Karson and Mandy Merrill

My Heart Melts

2012-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

After a long day of cleaning, cooking, playing, folding laundry, etc, etc, etc..

I stop in to spy on my two little angels so my heart can smile.

Who Has Time For Some Negative?

2012-01-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

Not this girl!!

2012 is off to such a great start! I have a few goals that I want to accomplish this year (because really, whats life with out a few goals).

I want to:

*take a photography class

*find some hobbies

*Get a gym pass

*Take a cooking class

Of course I have a few New Years Resolutions too, but those are different. Good news is so far I have completed 50% of my goals. I am going to Calgary in February to take a Photography Workshop and I went and got my gym pass Jan 2. No wasting time for me!

But besides the fact that I have some great goals for myself, Karson and I also have some goals together. We would like to own 2 rental properties or more by the end of the year. Well, yesterday we put an offer in on one and it was accepted so we are that much closer to meeting that goal!

And besides all that great news, I got a baby brother on Jan 4! His name is Jaxon Joseph Peter Szteina. And he is HANDSOME! Well obviously, I mean he is my brother ;) But I just love him so much and I just can't wait to hold him and snuggle him and he the bestest big sister ever!

Look how happy my Dad and Juanita are! I just love it!!

And to add to my happy state I have this...its something that makes a girl like me feel like winning the lottery wouldn't be enough. Like I am the LUCKIEST girl in the entire world.
I have this..

The most special amazing family that is mine and they love me like no one else can.

So, Like I asked...

Who has time for some negative when I am so darn busy with all the positive!

Happy Friday the 13th to everyone :)

Can't help but share a few more sounds

2012-01-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

Brodyn is expanding his vocabulary. With more sounds. Im curious as to why he has choosen to learn and speak with sounds only but we all get a kick out of it...until he makes the same sound over and over and we can't figure out what he is saying and he get mad. But mostly cute.

New Sounds:

"chomp, chomp" - Im hungry
"yawwwn" - Im tired
grunting noise - its stuck (seen a car stuck and he said "grunt, grunt, vroom vroom""
"na -na" some how this is meaning most everything lately...including I went poop. I learnt this when I was hanging laundry and he was having a bath and he kept saying "Na-Na, Na-Na"...well, it wasn't nice to learn what that meant. Let me just say that.

This kid is so smart. I ended up with 2 REALLY smart kids. And Im not just saying that because I am biased either. The information Justice comes home with, or learns on tv or the internet is so awesome. She is always telling me facts about Canada, or the Earth, or cultures or this or that. One time my dad called and she spent like 20 minutes tell them all this stuff she learnt and the languages she was beginning to learn.

Basically I just have 2 really great kids. But we both knew that already, didn't we?

:)

'twas the season

2012-01-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

for making some great family memories.

This Christmas was the sure a good one. I think every Christmas is a good one though. Some of my favorite things about Christmas are: Christmas holidays, extra time with J, seeing family, watching the kids rip through their gifts and seeing their faces when they open them, how everyone comes together, the food, and especially the memories that are made.

During Christmas we travelled a total of 1000km! 1400 if you count the 400km to pincher and back twice to pick up Justices bestie Morgan for her to come stay with us. Well worth the driving though.

On Christmas Eve we went to Lethbridge and visited my Gramma Szteina. It was such a nice visit. Usually they are very short because we always have so much to do and so little time when we come to the city. But not this time. We made no other plans than to visit her and then go to my Jens house. I wish I had remembered to take my camera in to my Gramms to get some pics, but sadly, I wasn't organized enough for that after the kids spilt a bag of Thrive Raspberries all over the back seat of the car. But rest assured it was a great visit and I loved being able to just relax and hang out with Gramm. She sure provides some great conversations.

Then it was off to Jens house for our yearly Christmas Eve. It was a nice time. Everyone was in good spirits and just having a good time.

Making the reindeer food that is made every year.

The really cool 50 cent piece from 1942 that Grampa Takacs gave J.

Obviously, this is one of Brodyns favorite gifts.

His old man Christmas jammies. jks, we pulled them up that way. Cheap Christmas entertainment for a few minutes :)

All the kids in their Christmas jammies

Grampa with the girls. Don't mind Kaylas unhappy look. She is merely too cool for pics and wasn't pleased I was able to sneak her in one.

Rudolph the red nosed....Steve??

I just love this girl.

Next it was Christmas morning at our house. We had told J that she had to wait until 8am to wake us up since we never got home from Leth until 10:30pm and it was 11 before she went to sleep. Well...somehow she thinks that coming into our room every minutes starting at 7 to say "only an hour til I can wake you up", "Only 50 minutes until I can wake you up", "Only 45 minutes until I can wake you up"...well Im sure you get the drift.

Finally it was time to get up and open gifts!! All those weeks of prep, all that careful gift wrapping...done in until 20 minutes. hahaha.

Justices loot

Brodyns loot

Ooo-Eeee. I got a seat warmer for my car! Santa knows me so well and how cold I ALWAYS am in the car! Let me tell you, it's a dream! I love it!!

Justice was so stoked to get a microscope. She is a little smartie I tell ya. She even asked for one so I am glad I got the reaction I had hoped for when she opened it.

Karsons cold air intake Santa got him. CUSTOM cold air intake I might add. Oh Santa, you are so smart ;)

Dad got her a BB gun! She freaked! And don't mind the hazardous look of those scissors. I assure you she was being safe.

Brodyn did awesome opening gifts. Making sure to hand me every little piece that tore off to put in the garbage. He was so good he even went for everyone elses gifts too. Although once he opened his ride on train, it was done. He left like 6 gifts sitting there. J wasn't too mad at all to open them for him.

One happy girl after all is said and done.

One happy boy after all is said and done.

Wonderful Christmas, great memories. But alas its over and I can't wait for next year!

If there is one thing that I've learnt..

2011-12-31T09:09:00.000-08:00

It would be hard for me to take all of the lessons I took from 2011 and choose just one. I mean in the last year I've learnt quite a few different things. I learnt that my priorities aren't what they were a few years ago, or even in 2010 for that matter. I've learnt what it is that is important to me and whats trivial. Ive learnt how to be a better wife to my husband. I've learnt how to be a better mom to my children. Ive learnt how to be a better friend. I've learnt what real friends are and how they will be there for you while you are learning all of this. I've learnt what it is to be loved for who I am. I've learnt how to make a roast (FINALLY!!). I've learnt how to play softball. I've learnt it's not that scary to float to the middle of a lake on a tube.
But if there is one lesson that I want to take away from 2011...it's that I MATTER. I have had some really nice talks with a few different mom friends who have expressed the same thing I've been feeling. That as a mom you just kinda exist. You are there to tend to the needs of your family first and you 2nd. I think that is the amazing thing about mothers, we are so great at putting everyone around us first and still be able to smile about how blessed we are to have all those wonderful people to put first. If that makes sense. I know for myself I wouldn't have it any other way because at the end of the day I get so much out of my family in terms of love, respect, admiration, etc that its very rewarding to be a mother.
But back to my friends who feel like it wouldn't make a difference if they were there or not...let me tell you it would. Because YOU MATTER. Not just anyone can make your kids oatmeal like you do. Not just anyone can make the kind of Chocolate Chip cookies that you do. There are a million ways to fold a towel, but only you do it perfectly. That grilled cheese sandwich that you just burnt?? Well it tastes WAY better than a burger from some restaurant (unless we are talking about the Causeway Bays restaurant...then its debatable because they make one heck of a burger!). Every day in every way YOU MATTER.
You matter to your husband because he relies on you to keep him grounded after a stressful day of work. He relies on you for kisses when he first walks in the door so that his mood can lift instantly. He relies on you for his favorite foods that only you can make his way. He relies on you to take the amazing care of his children that he knew you would do so perfectly (which is why he choose you after all).
You matter to your children because when they fall and bonk their head, toes, elbow, etc only your kiss will heal it instantly. They rely on you to make their favorite cookies and to teach them how to make the best chocolate chip cookies. They rely on you to read them stories in all the silly voices that only you can do. They rely on you for those cuddles on days where nothing else will really make them feel better. They rely on you to mold the path they will eventually follow in life that basically starts with the way you show them you love them.
You matter to me because without friends like you in my life I wouldn't know what it was to have a real bond with a friend. I rely on you to talk to me on days that I have had such wonderful things happen to me that I just want to tell the world! And I rely on you to talk to me on days that I just wanna whisper how sad I am. I rely on you to help me with lessons in life that you may already have experience with.
Everyone has a path in life they are meant to be on and it is only you who can be and should be on that path. So when there are days that you just feel like anyone can fit the bill, remember they can't because WE MATTER!

Happy New Years everyone. I wish love, happiness, and all wonderful things for you and your family in 2012.

....until the world ends on Dec 21, 2012 that is :)

LOVE YOU!

baba vroom woof woof

2011-12-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows Brodyn will know what the title of this blog is. Or maybe its just me. But this is essentially how our little man communicates.

We took him to the doc not too long ago for his 24 month check up (STILL no vacines) and I told her how when he was a baby he cried with his mouth closed for so long! And also how now he basically can communicate without opening his mouth. Its the funniest thing but we know what he is saying by the syllables he sounds out. Well his new thing is sounds. He of course can say words, and a lot of them but he is also big into sounds.

So:

Woof Woof - Dozer

Ba Ba - sippy, swimming, snow, pee (you know which he is referring to in the context he uses it)

Brrrm Brrrm - Car, truck, tractor

Choo Choo - Train

oo hoo - Binoo

So now when he talks it is something like this..

"mama dada justiiice brrm brrm ba ba?" which of course means Mom, dad and Justice are driving to go swimming.

"brrrm brrrm whoa!" means big truck (for the truck downtown Sparwood)

"woof woof mama brrm brrm justiiiice" means dozer coming for a drive to get Justice?

Its so funny. And when he says something if you say it back right then he says uhhmm and if not he cries. So he gets the point across and Justice is always like how do you know what he is saying?? I tell her you just gotta listen to the sounds he makes in according to what we are doing.

But sometimes its not always so easy. He has a good memory too. For instance the other night I was putting him to bed and he says "mama choo choo brrrm" which I knew meant he seen a train the other day while we were in the car. The trick is to be smarter than a 2 year old or youre basically in for it.

We find it the cutest thing and we laugh a lot at how smart he really is....if you can catch his drift.

Few pics:

Ever since we unfortunately found a new home for Chloe, Dozer has been spending most his time in doors. Its bitter sweet. We have had to downsize our dog population from 3 to 1, so we miss them terribly. But we also have the room and time now for just 1 dog. We are in this house for a while yet so it was a smart decision. Anyways, Dozer and Brodyn have fast become best buds. Actually Justice and Dozer have too. While J is at school Dozer basically follows Brodyn around allowing B man to climb all over his and chase him. Then at night Dozer goes and sleeps in Justices room and often crawls into bed with her. I think this situation is much more suited to us now and am so happy to see our kids bonding so strongly with Dozer.

The next few pics are so funny. Everytime I put the self-timer on my camera and Brodyn sees the blinking light counting down he goes nuts jumping around and flailing his arms and being a complete goofball! SO funny to watch and even though I usually end up with like 200 pics on my camera within 5 minutes, its well worth it.

*I know this one is blurry, just wanted to show the speed at which he is flailing.

Oh Daddy got into it too!

For my friends bday I made her cupcakes and Brodyn wanted to sit on the counter and watch. Well...while I was icing Brodyn snuck one and went "chomp" and pretended to eat it. Even though this was 8am, how can you say no to that.

Our little Ballerina

2011-12-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

On Dec 7 & 8 Justice had her first dance recital. Her dance company put on The Nutcracker. What a show it was.

I was such a proud momma and I sat there in anticipation waiting for her to take the stage. She had been saying before hand for a while how nervous she was and how shy she was and I think she was just trying to trick me because once she cam eon stage she was such a little star.

Its true, I became one of those emotional mothers. I began tearing up seeing her smiling and dancing her little heart out. Honestly, and I may be a little biased, but I think she did perfectly.

Its expensive and tiring to have her in dance classes, driving to Fernie twice a week, but after watching her up on stage so happy doing what she has wanted to do for so long, I will definitely be letting her do dance again next season.

I can't say enough how wonderful she was. And I wish so bad I had pictures of her during the performance, but we weren't allowed cameras to take pictures or video. So I have these that I took before hand in front of our tree. You don't get to see her up on stage BUT I am purchasing a copy of the performance and we are having a Justice movie night if anyone wants to come join us :)

These are 2 of her friends who were also in The Nutcracker with her. Such beautiful girls!

Our crazy little kids

2011-12-06T14:35:00.000-08:00

What you are about to see are our kids. It basically sums up how outta control funny they are.

On my new camera I have the self timer. But the timer lets you take up to 10 pics at a time. Everytime they see the blinking light do the count down they go nuts. This was on our family trip to Ainsworth Hot Springs (I will do a post on that eventually), and needless to say I had over 100 pics at the end of them just being their silly selves.

Love these kiddies.

Two things come to mind with this pic..

2011-12-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

The first and so obviously apparent is....who agreed with me that blonde was a good idea. And were they REALLY good friends if so. haha. I guess every young girl has this phase.

The 2nd is where has the quality of Santa gone?? This is a picture with my nephew, now 15, back in the day. Santas beard was real, or appeared to be. And he just LOOKED like a Santa. The picture, if I remember correctly, was like $4 and I am very pleased with it. They weren't just sit down, snap a pic then go. I remember him talking to Dustin, asking what he wanted, if he was a good boy, etc. etc.

This past Friday we took the kids into Lethbridge for some Christmas shopping and to see Santa. Justice was SO excited, and Brodyn was too. Well as much as he could be at his age. He kept saying, "Ho, Ho? Ho, Ho?" so he must've been looking forward to it...until we got there. The second he was put on Santas knee he screamed murder! He was fighting to get back to daddy. The woman was snapping pictures all the while. So we said lets try putting him on Justices lap. Well he was happy with that one. So they were able to get some good shots.
Then came time to get our pictures. We paid the $7 for the pic and walked away. Open the bag and the picture was HORRIBLE! Brodyn looks like he is dying, reaching out to Daddy and you can't even see his face, while Justice is sitting there smiling pretty. I went back and asked, "Isn't there a better pic? She took like 20?". So she lets me come around the table and view what they had. The VERY FIRST picture that pops up is so nice. Both kids are smiling with Santa. Both look happy to be there.

So in the end, even though inflation has gone up and they didn't care enough the first round to give us some good memories to look back on, we got this jem....

I love my kids to death. What a good lookin pair eh :)

oh and lucky J that she is blonde naturally ;)

Halloween was 3 days this year!

2011-11-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had as great of a Halloween as we did!

We kicked it off by decorating pumpkins. It was a lot of fun. Justice and I free-handed ours and Karson had to show us up by getting a sweet stencil online. Sadly I didn't get a picture of all 3 finished, but trust me when I say they were AWESOME!

The next thing we did was Justice had a Halloween Costume Party! It was a lot of fun! She had 7 friends come to it. We played; Pin the Nose on the Pimpkin, Zombies, Pass the Pumpkin, and Guess the number of Eyeballs! They also decorated cookies and had a little treat... Worms in Dirt!!! Ewwwww. But seriously delish.

Spiderman aka Dyson

Zombie aka Tyler

Luigi aka Court

Cowgirl aka Emily

MadHatter aka Justice

Monkeyman aka Brodyn

Angel aka Cally

TinkerBell aka Hayley

Captain Jack Sparrow aka Carter

They were all so cute and creative in their little costumes and it was fun to tell them to act like their character so I could take a picture.

This is them playing pass the pumpkin. I wish I had gotten more pictures but I was flying solo so I was way too busy throwing the party than to remember to take pics. Next year :)

I went to school during lunch hour to help Justice get her makeup on for her costume. Please bear with me that I only had my own make up to use to recreate his look so although its not spitting image, Justice was VERY impressed with the job I did and so that makes me more happy than anything.

All the grades did a parade of costumes. So fun to see them all and the different ideas for costumes. Little biased, but I definitely would say Justice was the cutest costume hands down ;)

And finally actual Trick-or-Treating. This isn't Brodyns first year out. Last year he rode in his stroller while we went to a few houses with Justice. But this year Brodyn did his very own trick-or-treating. He had the idea after one house....put your bag up and people put candy into it then drop it and mom will carry the bag until the next house. Maybe next year we will actually have him saying "TRICK OR TREAT!!"

Cutest little monkey around.

My beautiful Mad Hatter

Dozer had to dress up too since he was walking the rounds with us.

All in all it was a great Halloween. Everyone had a lot of fun and Justice ended up with a ginormous bag full of treats so I would say she is one happy girl!

wub yew

2011-10-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

I just want to say how much I love everyone in my life. My family, my friends, everyone. I have gone through so much confusion the last 5 yrs or so and not really knowing myself for so long but I really feel like I am in a great place in life, and have been for a while now. I have been making better choices for myself, and my family, and I just really feel like I have such amazing people in my life right now.

You may not know it but you teach me, inspire me, lead me, and help me grow, as a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister and a friend. I am so grateful that you all accept me with my flaws and my weaknesses. You listen to me when I need to cry, you laugh with me when I need to smile, you teach me when I don't know the answer.

You are just all amazing and I am so very grateful to say that I know you!

love you all!

Brodyn hits the big 2!

2011-10-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't even believe I am doing a post about our baby boy turning 2! It is so crazy to me how fast time is going! Wasn't I just pregnant? Wasn't I just rocking him to sleep??

Wasn't this picture taken last week??

(ps. I was puffy..im aware of it.)

Wasn't I just experiencing that it is possible to have an insane amount of love for not 1 child, but two??

On September 12 Brodyn turned 2 years old. Seems ages ago he even turned 1. You know, now Brodyn has lived 50% of his life in BC. He is more native to the province than any of us.

Well we partied it up! On Sunday we had planned to do the whole family birthday thing. We didn't really plan it soon enough so the only family that could make it were my mom and step-dad. But we loved having them and it was such a nice day! We had a BBQ, we visited and opened presents...and then....went on a tour of the mines. The COOL mines, Ford River :)

We were all SO dirty by the end. I felt horrible for my mom, who wore a white shirt up there! Guess we shouldn't have sprang that on them last minute. Good news was they loved it! My mom went around telling everyone how she got to see where her son worked on top of the world :)

Brodyn was spoiled with presents! Even though Gramma and Grampa Merrill couldn't make it, they still got him a sweet gift. It is an airplane, and Brodyn loves it!

On Monday, his actual birthday, we had our friends come over with their kidlets for a BBQ. Nothing fancy, the kids just ran around but they all had a great time!

This is Brodyns Choo-Choo cake that I made. Real fancy, I know. I would get into it professionally...but I want to save my talent for my kids ;) The good news is it tasted great! I used this chocolate cake receipe from a book that I got for my birthday and it was tasty!

Yup, this is our daughter in a nutshell.

Present time!!

And of course, he ended the night with a kiss :)

On an additional note, these were the favors that Karson and I made for the kids. Nothing fancy or as cool as a grab bag but I thought they were super cute and went with the theme of Brodyns favorite thing...trains :)

So all in all it was a great birthday for the little man. Somedays I still find myself in disbelief that I have two amazing kids, but it has taught me so much. Everyday Brodyn gives me reasons to laugh, smile and be thankful. I just love him so much and before you have 2 kids you often wonder how on earth you would be able to love any other children as much as you love you first. But the thing is...you just do. I can't explain how but the amount I love this little guy is insane.

Happy 2nd birthday Brodyn, mommy loves you 'til the end.

E=MC2? not quite yet...but close!

2011-10-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Our little man is getting so smart, so fast! He has literally gone from knowing just a few words, to just

babbling all the time!It is really fun to watch.

He knows all the parts of his face, along with his tummy, toes, and fingers. Also he knows almost all animal sounds; dog, cat, snake, bird, elephant, donkey, horse, sheep, frog, etc. He knows them!

It's so funny on our drives how he will "read" a book, even flipping through the pages. More times than not he falls asleep reading. haha. We quite enjoy his love of books.

Wants to be just like Dada :)

Dont mind his open jammies, his belly button needs to be accessible at all times!

Just thought you should know...

2011-09-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you leave Brodyn alone with your camera..

Cute lil duffer. Found these when I was downloading pics from the camera.

Like father like son

2011-09-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Fashionista

2011-09-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

Justice has seriously good taste in clothing for an 8 yr old. No lie.

And she looks good while working too...

Give a girl a camera...

2011-09-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

And this happens :)

I just love when Justice does self shoots!

2 of my favorite girls come for a visit!

2011-08-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

We had my nieces, Kayla and Michelle, come out for the weekend last week. It was lots of fun! We were beach bums most the time but the girls also got tons of playtime in!

ps - sorry about the sideways pics, I don't know how to fix that :)

J and her BFFFFFFFFF (that's way better that a bestie)

2011-08-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

When we moved in with Karson a few years back we were out in the alley one day and these 2 little girls kept riding by on their bikes. Finally the shyness left them and they came over to say Hi to Justice. Their names were Morgan and Hayley. It didn't take long for Justice to become great friends with them. One of the 2 of them and Justice became inseparable!
That girl was Morgan. Justice and her spent every waking moment together and when we moved it actually broke my heart to have to take Justice from her. But her parents are super awesome and have let her come out for a few days twice now.
I had Morgan and her mom meet me a few minutes before I was to pick up Justice in Pincher. Morgan and I sat in some lawn chairs with Morgans back to where Justice was walking in from. When J seen me she came over and said "HI MOM!" then looked over and after a second said, "Hi Morgan". Then she looked at me and the tears were coming! She gave me the biggest hug ever and said thank you and then her and Morgan hugged like 2 best friends would. I love kids and their friendships. There is nothing to them besides being friends. They appreciate each other so honestly and without reason.
So Morgan came out for 4 days and we had tons of fun! It was sad to see her go, but thankfully this isn't the last time we will be having her come out for a holiday :)

To The Beach!

2011-08-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

If there is one absolutely great thing about living where we do, it's that we are within driving distance of some really great beaches. We have been to 4 new places this summer that we never knew about before; Chinook Lake, Grave Lake, Surveyors Beach and Kookanusa.

We have been to many day trips to hang out at the beach and even a few camping trips. Unfortunately I think camping is over for us for the season now that we have pups, but our beach bum days are far from over.

Here's a few pics to recap. I have TONS more, but they deserve their own special blog post... you will see why.

We love camping!!

2011-07-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago some friends of ours invited us to go camping for the night and because we have never been out with Brodyn we were a little hesitant. But wow, did he surprise us! He did amazing!! Since then we have gone out twice! We just love being outdoors and the kids are in their element outside in the wilderness.

This is J rumaging for sticks to use for cooking hotdogs. She is fearless just tromping through the forest!

Karson and the B-man working on the fire. We went to Grave Lake on one of Karsons days off to have a bonfire and cook hotdogs and S'mores. We took all 3 dogs with us too and let them play in the lake. It was fun but didn't last long because the bugs were eating us alive!

Last Sunday we decided pretty last minute to go to Surveyors Lake for a camp. Just for one night though. We got there at 430 and played at the lake til just after 7. I wish I had thought to bring my camera out that night to the lake because it was SO cute watching Karson and the kids build a 20+ tower sand castle! Such a wonderful family moment that I will forever cherish.
You have to check out of the camp ground by 11am so we packed up and headed to the lake for a few hours. It was so fun and I was able to get a few pics out of it :) We all ended up with a nice tan, except Karson who ended up with a nice sunburn...but don't worry. It turned into a nice tan a few days later.

I was so fun and I can't wait to go back! Probably my favorite lake I have ever been to! So warm, so calm, decent beach and did I mention that we seen turtles?? 6 of them all together! So fun!

Play Ball!!

2011-07-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't been the best at updated my blog because I've been holding off uploading the pics. Well, I sold my camera and because I was keeping my memory card I didn't think to upload them before I gave the camera to the new owner. I tried using my printer to upload them and I was able to get a few so I will have blog updates coming, but in no particular order.

This year Justice decided she wanted to join a little league team. She was so awesome at it. Originally we enrolled her in the Elkford league because we were hoping she could be on her friend Carter's team, but that didn't pan out so we decided to go on the Sparwood one so she could know the kids.
She was awesome! The very first day the coach was amazed at the arm she had, "this girl can throw!" he said.

She had lots of fun and got to play a few games at the end and it was just such a fun time for her. I can't wait until she goes into it again next year.

Soooo...random pics from the year. I wish I had gotten more but because more times than not Karson was working during her practices, I had to chase Brodyn around and I could only snap a few here and there.

Waiting for practice to begin...in Brodyns hat!

Team meeting before the hard work begins.

Doing her warm up laps

Waiting for the catch!

Batter up!

Such a great sport! Loved watching her do it!

I deserve to be Furiously Happy!

2011-07-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

I came across this blog and it's pretty funny. Lots of curse words, but I love her humor. She pulls pranks I only wish I had the courage to. She says things I could never. And she does basically whatever comes to mind.
Recently she went to speak at IGNITE in Utah and then she posted her speech on YouTube. It is so funny but yet it's the meaning that is behind it that is just so great.
Give it a watch, but warning..there's swears!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g05OlRa0vzE&feature=player_embedded

I think I deserve to be furiously happy too! In fact I used to do random things like this all the time. When I was young and didn't care so much what people thought about it. Now I seem to care what sooo many people think about what I say and do that a lot of times Im not myself.
I used to not be afraid to embarrass my sisters while walking down the mall hallway. I used to threaten then that I would spontaneously start dancing while we were in walmart, and I would..now I just say I will.
Well, watch out sisters because I am back! I love the fun me who used to not take life so seriously. I
mean who cares if people think what I just said is dumb, or that I am too old to act like that. I freakin love it and thats all that matters!

Everyone deserves the right to be furiously happy, but will you??

ps - I want a giant metal chicken SO BAD! So if you have one lying around not in use...I will gladly accept it as my Christmas present :)

More Justice Birthday fun!

2011-06-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

For Justice's birthday this year she asked me if she could do a Lethbridge birthday so she could see all her Lethbridge friends. I said sure! She only asked for it at the beginning of May and since the notice was so short everything in Lethbridge was booked up so it made me be a little creative.

So we decided on a Carnival for her birthday. I borrowed my sisters house (thanks Jen!!) and set up games in the back yard. We had a bean bag toss, ring toss, fishy game, and balloon popping game. I think its safe to say the kids had a lot of fun :)

Justice's amazing birthday cake that my sister made for her. It was DELISH!

Notice all the very cool hats they are wearing? Everyone made a special party hat for themselves!

The morning of Justice's actual birthday (yes the girl had 3 birthdays this year!) we asked her to go out and feed the dogs. A little ticked that we were making her work on her special day she saunters outside and sees her brand spanking new pink camo quad! She LOVED it!!!

After we made Justice her special breakfast that she requested of Crepes, we asked her what she would like to do for the day. Anything at all and we would do it.... she wanted to go to Franks Slide Interpretive Centre. So..we did :)

It was such a great day. She also had a birthday for her Sparwood friends the following Friday and it was a blast! I'll have to upload the pics. It was a great celebration for her 8th birthday, just not sure I will be doing 2 birthday parties again!!

Brodyn Choo-Choo

2011-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Last month I seen a post online for a train set for VERY cheap so I bought it! Surprising eh. Needless to say it has been a wonderful addition to Brodyns toys. It is the first thing he goes to when he wakes up and constantly there has to be a train running around the track.
What may or may not surprise you even more is the amount of time that Karson spends in the playroom on the floor with Brodyn building tracks. These two are always on this thing playing. It's so cute and definately a boy thing. I tried to get in on it and told Karson let's build a 'super track' but I lost interest after watching it go around 10 times, while the boys were still going strong.
Brodyn even has a few of the trains that he MUST sleep with. MUST. They have pushed his wooden truck out of the way, it is now left lonely sitting on the side of the crib at night.

What a great toy, I can only image how much bigger and better the track will get over time!

It wasn't so long ago...

2011-06-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

It wasn't so long ago that you...

*took your first breath never knowing how a single moment like that changed my world...

*laid on my chest, weighing only 6 lbs, feeling my heart beating and I told you it beat for you...

*smiled at me for the first time and my heart melted...

*took your first steps trusting I would catch you if you fell...

It wasn't so long ago that I....

*held you in my arms for the first time and knew what true love was...

*laid in my bed wondering how little ol me could ever love someone enough to sacrifice my body, my life and my world...

*was blessed with more than the oceans full of wealth with just your hand to hold...

*realized what the meaning and reasoning behind me being on this earth was you...

*realized that my best friend came from my own blood...

It wasn't long ago that we...

*learnt so much, experiencing many firsts together...

*cried together, sometimes me comforting you but also times when you comforted me...

*became the best team to ever join forces and found out that together nothing could stop us...

It wasn't so long ago that on June 10, 2003, I learnt that there is no love greater than a mothers for her children, especially her daughter and ESPECIALLY my Justice Taylor.

Happy 8th Birthday to my Justice. I don't remember life before you and thats for a reason, it wasn't living. Thank you for giving me a reason to breath 8 years ago and for being my breath so many times since then. You are my angel and you will never fully know how deep my love runs for you.

I LOVE YOU

Is it a bribe??

2011-06-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking if I do a super sweet blog post, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe someone will ditch boring ol Dallas and all its amazing shopping and hot weather and ending afternoons sitting beside a pool getting a gorgeous tan to come hang out in the Mountains ;) Or not. But I can still let one of my bestest besties know that I miss her tons!

I miss:

*Saying we are going to spend the afternoon baking dozens of yummy treats...

only to spend it chatting and ending up with maybe one treat done.

*Having way more than a healthy intake of treats while doing said baking.

*Our phone calls that come when one of us senses that the other just

needs to talk...and were usually right.

*Planning the wedding for our kids that will take place in 20 years...

it's never too early to start is it??

*Going out for Desserts at BP's...ok I know it only happened once or twice,

but it was fun and we've always said we would do it again!

*Our crafty Saturdays that we set up to make the funnest little crafts....

and actually having them turn out!

Some of my fondest memories so far:

*Texting and Talking FOR HOURS without actually having met yet.

*Us saying wouldn't it be fun to be pregnant together...and then being pregnant together.

You may have done it first but I followed suit :)

*All the wise advice you have given me over the years, you are one of the smartest

girls I know. Not to mention beautiful, caring and funny too!

*Seeing your little girl grow up because she has such a wonderful mommy.

V is sure lucky and is going to be amazing at whatever she does

in life.

Ok so it's sappy and I know it won't result in a random flight to BC, but I luv ya and wanted you to know. Now hurry and get your butt back here!

East Kootenay Childrens Festival = fun time FOR FREE

2011-05-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago a friend told me about this Childrens Festival that's in Cranbrook every year. It's called the East Kootenay Children's Festival. And the best part...it's Free!
Julie, Jared and the kids went camping out my Cranbrook for the weekend and invited us, but Kars had a night shift to do on Friday night so we couldn't camp, but we sure could go there for the day! So we packed up the kids and headed to Cranbrook to meet up with them for it. It was so fun! Plus, a great reason to go out for some Schnitzel..seeing as we're already gonna be in Cranbrook anyways :)

Justice and Carter.

The crazy hair station. What a coincidence that this is also Krista doing Justices hair, her family took Bella, one of our pups.

B man just hanging out while we wait for J

I love my kidlets

Her hair looked SO cool after!

Cookie decorating station. Surprisingly Justice only had a few bites then said it was TOO SWEET!!

Child I.D station where they finger print and give you a current pic in case she gets lost.

This old man was SO COOL. He just walked around with music blasting from his boom box, dancing with his ducks. I love old people that just love to be silly to make kids smile.

2nd round at the face painting station. Waiting in line 40 minutes but SO worth it!

Painting a van. Justice put her Peace signs all over it!

Guess she had FUN eh?

Our tired Tiger on the way home.

What a fun day! Im sure Kars was beat by the end of the day but it was some nice family time together. Can't wait until next year!

Branding

2011-05-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, my aunt invited us to come to her farm and help with the branding. I keep telling her we are going to make it out there to visit, and because a resolution for 2011 was to keep in touch with family better, so we decided to go! I am so happy that we did. It's my aunt Linda on my dads side. I don't get to see my Szteina side of my family as much as I would like to so this was just great. My gramma was there, my aunt Trish and Uncle Rick, Patti, Brandt, Jenn and George and their girls and also my cousin Jodi and her family. We sure didn't do much help with the branding but I was loving just hanging out with everyone. It was a perfect Saturday!

Here are a few pics, no particular order.

Justice getting right in there! That was only a few calves in, it didn't take her long to ask if she could do it. I love my adventurous little tom boy.

Karson let Brodyn walk through some bales. Im sure this is normal farm boy safety, but Im a city girl still so it worried me.

Kars and my uncle Rick holding up that blasted gate, I mean someone had to do it.

Justice and Kars helping out.

Gramma sneaking Brodyn pop....this happened a few times. No wonder he was running circles!

Us with my cousin Jen and her hubby George. I don't see them enough!

The cowboys let Justice ride one of the horses. Shortly after Karson got on and accidently kicked it in the flank which resulted in them getting bucked off!

My boys <3

My aunty Trish and I handled up this calf just us girls, also it was roped by Jenn so woohoo

GIRL POWER!

Justice and Aunty Trish, shortly after she got bucked off

Justice and her cousin Dakota. These girls get along so well everytime they see eachother, which should be more often!

Our bravest little girl ever who got back on a (different) horse not too long after she was bucked off! We were all so proud of her! Looks like her riding lessons are paying off!

You just KNOW it was Kars who had to get this pic :)

Luckily Karson learnt his lesson about kicking horses and they went for a smooth ride the second time.

On the way home after a hard days work.

Just a quick shot of this tree I drive by everytime I take Justice to Pincher and I never have my camera. It's eerily pretty.

So yes, it was a pretty fun day, I loved seeing everyone and Justice made me promise we would go back soon!

Bestest Hubby EVER

2011-05-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Karson ran to Fernie to do some errands; get gas for quad, get battery for quad, grab a few groceries for supper, etc., but amidst doing all that boy stuff he got me these..

Beautiful flowers. He is such a sweetie. He said he got them because he wanted to get me flowers on Mothers Day, but everyone gets flowers that day so he wanted to do it randomly.

That is WAY better, I think!

So because of this, it's reason # 23,094,713,948,573,498,567 on my list of why I love him to death!

He's Getting Old!

2011-05-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

In April we celebrated Karsons birthday. The big 2-8! I can call him old at that age only because I've been there, done that and frankly it makes me feel better about turning 30 this year. Means I'm not alone :)

We begun the celebrations with a family dinner at our house where his brothers, Chance and Kanon, along with his parents, came and had dinner with us. I made his fav Chicken Enchaladas. They are so good, but take so long to prepare so it was definately fitting for his birthday dinner. Then we had cake, that I made. note to self: it is not smart to choose the day of his birthday to experiment to make his cake more moist. It ended up being super heavy, but tasty. It was a nice fun night hanging out together.

What Karson didn't know was that I was planning a surprise trip to Whitefish to celebrate him some more! It started with only a few friends and in the end there were 9 of us! We rented this gorgeous house! (I am kicking myself for having my camera in the car the entire weekend and not taking a single photo!!) It was beautiful. We were given the master sweet, which was huge! The bathroom was to die for and the walk in closet was breathtaking. We just hung out and had some delish meals and just had a fun time.

During the 2nd day we were there we went to the Montana House of Mystery and Vortex. I highly recommend you go there. It messes with your mind. I don't even know how to explain it, but I think it has something to do with magnetic fields in the earth. But around the grounds were points that you stand at and depending on which side you stood you were either shorter or taller. BUT the ground was level, and we verified that with...a level. haha
Remember I didn't bring my camera, so I only have pictures that friends were nice enough to email me.

This is a pad infront of the house of mystery. It was maybe 3-4 feet across.

Notice how Jamie (on the right) is quite a bit shorter. Brian (on the left) is definately not that tall compared to Jamie!

Then when they switched sides...

It was SO WEIRD!!

I had to go stand up there and focus on a spot in the bush in front of me and walk slowly across the pad and I literally felt myself get smaller. Someone took a vid and I will track it down and post it because they all said you could see me shrink!

This is the house of mystery..

and in it you stood like this...

Like I said,..weird. I wish I had my camera soooooo bad! But we will definately be going back down!

It was a fun trip and nice to get away for a few days. Karsons mom watch the kids while we were gone and I was so happy to get back home to them, it's weird being away for 2 days!

I will try and track down some pics of the 'man of the hour'. Someones gotta have some!

Turn on the lights..

2011-04-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am trying to think of a title to this, and I just can't right now so Im hoping that once I get typing something will come to mind. Be warned this is me just writing. Very aimlessly too I might add. But I've noticed a lot of my friends who are brave enough to post about their personal issues so Im going to follow suit.

I don't even know where to begin, or what to say, to describe why I am writing what I am about to write but hopefully in the end it just makes sense. I have this theory... "you can stand in the dark in your undies and tell people you are dressed, but soon as the light comes on they will see you don't indeed have clothes on". does this make sense?

I guess what Im trying to say is, why is it so hard for people to be who they say they are?? I have been guilty of this, and to be honest probably still am from time to time. But it's not that I mean to be. I am the person that tells you how I feel. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. 100% on my sleeve unfortunately. If I am happy I will tell you. And if I'm not you will hear about it too.

I am the friend that will tell you what you NEED to hear, and it's not always what you WANT to hear, but I feel like I am a good friend for it. However, that is not always the case. People say they want you to be honest with them, but, as long as it is the same opinion that they themselves have. So this is where I say that sometimes now I am guilty of just saying what people want to hear. For the most part I am very proud of myself for being real. I am who I say I am.

Everyone has faults, EVERYONE. Shoot, if I were to start typing mine Im afraid you would get bored 1/4 of the way through because its a loooooong list. There are things that I recognize I need to work on, and there are also things that I don't see. Either because I don't want to admit it or just because I havent noticed it yet. But trust me when I say I have faults. And I feel like I am lucky enough to have a few wonderful friends who will call me out on these things. I hardly ever get insulted when someone points out a flaw because I take it as constructive critism.(if you know a flaw about me, please share, I'd love to know). I respect my friends who care about me enough to say "hey look.." and then tell me what I don't always see myself. I think this is one of the best features of my marriage. Karson betters me every day! He will tell me when I am being too much or when I am in the wrong. I love that about him. And I love that about my friends too.

I know so many situations where people hold back the truth, or sugar coat it to the point that it will give you cavities, just to avoid making someone mad, when in the end they aren't bettering anyone! Isn't the point of letting people into your life, and sharing your life with them, is so you can better yourself. I love a friend who can push me and challenge me. How boring is it to have everyone think you're perfect. I surely wouldn't, and don't, want that.

But on the same note, I am the one to also tell you how great you are. I always try and let my friends/family know just how wonderful I think they are and how awesome they are doing. I love to share how proud I am of people. I tell people when I care about them, when I miss them, when I think they did a good job, when I am in awe of them. I do not think I am better than anyone but I sure know some people who are better than me and I am not afraid to let them know!

I don't even know the theme of this post. It's just so sad when I see people who clearly need a wake up call (and thats not always a bad thing either!) and no one will step forward and tell them. If I am being ridiculous then TELL ME!! There is never a bad time to look at yourself and see how you can be better!

So this is probably all over the place and I hope it makes some sense. So if you can show people what you are in the dark even when the lights are on, then I think you are doing great!!

His ever growing vocab :)

2011-04-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

"mom mom" or "Maaaaaaa" - Mom
"da da" - Dad
"dus dis" - Justice
"Gwam pa"- grampa
"gung gung" - Hungry
"voof voof" dog (or also barking at the dogs)
"cra-ca" - cracker
""wa wa" - water
"ba ba" - milk
"mmmmmm" and leans forward - kiss

( I feel like there are a few more, I will have to think on it a bit)

The other day I pulled out the scale and he stepped on, a whopping 26LBS! He is now 19 months old so I suppose he is doing pretty good! He is big and healthy and still only has one, maybe two, sicknesses to date. We think he is starting to get his 2 year molars already because he is acting like he is teething but he chomps on our fingers everytime we go check. Oh and also I curse the FDA for pulling the teething tablets, CURSE THEM!!!
He is just so dang smart too. He knows how to get dressed and always claps his hands after. Also he can go into the fridge to grab his yogurt and then closes the door after himself. Him and Justice still race to their bath everyday! Oh and a funny new developement... Kars can fake cry and get Brodyn just bawling then start laughing and Brodyn is instantly laughing, so I pretty much think we have busted him being capable of crocodile tears.
He likes to run around the kitchen, through the dining room and into the living room as a game. Sometimes he will grab my phone and take off wanting me to chase him, or sometimes he grabs Stewies toy and Stewie chases him. Its so funny and the best part is when he is too freaked out he runs behind the coffee table and ducks down so you can't see him. He is just such a funny, curious, smart little man. Love him so much!

Marriage

2011-04-16T15:09:00.001-07:00

MARRIAGE
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.
She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.
She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane.
When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.
She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outsidethe door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.
On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.
I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.
Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you.
If you do, you just might save a marriage.Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

New 'Do

2011-04-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well it seems coloring her hair red/pink wasn't enough.... Justice got a hair cut.

BEFORE

AFTER

And its SOOOOOOO CUUUUUUUUTE!

I showed her a picture of Victoria Beckhams hair and she freaked

OUT! She HAD to have it!

So Karson and her went and got their haircuts together and I just LOVE

how it turned out!!

20 Random TidBits about ME!

2011-04-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

1. I can write backwards, cursive in fact and just as fast as I can frontwards.

2. I am left handed.

3. I get really bored with my hairstyle pretty easily, and Im always liking to do something fun with it when I do change it. Mostly fun colors, but every now and then a fun cut.

4. I am only 4 lbs heavier than before I had Justice.

5. Im pretty outgoing via facebook, text, etc but face to face I am SO shy!

6. I am a total people-pleaser and I am ok with that. Better to make someone smile, than to make them cry.

7. I am a Cancer, horoscope speaking, but recently that was changed to a Gemini. I fit the Cancer charastics to a 'T' so I refuse to change. Plus I have a tattoo to represent it so there is no going back on that one.

8. I can say the alphabet backwards. ZYXW....jks, ask me in real life though. I credit it to me being left handed, we use BOTH sides of our brain you know :)

9. I love Math, like LOVE. I got awards in math almost every year in school. I would be so happy right now to take some sort of math class. In fact, I look forward to Justice starting Junior High for that reason, I will be doing her homework right beside her.

10. I recently discovered how yummy avacados are and my fav is to put lime juice and salt on them. Mmmm.

11. I really do believe I would have had a great career in Nascar, or any car racing. I love to go fast!

12. I have 5 tattoos and I really want a few more; one for Brodyn, one down my side, and one on my foot.

13. I have a strong belief that I can do anything just as well as any man. Thats not to say I don't take a backseat with Kars and let him be the 'man' in our home, but I can do any job they can and think its a silly world that we live in when guys only think girls are a pretty face.

14. In reference to the above point, I used to want to be a mechanic SO bad!! It was my dream job and more specifically, I had wanted to be a pit mechanic. How fun eh!?

15. I moved out of my moms when I was 16, I have always been very independant.

16. No matter how hard I try, I cannot do pretty things with my hair. I try to curl it, put it in updo's, etc but I just can't so I usually stick to a pony tail or just down.

17. I usually make friends with guys way better. Granted I love my girl friends, but guys are just so much less drama so I tend to become friends with them easier.

18. I thoroughly enjoy video games and can spend hours playing them! My fav kind are mission games like Call of Duty, Wolfenstein, etc. Or trivia games.

19. I love to be able to use my brain and THINK about stuff. I over think a lot of the time but I love when I need to come up with a solution to a problem in my head. Whenever I drive long distances I always figure out how long it will take to get me there depending on how fast I am going. I just NEED to use my brain.

20. I am a super organized person. Like super. Everything has a place and everything needs to be in some sort of order. It's a sickness really.

So ya, just bored thought I'd throw a few things out there :)

Dont be afraid to take risks...and show the world who you are!

2011-04-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

So last Friday, as I am driving Justice to Pincher, I tell her, "Let's put some red in your hair Sunday Night". She gets so excited because she LOVES to have red or pink in her hair. Then I joke and tell her lets do your whole head! I honestly did not think it would be taken seriously...but little did I know...it was. It was already locked and seal in that pretty little head.

I pick her up Sunday night and the very first thing she said to me was, "are we going to put red in my hair still??" I tell her you bet we are and she gets excited and giddily says, "MY WHOLE HEAD!!!" ummm...what??! You were listening??? The entire drive home I tried to talk her out of it. My pursuasion skills definately need to be worked on becayse she was not giving up!!

I think this is a prime opportunity to teach her a lesson. Which lesson...I don't know...but a lesson somehow. Sooooo I DO IT! I colored, well stained technically, he entire head of hair red except for a few strands I leave blonde on top. While I was doing it I was telling her that if she was made fun of she wouldn't be able to wash it out and she says, "Mom, if they make fun of me I am going to tell them that it's my hair and I like it. They don't have to like it but as long as I love it then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks". WHAT??! Could she really have been listening to me all these years when I try and teach her that what others think doesn't matter, what matters is what she thinks of herself. She has been bullied a few times already with kids bringing her to tears and we have had more than one talk about how it doesn't matter when people say mean things. She needs to be true to herself and thats it! I was also saying how brave she was. Cuz..she was. I like a little pizazz in my hair but I dunno if I would ever do my entire head!

Needless to say, it REALLY turned out. Like it looks SO cute!! Ever seen Jem?? She reminds me of Jem. She has such a funky sense of style that it does not look out of the ordinary at all.

I am SO proud of my little girl for sticking her to guns even though I was

working my hardest to talk her out of it. I have ALWAYS tried to let her be herself. She has been dressing herself with minimal to no help for years and I always LOVE her choices. I have been one to be pretty risky on my hair myself having had most colors in it; black, blonde, red, purple, blue, etc., so I love seeing her be the same way. Your sense of style is one small way you can

express yourself in a non harmful way. You can always grow your hair out, color it again, change your

clothes. You can always undo it.

We could all use a lesson from kids and this time it wasnt me teaching J a lesson...it was her teaching me....

DONT BE AFRAID TO BE YOURSELF EVEN IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY BE RIDICULED. DONT HIDE BEHIND THE CROWD BECAUSE YOURE AFRAID TO BE DIFFERENT. BEING DIFFERENT ENDS UP BEING BEAUTIFUL!!

Justice and her fabulous view on life

2011-03-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to remind everyone about Justices blog.. she has recently done an update and doesn't do them often because she says "no one even reads mine mom". But if you all had a second to go check hers out and give her a little comment to show your support, it would really mean a lot to her...and me. I am encouraging her to start expressing herself and I think a blog is a great way!

Thanks guys :)

www.theprincessjustice.blogspot.com

I LOVE BC!!

2011-03-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

SOOOOO we have been here for officially 7 months and we are still in love with it! Besides the GORGEOUS fall scenery that is amazing to look at....there are the winters. Winters in Lethbridge consist of wind and snow. Its either windy and snowing, or windy and chinooking. The latter is the better of the two, but here ya it snows A LOT...but there is no wind. So it is beautifully mild. So yes, we have have heaps and heaps of snow, as seen above......

But it is so nice out everyday that it allows this.....

And also this....

I truely love it here and so does Kars and the kids. Winter was so painless I can hardly believe it is over already! So all you Lethbridge suckers can keep your wind warnings and insane wind chills and we will gladly take the 9 ft of soft beautiful snow :)

I cannot wait to see what summer has in store. I have been told that it stays a steady 30 above without the scorcing +40 and the crazy windy days. Oh and plus we live in the most beautiful area so I am excited for all the fishing, camping, bon fires, etc, etc, etc that will be happening. What a beautiful province, we are so lucky to be able to call it home!!!

You are all welcome to come visit, but be warned...you might not want to leave ;)

Do I know you??

2011-03-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. And I wonder... how many people on your facebook do you actually KNOW?! Like you are in someway a part of their life; either you are family, who would like to have some knowledge of your distant members (its a great way to stay in touch, though seriously), or you are a friend who can actually say you are involved in someone's life. Maybe you see eachoother once a month, or heck even once a year...

OR how many people on your friends list are people you met in grade 1, or at a party, or worked with 5 years ago. People you added because you might have talked to them once, maybe twice.

I'm sure I am not alone in saying that I have way more people on my friends list than I am actually involved with. Duh. But it's all people who at one time or another I was involved with, friends or coworkers or fellow students.

So what I am thinking is at what point do you just "be rude" (in todays internet world, if you deny a FB friendship, you deny any friendship), and delete them. I genuinely hope everyone in my life, past or present, is doing wonderfully and happy and all that, but I am considering deleting everyone on my list that I am not involved in their life somehow.

Is that so rude??! I just don't know. I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but, between Karson and I, like we really know 240 people.

I dunno. I think technology is weird. And I have made it my vow to start connecting more with people "in real life" this year. Means so much more, and it forms real friendships, not just because my facebook page says so.

in love

2011-03-10T22:36:00.001-08:00

I love life.

Why?

Why not.

The kidlets

2011-03-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

Well they are just growing way to fast, plain and simple. Now that we are into 2011, Justice will be turning 8 this year! 8 years ago my life changed so much and I never want to look back because life didn't begin until her.
anyone who knows me, even a little, knows my intense love for Justice. How amazing she is, how brillant, pretty, funny, humble, caring and outgoing she is, are all just small examples of the wonderful person she is. But now she is almost 10, 8 isn't too far away from it. Not only that but she is like half done grade 2. Whats next, college!!!?! But seriously, she is so great at balancing school, family and friends and keeps her grades up. She is reading like she has been reading forever. I always love to see which library books she brings home because they are never the little fiction books that I see most little girls reading..they are always information books on animals. Dogs mostly, but also wolves, coyotes, hamsters, etc. She is always learning. And I got her a public library card and from there she took out "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul" which is a couple hundred pages and she just lays in bed reading it at night.
She has been such a huge help with the puppies. Everyday after school she comes in and gives them water and she will let them all outside when I ask and even play with them while I am cleaning their area. We told her that if she helps us with them, we will give her $100 of the pup money. It will be a good way for her to learn to be responsible and also to earn her own money for all the little things she wants to buy. Right now she REALLY wants an iPod touch. Well first it was a cell phone she wanted but we quickly said no to that so iPod touch it is.
She also had her beloved Moo pass away. From causes we aren't so sure of. We left NYE with him happy and healthy and NYD we came home and we thought he was dead. But then he sputtered back to life a few hours later (crazy I know! J had me put him beside the fire so he could get warm, and he started twitching back to life like 2 hours later...only to die..for real this time. It was bizarre.) So now we have Sunshine, a teddybear hamster that she bought with her own money. He is pretty darn cute, but shy so we still have to work with him lots. Karson calls me the hamster whisperer because Moo wouldn't let anyone near him and I just kept at it, all while withstanding many hamster bites, and he was so friendly near the end.

And our B-man. Next month he is 18mths old already! How he is growing! He says so much now. He was welcome, "belcum', mama, dada, grampa "gwam-pa", Justice "dus-dis", puppy "voof voof
, cracker "cra-cah", and can also give kisses and wave bye-bye. He is just so sweet. He has a picky eater phase for sure but I am learning we are not alone on this.
He also is picking up on little habits that are so funny. For instance, every night at bath time him and J will race upstairs to see who can get undressed first. Then he HAS to go on our bed with J and I walk in saying "fe fi fo fum, Im gonna spank your little bum" and he will scream and spin circles on our bed. Its so fun.
He is still napping twice a day. I tried the one nap daily and it did not work out. He was so crazy cranky those couple days that I figure if he is sleeping all night still with 2 naps then he is good to go. He must like his sleep I guess. I sing him a lullabye everynight, not sure if that is torture or not but J comes in and joins me and he just lays there looking at us and most nights will just cuddle up with his blankey and go to sleep. Speaking of, he has a fav blankey. I always tried to get J to have a fav blankey but she never went for it. But then again she was also a soother baby and Brodyn just wasnt. He had one for a few months and that was with us trying to teach him to want it. We took it away at about 7 months and he did just fine. But recently he has been carrying around this polka dot blankey and it is so cute. We also just switched all his bottles for sipply cups last week. It went amazing. The first time I went to give him a sippy cup was at night for bed when I usually give him a bottle. He cried and threw it down so I set it on the coffee table and walked away. 2 minutes later I go back and he has it and is drinking from it. We haven't looked back since.

Karson and I are doing great. Madly in love as ever. 4+ years into it and we are still the giddy people in love who are playful and loving to eachother and everyday is just as exciting as the day before. He is loving the mines still and I am loving the stay at home gig, although I do have a little something in the works with someone to start distributing protography props. Its very exciting! I can't say too much just yet until all details are being worked out but it is going to be AWESOME!!

Where the Freak...

2011-03-01T21:11:00.000-08:00

have I been and what has been stopping me from blogging!??

8 PUPPIES, thats what! Since most people who read this are on our facebook you already know that Chloe had 8 puppies mid January. And I stayed up and talked her through it, you bet I did!

Karson and I had gone out for a date night that night and while we were gone our babysitter text us saying Chloe was pacing around acting funny. I had read before that when a dog is about to have pups she wont eat so I told the sitter to give her some food. She ate it so we didn't worry. We didn't rush. We got home at like midnight and took the babysitter home, cleaned up, etc and got to bed around 1. Just after 2, I could hear Chloe just pacing around the bathroom and licking something so I jumped up to see what it was. A PUP! It was the first of what was to be many pups. Without going into the gorss details let me just mention a few fun facts. The procedure the momma dogs have to go through sure makes me happy we have doctors. Also as I sat watching Chloe do it all on her own, I thought what a miracle. Here is this adolesent dog who just knew what to do and how to become a mom. She did amazing, with very little help. (Karson told me the next day that as he lay in bed he could just hear me, "push Chloe, push!" or "Lick them Chloe!". All in all she knew what she was doing. Except one pup.
After the 6th pup she let them nurse so I assumed that meant she was done. So I went to bed. Just as I fell asleep I heard the familiar licking sound so I got up to check and sure enough there was another pup! Pup #7. Except Chloe had so many other puppies pawing after her and she was trying to clean up the mess from this pup that she didn't pay attention to it and it was gasping for air while still in the sack! I tried to get Chloe to pay attention to it but she just couldn't. **it gets nasty here so turn away if you are squemish** So I tried ripping the bag open myself. Those suckers are built to last. So freaking out because the pup wasn't trying to breathe anymore, I grabbed my mini manicure scissors and cut it open and grabbed a washcloth and started rubbing the pup, all hoping th texture from the washcloth would make the pup think it was Chloe. And it did!! The second the pup took his first breath Chloe turned to him and did her job. This pup is known as Lucky :) She also had one more after that and was amazing at it!
So I went to bed around 5am with 8 little puppies now a part of our family. When I woke up with Brodyn at 7, I went to check on the puppies and swear I seen 9. Turns out I didnt. My tired eyes were playing tricks on me.
So we now have Remmy (Turtle), Copper, Lucky, Abby, Shadow, Bella, Monka and Justice added to our family. They are very similar to human babies where the best part is when they are newborns and just sleep and you can cuddle them non stop before they become any real work. Now they are almost 6 weeks old and they are pooping machines! BUT admist all their pooping, they do come and play with all of us and we just love them so much.
I have been screening the potential families so thoroughly that you would think I am giving up one of my own children. Which I kinda am. Having been there through their birth and spent time with them each and every day and taken care of them, I do feel a special bond with each and every one of them and I want to make sure they are all going to wonderful families. Which they are. I have gotten to know all the new 'parents' to our pups and they will all be life long friends I am confidant. They are all very loving, special familes.

So...thats where I have been. Taking care of 11 dogs, 2 kids, 1 husband and cleaning and cooking.

Pretty good excuse eh??!

We're too young to be grandparents!

2011-01-03T18:21:00.000-08:00

Our sweet sweet Chloe is no longer the innocent puppy we once had...

It seems those puppy dog eyes didn't make just us fall in love with her....

We would like to announce the marriage of Bo Dozer Merrill to Chloe Merrill. It was love at first sight!
Dozer and Chloe Merrill would like to let everyone know they are expecting their first child...or first 8...however many there may be :)

There comes a time in every parents life that they dread, being grandparents way too young. Unfortunately that time has come for us. Our Chloe is pregnant. Yes, thats right Dozer is going to be a dad. And not only that but according to the vet they are going to be here within a week or two! We do not have time to prepare!

so turns out all that extra weight that Chloe was putting on was not due to her getting into her food and eating it all, yes in fact she did break into her food 3 times eating about $60 worth, but it wasn't out of mischief...it was cravings!

What was once young love, single and care free is now going to be parent love. HOW EXCITING!!!

It's a ME year!

2011-01-02T21:51:00.000-08:00

I am the typical "go to the gym" new years resolution kinda girl but this year I will not even utter those words! This year I am going to make a resolution to better myself, and my family.

#1 - I am going to have more patience with my children. Generally I am a fairly patient person, but with all the craziness of the last year I have found myself being a little hard on them. So this year I resolve to be more understanding of them and to get to know them better by doing the following:
*have family nights once every days off as a family, whether that be playing board games, going swimming, sledding or even just making a big ol bowl of popcorn and watching a movie together.
*Once a week I am going to choose the favorite picture I took of each of my kids (and Im really hoping to get more together as a family as well) and once a month I am going to print out the pictures and put them into a little scrapbook or photo album or something. I tend to be camera happy and on my computer I have literally thousands of photos but I want to start picking out special moments for them to look back on.
*I am going to try and lighten up on trying to have so much routine for my kids by making them easier. For example, Justice has a chore list that she get paid and allowance per chore and Im always nagging her to do them but now I told her Saturday mornings are for her chores. Thats it, thats all. If she wants to do them extra to make more money she sure can but thats the only day I will actually hound her to do it.
* I am going to make cuddle time every night for both my kids! Even if its just reading a short story together just cuddled up on the couch, I want to just bond with them more.

#2 - I was once called a "people pleaser" and while it didn't offend me because I honestly do like making people happy, I do think that I need to start worrying more about me then everyone else. I am fully aware I get walked on A LOT and generally I don't care because it's not a big deal but I am a caring person, not a niave person. I am not going to get mean but Im definately going to recognize when I am putting in way too much effort with people and I am going to spend more time connecting with those that I do feel a valuable friendship with.

#3 - I am also going to start to be myself again because I used to love myself. And it's not that I don't love myself anymore, because I really do love the person I have become in the last 4 years but I have given up a lot of things that I really enjoyed because I felt like I had to fit into this perfect mom/wife role and I had to be a certain way. I am learning that I don't. I took out my eyebrow ring just before I got married and literally said it was because "wives don't have eyebrow rings" but you know what...this one does! I loved it and Karson loved it. I am going to get it redone and I am very excited about it! I used to be this fun, crazy, laid back chick and I have spent so much energy trying to fit into my new life that I changed the woman that Karson fell in love with and wanted to marry! Good thing he can still see the real me even past all my own confusion! I need to be me, not what I think people expect me to be. I love my LDS family (both inlaws and my own family) and I admire their faith but after searching and investigating it for the last 3 years basically I have come to realize that it shouldn't be that hard and Im just not ready. I don't need to go to church to have a great relationship with my Heavenly Father and I don't need to be baptized to fit in with my LDS family, I am already a part of them :) So now when people ask me if I think I will ever become part of the Church, my answer is possibly...but if not thats ok too. I am not going to give anyone any false hope because I don't even know myself. It could happen, but it could also not happen and I am ok with that. Karson and I have an amazing bond and he knows where I am coming from and he understands me and my decisions and I really love that he supports me.

So those are basically what I have decided 2011 will entail. (oh and to eat healthier but thats just another "im going to go to the gym everyday" kind of line so I will just keep that one on the DL and try my best) 2010 was a fantastic year and I have learnt so much about myself and I think it will lead to an amazing 2011.

Happy New Year everyone and I hope you are all anticipating a glorious year ahead as well <3

It's about to be CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

I am trying to kill time while I wait for my husband to come home so we can celebrate our Christmas! This year was a very different year for us for Christmas. First off Justice was sadly in Cardston celebrating on Christmas morning and Karson had the unfortunate task of working all day today.
After feeling sorry for myself for a bit this morning I decided its not about what time you celebrate Christmas at, its being with those you love. And people that we love are plentiful for us!
We were with my mom and sisters as well as Karsons family on the 21st. the upside, with all the caos that this year has brought we were able to get together still, the downside they were only short little visits. But visits none the less. And it was so nice to be with them.

....well that burnt about 2 minutes of my time. Now another 18 to wait. I can't wait until the kids see what they got, and what Karson sees what he got....and Kent doesn't know it yet but Santa might have put a little something for him as well under the tree!!

Merry Christmas everyone, remember that the greatest gift of all is being with family and no particular time but just being with them!!

2010

2010-12-23T14:21:00.001-08:00

Every year I want to get around to sending out Christmas cards...and every year I don't. It's not for lack of trying, just more like lack of time. We always seem to have our hands full somehow. So this year I am going to just do a blog on our year and our family.

2009 was a fantastic year, with Justice going into grade 1 and welcoming Brodyn, but I have to admit that 2010 was even better!

Karson started off the year framing houses. It was quite the change from his job working at Steelcin condos, and he went into it with the enthusiam that he does with anything. He was excited to learn everything he could about framing and even though the hours proved to be a lot more than he was used to, he went head first! I know he loved doing it but he quickly learnt that his job was victim to southern Alberta weather and he worked according to it. On a whim he said he wanted to apply at these mines that he had always wanted to work at. I said go for it. There are people that talk about what they want to do, and there are people who go for it. After us talking and talking about buying some land and building our dream home on it for so long, I thought what the heck. It was a total stab in the dark considering everyone, and I do mean EVERY one told us it was not easy to get hired on at the mines. Karson applied at every mine in BC and Alberta. Within 2 weeks of applying he got a call back and had a phone interview, the next thing we knew he was asked to get his pee test and a physical. Things were looking good but we were still told how hard it was to get hired on. Next thing we knew they were asking Karson to come to the mines for an on-site interview. Thats where everyones outlook changed and instead of Karson hearing 'its hard' he was hearing 'if you go for an on-site interview you are basically hired"...which he was!! Within a month of us just mentioning Karson wanting to work on the mines, he was! It was hard for him to choose to walk away from Black Creek Custom Framing, a company he started on his own but had recently partnered up with a good friend on. He knew what a sacrifice it would be to just start over but this was his dream job and an opportunity that would better our lives! So he started working for Teck on July 26, 2010. He loves it!! I am happy to say that my husband provides for his family doing what he has always dreampt about.

We moved to Sparwood in September. A huge move for us. Even though its only 2 hours from home, thank goodness, it was still a big decision because we had to uproot ourselves and move to where we did not know a soul. Seriously not even 1. But we find ourselves loving the decision and are looking forward to what 2011 will bring for us in BC. There is little to no wind here which is AMAZING! When it rains, its straight up and down. So bizarre to see at first and so appreciated after a while. Same with snow, its pretty when it snows, not a blizzard everytime.

Justice went into grade 2 this year and actually went into a 2/3 split. She is one smart cookie and the teachers can obviously see that in her. She was a little apprehensive about starting at a whole new school but came home her very first day with a handful of friends including one sweet little girl who lives across the street from us who soon became Justice's new bestie. Every day after school or on weekends you can literally find Justice and Kiya playing out front in the snow banks. I love it. Kiya is such a sweet young lady and a very good influence and kind of friend Justice needs. Justice also started equestrian lessons this fall. She loves the horse she gets to work with, Pal the Palamino, and the teacher has commented on how fast she is picking everything up! I enjoy going to watch her and the smile on her face. She doesn't know yet which goal she is going to have with her lessons but for now is just learning all she can. Sadly her hamster Rhino passed away in October and we had a little funeral service for him where J read an obituary of his little life. We could tell she missed him so much! We decided that she needed another little friend and Moo came into our lives. He is a little black and white hamster who is friendly and J just loves him.

Brodyn has had a lot of firsts this year. He is now 15 months and is picking up on everything at lightning speed. He took his first step on the day before his 1st birthday and can now proudly run and walk backwards. He isn't much into riding his little scooters yet but I can tell the interest is there. He has been able to say 'mama' for a few months now and also says 'welcome' after you tell him thank you. Recently he has started saying 'dada' much to Karsons liking! Every morning when Karson or Kent make a first Brodyn likes to help so he carrys the kindling over to them while they get the prep work done. He basically eats anything and everything but he is a very visual eater. He has to be shown what it is he is going to eat and will decide from there if he wants to eat it or now. He is able to use a spoon but prefers to use his hand and mostly just have me feed him. Just yesterday actually he went up and down the stairs by himself. So now there is really no stopping him! He is also really into books and loves the kind that he can interact with but will take the time to look over every page for a few seconds. Karson and I say that he reminds us of an old man reading the paper the way he studies it. He is a real TV child and his favorite shows that basically stop him in his tracks are; Elmo's World, The Wiggles, Thomas and Friends, Waybalo, In The Night Garden and he loves the songs from Bobs and LoLo.
As for myself I am just a stay at home mom and loving it. My candles have done pretty well again this year with more exposure than last year, which is a great thing. I got them in a little cafe in town and have actually sold a few in there, as well as a couple craftshows I did. Being a stay at home Mom doesn't give you much news to report but with the move and all that basically took up a lot of my time getting ready for the move and then settling in after the move. In the new year I hope to start learning how to do canning as well as get a gym pass.
The dogs are all doing great and aside from one little incident where we had thought Dozer killed Stewie, they are all our loving little dogs. Stewie has found a place in our pack inside and Dozer and Chloe love being outside and playing all day!

We wish you all a very happy holiday season and all the best in 2011!!

2 Years

2010-12-19T19:46:00.001-08:00

On November 29, Karson and I celebrated our 2 years of marriage. Realistically its been 4 years together and half of that being married. I know I have said this before and I will probably say it every year from now on, but I love that I am married to my best friend. 4 years of being together, 2 years of marriage, 2 kids, 3 dogs and 1 huge move has only brought us closer together and I'm not sure if it is possible but we are more in love now than ever!
Karson surprised me on the morning of our anniversary and told me to say an extra long goodbye to J and Brodyn...why?? Because he was taking me on a special trip. He had his parents come stay here (I had thought ol Kenty was just working OT and Tara came for the ride, little did I know!) and we were off for a night together! After over 2 hours of driving and Karson saying "Look away!" every time we passed a road sign, I was finally told we were going to Radium Hot Springs. How fun!

I had talked a lot about going there one day so this was so awesome.
I loved the drive with Karson. We just took our time and talked and checked out the scenery.
And it was beautiful.
Huge mountains everywhere!!

Really cool passes through them too!

At one point we passed a fence that had this HUGE eagle on it. The best part was we drove about 2 km up the road trying to find an approach to turn around and then we went back to take pictures. I absolutely loved being able to do that. Usually we get from point A to point B without stopping to "smell the roses" so to speak. When we got back to the eagle we notices not 1, not 2 but 4 eagles! It was AMAZING!

We took video and just sat there and watched them for a bit. Turns out there was a dead animal on the side of the road that was attracting them, but it was majestic all the same.
Once we got to Radium, we checked into our hotel and it was so nice. My husband really does spoil me. We quickly got settled and went to the Hot Springs.

I have never been to anything like that. It was like -12 out and we were going into an outdoor pool. It was kind of trippy at first because the steam from the water made it impossible to see a foot in front of you but I was in awe soon enough. We hung out in there for an hour, at least. I wish we would've stayed longer because it was so nice.

After that we went for a cruise around Radium, and found out it is indeed a small town. lol. There was like 1 restaurant/pub open and that was it for dining unless you wanted to go to Invermere which was about 10 minutes away. Which we didn't. So we just went for a bit to eat at the pub. It was decent food and a nice atmosphere.

Then got some treats and headed back to our hotel room. We just relaxed and enjoyed each others company. After all this time together it is so nice that we can just hang out in a hotel and have the best time ever.

The next morning we just got up and took our time and headed back, checking out all the scenery again and stopped in at a Fairmont Hot Springs (which we decided was way cooler) also a few antique shops and even at Fort Steele. We decided we are taking the kids on a mini vaca in the spring to Fort Steele and Fairmont Hot Springs. I look forward to it!

It was an amazing anniversary celebrating my marriage with an amazing man who works so hard for our family and every day gives me another reason to love him that much more.

Bestest Bestie

2010-12-03T20:23:00.001-08:00

I have a bestie, and her name is Nadia. In case you don't know her, she is;

smart, talented, crafty, caring, beautiful inside and out, funny, articulate, comforting, wise, insightful, a great listener, a terrific friend, a wonderful mother, an amazing wife, creative, understanding, open-minded, admirable, attentive, charming, extraordinary, friendly, gracious, unique, venturous, stunning, motivating, and most of all....

MY BEST FRIEND!!

She is always there to listen to me whether Im sad about something, or beaming about my newest happy news. She is always there. And most the time, she understands how I feel like no other.

We met in the most bizarre way, only talking on the phone. Lots. From the first text that we sent saying, "can I call you??", we were non-stop communicating. We have both seen each other through some pretty tough times, and she has been a rock for me. Very inspiring, and has given me some very good opinions and advice. My life has changed so much because of her.

We have set traditions with our families at Christmas, last year we did a bunch of crafts and I miss not doing them with her so much this year!! We also did gingerbread houses with our hubbies and kids and I'm hoping we get to do that again this year!! But the really fun event will be our bake-a-thon!! An entire day (or two) with my Nadia is going to be glorious!!!!

I used to think it was the quantity of friends that you have that was most important...I have learnt that its actually the quality of your friends that matters most ;) I am proud to say I may not have 100 friends but the ones I have are 100%!

Just thought I would let you all know who my bestest bestie is and how important she is in my life and I couldn't image not knowing her.

Here's to sitting on our porch when we're 90 Miss Nadia, talking about all our wonderful accomplishments in life.

I love ya!!!

Bad things usually happen in 3's...right?!?

2010-11-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

I'm still laughing about this..let me tell ya why.

Last week I ordered some wax and sent it to Babb, MT where I usually send it. At least the last 7 times anyways. Well they went to deliver it but for some reason the address I had given them (the same one I had the last 7 times) wasn't working. They couldn't find it. So they told me they were sending it to Cutbank, MT. 5 phone calls later I was told the address was cleared up and it would be sent to my address in Babb the next morning to the morning after at the latest. Perfect I thought. Avoided that drama.......right??!

Monday morning I woke up and the kids and I got ready and headed to Lethbridge. The plan was to take the kids to Momma Merrills while I ran and got my wax and then we were going to take their pictures, then I was going to go surprise my Gramma Szteina with a visit and afterwards head to my moms for supper before going back home. We got to Lethbridge just fine. I visited with Momma Merrill and then headed off to Babb. I was pretty excited about the mini roadtrip alone, with no kids and loud music. The drive there was fastastic. I rocked out pretty much the entire time. It was so fun listening to my pop music dancing around then putting on my heavier rock/metal and rocking out all the way to the border. Thinking back I never should have turned my music down for the border patrol because that is where it all went wrong.
I pull up to the window at the border and hand over my passport. This was our conversation;
"Where do you live"
"BC"
"Why do you have Alberta plate then??"
oh crap! "Because I just moved there a few weeks ago and haven't had time. My husband works at the mines"
"ok. Where are you headed"
"Babb"
"What for?"
"I have to pick up a package"
"Where at?"
"Babb??"
"No, WHERE at?"
"oh, this ladies house. I dunno her name but she does UPS?!"

At this point she hands me my passport back and I drive off. I turn my music back up, naturally. So after I get past the border Im thinking I should have called to make sure she was home. Luckily as I was pulling into her yard another vehicle was in front of me. A good sign surely....right?! So I go up to the door and as much as I tried to hurry and get in front of the person in the car ahead of me..it turned out to be a sweet ol Gramma so there was no way I could budge. So I waited patiently as she counted out her loonies for the lady, next was my turn!! I say I am here to pick up a package for Mandy Merrill...she looks on her list and nothing. Um...Tara Merrill??! Still nothing...um..its about 50 lbs and its wax...still nothing. WHAT??!! I assure her that UPS told me they would be delivering it. They TOLD ME!! Nope, nothing. So I say ok thanks and I drive away. I then thought well maybe I will zip over to the post office because maybe, just maybe it went there...well turns out I grabbed the wrong key and can't access our post box. Freakin heck..Really??! So I get on the phone with Momma Merrill and she looks up my tracking number and it says it was delivered to cutbank. *&^!!! I call UPS and I explain the situation to the operator and she repeatedly tells me "Im sorry about the miscommunication". After hearing that apology about 10 times I just say ok, thanks and I let her go. So very somberly I drive back to the border. This was our conversation;
"Where do you live?"
"Alberta" (uh huh! Im smarter this time)
"WHERE in Alberta"
"Oh, uh Lethbridge"
"Where are you coming from?"
"Babb"
"How long where you gone?"
"bout 25 minutes"
"Why only 25 minutes"
"I was supposed to pick up a back" I say through gritted teeth
"Supposed??"
"Yup, UPS told me wrong and it wasn't there"
"have a good day" and he sends me on my way. He was a smart man to end the conversation then.

So I call my mom and tell her the situation and I tell her I have to pass on supper, I just want to get the kids and go home. While driving back I fought off the tears telling myself I should have called. It really was my mistake. And honestly I was more choked that I burned 1/2 tank of gas than there was no package. So after a bit of convincing I decided I would go through with Momma Merrill taking the kids pictures and THEN I would head home. So I stopped at superstore to pick up supplies for our shoot.
I arrive at the Merrills and called Cutbank UPS and they tell me they do indeed have morning hours so Momma and I decided I would stay the night, go pick up my wax first thing and then head home. A perfect plan!!.....right??!?
What we woke up to the next morning can only be described as typical Albertan weather...if you just read my previous post you will note that I said I forgot what Alberta weather was like. It was a crazy winter storm. Snow, wind, ice...everywhere! It was looking like I wasn't going home that day either.
So momma and I made the best of our snow day and we spent 4 hours preparing for Brodyn and Justices shoot by making cupcakes and decorations...which resulted in Brodyn only letting us take pictures for 15 minutes. Justice did beautifully but I think after that much prep she was burnt out too. So when pictures were no longer happening I decided to check out the highway conditions. I was wearing the same clothes, contacts in for 2 days and no make up. I really wanted to get home. I check the forecast and it says another winter storm headed for Alberta. My decision was made!
So slowly but surely I make my way home. The highways weren't bad at all if you had a little common sense. We drove slowly through the iffy sections and normally the rest. We make it to the pass and I go to fill up because I didn't have enough gas to get home and then back to the pass (I don't buy BC gas because its $.10 more!! cheap, I know). It was a smart idea...right??! I fill up and for some reason my bank card was declined!! Um, what?? I know I have money in there..don't I?? I didn't even have my visa on me as a back up! So a little panic sets in...oh wait!! I have the US cash in my pocket that I WAS gonna use for my wax. My bill was $38 and I just happened to have $38US in my pocket. Perfect!!!...right?? No, she tells me I still owe her $1.89 because the dollar is better than US now. So I go search my car and find 2 loonies and I give them to her and tell her to keep the change, Im going home!!
On the rest of the way home I come around a corner and there in the middle of the road were 2 mountain sheep licking the salt off the centre line. I really think highway taker carers should use something else, this is dangerous. I am able to stop in time though thanks to my phenomenal driving skills. Some might say Im good enough for an indy..I just call it talent :)

Sooooo after all that I make it home safely and Im able to have a bath and take out my contacts and relax. What an adventure!! Surely it was what you would call a waste of a trip...right??!

HECK NO!! Look at the amazing photos of my beautiful kids that Momma Merrill was able to get (check out her blog after!! www.taralouphotography.blogspot.com). These pictures made my entire trip worth it and I would do it all over again!
Thank you for housing us, for spending time with us, and for these amazing pictures momma. We should do it again soon...right??! :)

3 month in

2010-11-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Ok time for a little update.

We are loving BC! It's so nice here. The weather is obviously the first thing you notice. There is no wind. The 'extreme' wind here is like a breeze back home in Lethbridge. I have easily forgotten how quickly tornado like winds come and go now that I never see any wind. I did notice that it rained quite a bit in early fall but I suppose that is what supplies all the green here! Plus with no wind the rain falls straight down and its mostly like a mist. Very nice.

Justice has settled in very quickly with random friends showing up all the time. She was a bit nervous that she wouldn't make any friends but seriously..look at her. Who wouldn't want to be her friend. She is liking school a lot. She is in a grade 2/3 split and is picking up on so much. She can read pretty much anything and loves to read brodyn bedtime stories. I will have to get a picture of it because it is so cute. She loves going to the library and even has her own library card. She is VERY intellectual. The books she rents are always information books on animals. She has gotten one novel, and of course its black beauty and she has stuck with it! She is nearly to the end too. I really love that she enjoys reading. I am very lucky that she isn't a huge video gamer. She does have her club penguin but really that's about it.
She has also joined the choir at school. I think at first she did it because they practise during recess and its a nice excuse to stay inside on old days, but now she comes home singing her songs and practicing them. They had a little recital for Remembrance Day and it was so cute to see her up there dressed in black and white just singing her cute little face off! She is shy so much of the time that I really enjoy when she puts herself out there because she has so much to offer and it builds her confidence.

The girl on her right is Kiya, her bestie in town. She reminds me a lot of Justice's bestie Morgan who lives in Lethbridge. I am very proud of the girls Justice chooses for friends. She always picks the very nice, friendly, loyal girls and tends to stay away from the dramatic ones. Such a smart young girl. She amazes me all the time.

Brodyn is growing up way too fast! Seriously he has sprouted in the last 2.5 months since we have been here. First thing he did was walk, on his 1st bday, and now he is running, jumping, walking backwards and even stomps when you ask him too. His jump is so funny because you say "Brodyn Jump" and he squats down like he is going to jump and then just stands up really fast. Its pretty dang cute. He has also been pivoting on his one foot spinning circles. I think he likes the dizzy feeling it gives him.
He cracks us up! He says a few words, sadly dada is not one of them...yet. I know he can say it because he has before (I have heard him on his monitor saying "mama....dada.... gagagagagagga"... wonder what he says about us?? But his words he can say now are "mama", "voof, voof" (woof, woof) "agai" (again), and "uh, huh" for yes. This is the funniest thing!! He definitely knows how to say no, he shakes his head and looks away and he is always saying "uh, huh uh,huh". Even when the little guy is filling his pants!! Momma Merrill and I discovered that while we were snowed in. He would be standing there saying "uh huh uh huh uh huh" and then it was stinky. And the next morning while he was in his playpen he did the same thing and then I smelt it. He must be cheering himself on or something. Its pretty funny.
He has his TV shows that stop him dead in his tracks too. His favorites are: The Wiggles, Rolie Polie Olie, The Nightgarden, and Waybuloo. I used to worry that he was watching too much tv but he has his fair share of playtime and surprisingly those shows teach quite a bit. Plus it gives me a chance to get things done. The last 3 weeks he has been a bit sick, nothing seriously just a cold, and he has been SO cuddly. Honestly I was loving it at first, and I still am but he is also clingy so as soon as I put him down to do something he cries. So you can see how a good TV show is a helpful tool right now.

Karson is loving his job as usual. He has gotten the official 'white hat' meaning he is no longer a newbie. Pretty proud of my man. I wish I could go up there and watch him do his job because the stories I hear are so fascinating! He drives a truck larger than our home! Could you image going up to your bedroom on the 2nd floor and driving away?? Thats so crazy to me! But I am sure he doesn't enjoy the early hours waking up. During his day shift he gets up at 5am and is out of the house by 5:30am and doesn't return until about 8:20pm. Makes for a long day but he never complains. Guess thats what is supposed to happen when you enjoy your work. I wish I had pictures to post. He isn't allowed to for some reason. you will all just have to imagine :) Or come over and we can show you!

As for me I am loving my role as mother/wife. I do have my bad days but for the most part I love cooking and taking care of my family. I did miss the not working for a while but now I am able to get so much done in a day and I just know that if I were to go to work then come home and cook, clean and take care of the kids I would be one tired girl. I have made a receipe board and I plan out our weekly receipes on it. Oh how I love this. It saves me soo much time by just letting me know which ingredients I need when I go grocery shopping and how much time each day I need to cook my meals. It has resulted in me being way more creative in my cooking and cooking different things a lot. Loves it! I am also getting my candles out there a lot more. Check out my Chix Wix blog at www.chixwixcandles.blogspot.com. I have had some goals that I wanted to do with them and so far I have gotten my candles in a shop as well as gotten them licensed. Little baby steps :)

Well that is us for now. I have been meaning to do this for so long and am fairly impressed that I was able to sit down long enough to actually write an update. I did have a lot more pictures uploaded but they crashed and I am not in the mood for going back and getting them again. Maybe tomorrow night.

Be prepared

2010-11-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

I am updating the blog tonight!! And I have a few things coming. LOL. I have gone to do it a few times and blogger crashed erasing all the photos I uploaded so I gave up.

So...tonight it is!

B = 1

2010-10-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Finally! Time to blog about my baby turning 1!!

The good thing about throwing 1 yr birthday parties is that the baby is generally happy with whatever! Brodyn is such a happy baby that I'm sure we could've just sang "If you're happy and you know it..." the entire time and he would've been thrilled! But, my baby needs more than that!
The plans for Brodyns birthday were originally for everyone to come up and Karson was going to take us all on a tour of his mine, Fording River Operations. But, sadly, we found out he has to be fulltime to do tours so that was out. Totally ok we thought because Teck Coal was having an employee appreciation fair, perfect!! But no, that was cancelled too due to on strike employees. Boo.
But in the end we just had a bunch of family come to Sparwood and hang out for the day. My sister Jen and her family came Friday night for the ENTIRE weekend, loved it! It's always nice when they come to visit <3 Also on Saturday Karsons mom and dad came along with Kanon, Chance and Amy. We sat and visited and just hung out and to be honest I loved it! We were in a new setting, and a little homesick, and to have our family there was just what we needed! The next day, on his actual birthday, my mom and step dad drove out for the afternoon. It was such a good 1st birthday for our B Man.

In the first year my baby managed to:

Get 8 teeth! 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. And also got 4 molars about 1 week after he turned one!

Know the signs for milk, more and food. Not too bad considering I only showed him them a few times

Say a few words including; mama, dada, and woof.

Eat like no ones business and, after choking severly on a potato and being brave enough to feed him actual food again, I am happy to say he is past baby food all together and won't touch the stuff!

The normal crawling, and such.

Dance like noone is watching. When we are driving and I turn on music he totally fist pumps, and if we are in the house and music comes on he shakes his little booty. Its so funny to watch!

So onto another year of wonderful accomplisments, which he has started the day of his birthday but taking his first steps. I am a proud mama to a walker now and he is too funny when he gets running so fast to chase us. He makes us so happy and I feel so blessed to have the wonderful children that I do!

It occured to me...

2010-09-23T20:10:00.001-07:00

I said this to someone the other day and it was seriously just a random thought but it has really been in my head and it really does make sense.

~~You can wake up each morning wondering if it's going to rain or you can enjoy the sunshine that is there at the moment.~~

I think it's so true. I try to live my life enjoying the sunshine everyday and when it does happen to rain...I go tanning ;)

Enjoy life because really, whats not to love!

It's not good bye...it's See You Later.

2010-09-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know how to write this. I don't even know where to begin. Last year on July 4, I lost my grampa Szteina. He was such an amazing grampa. I started a blog about this so many times but it's really hard to put into words the sadness you feel about someone you really love leaving you. He was a role model to me even though I never told him that much and I honestly see so much of him in Karson and I think that is a big reason why Karson is so perfect for me. Of course there are a million reasons but to see Karson have so much in common with a man who I have so much respect for and admiration doesn't hurt one bit. If Karson even turns out to be half the husband/dad/grampa that my grampa Joe was well I know I am in for a life of love and happiness. I never ever seen my grampa fault in any of those positions and he was loved by so many people. I still miss him just as much a year later. His funeral paper (Im not sure the technical name) has been in sight the past year and moving hasn't changed it. It is in my kitchen on the bulletin board and it has been since the day we all said goodbye and it's not about to move. Tomorrow is his birthday and even though he isn't around to celebrate it, I will be thinking of him!

I told Brodyn about him lots of times and because his paper was always close by I would show him pictures of grampa and he would just get so captivated. At nights and in the mornings he would lay in his bassinet beside our bed and just look straight up and talk and talk and talk and I'm almost positive he was talking to grampa. I KNOW that he met grampa before we did and that he knows grampa is so happy up there with Heavenly Father.

Somethings I will miss of Grampa:
* him running around the house chasing J and the older he got the slower he got but J ran all the same!
*him sitting in his Lab rocking chair just watching everyone smiling
*him helping my dad make dune buggies and stuff when we were little
*him making us a skating rink on his pond every winter
*his hugs

Well...now again I have lost someone I really care about. This morning at 9:40am my sister, Jen, calls me and says she needs to let me know that my gramma has taken a turn for the worse. She let me know that everyone was gathering to say their goodbyes as instructed by the doctors. Now truth be told my first instinct wasn't to jump in my car and make the drive because we had been told this before only to go up with our goodbye speeches ready only to find her fully alive and as good as ever. So firstly I thought well I am going in on Saturday so I will see her then. BUT WAIT something screamed at me. What if Saturday is too far away and it needs to be said today. So I tell Jen I will call her back and I run upstairs and ask Karson to watch Brodyn for a few hours and I throw make up and clothes on and I text Jen and say Im on my way. Normally the drive take 1 hr 45min-2 hrs roughly to get there....I did it in 1hr 25 min. I was doing my normal speeding rate until I hit just past pincher and she text me and told me gramma passed. That's where I kicked it up to 170. On one hand I thought well the worst past has already happened so what's the rush, but then on the other hand I wanted to be able to say goodbye to her before they took her away. So I drove like a mad woman and I KNOW, I truly know, that someone was watching out for me because I didn't see a single cop until I pulled into Lethbridge and stop at the lights and one drove past me. Don't get me wrong..I did tell Heavenly Father a few times "please watch out for me and allow me to get to my family safely" but I also know someone somewhere was keeping the cops at bay :) thanks!
So we got there and I gave her a hug and said goodbye. I will miss her so much. I am a bit hard on myself because I missed so many good years of getting to know her better because I was so wrapped up in my own life and trying to fix that and it's only been the last 3 years or so that we have really gotten to spend time together and especially since she was in the hospital. A few weeks I was up there everyday trying to jog her memory when it failed or taking her for walks when she couldn't or helping her eat when that wasn't possible for her, but mostly I just gave her company. She was able to say goodbye to my sister Jen as she was leaving and I am so grateful for that because no one loved her more than Jen did. Jen got to spend the most important years with her, from a child until her leaving. So I am glad that she said good bye to her personally because I know Jen will hold that dear to her heart forever.
Grampa, Gramma, you guys are both amazing and I love you both to pieces and I am so happy that you are up with Heavenly Father and are healthy and overwhelmed with joy. Look over us and we will see you again.

Somethings I will miss of Gramma:
*she made the BEST eggs; whether scrambled or fried. So good!
*making chocolate chip cookies with her and eating so many fresh out of the oven I'd get a tummy ache
*going to her house at lunch while in High School and eating her DELICIOUS homemade broccoli soup. So good and so glad I got the recipe from her
*eating her porridge in the mornings when we would sleep over there. To this day I have tried and tried to make it for my kids but it never tastes quite as good even though she swore it was just oatmeal and cream
*playing Shanghai card game with her and subtly watching her cheat :)
*feeding the horses behind her house sugar cubes and carrots
*Taking her outside the hospital the last 5 months and watching her face light up with only being 20 feet outside the front door. oh how we take advantage out how beautiful nature is until we can't see it whenever we want.
*having gramma teach me how to make her homemade bread. Never had any as good as hers.

Karson and I with my gramma and grampa Szteina at our wedding. Means so much that they were both there.

4 generations right there :)

Gramma Knoch and I. Didn't she look beautiful!?

Karson and gramma Knoch.

I put this one in because when Gramma had lost her memory I went up to see her and she had no clue who I was for the longest time and they randomly she said, "He knelt down to her". I said who?? She says "Your husband, he knelt down to your daughter. He loves her so much. He loves J so much he wanted to be her daddy!" and that was one of her first memories back to me when we thought all was forgotten. This moment meant so much to ME but apparently it meant the same to Gramma who always just loved love.

It's never goodbye....It's simply "I'll see you later"

R.I.P.

Joseph Szteina - September 23, 1930 - July 4, 2009
Margaret Knoch - October 1921 - September 22, 2010

Honey...I'm HOME

2010-09-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Ok a post about the big move. Finally.

Ever been somewhere that instantly just feels apart of you? That is Sparwood for me. I had a few days at the beginning where I was really missing my family but I wasn't missing residing in Lethbridge. It's just the same old every day there and there wasn't really a lot of room for growth. For me anyways. When Karson got the job and we knew we had to move I was 75% excited, 25% apprehensive because I didn't know what to expect. But now I am 100% in love with this place.
The move went as smooth as I have ever had a move go. Besides the 4 days of non stop packing and then the actual move and the 2 weeks of settling it, I would say it was all pretty easy! We had a lot of help from Karsons cousin Tanner, his dad, my sister and Steve, the Elders both in both Lethbridge and Sparwood and even from J. Everyone just got to work and got it done in what I would call record time.
There are a few subtle differences though that I must point out;

Lethbridge - has stray dogs running around
Sparwood - has cougars running around (they say if you see them make yourself as big and loud as possible although "if you do see them that means they've been stalking you for a while". end quote. sweet)

Lethbridge - has the light scent of industrial in the background
Sparwood - has the light scent of pine trees in the background

Lethbridge - you pay for EVERYTHING! School fees, classes, and so on...
Sparwood - school is free, mom & tot classes are free, numerous kids programs free

Lethbridge - you have a MILLION neighbours but only know 2 of their names
Sparwood - 2nd day here and a neighbour and their entire family come over with a plate of chocolate chip cookies that were DELISH and introduce themselves

Thats all I've got for now but I haven't really left the house since we got here because I've been up to my neck in boxes. I have 2 more posts to do but it's late and I had a rough day (my gramma passed) and I need a bath then bed.

Here's a few pictures:
Took the kids to the park by our house. Very pretty mountains in the background.

Our house in basically in front and to the left of those houses you see. Luckily for us the park is a 2 minute walk...which is good when you have 3 dogs and a stroller to push.

My princess. Beautiful as ever. I am trying to figure out how to work the manual on my camera so she was my model for a bit as she is the only one who will sit still. But with a face like hers who's complaining :)

He loved it at first, I promise. It's because I made her take him down 10 times to try and get a picture that wasn't blurry :)

My little man has turned 1!!

2010-09-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

It's been 365 days in between these pictures.

More birthday post to come...

He's a walker

2010-09-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

So this past Sunday Brodyn turned 1. Can you even believe it?!?! It has been one year since I was inpatiently awaiting his arrival. Wow, how time flies. I want to do a post all about his birthday but my computer isn't agreeing with me and won't post the pictures so for now you get this cute little vid.
Here before you are Brodyns first steps ever. Well he did take ONE step a week earlier but these are what counts! I have a feeling I am about to get a whole lot busier!!!
The cool thing is he did it on the day of his birthday party (yes it's a day before he technically turned 1 and yes it was AFTER everyone left but a coincidence none the less!) and the even cooler thing is that when I told my mom about it she said that I did the same thing, I took my first steps on my first birthday!

Way to be little man, way to be!

time killer

2010-08-27T08:46:00.001-07:00

Ugh, I know I should be packing. Yet still can't find the motivation to do so. I'm a last minute kinda gal when it comes to times like this. I used to move basically every 6 months and now I haven't moved in 2 years and I just can't find the motivation!
~Miss Nadia, I am not sure how you do it every summer....twice. You missy are a trooper. Least this time you are moving back for what seems like a year or two. YAY!~
So I guess with only 5 days until we make the big move I am going to have to find some motivation somewhere! Anyone wanna take my kids so I have nothing to focus on but moving?!?! lol I kid. But really, I wouldn't say no.
Where does one even start?!?!?! In May Karson and I dejunked so thoroughly that we pretty much use everything in our house, makes for less to pack I supposed!
Ok...well now that I have successfully wasted 5 minutes in doing this post I supposed its time to just get started.......after a nap :)

I have a sister

2010-08-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

People spend their entire lives looking for their best friend; someone you can tell anything to, who you trust with all your secrets, who is there to laugh beside you or let you cry on their shoulder, some who you KNOW makes your life a little better by being in it. Trouble with that is most times people are looking for this 'best friend' amongst strangers.

I am one of these people. Or was anyways.

Moving to BC is an adventure I am looking forward to. I welcome it! When we first decided to move I thought that there was nothing here I am sad to leave behind. I love a ton of things about Lethbridge, namely my family and friends, but I am ok with coming back for visits. What I didn't realize is how much I am going to miss my older sister. <3 Since Karson has been gone working she has packed up either herself at night or her family and they have come to hang out with me almost every single night. I think she has missed one. One in 16 days! The first night she even got up and came over at 10 and stayed til midnight because she knew the hardest night for me would be the first one.
When Karson proposed she was the first person I told. I swear it could've been her who was engaged for how loving and excited she was. I think she has set the bar pretty high for Maids of Honors because she was perfect. The girl hunted down a six pence for my shoe because it was good luck. I still have that and I am saving it for the day when I get to return the favor of Maid of Honor.
For so long I have been trying to recognize a true friend, to tell myself that when you find that one special person hold onto them. For so long she has been here beside me and I never stopped to look when it was her laughing with me during all my dumbass times and crying beside me all the times my heart hurt.
She is such an amazing person. A-ma-zing. She is strong, beautiful, smart, caring, and oh so much more. She had a HUGE hand in how I grew up and she was someone who I looked up to, and still do. I honestly learnt so much from her.
She has a wonderful family too. I adore her kids. I regret the time I've missed with them but am so grateful for the time I can spend with all of them now. They mean so much to me.
So now, there is something I am sad to leave. My sister. It will be so hard to not be within an evening drive of eachother. To text her and say, "hey wanna come over?" and already have her planning on it. I will miss so many things about just hanging out with her and I don't think that is going to be easily replaced. I may find good friends in Sparwood, great ones even. But I don't need to find a best friend anymore. I have one in Lethbridge.

I have a sister...and she is my best friend.

Update on the mini's

2010-08-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

Ok first up, my princess! Be warned, she is getting so big! She amazes me with her maturity everyday! I'm not sure if you remember but just a few short months ago she was losing her first tooth! And now, they are coming out left and right!! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that she PULLS THEM OUT! Yes, its true. My daughter is FEARLESS! She is onto the toothfairy now and knows she rakes it in because a long time ago a certain mom REALLY wanted to pull out a narly tooth that was lingering in J's mouth so she had the smart idea of telling her daughter that the toothfairy pays more if you are brave and pull your tooth out yourself. Ya....the bright ideas moms have! So now she has 2 more loose teeth and she is a wigglin them and working on them and I'm sure it won't be long before the toothfairy comes to visit...AGAIN!

Just as fast as grade 1 went by, it is almost the end of summer. Lucky J gets an extra week holidays because school in Sparwood doesn't start until Sept 7 but I still can't believe another summer has come and gone. It was a lot different this year trying to occupy 2 kids but I think I did a good job of it. Hopefully we still have a few days to do fun stuff like this:

And this

And even some of this

J hung out with her cousins A LOT this year. I loved it. I hope that even though we are moving that they are close. They are the sweetest girls ever and I just love them to pieces and I am really happy that I am able to see them so much and watch them grow! ~beautifully, amazingly~ I have been able to spend so much time with my older sister this summer and I love it. She really is my best friend and I hope that J and her kids grow up just as close. It's hard to believe that J turned 7 this year and is onto her 8th year in no time. Soon will come teenage hood! AH!

The little man is no quite to little. He has been reaching milestones left and right. Besides him saying "mama"!!!, he is just sprouting! He does his goodbye wave now, which is very close to the milk sign so it came easy to him. He says milk all the time, although when I was first teaching him it, I thought it meant 'more' so he does it for 'more' and 'milk' but you can easily tell which he is meaning. Also when I was in Utah Britt taught me how to do baby massages so after his baths I put lotion on my hands and rub them by his head so he can hear the friction asking "do you want a massage?", so now after every bath he rubs his own hands together telling me "YES I DO!". He loves them.

He had his first hair cut just before we went to Utah. I am sure it could've been done way sooner but I procrastinated because I wanted my friend Kristy to do it but alas she is off with her hubby doing APX for the summer so I had to give in and take him to beaners. Next hair cut I am definitely going to Kristy though, not because Beaners did a bad job or anything but because I just like Kristy. He looks sooooo handsome with his haircut! Or should I call it a haircute! ha ha clever. I know.

"Woooo mom this is fun!" is what I am sure he was saying with his babble.
Pay no attention to the PINK car he had to ride in, it means nothing. They should get a gender neutral vehicle in there, it really takes away from his manliness ;) But the girl was super good and ever though he was very squirmy, she got the job done!

What a stud! How much does he look like Karson now!
While we were in Utah he started standing by himself. Not going anywhere, just standing. Yet another step closer to walking (enjoy that pun! haha). I am sure it won't be long at all, although I am in no hurry. Walking means into way more stuff. He will use his walker toys though and walk pushing them and its very cute to watch so maybe I do want him walking. Not sure. haha. Either way I am in no rush and he will do it when it is time.
Oh, lets not forget about all the teeth he has now. 8 TEETH! 8!! Four on top and four down below and I think he is teething again! I better start the steak now because he wants it! He has been an amazing baby when he teeths, just needs a little grumpy but its nothing drastic like I've seen/heard about. I guess better he gets them all done and over with now. I just can't believe how many teeth he has. sure makes for a cute smile though!

If only I could get a picture of him smiling showing some teeth! He still cries with his mouth closed. Funniest thing ever. It hasn't stopped him from talking at all though. The other day I heard him over the monitor saying, "ma ma ma maa uh da da da daaaa". He must be saying how awesome his mama and dada are! ;)

Well I guess thats my post for now. I am sure there are way more things to add but baby is getting hungry and when a man wants food they want it NOW!!!

ps ignore the poor quality of the vids, they are off my blackberry...one day I will get smart enough to have my video camera close enough to get these special times.

Going Private

2010-08-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

I just read a pretty scary statistic on how many creepers out there read your blog! People you don't even know and probably don't even want reading your blog. SO...I'm going private. I do not want anyone I don't know or don't care to have reading my blog. ew.
Message me or comment me your email if you want me to send you a link.

Lighting a fire under you-know-where

2010-08-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

Since we have decided to move things have been kinda crazy. I feel like my routine is gone. Or at least just scrambled. I am trying to plan Brodyns FIRST birthday party ~ can you believe it?!!?~ and I just can't seem to know where to start. Something so simple has me baffled. I have come to the realization that I just don't have both feet on the ground right now. It's not a bad thing but it's definitely not something I am used to. The last little bit I have just been floating along and while its very nice, I do feel like I need some goals!
So every time I happen to think of something I want to do/get done I have been putting it into my phone and I have decided that I am making monthly goals and *gasp* yearly goals!

A few things I want to do:
*get a library card
*have my candles in at least 2 shops
*read a non fiction book
* learn to sew, AND sew some stuff
*do some crafting when I am feeling inspired
*paint Justices' dresser
* make photo albums of my kids and my life (everything seems to be on a computer and if that crashes all is lost!)
*make goals ;)
*write a snail mail letter to old friends
*make a new friend in Sparwood (this one is HUGE because I am shy as !)
*take a class of sorts. exercise/craft/dance, doesn't matter!

That's just a few I have for now. Obviously the candle in shops one is a year goal but I'm going to try hard to make it a 2010 goal, 2011 can bring on new limits!
I'm sure there are a million more things I want to do and I will keep writing them down and see which I actually accomplish but it's a new idea I wanna try. If I am going to do this stay at home mom gig then I want it to be productive!

It's his dream.

2010-08-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

BC is so beautiful and I cannot wait to be a BCinite...or is it BCatan? Or what is the plural to I'M MOVING TO BC!!!? Do you know how crazy it is that we have finalized our moving plans??! Well I suppose as final as they can be at this point in time.
We have officially decided that being a part sucks. It has to be done at this point in time but we want our family back together, we miss our man of the house. We knew going into this that Karson and I would have to spend time apart but this is my man's dream job so it is a small sacrifice!
I mean look at him. This is a display in Sparwood. He was happy as clams to get in and pretend to drive with teh VROOOOOooooooommmmm....sound. How could I deny the man that I love more than anything on this planet the chance to play with HUGE tonka trucks! We have had many, many talks about our family goals and the roles we wanna play as parents/husband and wife. I think because Karson grew up with his mom at home, and his dad working from dusk til dawn to make sure his family had a fabulous life, that is his motivation for wanting me to stay home. I am not one to complain about it, although it would be nice to bring a little green into the house, this is where he wants me and I love that I get to be the one who cooks and cleans and is there when my family needs me. So I told him I wanted him to do a job he would LOVE and this is what he told me he has always wanted to do. To "be on Mega Machines" so I said I will follow you as you chase your dreams and this is where he is leading me.
And to be honest we are now on own second stint apart and hearing how exciting his is in his nightly phone calls just to tell me he got to flag trucks, makes it so worth it! I love knowing my man is that happy.
So we move.
And while we were going to wait until the house sells, we decided that since we are already going to start renting our future house there that we might as well move a little early so J can start school there. So that leaves me with just over 3 weeks to pack, enroll J in school, clean, and still take care of my family. A job I say "BRING IT OWN" to!!

This is the mine you just recently heard had an explosion. Its pretty cool. All burnt up. Pretty neat. Here's hoping that doesn't happen to Kars!!!!!!

Utah for the Birthday

2010-07-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

This year for my birthday my wonderful husband told me I could have whatever I wanted. And what did I want??? To go to Utah!! I wanted to see Britt and her new little man Locke, and Skye and the kids, and of course do some shopping!! So....we went!
It was a fun trip, but a long drive. We left at 6pm and arrived in Lehi at 5 am only to have Brodyn decide it was time to get up for the day. When oh when will I learn to sleep on that drive??? Ah well...him and I went outside and hung out with Tucker because Tucker always loves company. The second day we were there Brittany, Skye and I hit up a little shopping. And by a little, I kinda mean a lot. They have such cute clothes for kids that I spent half my birthday money on them!! Well worth it though! Did I mention that us girls went to The Cheesecake Factory and the food was AMAZING!! I still dream about what I ate. SO good!!
After shopping we just hung out for a few days and relaxed. I was able to do some on-site work for Skye which was really nice and even pulled a late nighter with her and her crazy hours. How she does it is beyond me. I could do it once, maybe twice...but every night!?!? NO!
For my actual birthday Karson took me out to dinner. It was this place call Rodizo Grill (sp??). Where it was...different. The salad bar wasn't much to my liking because they had a lot of weird things (Karson ate a quail egg!! oh and a chicken heart!) but they did come around to each table and cut you your meat portion of your meal fresh off the skewr. Pretty neat. I'd probably go back! After that we wanted to get out and do something so we decided to drive to Salt Lake to see the Temple. I've never been there so it was exciting. Its so pretty there. SO PRETTY. We also thought Kennedy was serving her mission there so it may or may not have had us eyeing every one of the 10,000 Sisters we seen. But alas, she is really like 10 minutes from Skye. Oh well though, I wanted to see the Temple and thats what I got!

After a week of Skye's we headed out to Britt and Lanes for little Lockes baby blessing! We are so happy we were able to be there for the special day. It was our first baby blessing, besides Brodyns! Very fun and LOTS of yummy food!! We ate so much! Brittany says that is what they are really about...is the food. So it makes me wonder....anyone else getting their baby blessed and want to invite us???? ha ha I kid, I kid...you could always just send home a plate! ;)
While we were out at Britts, her and I did a ton of crafting. Not all that we wanted to (soap will have to wait I suppose) but enough that I feel I could almost be considered a crafty person now! She taught me how to make the CUTEST hair accessories and so it should be no surprise to anyone now if they get either candles, or hair stuff for gifts. Comes from the heart!
I wish I would've taken a picture of all we made. There were a bunch of hair clips and even a jewerly board that I have been wanting to make FOREVER! So in case I never told ya Britt, thank you :)
All in all we had a wonderful time and miss everyone so much that we would love to go back...tomorrow actually. But we can't. A 12 hour drive doesn't make it that easy! Hopefully it will be sooner than another year though!

Random Pics from the trip:

Karson and Locke the day we arrived, after 3 hours sleep!!

Justice playing at Auntie Britts. She was such a good girl the whole trip even though she wanted to ride Joker so bad!

Us at the Craters of the Moon in Idaho. Its really cool. It's Lava that has come up through cracks over millions of years.

J got to sit in the front with her dad for a bit of the drive so I could feed Brodyn. Apparently they like to rub it in...
It's ok though. I don't mind the back with Brodyn :)

This is a lake on the way home from Britts to Skye's. GORGEOUS!!!

J doing a little crafting with Auntie Britt and I. She really impressed me with her precision cutting skills!!

It's our Baby B

2010-07-07T20:57:00.001-07:00

Wow, I haven't done a post on Brodyn in FOREVER! Slacking...I know! It seems like he does a million little things everyday that it's always exciting being around him. To watch him learn stuff and see the excitement and even frustration is amazing. A miracle if you think about it because we take what we know for granted. We are spoiled with knowledge that we don't even realize we have. I love watching my baby boy learn and I wish so bad I had paid more attention to J learning. But you see, unfortunately, back then I took advantage of it.
Today he said the word "ma ma" A million times actually. I loved hearing him say it. And not just because he said my name first, but because he was so excited to be able to say it. I know I am guilty of this as well, but how many of us told our kids "shhhhh" because we were on the phone or watching tv, or just plain distracted?! We take advantage of the fact that our kids know how to talk and some use that skill...a lot. I"ll admit, J has a very bad habit of interrupting. I'm trying to teach her manners and sometimes I probably say "shhhh" a little too quickly but I do love to hear her stories! So today when Brodyn was spouting off his "ma ma ma maaaaa" I listened to it. And it was glorious.
When Brodyn was first mobile he did the strong man army crawl. He did that FOREVER. Then just one day he up and crawls for real. Now he is everywhere. While I do have to remember to pick up the dog food, he finds it to be tasty cuisine, it's funny watching him try to chase Stewie. Walking is something I can totally wait for though.
A few other things I love watching B man learn:

*He gives burpies now (or some of you call them raspberries). He always does them to me and it gets me laughing so hard!
*He LOVES cheerios. That has become a staple for him, and this morning he even had a bowl of cheerios and milk. He ate is all up and looked for more.
*He eats ANYTHING. No joke. Tuesday night we fed him his supper and then sat down for ours and he starts looking at our food and fussing, "I want some!!" he cries. Well I had made organic brussel sprouts and I thought I would give him a little nibble thinking that no baby is going to like them. Wrong. He gobbled them right up. Even after I cut up 3 for just him to eat. He cried when they were all gone. This is where I had to step in and put an end to his eating before his poor little tummy blew up! I made them for lunch the next day too and he was in heaven!
*He misses his Sissy. I can tell because usually they have baths together and she is gone with her Aunty for the last week and he won't even bath. He just stands at the edge of the tub. Yesterday she called and I put her on speakerphone and boy did he light up when he heard her. So glad I am picking her up tomorrow afternoon. This has gone on long enough!
*He got his haircut on Tuesday and what a stud!! He is so handsome! Just like his daddy! He looks like an actual little boy now, not just a baby. So handsome!!
Ok, well I guess thats it....for now. I don't usually post pictures because I post them all on facebook. But here's a little update anyways :)

Do you know the reason?

2010-07-07T20:53:00.001-07:00

I'm a huge believer that everything in your life happens for a reason. HUGE! I always try to find the reason why certain things happen, or why certain people come into your life. We are all teaching each other you know. So when I got this forward I really liked it. Usually I just delete them because, lets face it, most forwards are annoying and I don't usually send stuff on. And because of the fact that this one I actually opened, there was a reason for it. I know this reason, but will you learn anything from it?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that
Person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need
You have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with
Guidance and support,
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an
End.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
Fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has
Come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
Foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
Relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So whether you are in my life still, or haven't been for a day, a week, or a year...I do know the reason you came into it in the first place and I hope you were able to learn something good from me too.

Well that was random

2010-07-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

I love my 4x4's. Everyone knows that. But alas my 4x'in days are at an end :(

I basically just use my jeep as a run around truck and quite frankly the gas I put in it isn't worth the amount of time I drive it, especially now that its summer and I can walk a lot of places with the B man. But we are going to Utah on Thursday and were not liking the idea of the cost of gas to get down there. So I had an idea!
I told Karson "lets throw the jeep on kijiji and if someone buys it before we go we'll take a grand off and then lets just get a car that good on gas. If no one buys it then we're not out anything. What can we lose" So Saturday night I put it up and to get to the point, Monday morning at 11am the jeep went to its new home. Wow, how random. I didn't think that would pan out as easy as it did. SWEET!
So now we are car shopping and after much thinking and budgeting and pondering we have decided to get a new car. We're tired of worrying about used cars so we are going to get a 2010 Toyota Corolla and we both think its a smart idea because the gas mileage will be incredible compared to what we're used to AND it's reliable! Plus, Chix Wix is doing well enough that I should be able to make the payments out of that! How cool!
I guess I shouldn't count my chickens before they hatch, we still have to find one we like and hopefully get it set up before Thursday. Cross my fingers! UPDATE: We found one we love and we pick it up tomorrow morning at 9:30am! So excited!!!!

Oh AND Karson goes to the mines on Wednesday for his interview so we should know by the end of the week if we are remaining Albertans or not. Wow, so far July is insane with a lot of possible changes. It's so exciting living by the seat of your pants.

The Best Things Come Along Unexpectantly

2010-07-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

In the past I've lost faith that there was a such thing as good friends out there. Don't get me wrong, I have TONS of friends who are good people and I wish nothing but the best for them but we never seem to be on the same page as far as ideals in life, priorities or even what we consider fun. Back in my party days I had more friends than I knew what to do with and I love each of them, but I also know now that they were just that; party friends.
Since being married I've made my family my #1 priority. And because of that I don't get out with the girls that much and have gone months at a time without seeing even a single friend. And I don't mind. That's what life is about when you get married, your friends aren't at the top anymore. That doesn't mean I don't want to be their friend any less, it just means my place is at home. With my husband and my kids. I get out for the odd movie with friends but don't really go partying anymore and that seems to really put a damper on quality friend time.
I've had a hard time finding girls who think the same as me. Each to their own and whatever your priorities may be, I am sure they are exactly where they should be in your life but I have my priorities and I don't think I need to feel shameful for what they are. I will admit that I have often questioned that perhaps Karson and I do spend too much time together but then 1/2 a second later reality sets in and I wonder "do I need to worry that my husband prefers to hang out with me??" When is that ever a bad thing in this world of everyone trying to be their own #1 priority.
Anyways...to make a long story short I have been SO happy about the new friends I have made. Well 1 isn't so new but we were never really friends, more aquaintenances. But now we talk more, we hang out and I've even met some really rad girls through her. Julie, you know this is you :) I think you are amazing and I wonder why we never hung out before. I have met Kinga and Erin through Julie and I swear the 4 of us are quite the group. We have done bbq's with the husbands and kids a few times now and it is SO fun to get together. We are all on the same page. I just love it so much. I get my girl time and we also do family things together. Kinga and I are planning on taking the kiddies swimming or to Waterton this week and I couldn't be more stoked! Kinga is so funny and I really enjoy hanging out with her, not to mention she comes along on my candle parties so I'm not freaked out about them so much. Like I said, Amazing girls and I cannot wait for my Sex in the City theme birthday where we all get dressed up and go for dinner and whatnot. The countdown is on!!
The down fall is that now that I've met these amazing girls, I might be moving to BC. Talk about timing! I would most definately be coming back a lot to see these girls and am hoping they will come see me too.
Man, I just love life. Just when you think it can't get any better..you meet some amazing people and it does!

To my Husband

2010-06-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

I do swear that I'll always be there.
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care.
Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow,
for better for worse, I will love you with
every beat of my heart.)
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on

I tell Karson I love him everyday and even if those were the only words I ever spoke to him I could not say it enough. I admire, respect, cherish, desire, and love him more than one knows is possible. I am so in love and more than I was yesterday and not as much as I will be tomorrow.

Love you babe.

Where do we go from here??

2010-06-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Lately our life has been pretty uncertain. We have tried selling our house a few times but give up rather quickly because it seems listing our house motivates us to do work on it so we always do something different! The last time we had it listed, HUGE mistake. Its a long story but basically the realtor is a crook. 'nuff said.
So the point we are at now is do we list with a realtor, ourselves or just rent it?? We have a few people who have called and asked to come see it in a few weeks so we might just hold off until after them.
BUT other options are so up in the air we seriously would not have a plan if it sold tomorrow. We want to build, but we also wouldn't mind renting for a bit and saving up some major cash.
Plus Karson is pretty insistent that I stay home and raise our family and so I asked him well what is your dream job. The answer was no secret to me. He has ALWAYS (at least as long as I have known him) wanted to work at the mines doing Heavy Equipment Operator. So I told him whatever you want to do, where ever you want to go... I'll follow .... well he got a call back!
HOW RANDOM! We have always talked about it and now he actually gets a call. Sure it's step 1/100 but hey it's a step. SO if he were to get a job on the mines that means we would move to BC!! How exciting.
Of course we will miss our families and friends but how exciting to just start from scratch somewhere new. I am very excited. I can make a home anywhere as long as my hubby and kids are with me so this idea of moving to a new province (even though its only a few hours away) is very tempting. BUT lets now get over excited. Still a long ways to go...like actually getting hired, then selling our house.
So we are both at a point where we don't know the next step and we like it.It feel adventurous!

H E A R T

2010-06-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

I love my family. All of them. My family, Karson's family, each and every one of them. I am so lucky to have my family who has been with me through many trials in my life and also many happy times and I am so extremly happy to have been given the in-laws that I have.
One loving family is great, two is even better :)
And friends too! Good friends are one in a million and I have more than one good friend so how did I end up with such good odds. I just love the people I am surrounded by in this life.
Family, friends...you all inspire me and teach me so much. I adore all of you and look up to you in many many ways. Thank you for being such amazing role models.
I thought I better update the ol blog so I decided to send out a huge thank you to my moms, dads, brothers, sisters, neices, nephews, children, grandma's and friends.

YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

Time to take my own advice.

2010-06-03T21:53:00.000-07:00

**CAUTION** A lot of random thinking past this point.

When I grew up I was exposed to various religions; LDS, Catholic, Pentacostal. I never really went towards any one of them specifically because I had the mind set, I love God and I know He loves me so why do I need to pick ONE. When I started dating Karson I was fully aware he was "Mormon" and I respected that but I told him, "just please don't ask me to go to "your church", and he respected me. To make a long story short I eventually changed my mind and decided to experience Sacrament. I was really clueless about it, I mean REALLY. The first time I went with Karson and Chance when they passed around the bread I asked Karson is it rude if I don't eat any, Im not hungry. Ya...clueless. But I slowly started getting more and more into it.
Eventually I started having discussions. Sister Taylor and Sister Borne. insert HUGE heart here. I love those girls so much. The first discussion I EVER had they asked me if they could sing a hymn to me. Embarrassed I said sure and tried VERY hard not to blush. Talk about a moving moment! The way I felt when these amazing girls sang is indescribable. I do believe that over time I started ASKING them to sing.
I'm pretty sure missionaries coming out of the MTC are warned about that Mandy girl. I've been through quite a lot of them; Sisters Taylor, Borne, Kidd, Chilton, Chesley, Jackson AND Elders Whitt, Barber, Humphries, Bassinger....ha ha ya one or two anyways. And if I forgot anyone I am SOOO sorry..it'll come to me though when I'm not so tired. I would take the discussions to the point where they would ask the big question. Are you ready to be baptized. This is a HUGE question for me, HUGE! It's not something I take lightly at all. Obviously you can guess that I've said no each time and if only I knew how to put into words my reasoning.
I'll try though.... I feel like I don't completely understand it all. And I know they say you will NEVER understand it but I am one of those people who NEED to understand, or atleast feel like they do. I don't want to make the decision because I figure well its about time. Or because I've come so far so I might as well. I want to eventually make the decision because I feel 110%, no wait 1000% confidant about it. So many people make decisions in life thinking that if it doesn't work out well they can always just change their mind. ie marriage, baptism, having kids, etc. I am not one of those people. I want what I choose to do to become WHO I am. So needless to say at this point in time I am not "hitting the water" (<3 u Elise) YET.
But it's not that I don't try to make my way there. I am trying to be the best person I can be, inside and out. And I make mistakes, as everyone does, but I learn from them. I take into account that Heavenly Father is being patient with me and whenever I do/think/say something I really do try to consider how He feels about it. I try not to judge, because who are we to judge??! I DO NOT hate, I try to help people, I try to be generous as much as I can. But that's not it. I am also trying to learn on my own time.
I once started reading the Bible and I started on page 1. I think I made it a few chapters in when the Elders told me I should be reading the Book of Mormon instead. I said sure and read a few verses before I got to wondering well whats the background on these people. Where did they come from? Why are they where they are now? I think that's why I originally started reading the bible, because I wanted background info. I wanted to know ALL the facts. I love all the missionaries that have come to see me and have taken the time to teach me the Plan of Salvation time and time again but this time it was a bit discouraging to me.
I was taking my own initiative to learn and I was told well no you shouldn't go at it this angle. I know they were just trying to help and I know they meant nothing but good of it but it really discouraged me. And so I stopped looking into it all together. We still go to Church from time to time but that was it.
Up until recently.....
I was on facebook and someone had posted a link to a youtube video that was a powerpoint presentation basically about a former Mormon who decided to go against what he was taught because he questioned the backbone of the church basically. (I'll post the link but I'm not by any means suggesting you watch it. I did not like the feeling I had when I watched it and honestly it made me tear up. Not sure why, but I was disappointed in whoever this person is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xmda9cpvMc )
I don't like when my mind is made to ponder stuff that I really don't want to ponder. And I don't understand how this person grew up loving Heavenly Father and then one day decides to question why. I know its his own agency but it sparked something in me.
So now I am back to learning at my own pace. I went to have a bath the other night and couldn't find a book to read so I grabbed a Bible and started reading revelations. You know if you change the thy's to your and the thou's to you its a little easier to understand ;) the writing still confuses me A LOT but I am going to give it a go. A solid effort.
So basically what I am trying to say is that I've told a lot of people "don't get your kids vaccinated just because you are TOLD to, look into it yourself", so I am following my own advice. I am looking into this myself.

PS - a HUGE thank you to all the Sisters and Elders who came to give me discussions again and again and who never lost patience with me <3

I miss my itty bitty baby

2010-06-03T19:41:00.001-07:00

Britt posted a vid of her handsome little man Locke and she said I should post some of Brodyn...so I am. I miss his tinyness so bad. ALMOST is enough to want another baby....almost.

Just a little update

2010-06-02T09:47:00.001-07:00

I thought I should do a quick little update about our minis.

Justice:
Is in her last month of grade 1. I can hardly believe it. Whats more is that it's her 7th bday on the 10th. 7! It blows me away. How is it possible I am old enough to have a 7 year old. I think I am aging faster than I realize...or admit ;) For her birthday we are going to have a family bbq with the parents and siblings on her birthday and then the next day I'm pulling her out of school and we are going to make a trip to the zoo! I think that will be so fun. Her birthday party with her friends is on the 19th and it should be a lot of fun, except we have a VERY social little girl and she wants to invite 34 kids. Is it wrong of me to hope that some dont RSVP!?! Thats ALOT of kids! Oh well, its her special day and I always try to make birthdays such a big deal because its the one day a year that it's supposed to be all about you. Coming into this world is very hard, living in it even worse so lets celebrate another successful year!

Brodyn:
Has 4 teeth coming in! So far he has his bottom two but also has 1 of his front teeth thats actually through and the other is on its way. Plus the teeth beside those are trying to make an appearance. I am very lucky that he doesn't get too cranky while teething, just a little fussier and more clingy than normal. I don't mind the cuddles one bit.
He is also pulling himself up a lot more. When he has your hand for stability he does it no problem, when he is only holding onto the couch it's alittle more wiggly and wobbly but eventually he gets up. Watching him balance is so funny! You really take for granted knowing how to walk until you watch someone try to learn it. I wonder how long it will be before he actually takes some steps, not too long I bet!
Brodyn and I get to spend every day all day together and I'm sure he loves it but to see his face when Justice or Karson get home is priceless. He adores them so much. Me too, because the odd time he does get a break from me he also lights up but since I'm ALWAYS with him it doesn't happen often. But he gets the biggest smile when he sees either of them two. I love it. We are so lucky to have such a close family. A lot of people have critisized the age difference between J and Brodyn but I think it worked out perfectly!

Mini us's

2010-05-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

I wish I had better pictures to show this but Karson and I find ourselves very lucky.

*We have 2 healthy kids
*We have 1 girl, and 1 boy.
*The girl looks like me, the boy like him
*They are both so well behaved and happy
*We have sooo much love for our kids that we weren't even sure was possible!

The end is near

2010-05-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Isn't it weird how if you don't stop and pay attention time seems to just disappear. This past 8 months has been CRAZY with having a new baby that I don't often stop and pay as much attention to Justice as I should be. I notice that she reads like she has been doing it her whole life, I notice that she has lost TWO teeth, I notice that she adores her baby brother to no end, but what I have failed to notice or maybe just admit is that in just over a month my baby girl will be done grade 1.

I remember taking these pictures like it was yesterday. Big and pregnant and so excited for my baby girl to begin grade 1. What a grand adventure it would be for my princess to begin. Im not even sure who was more nervous the first day of school, her or I.I walked her to her class and met her teacher and watched as she found her desk and then started their carpet time. She began to cry and it took everything I had to hold back my tears. I wasn't supposed to be the one crying. But I was so proud of her, so full of excitement and yet so sad that she would be gone to school a FULL day now.

And it's really weird because I worked. Up until the last 2 months of Kindergarten I worked full time. So really nothing was changing. Except my baby girl. My blessing that has given my so much purpose in life was beginning the first grade that would set her off in this crazy world of ours. So dramatic, I know. But with grade 1 down, there are only 11 grades to go before she moves into the adult stage in her life.
I wonder if there is anyway I can possibly prevent this?!?!?

And a 1, and a 2, and a.....HE'S DOING IT!!

2010-05-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

On Monday morning I was doing my normal routine and all of a sudden Brodyn decided to get up onto his knees. Out of sheer curiousity I tried to persuade him to stand up to something on the couch. Luckily I had my blackberry there (most days I hate this phone but I admit the video camera comes in useful) and I got his first SUCCESSFUL attempt on video!
Oh boy, it won't be long before our little dare devil starts walking!

Falling......and not in love either

2010-05-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for something interesting to happen to blog about and I guess I got what I wanted.
Last night, Thursday, my stairs kicked my ass. Let me elaborate....
I have had sooo many close calls while walking down our stairs with a foot slipping and me grabbing the railing just in the nick of time. Well last night I was bathing Brodyn and Justice, and I got Brodyn out and went to take him downstairs for his bottle. The first step was successful....second one not so much. I stepped down onto the 2nd stair (from the top) and my foot slipped right off the edge!! (I swear our steps are narrower than normal). That was not even the scary part.
I had Brodyn in my arms!! I wish I could remember more of the actual fall so I could describe it but really I only remember thinking, "keep Brodyn up!". So as I was falling down the remaining 10 stairs I twisted and contorted my body somehow so that when I landed (and in the weirdest position says the hubby) I was holding Brodyn up in the air telling Karson to come grab him. I was in pain so bad I thought I might throw up. You know that intense pain when you knock your elbow or you stub your toe and it makes you feel ill....well I just laid there for like 5 minutes because I thought if I move, I'm gonna be sick. My amazing Justice came and gave me the biggest hug and was crying asking me if I was ok. I love her so much because she is just so full of love!!
So I finally get up and go to Kars and Brodyn in the livingroom and Brodyn is just laying there stiff crying. I thought for sure he was hurt. I mean how could he not be?!!? So I pick him up, move all his limbs and make him look side to side (with the persuasion of a bottle) and he was a ok. Once the bottle hit his lips he was a happy boy. So I fed him and then held him rubbing his back until he fell asleep. I swear I did not want to let him go in fear of something being broken or a concussion. But I knew I had to put him to bed.
And so I did. But not without checking on him, or having Karson check on him, atleast 50 times. A few times I had to actually pick up his arm and wake him up because he was in such a deep sleep (he actually didn't nap that well yesterday so I understand now why he was so tired. Last night however I was in fear!).
But today he woke up normal happy Brodyn. And I woke up hurting. My whole left side from my lower back down to my knee just kills. We went swimming with Kate and Ashley, thinking that it will be good for me to loosen up my leg muscles in water. And it was....until after. Now I am sooo sore. Luckily I didn't break anything and besides my sore leg and a cut on my right arm Im fine. And laughing about how ridiculous I must have looked.
Note to self, and hubby: I think he better build me a bungalow!!

Bestie

2010-04-28T20:35:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I wish I had a girl bestie...sometimes. I have friends, don't get me wrong, but the bestie department belongs to Karson. Only sometimes I wish I had a girl bestie too. Haven't decided if I am going to illaborate more on this but it's on my mind...girls just always burn me so my wall is up. ya know?

anyways...thats my rant for now. I may regret sharing my feelings and take it down. who knows.

Hope you're all enjoying the snow <3

The chase is on!!

2010-04-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ok I wanna do a quick little post about the B man before I get too busy and forget.

#1 - we have been training him to sleep through the night. Its working wonders. Basically what you do is take away anything that helps him sleep, his "crutch" so that he learns how to put himself to sleep. So we took away his soother, rocking him to sleep, nursing him to sleep and his musical glowworm. Yes its true, we were using all those trick and he STILL didn't sleep through the night. The first night he cried like 32 minutes, the second 17 minutes and the third night 2 minutes! Woohoo right?!?! NO!! then he got sick. So it was back to normal. He has however been napping longer because I put him in his crib for EVERY sleep. He went from napping for 10-30 minutes to napping for over and hour and a half. They say most babies sleep so horrible because they are over tired. I agree. Since he has been napping he has been sleeping better at night. And the last 2 nights he has slept through the night. Oh boy, I hope I didn't jinx that!!!

#2 - He has learnt to crawl. Well an army crawl of sorts. If I can figure out how to post a video on here I will show you. But it is the cutest thing. Today for instance he was in the livingroom playing and so I came upstairs to get the kids' sheets to wash them and I hear Brodyn whining and its getting closer and closer. So I go downstairs and look and he is at the island, just "chasing" me. hahaha. The second he sees me he puts his arms up like "there you are!! pick me up!!" hahaha I laughed so hard I had tears. Our man is mobile! Its pretty fun but now all that baby proofing comes into play. boo.

#3 - He is eating. Everything. Honestly. The say that babies this small have small portions?!?! YA RIGHT. I feed him 1/2 jar of ORGANIC baby food and he gets so ticked so I have to feed him the other half too....and nurse him a bit before he is satisfied enough to not yell at me. Yet with all the eating he is doing, he has only gained 1lbs in the last month. Go figure.

Anyways, just a quick post that I've been meaning to do FOREVER and I thought I better get it done. I have lots to update about J too but thats a whole other post and I want to learn how to post video of her gymnastics when I do it.

I love my kids and my husband <3

It's routine now..

2010-04-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Karson sold the ol Ranger. A sad moment indeed. And since we are saving up for some land we have decided to be a one vehicle family....for now. For the first bit he was borrowing his dads truck & jeep but it was our decision to be a one vehicle family so we can't expect to always take theirs. This week was the first official week of only one vehicle. Its different. But it has sparked some physical activity on my part.
Today is the 2nd day that Brodyn and I went on our 1 hour walk. We go from 1:30 - 2:30 so that when we return he goes straight down for his nap. And I've gotta admit, I'm feelin awesome! I'm even out there in a tshirt which is an added bonus. Yesterday I went to Walmart to grab some stuff and today I went to the dollerstore and also got a few groceries to do some baking. Kinda handy to just go on in the stroller and now worry about a cart. Who knew.
Tomorrow will be our first hour walk without spending money though. haha. There are two lakes by our house so we are going to alternate going to them.
Should be fun. And Im getting out of the house and some exercise. Gotta get summer ready ;)