Right at this moment...

Oh, boy! I adore this little four-and-a-half year old boy. He constantly tests my patience, but I love him so much. He keeps us laughing all the time and I just want to bottle him up and not forget anything he does. I know I will look back and think that this time went by so fast.

Here are some cute things our big C says and loves lately:
1-He loves for us to read him stories. Loves them. We go to the library every week and check out a bundle of books. He is starting to read and it's been so fun. Often we are in the car and he'll read words that I didn't know he knew!
2-He says, "At the Beginning and at the BeEnd"
3-The other day he said to me, "Mom, you are the mosquito that I love" ?? what? we just laughed!
4-He loves babysitters and says, "Who is going to babysitter us, Mom?"
5-He is getting more brave with the food we offer him. I'll tell him he's had it before and he liked it. He'll make a face that would make you think he hates it and then finish and say, "oh, I do remember this!"
6-He is a busy boy! He loves to ride his bike.
7-He is very sentimental and gives us hugs and kisses all the time.
8-Speaking of kisses-he wants to kiss my lips all the time! Mark says they are only for him and so now it's a challenge! What a funny kid.
9-He loves his cousin Tyann. She came into town the other day and as soon as he saw her, he put his hands on his hips and said, "Ty, I've been thinking about marrying you!" What a little cutie.
10-He calls Carl's Jr. "Carla's Jr. or Carlos Jr."
What a fun, happy, busy, independent, naughty, loveable little boy!

Attitude

I'm actually not sure anyone reads my blog anymore since my "move" but I'm still here and writing :)
Do you ever think about the effect a positive attitude can have on things? Well I do.

This morning I looked out my front window to see a large backhoe digging up pavement and then digging a large 5 foot hole. It was totally blocking my driveway. Totally. I didn't need to go anywhere, but I did wish that one of the men had just come to my door and told me what was going on. It made me mad and I called two friends and let them know how I was feeling too. I love good friends that will listen! :)

Anyway, it turned out fine. Mark came and picked me up, so we could go get our car out of the shop. (story for another day!) And I ran some errands and then came home. A nice guy hopped out of the backhoe and asked if I needed to get into my garage. They moved a truck and then told me they were turning my water off for a couple hours. I was fine.
(Until the bathroom was needed! :)

Then, this afternoon, I saw a man on main street in Logan that had a sign that said, "Will work for food" and I just wondered where this man's family was? What has gotten him to this point? And then, I realized that I really have it so great.

Later tonight, our home teachers came. They shared a message about having a positive attitude, and it was just the message I needed to hear today. This project on 10th west is going to happen. If I complain, or get upset, it doesn't really matter. All that does is hurt me. I'm going to choose to be more upbeat about it. And other things in our life that just haven't gone as we had hoped. A lot of things lately. I'm not talking about anything earth shattering, just things like; really expensive car fixes, crowns needed on both of our teeth, work stuff, etc.
They come in waves, don't they?

All is well. Life happens. I really believe that the person that we really are shines through when we can deal with less than great situations well. And there you have it.

House Demolition

House demolition going strong. There is now just a little rubble left of both houses. It's nutso. And loud. Yesterday, we planned a day away from home just so we didn't have to listen to all the big bangs of broken cement hitting the bottom of a metal truck. Trust me, it's loud. We took a ton a pictures...









AND
Tuesday at preschool, my friend "Mrs. Megan" (C's teacher) asked the kid's what words started with the letter U. One kid said, "You!" and she was trying to explain that, that's a tricky one, then Big C said, "You Tube!" How does he know what that is you ask? We don't really know. He is too smart for his own good!

Viva Las Vegas!

I was so excited when Mark let me tag along with him to his CFE conference this year in Vegas! I jumped at the opportunity of getting out of Logan for a few days. (Ironically, when we left if was 50 degrees here. 50!) It was especially perfect that it was over Valentines Day.

The plane ride out might be one of my favorite memories...We were chatting about all kinds of things and then Mark asked me, "Do you have any goals?" It caught me off guard and then I asked him if he knew what he just asked me. We just laughed and laughed. I know you just had to be there, but by the end of our conversation I was seriously laughing so hard I was in tears! Why does it take getting out of Logan without kids to remind us how much fun we have together?

The CEO of Mark's company is a really nice guy. He called Mark to see if he had landed and when he found out that I had come with Mark, he offered to switch us hotel rooms. His room was a suite at the MGM Grand (where our "standard" room was) that he said "he didn't need since his wife wasn't with him" It was so nice of him and it was so fun for us! I didn't take any pictures (duh!) But it was fun. He also sent room service to our room the next day. He totally went over and above for us.


Anyway, the week consisted of Mark in meetings most of the daytime, and me reading, walking up and down the strip, shopping and laying by the pool. At night, we'd find a fun place to eat, walk a lot, and watch the Bellagio fountains and all the crazy people in Vegas. We also met up with one of Mark's friends from high school one night (that now lives in Vegas) and went to a buffet at the Aria Hotel. It was delicious and Ether was great company.


On actual Valentines Day, Mark and I got tickets to Phantom Of the Opera. It was awesome. Way more Vegas style than I've seen before. Fire, gun shots and smoke. The theater was built for this play and the huge chandelier was amazingly huge.

On Tuesday, I went to the "graduation" of all the new CFE's. I snapped this picture of Mark on his phone. We have a laughed a bunch over this picture... (he's standing next to Mr. Bean!)






Can you tell I love the Bellagio fountains?
And here are some of what Mark took on his phone. I'm just kicking myself I didn't have a better picture taken of us on Valentines! Oh well...

We did this 3D movie view in MGM.

Caden freaked out when we showed him this picture!

It was a great, quick trip! Near the end, I was refreshed and ready to be with my boys again and ready to face winter weather again. Those kind of trips make me so thankful for a little break and thankful that I get to come back to my little cuties...and thankful that Mark's parents are so gracious and wonderful to take care of our kids so we don't have to worry for a second about them.

25 Random Things about me!

#1- I love my little boys to the moon and back. I hope to have more! I like having schedules and routine, but lately am just trying to relax and enjoy the ride more. Motherhood has not been a walk in the park for me, but I'm grateful for all lessons these little boys teach me EVERY DAY. Sometimes I think they are more here for me, then I am for them.

#2-I love music. I love to sing. The funny thing about music is I have a good ear, but I can't read music very well (Embarrassing!) It doesn't help that I am the ward choir director. I'm so sorry mom for making you pay for piano all those years...

#3-Speaking of my mom! She is one of my best friends. We talk a few times a week and she knows me extremely well. I love her. And, we look a lot alike. Sometimes I even think our coughs sound alike. I owe who I am as a women to my mother. She inspired me young to work hard and study hard. I hope to be as great of a mother as she has been to me.

#4-I love getting to know people. I love to know each persons story because we all have them! I really care about them to. I like to have close friends and people that I understand and can talk to about anything and everything.

#5-I own 10 purses. I don't want to count my shoes, but you get the picture. I love all things girly--makeup, clothes, cute shoes, hats. Love them.

#6-I love exercising. Actually, I don't really like it, but I love the way I feel when I finish a great sweaty workout. It's true. I'm sad when I don't make it to the gym each day. It's an essential part of the day for me.

#7-I have OCD. It's true. And No, you can't turn me in for the show Horders. It's a different type. I'm a worrier and struggle with my thoughts ALL THE TIME. I'm an open book about it, because there are people who have been open with me and have helped me see that you can live a really great life with something really super difficult. I don't think we should hide hard things. I struggle with this and by being open I hope I can help others. I am very aware that life can be really super hard and stinky, but it makes me appreciate good days all the more...

#8-I love summertime. Love. It! And I strongly dislike winter time. This year more than ever I think I'd like to move to a warmer climate year round.

#9-I am the second to youngest of 6. 2 older brothers, 2 older sisters and one younger brother. We are all different in so many ways, but I love each of my siblings for who they are. I've learned something essential from each one of them. BUT sometimes at family parties, I look around and have to just laugh to myself. We couldn't be more different.

#10-When my kids are raised I want to become a marriage and family therapist. I love to learn about helping people and I can't wait to get back to school someday.

#11-I am so lucky to be married to my Markos. He is made just for me. He is patient, loving, supportive and lets me spread my wings and fly (cheesy, yes!) We compliment each other and every day more that I am married to him, the more I love him. It's amazing to me that we can still talk about anything and everything and it doesn't get old! There is still nobody in this world I would rather be with than him.

#12-I always think I have cancer...or some form of really bad illness. But I have a good sense of humor about it too... I know, you can laugh now.

#13-I love to try new recipes. And I really do enjoy cooking. I also love to eat out. (I hate cooking on Friday's! :)

#14-I love a clean house (but kids make it hard to keep it that way!)

#15-I try to have the dishes done before I go to bed. I don't like waking up to a sink full of dishes.

#16-I'm not a morning person. Just not. I'm blaming it on my DNA. None of my siblings, mom, nor I go to bed before midnight usually. Crazy, I know.

#17-Mark and I made an arrangement that if I clean house, he'll clean the bathrooms. Best deal I ever made.

#18-I LOVED high school and college. I wouldn't change one thing about those years of my life. I worked hard (3 jobs!) and played hard. I supported myself all the way through college and was blessed with some friends for life in those years. I still think of those friends often and hope they are all happy and well. Those were some of the best times of my life.

#19-My parents got divorced when I was 11. It was tough. Life doesn't always turn out the way you think it should, but great lessons were learned. I've had limited contact with him and don't know if he knows I have 2 children. Sad, yes. BUT you live and learn from people who make bad decisions. The hard part comes when we are with his side of the family. His sister, dad (who is almost 98!) and brothers are some of the neatest people I know. What the heck! :)

#20-Sometimes I'm seriously worried about my memory. I am always losing things-esp. my keys. And being married to Mark makes it even worse! He can remember what color of shirt he wore on his 2nd birthday. (Maybe not, but he is always telling me stories of his childhood with tons of details!)

#21-I love a good deal. Yes, I am totally one of those women you try not to get in line behind at the store. I use coupons and I love to save money! It seriously gives me a high to find a really good deal.

#22-I love being crafty. I joined Stampin Up! as a demonstrator so I could make myself get out my scrapbooking/card stuff each month and create projects. I've loved it.

#23-I love to travel. I love going to places where people are totally different than me.

#24-I like Reality TV. Biggest Loser, The Bachelor (don't judge), Amazing Race. I love them! :)

#25-I opinionated, competitive and talk too much. But those are things you love about me :) I'm an open book and love good conversations. Life is meant to be lived.
I am happy! I love my life! I feel like the luckiest girl a lot. I am thankful every day that Heavenly Father has blessed me with the life I have.

My favorite Super Hero

Isn't he the cutest Superhero you've ever seen??

He makes me crazy sometimes, but I love him to pieces. Everyday for the past few weeks, he'll dress up and want me to be "Spider Girl" and he'll be "spider boy" he's been in this funky stage of not wanting to go to preschool and throwing awesome tantrums. Today, he took a bucket full of his favorite things to show the kids at preschool. He is adorable, head strong, funny and I wouldn't change a thing.

Yesterday he said two funny things:
#1-Right before bedtime-
C: IS this Dad's toothbrush?
Me: Nope, it's mine.
C: Oh, where is dad's I want to use his...
Me: Well, you need to use your own toothbrush Cado, it's gross to use someone else's.
C: (insert sad voice) But I really want to use his, because I love dad so much.

#2-Talking about the bucket his teacher said he could fill with his favorite things today.
C: What should I put in this bucket, Mom?
Me: Oh, anything you like, it will be fun
C: So like Buzz and Woody?
Me: Yes, that would work
C: (who knows where he thought of this) But no fish right?
Me: (confused) Uh, nope, no fish.
C: No stinky fish, right?
Me: Nope?

What a hoot!

Thanks for following me! I just needed a clean slate this year and this will be the place. Check back soon! Add me to your reader and I'll blog away