You Say It's Your Birthday....

Today is Troy's 41st birthday! The years just keep going by faster and faster. Here he is at nine months. He is so Cute...pinch! I decided to put this picture on his cake to remind him just how cute he is.


Earlier in the day the little girls and I delivered some helium balloons to his work. However, we didn't go inside, we tied them to his motorcycle instead. Several people walking by wanted to know who they were for and later they found him and told him that he left his lights on to get him outside. All in all, the little girls were thrilled and Troy even said that upon looking at them, they made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside, ha ha. He has learned what words to use with me.


Ellie decided to help dad blow the candles out and the usually, attentive Uncle Rory was very enthralled with the whole ordeal. You ROCK uncle Rory!


I had to add this picture because I wanted to show off my husband's carpentry skills. He will kill me for saying that but, he built me this bed for mothers day. I had made the headboard years ago and he finished it for me last week. I LOVE IT! It is just my style and he was ever so thoughtful for completing it. Thank you Troy!

By Chance...

Last month I was on Facebook and an old college roommate of mine found me. The next day, another one did as well and so on and so on. Well, last weekend I was able to meet up with two of them in Utah. It was so great to catch up with them. We hadn't seen each other in over 14 years! I just can't believe it's been that long. Here is a picture of three out of the five of us that shared an apartment my first year at Ricks. I can still remember talking with my dad about which apartment to choose and choosing one. Then he told me that I could pick a little better one if I wanted and lo and behold I got the perfect group of girls for me. It wasn't my first year out of High School and I didn't know anyone so the "Chances" of finding roommates that I would naturally click with that were my age, I felt, were slim. But, I soon found out that we were all the same age and that we were all very compatible. It was such a blessing! In fact, three of them had known each other the year prior. It didn't take long to become close friends. As far as the single life goes, those days are some of my most cherished:

- The crazy NoDoze nights, studying for finals,
- Seeing snow fall for the first time
- Walking to school layered up in scarves and coats in 25 degree or less weather,
- Checking the couches for loose change to purchase a bag of potatoes because we spent our money on a concert
- Finding a ride to Salt Lake City on the message boards and making conversation with a stranger for four hours just to get to the concert
- Watching TV on a 13 inch screen and inviting the whole building because it is the only one around
- Stacking empty pop bottles on our living room ledge just for decoration
- Hitting the library to study of course
- Going on an occasional date smitten and minutes later realizing you have nothing in common
- Going on an occasional date smitten and THEY realize you have nothing in common
- Going to the Midnight Movie and waiting in the BIG line outside, FREEZING!
- Taking Social Dance
- Being answered to Preference in my "Dating and Marriage" class with over 200 students
- Using lots of hair spray on our BIG HAIR
- Getting a phone call from the family
- Watching Linda open up her countless care packages
- The Spori Building
- Getting an education
- Stitches (don't ask)
- Games - Mexican Horse Race - Statue
- Being Independent and living on my own
- Burnt French Bread/Tofu/Twinkies
- Taking Private Voice lessons and realizing you have to sing once a month in front of the other students who happen to be music majors
- Dances/Plays/Devotionals
- Laughing
- Walking...Walking...Walking
- Becoming Lifelong friends
- Meeting my future husband through our roommates
- Graduating

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

Will be getting up in about five hours but feel compelled to blog. Crazy, Stupid, Ridiculous, Tiring, Determined are just a few words that come to mind. Had an old high school friend call me today. It was a lot of fun to catch up. Then, before she got off, she got emotional and told me that she was worried about her finances. At that moment, my mind starting racing of what I might say to comfort her. However, she continued to talk herself out of her state of mind by saying, "Every time I worry about my finances, I think about how you and your husband have five children to provide for." Once again, my mind started racing because we are in no way the model of a stress free financial family. We always get by though. She continued to talk herself out of her anxiety and feel better. I got four words in, "I Pray A LOT." Of course, there's more to it than that and if you were to talk to our kids they would say that we are poor, ha ha. However, we have minimal debt. I have to say though, that, sometimes, we can do all we can and still go through a certain trial for one reason or another. I don't always know why but, I see people go through extremely hard trials and still stay positive and hopeful. This is so inspiring to me. I couldn't help but be moved by my friend for talking herself out of her mood and ending on a gracious, cheerful note. Today was definitely a great day!

I think the clock is starting to grow a little louder now... good night!

"Yadda, Yadda, Yadda"

...some things that made me smile this week...

1. Little Boys creativity with rope!! (Gotta love my nephews face as well, ha ha!)


2. It being warm enough to play in the water, well, at least warm enough for the little girls!!


3. Painting my table. It is more red than it looks here but need to do the benches as well.


4. Seeing my flowers come up!!!

5. My oldest son paid me a compliment out of the blue! He made my day! I didn't think he noticed.

6. My oldest daughter had a great time during Family Home Evening this week even though she was getting slaughtered by her older brother. She's SO much fun!! (And of course, if you win a game in our house, it means that you have to get tickled.) That cheared the younger ones up too, ha ha.)

7. Came across this awesome quote on the internet: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice, it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." William Jennings Bryan

Jungle Red (Cont.)

Last year I wrote a post entitled, "Jungle Red." I talked about how that translated into being daring and trying new things. Well, Monday night, that is just what I did. I LOVE to dance. It is very hard for me to hear music and not move however, the older I get the more I look a little weird, so my daughter tells me, ha ha. So, I signed Troy and I up for a Salsa dance class along with another couple that we are friends with. I have to admit, at first I felt a little intimidated but, after we got moving, it was a lot of fun. I'm sure it will only get better with each class. It also feels good to mark something off of my list! I guess turning 40 will do that to you. Watch out Dancing With The Stars!

Rise and Shine!

The odds were against us today, late night, early morning meeting, Easter goodies, long hair on all four girls, including mom and church beginning at 8:30 a.m. Kate woke up at 4:00 a.m. exclaiming that she had seen the Easter Bunny and proceeded to tell me that he was grey and in my room. Half awake, I agreed with her and snuggled her up so as not to loose anymore sleep. This worked until 6:00 which is when Troy and I were supposed to be awake but not her. The other kids however, had to be awakened and "encouraged" to come down as soon as possible so that we could start getting ready for church. When it was all said and done, I was on time for my meeting which got out early, came home to relieve Troy of two more heads of hair and got to church with a few minutes to spare. I just can't shake the feeling that these are the times I am going to miss and laugh about the most.


Decorating the eggs yesterday!


While I was preparing sharing time this weekend about the Resurrection, I read the passage in the scriptures about it over and over again. I could feel the truthfulness of this story and felt grateful to have opportunities in my responsibilities at church to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior. You know, it's funny, you never know when your testimony is going to be strengthened. It comes sometimes when we least expect it. I can't imagine not having a calling to keep me stretching and growing.