Tommy's Big Day!

Today was Tommy's baptism day!! He has been waiting so long and he has been so excited for this special day. We were very fortunate to have so much of our family close enough to be able to attend. His dad was able to baptize and confirm him and Zack loved every second of it.


After the baptism we all headed over to my parents' home as it is the only place really big enough for us all to gather, and had a super yummy luncheon. For dessert, we had a big birthday cake from Costco that said, "Happy Birthday, Tammy!" Again, it would seem that I never have any luck when it comes to store bought cakes.

Anyway, we had a wonderful day and I know that he is so happy...you can see it all over his beautiful face. He has such a sweet and simple testimony, and it is so strong......He Knows!

I'd like to give a quick shout out to everyone who pitched in to help us with our big day - Thank you so much - I couldn't have done it without you (at least without being committed to the looney bin).

Here is a picture from his birthday party on Friday night (another reason I now need to be committed). Too bad I can't add volume to this picture to give you the full effect. Eight year old boys are so loud!!!

Heartstrings

Last night our poor little Emily started up with the super fun RSV. She never screamed for us to come get her, but she just moaned and coughed throughout the night. At 2:40am I went in and got her out of bed. For some reason, everything seemed to move in slow motion. I don't really know why it seemed like that. Maybe it was because I was trying to keep everything quiet and low key for her.


Her wheezing was loud and pained but she was happy to see me. I took her into my bathroom and began to wash her snotty and drooly face. As I did this, she looked up at me sleepily, smiled and said something unclear. I remember thinking, at that very moment, that even with the grimy face and hair stuck to her cheeks and nose, that she was still the most beautiful person in the world to me.

We went back into her room, changed her diaper, smeared Vicks Vaporub on her feet (don't ask, it didn't work anyway), fixed up the humidifier, and then I rocked and sang to her. She snuggled in tight and let me.
As un-fun as it probably was for her, last night was magical for me.

Diggin'

There can be no way that my daughter thinks that this is a good thing. I told her one time that it was "yucky blah" and now she thinks it's a hilarious thing to do for everyone.



My boys never did this....what on earth should I expect next? Peeing in the backyard?


Also, do her eyes look so green or what? Thanks, grandma!

Happy New Year!!

I love coming to a new year. It is a bitter-sweet moment for me. I miss the times we had and don't really favor how time flies, but I love the amazing hope that it can also bring. No matter what kind of knucklehead choices I made in 2008, I get a fresh start to become a more wise and thoughtful person. Most of that is due to the Savior's atonement, which fortunately can be used at any time throughout the year. I also love to be able to take the chance to better myself. I have no idea why it's an exciting thing at New Year's but a pain in the neck the rest of the year.

Zack and I have really enjoyed this song by our friend Josh Groban. It says it all.
One of my resolutions for 2009 and beyond is to be more thankful. I need to whine less and open my eyes to all of the tens of thousands of great things in my life and those lives around me.

I need to stop calling the young 20 somethings jerks just because they bought the house that I have admired from afar, or because they have 4 wheelers and snowmobiles to play with. I need to be "happy" for those jerks and realize that I am so blessed already.

I have been blessed with so many things that it is nearly impossible to even find a starting place to list it all. I am going to try my best this year to be better at so many things, but it is sweet to know that it's OK when I don't become 'perfect'.

Here's to wishing everyone a beautiful and very hopeful Happy New Year!

Like nails on a chalkboard

I LOVE Christmas music. I even listen in July when I can. However, I think that I will try to get a new law passed. From now on, both Rod Stewart and Michael Bolton will be banned from singing Christmas songs. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I can't stand it any longer! Oh, and Neil Diamond - you're next on the list so don't get too comfortable.

Every night our sweet babies, Scotty and Emily, wait excitedly for their daddy to come home. This is one of my favorite things to see.


Of course, what you don't see is me with my nose smooshed up against the other front window anxiously waiting for him while I make dinner. The best time of my day is when he gets home.

Circus Freak

Mikey discovered a new talent the other night during his shower. I hope he's using soap at some point.

Had my name on it alright....

It gets pretty windy here, especially when a front rolls in. The strong wood post is completely shattered. It has been basically sitting in wet dirt for about 2 years now thanks to our lovely neighbors up behind us. Yep - they still have a leak somewhere and we get to reap the benefits of it. I felt the busted wood this morning and the wood fibers feel just like crepe paper.


Oh, and apparently, the grass is indeed greener on the other side.

Playing catch up

I took a picture of a miraculous thing today. We have had this balloon since Zack's birthday. I cannot believe that it has lasted since September 19th!!! Why is it that the ones I pay for barely make it through to the end of the party?



Also, this past Sunday, we took our family picture. Here are some of the fun extras.

Extra Nutrition?

I am so bad.

Last night during the football game, I was making pizza. As I took it out of the oven, the flimsy tray it was on bent in half. Thank you, Papa Murphy's.
As it bent in half, it burned the back of two of my fingers, slithered down the front of the cabinets and onto the floor. Well, at least the cheesy part did.

I was so mad. I knew I had to act fast, didn't this apply for the 10 second rule? After I yelled at the darn thing, Zack and I quickly picked up the glob of goo and did the unthinkable.

We put it back on the crust.

We then mushed it around to cover the entire pizza. It ended up looking like someone barfed pizza all over it. Yummy. What the kids don't know, right?

On the bright side, the kitchen floor had been cleaned that day, a miracle in and of itself. Plus, we can think of it as just trying to strengthen our children. You know - whatever doesn't hurt them just makes them stronger.

No?