The Last Decade

I have a friend that shared her experiences from the last decade on her blog a while back, I loved it!

I love to reminisce and look at old photo albums...it's so much fun. So, since seeing her post I've been wanting to do the same thing. But let me tell ya...it's a lot of work! I had to go through a lot of albums and scan photos into the computer. But once I started I couldn't go back...I was on a mission to finish!! So this has been a while in the making...hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

In 2000 Ryan and I had already been married a year, living in Indianapolis going to school. We graduated together in the Spring from Marian College (now Marian University)...my degree in Elementary Education and Ryan's in English.

Post graduation road trip to Jackson, Mississippi for a bike race Ryan was in.

And then it was off to Long Beach to live. We literally crammed everything we owned in our little VW Jetta to make the drive from Indiana to CA. I guess it helps to have an old hand-me-down bed, thrift store chairs, a couch we found on the side of the road and cardboard boxes for side tables...it makes getting rid of things so much easier. We took our time driving hitting up a few stops such as the Grand Canyon.

We found a little apartment in Long Beach to live, I started teaching 5th grade and Ryan raced his bike full time along with working for Injury Free Coalition part time.

2001 was the year of weddings. Ryan's sister got married.

And my brother got married.

Ryan and I did a lot of traveling around before we had kids. Jackson, Mississippi, Bend, Oregon, San Francisco (several times), Downers Grove, Illinois (any cyclist will know that all those places host major bike races) So yes, most of our traveling centered around a bike race. But we also got to go back East to Richmond, Williamsburg, DC and Boston. Not all in the same year of course.

In 2002 Ryan and I went on a camping trip through the Eastern Sierras. We stopped in June Lake, Bodie, and Big Pine. During this trip is when I started having a fear of bears...I layed awake every night listening to other campers banging on pots and pans scaring the bears away. I thought for sure a bear would rip through our tent and kill us. That or we would wake up and find our Jeep top ripped to shreds because a bear had gone through it. Luckily, neither happened.

We also visited our old stomping grounds...Indianapolis.

In 2003 we camped in Yosemite for a week. My brother Andrew joined us. I know...more bear country.

Hiking half dome...absolutely amazing!

Also in 2003 we decided to make the move to Utah. We had been married four years and we were ready to buy a home and start a family. This time we still packed up our little Jetta...along with a U-Haul, my parents pick-up, and our Jeep. Yes, we had four vehicles making the drive. Ryan led the way in the U-Haul, me in the Jeep, my parents in their pick-up and my brother Andrew in our Jetta. It was a two day trip.

But so worth it! Our first home! We didn't have jobs or much of a plan, but we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best!

We moved in November (I was teaching year round and that was one of my off months). I went back to Long Beach in December to finish out the semester while Ryan stayed in Utah looking for work. Luckily, he found a job doing the exact same thing he did in Long Beach...working for Injury Free Coalition. Yay! When I met back up with him in Utah, I started subbing.

Late 2003 I found out I was pregnant. My sister-in-law and I were expecting our first baby at the same time. I'm sure she'll be glad I posted this picture!

In 2004 our little Haley girl was born!

And although that year we were still able to travel a bit...a lot of trips to CA, Sedona and some camping...I was basically learning the whole mom thing.

In 2005 I got pregnant again.

In 2006 our little Morgan Muffin was born!

Wow...what a year that was! The transition to two kids was very difficult for me! I was basically a frazzled mother the entire year!

Also that year Ryan started a new job working for Reynolds.

We did some camping that year and next. We started a tradition to go Spring camping at Snow Canyon in St. George. And in 2007 we camped in Zion. However, that trip was a bit of mess...Ryan and both got sick the second day so we went home early. We'll have to try again.

Here we are before we got sick on the Narrows hike in Zion.

In 2008 we had to say goodbye to our beloved Coonhound, Cassidy. She was 14 years old...I got her for my 16th birthday.

That year we welcomed Etta, our very spastic Brittany, to our family.

And I was enjoying life not being pregnant and not nursing for the first time since 2003!! What a liberating year that was for me to have my body back! I was able to do more bike riding, and I even did a cyclocross race...my first ever!

In 2009 we had another addition the family...another spastic Brittany (what was I thinking). Belle joined us.

Also that year, Haley started Kindergarten!

And I got pregnant again! Baby girl number three is on the way!

Which leaves us to now...2010.

Wow, that was fun! So many memories!! What a great decade that was!

Super Bowl

So as you know yesterday was the Super Bowl. I'm not a big football fan, in fact, it wasn't until about two days before the game I even knew who was playing. But any excuse to eat junk food I'm up for it!! Plus, it made for a very relaxing afternoon/evening.

I included a picture of Jeffy and the girls watching the game. Jeff was just lying there by himself and the girls kept inching closer and closer to him, until finally he was swarmed. Jeff doesn't look at all uncomfortable...ha ha.

We've been having such nice weather lately, it's making me get excited for Spring! The other day it must have in the low 50's!! Ryan even took the girls out for a ride in the trailer...and I of course LOVED having the empty house for a couple of hours!

I hope we're going to have an early Spring...Please!

My little bun in the oven.

I had my follow-up ultrasound this morning and I'm happy to report that we are having a healthy baby girl!! No trace of the cysts were found and everything looks great! What a relief!! I'm just so happy!!

As soon as the tech/nurse started to look at what I thought was the brain, I asked her how it looked, I just couldn't wait any longer! She was like, "Oh, this isn't the brain...it's your cervix." My CERVIX...lady, look at the baby's brain!! I need to know NOW! Okay, I wasn't like that...I was patient. But I don't think I would make a good ultrasound tech. Brain...Cervix...it all looks the same to me. So eventually she got to the brain, and sure enough the cysts absorbed away. That didn't stop me from asking more than once, "Are you sure?". I guess I won't be completely at peace until I'm holding her in my arms.

And let me just add that Morgan did a fantastic job during all this...so patient. I was so excited about the good news that Morgan and I went out for treats and then to the play area at the mall. The whole time I was sporting a huge grin from ear to ear!

Finally...

...I think I'm getting it. I think I'm finally finding a routine that works! I've been really trying hard to keep to the incentive charts I created for the girls and stick to some kind of structure in the afternoon. Not that every day is wonderful...I wish I could say that!! Of course there are still those days that nothing gets done, routine/structure is hopeless, and I'm basically running around like a crazy lady pulling out my hair. But, I'm trying...call it my New Year's Resolution: Keeping to a Schedule! (yes, I know it's February, but better late than never!).

Funny because I'm finally finding some type of routine, just to have a baby in a couple of months, which will basically turn my world upside down. And then what? Another 3-5 years to find a routine that works?! It never ends!

Speaking of babies...I had my 30 week check-up this morning. I know, 30 WEEKS!! I even asked the doctor again, "What? How many weeks am I? Did you say 30?!". Terrible I know, I should be keeping better track of this pregnancy! I have to say, when he said 30 weeks, all I could think of was "I'm not ready!!!". Oh my...this baby is going to rock our world!

I have my follow-up ultrasound tomorrow morning to check the status of the cysts that were found in the baby's brain at 20 weeks. The doctor assures me that everything will be fine, but I can't relax until I know for sure. So of course I'm extremely nervous for tomorrow, but anxious as well.

Send good thoughts!

On my mind...

It's been a little while since I blogged last. Actually there's been a bit on my mind, but I just haven't been able to really sit down and put it into words. But after years of journaling I know I always feel better having gotten it all out.

It's amazing how as has my children grow it just doesn't get any easier. The things that used to be challenging: sleep routines, potty training, nursing schedules, crying, crying, and crying (you and child) so on and so on...those things are no longer problems but instead you get a whole new set of things to deal with. School issues, being one that I'm struggling with at the moment. My heart still aches every time Haley gets on the bus for school every morning...I'm not sure if that will ever go away. But any time I'm away from my children a little piece of me is missing. I know that sounds corny and slightly gaggy, but it's true! I know I have to let go and let her learn things on her own...easier said than done.

Does her teacher love my child the way I do? Does she accept all of Haley's little quirky behaviors? Does she appreciate her wonderful imagination? How she has such a gift at story telling? Her love for the outdoors? How she has the ability to entertain herself, and doesn't have to rely on others? How fragile and sensitive she can be?

And can she accept her stubborn, and independent ways that I know can be challenging at times. Does her teacher know how to adapt her classroom management routines to meet the needs of every child. I work hard at home to maintain control and create incentives that work for my children to make the day go smoother...does her teacher? Will her teachers work with me, and not against me? Will they take (what I think are blessings) her imagination, and adventurous spirit and call them her faults? So many things run through my mind. Haley is such a wonderful little girl! Full of life and curiosity...I just don't want her precious little spirit to be hurt...especially by a teacher. She loves going to school everyday, I want it to stay that way as long as possible!

This is just the beginning, her first year. A teacher can either make or break a child's year. I'm realizing now, more than ever, how important a teacher's role is in a child's life.

What a morning...

Ryan got up super early to ride rollers before he headed out for work. I realized this morning that when he rides rollers in the garage a lamp in our bedroom vibrates and rattles...weird. I hadn't noticed that before. Anyway, so I finally roll out of bed around 6:30...that's about the time Ryan is eating his breakfast and just about to leave for the day. He's all flustered. He had spilled a bottle of vegetable oil on the floor. He did his best to clean it up...but come on...it's vegetable oil...it's going to take more than paper towels to clean that up! And then to make matters worse the coffee maker is broken. Good morning...NOT! Plus, I'm starving, but I can't eat because I have to go in for my glucose test after I take Haley to school...I needed to fast. Let me just say, fasting and pregnant DO NOT MIX!! So anyway, when Ryan leaves for work I like to stand at the doorway from the kitchen to the garage. I wave goodbye as he backs out, then shut the big garage door before going back inside. So I'm standing in the garage with the kitchen door, closed, at my back...waving. I hear this fast paced pitter patter of feet running through the house, and then this HUGE crash into the door behind me! I quickly open the door, and there's Haley laying on the floor in a heap. She had just woke up and heard Ryan leaving, she didn't want to miss him, so in her hurry to get to the door in time to wave to Ryan she slid out on the newly greased (with vegetable oil) floor and crashed into the door. Poor thing. However, she did manage to jump up in time to wave to Ryan before he pulled away in the car. So we have a major hazard in our kitchen right now, as I also managed to slip later in the morning. So I guess I'll be mopping today.

So my glucose test went well...other than the fact that I was STARVING!! I got out of there around 10:30. As I was driving home all I could think about was the left over danishes that I made for Jeff's birthday and how badly I wanted one. I knew Jeff had left for school while I was gone and I panicked when it occurred to me that he may have eaten all of it before he left. I forgot to take a piece out before I left to hide somewhere so I would be guaranteed to have one!The thought of all of it being gone nearly brought tears to my eyes...I wanted a danish!!! Luckily, to my relief, there was some left. I devoured it...licking the plate clean.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jeffy Boy!

We started the festivities off this morning...the girls and I woke him up around 7:15 this morning singing Happy Birthday and presented him with a homemade danish complete with candle. This is something my mom did for us growing up every year...a tradition that I want to keep up in this house. Not that it has to be something homemade...a bagel, pancakes...anything will do in a pinch. It's the thought that counts. Although, I haven't been able to do to the girls because they always get up before us...I'm sure that won't last forever. Anyway, last year for Jeff's Birthday I forgot to present him with a Birthday breakfast treat. I will never live that down...I still feel so bad about it. So there was no way I would let that slide again! It was kinda funny because the room was dark (obviously...he was sleeping) when we came in singing. The only light came from the candle. And his room wasn't the the cleanest at the moment. So the girls had a little trouble walking to the bed, they kept tripping on random things...shoes, ski boots, backpack, books. They would be singing "Happy Birthday to...(trip) Umphf, ouch...You! Happy...(trip) Ahh, ouch...Birthday to You!". Ahhh, good times.

I think we'll be going out for burgers (his request) tonight, and then have a family party on the weekend with the cake. Another excuse to pig out...which I might add, I have been doing a lot of lately!