We're Blowing This Popsicle Stand!

We will be out of touch with the blogging world while we travel with our kids on a well deserved family vacation. Have a wonderful week! We'll post pics and stories as soon as we get home!!!

I've Been Tagged

My friend Mindy tagged me, so here it is!

Five things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Chasing my one-and-a-half year old around the house.
2. Enjoying weekly visits with my mom, who drove to Logan each week to visit.
3. Getting to know some really great people at a really not-so-great job.
4. Exploring Cache Valley with my sweet hubby.
5. Hanging out with my cool in-laws.

Five things on my to do list today:
1. Can/freeze that box of peaches on the kitchen counter.
2. Finish the new kitchen floor.
3. Call Brayden's doctor's office.
4. Go to playgroup at the park.
5. Pick up Spencer from art.

Five snacks I enjoy:
1. Chocolate
2. Fresh Peaches with Cream
3. Oreos
4. Gala Apples
5. Mini-carrots

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off and remodel our house.
2. Pay off my Mom and Dad's house.
3. Help my siblings and in-laws with whatever they need.
4. Set up care plan for Brayden.
5. College funds, etc for our kids.

Five places I've lived:
1. Pleasant Grove, UT
2. Grenoble, France
3. Logan, UT
4. American Fork, UT
5. Orem, UT

Five jobs I've had:
1. Fred Meyer (lots of different jobs!)
2. Alpine School District
3. Convergys-Sprint Customer Service
4. Merchandiser
5. Mom---does room-mother count?

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog

Five People I'm tagging:
1. Becca
2. Laurie
3. Lisa
4. Kara
5. Raegan

Lovely Days!

The weather has been so nice lately. We've tried to take advantage of it by playing outside, going to the park and just opening the windows for the nice breeze. Andraia even hooked up the wagon to our little car and toured the neighborhood! Fun, Fun!!

Mini-Golf

Alas, my camera and I are currently in different locations, but I just had to mention that Earl and I took the kids mini-golfing tonight! We had a blast! Brayden had the opportunity to attend Friday's Kids (a wonderful respite program), so we took the other kids to Trafalga. Andraia's favorite parts are the first hit off of the 'tee' and the last hit into the cup, so that was usually all she wanted to do. She would carry the ball the rest of the way! Spencer is taking after his dad and really enjoys the putting. He is getting quite good. And little miss Chloe loved grabbing the golf balls from the cup to hand back to us.

The Trafalga indoor course is done with blacklights and an undersea theme, and the kids really enjoyed it.

Pics coming later!!

Our Pumpkin Field Visitors

We have always loved the pumpkin field behind our house. Yesterday we had two very unexpected and beautiful visitors. It made us enjoy the field even more!!

 

 

Remember the Day

Do you remember what you were doing seven years ago today? I do. We all have our own personal stories and remembrances. I remember wondering what this world would be like for my children to grow up. Yes, things are different than they were before, but we have each other. We have our freedom. We have the Gospel. What more can I ask for? I was even lucky enough to take my girls to the park and play with lots of friends from our ward today. It is nice to be doing 'normal' things on this anniversary, but I don't ever want to forget.

Girlfriends

What would I do without my girlfriends? Well, first of all, life would definitely not be as interesting. I would never talk myself into a boring, all alone, pedicure. They just aren't the same without a friend to gab with! And desert at Mimi's is yummy, but just not the same without a friend to laugh with! I am so grateful for my friends!!! They have seen me through lots of rough times, lots of fun times and lots of boring, in-between times. Through it all, we laugh, cry, or just grin and bear it together!

Our Weekend

We had regional conference this weekend. It was so wonderful. I found so many of the talks were just what I needed to hear. And although Earl wasn't able to go (someone had to stay home with Brayden) we were both able to feel the spirit from those talks. I took Spencer and Andraia with me. I was worried that 2 hours would be the breaking point for Andraia, but she did great! My friends Cheryl and Kristin sat on our bench with us, and Mindy's family was right behind us. I know if it hadn't been for all of the different laps to sit on, she wouldn't have lasted as long as she did. At the 1.5 hour mark, she was too restless, so I took her out to walk around the hall. After just a few minutes, we sat on the couch in the foyer and she watched the little babies in the area. She was fascinated with them and sat so nicely while I listened to the speakers. Spencer got many comments from people about how reverent he was. They both did a great job.

We spent time with my family on Sunday at the park. We also went out to dinner with my parents on Saturday. It is so nice having them all so close. They are always here for us when we need someone. (If our ward hasn't helped out first!! They are great, too!)

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Things I Do NOT Miss

Earl and I took Brayden to University Hospital today for a test. While we were in the area, we stopped at Primary Childrens to visit ICU. It was great to see Dave (our favorite patient tech) and some other people who took care of him, but I realized there are many things that I do NOT miss about PCMC.

I do NOT miss:
Driving from Orem everyday.
Stopping at the gate to get a parking tag.
Waiting for the slow elevators.
Wandering the halls in order to entertain Brayden.
Looking for a parking space in the crowded garage.
Watching the 'real' world go by while we're stuck in the alternate reality of ICU.

But I also have to say that there are things that I DO miss about PCMC.

Most of all, the wonderful people who obviously love what they are doing because being an ICU nurse, doctor or tech is NOT an easy job. They love the kids they take care of and love to see them come back to visit.

I miss their joyful spirits. They were never afraid that they would offend us if they started joking around. Laughter is truly the best medicine when it helps keep you out of that depressing, 'my child is in ICU' state of mind.

I know some of you have had children in the hospital for MUCH longer than our two weeks. And I don't know how you did it. I think I would have lost my mind. I never would have survived without such wonderful friends and family.

September Snow

It snowed yesterday!!! Mt. Timp looks fantastic with this beautiful dusting of snow. It was a shock to have such a cold day yesterday, but this picture was really worth it. And we are really enjoying the nice, cool weather!