farewell

....and just like that, the season closes.

The Broncos kicked some Ute booty tonight, and boy was I glad. The game was a bit closer than I had anticipated, and the first quarter was enough to give me a heart attack and send me into major "panic mode."

Never again, I say.

Never again do I stay home and wave good-bye as Bob and our "Bronco buddies" head out on the open road in pursuit of a bowl game. Me, without my game day posse, it just wasn't right. Lesson learned.....

I can't watch a big game without em'.

I called Bob and begged and pleaded for him to turn around, drive the enormous motor home back the 11 hours, and "pick this girl up!"

Ridiculous, I know, but it's the honest (and pathetic) truth.

I stayed because I couldn't fathom leaving my babes again. I didn't have the GUTS to ask anyone to tend them. It was so close to Christmas and I was nowhere near ready.......so I stayed, gave my ticket to Bob's little brother (Who I am so happy was able to go. There's NO bigger fan than J.!) and stayed.

I knew it was the right decision, but I have to admit, it KILLED me!

Graciously, I had a handful of offers from friends to join em' for the game. To each, I pleasantly declined. I knew, as to NOT embarrass myself, I had to watch the game at home, with only my kids, who other than Bob, family, and the "Bronco buddies", were used to this crazed, "cuckoo bird" fan standing the entirety of the game, pacing the floor, panicking, cussing, squealing, clapping, screaming and hoot hollering at all sorts of loud octavals.

Unfortunately, watching it alone, turned out pretty terrible too.

I'm sad it's all over. Bronco football is serious fun stuff. I guess all I can do now is anxiously await next year, all the while crossing my fingers for a perfect season, a big bowl game, and winning the lottery, so I can bring my kids along, join Bob, J., our "Bronco buddies" and whoever else gets a charge out of......

maniacal cheerin'

the Broncos to a victory.

f e t i s h

From Max's feet

I simply can't get enough of Max's feet. These adorable, soft, kissable, tiny hooves and tootsies.....

have kindled a serious

FOOT FETISH.

c h r i s t m a s c a r d s

Strep throat made its way through our house like a freight train. A bad tempered ear infection latched on to Avery, and the pitiful flu bug bit us all. The number of sheets I've changed and amount of times I've been puked and pooped on in the last few weeks, too many to count. Max and Owen still can't shake their coughs, and a peaceful, restful night of sleep....seems to be a thing of the past. Oh...Tis' the season!

The sun was shining and the weather was unusually warm today. I skipped eagerly to the mailbox, my one and only outing (besides taking the girls to and from school) and happily pulled out a stack of Christmas cards. There were names of old friends, old co-workers, past students of mine, family and friends all placed neatly on an array of envelopes. A tidal wave of emotions rolled over me as I carefully opened each one. Every face, every smile brought a memory, good memories and happy thoughts.

I can easily say receiving Christmas cards from family and friends old and new is one of my very favorite things. I love to be reminded of all those people out there, close and afar, whose presence in my life has meant something and who will always hold a BIG place in my heart. I also enjoy the opportunity I have to proudly display them, in all their glory, smiling merrily on a Christmas card, hanging from my front hallway door.

Ah, Christmas cards, thank you for being a bright spot in my seemingly dull day.

After all were opened I wandered into the office and dug through a mess of papers trying to locate our own Christmas cards from years past. I was able to find as many as 8 years back. I got a kick out of em' and had a grandiose plan to scan and post them here and under each one, add a clever remark, mostly just poking fun of Bob. O.K, ONLY poking fun of Bob! I'll have to save that post for another time, like when everyone around here is well, I can type with both hands freely (Max is on my lap at this very moment), and I don't have a million and one WAY more important things I should be doing.

It makes me wonder.....

Will that day ever come?!

Because I looooooooooooooooong for the day

that it does.

an update.

(Payton, Avery, Owen and Max...saying their final good bye to Great Grandma J who three days later, slipped away peacefully.)

My blog's been abandoned for three weeks. That's a new record. I'm finding myself spread thin, really, really thin. I had no idea, or maybe I forgot, or pretended not to remember....the toll a new baby can take. Even so, I adore and could devour, Mr. Max in ALL his cuteness. Serious lack of sleep aside, I am enjoying him, probably more than any other of my new babes. This, because I'm older, wiser, less anxious, and have learned to "let go" of a lot of things, like the laundry, nightly meals, and the cleanliness of my home!

Lately, it seems I'm shaking my thing all day long, only to get the daily things in tact. What's not happening is time for the "extras", like writing a post on the moments in the last few weeks that have moved me to tears, such as the passing of Great Grandma J, the kids and my visit with her and our final good-bye, Max's first snowfall and catching Payton dancing with him outside under the fresh, white flakes, Owen shedding tears each night, missing his buddy and roommate of two years, Avery, who now shares a room with Payton, Robert returning home from a week in Wisconsin, and me realizing, once again, how much I need that man, enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones, sharing memories and listening to stories of my grandmother's childhood, even road tripping to Reno, and with our Bronco lovin' buddies, witnessing a gut-wrenching loss where a much deserving team's high hopes and dreams for a BIG game faded into the distance.

Christmas is a short, few weeks away. I haven't purchased but one thing so far, and the thought of all the shopping, decorating, baking, visiting, party attending, that comes with the season, quite frankly.....makes me restless. I decided this year our family needs to try harder not to bank on anything MAGNIFICENT in the monetary sense. Instead I am going to concentrate on building memories with the kids on a less grand scale. My goal is to enjoy the simple, magical things, make time for our family traditions, serve and give to those in need, focus on our Savior and the real reason we celebrate. By doing this I hope to spend less time running around, fussin' and frettin' over the trivial things that seem to negatively steal our time and energy away from this, "the most happiest time of the year."

The Christmas books are placed in a decorative box at the foot of the fireplace. We've already been enjoying hot cocoa, each in our best-loved mug, and reading our favorite holiday stories by the fire. With shrunken funds and when time is of the essence, I have to remind myself.....

"Things are just stuff. Christmas is about love, .....and we have quite enough."

(Night Before The Night Before Christmas, Natasha Wing.)

color me bad

From hair

Mrs. Platinum Blonde decided it was time for a change. She asked for her "natural" color, whatever that was. So after the stylist matched her roots and underneath, unbleached locks, this is what transpired.

Miss Pay snapped a few shots to show the friends and fam. the new look. "Come on mom, swing your hair, have fun, be cool!"

Fo Real?

Totally, never been cool, me.....let inhibition out of her cage. You bet I gave it a whirl. I spun my mop so hard my head hurt. I placed my finger, ever so cool like, right up next to my lip, oh ya. I even threw myself romantically at Bob when he happened to walk by, interrupting this totally "bad", (the cool sense of the word) photo shoot.

Obviously, none of it was working. The pics.....totally ridiculous. Sorry, Pay. Too cool for school just isn't, and never has been, this girl's flavor.

Now, the pics. below, taken by Miss Avery herself, most definitely suit your MAMA....

much better.

Fo Sho!

From me n pay

When I walked in the door after getting my hair done, Avery took one look at me, threw herself on the floor, rolled around and cried. After calming her down I asked why the tantrum. Her tearful response, "Now I look like I'm adopted!" No worries, no worries, Miss Ave. This creature of habit can't promise, come summer time, I won't transform my hair back to lookin' like your mama.

bob's a geek

From max

Geek. A rather strange sounding word. Green, not my favorite color, especially on Max.

"My dad's a geek," really, that's a bit immature and silly wouldn't you think? Would I go as far as to call it, "stupid?"

A sophisticated person might think so, but instead immature, ridiculous me gets a good chuckle every time I pull this onesie from the clean clothes pile....quickly putting it on the babe.

Admittedly so, the shirt makes me smile. Corny or not....

it's a personal fave.

the "m" word

Yes, the video contains my baby boy blowing an unruly amount of mucus out his tiny nostrils and vomiting freely all over his adorable, baby-wearing, white onesie. I'm apologizing for that in advance, however, it ALSO contains a sound, a word, mock me if you will, that sounds an awful lot like, "mum."

Reason is flaunting a rather impressive campaign, one that's trying to convince me there's no way Max could possibly have said, "mum." He's declaring that it's a mere coincidence that the sound Max's small voice made, just at the exact time the camera was rolling, was indeed peculiarly similar to the name my children call me, but just not so.

However, my Heart tells me Max's sound was undoubtedly the term of endearment, "mum." A word so simple, yet monumentally hefty on the mama scale, because there's nothin', and I repeat, nothin' like hearing your babes say the "m" word!

(Please forgive my absolute ridiculous voice in this video, but I'm convinced there's something about talking to babies that brings out the inner cheese ball in all of us!)

c.h.a.n.g.e.s

Since September, six year old Avery has experienced a lot of changes. Exciting changes for her, like attending school ALL day, losing her two front teeth (yup, the other is missing now too), playing soccer, and wearing her anxiously awaited but truthfully needed, stylish, pink spectacles. These changes for me, are becoming quite apparent each, passing day. Changes that seem to creep up behind me and whisper ever so softly in my open ear,

"Your baby girl is growing up. "

With another child or two of mine I would worry about these changes making them feel insecure or them twisting their small fingers together and holding them tightly in a way that might superstitiously wish them each away. With Avery I don't need to fret. She never mentions caring what others will think. As she dresses for school, combs her hair, puts on her coat, and walks out the door, I know the choices she makes are her own. She beats to her individual drum, and to me her music is inspiring. With her, what you see is what you get, and although it isn't always as reverent or appropriate as her mother would wish, and I might find my fuse running mostly short when dealing with her somewhat outlandish behavior, I too realize that her differences are a gift. She is Miss Avery, with a mind and body of her own in which she embraces with happiness in her little oblivious groove, because she knows no other way.

Quite frankly, I am truly, most graciously relieved, because as her mother I grew up fearing my own music and spending more time than I wished, beating to the drum of my less brave self. I look back now and wish I had been wiser. I wish I had known that doing the things I wanted might not have been easy, but I would have been true to myself, ultimately, feeling more at ease in my individual shoes and unversed, fragile skin.

I carried on my shoulders a heavy sack of insecurities, probably no different or vigorous than anyone else's. Insecurities, none the less, that won battles that I wish I had fought harder for, like in high school when I chose not to play soccer, my favorite sport, my sophomore year because it wasn't "cool" back then, or backing down when wanting to run for junior class president because losing was a much larger risk than my feeble self wanted to take. And those are just a few minute examples of a large pile of regrets that lost the battle to a less heroic self who sometimes just wasn't adventurous enough to pave her individual path.

Avery, I hope you will always know how valuable you are. I hope you will thrive just being YOU. Believe in yourself, because you, my girl, know yourself best. If there is something you like that makes you happy and proud, then go for it. Don't shy away from it because it might not be everyone else's first choice. Know that your losses and failures won't define you unless you let them.

This advice comes from me now, after I've been there and done that. And peacefully, in my late 30's, my sack of insecurities is much smaller. Yes, it's still there, but it seems this wiser self knows better how to tame it. I understand my purpose and embrace my roles enthusiastically. Life is good and the older I get it seems to just get better. I have learned to love big and have chosen happiness. I forgive myself daily, which I know is a must because unfortunately, I'm still making mistakes. I don't strive for perfection but laugh at my inabilities. This once unversed, fragile skin is weathering slowly, and as it does, I find myself accepting the things I cannot change and wanting more to enhance the things I can. Oh boy is it nice to let go and stop stewing over the things I might want for, wish I had or were. Instead I am thankful for the person I am, because each of us are God's gift and when I think of my self as that, simply that and nothing less, I like what I see more and more........

magical. get. away

From Roaring Springs

I miss summer because I always had Roaring Springs. It was like this magical little get away. A place where I could escape the grind, go and relax, and enjoy the sunshine with my water loving' kids.

In the months between June and Sept., when days felt heavy, I would load up the fam., throw in the towels, sunscreen, shades, stroller, pack a giant lunch, and off we went. See ya later responsibility. Adios messy house, loads of laundry, phone calls, and dinner to be made. Yup, leaving you alone, all you "things to do" on a giant list that sometimes felt like a long chain, pulling me down slowly. I'd avoid it ALL and spend the entire day at the water park, me and the kids, each of us, loving every care free moment for our very own reasons.

Today, I am grumpy. I am feeling sad. I am completely overwhelmed. Bottom line.....I am TIRED. This too shall pass, I know, I know, but it sure makes me long for the summer months and Roaring Springs...my magical, little, get a way. Cuz if I could turn back the clock and it was a warm summer day, you can bet that's exactly where we'd be.

Lil' Rebel

Hmm, so much for that long awaited Bieber Do.

You know, in his "skins", sporting his new Mohawk, with a birthday party tattoo on his right forearm, wearing a trampoline burn on his cheekbone...

My shy, sweet, most kind boy, who has my heart and melts it daily...

almost looks.......

like a lil' REBEL.

Game. Day. Baby.

Boy do we look forward to game day.

For us it means...

decking out in Orange and Blue, making our favorite foods, hanging with family and friends, cheering really, really loud for the Broncos, and having A LOT of FUN.

In a nutshell.......

WE LOVE BOISE STATE FOOTBALL!

GO BRONCOS!

Heather. Jeff. Baby to be

From Heather

I had six best friends in high school. We were a group of very different girls who somehow meshed together forming an amazing friendship and having just about as much fun together as humanly possible. We were tight. We got along. There was never a dull or lonely moment in high school, because of them, and I realize now, just how rare that was. People often tell me that they are surprised I am still so close to my high school friends. If you knew these girls, you'd know why. They are some of the very best, smartest, most beautiful, talented, good, caring people I have ever known. I'll hold tight to them forever.

Miss Heather, one of the six, had a dream wedding in NC in July. She married, Jeff, an incredible man who couldn't be more perfect for her. Although, I was supposed to stand by her side as a bride's maid and Bob and I had purchased our tickets a year in advance and had a dream vacation planned with just the two of us and our brand new baby.......everything went awry. I remember the day I called Heather to tell her we just couldn't make it. She wasn't surprised. She knew our situation and told me it was so much more important to stay home and take care of my baby, but I broke down. Missing her wedding was another reminder of my uncertain world and just how much things were out of my control. I wanted so much to be there. She understood and said in no way did she expect me to come, but I was sad...really, really sad.

Trish and Megan called me the morning of the wedding. They filled me in with every beautiful detail making me feel as if I were there. They smothered me with kind words and told me how much they missed me and wished I was there. The phone call meant the world to me.

I missed Heather's big day in July, but her papa Hoge threw her a reception in Pocatello a few weekends ago, and we weren't going to miss it for the world. It was almost surreal finally seeing Heather, hugging and congratulating her on one of the biggest decisions of her life, and then it was really surreal when she and Jeff announced that they were expecting a baby! I nearly fell out of my chair.

I have always been so proud of Heather. She is one of the most successful business women I know. I marvel at her lavish life style and jet setting the country on business, but whenever I would want to talk about her life, she was more interested in mine. She was envious of the chaos children brought, and wanted more than anything to start a family. Her dream is coming true, and I am so excited for she and Jeff to embark on the adventure of parenthood because I know how truly great they are going to be and how fortunate that child is to have them as parents.

I enjoyed the night, seeing and spending time with dear friends. It went too fast, as it always does. As the evening was ending and we were getting close to saying our good bye's, Heather brought me a beautiful white bag full of fun surprises. I loved every thoughtful gift, but my favorite by far was a video she put together. It was titled, Best Friends Forever. I watched it late one night after we had arrived home. I was sitting in the middle of my messy office, thoughts on my mind of all the things I needed to get done. I popped in the video, and as it played I laughed and laughed, cried and cried, enjoying so much the music from the 90's and the pics. of all my dear friends and the crazy good times we had in high school, on spring breaks, in college, and even afterwards. That stroll down memory lane was exactly what I needed.

Heather, Trish, Megan, Brittney, Molly, and Les....

I hope you know that so much of who I am today is because of your friendship. I have learned many great life lessons from each of you. Thanks for being a big part of my past, for making it great, for giving me so many incredible memories, for supporting and loving me in spite of my many flaws, and for continuing to care about me today.

You will ALL forever be.....my dear friends.

I love you.

E.S.C.A.P.E

LEAVING for St. George today.....

Hoping I don't MISS my babies too much.....

Wishing BOB much luck as he holds down the fort.....

Going to cheer good friends to the finish of a BIG RACE.....

Excited to ESCAPE from the grind and enjoy the SUNSHINE.....

Thanks for the fun SONG, Angie B. How is it you know me so well?

Oh, boy did I need a CATCHY tune to blast,

while this mama BUSTS a busy, busy move to......

get on out of here.

Miss Pay

From Payton

Miss Pay continues to tell me I need to update my blog, you know, a new title and last year's photo removed. I have lots of pics. and fun times awaiting a post, but I'm so far behind, I don't know where to start. And really, for me, the lack of upkeep is just another reminder of how much my life has changed since little Max was born. Ultimately, I find myself wishing for more hours in the day, but they're not hours to fix my somewhat abandoned blog (although, I DO enjoy the blogging!) they're hours to sit and hold my baby longer, wrestle with and throw the football to Owen, color and read with Avery, sit and listen to you, Pay, tell me about the boys in your class, and teach ya a "move" in soccer.

Our lives have changed since Max was born. Our once simple world isn't so simple anymore. But, for some strange reason, the thought of it getting back on track, frightens me, because this chaos the encompasses our lives right now, is strangely enough, bringing me more joy than when things were "easy." You see when things are smooth sailing, we become complacent in our lives, we simply take the important things for granted.

I'm not asking for more storms, I'm just grateful for the lessons learned after the weathering. They're helping us enjoy more fully when things are good, making us better people (boy do we need improving!), allowing us to recognize the joy good friends bring, ushering our family (near and far) closer, aiding us in seeing a little more clearly, the "big picture"... and last, but not least, appreciating how really blessed we are.

Favorites

From Boys

My favorite days are the days we can stay home all morning and just be.

My favorite days are the days I have TIME to pick up the house, make beds, throw in laundry, and plan the evening's meal.

My favorite days are the days I get to stay in my pajamas till' noon, wrestle Owen on the couch or the trampoline outside, and sit, rock, feed, and smooch all over Max's baby soft skin.

My favorite days are the days Owen, Max and I sit on the porch and wait for the girls to ride their bikes home from school. I always get a good laugh watching Avery come around the corner in her over sized helmet peddling like a maniac trying to stay up with her long legged sister.

My favorite days are the days Robert comes home from work and sits on the back porch swing with the kids, enjoying the sunshine while opening the mail.

My favorite nights are the nights we sit around the table together sharing a meal, not having to rush out the door to make it to a practice.

My favorite nights are the nights Bob says he's going to mow the lawn but gets side tracked playing soccer and tag with the kids and does this until it's time to come in for bed.

My favorite nights are the nights we get to lay and listen to the kids read aloud before they go off to dreamland.

Let's BE REAL. Life is crazy busy, and with soccer, piano, homework and everything else life throws at us, a day like this RARELY happens around here. But, this is how it went down yesterday, and boy was it nice.

Happy Day

I know you said said your birthday was, "Just another day."

But, WE sure had fun celebrating YOU.

Thanks for being our world and making our lives good.

We LOVE you!

MAX.

From Max

Max + Happy = ADORABLE.

When It Rains

( This pic. of our once squeaky clean, super happenin'g pool......a pretty good indicator of our lives right now!)

It pours....
...and we're getting flooded.

I remember the first week of June, the last week of school, as if it were yesterday. The week was alive with festivities; Avery graduated from Kindergarten, Payton sang "Soul Sister" in the school's talent show, the girls ran their hearts out at the jog a thon, showed off for their grand parents at field day, and said good-bye to teachers and friends at the last day school parties. I remember it so well......because I MISSED all of it. I was laid up in bed, worrying about my new, tiny baby boy in the NICU, while the simple, happy, ordinary events of life went on without me. It sounds silly, but tougher than the pain from surgery, for this mama, was not being there with my girls and missing ALL their events.



School started back last week. It seemed eerily too soon to be resuming. As I walked the girls into the building, 10 minutes late, with Owen, who had fallen and scraped his knees in the parking lot, crying in my arms, I felt overwhelmed. The same strange feelings that crept inside the last week of school, were lurking, and our world was once again, turned upside down. This time, instead of me being laid up in bed worrying about Max, it was Bob, laid up in the hospital who had me worried.



You see, Bob had been really sick and in a lot of pain for weeks. After a series of misdiagnosis' from doctors, we finally went to the ER where they admitted him. They found a muscle tear behind his knee, which bled and created a cavity the size of an orange, which became extremely infected. After an entire week in the hospital and three surgeries later, he is finally home. Although he must travel the rough road to recovery, compared to the terrible weeks that led up to the hospital, we're thinking it should be downhill from here.



So, my original plan was to describe the mess our lives have become because of all of this. I was going to vent about how exhausted I was staying up all night with Max and then trying to hold down the fort by myself.....kids to school, soccer, swimming, etc. making meals, cleaning, and doing laundry. Then when the kids finally hit their pillows at night I was staying up super late working, staring at that computer until my eyelids became so heavy even toothpicks couldn't hold em' up. All this, only to to start the next day and do it ALL over again. Yup, I was grasping desperately, holding on tight, trying to keep my head above WATER. And although at times I felt tough, most of those times, I felt....... I was failing miserably.

Then I decided, "This post isn't going to be an invitation to my pity party."

You see, I was recently told by someone wise to find thanks in all things. I discovered that even in our trials, if we shine the flashlight of our attention on what's good instead of what's not, there are wonderful things to be found.

I found that I have amazing friends and family who love us enough to sacrifice their own lives and time to HELP US. Their love and generosity during this tough time for me, has buoyed me up, kept me sane, and taught me incredible lessons of compassion. I have been amazed at all the service that has been rendered to our family, through this trial and also with Max's birth. My eyes are swimming as I type, I feel an overwhelming amount of love for the people in our lives, and am truly, so appreciate of them.

I also found that I have a lot to learn about serving. I've learned that when someone is in need, not to ask anymore what I can do to help, but find out what they need.....and like the old Nike slogan, "JUST DO IT!" I'm also going to hold tight to all those people who bring joy to my life, because of them, we're making it!

And so I'm going to let the memories of the last few months fade like my kid's summer tans. I'll continue to find happiness in the simple things, like an afternoon soda from Sonic, blasting my favorite songs on the radio, and a phone conversation with a good friend. And most of all, I'm going to look forward to good times ahead, like fall, my favorite season, and all the exciting things it brings.

And I most certainly can't think of fall without getting anxious for college football, and that reminds me of something I heard a coach on ESPN say the other night. He remarked, "Life, like football, is a TEAM sport." I thought about that a lot. I think he's right. We're all players in this game, and it isn't what we have that matters, but WHO we have. If we would stop wasting our time and energy on the trivial things and focus mostly on building the relationships with all the WHO'S in our lives by helping, serving, and loving them......

WE WOULD ALL BE VICTORIOUS!

When the COUSINS came to stay

From cousins

Smores for breakfast gave us the energy to dance the morning away.

Which were just a few of the fun things we did

when the cousins came to stay!

I Have Dreams

lots and lots of em'. and ever since I was little, owning a candy store has been one of em'.
Let's face it, I'm addicted to the sugary stuff. Yup, sucking on a soft peppermint puff as I type.


Back to that dream.....
If I had designed it myself, my candy store wouldn't look a thing different than Powell's in Boise.
It's filled with every delicious thing you can imagine, really.
From it's sparkling ceiling to its shiny floor, this bright, colorful sweet tooth lovin' store

....is MAGICAL!
I wish my pics. did it justice.
Which brings me to my next dream....
to someday learn how to take a decent photo!

Her current fave

Here's your current fave, sis. I thought I'd paste it here so you can log on quickly, listen, and enjoy it,

any old time you want.

Now just do me a big favor, my little lady, and promise me one thing,

you'll always remember......

This mama thinks you're amazing, just the way you are!

On The Charts

At two and a half months, Mr. Max is ON THE CHARTS! His beefy 9 lbs. put him in the 5th percentile. When we're out and about, people still comment on the "brand new baby." Yup, he's still new, just not as new as THEY think. He's a fussy little man and always wants to be held, good thing we have lots of arms that want to hold him. He has oodles of red hair covering the top of his sweet head, which we love to smooch, along with his chubba, chubba cheeks and teeny, tiny, toes.

Oh, Mr. Max, you sure have turned our easy, breezy world upside down and ALL the way around, but really.......

we wouldn't have it any other way.

From Max

Beiber Fever

From Owen in boots

Earlier this summer, Beiber performed on the Today show. Owen happened to be watching. He was completely enamored with Beiber's performance. Wide eyed, swaying to the music, he looked my way and asked, "Mom can I grow my hair long, long like Justin Beibers? I want it so long that I can shake it", he says while tossing his head to the side in a super cool manner, just like Beiber. Since that morning, Owen's snowy strands have been a growing. His unusually large head is a helmet of unruly, thick, blonde locks. I am afraid it doesn't look great, but who am I to crush a dream like that?

P.S. Grandpa and Grandma came to visit. Owen followed Grandpa around all day, becoming his new shadow. He sure enjoyed trying on, wearing, and walking around in Grandpa's clunky boots.

Those are some rather large boots to fill, Mr. Owen. Your grandpa is a special guy, one of a kind in my book.

But if ANYONE can fill his shoes, I think YOU CAN!

Pretty Cool

"Would you like a snow cone? I can MAKE you one!"

Miss Avery was given a snow cone machine for her birthday. If ya come visit, you'll be hard pressed to avoid the above question. Instead of setting up her usual lemonade stand this summer, Avery's sitting on top of the world making and selling her snow cones.

Because in the world of our "sweet and spicy" six year old,

snow cones are pretty cool!

Boastin'

From Payton Main St. Mile

I would NEVER brag about Payton entering downtown Boise's Main St. Mile race in the 5th and 6th grade girl's division and as a fourth grader taking...

1st place!

Nope, I would never brag that she won several fun prizes including a $100 gift certificate to Bandannas running store where we'll go get her some smokin' hot new running shoes and her first real, "running attire."

This super proud mama would never brag...

Boast' juuuuuust a little...

but never brag....wink, wink!

Swim Team

From Payton swim team

Another exciting Summer Season of swim team came to a close.

From Avery swim team

The girls had a lot of fun meeting new friends, learning new strokes, and earning a plethora of colorful ribbons.

From Robert swim team

Even the dads were able to participate. At one of the meets they had a parent relay. After seeing Bob jump in the pool like a freak and Brent enter with a back flip, I didn't think their team had a chance. With the aid of their kid's mad cheering squad.....they were led to VICTORY and pulled off a WIN!

We're already looking forward to next summer and Mr. Owen finally being old enough to join the team!

How Do I Love Thee?

From Anniversary

Let me count the ways...

You know what they say the difference is between a couple who doesn't stay together and one that does? The couple who stayed together........

JUST KEPT TRYING.

Although there's a million and one reasons why I love Bob, here's a list of 14 in celebration of 14 years of TRYING!

1. He likes to be needed, and boy does this girl need him.

2. His family is his priority, and we know this.

3. He's smart but would never be condescending or make anyone feel "dumb."

4. He calls me several times a day. His upbeat, chipper voice is a bright spot in my day.

5. He perceives us as a team and takes part and helps me with EVERYTHING.

6. He hides sweet notes for me to find every time he goes out of town.

7. He is a much better cook than myself and makes dinner often.

8. He enjoys life and works hard to make ours FUN.

9. He is a good friend and would do anything for others.

10. He's hot......just sayin'.

11. He is witty and funny and makes me laugh daily.

12. He loves my family and never judges us in spite of our many inadequacies.

13. He sets lofty goals, and I enjoy watching him achieve them.

14. He goes the extra mile on my birthday and holidays to make me feel special, and most importantly.......loves my ridiculous, dramatic, nerdy self!

Bob and I celebrated 14 years of BIG LOVE last week. These pics. were taken in easier times when we celebrated an anniversary by aimlessly roaming the streets of downtown Boise. After dining at our favorite restaurant and purchasing a few things at our favorite downtown shop, we retired to a little bench outside a local bar and listened for free, to the live music blaring from it's doors. We did our fare share of people watching before Mr. "no display of public affection" let me make out with him on that bench, a couple of long kisses without a word of complaint. It doesn't take much to please this girl, and that night on the bench without a care in the world, laughing and smooching Bob, is one I love to remember.

We're currently living in a tunnel, at least that's how it feels when you're up most of the night with a newborn. You know long, dark nights and tiresome days while the rest of the world goes on around you. Because of this neither Bob nor I had mentioned a thing about our anniversary, and seriously, I was hoping, crossing my fingers tightly, that somehow overly tired Bob would forget. I wanted him to be completely surprised when he came home to a romantic dinner, a house without kids, and a night to ourselves. I wanted to give him a gift he had been without for weeks, needed desperately, and would have paid top dollar for.........SLEEP!

With the help of amazing, selfless friends, I pulled it off. One took the older kids all night, and the other took Max. Although we ended up missing the kids and wondered really if we could leave Max till' the next morning, at 10 p.m. we forgoed driving to get him and relished in a night of uninterrupted sleep.

14 years later, I love Bob more today than ever. I know how ridiculously cliche that last sentence sounds. But, there's truth in that old cliche. As we grow older and wiser we realize love is so much more than physical attraction or simple, good times in a relationship. Love is what lasts. Love is what is left after all the ups and downs, trials, and rough times. Love is why and how we stay together, it is what sustains us. At least it is for me, because believe me I've had my moments of extreme frustration when I've felt like throwing in the towel. There's been times when Bob and my differences seem overwhelming and because of them I've selfishly thought we just couldn't make it. But I never quit, because I LOVE him. The good times most certainly outweigh the bad and even though in no way, shape, or form is our marriage perfect, I believe LOVE is. It's an action, and it isn't always easy, but continuing to TRY makes it worth it in so many ways. And I've grown to realize over the last 14 years, LOVING Bob has made me a much better person.

So, next year we'll celebrate our big 15th. It will be interesting to see where life takes us, and how this next year will unfold. Until then, I vow to do two things, LOVE him.....

and JUST KEEP TRYING!

AHHHHH...

From The Lake The Lake!!!!!

Someday....

View all

Get your own

....he'll wish upon a star.

EXHAUSTED

We are elated that our baby boy, Max is home!

But, these old saps

are completely, utterly, and most certainly....

EXHAUSTED!

P.S. As of Wed. of last week, Max was weighing a ginormous.......6 lbs.!

Dear Max,

You are three weeks old today. It is hard to believe you've spent your first 21 days of life in the hospital. Being home without you, seems strange. I wake every morning and see your empty bassinet at the foot of my bed, waiting for you. I try to be strong and not let your brother and sisters know how sad I am and how much I miss you, but it's getting harder every day.

I spend my days at the hospital feeding, changing, and snuggling you. Dad stops in during the day too and then visits you again each night. We try hard to spend as much time with you as we can, but it never feels like enough. The hardest part is saying "good-bye" and leaving you there lying in your little crib without us.

Your brother and sisters like to come visit too. Payton has been coming with me every day. She loves to hold and love on you. She is a special girl and will be such a great big sister to you. She and Avery have been playing "NICU" recently and have organized their bedrooms just like your little space at the hospital. They are excited for you to come home so they can have a "real' baby to authenticate their make-believe play.

Your dad and I are so anxious to have you home, Max. We joke about "stealing" you from the NICU, or as your parents, telling them it's our right to bring you home... NOW! We know that wouldn't be wise, but we're just getting impatient and really want you home where we can care for you ourselves.

I am so sorry for all you have endured, Max. It truly breaks my heart. Watching from the side-lines, I don't know how you do it, because it's been A LOT. Thank you for being strong, my tiny boy, and fighting hard to be here and continuing to do so. The Dr.s still remind us how lucky we are to have you. Although they say we almost lost you, I always knew you'd make it, Max. I knew you were meant to be a part of this family. So, I will continue to pray for you, hope for you, and always love and care about you.

Your dad calls me an idealist. He often tells me I need to be a realist.

It's just not my style.

You'll be home soon, Max. I just know it. And everything WILL be O.K.

When that day finally arrives, we'll all celebrate BIG...

for you, ...our tiny miracle.

Sweet dreams,

Mama