Discoveries

In the last little while, I have made a few discoveries. Some of them new, some are things that I'm more aware of.

-Tanner is terrified of dogs. Susanne's dog is the only dog he's okay around.
-Tanner got glasses. He loves them and is obsessed with cleaning them.
-My Dad liked Jazz, which is funny because I just started listening to it and actually enjoy it quite a bit.
-My Mom is awesome! We had a really great visit while going to and from Utah.
-I love revell-o's. I use to only like fudgeicles but not anymore.
-I can no longer eat hamburgers or hamburger meat. It does not like me at all
-I have a love/hate relationship with the heat. I can tolerate and handle it for a couple of hours, but if I'm in it too long it's not good. I tend to get a headache if I'm out just sitting in it too long. I have to be doing something to keep my mind off of it. I am enjoying it this year more than last. It's good for me.
-I'm an over-thinker...BIG time! It's hard for me some days to live in the now. I'm trying, and hopefully I'll get better at it but it's a bit of a slow process.
-Although I'm not a clean freak, messes/clutter bother me. I'm not as much of a pack rat as I once use to be so that has helped.
-I miss having my family close by
-Walking 3km in wedge sandals is not the best thing
-I've messed up leading the music at two different times lately (once at a funeral, and then last Sunday) and even though I knew how to lead to the timing, the song and timing didn't match in my mind when the organist started playing and I struggled. For some this might be stressful, but it is teaching me that it's okay that I'm not perfect and that I have to just carry on. I can't just stop leading the music because I can't get it and sit down.
-Tanner is a really slow bike rider. I ride as slow as I possibly can and he's still 1/4 of a block behind me. He knows how to ride faster but doesn't. He like to 'casually' bike.
-I really strongly dislike travelling on Sunday's. I like to stay in Raymond on Sundays and be with my family, and occasionally when we get invited over to dinner somewhere with friends.

Our trip to Salt Lake was good. It was pretty hot but we weren't outside all the time. I got 2 new pairs of Jeans. It's too hot to even put them on so on a cool day I'll put them on and post a picture. Shorts are the order of the day...and skirts.

A little bit of this and that

There's some pictures for you until...oh let's say a month or two. Tanner attended his first Cub a ree. He really loved it. And I finally got 2 pictures of Tanner's baptism.

My Mom and Matt's Mom came down 2 weekends ago for Tanner's final musical performance. He did so good. He also was part of my Aunt's back yard variety show. He did 2 little magic tricks that he had practicing for a couple months.

You know what I heard on the radio a couple weeks ago? There's a school that has a no 0% policy. So basically what that means is that no student ever fails. WHAT!!!! What does that even teach our children? When they get out into the real world, it's going to be a sad sad thing when they learn that if they don't work, they actually fail. This is utterly ridiculous!

I hate the end of school time! I pay to have my child educated, not go on a half a dozen field trips and swimming parties the last 2 weeks of school. It throws every child's routine in school off, and I don't know about your child(ren), but mine become highly lippy and defiant. This happened last year too and then as soon as school was done, he was back to normal. Next year, I'm thinking of just not sending him the last week or 2. It's such a waste. I could be taking him on my own to fun places.

We had a HUGE miracle happen last week. We have been trying to sort out Tanner's scheduling for him to get his appliance and financing etc. We were originally quoted a certain amount but when they called last week it's actually going to be just a little over half of what they originally quoted us. I am so so so thankful for this. So he'll have his appliance put in in September and then 6-9 months later he'll have a bone graft (so somewhere between March and June). I try to not think about when he has his bone graft surgery and how much pain he'll be in and how long we'll have to be in the hospital and how much time I'll have to take off work and how much school he'll miss. It can become very overwhelming and stressful so I try to tell myself to just wait until we get to that bridge but that's hard, if you know me. I'm a planner. I worry about how it will affect everyone else...Matt, my family, the nurses and doctors (because I can be a little bossy with my child in the hospital), the people Matt and I work for, our finances. See...I'm a worrier. When he was a baby, I didn't worry so much about this stuff because we were in Calgary and I had my family to help me and I nannied for an AMAZING family that was so generous and accommodating. So I worry. Anyways, I am truly grateful for this miracle and even more so for the miracle of Tanner and getting to be his Mother. In my heart of hearts, I know, without a doubt, that the Lord will provide the way as the time comes.

I went on this crazy diet for a week...yeah, I only lasted 4 days and then I got tired of it. I lost 5 pounds and have only gained 3 of it back...so I guess that's good.

Cell phones...I just need to vent about this because it's driving me nuts! I keep thinking we should get cell phones...you know, because we're probably the last people on Earth that don't have them. Anyways, then I think "No way!". It's not only another bill to pay but lately there are people that I don't even talk to as much anymore because when I'm talking to them they text or if their phone beeps they check it. I'm sorry, but today I feel like if I have to be friendless because everyone else in your digital world is more important that a real person conversation, then fine. People seem so distracted by their cell phones and updates etc. that I would not get one just for the fact that it would be sheer hypocrisy for me. Sometimes I just wanna yell "get off your phone and pay attention to the person right in front of you!". So that's my rant for today.

Matt and Tanner went to a Father's/Son's camp out a couple weekends ago. They had so much fun. Tanner had so much fun, in fact, that when he got home he fell asleep for 2 hours. Ahhhh...I love that boy!

I can't wait to get away this week with my Mom and Tanner. I'm really looking forward to spending time with her and being away from life for a little while.

Father's day was great. Matt enjoyed his day and he made the best steak ever! It was so yummy. We usually do steak and potatoes with a vegetable for Father's day. I gave him the option of ribs this year but he chose the steak. He's the greatest BBQ-er I know.

So that's it for now. Happy rest of the month!

Large or Medium

Here's the thing...I've lost some weight. I'm not posting numbers because it is not about how much. I started with the goal of being healthier and not about how much and I feel really good, but all my clothes are too big so I'm wearing belts (I only have 2) a lot! I have this mild fear, though. I'm afraid to buy tops in the size that I think I am. I know, totally silly and irrational but I can not bring myself to buy a top that fits. I really want a pair of jeans that don't fall down...is that too much to ask? I am heading down to Utah next month and I am hoping to get a pair down there. So check back next month to see if I got a pair...maybe I'll even post a picture of me wearing them.

Tanner has been loving his bike. I LOVE that he loves his bike. He's foot loose and fancy free with that thing. We have such a great little neighborhood and the kids all just go from house to house and play with each other. It's so much fun for Tanner. When he has no friends to play with, I feel sad for him because I'm not the best 'play' mate and I can feel his disappointment.

We've been in our house a year! The only thing I really want to change is our front door. I want a door that has a window in it because our front entry is so dark. Other than that, there's nothing I want to change. We're hoping to get our lawn in next month so that will be new. In honor of this big milestone, we had a hot dog roast with s'mores and cupcakes.

Other than that, things are going pretty well. Some days I feel like blogging is such a waste of my time and that blogging has served the purpose I wanted it to but other days I feel guilty for not blogging more. The other reason is that we live in a small town...and there are still A LOT of things I need to learn about living in a small town. Anyway, I feel at a bit of a crossroad so we shall see what happens.

A giveaway

2 years ago we had an amazing photographer take our pictures. She is doing a Mother's Day giveaway and you should all go and enter!

Just go HERE

But hurry because the contest ends today!

Tanner

We had a great time in Calgary. After a quick visit to the Cleft Lip/Palate clinic, we went to see my sister and have dinner with her family and my Mom. Tanner will be getting a spacer in his mouth in September and then 6-9 months later he will have a bone graft from his hip and have that piece of bone placed in the gap in his mouth. The recovery in the hospital is 3-5 days and then he has to rest at home for1-2 weeks after he's out of the hospital. Full recovery is 6 weeks. So if we are at 9 months, June 2013 will be his surgery.

It sounds so robotic to read that back but we knew this was the next phase and I'm not too worried about it. I am a little worried, but not too much...at least right now. I don't really talk about his surgeries publicly because it's kind of a personal thing, but I know this will be a major surgery for him because he's much older now and I'm not sure about his pain tolerance to what I'm sure is going to be intense pain for the first few days. He is generally really good with being sick. He's not a mope-y, whiny child when he's sick, but this is a little different. His head surgery, by far, was the hardest surgery for me. Everything before and after that surgery has been easy. I realize that might sound a bit odd to say it was easy but, comparatively so, it was. This surgery will have the longest out of hospital recovery so that's going to be something new for us but it's just a small space of time in the eternal perspective. We have been so immensely blessed that Tanner has such a happy, positive disposition and I know that helps him in not only surgeries but in life. 

So that's what is happening with Tanner in the next year. 

Other than that, things are just great. Tanner has learned to ride his 2 wheeler, finally. He is rarely inside now. He always wants to go for a bike ride. The freedom that comes from knowing how to ride a bike is pretty powerful...lol.

We also got a dishwasher and it came this last week. I can't say I'm in love with it yet...I find I can taste the detergent on the glasses a little bit, but other than that its really convenient to throw the dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on before bed.

That I'm worth it.

This may sound like I'm tooting my own horn but I recently realized that I can be generous/nice to people just because I want to...even when they aren't as nice/generous to me. I guess that's what you call tuning the other cheek.



In recent weeks I have been able to push my physical endurance much farther than I thought I could. I am really proud of myself for being so good with my exercise and diet.

Maybe in a year?

To let stuff go much easier than I do right now.

I am here

It's been a while...as if no one noticed...haa haa. For Easter we headed up to Calgary.


This picture, really, is for my Mom. This is Tanner's cub car rally. He came in 4th and we were so proud of him!

This is also from a previous visit but I just adore this picture.

Yeah, we like to play with Lego. We're cool like that.

This is my food for my birthday lunch. I ate it all! Or did I?! Megan was taking me out for lunch and when we showed up, Melany and Amy were there to surprise me for a sister's lunch. It was really nice to spend time with my favorite sisters : )

Tanner 'played' Risk by himself.

We headed out to my sisters, Megan, place for Easter dinner and the hunt

In our family, the kids get gifts at almost EVERY get together...even if it's 'just because'

2 happy loving cousins.

I'm not really sure who this nice looking couple is.

Just being silly is something we like to do.

Oh yeah, for those of you who didn't know I was pregnant...this is my new baby. HAAA HAAA...this is my nephew (and NO I am not pregnant)

The hunt is a-foot. These are special egg hunting rabbit ears. You can hear where the Easter Bunny has left the treats.

Emerson had a pair too.

Such silly face making boys!

Me and my sister, Melany. I am SOOOOOO happy she is back home!!!

Here's a little story...true as it is...the adults (really, it's just my sisters and the spouses) in my family have a separate Easter Egg hunt. This is something we take very seriously (well, some of us more than others) and it gets physical....VERY physical. There's shoving, pinching, grabbing and one year there was blood shed. It's a competition on who can get the most. This year I won by default because Melany cheated. I NEVER win and I don't do this to win. Amy and Melany take this very seriously and Melany 99% of the time wins. I, in fact, am usually the loser. I didn't even care that I won this year and was even going to give my stuff to Amy so she could win, but that's breaking the rules. If you break the rules, you loose. Anyways, this is my loot bucket.

Matt and I celebrated our birthday's while we were there. It was super low key, which was really nice this year.

I really wanted an iPod docking station and I got one! I am so happy and I LOVE it!

Matt got tools and beef jerky. He was very happy.

This picture is just for laughs. At big dinners, we all label our plastic cups. I always write 'The Queen' on mine. So I wrote 'The King' on Matt's because....well, it was our birthdays and we were the King and Queen that day. So my sister's friend, Brittany, decided to be 'The Joker' and Melany had to, of course, get in on the joke so she was 'The town whore'. Slightly inappropriate but still funny enough.

We had a great birthday and Matt got his Costco cake he wants every year but I never buy. I had a surprise birthday party for him and so I bought the cake. My taste buds are still numb from all the cake and chips we ate. I even have run every day this week to burn some of the calories. It was so yummy, but so bad for me.

****************************************************************************

In other randomness news:

-Melany is coming this weekend and we are going to IHOP. It's her favorite place to eat and now that Lethbridge has one, she's coming to try it out.

-We got a dishwasher. It came today and hopefully it will be installed next week.

-Matt's Mom bought us furniture (it's birthday, christmas, house warming, anniversary for the next 5 years). It should be here in May. I'll post pictures when they come.

-Work is....well, let's not talk about work shall we.

-We are hoping to have grass in the next month or 2. I am beyond excited. Although I truly don't mind Tanner and his friends playing outside on the dirt hill in our backyard, I want grass to lay on and have a patio set on.

-I can't believe that school is over in 8 weeks! Didn't they just start school????

-I am realizing a lot more that not everyone you think is dependable, is in fact dependable. It also is teaching me that not everyone has time to give. We all have things we can give and for some people, time is hard to give. Sometimes, for me, that's a really hard lesson.

-Tanner's printing has finally gotten really good. I don't have to remind him with every word he prints that he need to print nicely. This is a huge accomplishment for us! His teacher has been concerned about it all year...along with us. He just rushes and doesn't quite understand the importance of why he needs to print clearly. Now that he's gotten better, we think it will be a huge help for him.

I guess that's all for now. Until next month...haa haa....hopefully sooner.

5 for today

Well, the memory that makes me smile the most in the last 12 months is Tanner's baptism. If you want to know what's made me smile the most in the past 3 months it's probably realizing that I'm growing.

Hands down, my Dad...and the outdoor fashion shows in the backyard (and other backyard shenanigans), picking raspberries for FHE, family reunions, the farm, and riding our bikes in the alley.

A hug




What I believe and know

That I'm a snob, hard hearted, unfriendly and/or mean.

Now onto a different subject. I know the Hunger Games are coming out and, honestly, I do not see or understand the infatuation with these books/movie. Why on earth do people want to read about kids killing other kids/people for sport? I just don't get how that in any way can be interesting or worth reading. Obviously this is just my opinion but I don't get it. I don't have any intention of seeing the movie or ever reading the books. That's just me, though.

Last week, I took Jill out for her birthday and she chose Osho's for dinner which I was super happy about because I've wanted to go there for so long but Matt's a picky eater and didn't want to brave it with me. It was so yummy! I hope to go many more times. Ever since East Side Marios closed we haven't found a new favorite restaurant. I think I might be able to convince him that Osho's is a great new place!

What's your favorite place to eat?

I have been really bad at taking pictures of anything lately! I am so mad at myself. We've tried a bunch of new recipes and I forgot to take pictures. I guess I will have to find the pictures online. I love pinterest for that reason. I try to keep my boards realistic so I don't get overwhelmed be wishing I had what I don't need.

Tanner...such a funny boy! On Sunday night he was running a fever and breathing funny (he was quite congested) and when we asked him what was wrong he said "I don't want to die. I think I have cancer". The only thing I can think of where he got that is because at dinner Matt asked what I wanted to drink and I said water...but not tap water because I didn't want to get cancer from drinking the tap water (as a joke!). I don't really like the taste or our water so I always boil water and add some lemon to it and keep it in the fridge so that's what I normally drink. Anyways, Tanner picked up on it, I guess...oops!

This is a HUGE shocker...mostly because I am pretty strict with myself in being organized and on time for everything! Unless it's a RS activity that is on a night when I work. Then that is totally out of my control...I will be late. Anyways, the huge shocker is that for the last month I have NOT been able to get myself out of the door to get to work to get there early. I'm not late but I usually am there right on time. This is kinda huge for me because I like to get to every place in my life early. I can not get myself organized in the morning. I think that part of the problem is because I have started taking my time when getting ready. More so in the bathroom putting on my make up and doing my hair and showering. It annoys me if I can't get my outfit picked out the night before so I can just get up and get dressed. If I take more than 5 minutes to decide what to wear I get super annoyed and think "Uhhhh, I have nothing to wear" and I literally have to walk out of my closet and do something else. I usually just throw on my clothes and slap on some make up and go but now for some odd reason I take my time. Do I look better when I take my time???? Heck no! I do my make up the same. I have 3-4 hair styles I wear all the time. So my goal is to get my act together and stop staring at myself in the mirror and get going out the door to work.

So there you go. 10 random things on Thursday.

Wanna know more?

Lying, being mean, deceiving others.

cutting more sugar out of my diet (I'm on day 8 of a headache), keeping my priorities more of a priority and not an option.

Reading my scriptures, praying, being more diligent in being a better mother

To go to Disneyland and to be a stewardess

Put my music up really loud and DANCE!

Here's another 5

Myself. My insecurities

I don't think this is when I first realized life is too short but it made the biggest impact...When my Uncle died and my cousin made a comment about why does the important meter get reset when people die. I think after the grieving process after my Dad died, I first realized this point.

Trying certain things and succeeding

Warmth, kindness, a connection (not really a "quality") and friendly

Matt, my Mom, Amy, Megan, Melany, Jill, Susanne, Amelia, Erica, Jamie, Lisa, Claudia, Becky, Danalee, Karen, Aunty Elaine, and Bobbi Jo.