The Yergensen Family

The Oak Tree

2011-12-14T22:18:00.003-07:00

Elder Ballard came to visit our stake this Stake Conference and shared a poem that I have been thinking about a lot ...

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing Oak?"

The Oak Tree said, I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see
they are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Fun Run

2011-11-06T16:52:00.003-07:00

Marley's school has an annual Fun Run! The kids are supposed to collect pledges for running 2 miles around the school as part of a fundraiser. So Marley asked Nana and grandpa and then Scott and I took Marley to his office and she went around asking his coworkers. By the end of the day - she had collected $120! The kids are only expected to earn $15 for a ticket for the drawing - but she earned 8 tickets.

I was asked to help with the water table this year so I missed her on her first lap but I got a picture of her coming around the second time when she stopped for a drink! She did so great! They all get otter pops at the end for a job well done and I got a picture of her with her friend Lataya. I stayed for the awards assembly afterwards and was so excited when I heard her name called for a prize! She won a scooter! YAY!

Halloween!

2011-11-06T16:16:00.003-07:00

We had quite the busy few weeks leading up to Halloween around our house this year. Luckily Nana was in town to help get our costumes ready! I don't really care about making my kids into scary things for Halloween, and usually they have no desire to be, but this year Marley decided she wanted to be a bride - and then she changed to a dead bride! It turned out to be a pretty fun costume except that every time I looked at her she gave me a little scare. She was frightening! Ethan found a fun veterinarian coat at DI and decided he was going to be a pet doctor. He brought the coat home and immediately stuck some doggy treats and band-aids in the pockets. He's a pretty smart boy.

This year's festivities included the ward Trunk or Treat on Saturday night, Marley's school Halloween costume parade, her school party and trick or treating on Halloween night.

Ethan and I went to Marley's class to help with her party. We were assigned to the cookie decorating table. When Dayna Jolley asked Marley if she was going to eat her cookie now or take it home for later she said, "I better eat it now! Otherwise my mom might eat it!" She thought she was so funny!

This year's weather was the exact opposite of last year. We went around the block with the Clegg's and the weather was so perfect! We had lots of laughs and got way too much candy! I will give $20 to the first person who can guess who I was for Halloween - I'll warn ya' - it's tricky!

Not gonna happen.

2011-11-05T21:05:00.003-06:00

Marley tells me the other day that her biggest wish is that she could have a little sister. Hmmm ... sorry, Marley - not gonna happen. I tried to explain the best I could that it wasn't possible for mommy to have any more babies and she says, "Well, that's ok - we could just go to the orphan village and buy one!"

School Pictures - Marley, 2nd Grade

2011-11-02T17:55:00.002-06:00

Ethan's 5th Birthday

2011-11-02T15:19:00.006-06:00

Ethan's 5th birthday was a blast! It was several days filled with lots of fun and smiles. Nana got to come and spend several days celebrating with us this year!

Here's the recap:

morning gift ... angry bird

breakfast gift ... 3d shark book

and then off to Jumpin' Jacks for lots of fun!

Ethan got to invite 3 good friends - Tristan Clegg, Ethan Mouritsen and Grace Hale. They played and played and played. So did Marley and mommy and daddy and Nana!

Then back home for a pinata and birthday cake. We played for about an hour with his lunch present ... a stomp rocket!

His primary teachers (for the second year), the Gallops, made a surprise appearance and gave him a very generous gift! They are sooo cool!

Dinner was pancakes! Daddy made all kinds of cool designs, he is so fancy! We opened some presents and he got some pretty cool ones. Mommy and daddy bought him a plasma car, so fun! He got a few special calls from family ... so cute to watch him talk (or not) on the phone. It was a long day but his birthday party wasn't over yet!

Papa came up on Saturday still in time to give him a present and some birthday spankings. We got together and opened a few more presents ... grandpa Yergensen gave him a super cool helicopter which EVERYONE likes to play with. Daddy even made the cake this year ... a yummy carrot cake.

I am always a bit surprised when birthdays come around. It was shocking, a bit annoying, a little depressing, and so amazing that my little boy is now 5. Next year he will start school but I know he will always be my cuddly, sweet, kind, tender-hearted boy.

Fun with Nana ... and her camera!

2011-11-01T17:42:00.001-06:00

A man and his grill ...

2011-09-24T21:24:00.002-06:00

Scott couldn't stand it that his grill was grilling unevenly and basically rusting away - we need a new one but that will have to wait till next spring. His brilliant idea? Take the sucker apart and vacuum it out! Oh, the things that man will do for the love of his grill!

Random Thoughts by Ethan

2011-09-24T13:23:00.003-06:00

I walked by Ethan's room a couple of days ago and noticed he had his Book of Mormon out and was flipping through it. He turned and saw me smiling at him and he said, "I need to know my scriptures so I can be a good missionary - Miss Brenda told me! I'm going on a mission someday!"

A couple of weeks ago we were at the church for a playgroup and Ethan needed to go to the bathroom. As he was doing his business he informed me that the toilet was broken and that Jesus better come and fix it! "It's Jesus' house right? He needs to come fix his toilet."

Last night poor Ethan was sick and threw up in the middle of the night. He was up out of his bed and I helped him make it to the bathroom. Of course he was standing right in front of it and not even a tenth of the barf made it IN to the toilet. Then he started crying and told me he already "throwed up" on his bed ... "and now I'm not going to have anywhere to sleep for the rest of the night!"

Fall Soccer 2011 Pictures

2011-09-23T15:27:00.000-06:00

Fall Soccer 2011

2011-09-18T22:45:00.002-06:00

Kid Pics 2011

2011-09-14T08:26:00.010-06:00

For absolutely gorgeous pictures ... check out Amy Schofield Photography!

Park City ... with Nana and Papa

2011-08-30T21:46:00.003-06:00

My parents were in Park City on vacation with some friends for the week and luckily they invited us to come and hang out this weekend before they headed home. We went swimming and spent the night. It was so much fun.

We were talking about the Olympic Park and the bobsled ride. Scott has been wanting to go on this ride for a long time now. It is the entire length of the Olympic's bobsled track and it reaches speeds up to 70 mph and 4Gs!

Well, it turns out that my dad went on it himself this week! What a daredevil! AND there was an extra coupon! Scott couldn't resist then ... he was determined to go. It's pretty expensive, even with the coupon, so I was just going to let him go on his own. I think my dad was a little surprised - I'm pretty sure he has always been impressed with the crazy adrenaline-seeking stunts I've pulled in my past. I told him it was just too much and I was fine with Scott going by himself (although I have to admit I was cringing with a touch, or maybe more, of jealousy). So you know what he did?!?!? He pulled $50 bucks out of his pocket and threw it down on the table. I know, right?!?!? So cool.

Off we went ...

It was pretty much one of the coolest things I've ever done. It started off pretty easy and I was laughing and thinking, "no problem-o" ... and then it started to go faster and faster ... till I couldn't laugh any more, it was physically impossible. I wanted to scream but I couldn't ... I couldn't even breathe! We would go around the corner and all of the advice they had given you just flew right out the window, all you could do was just hold on!

4, count them ... FOUR ... big ol' Gs, baby! Crazy I tell ya'!

Ethan was so enthralled with the map of the Olympic Park and the bobsled ride we had taken. He kept looking at it over and over, pointing out this and that, figuring out how we got from the top to the bottom.

Next we went down the alpine coaster ride. It's a pretty fantastic ride! You should really try it. I went with Ethan and he laughed and laughed the whole up AND down. And it was my mom was the one who wanted to go ... I love it so much that my mom really likes doing fun stuff. She is a cool mom ... always trying new things, always up for an adventure, she loves to laugh and joke and have so much fun. I always laugh when I am with her, she makes everyone smile.

And of course some ice cream to top off the day!

Utah Lake Fun

2011-08-30T16:34:00.004-06:00

We spent an amazingly perfect day out on Utah Lake this weekend. Everything about it was perfect. The day was gorgeous, the water was as smooth as glass. AND we were with some seriously fun friends - the Dunn's were so nice to invite us. It's so good to have friends with fun toys! I knee boarded for the first time since I was a teenager, Marley knee boarded for the very first time, I got some skiing in, we swam, swam, swam, and had some serious fun on the tube.

I LOVE going to the lake. I have the most excellent childhood memories of the lake ... sitting on the bow of the boat, skipping across the lake, hitting each swell and jouncing up and down, the wind slapping my face and twisting my hair, watching the spray of the water arc as we crashed back down after hitting a wave - someone else's wakes, listening to the roar of the engine as we jetted off after the no wake zone, feeling the sun sink into my skin and peering out in the horizon on a beautiful clear day. It's almost magical to me, maybe because it evokes such strong memories ... or maybe just because it's so beautiful. I love the laughing, the cheering, feeling so strong and athletic, seeing my kid's faces and knowing they feel just the same as me, and knowing that I am creating the same memories for them. It's absolute heaven.

I think I might need a boat of my own!

5, no 7, no 8!

2011-08-24T12:00:00.002-06:00

Last month marked the 8th year of marriage for me and my honey. I was actually gone to Girls Camp on our actual anniversary so I promised I would do something super fun and different to make it up to him. So we rented a car and went on a little getaway. We stayed in Salt Lake for the night, went to a Spanish tapas restaurant and then went on a mini road trip the next day. We drove up to Evanston through the canyons and then back down Mirror Lake Highway. It makes me happy that we both love to drive around, check out the sights and just enjoy spending time together. HE makes me happy.

Swim Lessons

2011-08-23T11:45:00.002-06:00

We did a couple of sessions of swim lessons this summer. My kids must be half fish because they love it so much and they are such awesome swimmers! I started Marley off in Level 2 again this summer but she passed that level and the next one! Ethan could only be registered for Pre-school level since he's not 5 yet but as soon as they saw what a good little swimmer he is they moved him up. He will be starting at Level 2 next session.

Mi Familia

2011-08-22T12:57:00.002-06:00

Trying to get mom and Kattie and everyone else in the picture before the 5 second timer went off ... We tried like 5 times but we gave up and settled for this one. You know what? I love it. See those huge smiles ... that is what it's like the whole time I am with my sisters and my mom. We laugh and totally crack each other up. We stayed up till midnight at our retreat just playing games and laughing. My stomach muscles were literally sore the next day from the workout they got that night. There's nothing in this whole worlds like the love and friendship of a sister!

Back to School!

2011-08-22T10:09:00.005-06:00

Marley loves loves loves school. She woke me up at 7:30 ... dressed and ready to go! She is so excited to start 2nd grade. Her new teacher is Mrs. Bytheway and she thinks she is so pretty! I think it's going to be a great year!I drove her to school and walked her in to take a few pictures of her in new class. It was so cute! Her new teacher is super adorable and she really likes her new desk ... but mostly she just wanted me to leave and let her get started. The look on her face is saying ... "OK, you can GO now ..."

Marley's Birthday!

2011-07-23T09:11:00.000-06:00

Birthday Girl ... turned 7 this year!

We had a family party ... macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and broccoli for dinner.

We opened presents and she got lots! Her big present this year was super special ... a beach cruiser bike that is black with hot pink flames ... just like her mommy's!

Friend Party!!!!

We were supposed to have a swim / dolphin / mermaid party this year but an hour before it started there was some thunder and lightning. It stopped long enough to do the pinata and some other games outside but mostly we stayed inside and played charades and laughed and danced. We had such a fun time with friends ... and her special friend Cortney was here all the way from South Dakota, it made the day extra special. Kendrick, Zoe, Dillan and Chloe also came.

My Father ...

2011-06-19T14:01:00.007-06:00

Happy Father's Day to my daddy! And, yes, sometimes I have been known to still occasionally call him "daddy". He was quite the catch in his younger days! OK - he is still pretty darn handsome.
He always made sure we went on a family vacation every year! We got to go to some pretty fun and exciting places over the years. Sometimes I give him a hard time for being a penny-pincher but really he has been extremely generous to me over the years. My dad is quite the outdoorsman. He loves to hunt and fish. Needless to say we all learned to fish and handle guns while we were quite young. Sometimes I felt really bad for him that he never had any sons and I felt compelled to be a bit of a tomboy for his sake. While he was the bishop he put all of that away for quite a long time in order to serve ... but recently we think he is trying to make up for lost time! He seems to have a fishing or hunting trip at least once a month this year! He truly taught me the importance of service, dedication and obedience to the Lord. He has a testimony of the Savior and bore his testimony to me and I felt the spirit when I was young.My dad was looking at Marley at church today and trying to make her laugh. He stuck a finger up his nose and then pretended to wipe it on my mom's dress. Then he stuck it in his mouth. Marley was giggling so hard we got a dirty look from the lady in front of us. Most of the time I tend to think that I got my sense of humor from my mom but really my dad is just as crazy. He has been known to do some pretty crazy stuff for a laugh ... like putting on a dress and putting a cricket in his mouth just to name a few!
My dad taught us by example the importance of hard work, tradition, how to feel loved and how to love others. I know my husband is a good man because I know what a good man is.I love you, daddy!

Sisters ... yay for Tricia!

2011-06-16T10:40:00.003-06:00

This post is in honor of Tricia finally coming along and eventually fixing my awful hair! I got my hair done last night and it makes me so very happy!
I think this a first day of school picture, maybe 5th grade? And it definitely it looks like a got a homemade perm from my mother. Don't you just love the bangs?

Sisters!

2011-06-15T11:20:00.002-06:00

I am in Arizona visiting my family this week. At the end of the week we are going on a Girls Retreat - sisters (and mom) ONLY. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am! So in honor of this special weekend I am posting sister pictures all week long!

So cute ...

2011-06-14T10:36:00.005-06:00

No, I am not old enough that we grew up in the 50's - the poodle skirts were part of a cute little lip sync my mom put together for us for the ward talent show ... "I Will Follow Him" Little Peggy March. It had choreography and everything! And she MADE the poodle skirts, she is one talented momma! I'm pretty sure me and Callie and Lindsey still know all the words and movements too (they weren't that complicated). And no, if you ask me, I will not perform for you. :)

Sisters ...

2011-06-13T10:20:00.000-06:00

Still no Tricia ... but aren't we cute?

4 of 5 ... aren't we CUTE!

2011-06-11T13:04:00.000-06:00

Puppies

2011-06-08T19:58:00.001-06:00

Spring Soccer

2011-05-19T15:57:00.003-06:00

Marley and Ethan both did Spring Soccer this year and they both loved it. I've heard a few funny (and quite accurate) nicknames for kid soccer - such as bunch ball, herd ball. They don't learn a lot of technique at this age, just mostly agility to kick the ball and head towards the goal. At the start they were hanging back a bit and didn't want to join the ball frenzy. They totally improved from the beginning of the year though and by the end were super excited about getting the ball. I was so proud of both of them.

Marley's Pillow Party

2011-05-13T14:46:00.002-06:00

Marley had some friends and their favorite pillows over to watch movies and eat movie-type junk food. She was even nice enough to let her brother stay and watch too.

Park City!

2011-05-11T09:02:00.007-06:00

For Spring Break we took a trip up to Park City. We had so much fun swimming, walking around downtown and taking silly pictures.

The pool had an indoor/outdoor section and you could swim under the door to the outside. It snowed a lot while we were there and it was pretty cool to swim in the nice warm water while it was snowing on our heads. On a couple of days there was so much steam coming up off the water that you couldn't see ten feet in front of you!

Uncle Mark and Aunt Heather had a time share week they weren't using and let us have it! Aren't they soooo cool? The condo was so fun - two rooms, fireplace, kitchen, jacuzzi tub. Very cozy. The first night we were there we had a babysitter drive up and stay in the extra room while Scott and I went out on a date. We went to Main Street Pizza & Noodle in downtown and then came back and got our swimsuits on to go down the hot tubs. The hot tubs were outside and it was snowing like crazy. So our heads and faces were freezing cold but the hot tubs were super hot!

There was an activity center onsite and it had all kinds of things to do for the kids. We did something almost every day! One night was Parent's Night Out - you can drop your kids off and they will watch a movie and eat some pizza while you go out to dinner. Wonderful idea! Marley was even more excited about it then we were! We dropped them off and walked to dinner at a barbecue place downtown and then walked around for a while before we went to pick up the kids. The people watching them were really nice and said they had a great time, and then I asked about dinner - the sitter said that Marley had eaten FIVE pieces of pizza! Great! I was worried all night that she was going to barf.

Some of our fun activities ...

Ethan wasn't happy about the frog he painted and was mad I wanted to take his picture. He said that he wasn't happy because his frog didn't have a mouth ... so I painted a frowny face on the frog and took a picture of them side by side! They look like twins! HA!

He DID like the tie-dye activity though and they came home with super cool pillow cases!

On one of the days we went to the Hogle Zoo.

That was quite the adventure. We got there, rode the train, walked by a few animals, rode the Carousel, walked by a few more animals ... and Marley starts saying her tummy hurts. Uh-oh. I don't know what it was - the windy car ride through Parley's Canyon, her reading her book while we were driving, the train, the around and around of the carousel or the pizza from the night before but she did not feel good. We stopped for a rest but she was in no mood to keep going around the rest of the zoo. Fortunately for us we had stopped right at the back entrance! We didn't quite know for sure if Scott could drive to that parking lot but he went to get the car with Ethan and find out! He had only been gone for about five minutes when Marley totally lost her breakfast all over her shoes. So gross. Daddy thankfully pulled up and we got her in the car. Poor girl was so exhausted she fell right to sleep! I guess Ethan didn't have anyone to talk to so he fell asleep too! It was a quiet ride back to Park City. She took a little nap when we got back and then woke up and felt just fine, no more tummy aches and no more barfing. Phew!

Scott went back to work for a few days during the week while me and the kids stayed to play. So the next day we did a little shopping at the Outlets and my super fun friend Kari came up with her kiddos! (I got a bunch of cute stuff, hooray!) and the kids played and played. We ate some oh-so-yummy lunch at McD's and then went back to the condo for some swimming.

We also took a trip to the Olympic Park and toured the museum, it was very cool. Funny how I still get a little choked up thinking about the Olympics, it's so full of emotions. Scott and I were first dating around that time and I worked in downtown Salt Lake. We went to several of the evening performances and he even got to go to the Closing Ceremonies with his dad.

We did a lot of swimming while daddy was at work and I did a lot of reading. YAY! But thankfully Scott came back at the end of the week. We thought Main Street Pizza & Noodle was so yummy we took the kids back on the last night we were there.

We had an amazing vacation. Marley said her favorite part was always getting to open the door with the cool key and the swimming. Ethan loved the swimming too - they are both little fishies. We did a lot of fun things, have some fantastic memories and we got to spend a lot of happy time together as a family. What could be better?

Crazy Cake Baby

2011-05-10T14:40:00.001-06:00

Have you seen these videos? They are freakin' hilarious!!!

Crazy Cake Baby

Peekaboo

Happy Mother's Day Mom

2011-05-07T17:41:00.004-06:00

This is my Mother's Day present to my amazing mother ...

Ten Reasons Why We Love NANA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tx3bqdjiHE

We love you sooo much! Hope you have a fabulous Mother's Day and remember that we love you so much and miss you, can't wait to see you soon!

Easter

2011-04-24T11:26:00.001-06:00

Marley's notes ...

2011-04-01T08:33:00.002-06:00

Marley woke me up on Sunday morning by some tapping on my arm, a couple of hand gestures to her throat and with some notes in front of my face.

Dear Mom ... I have important news for you. Here it is - Mom, I have lost my voice. I don't think we can go to church.

Dear Mom ... I might just have to make signs today 'cause no one could hear me. And you might be able to hear me but my throat would hurt.

I think she was trying to get out of going to church, what do you think?

The funny thing is that she only tried to pull it off for about five minutes and then she was talking in her normal voice and went and got dressed for church. I guess she remembered she likes church. I can't wait until she actually doesn't like going!

Marley's Report Card

2011-03-25T15:09:00.003-06:00

We had SEP Conferences yesterday and Mrs. Anderson had some really cool things to say about Marley. We won't discuss the fact that she talks a little too much in class (oops!) here but WE WILL talk about what a smarty pants she is!
She got all Es (Exceeding End of Year Standard) in all areas, including math, but her greatest achievements ...
The 1st Grade end of year expectation reading level (based on A-Z levels) is an I. She started the year off at level F and now she is at an ... R! That is already 5th grade level.
Her fluency level ... she is supposed to be able to read 1st grade words at 60 words per minute. She did 138 words but in only 40 seconds, and ran out of words!
She is doing so great! She loves to read and it shows. I am very proud of you Marley!

Hi-YA!

2011-03-21T22:30:00.002-06:00

Marley's been doing a karate class for a month. At the end of the month, if she earned enough stripes for her belt, she got to break a board. She earned the stripes by completing "self disciple" sheets - doing all kinds of things around the house and school without being told. She worked really hard at it but I don't think she really thought she was going to be able to break a board. But ... check it out!

:)

2011-03-20T20:30:00.000-06:00

Marley's new pets ...

2011-03-17T22:40:00.005-06:00

It rained yesterday and today our sidewalk was covered with hundreds of dried up dead worms. So gross.

I remember when we were little and my dad took us fishing - one of my little sisters (I can't remember now if it was Lindsey or Kattie???) decided she liked the worms better than the fish. She made friends with one in particular and wanted to take it home instead of sacrificing it on the hook. My mom actually let her wrap it in a paper towel and let her sleep with it! She laid it next to her on her pillow! In the morning it was, of course, deceased ... and gross. I think she was pretty sad but that's what worms do, right? They die. And they're gross. Of course, I also might be sensationalizing in my head this memory of mine, but I'm pretty sure it happened. With what happened today it could totally be true.

So Marley found some live ones this afternoon and decided she liked them and wanted to keep them. She put several in a mason jar. I suggested she might want to add some dirt. Then she asked what she should she feed them? Um, I have no idea. Mostly because I've never heard of someone wanting to keep worms for pets. She hasn't gotten to naming them yet so I'm hoping this is not a permanent fixation and tomorrow they will be dead and she won't dig up anymore. But for now she has a few new pets. Pet worms. And NO she will not be sleeping with them on her pillow!

Should I let her keep them, Amy? :) I KNOW you are going to love this!

Journal Entry

2011-03-16T21:28:00.004-06:00

This blog is my journal ... just so ya know. And not only does it contain cute stories and funny things and good memories ... it is also going to contain some thoughts. I know you're in shock. I promise you they won't be too deep so don't get all weird on me. I'm not a terribly deep person anyways so don't worry. There are just some things that I need to write down - 1. for me to remember, 2. so someday my children will know, 3. probably lots of other good reasons too.

There was a Relief Society activity tonight. And I didn't want to go. I don't really know why I didn't want to go. In fact I complained to several people about not wanting to go but never really coming up with a valid reason why, just lots of whining and saying bratty things. But I had a small part to do and felt obligated so I made myself just do it. I was talking to my good friend Amy, complaining, and we discussed the possibility that it was Satan trying to convince me to stay home. I'm glad I didn't.

It was about gratitude. I've been feeling a lot lately like I don't have very much to be grateful for right now. In fact staying positive is downright exhausting. I fake being happy, not very well, and usually only to everyone else but my family. And I come away feeling exhausted and that I have nothing left for them. I feel like I'm totally failing as a mom (and wife) right now.

I'm not mad at Heavenly Father. I'm just tired. Too tired to feel spiritual.

Tonight I realized that I need to give more praise to my Father in Heaven, to thank him for small daily miracles. I know that if I grew to think more positively about life then life itself will truly be more positive. And I need to stop complaining. I have so many blessings that I SHOULD FEEL HAPPY. My basic point is this ... Heavenly Father WANTS us to be happy. He is trying to teach me to look beyond the right now - because it's so temporary, so small to Him and what I really need to do is to have enough faith to know how little this means in the big picture.

So - tonight Sis. Lee told us about a study that said (I think I remember correctly) that the more you acknowledge the good things in your life, your happiness level will increase by 25%. So whatever it is right now then next week it will be 25% better until by some future date (hopefully not too distant) I will again be at my own personal happiness level.

I have always known that my children are just a mirror of me, that mom is the sole person responsible for the mood in the home. So why shouldn't I be having problems with my kids and their behavior? They are picking up on my own anxiety and stress and sadness. Of course they are misbehaving, they are probably having anxiety too! I just hope I haven't done any irreparable damage to them in the last several months. They are resilient, right?

I'm really going to try to be more grateful for my day to day life. Find the happiness in the little things, ie. my little children. Be so grateful for a husband that certainly takes better care of me than I deserve. My normal days. SMILE MORE, LAUGH more, BE SILLY more.

These are the words that Sis. Greer gave to me tonight to read to everyone even though I think it might have just been for me.

Let Me Hold You While I May

By Mary Jean Irion

The day is over; now I will sleep. It has been a normal sort of day, common like a rock along the path. Nothing about it would make one exclaim over it, as one might do with a shell or a glistening piece of quartz. It was just a rock, lying there along my way. But now, knowing that it is about to go from me forever, I hold it in my hand curiously, turning it this way and that, marking its shape and texture, weighing it on my palm. What was it really, this normal day?

It was routine, mostly....washing, ironing, a trip to the store, meals, dishes--the common denominators of women's days.

It was pleasant here and there...a letter from an old friend, my husband's telephone call for no reason, a back fence chat with my neighbor, half an hour with a good book, some loud laughs with the children at dinner time.

It was irritating now and then....a sticky ocean of spilled maple syrup, mealtime with one greedy child and one finicky one, the arrival of a bill unexpectedly high, a persistent salesman's theft of fifteen beautiful minutes.

It was deeply joyous at times... the whole house glorified with the strains of the new "Greensleeves" record; our unliterary twelve-year-old's first book (begun today, to be finished tomorrow) with its dedication--to wonder of wonders--his parents; our eight-year-old and her friend playing dress-up, painted and perfumed, scarved and veiled, clattering through the kitchen in spike heels and courtesaned innocence.

It was sobering and frightening in some ways...Mom's waning health and increasing discouragement; the big blow up after dinner about homework and learning to accept responsibility, and the guilt that followed my hasty words; The vague, huge uncertainties that draped themselves over us, cobweb-like, with the ten o'clock news from a tense and shadowed world.

It was blessed with love throughout...in a pig-shaped breadboard made and presented to me by my son; in the wave of feeling as I watched our little daughter sleeping in soft moonlight, her long lashes shadowing her cheek; in an hour alone with my husband at the end of day.

Just a normal day. A normal day! It is a jewel! In time of war, in peril of death, people have dug their hands and faces into the earth and remembered this. In time of sickness and pain, people have buried their faces in pillows and wept for this. In time of loneliness and separation, people have stretched themselves taut and waited for this. In time of hunger, homelessness, want, people have raised bony hands to the skies and stayed alive for this....

Normal Day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want more than all the world, your return.

Ethan's Primary Talk

2011-03-13T13:21:00.001-06:00

Ethan gave a talk today in Primary! It was the Sunbeams week this time (and since he is actually a CTR4 but refuses to go to his correct class and instead stays with his old Sunbeam teachers) he got chosen to give a talk. He did a great job but was super nervous. I actually wrote quite a bit more than this for him but had to cut it down more than half as we were going because otherwise it would have taken over an hour. I whispered in his ear and he said the words into the microphone. After I sat down and asked Scott how it sounded he said it sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher! Oh well - I thought it was pretty darn cute.

Heavenly Father loves us so He gave us the scriptures.

They teach us about His plan for us.

In the Book of Mormon there is a story about 2000 stripling warriors who were brave and had faith because their mothers taught them the right way.

I know Heavenly Father wants us to listen and obey our parents.

I know that if we do what is right we live with our families together forever and we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus.

I am thankful for my parents who teach me to live the gospel, I love my family and the scriptures.

I am thankful for the gospel and the plan of salvation.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ – amen.

Marley's Primary Talk

2011-02-28T22:21:00.002-07:00

Marley gave a talk in Primary on Sunday ... she told me what she wanted to say, I helped her find a story, we wrote it down together and she gave it all by herself! Everyone said they were so impressed with the talk and also what a great reader she is! We were so proud of the great job she did.

The scriptures teach us of Heavenly Father’s plan.
Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to be nice to everyone. One of his commandments is that we love one another.
I found a great story in the Friend that talks about loving others. It’s about a 6 year old girl named Korbie that lives in Utah. It’s called My Friend.
Her favorite scripture is:
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).
At the beginning of the school year, I met a wonderful student. She has a big heart and is always willing to share anything of hers with other students. At first, most of them didn’t know how nice she was. Because she has some mental disabilities, sometimes she would do things that made them uncomfortable.
One day the music teacher asked my friend to perform some of the actions for the song we were practicing. When she started to dance, some of the other students began to laugh. I know that most people don’t like being laughed at, so I didn’t laugh at her. I thought about what Jesus would want me to do, and I kept quiet and enjoyed her cute dance.
In the mornings, while we are waiting to go into the school, my friend comes to see me first thing and gives me a big hug. We sit together at lunch as often as we can, and she always has a bright smile that makes me happy to be her friend. Sometimes I see her playing alone at recess, and I make an extra effort to play with her. It makes me sad when I can’t find a friend to play with, and I want my friend to be happy.
I like this story because when I read it to my mom it made me feel really warm inside. I hope that I can be like Korbie and be kind to others too.
I’d like to bear you my testimony that Jesus wants us to be nice to others. I know that people don’t like to be laughed at. It makes me feel sad when people are mean. It makes me feel good inside when you see your friends and everyone around you are happy. I like to make sure my friends at school always have someone to play with and they feel good. Jesus wants me to be nice to my little brother too. When my little brother is sad I like to give him some of my candy. When I share I feel good inside and warm in my heart.

Thumb Sucker

2011-02-27T20:03:00.006-07:00

Marley has a new love of Shel Silverstein and we like to read these poems together. But every time dad gets his turn to read he opens right up to ...

Oh the thumb-sucker's thumb

May looked wrinkled and wet

And withered, and white as the snow,

But the taste of the thumb

Is the sweetest taste yet

(As only we thumb-suckers know).

We used to think that thumb-sucking was so great! A built in pacifier that never got lost or worn out. I wish someone would have told us the downfalls of letting our baby suck her thumb. Because ... you can throw the pacis away! We learned our lesson with Ethan and he took a paci. When we were done with him sucking his beloved pacis - we tied them to balloons and he released them into the air to fly away to paci-heaven. I'm afraid, however, the thumb is permanently attached and hence the habit is much more difficult to break.

Marley has been trying really hard lately to stop sucking her thumb. Usually she doesn't do it during the day, only at nights or if she is really tired. It's so hard for her to fall asleep, though, if she isn't sucking her thumb. We finally convinced her how important it was and we came up with a reward for successfully completing her goal of no thumb for one whole week - she would get to go to the store and pick out a Barbie!

Challenge on!

Every night before bed she would put a band-aid on each of her thumbs so she would be reminded. It was working! On night six, however, she ran into a snag and couldn't find any more band-aids. So she improvised ...

She's so smart ... and committed! (Yes, those are socks on her hands.)

And finally she made it .... one whole week!

We are still putting band-aids on every night, just in case, but I think she has finally kicked the habit! Hooray!! Of course, we are still putting money away for the inevitable orthodontist bills but ... good-bye stinky, shriveled thumb!

Missing: 1 Tooth!

2011-02-24T21:12:00.003-07:00

So Marley went to school today with all of her teeth and came home missing one! I barely had time to get used to the idea that she had her first "loose" tooth!

I think she was starting to feel pretty left out at school, it seems like all the other kids had already lost one or two. She was so happy when she finally had a loose one! She informed me that "Mrs. Anderson is so great at pulling out teeth and was thinking that she could totally take care of it". I didn't think that it was anywhere close to being ready yet and I didn't want to miss the big moment so I told her she wasn't allowed to ask her teacher and she needed to do it at home. I guess she just couldn't wait - she got home and it was gone!

She was so excited and told me all about it! She just knew that Mrs. Anderson could pull it out! She was also so proud of herself for not crying - even though "there was blood all over"! She said she couldn't even talk well enough to tell her show and tell today because she had tissue in her mouth and she wasn't able to work on math, all she could do was sit and look at pictures in a book, she didn't even have strength enough to read the words, and she definitely wasn't able to pass off her "minus 5s" in math today. Oh the emotional drama of losing the first tooth!

She is so excited that the tooth fairy is coming tonight and informed me that she thinks the tooth fairy is probably going to bring her $100. I have a feeling it won't be that much.

Spring Cleaning

2011-02-23T16:17:00.002-07:00

Post-surgery - stuck in bed or sitting on the couch - not SUPPOSED to be lifting "heavy" things or vacuuming. There's something about not being ABLE to get up and clean that makes you feel your house is disgustingly dirty. To clarify - logically I know it's not really dirty because Scott does a really great job at keeping it all nice and tidy, but it just FEELS like that when I can't do it myself. Know what I mean? And Scott's definition of something "heavy" is pretty different than mine which makes him feel he needs to scold me anytime I pick up something weighing more than two pounds.
Anyways ... the girls in Young Women need to earn some money for camp this year so I had a brilliant idea! I had one of my cute little Beehives, Madelyn, come and help me do some cleaning! It has been working out quite well for both of us. She cleans floors, vacuums, does the bathrooms, and even helped me clean out and organize closets. And - just to let you know - she does a great job! She still has some more money to earn so if you need a hand around the house, she's your girl! An added benefit - she made it look so fun and cool that it made Marley and Ethan beg to help clean too!

Anyone having a girl?

2011-02-22T11:07:00.004-07:00

Is anyone having a baby girl any time soon? I seriously need a reason to buy some of these shoes! No? DARN! I should buy some just for me, they are so pretty they could be decorations.

My friend Christy makes them and she is seriously one talented chick!

Check them all out ... http://www.etsy.com/shop/LippyLouShoes?ref=seller_info

Birthday Celebration!

2011-02-21T15:53:00.003-07:00

The night before I turned 34 I cried.
Marley said, "Hey mom! Tomorrow is your birthday and you are going to be 34!"
And all of a sudden I lost it. I don't think I had EVER done that before. I generally am quite complacent about getting old. But for about two minutes I totally was not.
Scott looked at me like I was crazy but then put his arms around me and let me be sad about my wrinkles, my creaky bones, my stupid falling-apart body ... and then I realized that my honey had his arms around me, my kids hugged my knees and I thought, "What the heck?!? I have everything I could have and ever have wanted! Why would I need to be crying?"
So I stopped.
From there on out I had an absolutely fantastic birthday celebration. I guess I was having so much fun that I didn't even realize I had taken exactly two pictures.
I'm still pretty tired from surgery and get worn out pretty quickly, so the week was pretty exhausting but I loved every minute of it!
I am so thankful that I have such amazing friends! On my birthday there were a few that knew they weren't going to make it to GNO birthday dinner so they set up my favorite lunch! Mmmm ... thai food and lots of laughs. The kids played and we chatted for almost three hours!
That night my hubby and kiddos took me out to the Brick Oven for dinner. We got a booth and I sat next to Scott. We had some YUMMY pizza ... and I got two pictures on my phone.

We had brownies instead of a cake. Oh ya! Scott and the kids sang so cute to me ... but no pictures. I don't know what we were thinking! Never mind - I know what I was thinking - hurry and let's eat these brownies!!!
The next night we had a Girls Night Out. We went out to dinner and the Olive Garden. I tried to pick a place that Scott doesn't like to take me and Olive Garden is definitely one of those places - but that's a story for another post. We laughed A LOT and had so much fun. There was a huge crowd ... and no one thought to take any pictures! I guess that says a lot about what a good time we were having.
I am so thankful for my friends. I feel so overwhelmed when I think about how good they are to me, how thoughtful they are, how much they have taken care of me! I have seriously amazing friends. I feel so blessed.
I totally scored on presents this year ... Scott got me a candy bar, my favorite cologne (yes cologne for him which is definitely for me if you know what I mean), new sheets (HOORAY!!!), a new external hard drive that automatically backs up, and (of course) new running shoes! Isn't he so good to me?
So I guess 34 isn't so bad. It's actually been quite great so far. No reason to cry that's for sure ... just lots and lots and hugs and even more laughs. Hooray for getting old.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-21T15:28:00.002-07:00

This year for Valentine's Day we went all out! The kids helped me decorate and we had a beautiful ALL RED / PINK dinner. We even got out the fancy china and Scott brought home a gorgeous bouquet that we used for the centerpiece.
Steak for the grown-ups, sloppy joes for the kiddos, pink rolls, red potatoes, and a red / pink layered jello salad. There were lots of happy faces and hugs and kisses!

Marley draws a picture ...

2011-01-24T15:34:00.006-07:00

This just about sums up the last while for me and my family. Marley made me a quick drawing last night. "I will always love you even if you are mean." Ya - ouch. I am having surgery tomorrow and hopefully I will be on the path back to being a nice mommy. I know I'm not ALWAYS grouchy but I am way more than I would like to be.

I love my babies so much. They are the world to me. I would do anything for them. I realized today that this means that I need to be the mommy they need me to be. I promise I will laugh and smile and hug them more. I also love my husband - and the same things I promise my kids needs to be for him too. I promise to laugh and smile and hug them ALL more.

Up.

2011-01-13T14:44:00.002-07:00

Ethan was playing with some helium balloons, leftovers from YW on Tuesday, and I jokingly said, "Maybe I should just tie these balloons to your toes and you can go flying!"

So Ethan says, "You can't tie those to my toes 'cuz I would fly away up to heaven and maybe I would be gone forever ... and I would miss you, mom!"

Ethan gets the mail.

2011-01-11T11:31:00.005-07:00

I am about to tell you a funny story about Ethan but, first, I need to preface it with the fact that Scott thinks I am a "present snoop". I admittedly have been a bit nosy in the past. I seem to always know what I am getting for Christmas or my birthday beforehand. This is the truth - Scott is a bad liar and an even worse hider. Yes, I sometimes snoop, but usually he just makes it too easy for me to find things. This story has NOTHING to do with me snooping.
Yesterday morning I turned on a computer game for Ethan and hopped in the shower. When I got out I listened to hear the computer game still going and no screaming or crying coming from his direction so I started to blow dry my hair. After a few minutes, the door opened and in walked Ethan with a shoebox - "Look, mom ... the mail guy brought you a new pair of shoes." He opened the shoebox and, sure enough, there were a brand new pair of running shoes. Knowing my birthday is coming up next month I am assuming that Scott must have bought them for me ... especially considering Ethan doesn't know my shoe size, can't read, hence can't order them himself from Amazon.com ... but how in the world did he end up with them? The front door is dead bolted and locked at the tip top with a latch he can't reach, the back door is dead bolted and the garage door is closed.
"Um, where in the world did you get these?"
"The mail guy brought them for you. Aren't they beautiful?"
"Why, yes, they are - but how did you get them?"
"FROM the MAIL GUY, MO-OM!"
I walk downstairs to find that in his attempt to open the front door, Ethan had moved the big chair in the front room. Obviously he couldn't reach so he moved the shoe basket to the door. He still aparently couldn't reach because the top latch was still latched, and so he moved on.
My snow shoes are laying in the kitchen, there is a stool next to the garage door and the garage is OPEN. OK - so he figured out how to open the garage, great. He must have gone out and got the package because there are bits of cardboard box all over the ground.
But no box.
Where is the box?
"Ethan, where is the box the shoes came in?"
"I don't know."
At this point, I am thinking I could have put the shoes back in the box and sealed it back up and let Scott think I never saw the shoes. But I can't FIND the BOX.
So I call Scott.
"You aren't going to believe me but what I am about to tell you is the truth. Ethan brought in a box from outside, opened it up and brought me a new pair of running shoes."
Scott - "Those were supposed to be for your BIRTHDAY!"
"Yes, I was assuming that. They are beautiful. Thank you. But it wasn't me who opened the box, I wasn't snooping. Ethan did it."
Scott - "Ya, right. Why should I even believe you?"
"Because if I had snooped I would have looked, wrapped them back up and pretended like I didn't know what they are. Instead I am calling you and telling you about Ethan opening up the box and showing me my birthday present. I can't even find the box they came in. And I am assuming the box isn't even useable anymore because there are bits of it all over the floor."
Scott - "Hmmm ... whatever ... well, do they fit?" I hang up not knowing for sure if he really beleives me.
I look outside, in the garbage, in his room and still can't find it. Finally I opened up the door to Scott's office and there's the box, ripped to shreds and a sticky butter knife amidst the wreckage.
I leave it exactly how I find it so Scott can have a good laugh when gets home (and for evidence to support my case) and I give him a call.
Scott says, "OK, well you know the guy I work with that is studying to be a forensic detective? He's taken a class in fingerprinting and he is coming home with me tonight to do some tests."
HAHA! He laughed and the guy didn't really show up so I am thinking he actually does believe me.
And can you guess what our Family Home Evening lesson was on last night? Yup - never opening the door by yourself. Think he learned his lesson? Probably not.

The opposite of a white Christmas ...

2011-01-03T09:35:00.008-07:00

Arizona at Christmas time - let me paint you a picture - kids running around outside in shorts and short sleeved shirts, no shoes. It was a balmy 70 - 75 degrees. No snow in sight! It was perfect.

Did I miss the white Christmas? Not one bit. I was surrounded by all of my family and we were having such a fun time that I didn't even have time to miss the freezing cold wind and slick ice.

And I finally got to cuddle my newest little nephew - Derreck. He is so such a good baby! He absolutely loves to cuddle.

One of the main things I was looking forward to doing was being with my family on Christmas Eve. We have a long standing tradition - a Christmas program and we act out the Nativity story. When we were little we would dress up ourselves as angels and wisemen. But now there are so many grandchildren that they get a chance to take the parts.

This year Marley and Anthony were May and Joseph, Derreck was supposed to be baby Jesus but that didn't work out so well. When Marley found out that she was Mary and Derreck was Jesus, she said, "I can't hold that big ol' baby!" He is quite the chunk and although he didn't love laying in the manger she still got a chance to hold him and got kind of attached to him.

The Three Wisemen were played by Kobe, Ethan and Markus. We probably should have rethunk that idea because their part was last - that meant that they spent more time unsupervised in the wings waiting to go out for their turn than they should have. I kept looking over and they were helping themselves to all of the treats in the kitchen! Those little sneakers.

It was a really special night - not that the program itself was all that memorable but the feeling I have while sitting and singing being surrounded by my most precious loved ones. I really hope it's something my children will always remember.

After our program, my dad had a surprise. Papa gave all the boys a special present this year. He bought every one of them a camouflage jacket. Oh boy, there was some good looking guys in that room! It sure was a fun thing for all the guys. Me and my sisters kind of looked at each other and snidely remarked that this was the first year that he ever really seemed to like buying gifts for anyone - and it's only because he finally has sons. Geez. I guess he deserves it, he says he spent so much time wrapping up Barbies and ponies over the years that he was happy he finally got to buy stuff that HE was interested in and for guys that would appreciate it.

The next morning we unwrapped a bunch of presents. The kids got just what they had asked for(plus a few more things) and were so happy!

Scott got some bike shoes and a bike jersey. I felt pretty spoiled (as usual). Scott bought me a new netbook!

Oh man! We had such a good time hanging out, playing in the warm weather. The kids loved spending time with their cousins! They all played so well together and I don't remember them having even one argument!

Their cousin Brintley is getting so big and she watched the kids so well, she is going to be an amazing babysitter and mother some day! Ethan just absolutely loved playing with her. For Christmas she saved up all of her money and bought each one of her cousins a ZhuZhu pet. I was so amazed at how selfless and giving she is.

Of course we had to have some Ranger rides. Papa took them on several! One night he even bundled them all up and took them all around the neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. It was the longest ride and they thoroughly enjoyed it! Of course he has to go super fast through the park, it's like a roller coaster! But any time he got close to the rocks, Ethan freaked out because he is still so scared of the "rock monsters".

It was such a great vacation - I even got to eat at my all time favorite pizza place ... twice!

The drive down was so long - almost 13 hours total. But it was so wonderful to have the minivan. The kids watched movies most of the way and then colored for a bit. Marley started off in the back, got bored and came to the front. But as soon as she started acting crazy we just sent her right on back again! They were real troopers - both there and back home. I don't know if I can convince Scott to do it EVERY year but it was so worth it. It was a very merry Christmas for the Yergensens!

BYU Basketball

2010-12-12T23:00:00.002-07:00

Scott bought his own birthday present early this year - BYU basketball tickets. BYU played Arizona up at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake. We went up a little early and watched the water show at the Gateway and enjoyed all of the Christmas decorations and holiday spirit. The game was so great - BYU smoked the wildcats and Ferdette was on fire! Ethan had a little too much popcorn but we had a great night!

Santa Mail

2010-12-12T22:44:00.003-07:00

We went to Riverwoods for FHE and to put our letters in the Santa Mail box. The whole place is a winter wonderland - full of lights and holiday spirit. They even have free carriage rides and you know we had to get in on that!

Bye-bye Jeep ... HELLO Odyssey!!

2010-12-09T13:10:00.003-07:00

WAHOO!
I am now officially a mini-van mom! Last night we traded in the Jeep for this beautiful Honda Odyssey. I feel totally spoiled rotten!

Some of you know that I have never wanted to be a mini van mom, in fact I made Scott promise when we got married that he would never make me drive one. BUT, in the last several months, I had started to really turn a corner. I have coveted my friends and their cool rides. And now we have officially crossed over to the other side. And, OF COURSE, Scott got an amazing deal. We were driving home last night and I felt so great about such a big purchase because I KNEW Scott found us the best deal out there. He is a seriously cool guy. It's totally loaded and now our trips to AZ are going to be a breeze. We are going to be riding in style!

Then we got home and could barely fit it in the garage! I guess we will have to do some rearranging to make it fit. It's huge ... and BEAUTIFUL!
I LOVE IT!!

Annual visit with Santa

2010-12-04T16:09:00.003-07:00

The kids got their annual visit with Santa this week!
Here's what they asked for ...
Ethan - Cars cars that change colors
Marley - a 2010 Collector Holiday Barbie (this was a surprise to me since for the last couple of weeks she said she was going to ask for a Moxie Girl hair thingamajig and I think Santa's spy elves may have already ordered it for her, oops)

I was a little surprised that noone cried or showed any nervousness to sit on the big guy's lap. Ethan hesitated for a brief moment and then hopped right on!
We were listening to Christmas tunes on the way to the mall and the song "He's making a list, checking it twice" came on. We were singing along and when it gets to the part "better not cry" - Ethan had an a-ha moment! "I can't cry?!?!?" Uh-oh.

It has begun ...

2010-12-04T15:59:00.002-07:00

Winter ... boo.
I'm still always a little shocked when the first big snow storm hits. Growing up in Arizona, we would have to drive several hours before we found anything that came close to this kind of snow. I think it's so beautiful and the world looks so clean and white ... but I also get a little blue. Today was nice and warm and all the snow has melted by now but I know there are so many months ahead of us that we will miss the warm sun and I have to find indoor things for the kids to do to put off cabin fever. Maybe I should take the kids sledding the next time it snows, that always cheers me up!

Thanksgiving / Yergensen Christmas

2010-12-03T21:07:00.005-07:00

This was the year that Mark and Heather come to Utah for Thanksgiving (they rotate between Utah and Texas). We had a super fun time hanging out, baking ... and since we would not be together for Christmas, we had the Yergensen portion of Christmas a whole month early! The kids were delighted, for obvious reasons.

School Pictures - Marley 1st Grade

2010-11-13T12:03:00.001-07:00

Halloween

2010-11-09T09:05:00.004-07:00

I think Halloween turned out pretty darn good this year! I usually buy the costumes but this year I was actually feeling somewhat crafty. I did a lot of sewing (and hot glue-ing) and came up with some pretty cute costumes. Marley was a cowgirl, she is still in LOVE with horses. And Ethan was Mickey Mouse - his very favorite show right now is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! It was a good thing my mom was here the week before - she helped put on some of the finishing touches plus the Mickey ears, I don't think I could have pulled those off by myself.

There was quite a few Halloween activities. Marley's school had a Halloween parade and we went and watched the kids tour the school in their costumes. We got up that morning and put on her costume for school - and her pants ripped. I guess that's why you need to follow a pattern. I stitched them up and sent her on her way. I was having some pretty severe anxiety that they would rip again, this time at school, so I brought her a change of pants for after the parade. She looked so cute!

The Trunk or Treat was super fun and delicious. I dressed them both up - plus myself in my glorious 80s outfit. Some day they are going to either think I was a pretty cool mom ... or a total dork. I am betting on the latter. Oh well. Unfortunately, Marley's pants ripped again and this time they were totally unfixable. I ran home and got her some jeans - she still looked like a pretty awesome cowgirl.

Trick or treating started off as a pretty rough night. It was POURING rain ... but they MUST HAVE the candy so what can you do, right? You can't just skip trick or treating because of a little rain. So off we went ... Scott drove us to some doors with the car and we jumped out with umbrella in hand. Ethan needed a hat, his Mickey ears weren't cutting it - so he morphed for the night into Cowboy Mickey, complete with cowboy hat instead of ears. It was pretty hilarious actually. The rain finally let up and we walked the rest of the neighborhood, got a pretty good haul of the sweet stuff. I think their favorite part though was coming home and handing out candy to the other trick or treaters. It was so cute to hear them open the door and hand out the candy and say, "Happy Halloween!" Marley was having so much fun that she started donating her own candy to the cause. Ethan started to copy her and put his candy in the give-away bowl too, but then he realized that would mean all his good stuff would be gone so he took it back out.

It was a pretty awesome Halloween. I love my family and these amazing memories we are creating together!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-27T13:03:00.007-06:00

I really like Halloween, I've always thought it was so fun! I love dressing my kids up in cute little outfits and seeing their happy (sugar amped) smiles. I love watching them run from door to door and grab handfuls of candy. What I do not love is dressing up myself. I know I used to, when I was a kid. So what changed it all? I remember being a ballerina, Pippi Longstockings - it was so fun and I was so darn cute! Well, I know the exact year it all changed. My seventh grade year. My mom had this great idea for a costume - she started ratting my hair, and ratting and ratting and ratting. Then she sprayed it orange. Then she painted my face, my whole face. All my sisters were all dressed up so cute and I was this big, orange ... scary something. And off we went to the ward Halloween party. I was so embarassed. Beyond embarassed.

So I think that lately I have had a change of heart. This year I actually dressed up and went to the YW Halloween carnival. Was I still embarassed? Um, ya. 'Cuz I just look pretty darn silly. I think I just don't take myself as seriously as I used to. I don't know - but you are witnessing a big change here. In the spirit of the holiday - I am actually posting the proof of an actual costume! Happy Halloween! It's 80's chic, just in case you can't tell!

Fun Run!

2010-10-27T11:43:00.002-06:00

If anyone knows Marley then you know that she is a competitive little girl. Everything is a race with her - eating first, getting to the car first, buckling up first, getting ready for bed first. She makes everything a competition. Luckily, Ethan doesn't understand yet and he always thinks they BOTH win. No matter how hard we try to explain that it is NOT a race, she still manages to turn it into one. So you can imagine I got a little worried about her before her school's FUN Run - a fundraiser. They were supposed to collect pledges for a two mile run. She had called her grandparents and got some pledges and even went down to Scott's work and asked for pledges, it was really cute.

Marley was really nervous the night before the big race ... she asked, "But what if I don't win?" We tried to explain that the reason it was called a FUN Run is because you are supposed to just have a good time. She said she understood but I was still a little worried that she might freak out if she didn't do well.

Well, it turned out I had nothing at all to worry about! She had an AWESOME time! In fact, she was having so much fun she didn't even notice that she was almost completely dead last. At first, I was a little annoyed that she wasn't even trying to run, that she was lollygagging the whole way. At one point I even saw her sit down and look at some flowers or bugs or something. But then I realized ... she was doing exactly what she should have been doing. She was having FUN! She walked the whole two miles with her cute friend and they smiled the whole way. That's a WIN in my book.

Ethan Scott Yergensen - 4 Year Old!

2010-10-27T09:23:00.003-06:00

My baby is FOUR! How did this happen?
I think he is the cutest four year old ever! I really can't believe how much he has grown in just this last little while.
Some things I want to remember about my four year old -
He loves to play with Goldie. Sometimes I think he is being too rough on the poor dog but she follows him around all day long so she must love him too.
When he is excited about something he has been saying, "Oh my!"
He always wants to be going somewhere! Every day he asks where we are going - even if it's just to Wal-Mart!
He is still really shy. But this last month he has really turned a corner - I think he has decided he is a big boy and doesn't need to be scared. He still randomly cries in Primary but usually he will calm down and stay with his class instead of sitting with his big sister. The Primary Program was last weekend and he was really happy for the first few minutes but, as soon as I was out of his line of sight, he started to cry - loudly. They finally sent him back down to me. Poor guy! He has had his part memorized for weeks now!
He is a momma's boy!! He is a cuddler and a hugger and a kisser. I love it!
He had a really happy birthday this year! I made him a Mickey Mouse Toodles cake - his favorite cartoon!

He was looking forward to the pinata for weeks! We even went together to the store and he picked out the one he wanted. He gave it a really great hit too!

Nana and Papa came to town to celebreate! They took us out to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory and then we opened some presents. He got some really cool presents - and candy and cash! He couldn't have asked for anything more!

Wacky Hair Day

2010-10-27T08:56:00.002-06:00

Last week Marley's school had a Wacky Hair Day! She thought it would be pretty funny to put all the flower clips she has in her hair all at once. I think it turned out pretty cute. She thought it was pretty awesome - she didn't even take them out when she got home, she wore them all day long!

Florida - Finale

2010-10-25T14:20:00.004-06:00

So, I figured I should probably finish up the Florida travel report. The last couple of days I got some really cute pictures and we had a really fun time at Busch Gardens. They had this whole huge net / play area for kids (and older kids) to run around and feel like monkeys. We could probably have gone and spent the whole day just doing that with the kids, they loved it.

There was a 4D movie - ya know the kind that has the 3D movie but also sprays water and tickles your back and stuff. We tried a show like this in Las Vegas and Ethan had a panic attack. We were hoping he would be OK this time - nope. He was scared to death! Literally screaming bloody murder in the middle of the movie.

The train safari is AMAZING! The train had to stop a couple of times for animals to cross the tracks! That's how close they were, it was really a neat experience.

Busch Gradens is also known for their roller coasters. The park was so empty. We literally never waited in line for more than 30 seconds and Scott especially took full advantage.

We had a perfectly lovely day until the very end. We were heading towards the exit when Marley tripped and fell down, scraped up her knee pretty darn bad. She had a meltdown, a severe meltdown. The kind where people are looking at you funny. We took her to the park first-aid station and they gave her a bandage ... then we stopped for some ice cream. There's nothing in this whole world that can't be fixed (for Marley at least) with a little ice cream!

We loved our Florida vacation. It was so perfect. Happy memories for years to come!

Woe is Me!

2010-10-25T13:41:00.002-06:00

Whenever we whined when we were kids someone would laugh and give us a tease. Usually it was my sister, Lindsey and we had a saying, "I'm Windsy Whiner and I like to whiiiiine." Honestly, I don't really think that she whined any more than anyone else but the saying just kinda stuck.
We also have another thing we say ... Brown girls are tough. For whatever reason, we prided ourselves on being tough girls - maybe it was our athletic mom or outdoorsy dad, I don't know. My mom could handle hard things. Really hard things - some of which being ... growing up on a ranch / farm, births sans medications, rough surgeries, etc. And our dad taught us to shoot guns and play hard. He was a football player and regaled us with stories of playing ball with broken bits - "the coach wouldn't call the end of practice until Brownie's nose was bleeding". Anyways, I'm tough. I pride myself on handling hard things.
Lately, however, I am a wimp. At least I feel like a wimp. I am in pain. I have been in pain since, really, last year in September. The pain since July has been pretty intense. I'm really frustrated. I really just don't feel like my fun loving self. I really miss running. So much, you have no idea. I hate it when people ask how I'm doing and I can't say "GREAT!" Or ask how my running is going and then I feel like I have to explain the whole crappy thing to them. I've turned into a complainer. My poor husband is so patient but I am sure he is getting so tired of it all.
The most frustrating thing of all is that my doctors don't seem to want to take any "ownership" - they keep passing me off to someone else who ends up having a different opinion of what to do. I've had a CT scan, MRI, ultrasounds, physical therapy, massage, chiropractor, blah blah blah.
Anyways, I just want to feel better. I don't know what to do. Hopefully this last test will come back and say that I can run - I know that will improve my mood by leaps and bounds. If it says that I can run though it also means that my problems are more internal and I will end up with a hysterectomy. Boo.
This morning I was driving to the store and the sky was so full of storm that you couldn't even see the mountains. It was so gorgeous. It really struck me as beautiful, but also intense - and powerful. I was filled with a feeling, a thought, or knowledge - of God's power. He is so powerful beyond measure - I had a witness of it before my very eyes. I think before in my life I might have wondered how, if He has all this power, then why is He not just fixing me? But today I felt so strongly that He can! I choose to exercise my faith and believe that He can. He can guide my doctor's minds ... He can physically heal me ... or He can just give me patience to deal with it. It doesn't matter what the end result is except how I exercise my faith in the meantime. I am so thankful for knowing this and gaining the needed patience through this knowledge.

The Beach!

2010-09-20T10:02:00.003-06:00

One thing I really wanted to do this year was spend enough time just hanging out at the beach. We went down to Clearwater Beach on the Gulf side. We had a really good time. There were sand castles, and swimming and dolphins! Such a memorable day.

Vacation = Swimming

2010-09-15T21:50:00.014-06:00

It was so great to have such a cool pool at the hotel! We spent LOTS of time there.

I talked Scott into letting me buy a cheapy underwater camera - $17 well spent! It was so fun!! Just check out my little fishies!

Day2 - Downtown Disney

2010-09-15T17:06:00.009-06:00

We went to Downtown Disney one afternoon - it's such a cool place! There is a HUGE Disney store, tons of little specialty shops and a bunch of places to take pictures ...

The Lego store had MASSIVE displays made entirely of Legos and a little area for the kids to try their hands.

There were tons of character statues and the kids had to have their picture taken next to each one!

Outside of the Disney store they had a cute little helper that was offering to sparkle some pixie dust on the kids - Marley thought that was pretty cool. She did this cute little "spell" to activate the dust and Marley just knew it had to be real!

Not suprisingly, it started to rain in the afternoon. Actually it rained pretty much every day in the afternoon - that's just life in Florida I guess. We amused ourselves by trying on hats!

You know the best part of the day? THIS ...

Florida!

2010-09-14T09:18:00.004-06:00

We had a roller coaster ride of a vacation this year! We decided to take the kids to Florida ... and we kept it a surprise! We woke them up on Saturday morning, got them dressed and put them in the car. We didn't tell them till we got to the airport! At first they just thought that maybe we were going to pick up Nana for a visit until we got the bags out of the car and we finally told them where we were headed.

The plane ride was fantastic, the kids watched movies and were so good the whole time. I think they were still in shock.

The first day we got there in the afternoon and just unpacked and went grocery shopping. We are so lucky to have Mark and Heather who own a timeshare so we can buy week-long getaways for such a great price. We stayed at the Marriott Harbour Lake right across the street from SeaWorld. It was such a nice place - two bedrooms, kitchen and ... it had it's own little water park!

The first full day of our vacation we headed to SeaWorld. Most of you know that Scott is the "King of the Good Deal" - well, he proved it once again. A normal one day ticket to SeaWorld is about eighty bucks - Scott found 14days SeaWorld AND Busch Garden tickets for $50 each! Ya, I know, he's amazing.

SeaWorld was so cool. We used to live in Jacksonville and had Season Passes to SeaWorld so we know our way around the park pretty well. There were some changes though and we loved them! You used to be able to walk up to the dolphin area and just put your hands in and try to touch the dolphins. But the dolphins rarely ever let you get close enough. The park changed though - now you stand in line, buy some food and go in as small groups. This way all the dolphins don't feel overwhelmed and overstimulated. The come right over to you and open their mouths and wait for you to put your hand under their chin and toss a little fishy into their mouth. They are happy to let you touch them! I loved it, I could have stayed all day. We got some great pictures!!

The dolphin show changed too - it used to have a very Jimmy Buffett kind of feel but now it's a huge production with dolphins flipping, a "princess", "Sea King" and flying acrobats, divers and birds. It's a total Cirque de Soleil kind of show and it was fantastic!

The humidity in Florida is a killer and it was pretty difficult for the kids to wait for the shows so we tried to keep them occupied with ice cream!

But once the shows started we didn't hear a peep! They were enthralled. I have to admit - Shamu is still pretty darn cool, but a little less cool than years past. There are a lot of new precautions that they take (understandably, of course) but way less dramatic. None of the trainers get in the pool with the whales anymore. It's sad.

We had to sit in the Soak Zone though! We got drenched!

I think I took a bazillion pictures and I am having a hard time deciding which ones to share ... I guess I will just have to do another post tomorrow!

Marley's First Day of First Grade

2010-08-24T22:27:00.003-06:00

Marley started first grade! Isn't she cute?

She asked me to draw a heart on her hand so that when she got nervous she could just look at it and not be scared. I told her that every time she needed to feel brave or happy to check her hand and she would remember how much her mommy loves her and thinks she is so brave and smart and pretty and smart. She loved it!

Camping

2010-08-24T09:21:00.006-06:00

We took Lindy out on her maiden voyage this last weekend with the Clegg family up Hobble Creek Canyon to Jolly's Ranch Campground! It was a super fantastic weekend. Lindy (the newly acquired 1976 motor home) held up surprisingly well and made the weekend much more comfortable and convenient for us. (The last time we tried to go tent camping, we couldn't even fit all of our "supplies" into the Jeep.)

Brenda and I went up early on Friday afternoon to set up camp while the boys finished their work week. That means I got to take my first turn at driving the motor home! It's a good thing we didn't have to go too far 'cuz that motor home is a beast to drive! I was white knuckled and heart palpitating the entire time!
Jolly's Ranch campground is so great! It had an awesome playground and a swimming hole - the water was freezing cold but the kids didn't seem to mind too much. There's also a little concrete "dam" that people use as a slide. Of course I had to give it a try - it's all green and bacteria encrusted looking, but what the heck, right? The other kids there were using plastic bags to go down but I couldn't get mine to work so I just slid down on my bum. After a few times I figured out why they were using plastic bags - I got a big ol' hole in my shorts! Yup, right in the bum area. Very embarassing.
The kids had a good ol' time swinging in the hammock, riding their bikes around and around "the block" and giving the poor dogs walks every 10 minutes.

Daily Affirmation by Melissa

2010-08-18T22:38:00.004-06:00

It took ... a lot of sweat, quite a few tears, tons of self-doubt, even more self control ... this is what you get 50 pounds later. I'm not going to say these are before and after pictures. I AM going to say these were a some befores and a "work in progress". I guess I am just in a rut and need to remind myself that I accomplished something pretty big - a little reaffirmation. I can do it. I am tough.

2007

2008

2010

Silly Ethan

2010-08-12T21:39:00.002-06:00

*amyschofieldphotography.blogspot.com

For this picture he told me to check out his muscles!

***

Every day ...

Ethan: "Mommy, I am four. I am."

For a while I tried to explain that he is in actuality only three and his birthday isn't until October. He doesn't believe me.

The other day he says, "Mommy, I am four. I am. TODAY is my birthday. It is."

Me: "OK, whatever. What should we do today?"

Ethan: "I know ... let's go set up my birthday party in the backyard. Can we pleeease?"

Seriously? What do you say to that.

***

Here's another one ...

Ethan: "Mommy, there's a puppy in my tummy."

Me: "Oh, really? That's kinda wierd."

Ethan: "Ya, and he's eating the food in there - the bananas ... the tomatoes ... the Wendy's ... all of it. AND he's licking my heart."

The Tonsilectomy

2010-08-12T14:53:00.005-06:00

I sincerely hope your child never needs a tonsilectomy. We have had a rough week around here.

This is Ethan's tonsilectomy story...The pre-surgery bit went just fine. We showed up at the hospital, got him outfitted in his tiny little hospital gown and waited around watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The tiny little happy pill they gave him dissolved under his tongue and made him unafraid. When it came time for the nurse to pick him and carry him away from me, I thought for sure he was going to scream and cry and refuse to go with her. I was wrong, he was blissed out and dreamy. Bless that little happy pill! The nurse picked him up, wrapped him in a warm blanket and off they went. She did turn him around once to say good-bye and he whispered, "bye, mommy - I wuv you." This is the part of the story where the stoic mother patiently waits with trust in the doctors and faith in her heart that they have made the right decision. But that was not me. I started to cry. Big old ugly crying, hiding behind my hands, trying not to look like a complete idiot. I couldn't even help it, I kept telling myself to stop but it was happening all by itself. They really need to think about giving a happy pill to the mothers as well. I swear I even heard people saying, "Aaaah" and "poor mommy" as we walked to the waiting room. I'm such a dork. The waiting part went by pretty quickly (read this slowly and sarcastically) - I brought a book and read all of maybe three paragraphs throughout the 45 minute surgery. It turned out we had some good luck on our side that day though. An old friend of ours, Sandy, happens to work in the Anesthesiology department and we happened to run in to her. She went to check on him and got us right back to him as soon as he was finished. He hadn't even gotten to the recovery room yet, they were wheeling him down the hall. I heard his moans and cries before I even saw him. We rushed over and they pushed the bed into the room. His face was puffy and he had an IV in his arm and it was all wrapped up like a cast. I know I had that "stressed out, overanxious, freaked-out mom" look. The kind man at the head of Ethan's bed took one look at me and knew. As soon as the bed stopped rolling, that dear sweet human slid the side rail of the bed down and held out the blanket for me to slide under next to my poor baby. I tear up thinking about it even now. I so needed to hold my child right at that moment and he just knew. Ethan stopped crying ... for about three minutes. Then he started to really come out of the anesthesia and it was a total psychotic event. He was screaming and crying, grabbing and pulling out his IV. He wanted if OFF! The nurse explained he needed to drink a little or eat a popsicle before he could have it removed so they could make sure he was able to keep fluids down. We tried explaining that to Ethan but it was pointless. He did not understand and he did not want to understand, he just wanted the IV out. This last for about half an hour - 30 very long minutes. I swear I was ready to shove that popsicle down his throat. Scott offered to eat it himself and just tell the nurse it was him. Finally he came out of the haze enough to understand he needed to eat a popsicle. He ate it very quickly when he realized he could have the IV out when it was gone. Finally we got to go home!

Ethan is notoriously sneaking food, especially popsicles and sweets, but mostly just sneaking food all the time. I actually had to put a childproof lock on the pantry door and fridge to keep him out because otherwise he would eat all day long and then, you guessed it, not eat one bite when it came time for dinner. I thought for sure the recovery would be a breeze! Ice cream and popsicles all day long? "He's gonna love it!" I naively thought. I was so wrong. When Ethan doesn't want food ... you know something is wrong. We got enough liquids down him not to end up back in the hospital but it was a chore every time. It took him several days to really eat anything and mostly he is just eating popsicles and chocolate milk.

It is also a whine-fest around here. Everything he says comes out sounding whiny. I was hoping it would just be a few days but it is going on 8 now with no clear ending in sight. He is not sleeping well and when Ethan is sleep deprived, well, look out! He needs me to sit next to him on the couch all day long rubbing his head. The first few days were pretty nice, I liked spending time with him, sitting next to him. But pretty soon the housework started to pile up and some laundry needed to get washed!

My poor Ethan. Hopefully this will pass soon. It's so hard when they are so little and can't really tell you what is hurting them, how to make it better. I want him to be back to his little cute self again. Hopefully in the end it will be all worthwhile. He will start sleeping better than he ever has and we will be glad we had the surgery ... until then ... wish us luck!

My first HALF

2010-08-12T09:34:00.002-06:00

I ran my first HALF MARATHON last Saturday. I decided several months ago that I needed a big goal to be looking forward to and I set my sights on the Provo River Half Marathon. I heard it was a good first one to try - mostly downhill and beautiful. My superhero marathon running friend Kami totally thought I could do it - so I sent in $35 and started doing some coercing and training. I convinced my running buddy, Amy, that she needed to do it too. So, Amy and I ran our little hearts out for a month or two. The first time we completed a ten mile run we were ecstatic - and I think a little suprised at ourselves. We were having LOTS of fun! Unfortunately, I had some setbacks with some injuries and we weren't able to run together anymore. It was very sad - I wasn't sure if I was going to do the race or not. In fact, I kept going back and forth, back and forth. Thank goodness for Tara! She kept Amy going and they both gave me motivation! I finally decided I might as well go and run the race - I paid the $35, right? Even if I had to walk the last half I could still finish, right? RIGHT! Amy and Tara finished in 1:56 ... AMAZING!
And me ... I FINISHED! I ran the whole race, I did not stop. It even felt really really great. My time? 2:17:25. It wasn't what my original goal would have been but I felt dang good about it. And now I have a new goal ... my next race I am going to be ready and I will SMASH this time!

New Family Pictures!

2010-08-06T13:22:00.007-06:00

Yay! We got new family pictures!
My good friend Amy is an AMAZINGLY talented photographer and she did such a good job, I can't even believe how great they turned out. It's practically impossible to choose my favorites!

JULY?

2010-08-01T21:42:00.005-06:00

I have no idea where July went. It's just gone. I'm sure there were some fun things in there somewhere ... let me think ... oh yah, the Fourth of July.

We had a great BBQ with some great friends - the Hales and the Cleggs. Delicious, as always! And then Scott set up some fireworks for us in the front yard. Ethan really didn't love it. In fact, most of the time he spent peaking out the window blinds from inside the house or around the door.

Good-bye Friend

2010-07-29T21:10:00.003-06:00

"Dear Heavenly Father ... ever since Cortney became my friend, I didn't even know the day would come when she would have to go. But the day came today and she has to leave. I will miss her so so so much but I know that she will always always always be in my heart forever and ever ever."

Arizonaaaaa!

2010-07-26T22:42:00.002-06:00

We went to Arizona for 2 WEEKS in June. It was amazing! We spent almost every single day with cousins and in the water. I love it that my kids have a relationship and friendship with their cousins, they all got along so well. It was a very happy couple of weeks.

Things we learn in Primary ...

2010-07-25T21:14:00.003-06:00

Today I had the opportunity :) to substitute Marley's Primary class. It's always an adventure!

The lesson today was all about sharing and we read the story about Jesus and the loaves and fishes (the boy shares his food for Jesus' miracle). I got to the part about Jesus turning just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes into enough food to feed 5,000 people and Marley perks up ... "I know! I can pray and ask Heavenly Father to send me CUPCAKES ... RIGHT NOW!" Immediately, Cortney and Sarah jump up out of the seats and exclaim, "YA!" They all proceed to fold their arms and start praying, "Dear Heavenly Father ... please send up cupcakes, right now!" They thought they were pretty funny! I didn't have the heart to reprimand them for being irreverant, I thought it was pretty funny too.

Marley's 6th Birthday

2010-07-24T21:08:00.000-06:00

Marley turned 6! I still can't believe it.

Nana and Papa were in town to celebrate! Nana took Marley on a special outing to Build-a-Bear where Marley made a new very special friend - Fallin. Fallin is a beautiful white horse with a long, flowing mane (which happens to shed like crazy). She takes her everywhere in her own special carrying purse. I think Marley just tricked Nana into buying her two gifts - a horse AND a purse. We call Marley a "bag lady". She has a whole collection of purses and fills them to the brim with all kinds of stuff.

She had a friend party on Saturday afternoon. I decided that, instead of planning a bunch of games and spending money on prizes, etc., we would just spend the money on something extra fun! We rented an inflatable water slide! The kids played and played and we just sat back and watched. It was great. Marley was pretty intimidated while the other kids were here but as soon as they left she went crazy going up and down the slide. Scott and I went a little crazy too. It was pretty slippery and I ended up covered in bruises! But it was good family fun.

My mom helped me build Marley the cake of her dreams! She loves Barbie these days ... especially Barbie and the Mermaid Tale (Merliah). Her birthday gifts definitely reflected her new love. She got a new Barbie along with a mermaid tale dress-up and a mermaid wig!Grandpa has a little tradition - he brings Marley a bouquet of flowers for her birthday! It's pretty cute. A couple of months ago she asked Grandpa for a special gift - the BYU puppy that he kept on his dresser. It turns out that her Grandma Angie had bought the dog around the time Grandpa graduated - around 1968. Grandma Angie passed away in 1981 and Grandpa has kept it on his dresser ever since then. She didn't know it was super special to grandpa, she just thought it was cute. Well, she obviously has her grandpa wrapped around her little finger and he actually cleaned it all up and gave it to her for her birthday - with one condition - she keep it on her tall shelf and keep it safe or grandpa will take it back until she is ready to take care of it. So far so good. Once she understood that it was a special gift she has promised to treat it with special kindness and it has stayed nice and safe on her shelf. She had a really great birthday. Marley is going to be in first grade this year! It is still hard to imagine that I have a six year old. Sometimes she acts like a sixTEEN year old but for the most part she is a beautiful, helpful, kind, funny little girl. I am so glad she is mine!

Kylee, Babysitter Extraordinaire

2010-07-23T22:04:00.004-06:00

I probably shouldn't be posting about our great babysitter, I don't want her stolen away from us! But Kylee turned 17 and has mentioned that she is trying to get a "real" job so I don't know how long we are actually going to have her anyways!

The kids really do love her though. It's a little sad that they are actually happy when we go out just because Kylee gets to come over - mostly because they have her wrapped around their little fingers. Once I found out when we got home that Marley talked Kylee into letting her FIVE slices of pizza! I thought for sure she was going to barf in the middle of the night. And I usually always come home to a new snack concotion that Marley has talked her into making - last time it was popcorn with chocolate chips.

One of the first times we ever had Kylee put the kids to bed, I prepared the kids beforehand by telling Marley that she just needed to get in bed when she was told and not to worry about saying her prayers that night. Well, when we finally got back and I drove Kylee home, she mentioned she was a little worried about something Marley said. It turns out that Marley told Kylee that she way not allowed to pray!

A couple fo weeks ago we had her babysit for us when we went out for our anniversary. A couple of days later I was looking through some pictures on my camera and found these ...

Ethan's Tonsil Woes

2010-07-23T21:47:00.003-06:00

So I noticed a couple of months ago that Ethan's tonsils were really big. I have no idea how long they were actually enlarged but I took him right in to his pediatrician. She told me to wait another month and if they hadn't gone back to normal size then I should take him to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. After a month they were still really large and he was starting to really show signs of other coinciding problems. He was not sleeping well at all, waking up usually several times per night, and snoring pretty loudly. It even started to affect his moods - he has become much more moody, crying (even more than normal!) and losing his temper pretty quickly.
I called the ENT after 4 weeks to make an appointment. The soonest they had available was 5 weeks away! Luckily, they called just two weeks later with a cancellation and got me in that week. The doctor listened to his symptoms and gave him a quick once-over and exclaimed that his tonsils should definitely be removed. I wasnt't really expecting such a quick and emphatic suggestion of surgery and I was a little taken aback. I scheduled the surgery and was informed that the recovery time is at least seven to ten days, if not twelve. My sister Kattie's little boy has the same problem and his doctor gave him a prescription of steroid nasal spray to try first and I was surprised the doctor didn't even suggest it. When I went home and discussed the situation with Scott we came to the conclusion that we would rather try the $30 option first before jumping right into the $2000 option. Well, I called the doctor back, got a prescription and crossed our fingers. Nothing - no change! So ... surgery it is! He is scheduled for a tonsillectomy on August 5th. I have a feeling it's going to be pretty rough but it's a good thing he loves popsicles and ice cream. Just keep Ethan (and me!) in your prayers, we are going to need it!

For reals?

2010-05-06T20:55:00.002-06:00

I just love how my kids say things! Sometimes I find myself giggling at a very serious thing they just said only because of the way they say it.

For instance ... Marley still calls BBQ sauce "bargaboo sauce".

Scott tried to correct her tonight when she said, "Ouch, that hurted!" It's supposed to just be hurt instead of hurted, but she just couldn't wrap her mind around such an inconsistency.

The other day Marley had her friend Cortney over and they were playing house or something. Cortney was Michael Jackson. I was giggling to myself the whole time and finally asked her why she chose that name and her answer was so simple ... because he is a good singer!

Every night they say their prayers ... when Scott was gone they ask Heavenly Father to bless their daddy in China. But then he went to Taiwan and told them when they talked earlier in the day. That night - they remembered! "Please bless daddy in Taiwan." Have you ever heard a little kid say Taiwan, it's super cute. Over the next couple of days though they got confused and stopped half way through and asked, "Where is daddy again?" Tonight ... Ethan was saying his prayers and asked Heavenly Father to bless the "mishnaries".

5K #2

2010-05-04T12:37:00.003-06:00

This last Saturday was my second race this year. I don't really know if I could call myself a "runner" yet unless the definition is someone who loves to run and loves the challenge of getting faster. That would be me - I LOVE the endorphine rush, I love beating my times, I love it that I look better than I have since I was probably sixteen (even better than I did when I got married), I love that I have definition in my calves and muscles in my legs, I feel strong.The last couple of times I timed my 5K distance on a treadmill I was 27:10 and then 27:07 plus I've run 8 miles twice - I was completey exhausted after each time but I knew I was getting stronger. I had a goal - 27 minutes! I was completely nervous ... I really wanted to do well. We also kept looking at the weather reports and the weather was looking pretty yucky. I had a stomach ache all day on Friday and I did not sleep well at all the night before the race. Amy and Dave picked me up at 7:30 and Dave dropped us off close to the front. We made him take some silly pictures of us first though! Then we met some of our friends so we could wait with nervous stomachs together! I have to say - I am so proud of these girls! Kristin beat her personal best and April, Kelsey April's daughter, and Jodi all set a big goal and were determined to finish! They were awesome!Amy and I were determined to stay together like last time but we hadn't run together in quite some time so we weren't sure if we were going to be the same speed. She was pretty surprised when I told her my goal, she said she was just trying to make it in under 31, 30 would make her happy. We decided just to see how it went - we probably should have brought our mp3 players instead. I had a TON of adrenaline when the canon shot off that I took off pretty quick. I pushed myself so hard - even when it started to HAIL! We were soaked through after only 10 minutes into the race. I kept looking back at Amy, wishing that I was running WITH her but just kept pushing forward instead. Every once in a while, when I just felt like slowing down and waiting for her to catch up, I would sprint instead. I knew if I was going to make running in the hail and all the anxiety worth it then I needed to make sure I got the best time I possibly could. I made it to the last stretch and started to run as hard as I could - and I noticed the clock - it was still in the 26 minute mark. I didn't know how fast I could go and then I heard my awesome friends - Kami and Michelle scream my name! I pushed it harder ... I looked at my stopwatch and couldn't believe my eyes! In fact, I forgot to even press the stop button because I was so surprised. It said 26:59 when I pushed stop. I started to cry! Then I turned around and saw Amy running her heart out towards the finish line, she crossed and pushed her stop button. When she got to me she held up her hand so I could see her time - 27:43. We both started sobbing! And hugging. It was pretty hilarious. Who could ask for a better friend and running partner than Amy? I am so lucky to have someone who can share such a special moment with me, who understands exactly what that moment meant to me. All the hours of working so hard at the gym, all my hoping, all the anxiety - it was all worth it. I was elated. Is there a stronger word than elated? If there is than that is what I was.

Official time: 26:50

Rank: 82/381, Pace: 8:39/mile

Last week I registered for my first half marathon.I might be crazy. But one thing is for certain ... I am hooked.

Day 2 - 4.

2010-04-19T20:42:00.006-06:00

Patience is a virtue ... that I do not have!

OK, actually we are doing pretty well here without my hubby. Skype is the coolest invention ever. It's quite bizarre though - he is 14 hours ahead of us. So whenever we talk he is usually already in a whole new day.

Marley had a soccer game on Saturday. It went well, they actually scored two goals. Pretty good for only having two teammates show up! They had to borrow 2 kids from the other team. Marley is so good at chasing the ball, now if she could only get some guts and jump in to the fray! She stays on the periphery most of the time. She tried once on Saturday to get in there but she ended up getting kicked on the forearm and ran out crying! She had on shin guards - who would have thought she needed arm guards? Her favorite part - the snacks after the game!

Sunday I gave a talk in church. Ya, I know ... not only does my husband leave me for two weeks but I have to give a talk? Actually, it turned out all right - it gave me something else to be nervous about besides scary noises in the night.

Today was a pretty darn good day. I ran EIGHT miles on the treadmill at the gym. It's my longest distance to date. I came home, did some housework and was generally feeling pretty darn good about life.

Until Ethan pooped in the front yard. Yup. Pooped. I kind of lost it. I thought for a moment that maybe I COULDN'T handle this after all. I mean, peeing is one thing. It's a fascination for little boys, I know. But pooping? And I really don't know which was worse - Ethan pulling down his pants and doing his business in my grass ... or going inside to clean him up and hearing Marley outside calling over the neighbor boy to show him the poop! They were both in pretty big trouble.

I calmed down and realized that Ethan must have been playing and realized a little too late that he needed to go. At least he had time to pull down his pants, right? Right? And you know what? The poop is still out there. I am rationalizing that I will let it harden until I can just scoop it up. Don't judge me.

Anyways, the day ended on a happy note. The Schofield's invited us over for dinner and FHE. Amy's hubby is out of town too so we ate some pizza, had a great little lesson and played some freeze tag in the backyard. Such a better way to end my day!

Day #1 ...

2010-04-16T20:08:00.005-06:00

So far so good. We dropped Scott off at the airport this morning for his trip to China.

I have to admit, although I am stressed and nervous about Scott being away for so long, I am still pretty jealous that he gets to go somewhere so cool. I am really hoping next time I get to go with him. But for now, it's just me and the kids.

When we dropped Scott off at the airport and started to drive away, I actually managed to keep a happy face. That is until I looked back at Marley. She said, "Mommy, remember that one time that daddy had to go somewhere and you cried?" I remembered that I didn't put on such a happy face the last time he went out of town, so I said, "Sure, honey, I remember." Her lip started to tremble and said, "Well, that's how I feel right now!" And she put her face in her hands and started to sob. Oh, my poor baby! I reached back and held her hand and told her it was ok to cry and miss daddy. But then I reminded her that we would see him soon and we were going to try to have lots of fun while he was away to take our minds off missing him.

And so we did ... we went to the zoo. We walked around and saw all the animals, rode the carousel and the train, ate lunch and had a great day. We managed to keep ourselves busy the rest of the day.

This evening, after the gym, after dinner, baths and bedtime stories, it was time to say our bedtime prayers. Time seems to slow down at those moments, have you noticed? Your mind is always turned to the important things - and tonight it was turned to daddy. Marley started to tear up again when she asked Heavenly Father to bless daddy to be safe while he was away.

These are the moments in life that I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life. I know we can pray to Heavenly Father and ask for blessings, and I can teach my children how to ask for those blessings as well. As a child, the first thing they would think of is to just ask Heavenly Father to bring their daddy home. And as a parent, we teach our children to ask Heavenly Father to help us be happy while he is away. I am so thankful for this moment tonight. It helped me realize all the things I ask Heavenly Father for ... how many must seem silly to Him? I hope I will always grow to find the right way to ask.

And right now, I have all the blessings I need ...

Last Night in AZ ...

2010-04-15T14:54:00.003-06:00

On our last night in Arizona we went out to dinner to a cool restaurant called SanTan Flats. It has a whole rustic cowboy vibe going on! The ambience was quite uniqe to say the least. We were a little skeptical at first - it is outdoor dining and the wind was a bit chilly -but it ended up being perfect for the kids. There are firepits everywhere, you can even buy (or sneak in) marshmallows to cook over the fires - we will for sure try that out next time when we aren't in a rush to get home and pack!

It was a perfect way to end a whirlwind trip. I love spending time with my parents and cool sisters and their GREAT kids. Marley and Ethan have really fun cousins. I was so pleased that everyone got along so well while we there. Jaydin kept them laughing, Markus and Anthony were perfect playmates, and Brintley - well, what can I say about Brintley - but WOW! She was amazingly helpful and so sweet with the kids.

I did have time for Tricia to cut and color my hair before I left. Whew!!!!!!!!!! I love my hairstylist.

It was a bit hectic but thankfully my dear husband knew how important it was for me to have one last night with my family. You are amazing my love!

Easter in Arizona ...

2010-04-14T14:33:00.004-06:00

It was so fun to be with family on Easter this year. I think it is a first ever for my kids!

My children were up bright and early to check out the Easter baskets. 6:30! I guess that's 7:30 Utah time so I can't blame them too much. They were very happy that the Easter Bunny found them all the way in Arizona.

The weather was PERFECT!

We have a little tradition with our family. We like to find the eggs the Easter Bunny leaves us and then we keep hiding them over and over again. This serves two purposes ... 1- it keeps the kids entertained (sometimes all day long!). I remember being a kid and hiding them and finding them for hours. 2- It keeps the deviled egg and egg salad making to a minimum. After several rounds of egg hunting, a whole lot of eggs are beyond edible.

So we found the eggs in the backyard and then, when some more cousins came over, we took them across the street to the park and hid the eggs again. And again.

My Winter Dilemma ...

2010-04-13T13:57:00.002-06:00

It's the end of winter. Ethan's pants are too short so he is wearing high waters! But his 3T stuff is too big around the waist. I do not like buying new pants at the end of a season. It always happens that way, right? It is still too cold for shorts and I refuse to buy new pants when he probably wouldn't be able to wear them again next winter. Oh well ... it's kinda cute. And it reminds me of how big he is getting!

This is my other dilemma ... Marley's butt crack. It's not like she is super chubby or something and I can't find pants to fit her. She just has a ridiculously high crack line and a bit of a bubble butt. I don't even try to find the right pants anymore ... I just usually buy leggings and long shirts. But every once in a while I will still catch a glimpse ...

The tag was working double duty this day!

You Gotta Try This ...

2010-04-13T13:50:00.002-06:00

There is a cool new "ride" at the mall. It's a hurricane wind simulator! Just step inside, close the door, deposit $2, and away you go! A taste of life as Dorothy Gail for just a couple of bucks! It's a total riot!!!

I got in with Marley and Ethan but Ethan hated every second and I had to take him out before he had a breakdown. Marley thought it was hilarious ... this is a picture of her on her second try.

Movie Review!

2010-03-30T21:35:00.002-06:00

How To Train Your Dragon! It was so great, a must-see for sure. The kids loved it, it captivated their attention and it was super funny.

I love going to the movies and now I love it that my kids will actually sit through the whole thing! Ethan is so cute and talks really loud when he sees something he likes. It's great when you aren't sure if they will understand what is going on and then they suprise you and totally get it. We had a really good time the other afternoon, just the three of us, hanging out at the mall and going to the show. I love laughing with my kids!

O, Monday ... How I Loathe Thee

2010-03-30T16:14:00.003-06:00

* Disclaimer - I put this post up, then felt so embarassed I took it down. Then a good friend said I should have left it up, that it lifted her spirits. So I am going to put this back up but PLEASE do not comment. I would be so embarassed if you thought I was fishing for compliments. You are all such good friends that I KNOW you will want to cheer me up but it will just make me feel silly.

I hate Mondays. I get in the worst funks on Mondays. Maybe it's not just Mondays, maybe I'm just in a funk and have been for a few days ... "Help! I've fallen in a funk and can't get up!"

So, I've decided to do a little self-therapy blogging. It's cheaper than shopping and less fattening than chocolate - oh man, chocolate would be so good right now!

#1 Reason for my funk today ... I didn't go to the gym. I went to help in Marley's class this morning instead and, although it was much more satisfying to see her smile when I walked in, I still miss that endorphine high when you run. Yes, I could have gone early in the morning before everyone was up but I didn't. Maybe I'm a little annoyed at myself for not just getting up and getting it done too.

#2 Reason ... my house is a wreck. It always is a wreck on Monday mornings. I hate that. There isn't even one room that I can call clean. I took yesterday off. And now I feel anxious and overwhelmed by the huge mess.

#3 Reason ... we are leaving for Arizona on Friday and I haven't packed. I haven't even made a list yet. This makes me very anxious.

There are other reasons - there always are. You know what I realized though? I feel inadequate. It seems everywhere I turn there is someone I wish I could be more like. I wish there was just one thing in which I was GREAT. I had a lengthy conversation with a friend at church yesterday. She feels ugly and dumb. And for the life of me I DO NOT see it. She is so beautiful. I truly wish she could see herself for just one minute the way others do. The funny thing was - she was aghast when I told her that I was self-conscious too. There are so many times when I feel so dumb - I walk away from talking with people and hit myself over the head about all the stupid things I just said. We each saw in each other things that we couldn't see in ourselves.

We had a Relief Society activity last week and I have keep replaying over and over again that there are times and seasons in everyone's life. What is this season for me? We discussed how everyone has their own talents and gifts. What is my gift?

And I have to say I have amazing friends. One of my friends inspires me like you can't believe. Who ever would think I would be running? Let alone considering a half-marathon? But she really thinks I can do it. Another friend is the kind of person who everyone says is "so sweet". When you meet her for the first time, you walk aways saying, "Wow, she is so sweet!" Another is powerful. When she talks, people listen. They ask her for advice. She isn't afraid to say things exactly as they are. She isn't afraid of speaking her mind. I have a sister-in-law who is intelligent. Doctor intelligent. Mayo Clinic Doctor intelligent. And she doesn't mind when you call and ask her stupid questions. It is impossible to play Trivial Pursuit with her unless you go into it knowing you are just going to lose.

Another is beauty personified. Everything she does and says is beautiful. She can take a plain room and decorate it in one afternoon, transform it to something amazing. Her home is perfectly accented and clean and welcoming. I actually went jogging with her this weekend - I was dripping snot from my nose and breathing hard and I look over at her - with a smile on her face and running with her cute outfit not even breaking a sweat.

I have another friend who makes everyone feel loved. EVERYONE. Have you ever met a person that makes you feel welcome the instant you meet her? She is always always happy for you. She is supportive. She empathizes with you. You can tell she loves you so much that she feels not only for you but with you. She drops everything she is doing to be with you when you need her. She will let you cry on her shoulder for the stupidest reasons, during the middle of church in the women's bathroom.

Then there's my mom. She is all of these things. I miss her so much some times. I really wish I lived closer to her. She really has turned into one of my best friends. I have to be honest - one reason I have decided to finally lose weight is so I can be the mom to my kids that she was to me. She is beautiful; she is so fun and so cool. She ran around and played with us. She played sports, she was good too! EVERYONE wants to be her friend. She makes EVERYONE feel accepted. You can tell her anything and she will not judge you. And she can really make me laugh. Somehow, when you laugh with my mom everything seems so much better. I want so much to be a cool mom like her.

Then there are my sisters. It hit me like a ton of bricks just now - I am nervous to go to Arizona this weekend. They are so so beautiful. They are gorgeous. I have always felt like the ugly duckling around them. I know that I will always be the least attractive one in any picture I ever take with my sisters. I want so much for them to be proud of me. I want so much to fit in. I have lost a lot of weight, but will it be enough? Will I be able to stand next to them?

So, sitting here, feeling inadequate and I stumble onto this quote ...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

Am I actually daring to second-guess my Heavenly Father? Do I really not trust in him enough to see the beauty and light that he has so graciously given me? Am I thwarting his plans for me by daring to just choose not to believe in Him and His powers and His plan?

So - this is the thing - will I EVER be as cool, beautiful, loving, friendly, sweet, intelligent as any of my friends, my mom, and my sisters? Probably not - at least not in their way. But I do have my own way. I don't really know what "my way" is or what "my gifts" are but I know that I have them. For now, I will take a deep breath, pick a room and start there. I will go room to room with some music on and clean my house, then I will start some laundry and then take my kids to see a movie. Because, right now, that's good enough.

Funny Conversation ...

2010-03-26T19:43:00.003-06:00

Ethan: "Mommy ... I know where Jesus lives."

Me: "Where?"

Ethan: "He lives in Utah!"

Me: "Oh, really?"

Marley: "No he doesn't, Ethan! He lives in heaven!"

Ethan: "Oh, I know! Heaven, Utah!"

The Crush

2010-03-18T16:50:00.003-06:00

Marley and Maddox ...

So, Marley's neighbor friend, Maddox, has a little crush on her. It's pretty cute. I can't help snicker a little when he comes over and asks to play.

I have to be honest - I don't entirely love it. Many of you already know that last year I caught him trying to kiss her on the side of the house! Well, that pretty much ended their friendship for the winter. But, a couple of months ago, Maddox was hurt pretty bad and broke his leg. Marley and I took him some treats and a homemade card. Then Marley asked to go and play with him. He still couldn't leave his house and I knew he would be well supervised by his mother so I let her go over ... well, for 30 minute intervals for the day, I was still a little high strung obviously about the kissing incident. His mom explained that it really would be good for him to get out and play and stetch his atrophied leg muscles so he came over to our house. He left after a couple of hours, after behaving like a perfect, and super cute, little gentleman ... and a little later in the evening we found this left on our doorstep for Marley.

5K - Rex Lee Run

2010-03-16T14:15:00.003-06:00

I finished my first 5K for the year! And I think I am addicted!

Me and my great friend, Amy, decided to run it together.

She really pushed me along and up the hill! She was the perfect race partner!

I have decided something about myself. I am a goal setter. It occurs to me that this is both a good and bad trait. If I don't write down a list of things to do for the day, I will slack off and get nothing done. If I do make a list ... I start obsessing about getting each item checked off until they are all done. If I do not finish by the end of the day, I am frustrated and anxious.

But there is some good ... I have set some goals about running. At first it was to just run one mile without stopping. Then I ran three. That turned into running for an hour without stopping. Then I ran three miles and timed myself - and each time I went back I would try to get faster and faster. I finally ventured out to the Provo River Trail, timed myself and then did it again the next week with a goal of doing it faster.

I have to admit, I am a little obsessed. I hereby apologize to all those that I have annoyed with my obsessive talk about running. But it has paid off! Not only have I lost 42 pounds but I love to run!

I can't remember exactly what my time for the Pioneer Day 5K was two years ago but I believe it was around 45 minutes. Old ladies beat me, 10 year olds beat me. This time I was determined to get under 32 minutes. Well ... I did it!

31:38

I realize this is nothing compared to you marathon runners out there but I am pumped!

Next race - 31 or under. Wish me luck!

Green Means Go!

2010-03-11T21:49:00.003-07:00

So Ethan has been working on his colors lately, two in particular - red and green.

Every time we come up to a stoplight he will tell me if the color is red or green ...

"Mommy, it's green ... green means go!" Or, "It's red, stop!"

So the other day we were coming up to a green light and he says, "It's green, green means go!" And then, all of a sudden it turns to yellow and I hear, "MOMMY! It's YELLOW, GO FAST!"

Thank you Kindergarten!

2010-02-25T15:19:00.007-07:00

The first time Marley brought home a book from school and actually read it to me I was amazed. I literally felt like something miraculous had just occured. And now she is coming home from school and reading Dr. Suess books and even creating her own stories. Here is just one example.

Title: "She Was A Vet"

"To Mom and Dad From Marley"

"She is a vet for me, She is my mom, She is my dad" (She laughs at that part! She says she wrote it on purpose as a joke.)

"She is my tomato, She is my dog. This is my story"

** I'm assuming it's a comedy. **
The other day I found a couple of notes from Marley in Ethan's drawer.

"To Ethan, I love you Ethan"

"Ethan you are so adorable"

And the very best is when she hands me notes like these ...

"To Mom and Dad, From Marley"

"I love my Mom, By Marley"

Mr. Fix It

2010-02-19T11:05:00.002-07:00

It's time for me to do a little bragging about my awesome handy-man husband...

Last night we noticed it was getting a little cold in our house, we checked the furnace and it said it was on but it wasn't working! So at 9 o'clock at night our furnace was out! To make matters worse, or slightly more comical, my dad was in town from ARIZONA and staying at our house for the night. He is normally cold at our house when the furnace IS working!

Scott immediately starts checking into it. He takes a couple of things apart and figures out exactly which part was broken. He looks it up online and sees that the part itself only costs about $30. Then he starts making some calls. The first place could come and fix it immediately ... but would charge around $200. Well, Scott just can't stomach it since he knows the part is only $30 so he makes a couple more calls and finds someone (his old primary school teacher) to sell him the part in the morning for cost. So we bundled up my dad the best we could and put space heaters in all the rooms and went to bed. The next day we got the part and Scott put it in at lunch. Crisis averted!

A couple of weeks ago, my Jeep was shifting funny. I had a sick stomach, thinking for sure it was the transmission! So Scott takes it to a friend to read the error code on the car's computer and found out it was only a broken fuse. He went to the auto parts store and, $25 later, the car was fixed. And you KNOW that if I had taken it to a mechanic they probably would have told me it was the transmission and charged me an arm and a leg!

He can fix any computer problem, fix my car, put window casings and baseboards and hardwood floors in the house, what CAN'T he do????

I have to say I really lucked out. He is one handy guy!

Upcoming Events ...

2010-02-18T11:07:00.003-07:00

OK - I found a huge list of upcoming events ... these are just some of the 5Ks coming up in our area.

13-Mar / Rex Lee Run / BYU, Provo
27-Mar / Operation Smile 5K / Provo Canyon
10-Apr / Cascadia Trails Series, Timp Shadow 5K / Bonneville Shoreline, Orem
24-Apr / Child Abuse Prevention 5K Fun Run/ Walk / Paul Reams Wilderness, Provo
1-May / Provo City Half Marathon, Relay, 5K, Walk / Tabernacle Park, Downtown Provo
8-May / Bonneville Shoreline Relay / Orem
22-May / Race for Red 5K / UVRMC, Provo
29-May / Smile Center Memorial 10K, 5K / Orem City Center Park, Orem
5-Jun / Yellow Balloon Stomp 5K / Canyon View Park, Provo Canyon
12-Jun / Utah Valley Marathon and 5K / Provo Towne Center Mall
12-Jun / Provo Riverwoods 10 Mile / Borders, Provo Riverwoods
19-Jun / Running with Angels 5K / Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
19-Jun / Strawberry Days, 5K and 1/2 Mile Kids Race / Pleasant Grove
26-Jun / CUCIL's 8th Annual 5K Run, Walk and Roll / Provo
4-Jul / Freedom Festival Freedom Run 10K, 5K, 1Mile / Kiwanis Park, Provo
24-Jul / Pioneer Day Classic 10K, 5K / Timpview High, Provo
7-Aug / BAM 10K Trail Run, 5K, & 3/4 Mile Kids Fun Run / Soldier Hollow, Midway, UT

Ready to Run!

2010-02-17T21:30:00.002-07:00

Anyone care to join me in some 5Ks this spring and summer?

The next one coming up is the Rex Lee Run 5K at BYU on March 13th.

Come on, you know you want to!!!