fat...  

The movie was quite long...can you tell?