House

It was a bummer when we decided not to move, we wanted more space, but mostly I was so excited to redecorate. When we decided to stay, Mike said, "Make it look like the house you wanted," so I got started. I finished the downstairs (entry, family, kitchen, and half bath)

I've learned a lot from watching Lyric and Kelli decorate and I finally figured out what my style was. It look a lot of work, but it was so fun and we are so happy with the result. Wish I had a before picture. Thanks to all my AZ friends for lots of trips over to tell me if things worked and thanks to Lyric for the phone consults.

Excuse the million pictures. My mom, Katie, Lyric and Jen would kill me if there wasn't enough detail, and I wish the colors were as crisp and bright, but you know nothing ever looks as good in a picture as in real life. My friend Sally has a better camera, so if she can do better on color, I'll post again. Jen, if you need more detail, just let me know. The one picture of the olive branch shoud be vertical, blogger is being impossible and I didn't want to risk losing all the other downloads.

What happens in Vegas, stays with us

This past weekend Mike and I made a mad dash to Vegas for a wedding--no, not in Elvis' little white chapel, but at the Mormon Temple for a great friend of ours from Virginia. It was actually fun to spend 11 total hours driving with Mike, just talking and listening to music since we haven't even had a moment during this crazy runny nose, cough, ear infection, flu winter of ours to stop and chat.

Here are a few of the highlights:

1. Seeing Jeff Daybell with his super-cute bride to be, Mallory. They are truly in love and a perfect pair.

2. An extrememly casual and intimate wedding dinner, where the food actually tasted delicious and everyone had on comfortable shoes (except maybe me). It was the perfect setting to catch up on old friends and acquaintances from Virginia (they are all such great people!)

3. Seeing Hannah (one of my old Mia Maids) and not recognizing her because she is SO gorgeous. 18, lost 60 pounds, in hair school, sassy, still drama, fun. Love her.

4. Talking with Randy and Nancy and seeing the kind of people I hope I can become. Seeing Will, who makes me now feel tiny and he was just a little boy when we left.

5. Meeting the rest of the Daybell clan and marveling at how an entire family can be so absolutely loving and fabulous.

6. Catching up with the Aveys, watching Steve walk up to the temple, looking relatively healthy. He is a modern day miracle--literally on death's door before a stem cell transplant and is doing amazingly well. And Colleen is lovely and spunky as ever.

7. (Not a highlight) Not realizing our temple recommends were expired and being kept out of the ceremony. Believe us, we will never do that again.

8. Hanging all day with our fantastic friends, the Crocketts (no picture, I'm horrible!) Talking non-stop for 6 hours, watching our husbands act like little boys, watching Mike play princess with their 3 darling girls, and wishing we lived closer. Love good friends.

9. Attending the church reception that looked magical, again had great food, and so much love you could hardly stand to leave.

10. Arriving home at 12:30 at night to sleeping kids who are on the mend and a babysitter that didn't go crazy. Thanks Jamie!

11. Being awakened at 6 am by 3 kids who acted like we'd been gone for months eventhough it was just 1 1/2 days. Gotta love being loved.

Time to Serve

A few months ago I was at Target, in a hurry, when I saw an older woman, about 70 who looked so cute. Nice bootcut jeans, a brown semi-fitted jacket, flat boots and cute hair. I thought, "Wow. I hope I look like that when I get older," and walked by.
Then, I felt like I should tell her. When I did, she got tears in her eyes, and gave me a hug and said her husband had died last month and told me she'd been going through a really tough time and I helped put a smile on her face.
Well, since then I've been pretty wrapped up in me. We were going to move, I was choosing house stuff, I had James who was still little, Parker who was still a baby too, and an oldest child who required a lot of attention. I was writing for the paper, both of us were busy with church stuff...you all know the drill. I felt all I was capable of doing was doing things for us, that my time to really do good things would be later in life.
Well, I've been watching extreme home makeover and Oprah's big give, and I've been in awe of what people with WAY less money and time than I have are doing for others. I started to realize the reason I've felt overwhelmed and like I have nothing left for others is because I've been so selfish, mostly with my time, and feeling sorry for myself.
So, two weeks ago, I turned over a new leaf. I decided that I want to be more like the people that really make a difference for others. Less about doing my church duty and more about Christlike service. I made a goal to serve someone EVERYDAY, and involve my kids as much as possible. I realized it's not up to me to decide who deserves service, it's up to me to serve others.
I cannot tell you the difference it has made in my life. My outlook and attitude has completely changed. Instead of staring at the mom with the screaming toddler at the grocery store, I leave my cart and see if I can help. Instead of eating an entire batch of cookies, we take some to the neighbors. On days where we have nothing to do, we weed a neighbors yard, or pick up trash at the park. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that my kids are always sick, I try and help others even if they don't need it.
The stuff I've done isn't earth shattering and few probably even notice, but it's made a big difference to me and the way I live my life. I know that my kids are learning from it too. I'd love to hear if anyone has good family service ideas, as it's always hard to find things little ones can be a part of. Thanks for indulging me. I don't usually post personal me stuff.

Happy Birthday Parkie!

My little Parks is 3. He seems too tiny to be so old (he only weighed 27 pounds!)

On his actual birthday he went to breakfast with daddy before work then, went to pick out a toy at Target. That night I let him choose his facvorite dinner (quesadillas, yeah for me!) and we got Gelato. It was late when we got home, but the boys were dying to play with Parker's new stuff, so they stayed up so late playing. It was a great day.

We had his party on Saturday and he wanted a "Bad Guy" party. Weird I know, but it was really fun. I hid about a million army guys all over our park, along with "bad" bugs, "bad" rockets, and a little "bad" candy. The kids looked forever and loved getting all the prizes. During the hunt, Mimi and Papa arrived and the boys were SOOOOO happy to see them. After that we ate pizza, jumped on the bouncer, and did cupcakes--the thing Parker was most excited about. Then I gave each kid a water gun and they were supposed to get the "bad" dads. The dads got into things too and shot back. I brought a bucket of water to refill and they played forever!

Parker didn't want to be shot, so he sprayed water on the wall. Of course. He ended up with way too many presents he couldn't wait to tear into. He's so cute and Jace, as always, was more than willing to help open and play with Park's new presents.

James came to the party and he seriously never stops eating. He is such a cute little piggy. He talks up a storm and is soooo cute.

The rest of the weekend we spent enjoying the company of Rick and Marci. They are so much fun and great to talk to. Marci was so sweet and helpful and stayed through Tuesday when Parker had his tube surgery. I don't know what we would have done without her. It was really a blessing.

Parker did great during surgery and we've already noticed a big positive difference in him. He plays all the time, he smiles, he doesn't act so tired or need to be held. Just two days, and it's really a bit difference. He told me I was talking loud after we got in the car. I'm so happy for him. All in all, I'm pretty sure 3 will be a great year!