Sometimes It's Hard

Before I start this post, I want to say that I love being a mom and most times I feel I do a pretty good job with my kids. I love the good times and I don't mind the bad most of the time. My girls and Gaupo are my biggest blessings. Every time I think of what my life would be like without them, I just stop because, because they are with me my life is so much richer. My life is great, but that doesn't mean it isn't challenge free and that I don't have times were I really have no idea if I am doing anything at all right. But, I am so glad I get the opportunity to be a mother to two beautiful unique girls and a wife to a always supportive husband.

Lately I have been dealing with some challenges around here and the thing I struggle with the most about them is I don't feel like they are my fault. I don't know what I could do differently to make them not happen or prepare better for them. I think in the last couple of weeks and especially today and the previous few days I have been amazed at how my children's decisions affect me. Some are pretty harmless like a couple of weeks ago when Tia pulled the fire alarm at school and caused a whole school fire drill. She owned up to it, and the staff member that found out and handled the situation did a superb job handling it. She didn't get mad at Tia, but she also didn't trivialize it. She got down on Tia's level and really talked to her about why pulling the fire alarm is not okay and that she is not to do it again. As I observed this, I noticed how Tia totally payed attention to her and listened, so I am really hoping it got through. Even though pulling a fire alarm is bad, it is pretty harmless, but you know what it still had consequences that affect a lot of people. Yes, it affected me because I had to stand outside without my coat, but it also affect the people that were in school that day who's learning got interrupted. It is amazing how a little choice can have so much ripple effect.

This weekend we were going to do so much fun stuff, we had a great weekend planned, but of no fault of her own Tia got sick. That meant Aunt Kitt couldn't come visit, we couldn't go to dinner group, she couldn't go ice skating, Trent and Tori couldn't come over, and we had to do some extra cleaning. I know it doesn't sound like that big of deal, but when those are your plans it is a big deal. I hate to admit it, but it totally ruined my Friday. I was so looking forward to Kitt coming and playing and spending almost 3 days with us. I was looking forward to doing things as a family, but then none of it could happen. I haven't gone into a depressed nap for a long time, and I didn't realize how long until Friday when I took one and how I wanted to stay under that blanket forever, because there were no problems or responsibilities there. I did get up and the weekend actually turned out just fine. No, Kitt didn't get to come, but dinner group got postponed till yesterday instead of getting totally cancelled. We watched part of a movie as a family. I got to have some one-on-one time with Kylee at ice skating. Kylee got invited to meet a friend there and it was fun to watch her interact with him. I got up the gumption to go shopping. I bought my first pair of skinny jeans and a new pair of shoes (teal Vans). I actually love all the things I bought. I took my friend and we had a good time together. Tia was doing better on Saturday, so I did take the girls for a bike ride and to the park. So, the weekend did go good it just didn't go as I had planned and I didn't get to see Kitt and that was really rough.

Then today was rough. Okay, only two parts of it. The first part happened when I caught Kylee in a lie she told. This morning she built a really cool tinker-toy thing by looking at the picture on the box. Which was awesome, but then she told me that her and Tori had already built it. I questioned her knowing they hadn't built it here. She said "Oh, Tori got Tinker-Toys for Christmas. She didn't tell you." I asked her, "Kylee is this a story or is this for real?" She assured me it was real. Well this afternoon I asked Tori if she got Tinker-Toys for Christmas and she replied, "No." I then walked over and told Kylee she needed to go to her room. She promptly got sorrowful and asked how long she had to stay up there, and was it just till she could remember to tell the truth. SHE TOTALLY KNEW! I couldn't believe it. She herself connected the dots of the fact she told a lie and I knew. I don't know if I handled it right. I sent her to her room for 5 minutes. It was actually longer because I got busy. Then we talked about it a little. Then I asked her, "So, what are you going to do next time?" She said, "If I tell you can I get out of this room?" I said, "Yes." She said, "I don't know." I said, "Well, when you can figure it out you can come out." I think that handling was all good and well, I am just not sure I should have said that the next time she does it she can't play with her friends. I said that because for me the thing I need to trust my kids the most with is their friends and what they do with them. So, anyway I don't know. She did eventually come downstairs and tell me that she wouldn't tell lies anymore and if I asked her about it she would tell me if it was something she made up or not. So, we will see. I just feel like 5 is so young to start lying and I know it wasn't about anything big, but I don't want it to be about anything big. I want the lying to stop now, so that we never ever lie about big stuff because that can be dangerous. I don't know it is so tricky to teach your kids, and still have them want to talk to you. I just pray that it will be okay, and that my kids will want to do good.

So, that was pretty rough, but then it got added on when my friend asked us to not come play for awhile because Tia can't stop picking up her son and it is stressing her out because Tia often time either drops him or makes him cry. Now, I know she shouldn't do this and this is the best way to handle it. Really, I probably should have done this sooner, but saying you can't see your friend for awhile because your kids can't handle it--well obviously for me it was to hard. However, I can obey honest, good, requests, so we will. But, I am so sad. I love visiting with my friend. My kids love playing at her house and with her. They actually will still get to see her more than me because she takes them to school. Augh, it just isn't fair sometimes. However, I have to teach Tia to listen and that she can't just go picking up babies. Luckily this baby is pretty big, so I don't think she can really hurt him, just scare him. But, we go around little babies and she needs to know she can't touch them unless their mom is okay with it. So, even though this totally bites that I can't go over to my friends house and she probably wont come here because it is actually probably more stressful this is what needs to happen. It just totally stinks. 

Today Kylee wondered when she could be a mom. Sometimes, I wish I could let my kids be a mom just so they know that even though it has a lot of perks it does have its not so great parts too. I mean I love eating treats when I want, buying my own food, cooking things I like for dinner, going to bed when I want, and stuff like that. However, I don't like stuff like what has happened recently. Plus the every day stuff like kids telling you they don't want to eat the food you just worked to make, or cleaning up messes, or figuring out how to pay bills, or you know just the growing up stuff of life. Anyway, obviously I get kind of flustered when other people choices affect me like super directly. Plus, my kids are only 4 and almost 6 so I have to know/figure out how much of this they can handle. Like can they handle knowing that their choices totally mess with me and my life? Or do I just settle for the fact that they need to know its bad? I don't know. I really do have good kids, just sometimes they don't make good choices, or do things there are not suppose to--like back talking my another adult, my friend. I totally had to have a talk with Kylee about that.  She was being sassy to my friend. We talked and she was warned that if it happened again then I got to take her to school. (My kids are not a fan of this just so you know. I must spend plenty of time with my kids because they sure love when I let them do things with their friends mom's on their own.) I know there are tons of people with way bigger problems, but these are big to me. I didn't see these types of things coming. I mean I guess I knew they would, but it seems like my kids are too little to be even having these kinds of problems. Guess not. 

Raising kids is hard. I do feel blessed to be able to do it. I just want so bad to do it right. Choosing the right brings so much happiness and joy into your life and I want that for my kids, but they get to choose. Even at 4 and 5 they have to choose to be good and obedient. I can't make them do it and to be honest even though it would be easier I don't want to make them, because then they would never experience the joy and peace that comes with choosing the right. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for the gift of agency and also for Jesus Christ because I am not perfect, so I need him, so I can repent and be forgiven of my sins. I need Jesus, Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost to help me choose the right, raise my kids, and be part of a family. I defiantly can't do it on my own and luckily I don't have to. I have Divine help, but I also have Gaupo who is always there for me. He supports me and tries hard to do his best to fulfill his roles in our family. I couldn't do what I do without him and his support. Being a mom isn't easy, but I can't imagine doing it on my own. I am so glad that I have Gaupo and Heavenly Father to help me. 

Motherhood is a divine role and it is worth all of this. I love my kids I am so grateful that I get the time to know them both for who they are. I am so grateful for the gap after Tia. I have needed it to get to know my kids to soak up all the good and savor those moments, but also to know my kids. They each have unique needs, abilities, talents, and personalities and I am so glad I have to chance to see. I am sure if Derek were here I could still have done it because that would have been the plan, but because I don't have him here and there is a gap and not having more children has really helped me appreciate all I do have. So, I cherish the good. I can't say I cherish the bad, but it does teach me a lot and hopefully my kids will learn from it and so will I. Motherhood is awesome. I love it. I know you probably have your doubts after this post, but trust me being a mother is the best. It is totally worth everything to watch these sweet children of God grow and become. So, even though it is hard I will choose to embrace motherhood.

4-Day Weekend

This past weekend was so great. As usual, it was very hard to return to normal life today and I did skip some things like waking up early and exercising, but did manage to do plenty of good things and be much better at eating healthier.

This past Friday morning a little bit before 3:00AM Jack, Oma, and Papa arrived at our house. I didn't greet them or anything when they arrived, but it was good to know they had gotten there. Because of their super late night/early morning they didn't get up anywhere close to when they normally do. Papa and Oma got up around 9:00 and Jack didn't get up till almost noon. It sounds crazy, but they really did and honestly who wouldn't? They were up so late. Anyway, Tia had speech on Friday morning and Oma went with us to that. On our way home, we stopped by Sprouts and Sams to get some needed/wanted groceries. Then we came home. Jack and Papa were waiting for us and it was time for lunch. So, we had lunch and then the girls played for a short bit and then it was nap time. During naptime Oma took a much desired nap, Papa just relaxed, and Jack and I played Rivals of Catan. Jack had never played before and it had been awhile since I had played the basic game, so it was really fun. Towards the end the girls woke up, but we finished and then had snack time. After snack we decided to take the girls to the park. It was so cold outside, but the girls had a blast. They rode their bike there and then they got to play at the school park. Things were a little wet, and gloves definitely don't add any traction, so they went down the fire pole super fast and had a little struggle with slipping on a couple things, but toward the end they had a blast playing on the slide. They would climb up and then go down and it had a story/motive to it, but I think only they really knew what was going. While the girls were doing that, Papa tried out one of the spinny seats and got it going and couldn't figure out how to stop. Luckily Oma was there and figured out that he wasn't just spinning for fun and went and stopped him. Oma asked what he would have done if we hadn't figured it out and he said he would have jumped. Oh boy, we were laughing so hard. Papa was just doing a laugh, but both Oma and I had tears because it was so funny to watch. When we came home, we got dinner started and enjoyed that. Then we watch Despicable Me 3. I don't recommend it, but it was fun to play and enjoyed eating on of our favorite movie treats of Goldfish and Chocolate Chips during it. After the movie we got the kids to bed and visited for a bit, but didn't stay up too late because we were all tired. Oh, it was so good to know that this wasn't the only day we had with them.

Saturday dawned with everyone up a little earlier. Although, I did get spoiled and sleep in because Papa kept my girls very quiet. It was so nice. I don't know why I like sleeping so much, but it really is a nice luxury sometimes. After we woke up we just kind meandered through the morning. The plan was to have a late breakfast, so we did successfully do that. It was worth the wait too, with pancakes, sausage, eggs, and hashbrowns. Oh I love that kind of breakfast. After breakfast was all eaten and cleaned up we just let the girls play for a bit. My favorite moment was when Papa said he would play babies with the girls and picked up a truck to take them to the store. Well Tia, kicked the truck and Papa said he was going to call the police because someone beat up his truck. Well, Tia walked away, so he said it wasn't that bad, but then she did it again. I know there was a reason why she did it, but I don't remember. Anyway, Papa called the cops to come arrest the person messing with his truck. Oh it was pretty funny. Tia was totally clueless as to what Papa was talking about and Papa thought he was playing well. It just goes to show a couple of things--boys and girls play very different, and don't mess with a boys truck. After playing for a bit we went ice skating. I don't know that my dad has ever done it before, but he did great. My mom was a little unsteady at first, but just like riding a bicycle she picked up and I think really enjoyed herself. Jack I think also really enjoyed it and he had the great luxury of having skates big enough for his feet (size 15) and they were like new, so that was great. We skated for a good hour and half and then went home and had snacks. I took the girls for a short bike ride and then came home and got ready for Kitt's Colorado party.

Tia skating on her own.

Gaupo and Kylee

Kylee on her own.

Tia and Papa talking.

Oma skating.

Papa, and Uncle Jack.

Kylee, Me, and Tia.

Uncle Jack and Kylee. He was so great to help take these girls around.

Oma and Papa skating together.

We left for the party around 2:45 and stopped at Wendy's for some dinner. I tried my first baconator fries which were delicious. It was really good food. I am sorry, but I really do like Wendy's. I have had it quite often lately so the flavors are not quite as awesome as they use to be, but it is still really good. After getting dinner, we went to the party. We were of course the first ones there which was great, because my mom's childhood friend surprised her and they got to visit for awhile. It was so fun to see my mom, just totally want to soak in being with someone. It was also fun because I got to talk to Matthew's mom a little bit and it was so great. We talked about having kids and man alive she has quite the faith. Anyway, it was fun to see the Blaylock's in their stomping grounds they were way more comfortable and you could totally tell. It was fun to just sit back and enjoy. I got to hang with Jack, chase my kids around, and eat way to much cheesecake and brownies. It was a great party. After it was over we helped clean up and then we went to Blaylock's to open presents. We were there until about 10:30. It was so late, but the girls were amazing. They hung on, and were well behaved. They got a little bored, but still didn't do too many bad things. We finally got home around 11:30. Then I took a shower and went to bed around Midnight. I haven't ever been to one of my siblings 'other' parties. I mean I may have gone to Jack's, but I don't remember it at all. So, it was really fun to go to a party where we just enjoyed. Plus, I am actually really glad we went to the Blaylock's home. I think seeing people in their homes is so fascinating because they really are so at home there and the homes tend to really show what the family values and let you know a little about them. It was well worth the night, but let me tell you 6:00AM came way to early.

Kylee, Kitt, Matthew, and Tia.

My favorite Brother and Me.

Jack, Oma, Kylee, Kitt, Matthew, and Papa.

Matthew, Kitt, Kylee, Tia at the present opening.

Tia, and Kylee snuggling in Kitthew's new blanket.

I did manage to wake up at 6:00, but I had to go back to sleep after reading some scriptures. Oh man was a I tired. Luckily my family was able to help me out with getting my girls ready for church. I love taking visitors to church. This time I didn't get to enjoy it quite as much because I was helping and investigators children find classes, and announcing this and helping Tia with the scripture. I don't know it was kind of a busy Sunday. However, I still loved having my family there. I know your not supposed to be proud or show-off, but I sure love showing my family to everyone because I love them and am very proud that they are mine. After church, we came home and had some lunch. Then it was naptime. I think everyone took at nap. I don't know that the grown-ups all did it at the same time, but we did all take naps and we chatted and just enjoyed doing nothing. We had a great dinner and then leftover cheesecake and brownies for dessert. Once the kids were in bed, Papa, Jack, Gaupo, and I played ticket to ride. It was fun and funny. For example, it seemed every time it was Papa's turn he would say "ummm, now let's see." I am so glad he played though. It was really fun to just hangout together. After the game, Papa went to bed, but Gaupo, Jack, Oma, and I stayed up talking till late. I love late night chats. If you haven't noticed from the last few posts I love talking/chatting especially with my family. I don't know it seems like the more time we have the better talks we have because we get past the catching up and into life and the real things that we like or struggle with. I don't know it is just really nice. Once it was good and late we all went to bed.

I slept in again on Monday. I feel bad, but my kids sure love the time they get one-on-one with their Oma and Papa when I do. We had German Pancakes for breakfast and then just hungout and played for awhile.

Gaupo, I, and our German Pancakes.

It had snowed a little here and so we took Oma and Papa to the sledding hill. It wasn't the best sledding snow, but we got a couple good runs and I know they had fun. Here is a video of a triple-decker run. Oma, Kylee, and Tia on one sled. It is so great.

When we came in we had cassadia's for lunch and had naps. During naptime, Kitt and Matthew arrived.

However, this happened before they arrived. It is how three adults take a nap on the couch.

Papa, Matthew, and Kitt.

So, we of course chatted with them. It was really fun. Then when the girls woke up they played throwing bean bags with Jack, Kitt, and Matthew. They did that pretty much until it was time for swim lessons. The girls had swim lessons and invited everyone to come. Poor Kitt and Matthew the girls informed them that taking nap wasn't an option, they needed to come. So, we watched the kids swim. I didn't get to visit as much as I hoped, because another mom was there talking to me, but hopefully it gave time for everyone else to talk to Kitt and Matthew. After swim, we came home and started baths and dinner. We made Mormon enchiladas for everyone. They are a little colder than I would have liked, but sometimes that is what happens when you have to make 7 plates of them, and then 2 kid meals. However, it was fun to gather for dinner. Full kitchen tables are the best! After dinner, we had FHE. Kylee and Oma gave the lesson and Tia conducted. Everyone did a great job. At 7:30 we had to send Kitt and Matthew away, and that was very sad, but we survived. Then got the kids in bed, and guess what--chatted. Oma need to get the bag packed before Papa went to bed, so while she was doing that Jack, Gaupo, and I got to just chat. That was great because we got to talked about when to take a chance, and how to do it, and why Jack did what he did, and just stuff like that. I really enjoyed it. We didn't stay up too late because the AZ folk had to get up and leave at 3:30 in the morning. So, we said good-bye and went to bed. I actually ended up waking up to say good-bye, but we still said good-bye the night before just in case.

I am so glad I got this family visit. It was great to have a four-day weekend were we just played and got to do it with family. It was fun to stay up late, and get up late. It was fun to visit, and philosophize about life. It was enjoyable to share Longmont with my family. I know they have been here before, but I love sharing it every time. I love my family, so I am so grateful to have had this time with them. I feel very blessed.

**most photo credit goes to Jack

Family Letter 2017

2017 has been a great year for our family.  Our family had the opportunity to play a lot this summer. This led to our family spending added time together and having fun new adventures. The girls would probably say their favorite adventure this summer was learning about roller coasters. We visited two as a family. We went to Elitch Garden's and Lakeside Amusement park. The girls loved both, but we like Elitch best because we were able to do almost all the rides with them, where as at Lakeside we just mainly watched them. My kids love roller coasters and could go on them non-stop. Sadly, there parents can't. Gaupo is better at it than, me because after this year's visit to Elitch the score for me is Elitch-2 Adventure Girl-0. I have lost my stomach both times at this park. I will go back and I will conquer at least once. Besides theme parks we had great vacations to Idaho, and Arizona. The girls and I made trips to both on our own and made another each with Gaupo. We love spending time with family. The girls love playing with their cousins and soaking up love from grandparents. With all these trips the girls are getting to be very good travelers. We might just be taking some fun family vacations in our future, just because the drive wont make us insane by the time we get there. I love watching our family grow and it is fun to do these fun things as a family. Despite our family fun each of us has each grown this year and accomplished great things.

Gaupo had a great year. He has really taken a liking to riding his bike and loves to do it whenever the weather permits. He completed his 3rd year of employment at the Longmont Library and still loves it. He enjoys the people he works with and the things he gets to do. This last fall he completed his second to last semester of his masters degree and is all set to wrap it up this semester. Gaupo currently serves as the ward mission leader in our ward and enjoys serving with the missionaries. 

Adventure Girl-Hey, that's me. Motherhood is my main occupation. However, I have enjoyed babysitting daily for a friend and doing some contract work. It has been such a blessing to have this employment. I still run, although not quite as much as I use to, but I really enjoyed playing outdoors with my family. I currently serve as 2nd counselor in the Relief Society, so I get to plan the fun monthly meetings for the sisters. I have also been blessed to make some wonderful friends who are also stay-at-home moms with children that like to play with my kids, so I have enjoyed playing with friends while my kids play with theirs. 

Kylee started Kindergarten this year. She loves going and learning. It has been a challenge for her, but she has really enjoyed it. She says her favorite part is recess. However, she is turning into quite the writer. She loves to write, color, and play a school game called Lexia. Kylee loves riding her bike, being read to, playing with friends, and swimming. She worked really hard and moved from the alligator level through seal, and is currently is Blast 1. She can do all the floats and roll-overs and can swim a pretty good distance. She also is trying to ice skate which is pretty cool. Kylee is a great big sister and plays with Tia a lot. Kylee loves going to church, having Family Home Evening, and watching movies.

Tia is in preschool. She started about a year ago, but this fall she started at a new school (the same one as Kylee) and she and I both love it. She is progressing well in speech. She can write her name when she decides to and can recognize it really well. Tia learned to ride a two-wheeler this year and loves, loves, loves to ride her bike. Her favorite place to ride it is to the park, where she loves the sand, slides, and swings. Tia is also swimming and in Blast 1. She loves to rock climb, and can reach the top on the kid wall at our rec center. Tia also loves church, playing with Kylee's friends, trains, real babies and watching movies. She also loves playing with Kylee especially when they play family.  

Our family I feel like has had quite the year. True it is all 'normal' stuff, but we have had a lot of fun growing individually and as a family. We love being together, and learning. We look forward to this coming year and the many, many adventures I am sure it will hold for us.

Tia is 4

Tia turned 4. I think Tia thoroughly enjoyed her birthday, but it was a little not so great for me. It only was because things were too rushed and just didn't quite feel as I thought they should, but the main thing is Tia loved it, and we did indeed celebrate it.

The celebration preparations started the night before when I half made Tia's birthday sign. I was like yeah, I will get half of it done and let the girls help with the rest and it will be awesome. Well it was until Kylee pointed out that it was Tia's 4th birthday not her 3rd like all the signs said. Augh!! Well, I remade the half I made the night before and Kylee helped me finish the other parts. So, we got the sign up and I got them balloons even though I didn't have them already done because we were all decorated for Christmas and I wasn't sure how well Christmas and balloons would go, but the girls were so excited for balloons I just couldn't say no. After the birthday sign was done and balloons out. I got ready for the day and then Gaupo came down stairs and we gave Tia her first present...Her new 'big' bike. It is a 16" two-wheeler. It is a little big, but she has gotten the hang of it and all of us are in trouble. Okay, not really but boy is she speedy on that bike. Luckily her birthday was perfect outdoor weather, so she was able to ride a little before we had to get Kylee to school.

However, while Gaupo was helping her ride in the house an owey finger she had burst. So, we decided that we needed to add a doctor visit to our agenda of the day. So, while I was making pancakes and I called the doctor and got an appointment for 3:00 that afternoon. Kylee ate breakfast really good, but Tia didn't and I ended up taking hers in the car with us. However, she just really wasn't that hungry. Anyway, we got Kylee to school, and then Tia and I went shopping to pick up the fruit we needed for her birthday dinner--pancakes. Then we rushed that home and went to speech. Speech was pretty good. After that we headed to her 'party.' For her party, I swung by Little Ceasers and grab 2 pizzas. I dropped of two slices at home and picked up Trent and Tori. Then we headed out to Sandstone Ranch to meet up with Jacob, Sis. Carolyn, Jensen, Calvin, and Sis. Bethany. We arrived just after Jacob and the rest arrived shortly after. The next two hours were spent visiting over pizza, the kids riding bikes and playing, and soaking up some bright Colorado sun. It really would have been the perfect day, but Carolyn, Bethany, and I seemed to not get our conversation to jive and flow like we normally do, so it was more awkward than I had thought, but boy oh boy did the kids have a great time and were not ready to leave. However, once we were home they went down easy for naps. The only problem with that was I needed to be at the doc at 3:00 with Tia. So, I tried asking Bethany, but she couldn't . I made a few more calls and finally found someone that could come right then to stay at home so I didn't have to take all the kids with me. Jennifer Bigham was the one that came to the rescue and I am so glad.

The kids were 'ice skating' on this patch of ice. 

The doctors wasn't too bad. They told us her finger was infected, but it was still in the tissue, so oral antibiotics would work. So, it was like 3:30/3:45 and I went to get the prescription and they said the wait was 5-10 mintues. I was like perfect that will give me ample time to get home. Well, it took FOREVER, because apparently they don't carry the medicine the doctor prescribed and, so they had to get another one and refigure the dosage. AGHHHH!! Finally about 4:20 we were on our way home and I asked Tia if she wanted her blue cake that night or the next. She said that night. (I shouldn't have offered, oh well.) So, I got home and started on the cake. Now, I was too cheap to buy ice cream, so I was making the cake glutten free so Kitt could eat it. Well, it just takes time to make a cake from scratch. However, I got it made amidst the choas of 4 kids and started one layer cooking. When it was done, I turned off the oven because I was going to wait to do the next layer. However, I changed my mind and put the second layer in and then set the timer and had dinner. Well when the timer rang I checked the cake and guess what, I didn't turn the timer on. AGHHHHHHH!!! You would think I would just stop, but no I kept going. I baked it. Then let it cool. We played with a couple of the gifts Tia had already opened while waiting for the cake to cool and Aunt Kitt to come. Well, Aunt Kitt was pretty late, but I got the cake decorated, but it looked pretty terrible. Finally Aunt Kitt got there. We opened the rest of the presents and had cake. It was NASTY!! Not because it was GF, but because instead of just dying it blue I put blue jello in it and then frosted it with normal frosting. It was gross. No one finished a piece of it. I actually threw the whole thing away, except for the blue candy I pulled off so Tia could eat it the next day. Needless to say, it was  pretty rough day. Kitt had had a rough day to at at the early hour of about 10ish we called it a night deciding any conversation we had would not be productive or uplifting, so we went to bed. LAME!! However, it was totally for the best because we both need sleep and a restart.

Tia with her Train from Kylee.

Tia eating her Birthday Dinner.

Tia opening presents.

Tia with her blue cake.

Gaupo, Me, Kylee, and Tia.

Us silly girls.

Tia on her birthday night. She carried her baby in the new pack n play out to the hall to fall asleep. Sh was one tired girl.

Luckily that wasn't the end of our weekend. Saturday was the next day and it was pretty leisurely. Kitt and I didn't wake up until about 8/8:30 the  next morning. I fixed us a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage, and french fries (we didn't have hashbrowns). Then I started making preparations for our High Heel Party. It kind of took a bit of work to make tiny tarts, and egg salad, but it was worth it. At noon we held are party. We had dainty finger sandwiches, crackers, clementine oranges, and lemonade. For dessert we had tiny tarts. Apparently my kitchen was having an issue making desserts because the tarts weren't that great, but everything else was great. We ate on fancy little plates I got from my RS dinner earlier that week. We drank out of fancy glasses. Okay, Kylee was the only one with a fancy glass, the rest of us drank from jelly jars, but they were glass and it totally worked. We enjoyed dainty talk and wearing our heels. After we finished eating we had a dance party and then naps. I honestly don't remember if my girls will remember anything about this party, but I do know that moments like this are worth the effort because they are what allow for good memories and relationships later.

The girls and I making the pudding for tarts.

Our classy high heels.

Us with our fancy food. (Kitt, Tia, Kylee, Me)

A close up of our food.

The Tarts.

Kylee drinking from her fancy cup.

Anyway, while the girls were taking a nap, Kitt and I headed out to find Matthew a Christmas present. We were successful at Lowe's. Kitt got him a really handy tool kit that I think he will like and use a lot. When we got home Kylee was awake, but Kitt and I snatched a moment downstairs to show Kitt what the girls were getting for Christmas. Then we played games and just chilled for a bit before getting a dinner of greasy tacos ready to eat. After a great dinner it was time to say good-bye to Kitt. We got her stocked up on some good sugar supplies and sent her off. It was a little sad to see her go because I knew it would be a long time before she could come back to just hangout. However, I am glad it was a good weekend. 

Christmas Break Week 2

Unlike the past few Christmases where we have just stayed at home and enjoyed the post Christmas holiday, this year we left for Arizona. We left at 4:50 on December 26th. We swung by an RTD station in Denver to pick up my sister Kitt's roommate Tabitha and headed to Arizona. We made good time. Tabitha helped a lot by reading to the kids, helping them get there food, and providing us with a good audio book. The girls were great travelers. We only had to make one in-the-middle-of-no-where stop to let Tia use the bathroom. The girls didn't complain, and I probably only got asked about 15 times if we were there yet. That may sound like a lot to some of you, but for a 13.5 hour trip I will take only 15 times. Sometimes I can get that many times in a simple cross-town trip. Anyway, the trip was uneventful which is the way I like it and we arrived at my folks home around 6:45. The kids got right to work playing with there cousins. I don't even think they had dinner that night because they just had a ton of fun playing. It always amazes me when good friends get together and pick up as if they played with each other every single day. My cousin Vance was visiting when we got there, so we visited with him a bit and then unloaded the car. I had a bit of dinner and then we got the kiddos to bed. Gaupo went to bed with them. He was exhausted. He drove the whole thing, but it wasn't for lack of Tabitha and I asking. Anyway, I stayed up and played Family Feud with my family. It was really funny because we got a little competitive with it and may or may not have almost had a feud breakout, but it was so fun. After the game, I may have done a little talking with my sisters upstairs, but I think I went to bed. I was pretty tired too.

Wednesday morning dawn early. Luckily not any earlier than 6:30, but still when the girls couldn't go downstairs until their cousin woke up it was too early. However, they survived and I survived and when we heard noisy we went downstairs. The day was mainly filled with playing and visiting. However, it was the day before Kitt's wedding, so there was lots of stuff to get done. In the morning it was going with Kitt to get her nails done. Then we had lunch and got the kiddos down for a nap. Then we had a little gathering. In the past, this gathering has been to "test" the person wanting to marry our sibling, but we had decided that Matthew had been "tested" enough and instead decided on something much better. We decided to go around the circle and have everyone tell one thing that they really liked about Matthew or a memory they had with him. Most mentioned how he made the best of Kitt shine and that he made her so happy. Kara and or Seth said they loved being able have him hang out with them even when Kitt wasn't there. I said I love the memories I have of summer 2017 with him--WaterWorld, swimming, good food, bike riding to the grocery store, and more swimming. I really enjoyed getting to know Matthew this summer it really was fun. After we all went Kitt and Matthew went and that was super sweet as well. Kitt told Matthew how she loved that whenever she was around him she felt comfortable and able to be herself. Matthew told all of us how he loved how we just scooped him up and accepted him. Then he told Kitt that he loved how she was just a really kind person. I don't know exactly what he said, but trust me it was sweet, he cried a little and it was very genuine. When we were all done they were presented with there Name plaque that is like the rest of ours. It has BLAYLOCK in the back and then Together Forever over the top. 

After we finished with that Matthew and Kitt needed to get ready to go take pictures. What happened next was new for our family. So, all us girls helped Kitt change. Then we all went downstairs and waited and watch Matthew and the other men as they saw Kitt come down in her dress. Matthew's reaction was perfect. You could tell he thought she was just beautiful. Those two kids are so in love. After we all ooohed, and awed a smidge they were off for pictures. While they were doing pictures the rest of us visited with Uncle John, Aunt Karen, and Grandpa who arrived right before the dress thing. While visiting we baked cookies, the kids played, and we sent Papa, John, and Karen uptown to get us some pizza for dinner. Around 5:30 everyone arrived home and Uncle David, Aunt Gaylynn, Lisa, Nathan, and Clara arrived and we had dinner. Then those that could went to the church to help the Blaylocks setup for the luncheon/reception. Those of us who didn't go, got the kids ready for bed. Then around 8:00 Lindsay decided to stay home with kids, and the rest of the kid-adults headed to DQ. So, all the kid-adults are Jack, Kara, Seth, Klaire, Lisa, Kitt, Me, and Vance. We went to DQ and got ice cream then went to Vance's house for bit to eat it. Then we went home and had a piggy party to get our piggies all ready for this wedding. After painting for awhile I took Lisa to where she was staying. We visited for a bit then I headed back and visited some more and we went to bed. Well sort of. My sisters and I have a habit for good or bad of talking before we go to bed and it usually happens as we are getting ready for bed. Kara, Kitt, and I chatted about married things for just a little and then we all went to bed. 

Thursday morning, the kids did a little better at sleeping in. I think we made it till about 7:00. We only had to wait a little bit before the other kids were awake. The morning was kind of spent getting ready to get Kitt married. Her luncheon was 11:30. I was suppose to be there at 11:15, but it was more like 11:20, but I didn't miss anything and I got what needed to be done done. At the luncheon we enjoyed good food and good company. It was our family and the Blaylocks. It was fun to just have food and visit. My Uncle Dayle didn't recognize me or so he said. He said he couldn't believe I had grown up and had kids. I am truly amazed at that too most times, but it still made me laugh. My Dad was last one to have say and it was really funny to hear him talk about the Bs. This was in relation to Blaylock and Bryces, and also Pres. Hinckley's B's. However, his finally line was "and also we will look for to more BBies.(babies)" BAHAHAH, I honestly can't believe he said that, but if some one was going to I am glad it was him and it was sure funny. After that, Kitt and Tabitha sang "It's Good to Be Alive." and then it was time to go to the temple. After getting things switched from luncheon to reception we headed to the temple. The sealing was beautiful and I thought the sealer did a great job. I loved the spirit in that room. I don't know if the spirit felt the same to others when I got married, but for me this time watching these two lovebirds get married the spirit was in the form of peaceful joy and it was so beautiful. I LOVE temple weddings. After the sealing we went and got our kids from the church and then went back to the temple and waited for Kitt. It was beautiful weather, so waiting was not a problem. It is actually a good thing because they kind of took a long time to come out, but they finally came out and we had pictures and then went home for some much needed naps. During naps Kara and I prepped the kitchen for the descending of much family for a simple sandwich dinner. I got it all ready and then I just sat for a little bit content to do nothing but as my Aunt Karen said ponder. That is right I pondered and chatted. About the time the kids woke up it was time to get dinner out and ready. So, we had dinner. The Blaylock family came and had dinner then about 6:00 Papa, Oma, Brother and Sister Blaylock, Gaupo, Jack, Uncle John and Aunt Karen went to the church to finish final preparations. That left us girls home with the Blaylock clan to just chill till go time. Kara and Seth are amazing at drumming up conversation with people, and they didn't fail us with Matthew's brothers. So, in the kitchen we got to get to know them a little better and that was actually really fun. Soon, it became time to go and everyone left and we finished cleaning things up and then headed to the reception too. The reception was fun and seemed to go really fast. I think Kitt had a good time, so it was all worth it. The take-down, present opening, and departure got us home about 10:00 or maybe only 9:00, but late and it was good. When everyone was home we visited for just a touch and then all went to bed, well not till after Klaire and I visited about life a little.

Friday, I slept in. By the time I actually got out of bed I had been awake for a little, but the bed was just so comfy and just right. Luckily Gaupo got up and took care of the girls for me and so I rested just a bit more. The morning was pretty laid back and spent a vast amount of it visiting. About 10:00 we said goodbye to the Idaho Folk. Then got ready for the day. Then about 11:30 my Vawdrey cousins came by for a day with us. This group of boys are my youngest cousins on the Brady side. We had a great day. We started by riding mules. My cousin Josh loves mules and has trained his well, so we were able to take turns riding them. Since there were quite a few of us my dad has his air rocket going on a little ways over for entertainment as well. It worked pretty well for everyone. After mule riding we went and lunch. Then the kiddos took naps while us big kids went shooting. I rode out only to ride back, so I could say hi and bye to my best friend Emily. I was hoping it would be longer but come to find out she was on her way to the temple and running late. Oh well, at least I got to see her and luckily our friendship has never been high maintenance. After visiting with her I walked back to where we were shooting and joined the fun. I haven't gone shooting in long time and I am not as bad as I once was. I am not great, but that come with not being able to close one of my eyes for aiming, but I am figuring it out. After we had shot and re-setup targets about 3 or 4 times we headed back. I walked back with my Aunt Shara and sister. It was good to just chat, and fun to watch those cousins of mine learn to drive a four-wheeler. After shooting we just kind of hung around for a while. Around 6:30/6:00 we had dinner. It was my brother Jack's birthday, so we had his traditional meal of homemade chicken noodle soup. It was tasty. After dinner and getting kids to bed it was game time. We played Buzzword, Taboo, Reverse Charades, and Guesstures. It was so fun. It was fun to watch everyone do things and have everyone participate. It was a really fun night that didn't end till a little after nine. I think that the Vawdrey family enjoyed there day with us because they weren't super anxious to leave and with a day like that there isn't a whole lot to complain about. It was just good family fun.

Saturday was a restful day. It was Klaire's birthday and I am sure she feels slighted because we didn't really do anything. However, I did make her waffles for breakfast and my mom even had raspberry jam and cream, so that made them really fancy. Then we had steak with roasted veggies for dinner. I know dinner isn't her favorite meal, but its a good one and my brother and Lindsay are super good at roasting veggies, so dinner was  good. Anyway, I can't really remember anything that we actually did on Saturday except we had a weiner roast for lunch which was really fun. Arizona Christmas weather is perfect or such activities. The girls tried playing in the pool, but froze, so I convinced them to get out by saying they could swim in Oma's tub later. So, it was a great afternoon outside followed by naps. I tried playing a game with Klaire, but I swear my kids have a certain vibe for if I am going to play a game mid-day that they must ask me for help as soon as we get started. Oh well, we played for a bit. Then we did the bubble bath in Oma's tub and then dinner and bed. After the kiddo's were asleep and a through search of the house for a pacifier (it wasn't found until new ones were purchased open and used. It was under the counter in the kitchen), we watch the movie Hidden Figures. I really like it. Gaupo said watching history isn't his favorite, but you know that is okay and he enjoyed being with us. It was a very much needed relaxful day.

Sunday was New Year's Eve. We went to church and there was a three missionary farewell that day, so it was packed. However, the prospective missionaries did great and it was fun to hear them speak. After church we went home and had lunch and naps. I don't think the house was ever as quiet as it was during that Sunday afternoon naptime. It was awesome. Then the kids woke up and it was loud again, but they enjoyed playing and playing. Around 5:30 we had dinner of Nachos which I think might be become my favorite meal. It was really good. Then we let the kids play a bit more. Then it was time for them to go to bed. We played five crowns with Jason before he went to bed. When he went to be my dad and Seth stopped playing games too. So that left Oma, Jack, Klaire, Kara, Lindsay, and I to ring in the New Year. We played Cover Your Assets until about Midnight when we got the Martinelli's ready, and recapped the year. My family has had quite the year. We had three graduations, three moves, 1 new birth, 2 kindergartners start school, 1 wedding, and all the little stuff in between. At midnight we toasted in the New Year and went to bed. Well, actually I talked to Lindsay for a bit in the kitchen before heading there, but it was great.

I woke up at 5:00, read my scriptures, got ready, loaded the car, got the girls and headed home. Gaupo again drove the whole way. It took us 14 hours this time, but the girls still did really good and so we will probably travel again some day. But, I think we will hangout here for just a bit and enjoy our house. It was a such a great vacation. My kids did great. Gaupo was a trooper with hanging out with all of us and helping out with all the little things. It was so fun. I am so blessed to have been able to travel as much as we have, to have a home, 2 children who are happy and love school. Gaupo is so close to being done with school, we have one semester left. This is amazing!! We have had a really good year. Nothing crazy big, but I am totally good with that. I qualify our amazing summer as my big event of the year because it was great. I loved 2017 and am looking forward to 2018. 

Time is flying and as you can guess by my lack of posts, I can't manage to document most of it. However, we are loving it. Our most recent adventure was to Arizona, but before we go there we need to do Christmas. So here it is. We started our food celebration of Christmas on the 23rd. We had a really simple meal of Turkey and potatoes. Since it was Saturday and Gaupo had no schoolwork to do we spent the day together. It was so fun to play and not have to worry about homework. We went for a bike ride, we had breakfast, we took naps, Guapo prepared food, and best of all EVERYONE pitched in and helped me do ALL the chores (Kylee would chime in with "except dusting." She would be right, but I will dust when I put the Christmas decorations away. It was so awesome to have so much help. Gaupo even organized the storage room, helped the girls clean the playroom in the basement, and then vacuumed it all. It was so great. Because everyone pitched in, we were able to do that bike ride and stop at the park and it was so great to work and play as a family. The afternoon was mostly spent working on what were suppose to be Christmas surprises, but really ended up just being Christmas gift. Oh well, I will keep working on the surprise part. Gaupo's really was going to be a surprise, but I lost my needle while was cross-stiching his name and needed help finding it, and he of course looked a little too good and picked up his surprise. Augh. Oh well, like I said maybe next time. Anyway, while I was working on that Gaupo was working on getting the potatoes, gravy, and turkey done. It was an excellent meal and the girls didn't even complain about eating it. That was mostly because we spoiled them greatly by letting them eat dinner while watching "The Polar Express." Normally eating dinner and watching a movie at the same time is not my favorite, but you know I can't complain too much when Tia eats potatoes without gagging. The girls LOVED the movie. When it was over we put them to be and Gaupo and I watched a movie of our own. Then we called it a night.

Sunday was Christmas Eve. Our ward combined with two other wards for Sacrament Meeting at 9:00AM. It was nice to have church early, but I am totally not accustomed to waking up and getting to church that soon, plus we had to drive because it is so cold that time of morning. Anyway, it was a great meeting. I always love that it takes so long to pass the sacrament and I also love the music and story of Christ's Birth. Then church was over at 10 and we had the rest of day to figure out what to do. We weren't quite sure what we were going to do, but don't worry the time flew by. We had family council right after church, then I think we read the Christmas story from 3 Nephi and talked about it, then we did lunch and naps. After naps we Facetimed Grandma and talked to her for awhile. Then it was time to throw dinner in. We cooked more potatoes, and then added sweet potatoes and green bean casserole to our dinner. We had it by Christmas light and faux candles. We had it decorated table it felt really festive. It was a fun meal and everyone did a pretty good job eating. We topped of the meal with mint fudge. This has been the winner treat for this season. I have had to make two batches of it this holiday time and it has been so good. Anyway, after dinner was cleaned up everyone opened up their gifts and then it was time for bed. The girls had a terrible time falling asleep, but finally got there. Then Gaupo and I finished up some last minute Christmas preparations and went to bed ourselves.

Tia opening her gift.

Kylee with hers.

Gaupo with his.

Finally got his handsome face to show.

The girls and I in our matching Christmas PJs.

Christmas morning did not dawn as early as I would have thought. Kylee slept till almost 7:00 and the poor girl had to wait for Tia to wake and Tia didn't wake up till almost 8:00. We did treat Kylee with playing games on the Ipad and watching TV. So, she wasn't as grumpy as she could have been and any trace of unhappiness soon diminished when they found  that Santa had come in the night. We had wonderful gifts from Santa. There was candy, gloves, underwear, pillows, paper, makers, crayons, a game of Guess Who, the movie Moana, and the muched hoped for slippers. Kylee had really wanted Lightning McQueen slippers and Santa gave her Lightning McQueen ones and Tia Wonder Woman boot ones. They both loved every thing Santa gave them. It was really fun to watched them go through everything once it was all out there. They kind of rush through opening the stocking and then slowing pick through it later. Santa didn't let me down and brought Christmas breakfast for us. He brought donuts and juice. I did fry some eggs to go with it, but boy did he do good with the donuts and juice.

Tia opening her stocking.

Kylee taking a quicker method.

Me and my stocking.

Gaupo and his stocking. (The trail mix in his hands is from Santa)

Kylee with our very own copy of Moana.

The girls with their slippers.

After breakfast, the girls wanted presents to be opened, so before we even changed we opened presents. I think the best present was given to me by Gaupo and the girls and it is my very own red wagon. Tia has played with it most, but I still love it and know its mine. Gaupo's favorite gift was probably The Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series. Kylee's favorite gift was probably her Book of Mormon that she got from her primary teachers it has her name on it. Tia's favorite gift was probably my wagon, but after that a toy phone she got from Grandma Hammond. It was fun to open presents, but once again it was more fun once it was all open and then they actually started looking at everything.

Tia opening her gift from Gaupo and I.

Me with my wagon.

Gaupo opening his gift with our ever watchful Tia.

Kylee opening her present from Gaupo and I.

After it was all open, we got ready for the day. Gaupo assembled the wagon and that provided much fun. Then Tia convinced us to leave our cozy home to go outside. The girls rode bike for a bit, but then that was too cold. So, I caved and took my wagon outside. We played with that for awhile and then we decided to go sledding. That was fun. The snow was great for it and we a fun time together out on the hill. Gaupo is not one who really likes to do anything on Christmas, but he humored us and came out sledding with us, so it was a family event which made it even more special and fun.

After sledding we went inside and had turkey cassadias and hot chocolate for lunch. We video chatted with Grandma and then took naps. It was a good nap. Then we played all out new games in the afternoon. Then we packed for our trip to Arizona. Then we had dinner of all the leftovers. Then we had baths and went to bed. The girls had a terrible time falling asleep either for too much excitement or fear we were going to leave them in any case by the time Gaupo and I finally tumbled into bed they were still awake, but we were ready for the next day departure for Arizona.

It was so nice to be able to be home for Christmas. I like that we can do our own thing. We can do whatever we like. We can wakeup early, or sleep late. We can have junk food for breakfast. We can open presents whenever and play whenever. It really is so nice to be home. To wake up here and be us and just celebrate together. I feel very blessed to have little girls who are easy to please, a home that keeps us warm and comfortable, a husband who loves Christmas, and a Savior who came to this earth as a baby. That baby then lived an extraordinary life, suffered in Gethsemane, died on the cross, and rose again for me and for my family. Many years ago God gave us the wondrous gift. I am truly one blessed woman.