Saturday Morning with Nowhere To Go

Since coaching is going on year-round in our house, it is RARE that we have a free Saturday. Most of those are quickly scheduled with family outings or temple trips. But yesterday morning, we were just HOME. I had several boring things that I could have filled my morning with (ironing, wiping down doors and trim, etc.), but instead I decided that I would go with Tony to do the feeding and chores. Of course, we took all three kids along. So here is the gang:

Mom and Mariah

(and no, we don't worry about makeup on Saturday mornings with nowhere to go)



Dad and Mylie

and finally, Connor.

We started out going to see the new baby calves. On the way, Connor found some hurdles.
But then it was time to get to work--getting the grain for the bulls,

filling a water trough,

breaking up the ice in another trough,

and getting a little TOO up close and personal with the angus bulls.

Here's a zoom-in shot of the poor girl's face as the bull was walking toward her!

Then, it was into the tractor--yep, the WHOLE family--to feed the yearlings. It is a great ride, complete with heat and the radio!

After feeding, we went and fed the horses, but I left my camera in the truck. After the horses had a little to eat, Tony saddled one up and Connor and Mylie both got to ride. It was a FABULOUS morning!

My Kiddos

Of, course, I must include my children if I'm doing posts about things I love! Rather than write a big, long tribute to each of them (which I do on birthdays, or WHENEVER, really) and include a ton of pictures (see the sidebar if you don't know what they look like), I thought I'd do something very simple: three things I LOVE about each of them!

Connor
--1--I love how passionate he is about the things he loves. When he likes something, he embraces it whole-heartedly. This will serve him well.
--2--He still gives me hugs, tells me he loves me, and wants me to scratch his back at bedtime. He doesn't do it a LOT, but he still does it, and I know that eventually this might be gone.
--3--He wants to be just like his dad. If he can accomplish this, he will be a great man someday.

Mylie
--1--She has a great imagination. I love just listening to her play, watching her become her characters, and hearing her sing her heart out to her own original (and nonsensical) lyrics.
--2--She loves to spend time with me. It doesn't matter if it's going to the store, pretending to be my visiting teacher while I do my hair and makeup, or helping me in the kitchen, she wants to be with me.
--3--She has the BEST laugh. It's just so cute when she gets giggling.

Mariah
--1--She totally loves me. Although I'm sure this is true for the other two as well, Mariah never really shows signs that she feels differently. She just loves me all the time.
--2--She has the cutest belly. She is obsessed with it, too. She loves walking around with her shirt pulled up, large pot belly sticking out. I love it! (I also love that her pants stay up!)
--3--She makes me smile everyday. Although toddlers can be a challenge, I think it might be the age that gets the most smiles from me. There's just something adorable about a little bow-legged kid innocently tearing things apart!

The Winter Games

I am totally obsessed with the Olympics. If I had to choose, I'd watch the summer games, but I love the winter games as well. I LOVE the downhill skiing, ski jumping, snowboard cross and halfpipe, speed skating, and figure skating, but I have to admit I do NOT like the ice dancing. I just don't understand it. If there are skating pairs out there that can dance PLUS jump, spin, and throw, WHY is there an event for just dancing? I don't get it, and I don't want to watch it. I suppose the only reason they show it in primetime because the girls are a lot sexier in their outfits than, say, speed skating women. At least, that's all I can figure. Okay, enough of my griping--on to why I really do love watching the olympics.

I'm just blown away by the talent of these athletes, not to mention the GUTS (or possibly insanity?) it takes to be in basically any winter olympic sport--with the exception of curling, I suppose. I love the stories of those who have overcome incredible challenges to be there, and I cry (literally) at times when they realize their dreams that they have worked so hard for. I was especially bawling when Lindsey Vonn got her gold medal. As I watch, I wonder what it would be like to be the best in the world in ANYTHING. I think of everything I can do, and I realize that I am SOOOO far from being the best in the world at anything. It's just such a foreign concept to me, but something that I think would be incredible. I have a great respect for all the olympic athletes and all the time and dedication they have given to develop their talents. We can all take a lesson from them.

Angela

Although Angela is Tony's sister, she might as well be my sister, too. I knew Angela before I knew Tony, and I looked up to her instantly. Then, after Tony and I got married, Angela and I became closer friends, having our first babies just 6 months apart. At the time, she lived in Boise, and we were in Laramie. In about two years' time, we had both bought homes in the Bridger Valley, and we now live just over a mile apart. Next, we started coaching volleyball together, which has brought us even closer. We could probably talk volleyball non-stop for a few DAYS! (Tony may claim that we actually have. . .) A few years ago, I told Tony that I thought Angela knew everything--and it's probably pretty close to true. I've gotten so much advice from her on everything from parenting to planning a vacation to money market accounts to the seven habits, and of course, everything volleyball. She's an amazing coach, mother, person, and most of all, FRIEND!

Violet Rose

Last (of my siblings), but certainly not least, I LOVE Violet! Violet is somebody who isn't afraid to try something new, and she is very reflective, always learning from the experiences she has. In high school, she traveled all the way to somewhere in North Dakota to attend a camp where she learned things about musical theater. After high school, she went to Western Wyoming, University of Wyoming, BYU Semester in Nauvoo, BYU-Idaho, and on a mission to Phoenix! And all of those experiences have added to her personality and wisdom, making her a fun, smart, well-rounded person. I love spending time with Vi. One other thing I should mention about Violet is that she is very thoughtful, and never forgets birthdays and things like that. In fact, she has even sent Tony a Father's Day card. How thoughtful!

And, of course, she's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

And very entertaining at times!

Ha Ha Ha! Love ya, Vi!

Tami

Tami and I were best buddies from the beginning. I don't remember the two of us fighting very much growing up. We had similar interests, and really enjoyed doing things together. I think it's mainly because Tami is so easy to get along with. She's the type of person that everybody likes, and if they don't, it's obviously their problem. She just doesn't give you any reason to NOT like her. She's kind, polite, and thoughtful. From the time she was little, she was always so willing to help others, and I don't think she has any desire to do anything wrong. She is a great example and a FABULOUS friend and sister!

Tami started out as the cutest little girl in the world--really I think she's the cutest! And I LOVE the curls! Here we are modeling some outfits my Mom made.

And then she grew into a beautiful woman who is a wonderful wife and a loving mother to two adorable little boys.

I love you, Tami!

My Parents

I spent Sunday night and all day yesterday in Cokeville, and I was reminded how much I love my parents. They are the best! I am so grateful for the time they took to teach me the gospel in our home. I am grateful for their patience with me (which I didn't really understand until I was a parent myself). I am grateful for the way they counseled me with love through my teenage years, and then trusted me and were supportive of my choices as I headed out on my own. Now, I'm grateful for the phone conversations, parenting advice (which they only give when I ask for it), general support system, and their friendship. I LOVE them so much!

Weren't they a great-looking couple?

And they still are!!!

My Valentine

Of course, my "Luuuuv Month" wouldn't be complete without mentioning the love of my life! Tony is the most amazing man on earth, and I feel so blessed to have found him. I am constantly amazed that he loves me. He seems so completely out of my league!!

Two summers ago, I was at girls' camp and had an afternoon with not much to do. I realized that as of that date, Tony and I had been married for 71 months, so I made a list of 71 things that I love about him. Don't worry . . . I'm not going to list them all . . . just a few of my favorites!

Your kindness toward everyone

Your amazing smile

Your patience

The way you listen

Your work ethic

Your willingness to help me

The way you NEVER yell

You like D.I.

You don't stop me when I'm talking volleyball

You pray with me

You tell me I'm beautiful

Your farmers tan

You bought me a piano

You change diapers

You allow me to enjoy my hobbies

You shave often

Your mashed potatoes

You're content with what we have

We make a good team

I can be with you FOREVER!

I love you, Tony! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Keeping Promises to my Kids

A few weekends ago, I visited Tami and Vi. While in Rexburg, we planned to go ice skating. However, Mariah didn't take a nap, I really didn't want to take her skating with us (knowing that Connor and Mylie would need my help and not knowing how I would do that with Mariah in tow), and so I cancelled on them. They were NOT impressed. And so I PROMISED to take them skating in Rock Springs sometime. Connor was not happy until it was written on the calendar.

Today I fulfilled that promise. We had a GREAT time, and now the kids are trying to get me to promise them another trip soon!

Connor had been skating once before, but it was two years ago. I knew that he would enjoy it because he is just persistant enough to fall down a hundred times and get back up again. And that's what he did once again today.

I was worried about Mylie, though. She's not very persistant when she's struggling to learn something, and she's not usually very tough. I figured that she'd either cling to me and whine the entire time, or fall down a couple times, cry, and be done. Boy was I wrong! She caught on really quickly, and hardly fell at all--I'd say fewer than ten times in the entire hour! In fact, in the end, Connor asked me (in a voice that said, "I really doubt this is true"), "Do you think I'm still better at ice skating than Mylie?" My reply: "It's okay. Everybody has different talents. You're better than her at basketball."

Here she is in action!

My Bros

I have the two greatest brothers anybody could want. They started out very different as little kids, but are now a lot alike. Tyson was aggressive from the start and had to learn to be gentle, while Sullivan was born gentle, and learned how to be aggressive when he needed to be. But they are both great guys, with a nice mix of drive, work ethic, kindness, and consideration for others. And they're both a ton of fun!

Mom and my bros being goofy (This is actually normal.)

(I don't know why this picture and the next are so small. It looks like I just love Sulli best. But I didn't mean to discriminate like this!!!)

Tyson is older and is attending college at Utah State. He went on a mission to Texas, and I heard more from him during the two years he was gone (via family emails) than I have since, that's for sure! I love it when Tyson and I are both in Cokeville at the same time, but I don't get much sleep! Seems like we end up staying up late talking about life quite often. I have a lot of respect for Tyson and all he has accomplished. He's multi-talented. He's a great athlete, super smart, musically talented (playes piano, drums, guitar, and organ all quite well), and funny. I'm sure that whatever he chooses to do with the rest of his life, he'll do it well.

Tyson is an awesome uncle!

Sullivan is ten years younger than me and was always my little buddy. We used to love to play games together. I remember when I was about 16 or so and was starting to spend a lot of my free time with my friends, he came to me one day and said, "You never have time for me anymore." Ahhh. It broke my heart. It's been fun to watch Sulli grow up. Although some things about him have changed over time, the thing that has always remained constant is that he is a good kid. He just has a good heart. He never loses his temper. Actually, I'm not sure he even has a temper. He's a freshman at Western Wyoming and will go on a mission this summer. (And he's one handsome devil, as you can see in the picture below.)

I love my brothers, and am so proud of them. I feel lucky to have such great brothers!

SURPRISES

I love going on dates with my husband, and I love SURPRISES! Last night I was treated to a surprise date with Tony. He texted me from the gym in the afternoon and asked me if I'd go on a date with him. I asked him if I needed to get a babysitter, and he said he already had one. I just needed to be ready to go.



Anyway, I had no idea where we were going, and he took me to see these guys!! The were putting on a concert in Evanston.

BYU Young Ambassadors

It was such a fun time. The concert was amazing!!! Take a look at their website and schedule. If they're ever coming somewhere close to you, you should definitely go. It was wonderful! Thanks, Tony, for the surprise!

* Tessa *

I LOVE Tessa! How can you not, really? Tessa has the perfect mixture of kindness and hilariousness to make up her personality. She would never hurt anybody, and is friends with SO many people! She's very goal-oriented and works hard. She takes pride in everything she does, and is good at it all, too, of course.

Tessa has always been one of a kind. She is just herself, and happy to be. Most girls her age are way too concerned with what everybody else thinks of them. I know I was. But watching Tessa, I can see that life is much better when you just be yourself. And Tessa's "self" is something else! The picture below is "the real Tessa" to me.

Stay REAL, Tessa! (And keep those Beyonce moves sharp! I'm gonna want another show sometime soon. I haven't laughed that hard since. Haha. . . )

* Livi *

I LOVE my sister, Olivia, although I pretty much never call her that. It's just Livi, or sometimes Liv. Last week was Livi's birthday, and I was lucky enough to be at her party and watch her play basketball. It was so much fun.

Not only is Olivia beautiful (as you can see in the pictures), and extremely talented (you should see her play basketball!), but she is also a great person. Livi never complains about things. You know how when you're finished talking to some people, you feel depressed or totally worn out? It's NEVER like that with her. Instead, you get to feel refreshed and upbeat. She just has that effect on you. Livi is also "cool." What I mean by that is that you can't ruffle her feathers. I used to try to tease her about boys, but I quit because you just can't rile her up. Livi has a kind heart. She never wants to hurt anybody's feelings, and is always kind. She is also a GREAT aunt to my kids. They totally adore her, especially Mylie, who does more than adore her. I think it's closer to some form of worship.

Anyway, I feel blessed to have Livi in my life. I hope I can be more like her someday. Love ya, Liv!!!

Treadmill, Newtons, Shenandoah Sisters

I love my treadmill. It was given to us 4 years ago by a teacher at Tony's school who bought it with good intentions, but never used it and needed the space it was taking up. So it was FREE! And it has a couple glitches now. I'm not sure how long it will last, but between Tony and I, averaging 3-4 runs each per week for four years now, we've certainly gotten a lot of use out of it. (P.S. If any of you are like that teacher, and your space is more needed than your good intentions, let us know. We're going to need to buy another one soon, I'm afraid.)

I love my hot pink Newton running shoes. They are INCREDIBLY light and designed to help you run with the form you would if you were running barefoot, which is supposedly best for the rest of your body. I've only had these for a few months, but I love them! Plus, they look SOOOOO COOL, right?!?

I'm on the fourth and final book in this series, Shenandoah Sisters, and I'm LOVING it! You know the kind of books that you stay up late reading, and don't care that you're tired because the book is so worth it? Tony doesn't know anything about this concept, but I'm sure some of you do!

I especially love the three of these things in combination and have enjoyed lots of runs in the past few weeks, almost oblivious that I'm running because I'm so into my book (and my shoes are so light and comfortable!) A lot of people tell me that they can't read and run--either they can't focus in on the words or they get dizzy. So I consider myself lucky. As long as the text isn't too small, I can read up to about 8mph pace. So I don't read when I do speed workouts, but otherwise, I'm ALWAYS reading when I run!

~Luuuuuv Month~

Since this is the month of LOVE, I'm going to dedicate the entire month of blogging to the things and people I LOVE most! (Seems like I already got a head start on this idea with "I Love My Life" and "Land That I Love." But can you really ever have too much love?!?)

I LOVE that my stay-at-home mommy lifestyle allows for spur-of-the moment Wednesday afternoon cookie baking sessions with my girls!