Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Jensyn spilled the beans!

While John was slaving all day at work today, the girls and I came up with a great plan for John's birthday. Later on this evening, I told him that we had a great idea for his birthday, and, yes, the girls knew and were in on it as well.
"A new gun, like I get every year?" he said with a big grin.
"Even better than a new gun."
"Not possible." as he raised his brow and shook his head.
At that moment, John and I ran to find the girls, both laughing and causing a ruckus. John knew that one of them could be buttered up enough to tell John. He thought they were in the backyard playing. I knew that they were down stairs watching a movie. I beat John to them, of course.
"Hey girls," John calls to them. "What am I getting for my birthday?"
I am trying to voice-over him saying "Don't tell them, girls. It is a secret and a surprise!"
Now, he tries to manipulate them by offering Jensyn a back tickle. (It works every time--oh, man, Jensyn loves her back tickled!)
Jensyn said, "No, daddy, it is a surprise"
"But I'll tickle your back!"
"Daddy, we are going to return your tattoos!"
I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time! What a cute way to put it. John gave Jensyn and Logan 'five' and said that would be the greatest present ever. So, I guess that is what John is getting for his birthday!
I am so proud of John for the man that he has become. His whole world revolves around this family. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for each and every one of us. He is the most tender-hearted, honest, hard-working person that I have ever met, and I am so grateful that he is mine for eternity. I cannot imagine my life without him, and without the tender moments that our family has together. He realizes his tattoos are something that over time, he has begun to regret. What I like most, though, is the fact that he still appreciates from where he came. Without his choices, without his mistakes, without his failures, he would not know true happiness. He has had both. He loves what he has, he loves his life, he loves me and the kids. He wouldn't change it or trade it for anything in the world-not even his tattoos. I could not ask for a better husband for me or a better father for my kids. I love you, John.





Monday, August 25, 2008

Sisters

The other day, we had just arrived home when Jensyn was running and laughing up the driveway. She had tripped and fell onto her hands and knees. She did scrape her knees pretty good. She cried and cried and cried. Sweet little Logan gave Jensyn a hug and told her she would be okay. I went into my room for a minute and came back out. Logan was preparing an ice pack (ice in a plastic baggy) for her knee. Logan had already pulled some of Jensyn's bedding into the kitchen. Later that evening, I had told the girls to go get into bed. They both went right away, just as I had asked. I was shocked to hear quietness within 10 minutes of sending them to bed. I thought for sure that they would have the lights on and at least reading!! Oh no, they were indeed both asleep...Logan in her bed and Jensyn.....in the kitchen in the bed that Logan had made for her to help her feel better. Thanks Logan. You are the best sister in the world.








Note the Neosporin that Logan had gotten to put on her knee!!

The Zoo

We went to the zoo last Saturday, and man, was it a ZOO! (haha) Seriously, we parked at least a mile away. We rode the train, (probably my favorite part since I don't have to walk!) the kids and John rode the new carousel, we saw all of the animals, my favorite to see would probably be the Zebras. They have such fabulous skin! We went to see the bird show which was really fun to see. Mr. Jack, however, didn't much agree. He was so naughty, I could feel the daggers from the stares that people were giving to me. The only problem is that you are not allowed to stand up during the show because the birds literally fly an inch over your heads! I found a great place to hurry out. Jack and I shared a Diet Coke and a pink cookie. NICE! I felt so bad once they all came out, because the zookeeper called on Logan to help up front! She had to hold out her hand to call the bird over to land on her arm. The bird landed on her head!! She is so funny, and so not wanting to be the center of attention-ever. She totally went out of her comfort zone to even go up there. I am so proud of her. She did say it was fun for her. Luckily, I didn't walk out of the stands with the camera. I left if for John. He thought quickly enough to even get some pictures of her. I love her so much!



Jensyn's First Day of PreSchool

Well, after a long and great summer, Jensyn has gone back to school. She went right in to the class room, just as she had never even stepped out. She is so sweet. It does kind of make me sad that she is really that okay with leaving me! She got her hair cut for the big day this morning by Stacy. She sat in the chair just lovin' it.











Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I Have Been Given Much

Because I have been given much, I too must give
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee this every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.
Because I have been sheltered fed by thy great care,
I cannot see anther's lack, and I not share
My glowing fire my loaf of bread
My roof safe shelter over head, that he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord
I'll share thy love again according to thy word
I shall give love to those in need, I'll show that love through word and deed
Thus shall my thanks be thanks, indeed.

Daddy will give me more.

The girls both know how to get anything they want from dad! The other day I was doing billing and of course it is the end of the month when money is not as prevalent as in other times. I was had just pressed the print button and the printer made all of its loud sounds. This time, a loud beep...an error message indicating that I needed more paper. I reached for more to place in the printer, but to my surprise, it was all gone!! (Note that I purchased a large amount from Costco within the last 2 weeks.) I was so ticked. I asked the girls where the paper was, and they both said, "sorry mom." I was still ticked. In an effort to try to make this a learning experience for them, I told them that I was going to have to take some money out of each of their piggy banks to help pay for the wasted paper. Logan was visibly upset. Jensyn comes running up to my lap and said, "Don't worry mom. You can take all the money you need. When Daddy comes home, he will fill it back up for me." The problem is, she is probably right. They know everything. They know that their dad will fold. I didn't take the money, but I'll take the experience. I love them and I love their wonderful dad who makes it known to them how special they really are.

Broken Heart

So, seriously, little kids say the funniest things!! I made pancakes this morning and usual I let the girls pick a shape that I try to imitate. Jensyn asked for a heart. I made the most perfect shaped heart for her. I must have flipped the pancake too soon and the edge of the heart broke off. Jensyn with much emotion, said "Mommy, you broke my heart!" (Talk about wanting to make me cry!) I told her that I could fix her heart and it would be perfect again. After watching the heart get repaired and looking carefully at it she said, "Mom, I don't want to have a broken heart today." It was one of those moments where I normally would tell her to eat it anyway. This time was different. I didn't want to serve her a broken heart. I made her a new one.

I hope that my little girls never have to go through I pain of a broken heart. I am sure that there will come a day when they will have one, I just hope that I can be the mom who can repair the broken heart, or else not even let it be served to them in the first place.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Ha Ha Ha

Glitter
Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Our Summer

Work has been perfectly steady, despite the plummeting market around us. For that, I am thankful. Though he has been busy, he has done a wonderful job at balancing work with family time. We have not done much in the way of vacation this summer besides the beloved cabin. That, my friends, is the way we can find time to get away. I bought a summer pass to "Classic" for the water slides for $10 each. I have gotten my money back already to this point. During the 4th of July, we took the kids down to Sandy for fireworks. They were able to each go on several of the blow ups which they had a fun time doing. Oh, the excitement of being a child!






For the 24th of July celebrations, we went to Draper Days. We arrived early in the afternoon, and sat in the smoldering hot sun for 5 or 6 hours waiting for the fireworks to begin. MAN, do crowds make me nervous! I feel like I would rather just stay home, but then again, I don't want my kids to miss out on the excitement. However, I will cherish this day because we, as a family, sat outside on a blanket together and just...were together. That was enough for me. I love being with them!
In mid-July, we took the Russell's and the Rudd's to the cabin. We had so much fun! The games, the food, the laughter was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen so much food as Sue brought. She is so wonderful. --a downright fun crowd to be with.
Grandma and Grandpa also made it up to the cabin! I don't think that she has been out of the city for a long time, just to get away! We had yummy BLT's and chips. Chelsey and Tony (and now baby Hogan!!) peeked in for a few hours, Casey and her girls were there, as well as Kirt and Grace and obviously my mom and dad. I really do feel lucky to have an awesome family. We all seem to get along well. John, me, and the girls love being at the cabin. It is a whole new world up there. I really wish there was some way we could help out a little more. My parents are amazing.
My 10 year class reunion is in a few weeks. I am not thinking that I will be going this time. I had a great high school experience, with lots of fun friends, but I would rather not go back! (Am I lame?) I don't know, if I want to see people then I would! I see those that are still important to me and have an impact on my life.
Well, I think I have posted my (boring) summer in a nutshell. I do say boring, but I have had a wonderful time being bored. I am with the people I care about the most and that is the most that I can ask for.

Just some random thoughts

I feel like I have been caught up in memories. I remember Logan as a little baby, I remember her stages in life, and I am missing them so much. I want to pause my life as it is now. I don't want time to go by just yet. The time has gone extremely fast, almost as I don't know where it has gone! Logan is 5 years old, Jensyn is 3, and Jack is almost 1. Time needs to stand still for just a moment! Jack is at the most wonderful age. He interacts so well with us. He laughs with his innocent voice...his big cheeks take up the whole of his face. His bright eyes light up the room. He makes me smile. I miss the days where Logan would, non-stop, talk about "Spirit." She would wake up in the morning and ask for it to be turned on for her. She would pronounce it "Pirit." She was always my little sidekick. We love to hang out together. Jensyn was born about 6 months before we moved here. Her life has breezed by. Her little giggles and her "tee-hee" when she laughs. She, too, makes me smile. I see myself in her. I am so grateful for all these wonderful things that I get to experience. I am so happy to be a mom, and to be able to spend my days with them. There is so much that I want to improve on, because I can be a better mom. How could something so perfect be given to someone, imperfect, like me? I am so blessed to be their mom. (Then there are the days where I could pull my hair out!! If it is mine, it might as well be theirs, and theirs often means that they play with it and then scatter it all over the floor, resulting in missing pieces and ultimately the untimely retirement to the garbage can. What can I do??) I love my babies.