JUSTIN'S BIG 15

When Justin was born Randy would always say:

Justin is our Angel
sent from up above
to bless our lives
with joy and love.

This little poem has followed Justin throughout his life. He is our Angel. Justin turns fifteen years old today. It seems like yesterday he was celebrating his sixth birthday with little boys beating up on a pinata. Oh how time flies.

WE LOVE JUSTIN!!!! Justin has a quick wit and a funny sense of humor. We are constantly laughing at his jokes and stories. He is never short for words and he is totally entertaining. He tells me he belongs in the movies. I tend to agree with him. His favorite movie is Zoolander and his Blue Steel gives Ben Stiller a run for his money.

We are so proud of Justin. He did so well in wrestling this year. He lettered for his high school. We surprised him for his birthday with a letterman's jacket. How cool is that!!!!! He looks mighty fine in his new Alta letterman's jacket.

Justin loves his sleep. To start off a great day he thought it would be nice to miss a few periods of school and get some good zzzzzzzzzzzzz time. A boy after my own heart. After a few long hours of school we picked him up and headed to his favorite eating spot, TRAINING TABLE. We all thoroughly enjoyed our number 24 turkey sandwich, cheese fries dipped in their famous sauce, a couple of waters and one large Diet Coke with a fresh squeezed lemon. The latter of the three beverages would be mine.

The celebration is close to over. How can we make this day any better? Justin's all time favorite treat, chocolate covered strawberries!!!! No cake, just a ton of strawberries drenched in milk chocolate. We love our Angel and we are so happy that he is with us to bless our lives with joy and love...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

WHERE'S MY BINKY!!!!!

Keeli was a very slow learner when it came to binky time. Reality finally hit me that she was not going to be a binky baby. I would try every month or so to see if if this binky thing would take. The binky would go in and come right back out. No binky for me!!!! People would tell me that it is a good thing that she does not want the binky. I would think to myself, well you try to keep her quiet during sacrament meeting. A month or so ago I was playing around with a binky and thought it would be fun to put it in Keeli's mouth. For sure, it will come flying back out. I was sorely mistaken. The binky was an instant hit. Oh no!!!! Do I really want a baby with this ugly thing in her mouth all the time? What was I thinking? As I was searching the house this morning for all the lost binky's I was wondering why I got myself into this mess in the first place.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!!!!!

I know that my previous post was about training for a triathlon and getting in shape. However, I seem to do better with my goals when it is the first of the week. Monday is always a good starting point. So with today being Sunday, and I already blew the past week, why not make my last day a bit more enjoyable. I find comfort, joy and happiness with warm homemade chocolate chip cookies. I feel a good excuse for my binging is the crappy weather. ( I don't eat just one.) The wind is blowing and there is a down pour of rain. The clouds are grey and it is dark!!!!! There is really nothing else I can do to divert me away from the kitchen. So until tomorrow, I am going to cuddle up in a blanket, eat my cookies and watch skinny girls walk down the red carpet at the Oscars.

PLEASE NOT THE BIG 40!!!!

It is with sorrow that I say that in mere short months I will be a new member of the 40 club. Should I feel excitement? It is a club that is becoming quite popular with my peers. A smile and a little chuckle would cross my face when it was time for my friends to celebrate, or FACE their big day. I made fun of my old husband when it was his turn to join. I never thought that my turn would come so fast. I so loved the thirty years. A strike is in the works. No birthdays after 35!!! Unfortunately this is a strike that I know is not winnable.

So I am preparing myself to join this club with dignity. I am following my wonderful sister-in-law's example and am bound and determined that I will finish a mini-triathalon before the big day. Am I ready to put on the swimsuit, biking shorts and running shoes? No, I don't think so. You see, I don't have much of an affection to the gym. I would much rather drink my Sonic Diet Coke along with a few, or maybe more than a few, M&M's.

Accountability is the reason I write this post. Self motivation is not my forte. In fact, it seems that I am the queen of a good excuse. My back hurts, can't go the gym! presidency meeting, no gym today. Tricia had a baby. I think I will take maternity leave with her. alas; NO GYM!!!!! In the back of my mind I hear the phrase "excuses are for losers." I don't want to be a loser. It is time to take back control. It also helps that spring is fast approaching. No more big, bulky, down coats. Nor more ugg boots and sweat pants to hide behind.

Let this be a written invitation (Tricia that is you) and any one else that is interested. I know that there are many of you out there that are fast approaching their big "40". Come feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Let's do a triathalon together. If you are not turning forty in the near future, lucky you, you still can do it. It is just a goal that you will accomplish must sooner. If you are more experienced and over the 40 mark come show us how it is done!!!! NO MORE EXCUSES THE TIME IS NOW!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARTER

We had so much fun at John & Kari-Lynn's house. We helped Carter celebrate his 1st birthday. Keeli got a little heated when Carter wanted her binky. You don't mess with a girl and her binky. Those are two cute babies!!!!!!

Got Paint!!!!

Austin found his true love. Thankfully, it is not drugs, not alcohol, and not a girl. It has a trigger, a barrell, and a whole lot of paint. I had no idea that this love affair would last so long. I recall several years ago when he said he was going to be playing paintball for his little league baseball party. It happened. It was love at first sight. His life has never been the same.

I thought for sure that there would be a break-up; that this was just a fleeting faze. He would surely move on to another love. I was very mistaken. The old adage is true; once you find your true love your life is forever changed. He spends countless hours keeping the relationship strong. He is either at the field practicing with his team, working to pay for this expensive love(he works at a paintball store) or making field layouts and strategies on the computer to make his team the best. He eats, drinks, and sleeps paintball.

He has found that keeping this love strong takes hard work, time, dedication, money and mostly supportive parents. This love has taken him across the country far and wide competing against the best of the best. He has experienced the feeling of being on top, winning it all, taking the gold. However, he has also felt the heartbreak of defeat, losing a tournament by a few points, disagreements with teammates, coaches and lastly referees. But, like any love affair, given a few days to think about it, he is back and fully committed to the relationship.

I do worry about this long lasting love affair. But, Austin continues to get excellent grades, high scores on the A.C.T. (yuk) and he is a parent's dream child. But, unlike most children's love affairs, he actually insists that his dad be involved. Randy has become his team's coach and has even played a few tournaments with him. They have found this to be a very bonding sport. I'm not sure who gets more butterflies before tournaments, Austin or his parents. We love talking to Austin about paintball, watching and talking about his tournaments and seeing his eyes and demeanor light up while talking about the love of his life. Yes, we enjoy his true love and we don't see a breakup in the near future.

I'm confused, She is not two!!!!!

Not My Hair Appointment

It happened so fast. I looked at my hair and dark roots were taking over my blonde locks. I needed a hair appointment; and I needed it right now. I called up my favorite hairdresser, Cindy, wanting to get an apppointment A.S.A.P. I told her that it is an emergency. The gray was coming in too fast and I was losing control. Unfortunately, hairdressers do not take emergency appointments. I would have to suffer through another whole week.
Today is the big day and my excitement is giddy. There is something about leaving a hair salon with a new cut and color that just makes me feel good inside. I am counting the hours until my appointment. I can make it a few more hours. I know I can!
Trish just called and needs help with carpool as her car has a flat tire. "Sure, I will be right over and we can stop and get a drink on our way home." As we are driving the kids to pre-school Trish exclaims, "I need to call Cindy. I need a hair appt, and I need it right now." I look at her with a smug smile and reply, "I have my hair appointment with Cindy tonight." I could tell she was a little mad, as she was feeling the same sense of urgency that I had felt last week. Then I hear the words, "Can I have your appointment?" "Please no, not my hair appointment", I think to myself. I look at her hair to see if she is truly in a state of emergency. "We are defintely in the same category. What am I to do", I ponder silently. Half-heartedly, I reply, "If you really need the appointment, you can take mine." She looks at me with a smile and says, "I would never take a girls hair appointment." She is so right. You never mess with a girl and her hair.

Pin His Shoulders to the Mat

Justin is wrestling for Alta High School this year. We are so proud of him and the great season that he has had. He is a ninth grader wrestling varsity. It's hard to figure out who gets more excited about practice, Justin or his Dad. Randy has been helping coach the kids, (he thinks he is one of them). If Randy could, he would be on the team. Is there such a thing as a forty and older bracket? It makes me smile watching Randy coach Justin in his matches, yelling out to him and cheering him on. Justin has made his old man proud, following in his footsteps.

My litle Piggies

First I have to let it be known that yes I do have two teenage boys and one hot husband. But there is something about little girls that is just too much fun. Keeli is now all over the place. Her favorite hangout spot is underneath the coffee table. I had to snap this picture to show that she is now nine months old and has hair long enough for two little piggies. I am totally smitten. She truly is a blessing and I am so grateful that she was chosen to come to our family.

FYI: It is still snowing!!!!!!!!! Can you say cabin fever.

WHAT? NO SNOW DAY!!!!!!!

It is Sunday morning and it is a blizzard outside. We must have six inches of fresh new snow.  It is hard to tell because of the blowing wind and the huge flakes that are still falling. Church is sure to be cancelled. Who would think of going out in this? Well, apparently Utahns do. I still must be living in Washington mode. If we even had a dusting, the town shuts down. That's not the case here. These people are die hards. We all bundled up and headed to church. I was sooooo looking forward to staying in my jammies all day, sitting by the fire, and drinking hot chocolate. Oh Well, I got to go to church and we had a wonderful testimony meeting.