What do things say???

Landon loves to play "what do things say?" we usually play with all kinds of animals but tonight I added some like what does mommy say and what does daddy say...his answers cracked me up!!

The boys of summer are back!

Last summer I couldn't swim at all
I couldn't even float
I had to use a rubber tube
Or hang on to a boat;
I had to sit on shore
When everybody swam;
But now it's This summer
And I can!

Look who's on the move....

Ryan has accepted a position with MaxIT in Denver, Co working at Exempla Healthcare!! Will will miss our summers in California (Salt Creek Beach and Disneyland *sniff*), but feel this is a good move for Ryan that will offer him increased challenge in his field and help to broaden his professional experience and knowledge. He will be starting there in mid June and we are looking forward to visiting and exploring the area soon.... Go Broncos!!!

We could all take this to heart...worth watching

Jackson's Last Baseball Game!!

Jackson had his last baseball game on Wednesday night. He had a great time playing baseball and really improved on his pitching. He looks forward to having his evenings free this summer to play with his friends!! We had so much fun cheering him on and enjoying watching him play. Way to go Jackson you are awesome!!

Congratulations Christopher!!!

Oh Christopher, the Places You’ll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

My little brother (I should say big because he 6'4) Graduated from Spanish Fork High School on Wednesday!! Jackson, Ayden, Landon and I went down to cheer him on and celebrate his accomplishment....Way to go Fur Fur!! His choir also sang at the ceremony and it was awesome and brought me to tears. Ayden said to Christopher "So now that you've "gradutated" where are you going to go?" Christopher replied "to Olive Garden" I think Ayden was looking for a different answer but isn't food the main thought on a teenage boys mind? *LOL* I have to admit it does make me feel a little bit old......I still think of him as the cute little toe headed toddler! Way to go Christopher we are sooooo proud of you!!!

Smartie Pants!!!

Jackson brought home a tiny note last Friday saying that he was getting an award at school on Tuesday at 9:15 AM and that I would want to attend. I asked Jackson what it was for and he didn't know. So this morning I got ready and went to his school. Jackson received a certificate recognizing him for scoring in the top 10 % of 3rd graders in the nation on the ITBS test (The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) are a set of standardized tests given annually to school students in the United States. These tests are given to students beginning in kindergarten and progressing until Grade 8 to assess educational development)...to say the least I was shocked!! *not that I didn't think he was smart but I didn't expect that* I am so proud of him and he was very proud too. It was awesome and he was so happy. He also received and award from his teacher last week for being the top reader in his class..... I guess all of my nagging him to read every night pays off! Jackson has been in a 3/4 split class this year and loves his teacher Miss. Crocker (she is amazing) but he is looking forward to summer vacation. Way to go Jackson we are soooooo proud of you!!

In Memory..................

Howl at the moon AooOoOOoooOoOo!

For those of you that don't know, Ryan's favorite animal is a wolf and we are so excited to announce that we now have one in the family! Not the four legged kind that howls at the moon but the two legged kind that plays all kinds of sports, eats pizza, and enjoys scouts.....Jackson has earned his Wolf in cub scouts! With lots of help from his den leaders, grandpa Russ, grandma Adrienne *thank you* mom (I learned a lot) and dad, Jackson worked very hard to achieve this before he turned 9 in July.....as you can see he did it!! We are so proud of him! He was also asked to do a demonstration on Lacrosse at his pack meeting. He did such a great job and Lacrosse is now his favorite sport. We are truly blessed to have Jackson as our son. He is an outstanding young man and shows sportsmanship, compassion and respect in his ever day life. Way to go Jackson!!

Are you ready for a great book???

Read to me tales about castles and kings
Read to me stories of fabulous things
Read to me pirates and read to me knights
Read to me dragons and dragon-book fights
Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then
When you are finished- please read them again.

The Host By Stephanie Meyer is my book for the month of June!!! If you haven't' picked up a copy yet do so and read along with me....If you'd like to read an excerpt go to the following link:

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/thehost_chapter4.pdf

He is still the winner to me...*sniff*

What a let down. After much anticipation we (the boys and I) got a shock last night, with a lot of others I am sure. David Archuleta lost American Idol. With tears in our eyes we watched as he handled himself with pure integrity and dignity....he is amazing. I am still in a daze trying to figure out what happened....I voted until 12 midnight and he lost by a margin of 12 million! I don't understand?? 12 million seems unfathomable to me right now. He will have a bright BRIGHT future (Katherine McPhie, Chris Daughtry) and I look forward to seeing him in July. Did you see his cute "Risky Business" commercial? He is so cute and his smile melts millions. I can't wait until he records a cd so I can buy it and listen to his special talent. David "baby face" Archuleta is still the winner in my book!!

David Cooks up 'Idol' shocker Grungy rocker is choice of viewers,
despite Simon's kudos for Archuleta

BY JIM FARBER
DAILY NEWS MUSIC CRITIC
Thursday, May 22nd 2008, 7:08 AM

THE YOWLING rocker triumphed over the sensitive balladeer as this year's "American Idol."Grunge-voiced David Cook took the prize over his twinkle-eyed rival David Archuleta by a margin of 12 million votes, according to host Ryan Seacrest. Of the 97.5 million votes Seacrest claimed came rolling in, 56% went to Cook and 44% to Archuleta. In a sense, Cook's victory came as a significant surprise. He walked into last night's show with a major disadvantage since rough judge Simon Cowell had practically anointed Archuleta the winner at Tuesday night's final performances, saying his singing scored a "knockout" against Cook. While bookies were split on which David would triumph, some observers figured the supercute Archuleta had a leg up, since his fan base skews heavily toward screamy teens, a segment especially savvy in the ways of phone voting. Countertheories favored Cook, surmising that he drew from a wider demographic, embracing both young and old. Either way, the battle between Archuleta and Cook represented one of the most stark contrasts in styles and sensibilities in "Idol's" seven-year history. Even that drama did little to tweak ratings. While "Idol" remains the top-rated show on television by several million, average viewership was down from a peak of 26 million to 21 million this year. Cowell himself had called the year's contestants "too safe." But he certainly couldn't call the top candidates too similar. The younger David specialized in soft songs of sentimentality, the elder favored bolder rock flourishes, especially as contained in hand-me-down grunge ballads. Archuleta stressed sincerity - Cook bravado. The former epitomized innocence, the latter, if-not-exactly experience, then at least a suggestion of adult awareness. By contrast, the Mormon-born Archuleta seems almost startlingly free of experience. He's like a human Bambi, immune to cynicism and open to faith. Such a pristine character made Archuleta a perfect vehicle for the kinds of idealized ballads he favored week in and week out. Moreover, Archuleta owns the more individual voice. Cook sounds like any number of mainstream rock singers in bands that wish they were Nirvana - from Nickelback to Daughtry. For his part, Archuleta boasts a subtle rasp that shades his more boyish tones and gives him a hint of soul. Archuleta also connects to his material in a more probing way, taping into the darker well of feeling his doll-like visage obscures. In the end, he's both a better, and a rarer, singer than Cook.
Which means that - at least for this election - American voters got it dead wrong.

jfarber@nydailynews.com

Thanks honey...

Even though Ryan and I were miles apart yesterday for our anniversary, he still managed to spoil me. At about 10:30 AM there was a knock at the door.....when I opened it I was greeted with a huge bouquet of beautiful red roses. It was the most beautiful rose bouquet I have ever seen. Then comes the best part......at about 1 PM there was another knock at the door....when I opened it my cute neighbor Kathy was there holding a red bag she said "Happy Anniversary" and held out the bag to me. I was a little confused at why she would know it was my anniversary or bring me something and then she began to explain. Ryan had gone shopping and arrange for her to bring it over to me! She also brought a card and a pink rose from her and Bruce wishing us a Happy Anniversary. I was stunned and brought the sack inside and found 2 boxes and with the help of my 3 boys we opened them and I found 3 shirts and a linen outfit! I was stunned that my cute husband had done this and where did he get the time ( I think he had a special helper). Thank you honey for making my day so special.

Here's to 11 Years.....

Happy 11th Anniversary Ryan,

I am sorry that we are miles apart today but I want you to know that you are always in my thoughts and that I love you so much . I am so thankful that you are my husband. As the years go by, I stop and think about all the memories we've made, the good times we've shared and the love between us that keeps growing. You are not only my husband, but my best friend and soul mate. You are a blessing from above - I will try to remember that and not take our time together for granted. I thank you for all the things that you've done for me and the our precious boys. Our son's are the greatest gift that you could ever give me and are truly blessings from God. Thank you for your sacrifice that allows me to stay home with them and raise them to be compassionate, kind and loving son's, grandson's, friends and someday husbands and fathers....they all bring little pieces of heaven into my life each day. Thank you for all you do for us and for who you are. I am so proud of the changes you have made in your life and for the example that you are to our sons. I love you most of all because you see the best in me and every time I look at you, my heart still misses a beat. You're the only one who holds the key to my heart. You have taught me the true meaning of love. Love is, what you mean to me - and you mean everything. I have had the best times in my life with you and the best is yet to come. I'm forever grateful for your love and proud to be your wife. Most of all I love you for your intelligence, 'cause you were smart enough to fall in love and marry me ;) Happy Anniversary.

Love Always and Forever, Renee

I promise to give you the best of myself

and to ask of you no more than you can give.

I promise to respect you as your own person
and to realise that your interests, desires and needs
are no less important than my own.

I promise to share with you my time and my attention
and to bring joy, strength and imagination to our relationship.

I promise to keep myself open to you,
to let you see through the window of my world
into my innermost fears
and feelings, secrets and dreams.

I promise to grow along with you,
to be willing to face changes in order to keep
our relationship alive and exciting.

I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
with all I have to give and all I feel inside
in the only way I know how.
Completely and forever.

...................."Knock Out".................... I voted for David "baby face" Archuleta!

This song really hits home for me lately.....
He sings so beautifully, it touches my heart.
GO DAVID.....VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!

Ok ok so I voted until 12 midnight...I know you think I am crazy but there is just something about this kid. Maybe it's his vulnerability, his innocence or maybe his purity...when he sings it touches my heart. Last night when he sang I had tears in my eyes and when I looked at Jackson he did too and he remarked "mom isn't he amazing?" and I hugged him and said "yes but so are you". It was a sweet moment......Thank you David. Go David!!

My thoughts today.....

If love could change the way things are
you would live forever and go so far
You'd know that I am always there
That I'll always love you, I'll always care

But love can't change the way things are
Or stop your pain or mend your scars
I hope that love can let you know
Not to give up or ever let go

Even when you're not in sight
You're in my thoughts day and night
Love is what will keep you there
And makes me thankful
for all that we have shared

*Make sure that you pause (II) my playlist before you click on play*

Way to go Ayden...

Ayden had his last soccer game Saturday. He had fun but "is glad it is over". We have been going to Jackson's Lacrosse game and Ayden soccer games every Saturday and I think he was tired of going going going.....story of my life!! He also played baseball Friday and has 3 more game left. Landon and Jackson had a great time cheering him on, enjoying the sunshine *hot* and eating ring pops. Way to go Ayden!!

LAX is almost over!!

Jackson only has 3 LAX games left can you believe it? It has become his new favorite sport. He has this coming weekend off and then has 2 games back to back on the 31 of May the first one at 1 PM and then his last game is on June 7th in Park City. He has made some great friend and has had a great time. We have loved learning the game and watching him improve.....he is super speedy!

David vs David

~VS~

*OMG*Can you believe it? I was so sad to see Syesha go but ecstatic that David Archuleta is in the final...I guess my 2 hours of voting on both phones paid off!! I got tickets to see the Idols tour this morning and am so excited to see the top 10 on July 14th!!! I can't wait for the finale on Tuesday May 21st!! Make sure you all vote vote vote....for David Archuleta of course!!

TRY NOT
DO OR DO NOT
THERE IS NO TRY

My process to evolution...a new begining

So many of you might have noticed that I haven't blogged about my "weight" issue for 2 weeks...I have been a little preoccupied so I apologize. I have made a very important step...I joined The Sports Mall! I have committed to myself to go every morning at least 4 times a week....it works for me because they offer childcare so I can take Landon and go while Jackson and Ayden are in school. I know you a thinking that school is going to be out in 20 days *CHEER* and what will I do then well, I have that covered....the boys will both take swimming and tennis in the morning so they will be busy and it won't change my plan to much! So far it has been great and I have enjoyed it, yes I said ENJOYED....even though I was a little enthusiastic and overdid it Tuesday *my legs are screaming at me* but you know what they say " no pain no gain" Whatever!! My sister in law Natalie is a member and has gone with me and it has been nice to have a workout partner. I am going to extend an invitation to you to join me at The Sports Mall...if your not a member and have been thinking about getting a membership somewhere.....The Sports Mall is great, they have tennis, swimming and all kinds of programs whether your 2 or 100. Ok, now for the news...I guess it could be worse..I haven't gained or lost in the past 2 weeks....just keep in mind that I haven't' made a conscious effort the past couple of weeks but there is always this week right??

*Sniff*

I came across this poem on the internet today and it stuck in a hurtful space in my heart. I hope you don't mind if I share it with you...

A piece of glass on a family portrait always cracked but never completely shattered. Strength of love and compassion held us together as weakness and resentment constantly knocked on our door. We always found a way to mend the hurtful mistakes, comments and actions with some super glue. But some how eventually the glue could hold no more and the glass on the semi flawed family portrait shattered to the floor. As I look upon the shattered nothingness I try to recall all the causes throughout the years that weakened the once perfect pane that is now only tiny slivers of individual broken glass . Yet through my aching heart and my burning tears I wounder if I can forgive and forget and love once again........or will I be hurt again

Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom~
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom~
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom~
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom~
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could
make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom~
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

One Team One Dream

Ryan and Jackson went to the Jazz game on Friday night and were so thrilled that the Jazz played so well and Beat the Lakers *hiss, boo*! They had a great time and even saw David Archuleta sing the National Anthem...We love David!! Jackson had a wonderful time with his dad and loved going to the game...GO JAZZ!!

Indy is back!!!

We are big I mean BIG Indiana Jones fans...have you seen the movie posters in our office?? (me it's the Harrison Ford factor!) We can't wait to see the new film in the saga Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I am a little worried that it won't live up to the other films and my expectations but I am still waiting patiently for the release on the 22nd. Yes, Indy is back!!!


www.indianajones.com

Ayden's Spring K Program....

We had so much fun at Ayden's Kindergarten Spring Program this morning. He did such a good job!! I can't believe that he will be in first grade next year and gone all day, boy time flies. Landon and I are going to miss him so much...Great job Ayden we all love you so much!! Make sure you pause (II) my music player before you watch the videos....They are so cute!! Enjoy!!

Baseball..

Go Ayden's Angel's!!!

I am not a perfect mom...

I wish I was a prefect mom,
Like those ones that I see on tv
Prancing about in beautiful clothes
So perfect and carefree.
They have well behaved children
That never talk back
They have perfect bodies
And always have everything on track.
I am quite different from them
Oh no I am not the same
I stumble upon trouble
And have to pick which son to blame.
I yell and my house is sometimes in disarray
I have a food stain on my shirts
And dishes in the sink
My whole body aches and hurts.
However today I realized
That I don't have it so bad
It took my sweet 3 boys
To make me glad.
One " I love you", a wink
And a big smile was all it took
to realize I am me
I don't want to go by the book.
I am the best I can be everyday
I do sometimes lose my head
But nobody is perfect.
I am off to get my lovely boys to bed.

Please Read me!!! re: Just for this morning

I received a rather "distasteful" e-mail this morning about the poem I posted yesterday. I received the poem in an e-mail and found it rather touching. The "author" sent me the following e-mail:

Just for this day. That is the title of the poem.

Remove it, or I will take legal action against you, you are breaking copyright law.

Sally Meyer

So rather than enjoying the poem I am left with a bad taste in my mouth. I am now left wondering if the author surfs the net looking for people quoting her poem and attacks them for doing so rather that smiling and thinking that she has touched someone. I have a very different impression of the poem now. Please comment of your thoughts, I would love to hear what you think and how you would react... I am removing the poem because now I no longer feel the same about her what I thought were touching words but I am including a link I found if you'd like to read it. I found it Interesting that on the link it states "Author Unknown" Hmmmmmm???

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/just.for.this.day/9912.htm

Can't wait to be bitten...can you?

Movie Trailer

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Save the date!! I am planning a "girls night out" for opening night!!!

Another one down...only 5 more to go!!

Ayden's Angles had a great game Tuesday evening. Ayden made two great hits and played 2nd base! His favorite part of the game is when it is over and he can get a treat.....I tired to tell him that isn't really a part of the "game". Landon and I had fun cheering him on and enjoying the sunshine, we are getting quite the tan :)....he only has 5 games left so check out the schedule to the right and come help us cheer him on! Way to go Ayden!!!

Again....Amazing

This has always been one of my very favorite songs. When I was 6 my brother Craig was born, he was premature and very sick. He spent weeks in the ICU at PCMC. My mom brought me home a little pick puppy (which I still have) that played "love me tender" so I would be reminded of how much she loved me while she was away at the hospital with baby Craig. My brother Craig is now 30, healthy as a horse, has a wonderful wife; Natalie, 2 amazing and beautiful daughters; Taylor 8 and Brenna 3. I wound the music box it to hear the song so many times that it no longer works, but it did it's job and brought me so much comfort throughout my childhood. This is such a tender song and David did an amazing job..Elvis would be proud!!!

We're going to the zoo....

We're going to the zoo, we'll see a kangeroo and a cockatoo. So how 'bout you? We're going to the zoo. Lions roar and play, with tigers so they say. Elephants spray and zebras neigh at the zoo all day.

We had a great day at the zoo on Monday with Ayden's kindergarten class. We had a nice warm sunny day and saw lots and lots of animals. We had lunch at the zoo too! Ayden had a great time with his friends and loved seeing all the animals. Evey time we saw a new animal Landon squealed with excitement and shouted "look mom, look can you see it?" It was so much fun!!

Another day at the baseball field...

Jackson is busy as a bee....as usual. He pitched a great inning at baseball Monday night and helped his team get another victory. He is such a great little pitcher and it is so much fun to watch him. He only has 4 games left so look at the schedule and join us to cheer him on. Great job Jackson!


Landon kept himself busy during the game by collecting soccer balls from a girls game near the baseball field. He was so proud of himself. Grandma and Grandpa had fun cheering him and Jackson on....Thanks for coming!!

Lacrosse Saturday...

We spent all day at Lacrosse on Saturday. Jackson had 2 games and they won both! Jackson even tried his hand at goalie and did a great job. He is supper speedy and zig zags his way around the field. He made some great shots at the goal but didn't score...yet. WAY TO GO JACKSON!!




Join us to cheer him on...there are only 4 games left!!!

Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...

Having to take his antibiotic twice a day, the Motrin and Tylonol, Landon is getting to be a pro at taking his medicine. A week ago we had to pin him down while he kicked and screamed while we cringed just waiting for him to spit it out (usually all over me). I even found myself bribing him with a small treat to swallow it but now he gulps it down with out a fuss on his own. He is doing much better and getting back to his sweet mischievous self.

Hooray, Ryan comes home tomorrow!!!