Talk Time

About a year and a half ago, I was having a very tough time as a mother. I felt like I was so busy doing the day to day things that I didn't have time for my girls.  There were many days when I realized I had gone the entire day without even making eye contact with my children. I didn't know what to do about it until I received the prompting to spend time talking with them one on one. I thought it was crazy at first but eventually worked out a way to do it. Now it's a tradition that both the girls and I look forward to. Once a week at the end of the night, all the girls get some quiet reading time while I take one girl into my bedroom at a time and talk with them for about ten minutes. We get comfy on my bed and they tell me whatever they want. Emma and I always read a book and sing several songs while she runs circles. We go through her ABC's and numbers and practice spelling her name out loud. And we always finish up with Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam while she jumps on my bed. Ashlyn likes to tell me what she learned at preschool and her favorite part of the day. I love that her face lights up as she talks with me. She also likes to have me read her a book and we practice her ABC's and numbers. I also make sure she knows her full name, her date of birth and how old she is. Then we finish up with Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam while jumping on the bed just like Emma. Sadie and I talk about whatever but she usually likes to focus on what she did at school or at dance. She's funny too because she loves to be goofy and is constantly moving while talking with me. She's either bending her body and head in crazy positions or she's rolling around or crawling deep under the covers. She always feels like her time ends too quickly, as do I. Kali also talks about whatever but often focuses on the books she reading or her friends. She's growing up so quickly and we already talk about boys and about girl problems. I can tell the time I spend with her makes her feel so good. I'm so grateful to have been given the prompting to do this because it has changed my relationship with my girls. I feel like they know they can talk with me about anything and that is so important to me.

10 Year Anniversary

After ten years of marriage, Josh and I finally got to go on a trip together. We celebrated in San Francisco.

The first day we spent exploring Chinatown and ate at the best Chinese restaurant ever. We had to wait over a half an hour to be seated and paid $40 just for lunch, but it was so worth the wait and money. You know its authentic Chinese food when you're only given chopsticks to eat with and the waiter doesn't speak English (he only understands it).

Then we explored Pier 39 a bit.

The next morning we headed back to the Wharf and got to walk by Boudin. That place was packed morning, noon and night. Not only do they have a restaurant, but they have a big glass window where they make the bread for you to see. Check out the huge sourdough crocodile.

Then we did a little more exploring of Pier 39.

Next was our ferryboat ride around Alcatraz.

 

Brady and Jordan gave us tickets as a Christmas gift. We were super excited but even more so when we realized it was taking us under both the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. 

It was pretty cold and super windy but it was beautiful and I'm so glad we had the chance to go!

We even had a great view of the famous sea lions as we pulled into shore.

That evening we headed to the AT&T Ball Park for the BYU bowl game. This is the view from the stadium. I wish I could have gotten a picture looking the other way because the sunset was beautiful with vibrant pinks, oranges, and yellows.

Josh tweeted out these pictures of us at the game and we got on their jumbotron. I felt famous.

Our seats were pretty high up there. As a matter of fact no one was even behind us even though we were on the second to the last row, but at least we were directly above the fifty yard line. Unfortunately BYU didn't play well and lost the game.

Day three we got on a double decker tour bus and took a tour of the city. Our tour bus guide was fantastic. We couldn't have asked for better. He was super funny and was constantly telling us interesting facts. Our tour included a bus ride across the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito. Had we known we wouldn't be able to stop before the bridge on the way back, we would have gotten off and walked across the bridge.

From there we took a shuttle bus to Muir Woods, a redwood forest. We didn't know what to expect, but it was full of paths and trails and we could have easily spent another couple of hours there had we had the time. Unfortunately, when we arrived we only had an hour until it closed for the evening.

It was beautiful and the trees were huge.

That night we switched hotels. We wanted to be able to stay in a fancy one at least one night. Our new hotel was the Intercontinental near Union Square and this was our view.

I hadn't ever set foot in such a fancy hotel. Not only did we have a gorgeous view, we had a bench by the window, bathrobes, and a huge room. The hotel had a bellhop, a concierge and everything you touched cost money. It was super fun for one night. Josh and I walked to the mall that evening and ate out. We talked about how nice it would have been to have had another couple of days to explore more of Union Square and to see a broadway show. The next day we headed to the airport and flew home. Sadly, our trip was over. However, it was the best way to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and we will always carry those memories with us.

Tradition

It looks like the Y in the lawn has become a tradition. I was debating doing it this year due to a lack of time. But when a neighbor drove by and reminded me that it was time again, I gave in and did it. And I have to say that I'm glad I did. It's a fun, clean way to enjoy the rivalry and show team pride. I may have even started an extended family tradition. After I mowed my Y, Sara mowed a U in her lawn and Todd spray painted a Y in his. Unfortunately BYU lost...again!

My Birthday

I had such a wonderful birthday this year. My girls made me some homemade gifts. Kali made a huge flower out of paper and Sadie colored pictures of elephants (my favorite animal) on pieces of tissue paper. Then Josh met the girls and I at Red Robin so that I didn't have to cook for the evening and surprised me with these beautiful flowers. Afterward he took the girls and let me go shopping for myself, child-free. It was fantastic!

Crutches

Today is my last day on crutches and I am so ready to be done. It has been a long four weeks. Hopefully I can return to some of my normal tasks, although I'm sure I'll still be slow for a while. I have another week of the boot and then I can start weening myself from it. I can't wait!

Girls Weekend

A couple of moths ago, my college roommate, Jodie, suggested we have a girls weekend. I thought it sounded fun and told her that if she got the ball rolling, I would totally be there. Recently she became friends with my best friend from junior high, Trisha, and decided that all three of us should get together. When Jodie suggested the idea to Trisha, she offered her apartment in Orem as the stomping grounds and everything else fell into place. It turned out to be a super fun weekend. Jodie treated us to Outback Steakhouse for dinner and then we headed back to the apartment. We spent the rest of the evening talking while putting together a puzzle. It the morning we did a small hike up Provo Canyon and then went out to eat for lunch. (I tried Thai food for the first time in my life.) I love that the three of us were able to relax and enjoy each other's company while gaining insights and a renewed strength to be better, at least that's the way I felt.

Puzzle

While Josh was gone at Woodbadge, I had the brilliant idea of putting together a puzzle with the girls. The only problem is that it was a 500 piece puzzle and we started it at 7:30 at night on a school night. At 9:30pm, I finally sent the girls to bed, but I couldn't stop. I've always loved puzzles. By 11:00pm, I was telling myself, "Just one more section and then I'll stop". Still no good. I did, however, give up before finishing the puzzle. But the first thing I did when I woke up was neglect everything else until the puzzle was finished. Thankfully it only took another half an hour. Ashlyn decided to jump in and actually put about five pieces in the right place. Maybe my puzzle-obsessive nature didn't go to waste after all and she'll turn out to be a puzzle pro.

Ankle Problems

While walking down our steps in the back, I somehow managed to role my ankle. The only problem is that it's the same ankle I broke fifteen years ago and on which I had two subsequent surgeries. I went to Instacare and was told that they could see irregularities in the talar dome as well as some bone chips near the fibula, but the radiologist couldn't tell if they were new or if they were from my old injury. I was put in a walking boot and told to see an orthopedic specialist. Thankfully I was able to locate the surgeon that performed my second ankle surgery and scheduled an appointment with him. Now it's just a waiting game.

Baby Teeth

I know this is a scary picture, so let me explain. I somehow ended up with two baby teeth that never had permanent teeth underneath to replace them. They both happen to be my first molars on the bottom. Well, when I was in junior high or high school, I was eating an M&M and shattered all but a tiny portion of one of my baby teeth and it's roots. My dentist was able to do that awesome silver filling you can see in my mouth and it has held up for another fifteen to twenty years. I've been warned by multiple dentists over the years that the tooth was on the verge of giving out and that I'd have to consider a bridge or a metal implant. Well, it finally gave out. I ended up with an abscess. Twelve hundred dollars later I have an implant and only one baby tooth in my mouth. The process is only half way complete and will cost another several hundred dollars. Who knew such a misfortune would cost so much money.

Provo Freedom Run

Josh and I signed up for the Provo freedom run this year, partly because we thought it would count for his work's fitness goals this quarter. But we ended up finding out that it wouldn't count unless it was a half marathon, and it's not. Josh did the 5K and I did the 10K.

It still worked out fine because my goal this year is to do the Provo half marathon in October and this was a good mid-progress goal to work toward. I've jogged more than a 10K plenty of times on my own, but it was nerve racking to actually participate in a race. I was so nervous that I was practically drenched in sweat before the race even began. Thankfully I was pleased with my outcome. I finished in 61 minutes which means I ran just under a 10 minute mile. Josh obviously finished first and did awesome. Last year he had to walk during part of his run and this year he ran the whole way. And because he finished first, he was able to get a picture of me crossing the finish line. Now it's time to focus on my October goal. Wish me luck!

Third Trimester

My third trimester has not been fun to say the least. Between carpel tunnel, high blood pressure, bouts of insomnia, a sinus infection, an ear infection, and the usual aches and pains, I can hardly wait for it to be over. I feel about as good as I look.

True Friends

One of my long time friends, Jen, decided to serve a mission and will be leaving the end of next month. We had a friend gathering to wish her well. I stayed way too late, but it was so nice to catch up with old friends. It brought back a lot of memories and made me remember how grateful I am for the influence of good friends. There are a few select people that had a big influence on me during those critical teenage years that I will forever be grateful for and Jenny is one of those people. She never said or did anything profound but she was a true friend that was kind and did what she was supposed to do. The power of a good example goes a long way. Thanks Jen, and good luck!

Birthdays

For Josh's birthday this year, we surprised him with breakfast--french toast. Sadie came up with the idea because Josh will occasionally make us french toast on Saturday mornings. And since it reminds her of dad and she likes to eat it, there couldn't be a better combination. All three girls made him cards and we had a birthday present waiting for him on his plate. We also made him cupcakes the night before so we could surprise him, but he came home from work just as I was cleaning up the mess. The girls tried to keep him in the garage, but finally I told him to come in to act surprised when we brought them out. Sadie unfortunately couldn't keep the secret and I later learned she had told him weeks before what his birthday present was.

My birthday turned out to be a real treat. Josh surprised me by taking me out to lunch at The Olive Garden. Then he got permission to work the rest of the day from home so that I could relax. And for a present, I got a patio umbrella, which I have been wanting for quite some time now. The day turned out better than I could have hoped for.

5K

For those of you that don't know, I am an avid exerciser. Over the last 2 1/2 years I have exercised between 3 and 6 times a week. The only weeks I did less than that were when I had the swine flu, the week Ashlyn was born and one week in December. I have been lucky to be able to attend Zumba and kickboxing classes at a church nearby and on the other days I jog or use my elliptical. Jogging hasn't ever been on the top of my list as far as "fun" is concerned, but it helps me maintain my weight the best and provides me with a challenge. Recently, Josh set a goal of jogging a 5K for a work fitness program. I typically jog 3 to 4 miles each time I jog and never considered a 5K to be much of a challenge but decided it would be fun to participate in an official race so I signed up too. I decided to push myself by jogging it faster. I was jogging 3 miles in about 42 minutes (according to my treadmill, which we think is off) and worked my way down to about 33 minutes. I would jog an hour at a time so I was typically putting in 5 1/4 miles each jog. As the race neared, I was a little nervous because I rarely jog outside. The 5K we would be jogging was at Sugar House Park and I knew the inclines would have an affect on my running as well as the temperature. My goal was to complete the race somewhere between 30 and 35 minutes. Well, I did. I ran it in 28 minutes 33 seconds and came in 4th place in my age group. I was only 8 seconds shy of coming in 3rd place and would have gotten a prize. Next time I just need to sprint that last little bit. I'm really glad Josh ran with me otherwise I don't know that I would have done it. I've wanted to do a half marathon for quite some time but am glad that I started out with the 5K. Now I even think I had better do a 10K before the half marathon just for the added experience. What fun.