And yet again, Another Flood

My crazy life just got a bit crazier. On thursday as the kids and I headed out to go play with Kieran and Heber. I stopped to get gas in the car when the light drizzle of rain became a torrent rainstorms. I watched as flash floods flowed down Evergreen Ave. My heart stopped and I felt a need to go check our house. I explained to Noah that we needed to go home to make sure there were no floods. I called Kieran to let her know what was going on. As we talked I checked the storage room and "relief", all was well in that room. Things looked promising. I went by the back door and felt the floor and it was sopping wet. I had to get off the phone. Sweet Noah, started helping me get things up off the floor and carrying them upstairs. My Sofia of course, instantly starts screaming like someone was murdering her. I called Kersten's parents house and kindly asked if there was anyone home who could come and hold my baby for me while I cleaned up the flood. Bless them, Virginia came to take care of the kids, Heinz and Monika brought their wet dry vac and helped move stuff and Christel came and help clear it out. All of them helped so much getting everything out of harms way. I am so very grateful to them. Kersten came home from work to help and our landlord came after I called to check out the situation. He is docking $ from our rent because of all the work. This will help put the deposit down for Noah's teeth (cavities). The floods (3 in summer 2006) two summers ago were much worse than this one. It is still a hassle and when we had cleaned to the point we could not anymore. We went to Target as a family. Noah kept saying in sign, all done now with the water, now we go to Heber's. Poor kid, he loves his friend so much and they really don't get to play as much as they would like or we would like either. So yesterday and this morning I have been cleaning and moving things around our house to make it more habitable. It will be this way I bet for about a week. One of my goals this spring was to go through all the stuff in the computer, scrapbook area and clean it out. This way it makes it more accessible since it is now in my front room. This forces me to start it. So it is a good thing. Nothing was completely ruined. So this is a blessing in many ways.

Sofia-5 months old

I can't believe that Sofia is 5 months old today. The last month she seems to have grown by leaps and bounds. She is a baby now instead of just an infant. A lot has happened in her growth and development.
*On May 1st, she belly laughed for her daddy. She has a sweet ticklish spot on her back. She makes you work for her laughs. She does not just laugh because you are talking or being silly. You have to do some serious crazy silliness to get her laughing. *She is so smiley. Smiles instantly at everyone and everything. My favorite is in the morning after she has eaten she will sit and talk, coo and smile for a good 15 minutes. So happy and rested telling me her secrets.
*She grabs onto everything. Noah thinks it is funny when she pulls his hair. She loves hanging out in her walker, playing with toys. Especially her stuffed honey bee and her green rattle. Everything instantly goes into her mouth. When she wakes up she sucks on her blanket for awhile before she starts talking for us to come get her out of her bed. She loves chewing on fingers. And she is slobbery a lot. Teething is here to stay.
* She rocks back and forth. Tries to launch herself into the fray of events.
* She loves it when we read to her. Favorite books are Goodnight Moon, Someday and Clifford's Family
* She is a very social creature. And happiest when we are moving about and out with lots of new things to see.
* She rolled over for the first time on May 14th. And today she seems to have mastered it this morning rolling over and over about 5 times in a row.
* She wants to be sitting up so badly. So that she can see everything all the time.
*Her personality is shining through right now. She is a joyful, mellow, mischief, beautiful, fighting and just the most perfect girl ever.

Anniversary-Memorial Adventure

*Anniversary Adventure was fantastic.

We stayed overnight at the Anniversary Inn

and went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Have you had there Avocado Rolls.

I crave them now.

The next morning we slept in

and did not check out until the last minute

and then saw Prince Caspian. Totally loved it.

So nice to have uninterupted time to talk

and just be together.

Thanks Dad and Kayleen for the fun room.

Thanks Mom and Al for watching our kids.

*We had a babysitter on Friday Night also

We saw Indiana Jones

Loved it also.

I liked how they stayed true to the time period,

It was suppose to be filmed in.

Makes Archeology seem exciting.

Fun, upbeat and cheesy just like the originals.

*Loved Prince Caspian so much

that Noah and I went on a date on Saturday.

His favorite character was the mouse, Reepicheep.

*On Sunday in Primary,

they talked about Priesthood Power

saw the evidence that Noah has learned

something or been listening to what we have tried to teach him

*Memorial day, was wet and rainy

Saw old friends for lunch

Quinn and Barbara and their boys.

Noah and his Dallin

are the same age as when Quinn and I were best friends.

I am so glad we are still friends

*Swimming Party got rained out.

Moved it to my house.

Saw all my sisters , brother and their families

Yummy food.

Fun to be together

Massive wrestling match in my front room.

Noah won the belt.

It was a good day.

*Fun to have Kersten off work for so much time.

Loved having fun things to do but not to much.

Saw so many movies, I feel like I didn't have kids.

Happy 10 Yr Anniversary-Marriage Meme

Where did you meet your husband?
Kersten and I met just before my Junior year and his Senior Year of High School at a football game. We flirted outrageously in the halls at school and dated each others best friends. My mom would always say to me "Why don't you date Kersten, he is the cute one. And he is German."

What was the first thing you said to your husband?
I don't really remember at all. I do remember thinking that Matt's best friend was really cute.

Where was the first date? First kiss?
For our first date, Kersten called and asked me to go with him to the Opera. It was January and I was suppose to go to the Utah Symphony with my friend Megan and my mom. I ended up going with Kersten and my mom and Megan went to the Symphony. Looking back that is totally rude. He had student tickets from one of his classes. We doubled with his friend Matt and his girlfriend. We went to ice cream afterwards

For our first kiss, It was after priesthood meeting n Oct 1,1994. He picked me up afterwards and we went and got ice cream at Baskin Robbins. We then went to Tanner Park and walked around and sat and talked on what we now call the "Rock of Love". Afterwards we went to his parents house and laid on the grass and talked on the lawn. I was wearing his blue hooded sweatshirt to keep me warm We then climbed on the roof to his bedroom and snuggled and looked at the stars. after our long conversation about our relationship (he was leaving on his mission soon). He kissed me around 11:36 pm. It was pure bliss. One of the reason I married him in the first place is that he is an amazing kisser.

Did you have a long or short courtship/engagement?
We were engaged for 5 months which was to long and just the right amount of time.

Where did you get engaged?
We got engaged on December 18, 1997 while looking at the lights at Christmastime at Temple Square. I blogged about the entire story in my Dec 18 2006 if you click on the title you can link to this post and read the whole story

Where did you get married?In the Salt Lake LDS Temple on a beautiful dewy morning at 8:20 am. It was so beautiful. I remember seeing him before we went into the sealing room, with so much anticipation and love I felt as if I would burst. It rained that day any event that we were inside but when we were outside taking picture it was beautiful with the sun peaking behind the clouds and the wind blowing my veil around my face. We rode a carriage from the temple to our wedding breakfast. There was a group of school kids walking on a field trip. When they saw us they started cheering and a little boy yelled "You finally did it". He does not know how true that really was.

How did the reception go?
My reception was a dream. It was perfect. My colors were yellow and white with daisies and yellow roses everywhere. It was so fresh and happy. It took place at Carmelle, my Grandma Shep's reception center. We ate lace cookie cups with vanilla ice cream and strawberries on top. My centerpieces were tall cylinder vases with lemons inside and floating candles. My cake was so beautiful but did not taste good. The frosting was delectable but the cake was yuck. Only one thing was not perfect and I am slowly getting past it. The bridesmaid were in yellow with daisy flower crowns. I really would not change anything about my wedding except I would have the dresses be more formal to the floor for my bridesmaids. Oh, it is making me so happy to think about this. I am pulling out the scrapbooks now.

How was the honeymoon?
I will spare you the details but it was fabulous.

Products I Can't Live Without

Here are some random things lately that I am extremely happy to have around. They make everyday life just a bit easier

Spray on Mist Sunscreen for Kids. It just mists on. Noah hates lotions or anything gooey of any kind. It is a huge fight with a fit every time we have to put it on. This is heaven sent for kids. Love It

I have a slight obsession with foam soap right now. It makes my hands feel so much cleaner. I love the foamy goodness. Luckily, both Kersten and Noah also share in this love, now that I have switch all our sinks over to this.

My favorite gum of the moment is Orbit Maui Melon Mint. I was skeptical at first but I was hooked after my first piece. Yummy, minty fruity goodness.

I love Pampers Swaddlers for my daughter. I have tried no name brands, Huggies, Luvs and all sorts of crazy. These just make her and me the happiest. They are a bit more but in my book if she is not leaky through and they don't make her bum red than I am sold. Love them

Grateful Sunday 5-18-08

* My husband commented on how big Noah's feet are getting. Noah said "Big feet, grow big like Dad's". Noah even was still, long enough for me to snap a picture of their feet. My son admires his dad so much. With good cause. Kersten is such a caring and amazing man. He is continueally trying to be a better husband, father and man. I just appreciate him so much. They have been having a lot of fun together lately. I love seeing them enjoy each other so much

*Sofia is growing so big so fast. It seems in the last couple weeks she has seemed to sprout. Her head has grown out of her hair and I was a bit sad when I looked at her and realized her faux hawk was gone. She is so instantly smiley and she is laughing so much. She is such a joy.

*I am really looking forward to the coming summer months. We have some fun activities planned and lots we hope to plan. Noah's last day of preschool is on tuesday and then Kerst and I are off for our 10 yr anniversary extravaganza. It is the beginning to a lot of fun times ahead.


* My beautiful mothers day gift from my boys and sweet baby. A Lia Sophia slide necklace in the shape of what else, A Daisy

Just a Mom?

Just a mom?" There's no such thing. Motherhood isn't a second-rate occupation. It is a career that can maximize your talents and strengths to their fullest. Look past the surface of mothering - the endless tasks and frantic pace - to the incredible skills required to raise your children while nurturing your marriage. The truth is clear: You're a professional in one of the most dignified, demanding, and rewarding fields any woman can find."

Jill Savage

found on stephmodo (linked at the side) and just loved it

Random Thoughts on Motherhood

***

All I ever wanted to be when I grew up

was a mommy.

***

In my father's journal

There is a story about me

When I was 4, just like Noah is now

I was wearing an apron, beads. a purse and high heels

holding my favorite doll

and singing Jingle Bells in the middle of the summer.

My parents asked what I was doing

I was taking my baby to church.

***

I love this story

I still take my babies to church

Now I just need a beautiful apron

Instead of a serviceable one.

***

I feared my dream would not come true.

Many people told me not to hope

The Lord told me otherwise

I knew that I would be a mother

***

The first moment I laid eyes on both my children 

was the most beautiful most memorable of my life. 

How lucky I am to be their mother specifically

***

I am living my dream life right now

***

Both of my children

have a great purpose on this earth.

Their spirits sing out to do great things

***

What a huge blessing and great responsibility 

the Lord has given me

***

Thanks for the loan, I will do my best

to teach and love them

all that they need

Treasures #2- Original Artwork

Here is installment number 2 in the Treasures series in my home. I hope you know that my greatest treasures are my children but these are the things we have that I treasure.

I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by talented artists and I have 5 original pieces of art in my home. I love being surronded by beautiful things, it brings me such joy to see them throughout my home.



My brother Nik, drew this for me and gave it to me for Christmas in 2004. My mom framed it for me and gave it to me for my birthday in 2006. I love the way it is framed, I love and cherish the little boy that is pictured. It was made with love and I just love it. My brother is really talented, I am really lucky to have this from him. It hangs on my wall so you can see it when you walk in the front door



Nik painted and gave this to Kersten and I for our wedding almost ten years ago. Penguins are my favorite animal and look at this adorable penguin on his mom or dad's feet. We keep this painting in the kids room. They love that it is a baby.


This painting is smaller than it looks and hangs in the hallway between my front room and kitchen. Kersten's mom painted it and gave it to Kersten before we were married. It was one of his favorites that his mom has done.



Monika F*, Kersten's mom painted this for us for our wedding gift and framed it for us. It has been in my home since the beginning. I love the view she chose of the Salt Lake Temple. It hangs in our front room with two big photographs of us at our bridals and groomals. Kersten came with me for pics in my dress. I love this picture and all it reminds me of.



This painting was done by Monika F* my mother in law. Christel earned it and framed it and gave it to me for Christmas in 2006. I love the beach and it brings me peace as I look at it. This picture hangs in our kitchen where I can see it all the time.

Juno

This movie totally rocks my socks. It is so hilarious. It makes me so happy. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and bought it on tuesday. I have been doing that lately buying random stuff, I have not done that in awhile. I love the language, the writing is so witty. I do hate the soundtrack but it adds to the strangeness of the movie. It is beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking and funny. If you haven't seen it yet. You should even if it is a bit crude. I LOved, LovED, Loved IT!

May Day

Siker this morrow, no longer ago,
I saw a shole of shepherds outgo
With singing, and shouting, and jolly cheer;
Before them yode a lusty Tabrere,
That to the many a horn-pipe play'd,
Where to they dance each one with his maid.
To see these folks make such jouissance,
Made my heart after the pipe to dance.
Then to the greenwood they speeden them all,
To fetchen home May with their musical:
And home they bring him in a royal throne
Crowned as king; and his queen attone
Was Lady Flora, on whom did attend
A fair flock of fairies, and a fresh bend
Of lovely nymphs—0 that I were there
To helpen the ladies their May-bush to bear!

Shepherd's Calendar, Eclogue 5.