JULY 2011

July was an interesting month. On the 4th we decided to put our house up for rent. Not really knowing where we would go or how it would all work out, but it felt right so we did it. We spent the 4th weekend chilling with family enjoying fireworks in the rain and a bit of water fun in the yard. It was a relaxing and mostly un-eventful weekend.

DRIVE INN

It just wouldn't be summer without a trip to the drive inn. We went with the Springville Stods and saw Cars 2 & the Green Lantern. I love me a good drive inn movie!

Pitty Party

Summer for a working mom is tough. I often feel jealousy and remorse from the fact my husband gets to do all these fun summer activities with the girls while I sit in a stuffy office all day. Somedays I am better at hiding these pangs than others. In July...I  had a breakdown and threw myself a little pitty party. I posted this on my Facebook:
"I am having a pitty party today. Yes, I know. My yearnings are futile, I am well aware. I am also blessed to have a job, this I know. But going to work today was tough. I don’t feel like sitting in meetings all day, I’d rather sit at the pool with my kids. I am tired of listening to adults complain, I’d rather play referee to my girls’ quarrels. Instead of cleaning up my bosses mess, I’d rather fold some laundry. A breakfast at my table rather than my car sounds like a great way to start the morning. My job is a means to and end…it does not define me. My job is a means to an end…it does not define me. My job is a means to an end…it DOES NOT define me."

A few days later the girls and I quickly retreated to Logan to get a way from this madness and visit Christy. Much to my suprise she had a full on "PITTY PARTY" all set up for me-banner AND an array of yummy treats all in my favorite color. She knows just how to cheer me up. If you don't have a best friend...I highly suggest you run out and get one pronto! It was such a great weekend. We hit the farmer's market, ate, napped and relaxed. I couldn't have asked for more. Love you Christy!!

30...SOMETHING

July also aged me another year. I don't really hate my birthdays, but they certainly aren't something as exciting as when I was a kid. However, this year Paul and the girls went to extra special lengths to make it a great day. After work, Paul and I went out for Sushi and then I came home to a balloon shoot out and lots of unexpected gifts. We ate ice cream cake and laughed. It was a good day. Thanks again babe, for a great surprise and making me feel special.

In the backyard was a balloon bouquet. I had to use my bbgun to shoot em open to find my gifts. There were filled with gift cards to all my favorite places. So sweet!

Shortly after my birthday Tiffany also took the girlsand I to the Riverwoods for a pedicure and dinner. The kids played at the splash pad too. We had a good time. Tiff is such a great friend. We can go weeks and weeks without hanging out and pick right up where we left off when we do. Love her!

On my birthday we also solidified who would rent our house and decided to move one whole block east to a bigger house, a situation that certainly felt "meant to be".  Getting your home ready for renters and trying to prepare for a summer vacation simultaneously is madness. I don't recommend it. Yet we survived and we feel great about our decision to move. More on that later.

That pretty much sums up July! It flew by, but it certainly was eventful!

Father's Day 2011

Well...what can I say it's been a while. Loads has happened and I can no longer procrastiate telling my positery of our awesomeness so allow me to continue...

I love Father's Day. I used to hate it and now...it's grand. I spend the weeks that preceed it reflecting on Paul and the wonderful man and Father he has become. I am in awe of his patience, his love for our children, his willingness to be a "hand's on" dad and his genuine-ness (is that a word? let's just go with it). Paul is a great Dad. He is always quick to praise and slow to anger. And I'll tell you our girls' really test that out. He is everything I wanted in a Daddy for my children. I love you Paul. Never stop being the gentle, loving man you are!

We had a father's day brunch with family and friends. I love being able to get people together for yummy food and a bit of fun. As we sat and ate, I looked at each of those Dad's and reflected on how strong, patient and loving each of them are. Be grateful for the Daddy's in your lives!

the Daddys' gifts: peanut butter chocolate BACON cookies!

A Solitary Week

June 19-23rd Paul and I spent together...all alone, and had a little "stay-cation" here in Happy Valley. It was glorious. Beyond anything I could have hoped 5 days together alone could be. It's funny how you get into your groove of life and things are rushed and busy and it all works, or so you think. You find yourself constantly giving to people at work and then your kids and you feel pushed and pulled and you try to remember how you got to this place where you are tired all...the...time. Simpler times and memories come flooding in and you find yourself longing for those days. Then you spend time alone with your boyfriend and you realize how much you needed to reconnect and rejuvenate. A much needed reminder that in the chaos of life you have chosen your best friend to brave the storms with and it has been one of your better decisions in life. :)

We filled our week with lots of fun and relaxation. We watched several movies, went running together nearly every day, slept in all the way to 7:30 most days :), talked Paul into a manicure while he waited on my pedicure, went to an Owlz game, the Drive Inn and floated the river.  It  really was the best time.

 Friday I returned to work feeling so grateful to have had that time together. I love my husband and I really needed a reminder of truly how much he means to me. If you want to have a happy marriage...marry your best friend!

A whole week of fun and this is the only picture we took. Us at the drive inn messing around before the movie started. Good, good times :)

Welcome Summer?

I feel like a lazy blogger these days, but honestly we've been pretty chill lately. Nothing fancy to report. Other than the fact that our family has had quite the battle with sicknesses this year: Kylee had pneumonia then strep and an ear infection, Paul had lypoma's removed and is now on Thyroid medication, Aubrey had her weird rash, I had my foot surgery, my head infection, a UTI and most recently an infection in both kidney's. Let's hope this is the last of our health oddities for the remainder of the year.

We've officially kicked off summer and headed to Seven Peaks (I'll spare you a photo of me in a swimsuit...your welcome for that one) it was fun and I was instantly fried, yes I am WHITE! I am super excited that most of the cousins got passes this year so hopefully we can all get together and head down there. Aubrey had so much fun with Ella there last week. Makes it worth it to fight the crowds watching them laugh together.

I am also having a hard time getting into the swing of summer. Maybe because the weather has been mild or that the girls' camps and summer activities don't start til July. I just haven't felt summer is really here. I better get with it. We have lots of summer trips and activities planned that have yet to transpire. Maybe when they start I'll really get into the spirit of it all.

Paul and I have a whole week alone together starting Sunday night, we are having a little "stay-cation" here in Happy Valley. I don't know what I am more excited for to hear my own thoughts or to sleep in :). Nonetheless, I am thrilled!!

So...happy summer :).

May Misc

Its seems like May has flown right by me. School is out now and the summer schedule is filling up. Where does the time go?

With my Grandma passing I realize I never posted about the best Mother's Day ever! I slept in and I was awoken by this beautiful tray of deliciousness and a loving card filled with pictures of my girls. I love that this breakfast was Kylee's idea and that she made the eggs and flipped the pancakes and that is stressed Paul out to be in the kitchen with her. Ha!

My gift was a new GIANT kitchen aid (in white). My old one sounds somewhat like a lawnmower and has seen better days. I have spent hours loving baking Christmas cookies and birthday cakes, thanksgiving rolls and endless batches of goodies with that mixer so I couldn't quite part with it, but I am super excited to break in this new one! Cookies anyone?

I was able to send the afternoon and evening in my room half napping/half watching a movie. It was restful and I loved it. Paul also made me this amazing (from scratch) cheesecake. I am still braggin about it to our friends. He finds little ways to make me feel so special and loved. Thanks for makin this the best low-key, relaxing Mom's Day Ever family. I sure love ya.

Can you see that sugar cookies crust? Homemade...by a man! So good.

Sadly with my trip to MT I missed Ky's school play and her track meet. She signed up for the relay race with a few of her friends and they ended up placing first. Paul said she was so proud. Just look at that form! So cute.

So my daughter to squeeze in and be up at the top!

She also performed her class play "Finding Neno" last week. Thanks to the Orem Stoddards for cramming in a tiny room to support your niece and thanks Tiff for doing her hair and makeup. That was a big worry and I love that we could call on you and your skillz.

May also teased with a few warm days and we were reminded what sun and warmth feels like. We cleaned the yard, set up the tramp, planted flowers and played with bubbles. Hello Summer!!

Last, but certainly not least...we expanded our family. This is Roxy our 2 month old Shih Tzu.  We found her one night on KSL after Paul said "we should get another dog". The next day Aubrey and I picked her up. She is so tiny and so sweet. We love her!

Nancy Diana Maart 1933-2011

Nancy Diana Maart passed away peacefully and enjoyed a happy reunion with her husband, Warren, and their three sons-Neil, Vaughn, and Arlyn on May 12, 2011.
Nancy was the youngest of eight, the only child not born in Holland, on Feb. 22, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Cornelius and Jannigie DeLange. Nancy married Warren Frederick Maart on May 18, 1953, and was later sealed to each other for eternity in the Salt lake Temple.
Nancy enjoyed her family-which brought her much joy and happiness. While living on the ranch in Melstone, she was busy raising and keeping up with her eight children with school, sports, and activities. Nancy was the queen of school bus driving and enjoyed being around all the kids. Nancy loved crocheting, shopping, and her many kitties over the years. She seemed to be everybody's mom-she was there for anyone. Nancy was a stranger to no one; she would smile and talk with all. Nancy was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her service in the church involved Primary, Relief Society, and played organ for many years.

Nancy will be missed by her daughters, Meriel (Shane) Beck of Aberdeen, Idaho, DeAnn Maart of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Jennifer (Jim) Straight of Bountiful, Utah, Miriam (Matt) Wieczorek of Yuma, Ariz., Julie (Duane) Wacker of Roundup, Janelle (Danny) Hammons of Billings; and her wonderful 16 grandchildren - Ryan, Misti, Dylon, Jill, Preston, Jalisa, Kelli, Alex, Brandon, Sid, Jenna, Toni, Tyler, Chance, Brock, Roni; and four great-grandchildren-Kylee, Aubrey, Antonio, and Jaslene.

Visitations may be made from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at Smith's Downtown Chapel and Wednesday, May 18 at noon to 1 p.m. at the LDS Chapel at 1000 Wicks Lane. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

************************************************************************************
I spent most of this week in Montana attending Grandma's funeral. Funeral's are hard enough on their own, but having somewhat ostracized myself from this side of my family made this trip even more unfortunate. I dreaded seeing everyone, dealing with everyone and trying to be cordial when inside I was hurting from their past actions or words.

Yes, I knew this trip would be difficult, saying goodbye is never easy, but I didn't anticipate the healing that would come from attending. One big lesson I learned from this trip is in death, much is forgiven and forgotten. A lesson I am immensely grateful for today. The unifying factor of a loving grandmother who had gathered us together was common ground enough to let bygones be bygones. It allowed for a time where a simple hug could heal old wounds and reconcile my deep rooted pains. I cried...a lot :). And even today I feel somewhat emotionally exhausted from the whole trip. I hadn't considered the healing possibility of this trip and the emotions of it have sort of wiped me out. I also feel greatly blessed. Blessed to have a family that forgives, that loves and above all laughs. I spent a lot of time laughing between the cries. My flight home I was overwhelmed with thoughts and impressions of how I can do more, be more present and involved with the family. It was good. As I left the tiny Billings airport I had a renewed love and appreciation for my family. Family is everything.

So I thank my Grandmother whose unfortunate passing has paved the way to this healing and reconciliation in my life. I am sure she would be happy to know that it was she that brought us together to this result.

I love and will miss you Grandma.

Cathing Up

We'll it's safe to say I have been on a little hiatus and now it's time to come out from under my hiding place and reclaim life.

It's been a month since I last posted so let's do a little catching up shall we?

Home remodel-we purchased our home 6 years ago with dreams of upgrading and remodeling here and there. 2011 was the year we finally started actually making these dreams become reality. We have this hideous backroom that served and a laundry/catch all. I have no idea what the previous owners had in mind when including this addition, but they generously left it unfinished and all around eye-sore. This month we finished it and turned it into a playroom/laundry room/workout area. It has been a dream come true. I love this room. I have put hours of thought into what this room would look like and it was amazing to see it come to life.

I wish we had better before pics. It was truly nasty.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

My absolute favorites?

This magazine rack from PB I have coveted since Kylee was born...

And these curtains. Thanks to the help of my own personal Martha Stewart aka-Heather Lewis who helped me sew these up in just over an hour. She is a sewing goddess! Could this fabric be cuter? I think not.

We had a great spring break. I took a few days off to help paint and finalize the backroom, have some fun and take the girls to various appointments.

First we went to Planet Play, which our family has lovingly coined "Pizza Planet" -I agree it's is a much better name. We ate, played games and laser tag, rode go carts and ate again. Good times. We took zero pictures, but if you have a chance to head to Sandy-it's sure fun.

The next day was full of appointments. First, the dentist. Luckily Kylee escaped with no cavities and was elated to know that she would eventually need braces. Kids are so funny. This was Aubrey's first trip and I think she was actually sweating the whole time. It was adorable. I had to snap these pics of her getting x-rays and a cleaning. She bit the hygienist and cried just a little, but the Disney princess toothbrush was worth it all in the end. Kylee also had her first ever optometrist appointment and discovered she's a bit nearsighted, but for now, won't need glasses. I warned her I would show this picture to the boy she likes at school and she freaked out. I think I'll continue to keep it for blackmail reasons.

We even had a few days of decent weather where we promptly put our children to work. I decided I need to have more kids simply to have more manual labor done around my house :).

The end of the month Christy and I hit Women's Conference again. This is our 3rd year running. It was so good to just have time to be alone, be spiritually uplifted and relax. I look forward to it every year and it never disappoints. This year my impressions were strong and specific so I look forward to implementing these changes as I continue to find balance in my working mother role.

The Saturday following the conference we met Ben, Paul and the girls (I kick them to Idaho for the conference) at Lagoon. The weather was odd (off and on snow and warm stretches) but we had so much fun. Kylee rode a lot of scary rides and I was so proud. She did start gagging and dry heaving when she stood in line for the Wicked ride so we let her off the hook on that one. Aubie also LOVED it. She would scream "yahoo, yahoo" on every ride and it was just ear to ear grins the whole time. After 3 hours she just pooped out and slept in her stroller for several hours. If you know Aubie this is extremely RARE and should attest to the amount of fun she really had. We closed down the park after 7 straight hours of fun then hit Bucca Di Beppo for dinner. An amazingly fun weekend.

In other news, I have been stressed. I'll be honest. Paul is applying to nursing schools as we speak so the reality of single motherhood is upon me and in many ways I am panicking (Paul will leave us behind to attend school for a year). I have been looking for new jobs-a few in Salt Lake which would mean moving and renting our home and taking our kids away from friends and school and our amazing ward. Times are uncertain and I am trying to deal with them with grace. A task in and of itself.

We also have several good friends moving on from Provo and far far away and my heart is sad in many ways. I will miss these dear friends and I am so happy for them, but it brings to life the harsh reality that we are still here while our friends move on. Trying to find happiness in my current phase is a constant struggle. I will get better at appreciating the here and now. Yes, I will!

Other than that, we are same old. Life is moving forward. Our kids are growing and getting more sassy with each passing day and this warm weather is reminding us of all the summer fun we have planned (Moab, San Diego, Coeur D Alene). Good times are ahead. Woot! Woot!