Dreaming Big

When Bob and I were first married our good friend Sy had a boat. We spent the summer on the reservoir with all our college buddies tubing, skiing and swimming. Oh, those were good times! Then we went to Redfish lake and crashed the Buck family reunion. We spent a weekend on the lake having an absolute blast on their boats and wave runners. After that..... We were hooked. We realized what a fun activity boating was for the whole family. I mean, everyone can do it, and who doesn't like basking in the sun and playing in the water on a hot summer day?

So, we saved our hard earned pennies we both earned waiting tables and bought us a boat of our own. Oh, what a shame it is that I don't have a pic. of our PONY. That 1970's, red neck, loud, smoking, metallic blue, boat ROCKED! We had some crazy fun times on that boat. Unfortunately it started to cost more fixing it than it did to buy it, so about 5 years ago, we sadly sold it.

Since then, Robert dreams of owning another boat. He looks and looks, searches and researches, and wants and wants, oh, how he wants. But, his taste in boats has changed. If it was a matter of purchasing another PONY, we might just be able to go out today and get it! So, I made him a deal.......if he saves half the money, he can buy a boat. Ya, we haven't purchased one yet, and I don't know if we ever will. Lucky for us, our family and close friends own boats and invite us to come along. But, looking back at these pics. makes me WANT.......WANT......and WANT some more!

So, this is my humble plea....................

IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE WANTING TO GET RID OF THEIR BOAT.....WE'LL TAKE IT FOR FREE!

ANY TAKERS.... OR GIVERS I SHOULD ASK?

Ya, I didn't think so...................

I Hate It When He's Right

......and it happens way too often around here!

We had grandma McBride's lasagna last night for dinner. It is my favorite lasagna recipe and one of our family's favorite meals. When Bob and I were cleaning up the kitchen we wondered what we were going to do with the extras. I told Bob to put it in the fridge and the kids and I would eat it for lunch tomorrow. "Ya, right"....he laughed.

You see, I am terrible at eating left overs. I have big intentions, but it NEVER happens. Robert cleans out the fridge and gets so irritated with me. Every time he asks,
"Why in the world do you save anything?!" But, this time was different.......I love that lasagna, so I promised, insisted, swore up and down, affirmed, and guaranteed the fact that the kids and I were going to eat that lasagna for lunch tomorrow!

Ya, we just had lunch. I forgot to even open the fridge. I pulled out the bean and ham soup and now lunch is over. I just put away the milk and saw the lasagna sitting there.

Dang it! Once again, he's right. He wins....and I don't like to lose!

Keep with it Pay...

KEEP WITH IT!

My grandma and grandpa Hales bought my parents a piano when I was in grade school. Both Stan and I took lessons for about three years. I remember hating piano. My practices were always on Wed. which was the same day the school did a three times a year skating party at Deleta. I was never able to go. For this reason and more.....I remember hating piano. Oh, how I cringed at the words, the dreaded, simple request to, "Practice the piano!"

After a few years Stan didn't take lessons anymore. I was still practicing, missing skating parties, attending recitals, and plunking away at the keys. I begged and begged my parents to let me quit. Of course, they knew the benefits and wanted me to play, especially since grandma and grandpa wanted it too and gave us a piano for that very purpose.

I remember my dad sitting down with me one evening and his piano proposition. "Kristi", he said, "I tell ya what.....if you will stick with piano until you are 18, I will give you $2,000 in cash to do whatever you want with. And, if at that time, you can look me in the eye with every ounce of honesty you obtain and can tell me you regret it, I will give you $1,000 more." Hmmmm.....right now, today, that sounds completely enticing. However, when I was in the fourth grade, and had no concept of money, it didn't tempt me for a minute. I think I stuck with piano another three months after that proposal, and then......I officially quit.

The reason I am rehashing old memories is because I now have grandma and grandpa Hales' piano in my home. After we all moved out of the house and it sat underplayed for years, merely a piece of furniture collecting dust in my parents' living room, I asked if I could have it so my kids could learn to play. Payton started piano this fall and has done well. She likes it, but it is a normal 8 year old child who doesn't always want to practice. She's also frustrated when she has new songs and they are difficult to learn.

This morning before Pay left for school we sat at the piano bench together, practicing away. She was irritable and a bit frustrated, and I began to worry. I thought to myself, "How am I going to get her to stick with this?" "What demands will I have for her?" "Will I bribe her like my dad did me?" I honestly have no clue! At this point I just think I'll make her and that is it. Oh, come on....how naive is that?

All I know is that I want her to keep with it. I know she will not regret it and will thank me later. You bet I regret quitting and really wish my parents had demanded I stick with it. But I can't blame them for not making me, absolutely not. We choose our battles, and listening to their ornery child complain, whine, fret,moan, and detest, wasn't theirs.

I sit baffled sometimes, that it seems like only yesterday I was the child protesting, and now I am the mother dealing with it first hand. Getting Payton to stick with it isn't going to be easy, but what is these days? The challenge will only make it all the more rewarding, right?! Oh, I'll just keep telling myself that........at least!

Shout Out...

Here's a b-day shout out to my good friend, Kerri! Isn't she so fine at 29?! Oh, boy am I envious that she is still in her 20's! You bet I will give her serious grief on her birthday next year!
She hit the town with her man to celebrate, but we had them over afterwards for a little dessert. She had some mighty big help blowing out her candles and making her birthday wish.

You know, I don't have a sister. You would think I have longed for one, but honestly, I never have. Those of you who have a sister are probably thinking I am really missing out. Maybe I am. All I know is that I have always attributed the "no need for a sister" to the fact that I have truly been blessed with such good friends all throughout my life. Sure, Bob is my best friend (best friend with benefits.....best kind...), but I am telling ya, "I don't know what I would do without my LADY friends!" So, thanks Kerri, and all my dear girlfriends, who continue to feel my sister void, gratify and enrich my life.......every day.

Me loves ya!

It's that time again

This is going to sound ridiculous, but running has changed my life. Three years ago I was going through a really rough time. I flew to Vegas and then drove with my best friend since second grade, to St. George to watch my two good friends run their first marathon. This experience was life altering for me.

If you have never been to a race or a finish line, you must. There is something emotionally moving to see people give their all, sacrifice, push themselves to new limits, and at the end of the line be greeted by their loved ones shouting their names and cheering with devotion! I was shedding tears of joy for people I didn't even know.

Then Mal and Angie crossed and I can't even tell you how proud I was of my friends. I was grateful to them for inviting me to participate in one of their greatest moments. I knew then, this was something I wanted to be a part of.

So, Mal gave me a running schedule. I took one look at it and thought, "Ya, must be kidding me!" I took it to Becky and begged her to do it along with me. She was in! Little did I know that their crazy, fun friend Sid was a professional runner and would give us training schedules, tips, encouragement, and all the advice we would need to become beginner runners. We picked a 1/2 marathon race, signed up, and it was on!

As I started the journey, new things happened. I started to feel better physically. I started to feel better emotionally. I was pushing myself in new ways and enjoying the freedom and serenity I felt while out pounding the pavement on my own.

However, it didn't take long before Robert started running along side of me, and the time we spent together training was therapeutic for our marriage. I felt we became a lot closer, working towards the same goal, and enjoying our time together. We ran our first 1/2 marathon side by side and crossed the finish line hand in hand. Ya, that sounds really corny and is something I NEVER thought we would do. But, as corny as it was....it is a memory I'll never forget.

Since then we have entered our kids into a few races. Pay and I have run a few together.

and we, as a family, have spent evenings at the track. While Robert and I train, the kids play, bring us water, cheer us on, and have become our biggest fans.

Now, we are not winning any races or setting any times to be desired. I doubt we ever will, and we are o.k. with that. But, hey, we are RUNNING. We are closer as a family, have become closer to friends who have joined us, and are enjoying the fun times shared with family and friends at races of all sorts (triathlons, relay races, half marathons, mile races, etc.)So, here's to you....RUNNING, a sport I never thought I would get into. You've changed my life for the better. I hope to get brave soon and try the full marathon. This might just be my year. Who knows?!
As for now, Ogden's half marathon training schedule started Monday.....and I am up for the challenge!

Changes Round' Here...

BIG CHANGES!

We said good-bye to 3M ESPE on Friday. That's right, Robert took a new job with Sun Shine, as Avery calls it. Really it is Henry Schein Dental, but she is close. This was a very sad day, to say the least. 3M is an incredible company with outstanding products and people. Robert has thoroughly enjoyed his 5 years with them and has NO complaints. This was a tough decision for him, one he struggled with a bit. So, why is he leaving......????

Henry Schein is a great company too. He looks forward to working with a fantastic group of people. He feels the nature of this sales job better fits his personality. He is ready for change and up for the challenge!

All these things are true.......BUT

......Who are we kidding?

NO TRAVEL- POTENTIAL TO MAKE MORE MONEY

We're In!

Pay's Special Day...

Pay was baptised last Sat. I am getting teary eyed just writing about it (who am I kidding, ya all know I'm crying!) You know how sometimes things just turn out right? Well, from my perspective, the day couldn't have been any better. We spent the morning getting the house ready for a dinner afterwards. It was fun to work together decorating, making cookies, and seeing Payton so excited. No kidding, she was beaming all day long.

After getting the fam spruced up, and spending over an hour curling every inch of Pay's long locks, we headed to the church. Avery is looking a bit sad in this fam. photo....because she was. To put it mildly......she was feeling a bit left out because her sister was getting so much attention!

It was so comforting to see our family and close friends there to support Payton on her special day. As I looked around the room I couldn't help but to feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives, both our families, and our dear friends......love em all, I really do.

When Pay entered the font, Bob became emotional. He's not going to like that I am writing this. But, it was sweet. He kept squeezing her shoulders and kissed her on her forehead. I knew it was hard for him because his heart was full and the love he has for Pay is BIG!

Her confirmation was beautiful and as she sat quietly, all in white, with her head bowed, I snuck a little peek of her sweet face. She was smiling slightly and I had one of those moments when I couldn't believe I was actually this kid's mother. I was her example and the one she looked up to, when in reality, that special little girl had been just that to me. She has changed my life for the better in more ways than she'll ever know.

We all congregated to our house afterwards. Robert's friend prepared delicious Polynesian food that was out of this world. No joke, the food was amazing. Although I was worried that we wouldn't have room in our home for all our friends and family to move around comfortably, it seemed we had plenty of space. The kids ran around playing well together and the adults ate, hung out, and chatted away.

It was one of those nights I didn't want to end. But, too soon, it did and as I lay in my bed pondering the days events....I smiled....knowing this day would bring a lot of happy memories. It was then I recognized, once again, that peaceful feeling and basked in the joy the gospel has brought to my life.

All the Logan Ladies......All the Logan Ladies

Put your hands up.....dance and get down!

Two more days until we UNITE!

I best be getting my bags packed!

Uh- Oh!

The kids were supposed to be asleep. I heard someone prancing around upstairs. I went up to check and found Miss Avery strutting around my room in this......

If this is any indication of her future........

We are in BIG TROUBLE!