Today I cleaned. I mean I really cleaned, like I haven't cleaned in months. Baseboards wiped down, blinds cleaned, doors & door jams dusted, rugs washed, bed spreads washed, cupboards cleaned out...you name it I cleaned it. It took me all day and every ounce of energy, but I managed to clean every square inch of my house. There's a lot of satisfaction in knowing that my house is totally clean.

I know by the end of the day tomorrow there will once again be little hand prints and slobber marks all over the fridge and oven. food will be thrown on the floor. Dishes will be left in the sink. The shower will have new water marks. Toothpaste will be splashed on the mirror. Shoes will be left out. Dirty clothes will be in the laundry baskets. The garbage cans will no longer be empty etc...etc...

But tonight the house is silent, the baby and husband are sound asleep, and the house is clean...totally clean. I'm just going to bask in this rare and perfect moment.

The perfect day for a wedding!

There's only one thing better than your own wedding day, seeing your best friend get married. Today was such a wonderful day. Gina and Clint were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony. Elder Hinckley (Pres. Hinckley's son) performed the sealing. He is really good friends with Gina's dad. They grew up together. He shared a couple of beautiful stories about his mom and dad.

He told us about an experience shortly before his dad passed away. His whole family had been in the very same sealing room. His sisters youngest daughter was getting married and Pres. Hinckley was performing the sealing. It was the last of his grandchildren to get married. As Pres. Hinckley was speaking he stopped mid sentence and said, "You know I just had a thought. After today I will have had the honor of sealing all of my children and grandchildren in the temple. I think perhaps that is the single greatest thing I have accomplished in my life." He then continued on with the sealing. Elder Hinckley said it was interesting to learn that of all the amazing and wonderful things his dad accomplished in his life, Sealing up his family was to him the greatest thing.

He also shared a conversation he had with his parents once. He asked them what they thought had been the secret to their long and happy marriage. Pres. Hinckley's response had been, "Working every day to serve his wife and trying to be as selfless as possible." When he asked his mom the same question, he said her response was without hesitation, "I lowered my expectations." Of course that got a good laugh. He is a lot like his dad. But in reality, that is so true. I think we all have to lower our expectations a little. No one is perfect, especially in marriage.

Anyway, It was a beautiful day. Reese and I went up to the temple. Arnold couldn't take the day off, he had an important meeting he had to attend. He did join us at the reception tonight though. Below are some fun shots from the day.

Congratulations Gina and Clint! We are so happy and excited for you. We love you!!

Gina & Clint in the classic "coming out" shots. Doesn't everyone have these shots? I love that Clint couldn't take his eyes off of Gina.  I actually took several of these pictures and in every one, Clint never looks at the crowd.  His eyes never leave Gina.  So sweet.

Me and Keri! (One of my other best friends.)

Reese with her adopted Aunt Keri :) She was fascinated with Keri's necklace.

The first Dance! Gina was so beautiful.

Reese and her other adopted Aunt Gina. This was Reese's first wedding.

Memorial Day...truly memorable.

There are a lot of things I love about living in Utah and most of them have something to do with the outdoors. Today for example was one of those perfect Utah days. The sky was blue with just the right amount of white fluffy clouds. After a week of off and on rain, everything was a beautiful shade of green. Because it's spring, the mountains are still snow caped, so the skyline was like a perfectly striped oil painting of blue, white, brown & green. The air was warm with a nice cool breeze. The kind of weather that allows you to stay outside for hours and never be too hot or too cold. I loved this day. It was hard to stay inside.

So we of course didn't stay inside. Reese got her first view of the entire valley from Squaw Peak where we went for a picnic, and a little bit of hiking.

On Motherhood

An old friend of mine wrote this on her blog. I hope she doesn't mind that I'm posting it on mine. It really say's it all. Thanks Mandi!

On Motherhood:
What else matters? I forgot.
Lost ambitions, Gained perspective.
What was I living for before? I forgot.
Lost sleep, Gained direction.
What was I doing before? I forgot.
Lost time, Gained a purpose.
What happened? I became a mother.

Laughy Taffy!

Reese has been such a laugher lately. And not little giggles, she cracks herself up and laughs these great big belly laughs. Sometimes we know why she's laughing and sometimes were not quite sure. But either way...it is just too cute.

It's a good day for a bike ride!

This weekend we decided to take our first family bike ride. We rode up the canyon to Bridalveil Falls. Reese wasn't sure what to think of her trailer at first. She was a bit fussy through out the ride. But she was missing her morning nap, so we'll have to see how she does fully rested. She's going to have to get used to it...because we'll be doing a lot of riding this summer.

On another note: I love love love my new bike. I pulled Reese the whole way and could hardly tell she was attached to me. My bike rode so smoothly. If anyone out there is shopping for a new bike, I highly recommend the Trek Pure. It has all the comforts of a cruiser, with the gears of a mountain bike. The hills were a breeze. Most importantly, the seat is so comfortable. It was the first time I've ridden a bike for that long, and my bum didn't hurt at all. Yea for Trek!! Click here for a link to the bike I have.

Reese all snug in her trailer as we were getting ready to leave.

Reese at the park after we were finished. She didn't even break a sweat.


Here she comes for the camera. I can't resist that look of determination on her face.


Reese watching the Heber Creeper rolling in. I can't believe how big she looks in this shot. She is growing up so fast.

The sweetest of firsts!

Sometimes I look at Reese and see myself. It could be a look, a movement, or the way she laughs. She has my ears and my chin; my nose and hopefully my hair. But there are also those moments when she's definitely her daddy's little girl. Mostly in the eye's...those beautiful hazel eye's. And then of course there was tonight...in the chocolate chip cookies. Reese couldn't wait for them to come out of the oven. Her first taste of the sweet life. She was definitely a fan, just like her daddy. I mean...who can resist a chocolate chip cookie.

Happy birthday Jen!

My big sister turned 37 on May 21st. I would give her a bad time about her age, but I'm only 2 years behind so it isn't really funny! Here are a few fun things you may not know about my sister...

-Although she rivals Martha Stewart these days...when she first got married she could hardly boil water. But that's the amazing thing about my sister. When she decides she wants to do something, like learn to cook, there's no stopping her. From learning to make her own lotion to her most recent venture in making her own yogurt...there's nothing she can't do.

-When she was young if you would have asked her what she wanted to do after she graduated, she would have said she wanted to go into business and not get married until she was a lot older. She ended up getting married at 18 and becoming a mother at 20. I however, ended up going into business and not getting married until I was 32...go figure.

-We have always been best friends. When we were little I used to get so jealous when she would go to her friends house's to play. So I would sneak out of the house, go to her friend’s house, and tell her that mom said she had to come home. It only worked a few times before she caught on to my little trick. But it was only because I really wanted her to play with me.

-She looks extremely young for her age. When her youngest baby girl, Mycol, was about 3 years old she took her to the store. While waiting in line the guy in front of her turned around and said, "Your little sister is so cute." Jen said, "She’s not my little sister, she's my daughter." The guy then told her she looked way to young to have a child. Jen laughed and said, "Too young...I have two other kids at school right now. This is my baby." It's so hard to look so young.

Well Jen, I hope you had a happy birthday. You deserve it! And remember, you're only as old as you think you are.



We just got a new scanner, so I couldn't resist scanning a few fun pictures of me and my big sis growing up. We were pretty inseperatable.

Mommy's new toy...

Yep...today I got a new toy. My new Trek Cruiser. It's my Mother's Day, Anniversary & Birthday present wrapped into one. I feel like I've gone back in time a little. I think the last bike I had with a kick stand was the cool pink huffy I got for my 10th birthday. Good Times!

We also got a bike trailer for Reese. She and I are going to have a lot great times cruising around this summer.



I had to snap a couple pictures of Reese completely facinated by grass. She can't take her eye's off of it. She also likes to eat it. Funny kid.

Oh sweet victory!

Reese and I had our first real disagreement...I thought I should be feeding her and she thought she should be feeding herself...she won!

Oh sweet victory!

8 Months...If only time stood still.

Just a few things to remember about 8 months old:

- The other day I was running around the house picking things up and doing laundry. When I finished I sat down on the couch by Reese. She was watching Sesame Street of course. As soon as I sat down she crawled onto my lap, curled up lying on her side with her hands under her head. I put my hand on her side and she reached her arm around and pulled my hand into her chest clutching it tightly. I took my other hand and ticked her head and face. She fell asleep in like 5 minutes. It was the probably the cutest thing she's ever done.

- Reese insists on turning the pages of her books when we read. Last night as we were reading her bedtime story, I accidentally turned one of the pages. She looked up at me, and gave me a very disapproving look. She looked back at the book, turned the page back and turned it herself. She then looked back up at me and smiled. I had to try so hard not to laugh.

- Reese say's mama all the time, but usually it's not in reference to me per say. However the other day she was playing by the bookshelf and accidentally pulled down a heavy book and it knocked her over. She started crying and immediately came crawling towards me, crying mama mama mama, until she reached me. Who knows...maybe she knows I'm her mama?

- Reese watches everything we do with great intent. I will often find her staring at Arnold or me. I love the look on her face...it's like I'm actually witnessing her learning something new. She will then try to mimic us. It's pretty amazing.

- Reese pulls herself up to everything and walks along side things. She hasn't quite attempted walking solo but I'm sure she'll get to that soon enough. I've had to adjust to having fingerprints and slobber on just about every surface of the house under 3 feet. She's also lost interest in most of her toys. Who needs toys when there's a whole world of adult things to explore. As you can see below, anything within reach gets pulled off shelves. I have now moved her books up a shelf. She gets mad that she can't reach them anymore.

Congratulations Erika!

A big congratulation so my sister-in-law Erika for graduating with her Masters last Saturday. Sorry we missed it Erika, but our thoughts were with you. Now you can relax and get ready for that new little baby girl to come. (Erika is expecting baby #2 in August).

(In this picture: My dad, my mom, my nephew Crew, My brother Brady, My sister-in-law Erika, & Erika's parents)

The talent runs deep...

I have to take a moment and brag on my brother a little. He is so talented; I don't think he even realizes how deep his talent runs. He is successfully creative and gifted with what ever artistic medium he attempts. From the amazing painting hanging in my dining room, to the bench on my porch, the toy chest in my basement, the table in my hallway, and the numerous beautiful pottery bowls displayed throughout my house; he has gifted hands.

This latest bench he made for my mom for Mother's Day. The pictures don't really do it justice. It's absolutely gorgeous! I hope you realize the gift you've been given Kit!

Happy Birthday Kit!

Is it possible that my little brother could be in his thirty's??? Yes it is...I am getting so old. Happy Birthday little brother! He hates it when I call him that, he insists he's not really little. He also hates it when I take his picture. But when I slave all day making him a birthday dinner and cake, while nursing a sick baby on my first official Mother's Day...well I get to do what ever I want!!

Love you Kit!

Kit getting ready to blow out his birthday candles.


Reese and her cousin Mycol, watching Uncle Kit blow out his birthday candles.


Riley enjoying the birthday cake. Uncle Steve, he wasn't feeling well.

A Mother's Day to remember.

I really didn't have any expectations for my first official Mother's Day. I mean isn't every day, kind of mother's day?? But I never would have thought it would be quite so stressful. Leading up to Mother's Day Reese had become increasingly more sick. On Thursday she completely stopped taking her bottles. I took her to the Doctor on Friday but they just said to keep watching her for dehydration and try to get as many liquids as possible in her. By Saturday afternoon she still wasn't eating and I was getting really worried. We took her to the insta-care where she was finally diagnosed with a double ear infection. They put her on antibiotics and again warned us to watch for dehydration, but that she would probably start eating once the antibiotics kicked in.

We woke up on Sunday to discover she still had a fever and still would not take a bottle. And now she wouldn't eat solids either. I spent the morning trying every possible way to get some liquid in her. She wouldn't take her sippy cup, she wouldn't eat any fruit, she wouldn't eat a Popsicle; the only way she would drink anything was drinking out of my glass and that was only a sip at a time. Arnold and I spent the entire day having her sip out of our cups every 10-15 minutes while constantly doing the dehydration tests that the doctor gave us. Needless to say, it was a long day.

But then around 6 p.m. Reese decided to give me her mother's day gift. While sleeping in my lap, I quickly swapped out her binky for a bottle and she drank 4 ounces. I tried it again at bed time and she drank 6 ounces. She woke up the next morning with no fever and willing to eat...finally.

Looking back now I've decided it was a pretty fitting mother's day. I really couldn't have been more of a "mom" that day.

On another note, Arnold was so good to me on mother's day. He made me a video collage of photo's put to music about our life together. It had all my favorite sappy songs and little messages narrating everything we've been through. Of course it highlighted the best part...our little Reese. It was so beautiful. I started crying 2 senconds into it.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I honestly beleive that every woman is a mother wherether they have children or not. One of my favorite quotes on the topic is by Sheri Dew. It's long...but well worth it.

"Have you ever wondered why prophets have taught the doctrine of motherhood—and it is doctrine—again and again? I have. I have thought long and hard about the work of women of God. And I have wrestled with what the doctrine of motherhood means for all of us. This issue has driven me to my knees, to the scriptures, and to the temple—all of which teach an ennobling doctrine regarding our most crucial role as women. It is a doctrine about which we must be clear if we hope to stand “steadfast and immovable” regarding the issues that swirl around our gender. For Satan has declared war on motherhood. He knows that those who rock the cradle can rock his earthly empire. And he knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the next generation, the kingdom of God will fail.

When we understand the magnitude of motherhood, it becomes clear why prophets have been so protective of woman’s most sacred role. While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” —and they did so before she ever bore a child. Like Eve, our motherhood began before we were born. Just as worthy men were foreordained to hold the priesthood in mortality, righteous women were endowed premortally with the privilege of motherhood. Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us...

As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers and we have always been mothers. And we each have the responsibility to love and help lead the rising generation. How will our young women learn to live as women of God unless they see what women of God look like, meaning what we wear, watch, and read; how we fill our time and our minds; how we face temptation and uncertainty; where we find true joy; and why modesty and femininity are hallmarks of righteous women? How will our young men learn to value women of God if we don’t show them the virtue of our virtues?...

Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us...As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the premortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn’t stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won’t tell you that, but the Spirit will...

We just can’t let the Lord down. And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

AMEN!!!! If you want to read the entire talk click here.  

I feel very lucky to have been intrused with "full time" motherhood.  Reese is the greatest blessing Arnold and I have ever recieved.  We can not imagine our lives with out her.  But I also realize and hope that throughout her life she will encounter many "mothers" that will assist in shaping and molding her into a rightous woman.  

What have I done...?

Ok Carrian, you inspired me. Here's what I have done. Mine are all highlighted.

Rules are, you highlight, bold, or underline any of the following things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band. I've sung with a band.
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo (how about a duet?? Never again! I was roped into it on my mission.)
11. Bungee jumped - what can I say, I've always had a daring streak in me
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched an amazing lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty, got there and said...this view is good enough...I don't need to wait 4 hours to go to the top.
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (only because our car broke down and we had to.)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill, I was mentally ill...in desperate need of a day off.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice, been there but no gondola ride...I think you need to be in love to do that. I was 13.
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run, in 8th grade...it was glorious!
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. I don't need money to be satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business, does a blog count if it is earning money?
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible, unfortunately not cover to cover...I've probably read it collectively though.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. Does a fish count??
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby, horray for me!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

Sick!

"I cannot go to school today," said little Peggy Ann McKay. "I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I'm going blind in my right eye.....

Just a little excerpt from my favorite Shel Silverstein poem. That's just for you Sally!

Only my little Reeses isn't faking. She really is sick and it’s the first time she's gotten sick sense leaving the hospital when she was born.

When we were kids and we got sick, my mom would make us a bed on the couch. We would snuggle with our blanky and stuffed animals and watch TV while we drifted in and out of sleep all day. My mom would make us soup and bring us juice and crackers.

That's pretty much what Reese has been doing for the last couple of days. I'm either holding her or she' snuggled right next to me watching Sesame Street. I bring her bottles, water, and the occasional cracker. When she drifts off to sleep I put her in her crib. I hate seeing my little monkey so sick. She has been sleeping so much, I almost miss her. Yesterday she took two 4 hour naps, then slept 13 hours at night. So far today she's well into the 4th hour of her first nap. I've noticed with Reese that when she's in pain or not feeling well...she sleeps a lot. She does the same thing when she's teething. I'm glad she's getting the rest she needs though.


Today I built up the pillows next to me so she could see the TV better. She was so cute sitting up high watching TV.


Last night we gave her a popsickle to cool her off. She loved it! I helped her at first, but when she got the hang of it...she devoured it and made a huge mess.

Time to go home...

We had a good time in San Antonio, but I always love to come home. There's nothing like sleeping in your own bed and getting back to a good routine.

Reese trying to help me pack! She was such a great baby on our trip. She slept really well in the hotel. She was generally happy the whole time, despite the fact that she missed a lot of naps and wasn't able to crawl and explore near as much as she does at home. However, if she could talk she'd probably tell you that she doesn't care to be in her car seat or stroller again for a long while. :)


Reese sleeping on the plane ride home. She slept almost the whole way.


When we got home we discovered that Reese was running a 103.7 fever. No wonder she slept the whole way home. We took her to the insta-care and found out that she has Rosiolla. It's a virus passed from baby to baby. She will probably run a high fever for a few days then get a rash and then get better. The doctor says that this virus can only be passed between babies and not adults, so she must have picked it up from another baby in San Antonio. I think the only place she had direct contact with other babies was at church. She was playing with a couple other babies in the hallway during sacrament meeting. Oh well, she'll be ok in a couple of days. In the mean time I'll enjoy snuggling with her and letting her sleep long hours. At least she didn't pick up the swine flu. LOL!