Testify, part 2

I know getting an education is important.


I remember the feeling that washed over me during my graduation from BYU. I was sitting on the stand, with Pete by my side and miss S was on my lap. It hit me all of the sudden, and I couldn't stop smiling. I turned to Pete and said, "I am SO happy right now." It truly was one of the happiest moments of my life, no doubt. Partly because I was proud, partly because Pete & I were graduating together, but mostly, because I was DONE! The thoughts of test, papers, deadlines and all of the other little stresses were over & I felt such relief.

I started BYU knowing what I wanted to study and for the most part really enjoyed my classes. I graduated in Broadcast Journalism, and it was fun. I have always loved to sit in front of the camera or computer and "produce" my own little projects. I did it all the time, even in high school. So, I was really excited to finally get to the last year of school so I could do all the things I loved. I was going to be taking the class where we wrote, edited, produced and anchored KBYU news every day! Only, it didn't end up being quite as fun as I expected - surprise! I was pregnant.

You may think that is a normal thing at BYU, and it probably is in many majors, just not mine. Nobody was pregnant while they were working on the news station. I was the only one. We had to get to school by 7 in the morning to compile all the news coming in off the wires (it sounds cool, huh) and I would be so sick. I have some wonderful videos of me anchoring the news looking just a little pale. By then, I knew working was not going to be an option for me, my life was taking a different direction. School got a little tougher with a baby, but I did it.

When Pete and I graduated a year after little miss S was born, it was a great day. I rented her a cap and a gown and I carried her across the stage with me.







It was funny, I was so happy to be done with school and yet, I missed it after a while. I didn't miss the tests, quizzes, projects... I missed learning. My days were spent with one - and then 2 babies. I loved it. I wouldn't have traded that time for anything, but it was hard too. I didn't get much time for myself. I remember thinking I needed to find something that I could do, something I could learn about.

A couple of years ago, it hit me. I could learn and do whatever I wanted. Learning does not have to be done in school. Since then, I have found things that interest me and have done what I can to learn more about them. The things I have learned and have been able to do have brought a lot of enjoyment in my life. And I have so much more to learn! There are so many things I want to know about, so many things I want to do well.

I know learning is something we need to do always. We should never stop. Everywhere around us, there is a chance to gain knowledge. It makes me excited. I only wish I had more time in my day. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is true " the world is my campus."

Testify, part 1

I have to admit, when we first moved into our new ward I was not that excited to go into Relief Society. I haven't been in that class in so long, about 6 years. So, I wasn't really sure what it was going to be like. I guess I expected to be a little bored. I am not. I have thoroughly been enjoying the lessons and women in Relief Society. It is a great place for me to be.

Yesterday we had an amazing lesson. It was taught by a fun lady, who always does a great job teaching. She helped us to understand what testifying does for us. Not only does it help others to know how we feel, it strengthens us also. She taught us that if we are courageous and testify of the little things we believe in, then we will "shine brighter." I thought about what she said and was really touched by the message. She is right. I need to do it more. I need to be proud of who I am and what I know. I need to share more of myself with others and not be worried about it.

So, I decided this is going to be my start. I am going to testify of one thing every day this week. It will be something I know, something that is important to me. And if nobody reads it, that is okay. I will have thought about it, and I will have written it down. I want to be a little more shiny.



I Know Who I Am

I am a daughter of amazing parents, who raised me with love, kindness, trust and wisdom. I never doubted they loved me, ever. I never had a time when I couldn't turn to them, ever. I never did anything (on purpose) to disappoint them, almost ever!

I am a sister. I am the older, bossy sister who I am sure rubbed my brother and sister the wrong way many times. But, I love them very much and am so grateful for them.

I am a wife to a wonderful husband whom I love and trust completely. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I am grateful for the relationship we share and the opportunity we have to raise our children together.

I am a mom. There is not anything that could make me happier. I am amazed at the love I have for each of them. My heart sometimes feels overwhelmed. I hope they know how I love them.

I am a friend. I have so many friends who are such great examples to me. They show me many of the things in my life I would like to work on. I am grateful for them also and the love and support they show me. I hope I can reciprocate in a little way what they give to me.

All of these things represent a part of me. I think about all of them, and it makes me want to be a better person. It makes me want to live happier, to be kinder, to serve others, to make the right choices for me and my family. But, all these things dont describe the whole of who I am. I know that I am a daughter of God. And that is all I need to know.

Yesterday, Miss S came home from school and informed me her friend told everyone they used to be monkeys. She was so confused. I could see in her face how absurd she thought it was. I tried to explain to her that is what some people think, but we don't. We know. We know we were created in God's image and that we have never looked like a monkey. So, dont worry. You won't one day be reunited with your great grandparents, the apes. Seriously, I was so happy in this instance that I could explain to her, without a doubt, the truth.

Knowing I am a daughter of God is incredible. It is incredible because I know what it feels like to have a child. I know the feelings you have and the love you are bursting with. That is how He loves me. I know it. I know He knows who I am. I know He cares about my life, my feelings, my actions, my choices, my happiness. I want to make better choices and be a better person because of that.

I know a cute family whose mom yells to her children as they are walking out the door, " Remember who you are and what you stand for!" I know who I am. I need to always remember.

Pumpkin patch

We went to our favorite pumpkin patch to celebrate T's 7th birthday. We have been wanting our family to come and join us for years, but they could never make it. So, we decided if we had his family party there, they would have to come!

We went to Disneyland!

We were able to go to "the Happiest place on Earth" all last week! Pete had a work conference in the Disneyland hotel, so we went up a couple days earlier and had fun. We actually went into the parks for 4 days, which was the longest we have ever been there. By the end of the week, we were so tired! My parents came down on Wednesday night and joined us for a couple of days, which was great. We love it there, H is already asking me if we can go back!



Cute girls with their tiaras, you can tell they are having fun!



I love to kiss him - even when he wont let me.



Grandpa and kids on the big Sun Wheel in California Adventure.



I absolutely love this picture!



T celebrating his birthday at Rain Forest Cafe with his favorite new Jack gloves.



In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room...



H with Cinderella - one of the three princesses she got to meet after I waited in line for 2 hours!!



While I was waiting for the princesses, grandma took H and had her face painted. She was so happy! She told the lady exactly how she wanted it done and wanted it all in pink, of course.




I love the decorations for Halloween time in Disneyland! It is amazing. You feel like you are in a magical place.



Grandma, me and S on the Sun Wheel!



We were all so happy because H was finally tall enough to go on Soarin' over California! It was so much fun to go on the ride as a family. I could go on this ride all day long, I love it.



Dad and kids on the Orange stinger swings, T was just tall enough.



Yeah! T has been waiting for years to go on Screamin'. He loved it!! I love it that my kids dig the rollercoasters.

Our home

I have been getting quite a few requests for pictures of the new house, so here they are. We are feeling settled now and are loving it here. We feel very blessed and amazed to have been able to make this move & especially to sell our other house! We miss our old neighbors and ward, but are having fun meeting new friends too. One day when our life calms down (yeah, right!) we are going to have everyone over. Promise!!

I didn't think so...

but maybe I am...

H: "Mom, will you turn on this movie for me?"

Me: "Sure H, just a second, I want to finish reading this."

H: HUGE sigh & then, "My mom is so crabby."

I love this boy...

There are so many things I love about my sweet little guy. He is so smart, kind, funny and good. I miss him while he is in school all day long, I am still not used to it. These are some of the things about him that make me smile...

- Everyday after school he runs out the gate and buries his face in my waist while he hugs me. He will hug me the whole time we wait for his sister to come out of class. It makes me melt every time he does it.

- When we are walking to and from school he always holds my hand and tells me all about his "recess adventures."

- Everyday he has that little boy right off the playground smell. You know, the one that smells like a mix of blacktop, sweat, crayons and monkey bars.

- He has a laugh that makes you smile. And what I love, is the way his older sister can make him gut laugh like no one else.

- He has a memorized little spiel he says to us every night when he is going to bed.

- He loves to sleep in my bed with me when daddy is gone.

- He wakes up super early on the weekends (to watch cartoons) and then is soo tired on school days.

- He is legitimately proud of himself when he does something good. I hope he is always able to be happy with himself!

- When he makes a goal, he accomplishes it! For example, in order to play Rock Band he needed to learn the 100 words for 1st grade. He got the words, studied them and learned them in one day - no joke.

- He is really good at Rock Band!

- He has specific directions for his hair every day. Some days he likes it to the side, some days all spikes - but ALWAYS wants the front spiked up. Pete and I were laughing at Back to school night because every picture he drew of himself had his hair perfectly spiked in the front.

- He only wants to wear a suit on Sunday and he loves it when he and his dad wear matching colors.

- He tries so hard to be good and is really sensitive and sweet. If he thinks I am unhappy he can't handle it. He will always give in when he thinks it will make one of us happy. My mom and I always talk about how we hope he marries a nice girl and not one who bosses him around!

- He is always grateful, well, most of the time. And he is so happy for the little things - like homemade milkshakes, they make him so happy.

I think I could keep going on and on... I just love him.

I had to take a picture of him after school today because he came home so dirty! His school shirt actually looks grey instead of white (although the camera didn't really capture the filth.) I am glad their new school finally picked their school colors. Maybe we can get a new shirt!

We are going to miss this...

We had a great Labor day swimming at my parents house. The kids LOVE to swim, they are fish. Even H, she can swim without any help across the entire pool, pretty amazing for a 3 year old! They have so much fun going over to grandma and grandpa's house. Not only for the swimming, but they get to roam the backyard there and just be outside. There have been a couple of times this year when T has caught a lizard and had it climbing all over him. It is just a fun place to be. I love it too, and have gotten spoiled this summer because every time we went over my parents fed us!

In fact, a couple of weeks ago we were there and my parents were busy. H noticed they were not hanging out with us and asked where they were. I told her they were busy and she said, "But, they didn't bring us out any food!" She really is my daughter - she knows how important food is! Thanks mom & dad for a really fun summer in your backyard!! We are already looking forward to next summer.

New school...

The kids started school yesterday! They were both really looking forward to it, but were nervous too. We are so proud of them. Neither one of them have complained or whined about going to a new school. We know it isn't easy to leave a school with friends you love and go to a new one where you dont know anyone. But they went in to their classes like they had been there for years. They both have really cute, young teachers who seem very excited to be at their school. It will be fun for them to be a part of the first class opening the school - they get to pick out their mascot, colors, etc...

I missed them a ton during the day! H and I kept looking at the clock and she kept asking when we were going to "get the kids." I love that she calls them "the kids", it just makes me smile. I am especially having a hard time with T going into 1st grade, I dont like him being gone all day long. Kindergarten was perfect, he could go and play for a while and then come home. I never felt like he was gone for too long. Now they are both gone longer than they are at home, it makes my heart ache to think about it.

But, even though I am missing them, they are ready to go and I have to be grateful for that. We saw a mom chasing her son down the street and then actually carrying him onto campus crying - I felt so bad for her! I have loved laying in their beds with them the last 2 nights at bedtime and hearing details of their days. They are the cutest kids and I love them so much!

Pre-school!

H went to her first day of pre-school on Tuesday! She is going to a cute little school with some little friends and the nicest teacher. She was excited and felt so big.

We have been talking about it for a while now so she would be ready and she always tells me "mom, dont cry. You can come and pick me up!" I didn't think I would cry, but when we dropped her off and she walked right in and started playing, I had to walk away so I wouldn't start. It was harder than I thought.

I missed her the whole time she was gone, I kept forgetting and looking around for her. She is my pal all day, we are hardly ever apart. She is a sweet girl and I am happy she gets to be in such a great place to start out her school experience. I love her!