I'm Back. For Good this time!

Ok...so I have once again been a SLACKER at this blogging thing!! I actually lay in bed at night with feelings of guilt for not keeping up on it. I really don't care much if anyone reads this but someday, I want to print it and save it for my children to read. As I have mentioned before, this is my "journal" my daily/weekly record of random going-ons, thoughts and feelings. I decided last night that it is TIME to re-commit myself to certain things. I won't bore you with my long list, but blogging is one of the many. So here's to another attempt at starting something for the 15th time. Here are a few pictures from our fun-filled summer days that have now sadly come to an end.

Siena and Avery got their ears pierced and no tears were shed!!

My sweet Siena turned 5..Kindergarten here we come!!

Bronson found his way to her cake and helped himself. Good thing he didn't go for the giant knife!

And last but not least, we loved hanging out and relaxing at Bear Lake!

School's Out...Welcome Summer!

Summer is now in full swing and I couldn't be more excited. I actually love having the kids around all day. Maybe it's because we all stay up late and then sleep in the next morning :0)! Little Miss Siena graduated from Preschool and Miss Avery completed the 1st grade. I can't believe how fast the year went by. I am sure the summer will be the same, but for now, I am going to enjoy every moment of every day! Most importantly, the weather has been FABULOUS so we spend most of our days outside. The girls are enrolled in swimming lessons and Bronson and I get to bask in the sunlight while we watch. I ran a 10k this past weekend with a long time friend and even though she left me in the dust, it was great to be outside and use muscles that I haven't used in a long time (a REALLY long time...or maybe even ever??). Thanks Kristin for encouraging me to register--I really did have fun! Anyhow, life is good. kids are good. Everyone is healthy and happy and summer is finally here! It doesn't get better than that.
Siena's Preschool Class-Holly Berry Place 2009
Say Cheese! Bronson "BEFORE" he realized what he was getting himself into... Bronson "AFTER" he got drenched by the fountains at the Gateway! Me & Kristin after the race. I look forward to many more of those with you!!

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day in Phoenix with Shane. He had to go for work and let me tag along with him. When I got back, my sweet girls both gave me presents they had made at school. Each one gave me little questionnaires that they had filled out about me. I had a good laugh at them. Here is what they said:
Avery's:
My mom is beautiful! She has black hair which is long. She is 64 inches tall and weighs 50 pounds (I wish)! Her eyes are brown. My Mom's favorite food is healthy foods (yeah right!). Mom's favorite treat is roben eggs (that's more like it). She doesn't like it when I don't cleen after my friends leve. My mom loves to play games with my family when she has time. To relax, my mom goes on my deke (deck). Something that makes my mom happy is when I take care of my sister and brother. Mom, I love you so much! Happy Mother's Day! love Avery

Siena's are not so much "fill-in-the-blank" answers but rather a few sentences about me. She says;
"My mom does not like animals...well she doesn't like dogs cause they always stink to her."
My Mom keeps talking and talking if someone is naughty or like rude and stuff." (Let me explain--lately we have had some issues with Siena and I guess I talk to much when trying to get my point across to her that she is being rude or that her behavior is unacceptable).
"I don't know what my mom does when she is sad...maybe she cries and has kind of watery eyes."
"What makes your mother laugh?-I counted to 100 today and she was really kind of excited!"
"My mothers favorite book is-this book with hands and an apple on it". (Twilight...hilarious because I read it a year ago but she knows it is about vampires and I think that scared her)!
"If I could give my mom anything in the whole world I would-clean up our driveway. It has like little pieces that broke so I'd do that for her". (so sweet-our driveway is crumbling a bit from the weather and she sees me sweep it sometimes). And last but not least, "what does my mother like to do?-she likes to take pictures and think of me."

Oh how I love my girls! I am certainly not the best Mom but I am so thankful I get to practice on these two cuties. Happy (belated) Mothers Day to all!

Little of this..little of that.

Wow! Where has the time gone? I can't believe we are already into May. Too bad the weather here isn't cooperating with the actual season that we are supposed to be in! I am BEYOND ready for summer. So here's a little of what we have been up to....
Miss Avery celebrated her 7th Birthday on March 4th. Shane's was on the 5th of March (the day after Avery's) but he didn't want me to post a picture of him in his birthday hat..nor did he want to disclose his age- ha!~:0).

We celebrated Easter in St. George! It was beautiful as you can see in the background and the kids were in heaven. Thanks Chip and Melissa for sharing your beautiful home.


Avery and Siena have both been busy with dance. Siena posed for a quick picture at home before we went to the studio for official pictures with her class. Avery's little team took FIRST PLACE OVERALL in her first competition! So proud of her!

and last but not least, Mr. Brons got his first haircut!! Daddy got his hair cut first and then got to hold Bronson while he squirmed at the clippers. And here is the final project...IS HE SHANE OR WHAT????

Give the boy a cookie!

Bronson loves food. He eats anything I give him. He helps himself to whatever is on the floor and to be honest, I don't even vacuum much anymore! One day last week I pulled out the flour bin and two seconds later, he was digging in for a handful. If I wouldn't have stopped him, he would have shoveled in a few more scoops! He also loves cookies (hmmm..I wonder who he gets this from?). Every now and again (ok..at least once a day) I put him in his chair and let him go to town. Unfortunately, the cookie ends up mostly in his hair (why they do that is beyond annoying) but oh well, I LOVE HIM AND I CAN'T GET ENOUGH!

Happy 1st Birthday Bronson!

Yes, our little Baby "B" turned 1 on the 28th of January! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. It seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital having him. He is beyond adorable in our eyes and we just can't get enough of him! He is so "kissable" and the best part is he loves to be "loved on." He is VERY MUCH a momma's boy (which I will relish in, for however long it lasts) and he is even beginning to love the "mauling" from his sisters. I look forward to watching him grow and feel so blessed to be his Momma!

Worries.

I have worries. Lots of them. So many that I can't sleep at times. I hate them. They are like cancer -- tiny little infected cells that swirl and dominate. I worry about life, my kids, my husband, money, health, others who are struggling, the economy, our new President, my messy car, my varicose veins, things I should be doing or haven't done...etc. etc..etc.! And CRAZY ENOUGH, I even worry about other people who are worrying! A few months ago when I was "worrying" a good friend stopped by to visit one day. Summer is a Psychologist and works with crazy people like me who can't seem to shut the worry button off. I asked her for some advice and she told me that I need to use some coping methods. She suggested I get out of bed (when worrying at night) and make a list of all my worries. She told me to write down those items that can be "controlled" and mark them with a "C" for control. Then, mark those that I cannot change or control with an "NC" for "no control".
With those items that cannot be changed, you have to find a strategy where you release the worry and send it away for good. Summer told me that you have to train your mind to let go of them for good, simply because there is nothing you can do about them (besides worry--go figure)! SO, I have decided to do just as she said. I am going to write all my worries and fears down on a balloon and send them off into the big blue sky. Just like that-- I am going to let them disappear into the heavens never to return again. I thought I would just throw this post out there because if any of you drive by tomorrow and I am standing in my driveway with a couple dozen balloons in my hands, you will now know exactly what I am doing! It is time to let them go.